Common Species Research Articles

Clinical manifestations and treatment of candidemia caused by different Candida species: a retrospective study

ObjectiveCandidemia leads to higher mortality and longer hospital-stay. While the studies about the clinical manifestations of candidemia caused by different Candida species and the relationship between the antifungal drugs and prognosis were rarely performed.MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled all 94 patients diagnosed as candidemia from January 2020 to July 2023 in BTCH. Demographic information, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, medications and prognosis were collected and analyzed.ResultsC. albicans was the most common specie of candidemia. There was no significant difference in age, gender and hospital-mortality in different species groups. Higher-level and longer duration of broad-spectrum antibiotic use, lower BMI, hypoalbuminemia, longer duration of PN and history of G+ coccemia were conclusive about mortality. The C.tropicalis group had higher SCRE levels (F = 8.40, P = 0.03) and shorter TTP (F = 5.03, P < 0.01) than other species. No distinction was found in different antifungal drugs groups including triazoles and echinocandins after 7 days treatment (χ2 = 0.05, P = 0.81). The efficacy was no difference between triazoles and echinocandins in the different species groups. (χ12 = 1.20, P1 = 0.75; χ22 = 0.05, P2 = 0.81).ConclusionC. albicans accounts the most among candida induecd candidemia.The C.tropicalis group had higher SCRE levels and shorter TTP than other groups. Elder, hypoproteinemia, lower BMI, longer duration and higher-level of broad-spectrum antibiotic use, longer PN support and G+ coccemia increase risks for candidemia. The efficacy of triazoles and echinocandins are the same when blood culture turned negative in 7 days.

Rapid declines in species diversity and occurrence of common plant species are related to nutrient availability and soil moisture in open habitats

AbstractAimsEnvironmental changes in Europe influence plant community composition, but the literature quantifying these changes often shows inconsistent trends, due mostly to heterogeneous survey methods. Here, we investigated temporal changes in plants over 12 years at the species and community level at a regional scale, using a standardized, plot‐based monitoring scheme.LocationData originated from 1,389 permanent plots of a standardized monitoring scheme targeting plant communities. Plots were distributed in the Burgundy region (France), initially grouped into 175 (2 km × 2 km) grid cells containing eight 10‐m2 plots each, that were surveyed in at least 2 years between 2009 and 2020.MethodsWe characterized changes in vascular plants in 10‐m2 plots by examining the temporal changes in the probability of occurrence of common species, changes in species diversity using species richness, Shannon–Wiener and Pielou's indices and changes in abundance‐weighted mean community ecological preferences using Ellenberg indicator values.ResultsAcross 198 common species, probability of occurrence in the region has shown a decline since 2009. This decline is associated with a general decrease by 13% of both species richness and the Shannon index between 2009 and 2020. This trend was stronger in annual crops and grasslands, whereas forest diversity remained relatively constant over time. Pielou's index diminished on average, except in natural forests. Mean community Ellenberg indicator values suggested slight changes in plant community composition, with an increasing preference for nutrient‐poor soils and Atlantic conditions over time.ConclusionsThe observed biodiversity loss in the Burgundy region is consistent with a widespread shift in community composition in response to environmental change. Existing conservation measures do not seem to compensate for the average losses, indicating that these measures are still inadequate to protect plant communities. Our approach also emphasizes the speed at which plant communities are changing and thus the need for better monitoring of the European flora.

Pollen Interference Between Rare and Common Species.

The mechanisms underlying plant species distribution and abundance have been long studied in ecology. However, the role of heterospecific pollen interference in shaping these patterns needs more attention. Species distribution and abundance are important factors determining whether a species is endangered or not; thus, understanding the impact of heterospecific pollen interference on rare species could help to inform conservation strategies aimed at preserving plant communities. In this study, we conducted a multispecies experiment using eight co-occurring and co-flowering plant species with varying rarity levels in Switzerland. We performed cross-pollinations by hand between nearly all species pairs and measured seed set (whether a flower produces seed) and seed number (number of seeds per flower) as outcomes. We looked at the effects of rarity status, self-compatibility, and recipient-donor relatedness on heterospecific pollen interference. Contrary to expectations, neither seed set nor seed number were affected by heterospecific pollen deposition. Self-compatible species had a higher seed set probability, but this was independent from species rarity. In our study setting, heterospecific pollen interference seems to have only minor effects on seed set and seed number, and consequently on recruitment. Thus, heterospecific pollen interference seems to play only a minor role in shaping plant species distribution and abundance. Nevertheless, the higher impact of heterospecific pollen deposition on rare and closely related species, as well as the importance of conspecific pollen loss, might need further investigation for both insitu and ex-situ conservation strategies.

