Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vera Zywitza, Silke Frahm, Norman Krueger, Anja Weise, Frank Goeritz, Robert Hermes, Susanne Holtze, Silvia Colleoni, Cesare Galli, Micha Drukker, Thomas B. Hildebrandt, Sebastian Diecke
Summary: There are less than 80 Sumatran rhinos left on Earth, facing continuous population decline due to habitat loss and limited breeding possibilities. The use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) presents a powerful tool to combat extinction by preserving genetic material and studying species-specific developmental processes. In this study, researchers successfully generated iPSCs from the last male Malaysian Sumatran rhino and demonstrated their high quality and potential in supporting the rescue of this critically endangered species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Molly L. Corder, Emanuel F. Petricoin, Yue Li, Timothy P. Cleland, Alexandra L. DeCandia, A. Alonso Aguirre, Budhan S. Pukazhenthi
Summary: This study analyzed the serum metabolomes of captive black rhinos and found differences in metabolite profiles between subspecies, sex, and health status. The results indicate metabolic dysregulation and involvement of specific metabolic pathways in disease syndromes among captive black rhinos.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fatima Sanchez-Barreiro, Shyam Gopalakrishnan, Jazmin Ramos-Madrigal, Michael Westbury, Marc de Manuel, Ashot Margaryan, Marta M. Ciucani, Filipe G. Vieira, Yannis Patramanis, Daniela C. Kalthoff, Zena Timmons, Thomas Sicheritz-Ponten, Love Dalen, Oliver A. Ryder, Guojie Zhang, Tomas Marques-Bonet, Yoshan Moodley, M. Thomas P. Gilbert
Summary: Large vertebrates, such as the white rhinoceros, have experienced significant decline in populations due to human activities. Genetic data from resequenced white rhinoceros genomes show a decrease in genomic diversity and increase in inbreeding coefficients, especially in the northern white rhinoceros (NWR) and the southern white rhinoceros (SWR). Despite the genetic impacts, the surviving SWR does not show a significant accumulation of genetic load compared to its historical counterpart. These findings have implications for informing conservation efforts for white rhinoceros populations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vera Zywitza, Ejona Rusha, Dmitry Shaposhnikov, Jorge Ruiz-Orera, Narasimha Telugu, Valentyna Rishko, Masafumi Hayashi, Geert Michel, Lars Wittler, Jan Stejskal, Susanne Holtze, Frank Goeritz, Robert Hermes, Jichang Wang, Zsuzsanna Izsvak, Silvia Colleoni, Giovanna Lazzari, Cesare Galli, Thomas B. Hildebrandt, Katsuhiko Hayashi, Sebastian Diecke, Micha Drukker
Summary: This study aims to rescue the critically endangered northern white rhinoceros species by using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate gametes and embryos in vitro. The study found that NWR iPSCs have similarities to human iPSCs and can differentiate into multiple germ layers and trophoblast. Furthermore, the naive-like state of NWR iPSCs is pivotal for differentiation into primordial germ cells (PGCs).
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher S. Guy, Tanner L. Cox, Jacob R. Williams, Colter D. Brown, Robert W. Eckelbecker, Hayley C. Glassic, Madeline C. Lewis, Paige A. C. Maskill, Lauren M. McGarvey, Michael J. Siemiantkowski
Summary: Despite unprecedented scientific productivity, there is a disconnect between scientific output and species conservation, with a focus on game fishes rather than critically endangered fishes. More scientific knowledge is needed on critically endangered fishes to address the challenges of conserving fishes during the sixth mass extinction.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Stephen Johnson, Abdinasir Abdikadir, Prabodh Satyal, Ambika Poudel, William N. N. Setzer
Summary: Boswellia ogadensis is a critically endangered species of frankincense tree found in southern Ethiopia. Recent surveys have shown that it is more widespread and abundant than previously thought, with some populations appearing to be healthy and regenerating well. While facing various threats, this species has the potential to be downlisted to Endangered status. Chemical analysis of resin samples revealed that there are markers that can distinguish B. ogadensis from other sympatric Boswellia species, making it a potential tool for monitoring its conservation status.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Trisha Gupta, E. J. Milner-Gulland, Andrew Dias, Divya Karnad
Summary: This study utilized local ecological knowledge (LEK) to understand the socio-ecological status of rhino rays in Goa, India. The research investigated their habitat use, interaction with fisheries, socio-economic uses, and relational values. The study also explored fishers' attitudes towards rhino rays and their conservation. LEK revealed important insights, such as the identification of nursery grounds and the severe decline of certain rhino ray species in the region.
