Taxonomic Structure Research Articles

Impact of salmon farming in the antibiotic resistance and structure of marine bacterial communities from surface seawater of a northern Patagonian area of Chile

BackgroundAquaculture and salmon farming can cause environmental problems due to the pollution of the surrounding waters with nutrients, solid wastes and chemicals, such as antibiotics, which are used for disease control in the aquaculture facilities. Increasing antibiotic resistance in human-impacted environments, such as coastal waters with aquaculture activity, is linked to the widespread use of antibiotics, even at sub-lethal concentrations. In Chile, the world's second largest producer of salmon, aquaculture is considered the primary source of antibiotics residues in the coastal waters of northern Patagonia. Here, we evaluated whether the structure and diversity of marine bacterial community, the richness of antibiotic resistance bacteria and the frequency of antibiotic resistance genes increase in communities from the surface seawater of an area with salmon farming activities, in comparison with communities from an area without major anthropogenic disturbance.ResultsThe taxonomic structure of bacterial community was significantly different between areas with and without aquaculture production. Growth of the culturable fraction under controlled laboratory conditions showed that, in comparison with the undisturbed area, the bacterial community from salmon farms displayed a higher frequency of colonies resistant to the antibiotics used by the salmon industry. A higher adaptation to antibiotics was revealed by a greater proportion of multi-resistant bacteria isolated from the surface seawater of the salmon farming area. Furthermore, metagenomics data revealed a significant higher abundance of antibiotic resistant genes conferring resistance to 11 antibiotic families in the community from salmon farms, indicating that the proportion of bacteria carrying the resistance determinants was overall higher in salmon farms than in the undisturbed site.ConclusionsOur results revealed an association between bacterial communities and antibiotic resistance from surface seawater of a coastal area of Chile. Although the total bacterial community may appear comparable between sites, the cultivation technique allowed to expose a higher prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the salmon farming area. Moreover, we demonstrated that metagenomics (culture-independent) and phenotypic (culture-dependent) methods are complementary to evaluate the bacterial communities’ risk for antibiotic resistance, and that a human—influenced environment (such as salmon farms) can potentiate bacteria to adapt to environmental stresses, such as antibiotics.

Creation of Cellulolytic Communities of Soil Microorganisms—A Search for Optimal Approaches

For the targeted selection of microbial communities that provide cellulose degradation, soil samples containing cellulolytic microorganisms and specific plant residues as a substrate can be used. The details of this process have not been studied: in particular, whether the use of different soils determines the varying efficiency of communities; whether these established cellulolytic communities will have substrate specificity, and other factors. To answer these questions, four soil microbial communities with different cellulolytic activity (Podzol and the soil of Chernevaya taiga) and substrates (oat straw and hemp shives) with different levels of cellulose availability were used, followed by trained communities that were tested on botrooth substrates (in all possible combinations). Based on the analysis of the taxonomic structure of all communities and their efficiency across all substrates (decomposition level, carbon, and nitrogen content), it was shown that the most important taxa of all trained microbial cellulolytic communities are recruited from secondary soil taxa. The original soil does not affect the efficiency of cellulose decomposition: both soils produce equally active communities. Unexpectedly, the resulting communities trained on oats were more effective on hemp than the communities trained on hemp. In general, the usage of pre-trained microbial communities increases the efficiency of decomposition.

Ecological Assessment of Phytoplankton Diversity and Water Quality to Ensure the Sustainability of the Ecosystem in Lake Maybalyk, Astana, Kazakhstan

