Invertebrate Fossils (Insecta: Trichoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera) from the Pleistocene Scarborough Formation at Toronto, Ontario, and their paleoenvironmental Significance

1981 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy E. Williams ◽  
John A. Westgate ◽  
D. Dudley Williams ◽  
Anne Morgan ◽  
Alan V. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Deciduous Species ◽  
Forest Environment ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Plant Remains ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Terrestrial Insects ◽  
Invertebrate Fossils ◽  
July Temperature

AbstractLarval caddisfly, chironomid, and beetle remains have been recovered from the Pleistocene Scarborough Formation in the Toronto region of southern Ontario. Three stratigraphic levels were sampled at the northeastern end of the Scarborough Bluffs; the youngest horizon yielded 16 chironomid taxa, 33 caddisfly taxa, and 28 beetle taxa, whereas the two older levels yielded somewhat less diverse assemblages. Only one taxon in each of the caddisfly and chironomid groups was identified from the presumed correlative beds at Woodbridge, Ontario, but numerous beetle fragments were recovered, several of which have been specifically identified and match species found previously in the upper part of the Scarborough Formation. The youngest sampled assemblage in the Scarborough Formation at the northeastern end of the Scarborough Bluffs is interpreted as indicating cool climatic conditions in a boreal forest environment, given the present-day distributions and feeding habits of these river, lake, and terrestrial taxa. The mean July temperature at this time was probably about 15°C, as compared to the present-day value of 20.5°C. The forest was poorer in deciduous species during deposition of the older part of the formation as preserved here. These results agree well with previous interpretations based on plant remains. We suggest that both aquatic and terrestrial insects are good indicators of macroclimate.

scholarly journals Natural durability and improved resistance of 20 Amazonian wood species after 30 years in ground contact

Holzforschung ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Nunes Gouveia ◽  
Marcelo Fontana da Silveira ◽  
Alencar Garlet
Keyword(s):  
Wood Species ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Natural Durability ◽  
Amazon Forest ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Forest Environment ◽  
Ground Test ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Dipteryx Odorata ◽  
Copper Arsenate

Abstract This study aimed to assess the natural durability of 20 Amazonian wood species preserved with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) after 30 years in ground contact in an experimental field test at National Forest of Tapajós, Pará state - Brazil. Heartwood samples with a cross-section of 5 × 5 cm and 50 cm of length were half-buried in soil and inspected every year for decay. The species were classified according to natural durability following the classification method proposed by Findlay (Findlay, W.P.K. (1985). The nature and durability of wood. In: Findlay, W.P.K. (Ed.), Preservation of timber in the tropics. Springer Science, Whitchurch, pp. 1–13). After 30 years in ground test, six species were classified as Perishable, seven as Non-durable, three as Durable and four as Very durable, namely: Trichilia lecointei, Lecythis pisonis, Pseudopiptadenia suaveolens, and Dipteryx odorata (Very durable), Protium tenuifolium, Dinizia excelsa, and Ormosia paraensis (Durable), Endopleura uchi, Goupia glabra, Pouteria egregia, Tachigali chrysophylla, Tachigali paraensis, Vatairea sericea, and Vochysia maxima (Non-durable) and Chrysophyllum lucentifolium, Couratari oblongifolia, Didymopanax morototoni, Lueheopsis duckeana, Sterculia excelsa, and Xylopia nitida (Perishable). CCA preservative treatment was effective to promote timber protection, even under harsh climatic conditions of the Amazon forest environment.

scholarly journals Morphohistology of the Digestive Tract of the Damsel FishStegastes fuscus(Osteichthyes: Pomacentridae)

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhaskara Canan ◽  
Wallace Silva do Nascimento ◽  
Naisandra Bezerra da Silva ◽  
Sathyabama Chellappa
Keyword(s):  
Digestive Tract ◽  
Transition Region ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Muscular Layer ◽  
Pyloric Caeca ◽  
Anterior Intestine ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Tidal Pools

This study investigated the morphohistology of the digestive tract and the mean intestinal coefficient of the damsel fishStegastes fuscuscaptured from the tidal pools of Northeastern Brazil. The wall of the digestive tract ofS. fuscusis composed of the tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis, and tunica serosa. The esophagus is short with sphincter and thick distensible wall with longitudinally folded mucosa. Mucous glands are predominant, and the muscular layer of the esophagus presented striated fibers all along its extension. The transition region close to the stomach shows plain and striated muscular fibers. Between the stomach and intestine, there are three pyloric caeca. The intestine is long and thin with four folds around the stomach. The anterior intestine presents folds similar to those of pyloric caeca. The estimated mean intestinal coefficient and characteristics of the digestive system ofS. fuscuspresent morphological adequacy for both herbivorous and omnivorous feeding habits.