Article
Ecology
Fiona Casey, Julie M. Old, Hayley Jade Stannard
Summary: Invasive buffel grass poses a significant threat to the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat, as it outcompetes native grasses and leads to more intense fires. This study used DNA metabarcoding to analyze the diet of the wombat and found that buffel grass dominates their diet and has increased in prevalence compared to previous assessments.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joe J. Figel, Renaldi Safriansyah, Said Fauzan Baabud, Zulfan Herman
Summary: Wire-snare poaching poses a significant threat to endangered large carnivores in Africa and Asia, including Sumatran tigers. The study reveals the extent of snaring and its detrimental effects on tiger populations, calling for increased efforts and attention to address this issue.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Barbara de Mori, Maria Michela Spiriti, Ilaria Pollastri, Simona Normando, Pierfrancesco Biasetti, Daniela Florio, Francesco Andreucci, Silvia Colleoni, Cesare Galli, Frank Goeritz, Robert Hermes, Susanne Holtze, Giovanna Lazzari, Steven Seet, Jan Zwilling, Jan Stejskal, Samuel Mutisya, David Ndeereh, Stephen Ngulu, Richard Vigne, Thomas B. Hildebrandt
Summary: This paper discusses the application of an ethical self-assessment tool, ETHAS, to ovum pick-up and in vitro fertilization procedures used in a conservation project for the endangered northern white rhinoceros, showing its effectiveness in ensuring procedure standards and improving communication among partners.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yiyang Luo, Keyuan Zheng, Xiaodi Liu, Jialu Tao, Xugao Sun, Yanwen Deng, Xiaomei Deng
Summary: Manglietiastrum sinicum Y.W. Law is a critically endangered species with high ornamental and commercial value. This study optimized the conditions for bud induction, proliferation, and rooting of M. sinicum. The best medium for bud induction was Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.05 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The optimal medium for efficient proliferation and rooting was MSM medium. RAPD and ISSR markers confirmed the genetic uniformity and stability of regenerated plants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Toby A. Patterson, Richard M. Hillary, Peter M. Kyne, Richard D. Pillans, Rasanthi M. Gunasekera, James R. Marthick, Grant J. Johnson, Pierre Feutry
Summary: By using sibling pairs, the abundance and connectivity of adult sharks in two river systems in Australia were estimated. The results showed male philopatry in the Adelaide River and high connectivity of males in the Alligator Rivers with the Adelaide River. This method allows simultaneous assessment of abundance and connectivity in rare and threatened species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Konstantinos Kougioumoutzis, Panayiota Kotsakiozi, Efthalia Stathi, Panayiotis Trigas, Aristeidis Parmakelis
Summary: The Mediterranean basin is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot with over 11,000 endemic plants. Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, like Greece, have rich endemic flora but only a small fraction of genetic diversity of threatened Mediterranean endemics has been assessed. Climate change is expected to have a profound impact on the range size of these plants, requiring urgent in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures to preserve these highly threatened and rare endemic species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hakbong Lee, Heung-Sik Lee, Kee-Hwa Bae
Summary: This study assessed the pollination of C. guttatum by conducting a survey of general pollination and analyzing the plant-pollinator network properties. The sweat bee Lasioglossum virideglaucum was identified as an effective pollinator of the orchid. The study revealed that high plant and pollinator richness could increase the chance of successful pollination for the deceptive orchid.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Marisa L. Korody, Sarah M. Ford, Thomas D. Nguyen, Cullen G. Pivaroff, Inigo Valiente-Alandi, Suzanne E. Peterson, Oliver A. Ryder, Jeanne F. Loring
Summary: Research has successfully generated a set of iPSCs from fibroblasts of northern and southern white rhinoceros to aid in the conservation of highly endangered species. This method can capture some of the dwindling genetic diversity of disappearing species and is the first step of an assisted reproduction technology plan.