Microalgae in planktonic communities are the main producers of biomass in lake ecosystems; however, their stability is influenced by many environmental factors. This study aims to assess the ecological state of Lake Maybalyk, located in Astana (Kazakhstan), based on the study of the taxonomic diversity and structure of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and the physico-chemical properties of the water. From 2019 to 2021, samples were taken for phytoplankton analysis, hydrochemical analysis of the water, zooplankton, and saprobiological analysis of the algocenosis. The study also investigated the main morphometric parameters of the lake, as well as the composition of hydrobionts, such as zooplankton, zoobenthos, and ichthyofauna. The analysis of phytoplankton revealed the presence of 97 species and intraspecific taxa of microalgae, with 71 types of microalgal indicators indicating water saprobity. The planktonic algoflora in Lake Maybalyk is predominantly composed of diatoms (Bacillariophyta) and green algae (Chlorophyta), which play a vital role in oxygen production and the food chain within the reservoir. Based on the Pantle–Buck saprobity index (2.15–2.5), the water quality in Lake Maybalyk is classified as moderately polluted. The assessment of the water quality, considering the number and composition of indicator phytoplankton species, places Lake Maybalyk in class III (β-mesosaprobic). The hydrochemical indicators align with the hydrobiological indicators, confirming the water quality as class III. The trophic status of the reservoir, during the study period, can be described as average. The obtained data on both the hydrobiological and hydrochemical indicators correlate, suggesting satisfactory water quality and the ability of the reservoir to purify itself. This study contributes to the sustainable management of water resources, by providing essential data on the ecological state of Lake Maybalyk. The results underscore the importance of continuous biomonitoring, with microalgae as indicators of water quality, which is crucial for developing effective ecosystem conservation strategies.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Sarcosphaera (Ascomycota: Pezizales) in Europe and North America revealed unexpected diversity

Sarcosphaera (Ascomycota: Pezizales) is a genus of rare spring fungi, currently encompassing a single species, S. coronaria, which is red-listed in many European countries. The genus is characterized by large bright-colored fruit-bodies and high arsenic content. This study investigates the genetic diversity across Europe and North America. Using integrated molecular techniques, including ITS and 28S rDNA sequencing, we aimed to resolve the taxonomic ambiguities and assess their arsenic hyperaccumulation capabilities, a rare trait among fungi. We identified the presence of two species in the Western Palearctic (S. coronaria, S. crassa) and at least 12 additional lineages in North America, indicating a more complex taxonomic structure than previously recognized. To consolidate the taxonomy and nomenclature of these fungi, we selected reference specimens for S. coronaria and S. crassa and discussed their morphological and ecological differences. Two genera, Caulocarpa (C. montana) and Hydnotryopsis (H. setchellii), a genus comprising hypogeous fungi, are newly placed in the genus Sarcosphaera. Sarcosphaera is thus another genus where the rapid evolution of hypogeous forms from their above-ground ancestors took place. Furthermore, two new Sarcosphaera species, S. columbiana and S. pacifica, are described from the Pacific Northwest. Investigation of arsenic content of Sarcosphaera species revealed that arsenic mass fractions in ascocarps vary significantly between species and even within species across different geographical locations. Our findings have important implications for the taxonomy and conservation of the S. coronaria species complex and also point to future directions for further research in the taxonomy, geomycology, and toxicology of this group of fungi.

MIIST305 mitigates gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome injury and ameliorates radiation-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis.

High-dose radiation exposure results in gastrointestinal (GI) acute radiation syndrome identified by the destruction of mucosal layer, intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction, and aberrant inflammatory responses. In addition, radiation causes gut microbiome dysbiosis characterized by diminished microbial diversity, reduction in the abundance of beneficial commensal bacteria, and the spread of bacterial pathogens that trigger the recruitment of immune cells and the production of pro-inflammatory factors that lead to further GI tissue damage. Currently, there are no FDA- approved countermeasures that can treat radiation-induced GI injury. To meet this critical need, Synedgen Inc ., has developed a glycopolymer radiomitigator (MIIST305) that is specifically targeted to the GI tract which acts by intercalating into the mucus layer and the glycocalyx of intestinal epithelial cells that could potentially ameliorate the deleterious effects of radiation. Male C57BL/6J adult mice were exposed to 13 Gy total body X-irradiation with 5% bone marrow shielding and MIIST305 was administered on days 1, 3, and 5 post-irradiation. Approximately 85% of the animals survived the irradiation exposure and were apparently healthy until the end of the 30-day study period. In contrast, no control, vehicle-treated animals survived past day 10 at this radiation dose. We show that MIIST305 improved intestinal epithelial barrier function and suppressed systemic inflammatory response mediated by radiation-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines. Taxonomic profiling and community structure of the fecal and colonic mucosa microbiota demonstrated that MIIST305 treatment increased microbial diversity and restored abundance of beneficial commensal bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera, while suppressing potentially pathogenic bacteria compared with vehicle-treated animals. In summary, MIIST305 is a novel GI-targeted therapeutic that greatly enhances survival in mice exposed to lethal radiation and protects the GI tract from injury by restoring a balanced gut microbiota and effectively reducing proinflammatory responses. Further development of this drug as an FDA-approved medical countermeasure will be of critical importance in the event of a radiation public health emergency.

