Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
M. R. Lipinski, M. A. Mmethi, D. Yemane, J. Githaiga-Mwicigi, W. H. H. Sauer
Summary: Temporal trends in size composition and length-weight relationship of chokka squid on the south coast of South Africa were examined over a 22-year period. While no significant long-term changes were observed in mean lengths, there was a short-term drop in average length in certain years, possibly linked to the introduction of an additional closed season. Parameters of the length-weight relationship remained stable over the years, with males showing a higher prevalence of starvation compared to females, potentially due to spawning behavior.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Wei Zhang, Steven A. J. Declerck
Summary: Hybridization between species in the Brachionus calyciflorus complex was observed, leading to lower viability and higher mortality in hybrid dormant propagules. Most hybrid clones showed a low incidence of sexual reproduction, which may reduce their long-term fitness. Postzygotic barriers, such as high mortality of dormant propagules and low sexual reproduction ability in hybrids, likely impede genetic exchange between parental species and help maintain their integrity.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magdalena Matzke, Soren Toft, Jesper Bechsgaard, Astrid Pold Vilstrup, Gabriele Uhl, Sven Kuenzel, Cristina Tuni, Trine Bilde
Summary: Sperm competition is a driving force for the development of traits that enhance fertilization success. This study focuses on the polyandrous spider Pisaura mirabilis and examines the effects of female polyandry, male mating order, and sexual selection intensity on sperm precedence patterns and paternity. The findings suggest that intense sperm competition can shift sperm precedence patterns and that longer copulations increase paternity shares, highlighting the importance of traits that prolong copulation duration under intense competition.
Article
Entomology
Lelanie Hoffmann, Kelvin L. Hull, Anandi Bierman, Rozane Badenhorst, Aletta E. van der Merwe, Clint Rhode
Summary: The study investigated the effects of population dynamics and breeding behavior on the genetic health of black soldier flies, showing significant loss in genetic diversity in commercial populations and providing the first evidence for multiple paternity in the species. The study highlights the importance of establishing effective genetic management strategies for sustainable farming of black soldier flies.
Article
Ecology
Estelle Barbot, Mathilde Dufay, Isabelle De Cauwer
Summary: Competition for mate acquisition is common in all sexual organisms. In insect-pollinated plants, competition to attract pollinators can lead to selection on attractive traits, which may also contribute to reproductive success. This study examined the selection patterns in Silene dioica and found that females were mainly selected based on fertility-related traits, while males were selected based on flowering duration and corolla width, indicating the involvement of sexual selection. The use of Bateman's metrics further confirmed stronger sexual selection in males. Overall, this study provides insights into sex-specific selection in an insect-pollinated plant population.
Article
Zoology
Thibault Gayet, Ludovic Say, Eric Baubet, Sebastien Devillard
Summary: Variations in hunting pressure and removal of heavy males did not significantly impact multiple paternity rates in wild boar populations, but a slight trend was observed. The study confirmed the promiscuous mating system of wild boar and suggested potential alternative hypotheses for the ecological processes influencing mating systems.
Article
Ecology
Jay Love, Franz Goller
Summary: This study investigated the divergence of mating signals and convergence of aggressive signals during secondary contact between two species where hybrids are less fit than parents. By studying the geographic patterns and playback experiments of song modules in an avian hybrid zone, researchers found unexpected asymmetric introgression of song rhythm and differences in the importance of different song features in mate attraction and territorial defense. The results suggest that opposing forces act independently on song via distinct modules of the song production mechanism.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Zoology
M. Moska, A. Mucha, H. Wierzbicki, B. Nowak
Summary: The study conducted over four years on eight isolated populations of edible dormouse showed a high prevalence of multiple paternity, weak genetic relationship between juveniles and accompanying females, and a frequency of communal nesting. These findings suggest that multiple paternity and promiscuity can help maintain genetic diversity in dormice with low genetic variability.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ivett Pipoly, Robert Duffy, Gabor Meszaros, Veronika Bokony, Balazs Vagi, Tamas Szekely, Andras Liker
Summary: The adult sex ratio (ASR) is a predictor of reproductive behavior and has been found to be a major factor in social mating systems and parental care in birds and humans. This study explores the impact of ASR on genetic mating systems in reptiles. The findings reveal that a higher frequency of multiple paternity is associated with a more male-skewed ASR, and this relationship is consistent across different life-history predictors. Additionally, the study shows that the sex determination system also influences the frequency of multiple paternity in reptiles.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Yumiko Oide, Masahiro Osakabe
Summary: An incomplete species recognition system can result in reproductive interference, leading to reproductive problems in F-1 hybrid females produced from interspecific mating between Panonychus citri and Panonychus osmanthi. The competitiveness of P. citri males was higher, but their species recognition ability was lower compared to P. osmanthi males, indicating the occurrence of potential reproductive interference. The study scored 7 out of 10.
