Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adnan Shahdadi, Katharina von Wyschetzki, Hung-Chang Liu, Ka Hou Chu, Christoph D. Schubart
Summary: The lack of visible barriers to gene flow in marine coastal species was challenged by molecular studies, which revealed geographically structured genetic differentiation. This study focused on the Parasesarma bidens species complex and found that it consists of at least five distinct clades, resulting from historical sea level changes and oceanic currents during the Pleistocene. The findings highlight the importance of understanding genetic structure and hidden diversity in coastal organisms.
Article
Plant Sciences
Wuxia Guo, Achyut Kumar Banerjee, Haidan Wu, Wei Lun Ng, Hui Feng, Sitan Qiao, Ying Liu, Yelin Huang
Summary: By studying the genetic variation levels and patterns within two Lumnitzera species, it was found that both species show high genetic variation among populations and low genetic variation within populations. Both species exhibited distinct genetic differentiation, possibly influenced by ancient sea-level changes, land barriers, and contemporary oceanic circulation.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hiroki Taninaka, Davide Maggioni, Davide Seveso, Danwei Huang, Abram Townsend, Zoe T. Richards, Sen-Lin Tang, Naohisa Wada, Taisei Kikuchi, Hideaki Yuasa, Megumi Kanai, Stephane De Palmas, Niphon Phongsuwan, Nina Yasuda
Summary: Species delimitation of corals is complex, requiring integrated genetic and morphological analyses, and sampling from a wide geographic range. In the case of the blue coral Heliopora, there are two valid species and distinct genetic lineages in different regions. This study highlights the importance of phylogenetic analysis using genome-wide markers and examining populations across their distribution range.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
James G. Saulsbury, Tomasz K. Baumiller
Summary: Conspicuous centers of biodiversity are often attributed to local conditions that promote speciation or resistance to extinction, but recent studies suggest that dispersal may also play a crucial role. This study focuses on the marine diversity hotspot in the Indo-West Pacific among comatulid crinoids, and finds that the hotspot owes its existence to dispersals from the ancient West Tethys rather than in situ diversification.
Review
Evolutionary Biology
Trond R. Oskars, Manuel Antonio E. Malaquias
Summary: This paper investigates the diversity and systematics of the Haloa genus, a group of dull-coloured haminoeid snails found in tropical and sub-tropical Indo-West Pacific waters. The study utilizes both morphological and molecular approaches to identify and delimit species. Thirteen species are recognized, including two new species. The study reveals intraspecific variability in colouration and limited character displacement in anatomy. The shells are not reliable for taxonomy, with male reproductive system and DNA sequences providing more diagnostic information. Some species have restricted distributions, particularly in offshore islands.
INVERTEBRATE SYSTEMATICS
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Alexandra Hiller, Bernd Werding
Summary: Johnson introduced the porcellanid genus Enosteoides in 1970, including a newly discovered spiny crab species. Molecular analysis revealed that Enosteoides is not monophyletic, with a distinct genetic structure among populations of the spiny crab in different geographic locations in Australia.
ZOOSYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Jiwei Qi, Fanglei Shi, Baowei Zhang, Xiao Chen, Jie Xing, Keisuke Furumitsu, Joel B. Corush, Atsuko Yamaguchi, Jie Zhang
Summary: This study examined the population genetic structure and demographic history of three Indo-West Pacific species of sharpnose rays. The results showed high levels of genetic variation within and between species, suggesting the importance of considering genetic differentiation in conservation efforts. The findings have significant implications for preserving stingray biodiversity.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Edwin Y. W. Tan, Mei Lin Neo, Danwei Huang
Summary: This study examines the relationships between different biodiversity measures and the conservation priorities for giant clam species. It finds positive correlations between species richness, functional diversity, and phylogenetic diversity, and identifies specific species and regions that contribute disproportionately to the overall diversity of giant clams.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Hsin Lee, Nicolas Puillandre, Yasunori Kano, Wei-Jen Chen, Sarah Samadi
Summary: This study investigates the species diversity of the family Cocculinidae using an integrated approach. The results reveal high diversity in the Indo-West Pacific region, with many species not assigned to known names. Additionally, a previously unknown copulatory structure and ten main clades in the family were discovered.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Syakirah Azmey, Hussein Taha, Gunanti Mahasri, Muhamad Amin, Ahasan Habib, Min Pau Tan, Takaomi Arai
Summary: This study identified the population structure and distribution characteristics of sea leeches in grouper aquaculture through morphological and genetic sequence analysis of collected sea leech samples, providing important information for monitoring and mitigating infections.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kaveh Samimi-Namin, Michel R. Claereboudt, Bert W. Hoeksema, Catherine S. Mcfadden, Nicholas Bezio, Gustav Paulay
Summary: We document the occurrence of benthic ctenophores Coeloplana sp. and Vallicula multiformis from Oman, and discover a new Coeloplana species. Our findings also reveal the presence of the ectocommensal ophiuroid Ophiothela mirabilis, which has negative impacts on other Coeloplana species. This exploration contributes to our understanding of the biogeography, species distribution, and host relationships of these genera.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew H. Baird, James R. Guest, Alasdair J. Edwards, Andrew G. Bauman, Jessica Bouwmeester, Hanaka Mera, David Abrego, Mariana Alvarez-Noriega, Russel C. Babcock, Miguel B. Barbosa, Victor Bonito, John Burt, Patrick C. Cabaitan, Ching-Fong Chang, Suchana Chavanich, Chaolun A. Chen, Chieh-Jhen Chen, Wei-Jen Chen, Fung-Chen Chung, Sean R. Connolly, Vivian R. Cumbo, Maria Dornelas, Christopher Doropoulos, Gal Eyal, Lee Eyal-Shaham, Nur Fadli, Joana Figueiredo, Jean-Francois Flot, Sze-Hoon Gan, Elizabeth Gomez, Erin M. Graham, Mila Grinblat, Nataly Gutierrez-Isaza, Saki Harii, Peter L. Harrison, Masayuki Hatta, Nina Ann Jin Ho, Gaetan Hoarau, Mia Hoogenboom, Emily J. Howells, Akira Iguchi, Naoko Isomura, Emmeline A. Jamodiong, Suppakarn Jandang, Jude Keyse, Seiya Kitanobo, Narinratana Kongjandtre, Chao-Yang Kuo, Charlon Ligson, Che-Hung Lin, Jeffrey Low, Yossi Loya, Elizaldy A. Maboloc, Joshua S. Madin, Takuma Mezaki, Choo Min, Masaya Morita, Aurelie Moya, Su-Hwei Neo, Matthew R. Nitschke, Satoshi Nojima, Yoko Nozawa, Srisakul Piromvaragorn, Sakanan Plathong, Eneour Puill-Stephan, Kate Quigley, Catalina Ramirez-Portilla, Gerard Ricardo, Kazuhiko Sakai, Eugenia Sampayo, Tom Shlesinger, Leony Sikim, Chris Simpson, Carrie A. Sims, Frederic Sinniger, Davies A. Spiji, Tracy Tabalanza, Chung-Hong Tan, Tullia I. Terraneo, Gergely Torda, James True, Karenne Tun, Kareen Vicentuan, Voranop Viyakarn, Zarinah Waheed, Selina Ward, Bette Willis, Rachael M. Woods, Erika S. Woolsey, Hiromi H. Yamamoto, Syafyudin Yusuf
Summary: The discovery of multi-species synchronous spawning on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s led to efforts to document spawning times globally. The Coral Spawning Database (CSD) compiles data from over 100 sites in the Indo-Pacific region to provide open access for studying coral reproductive biology. The CSD aims to accelerate understanding of coral reproduction and to establish a baseline for evaluating future changes in reproductive patterns.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Krista Nicholson, Martin van Aswegen, Neil Loneragan, Lars Bejder
Summary: Wildlife management requires reliable demographic information to assess the population status and vulnerability. This study calculated demographic parameters and assessed the viability of a community of indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins. The results showed that population changes in this community are influenced by births, deaths, and the migration of juvenile males. To maintain population stability, management actions to reduce adult female and calf mortality should be considered.
