Article
Zoology
Jiri Smid, Tatiana Aghova, Doubravka Velenska, Jiri Moravec, Petr Balej, Borislav Naumov, Georgi Popgeorgiev, Nazan Uzum, Aziz Avci, Daniel Jablonski
Summary: The geological and geographical settings of the Eastern Mediterranean have complex patterns of intraspecific diversifications and phylogeographical histories in squamates. This study investigated genetic differentiation of the Collared dwarf racer and identified two distinct clades with different distribution patterns and historical refugia. The revised subspecific taxonomy of P. collaris is based on genetic data and distribution models.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Madambi Sankarankutty Sanil, Swathi Balakrishnan, Vadakkethil Balakrishnan Sreekumar, Suma Arun Dev
Summary: This is the first comprehensive study on the evolution and biogeographic relationships of dipterocarps in the Indian subcontinent. The results support the Gondwana hypothesis, suggesting that most Asian tropical lineages originated in Gondwana with India playing a crucial role in their dispersal. Molecular dating shows that dipterocarps originated in the Cretaceous and diversified during the Pliocene-Miocene epochs. Biogeographic analysis suggests a dispersal route from Gondwana to Eurasia through Madagascar-India-Sri Lanka-Seychelles, with three dispersal events from India to other parts of Asia.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caitlin M. Baker, Rebecca S. Buckman-Young, Cristiano S. Costa, Gonzalo Giribet
Summary: RNA sequencing and phylogenomic analysis were used to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships within the phylum Onychophora, revealing a well-supported phylogeny for the family Peripatopsidae with signals of Gondwanan vicariance. However, the family Peripatidae in the Neotropical region showed unstable relationships largely due to amino acid-translated sequence data. Discordant phylogenetic signal between genes may indicate a rapid, mid-Cretaceous radiation in the group.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Chen-Xuan Yang, Shui-Yin Liu, Nyree J. C. Zerega, Gregory W. Stull, Elliot M. Gardner, Qin Tian, Wei Gu, Qing Lu, Ryan A. Folk, Heather R. Kates, Robert P. Guralnick, Douglas E. Soltis, Pamela S. Soltis, Yue-Hua Wang, Ting-Shuang Yi
Summary: This study used newly generated and previously published Hyb-Seq data to reconstruct the phylogeny of the mulberry genus and explore its biogeographic history. The results showed the evolutionary relationships and origin time of the genus, providing important insights into understanding species relationships and the evolutionary history of Morus.
Article
Plant Sciences
Weston L. Testo, Andre L. de Gasper, Sonia Molino, Jose Maria Gabriel y Galan, Alexandre Salino, Vinicius Antonio de Oliveira Dittrich, Emily B. Sessa
Summary: This study analyzed sequence data of the fern family Blechnaceae and found that the group originated in Eurasia in the late Cretaceous, and diversified mainly in the austral Pacific region during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Long-distance dispersal is frequent and asymmetrical, with Australia and tropical America being major source areas; climate-mediated vicariance shaped current distributions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joshua M. Hallas, Thomas L. Parchman, Chris R. Feldman
Summary: Garter snakes of the Thamnophis genus in North America were studied using genomic data to understand their evolutionary relationships, biogeography, and morphological evolution. The analysis revealed two main clades of Thamnophis, with divergence estimated to have occurred in mid-Miocene in Mexico. Historic vicariant events and feeding ecology were found to influence the diversification patterns in these snakes. The study also showed that certain cranial morphologies were significantly different between aquatic specialists and terrestrial-aquatic generalists. The findings provide a better understanding of the evolutionary history and morphological evolution of garter snakes and lay the groundwork for future research.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Stephanie Sherpa, Daniele Salvi, Iolanda Silva-Rocha, Thibaut Capblancq, Josephine R. Paris, Miguel Angel Carretero, Gentile Francesco Ficetola
