151
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Moore LJ, Petrovan SO, Bates AJ, Hicks HL, Baker PJ, Perkins SE, Yarnell RW. Demographic effects of road mortality on mammalian populations: a systematic review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1033-1050. [PMID: 36843247 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
In light of rapidly expanding road networks worldwide, there is increasing global awareness of the growing amount of mammalian roadkill. However, the ways in which road mortality affects the population dynamics of different species remains largely unclear. We aimed to categorise the demographic parameters in mammalian populations around the world that are directly or indirectly affected by road mortality, as well as identify the most effective study designs for quantifying population-level consequences of road mortality. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review to synthesise literature published between 2000 and 2021 and out of 11,238 unique studies returned, 83 studies were retained comprising 69 mammalian species and 150 populations. A bias towards research-intensive countries and larger mammals was apparent. Although searches were conducted in five languages, all studies meeting the inclusion criteria were in English. Relatively few studies (13.3%) provided relevant demographic context to roadkill figures, hampering understanding of the impacts on population persistence. We categorised five direct demographic parameters affected by road mortality: sex- and age-biased mortality, the percentage of a population killed on roads per year (values up to 50% were reported), the contribution of roadkill to total mortality rates (up to 80%), and roadkill during inter-patch or long-distance movements. Female-biased mortality may be more prevalent than previously recognised and is likely to be critical to population dynamics. Roadkill was the greatest source of mortality for 28% of studied populations and both additive and compensatory mechanisms to roadkill were found to occur, bringing varied challenges to conservation around roads. In addition, intra-specific population differences in demographic effects of road mortality were common. This highlights that the relative importance of road mortality is likely to be context specific as the road configuration and habitat quality surrounding a population can vary. Road ecology studies that collect data on key life parameters, such as age/stage/sex-specific survival and dispersal success, and that use a combination of methods are critical in understanding long-term impacts. Quantifying the demographic impacts of road mortality is an important yet complex consideration for proactive road management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Moore
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Silviu O Petrovan
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Adam J Bates
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Helen L Hicks
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Philip J Baker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH, UK
| | - Sarah E Perkins
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Richard W Yarnell
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
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152
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Vedel G, de la Peña E, Moreno-Rojas JM, Carranza J. Is the Intrasexual Competition in Male Red Deer Reflected in the Ratio of Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Faeces? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2397. [PMID: 37508173 PMCID: PMC10375991 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Isotopic analysis of carbon and nitrogen in faeces is a reliable methodology for studying ecology in wildlife. Here, we tested this technique to detect variations in carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios (δ13C and δ15N) in two different intrasexual competition scenarios of male Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) using faeces of individuals collected during hunting actions in South-eastern Spain. The carbon isotopic ratio (δ13C) was not found to be significant, likely due to similar diet composition in all individuals. However, the nitrogen isotopic ratio (δ15N) was found to be lower in populations where sexual competition between males during the rut was higher compared to low-competition populations. Therefore, this study suggests a different use of proteins by an individual male red deer depending on the sexually competitive context in which he lives. Although further research is needed, these results show the potential of isotopic analysis as a tool for studying individual and populational variations in the level of intrasexual competition, with implications in evolutionary ecology and population management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Vedel
- Wildlife Research Unit (UiRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Eva de la Peña
- Wildlife Research Unit (UiRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Moreno-Rojas
- Department of Agroindustry and Food Quality, Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), Alameda del Obispo. Avda. Menéndez Pidal, s/n., 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juan Carranza
- Wildlife Research Unit (UiRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
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153
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Serieys LE, Bishop JM, Rogan MS, Smith JA, Suraci JP, O’Riain MJ, Wilmers CC. Anthropogenic activities and age class mediate carnivore habitat selection in a human-dominated landscape. iScience 2023; 26:107050. [PMID: 37534145 PMCID: PMC10391726 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human activities increasingly challenge wild animal populations by disrupting ecological connectivity and population persistence. Yet, human-modified habitats can provide resources, resulting in selection of disturbed areas by generalist species. To investigate spatial and temporal responses of a generalist carnivore to human disturbance, we investigated habitat selection and diel activity patterns in caracals (Caracal caracal). We GPS-collared 25 adults and subadults in urban and wildland-dominated subregions in Cape Town, South Africa. Selection responses for landscape variables were dependent on subregion, animal age class, and diel period. Contrary to expectations, caracals did not become more nocturnal in urban areas. Caracals increased their selection for proximity to urban areas as the proportion of urban area increased. Differences in habitat selection between urban and wildland caracals suggest that individuals of this generalist species exhibit high behavioral flexibility in response to anthropogenic disturbances that emerge as a function of habitat context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel E.K. Serieys
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Panthera, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Cape Leopard Trust, Cape Town 7966, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline M. Bishop
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Matthew S. Rogan
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Natural State, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Justine A. Smith
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Justin P. Suraci
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Conservation Science Partners, Inc. Truckee, CA 96161, USA
| | - M. Justin O’Riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Christopher C. Wilmers
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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154
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Ramirez-Esquivel F, Ravi S. Functional anatomy of the worker honeybee stinger ( Apis mellifera). iScience 2023; 26:107103. [PMID: 37485367 PMCID: PMC10359947 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The honeybee stinger is a powerful defense mechanism that combines painful venom, a subcutaneous delivery system, and the ability to autotomize. It is a complex organ and to function autonomously it must carry with it all the anatomical components required to operate. In this study, we combined high-speed filming, SEM imagery, and micro-CT for volumetric rendering of the stinger with a synthesis of existing literature. We present a comprehensive description of all components, including cuticular elements, musculature, nervous and glandular tissue using updated imagery. We draw from the Hymenoptera literature to make interspecific comparisons where relevant. The use of 3D reconstruction allows us to separate stinger components and present the first 3D renders of the bee stinger including the terminal abdominal ganglion and its projections. It also clarifies the in-situ geometry of the valves within the bulb and the spatial relationships among the accessory plates and accompanying musculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorella Ramirez-Esquivel
- School of Engineering and Information Technology, University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT 2612, Australia
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Sridhar Ravi
- School of Engineering and Information Technology, University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT 2612, Australia
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155
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Raspotnig G, Bodner M, Fröhlich D, Blesl J, Stabentheiner E, Kunert O. After chemo-metamorphosis: p-menthane monoterpenoids characterize the oil gland secretion of adults of the oribatid mite, Nothrus palustris. CHEMOECOLOGY 2023; 33:71-82. [PMID: 37519904 PMCID: PMC10382390 DOI: 10.1007/s00049-023-00386-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The oil gland secretion of the oribatid mite Nothrus palustris is known to show the phenomenon of juvenile-adult polymorphism, i.e., juvenile instars produce secretions predominated by geranial, whereas adults secrete dehydrocineole along with a number of chemically unidentified compounds. We here re-analyzed the secretions of adult N. palustris by GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy, eventually identifying the unknown compounds as p-menthane monoterpenoids. The major components were two isomeric 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-cyclohex-3-en-1-yl formates (= p-1,8-menthadien-5-yl formates), which accounted for about 75% of the secretion. These were accompanied by five additional, only partly identified p-menthanes (or p-methane-derivatives), all of which represented minor or trace components. In addition, adult secretions contained two C21-hydrocarbons, 1,12-heneicosadiene (major) and a heneicosatriene (minor). Menthane monoterpenoids represent a novel sub-class of terpene compounds in the oil gland secretions of Oribatida. In case of N. palustris, we assume that both geranial and p-menthane monoterpenoids arise via the mevalonate pathway which obviously shows a split at the level of geranyl pyrophosphate, leading to geranial in juveniles and to p-menthanes in adults. The significance of methane occurrence in oil glands as well as the taxonomic distribution of juvenile-adult polymorphism in oribatid oil gland secretions is discussed. The latter phenomenon-i.e., "chemo-metamorphosis" of secretions-is not known from early- and middle-derivative Oribatida nor from Astigmata, but appears to be more common in some derivative desmonomatan and brachypyline oribatid groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Julia Blesl
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Olaf Kunert
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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156
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Carlón-Beltrán Ó, Viloria-Gómora L, Urbán R. J, Martínez-Aguilar S, Antichi S. Whistle characterization of long-beaked common dolphin ( Delphinus delphis bairdii) in La Paz Bay, Gulf of California. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15687. [PMID: 37483973 PMCID: PMC10362854 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis bairdii) distribution is limited to the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. Its whistle repertoire is poorly investigated, with no studies in the Gulf of California. The aim of the present study is to characterize the whistles of this species and compare their parameters with different populations. Acoustic monitoring was conducted in La Paz Bay, Gulf of California. Recordings were inspected in spectrogram view in Raven Pro, selecting good quality whistles (n = 270). In the software Luscinia, contours were manually traced to obtain whistle frequencies and duration. Number of steps, inflection points and contour type were visually determined. We calculated the descriptive statistics of the selected whistle parameters and we compared the results with a dolphins population from the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) was performed to test the intraspecific variation of the whistle parameters among groups. In the present study the mean values (±SD) of the whistle parameters were: maximum frequency = 14.13 ± 3.71 kHz, minimum frequency = 8.44 ± 2.58 kHz and duration = 0.44 ± 0.31 s. Whistles with the upsweep contour were the most common ones (34.44%). The coefficient of variation (CV) values for modulation parameters were high (>100%), in accordance with other studies on dolphins. Whistle parameters showed significant differences among groups. Finally, ending and maximum frequencies, duration and inflection points of the whistles recorded in the present study were lower compared with the parameters of the long-beaked common dolphins from the Eastern Pacific Ocean. This study provides the first whistle characterization of long-beaked common dolphin from the Gulf of California and it will help future passive acoustic monitoring applications in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Óscar Carlón-Beltrán
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Lorena Viloria-Gómora
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Jorge Urbán R.
