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AbstractOrganismal divergence can be driven by differential resource use and adaptation to different trophic niches. Variation in diet is a major factor shaping the gut microbiota, which is crucial for many aspects of their hosts' biology. However, it remains largely unknown how host diet diversity affects the gut microbiota, and it could be hypothesized that trophic niche width is positively associated with gut microbiota diversity. To test this idea, we sequenced the 16S ribosomal RNA gene from intestinal tissue of 14 threespine stickleback populations from lakes of varying size on Vancouver Island, Canada, that have been shown to differ in trophic niche width. Using lake size as a proxy for trophic ecology, we found evidence for higher gut microbiota uniqueness among individuals from populations with broader trophic niches. While these results suggest that diet diversity might promote gut microbiota diversity, additional work investigating diet and gut microbiota variation of the same host organisms will be necessary. Yet our results motivate the question of how host population diversity (e.g., ecological, morphological, genetic) might interact with the gut microbiota during the adaptation to ecological niches.

ABSTRACT Aim Location Taxon Methods Results Main Conclusions We aimed to enhance our understanding of the distribution of mesopelagic mesozooplankton (MM) using species distribution models, assess the performance of various modelling techniques, identify key environmental predictors for MM distribution and compute their habitat suitability indices.Our study focused on the mesopelagic zone globally, with data analysed from different oceans.Our focus was primarily on mesopelagic mesozooplankton, gathering data on 861 different species from the Mesopelagic Mesozooplankton and Micronekton (MMM) Database.We used an ensemble of species distribution models, applying 10 different modelling algorithms and three multi‐model ensemble approaches. We explored two important factors that can affect model performance: subsampling and the choice of background points. We also estimated the relative importance of various environmental conditions such as mixed layer depth, temperature, salinity, net primary productivity, euphotic zone depth and dissolved nitrate concentration on the distribution of these species.Euphotic zone depth, salinity and dissolved nitrate concentration were identified as the most important variables for explaining the distribution of mesopelagic mesozooplankton. The ensemble modelling results were robust in areas with abundant observational records, but high uncertainty was observed in data‐limited regions. We found a patchy habitat suitability map for zooplankton when modelled within their native range, largely due to uneven sampling. Unrestricted range models yielded smoother patterns but could inaccurately project species in areas where they do not occur.Our study highlights the need for increased sampling effort in data‐limited regions to improve the accuracy of mesopelagic species distribution models. Despite some inaccuracies, unrestricted range models, assuming ecological equivalence (where different species occupying a similar ecological niche in different geographical regions or different ecosystems exhibit similar adaptations and behaviours), provide a reasonable comparison for habitat suitability maps and model performance. It also confirms the significant impact of certain environmental conditions on mesozooplankton distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Jacaranda mimosifolia, native to South America, is a notable ornamental tree widely used in Chinese urban landscaping due to its aesthetic and environmental value. Despite its popularity, the cultivation of J. mimosifolia in China faces challenges, including intermittent failures in various regions. This study assesses the potential distribution of J. mimosifolia in China and its response to climate change, providing insights for its application and promotion. Methods: Using MaxEnt software, we developed an ecological niche model from 218 distribution records and selected 10 environmental variables to predict the tree's distribution under various climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, SSP370). Results: Our model demonstrates high predictive accuracy (AUC > 0.90) across scenarios, identifying key factors such as the mean temperature of the coldest quarter (bio11), precipitation of the driest month (bio14), temperature annual range (bio7), and minimum temperature of the coldest month (bio6). Their relative contribution rates were 49.3%, 18.4%, 15.6%, and 2.0%, respectively. The average temperature of the coldest quarter was not lower than 5°C, with the ideal range being 7.38~14.88°C. Currently, J. mimosifolia predominantly thrives in Taiwan, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan, and to a lesser extent in the Sichuan Basin, southern Guizhou, Tibet, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang province, covering a total area of approximately 122.19×104 km2. Future predictions indicate that under the SSP126 scenario, the most significant contraction occurs between the 2050s and 2070s, with a total change of -1.08×104 km2. Conversely, under the SSP370 scenario, the greatest expansion is observed from the 2030s to the 2050s, amounting to a change of 2.08×104 km2. Suitable area expansion is anticipated in most periods and scenarios, except for SSP126 in the 2070s, SSP245 in the 2050s, and SSP370 in the 2030s and 2070s. The distribution center shifts observed include movements northwestward, southwestward, and eastward with distances ranging from 5.12 km to 18.84 km. These shifts are likely driven by global warming, resulting in movements to higher elevations and latitudes. Discussion: These predictions will provide a solid theoretical foundation for the future application of J. mimosifolia in urban landscaping and serve as a valuable reference for its introduction and cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) occupies a relatively narrow ecological niche, with many traits adapted for cold temperatures, movement across snow, ice and open water, and for consuming highly lipid-dense prey species. The divergence of polar bears from brown bears (Ursus arctos) and their adaptation to their Arctic lifestyle is a well-known example of rapid evolution. Previous research investigating whole genomes uncovered twelve key genes that are highly differentiated between polar and brown bears, show signatures of selection in the polar bear lineage, and are associated with polar bear adaptation to the Arctic environment. Further research suggested fixed derived alleles in these genes arose from selection on both standing variation and de novo mutations in the evolution of polar bears. Here, we reevaluate these findings based on a larger and geographically more representative dataset of 119 polar bears and 135 brown bears, and assess the timing of derived allele fixation in polar bears by incorporating the genomes of two Late Pleistocene individuals (aged 130–100,000 years old and 100–70,000 years old). In contrast with previous results, we found no evidence of derived alleles fixed in present-day polar bears within the key genes arising from de novo mutation. Most derived alleles fixed in present-day polar bears were also fixed in the Late Pleistocene polar bears, suggesting selection occurred prior to 70,000 years ago. However, some derived alleles fixed in present-day polar bears were not fixed in the two Late Pleistocene polar bears, including at sites within APOB, LYST, and TTN. These three genes are associated with cardiovascular function, metabolism, and pigmentation, suggesting selection may have acted on different loci at different times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the behavior of mate-guarding male desert locusts in hot desert environments. The study reveals that these males act as parasols for females laying eggs, shielding them from the heat and lowering their body temperature. This behavior has important implications for pest control and the adaptation of desert locusts to climate change. However, more research is needed to understand how mate guarding affects thermoregulation in other locust and insect species in different locations and seasons. [Extracted from the article]

Environmental factors and interspecific interactions, such as competition and facilitation, can shape species' geographic ranges. Here, we tested the relationship between geographic range overlap of squamate sister species, and their divergence in body size, diel activity, and microhabitat use. Competition theory predicts that sister species with similar traits will overlap less geographically than sister pairs with dissimilar traits. However, similar distributions may present similar selective pressures and favour similar adaptations, such that habitat filtering may result in species with more similar traits in sympatry. Across 1434 sister species contrasts, we found little relationship between range overlap and niche divergence. In some models, the divergence in body size and microhabitat use marginally increased with sympatry, while in other models, sympatric sisters had similar activity times. However, the low R‐squared values of almost all these models lend only weak support to predictions from competition or habitat filtering theories. Sympatric sister species within the same biome showed more similar activity times than expected, lending some support to habitat filtering. Niche divergence in allopatry or sympatry, as calculated using a multi‐trait dissimilarity index, did not show a phylogenetic signal, and niches of sister species from different squamate clades did not deviate significantly from the null expectation. Overall, niche divergence or convergence, across the axes we explored, is not a prerequisite for regional species co‐occurrence. We suggest here that the lack of consistent support for either limiting similarity or habitat filtering may reflect that both these forces act as transient phenomena. More fine‐grained analyses, in space and time, would be needed to detect their fingerprints. Thus, coexistence in the face of competition can arise due to various evolutionary and biogeographic mechanisms, acting concurrently or asynchronously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More heterogeneous environments allow for greater availability of ecological niches, thus favoring greater species diversity. However, it is not yet established how heterogeneity influences taxonomic and functional beta diversity. Therefore, we aimed to determine how environmental heterogeneity affects the patterns of taxonomic and functional beta diversity of planktonic microcrustaceans in reservoirs in different regions (semiarid and humid) in Northeast Brazil, in addition to