Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joao C. Teixeira, Christian D. Huber
Summary: Conservation genetics aims to evaluate population health and extinction risk based on genetic diversity levels, but neutral genetic diversity is not the only factor affecting species extinction risk. A deeper understanding of functional genetic diversity, demographic history, and ecological relationships is necessary for developing effective conservation genetic strategies.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca A. Senior, Brunno F. Oliveira, James Dale, Brett R. Scheffers
Summary: This study explores the conflicting roles of aesthetic value in biodiversity conservation by evaluating the aesthetics of passerines, the most speciose group of birds, using color metrics. The tropics are identified as global color hotspots, representing diverse and uniquely colored passerine assemblages. The pet trade, which currently affects 30% of passerines, targets uniquely colored species and related clusters. An additional 478 species are at risk of future trade based on their coloration and phylogenetic relationships. Modeling predicts localized losses of color diversity and uniqueness, highlighting the importance of proactive regulation of the bird trade to protect charismatic biodiversity and color hotspots.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
William J. Smith, Claudio S. Quilodran, Michal T. Jezierski, Ashley T. Sendell-Price, Sonya M. Clegg
Summary: This article discusses the importance of domestic animals and their relationships with wild relatives, as well as the threats and conservation challenges faced by undomesticated ancestral forms. It is suggested that priority should be given to research on ancestral, wild, and domestic animals to ensure successful conservation efforts.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kang-Rae Kim, Yeong-Ho Kwak, Mu-Sung Sung, Seong-Jang Cho, In-Chul Bang
Summary: The endangered black shinner Pseudopungtungia nigra is endemic to Korea, specifically the Geumgang River, Mangyeonggang River, and Ungcheoncheon Stream. Genetic analysis revealed complex population structure and migration. Conservation efforts are needed to protect the black shinner, especially in the Ungcheoncheon Stream population.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Andrew DeWoody, Avril M. Harder, Samarth Mathur, Janna R. Willoughby
Summary: The importance of genetic diversity in conservation biology cannot be overstated, as it is closely tied to evolutionary fitness and crucial for conservation efforts. In the Anthropocene, responsible management should prioritize the conservation of ecosystems, communities, populations, individuals, and their underlying genetic diversity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eric Wootton, Claude Robert, Jolle Taillon, Steeve Cote, Aaron B. A. Shafer
Summary: In this study, the relationships between measures of inbreeding, genomic constraint, and mutational load were investigated in white-tailed deer, caribou, and mountain goat. The results showed that mountain goats had higher inbreeding coefficients and more evolutionarily constrained regions compared to caribou and white-tailed deer. Additionally, white-tailed deer had the highest mutational load, followed by caribou, while mountain goats had the lowest.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Barfield, Sarah W. Davies, Mikhail V. Matz
Summary: This study investigated the possibility of sweepstakes reproductive success (SRS) in Acropora hyacinthus at Yap Island, Micronesia. The genetic diversity of adults and juveniles at different sites was compared, and a dip in genetic diversity was observed in juveniles compared to adults at two sites. However, there was no detectable genetic structure among juveniles. Nonetheless, a pair of juvenile siblings was identified at the site with the lowest genetic diversity, suggesting the existence of SRS.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Freda Kreier
Summary: Reanalysis of a landmark paper revealed that eight genome sequences were mistakenly assigned to the wrong orangutans, but the impacts on research remain unclear.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gholam Hosein Yusefi, Jose Carlos Brito, Mahmood Soofi, Kamran Safi
Summary: This study evaluates the potential impacts of direct killing, indirect human threats, and environmental and species traits on mammal species extinction. The results show that hunting vulnerability is the most important factor affecting extinction risk for all mammal species. Small-bodied species are more impacted by indirect human influence, while large species are highly affected by direct killing.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jun-Kyu Park, Yuno Do
Summary: Habitat suitability assessments are important for ecosystem management. This study analyzed the genetic and physiological characteristics of frog populations in riverine wetlands. The results showed unexpected genetic diversity and differences in genetic structure between populations in different areas. Most physiological indicators were not significantly different, but some blood biochemical indicators indicated hepatic stress in frogs from protected lowlands. Enhancing habitat connectivity is recommended to address the issue of genetic isolation.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meng Yue Wu, Clara Jesse Lau, Elize Ying Xin Ng, Pratibha Baveja, Chyi Yin Gwee, Keren Sadanandan, Teuku Reza Ferasyi, Haminuddin, Rezky Ramadhan, Jochen K. Menner, Frank E. Rheindt
Summary: Quantifying the magnitude of global extinction is challenging due to taxonomic limitations and difficulties in comprehensive sampling. The study focuses on a well-studied group of songbirds and reveals hidden extinction and loss of genetic diversity, highlighting the importance of reassessing extinction incidences even in well-known animal groups.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mark Hofmeyer, Garrie J. Haas, Elizabeth Jordan, Jinwen Cao, Evan Kransdorf, Gregory A. Ewald, Alanna A. Morris, Anjali Owens, Brian Lowes, Douglas Stoller, W. H. Wilson Tang, Sonia Garg, Barry H. Trachtenberg, Palak Shah, Salpy V. Pamboukian, Nancy K. Sweitzer, Matthew T. Wheeler, Jane E. Wilcox, Stuart Katz, Stephen Pan, Javier Jimenez, Frank Smart, Jessica Wang, Stephen S. Gottlieb, Daniel P. Judge, Charles K. Moore, Gordon S. Huggins, Daniel D. Kinnamon, Hanyu Ni, Ray E. Hershberger
Summary: Advanced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is associated with a higher probability of pathogenic or likely pathogenic rare variants in DCM genes, which can help assess the risk of outcomes in managing DCM patients and their at-risk family members.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Krizler C. Tanalgo, John Aries G. Tabora, Hernani Fernandes Magalhaes de Oliveira, Danny Haelewaters, Chad T. Beranek, Aida Otalora-Ardila, Enrico Bernard, Fernando Goncalves, Alan Eriksson, Melissa Donnelly, Joel Monzon Gonzalez, Humberto Fernandez Ramos, Alberto Clark Rivas, Paul W. Webala, Stanimira Deleva, Ridha Dalhoumi, Jaycelle Maula, Dennis Lizarro, Luis F. Aguirre, Nils Bouillard, Ma. Nina Regina M. Quibod, Jennifer Barros, Manfredo Alejandro Turcios-Casco, Marcio Martinez, Diego Ivan Ordonez-Mazier, Jose Alejandro Soler Orellana, Eduardo J. Ordonez-Trejo, Danny Ordonez, Ada Chornelia, Jian Mei Lu, Chen Xing, Sanjeev Baniya, Renata L. Muylaert, Leonardo Henrique Dias-Silva, Nittaya Ruadreo, Alice Catherine Hughes
Summary: This study developed a global database of bat caves and species, DarkCideS 1.0, which contains information on geographical location, ecological status, species traits, and parasites. The database is important for bat research and conservation efforts.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carlos Cruz, Giulia Santulli-Sanzo, Gerardo Ceballos
Summary: Raptor species are globally impacted, with varying distribution patterns and conservation efficiency, focusing actions on existing protected areas is fundamental to conservation, while creating new reserves is essential to cover the geographic range of species.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Bagdevi Mishra, Bartosz Ulaszewski, Sebastian Ploch, Jaroslaw Burczyk, Marco Thines
Summary: Chloroplast assembly is challenging due to large inverted repeats, but accurate assemblies are important for biogeography and population genetics studies. A study on European Beech chloroplast genomes revealed an inverted orientation of the single-copy region and potential loci for future SNP-based studies. The low divergence suggests limited seed dispersal but high pollen dispersal, with implications for tracing migration history in the Holocene.