Variation In Diversity Research Articles

KEANEKARAGAMAN DAN KELIMPAHAN MESOFAUNA TANAH DI LAHAN BEKAS TAMBANG GAMPING KECAMATAN PADALARANG, BANDUNG BARAT

Soil fauna is one of the ecosystem components that play a role in the process of organic matter decomposition and soil improvement. Soil mesofauna are sensitive to environmental changes due to human activities, including land conversion for mining activities. The diversity and abundance of soil fauna depend on environmental conditions and food availability. Soil mesofauna can be used as bioindicators of habitat degradation and soil quality. This study aims to identify and assess soil mesofauna diversity index and abundance on open access land (LAT) formerly used for limestone mining in the Padalarang area, West Bandung Regency. Soil samples were collected from natural soil (844 masl), LAT 1 (837 masl), LAT 2 (834 masl), and LAT 3 (809 masl). Soil fauna were extracted using a Berlese Funnel Extractor. Soil fauna diversity was calculated based on Shannon’s Diversity Index, while soil fauna abundance was calculated based on Meyer's (1966) equation. The highest soil fauna diversity value was found in natural soil at 1.87 (moderate), while the lowest soil fauna diversity value was found in LAT 2 at 1.38 (low). The highest soil fauna abundance was found in LAT 2 (6295 individuals/m2) with a slope gradient of 8-15%, while the lowest abundance was found in natural soil (594 individuals/m2) with a slope gradient of 15-25%. Variation in abundance, taxon count, and soil fauna diversity is influenced by environmental factors such as soil pH, slope gradient, vegetation, and moisture content.

Regional diversity and leaf microbiome interactions of the fungal maize pathogen Exserohilum turcicum in Switzerland: A metagenomic analysis.

The spread and adaptation of fungal plant pathogens in agroecosystems are facilitated by environmental homogeneity. Metagenomic sequencing of infected tissues allowed us to monitor eco-evolutionary dynamics and interactions between host, pathogen and plant microbiome. Exserohilum turcicum, the causal agent of northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) in maize, is distributed in multiple clonal lineages throughout Europe. To characterize regional pathogen diversity, we conducted metagenomic DNA sequencing on 241 infected leaf samples from the highly susceptible Swiss maize landrace Rheintaler Ribelmais, collected over 3 years (2016-2018) from an average of 14 agricultural farms within the Swiss Rhine Valley. All major European clonal lineages of E. turcicum were identified. Lineages differ by their mating types which indicates potential for sexual recombination and rapid evolution of new pathogen strains, although we found no evidence of recent recombination. The associated eukaryotic and prokaryotic leaf microbiome exhibited variation in taxonomic diversity between years and locations and is likely influenced by local weather conditions. A network analysis revealed distinct clusters of eukaryotic and prokaryotic taxa that correlates with the frequency of E. turcicum sequencing reads, suggesting causal interactions. Notably, the yeast genus Metschnikowia exhibited a strongly negative association with E. turcicum, supporting its known potential as biological control agent against fungal pathogens. Our findings show that metagenomic sequencing is a useful tool for analysing the role of environmental factors and potential pathogen-microbiome interactions in shaping pathogen dynamics and evolution, suggesting their potential for effective pathogen management strategies.

Variability in Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Profiles and Dinoflagellate Diversity in Mussels and Seawater Collected during Spring in Korean Coastal Seawater.

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are potent neurotoxins produced by certain microalgae, particularly dinoflagellates, and they can accumulate in shellfish in coastal seawater and thus pose significant health risks to humans. To explore the relationship between toxicity and PST profiles in seawater and mussels, the spatiotemporal variations in PST concentrations and profiles were investigated along the southern coast of Korea under peak PST levels during spring. Seawater and mussel samples were collected biweekly from multiple stations, and the toxin concentrations in the samples were measured. Moreover, the dinoflagellate community composition was analyzed using next-generation sequencing to identify potential PST-producing species. The PST concentrations and toxin profiles showed substantial spatiotemporal variability, with GTX1 and GTX4 representing the dominant toxins in both samples, and C1/2 tending to be higher in seawater. Alexandrium species were identified as the primary sources of PSTs. Environmental factors such as water temperature and salinity influenced PST production. This study demonstrates that variability in the amount and composition of PSTs is due to intricate ecological interactions. To mitigate shellfish poisoning, continuous monitoring must be conducted to gain a deeper understanding of these interactions.

