Interspecies Relationships Research Articles

What’s in it for the animals? Symbiotically considering ‘therapeutic’ human-animal relations within spaces and practices of care farming

Human-animal relations are increasingly imbricated, encountered and experienced in the production of medicine and health. Drawing on an empirical study of care farms in the UK, this article uses the...

Metabolic Signaling and Spatial Interactions in the Oral Polymicrobial Community

Oral supra- and subgingival biofilms are complex communities in which hundreds of bacteria, viruses, and fungi reside and interact. In these social environments, microbes compete and cooperate for resources, such as living space and nutrients. The metabolic activities of bacteria can transform their microenvironment and dynamically influence the fitness and growth of cohabitating organisms. Biofilm communities are temporally and spatially organized largely due to cell-to-cell communication, which promotes synergistic interactions. Metabolic interactions maintain biofilm homeostasis through mutualistic cross-feeding, metabolic syntrophy, and cross-respiration. These interactions include reciprocal metabolite exchanges that promote the growth of physiologically compatible bacteria, processive catabolism of complex substrates, and unidirectional interactions that are globally important for the polymicrobial community. Additionally, oral bacterial interactions can lead to detoxification of oxidative compounds, which will provide protection to the community at large. It has also been established that specific organisms provide terminal electron acceptors to partner species that result in a shift from fermentation to respiration, thus increasing ATP yields and improving fitness. Indeed, many interspecies relationships are multidimensional, and the net outcome can be spatially and temporally dependent. Cross-kingdom interactions also occur as oral yeast are antagonistic to some oral bacteria, while numerous mutualistic interactions contribute to yeast-bacterial colonization, fitness in the oral community, and the pathogenesis of caries. Consideration of this social environment reveals behaviors and phenotypes that are not apparent through the study of microbes in isolation. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the metabolic interactions that shape the oral microbial community.

Queer Perspectives on Erotic Human-Supernatural Encounters in Finland-Swedish Folk Legends

Despite numerous studies with various perspectives on the folk legend, the Nordic context is still lacking in studies that combine concepts of queerness and posthumanism with folk legends. This article focuses on Swedish folk legends in Finland that depict erotic encounters between humans and nature spirits. The three example legends used were collected in rural Swedish-speaking parts of Finland in 1890, 1898, and 1917. They all tell of encounters between humans (men) and spirits (females) that take place in nature, a place traditionally perceived as the home of these spirits. The erotic character of the encounters is determined not only by direct sexual interactions, but also within a frame of ambience, language, and acts. By using a combination of queer theory and posthumanist concepts, I challenge the ideas of normative sexual behaviour expressed in the material. A queer reading reveals transgressions within gender-normative behaviour and also interesting contradictions in which gender norms are abided by. The inter-species relationship between human and spirit can be seen as queer, but at the same time, it is normative or pursues normativity. The posthumanist approach results in the dissolution of the theoretical nature/culture dichotomy. The relationship between human and spirit can be viewed as that of companion species; a relationship based on the desire to connect, as well as a mutual past, present, and future.

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ЧИСЕЛЬНОСТІ ТА ПРОСТОРОВОГО РОЗПОДІЛУ ПОПУЛЯЦІЙ ЗЕЛЕНОЇ ЯЩІРКИ (Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768) НА ТЕРИТОРІЇ НПП «ДНІСТРОВСЬКИЙ КАНЬЙОН»

