Anatomical Adaptations Research Articles

Effect of FHA and Prn on Bordetella pertussis colonization of mice is dependent on vaccine type and anatomical site.

Bordetella pertussis vaccine escape mutants that lack expression of the pertussis antigen pertactin (Prn) have emerged in vaccinated populations in the last 10–20 years. Additionally, clinical isolates lacking another acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine component, filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), have been found sporadically. Here, we show that both whole-cell pertussis (wP) and aP vaccines induced protection in the lungs of mice, but that the wP vaccine was more effective in nasal clearance. Importantly, bacterial populations isolated from the lungs shifted to an FHA-negative phenotype due to frameshift mutations in the fhaB gene. Loss of FHA expression was strongly selected for in Prn-deficient strains in the lungs following aP but not wP vaccination. The combined loss of Prn and FHA led to complete abrogation of bacterial surface binding by aP-induced serum antibodies. This study demonstrates vaccine- and anatomical site-dependent adaptation of B. pertussis and has major implications for the design of improved pertussis vaccines.

Ultrasound: From Earth to Space

Ultrasonography is a versatile imaging modality that offers many advantages over radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. On Earth, the use of ultrasound has become standard in many areas of medicine including diagnosis of medical and surgical diseases, management of obstetric and gynecologic conditions, assessment of critically ill patients, and procedural guidance. Advances in telecommunications have enabled remotely-guided ultrasonography for both geographically isolated populations and astronauts aboard the International Space Station. While ultrasound has traditionally been used in spaceflight to study anatomical and physiological adaptations to microgravity and evaluate countermeasures, recent years have seen a growth of applications adapted from terrestrial techniques. Terrestrial, remote, and space applications for ultrasound are reviewed in this paper.

Marine Science: Cephalopods

Fascinating, alien, complex, and intelligent, cephalopods are among the most interesting creatures on Earth. Written by an international team of cephalopod experts, Octopus, Squid & Cuttlefish presents an informative and visually stunning overview of this amazing group of creatures. Each chapter contains two main sections. The first half of each presents aspects of cephalopod biology covering five overarching topics: “Cephalopod Anatomy,” “Phylogeny & Evolution,” “Peculiar Lifestyles” (reproduction, development, locomotion, migration, and other topics), “Behavior, Cognition & Intelligence,” and “Cephalopods & Humans.” The discussion of each subject is brief, as is appropriate for a general overview text such as this. The remainder of each chapter is devoted to several double-page spreads of representative species. Beautiful, richly colored full-page photographs provide portraits of each species presented. The text is informative and readable, and generously illustrated with clear and useful diagrams.Cephalopod biology is so unusual that almost every page of the overview section reveals interesting biology. A discussion of the biochemistry and anatomy of cephalopod skin gives readers an understanding of how squids and octopus can display a vast array of colors and skin textures for communication and camouflage.A section on “Dwarfs & Giants” presents the vast adult size range, which is greater than that of any other animal on Earth; included in this section are the mysterious and mythic giant and colossal squids. A section on locomotion presents the anatomical adaptations that allow for the many different methods by which cephalopods move through their aquatic environments: walking, swimming, jetting, and even flying. The section on behavior and intelligence is particularly fascinating, highlighting some of the characteristics that make this group of animals particularly unusual and unique. Within this section, readers will learn the details of communication by rapid changes in skin coloration; decision making processes (in mollusks!); the use of mimicry in some octopus species; and mating behaviors, including fights between males and sneaky cheating techniques for mating opportunities in both males and females.The individual species profiles provide basic information for each group: a world map showing the species' range and a brief description of its classification, typical habitat, feeding habits, and other key behaviors. A full page of photographs gives the reader a look at each animal, often showing details of behavior and habitat as well. Finally, a two-paragraph discussion of each provides some more details about habitat, behavior, ecological niche, conservation status, and more. Here we find the magnificent giant Australian cuttlefish, the charming striped pyjama squid, the breathtaking blanket octopus, the “living fossil” vampire squid, and the rare shelled fuzzy nautilus, among many others.Octopus, Squid & Cuttlefish provides an excellent overview of the world's cephalopods, detailed enough to be interesting and informative to a reader with a good biology background. Experts will probably want a more in-depth text. Students in biology, ecology, marine science, and animal behavior classes will all find value in this book. Furthermore, anyone interested in biology, evolution, and adaptation will find perusing the pages of Octopus, Squid & Cuttlefish fascinating and rewarding.

