Population Abundance Research Articles

Investigation of the Mechanism for Removal of Typical Pathogenic Bacteria from Three-Compartment Septic Tanks under Low Temperature Conditions

Three-compartment septic tanks are a prominently advocated environmentally sustainable sanitation facility in rural China. However, the comprehensive elimination efficacy and underlying mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria within septic tanks remain incompletely understood. In particular, the operational performance in low-temperature conditions has received limited attention in the existing literature. In this work, a simulation of the three-compartment septic tank treatment system was conducted under low-temperature conditions (15 °C). The operational results exemplify the synergistic interplay of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), NH3-N, and bacterial communities, culminating in a partial reduction in Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enteritidis, within the three-compartment septic tank. Their respective population abundances were decreased by magnitudes of 2.2, 1.3, 0.03, and 1.46 logarithmic units (copies/mL), respectively. Through the utilization of qPCR and physicochemical indicators, it was observed that the bactericidal effect of VFA primarily occurred during the initial 0–21-day period, while NH3-N consistently proved to be the most vital sterilizing agent throughout the operation of the three-compartment septic tank. Predominant bacterial communities within the septic tank, such as Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Brevundimonas, Acinetobacter, and Saccharimonadales, exerted substantial inhibitory impacts on Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enteritidis through niche competition and suppression. In essence, this study elucidated the actual efficiency of elimination and the underlying mechanisms of typical pathogenic bacteria within three-compartment septic tanks in low-temperature conditions, thereby providing compelling evidence supporting the viability of environmentally sound treatment using such septic tanks. Concurrently, it also shed light on several limitations associated with this treatment approach, aiming to contribute valuable insights for the assessment of ecological risks and health hazards associated with the environmentally benign treatment of rural toilet waste.

A New Record of Panulirus homarus homarus (Panulirus spp.) from Malaysia Waters with its Molecular Phylogeny

Spiny lobsters Panulirus spp. of the family Palinuridae Latreille, 1802 occupies the shallow tropical and subtropical waters (<100 m depth). These species are ubiquitous and abundant, yet knowledge of its range, biodiversity, and population abundance in Malaysia is limited. Panulirus homarus is listed as “Least Concern” along with other 11 species out of 21 spiny lobster species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) red list in 2022. A total of five species were reported from Malaysia waters. Whilst, this study reports the sixth spiny lobster species, Panulirus homarus homarus, with morphology and molecular genetic information (Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene) provided. The p-distance within P. h. homarus was 0.2 – 0.6%, n = 12; between P. h. homarus with P. h. rubellus and P. homarus “Brown” was 6.4 – 6.8%, n = 12 and 0.8 – 3.3%, n = 12, respectively. Intra-species p-distance within Panulirus spp. was below 3%, while inter-species was above 10%. This validates the collected specimen as P. h. homarus and P. h. rubellus is the subspecies, but leaving P. h. “Brown” taxonomic status unclear. Thus, genetic information is important in solving many of these systematic and taxonomic problems, because often these species are difficult to distinguished based on morphological criteria. A key to all Panulirus spp. identified in Malaysia waters was constructed. This study updates the marine biodiversity list in Malaysia, where the acquisition of biological knowledge is vital to the protection of the world’s natural resources as well as to the sustainable management of spiny lobster fisheries.

Diversity, distribution, habitat preferences and community assemblages of Amphibians and Reptiles in the “Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni” National Park (Campania, Southern Italy)

