Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. Delia Basanta, Allison Q. Byrne, Erica Bree Rosenblum, Jonah Piovia-Scott, Gabriela Parra-Olea
Summary: Research suggests that chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been present in Mexico since the late 19th century and is currently dominated by the global panzootic lineage. Genetic variation does not show a clear geographic signature or provide clear support for the epizootic wave hypothesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evy Arida, Hidayat Ashari, Hadi Dahruddin, Yuli Sulistya Fitriana, Amir Hamidy, Mohammad Irham, Kadarusman, Awal Riyanto, Sigit Wiantoro, Moch Syamsul Arifin Zein, Renny K. Hadiaty, Apandi, Frengky Krey, Kurnianingsih, Edy H. P. Melmambessy, Mulyadi, Henderite L. Ohee, Saidin, Ayub Salamuk, Sopian Sauri, Suparno, Nanang Supriatna, Amir M. Suruwaky, Wahyudi Tri Laksono, Evie L. Warikar, Hadi Wikanta, Aksamina M. Yohanita, Jacques Slembrouck, Marc Legendre, Philippe Gaucher, Christophe Cochet, Erwan Delrieu-Trottin, Christophe Thebaud, Borja Mila, Antoine Fouquet, Alex Borisenko, Dirk Steinke, Regis Hocde, Gono Semiadi, Laurent Pouyaud, Nicolas Hubert
Summary: Biodiversity knowledge varies greatly across different biomes on Earth, with some remote areas experiencing large taxonomic knowledge gaps. Tropical biodiversity hotspots are of high concern due to rapid development of anthropogenic activities. The study in the Bird's Head Peninsula suggests that vertebrate diversity in the area is underestimated, highlighting the importance of further exploration and discussion on evolutionary origins and taxonomic knowledge.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Andrea Barbi, Tess Goessens, Diederik Strubbe, Arne Deknock, Robby Van Leeuwenberg, Niels De Troyer, Elin Verbrugghe, Mark Greener, Siegrid De Baere, Luc Lens, Peter Goethals, An Martel, Siska Croubels, Frank Pasmans
Summary: The sixth mass extinction is caused by various negative impacts on biodiversity. This study examines the interaction between two widespread factors contributing to amphibian declines: the fungal disease chytridiomycosis and the use of antifungal agents in agriculture. Field monitoring in agricultural landscapes shows the presence of triazole fungicides in amphibian ponds, and the application of epoxiconazole correlates negatively with chytrid infections in newts. Although the triazole concentrations in the ponds do not inhibit the growth of Batrachochytrium dendrobatids, they accumulate in the newts' skin, resulting in growth-suppressing concentrations. Consequently, a concentration of epoxiconazole, even ten times lower than the growth-inhibiting level, prevents chytrid infection in anuran tadpoles. The widespread presence of triazoles may therefore alter chytrid dynamics in agricultural landscapes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Arne Deknock, Frank Pasmans, Robby van Leeuwenberg, Sarah Van Praet, Niels De Troyer, Tess Goessens, Leni Lammens, Stijn Bruneel, Luc Lens, An Martel, Siska Croubels, Peter Goethals
Summary: The study revealed that heavy metal contamination may have an effect on the infective stage of amphibian chytridiomycosis, but it is not the primary driver of zooplankton communities. In laboratory assays, sublethal concentrations of copper and zinc did not interfere with the pathogen removal rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biology
Angie Estrada, Daniel Medina, Brian Gratwicke, Roberto Ibanez, Lisa K. Belden
Summary: This study conducted a soft-release trial of limosa harlequin frogs, finding that body condition and skin bacteria of captive-born frogs became similar to wild conspecifics after 27 days in mesocosms. Prevalence of chytrid fungus in wild conspecifics was 13-27%, while 15% of captive-born frogs in mesocosms became infected with chytrid fungus, without observed mortality. Body condition, skin microbiome, and chytrid status can all change within one month of releasing captive-born individuals back into the wild.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Zhongle Li, Qi Wang, Keping Sun, Jiang Feng
Summary: Chytridiomycosis caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) poses a consistent threat to amphibians worldwide from 2000 to 2021, with different prevalence rates influenced by factors such as region, disease dynamic, detection method, host, and climate. Bd prevalence was highest in Oceania and Venezuela, while Asia had the lowest rate. It is recommended to formulate corresponding control plans based on different habitats and geographical conditions to reduce the severity of such diseases.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. Delia Basanta, Victor Avila-Akerberg, Allison Q. Byrne, Gabriela Castellanos-Morales, Tanya M. Gonzalez Martinez, Yurixhi Maldonado-Lopez, Erica Bree Rosenblum, Ireri Suazo-Ortuno, Gabriela Parra Olea, Eria A. Rebollar
