Article
Behavioral Sciences
Cheng-Yu Li, Chun-Ying Pan, Yuying Hsu
Summary: The outcomes of recent fights can affect individuals' contest decisions and their fighting ability in relation to their growth rate. This study focused on the variation of winner-loser effects in individuals of a species based on their age-dependent growth rates. It was found that fast-growing individuals were less likely to detect winner-loser effects and the effects decayed more quickly. Additionally, fast-growing individuals displayed stronger winner effects but not loser effects. These findings suggest that individuals respond to their contest experiences in a way that reflects the value of the information obtained, consistent with the predictions.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Anthony G. E. Mathiron, Gil Gallego, Frederic Silvestre
Summary: The impacts of environmental constraints during development on the behavioural response of fishes are not well understood. This study examined how early exposure to the pyrethroid insecticide permethrin influenced phenotypic traits in mangrove rivulus fish. The results showed that larval exposure to high concentration permethrin led to slower growth, decreased activity, negative thigmotaxis, and reduced prey capture. Additionally, adult fish previously exposed to high concentration permethrin showed overcompensated growth and altered aggression behavior during contests. This study highlights the immediate and persistent effects of permethrin on phenotypic traits and suggests an interaction between pyrethroids and hormones in affecting animal behavior.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Cheng-Yu Li, Helena Boldt, Emily Parent, Jax Ficklin, Althea James, Troy J. Anlage, Lena M. Boyer, Brianna R. Pierce, Kellee R. Siegfried, Matthew P. Harris, Eric S. Haag
Summary: Kryptolebias marmoratus is a unique fish species with distinct phenotypes and behaviors. It provides insights into vertebrate sexual development and genetics as the only known self-fertile vertebrate. By optimizing husbandry techniques, including frequent egg collection and protease treatment, early cleavage-stage embryos can be maximized. This enables experimental analysis and targeted knockout of specific genes. These tools will contribute to our understanding of plasticity regulation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Pedro F. Amorim, Axel Makay Katz, Felipe Polivanov Ottoni, Pedro Henrique Negreiros de Braganca
Summary: The Kryptolebias marmoratus species group consists of three vertebrate species that lack females. These species have both males and hermaphroditic individuals, with the ability to reproduce through allogamy or autogamy. The proportion of males varies among species and populations, with Kryptolebias hermaphroditus having the smallest proportion of males. This mainly autogamous species has a disjunct distribution along the eastern and northern coast of Brazil. A population analysis of mitochondrial DNA revealed a high degree of population structure, likely due to limited gene flow between populations.
ZOOLOGICAL STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
V. Chapelle, J. Lambert, T. Deom, E. Tessier, D. Amouroux, F. Silvestre
Summary: This study aims to assess the immediate and/or delayed effects of early-life methylmercury exposure on behaviors, related gene expression, and DNA methylation. The results showed that methylmercury exposure led to decreased foraging efficiency, increased thigmotaxis, and reduced locomotor activity in larvae. The expression of certain genes was also affected, but no methylation changes were found in targeted CpGs. The significant behavioral and molecular impairments observed in larvae were not found in adults, highlighting the distinction between immediate and delayed effects of developmental methylmercury exposure.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Waldir M. Berbel-Filho, George Pacheco, Andrey Tatarenkov, Mateus G. Lira, Carlos Garcia de Leaniz, Carlos M. Rodriguez Lopez, Sergio M. Q. Lima, Sofia Consuegra
Summary: This study presents a phylogenomic hypothesis on the evolutionary relationships within the killifish genus Kryptolebias through the use of mtDNA and genome-wide nuclear sites, revealing a new lineage hidden in a case of mito-nuclear discordance, and providing evidence of multiple events of ancestral introgression in the genus.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Joseph M. Styga, Isobel G. Brown, Margaret McMullen
Summary: The phenotype plasticity of individuals has a significant impact on whole-animal performance and its evolution. This study used the model organism Kryptolebias marmoratus to investigate the effect of early life experience on adult terrestrial jumping performance and discovered the variation introduced by phenotypic plasticity.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Andy J. Turko, Giulia S. Rossi, Tamzin A. Blewett, Suzanne Currie, D. Scott Taylor, Patricia A. Wright, Emily M. Standen
Summary: Understanding the mechanisms of phenotypic variation within and among populations is an important goal in physiological ecology. This study explores the potential trade-offs and differences in individual quality as the underlying reasons for the variation. By comparing the aquatic and terrestrial athletic performance of amphibious fish captured from different habitats, the researchers find evidence for both trade-offs and individual quality, suggesting that environmental context may mediate the variation. These findings emphasize the importance of considering within-population patterns in addition to population-level trends when studying phenotypic trade-offs.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hussein A. Saud, Paul A. O'Neill, Yosuke Ono, Bas Verbruggen, Ronny Van Aerle, Jaebum Kim, Jae-Seong Lee, Brian C. Ring, Tetsuhiro Kudoh
Summary: This study characterized two mutants in self-fertilizing mangrove killifish, with identified mutated genes for rapid identification. The findings showcase the potential for accelerating future small-scale forward-genetic screening and mutation identification.