Reliable information about the species composition of the fauna, way of life, abundance, distribution, and breeding features is not only the initial data for in-depth zoological, evolutionary and ecological research, but also the source for nature conservation activity based on the analysis of the state of wildlife resources.
 The European green lizard (Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768; Reptilia, Squamata) is one of the most vulnerable species of reptiles in the domestic herpetofauna. Therefore, it is the object of ecological research aimed at studying population structure, biotopic distribution, including within the protected natural areas and areas that are undergoing significant anthropogenic transformation.
 The work is based on field studies conducted in April August 2018 and data from the regular phenological observations of the Dniester Canyon National Nature Park.
 The current status of the European green lizard population (Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768) within the territory of Dniester Canyon National Nature Park has been investigated. The abundance and spatial distribution of the species populations in different biotopes have been studiedon the basis of long-term phenological observations according to the program of the Chronicle of Nature of the National Nature Park and the authors’ research. The data of the species occurrence on the territory of the Park for the last six years is given. The abundance of the European green lizard populations under different biotopical conditions and the main factors influencing the studied parameters have been analyzed.
 The European green lizard has been found to be a stenotopic species that favors only 2-3 biotopes, so it is highly vulnerable due to distortion of specific stations. Besides, L. viridis is the dominant species of reptiles on the Dniester slopes, its tributaries, streams, gullies and ravines.
 The biotopes inhabited by this species can be grouped into three main types:
 1) slopes of hills and ravines with thick-growing grassand bushes of hawthorn and dog rose (settlement density 30-50 inhabitants/km);
 2) areas related to broad-leaved forests and mixed forests glades, outskirts of forests, forest roads (20-50 inhabitants/km);
 3) steep slopes of gullies, steep bank slopes with limestone outcrops with herbaceous and shrubby vegetation (6-11 inhabitants/km).
 The spatial distribution of L. viridis communities in the region is predominantly aggregative and exists in several different forms, which is related to the configuration of favorable plots, the nutritive base and interspecies relationships.

‘Like Relatives Consoling Each Other After a Tragedy’: Mourning, Vulnerability, and Hospitality in Justin Cartwright’s White Lightning

This paper examines the ethical development of James Kronk’s interracial and interspecies relationships in White Lightning, arguing that the process of mourning facilitates his empathetic shift in attitude towards the marginalized Other. Judith Butler’s theory on grieving, as well as posthumanist scholarship, frames my contention that Kronk, by engaging in grief as an ethical resource, comes to recognize the vulnerability to death that he shares with those who are different from himself. This recognition of shared mortality, I argue, enables him to identify with Others and thereby leads him to a sense of moral responsibility for a Xhosa family and a baboon. Kronk’s attempts at hospitality, however, do more harm than good. I read the collapse of his relationships, with both Daisy’s family and Piet, through the lens of Jacques Derrida’s notion of ‘hostipitality’, that is, the idea that hospitality and hostility are inextricably entangled. Ultimately, I conclude that those acts that Kronk initially believes to be hospitable later manifest in violence, resulting in the deaths of Zwelakhe and Piet, the very beings he had set out to protect.

Attachment Theory and Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Vietnam Veterans

AbstractThe persistence of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans of the Vietnam War warrants an exploration of new treatment approaches, such as equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP). The purpose of this study was to use open-ended interviews to explore five Vietnam veterans’ perceptions of their bond with an equine partner duringEFPand how it influences their behavior andPTSDsymptoms. Questions addressed their relationships with their equine partners, including its development and impact on their interpersonal relationships. Attachment Theory provided a framework for understanding the four main themes that emerged from analysis of the responses: positive changes in thoughts and behaviors, veterans’ beliefs about horses’ cognitions and emotions, emotions and emotional regulation, and interpersonal and interspecies relationships. The authors concluded thatEFPmay support personal growth and healing because horses serve as attachment figures, provide a secure base for emotional exploration, and encourage non-verbal communication.

Betraying Animals

This paper presents a new way of thinking about the relationship between humans and the nonhuman animals in their care. Most ethical analysis of the treatment of nonhuman animals has focussed on questions of moral status, justice, and the wrongness of harming them. This paper does something different, it examines the role played by trust in interspecies relationships. In both agriculture and laboratory settings, humans deliberately foster trusting relationships with nonhuman animals. An intrinsic feature of the trusting relationship in these settings is that it is created in order to be exploited and betrayed. However, little consideration has been given to asking what a deliberate betrayal of another species says about the character of those who carry out the betrayals. This paper argues that regardless of the moral status of nonhuman animals, a willingness to foster trust in order to exploit the vulnerability of a nonhuman suggests a serious character flaw. Our failure thus far to apprehend systematic forms of betrayal indicates a moral blind-spot when it comes to other species.

