Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Taxiarchis Danelis, Anagnostis Theodoropoulos, Elisavet-Aspasia Toli, Anastasios Bounas, Athanasios Korakis, Konstantinos Sotiropoulos
Summary: This study assessed the conservation status of the protected amphibian species, the Macedonian crested newt, in Northern Pindos National Park, Greece, using genetic approaches. The analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences and multilocus genotypes revealed two distinct genetic groups of the species, separated geographically by the Aoos River valley and Vikos Gorge. These groups exhibit high genetic differentiation and low migration rates, indicating a lack of connectivity between breeding sites. The findings suggest that these groups should be considered as evolutionary significant units (ESUs) and managed separately for conservation purposes.
Article
Biology
Sergio Teixeira, Sonia Smeraldo, Danilo Russo
Summary: This study reveals significant genetic and ecological differentiation among the Madeira pipistrelle (Pipistrellus maderensis) populations inhabiting the Macaronesia archipelagos of Madeira, Azores, and Canary Islands. These findings lay the foundation for future investigations integrating ecological, morphological, genetic, and behavioral characteristics and ensuring the long-term preservation of these bat populations and their ecological roles.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patricia S. Albano, Chris Fallows, Monique Fallows, Lacey H. Williams, Taryn Murray, Oliver Sedgwick, Neil Hammerschlag
Summary: The coastal waters of South Africa are home to a diverse range of vulnerable shark species. The De Hoop Marine Protected Area in the Western Cape Province provides some protection, but commercial fishing, including shark longlining, still poses a threat. A study on smooth hammerhead sharks found that they heavily rely on unprotected waters adjacent to the protected area, making them vulnerable to commercial fishing.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Wellington Maycon S. Bernardes
Summary: In this paper, a comprehensive method is proposed to solve the coordination problem of directional overcurrent relays, which takes into account mutually coupled circuits, short-circuit current calculation requirements, contingencies, and the setting of protective units. The method is simulated using a real electric network and C++ programming, demonstrating its performance in providing high-quality solutions and improving the efficiency and safety of this type of protection.
ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nguyen Minh Duc, Nguyen Huy Hoang, Tran Thi Huong Giang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Huong, Vu Dinh Duy, Nguyen Phan Lan Hong, Truong Ngoc Minh, Nguyen Minh Tam
Summary: Dipterocarpus turbinatus C.F.Gaertn. is a valuable timber tree indigenous to southern and central lowland tropical forests of Vietnam. Overexploitation and fragmented habitats have put it at risk of extinction. Genetic diversity and demographic history analysis were conducted on 281 trees from 10 populations using microsatellites. Our results revealed genetic diversity within populations, population genetic differentiation, and clustering analysis revealed three genetic clusters. The evolutionary history suggests divergence during the last glacial maximum. Conservation efforts should focus on preserving populations with high genetic diversity and collecting seeds for ex situ conservation.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Gisela Loretan, Federico Giri, Juan Manuel Cabrera, Florencia Coronel, Pablo Agustin Collins, Marcos Perez-Losada, Eva Carolina Rueda
Summary: Phylogeographic research reveals previously unrecognized units of biodiversity, as shown in the case of Aegla scamosa, a crab species inhabiting waterbodies in southern South America. This study characterized the phylogeography of A. scamosa in Argentina, identifying two independent evolutionarily units and a discrepancy between nuclear and mitochondrial markers. The findings highlight the importance of studying freshwater fauna for conservation purposes.
Article
Ecology
Chase H. Smith, Nathan A. Johnson, Clinton R. Robertson, Robert D. Doyle, Charles R. Randklev
Summary: Population genomics has enhanced our ability to study microevolutionary processes and demographic histories, particularly in imperiled species like freshwater mussels. By using genotype-by-sequencing and mitochondrial sequence data, this study identified conservation units for two imperiled freshwater mussel species and analyzed distribution trends, current status, and factors contributing to population declines. Results showed an increasing trend of occurrence in each conservation unit, suggesting rareness of these species and highlighting the importance of evidence-based recovery planning.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lachlan G. Howell, Richard Frankham, John C. Rodger, Ryan R. Witt, Simon Clulow, Rose M. O. Upton, John Clulow
Summary: Captive breeding is an important part of global conservation efforts, but integrating biobanking of founder sperm can greatly reduce costs and achieve long-term genetic diversity retention targets. By using frozen sperm for backcrossing, the study showed significant reductions in expenditure and the potential for producing more animals of higher genetic quality through assisted breeding. This innovation could enhance credibility and support for captive breeding as a conservation strategy.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Agronomy
Monika Trzcinska, Marcin Samiec, Malgorzata Duda
Summary: The current article presents the latest progress in the creation of bioreservoirs for cryopreserved cell lines and cryopreserved or lyophilized germplasm-based resources. The importance of the National Research Institute of Animal Production (NRIAP) in Poland in this process is highlighted. These bioreservoirs serve as innovative research tools for ex situ conservation, ensuring the long-term restitution and perpetuation of sustainable biodiversity within pure-breeding herds.
