Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
L. Saponari, I. Dehnert, P. Galli, S. Montano
Summary: The study revealed that populations of Drupella spp. in the Maldives tend to occur in aggregations and prefer branching corals. They exhibit a high plasticity in adapting feeding preferences to prey availability. Despite impacting coral cover reduction, the overall impact of Drupella spp. appears to be minimal.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Austin Greene, Tess Moriarty, William Leggatt, Tracy D. Ainsworth, Megan J. Donahue, Laurie Raymundo
Summary: Research challenges the idea of using broad dysbiosis as an indicator of disease in visually-healthy tissues of coral colonies, suggesting disease containment near the affected area.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Inga Dehnert, Luca Saponari, Valerio Isa, Davide Seveso, Paolo Galli, Simone Montano
Summary: The study assesses the performance efficiency of lagoon mid-water rope nurseries for coral gardening in two different atolls in the Maldives for the first time, indicating that it is an effective technique. The survival rates and growth rates of different coral genera were detailed, revealing the potential for application in wider scale coral gardening practices in the Maldives.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Eric M. Brown, Jon Clardy, Ramnik J. Xavier
Summary: Metabolites from commensal gut microbes have significant impacts on host health through immune recognition and modulation of various metabolic pathways. The gut microbiota plays a dual role in transforming and synthesizing lipids, as well as breaking down dietary lipids to generate secondary metabolites with host regulatory properties. Recent research has highlighted the signaling activities of lipids, which have potential effects on host health and physiology. This review focuses on the functions of bioactive lipids in mammalian physiology, with a particular emphasis on immunity and metabolism.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Gina C. Hendrick, Matthew D. Nicholson, J. Andres Pagan, John M. Artim, Maureen C. Dolan, Paul C. Sikkel
Summary: Over the past decade, there has been an increased appreciation for the role of cryptofauna in ecological systems. While the impacts of blood-feeding arthropods, such as ticks and mosquitos, on terrestrial communities have been extensively studied, these arthropods have been largely ignored in marine environments. This study focuses on gnathiid isopods, also known as ticks of the sea, which are temporary external parasites of fishes. The researchers sequenced blood meals of free-living gnathiids to assess their host range and community-dependent exploitation in the Caribbean. The findings reveal a broad host range and biased exploitation of certain fish species, highlighting the importance of gnathiid isopods in Caribbean coral reef communities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sophia V. Costa, Stephanie J. Hibberts, Danielle A. Olive, Kayla A. Budd, Alexys E. Long, Sonora S. Meiling, Madyson B. Miller, Kelsey M. Vaughn, Claudia I. Carrion, Maksym B. Cohen, Annie E. Savage, Matthew F. Souza, Lorraine Buckley, Kristin W. Grimes, Renata Platenberg, Tyler B. Smith, Jeremiah Blondeau, Marilyn E. Brandt
Summary: Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first observed in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in January 2019, affecting at least 20 scleractinian coral species. Research indicates a significant positive relationship between disease prevalence and species diversity in the epidemic zone, with high species diversity sites experiencing greater disease impact in the endemic zone.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Samantha Burke, Patrice Pottier, Malgorzata Lagisz, Erin L. Macartney, Tracy Ainsworth, Szymon M. Drobniak, Shinichi Nakagawa
Summary: Coral reefs are facing a threat from disease due to climate change, specifically rising temperatures. A meta-analysis of 108 studies shows that increasing summer sea surface temperatures and cumulative heat stress contribute to a rise in coral disease prevalence globally. The prevalence of coral disease has tripled in the past 25 years, and if current trends continue, it is predicted that 76.8% of corals will be diseased by 2100. Urgent action is needed to mitigate the impact of rising ocean temperatures on coral disease.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
A. Al-Oraibi, O. Hassan, Kaushik Chattopadhyay, L. B. Nellums
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Syrian refugees residing in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. The findings indicate a high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and arthritis among Syrian refugees.
Article
Parasitology
Jennifer E. Smith, Imani B. Smith, Cecelia L. Working, Imani D. Russell, Shelby A. Krout, Kajol S. Singh, Andrew Sih
Summary: Understanding individual differences in parasite loads among hosts is crucial in understanding disease spread, and different flea species occupy distinct ecological niches. Host heterogeneity within populations can play a significant role in structuring the emergence of zoonotic diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anya L. Brown, Dagny-Elise Anastasiou, Monica Schul, Sophia MacVittie, Lindsay J. Spiers, Julie L. Meyer, Carrie Manfrino, Thomas K. Frazer
Summary: Marine infectious diseases are a major cause of population decline globally, but there are limited options for diagnosis and treatment. It is crucial to mitigate disease spread in species targeted for conservation. Research shows that genetic diversity can increase disease resistance in certain coral species, providing a viable strategy for reducing infectious disease spread.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Graeme W. Bourdot, Seona G. Casonato
Summary: Plant pathogens with a broad host range are more commercially attractive for bioherbicides due to wider market potential. However, the perceived risk to nontarget plants is a barrier to their adoption. Two approaches to managing this risk are considered: safety zones and withholding periods, and the use of weed-specific isolates. These approaches can improve the adoption of bioherbicides for weed control.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pablo Vega-Vasquez, Nathan S. Mosier, Joseph Irudayaraj
Summary: Nanoemulsified essential oils can enhance plant resistance against Botrytis cinerea and effectively control pathogen infections. RNA-seq analysis shows that successful treatments can enhance plant disease resistance by upregulating autophagy, ROS scavenging, and activating the jasmonic acid signaling pathway.
