Range Of Habitats Research Articles

Identification of the endangered species Haplotropis brunneriana (Insecta: Orthoptera) from South Korea using exuviae

Most Pamphagidae species are at risk of being endangered due to their flightlessness, low mobility, and small habitat range. For the same reason, Haplotropis brunneriana (Orthoptera: Pamphagidae) has been designated an endangered species in South Korea. Endangered species with small populations are difficult to observe and investigate because any damage or disturbance to them are prohibited. To address these problems, we first performed non-invasive genomic DNA (gDNA) extraction using exuviae to identify H. brunneriana. Second, we tested the limit of detection of gDNA in the exuviae and how long it could persist when exposed to artificial environmental conditions. Using exuviae, we identified cytochrome b as a species-specific marker of H. brunneriana that could distinguish them from other grasshoppers with sufficient specificity. In the limit of detection test, gDNA could persist and be amplified from exuviae for up to 40 days. Our results demonstrated that fewer than 10 days is recommended for amplifying gDNA from exuviae to obtain reproducible results. In conclusion, this non-invasive identification method using exuviae can be used as an alternative to species identification when it is difficult to find H. brunneriana in the habitat and has the advantage of allowing genetic research to be conducted without harming the endangered species.

Annual and spatial variation in adult and brood abundance in a sub-Arctic wader

ABSTRACT Capsule Numbers of adult Eurasian Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus declined steeply across Iceland’s largest lowland basin during 2012–2021, but the abundance of broods during 2013–2021 did not decline. Sites with more adults generally held more broods. Aims Many Arctic-breeding waders are experiencing population declines, and it is imperative to gain a better understanding of how habitats and demography interplay in driving the dynamics of wader populations. We investigated the temporal and spatial variation in the abundance of Eurasian Whimbrel adults and broods (a proxy for productivity), and also the habitat associations of adults and broods, to assess whether sites holding more adults were also more productive. Methods Temporal and spatial variation in the abundance of Eurasian Whimbrels were analysed using generalized linear models in an 11-year dataset of adult counts and a nine-year dataset of brood counts, collected in a road-based survey across Iceland’s largest lowland region. Results We found a strong decline in the adult population but no trend in brood abundance, which showed high annual variation. Both the adults and broods occurred in a range of semi-natural habitats, but broods occurred less frequently in cultivated, built-up and forested habitats than expected by chance. More broods were associated with survey points that had a higher abundance of adults, suggesting the sites holding more adults are also more productive. Conclusions Spatial variation in brood abundance is largely a proximate product of local adult abundance, whereas its temporal variation seems strongly affected by annual environmental conditions. Incorporating such results into landscape planning, and prioritizing habitats for conservation where adults are more abundant, should also favour more productive sites in this Icelandic population.

Using integrated step selection to determine effects of predation risk on bison habitat selection and movement

AbstractAnimal movement is a fundamental mechanism that shapes communities and ecosystems. Ungulates alter the ecosystems they inhabit and understanding their movements and distribution is critical for linking habitat with population dynamics. Predation risk has been shown to strongly influence ungulate movement patterns, such that ungulates may select habitat where predation risk is lower (refugia), adjust movement rates, temporal patterns, or selection of cover variables in areas with greater predation risk. We evaluated potential predation avoidance behavior in a population of plains bison inhabiting the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) and adjacent Kaibab National Forest (KNF). The KNF has year‐round hunting managed by Arizona Game and Fish Department, whereas hunting is not allowed in GRCA. Human‐maintained water sources on the KNF are particularly important resources for bison wherein they may be exposed to higher predation risk to access these resources. We used 2‐h GPS locations for three years from 31 bison (n = 9 males; n = 22 females), and integrative step selection analysis to test four hypotheses about the potential for bison to reduce their risk from human predation by avoiding areas of high predation risk; moving faster in areas with high predation risk; entering high‐risk areas at night when risk is reduced; and entering high‐risk areas in habitats that provide cover (coniferous forest). The highest performing model indicated bison movement was 1.3 times faster per 2‐h step interval than in areas with no hunting across all vegetation classes (coniferous forest, shrub, quaking aspen, grass‐forb meadow) and across all topography classes (valley, slope, ridge). Bison moved more slowly in grass‐forb meadows than all other vegetation types, and in valleys relative to slopes and ridges. Several radio‐collared individuals had no GPS locations in KNF for the duration of the study. Bison avoided predation risk using two strategies: moving faster while in the KNF, and fully avoiding high‐risk areas by remaining within GRCA. Management that manipulates or reduces timing of hunting seasons may reduce perceived predation risk and encourage bison to distribute into the KNF and across a broader range of available habitat.

