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The aquarium trade has contributed to the introduction of many invasive alien plant species that threaten the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems around the world. In this study, I present the first Polish record of Ludwigia repens (Onagraceae) and Myriophyllum aquaticum (Haloragaceae), two invasive alien aquatic plants cultivated in aquaria. The plants were found on the shores and in the waters of an artificial pond in Kraków, southern Poland, in 2024. The location and abundance of both species are documented, and their introduction pathway and naturalization potential are discussed. Moreover, since M. aquaticum belongs to the invasive alien species of European Union concern and requires rapid eradication, its occurrence was reported to the Kraków City Office, following Polish law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the main drivers of global biodiversity loss. The present study aims at performing a diagnostic analysis of the perceptions of Primary and Secondary school students about causes, consequences and solutions of the presence of IAS in the environment. The influence of educational level, knowledge of the meaning of IAS and familiarity with exotic pets on students' perceptions is analysed. The instrument for data sampling consisted of a questionnaire, contextualised in the case of the presence of monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) in their town. Results show differences in students' perceptions among educational levels. Primary students predominantly present a social view of the issue, while Secondary students highlight ecological impacts. Reticence to monk parakeet removal from the environment is widespread. Familiarity with exotic pets hinders the recognition of human responsibility in causing the problem, the option for preventive solutions and the personal contribution to the solution. Knowledge of the meaning of IAS improves the recognition of causes and impacts, and also increases the preference for preventive solutions. Surprisingly, this factor does not change the willingness to personally contribute to solving the problem. Educational implications related to the teaching of IAS issues are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Aquatic vegetation can physically or chemically affect host-parasite interactions. • Macrophyte density and complexity may impede parasite host finding or host evasion. • Vegetation complexity did not affect tadpole infection by pathogenic trematodes. • Extreme macrophyte density reduced trematode infection success. • Aquatic vegetation inconsistently affected trematode parasitism across 12 studies. Submerged aquatic vegetation (macrophytes) can provide prey with refuges from predators and may perform a similar role for interactions with other natural enemies such as parasites. This could occur by interfering with the ability of free-swimming infectious parasite stages to locate or move towards hosts, reducing infections. Alternatively, infections may increase if macrophytes reduce host anti-parasite behaviours such as detection or evasion. Both scenarios could be affected by macrophyte density and structural complexity. Here we investigated whether experimental infection of tadpoles (Rana sylvatica and Rana pipiens) by parasitic flatworms (the trematodes Ribeiroia ondatrae and Echinostoma spp. was affected by the presence of artificial vegetation with varying density and complexity (simple versus branching), as well as tadpole activity under these conditions. Macrophyte presence significantly reduced tadpole infection loads only in the highest density treatment, but there was no effect of structural complexity. Related to this, tadpoles spent significantly more time near aquatic vegetation when it was dense but showed no preference for either structural type. Our results indicate that aquatic vegetation can reduce parasite transmission in certain scenarios, with further studies needed to explore how structural complexity in natural systems can affect host-parasite interactions, considering the massive physical alterations possible through eutrophication and the introduction of invasive plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi is invading Africa, requiring it to adapt to novel climates and ecosystems. In part, this may be facilitated by An. stephensi's poorly understood seasonal behavioural plasticity in flight timing, leading to earlier biting activity in cold Asian winters and later biting times in the warm summer. Changes in behavioural timing could be directly imposed by seasonal variation in ambient light and temperature levels or result from altered entrainment of intrinsically expressed circadian rhythms by these factors. We demonstrate that An. stephensi entrained flight activity timing is phase-locked to dawn and is not affected by constant ambient temperature, which cannot explain earlier biting activity in colder winters with later dawn. Instead, we show that where night temperatures are the colder part of daily temperature cycle; the entrained phase-angle between dawn and flight activity is altered, hereby increasingly colder, winter-like nights progressively advance flight activity onset. We propose that seasonal timing plasticity optimizes behaviour to warmer daytime in winter, and colder nights in summer, providing protection against both heat-desiccation and cold immobility. The adaptive advantage of this plasticity could be relevant to the successful invasion and survival of An. stephensi in African climates, and changing climate worldwide. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue, 'Circadian rhythms in infection and immunity'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss is a key threat to reptiles; therefore, habitat restoration should be an effective means of reptile conservation. However, there is scant evidence that such interventions provide population-level benefits, particularly where native reptiles are also threatened by invasive predators. We conducted a before-after-control-impact habitat enhancement experiment on skinks (Oligosoma polychroma and O. aeneum) in a predator-invaded area of mainland New Zealand. Pre-enhancement lizard monitoring was conducted in 12 plots for six months. Native plants were added to six ‘enhancement’ plots in months 8-10, minor gap infill planting was conducted in months 10-13, and rock piles were constructed in months 13-15. Post-enhancement monitoring was carried out at 12 and 23 months. Apparent survival of O. polychroma increased significantly in response to enhancement, but this did not result in increased abundance within the 23-month monitoring timeframe. Enhancement did not affect any of the measured population parameters of O. aeneum. Therefore, adding rocks and native vegetation to sites may be a suitable intervention for improving survival or reducing emigration of O. polychroma without affecting co-occurring lizard species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay explores how humour, specifically dark humour, performs an affective politics of opacity in Australian comedies that invokes parody, absurdity and laughter to address the eco-social challenges of invasive species, including rabbits, brumbies, cane toads and red fire ants. The incongruity between jocular feelings and the gravity of extinction highlights humour’s ambivalent potential for violence and subversion. Through an analysis of cartoons and documentaries that bridge conservation science and the Australian cultural imagination, we identify three dimensions of environmental dark humour: (1) it questions human exceptionalism by foregrounding ambiguity, nonhuman agency and assemblage thinking beyond rational control; (2) it performs a cultural diagnosis of colonial legacies, including eco-nationalism and anti-immigration rhetoric, hegemonic White masculinity, and regional and cultural stereotypes; (3) it allows a cathartic release of affective dissent and taboo feelings by subverting culturally normative emotional attachments to invasive animals and mainstream environmentalism. By considering humour as a crucial technique for survival and ambiguity, we argue for its potential to inspire self-reflective, multispecies and decolonial modes of storytelling that can ethically account for human and nonhuman otherness in the age of extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lantana camara L. is native to tropical America and has naturalized in many other tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions in Asia, Africa, Oceania, North and South America, and Europe. L. camara infests diverse habitats with a wide range of climatic factors, and its population increases aggressively as one of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species. Its infestation reduces species diversity and abundance in the natural ecosystems and reduces agricultural production. The life history characteristics of L. camara, such as its high reproductive ability and high adaptive ability to various environmental conditions, may contribute to its ability to infest and increase its population. Possible evidence of the compounds involved in the defense functions of L. camara against natural enemies, such as herbivore mammals and insects, parasitic nematodes, pathogenic fungi and bacteria, and the allelochemicals involved in its allelopathy against neighboring competitive plant species, have accumulated in the literature over three decades. Lantadenes A and B, oleanonic acid, and icterogenin are highly toxic to herbivore mammals, and β-humulene, isoledene, α-copaene thymol, and hexadecanoic acid have high insecticidal activity. β-Caryophyllene and cis-3-hexen-1-ol may function as herbivore-induced plant volatiles which are involved in sending warning signals to undamaged tissues and the next plants of the same species. Farnesol and farnesal may interrupt insect juvenile hormone biosynthesis and cause abnormal metamorphosis of insects. Several triterpenes, such as lantanolic acid, lantoic acid, pomolic acid, camarin, lantacin, camarinin, ursolic acid, and oleanonic acid, have demonstrated nematocidal activity. Lantadene A, β-caryophyllene, germacrene-D, β-curcumene, eicosapentaenoic acid, and loliolide may possess antimicrobial activity. Allelochemicals, such as caffeic acid, ferulic acid, salicylic acid, α-resorcylic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, unbelliferone, and quercetin, including lantadenes A and B and β-caryophyllene, suppress the germination and growth of neighboring plant species. These compounds may be involved in the defense functions and allelopathy and may contribute to L. camara's ability to infest and to expand its population as an invasive plant species in new habitats. This is the first review to focus on how compounds enhance the invasive characteristics of L. camara. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codling moth Cydia pomonella is well established nearly everywhere apples are grown. Due to this almost global distribution, larvae are often intercepted at U.S. ports of entry where immature specimens cannot be identified accurately to species leading to unnecessary quarantine actions. To assist with identifying intercepted C. pomonella from port inspections, we developed a probe-based real-time PCR assay to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region 2 of C. pomonella. The assay was tested for inclusivity using 110 C. pomonella specimens from six continents. Analytical specificity was examined by testing related species intercepted at U.S. ports of entry, as well as non-targets with the same geographic distribution and host species as C. pomonella. The assay developed here identified all C. pomonella individuals correctly and produced appropriately negative results for all non-target species. These results ensure that the assay provides a rapid and accurate tool for unambiguously identifying C. pomonella among material intercepted at U.S. ports of entry. Since C. pomonella is not actionable, the ability to identify all life stages of C. pomonella conclusively will save time, effort, and money while also directing identification efforts towards species of current quarantine concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is one of the most notorious pest insects, causing damage to more than 350 plant species, and is feared worldwide as an invasive pest species since it exhibits high adaptivity against environmental stress. Here, we therefore investigated its transcriptome responses to four different types of stresses, namely cold, heat, no water and no food. We used brain samples as our interest was in the neuroendocrine responses, while previous studies used whole bodies of larvae or moths. In general, the responses were complex and encompassed a vast array of neuropeptides (NPs) and biogenic amines (BAs). The NPs were mainly involved in ion homeostasis regulation (ITP and ITPL) and metabolic pathways (AKH, ILP), and this was accompanied by changes in BA (DA, OA) biosynthesis. Cold and no-water stress changed the NP gene expression with the same patterns of expression but clearly separated from each other, and the most divergent pattern of expression was shown after no-food stress. In conclusion, our data provide a foundation in an important model and pest insect with candidate NPs and BAs and other marker candidate genes in response to environmental stress, and also potential new targets to manage pest insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the individual and combined impacts of manipulation of submerged macrophytes, large-bodied cladocerans, and nutrients on plankton communities in a tropical hypereutrophic shallow reservoir. We tested how the addition of the macrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum, the cladoceran Sarsilatona serricauda, and nutrients affected phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity, composition, and structure using mesocosms and a factorial design (3 × 3) with eight treatments. During the experiment, the reservoir experienced an intense bloom of algae (207 mg l−1 of biomass), mainly composed of cyanobacteria (> 98%). The submerged macrophytes were found to significantly reduce the biomass of cyanobacteria (by 85%), diatoms (80%), and green algae (78%), while the addition of zooplankton and nutrients led to a 96% reduction for diatoms. While both submerged macrophytes and the added cladocerans impacted the native zooplankton community, the macrophytes exerted stronger effects on phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity, composition, and structure. Intriguingly, nutrient addition did not alter the main effects of macrophytes and large cladocerans. Our findings reveal the positive potential of introducing submerged macrophytes in tropical shallow lakes, even at a low to moderate percentage of the volume inhabited, to control toxic cyanobacterial blooms. Under our experimental conditions, the method was effective even without extra zooplankton grazing and at increased nutrient input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, is a predatory beetle used globally to control pests such as aphids and scale insects. Originating from East Asia, this species has become highly invasive since its introduction in the late 19th century to Europe and North America, posing a threat to local biodiversity. Intraguild predation is hypothesized to drive the success of this invasive species, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, a feeding assay revealed that while harlequin ladybirds survive feeding on seven-spotted ladybird eggs, the reverse is not true. However, seven-spotted ladybirds that had fed on harlequin ladybird eggs were able to survive the feeding assay when treated with penicillin. Microbiome sequencing and whole genome analysis of harlequin ladybird eggs revealed a newly discovered pathogenic bacterium strain named Serratia harmoniae. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of S. harmoniae was found to be 2.1 × 105 times higher in the harlequin ladybird compared to the seven-spotted ladybird. The high tolerance observed in harlequin ladybirds was attributed to harmonine, specifically produced in the fat body of this species. Silencing three key genes in the harmonine biosynthesis pathway--Spidey, Sca2, and Desat--reduced the production of the compound, leading to increased S. harmoniae levels and higher mortality. Treating RNAi-altered individuals with penicillin reversed this effect, successfully reducing S. harmoniae presence and increasing insect survival. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that S. harmoniae, a newly identified pathogenic bacterium carried by harlequin ladybirds, interacts with harmonine to confer an interspecies competitive advantage over native ladybird species in nonnative regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomological surveillance plays a crucial role in designing and implementing mosquito control measures. In this context, developing more effective collection strategies is essential to accurately estimate the entomological parameters necessary for effective control. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of four traps: CDC light trap, MosqTent, BG-Sentinel, and SkeeterVac, compared to human landing catch (HLC) in the collection of Mansonia mosquitoes, known to cause discomfort to riverside populations along the Madeira River in the District of Jaci Paraná, Porto Velho, in Rondônia state, Brazil. Sampling was conducted, during three periods corresponding to two seasons, dry and rainy, over five consecutive days for each period. The captures using HLC and the installation of the traps took place on the grounds of five selected residences from 6 to 10 pm. Rotational exchanges between houses ensured that all traps and the HLC were used in each of the five residences, following a predetermined Latin square pattern. A total of 7,080 mosquitoes were collected, of which 90.5% belonged to the Mansonia genus, distributed in four species: Mansonia titillans (75.97%), Mansonia humeralis (18.91%), Mansonia amazonensis (1.90%), and Mansonia indubitans (1.37%). HLC captured the highest number of Mansonia mosquitoes (58.1%), followed by SkeeterVac (21.8%) and MosqTent (18.9%). CDC and BG-Sentinel showed a very low performance (0.92 and 0.23%, respectively). Although HLC performed better in capturing Mansonia, our results suggest that SkeeterVac and MosqTent can serve as valuable additional tools to entomological inventories or sentinels for detecting invasive species in areas with high epidemiological vulnerability, thereby providing evidence-based recommendations for improving mosquito control measures and entomological surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lemurs are the most endangered group of mammals on earth, and invasive species, including domestic dogs, are considered to be the second greatest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss. Here, we describe and summarize the challenges and results of a decade of research aimed at understanding the impact of dogs on lemurs, and efforts to humanely reduce dog populations in protected areas in Madagascar, to reduce their impact on lemurs and other wildlife, via the non-profit the Mad Dog Initiative. We have found that free-roaming domestic dog populations living in and around Madagascar’s protected areas both predate and displace native wildlife, and that the presence of dogs in forests drives a reduction of wildlife in forests. Additionally, dogs vector a number of pathogens that can have lethal consequences for lemur populations, as well as serving as important vectors of anti-microbial resistance. We propose several future directions for research, outreach, and capacity building in Madagascar and other low and middle income