A Corpus of Czech Essays from the Turn of the 1900s

A literary essay is an interesting unit for language analyses, as its stylistic means often exceed the boundaries of the genre of an artistic essay. The article presents a new corpus of Czech literary essays covering approximately fifty years from 1890 to 1940. Along with the characterisation of the corpus and its annotation, the paper focuses on the TxM corpus tool: In the second part of the study, we use selected texts to conduct an analysis of seven various authors through multidimensional cluster analysis, factorial correspondence analysis and a specificity score. The main parameter of the analyses was usage of parts of speech in texts by individual authors. At present, the Corpus of Czech Essays contains 40 essayist titles written by 15 authors covering various topics (music, visual arts, theatre, literature, etc.).

Ethnobotanical Uses of Non-cultivated Edible Fruit Species in the Department of Oussouye (South Senegal)

Forests are an immense reservoir of biological resources and provide the local population with subsistence needs, especially for edible fruits. This study contributes to a better knowledge of the use modes of non-cultivate edible plant species in the area of Kasa, traditional name for the department of Oussouye. Ethnobotanical surveys, based on an interview guide, oral discussions and direct observations were conducted among 178 people from the department of Oussouye, stronghold of the Diola ethnic group. A factorial correspondence analysis highlighted the relationship between species and categories of use. The frequency of citation, informant consensus factor and use value showed the socio-cultural importance of the species. The data collected identified 62 edible species divided into 31 families and 54 genera. The fruit species inventoried are used for different purposes. They are a food source with 62% of citations, energetic 19%, technological 14%, medicinal 13%, cultural 6% and agronomic 2% for the populations. Two species stand out for their high use value factor (UVt). These were Elaeis guineensis (12.24) and Borassus aethiopum (7.56). In addition to their use value, species such as Mangifera indica, Neocarya macrophylla, Parkia biglobosa, Anacardium occidentale, Ceiba pentandra, Parinari excelsa, stood out for their categories and organs used. These results inform us about the level of use of fruit species for different needs and open up avenues for research in sustainable management of this resource with the aim of reducing poverty.

Morphotype Classification Criteria, Nomenclature of Shea Varieties [Vitellaria Paradoxa (C.F. Gaertn)], And Influence of Sociocultural Factors on Perceived Shea Natural Variation Across Parklands in Benin

Background: Local knowledge and perception are crucial to undertake the domestication of useful species such as Vitellaria paradoxa that makes significant contribution to rural household economy in Africa. This study aims to document shea morphotypes diversity based on folk knowledge especially the main criteria farmers used to distinguish shea trees and to examine the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on that knowledge. Methods: 405 respondents were surveyed across shea parklands in Benin using semi-structured questionnaire. We used the relative citation frequency of criteria followed by Kruskal-Wallis test to evaluate the influence of sociodemographic attributes on local knowledge of Shea morphotypes variation. Factorial Correspondence Analysis described the links between the different morphotypes and parklands, and Principal Components Analysis was used to characterize farmers perception on morphotypes’ abundance, fruits and butter yields. Results: Respondents identified 13 morphotypes based on the five most cited criteria which are fruit size (55.5%), tree fertility (15.40%), bark colour (10.51%), timing of production (5.38%) and pulp taste (3.42%). The citation frequency of classification criteria varied significantly depending on the age, the education level and the sociolinguistic group of the respondent. The Bembèrèkè zone shea parkland revealed higher diversity of morphotypes traits. The small fruit type (‘Yanki’) was reported to be widespread. It produces higher fruit and butter yields according to respondents. Conclusions: From our findings, farmers perceived an important diversity of shea traits that are used to classify morphotypes with economic or sociocultural importance. The revelation of that natural variation in shea tree is a key step toward the development of shea improvement program that could focus on the morphotype Yanki reported to be potentially high in fruit production and butter yield.

Using empirical datasets to quantify uncertainty in inferences of landscape genetic resistance due to variation of individual-based genetic distance metrics

Estimates of gene flow are commonly based on inferences of landscape resistance in ecological and evolutionary research and they frequently inform decision-making processes in conservation management. It is therefore imperative that inferences of a landscape factors relevance and its resistance are robust across approaches and reflect real-world gene flow instead of methodological artefacts. Here, we tested the impact of 160 different individual-based pairwise genetic metrics on consistency of landscape genetic inferences.We used three empirical datasets that adopted individual-based sampling schemes and varied in scale (35-25,000 km2) and total number of samples (184-790) and comprise the wild boar, Sus scrofa, the red fox, Vulpes vulpes and the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis. We made use of a machine-learning algorithm implemented in ResistanceGA to optimally fit resistances of landscape factors to genetic distance metrics and ranked their importance. Employed for nine landscape factors this resulted in 4,320 unique combinations of dataset, landscape factor and genetic distance metric, which provides the basis for quantifying uncertainty in inferences of landscape resistance.Our results demonstrate that there are clear differences in Akaike information criteria (AICc)-based model support and marginal R2-based model fit between different genetic distance metrics. Metrics based on between 1-10 axes of eigenvector-based multivariate analyses (Factorial correspondence analysis, FCA; Principal component analysis, PCA) outperformed more widely used metrics, including the proportion of shared alleles (DPS), with AICc and marginal R2 values often an order of magnitude greater in the former. Across datasets, inferences of the directionality of a landscape factors influence on gene flow, e.g. facilitating or impeding it, changed across different genetic distance metrics. The directionality of the inferred resistance was largely consistent when considering metrics based on between 1-10 FCA/PCA axes.Inferences of landscape genetic resistance need to be corroborated using calculations of multiple individual-based pairwise genetic distance metrics. Our results call for the adoption of eigenvector-based quantifications of pairwise genetic distances. Specifically, a preliminary step of analysis should be incorporated, which explores model ranks across genetic distance metrics derived from FCA and PCA, and, contrary to findings of a simulation study, we demonstrate that it suffices to quantify these distances spanning the first ten axes only.

