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Introduced species can negatively impact endemic flora and fauna. Studies have primarily utilized camera trap observations and occupancy modelling to better clarify the presence/absence and temporal overlap of endemic and exotic predators. Longitudinal data from field research sites are important as they can provide a finer understanding of predator dynamics and their effects on endemic species. One such site is the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve, in southern Madagascar. Protected since the 1970s, the local human population around Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve has greatly expanded, leading to habitat disturbance in the surrounding forests and increased contact between local wildlife, people and their livestock and dogs. Here we use a combination of scat sampling, field observations of successful and attempted predations, locations of scat samples with identifiable lemur remains, and camera trap data to better assess the predator ecology at Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve. Our results indicate that forest cats (Felis catus), are effective predators of both adult and infant lemurs and appear to be a constant mammalian predator, utilizing mammal prey more than dogs. Dogs are both predators and scavengers of lemurs. Civets focus on small prey, such as insects and rodents as well as plant material. The fosa, Cryptoprocta ferox, are also present but may not hunt in the area continuously. The killing of an adult ring-tailed lemur by two men from outside the area indicate culturally imposed taboos against lemur killing may no longer be effective given that new arrivals may not share the same local cultural restrictions. Scat sampling of exotic predators is one way to expand our understanding of exotic and endemic predator impact on lemur populations, and long-term studies with multiple assessments of predation can provide a clearer understanding of how non-endemic and endemic predators affect endangered species survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological invasion is one of the major challenges to changing ecosystems worldwide. Red fire ants are a prime example of invasive soil animals. However, the impacts of their invasion on the native soil animal communities are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated how the biomass and diversity of soil microarthropods (incl., Collembola and Acari) vary between areas affected by red fire ants at different degrees (i.e., OA, occurrence area, 0–20 m from the nest; PCA, prevention and control area, 20–50 m; POA, potential occurrence area, 50–100 m). We also tested whether the potential effects of ant invasion on other animals are associated with changes in soil properties in the invaded areas. Our results showed a decline of 64% in species richness, 74% in density, and 72% in biomass of microarthropods in OA in comparison with POA. This reduction was mainly driven by the decrease of Acari, while no reduction in Collembola biomass was observed. Despite soil properties being significantly different between ant‐impacted areas, structural equation models indicated that the direct association of invasion with microarthropod communities is stronger than the indirect association mediated by soil properties. Therefore, we consider that direct biological interaction is more likely the major mechanism behind the observed changes in microarthropod communities. The effects of red fire ants were different among taxonomic and functional groups, with litter‐dwelling Collembola, Oribatida, and Mesostigmata (Acari) affected more negatively than soil‐dwelling and surface‐dwelling Collembola. Further, red fire ants affected the turnover component of beta‐diversity (i.e., replacement of species) for both Collembola and Acari. However, the impact on the nestedness component, which is related to species local extinction and population decline, was only detected for Acari. Our study shows that red fire ant invasion is associated with the depletion of soil microarthropod community, and especially highlights that Acari are more vulnerable to this invasion compared to Collembola. The divergent response between different taxonomic and functional groups of microarthropods and the consequent shift in microarthropod communities may have important significance to soil ecological functioning in the impacted areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive mammalian predators are arguably the most damaging group of alien animals for global biodiversity and their impacts are particularly damaging in endemic-rich insular ecosystems. Ferrets (Mustela furo) are well-known for their potential to establish self-sustaining feral populations. Yet, knowledge about their distribution and trophic interactions is scarce. Here, we provide ample evidence of a well-established and widespread population of ferrets on the subtropical island of Madeira (Portugal). Ferrets are using natural and human-dominated habitats, where they are preying on both native (e.g., Cory's shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) and the endemic and IUCN Endangered Zino's petrel (Pterodroma madeira)) and non-native vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research assesses the environmental uses of Haleakalā Crater, and adjoining east Maui areas, by native Hawaiians during recent centuries, and evaluates the modern utilization of this volcanic depression. The study methods examine, and focus on, numerous historical and modern accounts and reports. Three historical periods were identified as follows: (1). A phase, from the ~1400s until contact with foreigners in 1778, characterized by the development of settlements, population expansion, the intensification of traditional agriculture, and the political consolidation of Maui. The construction of the Kiha-a-Pi'i-lani trail across the crater enhanced travel between distant island areas. (2). Following the collapse of Maui's human populations during the late 1700s, and until the 20th century, came a period distinguished by scientific exploration of the crater, and intentional or accidental introductions of animals, including goats, horses, cattle, and wild dogs. (3). After Haleakalā became a National Park in 1916, efforts to eradicate introduced animals and to encourage the reproduction of silverswords and other plants were initiated. Unfortunately, in retrospect, construction of a modern paved road, improvement of hiking trails, and building of facilities