STEM CELLS AND DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christie Sampson, Peter Leimgruber, David Tonkyn, Jennifer Pastorini, H. K. Janaka, Elaine Sotherden, Prithiviraj Fernando
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2018)
Article
Zoology
Spartaco Gippoliti, Tommaso De Francesco, Jan Robovsky
Article
Zoology
Miloslav Jirku, Dalibor Dostal, Jan Robovsky, Martin Salek
Article
Zoology
Ashoka D. G. Ranjeewa, Jennifer Pastorini, Karin Isler, Devaka K. Weerakoon, Helani D. Kottage, Prithiviraj Fernando
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Jan Zrzavy, Pavel Duda, Jan Robovsky, Isabela Okrinova, Vera Pavelkova Ricankova
Article
Zoology
Tereza Holicova, Frantisek Sedlacek, Anna Macova, Jakub Vlcek, Jan Robovsky
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Pavel Kral, Jiri Bukovsky, Jan Pluhacek, Marie Voldrichova, Jan Robovsky
JOURNAL OF ETHOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Zoology
Sylvie Horakova, Radim Sumbera, Jitka Sovova, Jan Robovsky
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Irena Axmanova, Jan Robovsky, Lubomir Tichy, Jiri Danihelka, Elena Troeva, Albert Protopopov, Milan Chytry
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Jarmila Krasova, Ondrej Mikula, Radim Sumbera, Sylvie Horakova, Jan Robovsky, Danila S. Kostin, Aleksey A. Martynov, Leonid A. Lavrenchenko, Josef Bryja
Summary: The evolutionary history of sengis has been studied using molecular phylogenetic approaches, revealing the presence of two new genera in the last five years. New material mainly from eastern Africa, Zambia, and Angola was used to provide a more complete multilocus phylogeny of the subfamily Macroscelidinae. Contrary to previous studies, genetic evidence showed that the East African Rufous Sengi belongs to the recently delimited genus Galegeeska, which represents a typical mammalian genus of the Somali-Masai bioregion.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Nela Novakova, Jan Robovsky
Summary: The study found that over half of the behavioural traits of cranes carry a significant phylogenetic signal, with the ancestor already exhibiting complex behavioural complexity. The evolution of behavioural repertoire differs across different subfamilies, with trait scoring influencing results. While behavioural traits alone cannot resolve species-level relationships within the Gruidae, optimization on molecular trees can help detect evolutionary transformations in behaviour within Gruiformes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martin Pyszko, Petr Nemecek, Ondrej Horak, Vaclav Paral, Radim Kotrba, Louwrens C. Hoffman, Jan Robovsky
Summary: This research focuses on the forelimb tendon apparatus of artiodactyl ungulates and identifies an undescribed oval window in the fibrous cuff. This oval window is found in 24 out of 25 species evaluated, with the exception of Domestic cattle. The length and width of the oval window allow for species discrimination, but remain consistent within species. Most species have an oval window shape, while a smaller proportion exhibit oval-oblong shapes with asymmetry.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Spartaco Gippoliti, Jan Robovsky
RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI
(2018)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Christian Schiffmann, Marcus Clauss, Prithiviraj Fernando, Jennifer Pastorini, Paulin Wandler, Nicolas Ertl, Stefan Hobys, Jean-Michel Hatt
JOURNAL OF ZOO AND AQUARIUM RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vera Pavelkova Ricankova, Michal Horsak, Martin Hais, Jan Robovsky, Milan Chytry