1,720,991 research outputs found
Reclassification of the serows and gorals: the end of a neverending story?
No full textTaxonomy is partly a subjective matter, but it is instrumental for ecological, behavioural and especially conservation studies. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, goat-antelopes (Bovidae: Rupicaprini tribe) number 13 species, 62% of which are Threatened' or Near Threatened' with extinction. During recent decades, the number of extant species of goat-antelopes - especially in endemic Asian genera (goral: six species Naemorhedus spp.; serow: seven species Capricornis spp.) - has been inflated. We have revised the taxonomy and phylogeny of the gorals and serows, for the first time using the total mitochondrial genome of all taxa. We confirm the existence of three goral and four serow species. We can find no justification for the existence of Naemorhedus griseus (Chinese goral), Naemorhedus bedfordi (Himalayan goral) and Naemorhedus evansi (Burmese goral), which should be pooled together within Naemorhedus goral (brown goral). Two species of mainland serow are also recognised: Capricornis rubidus (red serow) and Capricornis sumatraensis (Sumatran serow). Capricornis rubidus and Naemorhedus baileyi (red goral) are the forms more closely related to the common Pliocenic, still-unknown ancestor. Among serows, Capricornis crispus is sister to all remaining species. Capricornis rubidus and Capricornis swinhoei (Formosan serow) are sister species, probably the remnants of an older radiation of mainland serows
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Genetics reveals that free-ranging chipmunks introduced to Italy have multiple origins
No full textThe Siberian chipmunk Eutamias sibiricus is native to north-eastern Asia, but alien populations, mostly composed by a low number of individuals, have been established in many western countries through the pet trade. Large native ranges, such as that of Siberian chipmunks, and number of introduction events may explain the establishment success of alien mammals. In Italy, the largest population of Siberian chipmunks occurs in an urban park of Veneto (NE Italy), whereas other 3 nuclei are currently composed by less than 10 individuals. In this work we aimed at assessing the origin of Siberian chipmunks introduced to Italy. We analyzed a region of the mtDNA gene cytochrome-b to infer the native geographic range of chipmunks introduced to Italy. Our genetic analysis (N = 8 samples) revealed a multiple origin of alien chipmunks in Italy, with individuals from Siberia (collected in Rome) and from Korea (collected both in Rome and northeastern Italy), with Korean chipmunks (i.e. those also present in central Europe) showing the highest invasive success. The ongoing taxonomic splitting of his species, if accepted by the scientific community, will require a revision of the European Regulation 1143/2014, which currently bans the trade of Siberian chipmunk only, with no explicit consequences on Korean and Chinese taxa
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Abiotic Stress and Belowground Microbiome: The Potential of Omics Approaches
No full textNowadays, the worldwide agriculture is experiencing a transition process toward more sustainable production, which requires the reduction of chemical inputs and the preservation of microbiomes’ richness and biodiversity. Plants are no longer considered as standalone entities, and the future of agriculture should be grounded on the study of plant-associated microorganisms and all their potentiality. Moreover, due to the climate change scenario and the resulting rising incidence of abiotic stresses, an innovative and environmentally friendly technique in agroecosystem management is required to support plants in facing hostile environments. Plant-associated microorganisms have shown a great attitude as a promising tool to improve agriculture sustainability and to deal with harsh environments. Several studies were carried out in recent years looking for some beneficial plant-associated microbes and, on the basis of them, it is evident that Actinomycetes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have shown a considerable number of positive effects on plants’ fitness and health. Given the potential of these microorganisms and the effects of climate change, this review will be focused on their ability to support the plant during the interaction with abiotic stresses and on multi-omics techniques which can support researchers in unearthing the hidden world of plant–microbiome interactions. These associated microorganisms can increase plants’ endurance of abiotic stresses through several mechanisms, such as growth-promoting traits or priming-mediated stress tolerance. Using a multi-omics approach, it will be possible to deepen these mechanisms and the dynamic of belowground microbiomes, gaining fundamental information to exploit them as staunch allies and innovative weapons against crop abiotic enemies threatening crops in the ongoing global climate change context
Microscale analysis of soil characteristics and microbiomes reveals potential impacts on plants and fruit: vineyard as a model case study
