Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolina Pacheco, Astrid Vik Stronen, Bogumila Jedrzejewska, Kamila Plis, Innokentiy M. Okhlopkov, Nikolay Mamaev, Sergei Drovetski, Raquel Godinho
Summary: Research reveals that modern grey wolves trace their origin to the Late Pleistocene Beringian population, with wolves from Far East and North America having a common ancestry before 34400 years ago. Coastal and inland North American populations diverged around 16000 years ago, consistent with the proposed ecological viability of the migration route. Historical effective population sizes of Far East and North American inland populations are larger than coastal populations, possibly due to the influence of broadscale climatic changes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Peter Jeffrey Williams, Jedediah F. Brodie
Summary: The loss of large animals due to overhunting and habitat loss potentially affects tropical tree populations and carbon cycling. However, the specific effects of defaunation on seed dispersal and predation, as well as their implications for tree population dynamics and forest carbon storage, are still unclear. Further research is necessary to understand the cascading changes in species composition and diversity caused by defaunation.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jing Xu, Guozhen Du
Summary: This study investigated the germination response of alpine and subalpine meadow plants to diurnally alternating temperature. Results showed that higher temperature delayed germination time and reduced germination synchrony in both subalpine and alpine meadow plants. Subalpine meadow plants were more sensitive to temperature changes. Additionally, seed mass had different effects on germination traits in alpine and subalpine meadow plants under different temperature conditions.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Simon Kallow, Bart Panis, Dang Toan Vu, Tuong Dang Vu, Janet Paofa, Arne Mertens, Rony Swennen, Steven B. Janssens
Summary: This study compared the genetic representation of seed collections with source populations for three wild relatives of bananas, showing that different species mating systems profoundly affected genetic representation in seed collections.
Article
Agronomy
Wei Xue, Xiangyi Li, Fanjiang Zeng
Summary: Understanding the biophysical mechanisms behind changes in crop productivity is crucial for the sustainable development of reclaimed desertified land. A study in Xinjiang, China found that higher leaf nitrogen content and photosynthesis capacity promote crop growth, while well-managed fertilization increases soil organic carbon and nutrient retention capacity.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rocco F. Notarnicola, Adrienne B. Nicotra, Loeske E. B. Kruuk, Pieter A. Arnold
Summary: This study investigates the effects of climate warming on the trade-off between seed size and number in an alpine plant. The results show that warming during parental growth reduces both seed size and number, but does not affect germination. This highlights the detrimental effect of warming on parental fitness and the potential risk of climate change for alpine plant communities.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ping Zhang, Yongsheng Tang, Yongjiang Liu, Junna Liu, Qianchao Wang, Hongxin Wang, Hanxue Li, Li Li, Peng Qin
Summary: Blue light has a greater effect on the accumulation of jasmonic acid and flavonoids in wheat seeds compared to red light; blue light also reduces starch synthesis and the size of starch granules and seeds.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhi-heng Huang, Ke Bao, Zong-hui Jing, Qian Wang, Hui-fang Duan, Sen Zhang, Wei-wei Tao, Qi-nan Wu
Summary: Euryale seeds are regulated by EuSAUR62, which interacts with an auxin efflux carrier protein in rice to modulate the accumulation of indole-3-acetic acid. The expression of EuSAUR62 is activated by EubZIP55. Constant light increases the expression of EuSAUR62 and leads to hook curvature.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Emad Mustafa, Mulualem Tigabu, Abdallah Aldahadha, Ming Li
Summary: Aleppo pine is a valuable species used for reforestation programs in Jordan. The study aimed to assess variation in cone and seed traits within and between populations. Significant inter- and intra-population variation was observed, with more variation among populations. Natural populations showed higher variability compared to planted populations. Altitude was positively correlated with cone and seed traits, while mean annual temperature showed a negative correlation. The findings suggest the need to consider altitude in future reforestation efforts and the potential for genetic improvement and conservation of Aleppo pine in gene banks.
Article
Agronomy
Christian Andreasen, Jesper Rasmussen, Zahra Bitarafan
Summary: Yield maps provide farmers with information about growth conditions and are useful for site-specific crop management. However, it is challenging to create yield maps for grass seeds due to their small weight. In this study, we used drone images to estimate vegetation indices and trained prediction models to predict grass seed yield variation based on relatively few harvested plots.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carl P. Lipo, Robert J. DiNapoli, Mark E. Madsen, Terry L. Hunt
Summary: Cultural diversity changes in human populations are influenced by drift, posing evolutionary challenges for small and isolated communities. Social network structure and interaction affect the rate of trait retention and extinction, with structural constraints in small and isolated populations potentially preventing the loss of cultural information.
