Habitat Conditions Research Articles

Factors Influencing Orchid Species Richness in the Central Balkans: The Importance of Belowground Organ Types

The Balkan Peninsula is considered one of the most important centres of orchid diversity in Europe. However, the patterns of orchid species richness in the Central Balkans have not been sufficiently studied so far. The aim of this study was, therefore, to identify the centres of orchid diversity and the factors that influence the spatial variation in orchid species richness in the Central Balkans. For the analyses, the area of the Central Balkans was divided into 10 × 10 km grid cells. The environmental variables determined for each grid cell and used in the analyses were altitude, bioclimatic variables, geological substrates and habitat types. A random forest (RF) analysis was used to identify the environmental predictors most strongly associated with species richness. In addition to the total number of taxa, orchids with three belowground organ types were analysed separately: (a) rhizomatous orchids, (b) orchids with palmately lobed and fusiform tubers (“palmate tuberous orchids”) and (c) orchids with spherical or ovoid tubers (“ovoid tuberous orchids”). In the Central Balkans, 54 orchid species and subspecies have been recorded, and the most important centres of diversity are the Tara, Zvijezda, Jadovnik and Zlatar Mountains and the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge. In general, two groups of grid cells with the largest number of orchid taxa, i.e., hotspots, stood out: (1) grid cells with a large altitudinal range and (2) grid cells occupied by gorges and ravines. The most important gradients influencing orchid species richness are specific habitat types and altitudinal ranges, while climatic factors and geological substrates are less important. The most important factors affecting the richness of total and rhizomatous orchids are altitudinal range and habitat types (Abieti-Fagenion, Ostryo-Carpinion orientalis and Pinion nigrae forests), highlighting the important role of habitat heterogeneity. The maximum altitude, percentage of Abieti-Fagenion and Vaccinio-Picetea forests and the minimum value of the mean temperature of the driest quarter are the most important factors for determining the richness of palmate tuberous orchids, whereas the percentage of xero-thermophilous habitat types (Ostryo-Carpinion orientalis, Asplenietea trichomanis and Pinion nigrae) has the greatest influence on the richness of ovoid tuberous orchids. These results confirm the hypothesis concerning the origin and development of underground organs in orchids, emphasising that palmate tuberous orchids are best adapted to cold and humid habitat conditions, whereas ovoid tuberous orchids have the ability to grow in habitats with very warm and dry conditions. This study provides a good basis for better orchid conservation planning and underlines the importance of belowground strategies as a feature of orchid life history that should be considered when studying patterns of orchid diversity.

Response of Trichoptera and Oligochaeta Communities to Modifications of Mountain River Channels with Low-Head Barriers

The responses of benthic fauna to channel modifications of mountain rivers by low-head barriers are poorly understood. The study aimed (1) to estimate the impact of two different low-head barrier types: concrete sills and block ramps, on Oligochaeta and Trichoptera communities in two small Carpathian rivers (Porębianka and Mszanka) in southern Poland, and (2) to determine changes in these communities in the mountain Porębianka River after 50 years by comparing current data with historical data. Both types of channel modifications led to a transformation from lotic to more lentic habitats. The research shows that habitat conditions and induced bed siltation greatly influenced the studied communities. In both rivers, the taxa richness and dominant taxa of Oligochaeta and Trichoptera were similar, alongside similar species compositions of Trichoptera. However, the river with the lower bed siltation rate had a higher Trichoptera density and a greater diversity in their density among habitats. After 50 years, the taxonomic richness of Oligochaeta and Trichoptera remained similar, unlike the considerable shift in their species compositions. Many species typical of mountain rivers have been replaced by species more tolerant to siltation, characteristic of lowland rivers. The family Tubificidae (Oli-gochaeta) and the genus Hydropsyche (Trichoptera) became dominant in both rivers in the early 2020s. Additionally, the functional feeding group (FFG) of Trichoptera changed considerably. Oligochaeta and Trichoptera communities serve as valuable indicators for moni-toring the environmental changes in these ecosystems.

Phylogenetic diversity sheds light on the evolution of the unique fern flora of Mount Kinabalu, Borneo.