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Sergio Martínez-Aguilar
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Simone Antichi
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
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157
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McClanahan PD, Golinelli L, Le TA, Temmerman L. Automated scoring of nematode nictation on a textured background. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.16.533066. [PMID: 36993316 PMCID: PMC10055289 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.16.533066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes including Steinernema spp. play an increasingly important role as biological alternatives to chemical pesticides. The infective juveniles of these worms use nictation - a behavior in which animals stand on their tails - as a host-seeking strategy. The developmentally-equivalent dauer larvae of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans also nictate, but as a means of phoresy or "hitching a ride" to a new food source. Advanced genetic and experimental tools have been developed for C. elegans , but time-consuming manual scoring of nictation slows efforts to understand this behavior, and the textured substrates required for nictation can frustrate traditional machine vision segmentation algorithms. Here we present a Mask R-CNN-based tracker capable of segmenting C. elegans dauers and S. carpocapsae infective juveniles on a textured background suitable for nictation, and a machine learning pipeline that scores nictation behavior. We use our system to show that the nictation propensity of C. elegans from high-density liquid cultures largely mirrors their development into dauers, and to quantify nictation in S. carpocapsae infective juveniles in the presence of a potential host. This system is an improvement upon existing intensity-based tracking algorithms and human scoring which can facilitate large-scale studies of nictation and potentially other nematode behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D. McClanahan
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luca Golinelli
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tuan Anh Le
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Temmerman
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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158
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Huge AC, Adreani NM, Colombelli-Négrel D, Akçay Ç, Common LK, Kleindorfer S. Age effects in Darwin's finches: older males build more concealed nests in areas with more heterospecific singing neighbors. JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY 2023; 165:179-191. [PMID: 38225937 PMCID: PMC10787676 DOI: 10.1007/s10336-023-02093-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Nesting success tends to increase with age in birds, in part because older birds select more concealed nest sites based on experience and/or an assessment of prevailing predation risk. In general, greater plant diversity is associated with more biodiversity and more vegetation cover. Here, we ask if older Darwin's finch males nest in areas with greater vegetation cover and if these nest sites also have greater avian species diversity assessed using song. We compared patterns in Darwin's Small Tree Finch (Camarhynchus parvulus) and Darwin's Small Ground Finch (Geospiza fuliginosa) as males build the nest in both systems. We measured vegetation cover, nesting height, and con- vs. heterospecific songs per minute at 55 nests (22 C. parvulus, 33 G. fuliginosa). As expected, in both species, older males built nests in areas with more vegetation cover and these nests had less predation. A novel finding is that nests of older males also had more heterospecific singing neighbors. Future research could test whether older males outcompete younger males for access to preferred nest sites that are more concealed and sustain a greater local biodiversity. The findings also raise questions about the ontogenetic and fitness consequences of different acoustical experiences for developing nestlings inside the nest. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10336-023-02093-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia C. Huge
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center for Behavior and Cognition, University of Vienna, Grünau im Almtal, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicolas M. Adreani
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center for Behavior and Cognition, University of Vienna, Grünau im Almtal, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Çağlar Akçay
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
- School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lauren K. Common
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center for Behavior and Cognition, University of Vienna, Grünau im Almtal, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, 5001 Australia
| | - Sonia Kleindorfer
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center for Behavior and Cognition, University of Vienna, Grünau im Almtal, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, 5001 Australia
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159
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Broitman-Maduro G, Maduro MF. Evolutionary Change in Gut Specification in Caenorhabditis Centers on the GATA Factor ELT-3 in an Example of Developmental System Drift. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:32. [PMID: 37489333 PMCID: PMC10366740 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11030032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells in a developing animal embryo become specified by the activation of cell-type-specific gene regulatory networks. The network that specifies the gut in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been the subject of study for more than two decades. In this network, the maternal factors SKN-1/Nrf and POP-1/TCF activate a zygotic GATA factor cascade consisting of the regulators MED-1,2 → END-1,3 → ELT-2,7, leading to the specification of the gut in early embryos. Paradoxically, the MED, END, and ELT-7 regulators are present only in species closely related to C. elegans, raising the question of how the gut can be specified without them. Recent work found that ELT-3, a GATA factor without an endodermal role in C. elegans, acts in a simpler ELT-3 → ELT-2 network to specify gut in more distant species. The simpler ELT-3 → ELT-2 network may thus represent an ancestral pathway. In this review, we describe the elucidation of the gut specification network in C. elegans and related species and propose a model by which the more complex network might have formed. Because the evolution of this network occurred without a change in phenotype, it is an example of the phenomenon of Developmental System Drift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Broitman-Maduro
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Morris F Maduro
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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160
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Silla AJ, Hobbs RJ, Gilbert DJ, Goodall D, Parrott ML, Lee A, O'Brien JK, Byrne PG. Application of Reproductive Technologies to the Critically Endangered Baw Baw Frog, Philoria frosti. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2232. [PMID: 37444030 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive technologies (RTs) can assist integrated conservation breeding programs to attain propagation targets and manage genetic diversity more effectively. While the application of RTs to enhance the conservation management of threatened amphibians has lagged behind that of other taxonomic groups, a recent surge in research is narrowing the divide. The present study reports on the first application of RTs (hormone-induced spawning, hormone-induced sperm-release, and sperm cryopreservation) to the critically endangered Baw Baw frog, Philoria frosti. To determine the effect of hormone therapy on spawning success, male-female pairs were administered either 0 μg/g gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), 0.5 μg/g GnRHa, or 0.5 μg/g GnRHa + 10 μg/g metoclopramide (MET) (n = 6-7 pairs/treatment), and the number of pairs ovipositing, total eggs, and percent fertilisation success were quantified. To determine the effect of hormone therapy on sperm-release and to establish the peak time to collect sperm post-hormone administration, males were administered 0 IU/g (n = 4), or 20 IU/g hCG (n = 16). Total sperm, sperm concentration, and percent viability were quantified at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h post-hormone administration. Overall, the percentage of pairs ovipositing was highest in the GnRHa + MET treatment, with 71% of pairs ovipositing, compared to 57% and 33% of pairs in the GnRHa and control treatments, respectively. The quantity of sperm released from males in response to hCG peaked at 4 h post-hormone administration, though it remained high up to 12 h. The percent sperm viability also peaked at 4 h post-administration (94.5%), exhibiting a steady decline thereafter, though viability remained above 77% throughout the 12 h collection period. The remaining sperm samples (n = 22) were cryopreserved using established protocols and biobanked for long-term storage and future conservation applications. The mean post-thaw sperm viability was 59%, and the percent total motility was 17%. The results from this preliminary study will direct further applications of RTs to the critically endangered Baw Baw frog to assist with species recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee J Silla
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Hobbs
- Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Deon J Gilbert
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Elliott Avenue, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Damian Goodall
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Elliott Avenue, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Marissa L Parrott
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Elliott Avenue, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Adam Lee
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Elliott Avenue, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Justine K O'Brien
- Taronga Institute of Science and Learning, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Phillip G Byrne
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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161
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Kaminskienė E, Radzijevskaja J, Griciuvienė L, Stanko M, Snegiriovaitė J, Mardosaitė-Busaitienė D, Paulauskas A. Molecular Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Laelapidae Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2185. [PMID: 37443981 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The family Laelapidae (Dermanyssoidea) is morphologically and ecologically the most diverse group of Mesostigmata mites. Although molecular genetic data are widely used in taxonomic identification and phylogenetic analysis, most classifications in Mesostigmata mites are based solely on morphological characteristics. In the present study, eight species of mites from the Laelapidae (Dermanyssoidea) family collected from different species of small rodents in Lithuania, Norway, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic were molecularly characterized using the nuclear (28S ribosomal RNA) and mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene) markers. Obtained molecular data from 113 specimens of mites were used to discriminate between species and investigate the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity among Laelapidae mites from six genera. This study provides new molecular data on Laelaps agilis, Laelaps hilaris, Laelaps jettmari, Haemogamasus nidi, Eulaelaps stabularis, Hyperlaelaps microti, Myonyssus gigas, and Hirstionyssus sp. mites collected from different rodent hosts and geographical regions in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Kaminskienė
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Donelaičio Str. 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jana Radzijevskaja
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Donelaičio Str. 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Loreta Griciuvienė
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Donelaičio Str. 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Michal Stanko
- Department of Vector-Borne Diseases, Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 04001 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Justina Snegiriovaitė
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Donelaičio Str. 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | | | - Algimantas Paulauskas
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Donelaičio Str. 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
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162
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Hernández-Palma TL, Rueda-Solano LA, Valkonen JK, Rojas B. Predator response to the coloured eyespots and defensive posture of Colombian four-eyed frogs. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:1040-1049. [PMID: 37341128 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Deimatic displays, where sudden changes in prey appearance elicit aversive predator reactions, have been suggested to occur in many taxa. These (often only putative) displays frequently involve different components that may also serve antipredator functions via other mechanisms (e.g., mimicry, warning signalling, body inflation). The Colombian four-eyed frog, Pleurodema brachyops, has been suggested to gain protection against predation through putative deimatic displays where they inflate and elevate the posterior part of their body revealing eye-like colour markings. We exposed stationary artificial frogs to wild predators to test whether the two components (eyespot/colour markings, defensive posture) of their putative deimatic display, and their combination, provide protection from predation without the sudden change in appearance. We did not detect any obvious additive effect of defensive posture and eyespots/colour markings on predation risk, but found a marginally significant trend for model frogs in the resting posture to be less attacked when displaying eyespots/colour markings than when they were not, suggesting that the presence of colour markings/eyespots may provide some protection on its own. Additionally, we found that models in a resting posture were overall more frequently attacked on the head than models in a defensive posture, indicating that a defensive posture alone could help redirect predator attacks to non-vital parts of the body. The trends found in our study suggest that the different components of P. brachyops' coloration may serve different functions during a deimatic display, but further research is needed to elucidate the role of each component when accompanied by sudden prey movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana L Hernández-Palma
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Ecología Aplicada (GIBEA), Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia
| | - Luis Alberto Rueda-Solano
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Ecología Aplicada (GIBEA), Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta, Colombia
- Fundación Atelopus, Santa Marta, Colombia
| | - Janne K Valkonen
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Jyvaskyla, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Janne Valkonen Research and Consulting, Vesanka, Finland
| | - Bibiana Rojas
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Jyvaskyla, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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163
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Berben A, Stephens NC, Gonzalez-Cueto J, Velasquez Y, Quiroga S, González MT, Baeza JA. The effect of the egg-predator Carcinonemertes conanobrieni on the reproductive performance of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus. BMC ZOOL 2023; 8:6. [PMID: 37357313 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-023-00165-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus is heavily fished throughout its Greater Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico distribution, suggesting a heightened susceptibility to a fisheries collapse. In 2017, a nemertean worm, Carcinonemertes conanobrieni was described from ovigerous females of P. argus in Florida, USA. A year later, the presence of the same egg predator was recorded along the southern Caribbean coast (Colombia). The effect of this egg predator on the reproductive performance, including fecundity, embryo mortality, and reproductive output, of its host is unknown. This study tested whether C. conanobrieni affects embryo mortality, fecundity, and reproductive output in brooding females of P. argus. RESULTS Artisan fishers caught 90 ovigerous lobsters near Pueblo Viejo, Magdalena, Colombia. Each ovigerous female was examined for the presence/absence of the egg predator. Lobster egg mortality (%), fecundity (nº eggs female-1), and reproductive output (%) were estimated. Prevalence of C. conanobrieni in the studied population was 87.78%. The mean intensity of C. conanobrieni (all life stages) in the population was 11.68 (± 1.98) egg predators per brood mass sample. Infected females brooding late-stage embryos exhibited lower fecundity, lower reproductive performance values, and higher embryo mortality compared to infected females brooding early-stage embryos. Embryo stage and worm infection level negatively impacted fecundity and reproductive output. Worm infection level and the number of adult nemertean worms also negatively affected embryo mortality. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate an adverse effect of C. conanobrieni on the reproductive performance of P. argus. The interactive impact of this egg predator, natural stressors, and anthropogenic stressors on individual P. argus reproductive performance could facilitate losses at large-scale fisheries levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalie C Stephens
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 132 Long Hall, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | | | | | | | - María Teresa González
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar Y Recursos Biológicos, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales "Alexander Von Humboldt", Universidad de Antofagasta, Angamos, 601, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - J Antonio Baeza
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, 132 Long Hall, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL, 34949, USA.
