Esse trabalho objetivou investigar o potencial dos extratos aquosos das cascas de barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville) e sangra dágua (Croton urucurana Baill.) como corante natural têxtil. Os extratos foram caracterizados quanto ao pH, o teor de sólidos totais e a estabilidade no armazenamento. Os extratos foram liofilizados e avaliados por espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), termogravimetria (TG) e calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC). Foram realizados experimentos preliminares de tingimento em tecidos multifibra e em diferentes concentrações dos extratos. A partir desses experimentos, foram definidas as variáveis temperatura, tempo e concentração do extrato para o estudo do tingimento por planejamento experimental 2³, em tecidos 100 % algodão e 100 % lã. Os tecidos tingidos em condição otimizada, sem e com mordentes metálicos, foram avaliados quanto à cor, a solidez de cor à luz, à lavagem, à fricção e ao suor. Os efluentes foram coletados e caracterizados quanto ao pH, turbidez, sólidos totais dissolvidos (STD), oxigênio dissolvido, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO), demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) e teores de ferro e alumínio dissolvidos. Foram conduzidos ensaios bacteriológicos nos extratos aquosos, etanólicos e liofilizados e nos tecidos tingidos. Os resultados das análises por FTIR indicaram a presença de taninos, lignina e celulose nos extratos. Pelo estudo de estabilidade os extratos possuem duração de 42 dias. Nas análises por TG, os extratos obtiveram perda de massa total similares e não geraram alteração na degradação dos tecidos tingidos. Na análise por DSC os extratos obtiveram picos endotérmico e exotérmixo em temperaturas próximas. As melhores condições para o tingimento dos tecidos avaliados é em 98 °C, por 60 min e na concentração de 100 % do extrato. A solidez de cor dos tecidos tingidos variou de baixa a excelente. Os extratos liofilizados apresentaram propriedades antibacterianas. Os efluentes apresentaram valores de STD, DBO, DQO e alumínio e ferro dissolvidos acima dos limites determinados pela legislação nacional. De modo geral, os resultados obtidos indicam que os extratos das cascas de barbatimão e sangra dágua são promissores para serem utilizados como corantes naturais têxteis / This research aimed to investigate the potential of aqueous extracts of barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville) and sangra dágua (Croton urucurana Baill.) bark as natural textile dyes. The extracts were characterized for pH, total solids content and storage stability. The extracts were lyophilized and evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Preliminary dyeing experiments were carried out on multifiber fabrics and at different extracts concentrations. From these experiments, the variables temperature, time and concentration of the extract for the study of dyeing by experimental design 2³ in 100 % cotton and 100 % wool fabrics were defined. Fabrics dyed in optimized condition, using metal mordants and with no mordents, were evaluated by colorimetry, color fastness to light, wash, rubbing and perspiration. The effluents were collected and characterized by pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and dissolved iron and aluminum contents. Bacteriological tests were conducted on aqueous, ethanolic and lyophilized extracts and on dyed fabrics. The results of the FTIR analysis indicated the presence of tannins, lignin and cellulose in the extracts. By the stability study were found that the extracts have a duration of 42 days. In the TG analyzes, the extracts obtained similar total mass loss and did not generate alteration in the degradation of the dyed fabrics. In the DSC analysis the extracts obtained endothermic and exotherm peaks at near temperatures. The optimized dyeing for the evaluated fabrics is at 98 °C for 60 min and at the concentration of 100 % of the extract. The color fastness of the dyed fabrics ranged from low to excellent. Lyophilized extracts showed antibacterial properties. The wastewater showed values of TDS, BOD, COD and aluminum and iron dissolved above the limits determined by national legislation. In general, the results indicate that barbatimão and sangra dágua extracts are promising for use as natural textile dyes

