Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luis Rios, Meg M. Sleeper, Marietta D. Danforth, Hayley Weston Murphy, Ilana Kutinsky, Antonio Rosas, Markus Bastir, Jose Gomez-Cambronero, Ricardo Sanjurjo, Laurence Campens, Oliver Rider, Francisco Pastor
Summary: Humans have a larger energy budget than great apes, which is related to cardiac output. The study shows that humans have an increased body mass adjusted aortic root diameter compared to gorillas and chimpanzees. Cardiac output and total energy expenditure in humans follow similar trajectories over the lifespan, with a significant increase during brain growth and a plateau in adulthood. The presence of aortic impression in the vertebral bodies of humans and Neanderthals supports the hypothesis that an increased adjusted cardiac output played a crucial role in human evolution.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Michael Tomasello
Summary: Great apes can discern and direct others' attention in flexible ways, but they seemingly lack the ability to recursively coordinate attention and action with others, as well as regulate collaboration via intentional communication, in the same way as young human children.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annette Damert
Summary: This study reveals the role of segmental duplications (SDs) and Alu short interspersed elements (SINEs) in primate genomes. It shows that a core duplicon called lcr16a contributes to the propagation of interspersed SDs in primates, with SVA retrotransposon being an integral component of lcr16a in Asian and African great apes. The findings also suggest that SVA recombination-mediated integration of a circular intermediate is the founding event of a lineage-specific lcr16a expansion in hominines.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kai R. Caspar, Marco Biggemann, Thomas Geissmann, Sabine Begall
Summary: Comparative analysis of ocular pigmentation patterns in 15 species of hominoids reveals a continuum of eye pigmentation traits that do not align with the complexity of gaze-mediated communication, with gibbons displaying darker eyes than great apes and exposing less sclera. Contrary to recent discussions, chimpanzee eyes exhibit a coloration scheme resembling gibbons rather than other apes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Juraj Bergman, Mikkel Heide Schierup
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolutionary dynamics of the pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) in both extant and extinct hominids. PAR1 is found to evolve rapidly and is primarily influenced by recombination processes. The mutation patterns in PAR1 also differ among species, with an excess of C-to-G mutations associated with male recombination. Despite evidence of Y chromosome introgression from humans to Neanderthals, the PAR1 region in Neanderthals remains similar to the Denisovan sequence. Repeat content and double-strand break hotspot regions in PAR1 may play crucial roles in ensuring proper recombination between the X and Y chromosomes during male meiosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takuo Negishi, Kohta Ito, Koh Hosoda, Takeo Nagura, Tomohiko Ota, Nobuaki Imanishi, Masahiro Jinzaki, Motoharu Oishi, Naomichi Ogihara
Summary: This study compared the 3D bone kinematics of cadaver feet under axial loading between humans and African great apes, finding that the human foot shows more coupling motion of certain bones and greater deformability than the feet of African great apes, possibly to accommodate for habitual bipedal locomotion. The morphological adaptations of the human foot, such as the coupling motion of the calcaneus and tibia, and the increased deformability under axial loading, suggest evolutionary changes in the human lineage for bipedal locomotion.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Dwight W. Read, Hector M. Manrique, Michael J. Walker
Summary: In this article, we review publications on the comparison between chimpanzees' working memory and that of humans. The study finds that while chimpanzees' working memory shares similarities with humans, it is comparatively lower, around one-third the size. Additionally, chimpanzees' working memory performance is comparable to that of children around 4 or 5 years old. These findings are not only important for understanding the cognitive abilities of chimpanzees but also contribute to the analysis of the evolution of Homo sapiens and the complexity of stone tool technology.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaowen Feng, Heng Li
Summary: The study introduced a more sensitive and accurate method to identify processed pseudogenes, pinpointing 40 processed pseudogenes not present in the human reference genome GRCh38 from 22 human individuals. Additionally, an overview of lineage-specific retrocopies in chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan genomes was provided.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Juraj Bergman, Mikkel Heide Schierup
Summary: The composition of genomes is influenced by different rates of mutations with transitions occurring more frequently than transversions, particularly at CpG sites. Recombination-associated GC-biased gene conversion affects GC-changing mutations differently across human populations and great ape species, with a stronger impact on transitions, especially CpG transitions. The overall strength of gBGC is correlated with effective population sizes in humans, but there are exceptions such as in European populations. Study also suggests that species of the Gorilla and Pongo genus have reduced gBGC effect on CpG sites.
