Plants have developed defence mechanisms against herbivory, including stinging trichomes. Unlike smaller trichomes, which deter insects, the larger, biomineralized, stinging trichomes in Urticaceae defend plants from mammals. The trichome tip breaks off, pierces the skin, and injects irritants, causing an immediate sensation of pain. The herbivore will cease consuming the plant. Some herbivores process and consume nettles. Volcanoes National Park (VNP) in Rwanda provides habitat for several large folivores, including the endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). VNP mountain gorillas feed on stinging nettle species, including Laportea alatipes, Urtica massaica, and Girardinia bullosa. We investigated the link between the importance (proportion) of these stinging nettles in the diet of gorilla groups ranging in the southwest of VNP and their level of defence through assessing trichome density, length, and glandular base length from each plant organ of 15 specimens per nettle species, which were photographed with a scale ruler under a digital microscope. We also videotaped 14 mountain gorillas consuming L. alatipes to examine adapted feeding techniques to cope with stinging trichomes. We found that L. alatipes, which is consumed most frequently from the three study nettles, had a significantly higher stinging trichome density compared to U. massaica and G. bullosa. However, the length of stinging trichomes and glandular bases containing irritating secrets were significantly smaller in L. alatipes and U. massaica than in G. bullosa, from which gorillas almost exclusively avoid consuming above-ground organs covered with long trichomes. This suggests that larger stinging trichomes and secretory glandular bases offer a more effective defence against mountain gorillas than increased trichome density. The trichome density of L. alatipes tended to be higher on top leaves and stem sections, which are consumed by gorillas more frequently compared to lower parts. Plants have evolved in an intricate way to adapt to herbivores’ attack.

The spread of non-native species continues to increase around the globe, making it important we understand the dynamics of the resulting communities in which non-natives comprise a high percentage of the total fauna. As non-native species continue to invade, the resulting community may become saturated, at which point limited resources would prevent colonization by new non-native species and native or already established species might decline. As the global hotspot for non-native reptiles and amphibians, South Florida’s herpetofaunal community has a higher probability of having reached the saturation point than any other comparable system. Surveys conducted in Miami-Dade County in 2017 demonstrated that non-native species already dominated both native and non-native habitat types and provided a baseline to examine dynamic changes such as signatures of community saturation or negative impacts on native species. In 2022, we replicated the surveys from 2017 at the same 30 sites. We found that non-native richness and abundance have increased significantly (19% and 33% increase in overall alpha diversity and abundance, respectively), showing no signs of community saturation. We also found no correlation between these non-native increases and decreases in either native species richness or abundance. Non-native species richness increased more rapidly at sites dominated by non-native habitats, with two rock-loving species, Agama picticauda and Leiocephalus carinatus, standing out as the most rapidly spreading non-native herpetofauna. Our findings demonstrate that open niche space allows the continued expansion of non-native herpetofaunal populations even in the highly invaded community of Miami-Dade County, and that protection of native habitat may help slow the spread of non-native species.

Mycophagy (fungi consumption) is an important animal-ecosystem interaction, and provides important nutrients for numerous mammalian taxa, such as primates. Although mushroom consumption is a widespread behaviour in about a quarter of all known primate species, surprisingly little is known about their use of mushrooms as either a staple or fallback food, and the relationship between mushroom availability and consumption. We used four years (2019-2023) of direct observational data on mushroom consumption in the diet of three sympatric primate species (Chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii; Yellow baboon, Papio cynocephalus; Red-tailed monkey, Cercopithecus ascanius) in a mosaic woodland habitat in the Issa valley, western Tanzania to address these gaps. We analysed mushroom consumption patterns and assessed mushroom availability from line transects for a period of 15 months (Oct 2022 – Dec 2023). Our findings show that mushrooms were an important dietary component for all three species when availability was high in the early-mid wet season (chimpanzees – 3 %, baboons – 22 %, and red-tailed monkeys – 3 %), while baboons also continued to consume mushrooms (>10 % of their diet) even when availability was low later in the year. We conclude that mushrooms serve as a fallback resource for Issa chimpanzees and red-tailed monkeys, while they represent a preferred food for Issa baboons. We contextualise mushroom consumption as a potential strategy of niche partitioning to reduce inter-specific feeding competition as well as underscore the importance of mycophagy and its role in primate dietary ecology and human evolution.

