Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tess E. Stapleton, Sara B. Weinstein, Robert Greenhalgh, M. Denise Dearing
Summary: The study tested the ability of DNA metabarcoding to accurately estimate wild animal diets. Results indicated that while metabarcoding can provide quantitative information on dietary composition, it is limited and researchers should exercise caution when quantitatively interpreting results.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Opale Coutant, Cecile Richard-Hansen, Benoit de Thoisy, Jean-Baptiste Decotte, Alice Valentini, Tony Dejean, Regis Vigouroux, Jerome Murienne, Sebastien Brosse
Summary: The study found that aquatic eDNA metabarcoding has the potential to inventory mammals in Neotropical environments, providing additional data for diurnal nonaquatic species and detecting species not found in line transect surveys, such as semi-aquatic, aquatic and nocturnal terrestrial and arboreal species. Although further developments are needed, eDNA can be used as a complement to traditional surveys.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christina Lynggaard, Alejandro Oceguera-Figueroa, Sebastian Kvist, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, Kristine Bohmann
Summary: Leeches play important roles in food webs due to their abundance, diversity and feeding habits. This study collected 116 leeches from Mexico and Canada, revealing their diet includes vertebrates and invertebrates, showing potential for leeches to be used in animal monitoring.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Nazia Tabassum, Ji-Hyun Lee, Soo-Rin Lee, Jong-U Kim, Hyun Park, Hyun-Woo Kim, Jeong-Hoon Kim
Summary: The diet of Adelie penguins in the Ross Sea mainly consists of two krill species and notothenioid fish, with their composition closely related to the geographic characteristics of the region. Studying the penguins' diet can provide valuable insights into the ecological conditions of their habitats.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yanping Guo, Xingang Zhao, Ming Liu, Can Zhang, Yingjun Zhang, Qing Ma, Bing Wang, Hailing Luo
Summary: Understanding the natural diet of grazing sheep is important for their nutrition and meat quality. The study utilized fDNA metabarcoding technology to investigate the dietary composition of grazing lambs and found that pasture feeding can enhance deposition of n-3 PUFAs in muscle and decrease the ratio of FAs. Certain herbal plants were identified as highly correlated to n-3 PUFAs, providing insights into the relationship between dietary components and muscle FA profile in lambs.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emese Meglecz
Summary: The COInr database is a freely available and comprehensive database of COI reference sequences extracted from BOLD and NCBI nucleotide databases. It allows users to customize the database according to their needs and is suitable for creating custom databases.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Biet Thanh Tran, Keun-Yong Kim, Jung Soo Heo, Keun-Sik Kim, Hee Jung Lee, Tae Gyu Park
Summary: Knowledge of dietary composition is crucial for assessing ecosystem health status and developing a better management plan for marine farming. This study used DNA metabarcoding to analyze the diets of three mariculture species in South Korea and demonstrated the potential of fecal DNA metabarcoding in genetic monitoring and effective management of aquaculture farms.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Allison M. Snider, Andrea Bonisoli-Alquati, Anna A. Perez-Umphrey, Philip C. Stouffer, Sabrina S. Taylor
Summary: DNA metabarcoding is a popular tool for studying animal diet. This study compared the recovery of prey DNA from stomach contents and fecal samples in Seaside Sparrows and found that while stomach contents produced higher DNA concentrations and read identifications, both sample types provided similar descriptions of diet.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paul Schuette, Steve Ebbert, Amanda Droghini, Timm Nawrocki
Summary: This study evaluated the herbivory and predation/scavenging patterns of arctic ground squirrels on two contrasting islands to assess biological diversity, vegetation structure, and ecological integrity. The results showed that the diet of small mammals can serve as an effective indicator of plant diversity, vegetation structure, and ecological integrity. Non-invasive fecal sampling and genetic techniques provide a useful strategy for monitoring biological diversity in remote areas.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Hanna Bohner, Eivind Flittie Kleiven, Rolf Anker Ims, Eeva M. Soininen
Summary: This study proposes a semi-automatic workflow for processing images from small mammal cameras, which includes managing raw images, automatic image classification, quality check of automatic image labels, and manual review and correction of image labels. The workflow improves model performance and significantly reduces the time required for manual review and correction of image labels.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rasmus Mohr Mortensen, Stefanie Reinhardt, Marina Eraker Hjonnevag, Rory Paul Wilson, Frank Rosell
Summary: The study found that beavers' diving behavior is influenced by various factors, such as time of day and distance from territory borders. Beavers tend to dive closer to the riverbank, with individuals with larger home ranges showing stronger selection for these areas. Dives closer to the lodge were associated with lower body condition, while dives further from the lodge were linked to high densities of aquatic vegetation.
