Ecology Of Species Research Articles

Illuminating ecology and distribution of the rare fungus Phellinidium pouzarii in the Bavarian Forest National Park

Due to their cryptic lifestyle, hidden diversity and a lack of ecological knowledge, conservation of wood-inhabiting fungi continues to be a niche interest. Molecular methods are able to provide deeper insights into the ecology of rare fungal species. We investigated the occurrence of the rare wood-inhabiting fungus Phellinidium pouzarii across the Bavarian Forest National Park in Germany using a fruit body survey, amplicon sequencing and qPCR. Additionally, we sequenced the genome of P. pouzarii and characterized the chemical substances responsible for its distinctive scent. Our approach gave matching results between amplicon sequencing and qPCRs, however, we found no evidence that P. pouzarii is more abundant in the National Park than we can assume based on fruit body inventories, underlining the species’ critically endangered status. Genomics revealed P. pouzarii’s repertoire of ligninolytic enzymes, pointing towards a white rot lifestyle. Two main components of P. pouzarii’s distinct odour we identified (2-phenylethanol, methyl p-anisate) are known to act as insect attractants and/or to possess antimicrobial properties.

Cranial morphology in flying squirrels: diet, shape, and size disparity across tropical and temperate biomes

BackgroundSpecies richness increases gradually as latitude decreases, however, the explanation for this phenomenon remains unclear. Ecological hypotheses suggest that greater niche diversity in tropical biomes may facilitate the coexistence of a larger number of species. The close relationship between species morphology and ecology can lead to a greater morphological disparity in tropical biomes.MethodsIn this study, we used 2D geometric morphometric techniques on the ventral view of the cranium of flying squirrels (Pteromyini, Sciuridae) to determine the relationship between diet and cranial morphology and to evaluate if morphological disparity is higher in tropical biomes.ResultsThe results show that diet has a significant impact on cranial shape and size, with large, wide and robust crania in folivorous and generalist species, while frugivorous species tend towards smaller and narrower crania, and nucivorous have a wide variability. This suggests that biomes with more available dietary niches would show greater morphological disparity. However, we found no statistical differences in shape and size disparity among biomes or between observed and simulated disparity based on species richness.ConclusionsOur results show that there are not disparity differences between tropical and temperate biomes, even when temperate biomes are less rich than tropical ones, suggesting that the quantity of available niches may not be the key factor in generating morphological disparity. Instead, it could be the presence of extreme niches that demand specialised adaptations for exploitation, which might be of greater significance. A greater importance of size-changing adaptations would decrease shape disparity in biomes with many niches.

Mobilome-Mediated Speciation: Genomic Insights Into Horizontal Gene Transfer in Methanosarcina.

Speciation in prokaryotes is often driven by complex genetic exchanges such as horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which facilitates genomic divergence and adaptation. In this study, we inferred the evolutionary transitions of the mobilome (plasmids, transposons, and phages) between Methanosarcina and bacteria in driving speciation within the Methanosarcina genus. By conducting evolutionary and phylogenetic analyses of Methanosarcina acetivorans, M. barkeri, M. mazei, and M. siciliae, we identified key mobilome elements acquired through HGT from distantly related bacterial species. These mobile genetic elements have shaped genomic plasticity, enabling Methanosarcina to adapt to diverse environmental niches and potentially facilitating lineage divergence. The acquisition of mobilome-associated genes involved in antibiotic resistance, DNA repair, and stress responses suggests their significant role in the ecological speciation of Methanosarcina. Overall, we hypothesized that their mobile genetic element might have been acquired from distantly related bacteria by HGT and subsequently established as new functional homologs in the present lineage. This study provides insight into how mobilome-mediated gene flow contributes to genomic divergence and speciation within microbial populations, highlighting the broader significance of mobilome in microbial evolution and speciation processes.

First environmental survey of Scedosporium species in Lebanon.