countries aimed at better quantifying the threat of domestic species on wildlife, and mitigating its impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aposematic species rely on primary and secondary antipredator strategies. Yet, some opportunistic and generalist species may consume them, although this has been largely supported by indirect evidence such as dietary analyses or clay model experiments. Here, we studied the role of the wild boar, Sus scrofa, as a consumer and possible predator of an aposematic and toxic salamander, Salamandra salamandra gallaica. We investigated this behaviour using camera traps and salamander carcasses on a small island where both species co-occur. Our results show a very low proportion of salamanders consumed by wild boars (3.8%), which indicates that fire salamanders might not completely rely on their aposematic strategy to avoid being consumed by this generalist species. The number of predation events does not differ between wild boar age classes, but it does between seasons, with a higher consumption in spring, which can be associated with an increase in animal consumption when fruits (e.g., acorns) are no longer available on this island. We also highlight the need for temporal studies targeting predator-prey interactions through behavioural data and complementary approaches to better understand the possible impact of opportunistic and generalist species in the ecosystem. This is particularly important in management plans involving the control of generalist species such as the wild boar, which is considered one of the most invasive species globally and a threat to countless species worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly fecund invaders and size‐selective suppression efforts often limit the effectiveness of invasive species control programs, as compensatory processes can allow suppressed populations to recover. While population models have long explored how demographic characteristics impact management feasibility, there is a growing need to evaluate how the selectivity of suppression efforts might impact the long‐term feasibility of control. We use a simulation framework that integrates age‐based selectivity to evaluate the effect of increasing the range of ages selected for during harvest‐based invasive species control. We applied this approach to common carp in Utah Lake, the location of one of the world's largest freshwater vertebrate species control programs, to assess how selectivity impacts the level of control effort necessary to achieve management targets. Model simulations suggest that increasing the range of ages effectively targeted by removal gears has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of effort required to reach control targets. We found that increasing selectivity on younger, but mature, age classes allowed the control program to maintain the carp population below the 75% biomass reduction target with only 2.5 times the maximum historic effort level, while further increasing juvenile selectivity conferred minimal benefit. Furthermore, we evaluated historic levels of harvest effort against both previously set management targets and theoretical sustainable harvest targets (MSY). The historic level of suppression effort was less than that required to produce MSY regardless of the selectivity scenario explored, suggesting the control program would be harvesting at a sustainable rate even if it increases the range of ages effectively targeted by removal gears. Synthesis and applications. Controlling highly fecund invasive species becomes much more feasible if managers can identify an approach that targets all adult age classes. Explicitly considering sustainable harvest metrics provides a framework for evaluating a harvest control program's ability to overcome density‐dependent processes and achieve management objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractLethal control of wild pigs generates controversy due to stakeholder perceptions of wild pig-related damages and uses. Our research aimed to 1) examine hunter acceptability of lethal wild pig management methods; 2) identify underlying patterns in how hunters conceptualize lethal management; and 3) determine the relative influence of various factors on management acceptability. Results from an online survey of Alabama hunters revealed that most hunters were accepting of management methods except for toxicants. Results also revealed two distinct dimensions of lethal management acceptability, characterized by government-implemented and landowner-implemented methods. The top government model included four key factors, with wildlife acceptance capacity having the largest effect. The top landowner model included five key factors, with attitudes having the largest effect. Findings suggest avenues for further investigation of key factors influencing hunters’ perceptions of management and highlight the importance of considering who implements the method when measuring acceptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We report the detection of Encarsia protransvena and confirm Encarsia hispida as parasitoids of the exotic invasive whitefly Singhiella simplex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Italy. Native to the Oriental region, S. simplex has now spread worldwide, causing significant damage to exotic fig plants in southern Italy, providing a unique opportunity to study its natural interactions. The whitefly and its parasitoids were collected in some south Italian regions, obtaining two species of Chalcidoidea Aphelinidae. Using a combination of morphological and molecular analyses, we identified E. protransvena, a species reported as the only known natural enemy in the Mediterranean region. This discovery increases our understanding of the biology of both the pest and its parasitoid, offering valuable insights for future biological control programs. As we write this note, we also have obtained specimens of Encarsia hispida from the host collected in Campania. We aim to provide bio-ethological information about the species in the future. Encarsia protransvena (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is recorded here for the first time in Italy as a parasitoid of the whitefly Singhiella simplex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), one of the most invasive alien pests of exotic Ficus species. Singhiella simplex, originating from the Oriental region, has established a global presence. Monitoring of the whitefly and its parasitoids was conducted in the southern areas of Italy, providing crucial insights into their distribution and interactions. The taxonomic identity of E. protransvena, was confirmed by scrutiny of morphological and molecular taxonomic characters. At the time of writing, we also obtained some specimens of Encarsia hispida from the host collected in Campania. We reserve the right to provide bio-ethological information on the species in the future. Comprehensive illustrations and diagnostic features are provided for the host and the parasitoids. An identification key is included for all Encarsia species associated with S. simplex, which provides a valuable tool to distinguish these aphelinid wasps for future research and applications in biological control programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study examined how disturbances caused by humans affect the interactions between plants and pollinators in Terceira Island's native forests. Plant and pollinator native species dominate in preserved areas, while disturbed areas see a rise in introduced species of both study groups. Pollinator visits were mostly carried out by generalist species, especially hoverflies. In disturbed areas, non-native bees were key pollinators, while in undisturbed areas, native beetles played an important role. This research revealed that human disturbances alter species composition and the interactions between plants and pollinators. Native generalist species, of both plants and insects, appear to provide ecological opportunities that can facilitate the establishment of introduced species through their broad interaction networks. This study highlights how human activities change the natural biodiversity of island habitats. The native biodiversity of oceanic islands is threatened by human-driven disturbance and by the growing number of species introductions which often interfere with natural ecological processes. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of anthropogenic disturbance on plant–pollinator interactions in the native forest communities of an oceanic island (Terceira, Azores, Portugal). We found that native species predominated in preserved sites compared to disturbed ones and that the extant plant–pollinator interactions were mostly dominated by generalist species. Dipterans, particularly hoverflies, emerged as the primary flower visitors, while introduced hymenopterans (Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris) and native beetles were locally important, respectively, in disturbed and preserved sites. Human-driven disturbance seems to be responsible for the observed differences in flower abundance and species composition between sites and to drive changes in specific network metrics (namely nestedness, interaction strength asymmetry, and specialization), particularly in one of the study areas. Our findings also suggest that native generalist species provide ecological opportunities that can facilitate the establishment of introduced species through their broad interaction networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The insect pest Drosophila suzukii is considered a growing concern due to agricultural and economic implications, creating an urgent necessity to set out a genotypic foundation with the most modern strategies devised to hinder its negative impact. This study presents the first sequencing project performed in Romania, aiming to characterize two