Variation In Species Research Articles

Effect of Sulfur Contents on Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds in Low-Rank Bituminous Coals

Different coal seams go through distinct biological, physical, and chemical processes. Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in coal may retain information about these processes, especially in low-rank bituminous coals. Three coal seams with different sulfur contents from the Ningwu Coalfield were studied to understand the relation of different sulfur contents with PAC formation in low-rank bituminous coals. Coal samples were extracted by solvent and separated using liquid chromatography. The collected aromatic hydrocarbon fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 27 sulfur-containing PACs (SPACs) were identified in the high-sulfur samples, whereas only 8 SPACs were found in the low-sulfur coal and middle-sulfur coal. The total SPACs to total PACs ratios (T-SPACs/T-PACs) are 1.15%, 2.17%, and 10.65% in the low-sulfur, middle-sulfur, and high-sulfur coal, respectively. The variations of SPAC species and their content ratios indicate that SPAC formation is controlled by the sulfur contents in the low-rank bituminous coals. A total of 18 oxygen-containing PACs (OPACs) were identified in the low-sulfur coal and middle-sulfur coal, whereas only 11 OPACs were found in the high-sulfur samples. The average ratios of OPACs to the identified aromatic compounds (T-OPACs/T-PACs) are 9.81%, 9.62%, and 6.91% in the low-, middle-, and high-sulfur coals, exhibiting a negative correlation with sulfur contents and indicating that OPACs were also influenced by sulfur contents in low-rank bituminous coals. The ratios of total contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to total PACs (T-PAHs/T-PACs) are 89.1%, 88.2%, and 82.0% in the low-, middle-, and high-sulfur coals, respectively, indicating a decreasing trend from low- and middle-sulfur coal to high-sulfur coal. This variation could be caused by the reaction of PAHs and sulfur to form SPACs.

Temporal and inter-specific population genetics analyses of Sebastiscus marmoratus and S. tertius provide novel implications for fishery management

ABSTRACT Understanding population genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of marine fish species can provide theoretical bases for fishery management and germplasm conservation, especially facing a changing environment. The rockfish species in genus Sebastiscus are economically important species for farming and sport fisheries in China, Japan and Korea. In this study, inter-annual and inter-specific comparisons on genetic diversity, population differentiation and historical demography of S. marmoratus and S. tertius collected from coastal waters of Zhangzhou, China were conducted using mitochondrial control region sequences. High levels of genetic diversity were observed in both species, indicating high adaptive potential to environmental changes. Demographic analyses detected recent population expansion in population S. tertius (Ste-2020) and population S. marmoratus collected in 2020 (Sma-2020), yet failed in population collected in 2016 (Sma-2016). Moreover, in population Sma-2020, novel haplotypes were detected and grouped into a separate sub-branch, revealed by neighbour-joining topology. Detected recent population expansion and novel haplotypes might be considered as a response to environmental changes. Besides, results of genetic differentiation analysis suggested high intra-specific genetic variation in both species. These genetic data and information will provide novel implications for strengthening the management of S. marmoratus and S. tertius fisheries in climate change scenarios.

Gene Sequencing Study of Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (COI) in Aedes aegypti Mosquito

Aedes aegypti is an important vector from the public health point of view. It transmits pathogens of Dengue and various other diseases. Controlling vector populations is key to reducing disease transmission and it is possible by understanding the taxonomic characteristics of the vectors and their genetic analysis helps in the identification of the genetic variations in species of different geographical areas. The main aim of the present study is the screening of the Aedes mosquito genome of local species as genetic studies give some insights into the vaccine for the treatment of the diseases caused by mosquito species. In the present study, the adult Ae. aegypti collected from Suryapet town where Dengue fever is endemic, used for the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequencing using the techniques of polymerase chain reaction, Electrophoretic separation, spectrophotometric analysis, and BLAST. The mitochondrial COI sequence of 583 bps is published in the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) with accession number ON413769. The sequence data was matched with the database available in the NCBI to identify variation in the gene as this gene keeps changing in the organisms and may contribute to the species establishing itself in a particular region due to congenial environmental conditions. One match with the protein called haem copper oxidase subunit I. The transmission of different pathogens in different areas can be ascertained by comparing similar sequence studies documented. Genomic studies involving genetic markers are of immense help in developing the vaccine. The mitochondrial COI gene is the marker often used for evolutionary research. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) or Restricted fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) that occur in DNA also contribute to the vector's adaptability to the different geographical areas and also the survival benefit which are the basis for understanding the vectors thoroughly and their role in disease transmission.

