Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kara J. Andres, David M. Lodge, Jose Andres
Summary: Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling is a powerful and efficient approach for collecting information about species, and it may also provide information about population-level genetic variability. In this study, the researchers used eDNA sampling to estimate the genetic diversity and structure of an invasive fish species in the Great Lakes region. The study found that the genetic patterns observed from eDNA analysis were consistent with conventional tissue-based estimates. This research highlights the potential for eDNA sampling to reveal detailed population characteristics that can inform monitoring and management plans for difficult-to-sample species.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Krystyna Kalinowska, Dariusz Ulikowski, Piotr Traczuk, Michal Kozlowski, Andrzej Kapusta
Summary: Global warming, eutrophication, fisheries overexploitation, species invasions, and habitat loss pose major threats to freshwater biodiversity. A study in 535 Polish lakes of varying morphometry and trophic status revealed 39 fish species, with eight being alien invasive. The number of fish species in the lakes ranged from 1 to 19, and it decreased with increasing eutrophication conditions but increased with larger lake areas and maximum depths.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Juliane Mai, Hongren Shen, Bryan A. Tolson, Etienne Gaborit, Richard Arsenault, James R. Craig, Vincent Fortin, Lauren M. Fry, Martin Gauch, Daniel Klotz, Frederik Kratzert, Nicole O'Brien, Daniel G. Princz, Sinan Rasiya Koya, Tirthankar Roy, Frank Seglenieks, Narayan K. Shrestha, Andre G. T. Temgoua, Vincent Vionnet, Jonathan W. Waddell
Summary: This study conducted a model intercomparison to compare different model setups in simulating outputs in the Great Lakes region. The results showed that the machine-learning-based model performed the best in simulating streamflow, while the locally calibrated models and regionally calibrated models showed varying performances in different areas. The study also compared additional model outputs, such as evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and snow water equivalent, against gridded reference datasets.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zoe A. Pollard, Jillian L. Goldfarb
Summary: By converting waste cherry pits into biochars and activated biochars, efficiency of nutrient use in soil can be improved, reducing nutrient run-off, and potential alleviation of regional environmental issues by removing metals.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Shane C. Lishawa, Amy J. Schrank, Beth A. Lawrence, Andrew M. Monks, Dennis A. Albert
Summary: Coastal wetlands provide critical habitat and ecosystem services, but invasive cattails disrupt ecosystems and reduce biodiversity. A study in Great Lakes coastal wetlands showed that harvesting and channel treatments reduced invasive cattail biomass and dominance, increased species richness and fish diversity, and altered community structures. The treatments also increased dissolved oxygen and reduced litter, which likely influenced fish and macroinvertebrate use. Managing invasive macrophytes through harvesting and adding aquatic connectivity channels can improve biodiversity and habitat quality.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
R. William Bouchard, Barbara Hayford, Leonard C. Ferrington
Summary: The Great Lakes region in western Mongolia encompasses diverse lake ecosystems, which are increasingly threatened by excessive grazing and climate change. By studying non-biting midges in 55 lakes, the researchers found that chironomid communities were strongly influenced by salinity and water temperature. Higher salinity resulted in a loss of species, although small populations were able to survive near the margins of highly saline lakes where groundwater upwelling occurred.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nandita B. Basu, J. Dony, K. J. Van Meter, Samuel J. Johnston, Anita T. Layton
Summary: Excess nutrient inputs from agricultural and urban sources have led to eutrophication and algal blooms in the Great Lakes Basin. Using a random forest machine learning model, we found that land use and management, including agricultural and urban land, tile drainage, and wetland density, are important predictors of nutrient concentrations in the basin. The study highlights the importance of livestock and drainage management, as well as wetland restoration, in addressing eutrophication in intensively managed landscapes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marlene Hoehle, Claudia Wrozyna
Summary: Ostracods, a diverse group of microcrustaceans, play an important role in reconstructing paleoenvironmental conditions. However, the limited knowledge about their ecological requirements has led to uncertainties in species distribution and diversity data.