Genetic network analysis uncovers spatial variation in diversity and connectivity of a species presenting a continuous distribution

The conservation of genetic diversity and connectivity is essential for the long-term persistence and adaptive ability of a species. Recent calls have been made for the inclusion of genetic diversity and differentiation measures in the assessment, management, and conservation of species. However, the literature often lacks direction on how to do so for species with continuous distributions or no distinct breaks in genetic connectivity. There are many considerations to overcome when investigating genetic diversity and connectivity of such species. We combine multiple genetic network methodologies with more traditional population genetic analyses within a single framework to address the challenges of investigating population structure and quantifying variation in genetic diversity and connectivity of wide-ranging species with continuous distributions. We demonstrate the efficacy and applicability of our framework through a study on woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) occupying the boreal forest of Canada; a species of significant conservation concern. The dataset consisted of 4911 unique individuals genotyped at 9 microsatellite loci, which were subsequently partitioned into 103 spatial nodes to create a population-based genetic network. The Walktrap community detection algorithm was used to detect hierarchical population genetic structure within the study area and node-based network metrics such as mean inverse edge weight and clustering coefficient were used to quantify the variation in genetic connectivity across the range. Lastly, genetic diversity was assessed by calculating allelic richness and heterozygosity of the nodes making up the network. The community detection analysis identified two communities at the coarsest scale to nine communities at the optimal partition. A strong pattern of Isolation by Distance (IBD) was found across the range at multiple scales. Furthermore, signs of genetic erosion along the study area’s southern boundaries were depicted by nodes presenting low genetic diversity and low centrality values. These results are important to the species status assessments in providing previously unavailable information on connectivity and diversity within and beyond the current local population units used in management. Our approach to quantify the patterns and extent of connectivity across the boreal range is comprehensive and could easily be adapted to other species. The results are robust and provide a solid foundation for the continued monitoring and recovery of the species.

Close to the edge: Spatial variation in plant diversity, biomass and floral resources in conventional and agri‐environment cereal fields

Abstract Non‐crop (segetal) plants in arable systems are commonly perceived simply as ‘weeds’, that is, harmful at worst and undesirable at best. The increase in management intensity in European arable systems has vastly reduced the populations of all but the most disturbance‐tolerant plant species, negatively impacting the whole agricultural food web. In recent years, efforts have been made to promote agricultural biodiversity through measures such as flower strips and unsprayed field margins. However, studies of their impacts on the arable flora have rarely considered their spatial variation within the crop field. We investigated the spatial distribution of vascular plant species richness and their contribution to the food web via biomass and flower units in conventional and agri‐environment cereal fields in six regions of Germany. We studied two types of in‐crop measures (extensive cereals without pesticides or fertiliser, and with or without intercropping with flowering species) and one adjacent measure (neighbouring flower strip), recording at 1‐m intervals from the field edge to the interior. These results were then extrapolated to illustrate the effects of these measures on resource provision at the field scale. Species richness and plant biomass dropped off sharply after the first metre in the conventional treatments, regardless of the adjacent habitat. The ‘extensive’ treatments maintained a much higher level of diversity and resource provision in the field interior. At the field level, this can mean more than a 60‐fold difference in the provision of flowering resources between conventional management (1900 flower units/ha) and agri‐environment measures (AEMs) (127,000 units/ha for extensive cereals). Synthesis and applications. The strong edge effects we found in conventional cultivation support the premise that reducing field sizes could play a role in promoting in‐crop biodiversity. However, incorporating extensive field margins as an AEM would be more efficient at maximising the diversity of generalists whilst maintaining high yields.

