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Noteworthy records of microlepidoptera obtained in the British Isles during 2023 are summarised. This includes nine species new to the British Isles, at least two of which are already breeding. numerous new vice-county records are detailed, with notable observations of 427 species in total. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we engage with undergraduate geography students’ reflections on their geography education. We begin by examining the position of geography within education across the British Isles. Following this, we critically consider how geography education is shaped by “the gap” between school and university geography and geographies of education, before reporting on the findings from a survey of 333 undergraduate students studying geography across the British Isles conducted in late 2020. We examine the complex question of who is studying geography at undergraduate level, students’ journeys through their geography degree, and their experiences of personal and disciplinary frontiers in education. We conclude by arguing the importance of educators engaging with students’ “everyday” geographies, and for further research into progress across education phases in geography to co-construct a rich and rounded geographic education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article asks questions about the ethnocentrism, xenology, and racism at work in the ways that the history of traditional music in the British Isles has been recorded and understood. It concludes with a thought experiment in which several alternative ancestral figures are selected in the hope that their unexpected presence might reorient those narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the numerous English-language periodicals published in Italy during the long nineteenth century. Who were the editors and why, for whom and to what purpose did they engage in this journalistic activity in a foreign country; what mediating role did they play as cultural brokers between their British readers and contemporary Italian society; how did they partake in the cross-border flow of journalistic models; how did they contribute to the building of the British expatriate community and what kind of cultural exchanges did they foster? These are some of the questions the article addresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview on the history of the British cuckoo wasps is presented. Some very old publications dealing with this fauna have fallen into oblivion, along with the description of some taxa. In the present paper I discuss these taxa and other species observed in museum collections. The species formerly identified as Cleptes semicyaneus Tournier, 1879 was found in England and Scotland. This species was misidentified in the literature and it is here described as Cleptes britannicorum Rosa, sp. n. Three new synonymies are proposed: Chrysis politus Harris, 1776 syn. n. of Omalus aeneus (Fabricius, 1787); Chrysis curax Harris, 1776 syn. n. of Trichrysis cyanea (Linnaeus, 1758); Chrysis variegata Curtis, 1837 nec Olivier, 1790 syn. n. of Chrysis leachii Shuckard, 1837. The lectotype of Chrysis lucidula Fabricius, 1775 (type species of the genus Hedychrum Latreille, 1802) is designated. Chrysis aenea Fabricius, 1787 is considered a nomen protectum and Chrysis politus Harris, 1776 a nomen oblitum. A discussion on nomina nuda and nomina dubia found in historical publications is given. In the context of British fauna, Chrysis rutilans Olivier, 1790 is considered regionally extinct, and the presence of Chrysis mediadentata Linsenmaier, 1951 and Pseudomalus triangulifer (Abeille de Perrin, 1877) in England is reported for the first time. The following species recently added to the British fauna are considered native because they were present in the UK in the nineteenth century and can be traced in historical collections: Elampus konowi (du Buysson, 1892); Hedychridium caputaureum (Trautmann and Trautmann, 1919); C. corusca Valkeila, 1971; C. schencki Linsenmaier, 1968; C. terminata Dahlbom, 1854; and Chrysis mediadentata Linsenmaier, 1951. It is also confirmed, based on historical data, that Holopyga generosa (Förster, 1853) and Hedychrum nobile (Scopoli, 1763) have recently expanded their distributional limits, making their presence in England evident only in the last few decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The British Isles have been worked for millennia to extract metal ores to feed industrial development, leaving a legacy of mine water pollution that continues to impact freshwater communities in many regions. Brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) have long been observed to persist in these metal‐impacted systems as apex predators, with previous studies showing a small number of impacted populations to be highly genetically divergent. We sought to understand the scale of genetic diversity across regions and the repeatability of genetic divergence in trout populations affected by metal pollution. Location: We examined four mine water‐impacted regions across the British Isles: west Wales, northeast England, southwest England and southeast Ireland. Methods: We employed a panel of 95 SNP loci to screen 1236 individuals from 71 sites representing paired metal‐impacted and clean sites from across the four regions. From these, we obtained diversity statistics, assessed genetic structuring of populations and modelled historical demographic scenarios to understand which factors most credibly explain genetic variation in divergent populations. Results: We evidenced hierarchical population structure in the regions studied, in line with expectations from phylogeographic history. However, in a hierarchical analysis of genetic structuring the first level of differentiation was driven by the divergence of the metal‐impacted trout of Cornwall in southwest England. Within regions we observed reduced genetic diversity and repeated patterns of local genetic sub‐structuring between paired samples from metal‐impacted and relatively clean sites. Demographic history analyses suggested the timing of these splits to be relatively recent and to be associated with periods of peak mining activity. Main conclusions: Our findings demonstrate distinct patterns of genetic isolation and reduced diversity arising from legacy pollution in freshwater ecosystems, with impacts being most apparent where both chemical pollution and physical barriers are present. Management should focus on the amelioration of mine water wash‐out and the removal of barriers to fish movement to safeguard genetic diversity in impacted populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populations of anadromous brown trout, also known as sea trout, have suffered recent marked declines in abundance due to multiple factors, including climate change and human activities. While much is known about their freshwater phase, less