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Supplemental feeding is now a ubiquitous and effective tool in the conservation management of wild populations. On Tiritiri Matangi Island, the persistence of the hihi (Notiomystis cincta) population depends on constant food supplementation. However, the more dominant korimako (Anthornis melanura) can also access these feeders. To understand whether korimako may be limiting hihi access to the feeders, we used an observational study to quantify the co-occurrences at feeders and potential for resource partitioning and competitive exclusion of males and females of both species. We measured hihi and korimako visits to sugar-water feeders and the frequency of territorial interactions during the non-breeding and breeding seasons. We found that male korimako were the most frequent visitors (116 ± 7 visits h−1), followed by male hihi (51 ± 3 visits h−1), female hihi (47 ± 3 visits h−1), then female korimako (6 ± 1 visits h−1). In general, visits positively correlated between each species and sex across months. Few intra- and interspecific aggressive interactions were observed in the non-breeding season and early breeding season. We found no evidence that hihi were being excluded from the supplemental feeders by korimako, potentially from the high visitation rates making territorial and aggressive interactions ineffectual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, establishing planted forests, typically composed of not more than two tree species, to avoid forest losses has received increasing attention. In addition, investigating the impact of environmental stress such as waterlogging on different planting patterns is essential for improving wetland ecosystem resilience. Knowledge about the impact of waterlogging on planted forests is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate its adverse effects. Here, we conducted experimentally a simulated pure and mixed planting system composed of two contrasting WL-tolerant species (Cleistocalyx operculatus and Syzygium cumini) to determine their ecophysiological responses based on the type of interaction. Results showed that the aboveground growth performance of S. cumini was better than that of C. operculatus under wellwatered conditions regardless of the planting model, which is contrary to the belowground accumulation that was significantly improved in C. operculatus. Intra- and interspecific interactions in different planting models facilitated the growth performance of C. operculatus while provoking a significant competition in S. cumini under waterlogging. Such phenomenon was explained through the remarkable ability of C. operculatus to naturally increase its root network under stress on non-stress conditions compared with S. cumini. In this study, two main factors are proposed to play key roles in the remarkable performance of C. operculatus compared with S. cumini following the planting model under waterlogging. The high level of nitrogen and phosphor absorption through C. operculatus primary roots and the significant starch biosynthesis constituted the key element that characterized the facilitation or competition within the intra- or interspecific interactions shown in C. operculatus compared with S. cumini. Furthermore, the intraspecific competition is more pronounced in S. cumini than in C. operculatus when grown in a pure planting pattern, particularly when subjected to waterlogging. However, when the two species are planted together, this competition is alleviated, resulting in enhanced waterlogging tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, establishing planted forests, typically composed of not more than two tree species, to avoid forest losses has received increasing attention. In addition, investigating the impact of environmental stress such as waterlogging on different planting patterns is essential for improving wetland ecosystem resilience. Knowledge about the impact of waterlogging on planted forests is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate its adverse effects. Here, we conducted experimentally a simulated pure and mixed planting system composed of two contrasting WL-tolerant species (Cleistocalyx operculatus and Syzygium cumini) to determine their ecophysiological responses based on the type of interaction. Results showed that the aboveground growth performance of S. cumini was better than that of C. operculatus under well-watered conditions regardless of the planting model, which is contrary to the belowground accumulation that was significantly improved in C. operculatus. Intra- and interspecific interactions in different planting models facilitated the growth performance of C. operculatus while provoking a significant competition in S. cumini under waterlogging. Such phenomenon was explained through the remarkable ability of C. operculatus to naturally increase its root network under stress on non-stress conditions compared with S. cumini. In this study, two main factors are proposed to play key roles in the remarkable performance of C. operculatus compared with S. cumini following the planting model under waterlogging. The high level of nitrogen and phosphor absorption through C. operculatus primary roots and the significant starch biosynthesis constituted the key element that characterized the facilitation or competition within the intra- or interspecific interactions shown in C. operculatus compared with S. cumini. Furthermore, the intraspecific competition is more pronounced in S. cumini than in C. operculatus when grown in a pure planting pattern, particularly when subjected to waterlogging. However, when the two species are planted together, this competition is alleviated, resulting in enhanced waterlogging tolerance.

