Diet and predation risk affect tissue and excretion nutrients of Trinidadian guppies: a field survey.

Consumers vary in their excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus, altering nutrient cycles and ecosystem function. Traditional mass balance models that focus on dietary and tissue nutrients have poorly explained such variation in excretion. Here, we contrast diet and tissue nutrient models for nutrient excretion with predation risk, an often overlooked factor, using the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata) as our model system.

Central Taxa Are Keystone Microbes During Early Succession.

Microorganisms underpin numerous ecosystem processes and support biodiversity globally. Yet, we understand surprisingly little about what structures environmental microbiomes, including how to efficiently identify key players. Microbiome network theory predicts that highly connected hubs act as keystones, but this has never been empirically tested in nature.

The Metapopulation Bridge to Macroevolutionary Speciation Rates: A Conceptual Framework and Empirical Test.

Whether large-scale variation in lineage diversification rates can be predicted by species properties at the population level is a key unresolved question at the interface between micro- and macroevolution. All else being equal, species with biological attributes that confer metapopulation stability should persist more often at timescales relevant to speciation and so give rise to new (incipient) forms that share these biological traits. Here, we develop a framework for testing the relationship between metapopulation properties related to persistence and phylogenetic speciation rates.

Unveiling root nodulation in Tribulus terrestris and Roystonea regia via metagenomics analysis.

Root nodule symbiosis is traditionally recognized in the Fabales, Fagales, Cucurbitales, and Rosales orders within the Rosid I clade of angiosperms. However, ambiguous root nodule formation has been reported in Zygophyllaceae and Roystonea regia (Arecaceae), although a detailed analysis has yet to be conducted. We aimed to perform morphological analyses of root structures in these plants and utilize metagenomic techniques to identify and characterize the bacterial populations within the nodule-like structures.

Contributions to the () Group in China: Taxonomy, Species Diversity, and Molecular Phylogeny.

is the largest genus in the family , with approximately 1000 species worldwide. Basic data on the species diversity, geographic distribution, and the infrageneric framework of are still incomplete because of the intricate nature of this genus, which includes numerous unrecognized taxa that exist around the world. A multigene phylogeny of the group, initially designated as the " subgroup", was conducted using the ITS-28S- nucleotide datasets.

Face-to-face or face-to-screen: A quantitative comparison of conferences modalities.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a societal shift from in-person to virtual activities, including scientific conferences. As society navigates a "new normal," the question arises as to the advantages and disadvantages of these alternative modalities. We introduce two new comprehensive datasets enabling direct comparison between virtual and in-person conferences: the first, from a series of nine small conferences, encompasses over 12,000 pairs of potential scientific collaborators across five virtual and four in-person meetings on a range of scientific topics; the expressed goal of these conferences is to create novel collaborations.

Nitrogen Deposition Weakens Soil Carbon Control of Nitrogen Dynamics Across the Contiguous United States.

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition is unequally distributed across space and time, with inputs to terrestrial ecosystems impacted by industry regulations and variations in human activity. Soil carbon (C) content normally controls the fraction of mineralized N that is nitrified (ƒ), affecting N bioavailability for plants and microbes. However, it is unknown whether N deposition has modified the relationships among soil C, net N mineralization, and net nitrification.

On modes of disease transmission and the hidden shape of pandemics: A review of by Joshua Weitz.

The importance of asymptomatic transmission was a key discovery in our efforts to study and intervene in the COVID-19 pandemic. In (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2024), Joshua Weitz uses this aspect of SARS-CoV-2 natural history to discuss many counterintuitive characteristics of the pandemic. In this essay, I engage the arguments in the book, and discuss why asymptomatic transmission is such a critical dimension of the study of infectious diseases.

Modeling the role of temperature-dependent microbiome composition in black band disease transmission among coral reefs.

Black band disease (BBD) is one of the most prevalent diseases causing significant destruction of coral reefs. Coral reefs acquire this deadly disease from bacteria in the microbiome community, the composition of which is highly affected by the environmental temperature. While previous studies have provided valuable insights into various aspects of BBD, the temperature-dependent microbiome composition has not been considered in existing BBD models.

Novel antibiotic resistance profiles in bacteria isolated from oil fly larvae Helaeomyia petrolei living in the La Brea Tar Pits.

Larvae from the petroleum oil fly, Helaeomyia petrolei, live in the asphaltene and polyaromatic hydrocarbon rich asphalt seeps of Rancho La Brea, Los Angeles, California. These larvae pass high amounts of viscous asphalt through their digestive system, and their gut microbiota is exposed to these extreme conditions. Environmental stress response mechanisms can co-select for antibiotic resistance, and in the current study we used 16S rRNA and genomic sequencing along with the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) tools to characterize antibiotic resistance profiles from six bacteria previously isolated from the oil fly larval intestinal tract, linking phenotypic and genotypic resistance profiles.

A meta-analysis highlights the idiosyncratic nature of tradeoffs in laboratory models of virus evolution.

Different theoretical frameworks have been invoked to guide the study of virus evolution. Three of the more prominent ones are (i) the evolution of virulence, (ii) life history theory, and (iii) the generalism-specialism dichotomy. All involve purported tradeoffs between traits that define the evolvability and constraint of virus-associated phenotypes.

Trans-Specific Polymorphisms Between Cryptic Daphnia Species Affect Fitness and Behavior.