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
H. J. L. van der Lubbe, I. R. Hall, S. Barker, S. R. Hemming, T. F. Baars, A. Starr, J. Just, B. C. Backeberg, J. C. A. Joordens
Summary: A study shows that the circulation in the Indian Ocean was influenced by the Pacific Walker circulation around 2.1 million years ago, leading to changes in the climate of eastern Africa. This acceleration during glacial periods was followed by weaker flow speeds in interglacial periods.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicolas Oury, Cyril Noel, Stefano Mona, Didier Aurelle, Helene Magalon
Summary: With the development of genomics, it is now possible to sequence thousands of loci from hundreds of individuals at reasonable costs, which allows for the resolution of complex phylogenies. Using the coral genus Pocillopora as a case study, researchers explored the use of multiple criteria (genetics, morphology, biogeography, and symbiosis ecology) to delimit species. The results showed that genomics can be used alongside other criteria to delimit species boundaries and provided insights for the taxonomic revision and conservation of Pocillopora.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
James J. Shelley, Stephen E. Swearer, Tim Dempster, Mark Adams, Matthew C. Le Feuvre, Michael P. Hammer, Peter J. Unmack
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samantha Thiele, Mark Adams, Michael Hammer, Scotte Wedderburn, Nick S. Whiterod, Peter J. Unmack, Minami Sasaki, Luciano B. Beheregaray
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2020)
Article
Fisheries
Michael P. Hammer, Laura Taillebois, Alison J. King, David A. Crook, Dion Wedd, Mark Adams, Peter J. Unmack, Doug F. Hoese, Terry Bertozzi
Summary: This study uses a systematic framework to examine flathead gobies in tropical northern Australia, revealing discrepancies in species boundaries and distribution patterns compared to previous reports, particularly for the tank goby. The study also identifies additional taxonomic complexity and unresolved specific names for candidate species in Australia.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael P. Hammer, Mark Adams, Peter J. Unmack, Kathryn L. Hassell, Terry Bertozzi
Summary: Snubnose gobies are important components of estuarine ecosystems in the Indo-west Pacific, with a diversity close to double the currently recognized species. Australia serves as a hotspot of endemism for these small benthic fishes, with complicated genetic patterns observed in southern regions. The diversity in this group is influenced by factors such as plate tectonics, latitude, and historic barriers, leading to regional panmixia and geographic compartmentalization within landscapes.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Zoology
Douglass F. Hoese, Michael P. Hammer
Summary: Two species previously referred to as Glossogobius giuris from Australia have been redescribed as Glossogobius giuris and Glossogobius laticeps. They are largely allopatric in Australia, with genetic differences and color pattern variations. The morphological features separating the species are minor, with considerable overlap, and the high variation in certain regions further complicates their separation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kimberley Hunnam, Imelda Carlos, Michael P. Hammer, Joctan Dos Reis Lopes, David J. Mills, Natasha Stacey
Summary: This study documents the knowledge of Timorese fishers on local sardine species and their naming conventions, providing important insights for future fisheries monitoring and management. Fishers recognize strong associations between certain sardine species-groups and seasonally turbid river plumes, as well as migratory behavior of some sardine species, complicating initiatives for co-management or community-based management of Timor-Leste's coastal waters and fisheries.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jack A. Brand, Jake M. Martin, Hung Tan, Rachel T. Mason, Jack T. Orford, Michael P. Hammer, David G. Chapple, Bob B. M. Wong
Summary: Behavioral traits play a key role in mediating invasion success, with recent evidence showing that invasive populations can quickly adapt and exhibit changes in activity and foraging behavior compared to their domestic counterparts. Invasive species can disrupt behavioral syndromes and induce shifts in ecologically relevant behaviors, emphasizing the importance of considering behavior in the study of invasion biology.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sean James Buckley, Chris Brauer, Peter J. Unmack, Michael P. Hammer, Luciano B. Beheregaray
