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Morphological evolution and swelling were observed in the zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) layer on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor treated with annealing. The morphology affects the swelling during analyte injection. The swelling effect can shorten the QCM sensor recovery time. The ZnPc layer was deposited on the surface of the polystyrene/QCM by evaporation technique. The annealing process was conducted for 1 h at 3 temperature variations: 100, 150, and 220 °C. The swelling experiments were carried out by injecting PBS and Tris-HCl solution into the layer. The surface morphology characterization of ZnPc was observed using an SEM/EDX before and after swelling. The morphological evolution from the network into fibers change to disentangled of the ZnPc molecular chain and broke into a shorter fiber. The diffractogram revealed a monoclinic phase for the samples annealed at 100 and 150 °C. On the other hand, the sample annealed at 220 °C showed a triclinic phase. The formation of ZnPc crystal confirms the disordering structure leading to the morphology change. Further, the ZnPc fibers swell after the injection of PBS and Tris-HCl. Tris-HCl injection at high temperature annealing (220 °C) resulted in fiber tattering. Investigations on diffusion mechanisms were conducted by measuring the change in frequency. The ionic strength of the solutions controlled the diffusion. The PBS diffuses faster than the Tris-HCl into the ZnPc layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: The evolution of carnivorous pitcher traps across multiple angiosperm lineages represents a classic example of morphological convergence. Nevertheless, no comparative study to‐date has examined pitcher evolution from a quantitative morphometric perspective. Methods: In the present study, we used comparative morphometric approaches to quantify the shape space occupied by Heliamphora pitchers and to trace evolutionary trajectories through this space to examine patterns of divergence and convergence within the genus. We also investigated pitcher development, and, how the packing of pitchers is affected by crowding, a common condition in their natural environments. Results: Our results showed that Heliamphora pitchers have diverged along three main axes in morphospace: (1) pitcher curvature; (2) nectar spoon elaboration; and (3) pitcher stoutness. Both curvature and stoutness are correlated with pitcher size, suggesting structural constraints in pitcher morphological evolution. Among the four traits (curvature, spoon elaboration, stoutness, and size), all but curvature lacked phylogenetic signal and showed marked convergence across the phylogeny. We also observed tighter packing of pitchers in crowded conditions, and this effect was most pronounced in curved, slender pitchers. Conclusions: Overall, our study demonstrates that diversification and convergent evolution of carnivory‐related traits extends to finer evolutionary timescales, reinforcing the notion that ecological specialization may not necessarily be an evolutionary dead end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In deep‐marine environments, the inception of channels can be induced by the interaction between bottom currents and rough topography. However, it is still unclear under which conditions such features can form and what happens in the earliest phase of channel development. In this study, based on the morphological, sedimentary and oceanographic settings of a pockmark field in the NW South China Sea, we reveal the process of channel inception through the erosion of pockmarks by bottom currents. Using numerical simulations, we show that an appropriate current velocity can induce the erosion of pockmark trains in cohesive sediments, leading to the coalescence of discrete pockmarks and the formation of a channel with a rough thalweg. The interaction of bottom currents with the pockmarks induces a significant erosion along the pockmarks axis. Bottom‐current erosion is strongest at the downstream edges of pockmarks, where the horizontal velocity reaches a maximum and an upwelling forms. Erosion increases as the distance between pockmarks reduces. In our simulation results, a channel is only formed by the coalescence of pockmarks if the distance between pockmarks is <6 times the diameter of the pockmark. This study provides evidence of the formation of channels by bottom currents, which helps reconstruct palaeoceanographic conditions based on sediment architecture. It also shows the complex hydrodynamics at these structures that strongly control sedimentary processes and may affect distribution of benthic ecosystems in marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile trisodium citrate-assisted hydrothermal route was demonstrated for the synthesis of α-MoO3 nanostructures. Trisodium citrate concentration-dependent morphological evolution of α-MoO3 was achieved in hydrothermal process. The morphological evolution from nanorods to nanoplates was observed with increase in trisodium citrate concentration, owing to its shape directing effect by hindering the growth of α-MoO3 crystal along [001] direction. The time-dependent hydrothermal experimental results suggested that the formation and growth of α-MoO3 nanorods proceed through 'Ostwald ripening-splitting' mechanism. The synthesised α-MoO3 nanorods were successfully used to produce Zn – α-MoO3 coatings on mild steel using an acid sulphate bath, and the corrosion behaviour of the generated coatings was also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology of tide‐dominated systems is progressively influenced by human activities and climate change. Quantitative approaches aiming at understanding or forecasting the effects of interventions and climate change are often aggregated, thereby simplifying or schematizing the investigated area. In this work, we advance on the knowledge of sediment transport processes shaping tidal systems and on methodologies translating schematized model output into physically realistic variables. In terms of improved physics, we systematically evaluate the influence of sand‐mud interaction processes. Most tidal systems are shaped by a mixture of sand and mud. Morphological models typically compute transport of sand and mud independently, despite studies clearly demonstrating that their physical behavior is mutually dependent. We investigate the effects of two interaction mechanisms (erosion interaction and roughness interaction, applied with varying mud erodibility) with a schematized process‐based morphodynamic model. We convert model output into metrics that describe the meso‐scale configuration of the modeled systems, allowing a quantitative comparison of scenarios. Modeled patterns and intertidal flat shape, size and composition widely vary with mud erodibility settings, but equally depend on the evaluated sand‐mud interaction mechanisms (with erosion interaction having a larger effect than roughness interaction). Sand‐mud interaction thus needs to be accounted for from a physical point of view, but also to improve predictions of tidal basin evolution models, particularly the (bimodally distributed) sediment composition of intertidal flats. Plain Language Summary: Human interventions and climate change are progressively influencing the state of coastal systems. Their impact on coastal evolution takes place on decades to centuries and the present‐day modeling tools have limitations to study these impacts. Models with highly schematized configurations have often been used in the past to increase our understanding of coastal evolution. We advance on this, by determining the effect of sand‐mud interaction on the modeled long‐term evolution of tidal basins. The bed of most tidal basins is composed of two sediment types: sand and mud. From previous research, it is known that sand and mud do not behave independently. We investigate the effects of two interaction mechanisms (erosion and roughness interaction) using a model with a schematized configuration in terms of topology and forcing, but including the most relevant physical processes. To quantitatively compare the output of different model scenarios, we translate the results into a number of metrics. Our results reveal that sand‐mud interaction processes (particularly erosion interaction) influence tidal basin evolution. Including sand‐mud interaction can significantly improve modeling results, especially the sediment composition of intertidal flats. We present guidelines that can be followed to improve models depending on the real‐life system they should compare to. Key Points: Sand‐mud interaction largely impacts long‐term morphodynamic evolution of intertidal areas in tidal systemsAccounting for sand‐mud interaction in morphodynamic models is crucial to reproduce the observed bimodal distribution of the mud contentSchematized model results should be parameterized for validation and comparison with real systems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor oxide gas sensors have important applications in environmental protection, domestic health, and other fields. Research has shown that designing the morphology of sensitive materials can effectively improve the sensing characteristics of sensors. In this paper, by controlling the solvothermal reaction time, a unique hexagonal flower-like structure of In2O3 materials consisting of cuboid nanorods with a side length of 100–300 nm was prepared. The characterization results indicated that with the increase in reaction time, the materials exhibited significant morphological evolution. When the solvent heating time is 5 h, the flower-like structure is basically composed of hexagonal nanosheets with a thickness of several hundred nanometers and a side length of several micrometers. With the increase in reaction time, the apex angles of the nano sheets gradually become obtuse, and, finally, with the Ostwald ripening process, they become cuboid nanorods with side lengths of 100–300 nanometers, forming unique micro-flowers. Among them, the material prepared with a reaction time of 20 h has good sensing performance for NO2, exhibiting low operating temperature and detection limit, good selectivity, repeatability, and long-term stability, thus suggesting a good application prospect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological specialists constitute relevant case studies for understanding the mechanisms, potential and limitations of evolution. The species-rich and strictly myrmecophagous spiders of the genus Zodarion show diversified defence mechanisms, including myrmecomorphy of different ant species and nocturnality. Through Hybridization Capture Using RAD Probes (hyRAD), a phylogenomic technique designed for sequencing poorly preserved specimens, we reconstructed a phylogeny