Abstract: Understanding the population genetic connectivity is crucial for the sustainability and persistence of marine biodiversity. As fundamental reef-building macroalga in the coastal ecosystem, Halimeda macroloba is one of dominant intertidal seaweed in the Indo-Pacific region. However, the genetic structure and population connectivity haven’t been recog-nized yet. Here, we explored the population genetic structure and genetic connectivity of H. macroloba using chloroplast tufA, rps3-rpl14 and rbcL. Our results indicated low genetic diversity and shallow population genetic structure at the intraspecific level, uncovering 3 genetic groups with 5 subdivided lineages in tufA and 2 genetic clusters in rps3-rpl14. We detected demographic expansion in the last glacial period of Pleistocene and significantly asymmetric gene flow among different geographical units. We suggested that the south-westward ocean currents under the influence of northeast monsoon in the Indo-Pacific re-gion was the main reason for shaping the present genetic structure; and the asexual re-production of H. macroloba also played an important role of the low genetic diversity pat-tern; as well, the divergence between genetic clusters might be related to the historical iso-lation led by the paleoclimate oscillation in Pleistocene. The Xisha islands in southern China might serve as a potential refugium of H. macroloba, which needs extra attention to the conservation management. Given the limitation of sample size, we’ll conduct more field work and carry out further research at larger scale in the future. Our study shed light into the theory of population connectivity in the Indo-Pacific region, and provided scien-tific basis for the tropical costal seaweed conservation.

Abstract: Unraveling the evolutionary history of Brassica L. crops and their wild relatives remains a key challenge in plant evolutionary biology. Brassica cretica is considered the closest living relative of the cultivated B. oleracea. It is mainly distributed in the Aegean Islands and the neighboring mainland regions of Greece and Anatolia, and exhibits extensive phenotypic variability, obscuring its infraspecific classification. In this study, we analyzed five Greek populations of B. cretica and one B. oleracea botanical variety using SSR markers to assess genetic diversity and differentiation. High genetic diversity was detected within natural populations, with a mean of 21.9 alleles per locus and an expected heterozygosity of 0.647. Significant genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.812) revealed the presence of four distinct gene pools, partly supporting the current infraspecific classification of B. cretica. The cultivated plants cluster closely with B. cretica subsp. cretica, supporting the hypothesis of an Eastern Mediterranean origin. Our findings suggest that B. cretica subsp. cretica may have been introduced to suitable habitats or that cultivated plants may have reverted to a feral state in the Peloponnese, given the genetic similarity between populations from Crete and northern Peloponnese. The identified genetic diversity underscores the importance of B. cretica as a genetic resource for breeding programs and highlights the need for conservation, particularly for populations exhibited unique genetic traits.

Abstract: Host genetic variability is relevant to understanding how parasites modulate natural selection in wild fish populations. Coastal lagoons are ‘transitional’ ecosystems where knowledge lacks on relationships between genotypic diversity with parasitism. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of genetic diversity on host health and parasitological traits in fish inhabiting a Mediterranean lagoon. Black-striped pipefish Syngnathus abaster were collected in August 2023–24 from the ‘Mar Menor’ (Iberian lagoon, SE Spain). Genetic diversity was measured as Internal Relatedness (IR: a homozygosity index from microsatellite markers). Population frequency was lower for the medium IR level. For this same category, both health indices (external body condition and internal organs) indicated a worse status. Parasite prevalence, abundance and an index of life-cycle complexity (heteroxenous species) were greater for the medium level of genetic diversity. Such results are explained under a scenario of parasite-mediated disruptive selection: a higher disease pressure against the phenotypically ‘intermediate’ individuals. Two contrasting strategies were detected to better control parasitism at the host genotypic level: 1) high homozygosity, 2) high het-erozygosity; which are probably reflecting better immuno-competence as a phenotypic trait. From an evolutionary perspective, parasites play a crucial role in shaping genetic diversity within host populations.