is known about the species' marine feeding migrations. This situation is hindering the effective management and conservation of anadromous trout in the marine environment. Using a panel of 95 single nucleotide polymorphism markers we developed a genetic baseline, which demonstrated strong regional structuring of genetic diversity in trout populations around the English Channel and adjacent waters. Extensive baseline testing showed this structuring allowed high‐confidence assignment of known‐origin individuals to region of origin. This study presents new data on the movements of anadromous trout in the English Channel and southern North Sea. Assignment of anadromous trout sampled from 12 marine and estuarine localities highlighted contrasting results for these areas. The majority of these fisheries are composed predominately of stocks local to the sampling location. However, there were multiple cases of long‐distance movements of anadromous trout, with several individuals originating from rivers in northeast England being caught in the English Channel and southern North Sea, in some cases more than 1000 km from their natal region. These results have implications for the management of sea trout in inshore waters around the English Channel and southern North Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverse and extensive macrofouling of the left‐hand (eyed) side has been observed in multiple films and photographs of different specimens of Eckström's topknot Zeugopterus regius. Identified foulers include macroalgae and tunicates. Photographs of unfouled specimens and preserved juveniles have also been inspected. Macrofouling is not universal in this species; unfouled fish were observed around the strongly tidal British Isles, whereas the worst‐fouled topknots were seen in the eutrophic, microtidal northern Adriatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: This paper examines the contemporary role of the gravedigger, their day-to-day working practices, and how these tasks can impact the archaeological record. The study was undertaken through conducting semi-structured interviews with 16 practising and recently retired gravediggers from in and around Bristol. These interviews revealed that gravediggers not only dig graves but also facilitate funerals, bury coffins, reopen graves for subsequent burials, exhume human remains and curate material culture both within the graves and around the grave plots. The gravediggers also perform important emotional labour in their interactions with the dead and with their families. This evidence demonstrates that gravediggers heavily impact the archaeological record in cemetery contexts and play an important part in the social organisation around funerary practices in the British Isles. Although this role has likely changed considerably over time, these interviews still demonstrate that present-day archaeologists must consider the role and impact of gravediggers when analysing post-medieval cemetery landscapes. In addition, this information can act as guidance for future archaeologists when excavating cemetery sites and churchyards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental changes affecting museums and historic properties will probably result in increased numbers of insect pests or new species. Databases such as WhatsEatingYourCollection (WEYC) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility have been used along with academic publications to predict such changes in the research presented here. The species mix in the WEYC database seems consistent across major London historic properties. Overall, common silverfish (Lepisma saccharinum) are often reported, although in future there may be an increase in other species such as Ctenolepisma longicaudatum and Ctenolepisma calvum given their increased frequency. Dermestidae (carpet and furniture beetles) may benefit from wood with increasing moisture content, and although not especially abundant, Attagenus smirnovi (brown carpet beetle) and Reesa vespulae (skin beetle) may increase as they have done on the European continent. Tineola bisselliella, a damaging moth, has invoked increasing concern over the last two decades and Cryptophagus spp. (fungus beetles) could mobilise fungal spores under a future climate more favourable to germination. Lyctus brunneus (powderpost beetle) may find future conditions favourable and attack sapwoods used in repairs. Furthermore, Reticulitermes flavipes (subterranean termite) is potentially an accidental import to the UK and may become more common given current temperatures are suitable for survival in well-drained loamy soils, and future climates would allow a presence in the north of England. Warmer conditions can lead to the presence of new species or a migration of species across the British Isles and their spread can also be encouraged through the loan of objects or on packing materials. Factors other than climate, such as changing indoor habitats, new food sources and novel uses of heritage venues can also encourage expanding insect populations. This article summarises these predicted changes in species distribution and outlines their potential threat to heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The devastating outbreak of rinderpest in the British Isles in 1865–66 — the so‐called "cattle plague" — was a significant event in Victorian Britain, one that did much to shape British agriculture, animal disease control, and veterinary medicine. This article argues that the cattle plague also had long‐term significance for the relationship between the Church of England and non‐human animals. During eighteenth‐century rinderpest outbreaks, Anglican clergy had rarely considered the suffering animals. In 1865–66 and afterwards, services in Anglican churches increasingly involved animal themes, issues, and presences. From this time, it became usual for Anglicans to mark moments of severe animal disease with special prayers and services. The crisis also encouraged changes in how Church of England clergy, and ministers in other Christian denominations, spoke about animals in sermons. During the outbreak of rinderpest, there was a sharpened awareness of the extent to which cows and humans had common interests and inhabited a shared community. A heightened appreciation of the bonds and interdependencies between people and farmed animals, the article suggests, had much significance for ecological thinking among nineteenth‐century ministers of religion. The article argues for the distinctive status of cattle in modern Christianity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Sorbus s.l. consists of small to medium‐sized trees primarily found in coastal areas, with three European hotspots of diversification: Fennoscandia, south‐east Europe and the British Isles. Taxonomic classification of Sorbus s.l. in Europe is still unresolved, and this study aims to address this issue by examining the pollen morphology of various Sorbus hybrids. Pollen morphology of 16 specimens from 13 species of Sorbus s.str., Aria and Hedlundia, some of them common, others are endemic and listed as threatened species, were studied. Measurements of the polar and equatorial axis of all pollen grains show that there are variations in pollen size and shape among different hybrids, with a correlation between ploidy levels and the equatorial diameter of the pollen. Surface structures of the pollen were observed using SEM. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to analyze the pollen characters, and the results show that it is possible to separate Aria from Sorbus and Hedlundia based on the length of the polar axis of the pollen grain, while the number of perforations is important for classification within Hedlundia. The study concludes that pollen morphology can be a useful tool for distinguishing between different Sorbus hybrids and can thus aid in understanding their past distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Development of protein-based vaccines for LIV infection. • VLPs elicit potent neutralizing antibodies targeting multimers of viral E protein. • VLPs represent a promising platform for a LIV vaccine. Louping ill virus (LIV) is a tick-borne flavivirus that predominantly causes disease in livestock, especially sheep in the British Isles. A preventive vaccine, previously approved for veterinary use but now discontinued, was based on an inactivated whole virion that likely provided protection by induction of neutralizing antibodies recognizing the viral envelope (E) protein. A major disadvantage of the inactivated vaccine was the need for high containment facilities for the propagation of infectious virus, as mandated by the hazard group 3 status of the virus. This study aimed to develop high-efficacy non-infectious protein-based vaccine candidates. Specifically, soluble envelope protein (sE), and virus-like particles (VLPs), comprised of the precursor of membrane and envelope proteins, were generated, characterized, and studied for their immunogenicity in mice. Results showed that the VLPs induced more potent virus neutralizing response compared to sE, even though the total anti-envelope IgG content induced by the two antigens was similar. Depletion of anti-monomeric E protein antibodies from mouse immune sera suggested that the neutralizing antibodies elicited by the VLPs targeted epitopes spanning the highly organized structure of multimer of the E protein, whereas the antibody response induced by sE focused on E monomers. Thus, our results indicate that VLPs represent a promising LIV vaccine candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specimen of tripletail Lobotes surinamensis (total length: 402 mm, total mass: 1262 g) was caught in the shallow waters of the inner Bristol Channel on September 2, 2019, with this only the second known capture of this species from the British Isles. Given the cosmopolitan distribution of this species, the potential origin of this specimen is uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the interaction on the page and in the book of the visual and textual representations of space. Its focus is on mappae mundi 'world maps' and the geographical extracts from the twelfth century encyclopedic text Imago mundi. Using the examples of map and text interaction in four manuscripts from the British Isles and the Netherlands, the article demonstrates that the juxtaposition of image and text can directly affect the reader's potential physical experience of the book. The dynamics of reading demonstrated in the course of this analysis show a symbiotic relationship between the map and the geographical, historical, and theological material which it accompanies. An important implication of this finding discussed in the concluding section of the article is that the juxtaposition of map and text does not always correspond to our contemporary disciplinary definitions, and that it is worth questioning the assumption that these are the result of scientific evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By the time of the Mid-Holocene Ulmus pollen decline (UD) ca. 5100 14C bp (ca. 5900 cal. BP), the Neolithic was becoming well established in Britain and Ireland. The importance of cereal cultivation as part of the initial neolithization process in the British Isles is uncertain, as archaeological sites of the first Neolithic remain elusive. Palaeoecologists have recorded cereal-type pollen grains in peat deposits that pre-date the UD significantly, but as some wild grasses can produce pollen that closely resembles cereal pollen grains, these early pollen records are not trusted as evidence of cereal cultivation. Some of these wild grass taxa grow in coastal wetland environments, making cereal-type pollen from such locations particularly open to question. This study uses fine-resolution palynology through a sequence of coastal hydroseral deposits that contain no evidence of human activity, to look for the presence of wild grass pollen of cereal size and morphology. Our results show that while such grains are not recorded at 1 cm resolution, at contiguous 2 mm resolution sampling sporadic occurrences of large grass pollen of possible cereal-type, resembling Hordeum, were detected. Morphology suggests that these cereal-type grains are of wild grass origin, almost certainly Glyceria, but their presence suggests that high-resolution analyses of coastal zone sediments will often discover cereal-type grains. Great care must be taken in identifying cereal-type pollen in coastal palaeo-wetland sediments, and rigorous identification protocols should be applied. Where grains could still be of cultivated cereal-type, the presence of other disturbance indicators is an important factor in inferring their origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In species with large and complex genomes such as conifers, dense linkage maps are a useful resource for supporting genome assembly and laying the genomic groundwork at the structural, populational, and functional levels. However, most of the 600+ extant conifer species still lack extensive genotyping resources, which hampers the development of high-density linkage maps. In this study, we developed a linkage map relying on 21,570 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis [Bong.] Carr.), a long-lived conifer from western North America that is widely planted for productive forestry in the British Isles. We used a single-step mapping approach to efficiently combine RAD-seq and genotyping array SNP data for 528 individuals from 2 full-sib families. As expected for spruce taxa, the saturated map contained 12 linkages groups with a total length of 2,142 cM. The positioning of 5,414 unique gene coding sequences allowed us to compare our map with that of other Pinaceae species, which provided evidence for high levels of synteny and gene order conservation