Scedosporium species are filamentous fungi causing a wide spectrum of infections in healthy and debilitated individuals. Despite their clinical significance, the ecology of Scedosporium species remains understudied, particularly in the Middle East. In this context, we conducted an environmental study to elucidate the distribution and ecological preferences of Scedosporium species in the North of Lebanon. One hundred and fifty-five soil samples were collected from different environmental areas and analyzed for several chemical parameters. Scedosporium isolates were then selected for species identification and genotyping. Overall, 39 (25.16%) were positive for Scedosporium species, with a predominance of S. apiospermum (80.56%). Soil analysis revealed associations between the fungal presence and pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter content. Moreover, genotyping analysis using MultiLocus Sequence Typing identified five major clusters. Interestingly, a number of Lebanese isolates formed an Asian-specific cluster (V) with one clinical Chinese isolate, whereas two clusters (II and III) showed a close association with German isolates, and clusters (I and IV) contained isolates with a global distribution. These findings provide new insights into the ecology of Scedosporium species, bridging a gap in our knowledge of their distribution on the Asian continent and laying the groundwork for future clinical investigations. Future international collaborations are essential to trace the origin of S. apiospermum.

A Review of the Biology and Taxonomy of Freshwater Shrimps of the South American Genus Pseudopalaemon Sollaud, 1911 (Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

The palaemonid shrimp genus Pseudopalaemon Sollaud, 1911, is endemic to South America, comprising seven freshwater and low salinity species. This study aimed to compile an overview of the genus, including an illustrated identification key for species and updated distributional data. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species were analyzed using specimens from several museums and other scientific collections. Current knowledge about the genus reveals significant knowledge gaps, particularly in species ecology. The data and insights from this study support future research and highlight a need for further studies on this group.

A new stem geomyoid helps elucidate the palaeoecology and evolutionary history of geomorph rodents

Geomyoid rodents are one of the most species-rich and ecologically diverse rodent groups in North America since the Oligocene, but their evolution remains poorly understood. The taxonomic affinities of many species are enigmatic, and several taxa have been assigned to various families, alternatively considered clades or paraphyletic, or moved in and out of the crown group. Additionally, morphological phylogenetic analyses have showed conflicts with analyses based on molecular data. We present here an updated phylogenetic framework integrating morphological data for extant and fossil taxa and a backbone tree constraint from molecular data. Included in the tree is a fossil from Colorado, which represents a new, very large, stem geomyoid species. This new material, which includes a complete astragalus, enables the exploration of the ancestral locomotion of geomyoids. Using a training set of living and extinct rodents, we infer the locomotion for the new species and 11 other fossil taxa. Our results support a semi-fossorial ecology for the new species. This is consistent with predictions from ancestral character state reconstructions based on extant taxa that living pocket mice represent a reasonable model of the ancestral bauplan of geomyoids. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:63145542-2FCD-4AEE-9A6E-52104269FE12

A pictorial identification key for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Phlebotomus sand flies

Given the significance of leishmaniasis as a neglected parasitic disease—ranking second in mortality and fourth in morbidity among vector-borne diseases—and the prominence of the Mediterranean and Middle East regions as key areas for leishmaniasis incidence, the study and precise morphological identification of sand flies, the proven vectors of the disease, is crucial. Unfortunately, despite this importance, there are few reliable references or identification keys for the morphological identification of sand flies in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. Some are outdated and no longer valid or remain local (restricted to a country). To date, no comprehensive study has been conducted on the sand fly fauna and their morphological characterization across these regions. In response to this gap, we present a comprehensive pictorial identification key for male and female Phlebotomus species of Middle East and Mediterranean areas. The key includes 720 selected photos and illustrations demonstrating discriminative morphological features out of 2,000 collected. Furthermore, a collection including descriptive morphological criteria of sand flies, first description of Phlebotomus species, a comprehensive checklist of Phlebotomus species accompanied by their distribution map across Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries, as well as extensive information on their morphometry, ecology, medical relevance, synonymy, atypical forms and morphology of female Adlerius species are given. Finally, we provide an online pictorial dichotomous key to facilitate field application.

Biome conservatism prevailed in repeated long-distance colonization of Madagascar's mountains by Helichrysum (Compositae, Gnaphalieae).

