Long‐term changes in occurrence,relative abundance,and reproductive fitness of bat species in relation to arrival of White‐nose Syndrome in West Virginia,USA

White‐nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans which has resulted in the deaths of millions of bats across eastern North America. To date, hibernacula counts have been the predominant means of tracking the spread and impact of this disease on bat populations. However, an understanding of the impacts of WNS on demographic parameters outside the winter season is critical to conservation and recovery of bat populations impacted by this disease. We used long‐term monitoring data to examine WNS‐related impacts to summer populations in West Virginia, where WNS has been documented since 2009. Using capture data from 290 mist‐net sites surveyed from 2003 to 2019 on the Monongahela National Forest, we estimated temporal patterns in presence and relative abundance for each bat species. For species that exhibited a population‐level response to WNS, we investigated post‐WNS changes in adult female reproductive state and body mass. Myotis lucifugus (little brown bat), M. septentrionalis (northern long‐eared bat), and Perimyotis subflavus (tri‐colored bat) all showed significant decreases in presence and relative abundance during and following the introduction of WNS, while Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat) and Lasiurus borealis (eastern red bat) responded positively during the WNS invasion. Probability of being reproductively active was not significantly different for any species, though a shift to earlier reproduction was estimated for E. fuscus and M. septentrionalis. For some species, body mass appeared to be influenced by the WNS invasion, but the response differed by species and reproductive state. Results suggest that continued long‐term monitoring studies, additional research into impacts of this disease on the fitness of WNS survivors, and a focus on providing optimal nonwintering habitat may be valuable strategies for assessing and promoting recovery of WNS‐affected bat populations.     

New karyotype for Mesomys stimulax (Rodentia,Echimyidae) from the Brazilian Amazon: A case for species complex?

Mesomys Wagner, 1845 (Rodentia, Echimyidae, Eumysopinae) currently has four recognized species, three of which occur in Brazil: Mesomys hispidus (probably a species complex), M. occultus, and M. stimulax. Mesomys leniceps is found in montane forests of northern Peru. Mesomys stimulax, the focus of the present study, has a distribution that is restricted to the central and eastern Amazonia south of the Amazon River, extending from the left bank of the Tapajós River to the right bank of the Tocantins River, and south to the southeast portion of Pará State. The genus presents karyotypes with diploid number 2n = 60 and Fundamental Number (FN) = 116 for M. hispidus and M. stimulax, and 2n = 42, FN = 54 for M. occultus. We studied the karyotype of a female specimen of M. stimulax collected from the Tapirapé‐Aquiri National Forest, Marabá, Pará, Brazil, in the Xingu/Tocantins interfluvium. The obtained karyotype (2n = 60 and FN = 110) differs from that described in the literature for both M. stimulax and M. hispidus by exhibiting more biarmed chromosomes, probably due to pericentric inversions and/or centromeric repositioning, and exhibiting differences in the amount and distribution of constitutive heterochromatin (CH). These results suggest that, similar to what has already been proposed for M. hispidus, M. stimulax may represent a species complex and/or cryptic species. The mechanisms of chromosomal diversification in Mesomys and the biogeographic implications are discussed reinforcing the need for broad systematic review for Mesomys.     

Trade‐off between flight capability and reproduction in Acridoidea (Insecta: Orthoptera)

