Search results for "wt"
showing 10 items of 5424 documents
Response to formal comment on Myhrvold (2016) submitted by Griebeler and Werner (2017)
2018
In his 2016 paper, Myhrvold criticized ours from 2014 on maximum growth rates (Gmax, maximum gain in body mass observed within a time unit throughout an individual’s ontogeny) and thermoregulation strategies (ectothermy, endothermy) of 17 dinosaurs. In our paper, we showed that Gmax values of similar-sized extant ectothermic and endothermic vertebrates overlap. This strongly questions a correct assignment of a thermoregulation strategy to a dinosaur only based on its Gmax and (adult) body mass (M). Contrary, Gmax separated similar-sized extant reptiles and birds (Sauropsida) and Gmax values of our studied dinosaurs were similar to those seen in extant similar-sized (if necessary scaled-up) …
Dinosaur Metabolism and the Allometry of Maximum Growth Rate
2016
In his 2016 paper, Myhrvold criticized ours from 2014 on maximum growth rates (Gmax, maximum gain in body mass observed within a time unit throughout an individual’s ontogeny) and thermoregulation strategies (ectothermy, endothermy) of 17 dinosaurs. In our paper, we showed that Gmax values of similar-sized extant ectothermic and endothermic vertebrates overlap. This strongly questions a correct assignment of a thermoregulation strategy to a dinosaur only based on its Gmax and (adult) body mass (M). Contrary, Gmax separated similar-sized extant reptiles and birds (Sauropsida) and Gmax values of our studied dinosaurs were similar to those seen in extant similar-sized (if necessary scaled-up) …
Nitric oxide: a multitask player in plant–microorganism symbioses
2016
Symbiosis is a close and often long-term interaction between two different biological organisms, i.e. plants or fungi and microorganisms. Two main types of plant–microorganism interactions, mutualistic and cooperative, have been categorized. Mutualistic interactions, including nitrogen-fixing and mycorrhizal symbioses, refer to mostly obligate relationships between a host plant and a symbiont microorganism. Cooperative interactions correspond to less obligate and specific relationships. They involve microorganisms, referred to as plant growth-promoting rhizobia (PGPR), able to colonize root surface or inner tissues. Lichens are symbiotic associations of host fungi and photosynthetic partner…
Root growth compensates for molar wear in adult goats (Capra aegagrus hircus)
2018
One reason for the mammalian clade’s success is the evolutionary diversity of their teeth. In herbivores, this is represented by high‐crowned teeth evolved to compensate for wear caused by dietary abrasives like phytoliths and grit. Exactly how dietary abrasives wear teeth is still not understood completely. We fed four different pelleted diets of increasing abrasiveness (L: Lucerne; G: grass; GR: grass and rice husks; GRS: grass, rice husks, and sand) to four groups of a total of 28 adult goats, all with completely erupted third molars, over a six‐month period. Tooth morphology was captured by medical computed tomography scans at the beginning and end of the controlled feeding experiment, …
The phosphorylated pathway of serine biosynthesis links plant growth with nitrogen metabolism
2021
Abstract Because it is the precursor for various essential cellular components, the amino acid serine is indispensable for every living organism. In plants, serine is synthesized by two major pathways: photorespiration and the phosphorylated pathway of serine biosynthesis (PPSB). However, the importance of these pathways in providing serine for plant development is not fully understood. In this study, we examine the relative contributions of photorespiration and PPSB to providing serine for growth and metabolism in the C3 model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Our analyses of cell proliferation and elongation reveal that PPSB-derived serine is indispensable for plant growth and its loss cannot b…
What has been thought and taught on the lunar influence on plants in agriculture? Perspective from physics and biology
2020
This paper reviews the beliefs which drive some agricultural sectors to consider the lunar influence as either a stress or a beneficial factor when it comes to organizing their tasks. To address the link between lunar phases and agriculture from a scientific perspective, we conducted a review of textbooks and monographs used to teach agronomy, botany, horticulture and plant physiology; we also consider the physics that address the e ects of the Moon on our planet. Finally, we review the scientific literature on plant development, specifically searching for any direct or indirect reference to the influence of the Moon on plant physiology. We found that there is no reliable, science-based evi…
Holm Oak Somatic Embryogenesis: Current Status and Future Perspectives
2019
Quercus ilex (holm oak) is one of the most representative trees in the Mediterranean basin, but now the sustainability of its ecosystems is at serious risk due to the lack of natural regeneration and to the presence of a severe disease called oak decline that has caused the death of thousands of trees. The application of biotechnological tools, such as somatic embryogenesis, allows programs of genetic improvement of the species to be speeded up and helps in the conservation of its ecosystems. Somatic embryogenesis is currently considered one of the main biotechnological techniques that has demonstrated significant benefits when has applied to forest tree species, providing significant advan…
In Vitro Regeneration of Capparis spinosa L. by Using a Temporary Immersion System
2019
Three caper (Capparis spinosa L.) biotypes grown on the Sicilian island of Salina (38°
Genome analysis of the monoclonal marbled crayfish reveals genetic separation over a short evolutionary timescale
2021
The marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) represents a very recently evolved parthenogenetic freshwater crayfish species that has invaded diverse habitats in Europe and in Madagascar. However, population genetic analyses have been hindered by the homogeneous genetic structure of the population and the lack of suitable tools for data analysis. We have used whole-genome sequencing to characterize reference specimens from various known wild populations. In parallel, we established a whole-genome sequencing data analysis pipeline for the population genetic analysis of nearly monoclonal genomes. Our results provide evidence for systematic genetic differences between geographically separated …
Loss of
2020
The early secretory pathway involves bidirectional transport between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus and is mediated by coat protein complex I (COPI)-coated and coat protein complex II (COPII)-coated vesicles. COPII vesicles are involved in ER to Golgi transport meanwhile COPI vesicles mediate intra-Golgi transport and retrograde transport from the Golgi apparatus to the ER. The key component of COPI vesicles is the coatomer complex, that is composed of seven subunits (α/β/β'/γ/δ/ε/ζ). In Arabidopsis two genes coding for the β-COP subunit have been identified, which are the result of recent tandem duplication. Here we have used a loss-of-function approach to study the…