Can the barrier effect of highways cause genetic subdivision in small mammals?

Roads and highways contribute enormously to habitat fragmentation, because they can inhibit or even block animal movement across them, which may result in the ultimate division of the populations adjacent to the roads into smaller isolated subpopulations. The isolation reduces gene flow and increases risk of extinction due to a decrease in the genetic diversity of the isolated population. The aim of the present study is to determine whether highways can cause genetic subdivision of the bank vole Myodes glareolus (Schreber, 1780) and yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834). The study was carried out at three sites in the Highway D1 (Prague-Brno) in the Czech Republic, where a previous study demonstrated a barrier effect of the highway avoiding the interchange of individuals of both species. The genetic structure was determined from the analysis of six DNA microsatellites loci in M. glareolus and five in A. flavicollis. We found only weak genetic differences between populations living at opposite sides of the highway in either of the species and a low degree of subdivision, but significant positive correlation between genetic and geographical distance, which suggests isolation by distance in both species.     

Can a small island nation build resilience? The significance of resource-use patterns and socio-metabolic risks in The Bahamas

Resource-use patterns may entail systemic risks and cascade effects, which consequently inhibit the ability to deliver socioeconomic services. Identifying resource-use patterns exhibiting systemic risks and reshaping their combinations is a potential lever in realizing the transition to a sustainable, resilient, and resource-secure system. Using an island context to assess the quantity and composition of resource throughput enables a more comprehensive analysis of these risks. This article presents the first mass-balance account of socio-metabolic flows for The Bahamas in 2018, to identify socio-metabolic risks and cascading effects. Socio-metabolic risks are systemic risks related to critical resource availability, material circulation integrity, and (in)equities in cost and benefit distributions. We utilize the economy-wide material flow accounting framework to map the material flow patterns across the economy. In 2018, annual direct material input was estimated at 9.4 t/cap/yr, of which 60% were imports. High masses of waste (1.4 t/cap/yr) remained unrecovered due to the lack of recycling. Total domestic extraction (DE) were dominated by non-metallic minerals with more than 80%, while marine biomass makes up barely 1% of total DE. Due to its linear, undiversified metabolism, and heavy imports dependency, the system is susceptible to socio-metabolic risks and cascading effects including low levels of self-sufficiency, high vulnerability to shocks, commodity price fluctuations, threats to sensitive ecosystems, health impacts, and economic losses, among others. A holistic resource management strategy and nature-based solutions that consider the trade-offs and synergies between different resource-use patterns are critical when exploring potential plans for metabolic risk reduction.     

Can kin selection facilitate the evolution of the genetic program of senescence?

The theory of adaptive senescence, or phenoptosis (“altruistic suicide” of the organism), implies that mutations enhancing mortality growth with age (“senescence genes”) can be favored by selection under some circumstances, although the nature of these circumstances and the frequency of their occurrence are not clear. Here I demonstrate by means of computer simulation that senescence genes can spread in the population’s gene pool via the mechanism of kin selection if two conditions are met. First, the population must have high viscosity (low intermixing), which provides positive correlation between spatial proximity of individuals and their relatedness, an important precondition for kin selection. Second, prior to acquisition of the senescence genes, there must be a sufficiently fast decline in the reproductive potential with age, while viability should decrease slower or remain constant. These conditions are probably met in some territorial and social species with severe competition for social rank and mating partners.     

The small members of the JMJD protein family: Enzymatic jewels or jinxes?

Jumonji C domain-containing (JMJD) proteins are mostly epigenetic regulators that demethylate histones. However, a hitherto neglected subfamily of JMJD proteins, evolutionarily distant and characterized by their relatively small molecular weight, exerts different functions by hydroxylating proteins and RNA. Recently, unsuspected proteolytic and tyrosine kinase activities were also ascribed to some of these small JMJD proteins, further increasing their enzymatic versatility. Here, we discuss the ten human small JMJD proteins (HIF1AN, HSPBAP1, JMJD4, JMJD5, JMJD6, JMJD7, JMJD8, RIOX1, RIOX2, TYW5) and their diverse physiological functions. In particular, we focus on the roles of these small JMJD proteins in cancer and other maladies and how they are modulated in diseased cells by an altered metabolic milieu, including hypoxia, reactive oxygen species and oncometabolites. Because small JMJD proteins are enzymes, they are amenable to inhibition by small molecules and may represent novel targets in the therapy of cancer and other diseases.     