stabilized D. suzukii lines derived from natural populations. Additionally, this study addresses insights and strategies in order to maximize the genome assembly quality. An original scaffolding procedure prototype, dScaff, was implemented for genomic graphical representations and to create a basic linear coverage of a genome of similar quality to the current genome assembly. Background: Drosophila suzukii is a worldwide invasive species with serious economic impacts. Herein, we are presenting the first project of sequencing and assembling the whole genomes of two lines of D. suzukii derived from Romanian local populations using exclusively Oxford Nanopore Technologies data. Methods: We implemented both MinION and Flongle flow-cells and tested the impact of various basecalling models and assembly strategies on the quality of the sought-after representative genome assemblies. Results: We demonstrate that the sup-basecalling model significantly improved the read quality and that adding a relatively small collection of reads had a significant positive impact over the assembly quality. The novel dScaff bioinformatics prototype tool allowed us to perform sequence-level quality tests, as well as to represent assembly selections and display both the contig redundancy and the repeats-enriched genomic sub-sequences. Moreover, we used dScaff to propose a minimal assembly variant corresponding to one of our lines, GB-ls-coga4, which assured a basic linear coverage of the genome and exhibited quality parameters comparable with those particular to the current reference genome assembly. Conclusions: The study presents the first sequencing and assembly of a D. suzukii line in Romania and argues the efficiency of long-read sequencing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aegilops tauschii, a winter annual grass weed native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, has become a widespread invasive species in the wheat-growing regions of China due to its high environmental adaptability. This study aims to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the stress resistance of Tausch's goatgrass, focusing on the HSP70 gene family. Methods: A genome-wide analysis was conducted to identify and characterize the HSP70 gene family in A. tauschii. Afterward, their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, and chromosomal distributions were analyzed. Additionally, cis-acting regulatory elements were predicted to understand their potential role in stress resistance. Results: A total of 19 identified HSP70 family genes were classified into four subfamilies and distributed across all chromosomes. The syntenic analysis revealed extensive homology between Tausch's goatgrass and wheat HSP70 genes. Segmental duplication was found to play a crucial role in the expansion of the HSP70 gene family. The prediction of cis-acting elements suggested that these genes are involved in stress resistance to various environmental conditions. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the HSP70 gene family in A. tauschii, offering insights into their role in stress resistance and their potential application in understanding invasive species behavior and improving wheat resilience. Further research is needed to validate their functional roles in stress adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structuring of carnivore assemblages is based on the partitioning of niche axes, where the activity pattern is relevant for their coexistence. However, the continuous degradation of habitats, and the human presence (and exotic species) limit the availability of resources. Therefore, these species must readjust their requirements to minimize interactions derived from competition. For two years, activity patterns of two native carnivores (the cougar Puma concolor and the chilla fox Lycalopex griseus), one exotic carnivore (the domestic dog Canis lupus familiaris) and people were evaluated in an anthropogenic landscape in southern Chile. A differentiation was observed in the circadian cycle of the species, where the fox was predominantly nocturnal, while the cougar maintained a random activity pattern, in contrast to the dog and humans, which were the most diurnal. The ecological implications derived from the observed patterns are discussed, mainly in relation to the interference exerted by the exotic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species distribution modeling is fundamental to biodiversity, evolution, conservation science, and the study of invasive species. Given environmental data and species distribution data, model selection techniques are frequently used to help identify relevant features. Existing studies aim to find the relevant features by selecting the best models using different criteria, and they deem the predictors in the best models as the relevant features. However, they mostly consider only a given model family, making them vulnerable to model family misspecification. To address this issue, this paper introduces the Bayesian information-theoretic minimum message length (MML) principle to species distribution model selection. In particular, we provide a framework that allows the message length of models from multiple model families to be calculated and compared, and by doing so, the model selection is both accurate and robust against model family misspecification and data aggregation. To find the relevant features efficiently, we further develop a novel search algorithm that does not require calculating the message length for all possible subsets of features. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method outperforms competing methods by selecting the best models on both artificial and real-world datasets. More specifically, there was one test on artificial data that all methods got wrong. On the other 10 tests on artificial data, the MML method got everything correct, but the alternative methods all failed on a variety of tests. Our real-world data pertained to two plant species from Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Compared to the alternative methods, for both the plant species, the MML method selects the simplest model while also having the overall best predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The red macroalgae Acanthophora spicifera (spiny seaweed) is a naturalized alien species at La Paz Bay and appears to tolerate areas with human activity. However, before this study, we were unaware of the type and quantity of hydrozoan epibiont growing on this alga. Therefore, this study aims to examine the community structure of hydrozoan epibionts of A. spicifera in warm and cold seasons. We recorded eleven hydrozoans, of which there are more in summer. This study provides a detailed analysis of the community of hydrozoan epibionts of Acanthophora spicifera in La Paz Bay, Baja California Sur. The investigation was carried out in two season periods, corresponding to the warm and cold seasons on the pier of the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS) Pichilingue research station. The percentage of epibiont coverage was calculated and analyzed. The average length of the thalli was 7.8 ± 4.6 cm. Eleven taxa of hydrozoans were recorded; the hydrozoan Obelia cf. dichotoma had the highest coverage percentage, and in summer, there was a higher taxa richness. It is recommended to monitor this macroalga and its epibionts for its wide distribution in the bay, although in UABCS, Pichilingue Pier has not seen epibionts that threaten biological diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Organisms in nature are often not restricted to a single geographical location and are able to disperse to new areas. However, humans have provided means for many species to disperse over much larger distances (e.g., ships, planes) than those they would normally reach by natural means. Introduced species often can have negative effects for native organisms and local economies (known as invasive species) and for this reason a first step is to quantify the number of introduced species in a particular region. Although arachnids are a group that has been extensively studied in terms of invasive species, some countries lack information on this issue, which is the case for Panama. Here we provide the first list of introduced spiders in Panama. By reviewing scientific literature, museum collections, online databases and fieldwork, we identified 31 species of introduced spiders in the country and six of those were identified by this study. Although none of the species seem to generate negative effects for local ecosystems, more research is needed to evaluate any potential effects to native species. Similarly, monitoring policies should consider spiders as a group of organisms with potential risk for local ecosystems. Biological invasions occur when organisms are moved from their native range and introduced into new areas, where they can spread and become a potential risk for native organisms. Invasive species are well recorded for vertebrates, plants and a number of invertebrates. A taxa for which there is a lack of information in some countries are arachnids, and this is the case of reports on introduced species in Panama. Here, we report the first list of introduced spider species in the country as a result of reviewing scientific literature, online databases, museum collections and carrying out field collections. We report six new introduced species out of a total of 31 species, belonging to 10 families and 25 genera. A large proportion of these species originated from Asia. Moreover, most of the species, with historic data available, have expanded their distribution in the country. We also present a list of species that might be already present in the country or may be introduced in the future. Our work highlights the capability of spiders to invade and spread into new territories. Therefore, monitoring policies and control strategies should also