Acclimation and size influence predation, growth, and survival of sexually produced Diploria labyrinthiformis used in restoration.

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has swept through Florida reefs and caused mass mortality of numerous coral species. In the wake of these losses, efforts are underway to propagate coral species impacted by SCTLD and promote population recovery. However, numerous knowledge gaps must be addressed to effectively grow, outplant, and restore populations of the slower growing, massive species that were lost.

Exploring Serum Ferritin's Connection to the Acute Phase Response in Zoo-Managed African Rhinoceroses.

Despite serum ferritin's potential as an iron status indicator, its concentrations vary significantly throughout a black rhinoceros's (Diceros bicornis) life, sometimes irrespective of iron load. We explored acute phase response-related biomarkers, serum amyloid A (SAA) and ceruloplasmin (Cp), to better understand the mechanisms influencing serum ferritin changes in managed black rhinoceroses. The objective was to evaluate the relationships between circulating levels of ferritin, SAA, and Cp in black and white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum).

Metacollinia emscheri n. sp., a novel sanguicolous apostome ciliate of freshwater amphipods (Gammarus spp.).

We describe a novel sanguicolous parasitic ciliate, Metacollinia emscheri n. sp., found in the freshwater amphipods Gammarus pulex and G.

The Biodiversity Credit Market needs rigorous baseline, monitoring, and validation practices.

The nascent Biodiversity Credit Market (BCM) aims to boost biodiversity funding but mirrors the flawed carbon credit market. To ensure success, BCM should (1) use dynamic baselines with control sites, (2) monitor the populations dynamics of a large array of vertebrate and invertebrate species, and (3) assign credits through an independent, transparent, and cost-effective validation process.

The Role of Geography, Diet, and Host Phylogeny on the Gut Microbiome in the Hawaiian Honeycreeper Radiation.

The animal gut microbiome can have a strong influence on the health, fitness, and behavior of its hosts. The composition of the gut microbial community can be influenced by factors such as diet, environment, and evolutionary history (phylosymbiosis). However, the relative influence of these factors is unknown in most bird species.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Diterpenoid Pathway CYPs in and Analysis of Their Expression Patterns under Low Temperature Stress.

is known for its diterpenoid medicinal compounds with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it faces production and cultivation challenges due to low temperatures (LTs). Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs) are key enzymes in diterpenoid accumulation.

Calcium-Based Mineralized Hydrogels for Temporary Reinforcement and Conservation of Ancient Ivory Relics.

Ancient ivory serves as an important witness of time and historical events, offering highly significant insights into the fields of paleontology, mineralogy, materials science, and geochemistry. However, ancient ivory has undergone groundwater corrosion and has a loose porous structure and reduced mechanical strength due to being buried for a long time. Therefore, the temporary reinforcement and preservation of ancient ivory artifacts are a well-known challenge.

Body size and early marine conditions drive changes in Chinook salmon productivity across northern latitude ecosystems.

Disentangling the influences of climate change from other stressors affecting the population dynamics of aquatic species is particularly pressing for northern latitude ecosystems, where climate-driven warming is occurring faster than the global average. Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Yukon-Kuskokwim (YK) region occupy the northern extent of their species' range and are experiencing prolonged declines in abundance resulting in fisheries closures and impacts to the well-being of Indigenous people and local communities. These declines have been associated with physical (e.

Microbial diversity and potential functional dynamics within the rhizocompartments of .

Introduction: Understanding the microbial diversity and potential functional dynamics within the rhizocompartments of is crucial for unraveling the plant-microbe interactions that influence its medicinal properties.

Methods: This study is the first to characterize the microbiome associated with the rhizocompartments of , including its cultivation medium, rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and root endosphere, using high-throughput sequencing and subsequent bioinformatic analysis.

Results: Bacterial phylogenetic diversity was significantly higher in the endosphere than in the rhizosphere, while fungal α-diversity significantly decreased from the cultivation medium to the endosphere.

The challenges, opportunities and future of comparative physiology in the Global South: perspectives of early-career researchers.

Researchers in the Global South (GS, developing countries) make valuable contributions to the field of comparative physiology, but face economic and scientific disparities and several unique challenges compared with colleagues in the Global North (developed countries). This Perspective highlights some of the challenges, knowledge gaps and disparities in opportunity faced by GS researchers, especially those at early-career stages. We propose collaborative solutions to help address these issues, and advocate for promoting investment and cultural and societal change for a more inclusive research community.

The biogeography of the Amazonian tree flora.

We describe the geographical variation in tree species composition across Amazonian forests and show how environmental conditions are associated with species turnover. Our analyses are based on 2023 forest inventory plots (1 ha) that provide abundance data for a total of 5188 tree species. Within-plot species composition reflected both local environmental conditions (especially soil nutrients and hydrology) and geographical regions.

Diverse baleen whale acoustic occurrence around two sub-Antarctic islands: A tale of residents and visitors.

Knowledge on the occurrence and behaviour of baleen whales around sub-Antarctic regions is limited, and usually based on short, seasonal sighting research from shore or research vessels and whaling records, neither of which provide accurate and comprehensive year-round perspectives of these animals' ecology. We investigated the seasonal acoustic occurrence and diel vocalizing pattern of baleen whales around the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands (PEIs) using passive acoustic monitoring data from mid-2021 to mid-2023, detecting six distinct baleen whale songs from Antarctic blue whales, Madagascan pygmy blue whales, fin whales, Antarctic minke whales, humpback whales, and sei whales. Antarctic blue and fin whales were detected year-round whereas the other species' songs were detected seasonally, including a new Antarctic minke whale bio-duck song sub-type described here for the first time.

Untangling the colonization history of the Australo-Pacific reed warblers, one of the world's great island radiations.

Island radiations, such as those of the Australo-Pacific, offer unique insight into diversification, extinction, and early speciation processes. Yet, their speciation and colonization histories are often obscured by conflicting genomic signals from incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) or hybridization. Here, we integrated mitogenomes and genome-wide SNPs to unravel the evolutionary history of one of the world's most geographically widespread island radiations.

Effects of Ammonia Concentration on Sperm Vitality, Motility Rates, and Morphology in Three Marine Bivalve Species: A Comparative Study of the Noble Scallop , Chinese Pearl Oyster , and Small Rock Oyster .

Ammonium (NH) plays a crucial role in the reproductive processes of key biotic groups in aquatic ecosystems-bivalves. This study aims to elucidate the effects of three different ammonium ion concentrations on sperm vitality, swimming kinematics, and morphology of , , and . The results indicate that the sperm vitality and motility rates of and are inversely proportional to the ammonium concentration, especially in the treatment group with an ammonium concentration of 3 mmol/L, where the decrease in sperm vitality and motility is most significant.

Facultative parthenogenesis discovered for the first time in Jamaican boa (Chilabothrus subflavus) using novel microsatellite markers.

The mode of reproduction most often seen in snakes is sexual, but studies have noted facultative parthenogenesis in at least six families. Here, we provide evidence for the first observed case of facultative parthenogenesis in a captive Jamaican boa (Chilabothrus subflavus). A 7-year-old female Jamaican boa, isolated since birth, was found to have produced a litter of 15 offspring.

Vascular plants and biocrusts ameliorate soil properties serving to increase the stability of the Great Wall of China.

The Great Wall, as a World Heritage Site, is constructed with rammed earth and is currently facing the threat of erosion from wind and rain. Vascular plants and biocrusts are the main coverings of the Great Wall, and their role in mitigating soil erosion has attracted increased amounts of attention; however, the understanding of their underlying mechanisms is limited. Here, we conducted an extensive survey of vascular plants, biocrusts, soil properties (soil organic and inorganic binding materials, aggregates, and texture), soil aggregate stability, and soil erodibility at the top of the Great Wall in four different defensive zones in Northwest China.