in this family. We then developed an integrated map for P. sitchensis and Picea glauca based on 27,052 markers and 11,609 gene sequences. Altogether, these 2 linkage maps, the accompanying catalog of 286,159 SNPs and the genotyping chip developed, herein, open new perspectives for a variety of fundamental and more applied research objectives, such as for the improvement of spruce genome assemblies, or for marker-assisted sustainable management of genetic resources in Sitka spruce and related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skates (Rajidae) include species of conservation and commercial importance, but there is limited information regarding their ecologically important habitats, including spawning and nursery areas, in northern European seas.Data on the distribution, relative abundance and length composition of skates were collated from scientific trawl surveys, and based on length‐frequency information, length‐at‐hatching and length‐at‐maturity, skates were allocated to length‐based categories representing early‐juvenile stages (EJS) and mid‐juvenile stages (MJS).Citizen science data were used to inform on the occurrence of eggcases. The Great Eggcase Hunt (starting in 2003) citizen science recording project collects georeferenced data for elasmobranch eggcases, primarily from around the British Isles. This provided verified species‐specific data for a total of 227,407 specimens from 11 skate species. Purse Search Ireland (starting in 2005) provided a further 2491 records of 10 skate species from around Ireland.The most frequently observed skate eggcases were from the genus Raja and occurred around much of the British Isles. The EJS and MJS of such species were observed most frequently in inshore waters. Data for EJS were more limited for Raja microocellata and Raja undulata, indicating that the EJS of these species occur in shallower (<20 m) waters.Juveniles of the genus Leucoraja occurred further offshore. Only the eggcases of Leucoraja naevus were recorded regularly, with the eggcase of Leucoraja fullonica described here.The data collated here provide an overview of skate spawning and nursery areas, thus informing fisheries management and marine spatial planning, including the identification and delineation of Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

William Petty's work has usually been regarded as an epistemic break in the history of statistical and politico-economic thought. In this paper, I argue that Petty's statistical notions stemmed from the natural-historical techniques he originally implemented to manage the Down Survey. Following Bacon, who viewed the description of trades as a paramount branch of natural history, Petty approached the art of surveying itself as an object of natural-historical analysis. He partitioned the surveying work into individual tasks and implemented a meticulous division of labour, employing hundreds of disbanded soldiers as surveyors and using questionnaires to calibrate the responses of his 'instruments', as he called his specialized workers. By borrowing these methods from natural history to organize surveying work, Petty was able to conceptualize Ireland as a political body defined by tables of aggregate data. I then compare the Down Survey with John Graunt's observations on the bills of mortality to show that both are representative of a particular style of natural history, aimed at describing the natural and political state of a circumscribed territory. I close by considering other manifestations of 'territorial natural history', indicating a continuity between this research tradition and the appearance of statistics in the British Isles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The diversity and distribution of soil microorganisms and their potential for long‐distance dispersal (LDD) are poorly documented, making the threats posed by climate change difficult to assess. If microorganisms do not disperse globally, regional endemism may develop and extinction may occur due to environmental changes. Here, we addressed this question using the testate amoeba Apodera vas, a morphologically conspicuous model soil microorganism in microbial biogeography, commonly found in peatlands and forests mainly of former Gondwana. We first documented its distribution. We next assessed whether its distribution could be explained by dispersal (i.e. matching its climatic niche) or vicariance (i.e. palaeogeography), based on the magnitude of potential range expansions or contractions in response to past and on‐going climatic changes. Last, we wanted to assess the likelihood of cryptic diversity and its potential threat from climate and land‐use changes (e.g. due to limited LDD). Location: Documented records: Southern Hemisphere and intertropical zone; modelling: Global. Methods: We first built an updated global distribution map of A. vas using 401 validated georeferenced records. We next used these data to develop a climatic niche model to predict its past (LGM, i.e. 21 ± 3 ka BP; PMIP3 IPSL‐CM5A‐LR), present and future (IPSL‐CMP6A‐LR predictions for 2071–2100, SSP3 and 5) potential distributions in responses to climate, by relating the species occurrences to climatic and topographic predictors. We then used these predictions to test our hypotheses (dispersal/vicariance, cryptic diversity, future threat from LDD limitation). Results: Our models show that favourable climatic conditions for A. vas currently exist in the British Isles, an especially well‐studied region for testate amoebae where this species has never been found. This demonstrates a lack of interhemispheric LDD, congruent with the palaeogeography (vicariance) hypothesis. Longitudinal LDD is, however, confirmed by the presence of A. vas in isolated and geologically young peri‐Antarctic islands. Potential distribution maps for past, current and future climates show favourable climatic conditions existing on parts of all southern continents, with shifts to higher land from LGM to current in the tropics and a strong range contraction from current to future (global warming IPSL‐CM6A‐LR scenario for 2071–2100, SSP3.70 and SSP5.85) with favourable conditions developing on the Antarctic Peninsula. Main Conclusions: This study illustrates the value of climate niche models for research on microbial diversity and biogeography, along with exploring the role played by historical factors and dispersal limitation in shaping microbial biogeography. We assess the discrepancy between latitudinal and longitudinal LDD for A. vas, which is possibly due to contrast in wind patterns and/or likelihood of transport by birds. Our models also suggest that climate change may lead to regional extinction of terrestrial microscopic organisms, thus illustrating the pertinence of including microorganisms in biodiversity conservation research and actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This update incorporates information published before 1 