Prospects of seabuckthorn breeding activity at Lisavenko Research Institute of Horticulture for Siberia

Seabuckthorn gene pool in collections of Lisavenko Research Institute of Horticulture for Siberia which is a division of the Federal Altai Scientific Center of Agro-BioTechnologies is represented by more than 14 thousand hybrid seedlings and over 450 varieties under selection. It allows to provide comprehensive selection on different agronomic traits and to achieve permanent assortment improvement. The main aim of the research was to select seabuckthorn varieties distinguished by characteristics that meet the requests of industrial sector with focus on various technological approaches. Seabuckthorn varieties of hybrid origin from crossbreeding of 1993-2005 were studied. The experiments were carried out in forest-steppe zone of Altai Krai in 2016-2020. According to the results of comprehensive evaluation, groups of the most promising varieties were proposed as a source of various agronomic traits. The potential of breeding activity was shown as well as possibility of seabuckthorn assortment improving was proved. In particular, within sweet-fruited varieties such samples as 57-01-1, 146-02-1 and 226-00-1 with sugar-acid index of 6.4, 5.4 and 5.3, respectively, have been selected as well as fruit of 198-99-3a and 62-01-2 varieties weighed about 1.0 g, that is almost 0.3 g higher compared to Chuiskaya variety (control) and Altaiskaya (the sweetest one). Two varieties - 149-00-3 and 664-00-2 - were included to the group with very low tear-off force of fruits - 95 and 110 g, respectively, which was significantly lower compared to the control (Chuiskaya) and the standard variety (Anastasia). That means high suitability of these varieties for harvesting by hand picking. The hybrid 185-99-5 had an average fruit weight of 1.67 g which was two times higher than fruit weight of the control variety. Highly promising red colored variety (258-03-1) had high oil content in fruits. That positions it as an extremely promising variety for seabuckthorn oil concentrate processing. Most of estimated varieties were included in various reference groups demonstrating by that the combination of agronomic traits.

Vocalizations of European Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) in Southern Africa

Contrary to some sources, the European Honey Buzzard is not silent in Africa. This study documents 51 records of the species vocalizing on the continent. Vocalizations were given by birds apparently encountered alone (n=30) and when accompanied by another European Honey Buzzard (n=22). Where age was known, 11 calling birds were adults and ten were juveniles. Where details were available, most calls were given by birds in flight (n=30), with 11 from perched birds and two from birds heard calling while both in flight and perched. In most cases the sex of the bird was not recorded (n=42) and young birds (first- and second-years) are difficult to sex with certainty; of the remainder, two were males and nine were females. Most calls were the typical flight call of the species (n=43), with apparent alarm calls (n=7) the next most frequent call type. Most calls were delivered in flight (n=31), 19 by single birds and 12 by two birds together in flight. The calling by two birds was associated with flight displays similar to those described on the breeding grounds and occurred especially in late summer (December onwards; 25/40 records). A relatively high proportion of calls occurred during interactions between two European Honey Buzzards (n=18). Calling associated with two birds together and accompanied by aerial displays has not been described in Africa before, and is suggestive of either early pairing of the adult birds prior to migration or breeding activity locally in Africa. Vocalizations between young birds though may be more social as opposed to sexual in nature. The large (5X) increase in records of European Honey Buzzards in South Africa in recent years likely increases the chances of conspecific interaction. It also raises the possibility of breeding, especially in more-temperate South Africa.

Introduction and improvement of ornamental plants: history, current affairs and trends

In this paper are briefly presented the results of the Laboratory Ornamental Plants for 70 years since its existence. Mobilization, research and adaptation, conservation and sustainable use of plant diversity are the main objectives of the laboratory. During this period a rich genofond was accumulated (over 1700 intraspecific taxa), the largest and most diverse in the country, exhibited in unique collections: non-traditional perennials, annuals, rare plants; generic collections (Paeonia L., Hemerocallis L., Hosta Tartt., Chrysanthemum L. etc.). The accumulated genetic fund serves as a basis in the breeding activity, which resulted in the creation of hundreds of forms, hybrids of ornamental plants. Over 200 cultivars have been tested, approved, some - certified with certificates for varieties or patented.

Exploring assumptions in crop breeding for climate resilience: opportunities and principles for integrating climate model projections

Crop breeding for resilience to changing climates is a key area of investment in African agricultural development, but proactively breeding for uncertain future climates is challenging. In this paper, we characterise efforts to breed new varieties of crops for climate resilience in southern Africa and evaluate the extent to which climate model projections currently inform crop breeding activity. Based on a survey of seed system actors, we find that the prioritisation of crops and traits is only informed to a limited extent by modelled projections. We use an ensemble of CORDEX models for mid and end of century for southern Africa to test some of the assumptions that underpin current breeding activity, particularly associated with breeding for reduced durations and drought tolerance in maize, and demonstrate some of the ways in which such projections can help to inform breeding priorities and agenda setting (e.g. through the case of assessing cassava toxicity risk). Based on these examples, we propose five potential applications of climate models in informing breeding priorities. Furthermore, after unpacking the sources of uncertainty within the presented model projections, we discuss general principles for the appropriate use of climate model information in crop breeding.

Anuran fauna of the Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho - Núcleo Sete Barras, southeastern Brazil: species composition, use of breeding sites, and seasonal patterns of breeding activity

The goal of this work was to study the species composition, the use of breeding sites, and the seasonal patterns of breeding activity of the anuran fauna from Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho - Núcleo Sete Barras, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Fieldwork was carried out from September 2005 to October 2007 through two main methods: active visual search inside a 10 ha- permanent plot and aural and visual search in seven previously selected aquatic breeding habitats. Species richness was related to the sampling effort by means of species accumulation curve and through non-parametric estimators. Thirty-three species distributed in 12 families were recorded, from which 69% are endemic to the Atlantic Forest. Trachycephalus mesophaeus represents a new record for the park. Cycloramphus lutzorum is included as Data Deficient in the IUCN list. The species accumulation curve did not stabilize, showing some tendency to rise. The use of breeding sites by 20 species was compared using cluster analysis, which revealed two major groups: the first with five species (two habitat generalists and three stream specialists) and the second composed by the other species (with different reproductive modes associated with flooded environments). The breeding period of most species was associated to the rainy season (October to February), and only Scinax hayii showed continuous breeding activity during the entire period of study.

PERILAKU SINYAL AKUSTIK DAN VISUAL DARI KATAK JANTAN Staurois gutattus DI GUNUNG POTENG KALIMANTAN BARAT

The behavior of both acoustic and visual signals has been observed in Staurois gutattus black-spotted rock frogs. The aim of the study was to determine how S. gutattus frogs communicate to find their mates through acoustic and visual signals. This research was conducted in Mount Poteng, West Kalimantan. Data were analyzed descriptively and graphically to explain the relationship between the measured parameters. Data collection of advertisement call, foot-flagging and amplexus behavior is done directly in the field. All activities carried out are recorded with the camera. The duration of each part of the breeding activity is also calculated using a stopwatch. The male frog's advertisement call and foot-flagging are carried out by the male frogs while attracting their mates to mate. Where the foot-flagging activity was mostly carried out on the rock substrate (62%), while on the leaf substrate advertisement call was more dominant (47%). Then based on the duration, activity advertisement call, foot-flagging and amplexus the longest duration was performed by male frogs in the time range 18.00-05.59. Meanwhile, from the number of individuals, the advertisement call, foot-flagging and amplexus activities were mostly carried out at 18.00-05.59.

Personality-specific carry-over effects on breeding

Carry-over effects describe the phenomenon whereby an animal's previous conditions influence its subsequent performance. Carry-over effects are unlikely to affect individuals uniformly, but the factors modulating their strength are poorly known. Variation in the strength of carry-over effects may reflect individual differences in pace-of-life: slow-paced, shyly behaved individuals are thought to favour an allocation to self-maintenance over current reproduction, compared to their fast-paced, boldly behaved conspecifics (the pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis). Therefore, detectable carry-over effects on breeding should be weaker in bolder individuals, as they should maintain an allocation to reproduction irrespective of previous conditions, while shy individuals should experience stronger carry-over effects. We tested this prediction in black-legged kittiwakes breeding in Svalbard. Using miniature biologging devices, we measured non-breeding activity of kittiwakes and monitored their subsequent breeding performance. We report a number of negative carry-over effects of non-breeding activity on breeding, which were generally stronger in shyer individuals: more active winters were followed by later breeding phenology and poorer breeding performance in shy birds, but these effects were weaker or undetected in bolder individuals. Our study quantifies individual variability in the strength of carry-over effects on breeding and provides a mechanism explaining widespread differences in individual reproductive success.

Effects of breeding and molt activity on songbird site fidelity

The prebasic molt is a perilous period for songbirds, characterized by heightened energetic demands and vulnerability to predators. Given these vulnerabilities, songbirds are under selective pressure to locate and use quality habitat during the prebasic molt, potentially resulting in site fidelity between years. In this study, we aimed to determine how differences in breeding and molting activity affected site fidelity for a diversity of species at the landscape scale. To accomplish our objective, we used 31 yr of banding data from northern California and southern Oregon for 16 species of songbirds with Cormack-Jolly-Seber analyses and weighted linear regression models to assess the effects of molting and breeding activity on the probability of a species returning to a site in subsequent years. Despite substantial variation in site use for breeding and/or molting, each study species had at least some locations that were used for both breeding and molting. Captured breeding birds (n = 18,574) were much more common than molting birds (n = 7,622). Breeding activity was positively correlated with higher site fidelity for 10 of the 16 species, while we found little evidence of a relationship between molting activity and site fidelity. Only the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) showed increased site fidelity with increased presence of molt activity. It is likely that a shifting mosaic of food resources during the post-breeding period drives dynamic movements of songbirds in search of the necessary resources to successfully complete their annual molt.