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Range expansions, whether they are biological invasions or climate change-mediated range shifts, may have profound ecological and evolutionary consequences for plant-soil interactions. Range-expanding plants encounter soil biota with which they have a limited coevolutionary history, especially when introduced to a new continent. Past studies have found mixed results on whether plants experience positive or negative soil feedback interactions in their novel range, and these effects often change over time. One important theoretical explanation is that plants locally adapt to the soil pathogens and mutualists in their novel range. We tested this hypothesis in Dittrichia graveolens, an annual plant that is both expanding its European native range, initially coinciding with climate warming, and rapidly invading in California after human introduction. In parallel greenhouse experiments on both continents, we used plant genotypes and soils from five locations at the core and edge of each range to compare plant growth in soil inhabited by D. graveolens and nearby control microsites as a measure of plant-soil feedback. Plant-soil interactions were highly idiosyncratic across each range. On average, plant-soil feedbacks were more positive in the native range than in the exotic range. In line with the strongly heterogeneous pattern of soil responses along our biogeographic gradients, we found no evidence for evolutionary differentiation between plant genotypes from the core to edge of either range. Our results suggest that the evolution of plant-soil interactions during range expansion may be more strongly driven by local evolutionary dynamics varying across the range than by large-scale biogeographic shifts.

The emergence of infectious diseases presents a significant global health, economic, and security risk. Climate change can unexpectedly lead to the spread of pathogens, vectors, or hosts into new areas, contributing to the rise of infectious diseases. Surveillance plays a crucial role in monitoring disease trends and implementing control strategies. In this study, we document the first discovery of Heterobilharzia americana, a parasitic schistosome of mammals and its intermediate hosts Galba cubensis and Galba humilis along the banks of the Colorado River in California. We conducted multiple samplings of snails from various locations in the region with a previous history of canine schistosomiasis. Nucleotide sequencing of the multiple regions of the snails and parasites DNA revealed the coexistence of G. cubensis and G. humilis, both infected with H. americana. Phylogenetic analyses further validate the presence of H. americana in California, suggesting a wider distribution than previously reported. Our findings have implications for public health, veterinary medicine, and biodiversity conservation, contributing to developing effective control strategies to prevent the spread of this emerging infectious disease.

Background: Species ranges are shaped by a variety of ecological and environmental factors that are inherently dynamic, fluctuating in response to climatic, biotic, and anthropogenic influences. Dispersal plays a key role in range shifts, allowing species to adapt to changing habitats and exploit new regions. In this study, we examined the dispersal processes of four thrush species (Turdus amaurochalinus, T. chiguanco, T. falcklandii and T. rufiventris) that have expanded their ranges in recent decades, with a focus on the interaction between spread and seasonal movements. Methods: We collected eBird records from 2003 to 2023 to create heat maps that illustrate changes in densities of reported occurrences between seasons and over the years. We also evaluated how bioclimatic and land cover variables influenced the observed variations. Results: The four thrush species have shown significant range expansions, with initially distinct seasonal distributions, which became increasingly similar over time, leading to significant overlap in their breeding and non-breeding habitats. Temperature and precipitation associated with the presence of the four species varied over time and between seasons. Additionally, all four species exhibited shifts in habitat selection, both seasonally and across years. Conclusion: The changes of range are likely driven by a combination of climate and land-use change, and resource availability, which also influence seasonal dispersal patterns. At the same time, thrushes perform very well in urban environments, which offer stable resources and may contribute to their reduction in seasonal movements. Overall, these findings highlight the dynamic nature of thrush species' range shifts and their adaptation to environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite newly formed polyploids being subjected to myriad fitness consequences, the relative prevalence of polyploidy, both contemporarily and in ancestral branches of the tree of life, suggests alternative advantages that outweigh these consequences. One proposed advantage is that polyploids may more easily colonize novel habitats, such as deglaciated areas. However, previous research conducted in diploids suggests that range expansion comes with a fitness cost, as deleterious mutations may fix rapidly on the expansion front. Here, we interrogate the potential consequences of expansion in polyploids by conducting spatially explicit forward-in-time simulations to investigate how ploidy and inheritance patterns impact the relative ability of polyploids to expand their range. We show that under realistic dominance models, autopolyploids suffer greater fitness reductions than diploids as a result of range expansion due to the fixation of increased mutational load that is masked in the range core. Alternatively, the disomic inheritance of allopolyploids provides a shield to this fixation, resulting in minimal fitness consequences. In light of this advantage provided by disomy, we investigate how range expansion may influence cytogenetic diploidization through the reversion to disomy in autotetraploids. We show that under a wide range of parameters investigated for two models of diploidization, disomy frequently evolves more rapidly on the expansion front than in the range core, and that this dynamic inheritance model has additional effects on fitness. Together our results point to a complex interaction among dominance, ploidy, inheritance, and recombination on fitness as a population spreads across a geographic range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Documenting new colonisations of species and rates of establishment on islands is important for studying ecological interactions with resident species and adds to our understanding of island biogeography. Here, I document the apparent recent establishment of the Lurcher Yoma sabina in the Fiji Islands, a butterfly species previously unrecorded in Fiji in the published literature, some 830 km away from its closest known occurrence in Vanuatu. Based on records in iNaturalist, colonisation is likely to have occurred in the early 2020s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) is an extremely polyphagous pest, capable of infesting over 300 host plants, making it one of the most significant threats to fruit production globally. The aim of this study was to investigate how developmental temperature and host fruit type affect adult longevity and fecundity in medflies from six geographically distinct populations across Southern to Central Europe. The findings highlight the influence of environmental factors, such as temperature and host fruit, on the life history traits of Ceratitis capitata and underscore the species' ability to adapt to different environments. This work offers important insights into how such adaptations contribute to the spread of this pest species and informs potential strategies for its management, especially in light of ongoing climate change. Temperature and host fruit availability are key factors influencing the life history traits of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) (Ceratitis capitata). This study examines how developmental temperature and host fruit type affect adult longevity and fecundity in medflies from six populations spanning Southern to Central Europe. Larvae were reared on apples and bitter oranges at three constant temperatures (15, 20, and 25 °C), with pupae maintained under the same thermal conditions until adult emergence. Adults were then kept at 25 °C, with longevity and fecundity recorded daily. The results showed that higher developmental temperatures increased adult lifespan across all populations, regardless of host