@article {pmid38753664,
year = {2024},
author = {Harman, RR and Morrison, WR and Ludwick, D and Gerken, AR},
title = {Predicted range expansion of Prostephanus truncatus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) under projected climate change scenarios.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toae085},
pmid = {38753664},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {//NIFA/ ; //USDA/ ; 2020-70006-33000//Crop Protection and Pest Management/ ; },
abstract = {The larger grain borer (Prostephanus truncatus [Horn] [Coleoptera: Bostrichidae]) is a wood-boring insect native to Central America and adapted to stored maize and cassava. It was accidentally introduced to Tanzania and became a pest across central Africa. Unlike many grain pests, P. truncatus populations can establish and move within forests. Consequently, novel infestations can occur without human influence. The objectives of our study were to (i) develop an updated current suitability projection for P. truncatus, (ii) assess its potential future distribution under different climate change scenarios, and (iii) identify climate variables that best inform the model. We used WALLACE and MaxEnt to predict potential global distribution by incorporating bioclimatic variables and occurrence records. Future models were projected for 2050 and 2070 with Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 2.6 (low change) and 8.5 (high change). Distribution was most limited by high precipitation and cold temperatures. Globally, highly suitable areas (> 75%) primarily occurred along coastal and equatorial regions with novel areas in northern South America, India, southeastern Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, totaling 7% under current conditions. Highly suitable areas at RCPs 2.6 and 8.5 are estimated to increase to 12% and 15%, respectively, by 2050 and increase to 19% in 2070 under RCP 8.5. Centroids of highly suitable areas show distribution centers moving more inshore and away from the equator. Notably, the result is a range expansion, not a shift. Results can be used to decrease biosecurity risks through more spatially explicit and timely surveillance programs for targeting the exclusion of this pest.},
}

@article {pmid38752344,
year = {2024},
author = {Kennedy, SM and Passler, T and Ditchkoff, SS and Brown, VR and Raithel, GW and Chamorro, MF and Walz, PH and Kyriakis, CS and Falkenberg, SM},
title = {Seroprevalence of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) in 17 States in the USA.},
journal = {Journal of wildlife diseases},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.7589/JWD-D-23-00066},
pmid = {38752344},
issn = {1943-3700},
abstract = {Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are among the most detrimental invasive species in the USA. They are damaging to crops and agriculture, pose a public health risk as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, and may also spread disease to livestock. One pathogen identified in wild pigs is bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a virus that causes an economically important disease of cattle (Bos taurus and Bos indicus). We sought to determine the BVDV seroprevalence in wild pigs in 17 states across the US and to determine whether age category, sex, or location were associated with a positive antibody titer. Serum samples from 945 wild pigs were collected from 17 US states. Virus neutralization assays were performed to determine antibody titers against BVDV-1b and BVDV-2a. Total BVDV seroprevalence for the study area was 5.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.11-8.89). Seroprevalence across all evaluated states was determined to be 4.4% (95% CI, 2.48-6.82) for BVDV-1b and 3.6% (95% CI, 1.54-5.60) for BVDV-2a. The seroprevalence for individual states varied from 0% to 16.7%. There was no statistical difference in median antibody titer for BVDV-1b or BVDV-2a by sex or age category. State seroprevalences for both BVDV-1b and BVDV-2a were associated with wild pig population estimates for those states.},
}

@article {pmid38751965,
year = {2024},
author = {Douglas, HB and Etzler, FE and Johnson, PJ and Hammond, HEJ},
title = {Matrix-based key to the click beetle genera of Canada and USA with a summary of habitat use (Coleoptera, Elateridae).},
journal = {ZooKeys},
volume = {1200},
number = {},
pages = {75-144},
pmid = {38751965},
issn = {1313-2989},
abstract = {The Elateridae, or click beetles are abundant and diverse in most terrestrial ecosystems in North America, acting as plant pests and filling many other ecological roles. The 112 genera of Elateridae Leach, 1815, or click beetles, known from Canada and USA are included in a first comprehensive digital interactive key to adults. A link to an online peer-reviewed LUCID key to elaterid genera and downloadable LUCID files are provided. Diagnostic morphological summaries using information from the 61 characters and 158 character states of the matrix key are presented for all genera. A table summarizes current understanding of habitat use by all elaterid genera in Canada and USA from literature, collections, citizen science, and our own observations. Diversity of elaterid genera was high throughout warm and cool temperate regions, especially in mountainous areas and mesic woodlands. Larvae of most genera were associated with soil, litter and decaying wood.},
}