Olfaction is a rapidly evolving sense. Given its diverse functions, from finding ecological niches to selection of mates, we hypothesized that olfaction is subjected to divergent evolutionary pressures. We compared the olfactory sensitivity of five species of Tephritidae fruit flies to two broad classes of volatiles: general niche-related volatiles (food and fruit odors) and volatiles used in sexual communication (pheromones and ‘parapheromones’). We then analysed whether the differential sensitivities across species harbor ‘signals’ of such contrasting evolutionary pressures. As recent studies highlight the maxillary palps as key auxiliary olfactory organs for detecting both classes of volatiles, we focussed our sensory analysis on this auxiliary olfactory organ. Using gas chromatography coupled to electropalpographic detection (GC-EPD), we recorded sensory responses from five species with a diverse phylogenetic and ecological separation. Besides, considerable overlap in detection was observed across taxa, the maxillary palp exhibited sex and clade-specific divergence in sensitivity to pheromones and parapheromones. Cluster analysis of sensitivities to (para)pheromones aligned strongly with the species’ phylogeny. In contrast, cluster analysis of sensitivities to general food and fruit odors strongly followed ecology rather than phylogeny. Clearly, the selection pressures that shape the evolutionary direction of olfactory sensitivity to (para)pheromones and niche-related odors are diametrical opposites, reminiscent of stabilizing versus directional selection. Understanding the detection and evolution of distinct volatile classes provides valuable insights into evolutionary-ecology of olfaction, studies on olfactory receptors, and sensory and preference coding, and supports the rational development of novel lures to manage these pest insects.

Mast seeding, the variable and intermittent production of seeds, has cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. This study explores its influence on the brown bear populations in the Italian Alps, focusing on beechnuts (Fagus sylvatica L.), the primary food source for bears in the region. Using historical data and field sampling we estimated and mapped the annual seed biomass from 2007 to 2021 for the province of Trento. The energy content of beechnuts was assessed through high heating values (HHV), providing the caloric resources available. Data on beechnuts production, records of damages and GPS data from 16 Eurasian brown bears, were integrated to perform a temporal and spatial analysis at home range and at landscape level. Standardised damages to beehive and livestock decreased during mast years, suggesting that bears met their trophic needs through natural food sources. In fact, bears used more agricultural areas and less beech forest during years of crop failure then in mast years. At landscape level, agriculture and pasture areas, close to beech forests and distant from cities showed higher risk of damage providing a tool to anticipate management actions.. This work provides insights on the ecological dynamics and conservation implications of brown bear in the study area by mapping the spatial and temporal aspects of mast seeding and bear related damages.

The African lion ( Panthera leoLinnaeus, 1758) has evolved complex associations in which individuals’ survival is an interplay of cooperation among pride members. Although feeding behaviors of African lions are widely known, our understanding on how each age/sex class affect per capita intake of other individual members in a pride remains unclear. This study used long-term population monitoring data collected from 2003-2022 to assess how feeding group composition affects food per capita intakes of lion cubs, subadults, adult males and adult females. The results indicate that cub per capita food intake was reduced by increased numbers of cubs and subadults. For subadults, the per capita intake was reduced as the number of cubs, subadults and adult females increased. However, subadults increased their per capita intake rates when feeding together with both cubs and adult females. Adult females also showed competitive interactions when feeding at carcasses with cubs, subadults and fellow adult females. Nevertheless, the adult female per capita intake was increased when more females feed with cubs or subadults and when feeding in combination with cubs and adult males. For adult male lions, only increased numbers of adult females led to a reduced per capita intake at carcasses, reflecting competition. These varied effects on per capita food intake suggest how age and sex-based composition of feeding groups play a role in foraging success of the African lions and how food availability may influence the demographic composition of prides. Our findings emphasize the necessity of maintaining healthy prey populations to promote conservation of the few remaining African lion populations and ecosystems.

Chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a fungal disease only fatal to some amphibian species. Among the vulnerable species is the Nectophrynoides asperginis, endemic to the Kihansi Gorge spray wetlands in Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains. By 2009, chytridiomycosis had driven N. asperginis to extinction in the wild, though it survives in captivity. Reintroduction efforts have faced difficulties, underlining the importance of understanding Bd’s prevalence in the wild to guide re-introduction programs. We assessed Bd’s presence 20 years after its initial detection in Tanzania and determined whether it was responsible for the 98% mortality of 1000 captive-bred N. asperginis released in Feb 2022. In December 2022, time-constrained surveys were conducted across three spray wetlands covering N. asperginis habitats. Amphibians were skin-swabbed following a protocol developed by the University of California, resulting in two sets of 44 samples from seven species. These samples were analyzed for Bd presence using conventional and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, followed by nucleotide sequencing of PCR products. Bd was detected in 32% of samples, affecting four species: Arthroleptides yakusini (14%), N. asperginis (9%), Ptychadena anchietae (7%) and Hyperolius substriatus (2%). Whereas N. asperginis was severely affected, the other species were healthy carriers. Bd-CAPE was confirmed as the cause of the mass deaths of the released toads. The continuing presence of Bd-CAPE in the spray wetlands remains a barrier to the successful re-introduction of N. asperginis, necessitating further experimentation to develop strategies for coexistence.

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) dietary acquisition is beneficial for survival, reproduction, and brain development in many vertebrates including fishes, positively affecting their cognitive abilities. However, how n-3 LC-PUFA impact fish behaviour, and cognition in natural habitats remains unclear. Populations and individuals of the same species often vary in their capacities to synthesize n-3 LC-PUFA. This may affect their sensitivity to dietary intake of these nutrients and, in turn, their cognitive traits and ecological performance. Here, we tested how dietary n-3 LC-PUFA affects behavioural and cognitive traits of brown trout Salmo trutta from two lacustrine and three riverine populations. We combined laboratory behavioural tests with experiments in semi-natural stream mesocosms to see how trout can acquire resources in natural environment (i.e., prey size and taxonomic composition in their stomach contents). Trout raised on a high n-3 LC-PUFA diet showed less bold behavioural types and better cognitive performance in laboratory tests, and capacity to capture and consume larger prey in the stream mesocosm. Additionally, we observed inter-population differences in behaviour and cognition, although these differences were independent from whether fish were from lakes or river.

1. The composition, dynamics and health of forest tree communities are governed by interactions with the abiotic and biotic environment. Fungi are critical biotic interactors that play and increasingly appreciated role in forest tree health particularly with respect to mycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi. Heart rot fungi, while known infect large fractions of the individuals in managed stands, have been considerably understudied in tree community ecology. Heart rot has been predicted to form hotspots in the forest due to crown or bole damage and/or soil moisture gradients and is expected to vary across species due to life history differences. 2. To address this knowledge gap, we quantified heart rot the incidence, magnitude and spatial distribution of heart rot in 328 individuals with diameters greater than or equal to 10 cm across the six most dominant tree species in a mixed broadleaf temperate forest dynamics plot. 3. The results show that 71% of individuals display some degree of heart rot in this natural community. The incidence of heart rot does not significantly vary across species despite their life history strategy differences, but one species had significantly more heart rot in infected individuals. Lastly, heart rot was spatially clustered across species, but heart rot incidence and magnitude were not related to soil moisture indicating the importance of crown and bole breakage likely promoted by severe weather. Summary The present study conducted the first spatially explicit study of heart rot incidence and magnitude in a natural forest tree community. We demonstrate that over two thirds of every large tree in the forest studied have some degree of heart rote indicating their widespread, but underappreciated, role in tree communities. We demonstrate that heart rot is non-randomly distributed in this community and that spatial clustering of heart rot in forests is most likely due hotspots of individual tree damage and not gradients in soil moisture.

Rewiring the vehicle: Trypanosoma cruzi parasites alter the antennae of their triatomine hosts

Host heterogeneity in disease transmission is commonly seen across host-pathogen systems and identifying individuals who contribute disproportionately to pathogen transmission (i.e. superspreaders) is key to understanding disease dynamics and managing outbreaks. It is often assumed that shedding intensity is directly proportional to infection intensity. However, theory predicts that co-infection might modulate the relationship between infection intensity and shedding, promoting increased onward transmission. Here we quantify the relative importance of infection intensity and co-infection on shedding in Heterakis gallinarum, a gastrointestinal helminth of gamebirds. We found that infection intensity was a poor predictor of shedding intensity. Instead, increased shedding was linked to co-infections with other endoparasites. Our results show that shedding intensity is not simply explained by infection intensity, but rather is the result of complex host-parasite and parasite-parasite interactions. This highlights the importance of considering such interactions in understanding disease emergence and persistence in natural populations.

Ecosystems within cities can contribute significantly to preserving local biodiversity in the face of urban sprawl, but they face significant threats from anthropogenetic activities and the introduction of alien invasive species (AIS). A comprehensive management plan is required to adequately preserve the biodiversity harboured by urban ecosystems. However, ecological information needed to establish, implement and monitor such plans is often incomplete. In this study, we assessed the application of eDNA metabarcoding in surveying plant biodiversity in an aquatic habitat by collecting water samples at five sites in an urban dam in the City of Johannesburg. Out of 178 reconstructed OTUs, only 43 could be assigned to species level (including four AIS). The remaining OTUs could not be identified below the genus level, indicating that no DNA barcodes have yet been generated for the putative species in question. The spatial distribution of plant diversity across the surveyed dam was heterogeneous. Although this study provides a good overview of plant community structure, it also revealed a gap in the taxonomic coverage of South African plants on public DNA databases. This emphasises the need for increased national barcoding efforts to expand current reference sequence databases.

Biologists are increasingly interested in the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence microbial communities. Yet compared to bacterial communities, our understanding of viral community ecology remains limited. Here, we investigated the factors influencing viral community composition and structure among wild rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in human-modified environments in Bangladesh, focusing on assemblages of picobirnaviruses (PbVs) as a model system. We found that anthropogenic factors—particularly human and livestock densities—were the strongest predictors of viral community composition. Host social structure played a secondary role, shaping viral communities at the group and site levels. Virus-virus associations influenced co-occurrence patterns primarily within individual hosts but their effect became less evident at broader scales. In contrast, individual host traits (age, sex, and physiological stress) and viral phylogenetic relationships had minimal effects on viral co-occurrence. Notably, anthropogenic factors had opposing effects on different PbV taxa: while some viruses were more prevalent in areas with higher human and livestock densities, others were less common, possibly due to their association with wildlife or natural environments. This suggests that macaques may acquire certain PbVs from anthropogenic sources while experiencing reduced exposure to others in human-modified landscapes. Together, these findings reveal the dominant role of environmental and social factors in shaping viral communities, and highlight the hierarchical nature of virus community assembly – with different ecological processes operating at individual, group, and site scales.

Pithecophaga jefferyi Ogilvie-Grant 1896 or the Philippine Eagle is endemic to the Philippines, and is currently listed as an IUCN “critically endangered” species. There is currently an urgent need for genetic information to enhance conservation breeding and preserve the genetic diversity of this species. In this study, we explored the use of mitogenome sequencing as a cost-effective alternative for the genetic studies of Philippine Eagles. Analysis of partial mitogenomes revealed a mean nucleotide diversity of 0.10 to 0.16 from the 27 samples sequenced. This is much lower compared to most threatened bird species. Furthermore, we also observed that most samples belong to a single genetic cluster based on k-means clustering of the pairwise genetic distances, although we detected potentially two distinct subpopulations which was supported by an isolation by distance analysis. Nevertheless, some Philippine Eagle individuals showed distinct nucleotide profiles, with eagles from three key biodiversity area dyads exhibiting high FST, indicating potential genetic differentiation. This suggests limited gene flow between these KBAs, but also their potential use to reinforce the nucleotide diversity in Philippine Eagle captive breeding programs. Finally, phylogenetic analysis of Philippine Eagles and other members of the Order Accipitriformes corroborates previous findings on the non-monophyletic status of the subfamily Circaetinae or the snake-eagles. Altogether, we demonstrate the utility of mitogenomes in assessing the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of avian species. Given the huge per-sample cost of whole genome sequencing, the approach utilizing mitogenome sequencing provides a cost-effective alternative to facilitate genetic studies of animals. We therefore anticipate an increasing utility of mitogenomes in population studies for biodiversity and genetic conservation research in the Philippines.

Globally, mammal species are experiencing unprecedented rates of extinction. Despite this, many small mammals remain understudied and even undescribed, posing a major barrier to effective conservation planning. Without formal study and documentation, it is impossible to make well informed management decisions for these species. This issue is particularly pronounced in Australia, where not only is the mammal extinction rate the highest in the world but the vast inaccessibility of much of the continent, combined with a shortage of expert taxonomists, has left a large portion of small mammal diversity poorly documented. One example of is the kultarr (Antechinomys laniger), a small, insectivorous marsupial in the family Dasyuridae that is distributed across much of the Australian arid zone. While currently considered a single species, previous morphological and molecular studies have suggested the presence of cryptic taxa within the group. Here, we resolve the taxonomy of the kultarr using 12S mitochondrial sequence data and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms. We identify three clades of kultarr that are morphologically distinct, largely allopatric and show minimal evidence of genetic admixture. These clades differ in hindfoot length, body size, ear size, and craniodental morphology. The clades consist of an eastern semi-arid clade, a central Channel Country/Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Basin clade, and a western deserts clade. We rediagnose A. laniger sensu stricto as the eastern clade, resurrect A. spenceri as the central clade and describe a new species, A. auritus sp. nov., as the western clade. This research highlights the importance of integrating morphological and genetic data in small mammal taxonomy and emphasises the need for comprehensive geographic sampling within widespread species complexes.

Poorly known, rare species are important biodiversity elements; understanding the relationships between their effective numbers, geographical distribution, ecology, and adaptive potential is an unquestionable, critical aspect to reverse biodiversity decline under climate change. Quercus crenata Lam. is a sporadic Mediterranean tree species with debated taxonomy and evolutionary history. Confusing identifications and a scattered distribution combine to an incautious lack of comprehensive and reliable information on its spatial distribution, ecology, and genetic resources, thereby hindering correct management and conservation efforts. This work undertook a first decisive step to address these knowledge gaps, integrating all previous dispersive information and presenting a comprehensive map of Q. crenata occurrences, with 923 established records: 495 new field observations and 428 verified from all available literature and online databases. The taxon occurs with extremely low individual numbers across central and northern Italy, southern France, western Slovenia and Croatia, mainly at altitudes between sea level and 1100 m a.s.l. The largest part of the species records are outside current networks of protected areas. The MaxEnt-based distribution model highlights Q. crenata adaptation to mild Mediterranean climates with moderate temperature fluctuations, moderate-to-high water requirements, and diverse soil types. A broader present potential distribution than currently assessed is suggested, underlining the possibility to identify new occurrences with accurate searches in targeted sites. Future range projections under three carbon emission scenarios with increasing severity (SSP1, SSP3, and SSP5) predict substantial range losses by 2100, ranging from 32% to a drastic 99% reduction under the most severe scenario (SSP5). On these bases, our findings underline the urgent need to improve current conservation practices, which should be conveniently implemented by exhaustive genetic investigations.

Epifaunal bivalves include reef building organisms that provide several important ecological functions in coastal marine environments. Evaluating the distributional patterns and population sizes is key in assessing the total and relative contribution of species towards these functions and can aid in improving spatial planning and management. In this paper, the utility of combining distribution models and models of abundance to improve population size estimates of epifaunal bivalves on the Swedish west coast was investigated. Models were fitted to predict occurrences and densities of three, both native and invasive, ecologically important bivalve species (blue mussel, Mytilus edulis; Pacific oyster, Magallana gigas and European oysters, Ostrea edulis). Bootstrapping methods were used to estimate model performance and error margins around the final predictions. Results from the distribution models show considerable overlap in use of shallow habitat by the native blue mussels and the invasive Pacific oyster, while the European oyster resided mostly in deeper habitats. There were however differences in larger geographical distribution patterns in all species. The use of distribution and abundance models drastically altered population estimates in species where models performed well, compared to methods without the use of models or only distribution models. Importantly, estimates of total abundance when translated to biomass estimates indicated that the invasive Pacific oyster likely contributes the most to ecosystem functions associated with epibenthic bivalves in this area.

Previous phylogeographic studies based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers have revealed a complex evolutionary history for the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, characterized by a geographically structured diversity of lineages. These lineages were shaped by allopatric divergence within multiple southern refugia, likely during the Pleistocene. In this study, a total of 294 Podarcis siculus specimens from 121 localities were genetically analyzed using microsatellite markers to: (i) assess whether the genetic substructure detected in mtDNA is reflected in nuclear microsatellite markers, (ii) evaluate potential cases of mito-nuclear discordance, and (iii) determine the extent of admixture resulting from gene flow between mtDNA haplogroups. The analysis identified eight genetic clusters, whose spatial distribution partially aligns with the mitochondrial structure. However, several discrepancies were observed, primarily in Southern Italy and Sicily. These include differences in the location of the contact zone between the two main lineages and the absence of genetic structure in some regions (e.g., Sicily), despite the presence of multiple parapatric mtDNA lineages. Possible explanations for mito-nuclear discordance involve a combination of factors, including the different evolutionary timescales captured by mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites, differential introgression of nuclear versus mitochondrial genes, and distinct dispersal patterns, potentially influenced by sex-biased philopatry, which affect gene flow among populations.