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The problem of global amphibian declines has prompted extensive research over the last three decades. Initially, the focus was on identifying and characterizing the extent of the problem, but more recently efforts have shifted to evidence‐based research designed to identify best solutions and to improve conservation outcomes. Despite extensive accumulation of knowledge on amphibian declines, there remain knowledge gaps and disconnects between science and action that hamper our ability to advance conservation efforts. Using input from participants at the ninth World Congress of Herpetology, a U.S. Geological Survey Powell Center symposium, amphibian on‐line forums for discussion, the International Union for Conservation of Nature Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Gamete Biobanking group, and respondents to a survey, we developed a list of 25 priority research questions for amphibian conservation at this stage of the Anthropocene. We identified amphibian conservation research priorities while accounting for expected tradeoffs in geographic scope, costs, and the taxonomic breadth of research needs. We aimed to solicit views from individuals rather than organizations while acknowledging inequities in participation. Emerging research priorities (i.e., those under‐represented in recently published amphibian conservation literature) were identified, and included the effects of climate change, community‐level (rather than single species‐level) drivers of declines, methodological improvements for research and monitoring, genomics, and effects of land‐use change. Improved inclusion of under‐represented members of the amphibian conservation community was also identified as a priority. These research needs represent critical knowledge gaps for amphibian conservation although filling these gaps may not be necessary for many conservation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the largely deforested areas of Madagascar, small forest fragments remain as last refuges for amphibian diversity. Isolated populations of the Critically Endangered Anodonthyla vallani and Anilany helenae persist in the fragmented forest of Ambohitantely but little information is available to inform their management and any conservation interventions. We generated estimates of population size and occupancy for both species in the largest fragment of Ambohitantely Special Reserve using acoustic survey data collected from 84 sites along 12 transects in December 2018. We used a single-season occupancy model to estimate detection and occupancy and a Royal–Nichols model to estimate abundance and population size. Anilany helenae and A. vallani had high occupancy rates (80 and 93%, respectively) whereas their detection rates differed (34 and 55%, respectively). Abundance and occupancy were best explained by vegetation structure whereas detection was influenced by time of survey and rainfall. For our sampled sites the estimated population sizes of males were 855 for A. vallani , with an estimated density of 52 individuals/ha, and 388 for A. helenae , with an estimated population density of 23 individuals/ha. Given their relatively low densities, small population sizes and restricted ranges, any further habitat loss could have drastic consequences for these populations. Our results provide guidance for future species-focused studies, and can inform conservation management at the local scale. Our work will help to improve species monitoring in Madagascar and elsewhere, especially for range-restricted non-charismatic amphibians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floral organ abscission is a separation process in which sepals, petals, and stamens detach from the plant at abscission zones. Here, we investigated the collective role of three amino-acid-loop-extension (TALE) homeobox genes ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA HOMEOBOX GENE1 (ATH1) , KNAT6 (for KNOTTED LIKE from Arabidopsis thaliana) and KNAT2 , which form a module that patterns boundaries under the regulation of BLADE-ON-PETIOLE 1 and 2 (BOP1/2) co-activators. These TALE homeodomain transcription factors were shown to maintain boundaries in the flower, functioning as a unit to coordinate the growth, patterning, and activity of abscission zones. Together with BOP1 and BOP2, ATH1 and its partners KNAT6 and KNAT2 collectively contribute to the differentiation of lignified and separation layers of the abscission zone. The genetic interactions of BOP1/2 and ATH1 with INFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION (IDA) were also explored. We showed that BOP1/2 co-activators and ATH1 converge with the IDA signalling pathway to promote KNAT6 and KNAT2 expression in the abscission zone and cell separation. ATH1 acts as a central regulator in floral organ abscission as it controls the expression of other TALE genes in abscission zone cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Madagascan endemic subfamily Cophylinae in the family Microhylidae, is an example of a taxonomic group for which much is still to be discovered. Indeed, the cophyline frogs present a large portion of Madagascar’s cryptic and microendemic amphibian diversity, yet they remain understudied. A new redbellied species of the microhylid frog genus Stumpffia is described from the central plateau of Madagascar. Visual encounter surveys in Ambohitantely and Anjozorobe in 2019 and 2020 identified this previously unknown Stumpffia species, which closely resembles Stumpffia kibomena known from Andasibe in the east. Stumpffia lynnae sp. nov. adds another species to the red-bellied species complex, differing from S. kibomena by genetic differentiation in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (3.6–3.9%) and distinct nuclear RAG1 haplotypes, as well as strongly by its advertisement call. The new species is known from across Ambohitantely Special Reserve and Anjozorobe Angavo protected area, but is known only from one complete specimen and eight individual tissue samples. Based on the rarity of the species, the small number of locations in which it has been found, and its disappearing forest habitat, its IUCN Red List classification is suggested as “Endangered”. This species is the first Stumpffia described from Madagascar’s central plateau, highlighting the importance of conserving the remnant forest fragments in this area and the ongoing need to survey and protect this threatened habitat type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 40% of global amphibian species threatened with extinction, captive breeding programmes are an increasingly important conservation tool. The highest priority species occur in tropical countries, which presents a number of challenges. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 25 practitioners in Latin America, Africa and Asia to investigate how the effectiveness of amphibian captive breeding programmes could be improved. A thematic analysis identified 94 barriers and enablers across 13 themes. We found that existing programmes commonly followed a reactive and often ineffective four-stage operational model. Subsequently, we developed a proactive operational model, using the barriers and enablers identified by this study, to support programme managers in the implementation of effective programmes. Our findings suggest human dimensions are often critical barriers or enablers across all stages of captive breeding programmes. We recommend the development of strategic partnerships between institutions, including zoos, NGOs, governments and captive breeding programmes, to help overcome these critical barriers and improve the effectiveness of global amphibian conservation. This operational model could be translated to captive breeding programmes for other taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses widespread agreement for both market participants and China's policymakers China's economic growth slowed in 2018. Topics include China plays a dominant role in world demand for key energy, metal, and agricultural commodities; and disagreements on China's business cycle stem from differing views on the reliability and accuracy of China's official economic statistics.

