Natural Occurrence Research Articles

Population Dynamics and Environmental Correlates of Insect Pests in Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (T.)

The study was conducted in Kandavara village, Chikkaballapur district, during 2021, investigated the insect pest complex affecting watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (T) following standard crop management practices but without any insecticidal interventions to assess the natural occurrence of insect pests. Weekly observations were made from February to April (2021) employing various sampling methods to monitor key pests, including leaf miners, thrips, whiteflies, fruit flies, leaf-eating caterpillars, and pumpkin beetles. The study revealed that leaf miners, Liriomyza trifolii (Frick) were the first to appear, peaking in the 11th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) with 6.45 leaf mines per five leaves. Thrips, Thrips palmi Karny and whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) emerged during the vegetative stage, showing a significant positive correlation with maximum temperature. Fruit flies, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) caused the most significant damage during the fruiting stage, with a peak incidence of 14.92 per cent in the 15th SMW. The study highlighted that higher temperature had a positive correlation with pest populations, while rainfall had a negative correlation reducing the pest activity. These findings emphasize the importance of precise timing in pest management interventions to minimize crop losses and enhance the sustainability and productivity of watermelon cultivation in India.

Mycobiota, Total Aflatoxins, And Ochratoxin A of Black And Green Cumin.

Because of the medical importance of cumin as well as it being one of the food additives to many Saudi dishes, there was a need to study the fungal load of this type of spice. This study aimed to determine the mycological profile of the retail black and green cumin distributed in different markets at western region, Saudi Arabia, using the dilution plat method on dichloran 18% glycerol (DG18) agar and incubation at 25°C. Using morphological criteria and molecular markers (internal transcribed spacer sequence), 39 species belonging to 18 genera were collected from different black cumin (33 species belonging to 17 genera) and green cumin (25 species belonging to 9 genera). Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. ochraceus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Stemphylium botryosum were the most prevalent. Black cumin harbors fungal counts reaching 545 colony-forming units (CFU)/g, while green cumin included 500 CFU/g. Also, the natural occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A was also measured. Seventy-two cumin samples (90% of tested samples) showed toxin contamination. Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A ranged from 9.35 to 3.9 PPB in black cumin samples and from 4.08 to 5.75 PPB in green cumin samples.

Natural Occurrence and Biology of Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) under Local Conditions of Maharashtra

Black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens is known as promising insect for organic waste recycling. However, its natural occurrence and biology in Maharashtra is not well documented. Present study aimed to assess the natural occurrence of H. illucens types of organic food substrates utilized by larvae in its natural environment and to examine its biology in the laboratory. The overarching objective was to evaluate the feasibility of rearing this insect under the local environmental conditions of Osmanabad district in Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Natural occurrence of H. illucens at 16 locations spanning across 10 districts was reported. Larvae were observed feeding on various types of organic wastes encompassing animal manures and their derivatives, kitchen scraps from households and canteens, decomposing fruits, vegetables, spoiled onions in storage structures, organic residues including crop remnants. Biology of the fly was examined in the laboratory under room temperature and humidity conditions in monsoon and in winter. Overall lifecycle of H. illucens was completed in 44.17 (± 6.07) to 46.46 (± 6.83) days in monsoon and 66.45 (± 6.84) to 68.24 (± 7.61) days in winter. Fecundity of female was 586.53 (± 36.41) and 531.47 (± 20.33) eggs in monsoon and in winter, respectively. Aggregation behavior was observed in maggots. Interactions of some arthropods with H. illucens was observed. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential for culturing H. illucens under local environmental conditions of Maharashtra.

Adipose Tissue Oxylipin Profile Changes with Subclinical Ketosis and Depot in Postpartum Dairy Cows

Lipolysis of adipose tissue is a natural occurrence during the periparturient period in dairy cows. However, when lipolysis rates exceed the capacity of other tissues to utilize nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), it may lead to the development of ketosis and other diseases. Additionally, polyunsaturated NEFA (PUFA) can become oxidized into oxylipins, which modulate inflammation and metabolism. The objective of this work was to identify depot-specific differences on adipose tissue oxylipin profile in dairy cows with and without subclinical ketosis and assess the effects of oxylipins on adipocyte function in vitro. Subcutaneous adipose tissue from the flank (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue from the omentum (VAT) were collected through laparotomy from multiparous dairy cows (5-14 d in milk) and grouped according to blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) into non-ketotic (NK; n = 5; BHB ≤ 0.8 mmol/L) and subclinical ketotic (SCK; n = 5; BHB 1.4 and ≤ 2.6 mmol/L). A targeted lipidome capable of detecting a 154 oxylipins was performed in paired SAT and VAT samples from all animals. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure in SAS (v9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) for the effect of depot (SAT, VAT), ketosis status (SCK, NK), and their interaction (depot × ketosis status) on oxylipin abundance. The oxylipins thromboxane-B2 (TXB2), prostaglandin-A2 (PGA2), and 5-hydroxeicostretanoic acid (5-HETE) were selected from lipidomic data based on effects of ketosis status and depot-specificity to further investigate their effects on SAT and VAT adipocyte function. Lipidomic data revealed 50 oxylipins across both adipose tissue depots. SCK was associated with a decreased abundance of TXB2 and tended to associate with an increase in prostaglandinA2 (PGA2) and prostaglandinE1 (PGE1). Additionally, PGE1, 15-keto-prostaglandin-E2 (15-Keto-PGE2), 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin-E2 (13-14dh-15k-PGE2), 5-HETE, and 15-HETE were increased in SAT. While VAT had a greater abundance of 9,10-dihydroxy-12Z-octadecenoic acid (9,10-DiHOME), 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (12,13-DiHOME), 9-oxo-10E,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid (9-OxoOTrE) and 13S-hydroxy-9Z,11E,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid (13(s)-HOTrE). In vitro, AVG dose of 5-HETE on VAT cells tended to increase proliferation at d 7 compared with the control, HIGH dose of TXB2 tended to decrease lipid accumulation in SAT compared with control, and AVG dose of PGA2 on VAT cells tended to lower ROS compared with the control. Overall, postpartum dairy cows have depot-specific adipose tissue lipidomic profiles which are associated with changes in ketosis status.

Natural Occurrence, Morpho‐Molecular Characteristics, and Pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. Associated With Chrysanthemum Wilt in Vietnam

ABSTRACTChrysanthemum Fusarium wilt (CFW) is a devastating soil‐borne disease affecting the cut chrysanthemum industry globally. In Vietnam, this disease has been occurring silently and is posing a risk of epidemic outbreaks in the southern provinces, especially Lam Dong. Results from a survey in 2023 showed that stunted growth, curved and small stems, dried‐rot roots, leaf drooping and green or yellow wilting of plants after transplanting or at their flower bud initiation were common symptoms observed across the main chrysanthemum‐growing farms in Lam Dong. The occurrence of CFW was recorded in relation with the host cultivar, irrigation method and fungicide‐spraying regime. Among the cultivars grown in Lam Dong, ‘Doa cu’ was the most susceptible to CFW. The use of sprinkler irrigation and infrequent application of fungicides were attributed to increase both disease incidence and severity. Thirty fungal isolates obtained from diseased plants were identified as Fusarium oxysporum and F. falciforme based on morphological features and molecular analysis of ITS and TEF‐1α genes. The detection frequency of these two species was almost equal, which shows their balanced role in the occurrence of CFW in Lam Dong. In‐planta pathogenicity assays of Fusarium isolates against plantlets grown from cuttings and invitro propagation showed a variation in pathogenicity and a specialisation of isolates for these planting materials. These results suggest that the profiles of population and aggressiveness of Fusarium isolates diverged with the type of planting material, and between the stock and the commercial farms.

Harvesting Energy from Rainfall: Initial Study by Exploring Diverse Piezoelectric Array Configurations for Enhanced Electricity Generation in Proteus Software

This paper presents an innovative approach to designing and analyzing a simulated piezoelectric energy harvesting system for electricity generation, employing various array connections using Proteus software. The ingenious concept of harnessing energy from rainfall through piezoelectric technology has become an exciting way to turn a common natural occurrence into a possible power source. The rainfall energy harvesting introduces a novel approach that capitalizes on the mechanical energy imparted by raindrops as they strike surfaces, such as rooftops, pavements, or specially designed structures. This study explores distinct piezoelectric connection types to determine their impact on output voltage, focusing on applications such as rechargeable battery and LEDs. The system begins by harvesting vibration and applying it to the piezoelectric disc. The investigation prioritizes identifying the optimal array connection design. Array configurations of series (S), parallel (P), and combination of series-parallel (SP) are assessed in the simulation. Notably, the series connection of 10 units of piezoelectric elements yielded the highest output voltage at 8.5V. The findings provide valuable insights into finding the optimal array connections in enhancing piezoelectric electricity generation. This research contributes to the leading of potential applications of piezoelectric energy harvesting from rainfall, offering insights into a greener and more self-sufficient energy future.

Onset of Spontaneous Filling and Voiding Cycles in the Lower Urinary Tract: A Modeling Study.

Spontaneous filling and voiding cycles represent a key dynamical feature of the healthy lower urinary tract. Some urinary tract dysfunctions, such as over-flow incontinence, may alter the natural occurrence of these cycles. As the function of the lower urinary tract arises from the interplay of a multitude of factors, it is difficult to determine which of them can be modulated to regain spontaneous cycles. In this study, we develop a mathematical model of the lower urinary tract that can capture filling and voiding cycles in the form of periodic solutions of a system of ordinary differential equations. After experimental validation, we utilize this model to study the effect that several physiological quantities have on the onset of cycles. We find that some parameters have an associated numerical threshold that determines whether the system exhibits healthy cycles or settles in a state of constant overflow.

Expeditious chemical synthesis of xylomannans disproves the proposed antifreeze activities.

Cold-adapted species are able to generate cryoprotective proteins and glycoproteins to prevent freezing damage. The [→4)-β-D-Manp-(1→4)-β-D-Xylp-(1→] n xylomannan from the Alaska beetle Upis ceramboides was disclosed by Walters and co-workers in 2009 as the first glycan-based antifreeze agent, which was later reported to be found in diverse taxa. Here, we report the rapid synthesis of four types of xylomannans, including the proposed antifreeze xylomannan up to a 64-mer (Type I), the regioisomeric [→3)-β-D-Manp-(1→4)-β-D-Xylp-(1→] n 16-mer (Type II), the diastereomeric [→4)-β-L-Manp-(1→4)-β-D-Xylp-(1→] n 16-mer (Type III) and the block-wise [→4)-β-D-Manp-(1→] m [→4)-β-D-Xylp-(1→] n 32-mer (Type IV), by employing a strategic iterative exponential glycan growth (IEGG) process. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data of the alleged natural xylomannan are in accordance only to those of the block-wise Type IV glycan and none of these synthetic xylomannans has been found to be capable of inducing thermal hysteresis. These results disprove the previous reports about the natural occurrence of antifreeze xylomannans.

Producing a siliceous ferroalloy from a mixture of amorphous rocks

The main silicon-containing component in a charge during ferrosilicon smelting is quartzite. The carbothermic reduction rate of the crystalline structure SiO2 has a limitation associated with a fixed energy reserve of silicon-oxygen bond. The reactive capacity of silica can be increased by using its amorphous form instead of the crystalline SiO2. The amorphous form of silica has a higher dispersion, greater free surface energy, and, consequently, a more active degree of entering into a reaction. Such silica-containing materials include amorphous rocks: diatomite, opoka, tripoli. The article presents the results of experimental studies of electrothermal ferrosilicon production from a mixture of amorphous rocks (tripoli, opoka, diatomite with a mass ratio of 1:1:1).It is established that when smelting the mixture of amorphous rocks containing 77 % SiO2, 7.9 % Al2O3, 5.2 % Σ CaO and MgO, 4 % Σ K2O Na2O, 3.3 % Fe2O3, 1.3 % CaCO3, 0.9 % CaSO4, 0.4 % others, three ferrosilicon grades are formed: FeSi25 (22–29 % Si), FeSi45 (41–47 % Si), FeSi50 (47–52 % Si) with the extraction degree of 70–87.6 % silicon into the alloy. Moreover, the ferrosilicon grade decreases with an increase in steel shavings in the charge from 21.9-31.4 % to 33–35 %. In comparison with ferrosilicon smelting from a standard charge containing quartzite with the crystalline form of SiO2, steel shavings and coke, ferrosilicon production from the mixture of amorphous rocks allows to increase the process rate by 17.5–21.6 %. It is possible to increase the silicon extraction degree into the alloy from 80-85 %–94.5 % if its final stage is carried out in the resistance mode. Widespread occurrence in nature, favorable conditions of occurrence, low cost, high reactive capacity are favorable factors for using amorphous rocks in the production of ferroalloys.

Is economic growth less welfare enhancing in Africa? Evidence from the last forty years

On current trends, the future of global poverty reduction will be determined by Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yet, poverty reduction has been relatively slow on the continent, even during periods of strong economic growth. The empirical literature has argued that this is due to the lower growth elasticity of poverty in SSA compared to other regions. This paper contributes to this debate by i) using an up-to-date and expanded sample of 575 successive and comparable growth spells between 1981 and 2021 and 2) unpacking the factors that contribute to the lower growth elasticity of poverty in SSA. First, the analysis confirms previous findings that economic growth (which we measure by growth in GDP per capita) has consistently been less poverty-reducing in SSA, even after controlling for initial differences in poverty, income levels, and inequality (and changes therein). Second, we find that the lower growth elasticity is due to a significantly lower passthrough between growth in GDP per capita and growth in household income or consumption as measured from surveys. GDP growth is particularly ineffective in improving the incomes of the poorest households, whose consumption expenditures in SSA are independent of economic growth, in contrast to low-income households elsewhere. Third, examining the factors that mediate the passthrough between GDP growth and household welfare, we find that limited provision of basic education services and basic infrastructure and the slow process of structural transformation inhibit the passthrough between economic growth and household welfare, as do dependence on natural resources and occurrence of violent conflicts. Overall, variables that strengthen (weaken) the effect of aggregate economic growth on household welfare are scarcer (more abundant) in SSA, which partly explains the weaker effect of economic growth on household welfare.

Diversity of bacteria of the genus Sphingomonas associated with sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) culm apoplast fluid and their agrotechnological potential.

In sugarcane, sequences related to the genus Sphingomonas have been widely detected by microbiome studies. In this work, the presence of bacteria of this genus was confirmed using culture-dependent and independent techniques. A collection of thirty isolates was obtained using semispecific cultivation conditions, and a specific PCR assay was applied to help confirm the isolates as belonging to the genus. A series of laboratory evaluations were carried out to identify potential properties among the isolates in the collection, which consequently allowed the identification of some most promising isolates for the development of new agricultural bioinputs. In a separate analysis, the culture-independent fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methodology was applied to demonstrate the natural occurrence of Sphingomonas in different organs and tissues of sugarcane. The results showed the presence of bacteria of the genus in the spaces between cells (apoplast) of the culm parenchyma, in vessels in the region of the leaf vein, on the adaxial surface of the leaf blade, and on the root surface, sometimes close to the base of root hairs, which suggests extensive colonization on the host plant. In summary, the present study corroborates previous metagenomic amplicon sequencing results that indicated a high occurrence of Sphingomonas associated with sugarcane. This is the first study that uses approaches other than amplicon sequencing to confirm the occurrence of the genus in sugarcane and, at the same time, demonstrates potentially beneficial activities to be explored by sugarcane cultivation.

Effects of river flooding on human population: A case study of Kyarumba Sub-county along River Nyamuhasana in Kasese District

A natural occurrence that can have catastrophic effects on human populations is river flooding. This study looked at how the flooding of the Nyamuhasana River affected the livelihoods of those who lived close to the river in Kyarumba sub-county. The primary aim of the research was to evaluate the effects of alterations in land use in the catchment areas of the Nyamuhasana River in Kyarumba sub-county, Kasese district. The study also aimed to determine the degree of awareness among the community regarding their impact on the rising frequency of flooding in the Nyamuhasana River. The study also assessed the effectiveness of flood mitigation strategies being implemented by Kyarumba sub-county residents near the Nyamuhasana River. The study used both primary and secondary data and the methods used for data collection were; interviewing, observation, use of questionnaire, focus group discussion, and use of geographical information system (GIS) and remote sensing. The study’s conclusions showed that changes in land use within the river Nyamuhasana catchment zones have greatly raised the frequency and severity of flooding incidents. The community’s lack of awareness of its impact on the rising frequency of Nyamuhasana flooding was another finding of the study. The study also discovered that the flood mitigation strategies used by the people living in the Kyarumba sub-county, which is next to the Nyamuhasana River, are mainly ineffective. The study suggests that to lessen the negative effects of river Nyamuhasana flooding on the way of life for people living in the Kyarumba sub-county, a thorough flood control plan should be created and put into action. Reducing land use changes within river catchment zones, increasing community understanding of flooding causes, and putting in place practical flood mitigation strategies should all be part of the strategy.

α-Pyrones: Natural Occurrence, Chemistry, and Biological Approaches—An Update

α-Pyrones: Natural Occurrence, Chemistry, and Biological Approaches—An Update

Exploring stachydrine: from natural occurrence to biological activities and metabolic pathways.

Stachydrine, also known as proline betaine, is a prominent constituent of traditional Chinese herb Leonurus japonicus, renowned for its significant pharmacological effects. Widely distributed in plants like Leonurus and Citrus aurantium, as well as various bacteria, stachydrine serves pivotal physiological functions across animal, plant, and bacterial kingdoms. This review aims to summarizes diverse roles and mechanisms of stachydrine in addressing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, neuroprotection, anticancer activity, uterine regulation, anti-inflammatory response, obesity management, and respiratory ailments. Notably, stachydrine exhibits cardioprotective effects via multiple pathways encompassing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and modulation of calcium handling functions. Furthermore, its anti-cancer properties inhibit proliferation and migration of numerous cancer cell types. With a bi-directional regulatory effect on uterine function, stachydrine holds promise for obstetrics and gynecology-related disorders. In plants, stachydrine serves as a secondary metabolite, contributing to osmotic pressure regulation, nitrogen fixation, pest resistance, and stress response. Similarly, in bacteria, it plays a crucial osmoprotective role, facilitating adaptation to high osmotic pressure environments. This review also addresses ongoing research on the anabolic metabolism of stachydrine. While the biosynthetic pathway remains incompletely understood, the metabolic pathway is well-established. A deeper understanding of stachydrine biosynthesis holds significance for elucidating its mechanism of action, advancing the study of plant secondary metabolism, enhancing drug quality control, and fostering new drug development endeavors.

Occurrence of modified mycotoxins in Latin America: an up-to-date review.

The Latin America region has a considerable extent of varied climate conditions: from tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate to temperate. Among the surface territory, different agricultural products are produced, making them an important food source for human consumption. Fungal species commonly colonize those important agricultural products and often contaminate them with mycotoxins that have a major impact on health, welfare, and productivity. Nowadays, special attention is paid to modified mycotoxins, which are those that cannot be detected by conventional analytical methods. However, little data about their natural occurrence in food and feed is available, especially in Latin American countries, where, among all the countries in this region, only a few of them are working on this subject. Thus, the present review summarizes the published information available in order to determine the possible human exposure risk to these toxins.

Numerical study of cavitation bubble dynamics in a flowing tube

Cavitation in tubes is a common occurrence in nature and engineering applications. Previous studies of cavitation bubble dynamics mainly consider bubbles in stagnant-water tubes, but the dynamics of cavitation bubbles in tubes with flow is not clear. This study investigates the dynamics of cavitation bubbles in tubes with flow by numerical simulations. The results show that, unlike bubbles in stagnant-water tubes, bubbles under the combined effects of water inflow and tube wall confinement exhibit asymmetric behavior along the axis of the tube. The inflow suppresses the development of the bubble interface near the tube inlet, causing that side of the interface to move with the inflow. In contrast, the expansion and contraction of the bubble and the generation of liquid jets occur on the side near the outlet. This feature results in significant asymmetry in the bubble interface; therefore, we introduce a skewness parameter to characterize the difference in length between the left and right parts of the bubble during the bubble evolution. The evolution of the bubble significantly affects the mass flow rate at the outlet of the tube, and even leads to backflow during the bubble contraction process.

The influence of air pollution on asthma in athletes – a brief review of the literature

Introduction and purpose Air pollution, stemming from natural occurrences and human activities, significantly threatens global health, particularly impacting respiratory conditions like asthma. Air pollution substantially influences asthma exacerbation in athletes, a group particularly vulnerable due to their high physical activity levels and increased respiratory demands. Key pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), ground-level ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), play critical roles in asthma development and exacerbation. The State of Knowledge Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease influenced by genetic predisposition and environmental factors like air pollution, is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, obstruction, and chronic inflammation, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Research highlights the link between air pollution exposure and asthma development, with PM2.5 exposure associated with increased asthma risk and pollutants exacerbating symptoms, especially in children. Athletes inhaling air pollutants during exercise face increased airway inflammation, mucus production, and bronchospasm, worsening asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. Chronic exposure decreases lung function, increasing reliance on medication and limiting outdoor training on polluted days. Summary Effective asthma management amidst air pollution requires personal, community, and governmental measures. Patients should minimize exposure by wearing N95 masks and choosing low-traffic routes. Governments must monitor pollution, inform the public, and control emissions through alternative fuels and technologies. Adhering to WHO air quality guidelines could prevent many new asthma cases, emphasizing comprehensive air quality management's importance, especially among vulnerable populations like children.