January 2024 into A Checklist of the Lepidoptera of the British Isles, 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last deglaciation (21 to 8 ka) of the Eurasian ice sheet (EIS) is thought to have been responsible for a sea level rise of about 20 m. While many studies have examined the timing and rate of the EIS retreat during this period, many questions remain about the key processes that triggered the EIS deglaciation 21 kyr ago. Due to its large marine-based parts in the Barents–Kara (BKIS) and British Isles sectors, the BKIS is often considered to be a potential analogue of the current West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS). Identifying the mechanisms that drove the EIS evolution might provide a better understanding of the processes at play in the West Antarctic destabilization. To investigate the relative impact of key drivers on the EIS destabilization, we used the three-dimensional ice sheet model GRISLI (GRenoble Ice Shelf and Land Ice) (version 2.0) forced by climatic fields from five Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project phases 3 and 4 (PMIP3, PMIP4) Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) simulations. In this study, we performed sensitivity experiments to test the response of the simulated Eurasian ice sheets to surface climate, oceanic temperatures (and thus basal melting under floating ice tongues), and sea level perturbations. Our results highlight that the EIS retreat simulated with the GRISLI model is primarily triggered by atmospheric warming. Increased atmospheric temperatures further amplify the sensitivity of the ice sheets to sub-shelf melting. These results contradict those of previous modelling studies mentioning the central role of basal melting on the deglaciation of the marine-based Barents–Kara ice sheet. However, we argue that the differences with previous works are mainly related to differences in the methodology followed to generate the initial LGM ice sheet. Due to the strong sensitivity of EIS to the atmospheric forcing highlighted with the GRISLI model and the limited extent of the confined ice shelves during the LGM, we conclude by questioning the analogy between EIS and the current WAIS. However, because of the expected rise in atmospheric temperatures, the risk of hydrofracturing is increasing and could ultimately put the WAIS in a configuration similar to the past Eurasian ice sheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study investigates the global impact of midlatitude cyclones on extreme wind speed events in both hemispheres under a warmer climate. Using the latest version of the high-resolution ≈ 50 km grid-spacing atmospheric climate model AM4, developed by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, we conducted simulations covering the 71-years period 1949–2019 for both the present-day climate and an idealised future global warming climate scenario with a homogeneous Sea Surface Temperature (SST) increase by 2 K. Our findings reveal that extreme near-surface wind speeds increase by up to 3% K−1 towards the poles while decrease by a similar amount in the lower midlatitudes. When considering only extreme wind speed events objectively attributed to midlatitude cyclones, we observe a migration by the same amount towards higher latitudes both in percentage per degree SST warming and absolute value. The total number of midlatitude cyclones decreases by roughly 4%, but the proportion of cyclone-associated extreme wind speed events increases by 10% in a warmer climate. Finally, Northwestern Europe, the British Isles, and the West Coast of North America are identified as hot spots with the greatest socio-economic impacts from increased cyclone-associated extreme winds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host–parasite associations provide a benchmark for investigating evolutionary arms races and antagonistic coevolution. However, potential ecological mechanisms underlying such associations are difficult to unravel. In particular, local adaptations of hosts and/or parasites may hamper reliable inferences of host–parasite relationships and the specialist–generalist definitions of parasite lineages, making it problematic to understand such relationships on a global scale. Phylogenetic methods were used to investigate co-phylogenetic patterns between vector-borne parasites of the genus Haemoproteus and their passeriform hosts, to infer the ecological interactions of parasites and hosts that may have driven the evolution of both groups in a local geographic domain. As several Haemoproteus lineages were only detected once, and given the occurrence of a single extreme generalist, the effect of removing individual lineages on the co-phylogeny pattern was tested. When all lineages were included, and when all singly detected lineages were removed, there was no convincing evidence for host–parasite co-phylogeny. However, when only the generalist lineage was removed, strong support for co-phylogeny was indicated, and ecological interactions could be successfully inferred. This study exemplifies the importance of identifying locally abundant lineages when sampling host–parasite systems, to provide reliable insights into the precise mechanisms underlying host–parasite interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Strains of Leptospira interrogans belonging to two very closely related serovars, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Copenhageni, have been associated with disease in mammalian species and are the most frequently reported agents of human leptospirosis. They are considered the most pathogenic serovars and represent more than half of the leptospires encountered in severe human infections. Nineteen such isolates from the United Kingdom – human, domestic and wildlife species – were typed using three monoclonal antibodies (F12 C3, F70 C14 and F70 C24) in an attempt to elucidate their epidemiology. They were further examined by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA), multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and lic12008 gene sequence analysis. Monoclonal antibody F12 C3, which is highly specific for Icterohaemorrhagiae and Copenhageni, confirmed that all the strains belonged to these two serovars. Sixteen strains were identified as Copenhageni and three as Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar. Only one restriction pattern type was identified, thus confirming that REA is not able to discriminate between the Icterohaemorrhagiae and Copenhageni serovars. Variable-number tandem-repeat analysis found three loci with differences in the repeat number, indicating genetic diversity between British isolates. Sequences of the lic12008 gene showed that all isolates identified as the Icterohaemorrhagiae serotype have a single base insertion, in contrast to the same sequences of the Copenhageni serotype. Copenhageni is the predominant serovar in