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We investigate a trapped mixture of Bose–Einstein condensates consisting of a multiple number of P species. To be able to do so, an exactly solvable many-body model is called into play. This is the P-species harmonic-interaction model. After presenting the Hamiltonian, the ground-state energy and wavefunction are explicitly calculated. All properties of the mixture's ground state can, in principle, be obtained from the many-particle wavefunction. A scheme to integrate the all-particle density matrix is derived and implemented, leading to closed-form expressions for the reduced one-particle density matrices. Of particular interest is the infinite-particle-number limit, which is obtained when the numbers of bosons are taken to infinity while keeping the interaction parameters fixed. We first prove that at the infinite-particle-number limit all the species are 100% condensed. The mean-field solution of the P-species mixture is also obtained analytically and is used to show that the energy per particle and densities per particle computed at the many-body level of theory boil down to their mean-field counterparts. Despite these, correlations in the mixture exist at the infinite-particle-number limit. To this end, we obtain closed-form expressions for the correlation energy, namely, the difference between the mean-field and many-body energies, and the depletion of the species, i.e., the number of particles residing outside the condensed modes, at the infinite-particle-number limit. The depletion and the correlation energy per species are shown to critically depend on the number of species. Of separate interest is the entanglement between one species of bosons and the other P − 1 species. This quantity is governed by the coupling of the center-of-mass coordinates of the species and is obtained by the respective Schmidt decomposition of the P-species wavefunction. Interestingly, there is an optimal number of species, here P = 3, where the entanglement is maximal. Importantly, the manifestation of this interspecies entanglement in an observable is possible. It is the position–momentum uncertainty product of one species in the presence of the other P − 1 species, which is derived and demonstrated to correlate with the interspecies entanglement. All in all, we show and explain how correlations at the infinite-particle-number limit of a trapped multiple-species bosonic mixture depend on the interactions and how they evolve with the number of species. Generalizations and implications are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce an allostery-mimetic building block model for the self-assembly of 3D structures. We represent the building blocks as patchy particles, where each binding site (patch) can be irreversibly activated or deactivated by binding of the particle's other controlling patches to another particle. We show that these allostery-mimetic systems can be designed to increase yields of target structures by disallowing misassembled states and can further decrease the smallest number of distinct species needed to assemble a target structure. Next, we show applications to design a programmable nanoparticle swarm for multifarious assembly: a system of particles that stores multiple possible target structures and a particular structure is recalled by presenting an external trigger signal. Finally, we outline a possible pathway for realization of such structures at nanoscale using DNA nanotechnology devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-particle behavior in d≥1-dimensional Fermi gases with a large number N of species and strong short-range s-wave scattering is studied in the (effectively) 2d ‘tomographic’ framework and is shown to demonstrate certain features of a pseudo-holographic correspondence with the 3d gravity of the AdS3 type. However, due to the intrinsically topological nature of the latter theory, its dynamics reduces to a purely boundary one and so, akin to its SYK/AdS2 counterpart, this formal correspondence neither represents a genuine case of, nor endorses the hypothetical holographic duality between pairs of fully dynamical systems defined in different dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Analysis of aboveground vegetation and soil seed bank is an important source of data on the state and dynamics of vegetation. It is especially important in landscapes exposed to disturbances, which have lost their functions. For our research, a post-mining area in the region of the Upper Silesian Black Coal Basin was selected, whose relief and ecosystems are strongly disturbed by underground mining and are currently also affected by ongoing climate change. Method: Data collection for our research took place in the territory of two waterlogged subsidence basins in the Karvina region, Czech Republic. We evaluated 30 phytosociological releves using techniques of Zurich – Montpellier school and 540 soil cores using cultivation and extraction method. Results: In the above-ground vegetation, 115 plant species were identified. By cultivating soil samples, we determined 60 species from 1,487 seedlings, by extraction method 66 species from 5,999 seeds. A statistically significant effect of the presence of the tree layer on the number of species obtained by the extraction method was demonstrated. There is also a statistically significant difference between the selected analysis methods in terms of the length of the captured seeds and their seed mass. Discussion: The construction of a rarefaction curve demonstrated that the use of cultivation and extraction methods leads to a greater capture of soil seed bank species. The similarity between the species composition of aboveground vegetation and the soil seed bank correspond to similarities observed in other studies from degraded habitats. Very low similarity between the species of the soil seed bank from cultivation and extraction method is probably caused by the highly variable distribution of seeds in the soil in time and space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global biodiversity is declining due to insecticide use against mosquito vectors. Mechanical removal of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) eggs from the container walls emerges as an ecofriendly health safeguard. The aim of this research was to identify which other dipterans have the same ovisposition strategy as A. aegypti and could therefore be affected by this container cleaning technique. Through annual monitoring with ovitraps, coexisting insects that laid their eggs in the same manner as A. aegypti were identified, and the seasonal oviposition patterns of those species were assessed. Different urbanisation levels and oviposition substrates were included in the study design. From late spring to mid-fall, dipteran eggs of Dasyhelea necrophila (Ceratopogonidae) and Clogmia albipunctata (Psychodidae) were found. Clogmia albipunctata has been marked as mechanical vector of pathogens associated with nosocomial infections, while no species of Dasyhelea is of medical importance. Dasyhelea necrophila had a shorter oviposition season (November to February) compared to C. albipunctata and A. aegypti (November to March). Both C. albipunctata and D. necrophila consistently exhibited aggregated egglaying behaviour. Urban conditions and water-saturated fabric led to higher egg proportions for all species. In implementing ovicidal control measures throughout the entire reproductive season, targeting the two species of public health importance, C. albipunctata and A. aegypti, it appears challenging to prevent the removal of the nontarget species D. necrophila. Our results suggest that knowledge about the identity of dipterans breeding in artificial containers and their oviposition patterns are essential knowledge for thinking about environmentally responsible control treatments that cover the largest number of target species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Alborz Mountains represent an area of endemism within the Irano-Turanian floristic region. They are particularly rich in the number of species belonging to Euphorbia subgenus Esula (leafy spurges). Here, we present a new annual leafy spurge discovered in the area. Morphologically and ecologically, it resembles annual Euphorbia szovitsii, the sole representative of Euphorbia sect. Szovitsiae, and Euphorbia arvalis from Euphorbia sect. Arvales. Phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer sequences inferred its sister position to Euphorbia sect. Patellares, which includes perennials growing mostly in more mesic habitats; interestingly, the new species shares partly connate raylet-leaves with this section. Conversely, the plastid sequences indicated that it was most closely related to E. szovitsii. This suggests its hybrid origin, possibly including an allopolyploidisation event in its evolutionary history, indicated by an increased relative genome size compared to E. szovitsii. Based on our integrative approach we describe the new Alborz endemic as Euphorbia alborzensis and include it in E. sect. Szovitsiae. We provide a taxonomic treatment and discuss its morphological affinities with close relatives. Our study highlights the Alborz Mountains as an important area of endemism in the Irano-Turanian region and indicates that further in-depth studies are needed in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Plasmodium and Haemoproteus lineages with more host species showed higher prevalence of infection in house sparrows. • Plasmodium and Haemoproteus lineages found in more localities had higher prevalence of infection and number of host species. • Results of this study support the niche breadth hypothesis in avian Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasites. Studying host specificity is crucial to understanding the ability of parasites to spread to new hosts and trigger disease emergence events. The relationship between host specificity and parasite prevalence and infection intensity, has typically been studied in the context of two opposing hypotheses. According to the trade-off hypothesis generalist parasites, which can infect a broad range of hosts, will reach a lower prevalence and infection intensity than more specialist parasites due to the higher costs to adapt to multiple host immune systems. In contrast, the niche breadth hypothesis proposes that generalists' ability to infect more host species makes them more efficient in colonising host communities and thus they are found at higher prevalences and infection intensities. This study aims to test these hypotheses using the widespread avian malaria parasites of the genera Plasmodium and