of Zodarion using 52 (approx. a third of the nominal) species that cover its phylogenetic and distributional diversity. We then estimated the evolution of body size and colour, traits that have diversified noticeably and are linked to defence mechanisms, across the group. Our genomic matrix of 300 loci led to a well-supported phylogenetic hypothesis that uncovered two main clades inside Zodarion. Ancestral state estimation revealed the highly dynamic evolution of body size and colour across the group, with multiple transitions and convergences in both traits, which we propose is likely indicative of multiple transitions in ant specialization across the genus. Our study will allow the informed targeted selection of Zodarion taxa of special interest for research into the group's remarkable adaptations to ant specialization. It also exemplifies the utility of hyRAD for phylogenetic studies using museum material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional theory of crystal growth presents an irreversible outward increase of the crystal size through solute deposition on the nuclei; however, the asymptotic solution of the dynamics model of the particle reveals that the crystal growth undergoes a locally reversible inward growth process in the early stage of crystal growth. Immediately after nucleation, some parts of the interface first grow inward through solute rejection along certain crystal orientations from the interface of nucleation, while the other parts of the interface grow outward through solute deposition along other crystal orientations. Until the inward growth attains a certain distance, the interface grows outward along each crystal orientation. This growth behavior is attributed to the interaction between interface morphology of particles with the anisotropic effect of interface kinetics. Through a systematic variation of the anisotropy parameters, the particle exhibits a continuous transition from one growth morphology to other growth morphologies. During the morphological transition process, as initial concentration increases, the growth of the particle is inhibited in the preferred growth directions, whereas it is facilitated in other growth directions. As a result, the interface morphologies of the particle with different petal‐shaped morphologies in the early stage of crystal growth are formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Recent studies of floral disparity in the asterid order Ericales have shown that flowers vary strongly among families and that disparity is unequally distributed between the three flower modules (perianth, androecium, gynoecium). However, it remains unknown whether these patterns are driven by heterogeneous rates of morphological evolution or other factors. Methods: Here, we compiled a data set of 33 floral characters scored for 414 species of Ericales sampled from 346 genera and all 22 families. We conducted ancestral state reconstructions using an equal‐rates Markov model for each character. We estimated rates of morphological evolution for Ericales and for a separate angiosperm‐wide data set of 19 characters and 792 species, creating "rate profiles" for Ericales, angiosperms, and major angiosperm subclades. We compared morphological rates among flower modules within each data set separately and between data sets, and we compared rates among angiosperm subclades using the angiosperm data set. Results: The androecium exhibits the highest evolutionary rates across most characters, whereas most perianth and gynoecium characters evolve more slowly in both Ericales and angiosperms. Both high and low rates of morphological evolution can result in high floral disparity in Ericales. Analyses of an angiosperm‐wide floral data set reveal that this pattern appears to be conserved across most major angiosperm clades. Conclusions: Elevated rates of morphological evolution in the androecium of Ericales may explain the higher disparity reported for this floral module. Comparing rates of morphological evolution through rate profiles proves to be a powerful tool in understanding floral evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylum Tardigrada (water bears), well known for their cryptobiosis, includes small invertebrates with four paired limbs and is divided into two classes: Eutardigrada and Heterotardigrada. The evolutionary origin of Tardigrada is known to lie within the lobopodians, which are extinct soft-bodied worms with lobopodous limbs mostly dis- covered at sites of exceptionally well-preserved fossils. Contrary to their closest rel- atives, onychophorans and euarthropods, the origin of morphological characters of tardigrades remains unclear, and detailed comparison with the lobopodians has not been well explored. Here, we present detailed morphological comparison between tar- digrades and Cambrian lobopodians, with a phylogenetic analysis encompassing most of the lobopodians and three panarthropod phyla. The results indicate that the ancestral tardigrades likely had a Cambrian lobopodian–like morphology and shared most recent ancestry with the luolishaniids. Internal relationships within Tardigrada indicate that the ancestral tardigrade had a vermiform body shape without segmental plates, but possessed cuticular structures surrounding the mouth opening, and lobopodous legs ter- minating with claws, but without digits. This finding is in contrast to the long-standing stygarctid- like ancestor hypothesis. The highly compact and miniaturized body plan of tardigrades evolved after the tardigrade lineage diverged from an ancient shared ancestor with the luolishaniids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive morphological variation found in mammals reflects the wide spectrum of their ecological adaptations. The highest morphological diversity is present in the craniofacial region, where geometry is mainly dictated by the bony skull. Mammalian craniofacial development represents complex multistep processes governed by numerous conserved genes that require precise spatio-temporal control. A central question in contemporary evolutionary biology is how a defined set of conserved genes can orchestrate formation of fundamentally different structures, and therefore how morphological variability arises. In principle, differential gene expression patterns during development are the source of morphological variation. With the emergence of multicellular organisms, precise regulation of gene expression in time and space is attributed to cis-regulatory elements. These elements contribute to higher-order chromatin structure and together with trans-acting factors control transcriptional landscapes that underlie intricate morphogenetic processes. Consequently, divergence in cis-regulation is believed to rewire existing gene regulatory networks and form the core of morphological evolution. This review outlines the fundamental principles of the genetic code and genomic regulation interplay during development. Recent work that deepened our comprehension of cis-regulatory element origin, divergence and function is presented here to illustrate the state-of-the-art research that uncovered the principles of morphological novelty. This article is part of the theme issue 'The mammalian skull: development, structure and function'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most famous examples of adaptive radiation is that of the Galápagos finches, where skull morphology, particularly the beak, varies with feeding ecology. Yet increasingly studies are questioning the strength of this correlation between feeding ecology and morphology in relation to the entire neornithine radiation, suggesting that other factors also significantly affect skull evolution. Here, we broaden this debate to assess the influence of a range of ecological and life-history factors, specifically habitat density, migration, and developmental mode, in shaping avian skull evolution. Using 3D geometric morphometric data to robustly quantify skull shape for 354 extant species spanning avian diversity, we fitted flexible phylogenetic regressions and estimated evolutionary rates for each of these factors across the full data set. The results support a highly significant relationship between skull shape and both habitat density and migration, but not developmental mode. We further found heterogenous rates of evolution between different character states within habitat density, migration, and developmental mode, with rapid skull evolution in species that occupy dense habitats, are migratory, or are precocial. These patterns demonstrate that diverse factors affect the tempo and mode of avian phenotypic evolution and that skull evolution in birds is not simply a reflection of feeding ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clay mineralogy of 28 sandy-muddy transitional beach (SMT-Beach) sediments and surrounding mountain river sediments along the coasts of southeastern China was systematically investigated to reveal the sediment source-to-sink process variations of such beaches and their morphological indications. The results show that the clay mineral assemblages of these SMT-Beaches mainly comprise of almost equal illite (∼30%), kaolinite (∼28%), chlorite (∼22%), and smectite (∼20%) contents. From the surrounding mountain rivers to the SMT-Beaches, clay mineral assemblages show distinct spatial changes characterized by a large decrease (∼40%) in kaolinite, whereas the other three clay minerals present relative increases, especially clear for smectite. The muddy sediment sources of SMT-Beaches inferred from the clay mineralogy are mainly derived from nearby mountain rivers coupled with long-distance transport and penetration of the Changjiang River. The sandy sediments of these beaches are predominantly sourced from nearby mountain rivers, the weathering products of surrounding rocks in both mainland and island environments, and erosion of the "Old Red Sand" and "Red Soil Platform". However, the sandy sediment sources of the SMT-Beaches are largely reduced because of the remarkable decrease in the river fluvial supply associated with intensive human activities such as dam construction and coastal reclamation. Subsequently, the sandy sections of SMT-Beaches present clear erosion and have revealed by both time series remote sensing images and a compilation of published literature. In contrast, the muddy sediment supply of SMT-Beaches is temporarily stable and relatively constant, resulting in the landward migration of the mudflats with relative transgression or accumulation. These findings highlight that the natural evolution processes of SMT-Beaches have been greatly reshaped by intensive human activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Colombia, most of the energy is produced by using water resources. However, the morphological impact of damming has not been thoroughly