Amphibians and reptiles are important ecological indicators of ecosystem status and play significant ecological roles. However, their populations are declining globally due to factors such as climate and land-use change. To effectively manage these species, it is crucial to study their distribution in protected areas. In this study, we provide new information on the distribution and ecology of amphibians and reptiles in the “Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni” (CVDA) National Park in southern Italy. We used a comprehensive dataset consisting of 2465 records obtained from fieldwork, citizen science, and literature to evaluate species’ rarity, habitat preferences and community assemblage. We investigated whether differences in species richness across different habitat types and elevations resulted from species selection of different environmental conditions. We quantified species probability of observation in different habitat types and estimated the significance of species-habitat associations. Species rarity was assessed by considering geographic range, population abundance, and habitat breadth. Collected data substantially improved knowledge of the distribution of numerous species compared to published data. Our findings are generally consistent with the species’ ecological information available in Italy, but we also found some species’ peculiar ecological aspects that are little-known. The CVDA National Park emerges as an effective protected area that ensures good conservation status of the herpetofauna, also in the case of species showing population and range declines at the national scale.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS’ INFLUENCE ON THE DIAMONDBACK MOTH (PLUTELLA XYLOSTELLA L.) POPULATION DYNAMICS ON CRUCIFEROUS CROPS

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is one of the most severe pests for cruciferous crops. Its widespread distribution and the ability to submissive migration led to an unexpected enhancement in its population, thereby obscuring the control measures aimed at this phytophagous. The presented study sought to determine the expansion of diamondback moth in cruciferous crops (rapeseed, mustard) in two agroclimatic zones of Northern Kazakhstan (Zone I: moderately humid and warm; Zone II: slightly humid and moderately warm). Analysis of population dynamics ran for the long-term during 2012–2022 based on bioecological patterns of the diamondback moth and factors affecting them. Numerical variables of population density and abundance indices served as diagnostic predictors for characterizing the phase state of the pest in a given period and, therefore, recognizing the population dynamics pattern of the diamondback moth. Based on the results, the biological regularity of the stage inception of the phytophagous abundance dynamics does not always persevere, and variations occur with the sway of environmental factors. Hence, the abundance dynamics of diamondback moth depend upon the weather conditions of the previous and current year, as well as, on the accomplishment of the extent of chemical treatment and its regulations. The obtained data can be criteria for predicting the phase state of diamondback moth populations in the agroclimatic zones of northern Kazakhstan to justify and plan protective measures, as well as, to improve phytosanitary control.

Estimating abundance of a small population of Bryde's whales: a comparison between aerial surveys and boat‐based platforms of opportunity

AbstractAccurate abundance estimates are essential for the development of effective conservation management strategies, yet they are difficult to produce for small populations that are elusive and sparsely distributed throughout their range. For such populations it is challenging to collect a representative dataset sufficient for robust estimation of detectability and abundance. Over a one‐year study, we used two methods to estimate abundance of a Nationally Critical, widely dispersed Bryde's whale population in the Hauraki Gulf, Aotearoa/New Zealand; (i) distance sampling from systematic line‐transect aerial surveys (n = 22 surveys, 9,944 km, total sightings 21–24 whales), and (ii) mark‐recapture (MR) using photo‐identification images collected from a platform‐of‐opportunity and small‐boat surveys (218 sampling occasions, 27 whales). From the aerial surveys, we estimated an average of 15 whales (95% CI = 6, 30; CV = 37%) at the sea‐surface at any time. For the boat‐based surveys, we developed a custom MR model to address seasonal and individual heterogeneity in capture probabilities and obtained an estimate of 72 distinct whales (95% CI = 38, 106; CV = 24%) in the population. These two approaches provide different perspectives on the abundance and dynamics of Bryde's whales. The aerial surveys estimate the average number of individuals present at any one time, whereas the MR model estimates the total number of animals that used the Gulf during the study. Although neither sampling method is optimal for estimating the abundance of this small, dispersed population, the use of two complementary approaches informs conservation managers about patterns of abundance and distribution over different temporal and spatial scales. It is common to have limited resources for marine research where model assumptions cannot be met. Here, we highlight pragmatic strategies showing how models can be customized to the population of interest to assist with monitoring species of conservation concern.

