- by Galan-Sanchez, M. A., Rivera-Quiroz, F. A., Sumner-Rooney, L.Eye loss has long fascinated evolutionary biologists and occurs across the animal kingdom. Spiders have two parallel visual systems – two primary and six secondary eyes – but eye losses, leaving six, four, two, or no eyes, have occurred in multiple lineages. Despite their significance, reports of eye loss are scattered, limiting broader analysis. Here we present the first comprehensive analysis of eye loss across all known spider lineages. We show that eye loss occurs in ~12% of extant species, […]
- by Wu, T., Li, C.The genus Trichiurus is the most economically valuable fish in the family Trichiuridae, currently recognized to include 10 valid species. However, historically numerous morphologically similar congeners have been erroneously assigned as synonyms or subspecies of T. lepturus. In this study, we examined 16 hairtail specimens collected from the southern waters of Java Island, Indonesia. Integrated morphological and mitochondrial phylogenetic analyses (COX1 and 16S rRNA), compared against global Trichiurus sequences, revealed that these specimens form an independent lineage that diverged early […]
- by Roman-Torres, P., Schofield, G., Stiebens, V., Roder, C., Reischig, T., Diniz, H., Correia, S., Taxonera, A., Hays, G. C., Eizaguirre, C.Linking animal movements to environmental drivers is essential for understanding ecological processes and anticipating species responses to climate change. We investigated habitat-specific movements in a globally significant aggregation of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting in Cabo Verde. Satellite tags on 15 adults (12 females, 3 males) provided multi-year tracks spanning breeding, migration, and foraging habitats. Movements and phenology differed by habitat. During the breeding season, females used either coastal areas, remaining within [~]20 m depth, or undertook long looping forays […]
- by Koito, T., Tahara, M., Taira, R., Yamaki, A., Sugimura, M., Makita, H., Yamamoto, T., Yamanaka, T.BackgroundAdult vestimentiferan tubeworms inhabiting hydrothermal vents and cold seeps lack a mouth and anus and rely entirely on organic matter produced by sulfur -oxidizing autotrophic bacterial symbionts in their trophosomes. These symbionts, which predominantly belong to the genus Proteobacteria, are acquired horizontally from the environment. However, the effects of rearing conditions that differ from natural habitats on the microbiome composition or abundance of these bacteria remain unclear. MethodsWe conducted a metagenomic analysis of Lamellibrachia satsuma reared in an aquarium under […]
- by Kumar, G. G. S., Sane, S. P.Arboreal insects have developed various strategies to navigate their discontinuous habitats. Many insects, including leafhoppers, katydids, and praying mantises, exhibit the ability to actively leap across their leafy platforms and land on a distant substrate. This behavior is especially important for non-winged insects, including nymphal forms of winged insects, which cannot fly between these substrates. To make a targeted jump, an animal must first orient towards the target, estimate the target distance and angular location, and jump with the appropriate […]
- by Montblanc, M., Harvey-Carroll, J., Vanassche, J., Donaldson, M., Connelly, E., Hywood, L.Giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) is one of the least studied pangolin species worldwide, with no published hematological and biochemical data available. We report the first blood parameters from a rehabilitated adult male from Campo Maan National Park (southern Cameroon). Hematological and biochemical findings are described and discussed in relation to available data from other pangolin species. These preliminary results provide the first reference framework for this species and highlight their relevance for clinical assessment, health monitoring, and conservation management.