studied yet. Therefore, upstream and downstream changes in the channel width and sinuosity along the river due to the Betania, Prado, Salvajina, and Urrá I Dams, four of the oldest hydroelectric projects, were estimated. These changes were reported by using aerial photographs and satellite images to compare the river before and after dam construction. The analysis was complemented by including hydrological trends and geological characteristics of the areas to evaluate their relevance on the impacts on channel morphology. It was shown that factors such as valley confinement and the bank's composition are key to determining the magnitude of the impact downstream of the dam. Upstream of the dam, contrastingly, the influence of the reservoir geometry controls the magnitude of the morphological changes, marking the boundaries of affected areas. The impacts of dam construction on river morphology vary notably, but including the geological characteristics of the river reach can be useful to improve predictions of the channel morphology response. The proposed methodology can be used to identify biotic compensation measures for new projects, a task that is not well defined in several countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nanocomposite microporous membrane of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and nano‐titanium dioxide (nano‐TiO2) system was prepared by combining the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) technique with the extrusion‐casting process using liquid paraffin (LP) as the diluent. The effects of variations of TiO2 content and melt draw ratio on the properties of composite microporous membranes were studied and the optimal processing parameters were further investigated. ATR‐FTIR demonstrated that nanocomposite microporous membranes were successfully prepared. The crystallization behavior and morphological evolution of membranes were systematically investigated by WAXD, 2D‐SAXS, and SEM. It was found that the stretch‐induced orientation of UHMWPE was promoted and the shish‐kebab structure was formed for the reason of addition of TiO2. The mechanism of combined effects of nanoparticles and stretch‐induced orientation on the crystallization behavior of UHMWPE was further discussed and explained. Compared to pure UHMWPE film, the permeability of the optimum performance film was significantly improved, with porosity of 49% and pure water flux of about 193 L m−2 h−1. Mechanical studies showed that nanoparticles and DR have significant effects on tensile strength and elongation at break. In addition, the thermal stability of composite microporous membranes was found to be improved with the increase of TiO2 content and melt draw ratio. Thus, this investigation delivers inspiration for the expansion of excellent performance microporous membranes used for battery separators and filtration devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological evolution of the vertebrate skull has been explored across a wide range of tetrapod clades using geometric morphometrics, but the application of these methods to teleost fishes, accounting for roughly half of all vertebrate species, has been limited. Here we present the results of a study investigating 3D morphological evolution of the neurocranium across 114 species of Pelagiaria, a diverse clade of open-ocean teleost fishes that includes tuna and mackerel. Despite showing high shape disparity overall, taxa from all families fall into three distinct morphological clusters. Convergence in shape within clusters is high, and phylogenetic signal in shape data is significant but low. Neurocranium shape is significantly correlated with body elongation and significantly but weakly correlated with size. Diet and habitat depth are weakly correlated with shape, and nonsignificant after accounting for phylogeny. Evolutionary integration in the neurocranium is high, suggesting that convergence in skull shape and the evolution of extreme morphologies are associated with the correlated evolution of neurocranial elements. These results suggest that shape evolution in the pelagiarian neurocranium reflects the extremes in elongation found in body shape but is constrained along relatively few axes of variation, resulting in repeated evolution toward a restricted range of morphologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative sizes of body segments are a major determinant of the shape and functionality of an animal. Developmental biases affecting this trait can therefore have major evolutionary implications. In vertebrates, a molecular activator/inhibitor mechanism, known as the inhibitory cascade (IC), produces a simple and predictable pattern of linear relative size along successive segments. The IC model is considered the default mode of vertebrate segment development and has produced long-term biases in the evolution of serially homologous structures such as teeth, vertebrae, limbs, and digits. Here we investigate whether the IC model or an IC-like model also has controls on segment size development in an ancient and hyperdiverse group of extinct arthropods, the trilobites. We examined segment size patterning in 128 trilobite species, and during ontogenetic growth in three trilobite species. Linear relative segment size patterning is prominent throughout the trunk of trilobites in the adult form, and there is strict regulation of this patterning in newly developing segments in the pygidium. Extending the analysis to select stem and modern arthropods suggests that the IC is a common default mode of segment development capable of producing long-term biases in morphological evolution across arthropods as it does in vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two decades, the Yangtze Estuary has undergone significant changes under the influence of reduced sediment inflow and estuary engineering. This study investigates the influence of floods and typhoons on sediment concentration and the morphological evolution of shoals and channels in the Yangtze Estuary. The analysis is conducted through the utilization of topographic data measured pre- and post-flood events and observations of hydro-sedimentary changes during typhoons. By using a generalized estuary mathematical model, this study examines the interplay between varying tidal ranges, tidal divisions, runoff volumes, and regulation projects on the erosion and deposition of shoals and channels in bifurcated estuaries. The results show that due to the implementation of river and waterway regulation projects, the impact of the 2020 flood on the main channel and shoal was significantly less than that of the 1998 flood. The swing amplitude of the South Branch main channel decreased. However, local river sections such as the Southern Waterway of Baimao Shoal exhibited erosion. During typhoons, sediment concentration in the 20 cm above the bottom increased significantly and was closely related to wave processes, with a weakened correlation to tidal dynamics. After typhoons, high shoals in South Passage above 0 m were silted up, while the terrain on one side of the tail of Jiuduan Shoal in the downstream deep-water area was generally scoured due to strong wave action. The generalized mathematical model of the bifurcated estuary revealed that M2 tidal component contributed most to the erosion and deposition evolution of estuary shoals and channels, with floods exhibiting characteristics of sedimentation on shoals and erosion on channels. With the implementation of a branch rectification project, branch resistance increased, diversion decreased, and the riverbed changed from pre-project erosion to post-project sedimentation, with an increase in erosion in non-project branches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on the evolution of the morphology and structure of La2NiO4 (namely, LNO) coatings deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering (RMS) with subsequent annealing processes. The LNO coatings start to crystallize at 600 °C, and the LNO with K2NiF4 structure was formed at 700 °C. A small amount of La3Ni2O7 appeared in the La2NiO4 coatings at 1100 °C. Interestingly, the LNO coatings realize the transformation from dense to different porous morphologies due to the annealing process. The LNO coating with abundant pores was formed after annealing treatment at 1000 °C for 2 h. This porous morphology can be stably maintained after short-term thermal stability experiments at 750 °C for 120 h. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement of the LNO/YSZ/LNO symmetrical half-cells shows that the LNO cathode coating after annealing at 1000 °C for 2 h exhibits lower polarization resistance (Rpol) and activation energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A link between morphological diversity and species richness is often implied in several evolutionary concepts, but conflicting results hamper a more direct link between these variables. Using a morphologically and ecologically diverse clade of Neotropical cricetids, Akodontini, we (1) characterized the tribe's patterns of morphological disparity and lineage diversification, contrasting the two major clades; and (2) tested whether morphological disparity and rates of morphological evolution are associated with their lineage diversification patterns. We found no correlation between diversification rates and morphological patterns; instead, our results reveal a pattern of ecological and morphological diversification that is independent of cladogenetic events. We found higher rates of morphological evolution in lineages with longer independent evolutionary histories, leading to fewer, but more disparate and specialized species occupying the peripheral areas of the ecomorphospace and increasing the overall morphological diversity of the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Teleostei class has the most species of the fishes. Members of this group have pectoral fins, enabling refined movements in the water. Although teleosts live in a diverse set of environments, the skeletal pattern of pectoral fins in teleosts is considered to show little morphological variability. Here, in order to elucidate variations in pectoral fin skeletons and to identify their evolutionary processes, we compared the pectoral fin skeletons from 27 species of teleosts. We identified several variations and a diversity of pectoral fin skeletal patterns within some teleost groups. Taken together with previous reports on teleost skeletons, our findings reveal that in the course of teleost evolution, there are a mixture of conserved and non-conserved components in the pectoral fin skeletons of teleosts, and that teleosts may have experienced the variation and conservation of the number and shape of the proximal radials, the loss of the mesocoracoid, and the change in the distal radial-fin ray relationship.