Biome conservatism prevailed in repeated long-distance colonization of Madagascar's mountains by Helichrysum (Compositae, Gnaphalieae).

Habitat Occupancy of Brown Hyaenas and Civets in a Multi‐Predator, Semi‐Arid Savanna Landscape

ABSTRACTStudies on African carnivores usually focus on the large cats, and limited attention is given to the less charismatic species such as brown hyaenas (Parahyaena brunnea) and African civets (Civettictis civetta), despite their important role in ecosystem function and balance. The determinants of brown hyaena and civet space use are not well documented across their range, and information on their ecological habits is limited. Camera trapping is a widely used survey approach for recording carnivore presence and recent studies have piggybacked on camera trap by‐catch data to gain insight into the ecologies of understudied species. In this paper, we used by‐catch data from a leopard camera trap survey to model brown hyaena and civet habitat selection and occupancy at Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe. Our study found that brown hyaena presence increased with distance from surface water, while civets were associated with areas with high shrub canopy volume. The distribution of both species coincided with that of the top predators, suggesting co‐existence. We posit that where subordinate carnivores have adapted to co‐existing with large predators, environmental factors such as distance from surface water and shrub cover are key in influencing space use choice.

DNA barcoding of marine rocky reef fishes from northern Peru suggests a parapatric speciation in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

Northern Peru marks the end of an extensive coastal marine region: The Panama province, which is characterized by predominantly tropical and equatorial features and is home to the only rocky reefs known in Peruvian territory. This unique ecosystem could explain the presence of a diverse range of fish species. However, due to the difficulty of sampling and accessing reef areas, our knowledge of this biodiversity is incomplete. To address this issue, we used DNA barcoding for the study of the fish biodiversity and revealed patterns that may have influenced their evolution throughout the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP). A fragment of Cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) of 177 samples of rocky reef fishes was sequenced. Intra and interspecific K2P distances were calculated and three species delimitation methods (GMYC, PTP, and bPTP) were used to obtain MOTUs. Both analyses support the conformation of additional MOTUs in samples of Mugil cephalus, Ophichthus zophochir, Malacoctenus tetranemus, Ariopsis seemanni and Halichoeres dispilus, species with a divergence above 2%. By comparing these sequences with public data, our analysis revealed the existence of COI lineages and suggested potential ecological parapatric speciation in the TEP. More studies using other markers and different approaches are required to confirm the existence of species complexes that could be related to the presence of cryptic species.

Environmental DNA is more effective than hand sorting in evaluating earthworm biodiversity recovery under regenerative agriculture.

Environmental DNA is more effective than hand sorting in evaluating earthworm biodiversity recovery under regenerative agriculture.

How anatomical and morphological differences among sympatric Amazonian river dolphins reflect adaptations to species ecology

How anatomical and morphological differences among sympatric Amazonian river dolphins reflect adaptations to species ecology

Ecological physiology of recovery from experimental phenology of algal food deprivation in larvae of a sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus)

Studies of seasonal breeding of marine invertebrates led to many important and long-standing marine biological “Rules” (e.g., Orton; Crisp; Thorson: 1920–1950s). Currently, the world’s oceans are undergoing rapid rates of change. The extent to which these historically formative “Rules” still apply in the modern ocean is the focus of the current study. Anthropogenic-driven ocean change is altering the phenology of animal reproduction by impacting trophic mismatch of larval phases and food availability. The present study addresses these issues in larvae of the white sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus), an important species in marine ecology and developmental biology. Specifically, following experimentally-simulated phenological delays in the availability of phytoplankton, an integrated analysis of whole-organism, physiological, and biochemical responses revealed: (i) the limits of larval tolerance to algal food deprivation, (ii) mechanisms of nutritional stress resilience, and (iii) a higher energy cost of subsequent growth recovery once algal food became available. Contrary to expectations, unfed larvae did not deplete egg energy stores of lipid during extended periods of food deprivation. Instead, protein was the primary biochemical reserve used to fuel the metabolic cost of delayed feeding, reduced to over 80% protein depletion in unfed larvae. When algal food become available, an analysis of protein dynamics of synthesis, and turnover, and accretion showed that delayed-feeding larvae had a faster protein accretion rate. The energy cost of this compensatory catch-up strategy was, however, 2.4-fold higher. These findings highlight constraints to the classically-accepted “Rules” regarding life history strategies in a changing ocean.