verifying the influence of dry and rainy periods on these measures. Sampling from the semiarid region was carried out between 2013 and 2016, while samples from the humid region were collected between 2019 and 2021. Environmental heterogeneity and taxonomic and functional beta diversity were greater in the semiarid region, regardless of the hydrological period. However, regardless of the region, taxonomic beta diversity was greater during the dry period, while functional beta diversity did not differ between periods. Both types of diversity were driven mainly by local factors in the semiarid region, considered a region of high environmental heterogeneity due to the geomorphological and climatic characteristics that differentiate it from other regions. This type of study reinforces the need to conserve these reservoirs, especially those located in the semiarid region, as they support greater variability in species composition and functional traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and invasive species represent two intertwined global environmental challenges profoundly affecting freshwater ecosystems. This study uses Ecological Niche Modeling along with risk screening to delve into the preferences and potential distribution of Potamopyrgus antipodarum, an invasive species, in relation to climate zones and habitat types, shedding light on the critical importance of coastal wetlands and high soil organic carbon content in shaping habitat suitability. Our findings underscore that P. antipodarum exhibits a distinct affinity for cool temperate, moist climates, as well as temperate floodplain rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas. Notably, coastal wetlands, endowed with elevated soil organic carbon levels, emerged as pivotal habitats for this species. Projections indicated a significant expansion in North America, potentially extending into South America. Türkiye reveals an intriguing alignment between its habitat and the natural distribution areas of P. antipodarum, presenting potential for habitat contraction while still retaining a broader range compared to other regions. These potential expansions were predominantly driven by climate suitability, playing a pivotal role in the invasiveness of P. antipodarum, with anticipated future climate regimes exerting substantial influence on its dispersal capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-associated microbial communities are crucial for plant growth and health. However, assembly mechanisms of microbial communities and microbial interaction patterns remain elusive across vary degrees of pathogen-induced diseases. By using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology, we investigated the impact of wildfire disease on the microbial composition and interaction network in plant three different compartments. The results showed that pathogen infection significantly affect the phyllosphere and rhizosphere microbial community. We found that the primary sources of microbial communities in healthy and mildly infected plants were from the phyllosphere and hydroponic solution community. Mutual exchanges between phyllosphere and rhizosphere communities were observed, but microbial species migration from the leaf to the root was rarely observed in severely infected plants. Moreover, wildfire disease reduced the diversity and network complexity of plant microbial communities. Interactions among pathogenic bacterial members suggested that Caulobacter and Boseamightbecrucial "pathogenantagonists" inhibiting the spreadofwildfire disease. Our study provides deep insights into plant pathoecology, which is helpful for the development of novel strategies for phyllosphere disease prediction or prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of the Nearctic predaceous stink bug species, (Perillus bioculatus) was attempted multiple times in various countries throughout Europe to mitigate the damage caused by the invasive and harmful pest species, the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). Though these attempts were thought to be unsuccessful for decades, more recent data elucidated that the species have established small self-sustaining populations in the Balkans Peninsula, Southern Russia, and Türkiye and recently began to expand. In the past years, the European range of the species reached Eastern Europe. After the first individuals were found in Hungary in October 2023 a citizen science campaign was launched to investigate the distribution of the species in the country. By June 2024 it became evident that the species is established throughout the country. Furthermore, observations regarding beetle larvae and moth caterpillars as alternative prey were reported supporting the previous assumptions that the naturalization and expansion of the species in Europe is facilitated by dietary drift. Here, we summarize the knowledge on the European presence of the two-spotted stink bug and formulate hypotheses regarding its future distribution and the impact of the species on the insect communities of the newly colonized areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative studies suggest remarkable similarities among food webs across habitats, including systematic changes in their structure with diversity and complexity (scale-dependence). However, historic aboveground terrestrial food webs (ATFWs) have coarsely grouped plants and insects such that these webs are generally small, and herbivory is disproportionately under-represented compared to vertebrate predator–prey interactions. Furthermore, terrestrial herbivory is thought to be structured by unique processes compared to size-structured feeding in other systems. Here, we present the richest ATFW to date, including approximately 580 000 feeding links among approximately 3800 taxonomic species, sourced from approximately 27 000 expert-vetted interaction records annotated as feeding upon one of six different resource types: leaves, flowers, seeds, wood, prey and carrion. By comparison to historical ATFWs and null ecological hypotheses, we show that our temperate forest web displays a potentially unique structure characterized by two properties: (i) a large fraction of carnivory interactions dominated by a small number of hyper-generalist, opportunistic bird and bat predators; and (ii) a smaller fraction of herbivory interactions dominated by a hyper-rich community of insects with variably sized but highly specific diets. We attribute our findings to the large-scale, even resolution of vertebrate, insect and plant guilds in our food web. This article is part of the theme issue 'Connected interactions: enriching food web research by spatial and social interactions'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic reprogramming provides tumors with an energy source and biofuel to support their survival in the malignant microenvironment. Extensive research into the intrinsic oncogenic mechanisms of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has established that cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) and metabolic reprogramming regulates tumor progression through numerous biological activities, including tumor immunosuppression, chronic inflammation, and ecological niche remodeling. Specifically, immunosuppressive TME formation is promoted and mediators released via CAFs and multiple immune cells that collectively support chronic inflammation, thereby inducing pre-metastatic ecological niche formation, and ultimately driving a vicious cycle of tumor proliferation and metastasis. This review comprehensively explores the process of CAFs and metabolic regulation of the dynamic evolution of tumor-adapted TME, with particular focus on the mechanisms by which CAFs promote the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment and support metastasis. Existing findings confirm that multiple components of the TME act cooperatively to accelerate the progression of tumor events. The potential applications and challenges of targeted therapies based on CAFs in the clinical setting are further discussed in the context of advancing research related to CAFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the interbreeding of Homo neanderthalensis (hereafter Neanderthal) and Anatomically modern human (AMH) has been proven, owing to the shortage of fossils and absence of appropriate DNA, the timing and geography of their interbreeding are not clearly known. In this study, we applied ecological niche modelling (maximum entropy approach) and GIS to reconstruct the palaeodistribution of Neanderthals and AMHs in Southwest Asia and Southeast Europe and identify their contact and potential interbreeding zone during marine isotope stage 5 (MIS 5), when the second wave of interbreeding occurred. We used climatic variables characterizing the environmental conditions of MIS 5 ca. 120 to 80 kyr (averaged value) along with the topography and coordinates of Neanderthal and modern human archaeological sites to characterize the palaeodistribution of each species. Overlapping the models revealed that the Zagros Mountains were a contact and potential interbreeding zone for the two human species. We believe that the Zagros Mountains acted as a corridor connecting the Palearctic/Afrotropical realms, facilitating northwards dispersal of AMHs and southwards dispersal of Neanderthals during MIS 5. Our analyses are comparable with archaeological and genetic evidence collected during recent decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nature, microbes do not thrive in seclusion but are involved in complex interactions within- and between-microbial kingdoms. Among these, symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria are namely known to improve plant health, while providing resources to benefit other microbial members. Yet, it is not clear how these microbial symbionts interact with each other or how they impact the microbiota network architecture. We used an extensive co-occurrence network analysis, including rhizosphere and roots samples from six plant species in a natural desert in AlUla region (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and described how these symbionts were structured within the plant microbiota network. We found that the plant species was a significant driver of its microbiota composition and also of the specificity of its interactions in networks at the microbial taxa level. Despite this specificity, a motif was conserved across all networks, i.e., mycorrhizal fungi highly covaried with other mycorrhizal fungi, especially in plant roots—this pattern is known as assortativity. This structural property might reflect their ecological niche preference or their ability to opportunistically colonize roots of plant species considered non symbiotic e.g., H. salicornicum, an Amaranthaceae. Furthermore, these results are consistent with previous findings regarding the architecture