In many insect taxa, there is a well‐established trade‐off between flight capability and reproduction. The wing types of Acridoidea exhibit extremely variability from full length to complete loss in many groups, thus, provide a good model for studying the trade‐off between flight and reproduction. In this study, we completed the sampling of 63 Acridoidea species, measured the body length, wing length, body weight, flight muscle weight, testis and ovary weight, and the relative wing length (RWL), relative flight muscle weight (RFW), and gonadosomatic index (GSI) of different species were statistically analyzed. The results showed that there were significant differences in RWL, RFW, and GSI among Acridoidea species with different wing types. RFW of long‐winged species was significantly higher than that of short‐winged and wingless species (p < .01), while GSI of wingless species was higher than that of long‐winged and short‐winged species. The RWL and RFW had a strong positive correlation in species with different wing types (correlation coefficient r = .8344 for male and .7269 for female, and p < .05), while RFW was strong negatively correlated with GSI (r = −.2649 for male and −.5024 for female, and p < .05). For Acridoidea species with wing dimorphism, males with relatively long wings had higher RFW than that of females with relatively short wings, while females had higher GSI. Phylogenetic comparative analysis showed that RWL, RFW, and GSI all had phylogenetic signals and phylogenetic dependence. These results revealed that long‐winged individuals are flight capable at the expense of reproduction, while short‐winged and wingless individuals cannot fly, but has greater reproductive output. The results support the trade‐off between flight and reproduction in Acridoidea.     

3,6'‐disinapoyl sucrose attenuates Aβ1‐42‐ induced neurotoxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans by enhancing antioxidation and regulating autophagy

The aggregation of β‐amyloid (Aβ) has the neurotoxicity, which is thought to play critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer''s disease (AD). Inhibiting Aβ deposition and neurotoxicity has been considered as an important strategy for AD treatment. 3,6''‐Disinapoyl sucrose (DISS), one of the oligosaccharide esters derived from traditional Chinese medicine Polygalae Radix, possesses antioxidative activity, neuroprotective effect and anti‐depressive activity. This study was to explore whether DISS could attenuate the pathological changes of Aβ_1‐42 transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The results showed that DISS (5 and 50 μM) treatment significantly prolonged the life span, increased the number of egg‐laying, reduced paralysis rate, decreased the levels of lipofuscin and ROS and attenuated Aβ deposition in Aβ_1‐42 transgenic C. elegans. Gene analysis showed that DISS could up‐regulate the mRNA expression of sod‐3, gst‐4, daf‐16, bec‐1 and lgg‐1, while down‐regulate the mRNA expression of daf‐2 and daf‐15 in Aβ_1‐42 transgenic C. elegans. These results suggested that DISS has the protective effect against Aβ_1‐42‐induced pathological damages and prolongs the life span of C. elegans, which may be related to the reduction of Aβ deposition and neurotoxicity by regulating expression of genes related to antioxidation and autophagy.     

Dynamics of NK,CD8 and Tfh cell mediated the production of cytokines and antiviral antibodies in Chinese patients with moderate COVID‐19

Recent studies have demonstrated a marked decrease in peripheral lymphocyte levels in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Few studies have focused on the changes of NK, T‐ and B‐cell subsets, inflammatory cytokines and virus‐specific antibodies in patients with moderate COVID‐19. A total of 11 RT‐PCR‐confirmed convalescent patients with COVID‐19 and 11 patients with non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia (control patients) were enrolled in this study. NK, CD8⁺ T, CD4⁺ T, Tfh‐like and B‐cell subsets were analysed using flow cytometry. Cytokines and SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific antibodies were analysed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. NK cell counts were significantly higher in patients with COVID‐19 than in control patients (P = 0.017). Effector memory CD8⁺ T‐cell counts significantly increased in patients with COVID‐19 during a convalescent period of 1 week (P = 0.041). TIM‐3⁺ Tfh‐like cell and CD226⁺ Tfh‐like cell counts significantly increased (P = 0.027) and decreased (P = 0.022), respectively, during the same period. Moreover, ICOS⁺ Tfh‐like cell counts tended to decrease (P = 0.074). No abnormal increase in cytokine levels was observed. The high expression of NK cells is important in innate immune response against SARS‐CoV‐2. The increase in effector memory CD8⁺ T‐cell counts, the up‐regulation of inhibitory molecules and the down‐regulation of active molecules on CD4⁺ T cells and Tfh‐like cells in patients with COVID‐19 would benefit the maintenance of balanced cellular and humoural immune responses, may prevent the development of severe cases and contribute to the recovery of patients with COVID‐19.     