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile.
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164
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Prodhan MA, Widmer M, Kinene T, Kehoe M. Whole mitochondrial genomes reveal the relatedness of the browsing ant incursions in Australia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10273. [PMID: 37355692 PMCID: PMC10290700 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37425-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Global trade and human movements outspread animal species, for example ants, from their native habitats to new areas. This causes biosecurity concerns because an exotic ant might have adverse impacts on agriculture, the environment, or health; thus, incurring economic losses. The browsing ant, Lepisiota frauenfeldi, was first detected in 2013 at the Perth Airport. Since then, more discrete browsing ant infestations have been found in Perth and at the Ports of Darwin and Brisbane. This exotic ant has been deemed a significant pest in Australia and eradication efforts are underway. However, tackling this invasion requires an understanding of how these infestations are related. Are they same or separate or a combination of both? Here, we carried out a phylogenetic analysis using high-throughput sequencing data to determine their relatedness. Our results showed that each interstate incursion was separate. Furthermore, the Western Australian incursions might have two introductions. These findings are critical in devising effective biosecurity measures. However, we discovered that this information could only be revealed by analysing the whole mitochondrial genome; not by a single mitochondrial gene as typically done for species identification. Here, we sequenced 51 whole mitogenomes including three of its congener L. incisa for the first time, for tracing future infestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Asaduzzaman Prodhan
- DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia.
| | - Marc Widmer
- DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia
| | - Tonny Kinene
- DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia
| | - Monica Kehoe
- DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia.
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165
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Scherberich J, Windfelder AG, Krombach GA. Analysis of fixation materials in micro-CT: It doesn't always have to be styrofoam. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286039. [PMID: 37315002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Good fixation of filigree specimens for micro-CT examinations is often a challenge. Movement artefacts, over-radiation or even crushing of the specimen can easily occur. Since different specimens have different requirements, we scanned, analysed and compared 19 possible fixation materials under the same conditions in the micro-CT. We focused on radiodensity, porosity and reversibility of these fixation materials. Furthermore, we have made sure that all materials are cheap and easily available. The scans were performed with a SkyScan 1173 micro-CT. All dry fixation materials tested were punched into 5 mm diameter cylinders and clamped into 0.2 ml reaction vessels. A voxel size of 5.33 μm was achieved in a 180° scan in 0.3° steps. Ideally, fixation materials should not be visible in the reconstructed image, i.e., barely binarised. Besides common micro-CT fixation materials such as styrofoam (-935 Hounsfield Units) or Basotect foam (-943 Hounsfield Units), polyethylene air cushions (-944 Hounsfield Units), Micropor foam (-926 Hounsfield Units) and polyurethane foam, (-960 Hounsfield Units to -470 Hounsfield Units) have proved to be attractive alternatives. Furthermore, more radiopaque materials such as paraffin wax granulate (-640 Hounsfield Units) and epoxy resin (-190 Hounsfield Units) are also suitable as fixation materials. These materials often can be removed in the reconstructed image by segmentation. Sample fixations in the studies of recent years are almost all limited to fixation in Parafilm, Styrofoam, or Basotect foam if the fixation type is mentioned at all. However, these are not always useful, as styrofoam, for example, dissolves in some common media such as methylsalicylate. We show that micro-CT laboratories should be equipped with various fixation materials to achieve high-level image quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Scherberich
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Experimental Radiology), University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - Anton G Windfelder
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Experimental Radiology), University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Hesse, Germany
- Branch for Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - Gabriele A Krombach
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Experimental Radiology), University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Hesse, Germany
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166
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Nagy AA, Erős N, Imecs I, Bóné G, Fülöp A, Pap PL. Distribution and diversity of fishes and lampreys in Transylvania (Romania): a complete survey and suggestions for new protected areas. Zookeys 2023; 1166:351-373. [PMID: 38328666 PMCID: PMC10848864 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1166.102854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Freshwater fishes are in a serious state of decline across the world, making them one of the most threatened groups of vertebrates. The Danube River catchment area in Europe holds the richest freshwater fish community, but our knowledge of the current distribution of these species is limited. Transylvania, the largest region of Romania, is one of the important tributaries of the Danube, from where 77 fish and two lamprey species were recorded until now. Despite this large diversity of freshwater fishes, there is a lack of systematic survey of the fish fauna in this region for the past 50 years. In this study, we present data on the occurrence and distribution of fishes and lampreys collected in Transylvania from 2007 to 2022. This data covers 43% of Romania's surface and includes all major rivers from Transylvania. 65 species of fish and three species of lampreys are recorded, and an additional nine fish species are also reported based on information from competent people. Of the 77 fish and lamprey species recorded 19 (24.7%) are non-native, although their relative abundance was low (5.1%) compared to other similar regions in Europe. The first records of Eudontomyzonmariae, Neogobiusmelanostomus, Piaractusbrachypomus, Pygocentrusnattereri, and Salvelinusalpinus in Transylvanian rivers are presented, as well as the first record of Cobitiselongata outside the Nera River basin (from the Caraș River) and the detection of three new populations of the vulnerable Umbrakrameri. Data on changes in distribution that have occurred since the last comprehensive survey 50 years ago are also provided and the importance of our results in conservation planning are discussed, including the designation of new protected areas for freshwater bodies and the compilation of the Romanian Red List of fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Attila Nagy
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, 3B Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor street 5–7, RO–400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Milvus Group Bird and Nature Protection Association, Crinului street 22, RO–540343 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Nándor Erős
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, 3B Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor street 5–7, RO–400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Bem square 18/C, H–4026 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Imecs
- Department of Freshwater Fish Ecology, Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences, H–2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Gábor Bóné
- Milvus Group Bird and Nature Protection Association, Crinului street 22, RO–540343 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, H–4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Attila Fülöp
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, 3B Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor street 5–7, RO–400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, H–4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Péter László Pap
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, 3B Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Clinicilor street 5–7, RO–400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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167
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Taisz I, Donà E, Münch D, Bailey SN, Morris BJ, Meechan KI, Stevens KM, Varela-Martínez I, Gkantia M, Schlegel P, Ribeiro C, Jefferis GSXE, Galili DS. Generating parallel representations of position and identity in the olfactory system. Cell 2023; 186:2556-2573.e22. [PMID: 37236194 PMCID: PMC10403364 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In Drosophila, a dedicated olfactory channel senses a male pheromone, cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA), promoting female courtship while repelling males. Here, we show that separate cVA-processing streams extract qualitative and positional information. cVA sensory neurons respond to concentration differences in a 5-mm range around a male. Second-order projection neurons encode the angular position of a male by detecting inter-antennal differences in cVA concentration, which are amplified through contralateral inhibition. At the third circuit layer, we identify 47 cell types with diverse input-output connectivity. One population responds tonically to male flies, a second is tuned to olfactory looming, while a third integrates cVA and taste to coincidentally promote female mating. The separation of olfactory features resembles the mammalian what and where visual streams; together with multisensory integration, this enables behavioral responses appropriate to specific ethological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- István Taisz
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Erika Donà
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Billy J Morris
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Katie M Stevens
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marina Gkantia
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Philipp Schlegel
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Gregory S X E Jefferis
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK; Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Dana S Galili
- Neurobiology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.
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168
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Rossi G, Plazzi F, Zuffi G, Marchi A, De Bonis S, Valli M, Marinšek P, Falconi R. Correction: Mitochondrial phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Italian and slovenian fluvio-lacustrine barbels, Barbus sp. (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae). BMC ZOOL 2023; 8:7. [PMID: 37268993 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-023-00167-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Rossi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Hydrosynergy SC, San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy
- Sezione di Bologna, Arpae Emilia-Romagna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Plazzi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Zuffi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Hydrosynergy SC, San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy
| | - Andrea Marchi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Hydrosynergy SC, San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy
| | | | - Marco Valli
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Regione Emilia-Romagna, Servizio Attività Faunistico Venatorie e Pesca, Bologna, Italy
| | - Petra Marinšek
- Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Hochdorf Swiss Nutrition AG, Hochdorf, Switzerland
| | - Rosanna Falconi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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169
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Nisi AC, Benson JF, King R, Wilmers CC. Habitat fragmentation reduces survival and drives source-sink dynamics for a large carnivore. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2822. [PMID: 36807453 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Rigorous understanding of how environmental conditions impact population dynamics is essential for species conservation, especially in mixed-use landscapes where source-sink dynamics may be at play. Conservation of large carnivore populations in fragmented, human-dominated landscapes is critical for their long-term persistence. However, living in human-dominated landscapes comes with myriad costs, including direct anthropogenic mortality and sublethal energetic costs. How these costs impact individual fitness and population dynamics are not fully understood, partly due to the difficulty in collecting long-term demographic data for these species. Here, we analyzed an 11-year dataset on puma (Puma concolor) space use, mortality, and reproduction in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA, to quantify how living in a fragmented landscape impacts individual survival and population dynamics. Long-term exposure to housing density drove mortality risk for female pumas, resulting in an 18-percentage-point reduction in annual survival for females in exurban versus remote areas. While the overall population growth rate appeared stable, reduced female survival in more developed areas resulted in source-sink dynamics across the study area, with 42.1% of the Santa Cruz Mountains exhibiting estimated population growth rates <1. Since habitat selection is often used as a proxy for habitat quality, we also assessed whether puma habitat selection predicted source and sink areas. Patterns of daytime puma habitat selection predicted source areas, while time-of-day-independent habitat selection performed less well as a proxy. These results illuminate the individual- and population-level consequences of habitat fragmentation for large carnivores, illustrating that habitat fragmentation can produce source-sink dynamics that may not be apparent from other metrics of habitat quality. Locally, conserving high-quality source habitat within the Santa Cruz Mountains is necessary to support long-term puma population persistence. More broadly, source-sink dynamics may at play for other carnivore populations in similar fragmented systems, and linking landscape conditions to population dynamics is essential for effective conservation. Caution should be used in inferring habitat quality from habitat selection alone, but these results shed light on metrics of selection that may be better or worse proxies to identify source areas for large carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Nisi
- Center for Integrated Spatial Research, Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
- Biology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - John F Benson
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Richard King
- Center for Integrated Spatial Research, Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Christopher C Wilmers
- Center for Integrated Spatial Research, Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
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170
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Wang Z, Othman SN, Qiu Z, Lu Y, Prasad VK, Dong Y, Lu CH, Borzée A. An Isolated and Deeply Divergent Hynobius Species from Fujian, China. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101661. [PMID: 37238092 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
It is important to describe lineages before they go extinct, as we can only protect what we know. This is especially important in the case of microendemic species likely to be relict populations, such as Hynobius salamanders in southern China. Here, we unexpectedly sampled Hynobius individuals in Fujian province, China, and then worked on determining their taxonomic status. We describe Hynobius bambusicolus sp. nov. based on molecular and morphological data. The lineage is deeply divergent and clusters with the other southern Chinese Hynobius species based on the concatenated mtDNA gene fragments (>1500 bp), being the sister group to H. amjiensis based on the COI gene fragment, despite their geographic distance. In terms of morphology, the species can be identified through discrete characters enabling identification in the field by eye, an unusual convenience in Hynobius species. In addition, we noted some interesting life history traits in the species, such as vocalization and cannibalism. The species is likely to be incredibly rare, over a massively restricted distribution, fitting the definition of Critically Endangered following several lines of criteria and categories of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenqi Wang
- The Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Siti N Othman
- Laboratory of Animal Behaviour and Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Zhixin Qiu
- The Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yiqiu Lu
- The Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Vishal Kumar Prasad
- Laboratory of Animal Behaviour and Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yuran Dong
- The Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Chang-Hu Lu
- The Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Amaël Borzée
- Laboratory of Animal Behaviour and Conservation, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
- Jiangsu Agricultural Biodiversity Cultivation and Utilization Research Center, Nanjing 210014, China
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171
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Kreyer M, Behringer V, Deimel C, Fruth B. Neopterin Levels in Bonobos Vary Seasonally and Reflect Symptomatic Respiratory Infections. ECOHEALTH 2023:10.1007/s10393-023-01633-y. [PMID: 37184594 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-023-01633-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
As environmental changes exacerbate the threat coming from infectious diseases in wild mammal species, monitoring their health and gaining a better understanding of the immune functioning at the species level have become critically important. Neopterin is a biomarker of cell-mediated immune responses to intracellular infections. We investigated the variation of urinary neopterin (uNeo) levels of wild, habituated bonobos (Pan paniscus) in relation to individual and environmental factors. We used 309 urine samples collected between 2010 and 2018 at the LuiKotale field site, DRC. Based on current knowledge on zoo-housed conspecifics and closely related species, we predicted uNeo levels to increase (1) during infections, (2) with increasing age, (3) over the gestation period and in estrous females; and (4) to vary seasonally. Our results showed uNeo levels varied over a one-year period and increased in individuals showing respiratory symptoms. Contrary to chimpanzees, uNeo levels did not vary with age or female reproductive status, possibly due to our small sample size. Our study provides a baseline for a better understanding of bonobo's immunocompetence in the context of socio-ecological pressures and for monitoring the health of wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélodie Kreyer
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max-Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Bücklestraße 5 a, 78467, Constance, Germany.
