Article
Biology
Silvia Brochet, Andrew Quinn, Ruben At Mars, Nicolas Neuschwander, Uwe Sauer, Philipp Engel
Summary: This study investigated the coexistence of four closely related Lactobacillus species in the honey bee gut, revealing that they can stably coexist in the presence of pollen but not in simple sugars. Metatranscriptomics and metabolomics showed that the species utilize different carbohydrate substrates from pollen, indicating resource partitioning as the basis of their coexistence. Overall, this research provides insights into bacterial interactions and coexistence in the gut environment.
Article
Ecology
Fabio H. C. Sanches, Fernando R. De Grande, Tania M. Costa, Rodrigo E. Barreto
Summary: Ecological differentiation is an essential process for supporting the coexistence of competing species in biologically diverse ecosystems. Habitat heterogeneity plays a crucial role in establishing species abundance and richness, favoring coexistence through habitat partition. This study focuses on the shading effects on microhabitat selection, behavior, and physiological limitation of two species of fiddler crabs. The results show that shading conditions significantly influence the proportion of fiddler crab species over time, with different associations to shaded or nonshaded areas. In addition, the species exhibited different behavioral responses to thermal stress. The study suggests that habitat partition reduces competition and supports the coexistence of closely related species in biologically diverse ecosystems, such as intertidal regions from estuaries.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Qiming Yang, Te-Wen Lo, Katjusa Brejc, Caitlin Schartner, Edward J. Ralston, Denise M. Lapidus, Barbara J. Meyer
Summary: An evolutionary perspective reveals that the genetic regulatory hierarchy controlling sex determination and X-chromosome dosage compensation is conserved but with divergent mechanisms between Caenorhabditis briggsae and Caenorhabditis elegans. While the binding of the specialized condensin dosage compensation complex (DCC) to recruitment sites in Cbr is additive, DCC binding to Cel recruitment sites is synergistic. Rapid divergence of DCC target specificity, determined by motifs, has played a crucial role in establishing reproductive isolation between nematode species.
Article
Ecology
Andrew J. Sieben, Joseph R. Mihaljevic, Lauren G. Shoemaker
Summary: This study proposes applying modern coexistence theory in plant communities to pathogen systems to understand the mechanisms of coexistence at different spatial scales. The researchers quantify how spatial variation in pathogen density, host resources, and immunity promote pathogen coexistence. The study finds that host-pathogen feedback generates spatial heterogeneity that contributes to pathogen coexistence.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mariusz Tszydel, Dagmara Blonska
Summary: This study assesses the competitive interactions among larvae of three co-existing species of caddisflies. The researchers found that the competitive interactions were usually decided by body size and mandible features. More than half of the interspecific conflicts ended with a draw, and 80% of intraspecific interactions had a decisive outcome. H. pellucidula was the most successful species in fights between species, while H. modesta was the weakest.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Soumiya Pal, Jenat Rahman, Shengyu Mu, Nancy J. Rusch, Amanda J. Stolarz
Summary: The lymphatic circulation is crucial for the transport of lymph fluid, but certain medications may disrupt lymph flow and contribute to the development of lymphedema. This review examines the potential mechanisms of drug-related lymphedema, with a focus on common medications used for cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer. It also explores possible therapeutic options for lymphedema.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Hanzhi Xu, Xia Lu, Chunde Wang, Junhao Ning, Min Chen, Yuan Wang, Ke Yuan
Summary: This study investigates the role of PTEN in the longevity of aquatic animals, using two closely related scallops with distinct lifespans. The results show that PTEN contributes to the longevity of one species by regulating nutrient availability and genomic stability. This study provides new evidence for the conservative functions of PTEN in lifespan regulation and may aid in the selection of long-lived scallop strains.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
John L. Maron, Philip G. Hahn, Karyn L. Hajek, Dean E. Pearson
Summary: This study found that small-seeded plants are more affected by competition from dominant species in the community compared to large-seeded plants, but they are less vulnerable to seed predation by rodents. Plant height and leaf mass per area were not related to competition effects, while seed size had a significant impact on both competitive tolerance and population abundance.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hao Zheng, Junjie Wang, Hairong Fan, Shuocun Wang, Ruiwei Ye, Linxue Li, Sheng Wang, An Li, Yiming Lu
Summary: Predator-prey arms races provide ideal models for studying natural selection and adaptive evolution in the formation of biodiversity. This study focused on two closely related sea snakes with different prey preferences. Using proteomic analysis, the researchers found differences in venom composition and toxin-receptor binding activity between the two snakes, which are explained by trophic specialization. Additionally, noncoding RNAs were identified as regulators of toxin gene expression. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular basis and regulatory mechanisms of venom evolution in response to divergent diets, contributing to the understanding of coselection and coevolution in predator-prey ecosystems.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shumpei Morita, Nathalie Oulhen, Stephany Foster, Gary M. Wessel
Summary: By comparing single cell RNA sequencing data of primordial germ cells (PGCs) from two sea urchin species, it was found that there were differences in the expression of the germline gene Nanos2 (Nan2) between the two species. Further analysis revealed that the difference was due to the regulatory element in the 3'UTR region of Nan2 mRNA in one species, which was lacking in the other species. This study highlights the importance of post-transcriptional regulation in germline specification.
