Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth responses to climate and drought in silver fir (Abies alba) along an altitudinal gradient in southern Kosovo

This paper deals with the response of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) growth to climate, mainly drought, presenting data from southern Kosovo, for which only little information is available. Two cores from 55 dominant trees were extracted at two sites representing the limits of the natural distribution of silver fir. We built 80- and 112-year-long chronologies for each site. Comparison of both ring width chronologies showed that they were diverse. Pointer year analysis indicated that high spring temperatures and ample rainfall (1082 mm) influenced positively silver fir growth (wide ring), while low spring temperatures and scarce precipitation had an inverse effect. Bootstrapped response functions confirmed that April and May temperatures of the current growth year influenced positively silver fir growth at the low-elevation site, while the July precipitation of the previous growth year had a negative influence. At the high-elevation site, warm previous December temperatures had a positive influence on silve.
Distribution and abundance of insects colonizing cattle dung in South West England

The succession of insects colonizing cow dung in south west England was examined over 2 years, using arrays of standardized 1.5 kg artificially constructed cow‐dung pats in cattle pasture. The seasonal pattern of colonization was examined using batches of 10 pats each week for 24 weeks in 2001. Pats were left exposed in the field for 7 days, to allow colonization, and were then brought back to the laboratory to await insect emergence and identification. Overall seasonal changes in community structure were relatively gradual and subtle; Coleoptera were generally more abundant earlier and Diptera later in the season, and the number and order of species arrival broadly matched previous studies in similar habitats. The temporal pattern of colonization of individual pats was examined in six batches of 30 pats constructed in May, June, and August/September in 2002. Groups of five pats were recovered and brought back to the laboratory 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, or 21 days after construction. Overall, three broad, but statistically distinct, successional groups were identified, with the maximum number of colonizers present in pats that were 4–7 days old. The data contribute valuable information on the temporal distribution and abundance of dung‐colonizing taxa in South West England, a clear local understanding of which is essential to allow the effects of agricultural practices which may damage dung invertebrate communities, such as livestock anthelmintic treatment, to be assessed.
Inter‐individual variation in movement: is there a mobility syndrome in the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae?

1. One of the main drivers of the genesis and maintenance of biodiversity is mobility, i.e. the net result of the interaction between physiological performances (movement capacity) and behavioural decisions (movement decisions). Although several previous studies have found personality traits related to mobility, it is not yet clear whether mobility involves a real syndrome, i.e. whether individuals showing good movement capacity are also more likely to decide to move, and whether these inter‐individual differences are consistent across time.
Screening for Milk-clotting Enzyme from Basidiomycetes

Screening tests for aspartic proteinases with milk-clotting activity were done on basidiomycetes. Crude enzymes from 6 strains had a high ratio of milk-clotting activity to caseinolytic activity. These enzymes showed acidic pH optimum for proteolytic activity and were inhibited considerably by pepstatin, a specific aspartic proteinase inhibitor. Among them, the crude enzyme from Laetiporus sulphureus was more heat-labile than the other enzymes.
The effect on infection of irradiated Fasciola gigantica (liver flukes) on goats (Capra hircus Linn) blood values

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of infection Fasciola gigantica irradiated by using 60 Co to goat’s blood values. Twenty local male goats, ten to twelve old months, 15-20 kg of body weight were used for this study. The animals were divided into 5 groups consisting of four replications. Three groups received irradiated metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica using 45, 55 and 65 Gy respectively. One group was the positive control (goats were infected by non-irradiated metacercariae) and another one was the negative control (goats were not infected by metacercariae). Each goat received 350 metacercariae. Body weight, Eosinofil, PCV and Hb were measured every weeks for 20 weeks. The result indicated that pathogenicity of irradiated Fasciola gigantica was reduced. In all parameters, among negative control group and three irradiation-groups showed non significant (P>0.05). Key Words : Fasciola gigantica, Irradiated, Eosinofil, Packed Cell Volume, Haemoglobin
An Experimental Analysis of Natural Selection on Body Size of Hatchling Turtles

A complete understanding of life history evolution requires an appreciation for the influence of natural selection and genetic variation on intrapopulational phenotypic variation in key life history traits. Experimental manipulation provides particularly useful insight into the biological importance of this variation. Consequently, I undertook a field experiment in which I manipulated body size and evaluated selective predation in order to investigate the ecological and evolutionary significance of phenotypic variation in hatch- ling turtles. I incubated eggs from 17 clutches of common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentine) on wet and dry substrates, producing "large" and "small" hatchlings, respec- tively. Hatchlings were individually marked, measured, and then released simultaneously at a typical nest site in a National Wildlife Refuge area, Whiteside County, Illinois from which the eggs were collected originally. Subsequently, hatchlings were recaptured in drift fences erected along the edge of the Mississippi River. Sixty-six of 112 hatchling C. serpentine were recaptured. Survivorship was not related to clutch, incubation conditions, or locomotor performance, but was significantly size dependent. Natural selection favored larger hatchlings. The strength of selection acting directly on three size traits, as measured by standardized selection gradients (d'), was 0.327 (PCI (principal component 1) = overall size and mass), 0.282 (PC3 = plastron length), and 0.162 (PC4 = trade-off between hatchling mass and width). The opportunity for selection was moderate (I = 0.703), but did not constrain selection. Full-sib heritabilities of body size of hatchling turtles were variable (h2We, = 0.72 ? 0.34 and h2dr = 0.17 ? 0.28), but were not significantly different between the two moisture treatments. These results provide support for the "bigger is better" hypothesis. Larger hatchling Chelydra serpentine exhibited significantly greater survivorship than smaller individuals during movement from the nest site to water. However, larger body size of hatchling turtles may not evolve rapidly because the strength of selection was moderate in magnitude and the heritability was relatively low. These results emphasize the need for more detailed ecological investigations of the early life history of these organisms. Furthermore, this study highlights the utility of experimental manipulations of phenotypic variation for evaluating
Studies on the mechanism of production and function of sex steroid hormones in fish

有用魚類の繁殖を統御し,増養殖事業を行うために は,その種苗生産技術を確立することが不可欠である。 また,効率的に且つ安定的に優良種苗を供給できる技術 を開発するためには,魚類の配偶子形成に関与する様々 な内分泌因子に関する知見の集積が有用となる。 一般に 魚類の配偶子形成は,脳下垂体から分泌される生殖腺刺 激ホルモン(GTH)の作用のもと生殖腺で産生される 性ステロイドホルモンにより惹き起こされる。 1)そのた め,GTH および性ステロイドの産生や機能に関する研 究は,魚類の人工種苗生産技術の確立のために非常に重 要となる。 そこで先ず,ニホンウナギ卵巣における性ス テロイド産生に関する研究を行うとともに,本種の卵成 熟誘起ステロイドの同定を行った。 また,遺伝子工学的 手法を用いて,組換え魚類 GTH を作製し,そのステロ イド産生をはじめとする生殖生理への作用を調べた。 更 に,生殖腺以外の組織で発現するステロイド合成酵素の 役割についても研究を行った。
Influence of environmental stress on age- and size-at-maturity: genetic and plastic responses of coastal marsh fishes to changing salinities

As sea levels rise, salt water will intrude into freshwater coastal habitats with greater frequency and stress resident organisms inducing physiological trade-offs that influence life history tactics. Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and least killifish (Heterandria formosa), collected along a salinity gradient and maintained in a common freshwater environment for two years (≥4 generations), were used to examine historical (genetic effects) and contemporary environmental effects of salinity on age- and size-at-maturity. There was phenotypic plasticity for sexual maturation and genetic variance among source populations for size-at-maturity, but no genetic variance for plasticity itself as indicated by the lack of genetic-by-environment interactions. Gambusia affinis males and H. formosa females exhibited stress by maturing at smaller sizes and older ages in response to being reared in 0 and 12 ppt, respectively. Our results suggest that habitats in which these fishes are most abundant do not corresp.
The relationship between the seed bank and species composition of plant communities in two British salt marshes

The composition of the seed bank was compared with that of the above-ground vegetation in two British salt marshes. Vegetation and seed banks were sampled in autumn and spring. There was a relatively low correlation between seed bank and vegetation in most perennial-dominated zones. Percentage annual plant cover was significantly positively correlated to percentage similarity value between vegetation and seed bank. Cluster analysis indicated that the zones domi- nated by annuals and by Suaeda vera on the ungrazed Nod Marsh in Norfolk formed groups between seed bank and vegetation, whereas on the Llanrhidian Marsh in Wales the seed bank of four of the six zones formed a group. bank in either upper or lower marshes (Jefferies, Davy & Rudmik 1981; Davy & Smith 1988). Our aim was to determine the level of correlation between the above-ground plant communities and the seed banks in two differing salt-marsh types in Britain. The relationship between species longevity and seed bank presence was analyzed to determine how close is
Plantas medicinais comercializadas no Mercado Municipal de Campo Grande-MS

The aim of this paper was the survey of the medicinal plants most used from Campo Grande population and commercialized in the Mercado Municipal of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The survey was performed in 2002 and 2003 by interviewing and revealed 117 species. Thirty four species were acquired, and of those 22 were identified. Of those ten are only typical of the Cerrado, like as: Curatella americana, Guazuma ulmifolia, Maclura tinctoria, Stryphnodendron obovatum etc. The most mentioned families were Asteraceae, Moraceae, Sterculiaceae and Leguminosae. The most used part of the plant is the leaf, mainly prepared as infusion. These folk-medicine plants have been mostly used for wound healing and the treatment of rheumatism. The species are used for treating diverse pathologies. Data obtained showed that most of the species (65.2%) did not have any pharmacological study to confirm the popular indication. Only eight species (34.8%) had some activity confirmed in the literature.
The spatiotemporal dynamics of a primary succession

1 Conceptual models of ecosystem development commonly predict a phase of initial colonization characterized by the nucleation, growth and coalescence of discrete patches of pioneer plants. Spatiotemporal dynamics during subsequent development may follow one of three different models: the classical model, in which initially discrete patches of competitive dominant (secondary) colonists coalesce to form a homogeneous cover; the patch dynamics model, in which renewal mechanisms such as disturbance create a shifting mosaic of patches at different stages; and the geoecological model, in which the vegetation gradually differentiates along edaphic gradients related to the underlying physical template. 2 These models of spatiotemporal dynamics were tested using vegetation and soil data from an 850‐year chronosequence, comprised of seven lava flows on Mt Hekla, Iceland. The scale and intensity of spatial pattern were quantified on each flow using spatial analyses (mean‐variance ratios, quadrat variance techniques and indices of autocorrelation). Changes in spatial pattern with increasing terrain age were compared with predicted trajectories, in order to identify which of the models of spatiotemporal dynamics was most consistent with the observations. 3 The early stages of ecosystem development were characterized by colonization of the pioneer species, especially Racomitrium mosses, in discrete patches (‘Pioneer colonization stage’, < 20 years), which then grew laterally and coalesced to form a continuous, homogeneous carpet (‘Pioneer expansion stage’, 20–100 years). Later in the sequence, higher plants established in discrete patches within this pioneer matrix (‘Higher plant colonization stage’, 100–600 years). Over time, heterogeneity re‐emerged at a larger spatial scale as the vegetation differentiated according to topographic variations in the underlying substrate (‘Differentiation stage’, > 600 years). 4 Synthesis. The spatiotemporal dynamics observed in the early stages of this succession were consistent with a model of pioneer nucleation in micro‐scale safe sites, followed by growth, coalescence and eventual fragmentation of pioneer patches. The spatial patterns which emerged later in development support the geoecological model, with spatial differentiation of vegetation related to meso‐scale substrate topography. The findings provide insight on how vegetation patterns emerge at different stages of ecosystem development in response to differing scales of heterogeneity in the underlying physical environment.
Osteology and Adaptations of the Early Pliocene Rabbit Trischizolagus dumitrescuae (Lagomorpha: Leporidae)

ABSTRACT Analysis of a partial skeleton of the upper Ruscinian lagomorph Trischizolagus dumitrescuae, from South Moldova, reveals that this taxon was weakly adapted to fast running and was a capable digger. The taxon shares with Lepus proportions of the pectoral girdle and a stage of reduction of the m. subscapularis that is unique among leporids. The skeletal adaptation and dental morphology of Recent Lepus can be derived from that of T. dumitrescuae.
Effect of Rhazya stricta, Calotropis procera, and Francoeuria crispa on Larvae and Eggs of Culex pipiens

ABSTRACT Toxicity of the aqueous extracts of Rhazya stricta Decne, Calotropis procera (Ait.) Cass. , and Francoeuria crispa (Forssk.) R.Br. leaves against larvae of Culex pipiens L. mosquitoes was investigated by incorporating the extracts into egg and larval rearing media. Acute LC50 were 270 and 322 ppm for R. stricta and C. procera, respectively. The chronic toxicities for R. stricta at concentrations 0.02 and 0.04 percent, reached 70 and 100 percent larval mortality, respectively, and 91.1 and 100 percent at concentrations of 0.05 and 0.075 percent, respectively, for C. procera. Both materials conferred significantly reduced larval development and thus, consequently reducing pupation and adult emergence. Only 10 and 33.3 percent of the larvae reared in media containing 0.02 percent of R. stricta water extract and 0.025 percent of C. procera completed development to the pupa stage. None of the larvae in R. stricta extract reached adulthood and only 20 percent of the larvae did in the C. procera extract. The highest concentration of F. crispa tested (0.25%) caused only 55.3 percent mortality after 10 days, leading to 34.3 and 21.2 percent successful pupation and adult emergence, respectively. No mosquito eggs were laid in media containing at concentrations ≥ 0.05 percent aqueous extract from any of the three plants. Application of R. stricta and C. procera extracts applied to mosquito larval breeding sites may well provide an environmentally safe method for control of mosquito populations.
Delineating marine ecological units: a novel approach for deciding which taxonomic group to use and which taxonomic resolution to choose

Ecological maps are increasingly used to support marine management and conservation. However, the biological datasets used to produce these maps are typically limited to taxonomic groups identified to the specific taxonomic levels available. Ecological units should, however, reflect the broader marine ecosystem, independent of the datasets used. This study assessed the influence of taxonomic groups and taxonomic resolution on the process of ecological mapping.
Reproduction in the female Cape Fur Seal, Arctocephalus pusillus (Schreber)*

Summary. 1 An account of the breeding cycle of Arctocephalus pusillus is given based on an examination of 184 specimens. 2 The specimens were grouped in age classes separated by the stage of closure of the skull sutures. It was not found possible to age the specimens by growth rings in the teeth. 3 A. pusillus remains. at its breeding rookeries throughout the year but the young are born mostly in the late spring, the birth of first pups occurring rather later than those of multiparous females. 4 Oestrus occurs about a week after parturition. 5 There is a delay in implantation of about four months. 6 The averae period of gestation, including the period of delayed implantation, is 259 days. 7 There is a phase of follicular activity in the ovaries at the time of implantation of the blastocysts. 8 Lactation is prolonged and may last until the birth of a succeeding pup. 9 A full description is given of the histological changes in the different parts of the reproductive tract during the breeding cycle.
Accumulation of inositol by hibernating adults of coccinellid and chrysomelid beetles

Accumulation of inositol in hibernating adults of some ladybird species, J-Iellosepilacll11a pustulosa (1.9% of body weight), Eocaria nUllrl (l.8%), Prapylea japanica (l.6 %), Halyzia sedecimguttata (l.5%), and a chrysomelid species Paridea angulicaliis (2.3%) is reported. This sugaralcohol, a substance which has not been reported in hibernating insects, decreased rapidly when these insects ceased their hibernation. Introduction Since the first discovery of glycerol and so rbitol accumulated in diapause eggs of Bambyx mari (1), the prevalence of glycerol accumulated in hibernating insects has been proved (5). Concomitantly, accumulation of two other substances, trehalose (4) and threitol (2), were also discovered in some insects. H ere the occurrence of another sugar-alcohol, inositol, accumulated in hibernating adults of some beetles is preliminarily reported, leaving detailed ac" counts. Before going further, I wish to express my sincere thanks to Prof. Sh6ich i F. Sakagami and Dr. Ichir6 Takehara for their reading through the manuscript. Cordial thanks are also due to Dr. Kimio S himada for his kind advice throughout this study. Materials and Methods Halyzia sedecimgllttata (Linne) 7 ex. , Henosepilachna pustulosa {Kona 5 ex. , Eocaria muiri Timberlake 1 ex. , P7"ojJylea japonica (Thunberg) 2 ex. , and Pm-idea angulicollis Motschulsky 2 ex. were used for analysis. Beetles were collected from the northern slope of Mt. Maruyama, suburb of Sapporo City, northern Japan, in April and May, 1981 from the hibernating sites, i. e. litter layer, except two of H. pllstulosa which were found on the host plant, thistle. However, some individuals collected in May from the litter were quite active, suggesting cessation of their hibernation. Materials were kept at ca. SoC in a refrigerator and were subject at chemical analysis within 24 hours si nce collecting. After measuring the body weight, each intact specimen was homogenized I Rece ived for publication October, 20, 1981. Contribution No. 2410 from the Ins! Lo\\· Temp. Sc i. 2 The Ins titute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido Uni vers it y, Sapporo, 060
The Androgen-Regulated Epididymal Sperm-Binding Protein, Human β-Defensin 118 (DEFB118) (Formerly ESC42), Is an Antimicrobial β-Defensin

Spermatozoa bind a variety of proteins as they pass through the proximal regions of the epididymis, where they acquire forward motility and fertilizing ability. Recent evidence indicates that certain epididymis-specific secretory proteins that bind sperm have antibacterial activity and may function as part of the innate immune system. We reported earlier that ESC42, now designated human β-defensin 118 (DEFB118), is a sperm-binding protein. In this study, we demonstrate that DEFB118 has potent antibacterial activity that is dose, time, and structure dependent. Incubation of Escherichia coli for 60 min with 10 μg/ml DEFB118 reduced bacterial survival to 20% of the control, and 25 μg/ml reduced survival to 5% of the control. DEFB118 concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/ml further reduced survival to less than 2 and 1%, respectively. A biphasic effect of salt concentration on the antibacterial activity of DEFB118 was observed. Reduction of disulfide bonds and alkylation of cysteines resulted in the complete loss o.
Effects of retired steepland afforestation on soil properties: A case study in the Loess Plateau of China

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine how different afforestation strategies and slope positions affect soil organic carbon and total nitrogen. In a unique steepland formerly used as farmland in the Yangjuangou watershed of the Loess Plateau, three adjacent afforestation transects were selected as the sampling site: two single-species transects (Hippophae rhammoides and Artemisia capillaris), which each represented the single-species afforestation mode, and one mixed-species transect, which represented the multi-species afforestation mode. The results indicated that: (1) The soil organic carbon concentration in the multi-species afforestation mode was 25.8% and 27.7% higher than that in the other two single-species afforestation modes, while a minute difference in total nitrogen concentration was detected among the three afforestation transects. (2) Within the mixed-species and Hippophae rhammoides transect, both the soil organic carbon and total nitrogen concentrations showed an increasing trend from the upper slope position to the foot slope position. However, the soil organic carbon in the Artemisia capillaris transect was higher in the foot slope and upper slope but lower in the middle slope, demonstrating a “V” shape, and the total nitrogen increased from the foot slope position to the upper slope position. (3) The carbon : nitrogen ratios were no more than 10:1, which indicated the presence of easily decomposable soil organic matter. This study demonstrated the multi-species afforestation mode has better carbon accumulation potential compared with the single-species afforestation mode, which has important and informative implications for future vegetation restoration practices in the Loess Plateau and similar semi-arid environments.
Repeatability of size and shape of American Pipit eggs

Variation in size and shape of American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) eggs was studied from 1987 to 1989 at two sites in the Beartooth Mountains, Park County, Wyoming. Differences in four egg traits were detected within clutches among females for all years and at both sites; there were differences between years and sites as well. Coefficients of variation for clutch means ranged from 1.52 (breadth) to 5.02 (volume). Mean repeatability estimates (± SD) of four independent samples were 0.75 ± 0.05, 0.64 ± 0.08, 0.70 ± 0.10, and 0.70 ± 0.08 for length, breadth, volume, and elongation, respectively, suggesting a significant heritable component in the phenotypic variation of egg size and shape. The difference between mean length and breadth repeatabilities was significant (P < 0.02). Repeatabilities of volume were the most variable of all traits and varied between years by as much as 22%, and between sites in 1989 by as much as 19%. Site differences are probably due to local environmental effects, and not a result .