Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Paternity analysis in an egg‐carrying aquatic insect Appasus major (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) using microsatellite DNA markers

The giant water bug Appasus major exhibits a peculiar reproductive behavior where females lay eggs on the backs of males. A male and female pair performs frequent repeat copulations during the oviposition behavior, and the male carries the deposited eggs until hatching. Such characteristic behaviors predict that the eggs are fertilized by the brooding males. If males carry eggs of other unrelated males, the egg carrying will drastically decrease the fitness of the carriers. In this study, we examined genetic relationships between the 489 eggs and nine males carrying them collected from the field, using microsatellite DNA markers. We revealed that in total, 28.4% of the eggs were of other male origin. This is the first report of frequent brood parasitism in an aquatic egg‐carrying hemipteran insect. The brood parasitism is adaptive for the females probably because it enables them to increase the chance of oviposition, or it can equalize motility risk of the eggs of each mate.
Plant and Litter Influences on Earthworm Abundance and Community Structure in a Tropical Wet Forest 1

Plant communities differ in species composition and litter input. To examine the influence of plant species on the abundance and community structure of soil fauna, we sampled earthworms in areas close to and away from the bases of Dacryodes excelsa and Heliconia caribaea, two distinct plant communities within a tropical wet forest in Puerto Rico. We also carried out a litter manipulation experiment to examine the short–term responses of earthworms to litter removal and litter addition treatments. We found that: (1) the density and biomass of both soil–feeding endogeic and litter‐feeding anccic worms did not differ between areas close to and away from Dacryodef trees (in contrast, the density and biomass of anecic worms was higher in areas away from Heliconia plants despite the lack of differences for endogeic worms); and (2) total dry weight of earthworms tended to be higher in the litter addition treatment than in the control within the Heliconia community. Our results suggest that Heliconia caribaea has a strong negative influence on anecic earthworms and that earthworms in the Heliconia community are more sensitive to litter input than in the Dacryodes community.
The Size-Efficiency Hypothesis and the Size Structure of Zooplankton Communities

The size-efficiency hypothesis, first proposed in 1965 by Brooks & Dodson (24), has profoundly influenced the direction of research in aquatic ecology since its publication.3 The size-efficiency hypothesis (SEH) is an attempt to explain the commonly observed inverse relationship between the abundances of smalland of large-bodied herbivorous zooplankton in freshwater lakes. The SEH was originally stated as follows:
Avian Movements and Wetland Connectivity in Landscape Conservation

The current conservation crisis calls for research and management to be carried out on a long‐term, multi‐species basis at large spatial scales. Unfortunately, scientists, managers, and agencies often are stymied in their effort to conduct these large‐scale studies because of a lack of appropriate technology, methodology, and funding. This issue is of particular concern in wetland conservation, for which the standard landscape approach may include consideration of a large tract of land but fail to incorporate the suite of wetland sites frequently used by highly mobile organisms such as waterbirds (e.g., shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl). Typically, these species have population dynamics that require use of multiple wetlands, but this aspect of their life history has often been ignored in planning for their conservation. We outline theoretical, empirical, modeling, and planning problems associated with this issue and suggest solutions to some current obstacles. These solutions represent a tradeoff between typical in‐depth single‐species studies and more generic multi‐species studies. They include studying within‐ and among‐season movements of waterbirds on a spatial scale appropriate to both widely dispersing and more stationary species; multi‐species censuses at multiple sites; further development and use of technology such as satellite transmitters and population‐specific molecular markers; development of spatially explicit population models that consider within‐season movements of waterbirds; and recognition from funding agencies that landscape‐level issues cannot adequately be addressed without support for these types of studies.
Integration of Georeferencing, Habitat, Sampling, and Genetic Data for Documentation of Wild Plant Genetic Resources

Plant genetic resource collections provide novel materials to the breeding and research communities. Crop wild relatives may harbor completely novel forms of allelic variation for biotic and abiotic resistance as well as masked genes for improved quality and production. This variation has been shaped by the environment from which the plant materials were collected. With detailed original source information, genetic assessments of germplasm collections can go beyond the basic measurements of collection diversity and breeding for simple traits to assessments of natural variation in environmental contexts.Availabilityofdetaileddocumentationofpassport,phenotypic,andgeneticdataincreasesthevalueofallgenebank accessions. Inclusion of georeferenced sources, habitats, and sampling data in collection databases facilitates interpretation of genetic data for genebank accessions with wild origins.
Intra‐ and inter‐sexual competition of Populus cathayana under different watering regimes