@article {pmid38751346,
year = {2024},
author = {Li, T and Jiang, P and Liu, J and Zhu, J and Zhao, S and Li, Z and Zhong, M and Ma, C and Qin, Y},
title = {Considering climate change impact on the global potential geographical distribution of the invasive Argentine ant and little fire ant.},
journal = {Bulletin of entomological research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-12},
doi = {10.1017/S0007485324000270},
pmid = {38751346},
issn = {1475-2670},
abstract = {The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) and the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) are among the top 100 invasive alien species globally, causing significant ecological and economic harm. Therefore, it is crucial to study their potential geographic distribution worldwide. This study aimed to predict their global distribution under current and future climate conditions. We used distribution data from various sources, including CABI, GBIF, and PIAKey, and key climate variables selected from 19 environmental factors to model their potential geographic distribution using MaxEnt. The AUC values were 0.925 and 0.937 for L. humile and W. auropunctata, respectively, indicating good predictive performance. Suitable areas for L. humile were mainly in southern North America, northern South America, Europe, central Asia, southern Oceania, and parts of Africa, while W. auropunctata suitable areas were mostly in southern North America, most of South America, a small part of Europe, southern Asia, central Africa, and some parts of Oceania. Under climate change scenario, suitable areas for L. humile increased, while highly suitable areas for W. auropunctata decreased. The top four countries with the largest areas of overlapping suitable habitat under current climate were Brazil, China, Australia, and Argentina, while under future SSP585 climate scenario, the top four countries were Brazil, China, Indonesia, and Argentina. Some countries, such as Estonia and Finland, will see an overlapping adaptation area under climate change. In conclusion, this study provides insight into controlling the spread and harm of L. humile and W. auropunctata.},
}

@article {pmid38750079,
year = {2024},
author = {Xirocostas, ZA and Ollerton, J and Peco, B and Slavich, E and Bonser, SP and Pärtel, M and Raghu, S and Moles, AT},
title = {Introduced species shed friends as well as enemies.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {11088},
pmid = {38750079},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {Research Training Program scholarship//Australian Government/ ; Science PhD Writing Scholarship//University of New South Wales/ ; Student Research Grant//Evolution & Ecology Research Centre at UNSW/ ; Student Research Award//Ecological Society of Australia/ ; DP190100243//Australian Research Council/ ; DP190100243//Australian Research Council/ ; DP190100243//Australian Research Council/ ; DP190100243//Australian Research Council/ ; PRG609//Eesti Teadusagentuur/ ; Centre of Excellence EcolChange//European Regional Development Fund/ ; },
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; Animals ; Pollination ; Mycorrhizae/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Plants ; Seed Dispersal ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Many studies seeking to understand the success of biological invasions focus on species' escape from negative interactions, such as damage from herbivores, pathogens, or predators in their introduced range (enemy release). However, much less work has been done to assess the possibility that introduced species might shed mutualists such as pollinators, seed dispersers, and mycorrhizae when they are transported to a new range. We ran a cross-continental field study and found that plants were being visited by 2.6 times more potential pollinators with 1.8 times greater richness in their native range than in their introduced range. Understanding both the positive and negative consequences of introduction to a new range can help us predict, monitor, and manage future invasion events.},
}

*Introduced Species
Animals
Pollination
Mycorrhizae/physiology
Symbiosis
Plants
Seed Dispersal
Ecosystem