Review
Parasitology
Eyerusalem Fetene, Samson Leta, Fikru Regassa, Philippe Buescher
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive dataset on the geographical distribution and host range of T. vivax, demonstrating its potential to invade countries outside of Africa and Latin America. The parasite is mainly transmitted by tsetse flies but has also acquired the ability for mechanical transmission by other hematophagous dipterans.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Nicholas J. MacKnight, Kathryn Cobleigh, Danielle Lasseigne, Andia Chaves-Fonnegra, Alexandra Gutting, Bradford Dimos, Jendahye Antoine, Lauren Fuess, Contessa Ricci, Caleb Butler, Erinn M. Muller, Laura D. Mydlarz, Marilyn Brandt
Summary: The study compared the phenotypic and microbial responses of seven Caribbean coral species after exposure to white plague disease, showing a spectrum of disease susceptibility corresponding to microbial dysbiosis. This suggests that coral disease and microbial dysbiosis may ultimately shape reef ecosystems.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antar Mijail Perez-Botello, Wesley Dattilo, Nuno Simoes
Summary: Sponges are widely distributed in the tropical reefs of the American Northwest-Atlantic Ocean and play a crucial role in structuring ecosystems and providing services to a diverse range of species. This study used a meta-analysis approach to analyze the contribution of sponge traits to the organization of host-guest interaction networks. The results suggest that sponge geographic distribution, morphology, and taxonomy all play important roles in shaping the diversity and connectivity of sponge-associated fauna.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Davide Maggioni, Agustin Garese, Danwei Huang, Bert W. Hoeksema, Roberto Arrigoni, Davide Seveso, Paolo Galli, Michael L. Berumen, Enrico Montalbetti, Daniela Pica, Fabrizio Torsani, Simone Montano
Summary: This study provides a thorough morpho-molecular reassessment of the hydrozoan family Cladocorynidae, confirming the monophyly of the two nominal genera and describing a new genus exclusively associated with octocorals. The research suggests that symbiosis with octocorals likely appeared in the most recent common ancestor of Pteroclava and Pseudozanclea, with specific synapomorphies emerging in the most recent common ancestor of all cladocorynid taxa. Genetic analysis of Pteroclava krempfi colonies revealed high intra-specific variability and distinct clades based on host specificity and geographic distribution.
Article
Biology
Federica Manca, Clelia Mula, Camilla Gustafsson, Achille Mauri, Tomas Roslin, David N. Thomas, Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi, Alf Norkko, Giovanni Strona
Summary: Network theory provides innovative tools to explore complex ecological mechanisms regulating species associations and interactions. However, the application of network approaches is unevenly distributed across different study systems, with aquatic macrophyte-animal associations in coastal environments being largely neglected. Network analysis has the potential to broaden our understanding of coastal ecosystems and their response to anthropogenic disturbance and environmental change.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John Llewelyn, Giovanni Strona, Matthew C. McDowell, Christopher N. Johnson, Katharina J. Peters, Daniel B. Stouffer, Sara N. de Visser, Frederik Saltre, Corey J. A. Bradshaw
Summary: Studies suggest that species' vulnerability to bottom-up cascades decreases with increasing trophic level, diet breadth, and basal connections. Extinct species in the Naracoorte community in south-eastern Sahul were more vulnerable to these cascades, as their position in the network made them more susceptible, especially due to their lack of predators. Trophic cascades and naivety to predators potentially played a role in the megafauna extinction event in Sahul.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Enrico Montalbetti, Luca Fallati, Marco Casartelli, Davide Maggioni, Simone Montano, Paolo Galli, Davide Seveso
Summary: This study investigates the habitat selection of the cushion seastar through a combination of ecological and digital photogrammetry data. The results show that the seastar prefers reefs with medium slopes and specific values of linear rugosity, while the density of juvenile corals does not significantly affect its choice.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicola Tommasi, Paolo Biella, Davide Maggioni, Luca Fallati, Giulia Agostinetto, Massimo Labra, Paolo Galli, Andrea Galimberti
Summary: This study found that moderate landscape fragmentation of green areas shapes many aspects of the pollination ecosystem service, where despite interactions being less complex and mediated by pollinator body size, pollinator insect biodiversity and potential plant reproduction are supported.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
R. Benocci, E. Asnaghi, A. Bisceglie, S. Lavorano, P. Galli, H. E. Roman, G. Zambon
Summary: This study applied standard acoustic methods to analyze and compare anthropogenic and biological signals in the soundscape of artificial marine habitats. The study found that artificial marine environments are affected by mechanical noise, anthropic origin sounds, and day/night cycles, with certain fish species contributing to the observed activity. The study also identified specific spectral patterns correlated with the time series of eco-acoustic indices.