consider them as potential risk for local ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major threat to biodiversity is represented by Invasive Alien Species (IAS), particularly on freshwater ecosystems, which are already heavily altered by human activities. Two of the most pernicious IAS are the eastern and western mosquitofish, i.e., Gambusia holbrooki and G. affinis. These two poeciliids are morphologically very close to each other, and soon after their formal description, G. holbrooki was considered a subspecies of G. affinis. In the following years, several studies proved that these two entities belonged to two different species; nevertheless, it was only at the end of the 1990s that their separate taxonomic status was re-established. In the 1920s and 1930s, both G. holbrooki and G. affinis were asynchronously introduced from the United States into Europe and subsequently translocated globally as biocontrol agents of the malaria vector (i.e., the larvae of the Anopheles mosquitoes), with dramatic consequences for the inland water native fauna. However, due to taxonomic uncertainties and nomenclatural instability, for years, there were doubts about which Gambusia species had been introduced in different regions. The first available molecular studies confirmed the occurrence of G. holbrooki in Europe, but no evidence confirming the occurrence of G. affinis was found. Despite this, some records report the occurrence of western mosquitofish in Italy and Malta. Considering the negative effects that the mosquitofish has on the native biota, it is of paramount importance to know the precise biological diversity of the native and non-native species to better implement environmental management strategies to properly preserve the already-fragile waterbodies. Therefore, to check for the possible occurrence of G. affinis in Italy and Malta, we conducted extensive sampling in Sicily (Italy) and in the Maltese archipelago, aiming to verify the identity of Gambusia populations occurring in the study area. Based on sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, we consistently observed the occurrence of only G. holbrooki in the investigated area, finding, almost exclusively, the most common haplotype known for the species in the whole invaded range (i.e., "HOL1"). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in Vespa velutina venom stems primarily from its impact on human health due to stings and its potential pharmacological applications. Traditionally, venom extraction methods have relied on capturing individual hornets or removing and euthanizing entire nests, followed by dissection of venom sacs—a labor-intensive and disruptive process. In this work, we present a novel, non-invasive approach to venom harvesting. Using a portable electrostimulation device, venom was extracted directly from active Vespa velutina nests in their natural habitat. This method eliminates the need for nest manipulation, significantly reducing disturbance and improving efficiency. These visuals highlight the practicality and potential of this groundbreaking technique, opening new avenues for sustainable and scalable venom collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalization has greatly expanded the opportunities for plant species to enter new areas through a wide range of pathways. Elucidating the pathways of spread of alien species and the characteristics of organisms that make them invasive is one of the most pressing problems in ecological sciences. Once established, alien species may have serious implications for communities and vice versa. Allelopathy has been proposed as one of the possible invasion mechanisms of exotic plants. Impatiens parviflora and Impatiens glandulifera are among the widely spread invasive plant species in the Baltic region. The aim of the study was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of invasive Lithuanian Impatiens spp. and their neighboring plants (11 pristine species) using parameters of germination and seedling growth of biotest species Lepidium sativum, and to expand this study by determining the content of phenolic compounds and the radical scavenging activity in the leaf extracts of Lithuanian Impatiens spp. populations (20 of each Impatiens species). Leaf extracts of all species examined had an inhibitory effect on Lepidium sativum germination and morphology of the seedlings. In our study, at all leaf extract concentrations, significantly higher allelopathic potential on radicle growth was characteristic of I. glandulifera compared to native species Alnus glutinosa, Calystegia sepium, and Urtica dioica. At all leaf extract concentrations, I. parviflora showed significantly higher allelopathic potential on radicle growth compared to native species Urtica dioica. Impatiens glandulifera had a higher juglone index than Impatiens parviflora. I. glandulifera also had the highest juglone index compared to all neighboring species studied. The differences between the populations in the content of phenolic compounds, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were 2.3, 2.2 and 2.7 times for I. glandulifera and 2.6, 5.2 and 2.7 times for I. parviflora. The mean values of total phenolic content, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity of I. glandulifera populations were 2.1, 2.7 and 3.3 times higher than those of I. parviflora populations, respectively. In general, our results about allelopathic potential and phenolics content, as well as free radical scavenging ability, confirm the supreme competitive ability of I. glandulifera compared to both I. parviflora and to the native co-occurring species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive non-native marine species have significant and far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, recreation, human health, and various industries worldwide. To mitigate this, it is crucial to be able to predict the likelihood of the establishment of non-native species. To that end, we reviewed twenty-two published lists of non-native species from the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean, plus five from other seas and oceans. From 1991 to 2020, 76% of the newly detected species in the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean, on average per region, became established. Similar rates were found for the Baltic Sea, New Zealand, South Africa, and Brazil, respectively: 77%, 73%, 73%, and 67%. A rate of 100% was reported for the Black Sea, however. While percentages fluctuate across regions, they do not significantly seem to differ over time within regions. Where available, using historical data is therefore recommended, taking into account regional circumstances. As a preliminary indicator, we propose the Seventies Rule for predicting the establishment success of newly detected species in the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean. With only five datasets from other areas in our studies, global applicability remains to be demonstrated. Policymakers, managers, and researchers can use our findings to predict establishment and decide on actions for invasive non-native marine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, combined efforts by Greek and Turkish scientists produced an updated validated NIS inventory of the Aegean ecoregion, covering 120 years of records up to August 2024. Of the 342 NIS currently present in the Aegean Sea, the majority (281 species) have invaded the South Aegean, followed by the North Aegean (128 species out of 206 NIS). A total of 73 species were added to the list, while 56 were removed. Overall, unaided spread of Lessepsian immigrants from the Levantine Sea and shipping are equally responsible for NIS reported at the regional level. An increase in publications addressing NIS matches the upward trend of NIS since the mid-1990s, which continues to the present day. While unaided introductions of Lessepsian species and/or direct introductions via the Suez Canal peaked in the South Aegean during 2000–2005, they peaked in 2012–2017 in the North Aegean—a decade later. The opposite pattern was observed in ship-transferred NIS. The spatial distribution of introduction hotspots largely reflects the following phenomena/processes: unaided introduction is witnessed initially in the southeastern Aegean Sea; monitoring efforts are concentrated in vulnerable and at-risk areas; and research efforts relate to the spatial allocation of institutions and marine experts working on marine NIS along the Aegean coasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the efficacy of drone-acquired RGB images and the YOLO model in detecting the invasive species Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) in natural environments. Siam weed is a perennial scrambling shrub from tropical and sub-tropical America that is invasive outside its native range, causing substantial environmental and economic impacts across Asia, Africa, and Oceania. First detected in Australia in northern Queensland in 1994 and later in the Northern Territory in 2019, there is an urgent need to determine the extent of its incursion across vast, rugged areas of both jurisdictions and a need for distribution mapping at a catchment scale. This study tests drone-based RGB imaging to train a deep learning model that contributes to the goal of surveying non-native vegetation at a catchment scale. We specifically examined the effects of input training images, solar illumination, and model complexity on the model's detection performance and investigated the sources of false positives. Drone-based RGB images were acquired from four sites in the Townsville region of Queensland to train and test a deep learning model (YOLOv5). Validation was performed through expert visual interpretation of the detection results in image tiles. The YOLOv5 model demonstrated over 0.85 in its F1-Score, which improved to over 0.95 with improved exposure to the images. A reliable detection model was found to be sufficiently trained with approximately 1000 image tiles, with additional images offering marginal improvement. Increased model complexity did not notably enhance model performance, indicating that a smaller model was adequate. False positives often originated from foliage and bark under high solar illumination, and low exposure images reduced these errors considerably. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using YOLO models to detect invasive species in natural landscapes, providing a safe alternative to the current method involving human spotters in helicopters. Future research will focus on developing tools to merge duplicates, gather georeference data, and report detections from large image datasets more efficiently, providing valuable insights for practical applications in environmental management at the catchment scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expression of vibrant plumage color plays important communication roles in many avian clades, ranging from penguins to passerines, but comparatively less is known about color signals in parrots (order Psittaciformes). We measured variation in coloration from three plumage patches (red face, blue rump, red tail) in an introduced population of rosy‐faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) in Phoenix, Arizona, USA and examined color differences between the sexes and ages as well as relationships with several indices of quality, including disease presence/absence (infection with beak and feather disease, Circovirus parrot, and a polyomavirus, Gammapolyomavirus avis), nutritional state (e.g., blood glucose and ketone levels), and habitat type from which birds were captured. We found that different plumage colors were linked to different quality indices: (a) adults had redder faces than juveniles, and birds with brighter faces had lower glucose levels and were less likely to have polyomavirus; (b) males had bluer rumps than females; and (c) birds caught farther from the city had redder and darker tail feathers than those caught closer to the urban center. Our findings reveal diverse information underlying variation in the expression of these disparate, ornate feather traits in an introduced parrot species, and suggest that these condition‐dependent and/or sexually dichromatic features may serve important intraspecific signaling roles (i.e., mediating rival competitions or mate choices). Research Highlights: Lovebird adults had redder faces than juveniles, and birds with brighter faces had lower glucose levels and were less likely to have polyomavirus.Male lovebirds had bluer rumps than females.Lovebirds caught farther from the city had redder and darker feathers than those caught closer to the urban center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive predators pose a substantial threat to global biodiversity. Native prey species frequently exhibit naïveté to the cues of invasive predators, and this phenomenon may contribute to the disproportionate impact of invasive predators on prey populations. However, not all species exhibit naïveté, which has led to the generation of many hypotheses to explain patterns in prey responses. These hypotheses primarily fall into two categories: system‐centric hypotheses related to biogeographic isolation (BIH) and species‐centric hypotheses, like the archetype similarity hypothesis (ASH). We tested the predictions of these hypotheses by assessing the response of the common raccoon (Procyon lotor) and hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), two native mammal species with divergent snake predation histories, to the cues of the invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) in the Florida Everglades (USA). Using giving‐up densities (GUDs), we assessed the responses of both cotton rats and raccoons to life‐size replicas of Burmese pythons and two North American predators—eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus) and coyotes (Canis latrans). Although cotton rats increased their GUD in the presence of all three predators relative to the novel‐object control, raccoons only increased their GUD in coyote treatments. These results align with the predictions of the ASH but not the BIH, and mirror observed patterns of population declines in invaded areas of the Florida Everglades. More broadly, our findings suggest that naïveté may contribute to the vulnerability of some species to invasive predators even in large continental systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural native forests are rapidly being replaced by anthropogenic forests often with a strong presence of invasive alien plant species. Eucalypt species are widely planted worldwide, with Eucalyptus globulus plantations being particularly expressive in Portugal. Poor forestry practices often lead to the associated expansion of invasive species, such as Acacia dealbata. However, we still know relatively little about the functioning of anthropogenic forests, such as seed and pollen dispersal services. Here, we compared bird abundance and richness and the seed and pollen dispersal networks in both forest types. Anthropogenic forests presented lower bird abundance, and smaller, more simplified, and more random (abundance‐based) seed dispersal services than those of natural forests. Interestingly, the pollen dispersal network was more similar than the seed dispersal network for both forest types and dominated by opportunistic and neutral processes, given the absence of specialized nectarivorous. The proportion of birds transporting seeds decreased, while those carrying pollen significantly increased in the anthropogenic forest compared to the native forest. Our work highlights the impact of anthropogenic forests on bird abundance, with consequences for seed dispersal services and forest regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of non-native fish species into new environments has raised global concerns due to potential ecological impacts on recipient ecosystems. A previous study focusing on the introduced fish species Arapaima gigas in Bolivian Amazon waters showed that its isotopic niche significantly overlapped with most co-occurring native fish species, suggesting potential competition. To evaluate this hypothesis, we extended here the investigation by comparing the trophic position and isotopic niche width of eleven abundant native fish species inhabiting both colonized and non-colonized floodplain lakes. We found lower trophic positions in colonized versus non-colonized lakes only for native piscivores, mostly driven by a shift towards increased dietary proportion of detritivorous fishes. Conversely, results showed that the isotopic niche width of most fish species analyzed (i.e. 10 over 11 species) did not significantly decrease in colonized compared to non-colonized lakes. Our overall results suggest potentially low competitive interactions between A. gigas and native fishes, with the notable exception of piscivorous species. We attribute our findings to the high abundance of available resources in Amazon oxbow lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prevent future invasions, it is essential to understand the multiple factors that determine which alien species are being introduced and where. It is not yet fully understood how ecological factors and a set of human and social factors together shape alien species introductions. The emerging fields of conservation culturomics and iEcology offer low-cost and broad-scale valuable tools for studying the factors influencing the introduction of alien species. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, we can advance our understanding of the factors determining alien species introductions and plan conservation outcomes more effectively. Invasive alien species negatively impact ecosystems, biodiversity, human societies, and economies. To prevent future invasions, it is crucial to understand both the ecological and the human and social factors determining whether a species is picked up, transported, and introduced beyond their native range. However, we often have little or no information on key human and social factors. Here, we explore how alien species introductions are shaped by a combination of ecological and human and social factors and highlight the potential of the emerging fields of conservation culturomics and iEcology for disentangling their relative importance. We argue that quantifying and assessing the relative importance of the human and social dimensions of alien species introductions can substantially improve our understanding of the invasion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien species (IAS) represent a largely untapped yet environmentally friendly, healthy, and often flavorful food source. Defined as organisms living in nonnative environments wherein they adversely impact their host ecosystems, IAS are inherently a condition of geography. Control through consumption, or harvesting IAS for the purpose of eating them, appears to be a viable option in both curbing the proliferation of many problem species and providing a source of fresh local food. Anecdotal evidence suggests interest in the practice is gaining popularity. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study is to examine what motivates people to engage in grassroots control-through-consumption efforts. The findings revealed that people were motivated to pursue control-through-consumption activities by several factors, including flavors, versatilely, and the challenge of using invasive-based ingredients; level of commitment; environmental benefits; medicinal usage; and as an outlet for leisure. Overlapping benefits were particularly powerful in motivating participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological invasions threaten biodiversity and cause severe ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Freshwater snails are very diverse and many became invasive or have the potential to do so. Studies on the relationship between bioecological traits and invasiveness are needed to prevent new invasions. The tolerance to environmental stressors of the neonate, one of the most vulnerable ontogenetic phases, may be an important component of invasiveness in freshwater snails. We hypothesize that tolerance of neonates to environmental stressors increases the chances of population establishment and persistence and hence of becoming an invader. We predict that the neonates of invasive freshwater snails will show higher survival under starvation and desiccation than those of non-invasive ones and tested this experimentally for three species of each type. We also estimated neonate volume as a proxy of tolerance. We found that the desiccation stress was more severe than the starvation one. The tolerance to starvation of two of the invasive species (Melanoides tuberculata and Pomacea canaliculata) was much higher than that of remaining species but the pattern was less clear for desiccation, which was more directly related to neonate volume. None of the non-invasive species showed high tolerance to these stressors and the invasive Physella acuta groups with them in this regard. On the whole our prediction about the relationship between neonate tolerance and invasiveness stands for five out of the six species tested, indicating that the tolerance of neonates of freshwater snails merits more research effort on other stressors to gain a sounder comprehension of their invasiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish biodiversity assessments are vital for understanding threats and aquatic ecosystem health. In the Poso River, Central Sulawesi, changes in biodiversity are influenced by habitat alteration, non-native species, and overfishing. This study evaluates fish and crustacean biodiversity in the Poso River system to address these challenges for improving fisheries management, conservation, and fish passage integration into hydropower development. The present biodiversity study utilized a comprehensive methodology that encompassed both traditional taxonomic approaches and DNA barcoding, specifically targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit-1 (COI) gene for accurate species identification and spatial boundary validation. The survey was conducted in the upstream, hydropower area and downstream areas of the river. We found 27 species of fish in the Poso River, including both native (e.g., Anguilla celebesensis, Oryzias nebulosus, Rhyacichthys aspro) and non-native species (e.g., Melanochromis auratus, Amphilophus trimaculatus, Oreochromis niloticus). Two International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red listed endangered species were also observed (e.g., Adrianichthys poptae and Mugilogobius sarasinorum). DNA barcoding was performed to examine species spatial boundaries. The fish population in the Poso River was dominated by non-native species, accounting for 85.70% of the total population. The upstream reaches had the highest fish abundance and diversity, while the downstream reaches had the lowest. There was, however, no significant difference in species richness and diversity across different locations and seasons. The dominance of non-native species in the Poso River necessitates the improvement of existing fishways within the hydropower dams potentially through the development of selective technology that can block the distribution of these non-native species. This research highlights the critical issue of non-native species proliferation and the potential threat they pose to native fish populations, providing valuable insights for conservation and management efforts in Indonesia and similar ecosystems worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is an example of an invasive species where the adults are unimpressive swimmers and yet via human activities, they have managed to rapidly invade the Laurentian Great Lakes, the Baltic Sea and many rivers in Western Europe. The secondary spread from human‐impacted sites has been attributed to adult life stages, despite their poor swimming capacity. However, the swimming capacity of early life stages of round goby has not been considered before. We therefore quantified critical swimming performance (Ucrit), sprint swimming performance (Usprint), burst swimming speeds and swimming behaviours in early juvenile round goby that ranged between 10 and 25 mm in body length. The average Ucrit, Usprint and burst speeds of these fish were an impressive 0.22, 0.34 and 0.67 m/s respectively, with the capacity of these early juveniles ranging between 41 and 79% of what has been documented for adults. Notably, fish spent more time actively swimming as current speed increased, while station holding decreased. Taken together, our findings highlight that despite their small size, early juvenile round goby are not simply passively moved by currents but have movement capacities that approach that of the much larger adults. Our study emphasizes the need to consider the swimming capacity of all life stages as this information will better predict dispersal and range expansion and will help to design mitigation efforts to potentially prevent the spread of this and other invasive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) are invasive species known for their notable expansion capacity, which makes them relevant in the context of public health due to their role as vectors. In Argentina, these species coexist in a limited subtropical area in Northeastern part of the country. Because of the limited knowledge existing about these species in this region, the present study aims to investigate the determinants of the presence and abundance of both vectors at the larval habitat scale (presence and abundance) and neighbourhood scale (House, Container and Breteau Indices; abundance; and number of pupae). For this purpose, preimaginal stages of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti were sampled in households from areas with variable urbanisation degrees (in rural, vegetated urban and non‐vegetated urban) located in the province of Misiones, Argentina. The analyses considered the association with meteorological variables (temperature and precipitation), environmental variables (type of urbanisation), biotic variables (presence of predator species) and container characteristics (size and water volume). At the larval habitat scale, Ae. albopictus was associated with precipitation, temperature and rural environments. In contrast, Ae. aegypti was positively associated with urban environments and negatively with predator presence. At the neighbourhood scale, Ae. albopictus was primarily associated with precipitation and temperature, whereas Ae. aegypti showed a negative association with predator presence and positive associations with urban environments and, to a lesser degree, meteorological variables. These results indicate that in Argentina, meteorological, biotic and environmental factors have differential influences on Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, underscoring the need to consider them for the development of effective public health strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite increasing awareness of the threats they pose, exotic species continue to arrive in Antarctica with anthropogenic assistance, some of which inevitably have the potential to become aggressively invasive. Here, we provide the first report of the globally cosmopolitan species Psychoda albipennis (Diptera, Psychodidae; commonly known as moth flies) in Antarctica during the austral summer of 2021/2022, with the identification confirmed using traditional taxonomic and molecular approaches. The species was present in very large numbers and, although predominantly associated with the drainage and wastewater systems of Antarctic national operator stations in synanthropic situations, it was also present in surrounding natural habitats. While it is unclear if P. albipennis is capable of long-distance dispersal, adult psychodid flies are known to travel more than 90 m from their emergence sites, and up to 1.5 km with wind assistance. Thus, once established in the natural environment of King George Island there appears to be a high risk of the species rapidly becoming invasive. The introduction of non-native species such as P. albipennis can be a significant driver of future biodiversity change and loss, and seriously impact ecosystem health. In vulnerable low diversity ecosystems, such as in the terrestrial environments of Antarctica, non-native species can lead to step changes in ecological functions and interactions, displace native species and, potentially, lead to the extinction of native biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphibian populations are experiencing a global significant decline due to habitat loss, climate change, disease outbreaks and last but not least, interaction with alien species and/or their parasites. The Apennine yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata pachypus (Bonaparte, 1838)) is endemic to the Italian Peninsula. This subspecies, like many other amphibians, is declining and is listed as Endangered (EN) in the italian red list (http://www.iucnredlist.org). This study aimed to use an environmental DNA (eDNA)-based approach to detect the occurrence of both B. v. pachypus and its potential threatening pathogen fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Lee Berger, 1998 (Chytridiomycetes, hereafter Bd), at 20 freshwater sampling sites in Central Italy (i.e., five isolated ponds and six rivers). Here, a new TaqMan-based (qPCR) assay has been developed for eDNA-based detection of B. v. pachypus. Additionally, eDNA-based screening for Bd occurrence was conducted. Two sampling replicates per site were carried out in 2021-2022. For the sampling sites along rivers, we collected six