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.
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.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ronald Cutler, Jan Vijg
Summary: The study has shown that radiation-damaged paternal DNA causes embryos of the second generation of nematode worms, but not the first, to die. The proposed mechanisms explain why this effect is not observed in humans.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher Kemp
Summary: Exploring the genomes of forgotten and heirloom apple varieties is crucial for preserving the future of these unique fruits.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rodrigo Barban Zucoloto, Gilberto Cafezeiro Bomfim, Flora Maria de Campos Fernandes, Alessandra Selbach Schnadelbach, Carlos Ignacio Pina, Luciano M. Verdade
Summary: The study estimated the effective population size of broad-snouted caiman populations in Brazil using a single-sample estimator, revealing significant genetic and genotypic differentiation among wild populations. The effective population size of captive colonies was slightly larger than that of wild populations, with only a few adults effectively contributing to genetic variation in most wild populations.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
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.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maggie P. Lauria Sneideman, Victoria H. Meller
Summary: A protein that upregulates gene expression of the X chromosome has been discovered in male mosquitoes, which is crucial for equalizing gene expression between sexes in organisms with X and Y chromosomes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Luis Zanella Kantek, Cristine Silveira Trinca, Fernando Tortato, Allison Loretta Devlin, Fernando Cesar Cascelli de Azevedo, Sandra Cavalcanti, Leandro Silveira, Selma Samiko Miyazaki, Peter Gransden Crawshaw Junior, Joares Adenilson May-Junior, Carlos Eduardo Fragoso, Leonardo Rodrigues Sartorello, Lilian Elaine Rampim, Mario B. Haberfeld, Gediendson Ribeiro de Araujo, Ronaldo Goncalves Morato, Eduardo Eizirik
Summary: Habitat loss and fragmentation pose significant threats to carnivores worldwide, particularly to large predators. Through the use of microsatellite markers and field data, this study found that jaguars in the Pantanal represent a panmictic population with some local differentiation, and that the Paraguay River plays a crucial role in promoting gene flow among populations. Genetic evidence of female philopatry and male-biased dispersal in jaguars was reported for the first time, along with the first timeline pedigree and direct estimate of the species' generation time, contributing to more realistic assessments of jaguar population dynamics and long-term genetic viability for improved conservation strategies.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Dongqi Liu, Shiming Zhang, Xinyu Zuo, Yi Zheng, Jing Li
Summary: This paper presents the first study on the dynamic changes in genetic diversity and population structure of Leptobotia microphthalma in the Yangtze River drainage caused by dam constructions. The results show that although there was no significant reduction in genetic diversity between 2010 and 2020, there was a tendency for the population structure to change. The populations in high elevation regions were found to be more vulnerable. Suggestions for conservation and restoration, such as artificial propagation, are proposed.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alice Ferrari, Valentina Crobe, Rita Cannas, Rob W. Leslie, Fabrizio Serena, Marco Stagioni, Filipe O. Costa, Daniel Golani, Farid Hemida, Diana Zaera-Perez, Letizia Sion, Pierluigi Carbonara, Fabio Fiorentino, Fausto Tinti, Alessia Cariani
Summary: The Raja miraletus species complex shows high morphological and ecological stability in the Eastern Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Through genetic analysis, we discovered multiple sibling taxa and cryptic speciation, supporting the idea of stabilising selection. Despite high species diversity, skates (Rajiformes) have conserved morphology and ecology. Our study confirms the taxonomic boundaries of three recognized species and reveals hidden genetic structures that can contribute to conservation efforts.
