Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of experience and chemical alarm signalling in predator recognition by fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas

Young-of-the-year, predator-naive fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, from a pikesympatric population did not respond to chemical stimuli from northern pike, Esox Indus, while wild-caught fish of the same age and size did. These results suggest that chemical predator recognition is a result of previous experience and not genetic factors, Wild young-of-the-year minnows responded to pike odour with a response intensity that was similar to that of older fish, demonstrating that the ability to recognize predators is learned within the first year. The intensity of response of wild minnows which had been maintained in a predator free environment for 1 year was similar to that of recently caught minnows of the same age, suggesting that reinforcement was not required for predator recognition to be retained. Naive minnows that were exposed simultaneously to chemical stimuli from pike (a neutral stimulus) and minnow alarm substance exhibited a fright response upon subsequent exposure to the pike stimulus alone. Predator-naive minnows exposed simultaneously to chemical stimuli from pike and glass-distilled water did not exhibit a fright response to the pike stimulus alone. These results demonstrate that fathead minnows can acquire predator recognition through releaserinduced recognition learning, thus confirming a known mechanism through which alarm substance may benefit the receivers of an alarm signal.
Impacts of marine invasive species on subtidal and intertidal food web dynamics

Invasive species can have a variety of impacts on food web structure and interspecific interactions. They can impact recruitment rates of associated marine species, influence behavior of potential prey items, and alter predator-prey relationships. This research is designed to assess 1) the relationship between the recruitment of Lacuna vincta and two species of algal epiphytes, the native Ceramium virgatum and the invasive Neosiphonia harveyi, in the shallow subtidal zone; 2) the spatial and temporal distribution of the invasive Hemigrapsus sanguineus in the intertidal zone of cobble beaches; and 3) the top-down effects and predator-prey interactions of H. sanguineus. Through manipulative field experiments, we found that the presence of algal epiphytes facilitated the recruitment rate of Lacuna vincta, regardless of the epiphyte species composition. We also found a positive relationship between the number of L. vincta present and epiphyte recruitment, which is disproportionately driven by higher recruitment of Neosiphonia harveyi than Ceramium virgatum. Long-term monitoring can be used to understand population trends of invasive species. Through monthly surveys in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, we determined that Hemigrapsus sanguineus densities are highest in the early summer and early fall months. Juvenile H. sanguineus are most abundant in June and July and gravid females are most prevalent in August and September. H. sanguineus exhibited a density gradient with the highest densities in the northern section of Narragansett Bay and declining toward the mouth at the southern end of Narragansett Bay. Invasive species can outcompete native and established species, thereby altering food web dynamics through changes in top-down and predator-prey interactions. Through mesocosm studies, we found that while Hemigrapsus sanguineus has an impact on Littorina littorea behavior, it does not alter the perwinkles’ grazing rates. By contrast, the combined presence of H. sanguineus and L. littorea results in a greater decrease in algal biomass than only L. littorea. In field tethering experiments, we observed that abiotic but not biotic factors were the dominant force in structuring the vertical distribution of H. sanguineus. Overall, we found that H. sanguineus does not occupy the same ecological niche as Carcinus maenas, the previously dominant crab in the intertidal zone of cobble beaches. This research provides insight into how invasive species shape the suband intertidal zones by influencing the recruitment rate and behavior of native and established species. Given that marine invasions are occurring at an increasing rate due to international marine transportation, human-mediated introductions, and global climate change, fully understanding the impacts of these invasive species is critical to mitigating and adapting to changes in species composition and abundance.
A portable electronic device for evaluating root lodging resistance in maize

Because climatic conditions conducive to natural lodging of maize (Zea mays L.) are sporadic and unreliable, a need exists for methods of evaluating the resistance of genotypes to root lodging. A portable electronic device was built for horizontal pushing resistance measurements on individual plants. The apparatus simultaneously records the angle of inclination and the resistance torque of the plant during an artificial pushing test. The device consists of a support, a force sensor, an angle sensor, and a control head. Data logging is possible by using a microprocessor-based system. Data may be transferred to a computer using an RS232 serial transfer protocol. The time required for the test in field conditions is approximately 1 min per plant. Preliminary results obtained on 14 maize genotypes grown in three field environments showed that genotypes susceptible to root lodging were characterized by low average values of their maximum resistance torque.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and water table affect wetland plant community composition

1 Most studies of the community‐level effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been conducted in upland grassland plant communities where a majority of the plant species are colonized by AMF. Here, we examine the effects of AMF on plant community composition in experimental wetland plant communities, where the dominant plant species are non‐mycorrhizal and subordinate plant species are colonized by AMF. We also assess how an important abiotic soil variable, depth to water table (soil saturation), might mediate the community‐level effects of AMF. 2 In the low water table (un‐saturated) treatment, above‐ground plant biomass increased in the presence of AMF relative to the controls, while in the high water table treatment, biomass decreased with the presence of AMF. Contrary to predictions, plant diversity was unaffected by the presence of AMF in the low water table treatment, but significantly decreased in the presence of AMF in the high water table treatment. Changes in biomass and composition were driven by the interactions between the dominant non‐mycorrhizal species Carex hystercina, and the remaining mycorrhizal plant species. 3 Our results indicate that AMF have the potential to influence plant community composition in calcareous fens and that these effects can be mediated by soil saturation. 4 This study has implications for understanding how established principles of above‐ground/below‐ground interactions from upland communities translate to wetland plant communities and for understanding how AMF function can be mediated by abiotic soil properties. Contrary to previous thought, AMF may be important drivers of plant community composition in wetland plant communities.
Carcasses increase the probability of predation of ground‐nesting birds: a caveat regarding the conservation value of vulture restaurants

Carcasses not only recruit carrion‐eaters, but can also attract facultative scavengers which could predate on species living in the surroundings. At supplementary feeding stations (‘vulture restaurants’) carcasses are available permanently, posing a conservation dilemma: enhancing populations of endangered scavengers might introduce a predation pressure on non‐target species. Here, we test if nest predation risk on ground‐nesting birds increases near carcasses in Fuerteventura Island (Canary Archipelago). This is an optimal scenario for performing this study because there is a simple community of ground‐nesting birds and facultative scavengers; carrion‐eaters feed regularly in a unique vulture restaurant but also exploit scattered carcasses of goats. We placed artificial nests along different lines located at variable distances (200 m to 34 km) from the vulture restaurant or from single carcasses. Sixty‐seven per cent of lines and up to 90% of nests within lines were predated. Predation risk was higher in lines near carcasses, that is single carcasses or the vulture restaurant. Thus, our study alerts that choosing the location for vulture restaurants may be the key not only for scavengers but also for the conservation of the species living nearby.
Antioxidant activity of plant extracts from Colombian flora

In this study the antioxidant activity of forty-six methanol plant extracts, from the botanical families Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Melastomataceae, Rubiaceae and Solanaceae, collected at the Regional Natural Park Ucumari (RNPU, Risaralda, Colombia), were established by using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay. The plant extracts that showed the greatest antioxidant activity were Phyllanthus sp. (54.0%, Euphorbiaceae), followed by the two species belonging to the Melastomataceae family Tibouchina grossa (47.0%) and Miconia lehmannii Cogn. (45.3%) and continuing with Lycianthes radiata (Sendt.) Bitter. (41.5%, Solanaceae). This is the first report on the antioxidant activity of these Colombian species.
Assessment of Different Legumes for the Control of Striga hermonthica in Maize and Sorghum

The witchweed, Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. , is a major constraint to maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production in sub-Saharan Africa. Intercropping maize and sorghum with desmodium (Desmodium spp.) effectively controls Striga and enhances grain yields. Studies were thus conducted to assess the potential role of intercropping maize and sorghum with different food legumes for control of Striga. Seasonal Striga counts in the intercrops, other than greenleaf desmodium where the counts consistently remained close to zero, were generally not signifi cantly different from those in the control in both crops. A pooled analysis across seasons, however, showed that intercropping sorghum with cowpea [Vigna ungui culata (L.) Walp. ], greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek], and crotalaria (Crotalaria ochroleuca G. Don), and maize with crotalaria signifi cantly reduced Striga populations. Within-season analysis showed that it was only the greenleaf desmodium intercrop that maintained signifi cantly enhanced grain yields relative to the control. On the other hand, multiseason analysis showed that it was only the crotalaria, cowpea, and greenleaf desmodium intercrops in maize and greenleaf desmodium intercrop in sorghum that signifi cantly enhanced grain yields. These results indicate that intercropping sorghum with cowpea, greengram, or crotalaria and maize with crotalaria could be combined with other cultural methods for a sustainable control of S. hermonthica.
Fat Deposition in a Broiler Sire Strain I. Phenotypic and Genetic Variation in, and Correlations Between, Abdominal Fat, Body Weight, and Feed Conversion

Abstract Variability in body composition was examined weekly from 3 to 10 weeks of age in chickens from a broiler sire strain. Genetic aspects of body weight, quantity of abdominal fat, and feed conversion were examined in pedigree birds of the same strain at 6 weeks of age. Variability in abdominal fat relative to body weight (RAF), total percentage of carcass fat, and body weight (BW) was not influenced by sex or age. The phenotypic correlation (rp) between RAF and BW was generally positive, but low (between .20 and .68); that between RAF and total percentage of carcass fat was invariably positive and higher. The heritability estimated from sib analyses for body weight after ad libitum feeding was 0 (h2sires) and 1 (h2dams), for RAF . 41 (h2sires) and 1 (h2dams), for feed conversion . 39 (h2sires) and . 53 (h2dams), and for body weight after restricted feeding . 31 (h2sires) and . 57 (h2dams). The genetic correlations were estimated as correlation between mean performance of progeny of each sire (rsires) or dam (rdams). The correlation between family mean of RAF and BW was −. 01 (rsires) or . 04 (rdams), between RAF and feed conversion . 19 (rsires) and . 29 (rdams), and between RAF and body weight after restricted feeding −. 12 (rsires) and −. 24 (rdams). The heritability indicates that selection against RAF is possible. The genetic correlations indicate that selection based on feed conversion or on body weight after restricted feeding could result in less fat deposition under ad libitum feeding conditions.
Ten polymorphic microsatellites from freshwater pearl mussel, Hyriopsis cumingii

Freshwater pearl mussel, Hyriopsis cumingii, is the most economically important mussel species in China. Due to overexploitation and changes of water quality, H. cumingii is facing serious population decline and local extinction. We have isolated and characterized 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci from a genomic DNA library enriched for CA and AG repeats with the aim of developing a set of codominant DNA markers for analysing genetic diversity and population structure of this species. The average allele number of the 10 markers was 7.8 per locus, ranging from two to 16 in 24 unrelated individuals. Nine of 10 markers conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and inherited independently, suggesting these microsatellites could be useful for studying population genetics, designing conservation strategies and developing breeding programs.
Differences in the Vegetative Growth between Common and Tartary Buckwheat in Saline Hydroponic Culture

Abstract Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench cv. Tsushima) and Tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum (L.) Gaertn. cv. Pontivy) were grown in a nutrient solution with or without added NaCl to investigate interspecific differences in their responses to salinity, based on their dry-matter production. The mechanism of salt tolerance was also studied. Addition of 100 mM NaCl to the culture solution (salt treatment) lowered the plant growth rate to 48% and 16% of the control in Tsushima and Pontivy, respectively, and decreased the net assimilation rate and mean leaf area of Pontivy more severely than in Tsushima. The salt treatment decreased the leaf growth rate and leaf area per leaf to 30% and 72% of the control, respectively, in Tsushima, and to 12% and 52%, respectively, in Pontivy. It decreased the photosynthetic rate to 67% and 35% of the control, and stomatal conductance to 25% and 15% of the control in Tsushima and Pontivy, respectively. It also decreased the transpiration rate to 41% and 30% of the control in Tsushima and Pontivy, respectively, and increased the wateruse efficiency 1.6 times in Tsushima, but did not influence the wateruse efficiency in Pontivy. In the saline solution, the accumulation of Na+ in leaves and stem was greater in Pontivy than in Tsushima, but that in the roots, was greater in Tsushima than in Pontivy. In both species, Na+ accumulated rapidly in the leaves after removal of the roots in the saline solution. We conclude that the difference in salt tolerance between common and Tartary buckwheat may result from the difference in accumulation of Na+ in leaves and absorption of Na+ by the roots.
Relationships between yield of three maize hybrids and severity of Southern leaf blight caused by race O of Bipolaris maydis

Severity of SLB in mid- to late August ranged from 0-5% on FR27×Pa91 at Tolono, IL, to 10-40% on Pioneer 3183 at Urbana, IL. Regressions of yield on area under the curve and on severity of SLB were significant for seven, six, and four of the nine locations for Pioneer 3183, B73×Mo17, and FR27×Pa91, respectively. Yield of FR27×Pa91 and B73×Mo17 was reduced about 0.7-0.8% for each 1% increase in severity of SLB between 0 and 25%. For Pioneer 3183, yield was reduced about 0.6-0.7% for each 1% increase in severity between 0 and 25%
Soil and vegetation features determine the nested pattern of ant–plant networks in a tropical rainforest

Recently, several studies have focused on structural properties of ant–plant networks. However, little is known about the role of abiotic factors on these networks. As a result of different abiotic factors that can affect the patterns of ant–plant interactions, it was tested whether soil pH and canopy cover contribute to variation in the nestedness of mutualistic (plants with extrafloral nectar–EFN) and neutral (plants without EFN) ant–plant networks. It was shown that only mutualistic networks were affected by soil pH. It was suggested that this may occur because the variation in soil pH directly influences the secreted nectar, and as there is a preference for nectar composition by ants, this could change the patterns of interaction in mutualistic networks. As prey availability is possibly the main factor influencing ants' presence on plants without EFN, soil pH should have little or no influence on the patterns of interaction in neutral networks. On the other hand, nestedness was not affected by canopy cover in mutualistic and neutral networks. In spite of that canopy cover (light availability) is directly related to the amount of nectar secreted, the volume of nectar may not be important for the structure of the networks. However, canopy cover varied little in this study site. This small variation could not be enough to change the nested pattern in mutualistic and neutral networks. In short, the present results show that the abiotic factors that affect the availability and quality of food resources may have important effects on the structure of trophic interactions in non‐symbiotic ant–plant networks.
Egg traits, fertility, hatchability and chick survivability of Rhode Island Red, local and crossbred chickens

SUMMARY The local chicken has profound potential for upgrading through cross breeding with improved commercial birds to increase meat and egg production. This study aimed at evaluating egg traits, hatchability, fertility, chick hatch weight, and chick survivability of commercial Rhode Island Red (RIR), local, and crossbred chickens. A total of 6752 local chicken eggs were collected to obtain breeding stock and to study egg traits. RIR breeding stock was obtained from raising 250 (50 males, 200 females) while crossbred chickens were obtained by crossing RIR layer cocks to local hens and vice versa. A total of 1382, 1523, and 1476 local, RIR, and crossbred chicken eggs respectively were assessed for egg weight, length, breadth, and volume as well as chick hatch weight. Fertility and hatchability were assessed in 3675 local chicken eggs and 3350 eggs from RIR and crossbred chicken each. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) in egg traits and chick hatch weight between RIR and crossbred chickens but these birds had significantly higher egg weight, egg length, egg breadth, egg volume, and chick hatch weight than local chickens. There were significant (p < 0.0001) positive relationships between egg volume and egg weight, chick hatch weight and egg weight, and chick hatch weight and egg volume for all chickens. Fertility was 92.0±4.14, 91.1±4.42, and 94.5±2.21 for local, RIR, and crossbred chickens respectively. Hatchability varied significantly at p<0.05 (80.6±1.43 in crossbred, 64.0±2.16 in RIR, and 52.2±2.54 in local chickens). Survivability of local chicks was superior by 50% over RIR and crossbred chicks. It is concluded that cross breeding local chickens to RIR produces a superior breed to local ecotype in terms of egg traits, hatchability and survivability. Such superiority can be exploited to upgrade the genetic potential of local ecotype and thus improve poultry production.
Leaf Photosynthesis Water Use of Big Bluestem under Elevated Carbon Dioxide

With the atmospheric concentration of CO 2 increasing, it is important to know how this will affect crop growth. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of elevated CO 2 on big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) growing in a tallgrass prairie on a Tully silty clay loam (fine, mixed, mesic Pachic Argiustoll) kept at a high water level (field capacity) or a low water level (half field capacity)
Life History Variations of Anadromous Cisco (Coregonus artedii), Lake Whitefish (C. clupeaformis), and Round Whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) Populations of Eastern James–Hudson Bay

Differences in life history among three species of anadromous coregonines from La Grande River, James Bay, were significant with lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) displaying reproductive patterns more typical of harsh northern environments and characteristic of "K-selection," relative to cisco (Coregonus artedii). Interspecific differences at La Grande River were more apparent than intraspecific differences in life history traits of cisco and lake whitefish over the James–Hudson Bay range. Although cisco exhibit decreasing reproductive effort independent of growth over the North American range, thus conforming to life history theory, both growth and reproductive effort are reduced northwards over their James–Hudson Bay range. The observations suggest that physiological constraints related to the shorter growing season at the northern limit of cisco's coastal Hudson Bay range may overwhelm expected coadapted life history traits. Lake whitefish exhibit redu.
QUALITY PROTEIN MAIZE IN A LEAST-COST DIET FOR LAYING HENS

The study aimed to determine the effects of feeding quality protein maize (QPM)-based diet on production and quality of eggs as well as economics of production. A normal maize (NM)- based diet served as control. Both diets were least-cost formulated. The proximate content of the maize was analyzed and pertinent values were used to calculate amount of essential amino acids and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) applied in the formulation matrix. A total of 144 Dekalb® layers (27 weeks of age) were randomly assigned to the two diets with six replication of 12 layers each. The proximate composition and amount of methionine, methionine+cystine, lysine, threonine and arginine were higher for QPM than NM; the AME was comparable for both maize. QPM was used in the diet at lower amount than NM. A consistently higher weekly egg production rate of layers fed QPM-based diet than those fed NM-based diet was observed in the first 11 weeks of the feeding period and for the whole period but differences were not statistically confirmed (P > 0.05). The mean feed conversion ratio tended to be lower (P = 0.07) in layers fed QPM-based diet than those fed NM-based diet. Eggs from layers fed diet with QPM-based diet had lower (P = 0.05) yolk color score than those from NM-based diet, apparently due to lower amount of xanthophylls resulting from the lower inclusion of QPM than NM in the diet. Income over feed cost was higher (P Keywords: laying hens, least-cost diet, normal maize, quality protein maize
THE OCCURRENCE OF FUSARIUM SPECIES IN CANADA: III. TAXONOMY OF FUSARIUM SPECIES IN THE SEED OF VEGETABLE, FORAGE, AND MISCELLANEOUS CROPS

A taxonomic study was made of isolates of Fusarium obtained from a microbiological examination of seed from a total of 44 species and botanical varieties of cultivated plants. These plants may be classed as vegetable, forage, and miscellaneous crops. Most of the seed samples originated from stocks produced in Canada, but some were seed from other countries. A total of 16 species, varieties, and forms of Fusarium, classified in eight sections of the genus, were encountered among the isolates that were obtained from seed; they are F. poae (Pk.) Wr. , F. sporotrichioides Sherb. , F. arthrosporioides Sherb. , F. avenaceum (Fr.) Sacc, F. semitectum Berk. & Rav. , F. acuminatum Ell. & Ev. , F. compactum (Wr.) Gordon, F. equiseti (Cda.) Sacc, F. culmorum (W. G. Sm.) Sacc, F. graminearum Schwabe, F. sambucinum Fuckel, F. sambucinum var. coeruleum Wr. , F. moniliforme Sheld. em. S. & H. , F. oxysporum Schlecht. em. S. & H. , F. oxysporum f. lini (Bolley) S. & H. , F. solani (Mart.) App. & Wr. em. S. & H. From the seed of a.