Effects of farmland residual mulch film-derived microplastics on the structure and function of soil and earthworm Metaphire guillelmi gut microbiota.

Microplastics derived from polyethylene (PE) mulch films are widely found in farmland soils and present considerable potential threats to agricultural soil ecosystems. However, the influence of microplastics derived from PE mulch films, especially those derived from farmland residual PE mulch films, on soil ecosystems remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the bacterial communities attached to farmland residual transparent PE mulch film (FRMF) collected from peanut fields and the different ecological effects of unused PE mulch film-derived microplastics (MPs) and FRMF-derived microplastics (MPs-aged) on the soil and earthworm Metaphire guillelmi gut microbiota, functional traits, and co-occurrence patterns.

Genome-wide association study exploring the genetic architecture of eggshell speckles in laying hens.

Background: Eggshell speckle phenotype is an important trait in poultry production because they affect eggshell quality. However, the genetic architecture of speckled eggshells remains unclear. In this study, we determined the heritability of eggshell speckles and conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on purebred Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens at 28 weeks to detect potential genomic loci and candidate genes associated with eggshell speckles.

Polyethylene mulch film-derived microplastics enhance the bioaccumulation of atrazine in two earthworm species (Eisenia fetida and Metaphire guillelmi) via carrier effects.

Microplastics (MPs) may significantly affect the bioavailability of coexisting pollutants in soil by adsorption-desorption behavior. However, the mechanisms underlying these interaction remain unclear. Herein, the influence of unused polythylene mulch film-derived MPs (MFMPs) and farmland residual polyethylene mulch film-derived MPs (MFMPs-aged) on the adsorption-desorption behavior and bioavailability of atrazine (ATZ) in soil were investigated.

The Genetic Architecture of Early Body Temperature and Its Correlation With Resistance in Three Chicken Breeds.

New-born chicks are vulnerable to bacterial infections and not good at regulating body temperature. There is a close relationship between thermal regulation and immunity, however, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. (SP) is a major concern in developing countries and causes significant economic losses in poultry industry.

Population genomic data reveal genes related to important traits of quail.

Background: Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), a recently domesticated poultry species, is important not only as an agricultural product, but also as a model bird species for genetic research. However, most of the biological questions concerning genomics, phylogenetics, and genetics of some important economic traits have not been answered. It is thus necessary to complete a high-quality genome sequence as well as a series of comparative genomics, evolution, and functional studies.

Quantitative expression of candidate genes affecting eggshell color.

There are three pigments that affect the color of an eggshell: protoporphyrin, biliverdin and biliverdin-zinc chelate. Protoporphyrin is the main pigment in brown and light-brown eggshells, whereas very little protoporphyrin is found in white eggshells. Eggshell protoporphyrin is derived from the heme formation in birds.