Annonaceae is a family of the order Magnoliales with a high species richness and a characteristic floral structure and composition. This lineage inhabits tropical forests around the world, and its evolutionary history has been addressed through the study of its reproductive mechanisms, mainly in Asian and South American species. In Mexico there are 76 reported species of which about 60 % are endemic, however, there are few studies of the reproductive ecology of these plants. In this review we examine the reproductive ecology of the Mexican Annonaceae, floral morphology and biology, phenology, pollination systems, and seed dispersal mechanisms. In general, Mexican Annonaceae have protogynous flowers, they are pollinated by insects, and few species of the genus Desmopsis have reproductive systems by cloning. Herbarium data and publications indicate that they have seasonal flowering patterns linked to rainfall. Beetles, flies, and ants can be the main pollinators, and seed dispersal depends on vertebrates. This review highlights the urgent need for in-depth study of reproductive ecology and specialized reproductive interactions in Mexico's threatened tropical systems.

The Pilbara Olive Python (Liasis olivaceus barroni) is a large-bodied python endemic to the Pilbara and northern Gascoyne regions of Western Australia. Despite its national listing as Vulnerable, data on its morphology, sexual size dimorphism, and reproductive ecology remain limited. We present data from a 4-year monitoring and radio-tracking program comparing measurements from 100 individuals sampled across 12 locations. Allometrically scaled morphometric analyses found minimal evidence of sexual size dimorphism, with males and females showing largely overlapping body proportions. Breakpoint analyses of body mass relative to snout–vent length indicated that males reach sexual maturity at smaller sizes (~1320 mm SVL) than females (~1805 mm SVL). Observations of reproductive activity showed a defined seasonal cycle, with females ovulating in September, gravid in October, and brooding in refuges between October and February. Juveniles were most frequently detected from November to February, with neonate-sized individuals detected in January. Both natural (caves, rocky outcrops, burrows) and artificial shelters (engineered rock wall) were used for brooding, highlighting flexibility in reproductive behaviour. These findings provide the first population-level assessment of sexual size dimorphism and reproductive timing in this subspecies and offer critical baseline data to inform conservation management.

Reproductive ecology and life history of Siganus spinus support long-term indigenous harvest in the Mariana Islands

Insects use sensilla to detect chemical and physical stimuli, mediating behaviours such as mate finding, foraging and mechanosensory responses. The distribution and density of sensilla can be examined using scanning electron microscopy. Investigating these structures can help elucidate rarely observed behaviours (e.g. mate finding and foraging). The mating behaviour of the Geodorcus stag beetles of New Zealand is not well understood, as most species (eight of ten) are listed as ‘threatened’, ‘at risk’ or ‘data deficient’ under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. We examined the most common species of Geodorcus , G. helmsi , and compared sensilla on the maxillary palps, antennae and legs of males and females. Male antennae were more densely packed with sensilla and had sensilla campaniformia, absent in females. Additionally, male antennae were larger than those of females, scaling proportionally with body size, suggesting that males have greater sensory capacity and are likely attracted to a pheromone the females emit. Our study sheds new insight into the sensory biology, mating behaviour and life history of G. helmsi . More broadly, it contributes to understanding the reproductive ecology of Geodorcus . Understanding how these beetles interact and locate mates can inform conservation management, for example, by guiding captive breeding programmes and pheromone‐based monitoring strategies for threatened Geodorcus species.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) disrupts biological rhythms across taxa, yet behavioural mechanisms linking exposure to population consequences remain poorly understood. Long-distance migrants encounter ALAN across their annual cycle but remain understudied despite experiencing stronger performance impacts than sedentary species. We experimentally introduced ALAN into nest-boxes of a migratory passerine, the collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis), breeding in Gotland, Sweden. Nestlings were exposed to ALAN from 2 days post-hatching until fledging, and we video-recorded parental and nestling activity over 24 h on day 8 post-hatching. Across a high-resolution behavioural dataset (32 100 nestling and 3709 parental events), ALAN-exposed nestlings begged more frequently and for longer at night compared with dark controls, revealing disrupted circadian activity. These effects cascaded to parents: both females and males began feeding earlier and ceased later, while reducing hourly feeding rates relative to controls. Consequently, ALAN nestlings fledged at older ages, consistent with delayed development, though reproductive success (number of fledged offspring) was unaffected. Our study provides clear empirical support for socially mediated behavioural mechanisms whereby both parents respond to ALAN, disrupting family level coordination, developmental trajectories and parental investment. This temporal destabilization of social synchrony uncovers a novel ecological pathway through which anthropogenic light alters behavioural timekeeping and life-history trajectories in the wild.