the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup isolated in British Isles. There is a genetic diversity of MLVA patterns of the isolates but no genetic tool used in the study was able to determine serovars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on the use of double modals, a non-standard syntactic feature, in the contemporary speech of the UK and Ireland. Most data on the geographic extent of the feature and its combinatorial types come from surveys or acceptability ratings or from older attestations focused on northern England, Scotland or Northern Ireland, with relatively few attestations in naturalistic data and from England and Wales. Manual verification of double modals in a large corpus of geolocated Automatic Speech Recognition transcripts from YouTube videos of local government channels from the UK and Ireland shows that the feature exhibits a larger inventory of combinatorial types than has previously been found and is attested in speech from throughout the UK and Ireland. The development may be related to ongoing changes in the semantic space occupied by modal auxiliaries in English. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noteworthy records of microlepidoptera obtained in the British Isles during 2022 are summarised. This includes three species new to the British Isles, one of which is already breeding. Numerous new vice-county records are detailed, with notable observations of 464 species in total. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Introduced species spreading to natural ecosystems is a leading cause of environmental change and a key feature of the Anthropocene. While there have been many studies of the traits of introduced and invasive species, less is known about the traits that affect a species' chances of reaching and establishing in new areas. We asked whether British species that are present in Australia have different traits to British species that are not present in Australia. Location: Great Britain and Australia. Methods: We compiled a list of all vascular plant species from Great Britain and divided them into those that are present in Australia (395 species) and those that are not present in Australia (1171 species). We compiled data for each species' seed mass, seedbank longevity, maximum plant height, flower size, flower colour and geographical extent in the British Isles. We conducted independent sample t‐tests for continuous variables and Chi‐squared tests for categorical variables to determine differences between groups. Results: We found British species present in Australia have, on average, larger geographic extents in the British Isles, longer periods of seed bank longevity (mean ~3 months as opposed to ~3 weeks), and maximum heights that are on average 36% taller than British species that are not present in Australia. However, British species present in Australia did not have significantly different flower size, flower colour or seed mass from British species that are not present in Australia. Main Conclusions: British species that are present in Australia and British species that are not present in Australia differ in several traits. These differences likely result from a combination of factors including introduction biases, environmental filters during establishment and stochasticity. Our results suggest that humans may be consciously and unconsciously selecting species for introduction. Some of the traits that are associated with an increased chance of a species being transported to/establishing in a new range also contribute to invasiveness. Thus, anthropogenic introduction biases could contribute to an increased risk of ecosystem invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The British Isles, consisting of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, were investigated for a sustainable energy system transition towards 100% renewable energy in 2050. Under given framework conditions, three pathways comprising the entire energy system were investigated in 5‐year time steps and hourly resolution applying an advanced energy system modelling tool and identifying the lowest cost solutions. The British Isles were structured into 10 sub‐national regions. Special attention was paid to the high offshore wind potential of the British Isles, as well as the limited societal acceptance for onshore wind in the United Kingdom. The results indicate that a transition to 100% renewable energy is economically more attractive than the governmental strategy that involves nuclear power and fossil carbon capture and storage. The total annualised system costs can decrease to 63 b€ and a levelised cost of electricity of 40 €/MWh if onshore wind and solar photovoltaics are allowed to be built to a higher extend. High levels of electrification and sector coupling are the main reasons for decreasing primary energy demand. The multiple risks of nuclear technology can be avoided if dedicated action towards 100% renewable energy is taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human introductions of animals and plants have caused a diverse array of conservation problems, including extinction by hybridisation. This results from interbreeding of non-native and native populations, causing genomic homogenisation. A potential benefit of anthropogenic hybridisation concerns the influx of genetic variation. The Rock Dove Columba livia has been genetically replaced across much of its range by the feral pigeon. Relict populations in the British Isles have experienced varying levels of wild-feral gene flow. Introgression correlates with higher genomic diversity, potentially improving chances of persistence of relict Rock Dove populations. However, the beneficial impacts of interbreeding may be short-lived if hybridisation levels increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2022, western Europe experienced its hottest summer on record and widespread dry conditions, with substantial impacts on health, water and vegetation. We use a reanalysis to classify daily mean sea level pressure fields and to investigate the influence of synoptic circulations on the occurrence of temperature extremes and dry days. Summer 2022 featured an above‐normal occurrence of anticyclones extending from the British Isles to the Baltic countries, as well as enhanced easterly, southerly and low‐flow conditions which contributed to the observed extremes over southern and western Europe. While the hot summer of 2022 is only partially explained by circulation anomalies, such anomalies played a key role in the exceptional occurrence of dry days. The comparison with summer circulation anomalies projected by twenty global climate models moreover suggests that future circulation changes will further exacerbate hot and dry extremes over Europe. Plain Language Summary: In 2022, western Europe recorded its hottest summer up to date since preindustrial times. At the same time, widespread dry conditions caused dramatic impacts