Biologia最新文献

In the paper, the intra-annual growth patterns and tree water balance of four different tree species (Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Larix decidua and Abies alba) were examined. Seasonal radial increment, tree water deficit (ΔW) and maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) were derived from the records obtained using high-resolution digital band dendrometers. The study area was located in Arboretum Borová hora (350 m a. s. l., Zvolen valley, Central Slovakia) characterised by a warmer climate (Picea abies) and warmer and drier climate (Abies alba, Larix decidua, Pinus sylvestris) compared to the sites of tree origins. Monitored species exhibited remarkably distinct growth and water balance patterns over the 2015 growing season characterised with the highly above normal temperature and uneven precipitation distribution. A. alba exhibited smooth continuous growth least affected by varying environmental conditions. Of all analysed species, only A. alba showed significant positive correlations of radial growth and ΔW with temperature and global radiation, despite environmental water limitations. The lowest cumulative growth, lower negative values of ΔW and greater MDS of L. decidua indicate a higher water limitation of this species. The results showed more pronounced sensitivity of P. sylvestris to increased temperature and drought. All monitored variables of environmental conditions, except precipitation, significantly influenced MDS values of all studied tree species. Based on 30 variables describing radial stem growth patterns and water status we identified large inter-species variability and discrete species-specific groups, while the indicators of growth and water status of L. decidua and P. sylvestris were similar and the most different patterns were observed between A. alba and L. decidua. The behaviour of P. abies was closer to A. alba than to the other two species.

Climate, land use and land cover change influence infectious disease dynamics, particularly vector-borne diseases. Knowledge about mosquito ecology in southern Indiana is limited. Here, we present results from a season long study where we sampled mosquitoes at the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower in Hoosier National Forest, Monroe County, Indiana, USA. Using BG-Pro traps with BG-Lure and LED lights weekly from 23 May to 31 October 2023, we collected 178 mosquitoes over 24 weeks of sampling, encompassing a total of 120 trap-nights, with an average of 1.48 ± 3.41 (SD) mosquitoes per trap-night. The species accumulation curve for all the samples was flat, indicating a comprehensive sampling of species. We collected 10 species with a Chao2 ± SE species richness estimate of 14.46 ± 7.14. The dominant species was Aedes vexans (n = 58, 36%), followed by Culex spp. (composed of morphologically indistinguishable Culex pipiens and Culex restuans) (n = 51, 31%), Culex erraticus (n = 16, 10%), and Aedes triseriatus (n = 15, 9%). Because mosquitoes are ectothermic, they are highly sensitive to microclimatic variables such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall. Our time series analysis showed a significant association of mosquito abundance with the variability (SD and kurtosis) of the environmental variables we studied highlighting the importance of weather fluctuations in mosquito ecology. Our study highlights how weather variability shapes mosquito abundance, thus impacting disease vectors like Culex spp. and Aedes triseriatus with implications for arbovirus transmission in the context of climate change.

Sweet sagewort (Artemisia annua) is a species that has been used for many years to treat high fever due to its artemycin content. Artemycin is the active ingredient in antimalarial drugs. Additionally, the plant’s leaves are consumed as tea or aqueous extract. Invertebrate model organism Galleria mellonella is preferred in immune studies due to its ease of administration, natural immunity shared with mammals, including humans, and rapid determination of results. In this research, we systematically assessed the impact of A. annua extract on the immune system of animals by employing the G. mellonella model organism. We meticulously examined key facets of innate immune responses, including total hemocyte count, encapsulation-melanization, and phenoloxidase activity. Furthermore, we delved into the effects on antioxidant enzyme activity, specifically superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lipid peroxidase. The hemocyte count showed a statistically significant decrease across all given doses of the A. annua extract when compared to the control groups. The A. annua extract had no effect on the catalase activity, malondialdehyde amount, phenoloxidase activity, or melanization response of G. mellonella larvae, according to the findings of our study. Nonetheless, it enhanced SOD activity. In comparison to the control groups, it decreased the strong encapsulation response, which is a cell-mediated immune response, at all doses. While the A. annua extract had little effect on enzymatic processes in animals, it reduced cell-mediated immune responses by altering cell behaviours and count with cytotoxic and genotoxic effects.

