Describing the natural history of endemic and endangered species is useful for developing effective conservation plans. Two important pieces of the natural history are the timing of reproduction and morphometrics. In this study, we estimate the reproductive season of Antioquia Brushfinch (Atlapetes blancae) based on a large database of observations and captures. We also provide the most extensive morphometric data base of males, females and subadult individuals for this species. Taking advantage of ecological modelling techniques, we estimated that the reproductive season of A. blancae most likely spans from February through late July with peak reproductive activity during early July. The reproductive activity is influenced by day length and precipitation. We also found that subadults are smaller than adults and females are smaller than males providing evidence for both, age and sexual size dimorphism. This study is the first attempt to provide important missing information about A. blancae that could help with understanding of population viability.

White sharks undergo pronounced ecological and dietary shifts across ontogeny, and their teeth play a central role in mediating these changes. Understanding fine-scale tooth morphology can provide insights into how feeding strategies and, hence, dietary niches and ecological function evolve with age and size. These morphological changes underpin ontogenetic niche shifts, revealing how functional adaptations in dentition enable white sharks to exploit different prey resources throughout development. This study provides novel insights into the ontogenetic and positional variation in C. carcharias dentition, integrating both Elliptic Fourier Analysis (EFA) and traditional morphometric approaches. We reveal significant patterns of tooth morphology that vary with jaw position and ontogenetic stage, reflecting functional adaptations to changing dietary and biomechanical demands. A key ontogenetic shift was identified as teeth transitioned from narrow, cuspidate forms with accessory cusplets in juveniles to broader, serrated teeth in larger individuals. We found no significant differences in tooth morphology between sexes, aligning with known similarities in diet and body shape in the eastern Australian white shark population. Significant anterior-to-posterior variation in tooth form was observed within the jaw, with lateral teeth becoming more compressed and recurved, suggesting functional transitions in prey handling throughout the jaw. Additionally, we documented structural changes in jaw morphology at approximately 210 cm PCL, corresponding to broader teeth and increased bite capacity. These shifts likely reflect developmental milestones in feeding capability, supporting the transition from a solely piscivorous diet to the inclusion of marine mammal prey.

Globally, large carnivores face significant threats and have lost substantial portions of their historical range. Among these, the family Hyaenidae is one of the most threatened groups of carnivores. The Brown Hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea), one of four hyaena species, has a global population estimated at fewer than 10,000 individuals and the species is of conservation concern. Its population size in Mozambique remains unknown. Zinave National Park (Zinave) in Mozambique is undergoing recovery following the impacts of a prolonged civil war, which severely depleted its wildlife populations. Recently, however, the park has seen the return of large carnivores, both naturally (Spotted Hyaena; Crocuta crocuta, Leopard; Panthera pardus, and Lion; Panthera leo) and reintroduced (Spotted Hyaena and Leopard) inside the sanctuary. During September 2023 to September 2024, through the establishment of a permanent camera trap grid and the periodic placement of camera traps on carcasses to monitor scavenger activity, the first images of Brown Hyaenas were recorded in Zinave. This provides evidence of their presence in an area not previously considered within the species extant range. This study highlights the importance of long-term biodiversity monitoring, both inside and outside protected areas, using complementary methods such as active search efforts and camera trapping. These approaches are critical for documenting rare and cryptic species, species range shifts and generating essential data to guide effective conservation strategies.

Anaplecta omei is the only species of Anaplecta widely distributed in southern China. However, previous studies have failed to elucidate the factors underlying its distribution pattern. This study aims to clarify the genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary history of A. omei, and explores the events that have influenced its differentiation and distribution patterns. We analyzed 97 complete mitochondrial sequences from 24 geographic populations of A. omei and conducted phylogenetic reconstruction, genetic diversity assessment, and population structure analysis. Additionally, we performed a selection test and estimated divergence times. Demographic history was examined using neutrality tests, mismatched distribution analysis and Bayesian Skyline Plot (BSP) analysis. Our results reveal that geographic populations of A. omei exhibit high haplotype diversity, low nucleotide diversity and a clear phylogeographic structure forming four distinct lineages. The selection tests suggested that the isolation of A. omei was driven by physical barriers, rather than adaptive divergence. By integrating divergence time estimates with demographic history analyses, we demonstrated that tectonic uplift, glacial climate oscillations, and local environmental complexity have collectively shaped the speciation and distribution of A. omei. These findings provide novel insights into the process of speciation and distribution within Blattodea.