Summary: This study combines population genomics, demographic models, and paleogeographical reconstructions to investigate the colonization dynamics of wall lizards in Mediterranean archipelagos. The results reveal that many island populations were colonized long before human settlements, either through land bridges or over-sea rafting. However, islands further from the continent were often colonized more recently, coinciding with historical records of human arrival. Additionally, long-established island populations exhibit lower genetic diversity compared to recently colonized islands.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
William B. Ludt
Summary: Biogeographers have long been intrigued by the disjunct distributions of flora and fauna, particularly when species are present in temperate or polar regions of both hemispheres but absent near the equator. Researchers have proposed various hypotheses regarding the mechanisms responsible for this pattern and emphasized the importance of using an integrative approach in future studies.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lily Shapiro, Greta J. Binford, Ingi Agnarsson
Summary: This study explores the phylogeography of the Caribbean and proximal mainland spiny orbweavers and suggests that overwater dispersal primarily from North/Central America has led to multiple independent colonizations of the region. The findings highlight the greater species richness of Micrathena in the Caribbean than previously known.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Felipe Donateli Gatti, Frederico Falcao Salles, Phillip John Suter, Yuri Luiz Reis Leite
Summary: Atalophlebiinae originated in the late Gondwana supercontinent, influenced by a vicariant event during the Cretaceous period. Subsequently, speciation occurred within a Gondwanic corridor formed by South America, Antarctica, and Australia, shaping the current diversity and distribution patterns.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
G. Voelker, J. W. Huntley, J. Bryja, C. Denys, R. Sumbera, T. C. Demos, L. Lavrenchenko, V Nicolas, T. P. Gnoske, J. C. Kerbis Peterhans
Summary: Climbing mice in the genus Dendromus are distributed widely in Africa, with considerable variation in species and habitats occupied. Through a comprehensive survey, the systematics and biogeography of Dendromus have been assessed, leading to the recognition of three genera within the group. Molecular phylogenetic analysis and ancestral area reconstructions provide insights into the evolutionary history and distribution of these climbing mice species.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Menglin Wang, Simon Hellemans, Ales Bucek, Taisuke Kanao, Jigyasa Arora, Crystal Clitheroe, Jean-Jacques Rafanomezantsoa, Brian L. Fisher, Rudolf Scheffrahn, David Sillam-Dusses, Yves Roisin, Jan Sobotnik, Thomas Bourguignon
Summary: Madagascar, due to its isolation, is home to unique plant and animal species, including various lineages of termites. This study used mitochondrial genomes to explore the historical biogeography of Neoisoptera, a termite lineage. The results suggest that Neoisoptera colonized Madagascar between 7 and 10 times independently during the Miocene, similar to its colonization of Australia.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Kathryn L. Dawkins, James M. Furse, Jane M. Hughes
Summary: Research on the biogeographic history of mesic Australian fauna with Gondwanan origins is limited. This study focused on the burrowing clade of Australian freshwater crayfish to analyze their origin, distribution, and diversification patterns. The results suggest that the clade originated during the early fragmentation of Gondwana in southern Australia, with divergence between extant taxa likely a result of both short- and long-distance dispersal events, influenced by fluctuating sea levels and changing climate into the Eocene.
Article
Zoology
Zeinab Ghaedi, Sahar Badri, Reihaneh Saberi-Pirooz, Somaye Vaissi, Mohammad Javidkar, Faraham Ahmadzadeh
Summary: Our study revealed that Saara species originated from an ancestor in the Iranian Plateau and dispersed to their current geographical range, with the separation of S. loricata from S. asmussi coinciding with orogenic events in the late Pliocene. Intraspecific genetic divergences within populations occurred during the Pleistocene.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wenpan Dong, Chao Xu, Yanlei Liu, Jipu Shi, Wenying Li, Zhili Suo
Summary: The study sequenced 20 Lagerstroemia chloroplast genomes and combined them with 15 existing genomes to investigate phylogenetic relationships and divergence times. Results indicate Lagerstroemia is a monophyletic group with four clades, originating in the late Paleocene and diversifying in the middle Miocene. Most species diversified during the Pleistocene. Four variable loci were found in the chloroplast genomes.