Mount Kinabalu is an isolated, geologically young mountain (the Pliocene and early Pleistocene) in northern Borneo harboring a highly diverse flora with a high level of endemism. It is one of the global centers of fern diversity, but how this diversity has evolved has not been studied to date. We assess patterns of evolutionary legacies in the fern flora of Mount Kinabalu, with an emphasis of testing the tropical niche conservatism hypothesis. We used several metrics of phylogenetic structure, including phylogenetic diversity (PD), mean nearest taxon distance (MNTD), mean pairwise distance (MPD), and their respective standardized effect sizes (PDses, MNTDses and MPDses), which represent different depths of evolutionary history, to investigate patterns of evolutionary legacies in the fern flora of Mount Kinabalu. We found that there was a decrease of PDses with elevation, reflecting a tropical origin of ferns and a gradual evolutionary adaptation to colder environments by fewer successive lineages. However, when separating the evolutionary old non-polypod lineages from the modern polypod radiation, we found a decrease of MNTD with elevation for the former, reflecting an ongoing upslope evolutionary trend, whereas for the modern polypod radiation, the inverse was true. Within the polypods, terrestrial and epiphytic species also showed different patterns, with the former showing a hump-shaped pattern for all phylogenetic diversity metrics, whereas the latter showed a more or less linear decline. Again, this suggests different evolutionary histories for ferns inhabiting the forest floor and canopy, due to the influence of the different habitat conditions. Finally, we found that mean annual temperature had a much stronger effect on phylogenetic diversity metrics than annual precipitation. We found that the current fern assemblages on Mount Kinabalu show a strong evolutionary legacy that mirrors that of other mountains, suggesting a global consistency in phylogenetic diversity patterns of ferns along elevational transects, presumably due to a combination of dispersal between mountains and evolutionary convergence.

The mortality factor of rafflesia buds (Rafflesia tuan-mudae) in Sungai Betung Distric, Bengkayang Regency

The death of the Rafflesia tuan-mudae buds can be caused by the environmental conditions of the growing place and the host R. tuan-mudae. The purpose of this study is to describe the habitat conditions of R. tuan-mudae and found the cause of the death of Bud R. tuan-mudae. The study used a survey method with data collection techniques in the form of a double plot that is placed purposively where R. tuan-mudae is found with a size of 20 m × 20 m. Based on the result of the study R. tuan mudae was found in 3 observation plots, the first is found in Bukit Salapar, and the other plot is in Gunung Bawang Raya. The results of measurements of the environmental conditions of the R. tuan-mudae habitat show that R. tuan-mudae is often found in conditions of air humidity 87.4 – 91 %, air temperature 25.7 – 26.7℃, soil pH 4.1 – 4.2, soil moisture 69 – 70 %, soil temperature 25 – 26℃, light intensity 542 – 1782 lux, land slope 52.8 – 64.0% and altitude 292-537 MASL. The condition of R. tuan-mudae population has a percentage of 32% live buds, 60% of dead buds and 8% die after blooming. The death of R. tuan-mudae buds is caused by high air humidity 91%, host death, a very steep land slope 64.0% and buried by litter.

Contrasting Changes in Lake Ice Thickness and Quality Due to Global Warming in the Arctic, Temperate, and Arid Zones and Highlands of Eurasia

Lake ice has a major impact on the functioning of lake ecosystems, the thermal and gas regimes of lakes, habitat conditions, socio-economic aspects of human life, local climate, etc. The multifaceted influence of lake ice makes it important to study its changes associated with global warming, including lake ice phenology, ice thickness, and the snow–ice fraction. This article presents a study of lake ice changes in different regions of Eurasia: the Arctic (Lake Imandra in the Murmansk region and Lake Kilpisjärvi in Finland), the temperate zone (six small and medium lakes in Karelia, Mozhaysk Reservoir in the Moscow region, and Lake Pääjärvi in Finland), the arid zone (Lake Ulansuhai in China), and the highlands (lakes Arpi and Sevan in Armenia). In the study regions, a statistically significant increase in winter air temperature has been recorded over the past few decades. The number of days with thaw (air temperature above 0 °C) has increased, while the number of days with severe frost (air temperature below −10 °C and −20 °C) has decreased. The share of liquid or mixed precipitation in winter increases most rapidly in the temperate zone. For two Finnish lakes, lakes Vendyurskoe and Vedlozero in Karelia, and Mozhaysk Reservoir, a decrease in the duration of the ice period was revealed, with later ice-on and earlier ice-off. The most dramatic change occurred in the large high-mountain Lake Sevan, where the water area has no longer been completely covered with ice every winter. In contrast, the small high-mountain Lake Arpi showed no significant changes in ice phenology over a 50-year period. Changes in the ice composition with an increase in the proportion of white ice and a decrease in the proportion of black ice have occurred in some lakes. In the temperate lakes Pääjärvi and Vendyurskoe, inverse dependences of the thickness of black ice on the number of days with thaw and frost in December–March for the first lake and on the amount of precipitation in the first month of ice for the second were observed. In the arid study region of China, due to the very little winter precipitation (usually less than 10 mm) only black ice occurs, and significant interannual variability in its thickness has been identified.