Measuring plant functional specialization in urban environments with Grime's CSR strategies

AbstractQuestionSpecialization refers to the degree of niche breadth of a species. Generalist species are able to persist in a broad range of habitats, whereas specialist species are adapted to a restricted range of environmental conditions. Cities host a great heterogeneity of habitats with variable degrees of human impact. This is generally reflected in the functional composition of the urban floras. The aim of our study is thus to explore whether the degree of functional specialization of urban plant assemblages varies among habitats subject to different degrees of human impact and disturbance regimes.LocationThirty‐two cities in Central Europe with more than 100,000 inhabitants.MethodsWe used a data set containing plots of urban floras sampled in seven habitat types within each city: historical city square, boulevard, residential area with a compact building pattern, residential area with an open building pattern, city park, early successional site, and mid‐successional site. These habitats differ in the level of human impact, ranging from moderately urbanized suburban habitats to the most urbanized habitats in the city center. For each plot, we calculated a recently introduced specialization index, which is based on the application of concentration measures to Grime's community‐level mean CSR strategies.ResultsAlong the urbanization gradient, from peripheral to central habitats, we observed a marked intensification in the degree of functional specialization of urban habitats, which is primarily attributable to an increase in the selection of ruderal species.ConclusionsUrban ecosystems are characterized by a wide variety of human impacts that affect the functioning of the resident species. Considering cities as heterogeneous systems is thus of paramount importance for understanding the mechanisms that drive the assembly of urban floras.

Microbial dynamics in rapidly transforming Arctic proglacial landscapes

Arctic glacial environments are rapidly changing, as the Arctic warms at a rate three to four times faster than the global average (the phenomenon known as Arctic amplification). Microorganisms are uniquely adapted to extreme glacial environments and studying how ecological and climatic feedback loops affect the diversity of these communities is crucial to the characterisation of vulnerable Arctic habitats. Glacial landscapes span a wide range of habitats, from glacier ice to marine waters, and encompass terrestrial, aquatic, and interzonal systems. While glacier shrinkage has been the focus of scientific attention, auxiliary habitats are also impacted by rapid glacier retreat. Auxiliary habitats include terrestrial systems, such as outwash plains, vegetated periglacial environments, and aquatic systems, such as glacier-fed streams, lakes, and glacier-adjacent marine environments. Glacier recession drives high-impact changes in glacier-associated habitats: rising temperatures, increased light penetration of glacial streams, changes in nitrogen-to-phosphate ratios, and increases in availability of glacier-derived organic compounds. In turn, microbial systems in these habitats may experience changes in nutrient dynamics and shifts in community structures. The exposure of new lands by retreating glaciers may also result in increased dust and microbial dispersal into the atmosphere. Here, we discuss the effects of climate change on glacial microbiomes and the feedback loops between microbial community dynamics and the large-scale climatic processes in the Arctic. We characterise aspects of vulnerable microbial ecosystems and highlight the importance of preserving unseen microbial biodiversity. We then outline current capacities for microbial conservation, focusing on cryopreservation and biobanking. Lastly, we suggest future research directions and steps that academic and governmental institutions may take to foster research and collaboration with Indigenous communities.

1099. Neottia ovata (L.) Hartm.: Orchidaceae

SummaryNeottia ovata (twayblade) is illustrated here (t. 1099). It is a widespread, temperate Eurasian species. A detailed description is provided, with notes on cytology and habitat. Given its wide distribution and the diverse range of habitats where it occurs, its conservation status is Least Concern in Europe. Probably as a reflection of its dependence on mycorrhizal fungi for its whole life history, it is not a plant known from cultivation; it should be enjoyed as an intriguing member of our native orchid flora.

Recent advances in vertical temperature profiler instrumentation and flux estimation methods facilitate groundwater – Surface water exchange studies in environments with strong discharge zones

Groundwater fluxes to many surface water systems are spatially heterogeneous with discharge focused into discrete, high-flux zones. Quantifying fluxes in these preferential discharge zones is critical to a range of surface water habitat and water quality processes, but characterization can be difficult due to short-scale spatial and temporal variability. Passive heat-as-a-tracer methods employing vertical temperature profiler (VTP) data can provide the necessary spatial and temporal resolution, but upward fluid flow strongly attenuates the thermal signals used for estimating fluxes. In preferential discharge zones it becomes difficult to measure the signals in the subsurface and the flux parameter can become insensitive in the analysis models, leading to large uncertainties. We use data from a high-flux site of contaminant-loaded groundwater discharge to the Quashnet River on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, to demonstrate how recent advances in VTP instrumentation that allow for the acquisition of high-resolution (0.001 °C) temperature data at short (1 cm) offsets near the ground surface, combined with advances in flux estimation methods that exploit the information content of the high-resolution data, facilitate heat-as-a-tracer approaches for characterizing groundwater-surface water exchanges and make it possible to obtain accurate and statistically robust results in a preferential discharge zone with a specific discharge of ∼1 m/d.

Distribution and extent of suitable habitats of Ruspoli’s Turaco (Tauraco ruspolii) and White-cheeked Turaco (Tauraco leucotis) under a changing climate in Ethiopia

BackgroundUnderstanding the distribution pattern of species and their suitable habitat is key to focus conservation efforts. Climate change has had notable impact on the distribution and extent of suitable habitats, and the long-term survival of various species. We aim to determine the distribution and extent of suitable habitats for Tauraco ruspolii and T. leucotis in Ethiopia and predict their range in the 2050s and 2070s using MaxEnt algorithm. We used 25 and 29 rarified occurrence points for T. ruspolii and T. leucotis, respectively, and 13 environmental variables. Three regularization multipliers and two cut-off thresholds were used to map the potential suitable habitats for each species under current and future climates. Maps were assembled from these techniques to produce final composite tertiary maps and investigated the habitat suitability overlap between the two species using the UNION tool in the geographical information system.ResultAll model run performances were highly accurate for both species. Precipitation of the driest month and vegetation cover are the most influential variables for the habitat suitability of T. ruspolii. The habitat suitability of T. leucotis is also mainly influenced by mean temperature of the driest quarter and vegetation cover. Under the current climate, the suitable habitat predicted for T. ruspolii covered about 24,639.19 km2, but its range size change shows a gain and increase by 156.00% and 142.68% in 2050 and 2070, respectively. The T. leucotis‘s current suitable habitat ranges about 204,397.62 km², but this is reduced by 40.84% and 68.67% in 2050 and 2070, respectively. Our modeling also showed that there was suitable habitat overlap between them at the margin of their respective habitat types in time series.ConclusionWe concluded that there is a direct or indirect impact of climate change on the suitable habitat range expansion for T. ruspolii and contraction for T. leucotis as well as overlapping of these turaco species in different regions of Ethiopia. Therefore, understanding the distribution of current and future suitable habitats of the two turaco species can provide valuable information to implement conservation practices for the species and the regions as well.

The impact of space, host dissimilitude, and environment on prokaryotic communities of golf ball sponges

AbstractGolf ball sponges are small, sometimes inconspicuous, sponges. They can be found across a range of habitats varying from perturbed and pristine coral reefs to harbours and marine lakes and from the deep sea to shallow waters. They can be difficult to distinguish in the field and have presented some problems with taxonomists lumping and splitting species due to the difficulty in defining clear species boundaries. In the present study, we sampled golf ball sponges from Indo‐Pacific and Caribbean locations and used 16S gene amplicon sequencing to study their prokaryotic communities. We show that golf ball sponges harbour a wide variety of prokaryotic communities. Among the most prevalent operational taxonomic units (OTUs), several belonged to a range of taxa, including the bacterial AqS1 and EC94 groups, which have been associated with genes known to facilitate interactions between hosts and microbes. Certain host taxa were enriched with OTUs classified to the SAR202 clade of Chloroflexi. Our findings show that prokaryotic dissimilarity varied as a function of space (geographical distance) and host dissimilitude. The importance of space and host dissimilitude, however, varied depending on the data transformation with host dissimilitude a more important predictor of untransformed data whereas space was a more important predictor of log‐transformed data. Given that log‐transformation downscales the influence of abundant taxa, we interpret these results by the tendency of closely related host organisms to host similar sets of abundant symbiotic microorganisms; distantly sampled specimens, in contrast, tend to harbour less abundant prokaryotic microorganisms found in the surrounding environment (e.g., seawater or sediment).

Shrinking and upward shifting of siberian Jerboa's suitable habitat in China under climate change impacts

The Siberian jerboa (Orientallactaga sibirica), a keystone species in desert ecosystems and a critical indicator for environmental change assessment. However, little is known about the spatial distribution and habitat suitability of Siberian jerboa in China, particularly under the dual impacts of climate change and human disturbance. This study employed the MaxEnt model to discern key factors affecting the Siberian jerboa's habitat suitability, predicated future habitat shifts in response to climatic and anthropogenic influences. The results reveal that the species predominantly inhabits northwestern China, centering in Gansu's Hexi Corridor and central Inner Mongolia under current climate conditions. Vegetation cover emerges as the primary determinant of its distribution, with elevation, human disturbance, temperature fluctuations, and slope also significantly influencing habitat suitability of the species. The potentially suitable habitat range of the Siberian jerboa is shrinking due to global climate change. Notably, future projections suggest an expansion of its distribution towards the Tibetan Plateau, driven by climate change. This research contributes valuable insights into the adaptive responses of desert rodents to the environmental change.

Integrative taxonomy of a new giant deep-sea caudofoveate from South China Sea cold seeps

Caudofoveata is a class of worm-like molluscs (aplacophorans) that typically have an infaunal lifestyle, burrowing in soft bottoms in a wide range of marine habitats from shallow to deep waters. Here, we describe a very large new species of caudofoveate from South China Sea methane seeps growing up to 154 mm in length: Chaetoderma shenloongsp. nov. It is the first caudofoveate to be named from a chemosynthetic ecosystem and the first aplacophoran mollusc associated with seeps. Our new species stands out from other Pacific Chaetoderma species by its large size, a wide body relative to its length, a barely sclerotised radula, and the presence of isosceles-triangular sclerites. Phylogenetic reconstruction using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene placed it within a paraphyletic clade comprising Chaetodermatidae and Limifossoridae, in line with a previous phylogenetic analysis. This also revealed that C. shenloongsp. nov. is conspecific with a Chaetoderma sp. whose whole genome was recently sequenced and assembled but remained undescribed until now. The most closely related species with an available COI sequence was C. felderi, the largest caudofoveate species recorded. Our discovery suggests caudofoveates may be present in other seeps globally but so far neglected; a potential example is C. felderi from the Gulf of Mexico, where seeps are abundant but whose exact habitat remains unclear.

Killer whales habitat suitability in the Iberian Peninsula and the Gulf of Biscay: Implications for conservation

This study addresses existing gaps in our understanding of the ecology of killer whales by investigating their habitat use dynamics in the Atlantic coastal waters of North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Gulf of Biscay. Despite previous research on their distribution during the Atlantic Bluefin tuna migration in the Strait of Gibraltar and adjacent waters, substantial knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding their movement patterns beyond these regions and seasonal variations in habitat use. Utilizing killer whale occurrence records from 2020 to 2023 and considering environmental factors influencing prey presence, we employed seasonal spatial distribution models. MaxEnt models exhibited robust predictive performance, emphasizing distance to shore, depth, and sea surface temperature as key factors influencing killer whale habitat suitability. Spatial distribution patterns reveal a peak in coastal waters of the southern Iberian Peninsula and North Africa during winter and spring, with a significant shift northward and expansion during summer and autumn towards the Gulf of Biscay. This expansion suggests a broader distribution of killer whales in the Northeast Atlantic during warmer months, encompassing a diverse range of habitats. The research underscores a substantial interaction (47%) between killer whales and recreational vessels, posing concerns for both the killer whales and maritime safety. This study provides valuable insights on killer whale habitat use in the Atlantic waters from North Africa to the Gulf of Biscay, thereby supporting conservation and management efforts in the region.

Diet overlap of overwintering migratory birds on the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

Previous studies of overwintering migratory birds in neotropical environments have found that species co-occur in the same habitats despite high diet overlap. Hence, discovering subtle diet differences within habitats can help explain patterns in bird species diversity. The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is an important region for overwintering migratory birds, but little is known about how habitat differences in food resources contribute to bird diversity. To address the knowledge gap, we compared the degree of overlap in the diet of all terrestrial migratory birds within and between mangrove and tropical dry forests on the Yucatan Peninsula’s northern coast. We collected data on the consumption of food items through direct observation of birds feeding on four transects in each habitat every week (12 weeks) during the non-breeding season (i.e., overwinter, December-February). We recorded 19 species, 15 species in mangrove and 15 species in forest, with 11 of those found in both habitats. In both habitats, diet overlap was high. However, species present only in the tropical dry forest had less overlap than species occurring in both habitats, indicating that diet specialization might restrict the range of habitats that a species can occupy. On the other hand, species present only in the mangrove had similar diet overlap to species present in both habitats. The diet variation that did exist was greater within than between habitats possibly due to intraspecific diet differences among different geographic locations. Although small, within-habitat diet differences might be key to allowing species to coexist locally in the Yucatan, thus supporting studies demonstrating a similar mechanism in other neotropical regions. More generally, the information we provide on bird diet can be used to discover whether threats like anthropogenic development precipitate species loss via altering the resource base upon which birds rely.

Exploring Iguape Virus-A Lesser-Known Orthoflavivirus.

Brazil has earned the moniker "arbovirus hotspot", providing an ideal breeding ground for a multitude of arboviruses thriving in various zoonotic and urban cycles. As the planet warms and vectors expand their habitat range, a nuanced understanding of lesser-known arboviruses and the factors that could drive their emergence becomes imperative. Among these viruses is the Iguape virus (IGUV), a member of the Orthoflavivirus aroaense species, which was first isolated in 1979 from a sentinel mouse in the municipality of Iguape, within the Vale do Ribeira region of São Paulo State. While evidence suggests that IGUV circulates among birds, wild rodents, marsupials, bats, and domestic birds, there is no information available on its pathogenesis in both humans and animals. The existing literature on IGUV spans decades, is outdated, and is often challenging to access. In this review, we have curated information from the known literature, clarifying its elusive nature and investigating the factors that may influence its emergence. As an orthoflavivirus, IGUV poses a potential threat, which demands our attention and vigilance, considering the serious outbreaks that the Zika virus, another neglected orthoflavivirus, has unleashed in the recent past.

Fatty acid content and profile of round sardinella (Sardinella aurita), an expanding thermophilic species in the NW Mediterranean

Over the past few decades, due to sea warming driven by global climate change, the habitat range of round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) has expanded into the north-western Mediterranean Sea. This study evaluates the fatty acid content and fatty acid profile of this small, warm-water pelagic fish caught in this area, specifically the northern Catalan coast. The findings provide important insights into the nutritional status of the species under changing environmental conditions. The study confirms that fatty acid content varies according to the individual specimen’s maturity stages (immature, pre-spawners, and spawners). Pre-spawners showed higher fat levels compared to spawners, whose lipids are allocated to their gonads to enhance the survival of their offspring. While a high content of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) was generally found at all stages of maturity, pre-spawners had higher levels of EPA but lower levels of DHA than immature individuals and spawners. Moreover, compared to small pelagic fish more typical of the temperate waters in the region (European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, and European sardine, Sardina pilchardus), round sardinella generally have a higher level of PUFAs, especially DHA. Encouraging consumption of this warm water species could provide significant nutritional benefits while reducing fishing pressure on European sardine and European anchovy, whose populations are currently in a very poor state.

Endolithic Fungal Diversity in Antarctic Oligocene Rock Samples Explored Using DNA Metabarcoding.

In this study, we evaluated the fungal diversity present associated with cores of Oligocene rocks using a DNA metabarcoding approach. We detected 940,969 DNA reads grouped into 198 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) representing the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mortierellomycota, Chytridiomycota, Mucoromycota, Rozellomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Zoopagomycota, Aphelidiomycota (Fungi) and the fungal-like Oomycota (Stramenopila), in rank abundance order. Pseudogymnoascus pannorum, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Aspergillaceae sp. and Diaporthaceae sp. were assessed to be dominant taxa, with 22 fungal ASVs displaying intermediate abundance and 170 being minor components of the assigned fungal diversity. The data obtained displayed high diversity indices, while rarefaction indicated that the majority of the diversity was detected. However, the diversity indices varied between the cores analysed. The endolithic fungal community detected using a metabarcoding approach in the Oligocene rock samples examined contains a rich and complex mycobiome comprising taxa with different lifestyles, comparable with the diversity reported in recent studies of a range of Antarctic habitats. Due to the high fungal diversity detected, our results suggest the necessity of further research to develop strategies to isolate these fungi in culture for evolutionary, physiological, and biogeochemical studies, and to assess their potential role in biotechnological applications.

What makes a habitat a home? Habitat associations of juvenile European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, in estuarine nurseries.

Selection of nursery habitats by marine fish, such as European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), is poorly understood. Identifying and protecting the full range of juvenile nursery habitats is vital to supporting resilient fish populations and economically important fisheries. We examined how the condition, stomach fullness, and diet of juvenile European sea bass, along with their abundance, differ at high or low tide between the following estuarine habitats: saltmarsh, oyster reefs, shingle, sand, and mud edge habitats. Using a combination of fyke and seine netting we found no difference in sea bass abundance or condition across high-tide habitats, suggesting that rather than differentially selecting between them, juvenile sea bass use all available shallow habitats at high tide. Stomach fullness was significantly higher on saltmarsh and sand compared to mud, and thus these habitats may support better foraging. Dietary DNA metabarcoding revealed that sand and saltmarsh diets mostly comprised Hediste polychaetes, whereas zooplanktonic taxa dominated diets over mud. At low tide, sea bass abundance was highest in shingle and oyster reefs, where stomach fullness and condition were lowest. This may indicate a potential trade-off between using habitats for foraging and refuge. Although sea bass abundance alone does not capture productivity, the high abundance across all estuarine habitats at high tide suggests that it is important to consider the protection of a mosaic of interconnected habitats to support nursery functions rather than focus on individual habitat types.