fine-scale and 16 large-scale environmental variables that could affect the detection of eDNA from B. v. pachypus and Bd and therefore the occurrence of these species. eDNA of B. v. pachypus was detected in 12 out of 20 sampling sites, whereas Bd was found at one sample site, co-occurring with B. v. pachypus. Environmental DNA of B. v. pachypus was detected at all but one of the rivers surveyed (i.e., Liri River). Nine out of 12 eDNA positive sites represented new occurrences for this amphibian, most of which (n = 8) were located outside Natura 2000 areas. Positive sites included eight out of 14 running water bodies and four out of six standing water bodies; the latter including a pond in a lowland protected area where B. pachypus was considered extirpated since 1997. The outcomes of this study confirm eDNA as a rapid and cost-effective method for large-scale surveys of both the Apennine yellow-bellied toad and its potentially threatening pathogenic fungus Bd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The origin and spread of agriculture facilitated a decline in human mobility and eventually led to a predominantly sedentary lifestyle globally, including on the Tibetan Plateau. Previous studies have proposed an evolution of prehistoric agriculture, from millet-based to barley-based farming. However, details regarding the process are vague. Here, we present diachronic changes in cropping structure from Xizang on the basis of a quantitative analysis of archaeobotanical remains from 12 sites located in southeastern Xizang. The advent of agriculture in Xizang began in the southeastern region around 4800 cal a BP and resulted in a quick spread of millet agriculture from the Hengduan Mountains to the Yarlung Zangbo River region. Subsequently, the introduction of barley and wheat to Xizang led to the transformation of millet-based farming into mixed farming after 3600 cal a BP. Eventually, around 3000 cal a BP, barley and wheat dominated across the entire Xizang with declining occurrences of millet. It took more than 600 years for barley and wheat to dominate in the Tibetan cropping system, which may reflect the time required for these exotic species to adapt physiologically to their new niche. In addition to the diachronic changes in crop farming, the ratio of barley to wheat and foxtail millet to broomcorn millet also varied at different elevations possibly due to local environmental variations and the crops' physiological requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing actual and potential impacts of non-native species is necessary for prioritising their management. Traditional assessments often occur at the species level, potentially overlooking differences among populations. The recently developed Dispersal-Origin-Status-Impact (DOSI) assessment scheme addresses this by treating biological invasions as population-level phenomena, incorporating the complexities affecting populations of non-native species. We applied the DOSI scheme to the non-native and translocated species reported in a shallow alluvial lake (Lake Gala) and a reservoir (Sığırcı Reservoir) in north-western Türkiye. DOSI identified 12 established species across both ecosystems, including nine fish, two invertebrates, and one mammal. Most species received High and Medium–High priority rankings, in both sites. In contrast, Medium and Low priority rankings were less common, each occurring once in Lake Gala and four times in Sığırcı Reservoir. These high-priority species warrant targeted management interventions due to their established status, autonomous spread, and observed negative impacts. By enabling a more nuanced and context-specific approach, DOSI facilitates the development of targeted strategies for managing species posing the highest risks. Moreover, DOSI's focus on population-level assessment within ecosystems is highly relevant for stakeholders, decision-makers, and environmental managers, because it provides a more detailed and precise unit of evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Climate change is one of the main challenges that human societies are currently facing. Given that forests represent major natural carbon sinks in terrestrial ecosystems, administrations worldwide are launching broad‐scale programs to promote forests, including stands of non‐native trees. Yet, non‐native trees may have profound impacts on the functions and services of forest ecosystems, including the carbon cycle, as they may differ widely from native trees in structural and functional characteristics. Also, the allocation of carbon between above‐ and belowground compartments may vary between native and non‐native forests and affect the vulnerability of the carbon stocks to disturbances. We conducted a global meta‐analysis to compare carbon stocks and fluxes among co‐occurring forests dominated by native and non‐native trees, while accounting for the effects of climate, tree life stage, and stand type. We compiled 1678 case studies from 250 papers, with quantitative data for carbon cycle‐related variables from co‐occurring forests dominated by native and non‐native trees. We included 170 non‐native species from 42 families, spanning 55 countries from all continents except Antarctica. Non‐native forests showed higher overall carbon stock due to higher aboveground tree biomass. However, the belowground carbon stock, particularly soil organic carbon, was greater in forests dominated by native trees. Among fluxes, carbon uptake rate was higher in non‐native forests, while carbon loss rate and carbon lability did not differ between native and non‐native forests. Differences in carbon stocks and fluxes between native and non‐native trees were greater at early life stages (i.e. seedling and juvenile). Overall, non‐native forests had greater carbon stocks and fluxes than native forests when both were natural/naturalised or planted; however, native natural forests had greater values for the carbon cycle‐related variables than plantations of non‐native trees. Our findings indicate that promoting non‐native forests may increase carbon stocks in the aboveground compartment at the expense of belowground carbon stocks. This may have far‐reaching implications on the durability and vulnerability of carbon to disturbances. Forestry policies aimed at improving long‐term carbon sequestration and storage should conserve and promote native forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses two books, "Squirrel Nation" and "Hedgehogs, Killing, and Kindness," which address the consequences of introducing non-native species into different environments. The books explore the ethical dilemmas and emotional complexities faced by conservationists and environmentalists when deciding whether to protect or eradicate certain species. They also delve into the historical context and cultural attitudes towards native and invasive species, highlighting the challenges of defining what is considered "home" for different animals. The authors raise thought-provoking questions about human intervention in ecosystems and the conflicting emotions that arise when dealing with conservation practices. [Extracted from the article]

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is among the key invasive pests attacking maize and sorghum, the staple cereals in many countries in Africa. The determination of habitat suitability of invasive species via correlative model is among the priority tasks that provide basic information for achieving sustainable plant protection. In this study, we developed a species distribution model of S. frugiperda and identified the key influencing environmental factors under current and future climatic conditions in Ethiopia via the MaxEnt program. The results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the simulated model was 0.856 (±0.010), confirming the good predictive ability of the model. The isothermality and precipitation of the driest month are the most dominant bioclimatic variables with a percentage contribution of 39.4% and 11.6%, respectively, in the model. The percentages of very highly suitable, highly suitable, moderately suitable, low‐suitable, and unsuitable areas were 21.24%, 21.17%, 28.22%, 16.34% and 13.03%, respectively, of the total Ethiopian land mass. From the present to the 2070s, the areas of highly suitable and very highly suitable habitats for S. frugiperda will increase due to global warming. This study noted that the pest was a major threat to maize and sorghum in Ethiopia. Hence, due emphasis should be given to strengthening monitoring and management in a suitable range, which would lessen economic losses due to invasion and ensure agricultural safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical region exhibits a remarkable diversity of freshwater fish, with the Upper Grande River in the La Plata basin emerging as a significant yet underexplored hotspot. However, this region is confronted with escalating threats from human activities, such as hydroelectric damming and urbanization, which jeopardize its ichthyofauna. This research conducted a comprehensive inventory of the ichthyofauna in the Upper Grande River, covering diverse environments and sub-basins. Fish sampling at 185 sites revealed over 94 species, indicating a high richness and abundance of migratory fish, as well as the presence of two endangered species. While the study provides valuable insights into fish species richness and distribution, accumulation curves suggest the need for additional sampling efforts. The presence of non-native species, especially in the Aiuruoca and Grande sub-basins, raises conservation concerns. The study underscores the Upper Grande River’s critical role as an area for fish diversity, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing monitoring, conservation efforts, and additional sampling to fully uncover the extent of its ichthyofauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]