Ecological and taxonomic dissimilarity in species and higher taxa of reptiles in western Mexico.

Reptiles are one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates in the world that are distributed in almost all ecosystems. Many of these studies have focused on exploring their diversity patterns across different environments; and recent studies on reptile alpha and beta diversity have incorporated a multifaceted approach into their analysis to have more comprehensive evaluations. This study presents an assessment of the taxonomic diversity of reptile patterns using methods that incorporate the assessment of higher taxa. Likewise, the taxonomic dissimilarities between reptile communities in the physiographic regions of the state of Jalisco were analyzed. Evaluations for the groups of snakes and lizards independently are presented. We use the taxonomic distinctiveness index that assesses the complexity of the taxonomic structure of communities through hierarchical classification above the species level to measure the relationships between taxa. The dissimilarity of the taxonomic structure in each community was also analyzed. Beta diversity partitions were performed to identify the contribution of turnover and the differences in richness. We determined that alpha diversity of species and higher taxa maintain different patterns, indicating that Jalisco presents regions with overrepresentation of reptile families and genera, as well as regions with an opposite trend. The representation of higher taxa is higher in the lizard group, although in terms of species richness snakes are the most prominent group. The turnover is the most important component at species and higher taxa, with similar values for lizards and snakes. The findings presented show that incorporating phylogenetic information about species through taxonomic relationships provides complementary information that species diversity per se, especially at the level of alpha diversity.

Mycolichenological portrait of alder forest: alpha diversity revealed in 1ha plot in the Samursky National Park (Republic of Dagestan, Russia)

Aim. Xylobiont fungi and lichens determine the sustainability of forest ecosystems, but their species richness and taxonomic diversity depend on the forest type and the degree of its disturbance. Alder forests, characterised by a specific set of ecological conditions, represent poorly studied habitats in terms of myco‐ and lichenobiota. The aim of this work was to determine the species composition of aphyllophoroid fungi and epiphytic lichens on a 1 ha sample plot in a lowland floodplain forest dominated by Alnus glutinosa in the Delta Samura area of the Samursky National Park.The authors collected basidiomata of lignicolous fungi and lichen specimens on a sample plot of 1 ha during field studies. The surveyed forest area is represented by a community dominated by Alnus glutinosa and lianas. The material was identified using light microscopy techniques and a standard set of chemical reactions.Thirty‐three species of aphyllophoroid fungi (Basidiomycota) and 53 species of lichens and allied fungi (Ascomycota) were identified. Among them, 16 species (48 %) of aphyllophoroid fungi were recorded for the first time for the Samursky National Park, including six species revealed for the first time for the Republic of Dagestan, of which three species (Donkia pulcherrima, Phanerochaete cumulodentata and Sertulicium granuliferum) were new to the Northern Caucasus. Lichen species Arthothelium ruanum, Bacidia arceutina and Graphis pulverulenta are listed for the first time for the Republic of Dagestan. At the same time, 21 species of lichenized fungi were recorded for the first time on Alnus glutinosa within the region.The taxonomical structure of aphyllophoroid fungi revealed reflects the spring period of basidiomata‐based field study. The predominance of corticioid fungi and revealing hydnoid species among morphological groups may be indicative of the generally wetter habitats of alder forests in comparison to other forest types distributed in the studied area. Most of species were recorded on dead wood of Alnus glutinosa as the main forest‐forming tree. At the same time, each of other substrates (Carpinus betulus and Corylus avellana) turned out to be the habitat of species new to the region. The group of fungal species developing on large‐scale substrate units, represented by fallen trunks, was the most prevalent and is to be considered as more vulnarable in a case of anthropogenical habitat disturbance. The majority of epiphytic lichens discovered on alder are not specific to this woody substrate, except for single findings. These species belong to epiphytes inhabiting the Samur forest, the core of the lichenobiota of which is composed of thermophilous lichens of lowland deciduous forests. In our opinion, the relict character of the forest, which is an isolated and rather small forest massif with relatively homogeneous climatic conditions, causes a high similarity between the species composition of lichens revealed in the surveyed sample plot with Alnus glutinosa and previously studied plots dominated by Carpinus betulus, Populus alba, and Quercus robur.