Can zoo records help answer behavioral research questions? The case of the left‐handed lemurs (Lemur catta)

Most zoos keep comprehensive records, which potentially form a database for use in answering some research questions, such as in veterinary and population management research. They have not, however, been widely used to answer questions about animal behavior and welfare. Here we try to assess the usefulness to behavioral research of two sorts of zoo records (ARKS, the Animal Records Keeping System, and student dissertations held on file) to test the hypothesis that ring-tailed lemurs with a left limb preference experience more negative social lives. We found that, as predicted, lemurs with a left limb preference (LH) received more aggression and were involved in less grooming than nonleft-preferent lemurs (NLH), though the differences were not statistically significant. Contrary to prediction, LH lemurs had fewer reported woundings than NLH lemurs, but again the difference was not statistically significant. We found that the ARKS reports did not contain sufficient quantified and systematic behavioral data for our purposes, although otherwise they provided an excellent context for interpreting results. The student dissertations were also of limited use, primarily because of the small time frame in which they were carried out. Because of these shortcomings we were unable to distinguish whether our inability to find significant effects was due to biological (perhaps hand preference had no consequences for the lemurs) or data reasons. We suggest that closer liaison between zoo research staff, zoo record keepers and academic supervisors could help to improve the usefulness of zoo records for behavioral research.     

The variability of the circulus arteriosus (Willisii): order or anarchy?

The variation of the circulus arteriosus is studied using multivariate methods. The data which form the basis of this study are 19 measurements of half the circumference of the arteries that form the circle of Willis and its afferent and efferent branches; 100 circles of Willis were measured for this purpose. Since the number of variables per individual is large, multivariate statistical techniques are the most appropriate method to gain insight in the relations of vessel sizes that exist within the circle of Willis. So a principal component analysis was performed on the data. The results clearly show a number of relations between vessel sizes. In general, inverse relationships were found of vessels that have (at least partially) an identical irrigation area: both internal carotid arteries and the ipsilateral posterior communicating artery show an intimate relationship and are together inversely related to the basilar artery and the precommunicating part of the posterior cerebral artery. Inverse relationships are also found for both vertebral arteries and both precommunicating parts of the anterior cerebral arteries. The homonymous efferent arteries appear to be closely related and show an independent variation. Together the first six principal components explain 69% of the variance. These results support a haemodynamical hypothesis on the explanation of the variability of the circle of Willis. Moreover, the differential growth in the head-neck region during the first two decades of life is postulated to be the origin of a part of the variation.     

Can model species be used to advance the field of invasion ecology?

Hypotheses for explaining plant invasions have focused on a variety of factors that may influence invasion success, including propagule pressure, interactions of the introduced species with the biotic, abiotic, or disturbance properties of the new ecosystem, or the genetic characteristics of the invader itself. Evaluating the relative importance of these factors has been difficult because for most invaders key information about the introduced population or the introduction event is not available. We propose that natural experiments using model species is an important tool to test multiple invasion hypotheses at the same time, providing a complementary approach to meta-analysis and literature review. By focusing on a single candidate species, Pinus contorta, we explore several attributes that we propose constitute a good model, including: (a) intentional and relatively well documented introduction into a wide range of environments and countries across the world during the past century, where invasion success or failure has already occurred, (b) conspicuous growth form that simplifies assessment of growth rates, and comparisons across native and introduced ecosystems around the world, and, (c) documented and replicated variability of introduction intensity, genetic characteristics of the introduced populations, contrasting biotic communities present at sites of introduction, and abiotic conditions within and across introduced ecosystems. We propose that identifying model species with these characteristics will provide opportunities to disentangle the relative importance of different mechanisms hypothesized to influence invasion success, and thereby advance the field of invasion ecology.     

