Movement Of Organisms Research Articles

Semi Automated Movement Based Screening of Aqueous Extracts of Cinnamon Leaf, Almond, Beetroot Carrot, Ashwagandha and Tulsi on Caenorhabditis Elegans Model System for Health Beneficial Impact

The research was conducted at University of Agricultural Sciences Raichur during 2021-22. In this research Caenorhabditis elegans is utilized by the researchers to know the effects of various extracts, drugs, nano particles, xenobiotics, magnetic effects on behaviour, neuronal effects, feeding pathways, apoptosis, ageing related pathways. Experiments were performed to evaluate the traditional herbs (Cinnamon, Almond, Beetroot Carrot, Ashwagandha and Tulsi) consumption for their health beneficial effects by monitoring the movement as an end point. Movement of an organism is considered as the health and age influencing factor. As the movement is well maintained in organism means health is also well maintained. Hence consistent movement is the factor for the healthy life. In the present study the organism movement has been monitored from L4 onwards every day for 30 minute till 21st day of the survival by automated system. The worm movement during this period has been categorised based on activity in three categories from L4 to 4days the activity ranged from 28.0 units to 10 IR units, 5th to 15th day 27.82 to 14.67 and from 16th to 21st day ranged from 17.87 to 14.44 IR units in non exposed N2 wild type worms. There is a gradual increase in the activity has been recorded on the exposure to health beneficial extracts in a single dose of supplementation. Hence, the study concludes that the health supplements can impact on the move ability of worms and maintains consistent movement till 21 days. Further studies are required to establish comprehensive health beneficial effects of these extracts at organism level.

Declination affects geomagnetic field‐modulated geotaxis in fruit flies

AbstractDecades of research have established that the Earth’s magnetic field (geomagnetic field, GMF) is broadly used as a sensory cue for magnetic orientation in various animal taxa, including insects. In contrast to the investigation of the total intensity or inclination of the GMF, the effect of declination on horizontal magnetic movement has been explored in a few species, including flies, cockroaches, and dogs. However, the potential role of declination in the vertical movement in magnetosensitive organisms is yet to be reported. In this study, we provide the first evidence that declination within a natural range of change can affect static geotaxis in fruit flies, as assessed using the tube‐positioning assay. In open‐field measurements conducted at 22 domestic and foreign locations, the variation in declination was notably dependent upon the specific location, regardless of altitude, with similar variation in total intensity. Flies subjected to a geographic range of declination under the same total intensity and inclination exhibited remarkably different geotactic positioning scores, irrespective of GMF polarity. Notably, we observed a significant negative correlation between the geotactic score and the absolute value of declination, indicating that declination can induce negative geotaxis effects in flies. These results reveal that flies have evolved to incorporate a declination compass into their multimodal sensorimotor system and suggest that declination may be complementary to gravity in terms of environmental factor‐driven negative geotaxis in flies.

A MXene‐Based Light‐Driven Actuator and Motor with Self‐Sustained Oscillation for Versatile Applications

AbstractPhototropism and self‐oscillation are both self‐regulating intelligent movements of biological organisms. However, realizing these intelligent movements in one same artificial actuation system remains a great challenge. Here, by introducing dynamic light‐mechanical interaction, a MXene‐based actuator is designed and fabricated that can generate unique self‐adaptive light‐driven actuation from the equilibrium state of phototropic deformation to self‐oscillation. The actuator can autonomously track the incident light, showing a sunflower‐like phototropism. Moreover, by simply installing a load on the actuator to induce self‐shadowing‐enabled negative feedback loop, it can carry the load to continuously oscillate under constant light irradiation, with a frequency of 6.5 Hz, an amplitude of 2.6 mm, and a load‐to‐weight ratio value of 4.7. The oscillation frequency and amplitude can be further adjusted by the incident light power, actuator length, and weight of the installed load. This oscillator can serve as an intelligent light‐powered motor platform. By installing diverse accessories with different functions on the oscillator, it can realize various applications, including information transmission, light‐induced power generation, bionic motions, and multi‐mode intelligent switches. These results provide a simple and versatile strategy for designing a self‐adaptive oscillator driven by light and show the prospect of the oscillator in light‐powered engines and smart machinery systems.