Summary: The recent emergence of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) has caused rapid population declines of salamanders in Europe, and its potential arrival in new areas could have negative effects on amphibian populations and species. This study analyzed the presence of Bsal in various regions and amphibian species in Mexico, the second most diverse country in salamander species. The results showed no evidence of Bsal presence in the sampled sites, highlighting the importance of continued surveillance and control strategies to prevent its introduction and spread in Mexico.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christophe Vieira, Antoine De Ramon N'Yeurt, Faravavy A. Rasoamanendrika, Sofie D'Hondt, Lan-Anh Thi Tran, Didier Van den Spiegel, Hiroshi Kawai, Olivier De Clerck
Summary: The floristic survey of marine algal biodiversity in Antsiranana Bay, northern Madagascar, identified a total of 110 species, with 72 new records for Madagascar. The updated catalogue includes 442 taxa of marine benthic macroalgae, with 29 endemic species to Madagascar. The study highlights the increasing threats to biodiversity on Madagascar's coastal reefs and emphasizes the need for integrated land-sea management for conservation.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nicolas Hubert, Elodie Pepey, Jean-Michel Mortillaro, Dirk Steinke, Diana Edithe Andria-Mananjara, Hugues de Verdal
Summary: The study compared DNA barcode genetic diversity among eight farms and three species of fish, revealing six distinct and highly divergent lineages. High levels of mitochondrial genetic diversity were observed, with local strains showing higher diversity than recently introduced strains. This could provide multiple options for maintaining genetic diversity in broodstock and selective breeding programs.
Article
Fisheries
Alexander J. Douglas, Lauren A. Todd, Barbara A. Katzenback
Summary: Many amphibian populations are declining due to infectious diseases, and understanding the host-pathogen-environment interactions is crucial. However, using animals in research poses ethical concerns, making in vitro study systems like cell lines important. This review highlights the potential of amphibian cell lines in advancing our understanding of amphibian immune systems and disease mechanisms.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas S. Jenkinson
Summary: This article discusses the importance of amphibian host cues in triggering spore germination in the deadly pathogen that causes chytridiomycosis.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ancuta Cristina Raclariu-Manolica, Quentin Mauvisseau, Hugo J. de Boer
Summary: Although herbal medicines and preparations are widely used in healthcare systems globally, there are concerns about their quality and safety. The introduction of new herbal products under varying regulatory frameworks, with no global consensus on their definition or characterization, creates concerns about contamination and profit-driven adulteration. Collaboration between industry, academia, and regulatory bodies is necessary to develop innovative strategies for identification and authentication of botanicals and their preparations to ensure quality control.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Katherine E. Mullin, Manoa G. Rakotomanga, Jeff Dawson, Frank Glaw, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Pablo Orozco-terWengel, Mark D. Scherz
Summary: The Cophylinae in Madagascar is a taxonomic group that is still not well-studied but plays an important role in the amphibian diversity of the country. A new red-bellied species of the Stumpffia frog genus has been discovered in the central plateau of Madagascar, which closely resembles a known species from the east. This new species, named Stumpffia lynnae, is genetically differentiated and has distinct characteristics. Due to its rarity, limited distribution, and disappearing habitat, it is suggested to be classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This discovery highlights the importance of conserving the remaining forest fragments in the central plateau and the need for further survey and protection of this threatened habitat type.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yun-He Wu, Shao-Bing Hou, Zhi-Yong Yuan, Ke Jiang, Ru-Yi Huang, Kai Wang, Qin Liu, Zhong-Bin Yu, Hai-Peng Zhao, Bao-Lin Zhang, Jin-Min Chen, Li-Jun Wang, Bryan L. Stuart, E. Anne Chambers, Yu-Fan Wang, Wei Gao, Da-Hu Zou, Fang Yan, Gui-Gang Zhao, Zhong-Xiong Fu, Shao-Neng Wang, Ming Jiang, Liang Zhang, Jin-Long Ren, Ya-Yong Wu, Lu-Yang Zhang, Dian-Cheng Yang, Jie-Qiong Jin, Ting-Ting Yin, Jia-Tang Li, Wen-Ge Zhao, Robert W. Murphy, Song Huang, Peng Guo, Ya-Ping Zhang, Jing Che
Summary: DNA barcoding has provided a reliable tool for studying taxonomy, biodiversity, biological conservation, and ecology of Chinese snakes. The establishment of a comprehensive DNA barcoding library has revealed hidden diversity and provided a standardized tool for conservation management.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Nanaea Mausberg, Kathrin H. Dausmann, Julian Glos