Deporte: modificaciones fisiológicas y evaluación para la prevención de la muerte súbita. (Parte I)

The practice of regular sport has proven to be beneficial for health and prolong life, in healthy people, with cardiovascular pathology and at any age. It is also true that the risk of dying suddenly increases. Recently there has been evidence that the excess could be harmful and so research continues. In athletes there are adaptations of cardiovascular system that can be confused with abnormalities. There are also cardiovascular pathologies that progress faster with exercise and people with asymptomatic disorders in which exercise can trigger adverse events. Pre-sport assessment has been shown to prevent sudden death. In order to avoid erroneous diagnoses that affect athlete’s life, it is necessary to know the clinical, electrocardiographic and anatomical adaptations that are considered normal and to use international guidelines.A review is presented, which will be published in two parts. In the first one, the benefit of sport and uncertainties in relation to its excess are discussed, as well as the risk of sudden death, its pathophysiology and the advantage of pre-sport assessment. In the second part, the adaptive clinical, electrical and anatomical changes will be addressed and differentiated, for a correct qualification.

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF RESTORATIONS OF ENDODONTICALLY TREATED TEETH

For endodontically treated lateral teeth, direct restoration made of photocomposites is most often used, and indirect ceramic restoration appears to be more promising, for which, however, additional retention is required.
 The aim of the study was the clinical evaluation of direct photocomposite and indirect ceramic restorations of endodontically treated lateral teeth.
 The object and methods of the research. We examined 118 people aged from 24 to 53 years, in whom 249 lateral teeth with cavities were endodontically treated according to the 2nd class by Black. Group 1 included 38 patients (32.2% of the total number of subjects) who underwent direct restoration of 89 molars (35.7% of the total number of restorations) made of photocomposite; 41 patients (34.7%) with 81 indirect ceramic restorations (32.5%) were included in group 2 according to the generally accepted requirements; group 3 consisted of 39 people (33.1%), who underwent 79 indirect ceramic restorations (31.7%) with the formation of cavities with additional retention elements.
 Direct restorations in the subjects from group 1 were performed with a photocomposite using a 5th generation adhesive system in a layered technique with light polymerization by “soft start”. In the molars of persons from groups 2 and 3, cavities were prepared taking into account the generally accepted requirements, while in the cavities of the molars in patients from group 3, we formed retention elements in dentin in the form of depressions. Intraoral optoelectronic scanner CEREC AC Connect Omnicam, Dentsply Sirona was used for scanning, restorations were modeled in Exocad software and made of ceramic CAD-blocks based on lithium disilicate using an inLab MC X5 assembler, Dentsply Sirona. The restoration was fixed on a self-adhesive composite cement of double hardening. Clinical evaluation of restoration was performed in 18 and 24 months. Impairments and the number of restorations with them were registered.
 Research results and their discussion. In the period of 18 months, out of 70 direct photocomposite restorations (78.7% of the initial number) in persons of group 1, 2 restorations (2.2%) were partially absent, in 4 restorations (4.5%) anatomical impairments were revealed, in 5 (5.6%) – impairments of the marginal adaptation, in 8 (9.0%) – marginal color, also in 8 cases (9.0%) there were impairments of contact points. All impairments were identified in 12 restorations (13.5%). In patients of 2 groups, in 78 indirect ceramic restorations (96.3%) we revealed a partial destruction and shift of 1 restoration (1.2%), disturbance of an anatomic form – in 2 restorations (2.5%), in 3 restorations (3.7% each) there were defects of marginal adaptation and marginal color, contact points were impaired in 4 cases (4.9%). In total, impairments were detected in 5 restorations (6.2%). In 77 indirect ceramic restorations (97.5%) in patients of group 3, 1 restoration (1.3% each) had impairments of anatomical shape, marginal adaptation and contact points, 2 restorations (2.5%) had marginal color. Impairments pertained to only 2 restorations (2.5%).
 In 24 months, out of 58 direct restorations (62.5%) of patients in group 1, 3 restorations (3.4%) were partially or completely absent, anatomical impairments were found in 6 restorations (6.7%), and marginal defects were found in 7 (7.9%), marginal color – in 11 (12.4%), 15 contact points (16.9%) were with impairments. The number of direct restorations with impairments was 20 (22.5%). In 77 indirect restorations (90.1%) in persons of the 2nd group, we revealed a partial destruction and displacement of 3 restorations (3.7%), 2 restorations (2.5% each) had impairments of anatomical shape and marginal adaptation, 4 each (4 , 9%) – marginal color and defects of contact points. In total, there were 7 indirect restorations (8.6%) with impairments. In patients of group 3, among 75 indirect restorations (94.9%) 1 restoration (1.3% each) had disturbances of anatomic shape and marginal adaptation, 2 restorations (2.5%) were with marginal coloring, 3 (3.8 %) – with defects of contact points. There were 3 indirect restorations with impairments (3.8%).
 Conclusion. During both terms with impairments, we detected 32 direct photocomposite restorations (36.0%), 12 indirect ceramic restorations (14.8%) and only 5 indirect ceramic restorations (6.3%) made with additional retention elements.

