The present study investigates the potential role of ants as dispersal hosts for tardigrades and for the first time provides evidence of ant-mediated tardigrade phoresy. Tardigrades are microscopic cosmopolitan animals which have limited autonomous dispersal abilities but can withstand extreme conditions in a desiccated state. Being dominant terrestrial organisms, ants interact with many components of ecosystems, yet their role in dispersing meiofaunal organisms is unknown. In a field survey, four arboreal ant species were first analyzed to test the presence of tardigrades in their nests (i.e. tree galls), and on their bodies. In another experiment, galls were maintained isolated, then exposed to ant colonization to evaluate any transport of tardigrades by ants. Finally, the behavior of the ant Colobopsis truncata was tested by crafting an experimental apparatus to verify the actual phoresy of tardigrades. The field survey and gall colonization experiments show an association of tardigrades, especially with C. truncata. Gall colonization and laboratory experiments reveal that the ants transport tardigrades and other meiofaunal organisms, such as nematodes and rotifers. This phoresy can be direct (transporting animals) or indirect (transporting substrates with animals), over significant distances, thereby suggesting an unknown ecological interaction. Thanks to the widespread presence and abundance of ant species, this myrmecophoretic dispersion could play a crucial role in the spreading of meiofaunal organisms in terrestrial environments. These findings may represent just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of an unexplored passive dispersal modality for terrestrial meiofauna micrometazoans, expanding our knowledge of phoretic relationships.
{"title":"Dispersion and new shelters offered by ants: myrmecophoresy of tardigrades","authors":"Daniele Giannetti, Ilaria Giovannini, Edoardo Massa, Enrico Schifani, Lorena Rebecchi, Roberto Guidetti, Donato A. Grasso","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00581-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00581-3","url":null,"abstract":"The present study investigates the potential role of ants as dispersal hosts for tardigrades and for the first time provides evidence of ant-mediated tardigrade phoresy. Tardigrades are microscopic cosmopolitan animals which have limited autonomous dispersal abilities but can withstand extreme conditions in a desiccated state. Being dominant terrestrial organisms, ants interact with many components of ecosystems, yet their role in dispersing meiofaunal organisms is unknown. In a field survey, four arboreal ant species were first analyzed to test the presence of tardigrades in their nests (i.e. tree galls), and on their bodies. In another experiment, galls were maintained isolated, then exposed to ant colonization to evaluate any transport of tardigrades by ants. Finally, the behavior of the ant Colobopsis truncata was tested by crafting an experimental apparatus to verify the actual phoresy of tardigrades. The field survey and gall colonization experiments show an association of tardigrades, especially with C. truncata. Gall colonization and laboratory experiments reveal that the ants transport tardigrades and other meiofaunal organisms, such as nematodes and rotifers. This phoresy can be direct (transporting animals) or indirect (transporting substrates with animals), over significant distances, thereby suggesting an unknown ecological interaction. Thanks to the widespread presence and abundance of ant species, this myrmecophoretic dispersion could play a crucial role in the spreading of meiofaunal organisms in terrestrial environments. These findings may represent just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of an unexplored passive dispersal modality for terrestrial meiofauna micrometazoans, expanding our knowledge of phoretic relationships.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"77 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145228957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Olfactory binding proteins are essential components of the highly sensitive olfactory system in insects. They play crucial roles in detecting, binding, and transporting environmental odorants and pheromones to olfactory receptors. Although a large number of olfactory binding proteins have been identified in insects to date, research in this field continues to advance rapidly. This review summarizes recent progresses in understanding their structures, functions, mechanisms of action, and potential applications. Structurally, these proteins typically form simple, stable, spherical conformations composed of α-helices and/or β-sheets, which support environmental adaptability and diverse physiological functions. Two main hypotheses have been proposed to explain their mechanisms of action: pH-dependent regulation and ligand-induced conformational changes. In terms of practical applications, olfactory binding proteins have shown great promise in biological pest control, the breeding of economically important insects, and the development of biosensors, making them attractive targets for future research and innovation.
