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Lizard species of wide distribution can show differences in morphology and many other characteristics, in particular in the scutelation. In this study, we analyzed the variation of 22 meristic characters between sexes and among populations of Sceloporus variabilis from the state of Hidalgo in central Mexico. The variables such as dorsal scales, scales around the body, ventral scales, femoral pores, interfemoral scales, and lamellae of the fourth digit of the hindlimbs were different among populations; the population of San Pablo Tetlapayac presented the highest average values in these variables. A positive and significant relationship between snout–vent length and the number of ventral scales was found only in the females of San Pablo Tetlapayac and Santa Catarina. The variations recorded in the present study indicate an effect of environmental variation in the pattern of the number of scales, and suggest that both environmental conditions, such as precipitation and temperature, and ecological conditions, such as substrate or microhabitats, may be influencing differences in the number and size of scales among populations. Further studies on physiology and ecomorphology are necessary to determine the direction of variations in scutelation between sexes and populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foster youth reportedly have a significant need for mental health services and the quality of the therapeutic relationship can influence service engagement. We employed grounded theory methods to conduct interviews and focus groups with 48 key stakeholders in child welfare to deepen our theoretical understanding of therapeutic relationships with foster youth. The central theory that emerged was that a successful therapeutic relationship is an essential ingredient of the healing process for current and former foster youth. Participants identified hindrances to a successful therapeutic relationship, such as when therapist mishandles countertransference or inappropriately uses self‐disclosure, as well as what therapists can do to build a successful therapeutic relationship, such as when a therapist fosters a secure attachment and promotes client agency. The findings offer insight into some of the important facets of building and maintaining a trusting and successful therapeutic relationship with current and former foster youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effectiveness of the 12‐h Gottman Seven Principles couple enhancement program delivered in person and online. In Norway, we recruited 490 participants and 242 people for a control group. All were in close relationships. The revised dyadic adjustment scale (RDAS) was used to assess the quality of their relationships before and after program participation, and at 6‐month follow‐up. Repeated measures ANOVA, t tests, reliable change, and multilevel multiple regression using propensity score matching to control for confounders were used to investigate the effectiveness of the course. The results demonstrate that the Gottman Seven Principles course improves couple relationships and is equally effective whether delivered in person or online. Furthermore, it does not matter whether there are therapists with a clinical background delivering the course, suggesting that the material itself is sufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores couples' perceptions and expectations of closeness in a clinical setting, and how relationship perceptions and expectations are associated with treatment outcomes. Bowen's theory of differentiation suggests that healthy relationships require a balance of autonomy and connection. However, some research suggests that contemporary societal expectations are pushing couples to expect greater degrees of closeness and less autonomy. Utilizing a clinical sample of 185 couples from an on‐campus Couple and Family Therapy training clinic, this article explores couples' perceptions and expectations of relationship closeness utilizing graphics of overlapping circles. Latent profile analysis was conducted to identify three different profile groups based on perceptions and expectations. Wald tests for significant mean differences among the profiles were performed. Results identified significant differences between the three groups for satisfaction and separateness and connectedness variables, number of sessions and termination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North American bat populations have experienced precipitous declines since the introduction of white-nose syndrome (WNS). Evidence that bats have responded to WNS by altering their winter habitat selection has been used to manipulate underground environments and improve winter survival. However, such management practices must be based on local data, which do not exist for all regions. Our goal was to identify determinants of winter habitat use for 3 bat species with varying susceptibility to WNS. To do so, we conducted 188 surveys of 129 potential hibernacula over 3 winters. We found that the range of winter temperatures and presence of water were important for the Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus) and Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus), species that are highly susceptible to WNS. Counts of both species were greater in sites with a narrow (<5 °C) temperature range and where streams or water bodies >25 m2 were present. In addition, we found larger groups of Little Brown Myotis in abandoned railroad tunnels than in caves. Winter counts of these species increased over time at 3 railroad tunnels that were surveyed for 3 consecutive winters, whereas populations were extirpated from historically important caves and mines. Counts of Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus), which are less susceptible to WNS, were also greater in hibernacula with water bodies. However, average winter temperature also helped predict counts of Big Brown Bats. This species had a curvilinear response to temperature, with most bats found at hibernacula with average winter temperatures of 4 to 6 °C, and fewer bats observed at warmer and colder conditions. These data show that focusing solely on historically important hibernacula may fail to achieve conservation goals for the Little Brown Myotis and Tricolored Bat in our region, and suggest that anthropogenic structures can provide habitat for remnant populations of imperiled bat species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meconopsis integrifolia is an endangered Tibetan medicinal plant with significant medicinal and ornamental value. Understanding its genetic diversity and structure is crucial for its sustainable utilization and effective conservation. Here, we develop a set of SSR markers based on transcriptome data to analyze the genetic diversity and structure of 185 individuals from 16 populations of M. integrifolia. The results indicate that M. integrifolia exhibits relatively high genetic diversity at the species level (the percentage of polymorphic bands PPB = 91.67%, Nei's genetic diversity index He = 0.2989, Shannon's information index I = 0.4514) but limited genetic variation within populations (PPB = 12.08%, He = 0.0399, I = 0.0610). The genetic differentiation among populations is relatively high (the coefficient of gene differentiation GST = 0.6902), and AMOVA analysis indicates that 63.39% of the total variation occurs among populations. This suggests that maintaining a limited number of populations is insufficient to preserve the overall diversity of M. integrifolia. Different populations are categorized into four representative subclusters, but they do not cluster strictly according to geographical distribution. Limited gene flow (Nm = 0.2244) is likely the main reason for the high differentiation among these populations. Limited seed and pollen dispersal abilities, along with habitat fragmentation, may explain the restricted gene flow among populations, highlighting the necessity of conserving as many populations in the wild as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The task of preventing suicide in older adults is an important social burden as older adults aged above 65 are exposed to singular psychological aspects that increase suicide risks. Moreover, when an older adult corpse is found, the medico-legal inspection represents a fundamental tool to identify the exact cause of death, classifying or excluding it as suicide. In this scenario, this review aims to explore the neurobiological factors that could be related