Baikal seal (<i>Pusa sibirica</i> Gmelin 1788, Phocidae). 2. On the problem of population abundance and its regulation through resumption of commercial hunting

Prospects of resumption the Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica) commercial hunting are discussed. Inconsistency of the materials annually submitted by BaikalNIRO for the State report «On the state of Lake Baikal and measures for its protection» for making important decisions regarding the population of Baikal seal is shown. Studies on the population dynamics and methods of its assessment are considered critically, the problems in monitoring of the population are revealed. Adequacy of the presented data on the seals abundance to their real number is doubtful. Current state of the population is considered as quite prosperous, its abundance is high but not excessive. Carrying capacity of the habitat is a variable and difficult to determine, its dynamics is vague and cannot be considered as a reliable basis for resuming the commercial hunting. Groundlessness of such proposals is substantiated and possible negative consequences are shown.

Baikal seal (<i>Pusa sibirica</i> Gmelin 1788, Phocidae). 1. Results of the experiment on heightened commercial withdrawal (retrospective evaluation)

Dynamics of the main parameters of the Baikal seal population (age and sex structure, size and weight indices, reproductive activity) in the years of experiment with heightened commercial withdrawal of the seals (1977–1985) is analyzed on the base of primary field data collected during the spring hunting. The problem of natural limitation for the population abundance is discussed for the case when further growth is limited by carrying capacity of the habitat. The observed changes of age, sex, size, and reproductive parameters reflected intrapopulation processes of the abundance regulation, weakly associated with trophic and density factors. Despite intensive commercial load and negative consequences of unusually early ice melting in 1981, the number of Baikal seal grew until the late 1980s. The withdrawal did not lead to expected improvement of the population status that was explained by underestimation of the stock. Low level (or complete absence) of biological substantiation for the experiment is noted.

Effects of seasonal variations and environmental factors on phytoplankton community structure and abundance in Beibu Gulf, China

The seasonal variation in phyla within the phytoplankton community is evident in the Beibu Gulf region, with Bacillariophyta being the most diverse group, accounting for 55% of genera in spring and slightly increasing to 57.9% in autumn. In contrast, Pyrrophyta exhibits a higher number of genera and taxa in spring at 43.3%, but this percentage declines to 40% in autumn. During both seasons, the phylum Cyanophyta had a limited occurrence, making up only 1.7% and 2.1% of the total species counts, but in the spring season, it emerged as the dominant phylum with a high cell density of 95.4%, surpassing other phyla such as Aphanocapsa elachista, Guinardia flaccida, Chaetoceros laciniosus, Trichodesmium thiebautii, and Thalassiosira subtilis. Conversely, in the autumn season, cyanophyta constituted merely 4% of the overall cell density. The relative abundance of Bacillariophyta species (Bacteriastrum sp. >Chaetoceros affinis > Chaetoceros lorenzianus > Thalassionema nitzschioides > Chaetoceros curvisetus) displayed a distinct trend, reaching its peak cell density of 94% during autumn. The significance of this study lies in its findings that different types of phytoplankton, such as dinoflagellates and diatoms, have distinct growth patterns in the northern Beibu Gulf. It also highlights the importance of nutrient levels, particularly nitrate, nitrite, silicate, and soluble reactive phosphorus, in influencing the composition of phytoplankton communities during the spring season. Additionally, the study reveals a negative relationship between ammonium concentration and water temperature during both spring and autumn. These findings suggest that changes in nutrient availability during seasonal shifts play a critical role in shaping phytoplankton dynamics in marine ecosystems. The observed negative relationship between ammonium concentration and water temperature raises questions about the potential impacts of climate change on phytoplankton dynamics in the Beibu Gulf. As temperatures continue to rise, it is possible that the nutrient-rich conditions in the spring season may be altered, leading to changes in the composition and abundance of phytoplankton populations. This could potentially have cascading effects on the overall ecosystem. Therefore, studying the interplay between temperature and nutrient availability is essential for accurately assessing the future health and productivity of the Beibu Gulf's phytoplankton communities.