Review
Zoology
Jeroen Speybroeck, Wouter Beukema, Christophe Dufresnes, Uwe Fritz, Daniel Jablonski, Petros Lymberakis, Inigo Martinez-Solano, Edoardo Razzetti, Melita Vamberger, Miguel Vences, Judit Voros, Pierre-Andre Crochet
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Konstantina Spiliopoulou, Panayiotis G. Dimitrakopoulos, Thomas M. Brooks, Gabriela Kelaidi, Kaloust Paragamian, Vassiliki Kati, Anthi Oikonomou, Dimitris Vavylis, Panayiotis Trigas, Petros Lymberakis, William Darwall, Maria Th Stoumboudi, Kostas A. Triantis
Summary: The study found that the Natura 2000 network in Greece overlaps on average 47.6% of the ranges of threatened species, exceeding the expected value. Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation have overlapping rates of 33.4% and 38.1% respectively. Crete and Peloponnese have the highest percentages of threatened species, with Natura 2000 sites overlapping on average 62.3% and 30.6% of their ranges respectively.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
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
Sofia Mazzoleni, Pavel Nemec, Tomas Albrecht, Petros Lymberakis, Lukas Kratochvil, Michail Rovatsos
Summary: A novel molecular sexing method based on the comparison of gene copy number variation was developed for birds, showing practical importance and detailed conservation of sex chromosomes across the avian phylogeny.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Anastasia Diakou, Despina Migli, Dimitris Dimzas, Simone Morelli, Angela Di Cesare, Dionisios Youlatos, Petros Lymberakis, Donato Traversa
Summary: The study investigated the occurrence of endoparasites in European wildcats in Greece, finding that all necropsied wildcats were infected by different parasite taxa, and a majority of faecal samples were also positive. Some of the parasites identified are common in domestic and wild felids, while others, newly described in the European wildcat, have significant pathogenic potential that could pose a threat to infected felids and human health under specific circumstances.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nikolaos Psonis, Aglaia Antoniou, Emmanouela Karameta, Diego Darriba, Alexandros Stamatakis, Petros Lymberakis, Nikos Poulakakis
Summary: The study on Podarcis lizards in the Balkans revealed the presence of previously unrecognized species through phylogenomic analysis using ddRADseq genomic data. The results emphasized the importance of taxonomic re-evaluation of existing species in the region.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Yuval Itescu, Johannes Foufopoulos, Rachel Schwarz, Petros Lymberakis, Alex Slavenko, Ioanna-Aikaterini Gavriilidi, Shai Meiri, Panayiotis Pafilis
Summary: The coexistence of both dwarf and giant lizards on the same small, remote island suggests that body size evolution on islands is influenced by strong natural selection. Different species of lizards may adapt to each other through body size and behavioral characteristics.
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Daniel Jablonski, Neftali Sillero, Oleksandra Oskyrko, Adriana Bellati, Andris Ceirans, Marc Cheylan, Dan Cogalniceanu, Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailovic, Pierre-Andre Crochet, Angelica Crottini, Igor Doronin, Georg Dzukic, Philippe Geniez, Cetin Ilgaz, Ruben Iosif, David Jandzik, Dusan Jelic, Spartak Litvinchuk, Katarina Ljubisavljevic, Petros Lymberakis, Peter Mikulicek, Edvard Mizsei, Jiri Moravec, Bartlomiej Najbar, Maciej Pabijan, Mihails Pupins, Patricia Sourrouille, Ilias Strachinis, Marton Szabolcs, Evanthia Thanou, Elias Tzoras, Vladislav Vergilov, Judit Voros, Vaclav Gvozdik
Summary: The slow-worm lizards comprise five species with relatively uniform morphology but deep genetic divergence. Four of the species live in parapatry, while only two species occur in partial sympatry in certain regions. Further research is needed to explore the eco-evolutionary interactions between these species, including their hybridization rates, to uncover more details about the slow-worm evolutionary and natural history.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Juan J. Calvete, Davinia Pla, Johannes Els, Salvador Carranza, Maik Damm, Benjamin-Florian Hempel, Elisa B. O. John, Daniel Petras, Paul Heiss, Ayse Nalbantsoy, Bayram Gocmen, Roderich D. Suessmuth, Francisco Calderon-Celis, Alicia Jimenez Nosti, Jorge Ruiz Encinar
