Diversity History Research Articles

Morphology of the stem group echinoids Lepidocentrus eifelianus and Rhenechinus hopstaetteri from the Devonian of the Eifel region, Germany

AbstractRelatively well-preserved echinoids from Palaeozoic strata are exceptionally rare fossils. New fossil finds can thus have an important impact on our understanding of the morphology, phylogenetic relationships and history of diversification of early sea urchins. The Devonian strata of Germany have long been known to contain echinoids, predominantly through the relatively abundant record of disarticulated plates and spines. In contrast, only select articulated or semi-articulated specimens are recorded. We herein describe new specimens from the Middle and Late Devonian belonging to two Palaeozoic echinoid taxa, Rhenechinus hopstaetteri and Lepidocentrus eifelianus. These specimens are amongst the most-complete known for these two taxa, and provide novel insight into their morphology and stratigraphic range. Additionally, the record of Rhenechinus is the youngest occurrence of an echinocystitid echinoid in the fossil record, indicating that this family ranged from the Silurian (Aeronian or Telychian) to at least the Middle Devonian (Givetian), prior to going extinct. The morphological details provided by the new specimen of L. eifelianus highlights similarities between this species and other Devonian echinoids known from elsewhere in Europe and North America, and suggest that the lepidocentrids were widely dispersed and abundant during the Devonian.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ОНТОЛОГІЧНОГО МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ ЯК ЗАСОБУ ВЕРИФІКАЦІЇ РЕЗУЛЬТАТІВ ПСИХОЛОГІЧНОГО ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ (НА ПРИКЛАДІ ВИВЧЕННЯ ЯВИЩ ГРИ)

Purpose. Methodological differences in the verification standards for the results of scientific knowledge between individual psychological branches represented in the domestic and global scientific space, the peculiarities of extremely complex psychological knowledge objects indicates the need to modernize the relevant standards and choose the optimal methodological platform for the verification of the results of modern psychological research. This paper discusses the feasibility of choosing such a ontological modeling platform, which is a special descriptive methodology and an alternative to the naturalistic experimental approach in verifying the results of psychological research. Ontological modeling provides the possibility for a more objective verification of the achievements for the study of intelligible objects, which have a distinct cultural and historical meaning, extremely complex structure and functionality, an ancient and diverse history of their own empirical representations. The purpose of the article is a theoretical study of ways to modernize the standards of verification of the results of modern psychological research using the example of the verification of the promising theory of game modeling of human vital activity in uncertainty conditions. Methods.The research uses the methods of analysis and systematization for psychological and interdisciplinary approaches in the study of verification patterns for the psychological knowledge results, comparison and optimization for the content of its standards on the study example of game modeling of human vital activity in uncertainty conditions. Results. According to the results of the study, the expediency of choosing ontological modeling (the names "conceptual modeling", "formal ontology", "formal ontology" and "ontological engineering" are also used synonymously) as a perspective basis for the verification of the psychological research results, a new universal methodological tool of Ukrainian psychology, has been proven using the example for game modeling of human vital activity in uncertainty. The existing scientific approaches that argue for the choice of ontological modeling as the basis for the verification of new psychological knowledge are specified. The methodological perspective of the modernization for the verification norms of psychological theories and concepts based on the ontological approach has been updated and substantiated. Modern scientific ideas are generalized and fundamental approaches to the verification of the results of knowledge of unlimited generality objects, i.e. ultra-complex simultaneously intelligible and empirical objects, are deepened. It has been established that ontological modeling has a universal scientific purpose and is able to overcome the shortcomings of the naturalistic experimental method for verification of research products, to be the optimal methodological platform for the verification of the modern psychological research results. Conclusions. The results of the study allow us to conclude about the relevance of the above issues and the expediency of choosing ontological modeling as a prospective basis for the verification of the psychological research results using the example for game modeling of human vital activity in uncertainty. A well-founded description of the standards and the process for verification of the psychological research results for game modeling of human vital activity in uncertainty conditions is considered promising.

