Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Azar Kordbacheh, Hassan Rahimian, Diego Fontaneto
Summary: The use of molecular techniques has led to the discovery of hidden species in rotifers and provided insights into the mechanisms of reproductive isolation. Most studies focused on prezygotic barriers, with behavioral isolation playing a significant role. Postzygotic barriers such as hybrid inviability or sterility and female mortality also contribute to reproductive isolation. Further research using sequencing tools, including whole genome sequencing, is recommended to investigate the molecular basis of reproductive isolation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Polina Drozdova, Alexandra Saranchina, Ekaterina Madyarova, Anton Gurkov, Maxim Timofeyev
Summary: Ancient Lake Baikal is a speciation hotspot and the gammaroid amphipods are the most diverse group in the lake. Recent research has shown that one common species, Eulimnogammarus verrucosus, actually consists of at least three cryptic species. By analyzing the phylogeny, genome sizes, and reproductive compatibility, this study confirms the genetic separation between these species and highlights the need for precise tracking of sample origin in future studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jonas Jourdan, Mirco Bundschuh, Denis Copilas-Ciocianu, Cene Fiser, Michal Grabowski, Kamil Hupalo, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Jana Kabus, Joerg Roembke, Laura J. Soose, Joerg Oehlmann
Summary: The use of genetic methods has allowed the discovery of previously undistinguishable species based on morphology. However, these cryptic species are rarely considered in ecotoxicology, which can lead to false extrapolations and lack of reproducibility in experiments. It is crucial to address the ecological differentiation and sensitivity of closely related cryptic species for evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, and regulatory ecotoxicology.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Antonia Mayr, Alexander Keller, Marcell K. Peters, Gudrun Grimmer, Beate Krischke, Mareen Geyer, Thomas Schmitt, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
Summary: The study revealed turnover of species, changes in CHC profiles, pollen diversity, and microbiome turnover in halictid bees along an elevational gradient at Mt. Kilimanjaro, indicating complex interactions among abiotic conditions, physiological adaptations, and phylogenetic constraints driving bee communities.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Jie Hu, Jintian Lu, Nina Yang, Baiming Liu, Peiyi Fu, Jinjian Yang, Youjun Zhang, Xiaoguo Jiao
Summary: This study found that previous infestation by MEAM1 and MED whiteflies induced defense responses in cabbage plants, which had different effects on the host preference and performance of later-arriving con- and heterospecific whiteflies. Phenolic compounds may be the key factors influencing host choice by MEAM1 and MED whiteflies on cabbage plants.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ghulam Mohd, Kowsar Majid, Saifullah Lone
Summary: The scientific investigation of the adaxial side of biological surfaces for water harvesting applications has been extensive, but the abaxial side has not received much attention. This study reveals the multifunctional Janus surface of Trifolium pratense leaf, which can extract water from the atmosphere on both sides. The leaf's microhairs, with their asymmetric shape and surface roughness, play a synergetic role in water deposition and directional transport. The dorsiventral asymmetry of the Trifolium leaf has potential applications in water harvesting, rainwater collection, self-cleaning, and adhesive fixtures.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Maria Pia Miglietta, Sarah Pruski
Summary: Sampling in multiple localities and molecular barcoding reveal the presence of local cryptic species in allopatry in wide-ranging nominal species. However, cryptic species in sympatry can easily be missed if they have different seasonality and require long-term frequent sampling for identification. This study investigates the presence of cryptic species within a temporal gradient and on a spatial scale in Hydrozoa using mitochondrial sequencing and finds a high number of sympatric cryptic species. The bi-dimensional cryptic diversity highlighted in this study is crucial for understanding evolution processes, biogeography, and biodiversity assessments in the sea.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Muslim Dvoyashkin, Desiree Leistenschneider, Jack D. Evans, Miriam Sander, Lars Borchardt