DNA-metabarcoding of cyanobacteria and microalgae in chernozem soils of temperate continental climate of the forest-steppe zone of Eurasia under different degrees of agrotechnology intensification.

Chernozem soil is a valuable resource and contains a great diversity of microorganisms that play a global role in the process of soil formation, the species diversity of which has changed over the last five years under the influence of different agrotechnologies. For the first time, under the conditions of the Central Chernozem region, grain and fallow crop rotation, studies using the DNA-metabarcoding method were carried out to study the taxonomic structure of bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria, and microalgae communities in the arable horizon of typical medium loamy chernozem under winter wheat cultivation. A comparative analysis of the composition of the genotypes showed significant differences in the presented level of mineral nutrition of the soil NPK (60) and NPK (100) compared with the control variant. After processing the 16S and 18S rRNA datasets, a similar trend of decreasing numbers of pro- and eukaryotic species was found from 6296 (control without MF) to 5310 with NPK (60) and to 4643 with NPK (100), respectively. The Chao1 index indicated that the expected diversity within the prokaryotic group was higher in the control without MF at 211, but decreased to 182 and 193 with NPK (60) and NPK (100) fertilizers, respectively. Analysis of the eukaryotic group revealed a 2.6- and 2.9-fold decrease in diversity by class and genus, respectively, depending on the nutritional levels in agrotechnologies, owing to the use of MF. In the prokaryotic community, Alphaproteobacteria microorganisms predominated at an amount of 14.20-14.46%, with Cyanophyceae accounting for 5.2-9.9%. The diversity of eukaryotes was smaller than the number of classes of prokaryotes; the main dominant were Zygnematophyceae 19.5-41%, Chlorophyceae occupied 10.4-15.8%. On the other hand, the doses of fertilizers used contributed to the emergence of dominant species adapted to high doses of mineral nutrients for plants.

Is it time for a unified forensic science taxonomy?

Prompted by disparate data highlighted in responses to a Sydney Declaration survey, this paper examines how forensic science ‘disciplines’ are defined and described by various professional organizations. A considerable degree of disagreement in taxonomic organization of forensic science ‘disciplines’ was uncovered. This paper suggests that the global forensic science community come together to develop and implement a standard taxonomic system for defining, describing and classifying the disciplines/subdisciplines within forensic science. Such uniform taxonomic structure could serve to align education and awareness while at the same time contributing to the goal of professionalization. This taxonomy should be built on a foundation based on underlying forensic science philosophies and principles, such as those delineated in the Sydney Declaration.