Review
Microbiology
Denis S. Azevedo, Jose Lucas C. Duarte, Carlos Felipe G. Freitas, Karoline L. Soares, Monica S. Sousa, Eduardo Sergio S. Sousa, Ricardo B. Lucena
Summary: Emerging infectious diseases often originate in animals and jump between species through mutations and recombination events. Great apes are at risk due to human activities, highlighting the importance of prevention measures to stop disease transmission.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shuhei Nozaki, Motoharu Oishi, Naomichi Ogihara
Summary: The study found that the apical angles in gorillas and orangutans were significantly greater than those in humans and chimpanzees, indicating that there is no direct correlation between the apical angle and arboreality in hominoids. Geometric morphometrics revealed interspecific differences in trochlear morphology, but did not show a clear association between trochlear characteristics and locomotor behavior. This suggests that trochlear morphology may not be solely determined by locomotor behavior, but also influenced by other factors like phylogeny and body size.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Hester Hanegraef, Romain David, Fred Spoor
Summary: The study explores the variations and differences in maxillary morphology among modern humans and African apes, providing a taxonomically up-to-date framework for interpreting hominin fossil records. Significant differences in maxillary shapes exist between extant hominine species and subspecies, with complete separation observed only at the genus level. Interestingly, sexual shape dimorphism patterns differ among Pan, Gorilla, and Homo.
JOURNAL OF HUMAN EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Michael Tomasello
Summary: Humans are more cooperative than their closest primate relatives and possess various social motivations and emotions, providing compelling evidence for the importance of cooperative activities in the human species.
HUMAN NATURE-AN INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Valerie Vermeulen, Elaine Kozma, Arne Delsupehe, Pieter Cornillie, Emmelie Stock, Alexander Van Tongel, Lieven De Wilde, Evie E. Vereecke
Summary: In this study, the three-dimensional morphology of the scapula in humans and great apes was quantified and compared using an image-based methodology originally developed for orthopaedic practice. The results showed significant differences in scapular morphology between humans and great apes, with chimpanzees showing a morphology more similar to humans. These differences may be related to differences in mobility and loading regime of the shoulder.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
M. Christopher Dean, Sing-Ying Lim, Helen M. Liversidge
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the differences in tooth eruption and development between modern humans and great apes, and to explore whether early fossil humans showed dental development patterns beyond the human range. The results showed delayed incisor and canine eruption/development in great apes relative to molars, but there were overlaps in almost all anterior tooth stages. Molar crown initiation was generally advanced in great apes and delayed in humans. Only two fossil hominin specimens showed delayed incisor development beyond any individuals observed in the human sample.
ARCHIVES OF ORAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bethan Mason, Alex K. Piel, David Modry, Klara J. Petrzelkova, Fiona A. Stewart, Barbora Pafao
Summary: Human disturbance poses a continuous threat to wildlife species, leading to an increase in parasite infections. The study found positive relationships and a trend towards increased parasite prevalence in different taxa, which were associated with human disturbance, baboon troop size, and host age. The results highlight the importance of monitoring parasite infections in developing conservation strategies for non-human primates.