Article
Ecology
Emily E. Puckett, Sean M. Murphy, Gideon Bradburd
Summary: The study revealed three geographically structured groups in the least chipmunk population and found that the southern subspecies N. m. atristriatus grouped within a unique South subclade. While least chipmunks in the Southwest represent an evolutionary significant unit, subspecies distinctions were not supported, and the listing of the Penasco population as a Distinct Population Segment of N. m. operarius may be warranted. Furthermore, populations with North and West mitogenomes were identified as two additional evolutionary significant units.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Leticia F. Povh, Nicole Willers, Jill M. Shephard, Patricia A. Fleming
Summary: This study tracked the movements of 20 quokkas before and after prescribed burns and found that six of them shifted their ranges and avoided the burn areas for an average of 105 +/- 65 days. However, quokkas in areas unaffected by the burns did not show any changes in their space use.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WILDLAND FIRE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andrei Brodsky, Evgeny Abakumov, Iuliia Kirillova
Summary: The solution to transnational environmental problems in the field of species protection and conservation biology depends on international communication, which can be hindered by differences in Red Lists and Red Data Books. A comparative analysis of national Red Lists and Books from Baltic Sea region countries with the IUCN Red List revealed significant discrepancies in species categories, lists, and scales. These differences make it difficult to exchange data on threatened species and reduce biodiversity conservation effectiveness at regional and international levels.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Isabel Martinez-Sanudo, Andrea Basso, Giacomo Ortis, Federico Marangoni, Gionata Stancher, Luca Mazzon
Summary: This study analyzed the genetic differentiation of the eastern alpine bush cricket populations and found a strong geographical structure and no gene flow among different populations. The divergence time estimation analysis suggested an ancient separation of the species occurred approximately 1-1.5 million years ago. Conservation efforts should consider each population as a management unit.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rosa G. Beltran-Lopez, Alfonso A. Gonzalez-Diaz, Miriam Soria-Barreto, Marco Antonio Garduno-Sanchez, Carmela Xochitla-Castrejon, Rocio Rodiles-Hernandez, Claudia Patricia Ornelas-Garcia
Summary: The endangered Chiapas killifish Tlaloc hildebrandi is a geographically restricted freshwater species found in the Grijalva and Usumacinta basins. Genetic analysis revealed low genetic diversity and strong population structure, leading to the recognition of at least three evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) for the species. Urgent conservation efforts considering the genetic background of the species are needed to protect its fragmented populations living under unfavorable conditions.
Article
Ecology
Natasha M. Robinson, Wade Blanchard, Christopher MacGregor, Rob Brewster, Nick Dexter, David B. Lindenmayer
Summary: Theories of dispersal and senescence play a role in predicting post-release outcomes of translocated animals. The social subordinate hypothesis was supported, showing smaller quolls dispersed further. Female quolls had higher survival rates and were able to regain body mass post-release, with individuals from the mainland sanctuary being heavier and dispersing further on average.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julienne Ng, William N. Weaver, Robert G. Laport
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2019)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Kirilee Chaplin, Joanna M. Sumner, Christy Hipsley, Jane Melville
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Breno Hamdan, Thais B. Guedes, Paola A. Carrasco, Jane Melville
Article
Plant Sciences
William N. Weaver, Julienne Ng, Robert G. Laport
APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David G. Chapple, Uri Roll, Monika Boehm, Rocio Aguilar, Andrew P. Amey, Chris C. Austin, Marleen Baling, Anthony J. Barley, Michael F. Bates, Aaron M. Bauer, Daniel G. Blackburn, Phil Bowles, Rafe M. Brown, S. R. Chandramouli, Laurent Chirio, Hal Cogger, Guarino R. Colli, Werner Conradie, Patrick J. Couper, Mark A. Cowan, Michael D. Craig, Indraneil Das, Aniruddha Datta-Roy, Chris R. Dickman, Ryan J. Ellis, Aaron L. Fenner, Stewart Ford, S. R. Ganesh, Michael G. Gardner, Peter Geissler, Graeme R. Gillespie, Frank Glaw, Matthew J. Greenlees, Oliver W. Griffith, L. Lee Grismer, Margaret L. Haines, D. James Harris, S. Blair Hedges, Rod A. Hitchmough, Conrad J. Hoskin, Mark N. Hutchinson, Ivan Ineich, Jordi Janssen, Gregory R. Johnston, Benjamin R. Karin, J. Scott Keogh, Fred Kraus, Matthew LeBreton, Petros Lymberakis, Rafaqat Masroor, Peter J. McDonald, Sven Mecke, Jane Melville, Sabine Melzer, Damian R. Michael, Aurelien Miralles, Nicola J. Mitchell, Nicola J. Nelson, Truong Q. Nguyen, Cristiano de Campos Nogueira, Hidetoshi Ota, Panayiotis Pafilis, Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Ana Perera, Daniel Pincheira-Donoso, Robert N. Reed, Marco A. Ribeiro-Junior, Julia L. Riley, Sara Rocha, Pamela L. Rutherford, Ross A. Sadlier, Boaz Shacham, Glenn M. Shea, Richard Shine, Alex Slavenko, Adam Stow, Joanna Sumner, Oliver J. S. Tallowin, Roy Teale, Omar Torres-Carvajal, Jean-Francois Trape, Peter Uetz, Kanishka D. B. Ukuwela, Leonie Valentine, James U. Van Dyke, Dylan van Winkel, Raquel Vasconcelos, Miguel Vences, Philipp Wagner, Erik Wapstra, Geoffrey M. While, Martin J. Whiting, Camilla M. Whittington, Steve Wilson, Thomas Ziegler, Reid Tingley, Shai Meiri
Summary: Despite improved knowledge of the conservation status of the world's skinks, around 20% of species are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, invasive species, and resource use, with most listed as endangered primarily due to their small geographic ranges. While 42% of species have stable population trends, 14% are experiencing declining populations.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica Fenker, Leonardo G. Tedeschi, Jane Melville, Craig Moritz
Summary: The study found that landscape predictors of phylogeographic structure differ between taxa, with prevalent isolation by distance within lineages and isolation by environment being the strongest predictor of genetic divergence. More localized lineages had higher individual heterozygosity and less negative Tajima's D, suggesting finer-scale phylogeographic structuring within species is associated with larger and more stable populations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jane Melville, David G. Chapple, J. Scott Keogh, Joanna Sumner, Andrew Amey, Phil Bowles, Ian G. Brennan, Patrick Couper, Stephen C. Donnellan, Paul Doughty, Danielle L. Edwards, Ryan J. Ellis, Damien Esquerre, Jessica Fenker, Michael G. Gardner, Arthur Georges, Margaret L. Haines, Conrad J. Hoskin, Mark Hutchinson, Craig Moritz, James Nankivell, Paul Oliver, Carlos J. Pavon-Vazquez, Mitzy Pepper, Daniel L. Rabosky, Kate Sanders, Glenn Shea, Sonal Singhal, Jessica Worthington Wilmer, Reid Tingley
Summary: Global biodiversity loss due to human activity is significant, with a large portion of undocumented species contributing to the underestimation of this loss. This study introduces a quantitative approach for prioritizing taxonomic research to aid in conservation efforts, using Australian lizards and snakes as a diverse vertebrate group case study. The research identified a substantial number of species with taxonomic uncertainty, highlighting the importance of investing in identifying unknown species for conservation before they are lost.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katja E. Boysen, Susan L. Perkins, Sumitha Hunjan, Paul Oliver, Michael G. Gardner, Shandiya Balasubramaniam, Jane Melville
Summary: This study conducted a preliminary assessment of the haemosporidian and hemogregarine diversity in lizards across northern tropical Australia. The research revealed five lineages of Australian lizard hemogregarines within heteroxenous adeleids, and showed that the Australian Haemosporida belong to the Haemoproteidae but were not supported as a monophyletic Glade.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sarah Legge, Libby Rumpff, John C. Z. Woinarski, Nick S. Whiterod, Michelle Ward, Darren G. Southwell, Ben C. Scheele, Dale G. Nimmo, Mark Lintermans, Hayley M. Geyle, Stephen T. Garnett, Brittany Hayward-Brown, Miki Ensbey, Glenn Ehmke, Shane T. Ahyong, Caroline J. Blackmore, Deborah S. Bower, Diego Brizuela-Torres, Allan H. Burbidge, Phoebe A. Burns, Gavin Butler, Renee Catullo, David G. Chapple, Christopher R. Dickman, Katherine E. Doyle, Jason Ferris, Diana Fisher, Rachael Gallagher, Graeme R. Gillespie, Matt J. Greenlees, Rosie Hohnen, Conrad J. Hoskin, David Hunter, Chris Jolly, Mark Kennard, Alison King, Diana Kuchinke, Brad Law, Ivan Lawler, Susan Lawler, Richard Loyn, Daniel Lunney, Jarod Lyon, Josephine MacHunter, Michael Mahony, Stephen Mahony, Rob B. McCormack, Jane Melville, Peter Menkhorst, Damian Michael, Nicola Mitchell, Eri Mulder, David Newell, Luke Pearce, Tarmo A. Raadik, Jodi J. L. Rowley, Holly Sitters, Ricky Spencer, Roozbeh Valavi, Matt West, David P. Wilkinson, Sylvia Zukowski
