- by Kurucz, K., Zeghbib, S., Abraham, A., Tauber, Z., Banyai, K., Eritja, R., Kemenesi, G.Background: The invasive mosquito Aedes koreicus has established populations in several European countries during the past decade, raising increasing public health concerns due to its potential role as a vector of pathogens. While species identification is primarily based on morphological characters, Ae. koreicus exhibits distinct morphological variants originating from mainland Korea and Jeju Island, which complicates surveillance and may lead to misidentification, particularly in regions where closely related species co-occur. To date, the genetic basis and population-level relevance of these […]
- by Akcan, C. D., Kece, D., Kerman, K.Humans are widely regarded as unusually slow to develop, exhibiting prolonged childhood and extended dependence on caregivers. However, this view is based primarily on comparisons with other primates, leaving unresolved whether humans remain distinctive within the broader diversity of mammals. We addressed this question by situating human development in a comparative framework using gestation length, weaning age, and age at sexual maturity for both sexes across 462 mammalian species representing 25 orders. Each trait was examined both as an absolute […]
- by Ghosh, A., Borgohain, J., War, R. M., Rajaraman, B. K.Ensiferans are nocturnal insects (Order Orthoptera) that produce mating advertisement calls using stridulatory organs on modified forewings. These calls, typically made by males, are species-specific and serve as indicators of forest health. In biodiverse ecosystems like the subtropical forests, caller density is high, and ecological constraints such as intra- and interspecific acoustic competition, masking interference, and predation pressure can influence calling behavior. These pressures lead to variation in call structures and differences in spatiotemporal acoustic space use, leading to variations […]
- by Ridley, F. A., Bennun, L., Brooks, T. M., Butchart, S. H. M., Dales, M. W., Hawkins, F., Jimenez, R. R., Macfarlane, N. B. W., Mcgowan, P. J., Starnes, T., Tarr, S., Turner, J. A., Baisero, D., Chanson, J., Cox, N., Menon, V., Neam, K., Pacifici, M., Rodriguez, A., Rodriguez, J. P., Rondinini, C., Mair, L.1.AimThe Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric was developed to support setting and measuring progress towards science-based targets for species conservation, in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The STAR metric quantifies the potential reduction in species global extinction risk achievable through actions to abate threats (START) and restore habitat (STARR). The STAR metric is used across multiple sectors to assess contributions to nature-positive species outcomes and implement action for biodiversity. Here we present a substantially enhanced global […]
- by Praulins, G., Lewis, A., Hill, T., N'dombidj, B., Kaburu, S., Harvey, G., McDermott, D. P., Jones, J., Abong'o, B., Ochomo, E., Ngufor, C., Lees, R. S.IntroductionProgress against malaria has stalled since 2015, with insecticide resistance a key driver. Spatial emanators release volatile insecticides into the air, exposing mosquitoes through a route distinct from the tarsal contact used by treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and standard bioassays. Transfluthrin is currently monitored using the WHO bottle bioassay, which combines contact and vapour exposure and cannot isolate airborne effects. A scalable, vapour-only method is needed to characterise susceptibility to volatile pyrethroids. MethodsWe adapted the WHO tube bioassay to […]
- by Nishitani, H., Morisaka, T., Kogi, K., Yoshioka, M.In this study, we investigate alliance formation and complexity in male Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins around Mikura Island using five years of data collected through underwater observations. Focusing on 18 mature males, we examined affiliative behaviors (proximity and rubbing), consortships, and associations. To determine male relationships, we evaluated a simple model (small units) and a complex model (large units). In both models, units were identified by association, and models were evaluated by the extent to which affiliative behaviors and consortship were […]
- by Kuchibhotla, S., Kelly, M., Jackel, V., Bane, E., Beck, H. K., Wolff, J. O., Labonte, D.BackgroundMaximum running speed is a central performance trait, linking morphology, physiology and behaviour to fitness. It is shaped by physical capacity and ecological selection but may also be constrained by ancestry. To examine how these forces interact across macroevolutionary timescales, we conducted an allometric study in a hyper-diverse arthropod taxon–spiders (Araneae). ResultsDrawing on running performance data for 258 species from 64 of the 139 extant spider families, we integrated phylogenetic comparative methods and biomechanical modelling to disentangle the effects of […]