Preliminary Assessment of Macrobenthos Associated with Red Coral Corallium rubrum (Linnaeus, 1758) Populations in the Northeastern Ionian Sea

The taxonomic composition, structure, and distribution patterns of the macrobenthos associated with Corallium rubrum were studied along the coast of Taranto (Ionian Sea), together with the main features of their red coral population. Underwater video transects were performed by professional divers at three sites in correspondence with coralligenous formations at depths from 50 to 65 m. The results revealed a patchy distribution of red coral, with colonies predominantly located in cavities on sub-vertical cliffs and large boulders. Biometric analysis indicated that young colonies predominated at all sites, while older colonies were lacking, likely because of illegal harvesting. The lower density values were recorded at S1, while S2 and S3 presented higher values. A total of 76 taxa were recorded. S1, the shallowest site, showed a prevalence of calcareous algae, while S2 and S3 showed a greater abundance of filter-feeding invertebrates (Porifera and Cnidaria) with the highest presence of Porifera at S3. The results emphasize the heterogeneity of the macrobenthos together with the high vulnerability of the red coral population, highlighting the necessity of site-specific conservation strategies to contribute to the conservation and management of benthic ecosystems in the northern Ionian Sea.

Taxonomic diversity of terrestrial vertebrates in west-central Mexico: Conservation from a multi-taxa perspective.

Multi-taxa approaches are increasingly used because they describe complementary aspects of ecosystem dynamics from a community ecology perspective. In west-central Mexico, the complex biogeography and topography have created an environment where temperate and tropical forests converge, resulting in great biological diversity. Within this region, the Sierra de Quila Natural Protected Area (SQPA) offers an important example for understanding ecological community dynamics. We analyze the taxonomic diversity of terrestrial vertebrates in the SQPA by incorporating taxonomic levels associated with species. We evaluated the taxonomic diversity with i) an average taxonomic distinctiveness analysis (alpha diversity) and ii) an analysis of taxonomic dissimilarity and partitioning of turnover and differences in richness components (beta diversity). Tropical forests boast the highest taxonomic diversity of amphibians, reptiles, and birds, while temperate gallery forests exhibit lower values. Our results showed that terrestrial vertebrate alpha and beta diversity patterns respond mainly to contrasting vegetation types (tropical vs. temperate). Regarding beta diversity, the multi-vegetation type analysis showed the highest values for reptiles, followed by amphibians, birds, and mammals. Turnover had the highest contribution to beta diversity, while differences in richness were relevant for amphibians and reptiles, which could be related to their low mobility and sensitivity to environmental conditions. Despite the local scale, the SQPA presented high beta diversity, reflecting historical ecological processes in taxonomic composition derived from contrasting environments and constraints imposed on species. Evaluating taxonomic structure from a multi-taxa perspective is essential for conservation efforts because it allows the spatial recognition of biological assemblages as a first step for local interventions.

Redox-Active Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles for Mitigating Anthracene Contamination: Promising Solution to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Remediation in Stormwater-Affected Soils

Due to the pressing environmental issue of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in stormwater, top surface soil amendment by rare-earth-based nanoparticles was investigated as an effective remediation strategy. Here, the amendment of cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) into topsoil were studied to understand their role in mitigating anthracene contamination. Leveraging the redox activity of CeO2-NPs, this research demonstrates their capability to adsorb/degrade anthracene, thereby reducing its bioavailability and mobility within the soil. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses confirmed the homogeneous distribution of CeO2-NPs and revealed the altered chemical states of carbon, indicative of interaction with anthracene and the soil matrix. Further adsorption studies and soil column tests of four concentrations of anthracene (0, 5, 10, 15mg/L) revealed their adsorption onto CeO2-NPs. Further, size distribution, zeta potentials, and TEM images documented the efficiency of this strategy by over 60%. The role of soil organic matter in the presence of anthracene was further investigated to understand their reciprocal impact on the physiochemical properties of CeO2-NPs. We extended this analysis by incorporating genomics-based approaches, assessing alterations in community taxonomic structure and function through 16S rDNA profiling and heatmap of microbial diversity as affected by NPs or anthracene. This study enhances our understanding of nanotechnology's potential for environmental remediation of contaminated stormwater run-off.