Summary: Amphibians are particularly sensitive to environmental influences and the diversity of their breeding sites plays a crucial role in maintaining species richness and composition. It is important to consider factors such as pond size, vegetation, and desiccation time in conservation efforts to protect amphibian diversity.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. Magliolo, V. N. Naude, V. C. van der Merwe, S. Prost, P. Orozco-terWengel, P. A. Burger, A. Kotze, J. P. Grobler, D. L. Dalton
Summary: In South Africa, the cheetah population is divided into free-roamers, managed metapopulation, and captive facilities. To preserve overall genetic variation, interventions such as genetic exchanges and supplementation with unrelated individuals are proposed. Simulation results showed that without intervention or with only genetic exchanges, there were significant losses of heterozygosity and an increase in the frequencies of close relatives. However, introducing individuals from captive facilities maintained genetic diversity and relatedness.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
F. Licata, N. P. Mohanty, A. Crottini, F. Andreone, R. F. Harison, T. M. Randriamoria, K. Freeman, B. Muller, C. Birkinshaw, A. Tilahimena, G. F. Ficetola
Summary: Understanding the impact and dynamics of invasive alien species is crucial for effective management. This study focuses on the invasive Asian common toad in Madagascar and demonstrates how public surveys and analytical approaches can provide timely and accurate information on invasion patterns and impacts. The results reveal a linear expansion of the toad invasion, facilitated by human-mediated dispersal. The public perception of toad impacts varies in different regions, suggesting the importance of local factors in shaping attitudes towards invasive species.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Belluardo, A. Jesus Munoz-Pajares, Aurelien Miralles, Daniele Silvestro, Walter Cocca, Fanomezana Mihaja Ratsoavina, Andrea Villa, Sam Hyde Roberts, Marcello Mezzasalma, Alexander Zizka, Alexandre Antonelli, Angelica Crottini
Summary: The unique and diverse vertebrate fauna in Madagascar has resulted from in situ diversification from colonisers that reached the island through overseas dispersal. The endemic Malagasy Scincinae lizards have colonised all bioclimatic zones and display many ecomorphological adaptations to a fossorial lifestyle. This study proposes a new phylogenetic hypothesis for their diversification and finds that diversification rate has decreased over time, with fossoriality evolving independently at least five times.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Biology
Louis-Stephane Le Clercq, Gaia Bazzi, Jacopo G. Cecere, Luca Gianfranceschi, Johannes Paul Grobler, Antoinette Kotze, Diego Rubolini, Miriam Liedvogel, Desire Lee Dalton
Summary: Timing is crucial for survival and reproduction in seasonal environments. Birds may use circadian clock genes, such as Clock and Adcyap1, to track time and anticipate seasonal changes. This study found a tentative association between Clock gene variation and autumn migration, and Adcyap1 gene variation and spring migration in migratory birds. These candidate genes are not diagnostic markers for distinguishing migratory from sedentary birds, and their variability may be influenced by ancestral inheritance rather than contemporary selection.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Susan M. Miller, Antoinette Kotze, Cindy K. Harper, Jacqueline M. Bishop, Vivienne L. Williams, Charne Rossouw, Johanita Schoeman, Marli de Bruyn, Desire Lee Dalton, S. A. Jeanetta Selier
Summary: South Africa's captive lion sector is being closed down by the government, but there is a lack of knowledge on the origin and genetic diversity of captive lions. Survey and permit data suggest that most captive lions in South Africa are sourced from within the country, but there are also indications of mixed origins. Genetic analysis shows that captive lions in South Africa have a genetic composition comparable to wild lions, but there is a risk of future inbreeding due to their high genetic interconnectedness and smaller effective population size. The findings highlight the importance of considering genetic factors in the conservation of captive lions.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Louis-Stephane Le Clercq, Antoinette Kotze, J. Paul Grobler, Desire Lee Dalton
Summary: Evolutionary processes are gradual and time-dependent, with many adaptations occurring in response to local or changing habitats. Accurate calibration of divergence times is critical for understanding evolutionary adaptations and speciation. The PAReTT package was created to facilitate biologist-friendly interaction with the TimeTree resource.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Biology
Louis-Stephane Le Clercq, Antoinette Kotze, J. Paul Grobler, Desire Lee Dalton