The non-consumptive economic value of wildlife: the case of three cetacean species

The conservation of wildlife is one of the most pressing issues in the current times, but wildlife conservation economic values have often been largely ignored due to an absence of market prices, as setting an economic value on biodiversity or whole ecosystems can be challenging. Nevertheless, valuing wildlife can be of great significance to improve decision-making in the conservation field, as it can provide a complementary perspective based on economic principles. Whale-watching provides an opportunity for the economic valuation of wildlife. Specifically, it offers a framework in which the economic revenue allows the economic valuation of the targeted cetaceans to be estimated through the direct and indirect expenditure of the tourists who purchase whale-watching tours. Here, we performed an economic analysis based on population abundances of the three main species targeted by the whale-watching companies in the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain): long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and killer whales (Orcinus orca). These species generated a total annual income of €4,089,056, €1,876,833, and €505,389, respectively, and each individual would generate an average of €14,048, €951, and €36,099 each year, respectively. Incorporating life expectancy, this corresponded to a total population value of €112,426,185, €16,685,147, and €19,171,107, respectively, over their lifetime. These values provide an idea of the potential contribution of cetaceans to the local economy but only represent their non-consumptive value based on tourism. Our results reinforce the idea that a sustainable, high-quality whale-watching culture, under ACCOBAMS High-Quality Whale-Watching requirements, should be promoted to ensure a sustainable industry, stable economic income and the viability of cetacean populations in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Local conservation status and economic value of mangrove clam (Pegophysema philippiana) in Sitio Maitom, Barangay Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental

This paper investigates the local conservation status and economic value of Pegophysema philippiana in Maitom, focusing on its population abundance, size distribution, and threats to survival. This study collected and analyzed 377 specimens. The results revealed a population density of 4 ind/m². Furthermore, the collected specimens displayed smaller average length and weight and lacked larger-sized individuals. The study identified two significant threats to P. philippiana: wastewater from adjacent prawn ponds and destructive gleaning practices. Conservation efforts, such as site alternation and selective return of premature individuals, were found to be inadequate in addressing the decline in abundance. Additionally, variations in physicochemical properties observed in this study and previous studies require further investigation. Regarding the economic value of P. philippiana, local pricing ranges from Php 120.00/kg-Php 180.00/kg, with a prevailing standard price of Php 150/kg. However, the pricing needs formal procedures and assessments. The P. philippiana fishery in Maitom operates at an artisanal level and requires essential gear or equipment, including proper harvesting techniques. Consequently, support activities beyond selling and consumption should be present. To address these challenges, this paper recommends establishing a formal business firm to streamline the flow of P. philippiana. Improving the fishery enhances the economic value, and conservation efforts can also be promoted, creating a positive feedback loop benefiting stakeholders and the species.

Virus infections in honeybee colonies naturally surviving ectoparasitic mite vectors

Western honeybee populations, Apis mellifera, in Europe have been known to survive infestations of the ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor, by means of natural selection. Proposed mechanisms in literature have been focused on the management of this parasite, however literature remains scare on the differences in viral ecology between colonies that have adapted to V. destructor and those that are consistently treated for it. Samples were collected from both a mite-surviving and a sympatric mite-susceptible honeybee population in Norway. The prevalence and abundances of 10 viruses, vectored by the parasite or not, were investigated in adult host workers and pupae as well as in V. destructor mites. Here we show that the mite-vectored Deformed wing virus (DWV-A) is often lower in both abundance and prevalence in the mite-surviving population in tandem with lower phoretic mite infestations compared to the mite susceptible population. However, the non-mite-vectored Black queen cell virus (BQCV), had both a higher abundance and prevalence in the mite-surviving population compared to the susceptible population. The data therefore suggest that general adaptations to virus infections may be unlikely to explain colony survival. Instead, mechanisms suppressing mite reproduction and therefore the impact seem to be more important.

Aberrant centrosome biogenesis disrupts nephron and collecting duct progenitor growth and fate resulting in fibrocystic kidney disease.

