Article
Genetics & Heredity
Antoinette C. van der Kuyl
Summary: This study provides evidence for the adaptation of SERV retroviruses to germ line reproduction through sequence analysis of 81 SERV proviruses from Cercopithecinae Old World monkey genomes.
Article
Biology
Martina Stocker, Eoin P. O'Sullivan, Rupert Palme, Eva Millesi, Ruth Sonnweber
Summary: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are mammalian steroid hormones that play important roles in various physiological processes. Measuring GC levels, especially in saliva samples, can provide valuable information for conservation and welfare assessment in animal populations. This study validated the method of measuring salivary GC levels using high-pressure liquid chromatography and enzyme immunoassay in squirrel monkeys and brown capuchin monkeys. Our findings support the reliability of salivary cortisol measurements and their potential use in research and welfare assessment for these non-human primates.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Li Xi, Xiaohui Wen, Ting Jia, Jincheng Han, Xinxi Qin, Yanzhen Zhang, Zihan Wang
Summary: By comparing the gut microbiota of three endangered species of snub-nosed monkeys, the study found that host species have an effect on the composition and function of the gut microbiota of these primates, which is important for developing feeding and conservation strategies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James T. Stroud, Michael P. Moore, R. Brian Langerhans, Jonathan B. Losos
Summary: Species' phenotypic characteristics often remain unchanged over long stretches of geological time. Stabilizing selection has been widely believed to be responsible for this pattern, but evidence for its role in driving long-term stasis is lacking. By studying natural selection in the wild, we found that different species occupy distinct fitness peaks, which presents a barrier to adaptive evolutionary change. However, instead of persistent stabilizing selection, species were maintained on these peaks by fluctuating periods of selection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Paul Runge, Freddy Ventura, Eric Kemen, Remco Stam
Summary: Plants are colonized by a variety of microbes that can influence their development, fitness, and reproduction. This study investigates the microbiota of different tomato species in natural environments. It identifies the core microbiome in wild tomato species and reveals the impact of sampling time, geographical location, host genotype, and plant health on the overall phyllosphere microbiome. Dysbiosis affects the microbial composition in a host species-dependent manner, with healthy leaves having an enrichment of plant-promoting microbial taxa and dysbiotic leaves containing plant pathogens.
Article
Agronomy
Narinder P. S. Dhillon, Supornpun Srimat, Suwannee Laenoi, Anjana Bhunchoth, Bencharong Phuangrat, Nuchnard Warin, Rungnapa Deeto, Orawan Chatchawankanphanich, Kriskamol Na Jom, Sudathip Sae-tan, Suk-Woo Jang, Hyungjun Noh, Roland Schafleitner, Yuan-Li Chan, Belen Pico, Cristina Saez, Lawrence Kenyon
Summary: AVPU1426, an inbred line developed at World Vegetable Center from a Bangladeshi landrace, showed resistance to Squash Leaf Curl China Virus and Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus in field tests. This resistance was found to be conferred by a single recessive gene and the fruit yield and quality of AVPU1426 were comparable to a recently released commercial F1 hybrid.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shilin Tian, Jiaming Zeng, Hengwu Jiao, Dejing Zhang, Libiao Zhang, Cao-qi Lei, Stephen J. Rossiter, Huabin Zhao
Summary: Bats, especially fruit bats, have unique immunological adaptations that may explain their role as natural hosts of zoonotic viruses. Comparative analysis of 12 bat species, including six fruit bats, reveals that the evolutionary rates of immunity-related genes are higher in fruit bats. These bats share lineage-specific genetic changes in immune-related genes, resulting in dampened inflammatory responses. These findings shed light on why fruit bats are frequently identified as viral hosts.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Janet C. Buckner, Katharine M. Jack, Amanda D. Melin, Valerie A. M. Schoof, Gustavo A. Gutierrez-Espeleta, Marcela G. M. Lima, Jessica W. Lynch
Summary: This study found evidence of polymorphism in four Class II DR and DQ exons in seven capuchin species, with at least three copies for DQ genes and at least five for DRB genes. Common genotypes were observed across the most widely sampled capuchin population, Cebus imitator in Sector Santa Rosa, Costa Rica. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that platyrrhine DQA sequences form a monophyletic group distinct from Catarrhini sequences, suggesting independent origins of MHC genetic diversity in Platyrrhini.
