Habitat Diversity Research Articles

Genome assembly at chromosome scale with telomere ends for Pearlspot, Etroplus suratensis

AbstractThe pearlspot, Etroplus suratensis is a climate resilient cichlid fish that exhibits unusual adaptation to salinity. The fish is able to complete full life cycle in diverse salinity habitats ranging from fresh water to marine environments. High-quality primary and phased genome assemblies were generated for pearlspot fish using PacBio HiFi and Arima HiC sequencing technologies, for the first time. The primary assembly is highly contiguous with contig N50 length of 36 Mb. The final assembly is of 1.247 Gb with N50 length of 51.57 Mb and 98% of the genome length anchored to 24 chromosomes. The genome was assessed to be 99.9% complete based on BUSCO evaluation and was predicted to contain 52.96% repeat elements. We have predicted 27,192 protein encoding genes, of which 21,580 were functionally annotated. The genome offers an invaluable resource to understand adaptation of pearlspot fish to diverse salinity habitats.

Genetic potential for aerobic respiration and denitrification in globally distributed respiratory endosymbionts

The endosymbiont Candidatus Azoamicus ciliaticola was proposed to generate ATP for its eukaryotic host, an anaerobic ciliate of the Plagiopylea class, fulfilling a function analogous to mitochondria in other eukaryotic cells. The discovery of this respiratory endosymbiosis has major implications for both evolutionary history and ecology of microbial eukaryotes. However, with only a single species described, knowledge of its environmental distribution and diversity is limited. Here we report four complete, circular metagenome assembled genomes (cMAGs) representing respiratory endosymbionts inhabiting groundwater in California, Ohio, and Germany. These cMAGs form two lineages comprising a monophyletic clade within the uncharacterized gammaproteobacterial order UBA6186, enabling evolutionary analysis of their key protein complexes. Strikingly, all four cMAGs encode a cytochrome cbb3 oxidase, which indicates that these endosymbionts have the capacity for aerobic respiration. Accordingly, we detect these respiratory endosymbionts in diverse habitats worldwide, thus further expanding the ecological scope of this respiratory symbiosis.

Evidence of repeated zoonotic pathogen spillover events at ecological boundaries

Anthropogenic modifications to the landscape have altered several ecological processes worldwide, creating new ecological boundaries at the human/wildlife interface. Outbreaks of zoonotic pathogens often occur at these ecological boundaries, but the mechanisms behind new emergences remain drastically understudied. Here, we test for the influence of two types of ecosystem boundaries on spillover risk: (1) biotic transition zones such as species range edges and transitions between ecoregions and (2) land use transition zones where wild landscapes occur in close proximity to heavily impacted areas of high human population density. Using ebolavirus as a model system and an ensemble machine learning modeling framework, we investigated the role of likely reservoir (bats) and accidental host (primates) range edges and patterns of land use (defined using SEDAC categories) on past spillover events. Our results show that overlapping species range edges and heightened habitat diversity increase ebolavirus outbreaks risk. Moreover, we show that gradual transition zones, represent by high proportion of rangelands, acts as a buffer to reduces outbreak risks. With increasing landscape changes worldwide, we provide novel ecological and evolutionary insights into our understanding of zoonotic pathogen emergence and highlight the risk of aggressively developing ecological boundaries.

Genomic Vulnerability to Climate Change of an Australian Migratory Freshwater Fish, the Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua).

