Species-specific Traits Research Articles

Diversity and Function Patterns of Soil Microbial Communities in Native and Invasive Plants Along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Qinling Mountains

Soil microbial communities are essential drivers of ecosystem functions, yet the factors shaping their structure and function, particularly at different altitudes and between invasive and native plants, remain insufficiently understood. Using high-throughput Illumina sequencing, we assessed the composition, diversity, impact factors, and functional potential of the microbial communities associated with Galinsoga quadriradiata (an invasive species) and Artemisia lavandulifolia (a native species) across an altitudinal gradient ranging from 896 m to 1889 m in the Qinling Mountains. The results revealed that both plant species and altitude significantly influenced soil bacterial diversity and community structure. Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteriota accounted for higher proportions in the soils of G. quadriradiata and A. lavandulifolia. A linear discriminant analysis showed that the two species hosted distinct microbial communities, with variations driven by species-specific traits and environmental factors. Compared with plant parameters, environmental factors had a greater impact on plant soil bacterial abundance. Functional analysis indicated that A. lavandulifolia soils were more associated with nitrogen cycling processes, while G. quadriradiata soils contributed more to organic matter decomposition. Therefore, invasive and native plants harbored microbial flora with different nutritional preferences and metabolic characteristics. These findings advance our understanding of plant–microbe interactions along altitudinal gradients, and they have practical implications for managing invasive species and supporting ecosystem resilience.

Species traits explaining long-term abundance changes of breeding birds in farmland areas in Álava (N Spain)

In recent decades, the populations of many common bird species have greatly declined in Europe, particularly in farmland habitats. However, this decline has not affected every species, and to understand the mechanisms behind this interspecific variability, its relationship with several species-specific traits has been studied repeatedly. We used this approach to analyse long-term changes in the abundance of breeding passerines in farmland areas in northern Spain. Abundance changes were quantified in 2015 and 2016 by repeating the same line transects conducted in 1988/89 in three agricultural habitats located along a steep Atlantic-Mediterranean gradient in the province of Álava. We found that total bird abundance did not decline, as most species not closely linked to farmland habitats showed positive population changes, while the number of increasing and decreasing farmland specialists was similar. Specific traits explained a substantial proportion of the variability in abundance change, as warm-dwelling species and those occupying habitats with a complex vegetation structure showed more positive changes than those preferring colder conditions and more open habitats. These patterns can be explained by climate warming and by the increase in hedge and forest cover in the study area. Although we did not find a long-term decline in the overall abundance of the studied bird community nor in that of farmland specialists, open habitat species associated with a cool climate should be the focus of particular concern.

Species-Specific and Pollution-Induced Changes in Gene Expression and Metabolome of Closely Related Noccaea Species Under Natural Conditions.

Hyperaccumulators within the Noccaea genus possess many promising genetic and metabolic adaptations that could be potentially exploited to support phytoremediation efforts and/or crop improvement and biofortification. Although hyperaccumulation is very common in this genus, individual species display specific traits as they can accumulate different elements (e.g., zinc, cadmium, and/or nickel). Moreover, there appears to be some populational variability with natural selection increasing the metal tolerance in metallicolous populations. Therefore, employing robust methods, such as integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome, is crucial for uncovering pivotal candidate genes and pathways orchestrating the response to metal stress in Noccaea hyperaccumulators. Our study highlights several species-specific traits linked to the detoxification of metals and metal-induced oxidative stress in hyperaccumulating N. praecox when compared to a closely related model species, N. caerulescens, when grown in the field. Transcriptome analysis revealed distinct differences between the three studied natural Noccaea populations. Notably, we observed several pathways frequently connected to metal stress, i.e., glutathione metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis, which were enriched. These differences were observed despite the relative evolutionary closeness of studied species, which emphasizes the importance of further expanding our knowledge on hyperaccumulators if we want to exploit their mechanisms for phytoremediation efforts or food quality improvements.

Numerical modelling of biogeomorphological processes in salt marsh development: Do short-term vegetation dynamics influence long-term development?