Multi-habitat utilization and diverse life history of the endangered Sea Carp (Cyprinus acutidorsalis) in the Wanquan Estuary, Hainan island, China: Evidence from otolith microchemistry

The Sea Carp Cyprinus acutidorsalis (Wang) is an endemic species limited to a few estuaries in China, uniquely adapted to long-term residence in brackish water environments. This species is endangered due to anthropogenic disturbances, and its life history and habitat use remain poorly understood. This study is the first to investigate the life history and habitat utilization of Sea Carp in the Wanquan Estuary, Hainan Province, China, using otolith microchemistry. We analyzed the otolith samples from wild-captured Sea Carp and freshwater-reared juvenile fish. Significant differences in ratios of 7Li, 24Mg, and 88Sr between the two groups demonstrated that the otolith microchemistry can effectively reflect habitat conditions. We identified three distinct spawning areas, ranging from freshwater areas to nearshore habitats. Six life history contingents were identified, including four migratory and two resident types, with a preference for estuarine habitats. Our findings highlight the importance of multiple spawning grounds and diverse life histories in enhancing the adaptability and resilience of Sea Carp populations. We recommended that conservation efforts focus on maintaining habitat connectivity between estuarine and marine environments, protecting mangrove areas, and regulating fishing activities. This study provides valuable insights into the habitat utilization and life history of rare and endangered estuarine fish species, contributing to the development of effective management plans for their preservation worldwide.

The diverse star formation histories of early massive, quenched galaxies in modern galaxy formation simulations

Abstract We present a comprehensive study of the star formation histories of massive-quenched galaxies at z = 3 in three semi-analytic models (Shark, gaea, Galform) and three cosmological hydrodynamical simulations (Eagle, IllustrisTNG, Simba). We study the predicted number density and stellar mass function of massive-quenched galaxies, their formation and quenching timescales and star-formation properties of their progenitors. Predictions are disparate in all these diagnostics, for instance: (i) some simulations reproduce the observed number density of very massive-quenched galaxies ($>10^{11}\, \rm {\rm M}_{\odot }$) but underpredict the high density of intermediate-mass ones, while others fit well the lower masses but underpredict the higher ones; (ii) In most simulations, except for gaea and eagle, most massive-quenched galaxies had starburst periods, with the most intense ones happening at 4 < z < 5; however, only in Shark and IllustrisTNG we do find a large number of progenitors with star formation rates $>300\rm \, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, yr^{-1}$; (iii) quenching timescales are in the range ≈20 − 150 Myr depending on the simulation; among other differences. These disparate predictions can be tied to the adopted Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) feedback model. For instance, the explicit black-hole (BH) mass dependence to trigger the ‘radio mode’ in IllustrisTNG and Simba makes it difficult to produce quenched galaxies with intermediate stellar masses, also leading to higher baryon collapse efficiencies (≈15 − 30 per cent); while the strong bolometric luminosity dependence of the AGN outflow rate in gaea leads to BHs of modest mass quenching galaxies. Current observations are unable to distinguish between these different predictions due to the small sample sizes. However, these predictions are testable with current facilities and upcoming observations, allowing a ‘true physics experiment’ to be carried out.

Racism without race in South Korea: linguistic racism within a curriculum embracing language diversity

ABSTRACT Despite the growing body of research exploring the nexus of race, racism, and language education, there remains a need to examine language teaching practices in non-English contexts. South Korea, with its diverse migrant population and history of racial discrimination that is not strictly based on colour, offers a unique perspective on the intricate facets of linguistic racism. This study investigates how linguistic practices in South Korean schools contribute to students’ racialized exclusion, emphasising the role of language in perpetuating racism within similar racial groups. By highlighting the contradiction of promoting linguistic diversity while perpetuating linguistic racism at a self-declared multicultural school in South Korea, this study demonstrates that bilingual education, which fails to counteract monolingualism, reinforces racial and ethnic disparities instead of addressing them.

Population genetics analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO1) gene sequences of Cottus koreanus in South Korea.

The freshwater sculpin Cottus koreanus is endemic to the Korean Peninsula and has a fluvial life history. However, its population has been greatly reduced and it is now listed as an endangered class II species. To obtain important information for its conservation, we examine the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of C. koreanus through mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO1) gene sequence analysis. We analyzed the CO1 gene sequences of 430 individuals of C. koreanus from 23 populations in South Korea. In all, 32 haplotypes were defined by 124 variable nucleotide sites, of which 28 were unique haplotypes not shared with other regional populations. All sampled populations had high haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.941) and low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0146). Median-joining network analysis identified two divergent clusters: cluster I that had unique haplotype patterns assigned to each population and cluster II that had a star-like pattern. Each was supported by pairwise FST values and hierarchical analysis of molecular variance. The results of the mismatch distribution, goodness-of-fit test, and extended Bayesian skyline plot analysis showed that cluster I has experienced a gradual population expansion since the last glacial maximum, while cluster II experienced a sudden one. The results of neutrality testing supported the results for cluster II but the signal was weak. C. koreanus inhabits the upper reaches of rivers and has extremely low dispersal ability, resulting in unique genetic structure patterns among populations. Therefore, all populations should be managed and conserved separately.

Hill-Robertson interference may bias the inference of fitness effects of new mutations in highly selfing species.

The accurate estimation of the distribution of fitness effects (DFE) of new mutations is critical for population genetic inference but remains a challenging task. While various methods have been developed for DFE inference using the site frequency spectrum of putatively neutral and selected sites, their applicability in species with diverse life history traits and complex demographic scenarios is not well understood. Selfing is common among eukaryotic species and can lead to decreased effective recombination rates, increasing the effects of selection at linked sites, including interference between selected alleles. We employ forward simulations to investigate the limitations of current DFE estimation approaches in the presence of selfing and other model violations, such as linkage, departures from semidominance, population structure, and uneven sampling. We find that distortions of the site frequency spectrum due to Hill-Robertson interference in highly selfing populations lead to mis-inference of the deleterious DFE of new mutations. Specifically, when inferring the distribution of selection coefficients, there is an overestimation of nearly neutral and strongly deleterious mutations and an underestimation of mildly deleterious mutations when interference between selected alleles is pervasive. In addition, the presence of cryptic population structure with low rates of migration and uneven sampling across subpopulations leads to the false inference of a deleterious DFE skewed towards effectively neutral/mildly deleterious mutations. Finally, the proportion of adaptive substitutions estimated at high rates of selfing is substantially overestimated. Our observations apply broadly to species and genomic regions with little/no recombination and where interference might be pervasive.

Molecular phylogenetics of nursery web spiders (Araneae: Pisauridae)

Pisauridae Simon, 1890, or nursery web spiders, are a large family with a worldwide distribution and very diverse life history strategies. Despite being named for their nursery webs, similar structures are built by some members of Ctenidae, Trechaleidae, and Oxyopidae. Pisauridae has no known morphological synapomorphies that circumscribe all members of the family, and delineation of subfamilies has been a longstanding issue. In addition, several recent molecular phylogenetic studies have called into question the monophyly of Pisauridae. Here, we infer a phylogeny of Pisauridae with nine genetic markers (12S, 16S, 18S, 28S, actin, COI, histone H3, ITS2, and NADH) combined with ultraconserved elements (UCEs) to test the monophyly of the group and determine intrafamilial relationships. Our study includes a total of 81 terminals (59 of them pisaurids). Our maximum likelihood and gene coalescence analyses strongly suggest that as currently circumscribed, the family Pisauridae is not monophyletic. To circumscribe Pisauridae as a monophyletic group, based on our molecular results, we propose the restoration of the family Dolomedidae Simon, 1876 (rank resurrected) to include the genera DolomedesLatreille, 1804 and BradystichusSimon, 1884. In addition, based on morphological evidence, we also place in Dolomedidae the genera MegadolomedesDavies & Raven, 1980; Tasmomedes Raven, 2018; Mangromedes Raven, 2018; OrnodolomedesRaven & Hebron, 2018; and CaledomedesRaven & Hebron, 2018. We provide a phylogenetic delimitation of the three subfamilies of Pisauridae: Halinae, Thaumasiinae, and Pisaurinae. Ten pisaurid genera are deemed incertae sedis in terms of their placement. In light of our hypothesized molecular phylogeny, we discuss the morphological characters and putative synapomorphies of Pisauridae and propose diagnostic characters for its subfamilies and for the family Dolomedidae, along with taxonomic notes about genera not included in our study.

Soil community history strengthens belowground multitrophic functioning across plant diversity levels in a grassland experiment

Biodiversity experiments revealed that plant diversity loss can decrease ecosystem functions across trophic levels. To address why such biodiversity-function relationships strengthen over time, we established experimental mesocosms replicating a gradient in plant species richness across treatments of shared versus non-shared history of (1) the plant community and (2) the soil fauna community. After 4 months, we assessed the multitrophic functioning of soil fauna via biomass stocks and energy fluxes across the food webs. We find that soil community history significantly enhanced belowground multitrophic function via changes in biomass stocks and community-average body masses across the food webs. However, variation in plant diversity and plant community history had unclear effects. Our findings underscore the importance of long-term community assembly processes for soil fauna-driven ecosystem function, with species richness and short-term plant adaptations playing a minimal role. Disturbances that disrupt soil community stability may hinder fauna-driven ecosystem functions, while recovery may require several years.

