Article
Entomology
Marek Dzurenko, Christopher M. Ranger, Jiri Hulcr, Juraj Galko, Peter Kanuch
Summary: Xyleborine ambrosia beetles are highly destructive pests in forests, nurseries, and plantations worldwide, mainly due to their cryptic lifestyle, fungal mutualism, and broad host range. The black timber bark beetle Xylosandrus germanus, originally from East Asia, has become a significant invasive pest in North America and Europe. Genetic analysis suggests that non-native populations of X. germanus in North America and Europe likely originated from Japan, with multiple introductions into North America but likely only one introduction into Europe.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ivo Roessink, Karina A. E. van der Zon, Sophie R. M. M. de Reus, Edwin T. H. M. Peeters
Summary: This study examines the impact of crayfish plague on the interaction between noble crayfish and invasive species. The results show that noble crayfish has an advantage over invasive species in agonistic behavior and shelter competition. Therefore, if crayfish plague no longer eradicates noble crayfish populations in the future, noble crayfish still has the potential to succeed in competition with invasive species.
Article
Entomology
Giorgia Giordani, Daniel Whitmore, Stefano Vanin
Summary: Species identification is crucial in scientific studies, and can be done through morphological characters or molecular markers. However, traditional DNA extraction methods are invasive and can damage specimens, which is not suitable for certain samples. This study presents a non-invasive DNA extraction technique for identifying species of flies in the genus Sarcophaga, demonstrating successful results on specimens collected over a long period of time.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephanie S. Coster, Megan N. Dillon, William Moore, George T. Jr Jr Merovich
Summary: eDNA detection methods are effective in monitoring invasive species in aquatic systems.
Optimized assays can be field tested and improve accuracy and sensitivity of detection.
Article
Agronomy
Chiara Manfrin, Anita Giglio, Lorenzo Pallavicini, Lia Zampa, Lorenzo Vecchiet, Andrea Caputi, Cinzia Chiandetti, Aulo Beorchia, Rossella Vidimari, Piero G. Giulianini
Summary: The study confirms that the SMRT is valid for young males with a breeding season of less than 4 months. Exposure to X-rays has negative effects on the immune system of the crayfish, but no morphological damage was observed in the testicular acini of irradiated males. Additionally, behavioral responses were not significantly affected by exposure to radiation, indicating a potential for maintaining population control measures.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Francesc Rubio-Gracia, Cristina Galobart, Lluis Benejam, Bernat Marti, Angel Rubio, Anna Vila-Gispert
Summary: This study investigates the impact of flow alteration on the metabolic demands of crayfish. The results show that crayfish increase their oxygen uptake with size and current velocity, and high flow velocities can compromise their reproduction, growth, and dispersal capabilities.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paolo Pastorino, Serena Anselmi, Anna Zanoli, Giuseppe Esposito, Fabio Bondavalli, Alessandro Dondo, Alessandra Pucci, Elisabetta Pizzul, Caterina Faggio, Damia Barcelo, Monia Renzi, Marino Prearo
Summary: Microplastic pollution is widespread and identifying a bioindicator species is crucial for monitoring its impact on ecosystems. Procambarus clarkii, a freshwater organism, was found to accumulate microplastics, making it a potential bioindicator for freshwater ecosystems. Further research is needed to understand the dynamics of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems and the feeding behavior of P. clarkii.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Urban Studies
Carlos J. L. Balsas
Summary: Walkable places are valuable assets in cities due to their advantages in economic, social, health, energy, and environmental aspects. Walk-only precincts (WoP) have been built worldwide with varying degrees of success, not limited to certain city sizes. By comparing WoP in large and small cities in China, Portugal, and the United States using the Commercial Revitalization Vibrancy (CRV) theory, this paper identifies three key conclusions for the success of such precincts.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Joe Ackerman, David B. Levin
Summary: This article identifies the problem of plastic proliferation, the inadequacies of current recycling efforts, and the urgency to address this issue in the light of the microplastic threat. It highlights the differences between recycling practices in North America and certain countries in the European Union, and the obstacles to plastic recycling such as economic, physical, and regulatory challenges.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacopo D'Ercole, Vlad Dinca, Paul A. Opler, Norbert Kondla, Christian Schmidt, Jarrett D. Phillips, Robert Robbins, John M. Burns, Scott E. Miller, Nick Grishin, Evgeny Zakharov, Jeremy R. DeWaard, Sujeevan Ratnasingham, Paul D. N. Hebert
Summary: This study established a DNA barcode reference library for North American butterflies and identified patterns of sequence variation that suggest the need for further taxonomic study and assessment of cryptic diversity. Most species were monophyletic, but some shared barcodes, particularly in regions affected by glacial periods.
Article
Food Science & Technology
E. Liao, Yuxin Wu, Yang Pan, Ying Zhang, Peng Zhang, Jiwang Chen
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of carrageenan oligosaccharides (CRGO) on crayfish quality deterioration and protein hydrolysis during superchilling. The results showed that CRGO treatment significantly delayed quality deterioration and suppressed protein structural changes. Overall, CRGO has the potential to maintain better quality and stable protein structure during the superchilling process.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fabio Ercoli, Daniela Ghia, Laura Gruppuso, Gianluca Fea, Tiziano Bo, Timo J. Ruokonen
Summary: The study evaluated the seasonality of diet and trophic niche of invasive signal crayfish in the Valla Stream, finding that both adults and juveniles mainly rely on macroinvertebrates and periphyton in summer, shifting to mostly periphyton in autumn. Juveniles showed slightly different carbon isotope values and exhibited seasonal feeding habits consistent among seasons, suggesting potential ecological behavior rather than food resource availability. No significant differences were found in adult and juvenile diets between summer and autumn, indicating similar effects on macroinvertebrate communities in the stream ecosystem.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Lei Xu, Juan Tian, Hua Wen, Fan Wu, Wenbing Zhang, Weihua Gao, Xiaoru Chen
Summary: The study on dietary calcium requirement of red swamp crayfish showed that optimal dietary calcium levels significantly improved weight gain rate and reduced feed conversion ratio. In addition, increasing dietary calcium levels had effects on physiological indicators of crayfish, such as decreased protease activities in intestine and hepatopancreas.
AQUACULTURE NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Zhaohai Cheng, Margaret H. Folkins, Liuyi Huang, Ye Li
Summary: This research evaluated and compared the capture efficiency of crayfish using traps with different numbers of entrances. The results showed that the number of entrances did not significantly affect the catch per unit effort (CPUE), but did significantly affect the CPUE by weight. Six-entrance traps were more efficient than five-entrance traps, and the number of entrances did not significantly affect the size of the captured crayfish.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Xin Ren, Guohui Peng, Haoyue Zhang, Bo Peng, Xufeng Bai
Summary: Sexual size dimorphism is common in aquatic animals. A study on red swamp crayfish revealed that females have stronger disease resistance compared to males, as shown through differences in mortality rates, intestinal damage, apoptosis rates, melanism concentration, and reactive oxygen species in hemocytes. Female crayfish also exhibit more favorable immune gene expression patterns for disease resistance, suggesting that mono-sex breeding (all female crayfish) could be an important strategy for crayfish breeding.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Clementine Preau, Romain Bertrand, Yann Sellier, Frederic Grandjean, Francis Isselin-Nondedeu
Summary: The study found that climate change is the primary driver of the future distribution range reduction of Triturus marmoratus in France, with land use/land cover change playing a secondary role. The species may not be able to track the northward shift of its suitable habitat rapidly enough due to its insufficient dispersal ability and habitat fragmentation caused by human activities.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Review
Mycology
Thomas Becking, Andrei Kiselev, Valentina Rossi, David Street-jones, Frederic Grandjean, Elodie Gaulin
Summary: Parasitic Aphanomyces species pose a global threat to agri- and aquaculture, resulting in significant annual damages. Through global trade, Aphanomyces has spread to almost all continents, affecting pea, sugar beet, fish, and crayfish production. This review provides an overview of current research on Aphanomyces genus, summarizing the biology, pathogenicity factors, diseases, distribution, and control strategies of four pathogenic Aphanomyces species.
FUNGAL BIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Ivana Czocherova, Lucia Rubacova, Adam Petrusek, Tereza Petruskova
Summary: Decades of research have shown that bird songs often vary geographically, even in species with simple songs. In this study, differences in song structure and parameters were observed among geographically distant populations of River Warblers, but not in Grasshopper Warblers. This highlights species-specific traits contributing to song divergence and the diversity in singing behavior among songbirds.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas Baudry, Eric Gismondi, Jean-Pierre Gout, Alexandre Arque, Juliette Smith-Ravin, Frederic Grandjean
Summary: The redclaw crayfish was introduced to Martinique Island for aquaculture purposes in the 21st century, but due to chlordecone pollution in the rivers, there is a risk of contamination in the crayfish muscle which may pose a serious risk to consumers. The study highlighted the rapid and continuous bioconcentration of chlordecone in the crayfish muscle, even after 20 days of depuration in chlordecone-free water.
