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Simple Summary: We investigated the effect of climate change on the potential distribution of 268 Testudines species and evaluated their future conservation status. Our analysis revealed that over half of these species are projected to experience a contraction in their distribution ranges due to climate change, leading to an increase in endangered species. In particular, three species currently classified as critically endangered—Three-striped roofed turtle (Batagur dhongoka), Durango mud turtle (Kinosternon durangoense), and Colombian mud turtle (Kinosternon dunni)—demonstrated over 80% potential distribution range reduction under future climate scenarios, resulting in the highest extinction risk. Additionally, our findings suggest that climate change may have positive effects on some Testudines species, with certain species potentially experiencing an expansion in their distribution ranges under future climate scenarios. Climate change promotes variations in distribution ranges, potentially leading to biodiversity loss and increased extinction risks for species. It is crucial to investigate these variations under future climate change scenarios for effective biodiversity conservation. Here, we studied the future distribution ranges of 268 Testudoformes species under climate change using habitat models, specifically species distribution models (SDMs), to assess their conservation status. Our results have indicated that over half of species are projected to experience declines in their potential distribution ranges under two scenarios. In particular, we found that three critically endangered species—Three-striped roofed turtle (Batagur dhongoka), Durango mud turtle (Kinosternon durangoense), and Colombian mud turtle (Kinosternon dunni)—displayed extraction of their distribution ranges and faced extinction under global climate change. Additionally, our analysis revealed that the potential distribution ranges of some species might increase under future climate scenarios. However, these findings must be interpreted with caution as they do not account for other significant factors such as biological invasions, population structure, land-use change, anthropogenic disturbances, and inter-organism interrelationships. Future studies should incorporate these factors to provide a more comprehensive assessment of extinction risks. Our findings suggest that climate change, in conjunction with habitat degradation and human activities, must be considered when assessing the extinction risks of Testudoformes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study uses Maxent models to explore the impact of global climate change on the potential distribution of 5282 reptile species and to estimate their future conservation status. The analysis reveals that over 52.1% of reptile species are experiencing a decrease in their distributional ranges due to global climate change, resulting in a rapid increase in the number of threatened species. However, some reptiles are experiencing an expansion in their potential distribution range under climate change, leading to 91 endangered species being reclassified as least-concern species. Global climate change drives variations in species distribution patterns and affects biodiversity, potentially increasing the risk of species extinction. Investigating the potential distribution range of species under future global climate change is crucial for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. In this study, we collected distributional data for 5282 reptile species to assess their conservation status based on distributional ranges using species distribution models. Our predictions indicate that the potential distribution ranges for over half of these species are projected to decrease under different scenarios. Under future scenarios with relatively low carbon emissions, the increase in the number of threatened reptiles is significantly lower, highlighting the importance of human efforts. Surprisingly, we identified some endangered species that are projected to expand their distribution ranges, underscoring the potential positive effects of climate change on some special species. Our findings emphasize the increased extinction risk faced by reptile species due to climate change and highlight the urgent need to mitigate the effects of habitat degradation and human activities on their potential distribution in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial selection on relative brain size in the guppy reveals costs and benefits of evolving a larger brain. The three experiments revealed that successful individuals with spatial learning and escaping had relatively larger brains than unsuccessful ones in three species of the paddy frogs. [Extracted from the article]

Climate change promotes variations in distribution ranges, potentially leading to biodiversity loss and increased extinction risks for species. It is crucial to investigate these variations under future climate change scenarios for effective biodiversity conservation. Here, we studied the future distribution ranges of 268 Testudoformes species under climate change using habitat models, specifically species distribution models (SDMs), to assess their conservation status. Our results have indicated that over half of species are projected to experience declines in their potential distribution ranges under two scenarios. In particular, we found that three critically endangered species-Three-striped roofed turtle ( Batagur dhongoka ), Durango mud turtle ( Kinosternon durangoense ), and Colombian mud turtle ( Kinosternon dunni )-displayed extraction of their distribution ranges and faced extinction under global climate change. Additionally, our analysis revealed that the potential distribution ranges of some species might increase under future climate scenarios. However, these findings must be interpreted with caution as they do not account for other significant factors such as biological invasions, population structure, land-use change, anthropogenic disturbances, and inter-organism interrelationships. Future studies should incorporate these factors to provide a more comprehensive assessment of extinction risks. Our findings suggest that climate change, in conjunction with habitat degradation and human activities, must be considered when assessing the extinction risks of Testudoformes.

Background: Sarcopenia is a progressive, systemic skeletal muscle disorder. Resistance exercise and physical activity have been proven effective in its treatment, but consensus on pharmacological interventions has not yet been reached in clinical practice. β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a nutritional supplement that has demonstrated favorable effects on muscle protein turnover, potentially contributing to beneficial impacts on sarcopenia., Aim: To assess the potential positive effects of HMB or HMB-containing supplements on individuals with sarcopenia, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted., Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the treatment of sarcopenia with HMB. Two assessors independently conducted screening, data extraction, and bias risk assessment. Outcome data were synthesized through a random-effects model in meta-analysis, using the mean difference (MD) as the effect measure., Results: A meta-analysis was conducted on six studies. HMB or HMB-rich nutritional supplements showed a statistically significant difference in Hand Grip Strength (HGS) for sarcopenia patients [MD = 1.26, 95%CI (0.41, 2.21), p  = 0.004], while there was no statistically significant difference in Gait Speed (GS) [MD = 0.04, 95%CI (-0.01, 0.08), p  = 0.09], Fat Mass (FM) [MD = -0.18, 95%CI (-0.38, 0.01), p  = 0.07], Fat-Free Mass (FFM) [MD = 0.09, 95%CI (-0.23, 0.42), p  = 0.58], and Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI) [MD = 0.01, 95%CI (-0.00, 0.01), p  = 0.13]., Conclusion: HMB or HMB-rich nutritional supplements are beneficial for muscle strength in sarcopenia patients. However, there is limited evidence demonstrating significant effects on both muscle strength and physical performance in sarcopenia individuals. HMB may be considered as a treatment option for sarcopenia patients., Systematic Review Registration: CRD42024512119., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Su, Zhou, Gong, Xiang, Shao, Zhao, Ling, Chen, Tong and Li.)