Whole-Genome Evaluation of Genetic Rescue: The Case of a Curiously Isolated and Endangered Butterfly.

Genetic rescue, or the translocation of individuals among populations to augment gene flow, can help ameliorate inbreeding depression and loss of adaptive potential in small and isolated populations. Genetic rescue is currently under consideration for an endangered butterfly in Canada, the Half-moon Hairstreak (Satyrium semiluna). A small, unique population persists in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, isolated from other populations by more than 400 km. However, whether genetic rescue would actually be helpful has not been evaluated. Here, we generate the first chromosome-level genome assembly and whole-genome resequence data for the species. We find that the Alberta population maintains extremely low genetic diversity andis genetically very divergent from the nearest populations in British Columbia and Montana. Runs of homozygosity suggest this is due to a long history of inbreeding, and coalescent analyses show that the population has been small and isolated, yet stable, for up to 40k years. When a population like this maintains its viability despite inbreeding and low genetic diversity, it has likely undergone purging of deleterious recessive alleles and could be threatened by the reintroduction of such alleles via genetic rescue. Ecological niche modelling indicates that the Alberta population also exhibits environmental associations that are atypical of the species. Together, these evolutionary and ecological divergences suggest that population crosses may result in outbreeding depression. We therefore infer that genetic rescue has a relatively unique potential to be harmful rather than helpful for this population at present. However, because of its reduced adaptive potential, the Alberta population may still benefit from future genetic rescue as climate and habitat conditions change. Proactive experimental population crosses should therefore be completed to assess reproductive compatibility and progeny fitness.

Contrasting habitat associations and ecophysiological adaptations drive interspecific growth differences among Himalayan high-mountain plants.

Understanding interspecific differences in plant growth rates and their internal and external drivers is key to predicting species responses to ongoing environmental changes. Annual growth rates vary among plants based on their ecological preferences, growth forms, ecophysiological adaptations, and evolutionary history. However, the relative importance of these factors remains unclear, particularly in high-mountain ecosystems experiencing rapid changes. We examined how habitat associations, elevational optima, growth forms, and ecophysiological and anatomical traits influence interspecific differences in radial growth rates among 324 vascular dicot species naturally occurring in the western Himalayas. Growth rates were determined from annual ring width measurements on the oldest plant sections of over 7,800 individuals from a range of habitats (desert, steppe, wetland, alpine, subnival), growth forms (perennial tap-rooted, rhizomatous, cushiony, woody), and climatic gradients (elevations of 2,650-6,150 m). Habitat associations accounted for 24% of the variability in interspecific growth rates. Adding growth form and height increased the explanation to 42%, and incorporating plant functional traits further improved predictions to 46%. Growth rates were higher in warmer, drier conditions and lower in cold, wet environments. Subnival cushion plants had the slowest growth, while ruderal plants grew the fastest. Desert plants showed higher growth rates, reflecting their drought adaptive strategies, while wetland forbs had lower growth rates due to increased resource competition. Growth was positively correlated with leaf nitrogen content and non-structural carbohydrates (mainly fructans), due to enhanced photosynthesis and stress tolerance, and negatively correlated with leaf carbon and root nitrogen content. Our study of 324 dicot species in the western Himalayas suggests that plant growth in high elevations is determined by a combination of habitat conditions, morphological traits, and ecophysiological adaptations. Growth variations among the highest-growing angiosperms reflect adaptive strategies along the global 'fast-slow' and 'acquisitive-conservative' spectrums. These results underscore the importance of habitat-specific studies for predicting plant growth responses to environmental changes, emphasizing a species-specific approach for effective conservation in fragile ecosystems.

