{"id":3193,"date":"2023-01-21T17:14:56","date_gmt":"2023-01-21T23:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/?page_id=3193"},"modified":"2023-01-21T17:14:56","modified_gmt":"2023-01-21T23:14:56","slug":"biorxiv-zoology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/links\/journal-feeds\/biochemistry-journal-feeds\/biorxiv\/biorxiv-zoology\/","title":{"rendered":"BioRxiv Zoology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-caxton-grid relative\"><div class=\"absolute absolute--fill\"><div class=\"absolute absolute--fill cover bg-center\" style=\"background-color:;background-image:linear-gradient( );\"><\/div><div class=\"absolute absolute--fill\" style=\"background-color:;background-image:linear-gradient( );opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"relative caxton-columns caxton-grid-block\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-left:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-right:0;grid-template-columns:repeat(12, 1fr)\" data-tablet-css=\"padding-left:em;padding-right:em;\" data-mobile-css=\"padding-left:em;padding-right:em;\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-caxton-section relative\" style=\"grid-area:span 1\/span 8\"><div class=\"absolute absolute--fill\"><div class=\"absolute absolute--fill cover bg-center\" style=\"background-color:;background-image:linear-gradient( );\"><\/div><div class=\"absolute absolute--fill\" style=\"background-color:;background-image:linear-gradient( );opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"relative caxton-section-block\" style=\"padding-top:5px;padding-left:5px;padding-bottom:5px;padding-right:5px\" data-mobile-css=\"padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;\" data-tablet-css=\"padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/alertsrss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Journal Home<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-caxton-section relative\" style=\"grid-area:span 1\/span 4\"><div class=\"absolute absolute--fill\"><div class=\"absolute absolute--fill cover bg-center\" style=\"background-color:;background-image:linear-gradient( );\"><\/div><div class=\"absolute absolute--fill\" style=\"background-color:;background-image:linear-gradient( );opacity:1;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"relative caxton-section-block\" style=\"padding-top:5px;padding-left:5px;padding-bottom:5px;padding-right:5px\" data-mobile-css=\"padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;\" data-tablet-css=\"padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/connect.biorxiv.org\/biorxiv_xml.php?subject=zoology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RSS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-dates has-authors has-excerpts wp-block-rss\"><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.20.733498v1?rss=1'>Intraspecific morphological variability of the invasive mosquito Aedes koreicus in Europe: genetic characterisation and population-level insights<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-22T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 22, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Kurucz, K., Zeghbib, S., Abraham, A., Tauber, Z., Banyai, K., Eritja, R., Kemenesi, G.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.16.732383v1?rss=1'>Altricial, but not unusual: Comparative analysis of human dependency period within mammalian life history patterns<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-19T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 19, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Akcan, C. D., Kece, D., Kerman, K.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.14.732046v1?rss=1'>Passive acoustic monitoring of Ensiferan calling diversity in a sub-tropical forest of Northeast India.<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-17T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 17, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Ghosh, A., Borgohain, J., War, R. M., Rajaraman, B. K.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.12.731583v1?rss=1'>Global threat abatement potential for terrestrial vertebrates<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-16T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 16, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">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.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.12.731863v1?rss=1'>The Two Tube Volatile Assay: a non-contact benchtop bioassay for monitoring susceptibility to transfluthrin<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-16T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 16, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Praulins, G., Lewis, A., Hill, T., N&#039;dombidj, B., Kaburu, S., Harvey, G., McDermott, D. P., Jones, J., Abong&#039;o, B., Ochomo, E., Ngufor, C., Lees, R. S.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.12.731994v1?rss=1'>Alliance formation and complexity of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) around Mikura Island, Japan<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-16T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 16, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Nishitani, H., Morisaka, T., Kogi, K., Yoshioka, M.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.11.731532v1?rss=1'>Evolutionary biomechanics of maximum running speed in spiders (Araneae)<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-15T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 15, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Kuchibhotla, S., Kelly, M., Jackel, V., Bane, E., Beck, H. K., Wolff, J. O., Labonte, D.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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&#8211;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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.09.731170v1?rss=1'>Drift drives phenotypic evolution in a rapid island radiation<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-11T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 11, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">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.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.08.730791v1?rss=1'>Mapping feather vane structure across the avian wing: spatial variation, asymmetry, and the effect of flight style<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-11T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 11, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">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.