Abstract: Trees and forests are of strategic importance for climate change mitigation, but limits and trade-offs are often underestimated. Trees interact with climatic factors with different mechanisms: carbon storage, albedo, transpiration, emission of organic volatile compounds (VOCs) with cooling or warming effects depending on species-specific characteristics and the environmental context. Planting trees poses problems concerning the correct choice of species and genotypes, the suitability of the planting sites, and the management after planting. Such limitations result in a series of potentially negative effects on the persistence (longevity) of plantation, the consumption of water, the depletion of nutrients from soil, the loss of biodiversity and possible warming effects connected to albedo and VOCs. Existing forests offer a large chance for a consistent increase of the biomass and soil carbon stock, and priority efforts should be devoted to the defense and restoration of damaged forests. Old forests assure a great efficiency in carbon retention and accumulation, whereas the role of managed forests is variable in relation to the kind and intensity of management. Considering the different factors involved, planting trees can have both a beneficial and detrimental effect on climate mitigation, and each situation should be considered in its own specificity, avoiding generalizations.

Abstract: Stream metabolism is traditionally defined as the combined metabolism of all aerobic organisms in a stream. Its component processes of oxygenic photosynthesis and aerobic respiration create and consume dissolved oxygen (DO) and therefore can be measured using time series of DO concentration, solar radiation, and water temperature, in conjunction with a model of DO dynamics that includes photosynthesis, respiration, and oxygen exchange with the atmosphere. A complication is that stream communities typically exhibit pronounced longitudinal heterogeneity in habitat type (e.g., shaded versus unshaded reaches) and species composition and abundance. The influence of a given stream reach and associated community on DO concentration propagates downstream with the current, gradually being replaced, over a transition zone, by the influence of the next downstream reach. Knowing the approximate length of this transition zone is important when measuring stream metabolism based on DO dynamics and in designing stream restoration projects to improve DO and temperature levels for fish. We propose new methods for estimating the transition zone length and for estimating the proportions of DO at a given location in a stream reach that entered the reach from upstream, from photosynthesis within the reach, and from atmospheric uptake within the reach. We also propose methods for estimating the residence-time distribution of DO present at a given stream location, and the corresponding distribution of upstream distances at which the DO entered the stream.

Abstract: Frankenia is a morphologically complex genus with some species exhibiting few diagnostic characters and significant morphological variability. This led to misidentification or synonymisation of many names, based on one or a few diagnostic traits. This phenomenon affects the annual sea-heath, F. pulverulenta, a Eurasian-Mediterranean herb that has become subcosmopolitan, in which several entities were included due to shared features, namely the annual lifespan or the flattened leaves. However, this fact also extends to shrubby species, such as the Madeiran F. cespitosa. Here, integrative taxonomic studies were undertaken, encompassing detailed morphological descriptions of macro- and microcharacters, along with molecular phylogenetic analyses of both nuclear ribosomal (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region) and plastid (matK gene) DNA sequence data, and biogeographic data. The research resulted in the most complete phylogenetic trees of Frankenia to date, leading to the reinstatement of two African species broadly differing from F. pulverulenta. Firstly, F. florida L.Chevall., a name applied to a species occurring in the Saharan regions of Algeria, Morocco, Mali and Mauritania, is often accepted as a variety or subspecies of the annual sea-heath. In contrast, F. densa Pohnert, a species endemic to Namibia and northern South Africa, is synonymised with F. pulverulenta. However, since those two names were later homonyms of two Chilean and Australian plants, they were deemed illegitimate upon publication. Consequently, two new names are proposed for them: F. sahariensis and F. dinteri, respectively. The substantiation of both entities as independent species is provided by data on morphology, distribution, ecology and molecular phylogenetics, which demonstrate their distinctiveness from F. pulverulenta. Nomenclatural synonymy and types are also presented for all concerned names, including the designation of two new lectotypes.

Abstract: Herbert D. Athearn (1923-2011) was an avid student of freshwater mollusks. He named his private shell collection “The Museum of Fluviatile Mollusks,” which was meticulously organized at his residence. This collection was curated at current museum standards with detailed labels, all lots with catalog numbers, and all unionoid valves with catalog numbers in india ink. Specimens span collecting dates between 1850 and 2005, with 23,344 cataloged lots containing over 3,000 lots of imperiled and extinct taxa. Many lots contain growth series from the smallest juveniles to the largest specimens seen. He traded extensively with collectors worldwide, obtaining specimens from 84 countries. This collection was donated to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in 2007. Approximately 60 percent of this collection has been databased, totaling an estimated 585,000 specimens. The collection consists of freshwater bivalves, primarily Unionidae, Margaritiferidae, Sphaeriidae, and gastropods, represented by 40 families, with the greatest abundance representing the freshwater Pleuroceridae. The Athearn collection donation included his correspondence, his library, field notes, and USGS topographic maps with marked field localities.