Restinga ecosystems in Brazil are characterized by harsh environmental conditions and high biodiversity, yet many of their endemic plant species remain poorly studied. Understanding the reproductive ecology of these species is essential for developing effective conservation strategies. This study investigated the ecological and reproductive strategies of Myrcia ovina, an endemic and critically endangered shrub in Restinga. We monitored phenological events over a 12-month period and analyzed vegetative and reproductive patterns with circular statistics and correlations with climatic variables (temperature and precipitation). Observations also included vegetative behavior and potential ecological drivers of reproductive timing. Our findings indicate that Myrcia ovina is an evergreen species with continuous leaf exchange, which is an important trait for maintaining photosynthesis in nutrient-poor soils. The species exhibits a marked annual flowering peak during the dry season, likely aligning with pollinator availability and reducing herbivory pressure. Fruit development peaks at the beginning of the rainy season, when increased water availability may support seed maturation. However, seed dispersal may be less effective during this period due to reduced frugivore activity in the presence of more abundant food sources. The positive correlation between bud production and preceding precipitation highlights the role of historical moisture availability in reproductive success. These results demonstrate how Myrcia ovina is finely tuned to the seasonal dynamics of the Restinga and offer important insights into the adaptive strategies of Myrtaceae species in tropical coastal systems. This study contributes valuable knowledge for biodiversity conservation in these vulnerable ecosystems.

Climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the most important drivers of biodiversity change worldwide. Birds are particularly sensitive to environmental variations because their life cycles, including breeding and feeding behaviour, are closely associated with climatic conditions. The Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), the national bird of India, is widely distributed across forests, agricultural landscapes, and rural ecosystems throughout the country. Although the species is currently categorized as “Least Concern,” recent studies indicate that environmental changes may influence its behaviour, habitat use, and reproductive ecology. Reproductive activities in birds are strongly governed by climatic factors such as rainfall patterns, temperature fluctuations, vegetation growth, and food availability. In India, the breeding season of the Indian peafowl generally coincides with the monsoon period when ecological conditions are favourable for reproduction and chick survival (Yogeshwari & Varunprasath, 2020). However, increasing climatic variability, irregular rainfall patterns, and habitat modification may disrupt these ecological relationships. This review synthesizes recent research (2020–2026) focusing on the reproductive ecology of Pavo cristatus in India and discusses how climate change may influence breeding behaviour, nesting success, and population dynamics. The review also highlights important research gaps and emphasizes the need for long-term ecological monitoring and conservation strategies to ensure the sustainability of peafowl populations in changing environmental conditions.

Bischofia polycarpa (2n = 68), belonging to Phyllanthaceae family, is a native deciduous tree with naturally distribution ranging from southern Qinling Mountains and Huaihe River basin to the northern regions of Fujian and Guangdong, China. It holds significant horticultural, ornamental, and medicinal value and serves as a crucial winter food resource for wild birds. Herein, we report a de novo genome assembly for B. polycarpa, utilizing a combination of PacBio HiFi Reads and Hi-C data. In total, the genome size reaches 585.68 Mb with a contig N50 of 12.62 Mb, and 99.06% (580.18 Mb) of the assembly successfully anchored on 34 chromosomes. The genome comprises approximately 62.77% repetitive sequences and 32,554 protein-coding genes, of which 96.15% could be functionally annotated. The BUSCO analysis reveals a genome completeness of 95.42% (n = 1,540), including 1,499 (92.87%) single-copy BUSCOs and 41 (2.54%) duplicated BUSCOs. This high-quality genome of the Phyllanthaceae enriches our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of plant reproductive ecology.

The research field of reproductive ecology continues to be a major contributor to the scientific advancement of evolutionary anthropology and human biology in general. Primary contributions to human evolutionary biology include a greater understanding of the physiological mechanisms that manage lifetime reproductive effort, resource allocation, life history trade-offs, demographic variation in fertility, the adaptive traits that define humans (Homo sapiens), non-human primates, and our hominid ancestors as well as novel insights into reproductive health challenges such as cancer. Here we present a brief overview of the foundation on which this research path is based, including a summary of current research advances in human reproductive ecology, particularly within the scope of human variation. Future research directions, unanswered questions, and engagement with reproductive health challenges are discussed.