Animals can synchronize their reproductive behavior patterns with biological rhythms and environmental conditions. Understanding these patterns is particularly critical for conserving endangered species like sea turtles. This study analyzed the relationship between the nesting behavior of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and lunar luminosity, lunar phases, and sea surface temperature (SST) in the Atol das Rocas Biological Reserve, Brazil. Field data were obtained through nightly monitoring during the breeding seasons from 2018 to 2020. Although lunar luminosity and lunar phases did not exhibit a statistically significant effect, the highest number of nesting occurrences was observed during the full moon and new moon, which may be related to the spring tide. The SST was the only variable showing a statistically significant relationship with complete oviposition, incomplete oviposition, and false crawl occurrences, indicating the preference of turtles to come ashore at higher temperatures (around 29.5 °C). Furthermore, while lunar luminosity and lunar phases may have some influence on the nesting pattern of the green turtle, they do not limit it, as turtles come ashore under different observed environmental conditions.

Two new genera and two species of Desmiphorini are described from Mexico: Evrysoma cinereum gen. n., sp. n. from Querétaro and San Luis Potosí; Kuklimia balam gen. n., sp. n. from Chiapas. Diagnostic characters of the new species are discussed and photographs of the type material are provided. A key to Mexican genera of Desmiphorini is provided.

With the extensive utilization of nanotechnology, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are prevalent nanomaterials that may entail ecological risks by their potential translocation into plant systems. The present study investigated the physiological and molecular responses of basil seedlings (Ocimum basilicum) subjected to AgNPs or silver nitrate (AgNO₃) for 7 days. The seedlings were treated with 0, 4, 10, or 40 mg/L of AgNO₃ or AgNPs in Hoagland’s solution. Both treatments resulted in significant accumulation of Ag in the roots and shoots, with higher levels in the roots of AgNO₃-treated seedlings. AgNPs increased plant biomass at 4 mg/L, while AgNO₃ decreased it at all concentrations. Both treatments reduced the total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and carbohydrates, with more pronounced effects in AgNO₃-treated seedlings. Both treatments also induced oxidative stress, as indicated by increased levels of H₂O₂, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline, and enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). However, these responses were more evident in AgNO₃-treated seedlings, especially at higher concentrations. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that both treatments induced the upregulation of genes encoding oxidative stress tolerance-related enzymes, such as FSD1, MSD1, CSD1, CATa, CATb, APXa and APXb, in the basil seedling shoots. These results suggest that AgNPs are less toxic to basil plants than AgNO₃ and that basil plants can activate physiological and molecular mechanisms to cope with Ag-induced oxidative stress.

The question, when ants first appeared, remains unanswered. However, images of ants in Burmese amber show that some extinct types existed back then. By the mid-Cenozoic, most fossil ants could be assigned to extant genera. The present work examines ancient associations between ants and other organisms based on fossils in amber. Topics include fungal associates, interactions with higher plants, associations between ants and arachnids, ants bringing food to the colony, insect parasites and predators, nematode parasites, ants visiting flowers, ant mimics and gut microbes in ants. All specimens included in the present work are listed with the amber source, present location, published accounts and accession numbers of those in the Poinar amber collection (PAC).

Due to the high reproductive investment, females are the decisive sex when making decisions about whether or not to reproduce. Generally, female scorpions display aggressive sexual behavior in response to male reproductive advances when they are not receptive. However, female receptivity can vary over time, depending on environmental factors favorable to reproduction Thus, the current study aimed to examine the correlation between the number of reproductive attempts by male Tityus pusillus scorpion and mating success over time, considering the female's behavioral response. Behavioral analyses were monthly conducted on 150 T. pusillus field-caught pairs over a five-month period. Our results indicate that despite females reacting aggressively to male advances, the persistence of the male has a positive effect in courtship probability. Furthermore, we observed variations in female behavior throughout the studied period, suggesting that female receptivity might be linked to the reproductive season. Therefore, environmental factors may play a significant role in regulating scorpion reproduction in Neotropical forests.

Serological tests for the presence of antibodies to European brown hare syndrome virus and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type a and type 2 were performed on 275 samples of blood serum from the European brown hare by hemagglutination inhibition test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The presence of antibodies against European brown hare syndrome virus was 28% in the Czech Republic while in the Slovak Republic between 9–33%. Furthermore, the results showed the possibility of interspecies transmission, both rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type a and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 on the European brown hare. In case of RHDVa it is the first documented interspecies transmission, which has not yet been described. This study improved our knowledge about circulation of RHDV in Central European ecosystems and its possible ability to cross interspecies barriers. However, from an epizootiological point of view, it is likely European brown hare is not a significant source of RHD infection for domesticated rabbits.