allowed swift access to the Park and substantially increased tourist numbers, up to ~2 million yearly visitors. Faced with such crowds, the long-term planning of Park resources appears to be a formidable task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the first overview of animal invasions in Armenia with a national comprehensive combined list of documented invasive alien animal species. This list includes 40 species from various taxa of invertebrates and vertebrates, including nematodes, annelids, crustaceans, insects, mollusks, fish and mammals. For each species, we present data on the range of invasion in the territory of Armenia, indicating the corresponding naturalization time and introduction pathway. The number of invasions has been growing exponentially since 1940. Fifteen out of the overall 40 species have been registered in the last five years. Most of the invertebrate species were likely introduced unintentionally, while vertebrate species were mainly intentionally introduced through release into the nature or escape from aquaculture or farming. Importantly, the inventory of invasive alien animal species in Armenia, which could potentially cause negative effects on the economy, nature, or human health, will aid in risk assessment and development of a country- and region-wide management policy for biological invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naturally occurring canine invasive urinary carcinoma (iUC) closely resembles human muscle invasive bladder cancer in terms of histopathology, metastases, response to therapy, and low survival rate. The heterogeneous nature of the disease has led to the association of large numbers of risk loci in humans, however most are of small effect. There exists a need for new and accurate animal models of invasive bladder cancer. In dogs, distinct breeds show markedly different rates of iUC, thus presenting an opportunity to identify additional risk factors and overcome the locus heterogeneity encountered in human mapping studies. In the association study presented here, inclusive of 100 Shetland sheepdogs and 58 dogs of other breeds, we identify a homozygous protein altering point mutation within the NIPAL1 gene which increases risk by eight-fold (OR = 8.42, CI = 3.12–22.71), accounting for nearly 30% of iUC risk in the Shetland sheepdog. Inclusion of six additional loci accounts for most of the disease risk in the breed and explains nearly 75% of the phenotypes in this study. When combined with sequence data from tumors, we show that variation in the MAPK signaling pathway is an overarching cause of iUC susceptibility in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This dataset summarizes the research on the impacts of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) documented in Brazil from 1981 to 2022 and was used to subsidize the Brazilian Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Impacts of non‐native plants and animals, but not microorganisms and fungi, on terrestrial and aquatic (freshwater and marine) environments were included in this review. Most of the literature reviewed consisted of published articles, plus a few book chapters, dissertations, theses, and reports. We found 1003 records of ecological and economic impacts (970 negative and 33 positive) caused by 239 different species, as well as effects on people's well‐being. Understanding and assessing all ecological interactions of IAS in nature, as well as evaluating their contributions to humans, can be a complex task. However, the current scientific evidence from Brazil suggests that negative impacts of IAS are far more common than positive impacts, highlighting the importance of avoiding novel introductions. From a conservationist perspective, the simple presence of IAS may cause the negative impact of changing the original structure and processes of nature. This is of special concern in megadiverse countries like Brazil, where interactions among species are multiple and complex. Therefore, we believe this extensive review is an important contribution to the national knowledge of IAS and the improvement of global databases, which must be periodically reviewed. The complete dataset for this abstract published in the Data Article section of the journal is available in electronic format in MetaCat in JaLTER at http://db.cger.nies.go.jp/JaLTER/metacat/metacat/ERDP-2024-01.1/jalter-en. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a transboundary viral infection, affecting cattle with characteristic manifestations involving multiple body systems. A distinctive characteristic of lumpy skin disease is the subclinical disease manifestation wherein animals have viremia and shed the virus through nasal and ocular discharges, while exhibiting no nodules but enlarged lymph nodes that are easily oversighted by inexperienced vets. Further research on the role of subclinically ill animals in the transmission of LSD virus (LSDV) can contribute to the development of more effective tools to control the disease worldwide. Thus, this study aims to determine the potential role of subclinical infection in virus transmission in a non-vector-borne manner. To achieve this, we inoculated animals with the recombinant vaccine-like strain (RVLS) Udmurtiya/2019 to cause clinical and subclinical LSDV infection. After the disease manifestation, we relocated the subclinically ill animals to a new clean facility followed by the introduction of another five animals to determine the role of RVLS-induced subclinical infection in the virus transmission via direct/indirect contact. After the introduction of the naïve animals to the relocated subclinically ill ones in a shared airspace, two introduced animals contracted the virus (clinically and subclinically), showing symptoms of fever, viremia, and seroconversion in one animal, while three other introduced animals remained healthy and PCRnegative until the end of the study. In general, the findings of this study suggest the importance of considering LSDV subclinical infection as a high-risk condition in disease management and outbreak investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exposure to high altitude and cold stress poses challenges in maintaining normal physiological standards and body homeostasis in non-native animals. To enhance our understanding of the physiology of native and non-native goats in high-altitude environments, we conducted a comparative study to examine the impact of natural hypoxic and cold stress conditions on their feed intake (FIT) and associated