Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Lesley L. Rhodes, Kirsty F. Smith, J. Sam Murray, Emillie M. F. Passfield, Roberta D'Archino, Wendy Nelson, Tomohiro Nishimura, Lucy Thompson, Tom Trnski
Summary: The study reveals that temperatures and temperature anomalies are increasing in the sub-tropical regions of Aotearoa New Zealand, potentially impacting harmful algal bloom events. New species of dinoflagellates have been identified, and it is predicted that they may produce more toxins or pose greater threats to marine animals in future climate conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingrid Olivares, Sergio Tusso, Maria Jose Sanin, Marylaure de La Harpe, Oriane Loiseau, Jonathan Rolland, Nicolas Salamin, Michael Kessler, Kentaro K. Shimizu, Margot Paris
Summary: Traditionally, differences between species have been associated with morphological variation. However, the discovery of cryptic diversity suggests that the evolution of distinct lineages can occur without morphological differences. Through genetic analysis, we found that a tropical montane plant lineage is composed of numerous unrecognized genetic groups that are not morphologically distinct. Geographic distance and topography play a crucial role in determining the genetic divergence of these groups.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Else K. Mikkelsen, Darren Irwin
Summary: Contact zones between the Pacific wren and winter wren, two morphologically similar songbirds in western Canada, show high genetic differentiation, moderate hybridization rate, and low fitness of F-1 hybrids, resulting in a population sink and narrow overlap of the two species. This dynamic may explain the frequent narrow range overlap observed between closely related species.
Article
Zoology
Yaron Tikochinski, Uzi Motro, Noa Simon-Blecher, Yair Achituv
Summary: Genetic analysis of intertidal barnacle populations in the Cape Verde Islands reveals significant differences compared to the Chthamalus stellatus species, despite their morphological similarities. This suggests that the Cape Verde populations should be classified as an evolutionarily significant unit. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of considering shared polymorphisms in determining the relationship between taxonomic units.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
George Sangster, Jolanda A. Luksenburg, Martin Packert, Cees S. Roselaar, Martin Irestedt, Per G. P. Ericson
Summary: The European Robin Erithacus rubecula is currently considered as a single species with eight subspecies. However, new evidence from molecular, morphometric and bioacoustic data supports the recognition of three separate species within this complex: E. rubecula, E. superbus, and E. marionae. The differences in territorial songs, calls, and wing length between the taxa on Tenerife and Gran Canaria and E. rubecula further support their classification as distinct species. The recognition of the Gran Canaria and Tenerife Robins as separate species adds two single-island endemics to the avifauna of the Canary Islands.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabor Sramko, Andras Kosztolanyi, Levente Laczko, Rita Racz, Lajos Szatmari, Zoltan Varga, Zoltan Barta
Summary: This study provides a range-wide phylogeography of the flightless steppe beetle Lethrus apterus in the Eurasian Steppe belt, revealing a west-to-east colonization pattern that contradicts previous assumptions of east-to-west colonization.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simon Bober, Matthias Glaubrecht, Bernhard Hausdorf, Marco T. Neiber
Summary: The two endemic species Hemicycla mascaensis and H. diegoi in Tenerife show differences in shell morphology and genital anatomy, with molecular analysis indicating they are reciprocally monophyletic. Species delimitation methods tend to recognize them as distinct species, while anatomical comparisons suggest differentiation within H. mascaensis. Thus, despite recognition as distinct species, there is still potential for further taxonomic study, including the possibility of recognizing them as subspecies.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sebastian Steibl, Robert Sigl, Paul E. Braeumer, Victoria Clauss, Simon Goddemeier, Stephan Hamisch, Darleen Luecker, Lisa Reiprich, Lucas Stegmann, Nora Voigt, Christian Laforsch
Summary: Biodiversity shows distinct patterns where different habitats meet, especially in transition zones like shores. This study found that species composition gradually changes along the beach-inland transition zone of small islands, while overall species richness, diversity, and abundance do not change significantly. These findings provide insights into the unique characteristics of insular ecosystems at transition zones.