Curatorial perspectives on contemporary art and science dealing with interspecies connections

Abstract This article addresses a curatorial position on specific bioart projects dealing with the topic of interspecies relationships of humans and other mammals, insects and plants through three works by Slovenian authors Saša Spačal, Špela Petricˇ and Maja Smrekar. All the artworks are based on a posthumanist perspective, strongly advocating possibilities of equality in interspecies relations and coexistence, and yet also bear a potential for monstrosity. The subjects, modes and procedures of the artworks analysed are compatible with a curatorial practice able to contribute to and facilitate the development of the concepts of life and species. Representing provocative projects is a challenge not only for the artists but also for the curators who are in the position of having to find adequate production, presentation and promotion support for fringe artistic experiments that infiltrate meaningful topics. Curating that involves taking on the responsibility of endorsing risk-taking artistic practices and posthumanist ideas, dealing with ethical, legal and conceptual challenges is referred to as intense curating.

No pets allowed? Companion animals, older people and residential care

This article is concerned with a particular site of inter-species relationships. Using the lens of liminality, it examines forced separation of older people from their companion animals when they move...

Communing with Bees: A Whole-of-Community Approach to Address Crisis in the Anthropocene

We are currently facing myriad socio-ecological crises, from global climate change to resource depletion to the loss of dozens of species every day. Despite a longstanding and impassioned environmental movement, these problems persist and are worsening. The extent and degree of human-induced change on the planet is significant enough to have placed us in a new geological age: the Anthropocene. Three perspectives are engaged as a way to understand this new era and address our fractured human-nature relationship: (1) polit­ical ecology, (2) the ecological humanities, and (3) the informal economy. An exploration of inter­secting themes leads to the start of a new theo­retical contribution, which manifests at the convergence of theories: a “whole-of-community” approach. This whole-of-community approach is one that is concerned with both inter-human and interspecies relationships to move us towards communities that are place-based, integrated, participatory, and grounded in eco-social justice and equity. Pollinating bees are used as an illus­trative example of how to achieve this vision. Bees can be both a bridge and gateway. As a bridge, they can provide a way of (re)connecting human and nonhuman nature and as a gateway, they can guide humans to a deeper understanding and connection with urban natures. Reconciling humans with the rest of the biotic community through place-based initiatives is possible by fundamentally and radically expanding our current framing of the concept of community. See the press release for this article.

On Filipinodiaptomus Lai, Mamaril Sr. & Fernando, 1979 (Calanoida, Diaptomidae): redescription and re-allocation of the Philippine endemic Diaptomus vexillifer Brehm, 1933

Abstract The original description of Diaptomus vexillifer Brehm, 1933, endemic to Lake Danao (Leyte Island), was elementary and lacking taxonomically satisfactory characters. In this paper, we redescribe the Philippine-endemic genus Filipinodiaptomus Lai, Mamaril Sr. & Fernando, 1979 and the species D. vexillifer collected from its type locality, using light and scanning electron microscopy and an analysis of the mtCOI gene and the ITS of the nuclear 18S operon. We found that D. vexillifer is the second species under this endemic genus. A neotype and paraneotypes are hereby designated. Also a detailed morphological comparison is made between Filipinodiaptomus vexillifer (Brehm, 1933) comb. nov. and Filipinodiaptomus insulanus (Wright, 1928). Their taxonomic characters, interspecies relationship, and biogeography are likewise discussed.