Stable isotopes in eye lenses reveal migration and mixing patterns of diamond squid in the western North Pacific and its marginal seas

Abstract Knowledge of the movements of marine organisms is essential for effective conservation schemes. Here, we investigated the lifetime habitat use of diamond squid, Thysanoteuthis rhombus, collected in the western North Pacific and its marginal seas (the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea) during 2021–2022, whose migratory ecology is poorly known, using bulk stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios in eye lenses. From the eye lens isotope profiles, the chronology of the isotopic baseline of squid habitat was estimated by removing the effect of size-dependent changes of trophic position. Then, the baseline estimates were compared to the isoscapes of particulate organic matter. The baseline chronologies showed fluctuations during the paralarval and juvenile stages, becoming stable during the adult stage, suggesting that significant movements mainly occur during the early life stages due to current transport, with adults potentially not undertaking long-distance migrations. The squids in the marginal seas mostly originated from outside the subtropical gyre, while the squids in the subtropical gyre had various sources, including outside the gyre and southern and northern parts within the gyre, revealing a complex mixing pattern of the species. These results show that isotope chronology combined with baseline isoscapes are effective tools to understand animal migrations, which can help managing various cephalopods and fish.

Connecting lakes: Modeling flows and interactions of organisms and matter throughout the waterscape

Eutrophication poses a threat to lake ecosystem services provisioning worldwide. When eutrophic lakes are connected to other water systems, either through water flows, or through organismal movement and dispersal, their excess nutrients affect nearby lakes too. Understanding nutrient transport dynamics in lake meta-ecosystems is not trivial, as it encompasses the complexity of ecosystems themselves (i.e., food web dynamics, nutrient cycling) and the transport between ecosystems. Hitherto, it remains unknown how heterogeneity in lake meta-ecosystems affects their ecological resilience. We argue that scientists and water managers would benefit from the use of meta-ecosystem models while unravelling meta-ecosystem complexity. To this end, we converted lake ecosystem model PCLake + into lake meta-ecosystem model PCLakeS+. We showed that the spatial configuration of a lake meta-ecosystem influences its ecological dynamics, and that nutrient transport depends heavily on food web processes. We conclude that PCLakeS+ is suitable for exploring meta-ecosystem concepts for science and water management.

Connectivity-based approach to guide conservation and restoration of seagrass Posidonia oceanica in the NW Mediterranean

Marine population connectivity involves organism movement and interactions in oceanic and coastal settings. It is essential for biodiversity by aiding genetic diversity, species distribution, and recovery from disturbances. It guides resource management strategies like fisheries and conservation planning, ensuring marine ecosystem sustainability. Seagrass meadows play a pivotal role within coastal ecosystems, contributing to essential ecological, physical, and economic functions. Despite the presence of protective policies, a continuous decline of seagrass meadows has been observed in recent years due to the impact of human activities and climate change. In the Balearic Islands of the Mediterranean Sea, these pressures are further intensified by tourism, underlining the pressing requirement to prioritize areas for protection and restoration while considering the connectivity between habitat patches. In this study, the dispersal of Posidonia oceanica, the most widespread seagrass species in the Mediterranean Sea, from semi-enclosed bays and nearshore locations within the Balearic Islands archipelago, is investigated using a high-resolution hydrodynamic model and an individual-based model. The simulations were subjected to analysis through a graph-theoretic approach, revealing significant variations in dispersal probabilities across different years. Notably, Alcudia Bay emerged as a prominent sink, while critical links were identified between Menorca and Mallorca, as well as between Mallorca and Ibiza. This study underscores the value of dispersal modelling and network analysis in conservation planning for foundational species, particularly within a regional, integrated framework of conservation management.