Article
Ecology
Nicole A. Stewart, Tiffany A. Schriever
Summary: Understanding the role of environmental filtering and spatial processes in assembling and maintaining rare aquatic communities is crucial for conservation. This study examined the influence of environmental and spatial factors on the diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages in wetlands along the coastline of Lake Michigan. The results showed that species diversity and composition varied along the coastline due to environmental gradients, with high species replacement and correlation with local and regional environmental variables. The study emphasized the importance of considering coastline connectivity for maintaining freshwater biodiversity.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
J. C. Gijsbers, N. Englebert, K. E. Prata, M. Pichon, Z. Dinesen, R. Brunner, G. Eyal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, S. E. Kahng, K. R. W. Latijnhouwers, P. Muir, V. Z. Radice, J. A. Sanchez, M. J. A. Vermeij, O. Hoegh-Guldberg, S. J. Jacobs, P. Bongaerts
Summary: Using genome sequencing, this study revealed deep divergences and undescribed diversity within the two dominant mesophotic coral genera, Leptoseris and Agaricia. The presence of genetically divergent lineages associated with mesophotic depths suggests a greater diversity of mesophotic-specialist coral species than previously acknowledged, calling for urgent assessment.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kimberly B. Fitzpatrick, Allison T. Moody, Austin Milt, Matthew E. Herbert, Mary Khoury, Eugene Yacobson, Jared A. Ross, Patrick J. Doran, Michael C. Ferris, Peter B. McIntyre, Thomas M. Neeson
Summary: The study evaluated whether a small number of indicator species could be used to efficiently select barrier removal projects to restore breeding habitat access for many other Great Lakes migratory fishes in the highly fragmented tributaries of the North American Great Lakes.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Editorial Material
Fisheries
D. Andrew R. Drake, Karl A. Lamothe, Kristin E. Thiessen, Todd J. Morris, Marten A. Koops, Thomas C. Pratt, Scott M. Reid, Donald A. Jackson, Nicholas E. Mandrak
Summary: The study evaluated the scientific progress in support of Canada's Species at Risk Act, focusing on imperilled aquatic species in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River basin. Population ecology and habitat science showed the greatest progress, while threats and recovery had comparatively less advancement. Due to lagging progress, the Canadian Freshwater Species at Risk Research Network (SARNET) prioritized threat and reintroduction topics for further research.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Keenan Munno, Paul A. Helm, Chelsea Rochman, Tara George, Donald A. Jackson
Summary: Freshwater ecosystems, especially in Lake Ontario, are highly contaminated with microplastics, with fish ingesting a significant amount of anthropogenic particles, mostly microfibers. The most common microplastics found in the gastrointestinal tracts of fish were polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene. The abundance of anthropogenic particles in fish increased with size and there is concern that the environmental exposure may exceed risk thresholds.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jiajia Liu, Ferry Slik, Shilu Zheng, David B. Lindenmayer
Summary: The extinction risk of newly described species has significantly increased over time, with the proportion of threatened species rising from 11.9% to 30.0% in the past decade. Projections suggest that this percentage could further increase to 47.1% by 2050. This pattern is consistent across vertebrate taxonomic groups and biomes, indicating that current estimates of species extinction rates are likely to be underestimated. Intensive fieldwork to discover new species and immediate conservation action, particularly in tropical areas, is urgently needed.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Elyse C. Mallinger, Katy R. Goodwin, Alan Kirschbaum, Yunyi Shen, Erin H. Gillam, Erik R. Olson
Summary: White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease that is causing significant declines in bat populations. The disease affects cave-hibernating bats and has resulted in extensive local extinctions. Research based on acoustic survey data from US National Parks reveals species-specific responses to the disease, including declines in some bat species and increases in others. The study also suggests that the impact of white-nose syndrome may not be solely due to reduced reproductive success, but also indirect effects such as competition and foraging niche release.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Anya Theis, Olivia Roth, Fabio Cortesi, Fabrizia Ronco, Walter Salzburger, Bernd Egger
Article
Ecology
Lukas Widmer, Elia Heule, Marco Colombo, Attila Rueegg, Adrian Indermaur, Fabrizia Ronco, Walter Salzburger
