Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DUNGENESS CRAB, CANCER MAGISTER, DO NOT EXTRUDE EGGS ANNUALLY IN SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA: AN IN SITU STUDY

Abstract The reproductive biology of female Dungeness crabs was studied with crab-pot and dive-transect sampling in five bays within or near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, southeastern Alaska, in April and September yearly from 1992 to 1998. A large percentage of nonovigerous, mature females was found in April, a time when females were expected to be brooding eggs that hatch in May and June. Our study examined differences between ovigerous and nonovigerous females collected in April and September samples to corroborate our previous laboratory study in which we found nonannual egg extrusion among Dungeness crabs. Seasonal differences in the catches of ovigerous and nonovigerous females, crab sizes, shell condition, and appendage injury were examined. Additionally, all crabs collected from two bays were tagged beginning in the fall of 1995; tagging was conducted twice annually. Our pot and dive data indicate that females, particularly larger ones, do not extrude eggs annually. Larger females have lower molting probabilities, which limits mating potential and increases reliance on stored sperm. The tagging study confirmed that at least some females do not extrude eggs in one year and then extrude eggs at a later time without molting, thus skipping at least one reproductive season. A reproductive cycle of Dungeness crabs in Alaska is introduced which includes earlier egg extrusion by larger females and nonannual egg extrusion.
A Métier-Sustainability-Index (MSI25) to evaluate fisheries components: assessment of cases from data-poor fisheries from southern Europe

The data collection in Tabarca Marine Reserve was financed by the EU DG Fisheries through Project BIOMEX (QLRT-2001-00891). Data collection on the Croatian coast was carried out by the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries through Project 001-0013077-0844. We gratefully acknowledge the Portuguese Directorate-General of Marine Resources and the project “Desarrollo sostenible de las pesquerias artesanales del Arco Atlantico” (PRESPO) under the INTERREG IVB Programme-Atlantic Area, co-financed by the EU (ERDF Programme) for providing the data for the Portuguese case study.
Stimulatory Effect of benzyladenine and gibberellic acid on Growth and Photosynthetic pigments of (Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel) Plants

Field trials with Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel were conducted at the experimental farm of Faculty of Agriculture, University Azad Jiroft in 2012 growth seasons. The aim of this work is to study the effect of foliar application with benzyladenine (BA) at 0, 100, 200 and 400 mg.L -1 and gibberellic acid (GA3) at 0, 100 and 200 mg.L -1 on the vegetative growth constituents of Spathiphyllum plants. Most of the criteria of vegetative growth expressed as number of leaves/plant, leaf area and petiole length and were significantly affected by application of the two factors which were used in this study. All foliar applications of SPAD BA and GA3 separately promoted all the aforementioned characters in this study, as well as chl. a, petiole length, number of leaves/plant, leaf area and spad compared with control plants. The most number of produced leaves was in a plant in applications of 400 mg l -1 of BA, 100 mg l -1 of BA, 400 mg l -1 BA+100 mg l -1 GA3 , 400 mg l -1 BA+mg l -1 of GA3 and respectively, with average of 11/33, 11,10/66, 10/66 that they did not show a meaniful diference, statically.
Reducing the rat threat to island birds

Summary Invasions of alien mammals, particularly predators such as rats Rattus spp. , have been a major cause of the disproportionately high number of extinctions of island birds. This paper outlines how introduced rodents affect these birds, describes administrative, management and scientific measures which should be taken to prevent the spread of these mammals to additional islands and to limit their impact, and provides practical information about how to control or eradicate the rodents. We use examples from New Zealand's experiences with islands and rats to illustrate the problems and solutions. The information and recommendations in the paper are directed particularly towards legislators, administrators and managers all over the world who are responsible for the conservation of island faunas. The paper gives examples of rat-free islands deserving the highest level of protection, and a step-by-step checklist for action to minimize the risks of rodent invasion.
A comparative analysis of the avifaunas of different zoogeographical regions