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Verena Behringer
- Endocrinology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Caroline Deimel
- Research Group Evolutionary Physiology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Barbara Fruth
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max-Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Bücklestraße 5 a, 78467, Constance, Germany
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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172
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Bernal XE, Leavell BC, Page RA. Assessing patterns of eavesdropper risk on sexual signals and the use of meta-analysis in behavioural ecology: a comment on: 'The exploitation of sexual signals by predators: a meta-analysis' White et al. (2022). Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20221866. [PMID: 37161325 PMCID: PMC10170210 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ximena E Bernal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Republic of Panamá
| | - Brian C Leavell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Rachel A Page
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Republic of Panamá
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173
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Sinclair BJ. An annotated checklist of the Diptera of the Galápagos Archipelago (Ecuador). Zootaxa 2023; 5283:1-102. [PMID: 37518751 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5283.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The Diptera fauna of the Galápagos Archipelago is updated and an annotated checklist is presented. Currently 50 families, 207 genera, and a minimum of 324 species are recorded from the islands. Approximately 107 species are considered to have arrived on the Galápagos Islands through human introductions, an estimated 101 species are considered endemic, 42 species have naturally colonized the islands from mainland Americas, 21 species are either introduced or arrived naturally and 53 species remain unidentified. The following new combination is proposed: Chrysanthrax primitivus (Walker) is moved to Hemipenthes Loew as H. primitivus (Walker) comb. nov. All references to the Galápagos taxonomic literature are included, known island species distributions listed and general remarks on the biology of many species are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley J Sinclair
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency; K.W. Neatby Bldg.; C.E.F.; 960 Carling Ave.; Ottawa; ON; Canada K1A 0C6; Canadian National Collection of Insects; Arachnids and Nematodes; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; K.W. Neatby Bldg.; C.E.F.; 960 Carling Ave.; Ottawa; ON; Canada K1A 0C6.
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174
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Barash A, Preiss-Bloom S, Machluf Y, Fabbri E, Malkinson D, Velli E, Mucci N, Barash A, Caniglia R, Dayan T, Dekel Y. Possible origins and implications of atypical morphologies and domestication-like traits in wild golden jackals (Canis aureus). Sci Rep 2023; 13:7388. [PMID: 37149712 PMCID: PMC10164184 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34533-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the origins of phenotypic variations in natural animal populations is a challenging topic for evolutionary and conservation biologists. Atypical morphologies in mammals are usually attributed to interspecific hybridisation or de-novo mutations. Here we report the case of four golden jackals (Canis aureus), that were observed during a camera-trapping wildlife survey in Northern Israel, displaying anomalous morphological traits, such as white patches, an upturned tail, and long thick fur which resemble features of domesticated mammals. Another individual was culled under permit and was genetically and morphologically examined. Paternal and nuclear genetic profiles, as well as geometric morphometric data, identified this individual as a golden jackal rather than a recent dog/wolf-jackal hybrid. Its maternal haplotype suggested past introgression of African wolf (Canis lupaster) mitochondrial DNA, as previously documented in other jackals from Israel. When viewed in the context of the jackal as an overabundant species in Israel, the rural nature of the surveyed area, the abundance of anthropogenic waste, and molecular and morphological findings, the possibility of an individual presenting incipient stages of domestication should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelet Barash
- School of Zoology and The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Unit of Agrigenomics, Shamir Research Institute, University of Haifa, 1290000, Kazerin, Israel
| | - Shlomo Preiss-Bloom
- School of Zoology and The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yossy Machluf
- Unit of Agrigenomics, Shamir Research Institute, University of Haifa, 1290000, Kazerin, Israel
| | - Elena Fabbri
- Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO‑CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Cà Fornacetta 9, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064, Bologna, Italy
| | - Dan Malkinson
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Edoardo Velli
- Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO‑CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Cà Fornacetta 9, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nadia Mucci
- Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO‑CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Cà Fornacetta 9, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alon Barash
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, 8 Henrietta Szold St, Safed, Israel
| | - Romolo Caniglia
- Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO‑CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Cà Fornacetta 9, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Tamar Dayan
- School of Zoology and The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Yaron Dekel
- Unit of Agrigenomics, Shamir Research Institute, University of Haifa, 1290000, Kazerin, Israel.
- The Cheryl Spencer Department of Nursing and The Cheryl Spencer Institute of Nursing Research, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel.
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175
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Gussone L, Hüllen A, Vitt S, Scherer U, Thünken T. Impact of genetic relatedness on reproductive behavior in Pelvicachromis pulcher, a biparental cichlid fish with mutual mate choice and ornamentation. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2023; 110:17. [PMID: 37140644 PMCID: PMC10160185 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-023-01842-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Inbreeding can result in inbreeding depression. Therefore, many species seek to avoid inbreeding. However, theory predicts that inbreeding can be beneficial. Accordingly, some species tolerate inbreeding or even prefer mating with close relatives. Evidence for active inbreeding, i.e., kin-mating preference was reported in the biparental African cichlid fish Pelvicachromis taeniatus. Related mating partners revealed better parental cooperation due to kin selection, a potential benefit of inbreeding. In this study, we investigated kin-mating preference in a genetically diverse, outbred F2-lab population of Pelvicachromis pulcher, a closely related species to P. taeniatus. Like P. taeniatus, this species shows mutual ornamentation and mate choice as well as intense biparental brood care. The F1 P. pulcher generation had revealed signs of inbreeding depression but no inbreeding avoidance. We studied mating behavior and aggression in trios consisting of a male P. pulcher, an unfamiliar sister, and an unfamiliar, unrelated female. Because the study focused on kin-mating patterns, female pairs were matched for body size and coloration. The results provide no evidence for inbreeding avoidance but rather suggest inbreeding preference. We also found no significant impact of inbreeding on offspring survival. The results suggest no inbreeding avoidance in P. pulcher; however, the strength of inbreeding preference and inbreeding depression seems to be variable. We discuss possible causes for this variation like context-dependent inbreeding depression. The number of eggs positively correlated with female body size and coloration. Furthermore, the female aggressiveness was positively correlated with female coloration indicating that coloration signal female dominance and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Gussone
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Anna Hüllen
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Vitt
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrike Scherer
- Institute of Zoology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Biology and Ecology of Fishes, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 42, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Timo Thünken
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany.
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176
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Tong Q, Dong WJ, Xu MD, Hu ZF, Guo P, Han XY, Cui LY. Characteristics and a comparison of the gut microbiota in two frog species at the beginning and end of hibernation. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1057398. [PMID: 37206336 PMCID: PMC10191234 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1057398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Season has been suggested to contribute to variation in the gut microbiota of animals. The complicated relationships between amphibians and their gut microbiota and how they change throughout the year require more research. Short-term and long-term hypothermic fasting of amphibians may affect gut microbiota differently; however, these changes have not been explored. In this study, the composition and characteristics of the gut microbiota of Rana amurensis and Rana dybowskii during summer, autumn (short-term fasting) and winter (long-term fasting) were studied by high-throughput Illumina sequencing. Both frog species had higher gut microbiota alpha diversity in summer than autumn and winter, but no significant variations between autumn and spring. The summer, autumn, and spring gut microbiotas of both species differed, as did the autumn and winter microbiomes. In summer, autumn and winter, the dominant phyla in the gut microbiota of both species were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. All animals have 10 OTUs (>90% of all 52 frogs). Both species had 23 OTUs (>90% of all 28 frogs) in winter, accounting for 47.49 ± 3.84% and 63.17 ± 3.69% of their relative abundance, respectively. PICRUSt2 analysis showed that the predominant functions of the gut microbiota in these two Rana were focused on carbohydrate metabolism, Global and overview maps, Glycan biosynthesis metabolism, membrane transport, and replication and repair, translation. The BugBase analysis estimated that among the seasons in the R. amurensis group, Facultatively_Anaerobic, Forms_Biofilms, Gram_Negative, Gram_Positive, Potentially_Pathogenic were significantly different. However, there was no difference for R. dybowskii. The research will reveal how the gut microbiota of amphibians adapts to environmental changes during hibernation, aid in the conservation of endangered amphibians, particularly those that hibernate, and advance microbiota research by elucidating the role of microbiota under various physiological states and environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Tong
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Hejiang Forestry Research Institute of Heilongjiang Province, Jiamusi, China
| | - Wen-jing Dong
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Ming-da Xu
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Zong-fu Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Peng Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiao-yun Han
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Li-yong Cui
- Hejiang Forestry Research Institute of Heilongjiang Province, Jiamusi, China
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177
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Izquierdo MA, Dederichs TM, Cargnelutti F, Michalik P. Copulatory behaviour and genital mechanics suggest sperm allocation by a non-intromittent sclerite in a pholcid spider. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230263. [PMID: 37266042 PMCID: PMC10230183 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The male genitalia of pholcid spiders, which is one of the most species-rich spider families, are characterized by a procursus, which is a morphologically diverse projection of the copulatory organ. It has been shown that the procursus interacts with the female genitalia during copulation. Here, we investigate the function of the procursus in Gertschiola neuquena, a species belonging to the early branched and understudied subfamily Ninetinae, using behavioural and morphological data. Although many aspects of the copulatory behaviour of G. neuquena follow the general pattern described for the family, males use only one pedipalp during each copulation. Based on our micro-CT analysis of cryofixed mating pairs using virgin females, we can show that the long and filiform procursus is inserted deeply into the unpaired convoluted female spermatheca, and the intromittent sclerite, the embolus, is rather short and stout only reaching the most distal part of the female sperm storage organ. Histological data revealed that sperm are present in the most proximal part of the spermatheca, suggesting that the procursus is used to allocate sperm deeply into the female sperm storage organ. This represents the first case of a replacement of the sperm allocation function of the intromittent sclerite in spiders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. A. Izquierdo
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, 5000, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución, Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, 5000, Argentina
| | - T. M. Dederichs
- Universität Greifswald, Zoologisches Institut und Museum, Loitzer Straße 26, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - F. Cargnelutti
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Departamento de Diversidad Biológica y Ecología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, 5000, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Evolución, Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Córdoba, 5000, Argentina
| | - P. Michalik
- Universität Greifswald, Zoologisches Institut und Museum, Loitzer Straße 26, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
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178
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Bargione G, Barone G, Virgili M, Lucchetti A. Evaluation and quantification of shell damage and survival of the striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina) harvested by hydraulic dredges. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 187:105954. [PMID: 36940559 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The impact of hydraulic dredging on Chamelea gallina populations in the mid-western Adriatic Sea was assessed by evaluating and quantifying the damage exerted on harvested (non-sieved) and sorted (sieved by the mechanical vibrating sieve: commercial or discarded) individuals and by estimating the survival probability of discarded clams. The results showed that: i) dredging had a higher impact on determining shell damage than the mechanical vibrating sieve, ii) damage probability was strongly associated with shell length and in discard samples the effect of the shell length was greater due to the longer time spent by the individuals inside in the vibrating sieve before being rejected to the sea, iii) the survivability of the entire discarded fraction of clams was high. The findings support the Regulation (CE) 1380/2013 which foresees that discards from the Venus clam fishery must be returned to the sea and shall not be landed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Bargione
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 1, 60125, Ancona, Italy; Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Piazza di Porta San Donato 1, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Giulio Barone
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 1, 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - Massimo Virgili
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 1, 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lucchetti
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), Largo Fiera della Pesca, 1, 60125, Ancona, Italy
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179
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Viana IKS, Ferreira MAP, Mendes YA, Silva BRM, Gonçalves LA, Rocha RM. Follicular complex may predict reproductive tactics in siluriform fishes. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16204. [PMID: 37234639 PMCID: PMC10205519 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the morphology and morphometry of the layers that make up the follicular complex surrounding mature oocytes in the six fish species Auchenipterichthys longimanus, Ageneiosus ucayalensis, Hypophthalmus marginatus, Baryancistrus xanthellus, Panaqolus tankei and Peckoltia oligospila, belonging to the order Siluriformes, which inhabit the Amazon basin. On the basis of the morphology and thickness of the layers of the follicular complex, the species were divided into two groups: 1- A. longimanus, A. Ucayalensis and H. marginatus and 2 - B. xanthellus, P. tankei and P. oligospila. The total thickness of the layers that make up the follicular complex showed a difference between type III and IV oocytes for all species of each group. Differences in the theca layer, follicular cells and zona radiata between species and between groups were submitted to statistical analysis. Morphologically, group 1 showed columnar follicular cells and thin zona radiata. Meanwhile, group 2 displayed a layer of cuboidal-shaped follicular cells layer and thicker zona radiata. These differences may be related to the environment and reproductive behaviors, as group 1 migrates without parental care and has eggs that are generally smaller and abundant. While group 2, represented by loricariidae, inhabit lotic environments, have reproductive tactics of parental care and eggs that are generally large and in small numbers. Therefore, we can infer that the follicular complex in mature oocytes can predict the reproductive tactics of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Kerly S. Viana
- Laboratory of Cellular Ultrastructure, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Maria Auxiliadora P. Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunohistochemistry and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Yanne A. Mendes
- Laboratory of Immunohistochemistry and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Breno Richard M. Silva
- Laboratory of Immunohistochemistry and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Liziane A.B. Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Cellular Ultrastructure, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Rossineide M. Rocha
- Laboratory of Cellular Ultrastructure, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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180
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Minhas BF, Beck EA, Cheng CHC, Catchen J. Novel mitochondrial genome rearrangements including duplications and extensive heteroplasmy could underlie temperature adaptations in Antarctic notothenioid fishes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6939. [PMID: 37117267 PMCID: PMC10147917 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34237-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial genomes are known for their compact size and conserved gene order, however, recent studies employing long-read sequencing technologies have revealed the presence of atypical mitogenomes in some species. In this study, we assembled and annotated the mitogenomes of five Antarctic notothenioids, including four icefishes (Champsocephalus gunnari, C. esox, Chaenocephalus aceratus, and Pseudochaenichthys georgianus) and the cold-specialized Trematomus borchgrevinki. Antarctic notothenioids are known to harbor some rearrangements in their mt genomes, however the extensive duplications in icefishes observed in our study have never been reported before. In the icefishes, we observed duplications of the protein coding gene ND6, two transfer RNAs, and the control region with different copy number variants present within the same individuals and with some ND6 duplications appearing to follow the canonical Duplication-Degeneration-Complementation (DDC) model in C. esox and C. gunnari. In addition, using long-read sequencing and k-mer analysis, we were able to detect extensive heteroplasmy in C. aceratus and C. esox. We also observed a large inversion in the mitogenome of T. borchgrevinki, along with the presence of tandem repeats in its control region. This study is the first in using long-read sequencing to assemble and identify structural variants and heteroplasmy in notothenioid mitogenomes and signifies the importance of long-reads in resolving complex mitochondrial architectures. Identification of such wide-ranging structural variants in the mitogenomes of these fishes could provide insight into the genetic basis of the atypical icefish mitochondrial physiology and more generally may provide insights about their potential role in cold adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Fazal Minhas
- Informatics Programs, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, USA
| | - Emily A Beck
- Data Science Initiative, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA
| | - C-H Christina Cheng
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, USA
| | - Julian Catchen
- Informatics Programs, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, USA.
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, USA.
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181
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Elowe CR, Groom DJE, Slezacek J, Gerson AR. Long-duration wind tunnel flights reveal exponential declines in protein catabolism over time in short- and long-distance migratory warblers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2216016120. [PMID: 37068245 PMCID: PMC10151508 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2216016120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
During migration, long-distance migratory songbirds may fly nonstop for days, whereas shorter-distance migrants complete flights of 6 to 10 h. Fat is the primary fuel source, but protein is also assumed to provide a low, consistent amount of energy for flight. However, little is known about how the use of these fuel sources differs among bird species and in response to flight duration. Current models predict that birds can fly until fat stores are exhausted, with little consideration of protein's limits on flight range or duration. We captured two related migratory species-ultra long-distance blackpoll warblers (Setophaga striata) and short-distance yellow-rumped warblers (Setophaga coronata)-during fall migration and flew them in a wind tunnel to examine differences in energy expenditure, overall fuel use, and fuel mixture. We measured fat and fat-free body mass before and after flight using quantitative magnetic resonance and calculated energy expenditure from body composition changes and doubly labeled water. Three blackpolls flew voluntarily for up to 28 h-the longest wind tunnel flight to date-and ended flights with substantial fat reserves but concave flight muscle, indicating that protein loss, rather than fat, may actually limit flight duration. Interestingly, while blackpolls had significantly lower mass-specific metabolic power in flight than that of yellow-rumped warblers and fuel use was remarkably similar in both species, with consistent fat use but exceptionally high rates of protein loss at the start of flight that declined exponentially over time. This suggests that protein may be a critical, dynamic, and often overlooked fuel for long-distance migratory birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory R. Elowe
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003-9297
- Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003-9297
| | - Derrick J. E. Groom
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003-9297
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA94132
| | - Julia Slezacek
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna1160, Austria
| | - Alexander R. Gerson
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003-9297
- Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003-9297
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182
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Harazim M, Perrot J, Varet H, Bourhy H, Lannoy J, Pikula J, Seidlová V, Dacheux L, Martínková N. Transcriptomic responses of bat cells to European bat lyssavirus 1 infection under conditions simulating euthermia and hibernation. BMC Immunol 2023; 24:7. [PMID: 37085747 PMCID: PMC10120247 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-023-00542-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coevolution between pathogens and their hosts decreases host morbidity and mortality. Bats host and can tolerate viruses which can be lethal to other vertebrate orders, including humans. Bat adaptations to infection include localized immune response, early pathogen sensing, high interferon expression without pathogen stimulation, and regulated inflammatory response. The immune reaction is costly, and bats suppress high-cost metabolism during torpor. In the temperate zone, bats hibernate in winter, utilizing a specific behavioural adaptation to survive detrimental environmental conditions and lack of energy resources. Hibernation torpor involves major physiological changes that pose an additional challenge to bat-pathogen coexistence. Here, we compared bat cellular reaction to viral challenge under conditions simulating hibernation, evaluating the changes between torpor and euthermia. RESULTS We infected the olfactory nerve-derived cell culture of Myotis myotis with an endemic bat pathogen, European bat lyssavirus 1 (EBLV-1). After infection, the bat cells were cultivated at two different temperatures, 37 °C and 5 °C, to examine the cell response during conditions simulating euthermia and torpor, respectively. The mRNA isolated from the cells was sequenced and analysed for differential gene expression attributable to the temperature and/or infection treatment. In conditions simulating euthermia, infected bat cells produce an excess signalling by multitude of pathways involved in apoptosis and immune regulation influencing proliferation of regulatory cell types which can, in synergy with other produced cytokines, contribute to viral tolerance. We found no up- or down-regulated genes expressed in infected cells cultivated at conditions simulating torpor compared to non-infected cells cultivated under the same conditions. When studying the reaction of uninfected cells to the temperature treatment, bat cells show an increased production of heat shock proteins (HSPs) with chaperone activity, improving the bat's ability to repair molecular structures damaged due to the stress related to the temperature change. CONCLUSIONS The lack of bat cell reaction to infection in conditions simulating hibernation may contribute to the virus tolerance or persistence in bats. Together with the cell damage repair mechanisms induced in response to hibernation, the immune regulation may promote bats' ability to act as reservoirs of zoonotic viruses such as lyssaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markéta Harazim
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 60300, Brno, Czechia.
