Article
Ecology
Rohan Mansuit, Anthony Herrel
Summary: The evolution of appendages during the fin-to-limb transition has been extensively studied, focusing on changes in skeletal structure and muscle anatomy, with limited attention to muscle architecture. Preliminary data suggests an overall increase in muscle mass relative to body weight during the transition, and a shift in muscle development from pectoral to pelvic dominance. These findings provide insights into the locomotor changes and adaptation during the transition, highlighting the need for further quantitative studies.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jin-bo Hou, Nigel C. Hughes, Melanie J. Hopkins
Summary: Research suggests that the upper limb branch of Paleozoic biramous arthropods may have had a respiratory function, with morphological similarities to gill structures in crustaceans. This finding may indicate an intermediate stage in the evolution of limb branch fusion.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yonggang Wu, Jihua Zhang, Bingwei Long, Hong Zhang
Summary: Zinc tungstate (ZnW04) shows multiple surface terminations under certain thermodynamic equilibrium conditions, with the W2O4 - Zn8W6O36 termination exhibiting stronger light absorption and delocalized surface states within the band gap.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joseph Moysiuk, Jean-Bernard Caron
Summary: Radiodonts, including Stanleycaris hirpex, are iconic and bizarre-looking Cambrian animals that provide key insight into the development of the arthropod body plan. This study describes 268 exceptionally preserved specimens of Stanleycaris from the Cambrian Burgess Shale, providing the most complete reconstruction of a radiodont to date. The findings reveal new insights into the segmentation and neuroanatomy of radiodonts, as well as demonstrate a deep evolutionary continuity of certain features. The brain of Stanleycaris supports the hypothesis of an ancestrally bipartite head and brain for arthropods.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
A. R. R. Almeida, C. J. A. P. Martins
Summary: Cosmic strings may have formed in the early Universe and exhibit wiggly features. By studying the asymptotic scaling solutions of models, a better understanding of the physical characteristics of cosmic strings and their interactions with cosmic expansion can be achieved.
Article
Acoustics
Youenn Jezequel, Julien Bonnel, Phillipe Elies, Laurent Chauvaud
Summary: This study analyzed the acoustic scaling of the European spiny lobster and found that the dimensions of sound-producing apparatus increased with body size, leading to changes in sound features. Source levels and dominant frequencies were influenced by body size and ambient noise levels. Larger spiny lobsters produced louder calls, potentially increasing their communication and interaction with conspecifics.
JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuying Cao, Fei Wu, Chang Xu, Haotian Wu, Shuixing Li, Xinru Wang, Tianyi Chen, Boyu Peng, Hanying Li, Hongzheng Chen, Lijian Zuo
Summary: In this study, the potential of organic semiconductors for improving the grain boundaries of perovskite films in solar cells was investigated. It was found that the use of non-fullerene acceptors filled into the grain boundaries can effectively enhance the charge transport, leading to improved device performance.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heather S. Bruce, Nipam H. Patel
Summary: Understanding the origin of novel structures is a crucial question in evolution. This study suggests that the carapace of the crustacean Daphnia did not arise from gene co-option but instead derived from a shared ancestral tissue present in other arthropods. These findings highlight the cryptic persistence of unrecognized serial homologs as a potential general solution for the origin of novel structures.
Article
Ecology
Arjan Mann, Jason D. Pardo, Hillary C. Maddin
Summary: The discovery of a new species called Nagini mazonense provides insights into the early evolution of limb reduction in amniotes. This species, which lacks forelimbs entirely, represents the earliest occurrence of complete limb loss in amniotes. The findings suggest that a snake-like limb-reduction mechanism may be more widespread across the amniote tree.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
G. Maity, R. P. Yadav, R. Singhal, I. Sulania, A. K. Mittal, Dhirendra. K. Chaudhary, D. Kanjilal, Shiv. P. Patel
Summary: The study investigates the effects of film thickness on scaling law and surface properties of SnTe thin films. It is found that crystallinity of the films increases with thickness, and the thicker sample has a rougher surface. Fractal analysis reveals irregularity of surfaces, with parameters indicating quasi-3D island/mound growth type with rapid roughening behavior and anomalous scaling. The results suggest that thicker, higher crystalline films may be more suitable for advanced mid-infrared detector applications.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew Haworth, Giovanni Marino, Alessandro Materassi, Antonio Raschi, Charles P. Scutt, Mauro Centritto
Summary: The limits of stomatal conductance in plants are determined by the size and density of stomata. There is an inverse relationship between stomatal size and density in both fossil and living plants. However, the functional significance of this relationship is still unclear, and it may reflect geometric constraints rather than physiological control. Understanding the tradeoffs involved in stomatal size and density and their interaction with atmospheric CO2 levels is crucial for developing more productive and climate-resilient crops.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Kole M. Kubicek, Ralf Britz, Kevin W. Conway
Summary: Homology is crucial in comparative evolutionary studies. The ornamentations of catfish fin-spines have been used for systematic studies, but the terminology needs to be revised based on homology. A recent study proposed new terminology for catfish fin-spine structures, but neglected to consider homology, resulting in potential confusion and reduced usefulness in comparative evolutionary studies.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Timo Moritz, Jacqueline Walter, Bianka Grunow, Philipp Thieme
Summary: The distinctive caudal-fin skeleton of gadiforms has long been a puzzle for scientists due to its differences compared to other teleosts. By studying the development of Lota lota, it was found that although there are differences, there are also similarities with other teleosts. The morphology of adult caudal fins of all major gadiform families were also studied and reviewed to understand the evolution of the gadiform caudal fin.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Biology
Marco Camaiti, Alistair R. Evans, Christy A. Hipsley, David G. Chapple
Summary: The evolution of elongated snake-like bodies with limb reduction has occurred multiple times throughout vertebrate history, with squamates (lizards and snakes) being the primary examples. Researchers have utilized various approaches to study limb reduction, exploring anatomical, evolutionary, developmental, phylogenetic, functional, and ecological aspects. Suggestions for further research include widening the scope of analyses and integrating different perspectives to gain a deeper understanding of these morphological transitions and their evolution, emphasizing the importance of investigating both the internal and external morphology of limb-reduced lizards for a comprehensive insight into body-shape variation.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Timothy E. Higham, Lara A. Ferry, Lars Schmitz, Duncan J. Irschick, Samuel Starko, Philip S. L. Anderson, Philip J. Bergmann, Heather A. Jamniczky, Leandro R. Monteiro, Dina Navon, Julie Messier, Emily Carrington, Stacy C. Farina, Kara L. Feilich, L. Patricia Hernandez, Michele A. Johnson, Sandy M. Kawano, Chris J. Law, Sarah J. Longo, Christopher H. Martin, Patrick T. Martone, Alejandro Rico-Guevara, Sharlene E. Santana, Karl J. Niklas
Summary: Physical principles and laws determine organismal phenotypes, while constraints from development, the environment, and evolutionary history shape integrated phenotypes. The 'ecomechanical approach' integrates organismal traits with ecological variables, aiding in predicting species shifts and understanding phenotypic diversity. Incorporating this approach can help build interdisciplinary bridges and improve data collection, analysis, and model dissemination.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
