Ecological Importance Research Articles

Notes on Günther’s Oriental Slender Snake (<i>Trachischium guentheri</i>) from the Himalayan Realm of North Sikkim, India

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is known for its biodiversity, yet it faces substantial threats fromanthropogenic activities and climate change. Despite the ecological importance of the IHR, herpetofaunal studies,especially in the eastern Himalayan State of Sikkim, remain limited. We herein address aspects of natural history ofa fossorial snake, Günther’s Oriental Slender Snake (Trachischium guentheri) in North Sikkim. We encountered 25snakes during field surveys from 30 September to 12 October 2023 in the Lachen region at elevations of 2,549–2,918m asl. Responses of snakes to unusually high rainfall led to increased road mortality during the peak tourist season. Inresponse, we propose two specialized structures, featuring elevated barriers and elaborate hollow, trapezoidal concreteslabs, to mitigate roadkills. We also emphasize the importance of monitoring to identify areas with high traffic wheremeasures to mitigate road mortality should be employed.

Unveiling the mycobiome of ecological importance from termitarium soils

BackgroundTermitarium is an intricate biological home with exceptional physicochemical soil properties and numerous beneficial microbiomes. The termitarium microbiome plays a role in several bionetwork processes. It contributes significantly to sustainable agriculture, forestry, and horticulture. In contrast to the immense number of research works focusing on termitarium bacteria and archaea, the amount of study about termitarium fungal communities is limited. This is despite the fact that fungi significantly contribute to the cycling of energy and matter on Earth. Thus, this study investigates the metagenomic datasets from termitarium soil collected from agricultural soils, to obtain a depiction of their mycobiome of ecological importance.ResultsOur dataset showed that Ascomycota was the most rank phylum, while Basidiomycota was the next in rank. Specifically, we identified numerous fungi of commercially importance, for example, producers of cellulases and cellulosomes. This was strengthened with the presence of functional genes/enzymes capable of promoting plant growth traits and defence system. Analysis further shown that soil properties influenced the distribution of fungal communities. Magnesium, nitrogen, and potassium, for example, were observed to be among the best predictor of fungal distribution and explained 87.40% of the total variation.ConclusionThis study epitomize further insights into the mycobiome of termitarium soils that are of ecological interest. Again, with some of our sequences assembled as uncategorized fungi, further studies are recommended for the evaluation of the metabolic potentials of these fungi as there is a possibility of the discovery of new fungi or genes of industrial or environmental applications.

Structure of herbaceous communities in areas with different natural regeneration periods in the Brazlian semi-arid

The species composition and forest structure may change due to human disturbance. Changes in the arboreal component in regenerating forests has frequently been determined, but data on the herbaceous component are less available, especially those of tropical dry forests, despite their ecological and economic importance. Thus, in regenerating dry forests in the Brazilian semi-arid area, we tested the hypotheses that: (1) richness and diversity of herbaceous species are higher, but biomasses are lower in areas with longer regeneration periods; and (2) the aboveground herbaceous component is restricted to the rainy season, and species diversity, plant density and biomass vary with different patterns along this season. Four regeneration periods were analyzed: 2 (R2), 17 (R17), 39 (R39) and more than 60 years (mature caatinga) after grazed planted pasture was discontinued. The herbaceous component began growing after the onset of the rainy season (January) and disappeared in July after the rains ceased. Richness and plant density were highest in March, whereas biomass was highest in April and May. Mature caatinga and R39 had the highest herbaceous species richness (61 species), but the lowest biomasses (167 and 98 g m-2), with the opposite occurring in R2 (48 and 381 g m-2). Alpha diversity was highest in the mature caatinga, but beta diversity in R17. As a result, the herbaceous diversity increased while the plant density and biomass decreased as the regeneration period increased.

The importance of integrating phycological research, teaching, outreach, and engagement in a changing world.

The ecological, evolutionary, economic, and cultural importance of algae necessitates a continued integration of phycological research, education, outreach, and engagement. Here, we comment on several topics discussed during a networking workshop-Algae and the Environment-that brought together phycological researchers from a variety of institutions and career stages. We share some of our perspectives on the state of phycology by examining gaps in teaching and research. We identify action areas where we urge the phycological community to prepare itself to embrace the rapidly changing world. We emphasize the need for more trained taxonomists as well as integration with molecular techniques, which may be expensive and complicated but are important. An essential benefit of these integrative studies is the creation of high-quality algal reference barcoding libraries augmented with morphological, physiological, and ecological data that are important for studies of systematics and crucial for the accuracy of the metabarcoding bioassessment. We highlight different teaching approaches for engaging undergraduate students in algal studies and the importance of algal field courses, forays, and professional phycological societies in supporting the algal training of students, professionals, and citizen scientists.