{"title":"Olfactory binding proteins: a review across the Insecta","authors":"Ruisheng Yang, Jiani Zhou, Jiaxin Hao, Tiantao Zhang, Yiren Jiang, Wei Liu, Yong Wang","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00584-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00584-0","url":null,"abstract":"Olfactory binding proteins are essential components of the highly sensitive olfactory system in insects. They play crucial roles in detecting, binding, and transporting environmental odorants and pheromones to olfactory receptors. Although a large number of olfactory binding proteins have been identified in insects to date, research in this field continues to advance rapidly. This review summarizes recent progresses in understanding their structures, functions, mechanisms of action, and potential applications. Structurally, these proteins typically form simple, stable, spherical conformations composed of α-helices and/or β-sheets, which support environmental adaptability and diverse physiological functions. Two main hypotheses have been proposed to explain their mechanisms of action: pH-dependent regulation and ligand-induced conformational changes. In terms of practical applications, olfactory binding proteins have shown great promise in biological pest control, the breeding of economically important insects, and the development of biosensors, making them attractive targets for future research and innovation.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145209952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-02DOI: 10.1186/s12983-025-00583-1
Artem Apostolov, Alanis Bradley, Shane Dreher, Cole Dwyer, Jessica Edwards, Marie E. Evans, Nari Gu, Jacob Hansen, Jackson D. Lewis, Aiden T. Mashburn, Kelsey Miller, Eli Richardson, Wesley Roller, Adam Stark, Jackson Swift, Oscar Zuniga, Raffaela Lesch
North American raccoons are widespread across the contiguous United States and live in close proximity to humans (i.e. urban) and in rural environments. This makes them an excellent species for comparative work on the effects of human environments on phenotypic traits. We use raccoons as a mammalian model system to test whether exposure to human environments triggers a trait of the domestication syndrome. Our data suggests that urban environments produce reductions in snout length, which are consistent with the domestication syndrome phenotype. These results are crucial for the discussion of the validity of the Neural Crest Domestication Syndrome hypothesis. They also offer new opportunities to potentially observe early-stage domestication patterns in a yet non-domesticated mammalian species, without the possibility of introgression or hybridization with other already domesticated mammals.
{"title":"Tracking domestication signals across populations of North American raccoons (Procyon lotor) via citizen science-driven image repositories","authors":"Artem Apostolov, Alanis Bradley, Shane Dreher, Cole Dwyer, Jessica Edwards, Marie E. Evans, Nari Gu, Jacob Hansen, Jackson D. Lewis, Aiden T. Mashburn, Kelsey Miller, Eli Richardson, Wesley Roller, Adam Stark, Jackson Swift, Oscar Zuniga, Raffaela Lesch","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00583-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00583-1","url":null,"abstract":"North American raccoons are widespread across the contiguous United States and live in close proximity to humans (i.e. urban) and in rural environments. This makes them an excellent species for comparative work on the effects of human environments on phenotypic traits. We use raccoons as a mammalian model system to test whether exposure to human environments triggers a trait of the domestication syndrome. Our data suggests that urban environments produce reductions in snout length, which are consistent with the domestication syndrome phenotype. These results are crucial for the discussion of the validity of the Neural Crest Domestication Syndrome hypothesis. They also offer new opportunities to potentially observe early-stage domestication patterns in a yet non-domesticated mammalian species, without the possibility of introgression or hybridization with other already domesticated mammals.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145203219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1186/s12983-025-00582-2
Mengyang Li, Xiujuan Li, Yinan Zheng, Zhenlong Wang, Luye Shi
Mammals dwelling at different altitudes exhibit distinct molecular mechanisms to adapt to low-oxygen environments owing to habitat-specific oxygen levels. Notably, these adaptations include energy metabolism patterns, which fundamentally sustain vital physiological functions. Skeletal muscle, a pivotal contributor to systemic energy metabolism, facilitates vertebrate body movement through the contraction and relaxation of muscle fibers and is highly dependent on mitochondrial substrate oxidation for energy production. This study focused on three rodent species inhabiting different altitudes: the Qinghai vole (Neodon fuscus), Brandt’s vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii), and Kunming mouse (Mus musculus). Using transcriptomics and quasi-targeted metabolomics, we systematically analyzed the differences in skeletal muscle metabolic regulation among the three rodent species before and after exposure to hypoxia, thereby revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms. In summary, N. fuscus, native to high-altitude environments, tended to sustain energy supplies through regulating fatty acid oxidation under low-oxygen conditions. Conversely, L. brandtii and M. musculus, acclimatized to middle- and low-altitude habitats, relied on aerobic oxidation and anaerobic glycolysis of glucose, respectively, for energy maintenance under hypoxic conditions. In addition to their differential metabolic preferences under hypoxic conditions, these three rodent species showed species-specific responses related to oxygen utilization, antioxidant defense mechanisms, and anti-inflammatory processes. This study provides insights into the metabolic response patterns of mammalian skeletal muscle under hypoxic conditions, thereby establishing a basis for future investigations on transcriptional–metabolic associations.