fruit. Similarly, fecundity rates in ovipositing females were higher at higher temperatures. Reproductive periods (pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition) varied among populations, indicating population-specific responses. These findings underscore how temperature and host fruit availability shape medfly invasion dynamics, highlighting the species' biological plasticity and adaptation to different environments. This research provides valuable insights for pest management, particularly in the context of climate change, offering strategies to mitigate the spread of medflies into new regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, has undergone dramatic increases in abundance in parts of its historical native range, and it is also undergoing a major range expansion. We review available information and discuss the vectors and sources of the species' range expansions, the genetic characteristics of recently founded populations and the ecological consequences of both stickleback introductions and increases in abundance. Dramatic range expansions occurred in the Caspian Sea drainage, large rivers in the Black Sea drainage, reservoirs of the Rhine basin, isolated lakes in North America and Japan and remote islands in the Arctic. Likely reasons for these range expansions include canal construction, accidental inclusion with stocking of commercially valuable fish, intentional release by aquarists and fishermen and climate change. In some cases, range expansions of stickleback were likely facilitated by genetic admixture of previously separated lineages, as well as by high‐standing genetic variation that promotes rapid adaptation to new habitats. Accordingly, range expansions are often accompanied by striking increases in abundance, although these are two distinct processes. Notably, population growth within the species' native range, particularly in the White and Baltic Seas, has been observed alongside expansions into new areas. Where stickleback colonise new habitats or increase in abundance, extensive ecological impacts on ecosystems typically occur. Given these massive and widespread changes, the species has the potential to provide considerable insight into the evolutionary and ecological effects of human impacts on aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Numerous plant species are expanding their native ranges due to anthropogenic environmental change. Because cytotypes of polyploid complexes often show similar morphologies, there may be unnoticed range expansions (i.e. cryptic invasions) of one cytotype into regions where only the other cytotype is native.We critically revised herbarium specimens of diploid and tetraploid Centaurea stoebe, collected across Europe between 1790 and 2023. Based on their distribution in natural and relict habitats and phylogeographic data, we estimated the native ranges of both cytotypes.Diploids are native across their entire European range, whereas tetraploids are native only to South‐Eastern Europe and have recently expanded their range toward Central Europe. The proportion of tetraploids has exponentially increased over time in their expanded but not in their native range. This cryptic invasion predominantly occurred in ruderal habitats and enlarged the climatic niche of tetraploids toward a more oceanic climate.We conclude that spatio‐temporally explicit assessments of range shifts, habitat preferences and niche evolution can improve our understanding of cryptic invasions. We also emphasize the value of herbarium specimens for accurate estimation of species´ native ranges, with fundamental implications for the design of research studies and the assessment of biodiversity trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change‐induced extreme weather and related drought and flood conditions are heterogeneous across space and time. The variability in location, timing, and magnitude of rainfall can alter how species respond to the drought and flood disturbances. To further complicate this matter, when droughts end they are often followed by extreme flooding, which are rarely considered as a disturbance (Humphries et al. 2024), let alone assessed with its own heterogeneity. Consequently, it is difficult to quantify impacts on ecological communities across large spatiotemporal scales without considering flood‐drought disturbance characteristics in sequence (Burton et al. 2020). We hypothesized that native organisms have evolved resistance to withstand repeated cycles of drought‐flood disturbances, and that established non‐native species have adapted to persist in novel conditions. To test this, we fit spatiotemporal models of species occurrence with local rainfall patterns as covariates in the drought and flood impacted Murray‐Darling basin in Australia during the decade long Millenium Drought, and its recovery period. During these drought conditions, river‐floodplain organisms in the Murray‐Darling became localized in refugia that limited longitudinal and lateral connectivity (Bond et al. 2008), and following flooding the same organisms were exposed to dispersal and recruitment opportunities (Humphries et al. 2020), as well as to hypoxic blackwater events that lead to the mortality of aquatic organisms (Small et al. 2014). At the basin‐scale we found that the range size of most native and non‐native fishes were highly resistant to the extreme drought and post‐flood conditions. At local scales, species richness, or detection, actually increased under drought conditions. Both findings highlight the resistance of species to climate change driven extreme weather, which opens new questions on community adaptations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of tick-borne diseases in the United States has more than doubled since the early 2000s. Research on ticks is a priority to mitigate the spread of tick-borne diseases. Thus, it is important to understand how to efficiently collect large numbers of ticks for studies of genetics, behavior, physiology, vector competence, tick repellants, and acaricides. In this study, we compared the efficiency of two methods—dragging and CO2-baited trapping—for collecting lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) across two distinct regions of its expanding range. We performed simultaneous dragging and trapping collections at six sites, three in Oklahoma and three in New York and New Jersey, USA. Our results demonstrate that dragging was more efficient than trapping for collecting lone star tick nymphs. However, dragging and trapping were similar in efficiency for collecting adult males and females. There were no regional differences in trapping or dragging efficiency. Additionally, we discuss material and labor costs of each method to inform researchers who need to rapidly collect as many ticks as possible with the most efficient and cost-effective method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Great Bay Estuary (GBE), within the rapidly warming Gulf of Maine, has experienced significant ecological shifts this century due to naturalization of invasive species. The range expansion of the American blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) currently underway from the mid-Atlantic northward brings the possibility of similar ecological shifts. This study accounts recent trapping and diet analysis of C. sapidus in GBE. Diet is an important component of understanding how the blue crab range expansion may affect GBE ecosystem functions. Across all sites and trap types, 27 blue crabs were captured. Metagenomic analysis of shotgun sequencing techniques were used on the gut contents of blue crabs captured. Most specimens had > 50% Eukaryote sequences. Overall results of this gut content study confirm a mixed diet indicative of an opportunistic feeder. Using metagenomics to analyze the diet of blue crabs as they establish viable populations in GBE will be a useful tool for predicting how these range expanding organisms are interacting within this important estuarine ecosystem, which will promote sustainable development by informing end users who may be affected by these crabs to help them meet their needs in the present and future. This project falls within Global Goal SDG14: Life Below Water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activity generates new global processes, including range expansions caused by landscape transformations, climate change, and biological invasions. The study of the causes and processes that accompany the colonization of new areas, as well as the ecological and evolutionary consequences, has been developing rapidly in the last 20 years at the junction of such domains of biology as spatial ecology, ecology of movement, ecology of invasions, metapopulation theory, behavioral ecology, evolutionary ecology, population genetics, and personality research. In this review, we summarize theoretical ideas and empirical studies to answer two main questions: what distinguishes colonists from the residents of source populations and what specific demographic and genetic processes drive and accompany the wave of population expansion? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Glacial cycles during the Pleistocene had profound impacts on local environments and climatic conditions. In North America, some regions that currently support diverse biomes were entirely covered by ice sheets, while other regions were environmentally unsuitable for the organisms that live there now. Organisms that occupy these regions in the present day must have expanded or dispersed into these regions since the last glacial maximum, leading to the possibility that species with similar geographic distributions may show temporally concordant population size changes associated with these warming trends. We examined 17 lineages from 9 eastern North American snake species and species complexes to test for a signal of temporally concordant coexpansion using a machine learning approach. We found that the majority of lineages show population size increases towards the present, with evidence for coexpansion in five out of fourteen lineages, while expansion in others was idiosyncratic. We also examined relationships between genetic distance and current environmental predictors and showed that genomic responses to environmental predictors are not consistent among species. We, therefore, conclude that Pleistocene warming resulted in population size increases in most eastern North American snake species, but variation in environmental preferences and other species‐specific traits results in variance in the exact timing of expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motile organisms can expand into new territories and increase their fitness, while nonmotile viruses usually depend on host migration to spread across long distances. In general, faster host motility facilitates virus transmission. However, recent ecological studies have also shown that animal host migration can reduce viral prevalence by removing infected individuals from the migratory group. Here, we use a bacteria-bacteriophage copropagation system to investigate how host motility affects viral spread during range expansion. We find that phage spread during chemotaxis-driven navigated range expansion decreases as bacterial migration speed increases. Theoretical and experimental analyses show that the navigated migration leads to a spatial sorting of infected and uninfected hosts in the copropagating front of bacteria-bacteriophage, with implications for the number of cells left behind. The preferential loss of infected cells in the copropagating front inhibits viral spread. Further increase in host migration speed leads to a phase transition that eliminates the phage completely. These results illustrate that navigated range expansion of the host can promote the migratory culling of infectious diseases in the migration group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern larch beetle Dendroctonus simplex LeConte has been outbreaking for the past two decades in the Great Lakes region of North America, impacting approximately 400,000 hectares of eastern larch Larix laricina (tamarack) forest in Minnesota, United States, alone. Range expansions of some Dendroctonus species driven by climate change have occurred across North America as rising temperatures increase climatically suitable habitats across latitudes and elevations. The range of eastern larch beetle is currently sympatric to that of its host, eastern larch, but the insect could, in theory, eventually access ranges of other species of Larix native to North America. We compared host suitability of two potential novel hosts, western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) and subalpine larch (Larix lyalli Parl.) against the beetle's native host, eastern larch, using a reproductive success experiment conducted in cut bolts of all three species. We measured fertility, maternal gallery length, and offspring size and lipid content as metrics of reproductive success. We found beetles could reproduce in both novel Larix species, with subalpine larch having high levels of success compared to the beetle's native host, eastern larch. These findings suggest that subalpine larch may be at risk should a range expansion of eastern larch beetle occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bombus haematurus KRIECHBAUMER, 1870 is one of a few European bumblebee species that are predicted to benefit from climate change. Its expansion in a north-western direction has been observed since the end of the 20th century. In 2023, this species was recorded for the first time in Poland. Two observations of a female, separated by about two weeks, were made in the same locality in Ustrzyki Górne, Bieszczady Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ivy bee Colletes hederae was recorded in the west and south of Poland in September 2023. While C. hederae is expanding its range in Europe, these are most probably the first records of the species in this country. The two localities, Górzyca (at the Polish-German border) and Kraków (S Poland), are situated about 450 km apart from each other. This suggests that the species is colonising the territory of Poland simultaneously from Germany, as well as from the Czech Republic and/or Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus L.) is an invasive perennial monocot found along the United States (U.S.).–Canadian border which can grow into large monotypic mats that can cause water use issues. Currently, there are two known cytotypes, diploid and triploid, within the invaded range; however, basic ecological research is lacking on the diploid cytotype. Ecological niche modelling (ENM) was done on three known populations of the diploid cytotype, alongside a global site model, to determine site-specific abiotic influences and potential suitability within the U.S. The ENM was constructed using climatic and soil variables from public sources with resultant models compared to currently known populations of flowering rush throughout the U.S. Diploid flowering rush populations and the global site models were highly reliant on precipitation in the driest month (27–39% model contribution) and one site was highly reliant on precipitation seasonality (38% model contribution). Diploid flowering rush populations in this study displayed different responses towards abiotic factors; however, seasonal signaling of precipitation patterns are highly important. Furthermore, diploid flowering rush is predicted to invade numerous areas with less than suitable habitat which should warrant further monitoring to prevent further spread. KEY POLICY HIGHLIGHTS: 1. Diploid flowering rush is an invasive perennial monocot currently invading the U.S. and was found to have high suitability within most of the U.S. which may allow potential range expansion within major river watersheds. 2. Flowering rush displays plasticity to the environment it invades and is highly dependent on seasonal signaling for most life processes. 3. Ecological niche modelling shows promising results for use as site-by-site evaluation tool for populations of diploid flowering rush and could be used to help identify abiotic influences within invaded sites or sites with potential invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini Dyar (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an economically important pest of sugarcane, rice, and corn in Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico. Due to its tropical and subtropical origin, E. loftini's northern distribution might be limited by cold tolerance. Thus, a series of biological assays was conducted to determine the influence of temperature regimes and photoperiod on E. loftini life table parameters. Development assays revealed that larvae did not complete development to adulthood at temperatures < 22 °C. Adult longevity decreased with increasing temperature. Thermal tolerance assays determined that larvae have high rates of survival at freezing temperatures (−5 °C) for five days. All larvae died after one day at 45 °C. Exposure to a short-day photoperiod improved survival at freezing temperatures, but photoperiod did not influence mortality at high temperatures. These results suggest that E. loftini can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, which may facilitate its range expansion in the United States, although extreme high