Article
Oceanography
Marta Soeffker, Philip R. Hollyman, Martin A. Collins, Oliver T. Hogg, Ainsley Riley, Vladimir Laptikhovsky, Timothy Earl, Jim Roberts, Eleanor MacLeod, Mark Belchier, Chris Darby
Summary: This paper focuses on two toothfish species, the Patagonian toothfish and the Antarctic toothfish, in the South Sandwich Islands (SSI) region. The study reveals that the Patagonian toothfish around the SSI is connected to the adjacent South Georgia population but has unique characteristics. On the other hand, the Antarctic toothfish at the SSI represents the northern extent of a larger stock. The relative importance of the SSI in the life cycle of both species, especially in the context of climate change, is also explored.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART II-TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Letter
Zoology
Tammy Horton, Andreas Kroh, Leen Vandepitte
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Libby Liggins, Liam Kilduff, Thomas Trnski, Erwan Delrieu-Trottin, Jose I. Carvajal, Vanessa Arranz, Serge Planes, Pablo Saenz-Agudelo, J. David Aguirre
Summary: The study investigates the taxonomic and evolutionary relationships among Chrysiptera taxa in the subtropical South Pacific, revealing morphological differences but shared genetic haplotypes among the studied taxa. It also clarifies the endemic status of C. rapanui on Rapa Nui and the recent divergence history of Chrysiptera populations in French Polynesia, Kermadec Islands, and the South-western Pacific.
Article
Biology
Nicolas Mongiardino Koch, Jeffrey R. Thompson, Avery S. Hiley, Marina F. McCowin, A. Frances Armstrong, Simon E. Coppard, Felipe Aguilera, Omri Bronstein, Andreas Kroh, Rich Mooi, Greg W. Rouse
Summary: Echinoids, including sand dollars, are crucial components of modern marine ecosystems. However, their early history and the origin of sand dollars have remained uncertain. In this study, we generated genomic data from 18 species of echinoids and used them to reconstruct the phylogeny and divergence times of echinoids. We also introduced a new concept called chronospace to explore different methodological decisions in calibrating phylogenies. Our results revealed that crown group echinoids originated in the Permian and diversified rapidly in the Triassic. We also clarified the relationships between sand dollars and their relatives and confidently dated their origin to the Cretaceous.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Libby Liggins, Vanessa Arranz, Heather E. Braid, David Carmelet-Rescan, Joane Elleouet, Ekaterina Egorova, Michael R. Gemmell, Simon F. K. Hills, Lyndsey P. Holland, Emily M. Koot, Alexandra Lischka, Kimberley H. Maxwell, Laura J. McCartney, Hang T. T. Nguyen, Cory Noble, Pamela Olmedo Rojas, Elahe Parvizi, William S. Pearman, Jenny Ann N. Sweatman, Te Rangitakuku Kaihoro, Kerry Walton, J. David Aguirre, Lucy C. Stewart
Summary: The skills, insights, and genetic data gathered by molecular ecologists are crucial for addressing contemporary biodiversity, environmental, cultural, and societal challenges. The future of molecular ecology in Aotearoa New Zealand requires interdisciplinary researchers who embrace innovation and recognize the broader societal relevance of their research, while advocating for best practices.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Robert B. Stokes, Andreas Kroh
Summary: This article examines the true authorship of the taxon Echinoidea and finds that Leske is not the creator of this classification, but it should be attributed to Schumacher.
