Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a highly effective insect pathogen, largely due to the expression of diverse insecticidal proteins upon sporulation. Among them, the three-domain Cry protein family represent the largest family, targeting a wide range of insect species and nematodes. While it is proposed that they have evolved from a common ancestral gene, the comparative analysis of their upstream regulatory regions revealed significant variability. To investigate this divergence, we employed Multiple Expectation maximization for Motif Elicitation (MEME) and Find Individual Motif Occurrences (FIMO) motive discovery tools, to identify conserved regulatory elements, including canonical -10 and -35 promoter motifs and Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequences. Our analyses clearly revealed that upstream regulatory sequences are not conserved across the entire cry family. However, we identify subsets of genes with similar insect specificity which shared conserved motif architectures in their upstream regulatory sequences, suggesting a correlation between regulatory evolution and host range. Conversely, some proteins targeting the same insect order (e.g., Cry1 and Cry9Ca or Cry3 and Cry8) showed to be regulated by entirely different upstream sequences, indicating that Bt has evolved multiple regulatory strategies to achieve similar expression patterns. To test relevance of the upstream sequences, we cloned cry1Ab and cry4Ba genes under the control of heterologous upstream regions: P1P2 from lepidopteran-specific cry1Aa gene, and P4 from dipteran-specific cry4Ba gene. These constructions were expressed in non-toxic Cry- acrystalliferous Bt-backgrounds with distinct host specialization: Bt subsp thuringiensis 407 strain (lepidopteran adapted) and Bt subsp israelensis 4Q7 strain (dipteran adapted). Gene expression was assessed in vitro and in vivo after oral infection of lepidopteran and dipteran larvae with purified spores. Our findings indicate that Cry protein expression is influenced by both, the promoter identity, and Bt strain background, underscoring the evolutionary and functional significance of upstream regulatory sequences in the diversification and ecological success of Bt.

Experimental evidence of ciliate dispersal and successional patterns via endozoochory in temporary aquatic systems.

Relevance. The efficient use of liquefied natural gas in the transportation sector is considered a key factor for achieving economic and ecological success, which can be ensured by accurate prediction of ageing under drainless storage. Aim. To develop a model to predict overall composition of weathered liquefied natural gas, its density and the boil off gas rate, in addition to estimate the required time to reach the maximum allowable working pressure in liquefied natural gas tanks, for a 57.2 m3 tank used in refueling stations without fuel delivery in drainless storage. Methods. The model used vapor-liquid equilibrium equations, material and energy balance equations with employing the Peng–Robinson equation of state to simulate the multicomponent two phases system under wide range of conditions. Results. Indicated that heavier hydrocarbons increase the boil-off gas generating because in the final stages of weathering the heavier hydrocarbons govern the dynamics of boil off gas, accelerating pressure growth rate, thus shortening the drainless storage period. Nitrogen concentration beyond 0,5% will generate more boil-off gas and increase nitrogen presence in boil off gas composition, which reduces its commercial quality while a slight increase in storage duration was noticed. The thermal mass of storage plays a crucial role in storage, initial filling levels up to 80% significantly extended the drainless storage duration and reduced boil-off gas formation in comparison with 50% initial filling levels, while the effect of liquefied natural gas composition is unnoticeable. Ultimately, this study provides a simple applicable mathematical model for the management of liquefied natural gas storage, reduces boil-off gas, and strengthening the safety through liquefied natural gas supply chain.