Bound for Specific Sounds: Vocal Predisposition in Animal Communication.

Mechanical constraints imposed by anatomical adaptations are a ubiquitous feature of animal sound production. They can give rise to 'vocal predispositions' (i.e., acoustic structures strictly determined by vocal anatomy). Such predispositions are crucial to the investigation of the cognitive and evolutionary processes underlying acoustic communication in vertebrates, including human speech.

Differential responses to salt stress in ion dynamics, growth and seed yield of European quinoa varieties

Quinoa is a nutritious seed crop with a great potential to grow in saline soils. Here, we studied ion concentrations in quinoa tissues throughout the life cycle of the plant, and linked ion dynamics to responses in growth parameters, seed yield and efficiency of photosynthesis under salinity (0–400 mM NaCl). Ion dynamics changed from high ion exclusion (>99 %, root contents lower than root medium and low accumulation of ions in the leaves) before flowering, to a build-up of ions during seed filling. This indicates a change in strategy in maintaining the necessary gradient of water potential from the root medium to the leaves. K+ concentrations in leaves also increased by more than 100 % in response to prolonged severe salt stress, which may point to a role of this ion in leaf osmotic adjustment. Accumulation of ions in epidermal bladder cells did not contribute substantially to Na+-exclusion as it was less than 6 % of the total Na+ taken up in leaves. Growth under salt stress was mostly impaired by anatomical adaptations (reduced SLA), while initial light use efficiency (Fv/Fm) and NAR were not affected. The variety Pasto showed a “survival strategy” to high salinity with higher ion exclusion and a higher reduction in transpiration than the other varieties, at the expense of lower biomass and seed yield.

Contribution of Root Anatomical Characteristics in Fruit Profile of Pomegranate Genotypes to Expand Production Area in Pakistan