Rational design of ZnO-SnO2 Janus nanofibers for highly sensitive triethylamine detection

Herein, ZnO-SnO2 Janus nanofibers (NFs) were synthesized by a parallel electrospinning method and its sensing performances were tested. Considering the compositions of the two metal oxide semiconductors in Janus structure, different ratios of ZnO and SnO2 were designed and controlled. The optimum ratios of ZnO and SnO2 was 1:2 by analyzing their sensing performances to triethylamine (TEA) gas. Gas sensors based on ZS-12 Janus NFs exhibited a high response to TEA (45.2) and an excellent sensing response/recovery reproducibility. In order to investigate the sensing mechanism of Janus structure, ZnO NFs and SnO2 NFs were synthesized and used as controlled experiment. The results indicated that the heterostructures in Janus NFs is the key factor for the enhanced TEA sensing performances. The electrons flowed in the ZnO-SnO2 Janus structure leading to the variation of ionic oxygen species and electron depletion layer. These phenomena improved the reaction of TEA gas molecules with ionic oxygen species so that the TEA sensing performances were enhanced. Based on the Janus structures, a satisfactory gas sensor for detecting TEA gas were developed. Significantly, this work investigated the sensing mechanism of Janus structures and provided an efficient strategy for the gas sensing materials.

Těžba lesního porostu ovlivňuje fenotyp živočichů: případová studie fluktuující asymetrie u střevlíka Notiophilus rufipes (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

We compared the rate of variability in the size of different body parts among three different treatments created by forest management (i.e. clearing, pole-stage stand, ecotone) in the Podyji National Park (Czech Republic). In order to describe changes, we used bioindicative values of the Carabidae (Coleoptera) with the example of Notiophilus rufipes (Curtis, 1829). We conducted fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of ten important metrical traits (e.g. antennal segments, length and width of third palpomer of the labial palpus). We found that specimens have sex specific association to FA of second antennal segment. The interaction of sex and treatment negatively affects the distribution of FA in polestage stand. We revealed that males had higher level of FA in pole-stage stand than females. Ecotones are zones where individuals from diverse habitats interact. Model of FA, with set sex as random effect, have positive association to litter and negative association to Collembola. This research contributes to forest management strategies by demonstrating how human-induced interventions influence eco-evolutionary link between stress and disturbance. The research suggests that for forest management, forest openings in thermophilic oak stands could support phenotypic variation in rare epigeic species.

Species variations in muscle stem cell-mediated immunosuppression on T cells.

Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are effective in treating inflammatory diseases driven by overactive innate immune responses, such as colitis and acute lung injury, due to their immunomodulatory properties. However, their potential in treating diseases driven by adaptive immune responses is still uncertain. When primed with inflammatory cytokines, MuSCs strongly suppressed T cell activation and proliferation in vitro in co-culture with activated splenocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Systemic administration of MuSCs from both mice and humans alleviated pathologies in mice with concanavalin A-induced acute liver injury, characterized by hyperactivated T lymphocytes. Importantly, MuSCs showed significant species-specific differences in their immunoregulatory functions. In mouse MuSCs (mMuSCs), deletion or inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) reduced their immunosuppressive activity, and absence of iNOS negated their therapeutic effects in liver injury. Conversely, in human MuSCs (hMuSCs), knockdown or inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) eliminated their immunosuppressive effects, and loss of IDO function rendered hMuSCs ineffective in treating liver injury in mice. These results reveal significant species-specific differences in the mechanisms by which MuSCs mediate T cell immunosuppression. Mouse MuSCs rely on iNOS, while human MuSCs depend on IDO expression. This highlights the need to consider species-specific responses when evaluating MuSCs' therapeutic potential in immune-related disorders.