1Previous studies have demonstrated that poplar is sexually dimorphic in its responses to environmental stresses and provided evidence of sex-related differences in protein composition, gene transcription and morphological and physiological processes. However, sexual competition of poplar has not yet been studied. We employed Populus cathayana males and females as a model to investigate intra- and intersexual competition under well-watered condition and drought stress. Our results indicated that competition significantly affected sexual dimorphism of P.cathayana under different watering regimes. Sexual competition was environment-dependent and modified by drought. In females, drought intensified the negative effect of intrasexual competition. Similar resource utilization patterns of females may aggravate pressure for resources under drought stress. Under intersexual competition, females showed a greater competitive ability than males under well-watered condition, while males showed a slight competitive advantage under drought stress. Intersexual competition seems to alleviate the sexual dimorphism of P.cathayana in response to drought stress, as females increase fitness and males decrease fitness compared with intrasexual competition. Sexual dimorphism in resource utilization patterns and niche segregation may contribute to sexual competition in a given environment. Sexual competition was found to affect competitive ability and fitness of both sexes, which may cause spatial segregation of sexes in P.cathyana populations.
Relative Fitness of Morphs and Population Size

The melanic forms of Biston betularia and Gonodontis bidentata are common in northwest England. Kettlewell suggested that such morphs are better camouflaged from birds that seek them as food while they rest by day on exposed surfaces blackened by air pollution. He demonstrated that in an urban area the carbonaria melanic of B. betularia survived longer than the relatively conspicuous non-melanic typical form, and that this situation was reversed in an unpolluted area. Capture-recapture methods can be used to estimate daily survival rates and size of natural populations. These techniques were applied to Biston betularia at two localities and Gonodontis bidentata at five localities in northwest England and north Wales. The methods of Fisher & Ford (1947), Jolly (1965), Manly (1973) and Seber (1973) were used to analyse field data. Daily survival rates of the morphs, their expectations of life and their relative fitnesses were estimated. The rate of loss (1-survival rate) is a complex parameter including death and permanent emigration. There was no evidence for differential rates of movement of the morphs of a species, so differences in loss are due to selective death of morphs, probably arising as a result of predation by birds. In the study area the data for Biston betularia, together with the results of Bishop (1972) for seven other localities, present an unequivocal picture. There is a significant regression of the estimated fitness of typical relative to carbonaria at a locality and the frequency of typical in samples from that locality. Previous work has shown a strong correlation between the frequency of typical and the number of lichen taxa present on oak trees. There is no similar regression of fitness on frequency for Gonodontis bidentata although at Rusholme, central Manchester the evidence suggests that the non-melanic morph is at a disadvantage to the nigra form. The selective forces maintaining the polymorphism for nigra in G. bidentata are poorly understood. The density of populations of Gonodontis bidentata ranged from about 4:00 000 moths/ km $^2$ per flying season in south Liverpool to about 8000 moths/km $^2$ per season in central Manchester. Corresponding figures for B. betularia are probably less than 1000 moths/km $^2$ per season. That species appears to be highly mobile, a substantial fraction of adult males leaving the area where they developed. The evidence available for G. bidentata suggests that it is very much less mobile. The differences in density and movement affect the relative rates of gene flow in the two species.
Effect of Phase Feeding Supplemental Fungus Myceliated Grain on Oocyst Excretion and Performance of Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to investigate Fungus Myceliated Grain (FMG) feed inclusion strategies for broilers and the effects of this feed on natural Eimeria oocyst excretion and bird performance. Two hundred ninety-four straight-run day-of-hatch broiler chicks were obtained from a local commercial hatchery and randomly distributed in seven treatment groups with three replications of 14 chicks as follows: 1) Control-No FMG; 2) 5% FMG-starter feed; 3) 5% FMG-grower feed; 4) 5% FMG-starter, grower, finisher feed; 5) 10% FMG-starter feed; 6) 10% FMG-grower feed and 7) 10% FMG starter, grower, finisher feed. Fecal oocyst count, mortality, live body and bursa weight were determined at the end of the 7 wk trial. Results showed that broilers in treatments 1 and 2 produced the highest counts of Eimeria, which was significantly higher than that of treatment 6 (p<0.05) with the lowest count of Eimeria. Mortality was not significantly influenced by treatments. There were significant differences in the live and bursa weights, but not in th e relative bursa percent. The results suggest the best response in terms of anticoccidial protection occurs with the 10% inclusion in the growers feed and for body weight at the 5% inclusion level in the starter feed.
Interpreting Legitimacy

Legitimacy has been a key concept of Western family law for hundreds of years. The test of legitimacy determined who belonged to a family and who did not. In principle, legitimacy entitled children to maintenance and inheritance from both parental sides. Illegitimacy did not unconditionally do so. This article reflects on why legitimacy appeared as a significant part of the ecclesiastical policy and legislation from the mid-twelfth century onwards and why legitimacy could remain an indispensable part of European family law for at least seven hundred years until the second half of the nineteenth century.
SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION AND PARASITISM OF SCAPTERISCUS SPP. (ORTHOPTERA: GRYLLOTALPIDAE) IN SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA

Mole crickets of the genus Scapteriscus were accidentally introduced into the southern United States almost a century ago and are considered to be economically important pests in southern U.S. regions. Mole crickets were sampled using acoustic traps in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana in the fall of 1998, the spring and fall of 1999, and the spring of 2000. In southeastern Louisiana Scapteriscus borellii has a seasonal flight period starting in late February and continuing into June. A lesser flight period occurs in the fall, starting in mid-September and continuing into November. S. vicinus was captured only from late February to late April. We determined that S. borellii was being parasitized inside acoustic traps by the tachinid fly, Ormia ochracea and that S. vicinus was parasitized by an anthomyiid fly, Acridomyia sp.
Stomatal and hydraulic conductance in growing sugarcane: stomatal adjustment to water transport capacity*

Stomatal conductance per unit leaf area in well-irrigated fiel- and greenhouse-grown sugarcane increased with leaf area up to 0.2 m 2 plant -1 , then declined so that maximum transpiration per plant tended to saturate rather than increase linearly with further increase in leaf area. (.)
Light regulation of mycotoxin biosynthesis: new perspectives for food safety

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by toxigenic fungi contaminating foods and feeds in pre-, post-harvest and processing, and represent a great concern worldwide, both for the economic implications and for the health of the consumers. Many environmental conditions are involved in the regulation of mycotoxin biosynthesis. Among these, light represents one of the most important signals for fungi, influencing several physiological responses such as pigmentation, sexual development and asexual conidiation, primary and secondary metabolism, including mycotoxin biosynthesis. In this review we summarise some recent findings on the effect of specific light wavelength and intensity on mycotoxin biosynthesis in the main toxigenic fungal genera. We describe the molecular mechanism underlying light perception and its involvement in the regulation of secondary metabolism, focusing on VeA, global regulator in Aspergillus nidulans, and the White-Collar proteins, key components of light response in Neurospora crassa. Light of specific wavelength and intensity exerts different effects both on growth and on toxin production depending on the fungal genus. In Penicillium spp. red (627 nm) and blue wavelengths (455-470 nm) reduce ochratoxin A (OTA) biosynthesis by modulating the level of expression of the ochratoxin polyketide synthase. Furthermore a mutual regulation between citrinin and OTA production is reported in Penicillium toxigenic species. In Aspergillus spp. the effect of light treatment is strongly dependent on the species and culture conditions. Royal blue wavelength (455 nm) of high intensity (1,700 Lux) is capable of completely inhibit fungal growth and OTA production in Aspergillus stenyii and Penicillum verrucosum. In Fusarium spp. the effect of light exposure is less effective; mycotoxin-producing species, such as Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum, grow better under light conditions, and fumonisin production increased. This review provides a comprehensive picture on light regulation of mycotoxin biosynthesis and discusses possible new applications of this resource in food safety.
Mathematical modelling of tumour invasion and metastasis

In this paper we present two types of mathematical model which describe the invasion of host tissue by tumour cells. In the models, we focus on three key variables implicated in the invasion process, namely, tumour cells, host tissue (extracellular matrix) and matrix-degradative enzymes associated with the tumour cells. The first model focusses on the macro-scale structure (cell population level) and considers the tumour as a single mass. The mathematical model consists of a system of partial differential equations describing the production and/or activation of degradative enzymes by the tumour cells, the degradation of the matrix and the migratory response of the tumour cells. Numerical simulations are presented in one and two space dimensions and compared qualitatively with experimental and clinical observations. The second type of model focusses on the micro-scale (individual cell) level and uses a discrete technique developed in previous models of angiogenesis. This technique enables one to model migration and invasion at the level of individual cells and hence it is possible to examine the implications of metastatic spread. Finally, the results of the models are compared with actual clinical observations and the implications of the model for improved surgical treatment of patients are considered.
Risk of predation and the structure of desert rodent communities