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.03.729827v1?rss=1'>Drivers of space use in a large semi-urban feral ungulate under seasonally fluctuating resource conditions<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-08T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 8, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Bhattacharjee, D., Flay, K. J., Mumby, H. S., Zhang, J., Wu, J., McElligott, A. G.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.05.730359v1?rss=1'>Diversity of Mammal Fauna in a Remnant of the Atlantic Forest in the Middle of a Megalopolis<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-08T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 8, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Furtado, M., Goncalves, A. F., Fernandes, M. S., Porfirio, G. E. O., Camargo, M. M. d.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.04.730103v1?rss=1'>Karyotype evolution of angel insects (Zoraptera)<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-05T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 5, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Jankasek, M., Kocarkova, I., Kocarek, P., Stahlavsky, F.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.06.01.728072v1?rss=1'>A horizontally transferred fungal deubiquitinase facilitates insecticides resistance in whitefly<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-04T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 4, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">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.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.05.30.729000v1?rss=1'>Endangered Species Act listing is linked with greater research effort for U.S. butterflies<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-03T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 3, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Walsh, R. L., Martin, N. W., de Bem Oliveira, I., Daniels, J. C., Guralnick, R. P., Kawahara, A. Y.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.05.31.729009v1?rss=1'>The mitochondrial genome of the hammerhead flatworm Bipalium nobile and its phylogenetic implications<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-02T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 2, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Omura, M., Tomihara, S., Minei, R., Haraguchi, D., Wada, S.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.05.28.728611v1?rss=1'>Static allometry of the horn and pronotal depression in adult Oryctes rhinoceros supports continuous nonlinearity, sexual dimorphism, and size-independent covariation<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-06-01T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">June 1, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Okahara, M., Niimi, T., Morita, S.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.05.29.728826v1?rss=1'>Automated analysis of feeding dynamics from electromyographic recordings in a blood-sucking insect<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-05-31T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">May 31, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Salas Morales, H., Ortega-Insaurralde, I., Armentano, M., Monteserin, A., Schilman, P. E., Barrozo, R. B.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.05.29.728744v1?rss=1'>Range-wide validation of reduced locomotor endurance in unisexual Ambystoma salamanders<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-05-31T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">May 31, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Majewski, B., Castetter, J., Bilbrey, G., Denton, R. D.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.05.29.728840v1?rss=1'>Peak performance is repeatable and captures large individual differences in ruby-throated hummingbirds<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-05-31T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">May 31, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Gagnon, E. C., Rios-Orjuela, J. C., Pilon, L., Hentschel, P., Dansereau, A., Segre, P. S., Dakin, R.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.64898\/2026.05.26.727971v1?rss=1'>Distribution and diet of Central American Clouded Tiger Cat Leopardus pardinoides oncilla via noninvasive genetics<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-05-29T00:00:00-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">May 29, 2026<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">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.<\/span><div class=\"wp-block-rss__item-excerpt\">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 [&hellip;]<\/div><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Journals<\/h4>\n\n\n<ul class=\"su-siblings\"><li class=\"page_item page-item-3099\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/links\/journal-feeds\/biochemistry-journal-feeds\/biorxiv\/biorxiv-biochemistry\/\">BioRxiv Biochemistry<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3112\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/links\/journal-feeds\/biochemistry-journal-feeds\/biorxiv\/biorxiv-bioinformatics\/\">BioRxiv Bioinformatics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3132\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/links\/journal-feeds\/biochemistry-journal-feeds\/biorxiv\/biorxiv-biophysics\/\">BioRxiv Biophysics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3188\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/links\/journal-feeds\/biochemistry-journal-feeds\/biorxiv\/biorxiv-cancer-biology\/\">BioRxiv Cancer Biology<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3190\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/links\/journal-feeds\/biochemistry-journal-feeds\/biorxiv\/biorxiv-pharmacology-and-toxicology\/\">BioRxiv Pharmacology and Toxicology<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3114\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/links\/journal-feeds\/biochemistry-journal-feeds\/biorxiv\/biorxiv-systems-biology\/\">BioRxiv Systems Biology<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Related Journals<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2652,"parent":3087,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-3193","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3193"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3194,"href":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3193\/revisions\/3194"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3087"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kermitmurray.com\/msblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}