Genetic diversity and sex‐biased dispersal in the brown spotted pitviper (Protobothrops mucrosquamatus): Evidence from microsatellite markers

Dispersal plays a vital role in the geographical distribution, population genetic structure, quantity dynamics, and evolution of a species. Sex‐biased dispersal is common among vertebrates and many studies have documented a tendency toward male‐biased dispersal in mammals and female‐biased dispersal in birds. However, dispersal patterns in reptiles remain poorly understood. In this study, we explored the genetic diversity and dispersal patterns of the widely distributed Asian pitviper Protobothrops mucrosquamatus. In total, 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci were screened in 150 snakes (48 males, 44 females, 58 samples without sex information) covering most of their distribution. Microsatellite analysis revealed high genetic diversity in P. mucrosquamatus. Bayesian clustering of population assignment identified two major clusters for all populations, somewhat inconsistent with the mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of P. mucrosquamatus reported in previous research. Analyses based on 92 sex‐determined and 37 samples of P. mucrosquamatus from three small sites in Sichuan, China (Mingshan, Yibin, and Zizhong) consistently suggested female‐biased dispersal in P. mucrosquamatus, which is the first example of this pattern in snakes. The female‐biased dispersal patterns in P. mucrosquamatus may be explained by local resource competition.     

Camera trap reveals the co‐occurrence patterns of two sympatric muntjac species in southern Anhui Province,China: No spatial segregation

The competitive relationship and coexistence pattern among close related species have long been one of the hot issues in ecological research. Interspecies interactions can exert important influences on the local distribution of rare species. Black muntjac Muntiacus crinifrons is an endemic species to eastern China, currently restricted to limited regions. In contrast, Chinese muntjac Muntiacus reevesi is the most common and widespread deer in southern China. Both species co‐occur in southern Anhui and western Zhejiang Province. Little is known about the interaction of these two sympatric‐related species. In this study, to investigate the site use determinants and co‐occurrence pattern of the two sympatric muntjac species, we conducted a camera trap survey across about 250 km² in mountainous area of southern Anhui Province, China. We adopted a multistep approach to incorporate habitat preferences while modeling occupancy and detection. We found that the two species did not separate along elevation gradient (range from 400 m to 1,400 m) as described in previous studies. Results of single‐species occupancy models indicated that elevation had positive effects on the site use of both species, while slope had an opposite influence on their site use. Positive effects of elevation on the site use implied that both species try to avoid human interference at low elevations. Significant negative effect of slope on the site use of black muntjac suggested that the species prefer habitat with gentle slope and avoided steep. Co‐occurrence models and species interaction factors provided evidence that the two muntjac species had an independent occupancy (ψ ^{BM CM} = ψ ^{BM cm}, SIF = 1) and exhibited a positive species interaction in detection probability (p ^BM < r ^{BM CM}). Combined with the results of previous studies, we suggested that it was fine differentiation in microhabitats and food resources utilization rather spatial or temporal segregation that allowed the two species co‐occurrence. The site use determinants revealed in our study would be useful for the habitat conservation and restoration for the rare black muntjac, and the co‐occurrence pattern of the two sympatric muntjac species could provide useful information for deep understanding of the coexistence mechanism among forest‐dwelling ungulates.     

Assessment of medium and large‐sized mammals and their behavioral response toward anthropogenic activities in Jorgo‐Wato Protected Forest,Western Ethiopia