The Impact of Obesity on the Prevalence and Complications of Perianal Fistulas of Crohn's Disease.

The incidence of obesity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing and there are limited data on the impact of obesity on perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease (CD). We aim to examine the relationship between obesity and the prevalence and complications of Crohn's perianal fistulas. We conducted a cross-sectional study of CD patients treated at a tertiary care center from 2012 to 2022. Obesity was defined as maximum BMI > 30kg/m2 and further subdivided into 5 BMI categories. The prevalence of perianal fistulas was defined by any history of perianal fistula. The complications of perianal fistulas were measured by five variables including complex fistulas, history of perianal fistula surgery, number of perianal surgeries, history of fecal diversion, and median time to first anal surgery. In all, 704 patients with CD were included; 31.1% were obese. There was no significant association between obesity and prevalence of perianal fistulas (p = 0.719), complex fistulas (p = 0.144), history of perianal surgery (p = 0.146), ≥ 1 perianal surgeries (p = 0.220), fecal diversion (p = 0.705), or median time to first perianal surgery (p = 0.192). Increasing BMI category was not associated with the prevalence of perianal fistulas (p = 0.944), complex fistulas (p = 0.089), perianal surgery (p = 0.583), ≥ 1 perianal surgeries (p = 0.114), fecal diversion (p = 0.542), or median time to first perianal surgery (p = 0.486).When comparing those with perianal fistulas to those without, there was no significant difference in rates of obesity (p = 0.876). There was no association between obesity and the prevalence and complications of Crohn's perianal fistulas.

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Ctenopharyngodon idella: Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial Activity, and Toxicological Assessment.

Currently, nanotechnology (NT) and nanoparticles (NPs) have gained significant attention in the scientific field due to their diverse application history. Particularly, in environmental applications, their antibacterial efficiency in fisheries due to antibacterial resistance. However, the NPs have been found toxic in the environment. Therefore, the current study aimed to fabricate less toxic NPs using environmentally dried leaves to check their antibacterial efficacy and possible toxicity against grass carp. The findings confirmed the good dispersity of obtained AgNPs, which further showed promising antibacterial activity against several bacterial isolates including Staphylococcus with a zone of inhibition (23.73 ± 0.57 nm). Also, the AgNPs were exposed to the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) for possible toxicity and toxic effects. First, the bioaccumulation of AgNPs was significantly observed in gills followed by intestines and muscles (p < 0.05). Finally, the AgNPs mainly accumulate in the liver, followed by the intestine, gills, and muscles. Additionally, the deposition of AgNPs in various organs resulted in histological alteration such as necrosis and infiltration of red blood cells in the intestine and the fusion of gill lamella. Hence, the synthesized NPs using dried leaf extract could be a promising approach in applied science. The significant features of the nanoparticles in the present work using green synthesis can help in synthesizing less toxic materials.

Unveiling Thrips (Thysanoptera) as Nature's Unsung Pollinators: A Survey From Obligatory Thripophily to Thrips as Supplementary Pollinators

ABSTRACTThrips are minute, paraneopteran insects with diverse ecological histories and plant associations, encompassing herbivory, fungivory, pollination and predation. They are typically not widely adored insects as many species are regarded to be destructive crop pests and vectors of crop diseases. Nevertheless, certain thrips play a significant role in pollination as they traverse from flower to flower with pollen attached to their bodies. However, most studies on relationships between flowering plants and pollinators have overlooked the prevalence and association of thrips with flowers, and the pollination services were often incorrectly attributed to wind, bees or other agents. This is primarily due to the minute size and cryptic behaviour of thrips, their limited range of movement and minimal structural modifications to carry and disperse pollen. In recent times, the involvement of thrips in pollination was investigated by many researchers and their role was established partly or fully in several angiosperm families. Their role in pollination through specialised thripophily, as minor or secondary pollinators, or via ambophily is well‐established now. The present paper reviews the evidence of pollen transfer by thrips, obligate and nonobligate pollination relationships between plants and pollinator thrips, evolutionary aspects of thripophily, morphological and physiological adaptations in thrips and floral syndromes associated with thripophily.

Genetic Diversity and Demographic History of Wax Moths, Galleria mellonella Linnaeus, 1758 and Achroia grisella Fabricius, 1794 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Wax moths, Galleria mellonella Linnaeus, 1758 and Achroia grisella Fabricius, 1794 are the key pests of honeybee colonies worldwide. They cause wax comb damages which lead to colony perishing and absconding. To control these pests, their genetic background and evolution should be considered. In this study, genetic diversity and demographic history of 2 species of wax moth were explored based on mitochondrial genes (COI). Wax moths were collected from northeatern part of Thailand for morphological and DNA analyses. G. mellonella and A. grisella sequences from GenBank were included for genetic diversity and demographic history analyses (total of 80 and 26 sequences, respectively). Overall genetic diversity for A. grisella samples from Northeastern Thailand was relatively low (h = 0.467 ± 0.132 and π = 0.00150 ± 0.00042). Likewise, low genetic diversity was also observed in G. mellonella samples (h = 0.280 ± 0.101 and π = 0.00046 ± 0.00017). Among samples from different global regions, the haplotype and nucleotide diversity of A. grisella were 0.834 ± 0.050 and 0.00996 ± 0.00124, respectively. The haplotype and nucleotide diversity of G. mellonella were 0.709 ± 0.034 and 0.01084 ± 0.00279, respectively. The ML tree revealed that these 2 species were separated into 2 major clades (G. mellonella clade and A. grisella clade). All sequences corresponding to G. mellonella formed to a single monophyletic clade, while all the sequences corresponding to A. grisella formed another single monophyletic clade. Clade G. mellonella was divided into 4 subclades designated as Clade Gm1, Gm2, Gm3 and Gm4, whereas A. grisella clade was divided into 3 subclades designated as Clade Ag1, Ag2 and Ag3. The sum of squares deviation (SSD) and Harpending’s raggedness index (rg) and the results of Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs tests indicated population expansion was not found in either species. HIGHLIGHTS This study highlighted the genetic diversity of wax moths Galleria mellonella Linnaeus, 1758 and Achroia grisella Fabricius, 1794 in Thailand and other parts of the world. Population expansion was not observed in either species. The results will be useful to predict directions of population distribution of wax moths under certain factors. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

The macroecology of Mesozoic dinosaurs.

Dinosaurs thrived for over 160 million years in Mesozoic ecosystems, displaying diverse ecological and evolutionary adaptations. Their ecology was shaped by large-scale climatic and biogeographic changes, calling for a 'deep-time' macroecological investigation. These factors include temperature fluctuations and the break up of Pangaea, influencing species richness, ecological diversity and biogeographic history. Recent improvements in the dinosaur fossil record have enabled large-scale studies of their responses to tectonic, geographic and climatic shifts. Trends in species diversity, body size and reproductive traits can now be analysed using quantitative approaches like phylogenetic comparative methods, machine learning and Bayesian inference. These patterns sometimes align with, but also deviate from, first-order macroecological rules (e.g. species-area relationship, latitudinal biodiversity gradient, Bergmann's rule). Accurate reconstructions of palaeobiodiversity and niche partitioning require ongoing taxonomic revisions and detailed anatomical descriptions. Interdisciplinary research combining sedimentology, geochemistry and palaeoclimatology helps uncover the environmental conditions driving dinosaur adaptations. Fieldwork in under-sampled regions, particularly at latitudinal extremes, is crucial for understanding the spatial heterogeneity of dinosaur ecosystems across the planet. Open science initiatives and online databases play a key role in advancing this field, enriching our understanding of deep-time ecological processes, and offering new insights into dinosaur macroecology and its broader implications.

Species Diversity, Host Association, and Evolutionary History of Cronartium: An Important Global Fungal Pathogen to Trees.