ANIMAL BIOTELEMETRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hanna M. Bensch, Conny Tolf, Jonas Waldenstrom, Daniel Lundin, Markus Zottl
Summary: In this study, the impact of two sample preservation methods, freezing at minus 80 degrees C and freeze-drying, on the microbiome of mole-rat fecal samples was compared. The results showed minimal differences in microbiome composition between the two preservation methods, suggesting that freeze-drying samples can be a cost-effective method for transportation and storage of microbiome samples.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David Tichy, Zdenek Slouka
Summary: The article introduces an electrodialysis method for ion separation using an electric field-mediated process. Through a microfluidic system and experiments with a model KCl solution, the system's working principle and performance are demonstrated, showing the flexibility to select different operating modes based on the needs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andre Morrill, Kari M. Kaunisto, Julia J. Mlynarek, Ella Sippola, Eero J. Vesterinen, Mark R. Forbes
Summary: Sexes in the study showed remarkably similar diets, with most prey species found in both male and female diets, though aphids were more common in male diets. However, overall, there were no significant differences in prey species richness between male and female diets.
Article
Ecology
Swellan Luciann Pinto, Megan Carvalho Henriquez, Saul Cheves Hernandez, Gwen Duytschaever, Janneke Wit, Russell William Avramenko, John Stuart Gilleard, Joseph Daniel Orkin, Amanda Dawn Melin
Summary: Genomic screening of wild capuchin monkeys' fecal DNA provides insight into the diet, parasite infection dynamics, and other aspects of their ecology and pathogens. The study collected and analyzed 94 fecal samples of 26 individuals over a 19-month period, and found a total of 234 distinct amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) classified as Eukaryotes, 66 of which were nematodes. The results suggest that invertebrate consumption and parasitic infection, especially by lungworms, are common among this population. This approach shows promise for studying the capuchin gastrointestinal ecosystem and can be improved with better genetic databases.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Oliver Hawlitschek, Mark D. Scherz, Kathleen C. Webster, Ivan Ineich, Frank Glaw
Summary: This study conducted phylogenetic and osteological research on blind snakes from the Comoros Archipelago, identifying a new species and providing detailed osteological descriptions, contributing to the growing understanding of the osteology of typhlopid snakes.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
James Baxter-Gilbert, Claudia Baider, F. B. Vincent Florens, Oliver Hawlitschek, Ashwini Mohan, Nitya P. Mohanty, Carla Wagener, Kathleen C. Webster, Julia L. Riley
Summary: Research has shown that altered environments in urban areas, particularly artificial light at night (ALAN), impact and change animal behavior. Observations of six Phelsuma spp. using artificial lights to engage in nocturnal activities like foraging, courtship, and agonistic behavior highlight the behavioral flexibility of these geckos in response to ALAN. Further research is needed to fully understand the cost-benefit trade-offs of this altered behavior on individual fitness.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Lidia Escoda, Jose Castresana
Summary: The Pyrenean desman is a unique semi-aquatic mammal with strong genetic structure due to isolation and environmental factors. Genomic studies reveal its distinctive characteristics and genetic health status.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Sajad Noori, Oliver Hawlitschek, Jens Oldeland, Hossein Rajaei, Martin Husemann, Marianna Simoes
Summary: By using general additive modeling (GAM) to analyze the factors affecting reptile diversity in Iran, seven reptile diversity hotspots (HRDs) were identified, with four of the largest HRDs located within the Irano-Anatolian and Caucasus global biodiversity hotspot. In addition, the study found a significant gap between identified HRDs and the current network of protected areas (PAs) in Iran.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linda Hagberg, Enrique Celemin, Iker Irisarri, Oliver Hawlitschek, Jose L. Bella, Tami Mott, Ricardo J. Pereira
Summary: The process of species formation is characterized by the accumulation of multiple reproductive barriers, including hybrid male sterility. This study on the meadow grasshopper demonstrates that reproductive barriers can evolve relatively quickly, even in the presence of extensive gene flow. The findings suggest that strong demographic changes, such as contractions and expansions during glacial cycles, contribute to the evolution of reproductive barriers and the maintenance of genetic boundaries between emerging species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oliver Hawlitschek, Edgardo M. Ortiz, Sajad Noori, Kathleen C. Webster, Martin Husemann, Ricardo J. Pereira
Summary: The phylogeny of many groups of Orthoptera remains poorly understood. This study utilized transcriptome sequencing to investigate the phylogeny of the Chorthippus biguttulus complex and related Gomphocerinae species. The results highlight the importance of using nuclear multispecies coalescent methods for studying young radiations and underscore the need for further taxonomic revision in Gomphocerinae grasshoppers.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Martin Husemann, Lara-Sophie Dey, David Sadilek, Norihiro Ueshima, Oliver Hawlitschek, Hojun Song, David B. Weissman
Summary: Orthoptera have the largest genomes among insects. Comparative cytological data of 339 genera and 769 species of Caelifera revealed that chromosome numbers are highly conserved in the grasshopper family Acrididae, but have diverged independently in other groups.
