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Rare or simply overlooked? New records of Pediacus ater Grouvelle, 1897 from the Philippines, with notes on phenology and diversity of its flat bark beetle fauna (Coleoptera: Cucujidae)
No full textThe flat bark beetle (Coleoptera: Cucujidae) fauna of the Philippines consists of two species of Pediacus Shuckard, 1839: Pediacus ater Grouvelle, 1897 and Pediacus australis Marris and Ślipiński, 2004. Very few literature data records exist, showing P. ater recorded from two specimens from one locality on Mindanao Island, and P. australis known from a single specimen on Luzon Island. New distributional data for P. ater in the Philippines are provided, including the first records from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Lanao del Sur Province), Soccsksargen Region (South Cotabato Province), and Central Visayas Region (Negros Oriental Province). These records show a much wider distribution for P. ater than was previously known and indicate that the species is widely distributed, at least in central and southern regions of the Philippines. Phenological activity of the species is discussed for the first time. A map with locality records for both cucujid species from the Philippines is given as well as morphological diagnostic information to discriminate the species
Identification of differentially expressed genes at different post-natal development stages of longissimus dorsi muscle in Tianzhu white yak
No full textThe regulatory mechanisms controlling post-natal muscle development in the yak (Bos grunniens) are still largely unknown, yet the growth and development of muscle is a complex process that plays a crucial role in determining the yield and quality of an animal's meat. In this study, we performed a transcriptome analysis based on the RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) of yak longissimus dorsi muscle tissue obtained from calves (6 months of age; 6 M), young adults (30 months of age; 30 M) and adult (54 months of age; 54 M) to identify which genes are differentially expressed and to investigate their temporal expression profiles. In total, 1788 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (|log2FC| ≥ 1, P-adjusted < 0.05) were detected by pairwise comparisons between the different age groups. The expression levels of 10 of the DEGs were confirmed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and the results were consistent with the transcriptome profile. A time-series expression profile analysis clustered the DEGs into four groups that could be divided into two classes (P < 0.05): class 1 profiles, which had up-regulated patterns of gene expression and class 2 profiles, which featured down-regulated patterns. Based on that cluster analysis, GO enrichment analysis revealed 1073, 127, and 184 terms as significantly enriched in biological process (BP), cellular component (CC), and molecular function (MF) categories in the class 1 profiles, while 714, 66, and 206 terms were significantly enriched in BP, CC, and MF in the class 2 profiles. A KEGG pathway analysis revealed that DEGs from the class 1 profiles were enriched in 62 pathways, with the most enriched being the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) - protein kinase B (Akt)-signaling pathway. The DEGs from the class 2 profiles were enriched in 16 pathways, of which forkhead box protein O (FoxO) - signaling was the most enriched. Taken together, these results provide insight into the mechanisms of skeletal muscle development, as well suggesting some potential genes of importance for yak meat production
Senior club-level rugby union player's positional movement performance using individualized velocity thresholds and accelerometer-derived impacts in matches
No full textGame demands of professional rugby union players have been well documented; however, there is minimal game demand information using individualized velocity thresholds and collision loads, particularly for amateurs. This study investigated movement patterns of 20 male amateur rugby players during 16 senior premier division one matches using global positioning system (GPS) devices sampling at 10 Hz. Derived GPS variables included distances, velocities, sprinting, and impacts. Data files from 86 player games (≥60 minutes of play per game) were categorized into broad (forwards and backs) and specific (front row, second row, back row, half back, inside back, and outside back) positional groups for analysis. It was most likely that backs covered more distance in the high-speed running (>60% maximal velocity) zone (502 ± 157 m) compared with forwards (238 ± 147 m) (100/0/0%, chances of positive/trivial/negative differences, effect size [ES] = 1.3), performed more striding (backs 1,116 ± 240, forwards 954 ± 240 m, 96/4/0%, ES = 0.5), and sprinting (backs 121 ± 58, forwards 90 ± 65 m, 93/7/0%, ES = 0.5). However, forwards had higher collision loads (35 ± 12 arbitrary units) compared with backs (20 ± 6, 99.9/0.1/0%, ES = 1.3) with back row forwards completing the highest collision load of any playing position (40 ± 13). Our example match movement performance and impact information is valuable to coaches and support staff in preparing player profiles for similar-level rugby players to help manage their workloads
Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity
No full textOffshore platforms, subsea pipelines, wells and related fixed structures supporting the oil and gas (O&G) industry are prevalent in oceans across the globe, with many approaching the end of their operational life and requiring decommissioning. Although structures can possess high ecological diversity and productivity, information on how they interact with broader ecological processes remains unclear. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the role of O&G infrastructure in maintaining, altering or enhancing ecological connectivity with natural marine habitats. There is a paucity of studies on the subject with only 33 papers specifically targeting connectivity and O&G structures, although other studies provide important related information. Evidence for O&G structures facilitating vertical and horizontal seascape connectivity exists for larvae and mobile adult invertebrates, fish and megafauna; including threatened and commercially important species. The degree to which these structures represent a beneficial or detrimental net impact remains unclear, is complex and ultimately needs more research to determine the extent to which natural connectivity networks are conserved, enhanced or disrupted. We discuss the potential impacts of different decommissioning approaches on seascape connectivity and identify, through expert elicitation, critical knowledge gaps that, if addressed, may further inform decision making for the life cycle of O&G infrastructure, with relevance for other industries (e.g. renewables). The most highly ranked critical knowledge gap was a need to understand how O&G structures modify and influence the movement patterns of mobile species and dispersal stages of sessile marine species. Understanding how different decommissioning options affect species survival and movement was also highly ranked, as was understanding the extent to which O&G structures contribute to extending species distributions by providing rest stops, foraging habitat, and stepping stones. These questions could be addressed with further dedicated studies of animal movement in relation to structures using telemetry, molecular techniques and movement models. Our review and these priority questions provide a roadmap for advancing research needed to support evidence- based decision making for decommissioning O&G infrastructure
Framing post-disaster collective action as ‘good news’: Possibilities and tensions
No full textThis article examines the development and implications of positive news media coverage of a crisis volunteer group across a decade of disaster responses. We investigate the case of the Student Volunteer Army in Aotearoa New Zealand, a group that has been positioned as a potential blueprint for youth-led disaster response. Drawing on in-depth interviews and news media sources, we trace how a distinct framing of the group as ‘good news’ consolidated across successive disasters, initially in media reporting and then through active cultivation by the group. The findings demonstrate the potential for positive media coverage of disaster volunteerism to assist people’s recovery and provide crisis volunteer groups with important leverage to further their operational abilities and challenge exclusionary power structures in post-disaster environments. However, our analysis also warns that simplifying accounts of post-disaster collective action to create ‘good news’ can produce internal tensions within crisis volunteer groups and reinforce the hierarchies and inequities that characterize disaster response
A horticultural cuticle supplement can impact quality characters and Drosophila suzukii damage of several small and stone fruit
No full textSurface wax and other cellular building blocks play an important role in preserving fruit integrity from biotic and abiotic adversities. Huge energy expenses are made by plants to place these protective compounds onto the epidermal cuticle. Sprayable plant and fruit coatings have been developed to protect plant tissues from environmental stresses, pathogens, and arthropods. The aim of this study was to determine if an experimental cuticle supplement containing waxes can affect fruit quality parameters such as firmness and size of various crops. Cherry, blueberry, and winegrape plants treated with the cuticle supplement showed significant increases in berry firmness ranging from 4.6 to 11.6%. No quality benefits were however observed on blackberry. Cuticle supplement applications did not significantly affect berry size. Laboratory trials resulted in a 54% mean reduction in a model pest insect i.e., Drosophila suzukii egg laying on blueberry. Short-duration field trials over 72 ± 2 to 96 ± 2 h on commercial-standard blueberry bushes resulted in 50–93.4% reductions of D. suzukii damage. Longer-term field trials on cherry and blueberry challenged with egg-laying D. suzukii showed reductions of damage ranging from 45 to 95%, up to 30 d after initial cuticle supplement applications. These results indicate that the cuticle supplement significantly alters berry firmness and reduces D. suzukii damage under commercial production conditions. One factor that may contribute to this reduction includes improved fruit quality parameters. The current work serves to expand integrated pest management options to control D. suzukii populations in commercial field settings
Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities on growth and nutrient uptake by grapevine rootstocks
No full textAim: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been shown to have potentially significant applications for sustainable agricultural ecosystems. Yet, there is still lack of evidence showing how different AMF community compositions can benefit grapevines. Therefore, this study is the first to investigate the different responses of grapevine rootstock following their inoculation with different AM fungal communities.
Methods: AMF communities were initially identified based on spore extracted from trap cultures and DNA extracted from roots. A glasshouse experiment was then set up to determine the interaction between rootstock variety and different AMF communities using AMF communities originating under their own (i.e., ‘home’) soil and other rootstocks’ (i.e., ‘away’) soil. Plant growth and physiological responses were measured and assessed.
Results: This study showed that distinct AMF communities had differential effects on grapevine rootstock growth and nutrient uptake. It was revealed that a rootstock performed better in the presence of its “home” AMF community. Moreover, the AMF communities had a significant direct effect by increasing plant biomass and nutrient uptake and indirectly by influencing the chlorophyll content in grapevine leaves through the increase of specific nutrients such as K, Mn, and Zn. Also, the presence of different species in the different communities indicated that some AMF species may deliver particular benefits to grapevine plants.
Conclusion: This work has enhanced our understanding of community level AMF-grapevine interaction and provided additional insight of the ecosystem services they deliver which will be of advantage to the wine growers and the viticulture industry
Meat tenderness: Advances in biology, biochemistry, molecular mechanisms and new technologies
No full textMeat tenderness is an important quality trait critical to consumer acceptance, and determines satisfaction, repeat purchase and willingness-to-pay premium prices. Recent advances in tenderness research from a variety of perspectives are presented. Our understanding of molecular factors influencing tenderization are discussed in relation to glycolysis, calcium release, protease activation, apoptosis and heat shock proteins, the use of proteomic analysis for monitoring changes, proteomic biomarkers and oxidative/nitrosative stress. Each of these structural, metabolic and molecular determinants of meat tenderness are then discussed in greater detail in relation to animal variation, postmortem influences, and changes during cooking, with a focus on recent advances. Innovations in postmortem technologies and enzymes for meat tenderization are discussed including their potential commercial application. Continued success of the meat industry relies on ongoing advances in our understanding, and in industry innovation. The recent advances in fundamental and applied research on meat tenderness in relation to the various sectors of the supply chain will enable such innovation
A new Progressive Management Pathway for improving seaweed biosecurity
No full textThe rapid expansion and globalization of the seaweed production industry, combined with rising seawater temperatures and coastal eutrophication, has led to an increase in infectious diseases and pest outbreaks. Here, we propose a novel Progressive Management Pathway for improving Seaweed Biosecurity
Net ecosystem carbon exchange for Bermuda grass growing in mesocosms as affected by irrigation frequency
No full textIntensification of grazed grasslands following conversion from dryland to irrigated farming has the potential to alter ecosystem carbon (C) cycling and affect components of carbon dioxide (CO₂) exchange that could lead to either net accumulation or loss of soil C. While there are many studies on the effect of water availability on biomass production and soil C stocks, much less is known about the effect of the frequency of water inputs on the components of CO₂ exchange. We grew Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon L.) in mesocosms under irrigation frequencies of every day (I₁ treatment, 30 d), every two days (I₂ treatment, 12 d), every three days (I₃ treatment, 30 d), and every six days (I₆ treatment, 18 d, after I₂ treatment). Rates of CO₂ exchange for estimating net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (FN), ecosystem respiration (RE), and soil respiration (RS) were measured, and gross C uptake by plants (FG) and respiration from leaves (RL) were calculated during two periods, 1–12 and 13–30 d, of the 30-d experiment. During the first 12 d, there were no significant differences in cumulative FN (mean ± standard deviation, 61 ± 30 g C m¯², n = 4). During the subsequent 18 d, cumulative FN decreased with decreasing irrigation frequency and increasing cumulative soil water deficit (W), with values of 70 ± 22, 60 ± 16, and 18 ± 12 g C m¯² for the I₁, I₃, and I₆ treatments, respectively. There were similar decreases in FG, RE and RL with increasing W, but differences in RS were not significant. Use of the C₄ grass growing in a C₃-derived soil enabled partitioning of RS into its autotrophic (RA) and heterotrophic (RH) components using a ¹³C natural abundance isotopic technique at the end of the experiment when differences in cumulative W between the treatments were the greatest. The values of RH and its percentage contributions to RS (43% ± 8%, 42% ± 8%, and 8% ± 5% for the I₁, I₃, and I₆ treatments, respectively) suggested that RH remained unaffected across a wide range of W and then decreased under extreme W. There were no significant differences in aboveground biomass between the treatments. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission was measured to determine if there was a trade-off effect between irrigation frequency and increasing W on net greenhouse gas emission, but no significant differences were found between the treatments. These findings suggest that over short periods in well-drained soil, irrigation frequency could be managed to manipulate soil water deficit in order to reduce net belowground respiratory C losses, particularly those from the microbial decomposition of soil organic matter, with no significant effect on biomass production and N₂O emission