Trophic niche dynamics of two fish mesoconsumers in adjacent coastal habitats with varying nutrient regimes.

Changes of consumers' trophic niches, the n-dimensional biotic space that allows a species to satisfy its minimum requirements for population growth, are driven in part by shifts in the degree of individual resource use specialization within a population. Individual specialization results from complex trade-offs in inter- and intraspecific competition as organisms reduce niche overlap within a population or with heterospecifics. It is vital to build empirical knowledge on the trophic niche dynamics of consumers, given the role that niche dynamics play in food web stability, species coexistence, and population resilience, especially quantifying the trophic niche's expansion and contraction of coastal fish populations experiencing increasing frequency of environmental disturbance and habitat transformation. In coastal ecosystems, disturbances alter the connectivity, productivity, and nutrient regimes of aquatic habitats, which could lead to significant shifts in consumers' trophic niches. We investigated the trophic niche dynamics of two fish species Centropomus undecimalis (Common Snook) and Megalops atlanticus (Atlantic Tarpon), across two adjacent coastal lake systems of varying nutrient regimes (eutrophic vs. mesotrophic) and hydrological connectivity. In both systems, Snook had larger trophic niches than Tarpon. Also, the trophic niche size in the eutrophic system was larger than the mesotrophic system for both species. Snook and Tarpon used different prey resources, resulting in low niche overlap between species in both systems. Our results highlight how altered hydrological connectivity, and nutrient regimes can shift trophic niche dynamics of higher trophic-level consumers, likely due to changes in prey landscapes and shifts in the foraging ecology of species.

Freshwater fish community assessment using eDNA metabarcoding vs. capture-based methods: Differences in efficiency and resolution coupled to habitat and ecology.

Freshwater fish community assessment using eDNA metabarcoding vs. capture-based methods: Differences in efficiency and resolution coupled to habitat and ecology.

Lower Habitat Quality Increases Physiological Stress in an Endangered Neotropical Primate

ABSTRACTUnderstanding how habitat quality affects wildlife is one of the fundamental questions of conservation biology and ecology. Across the tropics, habitat loss and degradation threaten arboreal species, such as primates. To establish well‐founded, species‐specific conservation management plans, it is crucial to have an adequate understanding of a species' diet, behaviour, habitat, ecology and physiology. Measuring physiological stress in these species offers exclusive insight into how they cope and adapt within their environment. Here, we evaluated the influence of habitat quality on cortisol levels in black lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysopygus), an endangered frugivorous–faunivorous primate endemic to the state of São Paulo, Brazil. We compared hair cortisol concentrations among six different black lion tamarin populations inhabiting forest fragments of varying quality. We adopted a patch‐landscape approach and measured forest cover to estimate habitat availability for each population. To estimate forest quality in each study, we calculated total tree basal area, a proxy for forest structure and maturity that is positively correlated to fruit availability. Our model revealed that cortisol levels increased as the amount of available habitat and tree basal area decreased. Lower forest cover may alter resource acquisition and disrupt ranging patterns of black lion tamarins, as well as increase the degree of anthropogenic disturbances. Furthermore, forests with smaller trees might impair their movement and decrease fruit and sleeping site availability. Given that small, unprotected fragments and riparian forests represent important habitats in its geographic range, protecting such areas, while increasing inter‐fragment connectivity and limiting human encroachment, is crucial for the conservation of this species.