Article
Zoology
David Everest, Toby Floyd, Paul Holmes, Paul Duff, Catherine Man, Elizabeth Dunnett, Rachel Locke, Leon Savage, Stewart Sutcliffe, Bonnie Sapsford, Craig Shuttleworth
Summary: The study highlights the vulnerability of small, isolated red squirrel populations in the UK to various threats such as infectious diseases and habitat fragmentation. Mortality analysis in four woodland sites showed a variety of causes including infectious diseases and predation, with grey squirrels also present in two of the sites. Proactive conservation management strategies are recommended to mitigate these threats.
Article
Ecology
Elena Kazakou, Guillaume Fried, Pierre-Olivier Cheptou, Olivier Gimenez
Summary: This study utilized a long-term plant survey to investigate the effects of management practices on weed population dynamics based on seed size. Results showed that as disturbance level increased, large-seeded weed species had higher colonization success and survival rates compared to small-seeded species. Various management practices such as tillage, herbicide application, and mowing had different effects on demographic parameters of weed populations, indicating a strong relationship between management practices and seed size in predicting weed community dynamics.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Lea Carlesso, Andrew Beadle, Samantha M. Cook, Graham Hartwell, Andrew Mead, Karl Ritz, Debbie Sparkes, Lianhai Wu, Phil J. Murray
Summary: This study found that the orientation of field margins has an impact on the distribution of soil mesofauna populations, with reduced abundance of springtails and mites in cropped areas where margins are perpendicular to tramlines. The existence of interacting impacts between margins and field operations on soil mesofauna populations was suggested.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Artur Golawski, Sylwia Golawska
Summary: Climate change has affected the breeding parameters of a bird species, the Red-backed Shrike. A 23-year study found a 5-day shift towards delayed breeding in a central European population. The increase in rainfall was identified as the probable cause for the delayed nesting. These findings demonstrate the rarity of delayed nesting in recent years among birds.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Francesca Santicchia, Lucas A. Wauters, Anna Pia Piscitelli, Stefan Van Dongen, Adriano Martinoli, Damiano Preatoni, Claudia Romeo, Nicola Ferrari
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Francesca Santicchia, Stefan Van Dongen, Adriano Martinoli, Damiano Preatoni, Lucas Armand Wauters
Summary: Animal personality is described by consistent behavioural traits, measured using various methods such as observations and trapping indices. In this study with Eurasian red squirrels, measures of trappability and trap-diversity were found to be repeatable, but not correlated with exploration from OFT, suggesting they represent different aspects of personality (boldness and a different exploration tendency, respectively). Further caution is advised when using OFT behaviors to measure multiple personality traits, and additional methods such as trapping responses can provide reliable proxies for boldness and exploration tendency.
Article
Ecology
J. Morgan Brown, E. Emiel van Loon, Willem Bouten, Kees C. J. Camphuysen, Luc Lens, Wendt Mueller, Chris B. Thaxter, Judy Shamoun-Baranes
Summary: The study found that lesser black-backed gulls exhibit consistent individual strategies for non-breeding distributions, winter site fidelity, migration routes, and timing of migration, regardless of migration distance. However, there are still individual differences in behavior, and these differences are not related to migration distance. This suggests that individuals have the capacity to adjust to current conditions within their individual strategies, and occasionally even change their strategy.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Evy Goossens, Roschong Boonyarittichaikij, Daan Dekeukeleire, Sarah Van Praet, Dries Bonte, Kris Verheyen, Luc Lens, An Martel, Elin Verbrugghe
Summary: The study analyzed the gut microbiome of the Eurasian nuthatch, revealing high inter-individual variation at different taxonomic levels and distinct differences compared to the great tit microbiome.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Victor Martin-Velez, Casper H. A. van Leeuwen, Marta I. Sanchez, Francisco Hortas, Judy Shamoun-Baranes, Chris B. Thaxter, Luc Lens, Cornelis J. Camphuysen, Andy J. Green
Summary: Non-frugivorous waterbirds play a crucial role in dispersing weed plants over long distances, exchanging species between human-dominated and natural areas. The study demonstrates that about 92% of weed seeds are dispersed within the birds' activity area, while the remaining 8% reach other habitats, with 42% reaching moist environments suitable for weed establishment. This research emphasizes the significance of non-frugivorous birds in long-distance plant dispersal, an often overlooked mechanism in weed plant expansion studies.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Annelies De Cuyper, Marcus Clauss, Luc Lens, Diederik Strubbe, Andreas Zedrosser, Sam Steyaert, Arturo Munoz Saravia, Geert P. J. Janssens
Summary: Grading fecal consistency of carnivores is commonly used to monitor gut health and digestion, but there is currently no such system for brown bears. This study aimed to establish a scoring system for brown bears based on a diet study, showing a close relationship between fecal consistency and diet components.
