Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jesse R. Farmer, Tamara Pico, Ona M. Underwood, Rebecca Cleveland Stout, Julie Granger, Thomas M. Cronin, Francois Fripiat, Alfredo Martinez-Garcia, Gerald H. Haug, Daniel M. Sigman
Summary: The growth and decay of continental ice sheets can be reconstructed through the history of global sea level. By reconstructing the flooding history of the Bering Strait, it is found that sea level estimates before the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) vary greatly. This finding suggests that the relationship between global ice volume and climate during the last ice age was not linearly coupled.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinxin Tan, Jiwei Qi, Zhijin Liu, Pengfei Fan, Gaoming Liu, Liye Zhang, Ying Shen, Jing Li, Christian Roos, Xuming Zhou, Ming Li
Summary: In this study, a phylogenomic analysis was conducted on Macaca genus to investigate the intrageneric phylogenetic relationships among species. Strong evidence was found supporting the division of this genus into 7 species groups. Incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization events were identified as the main factors contributing to the discordance observed among gene trees. These findings provide insights into the rapid speciation occurring in nonhuman primates.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jianling You, Stephen C. Lougheed, Yao Zhao, Guojie Zhang, Wensheng Liu, Fan Lu, Yuguo Wang, Wenju Zhang, Ji Yang, La Qiong, Zhiping Song
Summary: Introgressive hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting play important roles in the phylogeography of plant species that experienced rapid diversification in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains.
Article
Geography, Physical
Jing Lei, Zhengguo Shi, Xiaoning Xie, Xinzhou Li
Summary: Based on climate model experiments, this study found that the precipitation during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was significantly different from that of the preindustrial period in the terrestrial monsoon regions and arid regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The decrease in sea surface temperature and expansion of the ice sheet were the main contributors to lessening precipitation in the monsoon regions, while the decrease in precipitation in the arid regions can be mainly attributed to ice-sheet-induced albedo and topography changes.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenpan Dong, Yanlei Liu, Enze Li, Chao Xu, Jiahui Sun, Wenying Li, Shiliang Zhou, Zhixiang Zhang, Zhili Suo
Summary: This study reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships within Catalpa using a large genomic dataset, revealing that Catalpa is monophyletic with two main clades. Biogeographic analysis suggested three main dispersal events in the evolutionary history of Catalpa, highlighting the impact of incomplete lineage sorting.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Liliya Doronina, Olga Reising, Hiram Clawson, Gennady Churakov, Juergen Schmitz
Summary: This study investigates the phylogenetics of Euarchontoglires using whole-genome analysis and a marker system with minimal homoplasy. By analyzing presence/absence patterns of transposed elements, diagnostic insertions were identified and provided support for current resolutions of Primatomorpha and Euarchonta, as well as alternative phylogenetic scenarios.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olena Meleshko, Michael D. Martin, Thorfinn Sand Korneliussen, Christian Schroeck, Paul Lamkowski, Jeremy Schmutz, Adam Healey, Bryan T. Piatkowski, A. Jonathan Shaw, David J. Weston, Kjell Ivar Flatberg, Peter Szovenyi, Kristian Hassel, Hans K. Stenoien
Summary: The study found significant phylogenetic discordance in the nuclear and organellar genomes of the rapidly radiated, ecologically diverse, actively hybridizing genus of peatmoss (Sphagnum), primarily attributed to extensive incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) following the rapid radiation of the genus rather than post-speciation introgression. Despite widespread interspecific hybridization in the group, recent gene flow among species was found to be highly restricted.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jennifer M. Korstian, Nicole S. Paulat, Roy N. Platt, Richard D. Stevens, David A. Ray
Summary: Using presence/absence data from over 10,000 Ves SINE insertions, the researchers reconstructed a phylogeny for 11 Myotis species. They found that phylogenetic conflict was rampant in this genus, with almost one-third of individual gene trees being discordant with the overall species tree. The study suggests that incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) is a major contributor to the discordance. The researchers also observed signs of introgression between Old and New World taxa, as well as within the New World Myotis species. The findings highlight the role of hybridization in the evolutionary history of Myotis.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rui Liu, Shuying Zang, Lin Zhao, Chunlei Wang, Boxiong Zhang, Xiaodong Wu
Summary: Discussing the development and shrinkage process of glaciers is important for understanding regional environmental evolution and predicting global changes. However, little is known about the developmental and retreat processes of mountain glaciers in the East Asian Monsoon region during the late Quaternary. This study utilized the latest glacial data from various regions impacted by the East Asian Monsoon to analyze the influence of monsoonal circulation patterns on the development of glaciers.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
C. He, Z. Liu, B. L. Otto-Bliesner, E. C. Brady, C. Zhu, R. Tomas, P. U. Clark, J. Zhu, A. Jahn, S. Gu, J. Zhang, J. Nusbaumer, D. Noone, H. Cheng, Y. Wang, M. Yan, Y. Bao