Full text linkAims: Soil microbiome roles in agriculture is becoming more and more important. This importance is also reflected on the way plants are seen: complex organisms formed by the plant itself plus the microbes inhabiting its tissues, including the ones on the surface of every organ and the ones adhered or in proximity to the roots. In addition, as already demonstrated, the microbial community associated with a specific soil is able to predetermine the health status of crops. For all the above mentioned reasons, defining the microbial composition of agricultural soils and the factors driving the assemblage is pivotal to achieve more sustainable agriculture and viticulture. Methods: We aimed to investigate how the soil geological characteristics influence the microbiome composition associated with close geographically related vineyards. Moreover, we studied both the top (15 cm in depth) and deep (120 cm in depth) soil layers as anthropically influenced and almost-undisturbed soil, respectively. Results: We observed slightly different microbial communities despite the close geographical proximity of the two vineyards, which is considered one of the main determinants of the soil microbiome composition. In addition, we found that the geological characteristics of the two soils influence both the root distribution and the accumulation of pathogen- and symbiont-related genera. Sensory profiles of the Grillo wines from the two different soils confirmed the tight link between soil origin and wine traits. Conclusions: In the present study, we highlight that the geological characteristics of soil can influence soil microbial composition and assemblage in close geographically related vineyards, with a potential effect on wine features
Aspergillus goes viral: Ecological insights from the geographical distribution of the mycovirome within an aspergillus flavus population and its possible correlation with aflatoxin biosynthesis
Full text linkMicrobial multi-level interactions are essential to control the success of spreading and survival of most microbes in natural environments. Phytopathogenic mycotoxigenic fungal species, such as Aspergillus flavus, represent an important issue in food safety. Usually, non-toxigenic strains are exploited for biocontrol strategies to mitigate infections by toxigenic strains. To comprehend all the biological variables involved in the aflatoxin biosynthesis, and to possibly evaluate the interplay between A. flavus toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains during intraspecific biocompetition, the “virological” perspective should be considered. For these reasons, investigations on mycoviruses associated to A. flavus populations inhabiting specific agroecosystems are highly desirable. Here, we provide the first accurate characterization of the novel mycovirome identified within an A. flavus wild population colonizing the maize fields of northern Italy: a selection of A. flavus strains was biologically characterized and subjected to RNAseq analysis, revealing new mycoviruses and a peculiar geographic pattern distribution in addition to a 20% rate of infection. More interestingly, a negative correlation between viral infection and aflatoxin production was found. Results significantly expanded the limited existent data about mycoviruses in wild A. flavus, opening new and intriguing hypotheses about the ecological significance of mycoviruses
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Effects of the Fractionation of the Nitrogen Fertilization on Root Nitrate Uptake and Vine Agronomic Performance in Pinot Gris Grapevines in a Temperate Climate
Full text linkThe study aims to investigate at a physiological and molecular level the root absorption of nitrogen (N) during the annual cycle of grapevine. The study was performed on potted Pinot Gris plants grafted on Kober 5BB and grown for two consecutive years in a semi-controlled environment (Northeast, Italy). The study compared the response of plants N-fertilized in spring (T1), or in spring and in post-harvest (T2) or no-N fertilized (C). Results showed that under our climate conditions nitrate was taken up by the grapevines when applied both in spring or in spring and post-harvest. The nitrate acquisition in T1 roots is mediated at molecular and physiological level by a higher activation of high-affinity nitrate-transport system to take up nitrate in comparison to no-fertilized plants. Comparing the two N fertilization managements, the dynamic of nitrate uptake rates showed different patterns with an overall late response of High-Affinity Transport System when the application of part of N-fertilization was delayed to post-harvest (T2) in comparison to T1. Nevertheless, during the 2 years of the trial the fractionation of N fertilization applied in spring and post-harvest did not negatively affect the yield and quality parameters of vines. An increase of N concentration in T2 roots after two consecutive growing seasons may suggest that the fractionation can lead to beneficial effects on long period. Results of this work contribute to improve the comprehension of N acquisition in grapevine in order to optimize the use of N inputs in vineyard
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