the related malaria-like parasite Haemoproteus. Overall, 1188 wild house sparrows from 17 localities in southwestern Spain were screened for parasite presence and intensity of infection. For each lineage found infecting house sparrows, we estimated host specificity as i) the number of different bird taxa infected by that lineage according to the MalAvi database and ii) an index that accounts for the phylogenetic relatedness between the host species. Parasite infections were recorded in 419 house sparrows, and eight Plasmodium and three Haemoproteus lineages were identified. Prevalence was positively associated with the number of host species. Lineages found in more localities showed both higher prevalence and host range. Overall, these results support the niche breadth hypothesis in relation to blood parasites infecting house sparrows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The random encounter model (REM) for estimating population densities of unmarked species using camera traps is increasingly used and very popular. Main reason is that it requires relatively low human effort and can be used for unmarked or nocturnal species. In this study, we applied REM to estimate the population density of the mesocarnivorous golden jackal (Canis aureus) in an area near Senj in Croatia. This species is rapidly spreading, leading to increase in conflicts with humans, and the data on population densities are very scarce. We systematically placed 22 camera traps in a 25 km2 Mediterranean habitat at the intersections of 1.5-km grid cells and kept them active for 12 months (April 2022 – April 2023) during the entire 24-hour period. All REM parameters (i.e., average movement speed, angle, and radius) were estimated using just camera trap data. The golden jackal was recorded at 21 locations in 582 independent events from 4941 camera-trapping days. The average activity level during the whole period was 55% (i.e., golden jackals were active for 13.2 h per day). Activity patterns did not differ between seasons, being predominantly nocturnal and highest between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am. Over the entire period, the average number of detections per camera was 27.7, the average detection distance was 5.0 m ± 0.1 SE, the movement speed was 1.6 km/h ± 0.2 SE, and the distance travelled was 20.5 km/day ± 2.5 SE. Population density determined by REM was 1.5 individuals/km2 ± 0.4 SE during the whole study period and did not vary greatly between seasons (it was the lowest in winter). Our density estimates are comparable to the unpublished field reports from the region but were obtained with less human effort than field observation. If these estimates are confirmed by the density estimates obtained by the traditional methods, it would confirm the usability of REM as a relatively low effort method for obtaining proper density estimates for elusive species in unapproachable habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The aims of this study are to examine the community characteristics of grassland plants in the Habahe region of Altai Mountains, changes in plant diversity, aboveground biomass in relation to community stability, and to provide data support for the development of a rational grazing system in Habahe region. [Methods] From 2020 to 2022, 18 representative fixed sample plots were selected in the summer pasture of Habahe in Altai Mountains to do surveys to investigate the number of species in the sample plots, cover and height, etc., and to determine the aboveground biomass, β-diversity (Sφrensen β-diversity index and Jaccard β-diversity index), species diversity (Margalef richness index, Simpson dominance index, Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Alatalo evenness index) and M. Godron community stability. The relationship between community stability and plant diversity and its biomass before and after grazing was analyzed. [Results] (1) 30 species of grassland communities were distributed in the Habahe region of Altai Mountains, belonging to 14 families, with Asteraceae, Rosaceae and Gramineae in the majority. (2) The diversity index, cover, plant height and above-ground biomass of grasslands in the Habahe region showed a significant downward trend after grazing. (3) The stability of grassland communities in the Habahe region before grazing was positively correlated with the Margalef richness index, the Simpson dominance index, and the Shannon-Wiener index diversity index in a highly significant way (p＜0.01); and the stability of grassland communities in the Habahe region after grazing was positively correlated with the Simpson dominance index in a significant way (p＜0.05) . (4) The relationship between grassland community stability and aboveground biomass in the Habahe region before grazing showed a significant positive correlation (p＜0.05), and the relationship between grassland community stability and aboveground biomass in the Habahe region after grazing showed no correlation. [Conclusion] The relationship between grassland community stability and diversity and biomass changed significantly after grazing, and grazing had a greater impact on community stability and reduced the stability of the community to a certain extent, but the community was generally in a stable state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] This study aims to elucidate the impact of enclosure on the characteristics and diversity of typical plant communities in desert grasslands, to provide scientific evidence for the conservation of plant resources, biodiversity, and the sustainable utilization and management of grassland resources in Ningxia desert grasslands. [Methods] Four typical plant communities, including Artemisia scoparia, Stipa breviflora, Sophora alopecuroides, and Artemisia ordosica, widely distributing in the desert grasslands of Ningxia, were selected as research objects to investigate the impact of enclosure measures on the structure and functional characteristics of different plant communities. [Results] Enclosure did not alter the dominant status of key species in the four plant communities but changed their functional group composition and importance values. Enclosure increased the total number of species in the annual plant community (Artemisia scoparia) by 13.33% but decreased the total number of species in perennial plant communities (Stipa breviflora, Sophora alopecuroides, Artemisia ordosica) by 30%, 34.78%, and 40%, respectively. It reduced the number of perennial miscellaneous grass species in all four plant communities and increased the importance values of perennial miscellaneous grasses and perennial graminoids in perennial plant communities. Enclosure increased the height and aboveground biomass of the four plant communities and increased the canopy cover of Artemisia scoparia, Stipa breviflora, and Artemisia ordosica communities. Enclosure decreased the Margalef richness index of all four plant communities, the Shannon-Wiener and Simpson indices of perennial herbaceous plant communities (Stipa breviflora, Sophora alopecuroides), but increased the Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, and Pielou indices of the annual plant community. From the perspective of tne analysis on life form of key species in the communities, alpha diversity showed the order: perennial herbaceous＞subshrub＞annual herbaceous plant communities. Aboveground biomass was significantly positively correlated with canopy cover and height (p＜0.001), and significantly negatively correlated with the Margalef richness index (p＜0.001) and the Shannon-Wiener index (p＜0.05), [Conclusion] Enclosure can positively influence the canopy cover, height, and aboveground biomass of communities by altering the species composition of different plant communities. However, the sensitivity of diversity characteristics of different plant communities to enclosure measures varies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Heavy metals (HMs)/metalloids pose a substantial threat to agricultural productivity. • Methyl jasmonate (Me-JAs) potentially alleviates HMs-induced phytotoxicity. • Jasmonate increases the plant resilience to HMs. • Me-JAs-mediate physiological and molecular reactions for HMs detoxification. • JA transporters detoxify HMs using ATP-Binding Cassette-G transporter subfamily of green plant species. Heavy metals (HMs) and metalloids such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As), are significant soil contaminants worldwide that pose a substantial threat to agricultural productivity and human health. Therefore, to reduce HM buildup in plants, mitigation/detoxification strategies must be developed. For phytoremediation, plants with the ability to hyper-accumulate and hyper-tolerate dangerous minerals—both naturally occurring and genetically modified—have promise. To date, only a small number of plant species, including Arabidopsis and Oryza , have been utilized to illustrate the molecular processes of plant detoxification and/or HMs buildup. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a biostimulant plays a crucial role in improving plant tolerance to various environmental stresses including HM toxicity. In this review, the physiological and molecular reactions of MeJAs for HMs are discussed. MeJA reduces metal accumulation and increases resistance to HMs by coordinating the ion transport system, antioxidant enzyme activities, and chelating capacity in plants. The Ca2+ signaling has been proposed as a potential contributor to the production of jasmonate that is brought on by plant stress. The primary gene families participating in JA-responsive pathways are identified using comparative transcriptomics analysis utilizing available datasets. The evolutionary conservation and diversity of these gene families seen in a significant number of species belonging to the primary lineages of green plants discussed in this research lend credence to the notion that JAs act as phytohormones that protect plants from HMs/metalloids. By utilizing the ATP-Binding Cassette-G (ABCG) transporter subfamily of six common green plant species, the JA transporters in Subgroup 4 of ABCGs may potentially contribute to HM detoxification. This review may help in the selection and development of suitable HMs-resistant crop species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pear lace bug (Stephanitis nashi) is a significant herbivorous pest, harbouring a diverse microbiome crucial for crabapple (Malus sp.) host adaptation. However, the mutual influence of S. nashi‐ and plant‐associated microbiomes on plant responses to pest damage remains unclear. This study found that S. nashi damage significantly altered bacterial community