Summary: The article discusses a potentially critical feature in the design of supercapacitor electrodes, known as confinement-induced ion-solvent separation. Research shows that this effect can significantly slow down the migration speed of ions in pore networks. Explanations for the occurrence of this effect and ways to circumvent it are provided.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Peter Takacs, Gabor Maasz, Zita Zrinyi, Nora Boross, Zoitthl Vital, Dora Ildiko Kanaine Sipos, Balint Bano, Adam Staszny, Peter Saly, Balazs Kovacs
Summary: The taxonomic relations of Carpathian stream dwelling gudgeons were studied using genetic and morphological methodologies. The results revealed the presence of three distinct taxonomic groups in the area, which were supported by both geometric and distance-based morphometry.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Kyle D. Martens, Jason Dunham
Summary: The study found that coastal cutthroat trout and juvenile coho salmon often coexist in small streams in the Pacific Northwest, exhibiting a positive correlation, while steelhead show a negative correlation with them. Physical stream conditions have a greater influence on the density of coexisting species compared to species interactions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Minsuk Hyun, Julian Taranda, Gianna Radeljic, Lauren Miner, Wengang Wang, Nicole Ochandarena, Kee Wui Huang, Pavel Osten, Bernardo L. Sabatini
Summary: The release of urine plays a crucial physiological role and is important for social communication in many species. Research on mice shows that the pattern of urine release is influenced by various factors, with the lateral hypothalamic area identified as a potential modulator of micturition modes. Chemogenetic manipulations can control micturition behavior in mice.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biology
Veronica Ferreira, Albano Figueiredo, Manuel A. S. Graca, Elizabete Marchante, Ana Pereira
Summary: Biological invasions, particularly of woody species, can have cross-ecosystem effects, especially in meta-ecosystems like stream-riparian forests. The invasion of N-fixing species in temperate deciduous broadleaf forests can lead to changes in stream ecosystem functioning, affecting water quality, flow, and litter input characteristics. Different traits of native and invasive tree species, environmental conditions, and the extent of invasion can influence the magnitude of these effects on streams, potentially jeopardizing multiple ecosystem services.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jordan B. Bemmels, Ashley C. Bramwell, Sean A. S. Anderson, Vanessa E. Luzuriaga-Aveiga, Else K. Mikkelsen, Jason T. Weir
Summary: The study found that a period of contact and elevated hybridization between sympatric eastern North American populations of two cryptic bird species preceded a major increase in reproductive isolation between these populations within the last 10,000 years. The increased reproductive isolation in the sympatric eastern region was not accompanied by character displacement in key morphometric traits, plumage coloration, or ecological traits.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Megan R. Shaffer, Simon K. Davy, James J. Bell
Summary: This study investigated hybridization between two cryptic species of marine sponge, Tethya burtoni, and found no evidence of hybridization between them. The two species showed differences in distribution, with one being present at all locations and the other at only three locations. Asexual reproduction did not play a significant role in population connectivity, but was important for population maintenance.
Review
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Chang Qi, Feng Jiang, Shu Yang
Summary: Honeycombs are ultra-light materials with outstanding mechanical properties, widely used in various fields. Different designs at different scales affect the mechanical properties of honeycombs, and classifying honeycomb designs can better understand their characteristics.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Leah S. Beesley, Bradley J. Pusey, Michael M. Douglas, Chris S. Keogh, Mark J. Kennard, Caroline A. Canham, Paul G. Close, Rebecca J. Dobbs, Samantha A. Setterfield
