Article
Ecology
Kelly A. Speer, Melissa T. R. Hawkins, Mary Faith C. Flores, Michael R. McGowen, Robert C. Fleischer, Jesus E. Maldonado, Michael G. Campana, Carly R. Muletz-Wolz
Summary: Animal specimens in natural history collections are valuable resources for studying the historical context of pathogen dynamics and spillovers. However, RNA viruses are difficult to study in historical specimens due to the lack of optimized protocols for RNA extraction. This study optimized the recovery of RNA from formalin-fixed ethanol-preserved museum specimens, expanding the usability of these specimens for zoonotic disease surveys. The extracted RNA from historical museum specimens is highly fragmented but suitable for short-read sequencing and targeted amplification.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Orly Razgour, Cecilia Montauban, Francesca Festa, Daniel Whitby, Javier Juste, Carlos Ibanez, Hugo Rebelo, Sandra Afonso, Michael Bekaert, Gareth Jones, Carol Williams, Katherine Boughey
Summary: Anthropogenically driven environmental changes have led to severe declines of wildlife populations, with little empirical evidence to understand historical population trends. This study develops molecular approaches to provide evidence of historic population changes and identifies drivers of these changes, showing significant declines in bat populations and their relationship to colonial shipbuilding and loss of large oak trees. Genomic approaches can inform conservation management and species recovery interventions, bridging the gap between genomic research and direct conservation applications. Collaborative studies for other priority species are urgently needed.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Brian Williams, Steven G. Friedenberg, Bruce W. Keene, Sandy P. Tou, Teresa C. DeFrancesco, Kathryn M. Meurs
Summary: Canine familial mitral valve disease (MMVD) may have a shared genetic cause, but there is genetic heterogeneity within canine breeds.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karen H. Miga
Summary: Since the publication of the human genome in 2001, advancements in sequencing technology have filled in many of the gaps in the original sequence, leading to a deeper knowledge of genome regulation, structure, and function.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ewen Callaway
Summary: A groundbreaking genomic study suggests that genetic analysis could uncover connections to distant ancestors for a larger number of individuals.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Charles N. Rotimi, Adebowale A. Adeyemo
Summary: Over the past 20 years, the increasing diversity in genomic sequencing has provided valuable insights into our evolutionary history and health status.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maryam Ferdousi, Alise Kalteniece, Shazli Azmi, Ioannis N. Petropoulos, Georgios Ponirakis, Uazman Alam, Omar Asghar, Andrew Marshall, Catherine Fullwood, Maria Jeziorska, Caroline Abbott, Giuseppe Lauria, Catharina G. Faber, Handrean Soran, Nathan Efron, Andrew J. M. Boulton, Rayaz A. Malik
Summary: Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) has shown to be more effective in identifying severe corneal nerve loss in patients with type 1 diabetes compared to type 2 diabetes. It also demonstrates good diagnostic accuracy for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Furthermore, the risk factors for a reduction in corneal nerve fiber length differ between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Thomas Wirth, Guillemette Clement, Clarisse Delvallee, Celine Bonnet, Thomas Bogdan, Andra Iosif, Audrey Schalk, Jean-Baptiste Chanson, David Pellerin, Bernard Brais, Virginie Roth, Marion Wandzel, Marie-Celine Fleury, Amelie Piton, Nadege Calmels, Izzie Jacques Namer, Stephane Kremer, Christine Tranchant, Mathilde Renaud, Mathieu Anheim
Summary: Heterozygous GAA expansions in the FGF14 gene are a major cause of sporadic late-onset cerebellar ataxia (SLOCA), with a prevalence of 12.7% in the studied cohort. Higher age of onset, specific clinical features, and slower disease progression are associated with SCA27B.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Linette Umbrello, Robert Bullen, Robyn Shaw, Shelley McArthur, Margaret Byrne, Stephen van Leeuwen, Kym Ottewell
Summary: The bat fauna in Australia is significant, accounting for 25% of all terrestrial species. However, there is limited knowledge about the population dynamics and movement patterns of most bat species. The threatened Pilbara leaf-nosed bat is exclusively found in caves in the mineral-rich deposits of the Pilbara region. Understanding the connectivity of these roosts is crucial for conservation efforts, as disturbance to roosts can have detrimental effects on the bat population. Genetic studies have shown high rates of dispersal and low population structure within the Pilbara, with evidence of some female philopatry. Maintaining connectivity of key habitats is important for preserving genetic diversity and gene flow in panmictic bat populations.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Ana Sofia Dip, Eduardo Martin, Ruben Aldo Andrada, Marcela Beatriz Hernandez, Maria Daniela Miotti
Summary: This study describes and compares the sperm morphology and morphometric features of Molossus molossus and Molossops temminckii, finding that the sperm of both bat species are practically identical morphologically and morphometrically. Scanning electron microscopy allowed visualization of structures, such as acrosomal vesicles, that were not detected with other types of microscopy.
MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Julie Xian, Kim Marie Thalwitzer, Jillian Mckee, Katie Rose Sullivan, Elise Brimble, Eryn Fitch, Jonathan Toib, Michael C. Kaufman, Danielle Decampo, Kristin Cunningham, Samuel R. Pierce, James Goss, Charlene Son Rigby, Steffen Syrbe, Michael Boland, Benjamin Prosser, Nasha Fitter, Sarah M. Ruggiero, Ingo Helbig
Summary: This study provides a detailed description of epilepsy and developmental trajectories in STXBP1-related disorders. It reveals a correlation between early onset of seizures and lower developmental abilities. Different subtypes of epilepsy have varying histories and medication responses change with age. The study provides a foundation for interpreting future therapeutic strategies and informing rational trial design.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Gaspard Kerner, Guillaume Laval, Etienne Patin, Stephanie Boisson-Dupuis, Laurent Abel, Jean-Laurent Casanova, Lluis Quintana-Murci
Summary: This study revealed the history of human exposure to tuberculosis in Europe and found that the TYK2 P1104A variant originated from common ancestors of West Eurasians around 30,000 years ago. The frequency of the variant fluctuated significantly over the past 10,000 years, with a dramatic decrease after the Bronze Age. The drop in frequency was attributed to strong negative selection starting around 2,000 years ago, resulting in a 20% relative fitness reduction in homozygotes, indicating a heavy burden of tuberculosis on European health over the last two millennia.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ian Tattersall
Summary: This article reviews Alfred Crossley's collecting activities in Madagascar during the 19th century and outlines his life details. It also explores the reasons behind the lack of attention he received despite his significant contributions.
AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Charleston W. K. Chiang
Summary: There is a recognized need to include diverse populations in genetic studies, but obstacles such as difficulty in recruitment and lack of representation in genomic references persist. Studying multiple diverse populations can provide insightful, population-specific insights. By developing genomic resources and integrating evolutionary thinking, we can improve understanding of genetic risk factors, reduce health disparities, and enhance healthcare for underserved populations.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jodie Roberts, Kristine Woodward, Adam Kirton, Michael J. Esser
Summary: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetic condition that leads to vascular malformations in the brain, spinal cord, and lungs, resulting in neurologic complications. This case highlights the diagnosis of a brain abscess in a previously healthy 3-year-old boy, which was caused by a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). Screening for PAVM with contrast-enhanced echocardiogram or enhanced CT of the chest should be considered in patients with cryptogenic brain abscess or recurrent embolic stroke of unknown origin.