Medium and large‐sized mammals of Jorgo‐Wato Protected Forest have not yet been documented though the forest established before four decades. Hence, this study aims to document medium and large mammals and the behavioral responses of selected mammals toward anthropogenic activities in the study area. The study was conducted from February 2015 to June 2016, encompassing the wet and dry seasons. Data were collected mainly through camera traps, indirect and direct evidence. The study revealed about 23 medium and large‐sized mammals that belong to seven orders namely Bovidae, Carnivora, Primates, Rodentia, Tubulidentata, Lagomorpha, and Hyracoidea. Papio anubis, C. guereza, and C. aethiops were the most abundant large mammals in JWPF. Because of high anthropogenic activities, African buffalo shifted its activity period from diurnal into crepuscular and nocturnal. African buffalo traveled longer distances during the wet season (mean = 14.33 km, SD = 1.25 km) than during the dry season (mean = 9.00 km, SD = 2.16 km). This could be due to the fact that the local people were less likely to go to the forest for resource exploitation during the wet season as they are fully engaged in agricultural activities. However, low agricultural activities during the dry season allow the local people to extract resources and involve in bushmeat hunting which could limit the movement of mammals to their refugia. African buffalo preferred to rest on and adjacent to a gravel road (22.1%) in the forest, followed by on open rocky hilltops (14.7%) at night time, but rest in the bottomland thicket vegetation during the dry daytime. Regardless of high human pressure in the area, this study has revealed a good number of medium and large‐sized mammals that could be used as baseline information to design a sound conservation and management action plan of large mammals and their habitat in Jorgo‐Wato Protected Forest.     

IFN‐γ+IL‐17+Th17 cells regulate fibrosis through secreting IL‐21 in systemic scleroderma

This study aimed to explore the function of IFN‐γ⁺IL‐17⁺Th17 cells on fibrosis in systemic scleroderma (SSc). Blood and skin samples were collected from 20 SSc cases and 10 healthy individuals. The percentage of IFN‐γ⁺IL‐17⁺Th17 cells was detected using flow cytometry. The in vitro induction of IFN‐γ⁺IL‐17⁺Th17 cells was performed adopting PHA and rIL‐12. Gene expression was detected via quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), whereas western blot analysis was adopted for protein analysis. The distribution of IFN‐γ⁺IL‐17⁺Th17 cells was significantly increased in SSc cases and positively correlated with SSc stages (P = .031), disease duration (P = .016), activity (P = .025) and skin scores (P < .001). In vitro, IFN‐γ⁺IL‐17⁺Th17 cells could promote the expressions of α‐SMA and COL1A1, revealing increased fibroblasts’ proliferation and enhanced collagen‐secreting capacity. In addition, IL‐21 expression was significantly increased in co‐culture medium of IFN‐γ⁺IL‐17⁺Th17 cells and fibroblasts (P < .001). IL‐21 neutralizer treatment resulted in the down‐regulation of α‐SMA and COL1A1. IL‐21 was confirmed as an effector of IFN‐γ⁺IL‐17⁺Th17 cells in fibrosis process. The distribution of IFN‐γ⁺IL‐17⁺Th17 cells was significantly increased in SSc cases and positively correlated with disease activity. IFN‐γ⁺IL‐17⁺Th17 cells could promote fibroblast proliferation and enhance collagen‐secreting ability via producing IL‐21, thus contributing to fibrosis in SSc.     

Floral phenology of an Andean bellflower and pollination by buff‐tailed sicklebill hummingbird

The Andean bellflowers comprise an explosive radiation correlated with shifts to specialized pollination. One diverse clade has evolved with extremely curved floral tubes and is predicted to be pollinated exclusively by one of two parapatric species of sicklebill hummingbirds (Eutoxeres). In this study, we focused on the floral biology of Centropogon granulosus, a bellflower thought to be specialized for pollination by Eutoxeres condamini, in a montane cloud forest site in southeastern Peru. Using camera traps and a pollination exclusion experiment, we documented E. condamini as the sole pollinator of C. granulosus. Visitation by E. condamini was necessary for fruit development. Flowering rates were unequivocally linear and conformed to the “steady‐state” phenological type. Over the course of >1800 h of monitoring, we recorded 12 E. condamini visits totaling 42 s, indicating traplining behavior. As predicted by its curved flowers, C. granulosus is exclusively pollinated by buff‐tailed sicklebill within our study area. We present evidence for the congruence of phenology and visitation as a driver of specialization in this highly diverse clade of Andean bellflowers.     