to suicidal behavior in older adults. A further goal of this review is the exploration of the medico-legal aspects surrounding older adult suicides, clarifying the importance of forensic investigation. Particularly, this review examines issues such as neurotransmitter imbalances, cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation, psychosocial factors related to geriatric suicide, and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, medico-legal aspects such as policy considerations, legal frameworks, mental health assessments, ethical implications and forensic investigation were explored. Considering the importance of this phenomenon, especially in western countries, a need has emerged for focused screening tools on suicidal behavior among older adults, in order to contain it. Therefore, this review makes an exhaustive appraisal of the literature giving insights into the delicate interplay between neurobiology as well as mental health in relation to older adult suicide within a medico-legal context. The comprehension of different aspects about this complex phenomenon is fundamental to propose new and more effective interventions, supporting tailored initiatives such as family support and improving healthcare, specifically towards vulnerable ageing societies to reduce older adult suicide risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conspecific density dependence (CDD) in plant populations is widespread, most likely caused by local‐scale biotic interactions, and has potentially important implications for biodiversity, community composition, and ecosystem processes. However, progress in this important area of ecology has been hindered by differing viewpoints on CDD across subfields in ecology, lack of synthesis across CDD‐related frameworks, and misunderstandings about how empirical measurements of local CDD fit within the context of broader ecological theories on community assembly and diversity maintenance. Here, we propose a conceptual synthesis of local‐scale CDD and its causes, including species‐specific antagonistic and mutualistic interactions. First, we compare and clarify different uses of CDD and related concepts across subfields within ecology. We suggest the use of local stabilizing/destabilizing CDD to refer to the scenario where local conspecific density effects are more negative/positive than heterospecific effects. Second, we discuss different mechanisms for local stabilizing and destabilizing CDD, how those mechanisms are interrelated, and how they cut across several fields of study within ecology. Third, we place local stabilizing/destabilizing CDD within the context of broader ecological theories and discuss implications and challenges related to scaling up the effects of local CDD on populations, communities, and metacommunities. The ultimate goal of this synthesis is to provide a conceptual roadmap for researchers studying local CDD and its implications for population and community dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variability of the nucleotide sequence of the cytochrome b gene from mtDNA of Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii Dubowski, 1877) inhabiting reservoirs of the Irtysh basin has been studied. The genetic diversity of invasive populations from the south part of Western Siberia and Northern Kazakhstan has been evaluated. Ten mtDNA haplotypes of P. glenii have been revealed, including nine from Siberia and two from Kazakhstan. A significant difference between the haplotypes of Amur sleeper inhabiting lakes of Northern Kazakhstan and the Berdyuzhye district of Tyumen oblast, on one hand, and other studied reservoirs of the Irtysh basin, on the other hand, has been revealed. The obtained data indicate the presence of different sources of the Amur sleeper invasion into Southern Siberia and Northern Kazakhstan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of geographically distributed human populations shows considerable variation in external and internal traits of individuals. Such differences are largely attributed to genetic adaptation to various environmental influences, which include changes in climatic conditions, variations in sleep and wakefulness, dietary variations, and others. Whole-genome data from individuals of different populations make it possible to determine the specific genetic sites responsible for adaptations and to further understand the genetic structure underlying human adaptive characteristics. In this article, we searched for signals of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) under selection pressure in people of different populations. To identify selection signals in different population groups, the PER1, PER2 and PER3 genes that are involved in the coordination of thermogenic functions and regulation of circadian rhythms, which is directly reflected in the adaptive abilities of the organism, were investigated. Data were analyzed using publicly available data from the 1000 Genomes Project for 23 populations. The Extended Haplotype Homozygosity Score statistical method was chosen to search for traces of selection. The comparative analysis performed identified points subject to selection pressure. The SNPs were annotated through the GWAS catalog and manually by analyzing Internet resources. This study suggests that living conditions, climate, and other external factors directly influence the genetic structure of populations and vary across races and geographic locations. In addition, many of the selection variants in the PER1, PER2, PER3 genes appear to regulate biological processes that are associated with major modern diseases, including obesity, cancer, metabolic syndrome, bipolar personality disorder, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, lupus erythematosus, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, making them extremely interesting targets for further research aimed at identifying the genetic causes of human disease.

The CcdAB system expressed in the E.coli cells is a prototypical example of the bacterial toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems that ensure the survival of the bacterial population under adverse environmental conditions. The solution and crystal structures of CcdA, CcdB and of CcdB in complex with the toxin-binding C-terminal domain of CcdA have been reported. Our interest lies in the dynamics of CcdB-CcdA complex formation. Solution NMR studies have shown that CcdB_G100T, in presence of saturating concentrations of CcdA-c, a truncated C-terminal fragment of CcdA exists in equilibrium between two major populations. Sequence specific backbone resonance assignments of both equilibrium forms of the ~ 27 kDa complex, have been obtained from a suite of triple resonance NMR experiments acquired on 2H, 13C, 15N enriched samples of CcdB_G100T. Analysis of 1H, 13Cα, 13Cβ secondary chemical shifts, shows that both equilibrium forms of CcdB_G100T have five beta-strands and one alpha-helix as the major secondary structural elements in the tertiary structure. The results of these studies are presented below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case study of 33 cenopopulations (South Urals, and Central Yakutia) and 8 herbarium specimens of Valeriana L. was used to make a comparative analysis of qualitative (fruit shape, color, and pubescence) and quantitative (fruit length, width, and length-to-width ratio) morphological characters, and 1000 fruit weight among the species Valeriana officinalis L., V. alternifolia Ledeb., V. dubia Bunge, V. wolgensis Kazak. and V. tuberosa L. Fruits of V. officinalis were found to be relatively light and small, those of V. alternifolia and V. tuberosa were relatively heavy, and those of V. wolgensis were large. Fruit indices (length-to-width ratios) of V. officinalis and V. wolgensis were higher than 2, while those of the remaining species were about 2. Dependence of fruit size characteristics on altitudes, latitudes, and weather conditions was shown. Intrapopulation variability of morphological features in fruits was, as a rule, low or very low. Fruit length variability was lower in most species than the variability of their fruit widths or fruit indices. The contribution of interspecific variability to the variation in the quantitative traits of fruits exceeded the contribution of interpopulation variability. Qualitative and quantitative fruit characters of Valeriana L. spp. can be used as additional taxonomic indicators for their differentiation. The keys are provided for identification of species according to their fruit characters.