@article {pmid38747309,
year = {2024},
author = {Cheng, F and Liu, J and Ren, J and Ma, S and Ji, W and Li, B and He, Q},
title = {Unveiling the landscape predictors of resilient vegetation in coastal wetlands to inform conservation in the face of climate extremes.},
journal = {Global change biology},
volume = {30},
number = {5},
pages = {e17314},
doi = {10.1111/gcb.17314},
pmid = {38747309},
issn = {1365-2486},
support = {2022YFC3105402//Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China/ ; 32101326//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Wetlands ; *Climate Change ; *Conservation of Natural Resources ; *Droughts ; Plants ; Models, Theoretical ; Satellite Imagery ; },
abstract = {Unveiling spatial variation in vegetation resilience to climate extremes can inform effective conservation planning under climate change. Although many conservation efforts are implemented on landscape scales, they often remain blind to landscape variation in vegetation resilience. We explored the distribution of drought-resilient vegetation (i.e., vegetation that could withstand and quickly recover from drought) and its predictors across a heterogeneous coastal landscape under long-term wetland conversion, through a series of high-resolution satellite image interpretations, spatial analyses, and nonlinear modelling. We found that vegetation varied greatly in drought resilience across the coastal wetland landscape and that drought-resilient vegetation could be predicted with distances to coastline and tidal channel. Specifically, drought-resilient vegetation exhibited a nearly bimodal distribution and had a seaward optimum at ~2 km from coastline (corresponding to an inundation frequency of ~30%), a pattern particularly pronounced in areas further away from tidal channels. Furthermore, we found that areas with drought-resilient vegetation were more likely to be eliminated by wetland conversion. Even in protected areas where wetland conversion was slowed, drought-resilient vegetation was increasingly lost to wetland conversion at its landward optimum in combination with rapid plant invasions at its seaward optimum. Our study highlights that the distribution of drought-resilient vegetation can be predicted using landscape features but without incorporating this predictive understanding, conservation efforts may risk failing in the face of climate extremes.},
}

*Wetlands
*Climate Change
*Conservation of Natural Resources
*Droughts
Plants
Models, Theoretical
Satellite Imagery

@article {pmid38746546,
year = {2024},
author = {Li, H and Hu, X and Geng, X and Xiao, B and Miao, W and Xu, Z and Deng, Y and Jiang, B and Hou, Y},
title = {Competition mode and soil nutrient status shape the role of soil microbes in the diversity-invasibility relationship.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {5},
pages = {e11425},
pmid = {38746546},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Understanding the relationship between plant diversity and invasibility is essential in invasion ecology. Species-rich communities are hypothesized to be more resistant to invasions than species-poor communities. However, while soil microorganisms play a crucial role in regulating this diversity-invasibility relationship, the effects of plant competition mode and soil nutrient status on their role remain unclear. To address this, we conducted a two-stage greenhouse experiment. Soils were first conditioned by growing nine native species separately in them for 1 year, then mixed in various configurations with soils conditioned using one, three, or six species, respectively. Next, we inoculated the mixed soil into sterilized substrate soil and planted the alien species Rhus typhina and native species Ailanthus altissima as test plants. We set up two competition modes (intraspecific and interspecific) and two nutrient levels (fertilization using slow-release fertilizer and nonfertilization). Under intraspecific competition, regardless of fertilization, the biomass of the alien species was higher in soil conditioned by six native species. By contrast, under interspecific competition, the biomass increased without fertilization but remained stable with fertilization in soil conditioned by six native species. Analysis of soil microbes suggests that pathogens and symbiotic fungi in diverse plant communities influenced R. typhina growth, which varied with competition mode and nutrient status. Our findings suggest that the soil microbiome is pivotal in mediating the diversity-invasibility relationship, and this influence varies according to competition mode and nutrient status.},
}

@article {pmid38744627,
year = {2024},
author = {Kharouba, HM and Williams, JL},
title = {Forecasting species' responses to climate change using space-for-time substitution.},
journal = {Trends in ecology & evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tree.2024.03.009},
pmid = {38744627},
issn = {1872-8383},
abstract = {To anticipate species' responses to climate change, ecologists have largely relied on the space-for-time-substitution (SFTS) approach. However, the hypothesis and its underlying assumptions have been poorly tested. Here, we detail how the efficacy of using the SFTS approach to predict future locations will depend on species' traits, the ecological context, and whether the species is declining or introduced. We argue that the SFTS approach will be least predictive in the contexts where we most need it to be: forecasting the expansion of the range of introduced species and the recovery of threatened species. We highlight how evaluating the underlying assumptions, along with improved methods, will rapidly advance our understanding of the applicability of the SFTS approach, particularly in the context of modelling the distribution of species.},
}