Article
Microbiology
Dong Li, Haowei Ni, Shuo Jiao, Yahai Lu, Jizhong Zhou, Bo Sun, Yuting Liang
Summary: The study reveals that the coexistence patterns of soil methanogens are closely linked to their functional significance, with common coexistence potentially contributing more than species diversity to soil functions; furthermore, the assembly pattern of commonly coexisting taxa shows a similar 30% determinism and similar 70% stochasticity, while a higher proportion of stochasticity (93 to 99%) characterizes the assembly of endemically coexisting taxa.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Neus Sanmarti, Yaiza Ontoria, Aurora M. Ricart, Rohan Arthur, Teresa Alcoverro, Marta Perez, Javier Romero
Summary: This study describes a three-species assemblage consisting of seagrass, pen shell, and sea urchin and investigates the mechanisms allowing its persistence through field observations and experiments. The sea urchins' reluctance to move far from pen shells limits their impact on seagrass to a local scale. The sparse distribution of pen shells and the plant's resistance mechanisms also contribute to the persistence of this assemblage.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Chao Tang, Lingchen Deng, Qiang Luo, Guijun He
Summary: Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in individuals with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Oxidative stress is closely related to the pathology of Atherosclerosis. This study aimed to identify genetic mechanisms, construct a diagnostic model, and investigate the immune microenvironment of Atherosclerosis.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qi Lu, Chen Cheng, Lingyun Xiao, Juan Li, Xueyang Li, Xiang Zhao, Zhi Lu, Jindong Zhao, Meng Yao
Summary: Using fecal DNA metabarcoding, we investigated the trophic networks of three communities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, revealing interspecific variations in prey compositions and dietary partitioning among carnivores. Network analysis unveiled significant modularity in all food webs and identified pikas, bharal, and domestic yak as potential keystone prey species. Our study provides insights into carnivore coexistence and enhances understanding of complex communities through molecular dietary approaches and network analysis.
Article
Cell Biology
Shrestha Sinha Ray, Debdeep Dutta, Cassandra Dennys, Samantha Powers, Florence Roussel, Pawel Lisowski, Petar Glazar, Xiaojin Zhang, Pipasha Biswas, Joseph R. Caporale, Nikolaus Rajewsky, Marc Bickle, Nicolas Wein, Hugo J. Bellen, Shibi Likhite, Paul C. Marcogliese, Kathrin C. Meyer
Summary: NEDAMSS is a neurological disorder caused by heterozygous truncations in the transcriptional regulator IRF2BPL. Truncated patient variants sequester the wild-type protein, causing aggregation and abnormal mitochondria and respiratory dysfunction. Treatment with CuATSM rescues neuronal survival and restores mitochondrial function. The findings are recapitulated in Drosophila, where co-expression of full-length and truncated IRF2BPL results in cytoplasmic accumulation and motor defects that are ameliorated by CuATSM treatment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabrielle Lebbink, John M. Dwyer, Roderick J. Fensham
Summary: Land-use change and associated land clearing/conversion are significant factors contributing to biodiversity decline globally, leading to the spread of invasive species which is often challenging to assess due to lack of temporal data. A study conducted in sub-coastal Queensland, Australia, revealed an increase in the presence of invasive plant species within remaining fragments of remnant vegetation, highlighting the importance of improved implementation and regulation of control measures to protect ecosystems from further degradation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Catherine H. Bowler, Lauren G. Shoemaker, Christopher Weiss-Lehman, Isaac R. Towers, Margaret M. Mayfield
Summary: Species interactions between exotic and native species play a crucial role in determining the success of biological invasions and the influence of exotic species in invaded communities. This study highlights the positive interactions between exotic and native species, which are more common than originally thought. However, the study also reveals that within-neighborhood heterogeneity can limit the population growth of both native and exotic species, regulating the positive effects of invaders.
Article
Ecology
Timothy L. Staples, Wolfgang Kiessling, John M. Pandolfi
Summary: Anthropogenic disturbance and climate change can greatly increase the emergence of new, ecologically novel communities. Post-glacial warming of the past 8000 years led to a threefold increase in the emergence of local novel communities. However, in the last 200 years, the emergence of local novel communities has already matched estimates of glacial retreat. These novel communities are mainly found in high latitude regions and are influenced by global and local temperature changes.