Help or hindrance? The evolutionary impact of whole‐genome duplication on immunogenetic diversity and parasite load

Whole‐genome duplication (WGD) events occur in all kingdoms and have been hypothesized to promote adaptability. WGDs identified in the early history of vertebrates, teleosts, and angiosperms have been linked to the large‐scale diversification of these lineages. However, the mechanics and full outcomes of WGD regarding potential evolutionary impacts remain a topic of debate. The Corydoradinae are a diverse subfamily of Neotropical catfishes with over 170 species described and a history of WGDs. They are divided into nine mtDNA lineages, with species coexisting in sympatric—and often mimetic—communities containing representatives of two or more of the nine lineages. Given their similar life histories, coexisting species of Corydoras might be exposed to similar parasite loads and because of their different histories of WGD and genome size they provide a powerful system for investigating the impacts of WGD on immune diversity and function in an animal system. Here, we compared parasite counts and the diversity of the immune‐related toll‐like receptors (TLR) in two coexisting species of Corydoras catfish (C. maculifer and C. araguaiaensis), one diploid and one putative tetraploid. In the putative tetraploid C. araguaiaensis, we found significantly lower numbers of parasites and significantly higher diversity (measured by both synonymous and nonsynonymous SNP counts) in two TLR genes than in the diploid C. maculifer. These results provide insight into how WGD may impact evolution, in this case by providing greater immunogenetic diversity.     

Galangin as a direct inhibitor of vWbp protects mice from Staphylococcus aureus‐induced pneumonia

The surge in multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and the lag in antibiotic discovery necessitate the development of new anti‐infective strategies to reduce S. aureus infections. In S. aureus, von Willebrand factor‐binding protein (vWbp) is not only the main coagulase that triggers host prothrombin activation and formation of fibrin cables but also bridges the bacterial cell wall and von Willebrand factor, thereby allowing S. aureus to bind to platelets and endothelial cells, playing a vital role in pathogenesis of S. aureus infections. Here, we have identified that galangin, a bioactive compound found in honey and Alpinia officinarum Hance, is a potent and direct inhibitor of vWbp by coagulation activity inhibition assay, thermal shift assay and biolayer interferometry assay. Molecular dynamic simulations and verification experiments revealed that the Trp‐64 and Leu‐69 residues are necessary for the binding of galangin to vWbp. Significantly, galangin attenuated S. aureus virulence in a mouse S. aureus‐induced pneumonia model. In addition, we also identified that galangin can enhance the therapeutic effect of latamoxef on S. aureus‐induced pneumonia. Taken together, the results suggest that galangin may be used for the development of therapeutic drugs or utilized as adjuvants to combine with antibiotics to combat S. aureus‐related infections.     

Roosting ecology of endangered plant‐roosting bats on Okinawa Island: Implications for bat‐friendly forestry practices