A Latitudinal Cline in the Taxonomic Structure of Eelgrass Epifaunal Communities is Associated With Plant Genetic Diversity

ABSTRACTAimBiogenic structural complexity increases mobile animal richness and abundance at local, regional and global scales, yet animal taxa vary in their response to complexity. When these taxa also vary functionally, habitat structures favouring certain taxa may have consequences for ecosystem function. We characterised global patterns of epifaunal invertebrates in eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds that varied in structural and genetic composition.LocationNorth America, Europe and Asia.Time Period2014.Major Taxa StudiedPeracarid crustaceans and gastropod molluscs.MethodsWe sampled epifaunal invertebrate communities in 49 eelgrass beds across 37° latitude in two ocean basins concurrently with measurements of eelgrass genetic diversity, structural complexity and other abiotic and biotic environmental variables. We examined how species richness, abundance and community composition varied with latitude and environmental predictors using a random forest approach. We also examined how functional trait composition varied along with community structure.ResultsTotal species richness decreased with latitude, but this was accompanied by a taxonomic shift in dominance from peracarid crustaceans to gastropods, which exhibited different sets of functional traits. Greater eelgrass genetic diversity was strongly correlated with both richness and abundance of peracarids, but less so for gastropods.Main ConclusionsOur results add to a growing body of literature that suggests genetic variation in plant traits influences their associated faunal assemblages via habitat structure. Because peracarids and gastropods exhibited distinct functional traits, our results suggest a tentative indirect link between broad‐scale variation in plant genetic diversity and ecosystem function.

Environmental Factors Drive the Biogeographic Pattern of Hippophae rhamnoides Root Endophytic Fungal Diversity in the Arid Regions of Northwest China.

Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis Rousi (Abbrev. H. rhamnoides) stands as a vital botanical asset in ameliorating the ecological landscape of the arid regions in Northwest China, where its rhizospheric microorganisms serve as linchpins in its growth and developmental dynamics. This study aimed to explore the community structure characteristics and origin differences of root endophytic fungi in H. rhamnoides. Samples were collected from 25 areas where H. rhamnoides is naturally distributed along an altitude gradient in the northwest region. Then, endophytic fungi from different regions were analyzed by using high-throughput sequencing technology to compare the structural characteristics of endophytic fungi and examine their association with environmental factors. FUNGuild was employed to analyze the community structure and functions of endophytic fungi, and the results showed that each region had its own dominant endophytic fungal flora, demonstrating the differences in origin of endophytic fungi, and the specific endophytic flora acquired from the original soil in the growing season of H. rhamnoides will help us construct the microecological community structure. Furthermore, the study identified and assessed the diversity of fungi, elucidating the species structure and highlighting dominant species. The RDA analysis revealed that available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), and total nitrogen (TN) exhibit significant correlations with the composition and diversity of root-associated fungi. In conclusion, the fungal community structure is similar within the same region, while significant differences exist in the taxonomic structure and biodiversity among different regions. These findings shed light on the intricate interplay and mechanisms governing the ecological restoration of H. rhamnoides, offering a valuable framework for advancing green ecology initiatives and harnessing the potential of root-associated microorganisms in this species.

Changes in the Diet of an Invasive Predatory Crab, Chionoecetes opilio, in the Degrading Benthic Community of an Arctic Fjord.

The introduction of a new species can lead to substantial changes in a new ecosystem. Local and introduced species' survival depends on their ability to adapt to the new environment. Studying such adaptations is often hindered by multiple factors affecting the ecosystem. The introduction of a large predatory snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, into the Kara Sea, is a unique invasive species affecting an otherwise undisturbed ecosystem. The crab has caused drastic changes in the macro- and megabenthic taxonomic structure, abundance, and biomass of the most common species in an Arctic fjord, Blagopoluchiya Bay. Stomach content and stable isotope analysis were applied to study crabs' feeding habits. As the abundance of the most common prey items diminished, the crabs switched to other less accessible food. Prior to substantial changes in benthic communities, the diet of the snow crabs was similar to that of other invaded and native areas, where animal food predominates. However, with the degradation of the ecosystem, detritus contribution has substantially increased. The changes in prey items did not change the crab's trophic status, and they continued to feed within the same trophic niche. In the depleted benthic communities of Blagopoluchiya Bay, the snow crab is forced to use all available food sources.