temperatures could potentially limit its spread in some areas. The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an economically important pest of sugarcane, rice, and corn in Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico. This pest is considered invasive in the US and is expanding its range northward. Due to its subtropical origin, E. loftini's northern distribution might be limited by cold tolerance. A series of assays determined the influence of temperature and photoperiod on E. loftini life table parameters. Adult oviposition was reduced at temperatures > 30 °C. Egg viability was reduced at 20 and 36 °C relative to intermediate temperatures. Egg development time was greatest at 18 °C. Larvae did not develop to the pupal stage at temperatures ≤ 20 °C. Larval duration decreased with increasing temperature from 22 to 36 °C. Adult longevity decreased with increasing temperature from 18 °C (15 d) to 34 °C (7 d). Exposure to a short-day photoperiod decreased larval mortality at −5 °C. Larval survival of >80% up to 5 days at −5 °C suggests E. loftini cold tolerance is sufficient to minimize the influence of hard freezes on overwintering populations. Larval survival for 5 d at 40 °C was 75%. Exposure to 45 °C for periods > 1 d caused 100% mortality. These results suggest that E. loftini exhibits considerable thermal plasticity and cold tolerance, which may facilitate its range expansion in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A breeding colony of the Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus was discovered at the Khenifiss lagoon on the Atlantic coast of southern Morocco. In June 2022, 222 nests were counted and, in 2023, 62 nests were present. Nests were built on sandy-clay soil on a natural saline flat without any vegetation cover. The mean calculated egg volume (69.10 ± 6.69 cm3; n = 33) was similar to that reported for European populations of this species. Predation was the main cause of breeding failure. This remarkable discovery constitutes the first evidence of reproduction of Lesser Black-backed Gulls in mainland Africa, thereby extending the species' known breeding range southwards by ∼2 000 km. This finding holds considerable implications for understanding this species' adaptability to new environments and the population dynamics driving range expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil has a rich diversity of native bees, crucial as pollinators. This study aimed to inventory cleptoparasitic bees in the Cerrado region of Mato Grosso, specifically in three preserved areas, characterized by Cerrado vegetation. Species richness and distribution over time were evaluated, and new occurrences are reported for the study area. Biweekly sampling was used to collect specimens and monitor the nesting behaviour of bees (Apoidea). A total of 24 individuals from the subfamily Nomadinae, covering five genera and six species, were collected. Results showed new occurrences, including Acanthopus palmatus (Ericrocidini), Odyneropsis armata (Epeolini), and Rhathymus unicolour (Rhatimini). Seasonal variation was observed mainly at the beginning and end of the rainy season. For the first time, the interaction between the parasite and host species Mesoplia decorata and Epicharis maculata was reported. We conclude that long-term inventories are essential to reveal rare species and describe new associations in understudied areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding ecological and evolutionary processes driving species range expansion is essential to assess extirpation risks and reduce future biodiversity loss. During range expansion, spatial sorting eco-evolutionary model predicts enhanced dispersal rate in leading-edge populations through local accumulation of phenotypic traits related to dispersal. This process may result in a transient trade-off, whereby local fitness is temporarily sacrificed for the benefit of dispersal during range expansion. Here, we empirically tested the spatial sorting model and its fitness cost by assessing dispersal ability of 8138 white spruce (Picea glauca) winged seeds and seed viability along altitudinal gradients in two eastern Canadian mountain ranges with different dynamics according to contrasted historical disturbance regime, as well as in a lowland site representative of the species geographical range core. In the Uapishka mountains, stand-replacing wildfires have opened the forest cover and leading-edge populations are currently expanding upslope. Dispersal ability was enhanced at the expansion front whereas germination potential decreased. Treeline populations exhibit a trade-off maximizing dispersal over fitness, as expected from the spatial sorting model. By contrast, in the McGerrigle mountains where there is no evidence of wildfire activity, treeline populations established several millennia ago and there is currently no upslope range expansion. In these mountains, no trait variation was found along the altitudinal gradient, suggesting that a local optimum was reached for the traits involved in the trade-off between dispersal ability and seed viability. In the geographical core of the range, dispersal ability reaches its lowest values while germination potential is maximal, suggesting absence of a spatial sorting mechanism, but natural selection as the primary evolutionary process operating to increase local fitness. This study sheds light on the importance of intraspecific trait variation related to the dispersal ability of individuals and its transient impact on life-history in tree populations located at the expansion front. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a method to control the sensitivity of a ring MEMS gyroscope by adjusting the driving control voltage via MEMS. The aim is to explore the relationship between the range of the ring MEMS gyroscope and the driving control voltage, establishing a mathematical model that correlates driving control voltage with sensitivity. By applying different driving voltages to the same gyroscope, the study evaluates the performance and range of the gyroscope. Experimental results demonstrate that lower driving voltages increase the gyroscope's range. At a driving voltage of 10.85 V, the gyroscope achieves a range of ±200°/s, a minimum resolution of 0.019°/s, and a nonlinearity of 22.37 ppm. At 1.46 V, the gyroscope range expands to ±1000°/s, with a minimum resolution of 0.05138°/s and a nonlinearity of 60.73 ppm. As the measurement range increased fivefold, the degradation in gyroscope performance was significantly less than the scale of range expansion. Compared to the gain in modulation detection circuitry, gyroscope performance was optimized across the entire operational range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien plant species pose a significant global threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services, with climate playing a crucial role in their successful establishment beyond native and recognized non-native ranges. Native to North America, A. fruticosa is recognized for its invasive nature, negatively impacting local species composition in threatened ecosystems. Here, we focused on evaluating the factors driving the rapid expansion of the invasive alien species Amorpha fruticosa L. across Europe using climate envelope modeling and predicting its future climatic suitability under range of climate change scenarios. Utilizing data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, we used the MaxEnt algorithm and 19 bioclimatic variables to model A. fruticosa’s climatic suitability. The SDM, addressing uncertainty through four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), revealed a robust relationship between A. fruticosa and bioclimatic parameters, leading to observable range shifts in response to climate change. Climatic suitability was found to be minimal below −10 °C, increasing above 0 °C. Precipitation of the driest quarter was identified as a significant predictor, with low climatic suitability below 70 mm. Projected climatic niche expansion for the period 2041–2060 ranged from 75.9% (SSP126) to 115.5% of the current climatically suitable area (SSP485). For 2061–2080, the expansion varied from 78.6 to 150.5%, respectively. The study identified an eastward and northward expansion of climatic suitability across Europe. While SDMs proved invaluable in discerning potential risks during the early stages of invasion, the study emphasizes the need for more data to understand A. fruticosa’s interactions with local species communities, fostering data-driven decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changing climate patterns will likely affect insect pressure on many