Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rebeca Arias-Real, Cayetano Gutierrez-Canovas, Margarita Menendez, Isabel Munoz
Summary: This study investigates the drying preferences of macroinvertebrates in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES) and their potential as biomonitoring indicators. The research identifies certain macroinvertebrate groups with drying-resistant niches that can serve as potential indicators in IRES. However, functional traits have limited ability to predict drying specialization. The density, relative abundance, and richness of drying-resistant taxa are less affected by drying intensity compared to drying-sensitive taxa.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min-Xin Luo, Hsin-Pei Lu, Bing-Hong Huang, Chia-Lung Huang, Yu-Feng Hsu, Pei-Chun Liao
Summary: The study revealed that the divergence between the two subspecies of the butterfly Parantica sita occurred around 23.1 kya, influenced primarily by winter precipitation and annual temperature range. While there was evidence of gene flow between the insular and continental subspecies, long-term precipitation patterns caused divergence between them.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Ana Luiza-Andrade, Rogerio Rosa da Silva, Leandro Juen
Summary: Understanding the contribution of rare biological groups to functional diversity is crucial for comprehending biodiversity patterns and establishing efficient conservation strategies. This study focused on identifying the contribution of rare aquatic insects to functional diversity in forest, logging, and pasture environments. The results revealed differences in the composition of aquatic insects among different land uses, with streams in logging areas showing greater functional dispersion and rare genera being sensitive to water temperature increase and channel width. Additionally, the contribution of rare and common insects was equal in forest, pasture, and logging areas.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Jinhee Park, Junseok Kwon
Summary: In this study, novel visual tracking methods based on the Wasserstein approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) are presented. The proposed methods, including Wasserstein ABC (WABC), time-series WABC (TWABC), and Hilbert TWABC (HTWABC), improve the accuracy and efficiency of visual tracking by approximating likelihood distributions and encoding temporal dependencies. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed methods, and ablation studies confirm the effectiveness of individual components.
PATTERN RECOGNITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Asher Moshe, Elya Wygoda, Noa Ecker, Gil Loewenthal, Oren Avram, Omer Israeli, Einat Hazkani-Covo, Itsik Pe'er, Tal Pupko
Summary: This study developed a probabilistic approach to infer genome rearrangement rate parameters and used an Approximate Bayesian Computation framework for inference. The method can help elucidate the role of genome rearrangement in evolution and simulate genomes with empirical dynamics.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yuan -Shen Zhu, Jia-Qi Yang, Na Wang, Ze-Qun Deng, Ying Qing, Min Wu, Hua Cai, Hong Liu, Geng-Sheng He
Summary: This study estimated the bio-accessibility of methylmercury (MeHg) based on exposure data from Chinese pregnant women. The optimized model improved the prediction performance of MeHg body burden by dietary exposure.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Koutaro Ould Maeno, Sidi Ould Ely, Sid 'Ahmed Ould Mohamed, Mohamed El Hacen Jaavar, Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Babah Ebbe
Summary: Behavioral thermoregulation and high heat tolerance allow male desert locusts to endure extreme thermal conditions for lekking. Lekking males change their body orientation towards the sun to optimize their exposure to sunlight depending on temperature and time of day, while also utilizing stilting posture to prevent overheating in extremely high temperatures.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Francesco Piccioni, Celine Casenave, Meili Baragatti, Bertrand Cloez, Brigitte Vincon-Leite
Summary: This study proposes an automated calibration method that combines Approximate Bayesian Computation, Random Forest, and Sensitivity Analysis for the complex hydro-ecological model Delft3D-BLOOM. The method is validated using real-time monitoring data and demonstrates its accuracy in calibrating the model.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Manuel Chiachio, Ali Saleh, Susannah Naybour, Juan Chiachio, John Andrews
Summary: This paper presents a probabilistic method for accurately defining the structure and parameters of a reduced Petri net model, enabling accurate modeling of engineering systems and processes. The method allows for numerical measurement and selection of the optimal simplified structure.
