Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael E. Fraker, Stuart A. Ludsin, Barney Luttbeg, Robert J. Denver
Summary: Studying how predator-induced changes in tail morphology of wood frog tadpoles influence their escape performance revealed that exposure to larval dragonflies and exogenous corticosterone resulted in deeper tail muscles and improved escape performance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aldona Dobrzycka-Krahel, Maria Leonor Fidalgo
Summary: Salinity tolerance determines the distribution range of organisms. Understanding the ability of crayfish to live in different saline environments is important due to their ecological significance. We investigated the habitats and origins of alien crayfish species to predict their dispersal patterns. Our findings showed that freshwater crayfish species dominate in the alien population and originate mostly from America. The study provides valuable insights for crayfish management and spread prevention.
Article
Developmental Biology
Momoko Deguchi, Taro Fukazawa, Takeo Kubo
Summary: Xenopus laevis tadpoles can regenerate whole tails after amputation. The previously uncharacterized genes rfem.L and rfem.S were identified as essential for tail regeneration under Il11 signaling in a subset of leukocytes with a macrophage-like gene expression profile.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Mariana Pueta, Dolores Ardanaz, Juan Cruz Tallone
Summary: The study found that predator novice Pleurodema thaul tadpoles habituated to predation risk chemical cues from injured conspecifics, but did not habituate when exposed to cues derived from predator fed odonate. The perceived risk level in tadpoles appeared to be similar across different types of risk stimuli.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maciej Bonk, Antoni Amirowicz
Summary: This study investigated the impact of dam reservoirs on the body condition of invasive Faxonius limosus. The results showed that reservoirs have a positive allometric effect on the growth of females, but have a less significant impact on males. Contrary to expectations, reservoirs do not provide more favorable habitat conditions for F. limosus compared to natural aquatic environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael Oliewo Aluma, Lilian Pukk, Margo Hurt, Katrin Kaldre
Summary: Invasive non-indigenous crayfish species pose a significant threat to native crayfish populations in European freshwater ecosystems. The presence of signal crayfish, marbled crayfish, and spiny-cheek crayfish in Estonia has increased the risk of extinction for the native noble crayfish. This study provides an overview of the status, distribution, and impacts of these invasive species on native crayfish populations, as well as the effectiveness of trapping in controlling their abundance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paula G. Slater, Juan Larrain
Summary: Spinal cord injury is a permanent condition with no functional recovery therapy, and studying non-mammalian organisms' regenerative mechanisms can provide potential targets for SCI therapeutic intervention.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Japo Jussila, Lennart Edsman, Ivana Maguire, Javier Dieguez-Uribeondo, Kathrin Theissinger
Summary: The introduction of alien crayfish species to Europe in response to crayfish plague epidemics in the native European crayfish populations led to further devastation of the remaining native crayfish resources. It was soon discovered that the alien crayfish species were permanent reservoirs for the disease agent, Aphanomyces astaci, causing repeated waves of plague epidemics among the native crayfish stocks.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Andrea Gazzola, Alessandro Balestrieri, Giovanni Scribano, Andrea Fontana, Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
Summary: Predation plays a significant role in shaping the evolution of prey behavior. Anuran tadpoles rely on water-borne chemical cues to assess predation risk, especially when facing unknown predator species. In response to predator threats, tadpoles exhibit defensive behaviors such as freezing and zig-zagging, with changes in behavior influenced by predator species and diet.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Grigorij Yanuta, Daniel Klich, Robert Glogowski, Nikolai Shilovich, Marek Balcerak
Summary: Invasive animal species pose a significant threat to native biocenoses. This study aimed to investigate the potential use of American mink scats as a bioindicator of the presence and density of invasive crayfish. The dietary composition of the mink showed great similarities across different types of watercourses, with crayfish density being correlated with the percentage of crayfish in scats collected during the warm season.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Bianca Guadin, Andrea Gazzola, Alessandro Balestrieri, Giovanni Scribano, Jose Martin, Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
Summary: The study found that living in a group can increase the baseline activity level of tadpoles, while tadpoles reared alone showed less response when exposed to predator odors. The antipredator response of tadpoles reared in high density decreased in the presence of conspecifics' cues.
Article
Ecology
Daniel K. K. Szydlowski, Ashley K. K. Elgin, David M. M. Lodge, Jeremy S. S. Tiemann, Eric R. R. Larson
Summary: A central focus of invasive species research has been on human efforts to eradicate invaders or reduce their abundance to mitigate the worst of their impacts. However, in some cases, populations of invasive species decline without human intervention, which may inform management responses to these invaders.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Andreas H. Dobler, Juergen Geist
Summary: The study compared the predation impact of native and invasive crayfish on native and invasive freshwater mussels, finding that invasive crayfish had a higher predation and damage rate, while native mussels were more susceptible. The experimental results suggest that crayfish may have a negative impact on mussels, with potential implications for endangered native mussel populations.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Davinder Kaur, Azeem Iqbal, Ismael Soto, Jan Kubec, Milos Buric
Summary: Multisensory stimuli provide organisms with information to assess threats. In aquatic environments, olfactory cues dominate over other senses. The effect of chemical predator cues combined with learning in species without previous contact is not well understood.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Andrea Gazzola, Bianca Guadin, Alessandro Balestrieri, Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
Summary: This study found that predation threat in the environment can induce individual-level changes in laterality in Balearic green toad tadpoles. Tadpoles exposed to chemical cues of native predators and conspecific prey showed significant changes in lateralization intensity and activity level.
Article
Zoology
Sara F. Nunes, Mario Mota-Ferreira, Marta Sampaio, Joana Andrade, Nuno Oliveira, Rui Rebelo, Ricardo Rocha
Summary: Invasive species pose a threat to island biodiversity, but eradicating them can protect endemic species. This study used the eradication of black rats and rabbits from Berlenga Island in Portugal as an experiment to explore the effects on the trophic niche and body dimensions of the island-restricted Berlenga wall lizard. The results showed changes in the lizard's trophic niche and sexual dimorphism following mammal eradication, indicating shifts in ecological pressures.
Article
Entomology
Maria Joao Verdasca, Raquel Godinho, Rita Gomes Rocha, Marco Portocarrero, Luisa Gigante Carvalheiro, Rui Rebelo, Hugo Rebelo
Summary: Through DNA metabarcoding, it was found that worker jaws and larval faecal pellets are the most effective sample types for studying Asian giant hornets' predation on honeybees, while stomachs are the least useful. The presence of honeybee DNA in all analysed colonies regardless of collection site and the variety of insect orders detected in the diet support concerns over the negative impact of Asian giant hornets on managed honeybees and pollination services provision.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Joao Verdasca, Luisa Carvalheiro, Jesus Aguirre Gutierrez, Jose Pedro Granadeiro, Quentin Rome, Sebastien J. Puechmaille, Rui Rebelo, Hugo Rebelo
Summary: The study compares the niche dynamics of two genetically related invasive populations of Vespa velutina and finds that the species has a high ability to invade different environmental conditions. It also identifies a large unoccupied environmental space in central and eastern Europe that has the potential to be invaded by V. velutina.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ana M. Duarte, Frederica Silva, Susana Mendes, Filipa R. Pinto, Sonia Barroso, Elisabete Silva, Ana Neves, Vera Sequeira, Maria Filomena Magalhaes, Rui Rebelo, Carlos Assis, Ana Rita Vieira, Leonel Serrano Gordo, Maria Manuel Gil
Summary: This study assessed the seasonal nutritional composition of underutilized and low commercial value fish species on the Portuguese coast and found that they are good sources of fat and protein, with the potential to become commonly consumed fish.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Nicholas Scaramella, Jelena Mausbach, Anssi Laurila, Sarah Stednitz, Katja Rasanen
Summary: This study compared the short-term behavioral and physiological responses of Rana arvalis tadpoles to acid and predator stress in two divergent populations. The results showed that tadpoles from both populations reduced their activity in acidic pH, but their response to the predator cue differed. The adaptability to environmental acidification in R. arvalis is mediated, in part, through behavioral and hormonal plasticity.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMICAL SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fernando Miguel Madeira, Rui Rebelo, Paulo Catry, Joao Neiva, Castro Barbosa, Aissa Regalla, Ana Rita Patricio
Summary: Green turtles heavily rely on neritic foraging areas throughout their lives. Our study in Guinea-Bissau reveals that green sea turtles from different life stages vary in their distribution, food preferences, and habitat use within a foraging aggregation.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Manuel Sa Sampaio, Rui Rebelo, Aissa Regalla, Castro Barbosa, Paulo Catry
Summary: Predation of nests and hatchlings can be reduced by disguising scent cues and using metal nets, which may be a cost-effective management option to mitigate the threat of Nile monitors to green turtle nests in sensitive areas.
CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Cheila Raposo, Julie Mestre, Rui Rebelo, Aissa Regalla, Alasdair Davies, Castro Barbosa, Ana Rita Patricio
Summary: Understanding the spatial distribution of wildlife is crucial for effective conservation. This study tracked green turtles from a rookery in Guinea-Bissau, examining their movement patterns and fidelity to nesting sites. The research showed the importance of a marine protected area for the conservation of a large green turtle breeding population, and provided recommendations for improving its effectiveness.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Federica Lucati, Alexandre Miro, Jaime Bosch, Jenny Caner, Michael Joseph Jowers, Xavier Rivera, David Donaire-Barroso, Rui Rebelo, Marc Ventura
Summary: This study investigated the drivers of geographical differentiation in high mountain populations of midwife toads from the Iberian Peninsula. The authors found evidence of mitochondrial and nuclear discordances and/or admixture between taxa in the different mountain regions. The study highlights the complex evolutionary history and emphasizes the importance of using a multilocus approach.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Vera Sequeira, Ines Sousa, Ana Neves, Ana Rita Vieira, Elisabete Silva, Frederica Silva, Ana Marta Duarte, Susana Mendes, Rui Ganhao, Carlos Alberto Assis, Rui Rebelo, Maria Filomena Magalhaes, Maria Manuel Gil, Leonel Serrano Gordo
Summary: This study examined the age and growth of piper gurnard and red gurnard specimens from European waters, estimating their growth parameters. The results showed that red gurnard grew faster but reached a smaller size compared to piper gurnard. Additionally, red gurnard had higher fishing mortality and exploitation rate on the Portuguese coast, raising concerns about its sustainability.
Article
Virology
Catarina D. Coutinho, Charlotte E. Ford, Joseph D. Trafford, Ana Duarte, Rui Rebelo, Goncalo M. Rosa
Summary: Emergent infectious diseases have a growing impact on farmed animals and wildlife. Pathogen screening is crucial for understanding host-pathogen dynamics and improving management. A study on two threatened freshwater fish species found that non-lethal buccal swabbing is a reliable alternative to traditional fin clipping for detecting the Ranavirus, particularly in small-bodied fish. This has significant implications for conservation efforts.
Article
Environmental Studies
Andre Vizinho, Adriana Principe, Ana Catia Vasconcelos, Rui Rebelo, Cristina Branquinho, Gil Penha-Lopes
Summary: In Mediterranean climate regions, climate change is causing increased aridity and higher mortality rates for Quercus suber, affecting reforestation efforts. This study explores the use of microclimates, particularly by utilizing north-facing slopes and water lines for planting, and creating shelter with existing shrubs like Cistus ladanifer. Experiment 1 demonstrated higher survival rates for Q. suber planted on north-facing slopes and water lines compared to ridges, while Experiment 2 showed that planting in the shade of C. ladanifer rows significantly increased survival rates. These findings indicate the importance of considering microclimates in reforestation strategies for Q. suber.
Article
Ecology
Sara Meurling, Mattias Siljestam, Maria Cortazar-Chinarro, David Ahlen, Patrik Rodin-Morch, Erik Agren, Jacob Hoglund, Anssi Laurila
Summary: This study investigates how geographical origin affects the sensitivity to infection by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in two North European amphibians. The researchers found that common toads had higher infection loads compared to moor frogs, and smaller individuals also had higher infection loads. Mortality in response to Bd infection was higher in common toads, while moor frogs had low mortality. Bd infection led to sub-lethal effects in terms of reduced growth, suggesting that surviving individuals may have reduced fitness due to smaller body size. The Swedish Bd strain caused stronger sublethal effects than the British strain.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. Cortazar-Chinarro, A. Richter-Boix, P. Rodin-Morch, P. Halvarsson, J. B. Logue, A. Laurila, J. Hoglund
Summary: Microbiomes play a crucial role in determining the ecology and behavior of their hosts. This study investigated the effects of geography, evolutionary history, and host genetics on the skin microbiome diversity and structure in a widespread amphibian. The results showed that microbiome diversity was correlated with host genetic diversity, and the bacterial community composition varied between geographical clusters and specific host genetic variations.
Article
Fisheries
Ana Neves, Ana Rita Vieira, Vera Sequeira, Elisabete Silva, Frederica Silva, Ana Marta Duarte, Susana Mendes, Rui Ganhao, Carlos Assis, Rui Rebelo, Maria Filomena Magalhaes, Maria Manuel Gil, Leonel Serrano Gordo
Summary: This study presents a Bayesian approach to improve plausibility in growth estimates, particularly when small individuals are under-sampled, by using informative priors on growth parameters. The Bayesian method was evaluated in relation to standard growth model fitting methods in the context of the blue jack mackerel, with promising results indicating its potential as a powerful addition in growth modelling using imperfect data.