Article
Cell Biology
Habibu Mugerwa, Saurabh Gautam, Michael A. Catto, Bhabesh Dutta, Judith K. Brown, Scott Adkins, Rajagopalbabu Srinivasan
Summary: This study investigated the differentially expressed genes associated with the acquisition of different begomoviruses in two cryptic species of whitefly. It was found that the acquired viruses and cryptic species could affect gene expression differently, especially genes related to metabolism and organismal systems. Contrasting expression patterns were observed in genes associated with virus infection and immune systems.
Article
Biology
Ke Li, Stefan Sommer, Zaixue Yang, Yongwang Guo, Yaxian Yue, Arpat Ozgul, Deng Wang
Summary: In this study, we investigated the body size trends of three rodent species in different climatic zones in China and identified the key drivers of these trends. The results showed that different species exhibited different body size responses to warming climates.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Matthew Scott Luskin, Erik Meijaard, Selly Surya, Sheherazade, Chris Walzer, Matthew Linkie
Summary: The recent outbreak of African Swine Fever in Asia is posing a significant threat to endemic pig species and economic security, with over one hundred million domestic pigs already dead. Endangered Asian pig species are at risk, leading to cascading impacts on carnivores, plant communities, and livelihoods of millions of people. Management recommendations include urgent research, improved disease detection, monitoring, and proper carcass disposal.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Luciana Catalina Panait, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, David Modry, Jana Jurankova, Angela Monica Ionica, Georgiana Deak, Calin Mircea Gherman, Mike Heddergott, Adnan Hodzic, Fabrizia Veronesi, Mason Reichard, Elliott A. Zieman, Clayton K. Nielsen, Francisco Agustin Jimenez-Ruiz, Kristyna Hrazdilova
Summary: The study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of European Cytauxzoon spp. in wild felids across Europe. It found three new species of Cytauxzoon in European wild felids through genetic analysis.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah McLaughlin, Kateryna Zhalnina, Suzanne Kosina, Trent R. R. Northen, Joelle Sasse
Summary: Root exudates, plant-derived metabolites, play a crucial role in shaping root-associated microbiomes as nutrients and signals. This study investigates the dynamics of exudation and its correlation with changes in microbiome structure. The research suggests that collections of exudates should be conducted for hours rather than days, as some metabolite abundances saturate over time. Plant growth in different environments alters exudate profiles significantly. Moreover, different plant species exhibit distinct exudate metabolite profiles, but also share a core metabolome for tissues and exudates. Furthermore, exudate profiles show diurnal patterns. These findings provide important insights for future studies on plant-microbe interactions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicole M. Nemeth, Jeffrey Root, Airn E. Hartwig, Richard A. Bowen, Angela M. Bosco-Lauth
Summary: The study revealed significant variations in virulence and host competence among wild mammalian species towards Powassan virus. Most inoculated individuals showed minimal viremia and tissue pathology, with seroconversion typically occurring within 21 days post inoculation. These findings suggest the need for further research on vector-host dynamics and eco-epidemiological aspects of Powassan virus transmission in different regions and virus lineages.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Anna J. Jasinska, Cristian Apetrei, Ivona Pandrea
Summary: HIV is a result of cross-species transmissions of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) from non-human primates in Africa. Natural hosts of SIVs are able to avoid the deleterious consequences of HIV replication and CD4(+) T-cell depletion, and do not progress to AIDS despite lifelong high viremia, due to mechanisms such as superior healing properties of the intestinal mucosa, a balanced gut microbiome, cell population shifts, and genetic adaptations. Understanding these protective mechanisms may lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions for HIV and other diseases involving gut damage.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
D. Sarkar, S. Bortolamiol, J. F. Gogarten, J. Hartter, R. Hou, W. Kagoro, P. Omeja, C. Tumwesigye, C. A. Chapman
Summary: Parks play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity. A study on Kibale National Park in Uganda reveals that changes in illegal activities were correlated with living conditions and patrolling efforts in neighboring communities. The research suggests that the conservation strategies implemented over the past few decades were effective in protecting the park and its animals, but further interdisciplinary studies are needed to understand the impacts on local human populations.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Addisu Mekonnen, Colleen Downs, Edu Effiom, Mohamed Kibaja, Michael Lawes, Patrick Omeja, Fanomezana Ratsoavina, Onja Razafindratsima, Dipto Sarkar, Nils Stenseth, Colin Chapman