Effects of Rehydration on Bacterial Diversity in the Rhizosphere of Broomcorn Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) after Drought Stress at the Flowering Stage.

This study aimed to elucidate responses of the bacterial structure and diversity of the rhizosphere in flowering broomcorn millet after rehydration following drought stress. In this study, the broomcorn millet varieties 'Hequ red millet' (A1) and 'Yanshu No.10' (A2), known for their different drought tolerance levels, were selected as experimental materials. The plants were subjected to rehydration after drought stress at the flowering stage, while normal watering (A1CK and A2CK) served as the control. Soil samples were collected at 10 days (A11, A21, A1CK1, and A2CK1) and 20 days (A12, A22, A1CK2, and A2CK2) after rehydration. High-throughput sequencing technology was employed to investigate the variations in bacterial community structure, diversity, and metabolic functions in the rhizosphere of the broomcorn millet at different time points following rehydration. The findings indicated that the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of bacteria in the rhizosphere of broomcorn millet were notably influenced by the duration of treatment, with a significant decrease in OTUs observed after 20 days of rehydration. However, bacterial Alpha diversity was not significantly impacted by rehydration following drought stress. The bacterial community in the rhizosphere of broomcorn millet was mainly composed of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. After rewatering for 10 to 20 days after drought stress, the abundance of Sphingomonas and Aeromicrobium in the rhizosphere soil of the two varieties of broomcorn millet decreased gradually. Compared with Yanshu No.10, the abundance of Pseudarthrobacter in the rhizosphere of Hequ red millet gradually increased. A Beta diversity analysis revealed variations in the dissimilarities of the bacterial community which corresponded to different rehydration durations. The relative abundance of bacterial metabolic functions in the rhizosphere of broomcorn millet was lower after 20 days of rehydration, compared to measurements after 10 days of rehydration. This observation might be attributed to the exchange of materials between broomcorn millet and microorganisms during the initial rehydration stage to repair the effects of drought, as well as to the enrichment of numerous microorganisms to sustain the stability of the community structure. This study helps to comprehend the alterations to the bacterial structure and diversity in the rhizosphere of broomcorn millet following drought stress and rehydration. It sheds light on the growth status of broomcorn millet and its rhizosphere microorganisms under real environmental influences, thereby enhancing research on the drought tolerance mechanisms of broomcorn millet.

Insights into trophic interactions: DNA metabarcoding reveals species composition in black-tailed gull fecal samples in coastal environments of South Korea.

This study explored the algae, zooplankton, macroinvertebrate, fish, and parasitic single-celled organism communities in Larus crassirostris (black-tailed gull) fecal samples from Baengnyeongdo, Hongdo, and Ulleungdo in South Korea. The fecal samples can identify key species consumed by black-tailed gull, providing insights into their, trophic interactions, and habitat dependencies. Using DNA metabarcoding, we identified algae, zooplankton, macroinvertebrate, fish, and intestinal and single-celled parasite species in the fecal samples. Parasitic single-celled organisms, such as Rhogostoma sp., Rhogostoma schuessleri, Eimeria furonis, and Aggregata eberthi, showed differing relative abundances at each sampling location, indicating variability in parasite diversity in the fecal DNA analysis of birds at each site. Intestinal parasites showed similar site-specific variability, though Clistobothrium sp. and Tetrabothrius sp. were common at all locations. Algae species, including Heterocapsa steinii, Heterocapsa niei, and Sargassum cristaefolium, also displayed habitat-specific patterns, as did zooplankton, with Calanus sp., Corycaeus speciosus, and Caprella californica being dominant on Baengnyeongdo, Hongdo, and Ulleungdo, respectively. In the macroinvertebrate communities, Octopus sinensis was prevalent at all locations but at varying abundances. Site-specific dominant fish species were also identified, with Ammodytes personatus, Decapterus maruadsi, and Arctoscopus japonicus highly predominant on Baengnyeongdo, Hongdo, and Ulleungdo, respectively. Other fish species, such as Ammodytes hexapterus, were detected in lower frequencies, suggesting a diverse diet for the seabirds. These results offer insights into the species composition and ecological dynamics in black-tailed gull populations across disparate Korean islands.