Understanding the genetic landscape of flowering time variation in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. and its diploid progenitors: unravelling the role of selection and cytoplasmic backgrounds

Context Brassica juncea germplasm exhibits significant variations in flowering timing and vernalisation requirements. However, knowledge gaps exist with respect to variations in expression and the divergent evolution of flowering genes in B. juncea subgenomes. Aims This study aims to examine the role of flowering genes in defining trait variation and to identify indications of directional selection on these genes. Methods Employing a combination of genome-wide association studies, functional genomics and population genetic assays, we explored the genetic architecture underlying flowering time variation within expansive germplasm collections of this allopolyploid and its progenitor species. Key results Genome-wide association studies aided in predicting 17 and 34 candidate genes in B. rapa and B. juncea, respectively. Seven of these (FT, FLC, BAG4, ELF4-L2, EFM, SEP4, and LSH6) were predicted in both B. juncea and B. rapa. Some genes, GA20OX3, NF-YA1, PI, MMP, RPS10B, CRY2, AGL72, LFY, TOC1, ELF5, EFM, FLC and TFL1 exhibited directional selection as inferred from negative Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs statistics. Conclusions Common predicted genes are known influencers of flowering time and phenological changes between species as well as across zones of adaptation. An analysis of gene expression patterns indicates that the gene expression bias in resynthesised B. juncea could be influenced by the cytoplasmic background. Most expression variants are found in B genome copies. Some genes lacked expression variation in their diploid progenitors, whereas these genes exhibit expression variation in polyploid species. Implications This study highlights that integrating genome-wide association studies with molecular signals of natural selection can effectively contribute to our understanding of the ecological genetics of adaptive evolution.

Altitudinal Variations of Ground Species in the Southern Aravalli regions of Rajasthan, India

Ground layer species sustain a variety of plants and animals; and maintain a healthy and resilient forest ecosystem by contributing to ecological functioning, structural support, and biodiversity. The western Indian Aravalli range is noted for its vegetation. Studies from these regions indicate that various environmental factors influence plant diversity and its distributions. The present study examines the impacts of altitude on ground species in Rajasthan's southern Aravalli hill ranges. We conducted field investigations year-round in Phulwari Ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary at different altitudes. A random transect method was used; five 1m2 plots were laid at every 250m interval. Species’ names and numbers were recorded from sampling plots. Sanctuary-wise species richness, density, and diversity were analyzed and related with altitude. The protected areas of Southern Aravalli do not follow an altitude-specific pattern in ground species distribution. Specific lower altitude ranges had the most species richness, density, and diversity. While altitude showed both positive and negative correlations with respect to ground species richness, diversity and density. The study findings help in conserving and preserving ground layer species in the Aravalli regions of Rajasthan.

EFFECTS OF THE CLIMATE GRADIENT ONF THE WOOD DENSITY OF Cedrela odorata L. IN THE NEOTROPICAL REGION

Understanding wood properties is crucial for optimizing its technological potential, enhancing both the effectiveness of use and product quality. Among these properties, density is regarded as one of the most significant. Numerous studies have documented the relationship between wood density and climate. However, the influence of climatic factors on the density variation of native species remains largely unexplored. Cedrela odorata L., a species traditionally logged in Brazil and widely distributed across the Neotropical region, requires further analysis to understand its potential response to varying climate patterns, thereby informing its management. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the basic density of Cedrela odorata L. and the climatic conditions in the Neotropical region. A comprehensive database was compiled from published scientific literature. Statistical analyses were conducted using Generalized Linear Models (GLM), with the best models selected based on the corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc). The presence of spatial patterns was assessed using Moran’s Index to verify spatial autocorrelation. The study identified significant relationships between the wood density of C. odorata and variables such as mean annual temperature and annual precipitation. The findings indicate a strong interaction between the climatic variables analyzed and the basic density of Cedrela odorata L. wood, with density being more sensitive to mean annual temperature.

Territorial status is explained by covariation between boldness, exploration, and thermal preference in a colour polymorphic lizard.