Article
Zoology
Natasha L. Constant, Lourens H. Swanepoel, Samual T. Williams, Voahangy Soarimalala, Steven M. Goodman, Apia T. Massawe, Loth S. Mulungu, Rhodes H. Makundi, Mashaka E. Mdangi, Peter J. Taylor, Steven R. Belmain
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bezeng S. Bezeng, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Peter J. Taylor, Solomon G. Tesfamichael
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Birthe Linden, Stefan Foord, Quentin J. B. Horta-Lacueva, Peter J. Taylor
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sina M. Weier, Mark Keith, Gotz G. Neef, Daniel M. Parker, Peter J. Taylor
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Seth J. Eiseb, Peter J. Taylor, Ulrich Zeller, Christiane Denys, Violaine Nicolas
Summary: The research identified three genetically, morphologically, and ecologically distinct species of Mastomys in the Okavango Basin and surrounding arid habitats, namely Mastomys coucha, Mastomys natalensis, and Mastomys shortridgei. These species differed significantly in 11 cranial measurements, and a discriminant function could accurately distinguish co-occurring Mastomys natalensis from Mastomys shortridgei with 95% accuracy. Additionally, a proposed model explains the recent peripatric speciation of Mastomys shortridgei from Mastomys coucha based on drainage evolution in south-central Africa since the Pleistocene.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Samual T. Williams, Kathryn S. Williams, Natasha Constant, Lourens Swanepoel, Peter J. Taylor, Steven R. Belmain, Steven W. Evans
Summary: Traditional cultural beliefs can influence perceptions of animals and lead to persecution of certain species. Environmental education can help improve perceptions of wildlife, but its impact on species strongly associated with witchcraft is still not clear.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Sina M. Weier, Valerie M. G. Linden, Antonia Hammer, Ingo Grass, Teja Tscharntke, Peter J. Taylor
Summary: Bats have been shown to effectively suppress pests in various land-use systems globally, including macadamia orchards. The presence of natural habitat patches at orchard edges enhances this pest suppression. However, the conversion of natural habitats to agricultural land, especially macadamia monocultures, can significantly impact bat diversity. Maintaining natural habitat patches at orchard boundaries is crucial for supporting bat populations and preserving biodiversity.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dawn Cory-Toussaint, Peter J. Taylor, Irene E. J. Barnhoorn
Summary: Bats have been proposed as reliable bioindicators for monitoring bioaccumulation of elements and chemicals in ecosystems, with non-invasive methods becoming more popular. This study found significantly higher concentrations of certain elements in bats from a mining footprint compared to a reference area, suggesting the potential of fur and blood as indicators of environmental toxicity. Further research is needed to explore toxic thresholds and unknown factors related to element concentrations in bat tissues and organs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Charles J. Marsh, Yanina V. Sica, Connor J. Burgin, Wendy A. Dorman, Robert C. Anderson, Isabel del Toro Mijares, Jessica G. Vigneron, Vijay Barve, Victoria L. Dombrowik, Michelle Duong, Robert Guralnick, Julie A. Hart, J. Krish Maypole, Kira McCall, Ajay Ranipeta, Anna Schuerkmann, Michael A. Torselli, Thomas Lacher, Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands, Wes Sechrest, Don E. Wilson, Agustin M. Abba, Luis F. Aguirre, Joaquin Arroyo-Cabrales, Diego Astua, Andrew M. Baker, Gill Braulik, Janet K. Braun, Jorge Brito, Peter E. Busher, Santiago F. Burneo, M. Alejandra Camacho, Paolo Cavallini, Elisandra de Almeida Chiquito, Joseph A. Cook, Tamas Cserkesz, Gabor Csorba, Erika Cuellar Soto, Valeria da Cunha Tavares, Tim R. B. Davenport, Thomas Demere, Christiane Denys, Christopher R. Dickman, Mark D. B. Eldridge, Eduardo Fernandez-Duque, Charles M. Francis, Greta Frankham, William L. Franklin, Thales Freitas, J. Anthony Friend, Elizabeth L. Gadsby, Guilherme S. T. Garbino, Philippe Gaubert, Norberto Giannini, Thomas Giarla, Jason S. Gilchrist, Jaime Gongora, Steven M. Goodman, Sharon Gursky-Doyen, Klaus Hacklander, Mark S. Hafner, Melissa Hawkins, Kristofer M. Helgen, Steven Heritage, Arlo Hinckley, Stefan Hintsche, Mary Holden, Kay E. Holekamp, Rodney L. Honeycutt, Brent A. Huffman, Tatyana Humle, Rainer Hutterer, Carlos Ibanez Ulargui, Stephen M. Jackson, Jan Janecka, Mary Janecka, Paula Jenkins, Rimvydas Juskaitis, Javier Juste, Roland Kays, C. William Kilpatrick, Tigga Kingston, John L. Koprowski, Boris Krystufek, Tyrone Lavery, Thomas E. Lee, Yuri L. R. Leite, Roberto Leonan M. Novaes, Burton K. Lim, Andrey Lissovsky, Raquel Lopez-Antonanzas, Adria Lopez-Baucells, Colin D. MacLeod, Fiona G. Maisels, Michael A. Mares, Helene Marsh, Stefano Mattioli, Erik Meijaard, Ara Monadjem, F. Blake Morton, Grace Musser, Tilo Nadler, Ryan W. Norris, Agustina Ojeda, Nicte Ordonez-Garza, Ulyses F. J. Pardinas, Bruce D. Patterson, Ana Pavan, Michael Pennay, Calebe Pereira, Joyce Prado, Helder L. Queiroz, Matthew Richardson, Erin P. Riley, Stephen J. Rossiter, Daniel I. Rubenstein, Dennisse Ruelas, Jorge Salazar-Bravo, Stephanie Schai-Braun, Cody J. Schank, Christoph Schwitzer, Lori K. Sheeran, Myron Shekelle, Georgy Shenbrot, Pipat Soisook, Sergio Solari, Richard Southgate, Mariella Superina, Andrew B. Taber, Mauricio Talebi, Peter Taylor, Thong Vu Dinh, Nelson Ting, Diego G. Tirira, Susan Tsang, Samuel T. Turvey, Raul Valdez, Victor Van Cakenberghe, Geraldine Veron, Janette Wallis, Rod Wells, Danielle Whittaker, Elizabeth A. Williamson, George Wittemyer, John Woinarski, Dietmar Zinner, Nathan S. Upham, Walter Jetz