agricultural crops. Mild winters may decrease the number of insects that experience reduced fecundity or that are killed during hard freezes. This may result in larger populations in subsequent years and allow for range expansion. Direct effects from pests are compounded by indirect effects, such as crop damage resulting from insect-vectored diseases. Corn flea beetle (Chaetocnema pulicaria) infestations have both direct and indirect effects on crops. This beetle is a pest on all types of corn in the United States, including sweet corn and grain corn (sometimes referred to as dent corn). It is responsible for damage to plant foliage and also serves as the primary overwintering vector for Pantoea stewartii bacterium, which causes Stewart's Wilt, a disease that can severely impact the health and productivity of corn. Evidence suggests that warmer winters will contribute to a geographic range expansion for the corn flea beetle. Here we show the projected northward expansion of economically damaging crop losses caused by Stewart's Wilt: (A) from 1980 to 2011, (B) projected by mid-century, and (C) projected by end-century. Our work suggests that climate change and associated increasing winter temperatures in the United States will lead to a dramatic increase in the probability of severe damage from corn flea beetle across the United States, including the Corn Belt. Predicted increases in pest and disease pressure will have negative ramifications for corn production and are likely to exacerbate issues associated with specific management tactics, such as pesticide application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tachyancistrocerus rhodensis (de Saussure) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) is newly recorded from Continental Italy and Sardinia. The species was found in several localities ranging from Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna in the North to Calabria and Apulia in the South, widely expanding its distribution in Italy, previously limited to few records from Sicily. The possibly recent and invasive origin of the newly recorded populations is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Species ranges are shaped by a variety of ecological and environmental factors that are inherently dynamic, fluctuating in response to climatic, biotic, and anthropogenic influences. Dispersal plays a key role in range shifts, allowing species to adapt to changing habitats and exploit new regions. In this study, we examined the dispersal processes of four thrush species (Turdus amaurochalinus, T. chiguanco, T. falcklandii and T. rufiventris) that have expanded their ranges in recent decades, with a focus on the interaction between spread and seasonal movements. Methods We collected eBird records from 2003 to 2023 to create heat maps that illustrate changes in densities of reported occurrences between seasons and over the years. We also evaluated how bioclimatic and land cover variables influenced the observed variations. Results The four thrush species have shown significant range expansions, with initially distinct seasonal distributions, which became increasingly similar over time, leading to significant overlap in their breeding and non-breeding habitats. Temperature and precipitation associated with the presence of the four species varied over time and between seasons. Additionally, all four species exhibited shifts in habitat selection, both seasonally and across years. Conclusion The changes of range are likely driven by a combination of climate and land-use change, and resource availability, which also influence seasonal dispersal patterns. At the same time, thrushes perform very well in urban environments, which offer stable resources and may contribute to their reduction in seasonal movements. Overall, these findings highlight the dynamic nature of thrush species’ range shifts and their adaptation to environmental changes.

Warming temperatures have added urgency to characterizing the thermalscapes and thermal tolerances of cold-adapted fishes to effectively manage and conserve such species. This is especially relevant at high latitude and high elevation streams, which are experiencing rapid environmental changes, yet are data-poor, remote, and difficult to access. Here, we describe a method to assess temporal and spatial variation in surface and hyporheic water temperatures that can be effectively deployed to remain year-round in remote dynamic streams. We then demonstrate the utility of this method by assessing Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma spawning sites in a remote river. Characterizing and quantifying the amount of viable thermal habitat for cold-adapted species improves predictions of how warming may affect high latitude and high elevation stream ecosystems. Together with species-specific thermal tolerances, this information can then be used to identify the thermal refugia that are essential for conservation of endemic species, and assess risks associated with range expansions of potentially colonizing species.

Vagrancy is a less contrived part in the context of bird migration; thus, observing the vagrancy pattern of immigrants helps to discover changes in distribution, range shifting, and range expansion of the bird species. It is critical to look after the determinants and patterns of vagrancy for effective conservation measures for all migratory bird species, including threatened pelican species, since their inland migration routes are understudied in India. Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalusLinnaeus, 1758 (Pelecaniformes, Pelecanidae) is one of the winter visitors to India, but its wintering range in India is not addressed adequately. This communication provides documentation of the sighting of a Great White Pelican at Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, one of the Important Bird Areas in Andhra Pradesh, India, and briefly highlights the less-noticed vagrancy phenomenon of this species in the states of southern India.

Chenopodium ucrainicum Mosyakin & Mandák (Chenopodiaceae / Amaranthaceae s. l.), a newly described diploid species currently known only from Ukraine, is a distinctive yet still enigmatic element of the Ukrainian flora. This study provides a detailed account of its presently known geographical distribution, ecological preferences, and phytosociological features, plus some further information of its morphology, based on field surveys conducted during 2021–2024 across central and western regions of Ukraine. Our fieldwork targeted synanthropic habitats, including roadsides, ruderal zones, forest edges, and undercanopy areas within anthropogenic forests and urban parks. The known range of C. ucrainicum is fragmented, with major population clusters in the Dnipro Upland, Male Polissia, and the Podillian Upland. The distribution pattern indicates its primary occurrence in synanthropic environments with moderate moisture levels, and its presence in disturbed habitats suggests its likely status as an alien species in Ukraine. Observations also noted its high projective coverage in plant communities associated with Acer negundo and Robinia pseudoacacia, where C. ucrainicum, if present, frequently plays a dominant role among species of the herbaceous layer. A new association, Chenopodio ucrainicae-Aceretum negundi ass. nov., is proposed, highlighting the diagnostic value of C. ucrainicum in ruderal and other anthropogenic plant communities. Ecologically, C. ucrainicum is classified as a mesophyte with a long vegetation period, making it well-suited to warmer climates with extended growing seasons. Its phenological pattern and tolerance to low temperatures point to its supposed origin in and spread from regions with similar climatic conditions. Although the species exhibits high adaptability within its current range, which corresponds to the recent warming climatic trends in Ukraine, its absence in historical records in herbaria supports the hypothesis that C. ucrainicum is a relatively recent immigrant in Ukraine. Its native range may lie in temperate or subtropical regions of southern or southeastern Asia, where other genetically diverse Chenopodium species are present. Continued research, including molecular phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies, will be essential for confirming its actual geographic origin and the evolutionary role within the Chenopodium album allopolyploid complex. This study contributes valuable insights into the distribution patterns and ecological characteristics of C. ucrainicum, highlighting its probable status as an expanding neophyte in the flora of Ukraine, influenced by climate change and anthropogenic factors.