Summary: This study presents a novel hybrid, molecular and elemental mass spectrometry setup for the absolute quantification of snake venom proteomes, providing accurate information on two species within the genus Walterinnesia, Walterinnesia aegyptia and Walterinnesia morgani. Through an experimental design that includes decomplexation of venom samples and protein identification and elemental mass spectrometry, the study offers quantitative and specific insights into the venom proteomes. The results also validate the units of measure for relative quantification of snake venom proteomes and suggest broader applications of hybrid elemental/molecular MS setups in proteomics.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Athina Kiourtsoglou, Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou, Dimitris Poursanidis, Daniel Jablonski, Petros Lymberakis, Nikos Poulakakis
Summary: The study focused on the Peloponnese wall lizard species and identified two highly supported and divergent clades with distinct geographical distributions, which were classified as distinct species based on phylogenetic and chronological analyses. The differentiation of the two clades dates back to the Pleistocene and is likely related to the paleogeography of the Peloponnese. These clades also exhibited differences in certain phenotypic traits, but with extensive overlap and lack of full diagnostic characteristics.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Paula Machado, Alexandros Topaloudis, Tristan Cumer, Eleonore Lavanchy, Vasileios Bontzorlos, Renato Ceccherelli, Motti Charter, Nicolaos Kassinis, Petros Lymberakis, Francesca Manzia, Anne-Lyse Ducrest, Melanie Dupasquier, Nicolas Guex, Alexandre Roulin, Jerome Goudet
Summary: The study of insular populations is crucial for the development of evolutionary theory, as successful colonization of an island is influenced by various factors. This study on barn owls from Crete and Cyprus revealed that these populations have distinct genetic characteristics and demographic histories. The research provides empirical evidence for the impact of stochastic processes on isolated populations in island-mainland systems.
Article
Zoology
Petr Papezik, Peter Mikulicek, Michal Benovics, Monika Balogova, Lukas Choleva, Marie Dolezalkova-Kastankova, Petros Lymberakis, Edvard Mizsei, Simona Papezikova, Nikos Poulakakis, Enerit Sacdanaku, Marton Szabolcs, Radek Sanda, Marcel Uhrin, Jasna Vukic, Daniel Jablonski
Summary: This study focused on the genetic variability and Quaternary history of endemic water frog species in the southwestern Balkans. The results revealed that these species survived the last glacial maximum in Balkan microrefugia and possibly expanded to the north during the postglacial period.
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Christos Kazilas, Ilias Strachinis, Elias Tzoras, Petros Lymberakis
Summary: Citizen science is proving to be a powerful tool for detecting biological invasions early. The exotic pet trade is the main cause of reptile establishment, with turtles having the highest number of introductions. In Greece, only two species of alien turtles have been reported, but this study using citizen science, personal observations, and literature, provides an updated checklist and records five new species in the country. The pet turtle trade, like the myth of the Lernaean Hydra, continues to grow despite efforts to control it.
Article
Zoology
Nikolaos Kargopoulos, Haris Nicolaou, George Mitsainas, Petros Lymberakis, Nikolaos Kiamos, Panagiotis Georgiakakis, Boris Krystufek
Summary: This article presents an identification key for the skulls of mammals found in Cyprus, including various orders such as Cetacea, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Carnivora, Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Eulipotyphla, and Chiroptera. The key, developed using materials from Cyprus and nearby regions, aims to encompass the unique characteristics of mammal species on the island. Illustrations of all genera included in the key are provided to assist with taxonomic identifications.
ZOOLOGY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Daniel Jablonski, Ioannis Gkontas, Dimitris Poursanidis, Petros Lymberakis, Nikos Poulakakis
Summary: Compared to other Mediterranean peninsulas, our understanding of the phylogeography of amphibians and reptiles from the Balkan Peninsula is still limited, raising concerns for conservation efforts for endemic taxa. Studying the endemic Greek stream frog, researchers found shallow intraspecific genetic variability, with two main mitochondrial lineages across the Balkans. The Hellenides were identified as the most suitable area for the species across different geological periods.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