{"title":"Variation in metabolic pattern regulation under hypoxic conditions: a comparative study of rodents distributed at different altitudes","authors":"Mengyang Li, Xiujuan Li, Yinan Zheng, Zhenlong Wang, Luye Shi","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00582-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00582-2","url":null,"abstract":"Mammals dwelling at different altitudes exhibit distinct molecular mechanisms to adapt to low-oxygen environments owing to habitat-specific oxygen levels. Notably, these adaptations include energy metabolism patterns, which fundamentally sustain vital physiological functions. Skeletal muscle, a pivotal contributor to systemic energy metabolism, facilitates vertebrate body movement through the contraction and relaxation of muscle fibers and is highly dependent on mitochondrial substrate oxidation for energy production. This study focused on three rodent species inhabiting different altitudes: the Qinghai vole (Neodon fuscus), Brandt’s vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii), and Kunming mouse (Mus musculus). Using transcriptomics and quasi-targeted metabolomics, we systematically analyzed the differences in skeletal muscle metabolic regulation among the three rodent species before and after exposure to hypoxia, thereby revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms. In summary, N. fuscus, native to high-altitude environments, tended to sustain energy supplies through regulating fatty acid oxidation under low-oxygen conditions. Conversely, L. brandtii and M. musculus, acclimatized to middle- and low-altitude habitats, relied on aerobic oxidation and anaerobic glycolysis of glucose, respectively, for energy maintenance under hypoxic conditions. In addition to their differential metabolic preferences under hypoxic conditions, these three rodent species showed species-specific responses related to oxygen utilization, antioxidant defense mechanisms, and anti-inflammatory processes. This study provides insights into the metabolic response patterns of mammalian skeletal muscle under hypoxic conditions, thereby establishing a basis for future investigations on transcriptional–metabolic associations. ","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145195185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1186/s12983-025-00578-y
Joanna Górska, Petr Kotlík, Heikki Henttonen, Anna Bajer, Jerzy M. Behnke, Jacek Radwan, Paweł Koteja, Tapio Mappes, Maciej Grzybek
Rodents constitute a significant proportion of mammalian diversity, with their adaptability and wide distribution making them indispensable study organisms across various biological disciplines. While the laboratory mouse remains a predominant model rodent, the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) offers a unique perspective as a wild rodent within the large subfamily Arvicolinae. Recognized for its relevance to studynatural ecology, the bank vole provides insights into complex ecological interactions, evolutionary adaptations, and disease dynamics. Despite recent recognition of its importance in specific research areas, there is a lack of a comprehensive and up-to-date exploration of its role as a model organism. This review addresses this gap by offering a holistic examination of the bank vole’s applications in ecology, evolution, biogeography, disease dynamics, and host–pathogen interactions. We emphasize novel insights into genetic variation, adaptation to climate change, population dynamics, experimental evolution, host-parasite co-evolution, and disease dynamics studies. By consolidating diverse research findings, this review provides a unique and comprehensive perspective on the bank vole’s contributions to understanding ecology and evolution, underscoring its importance as a model organism in shaping future biological research.
{"title":"Beyond the laboratory: the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) as a novel model organism in biological research","authors":"Joanna Górska, Petr Kotlík, Heikki Henttonen, Anna Bajer, Jerzy M. Behnke, Jacek Radwan, Paweł Koteja, Tapio Mappes, Maciej Grzybek","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00578-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00578-y","url":null,"abstract":"Rodents constitute a significant proportion of mammalian diversity, with their adaptability and wide distribution making them indispensable study organisms across various biological disciplines. While the laboratory mouse remains a predominant model rodent, the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) offers a unique perspective as a wild rodent within the large subfamily Arvicolinae. Recognized for its relevance to studynatural ecology, the bank vole provides insights into complex ecological interactions, evolutionary adaptations, and disease dynamics. Despite recent recognition of its importance in specific research areas, there is a lack of a comprehensive and up-to-date exploration of its role as a model organism. This review addresses this gap by offering a holistic examination of the bank vole’s applications in ecology, evolution, biogeography, disease dynamics, and host–pathogen interactions. We emphasize novel insights into genetic variation, adaptation to climate change, population dynamics, experimental evolution, host-parasite co-evolution, and disease dynamics studies. By consolidating diverse research findings, this review provides a unique and comprehensive perspective on the bank vole’s contributions to understanding ecology and evolution, underscoring its importance as a model organism in shaping future biological research.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"72 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145188842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-02DOI: 10.1186/s12983-025-00579-x
Alison G. Cole
Single cell RNA sequencing is a tool for evaluating the specific transcriptome usage of different cell types within an organism. By tagging mRNA molecules from single cells or nuclei, a non-biased assay of the active transcriptome is captured. The method relies on high-quality cell suspensions, which can be challenging to obtain from whole organisms. While the costs per cell are rapidly falling as this technology matures, there is still a requirement for a non-trivial economic investment. Data analyses pipelines are also rapidly maturing, yet gold standards for data integration methods and trajectory inference are still lacking. Here, I review the standard procedures for generating these data from emerging models and highlight prerequisites to consider during project design, including the choice between cells and nuclei, fresh or fixed material, target capture numbers and methods, sequencing depth, and finally expected analysis outcomes.
{"title":"Establishing single cell RNA transcriptomics: a brief guide","authors":"Alison G. Cole","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00579-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00579-x","url":null,"abstract":"Single cell RNA sequencing is a tool for evaluating the specific transcriptome usage of different cell types within an organism. By tagging mRNA molecules from single cells or nuclei, a non-biased assay of the active transcriptome is captured. The method relies on high-quality cell suspensions, which can be challenging to obtain from whole organisms. While the costs per cell are rapidly falling as this technology matures, there is still a requirement for a non-trivial economic investment. Data analyses pipelines are also rapidly maturing, yet gold standards for data integration methods and trajectory inference are still lacking. Here, I review the standard procedures for generating these data from emerging models and highlight prerequisites to consider during project design, including the choice between cells and nuclei, fresh or fixed material, target capture numbers and methods, sequencing depth, and finally expected analysis outcomes.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144928015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-25DOI: 10.1186/s12983-025-00575-1
Robin Kraft, Oliver Betz, Alexander Rack, Benjamin Eggs
Oviposition is crucial for the reproductive success of parasitoid insects and, hence, ovipositor structure and oviposition behaviour have probably played a central role in their adaptive evolution. However, various mechanical and functional aspects of the musculoskeletal ovipositor system are still not fully understood, especially within the enormously diverse parasitoid wasps, e.g. the minute and understudied Encyrtidae (Chalcidoidea). Some encyrtid wasps are specialized in parasitising insect plant pests and thus play an important ecological and economic role. We have examined all inherent cuticular elements and muscles of the ovipositor of the encyrtid wasp Microterys flavus to improve our understanding of its mechanics and mode of function. We provide a detailed 3D model based on a synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast microtomography (SR-µCT) dataset and have analysed microstructures on the cuticular ovipositor elements by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We have also conducted an in vivo documentation of the oviposition process of female M. flavus wasps on their host, the scale insect Coccus hesperidum. Based on morphological analyses, we have identified all elements of the musculoskeletal ovipositor system in M. flavus, consisting of two pairs of valvifers, three pairs of valvulae, the female T9 (9th abdominal tergum), and a set of nine paired ovipositor muscles. Three of these muscles (1st valvifer-genital membrane muscle, ventral 2nd valvifer-venom gland reservoir muscle, T9-genital membrane muscle) have only recently been discovered in pteromalid wasps but have not yet been described for encyrtids. Our behavioural analysis of the motion patterns during the various phases of parasitization has elucidated the oviposition process, which consists of penetration of the host’s body, assessment of the host’s internal organs, envenomation, egg deposition, and potential host feeding. Based on our studies of the structure of the ovipositor system of the encyrtid wasp M. flavus, we have developed a functional model of the underlying working mechanism of all ovipositor movements observed during the oviposition process, thereby improving our understanding of a possible key trait contributing to the evolutionary success of a highly diverse group of chalcidoid wasps.