@article {pmid38742850,
year = {2024},
author = {Neven, LG and Walker, WB and Gowton, C and Carrillo, J},
title = {Using eDNA to play whack-a-mole with invasive species in green yard waste.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toae090},
pmid = {38742850},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {K2530//Washington State Department of Agriculture/ ; },
abstract = {As large cities begin to overrun their landfill capacities, they begin to look for alternative locations to handle the waste stream. Seeing an opportunity to bring in revenue, rural communities offer to handle municipal waste in their landfills. However, many rural communities are also places of agricultural production, which are vulnerable to attacks by invasive insect species, which could be present in green yard waste, the component of municipal waste most likely to contain agriculturally harmful insect species. We used environmental DNA (eDNA) to determine whether green yard waste could be a pathway for invasive insect species to enter and establish in the landfill-receiving agricultural community. We identified several target species that could be in green yard waste coming from Vancouver, BC, Canada, to Central Washington State, USA. We sampled green yard waste from 3 sites every 2 weeks from June to October in 2019 and 2020. DNA was extracted from the nearly 400 samples and subjected to amplification with COI barcoding primers followed by sequencing to identify target insects in the samples. Sequence analyses identified 3 species from the target list: 2 species that are pests of deciduous tree fruits and a generalist root-feeding crop pest. This eDNA technique was useful in identifying potential invasive species in green yard waste and may prove to be an important tool informing policy on the movement of biological material across borders and stemming the spread of invasive species.},
}

@article {pmid38742186,
year = {2024},
author = {Gougherty, AV and Klapwijk, M and Liebhold, AM and Mech, A and Trombik, J and Fei, S},
title = {Identifying the generalizable controls on insect associations of native and non-native trees.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {5},
pages = {e11265},
pmid = {38742186},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Trees growing outside their native geographic ranges often exhibit exceptional growth and survival due in part to the lack of co-evolved natural enemies that may limit their spread and suppress population growth. While most non-native trees tend to accumulate natural enemies over time, it remains uncertain which host and insect characteristics affect these novel associations and whether novel associations follow patterns of assembly similar to those of native hosts. Here, we used a dataset of insect-host tree associations in Europe to model which native insect species are paired with which native tree species, and then tested the model on its ability to predict which native insects are paired with which non-native trees. We show that native and non-native tree species closely related to known hosts are more likely to be hosts themselves, but that native host geographic range size, insect feeding guild, and sampling effort similarly affect insect associations. Our model had a strong ability to predict which insect species utilize non-native trees as hosts, but evolutionarily isolated tree species posed the greatest challenge to the model. These results demonstrate that insect-host associations can be reliably predicted, regardless of whether insect and host trees have co-evolved, and provide a framework for predicting future pest threats using a select number of easily attainable tree and insect characteristics.},
}

@article {pmid38742097,
year = {2024},
author = {Anderson, D and Cervantez, O and Bucciarelli, GM and Lambert, MR and Friesen, MR},
title = {Feral frogs, native newts, and chemical cues: identifying threats from and management opportunities for invasive African Clawed Frogs in Washington state.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e17307},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.17307},
pmid = {38742097},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {Animals ; *Introduced Species ; *Xenopus laevis ; *Cues ; Washington ; *Salamandridae/physiology ; Larva ; Predatory Behavior ; Ranidae ; },
abstract = {Invasive species threaten biodiversity globally. Amphibians are one of the most threatened vertebrate taxa and are particularly sensitive to invasive species, including other amphibians. African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) are native to Southern Africa but have subsequently become invasive on multiple continents-including multiple parts of North America-due to releases from the pet and biomedical trades. Despite their prevalence as a global invader, the impact of X. laevis remains understudied. This includes the Pacific Northwest of the USA, which now hosts multiple expanding X. laevis populations. For many amphibians, chemical cues communicate important information, including the presence of predators. Here, we tested the role chemical cues may play in mediating interactions between feral X. laevis and native amphibians in the Pacific Northwest. We tested whether native red-legged frog (Rana aurora) tadpoles display an antipredator response to non-native frog (X. laevis) or native newt (rough-skinned newts, Taricha granulosa) predator chemical stimuli. We found that R. aurora tadpoles exhibited pronounced anti-predator responses when exposed to chemical cues from T. granulosa but did not display anti-predator response to invasive X. laevis chemical cues. We also began experimentally testing whether T. granulosa-which produce a powerful neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX)-may elicit an anti-predator response in X. laevis, that could serve to deter co-occupation. However, our short-duration experiments found that X. laevis were attracted to newt chemical stimuli rather than deterred. Our findings show that X. laevis likely poses a threat to native amphibians, and that these native species may also be particularly vulnerable to this invasive predator, compared to native predators, because toxic native newts may not limit X. laevis invasions. Our research provides some of the first indications that native Pacific Northwest species may be threatened by feral X. laevis and provides a foundation for future experiments testing potential management techniques for X. laevis.},
}

