Article
Environmental Sciences
Ting-Juan Liao, Benjamin F. Chao
Summary: This study focuses on the variation of the global mean sea level on interannual-decadal timescales and investigates the influences of climatic oscillations. Correlation analyses reveal high correlation between the global mean sea level and El Nino-Southern Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, while weak or practically no correlation is found with Arctic Oscillation and Antarctic Oscillation.
Article
Ecology
Jiekun He, Siliang Lin, Chenchen Ding, Jiehua Yu, Haisheng Jiang
Summary: The study reveals that endemic species started to colonize the TP as early as 55 million years ago, with the main colonization phase increasing around 15 million years ago and peaking after 6 million years. The major source areas for endemic TP species include the Hengduan Mountains, the Himalayas, and Central Asia. Elevation difference has the strongest effect on the source areas, followed by geographical distance. Significant differences were found among vertebrate classes in terms of spatio-temporal origins and potential drivers of endemic TP species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Rakka, Antonio Godinho, Covadonga Orejas, Marina Carreiro-Silva
Summary: This study focused on the early life history of the deep-sea octocoral species Dentomuricea aff. meteor in the Azores, describing the differences in embryo and larval characteristics under two temperature regimes. The results show how small changes in temperature can affect survival and swimming speed of the embryos, potentially influencing larval dispersal and success. This information is crucial for a better understanding of dispersal, connectivity, and biogeographical patterns of benthic species in deep-sea ecosystems.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kresimir Ruic, Jadranka Sepic, Marko Mlinar, Iva Medugorac
Summary: Sea level time series from 18 evenly-distributed tide gauges along the eastern and western coast of the Adriatic Sea were analyzed to determine the contribution of high-frequency sea level oscillations to extreme sea levels. The study found that high-frequency oscillations can dominate or significantly contribute to extreme sea levels, especially meteotsunamis. The contribution of high-frequency oscillations is influenced by bathymetry and atmospheric forcing, with the strongest oscillations occurring in the middle Adriatic. The study also identified three distinct groups of tide gauge stations based on the characteristics of high-frequency oscillations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guangpeng Liu, Annalisa Bracco, Andrea M. Quattrini, Santiago Herrera
Summary: Fine-scale larval dispersal and connectivity processes are crucial for species survival and adaptation. This study integrated physical models and genetic connectivity estimates to examine the dispersal pattern and potential connectivity of a common deep-water coral in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The findings suggest a trend of dispersal from east to west along specific depth contours, with stepping-stone dispersal likely facilitating long-distance connectivity between separated populations.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Topi K. Lehtonen, Natarsha L. Babic, Timo Piepponen, Otso Valkeeniemi, Anna-Maria Borshagovski, Arja Kaitala
Summary: In a human-modified landscape, the European common glow-worm larvae exhibit a strongly female-biased dispersal behavior, selecting to move through roads, but often perishing when run over by vehicles. This highlights roads as potential ecological traps for female glow-worm larvae in modern society.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ryan J. Lowe, Michael V. W. Cuttler, Jeff E. Hansen
Summary: The study highlights the significant role of seasonal and interannual sea level variability in triggering extreme sea level (ESL) events, with these low-frequency contributions being relatively large along the Western Australia coastline. As mean sea level rises, sea level rise is identified as making an increasingly significant contribution to the observed increases in the frequency of ESLs.
Article
Geography, Physical
Fangyi Tan, Nicole S. Khan, Tanghua Li, Aron J. Meltzner, Jedrzej Majewski, Nicholas Chan, Peter M. Chutcharavan, Niamh Cahill, Matteo Vacchi, Dongju Peng, Benjamin P. Horton
Summary: This study establishes a standardized database of Holocene relative sea-level (RSL) data from far-field islands in the mid-Pacific. The database can be used to validate the ice-melting histories of glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) models. Lack of quality control in the RSL reconstruction hinders understanding of regional variability and ice-equivalent sea-level changes.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maik Tiedemann, Aril Slotte, Richard D. M. Nash, Erling K. Stenevik, Olav S. Kjesbu
Summary: Larval drift plays a critical role in fish recruitment success, with enhanced recruitment associated with rapid northward larval drift towards the Barents Sea. The study suggests that larval drift indices can help predict recruitment success, but larval displacement alone is just one of many controlling factors.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
B. Duncan, R. McKay, R. Levy, T. Naish, J. G. Prebble, F. Sangiorgi, S. Krishnan, F. Hoem, C. Clowes, T. Dunkley Jones, E. Gasson, C. Kraus, D. K. Kulhanek, S. R. Meyers, H. Moossen, C. Warren, V Willmott, G. T. Ventura, J. Bendle
Summary: The Cenozoic evolution of the Antarctic ice sheets is influenced by both changes in radiative forcing and tectonic evolution. This study presents an Antarctic compilation of Cenozoic upper-ocean temperature and reveals a correlation between ocean temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide, and oxygen isotopes. The retreat of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet during the late Oligocene was primarily caused by a tectonically driven marine transgression. The expansion of marine ice sheets occurred when ocean temperatures further cooled during the Oligocene-Miocene transition.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Bernardino J. Nhantumbo, Bjorn C. Backeberg, Jan Even Oie Nilsen, Chris J. C. Reason
Summary: This study investigates sea level variability along the South African east and south coast, revealing that regional winds influence sea level on sub-annual scales, while ENSO, IOD, and SAM are related to interannual variability.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dominick M. Ciruzzi, Steven P. Loheide II
Summary: Tree ring patterns can be used to reconstruct long-term groundwater and lake level histories, providing important insights into the influence of groundwater on tree growth. This research helps improve understanding of climate-induced tree mortality and reduce uncertainty in forest productivity models.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Osazee O. Oyanoghafo, Corey O' Brien, Brendan Choat, David Tissue, Paul D. Rymer
Summary: This study found that climate, specifically rainfall and aridity, is the key predictor of variation in cavitation resistance among diverse flora. Drought avoidance strategies such as terete leaf form and greater Huber value are important for species to colonize and persist in arid biomes. Stem P-50, an adaptive trait genetically determined, is a reliable and robust predictor of species vulnerability to climate change.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
P. P. Mohapatra, A. Stephen, P. Singh, S. Prasad, K. Anupama
Summary: This study focuses on palynological and sedimentary records in southeastern India over the past 11040 years, with a particular emphasis on pollen data analysis from the Porayar sediment core. The research reveals transitions from lower to more stable sea levels, and infers regional vegetation changes that provide clues for climate interpretation.
Article
Geography, Physical
Jon Hill, Alexandros Avdis, Geoff Bailey, Kurt Lambeck
Summary: This study examines the possibility of early human sea crossings in the southern Red Sea during the Pleistocene. Through simulation of tidal flows and passive movements, it is found that the distances of sea crossings were shorter during the Pleistocene. The strongest tidal currents were observed near the islands in the Hanish sill region, suggesting a higher chance of successful crossing.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jamie Hudson, Christopher D. McQuaid, Marc Rius
Summary: Human activities alter biodiversity patterns through species extinctions and range shifts, particularly through human mediated species transfer and contemporary climate change. Hybrids may survive in environments where their parents cannot, suggesting potential for range expansion under changing conditions. However, experimental results show that hybrids perform poorly compared to parental crosses, indicating limited potential for range expansion into new environments. In contrast, the more widespread parental species exhibits better performance across a range of temperatures, suggesting better resilience to future conditions.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jamie Hudson, Juan Carlos Castilla, Peter R. Teske, Luciano B. Beheregaray, Ivan D. Haigh, Christopher D. McQuaid, Marc Rius
Summary: This study used species distribution modeling and genomic data to investigate the restricted range of a highly invasive Australian marine species, Pyura praeputialis, in Chile. The research revealed high genomic diversity and adaptive potential in Chile, with genomic data showing that a single region in Australia was the sole source of genotypes for the introduced range. The study also identified unoccupied suitable habitat adjacent to the current introduced range, suggesting that slight environmental changes could lead to a significant expansion of the species' range along the South American coast.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Benedicta B. Ngwakum, Robyn P. Payne, Peter R. Teske, Liesl Janson, Sven E. Kerwath, Toufiek Samaai
Summary: This study established a DNA barcoding reference database of sponges from South Africa, demonstrating the applicability of the COI gene in aiding sponge identification and uncovering cryptic species. The DNA barcoding analysis has the potential to reveal hidden sponge species.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Lyle D. Vorsatz, Bruce P. Mostert, Christopher D. McQuaid, Stefano Cannicci, Francesca Porri
