Landscape Habitat Suitability Index Software

ABSTRACT Habitat suitability index (HSI) models are traditionally used to evaluate habitat quality for wildlife at a local scale. Rarely have such models incorporated spatial relationships of habitat components. We introduce Landscape HSImodels, a new Microsoft Windows® (Microsoft, Redmond, WA)—based program that incorporates local habitat as well as landscape-scale attributes to evaluate habitats for 21 species of wildlife. Models for additional species can be constructed using the generic model option. At a landscape scale, attributes include edge effects, patch area, distance to resources, and habitat composition. A moving window approach is used to evaluate habitat composition and interspersion within areas typical of home ranges and territories or larger. The software and sample data are available free of charge from the United States Forest Service, Northern Research Station at http:www.nrs.fs.fed.ushsi .     

Isolation of active ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase from glanded cotton (G. hirsutum)

Ribulose, 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase has been isolated from leaves of glanded cotton, (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. TM1), by techniques described. A yield exceeding 4.5 mg enzyme per gram leaf tissue has been obtained by utilizing a sodium homogenizing buffer without the addition of any reducing agent. Sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis of the enzyme shows the fraction to be relatively free of contaminants. Enzymic assays of the isolate give a specific activity of 1.1 μmol CO₂ fixed (min-mg protein)^?1 at 30°C.     

Parabiotic ants: the costs and benefits of symbiosis

1. Mutualisms are important drivers of co‐evolution and speciation. However, they typically imply costs for one or both partners. Each partner consequently tries to maximise benefits and minimise costs. Mutualisms can therefore develop towards commensalism or parasitism if one partner fails to provide sufficient benefits. This is particularly likely in diffuse interactions, where multiple species can associate with each other. If costs and benefits of a species vary with the identity of the partner species, this may result in a geographical mosaic of co‐evolution. 2. In the present study, inter‐specific interactions in two parabiotic associations of ants were studied (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). One Crematogaster species was associated with one of two closely related Camponotus species. We assessed cost and benefits by studying behavioural interactions, foraging behaviour, and nest defence in the associations. 3. While parabioses had been shown to be mutualistic, evidence was found for exploitation and aggressive competition between species. In spite of apparent costs of being exploited, we found no benefits for one partner (Crematogaster). The magnitude of potential costs to Crematogaster varied between the two Camponotus species. 4. We conclude that the cost/benefit ratio for Crematogaster varies between the two Camponotus partners, and between environmental conditions. Parabiosis can thus fluctuate between mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, with Crematogaster being the species that may have higher costs than benefits. 5. We suggest that geneflow in the Crematogaster population hinders local adaptation to the resulting mosaic of locally varying selection pressures. This study demonstrates how diffuse interactions and environmental variation can result in a complex of local selection pressures.     

Tuberization in Potato at High Temperatures: Interaction between Temperature and Irradiance

Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Sebago) responded similarlyto high temperatures and low irradiance by diverting dry matterto the shoots rather than the tubers, and changes were notedin a range of morphological characteristics. It is proposedthat the effect of both high temperature and low irradianceis brought about by the increased production of a growth substance,possibly gibberellin, which inhibits tuber formation, and thattuber yield is determined by the balance between temperatureand irradiance. Solanum tuberosum L., potato, tuberization, temperature, irradiance, gibberellin     

Proceedings of the signature series symposium “cellular therapies for orthopaedics and musculoskeletal disease proven and unproven therapies—promise,facts and fantasy,” international society for cellular therapies,montreal, canada,may 2, 2018

The Signature Series Symposium “Cellular Therapies for Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Disease Proven and Unproven Therapies—Promise, Facts and Fantasy” was held as a pre-meeting of the 26^th International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) annual congress in Montreal, Canada, May 2, 2018. This was the first ISCT program that was entirely dedicated to the advancement of cell-based therapies for musculoskeletal diseases. Cellular therapies in musculoskeletal medicine are a source of great promise and opportunity. They are also the source of public controversy, confusion and misinformation. Patients, clinicians, scientists, industry and government share a commitment to clear communication and responsible development of the field. Therefore, this symposium convened thought leaders from around the world in a forum designed to catalyze communication and collaboration to bring the greatest possible innovation and value to patients with musculoskeletal conditions.     

Interspecific competition and habitat selection by the riverine dragonfly Onychogomphus uncatus

1. Substratum selection by the burrowing larvae of the dragonfly Onychogomphus uncatus was examined in an artificial laboratory stream at different larval densities and in the presence of one of three other dragonfly species.
2. The larvae of O. uncatus , as well as those of the other species, clearly preferred gravelly sand substratum rather than gravel or stone.
3. At low larval density (71.4 m^–2) in the stream, 83% of the O. uncatus were found in gravelly sand. An increase of larval abundance in the stream to 202.4 specimens m^–2 resulted in greater density in all substrata, but this increase was proportionally lowest in gravelly sand.
4. The presence of a second species had various effects on the microdistribution of O. uncatus . In the presence of Gomphus simillimus or Cordulegaster boltonii immaculifrons the distribution of O. uncatus changed significantly; their density increased in the normally less preferred substrata. This effect is interpreted as asymmetric interspecific interference. The presence of a third species, Onychogomphus forcipatus unguiculatus , had no effects.