Introduction: Unfavorable working conditions may place workers in a vulnerable position in the labour market, but studies on the clustering of these factors and their relation to burnout symptoms are lacking. This study aims to identify subgroups of workers in potentially vulnerable positions in the labour market and examine whether burnout symptoms differ across the established subgroups. Methods: This study utilizes cross-sectional data from 2019 of the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey (n = 55,283). Working conditions included employment contracts, working hours, multiple jobs, tenure, physical strain, autonomy, and workload. Burnout symptoms were measured with five items on a 7-point Likert scale. Latent Class Analysis was used to identify vulnerability subgroups based on working conditions and educational level. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to examine whether burnout symptoms differed between the identified subgroups. Results: Three out of nine subgroups (i.e., classes 4, 6, and 7) presented combinations of multiple unfavourable working conditions. The vulnerability of class 4, characterized by low educational level, physically demanding work, low autonomy, and a high workload, was underscored by a significantly higher burnout symptom score (M = 2.91;SD = 0.97) compared to all other subgroups. Subgroups 3 (M = 2.69;SD = 1.43) and 8 (M = 2.41;SD = 1.41), without striking unfavourable conditions, had the second and third highest scores on burnout symptoms. Conclusions: Determining vulnerability in the labour market is not straightforward as not all profiles that presented clusters of unfavourable working conditions scored high on burnout symptoms, and vice versa. Future research should investigate whether findings are similar to other mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TRPM8 thermoreceptor gene (rs7593557) was analyzed in 15 population samples living in different regions of Northern Asia, the Altai-Sayan Highlands, and Canada. High frequencies of a rare genotype and allele in the populations of the Altai-Sayan region and Western Siberia were found among the Telengits (22.2 and 41.7% respectively) and were low among the Siberian Tatars (3.2 and 18.5% respectively), while among the peoples of northern Siberia and the Far East high frequency was found among the Nanais (22.2 and 42.6% respectively) and a low frequency among the Yakuts (1.1 and 10.9% respectively). No deviations from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were found. Trans-association of TRPV1, TRPA1, and TRPM8 gene polymorphisms was carried out using the regression analysis method in 14 populations. Of all three pairs, only one, TRPV1/TRPM8, showed a positive correlation (0.55, df = 13, P-value, 0.032). In TRPV1/TRPA and TRPA1/TRPM8 pairs a negative correlation was revealed (–0.545, df = 13, P-value, 0.048) and (–0.46, df = 13, P-value, 0.097) respectively. Our data indicate that the studied polymorphisms of the TRPV1 and TRPM8 genes are correlated with each other and negatively correlated with TRPA. The results obtained may indicate the coevolution of these genes. It was previously shown that TRPV1, as well as TRPM8, was detected with high frequency in the Nanai population. It is likely that these two mutations came simultaneously from East Asia and spread throughout Russia, which explains the fact that they are positively correlated with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—Using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, the nucleotide polymorphism in a fragment of the ND4 gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 was studied in 14 samples from three populations of the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) and the range of nucleotide polymorphism was determined. The insects were collected in 2021 and 2022 in the Northwest of Russia (in the vicinity of St. Petersburg) and in the northern Caucasus (Krasnodar Territory and Dagestan). Mitochondrial DNA haplotypes were identified, which have 97.95–99.80% sequence identity with the reference GenBank accession number KT447631.1. The level of intraspecific polymorphism of a 438 bp ND4 gene fragment in Rh. padi varied from 0.2 to 4.3%. In 2-year experiments, 33 polymorphic sites (17 transitions and 16 transversions) were found in the ND4 sequences, which made it possible to identify 30 mitochondrial DNA haplotypes. The Rh. padi populations collected simultaneously on different host plants or at different times on bird cherry (spring) and cereals (summer) differed in the proportion of the main haplotype, as well as in the composition of unique minor haplotypes. Analysis of the ratio of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes suggests the important role of the host plant genotype in the formation of the structure of Rh. padi populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To provide patients the chance of accepting curative transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) rather than palliative treatments for portal hypertension-related variceal bleeding and ascites, we aimed to assess hepatic-associated vascular morphological change to improve the predictive accuracy of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) risks. Methods: In this multicenter study, 621 patients undergoing TIPS were subdivided into training (413 cases from 3 hospitals) and external validation datasets (208 cases from another 3 hospitals). In addition to traditional clinical factors, we assessed hepatic-associated vascular morphological changes using maximum diameter (including absolute and ratio values). Three predictive models (clinical, hepatic-associated vascular, and combined) were constructed using logistic regression. Their discrimination and calibration were compared to test the necessity of hepatic-associated vascular assessment and identify the optimal model. Furthermore, to verify the improved performance of ModelC−V, we compared it with four previous models, both in discrimination and calibration. Results: The combined model outperformed the clinical and hepatic-associated vascular models (training: 0.814, 0.754, 0.727; validation: 0.781, 0.679, 0.776; p < 0.050) and had the best calibration. Compared to previous models, ModelC−V showed superior performance in discrimination. The high-, middle-, and low-risk populations displayed significantly different overt HE incidence (p < 0.001). Despite the limited ability of pre-TIPS ammonia to predict overt HE risks, the combined model displayed a satisfactory ability to predict overt HE risks, both in the low- and high-ammonia subgroups. Conclusion: Hepatic-associated vascular assessment improved the predictive accuracy of overt HE, ensuring curative chances by TIPS for suitable patients and providing insights for cirrhosis-related studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding recruitment, the process by which individuals are added to a population or to a fishery, is critical for understanding population dynamics and facilitating sustainable fisheries management. Important variation in recruitment dynamics is observed among populations, wherein some populations exhibit asymptotic productivity and others exhibit overcompensation (i.e., compensatory density‐dependence in recruitment). Our ability to understand this interpopulation variability in recruitment patterns is limited by a poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms, such as the complex interactions between density dependence, recruitment, and environment. Furthermore, most studies on recruitment are conducted using an observational design with long time series that are seldom replicated across populations in an experimentally controlled fashion. Without proper replication, extrapolations between populations are tenuous, and the underlying environmental trends are challenging to quantify. To address these issues, we conducted a field experiment manipulating stocking densities of juvenile brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis in three wild populations to show that these neighboring populations—which exhibit divergent patterns of density dependence due to environmental conditions—also have important differences in recruitment dynamics. Testing against four stock‐recruitment models (density independent, linear, Beverton‐Holt, and Ricker), populations exhibited ~twofold variation in asymptotic productivity, with no overcompensation following a Beverton‐Holt model. Although environmental variables (e.g., temperature, pH, depth, substrate) correlated with population differences in recruitment, they did not improve the predictive power in individual populations. Comparing our patterns of recruitment with classic salmonid case studies revealed that despite differences in the shape and parameters of the curves (i.e., Ricker vs. Beverton‐Holt), a maximum stocking density of about five YOY fish/m2 emerged. Higher densities resulted in very marginal increases in recruitment (Beverton‐Holt) or reduced recruitment due to overcompensation (Ricker). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brine shrimp Artemia is an important live feed used worldwide in shrimp and fish larviculture. Parthenogenetic strains are less known and less used, compared to bisexual, owing to their larger size and their dominant ovoviviparous mode of reproduction. The life cycles of Artemia parthenogenetic population from two Algerian salterns (Sidi Bouziane and Bethioua) were studied under laboratory conditions in order to provide additional data for future management of aquaculture farming. Individuals were reared at a salinity of 120g l-1 and a temperature of 24°C and fed with baker’s yeast and a vitamin complex. Survival rate, growth, adult size and reproduction traits were determined. Survival rate of 50% was attained after 10 days, and the growth rate was 0.19mmday-1 for both populations. Adults lengths were 8278± 489 and 8710± 551.0 m for Sidi Bouziane and Bethioua, respectively. Females attained their first sexual maturity at 28 to 30 days of experiments. Ovoviviparity was the dominant reproduction mode (>75% of all cases) in both populations. Mean fecundity was 23.5± 14.9 and 24.82± 12.06 offsprings per female for Sidi Bouziane and Bethioua, respectively. Overall, the two populations showed similar life history traits. The suitability and the possible use of these parthenogenetic populations in aquaculture were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the therapeutic alliance throughout treatment can improve client outcomes and lead to improved care. The individual, couple, and family versions of the intersession alliance measure (IAM) were developed to facilitate routine monitoring of the expanded therapeutic alliance. Psychometric properties of the three versions of the IAM were examined using a clinical sample. Participants were drawn from clinics in the United States participating in the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network. Using this sample, results indicate that items on each version of the IAM load on one factor, are invariant across sex, and that each version has good internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and concurrent validity. The IAM‐C and IAM‐F also have good predictive validity, while the IAM‐I has more limited evidence for its predictive validity. These results suggest that the IAMs are valid and reliable measures that can facilitate the routine monitoring of the expanded therapeutic alliance in psychotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family weight talk, in the forms of both family weight teasing and encouragement to diet, has been linked to numerous adverse outcomes, including increased disordered eating, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and body mass index. However, little is known about its role in mental health outcomes, especially for emerging adults. Utilizing structural equation modeling, we examined the role of family weight teasing (FWT) and parental encouragement to diet in anxiety and depression and explored body weight perception as a moderator within a sample of 292 emerging adults. Results indicated that FWT was significantly associated with increased anxiety and depression. No significant relationships were found between parental encouragement to diet and the outcome variables, and no group differences emerged across body weight perception. Findings of this pilot study can be used to inform future research to decrease family weight talk and improve psychosocial outcomes for emerging adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: After a promising start in Australia, elimination efforts for hepatitis C are not on track. Following the global campaign to 'find the missing' in hepatitis C response, this qualitative study explores stakeholder perspectives on the 'missing' in the 'endgame' of hepatitis elimination in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Method: Twenty‐eight key informants working in New South Wales, elsewhere in Australia and internationally in high income countries participated in a semi‐structured qualitative interview. Analysis examined key informant accounts of the 'missing' in efforts to eliminate hepatitis C. Results: Participants' accounts framed the missing in relation to epidemiological knowledge, making‐up four population categories 'missing' or 'missed' in hepatitis C response. In turn, accounts situated the missing in relation to where and how individuals were presumed to connect, or not, with existing health‐care infrastructures. This gave rise to concerns about the capacity of health services to be made available for those at risk or in need, with systems said to create opportunities for people to 'miss out' on hepatitis C services. Discussion and Conclusions: The 'missing' in the 'endgame' of hepatitis C elimination effort is not simply a function of who—populations missed—but of where and how, that is, situation and context. Our findings encourage a focus on how services, systems and contexts may create situations in which people become missed or are 'made missing' from care. We therefore advocate for a systemic, and not only population‐based, approach in the final push towards hepatitis C's elimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoring biodiversity‐based resilience and ecosystem multi‐functionality needs to be informed by more accurate predictions of animal biodiversity responses to environmental change. Ecological models make a substantial contribution to this understanding, especially when they encode the biological mechanisms and processes that give rise to emergent patterns (population, community, ecosystem properties and dynamics). Here, a distinction between 'mechanistic' and 'process‐based' ecological models is established to review existing approaches. Mechanistic and process‐based ecological models have made key advances to understanding the structure, function and dynamics of animal biodiversity, but are typically designed to account for specific levels of biological organisation and spatiotemporal scales. Cross‐scale ecological models, which predict emergent co‐occurring biodiversity patterns at interacting scales of space, time and biological organisation, is a critical next step in predictive ecology. A way forward is to first capitalise on existing models to systematically evaluate the ability of scale‐explicit mechanisms and processes to predict emergent patterns at alternative scales. Such model intercomparisons will reveal mechanism to process transitions across fine to broad scales, overcome approach‐specific barriers to model realism or tractability and identify gaps which necessitate the development of new fundamental principles. Key challenges surrounding model complexity and uncertainty would need to be addressed, and while opportunities from big data can streamline the integration of multiple scale‐explicit biodiversity patterns, ambitious cross‐scale field studies are also needed. Crucially, overcoming cross‐scale ecological modelling challenges would unite disparate fields of ecology with the common goal of improving the evidence‐base to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems under novel environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The native populations of Iris hymenospatha and Iris histrio, two endangered bulbous species within the large Iris genus in Iridaceae, are threatened with extinction due to mining and other industrial activities in their natural habitats in Central Asia, including Iran. These species not only have a significant economic impact on the global horticultural industry due to their versatility and attractive phenotypic traits, but also have significant ecological value that necessitates their conservation. In this study, we examined the morphological and functional diversity between individuals within these two species, which exhibit high tolerance to environmental stresses. Our study examined 10 populations of I. hymenospatha and two populations of I. histrio based on bulb, flower, and leaf characteristics throughout Iran. We recognized a gradation of five different leaf shapes among I. hymenospatha populations with significant differences between some populations, including "Arak-Khomain" and "Arak-Gerdo". The "Jaro", "Natanz-Karkas", "Ardestan-Taleghan", "Arak-Rahjerd", "Arak-Gerdo", "Ganjnameh", and "Abas-Abad" populations of I. hymenospatha displayed maximal values in leaf width, stem diameter under flower, crown diameter, flower number, leaf number, and bulb diameter. The I. histrio "Velian" population had a significantly larger flower size, a longer stem length, a larger style width, a longer flowering date, and a higher plant height compared to the "Ganjnameh" population of I. histrio. Such characteristics of both species make them remarkable ornamental plants. Our study also revealed that I. hymenospatha populations grow on different soils and elevations and have the ability to adapt to different growing conditions. Given the threats they face, conservation through horticultural selection and propagation offers a viable conservation strategy for both species. This approach not only preserves the genetic diversity of these species, but also enables their further contribution to the horticultural industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the westernmost Canadian province of British Columbia, fishers (Pekania pennanti) occur in low-elevation forested ecosystems in the central and northern portions of the province, with several substantial mountain ranges and rivers bisecting this distribution. The effect of these geographic features on gene flow and population structuring is unknown and may contribute to fishers differentiating into 2 or more populations within the province. To better understand population structuring within the range of fishers in British Columbia, we collected tissue samples from 491 fishers from throughout the province and evaluated variation of neutral genetic markers using a 385-base pair section of the mitochondrial DNA control region and 13 microsatellite loci. Fishers appeared to be genetically structured as hierarchical stepping-stone populations where an upper hierarchical level of genetic partitioning resulted in 2 populations at the provincial scale, with 3 subpopulations occurring in the central interior region. We observed gene flow of 2 to 5 migrants per generation between the 2 upper populations, which was substantially less than the 90 migrants per generation estimated as needed to maintain genetic homogeneity. This resulted in differentiated upper populations (haplotype F ST = 0.272, microsatellite F ST = 0.049) characterized by relatively low N e (Columbian population = 252, 95% CI = 185 to 332; Boreal population [British Columbia only] = 136, 95% CI = 92 to 234). The consequence of low gene flow and resultant population structuring is that the Columbian population likely receives relatively little genetic and demographic support from other populations and, combined with precipitous recent declines in its numbers, puts this population at heightened conservation risk. As a result, swift and effective actions are needed to conserve this vulnerable population of fishers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accounting for intraspecific and interspecific competition when assessing the effects of chemical and nonchemical stressors is an important uncertainty in ecological risk assessments. We developed novel projection of interspecific competition (PIC) matrices that allow for analysis of population dynamics of two or more species exposed to a given stressor(s) that compete for shared resources within a landscape. We demonstrate the application of PIC matrices to investigate the population dynamics of two hypothetical fish species that compete with one another and have differences in net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of population increase. Population status predictions were made under scenarios that included exposure to a chemical stressor that reduced fecundity for one or both species. The results of our simulations demonstrated that measures obtained from the life table and Leslie matrix of an organism, including net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase, can result in erroneous conclusions of population status and viability in the absence of a consideration of resource limitation and interspecific competition. This modeling approach can be used in conjunction with field monitoring efforts and/or laboratory testing to link effects due to stressors to possible outcomes within an ecosystem. In addition, PIC matrices could be combined with adverse outcome pathways to allow for ecosystem projection based on taxonomic conservation of molecular targets of chemicals to predict the likelihood of relative cross‐species susceptibility. Overall, the present study shows how PIC matrices can integrate effects across the life cycles of multiple species, provide a linkage between endpoints observed in individual and population‐level responses, and project outcomes at the community level for multiple generations for multiple species that compete for limited resources. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1406–1422. Published 2024. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neglect of Moso bamboo's phenotype variations hinders its broader utilization, despite its high economic value globally. Thus, this study investigated the morphological variations of 16 Moso bamboo populations. The analysis revealed the culm heights ranging from 9.67 m to 17.5 m, with average heights under the first branch ranging from 4.91 m to 7.67 m. The total internode numbers under the first branch varied from 17 to 36, with internode lengths spanning 2.9 cm to 46.4 cm, diameters ranging from 5.10 cm to 17.2 cm, and wall thicknesses from 3.20 mm to 33.3 mm, indicating distinct attributes among the populations. Furthermore, strong positive correlations were observed between the internode diameter, thickness, length, and volume. The coefficient of variation of height under the first branch showed strong positive correlations with several parameters, indicating variability in their contribution to the total culm height. A regression analysis revealed patterns of covariation among the culm parameters, highlighting their influence on the culm height and structural characteristics. Both the diameter and thickness significantly contribute to the internode volume and culm height, and the culm parameters tend to either increase or decrease together, influencing the culm height. Moreover, this study also identified a significant negative correlation between monthly precipitation and the internode diameter and thickness, especially during December and January, impacting the primary thickening growth and, consequently, the internode size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepeta nuda L., a notable medicinal species in the tradition of the Balkan region, is a rich source of bioactive iridoids and phenolics previously described as high-resolution taxonomical classifiers for the genus Nepeta. However, their potential in investigating intra-species differentiation is here described for the first time. The aim was to recognize the sources of natural chemical diversity and their association with the genetic variability both within and among N. nuda populations in the Central Balkans. Chemical diversity was assessed from methanol extracts and essential oils through untargeted and targeted metabolomics using state-of-the-art analytical tools, covering a broad spectrum of compounds that represent the N. nuda metabolome. We found that chemodiversity primarily resides within populations of N. nuda, and similar results were obtained at the DNA level using microsatellite markers. The low genetic and chemical differentiation of the studied N. nuda populations implies that their metabolomic profiles may be less influenced by geographic distance and variable environmental conditions within the Central Balkans, as they are under the pivotal control of their genetic backgrounds. Screening the distribution of the major bioactive compounds belonging to phenolics (phenolic acids and flavonoids) and iridoids (both aglycones and glycosylated forms), within and among N. nuda populations, is able to guarantee mass spectrometry-based tools for the selection of elite representative genotypes with practical importance. The knowledge acquired will allow us to delve deeper into the molecular background of N. nuda chemical diversity, which is the course of our further work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The task of preventing suicide in older adults is an important social burden as older adults aged above 65 are exposed to singular psychological aspects that increase suicide risks. Moreover, when an older adult corpse is found, the medico-legal inspection represents a fundamental tool to identify the exact cause of death, classifying or excluding it as suicide. In this scenario, this review aims to explore the neurobiological factors that could be related to suicidal behavior in older adults. A further goal of this review is the exploration of the medico-legal aspects surrounding older adult suicides, clarifying the importance of forensic investigation. Particularly, this review examines issues such as neurotransmitter imbalances, cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation, psychosocial factors related to geriatric suicide, and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, medico-legal aspects such as policy considerations, legal frameworks, mental health assessments, ethical implications and forensic investigation were explored. Considering the importance of this phenomenon, especially in western countries, a need has emerged for focused screening tools on suicidal behavior among older adults, in order to contain it. Therefore, this review makes an exhaustive appraisal of the literature giving insights into the delicate interplay between neurobiology as well as mental health in relation to older adult suicide within a medico-legal context. The comprehension of different aspects about this complex phenomenon is fundamental to propose new and more effective interventions, supporting tailored initiatives such as family support and improving healthcare, specifically towards vulnerable ageing societies to reduce older adult suicide risks.

