Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Enrico Bazzicalupo, Maria Lucena-Perez, Daniel Kleinman-Ruiz, Aleksandar Pavlov, Aleksander Trajce, Bledi Hoxha, Bardh Sanaja, Zurab Gurielidze, Niko Kerdikoshvili, Jimsher Mamuchadze, Yuriy A. Yarovenko, Muzigit Akkiev, Miroslaw Ratkiewicz, Alexander P. Saveljev, Dime Melovski, Alexander Gavashelishvili, Krzysztof Schmidt, Jose A. Godoy
Summary: Genome-wide genetic assessment of Balkan and Caucasian Eurasian lynx populations revealed close relationship and low genetic diversity with high inbreeding in Balkan lynx, while Caucasian lynx showed a long history of isolation with high genetic diversity and good genetic health, suggesting the need for genetic rescue in Balkan lynx and the recognition of Caucasian lynx as a separate subspecies.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Miriam N. Kunde, Axel Barlow, Achim M. Klittich, Aliya Yakupova, Riddhi P. Patel, Joerns Fickel, Daniel W. Foerster
Summary: This study sequenced and analyzed the mitochondrial genome of sun bears, finding two distinct lineages that correspond to different populations in mainland Indochina and Borneo, Sumatra, and Peninsular Malaysia. Furthermore, it revealed that the Bornean sun bear does not have a distinct maternal lineage. Further molecular studies, including nuclear genome data, are needed.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jakub Sawicki, Katarzyna Krawczyk, Monika Slipiko, Monika Szczecinska
Summary: Nowellia curvifolia is a widespread Holarctic species with a plastome that is the second smallest among photosynthetic liverworts. There is a low level of genetic differentiation between European and North American specimens, while Asian specimens show higher genetic diversity. Newly sequenced mitogenomes from European specimens exhibit identical gene content and structure to previously published ones, with low intercontinental differentiation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gonzalo A. Camps, Andrea Cosacov, Alicia N. Sersic
Summary: The study found that there were inconsistent patterns in tree and leaf traits, with the historical approach revealing that trees were shorter in central populations compared to peripheral populations, while significant differences in leaf traits were observed between the geographical center and periphery, mainly due to low specific leaf area values towards the geographical center.
Article
Ecology
Deniz Menguellueoglu, Sarah Edwards, Heribert Hofer, Anne Berger
Summary: A study of Eurasian lynx in northwestern Anatolia revealed a high population density, small home ranges, and flexible spatial behavior, likely due to legal protection and low levels of poaching. Adult male lynx occupied small territories, while subadult males roamed large, stable home ranges. This behavior is not commonly seen in other studied populations and highlights the importance of data from felid populations in natural states for conservation planning.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. Benhaiem, S. Kaidatzi, H. Hofer, M. L. East
Summary: Extensive bushmeat hunting poses a major threat to wildlife conservation. The use of wire snares can result in sublethal snare injuries and potential reproductive costs for the affected individuals.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Montan M. Kalyahe, Heribert Hofer, Marion L. East
Summary: The study investigates the relationship between livestock waste and predation on cattle, sheep, and goats by wild carnivores. The findings show that the likelihood of predation increases with the increase of waste from diseased and slaughtered cattle, and sheep deaths from starvation. However, the predation on goats is more likely in medium-sized villages, indicating a trade-off for predators between increased benefits of more livestock waste and the costs of higher human disturbance and diminishing natural prey abundance as village size category increases.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Walter Jetz, Grigori Tertitski, Roland Kays, Uschi Mueller, Martin Wikelski
Summary: Space-based tracking technology using low-cost miniature tags is providing fine-scale animal movement data at near-global scale. When combined with remotely sensed environmental data, it offers valuable insights into habitat integrity and connectivity for conservation and human health, creating a global network of animal sentinels for environmental change.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Marion L. East, Dagmar Thierer, Sarah Benhaiem, Sonja Metzger, Heribert Hofer
Summary: Infanticide by adult females significantly affects male reproductive success and generates sexual conflict. In spotted hyenas, female infanticide occurs through violent attacks and maternal neglect, and males do not have effective counterstrategies.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Morgane Gicquel, Marion L. East, Heribert Hofer, Sarah Benhaiem
Summary: Studies have shown that encountering multiple sources of adversity in childhood increases the risk of poor long-term health and premature death. This study focuses on the spotted hyena and examines the cumulative effects of adversity during early life, including ecological, maternal, social, and demographic factors, on its performance and fitness. The results suggest that the combination of specific conditions in early life may matter more than the accumulation of adverse conditions as such.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Dime Melovski, Miha Krofel, Vasko Avukatov, Ursa Flezar, Andrej Gonev, Lan Hocevar, Gjorge Ivanov, Lisa Leschinski, Aleksandar Pavlov, Aleksandar Stojanov, Ekrem Veapi, Deniz Menguellueoglu
Summary: The selection of appropriate candidates for genetic rescue in Eurasian lynx populations in Central and Western Europe requires considering ecological and behavioral traits. The study compared the Balkan lynx with two neighboring populations and found that the Dinaric population originating from the Carpathian subspecies is better suited for genetic rescue in the southwestern Balkans.