Climate modulation of phylogenetic and functional constraints on fruit volume: A case study of Chinese angiosperms

Pedigree-based estimation methods leverage the fact that each offspring in a cohort is genotypically "marked" by its parents and represent a recent and promising toolset for estimating population dynamics. This includes pedigree accumulation estimators that model the "accumulation" of inferred unique parents within a given cohort to estimate parental abundance. Unlike close-kin mark-recapture approaches, which rely on intercohort comparisons, pedigree accumulation modeling can be completed solely using intracohort samples. This is particularly advantageous for semelparous species, where intercohort pairs are impossible and adult life stages can be difficult to sample without affecting their likelihood of successfully reproducing. Previous work has evaluated a range of estimators for such datasets, concluding that the non-parametric Chao estimator provides the most accurate and precise estimates for feasible levels of sampling effort. We used simulated data to evaluate an alternative estimator based on hierarchical modeling and data augmentation in a Bayesian framework. Results indicate that estimates from the hierarchical Bayesian estimator had comparable accuracy and better precision than both the previously tested Chao1 estimator and the improved iChao formulation across a range of sample sizes and sex ratios. Furthermore, the Bayesian estimator was far more robust to simulated errors in pedigree reconstruction, especially the presence of false negatives. Hierarchical Bayesian pedigree accumulation models can also provide additional insight into underlying reproductive ecology through their use of an explicit observation process, allowing for the incorporation or estimation of species- and population-specific reproductive dynamics. More broadly, the parametric nature of these models offers opportunities to efficiently pool information among datasets as well as to propagate uncertainty within more complex models.

Effects of water temperature on the reproductive ecology and toxin dynamics of the toxic flatworm Planocera multitentaculata

This study investigated the population density, spatial and temporal distribution, courtship behavior, reproductive ecology, and parental care dynamics of Indian crested porcupines (Hystrix indica) across diverse habitats in Punjab, Pakistan, from 2019 to 2021. The median population density across surveyed sites was 3 individuals/km², with higher densities in irrigated forest plantations and sub-mountainous regions compared to agricultural and desert ecosystems. Temporal analysis revealed significant seasonal variation, with peak activity in summer (4.98 sightings/km²) and the lowest in fall (2.04 sightings/km²). Reproductive activity was year-round, with peaks in February (singletons) and July (twins/triplets), likely linked to resource availability. Courtship behavior analysis revealed significant positive correlation between mounting and copulation, with mounting activity peaking in February–April. Parental care behaviors were predominantly performed by both males and females together, followed by females alone, males alone, sub-adults/juveniles, and non-descript members, with significant variability across families (P < 0.001). These findings highlight the influence of seasonal and social factors on porcupine behavior, emphasizing the species’ adaptability to diverse ecological conditions and the collaborative nature of parental care in porcupine families.

Background: Angiosperms exhibit diverse reproductive systems, and andromonoecy—where individuals produce both hermaphroditic and staminate flowers—is rare, occurring in about 1.7 % of species. The family Zygophyllaceae is common in the Sonoran Desert, yet little is known about the reproductive biology of Guaiacum coulteri, a protected species in Mexico. Preliminary observations suggested the occurrence of two floral morphs, possibly indicating andromonoecy. Questions: What is the breeding system of G. coulteri? Is the species self-compatible or self-incompatible? Studied species: Guaiacum coulteri Study site and dates: Hermosillo, Sonora, 2022 Methods: Floral traits were described, flower longevity and pollinators were documented, and controlled pollination treatments were conducted in a northern population from Hermosillo, Sonora. Results: Two flower morphs were identified: short-gynoecium (SG) and long-gynoecium (LG) flowers. SG flowers did not set fruits, whereas LG flowers produced fruits and lasted longer (two days vs. one). LG flowers exhibited protandry and positive herkogamy. Pollination experiments showed that LG flowers are self-incompatible. Natural and cross-pollination treatments produced very low fruit set (&lt; 4 %), and flowers were mainly visited by native bees. Conclusions: G. coulteri exhibits andromonoecy, with SG flowers functioning as staminate and LG flowers as hermaphroditic. The species is self-incompatible and bee-pollinated. These results represent the first evidence of andromonoecy in G. coulteri and provide key insights into the reproductive ecology of this threatened desert tree.