Light Color Regulation of Photosynthetic Antennae Biogenesis in Marine Phytoplankton.

Photosynthesis in the world's oceans is primarily conducted by phytoplankton, microorganisms that use many different pigments for light capture. Synechococcus is a unicellular cyanobacterium estimated to be the second most abundant marine phototroph, with a global population of 7 x 1026 cells. This group's success is partly due to the pigment diversity in their photosynthetic light harvesting antennae, which maximize photon capture for photosynthesis. Many Synechococcus isolates adjust their antennae composition in response to shifts in the blue:green ratio of ambient light. This response was named Type 4 chromatic acclimation (CA4). Research has made significant progress in understanding CA4 across scales, from its global ecological importance to its molecular mechanisms. Two forms of CA4 exist, each correlated with the occurrence of one of two distinct but related genomic islands. Several genes in these islands are differentially transcribed by the ambient blue:green light ratio. The encoded proteins control the addition of different pigments to the antennae proteins in blue versus green light, altering their absorption characteristics to maximize photon capture. These genes are regulated by several putative transcription factors also encoded in the genomic islands. Ecologically, CA4 is the most abundant of marine Synechococcus pigment types, occurring in over 40% of the population oceanwide. It predominates at higher latitudes and at depth, suggesting that CA4 is most beneficial under sub-saturating photosynthetic light irradiances. Future CA4 research will further clarify the ecological role of CA4 and the molecular mechanisms controlling this globally important form of phenotypic plasticity.

Detailed biogeographical mapping as a useful novel tool for the conservation of endemic taxa: a case of study for Iberian orchids

Background Iberian orchids occur in plant communities designated as habitats of interest in the European Union, particularly in Mediterranean forests. Their ecological importance highlights the need for a deeper understanding of their distribution and ecological requirements in order to develop effective conservation and management policies. Methods This study focuses on the biogeographical mapping and characterisation of five Iberian and Balearic endemic orchid species at district level. Distribution data were collected from existing biodiversity databases and integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS). In order to assign the correct biogeographical epithet to each taxon, a set of rules and criteria was developed to ensure an objective, simple and universal classification based on the species' distribution areas. Results For each orchid species, the study identified its phytosociological assignment, bioclimatic range and current conservation status. Detailed maps were produced, providing insights into the biogeographical, bioclimatic and phytosociological attributes of these taxa. Conclusions The biogeographical mapping and ecological classification presented in this study provide a basis for effective decision-making regarding the conservation and management of these orchid species. In addition, the results can be used to update their conservation status to better reflect their ecological needs and threats.

Abundance, diet and food availability of Citreoline Trogon (Trogon citreolus) in a regenerating tropical dry forest in the Central Pacific, Mexico

Trogonidae make up a family of birds with a mixed diet composed of fruit and animal matter. However, there is little research examining the foraging ecology of Trogon citreolus in regenerating tropical forest. We studied T. citreolus abundance and diet from November 2020 to April 2022 in a regenerating dry tropical forest of Central Pacific Mexico. Also, we investigate the relationship between food availability and trogon abundance. The relative trogon abundance was 2.6 ± 2.3 individuals per point count, which varied temporally. The species consumed the fruits of 14 plant species from 10 families. The three most consumed species were Ficus cotinifolia, Comocladia engleriana, and Randia gentlei. Trogon citreolus displayed a moderate niche breadth (Best = 0. 420) whit low food diet diversity (H’ = 0.94), and the dominance of a particular type of food (λ = 0.85). Our results demonstrated a positive correlation between trogon abundance and food resource availability. The dietary breadth of T. citreolus enable the species to adapt to fluctuations in fruit availability in regenerating forests. These findings highlight the ecological importance of forest regeneration in providing food resources for T. citreolus and other frugivorous birds.

Genomic and biogeographic characterisation of the novel prasinovirus Mantoniella tinhauana virus 1.

