Significant inter-populational differences in propensity to attempt boring into (accept) various types of fruit for oviposition were found among Ceratitis capitata females from two wild sources and one laboratory source. Evidence suggests that (a) fruit size had a strong influence whereas fruit taxonomic status had little influence on the acceptance pattern of each population, and (b) at least ...

Allometric scaling theory has previously been used to estimate the functional relationship between two biological variables. In addition to parameter estimation, deviations from the general scaling relationship can be used to create hypotheses. Here, I explore deviations from the allometric scaling pattern for plant and floral size within the genus Collinsia on three levels: among species, with...

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are widely harvested by local people for their livelihood. Harvest often takes place in human disturbed ecosystems. However, our understanding of NTFPs harvesting impacts in fragmented habitats is limited. We assessed the impacts of fruit harvest, and reduction in habitat size on the population structures of Pentadesma butyracea Sabine (Clusiaceae) across two ...

In sexually dimorphic plants, resource allocation to reproduction often differs between sex morphs. In gynodioecious species, i.e. coexisting hermaphrodite and female plants within a population, females often produce more fruits than hermaphrodites. Since fruit production is costlier than flower production, hermaphrodites and females may regulate flower and fruit production differently in respo...

1. Reproductive behaviour is routinely studied with a view towards characterizing how an animal responds to variation in resource abundance and quality. This characterization is less commonly made with respect to reproductive physiology. 2. In the Walnut-infesting Fly, Rhagoletis juglandis , ovarian development is cued by the presence of the host fruit resource. In this study, I examined how ov...

Here it is reported that sucrose synthase can be readily measured in growing wild tomato fruits (Lycopersicon chmielewskii) when suitable methods are adopted during fruit extraction. The enzyme also was present in fruit pericarp tissues, in seeds, and in flowers. To check for novel characteristics, the wild tomato fruit sucrose synthase was purified, by (NH(4))(2)SO(4) fraction and chromatograp...

Fruit quality of five scab resistant apple cultivars (Enterprise, Liberty, Nova Easygro, Sir Prize and Rewena) suitable for organic growing systems were tested. External and internal fruit quality was assessed through standard parameters (fruit weight, firmness, soluble solids, malic acid) and sensorial quality by panel tests (fruit size, shape and colour; hardness, texture, juiciness, sweet/ac...

The first aim of this study was to investigate the stability of the Fruit Test and Vegetable Test over time and whether the Fruit Test and Vegetable Test are capable of measuring fruit and vegetable intake with consistency. Second, the study aimed to examine criterion (concurrent) validity of the Fruit Test and Vegetable Test by testing their agreement with 7-day food diary-derived measures of ...