Article
Zoology
Horia R. Galea, Davide Maggioni, Paolo Galli
Summary: Eleven species of hydroids belonging to the genus Zygophylax were discovered in the material collected by the French Tropical Dee-Sea Benthos Program expeditions. Seven of these species represent new records for the study area. Genetic analysis confirmed the genetic characterization of 20 Zygophylax species, increasing the known species in the New Caledonian area from 8 to 16.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Federico Cerri, Marco Giustra, Yaprak Anadol, Giulia Tomaino, Paolo Galli, Massimo Labra, Luca Campone, Miriam Colombo
Summary: The exploration of natural extracts for pharmaceutical applications, especially plant extracts, is a promising area of medical research. Avicennia marina has been identified as a potential source of natural substances with strong anti-cancer activity. Formulating A. marina extracts into nanoparticles can enhance selectivity towards cancer cells and reduce side effects.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valerio Isa, Alessandro Becchi, Imogen Ellen Napper, Paolo Giuseppe Ubaldi, Francesco Saliu, Silvia Lavorano, Paolo Galli
Summary: The limited current information on the effects of micro- and nano-plastic debris on coral reefs includes the toxicity of nano-plastics from secondary sources, such as synthetic fabric fibers. This study exposed coral to different concentrations of secondary polypropylene nanofibers and observed mortality, mucus production, polyps retraction, tissue bleaching, and swelling. The results showed adverse effects on corals, suggesting that polypropylene secondary nanofibers could act as a stress factor in coral reefs.
Article
Ecology
Susanne Kortsch, Leonardo Saravia, Alyssa R. R. Cirtwill, Thomas Timberlake, Jane Memmott, Liam Kendall, Tomas Roslin, Giovanni Strona
Summary: The arrangement of plant species and pollinator traits interact to determine pollination success, and the influence of these drivers depends on how pollination is estimated. Visitation rate overestimates pollination service, while other functional metrics reflect the frequency of individual pollinator revisits.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Achille Mauri, Marco Girardello, Giovanni Forzieri, Federica Manca, Pieter S. A. Beck, Alessandro Cescatti, Giovanni Strona
Summary: European forests are facing increasing pressures, resulting in a projected decline in tree diversity across the continent. The provision of forest services is expected to decrease by the end of the century, particularly in the Mediterranean region. However, management strategies, such as assisted migration, could help mitigate these losses and ensure the delivery of specific ecosystem services.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John Llewelyn, Giovanni Strona, Christopher R. Dickman, Aaron C. Greenville, Glenda M. Wardle, Michael S. Y. Lee, Seamus Doherty, Farzin Shabani, Frederik Saltre, Corey J. A. Bradshaw
Summary: Species interactions play a fundamental role in ecosystems, but the lack of complete data inhibits our understanding of these interactions. Machine learning, particularly random forest, has been increasingly used to predict interactions. However, the performance of random forest in inferring predator-prey interactions in terrestrial vertebrates and the impact of training data quality have not been examined.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Seamus Doherty, Frederik Saltre, John Llewelyn, Giovanni Strona, Stephen. E. E. Williams, Corey J. A. Bradshaw
Summary: The biosphere is undergoing rapid changes due to human activities. These changes have direct and indirect effects on ecological communities, making it necessary to develop accurate tools for predicting the impacts and guiding conservation strategies.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Giovanni Strona, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Pedro L. Cardoso, Nicholas Gotelli, Frederic L. Guillaume, Federica Manca, Ville L. Mustonen, Luis Zaman
Summary: By conducting simulated experiments, we found that the thawing of permafrost and the potential 'lab leak' of ancient microorganisms pose risks of biological invasions for modern ecological communities. In most cases, invading pathogens had negligible effects on the invaded community, but in a few cases, they caused substantial losses or gains in species richness.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Enrico Montalbetti, Valerio Isa, Sara Vencato, Yohan Louis, Simone Montano, Silvia Lavorano, Davide Maggioni, Paolo Galli, Davide Seveso
Summary: Microplastics have been shown to cause oxidative stress and cellular damage in soft corals, similar to their effects on hard corals. Further investigations are needed to understand the influence of microplastics on marine benthic fauna.
MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)