The behavioral changes of the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugas, and the northern long-eared bat, M. septentrionalis that glean prey from surfaces and take prey on the wing is demonstrated. Each species of bat is analyzed for their flight behavior and echolocation calls.

It is vital to provide appropriate nutrition to maintain healthy populations in conservation breeding programs. Knowledge of the wild diet of a species can be used to inform captive diet formulation. The nutritional content of the wild diet of the critically endangered mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) is unknown, like that of most amphibians. In this study, we analyzed the nutritional content of food items that comprise 91% of the wild diet of L. fallax, by dry weight of food items, and all food items offered to captive L. fallax at ZSL London Zoo and Jersey Zoo. We subsequently compared the nutritional content of the wild diet and captive diet at ZSL London Zoo consumed by L. fallax. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to directly compare the nutritional content of the wild and captive diets of an anuran amphibian. The captive diet at ZSL London Zoo, without dusting of nutritional supplements, was higher in gross energy and crude fat and lower in ash, calcium and calcium:phosphorus ratio than the wild diet. Most of the food items in the captive diets had a high omega‐6:omega‐3 fatty acid ratio and in the wild diet had a low omega‐6:omega‐3 fatty acid ratio. We recommend a combination of modifications to the captive diets to better reflect the nutritional content of the wild diet. Nutritional analysis of captive and wild diets is recommended for other species in conservation breeding programs to improve captive husbandry and ultimately fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Livingstone's fruit bat Pteropus livingstonii is endemic to the small islands of Anjouan and Mohéli in the Comoros archipelago, Indian Ocean. The species is under threat from anthropogenic pressure on the little that remains of its forest habitat, now restricted to the islands’ upper elevations and steepest slopes. We report the results of the most comprehensive survey of this species to date, and present recommendations for ongoing field conservation efforts and monitoring. Morning counts were conducted at roost sites in the wet and dry seasons during 2011–2013. Habitat structure around the roosting sites was characterized and roost numbers compared, to investigate the potential effect of habitat loss and degradation. We estimate the population to comprise c. 1,260 individuals distributed across 21 roosts on the two islands. All occupied roosting sites were restricted to a narrow altitudinal range, and roosting populations in agroforestry areas were smaller than those found in degraded and undisturbed forest. Only one of the 16 roosts on Anjouan was found in undisturbed, old-growth forest with no nearby signs of clearance for agriculture or landslides following tree-felling upslope. Following a suspected severe population decline as a result of widespread and long-term forest loss Livingstone's fruit bat has been recategorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of suppressed recombination, heterogametic sex chromosomes (either Y or W) are usually assumed to gradually shorten over evolutionary time as a way to remove accumulated mutations. However, suppressed recombination removes the most obvious mechanism for excising portions of sex chromosomes. We examined ratios of W/Z chromosome size across 224 bird species from 146 genera. Much of the data were obtained from a previous study (Rutkowska et al. 2012. Biology Letters 8: 636-638), who, similar to ourselves, found no gradual decrease in W chromosome length over evolutionary time. However, we show an abrupt decrease in W chromosome length at or just after the phylogenetic split between the two extant bird superorders, Paleognathae and Neognathae, indicating that the key to understanding sex chromosome evolution may have little to do with gradual suppression of recombination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish migrations through riverine systems can be energetically demanding, and the presence of fishways to facilitate upstream passage can add an additional energetic cost that may directly affect fitness. Successful fishway passage is a function of the ability of fish to select appropriate paths and swimming strategies that do not exceed their swimming capacity. Triaxial accelerometers were used to estimate the energetic expenditure of adult lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) swimming through a vertical slot fishway, to determine whether individual behaviour or path selection, resulting in differences in cumulative energy use, explain fishway passage success. Most individuals attempted to pass the fishway (n=30/44; 68%), although successful passage only occurred for a subset of those attempting (n=7/30; 23%). High-speed swimming was rarely observed during upstream passage through fishway basins, and was of short duration. Two turning basins delayed passage, subsequently resulting in a higher energetic cost. The rate at which energy was expended did not differ among successful and unsuccessful individuals, although successful sturgeon exhibited higher costs of transport (42.75 versus 25.85 J kg−1 m−1). Energy expenditure metrics were not predictive of successful fishway passage, leading us to conclude that other endogenous or exogenous factors influence passage success. In a practical application of field measurements of energy expenditure, we demonstrate that fishway passage through a structure designed to facilitate migration does result in an energetic loss for lake sturgeon (3249-16,331 J kg−1), equivalent to individuals travelling 5.8-28.2 km in a lentic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) are an emerging class of uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV). Their reduced scale (maximum dimension of approximately 150 mm) provides advantages in terms of advanced mission capabilities, such as wildlife monitoring and urban search and rescue. This introduces the design challenge of flying efficiently at very low Reynolds numbers (e.g. Re<10000). To date, three basic MAV design concepts have been developed: fixed, rotary and flapping wings. Each approach has been met with limited success due to gust stability, flight control and propulsive efficiency. The design of both fixed and rotary wing aircraft is relatively mature, whereas flapping wing design is in its infancy and therefore its viability cannot yet be assessed. Nonetheless flapping wing MAVs have the potential to offer advantages such as stealth, manoeuvrability, and improved propulsive efficiencies. This paper focuses on the challenging problem of the manufacture and testing of flapping wings for MAVs. A review of the current state of flapping wing aerodynamics, manufacturing, and wing structures is provided. A detailed assessment of the aerodynamic performance of flexible MAV-scale wings was carried out. Aerodynamic force measurements were collected using a spin rig to assess the effect of design details on lift generation. It was found that a simple three-vein wing structure manufactured using a fused filament fabrication 3D printer could produce lift forces close to those of natural insect wings. The lift and stall performance was found to be sensitive to chordwise stiffness by testing wings without veins. These results demonstrate that it is possible to produce low cost biologically inspired wings with aerodynamic performance equal to or better than natural wings - a critical step on the path to a functional and practical flapping wing MAV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From June 2007 to February 2009 the Waria Valley Community Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods Project completed a mist net survey of bats in the lower Waria Valley, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. The Waria Valley is located on the north coast of the Morobe Province ~190 km south-east of Lae, and still has large tracts of intact lowland hill and plain rainforest. Four broad habitats (agricultural, secondary forest edge, primary forest edge and primary forest) were surveyed using mist nets. A total of 596 individuals representing 11 species were caught, measured and identified over 8824 net-m h-1 across 99 nights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NSERC's HydroNet is a collaborative national five-year research program initiated in 2010 involving academic, government, and industry partners. The overarching goal of HydroNet is to improve the understanding of the effects of hydropower operations on aquatic ecosystems, and to provide scientifically defensible and transparent tools to improve the decision-making process associated with hydropower operations. Multiple projects are imbedded under three themes: 1) Ecosystemic analysis of productive capacity offish habitats (PCFH) in rivers, 2) Mesoscale modelling of the productive capacity offish habitats in lakes and reservoirs, and 3) Predicting the entrainment risk of fish in hydropower reservoirs relative to power generation operations by combining behavioral ecology and hydraulic engineering. The knowledge generated by HydroNet is essential to balance the competing demands for limited water resources and to ensure that hydropower is sustainable, maintains healthy aquatic ecosystems and a vibrant Canadian economy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