Pine stem rust, the most damaging and widespread forest disease occurring in pine trees in the Northern Hemisphere, is primarily caused by Cronartium species (Pucciniales, Melampsorineae). While the phylogenetic relationships of major Cronartium species have been largely elucidated, there is limited understanding of their species diversity and the evolutionary processes shaping their distribution patterns. In this work, we performed broad sampling and sequencing of Cronartium taxa in China together with additional sequence data and other accessions in NCBI to investigate the diversification and to estimate the divergence time of major evolutionary events in this genus. Molecular dating analysis suggested that the divergence of the genus Cronartium probably was around 91.78 Ma during the Upper Cretaceous. It is believed that Cronartium species may have originated in Asia and North America, with intercontinental dispersals occurring primarily during the Middle Eocene, Middle Miocene, and Pliocene. These dispersal events likely took place through the North Atlantic Land Bridge, the De Geer Route, and the Bering Land Bridge, and subsequently diverged through sporadic dispersal and vicariance events. Furthermore, our analysis of host associations revealed that the diversification of Cronartium species was correlated with their telial-hosts, and some species may have experienced host jump events, indicating a complex interplay between host specificity and pathogen-host interaction during Cronartium evolution.

Uncovering the relationships among herring-like fossils (Clupei: Teleostei): a phylogenetic analysis

Abstract Research interest in the diversity and evolutionary history of herring-like fossils (subcohort Clupei) has increased in recent decades. However, little is known about the relationships between fossils assigned to Clupei, particularly those that are demonstrably related to extant herring-like members of the order Clupeiformes. To help bridge this gap, we present a new morphological phylogeny that includes representatives of all major clupeiform lineages. The data matrix consists of 192 characters, drawn from 79 extant and 37 fossil taxa and selected to be readily identifiable in fossils. Most clupeiform families are recovered as monophyletic, and their interrelationships are generally compatible with previous morphological hypotheses. The phylogenetic positions of six fossil clupeiform taxa are resolved, as the results of all analyses (unconstrained/constrained parsimony and Bayesian inference) are consistent. Twenty-one fossil taxa are incertae sedis, including two species of Ellimmichtyiformes, which are recovered as Clupeoidei in the parsimony analyses. The relationships of the rest of the fossils are interpreted with varying degrees of certainty. The evolution of key morphological characters is discussed in light of the new results, and four fossil taxa are proposed as calibration points for future dating studies.

Genomes and epigenomes of matched normal and tumor breast tissue reveal diverse evolutionary trajectories and tumor-host interactions

Normal tissues adjacent to the tumor (NATs) may harbor early breast carcinogenesis events driven by field cancerization. Although previous studies have characterized copy-number (CN) and transcriptomic alterations, the evolutionary history of NATs in breast cancer (BC) remains poorly characterized. Utilizing whole-genome sequencing (WGS), methylation profiling, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we analyzed paired germline, NATs, and tumor samples from 43 individuals with BC in Hong Kong (HK). We found that single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) were common in NATs, with one-third of NAT samples exhibiting SNVs in driver genes, many of which were present in paired tumor samples. The most frequently mutated genes in both tumor and NAT samples were PIK3CA, TP53, GATA3, and AKT1. In contrast, large-scale aberrations such as somatic CN alterations (SCNAs) and structural variants (SVs) were rarely detected in NAT samples. We generated phylogenetic trees to investigate the evolutionary history of paired NAT and tumor samples. They could be categorized into tumor only, shared, and multiple-tree groups, the last of which is concordant with non-genetic field cancerization. These groups exhibited distinct genomic and epigenomic characteristics in both NAT and tumor samples.Specifically, NAT samples in the shared-tree group showed higher number of mutations, while NAT samples belonging to the multiple-tree group showed a less inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME), characterized by a higher proportion ofregulatory Tcells (Tregs) and lower presence of CD14 cell populations. In summary, our findings highlight the diverse evolutionary history in BC NAT/tumor pairs and the impact of field cancerization and TME in shaping the genomic evolutionary historyof tumors.

Rapid Evolution of Host Repertoire and Geographic Range in a Young and Diverse Genus of Montane Butterflies.

