Genomics Reveal Population Structure and Intergeneric Hybridization in an Endangered South American Bird: Implications for Management and Conservation.

Genomics is an invaluable tool for conservation, particularly for endangered species impacted by wildlife trafficking. This study uses genomic data to provide new insights to aid conservation and management of endangered species, using as a case study the Yellow cardinal (), a bird endemic to southern South America severely affected by illegal trade and the transformation of its natural habitat. We explore population structure within the Yellow cardinal, delimiting management units and describing connectivity among them.

Organization of the stalk system on electrocytes in mormyrid weakly electric fish Campylomormyrus compressirostris.

The adult electric organ in weakly electric mormyrid fish consists of action-potential-generating electrocytes, structurally and functionally modified skeletal muscle cells. The electrocytes have a disc-shaped portion and, on one of its sides, numerous thin processes, termed stalklets. These unite to stalks leading to a single main stalk that carries the innervation site.

DNA hypomethylation promotes UHRF1-and SUV39H1/H2-dependent crosstalk between H3K18ub and H3K9me3 to reinforce heterochromatin states.

Mono-ubiquitination of lysine 18 on histone H3 (H3K18ub), catalyzed by UHRF1, is a DNMT1 docking site that facilitates replication-coupled DNA methylation maintenance. Its functions beyond this are unknown. Here, we genomically map simultaneous increases in UHRF1-dependent H3K18ub and SUV39H1/H2-dependent H3K9me3 following DNMT1 inhibition.

UHRF1 ubiquitin ligase activity supports the maintenance of low-density CpG methylation.

The RING E3 ubiquitin ligase UHRF1 is an established cofactor for DNA methylation inheritance. The model posits that nucleosomal engagement through histone and DNA interactions directs UHRF1 ubiquitin ligase activity toward lysines on histone H3 tails, creating binding sites for DNMT1 through ubiquitin interacting motifs (UIM1 and UIM2). However, the extent to which DNMT1 relies on ubiquitin signaling through UHRF1 in support of DNA methylation maintenance remains unclear.

Sick without signs. Subclinical infections reduce local movements, alter habitat selection, and cause demographic shifts.

In wildlife populations, parasites often go unnoticed, as infected animals appear asymptomatic. However, these infections can subtly alter behaviour. Field evidence of how these subclinical infections induce changes in movement behaviour is scarce in free-ranging animals, yet it may be crucial for zoonotic disease surveillance.