One adult specimen of pompano Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus, 1758) was found along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. The specimen has been caught in June 2022 in a static fish trap near the town of Primorsko. This is the first record of this thermophilic species in the Black Sea waters, which is presumably related to the increased seawater temperatures in the region and represents significant northward range extension.

In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge of the biology, ecology, and impact of Sinanodonta freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionidae), native to East Asia, that have successfully invaded Europe, Central America, North Africa, and several Asian regions. The main introduction pathways of Sinanodonta were reconstructed based on DNA sequence data and distribution records. We show that invasive lineages of Sinanodonta belong to three species, namely, S. woodiana s. str. ("temperate invasive" lineage), S. pacifica ("tropical invasive" lineage), and S. lauta. Their generalist fish-dispersed larvae, short life span, high fecundity, use by humans for multiple purposes, and ability to establish populations in anthropogenically disturbed conditions were identified as crucial traits driving their invasions. Information on the consequences is scarcer, but Sinanodonta can impact native species through larval parasitism, host fish/food competition, and parasite transmission. In addition, ecosystem effects through their filtration—biodeposition—excretion activity and the occurrence of massive die-offs were detected. Ecosystem services and disservices have not yet been quantified, even at local scales, and management methods in the invasive range are understudied. A better understanding of Sinanodonta ecology, impacts, and management options is urgently needed to make informed decisions and set realistic and impactful restoration goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Western Indian Ocean biodiversity hotspot hosts a remarkable array of endemic species, but invasive alien species increasingly threaten its unique ecosystems. Lizards of the West African Agama agama species group are successful colonizers, with recent introductions to Grande Comore (Comoros Archipelago) and Reunion Island. Systematic revisions within the native range of the A. agama species group have left many of the introduced populations without clear identity. We used molecular methods to determine the identities of the Agama species introduced to Grande Comore and Reunion Island, define their respective likely origin, and assess body size characteristics for each island population. We identified Agama picticauda as the species present on both islands with likely origins in two distinct Western African regions. Agamas from Reunion Island had longer and wider heads with greater body weight than Grande Comore individuals. Sexual size dimorphism on both islands was driven by weight, with males being heavier than females. We provide foundations for further research on the ecology and impacts of A. picticauda on Western Indian Ocean islands and to aid in the development of targeted management strategies for controlling this invasive reptile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate change leads to rising temperatures, tropical fishes such as common snook Centropomus undecimalis (hereafter snook) are expanding poleward, necessitating an understanding of their ability to tolerate cold temperatures and rapid temperature drops. To investigate this ability, we conducted chronic lethal minimum (CLmin) and critical thermal minimum (CTmin) trials in the laboratory using fish collected from a latitudinal gradient along the Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida. Individual lower lethal temperatures ranged from 7.9 to 10.5 °C. On average, the northernmost snook population exhibited the most cold hardiness, ceasing feeding at 14.4 °C and dying at 8.6 °C. These thermal endpoints were lower than for populations collected farther south and are significant in the context of passing cold fronts. In the CTmin trial that reduced water temperatures more quickly, and is sub-lethal, snook lost equilibrium at temperatures almost 2 °C warmer than those in our chronic trial, underscoring the necessity of simulating realistic cold events to fully understand species’ cold tolerance. These findings help managers predict the effects of variation in timing and extent of severe cold events on snook across different estuaries, allowing for targeted management approaches should conditions warrant actions to facilitate population recovery. Metrics associated with a species’ cold hardiness can inform climate modeling, fisheries management, and freshwater inflow regulations affecting thermal refugia, aiding in the management and conservation of tropical fish populations in the face of global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Climate change significantly influences the geographical distribution of plant species worldwide, especially endemics. Endemic species are plants that live in limited distribution ranges of unique ecology and, thus, are the most vulnerable species to climate change. Therefore, understanding the impacts of climate change on the distribution of these species can assist in developing appropriate plans for their conservation. In this study, we aimed to apply various species distribution models (SDMs) to predict the current potential distributions of two endangered plant species, Silene leucophylla (S. leucophylla, endemic) and Silene schimperiana (S. schimperiana, near-endemic), in Saint Catherine protected area (St. Catherine PA), Egypt. Then, using the best-fit model to project their future distribution under the maximum climate emission scenario (Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5)). Six different SDMs were constructed using different geospatial raster imagery sets of environmental factors. For each model, five machine learning (ML) algorithms were used. The results of these ML algorithms were then ensembled by calculating the weighted average of their predictions. Results Based on the analysis of digital geospatial imageries produced by the best-fitting model, the predicted suitable areas of S. leucophylla and S. schimperiana were 23.1 km2 and 125 km2, respectively. These sites are located mainly in the high-elevation middle northern part of the study area. Annual precipitation, mean temperature of the driest quarter, altitude, and precipitation seasonality were the essential predictors of the distributions of both species. Future predictions of both species indicated opposing results between the studied species. Predictions in the 2050 and 2070 future conditions revealed significant range contraction for the distribution of S. leucophylla. For S. schimperiana, a range shift is predicted, with both range contraction and range expansion of its current suitable habitats, for the same future projections. Unfortunately, in 2080 predictions, both species could be projected to a complete loss from the entire area. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of including diverse types of environmental variables in SDMs to produce more accurate predictions, rather than relying only on one variable type. It also revealed the potential negative impacts of future climate change on the distributions of two endangered plant species, S. leucophylla and S. schimperiana, inhabiting St. Catherine PA. Consequently, we urgently recommend the initiation of different plans and strategies seeking their conservation.