{"title":"Structure and function of the ovipositor of the encyrtid wasp Microterys flavus","authors":"Robin Kraft, Oliver Betz, Alexander Rack, Benjamin Eggs","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00575-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00575-1","url":null,"abstract":"Oviposition is crucial for the reproductive success of parasitoid insects and, hence, ovipositor structure and oviposition behaviour have probably played a central role in their adaptive evolution. However, various mechanical and functional aspects of the musculoskeletal ovipositor system are still not fully understood, especially within the enormously diverse parasitoid wasps, e.g. the minute and understudied Encyrtidae (Chalcidoidea). Some encyrtid wasps are specialized in parasitising insect plant pests and thus play an important ecological and economic role. We have examined all inherent cuticular elements and muscles of the ovipositor of the encyrtid wasp Microterys flavus to improve our understanding of its mechanics and mode of function. We provide a detailed 3D model based on a synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast microtomography (SR-µCT) dataset and have analysed microstructures on the cuticular ovipositor elements by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We have also conducted an in vivo documentation of the oviposition process of female M. flavus wasps on their host, the scale insect Coccus hesperidum. Based on morphological analyses, we have identified all elements of the musculoskeletal ovipositor system in M. flavus, consisting of two pairs of valvifers, three pairs of valvulae, the female T9 (9th abdominal tergum), and a set of nine paired ovipositor muscles. Three of these muscles (1st valvifer-genital membrane muscle, ventral 2nd valvifer-venom gland reservoir muscle, T9-genital membrane muscle) have only recently been discovered in pteromalid wasps but have not yet been described for encyrtids. Our behavioural analysis of the motion patterns during the various phases of parasitization has elucidated the oviposition process, which consists of penetration of the host’s body, assessment of the host’s internal organs, envenomation, egg deposition, and potential host feeding. Based on our studies of the structure of the ovipositor system of the encyrtid wasp M. flavus, we have developed a functional model of the underlying working mechanism of all ovipositor movements observed during the oviposition process, thereby improving our understanding of a possible key trait contributing to the evolutionary success of a highly diverse group of chalcidoid wasps.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144900385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-25DOI: 10.1186/s12983-025-00569-z
Aneta Arct, Rafał Martyka, Krzysztof Miler, Karolina Skorb, Lars Gustafsson, Szymon M. Drobniak
Understanding how weather conditions during early development influence reproductive success is essential for predicting avian responses to climate change. We used a 40-year dataset from a nest-box population of collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis) to examine how temperature and precipitation during the incubation and nestling periods affected three key components of reproductive performance: hatchling number, fledgling production, and local offspring recruitment. We found that higher ambient temperatures during the nestling period were associated with a decreased probability of brood failure and a higher number of recruits. In contrast, a higher sum of precipitation during the nestling stage was associated with an increased likelihood of brood failure. Interestingly, weather conditions during incubation had no statistically detectable influence on reproductive performance. Moreover, our results indicated that the within-season variation in climatic conditions, rather than the between-season variation, was primarily associated with reproductive outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of considering both overall climate conditions across seasons and short-term weather parameters within breeding seasons when evaluating reproductive success and predicting the ecological consequences of climate change.
{"title":"The impact of weather conditions on avian breeding performance: insights from a long-term study","authors":"Aneta Arct, Rafał Martyka, Krzysztof Miler, Karolina Skorb, Lars Gustafsson, Szymon M. Drobniak","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00569-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00569-z","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding how weather conditions during early development influence reproductive success is essential for predicting avian responses to climate change. We used a 40-year dataset from a nest-box population of collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis) to examine how temperature and precipitation during the incubation and nestling periods affected three key components of reproductive performance: hatchling number, fledgling production, and local offspring recruitment. We found that higher ambient temperatures during the nestling period were associated with a decreased probability of brood failure and a higher number of recruits. In contrast, a higher sum of precipitation during the nestling stage was associated with an increased likelihood of brood failure. Interestingly, weather conditions during incubation had no statistically detectable influence on reproductive performance. Moreover, our results indicated that the within-season variation in climatic conditions, rather than the between-season variation, was primarily associated with reproductive outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of considering both overall climate conditions across seasons and short-term weather parameters within breeding seasons when evaluating reproductive success and predicting the ecological consequences of climate change.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"201 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144900381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-21DOI: 10.1186/s12983-025-00559-1
Valerio Orazi, Matteo Panaccio, Sandro Lovari, Irene Belardi, Achaz von Hardenberg, Bruno Bassano, Francesco Ferretti
Predators have the potential to affect prey ecology through both direct effects on population dynamics or indirect effects on behaviour, e.g., by triggering antipredator strategies. Direct effects of predation on single prey species may be limited in ecosystems hosting alternative prey, possibly being overwhelmed by indirect effects. The novel exposure to a predator would provide the opportunity to test for immediate prey responses, but information is scanty for areas recolonised by carnivores. We took advantage of the natural expansion of the wolf Canis lupus in a protected area of western Alps hosting five ungulate species to test the potential for direct versus indirect effects on the main prey, i.e., a widespread mountain herbivore (the Northern chamois Rupicapra rupicapra). After verifying the contribution of the latter to the diet of the former, we used a semi-experimental (before vs. after) approach by comparing chamois demography, elevation used and group size between two valleys with different recolonisation time (Site A: medium-term vs. Site B: short-term). Scat analyses (N = 335 samples) indicated that chamois were the staple in the wolf diet in both valleys. Analyses of counts throughout 21 years supported no direct effect of wolf on chamois abundance and survival. Following wolf recolonisation, female chamois (n = 3594 observations) in Site A were observed at average elevations 137 m higher compared to the former period, and a concurrent decrease of group size was reported; these effects were not detected in Site B. The same trend was not observed in temperature, precipitation or NDVI, providing no support to a weather- or resource-mediated uplift. Although direct/indirect effects of current changes in weather patterns on the observed uplift of chamois may not be ruled out, our results suggest antipredator behaviour as a main determinant of chamois upshift. Finally, we discuss the role of indirect versus direct short-term prey responses in complex ecosystems.