Article
Zoology
Andreas Kroh, Jimmy Gaudin, Mike Reich
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eric D. Crandall, Rachel H. Toczydlowski, Libby Liggins, Ann E. Holmes, Maryam Ghoojaei, Michelle R. Gaither, Briana E. Wham, Andrea L. Pritt, Cory Noble, Tanner J. Anderson, Randi L. Barton, Justin T. Berg, Sofia G. Beskid, Alonso Delgado, Emily Farrell, Nan Himmelsbach, Samantha R. Queeno, Thienthanh Trinh, Courtney Weyand, Andrew Bentley, John Deck, Cynthia Riginos, Gideon S. Bradburd, Robert J. Toonen
Summary: Genetic diversity within species is important for species resilience and conservation policies, but most studies lack the necessary spatial and temporal metadata for reusability and acknowledging sovereignty. We conducted a datathon and found that metadata decayed over time, with successful restoration through papers and online repositories being more effective than contacting authors directly. The rapid decay of metadata availability should prompt updates to data-sharing policies and researcher practices.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Sandro P. Mueller, Andreas Kroh, Daniel Birgel, James L. Goedert, Steffen Kiel, Jörn Peckmann
Summary: Loose limestone blocks of a newly recognized hydrocarbon-seep deposit were found on a beach in Washington State, USA. The limestone contains authigenic carbonate phases and molecular fossils of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea, indicating formation at an ancient methane seep. The fossil inventory of the seep deposit consists mainly of echinoid remains, resembling those in an upper Jurassic seep deposit in France and modern seeps in the Gulf of Mexico.
GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Andre P. Samayoa, J. David Aguirre, Erwan Delrieu-Trottin, Libby Liggins
Summary: This study examined the historical biogeography of endemic marine fishes in subtropical islands of the Southwest Pacific. The results showed that most species originated in mainland Australia and that both geographical proximity and climatic differences played a significant role in determining colonization and speciation.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rotem Zirler, Lisa-Maria Schmidt, Lachan Roth, Maria Corsini-Foka, Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Gerasimos Kondylatos, Dimitris Mavrouleas, Emmanouil Bardanis, Omri Bronstein
Summary: The sea urchin Diadema setosum, an ecological key species, has proliferated in the Mediterranean Sea after its first observation in 2006. However, a recent mass mortality event of this invasive species along the Levantine coast of Greece and Turkey has been reported, suggesting pathogenic infection as the cause. Pathogens may be distributed through maritime transport, local currents, and fish predation, posing a potential risk to the native Red Sea population of D. setosum.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalie J. Forsdick, Jana Wold, Anton Angelo, Francois Bissey, Jamie Hart, Mitchell Head, Libby Liggins, Dinindu Senanayake, Tammy E. Steeves
Summary: This article emphasizes the importance of careful and considered data management in the context of increasing accessibility to large-scale biodiversity genomic datasets. It recognizes the challenges associated with managing such datasets and provides guidance and resources for biodiversity genomics researchers.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ben Te Aika, Libby Liggins, Claire Rye, E. Owen Perkins, Jun Huh, Rudiger Brauning, Tracey Godfery, Michael A. Black
Summary: The Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository (AGDR) is an initiative that aims to securely store and share non-human genomic data from Aotearoa New Zealand, following the principles of Maori Data Sovereignty. The repository allows access to data only to those who hold guardianship rights and have been approved to access the data. This article describes the development of AGDR from both cultural and technical perspectives and outlines its operational processes.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Christopher E. Cornwall, Wendy A. Nelson, J. David Aguirre, Caitlin O. Blain, Lucy Coyle, Roberta D'Archino, Matthew J. Desmond, Christopher D. Hepburn, Libby Liggins, Nick T. Shears, Mads S. Thomsen
Summary: The impacts of global climate change on New Zealand's seaweed ecosystems, including increasing marine heatwaves, coastal darkening, and ocean acidification, have been observed. These impacts have already led to negative effects on canopy forming brown algae and are predicted to cause poleward range shifts and reduced growth rates of seaweed species. The interaction between global climate change and local stressors, such as overfishing, will determine the future of New Zealand's seaweed ecosystems.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ann M. Mc Cartney, Jane Anderson, Libby Liggins, Maui L. Hudson, Matthew Z. Anderson, Ben TeAika, Janis Geary, Robert Cook-Deegan, Hardip R. Patel, Adam M. Phillippy
Summary: The field of genomics has greatly benefited from open data sharing, but as the volume of sequence information grows and more international genomics efforts emerge, the fairness of openness is being questioned. Redefining openness to address barriers to engagement and protect Indigenous peoples and global biodiversity is of immediate importance.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)