Botryosphaeriaceae Infections on Prunus Germplasm: Evaluation of Pathogenicity, Resistance Loci, and Detached Assays of Southeastern United States Isolates

Research of peach fungal gummosis (PFG), which is a vascular disease caused by fungi in the Botryosphaeriaceae family, is particularly important in the southeastern United States, southern China, South Africa, and Western Australia. This disease has been a significant concern for the peach industry in the southeastern United States since the 1970s. The changing climatic conditions in the prunus production areas of the world have worsened the severity of PFG disease. A study of the morphological and genetic profiles of Botryosphaeriaceae species from diseased peach trees found four species in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina. Botryosphaeria dothidea, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Diplodia seriata, and Neofusicocoum parvum were isolated and identified using conidiospore characters and rDNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer regions and elongation factor α-1 genes. B. dothidea was the most common species from diseased peach trees. A significant implication of this research is the potential resistance in Prunus germplasm, which was genotyped for the resistance locus Botd8 and evaluated for relative susceptibility to one isolate each from B. dothidea, L. theobromae, and D. seriata. Pathogenicity evaluations of peach, almond, and interspecific hybrids used detached stem and leaf assays for susceptibility to PFG based on lesion lengths and gumming scores. L. theobromae inoculation resulted in the most extensive lesions on stems and leaves. Detached stem and leaf assays indicated that Prunus with the Botd8 locus significantly differed in lesion size when infected with B. dothidea and D. seriata. However, the resistant locus had no significant effect on the relative susceptibility of Prunus to L. theobromae. Field and detached stem and leaf assays identified almond cultivars Pioneer and Golden State and Peach × Almond hybrids with Botd8 (+) as tolerant to PFG. Correlations between detached assays and field gumming scores suggested that inoculations on detached stems or leaves under controlled conditions can be used to preliminarily screen for resistance to PFG. These detached assays for specific pathogen isolates provide an opportunity for a relatively fast, nondestructive evaluation of Prunus germplasm and are tools that can be used to identify the components of disease resistance.

Seafood as a source of antibiotic resistant Enterococcus spp

Seafood is a crucial global food source, but its role as a reservoir for antibiotic-resistant pathogens is concerning. This study focuses on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in retail seafood, using Enterococcus spp. as an indicator. Seven categories of raw seafood were collected from retail markets in Central Italy. Out of 422 samples, 288 tested positive for Enterococcus spp., resulting in a prevalence rate of 68.25% (CI95%: 63.66%-72.51%). The most common species were E. faecalis (48%) and E. faecium (17.4%). Enterococcus spp. was most frequently found in cephalopods, salmon, bivalves, and crustaceans than in sea bass and bream. The odds of Enterococcus spp. recovery were higher in frozen than in fresh samples, while there was no difference between farm-raised and wild-caught seafood. A subset of 102 isolates was selected for antibiotic resistance testing, showing the highest resistance rates to quinupristin/dalfopristin (52.94%) and tetracycline (27.45%). Over 70% of isolates were multidrug-resistant. Additionally, strains resistant to vancomycin and oxazolidinones, two last-resort antimicrobials, were detected. Vancomycin resistance was observed in E. casseliflavus and E. gallinarum, which are naturally resistant due to the vanC chromosomal cluster. The optrA gene, responsible for resistance to oxazolidinones and phenicols, was found in E. thailandicus and E. faecium, where it was located on to a transferable plasmid. In conclusion, this study confirms the widespread presence of Enterococcus spp. in retail seafood. The detection of multi-resistant isolates and resistance to last-resort antimicrobials highlights significant human health risks, stressing the importance of including Enterococcus spp. in seafood antibiotic resistance surveillance.