structure and reduced bacterial evenness in the crabapple phyllosphere. Notably, bacterial diversity within S. nashi was significantly lower than that in the environment, potentially influenced by insect developmental stage, bacterial diffusion stage and endosymbiont species number and abundance. Extensive bacterial correlation and diffusion effect between S. nashi and adjacent plant environments were observed, evident in a gradual decrease in bacterial diversity and an increase in bacterial acquisition ratio from soil to phyllosphere to S. nashi. Correspondingly, S. nashi significantly impacted the metabolic response of crabapple leaves, altering pathways involved in vitamin, amino acid and lipid metabolism and so forth. Furthermore, association analysis linked these metabolic changes to phyllosphere bacterial alterations, emphasizing the important role of diffusive phyllosphere microbiome in regulating S. nashi‐crabapple interactions. This study highlights bacterial diffusion effect between insect and plants and their potential role in regulating insect adaptability and plant defence responses, providing new insights into plant−insect−microbiome interactions. Summary statement: The mutual influence of the microbiome associated with both Stephanitis nashi and plants on plant responses to pest damage remains unclear. This study uncovered a microbial diffusion effect between S. nashi and its crabapple host and highlighted the potential role of microorganisms in regulating insect adaptability and plant defence responses. These findings provide new insights into the complex interactions among plants, insects and their associated microbiomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult survival and turnover rates are often estimated in long-lived species as the primary drivers of population dynamics. Various methods have been used, yet comparison of estimation methods is seldom undertaken. To address this gap, we used colour-ringing across different age groups, as well as GPS-tracking and genetic analysis of shed feathers, to estimate these critical parameters in a population of a medium-sized bird of prey, the Lesser Spotted Eagle. According to the colour-ringing data, the apparent survival during the first year of life (0.21) was more than four times lower than that of birds older than one year (0.88); the GPS-tracking (0.84) and genetic analysis (0.81) yielded similar survival estimates. However, population turnover rates derived from genetic feather analysis (0.17–0.43) exceeded expectations based on apparent survival estimates, as well as those derived from colour-rings (0.05–0.17) and GPS-tracking (0.05–0.08). Notably, all markers indicated high site fidelity among adult eagles, with breeding dispersal events being infrequent. Our findings underscore the utility of various methods for estimating apparent survival, though the ecological characteristics of the species may influence the efficacy of each method. However, estimates of population turnover rates were notably influenced by the choice of method and should be interpreted cautiously before recommending management actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban landscape is often designed for its aesthetic appeal, yet the vegetation in these environments performs crucial ecological functions in maintaining biodiversity. In this study, we evaluated the availability of nectar-producing plants utilized by hummingbirds in an urban area of southern Brazil. This study examines the richness of plant species, the ratio of native to exotic plants, their flowering seasons, and the hummingbird species that inhabit this urban area throughout the year. The urban area evaluated here follows the common pattern of having a combination of native and exotic plants being utilized by generalist hummingbird species. We recorded twenty-seven plant species used by six hummingbird species in the urban area. Exotic plant species represented a more stable supply of resources over the months, although a native plant species was visited by the highest number of hummingbird species. In addition to heavy anthropogenic pressure, the local urban vegetation evaluated is often subject to intensive management, with frequent pruning of trees and shrubs, as well as plant species suppression and replacement, making the resource supply less stable and predictable over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication regimens may have different effects on the gut microbiota. Few studies have analyzed the safety of high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) from a micro-ecological perspective. This study aimed to compare the impact of H. pylori eradication with HDDT and bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) on gut microbiota. Patients and methods: H. Pylori-infected treatment-naive patients were recruited and screened from September 2023 to April 2024 and randomly assigned to the HDDT group (esomeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 750 mg, qid, 14 days) or BQT group (esomeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and bismuth potassium citrate 600 mg, bid, 14 days). Fresh stool specimens were collected and stored before treatment and at week 2 and week 8 after treatment. The diversity and composition of the gut microbiota were compared and analyzed in both groups using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: Forty-nine H. pylori positive patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the HDDT (n = 24) or the BQT group (n = 25) group. Compared with baseline, alpha and beta diversities significantly changed at week 2 after receiving BQT and did not recover fully at week 8. However, in the HDDT group, the diversities at week 2 changed mildly without statistical significance, compared to baseline. Additionally, a greater number of species had alterations in their abundances in the BQT group compared to the HDDT group at week 2. However, the abundances of these species were restored to their previous levels at week 8 in both the HDDT and BQT groups. Conclusions: Compared to BQT, HDDT exerted less impact on the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota. Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR2100053268. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Storage of nematode-infected soil, roots and nematode suspensions is important in nematological research. The available storage methods are based on potato cyst nematodes, where cysts with viable eggs can be stored for long periods at 4°C. When dealing with other nematode species, understanding the effect of storage temperature is crucial. This study was designed to investigate the decline rate and survival of four root-knot and a lesion nematode of both temperate and tropical origin, when stored at 4°C in three substrates: water, soil and roots. The starting density ( P i ) for each substrate was determined at t = 0 and survival of all nematode species was estimated at 10-day intervals for 100 days. During storage, population densities of all species declined in all substrates exponentially. A slower decline rate ( r d  = 0.988-0.999) was observed for juveniles of Meloidogyne fallax in water, soil and roots compared to juveniles of M. hapla and Pratylenchus penetrans. Meloidogyne incognita was seriously affected by cold storage with the highest decline rate ( r d  = 0.919-0.977) observed in all substrates. Only data on the root substrate were obtained for M. javanica with a decline rate of ( r d  = 0.977) predicting zero survival at t > 100 days. Notable is the higher fraction of surviving P. penetrans ( P i  = 0.238-0.545) in all substrates during the storage period, compared with all other species. Based on the results, it is recommended to process nematode samples in the three substrates as quickly as possible, as underestimation of the actual population densities is likely. Consequences of cold storage in handling and processing of samples from different substrates are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the earliest measure of social communication in rodents, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to maternal separation are critical in preclinical research on neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). While sex differences in both USV production and behavioral outcomes are reported, many studies overlook sex as a biological variable in preclinical NDD models. We aimed to evaluate sex differences in USV call parameters and determine if USVs are differently impacted based on sex in the preclinical maternal immune activation (MIA) model. Results indicate that sex differences in USVs vary with developmental stage and are more pronounced in MIA offspring. Specifically, developmental stage is a moderator of sex differences in USV call duration, with control females emitting longer calls than males in early development (up to postnatal day [PND] 8), but this pattern reverses after PND8. MIA leads to a reduction in call numbers for females compared to same-sex controls in early development, with a reversal post-PND8. MIA decreased call duration and increased total call duration in males, but unlike females, developmental stage did not influence these differences. In males, MIA effects varied by species, with decreased call numbers in rats but increased call numbers in mice. MIA timing (gestational day ≤ 12.5 vs. > 12.5) did not significantly affect results. Our findings highlight the importance of considering sex, developmental timing, and species in USVs research. We discuss how analyzing USV call types and incorporating sex as a biological variable can enhance our understanding of neonatal ultrasonic communication and its translational value in NDD research. Plain English Summary: This study looks at how young rodents in their first couple weeks of life communicate using high-pitched sounds called ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), particularly in the context of when they are separated from their mothers. These vocalizations are often measured in preclinical research aimed at understanding neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism. We evaluated whether there are differences between male and female rodents in how they produce these sounds and how they respond following exposure to an infection while gestating, a model known as maternal immune activation (MIA). Our findings showed that sex differences in vocalizations depend on the age of rodents and are more noticeable in those affected by MIA. In the early days of development, female rodents made longer calls than males, but this pattern reversed as they grew older. For females exposed to MIA, the number of calls