Vertebrate taxonomic and functional hotspots in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

AbstractAimWe aim to find the main drivers of the taxonomic and functional richness and functional dispersion of vertebrates (amphibians, birds, primates, marsupials, rodents, bats and medium‐ and large‐sized mammals) across the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We also aim to identify hotspots of vertebrate diversity and quantify the extent to which they are legally protected.LocationBrazilian Atlantic Forest.MethodsWe gathered data on the occurrence of vertebrates based on the most recent published databases for Atlantic Forest vertebrates and measured taxonomic richness, functional richness and functional dispersion. We then related variation in diversity, within each group and overall, to environmental and landscape variables. Also, we modelled the diversity of each group for the entire extent of the Atlantic Forest, superimposing the diversity maps to delimit the vertebrate biodiversity hotspots and verified how much of these hotspots are covered by protected areas.ResultsTaxonomic/functional diversity were driven by environmental (e.g., average annual precipitation and precipitation of the driest quarter) and landscape variables (e.g., amount of forest and agricultural areas) for most taxonomic groups. The main hotspots of taxonomic richness are located in the central region of the Atlantic Forest, whereas those for functional diversity occur in the southern region of the biome. Only a little over 10% of the Atlantic Forest is covered by protected areas, and, as such, the vast majority of the medium and high diversity areas fall outside of protected areas, being therefore not legally protected.Main ConclusionsWe found evidence for previously described patterns, including the predicted positive effects of the amount of forest in the landscape and precipitation and the negative effects of agricultural areas on vertebrate diversity. Finally, our results show that most diversity hotspots are outside of legally protected areas, indicating that more conservation efforts should be made towards safeguarding these important areas.

Microbial and Metabolic Gut Profiling across Seven Malignancies Identifies Fecal Faecalibacillus intestinalis and Formic Acid as Commonly Altered in Cancer Patients.

The key association between gut dysbiosis and cancer is already known. Here, we used whole-genome shotgun sequencing (WGS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to conduct metagenomic and metabolomic analyses to identify common and distinct taxonomic configurations among 40, 45, 71, 34, 50, 60, and 40 patients with colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, lymphoid neoplasms and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), respectively, and compared the data with those from sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HC). α-diversity differed only between the lymphoid neoplasm and AML groups and their respective HC, while β-diversity differed between all groups and their HC. Of 203 unique species, 179 and 24 were under- and over-represented, respectively, in the case groups compared with HC. Of these, Faecalibacillus intestinalis was under-represented in each of the seven groups studied, Anaerostipes hadrus was under-represented in all but the stomach cancer group, and 22 species were under-represented in the remaining five case groups. There was a marked reduction in the gut microbiome cancer index in all case groups except the AML group. Of the short-chain fatty acids and amino acids tested, the relative concentration of formic acid was significantly higher in each of the case groups than in HC, and the abundance of seven species of Faecalibacterium correlated negatively with most amino acids and formic acid, and positively with the levels of acetic, propanoic, and butanoic acid. We found more differences than similarities between the studied malignancy groups, with large variations in diversity, taxonomic/metabolomic profiles, and functional assignments. While the results obtained may demonstrate trends rather than objective differences that correlate with different types of malignancy, the newly developed gut microbiota cancer index did distinguish most of the cancer cases from HC. We believe that these data are a promising step forward in the search for new diagnostic and predictive tests to assess intestinal dysbiosis among cancer patients.

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF ENTERIC PARASITES IN THE ENDANGERED VANCOUVER ISLAND MARMOT (MARMOTA VANCOUVERENSIS).