Distribution and habitat suitability of Amorphophallus gigas with MaxEnt modeling in north Sumatra, Indonesia

Amorphophallus gigas is exclusively found in community agroforestry gardens within the northern Sumatra region, Indonesia. This species faces various threats including land conversion and tuber extraction for economic purposes. Despite its unique habitat characteristics, the conservation status remains unrecorded on the IUCN Red List. Effective conservation requires comprehensive data, including distribution and habitat conditions in the field. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the variables affecting the distribution of A. gigas in northern Sumatra and predict the size of the area with the potential for spread. The variables examined included height, slope, slope direction, climatic conditions, and land cover. Coordinate points were taken directly in the field using GPS, while Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling was used to predict the suitability of the habitat of the species. MaxEnt modeling of variables affecting the distribution of A. gigas showed that soil type played an important role (contribution 55%), followed by the average monthly temperature range (16%), and altitude (7.9%). The most suitable area was found to be located in the southern part of the province. The results of this research are useful for formulating conservation strategies for A. gigas.

A Dive Into Yeast's Sugar Diet-Comparing the Metabolic Response of Glucose, Fructose, Sucrose, and Maltose Under Dynamic Feast/Famine Conditions.

Microbes experience dynamic conditions in natural habitats as well as in engineered environments, such as large-scale bioreactors, which exhibit increased mixing times and inhomogeneities. While single perturbations have been studied for several organisms and substrates, the impact of recurring short-term perturbations remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to repetitive gradients of four different sugars: glucose, fructose, sucrose, and maltose. Due to different transport mechanisms and metabolic routes, nonglucose sugars lead to varied intracellular responses. To characterize the impact of the carbon sources and the dynamic substrate gradients, we applied both steady-state and dynamic cultivation conditions, comparing the physiology, intracellular metabolome, and proteome. For maltose, the repeated concentration gradients led to a significant decrease in biomass yield. Under glucose, fructose, and sucrose conditions, S. cerevisiae maintained the biomass yield observed under steady-state conditions. Although the physiology was very similar across the different sugars, the intracellular metabolome and proteome were clearly differentiated. Notably, the concentration of upper glycolytic enzymes decreased for glucose and maltose (up to -60% and -40%, respectively), while an increase was observed for sucrose and fructose when exposed to gradients. Nevertheless, for all sugar gradient conditions, a stable energy charge was maintained, ranging between 0.78 and 0.89. This response to maltose is particularly distinct compared to previous single-substrate pulse experiments or limitation to excess shifts, which led to maltose-accelerated death in earlier studies. At the same time, enzymes of lower glycolysis were elevated. Interestingly, common stress-related proteins (GO term: cellular response to oxidative stress) decreased during dynamic conditions.

Influence of Habitat Factors on the Yield, Morphological Characteristics, and Total Phenolic/Flavonoid Content of Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum L.) in the Republic of Serbia

Allium ursinum L. (Alliaceae) is a perennial geophyte known for its medicinal properties. This study examines the yield, morphological characteristics, and bioactive component composition of A. ursinum across forty-three different habitats in Serbia, focusing on the relationship between these factors and habitat conditions. Data on habitat locations and soil conditions were gathered from previous studies, while climate parameters were estimated using meteorological data from the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Serbia. Cluster analysis identified five habitat clusters, with the first and third clusters representing 88% of the sampled habitats. Fresh leaf yield H1:39.46–H15:564.83 g m⁻2 was correlated with morphological parameters grouped into two clusters. A positive correlation was found between habitat conditions, particularly soil type and altitude. Spectrophotometric quantification of phenolics (1.47–2.49 mg FAE g−1) and flavonoids (0.27–0.82 mg QE g−1) identified five clusters, with soil type being the key factor influencing bioactive component concentration. A. ursinum displayed significant adaptability, thriving in higher altitudes and fertile soils, which enhanced yield and morphological traits, though inversely related to bioactive components. These findings support sustainable cultivation and conservation practices for A. ursinum.