changes in physiological responses, including plasma glucose concentration (PGC). The study took place at an altitude of 3505.2 m above mean sea level and involved twenty-two healthy females from two different breeds of goats. This study was conducted over a period of 56 days after the arrival of non-native Black Bengal goats (BBN) and compared with native Changthangi (CHAN) goats. Both groups were extensively reared in a natural high-altitude and cold-stress environment in Leh, India, and were subjected to defined housing and management practices. The parameters evaluated included FIT, PGC, respiration rate, heart rate, pulse rate, and rectal temperature. High altitudes had a significant (p < 0.05) impact on FIT, PGC, respiration rate, heart rate, pulse rate, and rectal temperature in BBN, whereas these parameters remained stable in CHAN throughout the study period. Additionally, the detrimental effects of high-altitude stress were more pronounced in non-native goats compared to native goats. These findings suggest that physiological responses in non-native goats tend to stabilize after an initial period of adverse effects in high-altitude environments. Based on the physiological responses and glucose concentration, it is recommended to pay special attention to the nutrition of non-native goats for up to the third week (21 days) after their arrival in high-altitude areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation translocation is a common strategy to offset mounting rates of population declines through the transfer of captive‐ or wild‐origin organisms into areas where conspecific populations are imperilled or completely extirpated. Translocations that supplement existing populations are referred to as reinforcements and can be conducted using captive‐origin animals [ex situ reinforcement (ESR)] or wild‐origin animals without any captive ancestry [in situ reinforcement (ISR)]. These programs have been criticized for low success rates and husbandry practices that produce individuals with genetic and performance deficits, but the post‐release performance of captive‐origin or wild‐origin translocated groups has not been systematically reviewed to quantify success relative to wild‐resident control groups. To assess the disparity in post‐release performance of translocated organisms relative to wild‐resident conspecifics and examine the association of performance disparity with organismal and methodological factors across studies, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of 821 performance comparisons from 171 studies representing nine animal classes (101 species). We found that translocated organisms have 64% decreased odds of out‐performing their wild‐resident counterparts, supporting claims of systemic issues hampering conservation translocations. To help identify translocation practices that could maximize program success in the future, we further quantified the impact of broad organismal and methodological factors on the disparity between translocated and wild‐resident conspecific performance. Pre‐release animal enrichment significantly reduced performance disparities, whereas our results suggest no overall effects of taxonomic group, sex, captive generation time, or the type of fitness surrogate measured. This work is the most comprehensive systematic review to date of animal conservation translocations in which wild conspecifics were used as comparators, thereby facilitating an evaluation of the overall impact of this conservation strategy and identifying specific actions to increase success. Our review highlights the need for conservation managers to include both sympatric and allopatric wild‐reference groups to ensure the post‐release performance of translocated animals can be evaluated. Further, our analyses identify pre‐release animal enrichment as a particular strategy for improving the outcomes of animal conservation translocations, and demonstrate how meta‐analysis can be used to identify implementation choices that maximize translocated animal contributions to recipient population growth and viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean region stands as a prominent biodiversity hotspot for the full spectrum of its habitats. However, it ranks among the most extensively invaded regions globally. This characterization aptly applies to the Balkan Peninsula, an expanse renowned for its elevated levels of biodiversity and endemism concerning freshwater fishes. Among the most frequently introduced fauna in the Balkans is the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792). Among the regions with very limited information available concerning the species' distribution in Greece is Mount Olympus. The current study reports the first record of several Oncorhynchus individuals from upstream of Enipeas River. The specimens in view are the first ichthyofauna record for the region. Also, this manuscript discusses the potential introduction vectors. Two different methodologies were used. The first was the use of citizen-science and the second was the use of underwater cameras and systematic surveys at Enipeas River. The estimated depth at sampling stations ranged from 0.5 to 2 m. Trout individuals were found in all sampling stations, estimated at 7–10 cm in length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further range expansion of invasive animal species can be prevented by controlling their behavior. Acoustic repellent is a promising approach to deter problematic animals from ecologically sensitive areas. To develop an acoustic repellent system for a green anole that was introduced to the Ogasawara islands in Japan, this study evaluated the deterrent effect of (1) a pattern sound of machine noise and (2) a mixture of artificial and biologically relevant sounds. We created a sound level gradient inside a small experimental cage in a laboratory setting and measured whether green anoles avoided the vicinity of a speaker. In approximately 80% of cases, both the pattern machine sound and the mixture sounds prevented green anoles from stepping into the vicinity of a speaker (<24 cm). The mixture sounds maintained the deterrent effect at a middle distance from a speaker (<72 cm), whereas the pattern machine sound did not work as a strong acoustic repellent at this distance. These results imply that the mixing of biotic and abiotic sounds can improve the effective range of acoustic repellent for green anoles. However, several shortcomings of the acoustic repellent system were also highlighted. Since a green anole is an insectivore predator, our findings will contribute to protecting endangered native insect fauna from the predation of non‐native lizard species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the movement of plants caused by climate change and human intervention, using the example of umbrella magnolias in Massachusetts. It delves into the debate surrounding the definition of "native" and its implications for conservation. The article also discusses the concept of assisted migration and the challenges faced by endemic wildflowers. It highlights the risks associated with non-native ornamentals and suggests that assisting the migration of native plants can help them survive extinction. The author emphasizes the need to consider the risks before moving native plants, but also highlights the opportunity to shape the future through informed choices about plant migration. [Extracted from the article]

