Article
Ecology
Yiping Fu, Yanling Song, Chao Yang, Xinyi Liu, Yenan Liu, Yan Huang
Summary: In this study, the relationship between brain size variation and digestive tract length was analyzed in the Swelled-vented frog. The results showed a significant negative correlation between brain size and digestive tract length, and indicated that environmental factors such as altitude, temperature, and precipitation could influence the adaptive evolution of brain size and digestive tract length.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoran Huang, Anming Bao, Junfeng Zhang, Tao Yu, Guoxiong Zheng, Ye Yuan, Ting Wang, Vincent Nzabarinda, Philippe De Maeyer, Tim van de Voorde
Summary: The study investigated the distribution pattern of species richness in the Kunlun-Pamir Plateau and found that the water-energy dynamic hypothesis was more suitable for explaining the distribution than the productivity hypothesis. The results provide valuable information for biodiversity conservation in the region.
Article
Ecology
Regis Cereghino, Mark Kurtis Trzcinski, A. Andrew M. MacDonald, Nicholas A. C. Marino, Dimaris Acosta Mercado, Celine Leroy, Bruno Corbara, Gustavo Q. Romero, Vinicius F. Farjalla, Ignacio M. Barberis, Olivier Dezerald, Edd Hammill, Trisha B. Atwood, Gustavo C. O. Piccoli, Fabiola Ospina Bautista, Jean-Francois Carrias, Juliana S. Leal, Guillermo Montero, Pablo A. P. Antiqueira, Rodrigo Freire, Emilio Realpe, Sarah L. Amundrud, Paula M. de Omena, Alice B. A. Campos, Diane S. Srivastava
Summary: This study found that geographic variation in the response of animal communities to climate change is influenced by differences in physiological matching to local conditions and functional redundancy within species pools.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Chen-Long Fu, Chun-Ping Xie, Muhammad Idrees, Xian-Gui Yi, Xian-Rong Wang, Meng Li
Summary: Through collecting reliable specimen data and conducting spatial cluster analysis, we found that there are two centers of diversity for cherry species, located in Southwest China and Honshu Island, Japan, with differing environmental variables influencing their distribution patterns. Although the productivity and habitat heterogeneity hypotheses partly explain the pattern of cherry species richness, other factors such as historical environment, topography, and human activities likely played a role as well.
Article
Forestry
Hongmao Zhang, Chuan Yan, Hongyu Niu, Hongjun Li, Zhibin Zhang
Summary: This study tracked a rodent-dispersed plant and found that masting can promote seed dispersal and establishment of seedlings through directed dispersal. Seed abundance was a better predictor of directed dispersal effects than rodent abundance or seed-rodent ratio. This finding is important for understanding the impact of masting on plant recruitment.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Chester Wai-Jen Liu, Sheng-Feng Shen, Wei-Chung Liu
Summary: This study examines how diversification of skills and knowledge can promote the emergence of social ties between individuals as a means of acquiring resources. The results show that in a sparsely connected network, the social-type strategy can outcompete the solitary-type strategy. However, in a densely connected network, social ties may be detrimental to those adopting them.
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aluwani Nengovhela, Catherine M. Ivy, Graham R. Scott, Christiane Denys, Peter J. Taylor
Summary: Using microCT scanning and 3D morphometric approach, the study examined the differences in endocranial volumes between high-elevation and low-elevation populations of rodents in North America and Africa. The results support the expensive tissue hypothesis, suggesting that high-elevation rodents have smaller endocranial volumes as a way to reduce costs of maintaining a large brain.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yaoheng Yang, Jinyun Yuan, Rachael L. Field, Dezhuang Ye, Zhongtao Hu, Kevin Xu, Lu Xu, Yan Gong, Yimei Yue, Alexxai V. Kravitz, Michael R. Bruchas, Jianmin Cui, Jonathan R. Brestoff, Hong Chen
Summary: By using ultrasound to activate specific neurons in the hypothalamus, researchers have successfully induced a torpor-like state in rodents, characterized by hypothermia and reduced metabolic rate. This noninvasive technique involves closed-loop feedback control of ultrasound stimulation and automated detection of body temperature. The study identifies TRPM2 as an ultrasound-sensitive ion channel in the hypothalamus preoptic area, and demonstrates the feasibility of ultrasound-induced hypothermia and hypometabolism in non-torpid animals.
Article
Zoology
Ying Jiang, Jia Yu Wang, Xiao Fu Huang, Chun Lan Mai, Wen Bo Liao
Summary: The evolution of brain size in small mammals does not show a correlation with the length of the digestive tract or reproductive investments, contradicting the predictions of the expensive tissue hypothesis (ETH).
Article
Plant Sciences
Michael D. Cramer, G. Anthony Verboom
Summary: The high species richness in Mediterranean ecosystems is attributed to multiple mechanisms, including resource availability, spatial and temporal heterogeneity, and biotic feedbacks. Water availability and nutrient scarcity are important factors influencing species richness.