A tropical paradise for all? Nest-site selection shifts by an endemic Neotropical woodpecker associated with human settlements

Abstract Human modification of forests is the main threat to woodpeckers due to their ecological reliance on forest structure. However, little is known of how woodpecker species respond to habitat modification and land-use change in the Neotropics. In 2018, we determined nest-site selection by the Mexican endemic Melanerpes chrysogenys (Golden-cheeked Woodpecker) in protected old-growth tropical dry forest and in non-urban human settlements to evaluate how land-use change may alter nest-site selection by endemic species. We found that tree substrate and surrounding vegetation differed between protected forest and human-modified areas, and that M. chrysogenys varied nest-site selection criteria with land-use change. In protected forest, woodpeckers selected tree substrate variables of large, emergent, live Roseodendron donnell-smithii trees for nesting, with surrounding vegetation according to resource availability in the forest. However, in non-urban human settlements, M. chrysogenys used the dominant Cocos nucifera palms as nesting substrate but selected palms in surrounding vegetation with more large trees (>15 cm diameter at breast height [DBH]), more standing dead palms, and more vegetation cover above 2 m height. This shift in nest-site selection criteria may enable M. chrysogenys to adapt to modified environments, but the selection of surrounding vegetation traits reflects reliance of the species on forest structure for potential foraging resources. To maintain habitat conditions for endemic woodpecker species in human-modified areas, we suggest increasing abundance of native tree species in non-urban human settlements and developing management guidelines for the maintenance of standing dead trees or palms with appropriate human-safety guidelines. As woodpeckers are primary cavity excavators that sustain complex nest-webs, these recommendations are likely to benefit a variety of additional non-excavator species in human-modified environments.

Impact of Soil Factors and Climate on Phytochemical Characteristics of Stachyslavandulifolia Vahl.

This study investigates the influence of environmental factors on the secondary metabolites of Stachyslavandulifolia Vahl., focusing on how soil properties, temperature, and precipitation affect the yield and chemical composition of its essential oils. The research was conducted in two domains within three rangelands in Mazandaran province, Iran. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The findings indicated significant variations in essential oil yield across the southern domains of all three study areas. Variance analysis revealed that the interaction between area and domain significantly influenced most of the essential oil compositions, with exceptions for α-copaene, α-thujene, spathulenol (CAS), germacrene-D, hexadecanoic acid, and cis-farnesol. The mean comparison demonstrated substantial differences in the compositions of α-pinene, α-thujene, myrcene, phytol, and bicyclogermacrene between the northern and southern domains. Furthermore, correlation analysis identified significant relationships between essential oil compositions and various soil factors, such as moisture content, soil stability index, bulk density, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), nitrogen (N), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), silt, clay, and organic matter. However, due to the favorable habitat conditions, no significant correlations were observed between temperature, rainfall, and the essential oil compositions in these areas.

Habitat and Food of Vampire Crabs (Geosesarma sp.) in Menoreh Mountain, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Vampire crabs (Geoseserma sp.) are freshwater crabs that inhabit humid tropical forest ecosystems, such as the Menoreh Mountain. These crabs play an important role in the ecosystem as detrivores and a food source for other organisms. However, resesearch on their feeding habitat is still limited, leaving gaps in knowledge regarding their dietary preferences and ecological role. Understanding their feeding patterns is essential to support sustainable aquaculture and environmental conservation. The research focused on the feeding habits and food preferences of vampire crabs (Geosesarma sp.) in a humid, forested ecosystem. The study was conducted in the Menoreh Mountain region, which provides a unique habitat for these crabs. Understanding their feeding habits in this natural habitat is essential for promoting sustainable aquaculture practices, where environmental conservation is a priority. This research aimed to analyze vampire crabs’ food and feeding habits (Geosesarma sp.) in their natural habitat to support sustainable aquaculture on the Menoreh mountain slopes. The study employed frequency of occurrence analysis, volumetric analysis, and the Index of Preponderance. Sex ratio analysis and assessments of habitat conditions, including substrate texture and organic content, were conducted. The substrate consisted of sandy clay with an organic content ranging from 8.59% to 37.88%. Vampire crabs were identified as omnivores with a tendency towards herbivory, primarily consuming debris (93.47%), wood (2.75%), worms (1.92%), and leaves (1.86%). Debris was the main food source, supplemented by wood and leaf litter, with worms as an occasional food source. The findings highlighted the crabs' dietary adaptability and provided insights for future sustainable captive breeding efforts.