Effect of D-cysteine on dual-species biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis

Dental caries is a highly prevalent disease worldwide. It is caused by the cariogenic biofilms composed of multiple dynamic bacteria on dental surface. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis are resident members within the biofilms and an antagonistic relationship has been shown between these two species. S. mutans, as the major causative microorganism of dental caries, has been reported to be inhibited by free D-cysteine (D-Cys). However, whether D-Cys could affect S. sanguinis and the interspecies relationship between S. mutans and S. sanguinis remains unknown. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of D-Cys on the growth and cariogenicity of dual-species biofilms formed by S. mutans and S. sanguinis. We measured dual-species biofilms biomass, metabolic activity, lactate production. We also detected the biofilms structure, the ratio of live/dead bacteria, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis and bacterial composition in the dual-species biofilms. We found that D-Cys could reduce the metabolic activity and lactic acid production of dual-species biofilms (p < 0.05). In addition, biofilms formation, the proportion of S. mutans in dual-species biofilms, and EPS synthesis were decreased with D-Cys treatment. The results suggested that D-Cys could inhibit the growth and cariogenic virulence of dual-species biofilms formed by S. mutans and S. sanguinis, indicating the potential of D-Cys in clinical application for caries prevention and treatment.

A systematic approach re-analyzing the effects of temperature disturbance on the microbial community of mesophilic anaerobic digestion

Microbial communities are key drivers of ecosystem processes, but their behavior in disturbed environments is difficult to measure. How microbial community composition and function respond disturbances is a common challenge in biomedical, environmental, agricultural, and bioenergy research. A novel way to solve this problem is to use a systems-level perspective and describe microbial communities as networks. Based on a mesophilic anaerobic digestion system of swine manure as a tool, we propose a simple framework to investigate changes in microbial communities via compositions, metabolic pathways, genomic properties and interspecies relationships in response to a long-term temperature disturbance. After temperature disturbance, microbial communities tend towards a competitive interaction network with higher GC content and larger genome size. Based on microbial interaction networks, communities responded to the disturbance by showing a transition from acetotrophic (Methanotrichaceae and Methanosarcinaceae) to methylotrophic methanogens (Methanomassiliicoccaceae and Methanobacteriaceae) and a fluctuation in rare biosphere taxa. To conclude, this study may be important for exploring the dynamic relationships between disturbance and microbial communities as a whole, as well as for providing researchers with a better understanding of how changes in microbial communities relate to ecological processes.

A Mesozoic clown beetle myrmecophile (Coleoptera: Histeridae).

Complex interspecies relationships are widespread among metazoans, but the evolutionary history of these lifestyles is poorly understood. We describe a fossil beetle in 99-million-year-old Burmese amber that we infer to have been a social impostor of the earliest-known ant colonies. Promyrmister kistneri gen. et sp. nov. belongs to the haeteriine clown beetles (Coleoptera: Histeridae), a major clade of 'myrmecophiles'-specialized nest intruders with dramatic anatomical, chemical and behavioral adaptations for colony infiltration. Promyrmister reveals that myrmecophiles evolved close to the emergence of ant eusociality, in colonies of stem-group ants that predominate Burmese amber, or with cryptic crown-group ants that remain largely unknown at this time. The clown beetle-ant relationship has been maintained ever since by the beetles host-switching to numerous modern ant genera, ultimately diversifying into one of the largest radiations of symbiotic animals. We infer that obligate behavioral symbioses can evolve relatively rapidly, and be sustained over deep time.

Comparison of modes of action among different trophic levels of aquatic organisms for pesticides and medications based on interspecies correlations and excess toxicity: Theoretical consideration