Review
Plant Sciences
Ben Belden Mugula, Samuel Kuria Kiboi, James Ireri Kanya, Anthony Egeru, Paul Okullo, Manuel Curto, Harald Meimberg
Summary: The increasing demand for ornamental, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products has led to the exploitation of plant species globally, with African Sandalwood facing the risk of endangerment in Sub-Saharan Africa. The species poses taxonomic challenges and population decline, highlighting the need for further research and conservation efforts in the region.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
William S. Bugg, Matt J. Thorstensen, Katie E. Marshall, W. Gary Anderson, Ken M. Jeffries
Summary: Increasing temperatures have detrimental effects on endangered freshwater species, such as lake sturgeon. This study demonstrates that higher temperatures during development result in physiological consequences for lake sturgeon populations, including altered metabolic rate, thermal tolerance, transcriptional responses, growth, and mortality. The research also shows population-specific thresholds for transcriptional plasticity and mitochondrial function in response to elevated temperatures, highlighting the molecular impacts of increasing temperatures on divergent lake sturgeon populations.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Debora S. Marks, Stephen W. Michnick
Summary: An integrated technique is introduced to quantify and disentangle the effects of gene mutations on protein traits, allowing assessments of mutational effects on protein biophysics.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hideyuki Doi, Takeshi Watanabe, Naofumi Nishizawa, Tatsuya Saito, Hisao Nagata, Yuichi Kameda, Nobutaka Maki, Kousuke Ikeda, Takashi Fukuzawa
Summary: Molecular methods, including eDNA, are crucial for biological and conservation sciences. Our innovative on-site eDNA measurement method reduces time and improves detectability, making it suitable for various taxa and environments.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Noor Ul Ain, Marta Baroncelli, Alice Costantini, Tayyaba Ishaq, Fulya Taylan, Ola Nilsson, Outi Makitie, Sadaf Naz
Summary: This study identified a novel severe skeletal dysplasia associated with a biallelic variant in GNPNAT1. The data suggest that GNPNAT1 is important for growth plate chondrogenesis.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Carolina B. Machado, Alline Braga-Silva, Patricia D. Freitas, Pedro M. Galetti
Summary: The study revealed that dam construction has significantly impacted genetic diversity and genetic structuring of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans populations, particularly affecting populations in smaller ecosystems. Urgent conservation policies are needed to prevent local extinctions of the species in fragmented river landscapes, highlighting the effectiveness of large ecosystems and population connectivity in conserving genetic diversity of migratory fishes.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Marina E. De oliveira, Bruno H. Saranholi, Rodolfo Dirzo, Pedro M. Galetti
Summary: By reviewing philopatry and dispersal in felids, it was found that most species followed the predicted philopatric and dispersal patterns. In the majority of study areas (76%), there were various anthropogenic disturbance drivers affecting population dynamics. Human activities disrupt sex-related patterns of spatial dynamics in this animal lineage.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolina S. Carvalho, Marina Elisa De Oliveira, Karen Giselle Rodriguez-Castro, Bruno H. Saranholi, Pedro M. Jr Galetti Jr
Summary: Environmental DNA (eDNA) and invertebrate-derived DNA (iDNA) are viewed as powerful tools for biodiversity assessment and conservation management. In assessing fish diversity, eDNA is shown to be more efficient than conventional methods, with higher correlation between eDNA data and fish abundance in laboratory experiments. Conducting more comparative studies is needed for other samplers, vertebrate groups, and tropical zones.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rodriguez-Castro Karen Giselle, Lemos Frederico Gemesio, Azevedo Fernanda Cavalcanti, Freitas-Junior Mozart Caetano, Desbiez Arnaud Leonard Jean, Galetti Jr Pedro Manoel
Summary: This study analyzed the genetic diversity and population structuring of the maned wolf species. The results indicate that human impacts have led to reduced gene flow and recent bottleneck events, which may negatively affect the long-term persistence of this species.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Carla C. Gestich, Jodo M. Goncalves Jr, Bruno H. Saranholi, Patricia D. Freitas, Pedro M. Galetti Jr
Summary: This study provides an estimation of the population density of the buffy-tufted-ear marmoset and records the presence of invasive Callithrix species and hybrids. The conservation of this endangered primate species is crucial due to habitat reduction and competition with non-native congeners. The Serra do Japi population may serve as an important source for the species' conservation, but the presence of hybrids poses a threat.
FOLIA PRIMATOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bruno H. Saranholi, Alexandra Sanches, Jose F. Moreira-Ramirez, Carolina da Silva Carvalho, Mauro Galetti, Pedro M. Galetti Jr
Summary: By evaluating the genetic structure and diversity of the lowland tapir in the largest Atlantic forest corridor in Brazil, it was found that there is genetic differentiation between inland and coastal populations, which may be due to elevation. The study also showed that even large continuous rainforests are not completely permeable to the gene flow of large organisms. This has important implications for the long-term conservation of large mammals.