Changing ecosystems promote generalism and enhanced heterogeneity in diet composition in the endangered St. Lawrence Estuary beluga

Changes in trophodynamics may affect trophic niche both at the individual and population levels. Using stable isotope ratios, we showed how contrasting oceanographic and trophic conditions in 1997–2003 and 2015–2020 have altered the diet and degree of individual specialization of St. Lawrence Estuary beluga (Delphinapterus leucas). The trophic niche of all sex and age classes changed over time, with beluga consuming more small pelagic prey during the first than the second period. Adult male diets differed from that of adult females and juveniles during the first period due to the other prey that were consumed. In 2015–2020, diet contributions by small pelagic prey decreased in all segments of the population and led to marginally significant differences in diet between adult males and females. These dietary changes were concomitant to a diversification of diet at the individual level and to an increase in diet heterogeneity among conspecifics and years within the 2015–2020 period. Whether these patterns emerged from an environment-driven reduction in prey biomass or from an increase in intra- and/or interspecific competition is unknown. Our findings illustrate the importance of considering individuals and not just the population when studying the foraging ecology of endangered species.

A New Species of Cephalaria (Caprifoliaceae) from Central Anatolia (Türkiye)

Cephalaria kirsehirica (Caprifoliaceae) is here described from Central Anatolia as a new taxon of Türkiye. Morphological and molecular diagnostic characters closely from similar taxa are discussed with support of geographical distribution map. Taxonomic comments, ecology and conservation status for this new species are given. In addition, they are provided genetic data, especially DNA-based data, will be effective in producing more accurate phylogenies and revealing interspecies determinations more reliably. The ISSR technique, one of the PCR-based molecular marker systems, was used to support the morphological characterization of C. elazigensis var. elazigensis, C. elazigensis var. purpurea and C. kirsehirica. Twenty-three ISSR primers were tested for the Cephalaria genus and the six that gave the best band profile were selected. A total of 59 band profiles ranging from 50bp to 1250bp were obtained. According to the analysis of the displayed band profiles, it can be said that C. elazigensis var. elazigensis, C. elazigensis var. purpurea, and C. kirsehirica taxa have a relationship. This result supports the data obtained from morphological analysis.

Comparing rates of molecular and morphological evolution identifies multiple speciation trajectories in a diverse radiation of skinks.

There is increasing recognition that the process of species divergence is not uniform across the tree of life, and that newly diverged taxa may differ in their levels of phenotypic and genetic divergence. We investigate the relationship between phenotypic and genetic differentiation across the speciation continuum using sister pairs from a large ecologically diverse radiation of Australian skinks, the Tribe Eugongylini, a high-quality alignment of genomic sequence data, and morphometric data for 90 lineages across the radiation. Based on the framework proposed by Struck et al. (2018) for comparative study of species divergence, we used latent class regression to test for multiple speciation "trajectories". We found evidence for multiple relationships between genetic divergence and morphological disparity for recently diverged sister taxa, which we summarise into two broad patterns. One of these patterns is characterised by relatively rapid morphological differentiation for pairs with greater disparity in environmental variables, consistent with expectations of ecological speciation. The second pattern shows accumulation of both morphological and genetic differences in proportion to each other, consistent with gradual speciation. Our study shows how heterogeneity in speciation processes can be captured in a comparative framework.

New Attractant Lures for Sampling Conistra vaccinii L. Populations: Bisexual Lures and a Sex Attractant (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The chemical ecology and host plant preferences of the different Conistra species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Xylenini) are mostly unknown, even though they are essential components of the herbivorous assemblages of temperate zone forests. During field studies, (Z)-7-tetradecenyl acetate (Z7-14Ac) was identified as a sex attractant of Conistra vaccinii. Phenylacetaldehyde-based synthetic and iso-amyl alcohol-based semi-synthetic lures also attracted C. vaccinii, C. rubiginea, and C. rubiginosa, and in the case of C. vaccinii, they performed better than the newly identified sex attractant. The different efficiencies of the two bisexual lures probably reflected the different feeding source preferences of the species caught. The tested lures attracted both sexes and, thus, we can estimate the actual sex ratio. These traps can be used especially in applications where female samples are needed, i.e., surveys on the reproduction biology of moths (e.g., polyandry), or in surveys of population dynamics.