Roosting information is crucial to guiding bat conservation and bat‐friendly forestry practices. The Ryukyu tube‐nosed bat Murina ryukyuana (Endangered) and Yanbaru whiskered bat Myotis yanbarensis (Critically Endangered) are forest‐dwelling bats endemic to the central Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Despite their threatened status, little is known about the roosting ecology of these species and the characteristics of natural maternity roosts are unknown. To inform sustainable forestry practices and conservation management, we radio‐tracked day roosts of both species in the subtropical forests of Okinawa''s Kunigami Village District. We compared roost and roost site characteristics statistically between M. ryukyuana nonmaternity roosts (males or nonreproductive females), maternity roosts, and all M. yanbarensis roosts. Generalized linear models were used to investigate roost site selection by M. ryukyuana irrespective of sex and age class. Lastly, we compiled data on phenology from this and prior studies. Nonreproductive M. ryukyuana roosted alone and primarily in understory foliage. Murina ryukyuana maternity roosts were limited to stands >50 years old, and ~60% were in foliage. Myotis yanbarensis roosted almost entirely in cavities along gulch bottoms and only in stands >70 years old (~1/3 of Kunigami''s total forest area). Murina ryukyuana maternity roosts were higher (4.3 ± 0.6 m) than conspecific nonmaternity roosts (2.3 ± 0.5 m; p < .001) and M. yanbarensis roosts (2.7 ± 0.5 m; not significant). Model results were inconclusive. Both species appear to be obligate plant roosters throughout their life cycle, but the less flexible roosting preferences of M. yanbarensis may explain its striking rarity. To conserve these threatened bats, we recommend the following forestry practices: (a) reduce clearing of understory vegetation, (b) refrain from removing trees along streams, (c) promote greater tree cavity densities by protecting old‐growth forests and retaining snags, and (d) refrain from removing trees or understory between April and July, while bats are pupping.     

On‐site genetic analysis for species identification using lab‐on‐a‐chip

This paper presents a microfluidic device capable of performing genetic analysis on dung samples to identify White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). The development of a microfluidic device, which can be used in the field, offers a portable and cost‐effective solution for DNA analysis and species identification to aid conservation efforts. Optimization of the DNA extraction processes produced equivalent yields compared to conventional kit‐based methods within just 5 minutes. The use of a color‐changing loop‐mediated isothermal amplification reaction for simultaneous detection of the cytochrome B sequence of C. simum enabled positive results to be obtained within as little as 30 minutes. Field testing was performed at Knowsley Safari to demonstrate real‐world applicability of the microfluidic device for testing of biological samples.     

Novel hosts can incur fitness costs to a frugivorous insect pest

In phytophagous insects, adult attraction and oviposition preference for a host plant are often positively correlated with their immature fitness; however, little is known how this preference–performance relationship changes within insect populations utilizing different host plants. Here, we investigated differences in the preference and performance of two populations of a native North American frugivorous insect pest, the plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar)—one that utilizes peaches and another that utilizes blueberries as hosts—in the Mid‐Atlantic United States. We collected C. nenuphar adult populations from peach and blueberry farms and found that they exhibited a clear preference for the odors of, as well as an ovipositional preference for, the hosts they were collected from, laying 67%–83% of their eggs in their respective collected hosts. To measure C. nenuphar larval performance, a fitness index was calculated using data on larval weights, development, and survival rate from egg to 4th instars when reared on the parent''s collected and novel hosts. Larvae of C. nenuphar adults collected from peach had high fitness on peach but low fitness when reared on blueberry. In contrast, larvae from C. nenuphar adults collected in blueberry had high fitness regardless of the host on which they were reared. In this study, we show that utilizing a novel host such as blueberry incurs a fitness cost for C. nenuphar from peaches, but this cost was not observed for C. nenuphar from blueberries, indicating that the preference–performance relationship is present in the case of insects reared on peach, but insects reared on blueberry were more flexible and able to utilize either host, despite preferring blueberry.     

Shift in competitive ability mediated by soil biota in an invasive plant

Understanding the shifts in competitive ability and its driving forces is key to predict the future of plant invasion. Changes in the competition environment and soil biota are two selective forces that impose remarkable influences on competitive ability. By far, evidence of the interactive effects of competition environment and soil biota on competitive ability of invasive species is rare. Here, we investigated their interactive effects using an invasive perennial vine, Mikania micrantha. The competitive performance of seven M. micrantha populations varying in their conspecific and heterospecific abundance were monitored in a greenhouse experiment, by manipulating soil biota (live and sterilized) and competition conditions (competition‐free, intraspecific, and interspecific competition). Our results showed that with increasing conspecific abundance and decreasing heterospecific abundance, (1) M. micrantha increased intraspecific competition tolerance and intra‐ vs. interspecific competitive ability but decreased interspecific competition tolerance; (2) M. micrantha increased tolerance of the negative soil biota effect; and (3) interspecific competition tolerance of M. micrantha was increasingly suppressed by the presence of soil biota, but intraspecific competition tolerance was less affected. These results highlight the importance of the soil biota effect on the evolution of competitive ability during the invasion process. To better control M. micrantha invasion, our results imply that introduction of competition‐tolerant native plants that align with conservation priorities may be effective where M. micrantha populations are long‐established and inferior in inter‐ vs. intraspecific competitive ability, whereas eradication may be effective where populations are newly invaded and fast‐growing.     

