- by Aguiar, A. P.The preparation of multi panel figures remains a labor intensive step in scientific publication. Albeit there are specific tools available to solve this problem, they are often highly specialized, difficult to install, or time consuming to learn. Griphus is a standalone graphical application designed for rapid composition and experimentation with multi panel figures, developed by and for zoological taxonomists. Functions specifically designed for multi panel composition include automatic figure numbering and placement, aspect ratio operations, spacers, layout rotation, layout suggestions, […]
- by Haim, A., Eyal, G.The rariphotic zone, typically spanning depths of approximately 130 to 300 meters, represents a key transition between light-dependent coral reef ecosystems and the aphotic deep sea. Despite its potential ecological importance, including its proposed role as a refuge for species exposed to climate-driven stress, rariphotic ecosystems remain poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a systematic review and synthesis of the scientific literature on these habitats from 1970 to 2025. Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, we analyzed 185 studies to […]
- by Horikawa, K., Savkin, K., Rower, L., Hodge, L., Warren, T. L.Long-distance movement in insects has crucial impacts on agriculture, human health, and biodiversity. Although it was long assumed that only large, specialist insects had the navigation capacity to support long-distance dispersal, recent studies have demonstrated that smaller insects, such as the tiny fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, can maintain extended, straight paths while flying or walking. This raises the question of whether other Drosophila species possess the navigation capacity to support extended dispersal. Resolving this question is particularly important for Drosophila […]
- by Aurell, D., Tokach, R., Chuttong, B., Praphawilai, P., Barascou, L., Steury, T. D., Duffy, K., Jung, C., Oh, H., Bruckner, S., Williams, G. R.A parasitic mite of honey bee brood (Tropilaelaps mercedesae), is spreading through populations of Apis mellifera honey bees in new regions and poses a major threat to honey bee health. Despite its clear threat, the biology of this mite is poorly understood, with gaps on such fundamental issues as how fast its populations can grow. This leaves the beekeeping world underprepared to plan for its arrival and management. In this study, we documented the growth of T. mercedesae populations in […]
- by Shahheidari, R., Moemenbellah-Fard, M. D., Osanloo, M., Paksa, A., Roozitalab, A. H., Fakhraei, M., Zarenezhad, E.BackgroundThe development of safe and effective plant-based repellents is crucial to control malaria transmission, particularly given the spread of insecticide resistance in major vectors like Anopheles stephensi. Essential oils (EOs) are promising candidates, yet their high volatility and hydrophobicity limit their efficacy. This study aimed to design and evaluate nanoliposomal gels containing Syzygium aromaticum (clove) or Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) EOs to enhance their repellent durability against An. stephensi. MethodsThe chemical profiles of the EOs were determined via Gas Chromatography-Mass […]
- by Kumamoto, T., Kawabe, Y., Tsurugizawa, T., Ohtaka-Maruyama, C.Birds evolved large, cognitively capable forebrains independently of mammals, yet comparative analyses of avian brain organization have been constrained by the lack of standardized resources capable of resolving internal parcellation and long-range connectivity across species. Here, we present a comparative MRI resource spanning 16 avian species representing major clades and diverse ecological niches. We analyzed high-resolution T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted datasets suitable for direct interspecific comparison. T2-weighted morphometry revealed pronounced region-specific variation in internal brain architecture, including lineage-dependent differences in the […]
- by Cao, Y., Chacon, A., Valluri, A., Mueller, L. O., Gravish, N.Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) utilize adhesive pads (arolia) to climb smooth surfaces. Previous research found that ants can adjust their individual arolium engagement according to their locomotion mode. However, it remains unclear how they distribute arolium engagement across multiple limbs to climb effectively, and how arolium engagement varies within a climbing step. As the arolium is a well-known adhesive organ, we hypothesized that engagement across different legs is distributed according to the normal forces required for balancing the body during […]
- by Achrainer, M., Ofer, J., Kanetscheider, M., Polz, L., Aldred, N., Gruener, K., Redl, S., Neumann, A., Seybold, A., Hobmayer, B., Lengerer, B.Aquatic animals deploy adhesives, in numerous essential functions, and reversibility is a key adaptation. The molecular mechanisms of reversible wet adhesion remain poorly understood. Using a model organism, the freshwater cnidarian Hydra vulgaris, we dissect the mechanism of molecular assembly in a secreted adhesive and uncover a glycan and protein-based architecture organized by a lectin-like protein, Hydra vulgaris adhesive protein 1 (HvAb1). We identify HvAb1 as a nonredundant organizer of the adhesive matrix, being basal-disc specific and secreted. Knockdown of […]
- by Turner, T. L.This study presents a systematic revision of the suborder Astrophorina for the temperate Pacific coast of the United States and Canada. Major findings include a reduction in the number of species previously thought to range into the region from Japan; validation of most Geodia species erected by Lendenfeld (1910), which were later synonymized by de Laubenfels (1932); the formal description of 10 new species (Poecillastra alaskensis sp. nov., Vulcanella explorata sp. nov., Vulcanella rupta sp. nov., Stelletta cardenasi sp. nov., […]
- by Lattmann, A. C., Hanninger, E.-M. F., Betty, E. L., Shen, X., Anderson, M. J., Gaw, S., Mann, S. S., Gao, W., Peters, K. J., Yi, S., Jokela, J. W., Stockin, K. A.Metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a significant environmental concern, yet their association with epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) remain largely understudied in marine mammals. Here, associations between EAA in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and life history (sex and sexual maturity), trace metals, and PFAS were investigated. EAA was calculated as the residual in the regression of epigenetic age vs chronological age, hence providing a direct measure of the deviation of the epigenetic age of an organism (positive or […]
- by Miyamae, J. A., Moore, T. Y.Mammal tails have long been recognized for their diversity of morphological form and function, however, there remains a substantial gap between the motivation to understand and emulate the various performance functions of the tail and what is known about tail anatomy. In this study, we were motivated to discover the anatomical foundations of the fast, whipping motions of the tail of the lesser Egyptian jerboa (Jaculus jaculus), which may aid in the quick changes of direction as the animal escapes […]
- by Kurucz, K., Zeghbib, S., Abraham, A., Tauber, Z., Banyai, K., Eritja, R., Kemenesi, G.BackgroundThe 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 morphological […]
- 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 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 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 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 […]
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