Summary: The research found that the energy reserves of fork-tailed catfish are related to flow and habitat, with wet season flows and groundwater-fed refuge pools being crucial for their energetics. The body condition and fat reserves of fork-tailed catfish are influenced by flow variation, decreasing as the dry season progresses.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah Legge, John C. Z. Woinarski, Ben C. Scheele, Stephen T. Garnett, Mark Lintermans, Dale G. Nimmo, Nick S. Whiterod, Darren M. Southwell, Glenn Ehmke, Anne Buchan, Jenny Gray, Dan J. Metcalfe, Manda Page, Libby Rumpff, Stephen van Leeuwen, Dick Williams, Shane T. Ahyong, David G. Chapple, Mitch Cowan, Md Anwar Hossain, Mark Kennard, Stewart Macdonald, Harry Moore, Jessica Marsh, Robert B. McCormack, Damian Michael, Nicola Mitchell, David Newell, Tarmo A. Raadik, Reid Tingley
Summary: This study discusses the approach taken by Australia to manage biodiversity in response to major fires, prioritizing fire-affected animal species for urgent management to prevent extinctions and facilitate long-term recovery. The assessments identified 92 vertebrate and 213 invertebrate species for urgent management response, with an additional 147 invertebrate species placed on a watchlist for further information. Multiple expert networks were utilized to quickly complete the assessments, revealing data gaps and the need for capacity-building in conservation science and management sectors.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pankaj R. Kaushik, Christopher E. Ndehedehe, Ryan M. Burrows, Mark R. Noll, Mark J. Kennard
Summary: The study used satellite and model data to evaluate large-scale hydrological storage changes, showing a strong relationship between groundwater storage changes in the GAB and its sub-basins with rainfall and evapotranspiration. This suggests that variations in groundwater storage are primarily driven by rainfall, while human water extraction may have impacts in certain sub-basins.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Songyan Yu, Katrin Sturm, Badin Gibbes, Mark J. Kennard, Cameron J. Veal, Duncan Middleton, Paul L. Fisher, Simon Rotherham, David P. Hamilton
Summary: Numerical models of lakes and reservoirs are widely used to forecast pathogen occurrence in source water. To develop best practice guidelines for lake modelling, a literature review and survey were conducted to summarize common modelling steps and requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sarah Legge, Libby Rumpff, John C. Z. Woinarski, Nick S. Whiterod, Michelle Ward, Darren G. Southwell, Ben C. Scheele, Dale G. Nimmo, Mark Lintermans, Hayley M. Geyle, Stephen T. Garnett, Brittany Hayward-Brown, Miki Ensbey, Glenn Ehmke, Shane T. Ahyong, Caroline J. Blackmore, Deborah S. Bower, Diego Brizuela-Torres, Allan H. Burbidge, Phoebe A. Burns, Gavin Butler, Renee Catullo, David G. Chapple, Christopher R. Dickman, Katherine E. Doyle, Jason Ferris, Diana Fisher, Rachael Gallagher, Graeme R. Gillespie, Matt J. Greenlees, Rosie Hohnen, Conrad J. Hoskin, David Hunter, Chris Jolly, Mark Kennard, Alison King, Diana Kuchinke, Brad Law, Ivan Lawler, Susan Lawler, Richard Loyn, Daniel Lunney, Jarod Lyon, Josephine MacHunter, Michael Mahony, Stephen Mahony, Rob B. McCormack, Jane Melville, Peter Menkhorst, Damian Michael, Nicola Mitchell, Eri Mulder, David Newell, Luke Pearce, Tarmo A. Raadik, Jodi J. L. Rowley, Holly Sitters, Ricky Spencer, Roozbeh Valavi, Matt West, David P. Wilkinson, Sylvia Zukowski
Summary: The 2019-2020 Australian megafires have caused significant population losses and ecological damage to wildlife. This study assessed the population declines and recovery of fire-affected species in order to inform conservation efforts. The results indicate that 70-82 taxa may be eligible for listing as threatened and another 21-27 taxa may be eligible for uplisting. It is predicted that a majority of the assessed taxa will not recover to their pre-fire population size within 10 years or three generations.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ali Mobadersani, Ali Hosseinzadeh Dalir, Mehdi Yasi, Hadi Arvanaghi, Mark J. Kennard
Summary: This study introduces a new method to calculate the environmental water requirement of lakes based on real-time data from rivers, effectively protecting the lake ecosystem from drought, climate change, and other impacts.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Songyan Yu, Ryan M. Burrows, Margaret Shanafield, Mark J. Kennard
Summary: This study found that the water level in non-perennial streams recedes at a constant rate after streamflow ceases, which is often higher than that during low-flow periods. However, water-level recession rates vary significantly between different cease-to-flow periods and streams. Further research is needed to understand the factors influencing water-level recession rates for ungauged streams and identifying persistent aquatic refuges across river networks.