Summary: Our study suggests that spawning females and embryos of intertidal crabs from warm temperate latitudes are more vulnerable to temperature increases, especially in water. The Oxygen- and Capacity-Limited Thermal Tolerance hypothesis indicates that ontogeny-specific aerobic capacity determines the overall species' thermal sensitivity.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alicia Dalongeville, Erica S. Nielsen, Peter R. Teske, Sophie von Der Heyden
Summary: The study found that temperature variation is a prominent source of intraspecific genetic variation along the South African coastline characterized by high environmental heterogeneity. Genetic diversity differs between bioregions, but does not display higher levels within the core of each species' range when assessed across multiple species.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Mauricio H. Orostica, Adam J. Wyness, Jonathan R. Monsinjon, Katy R. Nicastro, Gerardo Zardi, Cassandra Barker, Christopher D. McQuaid
Summary: This study examines the impact of adult mussels as settlement habitat on mussel recruitment and investigates the species-specific suitability of the habitats they offer.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Alexia M. Dievart, Christopher D. McQuaid, Gerardo Zardi, Katy R. Nicastro, Pierre W. Froneman
Summary: Photoautotrophic euendolithic microorganisms are widely distributed in environments with calcium carbonate substrates and sufficient light. They can infest marine calcifying organisms, causing sub-lethal and lethal damage. However, under suitable conditions, their presence can also have surprising benefits for the host.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiyang Chang, Tuan A. Duong, Cassandra Schoeman, Xiao Ma, Danielle Roodt, Nigel Barker, Zhen Li, Yves Van de Peer, Eshchar Mizrachi
Summary: The king protea, the national flower of South Africa, is an iconic species from the Cape Floristic Region. Its genome assembly reveals an ancestral whole-genome duplication event and provides insights into its adaptability to nutrient-poor soils. The research empowers new studies in plant diversification, horticulture, and adaptation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sivuyisiwe Situngu, Nigel P. Barker
Summary: Leaf domatia are common structures in many plants, often associated with mites and potentially mediating mutualistic relationships. This study examined the anatomical structures of leaf domatia in the Rubiaceae family and found specific features.
Article
Zoology
Melissa K. Boonzaaier-Davids, Kevin C. K. Ma, Christopher D. Mcquaid
Summary: This study reports on the discovery of epibiotic bryozoans on shells of the invasive Mediterranean mussel. Over 2500 mussels were collected from rocky shores in South Africa, and 10% of them hosted epibiotic bryozoans. The study identified three encrusting cheilostome species and a new species with avicularia and ooecia. The research highlights the diversity of epibiotic bryozoans on mussel shells and suggests that invasive species can provide new substratum for rare or undescribed species of epibionts.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alexia M. Dievart, Christopher D. McQuaid, Gerardo I. Zardi, Katy R. Nicastro, Pierre W. Froneman
Summary: Mussel beds provide thermal buffering and can be colonized by photoautotrophic euendoliths, which indirectly benefit associated molluscs by increasing shell albedo. This study investigated the effect of euendolithic infestation on body temperatures of four mollusc species in artificial mussel beds. Results showed that non-infested beds had higher shell temperatures for two species under high solar irradiance and low wind speeds. Morphological differences between species could explain this contrast. The findings suggest that euendolithic infestation improves humidity and temperature in mussel beds, benefiting associated molluscs particularly under heat stress.
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
C. D. Mcquaid
Summary: Understanding the future of Southern Ocean ecosystems requires a holistic approach. Human activities have led to both top-down and bottom-up perturbations in the Southern Ocean. The removal of whales and finfish has disrupted the ecosystem from the top down, affecting other predators. Meanwhile, climate change is altering physical conditions, which will have bottom-up consequences for primary producers and top predators. Three key physical changes - loss of sea ice, changes to water-column stability, and water transport patterns - will impact krill abundances, primary producer community structure, and prey availability to land-breeding predators.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paula M. de Coito, Arsalan Emami-Khoyi, Terry A. Hedderson, Robert J. Toonen, Peter R. Teske, George M. Branch
Summary: Seagrass habitats are declining globally, endangering seagrass-associated animals such as the Critically Endangered limpet Siphonaria compressa. This rare mollusk is found in only two separate lagoons in South Africa and relies on a specific seagrass species for survival. Genetic and morphological analysis revealed that the two populations are distinct subspecies and therefore translocation between them is not recommended as it may worsen the risk of extinction. Conservation measures for each population, such as seagrass bed protection and restoration, should be implemented instead.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Arsalan Emami-Khoyi, Candice M. Jooste, Ryan J. Wasserman, Tatenda Dalu, Morgan J. J. Raath-Kruger, Bettine Jansen van Vuuren, Peter R. Teske
Summary: This study investigated the spatial genetic structure and dispersal history of a calanoid copepod species in temporary wetlands in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The wetland populations were highly structured across the landscape and potentially represent cryptic speciation. The dispersal history of these populations was affected by a postulated barrier, which eventually disappeared, allowing the species to spread into coastal regions.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
A. Dinoi, M. Rius, M. Tine, P. R. Teske
Summary: The development of microsatellites and mitochondrial markers for the redbait species Pyura herdmani and P. stolonifera allows for population genetic studies and monitoring of range shifts under contemporary climate change, contributing to the preservation of ecosystem functioning along African coastlines.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)