Abstract: Humans have a long evolutionary history intertwined with symbiotic microorganisms, especially within the skin microbiome and gut flora. Theories about symbiosis with photosynthetic organisms on human skin have been discussed in the context of mutualistic relationships. Another equally fascinating hypothesis suggests that human hair could have served as a photosynthetic organ similar to plant leaves, absorbing sunlight to provide energy. This article explores these two hypotheses, comparing the anatomy and function of human hair with plants, and investigates how both might have contributed to sunlight-derived energy. We consider how these mechanisms could have evolved and how future advancements in synthetic biology could make such ideas a reality. These hypotheses may offer insights into how early humans obtained essential nutrients during periods of food scarcity, such as during the Ice Ages, when animal and plant resources were limited.

Abstract: The European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europeaus) is a Western Palearctic bird known in Europe for its distinct breeding vocalizations during summer nights. It migrates from sub-Saharan Africa, where it overwinters, to reach its breeding grounds in Europe around early to mid-April. Although nightjar ecology has been studied in some parts of its summer range (e.g. Great Britain, Belgium), the species remains unstudied in southeastern Europe. Our aim was to use passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) to study the seasonal and temporal calling activity of the species at two sites in northern Greece (Mt. Chortiatis) across an entire breeding season, examining whether variances in the daily calling frequency could be explained by environmental variables (wind, temperature, air humidity, precipitation, moon phase, cloud cover, night length). We deployed three AudioMoth acoustic sensors, scheduled to record at 48 KHz sampling rate one out of every ten minutes, at each site from 15/4/2024 to 12/10/2024. We used the BirdNet algorithm to detect the minutes with nightjar calls (recall rate 82%). The relation of environmental variables to the daily number of minutes containing nightjar calls was assessed using generalized mixed effect models (GLMMs). They are mostly consistent with previous studies on the calling activity of the species. Calling commenced in late April and continued with decreasing frequency until early September, with variations in onset and seasonal duration across sites. Most calls occurred after dusk and before dawn (crepuscular activity), with calls taking place throughout the night during peak calling period (mid-May – mid-June). Calling frequency was higher during humid, windless, moonlit nights without precipitation and shorter duration. The results provide a baseline against which to examine possible effects of climate change on the breeding behavior of Afro-Palearctic migrant bird species, and we therefore suggest that similar studies, ideally on a continental scale, should be conducted for more species, in order to detect early climate-induced ecological changes.

Abstract: Introduction of alien species may pose enormous threat to indigenous flora and fauna. Among introduced animals probably the most destructive to the natural environment are mammals. This is true at least in regard to the Afrotropical Region (sub-Saharan Africa). The presented paper attempt to summarize our knowledge on alien mammals in this region and their impact on the indigenous vertebrate fauna. This review includes 56 mammal species belonging to 20 families introduced to sub-Saharan Africa in the last 2000 years. Most are representatives of the following orders: Artiodactyla Carnivora and Primates. Most species introduced to sub-Saharan Africa originated from the Oriental (n = 20) and Palearctic Region (n = 19). Two species, Mus musculus and Rattus rattus, have been introduced before 1400 (probably as early as 800 AD); three other were introduced between 1401 and 1700. The first half of the 17th century saw the highest number (n = 10) of introduced species. While during the years 1651 and 1850, only two species were introduced, in the following 175 years (1851-2025) as many as 24 species were introduced. Ten of the introduced mammal species, namely Sus scrofa, Capra hircus, Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, Mus musculus, Felis catus, Canis familiaris, Viverricula indica, Urva auropunctata and Maccaca fuscicularis become invasive species. A total of 39 mammal species were relocated (mainly for hunting purpose) within sub-Saharan Africa. Most of them were representatives of the family Bovidae (76.9%). Relocations are not considered as introductions. Based on published records of impacts of alien mammals on the vertebrate fauna of the sub-Saharan Africa, the following mechanisms may be distinguished: predation, competition, hybridization, transmission of diseases and parasites; habitat destruction (grazing / herbivory / browsing). Most vertebrate species (79.4%) were affected through direct predation or predation and habitat destruction (7.1%) or predation and competition (1.4%). Alien mammals has caused habitat destruction for only 10 species (7.1%). Other effects (competition and genetic pollution) were marginal (3.5%). At least 144 vertebrate species represented by 52 families were affected by alien mammals in sub-Saharan Africa, 3 amphibian, 23 reptiles, 89 birds and 29 mammals. As result of mammal introduction, 65 species in sub-Saharan Africa became globally extinct, 45 are threatened (in RDB) and 31 other species are in decline, although not included in RDB. Most extinct birds were affected by introduced rats, mouse feral cats and dogs. In continental Africa, only seven vertebrate species are negatively affected by alien mammals. All the others affected vertebrates occur on islands. Especially high rate of extinction was recorded in the Mascarenes. In comparison with alien birds in sub-Saharan Africa, the number introduced mammals species is much lower, but their negative effect on vertebrate fauna much higher.

Abstract: Agriculture plays a dual role in shaping biodiversity, providing secondary habitats while posing significant threats to ecological systems through habitat fragmentation and land use intensification. This study evaluates the impact of land use types on avian biodiversity in a predominantly agricultural landscape in Apulia, Italy, by analyzing 20 sites fuzzily classified into three ecosystem categories: agricultural (AGR), mixed (MIX) and natural (NAT), according to the percentage of natural cover. Biodiversity indices were calculated for each bird community observed. The abundance curves showed a geometric series pattern for the AGR communities, indicative of ecosystems at an early stage of ecological succession, and a lognormal distribution for the MIX and NAT communities, typical of mature communities with a more even distribution of species. Analysis of variance showed significant differences in richness and diversity between AGR and NAT sites, but not between NAT and MIX, which had the highest values. Logistic regression estimated the probability of sites belonging to the three ecosystem categories as a function of biodiversity, confirming a strong similarity between NAT and MIX. Finally, linear discriminant analysis confirmed a clear separation from AGR areas, as evidenced by the canonical components. The results highlight the importance of integrating high-diversity landscape elements and appropriate agricultural practices to mitigate biodiversity loss. Even a small increase in the naturalness of agricultural land would be sufficient to convert it from AGR to MIX ecosystem category, with significant biodiversity benefits.

Abstract: Homology, or relationship among characters by common descent, has been notoriously difficult to assess for many morphological features, and cell types in particular. The ontogenetic origin of such traits means that the only physically inherited information is encoded in the genomes. However, the complexity of the underlying gene regulatory network and often miniscule changes that can impact gene expression, make it practically impossible to postulate a clear demarcation line for what molecular signature should “define” a homologous cell type between two deeply branching animals. In this Hypothesis article, we propose the use of the recently characterized irreversible genomic states, that occur after chromosomal and sub-chromosomal mixing of genes and regulatory elements, to dissect regulatory signatures of each cell type into irreversible and reversible configurations. While many of such states will be non-functional, some may permanently impact gene expression in a given cell type. Our proposal is that such evolutionarily irreversible, and thus synapomorphic, functional genomic states can constitute a criterion for the timing of the origin of deep evolutionary cell type homologies. Our proposal thus aims to close the gap between the clearly defined homology of the individual genomic characters and their genomic states to the homology at the phenotypic level through the identification of the underlying evolutionarily irreversible and regulatory linked states.

Abstract: Our paper conducted a re-examine of the Sauropod individuals PMoL from the Jehol Biota, Lower Cretaceous, Liaoning of China, including partial vertebrae and appendicula. First, we re-exam the osteology of the PMoL. Next, we used TNT 1.5 and PAUP 4.0 software and the newest matrix of the Titanosauriformes to analyze the phylogenetic position of the PMoL, the result revealed that PMoL was reconsidered in the Euhelopodid. Then, the comparison in the PMoL and other Titanosauriformes in the Jehol Biota was conducted. Finally, we conducted a paleobiogeographic analysis to infer the origination of the Euhelopodidae and considered that the origin region of the Euhelopodidae is Asia.

