Extinction Research Articles

Pseudopus pannonicus (Squamata), the largest known anguid lizard-Redescription of the type material and new specimens from the Neogene and Quaternary of Hungary and Poland.

Herein, we revise the material of the extinct taxon Pseudopus pannonicus from Central Europe, the largest known anguid lizard and iconic member of herpetofaunas from the Upper Cenozoic of Europe. The geographical position of Polgárdi 2, the type locality of P. pannonicus, as well as several other closely located important localities make Central Europe a valuable area of high interest for studies regarding European Cenozoic palaeoherpetological assemblages. We clarified the nature of the type material of Pseudopus pannonicus, showing that it consisted not only of the five specimens originally figured. Instead, the syntype series also includes a considerable number of specimens from Polgárdi 2 that were only described or figured 12 years after the original description of P. pannonicus. Detailed osteological descriptions are provided for specimens from the type series and Polish specimens, with the aid of high-resolution imaging (SEM and μCT scanning), and intraspecific variability is discussed. The articular surface with the lappet of the parietal overlapping the frontal is discussed as a character potentially relevant for the diagnosis of P. pannonicus. We updated the identification of several specimens of P. pannonicus and discussed the biogeographic implications of such revisions. In Poland, P. pannonicus is an abundant component of Neogene and early Quaternary herpetofaunas, known with certainty from the Middle Miocene of Przeworno (the oldest known occurrence of the species globally), the Early-Late Pliocene of Węże I, the Late Pliocene of Rębielice Królewskie I, the Late Pliocene of Węże II, and the Early Pleistocene of Kadzielnia (one of the youngest occurrences documented globally). An indeterminate anguine with Anguis affinities is newly reported from Rębielice Królewskie II. The taxonomic status of other large anguids from the Neogene of Europe is discussed and we conclude that most are junior synonyms of P. pannonicus. We also show that another purported synonym, that is, Ophisaurus intermedius from the Early Pleistocene of Romania, is instead a nomen nudum. We conducted phylogenetic analyses (18 taxa, 65 characters) to understand the relationship of P. pannonicus relative to other anguid representatives and anguid-related group (i.e., glyptosaurids). A single most parsimonious tree (length: 134 steps) was recovered. The clade Pseudopus is stable, comprising the two distinct sister subclades [Pseudopus laurillardi + Pseudopus ahnikoviensis] and [Pseudopus pannonicus + Pseudopus apodus]. These phylogenetic results are in accordance with previously published works.

Species pool and soil properties in mangrove habitats influence the species-immigration process of diazotrophic communities across southern China.

Microbial immigration is an ecological process in natural environments; however, the ecological trade-off mechanisms that govern the balance between species extinction and migration are still lacking. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the migration of diazotrophic communities from soil to leaves across six natural mangrove habitats in southern China. The results showed that the diazotrophic alpha and beta diversity exhibited significant regional and locational variations. The diazotrophic species pool gradually increased from the leaves to nonrhizosphere soil at each site, exhibiting a vertical distribution pattern. Mantel test analyses suggested that climate factors, particularly mean annual temperature, significantly influenced the structure of the diazotrophic community. The diazotrophic community assembly was mainly governed by dispersal limitation in soil and root samples, whereas dispersal limitation and ecological drift were dominant in leaves. Partial least squares path modeling revealed that the species pool and soil properties, particularly the oxidation-reduction potential and pH, were closely linked to the species-immigration ratio of diazotrophic communities. Our study provides novel insights for understanding the ecological trait diversity patterns and spread pathways of functional microbial communities between below- and aboveground habitats in natural ecosystems.IMPORTANCEEnvironmental selection plays key roles in microbial transmission. In this study, we have provided a comprehensive framework to elucidate the driving patterns of the ecological trade-offs in diazotrophic communities across large-scale mangrove habitats. Our research revealed that Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Marinobacterium lutimaris, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens were more abundant in root-associated soil than in leaves by internal and external pathways. The nonrhizospheric and rhizospheric soil samples harbored the most core amplicon sequence variants, indicating that these dominant diazotrophs could adapt to broader ecological niches. Correlation analysis indicated that the diversities of the diazotrophic community were regulated by biotic and abiotic factors. Furthermore, this study found a lower species immigration ratio in the soil than in the leaves. Both species pool and soil properties regulate the species-immigration mechanisms of the diazotrophic community. These results suggest that substantial species immigration is a widespread ecological process, leading to alterations in local community diversity across diverse host environments.