Mutations that disrupt centrosome biogenesis or function cause congenital kidney developmental defects and fibrocystic pathologies. Yet how centrosome dysfunction results in the kidney disease phenotypes remains unknown. Here, we examined the consequences of conditional knockout of the ciliopathy gene Cep120, essential for centrosome duplication, in the nephron and collecting duct progenitor niches of the mouse embryonic kidney. Cep120 loss led to reduced abundance of both cap mesenchyme and ureteric bud populations, due to a combination of delayed mitosis, increased apoptosis and premature differentiation of progenitor cells. These defects resulted in dysplastic kidneys at birth, which rapidly formed cysts, displayed increased interstitial fibrosis and decline in kidney function. RNA sequencing of embryonic and postnatal kidneys from Cep120-null mice identified changes in the pathways essential for development, fibrosis and cystogenesis. Our study defines the cellular and developmental defects caused by centrosome dysfunction during kidney morphogenesis and identifies new therapeutic targets for patients with renal centrosomopathies.

The perceived ecological and human well‐being benefits of ecosystem restoration

Abstract Traditionally, ecosystem restoration has focussed on standard ecological indicators like water or habitat quality, species population abundance or vegetation cover to determine success. However, there is growing interest in how restoration might impact people and communities. For example, researchers have documented positive socio‐ecological links between restoration and human well‐being indicators like property value, natural hazard mitigation, recreation opportunity and happiness. Furthermore, public health benefits from restoration have been linked to public support for programmes. Drawing from this research, the United Nations declared 2021–2030 the ‘Decade of Ecosystem Restoration’ and set a goal to promote more socio‐ecological goals in ecosystem restoration. Nonetheless, there is still a lack of information on the extent to which restoration practitioners consider well‐being because many granting programmes only require ecological goals and monitoring. To explore how restoration practitioners design, implement and measure the success of their projects, we used the federally funded Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) as a case study. Since 2010, GLRI has awarded over $3.5 Billion to over 5300 projects across the midwestern United States, but it does not presently require human well‐being considerations. We performed an online survey targeting project managers with a sample of GLRI projects (N = 1574). We received 437 responses and found that almost half set a human well‐being goal, and more than 70% of those who did believe they reached it. In comparison, 90% of project managers believed they met their ecological goals. These documented perceptions of positive impacts for both people and nature suggest that restoration may already transcend traditional indicators and monitoring for socio‐ecological metrics could capture many ‘unseen’ benefits. Therefore, we recommend that ecosystem restoration programmes adopt a socio‐ecological lens to document the full extent of their restoration outcomes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Genetic differentiation within two large phylogroups of the common hamster (<i>Cricetus cricetus</i>) (Cricetidae, Rodentia), the boundary between them, and the population abundance

clarification. In the course of our specially organized expedition, tissue samples of the common hamster were collected in 12 regions of Russia and Kazakhstan, including areas at the potential border of the ranges of phylogroups “A” and “E” (“Europe”). Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the cytb gene of the captured animals has shown that the boundary between these phylogroups runs between Turinsk and Yekaterinburg, further between Chelyabinsk and Kurgan, between Omsk and Tatarsk, and turns to the south, leaving the village of Turgai and the town of Temirtau in the west and the village of Bayanaul in the east. The structure of territorial genetic clades belonging to phylogroups “A” and “E” and the history of their formation were also analyzed. Most of the detected territorial clades were formed during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The population dynamics of phylogroups “A” and “E” was analyzed and its decline was shown in 8 of the 12 surveyed regions.

Effects of hunting on mating, relatedness, and genetic diversity in a puma population.

Hunting mortality can affect population abundance, demography, patterns of dispersal and philopatry, breeding, and genetic diversity. We investigated the effects of hunting on the reproduction and genetic diversity in a puma population in western Colorado, USA. We genotyped over 11,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), using double-digest, restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) in 291 tissue samples collected as part of a study on the effects of hunting on puma population abundance and demography in Colorado from 2004 to 2014. The study was designed with a reference period (years 1-5), during which hunting was suspended, followed by a treatment period (years 6-10), in which hunting was reinstated. Our objectives were to examine the effects of hunting on: (1) paternity and male reproductive success; (2) the relatedness between pumas within the population, and (3) genetic diversity. We found that hunting reduced the average age of male breeders. The number of unique fathers siring litters increased each year without hunting and decreased each year during the hunting period. Mated pairs were generally unrelated during both time periods, and females were more closely related than males. Hunting was also associated with increased relatedness among males and decreased relatedness among females in the population. Finally, genetic diversity increased during the period without hunting and decreased each year when hunting was present. This study demonstrates the utility of merging demographic data with large-scale genomic datasets in order to better understand the consequences of management actions. Specifically, we believe that this study highlights the need for long-term experimental research in which hunting mortality is manipulated, including at least one non-harvested control population, as part of a broader adaptive, zone management scheme.