Bacterial niche colonization relies on multiple factors, among which the metabolic capacity to utilize specific substrates is pivotal. As a gut commensal of humans and other vertebrates acting as an intestinal and extraintestinal opportunistic pathogen, Escherichia coli faces such environmental pressures. We therefore aimed to identify (i) metabolic patterns associated with E. coli lifestyle (commensal versus extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli [ExPEC]) and (ii) ExPEC-specific metabolic features that could help explain the emergence and success of major pandemic clones. Using a pangenomic framework coupled with metabolic pathway prediction, we analyzed 1,498 well-characterized E. coli strains collected over 17 years in France, including adult commensal strains (n = 370) and ExPEC strains involved in severe infections (bloodstream infections from various portals of entry and pneumonia) (n = 1,128). Although metabolism was more conserved than gene content, substantial metabolic diversity was observed, with over 50% pathways being variable, mainly involving biosynthetic and degradation processes. No pathway was specifically associated with lifestyle; metabolic profiles primarily reflected phylogeny. However, several clone-specific metabolic capacities were identified. Some may support extraintestinal survival during infection, such as the 5'-deoxynucleoside recycling pathway enriched in the major ExPEC clone STc69 from phylogroup D. Conversely, in phylogroup B2, clone-specific pathways enabled the degradation of plant-derived compounds, potentially facilitating gut colonization through niche-defining nutrients. Notably, D-apiose degradation pathway analysis revealed a functional pathway strongly associated with the pandemic clones STc131 and STc14. Overall, these lineage-specific metabolic capacities may contribute to the ecological success and dissemination of dominant ExPEC clones.IMPORTANCEAccording to the nutrient-niche hypothesis, bacteria must exploit distinct substrates to grow and persist in their various habitats. Such niche differentiation is at play among the commensal and pathogenic E. coli populations. With this in mind, we search for specific associations between metabolic pathways and strain origin (commensal versus severe extraintestinal infections). Metabolic profiles were predominantly shaped by phylogeny, reflecting the species' clonal structure and the close link between phylogenetic background and lifestyle. Among the lineage-specific determinants, we identified several pathways associated with worldwide spread clones responsible for bloodstream infections, supporting the existence of clone-specific strategies for niche adaptation.

Abstract Vision plays a central role in the ecological success of birds, and morphological specialisations of the eye often reflect habitat use and behavioural strategies. As the principal refractive surface of the eye, the cornea is a key structure for visual performance, and its architecture may reflect ecological specialisation. In this study, we describe ocular morphology and corneal histology in four bird species with contrasting ecological profiles: the Eurasian sparrowhawk ( Accipiter nisus ), the booted eagle ( Hieraaetus pennatus ), the little bittern ( Ixobrychus minutus ), and the stone-curlew ( Burhinus oedicnemus ). Using light and transmission electron microscopy, we analysed morphometric parameters, tissue thickness, and cellular densities in both central and peripheral corneal regions. Interspecific differences were recorded in total corneal thickness, in the thickness of individual layers (epithelium, stroma, Bowman’s and Descemet’s membranes, and endothelium), and in keratocyte, epithelial, and endothelial cell densities. Accipiter nisus and Hieraaetus pennatus , two diurnal predators from open habitats, exhibited thicker corneas with greater stromal compactness and higher endothelial cell density. Ixobrychus minutus , a crepuscular species from dense wetlands, had a proportionally large cornea relative to eye size but reduced thickness, characterised by high epithelial cell density and frequent intracellular vacuolisation, possibly related to osmotic stress. Burhinus oedicnemus , adapted to arid and exposed habitats, presented a thickened Descemet’s membrane and more complex endothelial interdigitations. These descriptive findings document interspecific variation in ocular and corneal organisation among species occupying different ecological niches and establish a morphological reference for future comparative and functional studies.

Pseudomonas species display exceptional metabolic versatility that underpins their ecological success and broad relevance for synthetic biology, environmental microbiology, bioremediation, and bioproduction. A central contributor to this versatility is the ped gene cluster, which encodes pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent dehydrogenases that catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of alcohols and aldehydes. These enzymes support both assimilation and detoxification processes with high catalytic efficiency. This review compiles current knowledge on genetic organization, enzymatic functions, and multi-level regulation of the ped cluster, with a focus on Pseudomonas putida KT2440 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The roles of regulatory components [e.g., the iron (Fe2+)-dependent YiaY dehydrogenase and the hybrid PP_2683 histidine kinase] are examined for their capacity to respond to short-chain alcohols through a complex signal transduction network. Additional genetic elements, including pedF and pedG, along with poorly characterized open reading frames (e.g., pedD, PP_2666, and PP_2678), which support enzymatic maturation, electron flow, and modulation of surface-associated behaviors are likewise considered. Comparative analysis across the Pseudomonas genus showed that ped-like clusters are conserved but display substantial differences in gene content and arrangement, suggesting adaptations to specific ecological contexts. We evaluate these elements in detail to define a reference framework for future mechanistic studies. By bringing together functional and regulatory features of the cluster, our article provides a basis for exploiting the Ped system as a modular platform in applied microbiology. This integrated view aims to guide ongoing and future fundamental and applied research on alcohol oxidation in gram-negative bacteria.