decreased, while males showed different patterns depending on whether they were rats or mice. The timing of when the mother experienced immune activation did not significantly change the results. Overall, this research emphasizes the need to consider sex, age, and species when studying these vocalizations. Understanding these factors can help improve preclinical research on early communication in relation to NDDs. Highlights: Sex modulates ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in maternal immune activation (MIA). Developmental stage moderates sex differences in USV call duration. MIA reduces call numbers in females early (< / = PND8), but not later development. MIA effects in males vary by species: call numbers decrease in rats, increase in mice. Including sex as a variable enhances translational value in preclinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is some debate as to whether intransitive or transitive competition dominates natural communities (Soliveres et al., 2015; Shipley and Keddy, 1994). Certainly, in relatively large communities, it would be unlikely that either form could be completely avoided, leading to the issue of communities containing both transitive and intransitive elements. Based on a study of ants in coffee agroecosystems (Vandermeer and Perfecto, 2023; 2024), it has been noted that a strong intransitive loop seems connected to several transitive elements, in a formulation wherein a transitive "tail" is "recoupled" to a basic intransitive loop. Elaborating some theoretical consequences of this qualitative structure, when species numbers are odd, either the ultimate or penultimate species goes extinct, leaving a community of an intransitive structure with a transitive tail, with no recoupling to the intransitive part. When species numbers are even, on the other hand, increased recoupling results in a Hopf bifurcation, then expanding limit cycles, then chaos, and finally a heteroclinic cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the potential distribution and locations of poorly known threatened species is crucial for guiding conservation strategies and new field surveys. The painted tree-rat (Callistomys pictus) is a monospecific, rare, and endangered echimyid rodent endemic to the southern Bahia Atlantic Forest in Brazil. There have been no records of the species published in the last 20 years, and the region has experienced significant forest loss and degradation. According to the IUCN, only 13 specimens had been previously reported, with 12 found in the north of Ilhéus and adjacent municipalities, and one recorded approximately 200 km away from this region, suggesting that its distribution might be wider. We aimed to search for unpublished and more recent records of the C. pictus, by consulting the gray literature (including Environmental Impact Study (EIA) reports, Brazilian Red Lists, and management plans of protected areas), scientific collections, online databases, and mastozoologists working in the region. We estimated the species' potential distribution using Ecological Niche Modeling to identify regions, municipalities, and protected areas most likely to support this species, based on factors such as climate suitability and forest cover. We reported three new sightings of the species, including the first within a protected area. We estimated suitable climate conditions across 23,151 km2, of which 9,225 km2 has a high potential for harboring the species. The area between Itacaré and Valença needs more extensive survey efforts as it has high habitat suitability and only one record has been confirmed there so far. Meanwhile, the region between Una and Ilhéus urgently requires habitat conservation initiatives. While the species may have a broader distribution than previously thought, its known occurrences are limited to a few locations, and suitable habitats are underrepresented in protected areas. Additionally, the rarity of sightings continues to indicate a concerning conservation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental degradation has altered animal population dynamics, making the monitoring of parasitic communities in wildlife relevant because of their potential impact on environmental and public health. Through the compilation of ectoparasite data in three wild canids of Mexico, an updated list of ectoparasite species recorded on them in Mexico is reported. The goal is to understand the current state of knowledge about the taxonomic composition of ectoparasite communities in wild canids, specifically which taxa are currently known, locations been recorded, and sites yet to be sampled. Using electronic databases, geographical coordinates were obtained for localities with records of wild canids and their ectoparasites. The records for the canid species and their respective collected ectoparasites were mapped in Mexico. Urocyon cinereoargenteus has the greatest number of ectoparasite species, followed by Canis latrans and Vulpes macrotis. A total of 14 flea species from three families were recorded. The family Pulicidae was the most abundant, followed by Rhopalopsyllidae and Ceratophyllidae. Regarding ticks, only three species of the family Ixodidae were found. No louse records were found. It is recommended to conduct further studies on the composition and structure of ectoparasite communities in carnivores because it provides fundamental data for species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two main extensions of rain forest in South America are the Amazon (Amazônia) and the Atlantic rain forest (Mata Atlântica), which are separated by a wide 'dry diagonal' of seasonal vegetation. We used the species-rich tree genus Inga to test if Amazônia—Mata Atlântica dispersals have been clustered during specific time periods corresponding to past, humid climates. We performed hybrid capture DNA sequencing of 810 nuclear loci for 453 accessions representing 164 species that included 62% of Mata Atlântica species and estimated a dated phylogeny for all accessions using maximum likelihood, and a species-level tree using coalescent methods. There have been 16–20 dispersal events to the Mata Atlântica from Amazônia with only one or two dispersals in the reverse direction. These events have occurred over the evolutionary history of Inga, with no evidence for temporal clustering, and model comparisons of alternative biogeographic histories and null simulations showing the timing of dispersal events matches a random expectation. Time-specific biogeographic corridors are not required to explain dispersal between Amazônia and the Mata Atlântica for rain forest trees such as Inga, which are likely to have used a dendritic net of gallery forests to cross the dry diagonal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation and critical revision of the ichthyofauna of Tajikistan is the result of two nationwide surveys completed by the authors in 2017 and 2019 combined with an analytical examination of previous studies. The ichthyofauna of Tajikistan includes 60 species, of which 44 are native and 15 are nonnative, while one species (Cyprinus carpio) is represented by populations of native and alien origin. Seven species recorded in neighboring countries could potentially be found in Tajikistan, 12 introduced species are nonnaturalized, two were erroneously identified as belonging to the ichthyofauna of Tajikistan, and two are extinct. The current fish fauna is represented by eight orders (Acipenseriformes, Cypriniformes, Cyprinodontiformes, Gobiiformes, Perciformes, Salmoniformes, Siluriformes, and Synbranchiformes) and 18 families (Acipenseridae, Acheilognathidae, Channidae, Cobitidae, Cottidae, Cyprinidae, Esocidae, Gobiidae, Gobionidae, Leuciscidae, Nemacheilidae, Odontobutidae, Percidae, Poeciliidae, Salmonidae, Siluridae, Sisoridae, and Xenocyprididae), of which the largest number of species belong to Leuciscidae (14 species), Nemacheilidae (13 species), and Cyprinidae (9 species). Significant changes in the fish fauna occurred in the 20th century due to anthropogenic factors and climate change. Water diversion for irrigation and construction of canals and reservoirs led to changes in the hydrological regime, which, combined with illegal fishing and overharvesting dramatically affected the abundance of at least eight species and led to the extinction of two, Acipenser nudiventris and Pseudoscaphirhynchus fedtschenkoi. Massive introductions of commercial fish species in the 20th century led to an increase in the alien fauna to 16 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photothermal reactions, involving both photochemical and thermal reaction steps, are the most abundant sequences in photochemistry. The derivation of their rate laws is standardized, but the integration of these rate laws has not yet been achieved. Indeed, the field still lacks integrated rate laws for the description of these reactions' behavior and/or identification of their reaction order. This made difficult a comprehensive account of the photokinetics of photothermal reactions, which created a gap in knowledge. This gap is addressed in the present paper by introducing an unprecedented general model equation capable of mapping out the kinetic traces of such reactions when exposed to light or in the dark. The integrated rate law model equation also applies when the reactive medium is exposed to either monochromatic or polychromatic light irradiation. The validity of the model equation was established against simulated data obtained by a fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. It was then used to describe and quantify several situations of photothermal reactions, such as the effects of initial concentration, spectator molecules, and incident radiation intensity, and the impact of the latter on the photonic yield. The model equation facilitated a general elucidation method to determine the intrinsic reaction parameters (quantum yields and absorptivities of the reactive species) for any photothermal mechanism whose number of species is known. This paper contributes to rationalizing photokinetics along the same general guidelines adopted in chemical kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasion of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) can have profound effects on lake ecosystems. We investigated the overall ecological effects after invasion and fast expansion of zebra mussels in eight lakes in Denmark belonging to the same watercourse systems but with different morphological and eutrophication characteristics. A few years after the invasion, most of the lakes had experienced profound changes in lake water quality, e.g. chlorophyll a had been reduced by 18–62% and