Animals
*Introduced Species
*Xenopus laevis
*Cues
Washington
*Salamandridae/physiology
Larva
Predatory Behavior
Ranidae

@article {pmid38741080,
year = {2024},
author = {Mittelberger, C and Moser, M and Hause, B and Janik, K},
title = {'Candidatus Phytoplasma mali' SAP11-Like protein modulates expression of genes involved in energy production, photosynthesis, and defense in Nicotiana occidentalis leaves.},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {393},
pmid = {38741080},
issn = {1471-2229},
support = {Framework agreement in the field of invasive species in fruit growing and major pathologies//South Tyrolean Apple Consortium/ ; },
mesh = {*Nicotiana/genetics/microbiology ; *Phytoplasma/physiology ; *Plant Leaves/microbiology/genetics/metabolism ; *Photosynthesis/genetics ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; *Plant Diseases/microbiology/genetics ; *Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Energy Metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: 'Candidatus Phytoplasma mali', the causal agent of apple proliferation disease, exerts influence on its host plant through various effector proteins, including SAP11CaPm which interacts with different TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/ CYCLOIDEA/ PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR 1 and 2 (TCP) transcription factors. This study examines the transcriptional response of the plant upon early expression of SAP11CaPm. For that purpose, leaves of Nicotiana occidentalis H.-M. Wheeler were Agrobacterium-infiltrated to induce transient expression of SAP11CaPm and changes in the transcriptome were recorded until 5 days post infiltration.

RESULTS: The RNA-seq analysis revealed that presence of SAP11CaPm in leaves leads to downregulation of genes involved in defense response and related to photosynthetic processes, while expression of genes involved in energy production was enhanced.

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that early SAP11CaPm expression might be important for the colonization of the host plant since phytoplasmas lack many metabolic genes and are thus dependent on metabolites from their host plant.},
}

*Nicotiana/genetics/microbiology
*Phytoplasma/physiology
*Plant Leaves/microbiology/genetics/metabolism
*Photosynthesis/genetics
*Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
*Plant Diseases/microbiology/genetics
*Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Energy Metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid38641092,
year = {2024},
author = {Martelo, J and Gkenas, C and Ribeiro, D and Alves, MJ and Ribeiro, F and Cucherousset, J and Gago, J and Magalhães, MF},
title = {Local environment and fragmentation by drought and damming shape different components of native and non-native fish beta diversity across pool refuges.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {930},
number = {},
pages = {172517},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172517},
pmid = {38641092},
issn = {1879-1026},
mesh = {Animals ; *Fishes ; *Biodiversity ; *Rivers ; *Droughts ; Introduced Species ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Pool refuges are critical for maintaining stream fish diversity in increasingly intermittent streams. Yet, the patterns and drivers of beta diversity of native and non-native fish in pool refuges remain poorly known. Focusing on Mediterranean streams, we decomposed beta diversity of native and non-native fish into richness difference (RichDiff) and species replacement (Repl), and local (LCBD, LCBDRichDiff and LCBDRepl) and species (SCBD) contributions. We assessed the influence of environmental and spatial factors associated with drought and damming fragmentations on beta diversity components and LCBDs, and of local species richness and occupancy on LCBDs and SCBD, respectively. Overall, non-native species showed a more limited occupancy of pool refuges than native fish. RichDiff dominated beta diversity, though it was influenced by drought and damming fragmentations for native fish and local environment for non-native fish. Repl for native fish was slightly influenced by local environment, but for non-native fish was largely driven by drought and damming, albeit with a contribution of local environment as well. LCBD and LCBDRichDiff increased in pools in low order streams for native fish and at low elevations for non-native fish, and with high or low species richness. SCBD was higher for native species with intermediated pool occupancy, but for non-native species with low occupancy. Our results suggest that stream fragmentation may drive native species loss and non-native species replacement in pool refuges, and that environmental filtering may shape non-native species loss. Pools in lower order streams harbouring unique species-rich or species-poor assemblages should be prioritize for conservation and restoration, respectively, and pools at low elevation with unique non-native assemblages should deserve control efforts. We encourage the partitioning of beta diversity and individual analysis of native and non-native fish in intermittent streams, which may be key in stressing the importance of pool refuges in safeguarding native fish diversity.},
}