- by Weaver, M.Introduced to Hawaii in 2016, Lema equestris has become a garden pest commonly reported on Solanum americanum, which is grown as a native and cultural plant in Hawaii and supports native vertebrates elsewhere across Oceania. Originally identified as L. solani, the species was later found to have been misidentified. Here, molecular and morphological evidence is used to discriminate Hawaiian specimens from L. solani and support the updated identification of L. equestris. As a new invasive species, it is important to […]
- by Luapan, J., Johnson, H., Seiberlich, M., Brayton, C. A., Jimenez, I. A.ObjectiveTo assess the safety, efficacy, and repeatability of a novel blood collection technique, percutaneous reverse gingival venipuncture (RGV), across multiple rodent species, and to characterize the associated anatomy through dissection and histopathology. MethodsSuccess rate and complications of RGV were evaluated at a private practice between December 2024 and September 2025 in client-owned chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) (n=102), guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) (n=78), Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) (n=32), dwarf hamsters (Phodopus campbelli and P. sungorus) (n=4), squirrels (Callosciurus erythraeus, C. finlaysonii) (n=7), […]
- by Salisu, U. B., Abubakar, M. Y., Sani, A., Abdullahi, M. A., Yakubu, A. G., Ahmad, Y. A., Kabir, B. R., Lawal, S. D. D., Olawole, V. T., Pius, V. G., Abdullahi, A. M., Sani, A., Ibrahim, J., Onu, A., Ndams, I. S., Sallau, A. B., Shuaibu, M. N., Hang, J., Abdullahi, Y. M.BackgroundAnopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) is the primary vector of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Although insecticide-based vector control has been central to prevention, the widespread emergence of insecticide resistance poses a serious biological threat to control efforts. Effective resistance monitoring is essential for sustaining vector control but remains highly limited in malaria-endemic hotspots. Here, we assessed pyrethroid and DDT resistance intensity and the frequency of the L1014F knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation in Anopheles gambiae s.l. populations from Sokoto, north-western Nigeria. […]
- by He, Z., Wang, S., Wu, S., Bai, Y., Wei, J., Li, Y., Li, H., Liu, Y., Li, X., Wu, X., Wang, S.The diversity of the brown frog genus Rana may be underestimated as the high similarity of morphological characters. A new species belonging to the genus Rana is delineated based on eight specimens obtained from the Tianma National Nature Reserve, Jinzhai County, Luan City, Anhui Province, China. The phylogenetic analysis based on three mitochondrial genes (12S, ND2, and Cyt b) and one nuclear gene (BDNF) showed that the new species formed an independent clade closely related to R. culainensis and received […]
- by Jiogue, J., Merle, M., Konde, M., Foughar, M., Genevey, C., Permana, A., Maquart, P.-O., Filee, J.The black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, is increasingly valued in applied entomology due to its remarkable capacity to upcycle organic waste and for high nutritional value of its larvae. As a result of global expansion and domestication, the species now displays substantial genetic diversity, yet performance differences between strains remain poorly documented. This study aimed to better understand the relationship between genotype and phenotype, as well as their interaction, to support the improvement of its domestication. Five distinct strains collected […]
- by Jaeger, J. H., Tarrant, D., Richards, M. P., Ulriksen, J., Sarauw, T., Kastholm, O. T., Nielsen, J.Stable isotope analysis provides an important tool for reconstructing past livestock management practices and landscape use. However, isotopic data for sheep from Late Iron Age (AD 375/400-1050) Denmark remain limited. Here, we present bulk bone collagen {delta}{superscript 1}3C, {delta}{superscript 1}N, and {delta}3S isotope analyses of 27 sheep (Ovis aries) from six archaeological sites in Denmark, dated to the Germanic Iron Age (AD 375/400-750) and Viking Age (AD 750-1050). The analysed sheep exhibit a consistent pattern of enriched {delta}13C values relative […]
- by Chen, L.-Y., Lin, X.-Y., Wang, K.-X., Xiao, F., Tang, H.-T., Dong, S., Zheng, L.-L., Xia, Y.-H.Elongases are essential enzymes in the biosynthesis of sex pheromones in many lepidopteran species. Together with desaturases, they determine the carbon skeletons of many pheromone precursors, thereby contributing to the production of species-specific chemical signals. However, to date, such fatty acyl elongase gene has not been functionally characterized. The rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, utilizes a blend of C18 monounsaturated aldehydes and alcohols as its sex pheromone, implying a critical elongation step from C16 precursors. In this study, we performed pheromone […]