Summary: This article introduces a database of global mammal species' native range maps, including various tools for integration with other data. These expert maps provide basic information for broad-scale research and conservation.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Birthe Linden, Desire L. Dalton, Anna Van Wyk, Deon de Jager, Yoshan Moodley, Peter J. Taylor
Summary: Forests affected by fragmentation are at risk of losing their primate populations over the long term. The impact of fragmentation on primate populations has been studied in several places in Africa, Asia, and South America, and there is a lack of discernible pattern in how primates react to forest disturbance and fragmentation. This study investigates the genetic diversity and structure of samango monkey populations in fragmented habitats in the Soutpansberg mountain range of South Africa, revealing a historical connectivity among local populations and a recent lack of gene flow, leading to increased genetic structure and potential population isolation.
Article
Ecology
Dawn Cory-Toussaint, Peter J. Taylor
Summary: The study investigated the impact of natural vegetation cover, artificial light intensity, and noise on bat communities in the Venetia diamond mine. The results showed that clutter-feeding bats were virtually absent in the mining area, indicating the negative effects of vegetation removal and/or light and/or noise pollution. Natural vegetation was found to be the most important factor influencing species richness and overall bat activity. Artificial light significantly affected feeding activity, while anthropogenic noise had no significant impact on bat activity and species richness.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Peter John Taylor, Erika Strydom, Leigh Richards, Wanda Markotter, Dawn Cory Toussaint, Teresa Kearney, F. P. D. (Woody) Cotterill, Alexandra Howard, Sina Monika Weier, Mark Keith, Gotz Neef, Mnqobi L. Mamba, Siphesihle Magagula, Ara Monadjem
Summary: The genus-level and species-level taxonomy of African pipistrelloid bats have been changing in the past decade. This study reports on new collections from Angola, Eswatini, and South Africa, revealing genetic and morphological differences from previously known species. The findings support the recent proposed classification of African pipistrelloid bats.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Vusani Mphethe, Sina Weier, Catrin Westphal, Birthe Linden, Lourens Swanepoel, Daniel Parker, Peter Taylor
Summary: In the Limpopo Province of South Africa, fruit bats primarily feed on wild fruit trees, with commercial fruit only contributing 2% to their diet, even during the litchi harvest season. This highlights the important ecosystem services provided by fruit bats in orchards and surrounding natural vegetation, and their ability to mitigate crop damage.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mina Anders, Ingo Grass, Valerie M. G. Linden, Peter J. J. Taylor, Catrin Westphal
Summary: More sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices, including ecological intensification, are needed to reduce biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Our study examined the potential of ecological intensification to enhance pollination services in macadamia orchards. We found that insect pollination significantly increased nut set, and the presence of semi-natural habitats in the surrounding landscape positively influenced flower visitation rates. Orchard design, including the orientation of tree rows and the proximity to natural habitats, had a greater impact on nut set than agronomic practices like irrigation. The restoration and conservation of semi-natural habitats in and around orchards can play a crucial role in boosting insect pollination and improving macadamia nut development.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Erin R. Brinkley, Sina Monika Weier, Dan M. Parker, Peter John Taylor
Summary: The study re-surveyed the bat community of the Kruger National Park over a two-year period, finding differences in species richness compared to historical data, likely due to factors such as sample effort, environmental effects, and study limitations. While the classifier tool showed a relatively high accuracy percentage, manual identification was still necessary to avoid misidentification and detect new species. Future research should focus more on live-capturing bats given the limitations of bat detectors in recording certain echolocation calls.
HYSTRIX-ITALIAN JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2021)