Article
Biology
Jennifer A. Fortunato, Ryan L. Earley
Summary: Understanding the factors underlying behavioural variance is crucial in predicting behavioural response to selection and evolution. Behavioural variation can change across ontogeny, with varying contributions of genetics and environment across ages. This study investigated variation in aggression among individuals and genotypes across development stages. Results showed that aggression was repeatable and heritable only in juveniles, and the changes in aggression between juvenile and adult stages varied significantly among individuals and genotypes. These findings suggest that juvenile aggression is more likely to evolve rapidly through natural selection and that the trajectory of behavioural change across lifespan has evolutionary potential. Determining when genetic variation explains behavioural variation can enhance our understanding of key life-history stages for strong evolutionary response.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dongying Xie, Pohao Ye, Yiming Ma, Yongbin Li, Xiao Liu, Peter Sarkies, Zhongying Zhao
Summary: Different modes of reproduction have significant impact on genome composition. This study investigates the gene regulation in hybrid embryos resulting from crosses between Caenorhabditis briggsae and its outcrossing sister species Caenorhabditis nigoni. The results show that gene regulation plays a crucial role during hybridization, and the regulation of C. nigoni genome is more stable compared to C. briggsae. These findings provide insights into how selfing species maintain genomic identity despite genetic exchanges with closely related outcrossing species.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Varghese Rani, Chandraseskharan Sreelakshmi, Sivasankaran Bijoy Nandan, Kuzhikandathil Sunny Santu, Chakkalakal Mani Preethy
Summary: This study focused on examining the litter processing efficiency of the sesarmid crab, Parasesarma plicatum, under experimental conditions and its role in carbon structuring in mangrove habitats. The feeding experiment revealed that the crab preferred senescent brown leaves due to their lower tannin content, and the leaf consumption varied with leaf state and mangrove species. The crab assimilated an average of 65.75 ± 10.30% of mangrove litter, and inhibiting factors such as tannin and lignin-like substances controlled leaf palatability. The study also found that the crab's handling of leaves facilitated leaching of nutrients to the substratum, highlighting its significance in carbon structuring in natural mangrove habitats.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashifa Nizam, Suraj Prasannakumari Meera, Ajay Kumar
Summary: Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants adapted to intertidal zones, with unique morphological and physiological adaptations. The nature of the genetic and molecular changes underlying these adaptations is still poorly understood. This review provides updated information on the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular regulation of mangrove adaptive traits.
Article
Fisheries
Paul R. Berg, Per E. Jorde, Kevin A. Glover, Geir Dahle, John B. Taggart, Knut Korsbrekke, Gjert E. Dingsor, Jon E. Skjaeraasen, Peter J. Wright, Steven X. Cadrin, Halvor Knutsen, Jon-Ivar Westgaard
Summary: The use of SNP markers revealed three main genetic clusters of haddock in the North Atlantic, with a genetically distinct fjord population, indicating complex population structure. Additionally, there is evidence of isolation by distance in the Northeast Atlantic, contrasting with current management practices.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Danielle Stephens, Peter J. S. Fleming, Emma Sawyers, Tim P. Mayr
Summary: The Australian dingo, a recent addition to the Australian fauna, has spread rapidly across the continent and interbred with modern dogs. Although there have been speculations about their entry to Australia and biogeographic effects, few studies have been conducted on their population structure. This study investigated the ancestry and population structure of free-living dogs in western Victoria and found that they were hybrids with high dingo ancestry. The population showed no evidence of admixture with other populations and had low genetic diversity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Tiego L. A. Costa, Flavia F. Petean, Waldir M. Berbel-Filho, Antonio M. Sole-Cava, Liana F. Mendes, Sergio M. Q. Lima
Summary: Ecological niche modeling (ENM) and phylogeographic analysis revealed the presence of two populations of the benthic coastal stingray near the mouth of the Sao Francisco River in Brazil. The results suggest the existence of a low suitability area and the need for specific management for the southern population.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Waldir M. Berbel-Filho, George Pacheco, Mateus G. Lira, Carlos Garcia de Leaniz, Sergio M. Q. Lima, Carlos M. Rodriguez-Lopez, Jia Zhou, Sofia Consuegra
Summary: Hybridization plays a role in increasing genetic and epigenetic variation in natural hybrids of two genetically divergent fish species with different mating systems, as shown by the analysis of genetic backgrounds and methylation patterns. The study reveals that hybrids display predominantly intermediate methylation patterns, suggesting additive effects from hybridization. Additionally, a large number of differentially methylated cytosines between hybrids and parental species suggest the potential role of hybridization in increasing genetic and epigenetic variation.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
J. F. Minett, D. M. Fowler, J. A. H. Jones, P. Brickle, G. T. Crossin, S. Consuegra, C. Garcia de Leaniz