Pomegranate adaptation to abiotic stress conditions has led to its wide dispersion in Pakistan and to the appearance of new, local genotypes. These genotypes are important to characterize for breeding programs aimed towards the production of new cultivars suitable to arid, semi-arid, and moderate weather regions. In this study, eleven pomegranate accessions were investigated for fruit morphological and biochemical traits, and root anatomic adaptation under diverse climates. The commercial accession (Sava) had the maximum fruit weight (373.97 g) compared to accessions KK-I (60.94 g) and KK-II (71.63 g), which were old plantations established since United India. Most of the accessions were juicy with a wood portion index (WPI) ranging from 0.93 to 1.06%; however, the non-commercial accession of Khushab Kanhatti (KK-I) showed the highest WPI (4.38%). A high variation occurred among all accessions for total soluble solids, total sugars, and total ascorbic acid contents with a maximum in accession Sava (16.46 °Brix), TK-II (53.16%), and QW-I (0.68%), respectively. Root anatomical studies in accessions depicted significantly high variation, and accession Sava of semi-arid climate produced maximum root epidermis (97.43 µm2), phloem (2730.78 µm2), and metaxylem (717.77 µm2) area. In contrast, high cortex thickness (104.74 µm), cortex area (462.74 µm2), and vascular area (114,382.10 µm2) was measured in accessions KK-II and KK-III of Khushab district with an arid climate. The germplasm of diverse regions showed a strong association and clustered into two main classes based on fruit morpho-chemical and root anatomical characteristics. These traits are likely to provide clues towards plants adaptation to various growing conditions and can be exploited successfully in crop improvement programs.

The Response of Water Dynamics to Long-Term High Vapor Pressure Deficit Is Mediated by Anatomical Adaptations in Plants.

Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is the driver of water movement in plants. However, little is known about how anatomical adaptations determine the acclimation of plant water dynamics to elevated VPD, especially at the whole plant level. Here, we examined the responses of transpiration, stomatal conductance (gs), hydraulic partitioning, and anatomical traits in two tomato cultivars (Jinpeng and Zhongza) to long-term high (2.2–2.6 kPa) and low (1.1–1.5 kPa) VPD. Compared to plants growing under low VPD, no variation in gs was found for Jinpeng under high VPD conditions; however, high VPD induced an increase in whole plant hydraulic conductance (Kplant), which was responsible for the maintenance of high transpiration. In contrast, transpiration was not influenced by high VPD in Zhongza, which was primarily attributed to a coordinated decline in gs and Kplant. The changes in gs were closely related to stomatal density and size. Furthermore, high VPD altered hydraulic partitioning among the leaf, stem, and root for both cultivars via adjustments in anatomy. The increase in lumen area of vessels in veins and large roots in Jinpeng under high VPD conditions improved water transport efficiency in the leaf and root, thus resulting in a high Kplant. However, the decreased Kplant for Zhongza under high VPD was the result of a decline of water transport efficiency in the leaf that was caused by a reduction in vein density. Overall, we concluded that the tradeoff in anatomical acclimations among plant tissues results in different water relations in plants under high VPD conditions.

Las defensas físico-químicas de las plantas y su efecto en la alimentación de los rumiantes

Las plantas son consumidas por diversos organismos, esta situación pone en riesgo su sobrevivencia, por ello han desarrollado mecanismos de defensa que evitan su ingesta. Por ejemplo, adaptaciones anatómicas, defensas químicas o metabolitos secundarios. Estos fitoquímicos inhiben el ataque de patógenos, provocan irritación al contacto, afectan los sistemas cutáneo, gastrointestinal, cardíaco y nervioso de los herbívoros o pueden provocar la muerte. Los rumiantes tienen adaptaciones mecánicas, fisiológicas y etológicas para evadir las defensas vegetales: rechazo, regulación y biotransformación. Desarrollaron adaptaciones anatomo-fisiológicas para albergar simbiontes microbianos para degradar celulosa y toxinas vegetales. Algunos metabolitos secundarios pueden tener efectos benéficos en alimentación o medicina animal, pero se requiere de mayor estudio sobre el tema.