Environmental Influences on Illex argentinus Trawling Grounds in the Southwest Atlantic High Seas

To understand the spatial temporal distribution characteristics of Illex argentinus caught by trawl fishing vessels in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean and their relationship with key marine environmental factors, this study analyzed the temporal and spatial changes in the fishing ground center of trawl vessels at the ten-day scale from December 2019 to May 2022, combining Chinese trawl fishing log data marine environmental data with satellite remote sensing marine environmental data. Utilizing the Maxent model, ten-day intervals were used as the temporal scale, and ten marine environmental factors, including sea surface temperature, sea surface height, sea surface salinity, chlorophyll concentration, temperature at 50 m and 100 m depth, and the meridional and zonal velocities of ocean currents were quantitatively analyzed to explore the correlation between the spatial distribution of catch and environmental factors. The study reveals that the trawl fishing grounds for Illex argentinus are divided into southern and northern grounds. The southern grounds first appear near 45°20′ S in December, gradually moving southeastward in February and March. The northern grounds do not appear until April, near 42° S in the high seas. On the ten-day time scale, the central fishing grounds of Illex argentinus show significant spatial variability but minor interannual differences. The Maxent model results indicate that sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a concentration are the key environmental factors influencing the spatial and temporal variability of the high seas trawl fishing grounds for most of the time, with high environmental contribution rates during the fishing season. While the range of suitable habitats with an HSI > 0.6 identified by the Maxent model varies significantly between years, a pattern is observed where the range expands at the start and end of the fishing season and contracts during the peak fishing season. This suggests that a more concentrated range of suitable habitats is conducive to accurate predictions of trawl fishing grounds, enabling efficient fishing operations.

Microbiome and floral associations of a wild bee using biodiversity survey collections.

The health of bees can be assessed through their microbiome, which serves as a biomarker indicating the presence of both beneficial and harmful microorganisms within a bee community. This study presents the characterisation of the bacterial, fungal, and plant composition on the cuticle of adult bicoloured sweat bees (Agapostemon virescens). These bees were collected using various methods such as pan traps, blue vane traps and sweep netting across the northern extent of their habitat range. Non-destructive methods were employed to extract DNA from the whole pinned specimens of these wild bees. Metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA, ITS and rbcL regions was then performed. The study found that the method of collection influenced the detection of certain microbial and plant taxa. Among the collection methods, sweep net samples showed the lowest fungal alpha diversity. However, minor differences in bacterial or fungal beta diversity suggest that no single method is significantly superior to others. Therefore, a combination of techniques can cater to a broader spectrum of microbial detection. The study also revealed regional variations in bacterial, fungal and plant diversity. The core microbiome of A. virescens comprises two bacteria, three fungi and a plant association, all of which are commonly detected in other wild bees. These core microbes remained consistent across different collection methods and locations. Further extensive studies of wild bee microbiomes across various species and landscapes will help uncover crucial relationships between pollinator health and their environment.

A study at the wildlife-livestock interface unveils the potential of feral swine as a reservoir for extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli

Wildlife is known to serve as carriers and sources of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Due to their unrestricted movements and behaviors, they can spread antimicrobial resistant bacteria among livestock, humans, and the environment, thereby accelerating the dissemination of AMR. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae is one of major concerns threatening human and animal health, yet transmission mechanisms at the wildlife-livestock interface are not well understood. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of ESBL-producing bacteria spreading across various hosts, including cattle, feral swine, and coyotes in the same habitat range, as well as from environmental samples over a two-year period. We report a notable prevalence and clonal dissemination of ESBL-producing E. coli in feral swine and coyotes, suggesting their persistence and adaptation within wildlife hosts. In addition, in silico studies showed that horizontal gene transfer, mediated by conjugative plasmids and insertion sequences elements, may play a key role in spreading the ESBL genes among these bacteria. Furthermore, the shared gut resistome of cattle and feral swine suggests the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes at the wildlife-livestock interface. Taken together, our results suggest that feral swine may serve as a reservoir of ESBL-producing E. coli.