Pesticides and medications have adverse effects in non-target organisms that can lead to different modes of action (MOAs). However, no study has been performed to compare the MOAs between different levels of aquatic species. In this study, theoretical equations of interspecies relationship and excess toxicity have been developed and used to investigate the MOAs among fish, Daphnia magna, Tetrahymena pyriformis and Vibrio fischeri for pesticides and medications. The analysis on the interspecies correlation and excess toxicity suggested that fungicides, herbicides and medications share the similar MOAs among the four species. On the other hand, insecticides share different MOAs among the four species. Exclusion of insecticides from the interspecies correlation can significantly improve regression coefficient. Interspecies relationship is dependent not only on the difference in interaction of chemicals with the target receptor(s), but also on the difference in bio-uptake between two species. The difference in physiological structures will result in the difference in bioconcentration potential between two different trophic levels of organisms. Increasing of molecular size or hydrophobicity will increase the toxicity to higher level of aquatic organisms; on the other hand, chemical ionization will decrease the toxicity to higher level organisms. Hydrophilic compounds can more easily pass through cell membrane than skin or gill, leading to greater excess toxicity to Vibrio fischeri, but not to fish and Daphnia magna.

Serological analysis of sensitization in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: a study on allergen components and interspecies relationships

Background: Serological testing for immunoglobulin (Ig) E or IgG is useful for diagnosing allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), as it detects type I and III allergic reactions to Aspergillus species. However, few reports have investigated the allergen component and cross-reactivity among Aspergillus species. We aimed to measure and analyze the levels of IgGs specific to each Aspergillus species and investigate the prevalence of IgEs specific to each allergen component of A. fumigatus (Af) in ABPA patients.Methods: Serum samples were collected from 12 ABPA patients who visited our hospital between February and December 2017, and 16 with Af-sensitized asthma and 41 with Af-unsensitized asthma were controls. Immuno-CAP was performed to analyze the IgEs and IgGs specific to Af, A. niger, A flavus and A. terreus, and IgEs specific to allergen components Asp f 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.Results: The ABPA group was significantly more frequently sensitized to Asp f 1 and 2 than the control groups. Af-specific IgEs were significantly positively correlated to the IgEs specific to A. flavus, A. niger and A. terreus. Af-specific IgGs were positively correlated to the IgGs specific to all the other species.Conclusions: Tests using allergen components were useful for ABPA diagnosis. Both IgE and IgG were highly cross-reactive among the Aspergillus species. There were many patients apart from asthmatic patients with ABPA, who displayed high Aspergillus IgG values.

Banggai cardinalfish and its microhabitats in a warming world: a preliminary study

Global changes in the Anthropocene are affecting marine ecosystems in many ways, including alterations in long-established inter-species relationships. The Banggai cardinalfish Pterapogon kauderni, a species of global conservation concern, is highly dependent on benthic organisms serving as microhabitat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of global change, in particular rising sea temperature, on P. kauderni and three key associated microhabitats: hard corals (Scleractinia), sea urchins (Diadematidae), and sea anemones (Actinia). Data collected before, during, and after the 2016 global coral bleaching event from P. kauderni habitat in the Banggai Archipelago, including coral bleaching (by genus) and P. kauderni (by life stage) microhabitat association (species or genus, coral life-form), were complemented by a literature review. While coral bleaching and mortality was less severe than in many other regions, hard coral genera and life-forms preferred by P. kauderni were disproportionately affected, and P. kauderni hosting sea anemones also bleached. Coral, sea urchin and sea anemone reproduction, larval development, and recruitment may be negatively affected. Likely post-settlement effects on sea urchin and sea anemone growth and survival are unclear. Direct impacts on P. kauderni are likely, including metabolic rate change with consequences for growth and longevity. Indirect impacts (e.g. changes in plankton composition and abundance, increased storm frequency/severity) will affect P. kauderni and all its microhabitats. This evaluation for P. kauderni, its key microhabitat groups, and their association, points towards increased need for both conservation action and research to fill identified knowledge gaps.