Summary: The article discusses the challenges African scholars face in affording open-access publishing fees, highlighting the burden it places on them. It calls for funders and publishers to support a more equitable publishing model.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Addisu Mekonnen, Peter J. Fashing, Colin A. Chapman, Vivek V. Venkataraman, Nils Chr Stenseth
Summary: Forest loss and degradation pose significant threats to terrestrial biodiversity in the tropics. The Bale monkey, as a flagship and umbrella species, has the potential to restore bamboo forests and protect threatened species, while also achieving sustainable development goals.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Megan A. Schwegel, Alessandro Filazzola, Colin A. Chapman, Valerie A. M. Schoof
Summary: Resource availability is important for female reproductive success, and the timing of reproduction can affect maternal and infant survival. In this study, the researchers examined data on births, conceptions, mating seasonality, and interbirth intervals in vervet monkeys living near Lake Nabugabo, Uganda. They found that births occurred year-round but were moderately seasonal, and there was no difference in survival for infants born within or outside of birth peaks. The researchers also found that fruit availability and feeding habits did not vary seasonally, and interbirth intervals were shorter in higher-ranking females. These findings suggest that habitat differences and latitudinally-variable factors may influence the breeding seasonality and interbirth intervals in the Nabugabo vervet population.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Anna Muchwampaka Kyokuhaire, Colin A. Chapman, Patrick A. Omeja, David Mwesigye Tumusiime, Banana Yabezi Abwoli, Michael J. Lawes
Summary: In Africa, protected forests in densely populated areas experience intense human-wildlife conflict. A study in Kibale National Park, Uganda, showed that baboons and elephants were responsible for most crop raiding incidents. While the financial loss caused by both species did not differ significantly, elephants were perceived as more damaging. Guarding and trenches were identified as the most effective deterrent strategies for baboons and elephants, respectively. Factors such as distance from the park and household income influenced the likelihood of crop raiding, and households headed by women or older adults were found to be more vulnerable.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kaichong Shi, Li Yang, Lu Zhang, Colin Chapman, Pengfei Fan
Summary: China, as one of the most biodiverse countries with the longest international land borders, needs transboundary conservation efforts. This study identifies China's transboundary conservation hotspots and analyzes the potential impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on them, providing recommendations for conservation actions.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Clementine Durand-Bessart, Norbert J. Cordeiro, Colin A. Chapman, Katharine Abernethy, Pierre-Michel Forget, Colin Fontaine, Francois Bretagnolle
Summary: Frugivory in tropical forests plays a crucial role in ecological processes, but the underlying mechanisms of frugivore-plant networks have not been thoroughly studied. This research examines the Afrotropical frugivory network and identifies its structural properties and knowledge gaps. The study finds that species traits related to frugivory and species distribution areas are key factors in shaping the network structure of frugivores and plants.
Article
Ecology
Anke Barahukwa, Colin A. Chapman, Mary Namaganda, Gerald Eilu, Patrick A. Omeja, Michael J. Lawes
Summary: Invasive Lantana camara L. significantly reduces tree, shrub, and herb cover and diversity, and suppresses tree regeneration. Short-term management of Lantana does not promote tree establishment, and even in cleared areas, tree species recruitment is poor. To ensure the long-term recovery of the forest tree community, sustained follow-up clearing of dense secondary shrubs and herbs, as well as resprouted L. camara, is crucial.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Emmanuel A. Opito, Timo Alanko, Urs Kalbitzer, Matti Nummelin, Patrick Omeja, Anu Valtonen, Colin A. Chapman
Summary: Declines in arthropod abundance and diversity have been observed in Kibale National Park, Uganda over the past four decades, particularly in the logged forest areas. Changes in arthropod communities were found to be influenced by multiple factors, including temperature increase, mammal species shifts, and changes in forest structure. Additionally, alterations in the landscape surrounding the park, such as population growth and agricultural intensification, may also contribute to the observed declines. Therefore, long-term multi-disciplinary efforts are necessary for effective conservation planning.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julie A. Karl, Trent M. Prall, Hailey E. Bussan, Joshua M. Varghese, Aparna Pal, Roger W. Wiseman, David H. O'Connor
Summary: Macaques are widely used as nonhuman primate models to study human diseases' immunology and pathogenesis. This study successfully assembled a 5.2-Mb M3 haplotype of a MHC-homozygous Mauritian-origin cynomolgus macaque using advanced sequencing techniques. The results provide valuable insights into the structural diversity of the MHC region in macaques and will contribute to infectious disease and transplantation research.