Colour polymorphic species often exhibit variation in morphology, physiology, and behaviour among morphs. In particular, dominance status may be signalled by the interaction between behaviour and colour morph. Behavioural traits associated with dominance include boldness, exploration, and aggression, which influence access to preferred habitat, territorial defence, and mate acquisition. In ectotherms, the social structure associated with morphs may result in the exploitation of structural niches differing in thermal quality. Hence, social interactions among morphs may generate concordant variation in thermal preference and environmental temperature. However, few studies have assessed thermal preference variation in colour polymorphic species and its covariation with behaviour. Doing so can provide insight into niche specialization and the maintenance of colour polymorphism in populations. Here, we investigated the patterns of covariation in boldness behaviour, exploratory behaviour, and thermal preference in the tree lizard, Urosaurus ornatus. We assessed trait variation between territorial and non-territorial male morphs and between orange and yellow female morphs. Boldness and exploratory behaviour were repeatable in male U. ornatus and bolder individuals were significantly more likely to incur tail loss, a potential consequence of bold behaviour. Territorial male morphs were significantly bolder and more exploratory and preferred higher body temperatures with a narrower T set than non-territorial morphs. Female morphs did not vary in behavioural or thermal traits. This study highlights behavioural mechanisms that underly ecological niche segregation and variable habitat use between morphs in a colour polymorphic species.

Sensibility Analysis of Traditional Span Frame

ABSTRACT Traditional timber frames may have a complex mechanical behavior regarding to today engineer skills and design standards. For an identical rebuilding as required for the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, accurate modeling must be performed to assess modern reliability. Identical rebuilt means same green oak material, same geometry and timber connections. In the context of the rebuilt of the Notre-Dame carpentry, a part of the timber frame based on the original schemes of the nave extracted from historical graphic document was reproduced. A full-scale replica was erected in order to perform mechanical tests. Through an in-situ monitoring, this structure represents a case study in order to provide data relative to the kinetics of displacements. This investigation allows to evaluate the global behavior of the structure. Based on the finite element method (F.E.M), a dedicated model is used to analyze the sensitivity of the material properties, the beam geometry and the wood-to-wood connections in order to design the testing carried out on the wooden structure. From these full-scale tests, we determine the real stiffness of the carpentry. Then, a retro-analysis was proposed to evaluate the axial stiffness of connections according to the corresponding finite element model, by fitting data to reproduce the real displacements. The study reveals that this property is substantial to describe the global behavior. Furthermore, we carried out in the laboratory an experimental campaign consisting in characterizing traditional joints. The goal was to estimate their stiffness and their specific failure modes by using image correlation. Concomitantly, numerical simulations were developed in order to investigate the dependence of the stiffness according to moisture content variation of oak species. The global research supplies useful tools and results, which may be able to improve the understanding of the mechanical performance of traditional structures and provide valuable information for design purposes.

Fe, Zn, and Mg stable isotope systematics of acapulcoite lodranite clan meteorites

AbstractThe processes of planetary accretion and differentiation, whereby an unsorted mass of primitive solar system material evolves into a body composed of a silicate mantle and metallic core, remain poorly understood. Mass‐dependent variations of the isotope ratios of non‐traditional stable isotope systems in meteorites are known to record events in the nebula and planetary evolution processes. Partial melting and melt separation, evaporation and condensation, diffusion, and thermal equilibration between minerals at the parent body (PB) scale can be recorded in the isotopic signatures of meteorites. In this context, the acapulcoite–lodranite meteorite clan (ALC), which represents the products of thermal metamorphism and low‐degree partial melting of a primitive asteroid, is an attractive target to study the processes of early planetary differentiation. Here, we present a comprehensive data set of mass‐dependent Fe, Zn, and Mg isotope ratio variations in bulk ALC species, their separated silicate and metal phases, and in handpicked mineral fractions. These non‐traditional stable isotope ratios are governed by mass‐dependent isotope fractionation and provide a state‐of‐the‐art perspective on the evolution of the ALC PB, which is complementary to interpretations based on the petrology, trace element composition, and isotope geochemistry of the ALC. None of the isotopic signatures of ALC species show convincing co‐variation with the oxygen isotope ratios, which are considered to record nebular processes occurring prior to the PB formation. Iron isotopic compositions of ALC metal and silicate phases broadly fall on the isotherms within the temperature ranges predicted by pyroxene thermometry. The isotope ratios of Mg in ALC meteorites and their silicate minerals are within the range of chondritic meteorites, with only accessory spinel group minerals having significantly different compositions. Overall, the Mg and Fe isotopic signatures of the ALC species analyzed are in line with their formation as products of high‐degree thermal metamorphism and low‐degree partial melting of primitive precursors. The δ66/64Zn values of the ALC meteorites demonstrate a range of ~3.5‰ and the Zn is overall isotopically heavier than in chondrites. The superchondritic Zn isotopic signatures have possibly resulted from evaporative Zn losses, as observed for other meteorite parent bodies. This is unlikely to be the result of PB differentiation processes, as the Zn isotope ratio data show no covariation with the proxies of partial melting, such as the mass fractions of the platinum group and rare earth elements.