Enteric parasites can have wide-ranging effects throughout an ecosystem, often driving coevolutionary and ecological processes. Parasites have long been overlooked in conservation efforts because of the negative impact inflicted on their hosts; however, parasites make up a significant component of Earth's biodiversity and host conservation efforts need to be parasite inclusive. The Vancouver Island marmot (VIM), Marmota vancouverensis, is an endangered alpine rodent endemic to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Captive-bred VIMs are released to augment the wild population, but their susceptibility to parasites is unknown. The objectives of this study were to describe the diversity, prevalence, severity, and temporal variation of VIM enteric parasites. Noninvasive fecal samples were collected from wild and captive marmots and analyzed using a modified McMaster fecal egg floatation technique to indicate parasite prevalence and relative mean abundance. We identified oocysts and ova from 3 parasite taxa including a protozoan coccidium not previously described in the VIM (prevalence 68%), an ascarid nematode Baylisascaris laevis (prevalence 82%), and an anoplocephalid cestode Diandrya vancouverensis (prevalence 8%). Depending on the species, comparisons revealed variation in parasite infection by sex, by colony, and between wild and captive VIMs, but not among age classes or by female reproductive status. Finally, captive VIMs displayed significant monthly variation in parasite prevalence and mean egg abundance, suggesting a seasonal influence on parasite egg shedding. This information is critically important for future research investigating the influences of these trends on the health, ecology, and conservation of VIMs and their parasites.

Correlations among genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic variation of Phragmites australis along latitudes

AbstractAimEstuarine vegetation routinely experiences natural tidal fluctuations and is highly vulnerable to extreme events such as heavy rainfall, leading to changes in plant population structure and adaptability. Genetic and epigenetic modifications are widely considered to be mechanisms of phenotypic variation, triggered in plants responding to extreme changing environments. However, understanding on correlations among genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic variation of wild plant populations is still limited.LocationChina.MethodsIn this study, populations of the typical wetland clonal species Phragmites australis were selected from four estuaries along various latitudes in China. Genetic and epigenetic diversity and phenotypic variation of these populations were analysed.ResultsPhenotypic variation of P. australis populations was the highest at Yellow River Estuary and the lowest at Min River Estuary. Across all estuaries, Genetic and epigenetic diversity was strongly linear‐correlated. Genetic diversity had significant correlations with variation in reproductive traits, whereas epigenetic diversity had significant correlations with variation in growth traits. Climatic factors of mean annual temperature and precipitation, as well as soil nitrogen and phosphorus, were negatively correlated with variation in genetic diversity, epigenetic diversity, and variation in reproductive traits of P. australis populations along latitudes. Variation in growth traits was negatively correlated with soil salinity, reflecting the limiting effect of salinity on plant growth.Main ConclusionOur findings found that genetic and epigenetic variations may play different roles in phenotypic variation of P. australis populations along latitudes, the variation becomes greater when the climatic and edaphic conditions deteriorate. The findings shed new light on the adaptation and evolution of wetland plant populations along a large latitudinal scale, and may contribute to the revegetation of estuary wetlands.

Spatio-Temporal Influence on the Distribution of Forensically Relevant Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea.

The study of blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) biodiversity and distribution is crucial for forensic investigations. Abiotic and biotic factors, such as season and habitat type, have a significant impact on blowfly populations. However, only a few forensic entomology studies have been conducted in South Korea, particularly in the Gyeongsangnam-do region. To address this, an extensive year-long survey was conducted to analyze the compositions, habitat preferences, distribution, and seasonal abundance of forensically relevant blowflies in urban and forested habitats of Gyeongsangnam-do, with sampling conducted twice a month using mouse carcass-baited traps set for 48 h each time. A total of 3470 adult blowflies were recorded, encompassing five genera and 13 species, with a noted absence of specimens during the winter months. The predominant species was Lucilia porphyrina, accounting for 37.2% of the total sample, followed by Chrysomya pinguis (27.6%), Lucilia sericata (7.6%), and Lucilia illustris (7.1%). The species composition was consistent across all surveyed regions; however, seasonal variation in species diversity was evident, with a peak in spring and a decline in summer. Notably, certain species exhibited clear preferences for either urban (Calliphora calliphoroides and L. sericata) or forested habitats (L. porphyrina and Ch. pinguis). This pioneering study elucidates the diverse blowfly communities in Gyeongsangnam-do, highlighting significant seasonal and habitat-dependent variations. These findings enrich our understanding of blowfly ecology in this region, offering valuable insights for forensic applications and underscoring the necessity for ongoing entomological surveillance and research.