of the gut microbiome network, where a high level of assortativity at the level of bacterial and fungal orders was also identified, suggesting the existence of general rules of microbiome assembly. Otherwise, the bacterial symbionts Rhizobiales and Frankiales covaried with other bacterial and fungal members, and were highly structural to the intra- and inter-kingdom networks. Our extensive co-occurrence network analysis of plant microbiota and study of symbiont assortativity, provided further evidence on the importance of bacterial and fungal symbionts in structuring the global plant microbiota network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Effector secretion is crucial for root endophytes to establish and protect their ecological niche. We used time‐resolved transcriptomics to monitor effector gene expression dynamics in two closely related Sebacinales, Serendipita indica and Serendipita vermifera, during symbiosis with three plant species, competition with the phytopathogenic fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, and cooperation with root‐associated bacteria. We observed increased effector gene expression in response to biotic interactions, particularly with plants, indicating their importance in host colonization. Some effectors responded to both plants and microbes, suggesting dual roles in intermicrobial competition and plant–microbe interactions. A subset of putative antimicrobial effectors, including a GH18‐CBM5 chitinase, was induced exclusively by microbes. Functional analyses of this chitinase revealed its antimicrobial and plant‐protective properties. We conclude that dynamic effector gene expression underpins the ability of Sebacinales to thrive in diverse ecological niches with a single fungal chitinase contributing substantially to niche defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snails are effective bioindicators due to their prolific distribution, high level of endemism, and capacity to accumulate contaminants. Freshwater snails have unique ecological niches which are imperiled by land‐use change and the introduction of hazardous chemicals. To assess how environmental alterations affect gastropods, lab‐based studies are needed to characterize the toxicity of specific stressors. This can help guide policy decisions and remediation efforts. The aim of this research was to characterize acute toxicity of nickel (Ni) on endemic snails (Somatogyrus georgianus [Walker, 1904], Elimia cahawbensis [Lea, 1861], and Elimia spp.) and measure the accumulation of Ni and mineral elements including calcium (Ca), magnesium, potassium, and sodium (Na). Snails were exposed to six concentrations (25–800 µg/L) of Ni for 96 h. Among the studied snail species, E. cahawbensis was the most sensitive to Ni, with the lowest lethal concentration where 50% of the organisms died (LC50) at 88.88 µg/L Ni after 96 h. The LC50 at 96 h for S. georgianus was 167.78 µg/L Ni, and 393.13 μg/L Ni for Elimia spp. Except for Elimia spp., mortality of the other two snail species corresponded to the whole‐body uptake of Ni. Nickel exposure also influenced Ca and Na uptake for Elimia spp. All three endemic species are potential candidate species for evaluating localized effects of human activities, and the present study provides a first step in characterizing how snails would be affected by environmental alterations. More research could further characterize potential effects of other human stressors on these endemic snail species. Future research into subindividual responses and routes of exposure can further elucidate variations in species sensitivity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1–11. © 2024 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim Location Taxon Methods Results Main Conclusion Species with disjunct geographic distributions provide natural opportunities to investigate incipient or recent allopatric divergence. The combination of both genetic and ecological data may be fruitful to decipher the causes of such patterns: (i) actual vicariance, (ii) successful colonisation from one source to a new range (dispersal, biological introduction) or (iii) parallel convergent evolution.Southern France and Northern Spain.The bee orchid Ophrys aveyronensis (and its two recognised subspecies O. a. subsp. aveyronensis and O. a. subsp. vitorica) displays a disjunct geographic distribution with two subranges separated by 600 km on both sides of the Pyrenees mountain range.As allopatric divergence is often complex to document in the wild, we used a combination of population genomics and ecological niche modelling (ENM) to investigate the causes of this intriguing biogeographic pattern.The population genomic data demonstrate that all the studied populations exhibit similar patterns of genetic diversity and dramatic decrease in effective size compared with the ancestral population. Significant genetic differentiation and reciprocal monophyly exist between populations of the two subranges of O. aveyronensis, despite a very recent divergence time as young as ca. 1500 generations ago. Moreover, paleo‐ENM analyses support that the disjunct geographic distribution of O. aveyronensis is consistent with a range split of a broad ancestral range, contraction and distinct longitudinal and latitudinal shifts in response to climate warming during the Holocene.The congruence of the results obtained from both population genomics and ENM approaches documents how very recent continental allopatric divergence initiated speciation in this system. O. aveyronensis provides a promising opportunity to study the onset of reproductive isolation and parallel evolution following an initial stage of geographic separation in a group with high diversification rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The backbone of the eukaryotic tree of life contains taxa only found in molecular surveys, of which we still have a limited understanding. Such is the case of Picozoa, an enigmatic lineage of heterotrophic picoeukaryotes within the supergroup Archaeplastida, which has emerged as a significant component of marine microbial planktonic communities. To enhance our understanding of the diversity, distribution, and ecology of Picozoa, we conduct a comprehensive assessment at different levels, from assemblages to taxa, employing phylogenetic analysis, species distribution modeling, and ecological niche characterization. Results: Picozoa was among the ten most abundant eukaryotic groups, found almost exclusively in marine environments. The phylum was represented by 179 Picozoa's OTU (pOTUs) placed in five phylogenetic clades. Picozoa community structure had a clear latitudinal pattern, with polar assemblages tending to cluster separately from non-polar ones. Based on the abundance and occupancy pattern, the pOTUs were classified into four categories: Low-abundant, Widespread, Polar, and Non-polar. We calculated the ecological niche of each of these categories. Notably, pOTUs sharing similar ecological niches were not closely related species, indicating a phylogenetic overdispersion in Picozoa communities. This could be attributed to competitive exclusion and the strong influence of the seasonal amplitude of variations in environmental factors, such as temperature, shaping physiological and ecological traits. Conclusions: Overall, this work advances our understanding of uncharted protists' evolutionary dynamics and ecological strategies. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the species-level ecology of marine heteroflagellates like Picozoa. The observed phylogenetic overdispersion challenges the concept of phylogenetic niche conservatism in protist communities, suggesting that closely related species do not necessarily share similar ecological niches. 9DjsWS8J_yUMTxizMfQ8ty Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of suitable habitats and roadkill hotspots allows for the prioritization of areas of conservation and the identification of road sections that require appropriate planning and development. Understanding the factors that influence the species' presence and those contributing to its road-related fatalities is crucial. This study demonstrates the use of MaxEnt modeling to map the potential distribution of the striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) in Batna province (East Algeria) using occurrence records and a set of environmental variables. The results indicated that the two primary environmental variables that influence the distribution of the species are the shrubland, and the slope with a contribution of 37.5 and 30.2 %, respectively, followed by built-up areas (12 %) and distance to roads (7.2 %). The species may occupy steep terrain with shrubland near anthropized areas. Road collisions represent a threat to the species, with 28 documented casualties from 2010 to 2020 in Batna. The kernel density estimation revealed an important roadkill hotspot along the national roads 3 and 28. This study represents a preliminary step for the use of wildlife ecological niche modeling and road management in Algeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal swamp forests fill ecological niches that provide valuable environmental services, yet their extent across coastal Louisiana has diminished from logging and saltwater intrusion. Previous reforestation attempts yielded mixed results, attributed to hydrological disturbances leaving regions of the coast vulnerable to environmental stress. Environmental conditions may be improving. In the Pontchartrain Estuary, the Caernarvon Freshwater Diversion (CFD) has pulsed Mississippi River water into lower estuary wetlands since 1991, and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Canal closure in 2009 lowered soil salinity further upstream in the estuary on the Maurepas Landbridge (MLB). However, how hydrological restoration impacts habitat restoration remains undocumented. The Pontchartrain Conservancy planted ~80,000 saplings from 2011–2021 in two regions (CFD, MLB) within the estuary. Species included Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich, Nyssa aquatica L. Nyssa sylvatica Marshal var. biflora, Acer rubrum L. var. drummondii (Hook. & Arn. ex Nutt.) Sarg. and Fraxinus pennsylvanica, though > 80% of the saplings planted were T. distichum. We assessed survival and growth for 7.3% of saplings. Survival differed between regions; survival was lower around the CFD (63%) and higher on the MLB (82%). Growth rates also differed; growth was higher in CFD (height: 0.18–0.69 m/yr; diameter 0.66–1.62 cm/yr) and lower in MLB (height: 0.00–0.44 m/yr; diameter 0.05–0.18 cm/yr). Growth varied temporally between areas, but trends were similar. Results indicate 1) hydrological restoration benefits coastal swamp reforestation, and 2) river water increased growth. As habitat restoration, including swamp reforestation, scales-up in Louisiana, these outcomes help resource managers and planners refine restoration goals and target areas to maximize restoration success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hucks, K.D. and Leberg, P.L., 2024. Evaluation of maximum entropy models for assessing coastal bird distributions under restoration scenarios. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(5), 901–918. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Coastal systems are facing many challenges, including climate change, sea-level rise, storm surge, and erosion, all of which contribute to land loss. In Louisiana, this has led to the development of a coastal master plan supported by habitat suitability index (HSI) models to predict wildlife responses under various management scenarios. However, HSI models were not originally intended for this purpose, and their functionality at large spatial scales is unclear. The goal was to use maximum entropy modeling to predict how various bird distributions might change with coastal restoration and management and to compare those results to HSI model predictions. Using field surveys and sources of bird locations, as well as environmental projections from the Comprehensive Master Plan habitat and hydrology models, the authors predicted the probability of occurrence for each target species for current conditions and projected the distributions into the future at 25 and 50 years using sea-level rise and coastal change scenarios. Predictive models for each species under current conditions show good agreement with field observations. Future models generally show reductions in areas of potentially high habitat use, with a few notable exceptions in the Brown Pelican habitat. Both MaxEnt and HSI modeling approaches had advantages and disadvantages; neither was clearly superior for predicting wildlife habitat. Increasing the resolution and quality of environmental data used in coastal monitoring efforts, as well as additional field validation of model predictions, will improve estimates of suitable habitat, habitat use, and restoration outcomes for wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic changes can affect species distributions, population abundance, and evolution. Such organismal responses could be determined by the amount and quality of available habitats, which can vary independently. In this study, we assessed changes in habitat quantity and quality independently to generate explicit predictions of the species' responses to climatic changes between Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and present day. We built ecological niche models for genetic groups within 21 reptile, mammal, and plant taxa from the Baja California peninsula inhabiting lowland or highland environments. Significant niche divergence was detected for all clades within species, along with significant differences in the niche breadth and area of distribution between northern and southern clades. We quantified habitat quantity from the distribution models, and most clades showed a reduction in distribution area towards LGM. Further, niche marginality (used as a measure of habitat quality) was higher during LGM for most clades, except for northern highland species. Our results suggest that changes in habitat quantity and quality can affect organismal responses independently. This allows the prediction of genomic signatures associated with changes in effective population size and selection pressure that could be explicitly tested from our models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identified groups of mayfly species that share microhabitats in eastern Cuban streams by sampling during rainy and dry seasons in four microhabitats in pools (cobbles, sand, leaf litter and bank vegetation) and one microhabitat (cobbles) in riffles. A total of 20 species and three morphospecies were found. Species similarity in habitat use was analysed using k-means clustering. Overall, the highest number of individuals was collected in cobbles in riffles, followed by cobbles in pools. Five species groups, labelled from I to V, were identified based on their primary microhabitat use. Two groups (I and V) included species with a generalist pattern of habitat use, but differing in seasonality. Species in remaining groups tend to concentrate in specific microhabitats. Species of groups II and IV use mostly cobbles in riffles and in pools, respectively, while species in group III concentrate in sand during the rainy season. Our results allowed to identify the species most vulnerable to alterations of the hydrologic regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazel dormice Muscardinus avellanarius have severely declined since 2000 leading to increased legislative protection in the UK and Europe. Artificial nestboxes are widely used for its conservation and monitoring. Previous research has focused on how to identify suitable areas for nestboxes, but where to place individual boxes to promote occupancy is less well understood. Here, we demonstrate the use of machine learning Random Forest regression to predict nestbox occupancy from a wide range of microhabitat variables using a UK woodland as a case study. Random forest models are powerful predictive tools that allow simultaneous testing of many predictors with relatively few observations. Field data included observed nestbox occupancy (2017–2021) and measurements of 76 microhabitat variables collected in the summer of 2021 from 45 occupied and unused nestboxes located in a deciduous woodland in Berkshire, UK. We applied Random Forest regression to identify important variables and predict nestbox occupancy demonstrating robust approaches to tune model hyperparameters and evaluate importance metrics. In our study area, nestboxes were more likely to be occupied in sites with more hazel Corylus avellana, greater overall tree abundance but not fully closed canopies (optimal 80–85%), more honeysuckle Lolium periclymenum and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, and when located further from footpaths and woodland margins. Occupancy over the study period was well predicted using microhabitat variables (13.3% OOB error) but future occupancy was more uncertain (33.3% error for 2021–2023 records). Modelling approaches that allow consideration of numerous variables from few locations or observations can be help identify relevant features and predict desirable outcomes of conservation actions. Here we demonstrate this approach identifying microhabitat variables that influence artificial nestbox occupancy by hazel dormice in a UK woodland. Findings offer some recommendations for local management that could promote nestbox occupancy and improve monitoring and conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how population structure and demography are determined is a central theme in marine biogeography. While historical events, such as past climate change, are important determinants, the mechanisms by which they act are not well understood in many marine species. In this study, the population structure of the Japanese, marine intertidal gastropod Lunella correensis was investigated to determine whether it has been affected by past environmental changes. A genome-wide SNP analysis, L. correensis showed a genetic gradient along the coast and a weak genetic differentiation between sites in the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean. Demographic inference suggests that the effective population size expanded and shrunk in response to periods of rapid warming and cooling due to past climate change. Further, ecological niche modelling suggests that the population size of L. correensis increased by advancing into the Sea of Japan during rapid warming after the Last Glacial Maximum. Notably, our analyses suggest that recent human activities may have influenced the effective population size of this species. Specifically, the period of reduction in the population size coincides with environmental changes and habitat loss associated with development along the Japanese coastal area. Thus, these results emphasize that the genetic structure and demography of marine species have been influenced by past environmental change around the Japanese Archipelago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Given the rapid pace of climate change and its significant impact on species distribution and survival, understanding the dynamics of ecological niches over time becomes imperative. By employing ecological niche models and species distribution models, alongside analyses of historical occurrence records and palaeoclimatic data, we aimed to assess the extent of changes in the niche of Porites astreoides from the Holocene to the present. Specifically, we quantified the amount of: (1) niche stability, (2) niche expansion, (3) niche decline and (4) niche overlap in both the environmental and geographical space. Location: Atlantic Ocean. Taxon: Cnidarian, Scleractinia. Materials and Methods: Through fossil and current records and environmental variables from the same periods, we use two ecological niche modelling approaches (overlap and maximum entropy) to analyse niche dynamics in environmental and geographical space, specifically the degree of expansion, stability and loss of niches over the last ~8000 years. We used a principal component analysis to build the models within two different calibration areas (minimum convex polygon and buffer). Results: Our results were similar, except for the loss of habitat, across the calibration areas used to build the models. The PCA used to build the models accounts for more than 65% of the variation in the data. Most of the environmental niche remained stable with an increase of almost a third and a negligible loss. Models in geographical space showed that most of the suitable area remained stable, but the species expanded its range from the Caribbean to the coast of Brazil. The analysis also showed a high value of niche overlap in environmental and geographical spaces. Main Conclusions: The species studied is one of the corals with the greatest capacity to adapt to new environments and locations, but it also has a high tendency to preserve niche traits. These characteristics helped the species to expand its environmental and geographical niche in a period of relative climatic stability. On the other hand, these same characteristics of niche conservatism can lead the species to population decline and habitat loss, if the speed of adaptation is lower than the rapid climate changes predicted for the middle and end of the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The continuous development of statistical tools applied to ecology has contributed to great advances for modelling species' niches and distributions from opportunistic observations. However, as these observations are subject to biases caused by spatial variation in sampling effort, ecological niche models (ENMs) are also