Navigating a broken river: Understanding the ecological consequences of fragmentation on benthic life

AbstractHabitat fragmentation is emerging as a leading cause of biodiversity decline in riverine ecosystems. Several natural and human factors contribute to the fragmentation of rivers. River fragmentation is a growing problem that is widely spread and poses a significant challenge to the conservation of freshwater biodiversity, but its impact is not fully documented and acknowledged. Fragmentation impedes the movement of aquatic organisms and alters natural flow regimes, disrupting habitats and trophic supplies for aquatic biodiversity. It can also affect the adaptive ability of organisms to natural environmental changes, leading to a change in the structure and function of biotic communities. To understand the effects of fragmentation on river ecology, it is crucial to link its spatial and structural implications. This article examines the occurrence and frequency of fragmentation and its effects on the ecological community of benthic biota. This review aims to elucidate the overall effects of fragmentation on river ecology and recommends the possible measures to mitigate its impact. Urgent action is required to establish a comprehensive global network of free‐flowing river systems and revive previously exploited rivers in different regions to enhance the protection and sustainable utilization of river ecosystems.

Physiological Aspects of Interaction of Nanoparticles with Plant and Microorganism Cells

Nanoparticles (NPs) are materials with unique physical and chemical properties that are less than 100 nm in size. They are widely used in various fields of industry, medicine and agriculture. In agribusiness nanomaterials are used as nanofertilisers and nanopesticides. This fact requires a detailed study of the physiological, biochemical and molecular genetic responses of cells of living organisms – plants, fungi and animals – to interaction with nanomaterials. This review article provides information on the mechanisms of nanoparticle absorption, movement and molecular interaction in plant organisms, as well as mechanisms of their antibacterial and fungicidal activity. Available scientific resources devoted to the physiological features of nanoparticle absorption by plants indicate two possible ways of their penetration into the plant organism – apoplastic and symplastic. In plant cells, nanoparticles act as reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative stress and triggering enzymatic and non-enzymatic defence systems that result in both inhibition of physiological processes and stimulation of plant growth and development and, consequently, increased yield. The effect on the plant organism is species-specific and depends on the type of nanomaterial and its concentration. Detailed laboratory and field studies are required to determine the specific effect of nanomaterials on a particular plant species, while complying with all toxicological safety standards to avoid environmental contamination with nanomaterials. Nanoparticles act on microorganism cells as physical and chemical disruptors – they change the permeability of cell walls and organelle membranes, protein configuration, damage DNA, leading to physical destruction of cells. Such properties of nanoparticles define antimicrobial and fungicidal activities of nanoparticles. However, nanoparticles should be used cautiously in crop production, as both plant life and productivity depend largely on microbial symbionts, and their effect on microbial cells is not species-specific.

Polyurethane Shape Memory Polymer/pH-Responsive Hydrogel Hybrid for Bi-Function Synergistic Actuations

Stimuli-responsive actuating hydrogels response to the external stimulus with complex deformation behaviors based on the programmable anisotropic structure design are one of the most important smart soft materials, which have great potential applications in artificial muscles, smart values, and mini-robots. However, the anisotropic structure of one actuating hydrogel can only be programmed one time, which can only provide single actuating performance, and subsequently, has severely limited their further applications. Herein, we have explored a novel SMP/hydrogel hybrid actuator through combining polyurethane shape memory polymer (PU SMP) layer and pH-responsive polyacrylic-acid (PAA) hydrogel layer by a napkin with UV-adhesive. Owing to both the super-hydrophilicity and super-lipophilicity of the cellulose-fiber based napkin, the SMP and the hydrogel can be bonded firmly by the UV-adhesive in the napkin. More importantly, this bilayer hybrid 2D sheet can be programmed by designing a different temporary shape in heat water which can be fixed easily in cool water to achieve various fixed shapes. This hybrid with a fixed temporary shape can achieve complex actuating performance based on the bi-functional synergy of temperature-triggered SMP and pH-responsive hydrogel. The relatively high modulus PU SMP achieved high to 87.19% and 88.92% shape-fixing ratio, respectively, correspond to bending and folding shapes. The hybrid actuator can actuate with the 25.71 °/min actuating speed. Most importantly, one SMP/hydrogel bi-layer hybrid sheet was repeatedly programmed at least nine times in our research to fix various temporary 1D, 2D and 3D shapes, including bending, folding and spiraling shapes. As a result, only one SMP/hydrogel hybrid can provide various complex stimuli-responsive actuations, including the reversable bending-straightening, spiraling-unspiraling. A few of the intelligent devices have been designed to simulate the movement of the natural organisms, such as bio-mimetic "paw", "pangolin" and "octopus". This work has developed a new SMP/hydrogel hybrid with excellent multi-repeatable (≥9 times) programmability for high-level complex actuations, including the 1D to 2D bending and the 2D to 3D spiraling actuations, which also provides a new strategy to design other new soft intelligent materials and systems.