Temporal patterns in the soundscape of the port area in an urban estuary

Soundscape ecology, facilitated by the collection of environmental sounds, enables the determination of the area used by specific species, estimation of population abundance, verification of habitat health, and assistance in management and monitoring processes. Estuaries are key environments in the life cycle of many species. As coastal ecosystems, they face potential impacts by human activities. This study aims to characterize the soundscape of the Patos Lagoon estuary (PLE), Brazil, examining its temporal and seasonal variations. Additionally, it seeks to investigate the influence of temperature and salinity on sound pressure levels (SPL) across three different frequency bands throughout the year. For data collection, two autonomous devices - a SoundTrap digital recorder and an F-POD sampler - were used. The data collection spanned from September 2020 to August 2021 and covered one consecutive week per season. The analysis of audio files was performed manually using Raven software. Sound emissions by Lahille's bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus gephyreus) and fish were observed throughout the sampling period, with peak detections occurring during the summer and spring, respectively. Boat noise was detected throughout the year but more intensely in the summer. Generalized linear models (GLMs) revealed that, for the three SPL frequency bands, the season significantly influenced the composition of the PLE soundscape, with positive fluctuations in the warmer seasons (summer > spring > autumn > winter). Salinity, in turn, showed a slightly negative relationship with the SPL values in the three models, suggesting a decrease in frequencies with increasing salinity. Our results also indicate that the low-frequency SPL, originating mostly from various sources of anthropogenic noise, constitutes the main component of the PLE soundscape. In conclusion, our study provides novel insights into the temporal patterns of the soundscape in an urban estuary, including biotic and anthropogenic sounds, and their relationships with selected environmental variables.

Elucidating the synergistic effect of acidity and metalloid poisoning on the microbiome through metagenomics and machine learning approaches

The abundance and diversity of the microflora in a complex environment such as soil is everchanging. Mica mining has led to metalloid poisoning and changes in soil biogeochemistry affecting the overall produce and leading to toxic dietary exposure. The study focuses on two prominent stressors acidity and arsenic, in mining-contaminated agricultural locations. Soil samples were collected from agricultural fields at a distance of 50 m (zone 1) and 500 m (zone 2) from active mines. Mean arsenic concentration was higher in zone 1 and pH was lower. Geostatistical and self-organizing maps were employed to report that the pattern of localization of soil acidity and arsenic content is similar indicating a causal relationship. Cluster and principal component analysis were further used to materialize a negative effect of soil acidity fractions and arsenic labile pool on soil enzymatic activity (fluorescein diacetate, dehydrogenase, β-1,4-glucosidase, phosphatase, and urease), respiration and Microbial biomass carbon. Soil metagenomic analysis revealed significant differences in the abundance of microbial populations with zone 1 (contaminated zone) having lower alpha and beta diversity. Finally, the efficacy of several machine-learning tools was tested using Taylor diagrams and an effort was made to select a potent algorithm to predict the causal stressors responsible for depreciating soil microbial health. Random Forrest had superior predictive power based on numerical evidence and was therefore chosen as the best-fitted model. The aforementioned insights into soil microbial health and sustenance in stressed conditions can be beneficial for predicting remedial strategies and practicing sustainable agriculture.

Phenotypic Diversity of a Leafroller Archips podana (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) Does Not Change along an Industrial Pollution Gradient.