Summary: The 2019-2020 Australian megafires have caused significant population losses and ecological damage to wildlife. This study assessed the population declines and recovery of fire-affected species in order to inform conservation efforts. The results indicate that 70-82 taxa may be eligible for listing as threatened and another 21-27 taxa may be eligible for uplisting. It is predicted that a majority of the assessed taxa will not recover to their pre-fire population size within 10 years or three generations.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Till Ramm, Kailah M. Thorn, Christy A. Hipsley, Johannes Mueller, Scott Hocknull, Jane Melville
Summary: The study indicates that the herpetofauna in McEachern's Deathtrap Cave in Victoria, Australia during the Late Pleistocene to Holocene period shows shifts in taxonomic relative abundance in response to pronounced periods of aridity in southeastern Australia over the past 14,000 years. Changes in reptile subfamily abundance and lizard morphotypes reflect the gradual community structure changes observed during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition in southeastern Australia, with aridity playing a significant role. The findings highlight the importance of the Australian herpetofaunal fossil record in understanding Quaternary community change and community responses to past climate change.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Duminda S. B. Dissanayake, Clare E. Holleley, Joanna Sumner, Jane Melville, Arthur Georges
Summary: Conservation planning often focuses on the concept of species, but it is now recognized that taxonomic ranks below the species level and nontaxonomic divisions within species should also be considered. Understanding genetic diversity and its distribution is crucial for identifying species boundaries and determining geographic structure within species. This study generated genetic data for a lizard species, revealing multiple diagnosable lineages and their distribution across the landscape, providing important information for conservation planning.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Madison Staff, David G. G. Chapple, Alan N. N. Andersen, Ken Walker, Simon Hinkley, Jane Melville, Claire A. A. McLean
Summary: Fire has a significant impact on the Australian landscape and is expected to become more frequent under climate change. The effects of fire on fauna are mainly indirect through changes in habitat. However, in habitats with low complexity, such as arid and semi-arid regions, the relationship between fire history and fauna diversity is not significant.
Article
Biology
Claire A. McLean, Jane Melville, Joseph Schubert, Rebecca Rose, Iliana Medina
Summary: Changes in fire regimes due to human activities have an impact on spider populations, with shorter fire intervals posing a threat to certain species. Fire also affects the abundance and composition of spider species in forests compared to other vegetation types. Functional traits may influence how spiders respond to fire, with orb and sheet web weavers being more likely to be absent after fire.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jordan O. Hampton, Michael T. Lohr, Aaron J. Specht, Damien Nzabanita, Jasmin Hufschmid, Lee Berger, Kate McGinnis, Jane Melville, Emma Bennett, James M. Pay
Summary: Lead (Pb) toxicity from lead ammunition poses a threat to scavenging birds in Australia, particularly the wedge-tailed eagle. Our study found that 84% of wedge-tailed eagle bone samples collected from southeast mainland Australia had detectable lead concentrations. The elevated lead levels in these eagles may have negative impacts on their health and population. Further studies on lead exposure in other Australian avian scavenger species are necessary.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hayley M. Geyle, Reid Tingley, Andrew P. Amey, Hal Cogger, Patrick J. Couper, Mark Cowan, Michael D. Craig, Paul Doughty, Don A. Driscoll, Ryan J. Ellis, Jon-Paul Emery, Aaron Fenner, Michael G. Gardner, Stephen T. Garnett, Graeme R. Gillespie, Matthew J. Greenlees, Conrad J. Hoskin, J. Scott Keogh, Ray Lloyd, Jane Melville, Peter J. McDonald, Damian R. Michael, Nicola J. Mitchell, Chris Sanderson, Glenn M. Shea, Joanna Sumner, Erik Wapstra, John C. Z. Woinarski, David G. Chapple
Summary: Australia hosts a large number of reptile species, but many are at risk of extinction, particularly on islands and in Queensland. Invasive species, agriculture, fires, and climate change pose major threats to these imperiled species.
PACIFIC CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2021)