The objective was the assessment of the nesting success of jays in the Stavropol Territory and to identify factors influencing the reproductive ecology of the species in the region. Observations of the breeding success of the jay were carried out during the nesting period of 2010–2023 in the north, east and northeast of the Stavropol Territory, within modelled areas. Over the entire period of our research, 27 jay nests were examined. Of these, 7 nests were control nests, which were carefully observed. The article presents data on the features of the placement of jay nests, taking into account the height, the location of nests in the crown of trees and the occurrence of nests on different types of trees. The text describes the main metric indicators and building materials of nests. We measured the biometric indicators of jay eggs and identified their correlations. During the study of nesting behavior of jays, it was found that nests are located most often on dominant tree species. Among the preferred tree species, can be singled out apple, poplar, ash, oak and honey locust. The average jay clutch size varies from 3 to 7 eggs. The jay living in the Stavropol Territory is characterised by significant variation in the weight of eggs in different nests. One of the main factors determining the success of reproduction of this species is the choice of location for constructing a nest.

Resumen Priotelus temnurus (Tocororo) es un ave endémica de Cuba que habita bosques primarios y secundarios de toda la isla, donde los estudios sobre los recursos de hábitat que utiliza son escasos. Durante el periodo reproductivo de 2017 en Los Sábalos, Ciénaga de Zapata, se localizaron 25 nidos de la especie en 314 ha a partir de una búsqueda intensiva. Para caracterizar el microhábitat reproductivo, en cada sitio de anidación se midieron un grupo de variables que caracterizaron la cavidad, el árbol sustrato y la vegetación circundante en parcelas circulares de 11,2 m de radio con centro en el árbol sustrato del nido. Se constató un mayor uso de ramas como sustratos para las cavidades de anidación en árboles vivos, así como el uso de termiteros activos. Las cavidades tuvieron un diámetro medio de 7,06 ± 1,69 cm, con una orientación media en dirección suroeste (192.4°). Se observó un uso de árboles maduros en la vegetación con una altura y diámetro a la altura del pecho medios de 14,05 ± 3,76 m y 40,17 ± 15,72 cm, respectivamente, destacando especies como Lysiloma latisiliquum, Cecropia peltata y Ficus sp. Palabras clave anidadores secundarios de cavidades, ecología reproductiva, endémico, Priotelus temnurus, sitio de anidación, Tocororo Abstract Notes on the reproductive microhabitat of Priotelus temnurus in Los Sabalos, Ciénaga de Zapata, Cuba • Priotelus temnurus (Cuban Trogon) is a Cuban endemic bird distributed in primary and secondary forests throughout the island. Studies on its habitat resource uses are scarce. To address this knowledge gap, during the 2017 breeding season in Los Sábalos, Ciénaga de Zapata, we located 25 nests of the species in 314 ha through an intensive search. To characterize the reproductive microhabitat, a set of variables describing the nesting cavity, the substrate tree, and the surrounding vegetation were measured at each nesting site within circular plots of 11.2 m radius centered on the substrate tree. A greater use of branches as cavities substrates in live trees was recorded, as well as the use of active termite mounds. Cavities had an average diameter of 7.06 ± 1.69 cm with a mean orientation toward the south-west (192.4°). Priotelus temnurus used mature trees with an average height of 14.05 ± 3.76 m and mean diameter at breast height of 40.17 ± 15.72 cm; and highlighting species such as Lysiloma latisiliquum, Cecropia peltata, and Ficussp. Keywords Cuban Trogon, endemic species, nesting site, Priotelus temnurus, reproductive ecology, secondary cavity nesters Résumé Notes sur le microhabitat de nidification de Priotelus temnurus à Los Sábalos, Ciénaga de Zapata, Cuba • Priotelus temnurus (Trogon de Cuba) est un oiseau endémique de Cuba présent dans les forêts primaires et secondaires de toute l’île. Les études sur son utilisation des ressources de l’habitat sont rares. Afin de combler cette lacune, nous avons mené des recherches intensives au cours la saison de reproduction 2017 à Los Sábalos, Ciénaga de Zapata, localisant ainsi 25 nids de l’espèce sur 314 ha. Le microhabitat de reproduction a été caractérisé grâce à la mesure d’un ensemble de variables décrivant la cavité et l’arbre de nidification, ainsi que la végétation environnante sur chaque site de nidification dans des parcelles circulaires de 11,2 m de rayon centrées sur l’arbre support. Une utilisation plus importante des branches comme substrats des cavités de nidification dans les arbres vivants a été constatée, ainsi que l’utilisation de termitières actives. Les cavités avaient un diamètre moyen de 7,06 ± 1,69 cm et étaient généréalement orientées vers le sud-ouest (192,4°). Priotelus temnurus utilisait des arbres matures d’une hauteur moyenne de 14,05 ± 3,76 m et d’un diamètre moyen à hauteur de poitrine de 40,17 ± 15,72 cm, notamment des espèces telles que Lysiloma latisiliquum, Cecropia peltata et Ficus sp. Mots clés écologie de la reproduction, espèce endémique, nicheurs cavernicoles secondaires, Priotelus temnurus, site de nidification, Trogon de Cuba