Evolutionary changes in geographic distribution and larval host plants may promote the rapid diversification of montane insects, but this scenario has been rarely investigated. We studied rapid radiation of the butterfly genus Colias, which has diversified in mountain ecosystems in Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas. Based on a dataset of 150 nuclear protein-coding genetic loci and mitochondrial genomes, we constructed a time-calibrated phylogenetic tree of Colias species with broad taxon sampling. We then inferred their ancestral geographic ranges, historical diversification rates, and the evolution of host use. We found that the most recent common ancestor of Colias was likely geographically widespread and originated ~3.5 Ma. The group subsequently diversified in different regions across the world, often in tandem with geographic expansion events. No aspect of elevation was found to have a direct effect on diversification. The genus underwent a burst of diversification soon after the divergence of the Neotropical lineage, followed by an exponential decline in diversification rate toward the present. The ancestral host repertoire included the legume genera Astragalus and Trifolium but later expanded to include a wide range of Fabaceae genera and plants in more distantly related families, punctuated with periods of host range expansion and contraction. We suggest that the widespread distribution of the ancestor of all extant Colias lineages set the stage for diversification by isolation of populations that locally adapted to the various different environments they encountered, including different host plants. In this scenario, elevation is not the main driver but might have accelerated diversification by isolating populations.

Negotiating Plastics: De-mythicizing Individual Responsibility and Plastic Materialities in Japan, from the 1940s to the 1970s

ABSTRACT Japan is the second-largest producer of plastic waste. The government has implemented policies that encourage individual citizens to recycle and reduce plastic products to promote sustainability. This study into the history of women’s relationship with plastics de-naturalises two assumptions embedded in such environmental policies: firstly, the idea that it is the responsibility of individuals to combat the proliferation of plastics and pollution, and secondly, the notion of ‘plastics’ as a singular element to be accepted or rejected. Based on archival research of articles published in the Asahi shimbun and women’s magazines from the 1940s to the 1970s, this article chronicles changing themes in the depiction of women – plastics relationships. The history of women that emerged from the analysis shows that during this period women exercised their power collectively to negotiate the introduction of various plastic elements into the household. Women collectively determined what could be sold as a plastic product, changed the industry and shop floor practices, and influenced law and government policies regarding plastic waste disposal. The analysis reveals that such collective activities played a role in shaping a diverse history of plastics that is often lost in contemporary discourses of a single ‘plastic’ element and individual responsibility.

Southeast Asia: A Colonial Oil Producer Fueling Its 21st Century Industrial Revolution With Gas

_ With natural gas destined to replace coal as its fuel of choice, Southeast Asia is unabashedly expanding its oil and gas industry to meet the skyrocketing energy demands of a booming population and unprecedented economic growth. Investments in regional hydrocarbon projects through 2029—particularly those in natural gas production—are forecast to exceed 4% compound annual growth rates with the spotlight on the region’s top two petroleum producers, Indonesia and Malaysia, according to the London-based Energy Council, a global network of senior energy finance executives. Norway’s Rystad Energy predicts that final investment decisions (FIDs) will be made between now and 2028 on $100 billion in new projects in the region, twice the $45 billion in FIDs taken from 2014 to 2023. These will include deepwater projects to develop new discoveries in Indonesia and Malaysia, and projects to create a global hub for carbon capture and storage (CCS) such as the one under study by Malaysian state-owned Petronas and Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC. The Malay Archipelago (also called the East Indies) is the world’s largest island group, and depending on the methodology of the geographer, it encompasses the 17,508 islands of Indonesia—literally the world’s largest country comprised of islands—and the approximately 7,000 islands of the Philippines. Indonesia and the Philippines in turn are among the 11 countries that constitute Southeast Asia after adding in Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—all with widely diverse histories, cultures, and religions. But all with one thing in common: a colonial past forged by adventurers from across Europe who in the 19th century arrived on their shores to extract natural resources to feed the Industrial Revolution at home. In the case of the earliest industrial oil production in Dutch Indonesia and British Malaysia, those adventurers, over multiple generations, added Southeast Asia to the US and Azerbaijan as cornerstones of the modern oil industry while also breaking John D. Rockefeller’s monopoly of the Asian oil trade by building the first tanker to traverse the Suez Canal. Shortly after the turn of the 20th century two of these industrialists, one Dutch and one British, merged their companies to create what is today’s energy supermajor known as Shell. First Oil Launches Dutch East Indies Production Boom The history of oil production in Indonesia and Malaysia dates back over centuries with tales of a cottage industry of hand-dug wells to comb petroleum seeps for medicine, to waterproof boats, and to light torches and lamps. As the Industrial Revolution dawned, the Russian czar financed the world’s first mechanically drilled oil well in 1846 in Baku using cable-tool percussion drilling to carve out a 21-m-deep (69-ft) exploration well. In 1859, Edwin Drake added steam-engine power to a mechanical drill to produce the US’ first industrial class oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania.