Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The emerging synthesis of evolution with ecology in fisheries science

Fisheries science is currently being transformed through a true integration of ecological and evolutionary perspec- tives. Many questions are emerging from the recognition that human-induced evolutionary change can elicit ecological change on short time scales, in some cases equal to or exceeding the changes brought on by classical ecological effects. For instance, to what extent does evolutionary change associated with size-selective harvesting, supplementation, captive breeding, aquaculture escapees, and related fisheries activities directly or indirectly affect species demography (persistence, productivity, or recovery), community structure, and ecosystem functioning? Under what conditions do feedbacks between evolution and ecology matter most for managing fisheries activities? Do such feedbacks generate predictable outcomes, and are they reversible? Although as yet, little consensus has been reached on the answers to these questions, it is clear that a synthesis of evolutionary and ecological perspectives holds great promise for improving and generating more biologically realistic modeling, monitoring, rebuilding, and management of fish populations, fish species, and aquatic ecosystems. Resume : Une transformation est en cours dans les sciences halieutiques associee al'integration veritable des perspectives ecologique et evolutionnaire. La reconnaissance du fait que les changements evolutionnaires induits par l'homme peuvent entrainer, en peu de temps, des changements ecologiques equivalents ou plus importants que les changements decoulant d'effets ecologiques classiques souleve de nombreuses questions. Par exemple, quelle est l'ampleur de l'incidence, directe ou indirecte, des changements evolutionnaires associes a la recolte selon la taille, ala supplementation, al'elevage en captivite, aux poissons echappes d'installations d'aquaculture et aux activites reliees ala peche sur la demographie (persistance, productivite, recuperation) des especes, la structure des communautes et les fonctions des ecosystemes? Dans quelles conditions l'importance des retroactions entre evolution et ecologie est-elle la plus grande en ce qui concerne la gestion des activites de peche? Ces retroactions entrainent-elles des situations previsibles et sont-elles reversibles? S'il n'existe pas encore de reel consensus sur les reponses aces questions, il est clair que la production et l'amelioration de modeles plus realistes sur le plan biologique, ainsi que la surveillance, la reconstitution et la gestion des populations et especes de poissons et des ecosystemes aquatiques ne peuvent que beneficier d'une synthese des perspectives evolutionnaire et ecologique. (Traduit par la Redaction)
Protecting the seagrass biome: report from the traditional seagrass knowledge working group

Both natural and human-induced disturbance vectors reduce seagrass cover. However,global declines, now extending to 24 different species, are largely driven by human activ-ity (Short and Wyllie-Echeverria, 1996; Aioi and Omori, 2000; Hemminga and Duarte,2000). It is clear that the legal/judicial model, upon which conservation initiatives arebased, is not effectively arresting this trend.
Resistance to a Necrotic Strain of Soybean Mosaic Virus in Soybean1

Eighty-nine entries from soybean [Glyclne max (L.) Merr. ] germplasm collection and 47 cultivars were evaluated for resistance to necrotic infection by a strain of soybean mosaic virus (SMV-N) in the field. Necrotic symptoms developed on 18 of the 136 entries with severity ranging from 4 to 86%. Many of the soybean cultivars evaluated were susceptible. Five resistant lines or cultivars previously identified as resistant to SMV-N in field test, ‘KEX-2,’ ‘Kumgangdaerip,’ ‘# 31926,’ ‘KAS 390-10,’ and ‘KAS 150-5,’ were crossed with either susceptible cultlvars ‘Kwangkyo’ or ‘Tachisuzunari’ to study the inheritance of resistance. All the F₂ progenies of these crosses segregated in a 3:1 ratio of susceptible to resistant plants, indicating that resistance was conferred by a single recessive gene.
A Brief History of Biodiversity Conservation in Brazil

Brazil is one of the world’s richest megadiversity countries, vying with Indonesia for the title of our planet’s biologically wealthiest nation. Privileged as it is, however, it rarely attracts attention for what it has; rather, it is criticized for what it is losing through deforestation; conversion of natural landscapes into plantations, soybean fields, and pastures; and industrial and urban sprawl. Although the threats to the country’s wildlife and natural landscapes are dramatic, Brazil has also become a world leader in biodiversity conservation, primarily because of its ever-growing cadre of conservation professionals. Destruction of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest and its wildlife began in the early 1500s (Dean 1995; Coimbra-Filho &
Genetic aspects of diet selection in the Chihuahuan desert

Fecal microhistology and chemistry were used to evaluate botanical composition and quality of diets selected by Brangus cattle grazing Chihuahuan desert range in 3 seasons; fall: October, 1991; winter: January, 1992; and summer: July, 1992. Fecal samples were collected from 100 head in fall (58 2-8 year cows and 42 calves), 53 head (2-8 year-old cows) in winter, and 44 head (2-8 year-old cows) in summer. Paternal half sib analyses were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic variances and heritability estimates. Heritability is the proportion of total (phenotypic) variation which is due to additive genetic effects. The effect of sire within age was observed for percentage of Aristida spp. (P= 0.01), Sporobolus spp. (P= 0.09), total grasses (P = 0.02), Croton pottsii (Klotzsch) Muell. -Arg. (P= 0.03), and total forbs (P =0.02) in fall diets. The number of grass species in diets was also affected by sire (P=0.03). Heritability estimates were 0.87, 0.51, 0.78, 0.76, and 0.79 for percentages of Aristida spp. , Sporobolus spp. , total grasses, Croton pottsii, and total forbs, respectively. Heritability estimates for number of grass and forb species in fall diets were 0.68 and 0.26, respectively. Heritability estimates for winter samples were 0.40, 0.00, 0.37, and 0.27 for percentages of Sporobolus spp. , total grasses, Yucca elata Engelm. , and total shrubs, respectively. Heritability estimates for the number of grass and total species observed in winter diets were 1.11 and 0.47, respectively. Heritability estimates for percentages of Bouteloua spp. , total grasses, Croton pottsii, Dalea spp. , and total forbs in summer samples were 0.20, 0.55, 0.58, and 0.46, respectively. Heritability estimates for the number of grass and total species in summer diets were 0.49 and 0.79, respectively. These data suggest that genetic composition of beef cattle may affect diet selection under Chihuahuan desert conditions.
GABA in Grapevines - Is it only a Compound for Nitrogen Storage and/or an Import Stress and Quality Indicator?

Taking into account all information about GABA in different plants we tried to find out some of the fundamental roles of GABA in grapevines: Its dynamic in different plant organs including vegetative and generative ones as well as dependencies on exogenous factors. AA dynamic in one year old wood was confirmed according former findings; N nutritional status of the vine has an important influence on stored amounts of Arg, Gln, Glu and GABA. Shoots shows relatively low contents of all determined AAs; highest amounts are found with Ala, Gln and Glu. Fertilization increases Gln and Glu. Highest amounts of al AAs are found in emerging and developing leaves; GABA has highest amounts besides Glu. The influence of N fertilization is obvious. In developing fruits main AA is Gln; role of GABA is just unclear. GABA synthesis seems to be dependent on GDD and on N nutritional status of the grapevine. In further research work more emphasis has to be laid on the influence of exogenous factors like water, light and also diseases. The relationship on wine quality is still open but the by-products of GABA-shunt should be shifted in the focus of wine makers and wine microbiologists.
Heavy metal uptake by chemically distinct lichens from Aspicilia spp. growing on ultramafic rocks

Accumulation of metals in four crustose lichens with different secondary chemistry growing on serpentinite was studied. Aspicilia cinerea and A. blastidiata contain depsidone norstictic acid, A. goettweigensis contains stictic acid, and A. contorta ssp. hoffmanniana contains aliphatic compound aspicilin. The highest concentrations in lichens compared with serpentinite were found for calcium (Ca; average 11 times, maximum 20 times). Strontium (Sr), Copper (Cu), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn) and chromium (Cr) were 2.8–9 times greater in lichens than in rocks, and other elements such as nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn) and magnesium (Mg) were equal or lower in the thalli than in the substrate. Three species showed little differences in concentrations of the same metals, whereas Aspicilia blastidiata, which is obligate to serpentinite, had statistically higher concentrations of most elements. This implies that the difference in secondary chemistry does not strongly influence accumulation rates of metals in selected species on serpentinite but that lichens have both mechanisms of accumulation and avoidance that may be related to ‘lichen acids’.
The Effect of Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants on Performance, Egg Quality and Blood Constituents of Laying Hens Grown Under High Ambient Temperature

A total of 216 laying hens was kept at high ambient temperature (32±4°C, 60% relative humidity) from week 24 to 32 of age. Birds were divided in 8 treatments with 9 replicates of 3 hens each. The groups were fed the same basal diet and submitted to these dietary treatments: control, un-supplemented; green tea (GT), fed GT at 1 g/kg diet; brown marine algae (BMA), fed BMA at 1 g/kg diet; vitamin E (vit. E), fed vit. E at 300 mg/kg diet; GT+BMA, fed GT and BMA at 1 g/kg of each; GT+vit. E, fed GT and vit. E at 1 g and 300 mg/kg, respectively; BMA+vit. E, fed BMA and vit. E at 1 g and 300 mg/kg, respectively. Feeding BMA at 0.1% increased laying rate by 1.2% and improved feed conversion ratio by 5.2% compared to the control. Vitamin E significantly increased shell thickness by 6.6% and Haugh unit by 4.6% compared to the control. In addition, BMA+vit. E or GT+vit. E increased yolk colour by 9.1 and 10.7%, and Haugh unit of stored eggs by 10.9 and 11.1%. Cholesterol of fresh eggs and plasma were significantly decreased by 16.0 and 9.4% due to supplementation with BMA, and by 19.2 and 8.1% with vit. E addition. Plasma phosphorus increased by 19.1% after vit. E+BMA supplementation. In conclusion, use of BMA or vit. E or GT in laying hens diets which grow under heat stress is recommended as it improves production performance and egg quality.
Erfolgsbedingungen der Öffentlichkeitseinbindung in unterschiedlichen Innovationssettings

Das Projekt PartInno (Partizipation und Innovationsphasen: Funktionale Gewinne durch Öffentlichkeitsbeteiligung in differenten Phasen der Innovationsentwicklung)1 hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, die Nutzung partizipativer Verfahren zur Öffentlichkeitseinbindung entlang typischer Innovationsphasen empirisch zu untersuchen. So sollen die Voraussetzungen der Anwendbarkeit von Öffentlichkeitseinbindung sowie die Vielfalt möglicher „Partizipationsgewinne“ systematisch exploriert und in einem konzeptionellen Modell generalisiert werden. Darüber hinaus wird ein „Entscheidungskompass“ entwickelt. Dieser gibt Auskunft darüber, welche „Partizipationsgewinne“ – etwa die Erweiterung der Wissensoder Wertebasis von Entscheidungen oder technischen Anwendungen – in welchen Phasen sinnvollerweise zu erschließen sind (und welche nicht).
Estimating species richness and biomass of tropical dry forests using LIDAR during leaf‐on and leaf‐off canopy conditions

Questions Is the accuracy of predictions of above-ground biomass (AGB) and plant species richness of tropical dry forests from LIDAR data compromised during leaf-off canopy period, when most of the vegetation is leafless, compared to the leaf-on period? How does topographic position affect prediction accuracy of AGB for leaf-off and leaf-on canopy conditions? Location Tropical dry forest, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Methods We evaluated the accuracy of predictions using both leaf-on and leaf-off LIDAR estimates of biomass and species richness, and assessed the adequacy of both LIDAR data sets for characterizing these vegetation attributes in tropical dry forests using multiple regression analysis and ANOVA. The performance of the models was assessed by leave-one-out cross-validation. We also investigated differences in vegetation structure between two topographic conditions using PCA and ANOSIM. Finally, we evaluated the influence of topography on the accuracy of biomass estimates from LIDAR using multiple regression analysis and ANOVA. Results A higher overall accuracy was obtained with leaf-on vs leaf-off conditions for AGB (root mean square error (RMSE) = 21.6 vs 25.7 ton·ha−1), as well as for species richness (RMSE = 5.5 vs 5.8 species, respectively). However, no significant differences in mean dissimilarities between biomass estimates from LIDAR and in situ biomass estimates comparing the two canopy conditions were found (F1,39 = 0.03, P = 0.87). In addition, no significant differences in dissimilarities of AGB estimation were found between flat and hilly areas (F1,39 = 1.36, P = 0.25). Conclusions Our results suggest that estimates of species richness and AGB from LIDAR are not significantly influenced by canopy conditions or slope, indicating that both leaf-on and leaf-off models are appropriate for these variables regardless of topographic position in these tropical dry forests.
The role of density and relatedness in wild juvenile Atlantic salmon growth

Growth is a key life-history trait in fish that is influenced by both abiotic (such as temperature and water chemistry) and biotic factors (such as density and food availability). Investigating how growth performance is influenced by such factors in the wild is important for understanding how population processes influence animals in natural environments and for predicting the response to conservation and management strategies that manipulate these conditions. The theory of kin selection predicts that significant growth and survival benefits are conferred upon animals associating with close relatives. However, resource competition may be more intense among close relatives, and little is known about the trade-off between these two processes under different ecological conditions. Here, we examine the correlation between naturally occurring densities and kin-biased growth rate using a species where kin recognition has a strong impact on behaviour in laboratory studies, but where, paradoxically, field investigations have failed to document predicted kin-biased growth or survival. Intra- and inter-family differences in growth rate of juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were studied to examine how relatedness (groups of full-sibling fish and groups of mixed-sibling fish) and sibling group (family/genotype) affect salmon parr growth, and the correlation of growth rate under a range of naturally occurring densities. Parentage and relatedness of neighbouring fish were assigned using microsatellite and passive integrated transponder tags, which allowed the growth estimation of individual fish. The results show that growth rate was significantly influenced by both sibling group (family of origin) and also by an interaction between relatedness and density. The latter finding indicates that at higher densities, full-sibling groups achieved higher growth rates in comparison to mixed-sibling groups. Thus, the growth benefits of associating with relatives are not conferred under all ecological conditions, but it becomes most apparent at high density when resource competition is greatest.
Genetic parameters for production traits and measures of residual feed intake in Duroc and Landrace pigs

Data on 380 Duroc boars from seven generations, and 1026 Landrace pigs (341 boars and 685 gilts) from six generations were used to estimate genetic parameters for daily gain (DG), backfat thickness (BF), metabolic weight (MWT), daily feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI). Two measures of RFI were estimated as the difference between actual feed intake and that predicted from models that included initial test age and weight and DG (RFI1); and initial test age and weight, DG and BF (RFI2). Heritability estimates for DG, MWT and FI were moderate for both breeds. BF estimates were high for both the breeds. The measures of feed efficiency (FCR and RFI) were moderately heritable. Genetic correlations of BF with measures of RFI were stronger when BF was not included in the estimation of RFI (0.40 and 0.46 for Duroc and Landrace, respectively (for RFI1), compared with 0.05 and 0.06 for Duroc and Landrace, respectively (for RFI2)). Genetic correlations of MWT with measures of RFI were all negative and low. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between DG and measures of RFI were close to zero, which indicated that selection for reduced RFI could be made without adversely affecting DG. BF should also decrease, and MWT should increase under selection for reduced RFI. The reduction in BF would depend on the measure of RFI used.
Changes in the formation of an extracellular matrix surface network during early stages of indirect somatic embryogenesis in Drosera spathulata

Our attention was focused on the changes occurring in the cell surface network linked to the induction of embryogenic competence of pre- and pro-embryogenic stages of indirect somatic embryogenesis in the callus tissue of Drosera spathulata Labill. , which originated from isolated leaves. This surface network forms as a distinct and compact layer on globular somatic embryos before formation of protoderm. Young protodermal cells had a typical furrowed surface, whilst mature protodermal cells were practically smooth. Embryogenic cells show changes in structural organisation and chemical composition of cell surface network, during different stage formation of somatic embryogenesis. Using SEM, TEM analysis and enzymatic digestion of proteins and pectins, we have shown that granular components, which represent pectic polysaccharides, were linked to induction and acquisition of embryogenic competence and pre-embryogenic stage. Fibrillar network was linked to proembryogenic stage of somatic embryogenesis. Our study has revealed that combined effect of protease and pectinase after 5 hours caused a complete disappearance and removal of the cell surface network.
Vegetation changes following sheep grazing in abandoned mountain meadows

