Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonas Lescroart, Alejandra Bonilla-Sanchez, Constanza Napolitano, Diana L. Buitrago-Torres, Hector E. Ramirez-Chaves, Paola Pulido-Santacruz, William J. Murphy, Hannes Svardal, Eduardo Eizirik
Summary: Using whole-genome resequencing data, this study constructed a time-calibrated consensus phylogeny of Neotropical small felids in the genus Leopardus. The findings challenge previous notions about the relatedness of certain species and provide insights into the speciation history and diversity patterns of this felid radiation.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rikki Gumbs, Claudia L. Gray, Monika Boehm, Ian J. Burfield, Olivia R. Couchman, Daniel P. Faith, Felix Forest, Michael Hoffmann, Nick J. B. Isaac, Walter Jetz, Georgina M. Mace, Arne O. Mooers, Kamran Safi, Oenone Scott, Mike Steel, Caroline M. Tucker, William D. Pearse, Nisha R. Owen, James Rosindell
Summary: The conservation of evolutionary history through phylogenetic diversity (PD) and EDGE metric has been widely studied and recognized. However, the adoption of recent research advances has been limited due to the lack of consensus within the conservation community. In this paper, an improved EDGE2 protocol is presented, incorporating methods for handling uncertainty and accounting for the extinction risk of closely related species. The application of EDGE2 to the world's mammals demonstrates its effectiveness in guiding practical priority-setting for biodiversity conservation.
Article
Ecology
Philipp O. Hoenle, David A. Donoso, Adriana Argoti, Michael Staab, Christoph von Beeren, Nico Bluethgen
Summary: Ant communities in the Ecuadorian Choco region exhibit high resistance and resilience during the recovery process. Ant species richness remains consistently high, while similarity to old-growth forests increases with regeneration age. Former cacao plantations recover at a faster rate than pastures, indicating a great recovery potential for this threatened biodiversity hotspot.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Catarina C. Jakovac, Jorge A. Meave, Frans Bongers, Susan G. Letcher, Juan Manuel Dupuy, Daniel Piotto, Danae M. A. Rozendaal, Marielos Pena-Claros, Dylan Craven, Braulio A. Santos, Alexandre Siminski, Alfredo C. Fantini, Alice C. Rodrigues, Alma Hernandez-Jaramillo, Alvaro Idarraga, Andre B. Junqueira, Angelica Maria Almeyda Zambrano, Ben H. J. de Jong, Bruno Ximenes Pinho, Bryan Finegan, Carolina Castellano-Castro, Daisy Christiane Zambiazi, Daisy H. Dent, Daniel Hernan Garcia, Deborah Kennard, Diego Delgado, Eben N. Broadbent, Edgar Ortiz-Malavassi, Eduardo A. Perez-Garcia, Edwin Lebrija-Trejos, Erika Berenguer, Erika Marin-Spiotta, Esteban Alvarez-Davila, Everardo Valadares de Sa Sampaio, Felipe Melo, Fernando Elias, Filipe Franca, Florian Oberleitner, Francisco Mora, G. Bruce Williamson, Gabriel Dalla Colletta, George A. L. Cabral, Geraldine Derroire, Geraldo Wilson Fernandes, Hans van Der Wal, Heitor Mancini Teixeira, Henricus F. M. Vester, Hernando Garcia, Ima C. G. Vieira, Jaider Jimenez-Montoya, Jarcilene S. De Almeida-Cortez, Jefferson S. Hall, Jerome Chave, Jess K. Zimmerman, Jhon Edison Nieto, Joice Ferreira, Jorge Rodriguez-Velazquez, Jorge Ruiz, Jos Barlow, Jose Aguilar-Cano, Jose Luis Hernandez-Stefanoni, Julien Engel, Justin M. Becknell, Katia Zanini, Madelon Lohbeck, Marcelo Tabarelli, Marco Antonio Romero-Romero, Maria Uriarte, Maria D. M. Veloso, Mario M. Espirito-Santo, Masha T. van Der Sande, Michiel van Breugel, Miguel Martinez-Ramos, Naomi B. Schwartz, Natalia Norden, Nathalia Perez-Cardenas, Noel Gonzalez-Valdivia, Pascal Petronelli, Patricia Balvanera, Paulo Massoca, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Pedro M. Villa, Peter Hietz, Rebecca Ostertag, Rene Lopez-Camacho, Ricardo G. Cesar, Rita Mesquita, Robin L. Chazdon, Rodrigo Munoz, Saara J. DeWalt, Sandra C. Muller, Sandra M. Duran, Sebastiao Venancio Martins, Susana Ochoa-Gaona, Susana Rodriguez-Buritica, T. Mitchell Aide, Tony Vizcarra Bentos, Vanessa de S. Moreno, Vanessa Granda, Wayt Thomas, Whendee L. Silver, Yule R. F. Nunes, Lourens Poorter
Summary: The study revealed large continental-scale variation in the species composition of early successional forests, mainly associated with biogeographic and environmental factors rather than human disturbance indicators. The uniqueness of the floristic composition is partially driven by regionally restricted species belonging to widespread genera, and early secondary forests contribute to restoring and conserving the distinctiveness of bioregions across the Neotropical realm.