Crime control of illegal wildlife trade in Poland

Since Poland joined the European Union, it has become, after the US, the second-largest market for live animal specimens protected by the provisions of the Washington Convention. In addition, it is a transit country for a significant number of specimens (live plants or animals, or products derived from them) destined for buyers in Western Europe, due to Poland's eastern border which is one of the longest EU borders and at the same time the first in the way of illegal wildlife trade [Drzazga, 2020]. The effectiveness of international efforts to counter this phenomenon and its global consequences strongly depends on the actions taken by individual countries that are exporters or importers of extinct and endangered species. That is why it is so important to raise the quality of social control of this phenomenon also in Poland. The main purpose of the article is to present the results of qualitative research on social control of illegal wildlife trade in Poland. Before discussing them, the necessary terminological clarifications will be introduced and the reasons for addressing the topic will be presented.

The Diversity of MOF Structures and Their Impact on Photoelectrochemical Sensors for Monitoring Environmental Pollution

The problem of environmental pollution is one of the most important in the modern world. Pollution causes an increase in human diseases, the extinction of many species of plants and animals, global warming, and many weather anomalies. One of the great challenges for scientists is the development of methods for monitoring and removing the emerging pollutants. This review focuses on Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and their use as working material to construct different types of sensors for application in environmental pollution monitoring. In particular, the detection of heavy metals (mercury, lead, and arsenic) and organic compounds (drugs, biomolecules, and pesticides) are considered. The collected data show that photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors based on MOFs are the most fascinating materials due to various combinations (e.g., surface modification) and operational possibilities. PEC sensors achieve enormous sensitivity, which increases even to the pico level, making it the best tool in sensing applications. This review also highlights the main sensor challenges. Most of them are concerned with the possibility of reusing the sensor, its regeneration, and safe disposal. In addition, more attention should be paid to the sensor manufacturing process, which often uses toxic compounds, and research to eliminate them in favor of non-toxic compounds.

Clinging on the brink: Whole genomes reveal human-induced population declines and severe inbreeding in the Critically Endangered Emirati Leaf-toed Gecko (Asaccus caudivolvulus).

Human-mediated habitat destruction has had a profound impact on increased species extinction rates and population declines worldwide. The coastal development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the last two decades, serves as an example of how habitat transformation can alter the landscape of a country in just a few years. Here, we study the genomic implications of habitat transformation in the Critically Endangered Emirati Leaf-toed Gecko (Asaccus caudivolvulus), the only endemic vertebrate of the UAE. We generate a high-quality reference genome for this gecko, representing the first reference genome for the family Phyllodactylidae, and produce whole-genome resequencing data for 23 specimens from 10 different species of leaf-toed geckos. Our results show that A. caudivolvulus has consistently lower genetic diversity than any other Arabian species of Asaccus, suggesting a history of ancient population declines. However, high levels of recent inbreeding are recorded among populations in heavily developed areas, with a more than 50% increase in long runs of homozygosity within a 9-year period. Moreover, results suggest that this species does not effectively purge deleterious mutations, hence making it more vulnerable to future stochastic threats. Overall, results show that A. caudivolvulus is in urgent need of protection, and habitat preservation must be warranted to ensure the species' survival.

Reinforcing effects of fentanyl analogs found in illicit drug markets.

The potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, and its analogs, continue to drive opioid-related overdoses. Although the pharmacology of fentanyl is well characterized, there is little information about the reinforcing effects of clandestine fentanyl analogs (FAs). Here, we compared the effects of fentanyl and the FAs acetylfentanyl, butyrylfentanyl, and cyclopropylfentanyl on drug self-administration in male and female rats. These FAs feature chemical modifications at the carbonyl moiety of the fentanyl scaffold. Sprague-Dawley rats fitted with intravenous jugular catheters were placed in chambers containing two nose poke holes. Active nose poke responses resulted in drug delivery (0.2 mL) over 2s on a fixed-ratio 1 schedule, followed by a 20s timeout. Acquisition doses were 0.01mg/kg/inj for fentanyl and cyclopropylfentanyl, and 0.03mg/kg/inj for acetylfentanyl and butyrylfentanyl. After 10 days of acquisition, dose-effect testing was carried out, followed by 10 days of saline extinction. Self-administration of fentanyl and FAs was acquired by both male and female rats, with no sex differences in acquisition rate. Fentanyl and FAs showed partial inverted-U dose-effect functions; cyclopropylfentanyl and fentanyl had similar potency, while acetylfentanyl and butyrylfentanyl were less potent. Maximal response rates were similar across drugs, with fentanyl and cyclopropylfentanyl showing maximum responding at 0.001mg/kg/inj, acetylfentanyl at 0.01mg/kg/inj, and butyrylfentanyl at 0.003mg/kg/inj. No sex differences were detected for drug potency, efficacy, or rates of extinction. Our work provides new evidence that FAs display significant abuse liability in male and female rats, which suggests the potential for compulsive use in humans.

Headbutting through time: A review of this hypothesized behavior in "dome-headed" fossil taxa.

Headbutting is a combative behavior most popularly portrayed and exemplified in the extant bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). When behaviorally proposed in extinct taxa, these organisms are oft depicted Ovis-like as having used modified cranial structures to combatively slam into one another. The combative behavioral hypothesis of headbutting has a long and rich history in the vertebrate fossil literature (not just within Dinosauria), but the core of this behavioral hypothesis in fossil terrestrial vertebrates is associated with an enlarged osseous cranial dome-an osteological structure with essentially no current counterpart. One confounding issue found in the literature is that while the term "headbutting" sounds simplistic enough, little terminology has been used to describe this hypothesized behavior. And pertinent to this special issue, potential brain trauma and the merits of such proposed pugilism have been assessed largely from the potential deformation of the overlying osseous structure; despite the fact that extant taxa readily show that brain damage can and does occur without osteological compromise. Additionally, the extant taxa serving as the behavioral counterpart for comparison are critical, not only because of the combative behaviors and morphologies they display, but also the way they engage in such behavior. Sheep (Ovis), warthogs (Phacochoerus), and bison (Bison) all engage in various forms of "headbutting", but the cranial morphologies and the way each engages in combat is markedly different. To hypothesize that an extinct organism engaged in headbutting like an extant counterpart in theory implies specific striking:contacting surfaces, speed, velocity, and overall how that action was executed. This review examines the history and usage of the headbutting behavioral hypothesis in these dome-headed fossil taxa, their respective extant behavioral counterparts, and proposes a protocol for specific behavioral terms relating to headbutting to stem future confusion. We also discuss the disparate morphology of combative cranial structures in the fossil record, and the implications of headbutting-induced brain injury in extinct taxa. Finally, we conclude with some potential implications for artistic reconstructions of fossil taxa regarding this behavioral repertoire.

