Vocal learning is thought to have evolved in three clades of birds (parrots, hummingbirds, and oscine passerines), and three clades of mammals (whales, bats, and primates). Behavioural data indicate that, unlike other suboscine passerines, the three-wattled bellbird Procnias tricarunculata (Cotingidae) is capable of vocal learning. Procnias tricarunculata shows conspicuous vocal ontogeny, strik...

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), is a major pest of Brassicaceae and has a worldwide distribution. Biological and genetic differences were studied between populations native to South Africa, Benin, Brazil, France, Japan, United States, Martinique, Réunion Island, Uzbekistan and five localities in Australia. To observe the variability of oviposition behavio...

The paper focuses on the role of geographical indication in supporting strategies of food safety. Starting from the distinction between generic and specific quality, the article analyses the main factors influencing food safety in cases of geographical indication products, by stressing the importance of traceability systems and biodiversity in securing generic and specific quality. In the secon...

Pyrolysis Mass Spectrometry (Py-MS) was used to investigate discrimination of honey samples from different floral (ten) and geographical (seven) origins. The data were analysed statistically (using Principal Component and Discriminant Factor Analysis) in order to check the possibility of the use of these profiles for characterising the botanical source of honey. Py-MS showed as a very useful to...

The feasibility of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for discrimination between mature vinegar of different geographical origins (Taiyuan and Qingxu, China) is presented in this research. NIR spectra were collected in transmission mode in the wavelength range of 800–2500 nm. Qualitative analysis models were developed based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Analysis (DA). Th...

Background Glu89Gln transthyretin (TTR) variant is a well-known cause of systemic amyloidosis with a cardiologic, neurologic or mixed phenotype. Even though Glu89Gln transthyretin (TTR) variant has been described worldwide, it remains unknown whether geographical area influences the phenotypic expression of the disease (as happens with the Val30Met mutation, which is known to manifest with diff...