Communities of granivorous desert rodents may be influenced by either predation risk or resources. To examine the influence of these factors, I manipulated illumination, using lanterns, and resources, using seeds. Foraging behavior is responsive to changes in predation risk; increased illumination reduces foraging in open areas without cover. Foraging behavior is also affected by resource enrichments. Differences among species in habitat selection are correlated with specific abilities to detect and avoid predators. The least vulnerable species, Dipodomys deserti, foraged heavily in the open and was largely unaffected by treatments; the other species of kangaroo rats and kangaroo mice (Dipodomys merriami, Dipodomys microps, and Microdipodops pallidus) also prefer the open, but responded to both risk and resource manipulations; highly vulnerable Peromyscus maniculatus was restricted to bushes, even under the best of circumstances; Perognathus longimembris was displaced from preferred microhabitats by the presence of kangaroo rats. A correlation between auditory bullar volume and use of open habitat by the various species in this community suggests that predation risk provides an axis along which habitat segregation occurs. Predation can structure communities of mobile prey when risk differs among habitats. Animals specializing in predator avoidance and in exploitation of risky environments have reduced interactions with superior competitors; this promotes coexistence.
Sulphur Supply Level Effects on the Assimilation of Nitrate and Sulphate into Amino Acids and Protein in Forage Rape (Brassica napus L.)

Sulphur deficiency has become widespread over the past several decades in most of the agricultural area. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is a very sensitive to S limitation which is becoming reduction of quality and productivity of forage. Few studies have assessed the sulphur mobilization in the source-sink relationship, very little is known about the regulatory mechanism in interaction between sulphur and nitrogen during the short-term sulphur deficiency. In this study, therefore, amount of sulphur and nitrogen incorporated into amino acids and proteins as affected by different S-supplied level (Control: 1 mM SO₄ 2- , S-deficiency: 0.1 mM SO₄ 2- , and S-deprivation: 0 mM SO₄ 2- ) were examined. The amount of sulphur in sulphate (S-sulphate) was significantly decreased by 25.8% in S-deprivation condition, compare to control, but not nitrogen in nitrate (N-nitrate). The markedly increase of sulphur and nitrogen incorporated amino acids (S-amino acids and N-amino acids) was observed in both S-deficiency and S-deprivation treatments. The amount of nitrogen incorporated proteins (N-protein) was strongly decreased as sulphur availability while the amount of sulphur incorporated into proteins (S-protein) was not affected. A highly significant (p≤0.001) relationship between S-sulphate and S-amino acid was observed whereas the increase of N-amino acids is closely associated with decrease of N-proteins. These data indicate that increase of sulphur and nitrogen incorporated into amino acids was from different nitrogen and sulphur metabolites, respectively.
RESTORATION OF BAY SCALLOP (ARGOPECTEN IRRADIANS (LAMARCK)) POPULATIONS IN FLORIDA COASTAL WATERS: PLANTING TECHNIQUES AND THE GROWTH, MORTALITY AND REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF PLANTED SCALLOPS

Abstract Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians [Lamarck]) are a culturally and economically important component of Florida's nearshore marine community. However, many of the local populations that compose the bay scallop metapopulation in Florida have virtually disappeared since the 1950s. This study reports the results of a 3-year effort to restore bay scallop populations at 4 sites along the west central coast of the state (Tampa Bay, Anclote, Homosassa and Crystal River). During late summer of 1997, 1998 and 1999, wild adult scallops were retrieved from each of those four target sites and induced to spawn in the laboratory. The resultant offspring were grown to at least 20-mm shell height in a nursery setting and then transplanted to cages deployed at the site where their parents were originally harvested. The growth, survival and reproductive development of the planted scallops were recorded on an approximate 6-week schedule. Results suggest that caged scallops generally grew more slowly than their wild counterparts and that at most of the planting sites mortality was high, especially during late summer. Reproductive development and spawning, although delayed in the caged scallops relative to their wild conspecifics, appears to have proceeded in an otherwise normal fashion. Approximately 1,100 scallops survived and spawned during the first year of the project, whereas ~4,700 and 12,000 scallops survived to spawn in the second and third years of the project, respectively. Studies were also conducted to determine the optimal stocking density and the best placement of the cages. Results of the density study indicate that planting at lower densities increased growth and survival but did not necessarily result in more live scallops at the time of spawning. Results of the cage-placement study, which compared scallops planted in cages either inside or outside of a seagrass bed and either mounted on legs or placed directly on the sediment, revealed that scallops planted directly on the substrate within a seagrass bed suffered higher mortality and slower growth than did scallops planted in the other three treatment combinations. Overall results of this 3-year project suggest that planting cultured scallops in cages can be a successful strategy for increasing the local spawner stock density of bay scallops in depleted populations and, ultimately, for increasing larval supply to the metapopulation.