Animals
*Fishes
*Biodiversity
*Rivers
*Droughts
Introduced Species
Ecosystem

@article {pmid38739606,
year = {2024},
author = {Littlefair, M and Scheele, BC and Westgate, M and Lindenmayer, D},
title = {The ecological and biodiversity conservation values of farm dams: A systematic review.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {5},
pages = {e0303504},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0303504},
pmid = {38739606},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {*Biodiversity ; *Conservation of Natural Resources/methods ; Animals ; Farms ; Agriculture/methods ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Biodiversity is in rapid decline globally with agriculture being one of the leading causes. Within agricultural landscapes, some features provide a benefit to biodiversity that is disproportionate to their spatial area. An interesting example is artificial ponds-or farm dams-which can support a large variety of taxa. Here, we present a global review of farm dam research related to biodiversity conservation objectives to provide an overview of the topics, key research insights, and the characteristics of current research. We used a three-stage process to screen literature and identified 104 relevant papers across 27 countries encompassing studies of 13 different taxa. Most of the studies were short-term (less than 5 years) with small sample sizes (less than 20 sites). Of the 104 papers, 88 were focussed primarily on ecological outcomes, such as species richness or abundance, and 15 on primary production outcomes, such as crop and livestock yield, despite addressing or measuring ecological metrics. Only one study measured both ecological and primary production outcomes. Studies frequently examined how the features of dams (79 studies) and attributes of the surrounding landscape (47 studies) impact particular species and communities. Terrestrial mammals (1 study) were under-represented in the literature with macrophytes (28 studies), macroinvertebrates (26 studies), and amphibians (19 studies) receiving the most attention. Our results reveal a growing trend towards recognizing farm dams as habitats for various taxa, including amphibians, beetles, dragonflies, and other macroinvertebrates within agricultural environments. Significant knowledge gaps exist in understanding how dam age, invasive species, and effective management practices impact the biodiversity conservation values of farm dams. Future research should emphasize enhancing biodiversity by collaborating with landholders to increase habitat through strategic vegetation planning, minimizing runoff and nutrient inflow, and restricting stock access.},
}

*Biodiversity
*Conservation of Natural Resources/methods
Animals
Farms
Agriculture/methods
Ecosystem

@article {pmid38739335,
year = {2024},
author = {Arriola, K and Silva, WD and Hanks, LM and Meier, LR and Millar, JG},
title = {A Polyketide Male-Produced Aggregation-Sex Pheromone Shared by the North American Cerambycid Beetle Graphisurus fasciatus and the South American Cerambycid Eutrypanus dorsalis.},
journal = {Journal of chemical ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38739335},
issn = {1573-1561},
support = {15- to 23-8130-1422-CA//United States Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/ ; 465511/2014-7//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; },
abstract = {The longhorn beetle Graphisurus fasciatus (Degeer) ranges from southeastern Canada to Florida and west to Texas, and has frequently been caught during field trials testing attraction of other cerambycid species to their synthesized pheromones. Collections of headspace volatiles from live beetles revealed that males but not females produce a polyketide compound identified as (4R,6S,7E,9E)-4,6,8-trimethylundeca-7,9-dien-3-one ([4R,6S,7E,9E]-graphisurone). Field trials verified that beetles of both sexes were attracted to the synthesized compound, indicating that it is an aggregation-sex pheromone. This structure represents a new structural motif among cerambycid pheromones, and a new natural product. While this study was in progress, the same compound was isolated from males of the South American cerambycid Eutrypanus dorsalis (Germar), in the same subfamily (Lamiinae) and tribe (Acanthocinini) as G. fasciatus. Field trials in Brazil confirmed that (4R,6S,7E,9E)-graphisurone is also an aggregation-sex pheromone for E. dorsalis, and a possible pheromone for two additional sympatric lamiine species, Hylettus seniculus (Germar) (Acanthocinini) and Oreodera quinquetuberculata (Drapiez) (tribe Acrocinini). These results indicate that graphisurone may be shared among a number of related species, as has been found with many components of cerambycid pheromones.},
}