Composition of inshore ichthyoplankton community in the Canary islands from a spatial and seasonal perspective: Inshore ichthyoplankton of the Canary Islands

Early life stages of fish are insufficiently studied in most regions around the globe, and consequently, there is an important gap in knowledge on the life cycle of most teleosts. In the Canary Islands (Eastern Central Atlantic), most studies on ichthyoplankton communities are based on traditional net tows in open waters that provide information about early larval stages of pelagic species in the area, while nearshore benthic fish remain highly understudied. In this study, light traps were employed for the first time to assess post-larval stages of neritic fish in this archipelago. A two-year survey was carried out to collect nearshore fish larvae every 6 months at 11 localities from El Hierro, Tenerife and Lanzarote. A total of 3940 fish larvae classified into 13 orders, 28 families and 44 species were collected. These results provide a wide description of the composition of the inshore ichthyoplankton off the Canary Islands, across islands and seasons. Main environmental factors (SST, sea floor orography, oceanographic phenomena …) influencing the population dynamics of this community are discussed. Additionally, the ichthyoplankton assemblages were assessed from the intra-annual perspective, analyzing the species composition and abundances by months and seasons, and providing new insights into reproduction cycles of many common benthic fishes at shallow marine ecosystems of the islands. This study is important to further understand the life cycles of some of the most common fish species in the Canary Islands, unraveling main environmental factors that affect the success of their offspring that sustain populations.

Detection in Orchards of Predominant Azole-Resistant Candida tropicalis Genotype Causing Human Candidemia, Taiwan.

Fluconazole-resistant clade 4 Candida tropicalis causing candidemia in humans has been detected in tropical/subtropical areas, including those in China, Singapore, and Australia. We analyzed 704 individual yeasts isolated from fruits, soil, water, and farmers at 80 orchards in Taiwan. The most common pathogenic yeast species among 251 isolates recovered from farmers were Candida albicans (14.7%) and C. parapsilosis (11.6%). In contrast, C. tropicalis (13.0%), C. palmioleophila (6.6%), and Pichia kudriavzevii (6.0%) were prevalent among 453 environmental isolates. Approximately 18.6% (11/59) of C. tropicalis from the environment were resistant to fluconazole, and 81.8% (9/11) of those belonged to the clade 4 genotype. C. tropicalis susceptibility to fluconazole correlated with susceptibilities to the agricultural azole fungicides, difenoconazole, tebuconazole, and triadimenol. Tandem gene duplications of mutated ERG11 contributed to azole resistance. Agriculture environments are a reservoir for azole-resistant C. tropicalis; discontinuing agricultural use of azoles might reduce emergence of azole-resistant Candida spp. strains in humans.

Arctic copepod copper sensitivity and comparison with Antarctic and temperate copepods.

The ongoing global climate crisis increases temperatures in polar regions faster and with greater magnitude than elsewhere. The decline of Arctic sea ice opens up new passages, eventually leading to higher anthropogenic activities such as shipping, fishing, and mining. Climate change and anthropogenic activities will increase contaminant transport from temperate to Arctic regions. The shipping industry uses copper as an antifouling coating. Copper is an essential element but becomes toxic at excess concentrations, and its use may inadvertently affect non-target organisms such as copepods. Copper affects copepods by lowering reproductive output, prolonging developmental time, and causing increased mortality. As data on copper sensitivity of polar copepods at low temperatures are rare, we conducted onboard survival experiments with the Arctic region's most common copepod species (Calanus finmarchicus, C. glacialis, C. hyperboreus). Acute survival tests were done for up to 8 days on individuals in 70 ml bottles at 1 °C with nominal copper concentrations ranging from 3 to 480 μg L-1. We used a reduced General Unified Threshold model for Survival (GUTS) to analyse the data, and placed our results in the context of the few published copper sensitivity data of the Antarctic and temperate copepod species at low temperatures. The sensitivity of Cu exposure was similar between the three Calanus species. However, a model comparison suggests that the tested C. glacialis population is less sensitive than the other two species in our experiments. Compared to published data, the three Arctic species appear slightly less sensitive to copper compared to their Antarctic counterparts but more compared to their temperate ones. Our literature search revealed only a few available studies on the copper sensitivity of polar copepods. In the future, this species group will be exposed to more pollutants, which warrants more studies to predict potential risks, especially given possible interactions with environmental factors.

Assessment of Changes in the Composition and Distribution of Large and Medium-Sized Mammals in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China.