PERSPECTIVES IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bruno H. Saranholi, Karen G. Rodriguez-Castro, Carolina S. Carvalho, Samira Chahad-Ehlers, Carla C. Gestich, Sonia C. S. Andrade, Patricia D. Freitas, Pedro M. Galetti
Summary: The effectiveness of mosquitoes and flies in detecting mammals was compared, and it was found that flies were more efficient. Using both samplers allowed for a more comprehensive screening of biodiversity, and the use of mini-barcodes proved to be efficient in mammal detection.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabriela Guadalupe Aliaga-Samanez, Nathalia Bulhoes Javarotti, Gisele Orecife, Karla Chavez-Congrains, Alcides Pissinatti, Caue Monticelli, Mara Cristina Marques, Peter Galbusera, Pedro Manoel Galetti, Patricia Domingues de Freitas
Summary: This study evaluated the genetic diversity and structure of the two main captive populations of the Golden-headed Lion Tamarin in Brazil, revealing a moderate differentiation between the populations. The management has been efficient in avoiding an increase in homozygosity, but simulations suggest a significant loss of genetic diversity in the next 100 years, especially in one of the populations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alejandra Arana, Juan Esteves, Rina Ramirez, Pedro M. Galetti Jr, Z. Jose Perez, Jorge L. Ramirez
Summary: The Lima leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus sentosus), a Peruvian species that mainly inhabits ancient archaeological areas, has been severely affected by habitat modification since ancient civilizations, leading to low genetic diversity, population structuring, and reduced historical gene flow.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Rosane Silva-Santos, Carolina de Barros Machado, Angela Maria Zanata, Priscila Camelier, Pedro Manoel Galetti, Patricia Domingues de Freitas
Summary: Molecular tools were used to study Astyanax species in the upper Paraguacu River basin. Single and multilocus analyses were conducted to delimit species and the results showed congruence for most species except Astyanax aff. rupestris. The findings contribute to the understanding of fish diversity and highlight the importance of the Paraguacu River basin as a hotspot for ichthyofauna biodiversity.
NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Luciano M. Verdade, Rita C. Bianchi, Pedro M. Galetti, Vania R. Pivello, Wesley R. Silva, Alexandre Uezu
Summary: Despite their negative impacts on the environment, human-modified environments play a relevant role in biodiversity conservation. The decision-making process in these environments should be based on good science and good governance, focusing on wildlife management and biological conservation.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Mauro Galetti, Ana Paula Carmignotto, Alexandre R. Percequillo, Marcos C. de O. Santos, Katia Maria P. M. de Barros Ferraz, Fernando Lima, Mauricio H. Vancine, Renata L. Muylaert, Fernando Cesar Goncalves Bonfim, Marcelo Magioli, Fernanda D. Abra, Adriano G. Chiarello, Jose Mauricio Barbanti Duarte, Ronaldo Morato, Beatriz de Mello Beisiegel, Fabio Olmos, Pedro Manoel Galetti Jr, Milton Cezar Ribeiro
Summary: Mammals play a crucial role in ecological functions and ecosystem services in the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil. The state holds a significant amount of mammalian diversity, but human activities, such as agriculture and urbanization, have negatively impacted the diversity and persistence of mammals. The future of mammals in the state depends on conservation efforts, including the establishment of forest corridors and the mitigation of human-wildlife conflict such as roadkill.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tatiana M. B. Freitas, Joao M. S. Abreu, Iracilda Sampaio, Nivaldo M. Piorski, Luiz N. Weber
Summary: This study assessed the genetic differentiation of the Scinax nebulosus species using a region of the mitochondria genome and found evidence of geographically structured genetic divergence. The results suggest the presence of cryptic species and the existence of a mosaic of heterogeneous habitats may explain the genetic divergence found.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Camila F. Goncalves, Karen Giselle Rodriguez-Castro, Lais Verdan Dib, Alynne Da Silva Barbosa, Luiz Eduardo Moschini, Pedro M. Galetti
Summary: Human activities have led to environmental damages and threatened biodiversity, making protected areas the last refuge for many species. This study used non-invasive DNA analysis to assess the habitat use of carnivore species in Itatiaia National Park, finding that the habitat use of species like Chrysocyon brachyurus and Leopardus guttulus was related to altitude and land use/land cover.