Genomic vulnerability is a measure of how much evolutionary change is required for a population to maintain optimal genotype-environment associations under projected climates. Aquatic species, and in particular migratory ectotherms, are largely underrepresented in studies of genomic vulnerability. Such species might be well equipped for tracking suitable habitat and spreading diversity that could promote adaptation to future climates. We characterised range-wide genomic diversity and genomic vulnerability in the migratory and fisheries-important golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) from Australia's expansive Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). The MDB has a steep hydroclimatic gradient and is one of the world's most variable regions in terms of climate and streamflow. Golden perch are threatened by fragmentation and obstruction of waterways, alteration of flow regimes, and a progressively hotter and drying climate. We gathered a genomic dataset of 1049 individuals from 186 MDB localities. Despite high range-wide gene flow, golden perch in the warmer, northern catchments had higher predicted vulnerability than those in the cooler, southern catchments. A new cross-validation approach showed that these predictions were insensitive to the exclusion of individual catchments. The results raise concern for populations at warm range edges, which may already be close to their thermal limits. However, a population with functional variants beneficial for climate adaptation found in the most arid and hydrologically variable catchment was predicted to be less vulnerable. Native fish management plans, such as captive breeding and stocking, should consider spatial variation in genomic vulnerability to improve conservation outcomes under climate change, even for dispersive species with high connectivity.

Comparative genomics based exploration of xenobiotic degradation patterns in Glutamicibacter, Arthrobacter, and Pseudarthrobacter isolated from diverse ecological habitats

Xenobiotics pose a substantial threat to environmental integrity by disrupting normal ecosystems. The genus Arthrobacter, known for its metabolic versatility can degrade several xenobiotic compounds. Arthrobacter strains have also undergone frequent taxonomic revisions and reclassifications to strains including Pseudarthrobacter and Glutamicibacter. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of Glutamicibacter protophormiae strain NG4, isolated from a coastal area surrounded by chemical plants. Further, through comparative genomics involving 55 strains from Glutamicibacter, Arthrobacter, and Pseudarthrobacter, we elucidated taxonomic relationships and xenobiotic degradation potential. Our genomics-based findings revealed a generally even distribution of xenobiotic-degrading genes and pathways among the studied strains. Glutamicibacter species emerged as potential candidate for steroid degradation. A significant number of host-specific and environmental isolates predominantly possessed pathways for 4-hydroxybenzoate (4-HB) degradation and only the environmental isolates possessed benzoate degradation pathway. Certain Arthrobacter and Pseudarthrobacter species isolated from the environmental settings were identified as potential degraders of toluene, xylene, and phenanthrene. Notably, most strains contained pathways for azathioprine, capecitabine, and 5-fluorouridine pharmaceutical drug metabolism. Overall, our findings shed light on microbial metabolic diversity among 55 strains isolated from diverse sources and hint the importance of strict environmental monitoring. Further, for the application of the putative xenobiotic degrading strains, experimental validation is required in the future.

Landscape effects on seasonal abundance of Drosophila suzukii and its parasitoids in California cane berry fields

Abstract Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, has become a major pest of soft‐skinned fruit crops in the Americas, Europe and North Africa. In many regions, D. suzukii management is complicated by the fly's ability to persist on non‐crop hosts and then invade or reinvade crop fields from surrounding natural habitats. In California, non‐crop habitats adjacent to commercial cane berry fields often contain wild blackberry (Rubus spp.), a potential overwintering host for D. suzukii. We sampled D. suzukii and its naturally occurring parasitoids (the pupal parasitoids Trichopria drosophilae and Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae) in commercial berry fields and adjacent non‐crop habitat throughout the year, to determine whether non‐crop habitat is a seasonal or year‐round refuge for D. suzukii, and whether numbers of D. suzukii and its parasitoids in berry fields are dependent on the composition of the surrounding landscape. Numbers of D. suzukii adults were consistently higher in non‐crop habitat, and proportions of female D. suzukii were highest in berry fields, indicating that females dispersed more widely than males. The effect of habitat diversity on numbers of D. suzukii adults was positive in fall and negative in early spring, possibly reflecting differing habitat requirements of D. suzukii over time. Parasitoid numbers were also higher in non‐crop habitat and were positively affected by proportions of non‐crop habitat and cropland in summer. Results indicate that non‐crop habitats were a year‐round refuge for both D. suzukii adults and its parasitoids, and that landscape effects on D. suzukii abundance in crop fields can change over the seasons.

