scholarly journals Disentangling earthworm taxonomic stumbling blocks using molecular markers

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 19566-19579
Author(s):  
Azhar Rashid Lone ◽  
Samrendra Singh Thakur ◽  
Nalini Tiwari ◽  
Olusola B. Sokefun ◽  
Shweta Yadav

Taxonomic classification of earthworms based on anatomical features has created several challenges for systematics and population genetics. This study examines the application of molecular markers, in particular mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI), to facilitate discrimination of closely related earthworm species. Molecular markers have also provided insights into population genetics by aiding assessment of genetic diversity, lineage sorting, and genealogical distributions of populations for several species. Phylogeography—a study that evaluates the geographical distribution of these genealogical lineages and the role of historical processes in shaping their distribution—has also provided insights into ecology and biodiversity. Such studies are also essential to understand the distribution patterns of invasive earthworm species that have been introduced in non-native ecosystems globally. The negative consequences of these invasions on native species include competition for food resources and altered ecosystems. We anticipate that molecular markers such as COI and DNA barcoding offer potential solutions to disentangling taxonomic impediments in earthworms and advancing their systematics and population genetics. 

2021 ◽  
pp. 37-41
Author(s):  
N.V. Popkova ◽  

Discussed is the need for a historical analysis of the relationship between man and nature for the formation of the theoretical basis of environmental education is considered. It is shown that a holistic picture of the historical interaction between mankind and the Earth’s biosphere is necessary for understanding modern global processes: the disclosure of the causes of the ecological crisis will help to create programs for the greening of human activity. Traditional historical approaches developed by the philosophy of history are not suitable for solving this problem, since they do not take into account the natural limitations of technological progress and the evolutionary role of humanity in the biosphere. The article discusses new concepts proposed for a comprehensive study of historical processes and the biosphere transformations caused by them. It is concluded that the level of their development does not yet allow using them for educational purposes. Nevertheless, the analysis of the consequences of technical development made with their help in the context of historical reality makes it possible to reflect the trend of technologization of man and nature. The main regularities of the relationship between mankind and the biosphere can be distinguished on the basis of the ratio of biological and technological factors, on which the life of people depended in different eras. Understanding the nature of the modern ecological crisis is necessary for the development of scientifically grounded programs to neutralize the negative consequences of the formation and expansion of technical reality.


Author(s):  
Consuelo Medina García ◽  
Joaquin Gimenez de Azcarate ◽  
Alejandro Velázquez Montes

Antecedentes y Objetivos: El límite superior del bosque es un ecosistema que alberga comunidades herbáceas y forestales con singular presencia de endemismos y con una función relevante en la captación, recarga y transporte de agua, lo que los define como nodos de provisión de bienes y servicios ambientales. Lo anterior es de particular significado en las montañas intertropicales por ser las que resguardan un banco de germoplasma oriundo significativamente elevado. Ese es el caso del Pico del Tancítaro y volcanes circundantes, región de estudio comprendida entre 2600 y 3800 m de altitud en Michoacán, México. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo central definir y caracterizar la diversidad florística y fitocenótica, así como las pautas de distribución de las asociaciones vegetales a lo largo del gradiente altitudinal.Métodos: Se realizaron 35 inventarios siguiendo la metodología fitosociológica; en ellos se registraron las especies, su cobertura y los atributos físico-geográficos del sitio muestreado. La información de campo fue corroborada en gabinete; para asegurar los aspectos de identificación florística se utilizó preferentemente la “Flora del Bajío y de regiones adyacentes”. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando técnicas de agrupamiento multivariadas para poder definir las asociaciones vegetales.Resultados clave: Los 35 inventarios se consideraron como base para armar las tablas de vegetación que soportan las siguientes asociaciones vegetales: Gaultherio myrsinoidis-Pinetum hartwegii, Polysticho speciosissimae-Abietetum religiosae y Sibthorpio repentis-Abietetum religiosae; así como otras de rango menor. Para cada asociación se abordaron cuestiones de estructura, composición, ecología, distribución y relación con los pisos bioclimáticos y con otras asociaciones próximas.Conclusiones: Las combinaciones florísticas propias de las asociaciones reflejan las variaciones ambientales que se suceden en el gradiente altitudinal, incluyendo las causadas por perturbación natural y/o antrópica. Dichas asociaciones permiten tipificar la heterogeneidad fitocenótica del bosque estudiado y su papel como proveedoras de servicios ambientales y de biodiversidad.Abstract:Background and Aims: The timberline occurs as an ecosystem harboring unique forest and grassland types comprising outstanding endemic species. These vegetation types, furthermore, are the centers of capturing, recharging and transporting water so that these are regarded as provider´s nodes of environmental services. This is even more significant in intertropical mountains since these harbor large genetic reservoirs. This is the case of the Pico del Tancítaro and surrounding volcanoes, a region between 2600 and 3800 m elevation, in Michoacán, Mexico. The present study aimed to define and characterize the floristic and phytocenotic diversity, as well as recognize distribution patterns of the plant associations along the elevational gradient.Methods: Thirty five inventories were carried out following the phytosociological approach. At each inventory, a list of species, their coverage, and physical and geographical attributes of the site were compiled. Field information was later verified in the laboratory to ensure species identification; “Flora del Bajío y regiones adyacentes” was preferably consulted. Data were further analyzed via multivariate techniques in order to define plant associations.Key results: The 35 inventories were considered as a basis to assemble the vegetation tables that support three plant associations: Gaultherio myrsinoidis-Pinetum hartwegii, Polysticho speciosissimae-Abietetum religiosae and Sibthorpio repentis-Abietetum religiosae; as well as other units of lower rank. For each one, issues, such as structure, composition, ecology, distribution and relationship with bioclimatic belts and other nearby associations were addressed.Conclusions: The floristic combinations of the associations reflect environmental variations that occur along the altitudinal gradient, including those caused by natural and/or anthropic disturbance. These associations permit a clear classification of the phytocenotic heterogeneity in the forest studied, and confirm its role of environmental service providers and biodiversity.