- by McCullough, J., Eliason, C., Shultz, A., Aguillon, S., Tan, D. J. X., Machado Stredel, F., Hackett, S. J., Myers, C. E., Andersen, M. J.Understanding the processes that generate phenotypic diversity is central to explaining how new species form1,2. Evolutionary theory predicts that rapid evolution of signaling traits, such as feather coloration, can promote speciation3,4 but empirical support is inconsistent5,6. Phenotypic divergence of such traits is expected during speciation4, but these microevolutionary dynamics are rarely examined at macroevolutionary scales or linked to underlying population demography. Here, we leverage complete taxon sampling across an iconic insular bird radiation that helped shape early theories of allopatric […]
- by Osvath, G., David, D.-C., Vargancsik, D., Nagy, L. J., Andrea Feher, A., Zsolt Kovacs, Z., Lendvai, A. Z., Vincze, O., Nudds, R. L., Vagasi, C. I., Pap, P. L.Flight feather vanes are the primary aerodynamic surface of the avian wing. Because loading varies across the wing, vane macrostructure should co-vary with local mechanical demands, yet comparative data on how barb and barbule traits change among remiges and between vane surfaces remain scarce. We quantified barb density, barbule density, barb angle, barb length, and vane width on both vanes at three measurement positions along the rachis of all remiges in four species with contrasting flight modes (white stork, common […]
- by Bhattacharjee, D., Flay, K. J., Mumby, H. S., Zhang, J., Wu, J., McElligott, A. G.Resource scarcity prompts animals to adjust their space use in ways that enhance their survival. In wild herbivores, seasonal habitat shifts are well studied; however, little is known about how large herbivores navigate human-dominated landscapes under fluctuating resource conditions. In Hong Kong, feral water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis; henceforth buffalo) experience declines in body condition score during the dry season. While buffalo expand spatial ranges in the dry season, whether this expansion reflects access to improved ecological conditions, and how key […]
- by Furtado, M., Goncalves, A. F., Fernandes, M. S., Porfirio, G. E. O., Camargo, M. M. d.A remnant Atlantic Forest fragment within Sao Paulos urban environment supports six mammal species, with Didelphis being most abundant, while maintaining natural temporal activity patterns and successful reproduction, demonstrating the conservation value of small protected areas within megacities for preserving native wildlife despite intense anthropic pressure. The Forest Reserve of the Institute of Biosciences (FRIB) is a remnant of the Atlantic Forest located at the University of Sao Paulo, city of Sao Paulo campus, in Brazil. Despite urban pressures such […]
- by Jankasek, M., Kocarkova, I., Kocarek, P., Stahlavsky, F.Our study provides the first comprehensive karyotype evolution analysis of the insect order Zoraptera. We present karyotypic descriptions of seven species across two families: Zorotypidae (Usazoros hubbardi and two Zorotypus spp.) and Spiralizoridae (Centrozoros gurneyi, Spiralizoros magnicaudelli, and two Spiralizorose spp.). These results facilitate a critical evaluation of existing cytogenetic knowledge in Zoraptera and the evolution of karyotypic traits across Polyneoptera. Most notably, we refute the presence of holocentric chromosomes in Zoraptera. Also, we show that the XY sex chromosome […]
- by Lu, H., Zhang, C., Hu, J., Wang, C., Zhang, R., Huang, M., Tan, Q., Yin, C., Xia, J., Wu, Y., Zhou, X., Nauen, R., Zhang, Y.-J., Bass, C., Yang, X.Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has enabled insects to acquire novel genetic material that can fuel adaptation to environmental change. However, the role of HGT in the evolution of insecticide resistance remains poorly characterised. Here, we identify BtUCH19, a fungal gene that has integrated into the genome of the global pest Bemisia tabaci and functions as a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB). We show that compared to endogenous DUB, BtUCH19 specifically removes K63-linked ubiquitin chains from a cytochrome P450, CYP4C64, thereby stabilizing this […]
