Plant traits and seasonality shape coexistence and niche segregation patterns among spider species.

Understanding the mechanisms that enable species coexistence is a central question in ecology, as it helps to comprehend species diversity. One of the most common stabilizing mechanisms of coexistence is niche segregation, which can prevent the competitive exclusion of the fittest competitor. Niche segregation can manifest itself at various temporal and spatial scales, allowing provide essential insights into understanding the stabilizing mechanisms facilitating the coexistence of species.

Understanding the habitat selection and natural history of the spider Deinopis cf. cylindracea (Deinopidae).

Habitat choice is fundamental for an animal foraging, defense, and reproduction. Ogre-faced spiders are known for their unusual morphology, natural history, and rarity. They are sit-and-wait predators that build net-like webs that are manipulated by spiders and thrown at their prey.

Spider-Plant Interaction: The Role of Extrafloral Nectaries in Spider Attraction and Their Influence on Plant Herbivory and Reproduction.

Spiders, abundant and diverse arthropods which occur in vegetation, have received little attention in studies investigating spider-plant interactions, especially in plants which have extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). This study examines whether spiders attracted to EFNs on the plant (Malpighiaceae) function as biological protectors, mitigating leaf herbivory and positively impacting plant fitness, through manipulative experiments. Spiders are attracted to EFNs because, in addition to consuming the resource offered by these structures, they also consume the herbivores that are attracted by the nectar.

Buffering Capacity of Various Commercial and Homemade Foods in the Context of Gastric Canine Digestion.

The buffering capacity (BC) of food may act as a key regulatory parameter of canine gastric digestion by influencing the activity of gastric enzymes, the solubility of dietary ingredients, the gastric breakdown of food nutrients, and, subsequently, the absorption of nutrients. To analyse a possible effect of food on gastric pH, the BC of wet, dry, and homemade dog food was quantified via an acid titration method until a pH under 2 was achieved. Wet food had the highest BC; between dry and homemade food, there was no significant difference.

Nile Red Incubation Time Before Reading Fluorescence Greatly Influences the Yeast Neutral Lipids Quantification.

High-throughput screening methodologies to estimate lipid content in oleaginous yeasts use Nile red fluorescence in a given solvent and optimized excitation/emission wavelengths. However, Nile red fluorescence stabilization has been poorly analyzed, and high variability occurs when relative fluorescence is measured immediately or a few minutes after dye addition. The aim of this work was to analyze the fluorescence of Nile red at different incubation times using a variety of solvents and oleaginous/non-oleaginous yeast strains.