Article
Forestry
Giacomo Cremonesi, Francesco Bisi, Lorenzo Gaffi, Thet Zaw, Hla Naing, Kyaw Moe, Zarni Aung, Alessandra Gagliardi, Lucas A. Wauters, Damiano G. Preatoni, Adriano Martinoli
Summary: The study examined the potential effects of human presence on the temporal activity of medium-to-large mammals, finding that some species adjusted their activity patterns to avoid human presence. It highlights the need to consider the impact of human activities on wildlife conservation efforts.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Giacomo Cremonesi, Francesco Bisi, Lorenzo Gaffi, Thet Zaw, Hla Naing, Kyaw Moe, Zarni Aung, Maria V. Mazzamuto, Alessandra Gagliardi, Lucas A. Wauters, Damiano G. Preatoni, Adriano Martinoli
Summary: Tropical forests, especially in Myanmar, are heavily impacted by human disturbances, leading to lower mammal diversity in disturbed areas. Camera trap data and occupancy models were used to evaluate biodiversity levels and ecosystem functions, revealing a significant decrease in carnivores and herbivores in degraded areas. This study provides insights into the direct and indirect effects of human disruptions on wildlife populations in Myanmar's tropical forests.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Claudia Romeo, Anna Pia Piscitelli, Francesca Santicchia, Adriano Martinoli, Nicola Ferrari, Lucas A. Wauters
Summary: This study demonstrates that the spillover of alien helminth S. robustus contributes to the detrimental effects of resource competition and stress induced by grey squirrels, further reducing the fitness of the native species in the presence of the invasive competitor.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Arne Deknock, Frank Pasmans, Robby van Leeuwenberg, Sarah Van Praet, Stijn Bruneel, Luc Lens, Siska Croubels, An Martel, Peter Goethals
Summary: This study found that Daphnia spp. are effective at removing Bd zoospores, while high concentrations of the algae P. subcapitata may interfere with pathogen removal rates. It suggests potential management actions for biological disease mitigation, with the goal of optimizing conditions for filter feeders like Daphnia to reduce pathogen densities and infection pressure in amphibian hosts. Additional field trials are needed to further confirm these findings and evaluate the impact of intervention actions.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biology
Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto, Lucas A. Wauters, John L. Koprowski
Summary: This study examines the challenges posed by the pet industry, focusing on the negative impacts of released pets leading to IAS populations. It analyzes the effects of IAS on ecosystems, human health, and economies. Early detection and stakeholder engagement are crucial for successful IAS management.
Article
Biology
Francesca Santicchia, Lucas Armand Wauters, Ben Dantzer, Rupert Palme, Claudia Tranquillo, Damiano Preatoni, Adriano Martinoli
Summary: Animals use the stress response to cope with environmental perturbations. In response to stress, vertebrate animals may release glucocorticoids (GCs) which can have both beneficial and detrimental effects. The study shows that native red squirrels can habituate to prolonged contact with invasive grey squirrels, reducing the potential harmful effects of chronic elevation in GCs.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Annelies De Cuyper, Diederik Strubbe, Marcus Clauss, Luc Lens, Andreas Zedrosser, Sam Steyaert, Leen Verbist, Geert P. J. Janssens
Summary: The nutrient composition in the diet of brown bears has metabolic significance and is related to their foraging behavior. The study found that brown bears have a diet dominated by vertebrates and ants in spring and early summer, and berries in fall, resulting in protein-rich and carbohydrate-rich diets, respectively. Although there were differences in dietary ingredient proportions between reproductive classes, the nutrient concentrations in the diet were similar, indicating that bears are able to maintain a consistent nutrient profile by selecting different ingredients. The study also showed that the bears' diets provided sufficient glucogenic substrate for efficient metabolism throughout the year, suggesting either a driving force of metabolic efficiency in diet selection or abundant natural resources available to the bears.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Claudia Tranquillo, Lucas A. Wauters, Francesca Santicchia, Mattia Panzeri, Damiano Preatoni, Adriano Martinoli, Francesco Bisi
Summary: In an urban environment, both native and invasive tree squirrels showed changes in body size and body mass. The invasive grey squirrels were slightly larger in urban areas compared to other regions, while both species were heavier in urban sites than in rural areas.
Article
Ornithology
Alessandro Berlusconi, Alessio Martinoli, Lucas A. Wauters, Giulia Tesoro, Stefania Martini, Erminio Clerici, Gualtiero Guenzani, Gabriele Pozzi, Diego Rubolini, Michelangelo Morganti, Adriano Martinoli
Summary: This study used a multi-scale approach to investigate the year-round habitat selection of Crested Tits in northern Italy. The findings revealed that these birds are strict habitat specialists, selecting specific coniferous woodland features. The study highlights the importance of considering multi-scale habitat selection in bird research.