Species composition of dung beetles (Scarabaeiade: Scarabaeinae) from different habitat types in a protected area in eastern Africa

AbstractUnderstanding the composition and distribution of dung beetle species across various habitat types is crucial for elucidating their ecosystem functions. Dung beetles play pivotal roles in ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, seed dispersal and parasite suppression. Despite numerous studies on the influence of habitat types on dung beetle communities, knowledge gaps persist, particularly on how these beetles respond to different vegetation types in protected areas. In this study, we surveyed dung beetle species in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania, using baited pitfall traps across four habitat types: closed miombo woodland, open miombo woodland, marshland and riverine. We identified a total of 5534 individuals representing 63 species, 29 genera and nine tribes. Significant variations in species diversity were observed among the habitats, with the closed miombo woodland exhibiting the highest diversity and the open miombo woodland the lowest. Notably, certain species, such as Euoniticellus intermedius, Euonthophagus carbonarius, Gymnopleurus ignites, Onitis alexis, Onthophagus, Onthophagus vinctus, Onthophagus plebejus and Sisyphus goryi displayed a generalist distribution across all habitat types. Our findings underscore the critical importance of maintaining and conserving the quality of diverse habitat types to ensure the long‐term preservation of dung beetle biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. This study contributes valuable insights into dung beetle ecology and offers practical implications for ecosystem management and conservation strategies.

Genomic variation of 363 diverse tea accessions unveils the genetic diversity, domestication, and structural variations associated with tea adaptation.

Domestication has shaped the population structure and agronomic traits of tea plants, yet the complexity of tea population structure and genetic variation that determines these traits remains unclear. We here investigated the resequencing data of 363 diverse tea accessions collected extensively from almost all tea distributions and found that the population structure of tea plants was divided into eight subgroups, which were basically consistent with their geographical distributions. The genetic diversity of tea plants in China decreased from southwest to east as latitude increased. Results also indicated that Camellia sinensis var. assamica (CSA) illustrated divergent selection signatures with Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (CSS). The domesticated genes of CSA were mainly involved in leaf development, flavonoid and alkaloid biosynthesis, while the domesticated genes in CSS mainly participated in amino acid metabolism, aroma compounds biosynthesis, and cold stress. Comparative population genomics further identified ~730 Mb novel sequences, generating 6,058 full-length protein-encoding genes, significantly expanding the gene pool of tea plants. We also discovered 217,376 large-scale structural variations and 56,583 presence and absence variations (PAVs) across diverse tea accessions, some of which were associated with tea quality and stress resistance. Functional experiments demonstrated that two PAV genes (CSS0049975 and CSS0006599) were likely to drive trait diversification in cold tolerance between CSA and CSS tea plants. The overall findings not only revealed the genetic diversity and domestication of tea plants, but also underscored the vital role of structural variations in the diversification of tea plant traits.

Diversity and seasonal variability of Heterobranchs in Tulamben waters, Bali, Indonesia

This study examines the ecological traits of heterobranchs, which are found in various habitats associated with reef regions. We use data on heterobranchs abundance, depth, substrates, and seasonal observations to analyze their ecological traits, as these factors are often under studied. The species diversity of heterobranch species found in Tulamben, Bali is exceptionally rich. From a total of 41 surveys carried out at depths between 0 and 25 m every week in a one-year period, more than 144 species of heterobranchs belonging to 63 genera were recorded. A total of 1001 individuals were recorded during our survey efforts with 645 individuals in the dry season and 356 during the wet season. Hypselodoris roo and Mexichromis trilineata are the most abundant species of heterobranch recorded in this study. Despite these numbers, no significant difference was found between the abundance of heterobranchs between the dry and wet seasons; however, depth was a significant factor in determining heterobranchs abundance and species richness. The highest abundance was recorded for zone C (between 15 and 20 m depth) where 437 individual heterobranchs were recorded. The lowest abundance of heterobranchs was recorded for zone A (5–9 m depth) where only 72 individuals were recorded. Substrate preference was also observed among the individuals in which the highest abundance of heterobranchs were found on sponges in both dry (47.9 %) and wet (41 %) seasons. The second most dominant substrate was recorded as sand, accounting for 25 % relative abundance in both dry and wet seasons. To learn more about the seasonality of heterobranchs, further research considering tides, temperature, and other environmental factors needs to be considered.