Abstract: Aim: This study explored the drivers of seasonal African elephant (Loxodonta africana) habitat use in small, enclosed conservation areas with limited space and no migration corridors. It also examined how these habitat-use dynamics influence management strategies, human–wildlife conflict mitigation, and long-term sustainability of elephant populations in isolated protected areas. Location: The study was conducted in Mwea National Reserve, a 44 km² fenced protected area in Kenya. Methods: Elephant distribution was assessed using indirect signs of presence. A total of 96 straight-line dung transects (250 m each) and 350 m reconnaissance walks were conducted across the reserve to document dung occurrence. Seasonal distribution was modeled using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) employing five environmental predictors. We hypothesized that (i) water and forage availability would be the primary determinants of dry-season habitat use, and (ii) landscape variables would be more influential in the wet season when water and forage are less limiting. Results: MaxEnt models performed moderately well, with AUC values of 0.714 (dry season) and 0.664 (wet season). In the dry season, the most influential predictors were the presence of invasive plant species (28.9%), proximity to permanent rivers (26.9%), and elevation (26.5%). In the wet season, distance to the reserve boundary was the strongest predictor (38.9%). The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) maintained a relatively stable influence across seasons (16.2% dry, 20.1% wet). Conclusions: Seasonal shifts in elephant habitat-use underscore the need for targeted management while control of invasive species in dry-season grazing areas would enhance forage availability. Furthermore, maintaining fence integrity in the wet season is essential tool for reducing elephant range expansion and mitigating human–wildlife conflict. These findings provide spatially explicit insights for managing elephant populations in small, enclosed conservation areas particularly in savanna ecosystems.

The subtropical rainforests of eastern Australia are expected to be greatly affected by climate change with several studies predicting an upward shift in elevational distribution for many groups of fauna and flora. Freshwater streams have so far been neglected by most studies involving elevation, climate change and subtropical rainforest. This study is the first to explore changes in macroinvertebrates across an elevational gradient within sub-tropical streams to determine the effect of elevation. The study focussed on Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera (ET) and identified indicator species with the potential to be used for future monitoring of climate change. Stream macroinvertebrates and environmental data was collected from pools, riffles and runs at 13 sites across three subtropical streams that spanned an elevation gradient from 300m to 1100m a.s.l. Water temperature, substrate composition, stream width and riparian canopy cover were the most notable environmental changes observed across the gradient. Trichopteran species richness was negatively correlated with elevation, however ephemeropteran species richness did not respond to elevation. Water temperature, canopy cover, stream width and substrate composition explained the highest variation in ET assemblages across the gradient, with ET assemblages separating into distinct “low” (300m – 500m a.s.l) and “high” (700 – 900m a.s.l) assemblages; the 1100m elevational zone was distinct with an observed sharp decline in species richness. Elevation, along with reach scale environmental factors, are influential in structuring ET assemblages in subtropical rainforest streams with specific ET taxa having the potential to be useful indicators of climate change in these systems.

Understanding patterns and mechanisms underlying local adaptation is becoming increasingly important for species conservation amid anthropogenically driven environmental change. Alpine systems are experiencing particularly intense pressure from environmental change resulting from increased rates of warming and corresponding loss of snow and ice. We integrate morphological and genetic analyses to identify traits important for local adaptation in one of the highest elevation breeding birds in North America, the Sierra Nevada Gray-crowned Rosy Finch. We performed an in-depth analysis of how traits with known links to thermoregulation in birds such as wing length, bill size, and feather microstructure vary between two populations at sites with contrasting climate and environmental conditions. We identified loci underlying these traits using a genome-wide association study and further examined regions of the genome related to altitude adaptation and cold tolerance using F ST outlier tests. Together, these results indicate that temperature, food availability, and alpine landscape features may impose multifaceted and potentially conflicting selective pressures on morphological traits important to adaptation in alpine birds. Overall, this work represents one of the first in-depth analyses of the genetic basis of adaptation in an alpine specialist songbird.

The crucial role of coastal wetlands supporting diverse terrestrial wildlife is often asserted but has not been demonstrated in broad-scale field evaluations; a comprehensive assessment of wildlife use of these vital habitats is therefore needed. Our goal was to conduct the first coordinated assessment of terrestrial wildlife across North America’s vegetated coastal wetlands. We elucidated spatial patterns related to geographic and habitat differences and temporal patterns of wildlife diversity and abundance. Using camera traps deployed with a consistent methodology across 22 National Estuarine Research Reserves and 7 additional sites in North America, we documented 146 species (104 birds, 36 mammals, 6 herpetofauna) utilizing wetlands for foraging, resting, and as nursery habitat. Most species were native, though non-native species dominated island sites. Wetlands with greater habitat heterogeneity attracted distinctive wildlife assemblages, as did wetland-upland ecotones. Many species, particularly mammals, used wetlands almost exclusively at night, and wildlife abundance was low when wetlands were flooded. Our findings demonstrate the significant role coastal wetlands play in wildlife support, a service that may decline with accelerating sea-level rise. This coordinated approach offers a model for broad-scale wildlife studies and highlights the importance of incorporating top-down perspectives and a landscape approach into coastal conservation planning.

Sexual dimorphism in lizards arises from the dynamic interplay between natural and sexual selection, manifesting in divergent morphological, chromatic, and functional traits across taxa. This study investigated the extent and structure of sexual dimorphism in the mountain dragon (Diploderma vela), a protected species endemic to the arid river valleys of the upper Lancang River basin in southwestern China. A total of 94 individuals were assessed for nine morphological parameters, maximum bite force capacity, and body coloration across 15 anatomical regions. Results revealed pronounced male-biased dimorphism was present in this lizard, with males exhibiting larger head dimensions, elongated limbs and tails, and stronger bite force capacity than females, consistent with patterns driven by intrasexual selection. Marked sexual dichromatism was observed in the throat, lateral body surfaces, and dorsal markings (both light and dark). Bite force scaled positively with head dimensions but exhibited distinct sex-specific predictors, revealing divergent selective trajectories. In males, bite capacity was most significantly associated with head width, whereas in females, head length emerged as the primary determinant. This sexually differentiated architecture underscores the complex interplay between sexual and natural selection in shaping functional traits. These findings offer a mechanistic framework for understanding trait evolution in D. vela and provide a critical empirical foundation for conservation strategies tailored to the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of this restricted-range species.

Understanding the foraging ecology of endangered marine mammals is crucial for their conservation yet remains challenging due to the inaccessibility of their feeding habitats. Here, we used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding with two complementary 12S rRNA markers to characterize potential prey communities available to the critically endangered Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei) in its core habitat in the northeastern Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). Water samples collected at 21 stations during a 2019 survey detected 99 unique fish species across 62 families, exceeding the diversity recorded by concurrent trawl surveys. To support these analyses, existing reference databases were expanded by sequencing the 12S rRNA gene from 15 regional fish species, using new primers developed for this study. The combined metabarcoding approach revealed 74 fish species not recorded in trawls, while 16 trawl-caught species went undetected by eDNA. Notably, eDNA yielded higher detection rates for several potential prey taxa previously identified through stable isotope analysis and trawl surveys, resulting in an updated list of top potential prey. These findings suggest that key prey species may be more prevalent in Rice’s whale habitat than previously documented. Our study demonstrates the value of eDNA as a complementary tool for monitoring the prey community of this critically endangered cetacean, while highlighting the need for continued development of reference databases to maximize the ecological insights gained from marine metabarcoding applications.

Growth and immune development—fundamental parts of any organism’s ontogeny—depend critically on nutrient availability, particularly on essential amino acids that support protein synthesis and physiological processes. However, environmental variation can reduce prey diversity and nutrient quality, producing suboptimal diets that lack essential amino acids, potentially constraining development. In this study, we experimentally supplemented great tit (Parus major) nestlings from forest and suburban environments with methionine, leucine, or tap water (control) from day 4 to day 7 post-hatching and investigated the effects on growth and immune function across each habitat. We assessed nestling’s growth using body mass, tarsus length, and wing length, and immune function by quantifying complement activity (measured as lysis) and natural antibody titers (measured as agglutination). Supplementation significantly increased body mass gain in forest nestlings, particularly in smaller individuals, suggesting enhanced protein synthesis efficiency, although its effects on tarsus and wing length were limited. Methionine significantly improved lysis activity, suggesting enhanced innate immune function, while agglutination was not notably affected. Suburban nestlings showed limited responses to supplementation, suggesting broader nutritional constraints beyond individual amino acid deficiencies. Habitat and initial body mass significantly influenced growth rate but their effects depended on the treatment. These findings highlight the complex, condition-dependent effects of amino acid supplementation on nestling development and emphasize the importance of considering habitat-specific nutritional limitations when assessing avian developmental plasticity.

Multi-use landscapes are now recognized for their value in supporting biodiversity and aiding species conservation, including charismatic megafauna. However, arid and semi-arid open-canopy human-use landscapes have faced multiple anthropogenic stressors over the past centuries and have received meagre conservation attention, especially in South and Southeast Asia. Colonial legacy of attributing open natural ecosystems (ONEs) as “degraded lands” and resultant policy interventions have irreversibly transformed these ecosystems for agriculture, infrastructure development and green energy initiatives. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that such ecosystems, even with low-intensity use, can provide habitats for globally threatened species and support their conservation. India, a country with megafauna inhabiting human-use areas, growing economic and climate aspirations and a colonial past, provides a model for understanding the role of arid and semi-arid multi-use landscapes in supporting populations of large-bodied wildlife. Using key informant interviews with pastoralists and single-season single-species occupancy modelling framework, we explored distribution of three species: striped hyena Hyaena hyaena, sloth bear Melursus ursinus, and blackbuck Antilope cervicapra in an agro-pastoral semi-arid landscape in India’s Deccan Peninsula. Hyena, sloth bear and blackbuck occupied 52%, 26% and 63% of the landscape, respectively, despite the absence of protected areas. Conservative estimates also suggest that Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) was present in at least 76% of the landscape. ONEs favoured occupancy of hyena and sloth bear, while low-intensity agriculture supported blackbuck presence. Our results highlight the conservation potential of multi-use landscapes and challenge the prevailing narrative of mischaracterizing semi-arid open ecosystems as “wastelands”. We also demonstrate the value of incorporating indigenous knowledge to aid conservation research and practices. Under global change scenarios, misclassification and mismanagement of critical socio-ecological systems, such as ONEs of Deccan Peninsula, will not only directly threaten the populations of endangered species but also weaken the land sharing potential of regions.

Stable isotope analysis is a widely used to quantify the flow of energy, nutrients, and biomass through aquatic food webs, where values of carbon (13C) and nitrogen (15N) have been used to estimate littoral carbon use (LCU) and trophic position (TP) in lentic ecosystems, respectively. Standardizing stable isotope values with these metrics allows for comparison across different systems and time scales; however, several equations to quantify LCU and TP have been introduced with little guidance on the bias and limitations of each equation, or how and when different equations should be used. Here, we provide recommendations on the appropriate use of LCU and TP equations in freshwater ecosystems based on our analysis of case studies using five fish species common to the study lakes. We address three common challenges of ecosystem variability, namely (1) temporal, (2) spatial, and (3) differing rates of tissue turnover between study and baseline organisms. We begin with a relatively simple case study (Parry Sound) then explored challenges around spatial (Lake Erie) and temporal (Canoe Lake) variation, and the use of multiple fish tissue types (Canoe Lake). We found LCU and TP estimates to be highly variable and dependent on the equation used. High percentages of individual fish exhibited unrealistic LCU values, and the equation of LCU used had a large effect on calculated TP values. We found relative littoral carbon use (LCUR) produces the most consistent TP estimate, avoiding extreme values while reflecting the natural variability of the system. We propose a framework for calculating LCU and TP, allowing researchers to produce the least amount of bias relative to the known feeding ecology of study species while making estimates comparable across systems. Based on our case studies, we have developed a decision tree to guide researchers in estimating LCU and TP in freshwater ecosystems.

Emerging infectious diseases, driven by increasing interactions among humans, wildlife, and livestock pose an escalating threat to global health, biodiversity, and economies. As a flagship endangered species, the giant panda plays a pivotal role in biodiversity conservation in China. This review synthesizes current knowledge on pathogens threatening giant panda health, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites alongside their potential transmission pathways within nature reserves. We emphasize the roles of domesticated animals, sympatric wildlife, and ectoparasites as reservoir hosts or vectors. Special focus is placed on cross-species transmission dynamics and the critical need for integrated monitoring systems utilizing metagenomics and viromics. We propose a framework for establishing early warning systems and surveillance networks at the domestic-wild animal interface to enhance pathogen detection, disease prevention, and biodiversity conservation.

Understanding the impact of ecological factors on biodiversity is central in the context of accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss. Urban areas, as landscapes under particularly strong anthropogenic influence, are undergoing rapid ecological change, yet the consequences for urban biodiversity and ecosystem functioning remain poorly understood. In this study, we focused on fruit flies of the genus Drosophila - a diverse group of dipterans with variable ecological niches and degrees of synanthropy - to investigate species composition and community ecology in the metropolitan area of Vienna, Austria. With the help of numerous citizen scientists, we have collected approximately 18,000 specimens through dense spatio-temporal sampling both indoors and outdoors of human dwellings. A total of 13 Drosophila species were identified, with communities dominated by widespread cosmopolitan synanthropic species. Among these, D. mercatorum and D. virilis represent novel records for Austria. Comparisons to a previous study from more than 30 years ago revealed that the species richness in Vienna was more than 50% lower than before and showed that formerly common species were potentially replaced by neobiots. We further assessed ecological niches by intersecting species abundance data with high-dimensional, high-resolution earth observation datasets, which revealed distinct ecological preferences among species. In particular, the neozoan D. mercatorum emerged as a highly synanthropic species, tightly confined to urban areas with high levels of imperviousness. In summary, our study underpins the versatility of the Drosophila system as indicators of biodiversity loss in a rapidly changing world.

Male alternative reproductive tactics are taxonomically widespread, with many species showing males with distinctly different phenotypic characters such as body size or weaponry. Several mechanisms can drive the expression of these male morphs, including genetic polymorphism or environmental interactions during development. In insects, multiple male morphs are common in several Orders, including Coleoptera, Odonata and Hymenoptera, but are rare in Orthoptera. This study establishes the presence of two male phenotypic morphs in the bush cricket Satizabalus jorgevargasi, a species in which the males display mandibular weaponry, and tests the effects of diet on the expression of male dimorphic characters. Male nymphs were raised under standard conditions until adulthood whereupon morphological measurements were taken. Males raised under standard conditions showed two male phenotypes based on head size and body colouration -- a major morph with larger heads and more colouration and a smaller and duller minor morph. A second group of male nymphs were housed individually and fed either a high protein diet or a high carbohydrate diet. Body weight and pronotum length were measured on a weekly basis as the nymphs developed, and once the males had matured, morphological and bioacoustics characters were measured. Diet had a significant impact on these male dimorphic characters with protein fed males having significantly larger heads, mandibles, and brighter colouration. Our data parallels that seen in other invertebrate groups, where higher levels of protein during maturation being key to the production of larger male morphs.

Abstract: This study aimed to elucidate the intra- and inter-population genetic variation of Pastor roseus in Xinjiang, China. Sequences of the mitochondrial genes COI and Cytb of 108 individuals from 10 distinct geographical populations across four regions of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region were analyzed. The mitochondrial genes were 1551 bp and 1143 bp in full length, respectively, and the AT content of bases was greater than the GC content. Based on the molecular variation in COI and Cytb, 62 and 69 haplotypes were detected, respectively; the average haplotype diversity (Hd) values were 0.976±0.006 and 0.944±0.018, respectively, and the nucleotide diversity (π) values were 0.00316±0.00016 and 0.00292±0.00021, respectively, indicating that there was high genetic diversity among the 10 population. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the major source of genetic variation was within the populations. Analysis of molecular signatures of neutrality indicated that Tajima’s D value was not significant, but Fu’s FS was significant, suggesting that P. roseus populations have recently experienced a large population expansion, but that the populations are currently relatively stable and the selection pressure is low. The results of the study not only provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of P. roseus, but also help to utilize this species in the comprehensive management of grassland locusts.

The legume tribe Caraganeae, consisting of the genus Caragana, Calophaca, and Halimodendron, is a mid-sized, shrubby clade mainly found in temperate Central and Eastern Asia. Within this tribe, Caragana is the largest genus comprising 63–74 species, and it is recognized for its taxonomic complexity. However, the phylogenetic framework of Caraganeae and the infrageneric delimitations in Caragana remain inadequately resolved. In this study, fifty-four species of Caraganeae were sampled, including 51 Caragana species representing all sections in previous taxonomical treatments. By using the genome skimming approach, we reconstructed the phylogenetic framework, inferred the infrageneric delimitations, and explored the historical diversification of the tribe. Our results demonstrated that Caraganeae is monophyletic, yet significant conflicts between the complete chloroplast genome and nuclear ribosomal DNA datasets were observed at both deep and shallow nodes. Within Caraganeae, the cp genome tree resolved nine highly supported lineages, with Calophaca and Halimodendron nested within Caragana. Molecular dating estimates suggest that Caraganeae originated during the Oligocene (stem age, 27.47 Ma, 95% HPD: 16.48–38.44 Ma), and diversified during the mid-Miocene (crown age, 16.79 Ma, 95% HPD: 7–30.13 Ma). These findings provide important insights for clarifying the phylogenetic relationships in Caraganeae. The observed cytonuclear discordance may result from hybridization and/or incomplete lineage sorting. Furthermore, climatic and geological changes since the Eocene-Oligocene Transition—including global cooling, progressive aridity, and the rapid uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau—likely played essential roles in driving radiative diversification of Caraganeae.