Converting pre-existing gas storage facilities to dihydrogen storage raises critical questions about storage quality and dihydrogen consumption by prokaryotes. To investigate biologically driven changes during such transitions, we analyzed data from five dihydrogen pulse experiments conducted in pressurized bioreactors that replicate deep aquifer pressure and temperature conditions. Our goal was to determine whether consistent community-level responses to dihydrogen injection could be identified. We found that dihydrogen exposure consistently led to a decline in fermentative ASVs, likely driven by environmental filtering. Hydrogenotrophic sulfate reducers initially dominated in some experiments, with total sulfate depletion observed in certain cases, followed by the emergence of methanogenic archaea. In some instances, a succession pattern involving Thermodesulfovibrio and Methanothermobacter appeared across taxonomically distinct communities, suggesting deterministic ecological processes. Additionally, we observed potential dispersal limitation and selection pressures, possibly linked to pH shifts caused by autotrophy. These findings underscore the importance of considering microbial dynamics in dihydrogen storage strategies in deep aquifers and suggest that, despite initial variability, predictable ecological succession may occur under specific geochemical conditions.

Phytotoxic metabolites released by plants can be beneficial or harmful to other plant species that share the same environment. Therefore, studying these metabolites is important to determine the dominance of plant diversity and the natural succession of agroecosystems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic activity of different concentrations of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the leaves and bark of Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan and Tabebuia caraiba (Mart.) Bureau, on germination and anatomical characteristics of lettuce. The treatments were established from the dilution of aqueous (20, 10, 8, 6, 4, and 0%) and ethanolic (20, 10, 8, 6, 4, and 0 mg mL−1) extracts. The percentage of germination, number of abnormal seedlings, germination speed index, average germination time, and tissue anatomy of the lettuce root were evaluated. The tested extracts reduced the germination percentage by up to 36% and the germination speed index by up to 83%; increased the number of abnormal seedlings by up to 81%, causing greater damage to exoderm and xylem tissues. In addition, the average germination time of lettuce increased by up to three days. Therefore, both species studied have allelopathic potential on the germinal metabolism of lettuce.

Abstract. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages are key indicators for reconstructing past environmental conditions due to their ecological preference and preservation potential. This study investigates the hard-shelled benthic foraminifera of Edisto Inlet; an Antarctic fjord located on the Northern Victoria Land Coast (Ross Sea). The Inlet is characterized by a well-preserved Holocene laminated sedimentary sequence, providing an invaluable tool to reconstruct local and regional environmental changes. Living and fossil assemblages from the upper 5 cm of sediment were analysed across five sites along an inner-to-outer fjord transect to assess their ecological preferences and preservation patterns. Sites located on the inner fjord are characterized by high accumulation rates, low dry densities, fine grain sizes, and elevated content of organic carbon, indicative of high phytodetrital input and anoxic, reducing conditions probably derived by the burial of fresh organic matter. The surface sediments at these sites host low-diversity low-densities living assemblages but are abundant in dead specimens, suggesting substantial mortality events probably linked to post-sea-ice breakup, high organic matter flux to the bottom, and oxygen depletion associated with low current activity. Total assemblages are characterised by calcareous (Globocassidulina biora, G. subglobosa) and agglutinated (Paratrochammina bartrami, Portatrochammina antarctica) taxa, reflecting sluggish circulation along with a high input of fresh organic matter. A sharp decline in calcareous forms points to intense carbonate dissolution caused by the low redox potential within the sediment that develops during the year. In contrast, transitional and outer sites show more diverse and better-preserved assemblages, including Trifarina angulosa, Nodulina dentaliniformis, Reophax scorpiurus and Globocassidulina spp. among others, consistent with stronger bottom currents and more oxygenated conditions of the outer bay in respect to the inner fjord sites. The site located at the fjord mouth reveals distinct fossil faunas, likely shaped by ecological succession and/or dissolution, highlighting the high environmental variability of this setting. Resistant agglutinated species (Pseudobolivina antarctica, Paratrochammina bipolaris, Miliammina arenacea) dominate these areas, underscoring their potential value for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Comparison with the succession of the palaeocommunity collected in a nearby marine sediment core (TR17-08) suggests recent improvements in bottom conditions and organic matter content, though key taxa have not recovered to Late Holocene (3600–1500 years BP) levels. These findings highlight the sensitivity of benthic foraminiferal communities to sea-ice dynamics, organic matter input, and hydrographic conditions in Antarctic fjord systems.