Abstract: Anatomical abnormalities in octopuses, whose behavior is facilitated by flexible neuron-rich arms, offer insights into life histories and the neurological implications of understudied conditions such as bifurcation. Although documentation is scarce, here we present in-situ videos of 9-armed O. vulgaris with a functional bifurcated R1 arm. Analysis using RDAs and GLMs investigated the impact of the bifurcated arm on behavior and examined changes during growth. Analysis revealed a differential usage of between the bifurcated arms in addition to an initial specialization of the bifurcated arms for actions below the body, decreasing overtime as the arms grew. Further, bifurcated and regrown arms were utilized more in safe behaviors than risky ones, with more severely injured arms showing a higher frequency of use in safe behaviors. These findings contribute to the growing knowledge of arm usage in octopuses, suggesting that arm bifurcation may lead to branchial neural differentiation and potentially indicate post-traumatic associated in O. vulgaris.

Abstract:

The integration of data-driven technologies in education has revolutionized traditional teaching methodologies, offering innovative solutions to enhance learning experiences. This paper explores the role of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Augmented Reality (AR) in transforming educational strategies by providing real-time data analytics, personalized learning environments, and interactive content. IoT-enabled smart classrooms facilitate automated attendance tracking, adaptive learning systems, and real-time performance monitoring, enabling educators to tailor instruction to individual student needs. Meanwhile, AR enhances engagement by overlaying digital content onto physical environments, fostering immersive and experiential learning. The synergy between IoT and AR contributes to a more responsive, efficient, and student-centric education system. This study examines case studies and empirical evidence to highlight the effectiveness of these technologies in improving learning outcomes and teacher effectiveness.

Abstract: The human gut nurtures an exceptionally diverse microbial community, with over a thousand species coexisting despite apparent competition for limited resources. This phenomenon challenges the classical principle of competitive exclusion, drawing parallels with Hutchinson’s ‘Paradox of the Plankton’. Through an ecological lens, this paper examines mechanisms that sustain such high species richness, categorising them into niche-based and neutral processes. Niche differentiation, environmental heterogeneity, evolutionary trade-offs, and microbial interactions create conditions for stable coexistence, while stochastic forces such as ecological drift, migration, and speciation also shape community structure. Furthermore, higher-level selection, influenced by host-microbiome interactions, may play a role in maintaining diversity. A deeper understanding of these processes is crucial, not only for theoretical ecology but also for advancing microbiome-based therapeutic interventions.

Abstract: Studying the spatial distribution patterns, intraspecific and interspecific associations of tree species are crucial for understanding the maintenance of biodiversity and offering insights into community dynamics and stability. The Shennongjia National Park, located in the transition zone between the (sub-) tropics and the temperate climate holds great significance for understanding how species interact with each other and coexist within forest communities. We used data from a full mapped 25-ha montane deciduous broadleaved forest dynamic plot at Shennongjia (SNJ) National Park, central China to conduct a community level evaluation of spatial distribution patterns and intraspecific and interspecific associations. We analyzed spatial distribution pattern of 20 dominant species with univariate and bivariate g(r) functions, as well as the intraspecific and interspecific associations across different life history stages. We assess the relative contributions of underlying processes in community assembly with three models: Complete Spatial Randomness (CSR), Heterogeneous Poisson (HP), and Antecedent Condition (AS). The results showed that all 20 tree species exhibit small-scale aggregation distribution. While, aggregation distribution degree decreased and mainly showed random or uniform distributions when excluded environmental heterogeneity. Positive associations were common in different life history stages. Negative associations were common across different species, while, most of the significant intraspecific and interspecific associations turned to be irrelevant when excluded environmental heterogeneity. We concluded that habitat heterogeneity and dispersal limitation may primarily determine the spatial distribution of species in the subtropical montane deciduous broad-leaved forest. This suggests that the forest is highly sensitive to environmental changes. Upcoming management approaches ought to concentrate on ongoing observation, crucial for mitigating how climate change might affect species distribution and community interactions, thus guaranteeing enduring stability and conservation of biodiversity.

