Maximum Population Research Articles

Comparative study on agricultural extracts for brood management in Indian bees (Apis cerana indica) in tropical ecosystems

The performance of worker bees fed with different agricultural extracts such as nectar and pollen substitutes compared to the naturally fed workers was determined on (Apis cerana indica Fab.) was evaluated using a randomized block design (RBD). The results revealed that the worker bee fed with nectar and pollen substitutes was significantly superior to the naturally fed workers. The maximum consumption of nectar substitutes was 199.7, and 199.5 ml out of 200 ml were observed in T8 (black gram flour + sugar syrup) and T2 (soybean flour + sugar syrup). The maximum consumption (84.5 g) of pollen substitutes, maximum population (35.66/5 cm2), the maximum length of a worker bee (9.73 mm) and the maximum egg-laying capacity (103.5/5 cm2) were observed in T8 (black gram flour + sugar syrup). The minimum population of 29.08/5 cm2 and the minimum egg-laying activity (83.33/5 cm2) was observed in T1 (naturally fed colony), and the minimum length of worker bee of 9.63 mm was observed in T7 (soybean flour + tender coconut). These findings suggest that black gram flour and sugar syrup can significantly enhance colony productivity during dearth periods.

Pattern and driver of Rosa roxburghii Tratt suitability and its effect on ecological services in karst desertification control areas

The eco-industry is an effective path to achieve ecological and economic sustainable development. However, the role played by Rosa roxburghii Tratt (R. roxburghii) industry in karst desertification control still needs to be determined. In this study, we predict the suitability probability and driving variables of R. roxburghii's distribution through a Maximum Entropy model, combining climate, population, vegetation, and soil data, and conducted a sample plot survey in a high-suitability area to explore the role of the R. roxburghii industry in ecological services by using adjacent non-R. roxburghii patches as comparisons. The results showed that South China Karst, with its simultaneous rain and heat climate characteristics, was the most suitable area for the industrialization of R. roxburghii in the world. In South China Karst, the area of no, low, medium, and high suitability zones for R. roxburghii was 4.2 × 105, 6.12 × 105, 4.64 × 105, and 4.42 × 105 km2, respectively, and population distribution was the dominant variable controlling its distribution. The net primary productivity, soil conservation, water conservation, mean species abundance, and aboveground biomass of the R. roxburghii monoculture plot in the high-suitability area were significantly lower than those of adjacent non-R. roxburghii lands and forest patches. Furthermore, the monoculture had higher trade-offs between provision, regulation, and support service. This study found that the monoculture of R. roxburghii industry, dominated by human activities, failed to improve ecological services and exacerbated the trade-offs between services. Therefore, future karst desertification control still needs to follow the agroforestry development path.

The Effects of Fat Content on the Shelf-Life of Vacuum-Packed Red Meat.

When stored at chill temperatures, vacuum-packed (VP) lamb has a much shorter shelf-life than VP beef, primarily due to its higher pH, which could be linked to the higher fat content. The higher pH would create more favourable conditions for the growth of spoilage bacteria, resulting in a shorter shelf-life of meat. To determine the effects of fat on meat shelf-life as it relates to pH, a series of shelf-life trials at 2 °C were conducted using VP beef and lamb mince with varying fat contents (i.e., control with ~5%, 20%, and 50%) as a model system to red meat primal cuts. The results showed that higher fat content reduced the shelf-life of VP beef mince by 24% and lamb mince by 12.5%. This reduction was accompanied by significantly (p < 0.05) decreased glucose and lactic acid levels. Throughout storage, a higher fat content in beef and lamb mince generally resulted in a higher pH by 0.1 (p < 0.05) compared to the respective controls. Higher fat content mince also had faster lactic acid bacteria growth rates (by up to 0.13 Log10 CFU/g/day) and higher maximum populations of presumptive enteric bacteria up to 1.3 Log10 CFU/g (p < 0.05). These results suggest that fat content can negatively influence the shelf-life of VP red meat through lowering glucose and lactic acid levels, raising the pH, and increasing LAB growth rate and maximum population levels of presumptive enteric bacteria.

A Comparative Study on Anemia, Gestational Diabetes and Gestational Hypertension during pregnancy in Rural, Semi Urban and Urban Hospitals in Bangladesh

Most of the women in developing countries undergo health problems in full or part of the pregnancy period. Major complications of pregnancy are anemia, gestational hypertension, and Gestational Diabetes. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of anemia, gestational hypertension, and Gestational Diabetes among antenatal women in rural, semi-urban, and urban hospitals. The study was conducted among 384 pregnant mothers who attended for ANC in OPD of Gonosashasthaya Samaj Vittik Medical College Hospital (Savar) , Gonosasthaya Nogor Hospital, (Dhanmondi), Sub-center of Gonosasthaya Kendro (Shimulia, Panisail, Barobaria, Delduwar, Shripur ) from December 2021 to November 2022 by consecutive sampling. The age range of the patients was 18 to 40 years. Mean age was 24.74 years. In this study majority of population 169 (44%) were in age group 18 - 22 years. Most of the pregnant women 291(76%) were housewives, lived in Nuclear families 253(66%) and the maximum population were from lower middle 134 (35%) socio-economic condition. A significant number of pregnant mother ,98(26%) were anemic, 38(10%) had GDM and only 34(9%) were gestational hypertension. Anemia is comparatively more in rural and semi-urban than urban. GDM and gestational hypertension is more in urban areas than rural and semi urban followed by 14(11%) and 20(16%) respectively. Special attention of policy makers, health professional, public health researchers, and the community is required on this regards. So early diagnosis and treatment is required to avoid long-term health problems of the mother and her offspring. EWMCJ Vol. 12, No. 1&amp;2, January-July 2024: 9-13

What can optimized cost distances based on genetic distances offer? A simulation study on the use and misuse of ResistanceGA.

Modelling population connectivity is central to biodiversity conservation and often relies on resistance surfaces reflecting multi-generational gene flow. ResistanceGA (RGA) is a common optimization framework for parameterizing these surfaces by maximizing the fit between genetic distances and cost distances using maximum likelihood population effect models. As the reliability of this framework has rarely been studied, we investigated the conditions maximizing its accuracy for both prediction and interpretation of landscape features' permeability. We ran demo-genetic simulations in contrasted landscapes for species with distinct dispersal capacities and specialization levels, using corresponding reference cost scenarios. We then optimized resistance surfaces from the simulated genetic distances using RGA. First, we evaluated whether RGA identified the drivers of the genetic patterns, that is, distinguished Isolation-by-Resistance (IBR) patterns from either Isolation-by-Distance or patterns unrelated to ecological distances. We then assessed RGA predictive performance using a cross-validation method, and its ability to recover the reference cost scenarios shaping genetic structure in simulations. IBR patterns were well detected and genetic distances were predicted with great accuracy. This performance depended on the strength of the genetic structuring, sampling design and landscape structure. Matching the scale of the genetic pattern by focusing on population pairs connected through gene flow and limiting overfitting through cross-validation further enhanced inference reliability. Yet, the optimized cost values often departed from the reference values, making their interpretation and extrapolation potentially dubious. While demonstrating the value of RGA for predictive modelling, we call for caution and provide additional guidance for its optimal use.

People of the Sea, or of the Soil? How the Balance of Marine and Terrestrial Resource Availability Informs Maximum Population on Four Polynesian Islands

AbstractMost studies of the food resource potential of early Polynesian populations focus exclusively on agricultural potential, and specifically starchy staples, despite the importance of marine resources to the Polynesians. To more accurately estimate total precontact food resource availability, we characterized the terrestrial and near-shore marine environments of four Polynesian islands: Moʻorea, Maupiti, Mangareva and Taravai. We estimate the agricultural potential of each island after a consideration of the ecological factors related to productivity. We also estimate the productivity of the near-shore marine environment as a function of surface area. Using a range of fish yield scenarios from Pacific subsistence systems we scale relative measures of faunal food biomass derived from local archaeological excavations to generate absolute biomass estimates. We convert our estimates of agricultural and fished/foraged food potential into a maximum population size based on calorie availability. Moʻorea’s fertile valleys and wetlands would potentially generate sufficient food energy, mostly from starchy staples, to support a considerable population, many times larger than the other islands. In the most likely fish yield scenario Moʻorea gets only 0.4% of its calories from marine sources, while the others range from 7–18%. These relative inputs reflect the vast superiority in productivity (in terms of calories per km2) of agricultural vs near-shore marine zones. We also find that population size on islands with smaller fringing reefs, such as Moʻorea, may have been limited by a lack of fish protein. Moʻorea’s maximum population is approximately halved when diet breadth is considered.

Vermicomposting Bio Earth: A Sustainable Approach for Enhanced Nutrient Content and Heavy Metal Remediation in Soil Management

&lt;p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:11pt"&gt;&lt;span style="line-height:150%"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Calibri,&amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt"&gt;&lt;span style="line-height:150%"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:&amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;,&amp;quot;serif&amp;quot;"&gt;The present study obtained the Bio Earth sample from six locations, represented as LS-(1-6). The collected bio earth sample was blended with an adult earthworm (&lt;i&gt;Eisenia fetida&lt;/i&gt;). The experimental investigation was conducted for 108 days, and earthworms showed maximum biomass and population ephemerality in Bio Earth samples (Bio Earth + cow dung). However, the pre-treated and post-treated samples were monitored through physicochemical analysis like pH, electrical conductivity (EC), bulk density (&lt;i&gt;ρ&lt;/i&gt;), total organic content (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorous (TP), total potassium (TK), C:N ratio, and heavy metals. Among the six Bio Earth samples, the most significant LS-3 reveals the reduction of operating parameters and finds the below detection limit of heavy metals. At the initial level of LS-3, samples were found to be pH-7.2, EC-1.4 ms/cm, &lt;i&gt;ρ&lt;/i&gt;-0.8 g/cm&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;, TOC-8.6%, TN-0.6%, TP- 0.3%, TK-0.4%, C:N ratio-16.3%, heavy metals (Zn-448.8 mg/kg; Cu-132.5 mg/kg; Ni-61.4 mg/kg; Pb-91.2 mg/kg; Cr-116.3 mg/kg), whereas the post-treated vermicomposting sample results were exhibited at pH-6.8, EC-2.167 ms/cm, &lt;i&gt;ρ&lt;/i&gt;-0.85 g/cm&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;, TOC-9.54%, TN-0.67%, TP-0.48%, TK-0.13%, C:N ratio-14.23%, heavy metals (Zn-64.13 mg/kg; Cu-5.5 mg/kg; Ni-7.26 mg/kg; Pb-101 mg/kg; Cr-51 mg/kg). The data displays that vermicomposting (using&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;E. fetida&lt;/em&gt;) is an applicable technology for decomposing organic matter into prosperous nutrient soil enlargement.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Assessing the Impact of Weather Parameters on the Population Dynamics of Insect Pests in Cucurbit Vegetables under Mid-Hill Conditions of Himachal Pradesh

A study focusing on population dynamics of sucking and leaf-eating some insect pests along with their correlation with weather parameters in cucurbits was conducted at research field, Department of Entomology, Dr. YSPUHF, Solan, H.P., India from June-October, 2019 and 2020. The results revealed that Amrasca biguttula biguttula (I), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (W), Aulacophora foveicollis (L), Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (F), Liriomyza trifolii (B), Aulacophora sp., were recorded as the major insect pests. In bitter gourd, maximum population of jassids recorded was (2.33/leaf) in first week of August while, maximum whitefly population in bottle gourd (2.96/leaf) during last week of August and in ridge gourd during last week of July (3.76/leaf). The maximum red pumpkin beetle population on bitter gourd (2.4 beetles/plant) and bottle gourd (2.6 beetles/plant) was observed during last week of August while, hadda beetle attained peak population during first and third week of August in ridge gourd (1.0/plant) and bitter gourd (1.1 adults/plant), respectively. Maximum leaf miner infestation (2.7 mines/leaf) in bottle gourd and ridge gourd was observed during first and third week of August. All pest attained maximum population between 30 to 32 SMW when weather parameters values were Tmax: 27.50 to 28.90; Tmin: 20.60 to 20.80 oC; RH: 79 to 80 %; Rainfall: 25.80 to 30.20 mm. Relative humidity and rainfall played major role with non-significant positive influence on the population build-up of these pests in cucurbit crops along with temperature. The present findings on weather-driven pest dynamics can inform strategies to boost crop yields and reduce farmers' economic losses in similar environments.

Evolutionary perspectives on thiamine supplementation of managed Pacific salmonid populations

Thiamine deficiency complex (TDC) has been identified in an ever-expanding list of species and populations. In many documented occurrences of TDC in fishes, juvenile mortality can be high — up to 90% at the population level. Such sweeping demographic losses and concomitant decreases in genetic diversity due to TDC can be prevented by treating pre-spawn females or fertilized eggs with supplemental thiamine. However, some fisheries managers are hesitant to widely apply thiamine treatments due to the potential for unforeseen evolutionary consequences. With these concerns in mind, we first review the existing data regarding genetic adaptation to low-thiamine conditions and provide perspectives on evolution-informed treatment strategies with specific population examples. We also provide practical treatment information, consider the potential logistical constraints of thiamine supplementation, and explore the consequences of deciding against supplementation. Until new evidence bolsters or refutes the genetic adaptation hypothesis, we suggest that TDC mitigation strategies should be designed to support maximum population genetic diversity through thiamine supplementation.

Ecofriendly Management of Two Spotted Spider Mites on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) (Mill) in Eastern Ethiopia

This study was initiated with the objective to evaluate the efficacy of tobacco leaf extract and potentiality of intercropping on TSSM in Eastern Ethiopia. The tomato, tomato + cabbage, tomato + common bean, tomato + onion, tomato + tobacco leaf extract and tomato + karate 5% EC were the treatments used for the trial. The overall result indicated that intercropping and tobacco leaf extract significantly reduced the population of these mite pests compared to sole tomato. The minimum population with infestation was recorded on karate (14.65, 0.79) followed by tomato – tobacco leaf extract (16.50, 0.92) and tomato onion (36.53, 1.74) from intercropping while control was the most in recording maximum population with maximum infestation (94.10, 2.88 respectively). The most population reduction with infestation was observed on tobacco leaf extract compared to untreated plot followed by tomato-onion intercropping. The highest yield (50.73tha-1) was recorded on the tomato-onion intercrops followed by karate 5%EC (43.96tha-1) and tobacco extract (43.65tha-1) while the lowest yield was recorded on head cabbage intercrops (30.10tha-1). The maximum net benefit was obtained from tomato-onion intercrops (688653.45 ETB) whereas the lowest net benefit was recorded on common bean (354176.60 ETB) intercrops. Therefore, tomato onion intercrops and tobacco leaf extract could be considered as the first options in boosting tomato production as an alternative to karate 5%EC and expected as common integrated management of TSSM on tomato.

Feeding Habitats Selection of Waterbirds in Loktak Lake, Manipur, India

Waterbirds utilized the wetland primarily as a foraging ground and the significant predator-prey relationship between birds and fish, plants and benthic invertebrates can observe. Water depth is also an important variable factor that affects the use of wetland habitats by waterbirds for their foraging. The relationship based on water depth directly determines the accessibility of foraging habitats for waterbirds because of the restrictions of their morphology and feeding resources. The present study deals on foraging habitats of waterbirds in three guilds of Loktak Lake, Manipur. A total of 20 species of waterbirds, including resident and migratory, were analyzed for their feeding and foraging habitats. The species of the first and second guild are mainly non-vegetarian that feeds on fish and aquatic vertebrates. In the third guild, the maximum population was observed in Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica. Many waterfowls mostly forage the third guild that feeds on floating macrophytic vegetation. The main objectives of the study was to documented and analyse the feeding behavior and foraging habitats of waterbirds in the Loktak Lake.

Evaluating urban population carrying capacity of Surat: probability-satisfaction approach

With around 36% of urbanisation, Indian cities are becoming saturated because of increased migration. This results in excessive utilisation of natural resources and physical infrastructure. Given its limited resources and infrastructure, it is important to evaluate an urban area’s true population carrying capacity. It helps planners and policymakers in managing cities better. This paper shows an estimation of the urban population carrying capacity of Surat City using the probability-satisfaction method with the help of factors like water treatment, solid waste management, employment, and hospital beds, which cover physical as well as social factors. Analysis shows the population carrying capacity of Surat City at different probability-satisfaction levels and compares it with the current scenario. Some important results are that when the probability-satisfaction level changes from acceptable to ideal level, Surat City’s health infrastructure has a maximum population carrying capacity of 112.1 to 102.2 million simultaneously and solid waste management has the lowest population carrying capacity, which is 4.7 to 3.9 million simultaneously. Also, it is observed that factors such as healthcare, wastewater treatment, and green area show less rigidness, while factors such as wastewater treatment, road area, and electricity show more rigidness in increasing carrying capacity.

Efficacy of Various Insecticides against Gram Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera) Hubner in Chickpea

The investigation sought to examine the efficacy of several pesticides on the larval population of the gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) in chickpea plants, as well as the corresponding cost-benefit ratio. The experiment was carried out in the Entomology Research Field, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Deeksha Bhawan, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments replicated three times using Pusa 362 variety in a plot size of (3 m×2 m) at a spacing of (20×10 cm). The treatments used during the observation were T1 Spinosad, T2 NSKE, T3 Bt, T4 Beauveria bassiana, T5 Neem oil, T6 Emamectin benzoate and T7 control plot (without any treatment). From the study it was noted that the highest reduction was reported in plots treated with Spinosad 0.20ml/l which proved to be superior among the rest of the treatments and the next effective treatment is Emamectin benzoate 0.4 g/l, followed by Beauveria bassiana 2x 10 CFU@ 5ml/l, Bacillus thuringiensis 1.5g/l and maximum population of pod borer was observed in untreated control plot. The data on the yield of chickpea revealed that the highest yield recorded in the treatment Spinosad (0.20ml/l) and it was superior over all the other treatment followed by Emamectin benzoate 0.4g/l with the yield was obtained in the control. The data on the increase in yield over control of chickpea revealed that the highest increase in yield over control was recorded in the treatment Spinosad (0.20ml/l) and it was superior over all the other treatments and followed by Emamectin benzoate 0.4g/l with the lowest increase in yield over control was reported in plot treated with NSKE 5% with, respectively. The maximum cost-benefit ratio was obtained in the plot treated with 0.20ml/l spinosad 45 SC next effective treatment in terms of cost-benefit ratio was Emamectin benzoate 0.4g/l and the lowest cost-benefit ratio was found in Neem oil 3%treated plot.

Landscape genetics of spruce grouse at the trailing edge of the boreal forest

Populations on the periphery of a species range generally occupy marginal or less continuous habitat and can have greater extinction risk than populations in the range‐center. For climate‐sensitive populations on the trailing edge of a species' distribution (i.e. low latitude or low elevation), the effects of climate change are expected to compound these threats, increasing the vulnerability of these populations. The spruce grouse Canachites canadensis is a boreal forest specialist that is expected to experience range contraction at the trailing edge of its range due to climate change. In this study, we investigated the genetic structure, genetic diversity, and connectivity of spruce grouse in Minnesota, along the southeastern range limit in the United States. Clustering algorithms and genetic diversity indices suggested a single continuous population occurred throughout northern Minnesota. We detected no signatures of recent inbreeding or population bottlenecks. We used maximum likelihood population effects modeling and identified coniferous forest land cover and lower average spring temperatures as predictors of gene flow. We used two approaches based on circuit theory to map the potential for gene flow and identified regions of consistently high gene flow in the northwest and northeast of the study area. Omniscape, which incorporated additional parameters representing the likely origins of dispersers and the maximum dispersal distance, suggested a more continuous gene flow landscape than did Circuitscape. Our work highlights the current genetic integrity of one of the largest populations of the eastern subspecies of spruce grouse C. c. canadensis in the United States, identifies key landscape attributes for functional connectivity, and demonstrates complementary approaches of Circuitscape and Omniscape for gene flow mapping.

Screening of Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Genotypes for their Susceptibility against Pod Borers

The present investigation on the varietal screening of 13 pea genotypes including a check was carried out at Agricultural Research Farm, RAK College of Agriculture, Sehore, M.P. during Rabi 2020-2021. The larval population of H. armigera was found to be minimum in Pant P 484 with 1.21 larvae/ plant, with a pod damage of 2.28%, and maximum in KPMR 942 with 2.01 larvae/ plant, with a pod damage of 12.82% which was found statistically at par with HFP 16-02 with 1.91 larvae/ plant (12.37% pod damage). The maximum population of L. boutiques was also recorded on KPMR 942 (2.22 larvae/ plant) with pod damage of 15.00% followed by HFP 16-02 (13.40%) while it was minimum in Pant P 484 (1.36 larvae/ plant) with 2.83% pod damage. The result on the yield was maximum in Pant P 484 with 2818 kg/ha and the minimum yield was recorded in KPMR 942 with 919 kg/ha during the crop period. Out of a total of 13 varieties tested for infestation by the pod borers, three varieties (Pant P 484, IPFD 20-03 and IPFD 12-02) were found to be highly resistant, two varieties (Pant P 480 and IPFD 11-05) were least susceptible, four varieties (Pant P 479, RNCP 14-13, IPFD 20-09 and IPFD 20-02) were considered to be moderately susceptible, and four varieties (KPMR 942, HFP 17-11, HFP 16-02 and IPFD 10-12) were reported to be highly susceptible. By identifying resistant genotypes, we can adopt more targeted and sustainable strategies to combat pod borers, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and minimizing crop losses. These resistant genotypes could also serve as valuable genetic resources for future breeding programs aimed at developing improved cultivars with enhanced resistance and contribute to the broader field of integrated pest management in field pea cultivation.

Interplay of Abiotic Factors on Various Phytophagous Beetles in Cucumber Under Different Agro-climatic Conditions

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.2n = 14) is one of the widely cultivated summer vegetable crops from the gourd family of Cucurbitaceae which is native to India. The climatic conditions of northeast India especially Assam are highly conducive for reproduction of insects, and this region has been considered to be a biodiversity hotspot. Moreover, this region has huge potential for the production of vegetable crops especially cucurbits, but insect pests like fruit flies, pumpkin beetle and sucking pests are major limiting factors for successful cultivation of cucurbits like cucumber etc. Therefore, understanding population fluctuation in the field in relation to losses caused by insect pests are a function of their population dynamics which needs to be thoroughly studied. In view of above factors, an investigation on “Interplay of Abiotic and Biotic Factors on various phytophagous beetles of Cucumber Under Different Agro- Climatic Conditions” was carried out at Horticultural Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. Population of phytophagous beetles were recorded on weekly intervals based on number of beetles per plant at seven days interval on 5 randomly selected plants after appearance of the pest. The results showed that during 2019 -2021 summer season, the red pumpkin beetle first appeared on 24th April 2019 and 7th May 2020 with initial population of 4.51 and 2.23 beetles per plant, respectively. However, maximum beetle populations were recorded on 8thMay 2019 and 3rd July 2020 with 6.15 and 6.52 beetles per plant, respectively.

Seasonal occurrence of the shoot fly complex on Rabi sorghum in the Marathwada area of Maharashtra

The present study was conducted to investigate the variety and abundance of shoot flies in the Postgraduate Experimental Field, Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Latur Campus, Maharashtra, India, during rabi season 2020-21. Analysis of insect pest population dynamics indicated that Atherigona soccata attained its maximum population density during the 51st standard meteorological week, with an average of 3.60 maggots per quadrat. Correlation studies exhibited that wind speed had a detrimental impact on the population of A soccata maggots. During the first sampling period of the study, Oscinella sp. achieved its peak population density, with an average of 13.00 maggots per quadrat. Link tests revealed a positive link between the relative humidity before noon and the population of Oscinella sp., but a substantial negative correlation was seen between wind speed and the population. The population of Ectecephala sp. reached its highest level during the second sampling week, with an average of 2.33 maggots per quadrat. Correlation studies demonstrated a substantial negative correlation between wind speed and the population of Ectecephala sp.

Diatom abundance in the polar oceans is predicted by genome size.

A principal goal in ecology is to identify the determinants of species abundances in nature. Body size has emerged as a fundamental and repeatable predictor of abundance, with smaller organisms occurring in greater numbers than larger ones. A biogeographic component, known as Bergmann's rule, describes the preponderance, across taxonomic groups, of larger-bodied organisms in colder areas. Although undeniably important, the extent to which body size is the key trait underlying these patterns is unclear. We explored these questions in diatoms, unicellular algae of global importance for their roles in carbon fixation and energy flow through marine food webs. Using a phylogenomic dataset from a single lineage with worldwide distribution, we found that body size (cell volume) was strongly correlated with genome size, which varied by 50-fold across species and was driven by differences in the amount of repetitive DNA. However, directional models identified temperature and genome size, not cell size, as having the greatest influence on maximum population growth rate. A global metabarcoding dataset further identified genome size as a strong predictor of species abundance in the ocean, but only in colder regions at high and low latitudes where diatoms with large genomes dominated, a pattern consistent with Bergmann's rule. Although species abundances are shaped by myriad interacting abiotic and biotic factors, genome size alone was a remarkably strong predictor of abundance. Taken together, these results highlight the cascading cellular and ecological consequences of macroevolutionary changes in an emergent trait, genome size, one of the most fundamental and irreducible properties of an organism.

Population limitation of a non‐ruminant in a nutrient‐poor ecosystem—predation rather than food

AbstractCurrent theory predicts that plains zebra (Equus quagga) populations should be resource‐limited. Long‐term, detailed work in the Hwange ecosystem (Zimbabwe) on zebras and all their major predators provides empirical data to test this on a population that has been at a low density for at least 2 decades and is largely naturally regulated. Information on body condition is used as an indicator of resource use, and offtakes by the three major predators are estimated from a synthesis of data on densities and diets. This information leads to rejection of the expectations for resource limitation. Zebras provide a significant part of the diets of all the main predators and are important (11%) for the most abundant of these, spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta). Using conservative values, we calculate that the three main predators, hyaenas, lions (Panthera leo), and leopards (Panthera pardus), kill some 17.5% of the zebra population. Given that this estimated offtake is of the same order of magnitude as maximum population growth (22.3% per year), we conclude that this population is likely to be limited by predation. Further work is needed to better understand the mechanisms by which the greater susceptibility of juveniles to predation in ungulates contributes to population limitation.

Analysis of the Causes and Conditions for the Formation of a High Incidence of Acute Respiratory Infections in the Population of the Altai Krai (Part 2. Environmental factors, diagnosis of coxiellosis and tick­borne rickettsiosis)

Relevance. Altai Krai (AK) is one of the least prosperous subjects of the Russian Federation in terms of the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI). Results of studying long-term and intra-annual dynamics of the incidence of ARI and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in various population groups of the AK in 2011–2021 led to a conclusion about possible connection between the characteristics of the epidemic process of ARI and environmental factors, primarily air pollution, as well as the widespread distribution of natural and atropurgic foci of tick-borne transmissible and zoonotic infections in the territory of the AK, along with the problems of diagnostics. Aim. Assessment of the possible influence of environmental factors on the formation of a high level of registered incidence of ARI in the Altai Territory, as well as diagnostics of some natural focal and zoonotic infections with fever and respiratory symptoms. Materials and methods. A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted based on annual and monthly official statistical reporting during 2011–2021 about the morbidity of the population, demographic and environmental features of the territory of the AK for each of the municipalities (MU), the average long-term incidence rates of ARI, VBP, tuberculosis, Siberian tick typhus (STT), ixodid tick-borne borreliosis, tick-borne viral encephalitis were calculated; appeals of the population regarding tick bites; population density and annual average sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the strength of the relationship between the analyzed indicators; and seasonality coefficients and the method of trend-seasonal decomposition were used to assess the intra-annual dynamics of the incidence of ARI and CAP (for the period 2011-2019). To study seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii, R. sibirica and SARS-CoV-2 in febrile patients with symptoms of ARI blood samples were collected in October 2022 from ten rural districts of the AK. Results and discussion. It was established that there was a significant direct correlation between the incidence of ARI and the amount of SO2 emissions into the atmosphere (r = 0.61, p &lt; 0.001), as well as between the incidence of ARI and population density (r = 0.53, p &lt; 0.001). The largest share (69%) of the total number of ARI cases in the Altai Territory in 2011–2021 was attributed to the cities of Barnaul, Biysk, Rubtsovsk, Zarinsk and Novoaltaisk, which are characterized by maximum SO2 emissions and population density. An additional contribution (8% total) to the incidence of ARI in the Altai Territory was attributed to 7 rural areas with the highest levels of SO2 emissions. Regardless of the ranking for the incidence of ARI and CAP, in 9 out of 10 areas selected for the study, patients had both anamnestic and diagnostic titers of antibodies to C. burnetii and/or R. sibirica. At the same time, coxiellosis cases in these areas were not registered for 12 years, and the number of cases of STT was much less than the probable number based on the proportion of patients which were seropositive to R. sibirica and had symptoms of ARI. IgM to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 5 out of 203 examined samples, IgG – in 188 out of 203 examined samples, moreover 13.8% of samples had 118 to 499 BAU/ml, 40.9% of samples had 500 to 5000 BAU/ml, and the rest of samples had more than 5000 BAU/ml. Conclusion. Among all the variables analyzed in the study, the greatest role in the formation of the high level of registered incidence of ARI in the AK for many years belong to the high level of air pollution with SO2 emissions, high population density and, especially, their combination. Underdiagnosis of tick-borne rickettsioses and coxiellosis is of particular importance due to the unavailability of test kits for laboratory verification. Starting from 2020, a new coronavirus infection made some contribution to the registered incidence of ARI.