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 61137, Brno, Czechia.
| | - Juliette Perrot
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité Lyssavirus, Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Hugo Varet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Hervé Bourhy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité Lyssavirus, Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Julien Lannoy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité Lyssavirus, Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Jiri Pikula
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého třída 1946/1, 61242, Brno, Czechia
| | - Veronika Seidlová
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého třída 1946/1, 61242, Brno, Czechia
| | - Laurent Dacheux
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité Lyssavirus, Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Natália Martínková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 60300, Brno, Czechia
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 61137, Brno, Czechia
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183
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Leigh KA, Hofweber LN, Sloggett BK, Inman VL, Pettit LJ, Sriram A, Haering R. Outcomes for an arboreal folivore after rehabilitation and implications for management. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6542. [PMID: 37085564 PMCID: PMC10121558 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33535-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Wildlife rehabilitation is a critical part of animal welfare that contributes to species conservation. Despite the resources that go into rehabilitation, how animals fare after release from care is unknown. This is particularly true for cryptic arboreal species where specialist diets in care and low detectability in the wild present challenges for both care and post-release monitoring. We evaluated post-release outcomes for koalas and assessed if koalas were fed appropriately while in care. We monitored 36 koalas that had experienced one of three categories of medical intervention (none, minor, major) during rehabilitation. We examined the drivers of (i) koala survival and (ii) movements post-release, and (iii) evaluated variation between the species of browse fed in care versus browse selected by koalas in-situ. Overall, the post release survival rate of koalas was 58.5%, with only koalas that received medical intervention experiencing mortality. A critical threshold for mortality occurred at two weeks post-release and mortality was related to the measurable indicators of low body condition and poor climbing ability at time of release. In the month following their release, animals translocated furthest from their capture point moved the furthest. There was poor overlap between the tree species that koalas were fed in care and those they utilized post-release. We provide recommendations to address critical gaps in rehabilitation practices, as well as priorities for monitoring animals post-release to improve outcomes for arboreal folivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellie A Leigh
- Science for Wildlife Ltd, PO Box 5, Mount Victoria, NSW, 2786, Australia.
| | - Lacey N Hofweber
- Science for Wildlife Ltd, PO Box 5, Mount Victoria, NSW, 2786, Australia
| | - Brienna K Sloggett
- Science for Wildlife Ltd, PO Box 5, Mount Victoria, NSW, 2786, Australia
| | - Victoria L Inman
- Science for Wildlife Ltd, PO Box 5, Mount Victoria, NSW, 2786, Australia
| | - Lachlan J Pettit
- Science for Wildlife Ltd, PO Box 5, Mount Victoria, NSW, 2786, Australia
| | - Aditi Sriram
- Department of Planning and Environment, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Locked Bag 5022, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia
| | - Ron Haering
- Department of Planning and Environment, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Locked Bag 5022, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia
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184
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Campos-Filho IS, Dimitriou AC, Taiti S, Sfenthourakis S. The genus Armadillo Latreille, 1802 (Oniscidea, Armadillidae) from Cyprus, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 2023; 5270:67-91. [PMID: 37518177 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5270.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The present work aims to morphologically characterize the species of Armadillo from Cyprus. Moreover, two new species of the genus are described, A. konstantinoui sp. nov. from several places along the island, and A. karametae sp. nov. from Pafos region. The circum-Mediterranean species A. officinalis is also redescribed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas C Dimitriou
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Cyprus; Lefkosia (Nicosia); Cyprus..
| | - Stefano Taiti
- Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Sesto Fiorentino (Florence); Italy.; Museo di Storia Naturale; Sezione di Zoologia "La Specola"; Florence; Italy.,Department of Biological Sciences; University of Cyprus; Lefkosia (Nicosia); Cyprus..
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185
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Collet J, Morford J, Lewin P, Bonnet-Lebrun AS, Sasaki T, Biro D. Mechanisms of collective learning: how can animal groups improve collective performance when repeating a task? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220060. [PMID: 36802785 PMCID: PMC9939276 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Learning is ubiquitous in animals: individuals can use their experience to fine-tune behaviour and thus to better adapt to the environment during their lifetime. Observations have accumulated that, at the collective level, groups can also use their experience to improve collective performance. Yet, despite apparent simplicity, the links between individual learning capacities and a collective's performance can be extremely complex. Here we propose a centralized and broadly applicable framework to begin classifying this complexity. Focusing principally on groups with stable composition, we first identify three distinct ways through which groups can improve their collective performance when repeating a task: each member learning to better solve the task on its own, members learning about each other to better respond to one another and members learning to improve their complementarity. We show through selected empirical examples, simulations and theoretical treatments that these three categories identify distinct mechanisms with distinct consequences and predictions. These mechanisms extend well beyond current social learning and collective decision-making theories in explaining collective learning. Finally, our approach, definitions and categories help generate new empirical and theoretical research avenues, including charting the expected distribution of collective learning capacities across taxa and its links to social stability and evolution. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Collective behaviour through time'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Collet
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK,Department of Zoology, Marine Apex Predator Research Unit, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth-Gqeberha 6031, South Africa,Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS – La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Joe Morford
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Patrick Lewin
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Anne-Sophie Bonnet-Lebrun
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS – La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Takao Sasaki
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Dora Biro
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
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186
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Gilbert M, Dvornicky-Raymond Z, Bodgener J. Disease threats to tigers and their prey. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1135935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The contraction of the global tiger population over the last 100 years into small, often isolated subpopulations has made them increasingly vulnerable to the impact of disease. Despite this, the health of wild tigers continues to be insufficiently funded and explored. For example, canine distemper virus (CDV), has been associated with localized declines and increased risk of extinction, and yet has received little research attention in most tiger range countries. The emergence of new pathogenic threats has posed fresh challenges, including African swine fever virus (ASFV), which has the potential to devastate wild boar populations, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) with implications for tiger conservation that remain unknown. The objective of this review is to synthesize current research on the health of tigers and their prey that impacts the conservation of tigers in the wild. Published sources are interpreted based on three mechanisms through which disease can affect the viability of tiger populations: (1) by reducing the survival of adult tigers, (2) by reducing breeding productivity, and (3) by reducing the carrying capacity of tiger habitat through decreased prey abundance. Examples of CDV, SARS-CoV2, carnivore protoparvovirus 1 and ASFV are used to illustrate these processes and inform discussion of research and mitigation priorities.
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187
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Yamamoto W, Yuste R. Peptide-driven control of somersaulting in Hydra vulgaris. Curr Biol 2023; 33:1893-1905.e4. [PMID: 37040768 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The cnidarian Hydra vulgaris has a simple nervous system with a few hundred neurons in distributed networks. Yet Hydra can perform somersaults, a complex acrobatic locomotion. To understand the neural mechanisms of somersaulting we used calcium imaging and found that rhythmical potential 1 (RP1) neurons activate before somersaulting. Decreasing RP1 activity or ablating RP1 neurons reduced somersaulting, while two-photon activation of RP1 neurons induced somersaulting. Hym-248, a peptide synthesized by RP1 cells, selectively generated somersaulting. We conclude that RP1 activity, via release of Hym-248, is necessary and sufficient for somersaulting. We propose a circuit model to explain the sequential unfolding of this locomotion, using integrate-to-threshold decision making and cross-inhibition. Our work demonstrates that peptide-based signaling is used by simple nervous systems to generate behavioral fixed action patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Yamamoto
- Neurotechnology Center, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Rafael Yuste
- Neurotechnology Center, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
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188
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Tecot SR, Birr M, Dixon J, Lahitsara JP, Razafindraibe D, Razanajatovo S, Arroyo AS, Tombotiana AV, Velontsara JB, Baden AL. Functional relationships between estradiol and paternal care in male red-bellied lemurs, Eulemur rubriventer. Horm Behav 2023; 150:105324. [PMID: 36774699 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Fathers contribute substantially to infant care, yet the mechanisms facilitating paternal bonding and interactions with infants are not as well understood as they are in mothers. Several hormonal changes occur as males transition into parenthood, first in response to a partner's pregnancy, and next in response to interacting with the newborn. These changes may prepare fathers for parenting and help facilitate and maintain paternal care. Experimental studies with monkeys and rodents suggest that paternal care requires elevated estradiol levels, which increase when a male's partner is pregnant and are higher in fathers than non-fathers, but its role in the expression of paternal behaviors throughout infant development is unknown. To assess estradiol's role in paternal care, we analyzed the relationship between paternal estradiol metabolites and 1) offspring age, and 2) paternal care behavior (holding, carrying, huddling, playing, grooming), in wild, red-bellied lemurs (Eulemur rubriventer). We collected 146 fecal samples and 1597 h of behavioral data on 10 adult males who had newborn infants during the study. Estradiol metabolites increased four-fold in expectant males, and in new fathers they fluctuated and gradually decreased with time. Infant age, not paternal behavior, best predicted hormone levels in new fathers. These results suggest that hormonal changes occur in expectant males with facultative paternal care, but they do not support the hypothesis that estradiol is directly associated with the day-to-day expression of paternal care. Future research should explore estradiol's role in facilitating behaviors, including infant-directed attention and responsiveness, or preparing fathers for infant care generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey R Tecot
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Laboratory for the Evolutionary Endocrinology of Primates, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
| | - Madalena Birr
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Laboratory for the Evolutionary Endocrinology of Primates, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Juliana Dixon
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Laboratory for the Evolutionary Endocrinology of Primates, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
| | | | | | - Soafaniry Razanajatovo
- Department of Zoology and Animal Biodiversity, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Alicia S Arroyo
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE-UPF CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Andrea L Baden
- PhD programs in Anthropology and Biology, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP), New York, NY, USA; Department of Anthropology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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189
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Haslin E, Pettigrew EJ, Hickson RE, Kenyon PR, Gedye KR, Lopez-Villalobos N, Jayawardana JMDR, Morris ST, Blair HT. Genome-Wide Association Studies of Live Weight at First Breeding at Eight Months of Age and Pregnancy Status of Ewe Lambs. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040805. [PMID: 37107563 PMCID: PMC10137859 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study estimated genetic parameters and identified candidate genes associated with live weight, and the occurrence of pregnancy in 1327 Romney ewe lambs using genome-wide association studies. Phenotypic traits considered were the occurrence of pregnancy in ewe lambs and live weight at eight months of age. Genetic parameters were estimated, and genomic variation was assessed using 13,500 single-nucleotide polymorphic markers (SNPs). Ewe lamb live weight had medium genomic heritability and was positively genetically correlated with occurrence of pregnancy. This suggests that selection for heavier ewe lambs is possible and would likely improve the occurrence of pregnancy in ewe lambs. No SNPs were associated with the occurrence of pregnancy; however, three candidate genes were associated with ewe lamb live weight. Tenascin C (TNC), TNF superfamily member 8 (TNFSF8) and Collagen type XXVIII alpha 1 chain (COL28A1) are involved in extracellular matrix organization and regulation of cell fate in the immune system. TNC may be involved in ewe lamb growth, and therefore, could be of interest for selection of ewe lamb replacements. The association between ewe lamb live weight and TNFSF8 and COL28A1 is unclear. Further research is needed using a larger population to determine whether the genes identified can be used for genomic selection of replacement ewe lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Haslin
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | | | - Paul R. Kenyon
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
| | - Kristene R. Gedye
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;
| | - Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
| | - J. M. D. R. Jayawardana
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla 90000, Sri Lanka
| | - Stephen T. Morris
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
| | - Hugh T. Blair
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; (P.R.K.); (N.L.-V.); (J.M.D.R.J.); (S.T.M.); (H.T.B.)