The maleo bird (Macrocephalon maleo) is a species endemic to the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, belonging to the Megapodiidae family and known for its unique egg-laying behavior, which involves using geothermal heat or the sun to incubate its eggs in warm sandy soil. Research on the spatial distribution of maleo birds and the impact of environmental change and habitat degradation in Sulawesi is still limited. This study aimed to determine the spatial distribution of maleo birds at Three Sites of Central Sulawesi (LNG-Batui ring road Batui, Bualemo, and Tojo Districts). Spatial distribution analysis using the Morisita Index and the relationship between maleo birds and environmental factors were performed using R Studio 4.5.1. The Equipment used to measure the environmental temperature and humidity (thermohygrometer), pH measurement for soil/sand, wind speed (anemometer), light intensity (lux meter), coordinate points, and height (GPS). All Morisita Index values exceeded 1, indicating that birds at each site were distributed in clustered patterns rather than randomly or uniformly. This study identified sand temperature as the most influential environmental factor affecting the abundance of maleo birds.Sand temperature plays an important role in maleo reproductive ecology because it relies on external heat from sand to incubate its eggs.

Beyond sucking pests: Spirotetramat disrupts sex pheromone biosynthesis and induces transgenerational population suppression in lepidoptera insect, Conogethes punctiferalis.

This study investigates the reproductive ecology and oviposition site selection of Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) in Darıca Stream, located in Trabzon Province, Eastern Black Sea Region, Türkiye. Field observations were conducted at 3-4 day intervals from March to August 2008 along a 420 m section of the stream. The present study was conducted to determine the timing of reproductive activity, the spatial distribution and substrate attachment of egg clutches, clutch size, and larval hatching success. Male calling activity began in March, while oviposition started in early April, reached a peak in May, and ended in late July. A total of 968 egg clutches were documented, with 91.1% deposited along the stream banks and 8.9% in rainwater-formed puddles. Most clutches (81.5%) were found at water depths of less than 10 cm, and 57.2% were located within 20 cm of the stream bank, mainly in shallow, stagnant microhabitats. The majority of egg clutches (94.4%) were attached to substrates such as grasses, stones, aquatic vegetation, moss, or organic debris, while only 5.6% were floating freely on the water surface. Egg clutch sizes ranged from 132 to 1135 eggs, and the mean hatching success under laboratory conditions was 84.4%. In contrast, no adult frogs or egg clutches were observed in a downstream river section close to the sea, where salinity, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids were significantly higher. These findings indicate that P. ridibundus preferentially selects shallow freshwater habitats with low salinity and minimal water flow for reproduction. This study provides the first comprehensive account of the reproductive ecology of P. ridibundus in the Eastern Black Sea Region and offers essential baseline data for understanding local population dynamics and supporting regional conservation efforts.

Sticky nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam.) is a highly invasive, herbaceous weed of an increasing concern in agricultural and natural ecosystems worldwide. This annual or short-lived perennial plant, native to South America and accidentally introduced into Australia, competes aggressively with crops and pastures. Whereas its current infestations are more concentrated in New South Wales, it has also been reported, although less frequently, in Victoria, the ACT, and Queensland, raising concern about its potential spread. Sticky nightshade produces toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids that pose risks to livestock, and exhibits high ecological plasticity, allowing it to germinate under a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. Its prolific seed production, combined with the ability to propagate vegetatively, contributes to its rapid spread and persistence, making management difficult. Despite its invasiveness, no comprehensive review has yet synthesised the biology, distribution, and germination ecology of sticky nightshade. This review addresses that gap by examining key mechanisms underpinning its establishment and spread in agroecosystems. The paper also highlights critical knowledge gaps, particularly in seed dormancy, germination triggers, and reproductive ecology, and offers recommendations to guide future research and integrated management strategies.