The influence of extratropical cross-tropopause mixing on the correlation between ozone and sulfate aerosol in the lowermost stratosphere

Abstract. The chemical composition of the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere region (UTLS) is influenced by horizontal transport of air masses, vertical transport within convective systems and warm conveyor belts, rapid turbulent mixing, as well as photochemical production or loss of species. This results in the formation of the extratropical transition layer (ExTL), which is defined by the vertical structure of CO and has been studied until now mostly by means of trace gas correlations. Here, we extend the analysis to include aerosol particles and derive the sulfate–ozone correlation in central Europe from aircraft in situ measurements during the CAFE-EU (Chemistry of the Atmosphere Field Experiment over Europe)/BLUESKY mission. The mission probed the UTLS during the COVID-19 period with significantly reduced anthropogenic emissions. We operated a compact time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (C-ToF-AMS) to measure the chemical composition of non-refractory aerosol particles in the size range from about 40 to 800 nm. In our study, we find a correlation between the sulfate mass concentration and O3 in the lower stratosphere. The correlation exhibits some variability exceeding the mean sulfate–ozone correlation over the measurement period. Especially during one flight, we observed enhanced mixing ratios of sulfate aerosol in the lowermost stratosphere, where the analysis of trace gases shows tropospheric influence. However, back trajectories indicate that no recent mixing with tropospheric air occurred within the last 10 d. Therefore, we analyzed volcanic eruption databases and satellite SO2 retrievals from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) for possible volcanic plumes and eruptions to explain the high amounts of sulfur compounds in the UTLS. From these analyses and the combination of precursor and particle measurements, we conclude that gas-to-particle conversion of volcanic SO2 leads to the observed enhanced sulfate aerosol mixing ratios.

Are Rattus rattus fleas invasive? Evaluation of flea communities in invasive and native rodents in Chile.

Co-invasion, characterized by the simultaneous introduction of hosts and parasites with the latter establishing themselves in native hosts, is a phenomenon of ecological concern. Rattus rattus, a notorious invasive species, has driven the extinction and displacement of numerous avian and mammalian species and serves as a key vector for diseases affecting both humans and wildlife. Among the parasites hosted by R. rattus are fleas, which exhibit obligate parasitic behaviour, a generalist nature and high prevalence, increasing the likelihood of flea invasion. Simultaneously, invasive species can serve as hosts for native parasites, leading to potential amplification or dilution of parasite populations in the environment. In Chile, R. rattus has been present since the 17th century because of the arrival of the Spanish colonizers through the ports and has spread throughout urban, rural and wild Chilean territories. This study aims to evaluate whether co-invasion of native fleas of invasive rats occurs on native rodents in Chile and to determine whether black rats have acquired flea native to Chile during their invasion. For this, we captured 1132 rodents from 26 localities (20° S-53° S). Rattus rattus was found coexisting with 11 native rodent species and two species of introduced rodents. Among the native rodents, Abrothrix olivacea and Oligoryzomys longicaudatus exhibited more extensive sympatry with R. rattus. We identified 14 flea species associated with R. rattus, of which only three were native to rats: Xenopsylla cheopis, Leptopsylla segnis and Nosopsyllus fasciatus. These three species presented a higher parasite load in black rats compared to native fleas. Leptopsylla segnis and N. fasciatus were also found associated with native rodent species that cohabit with R. rattus. The remaining species associated with R. rattus were fleas of native rodents, although they were less abundant compared to those associated with native rodents, except for Neotyphloceras pardinasi and Sphinctopsylla ares. Although there has been evidence of flea transmission from rats to native species, the prevalence and abundance were relatively low. Therefore, it cannot be definitively concluded that these fleas have established themselves in native rodent populations, and hence, they cannot be classified as invasive fleas. This study underscores R. rattus' adaptability to diverse environmental and geographical conditions in Chile, including its capacity to acquire fleas from native rodents. This aspect has critical implications for public health, potentially facilitating the spread of pathogens across various habitats where these rats are found.

Reintroduced, but not accepted: Stakeholder perceptions of beavers in Germany

Abstract While reintroductions of regionally extinct native species usually benefit ecosystems, reintroduced animals often struggle to locate appropriate habitats where they can establish themselves without conflict with humans. European beavers (Castor fiber) were successfully reintroduced to Germany almost 60 years ago and have reached high abundances again. As beavers can damage trees and change landscapes, they are increasingly in conflict with humans. We investigated human perceptions of beavers in Germany using an online survey, as they are an example of a reintroduced species with an expanding population and potential conflicts with humans. We asked participants about their emotions (anger, fear, interest, joy) towards beavers and what they consider to be acceptable beaver habitats. Of nearly 1500 survey participants, 803 (53%) were from the general public, 475 (32%) from the agricultural sector and 219 (15%) from forestry. People in these sectors had very different perspectives: beavers were positively perceived by the general public, but negatively by stakeholders working in agriculture and forestry. Independently of stakeholder groups, we also found regional differences, as participants from Bavaria—the German state with the highest beaver densities—viewed beavers more negatively than those from the rest of Germany. Zoos and wildlife parks, as well as urban and nature conservation areas, were considered to be the most acceptable habitats for beavers, whereas survey participants did not accept private gardens and cultivated areas as beaver habitats. We discuss the sources of negative emotions towards beavers and how ecologically suitable habitats differ from those that appear acceptable by humans. Even 60 years after their reintroduction, beavers in Germany are still being recognized as both a novelty and a nuisance. Our findings highlight the need for active beaver management and increased public engagement to enable positive coexistence between beavers and humans in Germany. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Predicting behavior in extinct reptiles from quantitative analysis of trigeminal osteological correlates

IntroductionVertebrate sensory systems are in close contact with surrounding tissues, often leaving bony signatures behind. These bony features are the keys to assessing variation in sensory systems in fossil taxa. The trigeminal sensory system (e.g., trigeminal ganglion, ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular divisions) has osteological correlates throughout the skull, including the braincase (e.g., trigeminal fossa, prootic notch, ophthalmic and maxillomandibular foramina) and rostrum (e.g., mandibular canal, neurovascular foramina).MethodsHere we measured and compared these features among a morphologically, phylogenetically, and ecologically diverse sample of sauropsids to determine strength of osteological correlates and to explore ecomorphological trends. We determined several suitable osteological correlates for trigeminal soft tissue features and discounted foramen count alone as a suitable osteological correlate. However, when size was accounted for, foramen count becomes a useful indicator of sensory ecology.Results and discussionAmong extant taxa, those engaging in tactile sensory behaviors with the face exhibit relatively larger trigeminal tissues and osteological correlates than those not engaging in tactile sensory behaviors. Though patterns are unclear among several clades, both relative feature sizes and models used to predict sensory capacity reveal a trend of increasing tactile sensitivity along the pseudosuchian lineage. Overall, a quantitative assessment of ecomorphological trends of trigeminal osteological correlates proves informative for the hypotheses of sensory behavior in extinct taxa and supports the use of similar assessment methods for other osteological correlates.

Still little evidence of poleward range shifts in the tropics, but lowland biotic attrition may be underway

AbstractSixteen years ago, Colwell et al. (2008: Global warming, elevational range shifts, and lowland biotic attrition in the wet tropics. Science, 322, 258) affirmed predictions that climate change and rising global temperatures would lead to widespread upslope range shifts of tropical species but predicted that poleward range shifts would be unlikely within the terrestrial wet tropics, because of the shallow latitudinal temperature gradient. They also predicted “biotic attrition” (a net loss of species) in equatorial lowlands, where no warmer regions exist as a source of more‐thermophilic species to replace species shifting upslope. Based on three recently published literature reviews of range shifts, covering more than 450 studies and thousands of species worldwide, we document more than 20 cases of elevational range shifts within the tropics, but we find no unambiguous examples of a latitudinal range shift for any fully tropical terrestrial species. In contrast, outside the tropics, the majority of documented range shifts are latitudinal. We summarize the state of knowledge about climate‐driven species range shifts in the terrestrial tropics and highlight the potential for climate change to cause extensive and widespread declines in lowland alpha diversity.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

Climate Change Competency Assessment: Focus on Lower Order Thinking Skills (LOTS)

In light of the increasingly dire consequences of climate change, fostering environmental literacy within the educational system has become an imperative. By measuring student competency, we can ensure future generations are empowered to become responsible stewards of the environment and active participants in tackling this global challenge. Thus, this study aims to assess the science students’ competency in factors that affect climate, the effects of changing climate, and how to adapt accordingly. The subjects of this study were thirty-one (31) science students, third-year and fourth-year students, composed of 8 males and 23 females who have taken the subject Environmental Science. Results show that students have a higher level of knowledge in competencies 1 and 2, namely: (1) Relate species extinction to the failure of the populations of organisms to adapt to abrupt changes in the environment, and (2) Explain how different factors affect the climate of an area. However, the present investigation yielded no statistically significant differences in climate change competency based on sex or year level, suggesting a potentially homogenous knowledge base regarding climate change across the studied demographic.

Trade-off and chaotic dynamics in a two-prey one-predator model with refuge, environmental noise and seasonal effects

In nature, poisonous prey species have developed toxins as an attack against predators. However, predator’s decisions to consume aposematic toxic prey are not solely determined by their toxicity. Predators often weigh the costs of ingesting toxins against the benefits of obtaining nutrients, with body size acting as a significant cue. In terms of avoiding predation, prey commonly respond by seeking refuge, a behavior that fluctuates considerably due to seasonality and environmental variability. In this study, we integrate these factors into the dynamics of two prey and one predator model. We explore the cost of fear to illustrate the trade-off dynamics of prey, and we adjust the predator’s death rate by integrating a function that serves predator loss resulting from encounters with toxic prey. Our model demonstrates bistability as a consequence of hysteresis effect and undergoes various bifurcations, including saddle node, Hopf, Bautin, and cusp bifurcations. We observe that increasing prey refuge and reducing the level of fear contribute to system stabilization, yet chaotic behavior persists with respect to both parameters. While seasonality can introduce stability and periodicity, it may also give rise to complex and unpredictable dynamics. We comprehend that the system might undergo transitions through multiple periodic cycles as a result of changes in the degree of seasonality, yet it eventually settles into a periodic solution. Furthermore, our analysis using the stochastic model reveals that low noise levels maintain species densities close to deterministic equilibrium, whereas high noise levels result in broader dispersion or even extinction of species. The information presented in this article may help readers understand the biological knowledge gained by investigating interactions between predators and prey.

Correspondence of Dinosaur Figure in Sculpture

Animal figures have been a subject of art for ages. However, dinosaurs, which are extinct animals, were included in art history relatively recently. The first fossils were discovered in the early 1800s in England, sparking increased interest in these creatures. Dinosaurs were introduced to art history through sculpture, with sculptures installed in public parks to depict their appearance. As a result, the image of dinosaurs was created through the art of sculpture and painting. This intersection of science and art has once again emphasized the importance of sculpture. The concept of dinosaurs permeates various aspects of our lives, from playgrounds to the film industry. This study endeavors to elucidate a topic that often eludes attention yet persists within the realm of sculpture art. Through this endeavor, the aim is to augment the scholarly discourse within the field.

Effect of fear with saturated fear cost and harvesting on aquatic food chain model (plankton-fish model) in the presence of nanoparticles

Studying the interplay of phytoplankton-zooplankton-fish (PP-ZP-F) in an aquatic system is crucial for better understanding of nutrient cycling, assessing ecosystem health, predicting and mitigating harmful algal blooms, and managing fisheries in the water bodies. In order to investigate the effectiveness of nanoparticles (NPs), fear, and harvesting, this paper focuses on exploring the dynamics of a food chain model among PP-ZP-F species. We consider the fear of fish on zooplankton species (which reduces the reproduction rate of ZPs) with saturated fear cost in the presence of nanoparticles (NPs) and harvesting in fish. The system dynamics are studied from the viewpoint of proving positivity, boundedness, and uniqueness, followed by analyzing the existence and local stability of biologically feasible equilibria. Conditions for the global stability of the interior equilibrium point are also found. Furthermore, we established the transversality conditions for the occurrence of Hopf, transcritical, and saddle–node bifurcations. To validate our theoretical results, we made numerous phase portraits, time-series graphs, tables showing the extinction of species, and bifurcation diagrams. It is numerically observed that increasing the contact rate of NPs with PPs makes the system stable from chaos, and further increase of contact rate may lead to extinction. Chaos at a low contact rate can also be managed by increasing the fear level, and the chaotic behaviour at a low fear level can again be controlled by enhancing the harvesting of fish species. Over-exploitation may result in the extinction of fish, whereas fear may promote coexistence, stability, and long-term survival of the species. Increased saturated fear cost can make the system chaotic from stable dynamics. Therefore, the theoretical as well as numerical findings of our paper may be of great interest in estimating the behaviour of aquatic systems biologically and practically.

Extinction Chains Reveal Intermediate Phases Between the Safety and Collapse in Mutualistic Ecosystems

Ecosystems are undergoing unprecedented persistent deterioration due to unsustainable anthropogenic human activities, such as overfishing and deforestation, and the effects of such damage on ecological stability are uncertain. Despite recent advances in experimental and theoretical studies on regime shifts and tipping points, theoretical tools for understanding the extinction chain, which is the sequence of species extinctions resulting from overexploitation, are still lacking, especially for large-scale nonlinear networked systems. In this study, we developed a mathematical tool to predict regime shifts and extinction chains in ecosystems under multiple exploitation situations and verified it in 26 real-world mutualistic networks of various sizes and densities. We discovered five phases during the exploitation process: safe, partial extinction, bistable, tristable, and collapse, which enabled the optimal design of restoration strategies for degraded or collapsed systems. We validated our approach using a 20-year dataset from an eelgrass restoration project. Counterintuitively, we also found a specific region in the diagram spanning exploitation rates and competition intensities, where exploiting more species helps increase biodiversity. Our computational tool provides insights into harvesting, fishing, exploitation, or deforestation plans while conserving or restoring the biodiversity of mutualistic ecosystems.

Description of the wing spur in the subfossil Malagasy lapwing, Vanellus madagascariensis (Aves: Charadriiformes, Charadriidae): Insights into some of its possible life history traits and why it is extinct

We report on a subfossil carpometacarpus of an extinct species of lapwing, Vanellus madagascariensis, restricted to Madagascar and inferred to be less than 3,000 years old. Lapwings, comprising 24 species in the New and Old World, are not recorded in the modern Malagasy avifauna. Members of this genus are often well-adapted to human induced habitat modifications. Material of this species has been recovered from three subfossil sites, each site with a single element, in the southwest of the island, including two humeri and a carpometacarpus. The carpal spur of V. madagascariensis was notably more developed than any living species of lapwing. It is presumed that these formidable armaments were employed to defend territories and hinder predation on nest contents and young. Large-scale desiccation in southwestern Madagascar starting about 3,000 years ago would have had a direct impact on local freshwater aquatic environments, in turn diminishing local habitat for this species, and ultimately leading to its extinction.

Antinatalist procreationism and humanity's cosmic significance

In this article, I explore several prominent arguments forwarded by advocates of the antinatalist philosophy. Mainly, I assess the asymmetry argument, the argument concerning the lack of consent by future individuals, the arguments about the quality and meaning of life, and the imposition argument. After identifying some issues with the asymmetry argument and underscoring the strengths of the other arguments, I propose a form of antinatalism that accepts procreation under narrowly defined circumstances to avert species extinction and its potentially catastrophic consequences from a cosmic perspective.

PROTECTION AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEMS OF THE DREVLYANSKY RESERVE

Biodiversity loss is one of the most important environmental issues of our time with far-reaching consequences. Species extinction can disrupt existing ecological linkages and degrade natural communities, potentially leading to their collapse. Declining biodiversity can also destabilise biotic communities, leading to a loss of ecosystem integrity and impairing the ability of the ecosystem to support critical ecological functions. [1-2].