Fire is a natural component of, and serves as a tool for, the restoration of forested ecosystems worldwide; however, disturbance due to fire also has been implicated in the proliferation of invasive species. How these fires affect occupancy and use of the forest by wildlife is of great concern, in particular, the differential response of non-native and native species. In the North American Southwest, prior to European settlement, frequent wildfires helped to maintain forest structure. We examined the effect of a large wildfire on an introduced population of the Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) that has invaded the high elevation forests inhabited by the critically endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus fremonti grahamensis). We found that introduced Abert's squirrels were more common than native red squirrels in burned areas. Abert's squirrels did not abandon burned areas but nested, foraged, and did not adjust their home range size in burned areas. This suggests that invasive Abert's squirrels are better able to exploit burned areas than native red squirrels and that fire can favor non-native species. This interaction between non-native species, native species, and fire adds new insight into the complexities of conservation and restoration of ecosystems and helps to inform conservation activities worldwide.

As gramíneas do gênero Paspalum são as principais constituintes das pastagens nativas em vários países das Américas, fornecendo excelente forragem nas pastagens naturais destas regiões. Além disso, possuem grande potencial para exploração em programas de melhoramento genético visando o estabelecimento de pastagens cultivadas. No entanto, a apomixia é o modo de reprodução predominante nas espécies poliplóides de Paspalum, o que dificulta a recombinação gênica. Assim, o emprego de hibridações, quando um dos genitores apresenta reprodução sexuada, pode gerar variabilidade e possibilitar a seleção de progênies elite, com a fixação dos caracteres de interesse através da apomixia. A descoberta de plantas diplóides sexuais de Paspalum plicatulum e sua indução à tetraploidia obtida a partir destes, tornaram possível cruzamentos interespecíficos entre várias espécies do grupo Plicatula a nível tetraplóide. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a magnitude de expressão de caracteres de interesse forrageiro de híbridos interespecíficos (P. plicatulum x P. guenoarum) obtidos por meio de cruzamentos entre espécies do grupo Plicatula em diferentes ambientes e anos de avaliação. Os resultados indicaram que as variáveis massa seca total e massa seca de folhas apresentam maior magnitude na identificação dos genótipos com características agronômicas desejáveis recebendo grande influência da interação genótipo e ano de cultivo. A seleção a partir do segundo ano em híbridos interespecíficos de Paspalum é a mais indicada, considerando a expressão do seu potencial produtivo. A produção de massa seca total é o caráter que mais se correlaciona com a produção de massa seca de folhas em genótipos de Paspalum. Os híbridos que apresentam caracteres agronômicos superiores, principalmente para a produção de forragem e tolerância ao frio, demonstram potencial para serem lançados como cultivares, pois já possuem os caracteres desejados fixados pela apomixia. Além disso, podem ser utilizados em novos cruzamentos com plantas sexuais superiores dentro do programa de melhoramento, visando a obtenção de novos recombinantes elites. / The grasses of the genus Paspalum are the main constituents of the native pastures in several countries of the Americas, providing excellent forage on these regions. Furthermore, they have great potential for exploitation in breeding programs for the establishment of cultivated pastures. However, apomixis is the predominant mode of reproduction in polyploid species of Paspalum, which hampers genetic recombination. Thus, the use of hybridizations, when one parent has sexual reproduction, may generate variability and enable the selection of elite progenies, with characteristics of interest fixed by apomixis. The discovery of sexual diploid Paspalum plicatulum and its induction of tetraploidy, madepossible interspecific crosses between various species of the group Plicatula at the tetraploid level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of expression of characters of forage interest of interspecific hybrids (P. plicatulum x P. guenoarum) obtained by crosses between species of the Plicatula group in different environments and years of evaluation. The results indicated that total dry mass and dry mass of leaves variables showed variability in identifying genotypes with desirable agronomic characteristics, received significant influence of genotype and year of cultivation. A selection from the second year in interspecific hybrids of Paspalum is more appropriate, considering the expression of their productive potential. The total dry mass is the character that most closely correlates with the production of dry mass of leaves in genotypes of Paspalum. The hybrids showing superior agronomic traits, primarily for forage production and cold tolerance, demonstrate potential to be released as cultivars, since they already have the desired characters fixed by apomixis. Besides, could also be used for new crosses with superior sexual plants within the breeding program aiming to obtain new elite recombinant.

Three wetland restoration methods: seeding, seeding + hay mulch, and seeding + hay mulch + vegetation plugs were compared via the plant community within a formerly cropped wetland in southeastern North Dakota. Arrangement of plugs were also compared to assess the success of native species establishment. Mean relative cover for native species and introduced species were recorded and analyzed to compare the restoration methods and plug arrangement. Three herbicide treatments were studied on upland prairie sites with and without prescribed burning to test effects on leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) control and seeded native establishment. There is no difference native species richness between the restoration methods six years post restoration, and no difference in plant cover in the different arrangement of plugs. Quinclorac significantly reduced leafy spurge cover; however, glyphosate treatments had higher cover of seeded native species.

Premise: Invasive plant species can integrate into native plant–pollinator communities, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Competitive interactions between invasive and native plants via heterospecific pollen (HP) and differential invasive HP effects depending on HP arrival time to the stigma may mediate invasion success, but these have been little studied. Methods: We evaluated patterns and effects of HP receipt on pollen tube growth in two native and one invasive species in the field. We also used hand-pollination experiments to evaluate the effect of invasive HP pollen and its arrival time on native reproductive success. Results: Native species receive smaller and less-diverse HP loads (5–7 species) compared to invasive species (10 species). The load size of HP had a negative effect on the proportion of pollen tubes in both native species but not in the invasive, suggesting higher HP tolerance in the latter. Invasive HP arrival time differentially affected pollen tube success in native species. Conclusions: Our results highlight the need to study reciprocal HP effects between invasive and native species and the factors that determine differential responses to HP receipt to fully understand the mechanisms facilitating invasive species integration into native plant–pollinator communities.

The Puerto Rican coqui frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui, was introduced to Hawaii in the late 1980s via the commercial horticulture trade. Previous research has shown that coquis can change invertebrate communities, but these studies were conducted at small scales using controlled, manipulative experiments. The objective of this research was to determine whether coqui invasions change invertebrate communities at the landscape scale across the island of Hawaii. At each invasion front, we measured environmental variability on either side of the front and removed sites that were too variable across the front to ensure that the impacts we measured were the result of the invasion. After doing this, there remained 15 sites for which we compared invertebrate communities in 30 m x 30 m plots situated on either side of coqui invasion fronts. In each plot, we collected invertebrate samples from three invertebrate communities, the leaf litter, foliage, and flying invertebrate communities. Multivariate analyses show that coqui frogs change leaf litter communities, by reducing microbivore and herbivore abundances. Coqui also change flying community composition, but have no measurable effect on foliage communities. Across sites, we found that coquis reduced the number of leaf litter invertebrates by 27%, and specifically abundant Acari by 36%. We also found that coquis increased the abundance of flying Diptera by 19% across sites. We suggest that the leaf litter community is altered through direct coqui predation and that Diptera increase because of increased frog carcasses and excrement in invaded plots. Results support previous studies conducted in more controlled settings, but add to our understanding of the invasion by demonstrating that coqui effects on invertebrate communities are measurable at the landscape scale.

Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) has been introduced to North America in recent decades, raising concerns of adverse impacts on native lady beetles, including the congeneric C. transversoguttata richardsoni (Brown). The central focus of my dissertation is to understand the importance of reproduction, in particular, in promoting invasion of C. septempunctata and its replacement of native lady beetles in alfalfa fields of western North America. Studies were conducted to compare reproductive tactics of the invasive C. septempunctata and the native C. transversoguttata, by addressing: 1) maximum rate of reproduction of overwintered lady beetles, 2) population dynamics of the invasive and native lady beetles and their aphid prey, and seasonal reproductive patterns, over a 3-year period (2004'2006) in alfalfa fields, 3) reproductive tactics and plasticity in response to various prey availabilities, and 4) ovarian dynamics and observation of oosorption in response to prey removal. The invasive C. septempunctata gained a reproductive advantage over native, North American lady beetles from its larger body size when feeding on abundant prey. The invasive species gained additional advantage by its allocation of prey to larger numbers of relatively small eggs. In alfalfa fields, females of C. septempunctata reproduced more readily and laid more eggs than females of C. transversoguttata even at low prey density. C. septempunctata females collected from the field were also more successful in approaching their maximum body weights and reproduction, as observed under ideal conditions, than were females of native C. transversoguttata. In the laboratory, C. septempunctata females produced larger numbers of relatively small eggs, and they maintained their body weights even as they were producing eggs at low rates when aphids were provided in limited numbers. More immediate adjustment of reproductive effort with prey removal, and higher recovery of reproductive rate when prey again became available, were observed in C. septempunctata, compared with C. transcersoguttata. These reproductive abilities of C. septempucntata may contribute to its invasion success and dominance in alfalfa fields. Further studies are needed to determine why females of C. septempunctata are in better physiological condition than are females of C. transversoguttata in spring alfalfa fields.

The global aquaculture industry is expanding to support increased demand in global markets and supplement traditional fisheries. The rapid increase of aquaculture production relies on introducing and using species outside their native range, posing significant regional environmental and socio-economic risks. Non-native species are selected based on transferable large-scale production protocols, fast growth, and existing market demand. Aquaculture is an important sector within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 (anticipated >400% production increase by 2030). Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) was introduced into the Red Sea for open sea-cage farming in 2008, with large-scale production beginning in 2014. Regionally, there are numerous anecdotal reports of escape events of this species, including an incident in 2015 involving the release of ~300,000 fish. Since then, local fishers have caught up to 15 wild individuals per month in Al Lith, central Saudi Arabia. This study presents the first biological information on L. calcarifer aquaculture escapees in the Saudi Arabian Red Sea. Wild-caught L. calcarifer (n=5) were collected from a local fish landing and measured up to 10 kg, eight years of age, were sexually mature, and consumed benthic and coral reef fishes. In contrast, individuals in aquaculture facilities are harvested at < 1 kg and < 400 mm. In their native range, L. calcarifer can reach up to 200 cm and 60 kg. To assist in detecting and monitoring escapees within the Red Sea, I designed and validated a species-specific SYBR-based environmental DNA quantitative PCR assay targeting a 16S mitochondrial region of L. calcarifer rRNA (Barramundi_16S assay). Preliminary results, using DNA metabarcoding and environmental (seawater) samples, detected L. calcarifer near active/historical aquaculture farms and north/south of areas where this species has not been reported previously in the Red Sea (10–250 km from aquaculture facilities). In the future, the Barramundi_16S assay can screen additional eDNA samples (n=250) collected for this study to delineate the geographic range of barramundi in the Red Sea. Cumulatively, this study highlights the need to consider the ecological impacts of aquaculture escapees and provides managers and industry with valuable information and a novel molecular monitoring tool for detecting aquaculture escapees.

No description available.

This study investigates use of the organosilane 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride (Si-Quat) as a wood treatment to impart residual moisture and organism control on wood substrates. Study 1, which utilized experimental testing procedures to evaluate mold growth after standardized heat treatment, indicated less surface mold on treated samples. Study 2, which utilized standardized testing procedures to evaluate Si-Quat treated wood’s resistance to subterranean termite attack, indicated greater termite mortality and less feeding on treated wood, as well as increased termite feeding preference for untreated wood. Study 3, which utilized standardized testing procedures to evaluate water repellency, indicated significantly reduced moisture gain at higher silane-based treatment levels in comparison to untreated wood. It is concluded that a silane based treatment utilized in this study can be effective for organism control and the possible supplementation to current phytosanitation of wood packaging materials.