frequently biased. Among several bias correction methods that have been proposed, spatial filtering—imposing a minimum distance between occurrences—is widely used, yet lacks clear guidelines for choosing the filtering distance. Here, we aimed to explore the impact of spatial filtering distances on the performance of ENMs. Location: Europe. Taxon: Virtual species. Methods: We applied ENMs to two virtual species with contrasting levels of specialisation, across a spectrum of modelling conditions, bias types and sample sizes. Results: Models applied to the specialist species had on average a lower performance than those applied to the generalist species. Using a biased sample reduced model performance, especially when the bias was strong, and when the sample size was large. In many cases, spatial filtering failed to improve model performance or even reduced it. We did find an improvement for the generalist species modelled with large and strongly biased datasets. However, there was no optimal filtering distance, as this improvement was linearly and positively associated with filtering distance. Moreover, because the initial bias was strong and the filtered dataset became very small, the resulting models had only very low accuracy. Main Conclusions: Our results suggest that there is no optimal filtering distance for dealing with sampling bias in ENMs, and that spatial filtering never improves model performance enough to draw accurate predictions. We therefore recommend spatial filtering to be employed cautiously, only when enough data are available, and bearing in mind that its effectiveness remains highly uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold‐water lakes situated in high latitudes and altitudes have pivotal socio‐ecological importance both globally and locally. However, they are increasingly threatened by multiple anthropogenic stressors, such as climate change, hydropower and invasive species. The development of efficient management strategies is therefore urgently needed and requires a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the biodiversity and ecological processes of these ecosystems. We provide a holistic knowledge base for informed future research and management by addressing the interplay between local and global environmental drivers of food webs in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus, Salmonidae) and brown trout (Salmo trutta, Salmonidae) dominated cold‐water lakes in Fennoscandia. The trophic niche and population dynamics of these generalist top consumers provide extensive insights into the effects of natural and anthropogenic drivers on food webs in intensively studied Fennoscandian cold‐water lakes, covering marked biogeographical gradients in abiotic and biotic conditions. Drawing on a synthesis of existing literature, our focus is on three pivotal drivers: (1) lake location and connectivity, (2) lake area and morphometry and (3) fish community composition. These drivers significantly influence the complexity and the origin and flow of energy in lake food webs, and ultimately the size structure of the charr and trout populations. Furthermore, we highlight ongoing environmental changes in Fennoscandian cold‐water lakes caused by hydropower and invasive species. Finally, we identify crucial knowledge gaps and propose management actions for improving the future state of Fennoscandian cold‐water lake ecosystems and their charr and trout populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sympatric species within a community often compete for limited resources, such as food items and habitat. The reliance by semi-aquatic snakes on resources in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats might influence either the frequency or intensity of interspecific interactions and also cause sympatric species to be disproportionately vulnerable to habitat alterations. To reduce competition, species might partition specific resources. Three watersnake species—Nerodia erythrogaster, N. harteri, and N. rhombifer—occur in the upper-middle reaches of the Brazos River, in central Texas. We examined the nature of coexistence among these watersnakes by (1) identifying habitat features that predicted site-level occupancy, (2) assessing microhabitat selection in relation to features such as riffle presence and canopy closure, and (3) quantifying environmental variables that influenced detection probabilities of the watersnakes. In-stream riffles were important for all three watersnake species at either the site or microhabitat level, or both. These three species of Nerodia appear to partition their habitat, however, because the snakes were distributed differently with respect to microhabitat features such as canopy closure and invasive saltcedar (Tamarix spp.). Regular assessment of the community composition is needed because N. harteri continues to experience local population declines and extirpations. Habitat management, such as the removal of saltcedar and preservation of in-stream riffles, might promote long-term stability in the populations of all three species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of bacteria belonging to the Pseudomonas syringae complex in the natural vegetation of several Icelandic habitat types has been recently reported, raising questions about the risk to Icelandic crops, particularly given the expected increase in agricultural activity due to climate warming. This study takes advantage of Iceland's unique characteristics and the discovery of P. syringae in Peltigera lichens to gain a better understanding of the potential risk posed by this newly discovered ecological niche. The main objective was to evaluate the pathogenic potential and fitness in crops of P. syringae strains isolated from Peltigera lichen sampled in Iceland, focusing on strains that belong to phylogroups 1 and 2, which commonly contain epidemic strains. The results indicate that P. syringae strains isolated from Icelandic Peltigera lichen have a comparable fitness to epidemic strains in 8 out of 10 tested plant species (rice, tomato, thale cress, annual mugwort, spinach, garlic chives, tobacco and kale). Furthermore, pathogenicity assessment on three plant species highlighted that certain strains also caused similar symptoms and disease severity compared to epidemic strains. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential risks posed by P. syringae from Icelandic natural habitats and illustrate how strains from these habitats have a wide pathogenic potential to crops without having encountered these crops in the last several thousand years of their presence in Iceland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding spatial ecology and predicting animal movements in response to environmental changes, such as anthropogenic climate change and multidecadal variability, is critical for effective conservation strategies. Niche structuring is key to some coastal shark species and size classes coexisting in the US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to limit interspecific and intraspecific interaction. Data from four fishery‐independent bottom longline surveys were used to evaluate the abiotic ecological niches of eight species of small and large coastal sharks. Gaussian mixture models separated length composition data into 14 size categories for ecological niche analysis. Generalized additive mixed effect models were fit and coupled with output from dynamic high‐resolution ocean models to predict suitable abiotic habitats, evaluate potential shifts in distribution, and explore the impacts of large‐scale climatological trends on abiotic habitats from 1994 to 2019. The abiotic niche for small coastal sharks generally tended toward warmer, high salinity, shallow bottom waters close to shore. No overarching niche was found for large coastal sharks, but appreciable ontogenetic differences were seen. Most taxa analyzed exhibited declining annual trends in higher quality habitats, particularly during fall months. The analysis provided evidence of shifts north along the Atlantic, to deeper offshore waters in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, and the potential to redistribute in response to multidecadal climate variability for multiple species. The analytical framework described could aid in developing various spatiotemporal management measures, and results provide insight into the habitat characteristics of several species over broad spatiotemporal ranges and through ontogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We present a methodology to address multifaceted uncertainties in species distribution models (SDMs), enhancing their robustness and providing vital insights to inform management and conservation decisions. Data uncertainties, including positional inaccuracies in historical data and absences in survey data that could be attributed to anthropogenic disturbances rather than habitat unsuitability, can compromise SDM predictions, risking the efficacy of resultant conservation strategies. Location: While the concepts and methodologies presented hold global applicability, our case study is situated in and around the Negev Desert of southern Israel and the Palestinian West Bank, focusing on the critically endangered Be'er Sheva fringe‐fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus beershebensis) that is endemic to this area. Methods: Utilizing calculated combinations of reliable and uncertain datasets, we created diverse dataset scenarios. Pre‐development distribution and habitat requirements were estimated for each scenario using a blend of statistical and machine‐learning algorithms in R. Additionally, a combined scenario was modelled using hierarchical model ensembles to effectively weight data by reliability. Results: Our innovative approach produces more robust models and reveals the impact of uncertain datasets on model predictions. Incorporating potential anthropogenic absences led to erroneous model conclusions, particularly when historical data exclusion occurred—a practice often implemented in the pursuit of model robustness. Main Conclusions: Uncertainties in SDMs can yield incorrect conclusions, imperilling conservation efforts. Initiated by land managers, our work actively informs conservation practices. The study's global relevance provides an approach for addressing real‐world challenges in estimating species distributions, advancing the application of conservation science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilising multiple lines of evidence for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction improves our understanding of the past landscapes in which human populations interacted with other species. Illuminating such processes is key for a nuanced understanding of fundamental transitions in human history, such as the shift from hunting and gathering to farming, and allows us to move beyond simple deterministic interpretations of climate-driven innovation. Avifaunal remains provide detailed indications of complex multi-species interactions at the local scale. They allow us to infer relationships between human and non-human animals, but also to reconstruct their niche, because many bird species are sensitive to specific ecological conditions and will often relocate and change their breeding patterns. In this paper, we illustrate how novel evidence that waterfowl reproduced at Levantine wetlands, which we obtained through biomolecular archaeology, together with modern ornithological data reveals conditions of wetlands that are conducive for breeding waterfowl. By understanding the interplay between wetland productivity cycles and waterfowl ecology, we argue that human modifications to the environment could have promoted wetland productivity inviting waterfowl to remain year-round. Within this landscape of "mutual ecologies", the feedback resulting from the agency of all species is involved in the construction of the human niche. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolutionary dynamics of the ecoregions of southern South America and the species that inhabit them have been poorly studied, and few biogeographic hypotheses have been proposed and tested. Quaternary climatic oscillations are among the most important processes that have led to the current distribution of genetic variation in different regions of the world. In this work, we studied the evolutionary history and distribution of the Córdoba vesper mouse (Calomys venustus), a characteristic rodent of the region of which little is known about its natural history. Since the population dynamics of this species are influenced by climatic factors, this rodent is a suitable model to study the effects of Quaternary climatic oscillations in central Argentina. The mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was sequenced to analyze the phylogeography of C. venustus, and ecological niche modeling tools were used to map its potential distributions. The results of these approaches were combined to provide additional spatially explicit information about this species' past. Our results suggest that the Espinal was the area of origin of this species, which expanded demographically and spatially during the last glacial period. A close relationship was found between the Espinal and the Mountain Chaco. These results are consistent with previous studies and emphasize the role of the Espinal in the biogeographic history of southern South America as an area of origin of several species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change is expected to have a profound effect on species distribution. Due to the temperature constraints, some narrow niche species could shift their narrow range to higher altitudes or latitudes. In this study, we explored the correlation between species traits, genetic structure, and geographical range size. More specifically, we analyzed how these variables are affected by differences in fundamental niche breadth or dispersal ability in the members of two sympatrically distributed stream‐dwelling amphibian species (frog, Quasipaa yei; salamander, Pachyhynobius shangchengensis), in Dabie Mountains, East China. Both species showed relatively high genetic diversity in most geographical populations and similar genetic diversity patterns (JTX, low; BYM, high) correlation with habitat changes and population demography. Multiple clustering analyses were used to disclose differentiation among the geographical populations of these two amphibian species. Q. yei disclosed the relatively shallow genetic differentiation, while P. shangchengensis showed an opposite pattern. Under different historical climatic conditions, all ecological niche modeling disclosed a larger suitable habitat area for Q. yei than for P. shangchengensis; these results indicated a wider environment tolerance or wider niche width of Q. yei than P. shangchengensis. Our findings suggest that the synergistic effects of environmental niche variation and dispersal ability may help shape genetic structure across geographical topology, particularly for species with extremely narrow distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Many Australian threatened species occur on Indigenous-owned and/or managed lands, often in vast, remote areas that are difficult and expensive to access. One such species is the white-throated grasswren (WTGW, Amytornis woodwardi), a rare ground-dwelling bird found in rocky spinifex-covered escarpment habitats of northern Australia. To make surveying rare species more tractable, we can predict habitat suitability by associating occurrence points with environmental covariates that may influence the species' distribution. Aims: Here, we combine western and Indigenous knowledge and approaches to better quantify the habitat associations and distribution of the WTGW. Methods: We modelled habitat suitability across the region using historical occurrence records and applicable environmental variables with input from Traditional ecological knowledge. We then used this habitat-suitability map as a visual tool for participatory mapping and planning sessions with Traditional Custodians to select on-ground survey sites. Collaborative surveys were then undertaken to target WTGWs at 39 sites across the Arnhem Plateau by using several methods, including bioacoustic audio recorders (BARs), call-playback (CPB) surveys, and motion-detection cameras. Key results: Collaboration between Traditional Custodians and scientists at all stages helped make this project a success. Our model suggests that WTGWs typically occupy habitat patches that have lower distance-to-unburnt (fire extent) values, lower proportion-of-area-burnt values, lower vegetation-cover values, and higher time-since-fire values. On-ground surveys detected WTGWs at six sites with BARs and at one of these six sites with CPB and camera-trapping, suggesting that BARs were the most effective detection method. Conclusions: Our results provided key ecological information for use by land managers in the region and highlighted the importance of effective fire management for the persistence of WTGW populations. The success of the cross-cultural collaboration across several Indigenous organisations relied on the expertise of Traditional Custodians and Indigenous rangers. With Traditional Custodians and Indigenous rangers leading the fieldwork, co-benefits of the program included connecting people with Country and supporting the transfer of intergenerational knowledge surrounding the WTGW. Implications: Whereas fire management in the region over the past decade has led to broadscale reductions in the frequency, extent and intensity of fires, strategic imposition of fire regimes that retain sufficient unburnt refugia at habitat scales appears necessary for viable populations of species such as the WTGW to persist. Here, we integrate western and Indigenous knowledge to improve our understanding of white-throated grasswren (WTGW) distribution and habitat requirements through habitat-suitability modelling and on-ground surveys. We detected WTGWs at 6 of 39 sites. Indigenous-led fieldwork helped connect people with Country, supported knowledge exchange and active discussions around fire management to protect the species. [Photograph by Warddeken Land Management Limited.] Bininj kunwok: Ngarridjare ngarrinan kore baleh nawu mayhmayh, kangeyyo yilingkirrkkirr, kabirrini dja kabirriyo, mak kore baleh kabirriredmarnbun. Ngad Bininj dja Balanda wanjh karrirawon kunmayali ba bu karriwernhburrbun kore baleh kunred nawu yilingkirrkkirr mayhmayh kabirridi dja kabirriyo. Ngad rangers ngarridjare ngarriborlbme ba ngarriwernhburrbun bu ngarrinahnan nahni mayhmayh yilingkirrkkirr ba kabirridarrkiddi munguyh. Ngarri-awani nawu yilingkirrkkirr mayhmayh. Wanjh ngarringalkeng kore six kunred kabirrihdi. Wanjh bolkkime ngarriburrbun nawu yilingkirrkkirr mayhmayh kabirrihdi kore minj karralkrung munguyh. Bu mahni ngarridurrkmirri, wanjh kamak ba bu ngarridurndeng kore kunred ngadberre, karringurlkmarren kunred dja mayhmayh mak mayh. Dja mak Balanda dja ngad nawu Bininj karrimarneborlbmerren kore karridjarrkdurrkmirri. Dja wanjh karriwokdi karrikarremarnbun bu baleh karriyimuwon bu kunak karriwurlhke, ba bu minj mayh karribun dja kabirridjaldarrkiddi munguyh The summary spoken in Bininj kunwok is available . This article belongs to the collection Indigenous and cross-cultural wildlife research in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trapping the Asian hornet remains a viable alternative to monitor its presence, dispersion, and ecological niche. With the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of baits and traps, an Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) capture trial was conducted using combinations of artisanal and commercial baits and traps. The second objective was to explore the relationship between the species' dispersal patterns and the influence of human, geography, climate, and vegetation factors, to identify the preferred conditions for its colonization. We identified beekeepers in the Alto Minho region of Northern Portugal, where the different combinations of baits and traps were placed. The traps were monitored from February to September 2023, and the captures were counted. The temporal variation of the captures showed a first peak at the beginning of April, corresponding to primary workers. In September, when the trial was halted, the second peak, corresponding to secondary workers, had not yet been reached. The peaks of captures were used to fit models to allow the characterisation of their ecological niche. Statistical analysis of the captures revealed no significant differences. It was concluded that there is no advantage in using the commercial devices and baits tested. The ecological niche where the higher number of captures is observed is characterised by an abundance of vegetation, humidity, and higher temperatures. Elevation and slope also favour the presence of the Asian hornet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protecting rare and endangered species from habitat loss caused by climate and land use changes is crucial for stopping unprecedented biodiversity loss. Data on species' future range shifts is crucial in protected area management planning to establish proper refuges. This study focused on identifying the suitable habitat, vulnerabilities, and conservation gaps of Vatica guangxiensis—a canopy tree species endemic to the subtropical forests of southwest China and listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List— through Maxent species distribution modeling using current and future climate data. Results showed that the predicted suitable habitats for V. guangxiensis under current climate were more extensive than its known range, encompassing parts of China, northern Laos, northern Vietnam, and