Mining for fossil fuels and minerals generates spoil heaps and open pits, which have significant environmental impacts in addition to their economic contributions. Afforestation of these disturbed areas can improve soil properties, thereby increasing the functionality and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the extent of changes in soil properties following afforestation varies depending on the methods used for tree introduction. There is a need for knowledge on the effects of afforestation on soil properties, especially in post-mining Techonosols. Therefore, the objective of this research is to evaluate the effects of three afforestation methods, succession on barren spoil top (SBT), succession on reclaimed topsoil (STS), and plantation on reclaimed topsoil (PTS), on soil properties in a coal post-mining site. Soil samples were collected from 30 randomly established plots (10 × 10m) for physical and chemical analyses, focusing on the upper layer (0-10cm depth). The collected samples were analyzed for soil texture, bulk density (BD), porosity, air capacity, capillary water capacity (CWC), moisture content (MC), exchangeable base cations (Ca2⁺, Mg2⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺), total organic carbon (SOCt), SOC fractions, total nitrogen (Nt), and total sulfur (St). The results showed that PTS had significantly higher CWC, Nt, Ca2⁺, K⁺, occluded light fraction of carbon (ColF), and mineral-associated carbon fraction (CMAF) compared to SBT. These improvements highlight the effectiveness of active reclamation in enhancing soil structure stability, nutrient retention, and long-term carbon stabilization, critical elements for post-mining ecosystem restoration. In contrast, SBT had greater porosity, Mg2⁺, and free light fraction of carbon (CflF) than STS. In addition, SBT had greater St compared to STS and PTS. This indicates that both natural succession and active restoration contribute to soil change through different mechanisms. Therefore, the choice between afforestation strategies should depend on factors such as restoration objectives, topsoil availability, and resource constraints, as active restoration is labor-intensive and costly.

Invasive species pose a critical threat to biodiversity, often endangering ecologically naive endemic fauna. The avian vampire fly, Philornis downsi Dodge & Aitken, 1968 (Diptera: Muscidae), a semi-hematophagous ectoparasite introduced to the Galápagos Islands, has caused severe declines in endemic and native bird populations, including Darwin’s finches. Yet, the physiological mechanisms enabling its ecological success remain largely unexplored. Here, we describe the first metabolome study of P. downsi, identifying 806 metabolites (78% confirmed by standards) across 2 developmental stages (larvae and adults) and from 2 ecological contexts (collected from natural habitats and reared under laboratory conditions). Global metabolomics analysis revealed pronounced stage- and sex-specific metabolic reprogramming in response to ecological context. Wild females showed enriched pathways linked to reproductive investment and environmental resilience, including α-linolenic acid, nicotinamide, and ascorbate metabolism. Wild males exhibited elevated lipid signaling, one-carbon metabolism, and phosphonate pathways, suggesting adaptations to reproductive demands and environmental variability. In contrast, lab-reared adults displayed more constrained metabolic profiles dominated by carbohydrate and vitamin metabolism, indicative of physiological canalization under nutrient-rich conditions. Larvae exhibited the most extensive metabolic divergence. Wild larvae were enriched in pathways related to amino acid turnover, antioxidant defenses, and membrane lipid remodeling, patterns reflecting developmental plasticity under fluctuating ecological pressures. Lab-reared larvae, conversely, exhibited upregulation in fructose and mannose metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism, likely reflecting metabolic optimization for growth efficiency. These findings provide molecular insight into the physiological plasticity and invasion success of P. downsi, informing refinements in mass rearing for control strategies.