From June, 2007, to February, 2009, the Waria Valley Community Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods Project (WVCP) completed an inventory survey of the birds of the lower Waria Valley, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. Four land use types -- agricultural, secondary forest edge, primary forest edge and primary forest -- were surveyed using Mackinnon list surveys. In total, 125 species representing 43 families were identified, of which 54 (43.2%) are endemic to the islands of New Guinea and the Bismark Archipelago. The avifauna of primary forest edge and primary forest was more species rich and diverse than that of agricultural habitats. Agricultural habitats also differed significantly in both overall community composition and some aspects of guild composition compared to all three forested habitats. Nectarivores and insectivore-frugivores formed a significantly larger proportion of species in agricultural habitats, whereas obligate frugivores formed a significantly greater proportion in forested habitats. We propose further survey and management initiatives that could help contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the area's important biological resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of hospitalists in the care of newborns appears to be increasing and may be advantageous for several reasons, including decreased cost, decreased length of stay, increased patient survival, increased availability, and greater experience among hospitalists. Research specific to the use of hospitalists in newborn medicine needs to be done to support this hypothesis. Non-clinical activities such as teaching, developing clinical guidelines, and taking an active role in hospital and academic leadership also may improve education and patient care. It is essential that hospitalists who provide care in nurseries work to smooth the transition to a PCP and not act as a barrier. Relatively speaking, the care provided by hospitalists is most often short-term, and the relationship between infants and their parents with the PCP should begin as soon as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simple auditory system of noctuoid moths has long been a model for anti-predator studies in neuroethology, although these ears have rarely been experimentally stimulated by the sounds they would encounter from naturally attacking bats. We exposed the ears of five noctuoid moth species to the pre-recorded echolocation calls of an attacking bat (Eptesicus fuscus) to observe the acoustic encoding of the receptors at this critical time in their defensive behaviour. The B cell is a non-tympanal receptor common to all moths that has been suggested to respond to sound, but we found no evidence of this and suggest that its acoustic responsiveness is an artifact arising from its proprioceptive function. The A1 cell, the most sensitive tympanal receptor in noctuid and arctiid moths and the only auditory receptor in notodontid moths, encodes the attack calls with a bursting firing pattern to a point approximately 150 ms from when the bat would have captured the moth. At this point, the firing of the A1 cell reduces to a non-bursting pattern with longer inter-spike periods, suggesting that the moth may no longer express the erratic flight used to escape very close bats. This may be simply due to the absence of selection pressure on moths for auditory tracking of bat echolocation calls beyond this point. Alternatively, the reduced firing may be due to the acoustic characteristics of attack calls in the terminal phase and an acoustic maneuver used by the bat to facilitate its capture of the moth. Although the role of less sensitive A2 cell remains uncertain in the evasive flight responses of moths it may act as a trigger in eliciting sound production, a close-range anti-bat behaviour in the tiger moth, Cycnia tenera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which examines changes in body posture and wing kinematics of tethered locust in response to simulation with bat-like sounds. Materials used to carry out the study; Reactions of the locust to the stimulus; Findings of the study.

Discusses how the spotted bat Euderma maculatum demonstrates echolocation calls that are lower in frequency, shorter in duration and fainter in intensity compared with Eptesicus fuscus. Evaluation of Eu maculatum's echolocation calls on moths; Echolocation call characteristics of the Euderma.