Analysis of Waters Physical Condition in Small Pelagic Fishing Location (Case Study at Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 715)

The aim of research is to study the physical conditions at the small pelagic fishing locations relation with the ideal criteria for small pelagic fish habitat. In this research, physical parameters consist of temperature and chlorophyll-a will be analyzed according to conditions at the actual small pelagic fishing location in FMA 715 throughout 2018. The actual small pelagic fishing location is obtained from the fishing logbook data which is validated with the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data using Kernel Density Interpolation. Sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a information at small pelagic fishing locations are extracted through MODIS Imagery. Small pelagic fish species at the fishing location are caught for Shortfin Scad, Trevally, Yellowstrip Scad, and Shadow Trevally. The results showed that the surface temperature at the small pelagic fishing location in FMA 715 is 21.56 - 31.75 oC and chlorophyll-a concentration is 0.08 - 1.33 mg/m3. It can be concluded that the physical conditions at the small pelagic fishing location are not always in accordance with the ideal habitat conditions. The conditions of sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a that are close to the ideal conditions for small pelagic fish habitat are in the East Season.

Behind the lenses: Biases in the contribution of wildlife photography to biodiversity representation

Abstract Nature‐related visual media has a significant impact on today's society by engaging the public in conservation problems and promoting pro‐environmental behaviours. Although major attention has been paid to how some types of visual media (e.g. documentaries) offer unrealistic portrayals of the natural world, biases on representation by wildlife photography remain unexplored. In the present study, we assessed biases in wildlife photography at spatial, temporal, taxonomic, conservation status and selection criteria scales, and modelled the factors influencing the probability of portrayed organisms winning a wildlife photography contest by using data on 1333 pictures featured in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, one of the most popular wildlife photography competitions worldwide. The representation of biomes mostly coincides with their extension on the planet. However, we detected an overrepresentation of temperate (broadleaf and conifer), Mediterranean and tropical forests. We detected a positive change over time in representing historically neglected taxa, such as insects. We also detected an increase in representation of Mangroves, Marine Ecosystems, Tundra and temperate forests and grasslands. Mammals and birds were overrepresented in photographs while insects and plants were underrepresented, and so were species listed as ‘Least Concern’ and ‘Data Deficiency’. The top 10 ranking species included charismatic carnivore species. Our results showed that the jury's choice offered a more diverse representation of biodiversity than the people's choice, and the winning photographs showcased fewer taxonomic groups than the non‐winning pictures. Realm, domain and colourfulness influenced the probability of an organism's picture being winner, but the variability explained by our model reflects that there are a large number of unexplored determinants (e.g. socio‐economical, technical or emotional). Our research detected a trend towards a more balanced representation of the natural world in wildlife photography, although biases are yet large, which may influence people's perception of the current status of species and habitats they encompass. Our results highlight a need to evenly represent species and ecosystems to increase public awareness, which requires providing data on species identity and conservation status to increase public knowledge. Finally, we underscore the need to report compliance with ethical guidelines when photographing wildlife. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The role of host plants, land cover and bioclimate in predicting the invasiveness of Aromia bungii on a global scale

Aromia bungii is an invasive Cerambycidae of major concern at the global scale because of the damage caused to Rosaceae. Given the major phytosanitary relevance of A. bungii, predicting its spread in invaded areas and identifying possible new suitable regions worldwide remains a key action to develop appropriate management practices and optimise monitoring and early detection campaigns. To improve the predictive power of the modelling framework, a habitat suitability model (HSM), which includes host plants, was combined with a bioclimatic suitability model (BSM), both of which were calibrated on native occurrences. The range of A. bungii was substantially limited by the bioclimate, while habitat conditions acted as limiting factors in the species’ distribution. Host plants were the most important variable that positively influenced habitat suitability. Bioclimatic suitability improved as rainfall in the warmest quarter and average temperatures in the wettest quarter increased and as isothermality decreased. According to the combination of HSM and BSM, Japan is the most suitable area outside the native range of the species. In Europe, despite its high habitat suitability, it is difficult to expect a species to expand its range except through a substantial change in its bioclimatic niche.