Article
Ecology
Feng Jiang, James A. Lutz, Qingxi Guo, Zhanqing Hao, Xugao Wang, Gregory S. Gilbert, Zikun Mao, David A. Orwig, Geoffrey G. Parker, Weiguo Sang, Yankun Liu, Songyan Tian, Marc W. Cadotte, Guangze Jin
Summary: Recent studies show that tree mycorrhizal type plays a crucial role in influencing CNDD strength and species richness, with AM tree species showing stronger CNDD and positive relationship with species abundance compared to ECM tree species. Additionally, ECM tree dominance negatively affects plant richness across plots.
Review
Parasitology
Van Thuong Truong, Huong Thi Thuy Ngo, Te Quang Bui, Harry W. Palm, Rodney A. Bray
Summary: With a diverse range of parasite fauna, Vietnam's marine waters, particularly in the Gulf of Tonkin, support a rich variety of marine fish parasites. However, there is still a need for further research on certain taxa.
Article
Ecology
Perttu Anttonen, Maria Perles-Garcia, Matthias Kunz, Goddert von Oheimb, Yi Li, Helge Bruelheide, Ke-Ping Ma, Chao-Dong Zhu, Andreas Schuldt
Summary: Tree species richness, forest structure, and seasonal fluctuations have significant effects on trophic interactions in forest ecosystems. This study reveals that forest structure, in addition to tree species richness, influences predation pressure. Furthermore, the interplay of structural elements, spatial scale, and seasonal dynamics plays a crucial role in shaping predation pressure.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ole R. Vetaas, Krishna B. Shrestha, Lila N. Sharma
Summary: A study on a mountain evergreen oak forest in the Himalaya, Nepal, revealed that the exploitation of canopy foliage led to a decrease in herbaceous species richness, an increase in woody and vine species, and a dominance of vines in plots that were intensively harvested. The study suggests that management should aim to prevent overexploitation and only allow low-intensity canopy disturbance to enhance species richness and habitat diversity.
APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Zhi Ping Mi, Wen Bo Liao
Summary: The study did not find a negative correlation between brain weight and the weight of other organs, which does not support the expensive-tissue hypothesis. Positive correlations were found among certain organs, suggesting close functional relationships among them. This indicates that the energetic cost of a large brain in this species cannot be offset by reducing the weight of other expensive organs.
NORTH-WESTERN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Irina S. Khokhlova, Luther van der Mescht, Elizabeth M. Warburton, Nadezhda A. Stavtseva, Boris R. Krasnov
Summary: This study investigated the performance trade-offs of fleas adapting to a novel host, finding that different species may exhibit tendencies towards becoming host specialists or generalists when adapting to a new host. The transition from a generalist to a specialist, or vice versa, is context-dependent and varies between species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Delphine Destoumieux-Garzon, Franziska Matthies-Wiesler, Nicolas Bierne, Aurelie Binot, Jerome Boissier, Anais Devouge, Jeanne Garric, Kim Gruetzmacher, Christoph Grunau, Jean-Francois Guegan, Sylvie Hurtrez-Bousses, Anke Huss, Serge Morand, Clare Palmer, Denis Sarigiannis, Roel Vermeulen, Robert Barouki
Summary: The implementation of One Health/EcoHealth/Planetary Health approaches is crucial for addressing the interconnected global crises of pandemics, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Research priorities include understanding the social ecology of infectious diseases, their evolution, factors influencing susceptibility to infections, and human and ecological factors driving disease emergence. Nature-based solutions, ethical considerations, and transformative changes are essential to safeguarding the environment and human health in the face of global environmental change.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Gabriel Moreira Felix, Rafael Barros Pereira Pinheiro, Robert Poulin, Boris R. Krasnov, Marco Aurelio Ribeiro Mello
Summary: The study explores the relationship between topology and performance in interaction networks using the integrative hypothesis of specialization. The results show a compound topology in the network, with different relationship patterns observed at different geographic scales.
Editorial Material
Veterinary Sciences
Alexis Ribas, Heikki Henttonen, Serge Morand
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Volodimir Sarabeev, Juan Antonio Balbuena, Yves Desdevises, Serge Morand
Summary: This article discusses the challenges in understanding the spatial distribution of parasites and host-parasite relationships in invasive hosts. The researchers propose a new framework that effectively analyzes traditional parasitology sampling data using macroecological approaches. The framework allows for mechanistic explanations of the relationships between invasive hosts and their parasites and can be used to distinguish different types of parasites.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Alice Latinne, Serge Morand
Summary: This study investigated the association between climate factors and anomalies with the emergence and spillover events of bat-borne viral diseases in the Asia-Pacific region and the Arabian Peninsula. The results showed that climate variability had different impacts on the spillover patterns of different viruses and were associated with El Nino Southern Oscillation climate anomalies.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kittipong Chaisiri, Ampai Tanganuchitcharnchai, Anamika Kritiyakan, Chuanphot Thinphovong, Malee Tanita, Serge Morand, Stuart Blacksell
Summary: This study investigated the exposure to rickettsial pathogens in local communities in Nan Province, Thailand. The study found differences in seroprevalence and levels of rickettsial exposure based on habitat types, ecological aspects, and socio-demographic factors. The abundance of domestic animals in the community was also identified as a significant factor influencing human exposure to rickettsial pathogens.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Duangdao Sudatip, Surapee Tiengrim, Kittipong Chasiri, Anamika Kritiyakan, Wantanee Phanprasit, Serge Morand, Visanu Thamlikitkul
Summary: A study on the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species from various sources in five communities in northern Thailand revealed worrisome levels of resistance, especially to colistin, in food animals and humans. Further research, stronger regulations on antimicrobial use, and effective interventions are urgently needed to address this issue.