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium expresses two type III secretion systems, T3SS1 and T3SS2, which are encoded in Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1) and SPI2, respectively. These are essential virulent factors that secrete more than 40 effectors that are translocated into host animal cells. This study focuses on three of these effectors, SlrP, SspH1, and SspH2, which are members of the NEL family of E3 ubiquitin ligases. We compared their expression, regulation, and translocation patterns, their role in cell invasion and intracellular proliferation, their ability to interact and ubiquitinate specific host partners, and their effect on cytokine secretion. We found that transcription of the three genes encoding these effectors depends on the virulence regulator PhoP. Although the three effectors have the potential to be secreted through T3SS1 and T3SS2, the secretion of SspH1 and SspH2 is largely restricted to T3SS2 due to their expression pattern. We detected a role for these effectors in proliferation inside fibroblasts that is masked by redundancy. The generation of chimeric proteins allowed us to demonstrate that the N-terminal part of these proteins, containing the leucine-rich repeat motifs, confers specificity towards ubiquitination targets. Furthermore, the polyubiquitination patterns generated were different for each effector, with Lys48 linkages being predominant for SspH1 and SspH2. Finally, our experiments support an anti-inflammatory role for SspH1 and SspH2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the field of cognitive movement ecology, which focuses on understanding the cognitive processes involved in animal movement. It acknowledges the challenges of studying cognition in wild animals but highlights recent research that has shed light on the importance of perception, spatial memory, and learning in animal movement. The article presents a collection of original research papers that use theoretical simulations and empirical studies to analyze movement data and gain insights into the cognitive abilities of animals. The authors emphasize the need for further empirical investigation and discuss the relevance of cognitive movement ecology in the context of environmental changes. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Biology, Ecology and Management of Tephritid Fruit Flies in China: A Review" published in the journal Insects. The correction addresses errors in Figure 1 and Tables 1 and 2, providing corrected versions of these figures and tables. Specifically, the correction addresses the distribution range of tephritid fruit flies in China, stating that it is not as large as previously described and that there is sometimes a lack of evidence for their presence in certain areas. The corrected figures and tables provide accurate information on the distribution of tephritid fruit flies and their host plants in China. The document also includes a list of plant species and their susceptibility to different fruit fly species, as well as a table showing the degree of damage caused by different fruit fly species to various plants. The document provides references for further research on the topic and assures that these corrections do not affect the scientific conclusions of the publication. [Extracted from the article]

Context: K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area in eastern Queensland is the largest sand island in the world and is characterised by a diversity of landscapes, ecosystem types and cultural values. The biodiversity values are threatened by degradation associated with increasing visitor numbers, inappropriate fire regimes, invasive plants and animals, and climate change. Aim: This study investigated changes in vegetation community attributes (species richness and composition) monitored for over two decades. Methods: Twenty-two long-term vegetation monitoring sites established in 1995 were resurveyed in 2021 and analysed. Key results: The sites experienced between one to five fire events in the period from 1994 to 2020. Species richness and the overall differences within regional ecosystems through time were not statistically significant at P ≤ 0.05. A comparison between observed species in the 2021 survey against a list of expected species within each regional ecosystem showed no statistically significant difference (t 7 = 0.649, P = 0.268). Recently burnt sites showed the greatest degree of dissimilarity. Six invasive plant species that are known environmental weeds were recorded. Conclusion: Our research suggests that most vegetation communities in K'gari are adversely affected by widespread, severe bushfire but are resilient; except for Casuarina equisetifolia subsp. incana communities on exposed frontal areas and dry peat swamps. Implications: Targeted planned burning is a key management tool that aims to achieve fire regimes appropriate to the ecosystems and to mitigate risk of severe bushfires. Hence, timely implementation of the existing planned burn guidelines for the south-east Queensland Bioregion is imperative. The K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area in Queensland faces threats from visitor impact, fire practices, invasive species, and climate change. A two-decade study examined vegetation changes at 22 monitoring sites. Although fire events occurred, there were no significant differences in species richness or composition over time. Recently burned sites showed higher dissimilarity. Six invasive plant species were identified. Timely implementation of existing planned burn guidelines is crucial for mitigating risks and preserving the K'gari