Counter‐Mapping, Counter‐Histories, and Insurgencies of Subjugated Knowledges in the Fisher Struggle for Ennore Creek

AbstractThe Ennore wetlands in North Chennai, India were once dense with diverse habitats and interwoven histories. Many of these histories began to unravel from the 1960s onwards, when state‐sponsored heavy industry began encroaching into and polluting the wetlands. Local fishers, whose lives, livelihoods, and cultural worlds were ignored by these changes, fought back in a campaign to reclaim and restore the wetlands. This paper analyses how the Save Ennore Creek Campaign and Ennore fishers used counter‐mapping strategies to reveal the state's wilful suppression of fisher knowledge and worldviews using maps and plans. It draws from decolonial and ignorance studies literatures to analyse the campaign's counter‐maps as cartographic, performative, and affective insurrections of subjugated knowledges and counter‐histories that un‐made the state's maps and plans, exposed the state's knowledge as wilful ignorance and spotlighted geographical knowledge from the margins as a way of remaking reality and opening up possibilities of alternative futures for the creek and its communities.

PIPdb: a comprehensive plasmid sequence resource for tracking the horizontal transfer of pathogenic factors and antimicrobial resistance genes.

Plasmids, as independent genetic elements, carrying resistance or virulence genes and transfer them among different pathogens, posing a significant threat to human health. Under the 'One Health' approach, it is crucial to control the spread of plasmids carrying such genes. To achieve this, a comprehensive characterization of plasmids in pathogens is essential. Here we present the Plasmids in Pathogens Database (PIPdb), a pioneering resource that includes 792964 plasmid segment clusters (PSCs) derived from 1 009571 assembled genomes across 450 pathogenic species from 110 genera. To our knowledge, PIPdb is the first database specifically dedicated to plasmids in pathogenic bacteria, offering detailed multi-dimensional metadata such as collection date, geographical origin, ecosystem, host taxonomy, and habitat. PIPdb also provides extensive functional annotations, including plasmid type, insertion sequences, integron, oriT, relaxase, T4CP, virulence factors genes, heavy metal resistance genesand antibiotic resistance genes. The database features a user-friendly interface that facilitates studies on plasmids across diverse host taxa, habitats, and ecosystems, with a focus on those carrying antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). We have integrated online tools for plasmid identification and annotation from assembled genomes. Additionally, PIPdb includes a risk-scoring system for identifying potentially high-risk plasmids. The PIPdb web interface is accessible at https://nmdc.cn/pipdb.

Distribution Patterns of Urban Spontaneous Vegetation Diversity and Their Response to Habitat Heterogeneity: A Case Study of Five Cities in Heilongjiang Province, China

Spontaneous vegetation is an important component of urban biodiversity and an excellent agent for exploring the mutual feedback mechanism between urbanization and urban ecosystems. Rapid urbanization has had a significant impact on the composition, structure, and distribution patterns of urban spontaneous vegetation diversity. Studying the diversity distribution patterns and causes of urban plant communities is beneficial for understanding the formation and maintenance mechanisms of plant diversity in specific urban habitats. This study selected five cities in different climate subregions of Heilongjiang Province as research targets and conducted field research using uniform sampling and typical sampling methods. The composition, distribution pattern, and driving factors of spontaneous vegetation were analyzed. The results showed the following: (1) A total of 633 examples of spontaneous vegetation were recorded, belonging to 93 families and 341 genera, mainly consisting of herbaceous plants and native plants. (2) The diversity index and similarity index of spontaneous vegetation in gravel-type abandoned land habitats are higher than those in other habitat types, while the diversity index of spontaneous vegetation in trees and shrubs is lower, and there is no significant difference in regards to different habitats. (3) Urban population density is a key factor affecting the diversity of native plants, while woody plant coverage, patch area, and landscape trait index are key factors affecting non-native plants. (4) The results of canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the total explanatory power of environmental characteristic factors in regards to the distribution pattern of spontaneous vegetation was 7.5%. The closest distance between adjacent patches, the coverage of woody plants in patches, the distance from the city edge, the patch area, and the surface impermeability of the buffer zones were key factors affecting the distribution of dominant species in spontaneous vegetation communities. The research results will provide an important reference for the conservation of urban biodiversity and the construction of low-maintenance urban green space plant landscapes in Heilongjiang Province.