Types of stress and methods of stress reduction in cattle

Recently, stress has become the most urgent problem of modern animal husbandry. With the industrialization of agriculture, this problem is becoming more and more acute, as a result, livestock enterprises and farms suffer significant economic losses. Throughout its life, the animal is exposed to numerous stressors that have a completely different nature of occurrence, but invariably lead to the same changes in the body. The animal noticeably loses weight, weakens, its resistance to diseases decreases. A review of scientific sources on some types of stress loading on cattle: heat stress, transportation stress, pre-slaughter stress is given. According to many studies, the stress state of an animal depends on feeding and maintenance by 70-80% and only 20-30% on genetics. The body of farm animals is constantly affected by various environmental factors. These include production technology, method of maintenance, density of accommodation, size of groups, microclimate of premises, type and level of feeding, biological full-value of diets, methods of preparation and distribution of feed, quality of drinking water, veterinary and preventive and zootechnical measures (vaccination, sanitary treatment of animals, weighing, castration, etc.). When the above factors change, certain reactions occur in the animal body. The nature of stress can be different: mechanical, physical, chemical, biological, mental. Knowledge of the causes of stress, the patterns of its course, its consequences, outlined in the mentioned scientific sources, will allow rational use of the proposed ways to reduce the adverse effects of various stress factors on animals to preserve their health and high productivity.

Hydra for 21st Century—A Fine Model in Freshwater Research

Hydra is known for its natural occurrence, anatomical simplicity, intricate physiology, regenerative capacity, and ease of maintenance and manipulation in laboratory environments. It has proven to be a valuable model organism in various disciplines. Its applications range from developmental biology, stem cell research, animal physiology to environmental toxicology including ecotoxicology. The sensitivity of Hydra to a variety of environmental stressors and chemical agents such as metals, nanomaterials, and toxic organic compounds provides valuable insights into physiological mechanisms affected by environmental stressors and pollution, and Hydra can be of great use in environmental monitoring. Furthermore, since green Hydra lives in a symbiotic relationship with unicellular photoautotrophic algae, it is a suitable model organism for symbiosis research. Recently, it has become a popular model in holobiont research. The adaptability and importance of Hydra also extends to aquatic science and aquatic ecology, particularly in the context of monitoring and water pollution. Since the 1980s, Hydra has been increasingly used in various fields of research and has established itself as an important versatile model organism in numerous scientific studies. Hydra also represents an outstanding model in the fields of education and STEM. Hydra continues to be an important model in the 21st century, contributing significantly to our understanding of the biology of water and advancing freshwater research, and possibly finding its way to regenerative medicine and tumor pathobiology research.

Competition between sympatric hare species in the Alps is boostered by climate change and hybridisation

Climatic variation along the elevation gradient promotes the natural parapatric occurrence of the European hare (Lepus europaeus) and Alpine mountain hare (Lepus timidus varronis) in the Alps. Recent data indicate a displacement of mountain hares caused by competition with the European hare. Competitive exclusion might take place at a fine spatial scale and hybrids may sharpen competition. Genetic non-invasive sampling (gNIS) demonstrates to be effective to retrieve information from wild animals. However, based on the accuracy of the differing genetic analysis methods, the selection of the method might decisively influence results. To examine habitat preferences of Alpine mountain hares, European hares and their hybrids with particular interest in the influence of the accuracy of the genetic analysis method on the results, we performed gNIS in Grisons (Switzerland) for four years and compared habitat associations of the genotyped samples. We recorded 137 individuals (i.e., 35 hybrids, 49 European hares, 53 Alpine mountain hares). Combined nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analysis including individual identification revealed to be the most accurate indirect method for the study of habitat preferences of hares. Alpine mountain hares had a narrow habitat breadth and used little habitat diversity. Hybrids showed great similarities in their habitat preferences to European hares. Hybrids might increase the competition in favour of European hares and the displacement of Alpine mountain hares, since they show similar patterns of habitat use to European hares. Ongoing climate change potentiate the niche overlap between species, increasing the risk of Alpine hare decline due to hybridisation and displacement.