vegetation communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In Australia, the health of our marine, estuarine and freshwater fishes are of critical importance. The aquatic and marine ecosystems, and the fishes that occupy them each have an important role in our country's ecological, economic, cultural and social wealth. Climate change, resource over-exploitation, invasive animals and diseases, and habitat degradation are just a few of the burgeoning threats that researchers and managers must address to ensure the prosperity of Australia's natural fisheries resources. In addition, differences in legislative frameworks among jurisdictions hinder our ability to coherently manage fish resources at scales that are relevant biologically, ecologically and socially. Aims: Here, we identify the key research priorities for fish and fisheries research in Australia, across seven thematic fields of study. Methods: Research priorities were evaluated using a horizon scanning approach which identified research questions related to the field of fish and fisheries research in Australia. Key results: A total of 284 unique research questions were categorised and prioritised, resulting in the formation of the top 10 highest priority research questions across each of the seven themes. Conclusions: The outcomes from this work can be used to directly complement ongoing work from research providers working in the field of fish and fisheries as well as the development of new areas of research. Implications: The priorities identified will enable researchers and policy makers to identify critical knowledge gaps, develop collaborative research programs, investigate novel approaches, and to improve transparency around decision-making processes. The health of Australia's fish and fisheries are of critical ecological, economic, cultural and social importance. The horizon scan approach identified key questions across seven themes related to fish and fisheries within Australia which allow researchers to target their skills and further investment towards addressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individual trophic specialization (ITS) refers to the trophic diversification amongst individuals within a population. The gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) is considered a trophic generalist at the population level, but little is known about its individual trophic differentiation. We assessed the degree of ITS at one of its main breeding colonies: Ardley Island, South Shetland Islands. We used skin from 19 dead individuals to determine species and sex by molecular methods and a nail for stable isotope analysis of δ15N and δ13C. Isotopic niche metrics and ITS were estimated for the population and for each sex. We found a moderately high degree of ITS associated with the trophic position of the resources consumed (δ15N) for the population and both sexes, as well as a moderate degree of ITS in the foraging habitat (δ13C) for the population and females. Females showed a higher exclusive niche area, suggesting that they use resources and foraging areas that males do not, probably related to reproductive energy demands. Given the high population density of this species, ITS could function as a mechanism to decrease intraspecific competition. This combination of genetic and isotopic tools allowed us to provide relevant information on the trophic ecology of the gentoo penguin without manipulating animals or using invasive methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timely and accurate detection and estimation of animal abundance is an important part of wildlife management. This is particularly true for invasive species where cost-effective tools are needed to enable landscape-scale surveillance and management responses, especially when targeting low-density populations residing in dense vegetation and under canopies. This research focused on investigating the feasibility and practicality of using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and hyperspectral imagery (HSI) to classify animals in the wild on a spectral—rather than spatial—basis, in the hopes of developing methods to accurately classify animal targets even when their form may be significantly obscured. We collected HSI of four species of large mammals reported as invasive species on islands: cow (Bos taurus), horse (Equus caballus), deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and goat (Capra hircus) from a small UAS. Our objectives of this study were to (a) create a hyperspectral library of the four mammal species, (b) study the efficacy of HSI for animal classification by only using the spectral information via statistical separation, (c) study the efficacy of sequential and deep learning neural networks to classify the HSI pixels, (d) simulate five-band multispectral data from HSI and study its effectiveness for automated supervised classification, and (e) assess the ability of using HSI for invasive wildlife detection. Image classification models using sequential neural networks and one-dimensional convolutional neural networks were developed and tested. The results showed that the information from HSI derived using dimensionality reduction techniques were sufficient to classify the four species with class F1 scores all above 0.85. The performances of some classifiers were capable of reaching an overall accuracy over 98%and class F1 scores above 0.75, thus using only spectra to classify animals to species from existing sensors is feasible. This study discovered various challenges associated with the use of HSI for animal detection, particularly intra-class and seasonal variations in spectral reflectance and the practicalities of collecting and analyzing HSI data over large meaningful areas within an operational context. To make the use of spectral data a practical tool for wildlife and invasive animal management, further research into spectral profiles under a variety of real-world conditions, optimization of sensor spectra selection, and the development of on-board real-time analytics are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs about the diversity of sea mammals, encompassing 137 living species worldwide, classified into at least seven distinct evolutionary lineages that returned to the sea. Topic include the majority are cetaceans, divided into toothed whales and baleen whales, while other groups include pinnipeds, sirenians, a polar bear, sea and marine otters, and extinct species like desmostylians, aquatic sloths, and the oyster bear Kolponomos.