An exact solution for directional cell movement over Jeffrey slime layer with surface roughness effects

The role of marine microbes in the aquatic ecosystem is dynamic. The current work explores the fluid mechanics of gliding organisms near a porous boundary. Surface roughness effects are utilized on the lower substrate. The ooze layer between the two-dimensional sheet (micro-swimmers) and the rough substrate is considered a non-Newtonian Jeffrey fluid. The laminar flow of incompressible slime is generated by organism movement. Darcy's law is applied to capture the porous effects. This law is compatible with our study since the laminar flow of slime is driven via bacterial movement. The lubrication assumption is utilized on Navier–Stokes equations. The closed-form solution of a reduced differential equation is calculated. The unknowns present in the boundary conditions are refined by the root-finding algorithm. Finally, the organism speed, flow rate, energy losses, and streamlines are visually represented. These obtained results are elaborated, and key points are mentioned at the end.

Detection and localization of Goliath grouper using their low-frequency pulse sounds

The goal of this paper is to implement and deploy an automated detector and localization model to locate underwater marine organisms using their low-frequency pulse sounds. This model is based on time difference of arrival (TDOA) and uses a two-stage approach, first, to identify the sound and, second, to localize it. In the first stage, an adaptive matched filter (MF) is designed and implemented to detect and determine the timing of the sound pulses recorded by the hydrophones. The adaptive MF measures the signal and noise levels to determine an adaptive threshold for the pulse detection. In the second stage, the detected sound pulses are fed to a TDOA localization algorithm to compute the locations of the sound source. Despite the uncertainties stemming from various factors that might cause errors in position estimates, it is shown that the errors in source locations are within the dimensions of the array. Further, our method was applied to the localization of Goliath grouper pulse-like calls from a six-hydrophone array. It was revealed that the intrinsic error of the model was about 2 m for an array spanned over 50 m. This method can be used to automatically process large amount of acoustic data and provide a precise description of small scale movements of marine organisms that produce low-frequency sound pulses.

Neighbourhood landscape context shapes local species richness patterns across continents

AbstractAimRecent studies highlight the importance of linking landscape ecology and macroecology for a better understanding of broad‐scale biodiversity patterns. The “landscape context effect” denotes that species responses and biodiversity in a focal area are shaped by neighbouring landscape composition and structure outside the focal area. Here, we test whether the landscape context effect could be pronounced at macroecological scales.LocationSub‐Saharan Africa and continental China.Time periodLate 20th to early 21st centuries.Taxa studiedTerrestrial mammals (≥2 kg).MethodsWe calculated species richness on the basis of grid cells of 50 km × 50 km and 100 km × 100 km. We used ordinary least square and random forest models to examine the relationships between species richness within grid cells and landscape context (defined as composition and structure of the neighbouring landscape outside the grid cells, with distances of 10–400 km to the boundary of a given grid cell). We used variation partitioning to quantify the independent and shared explanatory power of the landscape context variables, grouping species by body size and diet.ResultsLandscape context alone explained ≤20% of the variation in species richness, even when controlling for correlations with macroenvironmental variables (climate, productivity and topography) and correlations with landscape attributes within the grid cells. Importantly, the explanatory power of landscape context at the scales of 100–400 km ofen outweighed grid‐cell landscape attributes or macro‐environmental variables. The independent explanatory power of landscape context was lowest for small‐sized omnivores. Furthermore, we found higher independent explanatory power for large herbivores in sub‐Saharan Africa than in continental China.Main conclusionsLandscape context plays a substantial role in shaping local biodiversity patterns at regional and continental scales, with its strength varying with organism diet and movement needs and possibilities. These findings support that conservation efforts should include effective management of landscape structure, with attention to differing space requirements among organism groups. Our work also illustrates the scope for testing landscape ecological hypotheses at macroecological scales.