- by Walsh, R. L., Martin, N. W., de Bem Oliveira, I., Daniels, J. C., Guralnick, R. P., Kawahara, A. Y.Conservation strategies for at-risk species can be aided significantly by research on topics such as ecology, life history, and threats, yet research effort is lacking for many species facing elevated extinction risk. Here we investigated whether listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) was associated with research effort for U.S. butterflies, and whether that effort was higher before or after ESA listing. We found that ESA-listed species had significantly more peer-reviewed publications than non-listed species after accounting for species […]
- by Omura, M., Tomihara, S., Minei, R., Haraguchi, D., Wada, S.We sequenced the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of the hammerhead flatworm Bipalium nobile Kawakatsu and Makino, 1982 using short-read sequencing technology, yielding a 16,018 bp genome comprising 12 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. The composition and order of genes were consistent with those observed in the closely related species Bipalium kewense and Diversibipalium multilineatum, except for the position of tRNA-Glu. Phylogenetic analysis based on all mitochondrial proteins from species within the family Geoplanidae supports the monophyly […]
- by Okahara, M., Niimi, T., Morita, S.Exaggerated insect traits often show positive allometry, yet nonlinear scaling can reflect either continuous curvature or discrete morphs. Distinguishing between these alternatives is important because they imply different developmental and evolutionary scenarios. Using cross-sectional data from 1,000 adult Oryctes rhinoceros, we analyzed the static allometry of nine traits with pronotum width as the primary body-size proxy and body length for sensitivity analyses. Cross-validated comparisons among linear, continuous nonlinear, and two-component mixture models showed that continuous nonlinear models improved predictive performance […]
- by Salas Morales, H., Ortega-Insaurralde, I., Armentano, M., Monteserin, A., Schilman, P. E., Barrozo, R. B.Feeding behavior in blood-sucking insects relies on gustatory evaluation to decide on sustained ingestion, yet quantifying this process from electromyogram (EMG) recordings is labor-intensive. Here we developed MyoRec, an automated computational framework employing machine learning to analyse EMG signals from the triatomine bug Rhodnius prolixus. Using recordings under appetitive and aversive conditions, a convolutional neural network detected ingestion events with 97.7% accuracy. Automated analysis revealed distinct feeding dynamics, with prolonged ingestion and higher pumping frequency under appetitive stimuli, compared to […]
- by Majewski, B., Castetter, J., Bilbrey, G., Denton, R. D.O_LILocomotor endurance is a critical physiological trait dictating terrestrial dispersal and metapopulation connectivity, especially in amphibians. C_LIO_LIThe unisexual Ambystoma complex is an ancient, all-female polyploid lineage that reproduces via kleptogenesis. This unique reproductive mode creates an evolutionary mismatch between a conserved mitochondrial genome and divergent nuclear subgenomes that are taken from sympatric, sexual species. This provides a compelling system for testing the physiological limits of polyploidy and how subgenome composition influences phenotypes. Previous locomotor assessments of this lineage demonstrate that […]
- by Gagnon, E. C., Rios-Orjuela, J. C., Pilon, L., Hentschel, P., Dansereau, A., Segre, P. S., Dakin, R.Locomotor performance often determines the outcome of interactions with competitors, predators, and prey. In flying animals, the asymptotic load-lifting assay measures maximal muscle power output in vertical flight. Previous studies of small birds have shown that load-lifting performance is linked to flight maneuverability and the outcome of competitive species interactions. Here, we quantify sources of performance variation within a species, namely repeatability, and determine the number of trials that accurately capture individual differences. We conducted 124 load-lifting trials on 13 […]
- by Rodgers, T. W., Salom-Perez, R., Arroyo-Arce, S., Viquez-Alvarado, E., Castillo-Caballero, P. L., Araya-Gamboa, D., Monteza-Moreno, C. M., Mooring, M. S., Vargas, M., Mock, K. E.The Clouded Tiger Cat Leopardus pardinoides is a recently recognized Neotropical species for which ecological and natural history data are sparse. Knowledge of species distribution and elevational range are largely based upon camera trap studies, and its diet has not been examined. The objective of this study was to better define the geographical and elevational distribution of the subspecies L. pardinoides oncilla in Central America using genetically confirmed records. We also provide the first diet analysis for L. pardinoides. We […]
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