Article
Ecology
Catherine H. Bowler, Christopher Weiss-Lehman, Isaac R. Towers, Margaret M. Mayfield, Lauren G. Shoemaker
Summary: Modern coexistence theory models often fail to account for the complexity present in natural systems, such as stochastic variation in biological processes, heterogeneity among individuals, and plasticity in trait values. This study uses a Bayesian modelling framework to propagate uncertainty in coexistence outcomes and finds that considering this complexity leads to different predictions of coexistence versus competitive exclusion.
Article
Plant Sciences
Annie Schiffer, Xingwen Loy, Connor Morozumi, Berry J. Brosi
Summary: Changes in flowering time caused by climate change can impact plant fecundity. This study compared the individual-level responses of three montane species with different seasonal flowering times and found that variation in individual phenology affects fecundity, with species-specific effects. Pollen limitation may be more influential than conspecific density in determining seed set. Understanding individual-level changes in phenology is crucial for understanding plant reproductive success.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malyon D. Bimler, Margaret M. Mayfield
Summary: A new study examines higher-order interactions between species and their contribution to coexistence, providing valuable insights into this poorly understood phenomenon.
Article
Ecology
Aubrie R. M. James, Margaret M. Mayfield, John M. Dwyer
Summary: Applications of ecological theory often assume that negative density-dependent processes are the only important interaction for diversity maintenance in natural communities. However, recent advances have shown that positive interactions between plants may also affect plant coexistence. This study tested for variable density and frequency dependence in annual flowering plant communities in Western Australia and found that different species exhibited different patterns of density and frequency dependence. Pollinator-mediated plant-plant interactions during flowering induced nonmonotonic density dependence and negative frequency dependence in one species. The findings suggest that the dominance of negative density and frequency dependence in theory may need to be reevaluated.
Article
Ecology
Malyon D. Bimler, Margaret M. Mayfield, Trace E. Martyn, Daniel B. Stouffer
Summary: Network theory helps understand complex systems by evaluating interactions between constituent elements. The authors propose a novel modeling framework using species performance measures to estimate pairwise interactions in diverse systems. Their method allows for direct estimation of identifiable effects and approximations of unidentifiable effects. The resulting interaction matrices can include positive and negative effects, self-effects, and non-symmetrical interactions. The authors demonstrate how to link these parameters with population dynamics models to infer the effects of interactions on community dynamics and diversity. The advantages of the framework are illustrated with a case study on a wildflower community.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sofia Lopez-Cubillos, Eve McDonald-Madden, Margaret M. Mayfield, Rebecca K. Runting
Summary: Pollinators, crucial for agriculture, are in decline worldwide. Restoration efforts within croplands can support pollinators and increase agricultural yields, but implementation is challenging. We present a planning framework that considers the dynamics of pollination services and economic benefits over time. In a case study, strategic restoration increased forest cover by 20% and doubled landholder profits over 40 years. These findings highlight the immense long-term economic benefits of restoration in pollinator-dependent croplands, motivating conservation efforts.
Article
Ecology
Margaret M. Mayfield, Jennifer A. Lau, Joseph A. Tobias, Anthony R. Ives, Sharon Y. Strauss
Summary: This article discusses the impact of evolutionary history on the current functioning of ecological communities. The debaters present both pro and con arguments, showing that evolutionary history can have significant or limited influence on ecological function. The article aims to provoke further discussion and identify areas for future research.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Todd E. Erickson, John M. Dwyer, Emma L. Dalziell, Jeremy J. James, Miriam Munoz-Rojas, David J. Merritt
Summary: Seeding is a common practice in ecological restoration, but the establishment rates can be low. This study examined the germination, emergence, and survival of seeds sown under different abiotic conditions in the Pilbara bioregion in north-west Western Australia. The results showed that rainfall and soil substrate significantly influenced the germination and emergence of the seeds.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Leah E. Dann, Lydia Guja, Salit Kark, John Dwyer
Summary: This study examined the impact of managing a thicket-forming woody plant species on forest regeneration on Norfolk Island. The results showed that managed plots had higher plant richness, particularly in the subcanopy strata. Additionally, there was greater compositional dissimilarity between managed and unmanaged plots in locations with higher moisture levels.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Omofomwan Kingsley Osazuwa, John Matthew Dwyer, Roderick John Fensham
Summary: This study examined the survivorship, vegetative recruitment, biomass and sexual reproduction of S. papaverifolium in response to burning. The results showed that burning increased plant survival rate, vegetative recruitment, and flowering probability, suggesting that fire can stimulate sexual reproduction in some grassland species.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Joe Atkinson, David Freudenberger, John M. Dwyer, Rachel J. Standish, Angela T. Moles, Stephen P. Bonser
Summary: Restoring woody vegetation on degraded agricultural land is a common practice, but the variability in plant survival and growth limits the success of many projects. This study in south-western Australia found that plant size is the most important factor for survival and growth. Interactions with neighboring plants also play a role. Recruitment of new plants was low, highlighting the need for improvement in this area.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2022)