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Holger Zimmermann, Aneesh P. H. Bose, Helgit Eisner, Jonathan M. Henshaw, Angelika Ziegelbecker, Florian Richter, Sandra Bracun, Cyprian Katongo, Karoline Fritzsche, Kristina M. Sefc
Summary: Research on the socially monogamous cichlid Variabilichromis moorii from Lake Tanganyika reveals temporal variation in genetic parentage, with higher rates of extra-pair paternity observed during the dry season. This variation is attributed to fluctuations in environmental conditions, such as water turbidity, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring in understanding animal mating patterns.
Article
Plant Sciences
Felipe Torres-Vanegas, Adam S. Hadley, Urs G. Kormann, Frank Andrew Jones, Matthew G. Betts, Helene H. Wagner
Summary: Resolving the consequences of pollinator foraging behaviour for plant mating systems is a fundamental challenge in evolutionary ecology. Studies have shown that pollinators adopt different foraging tactics, such as complete trapline foraging, sample-and-shift trapline foraging, and territorial foraging. These foraging tactics have divergent consequences for plant mating systems.
Article
Zoology
Mikhail M. Omelko, Yuri M. Marusik
Summary: A study discovered a unique type of mate guarding behavior in the araneid spider Caerostris sumatrana Strand, 1915, in which the male remains tied to the dorsal surface of the female's abdomen until she reaches maturity. The species is described in detail, and scanning electron microscopy is used for the first time to illustrate the general appearance and fine structures of the male. Additionally, it is reported for the first time that this species exhibits genital emasculation behavior in males.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Farren B. S. Briggs, Corriene Sept
Summary: The study applied association rule mining to genetic data of non-Latinx MS cases and controls, revealing specific combinations of MS risk variants disproportionately confer elevated risk. By applying a robust analytical framework, the study demonstrated evidence of higher order genetic relationships in MS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Zoology
S. Nanni Geser, S. Ursenbacher
Summary: Many male reptiles increase their reproductive success by mating with multiple females. For the first time, it has been observed that the female asp viper can also have multiple fathers for a clutch, with up to two different fathers. The size of the mother does not affect the number of fathers, and there is no difference in the number of offspring between clutches with one or two fathers. Successful fathers are larger than males that do not reproduce, and the distance between fathers and mothers is limited.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
Fatma Jebri, Dionysios E. Raitsos, John A. Gittings, Zoe L. Jacobs, Meric Srokosz, Jessica Gornall, Warwick H. H. Sauer, Michael J. Roberts, Ekaterina Popova
Summary: Using satellite observations, this study uncovers the biophysical drivers of the lucrative chokka squid fishery in South Africa over the last two decades (1998-2017) and addresses their potential links with low squid catches. Chokka squid fishing is crucial to the economic wellbeing of local communities. However, the squid biomass is prone to considerable fluctuations, including abrupt declines with negative socio-economic impacts. These results show that the squid catch fluctuations are potentially predictable and could support policymakers seeking to improve their planning of adaptation strategies and risk mitigation.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART II-TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Alexander Arkhipkin, Paul Brickle, Brendon Lee, Paul W. Shaw, Niall J. McKeown
Summary: This study examined the taxonomic status of the Patagonian toothfish on either side of the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) using genetic, phenotypic, and ecological data. The results revealed significant genetic and morphological divergence between the two groups, suggesting they should be recognized as distinct species. The authors propose using the names D. eleginoides and D. australis to differentiate toothfish north and south of the APF, reflecting their respective distributions.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Rachel J. Ball, Ashleigh Kitchiner, Nicholas J. Davison, Andrew Brownlow, Simon Berrow, Niall J. McKeown, Lonneke L. IJsseldijk, Matthew Geary, Ian McDowall, Anna P. Muir
Summary: Long-finned pilot whale mitochondrial genetic diversity is low in the North Atlantic, with newly identified haplotypes from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Significant differentiation between Irish and Scottish samples was observed, highlighting the importance of recognizing population structure for conservation efforts. Additionally, a mixing of matrilineal groups was found in one mass stranding event, providing new insights into genetic diversity within the North Atlantic population.