Sheep grazing was investigated as an alternative to traditional management of meadows in the Krkonose Mts. Until the second World War these meadows were mown in mid-summer and grazed by cattle for the rest of the season. Subsequent abandonment of the meadows has resulted in decreasing species richness. Degradation phases of the former communities have been replacing the original species-rich vegetation. Significant changes were apparent six years after the introduction of sheep grazing. In grazed plots the proportion of dominant herbs (Polygonum bistorta and Hypericum maculatum) decreased and grasses (Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum alpinum) increased. The increase in grasses was positively correlated with an increase in several herbs. The proportion of some herbs increased despite being selectively grazed (Adenostyles alliariae, Melandrium rubrum, Veratrum lobelianum). Any losses caused by grazing of mature plants were probably compensated by successful seedling establishment. Cessation of grazing resulted in significant changes in vegetation within three years. The cover of nitrophilous tall herbs and grasses (e.g. Rumex alpestris, Holcus mollis, Deschampsia cespitosa, Geranium sylvaticum) increased in the abandoned plots. In the plots grazed for nine years cover of species-rich mountain meadow species increased (e.g. fine-leaved grasses, Campanula bohemica, Potentilla aurea, Viola lutea, Silene vulgaris). The main conservation risk is the expansion of a competitive species with low palatability, Deschampsia cespitosa. This species can be suppressed by a combination of grazing and mowing. In order for grazing to be effective, the number of sheep should be proportional to meadow production. This may be difficult to maintain as production is variable and is impossible to predict at the beginning of a growing season. A large part of the biomass may thus remain intact in some years. Negative effects of grazing may be, at least partly, eliminated by a combination of cutting and grazing.
Screening for Antioxidants of Microbial Origin

Recently, the development of natural antioxidative substances has been expected to replace the synthetic compounds which are widely used at the present time. Some natural antioxidants of microbial origin have already been isolated, but the screening procedures used were indirect and complicated.1>2) We have also tried to isolate these active substances from fungi. In this paper, a simple and direct method for screening, identification and evaluation of the isolates will be described. Filamentous fungi, just isolated from soil samples, were cultured on a reciprocating shaker at 30°C for 3 ~4 days. The culture medium consisted of 3% sucrose, 0.3% NaNO3, 0.075% KH2PO4, 0.025% K2HPO4, 0.05% KC1, 0.05% MgSO4-7H2O, 0.001% FeSO4 7H2O, 0.1% yeast extract and 0.1% Polypeptone. The final pH was between 5.5 and 6.0. The culture filtrate was then subjected to antioxidant screening. This procedure was developed using the method for evaluation of peroxide value, and is shown in Scheme 1. Seven hundred and fifty strains of newly isolated filamentous fungi were screened according to this procedure. Fromthe 14 strains that gave positive results, the two superior strains, No. A-380 and No. A-257, were selected for further study. In addition, the activities of some other microbial products having aromatic hydroxyl groups, which had been isolated in our laboratory, were also put through the same screening procedure. Curvulic acid (I), produced by an unidentified Penicillium and tentatively numbered C-268, has been shown to possess significant antioxidative activity.3) The methyl ester of the acid was
Effects of low ozone exposure of spring wheat on net CO2 uptake, Rubisco, leaf senescence and grain filling

Effects of ozone on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Satu) were studied in an open-top chamber experiment during two growing seasons (1992–1993) at Jokioinen in south-west Finland. The wheat was exposed to filtered air (CF), non-filtered air (NF), non-filtered air+35 nl l−1 ozone for 8 h d−1 (NF+) and ambient air (AA). Each treatment was replicated five times. Two wk after anthesis, after 4 wk of ozone treatment (NF+, 45 nl l−1 1000–1800 hours, seasonal mean) the net CO2 uptake of wheat flag leaves was decreased by c. 40% relative to CF and NF treatments, both initial and total activity of Rubisco and the quantity of protein-bound SH groups were decreased significantly. Added ozone also significantly accelerated flag leaf senescence recorded as a decrease in chloroplast size. The effect was significant 2 wk after anthesis, and senescence was complete after 4 wk. In the CF and NF treatments senescence was complete 5 wk after anthesis. The significant effect of ozone on the chloroplasts and net CO2 uptake 2 wk after anthesis did not affect the grain filling rate. However, since the grain filling period was shorter for ozone fumigated plants, kernels were smaller. The decrease in 1000-grain weight explained most of the yield reduction in the plants under NF+ treatment. The results indicate that wheat plants are well buffered against substantial decrease in source activity, and that shortened flag leaf duration is the major factor causing ozone-induced yield loss.