{"title":"Antipredator behaviour as a major determinant of prey altitudinal movements: the wolf and the chamois","authors":"Valerio Orazi, Matteo Panaccio, Sandro Lovari, Irene Belardi, Achaz von Hardenberg, Bruno Bassano, Francesco Ferretti","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00559-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00559-1","url":null,"abstract":"Predators have the potential to affect prey ecology through both direct effects on population dynamics or indirect effects on behaviour, e.g., by triggering antipredator strategies. Direct effects of predation on single prey species may be limited in ecosystems hosting alternative prey, possibly being overwhelmed by indirect effects. The novel exposure to a predator would provide the opportunity to test for immediate prey responses, but information is scanty for areas recolonised by carnivores. We took advantage of the natural expansion of the wolf Canis lupus in a protected area of western Alps hosting five ungulate species to test the potential for direct versus indirect effects on the main prey, i.e., a widespread mountain herbivore (the Northern chamois Rupicapra rupicapra). After verifying the contribution of the latter to the diet of the former, we used a semi-experimental (before vs. after) approach by comparing chamois demography, elevation used and group size between two valleys with different recolonisation time (Site A: medium-term vs. Site B: short-term). Scat analyses (N = 335 samples) indicated that chamois were the staple in the wolf diet in both valleys. Analyses of counts throughout 21 years supported no direct effect of wolf on chamois abundance and survival. Following wolf recolonisation, female chamois (n = 3594 observations) in Site A were observed at average elevations 137 m higher compared to the former period, and a concurrent decrease of group size was reported; these effects were not detected in Site B. The same trend was not observed in temperature, precipitation or NDVI, providing no support to a weather- or resource-mediated uplift. Although direct/indirect effects of current changes in weather patterns on the observed uplift of chamois may not be ruled out, our results suggest antipredator behaviour as a main determinant of chamois upshift. Finally, we discuss the role of indirect versus direct short-term prey responses in complex ecosystems.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144900474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-15DOI: 10.1186/s12983-025-00577-z
Mingxue Jiao,Yanghuilin Zhang,Cheng Liu,Zhonghong Cao,Kenneth B Storey,Yonggang Niu
Animals inhabiting altitudinal gradients exhibit a variety of adaptations to environmental variations. However, to date, changes in metabolomic profiles with altitude have been poorly characterized. Here, we used target and non-target metabolomic analyses of liver to investigate the environmental adaptations of Asiatic toads (Bufo gargarizans) along an altitudinal gradient (50 m, 1200 m, 2300 m, and 3400 m above sea level). Non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified 775 metabolites, and k-means clustering analysis showed that up-regulated metabolites along the altitudinal gradient were significantly enriched in the thiamine and sphingolipid metabolism pathways. Down-regulated metabolites were mainly enriched in alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism and glycolysis/glycogenesis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed that metabolites positively correlated with altitude were mainly related to sphingolipid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism, whereas those negatively correlated were involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and glycerolipid metabolism. Moreover, a total of 52 metabolites were identified by the targeted metabolomics analysis. K-means clustering analysis showed that down-regulated metabolites along the altitudinal gradient were mainly enriched in pentose phosphate pathway and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. In addition, toads from different altitudes exhibited significant variation in the activities of key metabolic enzymes, including phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. In conclusion, the metabolic profiles of Asiatic toads along an altitudinal gradient differed significantly. These findings enhance our understanding of the physiological adaptations of toads to different environments along an altitudinal gradient.
{"title":"Ecometabolomics reveal physiological adaptations of Asiatic toads (Bufo gargarizans Cantor, 1842) to different environments along an altitudinal gradient.","authors":"Mingxue Jiao,Yanghuilin Zhang,Cheng Liu,Zhonghong Cao,Kenneth B Storey,Yonggang Niu","doi":"10.1186/s12983-025-00577-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-025-00577-z","url":null,"abstract":"Animals inhabiting altitudinal gradients exhibit a variety of adaptations to environmental variations. However, to date, changes in metabolomic profiles with altitude have been poorly characterized. Here, we used target and non-target metabolomic analyses of liver to investigate the environmental adaptations of Asiatic toads (Bufo gargarizans) along an altitudinal gradient (50 m, 1200 m, 2300 m, and 3400 m above sea level). Non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified 775 metabolites, and k-means clustering analysis showed that up-regulated metabolites along the altitudinal gradient were significantly enriched in the thiamine and sphingolipid metabolism pathways. Down-regulated metabolites were mainly enriched in alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism and glycolysis/glycogenesis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed that metabolites positively correlated with altitude were mainly related to sphingolipid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism, whereas those negatively correlated were involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and glycerolipid metabolism. Moreover, a total of 52 metabolites were identified by the targeted metabolomics analysis. K-means clustering analysis showed that down-regulated metabolites along the altitudinal gradient were mainly enriched in pentose phosphate pathway and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. In addition, toads from different altitudes exhibited significant variation in the activities of key metabolic enzymes, including phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. In conclusion, the metabolic profiles of Asiatic toads along an altitudinal gradient differed significantly. These findings enhance our understanding of the physiological adaptations of toads to different environments along an altitudinal gradient.","PeriodicalId":55142,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Zoology","volume":"750 1","pages":"21"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144851150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：