Mamiellophyceae are a ubiquitous class of unicellular green algae in the global ocean. Their ecological importance is highlighted in studies focused on the prominent genera Micromonas, Ostreococcus, and Bathycoccus. Mamiellophyceae are susceptible to prasinoviruses, double-stranded DNA viruses belonging to the nucleocytoplasmic large DNA virus group. Our study represents the first isolation of a prasinovirus in the South China Sea and the only one to infect the globally distributed genus Mantoniella. We conducted a comparative analysis with previously identified viral relatives, encompassing morphological characteristics, host specificity, marker-based phylogenetic placement, and whole-genome sequence comparisons. Although it shares morphological and genetic similarities with established prasinoviruses, this novel virus showed distinct genetic traits, confining its infection to the species Mantoniella tinhauana. We also explored the global biogeography of this prasinovirus and its host by mapping metagenomic data and analysing their relationship with various environmental parameters. Our results demonstrate a pronounced link between the virus and its host, both found predominantly in higher latitudes in the surface ocean. By gaining an increased understanding of the relationships between viruses, hosts, and environments, researchers can better make predictions and potentially implement measures to mitigate the consequences of climate change on oceanic processes.

Characterization of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Pleurogenoides japonicus (Digenea, Pleurogenidae): Comparison With the Members of Microphalloidea and Phylogenetic Implications.

Pleurogenoides japonicus (Trematoda: Microphalloidea) is an important parasite in wood frogs with high infection rates and significant ecological, economic, and societal importance. The scarcity of molecular data for these parasites severely limits population genetics and phylogenetic studies. In the present study, for the first time, we determined and described the entire mitochondrial (mt) genome of P. japonicus as the first representative of the family Pleurogenidae. The entire mt genome of P. japonicus was circular, with 15,043 bp (GenBank accession number OR900118), containing 36 genes, comprising 12 protein-coding genes (cox1-3, nad1-6, nad4L, cytb, and atp6), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and two non-coding regions. There were 23 intergenic spacers, ranging from 2 to 162 bp, and only one 40 bp overlap between nad4L and nad4 genes in the P. japonicus mt genome. The nucleotide composition of P. japonicus mt genome exhibited a strong AT bias with a 63.75% A + T content, while the AT- and GC-skews were - 0.435 and 0.407, respectively. Comparative analysis demonstrated that the P. japonicus mt genome shared the most common characteristics with Microphalloidea trematodes, and the cox1 gene was the longest and most conserved gene in Microphalloidea trematodes. The gene arrangements of Xiphidiata trematodes were of the same order based on protein-coding genes and rRNA genes, except for tRNA. More than two gene arrangement types exist in Echinostomata and Xiphidiata, and the gene rearrangement events mainly occurred in "trnE-trnG" and "trnG-trnE". Phylogenetic analysis suggested that trematodes of the family Pleurogenidae clustered more with Prosthogonimidae than Eucotylidae. The mt genome data of P. japonicus provide an accurate genetic marker for further studies of Xiphidiata trematodes.

Effects of urban eutrophication on pelagic habitat capacity in the Southern California Bight

Land-based nutrient inputs to the ocean have been linked to increased coastal productivity, subsurface acidification and O2 loss, even in upwelling systems like the Southern California Bight. However, whether eutrophication alters the [environment’s] capacity to support key taxa has yet to be evaluated for this region. Here, we assess the impact of land-based nutrient inputs on the availability of aerobic and calcifying habitat for key pelagic taxa using ocean model simulations. We find that acute, lethal conditions are not commonly induced in epipelagic surface waters, but that sublethal, ecologically relevant changes are pervasive. Land-based nutrient inputs reduce the potential aerobic and calcifier habitat during late summer, when viable habitat is at its seasonal minimum. A region of annually recurring habitat compression is predicted 30 – 90 km from the mainland, southeast of Santa Catalina Island. Here, both aerobic and calcifier habitat is vertically compressed by, on average, 25%, but can be as much as 60%. This effect can be traced to enhanced remineralization of organic matter that originates from the coast. These findings suggest that effects of land-based nutrients are not restricted to chemistry but extend to habitat capacity for multiple taxa of ecological and economic importance. Considerable uncertainty exists, however, in how this habitat compression translates to population-level effects.