Editorial Material
Geography
Archie Davies
Summary: This commentary argues that a productive way for the history of geography to contribute to its future is through an open and recursive examination of ideas about space and nature. The author suggests that the history of geographical ideas should be in dialectical relation with the changes in contemporary geography. To support this argument, the author outlines a possible vision for a recursive and anti-disciplinary history of geography, highlighting how each new geographical innovation opens up new avenues for the study of geographical ideas.
DIALOGUES IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Staniaszek-Kik, J. Zarnowiec, D. Chmura, E. Stefanska-Krzaczek
Summary: Windthrows create unique land microtopography and provide new habitats for species. This study analyzed lichens, liverworts, mosses, and vascular plants in root plate-pit-mound (RPM) complexes across different vegetation types. The research found that the species composition, richness, and abundance were mainly influenced by the species of uprooted trees and the vegetation type. The presence of uprooted trees with diverse features was crucial for the biodiversity of mountain forests. It is recommended to allow natural colonization of uprooted trees, especially large objects, and to support a mosaic of forest communities in managed forests.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michaela D. J. Blyton, Paul R. Young, Ben D. Moore, Keith J. Chappell, Stephen Goff
Summary: The distribution and genetic characteristics of koala retrovirus differ between northern and southern populations. Southern koalas carry partial endogenous viral sequences, while northern koalas carry exogenous viral subtypes. This suggests that the evolution and transmission of the koala retrovirus are influenced by geographic factors.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michaela D. J. Blyton, Paul R. Young, Ben D. Moore, Keith J. Chappell
Summary: The study revealed significant genetic and infection rate differences of Koala retrovirus (KoRV) subtype between southern and northern koalas in Australia. Southern koalas carry partial endogenous KoRV-like sequences, while northern koalas ubiquitously present endogenous KoRV-A sequences. Additionally, there is a presence of exogenous KoRV subtypes in northern populations but strikingly absent in southern populations.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Lucas Mendes Rabelo, Marconi Souza-Silva, Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira
Summary: The study found that the richness of invertebrate species in Neotropical caves is influenced by both hypogean and epigean factors, with cave size significantly impacting the population richness of obligate cave dwellers. The regional pool of invertebrate species also plays a significant role in cave biodiversity levels.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cecilia F. Fiorini, Eric de Camargo Smidt, L. Lacey Knowles, Eduardo Leite Borba
Summary: Genetic data reveals that cryptic hybrids are more common in Bulbophyllum than previously thought, suggesting that hybridization is a widespread process in the highly diverse genus. This study utilizes next-generation sequence data and model-based analysis to test the hybrid status of two Neotropical Bulbophyllum species and investigates the impact of hybridization on the genomes of putative parental species. Evidence of hybridization is found in all studied systems, indicating the importance of considering and examining its evolutionary role in these orchids.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Marcela de Castro Nunes Santos Terra, Jamir Afonso do Prado-Junior, Cleber Rodrigo de Souza, Luiz Otavio Rodrigues Pinto, Eduarda Martiniano de Oliveira Silveira, Natielle Gomes Cordeiro, Taina Mamede Cirne-Silva, Vanessa Alves Mantovani, Jose Roberto Soares Scolforo, Jose Marcio de Mello
Summary: The study examined the dominance of tree species in relation to abundance, biomass, and productivity in neotropical savannas of Central and Southeastern Brazil. It found that functional dominance (biomass and productivity) was slightly stronger than abundance dominance, with a few species concentrating most of the biomass and productivity. The traits that enable species to thrive in savanna conditions also lead to dominance in biomass and productivity.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ariane Mirabel, Eric Marcon, Bruno Herault
Summary: This study analyzed the long-term response of forest communities to disturbance by examining the trajectories of recruited tree communities in the Amazonian rainforest. The results showed that above a disturbance intensity threshold, there was an enhanced recruitment of light-demanding species. However, after breakpoints in time, recruitment trajectories returned to diversity values and composition similar to those of predisturbance and control plots community.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Erin C. Riordan, Katharine L. Gerst, Orlando Vargas Ramirez, Philip W. Rundel
Summary: Numerous plant functional traits associated with an epiphytic life history have contributed to the evolutionary diversification and ecological success of tropical plant families such as Orchidaeae, Polypodiaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Cactaceae. However, epiphytic life histories are rare in Araceae and Cyclanthaceae. The development of a hemiepiphytic life history in Araceae has greatly expanded opportunities for adaptive radiation and ecological success. In comparison, Cyclanthaceae has undergone limited speciation and lower ecological success in both its epiphytes and hemiepiphytes.
Article
Ecology
Maria Tereza C. Thome, Bryan C. Carstens, Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues, Pedro Manoel Jr Galetti Jr, Joao Alexandrino, Celio F. B. Haddad
Summary: The study focused on diversification in a Neotropical toad from northeastern Brazil, finding that spatial variation in monthly rainfall and minimum temperature plays a significant role in population divergence, supporting the asynchrony of seasons hypothesis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luis F. Lopez-Calvillo, Pilar Carbo-Ramirez, Ernesto C. Rodriguez-Ramirez
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between tree species diversity and soil microenvironmental factors within a relatively small fragment (151.63 ha). The results showed that soil moisture, soil temperature, and light incidence had significant effects on tree species diversity, while there was no significant difference in tree species diversity among different transects.