Genetic diversity of the free-living population of Przewalski's horses in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

The present study is aimed at evaluating the genetic diversity, genetic status and the extent of hybridization with the domestic horse for the Przhevalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii Poliakov 1881) population free-ranging in the territory of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) in Belarus and Ukraine. The sample size included 12 individuals (10 sampled in the Belarusian part of the CEZ and 2 from the Ukrainian part of the CEZ). Ten microsatellites recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) for horse genetic status and pedigree determination were used as markers in this study. The fragment analysis data obtained utilising this microsatellite panel determined that two individuals from Belarus possess no allelic variants typical for Przhevalski’s horse. Most of the other individuals presented diagnostically valuable allelic variants. Demographic history analysis for the population did not indicate any drastic population shrinkage events in the population’s recent history. The studied population is characterised by heterogeneous population structure with signs of inbreeding (0.21 %), intermediate level of genetic diversity (He = 0.63) and allelic richness (5.15), possesses 16 unique alleles among 2 microsatellite loci and valuable alleles for loci HMS3 and HMS7 (46.4 and 67.9 % specific alleles for Przhevalski’s horse, respectively). Genetic structure evaluation for the population was performed via Bayesian population structure analysis and factorial correspondence analysis (FCA), which indicated the presence of intrapopulation genetic subdivision. Taking into account the obtained indicators of genetic diversity, we may conclude on the relatively favourable status of Przewalski’s horse in the exclusion zone with good potential for the long-term existence of the species population in the wild. In order to minimise inbreeding effects and the risk of a decline in genetic diversity in the population of Przewalski’s horse of the exclusion zone, as well as to increase the value of this free-living group to preserve the gene pool of the species as a whole, it is necessary to provide detailed genetic monitoring of the livestock’s state, as well as develop a regional population management plan, including measures aimed to minimise the possibility of further hybridisation of wild horses with domestic ones.

Algae in Acid Mine Drainage and Relationships with Pollutants in a Degraded Mining Ecosystem

Acid mine drainage represents an extreme environment with high concentrations of potentially toxic elements and low pH values. These aquatic habitats are characterised by harsh conditions for biota, being dominated by acidophilic organisms. The study site, São Domingos mine, located in one of the largest metallogenetic provinces in the world, the Iberian Pyrite Belt, was closed without preventive measures. To identify the algae species and understand the relationships with abiotic parameters of the ecosystem, water and biological material were collected and analysed. Digital terrain models were obtained with an unmanned aerial vehicle for geomorphological and hydrologic characterisation of the mine degraded landscape. The results show two types of algal colours that seem to represent different degrees of photosynthetic activity. Optical and scanning electron microscopy revealed 14 taxa at the genus level, divided into eight classes. The genus Mougeotia is the most abundant multicellular algae. With respect to unicellular algae, diatoms are ubiquitous and abundant. Abiotic analyses expose typical features of acid mine drainage and support an inverse relationship between chemical contamination and biological diversity. Factorial correspondence analysis indicates three groups of attributes and samples by their relationship with specific toxic elements. This analysis also suggests a close association between Spirogyra and Pb, together composing a structurally simple ecosystem. The highest contamination in the river system is related to the hydrologic patterns obtained from photogrammetric products, such as the digital surface model and flow map accumulation, indicating the input of leachates from the section having the finest sulfide-rich wastes. Information about the algae community and their association with flow patterns of toxic elements is a relevant tool from a biomonitoring perspective.

Traditional uses of Detarium Microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae) and Potential for its Valorisation as Fuelwood

Background: Forest management can be sustainable if it integrates social, cultural and economic values ​​that local communities associate with forest resources in a given area. Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae), also known as small detar or sweet detar, is a common multiuse small tree of Sudanese and Sudano-Guinean savannahs with high potential for use as fuelwood or fruit tree but little valued in forestry programs. The present countrywide study aims to assess the compatibility of current local uses of Detarium microcarpum with its promotion as fuelwood and to determine the most suitable areas for its integration into forest management programs. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted on the basis of a semi-structured questionnaire among 1074 people selected randomly in 10 of the 12 departments of Benin where the species is present. Factors determining Detarium microcarpum use as fuelwood were identified through a binary logistic regression. A Factorial Correspondence Analysis established the relationship between socio-cultural groups and the use of Detarium microcarpum parts or organs.Results: A total of 671 people (62.47%) know and use at least one part of Detarium microcarpum. The trunk and branches are the most used organs (35.12% of respondents), primarily as fuelwood. The determinants of Detarium microcarpum use as fuelwood are the phytogeographic district (a proxy for the resource availability), gender, sociolinguistic group, and educational level. Detarium microcarpum is more used as fuelwood by women belonging to the sociolinguistic groups Gourmatche, Kounteni, Boo, Monkole, Gando and Bariba. In addition, the use of Detarium microcarpum as fuelwood decreases with the educational level and is more pronounced in the phytogeographical districts of Borgou-Nord, Atacora chain and Borgou-Sud, covering together about 63% of the national territory and representing 28% of its population. Conclusions: This study confirms the potential of Detarium microcarpum as fuelwood, particularly in northern Benin, and calls for further research on the species local abundance and structure, regeneration, silviculture and management mode.

Genetic Population Structure of Sus scrofa in Lithuania before the African Swine Fever Outbreak

Background: Wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a widely distributed ungulate whose success can be attributed to a variety of ecological features. The genetic variation and population structure of wild boar population in Lithuania before the spread of African swine fever has not yet been thoroughly studied. To characterize the amount of genetic variation and population structure of wild boar in Lithuania before the African swine fever outbreak, we genotyped and analyzed microsatellite loci for a total of 96 wild boar specimens from nine locations. Results: In the present study, individuals were genetically typed at fifteen microsatellite loci using multiplex PCR amplification. Our data showed that that 85% of the genetic variation originated from individuals, indicating a high gene exchange between the nine subpopulations of wild boar in Lithuania. Bayesian-based clustering analysis in STRUCTURE identified two inferred genetic clusters and each of the 9 subpopulations had more than 1 cluster. A factorial correspondence analysis confirmed homogeneity and no genetic differentiation between subpopulations of S.scrofa in Lithuania.Conclusions: Our results reveal that wild boar subpopulations of Lithuania before the African swine fever outbreak were still not distinguished and admixed. This study highlights the potential contribution for the future study understanding the detailed structure of wild boar population in Lithuania after African swine fever outbreak.

Temporal patterns of fish occurrence of the euryhaline sector of a subtropical estuary, southern Brazil

Fish fauna was studied in five sites of the shallow infralittoral of the Paranaguá Bay during the period from October 1999 to September 2000. At each sampling site, fish were sampled with other trawls, salinity and temperature were measured, water samples were taken from the bottom of the water column for determination of dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphate. The spatial and temporal behavior of the environmental variables was analyzed by a Principal Component Analysis; Cluster Analysis was used to gather the sampling sites, and Factorial Correspondence Analysis was applied to the most abundant species. Temperature was the most important variable for the distribution of the months, allowing the division of the study period into hot and cold months. The temporal variation in the fish fauna composition was indicated by cluster analysis, with highest percentages of dissimilarity between the sampling sites during hot months. The variation in dissimilarity between the sites occurred due to differences in the number of individuals and species of the catches. The high frequencies of occurrence of Anisotremus surinamensis, Etropus crossotus, Genidens genidens, Micropogonias furnieri and Sphoeroides greeleyi were related to high temperatures. The greatest number of fish and species observed in hot months may be related to the life cycle of many species, which reproduce in warmer months, and whose offspring use estuaries as breeding areas.

Molecular characterization of eight horse breeds in Algeria using microsatellite markers

Amine BME, Naima B, Mohammed B, Abdelkader AA, Youssouf HH, Mohammed P, Suheill GSB. 2020. Molecular characterization of eight horse breeds in Algeria using microsatellite markers. Biodiversitas 21: 4107-4115. The Algerian horse population Bar, Origin Barb unknown, Arabian-Barb, Arabian, Thoroughbred (Pur sang); French Trotter, Algerian saddle, and Saddle are under a significant loss of genetic variability. This should be evaluated before any breed conservation and management program. For this purpose, genetic analyzes of diversity and differentiation were carried out on eight breeds horses reared in Algeria with 17 microsatellites. All microsatellite markers were highly polymorphic in all Breeds. A total of 170 alleles from 17 microsatellite loci were detected in 279 horses. The average number of alleles per locus was highest in Arabian-Barb horses (7.88) and lowest in Saddle breed (4.94). The observed heterozygosity interbreeds ranged from 0.685 to 0.625 for Barb and Saddle, while the expected heterozygosity was ranged from 0.746 to 0.678 for Arabian-Barb and Algerian Saddle respectively, the Ho value is lower than that of He value. Genetic diversity between breeds was significant, based on Fst. Three different approaches to assess genetic relationships have been applied; namely, genetic distances, factorial correspondence analysis, and admixture analysis have shown that a significant amount of genetic variation is maintained in populations of native horses and other breeds: the Barb, Arabian-Barb, Barb (Oi). Algerian Saddle and Saddle breeds appear to be the most genetically related and support that there are crosses between these two breeds.