This paper provides a comparison of the landbirds of all main zoogeographical regions, based on the most recent (Sibley–Monroe) listing and classification of the world's birds. This classification arranges 9416 landbird species (i.e. excluding seabirds) into 2002 genera, 140 families and 23 orders. On this basis, the Neotropical region holds 36% of all known landbird species and 45% of genera, the Afrotropical region holds 21% of species and 24% of genera, the Indomalayan region 18% of species and 22% of genera, the Australasian region 17% of species and 23% of genera, the Palaearctic region 10% of species and 14% of genera and the Nearctic region 8% of species and 15% of genera. These major continental regions thus show 4.6-fold variation in species numbers or 9.1-fold variation in species numbers per unit area. The region of Oceania, comprising many Pacific Islands, holds only 2% of the world's bird species and 4% of genera. About 92% of all bird species on the continental parts of the Neotropical, Afrotropical and Australasian regions are endemic to those regions, compared to 64% of the Indomalayan, 54% of the Nearctic and 46% of the Palaearctic species. The Oceania region has the smallest number of endemics, but these form 87% of all species occurring naturally in this region. About 91% of all landbird species breed in only one zoogeographic region, another 8% in two regions, with the remaining 1% in three to seven regions. Only four species breed in all seven regions. Similarities in the species composition of different regions were compared using Jaccard and Simpson indices. As expected, each region shares the greatest number of species with the closest other region and the fewest species with the most remote region. As in previous analyses, the Neotropical and Australasian regions emerged as having the most distinctive avifaunas. Regions that hold large numbers of landbird species also hold large numbers of genera and families, as well as high species-per-genus and species-per-family ratios. Comparable levels of diversity thus extend through all these taxonomic categories. This implies that, whatever factors have promoted particular levels of avian diversity in the different regions, they are of long standing. As found in previous studies, species-per-genus and species-per-family ratios are lower in island than in continental avifaunas. No relationship is apparent between the size of each zoogeographical region and the numbers of species, genera and families found there; rather those regions with tropical forest have many more bird taxa overall than those without.
CHANGES IN ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION ALONG A CHRONOSEQUENCE OF RESTORED GRASSLANDS

Changes in aboveground vegetation, roots, and soil characteristics were examined from a 12-yr chronosequence of formerly cultivated fields restored to native C4 grasses through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Following 6–8 yr in the CRP, the native grasses dominated vegetation composition, and the presence of forbs was negligible. Productivity of the restored grasslands did not exhibit any directional changes with the number of years in the CRP, and productivity was generally higher than native prairie in this region. Over time, the restored grasslands accumulated root biomass of decreasing quality as indicated by increasing root biomass and C:N ratio of roots along the 12-yr chronosequence. Root biomass, root C:N ratio, C storage in roots, and N storage in roots of restored grasslands approached that of native tallgrass prairie within the 12 yr of restoration. Establishment of the perennial vegetation also affected soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Soil bulk density in the .
Factors determining the abundance, distribution and population size–structure of the penshell Pinna carnea

Surveys conducted in the south-western Dominican Republic showed that the penshell Pinna carnea is a consistent component of seagrass beds and is absent in adjacent sandflats. Population densities were low (0.012–0.076·m−2) and the size–structure skewed towards large individuals. Trials with different types of substrata in caged spat collectors, involving a combination of sand, seagrass blades and roots, and an artificial treatment by itself, indicated no settlement preference for any of the substrata tested. Comparison of additional spat collectors (caged and uncaged) indicated high predation losses (84%) for recently settled penshells. Experiments with penshells measuring 10–30, 50–70 and 90–110 mm (anterior to posterior dorsal tip) transplanted to plots in a seagrass bed and sandflat showed that predation losses decreased with increasing size and were much less in seagrass than in the sandflat. In 10-day trials, survival in the three size-groups was 27-fold greater in the seagrass bed than on the sandflat. During 3-day trials in the sandflat, survival increased from 6% for 50–100 mm penshells to 93% for 150–170 mm penshells. At the end of 100-day trials, during which the study area was subjected to Hurricane Dennis, the only surviving penshells were large individuals (90–110 mm) that had been transplanted to the seagrass bed. All individuals transplanted to the sandflat went missing. Growth measurements showed that small penshells grow rapidly (up to 2.2 mm·d−1), but the growth rate drops markedly at ~150 mm. Rapid juvenile growth may be a strategy for reducing the period of high vulnerability to predators. The high proportion of large individuals in the population likely represents the accumulation of successive recruitments as growth slows in older penshells. Pinna carnea is mainly restricted to seagrass beds because they provide more protection from predators than adjacent habitats. Moreover, the consolidation of sediments in seagrass beds by roots and algal rhizoids provides a degree of protection from physical disturbances such as hurricanes. The advantages provided by the seagrass habitat come at a cost because we detected a mortality factor in the seagrass bed (possibly related to the ~3-fold higher silt load) that was absent on the sandflat.
Mitochondrial DNA characterization of Sergentomyia sintoni populations and finding mammalian Leishmania infections in this sandfly by using ITS-rDNA gene

Summary Sergentomyia sintoni is the natural vector of Sauroleishmania species of lizards. This sandfly is abundance in and around the burrows of great gerbils. S. sintoni was collected from peridomestic animal shelters, inside and around houses and also from the nearby burrows of the gerbil reservoir hosts, Rhombomys opimus, in several provinces of Iran. Mitochondrial Cytochrome b (Cyt b) of sandflies, which is a maternally-inherited gene marker was used to characterize different haplotypes and populations of this sandfly. The analyses were based on the last 717 bp of the Cyt b gene followed by 20 bp of intergenic spacer and the transfer RNA ser (TCN) gene, i.e. the 737 bp fragment (without primers) amplified with the primers CB1-SE and CB-R06. The ITS-rDNA gene was also used to find Leishmania infections in S. sintoni. Cyt b 5´ fragment sequences were obtained from 22 S. sintoni, Cyt b 3´ fragment sequences were also obtained from 22 and Cyt b Long fragment sequences were obtained from 19 S. sintoni. By using nested PCR of ITS- rDNA gene, at least two species of L. major and L. gerbilli s.l. were found in S. sintoni. It needs further studies for considering the vectorial role of S. sintoni in ZCL foci, it's important role in maintaining L. major infections in the great gerbil and transmitting Leishmania species to people and among the reservoir hosts.
Source populations in carnivore management: cougar demography and emigration in a lightly hunted population

Wildlife agencies typically attempt to manage carnivore numbers in localized game management units through hunting, and do not always consider the potential influences of immigration and emigration on the outcome of those hunting practices. However, such a closed population structure may not be an appropriate model for management of carnivore populations where immigration and emigration are important population parameters. The closed population hypothesis predicts that high hunting mortality will reduce numbers and densities of carnivores and that low hunting mortality will increase numbers and densities. By contrast, the open population hypothesis predicts that high hunting mortality may not reduce carnivore densities because of compensatory immigration, and low hunting mortality may not result in more carnivores because of compensatory emigration. Previous research supported the open population hypothesis with high immigration rates in a heavily hunted (hunting mortality rate=0.24) cougar population in northern Washington. We test the open population hypothesis and high emigration rates in a lightly hunted (hunting mortality rate=0.11) cougar population in central Washington by monitoring demography from 2002 to 2007. We used a dual sex survival/fecundity Leslie matrix to estimate closed population growth and annual census counts to estimate open population growth. The observed open population growth rate of 0.98 was lower than the closed survival/fecundity growth rates of 1.13 (deterministic) and 1.10 (stochastic), and suggests a 12–15% annual emigration rate. Our data support the open population hypothesis for lightly hunted populations of carnivores. Low hunting mortality did not result in increased numbers and densities of cougars, as commonly believed because of compensatory emigration.
Interspecific Variation in Size, Diapause Intensity, and Moisture Responses of First-Instar Speyeria (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) Larvae

ABSTRACT Egg weights of Speyeria (Nymphalidae) species from California were measured to estimate relative sizes of first-instar larvae. First-instar larvae were compared for diapause intensity and for their physiological and behavioral responses to atmospheric humidity and free water. Diapause intensity, measured by number of days between first instar and molt to second instar, ranged from 7.6 d (Speyeria nokomis) to 40.7 d (Speyeria callippe). Among species, diapause intensity was uncorrelated with egg weight, but within three species (S. nokomis, Speyeria mormonia, and Speyeria zerene), diapause intensity was positively correlated to egg weight. There was significant interspecific variability in the desiccation tolerance of diapause larvae to low (11% RH) humidity. The least and most desiccation-tolerant species, respectively, were S. nokomis (LT50= 1.9 d) and S. callippe (LT50 = 13.6 d). Interspecific desiccation tolerance was uncorrelated with egg weight. Larvae of S. nokomis moved from lower to higher humidity within a humidity gradient, whereas larvae of S. callippe did not move toward higher humidity. Desiccated larvae of S. callippe and S. zerene rehydrated by imbibing free water. Exposure of S. callippe and S. zerene larvae to 100% RH in the absence of free water did not result in a body weight increase, but high humidity conditions reduced the rate of water loss.
Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Castor Aralia (Kalopanax pictus Nakai) Leaf Powder on Blood Characteristics of Chicken

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation diets with Kalopanax pictus leaf powder on performance, proximate composition, carcass characteristics and blood characteristics of chicken meat. Broiler chicks were fed diets containing Kalopanax pictus leaves with concentration of 0% (Control), 0.5% (T1), 1.0% (T2), and 2.0% (T3) for five weeks. There were no significant differences in performance among treatment, however there were significant decrease in mortality within treatment. The crude fat of chicken meat was increased in diets by addition of Kalopanax pictus leaf powder than control, but moisture, crude protein, and crude ash were no significant differences. The abdominal fat was significantly increased by the supplementation of Kalopanax pictus leaf powder compare to the control (P<0.05). The total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride of control were higher than treatment groups, and the HDL-cholesterol and glucose of control were lower than treatment groups (P<0.05). Especially, T2 and T3 were significantly (P<0.05) more effective in improving cholesterol compare to other treatment groups. In conclusion, these data indicate that supplementation of 1.0% Kalopanax pictus leaf powder (T2) were
Rapid, plateau-like increases in intracellular free calcium are associated with Nod-factor-induced root-hair deformation

Rhizobia excrete variously substituted lipo-oligosaccha-ride Nod factors into the legume rhizosphere. Homologous legumes respond to these signals through deformation of the root hairs and the development of nodulation foci in the root cortex. Cellular events in root hairs from the susceptible zone of nearly mature root hairs were studied in root segments loaded with the calcium indicators Fura-2 or Fluo-3. Application of 10-9 M Nod factors of the broad-host-range Rhizobium sp. NGR234 to the homologous legume Vigna unguiculata resulted, within seconds, in plateau-like increases in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in the root hairs and root epidermal cells. Nod factors of R. meliloti at 10-9 M caused equally rapid increases in [Ca2+]i in the root hairs and epidermal cells of the nonhost V. unguiculata, and also induced root-hair deformation. The chitin tetramer, N-N′-N″-N′″-tetracetylchitotetraose, which represents the backbone of Nod factors, induced neither root-hair deformation nor changes in [Ca2+]i.
Effects of 24-epibrassinolide on growth, chlorophyll, electrolyte leakage and proline by pepper plants under NaCl-stress

