Article
Behavioral Sciences
Keigo Uematsu, Man-Miao Yang, William Amos, William A. A. Foster
Summary: The kin structure and genetic relatedness of two species of aphids on bamboo were compared to uncover the factors promoting the evolution of eusociality in open colonies without nests. The results show that the lack of migration from the primary host and feeding on a large and stable host plant may favor the evolution of eusociality, leading to the production of genetically homogenized, large, and long-lived colonies.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Derek Murphy, George Wittemyer, Michelle D. Henley, Hannah S. Mumby
Summary: The community structure of social networks is important for various research directions, but data sampling in wild populations presents challenges. Simulated data sets can help assess the performance of community detection algorithms under sampling conditions, where increasing sampling effort and decreasing skew can improve algorithm accuracy.
Article
Biology
Jack D. Lester, Linda Vigilant, Paolo Gratton, Maureen S. McCarthy, Christopher D. Barratt, Paula Dieguez, Anthony Agbor, Paula Alvarez-Varona, Samuel Angedakin, Emmanuel Ayuk Ayimisin, Emma Bailey, Mattia Bessone, Gregory Brazzola, Rebecca Chancellor, Heather Cohen, Emmanuel Danquah, Tobias Deschner, Villard Ebot Egbe, Manasseh Eno-Nku, Annemarie Goedmakers, Anne-Celine Granjon, Josephine Head, Daniela Hedwig, R. Adriana Hernandez-Aguilar, Kathryn J. Jeffery, Sorrel Jones, Jessica Junker, Parag Kadam, Michael Kaiser, Ammie K. Kalan, Laura Kehoe, Ivonne Kienast, Kevin E. Langergraber, Juan Lapuente, Anne Laudisoit, Kevin Lee, Sergio Marrocoli, Vianet Mihindou, David Morgan, Geoffrey Muhanguzi, Emily Neil, Sonia Nicholl, Christopher Orbell, Lucy Jayne Ormsby, Liliana Pacheco, Alex Piel, Martha M. Robbins, Aaron Rundus, Crickette Sanz, Lilah Sciaky, Alhaji M. Siaka, Veronika Staedele, Fiona Stewart, Nikki Tagg, Els Ton, Joost van Schijndel, Magloire Kambale Vyalengerera, Erin G. Wessling, Jacob Willie, Roman M. Wittig, Yisa Ginath Yuh, Kyle Yurkiw, Klaus Zuberbuehler, Christophe Boesch, Hjalmar S. Kuehl, Mimi Arandjelovic
Summary: The genetic diversity of chimpanzees is largely influenced by isolation by distance, as shown by a diverse genetic structure exhibited with geographical expansion. In contrast to the historically recognized four subspecies, current research indicates a relatively high genetic connectivity among chimpanzees. The relatively permeable nature of geographical barriers has led to strong genetic connectivity among chimpanzees on a global scale.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Yayoi Takeuchi, Bibian Diway
Summary: This study detected biparental inbreeding depression in the tropical tree Shorea laxa by analyzing parentage and contemporary pollen dispersal in a natural population. It found a high outcrossing rate and long pollen dispersal in S. laxa, indicating the importance of long-distance pollen dispersal to prevent biparental inbreeding depression. Conservation strategies for S. laxa should focus on maintaining breeding structure and phenology to ensure long-distance pollen dispersal and avoid reproductive isolation and inbreeding.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victoria R. Franks, Rose Thorogood, Patricia Brekke
Summary: Across the animal kingdom, little is known about the development of social environments, particularly in wild populations. This study examines how associations among young animals form and are influenced by environmental or genetic conditions established by parents. The results suggest that the natal environment created by parents, rather than genetic condition, establishes the foundation for social associations in offspring.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Tzoulia-Maria Tsalazidou-Founta, Evangelia A. Stasi, Maria Samara, Yorgos Mertzanis, Maria Papathanassiou, Pantelis G. Bagos, Spyros Psaroudas, Vasiliki Spyrou, Yorgos Lazarou, Athanasios Tragos, Yannis Tsaknakis, Elpida Grigoriadou, Athanasios Korakis, Maria Satra, Charalambos Billinis
Summary: This study estimated the population size, genetic status, and gene flow of brown bear sub-populations in three National Parks in Greece. The results showed high levels of inbreeding in some sub-populations and a distinct genetic structure in one sub-population. Significant gene flow was also observed between certain sub-populations.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Emel Ozkan Unal, Raziye Isik, Ayse Sen, Elif Geyik Kus, Mehmet Ihsan Soysal
Summary: The study assessed the genetic diversity between 17 populations of Turkish water buffalo using 20 microsatellite markers, revealing significant genetic diversity among populations. The findings indicate the suitability of these markers for genetic diversity analysis and conservation efforts in water buffalo.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Heng-Duan Zhang, Jian Gao, Chun-Xiao Li, Zu Ma, Yuan Liu, Ge Wang, Qing Liu, Dan Xing, Xiao-Xia Guo, Teng Zhao, Yu-Ting Jiang, Yan-De Dong, Tong-Yan Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the genetic variation and population structure of Aedes albopictus populations in the Yangtze River Basin in China, revealing high genetic diversity. The rapid expansion of high-speed rail, aircraft routes, and highways has accelerated mosquito dispersal, promoting genetic diversity among populations and inhibiting differentiation.