Summary: The study on the biogeographic history of the southern pygmy perch in Australia revealed that sea-level changes and hydrological fluctuations played crucial roles in species divergence and the formation of cryptic species. Isolated climatic refugia and fragmentation of waterways were identified as factors maintaining genetic differentiation of intra- and interspecific lineages. The findings suggest that predicted increases in aridification and sea level due to anthropogenic climate change could have significant demographic impacts on species.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Peter J. Unmack, Mark Adams, Michael P. Hammer, Jerald B. Johnson, Bernd Gruber, Andre Gilles, Matthew Young, Arthur Georges
Summary: The study argues that coalescent-based models mostly delineate population structure, not species. The proposed framework for de novo genomic studies includes steps such as visualizing genetic affinities, applying phylogenetic techniques, and assessing diagnosability of lineages. This approach helps address issues of diagnosability and species boundaries in genomic species discovery.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Imogen R. Marshall, Chris J. Brauer, Scotte D. Wedderburn, Nick S. Whiterod, Michael P. Hammer, Thomas C. Barnes, Catherine R. M. Attard, Luciana M. Moeller, Luciano B. Beheregaray
Summary: Restoration programs in the form of ex-situ breeding combined with reintroductions are becoming critical to counter demographic declines and species losses. However, the lack of long-term monitoring of genetic indicators following reintroduction prevents assessments of the trajectory and persistence of reintroduced populations.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chris J. Brauer, Jonathan Sandoval-Castillo, Katie Gates, Michael P. Hammer, Peter J. Unmack, Louis Bernatchez, Luciano B. Beheregaray
Summary: Under climate change, species without the ability to shift their range rely on genetic variation for adaptation. Genomic vulnerability studies often overlook hybridization as a source of adaptive variation. This study found that hybrid populations of rainbowfish showed reduced vulnerability to climate change compared to pure narrow endemics, highlighting the importance of hybrid populations and adaptive introgression in the evolutionary rescue of species with narrow environmental ranges.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karl Moy, Jason Schaffer, Michael P. Hammer, Catherine R. M. Attard, Luciano B. Beheregaray, Richard Duncan, Mark Lintermans, Culum Brown, Peter J. Unmack
Summary: The study explores the threat of translocating species on freshwater fish biodiversity and presents a successful case of conserving Running River rainbowfish. By captive-breeding wild fish and translocating them to unoccupied habitats, two populations of Running River rainbowfish were established, but challenges of predation and release timing remain. This provides valuable insights for similar conservation programs involving short-lived fish species.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sean James Buckley, Chris J. Brauer, Peter J. Unmack, Michael P. Hammer, Luciano B. Beheregaray
Summary: This study analyzed genetic and environmental data of two ecologically similar and largely co-distributed freshwater fishes, the southern and Yarra pygmy perches, to assess their responses to Plio-Pleistocene climatic changes. The results showed significant differences in responses between the two species, with the southern pygmy perch lacking genetic diversity and historical range expansion. Although some co-occurring populations demonstrated concordant demographic histories, idiosyncratic population size changes were found at the range edges of the more spatially restricted species.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Christine E. Thacker, James J. Shelley, W. Tyler McCraney, Mark Adams, Michael P. Hammer, Peter J. Unmack
Summary: This study constructed a phylogeny of the Hypseleotris genus using UCE sequences and investigated the geographic patterns of diversification using GeoSSE. The study found hybridization and cytonuclear discordance among the southeastern species and resolved the placement of Kimberleyeleotris within the northwestern radiation. The study also estimated the crown ages of Hypseleotris and the different radiations within the genus.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