Secchi depth had increased by 38–171%. Nutrient concentrations also decreased, total phosphorus to 37–64% and total nitrogen to 49–77% of pre-invasion concentrations. Seasonally, differences between both summer and winter phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations diminished, suggesting a change in internal nutrient cycling after the invasion. In most lakes, the abundance of submerged macrophytes rose substantially, and often coverage increased by a factor 10 or more, and the maximum colonisation depth increased by up to 5.4 m. Plant species numbers increased markedly in four of the six lakes with macrophyte data. The fish community changed towards higher dominance of potential piscivorous perch and an increase in their body size. The profound effects of zebra mussel invasion may affect lake management and how ecological quality should be interpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is compelling species to seek refuge at higher elevations and latitudes. While researchers commonly study these migrations using discontinuous elevational transects, this methodology may introduce significant biases into our understanding of species movement. These potential biases could lead to flawed biodiversity conservation policies if left unexamined. To address this concern, we utilized species distribution data from a novel continuous elevational transect to evaluate the accuracy of discontinuous transect methods. Our analysis focused on how quadrat spacing and survey time intervals affect bias in estimating species range shifts. The results were striking: the widely used settings for discontinuous transects failed to detect 7.2% of species, inaccurately estimated shift distances for 78% of species, and produced an overall error rate of 86%. Wider quadrat spacing increased these error rates, while longer survey intervals generally reduced them. Moreover, discontinuous transects consistently underestimated species shift distances, with this underestimation becoming more pronounced over longer survey periods. Our pioneering assessment of bias in discontinuous elevational transects demonstrates that a 50 m quadrat spacing combined with a 60-year survey interval optimizes monitoring species range shifts for conservation planning. This baseline protocol could be further strengthened through supplementary, frequent surveys targeting high-elevation species—a strategic approach that maximizes accuracy while maintaining cost-effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epiphytic bryophytes are an important component in terms of the diversity and functioning of montane forests known as biodiversity hotspots. Bryophytes are highly dependent on their external environments because they are sensitive to environmental changes related to disturbance, fragmentation, air pollution, and climate change. The richness and composition of bryophytes in remnants of primary and secondary forests were analyzed, where the richness and cover were recorded on trunk bases of 120 trees. Changes in species richness and diversity were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLMs), and changes in species composition, using multivariate analysis. A total of 57 bryophyte species (36 liverworts and 21 mosses) were recorded in trunk bases. For the first time, 19 new liverworts for the province of El Oro are reported. The richness and diversity of bryophyte species decrease in disturbed forests when compared to primary forests, with a marked decrease in species less adapted to conditions of high light (shade epiphytes). In the same line, species composition is different in each type of forest, where bryophytes with high humidity requirements were abundant in primary forests. This study confirms that forest disturbance is a key factor in determining not only the number of species but also the composition of bryophyte species. The maximum tree diameter and primary forest remnants are important factors in the conservation of sensitive bryophyte species at the base of trees in one of the last remnants of mountain forests in El Oro Province, Ecuador. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim Location Taxon Methods Results and Main Conclusions In mobile species, individual movement decisions based on biotic and abiotic conditions determine how individuals interact with the environment, heterospecifics and conspecifics. Accordingly, these decisions underpin all ecological principles and structure broader spatial patterns at the population and species level. Species distribution models (SDMs) are therefore paramount in ecology, with implications for both fundamental and applied studies. There are many robust SDM techniques, from individual‐scale (Lagrangian) to population‐scale (Eulerian) models. Their outputs routinely support wildlife management, conservation, or risk assessments. Yet, it remains unclear whether SDMs built at individual and population scales infer the same processes, and whether the spatial distributions they predict are comparable. Here, we address this key question with a simulation exercise.Virtual environment.Virtual species.First, we simulated the individual movements of two highly mobile species, one central‐place forager and one free ranger. Second, we surveyed the species at the individual‐scale, replicating Lagrangian studies by tracking individual movements, and at the population‐scale, replicating Eulerian surveys by censusing the study area with standardised protocols. The resulting data were analysed following well‐established statistical methods to assess species abundance distribution. We used Resource Selection Functions (RSFs) for Lagrangian data and Density Surface Models (DSMs) for Eulerian data.Both Lagrangian and Eulerian SDMs adequately estimated the species' relationship with environmental conditions. Although some fine‐scale differences occurred, both perspectives yielded highly correlated spatial distributions (correlations of 0.8–1.0 between pairs of models), and successfully predicted true abundance distributions (correlations of 0.6–0.7 with the true abundance distribution). Our results demonstrate that Lagrangian and Eulerian SDMs are statistically consistent and directly comparable, which is of great importance for conservation science. This provides crucial guidance for the combination of predictions from both model types to inform spatial planning within a wide range of management contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unclear whether the remarkable recovery of mountain gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei in the Virunga Mountains, East Africa, that followed decades of intensive conservation efforts, is indicative of positive trends in abundance and distribution of other large mammals (meso- and megaherbivores). Positive population trends are particularly relevant for globally threatened elephants Loxodonta sp., as conservation and research efforts have predominantly focused on populations that range in lowland savanna ecosystems rather than the smaller but ecologically and genetically unique populations found in the Virunga montane ecosystems. We used marked pellet group counts in dung clearance plots to determine the density/abundance and distribution of three mesoherbivores (buffalo, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck) and one megaherbivore (elephant) in Volcanoes National Park (VNP; covering part of the Virunga Mountains), Rwanda, in July-September 2008 and 2021. We estimated that elephants and duiker populations saw a minor increase between 2008 and 2021 while densities of buffalo and bushbuck increased substantially over the course of the past decade. We also found no evidence of substantial distributional shifts for elephants but observed increases in densities of the other species in the southwestern parts of the VNP. Overall, density estimates for all species were much higher in both 2008 and 2021 than in a previous survey in 2004, which suggests that meso- and megaherbivores have largely recovered from a steep decline in numbers towards the end of the 20th century, possibly benefitting from the same protection efforts that benefitted mountain gorillas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Plant volatile traps designed for catching Lepidoptera pests also captured a high number of lacewings, allowing us to study their odour preferences and compare their attractivity to the traditionally used light trap method. The results of this study suggest that the phenylacetaldehyde- and isoamyl alcohol-based volatile baits can effectively supplement traditional light traps for surveying lacewings. Additionally, this study provides the first data on the mass attraction of the species Cunctochrysa albolineata to volatile lures. Distribution data on the lacewing fauna of the data-deficient Transcarpathian Lowland (West Ukraine) were provided. The attractivity of phenylacetaldehyde-(FLO) and isoamyl alcohol-based (SBL) lures designed for trapping lepidopteran pests to lacewings was also studied and compared to the efficiency of light traps traditionally used in studies on neuropterans. In the three-year study, 374 individuals of 10 species were caught. Although the light trap was the most efficient method, the efficiency of the tested lures could also be proved. Regarding abundances, FLO was significantly more efficient than the SBL lure. The lures could supplement the checklist of the fauna with two species and attracted an especially high number of Chrysoperla species. In the case of parallel use with light traps, they serve as an efficient standardised combined method for trapping lacewings, both in faunistic studies and plant protection applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Biodiversity serves as a crucial safeguard for the stability of ecosystems. Currently, the significant decline in biodiversity stands as one of the most pressing challenges we encounter. Fish communities are a vital component of biodiversity, and protecting fish diversity contributes to the conservation of overall biodiversity. Therefore, this study utilizes environmental DNA technology to explore the fish diversity in the mainstem of the Jialing River. The findings illuminate the current status of fish diversity in the Jialing River and highlight the impact of human activities on it. Preserving healthy river habitats is essential for maintaining fish diversity. Over time, anthropogenic activities have severely damaged river habitats, leading to notable changes in fish diversity patterns. Conducting thorough and reliable investigations into fish diversity is crucial for assessing anthropogenic impacts on diversity. In August 2023, a water ecology