Salt marshes are critical coastal ecosystems that provide numerous services. They are governed by complex biogemorphological interactions on multiple spatiotemporal scales. To simulate long-term salt marsh development in numerical models, smaller- and shorter-term vegetation processes are often neglected. This study investigates the importance of spatiotemporally and seasonally varying vegetation dynamics on decadal salt marsh development in an integrated numerical biogeomorphological model simulating a representative, idealized case of the Dutch Western Scheldt Estuary. The focus lies on the influence of seasonal vegetation dynamics, interspecific interactions between two salt marsh species, and the stabilizing effect of below-ground biomass with increasing vegetation age on critical shear stress, which results in spatially non-uniform erosion resistance of sediment and vegetation. By incorporating seasonal growth periods and varying characteristics of vegetation, we demonstrate the impact of species-specific traits on vegetation stability and morphological changes. Introducing an additional pioneer species that can establish further seaward reveals the sheltering effect and the long-term implications of this zonation for marsh development. Additionally, the influence of spatially and temporally varying below-ground biomass on sediment stability and vegetation's resistance to uprooting is significant for the biogeomorphological interactions. Comparison of the different model simulations to topographical data from the Dutch Western Scheldt Estuary shows that the model results are representing the morphological variability occurring in the field. Our findings highlight the complex biogeomorphological feedback that govern salt marsh development and show that models that neglect shorter-term seasonal and grid-scale (25 m2) spatially varying processes may overlook critical interactions that influence the lateral extent and overall morphological development of salt marshes. Therefore, this study underscores the need to integrate seasonal dynamics, species diversity, and below-ground biomass variability into biogeomorphological models to enhance predictive accuracy. This approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of the large-scale, long-term consequences of seasonal and spatiotemporally varying vegetation processes, which is essential for informing conservation and management strategies under changing climatic conditions.

Phylogenetic evaluation and haplotype mapping of phytoplasma disease in sesame: insights into leafhopper-mediated disease transmission through molecular investigation

The predominance of leafhopper species like Orosius albicinctus, Hishimonus phycitis, and Amrasca biguttula biguttula indeed poses a significant threat to sesame production in India and globally. This disease is a major challenge for sesame farming, as it can lead to yield reductions of up to 95%. The current study examined phytoplasma and leafhoppers in sesame and analyzed the phylogenetic differences in the phyllody phytoplasma. The identification of both 16Sr group I and group II phytoplasma isolates, along with the discovery of the 16SrI-B group reported for the first time in Tamil Nadu, represents a significant advancement in our understanding of phytoplasma diversity in the region. The utilization of virtual RFLP analysis in sequencing the sesame phyllody phytoplasma highlights the importance of molecular techniques in characterizing the phytoplasma. Leafhoppers in sesame were a co-occurring species complex of O. albicinctus, H. phycitis, and A. bigutulla bigutulla. The leafhoppers were identified using species-specific taxonomical traits, and a mtCOI gene-based genetic study confirmed the species. In disease transmission efficiency studies in the greenhouse, O. albicinctus transmitted phyllody at a rate ranging from 7.8% to 84%, while H. phycitis transmitted phyllody at a rate of 5.2% to 74%. Both of these species showed the highest transmission efficiency in the combination of three insects per plant with five days of acquisition feeding and one day of inoculation feeding. A comprehensive understanding of leafhopper-phytoplasma interactions through molecular studies supports effective monitoring, early detection, and the development of integrated pest management strategies.

Factors determining semen sample collection and semen quality parameters in African penguins Spheniscus demersus

Our research focuses on semen collection from 42 African penguin males, grouped by age, habituation levels, and reproductive season timing. We assess behavioral and physiological responses to dorso-abdominal massage, evaluating species-specific seminal traits using conventional and advanced methods. Positive behavioral responses corresponded with successful semen collection. Young and human-reared males exhibited more favorable behaviors, and samples containing spermatozoa were more likely collected during the reproductive season. Age did not influence sample collectability or spermatozoa presence, though mature males produced higher semen volumes. Young males exhibited more sperm morphological abnormalities, especially outside the breeding season. Sperm concentration and number per ejaculate showed no significant differences across age or seasonal groups. Young males had higher motile and progressive sperm percentages, while mature males had more static sperm. Additionally, percentages of live sperm and intact acrosomes were higher in mature males. Young males and samples from non-reproductive season presented more dead sperm with damaged acrosomes. Plasma membrane integrity positively correlated with age for live sperm and negatively for dying sperm. This research demonstrates the feasibility of semen collection from African penguins regardless of habituation level, fills the knowledge gap by describing sperm morphological abnormalities, and provides insights into using flow cytometry in Sphenisciformes.