Those ancient teeth and the endurance predator: Dentition and human heat adaptation.

Multiple origins, singular success: genomic evidence for past recurrent hybridization in Chenopodium album s. str. (Amaranthaceae).

ABSTRACTGrazing and land abandonment trigger ecological succession and can affect plant communities by determining the relative importance of ecological assembly rules. A thorough understanding of these processes requires the implementation of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity, along with knowledge of how they relate to each other in response to disturbance. We carried out survey on 120 plots and calculated taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity, the diversity's dimensionality, as well as the community weighted means to detect species functional response to changes in land‐use. Extensive grazing supported highest taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. Whereas intense grazing had lowest diversity values. Abandoned grasslands resulted in differences between time periods, with past abandonment decreasing in diversity as succession advances. Functional diversity weakly varied among land‐use categories, yet the CWM analysis highlighted an increase in conservative resource‐use strategies through succession, and avoidance mechanisms with an increase in acquisitive traits in grazed communities. The importance of metrics in explaining the variation of the biodiversity space varied according to land‐use categories, where to the diversity of intensive grazing and past abandonment contributed most phylogenetic diversity, for intermediate grazing and recent abandonment the variation was explained mostly by functional diversity, and we found equal contribution between phylogenetic and functional diversity in extensive grazing. Our study suggests that reality is more complex than the simple paradigm that mechanisms of habitat filtering and limiting similarity lead to less and more diverse communities, highlighting the importance to treat the three diversity components as complementary. This knowledge supports management practices in grasslands experiencing grazing intensification or abandonment, especially in protected areas where legislation imposes responsibility for conservation action.

Biofouling growth study in offshore mooring ropes.

Abstract While disturbances are essential for biodiversity, their escalation driven by climate change may threaten forest ecosystems. Contrasting approaches to adapt forests to disturbances—intensifying management versus encouraging natural succession towards more mature ecosystems—have sparked a debate about whether protection influences forests' vulnerability to disturbance. This question, however, has barely been investigated. Natura 2000 network is the backbone of biodiversity protection in Europe. We compared the long‐term incidence of harvesting, wildfires and drought‐driven forest dieback inside and outside Natura 2000 areas in Catalonia (NE Spain) by combining remote sensing‐derived maps of harvesting and wildfires (1985–2023), an exhaustive ground survey on forest dieback (2012–2023) and forest characteristics extracted from 3400 permanent plots inventoried in 1990, 2000 and 2015. From 1985 to 2023, remote sensing‐identified wildfires and harvesting affected 20% of the total forest area, with 60% attributed to harvesting and 40% to wildfires, highlighting the strong influence of wildfires on Mediterranean landscapes. From 2012 to 2023, the forest area affected by drought‐driven dieback (11%) matched the sum of the area of wildfires and harvesting for the same period or that of wildfires for 40 years, which suggests an increasing impact of drought‐driven dieback. Harvesting occurrence and intensity were significantly higher outside Natura 2000 sites, whereas protection did not influence wildfires or dieback, triggered by environmental and forest characteristics, that is, bioclimatic region, topography or leaf habit. Ultimately, a higher harvesting intensity did not prevent forests from experiencing drought‐driven dieback later. Synthesis and applications . Lower forest harvesting in Natura 2000 sites may align with socio‐economic barriers often claimed by local communities, but protection does not influence vulnerability to other disturbances. In a general scenario of reduced forest harvesting in the region, we argue that differences in harvesting due to protection are statistically significant but ecologically irrelevant in influencing wildfires or drought‐driven dieback. Moreover, beyond protection status, the lack of effects of the current harvesting intensities in halting drought‐driven dieback suggests they may be insufficient for supporting forests' adaptation to climate change. Additionally, other measures (e.g. promoting more drought‐tolerant tree species and genotypes) should also be considered.