Comparative analysis of the structural and functional features of endoglucanases with different temperature optima

Cellulases whose temperature optimum is shifted to extremely high or low values are of particular interest since they allow for greater flexibility in controlling the technological conditions of their industrial use. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that explain enzymatic adaptations to limiting temperatures are not fully established. The study was aimed at using bioinformatics methods to examine how the structure of microbial endoglucanases depends on two factors: the belonging of producers to different taxonomic groups of higher rank (bacteria, fungi, and archaea) and the temperature optimum of their habitat (psychro-, meso-, and thermophiles). Enzymes retrieved from Uniprot and GenBank were analyzed via pairwise and multiple sequence alignment, pairwise structural alignment, and comparison of amino acid profiles. It is shown that the sequences cluster according to the systematics of producers and do not contain patterns associated with adaptations to temperature conditions. However, the amino acid profile of proteins depends also on the temperature conditions of the microbial habitat: the frequencies of some amino acids (E, I, Y, D, and Q) differ significantly in enzymes with different temperature optima. The study also identified a set of enzymes with low sequence identity but high similarity of 3D structures. This set includes enzymes from related taxa but with different temperature optima, as well as endoglucanases from microorganisms that are systematically distant while living under similar temperature conditions. Among other things, the possible mechanisms of the observed differences between the identity scores of different structural levels of protein are discussed.

Body Condition and Blood Biochemistry of Free-Range Caiman latirostris in Northeast Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

The Atlantic Forest broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) inhabits regions within one of the world's most ecologically diverse ecosystems, yet few studies have explored the relationship between body condition, blood biochemistry, and environmental factors in the wild. Our study investigated the effects of sex, ontogeny, habitat, and environmental variables on the body condition and blood biochemistry of free-ranging caimans from the state of Alagoas, Northeast Brazil. From 2020 to 2022, we captured 75 caimans across three sites in different seasons. Results revealed sex-specific responses to seasonal and Interannual weather changes, with females showing higher body condition in the wet season, while males peaked in the dry season. Elevated glucose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, and fructosamine were linked to higher body condition and larger individuals, while elevated aspartate aminotransferase to low body condition. Seasonal rainfall influenced blood parameters, with the dry season associated with higher creatinine, calcium, and alanine aminotransferase levels, and the wet season with higher total protein, sodium, and potassium. Differences in glucose, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase across sites pointed to physiological effects of human activities. Blood biochemical values varied widely, with some exceeding reported species ranges. These findings highlight the need to interpret physiological data within the context of local habitat and environmental conditions. Conservation strategies should go beyond species presence and habitat preservation, incorporating pollution control. Our study advances understanding of Caiman latirostris ecophysiology, offering valuable insights for the conservation and management of crocodilian populations in both wild and captive environments.

New nucleolin-containing cytoplasmic bodies in an archamoebian protist Pelomyxa belevskii (Amoebozoa, Archamoebae, Pelobiontida).

The representatives of the archamoebian genus Pelomyxa are amoeboid anaerobic protists that inhabit fresh-water anoxic sediments, and most of them are usually multinucleate. The cytoplasm of these unicellular organisms is highly complicated and contains numerous vacuoles of different types, as well as a wide range of prokaryotic endocytobionts, agglomerations of glycogen, lipids, etc. Among the great variety of cytoplasmic structures in P.belevskii, we identified novel organelles termed Cytoplasmic Nucleolin-Rich Bodies (CNRBs) due to their enrichment in nucleolin, a nuclear/nucleolar protein. The P. belevskiiCNRBs differ significantly from known cytoplasmic nucleolin-related organelles encountered in some other eukaryotic cells, but their biological significance remains elusive. The work also provides the first description of the nuclear organization of P. belevskii. The nucleolar apparatus of P. belevskii contains little nucleolin, as determined by quantitative electron microscopic data, suggesting that it is inactive despite its morphological complexity. The presence of CNRBsin Pelomyxa is discussed in the context of the specific habitat conditions and biology of these unicellular eukaryotes.

Effect of Different Renovation Methods on the Productivity of Mid-Forest Meadows as Foraging Areas for Free-Living Red Deer Population

Mid-forest meadows are integral to maintaining biodiversity and ecological services in forested landscapes but face degradation due to various reasons. This study evaluated the effectiveness of renovation methods on sward yield and herbage quality in two mid-forest meadows in northwestern Poland (54°10′ N, 16°78′ E), aiming to maintain their function as the foraging areas for the free-living red deer population. The results indicated that overdrilling was insufficient to significantly enhance sward quality or productivity (with no significant differences in DM yield between treatment and control), largely due to competition with existing vegetation and suboptimal habitat conditions. The full tillage method, in combination with sowing dedicated seed mixtures, substantially improved the sward yielding and forage quality, especially in terms of DM yield (av. 7% on object W; 18% on object TD). The efficacy of renovation methods varied between experimental sites, suggesting that the renovation strategy of mid-forest meadows should be tailored according to the habitat conditions.