Responses of oak seedlings to increased herbivory and drought: a possible trade-off?

Anthropogenic disturbances are causing a co-occurring increase in biotic (ungulate herbivory) and abiotic (drought) stressors, threatening plant reproduction in oak-dominated ecosystems. However, we wonder whether herbivory could compensate for the adverse impact of drought by reducing evapotranspiration. Thus, we investigate the isolated and joint effects of herbivory and drought on oak seedlings of two contrasting Mediterranean species that differ in leaf habit and drought resistance. California oak seedlings from the evergreen, and more drought-resistant, Quercus agrifolia and the deciduous Q. lobata (n=387) were assigned to a fully crossed factorial design with herbivory and drought as stress factors. Seedlings were assigned in a greenhouse to 3-4 clipping levels simulating herbivory and 3-4 watering levels, depending on the species. We measured survival, growth, and leaf attributes (chlorophyll, secondary metabolites, leaf area and weight) once a month (May-Sep) and harvested above- and below-ground biomass at the end of the growing season. For both oak species, simulated herbivory enhanced seedling survival during severe drought or delayed its adverse effects, probably due to reduced transpiration resulting from herbivory-induced leaf area reduction and compensatory root growth. Seedlings from the deciduous, and less drought-resistant species, benefitted from herbivory at lower levels of water stress, suggesting different response across species. We also found complex interactions between herbivory and drought on their impact on leaf attributes. In contrast to chlorophyll content which was not affected by herbivory, anthocyanins increased with herbivory - although water stress reduced differences in anthocyanins due to herbivory. Herbivory seems to facilitate Mediterranean oak seedlings to withstand summer drought, potentially alleviating a key bottleneck in the oak recruitment process. Our study highlights the need to consider ontogenetic stages and species-specific traits in understanding complex relationships between herbivory and drought stressors for the persistence and restoration of multi-species oak savannas.

The extrafloral nectary traits of woody plants in Brazil’s Caatinga: describing an ecological spectrum

Abstract Plants use extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) as indirect defence mechanisms against herbivores. These structures contain nectar that is offered to ants in exchange for their protection. EFNs display pronounced functional variation, but it is unknown how this variation comes together in phenotypes. Here, we characterized the main functional traits of EFNs and investigated the associations among them. This work was conducted at a study site in the Caatinga that hosts 14 species of woody plants. We characterized the following functional traits: EFN type, position, arrangement, size, and reducing-sugar level. We observed a marked degree of trait variation (~30%) that was manifested in species-specific trait combinations, giving rise to an ‘ecological spectrum’. At one end were Fabaceae species with large, vascularized EFNs that occur individually on the leaf petiole and/or rachis and that produce high levels of reducing sugars. At the other end were Euphorbiaceae species with small, nonvascularized EFNs that are generally grouped on the leaf blade and that produce low levels of reducing sugars. Despite its limited geographical and phylogenetic scale, this study represents an important first step in describing an ecological spectrum that can inform our understanding of the ecological interactions and evolutionary history of this functionally relevant group of plants.

Long-Term Alpine Plant Responses to Global Change Drivers Depend on Functional Traits.

Forecasting plant responses under global change is a critical but challenging endeavour. Despite seemingly idiosyncratic responses of species to global change, greater generalisation of 'winners' and 'losers' may emerge from considering how species functional traits influence responses and how these responses scale to the community level. Here, we synthesised six long-term global change experiments combined with locally measured functional traits. We quantified the change in abundance and probability of establishment through time for 70 alpine plant species and then assessed if leaf and stature traits were predictive of species and community responses across nitrogen addition, snow addition and warming treatments. Overall, we found that plants with more resource-acquisitive trait strategies increased in abundance but each global change factor was related to different functional strategies. Nitrogen addition favoured species with lower leaf nitrogen, snow addition favoured species with cheaply constructed leaves and warming showed few consistent trends. Community-weighted mean changes in trait values in response to nitrogen addition, snow addition and warming were often different from species-specific trait effects on abundance and establishment, reflecting in part the responses and traits of dominant species. Together, these results highlight that the effects of traits can differ by scale and response of interest.