FishDet-YOLO: Enhanced Underwater Fish Detection with Richer Gradient Flow and Long-Range Dependency Capture through Mamba-C2f

The fish detection task is an essential component of marine exploration, which helps scientists monitor fish population numbers and diversity and understand changes in fish behavior and habitat. It also plays a significant role in assessing the health of marine ecosystems, formulating conservation measures, and maintaining biodiversity. However, there are two main issues with current fish detection algorithms. First, the lighting conditions underwater are significantly different from those on land. In addition, light scattering and absorption in water trigger uneven illumination, color distortion, and reduced contrast in images. The accuracy of detection algorithms can be affected by these lighting variations. Second, the wide variation of fish species in shape, color, and size brings about some challenges. As some fish have complex textures or camouflage features, it is difficult to differentiate them using current detection algorithms. To address these issues, we propose a fish detection algorithm—FishDet-YOLO—through improvement in the YOLOv8 algorithm. To tackle the complexities of underwater environments, we design an Underwater Enhancement Module network (UEM) that can be jointly trained with YOLO. The UEM enhances the details of underwater images via end-to-end training with YOLO. To address the diversity of fish species, we leverage the Mamba model’s capability for long-distance dependencies without increasing computational complexity and integrate it with the C2f from YOLOv8 to create the Mamba-C2f. Through this design, the adaptability in handling complex fish detection tasks is improved. In addition, the RUOD and DUO public datasets are used to train and evaluate FishDet-YOLO. FishDet-YOLO achieves mAP scores of 89.5% and 88.8% on the test sets of RUOD and DUO, respectively, marking an improvement of 8% and 8.2% over YOLOv8. It also surpasses recent state-of-the-art general object detection and underwater fish detection algorithms.

Using iron speciation to track hydrocarbon migration in bleached rocks and its implications for reservoir reconstruction

Bleaching of red rock beds by hydrocarbons can provide valuable insights for hydrocarbon migration and reservoir transformation. This study investigated the bleaching effects of hydrocarbons on various rock types in the Dushanzi mud volcanic area. Bedrock and bleached samples of different lithologies, including mudstone, sandy mudstone and sandstone, were systematically collected and analyzed for their iron species, mineralogical and chemical compositions using Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence, respectively. The results indicate that the iron species of the studied samples were dominated by para-Fe3+ (from 44% to 76%), with variable contents of mag-Fe3+, para-Fe2+ and pyr-Fe2+. When compared to the related unbleached rocks, the bleached rocks exhibited a higher proportion of reduced Fe (para-Fe2+ and pyr-Fe2+). The pyr-Fe2+ in the sandstones and sandy mudstones was significantly higher than that of the mudstone interlayers. The observed variations in iron species were consistent with changes in mineralogical and chemical compositions, which can be correlated with the petrological properties of rocks. The increase of quartz and decrease of feldspar and carbonates in the bleached rocks could be attributed to the dissolution of feldspar and the subsequent secondary enlargement of quartz. Geofluids containing crude oils and natural gases preferentially dissolved K-feldspar over albite. The bleached rocks had a significant decrease in the proportion of kaolinite and a slight decrease in the proportion of chlorite, while the proportions of smectite and illite were increased. The dissolution of K-feldspar could provide sufficient K+ for the formation of illite, and the appearance of smectite in the bleached samples might be related to the dissolution of albite in an alkaline environment. The dissolution of carbonates and feldspar, along with the transformation of clay minerals, had a notable positive effect on the formation of secondary porosity, facilitating hydrocarbon migration. These findings provide valuable insights into the interactions between hydrocarbons and different lithologies, informing the impact of hydrocarbon migration on reservoir reconstruction in similar geological settings.