Elucidating patterns of adult survival rates is key to understanding population dynamics of large mammals. We used data from 7 separate studies of mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) conducted from 2002 through 2022 in western Washington, USA, to quantify survival rates in relation to key biotic and abiotic factors using known fate models implemented in program MARK. We monitored 324 (206 females, 118 males) radio‐marked mountain goats for 178,339 days. A substantial number of mountain goats in our sample (n = 217) had been translocated from the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascade Mountains on Washington's mainland, providing an added opportunity to examine translocation effects. We adopted a sequential modeling approach, first building a set of models to examine fundamental survival patterns by age, sex, season, study area, and translocated status. We used variables retained from the top model in a second set to investigate relationships between annual survival and local weather covariates hypothesized by previous studies to influence mountain goat behavior, habitat selection, and vital rates. Survival among adult females in spring was slightly lower than other sex and age categories, but seasonal patterns were otherwise not evident. There were significant negative relationships between survival and winter snow depth, an index of the previous year's drought, and mean daily temperature during the previous May, and a positive relationship with previous year's precipitation. Weather effects were similar among resident and translocated animals. By the end of the study period, weather effects had evidently contributed to reductions in mountain goat survival to a level low enough that population stability was unlikely. Because the frequency of droughts and warm spring temperatures are expected to increase with climate change, mountain goat populations in Washington will likely be increasingly challenged as the atmosphere warms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyrtandra obliquifolia K.R. Wood & W.L. Wagner (Gesneriaceae), a new shrub species known only from Kaua'i, Hawaiian Islands, is described and illustrated with notes on its distribution, ecology, and conservation status. The new species is morphologically most similar to Cyrtandra wawrae C.B. Clarke but differs by its unique combination of oblique, non-peltate, auriculate leaf bases, more deeply divided calyx lobes, inflorescence with fewer flowers and lacking profusely umbellate cymes. Cyrtandra obliquifolia is known from only two localities which have undergone severe habitat degradation from landslides and invasive plants and animals and is determined to be Critically Endangered (CR) when evaluated under IUCN criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Walbaum, 1792), a native of the North Pacific Ocean, is an invasive fish species rapidly expanding in the North Atlantic, the adjacent waters of the Arctic Ocean, and rivers in their watersheds. We investigated the species composition of parasites and the structure of parasite communities of the introduced pink salmon in Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea in 2021. The parasites were identified using morphological and genetic methods. A total of 14 parasite species were recorded. The core species of the parasitic fauna of the introduced pink salmon in the Kandalaksha Bay were Clistobothrium sp., ʽDiphyllobothriumʼ spp., Scolex polymorphus Rudolphi, 1819 (plerocercoids), Brachyphallus crenatus (Rudolphi, 1802), Derogenes varicus (Müller, 1784), Lecithaster salmonis Yamaguti, 1934 (adults), Anisakis simplex (Rudolphi, 1809) sensu stricto (juvenile III), and Hysterothylacium aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802) (juveniles III and IV). We provided the first evidence that the Pacific genetic lineage of A. simplex sensu stricto occurs in European marine waters. In 2021, there was a noticeable increase in the mean abundance of the third-stage juveniles of Anisakis in the White Sea pink salmon compared to the period of 1990s-early 2000s. We conclude that the pink salmon occupies the same trophic niche in the new region of its introduction as in the native range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the conservation of large terrestrial mammals and the challenges they face. The threats to these animals include habitat loss, climate change, illegal killing, disease, and inbreeding. The article explores various factors that contribute to the success or failure of conservation efforts, such as pernicious diseases, adaptations of translocated animals, climate change effects on competition, nutritional condition, predation risk, and predator control. The importance of habitat connectivity for biodiversity and conservation is also highlighted. The article provides insights and recommendations for the conservation of specific species, including mule deer and bighorn sheep. Overall, the research presented in this article contributes to the understanding and implementation of effective conservation measures for large terrestrial mammals. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the potential impact of invasive plants on soundscapes, which are the acoustic patterns of a landscape. While research has primarily focused on the effects of invasive species on specific sound-making organisms or the loss of sound-making native species, the impact of invasive plants on soundscapes as a whole remains largely unknown. The article suggests four mechanisms through which invasive plants may alter native soundscapes, including changes in the abundance and richness of sound-making species, alterations in animal behavior, modifications to the physical structure of habitats, and the influence of additional factors such as seasonality and environmental conditions. The study proposes that investigating the impact of invasive plants on soundscapes through whole-ecosystem acoustic monitoring can provide valuable insights into the consequences of invasion and aid in biodiversity monitoring efforts. Understanding the full breadth of the consequences of invasive plants is crucial for scientific rigor and mitigation campaigns. Additionally, alterations to soundscapes may have implications for human health, cultural significance, and our connection to natural spaces. [Extracted from the article]