Abstract Understanding the characteristics and structure of populations is fundamental to comprehending ecosystem processes and evolutionary adaptations. While the study of animal and plant populations has spanned a few centuries, microbial populations have been under scientific scrutiny for a considerably shorter period. In the ocean, analyzing the genetic composition of microbial populations and their adaptations to multiple niches can yield important insights into ecosystem function and the microbiome's response to global change. However, microbial populations have remained elusive to the scientific community due to the challenges associated with isolating microorganisms in the laboratory. Today, advancements in large-scale metagenomics and metatranscriptomics facilitate the investigation of populations from many uncultured microbial species directly from their habitats. The knowledge acquired thus far reveals substantial genetic diversity among various microbial species, showcasing distinct patterns of population differentiation and adaptations, and highlighting the significant role of selection in structuring populations. In the coming years, population genomics is expected to significantly increase our understanding of the architecture and functioning of the ocean microbiome, providing insights into its vulnerability or resilience in the face of ongoing global change. Video Abstract

Several theories of evolution have been developed since the initial work of Charles Darwin. Some are more gene-centric, while others argue for populations/species as the main units of selection. The overall picture is further complicated by the debates about the main driving forces behind the evolution processes. This has led to the formulation of Modern synthesis, Extended evolution synthesis, Selfish gene, Carcino-Evo, and Genome chaos theories, to name a few. While seen by many as contradicting and even mutually exclusive, I believe all these theories are in fact complementary. In this manuscript, I present arguments for looking at all of the above theories as various representations of an overarching motive that in fact makes them part of a fractal picture of evolutionary mechanisms and processes.

Improve the knowledge base on the ecomorphological adaptation of teleost species to different environments, trying to reconstruct how habitat can shape sagittae, is essential for conservational purposes, evolutionary evaluations, and population dynamics studies. Here is provided a comparative study between sagittae features, growth rates and age composition of two Scorpaena porcus populations inhabiting the Mediterranean waters, one from the Strait of Messina (Central Mediterranean Sea) and one from the Split area (Adriatic Sea). Additionally, the stomach contents of the Messina specimens have also been analysed to provide some preliminary information on the diet of S. porcus. A total of ninety individuals, half from each area, have been obtained from two extremely different environments. Results showed an overall different morphology, shape, and morphometry of sagittae among the size classes of the two investigated populations. Samples from Messina were characterized by a most elliptical and slender shape, with a more regular serration of margins than those from Split, which exhibited a wider sagitta, with a most enhanced anti-rostrum and longer rostrum. Concerning diet, specimens from Messina showed a preference for Crustacea (especially Brachyura and Amphipoda) and Teleost species, showing some differences with literature data from other geographical areas (Split one included). Results have confirmed the reliability of sagittae to detect the interpopulation variability of S. porcus from different geographical areas, an essential tool for stock assessment, population studies and investigation on ecomorphological adaptation of teleost species to different habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survival of marginal/peripheral silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) populations in the broader region of Southeast Europe is endangered due to climate change and population decline. This study aimed to determine the level and pattern of variability for the anatomical traits of needles and the possibility of linking the pattern of phenotypic variability with environmental factors. In most of the analyzed needle traits, the statistically significant variability between populations was determined. According to the results of the multivariate principal component analysis, it is evident that the populations are distinct from each other, in three groups. The climatic factors Hargreaves reference evaporation, mean annual temperature, and growing degree-days, were statistically significantly correlated. The altitude and heating degree-days are statistically significantly correlated with the following three environmental factors: Hargreaves reference evaporation, mean annual temperature and growing degree-days, but negatively with others. The paper's findings indicate significant moderate and high correlations between the anatomical traits of the needles' central bundle diameter with the resin duct diameter, the distance between the vascular bundle and the resin duct and the epidermis thickness with cuticle, the resin duct diameter with the distance between the vascular bundle and the resin duct and the epidermis thickness with cuticle, as well as the distance between the vascular bundle and the resin duct with the hypodermis height and the epidermis thickness with cuticle. The results of agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis, performed for anatomical and climatic traits, confirmed the existence of three groups of tested populations according to the altitude gradient. Research results provide knowledge on the diversity and structure of Abies alba populations of Southeast Europe, important for further research and guidelines for the species' conservation and genetic variability preservation in the southern marginal distribution area and keeping in line with climate change projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene flow, the movement of genes between populations, profoundly influences genetic and phenotypic homogeneity among populations. This study investigates gene flow patterns in two migratory hummingbird species, Selasphorus platycercus and Calothorax lucifer, shedding light on the intricate interplay between migration, resource availability, and genetic diversity. Using previously published information on microsatellites, we examine the genetic makeup and the movement of genes within populations. Selasphorus platycercus displays distinct genetic groups which can be associated with its migratory behaviour. Gene flow analysis suggests a higher level of connectivity among populations sharing winter ranges. In contrast, Calothorax lucifer populations exhibit genetic divergence despite overlapping winter ranges, possibly due to environmental niche adaptation and limited reproductive opportunities for dispersing individuals. While geographical distance does not explain genetic differentiation in these species, environmental niche similarities appear to facilitate gene flow. This study underscores the significance of migratory routes, resource availability, and niche adaptation in shaping gene flow dynamics in hummingbirds. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for the conservation and management of these unique avian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I plan to show that the use of a specific population concept—Millstein’s Causal Interactionist Population Concept (CIPC)—has interesting and counter-intuitive ramifications for discussions of the reality of biological race in human beings. These peculiar ramifications apply to human beings writ large and to individuals. While this in and of itself may not be problematic, I plan to show that the ramifications that follow from applying Millstein’s CIPC to human beings complicates specific biological racial realist accounts—naïve or otherwise. I conclude with the notion that even if biological races do exist—by fulfilling all of the criteria needed for Millstein’s population concept (which, given particular worries raised by Gannett (Synthese 177:363–385, 2010), and Winther and Kaplan (Theoria 60:54–80, 2013) may not)—the lower-bound limit for the scope of biological racial realism is at the level of populations, and as such they cannot say anything about whether or not individual organisms themselves have races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of environmental gradients on the remarkable diversity of mountain‐associated plants and on the species' abilities to cope with climate change transcends species‐specific strategies. For instance, our understanding of the impact of thermal gradients on ecological divergences in populations of widely distributed species is limited, although it could provide important insights regarding species' response to climate change.Here, we investigated whether populations of an endemic species broadly distributed across an elevation gradient employ unique or multiple divergent ecological strategies according to specific environmental conditions. We hypothesised that populations employ distinct strategies, producing a tolerance‐avoidance trade‐off related to the thermal conditions they experience across elevations.We conducted our research with 125 individuals of Pitcairnia flammea (Bromeliaceae) sampled from various elevations spanning from sea level to ~2200 m and cultivated under the same conditions. To assess specific ecological strategies of P. flammea populations across elevations, we examined leaf temperature, heat and cold tolerances, as well as other structural/morphological, optical, physiological and biochemical leaf traits.We majorly observed that water‐saving traits diminish as elevation increases while membrane fluidity, majorly associated with unsaturated and very‐long‐chain lipids, enhances. Low‐elevation individuals of P. flammea invest in water storage tissues, which likely prevent excessive water loss through the intense transpiration rates under warming periods. Conversely, high‐elevation plants exhibit increased membrane fluidity, a possible response to the stiffening induced by low temperature.Our results revealed a tolerance‐avoidance trade‐off related to thermal strategies of populations distributed across an elevation gradient. Low‐elevation plants avoid excessive leaf temperature by investing in water‐saving traits to maintain transpiration rates. High‐elevation individuals, in turn, tend to invest in membrane properties to tolerate thermal variations, particularly cold events.Our findings challenge the conventional notion that plants' vulnerability to warming depends on species‐specific thermal tolerance by showing diverse thermal strategies on populations across an elevation gradient. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conditions that allow for the sustained growth of a protocell population are investigated in the case of asymmetrical division. The results are compared to those of previous studies concerning models of symmetrical division, where synchronization (between duplication of the genetic material and fission of the lipid container) was found under a variety of different assumptions about the kinetic equations and about the place where molecular replication takes place. Such synchronization allows a sustained proliferation of the protocell population. In the asymmetrical case, there can be no true synchronization, since the time to duplication may depend upon the initial size, but we introduce a notion of homogeneous growth that actually allows for the sustained reproduction of a population of protocells. We first analyze Surface Reaction Models, defined in the text, and we show that in many cases they undergo homogeneous growth under the same kinetic laws that lead to synchronization in the symmetrical case. This is the case also for Internal Reaction Models (IRMs), which, however, require a deeper understanding of what homogeneous growth actually means, as discussed below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the characteristics and structure of populations is fundamental to comprehending ecosystem processes and evolutionary adaptations. While the study of animal and plant populations has spanned a few centuries, microbial populations have been under scientific scrutiny for a considerably shorter period. In the ocean, analyzing the genetic composition of microbial populations and their adaptations to multiple niches can yield important insights into ecosystem function and the microbiome's response to global change. However, microbial populations have remained elusive to the scientific community due to the challenges associated with isolating microorganisms in the laboratory. Today, advancements in large-scale metagenomics and metatranscriptomics facilitate the investigation of populations from many uncultured microbial species directly from their habitats. The knowledge acquired thus far reveals substantial genetic diversity among various microbial species, showcasing distinct patterns of population differentiation and adaptations, and highlighting the significant role of selection in structuring populations. In the coming years, population genomics is expected to significantly increase our understanding of the architecture and functioning of the ocean microbiome, providing insights into its vulnerability or resilience in the face of ongoing global change. CUDKz2DP2n1VVjiYBBnjBW Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper addresses the importance of increasing agrobiodiversity to cope with climate change and, at the same time, providing a sufficient amount of healthy food. This is in agreement with the messages from ecology and medicine indicating the advantages of biodiversity in general and agrobiodiversity in particular for the planet and for our health. Plant breeding is considered to be one of the causes of the decline in agrobiodiversity, and therefore, this paper illustrates alternatives to the commonly used approach based on centralized selection. The first alternative is decentralized participatory breeding, which adapts crops to both different agronomic environments and client preferences, representing an "option by context" model of research. The second alternative is evolutionary breeding, which is a more dynamic strategy than participatory plant breeding because it merges the advantages of decentralization with the ability of dynamic mixtures and evolutionary populations to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses and evolve, thus adapting to climate change and to the associated changes in the spectrum of pests. A crop capable of evolving as the environment around it evolves appears to be the most ideal way of responding to climate change and increasing agricultural biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasion of non-native species has been a chronic problem in reservoirs of hydroelectric plants. Among the species recorded in Brazil, the cnidarian Cordylophora caspia is often misidentified as macrophytes or completely overlooked, although reports state that the colonies obstruct structures and pipes in industrial plants, generating high maintenance costs. In addition to modifying the ecological balance of invaded ecosystems, studies indicated that C. caspia can influence the occurrence of other invasive species, such as Limnoperna fortunei. In this study, we reported two new records for C. caspia in Brazil, the first occurrence in Minas Gerais and Goiás. We described the colonies in detail and reviewed the known geographic distribution of the species in Brazilian waters. We provided the first Brazilian genetic sequences of the species, which were phylogenetically placed into a broad evolutionary inference using C. caspia COI sequences available from