Beyond the Nut: Pistacia Leaves as Natural Food Preservatives.

The pistachio tree (Pistacia vera) is globally renowned for its nutritious nuts, while its leaves remain an underutilized source of chemicals with significant potential value as food preservatives. Similar value may be found in the leaves of other wild Pistacia species common in Central Asia, the Levant, and around the Mediterranean. Some species' leaves have been used as natural preservatives, demonstrating their effectiveness and highlighting their rich bioactive components. This review investigates the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Pistacia leaves, comparing both cultivated and wild species. A comprehensive search was performed across several scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, utilizing a combination of keywords related to Pistacia species and their bioactive compounds. The inclusion criteria focused on articles published in English from 2017 till the end of June 2024, analyzing the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Pistacia leaves and employing relevant extraction methods. A total of 71 literature sources were included, covering species such as P. vera, P. atlantica, P. terebinthus, and others sourced from countries such as Iran, Turkey, and Italy. This review found that Pistacia leaves are rich in polyphenolic compounds and exhibit robust antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, with certain wild species outperforming P. vera, suggesting species-specific traits that enhance their preservative potential. The major findings indicate that extracts from wild species exhibit superior bioactivity, which could be harnessed for food preservation. These insights underscore the promising role of Pistacia leaves as natural food preservatives, with further research needed to address challenges in extraction and application. Exploring their synergistic effects with other preservatives could lead to innovative solutions in food preservation while fostering local economic growth.

Investigating the impact of cross-shelf transport and local retention in the Black Sea Rim Current system on small pelagic fishes

Advection of pelagic fish larvae through ocean currents is a source of dispersal that is known to structure marine populations by directly impacting population success and persistence. To be able to understand fish population dynamics and manage existing fisheries it is therefore of importance to assess the extent of exchange between populations and determine the factors that drive it, which is still a challenge in fisheries research today. In this study, the output of a high-resolution basin-scale circulation model is used to calculate the dispersal probability from spawning areas and the remaining Black Sea for a range of commercially important fish such as anchovy, sprat, turbot, red mullet, and bluefish under different environmental conditions. The common trait of many commercially important species in the Black Sea is that they have pelagic larval stages of different time scales which are simulated by tracking virtual drifters in the simulated surface circulation of the Black Sea. Simulation results show that the dynamic current structure of the Black Sea causes low local retention of larvae. During spring and summer lower offshore transport and higher local retention is observed than in fall and winter, which is directly related to the Rim Current strength. The lowest offshore transport is observed on the northern northwestern shelf, the main spawning area for pelagic fish with still 24-32% of larvae transported offshore. Simulations show that pelagic fish species such as anchovy and sprat adopted different reproductive strategies through their species-specific traits. For the summer spawning species anchovy, timing, and location of spawning together with its short pelagic larval stage is shown to enhance retention on the northwestern shelf. Sprat with its long pelagic larval stage and winter spawning is more adapted to high offshore transport, making it unlikely that sprat is recruited to the same area as where it is spawned. This modeling framework provides a basis for investigating recruitment variability of pelagic fish species in the Black Sea specifically considering the impact of climate variability and provides a useful guide to the potential connectivity of marine populations or the spread of invasive pests in the Black Sea.

Predicting yolk testosterone allocation using ecological contexts and species-specific traits.