Article
Microbiology
Wiku B. Adisasmito, Salama Almuhairi, Casey Barton Behravesh, Pepe Bilivogui, Salome A. Bukachi, Natalia Casas, Natalia Cediel Becerra, Dominique F. Charron, Abhishek Chaudhary, Janice R. Ciacci Zanella, Andrew A. Cunningham, Osman Dar, Nitish Debnath, Baptiste Dungu, Elmoubasher Farag, George F. Gao, David T. S. Hayman, Margaret Khaitsa, Marion P. G. Koopmans, Catherine Machalaba, John S. Mackenzie, Wanda Markotter, Thomas C. Mettenleiter, Serge Morand, Vyacheslav Smolenskiy, Lei Zhou
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Brice Rotureau, Etienne Waleckx, Vincent Jamonneau, Philippe Solano, Sophie Molia, Patrice Debre, Koussay Dellagi, Serge Morand
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kim R. Blasdell, Serge Morand, Susan G. W. Laurance, Stephen L. Doggett, Amy Hahs, Kelly Trinh, David Perera, Cadhla Firth
Summary: Urbanization has significant impacts on Southeast Asia, causing changes in landscape, interactions between humans, animals, and the environment. This study explores the effects of urbanization on zoonotic disease risk by studying animal reservoirs, ectoparasite vectors, and pathogens in different urbanization levels. The results show that rodent species diversity decreases with increasing urbanization, but certain species, such as Rattus rattus and Sundamys muelleri, adapt well to urban areas. R. rattus is strongly associated with built infrastructure and carries diverse pathogens, while S. muelleri is found in green patches and associated with tick presence. The study highlights the elevated and heterogeneous distribution of zoonotic disease risk in urban environments and suggests targeted risk reduction through pest management and public health messaging.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hernan Caceres-Escobar, Luigi Maiorano, Carlo Rondinini, Marta Cimatti, Serge Morand, Carlos Zambrana-Torrelio, Marisa Peyre, Benjamin Roche, Moreno Di Marco
Summary: Human pressure on the environment is increasing the frequency, diversity, and spatial extent of disease outbreaks. Past and current initiatives have overlooked the interconnection between the health of the environment, animals, and humans. To effectively prevent pandemics, global responses should prioritize prevention under the One Health approach and establish measurable targets and indicators, similar to those for biodiversity loss and climate change. Using an established framework, such as the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response framework, can help operationalize pandemic prevention efforts.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thanit Nonsrirach, Serge Morand, Alexis Ribas, Sita Manitkoon, Komsorn Lauprasert, Julien Claude
Summary: This study investigates ancient parasites in terrestrial vertebrate hosts from the Late Triassic in Asia, providing new insights into parasite-host interactions during the Mesozoic era.
Article
Virology
Rodolphe Hamel, Ronald Enrique Morales Vargas, Dora Murielle Rajonhson, Atsushi Yamanaka, Jiraporn Jaroenpool, Sineewanlaya Wichit, Dorothee Misse, Anamika Kritiyakan, Kittipong Chaisiri, Serge Morand, Julien Pompon
Summary: In this study, mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) were detected in mosquitoes collected from different ecological areas in northern Thailand using molecular and phylogenetic methods. The presence of insect specific flaviviruses and the emerging zoonotic Tembusu virus (TMUV) were identified, with two new TMUV strains belonging to an endemic cluster in rural areas of Thailand. The results highlight the active circulation of this threatening virus in Thailand and the need for continuous investigation in Asia.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Svetlana Feigin, David O. Wiebers, George Lueddeke, Serge Morand, Kelley Lee, Andrew Knight, Michael Brainin, Valery L. Feigin, Amanda Whitfort, James Marcum, Todd K. Shackelford, Lee F. Skerratt, Andrea S. Winkler
Summary: Humanity is facing the greatest challenge of irreversible climate change caused by human activity. This systematic literature review summarizes solutions proposed in the past 20 years and proposes a unified framework to solve the climate crisis. The solutions reviewed include transitioning to renewable energy, reducing energy consumption, rethinking global transportation, and nature-based solutions. The review emphasizes the importance of shifting towards a plant-based diet and phasing out industrialized animal farming, which is the most damaging form of animal agriculture. Failure to act will lead to irreversible climate change with widespread consequences.