Highland forest dynamics across equatorial East Africa during the end of the African humid period

Tropical mountain ecosystems hold immense ecological and economic importance, yet they face disproportionate risks from shifting tropical climates. For example, present-day montane vegetation of East Africa is characterized by different plant species that grow in and are restricted to certain elevations due to environmental tolerances. As climate changes and temperature/rainfall zones move on mountains, these species must rapidly adjust their ranges or risk extinction.Paleoenvironmental records offer valuable insights into past climate and ecosystem dynamics, aiding predictions for ongoing climate change impacts. In particular, warming and wetting in tropical East Africa during the mid-Holocene resulted in both lowland and highland forest expansion. However, the relative impacts of rainfall and temperature change on montane ecosystems along with the influence of lowland forest expansion on montane communities is not completely understood. We use fossil pollen to study the vegetation changes in two lakes at different altitudes in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda: Lake Mahoma (Montane Forest belt) and Upper Kachope Lake (Afroalpine belt). Further, using the newly relaunched African Pollen Database and recent temperature reconstructions, we provide a regional synthesis of vegetation changes in the Rwenzori and then compare this with changes observed from other equatorial East African montane sites (particularly Mt Kenya).In the early to mid-Holocene in the Rwenzori Mountains, trees common today in lowland forests dominated, driven largely by warmer temperatures. After 4000 years ago (4ka), Afromontane forest trees along with grasses progressively replaced lowland trees. Not all sites experienced identical transitions. For instance, at Lake Rutundu on Mt Kenya at the same elevation as Lake Mahoma, bamboo expansion preceded Afromontane forest growth, likely influenced by variations in fire. Variance partitioning indicates that each site responded differently to changes in temperature and rainfall. Therefore, these site-specific ecological responses underscore the importance of considering biogeographic legacies as management strategies are developed, despite similarities in modern ecology.

Fatty Acid Composition Analysis of Some Apiaceae Plants Using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID)

Background/aim: The Apiaceae family, also referred to as the parsley or carrot family, comprises a diverse group of plants with significant ecological and economic importance. The fundamental building blocks of plant lipids, fatty acids are involved in a number of critical biological functions. Flame ionization detection in gas chromatography (GC-FID) is a potent analytical method widely used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of fatty acid composition in plant samples. Materials and methods: In this study, we investigated the fatty acid profiles of several Apiaceae plants using GC-FID to elucidate their lipid composition and potential applications. Results: A wide spectrum of fatty acids was confirmed, ranging from C6:0 to C22:6. Astrodaucus orientalis leaf and fruit were found rich in palmitic acid (C16:0; 35.96% and 37.65%, respectively). Ferulago asparagifolia was determined as the richest sample in terms of poly-unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid (C18:2 cis, 25.65%), alpha linoleic acid (C18:3n3, 7.42%) and eicosadienoic acid (C20:2, 32.66%). Ferulago syriaca ethanol and hexane extracts contained considerable amount of oleic acid (C 18:1 n9, 40. 37% and 49.19%, respectively). Conclusion: Our review of the literature revealed that no prior reports have been made about the fatty acid compositions of Astrodaucus orientalis, Ferulago asparagifolia and Ferulago syriaca. As a result, the information provided here may be the first to describe the fatty acid contents of these species. Exploring the lipid profiles of these plants can enhance their potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

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.

Metacollinia emscheri n. sp., a novel sanguicolous apostome ciliate of freshwater amphipods (Gammarus spp.)

We describe a novel sanguicolous parasitic ciliate, Metacollinia emscheri n. sp., found in the freshwater amphipods Gammarus pulex and G. fossarum. This ciliate infected 8.05 % of the amphipods collected in a German stream catchment, the Boye, a tributary of the river Emscher. The ciliate showed morphological characteristics fitting the genus Metacollinia. Different life stages of variable size occurred simultaneously in the hemocoel throughout the hosts’ body. The tomont had 40–47 slightly spiraled kineties, a non-ciliated cortical band, a large macronucleus, and contractile vacuoles arranged in rows or scattered throughout the cytoplasm. The protomites/tomites with nine somatic kineties presented evidence of the buccal kineties x, y, and z reminiscent of those of the order Foettingeriida. Phylogenetic analyses of the 18S rRNA and COI regions confirm the ciliate placement in the Collinidae and a close relatedness to the type species of the genus Metacollinia, Metacollinia luciensis.We formally describe this new parasite as Metacollinia emscheri n. sp. using pathological, morphological, and nuclear/mitochondrial genetic data. The systemic infections observed in histological preparations and the pathogenicity of Metacollinia emscheri n. sp. suggest that this parasite might influence host population dynamics. Given the ecological importance of amphipods as keystone species in freshwater ecosystems, an outbreak of this parasite might indirectly impact ecosystem functioning.