Minimization, denial, moralization, and exaggeration: A taxonomy of backlash to transgender recognition and rights

Transgender people's efforts for recognition, rights, and equality face backlash, particularly as they gain societal visibility. However, backlash must appear justified (rather than merely prejudiced) to be legitimate and persuasive. I present a taxonomy of 17 backlash strategies people use against transgender groups, organized into four major themes: minimization, denial, moralization, and exaggeration. These strategies range from covert to overt and from seemingly benign to hostile. A model is proposed linking backlash strategies to behavioral tendencies via emotional responses. When targets are perceived as low in power and nonthreatening, people are more likely to favor minimization and denial; As targets are perceived as more threatening, people are more likely to favor moralization and exaggeration. Minimization and denial produce amusement and contempt or reduce or circumvent negative self-focused emotions (guilt or pity). This leads to the weakening of compassion and the suppression of prosocial behaviors. Moralization and exaggeration produce disgust, fear, and anger which can lead to avoidance, punishment, and aggression. By labeling and organizing the many ways that people push back against transgender groups, people may be better able to recognize and respond to backlash. I end by proposing several counter-backlash strategies suggested by the taxonomic structure.

75-Year dynamics of the Black Sea phytoplankton in association with eutrophication and climate change

Based on a database containing species records obtained from 1948 to 2022 and a hydrochemical database, long-term changes in the biomass and taxonomic structure of phytoplankton in the deep-sea basin of the Black Sea were analysed in the stratified period from April to October. Over 75 years, a significant increase in concentration of nitrate, a weak increase in phosphate and a strong decrease in dissolved silicate were observed in the nutricline. The biomass of diatoms and total phytoplankton increased several times during the peak of eutrophication in 1991–1993, then decreased by the 2000s and has again shown an increasing trend in the last 15 years. The number of species dominant in biomass has halved from the 1940s–60s to the 2010s. The primary beneficiaries were the large- and medium-celled diatoms Pseudosolenia сalcar-avis and Proboscia alata, as well as the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi, the main dominant species of the last decade. Most noticeable was the increase in the amplitude and duration of the regular annual May–July bloom of E. huxleyi. Over the past three decades, its biomass has increased by more than an order of magnitude, accounting for about 40 % of the total phytoplankton biomass. Development of the large- and medium-celled diatoms, as well as the decrease in biomass of silicoflagellates, can be, at least partly, associated with the long-term decline in dissolved silicate in the upper layers. The trend towards a decrease in dinoflagellate biomass is probably associated with increased mixing intensity in the water column. Over the study period, the total phytoplankton biomass was positively related to nitrate stock in the water column. Short-term period (from one to several years) interannual variability was influenced predominantly by hydrophysical processes, primarily the intensity of winter convection. After cold winters with intense involvement of deep nutrients in the upper layers, the biomass of diatoms, coccolithophores and total phytoplankton increased. Thus, fluctuations in winter weather or local climate reduced or enhanced the effect of eutrophication, sometimes leading to the time gap between the peak in nitrate stock and phytoplankton biomass. The case of the Black Sea illustrates the complex pattern of the response of a marine ecosystem to the simultaneous impacts of anthropogenic and climate changes, leading to significant alterations in the functioning of the biological carbon pump.

Spatial structuring of coral traits along a subtropical-temperate transition zone persists despite localised signs of tropicalisation