The author reflects on Frankia, a nitrogen-fixing bacteria that infecting actinorhizal plants. He discusses the biological functions of actinorhizal root nodules were difficult to establish but experiments showed that Alnus glutinosa plants could survive under nitrogen-free conditions and shedding light on the role of the root nodules. Furthermore, he added that the bacteria in the root nodules of Alnus glutinosa were not reported to have been isolated.

The Madagascan endemic subfamily Cophylinae in the family Microhylidae, is an example of a taxonomic group for which much is still to be discovered. Indeed, the cophyline frogs present a large portion of Madagascar's cryptic and microendemic amphibian diversity, yet they remain understudied. A new red-bellied species of the microhylid frog genus Stumpffia is described from the central plateau of Madagascar. Visual encounter surveys in Ambohitantely and Anjozorobe in 2019 and 2020 identified this previously unknown Stumpffia species, which closely resembles Stumpffiakibomena known from Andasibe in the east. Stumpffialynnae sp. nov. adds another species to the red-bellied species complex, differing from S.kibomena by genetic differentiation in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (3.6-3.9%) and distinct nuclear RAG1 haplotypes, as well as strongly by its advertisement call. The new species is known from across Ambohitantely Special Reserve and Anjozorobe Angavo protected area, but is known only from one complete specimen and eight individual tissue samples. Based on the rarity of the species, the small number of locations in which it has been found, and its disappearing forest habitat, its IUCN Red List classification is suggested as "Endangered". This species is the first Stumpffia described from Madagascar's central plateau, highlighting the importance of conserving the remnant forest fragments in this area and the ongoing need to survey and protect this threatened habitat type., (Katherine E. Mullin, Manoa G. Rakotomanga, Jeff Dawson, Frank Glaw, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Pablo Orozco-terWengel, Mark D. Scherz.)

The body temperature of ectothermic animals is heavily dependent on environmental temperature, impacting fitness. Laboratory exposure to favorable and unfavorable temperatures is used to understand these effects, as well as the physiological, biochemical, and molecular underpinnings of variation in thermal performance. Although small ectotherms, like insects, can often be easily reared in large numbers, it can be challenging and expensive to simultaneously create and manipulate several thermal environments in a laboratory setting. Here, we describe the creation and use of a thermal gradient device that can produce a wide range of constant or varying temperatures concurrently. Conservatively, this system as designed can operate between -6 °C and 40 °C. This device is composed of a solid aluminum plate and copper piping, combined with a pair of refrigerated circulators. As a simple proof-of-concept, we completed single experimental runs to produce a low-temperature survival curve for flies ( Drosophila melanogaster ) and explore the effects of daily thermal cycles of varying amplitude on growth rates of crickets ( Gryllodes sigillatus ). This approach avoids the use of multiple heating/cooling water or glycol baths or incubators for large-scale assessments of organismal thermal performance. It makes static or dynamic thermal experiments (e.g., creating a thermal performance or survival curves, quantifying responses to fluctuating thermal environments, or monitoring animal behavior across a range of temperatures) easier, faster, and less costly., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2020 The Author(s).)

One restraint technique used by police and paramedical personnel is to apply weight to a prone subject. There is concern that the weight and posture cause breathing difficulties and that restraint asphyxia could contribute to rare, inexplicable arrest-related deaths. Previous studies on restraint asphyxia have used global measures of breathing, which are less sensitive to ventilation changes than other methods. We present a methodology for monitoring individual adaptations to the conditions present in weighted restraint using electrical impedance tomography, which can image the changing distribution of ventilation over time. Results from a pilot study of seven subjects indicated that loss of lung reserve volume was a common consequence of weighted restraint. Our results imply that in more extreme scenarios in which the full weight of one or more officers is applied to a subject during recovery from strenuous activity, weighted restraint may augment risk to the subject. Finally, subjects in the restraint posture of hands behind their heads on average had larger tidal volumes during recovery than subjects with hands behind their backs or at their sides, suggesting this posture permitted deeper breathing and may be preferred in practice, though further study in a larger population is needed.

The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.