eastern Myanmar. They are most likely to be in wetter regions with acidic soils. However, these habitats were predicted to decrease by 90% and shift to lower latitudes and higher elevations by 2081–2100 due to climate change, which leads to habitat loss for five out of twelve current wild populations, as well as severe fragmentation and reduced protected area coverage. Our findings demonstrate the potential for new field discoveries of V. guangxiensis based on its predicted distribution under current climate, but also show the vulnerability of its habitats under future climate change. We present a dire outlook for V. guangxiensis and highlight the need for field discovery of new populations and the establishment of ex situ populations that are explicitly guided by suitable habitat predictions. Furthermore, this study can contribute to the expansion of climate-informed protected areas in the Indochina region, to support the flagship '30 × 30' target for protected areas under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Lastly, our findings elucidate the importance of transboundary conservation efforts, such as the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Five-Year Action Plan, in preserving biodiversity and achieving global conservation goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tight relationship of niche breadth (i.e., environmental tolerance and resource use) with ecomorphological traits and extinction risk makes the study of habitat niche breadth (i.e., habitat heterogeneity; HB) crucial to understanding the species' ecological niche and macroecological aspects. Additionally, HB has been associated with the species extinction risk (ER) due to human activity. Bats can be ideal for understanding HB's ecological and conservation relevance due to their diverse diet and other traits, as well as the high number of threatened species. Here, we studied the association between HB, trophic guild (TG), body mass (BoM), and extinction risk (ER) in phyllostomid bat species using a phylogenetic comparative approach. Our results showed that the TG, not BoM, is significantly associated with HB in phyllostomid bats. Omnivorous and sanguinivorous bats have a wider HB than plant-eating and insectivorous bats. Regarding the ER of bats, our results showed that species without risk have wider HB than species at risk. The HB of species without conservation status does not differ from at-risk species, which suggests that at least some species should be considered at risk. In conclusion, our study suggests that diet is a relevant trait that influences the macroecological dynamic of phyllostomid bats due to its relation with HB. Additionally, we provided evidence supporting HB's use as an ER predictor. Finally, we discussed the necessity of finding alternative and quicker ways to assess the ER of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For quantifying m-dimensional ( m ≥ 3 ) niche regions and niche overlaps using a copula-based approach, commonly used copulas, including Archimedean and elliptical copula families, are unsatisfactory alternatives in characterizing a complex dependence structure among multiple variables, especially when bi-variate copulas characterizing dependency structures of two-dimensional sub-variables differ. To solve the problem, we improve the copula-based niche space modeling approach using simplified vine copulas, a powerful tool containing various bi-variate dependence structures in one multivariate copula. Using four simulated data sets, we then check the performance of simplified vine copula approximation when the simplifying assumption is invalid. Finally, we apply the improved copula-based approach to quantifying a three-dimensional niche space of a real case of Swanson et al. (Ecology 96(2):318–324, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1890/14-0235.1) and discover that among various simplified vine and other flexible multi-dimensional copulas, non-parametric simplified vine copula approximation performs best in fitting the data set. In the discussion, to analyze differences in calculating niche overlaps caused by using different copulas, we compare non-parametric simplified vine copula approximation with non-parametric and parametric simplified vine copula approximation, elliptical copula, Hierarchical Archimedean copula estimation, and empirical beta copula and give some comments on the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal ecological niche partitioning is an underappreciated driver of speciation. While insects have long been models for circadian biology, the genes and circuits that allow adaptive changes in diel-niches remain poorly understood. We compared gene expression in closely related day- and night-active non-model wild silk moths, with otherwise similar ecologies. Using an ortholog-based pipeline to compare RNA-Seq patterns across two moth species, we find over 25 pairs of gene orthologs showing differential expression. Notably, the gene disco, involved in circadian control, optic lobe and clock neuron development in Drosophila, shows robust adult circadian mRNA cycling in moth heads. Disco is highly conserved in moths and has additional zinc-finger domains with specific nocturnal and diurnal mutations. We propose disco as a candidate gene for the diversification of temporal diel-niche in moths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niche segregation is a mechanism by which competition between coexisting species is reduced. The ecological niche is a multidimensional space shaped by the conditions and resources that enable the existence of species. We conducted comprehensive univariate and multidimensional analyses of phenotypic traits encompassing morphology, functional performance and ecophysiology, to investigate which phenotypic traits contribute to niche segregation and overlap in two coexisting green lizard species. Our analyses revealed that the main driver of niche segregation was body size. However, when considering size‐corrected phenotypic spaces, ecophysiological traits were still distinct, with little overlap between co‐occurring species. Such differentiation was linked mainly to preferred temperature variance and water loss, highlighting the importance of thermal and hydric niche segregation. Some particular traits such as limb length also contributed to niche segregation being maintained in the morphological space, even when the effect of size was accounted for. Instead, the phenotypic space of functional performance traits (i.e. bite force, locomotor performance) showed the greatest overlap between the two species, thus, less niche segregation was observed, once size effects were removed. Therefore, functional performance traits contribute in a minor proportion to the effective niche segregation between the two species. In light of our results, the most adequate perspective to understand niche segregation in coexisting species is through a multidimensional approach in differentiated phenotypic spaces. Our dismantling of phenotypic traits allowed us to identify niche areas in which trait overlap occurs and others that promote niche segregation, considering or not size effects. Our results suggest that differential use of structural and functional niche space promotes effective niche segregation, potentially reducing direct competition between species. We highlight the importance of studies that include the combination of several phenotypic traits that, as a whole, provide insights to better understand the mechanisms by which coexisting organisms exploit differentiated resources in multidimensional spaces. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theropithecus gelada, the last surviving species of this genus, occupy a unique and highly specialised ecological niche in the Ethiopian highlands. A subdivision into three geographically defined populations (Northern, Central and Southern) has been tentatively proposed for this species on the basis of genetic analyses, but genomic data have been investigated only for two of these groups (Northern and Central). Here we combined newly generated whole genome sequences of individuals sampled from the population living south of the East Africa Great Rift Valley with available data from the other two gelada populations to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the species. Integrating genomic and paleoclimatic data we found that gene‐flow across populations and with Papio species tracked past climate changes. The isolation and climatic conditions experienced by Southern geladas during the Holocene shaped local diversity and generated diet‐related genomic signatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The archaeal isolate J.3.6.1-F.2.7.3T was obtained from an anaerobic enrichment culture, where it may play an important role in methane production during pyrite formation. The new isolate formed a species-level clade with Methanospirillum hungatei strains GP1 and SK, which is separate from the type strain JF-1T. Cultivation-independent surveys indicate the occurrence of this phylogenetic group in sediments and anaerobic digesters. The abundance of this clade appears to be negatively affected by high nitrogen loads, indicating a sensitivity to certain nitrogen compounds that is not known in M. hungatei JF-1T. The relatively large core genome of this Methanospirillum clade is indicative of niche specialization and efficient control of horizontal gene transfer. Genes for nitrogenase and F420-dependent secondary alcohol dehydrogenase contribute to the metabolic versatility of this lineage. Characteristics of the new isolate such as the ability to utilize 2-propanol as an electron donor or the requirement for acetate as a carbon source are found also in the strains GP1 and SK, but not in the type strain M. hungatei JF-1T. Based on the genomic differences to related species, a new species within the genus Methanospirillum is proposed with the name M. purgamenti sp. nov. The determined phenotypic characteristics support this proposal and indicate a metabolic adaptation to a separate ecological niche. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Culicoides biting midges exhibit a global spatial distribution and are the main vectors of several viruses of veterinary importance, including bluetongue (BT) and African horse sickness (AHS). Many environmental and anthropological factors contribute to their ability to live in a variety of habitats, which have the potential to change over the years as the climate changes. Therefore, as new habitats emerge, the risk for new introductions of these diseases of interest to occur increases. The aim of this study was to model distributions for two primary vectors for BT and AHS (Culicoides imicola and Culicoides bolitinos) using random forest (RF) machine learning and explore the relative importance of environmental and anthropological factors in a region of South Africa with frequent AHS and BT outbreaks. Methods: Culicoides capture data were collected between 1996 and 2022 across 171 different capture locations in the Western Cape. Predictor variables included climate-related variables (temperature, precipitation, humidity), environment-related variables (normalised difference vegetation index—NDVI, soil moisture) and farm-related variables (livestock densities). Random forest (RF) models were developed to explore the spatial distributions of C. imicola, C. bolitinos and a merged species map, where both competent vectors were combined. The maps were then compared to interpolation maps using the same capture data as well as historical locations of BT and AHS outbreaks. Results: Overall, the RF models performed well with 75.02%, 61.6% and 74.01% variance explained for C. imicola, C. bolitinos and merged species models respectively. Cattle density was the most important predictor for C. imicola and water vapour pressure the most important for C. bolitinos. Compared to interpolation maps, the RF models had higher predictive power throughout most of the year when species were modelled individually; however, when merged, the interpolation maps performed better in all seasons except winter. Finally, midge densities did not show any conclusive correlation with BT or AHS outbreaks. Conclusion: This study yielded novel insight into the spatial abundance and drivers of abundance of competent vectors of BT and AHS. It also provided valuable data to inform mathematical models exploring disease outbreaks so that Culicoides-transmitted diseases in South Africa can be further analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isoëtes are iconic but understudied wetland plants, despite having suffered severe losses globally mainly because of alterations in their habitats. We therefore provide the first global ecological assessment of aquatic Isoëtes to identify their environmental requirements and to evaluate if taxonomically related species differ in their ecology. The assessment resulted in an extensive new database on aquatic Isoëtes, ecological niche analyses, and descriptive species accounts. We compiled a global database that includes all known environmental data collected from 1935 to 2023 regarding aquatic Isoëtes. We then evaluated the environmental drivers of 16 species using 2,179 global records. Additionally, we used hypervolume analysis to quantify the ecological niches of the two species with the greatest number of records, finding significant differences and evidence that Isoëtes echinospora occupies a wider ecological niche than Isoëtes lacustris. Fifty‐nine species (30% of the c. 200 Isoëtes species known today) were categorised as aquatic and were mainly reported in the Americas and northern Europe. About 38% of the aquatic species are threatened with extinction or are endemic to a small region, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List in 2023. Many species were determined to be sensitive to certain water physical and chemical factors, generally preferring oligotrophic conditions such as low total phosphorus, moderate total nitrogen, moderate to low pH, and low conductivity. This analysis includes ecological data in the assessment of rare/threatened aquatic plants globally. This new database and the ecological analyses completed defined the ecological requirements of several species and identified knowledge gaps, which can aid management actions and future research. This paper highlights ecological significance and environmental sensitivities of aquatic Isoëtes. The current level of knowledge is inadequate for a large proportion of known taxa. We affirm the extreme need to support global, collaborative initiatives on which to build future conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last 6 million years, the arid Australian Eremaean Zone (EZ) has remained as dry as it is today. A widely accepted hypothesis suggests that the flora and fauna of arid regions were more broadly distributed before aridification began. In Australia, this process started around 20 million years ago (Ma), leading to gradual speciation as the climate became increasingly arid. Here, we use genomic data to investigate the biogeography and timing of divergence of native allotetraploid tobaccos, Nicotiana section Suaveolentes (Solanaceae). The original allotetraploid migrants from South America were adapted to mesic areas of Australia and recently radiated in the EZ, including in sandy dune fields (only 1.2 Ma old), after developing drought adaptations. Coalescent and maximum likelihood analyses suggest that Nicotiana section Suaveolentes arrived on the continent around 6 Ma, with the ancestors of the Pilbara (Western Australian) lineages radiating there at the onset of extreme aridity 5 Ma by locally adapting to these various ancient, highly stable habitats. The Pilbara thus served as both a mesic refugium and cradle for adaptations to harsher conditions, due to its high topographical diversity, providing microhabitats with varying moisture levels and its proximity to the ocean, which buffers against extreme aridity. This enabled species like Nicotiana to survive in mesic refugia and subsequently adapt to more arid conditions. These results demonstrate that initially poorly adapted plant groups can develop novel adaptations in situ, permitting extensive and rapid dispersal despite the highly variable and unpredictable extreme conditions of the EZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT There is an apparent contradiction between the sedentary lifestyle and direct development of meiofaunal organisms and their widely observed distribution. This study is situated within the theoretical framework of ecological connectivity, metacommunities, and the impact of substrate type, particularly in the unique context of oceanic islands, offering a crucial perspective to unravel the complexities of meiofaunal dispersal and connectivity. We here studied the spatial distribution of meiofauna on natural and artificial beaches of an oceanic island, that is, Gran Canaria (Canary Is., NE Atlantic Ocean). The results revealed higher abundance and richness of meiofauna on artificial substrates compared to natural ones, with nematodes, copepods, and annelids being the dominant groups. The meiofaunal community composition differed significantly between natural and artificial beaches, suggesting colonisation of artificial beaches by natural beach communities. Notably, certain species were exclusively found on artificial beaches. The study highlighted the importance of substrate type in influencing meiofaunal composition, with artificial beaches providing new ecological niches and resources for meiofauna. The dissimilarity between beaches was attributed to morphospecies exclusive to either artificial or natural substrates, emphasising the role of dispersal mechanisms. These findings contribute to understanding the metacommunity dynamics of meiofauna in oceanic islands and call for further research on dispersal potential and biogeography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of an ongoing energy revolution, this study measured the regional green energy efficiency and ecological niche suitability of high-tech industry innovation ecosystems using the Super-SBM and entropy methods. We employed panel data from 30 mainland provinces (excluding Tibet) from 2009 to 2021 to conduct a quasi-natural experiment using spatial difference-in-differences models and double machine learning models. This was performed in order to investigate the impact mechanisms of the transformation of ecological niche suitability within the innovation ecosystems of high-tech industries driven by regional breakthrough innovation change strategies on green energy efficiency. The findings of this study revealed the following: (1) Driven by regional breakthrough innovation strategies, the transformation of the ecological niche suitability of high-tech industry innovation ecosystems has significant and positive local effects and spillover effects on green energy efficiency. (2) Regional breakthrough innovation strategies have a significant and positive mediating transmission effect on green energy efficiency through the development and optimization of internal factors within the ecological niche suitability of high-tech industry innovation ecosystems, including innovation entities, support, vitality, resources, and environment. (3) The transformation of the ecological niche suitability of high-tech industry innovation ecosystems driven by regional breakthrough innovation strategies promotes the advancement and rationalization of the industrial structure, thus indirectly enhancing regional green energy efficiency. These findings are of paramount importance for propelling the next wave of regional disruptive innovation reform strategies, ensuring that the outcomes of these reforms drive the ecological niche suitability of high-tech industry innovation ecosystems toward the advancement and realization of clean and efficient energy utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species are a growing global economic and ecological problem. However, it is not well understood how environmental factors mediate invasive range expansion. In this study, we investigated the recent and rapid range expansion of common tansy across environmental gradients in Minnesota, USA. We densely sampled individuals across the expanding range and performed reduced representation sequencing to generate a dataset of 3071 polymorphic loci for 176 individuals. We used non‐spatial and spatially explicit analyses to determine the relative influences of geographic distance and environmental variation on patterns of genomic variation. We found no evidence for isolation by distance but strong evidence for isolation by environment, indicating that environmental factors may have modulated patterns of range expansion. Land use classification and soils were particularly important variables related to population structure although they operated on different spatial scales; land use classification was related to broad‐scale patterns and soils were related to fine‐scale patterns. All analyses indicated a distinctive genetic cluster in the most recently invaded portion of the range. Individuals from the far northwestern range margin were separated from the remainder of the range by reduced migration, which was associated with environmental resistance. This portion of the range was invaded primarily in the last 15 years. Ecological niche models also indicated that this cluster was associated with the expansion of the niche. While invasion is often assumed to be primarily influenced by dispersal limitation, our results suggest that ongoing invasion and range shifts with climate change may be strongly affected by environmental heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]