Forecasting the Mediterranean Sea marine heatwave of summer 2022

Abstract. Early warning of marine heatwaves requires short-term forecasts to provide precise information on timings, local-scale coverage, and intensities of coming events. Here, we describe our successful efforts to track the onset, peak, and decay of the Mediterranean Sea marine heatwave of summer 2022 with the Copernicus MedFS short-term (10 d) forecast system. First, we show that the 2022 event eclipses the economically and ecologically damaging event of 2003 in terms of marine heatwave (MHW) activity (a measure of intensity and duration). Forecasts of MHW area and activity provide a means of basin-wide validation, highlighting the capability of MedFS to capture regional behaviour. On local scales, we found that the MHW occurrence in the Ligurian Sea and Gulf of Taranto, two regions of economic and ecological importance, was also reliably forecast. Encouragingly, we note that the forecast has demonstrated skill in capturing not just the season-long MHW cycle but also breaks in MHW persistence and abrupt changes in local activity. Subseasonal forecasts do not yet demonstrate the capacity to predict MHW response to short-lived weather patterns, but this study confirms that short-term forecasts, at least in the Mediterranean Sea, can fill this gap.

Length-based assessment of penaeid shrimp fishery stocks along the north-eastern Arabian Sea

Penaeid shrimps are a key resource in marine fisheries and are of great ecological and economic importance. The north-west (NW) coast of India contributes significantly (~30%) to the penaeid shrimp landings in India. Four species of penaeid shrimps, namelyParapenaeopsis stylifera, Solenocera crassicornis, Metapenaeus affinis, and M. monoceros, were assessed using Length-based spawning potential ratio (SPR) based on the length frequency data collected during 2017-21, from commercial trawlers operating in the depth range of 20-100 m along the north-west coast of India bordering the north-eastern Arabian Sea. The current status (2021) of P. stylifera, S. crassicornis and M. affinis was found to be healthy, with a spawning potential ratio of ≥ 0.40. For M. monoceros, the SPR was slightly below 0.40 (0.34-35), however, considering the fast growth and short generation time for the resources, the stock status can be considered fair. Significant reduction in fishing pressure (F/M < 1.0) and increase in SPR (>0.40) during COVID-19 affected years (2020-21) were evident. The reduction in fishing hours during the pandemic has allowed the resource to regain the target reference point (TRP) for SPR. Declining catches over the past decade for the group are not due to resource depletion but for the shift in species preference and the diversification of trawls in the region, with bottom trawling giving way to pelagic trawling. Keywords: Sustainability, Spawning potential ratio, COVID-19, Penaeid shrimps

Establishing Joint Orientation Angles of the Limbs in Korean Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) Using Computed Tomographic Imaging

Studies are being conducted on the anatomical structures of various wild animals. Despite the ecological importance of the Korean raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis), limited research has been conducted on its anatomical structure. This study is the first to establish a reference range for joint orientation angles in the limbs of the Korean raccoon dog. Joint orientation angles are an unexplored concept not only in Korean raccoon dogs but also in other wildlife. However, they are important in the examination of the skeletal anatomy of humans and companion animals, such as dogs and cats. Because this type of measurement is still emerging in wildlife research, we applied the methodology used in the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Angles were measured between the mechanical or anatomical axis and the joint orientation lines in the thoracic and pelvic limbs of Korean raccoon dogs. No significant differences were observed between the sexes or between the left and right sides. These findings are consistent with those observed in domestic dogs. Based on this study, a reference range of joint orientation angles could be established for Korean raccoon dogs.

Hidden gems: Scattered knowledge hampered freshwater jellyfish research over the past one-and-a-half centuries.