Shared polymorphisms, loci with identical alleles across species, are of unique interest in evolutionary biology as they may represent cases of selection maintaining ancient genetic variation post-speciation, or contemporary selection promoting convergent evolution. In this study, we investigate the abundance of shared polymorphism between two members of the Daphnia pulex species complex. We test whether the presence of shared mutations is consistent with the action of balancing selection or alternative hypotheses such as hybridization, incomplete lineage sorting or convergent evolution.

Evolution of sexual size dimorphism in tetrapods is driven by varying patterns of sex-specific selection on size.

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is highly prevalent in nature. Several hypotheses aim to explain its evolution including sexual selection, differential equilibrium and ecological niche divergence. Disentangling the causal mechanism behind the evolution of SSD is challenging, as selection arising from multiple pressures on fitness may act simultaneously to generate observed patterns.

Herbivory and water availability interact to shape the adaptive landscape in the perennial forb, Boechera stricta.

Abiotic and biotic factors interact to influence phenotypic evolution; however, identifying the causal agents of selection that drive the evolution and expression of traits remains challenging. In a field common garden, we manipulated water availability and herbivore abundance across three years, and evaluated clinal variation in functional traits and phenology, plasticity, local adaptation, and selection using diverse accessions of the perennial forb, Boechera stricta. Consistent with expectations, drought stress exacerbated damage from herbivores.

Protective effects of Mycobacterium vaccae ATCC 15483 against "Western"-style diet-induced weight gain and visceral adiposity in adolescent male mice.

The prevalence of noncommunicable inflammatory disease is increasing in modern urban societies, posing significant challenges to public health. Novel prevention and therapeutic strategies are needed to effectively deal with this issue. One promising approach is leveraging microorganisms such as Mycobacterium vaccae ATCC 15483, known for its anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and stress-resilience properties.

Anthelmintic Treatment Reveals Sex-Dependent Worm-Gut Microbiota Interactions.

Gastrointestinal helminths interact with the gut microbiota in ways that shape microbiota structure and function, but these effects are highly inconsistent across studies. One factor that may help explain variation in parasite-microbiota interactions is host sex since helminths can induce sex-specific changes in feeding behaviour and diet that might cascade to shape gut microbial communities. We tested this idea using an anthelmintic treatment experiment in wild Grant's gazelles (Nanger granti).

Not all is lost: resilience of microbiome samples to freezer failures and long-term storage.

Unlabelled: Advances in technology have facilitated extensive sample collection to explore microbiomes across diverse systems, leading to a growing reliance on ultracold freezers for storing both samples and extracted DNA. However, freezer malfunctions can jeopardize data integrity. To evaluate the impact of an unexpected -80°C freezer failure and the recoverability of thawed soil samples, we extracted DNA and compared it to long-term DNA stored at -20°C and original 16S and ITS2 sequencing data collected before the malfunction.

Co-evolution of behaviour and beliefs in social dilemmas: estimating material, social, cognitive and cultural determinants.

Understanding and predicting human cooperative behaviour and belief dynamics remains a major challenge both from the scientific and practical perspectives. Because of the complexity and multiplicity of material, social and cognitive factors involved, both empirical and theoretical work tends to focus only on some snippets of the puzzle. Recently, a mathematical theory has been proposed that integrates material, social and cognitive aspects of behaviour and beliefs dynamics to explain how people make decisions in social dilemmas within heterogeneous groups.

Comparison of Conservation Strategies for California Channel Island Oak () Using Climate Suitability Predicted From Genomic Data.

Management strategies, such as assisted gene flow, can increase resilience to climate change in tree populations. Knowledge of evolutionary history and genetic structure of species are needed to assess the risks and benefits of different strategies. , or Island Oak, is a rare oak restricted to six Channel Islands in California, United States, and Baja California, Mexico.

Evaluating methods for integrating single-cell data and genetics to understand inflammatory disease complexity.

Background: Understanding genetic underpinnings of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases is crucial to improve treatments. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) identifies cell states expanded in disease, but often overlooks genetic causality due to cost and small genotyping cohorts. Conversely, large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are commonly accessible.

An interdisciplinary perspective of the built-environment microbiome.

The built environment provides an excellent setting for interdisciplinary research on the dynamics of microbial communities. The system is simplified compared to many natural settings, and to some extent the entire environment can be manipulated, from architectural design to materials use, air flow, human traffic, and capacity to disrupt microbial communities through cleaning. Here, we provide an overview of the ecology of the microbiome in the built environment.

Reprogramming Macrophage Phenotypes with Photobiomodulation for Enhanced Inflammation Control in ENT Organ Tissues.

Photobiomodulation (PBM), a noninvasive phototherapy using wavelengths ranging between red and near-infrared light, has emerged as a promising approach for controlling inflammation by modulating macrophage polarization. This review investigates the therapeutic potential of PBM in treating ear, neck, and throat (ENT)-specific inflammatory conditions, such as chronic rhinosinusitis and otitis media, focusing on its effects on macrophage phenotypes and evidence from preclinical studies. By promoting mitochondrial activity, increasing ATP production, and modulating reactive oxygen species, PBM has been shown to shift macrophages from a proinflammatory to an anti-inflammatory phenotype.

Microscopic phage adsorption assay: High-throughput quantification of virus particle attachment to host bacterial cells.

Phages, viruses of bacteria, play a pivotal role in Earth's biosphere and hold great promise as therapeutic and diagnostic tools in combating infectious diseases. Attachment of phages to bacterial cells is a crucial initial step of the interaction. The classic assay to quantify the dynamics of phage attachment involves coculturing and enumeration of bacteria and phages, which is laborious, lengthy, hence low-throughput, and only provides ensemble estimates of model-based adsorption rate constants.