We review the literature on the relationship between water temperature and size of freshwater phytoplankton, to examine the hypothesis that freshwater phytoplankton, like marine phytoplankton and many other groups of organisms, conform to Bergmann's Rule and become smaller with warming. We provide both experimental and field evidence in support of the above hypothesis, much of this evidence was hidden in studies focused on other issues, but presenting temperature and phytoplankton size data. Freshwater phytoplankton size shrinks with increasing temperature at both the species level (by cells or colonies becoming smaller) and at the community level (shift to smaller species). Exceptions to the Rule do occur but in most cases those exceptions can be explained by indirect effects of temperature on phytoplankton size, via processes such as grazing or nutrient availability. With global warming, freshwater phytoplankton are likely to be of smaller size. This article is dedicated to Colin S. Reynolds, who has had a leading role in our personal education and understanding of phytoplankton ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• For the first time, genome wide genetic variants (SNPs &InDels) were identified and characterized in cashew by genome resequencing. • About 97% reads generated were mapped on to the draft genome and a total of 420560 SNPs and 26987 InDels were identified. • Developed 88 novel InDel markers for the first time for cashew and many were cross species transferable. Cashew nut is an edible tree nut having great industrial applications. Cashew and its products (nut shell liquid and kernel oil) are used in various food preparations, medicines, green energy feedstocks and polymer synthesis making it an industrially important tree. In spite of great economic importance, genetics and molecular studies in cashew are lagging due to a largely unexplored genome and scarcity of robust genome-wide molecular markers. Here, we resequenced the whole genome of Nethra Vaman, a commercial clone of cashew, and identified and characterized their genome-wide variants (GVs): 420,560 SNPs and 26,987 InDels by aligning with the reported draft genome of cashew cv. Bhaskara. The mean density of SNPs was 2,867.78 per Mb of the genome while the mean density of InDels was 184.02 per Mb. KEGG pathway analysis of the genes with GVs revealed that apart from the primary metabolic pathways, plant hormone signal transduction and Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were enriched. Besides, the first set of InDel markers (88) possessing advantages of both SSR and SNP markers was developed, and 87.5% of them were highly informative (PIC value ≥0.50). The PIC value of InDel markers ranged from 0.11 (AoINDL-16) to 0.85 (AoINDL-1) with a mean of 0.66. Cross-species amplification of InDel markers showed 84.68%, 79.84%, 74.19%, and 58.06% successful amplification in A. othonianum, A. microcarpum, A. pumilum and S. anacardium , respectively. Genetic diversity analysis using 14 informative InDel markers by UPGMA method clustered the 64 accessions into three main clusters and a total of 200 alleles were identified with a mean of 14.29. AMOVA analysis showed that 6% of genetic variations were attributable to among populations while 94% was attributable to individuals within and among populations. Further, InDel markers were assayed for hybridity ascertaining in A. occidentale × A. microcarpum progeny and the hybrid purity index of markers varied from 45.45 % (AoINDL-40) to 94.5% (AoINDL-77). Thus, the genomic resources, identification and annotation of GVs, and the new class of markers designed here will be valuable for molecular biology, genetics, and molecular breeding in cashew and related Anacardium species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a Commentary on Anderegg et al. (2021), 229: 1375–1387. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, establishing planted forests, typically composed of not more than two tree species, to avoid forest losses has received increasing attention. In addition, investigating the impact of environmental stress such as waterlogging on different planting patterns is essential for improving wetland ecosystem resilience. Knowledge about the impact of waterlogging on planted forests is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate its adverse effects. Here, we conducted experimentally a simulated pure and mixed planting system composed of two contrasting WL-tolerant species ( Cleistocalyx operculatus and Syzygium cumini ) to determine their ecophysiological responses based on the type of interaction. Results showed that the aboveground growth performance of S. cumini was better than that of C. operculatus under well-watered conditions regardless of the planting model, which is contrary to the belowground accumulation that was significantly improved in C. operculatus . Intra- and interspecific interactions in different planting models facilitated the growth performance of C. operculatus while provoking a significant competition in S. cumini under waterlogging. Such phenomenon was explained through the remarkable ability of C. operculatus to naturally increase its root network under stress on non-stress conditions compared with S. cumini . In this study, two main factors are proposed to play key roles in the remarkable performance of C. operculatus compared with S. cumini following the planting model under waterlogging. The high level of nitrogen and phosphor absorption through C. operculatus primary roots and the significant starch biosynthesis constituted the key element that characterized the facilitation or competition within the intra- or interspecific interactions shown in C. operculatus compared with S. cumini . Furthermore, the intraspecific competition is more pronounced in S. cumini than in C. operculatus when grown in a pure planting pattern, particularly when subjected to waterlogging. However, when the two species are planted together, this competition is alleviated, resulting in enhanced waterlogging tolerance., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Tian, Li, Cisse, Miao, Zhou, Yang, Chen, Li, Tian, Ye and Yang.)