Article
Entomology
Milyausha Kaskinova, Luisa Gaifullina, Rustem Ilyasov, Arkady Lelej, Hyung Wook Kwon, Pham Hong Thai, Elena Saltykova
Summary: The genetic analysis of oriental honey bee samples from the Russian Far East, South Korea, and Vietnam revealed high haplotype diversity. Differentiation between subspecies of A. cerana was possible through the use of genetic markers identified in this study. Microsatellite data and mtDNA analysis indicated distinct clusters corresponding to tropical and temperate climate origins of the A. cerana samples studied.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. S. L. R. P. Marasinghe, R. M. R. Nilanthi, H. A. B. M. Hathurusinghe, M. G. C. Sooriyabandara, C. H. W. M. R. B. Chandrasekara, K. A. N. C. Jayawardana, M. M. Kodagoda, R. C. Rajapakse, P. C. G. Bandaranayake
Summary: Microsatellite markers have played a significant role in elephant research over the past 20 years, but concerns have been raised regarding the specificity of traditionally developed markers. Experimental results suggest potential cross-amplification of unspecific products when field-collected dung samples are utilized for analysis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Heng-Duan Zhang, Jian Gao, Dan Xing, Xiao-Xia Guo, Chun-Xiao Li, Yan-De Dong, Zhong Zheng, Zu Ma, Zhi-Ming Wu, Xiao-Juan Zhu, Ming-Hui Zhao, Qin-Mei Liu, Ting Yan, Hong-Liang Chu, Tong-Yan Zhao
Summary: In the microspatial environment of Nanjing City, the urban fringe region plays an important role in the dispersion of Aedes albopictus populations between rural and urban areas, and co-infection with Wolbachia A and Wolbachia B is the most common Wolbachia infection status among different regions.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Graeme Shannon, Line S. Cordes, Rob Slotow, Cynthia Moss, Karen McComb
Summary: The sharing of social and ecological information is crucial for group-living animals, particularly cognitively advanced species. This study demonstrates that profound social disruption and the lack of older individuals impairs the ability of elephants to accurately assess predatory threat. Conservation practitioners should consider population structure and knowledge transfer when managing highly social and long-lived species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vivienne L. Williams, Peter G. Coals, Marli de Bruyn, Vincent N. Naude, Desire L. Dalton, Antoinette Kotze
Summary: The article discusses the export of lion bones from South Africa, including the increase in legal exports, concerns over possible laundering, and evaluation of the CITES compliance procedures. South Africa is required to monitor and report trade, and limit illegal trade and laundering of lion and other large felid bones. The compliance procedure successfully prevented the laundering of a tiger skeleton in 2018, highlighting the importance of mixed-method protocols for monitoring compliance in CITES Appendix II export quota systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ji Hyoun Kang, Daseul Ham, Sung Hwan Park, Jeong Mi Hwang, Sun-Jae Park, Min Jeong Baek, Yeon Jae Bae
Summary: Repeated outbreaks of the invasive mycophagous gall midge Asynapta groverae have been reported in South Korea since 2008. Despite decreased genetic polymorphisms resulting from founder effects, these non-indigenous populations managed to survive for 12 years. The advantageous sustainability of A. groverae in particle boards suggests plausible human-mediated dispersal and successful spread to new locations. This study demonstrates that an insect species can successfully invade new regions with decreased genetic diversity, highlighting the importance of high genetic diversity and asexual reproduction.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Astrid Olejarz, Jouni Aspi, Ilpo Kojola, Vesa Nivala, Alina K. Niskanen, Jenni Harmoinen
Summary: This study combined genetic and spatial data on brown bears to examine the relationship between kinship and home range overlap. The results showed a positive correlation between relatedness and home range overlap among female brown bears. The study also found significant differences between central and eastern Finland in terms of relatedness and home range sizes. The findings highlight the importance of considering social structures in species management.