Understanding the factors influencing how fast populations can spread across the landscape will be crucial as species ranges shift due to climate change. While the role of abiotic factors in determining expansion speed has been well studied in theory and empirical research, how competition impacts speed has received far less attention. Here, we investigated how seed dispersal distances change in response to competition and how these changes to distributions of dispersed seeds impact expansion speed. We dispersed four genotypes of the annual plant Arabidopsis thaliana with variation in life history traits into greenhouse mesocosms of either empty habitat or habitat containing the annual grass competitor, Lolium multiflorum. We found that competition decreased both mean and maximum dispersal distance. We then built a simulation model of range expansion with experimental data from this and a prior experiment to explore whether competition slows species expansions primarily through decreasing dispersal or fecundity. We found that competition primarily slows expansion speed through decreases in dispersal, but that when competition impacts both dispersal and fecundity, expansions slow more than with dispersal alone. The genotype with traits associated with longer distance dispersal was the most affected by competition in both experimental dispersal and simulations. This research suggests that not only does competition slow range expansions through decreases in both fecundity and dispersal, but that there may be consequences for evolutionary processes at the leading edge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Studies aimed at estimating species response to climate change generally employ correlative species distribution models (SDMs) coupled with dispersal scenarios. However, dispersal distances are generally lacking or nonrepresentative, so researchers typically estimate dispersal distance from allometric relationships. Yet, these estimates ignore the role of sex bias in dispersal—where one sex disperses more than the other—leading to important prediction errors. We collected sex‐specific dispersal data for 47 mammal species characterised by different levels of sex bias and projected their distribution under future climate scenarios, either considering or disregarding sex‐biased dispersal. Results reveal discrepancies that can be substantial for species with marked sex bias. Given the paucity of sex‐specific dispersal data, climate forecasting efforts should cautiously use a range of dispersal scenarios, favouring partial dispersal scenarios that are likely to encompass true species' range shifting abilities. Further research and data collection are crucial for refining predictions and understanding the ecological drivers of sex bias in dispersal across taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhipidomys is a Sigmodontinae genus with a great diversity in western Amazonia, including Rhipidomys gardneri and Rhipidomys leucodactylus. These species shared the same diploid number of 44, however, two fundamental numbers were attributed to R. leucodactylus and one to R. gardneri. A new karyotype for R. leucodactylus is described, with a diploid and fundamental number shared by other Rhipidomys species. Data confirmed three karyotypes for R. leucodactylus, only one for R. gardneri, the presence of R. leucodactylus in the Brazilian state of Acre and extend the distribution of R. gardneri to Manoel Urbano, in Acre, showing both species occurring in the high Purus River basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like alien plant invasion, range expansion of native plants may threaten biodiversity and economies, rendering them native invaders. Variation in abiotic and biotic conditions across a large geographic scale greatly affects variation in traits and interactions with herbivores of native plant invaders, which is an interesting yet mostly unexplored issue. We used a common garden experiment to compare defensive/nutritional traits and palatability to generalist herbivores of 20 native (23.64° N–30.18° N) and introduced range (31.58° N–36.87° N) populations of Reynoutria japonica, which is a native invader following range expansion in China. We analyzed the relationships among herbivore pressure, climate, plant chloroplast haplotypes, leaf traits, and herbivore performance. Of the 16 variables tested, we observed range differences in 11 variables and latitudinal clines in nine variables. In general, herbivores performed better on the introduced plants than on the native plants, and better on the high‐latitude plants than on the low‐latitude plants within the introduced populations. Three key traits (leaf thickness, specific leaf area, and carbon‐to‐nitrogen [C:N] ratio) determined palatability to herbivores and were significantly associated with temperature and/or precipitation of plant provenance as well as with plant haplotypes but not with herbivore pressure. Our results revealed a causal sequence from plant‐range‐based environmental forces and genetic context to plant quality and palatability to herbivores in R. japonica. These findings suggest a post‐introduction evolution of R. japonica, which may partly explain the colonization success of this important native, but invasive plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the course of the last two centuries, Northern Rough‐winged Swallows (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) have expanded their range across the North American continent but have remained a relatively poorly known species. In this paper, I discuss two aspects of their nature history that has received little attention. First, I document an instance of Northern Rough‐winged Swallows digging their own burrow, which was for the better part of the last century considered a behavior that was either lost or never occurred in the first place. Second, I review the natural history literature to document qualitative patterns evident in their expansion over the last two centuries. In doing so, I define three potentially useful concepts that can he applied to understand species' range shifts: an Expansion Chronology, which is a spatiotemporal map of a range shift; the concept of Vagrancy‐induced Range Expansion, where a species undergoes repeated movements outside of their typical geographic range (defined as vagrancy events), leading to the regular occurrence in a new region (e.g., regular overwintering or nonbreeding occurrences); and the concept of Vagrancy‐induced Long‐distance Dispersal, which is specifically expansion of a species' breeding range following repeated vagrancy events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The climate change‐induced transition from grass‐dominated marshes to woody‐plant‐dominated mangrove forests has the potential to impact the ecosystem goods and services provided by coastal wetlands. To better anticipate and prepare for these impacts, there is a need to advance understanding of future changes in mangrove distribution and coastal wetland vegetation structural properties due to warming winters. Location: Southeastern United States. Time Period: Recent (1981–2010) and future (2071–2100). Major Taxa Studied: Coastal wetland vegetation. Methods: We estimated changes in mangrove distribution and coastal wetland vegetation structure using known climate‐ecological relationships, recent climate data for the period 1981–2010, and future projected climate data for the period 2071–2100. We quantified potential changes in mangrove presence, mangrove relative abundance, coastal wetland vegetation height, and coastal wetland vegetation aboveground biomass under two Shared Socio‐Economic Pathway scenarios (SSPs; SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5), which correspond to intermediate and high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, respectively. Results: Our analyses indicate that mangrove presence and relative abundance will dramatically increase in the northern Gulf of Mexico and the southeast Atlantic coast of the United States, particularly under the high emissions scenario. Because of the higher stature of mangroves relative to salt marsh vegetation, this expansion will cause a transformative change in coastal wetland vegetation height and aboveground biomass in many areas. However, along the arid southern Texas coast, low precipitation and high salinities are expected to constrain mangrove expansion and growth. Main Conclusions: Our results show where and to what extent climate change, in the form of winter temperature warming, is projected to enable the transition from shorter, grass‐dominated salt marshes to taller, woody plant‐dominated mangrove forests in the southeastern United States, with consequent impacts on ecosystem goods and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The particle radiation detector readout ASIC RENA3 (Readout Electronics for Nuclear Applications) is widely used as preamplifier for its low-noise, but the maximum input charge of RENA3 limits its range. This paper proposes a method to realize the range expansion by paralleling the capacitor at the input of RENA3. Theoretical analysis, PSpice simulation analysis and experimental verification were carried out. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation results, which verify the feasibility of the method. This method can also be used to expand the range of other ASIC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freeze events govern the distribution and structure of mangrove ecosystems, especially in tropical‐temperate transitional zones. Understanding mangrove responses to freezing is crucial for predicting their poleward expansion under climate change. However, there is a need for field‐based measurements of mangrove freeze resistance and resilience. After an extreme winter storm in December 2022, we measured mangrove post‐freeze damage and recovery (January and November 2023), building on a pre‐freeze baseline assessment conducted in July 2022 across 12 sites along the temperature gradient of Florida's Gulf of Mexico coast (USA). Low‐temperature thresholds for leaf damage to Avicennia germinans, Rhizophora mangle and Laguncularia racemosa were quantified near −6, −4 and − 4°C, respectively. Thresholds for mortality were found to be near −6 to −7°C for A. germinans and −4 to −5°C for R. mangle. A threshold for loss of reproductivity in A. germinans was identified near −6 to −7°C. Resprouting was observed in all three species but limited to just one individual for R. mangle. Surviving A. germinans resprouted vigorously and had the greatest number of resprout branches, which was proportional to leaf damage. Tall A. germinans had a higher resprout percentage than short trees. Strata‐specific differences in freeze damage were most pronounced for R. mangle, with higher damage in tall versus short trees, while no difference was found between A. germinans strata. These results suggest that R. mangle population recovery may depend on the growth of short trees, while A. germinans can recover from all strata. Minimum air temperature was strongly correlated with mangrove height and above‐ground biomass. Projections of future minimum temperature and species‐specific freeze degree days predict warming winters, suggesting further mangrove development and range expansion under climate change. Synthesis: Collectively, our study advances understanding of mangrove responses to freezing and identifies low‐temperature thresholds for each species, aiding predictions of mangrove range expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a range contraction in the south-east of its European range during the twentieth century, Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) is re-colonizing this area since the 1970s. Our analysis of published data revealed average expansion rate 70–180 km per decade, first through well-connected forests along major river systems, and later spreading to isolated forest clusters in East Ukraine. Field studies confirmed that mature Populus stands in riverine and upland broadleaved forests were preferably settled by the recolonizers. A consequence of this recolonization is the re-appearance of large excavated cavities; observations in one territory showed their fast accumulation reaching 10 cavities/km2 in 7 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Arctic plants survived the Pleistocene glaciations in unglaciated refugia. The number, ages, and locations of these refugia are often unclear. We use high‐resolution genomic data from present‐day and Little‐Ice‐Age populations of Arctic Bell‐Heather to re‐evaluate the biogeography of this species and determine whether it had multiple independent refugia or a single refugium in Beringia. Location: Circumpolar Arctic and Coastal British Columbia (BC) alpine. Taxon: Cassiope tetragona L., subspecies saximontana and tetragona, outgroup C. mertensiana (Ericaceae). Methods: We built genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) libraries using Cassiope tetragona tissue from 36 Arctic locations, including two ~250‐ to 500‐year‐old populations collected under glacial ice on Ellesmere Island, Canada. We assembled a de novo GBS reference to call variants. Population structure, genetic diversity and demography were inferred from PCA, ADMIXTURE, fastsimcoal2, SplitsTree, and several population genomics statistics. Results: Population structure analyses identified 4–5 clusters that align with geographic locations. Nucleotide diversity was highest in Beringia and decreased eastwards across Canada. Demographic coalescent analyses dated the following splits with Alaska: BC subspecies saximontana (5 mya), Russia (~1.4 mya), Europe (>200–600 kya), and Greenland (~60 kya). Northern Canada populations appear to have formed during the current interglacial (7–9 kya). Admixture analyses show genetic variants from Alaska appear more frequently in present‐day than historic plants on Ellesmere Island. Conclusions: Population and demographic analyses support BC, Alaska, Russia, Europe and Greenland as all having had independent Pleistocene refugia. Northern Canadian populations appear to be founded during the current interglacial with genetic contributions from Alaska, Europe and Greenland. We found evidence, on Ellesmere Island, for continued recent gene flow in the last 250–500 years. These results suggest that a re‐analysis of other Arctic species with shallow population structure using higher resolution genomic markers and demographic analyses may help reveal deeper structure and other circumpolar glacial refugia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reticulated leatherjacket Stephanolepis diaspros and the Por's goatfish Upeneus pori occur as lessepsian migrants in the eastern and central Mediterranean Sea. This article reports on the findings of one reticulated leatherjacket and two Por's goatfishes in the Gulf of Castellammare, southern Tyrrhenian Sea, which suggest a possible westbound expansion of the Mediterranean distribution for the latter species. The specimens were three adults collected by professional fishermen on inshore sandy bottoms with a trammel net. The main meristic characteristics of both species, the identification issues of S. diaspros, and the potential impact of U. pori on the native biota and artisanal fisheries are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haemaphysalis longicornis (Neumann), the Asian longhorned tick, is a species native to East Asia, but invasive to Australia, New Zealand, and most recently, the United States. It has spread rapidly across the eastern United States after being established in New Jersey in 2017. Aiding this rapid expansion is the ability of this tick to reproduce parthenogenically and feed on diverse host species. In cattle, this tick can cause heavy burdens and act as a vector for the pathogenic hemoprotozoan parasite Theileria orientalis, genotype Ikeda, creating economic losses that impact the cattle industry. Here, we report Asian longhorned ticks, collected from cattle, a dog, and pastures and morphologically identified at the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory as H. longicornis before molecular confirmation through PCR amplification of the cox1 gene. Blood samples from infested cattle were collected and assessed molecularly for the presence of T. orientalis, with no pathogenic DNA detected. This report describes the first record of H. longicornis in Oklahoma and the farthest westward detection of this tick in the United States to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]