Author(s):  
Nataliia Shvets ◽  
Iryna Tkachuk ◽  
Mariana Kobelia

Actuality. The risks of the state-owned enterprises are largely caused by unjustified quasi-fiscal operations in the sector of such enterprises. The main aim of the article is to reveal the theoretical essence of the category "quasi-fiscal operations" as an instrument of the state regulation of the economy in the sector of enterprises with state participation. Research results. The article highlights the approaches to the interpretation of quasi-fiscal operations by both scientists-theorists and high-authority organizations in this field, which allowed to summarize the typical features of quasi-fiscal operations in the sector of enterprises with state participation. The preconditions for the introduction of quasi-fiscal operations in the sector of enterprises with state participation and instruments for their implementation are highlighted. The approach to the classification of quasi-fiscal operations in the sector of enterprises with state participation taking into account the subjects of implementation, the impact on the budget and the sphere of activity of enterprises is substantiated. The negative consequences of the use of quasi-fiscal operations in the sphere of enterprises with state participation are substantiated. Conclusions. Given the peculiarities of quasi-fiscal operations in the field of enterprises with state participation, the state must assess the consequences of their use separately for each case, taking into account economic, social, and political and other factors inherent in the country. The elements of scientific novelty. Further studies have been devoted to highlighting the role of quasi-fiscal operations in the field of state-owned enterprises as an instrument for the state regulation of the economy. Practical significance. The main results of the study can be used as the basis for further scientific research on the activities of enterprises with state participation, and will also be useful for decision-making by public authorities on the use of quasi-fiscal operations in this sector.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Buchard ◽  
Yves Boirie ◽  
Lucie Cassagnes ◽  
Géraldine Lamblin ◽  
A. Coilly ◽  
...  

Malnutrition is a common comorbidity in patients with cirrhosis. Its prognostic value is indisputable as it greatly affects the evolution of liver diseases. It has a major impact on both morbi-mortality before and after liver transplantation. Being now integrated in the definition of malnutrition and recognized as a new entity in the international classification of diseases, physicians have taken great interest in sarcopenia. Its negative consequences on the fate of patients with cirrhosis are well-demonstrated. The concept of frailty has recently been enlarged to chronic liver diseases as symptoms of impaired global physical functioning. In this article, we will discuss the definitions of malnutrition and emphasize its links with sarcopenia and frailty. We will show the relevance of frailty and sarcopenia in the course of liver diseases. The emerging role of muscle depletion on the cardiorespiratory system will also be highlighted. The importance of body composition will be demonstrated and the main tools reviewed. Finally, we adapted the definition of malnutrition to patients with cirrhosis based on the assessment of sarcopenia together with reduced food intakes.


2007 ◽  
pp. 80-92
Author(s):  
A. Kireev

The paper studies the problem of raiders activity on the market for corporate control. This activity is considered as a product of coercive entrepreneurship evolution. Their similarities and sharp distinctions are shown. The article presents the classification of raiders activity, discribes its basic characteristics and tendencies, defines the role of government in the process of its transformation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Robert M. Anderson ◽  
Amy M. Lambert

The island marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus), thought to be extinct throughout the 20th century until re-discovered on a single remote island in Puget Sound in 1998, has become the focus of a concerted protection effort to prevent its extinction. However, efforts to “restore” island marble habitat conflict with efforts to “restore” the prairie ecosystem where it lives, because of the butterfly’s use of a non-native “weedy” host plant. Through a case study of the island marble project, we examine the practice of ecological restoration as the enactment of particular norms that define which species are understood to belong in the place being restored. We contextualize this case study within ongoing debates over the value of “native” species, indicative of deep-seated uncertainties and anxieties about the role of human intervention to alter or manage landscapes and ecosystems, in the time commonly described as the “Anthropocene.” We interpret the question of “what plants and animals belong in a particular place?” as not a question of scientific truth, but a value-laden construct of environmental management in practice, and we argue for deeper reflexivity on the part of environmental scientists and managers about the social values that inform ecological restoration.


Author(s):  
Petar Halachev ◽  
Victoria Radeva ◽  
Albena Nikiforova ◽  
Miglena Veneva

This report is dedicated to the role of the web site as an important tool for presenting business on the Internet. Classification of site types has been made in terms of their application in the business and the types of structures in their construction. The Models of the Life Cycle for designing business websites are analyzed and are outlined their strengths and weaknesses. The stages in the design, construction, commissioning, and maintenance of a business website are distinguished and the activities and requirements of each stage are specified.


Author(s):  
Serhii Voitko ◽  
◽  
Yuliia Borodinova ◽  

The article examines the interaction of the national economy of Ukraine with international credit and financial organizations, evaluates the positive and negative consequences and identifies possible areas for further cooperation. The role of international credit and financial organizations in the development of the global economy is analyzed. Today, international financial institutions have taken a leading place among institutions that provide financial support and contribute to the implementation of necessary reforms aimed at developing enterprises in various sectors of the economy and strengthening the country's financial sector as a whole. The importance of cooperation between Ukraine and international financial institutions for the development of the country's economy has been determined. The problems and directions of development of cooperation with leading credit and financial organizations in modern conditions are identified. Despite the presence of certain shortcomings, cooperation between Ukraine and international credit and financial organizations will continue in the future.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armand Chatard ◽  
Margaux Renoux ◽  
Jean Monéger ◽  
Leila Selimbegovic

Research indicates that individuals often deal with mortality salience by affirming beliefs in national or cultural superiority (worldview defense). Because worldview defense may be associated with negative consequences (discrimination), it is important to identify alternative means to deal with death-related thoughts. In line with an embodied terror management perspective, we evaluate for the first time the role of physical warmth in reducing defensive reaction to mortality salience. We predicted that, like social affiliation (social warmth), physical warmth could reduce worldview defense when mortality is salient. In this exploratory (preregistered) study, 202 French participants were primed with death-related thoughts, or an aversive control topic, in a heated room or a non-heated room. The main outcome was worldview defense (ethnocentric bias). We found no main effect of mortality salience on worldview defense. However, physical warmth reduced worldview defense when mortality was salient. Implications for an embodied terror management perspective are discussed.


Author(s):  
Matthew O. Jackson ◽  
Brian W. Rogers ◽  
Yves Zenou

What is the role of social networks in driving persistent differences between races and genders in education and labor market outcomes? What is the role of homophily in such differences? Why is such homophily seen even if it ends up with negative consequences in terms of labor markets? This chapter discusses social network analysis from the perspective of economics. The chapter is organized around the theme of externalities: the effects that one’s behavior has on others’ welfare. Externalities underlie the interdependencies that make networks interesting to social scientists. This chapter discusses network formation, as well as interactions between people’s behaviors within a given network, and the implications in a variety of settings. Finally, the chapter highlights some empirical challenges inherent in the statistical analysis of network-based data.


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