Can we predict the effects of alien species? A case-history of the invasion of South Africa by Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck)

The Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis invaded the shores of South Africa in about the mid-1970s. It was first detected at a harbour in Saldanha on the west coast and apparently arrived accidentally. From there, it spread at a rate of about 115 km·year⁻¹ and now occupies the whole of the west coast of South Africa and at least the southern half of Namibia. It was deliberately introduced from the west coast to the south coast for mariculture. In this case study, we record its effects on intertidal rocky shores, cast in terms of predictions based on (a) the history of its invasions elsewhere, (b) its mode of dispersal, (c) its physiological performance relative to indigenous mussels, (d) the role of wave action as a moderator of competition, (e) the influence of relative body sizes, (f) the projected effects of the mussel on infauna, (g) consumption by higher trophic levels, and (h) rates of parasitism.

Several properties of M. galloprovincialis itself, and of the recipient community, conspired to favour the spread and establishment of this alien mussel, including high productivity on the west coast of South Africa, prevalently strong wave action, a sparsity of predators, an absence of parasites, the mussel's fast growth and high reproductive output, and its possession of a planktotrophic larva. It competitively displaces several species because of its physiological performance. Some of the species gain a substitute substratum on the mussels themselves, but only if they are small enough to live and reproduce on the mussels. M. galloprovincialis has had little effect on infauna, but has provided an additional source of food for higher predators, including the rare and endangered African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini).

Nearly all these effects and conditions were forecasted (or, at the least, explainable with hindsight), but despite these successes in predicting the impacts of M. galloprovincialis, its spread was not only unavoidable but was encouraged by its transfer to the south coast for mariculture. Moreover, there was one completely unpredictable effect of M. galloprovincialis—which led to mass mortalities of a swimming crab. Given the failure of even quite detailed and accurate predictions to allow control of M. galloprovincialis once it arrived, prevention rather than cure must be the prime means of avoiding future unwanted introductions of invasive species.     

Can ecological land classification increase the utility of vegetation monitoring data?

Vegetation dynamics in rangelands and other ecosystems are known to be mediated by topoedaphic properties. Vegetation monitoring programs, however, often do not consider the impact of soils and other sources of landscape heterogeneity on the temporal patterns observed. Ecological sites (ES) comprise a land classification system based on soil, topographic, and climate variations that can be readily applied by land managers to classify topoedaphic properties at monitoring locations. We used a long-term (>40 y) vegetation record from southeastern Arizona, USA to test the utility of an ES classification for refining interpretations of monitoring data in an area of relatively subtle soil differences. We focused on two phenomena important to rangeland management in the southeastern Arizona region: expansion of the native tree velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina Woot.) and spread of the introduced perennial grass Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees). Specifically, we sought to determine if a quantitative, ES-specific analysis of the long-term record would (1) improve detection of changes in plant species having heightened ecological or management importance and (2) further clarify topoedaphic effects on vegetation trajectories. We found that ES class membership was a significant factor explaining spatiotemporal variation in velvet mesquite canopy cover, Lehmann lovegrass basal cover, and Lehmann lovegrass density measurements. In addition, we observed that the potential magnitude of velvet mesquite and Lehmann lovegrass increases varied substantially among ES classes. Our study brings attention to a practical land management tool that might be called upon to increase the effectiveness of vegetation-based indicators of ecosystem change.     

The Harvard case of Xu Xiping: exploitation of the people, scientific advance, or genetic theft?

A unique history and make-up of a population may make it an attractive research target for population geneticists and pharmaco-genomic investors. The promise of pharmaceutical profits and advances in medical knowledge attracted Harvard researchers and the company Millennium Pharmaceuticals to remote areas in Anhui Province, Central China, leading to international diplomatic disagreements about issues such as the ownership of genetic material and informed consent (IC). This article discusses the role of genomics and genetic sampling in China, the way it is related to population policies (the new eugenics), the national importance of genetic materials and the conflicts it led to between the Chinese government and Harvard University. Here many consider the Xu Xiping case as textbook example of ruthless Western exploitation of development countries, illustrating the cold rationality of science in the process of globalisation. Ten perspectives on this case show that this view is simplistic and contributes little to an understanding of bioethical issues important to the population actually donating the samples. Viewing the Xu Xiping case as the nexus of the intertwinement of international, transnational, national, and local interest groups shows how different interest groups make use of different units of analysis. It also clarifies why the same practice of genetic sampling continues under a different regime, and why the discussion about genetic sampling has shifted from a concern with health care of the poor to an issue of international exploitation, terrorism and development.     

Differences in the onset of laying between island and mainland Mediterranean Blue Tits Parus caeruleus: phenotypic plasticity or genetic differences?

Blue tits Parus caeruleus breeding in deciduous or in evergreen woodlands on the mainland of Europe start to lay 3–4 weeks earlier than Blue Tits on the island of Corsica breeding in evergreen woodlands. A similar difference in average laying date between the two Blue Tit populations has been found in a relatively small sample of captive birds held in outdoor aviaries on the mainland. To provide data on the habitat contrast in Corsica for comparison with that on the mainland, a new study area was started in one of the few deciduous woodlands on Corsica. In addition, new data on laying dates of captive Blue Tits were gathered to increase the sample size of independent pairs in aviaries. This study shows that the habitat effect (deciduous ν evergreen woodland) on the average laying date of Blue Tits is relatively small in comparison with the geography effect (European mainland ν Corsica). The laying date differences between mainland and insular Blue Tits persisted whatever the type of habitat (deciduous, evergreen or outdoor aviaries on the mainland). The data support the hypothesis that the observed differences in the onset of laying between the mainland and insular Blue Tits were mainly influenced by genetic effects and relatively little by non-genetic maternal effects of by genotype—environment interactions.     

The hydrobioid freshwater gastropods (Caenogastropoda,Truncatelloidea) of Greece: new?records,taxonomic re-assessments using DNA sequence data and an update of?the IUCN Red List Categories

Hydrobioid freshwater gastropods were collected from mainland and insular Greece. Several threatened taxa, such as Graecoanatolica vegorriticola, Pseudamnicola negropontina, Pseudamnicola pieperi, Pseudobithynia eubooensis and Pseudoislamia balcanica, were recorded from new localities. Trichonia trichonica, which has been considered extinct from its type locality for the last twenty eight years, was re-discovered, whereas the presence of Daphniola exigua, G. vegorriticola, Marstoniopsis graeca, P. pieperi and Pseudobithynia trichonis in their type localities was verified. The taxonomic status of P. negropontina and the newly discovered populations of G. vegorriticola was elucidated using COI sequence data. The new data recorded during this survey indicate that the IUCN status of some Greek endemic hydrobioids needs to be updated.     

The failed invasion of Harmonia axyridis in the Azores,Portugal: Climatic restriction or wrong population origin?

We tested two questions:(i)whether the climatic conditions of the Azorean Islands in Portugal may have restricted the invasion of Harmonia axyridis across this archipelago and(ii)determine what population of this species could have a higher probability of invading the islands.We used MaxEnt to project the climate requirements of different H.axyridis populations from three regions of the world,and the potential global niche of the species in the Azorean islands.Then we assessed the suitability of the islands for each of the three H.axyridis populations and global potential niche through histograms analysis,Principal Component Analysis(PCA)of climate variables,and a variable-by-variable assessment of the suitability response curves compared with the climatic conditions of the Azores.Climatic conditions of the Azores are less suitable for the U.S.and native Asian populations of H.axyridis,and more suitable for European populations and the global potential niche.The PCA showed that the climatic conditions of the islands differed from the climatic requirements of H.axyridis.This difference is mainly explained by precipitation of the wettest month,isothermality,and the minimum temperature of the coldest month.We concluded that the climatic conditions of the Azores could have influenced the establishment and spread of H.axyridis on these islands from Europe.Our results showed that abiotic resistance represented by the climate of the potentially colonizable zones could hinder the establishment of invasive insects,but it could vary depending of the origin of the colonizing population.