survey was conducted across 20 terraced river sections in the mainstem of the Jialing River, resulting in the collection of 60 environmental DNA water samples. The survey identified 99 fish species, representing 74 genera across 7 orders and 20 families, with the Cyprinidae exhibiting the highest number of species. The fish communities are predominantly composed of species inhabiting slow flowing water, demersal fish, omnivores, and fish spawning adhesive eggs. Overall, small-bodied fish dominate the mainstem of the Jialing River, and the species preferring flowing habitats are relatively scarce. In addition, geographic division analyses revealed minimal variations in fish species composition and diversity among the terraced reservoirs and across the upper, middle, and lower reaches. Notably, the fish compositions in the middle and lower reaches were found to be similar, indicating a certain degree of convergence in these sections of the Jialing River. In conclusion, this study unveils the current status and distribution pattern of fish diversity in the Jialing River and highlights the extent of anthropogenic activities' impact on fish diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Organisms in nature are often not restricted to a single geographical location and are able to disperse to new areas. However, humans have provided means for many species to disperse over much larger distances (e.g., ships, planes) than those they would normally reach by natural means. Introduced species often can have negative effects for native organisms and local economies (known as invasive species) and for this reason a first step is to quantify the number of introduced species in a particular region. Although arachnids are a group that has been extensively studied in terms of invasive species, some countries lack information on this issue, which is the case for Panama. Here we provide the first list of introduced spiders in Panama. By reviewing scientific literature, museum collections, online databases and fieldwork, we identified 31 species of introduced spiders in the country and six of those were identified by this study. Although none of the species seem to generate negative effects for local ecosystems, more research is needed to evaluate any potential effects to native species. Similarly, monitoring policies should consider spiders as a group of organisms with potential risk for local ecosystems. Biological invasions occur when organisms are moved from their native range and introduced into new areas, where they can spread and become a potential risk for native organisms. Invasive species are well recorded for vertebrates, plants and a number of invertebrates. A taxa for which there is a lack of information in some countries are arachnids, and this is the case of reports on introduced species in Panama. Here, we report the first list of introduced spider species in the country as a result of reviewing scientific literature, online databases, museum collections and carrying out field collections. We report six new introduced species out of a total of 31 species, belonging to 10 families and 25 genera. A large proportion of these species originated from Asia. Moreover, most of the species, with historic data available, have expanded their distribution in the country. We also present a list of species that might be already present in the country or may be introduced in the future. Our work highlights the capability of spiders to invade and spread into new territories. Therefore, monitoring policies and control strategies should also consider them as potential risk for local ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Blattodea and Dermaptera in the temperate forest zone include a limited number of species, some of which are widely distributed and common. However, digital data on their biology remains insufficient. (2) Methods: The surveyed area extends from Kaluga Oblast to Tatarstan and from Vladimir Oblast to Voronezh Oblast. Insects were sampled from 736 plots using various methods, including pitfall traps, beer traps, window traps, pan traps, and sweep nets. (3) Results: The dataset contains 2149 occurrences comprising 18,362 specimens belonging to 5 species of Blattodea and 4 species of Dermaptera. For most occurrences, we recorded the developmental stage (nymph or adult) and the sex (male or female for adults) of the specimens. (4) Conclusions: Three non-synanthropic species are widely distributed and common: Ectobius lapponicus, E. sylvestris, and Forficula auricularia. Ectobius sylvestris is characterized as a true forest species, while E. lapponicus inhabits both forest and grassland habitats. In contrast, F. auricularia is associated with gardens, urban habitats, and some meadows. Ectobius sylvestris exhibits a more pronounced sexual dimorphism concerning the effectiveness of different sampling methods compared to E. lapponicus. Seasonal dynamics of cockroaches and earwigs are described and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estuarine area of Luanhe River is an important fisheries ground in China's Bohai Sea. In 2016, Tangshan Marine Ranching Co., Ltd. constructed a 2 km2 artificial oyster–macroalgae reef area by placing artificial reefs on the seabed adjacent to the Luanhe River Estuary. This action resulted in sustainable annual economic outputs through the fishing and sea cucumber put-and-take fishery. Although Luanhe River runoff and reef construction are important to the local phytoplankton community and fisheries' production, little is known about how these factors affect phytoplankton community structure in the local coastal ecosystem. In this study, we conducted field surveys to investigate the spatiotemporal variations in species composition, abundance, dominant species, diversity indexes, niche width and overlap, and interspecific connection of the phytoplankton community in the ecosystem of oyster–macroalgal reefs. From July 2016 to August 2017, we collected data before and after reef construction in areas inside and outside of the benthic reefs in both the flood and dry seasons of Luanhe River runoff. We found a total of 79 species, with the majority represented by diatoms and dinoflagellates. The dominant species were Paralia sulcata and Coscinodiscus sp. The total species number and abundance increased from May to September. The species number in the reef area was greater than that outside the reef. Species abundance from August to September was greater in the reef area than in the control area, which was opposite the situation from May to June. We found more phytoplankton abundance in the flood season compared with that in the dry season. Our results suggest that reef construction can benefit the local phytoplankton community and that further studies of the relationship among oysters, macroalgae, and phytoplankton in the system are warranted. Moreover, we provide baseline data about variations in the phytoplankton community in a sea ranch area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve (PMBSRR or the Reserve) is located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia and covers an area of 24,500 km2 of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Bat surveys have been undertaken between 2022 and 2024 across PMBSRR as part of the Reserve's groundbreaking conservation efforts and this is the first published checklist of the bat species present within the Reserve. Survey methods included bat capture, roost inspection, and acoustic recordings. Tissue and faecal samples were taken during the surveys and compared to a global database to confirm the species present. The survey results confirmed the presence of 18 species belonging to 14 genera of eight families. This research has greatly expanded our knowledge on the diversity of bats within the Kingdom, increasing the reported bat species in the Tabuk region by seven species, with the addition of Rhyneptesicus nasutus, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Nycteris thebaica, Tadarida aegyptiaca, Rhinopoma microphyllum, Taphozous nudiventris, and Taphozous perforatus and increasing the number of species within Saudi Arabia by one species, with the addition of Vansonia rueppellii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we updated the taxonomy and distributional data for 14 carnivore species based on previous records and the recent results of camera trapping (4787 camera nights from 58 locations) and depicted species richness. We then identified threats and the conservation measures that are practiced to ensure the protection of the carnivores of Saudi Arabia. A total of 10 species of carnivores (Canis aureus, Canis lupus, Caracal caracal, Felis lybica, Genetta genetta, Hyaena hyaena, Ichneumia albicauda, Mellivora capensis, Vulpes cana, and Vulpes vulpes) were recorded based on camera trapping efforts. The striped hyena was the most recorded species in 13 locations, with the highest number of observations made at Raydah Protected Area, followed by the red fox and the Arabian wolf. Both Genetta genetta and Mellivora capensis were the least recorded species. Vulpes vulpes was the most distributed species and it was recorded from 15 sites. The southwestern corner of Saudi Arabia covering the Asir, Jazan, and Najran Plateaus extending further into the Al Sarawat Mountains hosts the highest number of carnivore species. Major threats affecting carnivores include killing and animal trade. The status of the critically endangered species, Panthera pardus nimr, was discussed. Threats and the conservation status based on regional assessment according to the IUCN Red List of the carnivores of Saudi Arabia were documented and highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity patterns provide insights into the conservation value of ecosystems and also aid in an understanding of some research priorities. This research paper presents an exhaustive inventory of crustaceans and fish species from the Yucatan Peninsula's epicontinental, underground, and anchialine aquatic systems. Using records spanning from 1936 to 2024, this study analyzed over 2600 entries across 670 aquatic systems, including cenotes, flooded cave lakes, springs, and wetlands. A total of 329 species were recorded, comprising 117 fish and 212 crustacean species. The richness and endemism of these species were assessed through a completeness analysis, utilizing non-parametric models (Chao 2, Jackknife 1, Bootstrap) to estimate potential species richness. Notably, the region exhibits high endemism, especially among crustaceans, with up to 50 species and 2 endemic families being unique to the Yucatan Peninsula. This study underscores the importance of the eastern