Drought effects on the plasticity in vessel traits of two endemic Magnolia species in the tropical montane cloud forests of eastern Mexico

AbstractAimsWe aimed to evaluate how climatic fluctuations influence the plasticity of anatomical vessel traits and the width of annual tree-rings of two relict-endemic Mexican Magnolia species. Notwithstanding, few studies have assessed the drought effect on vessel traits in tropical montane cloud trees of eastern Mexico.MethodsThrough digital images of growth rings, we assessed the tree radial growth rate, age of the trees and plasticity in vessel traits regarding climatic fluctuations of the Mexican Magnolia species studied. We compared vessel density, hydraulic diameter and percentage of conductive area in drought years (DY) and non-drought years (NDY) in two Mexican Magnolia species.Important FindingsFor the first time, the plasticity that occurs in porous wood vessel traits to long-term climatic fluctuations was analysed for two endangered Magnolia species (Magnolia vovidesii and M. schiedeana) from two tropical montane cloud forests in Mexico. We found that temperature and precipitation were strongly associated with differences in tree-ring width when DY and NDY were compared. Our analyses revealed that a high plasticity in vessel anatomy of diffuse-porous wood was related to temperature and/or water availability for both Magnolia species studied. We concluded that anatomical adaptations to DY resulted in a substantial reduction in vessel traits when compared with NDY, and that the plastic adaptations played an essential role in water transport and safety for the survival of the studied species during stressful long periods.

Shedding light: a phylotranscriptomic perspective illuminates the origin of photosymbiosis in marine bivalves

BackgroundPhotosymbiotic associations between metazoan hosts and photosynthetic dinoflagellates are crucial to the trophic and structural integrity of many marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. Although extensive efforts have been devoted to study the short-term ecological interactions between coral hosts and their symbionts, long-term evolutionary dynamics of photosymbiosis in many marine animals are not well understood. Within Bivalvia, the second largest class of mollusks, obligate photosymbiosis is found in two marine lineages: the giant clams (subfamily Tridacninae) and the heart cockles (subfamily Fraginae), both in the family Cardiidae. Morphologically, giant clams show relatively conservative shell forms whereas photosymbiotic fragines exhibit a diverse suite of anatomical adaptations including flattened shells, leafy mantle extensions, and lens-like microstructural structures. To date, the phylogenetic relationships between these two subfamilies remain poorly resolved, and it is unclear whether photosymbiosis in cardiids originated once or twice.ResultsIn this study, we establish a backbone phylogeny for Cardiidae utilizing RNASeq-based transcriptomic data from Tridacninae, Fraginae and other cardiids. A variety of phylogenomic approaches were used to infer the relationship between the two groups. Our analyses found conflicting gene signals and potential rapid divergence among the lineages. Overall, results support a sister group relationship between Tridacninae and Fraginae, which diverged during the Cretaceous. Although a sister group relationship is recovered, ancestral state reconstruction using maximum likelihood-based methods reveals two independent origins of photosymbiosis, one at the base of Tridacninae and the other within a symbiotic Fraginae clade.ConclusionsThe newly revealed common ancestry between Tridacninae and Fraginae brings a possibility that certain genetic, metabolic, and/or anatomical exaptations existed in their last common ancestor, which promoted both lineages to independently establish photosymbiosis, possibly in response to the modern expansion of reef habitats.

Morphology of the Amazonian Teleost Genus Arapaima Using Advanced 3D Imaging.

The arapaima is the largest of the extant air-breathing freshwater fishes. Their respiratory gas bladder is arguably the most striking of all the adaptations to living in the hypoxic waters of the Amazon basin, in which dissolved oxygen can reach 0 ppm (0 mg/l) at night. As obligatory air-breathers, arapaima have undergone extensive anatomical and physiological adaptations in almost every organ system. These changes were evaluated using magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging, gross necropsy, and histology to create a comprehensive morphological assessment of this unique fish. Segmentation of advanced imaging data allowed for creation of anatomically accurate and quantitative 3D models of organs and their spatial relationships. The deflated gas bladder [1.96% body volume (BV)] runs the length of the coelomic cavity, and encompasses the kidneys (0.35% BV). It is compartmentalized by a highly vascularized webbing comprising of ediculae and inter-edicular septa lined with epithelium acting as a gas exchange surface analogous to a lung. Gills have reduced surface area, with severe blunting and broadening of the lamellae. The kidneys are not divided into separate regions, and have hematopoietic and excretory tissue interspersed throughout. The heart (0.21% BV) is encased in a thick layer of lipid rich tissue. Arapaima have an unusually large telencephalon (28.3% brain volume) for teleosts. The characteristics that allow arapaima to perfectly exploit their native environment also make them easy targets for overfishing. In addition, their habitat is at high risk from climate change and anthropogenic activities which are likely to result is fewer specimens living in the wild, or achieving their growth potential of up to 4.5 m in length.

Tolerance of Facultative Metallophyte Carlina acaulis to Cadmium Relies on Chelating and Antioxidative Metabolites.

The impact of long-term chronic cadmium stress (ChS, 0.1 µM Cd, 85 days) or short-term acute cadmium stress (AS, 10 µM Cd, 4 days) on Carlina acaulis (Asteraceae) metabolites was compared to identify specific traits. The content of Cd was higher under AS in all organs in comparison with ChS (130 vs. 16 µg·g−1 DW, 7.9 vs. 3.2 µg·g−1 DW, and 11.5 vs. 2.4 µg·g−1 DW in roots, leaves, and trichomes, respectively) while shoot bioaccumulation factor under ChS (ca. 280) indicates efficient Cd accumulation. High content of Cd in the trichomes from the AS treatment may be an anatomical adaptation mechanism. ChS evoked an increase in root biomass (hormesis), while the impact on shoot biomass was not significant in any treatment. The amounts of ascorbic acid and sum of phytochelatins were higher in the shoots but organic (malic and citric) acids dominated in the roots of plants from the ChS treatment. Chlorogenic acid, but not ursolic and oleanolic acids, was elevated by ChS. These data indicate that both chelation and enhancement of antioxidative power contribute to protection of plants exposed to long-term (chronic) Cd presence with subsequent hormetic effect.

Clinical efficacy of treatment of immature permanent teeth in children with different risk of caries

Relevance. Nowadays the choice of restorative material and treatment plan for caries of immature permanent teeth in children remains of current interest. Purpose. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of modified glass-ionomer cement for restoration of permanent immature teeth in children with different risk of dental caries. Materials and methods. The results of the treatment of immature permanent teeth in children with different risk of caries are proposed in this article. 100 permanent immature teeth in children with a low, moderate and high risk of dental caries with acute and chronic process were treated using modified glass ionomer cement. Remineralizing therapy was carried out in children with acute caries for 2 weeks before restoration. The duration of remineralizing therapy in children with a high risk and chronic caries was 2 weeks, in the acute caries – 4 weeks. Remineralizing therapy included application of calcium and phosphate containing agents. Assessment of the fillings was conducted in 12 and 24 months in accordance with Ryge criteria which take into account the anatomical shape, marginal adaptation, marginal pigmentation, color stability, and surface roughness. Results. It has been found the high effectiveness of the proposed method of treatment after two years. 100% retention of restorations were revealed. 80-95% fillings were of satisfactory quality, 5-20% of fillings were of acceptable quality and do not require correction or re-treatment.Conclusions. The modified glass-ionomer cement restorations with previous remineralizing therapy provide the high clinical efficacy for the treatment of caries in permanent immature teeth in children with different risk caries in 85-90% of clinical cases.

Leaves anatomical and physiological adaptations of Vinca major ‘Variegata’ and Hedera helix L. to specific roof garden conditions

Urban agglomerations create extreme microclimates for plants, in which growth, development and survival means adaptation. Plantations expansions beyond the typical gardens to buildings, walls or other build structures were realized in many cities with a rigorous selection of plant species. Although the number of woody species well adapted to the urban environmental conditions is quite large, few species manage to grow and develop on the roofs. Two species - Vinca major ‘Variegata’ and Hedera helix, regularly used for this type of plantations in Bucharest, were selected to understand their mechanism of adaptation. A comparative study was conducted on these species, growing on a rooftop garden and at the ground level into a typical garden. Both species revealed considerable anatomical differences of the leaves. In addition, physiological determinations revealed a stronger intensity of photosynthesis, an intense transpiration and a lower respiration rate at plants grown in the roof garden.