Constraining models of dominance for nonsynonymous mutations in the human genome.

Dominance is a fundamental parameter in genetics, determining the dynamics of natural selection on deleterious and beneficial mutations, the patterns of genetic variation in natural populations, and the severity of inbreeding depression in a population. Despite this importance, dominance parameters remain poorly known, particularly in humans or other non-model organisms. A key reason for this lack of information about dominance is that it is extremely challenging to disentangle the selection coefficient (s) of a mutation from its dominance coefficient (h). Here, we explore dominance and selection parameters in humans by fitting models to the site frequency spectrum (SFS) for nonsynonymous mutations. When assuming a single dominance coefficient for all nonsynonymous mutations, we find that numerous h values can fit the data, so long as h is greater than ~0.15. Moreover, we also observe that theoretically-predicted models with a negative relationship between h and s can also fit the data well, including models with h = 0.05 for strongly deleterious mutations. Finally, we use our estimated dominance and selection parameters to inform simulations revisiting the question of whether the out-of-Africa bottleneck has led to differences in genetic load between African and non-African human populations. These simulations suggest that the relative burden of genetic load in non-African populations depends on the dominance model assumed, with slight increases for more weakly recessive models and slight decreases shown for more strongly recessive models. Moreover, these results also demonstrate that models of partially recessive nonsynonymous mutations can explain the observed severity of inbreeding depression in humans, bridging the gap between molecular population genetics and direct measures of fitness in humans. Our work represents a comprehensive assessment of dominance and deleterious variation in humans, with implications for parameterizing models of deleterious variation in humans and other mammalian species.

Evolution of the correlated genomic variation landscape across a divergence continuum in the genus Castanopsis.

The heterogeneous landscape of genomic variation has been well documented in population genomic studies. However, disentangling the intricate interplay of evolutionary forces influencing the genetic variation landscape over time remains challenging. In this study, we assembled a chromosome-level genome for Castanopsis eyrei and sequenced the whole genomes of 276 individuals from 12 Castanopsis species, spanning a broad divergence continuum. We found highly correlated genomic variation landscapes across these species. Furthermore, variations in genetic diversity and differentiation along the genome were strongly associated with recombination rates and gene density. These results suggest that long-term linked selection and conserved genomic features have contributed to the formation of a common genomic variation landscape. By examining how correlations between population summary statistics change throughout the species divergence continuum, we determined that background selection alone does not fully explain the observed patterns of genomic variation; the effects of recurrent selective sweeps must be considered. We further revealed that extensive gene flow has significantly influenced patterns of genomic variation in Castanopsis species. The estimated admixture proportion correlated positively with recombination rate and negatively with gene density, supporting a scenario of selection against gene flow. Additionally, putative introgression regions exhibited strong signals of positive selection, an enrichment of functional genes, and reduced genetic burdens, indicating that adaptive introgression has played a role in shaping the genomes of hybridizing species. This study provides insights into how different evolutionary forces have interacted in driving the evolution of the genomic variation landscape.

Benthic foraminifera biomass on the continental slope and São Paulo plateau of Santos Basin (SE Brazil): Comparison of different estimation methods

The biomass of benthic foraminifera stands out in marine environments compared to other meiofaunal organisms. Estimating the biomass of these organisms is a valuable biotic descriptor for understanding the carbon cycle and the flow of particulate organic matter. This study estimates the biomass of benthic foraminifera on the slope and plateau of the Santos Basin (SE Brazil) using the biovolume and cytoplasmic occupancy methodology. This work applies a non-destructive biovolume method of estimating biomass by the direct visualization of cytoplasmic occupancy (DV) compared with pre-established (in the literature) percentages of cytoplasmic occupation of the test volume: an average of 32 % (GE) and 35 % (AL). Although there was no statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between DV and cytoplasmic percentages, it is recognized that the calculation of GE and AL can bias the results. We, therefore, emphasize the need to assess biomass according to species composition and ultrastructural variability. The species with the biggest individuals (>250 μm) contributed most to biomass in the Santos Basin and are considered k-strategists. In contrast, the species with smaller specimens (250–63 μm) are considered r-strategists, contributing more to the density in the study area. This study highlights the discrepancy between the abundant species biomass results by measuring all specimens and the extrapolation of the population for less sample effort, probably due to biological (e.g. intra/inter species variations) and environmental (e.g. availability of food and oxygen) factors. Based on the ecology of the species, the biomass estimates seem to reveal a relationship with the quantity and quality of organic matter, which will be investigated in the future. Future studies should consider the internal structures and address potential errors resulting from cytoplasm dehydration when staining and drying are performed.

HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY REFERENCE VALUES IN NESTLING RED KITES (MILVUS MILVUS) IN SHORT-TERM HUMAN CARE IN ENGLAND.

Between the years 2022 and 2023, 62 red kite (Milvus milvus) nestlings were translocated from England to Spain to bolster declining populations in mainland Europe as part of a wider conservation initiative. Health examinations were undertaken by veterinarians ahead of translocation, including examination of hematology and biochemistry parameters from blood samples. This study aimed to establish reference values for these parameters in nestling red kites for use in future translocations or for other clinical purposes. All individuals included in the analysis were clinically healthy at the time of sampling. Biochemical reference intervals were comparable to published values for other Accipitridae, although differences in hematology were noted: PCV was generally lower; and WBC counts higher than (up to triple) those reported for related species of a similar age. It is hypothesized that these differences reflect species variations or the effects of the stress of recent capture on the immune system of the red kites. A Leucocytozoon species was identified on blood smears of six of the red kites. The reference intervals presented in this study are representative of free-living red kite nestlings in England that have recently been captured for conservation translocation purposes.

Elemental composition of post-wildfire biomass ashes and partly burned woody species in Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic.

The study explored the post-wildfire elemental composition of parts (wood, bark, branch, cone, trunk, litter, twig, needle, sward, fallow, sapling, etc.) and by-products (biomass ashes, partly burnt parts, and char) of different woody species in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic, and considered their effects on soils. Multi-elemental analysis of the fire by-products of the woody species was determined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry and compared with control biomass samples unaffected by wildfire. Most fire by-products were slightly alkaline, with acidic ashes obtained from blueberry wood. The by-products of the wildfire were characterized by varied total contents of macro (P, Ca, K, Mg, and S), micro (Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn), and other elements (B, Co, Mo, and V) vital to soil fertility and plant growth. The mean content of macro elements in the biomass ashes was up to 4.16 P, 23.5 Ca, 2.48Mg, 63K, and 5.57 S g kg-1. These values were comparatively lower than published data for ashes obtained under optimized conditions, e.g., those combusted in power generation facilities. Conversely, partly burnt parts-an indication of incomplete combustion-had higher 9.22 P, 79 Ca, and 5.99Mggkg-1 contents in spruce needles than in biomass ashes and the control. Variations in woody species and anthropogenic activities in areas of wildfires produced varied As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb contents above EU fertilizer regulation. Caution in applying biomass ashes from wildfires on fields is required due to risk/toxic elements input from anthropogenic activities. Wildfire effects on the elemental composition of woody species can provide information on plant parts most suitable for biomass ashes for soil and ecosystem safety.

Molecular analysis of feces reveals gastrointestinal nematodes in reintroduced wild asses of the Negev desert

Reintroduced animals face disease risks, potentially impacting both the reintroduced and the local wildlife/domestic populations. This study focuses on the Asiatic wild asses (Equus hemionus) reintroduced to the Negev desert in southern Israel. Despite potential threats of disease spill-over to and from domesticated donkeys and horses in the area, there are no records of the gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of the wild ass population. We used DNA metabarcoding on fecal samples of wild asses collected across seasons and habitats, near water sources that they frequently use. Ten GIN species were detected in the feces, nine belonging to the family Strongylidae, which commonly infects and causes disease in equids worldwide, such as horses, zebras, and donkeys. Some of these Strongylidae species are also found in domesticated equids in Israel, thus raising concerns regarding potential parasite transmission between wild and domestic animals. The high prevalence of certain GIN species suggests frequent transmission, likely due to the congregation of the wild asses around water sources. While we observed statistically significant variations in some GIN species across seasons and habitats, we did not find clear overall differences between GIN communities. DNA metabarcoding proves to be a valuable tool for identifying GIN species in wild animals, with potential applications in monitoring their health and preventing disease transmission to and from domestic animals.