YP for crustaceans and the central YP for fish, highlighting areas critical for conservation. These findings emphasize the need for further exploration, as the diversity of aquatic species remains incompletely understood. This comprehensive synthesis aims to inform future conservation strategies, environmental management, and regional planning efforts, particularly highlighting the vulnerability of these unique aquatic systems to environmental degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How many species of life are there on Earth? This is a question that we want to know but cannot yet answer. Some scholars speculate that the number of species may reach 2.2 billion when considering cryptic diversity and that each morphology‐based insect species may contain an average of 3.1 cryptic species. With nearly two million described species, such high estimates of cryptic diversity would suggest that cryptic species are widespread. The development of molecular species delimitation has led to the discovery of a large number of cryptic species, and cryptic biodiversity has gradually entered our field of vision and attracted more attention. This paper introduces the concept of cryptic species, how they evolve, and methods by which they may be discovered and confirmed, and provides theoretical and methodological guidance for the study of hidden species. A workflow of how to confirm cryptic species is provided. In addition, the importance and reliability of multi‐evidence‐based integrated taxonomy are reaffirmed as a way to better standardize decision‐making processes. Special focus on cryptic diversity and increased funding for taxonomy is needed to ensure that cryptic species in hyperdiverse groups are discoverable and described. An increased focus on cryptic species in the future will naturally arise as more difficult groups are studied, and thereby, we may finally better understand the rules governing the evolution and maintenance of cryptic biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous vegetation in crop systems supports many ecosystem benefits, such as enhanced biodiversity. Vineyards are considered one of the most relevant crops in the arid lands of Argentina. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on developing more sustainable practices to enhance a balance among available resources, living organisms, and productivity in vineyards worldwide. We studied the coverage and richness of spontaneous vegetation in a vineyard of Mendoza specifically examining its contribution to biodiversity and carbon storage. We characterized, analyzed, and discussed the plant diversity and the effects of management practices on coverage and carbon storage in both the inter-row and row spaces. As expected, the inter-row areas exhibited greater number of species and higher coverage percentage under both removal and non-removal practices compared to the row spaces which were predominantly dominated by non-native species. The aboveground vegetation in both the row and the inter-row retained more carbon than the belowground biomass. The spontaneous vegetation in the inter-row space accumulated 1.6 tnC/ha, while the under row space accumulated 0.18 tnC/ha. This research provides valuable insights into the characteristics and carbon retention capabilities of spontaneous vegetation growing in a commercial vineyard from Mendoza, Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Multispecies planting is an important approach to deliver ecosystem functions in afforestation projects. However, the importance of species richness vs specific species composition in this context remains unresolved.To estimate species or functional group richness and compositional change between two communities, we calculated nestedness, where one community contains a subset of the species of another, and turnover, where two communities differ in species composition but not in species richness. We evaluated the effects of species/functional group nestedness and turnover on stand productivity using 315 mixed plots from a pool of 40 tree species in a large forest biodiversity experiment in subtropical China.We found that the greater the differences in species or functional group nestedness and turnover, the greater the differences in stand productivity between plots. Additionally, the strong effects of both nestedness and turnover on stand productivity developed over the 11‐yr observation period.Our results indicate that selection of specific tree species is as important as planting a large number of species to support the productivity function of forests. Furthermore, the selection of specific tree species should be based on functionality, because beneficial effects of functional group composition were stronger than those of species composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAimsMethodsResultsConclusionsThe general characteristics of urban floras are well studied, but less information is available on the behaviour of species at the street scale.To discuss the phenology and dynamics of the street flora.Vascular plants in flower were recorded at monthly intervals from January 2016 in eight connected streets in a primarily residential area of urban Cambridge, which is neither markedly deprived nor especially affluent.There is a regular seasonal cycle with fewest flowering species in February or March and most in June or July. Monthly totals in winter are correlated with the mean minimum temperature of the preceding month, and occasional severe summer droughts reduce the number of species flowering in August. In 2023 and 2024 the cessation of herbicide use by the city council, combined with wet summer weather, led to record numbers of flowering species. Species flowering in all years and recorded in all streets, the basic street flora, contrast with persistent colonies of rare species and a large number of casual occurrences.The street flora has a core of species which may change over the decades, joined by an ever-fluctuating cast of transient species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitigating ongoing losses of insects and their key functions (e.g. pollination) requires tracking large‐scale and long‐term community changes. However, doing so has been hindered by the high diversity of insect species that requires prohibitively high investments of time, funding and taxonomic expertise when addressed with conventional tools. Here, we show that these concerns can be addressed through a comprehensive, scalable and cost‐efficient DNA metabarcoding workflow. We use 1815 samples from 75 Malaise traps across Germany from 2019 and 2020 to demonstrate how metabarcoding can be incorporated into large‐scale insect monitoring networks for less than 50 € per sample, including supplies, labour and maintenance. We validated the detected species using two publicly available databases (GBOL and GBIF) and the judgement of taxonomic experts. With an average of 1.4 M sequence reads per sample we uncovered 10,803 validated insect species, of which 83.9% were represented by a single Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU). We estimated another 21,043 plausible species, which we argue either lack a reference barcode or are undescribed. The total of 31,846 species is similar to the number of insect species known for Germany (~35,500). Because Malaise traps capture only a subset of insects, our approach identified many species likely unknown from Germany or new to science. Our reproducible workflow (~80% OTU‐similarity among years) provides a blueprint for large‐scale biodiversity monitoring of insects and other biodiversity components in near real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chirality has been recognised as a potentially important mechanism in the speciation of land snails because it leads to reproductive isolation between individuals with different coiling directions. The Satsuma batanica species group comprises the sinistral S. batanica and the dextral S. bacca , despite the observed sympatric distributions of the two chiral morphs. This study examines the population structure, phylogeographic history and taxonomy of the species group by analyzing mitochondrial COI gene sequences. A total of 127 haplotypes were identified from 367 individuals collected from 39 locations. The phylogenetic trees, constructed using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, along with the median-joining network, identified 14 clades. The reconstructed ancestral states indicate that the most recent common ancestor of the S. batanica species group was sinistral. The frequent occurrence of the dextral morph, the shared haplotype, the sympatric distribution, and the co-occurrence of the two chiral morphs within the same phylogenetic clades recovered here do not support reproductive isolation and single-gene speciation based on chiral differences. All the names belonging to the S. batanica species group are considered synonyms because of their molecular and morphological similarities. This species is estimated to have originated approximately 615 thousand years ago from the northern margin of its current distribution. Two major genetic divergence stages occurred around 440 and 50–100 thousand years ago. The formation of ancient islands through orogenic activities is utilised to explain the phylogeographic history of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isolated river drainages of eastern North America serve as a natural laboratory to investigate the roles of allopatry and secondary contact in the evolutionary trajectories of recently diverged lineages. Drainage divides facilitate allopatric speciation, but due to their sensitivity to climatic and geomorphological changes, neighboring rivers frequently coalesce, creating recurrent opportunities of isolation and contact throughout the history of aquatic lineages. The freshwater mussel Quadrula quadrula is widely distributed across isolated rivers of eastern North America and possesses high phenotypic and molecular variation across its range. We integrate sequence data from three genomes, including female‐ and male‐inherited mitochondrial markers and thousands of nuclear encoded SNPs with morphology and geography to illuminate the group's divergence history. Across contemporary isolated rivers, we found continuums of molecular and morphological variation, following a pattern of isolation by distance. In contact zones, hybridization was frequent with no apparent fitness consequences, as advanced hybrids were common. Accordingly, we recognize Q. quadrula as a single cohesive species with subspecific variation (Q. quadrula rumphiana). Demographic modeling and divergence dating supported a