Article
Zoology
Doreen Schulz, Ilona Psenkova-Profousova, Barbora Cervena, Miranda Procter, Terence Fuh Neba, David Modry, Klara J. Petrzelkova, Moneeb A. Qablan
Summary: This study investigates the distribution and diversity of Neocallimastigomycetes in the gut of wild African forest elephants and forest buffaloes. A total of 16 species-equivalent Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were identified, with differences in the fungal genera present in elephants and buffaloes. Some sequences could potentially represent new anaerobic fungi genera, while a few sequences have not been encountered in any previous studies and cannot be assigned to any known Neocallimastigomycetes taxon.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Barbora Cervena, Lucia Anettova, Eva Noskova, Barbora Pafco, Ilona Psenkova, Kristyna Javorska, Pavla Prihodova, Jana Jezkova, Petr Vaclavek, Kamil Malat, David Modry
Summary: A study found that paramphistomosis caused by Calicophoron daubneyi is prevalent in Czech beef cattle and dominates the parasitological findings. The emergence of this new parasite may increase the risk of Fasciola hepatica.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ashok K. Sharma, Sam Davison, Barbora Pafco, Jonathan B. Clayton, Jessica M. Rothman, Matthew R. McLennan, Marie Cibot, Terence Fuh, Roman Vodicka, Carolyn Jost Robinson, Klara Petrzelkova, Andres Gomez
Summary: The gut mycobiome of primates is influenced by genetic background, subsistence strategy, and ecological factors. The mycobiome composition is highly plastic and weakly structured by primate phylogeny compared to the bacteriome. The overlap of gut mycobiome between captive apes and industrialized human populations is significant, while contemporary hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists share more mycobiome traits with wild-ranging nonhuman primates.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
K. J. Petrzelkova, P. Samas, D. Romportl, C. Uwamahoro, B. Cervena, B. Pafco, T. Prokopova, R. Cameira, A. C. Granjon, A. Shapiro, M. Bahizi, J. Nziza, J. B. Noheri, E. K. Syaluha, W. Eckardt, F. Ndagijimana, J. Slapeta, D. Modry, K. Gilardi, R. Muvunyi, P. Uwingeli, A. Mudakikwa, J. Mapilanga, A. Kalonji, J. R. Hickey, M. Cranfield
Summary: The population of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif has been steadily increasing, with a partial regulation by strongylid nematodes at higher gorilla densities. The impact of monitoring on tapeworm infections was minor, with limited possibilities for population expansion due to restricted habitat.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bethan Mason, Klara J. Petrzelkova, Jakub Kreisinger, Torsten Bohm, Barbora Cervena, Emilie Fairet, Terence Fuh, Andres Gomez, Sascha Knauf, Ulrich Maloueki, David Modry, Matthew H. Shirley, Nikki Tagg, Nadege Wangue, Barbora Pafco
Summary: This study analyzed 215 fecal samples from wild western lowland gorillas in five locations across the Congo Basin to investigate their gut bacterial microbiome and strongylid communities. The research found differences in alpha diversity and community compositions of both gastrointestinal components across localities. It also identified correlations between strongylid nematodes and certain bacterial ASVs. The study highlights the complexity of these symbiont communities in gorilla populations and emphasizes the potential interactions between them.
Article
Microbiology
Liliya Starhova Serbina, Domagoj Gajski, Barbora Pafco, Ludek Zurek, Igor Malenovsky, Eva Novakova, Hannes Schuler, Jessica Dittmer
Summary: By comparing the microbiomes of three Cacopsylla species associated with pear trees in Central Europe, this study reveals the influence of host biology and geography on microbiome structure.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milan Jirku, Andrea Kasparova, Zuzana Lhotska, Miroslav Obornik, Kristyna Brozova, Klara J. Petrzelkova, Peter Samas, Oldriska Kadlecova, Christen Rune Stensvold, Katerina Jirku
Summary: This study focuses on the epidemiology of Dientamoeba fragilis in humans and animals, and the analysis of samples reveals the prevalence rates and related factors of this protist in healthy individuals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Eva Noskova, David Modry, Vojtech Balaz, Barbora Cervena, Katerina Jirku-Pomajbikova, Kristina Zechmeisterova, Clotilde Leowski, Klara J. Petrzelkova, Ilona Psenkova, Roman Vodicka, Sharon E. Kessler, Barthelemy Ngoubangoye, Joanna M. Setchell, Barbora Pafco
Summary: Cysts and trophozoites of vestibuliferid ciliates and larvae of Strongyloides were found in fecal samples from captive orangutans, indicating a potential zoonotic transmission risk.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Lucia Anettova, Anna Sipkova, Elena Izquierdo-Rodriguez, Vivienne Velic, David Modry
Summary: This article examines the survival of third-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in low temperature conditions and finds that they can continue infecting definitive hosts, suggesting the potential for further spread to higher latitudes or altitudes.
Review
Parasitology
Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, R. C. Andrew Thompson, David Modry, Domenico Otranto
Summary: Invasive wild mammals pose a major threat to native ecosystems and can act as spreaders of zoonotic parasites. Europe has the highest number of zoonotic parasites associated with invasive wild mammals.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