The Influence of Habitat Diversity on Bat Species Richness and Feeding Behavior in Chilean Vineyards: Implications for Agroecological Practices

Agriculture is a leading cause of biodiversity loss, making the transition to sustainable agroecological practices crucial. Insectivorous bats play a crucial role as biological controllers in regard to agricultural crops, serving as important insect predators. The purpose of this study is to assess bat communities in three distinct habitats, namely the interior of a vineyard, native vegetation, and the transitional edge between them, by analyzing the echolocation patterns of different species. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the influence of landscape characteristics on bat communities and at the species level, allowing the incorporation of variables at different scales (at 10 m, 100 m, and 1000 m radius) from each sampling site. Our results show that edges enhance bat richness, their general activity, and feeding patterns, and are of particular benefit to certain species: Tadarida brasiliensis, Myotis chiloensis, and Lasiurus varius. Implementing agroecological practices, such as the maintenance of tree hedgerows at the landscape scale, along with native vegetation at the landscape scale, can amplify feeding activity in vineyards, thereby enhancing the provision of ecosystem services in agroecosystems. The edges of vineyards and natural vegetation are crucial for providing habitats for bats and increasing their foraging activity, as well as providing a way to enhance agroecological practices in vineyards to bolster ecosystem services.

Insights into archaeological and modern neotropical biomes: Examining diet and shape variation through white-tailed deer lower third molar

The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann 1780) holds significant ecological importance across the Americas, both historically and in modern times. This species ranges from southern Canada to Brazil and exhibits polytypic characteristics, adapting well to diverse habitats including temperate, subtropical, semi-arid, rainforest, and savanna environments. In paleontology and archaeology, the comparison of dental characteristics between extant mammal species with known diets is commonly employed to infer the feeding behaviors of their ancient counterparts. This method assumes that extant and fossil species share similar dietary preferences, aiding in the identification of past environmental contexts. Consequently, we employed a multiproxy approach, combining the study of dental wear and 2D geometric morphometrics, to investigate potential relationships between molar shape, diet, and biomes among extant white-tailed deer populations across the Americas. Our analysis included a comparison with archaeological data from Panama. We sampled 274 extant lower second molar specimens for micro- and mesowear analysis, along with 105 lower third molar specimens from natural science museums for 2D geometric morphometric analysis. These were compared with a sample of 65 archaeological specimens from Panama. Our findings revealed distinct variations in the shape of lower m3 molars among extant white-tailed deer populations across different biomes, with notable differences observed in the archaeological samples as well. Micro- and mesowear analyses also indicated biome-related differences, suggesting a general browsing diet for white-tailed deer with nuanced variations across biomes. Mesowear analysis further suggested a dietary spectrum ranging from pure browsers to browser-mixed feeders. These findings offer valuable insights for the interpretation of fossil deer specimens recovered from archaeological sites.

Bat Ecology and Microbiome of the Gut: A Narrative Review of Associated Potentials in Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases.

In this review, we tentatively tried to connect the most recent findings on the bat microbiome and to investigate on their microbial communities, that may vary even in conspecific hosts and are influenced by host physiology, feeding behavior and diet, social interactions, but also by habitat diversity and climate change. From a conservation perspective, understanding the potentially negative and indirect effects of habitat destruction on animal microbiota can also play a crucial role in the conservation and management of the host itself. According to the One Health concept, which recognizes an interdependence between humans, animals, and the environment, bat microbiota represents an indicator of host and environmental health, besides allowing for evaluation of the risk of emerging infectious diseases. We noticed that a growing number of studies suggest that animal microbiota may respond in various ways to changes in land use, particularly when such changes lead to altered or deficient food resources. We have highlighted that the current literature is strongly focused on the initial phase of investigating the microbial communities found in Chiroptera from various habitats. However, there are gaps in effectively assessing the impacts of pathogens and microbial communities in general in animal conservation, veterinary, and public health. A deeper understanding of bat microbiomes is paramount to the implementation of correct habitat and host management and to the development of effective surveillance protocols worldwide.

Diversity and Distribution of Australian Stygobiont and Other Groundwater-Associated Amphipods (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Peracarida)

Numerous and diverse groundwater habitats suitable for sustaining aquatic invertebrate communities exist across Australia. These habitats include enclosed subterranean aquifer systems, fractured rock, alluvial aquifers, perched aquifers, artesian springs, and spring-fed seeps and marshes. Crustaceans are a dominant member of these groundwater-associated invertebrate communities, and amphipods, both stygobiont and associated epigean species, are particularly diverse yet are still relatively poorly known. We review both the diversity and distributions of Australian amphipods associated with groundwater habitats, describing hotspots of diversity, providing notes on the unique Australian habitats, and examining the extraordinary species diversity and endemism of the Australian species. Our review highlights the significance of Australian groundwater ecosystems, their associated biodiversity, and the importance in considering these ecosystems in groundwater conservation management plans.

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)† Habitat Suitability, Nest Box Occupancy, and Management Implications Based on Kentucky Surveys 2010–2022

ABSTRACT Barn Owls (Tyto alba) are a species of conservation interest, but management of nesting populations can require significant effort. To focus management activities, we conducted analyses of statewide survey data collected for Barn Owl nests (n = 515) and roosts (n = 145) in Kentucky, USA, from 2010–2022. Nest and roost sites included natural (e.g., trees, rock shelters) and human-made (e.g., barns, attics, hunting blinds, silos, etc.) structures and nest boxes (n = 270) installed on various substrates. Using data related to land cover, agricultural features, and other habitat-related variables, we examined factors influencing Barn Owl site occupancy by creating habitat suitability models. Additionally, we assessed changes in nest box occupancy over time and the factors that influenced nest box occupancy. The Shannon habitat diversity index and number of buildings within 75 m were the most important variables for habitat suitability throughout the study area, though the proportion of hay/pasture/grassland within 625 m and distance to an area intensively managed for Barn Owls were important regionally. Barn Owl nest box occupancy increased over the course of our study, likely due to management efforts. Owls were more likely to occupy nest boxes if they were installed on tall feed silos, retired utility poles, or barns. Moreover, nest boxes installed at sites where we observed owl pairs (prior to installation) were more likely to become occupied and used sooner than nest boxes installed opportunistically. Future management should focus on installing nest boxes for known pairs, on unused feed silos, on retired utility poles on reclaimed surface mines, and near areas intensively managed for the species.

Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Labeo rohita and Mystus seenghala from Jhelum River, Punjab, Pakistan

The bioaccumulation of trace elements and heavy metals in aquatic organisms is a critical environmental concern due to its potential impact on ecosystem health and human safety. This study investigated the level of trace elements and heavy metals bioaccumulation in Labeo rohita and Mystus seenghala from the River Jhelum in the district Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan. The concentration of calcium, magnesium, iron, nickel, copper, arsenic, cadmium, zinc, chromium, manganese, cobalt, and lead in the gills, liver, and muscle tissues of these fish was measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Then, the extent of contamination and its possible health risks were assayed. Our findings indicate significant variations in the elemental and metal concentrations among different organs and between species, reflecting their diverse feeding habits and habitats. The health risk assessment based on the estimated daily intake, estimated weekly intake, maximum permissible intake, target hazard quotient, hazard index or total target hazard quotient, health risk index, and target cancer risk revealed potential risks to human consumers of these fish. This study emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring, as new data and insights are crucial for understanding and mitigating these risks. Strict regulatory measures are also necessary to safeguard public health and preserve the ecosystem of Jhelum River.

EBryoSoil: a citizen science application to monitor changes in soil ecosystems.

Biological soil covers (BSCs) play a pivotal role in ecosystem functioning by enhancing soil stability, mediating nutrient cycling, and influencing soil hydrology. Recognized as ecosystem engineers, they can physically modify, maintain, or create habitats, facilitating plant community development. Through these intricate interactions, BSCs contribute significantly to ecological processes, highlighting their importance in the overall health and functionality of the ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula. Here we present the results obtained from the contributions of the citizen scientists uploaded from November 2019 to January 2021 with eBryoSoil, an app that allows citizens to participate in mapping the BSC communities across the Iberian Peninsula. Here, we emphasize the importance of habitats and consequently, their interaction with climatic variables for the persistence of BSCs (lichens and bryophytes). Conservation efforts targeted at preserving diverse habitats are essential to ensure the continued presence of lichen and bryophyte communities. Despite challenges posed by the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, this citizen science project demonstrated success in utilizing a specifically tailored app to gather valuable information on BSC communities, providing insights into their vulnerability to climate change. This program serves as an illustrative example of how citizen science can effectively identify and study vulnerable habitats, offering a blueprint for future studies focused on understudied organisms.

Sequence comparison of the mitochondrial genomes of five caridean shrimps of the infraorder Caridea: phylogenetic implications and divergence time estimation

BackgroundThe Caridea, affiliated with Malacostraca, Decapoda, and Pleocyemata, constitute one of the most significant shrimp groups. They are widely distributed across diverse aquatic habitats worldwide, enriching their evolutionary history. In recent years, considerable attention has been focused on the classification and systematic evolution of Caridea, yet controversies still exist regarding the phylogenetic relationships among families.MethodsHere, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences of five caridean species, namely Heterocarpus sibogae, Procletes levicarina, Macrobrachium sp., Latreutes anoplonyx, and Atya gabonensis, were determined using second-generation high-throughput sequencing technology. The basic structural characteristics, nucleotide composition, amino acid content, and codon usage bias of their mitogenomes were analyzed. Selection pressure values of protein-coding genes (PCGs) in species within the families Pandalidae, Palaemonidae, and Atyidae were also computed. Phylogenetic trees based on the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of 13 PCGs from 103 caridean species were constructed, and divergence times for various families within Caridea were estimated.ResultsThe mitogenome of these five caridean species vary in length from 15,782 to 16,420 base pairs, encoding a total of 37 or 38 genes, including 13 PCGs, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 or 23 tRNA genes. Specifically, L. anoplonyx encodes an additional tRNA gene, bringing its total gene count to 38. The base composition of the mitogenomes of these five species exhibited a higher proportion of adenine-thymine (AT) bases. Six start codons and four stop codons were identified across the five species. Analysis of amino acid content and codon usage revealed variations among the five species. Analysis of selective pressure in Pandalidae, Palaemonidae, and Atyidae showed that the Ka/Ks values of PCGs in all three families were less than 1, indicating that purifying selection is influencing on their evolution. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that each family within Caridea is monophyletic. The results of gene rearrangement and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated correlations between these two aspects. Divergence time estimation, supported by fossil records, indicated that the divergence of Caridea species occurred in the Triassic period of the Mesozoic era, with subsequent differentiation into two major lineages during the Jurassic period.ConclusionsThis study explored the fundamental characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of mitogenomes within the infraorder Caridea, providing valuable insights into their classification, interspecific evolutionary patterns, and the evolutionary status of various Caridea families. The findings provide essential references for identifying shrimp species and detecting significant gene rearrangements within the Caridea infraorder.

West Nile virus in adults and larvae of Culiseta longiareolata and Culex hortensis (Diptera: Culicidae) captured in Hamedan, western Iran

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes. Although it is considered the most widespread mosquito-borne arbovirus in Iran, vectors of this zoonotic pathogen remain unknown in many regions. This study aimed to assess the presence of WNV in mosquitoes collected in the western city of Hamedan in 2022. Adult mosquitoes were captured using light traps, and mosquito larvae were collected by dipping technique from 45 diverse habitats, including urban, suburban, and rural sites. Specimens were identified and pooled into 69 batches based on their species for viral RNA extraction and Real-Time PCR. In total, 3243 mosquitoes (2209 larvae and 1034 adults) were captured and identified as Culiseta longiareolata, Culex hortensis, Anopheles maculipennis s.l., Culex theileri, Culex pipiens, Anopheles claviger, and Anopheles superpictus s.l. in decreasing order. Molecular screening revealed seven WNV-positive pools of Culiseta longiareolata and Culex hortensis in rural (n = 5) and urban areas (n = 2). Detection of WNV RNA indicates active circulation in mosquitoes and risk of transmission to humans and animals in Hamadan. These findings identify putative vectors in Hamadan, though vectors likely vary regionally in Iran. Further surveillance is needed to elucidate local WNV epidemiology and transmission dynamics fully. Nonetheless, this study provides important baseline evidence of WNV activity to guide prevention strategies in this area.

Scale-Dependent Habitat Nestedness and Its Implications for Anuran Conservation in the Chengdu Region: A Multi-Extent Analysis.

Nestedness in community ecology predicts that species in a species-poor site should be a subset of species of a species-rich site. A variety of ecological mechanisms have been offered to explain community nestedness; however, few studies have systematically discussed the issue of scale dependence when interpreting community nestedness. This study conducted surveys of anuran species data in the vicinity of Chengdu, Sichuan, in the summers of 2019-2020, using the transect method. The study area was divided into 23 sampling sites and 8 regions to explore the relationship between environmental factors and the nested distribution pattern of anuran communities under different sampling extents (with sampling buffers set at 1 km, 2 km, and 5 km). The WNODF (weighted-nestedness metric based on overlap and decreasing fill) results indicated that anurans exhibited a strong nested pattern at both the sampling sites scale and the regional scale. The habitat matrix test results suggested that a small-scale study area requires a correspondingly small habitat-sampling extent to effectively test for habitat nestedness. As the study area expands, the habitat-sampling range can be appropriately increased. The nested pattern of anurans in the vicinity of Chengdu can only be explained by habitat nestedness, as a Spearman's correlation analysis showed that other environmental factors (area size, connectivity index, concentration index, proximity index, and distance to the city center) were not significantly correlated with the nested sequences of sampling points and regions. Therefore, regarding the conservation strategies for anurans in the vicinity of Chengdu, we recommend prioritizing the protection of areas with higher habitat diversity.

Těžba lesního porostu ovlivňuje fenotyp živočichů: případová studie fluktuující asymetrie u střevlíka Notiophilus rufipes (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

We compared the rate of variability in the size of different body parts among three different treatments created by forest management (i.e. clearing, pole-stage stand, ecotone) in the Podyji National Park (Czech Republic). In order to describe changes, we used bioindicative values of the Carabidae (Coleoptera) with the example of Notiophilus rufipes (Curtis, 1829). We conducted fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of ten important metrical traits (e.g. antennal segments, length and width of third palpomer of the labial palpus). We found that specimens have sex specific association to FA of second antennal segment. The interaction of sex and treatment negatively affects the distribution of FA in polestage stand. We revealed that males had higher level of FA in pole-stage stand than females. Ecotones are zones where individuals from diverse habitats interact. Model of FA, with set sex as random effect, have positive association to litter and negative association to Collembola. This research contributes to forest management strategies by demonstrating how human-induced interventions influence eco-evolutionary link between stress and disturbance. The research suggests that for forest management, forest openings in thermophilic oak stands could support phenotypic variation in rare epigeic species.