Late Cenozoic history and the role of Beringia in assembling a Holarctic cestode species complex

The dynamic climate history that drove sea level fluctuation during past glacial periods mediated the movement of organisms between Asia and North America via the Bering Land Bridge. Investigations of the biogeographic histories of small mammals and their parasites demonstrate facets of a complex history of episodic geographic colonization and refugial isolation that structured diversity across the Holarctic. We use a large multi-locus nuclear DNA sequence dataset to robustly resolve relationships within the cestode genus Arostrilepis (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae), a widespread parasite of predominantly arvicoline rodents (voles, lemmings). Using this phylogeny, we confirm that several Asian Arostrilepis lineages colonized North America during up to four distinct glacial periods in association with different rodent hosts, consistent with taxon-pulse dynamics. A previously inferred westward dispersal across the land bridge is rejected. We also refine interpretations of past host colonization, providing evidence for several distinct episodes of expanding host range, which probably contributed to diversification by Arostrilepis. Finally, Arostrilepis is shown to be paraphyletic with respect to Hymenandrya thomomyis, a parasite of pocket gophers, confirming that ancient Arostrilepis species colonized new host lineages upon arriving in North America.

The Movement Ecology of Mutualism (CSEE/ESA 2022, OOS17)

The Movement Ecology of Mutualism (<scp>CSEE</scp>/<scp>ESA</scp> 2022, <scp>OOS17</scp>)

Public Health Implications of Invasive Plants: A Scientometric Study.

Movements of organisms through distinct places can change the dynamics of ecological interactions and make the habitat conducive to the spread of diseases. Faced with a cyclical scenario of invasions and threats in a One Health context, we conducted a scientometric study to understand how disturbances in environments with invaded vegetation affect the incidence of parasites and disease prevalence rates. The search was carried out in Web of Science and Scopus databases, with keywords delimited by Boolean operators and based on the PRISMA protocol. Thirty-sixarticles were full-read to clarify the interaction between diseases and invaded areas. The analysis covered publications from 2005 to 2022, with a considerable increase in the last ten years and a significant participation of the USA on the world stage. Trends were found in scientific activities, and we explored how invasive species can indirectly damage health, as higher concentrations of pathogens, vectors, and hosts were related to structurally altered communities. This paper reveals invaded plants threats that enhance disease transmission risks. It is likely that, with frequent growth in the number of introduced species worldwide due to environmental disturbances and human interventions, the negative implications will be intensified in the coming years.

The Role of Brownfields and Their Revitalisation for the Functional Connectivity of the Urban Tree System in a Regrowing City

The connectivity of green infrastructure facilitating the movement of organisms is the key to strengthening biodiversity in cities. Brownfields are a valuable land resource, with their revitalisation as a Nature Based Solution high on the policy agenda. In supporting cities which simultaneously aim for densification and the maintenance or further development of greenery, this paper develops a model for identifying and prioritising the role of revitalised and prevailing brownfields for the connectivity of green infrastructure using the example of Leipzig, Germany. Comparing metrics between land use categories, brownfields have a central role as stepping stones, with a value of 13%, while revitalised brownfields substantially contribute to global connectivity, with a value of 87% being equally important, for example, with Leipzig’s central parks. This paper’s spatial-explicit network approach provides a complementary planning tool for prioritising brownfields and the added value of their renaturing by identifying (a) strategic functional corridors formed by brownfields, (b) the connectivity relevance and exposure of individual brownfields, and (c) how renatured brownfields would strengthen existing corridors and form alternative paths. This paper presents an approach using freely available software tools and high-resolution canopy data as a proxy for functional connectivity which serves as a standardised and comparable ex-ante evaluation of NBS strategies being implemented in other cities.

Mercury Exposure and Habitat Fragmentation Affect the Movement, Foraging Behavior, and Search Efficiency of the Marsh Periwinkle (Littorina irrorata).