Summary: Non-native salmonids are protected in the Southern hemisphere, but they pose a threat to native fishes. The introduction and spread of brown trout in the Falkland Islands have been facilitated by human assistance. Without containment measures, brown trout may invade almost all suitable freshwater habitats in the Falklands, putting native freshwater fishes at risk of extinction.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Waldir M. Berbel-Filho, George Pacheco, Andrey Tatarenkov, Mateus G. Lira, Carlos Garcia de Leaniz, Carlos M. Rodriguez Lopez, Sergio M. Q. Lima, Sofia Consuegra
Summary: This study presents a phylogenomic hypothesis on the evolutionary relationships within the killifish genus Kryptolebias through the use of mtDNA and genome-wide nuclear sites, revealing a new lineage hidden in a case of mito-nuclear discordance, and providing evidence of multiple events of ancestral introgression in the genus.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Felix Argueta, Andrey Tatarenkov, Luis Mota-Bravo
Summary: The fully assembled genome of Escherichia coli strain BR1220 reveals the presence of a triple tandemly arrayed IS26 composite transposon carrying a qnrB19 quinolone resistance gene in a 100-kb multidrug resistance plasmid (1.6 copies per chromosome [CPC]) and a 2.6-kb Col(pHAD28) plasmid (27.8 CPC) with a nearly identical qnrB19 gene region.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Priscila F. Silva, Carlos Garcia de Leaniz, Fulvio A. M. Freire, Vanessa A. M. Silveira, Ana C. Luchiari
Summary: This study investigated the effects of two potential variables, fish origin and environmental parameters, on zebrafish behavior. The results showed that increased light intensity led to changes in fish behavior, specifically an increase in freezing duration and distance from the bottom of the tank, indicating increased anxiety. Swimming activity increased at the lowest temperature (25 degrees C), but different levels of background noise did not cause significant behavioral changes. Differences were also observed between zebrafish strains and populations, with the AB strain from laboratory 2 being more affected by changes in temperature, light, and background noise compared to the AB strain from laboratory 1. The study highlights the importance of considering and reporting variation in strains and holding conditions to improve data interpretation and reproducibility.
BEHAVIOURAL PROCESSES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mauro Carolli, Carlos Garcia de Leaniz, Joshua Jones, Barbara Belletti, Helena Hudek, Martin Pusch, Pencho Pandakov, Luca Borger, Wouter van de Bund
Summary: The Balkan region has well-conserved rivers, but faces conflicts between promoting renewable hydropower and prioritising river conservation. To resolve this conflict, reliable information is needed. Using barrier data, the study analysed river fragmentation and simulated dam construction scenarios. The findings show that all dam construction scenarios would result in a loss of connectivity, with the largest loss occurring if all planned dams were built, and small dams contributing disproportionately to fragmentation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. Trevi, T. Uren Webster, S. Consuegra, C. Garcia de Leaniz
Summary: The use of microalgae in fish nutrition can help reduce the pressure on wild fish stocks, but there is a lack of systematic quantitative evaluation on the benefits. A meta-analysis of 50 peer-reviewed studies was conducted, which showed that inclusion of Spirulina in the fish diet significantly improved growth, while inclusion of Schizochytrium maintained the content of omega-3 PUFA in fish fillet. The study suggests that microalgae replacements can be used to enhance fish growth and maintain fillet quality, but further research under commercially relevant conditions is needed to reduce uncertainty.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ronaldo Cesar Gurgel-Lourenco, Lucas Silva De Medeiros, Leonardo Mesquita Pinto, Wallace Alves De Sousa, Felipe Braga Pereira, Telton Pedro Anselmo Ramos, Sergio Maia Queiroz Lima, Jorge Ivan Sanchez-Botero
Summary: We conducted a comprehensive survey of estuaries in the state of Ceara, Brazil, utilizing local samples, data from online databases, and existing literature. Our findings include 126 fish species in the estuarine environment, with additional records bringing the total to 245 species, including 11 threatened species and six introduced species. The study aims to provide updated information for research, conservation, and management efforts.
Article
Ecology
Frederic Fyon, Waldir Miron Berbel-Filho, Ingo Schlupp, Geoff Wild, Francisco Ubeda
Summary: This study presents a mathematical model proposing an alternative, adaptive route for the evolution of asexuality from previously sexual hybrids. The results show that when incompatibilities only affect the fusion of sperm and egg's genomes, the two traits that characterize asexuality can evolve separately, greatly facilitating the overall evolutionary route.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Salu Coelho da Silva, Lucas Silva de Medeiros, Miguel Fernandes Bezerra Neto, Marcio Joaquim da Silva, Telton Pedro Anselmo Ramos, Flavio Cesar Thadeo de Lima, Sergio Maia Queiroz Lima
Summary: The Nascentes do Rio Parnaiba National Park in Brazilian Cerrado protects three river basins and faces agricultural expansion conflicts. A survey of fishes in the park and its surroundings found 95 species, with 40% of them being in the park. The study highlights the importance of protected areas for preserving Cerrado fishes, including potentially threatened species due to agricultural encroachment.