As symbiotic complexes formed through the association of bacteria or algae with fungi, lichens exhibit exceptional adaptability to extreme environments and function as pioneer species in rocky habitat ecological succession. The absence of high quality chromosome-level genome has constrained investigations into lichen adaptive evolution, while functional contributions of symbiotic bacterial communities remain inadequately explored. This study presents the chromosome-level genome assembly of the mycobiont Cladonia uncialis, comprising 28 chromosomes with a total size of 43.49 Mb, generated through integrated PacBio HiFi and Hi-C methodologies. We characterized the symbiotic microbiota using integrated short and long-read sequencing and constructed 31 metagenome-assembled genomes. The community was dominated by Ascomycota (41.16%), Proteobacteria (17.61%), and Bacteroidota (14.20%). Long-read sequencing significantly enhanced detection sensitivity for low-abundance taxa. This study provides essential genomic resources and comprehensive profiles of the symbiotic microbiota, enabling mechanistic exploration of adaptive evolution within lichen symbiotic systems under extreme environmental conditions.

Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes are essential indicators of environmental transformation and anthropogenic pressure. This study examined the spatio-temporal dynamics of LULC and agricultural land transformation in the drought-prone Hura Block of Purulia District, West Bengal, India, from 2017 to 2024. Employing Sentinel-2 Level 2A satellite imagery and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the study classifies major land cover categories such as cropland, built-up areas, tree cover, and rangeland and quantifies transitions through spatial overlay techniques and transition matrix analysis in ArcGIS. The findings revealed that croplands, although predominant (averaging 72.61% of the block’s area), experienced a significant decline, contracting to 63.86% by 2023. The reduction in cropland was primarily due to its conversion into rangeland (48.32%), followed by tree cover (35.67%) and built-up areas (13.96%). Built-up areas steadily expanded from 3.87% in 2017 to 5.54% in 2024, reflecting urbanization and infrastructure development in the region. Tree cover increased from 9.20% to 13.23% over the same period, largely due to land abandonment and ecological succession rather than afforestation. Rangelands exhibited volatility, absorbing substantial cropland outflow over the six-year study period. Overall, the findings underscore the dual trajectory of cropland contraction alongside the expansion of rangelands and built-up areas, driven by population pressure, unplanned development, and ecological processes such as the land degradation. These transitions threaten agricultural stability, food security, and the health of ecosystems. This study emphasizes the urgent need for integrated land management strategies that protect croplands, promote sustainable practices, and regulate urban growth to balance ecological conservation and socio-economic development.

Drosophila species serve as key models for microbiota research due to their relatively simple microbial communities. However, microbial diversity and dynamics in Neotropical Andean Drosophila remain underexplored. Here we applied shotgun metagenomics to characterize the microbiota of 24 Neotropical Drosophila species from Ecuador, reconstructing 64 high-quality bacterial genomes predominantly from Acetobacteraceae and Enterobacterales. Microbial communities were consistently dominated by yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, and Wolbachia. Comparative analyses revealed no strong correlation between host phylogeny and microbial community composition, suggesting environmental factors and microbial interactions shape these communities. Notably, shifts in relative abundances indicate dynamic ecological succession and metabolic cooperation among microbes. These findings expand genomic resources for Drosophila-associated bacteria and highlight the complex ecological processes influencing host-microbiota relationships in natural populations.

Pheromone-mediated chemical communication plays a central role in shaping the social organization and ecological success of S. invicta, a globally invasive eusocial insect characterized by a highly developed semiochemical signaling system. This review summarizes recent advances in the chemical ecology of S. invicta, with emphasis on the putative ecological roles of major pheromone classes, current understanding of the molecular and neurobiological basis of pheromone perception and signal processing, and the associations between chemical cues and colony-level social behavior dynamics. Furthermore, we evaluate progress in pheromone-based management approaches, including pheromone-enhanced baits and trail disruption techniques, highlighting both their potential to improve the specificity and efficacy of fire ant management and the current practical limitations for large-scale field applications. Finally, current significant knowledge gaps and challenges are discussed, particularly the partial characterization of pheromone identity, the ambiguous and biological significance of chemical cues, and challenges in applying laboratory research in pest management under field conditions. By linking chemical ecology, neurobiology, and invasion biology to pest management, this review outlines priority directions for future research and provides a theoretical foundation for developing more sustainable, targeted pest control approaches for fire ant management.