Range-wide understanding of genetic diversity and population structure of endangered Kashmir musk deer in North-Western Himalaya.

Background: The endangered Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus), native to high-altitude Himalayas, is an ecological significant and endangered ungulate, threatened by habitat loss and poaching for musk pod distributed in western Himalayan ranges of India, Nepal and Afghanistan. Despite its critical conservation status and ecological importance in regulating vegetation dynamics, knowledge gaps persist regarding its population structure and genetic diversity, hindering effective management strategies.

Methods And Results: We aimed to understand the population genetics of Kashmir musk deer in north-western Himalayas using two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) regions and 11 microsatellite loci.

First evidence of transovarial transmission of Kyasanur Forest disease virus in Haemaphysalis and Rhipicephalus ticks in the wild.

Background: Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV) is a tick-borne flavivirus causing debilitating and potentially fatal disease in people in the Western Ghats region of India. The transmission cycle is complex, involving multiple vector and host species, but there are significant gaps in ecological knowledge. Empirical data on pathogen-vector-host interactions and incrimination have not been updated since the last century, despite significant local changes in land use and the expansion of KFD to new areas.

Microbial exopolysaccharides: Classification, biosynthetic pathway, industrial extraction and commercial production to unveil its bioprospection: A comprehensive review.

Polysaccharides, found universally in all living-species, exhibit diverse biochemical structures and play crucial roles in microorganisms, animals, and plants to defend against pathogens, environmental stress and climate-changing. Microbial exopolysaccharides are essential for cell adhesion and stress resilience and using them has notable advantages over synthetic polysaccharides. Exopolysaccharides have versatile structures and physicochemical properties, used in food systems, therapeutics, cosmetics, agriculture, and polymer industries.

Weekly administration of betulinic acid prevents development of chronic renal failure from acute renal failure in folic acid-induced mouse model of kidney injury.

Betulinic acid (BA) has been shown to exhibit various pharmacological activities and it has shown the protective effect on acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF); however, no reports are available on its effect on ARF-CRF transition. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of BA on ARF-CRF transition. A single dose of 250 mg/kg body weight (BW) intraperitoneal injection of folic acid was given in mice for inducing ARF-CRF transition (injury group; I) on day 1.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence analysis revealed double matrilineal components in Indian Ghoongroo pigs.

This research aimed to characterize the mitochondrial genome of the Ghoongroo (GH) pig, a notable breed in India, along with its crossbred varieties, to elucidate their matrilineal components, evolutionary history, and implications for conservation. Seven pigs (5 GH, 2 crossbred, namely Rani and Asha) were sequenced for complete mitochondrial genome, while 24 pigs (11 GH, 6 Rani, and 7 Asha) were sequenced for the complete D-loop of the mitochondrial genome. The genome size of these pigs was determined to be 16,690 bp.

How do red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) explore their environment? Characteristics of movement patterns in time and space.

Background: Many animals must adapt their movements to different conditions encountered during different life phases, such as when exploring extraterritorial areas for dispersal, foraging or breeding. To better understand how animals move in different movement phases, we asked whether movement patterns differ between one way directed movements, such as during the transient phase of dispersal or two way exploratory-like movements such as during extraterritorial excursions or stationary movements.

Methods: We GPS collared red foxes in a rural area in southern Germany between 2020 and 2023.

Unveiling Cryptic Diversity in Hylomys: A Commentary on Recent Taxonomic Revisions.

The genus Hylomys now comprises seven species instead of two; the Hylomys species in China should be classified as Hylomys peguensis.

Molecular Taxonomy Suggests Presence of Two Distinct Lineages of Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur) in Indian Himalayan Region.

Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) supports a plethora of biodiversity with a unique assemblage of many charismatic and endemic species. We assessed the genetic diversity, demographic history, and habitat suitability of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) in the IHR through the analysis of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) and Cytochrome b gene, and 14 ecological predictor variables. We observed high genetic divergence and designated them into two genetic lineage groups, i.

Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of Terbinafine Resistant and Susceptible Trichophyton Isolates from Human and Animal Origin.

Trichophyton indotineae, first identified in India, has increasingly been reported in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and recently in the USA. The global spread of terbinafine-resistant T. indotineae underscores the urgency of the issue.

Tigers in their new territory: intraspecific interactions among the reintroduced tiger population in Panna Tiger Reserve, Central India.

Intra-specific interactions among top carnivores are among the most intriguing behavioural aspects and essential components of population dynamics. Static interactions pertain to space use, while dynamic interactions involve spatio-temporal patterns influenced by social structure, distribution, mate selection, and density. Previous studies have focused on static interactions, successfully estimating spatial overlap but leading to a knowledge gap of dynamic interaction to be able to compute attraction and avoidance on similar spatio-temporal scales.

One-quarter of freshwater fauna threatened with extinction.

Freshwater ecosystems are highly biodiverse and important for livelihoods and economic development, but are under substantial stress. To date, comprehensive global assessments of extinction risk have not included any speciose groups primarily living in freshwaters. Consequently, data from predominantly terrestrial tetrapods are used to guide environmental policy and conservation prioritization, whereas recent proposals for target setting in freshwaters use abiotic factors.

Tracking the Ghosts of the Himalayas: Snow Leopard Conservation Insights From Satellite Collar Data.