Given the vulnerability of large and medium-sized mammal communities to climate change and human disturbances, understanding the spatial-temporal dynamics of these communities is essential for effective conservation planning. However, in many biodiversity hotspots, precise biological community assessments are insufficient. From 2012 to 2022, we deployed 784 camera traps in eight nature reserves (including sub-reserves) and one State Forest Farm (SFF, less strictly protected than a reserve) to study the composition and distribution of large and medium-sized mammals in tropical Xishuangbanna. The findings revealed the following: (1) Forty-three species, encompassing six orders, 17 families, and 37 genera, were documented. Among the species in historical data, nine species were not detected in this survey. (2) Smaller and more fragmented reserves lacked larger body-sized predators and herbivores, and most common species showed lower relative population abundance. Conversely, the SFF exhibited high mammal diversity. (3) The community composition of large and medium-sized mammals varied significantly across the nine sites, particularly among threatened species. Our findings highlight the uneven distribution of these mammal communities in Xishuangbanna, with rare and large-sized species facing increased vulnerability to rapid environmental changes. Moreover, the findings demonstrate the importance of considering species specificity and uniqueness in conservation planning for maintaining regional-scale biodiversity.

Southeastern Ohio Hemlock Stands Prior to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation: Baseline Conditions from 2 Surveys a Decade Apart

The Hocking Hills of southeastern Ohio are situated at the western range boundary of eastern hemlock, where this foundation species occurs in isolated pockets in ravines and on steep slopes. The goal of this study is to characterize these hemlock stands prior to infestation by hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), which recently entered the state and is likely to cause high mortality if untreated. Individuals in 30 plots established from 2008 to 2011 were resurveyed in 2020, allowing determination of growth rates and mortality rates. Each plot was paired with an upslope transect in the resurvey to record non-hemlock species likely to seed in from above. Tree species diversity in the plots is low (Shannon H’ &lt; 1), as eastern hemlock remained the dominant species in all plots; storm damage and competitive thinning appeared to account for most mortality across all species. Hemlock growth rates were comparable to deciduous species. Common co-occurring species are statistically associated with particular topographic and soil properties on the plots. Following future hemlock mortality, tulip-poplar, chestnut oak, white oak, sweet birch, and red maple may be among the first species to dominate the canopy; Japanese stiltgrass currently appears to be the invasive species of greatest concern. An understanding of pre-HWA composition, structure, and forest dynamics can inform restoration efforts, if in the future long-term, sustainable HWA control or host-tree resistance is developed; this understanding can also apprise management and conservation efforts in the unique hemlock stands of southeast Ohio.

Assessment of Heavy Metal (Zinc, Copper, Lead and Cadmium) Contamination in Common Edible Shellfish Species of the Hooghly River and Sunderbans, India

The content of four heavy metals (Zinc, Copper, Lead and Cadmium) in muscles of three shell fish species - prawns -Penaeus monodon and Penaeus indicus and crabs-Scylla serrata, the most prime shellfish food resources of human in the domestic and international market were studied at four stations in the estuarine belt near Bay-of-Bengal which receives wastes of various types from industries and various anthropogenic activities. The samples were digested by acid digestion. The metal contents were quantified using an AAS (Atomic absorption spectrophotometer). The distribution of trace metals accumulated in the muscle tissues of the above mentioned species was in the order- Zn &gt; Cu&gt; Pb&gt; Cd. In the present study, levels of Zinc in the shell fishes ranged from 07.44±0.65 to 128.10 ±2.96 ; Cu ranged from 5 ±0.15 to 99.14 ±1.31; Pb varied from 1.67± 0.14 to 23.99 ± 0.79 and Cd ranged from 1.29± 0.35 to 7.09 ± 0.80.The concentration of the four metals exhibited spatial variation as station 1 &gt;station 2 &gt; station 3 &gt; station 4, which could be a reflection of different bioavailability of metal concentrations in the water body at different stations. The results obtained showed that the metal concentrations in most of the cases were above the threshold value recommended by WHO. Metals such as Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, can affect various aquatic organisms as well as human being either directly or indirectly as they can enter into the food chain and may be biomagnified at higher trophic levels which is one of the top concerns for human health. Essential heavy metals such as Zinc and Copper are relatively less harmful at low concentration while non-essential metals such as Cd and Pb are highly toxic even at low concentrations.

Southeastern Ohio Hemlock Stands Prior to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation: Baseline Conditions from 2 Surveys a Decade Apart

The Hocking Hills of southeastern Ohio are situated at the western range boundary of eastern hemlock, where this foundation species occurs in isolated pockets in ravines and on steep slopes. The goal of this study is to characterize these hemlock stands prior to infestation by hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), which recently entered the state and is likely to cause high mortality if untreated. Individuals in 30 plots established from 2008 to 2011 were resurveyed in 2020, allowing determination of growth rates and mortality rates. Each plot was paired with an upslope transect in the resurvey to record non-hemlock species likely to seed in from above. Tree species diversity in the plots is low (Shannon H’ &lt; 1), as eastern hemlock remained the dominant species in all plots; storm damage and competitive thinning appeared to account for most mortality across all species. Hemlock growth rates were comparable to deciduous species. Common co-occurring species are statistically associated with particular topographic and soil properties on the plots. Following future hemlock mortality, tulip-poplar, chestnut oak, white oak, sweet birch, and red maple may be among the first species to dominate the canopy; Japanese stiltgrass currently appears to be the invasive species of greatest concern. An understanding of pre-HWA composition, structure, and forest dynamics can inform restoration efforts, if in the future long-term, sustainable HWA control or host-tree resistance is developed; this understanding can also apprise management and conservation efforts in the unique hemlock stands of southeast Ohio.

Diversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in Universitas Samudra, Langsa

Butterflies are one of the animals that have an important role in human life which is currently recorded totaling around 19,022 species in the world and 1,900 species found in Indonesia. Research on butterflies in the campus area in Aceh has not been done too much, so there is a need for research on butterfly diversity in the campus area, especially in Langsa, Aceh. The purpose of this study was to record the species and to analyze ecological factor of butterflies at Universitas Samudra. Sampling was conducted for 5 times once a week from December 2023-January 2024 by purposive random sampling using sweeping techniques and exploring method in 5 observation locations. The results found 30 species from 5 families with a total of 413 individuals. The most common family is family Nymphalidae as many as 15 species (50%) and the most common species found was Appias olferna with a total of 56 individuals. The data found were analyzed for ecological assessment. The result showed the diversity index with H' value of 2.17-2.82 classified as a medium, an evenness index with E value of 0.87-0.94 classified as high, and a dominance index with D value of 0.07-0.19 classified as low.

DNA Barcoding of German Cuckoo Wasps (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) Suggests Cryptic Species in Several Widely Distributed Species

Germany is home to a rich cuckoo wasp fauna (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) with about 108 species. However, several nomenclatural changes, the lack of identification keys, and the discovery of cryptic species difficult to identify based on external morphology have made the identification of several species a challenge. COI barcoding has been instrumental in the identification of some cuckoo wasp species and could help alleviate some of the above problems, but a reliable large reference database containing the cuckoo wasp barcodes is lacking. We present the COI barcodes of more than 800 specimens of 101 cuckoo wasp species native to Germany to lay the foundation for the barcode-based identification of German species. An analysis of the COI barcode sequences suggested groups that are largely consistent with the current taxonomy of the group. We found a few cases of over- or undersplitting of taxa. In some common species, the high degree of barcode divergence suggests the presence of cryptic species that need to be further assessed by integrative approaches. Our library of cuckoo wasp reference barcodes will enhance researchers’ ability to reliably identify species within this fascinating group of insects, in particular for identifying life stages that offer few or no morphological features for species-level identification.

Metabolomic Analysis of Elymus sibiricus Exposed to UV-B Radiation Stress.

Plants cultivated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) are exposed to high ultraviolet radiation intensities, so they require effective mechanisms to adapt to these stress conditions. UV-B radiation is an abiotic stress factor that affects plant growth, development, and environmental adaptation. Elymus sibiricus is a common species in the alpine meadows of the QTP, with high-stress resistance, large biomass, and high nutritional value. This species plays an important role in establishing artificial grasslands and improving degraded grasslands. In this study, UV-B radiation-tolerant and UV-B radiation-sensitive E. sibiricus genotypes were subjected to simulated short-term (5 days, 10 days) and long-term (15 days, 20 days) UV-B radiation stress and the metabolite profiles evaluated to explore the mechanism underlying UV-B radiation resistance in E. sibiricus. A total of 699 metabolites were identified, including 11 primary metabolites such as lipids and lipid-like molecules, phenylpropanoids and polyketides, organic acids and their derivatives, and organic oxygen compounds. Principal component analysis distinctly clustered the samples according to the cultivar, indicating that the two genotypes exhibit distinct response mechanisms to UV-B radiation stress. The results showed that 14 metabolites, including linoleic acid, LPC 18:2, xanthosine, and 23 metabolites, including 2-one heptamethoxyflavone, glycyrrhizin, and caffeic acid were differentially expressed under short-term and long-term UV-B radiation stress, respectively. Therefore, these compounds are potential biomarkers for evaluating E. sibiricus response to UV-B radiation stress. Allantoin specific and consistent expression was up-regulated in the UV-B radiation-tolerant genotype, thereby it can be used to identify varieties resistant to UV-B radiation. Different metabolic profiles and UV-B radiation response mechanisms were observed between the UV-B radiation-tolerant and UV-B radiation-sensitive E. sibiricus genotypes. A model for the metabolic pathways and metabolic profiles was constructed for the two genotypes. This metabolomic study on the E. sibiricus response to UV-B radiation stress provides a reference for the breeding of new UV-B radiation-tolerant E. sibiricus cultivars.

Bank vole genomics links determinate and indeterminate growth of teeth

BackgroundContinuously growing teeth are an important innovation in mammalian evolution, yet genetic regulation of continuous growth by stem cells remains incompletely understood. Dental stem cells responsible for tooth crown growth are lost at the onset of tooth root formation. Genetic signaling that initiates this loss is difficult to study with the ever-growing incisor and rooted molars of mice, the most common mammalian dental model species, because signals for root formation overlap with signals that pattern tooth size and shape (i.e., cusp patterns). Bank and prairie voles (Cricetidae, Rodentia, Glires) have evolved rooted and unrooted molars while retaining similar size and shape, providing alternative models for studying roots.ResultsWe assembled a de novo genome of Myodes glareolus, a vole with high-crowned, rooted molars, and performed genomic and transcriptomic analyses in a broad phylogenetic context of Glires (rodents and lagomorphs) to assess differential selection and evolution in tooth forming genes. Bulk transcriptomics comparisons of embryonic molar development between bank voles and mice demonstrated overall conservation of gene expression levels, with species-specific differences corresponding to the accelerated and more extensive patterning of the vole molar. We leverage convergent evolution of unrooted molars across the clade to examine changes that may underlie the evolution of unrooted molars. We identified 15 dental genes with changing synteny relationships and six dental genes undergoing positive selection across Glires, two of which were undergoing positive selection in species with unrooted molars, Dspp and Aqp1. Decreased expression of both genes in prairie voles with unrooted molars compared to bank voles supports the presence of positive selection and may underlie differences in root formation.ConclusionsOur results support ongoing evolution of dental genes across Glires and identify candidate genes for mechanistic studies of root formation. Comparative research using the bank vole as a model species can reveal the complex evolutionary background of convergent evolution for ever-growing molars.

Herbicide options for control of yellow and knotroot foxtail for possible use in turfgrass

Abstract Yellow and knotroot foxtail are two common weed species infesting turfgrass and pastures in the southeastern region of the United States. Yellow and knotroot foxtail share morphological similarities and are frequently misidentified by weed managers, thus leading to confusion in the herbicide selection. Greenhouse research was conducted to evaluate the response of yellow and knotroot foxtail to several turfgrass herbicides: pinoxaden (35 and 70 g ai ha-1), sethoxydim (316 and 520 g ai ha-1), thiencarbazone+dicamba+iodosulfuron (230 g ai ha-1), nicosulfuron+rimsulfuron (562.8 g ai ha-1), metribuzin (395 g ha-1), sulfentrazone (330 g ai ha-1), sulfentrazone+imazethapyr (504 g ai hai-1), imazaquin (550 g ai ha-1). All treatments controlled yellow foxtail &gt;87% with more than 90% reduction of the biomass. By comparison, only sulfentrazone alone controlled knotroot foxtail 90% and completely reduced above-ground biomass. Sethoxydim (520 g ai ha-1), metribuzin, and imazaquin controlled knotroot foxtail &gt;70% at 28 DAA. In a rate response evaluation, non-linear regression showed yellow foxtail was approximately eight times more susceptible to pinoxaden and two times more susceptible to sethoxydim than knotroot foxtail based on log (WR50) values, which were 50% reduction in fresh weight. Our research indicates that knotroot foxtail is more difficult to control across a range of herbicides making differentiation of these two species important before herbicides are applied.