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Biology
Fabrizia Ronco, Marius Roesti, Walter Salzburger
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2019)
Article
Biology
Aneesh P. H. Bose, Johannes W. Windorfer, Alex B. Boehm, Fabrizia Ronco, Adrian Indermaur, Walter Salzburger, Alex Jordan
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Telma G. Laurentino, Dario Moser, Marius Roesti, Matthias Ammann, Anja Frey, Fabrizia Ronco, Benjamin Kueng, Daniel Berner
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fabrizia Ronco, Michael Matschiner, Astrid Boehne, Anna Boila, Heinz H. Buescher, Athimed El Taher, Adrian Indermaur, Milan Malinsky, Virginie Ricci, Ansgar Kahmen, Sissel Jentoft, Walter Salzburger
Summary: This text provides a detailed examination of the adaptive radiation of cichlid fishes in Lake Tanganyika, demonstrating empirical support for two theoretical predictions of how adaptive radiations proceed and revealing a positive correlation between species richness and per-individual heterozygosity. The study highlights the rapid morphological diversification through trait-specific pulses of accelerated evolution within the confines of the lake.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Matschiner, Astrid Boehne, Fabrizia Ronco, Walter Salzburger
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Athimed El Taher, Astrid Boehne, Nicolas Boileau, Fabrizia Ronco, Adrian Indermaur, Lukas Widmer, Walter Salzburger
Summary: The study focused on the evolution of gene expression in cichlid fishes from Lake Tanganyika, revealing variations in the rate of gene expression evolution among different organs, transcriptome parts, and subclades of the radiation. The study also found that noncoding parts of the transcriptome evolved more rapidly than coding parts, and that gonadal transcriptomes evolved faster than somatic ones. The rate of gene expression change was not constant and accelerated in the later phase of the radiation, with per-gene level evolution patterns dominated by stabilizing selection.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Fabrizia Ronco, Walter Salzburger
Summary: Adaptive radiation is a major source of biodiversity. Recent integrative examination of the cichlid adaptive radiation in African Lake Tanganyika provided new insights into the process of explosive diversification. The study revealed that the evolution occurred in a non-gradual manner, with time-shifted bursts of accelerated evolution.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Fabrizia Ronco, Walter Salzburger
Summary: Evolutionary innovations, such as the elaborate pharyngeal jaw apparatus of cichlid fishes, can promote diversification by allowing lineages to exploit new niches. The study on cichlid fishes in African Lake Tanganyika found that the oral and lower pharyngeal jaws evolved largely independently, contributing to micro-niche partitioning and increasing trophic diversity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Virginie Ricci, Fabrizia Ronco, Zuzana Musilova, Walter Salzburger
Summary: This study examined the diversity and sequence evolution of RH1 in the adaptive radiation of cichlid fishes in Lake Tanganyika, focusing on adaptations to the environmental light with respect to depth. The findings show that Tanganyikan cichlid genomes contain a single copy of RH1 and have several variable sites that may be functionally important in terms of depth-related adaptations. The study provides new insights into the evolution of RH1 in a freshwater environment.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Telma G. Laurentino, Nicolas Boileau, Fabrizia Ronco, Daniel Berner
Summary: This study identified a new candidate locus, EDAR, for lateral plate number in stickleback fish through genome-wide differentiation mapping. The study illustrates the power of pooled whole-genome sequencing and provides opportunities for exploring the population genetics and ecological significance of stickleback armor evolution.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Virginie Ricci, Fabrizia Ronco, Nicolas Boileau, Walter Salzburger
Summary: Through studying the retinal transcriptomes of cichlid fishes from Lake Tanganyika, we found that adaptive changes in gene expression at the macro-evolutionary and ecosystem level primarily occur through variation in the expression of a subset of cone opsin genes.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Alexandra Viertler, Walter Salzburger, Fabrizia Ronco
Summary: Research on the morphology and evolution of fish scales, particularly in cichlid fishes from Lake Tanganyika, has revealed variations in scale type, shape, and ctenii coverage along the body. Flank scale size is strongly linked to phylogeny, while scale shape and ctenii coverage are only partially explained by phylogenetic history and/or ecological factors. The measured scale characteristics can aid in assigning individual scales to taxonomic groups or ecotypes.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)