This study presents the first movement analysis of snow leopards () using satellite telemetry data, focusing on the northeastern Himalayas of Nepal. By examining GPS-based satellite collar data between 2013 and 2017 from five collared snow leopards (effectively three individuals), the research uncovered distinct movement patterns, activity budgeting and home range utilisation from one adult male and two sub adult females. Hidden Markov models (HMMs) revealed three behavioural states based on the movement patterns-slow (indicative of resting), moderate and fast (associated with travelling) and demonstrated that the time of day influenced their behavioural state.

Unveiling a novel morphometric approach in claws and canines for species discrimination and age stratification in leopard (Panthera pardus fusca).

Eurybiomic big cats are facing significant threats from poaching, which is driven by recreation, taxidermy and wildlife trade. Species identification and age estimation are important for effective conservation management and enforcement of wildlife protection regulations. In this study, we present novel comprehensive morphometric methods for species identification and age estimation in leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) using canine and claw, the major trade articles.

Deep metabolomics revealed trajectories of jasmonate signaling-mediated primary metabolism in Arabidopsis upon Spodoptera litura herbivory.

Plants defend against chewing herbivores by up-regulating jasmonic acid (JA) signaling, which activates downstream signaling cascades and produces numerous secondary metabolites that act as defense molecules against the herbivores. Although secondary metabolism always remains a focus of research, primary metabolism is also reported to be realigned upon herbivory. However, JA signaling-mediated modulation of primary metabolites and their metabolic pathways in plants are mostly unexplored.

Morphology and Phylogenetic Analysis of Henneguya sp. Infecting the Orange-Spotted Snakehead (Channa Aurantimaculata) from Tamil Nadu, India.

Purpose: Henneguya sp. is a crucial myxosporean parasite known to cause milky flesh or tapioca disease in the freshwater fish population, leading to heavy mortality. Studies to investigate its host range and to monitor their prevalence in wild and aquacultured fish are necessary.

Speciation and historical invasions of the Asian black-spined toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus).

Animal translocations provide striking examples of the human footprint on biodiversity. Combining continental-wide genomic and DNA-barcoding analyses, we reconstructed the historical biogeography of the Asian black-spined toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), a toxic commensal amphibian that currently threatens two biodiversity hotspots through biological invasions (Wallacea and Madagascar). The results emphasize a complex diversification shaped by speciation and mitochondrial introgression that comprises two distinct species.

Pandemic-Proofing: Intercepting Zoonotic Spillover Events.

Zoonotic spillover events pose a significant and growing threat to global health. By focusing on preventing these cross-species transmissions, we can significantly mitigate pandemic risks. This review aims to analyze the mechanisms of zoonotic spillover events, identify key risk factors, and propose evidence-based prevention strategies to reduce future pandemic threats.

Unraveling the degradation mechanism of multiple pyrethroid insecticides by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its environmental bioremediation potential.

Extensive use of pyrethroid insecticides poses significant risks to both ecological ecosystems and human beings. Herein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 exhibited exceptional degradation capabilities towards a range of pyrethroid family insecticides including etofenprox, bifenthrin, tetramethrin, D-cypermethrin, allethrin, and permethrin, with a degradation efficiency reaching over 84 % within 36 h (50 mg·L). Strain PAO1 demonstrated effective soil bioremediation by removing etofenprox across different concentrations (25-100 mg·kg), with a degradation efficiency over 77 % within 15 days.

Climate change and contagion: the emerging threat of zoonotic diseases in Africa.

This article investigates the escalating occurrence of zoonotic diseases in Africa, attributing their spread to climate change and human activities. Africa's unique combination of biodiversity, reliance on animal husbandry, and swift urbanization heightens its susceptibility. Climate change disrupts ecosystems and animal habitats, intensifying human-wildlife interactions.

Love Components in Free-Choice and Arranged Marriages Among Five Non-Western Populations From Africa, Amazonia, and Himalayas.

Two main ways to enter a marriage are through free choice and through an arrangement between families, known as an arranged marriage. In this study, we compared differences in three dimensions of love (Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment) between spouses in love-based marriages and arranged marriages among five non-Western societies: Bhotiya from the Himalayas, Igbo from Nigeria, Kimeru from Kenya, Meru from Tanzania, and Tsimane' from Bolivia. When considering all data gathered from the five cultures, free choice and arranged marriages did not differ significantly in average love scores.

Evidence of natural lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) infection and genetic characterization of LSDV strains from water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in India.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) has emerged as a threat to cattle production in Asia, and India has been facing LSD epidemics since 2019. Although water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is susceptible to natural LSDV infection, there have been no confirmed reports of LSDV infection in water buffalo in India. In this study, we investigated suspected cases of LSD in water buffaloes from 12 Indian states and one union territory during 2020-2023.

Intrinsic and environmental drivers of pairwise cohesion in wild Canis social groups.

Animals within social groups respond to costs and benefits of sociality by adjusting the proportion of time they spend in close proximity to other individuals in the group (cohesion). Variation in cohesion between individuals, in turn, shapes important group-level processes such as subgroup formation and fission-fusion dynamics. Although critical to animal sociality, a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing cohesion remains a gap in our knowledge of cooperative behavior in animals.