The prenatal transfer of testosterone (T) from mother to offspring is an important source of phenotypic plasticity. In birds, exposure to ecologically relevant stimuli, such as social competition or an attractive mate, can cause females to deposit more T into their egg yolks. Exposure to elevated yolk T can modify the expression of several fitness-related traits in offspring (e.g. growth, immune function, secondary sex traits and behaviour). Despite some of these changes being potentially adaptive, not all studies find that yolk T levels change in response to ecologically relevant stimuli. This heterogeneity is currently unexplained, limiting our ability to predict inter-generational responses to ecological change. Here, we performed a systematic literature search and found 119 observations across 39 wild species that measured inter-female variation in yolk T allocation in response to various stimuli. We used boosted regression trees, a form of machine learning, to examine whether species-specific traits or variation in study-level variables could explain variation in yolk T allocation (i.e. statistically significant vs. non-significant responses). We found that both species-specific traits and study-level variables are important predictors of significant changes in yolk T levels. Geographic range (latitude and longitude), evolutionary distinctiveness, longevity, egg mass relative to female mass, sociality, migration status and time to fledge were among the top 10 most influential predictors of the 48 examined. We also found that studies measuring or manipulating social stimuli (e.g. competition and breeding density) or breeding date were more likely to detect changes in yolk T allocation compared with studies examining other ecological contexts. Overall, these data provide several testable hypotheses concerning yolk T allocation and its adaptive value across species and contexts. Additionally, these findings can help us predict how ecological changes will affect hormonal responses in females that can shape future generations.

Mammals show faster recovery from capture and tagging in human-disturbed landscapes

Wildlife tagging provides critical insights into animal movement ecology, physiology, and behavior amid global ecosystem changes. However, the stress induced by capture, handling, and tagging can impact post-release locomotion and activity and, consequently, the interpretation of study results. Here, we analyze post-tagging effects on 1585 individuals of 42 terrestrial mammal species using collar-collected GPS and accelerometer data. Species-specific displacements and overall dynamic body acceleration, as a proxy for activity, were assessed over 20 days post-release to quantify disturbance intensity, recovery duration, and speed. Differences were evaluated, considering species-specific traits and the human footprint of the study region. Over 70% of the analyzed species exhibited significant behavioral changes following collaring events. Herbivores traveled farther with variable activity reactions, while omnivores and carnivores were initially less active and mobile. Recovery duration proved brief, with alterations diminishing within 4–7 tracking days for most species. Herbivores, particularly males, showed quicker displacement recovery (4 days) but slower activity recovery (7 days). Individuals in high human footprint areas displayed faster recovery, indicating adaptation to human disturbance. Our findings emphasize the necessity of extending tracking periods beyond 1 week and particular caution in remote study areas or herbivore-focused research, specifically in smaller mammals.

Species-specific functional trait responses in two species coexisting along a shore-to-inland dune gradient.

Coastal dunes are characterised by strong gradients of abiotic stress, typically increasing in severity from inland areas towards the shoreline. Thus, dune gradients represent unique opportunities to study intraspecific responses to environmental changes and to investigate which factors drive community change. This study aims to examine functional trait variation in two coexisting species in response to environmental changes along a dune gradient in NW Spain. Trait convergence was also investigated and compared between both ends of the gradient. We measured functional leaf traits related to plant efficiency in the use of light, water and nutrients, also possible stressors (salt content and pH) and availability of limiting resources (water and nutrients) in the soil. Most soil variables showed changes following a non-directional gradient. Differences in soil variables were site specific and depended on growth of the study species. Structural and functional traits depended on species and/or plant position on the gradient, except for effective quantum yield of PSII and leaf δ15N. The pattern of variation was mostly directional for reflectance indices related to leaf physiology. Multivariate analyses showed significant interspecific differences in the set of traits they exhibited along positions in the gradient. Species also differed in the combination of traits selected under given environmental conditions. Coexisting species display a specific set of traits that reflects different strategies to environmental stress. Our study highlights the overly simplistic nature of some previous studies that assume dune gradients are monotonically directional, without considering that these gradients may be differentially modified by species activity.