Brassinosteroids are steroidal phytohormones that have the ability to overcome plant environmental stress. This study was carried out to investigate the role of 24-epibrassinolide in inducing pepper plant salt tolerance as measured by a range of physiological parameters: growth, chlorophyll, electrolyte leakage and proline. Capsicum annuum cv. Beldi seedlings were sprayed with 24-epibrassinolide both in the presence or the absence of NaCl and were sampled, 28 days after treatments. As a result of analysing the cultures under salinity stress, it was determined that the biomass and the chlorophyll decreased significantly, while the electrolyte leakage and the proline concentration increased considerably under salinity stress. However, the application of 24-epibrassinolide significantly ameliorated the adverse effects of salinity on the examined parameters, confirming the suppositions of previous authors who have claimed that exogenously applied 24-epibrassinolide can increase growth and protect the integrity of the cellular membrane in stressed plants.
Salivary Proteins of Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae)

ABSTBACT Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae) causes economic damage to a wide range of crops in the western United States. While stylet-probing, L. hesperus discharge saliva consisting of lytic enzymes that facilitate extraoral digestion of host tissues. L. hesperus saliva primarily consists of polygalacturonases, &agr;-amylases, and proteases, but salivary constituents other than these enzymes have not been documented. Improved knowledge of L. hesperus salivary proteins could lead to a better understanding of Lygus-host interactions, and aid in the development of crops that are resistant or tolerant to injury caused by Lygus spp. The objective of our study was to use mass spectrometry to identify salivary proteins of L. hesperus adults. Multiple polygalacturonases and proteases were identified from diet that was stylet-probed and fed upon by L. hesperus. Laccase, alkyl hydroperoxide reductase-like protein, glucose dehydrogenase, and xanthine dehydrogenase were identified in styletprobed diets by using mass spectrometry, and laccase activity was confirmed using a colorimetric assay. This is the first study to identify laccase, glucose dehydrogenase, and xanthine dehydrogenase from L. hesperus saliva; we propose these enzymes target plant-defense compounds. Nearly 100 proteins from the bacterial plant pathogen, Pantoea ananatis and nine proteins from Serratia spp. were identified in stylet-probed diets. These results suggest L. hesperus may vector these plant pathogens. Our study adds to the list of documented L. hesperus salivary proteins, and provides information that will be useful for the further study of L. hesperus saliva and Lygus-microbe interactions.
The “love dart” of the snail Helix aspersa injects A pheromone that decreases courtship duration

During the courtship of Helix aspersa, the snails push calcareous darts into one another. To examine the importance f this unusual action for the normal expression of their sexual behaviour, one group of Helix aspersa was prevented from exchanging darts by surgically removing their dart sacs. Another group of Helix aspersa had their digitiform glands surgically removed. These glands secrete a mucus that coats the dart. Glandless snails were capable of exchanging darts, but the darts lacked their normal mucus coating. Both dartless and glandless pairs required more courtship time to reach copulation than did sham-operated controls. Therefore, it appears that it is the mucus from the digitiform gland, not the mechanical action of the dart, which affects courtship duration. Injections of gland homogenate decreased the courtship duration of sexually receptive, dartless, and glandless snails. Gland homogenate also increased the size of the recipient's genital eversion, and retarded locomotion. The mucus was only effective if it entered the circulatory system of a sexually receptive snail at a specific stage of genital eversion. The active agent in the digitiform gland mucus fulfills the requirements for the substance to be classified as a pheromone. It enters the circulatory system of the conspecific via inoculation by the dart.
Resident Trout and Movement: Consequences of a New Paradigm

Trout living in streams have been thought to move very little throughout their entire lives. Recent research has demonstrated that adult brown trout, Colorado River cutthroat trout, brooh trout, and rainbow trout were far more mobile than previously believed. The mobility of trout has probably affected estimates of fish abundance, perceptions of habitat quality, and the delineation of populations, and could nullify the desired outcome of restrictive angling regulations. Also, by fragmenting streams we may be reducing the probability of persistence of native trout populations by restricting movement and thus restricting population size. Restricted Movement<