Seasonal Influence on Milk Production Performance in SDCMPUL in Tamil Nadu

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuation ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Dairy Animals ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Spss Software

Dairy farming is vulnerable to seasonal variable factors such as temperature, cold climatic conditions, and rainfall. These affect the production and reproduction traits of dairy animals. Seasonal variability also affects the quantity of consumption and marketing of milk considerably. The study aimed to assess the seasonal fluctuation in milk production in Sivagangai District Cooperative Milk Producer Union Limited (SDCMPUL), Tamil Nadu. The study used secondary data. The milk production data were collected from SDCMPUL, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu. The data covered the period from 2001-02 to 2020-21. The study used descriptive statistics, CAGR, and paired ‘t-test to determine the variation of milk production according to seasonal changes. The MS office - Excel software and SPSS software were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that the mean milk production of the lean and flush season was 2.46 and 2.30 lakh liters, and the CAGR of milk production in SDCMPUL, Tamil Nadu, during the period 2001-02 to 2020-21 was 5.65 percent, and it was 5.23 percent in lean season and 6.11 percent in the flush season while the growth rate of milk production during the lean and flush season was positive and was significant statistically. It was found that the quantity of milk production was higher in the lean season than a flush season; however, the variability of milk production was more in the flush season than in the lean season.

scholarly journals Temporal and ontogenetic variations in feeding habits of Hollandichthys multifasciatus (Teleostei: Characidae) in coastal Atlantic rainforest streams, southern Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinícius Abilhoa ◽  
Hugo Bornatowski ◽  
Gislaine Otto
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Atlantic Rainforest ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Fish Feed ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Black Water ◽  
Terrestrial Insects

Feeding habits of the characin Hollandichthys multifasciatus were investigated. Samplings were made between March 2004 and February 2005 in two black water streams of the coastal Atlantic rainforest in southern Brazil. The diet, evaluated by qualitative and quantitative methods, included aquatic and terrestrial insects, decapods, oligochaetes, plants and spiders. Large individuals feed mainly on plants, terrestrial insects, and spiders, whereas small fish feed basically on plants and oligochaetes. The species showed an omnivorous feeding habit, and its diet was composed of autochthonous (mainly oligochaetes) and allochthonous (plants and terrestrial insects) material.

scholarly journals Effect on nitrate concentration in stream water of agricultural practices in small catchments in Brittany: I. Annual nitrogen budgets

2002 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ruiz ◽  
S. Abiven ◽  
P. Durand ◽  
C. Martin ◽  
F. Vertès ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Nitrate Concentration ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Nitrogen Budgets ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Nitrate Concentrations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Small Catchments

Abstract. The hydrological and biogeochemical monitoring of catchments has become a common approach for studying the effect of the evolution of agricultural practices on water resources. In numerous studies, the catchment is used as a "mega-lysimeter" to calculate annual input-output budgets. However, the literature reflects two opposite interpretations of the trends of nitrate concentration in streamwater. For some authors, essentially in applied studies, the mean residence time of leached nitrate in shallow groundwater systems is much less than one year and river loads reflect annual land use while for others, nitrate is essentially transport limited, independent of soil nitrate supply in the short term and annual variations reflect changes in climatic conditions. This study tests the effect of agricultural land-use changes on inter-annual nitrate trends on stream water of six small adjacent catchments from 0.10 to 0.57 km2 in area, on granite bedrock, at Kerbernez, in Western Brittany (France). Nitrate concentrations and loads in streamwater have been monitored for nine years (1992 to 2000) at the outlet of the catchments. An extensive survey of agricultural practices from 1993 to 1999 allowed assessment of the nitrogen available for leaching through nitrogen budgets. For such small catchments, year-to-year variations of nitrate leaching can be very important, even when considering the 'memory effect' of soil, while nitrate concentrations in streamwater appear relatively steady. No correlation was found between the calculated mean nitrate concentration of drainage water and the mean annual concentration in streams, which can even exhibit opposite trends in inter-annual variations. The climatic conditions do not affect the mean concentration in streamwater significantly. These results suggest that groundwater plays an important role in the control of streamwater nitrate concentration. Keywords: nitrate, diffuse pollution, agricultural catchment, nitrogen budget, leaching, Kerbernez catchments

scholarly journals Living mulch strategy for organic cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) production in central and southern Italy

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Canali ◽  
Gabriele Campanelli ◽  
Corrado Ciaccia ◽  
Mariangela Diacono ◽  
Fabrizio Leteo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Oleracea ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
F1 Hybrid ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Burr Medic ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Systems

In sustainable agricultural systems, intercropping using living mulches (LM) provides many beneficial ecosystem services. The objective of these two-year field experiments was to study the suitability of different LM options of burr medic (<em>Medicago polymorpha</em> L. var. <em>anglona</em>) for organic cauliflower (<em>Brassica oleracea</em> L.) cultivation in two sites under Mediterranean conditions. In central Italy (Experiment 1) contemporary and delayed (to crop) sowings of LM were compared with a no-cover crop treatment, contrasting two local cauliflower cultivars and a F1 Hybrid. In southern Italy (Experiment 2) the sustainability of systems combining LM (anticipated and contemporary sowing compared with no-cover) and organic fertilisation strategies was assessed. The aboveground biomasses dry weights of cauliflower crop (heads and residues), burr medic and weeds were separately determined. Results suggested that in Experiment 1 the LM was not able to smother weeds establishment and growth, as a consequence of early sowing, while cauliflower yield was reduced. Moreover, the genotypes behaviour was greatly influenced by the LM sowing times. In Experiment 2, irrespective of the agronomic practices applied, climatic conditions notably influenced cauliflower cultivation and also reduced the mean yield. Therefore, the recorded differences between the two experimental sites highlighted the need to tailor the LM strategies to the different environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Matured Larval Weight and Larval Duration of New Breeding Lines of Bombyx mori L

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 7-16
Author(s):  
Manjula A. C ◽  
Jenifer Lolita. C ◽  
Shubha Shubha ◽  
Prathibha K.Y ◽  
Keshamma E
Keyword(s):  
Bombyx Mori ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Sampling Errors ◽  
Random Drift ◽  
Breeding Lines ◽  
Anova Table ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Bombyx Mori L ◽  
Mulberry Silkworm ◽  
Selection Of

We planned to conduct this study with the main aim to develop bivoltine breeds for our tropical climatic conditions by using silkworm breeds with known genetic backgrounds (KA, NB18 and PM) in various hybrid combinations and incorporating them over generations, followed by backcrossing and adequate selection of different generations with the objective of profitability and productivity. The isolated Bivoltin lines (R1 and R2) were reared with their parental races at different times of the year to evaluate their stability in the expression of commercial traits. For the present breeding program, the purebred Bivoltine Kalimpong-A (KA), which spin white oval cocoons, New Bivoltine18 (NB18) white cocoons with rotating dumbbells and Multivoltine Pure Mysore (PM), the yellow pointed cocoons of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori L., Selected. One-way and three-way crosses were made using the above three breeds. The first single cross comprised KA females and PM males. The second unique cross comprised NB18 females and PM males. Selection was performed at the egg, larva, pupal, and cocoon stages over the course to determine the desired traits. The offspring of F from the respective crosses were backcrossed with their respective bivoltine males to improve commercial traits. Heterosis in the F1 generations of crosses, including NB18 and PM, was determined by the mean score of the parents (MPV) and the best score of the parents (BPV). A significant test for heterosis was performed using a standard ANOVA table. Based on the results of our study, it was found that the performance of the characters, viz. The weight of mature larvae and the duration of the larvae over generations do not simply increase or decrease regularly, but fluctuate irregularly. The reason for this variation may be due to random genetic drift, sampling errors in estimating generational means, selection pressures, and environmental factors. Therefore, inbreeding variations due to random drift and sampling errors could be reduced by increasing the number sampled and selected.

scholarly journals Variabilidade Espacial da Erosividade das Chuvas para o Estado da Paraíba (Variability of Spatial Erosivity of Rainfall in the Paraíba State)

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 691
Author(s):  
Bernardo Starling Dorta do Amaral ◽  
João Filadelfo de Carvalho Neto ◽  
Richarde Marques da Silva ◽  
José Carlos Dantas
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Rainfall Characteristics ◽  
R Factor ◽  
Erosivity Index ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Weather Stations ◽  
Soil Loss Equation

As características específicas das chuvas variam entre regiões, e o conhecimento da sua potencialidade erosiva é necessário para o planejamento dos recursos hídricos. Este estudo determinou a erosividade, analisou a variabilidade espacial da precipitação e o coeficiente de chuva para o Estado da Paraíba mediante técnicas de Sistemas de Informação Geográfica. Para a realização deste estudo foram utilizados dados climatológicos de 98 estações climatológicas da Embrapa, com séries de 1911 a 1990. Em seguida as informações sobre a erosividade foram processadas cartograficamente. O valor médio anual da erosividade das chuvas com base no índice EI30 para o Estado da Paraíba foi de 5.032,03 MJ.mm/ha/h, valor que representa o Fator “R” da Equação Universal de Perdas de Solo (USLE). As equações de regressão entre erosividade e precipitação e coeficiente de chuva não foram significativas. As principais conclusões são que: (a) os índices de erosividade encontrados são maiores na zona litorânea do que nas demais porções do Estado, e (b) as erosividades encontradas variaram de acordo com os valores da precipitação.   A B S T R A C T Specific rainfall characteristics vary among regions and their erosion potential must be known for the planning of water resources. This study analyzed the erosivity and rainfall variability and precipitation coefficient for Paraíba State based on Geographic Information Systems techniques. In order In this paper 98 climatological stations of Embrapa were used, with rainfall data of 1911 to 1990. For this study we use d climate data from 98 weather stations of Embrapa, with series from 1911 to 1990. Additionally we processed the information of the erosivity index cartographically by year and microregions. The mean annual value of erosivity was 5,032.03 MJ.mm/ha/h, which is to be used as “R” Factor in the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) for Paraíba State and surrounding regions with similar climatic conditions. The main conclusions are that: (a) erosivity indexes are higher in coastal areas than in inland areas, and (b) the erosivity range according to the precipitation.   Keywords: erosivity, rainfall, water resources   

scholarly journals Seed Germination Variation among Crop Years from a Pinus sylvestris Clonal Seed Orchard

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Melusi Rampart
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Seed Orchard ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Thermal Time ◽  
Base Temperature ◽  
Germination Capacity ◽  
Seed Collection ◽  
Clonal Seed Orchard ◽  
The Mean

Maternal effects were assessed by germinating seeds sourced over multiple years from the same cloned mother trees, comparing germination capacity and rate between crop years. The relationships between climatic variables, seed characteristics and germination capacity were determined, and thermal time parameters were used to predict seed dormancy release and germination under the climatic conditions in the year after seed collection. There were significant differences in seed weight (P < 0.05), seed length and embryo occupancy (both P < 0.001) among crop years. Temperature during the seed development period explained 70% of the variation in seed weight and 63% of the variation in embryo occupancy. Germination capacity was significantly (P <0.001) different among crop years, among temperatures and among chilling durations, and thermal time requirements for germination increased from older (2007) to younger (2012) seeds. The mean base temperature without chilling was 7.1°C, while after chilling it was 4.6°C and 3.6°C for four and eight weeks chilling respectively. The mean thermal time to 50% germination without chilling was 135.1°Cd, while after chilling it was 118.3°Cd and 154.0°Cd for four and eight weeks chilling respectively. This experiment demonstrates that year-to-year differences in the environment experienced by mother trees during seed maturation can affect seed germination characteristics.

Interpreting the diet of extinct ruminants: the case of a non-browsing giraffid

Paleobiology ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikos Solounias ◽  
Mark Teaford ◽  
Alan Walker
Keyword(s):  
Shape Analysis ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
African Buffalo ◽  
Giraffa Camelopardalis ◽  
Ruminant Species ◽  
Modern Species ◽  
Quantitative Analyses ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Connochaetes Taurinus ◽  
Rule Out

Modern ruminant species have traditionally been placed in three broad dietary categories (browsers, grazers and intermediates) based on their observed feeding habits. Shape analysis of premaxillary outlines of 31 species of ruminants shows that their premaxillae differ according to their dietary category. Browsers have pointed premaxillae and grazers square ones. Intermediate feeders have intermediate outlines.The Miocene giraffid Samotherium boissieri has always been viewed as a specialized browser similar to the modern okapi, Okapia johnstoni. However, the premaxillary shape of S. boissieri falls very close to the mean of the grazers and is most similar to that of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), a committed grazer.Quantitative analyses of the microscopic wear patterns on the molars reveal significant differences between three modern species from the three dietary groups. S. boissieri has more microscopic scratches on its teeth than either the modern giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis (a browser) or Grant's gazelle Gazella granti (an intermediate feeder). In this respect, it is indistinguishable from the wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus which is a committed grazer.Both of these analyses suggest that this extinct giraffid was a grazer, although we cannot rule out the possibility that it was an intermediate feeder. It was definitely not a specialized browser as are both living members of the Giraffidae.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document