Species-specific effects of light and temperature on photosynthesis and respiration among Symbiodiniaceae (Dinophyceae)

Coral reefs are exposed to various environmental stressors that cause bleaching events, whereby endosymbiotic microalgae (Symbiodiniaceae) disassociate from coral hosts. Bleached corals are compromised and face mortality. The combination of high-light exposure and elevated seawater temperature often lead to coral bleaching. The physiological properties of the Symbiodiniaceae within the coral tissues contribute to the thermal tolerance of the holobiont (the host and all its symbionts). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of light and temperature stress on four Symbiodiniaceae species from three genera with respect to photosynthetic oxygen production and consumption. Under control conditions, the species displayed predominantly low-to-moderate light requirements for photosynthesis with increased photoinhibition at higher photon flux rates. After 30 days of heat acclimation at 32 °C, maximum photosynthetic activity declined in Effrenium voratum, doubled in Fugacium kawagutii, and remained unchanged in Breviolum psygmophilum. In subsequent acute heating assays, species-specific effects on maximum photosynthetic activity were observed. Photosynthesis in all species declined across a temperature gradient between 25 and 39 °C in the acute heating assays; full inhibition occurred at 37 °C in B. psygmophilum and E. voratum and at 39 °C in B. aenigmaticum and F. kawagutii. In contrast, respiration remained largely constant in all species across temperatures. Our data point to species-specific photophysiological traits that lead to different thermal tolerances among Symbiodiniaceae.

Functional attributes of conifers expanding into temperate semi-arid grasslands modulate carbon and nitrogen fluxes in response to prescribed fire

Fire exclusion is a key factor driving conifer expansion into temperate semi-arid grasslands. However, it remains unclear how reintroducing fire affects the aboveground storage of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in the expanding tree species and belowground in soils. To assess the impacts of fire reintroduction C and N pools and fluxes in areas of conifer expansion we targeted a region of the Northern Great Plains that has experienced extensive woody plant expansion (WPE) of two species: ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and juniper (Juniperus spp). We quantified tree mortality of both species to estimate the amount of dead biomass C and N produced by a recent prescribed fire, in addition to changes in soil C, pyrogenic C (PyC), and N concentrations across a woody-cover gradient using a before/after/control experimental design. Post-fire soil chemical analysis revealed a 2 year increase in mineral soil C, PyC and N, suggesting the return of fire led to the transfer of partially combusted plant organic matter back to the soil. Further, we found that functional trait differences between the two species influenced the distribution of living conifer biomass-N prior to fire. Despite junipers having 41% less total aboveground biomass than ponderosa, they contained two times more aboveground N. Prescribed fire resulted in 88% mortality of all mature juniper stems and increased fire severity correlated with greater pre-fire juniper cover. Ponderosa mortality varied by size class, with > 40 cm stem diameter class having only 28% mortality. High mortality and greater aboveground N storage in juniper biomass, compared to ponderosa, led to 77% of the total conifer biomass N lost. Consequently, the functional attributes of expanding trees differentially contribute to fluxes of C and N after the return of fire, with junipers acting as conduits for N movement due to their relatively higher N content in less fire-resistant tissues and ponderosa serving as important and more stable storage pools for C. Together, these findings highlight the importance of considering species-specific traits when planning WPE management strrategies at landscape-scales, particularly when goals include C storage or soil nutrient status.Graphical abstractThe hypothesized effects of how carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fluxes respond to the return of fire in grasslands experiencing conifer expansion. The question marks represent the input of fire-altered biomass from conifer trees into the soil and the transformation of living to dead tree biomass which are the focus of this study.

Where are the provincial-level new records in China from the past 20 years, and which traits determine their shift directions?

Birds are sensitive to environmental changes and can drive range shifts rapidly due to their high mobility. Though previous studies have examined the associations between species traits and range shifts, whether species traits could still explain heterogeneity in shift directions remains poorly explored. Here, we compiled new bird records of China from 2000 to 2019 and analyzed species traits associated with apparent shift directions. We collected 350 provincial-level new records of birds belonging to 67 families of 22 orders. Of these, 32 are threatened, with 3 critically endangered, 11 endangered, and 18 vulnerable. Provinces in western China (i.e., Yunnan and Xizang) had relatively higher species richness of new recorded birds; this pattern was also reflected in the phylogenetic diversity we observed. In addition, provinces in northern China (i.e., Tianjin, Shandong, and Beijing) had relatively higher richness-controlled phylogenetic diversity. Phylogenetic overdispersion of new recorded bird communities was observed in 61.29% of provinces (19 of 31). The main shift directions indicated by new bird records were northward (with nearly 50% of birds moving NW, N and NE). Migration, hand-wing index (HWI), body mass, and range size are the four key factors that most significantly influence the shift directions in bird species, suggesting that bird movement toward newly suitable areas varies with species-specific traits. Together, these results demonstrate the importance of considering species ecological traits when predicting shift directions of birds.

The universe is asymmetric, the mouse brain too.

Hemispheric brain asymmetry is a basic organizational principle of the human brain and has been implicated in various psychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorder. Brain asymmetry is not a uniquely human feature and is observed in other species such as the mouse. Yet, asymmetry patterns are generally nuanced, and substantial sample sizes are required to detect these patterns. In this pre-registered study, we use a mouse dataset from the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Network, which comprises structural MRI data from over 2000 mice, including genetic models for autism spectrum disorder, to reveal the scope and magnitude of hemispheric asymmetry in the mouse. Our findings demonstrate the presence of robust hemispheric asymmetry in the mouse brain, such as larger right hemispheric volumes towards the anterior pole and larger left hemispheric volumes toward the posterior pole, opposite to what has been shown in humans. This suggests the existence of species-specific traits. Further clustering analysis identified distinct asymmetry patterns in autism spectrum disorder models, a phenomenon that is also seen in atypically developing participants. Our study shows potential for the use of mouse models to understand the biological bases of typical and atypical brain asymmetry but also warrants caution as asymmetry patterns seem to differ between humans and mice.

The evolution of ovarian somatic cells characterized by transcriptome and chromatin accessibility across rodents, monkeys, and humans

Abstract The ovary plays a crucial role in the reproductive system of female mammals by producing mature oocytes through folliculogenesis. Non-human model organisms are extensively utilized in research on human ovarian biology, thus necessitating the investigation of conservation and divergence in molecular mechanisms across species. In this study, we employed integrative single-cell analysis of transcriptome and chromatin accessibility to identify the evolutionary conservation and divergence patterns of ovaries among humans, monkeys, mice, rats, and rabbits. Our analyses revealed that theca cells exhibited the most significant changes during evolution based on scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq datasets. Furthermore, we discovered common cis-regulatory architectures in theca cells across species by conducting joint analyses of scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq datasets. These findings have potential applications in non-human biomedical and genetic research to validate molecular mechanisms found in human organisms. Additionally, our investigation into non-coding genomic regions identified intergenic highly transcribed regions (igHTRs) that may contribute to the evolution of species-specific phenotypic traits. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into understanding the molecular characteristics of adult ovaries while offering new perspectives for studying human ovarian physiology and diseases.

A trait-based approach to quantify ecosystem services delivery potentials in the Sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh

An ecosystem’s potential to deliver goods and services, primarily determined by the functional traits of the species, is crucial for assessing its health and conservation value. This study uses a trait-based approach to evaluate the spatial and temporal variation in the ecosystem services delivery potentials (ESDPs) of the Sundarbans mangrove. We analyzed abundance data from 81 permanent sample plots (PSPs), spread over different saline zones, collected between 1986 and 2014, paired with species-specific plant functional traits. Seventeen traits were examined, with species-level data sourced from secondary literature, linking traits to ecosystem services. Study revealed that plant height, specific leaf area, and root length are key traits for assessing ESDPs. The Sundarbans’ ESDPs varied spatially across different saline zones but remained stable over time. Notably, ESDPs were significantly higher in low saline zones compared to ESDPs in high saline zones. This spatial variation is partly explained by differences in plant species composition among saline zones and the relatively stable species composition over time. Results from mixed effect models showed that PSP as a random factor for all four models is attributed to the nested effect. The study highlights the value of functional traits in ecosystem service assessments, providing a robust method to predict how changes in biodiversity and environmental conditions affect service delivery. The observed trend of decreasing ESDPs with increasing salinity offers insights into the potential impacts of sea-level rise on mangrove forest functions. These findings are essential for developing conservation strategies and policies to preserve the Sundarbans’ ecological integrity and support local livelihoods. This research advocates for a trait-based framework as a critical tool for the sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems globally.