Article
Ecology
Jenny Mattisson, John D. C. Linnell, Ole Anders, Elisa Belotti, Christine Breitenmoser-Wursten, Ludek Bufka, Christian Fuxjaeger, Marco Heurich, Gjorge Ivanov, Wlodzimierz Jedrzejewski, Radio Kont, Rafal Kowalczyk, Miha Krofel, Dime Melovski, Deniz Mengulluoglu, Tomma Lilli Middelhoff, Anja Molinari-Jobin, John Odden, Janis Ozolins, Henryk Okarma, Jens Persson, Krzysztof Schmidt, Kristina Vogt, Fridolin Zimmermann, Henrik Andren
Summary: This study investigates the reproductive phenology of the Eurasian lynx in Europe and finds that birth timing varies across regions and is influenced by temperature. The Eurasian lynx shows a degree of adaptability to different environmental conditions and may adjust its reproductive timing in response to climate change.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
B. G. Parker, M. Khanyari, H. Ambarli, B. Buuveibaatar, M. Kabir, G. Khanal, H. R. Mirzadeh, Y. Onon, M. S. Farhadinia
Summary: This study provides an overview of trophy hunting characteristics in Asia, including the number of countries with hunting programs, the target species, hunting areas, and permit prices. The findings reveal variations in these characteristics among countries, highlighting the need for further research on the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of trophy hunting. The study also emphasizes the importance of evaluating the contributions of trophy hunting to conservation efforts and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as examining public perceptions of trophy hunting.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Mohammad S. Farhadinia, Anthony Waldron, Zaneta Kaszta, Ehab Eid, Alice Hughes, Huseyin Ambarli, Hadi Al-Hikmani, Bayarbaatar Buuveibaatar, Mariya A. Gritsina, Iding Haidir, Zafar-Ul Islam, Muhammad Kabir, Gopal Khanal, Maxim A. Koshkin, Rahim Kulenbekov, Zairbek Kubanychbekov, Aishwarya Maheshwari, Ugyen Penjor, Hana Raza, Tatjana Rosen, Anna Yachmennikova, Viatcheslav V. Rozhnov, Nobuyuki Yamaguchi, Paul J. Johnson, David W. Macdonald
Summary: Asia has underperformed in achieving the Aichi Target 11, with low terrestrial protected area coverage and limited assessment of management effectiveness. The high agricultural land is associated with lower protected area coverage. Asian countries have shown slow pace in increasing the extent of protected areas, indicating a challenge in achieving the 2030 targets.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Byoung-Won Park, Young Woo Park, Bo Da Nam, Seong Soon Kwon
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Michaela Wetzel, Alexandre Courtiol, Heribert Hofer, Susanne Holtze, Thomas B. B. Hildebrandt
Summary: The study investigates the determinants of early offspring survival in the naked mole-rat, a eusocial mammal. Factors such as pup body mass, maternal number of mammae, maternal body mass, and colony size significantly influence early pup survival. The influence of social factors on offspring survival in eusocial mammals is different from eusocial insects due to the level of sociality. The study contributes to a better understanding of the origin and maintenance of eusociality in mammals.