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190
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Higuchi Y, Iha M, Maoka T, Misawa N, Takemura M. Synthetic-biological approach for production of neoxanthin in Escherichia coli. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY (TOKYO, JAPAN) 2023; 40:15-20. [PMID: 38213917 PMCID: PMC10777127 DOI: 10.5511/plantbiotechnology.22.1130a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Carotenoids are isoprenoid pigments produced typically in plants, algae, and part of bacteria and fungi. Violaxanthin, neoxanthin, and lutein are xanthophylls biosynthesized specifically in land plants and part of algae. Nowadays, it is feasible to produce violaxanthin and lutein in Escherichia coli by pathway engineering, whereas there is no report to synthesize neoxanthin in E. coli. So far, several genes have been reported to code for neoxanthin synthases, e.g., NSY (NXS), ABA4 and VDL, which were assigned to catalyze a reaction for forming neoxanthin from violaxanthin. However, neither gene of these was common in plants or algae that biosynthesize neoxanthin, nor was confirmed by the E. coli complementation system. This study showed that the algal VDL gene (PtVDL1) was functional in recombinant E. coli cells accumulating violaxanthin to produce neoxanthin, whereas the E. coli cells failed to generate neoxanthin, when the NSY or ABA4 gene was introduced there instead of VDL. This result notes that VDL is one of veritable neoxanthin synthase genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Higuchi
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
| | - Masahiko Iha
- SOUTH PRODUCT Ltd, 5184-71 Katsuren-haebaru, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2311, Japan
| | - Takashi Maoka
- Research Institute for Production Development, 15 Shimogamo-morimoto-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-0805, Japan
| | - Norihiko Misawa
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
| | - Miho Takemura
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
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191
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Yang Y, Tummaruk P, Angkawanish T, Langkaphin W, Chatdarong K. Seasonal Effects on Body Condition and Characteristics of the Estrous Cycle in Captive Asian Elephants ( Elephas maximus) in Thailand: A Retrospective Study. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071133. [PMID: 37048389 PMCID: PMC10093222 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of season on the body condition score (BCS), the characteristics of the estrous cycle (luteal phase [LPL], follicular phase [FPL], estrous cycle [ECL] lengths, and the start of the luteal phase [SLP] and follicular phase [SFP]), and progesterone levels (baseline and peak) of eight captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand. From 2014 to 2019, blood samples were collected weekly for serum progesterone enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Estrous cycles (n = 70), including the luteal and follicular phases, and BCS (n = 70) were recorded. Based on the BCS, the LPL, FPL, and ECL were assigned to the following two groups: normal (BCS = 3.0-4.0, n = 38) and overweight (BCS = 4.5-5.0, n = 32). The findings demonstrated that there was no difference in LPL between the groups. However, in the normal group, the ECL was one week longer (14.9 ± 1.7 vs. 13.9 ± 1.7 weeks; p < 0.05), and the FPL also tended to be one week longer (7.2 ± 1.7 vs. 6.4 ± 1.5 weeks; p = 0.06) than in the overweight group. The mean progesterone level during the rainy, hot, and cool seasons was not statistically different. Based on the yearly averaged BCS from three seasons, the baseline and peak levels of progesterone were classified into the normal (n = 16) and overweight (n = 12) groups. Females with a normal BCS tended to exhibit higher progesterone peak levels (p = 0.08). The majority of peaks appeared during the rainy season (53.57%). The BCS was highest during the hot (4.47) and rainy (4.38) seasons, but not during the cool (4.12) season. The LPL, FPL, and ECL were not affected by the season in which the luteal phase occurred. On the other hand, the rainy season had a significant effect on the SFP, resulting in a longer LPL (p < 0.05) and ECL (p = 0.01); both were the longest during the rainy season. In conclusion, the effects of season on BCS may be related to characteristics of the estrous cycle and peak progesterone levels. Ultimately, these findings provide ground knowledge to assist elephant managers and owners in planning breeding activities using seasonal effects and BCS measurements in tropical climates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Yang
- Research Unit of Obstetrics and Reproduction in Animals, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Padet Tummaruk
- Research Unit of Obstetrics and Reproduction in Animals, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Taweepoke Angkawanish
- The Thai Elephant Conservation Center, National Elephant Institute of Thailand, The Forest Industry Organization, Lampang 52190, Thailand
| | - Warangkhana Langkaphin
- The Thai Elephant Conservation Center, National Elephant Institute of Thailand, The Forest Industry Organization, Lampang 52190, Thailand
| | - Kaywalee Chatdarong
- Research Unit of Obstetrics and Reproduction in Animals, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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192
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Schotte U, Binder A, Goller KV, Faulde M, Ruhl S, Sauer S, Schlegel M, Teifke JP, Ulrich RG, Wylezich C. Field survey and molecular characterization of apicomplexan parasites in small mammals from military camps in Afghanistan. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1199-1211. [PMID: 36944808 PMCID: PMC10097762 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07820-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Small mammals are an important reservoir for causative agents of numerous infectious diseases, including zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. The occurrence of these pathogens represents a regional but permanent threat for humans and animals in general and might especially weaken military personnel and companion animals in abroad missions. In our study, small mammals collected in military camps in Afghanistan (Feyzabad, Mazar-e Sharif, and Kunduz) were investigated for the presence of apicomplexans using histopathology and molecular methods. For this purpose, well-established and newly developed real-time PCR assays were applied. A high prevalence was detected not only in house mice (Mus musculus), but also in shrews (Crocidura cf. suaveolens) and grey dwarf hamsters (Cricetulus migratorius). The molecular characterization based on the 18S rRNA gene revealed a close relationship to a cluster of Hepatozoon sp. detected in voles of the genus Microtus. Hepatozoon canis DNA was detected in one house mouse as well as in two Rhipicephalus ticks from a dog puppy. In addition, around 5% of the house mice were found to be infected with far related adeleorinids showing the highest sequence identity of 91.5% to Klossiella equi, the only published Klossiella sequence at present. For their better phylogenetic characterization, we conducted metagenomics by sequencing of two selected samples. The resulting 18S rRNA gene sequences have a length of about 2400 base pairs including an insertion of about 500 base pairs and are 100% identical to each other. Histopathology together with organ tropism and detection rates verified this sequence as of Klossiella muris. In conclusion, we documented naturally occurring protozoan stages and the additional taxonomic characterization of a well-known commensal in mice by applying a combination of different approaches. The study is of medical, social, and biological importance for ensuring human and animal health in military camps and also stresses the required awareness for the potential risk of zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Schotte
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Kiel, Kopperpahler Allee 120, 24119, Kronshagen, Germany.
| | - Alfred Binder
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Kiel, Kopperpahler Allee 120, 24119, Kronshagen, Germany
| | - Katja V Goller
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany
- Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine and Central Unit for Infection Prevention and Control, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleischmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michael Faulde
- Department of Medicine, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Koblenz, Andernacher Str. 100, 56070, Koblenz, Germany
- Bundeswehr Research Institute (WIWeB), Institutsweg 1, 85435, Erding, Germany
| | - Silke Ruhl
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Kiel, Kopperpahler Allee 120, 24119, Kronshagen, Germany
- Bundeswehr Medical Academy, Deployment Health Surveillance Center, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Sauer
- Division E, Bundeswehr Medical Academy, Military Medical Research and Development, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias Schlegel
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany
- Seramun Diagnostica GmbH, Spreenhagener Str. 1, 15754, Heidesee, Germany
| | - Jens P Teifke
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management (ATB), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany.
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management (ATB), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany.
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193
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Monte A, Leitão A, Frankl-Vilches C, Matos RDS, Trappschuh M, da Silva ML, Gahr M. Testosterone treatment unveils testosterone-insensitive song in an early-branched hummingbird. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2023.2181873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Monte
- Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Albertine Leitão
- Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Carolina Frankl-Vilches
- Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
| | | | - Monika Trappschuh
- Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Maria L. da Silva
- Laboratory of Ornithology and Bioacoustics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belem, Brazil
| | - Manfred Gahr
- Department of Behavioural Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
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194
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Fujiwara M, Imamura M, Matsushita K, Roszak P, Yamashino T, Hosokawa Y, Nakajima K, Fujimoto K, Miyashima S. Patterned proliferation orients tissue-wide stress to control root vascular symmetry in Arabidopsis. Curr Biol 2023; 33:886-898.e8. [PMID: 36787744 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Symmetric tissue alignment is pivotal to the functions of plant vascular tissue, such as long-distance molecular transport and lateral organ formation. During the vascular development of the Arabidopsis roots, cytokinins initially determine cell-type boundaries among vascular stem cells and subsequently promote cell proliferation to establish vascular tissue symmetry. Although it is unknown whether and how the symmetry of initially defined boundaries is progressively refined under tissue growth in plants, such boundary shapes in animal tissues are regulated by cell fluidity, e.g., cell migration and intercalation, lacking in plant tissues. Here, we uncover that cell proliferation during vascular development produces anisotropic compressive stress, smoothing, and symmetrizing cell arrangement of the vascular-cell-type boundary. Mechanistically, the GATA transcription factor HANABA-TARANU cooperates with the type-B Arabidopsis response regulators to form an incoherent feedforward loop in cytokinin signaling. The incoherent feedforward loop fine-tunes the position and frequency of vascular cell proliferation, which in turn restricts the source of mechanical stress to the position distal and symmetric to the boundary. By combinatorial analyses of mechanical simulations and laser cell ablation, we show that the spatially constrained environment of vascular tissue efficiently entrains the stress orientation among the cells to produce a tissue-wide stress field. Together, our data indicate that the localized proliferation regulated by the cytokinin signaling circuit is decoded into a globally oriented mechanical stress to shape the vascular tissue symmetry, representing a reasonable mechanism controlling the boundary alignment and symmetry in tissue lacking cell fluidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motohiro Fujiwara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka 560-0043, Japan
| | - Miyu Imamura
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furocho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Katsuyoshi Matsushita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka 560-0043, Japan
| | - Pawel Roszak
- Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 47 Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LR, United Kingdom; Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Takafumi Yamashino
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furocho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Yoichiroh Hosokawa
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Keiji Nakajima
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Koichi Fujimoto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka 560-0043, Japan.
| | - Shunsuke Miyashima
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan.
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195
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Morphological and Behavioral Adaptations of Silk-Lovers (Plokiophilidae: Embiophila) for Their Lifestyle in the Silk Domiciles of Webspinners (Embioptera). DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15030415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
The diversity of true bugs gave rise to various lifestyles, including gaining advantage from other organisms. Plokiophilidae are cimicomorphan bugs that live in the silk constructions of other arthropods. One group, Embiophila, exclusively settles in the silk colonies of webspinners (Embioptera). We investigated the lifestyle of Embiophila using microscopy to study the micromorphology and material composition of the leg cuticle, choice assays and retention time measurements based on different characteristics of the embiopteran galleries and tilting experiments with different substrates to quantify the attachment performance of the bugs. Embiophila neither explicitly preferred embiopteran presence, nor required silk for locomotion, but the bugs preferred fibrous substrates during the choice experiments. The hairy attachment pad on the tibia showed the best attachment performance on substrates, with an asperity size of 1 µm. Additionally, very rough substrates enabled strong attachment, likely due to the use of claws. Our findings suggest that Embiophila settle in galleries of webspinners to benefit from the shelter against weather and predators and to feed on mites and other intruders. The combination of behavioral and functional morphological experiments enables insights into the life history of these silk-associated bugs, which would be highly challenging in the field due to the minute size and specialized lifestyle of Embiophila.
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196
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Currea JP, Sondhi Y, Kawahara AY, Theobald J. Measuring compound eye optics with microscope and microCT images. Commun Biol 2023; 6:246. [PMID: 36882636 PMCID: PMC9992655 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04575-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
With a great variety of shapes and sizes, compound eye morphologies give insight into visual ecology, development, and evolution, and inspire novel engineering. In contrast to our own camera-type eyes, compound eyes reveal their resolution, sensitivity, and field of view externally, provided they have spherical curvature and orthogonal ommatidia. Non-spherical compound eyes with skewed ommatidia require measuring internal structures, such as with MicroCT (µCT). Thus far, there is no efficient tool to characterize compound eye optics, from either 2D or 3D data, automatically. Here we present two open-source programs: (1) the ommatidia detecting algorithm (ODA), which measures ommatidia count and diameter in 2D images, and (2) a µCT pipeline (ODA-3D), which calculates anatomical acuity, sensitivity, and field of view across the eye by applying the ODA to 3D data. We validate these algorithms on images, images of replicas, and µCT eye scans from ants, fruit flies, moths, and a bee.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Paul Currea
- Integrative Biology and Physiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Yash Sondhi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Akito Y Kawahara
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Jamie Theobald
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
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197
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Jourjine N, Woolfolk ML, Sanguinetti-Scheck JI, Sabatini JE, McFadden S, Lindholm AK, Hoekstra HE. Two pup vocalization types are genetically and functionally separable in deer mice. Curr Biol 2023; 33:1237-1248.e4. [PMID: 36893759 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Vocalization is a widespread social behavior in vertebrates that can affect fitness in the wild. Although many vocal behaviors are highly conserved, heritable features of specific vocalization types can vary both within and between species, raising the questions of why and how some vocal behaviors evolve. Here, using new computational tools to automatically detect and cluster vocalizations into distinct acoustic categories, we compare pup isolation calls across neonatal development in eight taxa of deer mice (genus Peromyscus) and compare them with laboratory mice (C57BL6/J strain) and free-living, wild house mice (Mus musculus domesticus). Whereas both Peromyscus and Mus pups produce ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), Peromyscus pups also produce a second call type with acoustic features, temporal rhythms, and developmental trajectories that are distinct from those of USVs. In deer mice, these lower frequency "cries" are predominantly emitted in postnatal days one through nine, whereas USVs are primarily made after day 9. Using playback assays, we show that cries result in a more rapid approach by Peromyscus mothers than USVs, suggesting a role for cries in eliciting parental care early in neonatal development. Using a genetic cross between two sister species of deer mice exhibiting large, innate differences in the acoustic structure of cries and USVs, we find that variation in vocalization rate, duration, and pitch displays different degrees of genetic dominance and that cry and USV features can be uncoupled in second-generation hybrids. Taken together, this work shows that vocal behavior can evolve quickly between closely related rodent species in which vocalization types, likely serving distinct functions in communication, are controlled by distinct genetic loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Jourjine
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Maya L Woolfolk
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Juan I Sanguinetti-Scheck
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - John E Sabatini
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Sade McFadden
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Anna K Lindholm
- Department of Evolutionary Biology & Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse, 190 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hopi E Hoekstra
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Center for Brain Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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198
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Zvereva EL, Kozlov MV. Predation risk estimated on live and artificial insect prey follows different patterns. Ecology 2023; 104:e3943. [PMID: 36477626 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Models mimicking prey organisms are increasingly used in ecological studies, including testing fundamental ecological and evolutionary theories. The general consensus is that predation risk estimated on artificial models may not quantitatively correspond to predation pressure on live prey, but it still can be used in various comparisons. We tested whether the use of live and artificial prey reveals the same patterns of variation in predation risk. We exposed live prey (blowfly larvae and puparia) and plasticine models of blowfly puparia in two boreal forest sites, both openly and in ant- and bird-exclusion treatments, and we quantified attacks by both avian and invertebrate predators. Bird attack rates were always higher on live puparia than on their plasticine models, but the magnitude of this difference declined from 8.4-fold in early summer to 2-fold in mid- and late-summer. We attribute these changes to different responses to prey by experienced adult birds that dominate the bird communities in early summer versus explorative juvenile birds that are abundant later in the season. Invertebrate daily predation rates on maggots decreased from 56% in early summer to 28% in late summer, but invertebrate attacks on plasticine models showed no seasonal changes. Overall, invertebrate predation on maggots was 67-fold greater than their predation on models. Observations showed that wood ants did not attack plasticine models and did not leave on them any damage marks. Estimates based on artificial prey indicate a much greater role of bird predation than invertebrate predation, while estimates based on live prey suggest the opposite pattern. Thus, using live and artificial prey may lead to different conclusions about relative importance of different predator groups in a locality. Moreover, for both avian and invertebrate predators, predation risk based on artificial and live prey shows different seasonal changes and may potentially demonstrate different spatial patterns.
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199
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Okoro OJ, Deme GG, Okoye CO, Eze SC, Odii EC, Gbadegesin JT, Okeke ES, Oyejobi GK, Nyaruaba R, Ebido CC. Understanding key vectors and vector-borne diseases associated with freshwater ecosystem across Africa: Implications for public health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 862:160732. [PMID: 36509277 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases transmitted by key freshwater organisms have remained a global concern. As one of the leading biodiversity hotspots, the African ecoregion is suggested to harbour the highest number of freshwater organisms globally. Among the commonly found organisms in the African ecoregion are mosquitoes and snails, with a majority of their life cycle in freshwater, and these freshwater organisms can transmit diseases or serve as carriers of devastating diseases of public health concerns. However, synthetic studies to link the evident abundant presence and wide distribution of these vectors across the freshwater ecosystems in Africa with the increasing emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases in Africa are still limited. Here, we reviewed documented evidence on vector-borne diseases and their transmission pathways in Africa to reduce the knowledge gap on the factors influencing the increasing emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases across Africa. We found the population distributions or abundance of these freshwater organisms to be increasing, which is directly associated with the increasing emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases across Africa. Furthermore, we found that although the current changing environmental conditions in Africa affect the habitats of these freshwater organisms, current changing environmental conditions may not be suppressing the population distributions or abundance of these freshwater organisms. Instead, we found that these freshwater organisms are extending their geographic ranges across Africa, which may have significant public health implications in Africa. Thus, our study demonstrates the need for future studies to integrate the environmental conditions of vectors' habitats to understand if these environmental conditions directly or indirectly influence the vectorial capacities and transmission abilities of vectors of diseases. We propose that such studies will be necessary to guide policymakers in making informed policies to help control vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onyekwere Joseph Okoro
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gideon Gywa Deme
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Charles Obinwanne Okoye
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sabina Chioma Eze
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo 972221, Benue State, Nigeria; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elijah Chibueze Odii
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Janet Temitope Gbadegesin
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, South Africa; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Emmanuel Sunday Okeke
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Greater Kayode Oyejobi
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Centre for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo 230212, Osun State, Nigeria; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei, P.R. China. 430072
| | - Raphael Nyaruaba
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Centre for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Chike Chukwuenyem Ebido
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria; Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O. Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya.
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200
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Acuña F, Carril J, Portiansky EL, Flamini MA, Miglino MA, Barbeito CG. Placental glycotype of the caviomorph rodent Lagostomus maximus and its evolution within Eutheria. J Morphol 2023; 284:e21566. [PMID: 36738449 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The main evolutionary milestone in the oviparity-viviparity transition is placentation. The placenta is an organ with great morphological diversity among eutherians. The expression of different glycosidic residues (Gr) in the near-term placenta constitutes its glycotype. In this study, the expression of different Gr was determined by lectin histochemistry in early, midterm, and near-term placentas of the plains viscacha (Lagostomus maximus), a caviomorph rodent with the highest poliovulatory rate and embryonic resorption rate among eutherians. Besides, a matrix with the expression of each Gr in the exchange trophoblast of viscacha and other eutherians was constructed to map and infer phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships. Between early, midterm, and near-term placentas, variations in the pattern expression of Gr were observed. The glycotype of the near-term placenta is composed of a high diversity of Gr. Reconstruction of the ancestral state for each Gr present in the near-term placenta showed a diverse scenario: some sugars were common to the species of Placentalia included in this study. In the analyzed species with synepitheliochorial and epitheliochorial placentas, no differential glycosylation patterns between them were observed. In species with invasive placentas, such as the endotheliochorial placentas of Carnivora, some common Gr were detected among them, while others were species-specific. In species with hemochorial placenta, the same Gr are shared. Particularly, in the viscacha greater differences with species of the Hominidae and even Muridae families were observed. Nevertheless, greater similarities with other caviomorph rodents were detected. Placental glycotype of each species constitutes an excellent tool to achieve phylogenetic and evolutionary inferences among eutherians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Acuña
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Carril
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Enrique L Portiansky
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mirta A Flamini
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María A Miglino
- Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de San Pablo, San Pablo, Brasil
| | - Claudio G Barbeito
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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