Penguin stomach microbiota and its variability are important as these microbes may contribute to the fitness of the host birds and their chicks, and influence the microbial ecosystem of the surrounding soils. However, there is relatively little knowledge in this area, with the majority of studies focused on their deposited faeces. Here we investigated whether similar foraging strategies in adjacent colonies of different penguin species lead to similar temporarily conserved stomach microbiota. To do this, we studied the inter- and intra-specific variations in bacterial community composition in the stomach contents of sympatrically breeding Adélie ( Pygoscelis adeliae) and Chinstrap ( Pygoscelis antarctica) Penguins, which consumed a diet of 100% Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba) under a similar foraging regime on Signy Island (maritime Antarctic), using a high-throughput DNA sequencing approach. Our data show that Adélie and Chinstrap Penguins shared 23-63% similarity in the stomach bacterial community composition, with no significant differences observed in the α-diversity or the assemblages of frequently encountered groups of operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The most frequently encountered OTUs that were shared between the species represented members of the phyla Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, Tenericutes and Proteobacteria. OTUs which were unique to individual birds and to single species formed approximately half of the communities identified, suggesting that stomach microbiota variability can occur in penguins that forage and breed under similar environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present information on the morphological structure and measurements of the os penis for eight families and 28 species of bats occurring on Madagascar, most being endemic to the island. For one of these families, Miniopteridae, no bacular structure was found and for a second family, Emballonuridae, the structure was absent in one species ( Taphozous mauritianus). For the majority of taxa, the descriptions and measurements given herein of their respective bacula are presented for the first time in the published literature. In cases when samples are sufficient for certain species, we examine intra-specific variation in bacular morphology. For species the subject of previous published phylogeographical studies and which showed clade structure associated with elevational or latitudinal clines, we investigate if intra-specific differences in bacular structure are correlated with clade associations. We examine possible correlates associated with os penis measurements and, in general, across all species or within certain families, there was not a clear correlation between body size, as measured by forearm length, and different bacular measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before the establishment of political societies there was no constant property and social groups were not governed by an authority. Human aggregation leads into the need for authority and culture conceptualization. Inter and intra-specific interactions have evolved in parallel to the redefinition of these concepts which have always been density dependent. Present human western (or westernized) society lives in big intra-specific aggregations where constant property covers even other species, and where anthropocentrism is in general well accepted and not challenged. As communities keep growing, social pressures and other factors have made human primates away from empathy, which declines proportionally to density increase. The lack of empathy immediately drives to the search of differentiation and uniqueness which is easier to proclaim towards other species, especially to non-human primates as they could represent a threat for its resemblance to our species. All non-human animals have been cast aside, their differences highlighted and the concept of culture redefined in order to take away non-human species the possibility to have a culture. However, there are still human communities which preserve empathy towards other species, accepting non-human cultures; and who are in their search of intra and inter-specific balance. Challenging cultural anthropocentrism and non-human animal property by understanding the inter-specific balance can be achieved by a better understanding of such human communities.

Tree breeding has been developed new horizon in producing new hybrids which play basic role in supplying wood and help to prevent forest reduction. The main aim of the current project was to investigate inter-specific and inter-generic hybridization in Salicaceae with the target of increasing genetic diversity and to achieve new hybrids suitable for producing woody biomass. This is the successful attempt to perform Inter-specific crossing between Populus nigraxP. deltoides and inter-generic crossing between P. nigraxsalix alba. An embryo rescue technique as an efficient method was used on ovaries isolated from unwanted pollens. After pollination, 10 and 14-days-old embryos were transferred to MS and 1/2 MS media containing 30 gr/lit sucrose. In view of the results, inter-specific and inter-generic hybridization in the willow family was possible with these species. The high rate of germination was occurred 14 days after pollination and in the MS medium. This hybridization is accomplished through an in vitro system. These results defined a successful protocol for in vitro breeding of P. nigraxP. deltoides and P. nigraxsalix alba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild tomato species in Solanum Section Lycopersicon often exhibit two types of reproductive barriers: self-incompatibility (SI) and unilateral incompatibility or incongruity (UI), wherein the success of an inter-specific cross depends on the direction of the cross. UI pollen rejection often follows the 'SI × SC' rule, i.e. pistils of SI species reject the pollen of SC (self-compatible) species but not vice versa, suggesting that the SI and UI pollen rejection mechanisms may overlap. In order to address this question, pollen tube growth was measured after inter-specific crosses using wild tomato species as the female parents and pollen from cultivated tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum). Two modes of UI pollen rejection, early and late, were observed, and both differed from SI pollen rejection. The structure and expression of known stylar SI genes were evaluated. We found that S-RNase expression is not required for either the early or late mode of UI pollen rejection. However, two HT family genes, HT-A and