Characterization of the glutathione‐dependent reduction of the peroxiredoxin 5 homolog PfAOP from Plasmodium falciparum

Peroxiredoxins use a variety of thiols to rapidly reduce hydroperoxides and peroxynitrite. While the oxidation kinetics of peroxiredoxins have been studied in great detail, enzyme‐specific differences regarding peroxiredoxin reduction and the overall rate‐limiting step under physiological conditions often remain to be deciphered. The 1‐Cys peroxiredoxin 5 homolog PfAOP from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is an established model enzyme for glutathione/glutaredoxin‐dependent peroxiredoxins. Here, we reconstituted the catalytic cycle of PfAOP in vitro and analyzed the reaction between oxidized PfAOP and reduced glutathione (GSH) using molecular docking and stopped‐flow measurements. Molecular docking revealed that oxidized PfAOP has to adopt a locally unfolded conformation to react with GSH. Furthermore, we determined a second‐order rate constant of 6 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 25°C and thermodynamic activation parameters ΔH ^‡, ΔS ^‡, and ΔG ^‡ of 39.8 kJ/mol, −0.8 J/mol, and 40.0 kJ/mol, respectively. The gain‐of‐function mutant PfAOP^L109M had almost identical reaction parameters. Taking into account physiological hydroperoxide and GSH concentrations, we suggest (a) that the reaction between oxidized PfAOP and GSH might be even faster than the formation of the sulfenic acid in vivo, and (b) that conformational changes are likely rate limiting for PfAOP catalysis. In summary, we characterized and quantified the reaction between GSH and the model enzyme PfAOP, thus providing detailed insights regarding the reactivity of its sulfenic acid and the versatile chemistry of peroxiredoxins.     

Using genomics to guide seed‐sourcing at the right taxonomical level for ecological restoration projects: The complex case of Carex bigelowii s.lat. in Norway

There is a growing demand for ecological restoration using suitable seeds following international standards or national legal demands for local seed‐sourcing. However, before selecting the appropriate geographic origin of seeds, it is vital to explore taxonomic complexity related to the focal taxa. We used ddRAD‐seq to screen genomic diversity within Carex bigelowii s.lat. focussing on Norway. This species complex is considered a candidate for seeding, but presents considerable morphological, ecological, and genetic variation. The genetic structure of 132 individuals of C. bigelowii s.lat., including Carex nigra as an outgroup, was explored using ordinations, clustering analyses, and a genetic barrier algorithm. Two highly divergent clusters were evident, supporting the recognition of two taxonomic units “C. dacica” and C. bigelowii “subsp. bigelowii”. Previously defined seed‐sourcing regions for C. bigelowii s.lat. did not consider the known taxonomic complexity, and therefore interpreted the overall genetic structure as seed‐sourcing regions, not taxa. We estimated genetic neighborhood sizes within each taxon to be 100–150 km and 300 km, respectively, indicating species‐specific delimitations of local seed‐sourcing regions. Frequent hybrids, local genetic distinctiveness, and suggested ecotypes add complexity to the discussed seed‐sourcing regions. Our results show how genomic screening of diversity and structure in a species complex can alleviate the taxonomic impediment, inform practical questions, and legal requirements related to seed‐sourcing, and together with traditional taxonomic work provide necessary information for a sound management of biodiversity.