Summary: The study found that during the last deglaciation, oxygen isotope speleothem records in the pan-Asian summer monsoon region exhibited coherent variability, accompanied by a continental-scale hydroclimate footprint with widespread depletion in oxygen isotopes, influenced primarily by meltwater forcing and secondarily by insolation forcing. This led to a northward migration of the westerly jet, enhanced southwesterly monsoon wind, and changes in rainfall patterns across different regions in Asia.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Devon A. DeRaad, Jenna M. McCullough, Lucas H. DeCicco, Paul M. Hime, Leo Joseph, Michael J. Andersen, Robert G. Moyle
Summary: Many organisms have multiple discrete genomes that are inherited separately and may have conflicting evolutionary histories. In Todiramphus kingfishers, mitonuclear discordance can be explained by extensive genome-wide incomplete lineage sorting, rather than gene flow. This suggests that similar demographic histories in other taxa across the Indo-Pacific may lead to high levels of incomplete lineage sorting and mitonuclear discordance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Todd G. B. McLay, Rachael M. Fowler, Patrick S. Fahey, Daniel J. Murphy, Frank Udovicic, David J. Cantrill, Michael J. Bayly
Summary: This study conducted a phylogenetic analysis of 22 species of Eucalyptus subgenus Eudesmia in Australia using a targeted sequencing approach. The results showed that the evolution of eucalypts in Australia is complex and influenced by incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization. The custom bait kit developed in this study will serve as a powerful tool for investigating the evolutionary history of eucalypts more broadly.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Nayana V. S. Haridas, Upasana S. Banerji, K. Maya, D. Padmalal
Summary: This paper presents a synthesis of paleoclimate and paleoceanographic reconstruction in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) and its nearby regions, with a specific focus on climate events in the past 30,000 years. The study found that during the last glacial period and other cold climatic events, the Indian monsoon weakened in the BoB, while it strengthened during warm climatic events.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Qingmin Chen, Xing Cheng, Yanjun Cai, Qianzhou Luo, Junliang Zhang, Li Tang, Yi Hu, Juangang Ren, Peng Wang, Yan Wang, Yu Zhang, Gang Xue, Jie Zhou, Hai Cheng, R. Lawrence Edwards, Zenglin Hong
Summary: The reconstruction of Asian summer monsoon changes is crucial for understanding monsoon dynamics. Comparative analysis of speleothem records reveals a mixed signal of the Indian summer monsoon and East Asian summer monsoon in central China, indicating the influence of water vapor source changes on the Chinese stalagmite records.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi Wang, Markus Ruhsam, Richard Milne, Sean W. Graham, Jialiang Li, Tongzhou Tao, Yujiao Zhang, Kangshan Mao
Summary: This study used a large number of homologous nuclear and plastid genes to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Chamaecyparis, revealing strong cytonuclear discordance and conflicting topologies between nuclear gene trees.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Leo Joseph, Catriona D. Campbell, Alex Drew, Serina S. Brady, Arpad Nyari, Michael J. Andersen
Summary: The Western Whistler, endemic to south-western Western Australia, is almost identical in appearance to the westernmost subspecies of Golden Whistler. However, new DNA sequence data show that they are more closely related to each other than to other subspecies of Golden Whistler. Further research is needed to understand the extent of overlap and differentiation between the two species in different regions.
EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Jonathan G. Sikora, Michelle J. Moyer, Kevin E. Omland, Evangeline M. Rose
Summary: Female songbirds have been significantly understudied compared to males. A study on the eastern bluebird revealed that females have song repertoire sizes similar to males and share song types more closely with their mates in order to communicate. This suggests open-ended learning may be present in females, which is a previously under-documented phenomenon.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alicia Grealy, Naomi E. Langmore, Leo Joseph, Clare E. Holleley
Summary: The study demonstrates the feasibility of using an optimized drilling technique to extract sufficient DNA for genetic identification from even the smallest museum eggshells. Additionally, the method was successfully applied to resolve a 53-year-old ornithological controversy regarding the identification of purported Paradise Parrot eggs collected after the species' accepted extinction date.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Kyle M. Ewart, Rebecca N. Johnson, Leo Joseph, Rob Ogden, Greta J. Frankham, Nathan Lo
Summary: This study conducted a genetic assessment of the pink cockatoo using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and mitochondrial DNA data, revealing a consistent but weak genetic structure between the two subspecies. It was suggested that the two currently recognized subspecies should be treated as separate management units rather than evolutionarily significant units. Additionally, the research demonstrated the potential utility of the data for wildlife forensic applications, showing that a subspecies identification test could be designed using as few as 20 SNPs.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael J. Andersen, Jenna M. McCullough, Ethan F. Gyllenhaal, Xena M. Mapel, Tri Haryoko, Knud A. Jonsson, Leo Joseph