HT-B, map to a UI QTL. Surprisingly, we found that a gene previously implicated in SI, HT-B, is mutated in both SI and SC S. habrochaites accessions, and no HT-B protein could be detected. HT-A genes were detected and expressed in all species examined, and may therefore function in both SI and UI. We conclude that there are significant differences between SI and UI in the tomato clade, in that pollen tube growth differs between these two rejection systems, and some stylar SI factors, including S-RNase and HT-B, are not required for UI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in vitro production of inter-specific hybrid plants between common (ovules) and homotropicum (pollens) buckwheat plants was attempted by the in vitro cross breeding procedure previously reported. At the initial stage, no fertilization or plant regeneration occurred in vitro between the two species, although fertilization did occur in potted conditions to some extent. It was found that pollen tubes stopped on stigma, i.e. halfway to the ovules, under a fluorescent microscope. It was also found that boric acid or calcium ions stimulated pollen tube elongation on stigma and penetration into the ovules. Boric acid treatment remarkably improved fertilization and suggested that a barrier to the pre-zygotic stage was short elongation of the pollen tube. At the post-zygotic stage, the development of the fertilized ovules and immature embryos into young plants in vitro was stimulated with coconut water. In vitro born plants were regenerated from approximately 8% of the pollinated flowers and this figure was doubled in the field. RAPD analysis suggested in vitro born plants were hybrid plants between common and homotropicum buckwheat plants i.e. inter-specific hybrid plants. One life cycle took approximately 60-65 days in vitro and 6 life cycles were possible, thus, suggesting fast cross breeding in vitro. The hybrid plants could be multiplied by a micropropagation procedure which indicated quick line establishment from inter-specific hybrid plants was possible in vitro. The present results suggest that quick cross breeding can be promoted between different species, but in vitro cross breeding in general is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter- and intra-specific competition has long been regarded as asignificant determinant of the structure and function of woody plantcommunitiesin African savannas. The most widely used approach to detect the presence orabsence of competition has been the use of nearest-neighbour methods. Althoughseveral studies have been published reporting the presence of competition in Acacia dominated communities, less than 20 plots have beensampled across all these studies. Results from broad-leaved communities arevariable, and also based on a small sample number. Consequently, this studysought to assess the prevalence of competition from a large number of savannasites (45), and to identify abiotic and biotic factors characterising siteswithcompetition relative to those without. Using the nearest-neighbour method onlyfour sites (9.3%) indicated the presence of inter-specific competition; twowere Acacia dominated communities (18.2% of Acacia sites) and two were broad-leaved communities(7.7%).These four sites had a significantly higher mean annual rainfall and fewerwoodyspecies than sites without inter-specific competition. There were alsosignificant relationships between the inter-specific competition index and thedominance index and the number of species at a site. In terms of intra-specificcompetition only ten of the 31 sites tested revealed a significant correlationbetween nearest-neighbour distance and summed canopy volume of the twoneighbours. Seven were for Acacia species (55.6% of the Acacia species comparisons) and three were forbroad-leavedspecies (21.4% of the broad-leaved species comparisons). Sites lacking evidenceof intra-specific competition were at a significantly lower slope position andhad a smaller proportion of small stems. The lower prevalence of competition inSouth African savannas detected in this study using the same method as previousstudies is discussed, and the appropriateness of nearest-neighbour analysis isexamined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Rodents use the vomeronasal olfactory system to acquire both inter- and intra - specific information from the external environment and take appropriate actions. For example, urinary proteins from predator species elicit avoidance in mice, while those from male mice attract female mice. In addition to urinary proteins, recent studies have highlighted the importance of lacrimal proteins for intra-specific communications in mice. However, whether the tear fluid of other species also mediates social signals remains unknown. Here, we show that a lacrimal protein in rats (predators of mice), called cystatin-related protein 1 (ratCRP1), activates the vomeronasal system of mice. This protein is specifically produced by adult male rats in a steroid hormone-dependent manner, activates the vomeronasal system of female rats, and enhances stopping behavior. When detected by mice, ratCRP1 activates the medial hypothalamic defensive circuit, resulting in decreased locomotion coupled with lowered body temperature and heart rate. Notably, ratCRP1 is recognized by multiple murine type 2 vomeronasal receptors, including Vmn2r28. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of vmn2r28 impaired both ratCRP1-induced neural activation of the hypothalamic center and decrease of locomotor activity in mice. Taken together, these data reveal the neural and molecular basis by which a tear fluid compound in rats affects the behavior of mice. Furthermore, our study reveals a case in which a single compound that mediates an intra-specific signal in a predator species also functions as an inter-specific signal in the prey species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groupers and reef octopus are economically and ecologically important predators on Indo-Pacific coral reefs and known as solitary hunters. Here we describe a highly unique and unusual observation of a behavioural non-random association between the highfin grouper (Epinephelus maculatus) and the reef octopus (Octopus cyanea) in the Great Barrier Reef. Such an observation is highly novel given that the association crosses both the phyla and the invertebrate to vertebrate divide. The present study hypothesizes that the association is non-random and potentially the result of cooperative hunting but as such this requires further evidence and testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]