RELIABILITY ENGINEERING & SYSTEM SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Pinghe Ni, Qiang Han, Xiuli Du, Xiaowei Cheng, Hongyuan Zhou
Summary: This paper presents a data-driven approach for post-earthquake reliability assessments of civil structures. It updates the probability density functions of random variables using measured vibration data, and generates the posterior probability density functions of structural parameters using two approximate Bayesian computation techniques. The updated probability density functions are then used for reliability assessments, and numerical studies verify the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed techniques.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Caroline Batistim Oswald, Priscila Lemes, Maria Tereza C. Thome, Tiago Leite Pezzuti, Fabricio Rodrigues Santos, Paulo Christiano de Anchietta Garcia, Felipe Sa Fortes Leite, Rafael Felix Magalhaes
Summary: This study investigated the distribution and diversification of the ledge treefrog in Brazilian mountains, finding four evolutionary significant lineages and suggesting a Pleistocene jump-dispersal scenario as the best explanation for diversification. These findings challenge previous views on the endemism in the Espinhaco Range, indicating recent dispersal, habitat expansion, and colonization as important factors in explaining the current distribution and genetic diversity.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Clara Grazian, Luciana Dalla Valle, Brunero Liseo
Summary: Copula models are flexible tools for representing complex dependence structures of multivariate random variables. However, incorporating covariates in these models is challenging due to the lack of unbiased estimators of the conditional copula and the difficulty in selecting the appropriate copula model.
COMPUTATIONAL STATISTICS & DATA ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kristen Ruegg, Eric C. Anderson, Marius Somveille, Rachael A. Bay, Mary Whitfield, Eben H. Paxton, Thomas B. Smith
Summary: Global loss of biodiversity has increased the urgency of understanding species responses to rapid environmental change, with specialized species facing challenges; using a genome-wide genetic approach, migratory routes of different populations of the willow flycatcher have been successfully mapped, further quantifying the differences in climate tolerances within populations.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cesar A. Fortes-Lima, Romain Laurent, Valentin Thouzeau, Bruno Toupance, Paul Verdu
Summary: Admixture is a fundamental evolutionary process that has influenced genetic patterns in numerous species. Maximum-likelihood approaches have limitations in reconstructing complex admixture histories, leading to the development of an Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) framework that integrates machine-learning algorithms to investigate admixture history accurately. The study showed that random forest ABC scenario-choice accurately distinguished complex admixture scenarios, while neural network ABC posterior parameter estimation was accurate and conservative under complex admixture scenarios. This approach provides a promising method for reconstructing detailed admixture histories in populations with multiple admixture pulses.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Yuexi Wang, Tetsuya Kaji, Veronika Rockova
Summary: Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) is a method that enables statistical inference in simulator-based models with difficult likelihood calculations but easy simulation. This study constructs a kernel-type approximation of the posterior distribution in ABC by comparing summary statistics of real and simulated data, and uses contrastive learning to directly compare empirical distributions. The research demonstrates the usefulness of this approach in simulated examples and real data analysis in the context of stock volatility estimation.
JOURNAL OF MACHINE LEARNING RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Kentaro Inoue, John L. Harris, Clinton R. Robertson, Nathan A. Johnson, Charles R. Randklev
Article
Ecology
Ashley D. Walters, Madelyn A. Brown, Gina M. Cerbie, Marsha G. Williams, Joshua A. Banta, Lance R. Williams, Neil B. Ford, David J. Berg
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kentaro Inoue, Alexa L. Pohl, Makiri Sei, Brian K. Lang, David J. Berg
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Kentaro Inoue, Kevin S. Cummings, Jeremy S. Tiemann, Thomas D. Miller, Nathan A. Johnson, Chase H. Smith, Charles R. Randklev
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kentaro Inoue, Bernard E. Sietman, Stephen E. McMurray, J. Scott Faiman, David T. Zanatta
Summary: Venustaconcha ellipsiformis is a freshwater mussel species inhabiting small to medium streams in the Midwestern United States, with isolated populations and conservation status in many states. This study developed and characterized microsatellite markers to assess population genetic structure, showing their potential for genetic discrimination and identifying alleles. Cross-species screening of these markers also demonstrated their applicability in related species, providing valuable genetic information for resource managers to prioritize conservation strategies for imperiled mussel species.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