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Donall Eoin Cross, Amy J. E. Healey, Niall J. McKeown, Christopher James Thomas, Nicolae Adrian Macarie, Vincent Siaziyu, Douglas Singini, Francis Liywalii, Jacob Sakala, Andrew Silumesii, Paul W. Shaw
Summary: The study reveals that in the Barotse floodplain of the upper Zambezi river, secondary vector species predominate while primary vectors are scarce. Additionally, secondary vectors such as An. coustani consistently maintain numerical dominance regardless of hydrological variations. Therefore, outdoor control methods targeting both primary and secondary vectors should be considered.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
Sarah Asdar, Zoe L. Jacobs, Ekaterina Popova, Margaux Noyon, Warwick H. Sauer, Michael J. Roberts
Summary: Climate change poses significant threats to the Agulhas Bank fishery, particularly the chokka squid fishery. Our simulations show that increased sea surface temperature and current velocity may pose risks to squid recruitment and growth, while food availability is expected to have a minor impact.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART II-TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Flavia Occhibove, Niall J. McKeown, Claire Risley, Joseph E. Ironside
Summary: This study investigated pathogen and parasites shared among rodent species in West Wales, revealing the presence of various pathogens and parasites posing epidemiological challenges. The findings provide new insights and perspectives for further eco-epidemiological research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Nathan G. King, Dan A. Smale, Jamie M. Thorpe, Niall J. McKeown, Adam J. Andrews, Ronan Browne, Shelagh K. Malham
Summary: A breakdown in host-bacteria relationships is associated with marine diseases in Pacific oysters. The study characterizes the bacterial community of Crassostrea gigas at Irish oyster farms and identifies a core group of bacteria that contribute to oyster health. This research provides valuable insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of oyster bacterial communities and can be used as a baseline to monitor environmental changes.
Article
Fisheries
Steven J. Cooke, Elizabeth A. Fulton, Warwick H. H. Sauer, Abigail J. Lynch, Jason S. Link, Aaron A. Koning, Joykrushna Jena, Luiz G. M. Silva, Alison J. King, Rachel Kelly, Matthew Osborne, Julia Nakamura, Ann L. Preece, Atsushi Hagiwara, Kerstin Forsberg, Julie B. Kellner, Ilaria Coscia, Sarah Helyar, Manuel Barange, Elizabeth Nyboer, Meryl J. Williams, Ratana Chuenpagdee, Gavin A. Begg, Bronwyn M. Gillanders
Summary: A common goal among fisheries science professionals, stakeholders, and rights holders is to ensure the persistence and resilience of vibrant fish populations and sustainable, equitable fisheries in diverse aquatic ecosystems. The World Fisheries Congress (WFC) provides a global forum to discuss threats, issues, and opportunities facing fish populations and fisheries. The 2021 WFC meeting reflects on progress made in the past 30 years and identifies future needs and opportunities to improve sustainability in the world's fisheries.
REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Sophie de Becquevort, Niall J. Mckeown, Max Blake, Paul W. Shaw
Summary: This study used DNA barcoding to monitor the dynamics of beetle communities and environmental factors in conifer forests. The results showed that tree species had a major influence on beetle communities, particularly in the early decay stages. The analysis of beetles collected inside trees provided additional information on ontogenetic niches and host preferences.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
I Chemshirova, A. Arkhipkin, P. W. Shaw, N. J. McKeown
Summary: The neritic-oceanic squid Illex argentinus, which supports a major fishery in the Southwest Atlantic, exhibits extensive migrations and complex population structure with distinct seasonal spawning groups. By combining statolith ageing and genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, this study found three seasonal spawning groups with subgroups within each group. However, genetic analysis indicated no genetic structure among these groups, suggesting they belong to one genetic population. Thus, collaborative management involving international stakeholders is needed for sustainable management.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nathan G. King, Sophie-B Wilmes, Samuel S. Browett, Amy Healey, Allan D. McDevitt, Niall J. McKeown, Ronan Roche, Ilze Skujina, Dan A. Smale, Jamie M. Thorpe, Shelagh Malham
Summary: Bacterioplankton communities in the Celtic Sea Front were found to be different and less diverse above the thermocline compared to those below and in the well-mixed waters of the Irish Sea. This difference is likely caused by the stressful environment of high temperatures and low nutrients above the thermocline. Cyanobacteria, particularly Synechococcus spp., were more abundant in the stratified zone and are important contributors to global carbon cycling and productivity.
Correction
Biodiversity Conservation
B. A. Pringle, M. Duncan, A. C. Winkler, S. Mafwila, C. Jagger, N. J. McKeown, P. W. Shaw, R. Henriques, W. M. Potts
CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Brett A. Pringle, Murray Duncan, Alexander C. Winkler, Samuel Mafwila, Charmaine Jagger, Niall J. McKeown, Paul W. Shaw, Romina Henriques, Warren M. Potts
Summary: Anthropogenic-induced climate change is causing significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems, particularly in the northern Namibian coast where ocean warming is occurring rapidly. This warming has led to the extension of species distribution and hybridization, raising concerns for fish populations. A study on Argyrosomus species showed that aerobic performance varied across temperatures, with the potential for the poleward movement of one species and constraint of another. Hybridization may offer opportunities for adaptation to climate change.
CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
J. M. Eggers, K. L. Cochrane, W. H. H. Sauer
Summary: This study analyzed the trends in income and employment opportunities of the west coast rock lobster fishery in South Africa. The fishery was found to contribute to the gross national income, but decreasing quotas had a negative effect on some representative individuals. The study suggests that a more extensive understanding of the socio-economic context of the fishery is needed for effective resource recovery and equitable distribution of fishing opportunities.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
