Hidden Causes of Variation in Offspring Reproductive Value: Negative Effects of Maternal Breeding Age on Offspring Telomere Length Persist Undiminished Across Multiple Generations.

Offspring of older breeders frequently show reduced longevity, which has been linked to shorter offspring telomere length. It is currently unknown whether such telomere reduction persists beyond a single generation, as would be the case if germline transmission is involved. In a within-grandmother, multi-generational study using zebra finches, we show that the shorter telomeres observed in F1 offspring of older mothers are still present in the F2 generation even when the breeding age of their F1 mothers is young.

The role of microRNA in the regulation of hepatic metabolism and energy-expensive processes in the hibernating dormouse.

The garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) is a fat-storing mammal that undergoes annual periods of hibernation to mitigate the effects of food scarcity, low ambient temperatures, and reduced photoperiod that characterize winter. Like other hibernating species, this animal suppresses its metabolic rate by downregulating nonessential genes and processes in order to prolong available energy stores and limit waste accumulation throughout the season. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, single-stranded, noncoding RNAs that bind to mRNA and mediate post-transcriptional suppression, making miRNA ideal for modulating widespread changes in gene expression, including global downregulation typified by metabolic rate depression.

Four new genome sequences of the Pallas's cat (): an insight into the patterns of within-species variability.

Manul () is the only representative of the genus which makes up the Leopard Cat lineage along with the genus . Their habitat is characterized by harsh environmental conditions. Although their populations are probably more stable than previously thought, it is still the case that their population size is declining.

Heads up-Four Giraffa species have distinct cranial morphology.

Giraffe (Giraffa spp.) are among the most unique extant mammals in terms of anatomy, phylogeny, and ecology. However, aspects of their evolution, ontogeny, and taxonomy are unresolved, retaining lingering questions that are pivotal for their conservation.

Dealing With the Complexity of Effective Population Size in Conservation Practice.

Effective population size () is one of the most important parameters in evolutionary biology, as it is linked to the long-term survival capability of species. Therefore, greatly interests conservation geneticists, but it is also very relevant to policymakers, managers, and conservation practitioners. Molecular methods to estimate rely on various assumptions, including no immigration, panmixia, random sampling, absence of spatial genetic structure, and/or mutation-drift equilibrium.

Corrigendum: Comparative genomics of the Natural Killer Complex in carnivores.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.

Mass Mortality in Terns and Gulls Associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses in Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan.

Mass mortality in Caspian terns (), Pallas's gulls (), and Caspian gulls () was recorded on the northeastern shores of the Caspian Sea in June 2022. More than 5000 gulls and terns died due to the outbreak. The outbreak was investigated in the field, and representative numbers of samples were collected and analyzed using pathological, virological, and molecular methods.

Haplotype-resolved genome and population genomics of the threatened garden dormouse in Europe.

Genomic resources are important for evaluating genetic diversity and supporting conservation efforts. The garden dormouse () is a small rodent that has experienced one of the most severe modern population declines in Europe. We present a high-quality haplotype-resolved reference genome for the garden dormouse, and combine comprehensive short and long-read transcriptomics data sets with homology-based methods to generate a highly complete gene annotation.

Long-term surveys of ungulates' effects on tree and shrub species in mountainous forests -outcomes and potential limits.

Ungulate herbivory might induce different effects on the diversity and growth of trees and shrubs. The density, distribution, and the species of ungulates as well as plant communities' composition and other factors determine whether ungulate herbivory promotes or limits plants' diversity and growth. The impacts of ungulates on woody plants are commonly surveyed with exclosure-control approaches.

Comparative genomics of the Natural Killer Complex in carnivores.

Background: The mammalian Natural Killer Complex (NKC) harbors genes and gene families encoding a variety of C-type lectin-like proteins expressed on various immune cells. The NKC is a complex genomic region well-characterized in mice, humans and domestic animals. The major limitations of automatic annotation of the NKC in non-model animals include short-read based sequencing, methods of assembling highly homologous and repetitive sequences, orthologues missing from reference databases and weak expression.

Population genomics of the southern giraffe.

Studying wildlife taxonomic diversity and identifying distinct populations has traditionally been largely based on morphology and geographic origin. More recently, this method has been supplemented by genetic data from the mitochondrial genome. However, this is limited as only maternally inherited and may not reflect the true nature of a population's genetics.

CYSTOCENTESIS AND URINALYSIS IN ZOOMEDICINE: AN UNDERESTIMATED TOOL FOR LARGE FELID STANDARD HEALTH CHECKS.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent disease among felids; yet its origin is still poorly understood, and the disease often remains asymptomatic for years, underscoring the need for early diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of urinalysis in accurately staging CKD, particularly as routine health checks in large felids often overlook its significance. In this research, ultrasound-guided cystocentesis (UGC) was performed on 50 captive nondomestic felids during routine veterinary health checks under general anesthesia.

Monitoring of Astroviruses, Brno-Hantaviruses, Coronaviruses, Influenza Viruses, Bornaviruses, Morbilliviruses, Lyssaviruses and Pestiviruses in Austrian Bats.

Here, we report the results of a monitoring study of bat viruses in Austria to strengthen the knowledge of circulating viruses in Austrian bat populations. In this study, we analyzed 618 oropharyngeal and rectal swab samples from 309 bats and 155 pooled tissue samples from dead bats. Samples were collected from 18 different bat species from multiple locations in Austria, from November 2015 to April 2018, and examined for astroviruses, bornaviruses, coronaviruses, hantaviruses, morbilliviruses, orthomyxoviruses (influenza A/C/D viruses), pestiviruses and rhabdoviruses (lyssaviruses) using molecular techniques and sequencing.

Circulating profile of the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin during moult-fast and chick provisioning in southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome).

A multitude of animal species undergo prolonged fasting events at regularly occurring life history stages. During such periods of food deprivation, individuals need to suppress their appetite. The satiety signalling gut hormone ghrelin has received much attention in this context in studies looking at mammalian systems.

Complex patterns of gene flow and convergence in the evolutionary history of the spiral-horned antelopes (Tragelaphini).

The Tragelaphini, also known as spiral-horned antelope, is a phenotypically diverse mammalian tribe comprising a single genus, Tragelaphus. The evolutionary history of this tribe has attracted the attention of taxonomists and molecular geneticists for decades because its diversity is characterised by conflicts between morphological and molecular data as well as between mitochondrial, nuclear and chromosomal DNA. These inconsistencies point to a complex history of ecological diversification, coupled by either phenotypic convergence or introgression.

Remodeling of skeletal muscle myosin metabolic states in hibernating mammals.

Hibernation is a period of metabolic suppression utilized by many small and large mammal species to survive during winter periods. As the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood, our study aimed to determine whether skeletal muscle myosin and its metabolic efficiency undergo alterations during hibernation to optimize energy utilization. We isolated muscle fibers from small hibernators, and and larger hibernators, and .

Evolutionary trade-offs in dormancy phenology.

Seasonal animal dormancy is widely interpreted as a physiological response for surviving energetic challenges during the harshest times of the year (the physiological constraint hypothesis). However, there are other mutually non-exclusive hypotheses to explain the timing of animal dormancy, that is, entry into and emergence from hibernation (i.e.

The cost of research: Lasting effects of capture, surgery and muscle biopsy on brown bear () movement and physiology.

Animal models are a key component of translational medicine, helping transfer scientific findings into practical applications for human health. A fundamental principle of research ethics involves weighing the benefits of the research to society against the burden imposed on the animals used for scientific purposes. The utilisation of wild animals for research requires evaluation of the effects of capture and invasive sampling.