Unveiling soil microbial community dynamics in desertification: A case study from the tianshan mountains, xinjiang

Microorganisms constitute the primary ecological group in desertified soil, driving soil biogeochemical cycles. Understanding their structure and diversity is crucial for the ecological restoration of desertification areas. This study focuses on the typical desert slopes in the eastern section of the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountain in Xinjiang, China. It investigates changes in the main prokaryotic microbial community structure, including bacteria and archaea, and their relationship with environmental factors. Results show generally low soil water content, increasing with depth, and a weak alkaline nature with no significant vertical variations. While microbial communities do not distinctly respond to soil water content, there are noticeable variations in microbial diversity with clear stratification, negatively correlated with total organic carbon. Molecular ecological network analyses of five bare soil profiles in Xinjiang’s Hami Tianshan Desert reveal positive interactions among soil microorganisms in vertical layers. Surprisingly, the topsoil, despite having complex networks, shows low diversity and weak interconnectivity. Intriguingly, subsurface soils exhibit distinct molecular ecological networks similar to those found in ecological transition zones (These zones are characterized by rapid environmental shifts from one type to another), further highlighting significant ecological disparities between surface and subsurface soils. By analyzing the structure of soil microbial communities and their relationship with environmental factors on typical desert slopes in the Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang, significant microbial ecological differences are found between surface and subsurface soils. Notably, in subsurface soils, microbial networks similar to those in ecological transition zones are discovered. These areas have complex microbial community structures and diverse ecological functions, providing new insights into the mechanisms of ecological restoration in desertified soils. Consequently, this study suggests that the vertical distribution patterns of microbial communities in bare desert soil areas differ from those in vegetated areas such as forests and grasslands. The interactions among species, the unique distribution of soil organic matter, and various physical factors are likely pivotal in the distribution patterns of microbial communities in bare desert soils. This research provides foundational theories and empirical support for the ecological restoration of bare desert soils.

Species richness and evenness of European bird communities show differentiated responses to measures of productivity.

Understanding patterns of species diversity is crucial for ecological research and conservation, and this understanding may be improved by studying patterns in the two components of species diversity, species richness and evenness of abundance of species. Variation in species richness and evenness has previously been linked to variation in total abundance of communities as well as productivity gradients. Exploring both components of species diversity is essential because these components could be unrelated or driven by different mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between species richness and evenness in European bird communities along an extensive latitudinal gradient. We examined their relationships with latitude and Net Primary Productivity, which determines energy and matter availability for heterotrophs, as well as their responses to territory densities (i.e. the number of territories per area) and community biomass (i.e. the bird biomass per area). We applied a multivariate Poisson log-normal distribution to unique long-term, high-quality time-series data, allowing us to estimate species richness of the community as well as the variance of this distribution, which acts as an inverse measure of evenness. Evenness in the distribution of abundance of species in the community was independent of species richness. Species richness increased with increasing community biomass, as well as with increasing density. Since both measures of abundance were explained by NPP, species richness was partially explained by energy-diversity theory (i.e. the more energy, the more species sustained by the ecosystem). However, species richness did not increase linearly with NPP but rather showed a unimodal relationship. Evenness was not explained either by productivity nor by any of the aspects of community abundance. This study highlights the importance of considering both richness and evenness to gain a better understanding of variation in species diversity. We encourage the study of both components of species diversity in future studies, as well as use of simulation studies to verify observed patterns between richness and evenness.