Wildlife translocations are an important conservation tool but can be challenging for the animals. For translocations to be successful, animals must adjust to their release landscape. Investigating how animals acclimate to their release landscapes can improve post‐release monitoring and inform about the management needs of translocated populations. We investigated movements and resource selection dynamics of 106 elk (Cervus canadensis) during the first 6–8 years following their release to Missouri, USA in 2011–2013. We observed evidence of spatial acclimation as determined by cessation of changes in resource selection together with monthly range sizes and fidelity of individual elk. Females showed faster evidence of acclimation in their movements following release than males. Although range fidelity for both sexes stabilized within approximately seven months, range size stabilized within approximately three months for females and stabilization began within approximately 11 months for males. Selection for multiple resources by elk also largely stabilized within their first year following release. A simple refuge‐forage trade‐off alone did not explain acclimation in resource selection. Elk selected for high‐quality food plots across the temporal extent of restoration regardless of time since release, whereas their selection for cover resources during summer increased after elk acclimated. Together, spatial acclimation generally lagged behind physiological responses observed in this system, adding to the increasing evidence that translocated animals display acclimation patterns across trait‐specific time periods. Our approach demonstrates the utility of accounting for acclimation effects across multiple spatial response metrics for improving post‐release monitoring, evaluation, and management of restored wildlife populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the staggering economic and ecological impacts of invasive animals, maps of their distribution are often only broad generalisations. Detailed knowledge about the spatial distribution of pest animals is crucial to efficiently reduce their numbers in open landscapes where no conservation fencing, or natural boundaries exist.Our case study tests a random but spatially balanced transect design to collect data on the distribution of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), a major destructive pest species in Australian ecosystems, and create distribution maps in relation to abiotic and biotic features. We surveyed an area of 650 km2 in the semi‐arid Flinders Ranges of South Australia using 95 transects (1.4 km length by 50 m width), that were placed with a method originally developed for surveying the ocean‐floor and applied for the first time in terrestrial ecosystems.According to a hurdle model fitted to our data set, the presence of rabbit warrens is influenced by geology, vegetation cover and the topographic wetness index, whereas the number of holes per warren depends on the ruggedness of the terrain, the vegetation cover and whether it has previously been destroyed.The model predicted the numbers of rabbit holes with up to 96.4% accuracy and at a previously unavailable resolution, providing a significant improvement in detail of the distribution of this feral animal.Synthesis and applications: A reliable, high‐resolution map of the distribution of rabbit densities was generated with surveying of less than 1% of the study area, information that can now be used to direct targeted conservation management efforts. This method is highly accurate and can still be improved in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian freshwater turtle fauna is dominated by species in the family Chelidae. The extant fauna comprises a series of distinct lineages, each of considerable antiquity, relicts of a more extensive and perhaps diverse fauna that existed when wetter climes prevailed. Several phylogenetically distinctive species are restricted to single, often small, drainage basins, which presents challenges for their conservation. Specific threats include water resource development, which alters the magnitude, frequency, and timing of flows and converts lentic to lotic habitat via dams and weirs, fragmentation of habitat, sedimentation, nutrification, and a reduction in the frequency and extent of floodplain flooding. Drainage of wetlands and altered land use are of particular concern for some species that are now very restricted in range and critically endangered. The introduced European red fox is a devastatingly efficient predator of turtle nests and can have a major impact on recruitment. In the north, species such as the northern snake‐necked turtle are heavily depredated by feral pigs. Other invasive animals and aquatic weeds dramatically alter freshwater habitats, with consequential impacts on freshwater turtles. Novel pathogens such as viruses have brought at least one species to the brink of extinction. Species that routinely migrate across land are impacted by structural simplification of habitat, reduction in availability of terrestrial refugia, fencing (including conservation fencing), and in some areas, by high levels of road mortality. We report on the listing process and challenges for listing freshwater turtles under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, summarize the state of knowledge relevant to listing decisions, identify the key threatening processes impacting turtles, and identify key knowledge gaps that impede the setting of priorities. We also focus on how to best incorporate First Nations Knowledge into decisions on listing and discuss opportunities to engage Indigenous communities in on‐ground work to achieve conservation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mark–recapture surveys are commonly used to monitor translocated populations globally. Data gathered are then used to estimate demographic parameters, such as abundance and survival, using Jolly–Seber (JS) models. However, in translocated populations initial population size is known and failure to account for this may bias parameter estimates, which are important for informing conservation decisions during population establishment. Here, we provide methods to account for known initial population size in JS models by incorporating a separate component likelihood for translocated individuals, using a maximum‐likelihood estimation, with models that can be fitted using either R or MATLAB. We use simulated data and a case study of a threatened lizard species with low capture probability to demonstrate that unconstrained JS models may overestimate the size of translocated populations, especially in the early stages of post‐release monitoring. Our approach corrects this bias; we use our simulations to demonstrate that overestimates of population size between 78% and 130% can occur in the unconstrained JS models when the detection probability is below 0.3 compared to 1%–8.9% for our constrained model. Our case study did not show an overestimate; however accounting for the initial population size greatly reduced error in all parameter estimates and prevented boundary estimates. Adopting the corrected JS model for translocations will help managers to obtain more robust estimates of the population sizes of translocated animals, better informing future management including reinforcement decisions, and ultimately improving translocation success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Humans have influenced island biotas in the last few millennia through widespread forest clearances and the introduction of commensals and pest species, causing the extinction of island endemics around the world. This is particularly evident in Timor, where more than 40,000 years of human habitation produced few if any extinctions until the last few thousand years when Timor lost most of its endemic murids. We present new records and dates for endemic rodents and introduced fauna from archaeological cave deposits in Timor-Leste that captures this human-mediated transition. We discuss the chronology of faunal introductions and losses at these sites, and compare the Timor records to other records in surrounding islands. We find no directly dated evidence for significant overlap between the introduction of exotics and extinction of murid endemics at ecological timescales, although determining true extinction and introduction