Favolaschia in remnants of the Atlantic Forest,Brazil

The examination of recent collections of Favolaschia from remnants of the Atlantic Forest, Brazil, resulted in the identification of F. aurantiaca, F. cinnabarina and F. luteoaurantiaca sp. nov. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences obtained from these collections were introduced into the previously published phylogenetic tree of the genus to assess the position of these species within the Favolaschia clade. A maximum likelihood analysis generated a phylogenetic tree with a better resolution, especially for the clade that contains species belonging to section Favolaschia subsection Auriscalpium, where the three specimens collected in Brazil also were clustered in.     

Are there ethnic groups in South Asia?

The question whether there are ethnic groups in South Asia is relevant to the application of international law, as when states report under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Whether it is important to the advancement of social science is less certain. To classify certain groups as ethnic groups adds little to the explanation of the character of inter-group relations in the region.     

The forest resources input–output model: An application in China

Understanding the state of forest resource utilization in China and correctly evaluating the role and function of forest resources in national economic development are essential for realizing balanced development of forests, the environment, and the economy. This is especially true given the present situation of increasingly scarce forest resources. Using data from Chinese forest industry statistical yearbooks, forestry development reports, and other documents, this paper examines the current state of forest resource utilization in China from the angle of combining quantities and values based on input–output tables. We show that demand for and input use of forest resources varies greatly across industrial sectors; the paper products and furniture manufacturing industries have the greatest direct consumption coefficient for timber use. When considering direct and indirect demand, it is clear that forest resources restrict different industrial sectors in diverse ways. These results provide an important set of reference values regarding the utilization of forest resources and coordinated industrial development in China.     

ESTIMATING NATURAL MORTALITY RATE IN REPRODUCTIVELY ACTIVE FEMALE SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALES, EUBALAENA AUSTRALIS

Cow-calf pairs of southern right whales on the South African coast have been photographed in aerial surveys in October each year since 1979. In this paper 469 resightings of 177 individually identified cows photographed in the first six years of surveys have been analyzed in two ways to produce estimates of natural mortality rate. Both methods assume that all females calve either two, three, or four years after their previous calf. In Method A there is assumed to be no systematic trend with time in the probability of a female being photographed on each calving occasion. Natural logarithms of the numbers photographed 2-4, 5-7, 8-10, etc. yr after being first seen are regressed against time, the slope of which provides an estimate of natural mortality rate of 0.0255 ± 0.0071. The intercept value for this regression provides an estimate of the detection probability, or 0.769 ± 0.011. In Method B it is assumed that if a female has not been photographed for at least nine years then it is dead. Annual mortality estimates are obtained from the proportional reduction in the numbers of females known to be alive at each three-year interval after being first photographed, up to at least 6-8 yr from the present. Method B produces an estimate of natural mortality of 0.0260 ± 0.0190 (corrected to 0.0227 ± 0.0192 using the average detection probability). Both methods may be subject to various biases that tend to inflate estimates of natural mortality.     

Effect of Asahi SL on China aster ‘Aleksandra’ seed yield, germination and some metabolic events

The effects of Asahi SL (sodium ortho and para-nitro phenolate, sodium 5 nitro guaiacolate) sprays on China aster plant height, seed yield and some metabolic events were investigated. The plants were sprayed with Asahi SL, in concentration of 0, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 %, three times before or during flowering, and six times before and during this stage. It was found that Asahi SL applied three times during flowering brought about an increase in the seed yield, germination and metabolic activity and did not modify vegetative growth of plants. The chemical used earlier, before flowering, had detrimental effect on seed yield and quality, although it stimulated vegetative growth. The positive effect of Asahi SL was more prominent in weather conditions unfavourable for seed production.