Investigations on the utilization efficiency and bioactivity of the enzyme nanocarriers are critical for realizing sensitive biosensors. Herein, hierarchically porous enzyme@peptide‐directed metal–organic frameworks (enzyme@MOFs‐P) nanoarchitectures are constructed by implemented site‐selective epitaxial growth to create mesopore and defect structures. The expanded size of the pores provides suitable space for homogeneously accommodating enzymes and enhances interfacial contact with enzymes, as well as reducing steric hindrance of target recognition to boost the mass transfer process. Harnessing the enzyme‐mediated surface etching of gold nanostars, a robust enzyme@MOFs‐P‐based plasmonic immunosensor is constructed for the sensitive detection of imidacloprid pesticide. In conjunction with using a smartphone‐based homemade device and image‐processing algorithm, quantitative detection of imidacloprid is achieved with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.02 ng mL−1, which shows ≈1000‐fold improvement in sensitivity compared with that of a typical immunoassay. This work gives valuable insight into engineering size‐tunable nanostructures and the structure‐activity relationship of MOFs, guiding the construction of plasmonic biosensors for on‐site application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tidal inlets with attached sand spits are a very common coastal landform. Since the evolution of sand spits along coastlines influence the social-economic development of local coastal areas, sand spits have become the objects of numerous studies. However, previous studies have mainly focused on sand spits that are usually in the scale of hundreds of meters in width, whilst knowledge about the evolution of smaller-scale sand spits still remains limited. Therefore, in this study, the morphological change of a small and unexplored sand spit in front of Song Tranh Inlet on the west coast of Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam is investigated. Satellite images are first used to observe the morphological change of the sand spit and calculate the longshore sediment transport rates (LSTR) along the sand spit. Waves and beach sediments are collected at the study site to calculate the longshore sediment transport rate using the CERC formula. It is found that there is a seasonal variation in the evolution of the sand spit at Song Tranh Inlet. The longshore sediment transport rates along the spit calculated by image analysis are 39,000 m3/year, 66,000 m3/year, and 40,000 m3/year, whilst the longshore sediment transport rate calculated by the CERC formula is 72,000 m3/year. This study aims to contribute to the methodology for investigating the evolutions of small sand spits and, specifically, sustainable coastal management for Phu Quoc Island, which is well-known as the Pearl Island of Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tetrapods, BMP-signaling coordinates limb outgrowth, skeleton patterning, and apoptosis during the formation of their typical autopod structures, the digits. In addition, inhibition of BMP signaling during mouse limb development leads to the persistence and enlargement of an important signaling center, the apical ectodermal ridge (AER), and consequent digit defects. Interestingly, during fish fin development there is a natural elongation of the AER, rapidly converted into an apical finfold (FF), in which osteoblasts differentiate into dermal fin-rays used in aquatic locomotion. Previous reports have led us to suggest that upregulation of Hox13 genes in the distal fin mesenchyme, caused by the origin of novel enhancer modules, may have caused an increment of the BMP signaling potentially leading to the apoptosis of these osteoblasts precursors of the fin-rays. To explore this hypothesis, we characterized the expression of several components of the BMP signaling in zebrafish lines with distinct FF sizes (bmp2b , smad1 , smoc1 , smoc2, grem1a, msx1b, msx2b, Psamd1/5/9). Our data suggest that the BMP signaling is enhanced in shorter FFs and inhibited in longer FFs, as implied by the differential expression of several components of this network. In addition, we detected an earlier expression of several of these BMP-signaling components associated with the development of short FFs and the opposite tendency during the development of longer FFs. Thus, our results suggest that a heterochronic shift, involving enhanced Hox13 expression and BMP signaling may have caused the reduction of the FF size during the evolutionary transition from fish fins to tetrapod limbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tungsten disulfide (WS2 ) has a wide application prospect in the field of optoelectronic devices due to its properties such as tunable band gap, strong light-matter interaction and high carrier mobility and so on. Dendritic WS2 / monolayer WS2 was grown on SiO2 / Si substrate by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Sulphur powder and transition metal oxides were used as precursors. The morphological evolution of the samples on the substrate was divided into four regions: superimposed growth region (Ⅳ), dendritic WS2 growth region (Ⅲ), hexagonal WS2 growth region (Ⅱ) and no obvious morphological region (Ⅰ). The differences in the number, morphology, structure and properties of the prepared dendritic WS2 / monolayer WS2 on the substrates were systematically compared by optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and other testing methods. It is found that the morphology of the dendritic WS2 affects the actual defect concentration, thus affects the position of the Raman characteristic peaks. The growth mechanism of the morphological evolution was explained by the atomic adsorption model and the variation of the S and W vapor ratio. In addition, back-gated field effect transistor (FET) based on dendritic WS2 / monolayer WS2 homojunction with a responsivity of 46. 6 mA/ W is prepared, and its response and recovery time are in the microsecond range, showing its superior performances than the monolayer WS2 -FET prepared by CVD. This work will help to further understand the controlled growth of two-dimensional thin film materials and contribute to the preparation of large-area, high-quality dendrite structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology of the Modaomen Estuary (ME) has undergone drastic changes in recent decades, and quantifying the contribution of human activities and natural processes is crucial for estuary management. Using Landsat images, chart data, and hydrological and meteorological data, this study analyzed the evolution of the shoreline and subaqueous topography of the ME and attempted to quantify the extent of the contributions of human activities. The results show that local human activities dominated morphological evolution in some periods. From 1973 to 2003, the shoreline advanced rapidly seaward, resulting in approximately half of the water area being converted into land. Human activity is critical to this process, with the direct contribution of local land reclamation projects reaching more than 85%. After 2003, the shoreline remained relatively stable, probably due to a decrease in land reclamation projects. Regarding the evolution of subaqueous topography, the shoals in the estuary were heavily silted and gradually disappeared during 1983–2003, and the waterways narrowed and deepened. The average siltation rate decreased from 15.43 mm/a to −1.02 mm/a, indicating that the ME changed from sedimentation to slight erosion. By detecting variations of sediment load, we found that upstream human activities reduced river sediment, while downstream human activities significantly increased sediment input to the ME, leaving little change in the actual sediment input to the ME for a relatively long period. In addition, based on the empirical relationship between the sediment input and siltation rate, local human activities influenced the shift in the siltation state more than upstream and downstream human activities did. These findings suggest that more attention should be paid to local human activities to improve the estuarine management in the ME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary transition metal sulfides demonstrate abundant morphological features and high redox activity. By studying the relationship between different morphological characteristics of active materials and electrochemical performance, high-performance supercapacitors can be discovered. In this work, binary Ni3S2/MoS2 composites in situ grow on the current collector Ni foam via electrochemical deposition and subsequently hydrothermal reaction, then it was directly used as a binder-free electrode for supercapacitors. The micro-morphological evolution process was investigated by controlling the hydrothermal time from 3 to 12 h. The electrochemical characterization showed that Ni3S2/MoS2@NF-9 (hydrothermal reacted for 9 h) with fluffy and abundant nanopores demonstrated the highest specific capacity (341.7 C g−1 at 1 A g−1), best rate performance (50% capacity retention from 1 to 20 A g−1), and superior charge transfer ability compared with others. Ni3S2/MoS2@NF-9 was also used as a positive electrode to assemble Ni3S2/MoS2@NF-9//RGO hybrid supercapacitor (HSC), which displayed a specific capacity of 129.2 C g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and specific energy of 26.9 Wh·kg−1 at 375 W kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harnessing the power of natural evolution for automated exploration of novel forms of metastructures is likely to be the next technological revolution of the material science. Herein, the principles of evolution into the metamaterial design and discovery process to directly evolve thousands of metastructures with hitherto‐unknown structures and new modalities of operation are embedded. In this so‐called evolving metamaterial (EM) concept, evolution takes place by randomly creating an initial population of parent metamaterial entities that pass on their genetic material to their offspring through variation, reproduction, and selection. The metamaterial configurations with desired response emerge during this evolutionary process. The EM concept presents a different approach for direct morphological evolution of metamaterial microstructures using merely a piece of matter. For the biologically inspired evolution of mechanical metamaterials, this piece is chosen to be a representative unit cell to launch the design process. This paradigm shift by creating an evolutionary computational framework for the exploration of a series of proof‐of‐concept 2D mechanical metamaterial structures with maximum bulk modulus, maximum shear modulus, and minimum Poisson's ratio is studied. The capability of the proposed approach for discovering 3D is examined by exploring a suite of 3D configurations with maximum bulk modulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geomorphological stability and ecological environment of megadeltas worldwide are of vital importance for their sustainable development. Deltaic hydro-morphodynamics is extremely sensitive to high riverine flow due to reduced sediment supply. However, the morphological evolution and response of deltas under high riverine flow have remained inadequately quantified. As one of the typical megadeltas, the Yellow River Delta (YRD), is becoming increasingly sensitive to environmental changes and intensified human interventions. In this study, a numerical model and field data were used to investigate the hydrodynamic changes and morphodynamic evolution induced by extreme river discharge in the YRD. The numerical experiments with different runoff scenarios reveal that high-energy riverine floods can cause significant hydrodynamic changes in bed shear stresses, water levels, and flow velocities, particularly in the abandoned river mouth. Moreover, it enhances the ebb-dominated tidal asymmetry, which considerably intensifies fluvial sediment resuspension and transport processes. The results also show high-energy riverine floods in the flood seasons trigger severe erosion in the Yellow River submerged delta, with a net erosion volume reaching −0.07 × 108 m3/year. The hydrodynamic increment in the abandoned river mouth is more significant, and therefore, severe erosion occurs, with the maximum erosion thickness reaching 7 m. These findings highlight the role of high riverine floods on the hydro-sediment dynamics of large river deltas under a sediment starvation condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Artemisia is a mega-diverse genus consisting of ~400 species. Despite its medicinal importance and ecological significance, a well-resolved phylogeny for global Artemisia , a natural generic delimitation and infrageneric taxonomy remain missing, owing to the obstructions from limited taxon sampling and insufficient information on DNA markers. Its morphological characters, such as capitulum, life form and leaf, show marked variations and are widely used in its infrageneric taxonomy. However, their evolution within Artemisia is poorly understood. Here, we aimed to reconstruct a well-resolved phylogeny for global Artemisia via a phylogenomic approach, to infer the evolutionary patterns of its key morphological characters and to update its circumscription and infrageneric taxonomy. Methods We sampled 228 species (258 samples) of Artemisia and its allies from both fresh and herbarium collections, covering all the subgenera and its main geographical areas, and conducted a phylogenomic analysis based on nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from genome skimming data. Based on the phylogenetic framework, we inferred the possible evolutionary patterns of six key morphological characters widely used in its previous taxonomy. Key Results The genus Kaschgaria was revealed to be nested in Artemisia with strong support. A well-resolved phylogeny of Artemisia consisting of eight highly supported clades was recovered, two of which were identified for the first time. Most of the previously recognized subgenera were not supported as monophyletic. Evolutionary inferences based on the six morphological characters showed that different states of these characters originated independently more than once. Conclusions The circumscription of Artemisia is enlarged to include the genus Kaschgaria. The morphological characters traditionally used for the infrageneric taxonomy of Artemisia do not match the new phylogenetic tree. They experienced a more complex evolutionary history than previously thought. We propose a revised infrageneric taxonomy of the newly circumscribed Artemisia , with eight recognized subgenera to accommodate the new results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paradoxical frogs (Pseudae) are mostly aquatic anurans thriving in tropical and subtropical South America that have long attracted attention because of their gigantic tadpoles, but also by their disputed evolutionary relationships. The latter appear to have reached a reasonable consensus; yet morphological diagnoses of its constituent taxa remain poorly defined. While osteology could help resolving this issue, most of their skeletal morphology remains undocumented. Here we provide a detailed comparative description of the entire adult skeleton of paradoxical frogs, their sister group Scarthyla and other hylids. Our survey supports the distinctiveness of Lysapsus and Pseudis, proposing several osteological synapomorphies and diagnoses for different groups. We also find remarkable osteological diversity within Pseudis , even if only some isolated bones are considered, providing valuable data for paleontological and zooarcheological studies. Parsimony optimization also uncovers some distinct evolutionary trends in different aspects of the skeleton of paradoxical frogs likely related to the acquisition of adaptations to an aquatic lifestyle, showing some remarkable convergences with the highly aquatic pipids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acquisition of novel traits is central to organismal evolution, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are elusive. The beetle forewings (elytra) are evolutionarily modified to serve as a protective shield, providing a unique opportunity to study these mechanisms. In the past, the orthologs of genes within the wing gene network from Drosophila studies served as the starting point when studying the evolution of elytra (candidate genes). Although effective, candidate gene lists are finite and only explore genes conserved across species. To go beyond candidate genes, we used RNA sequencing and explored the wing transcriptomes of two Coleopteran species, the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and the Japanese stag beetle (Dorcus hopei). Our analysis revealed sets of genes enriched in Tribolium elytra (57 genes) and genes unique to the hindwings, which possess more "typical" insect wing morphologies (29 genes). Over a third of the hindwing‐enriched genes were "candidate genes" whose functions were previously analyzed in Tribolium, demonstrating the robustness of our sequencing. Although the overlap was limited, transcriptomic comparison between the beetle species found a common set of genes, including key wing genes, enriched in either elytra or hindwings. Our RNA interference analysis for elytron‐enriched genes in Tribolium uncovered novel genes with roles in forming various aspects of morphology that are unique to elytra, such as pigmentation, hardening, sensory development, and vein formation. Our analyses deepen our understanding of how gene network evolution facilitated the emergence of the elytron, a unique structure critical to the evolutionary success of beetles. Research Highlights: Transcriptomic comparisons between the forewings (elytra) and hindwings of two beetle species identified a set of differentially expressed genes.The hindwing transcriptome shows enrichment of many previously identified wing genes, while the elytron transcriptome highlights gene regulatory networks patterning the morphological features shared between the elytron and body wall of beetles.RNA interference for some of the elytron‐enriched genes in Tribolium revealed novel genes with roles in forming various aspects of the morphological features unique to elytra, such as pigmentation, hardening, sensory development, and vein formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of delta and riverbank erosion within the river basin can significantly impact the environment, ecosystems, and lives of those residing along rivers. The Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), counted among the world’s largest deltas, has undergone significant morphological alterations via natural processes and human activities. This research aims to examine these morphological alterations and their impacts on local economic and social conditions in the VMD. This study utilized satellite data from 1988 to 2020, coupled with population density and land use/land cover (LULC) maps from 2002, 2008, and 2015. The findings reveal that the VMD experienced widespread erosion over the past three decades, covering an area of 66.8 km2 and affecting 48% of the riverbank length (682 km). In contrast to riverbanks, islets showed an accretion trend with an additional area of 13.3 km2, resulting in a decrease in river width over the years. Riverbank and islet erosion has had a profound impact on the LULC, population, and economy of the provinces along the VMD. From 2002 to 2020, eight different land use types were affected, with agricultural land being the most severely eroded, constituting over 86% of the total lost land area (3235.47 ha). The consequences of land loss due to erosion affected 31,273 people and resulted in substantial economic damages estimated at VND 19,409.90 billion (USD 799.50 million) across nine provinces along the VMD. Notably, even though built-up land represented a relatively small portion of the affected area (6.58%), it accounted for the majority of the economic damage at 70.6% (USD 564.45 million). This study underscores the crucial role of satellite imagery and GIS in monitoring long-term morphological changes and assessing their primary impacts. Such analysis is essential for formulating effective plans and strategies for the sustainable management of river environments.

The latest findings on the taxonomic review of Quercus faginea Lam. complex using ‘traditional morphometrics’, demonstrating that the species is represented in Algeria by both Q. faginea and Q. canariensis Willd. Significant variations of the leaf form were also discernible among both species. In this study, the landmark-based geometric morphometrics analysis was used to assess the shape variation of the leaves found on oak stands. 2,600 leaves per 13 stands were collected and scanned, and then using Tps range and MorphoJ software, 11 landmarks—that represent the leaf morphological features—were recorded on leaf images. Shape components and non-forms variations were obtained through a full Procrustes fit followed by creating a leaf-superimposed configuration. Principal component analysis, canonical variate analysis, and discriminate analysis were used to statistically evaluate the leaf shape variability. The results revealed no clear distinction between the two species based on leaf shape. Climate change and environmental factors also appear to have possibly caused a divergent morphological evolution; a reduced leaf size with enduring indumentum—among other Q. faginea traits—could be an efficient mean of adapting to Mediterranean xeric conditions.

Harnessing the power of natural evolution for automated exploration of novel forms of metastructures is likely to be the next technological revolution of the material science. Herein, the principles of evolution into the metamaterial design and discovery process to directly evolve thousands of metastructures with hitherto‐unknown structures and new modalities of operation are embedded. In this so‐called evolving metamaterial (EM) concept, evolution takes place by randomly creating an initial population of parent metamaterial entities that pass on their genetic material to their offspring through variation, reproduction, and selection. The metamaterial configurations with desired response emerge during this evolutionary process. The EM concept presents a different approach for direct morphological evolution of metamaterial microstructures using merely a piece of matter. For the biologically inspired evolution of mechanical metamaterials, this piece is chosen to be a representative unit cell to launch the design process. This paradigm shift by creating an evolutionary computational framework for the exploration of a series of proof‐of‐concept 2D mechanical metamaterial structures with maximum bulk modulus, maximum shear modulus, and minimum Poisson's ratio is studied. The capability of the proposed approach for discovering 3D is examined by exploring a suite of 3D configurations with maximum bulk modulus.

Aim: Limb reduction is a dramatic evolutionary transition, yet whether it is achieved in similar trajectories across clades, and its environmental drivers, remain unclear. We investigate the macroevolutionary and biogeographical patterns of limb reduction in skinks, where limb reduction occurred more often than in any other tetrapod clade, and test their associations with substrate categories using a global database. We test for habitat associations of body shapes in a group of Australian skinks using quantitative habitat data. Location: Global (Scincidae), Australia (Sphenomorphinae). Taxon: Skinks, Australian Sphenomorphinae. Materials and Methods: We use morphological data to explore the patterns of limb reduction in the world's skinks, investigating how body proportions differ across skink clades and subfamilies. We examine the relationships between body shape and substrate (coarsely classified). Further, we investigate the relationships between body shape and high‐resolution soil and climate properties extracted from each species' distribution for Australian sphenomorphines. Results: Relationships between limb lengths and trunk elongation show idiosyncratic patterns across skink clades. Presacral vertebrae numbers positively correlate with trunk elongation in all taxa, except Glaphyromorphus. Skinks from sandy habitats show greater disparity between forelimb and hindlimb lengths than all other substrate categories. In sphenomorphines, shorter limbs and elongated trunks correlate with colder, more humid microhabitats and richer soils; high limb disparity correlates with hot, arid microhabitats and sandy, poor substrates. Main Conclusions: The evolutionary trajectories of limb reduction in skinks are clade‐specific and sometimes unique. Selection for specific limb proportions and body sizes in limb‐reduced forms changes across substrates. On poor, sandy substrates of arid environments, body shapes with longer hindlimbs may be more efficient for locomotion in a granular fluid (i.e. sand) and exploit the air–substrate interface than complete limblessness. On richer, more humid substrates, such morphology is rare, indicating that navigating cluttered substrates selects for more equal and shorter limb lengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of egg shape across birds has been associated with breeding ecology, body shape constraints and nest microclimate, among other factors. We model the effects of migratory status, climate, clutch size and egg volume on egg shape variation over the distribution of fork‐tailed flycatchers Tyrannus savana. Although migratory status and climatic variables appear to be influencing intraspecific egg shape, these effects are not significant when accounting for nest identity as a random factor (i.e. eggs from the same clutch are more similar than to other clutches). Moreover, the differences that we observe in egg shape are not explained by variation in egg size. Finally, within a breeding population of migratory fork‐tailed flycatchers, egg shape does not vary with respect to egg‐laying order and/or female wing length (standardized by weight). Egg shape is highly variable within populations of fork‐tailed flycatchers but not within clutches, suggesting that female traits, apart from migratory status and wing morphology, constrain egg shape variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphology and size controls are critical for the research of luminescent nanomaterials. In this work, La 2 O 3 :18%Yb3+/2%Er3+ nanoparticles were synthesized by a urea-assisted coprecipitation process, where the morphology and size of nanoparticles could be precisely controlled by adjusting the doping concentration, urea dosage and reaction time. With increasing Yb3+ doping concentration and reaction time, morphological evolution processes from nanosheets to nanospheres to nanofibers were observed. The experimental results revealed that the nanospheres could only be synthesized when 18%Yb3+ and 2%Er3+ were doped into the La 2 O 3 host, where the size of the nanospheres could be precisely controlled by adjusting the urea dosage. The effects of the particle morphology and size on the upconversion luminescence of La 2 O 3 :18%Yb3+/2%Er3+ nanoparticles were investigated. In addition, the chemical stability of La 2 O 3 :18%Yb3+/2%Er3+ nanospheres in air was investigated by recording XRD and upconversion luminescence spectra after exposure to air for different periods. The experimental conclusions were useful for further probing the effects of the particle morphology and size on the upconversion emission of Er3+. The upconverted luminescence and chemical stability of morphologically controllable La 2 O 3 :Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles. [Display omitted] • La 2 O 3 :Yb3+/Er3+ UC nanoparticles were synthesized via the co-precipitation method. • The morphology was controlled by adjusting doping concentration and reaction parameters. • The UC luminescence of La 2 O 3 :Yb3+/Er3+ was associated with the particle morphology and size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the architectural characterization of a mixed sand‐and‐gravel spit in relation to its multi‐decadal evolution. The spit, located in the Somme estuary in northern France, is a 5 km long sedimentary body made of several amalgamated ridges with a hooked terminus. Flint pebbles originating from the erosion of Cretaceous chalk cliffs and sands reworked from the tidal flat constitute the spit. Aerial photographs demonstrate that the spit formation started in the 1940s and document its growth through time. The architecture of the spit has been characterized by ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) investigation using 400 MHz and 900 MHz antennas. The GPR data are used to distinguish progradational, aggradational and transgressive geometries that are related to cross‐shore and longshore construction, respectively. Three main morpho‐stratigraphic domains characterize the spit from the root to the terminus: (i) a beach‐ridge domain mainly made of progradational structures; (ii) an intermediate domain formed by beach‐drift structures topped by deposits with cross‐shore geometries; and (iii) a spit‐terminus domain mainly composed of beach drift structures which incorporate sand deposits. At the scale of an individual ridge, high‐frequency GPR data indicates five types of sedimentary architectures associated with the evolution from a hook stage to the subsequent elongation stage. The overall development of the barrier spit is the result of complex interactions between wave and storm dynamics, potentially modulated by the variability of submersion time related to the 18.6 year tidal cycle, and anthropogenic activities including groyne construction and gravel reloading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelvic morphology in mammals is shaped by several factors, including the functional commitment with parturition. Due to this, some mammalian clades, like primates, show a detectable evolutionary relationship between the magnitude of pelvic sexual dimorphism and cranial morphology of neonates. However, this correlation is less understood within the most diversified mammalian order, Rodentia. The present study aims to describe the general patterns of sexual dimorphism in pelvic shape among Neotropical spiny rats (Echimyidae), assessing its hypothesized coevolution with cranial morphology. We investigated the main sources of sexual variation in pelvic shape among 12 echimyid taxa using linear morphometry and subsequently tested the phylogenetically controlled correlation between male and female pelvic morphologies and craniometric variation. Results reveal that pelvic sexual dimorphism is concentrated in the pubis, with females showing a shorter and thicker pubic symphysis and a thinner cranial pubic ramus than males, a pattern already reported in other mammals and evidently related to obstetric demands. An evolutionary association was found between the intensity of pelvic femininization, the increase in pelvic sexual dimorphism, and the acquisition of relatively large crania and relatively inflated braincases; all of these traits are notably developed in the semi-fossorial broad-headed spiny rat, Clyomys laticeps. We argue that selection on the pelvis of female spiny rats, associated with their cranial morphologies and constraints linked to locomotory specializations, probably resulted in a correlated selective response in the pelvis of males. Our findings suggest that the magnitude of pelvic sexual dimorphism in echimyids is likely associated with obstetric demands imposed by cranial morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A macrotidal estuary with mountain streams (MEMS) is characterized by rapidly rising and falling flood peaks and large tidal ranges and is a typical estuary type with strong flow dynamics that is found worldwide. Understanding the morphodynamic evolution of MEMSs has great significance for river management. The roles of the mountain stream river flood process and macrotides on the morphology evolution still needs further quantitative study. Taking the Oujiang Estuary as an example, the evolution mechanisms of bifurcated reaches of a MEMS are studied by analyzing the hydrologic and topographic data and using a two-dimensional numerical model for flow-sediment transport. The results show that (1) under the combined actions of runoff and macrotides, sediment transport is active and morphological evolution is intensive, the main branch and subbranch historically switch frequently, and erosion generally occurs in wet years, while deposition occurs in dry years. (2) The river flood process of mountain streams causes rapid erosion, which rises and falls rapidly with a kurtosis index (K) of approximately 2.9. There is a logarithmic relation between the sediment transport load and K. The volume of sediment transport will be 40% larger than the river flood process with K = 1.2 as for the Yangtze River. (3) Macrotides with large tidal ranges could enhance the discharge asymmetry (ψ). When the ψ is greater than 1, the side branches are dominated by flood tides. Although the current study is site specific, the results are expected to provide a valuable reference for sustainable management in similar estuaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Anchoring Pt nanoparticles onto carbon nanofibers preloaded with cobalt (Pt@Co/CNFs). • The morphology of the multi-level structure surface was controlled. • The interaction between Co and Pt accelerated water splitting. • Pt@Co/CNFs self-supporting electrode showed excellent stability in AEM water electrolysis systems. Pt-based catalysts suffered from the wastage of active sites, resulting in unsatisfactory actual catalytic performance and poor durability as non-self-supporting catalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, we designed a self-supporting electrode material with multi-level structure that utilized carbon nanofibers anchored with cobalt to load and stabilize Pt nanoparticles (Pt@Co/CNFs) for achieving high activity and stability in alkaline HER. The carbon nanofibers served as a framework, with cobalt nanoparticles as an electron donor that can transfer electrons to the metal Pt to accelerating water splitting. In addition, the morphology of the multi-level structure surface was controlled by the content of the reducing agent to giving the material excellent superhydrophilic/underwater superaerophobic properties with ultra-low Pt load (0.29 mg cm−2), which was beneficial for HER. HER test results showed that Pt@Co/CNFs exhibited great catalytic activity, with η 10 = 15 mV and η 100 = 101 mV. Besides, the stable mechanical structure and the stability of the designed catalytic surface and electron donor in the multi-level structure gave the material exceptional stability. During the 100-hour stability test at 100 mA cm−2, the voltage change was only 50 mV. Besides, utilizing the Pt@Co/CNFs self-supporting electrode directly in the AEM water electrolysis system, a cell voltage as low as 2.18 V was achieved at 500 mA cm−2. Impressively, it demonstrated operational stability for over 200 h without noticeable decay. This work provides a promising approach for the development of advanced self-supporting electrode catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal phenotypes evolve and diverge as a result of differing selective pressures and drift. These processes leave unique signatures in patterns of trait evolution, impacting the tempo and mode of morphological macroevolution. While there is a broad understanding of the history of some organismal traits (e.g., body size), there is little consensus about the evolutionary mode of most others. This includes the relative contribution of prolonged (Darwinian gradualist) and episodic (Simpsonian jump) changes toward the evolution of novel morphologies. Here, we use new exon-capture and linear morphological datasets to investigate the tempo and mode of morphological evolution in Australo-Melanesian Tiliquini skinks. We generate a well-supported time-calibrated phylogenomic tree from ∼400 nuclear markers for more than 100 specimens, including undescribed diversity, and provide unprecedented resolution of the rapid Miocene diversification of these lizards. By collecting a morphological dataset that encompasses the lizard body plan (19 traits across the head, body, limb, and tail), we are able to identify that most traits evolve conservatively, but infrequent evolutionary bursts result in morphological novelty. These phenotypic discontinuities occur via rapid rate increases along individual branches, inconsistent with both gradualistic and punctuated equilibrial evolutionary modes. Instead, this "punctuated gradualism" has resulted in the rapid evolution of blue-tongued giants and armored dwarves in the ∼20 million years since colonizing Australia. These results outline the evolutionary pathway toward new morphologies and highlight the heterogeneity of evolutionary tempo and mode, even within individual traits. [Display omitted] • A new and reliable species tree of Tiliquini skinks (bluetongues and relatives) • Patterns of morphological trait evolution are heterogeneous • Nested "bursts" in evolution lead to new phenotypes Identifying the tempo and mode of evolution is essential to unraveling macroevolutionary histories. Brennan et al. present evidence from Australian skinks that novel phenotypes arise from heterogeneous patterns of trait evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative research regarding the effects and contribution rates of both natural processes and human interventions on the long-term evolution of the Yangtze Estuary is currently insufficient. To address this, we employ the Mann-Kendall (M-K) test to analyze hydrological changes and utilize bathymetric maps from 1958 to 2019 to quantify erosion and deposition patterns. Subsequently, combined with the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) to separately identify the top three control factors and elucidate spatiotemporal characteristics of the main factors controlling the Yangtze Estuary's morphological evolution. The results showed that sediment load and runoff consistently rank within the top three with respective mean contribution rates of 40.5% and 19.4%. Sediment load prevails as the first control factor across all regions except for the North Passage, which experienced a transition from natural dominance to human domination in 1998. Notably, extremely events like the 1998 flood occupied more eigenweighting in the short term and progressed in ranking due to the strong channel-forming capacity. Regarding escalating human interventions, estuarine engineering projects affect estuarine shoals following initial deposition and subsequent erosion patterns. However, their influence tends to wane post-completion, often surpassed by natural processes. Specifically, since 2010, continuous navigation channel dredging has governed the morphological evolution of the North Passage. Additionally, sand mining targeting the Ruifeng Shoal has driven the post-evolution dynamics of the South Channel as the second control factor. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the coupling driving mechanisms involving both natural processes and human interventions, thereby enabling improved strategies for future sustainable management in estuarine environments. • Disclosed the spatiotemporal characteristics of the main factors controlling the Yangtze Estuary's morphological evolution. • Sediment load and runoff consistently rank within the top three controlling factors, exhibiting mean contribution rates of 40.5% and 19.4%. • Provides new insights into the coupling driving mechanisms of both natural processes and human interventions in morphological evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the recent development from grey infrastructures to green infrastructures, artificial reefs become more popular in coastal protection projects. To investigate the responses of beach profile evolution to the presence of an artificial reef, a non-hydrostatic model is established. Both hydrodynamic and morphodynamic evolution for the beach with and without an artificial reef are compared under regular wave conditions. In addition, the protected beach profile evolution by an artificial reef is discussed under irregular wave conditions. Three key parameters in non-hydrostatic simulation are considered for sensitivity analysis, including maximum wave steepness criterium (maxbrsteep), water depth factor (depthscale), and equilibrium sediment concentration factor (sedcal). The numerical results under regular wave conditions indicate that the artificial reef enhances wave attenuation by inducing wave breaking. In addition, the artificial reef reduces local flow velocity and offshore sediment transport by 51%, therefore decrease the total erosion by 53%. Over the artificial reef, wave skewness and asymmetry go through a drastic change. Under irregular wave conditions, short waves contribute to the wave energy mainly and reflection-induced standing wave effects decline considerably. It demonstrates that the artificial reef can protect the beach from regular and irregular waves by reducing erosion and offshore transport of suspended sediments. Moreover, in the wave breaking area, the increase of maximum wave steepness criterium may give arise to the wave height. The morphological evolution is more sensitive to water depth factor than equilibrium sediment concentration factor, because the former is a controlling factor for beach profile characteristics while the latter forms the sandbar varying irregularly in shape.

The morphological changes in an estuarine bay are affected by fluvial and oceanic dynamics, as well as human activities. Human activity has increased considerably in recent years, especially in Lingding Bay of the Pearl River Estuary. Based on mass measured bathymetric data and remote sensing images, morphological changes in Lingding Bay were examined and its long-term morphological evolution from 1964 to 2019 was studied using GIS method and EOF methods. The water area of Lingding Bay gradually decreased through this period due to shore reclamation and the evolutionary characteristics of the underwater topography were different before and after 2007 due to changes in the intensity of human activities. From 1964 to 2007, the water depth and volume of Lingding Bay decreased slightly and the bay experienced a slow silting process with the geomorphic pattern of “three shoals and two troughs” under low-intensity human activity. From 2007 to present, high-intensity sand-dredging activities in the bay have led to considerable deepening and a significant increase in water volume in the East Trough and Middle Shoal areas. The amount of sediment loss caused by the sand-dredging activities after 2007 far exceeded the amount of sediment deposition over the past four decades prior to 2007. Therefore, even if the sand-dredging activities had been banned, the eroded parts of Lingding Bay (i.e., East Trough and Middle Shoal) may not recover in a short time due to the small sediment load from the Pearl River. These recent morphological changes in Lingding Bay may bring about challenges for estuary regulation, disaster control, environmental protection, and the operational safety of the nearby ports and channels. Consequently, the subsequent evolution of the bay requires further research. This will enrich the scientific work for estuarine and coastal research and be conducive to revealing the interaction mechanisms between humans and nature, guiding sustainable development, estuarine disaster control, and promoting interdisciplinary innovation in estuarine research.

The evolution of egg shape across birds has been associated with breeding ecology, body shape constraints and nest microclimate, among other factors. We model the effects of migratory status, climate, clutch size and egg volume on egg shape variation over the distribution of fork‐tailed flycatchers Tyrannus savana. Although migratory status and climatic variables appear to be influencing intraspecific egg shape, these effects are not significant when accounting for nest identity as a random factor (i.e. eggs from the same clutch are more similar than to other clutches). Moreover, the differences that we observe in egg shape are not explained by variation in egg size. Finally, within a breeding population of migratory fork‐tailed flycatchers, egg shape does not vary with respect to egg‐laying order and/or female wing length (standardized by weight). Egg shape is highly variable within populations of fork‐tailed flycatchers but not within clutches, suggesting that female traits, apart from migratory status and wing morphology, constrain egg shape variation.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:Inferring the evolution of characters in Isoëtes has been problematic, as these plants are morphologically conservative and yet highly variable and homoplasious within that conserved base morphology. However, molecular phylogenies have given us a valuable tool for testing hypotheses of character evolution within the genus, such as the hypothesis of ongoing morphological reductions. METHODS:We examined the reduction in lobe number on the underground trunk, or corm, by combining the most recent molecular phylogeny with morphological descriptions gathered from the literature and observations of living specimens. Ancestral character states were inferred using nonstationary evolutionary models, reversible-jump MCMC, and Bayesian model averaging. KEY RESULTS:Our results support the hypothesis of a directional reduction in lobe number in Isoëtes, with the best-supported model of character evolution being one of irreversible reduction. Furthermore, the most probable ancestral corm lobe number of extant Isoëtes is three, and a reduction to two lobes has occurred at least six times. CONCLUSIONS:From our results, we can infer that corm lobation, like many other traits in Isoëtes, shows a degree of homoplasy, and yet also shows ongoing evolutionary reduction.