Freshwater jellyfish (= limnic medusa-budding hydrozoans, FWJ) are a small group of cnidarians found on all continents except Antarctica in temperate to tropical latitudes. Members of this group belong primarily to three genera: Astrohydra, Craspedacusta, and Limnocnida. While Astrohydra and Limnocnida are typically restricted to the islands of Japan, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent, one species or potential species complex, Craspedacusta sowerbii, became globally invasive. Despite research going back about one-and-a-half centuries, little is known about their phylogeny and ecology compared to marine jellyfish. Recent species distribution modelling, however, showed that by 2050, C. sowerbii will potentially extend their distribution ranges due to global warming to high-latitude ecosystems and be present (medusa stage) for an extended time in the seasonal limnic production cycle. An increase in their relative ecological importance with temporal and spatial spreading is hypothesised. Only recently, it has been shown that the trophic roles of polyps and medusae and their prey overlap with other ecosystem members. In addition, medusa behaviour may cause trophic cascades and alter vertical nutrient distributions. However, polyps and other benthic life cycle stages are understudied. In globally, changing freshwater ecosystems that may become more accommodating for FWJ, an improved understanding of their population biology and ecosystem ecology is urgently needed. In this integrative review, we, therefore, explore reasons for the hampered historical research progress, contrast developments with those of marine cnidarians, compile and publish alongside an extensive and unprecedented literature database, and formulate avenues for future directions in FWJ research.

The Genome Architecture of the Copepod Eurytemora carolleeae, the Highly Invasive Atlantic Clade of the E. affinis Species Complex.

Copepods are among the most abundant organisms on the planet and play critical functions in aquatic ecosystems. Among copepods, populations of the Eurytemora affinis species complex are numerically dominant in many coastal habitats and are food sources for major fisheries. Intriguingly, certain populations possess the unusual capacity to invade novel salinities on rapid time scales. Despite their ecological importance, high-quality genomic resources have been absent for calanoid copepods, limiting our ability to comprehensively dissect the genome architecture underlying the highly invasive and adaptive capacity of certain populations. Here, we presented the first chromosome-level genome of a calanoid copepod, from the Atlantic clade (Eurytemora carolleeae) of the E. affinis species complex. This genome was assembled using high-coverage long-read and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture sequences of an inbred line, generated through 30 generations of full-sib mating. This genome, consisting of 529.3 megabase (Mb) (contig N50 = 4.2 Mb, scaffold N50 = 140.6 Mb), was anchored onto four chromosomes. Genome annotation predicted 20,262 protein-coding genes, of which ion transporter gene families were substantially expanded based on comparative analyses of 12 additional arthropod genomes. Also, we found genome-wide signatures of historical gene body methylation of the ion transporter genes and the significant clustering of these genes on each chromosome. This genome represents one of the most contiguous copepod genomes to date and among the highest quality marine invertebrate genomes. As such, this genome provides an invaluable resource to help yield fundamental insights into the ability of this copepod to adapt to rapidly changing environments.

Photoinhibition and recovery of primary photosynthesis in Antarctic and subantarctic lichens. Analysis of interspecific differences

This study meticulously investigates the dynamics of photoinhibition and the mechanisms of primary photosynthetic activity recovery in lichens found in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic regions. Advanced methodologies were utilised, such as Kautsky's kinetic analysis and the OJIP test. The study carefully details the response of various lichen species to intense light stress, outlining both immediate effects and subsequent recovery processes. Our findings reveal that these lichens employ a range of adaptive strategies, specific to each species, to mitigate the effects of photoinhibition, thereby emphasizing their remarkable resilience and ecological importance in harsh environments. Notably, the investigation reveals the sophisticated interplay between inherent photoprotective mechanisms and the ecological adaptations that enable these lichens to thrive under such harsh conditions. The study not only advances our knowledge of plant physiology under stress but also enriches our insights into the survival strategies of terrestrial organisms facing global environmental changes. Three types of photoinhibitory treatments differing in their duration and strength were applied to 7 lichen species from Antarctica and South America (Isla Navarino). The lichens responded with a decrease in photosynthetic processes in photosystem II (FV/FM and ΦPSII declined), although they showed almost complete recovery in the following 5 h. This was attributed to the activation of photoprotective mechanisms, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in particular, during photoinhibitory treatments. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters derived from slow Kautsky kinetics were correlated with those derived from the OJIP curve. Our study presents data that supports the conclusion of significant photoresistance of the studied lichen species in the hydrated state to photoinhibition induced by high doses of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR).