- Topic:Biodiversity
Identification and characterization of a new family of long satellite DNA, specific of true toads (Anura, Amphibia, Bufonidae)
This newly discovered family of satellite DNAs is present in 15 examined species of amphibians of the systematic family of True toads (Bufonidae). It is formed by monomers of 807 bp, organized in tandem arrays, and has an AT-content of 57.4 Percent.
Equilibrated evolution of the mixed auto-/allopolyploid haplotype-resolved genome of the invasive hexaploid Prussian carp
The Prussian carp or Gibel carp is considered one of the most successful invasive fish species in Europe. Its ability to reproduce asexually gives it a major advantage over competing fish. The authors have for the first time described the complete genome of the Prussian carp.This also provides a much better understanding of its unusual reproductive method and to improve its management.
The rising moon promotes mate finding in moths
The authors have shown for the first time that the moon plays a key role in the reproductive behaviour of male moths: when the moon rises on the horizon, they find females better and faster. Fortunately, they are not bothered by low levels of light pollution.
Antarctic glacial meltwater impacts the diversity of fungal parasites associated with benthic diatoms in shallow coastal zones
First study on the fungal diversity in Antarctic benthic habitats along a salinity gradient to determine the co-occurrence of fungal parasites with their algal hosts dominated by benthic diatoms. Ascomycota and Chytridiomycota are the most abundant fungal taxa. Salinity shapes the fungal and the whole eukaryotic community composition, whereby fungal diversity increases with decreasing salinity.
Societal extinction of species
When the last individual dies, species not only disappear from our planet. They also disappear from our collective memory, from our cultures and discourses. Researchers have now studied the process.
Incongruent latitudinal patterns of taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity reveal different drivers of caddisfly community assembly across spatial scales
The authors explored the contributions of local vs regional processes and historical vs contemporary factors in establishing macroecological patterns, by assessing the distribution of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of caddisfly across the latitudinal gradient in Europe. This shows the importance of regional environmental filtering and the origin of northern communities.
A global agenda for advancing freshwater biodiversity research
Researchers from 90 scientific institutions worldwide have stated that freshwater biodiversity research and conservation lag far behind the efforts in terrestrial and marine environments. They propose a research agenda with 15 priorities aimed at improving research on biodiversity in lakes, rivers, ponds and wetlands. This is urgently needed as the loss of biodiversity there is dramatic.
Experimentally decomposing phytoplankton community change into ecological and evolutionary contributions
The authors experimentally quantified ecological and evolutionary contributions to total phytoplankton community change in response to elevated CO2 concentrations. They show a novel experimental approach to study ecological and evolutionary contributions to community features, and observed a decline in phytoplankton abundance to elevated CO2 that could be mainly explained by ecological changes.
Setting robust biodiversity goals
The new global biodiversity framework (GBF) must drive action to reverse the decline of biodiversity. However, the draft goals and targets fail to set out these clear outcomes. The authors propose modifications that would help to reveal the specific contribution of each action and provide clarity on whether the achievement of action targets would be adequate to achieve the outcome goals.
Local disconnects in global discourses: the unintended consequences of marine mammal protection on small-scale fishers
Efforts to protect sea lions along South America's west coast have contributed to species recovery, but also to conflict between sea lions and small-scale fisheries. To understand the concerns, the authors assessed how 301 coastal small-scale fishers perceive their interactions with the sea lions. They propose solutions to manage conflict that are sensitive to heterogeneity among fisher groups.