Physiological and Anatomical Mechanisms in Wheat to Cope with Salt Stress Induced by Seawater.

Two pot experiments were conducted in a greenhouse to examine 14C fixation and its distribution in biochemical leaf components, as well as the physiological and anatomical adaptability responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown with seawater diluted to 0.2, 3.0, 6.0, and 12.0 dS m−1. The results showed significant reductions in chlorophyll content, 14C fixation (photosynthesis), plant height, main stem diameter, total leaf area per plant, and total dry weight at 3.0, 6.0, and 12.0 dS m−1 seawater salt stress. The 14C loss was very high at 12.0 ds m−1 after 120 h. 14C in lipids (ether extract) showed significant changes at 12.0 dS m−1 at 96 and 120 h. The findings indicated the leaf and stem anatomical feature change of wheat plants resulting from adaptation to salinity stress. A reduction in the anatomical traits of stem and leaf diameter, wall thickness, diameter of the hollow pith cavity, total number of vascular bundles, number of large and small vascular bundles, bundle length and width, thickness of phloem tissue, and diameter of the metaxylem vessel of wheat plants was found. In conclusion, salt stress induces both anatomical and physiological changes in the stem and leaf cells of wheat, as well as the tissues and organs, and these changes in turn make it possible for the plants to adapt successfully to a saline environment.

Trophic separation in planktivorous reef fishes: a new role for mucus?

The feeding apparatus directly influences a species' trophic ecology. In fishes, our understanding of feeding modes is largely derived from studies of rigid structures (i.e. bones, teeth, gill rakers). A recently described lip innovation, however, highlighted the role of soft anatomy in enabling specialized feeding modes. In this study, we explore whether similar diversification may also occur in the soft anatomy of the buccal cavity. Using four key anatomical traits to classify 19 species (14 genera) of wrasses, we evaluated the relationship between anatomical specialization of the buccal cavity and diet. Our data revealed a previously undocumented anatomical adaptation in the mouths of fairy wrasses (Cirrhilabrus): the mucosa throughout the buccal cavity (i.e. anterior to the pharynx) is packed with goblet cells, enabling it to secrete large quantities of mucus in this region; a new trait that, until now, had not been documented in wrasses. This disparity reflects diet differences, with mucus secretion found only in planktivorous Cirrhilabrus that feed predominantly on amorphous organic material (potentially gelatinous organisms). This suggests a cryptic mucus-based resource partitioning in planktivorous wrasses.

Feeding Specialization of Honey Badgers in the Sahara Desert: A Trial of Life in a Hard Environment

The honey badger (Mellivora capensis) is a medium-sized carnivore distributed throughout Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Turkmenistan, and India. However, available information on its ecology is very scarce. We studied its feeding ecology in the remote north-western Sahara Desert, based on the contents of 125 fecal samples collected during large scale surveys. Samples were confirmed to belong to honey badgers by camera trapping and genetic analyses. Barely 18 prey species were detected. The diet primarily consisted of spiny-tailed lizards Uromastyx nigriventris and U. dispar (72% of volume in scats). Secondary prey items were arthropods (14%), small mammals (8%), other reptiles (4%), and eggs (0.8%). Some small geographic and temporal differences were related to the consumption of beetle larvae and rodents as alternative prey. Camera trapping and distance sampling surveys showed that diel activities did not overlap between honey badgers and spiny-tailed lizards, suggesting that badgers primarily dig lizards out of their burrows when inactive. Consumption of spiny lizards by other sympatric meso-carnivores was < 6.1% of occurrence (223 analyzed scats); the honey badger behaved as a trophic specialist in the Sahara, probably thanks to exclusive anatomical adaptations for digging. We discuss the role of this circumstance minimizing the exploitative competition, which could allow the survival of this large mustelid in this low productive and highly competitive environment.

Hummingbird vision.

Hummingbirds are widely recognized by their hovering flight. In this Quick guide, Altshuler and Wylie describe the visual specializations that allow for the hummingbird's flight abilities.