Variations in benthic coverage and diversity of shallow water coral reefs in Eastern coast of Sri Lanka: A combined analysis from Allen Coral Atlas and ground surveys

AbstractMonitoring changes in coral reef ecosystems for their conservation and management is important as they are frequently subject to various natural and anthropogenic threats. However, in Sri Lanka, the attention in this regard is to be further concerned for their well‐being. Therefore, this study focused on the selected shallow water (<5 m) coral reefs as Pigeon Island (PIR), Adukkuparu (AR), Salli Beach (SBR), Kayankerni (KR), and Passikuda (PR) on the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka to estimate their changes over 2020, 2021, and 2022. The remote sensing demarcations with the composition of reef ecosystems were done through the analysis of the Allen Coral Atlas data followed by field surveys. Higher accuracy levels for corals were obtained for each site due to field verifying all individual polygons and omitting unmatched polygons of the initial maps from the Allen Coral Atlas. Then, the in‐situ reef surveys were conducted over randomly selected permanent transects at each site. From 2020 to 2022, the live coral percentages have increased in PIR, AR, and SBR while reduced in KR and PR. Dead corals have facilitated the overgrowth of macroalgae. The combined area of live coral on all five reefs has slightly gone up. This increase is primarily due to the rise in live coral cover in AR and SBR. Also, prominent increments of coral diversity have resulted from those sites. Therefore, it is suggested that AR and SBR be designated as Marine Protected Areas to safeguard the newly emerging live corals.

An integrative taxonomy of Asian Caryodaphnopsis (Lauraceae) based on morphology and phylogenomics

AbstractCaryodaphnopsis is a small genus of the Lauraceae family with disjunct distribution in tropical Asia and tropical America. Taxa from each region form a well­supported monophyletic clade. However, the species circumscription in Asian Caryodaphnopsis remains ambiguous due to few and generally unstable morphological characters used for classification. To address this, we conducted an integrative taxonomy of the Asian clade. We investigated 13 populations, sampled 57 accessions covering the entire taxonomic diversity, geographic range, and morphological variation in Asia, and reconstructed a new phylogeny using single‐nucleotide polymorphisms. We obtained a well‐resolved phylogeny of the Asian Caryodaphnopsis. The first diverged clade consists of three species endemic to lowland forests. The second (largest) clade (eight species in total) mainly occurs in limestone mountain forests and has a double‐layered lower leaf epidermis morphology of type 2 (less complete roomy with closed “roof”) and type 3 (complete roomy with closed “roof”). Based on the diagnostic morphological characters, distinct distributional ranges, and monophyly of each clade, we recognize 12 species in the Asian Caryodaphnopsis, including three new species: C. cangyuanensis sp. nov., C. hekouensis sp. nov., and C. rubrinervis sp. nov. We also reinstate C. latifolia, and re‐circumscribe the widespread C. tonkinensis and other species based on fruit and inflorescence morphology and molecular evidence.

The role of artificial ponds for anuran diversity in managed areas of the Atlantic Forest

ABSTRACT Artificial ponds can be important reproductive sites for anurans in human-disturbed habitats. However, this capacity depends on the configuration of the habitat where they are inserted. We evaluated how anuran beta diversity was influenced by the configuration of the surrounding habitat and water parameters in artificial ponds in southern Brazil. Physicochemical parameters of water and the configuration of the surrounding habitat were the elements that best explained the variation in beta diversity. However, the surrounding habitat had a predominant role in the differences between communities. The level of exposed soil was the component that best acted on the turnover component of beta diversity followed by urbanization, which highlights the impact of human presence on anuran diversity. In other words, we observed that anthropogenic changes caused changes in species composition in the evaluated ponds. Among water parameters, only phosphate was relevant for the configuration of communities. Phosphate peaks may result from sewage or fertilizer contamination, not infrequent in the region despite the low human density and the small-scale agriculture economy. Even though they are anthropogenic environments, artificial ponds can help maintain the anuran communities, but their effectiveness will depend on the presence of forest remnants and water quality.