on human health, water resources, crop yields and wildfires. This was partly enhanced by the human–caused cumulative emissions of greenhouse gases, but also potentially by large‐scale circulation anomalies that may also be triggered by global warming. By grouping distinct weather patterns, we find that many extreme hot days during the summer of 2022 over well‐defined parts of Europe were favored by anomalous transport of hot and dry air masses or persistent low‐wind conditions. These weather patterns were essential but not the dominant factor that led to the occurrence of extreme temperatures. Yet, they played a key role in enhancing the number of dry days. We also find that the weather patterns observed in summer 2022 will become more common in coming decades if greenhouse gas emissions remain without reduction. This would further worsen hot and dry extremes in summer over Europe. Key Points: European summer 2022 hot extremes have been enhanced by an anomalous occurrence of distinct circulation types over different subdomainsPredominant circulation anomalies also contributed to the exceptional number of dry days, as much as local, mostly thermodynamical effectsSuch anomalous circulations will become more common, thus further worsening European hot and dry extremes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematode spicules play a vital role in the reproductive activity of species that possess them. Our primary objective was to compare the lengths of spicules of the laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) – maintained isolate H. bakeri – with those of H. polygyrus from naturally infected wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus). On a more limited scale, we also included H. glareoli from bank voles (Myodes glareolus), a species reputed to possess longer spicules than either of the 2 former species. In total, we measured 1264 spicules (H. bakeri , n = 614; H. polygyrus n = 582; and H. glareoli, n = 68). There was a highly significant difference between the spicule lengths of the Nottingham-maintained H. bakeri (mean = 0.518 mm) and H. polygyrus (0.598 mm) from 11 different localities across the British Isles. A comparison of the spicules of H. bakeri maintained in 4 different laboratories in 3 continents revealed a range in the mean values from 0.518 to 0.540 mm, while those of worms from Australian wild house mice were shorter (0.480 mm). Mean values for H. polygyrus from wood mice from the British Isles ranged from 0.564 to 0.635 mm, although isolates of this species from Norway had longer spicules (0.670 mm). In agreement with the literature, the spicules of H. glareoli were considerably longer (1.098 mm). Since spicules play a vital role in the reproduction of nematode species that possess them, the difference in spicule lengths between H. bakeri and H. polygyrus adds to the growing evidence that these 2 are quite distinct species and likely reproductively isolated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green phyllodocids Eulalia clavigera and E. viridis are a known European pseudo-cryptic complex, but questions about its distribution and evidence of additional lineages in previous studies call for an investigation of the real diversity within the complex. We analyze DNA sequences (mtCOI-5P, ITS, and 28S rRNA) of different populations of E. clavigera from intertidal and subtidal marine waters along the North East Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, the Azores and Webbnesia (Madeira, Savage islands and Canaries), and populations of E. viridis from the Scandinavia. This provided compelling evidence for the existence of six additional divergent evolutionary lineages, three of the most abundant being described here as new species: Eulalia feliciae sp. nov., intertidal and unique to the Western Mediterranean, Eulalia madeirensis sp. nov., subtidal and unique to the Madeira Island (Portugal), and Eulalia xanthomucosa sp. nov., mostly subtidal and occurring in the British Isles and southern France. Complementary morphometric analyses showed that E. feliciae sp. nov. and E. madeirensis sp. nov. formed two independent morphometric clusters, while E. xanthomucosa sp. nov. often overlapped with E. clavigera sensu stricto (s. s.), although being unique in showing a yellow coloration and parapodial cirri on median segments larger in relation to its body size. Recent biotechnological findings based on "E. clavigera" specimens highlight the importance of formally describing cryptic complexes, since each lineage chemistry might be unique and may have a range of distinct effects and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inféodée à la haute mer et aux régions côtières, la Mouette tridactyle ne pénètre que fortuitement ou accidentellement à l'intérieur des terres. Parfois, de violentes tempêtes emportent des contingents de plusieurs centaines ou milliers d'individus, susceptibles de s'égarer loin de leurs domaines. Les grands lacs continentaux, en particulier, en recueillent alors quelques-uns. Nombre de ces mouettes disparaissent rapidement, certaines périssent; rares sont celles qui séjournent. Suite à l'afflux de fin novembre 2022, deux mois de présence de Mouettes tridactyles sur le Haut-Léman ont permis de réunir diverses notes comportementales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moth Coleophora coronillae Zeller, 1849 (Coleophoridae) is reported new to the British fauna from Suffolk during 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blastobasis glandulella (Riley, 1871) (Lepidoptera: Blastobasidae) is reported new to the British Isles from Sussex in June 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice coverage not only affects the climate and landscape of geographical regions but has impacted species composition, the fragmentation and isolation of populations, and the colonisation routes of species post-glaciation. Major advancements in generating genetic data and applying sophisticated analyses to accurately model the demographic and colonisation history of animal and plant species has allowed evolutionary biologists novel insights. Meanwhile, physical geographers have made major advancements in reconstructing glacial history. However, the information flow between the geographic and evolutionary fields on this topic remains limited; consequently, evolutionary studies on contemporary biodiversity and species colonisation tend to be vague about the role of glacial history, while evolutionary and biodiversity information is rarely leveraged when discussing historical glaciation. In this review, we bring together current knowledge on the changing patterns of ice coverage in the British Isles from the maximum extent of the British-Irish ice sheet (BIIS) ca. 27 ka through to the end of large-scale ice coverage at the start of the Holocene period ca. 11.5 ka. We do so to then highlight how glaciation affected species composition during this time period