- by Wilhite, D. R., Miller, D., Schilz, A., Brown, M. B., Fennessy, J., Fennessy, S., Newman, K.Giraffe in human care are known to experience significant clinical issues related to their feet. To characterize normal foot anatomy, we analyzed six sets of front and hind feet from wild Angolan giraffe and one calf in human care. We used computed tomography, three-dimensional reconstruction, sagittal sections, and gross dissection to acquire as much gross anatomical detail as possible. Significant anatomical findings include the deep digital flexor tendon that is very gracile as it crosses the fetlock and proximal phalanges […]
- by Person, E. S., Andreadis, C. R., Beaton, A. G., Namunyak, A. N., Kariuki, E., Solheim, P., Taylor, A., Leimgruber, P., Moraes, R. N., Iaizzo, P. A., Tung, J., Pontzer, H., Akinyi, M. Y., Alberts, S. C., van Dam, T. J., Laske, T. G., Archie, E. A.O_LICardiac rate and rhythm reveal how animals adapt physiologically to day-to-day challenges, with consequences for health and fitness. However, these data remain difficult to collect in wild animals, despite their relevance for individual health and fitness. C_LIO_LIHere, we present a system for collecting and transmitting long-term, fine-scaled physiological data in wild animals. We implanted Bluetooth-enabled cardiac and physiological monitor devices in three wild adult female baboons in the Amboseli ecosystem in Kenya and paired these devices with collars that enabled […]
- by Gilbert, H., Foury, A., Agboola, L., Devailly, G., Gondret, F., Moisan, M.-P.AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWImproving feed efficiency in pigs is essential for reducing production costs and environmental impacts. This study examines the influence of circadian feeding rhythms and genetic polymorphisms on feed efficiency variability using two pig lines divergently selected for Residual Feed Intake (RFI) over ten generations. Feeding behavior was monitored using automatic concentrate dispensers, recording 6,494,097 visits from 3,824 pigs to analyze meal frequency, duration, and diurnal patterns. LRFI pigs ate less frequently, with larger meals and longer durations, they exhibited two […]
- by Auscavitch, S. R., Reft, A., Collens, A. B., Mah, C., Best, M., Benedict, C., Rodriguez, E., Daly, M., Collins, A. G.The discovery and collection of the enigmatic Golden Orb by the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer and ROV Deep Discover in deep Alaskan waters during 2023 has yielded substantial interest by the scientific and public communities alike. Initial field identifications of the specimen collected at 3,250 meters depth ranged from an egg mass to sponge to microbial biofilm. Here we characterize the biology and ecology of the Golden Orb, as well as other specimens of similar appearance identified since the collection […]
- by Corsetti, T. C., Walker, F. M., Holton, P. B., Sanchez, D. E., Allan, G. J., Lyman, J. A., Chambers, C. L., Beier, P.Dams can significantly alter natural riverine systems, but their impact on movement across rivers for most terrestrial vertebrates is poorly known. The completion of Glen Canyon and Flaming Gorge dams in Arizona and Utah (southwestern United States) profoundly changed the Colorado and Green Rivers and have altered habitat for many species. The common side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana) offers an excellent opportunity to examine the effects of riverine impoundments on migration and gene flow in terrestrial biodiversity. To assess these effects, […]
- by Dutta, S., Gross, V., Hering, L., Klein, M., Flenner, S., Greving, I., Longo, E., Mayer, G.Panarthropod vision exhibits extraordinary morphological and functional diversity, yet the sensory biology of tardigrades–microscopic extremophiles renowned for their resilience–remains poorly understood. In the model tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris, we uncover an unprecedented expansion of opsin genes, with over 100 paralogs constituting the largest known opsin repertoire in any animal. Paradoxically, the visual system is structurally minimalist: a paired, inverse pigment-cup ocellus embedded within the brain lobes, forming a single-pixel, dual-receptor organ. Integrating genomic, phylogenetic, molecular expression, and ultrastructural analyses, we show […]
- by Appy, R. G., Vanhove, M. P. M., MacKenzie, K., Hernandez-Orts, J. S., Kmentova, N.Nematodes belonging to the Cystidicolidae Skrjabin, 1946 constitute more than 23 genera of 111 recognized species in fish from many habitats including the deep-sea, continental shelves, estuarine and freshwater habitats. The taxonomy of many species within the Cystidicolidae is unsettled due to their small size and correspondingly small morphological characters requiring use of scanning electron microscopy and supported more recently by molecular studies. The type species, Ascarophis morrhuae Van Beneden, 1870, which belongs to one of the first described and […]
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