The interactions between habitat fragmentation and other stressors are considered a key knowledge gap. The present study tested the hypotheses that mercury enhances the effects of fragmentation by (1) reducing the cumulative daily movement of organisms, (2) shifting their foraging behavior, and (3) altering the vertical movement of the marsh periwinkle (Littoraria irrorata) in a field experiment. Random walk simulations were used to access how changes in movement affect the search efficiency of organisms in the long term. Eighteen 1.5 m2 plots were constructed in a salt marsh where landscapes characteristics were manipulated to reach three different levels of habitat cover. Daily movement of 12 marked control and mercury-exposed snails were measured in each plot. Bayesian models were used to analyze the data and evidence ratios were used to test the hypotheses. The results showed that the effects of fragmentation were consistent in both control and exposed treatments, with an increase in the cumulative displacement of organisms. However, mercury significantly reduced the movement of organisms in all levels of fragmentation, shifting their foraging behavior (evidence ratio > 1000). Exposed snails were more likely to be found inactive in comparison with the control treatment (evidence ratio > 1000). Fragmentation also reduced the vertical movement of organisms in both treatments. In contrast, mercury increased the vertical movement of organisms (evidence ratio > 1000). The search efficiency of organisms also increased in a highly fragmentated landscape, suggesting that changes in foraging behavior are likely due to reduced resources and consequently increase in foraging effort. The present study shows that mercury exposure can enhance the effects of habitat fragmentation by changing organisms' movement, foraging behavior, and search efficiency. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1971-1981. © 2022 SETAC.

Assessment of a new olfactometer for study of sensory ecology in small aquatic organisms

AbstractAll aquatic organisms rely on chemical stimuli at some point during their life cycles. These stimuli are typically associated with essential functions such as food‐, mate‐, or habitat‐finding, or predator avoidance. Historically, research on sensory ecology and behavior of aquatic organisms has been conducted using two‐channel choice flumes, which have many limitations when utilized on small organisms. Here, we describe functional features and results of pilot tests of an aquatic olfactometer, adapted from olfactometers used in studies on terrestrial arthropods, which eliminates these limitations. The initial implementation of this olfactometer is described. The structural integrity, hydrodynamics, and basic function of the olfactometer were tested and verified. The ability to clearly record the movements of a small organism within was also tested. Our experiments verify that the flow rate of water within the choice arena was accurate, water behaved as theorized in prior modeling, and chemical concentrations within each “zone” were distributed as expected based on computer simulations. We further show that video data could be obtained and analyzed using Ethovision XT to provide large amounts of raw data, including position, velocity, and acceleration, which can be used to investigate many potential questions associated with behavior. This olfactometer has the potential to become the new standard for research on chemotaxis and chemical ecology of small aquatic organisms.

Mapping connectivity and conservation opportunity on agricultural lands across the conterminous United States

Depending on management practices, agricultural lands can either pose substantial barriers to species movement or can support landscape connectivity by linking areas of high-quality habitat. Balancing connectivity and sustainable food production on agricultural lands is critical to conservation in the conterminous United States (CONUS) where agriculture makes up close to half of total land area. However, limited guidance exists on where to target conservation resources to maximize benefits for native species and food security. To quantify the potential contribution of agricultural lands to the movement of organisms, we developed a novel method for estimating agricultural management intensity (based on remotely sensed temporal variation in vegetation cover) and incorporated these estimates into a CONUS-wide model of ecological flow connectivity. We combined our connectivity results with data on the productivity, versatility, and resilience of agricultural lands (PVR) to identify conservation opportunities that support both biodiversity and food production. The highest levels of connectivity on agricultural lands occurred on relatively unmodified rangelands and on cropland and pasture surrounded by large amounts of natural land cover. Mapping connectivity and PVR across CONUS revealed 10.2 Mha of agricultural lands (2.7 %) with high value for both connectivity and food production, as well as large amounts of agricultural land (>140 Mha in total) with high value for either cultivation or supporting biodiversity. Drawing on these findings, we provide recommendations on the types of conservation approaches most suitable for a given agricultural system and link these recommendations to specific government incentive programs.

Exploring Recent Advances in the Physics of Biofluid Locomotion

This Special Topics Edition of the JPSJ describes the latest advances in the field of biofluid locomotion, shedding light on the underlying physics behind the movement of organisms that swim and fly.