Chemical Constituents and Antioxidant Capacity of Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum sanctum

The chemical constituents of leaves, inflorescence, and flowers from Ocimum basilicum (Thai basil) and Ocimum sanctum (Holy basil) were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The chemical compounds were extracted by hydrodistillation, headspace-solid phase microextraction, and solvent extraction. The main constituents of Ocimum basilicum were identified to consist of estragole (> 35.71%), (E)-β-ocimene (> 1.47%), trans-α-bergamotene (> 0.83%), τ-cadinol (> 0.41%) eucalyptol (> 0.25%) and α-caryophyllene (> 0.07%) while Ocimum sanctum consists mainly of eugenol methyl ether (> 34.34%), (E)-caryophyllene (> 7.91%), germacrene D (> 5.58%), β-elemene (> 4.22%) and copaene (> 1.49%). Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum sanctum leaves contain more chemical constituents followed by inflorescence and flowers. The genetic distance between the two species was calculated to investigate the interspecies relationship and it is 2.86. The calculated genetic distance between the two species showed that Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum sanctum are closely related species and share some of the same traits. The methanol and dichloromethane extracts of Ocimum basilicum leaves showed an IC50 value of 88 μg/mL and 1178 μg/mL, respectively, while the methanol and dichloromethane extract of Ocimum sanctum showed a higher 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil free radicals scavenging activities with an IC50 value of 11 μg/mL and 369 μg/mL, respectively. The natural antioxidant level Ocimum sanctum and Ocimum basilicum indicated that they can be used effectively in food preservation.

Interspecies comparison of three moss species (Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, and Isothecium stoloniferum) as biomonitors of trace element deposition.

Biomonitoring with mosses is a common method widely used to assess the spatial and temporal trends of atmospheric deposition in Europe since its introduction in the 1970s. Based on previous investigations, certain moss species provide the most accurate reflection of atmospheric deposition. However, sampling of just one species across large areas can pose a challenge, therefore the ability to use multiple moss species interchangeably is integral to an effective moss biomonitoring survey. In this study, biomonitoring abilities of two common species (Hylocomium splendens [Hs] and Pleurozium schreberi [Ps]) were compared to a potential new biomonitoring species endemic to North America (Isothecium stoloniferum [Is]). Thirteen metal concentrations were analyzed (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, and Pb) in moss tissue from 20 sites with co-located species (Ps/Hs, Is/Hs) Five metals (Al, V, Fe, Ni, and Pb) showed significant and strong correlations (Spearman correlation, r ≥ 0.7 α = 0.05) for all three species, reflecting the established deposition gradient in the region. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in observations (and moderate correlation) for Cr, which suggests that all species exhibited similar uptake abilities for these six metals (Al, V, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Pb). Four metals (Co, As, Se, and Cd) exhibited concentrations below detection at a number of sites, which may have influenced the assessment of interspecies relationships. It is recommended that interspecies calibration be carried out under all surveys that employ multiple moss species.

Seeing the wood for the trees: A new way to view the human intestinal microbiome and its connection with non-communicable disease

Our paper briefly reviews the connection of the intestinal microbiome to the rise in non-communicable conditions related to atopic disease, obesity and mental health. We consider that the microbiome is best treated as if it were a single entity and have borrowed the terms semiochemical, allomone and kairomone (5) to describe interspecies relationship between the microbiome and ourselves (Fig. 1). We use the term dysbiosis to describe the breakdown of these relationships leading to disease (Fig. 2). As a result of this analysis we tentatively suggest that components of the microbiome assess microbial antigens in our food and pass this information back to our immune system via as yet undescribed chemical messengers: kairomones. We call these hypothetical microbial agents Sentinel Cells. Our suggestion is that atopic disease arises partly as a result of consuming processed food that has insufficient antigens to activate this kairomone feedback mechanism, which atrophies as a result. We note that this is potentially similar to the Old Friends concept of Rook and his co-workers (16). We suggest that obesity is a consequence of dysbiosis-induced waning of the output of allomone-like psychotropic compounds (including the known microbial metabolites dopamine and serotonin) leading to the weakening of the gut-brain axis and a negative effect on mental health. Although dysbiosis can occur in other ways, including antibiotic use and sterile caesarian section, we believe that all these problems can be overcome to provide a future free of these non-communicable diseases.