A broad range of rodent species are described as potential intermediate hosts for Echinococcus multilocularis, a wide-spread zoonotic cestode causing alveolar echinococcosis. However, little is known about the relative contribution of these species for parasite reproduction and the maintenance of its life cycle. In a comparative study in a high endemic region in Zurich, Switzerland, we investig...

The introduction of invasive earthworms initiates physical and chemical alterations in previously earthworm-free forest soils, which triggers an ecological cascade. most apparent step is the shift herbaceous plant community composition. However, some species, such as Arisaema triphyllum (jack-in-the-pulpit), persist where are present. It has been hypothesized that A. produces insoluble oxalate,...

The introduction of invasive earthworms initiates physical and chemical alterations in previously earthworm-free forest soils, which triggers an ecological cascade. most apparent step is the shift herbaceous plant community composition. However, some species, such as Arisaema triphyllum (jack-in-the-pulpit), persist where are present. It has been hypothesized that A. produces insoluble oxalate,...

Consistent with changes in ploidy during germ cell maturation, the quantity of Feulgen DNA in round spermatids of voles is approximately a quarter of that in primary spermatocytes. The amount increases slightly in elongated spermatids, and then declines in spermatozoa from the testis, epididymis and vas deferens, below the level of round spermatids. Simultaneously nuclear area decreases so that...

A technique using fresh feeding signs as an index of density was validated and used to survey the effects of sheep grazing on vole population densities in four upland habitats in the northern Peak District National Park, UK. In grazed areas Molinia caerulea grasslands supported most voles, Nardus stricta grasslands supported fewer and Eriophorum vaginatum and Calluna vulgaris-dominated areas su...

When female voles were allowed contact with the stud male for only 1 h at the time of mating, 55% exhibited pregnancy failure when exposed to a strange male 48 h later. When females were made psuedopregnant by hormone treatment and vaginal stimulation (i.e. no stud male involved), 87% exhibited luteal failure when exposed to a strange male. It is suggested that the characteristics of the stud m...

Cucumis melo L. var. agrestis Naud. (field muskmelon) is an annual invasive weed in many parts of Asia. However, there is very little available information about the germination and emergence of this species. Therefore, laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of light, temperature, salt stress, osmotic stress, pH, and depth of planting on field muskmelon germination and se...

Interspecific competition is usually understood as different species competing directly with each other for limited resources. However, predators can alter such competitive interactions substantially. Predation can promote the coexistence of species in a situation where it would otherwise be impossible, for example if a tradeoff between the competitive abilities and predation resistance of the ...

Abstract Melon ( C. melo L.) is an economically important vegetable crop cultivated worldwide. The melon collection in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) a valuable resource to conserve natural genetic diversity and provide novel traits for breeding. Here we use genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technology characterize 2083 accessions NPGS collected from major production areas as well...