ORGANISMS DIVERSITY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Giulio Formenti, Kathrin Theissinger, Carlos Fernandes, Iliana Bista, Aureliano Bombarely, Christoph Bleidorn, Claudio Ciofi, Angelica Crottini, Jose A. Godoy, Jacob Hoglund, Joanna Malukiewicz, Alice Mouton, Rebekah A. Oomen, Sadye Paez, Per J. Palsboll, Christophe Pampoulie, Maria J. Ruiz-Lopez, Hannes Svardal, Constantina Theofanopoulou, Jan de Vries, Ann-Marie Waldvogel, Guojie Zhang, Camila J. Mazzoni, Erich D. Jarvis, Miklos Balint
Summary: Progress in genome sequencing has enabled the generation of large-scale reference genomes, representing global biodiversity. These genomes provide unique insights into genomic diversity and architecture, allowing comprehensive analyses in population and functional genomics, and are expected to revolutionize conservation genomics.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alfonso Balmori-de la Puente, Jacint Ventura, Marcos Minarro, Aitor Somoano, Jody Hey, Jose Castresana
Summary: This study utilized the ddRAD technique and an IM model to investigate the evolutionary history of water vole populations. The results revealed that the split between the Arvicola populations occurred 34,000 years ago and the divergence from its sister species may help in resolving taxonomic controversies. This approach, based on ddRAD data and an IM model, proves to be highly valuable in analyzing population and species origins.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lidia Escoda, Oliver Hawlitschek, Jorge Gonzalez-Esteban, Jose Castresana
Summary: Recently, populations with very low genetic diversity have been found, some of which can persist in the long term, while others may face extinction. This study focuses on the Iberian desman population, which exhibits extremely low heterozygosity values and high levels of inbreeding. Some individuals in the population appear to be genetically identical, posing challenges for genetic identification and parentage analysis. However, characterizing these genetically impoverished populations and improving genomic methodologies for their study are crucial for scientific and conservation purposes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Luca Francesco Russo, Angel Fernandez-Gonzalez, Vincenzo Penteriani, Maria del Mar Delgado, Santiago Palazon, Anna Loy, Mirko Di Febbraro
Summary: In the last century, climate and land use change have led to the extinction or decline of hundreds of species. This study focuses on the effects of these changes on two semi-aquatic mammals, the Pyrenean desman and the Eurasian otter, and how it may impact their interaction. The results show that the otters will benefit from the environmental alterations, while the desmans will lose suitable habitats and face increased predation risk. Climate and land use change can have different effects on biodiversity and it is important to understand their impacts on specific species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lidia Escoda, Josep Pique, Ladislav Paule, Kevin Foulche, Emmanuel Menoni, Jose Castresana
Summary: This study used genomic sequencing technique to analyze the genetic structure of the capercaillie in Europe and assessed the inbreeding levels. The results revealed two evolutionarily significant units and a decrease in genetic diversity in the Iberian populations. Some subpopulations showed high levels of isolation.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alfonso Balmori-de la Puente, Lidia Escoda, Angel Fernandez-Gonzalez, Daniel Menendez-Perez, Jorge Gonzalez-Esteban, Jose Castresana
Summary: This study used hair tubes for genetic identification of European mink samples and applied ddRAD technique to analyze the samples. DNA quality issues influenced the results. The obtained data revealed worse-than-expected demographic status of the peripheral population, representing a significant advance in genomic study of endangered species.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Alfonso Balmori-de la Puente, Alfonso Balmori
Summary: Wind farms as alternative energy sources can mitigate environmental pollution but have adverse effects on wildlife, causing an increase in mortality due to collisions with wind turbines. This study analyzed bird collisions with wind turbines in Spain over a 16-year period, finding that flight type, seasonal movement, and Spanish population were important factors determining collision vulnerability. Species with hovering, song-flights, and active soaring flights were found to be more susceptible to collisions, and species showing partial migration had a significant peak of collisions in spring and autumn. The estimated species-specific collision index can aid in predicting the risk of collision with wind turbines based on flight types and seasonal movements.