AbstractClimate-driven species range expansions are underway with more tropically affiliated species, including Scleractinian corals, becoming increasingly abundant at higher latitudes. However, uncertainty remains on how these range shifts will affect reef-scale ecosystem processes, which will ultimately depend on the traits of the taxa that dominate these assemblages. Here, we quantified spatiotemporal patterns in the taxonomic and trait structure of coral assemblages along the subtropical-temperate coast of Western Australia (27°–34°S). Coral abundance was generally low and coral cover < 5% across our study sites. Coral assemblages shared similarities in morphological trait structures across the latitudinal gradient, mostly characterised by taxa with simple morphologies; yet subtle differences were also observed across latitudes, with high-latitude corals characterised by slower growth rates and reduced maximum colony sizes. We found a 3.4-fold increase (from 1 to 3.4 individuals m−2) in coral abundance at one heavily disturbed location, where canopy-forming seaweeds were replaced by turfing algae, a pattern that was partly driven by an increase in the relative contribution of warm affinity taxa, such as Acropora spp. We predicted these changes would be reflected in different components of functional diversity; yet, despite a localised signal of tropicalisation, we only observed subtle changes in the functional identity, richness, evenness, and divergence. The spatially invariant trait structure of coral assemblages suggests that the nature of ecosystem functions will likely remain unchanged during early stages of tropicalisation, and hence their contribution to temperate reef-scale ecological processes will depend on dominance over other benthic foundational species.

The influence of forest types including native and non‐native tree species on soil macrofauna depends on site conditions

AbstractThe ongoing climate change calls for managing forest ecosystems in temperate regions toward more drought‐resistant and climate‐resilient stands. Yet ecological consequences of management options such as planting non‐native tree species and mixing coniferous and deciduous tree species have been little studied, especially on soil animal communities, key in litter decomposition and pest control. Here, we investigated the taxonomic and trophic structure of soil macrofauna communities in five forest types including native European beech (Fagus sylvatica), range‐expanding Norway spruce (Picea abies) and non‐native Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) as well as conifer‐beech mixtures across loamy and sandy sites in northern Germany. Abundance of primary decomposers (feeding predominantly on litter) was high in Douglas fir and beech forests, benefiting from less acidic soil and more favorable litter resources compared to spruce forests, while secondary decomposers (feeding predominantly on microorganisms and microbial residues) reached highest densities in spruce forests. Differences in abundance and species richness among forest types generally varied between regions and were most pronounced in Douglas fir of the sandy region. However, trophic guilds differed more between regions than between forest types, indicating that environmental factors outweigh the importance of forest type on soil macrofauna communities. The analysis of stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13C values) supported the general robustness in trophic position of macrofauna trophic guilds against variations in forest types and regions, but indicated reduced detrital shifts and food‐chain lengths in coniferous compared to European beech forests with mixtures mitigating these effects. Overall, for evaluating consequences of future forest management practices on the structure and functioning of soil animal communities, regional factors need to be considered, but in particular at loamy sites the taxonomic and trophic structure of soil macrofauna communities are resistant against changes in forest types.

Changes in bumblebee queen gut microbiotas during and after overwintering diapause.

Bumblebees are key pollinators with gut microbiotas that support host health. After bumblebee queens undergo winter diapause, which occurs before spring colony establishment, their gut microbiotas are disturbed, but little is known about community dynamics during diapause itself. Queen gut microbiotas also help seed worker microbiotas, so it is important that they recover post-diapause to a typical community structure, a process that may be impeded by pesticide exposure. We examined how bumblebee queen gut microbiota community structure and metabolic potential shift during and after winter diapause, and whether post-diapause recovery is affected by pesticide exposure. To do so, we placed commercial Bombus impatiens queens into diapause, euthanizing them at 0, 2 and 4 months of diapause. Additionally, we allowed some queens to recover from diapause for 1 week before euthanasia, exposing half to the common herbicide glyphosate. Using whole-community, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, we found that core bee gut phylotypes dominated queen gut microbiotas before, during and after diapause, but that two phylotypes, Schmidhempelia and Snodgrassella, ceased to be detected during late diapause and recovery. Despite fluctuations in taxonomic community structure, metabolic potential remained constant through diapause and recovery. Also, glyphosate exposure did not affect post-diapause microbiota recovery. However, metagenomic assembly quality and our ability to detect microbial taxa and metabolic pathways declined alongside microbial abundance, which was substantially reduced during diapause. Our study offers new insights into how bumblebee queen gut microbiotas change taxonomically and functionally during a key life stage and provides guidance for future microbiota studies in diapausing bumblebees.