Article
Zoology
Michel Breuil, David Schikorski, Barbara Vuillaume, Ulrike Krauss, Jennifer C. Daltry, Glenroy Gaymes, Joanne Gaymes, Olivier Lepais, Nicolas Bech, Misel Jelic, Thomas Becking, Frederic Grandjean
Summary: The newly described horned iguana Iguana insularis from the southern Lesser Antilles is separated into two subspecies: I. insularis sanctaluciae from St. Lucia and I. insularis insularis from the Grenadines. The study used genetic and morphological analysis to complete the description and found high levels of introgression and hybridization with other Iguana species in some populations. This research is important for the conservation of native iguanas, as they face threats from invasive iguanas and require urgent conservation action.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Christopher M. Austin, Laurence J. Croft, Frederic Grandjean, Han Ming Gan
Summary: The yabby genome was assembled using Nanopore and Illumina sequencing methods, resulting in the most contiguous freshwater crayfish genome assembly. An unusually large number of cellulase genes were found in the genome, which is relevant to understanding the nutrition and ecology of this species.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ondrej Korabek, Lucie Jurickova, Adam Petrusek
Summary: Sequences of mitochondrial genes have revolutionized the understanding of animal diversity and continue to be an important tool in biodiversity research. In this study of the western Palaearctic land snail fauna, mitochondrial data were used to revise the classification of the Helix genus and provide insights into species-level taxonomy and past range dynamics. The study also highlights the variation in distribution patterns of mitochondrial lineages within species. Despite the gaps in the current dataset, mitochondrial sequences remain a valuable source of information for studying intraspecific diversity over large areas and taxa.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elie Morin, Pierre-Alexis Herrault, Yvonnick Guinard, Frederic Grandjean, Nicolas Bech
Summary: Urban landscapes are rapidly changing ecosystems. Designing and modeling ecological networks is crucial for land management. Remote sensing can produce reliable land cover maps, improving connectivity indices and providing new insights into conservation planning when combined with fine-scale landscape connectivity modeling.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Misel Jelic, Damjan Franjevic, Domagoj Dikic, Petra Korlevic, Matej Vucic, Dusan Jelic, Thomas Becking, Frederic Grandjean, Goran Klobucar
Summary: This study found that the Crna Mlaka fishponds in Central Croatia are at a high risk of being invaded by non-native water frog species, leading to introgressive hybridization and genetic admixture. The presence of hybrid forms and introgressed mtDNA indicates the existence of a unique hybrid swarm in this location. The loss of the hybridogenetic reproductive system of Pelophylax kl. esculentus is also observed.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michaela Mojzisova, Jitka Svobodova, Eva Kozubikova-Balcarova, Eva Struncova, Robin Stift, Michal Bily, Antonin Kouba, Adam Petrusek
Summary: The presence of North American alien crayfish in Europe has led to declines in native crayfish populations due to their role as carriers of Aphanomyces astaci, the pathogen responsible for crayfish plague. In Czechia, screening for A. astaci revealed new hotspots of infected crayfish and the potential for interspecific transmission between different crayfish species. Despite fluctuations, A. astaci prevalence in North American host populations generally does not vary significantly over time, with some populations still posing a threat to native crayfish.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Timo Basen, Christoph Chucholl, Sarah Oexle, Albert Ros, Alexander Brinker
Summary: A study reveals that the habitat suitability for most of the aquatic species in the European special areas of conservation (SACs) will decline severely with climate change, undermining the effectiveness of currently protected areas. To overcome this potential conservation gap, actions such as enhancing climate resilience within SAC freshwater habitats, restoring stream connectivity among SACs, assisting migration to new suitable areas, and designating new protected areas within climate refugia are essential.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas Baudry, Quentin Mauvisseau, Alexandre Arque, Jean-Pierre Gout, Carine Delaunay, Hugo J. de Boer, Frederic Grandjean
Summary: In this study, an eDNA detection protocol was developed to investigate the presence of Anablepsoides cryptocallus, the only endemic freshwater fish of Martinique. The presence of the species was confirmed in 27 sites using eDNA detection. eDNA-based detection was found to be more effective and less time-consuming than conventional fishing, making it a relevant tool for future studies.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Ondrej Korabek, Tereza Adamcova, Malgorzata Prockow, Adam Petrusek, Bernhard Hausdorf, Lucie Jurickova
Summary: The postglacial recolonization of four Central European land snail species was facilitated by persistence close to the colonized areas rather than by dispersal ability allowing for colonization from distant sources. The most important source of postglacial expansions to Central Europe was refugia located adjacent to the Pannonian Basin, but there were also substantial southward expansions. Climate factors and biological interactions may explain the rarity of such southward expansions in Europe.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Ella Z. Daly, Olivier Chabrerie, Francois Massol, Benoit Facon, Manon C. M. Hess, Aurelie Tasiemski, Frederic Grandjean, Matthieu Chauvat, Frederique Viard, Estelle Forey, Laurent Folcher, Elise Buisson, Thomas Boivin, Sylvie Baltora-Rosset, Romain Ulmer, Patricia Gibert, Gabrielle Thiebaut, Jelena H. Pantel, Tina Heger, David M. Richardson, David Renault
Summary: With the increasing level of biological invasions in the Anthropocene, there is still significant debate and lack of clarity on the determinants of success, impact, and sustaining mechanisms of introduced species. Empirical studies show divergent impacts and effects of biotic and abiotic factors, hindering the creation of a unified theory. The proposed synthesis categorizes invasion hypotheses along a timeline, providing a framework to navigate the theories and select appropriate concepts based on the stage of invasion.
Article
Ornithology
Lucie Diblikova, Pavel Pipek, Stanislav Vosolsobe, Adam Petrusek, Tereza Petruskova
Summary: Dialects are a common form of geographic variation in birdsong, which provide opportunities for focused studies on vocalization spatial patterns. The Yellowhammer has been a subject of citizen science projects that focus on its dialect distribution, with the most successful project being the Dialects of Czech Yellowhammers (DCY). In this study, we quantitatively analyzed the variation in the terminal song element of three dialects defined in DCY and found that pooling them into two distinct groups better reflects the variation in the songs and their spatial distribution.