and the subsequent colonisation of temperate flora and fauna and the patterns of genetic variation seen in them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ian Ritchie is not bound by stylistic fetishes and long‐established, old‐fashioned protocols of solving architectural problems. Each of his projects is designed from first principles, even before spaces and materials are projected. He prefers to get to know his clients and their organisations in extreme detail. At concept stage he uses the other arts to inspire his outputs – poetry, etching and painting, to name but a few. Here he describes his methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian endoparasites play important roles in conservation, biodiversity and host evolution. Currently, little is known about the epidemiology of intestinal helminths and protozoans infecting wild birds of Britain and Ireland. This study aimed to determine the rates of parasite prevalence, abundance and infection intensity in wild passerines. Fecal samples (n = 755) from 18 bird families were collected from 13 sites across England, Wales and Ireland from March 2020 to June 2021. A conventional sodium nitrate flotation method allowed morphological identification and abundance estimation of eggs/oocysts. Associations with host family and age were examined alongside spatiotemporal and ecological factors using Bayesian phylogenetically controlled models. Parasites were detected in 20.0% of samples, with corvids and finches having the highest prevalences and intensities, respectively. Syngamus (33%) and Isospora (32%) were the most prevalent genera observed. Parasite prevalence and abundance differed amongst avian families and seasons, while infection intensity varied between families and regions. Prevalence was affected by diet diversity, while abundance differed by host age and habitat diversity. Infection intensity was higher in birds using a wider range of habitats, and doubled in areas with feeders present. The elucidation of these patterns will increase the understanding of parasite fauna in British and Irish birds.

We apply Causal Effect Networks to evaluate the influence of spring North Atlantic extratropical surface temperatures (SST) on the summer East Atlantic Pattern (EA) seasonal predictability during the 20th century. We find in the ERA-20C reanalysis that a meridional SST gradient in spring (SST index) causally influences the summer EA, with an estimated causal effect expressed by a β -coefficient of about 0.2 (a 1 standard deviation change in spring SST index causes a 0.2 standard deviation change in the EA 3–4 months later). We only find this link to be causal, however, during the period 1958–2008. When performing the analysis on 45-year-long timeseries randomly sampled in this late period, we find the strength of the causal link to be affected by interannual variability, suggesting a potential modulation by an external physical mechanism. In addition to the summer EA, we find that spring SST has an estimated causal effect of about -0.2 on summer 2-metre air temperatures over northwestern Europe, possibly mediated by summer EA. We then use a pre-industrial and a historical simulation, as well as a 30-member initialised seasonal prediction ensemble with MPI-ESM-MR to test the model performance in reproducing the detected causal links in ERA-20C and to evaluate whether this performance might leave an imprint in the model predictive skill of European summer climate. We find that while MPI-ESM-MR is mostly unable to reproduce the causal link between spring SST and the summer EA among the different datasets, the 30-member initialised ensemble can moderately reproduce a causal link between spring SST and summer 2-metre air temperatures over a region west of the British Isles. We perform a predictive skill assessment conditioned on the spring SST causal links for July–August sea level pressure, 500 hPa geopotential height and 2-metre air temperatures for predictions initialised in May. Our results suggest that MPI-ESM-MR's performance in reproducing the spring SST causal links constrains the seasonal prediction skill of European summer climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jenkinson–Collison weather typing scheme (JC-WT) is an automated method used to classify regional sea-level pressure into a reduced number of typical recurrent patterns. Originally developed for the British Isles in the early 1970's on the basis of expert knowledge, the method since then has seen many applications. Encouraged by the premise that the JC-WT approach can in principle be applied to any mid-to-high latitude region, the present study explores its global extra-tropical applicability, including the Southern Hemisphere. To this aim, JC-WT is applied at each grid-box of a global 2.5 ∘ regular grid excluding the inner tropics (± 5 ∘ band). Thereby, 6-hourly JC-WT catalogues are obtained for 5 distinct reanalyses, covering the period 1979–2005, which are then applied to explore (1) the limits of method applicability and (2) observational uncertainties inherent to the reanalysis datasets. Using evaluation criteria, such as the diversity of occurring circulation types and the frequency of unclassified situations, we extract empirically derived applicability thresholds which suggest that JC-WT can be generally used anywhere polewards of 23.5 ∘ , with some exceptions. Seasonal fluctuations compromise this finding along the equatorward limits of the domain. Furthermore, unreliable reanalysis sea-level pressure estimates in elevated areas with complex orography (such as the Tibetan Plateau, the Andes, Greenland and Antarctica) prevent the application of the method in these regions. In some other regions, the JC-WT classifications obtained from the distinct reanalyses substantially differ from each other, which may bring additional uncertainties when the method is used in model evaluation experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK's decision to leave the EU was partly influenced by a desire to reduce immigration. This followed a period of increased Euroscepticism, and an 'othering' of those of a different background, nationality or religion, and ultimately the EU itself. Post-Brexit, this has been linked to a rise in hate crime in England, and the referendum decision has been characterised as an expression of a strengthened English identity. Hostility towards those perceived as 'foreigners' or 'others' seems also to have affected people from the other nations within the British Isles, with speculation that Brexit might lead to the break-up of the UK. Here, we focus on Scots living or who have lived in England and, while their experiences are mixed, it appears that some hostility towards Scots (and indifference to Scotland) has grown. We speculate that this and additional political tensions may, eventually, bring about the end of the union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]