ADVANCES IN WATER RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Kyle J. Tyler, Dion Wedd, David A. Crook, Mark J. Kennard, Alison J. King
Summary: This study evaluates key components of previous fish recruitment models by examining temporal and spatial variation in larval fish assemblages in a tropical Australian river catchment. The findings indicate that microfauna abundance, structural habitat complexity, and temperature are the most important predictors of larval fish abundance and diversity. The highest larval diversity occurs when discharge is highest.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Osmar J. Luiz, Julian D. Olden, Mark J. Kennard, David A. Crook, Michael M. Douglas, Thor M. Saunders, Dion Wedd, Brendan Adair, Alison J. King
Summary: The study found that intraspecific trait variability can contribute up to 70% of the total trait variability in freshwater fish species. The magnitude of intraspecific trait variability varies across different hydrological conditions, with intermittent streams having higher intraspecific trait variability than perennial rivers. Understanding intraspecific trait variability is important for predicting the effects of environmental changes on community assemblages and ecosystem processes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Songyan Yu, Peter M. Rose, Nick R. Bond, Stuart E. Bunn, Mark J. Kennard
Summary: This study demonstrates a new approach to identify surface water bodies as priority refuges for efficient conservation management of freshwater biodiversity in intermittent stream networks, considering the spatial distribution of dry-season aquatic refuges within river networks and the temporal dynamics of hydrological connectivity between them.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Leah S. Beesley, Savannah Killerby-Smith, Daniel C. Gwinn, Bradley J. Pusey, Michael M. Douglas, Peter A. Novak, Thiaggo C. Tayer, Chris S. Keogh, Mark J. Kennard, Caroline A. Canham, Samantha A. Setterfield
Summary: Water development poses a threat to rivers and their biodiversity, especially for amphidromous shrimp species. This study explores the habitat associations and flow-ecology of Macrobrachium spinipes, a species of amphidromous shrimp in the Fitzroy River, Australia. The findings highlight the importance of protecting wet-season flow and passage for the conservation of this and other amphidromous shrimp species across the region.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Camila Aida Campos, Alan M. Tonin, Mark J. Kennard, Jose Francisco Goncalves Junior
Summary: Freshwater environments are highly threatened by human activities, making monitoring essential for managing these ecosystems. Ecological metrics have been proven effective in assessing freshwater ecosystem integrity. Using Boosted Regression Tree models, this study identified conductivity as the most important factor in explaining the variation of ecological metrics.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Luke Carpenter-Bundhoo, Gavin L. L. Butler, Nick R. R. Bond, Jason D. D. Thiem, Stuart E. E. Bunn, Mark J. J. Kennard
Summary: Variation in river flow is crucial for the movement of freshwater fish species, with environmental flows playing a significant role in influencing their behavior. In a study of two native fish species in regulated rivers in Australia, it was found that environmental flow releases impacted the movement behaviors of the fish. Different species responded differently to environmental flow releases, and the timing of flow pulses was shown to influence their movements.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chuanji Yong, Michelle Ward, James E. M. Watson, April E. E. Reside, Stephen van Leeuwen, Sarah Legge, William L. L. Geary, Mark Lintermans, Mark J. J. Kennard, Stephanie Stuart, Josie Carwardine
Summary: Budgeting for biodiversity conservation requires realistic estimates of threat abatement costs. However, data on threat management costs are often unavailable or unable to be extrapolated across relevant locations and scales. We provided transparent, broadly applicable cost models for 18 Threat Abatement Strategies aimed at managing the processes threatening Australia's biodiversity. The models, cost layers, and estimates we generate provide the basis for a nationally consistent approach for estimating and recording the cost of biodiversity management strategies, which should be continually updated and improved with local-scale information over time.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Thiely O. Garcia, Naraiana L. Benone, Bruno S. Prudente, Naiara R. Torres, Stuart E. Bunn, Mark J. Kennard, Luciano F. A. Montag
Summary: The Amazon River basins have unique natural and anthropogenic characteristics that affect the structure and biota of stream habitats. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of local, macroscale, and land-use variables on the structure of stream fish assemblages in Amazonian catchments with different deforestation levels. The results showed that macroscale and local variables explained the variation in fish composition, while land use also played a role in the variation when spatial effects were not considered. In forested catchments, the fish assemblages were associated with streams with natural characteristics, while in deforested catchments, they were associated with land use, sandy catchments, and less complex streams.
NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY
(2023)