ages will require direct dating and modelling of taxon occurrences, which may bring extinction and introduction closer together in time. Nevertheless, we suggest that, based on current data, the almost complete loss of Timor’s endemic forests were the primary driving force in rodent extinctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There are many factors that can contribute to disease incursions in wildlife translocation projects. Through a systematic review of conservation translocation projects in literature, we found that the source of animals, the pathogen type, the host and the lack of disease risk analysis all contributed to disease as a result of the translocation. We recommend that future conservation translocations conduct comprehensive disease risk analyses and that a mandated database be established for the protocols and outcomes of all translocations to be published. Although translocation projects have been instrumental in the supplementation or restoration of some wild populations, they also carry a large risk of disease transmission to native and translocated animals. This study systematically reviewed conservation translocation projects to identify projects that met the criteria for a translocation significant disease incursion (TSDI), whereby the translocation resulted in negative population growth rates or the failure of populations to grow due to an infectious disease—either in the native or translocated species. In doing so, risk factors for these incidents could be identified. Analysis of the resulting 30 TSDIs demonstrated that there was equal representation of TSDIs using wild-caught and captive-bred animals. Additionally, the type of pathogen predisposed in a TSDI was more likely a result of the animal group translocated (e.g., fungal pathogens were more likely to be detected in amphibian translocations) and it was nearly five times more likely for a disease to be encountered by a translocated species than for a disease to be introduced to a native population. However, there are numerous project-specific predisposing factors for TSDIs, and therefore it is essential that future translocation projects conduct thorough disease risk analysis as well as report their outcomes for the benefit of their own and future translocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal ecosystems, encompassing land and marine environments and hosting substantial biodiversity, are among the most threatened worldwide. The European Habitats Directive prioritises coastal habitats and species, requiring legislative, direct protection, monitoring, and informational measures. Accurate habitat and species monitoring is crucial to conservation efforts, yet biodiversity research in complex, ever-changing environments like coastal areas is difficult. Citizen Science may bridge biodiversity assessment and eco-friendly monitoring by incorporating non-scientists into the data collection for scientists and stakeholders. A Citizen Science approach supported by a dedicated iNaturalist project (called Wild Coast CASCADE) was implemented to obtain a complete monitoring framework that includes observations of many taxa in terrestrial, aquatic, and transitional dynamic coastal environments in the Central Italian Adriatic coast. We explored data gathered focusing on the IUCN Red List species, the species and habitats of European conservation concern, and the non-native species. Between 2020 and 2023, we collected 3784 records covering 742 species, with 81% meeting the "research grade criteria", and these were retained for subsequent research. Citizen Science volunteers have collected 291 georeferenced animal records from the global IUCN Red List, 51 plant species from 14 species that are indicators of the presence of habitats of European Conservation Concern, and 44 non-native plants and animals. Our results provide evidence that citizen research projects can effectively assist in monitoring coastal–marine habitats and species. They also underline the potential of Citizen Science for biodiversity conservation and emphasize the importance of public engagement in conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wetland species showed strong associations with the nature reserves protecting the Yellow River wetlands in Henan Province. Three review articles were gathered in the first part of the Special Issue, presenting an introduction to the topic with a review of wetlands' most typical species; a review of one of the adaptations to these specific abiotic conditions; and another review showing proof that wetlands host a great number of threatened species, making another argument for preserving these ecosystems. Inland wetlands are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems on Earth and have one of the highest rates of decline in surface and biodiversity. Most orchid taxa grow in the following wetland vegetation types: wet meadows (especially in order Molinietalia caeruleae); fens (in order Caricetalia fuscae); tall-herb vegetation along mountain streams and springs; and marshes and herbaceous vegetation of freshwater or brackish water bodies. [Extracted from the article]

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a type of dietary restriction that involves fasting periods in intervals, which has been used as a strategy to improve health and extend longevity. Regular fasting is common during the process of biological invasions in nature. Yet, it is not clear how invasive animals adjust their resource allocations to survival and reproduction when periodical starvation occurs. Here, we used Tetranychus ludeni , a haplodiploid spider mite and an important invasive pest of horticultural crops around the world, to investigate the effects of IF on its life history strategies. We show that IF increased the longevity in females but not in males probably because of differences in resource storage, metabolic rate, and mating cost between sexes. In response to IF, females traded off fecundity and egg size but not the number of daughters for longevity gain, suggesting that T. ludeni females can adjust their life history strategies for population survival and growth during invasion process. Eggs produced by fasted females realized the same hatch rate and resultant young had the same survival rate as those by unfasted ones. In addition, IF had transgenerational maternal effects which prolonged offspring development period. We suggest that the longer immature developmental period can increase the body size of resulting adults, compensating egg size loss for offspring fitness. Our findings provide insight into resource allocations as responses to fasting, knowledge of which can be used for evaluation of pest invasions and for management of animal survival and reproduction by dietary regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans are responsible for the release of many non-native animals into the wild. However, these releases occur randomly and are difficult to monitor. Here, using two of the worst invasive herpetofauna as model taxa, we applied an iEcology approach and found a high magnitude of human-mediated releases in China, suggesting this approach can be used to monitor introductions and advise management bodies in a timely manner. Yan et al. use social media to monitor the release of invasive species in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]