Summary: Hybridization, introgression, and reciprocal gene flow are increasingly observed as parts of the speciation process, leading to mitonuclear discordance. Genomic approaches provide insight into adaptation during and after speciation, with neutral demographic processes playing a key role in complex population histories. Research on Australian and Indonesian populations of the Spectacled Monarch and New Guinean Spot-winged Monarch reveal historical gene flow events, indicating genetic exchange between species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert C. Godfree, Nunzio Knerr, Francisco Encinas-Viso, David Albrecht, David Bush, D. Christine Cargill, Mark Clements, Cecile Gueidan, Lydia K. Guja, Tom Harwood, Leo Joseph, Brendan Lepschi, Katharina Nargar, Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn, Linda M. Broadhurst
Summary: The bushfires in Australia during 2019-2020 had a serious impact on vascular plant species in the southeast region, with over 50% of native species being affected, including some with wide geographic ranges. Although most affected species are resilient to fire, the broad impact of the fires may lead to decline in some ecosystems.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Renee A. Catullo, Rhiannon Schembri, Leonardo Goncalves Tedeschi, Mark D. B. Eldridge, Leo Joseph, Craig C. Moritz
Summary: Environmental catastrophes are increasingly impacting biodiversity under climate change. Recovery actions after disasters rely on benchmarking biodiversity, including taxonomy and species-level diversity assessment. The unprecedented bushfires in Australia in 2019-2020 led to significant impacts on vertebrates, highlighting the importance of understanding taxonomic and genetic diversity for conservation management.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ehsan Sanaei, Yen-Po Lin, Lyn G. Cook, Jan Engelstadter
Summary: Research shows that the infection frequency of Wolbachia in scale insects is 43.6%, following an exponential decline distribution different from other taxa. There is no significant association between Wolbachia infection and scale insect traits, but a positive correlation with their ant associates is observed, indicating a possible route of horizontal transfer of Wolbachia.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna M. Kearns, Michael G. Campana, Beth Slikas, Lainie Berry, Takema Saitoh, Alice Cibois, Robert C. Fleischer
Summary: Genomics plays a crucial role in conservation, providing insights into the impacts of population declines, inbreeding, loss of genetic variation and hybridization. This study used ancient DNA methods to investigate the population dynamics of the near-extinct Mariana Islands reedwarbler radiation, highlighting the importance of conservation genomics studies for understanding and managing threatened populations.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
George Olah, Brian Tilston Smith, Leo Joseph, Samuel C. Banks, Robert Heinsohn
Summary: Parrots are a well-studied group of birds facing extinction, with genetic tools playing a crucial role in transforming the study of their biology and addressing conservation aims.
Article
Ornithology
Heather Johnston, Jessica Fenker, Anna Kearns, Alex Drew, Ian J. Mason, Craig Moritz, Leo Joseph
Summary: The Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii can be found in various habitats in Australia and New Guinea. The study used genomic data to confirm the taxonomic status of a subspecies in New Guinea and detected a migrant individual. This research provides a preliminary understanding of the genetic diversity within the species and demonstrates the potential of DNA sequencing in tracking migratory movements.
EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Leo Joseph, Heather Johnston, David Thuo, Jessica Fenker, Alex Drew, Ian J. Mason, Craig Moritz, Anna Kearns
Summary: The geographic overlap between Olive-backed Oriole and Green Oriole is extensive in northern Australia, but they are usually separated by habitat. However, in New Guinea, where their habitat distinction is reduced, unexpected hybridisation between the two species has been detected. This study aims to investigate if hybridisation has occurred unnoticed in northern Australia and if genetic methods can detect it, as well as its potential relationship with habitat management and conservation. The researchers found no evidence of hybridisation in Australia and concluded that its occurrence in New Guinea is likely due to the reduced habitat distinction between the two species.
EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Genevieve Blanchet, M. Renee Bellinger, Anna M. Kearns, Nandadevi Cortes-Rodriguez, Bryce Masuda, Michael G. Campana, Christian Rutz, Robert C. Fleischer, Jolene T. Sutton
Summary: Genetic and genomic data are increasingly used in conservation management of endangered species. This study focused on the 'Alala, or Hawaiian crow, and found low genetic diversity and potential bottleneck effects, indicating the importance of continued efforts to preserve the remaining genetic diversity.
JOURNAL OF HEREDITY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Ethan J. Briggs, Renan C. Santana, Robert J. Raven, Lyn G. Cook
Summary: In this study, the species diversity of tarantulas in Australia was comprehensively assessed for the first time. The results revealed the presence of at least 20 distinct biological species, with the highest species richness in northern Australia.
AUSTRAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael G. Rowley, Richard C. Stanley, Janine M. Antalffy, Jennifer L. Christhilf, Daniel C. Stonko, Scott B. Johnson, Shelley Cant-Woodside, T. Scott Sillett, Matthew E. Fagan, Colin E. Studds, Kevin E. Omland
Summary: The study focused on the habitat use and population size estimation of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole in Andros, Bahamas. Results indicated a widespread distribution of the species, most abundantly found in pine forest, and not dependent on developed habitats. These findings provide a more optimistic outlook for the species' persistence and emphasize the importance of conserving pine forest for this endangered bird.
AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY
(2021)