different regions of the world. Our results indicate that there is no clear pattern of ecophysiological specialization of main clades regarding salinity that would justify the validation of the nominal C. lacustris for freshwater specimens. High levels of genetic differentiation in the lineages support the existence of multiple cryptic species within the genus Cordylophora. Finally, our ancestral state reconstruction analysis suggested a presumed freshwater origin for C. caspia and independent shifts between fresh and brackish waters. Advances in the study of populations from different regions of the world will be important for further understanding species delimitation, possible routes of invasion, economic impacts, and ecological interactions, including with other invasive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most species identification in Trichopodus trichopterus is primarily based on phenotypic variation of the body, including color polymorphisms, specific markers, and size differences. These key attributes can sometimes be difficult to apply due to ontogeny development, environment interaction, and specimen quality. Therefore, this study aimed to determine intraspecific variation of T. trichopterus body conformation using truss morphometric analysis. The fish specimens used were collected from the museum in Sumatra (n = 31), Java (n = 30), Kalimantan (n = 30), and Sulawesi (n = 35). Truss measurement data were subjected to univariate and discriminant function analysis (DFA). The results showed that 5 measured characters were significant discriminators among the observed populations (P < 0.05). The initial classification accuracy was 54.2%, marginally decreasing to 46.6% after cross-validation. Based on geographic distributions, Kalimantan specimens had the highest classification at 96.7%, followed by Sulawesi, Java, and Sumatra at 94.3%, 94.1%, and 91.2%, respectively. Further investigation revealed that habitat differences had a significant impact on morphometric characteristics. In conclusion, differences were observed in the morphological characters of the T. trichopterus populations in Indonesian water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the population status of a species is vital for their conservation. Over the last two decades, multiple methods for surveying lion (Panthera leo) populations have been designed and tested. Each have strengths and weaknesses, with different applications, and varying levels of reliability, accuracy and precision. We conducted a PRISMA systematic review to identify and assess survey methods for estimating lion population abundance. We searched the Web of Science and Google Scholar for peer reviewed papers between January 1991 and December 2022. Sixty-five papers were included, with some using multiple methods or multiple study sites; when these were separated, 93 studies were identified. Seven broad population survey methods for lions were identified: call ups (34.8% of studies), spoor counts (32.5%), direct observations (15.7%), direct observations with capture recapture elements (12.4%), camera trap-based capture-recapture analysis (4.5%), genetic surveys (3%) and distance-based surveys (1.1%). Our literature review suggests that the most reliable methods for determining lion density or abundance are direct observations and camera trap-based capture recapture surveys. Genetic surveys combined with spatially-explicit capture recapture analysis also hold significant potential. Due to their lack of reliability and tendency to over-estimate populations, call ups and spoor counts are not recommended for determining population abundance. We further recommend that harmonized methods be developed that can produce comparable and reliable estimates, which can be used to inform conservation decisions across the species range.

The scope of the present study was to study the effect of different populations of Hermetia illucens, commonly known as black soldier fly (BSF), on the major components and volatile composition of the derived freeze-dried flours. Potential differences in the composition of different life cycle stages of BSF, i.e., larvae and pupae, were also investigated. The flours obtained from larvae of two BSF populations from Greece (GR) and Portugal (PO) (L-GR and L-PO, respectively) demonstrated similar major chemical compositions. Pupae (Pu-PO) were richer in chitin compared to larvae. Differences were spotted in their fatty acid profiles and volatile fractions. The saturated/unsaturated lipid fraction ratio was 1.5 in L-GR, higher in L-PO (2.5), and even higher in the case of Pu-PO (4.0). Seventeen (17) compounds were detected in the volatile fraction of the Pu-PO samples and 24 in the volatile fraction of the L-GR and L-PO samples. Notably, dodecanoic acid ethyl ester was the predominant volatile compound in all samples. The proteins of both larvae and pupae were dominated by β-sheet structures. The present study's findings are valuable for designing food or feed products based on BSF components and could be important for applying suitable manufacturing and processing procedures.

Populations of laurel poplar (Populus laurifolia Ledeb.) in the basins of the Tom and Chulyshman rivers, which are characterized by polymorphism in bark color, were studied. The most obvious morphological feature that marks these forms is the base of the leaf blade – rounded-wedge-shaped in gray bark and heart-shaped in white bark forms. The population of the river Chulyshman, differs from the plantations of the Tom’ basin by a sharp predominance of the ovate-triangular (75.5 %) shape of the leaf blade and the absence of elliptical leaves. There is a predominance of intrapopulation variability, which is typical for poplar. The interpopulation component in terms of quality features accounts for 11.8 %, in terms of phenotypes 23.8 %, which indicates the average differentiation of the studied plantations. The conducted studies have shown that the observed relationship between the blade morphology and form polymorphism is characteristic not only for the plantations of the river basin. Tom, but in general for laurel poplar. It has been established that polymorphism in different parts of the range is not an adaptation to moisture regimes, but probably reflects the distribution history of the species. The observed relationship between the populations of Tom and Chulyshman is explained by the evolution of the river system of the Altai-Sayan mountainous country. The Chulyshman River from the Oligocene to the Upper Pleistocene (30–40 thousand years ago) was part of a single river system, which also included sections of the Biya, Kondoma, and Tom. Considering that laurel poplar arose in the Neogene, and the formation of laurel poplar forests spread widely in the Middle Pleistocene, its white-bark and gray-bark forms probably populated this ancient river system even before the formation of Lake Teletskoe.

Diphasiastrum tristachyum (Lycopodiaceae) is a rare species of the Ukrainian flora, listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. In our country it occurs mainly in Central (Zhytomyr) Polissya. Two localities only have been recorded in Volhynian Polissya. In the literature sources, there is no information about distribution of D. tristachyum in Kyiv Polissya. However, back in 1899, the species was collected near the town of Boyarka (KWU0001665). Although correctly identified, this specimen has not been previously included in distribution data. We report a new locality of D. tristachyum from pine forest in Lub'yanka Forestry in Bucha District, Kyiv Region. In the Podolian Upland, an isolated local population of D. tristachyum was found in a karst sinkhole near Hutysko village, Ternopil Region. A list of all known localities of D. tristachyum in Ukraine and data on the current state of its populations in the newly reported localities are provided. It is proposed to establish a botanical reserve in Lub'yanka Forestry.