Epidemiology of Sandfly-Borne Phleboviruses in North Africa: An Overview

Eight sandfly-borne phleboviruses were found to circulate in North Africa. Phleboviruses detected in sandflies were Toscana (TOSV), Sandfly Fever Sicilian (SFSV), Sandfly Fever Naples (SFNV), Cyprus (CYPV), Punique (PUNV), Utique, Saddaguia, and Medjerda Valley (MVV) viruses, yielding an overall infection rate of 0.02–0.6%. Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus longicuspis were the most common vector species in the region. TOSV seroprevalence in dogs from Algeria (4.56%) and Tunisia (7.5%) was low and close, unlike SFSV (38.1%) and PUNV (43.5%), which were restricted to Tunisia. SFSV (1.3–21%) and TOSV (3.8–50%) were the most prevalent among humans. TOSV was frequently detected and symptomatically confirmed in both Algeria (3.8%) and Tunisia (12.86%). Other sandfly-borne phleboviruses have also been detected but less importantly, such as SFNV in Morocco (2.9%) and Tunisia (1.1%) and PUNV (8.72%), CYPV (2.9%), and MVV (1.35%) in Tunisia. Their distribution was mainly northern. Overall, 15.9% of the healthy population were seropositive for sandfly-borne phleboviruses, with evidenced cocirculation. Noticeably, studies conducted in Morocco were mostly interested in TOSV in sandflies. Available data from Libya and Egypt were scant or historical. Further elaboration is required to check the sporadic detection of less-prevalent phleboviruses and fully elucidate the epidemiological situation.

On some Calcaronea (Porifera: Calcarea) from the Barents Sea and adjacent Polar Basin

Four common calcareous sponge species from the Arctic are described. One species, Sycandra rappi Morozov sp. nov. is new to science. It differs in the complement of spicules from S. utriculus (Schmidt, 1869). In the latter case, there is an additional kind of spicule, small sickle-shaped diactines, in the distal cones; these spicules are absent in the new species. Additionally, current placement of the genus Sycandra Haeckel, 1872 in the family Grantiidae Dendy, 1892 is discussed. Sycetta asconoides (Breitfuss, 1896) has been relocated to the genus Grantia Fleming, 1828, as we found cortical triactines in the examined material, including type specimen slides. The fourth species, Grantia arctica (Haeckel, 1872), is described from the Franz Joseph Land for the first time. The biogeography of the Arctic calcareous sponges is also briefly discussed.

GDnet-IP: Grouped Dropout-Based Convolutional Neural Network for Insect Pest Recognition

Lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) models have proven effective in recognizing common pest species, yet challenges remain in enhancing their nonlinear learning capacity and reducing overfitting. This study introduces a grouped dropout strategy and modifies the CNN architecture to improve the accuracy of multi-class insect recognition. Specifically, we optimized the base model by selecting appropriate optimizers, fine-tuning the dropout probability, and adjusting the learning rate decay strategy. Additionally, we replaced ReLU with PReLU and added BatchNorm layers after each Inception layer, enhancing the model’s nonlinear expression and training stability. Leveraging the Inception module’s branching structure and the adaptive grouping properties of the WeDIV clustering algorithm, we developed two grouped dropout models, the iGDnet-IP and GDnet-IP. Experimental results on a dataset containing 20 insect species (15 pests and five beneficial insects) demonstrated an increase in cross-validation accuracy from 84.68% to 92.12%, with notable improvements in the recognition rates for difficult-to-classify species, such as Parnara guttatus Bremer and Grey (PGBG) and Papilio xuthus Linnaeus (PXLL), increasing from 38% and 47% to 62% and 93%, respectively. Furthermore, these models showed significant accuracy advantages over standard dropout methods on test sets, with faster training times compared to four conventional CNN models, highlighting their suitability for mobile applications. Theoretical analyses of model gradients and Fisher information provide further insight into the grouped dropout strategy’s role in improving CNN interpretability for insect recognition tasks.