Summary: Various biological attributes associated with individual fitness in animals change over the lifespan, which often requires the need for age determination methods in animal ecology and conservation work. Current methods for determining age have limitations and lack standardization. Biological clocks, such as tooth layer annulation and otolith layering, have been explored as potential universal age determination methods. Recently, methylation and telomere length have been adapted from human studies to study animal aging. Both methods have been studied across multiple vertebrate classes and show promise in accurately determining age in animals. Methylation outperforms telomere length in terms of predictive power and smaller prediction intervals.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Miguel Vences, Malte Multzsch, Joern Koehler, Angelica Crottini, Franco Andreone, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Mark D. Scherz, Frank Glaw
Summary: Using genetic and morphological data, this study confirms the presence of Blommersia wittei, a frog species that is widespread in western and northern Madagascar, on the Comoran island of Mayotte. Additionally, a newly discovered microendemic lineage was found along the upper Sambirano river. The study aims to gain a better understanding of the genetic differentiation and species complexity of Malagasy frogs.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Fulvio Licata, Paolo Eusebio Bergo, Devin Edmonds, Franco Andreone, Goncalo M. Rosa
Summary: Understanding the spatial ecology of species is important for conservation, and this study focuses on the rock-dwelling behavior and spatial ecology of the spiny-tailed lizard in Isalo National Park. The tracked lizards showed high fidelity to their sites and burrows, with activity peaking during the sunniest hours. Despite high burrow fidelity, lizards used shelters non-exclusively and regularly changed burrows. The study also challenges the notion that burrow-site fidelity is the sole driving factor behind space utilization in this lizard population.
Article
Zoology
Christophe Dufresnes, Patricia Sourrouille, Anthony Olivier, Jean -Marie Ballouard, Marie -France Leccia, Remi Tine, Marc Cheylan, Maxime Le Henanff, Jean Nicolas, Sebastien Caron, Gregoire Massez, Alexandre Cluchier, Romain Levasseur, Fabien Pille, Olivier Peyre, Marc Thibault, Angelica Crottini, Nicolas Fuento, Pierre-Andre Crochet
Summary: By studying hybridization and genetic introgression in European slow worms, we can better understand the fate of evolutionary lineages. The relationships between different species and their distributions in southeastern France are unclear. Through genetic analysis, we found evidence of hybridization in the contact zones, but gene flow seems to be limited to the narrow hybrid zone, indicating (incomplete) reproductive isolation. Therefore, we suggest maintaining the different slow worm species as separate taxa.
Article
Ornithology
Rae M. Smith, Desire L. Dalton, Monica Mwale, Lisa J. Nupen, Chantelle Pretorius, Jamie Bojko, Kim Labuschagne, Isa-Rita M. Russo, Samuel T. Osinubi
Summary: The study investigates the genetic structure of the Diederik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius, an African species that migrates seasonally. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of two divergent mitochondrial lineages, occurring sympatrically in one South African locality. The lack of phylogeographic structure suggests no physical barriers to gene flow in this species.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Aurelien Miralles, Jorn Koehler, Frank Glaw, Katharina C. wollenberg Valero, Angelica Crottini, Goncalo M. Rosa, Louis Du Preez, Philip-Sebastian Gehring, David R. Vieites, Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Miguel Vences
Summary: The subgenus Gephyromantis contains at least 12 distinct evolutionary lineages and six new species are described.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Louis-Stephane Le Clercq, J. Paul Grobler, Antoinette Kotze, Desire Lee Dalton
Summary: This dataset comprises a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the utility of biological clocks as age estimation markers in animal ecology. It includes raw and processed data, such as Boolean search strings, database search results, and citation network analysis data. This dataset serves as a valuable resource for researchers studying age estimation markers in animal ecology, offering a wealth of information and analysis potential.
Article
Zoology
Andolalao Rakotoarison, Mark D. Scherz, Katherine E. Mullin, Angelica Crottini, Alice Petzold, Fiadanantsoa A. Ranjanaharisoa, Hasina M. Rabe Maheritafika, James M. Rafanoharana, Henri Raherinjatovo, Franco Andreone, Frank Glaw, Miguel Vences
Summary: This study investigates the genetic variation of the Malagasy frog Platypelis mavomavo and a candidate species Platypelis sp. Ca10. The study finds that the yellow and gray ventral coloration in these species is not genetic linked to each other but instead reflects geographic distribution. The study concludes that Platypelis sp. Ca10 is a gray-colored variant of P. mavomavo and that P. mavomavo has a widespread distribution in the North East and Northern Central East of Madagascar.