divergence history characterized by allopatric vicariance followed by secondary contact, likely driven by river rearrangements and Pleistocene glacial cycles. Despite clinal range‐wide variation and hybridization in contact zones, the process‐based species delimitation tool delimitR, which considers demographic scenarios like secondary contact, supported the delimitation of the maximum number of species tested. As such, when interpreting species delimitation results, we suggest careful consideration of spatial sampling and subsequent geographic patterns of biological variation, particularly for wide‐ranging taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The open ecosystem (e.g. grasslands, prairies, shrublands) tends to be ecologically less stable than closed one (i.e. forests) and encompassess higher spatial heterogeneity in terms of environmental diversity. Such differences are expected to differentially constrain the diversity and structure of the communities that inhabit each of them, but identifying the specific processes driving contrasting biodiversity patterns between open and closed systems is challenging. In order to understand how environmental variability might structure spider assemblages, both between and within open and closed ecosystems, we implement a high throughput multiplex barcode sequencing approach to generate a dataset for 8585 specimens representing 168 species, across the open ecosystem within the Canary Islands. Combining these with spider sequences from the closed ecosystem within the same islands, we show that spider communities in the open ecosystem show higher species richness, higher beta diversity, and higher proportions of rare species but proportionately lower numbers of endemic species than communities in the closed ecosystem. We furthermore assess if environmental heterogeneity and habitat stability are the major drivers of such differences by assessing spatial genetic structuring and the influence of bioclimatic variables. Our results point to environmental heterogeneity rather than stability as a major driver of spatial patterns between open and closed ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We expand here previous own biogeographic work on the determinants of avian colonisation of a major land‐bridge Mediterranean island. So far we have explained mechanistically the high current rate of colonisation of the island which proceeds by overflow of mainland species with growing population trends and with prior experience as winter visitors. However, here we focus on the historical factors that have led to such a high colonisation rate. Location: Majorca Island and a nearby Iberian mainland coastal region with equivalent characteristics (Alicante province). Time Period: Twenty‐five years (1991–2015). Major Taxa Studied: Birds. Methods: We compared the pattern of species gain and loss in Majorca and Alicante during the study period. Results: We found that while Alicante only gained eight new species and lost one, Majorca lost none and gained 21 species as breeders (odds ratio 2.6). The process of species gains in 5‐year periods since 1991 showed a nonlinear pattern in both regions, with an abrupt decline in Alicante starting in 2006–2010 and final stagnation during 2011–2015, but just a smooth and recent pattern of slowdown in Majorca (2011–2015 on). Taxonomic diversity of colonising species at the family level, as well as habitat of colonisation, were quite similar between regions, but larger body size species were more common in Majorca. Main Conclusions: We conclude that current differential colonisation rates between both regions are consistent with a more intense past defaunation of the resource‐poor region (Majorca) prior to modern rural flight that happened simultaneously in both regions. While Alicante could be approaching a theoretical carrying capacity in the number of species, Majorca is farther from it. We predict that the island will continue gaining species in the next few decades. Worldwide, further research on comparing wildlife recovery rates between regions with differential intensity of past wildlife defaunation is badly needed to understand biodiversity recovery processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to infer the geographic dispersal paths and the environmental conditions that shaped the historical biogeography of Brachistosternus scorpions in South America. We evaluated the role that altitude and aridity had on the geographic distance that each species dispersed from the location of the genus common ancestor. Based on the previous studies, we evaluated the hypothesis postulating that species geographic expansion was promoted by arid conditions in high altitudes. Location: South America. Taxon: Brachistosternus genus. Methods: We integrated two methodological approaches in this study, the phylogenetic Geographical model and the Conductance model, considering the uncertainty associated with the phylogenetic relationship and the species classification. The Geo model infers the locations of ancestral species in a phylogenetic tree, assuming a spherical space and using samples of georeferenced locations for every species as input data. It allows us to estimate the species dispersal routes and distances from the location of the genus common ancestor. The Conductance model is based on the circuit theory and infers the geographic route and distance of least resistance between an origin and destination point. We defined the origin as the location of the genus common ancestor obtained from the Geo model and a destination point as the current geographic location of each species. This model infers the geographic routes with the least cost of resistance for dispersal in a landscape of varying altitude and aridity. Finally, we evaluated the correlation between the two dispersal distances each species have moved from the location of the common ancestor, that is, the distance inferred from the Geo model and from the Conductance model. Results: The Geo model shows that Brachistosternus's geographical origin was most likely along the coast of south Peru, and central Chile. From this location, extant species dispersed thorough routes ranging from 873 to 2800 km in average. The Conductance model that considers the routes with least resistance to elevation and aridity simulated dispersal distances that are highly correlated with the species dispersal distances obtained from the Geo model. Main Conclusions: We revealed the geographic dispersal routes, with the least resistance to the pressures imposed by changes in altitude and aridity, that 55 species of scorpions have probably followed in the last 30 million years in South America. These geographic routes that went along the Andean Mountains and the arid zones of South America shaped the current spatial distribution of the genus Brachistosternus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The potentially cascading consequences of climate changes on redistribution of habitat‐forming species, like seagrasses, remain a major research gap. Empirical demonstrations of local population changes are increasingly reported without a globally integrated predictive framework as a leading testable hypothesis. Therefore, here, we aimed to estimate changes in species richness, community composition, and areas of climatic refugia under future climate scenarios. Location: Global scale. Time Period: Present‐day conditions (from 2010 to 2020) and for three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios of future climate change (from 2090 to 2100). Major Taxa Studies: Seagrasses (plantae). Methods: We coupled seagrass occurrences with environmental predictors (temperature, salinity, nitrate, wave energy, and ice) in stacked species distribution modelling. Results: Models estimated a present global extent of 917,169 km2 with high species richness in Temperate Australasia, Indo‐Pacific, and Temperate North Pacific. Future projections predicted widespread spatial redistribution, with Arctic expansions, losses in lower latitudes, and deeper vertical ranges, while globally maintaining the area extent occupied worldwide by seagrass species (only 5% of change). Species richness increased poleward under more drastic scenarios (SSP3‐7.0 and SSP5‐8.5), with losses in tropical zones (30oN to 30oS). Local climatic refugia are retained in all scenarios but decrease under higher emissions. Additionally, even where seagrass species remain, widespread community composition changes were predicted. Main Conclusions: Our findings serve as baselines to inform, anticipate, and mitigate cascading consequences of shifts in seagrass ecosystems that provide essential services for humanity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In this study, we sought to understand how the Linnean shortfall (i.e., the lack of knowledge about species taxonomy) interacts with the Darwinian shortfall (i.e., the lack of knowledge about phylogenetic relationships among species), which potentially jeopardises geographical patterns in estimates of speciation rates. Location: New World. Taxon: Coralsnakes (Serpentes: Elapidae). Methods: We created an index of taxonomic uncertainty (ITU) that measures the likelihood of current species being split after undergoing future taxonomic revisions. The ITU was used in simulations where species with higher taxonomic uncertainty had a higher likelihood of having their phylogenetic branches split, generating new hypothetical species along their geographic ranges. We estimated the speciation rates before and after the split of taxonomically uncertain species. Results: We found that a high number of coralsnake species display substantial taxonomic uncertainty, positively correlated with the latitude of the species' geographical range centroid. The estimated speciation rates based on currently available data have a weak relationship with latitude. However, after incorporating taxonomic uncertainty into the phylogeny, we detect a higher positive correlation between speciation rate and latitude. Main Conclusions: The observed change in speciation rates following the incorporation of taxonomic uncertainty highlights how such uncertainty can undermine the empirical evaluation of geographical patterns in speciation rates, revealing an interaction between the latitudinal taxonomic gradient and the latitudinal diversity gradient. Given that taxonomic changes can alter the number of species recognised as valid over time, our study highlights the need to incorporate taxonomic uncertainty into macroecological and macroevolutionary studies, enhancing the robustness of patterns inferred from these data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]