Abstract: The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the world’s most valuable wetland resources because of its unique characteristics and biological diversity. The seasonal, annual, and decadal inundated extent of the Okavango Delta in north-west Botswana is highly variable. Therefore, amphibian habitat is under threat from a variety of factors, including habitat loss caused by the loss of wetlands and upland terrestrial habitat, habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation caused by urban pollutants and movement behaviors in the presence of light and/or sound pollution. Previous study showed that there are approximately 33 amphibian species in the Okavango Delta and 24 of them were reported in places surrounding the Delta. Limited research has been done on the diversity of amphibian species in these areas, especially using citizen science and audio recordings. To address this gap the study aimed to determine the amphibian species diversity in the Daunara, Mochaba and Chanoga and compare the amphibian diversity in the different study sites. A total of 24 questionnaires were administered for our research: with eight distributed at each of the three sites to the local people in that area targeting fisherman and canoe (mokoro) operators. The relative frequency of citation (RFC) and Anova were calculated to determine significance difference in species diversity. Audio recordings were collected at each site and analyzed with RavenPro 1.6.5 software to make spectrograms, and Shannon wiener diversity index was used to calculate the species diversity. The results from the questionnaires showed that there was a total of 18 amphibian species identified in Daunara, 13 in Mochaba and 11 in Chanoga. The RFC value showed that the most common species were the Pyxicephalus adspersus (Giant African bullfrog) and Xenopus muelleri (Mullers Platana) with RFC values of 0.875. The p-value from the ANOVA test was 0.962 which is greater than α-value 0.05 which means there was no significant difference between the means of the three groups from the respondent data. The Shannon-wiener diversity index showed that Mochaba had a high amphibian diversity of 1.08892 as compared to Chanoga with 0.63379 and Daunara with 0.67302. Further research is needed to analyze the spatiotemporal variation in species diversity under changing environmental conditions.

Abstract: The idea that race is a purely social construct appears to have achieved almost universal acceptance within academia. However, this consensus is artificial and maintained by a taboo on the subject of race, particularly in the biological sciences. Here, I argue that the common-sense view that race has a biological basis but is unimportant for traits such as intelligence or character best fits the scientific data. I start by showing that most past biological discussions of race have focused on the wrong concepts. Specifically, population structure at the genomic level is irrelevant to most notions of race, which stress functional differences in a handful of traits. I therefore argue that the concept of ecotype, which is associated with local adaptation of a handful of traits in a highly connected network of populations, is the best descriptor of human races. I then explain the relationship between the social construction of race and its biological basis. The essential point here is that race is socially constructed from real biological variation. I conclude with a brief discussion of scientific racism, which I argue is better labeled pseudoscientific racism. I posit that stifling discussion of race by biologists has been counterproductive and misguided. When scientists refuse to refute the racist spin doctoring of biological data that is central to scientific racism, it gives the public the notion that the data are not on their side. Moreover, ideologically driven positions, such as races do not exist, erode public confidence in the scientific community.

Abstract: Ciliates of the genus Frontonia have been extensively studied to resolve their phylogenetic and evolutionary history, but challenges remain. This study used molecular analyses of SSU rRNA genes, phylogenetic tree reconstruction, molecular dating, and diversification analysis, together with ancestral state reconstruction of morphological traits and habitat preferences. Data included newly sequenced Korean species, GenBank records and published morphological information. Phylogenetic trees revealed paraphyly within Frontonia, identifying four groups that emerged in the Mesozoic era: Group I (~172 mya), Group II (~83 mya), Group III (~115 mya), and Group IV (~190 mya), with a common ancestor dating to ~420 mya in the Palaeozoic era. Diversification analysis revealed higher extinction rates (0.826 and 0.613 species/year) than speciation rates (0.011 and 0.016 species/year). Morphological evolution showed habitat adaptation and plasticity, with habitat transitions unrelated to contractile vacuolar traits. The SSU rRNA gene polymorphism likely contributed to the paraphyletic state of Frontonia. These results highlight the complex evolutionary patterns of the genus, shaped by genetic diversity, morphology, and environmental constrains.