Morphological polymorphism offers rich opportunities for studying the eco-evolutionary mechanisms that drive the adaptations of local populations to heterogeneous and changing environments. In this study, I explore the association between pollution load, abundance of large fruit-tree tortrix Archips podana and its within-species diversity (expressed in the presence of apical and/or lateral prongs on the phallus in male genitalia) across 26 study sites located 0.5 to 31 km from the industrial city of Lipetsk in central Russia. The Shannon diversity index, calculated from the frequencies of four morphs, correlated neither with the distance to the nearest industrial polluter (a proxy of pollution load) nor with the number of moths captured by pheromone traps (a measure of population abundance). The statistical power of the correlation analysis was sufficient (67%) to detect a medium effect (i.e., Pearson correlation coefficient with an absolute value of 0.40), if it existed. I conclude that the four phenotypes of A. podana do not differ in tolerance to industrial pollution and similarly respond to pollution-induced environmental disturbance. This is the first study of industrial pollution impacts on within-species diversity of insects expressed in the discrete traits of their male genitalia.

Shifting hotspots: Climate change projected to drive contractions and expansions of invasive plant abundance habitats

AbstractAimPreventing the spread of range‐shifting invasive species is a top priority for mitigating the impacts of climate change. Invasive plants become abundant and cause negative impacts in only a fraction of their introduced ranges, yet projections of invasion risk are almost exclusively derived from models built using all non‐native occurrences and neglect abundance information.LocationEastern USA.MethodsWe compiled abundance records for 144 invasive plant species from five major growth forms. We fit over 600 species distribution models based on occurrences of abundant plant populations, thus projecting which areas in the eastern United States (U.S.) will be most susceptible to invasion under current and +2°C climate change.ResultsWe identified current invasive plant hotspots in the Great Lakes region, mid‐Atlantic region, and along the northeast coast of Florida and Georgia, each climatically suitable for abundant populations of over 30 invasive plant species. Under a +2°C climate change scenario, hotspots will shift an average of 213 km, predominantly towards the northeast U.S., where some areas are projected to become suitable for up to 21 new invasive plant species. Range shifting species could exacerbate impacts of up to 40 invasive species projected to sustain populations within existing hotspots. On the other hand, within the eastern U.S., 62% of species will experience decreased suitability for abundant populations with climate change. This trend is consistent across five plant growth forms.Main ConclusionsWe produced species range maps and state‐specific watch lists from these analyses, which can inform proactive regulation, monitoring, and management of invasive plants most likely to cause future ecological impacts. Additionally, areas we identify as becoming less suitable for abundant populations could be prioritized for restoration of climate‐adapted native species. This research provides a first comprehensive assessment of risk from abundant plant invasions across the eastern U.S.

The first use of a photogrammetry drone to estimate population abundance and predict age structure of threatened Sumatran elephants

Wildlife monitoring in tropical rainforests poses additional challenges due to species often being elusive, cryptic, faintly colored, and preferring concealable, or difficult to access habitats. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) prove promising for wildlife surveys in different ecosystems in tropical forests and can be crucial in conserving inaccessible biodiverse areas and their associated species. Traditional surveys that involve infiltrating animal habitats could adversely affect the habits and behavior of elusive and cryptic species in response to human presence. Moreover, collecting data through traditional surveys to simultaneously estimate the abundance and demographic rates of communities of species is often prohibitively time-intensive and expensive. This study assesses the scope of drones to non-invasively access the Bukit Tigapuluh Landscape (BTL) in Riau-Jambi, Indonesia, and detect individual elephants of interest. A rotary-wing quadcopter with a vision-based sensor was tested to estimate the elephant population size and age structure. We developed hierarchical modeling and deep learning CNN to estimate elephant abundance and age structure. Drones successfully observed 96 distinct individuals at 8 locations out of 11 sampling areas. We obtained an estimate of the elephant population of 151 individuals (95% CI [124, 179]) within the study area and predicted more adult animals than subadults and juvenile individuals in the population. Our calculations may serve as a vital spark for innovation for future UAV survey designs in large areas with complex topographies while reducing operational effort.