McKenna P. A. Burns, Michael J. O'Connell, Paul J. Schaeffer, David J. Berg
Summary: Freshwater ecosystems, particularly desert springs, are rich in biodiversity but are threatened by anthropogenic activities and climate change. High salinity and temperature levels in desert springs can lead to decreased survivorship of endemic aquatic species, highlighting the need for conservation efforts in these unique ecosystems.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mohammed A. Al-Saffar, Azzam J. Alwash, David J. Berg
Summary: Setting conservation priorities is crucial when resources are limited, especially in developing countries like Iraq. This study divided aquatic ecosystems in the Kurdistan Region into planning units and used a combination of EPT data, conservation indices, and spatial modeling to identify healthy aquatic habitats of conservation priority. The research demonstrates that even with limited knowledge, conservation efforts can still be conducted effectively using bioindicators and modeling techniques.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Andrew G. Cannizzaro, James D. Daniels, David J. Berg
Summary: A new genus and species of crangonyctid amphipod, Sicifera cahawba gen. & sp. nov., was discovered and described in Dallas County, AL, USA. Comparisons were made between morphological and molecular data of similar crangonyctids, and four species delimitation models were applied, confirming the distinctiveness of this taxon. Additionally, the study revealed that Nearctic members of the crangonyctid genus Synurella form a separate lineage from Palaearctic members, with significant differences in both molecular and morphological markers. This separation suggests a reevaluation of the evolutionary and biogeographical history of these lineages. Furthermore, a key to identifying Nearctic members of the genera Eosynurella/Sicifera was provided.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zhonge Hou, Pengyu Jin, Hongguang Liu, Huijie Qiao, Boris Sket, Andrew G. Cannizzaro, David J. Berg, Shuqiang Li
Summary: Climate changes have significant effects on the distribution of montane lakes and the evolutionary dynamics of cold-adapted species. Past cooling periods have facilitated the dispersion of cold-adapted species through montane lakes, while future warming periods are expected to constrain their distributions. The study on the crustacean Gammarus lacustris using phylogeographic analysis and niche modeling reveals that the species originated in Tian Shan and dispersed to montane lakes along various mountain ranges. Suitable regions for G. lacustris lineages were larger during cooling periods but smaller during warming periods. Future climate warming may force species to shift their distributions, emphasizing the importance of conserving montane lakes.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ashley D. Walters, Daniel A. Trujillo, David J. Berg
Summary: Understanding the variation in population genetic structure is crucial for conservation planning and effective management strategies for imperiled species. We studied four desert spring invertebrates and found differences in population genetic structure, which can be attributed to differences in habitat preference and dispersal ability. This highlights the importance of considering population genetic variation in conservation efforts.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Ashley D. Walters, Alex Arp, Gina M. Cerbie, Daniel A. Trujillo, Andor J. Kiss, David J. Berg
Summary: Bacterial communities associated with eukaryotes play important roles in host physiology, development, and health. This study investigated the microbial ecology of two hydrobiid species and found highly diverse gut bacterial communities, with species and site impacting the microbiome.
JOURNAL OF MOLLUSCAN STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew G. Cannizzaro, David J. Berg
Summary: The evolutionary origins of modern taxa are best understood as arising from the interplay of vicariance and dispersal. Freshwater members of the amphipod superfamily Hyaloidea, which are relics of Gondwana, were found to have entered freshwater during the Mesozoic and may have invaded continental freshwaters multiple times.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
McKenna P. A. Burns, Paul J. Schaeffer, David J. Berg
Summary: Understanding the osmoregulation nature of endemic aquatic organisms in desert springs is crucial for predicting their response to increasing environmental salinity. A study on two lineages of amphipods in the Chihuahuan Desert revealed that despite their divergence, both lineages showed similar physiological tolerances towards moderate salinity changes.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Ashley D. Walters, Andrew G. Cannizzaro, Daniel A. Trujillo, David J. Berg
Summary: Research suggests that genetic distinct populations geographically isolated from each other in desert springs are likely to have independent evolution and separate species status. Additionally, subtle interspecific morphological variation has been observed among putative species. Multiple lines of evidence were used to formally describe four new species endemic to the northern Chihuahuan Desert.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)