Article
Biology
Hanlan Fei, Miguel de Guinea, Li Yang, Paul A. Garber, Lu Zhang, Colin A. Chapman, Pengfei Fan
Summary: This study evaluated the movement patterns of skywalker gibbons from sleeping trees to breakfast trees and found that the type of food in the breakfast tree was the most important factor affecting gibbon movement patterns. The study suggests that gibbons have foraging goals in mind and plan their departure times accordingly, reflecting their ability for route-planning to exploit dispersed fruit resources in high-altitude forests.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Colin A. Chapman, Samuel Angedakin, Thomas M. Butynski, Jan F. Gogarten, John C. Mitani, Thomas T. Struhsaker
Summary: Anthropogenic-driven changes can have immediate negative impacts on wild primate populations, but changes like climate change may take generations to become evident. This study extends the monitoring of diurnal primates in Ngogo, Uganda, from 32.9 to 47 years and finds that the populations of black and white colobus, blue monkeys, and baboons have not significantly changed over time, while redtail monkeys and chimpanzees have marginally increased. Mangabeys and L'Hoesti monkeys have significantly increased, while red colobus encounters have dramatically decreased.
Article
Biology
Tessa Steiniche, Shaorui Wang, Emily Chester, Richard Mutegeki, Jessica M. Rothman, Richard W. Wrangham, Colin A. Chapman, Marta Venier, Michael D. Wasserman
Summary: Through non-invasive biomonitoring, we found that 97 chemical pollutants were present in the feces of four primate species in Kibale National Park, Uganda (chimpanzees, olive baboons, red colobus, and red-tailed monkeys), and they were positively associated with fecal hormone metabolites of cortisol and estradiol. The results indicated that organochlorine pesticides and organophosphate esters were positively correlated with cortisol in adult females, and organochlorine pesticides and brominated flame retardants were positively correlated with cortisol in juveniles. These findings suggest that cumulative pesticides and flame retardants can disrupt endocrine function in these primate populations, which may have implications for their development, metabolism, and reproduction. Additionally, our study demonstrates the importance of feces as a non-invasive matrix for examining pollutant-hormone associations in wild primates and other critical wildlife populations.
Article
Zoology
Colin A. Chapman, Jan F. Gogarten, Martin Golooba, Urs Kalbitzer, Patrick A. Omeja, Emmanuel A. Opito, Dipto Sarkar
Summary: Protected areas are crucial for safeguarding primate populations, but they still face threats from climate change. The population assessment of diurnal primates in Kibale National Park, Uganda, revealed overall stability with some localized declines and increases. The regeneration of forest areas has helped sustain primate populations, highlighting the importance of restoration efforts. The conservation initiatives undertaken by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and their partners have played a significant role in protecting the park and its animals.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rui Liu, Katherine Amato, Rong Hou, Andres Gomez, Derek W. Dunn, Jun Zhang, Paul A. Garber, Colin A. Chapman, Nicoletta Righini, Gang He, Gu Fang, Yuhang Li, Baoguo Li, Songtao Guo
Summary: This study investigated the fiber digestion adaptations of golden snub-nosed monkeys (GSMs) by comparing morphology, microbiome composition and function, and digestive efficiency. The results showed that both the foregut and hindgut of GSMs contribute to fiber digestion, and an enlarged colon may be an adaptation to handle high-fiber food during winter.