@article {pmid38738474,
year = {2024},
author = {Yan, Y and Liu, DQ and Li, C and Yang, WJ and Xu, KK},
title = {Disruption of microRNA pathway core genes inhibits molting and reproduction of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.8158},
pmid = {38738474},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {//Discipline and Master's Site Construction Project of Guiyang University by Guiyang City Financial Support Guiyang University (2022-xk12)/ ; //Guiyang Science and Technology Personnel Training Project ([2023]48-19)/ ; //Program for Natural Science Research in Guizhou Education Department (QJJ-[2023]-024)/ ; //National Natural Science Foundation of China (32160637)/ ; //Guizhou Provincial Basic Research Program (QKHJC-ZK[2023]-020)/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: MicroRNA (miRNA) pathway genes have been widely reported to participate in several physiological events in insect lifecycles. The cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne is an economically important storage pest worldwide. However, the functions of miRNA pathway genes in L. serricorne remain to be clarified. Herein, we investigated the function of molting and reproduction of the miRNA pathway in L. serricorne.

RESULTS: LsDicer-1, LsArgonaute-1, LsLoquacious and LsExportin-5 were universally expressed in adults, whereas LsPasha and LsDrosha were mainly expressed in the pupae. The genes presented different patterns in various tissues. Silencing of LsDicer-1, LsArgonaute-1, LsDrosha and LsExportin-5 resulted in a high proportion of wing deformities and molting defects. Silencing of LsDicer-1, LsArgonaute-1, LsPasha and LsLoquacious affected the development of the ovary and the maturation of oocytes, resulting in a significant decrease in fecundity. Further investigation revealed that the decreases in LsDicer-1 and LsArgonaute-1 expression destroyed follicular epithelia and delayed vitellogenesis and oocyte development. In addition, the expression levels of several miRNAs (let-7, let-7-5p, miR-8-3p, miR-8-5p, miR-9c-5p, miR-71, miR-252-5p, miR-277-3p, miR-263b and Novel-miR-50) were decreased significantly after knockdown of these miRNA pathway core genes, indicating that they played important roles in regulating miRNA-mediated gene expression.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that miRNA pathway genes play important roles in the molting, ovarian development and female fecundity of L. serricorne, and thus are potentially suitable target genes for developing an RNAi strategy against a major pest of stored products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid38736152,
year = {2024},
author = {Wong, TW and Ye, W and Thiessen, L and Huseth, A and Gorny, A and Quesada-Ocampo, L},
title = {Occurrence and distribution of Meloidogyne spp. in fields rotated with sweetpotato and host range of a North Carolina population of Meloidogyne enterolobii.},
journal = {Plant disease},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1094/PDIS-08-22-1877-RE},
pmid = {38736152},
issn = {0191-2917},
abstract = {Root-knot nematodes (RKN, Meloidogyne spp.) are some of the most economically important and common plant parasitic nematodes in North Carolina (NC) cropping systems. Soil samples collected from fields planted with crops rotated with sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] in 39 NC counties in 2015-2018 were processed at the NC Nematode Assay Laboratory. The occurrence of second-stage juvenile (J2) RKN populations was examined based on collection year, month, county, and previous planted crop. The highest number of RKN positive samples originated from Cumberland (53%), Sampson (48%), and Johnston (48%) counties. The highest average RKN population density was detected in Sampson (147 J2/500 cm3 soil) and Nash (135 J2/500 cm3 soil) counties, while Wayne (7 J2/500 cm3 soil) and Greene (11 J2/500 cm3 soil) counties had the lowest average RKN population density. Meloidogyne enterolobii is a new invasive species that is impacting sweetpotato growers of NC. The host status of a NC population of M. enterolobii, the guava-root knot nematode, was determined by examining eggs per gram of fresh root (ER) and the final nematode egg population divided by the initial population egg count (reproductive factor, RF) in greenhouse experiments. This included eighteen vegetable, field, cover crops and weed species. The tomato 'Rutgers' was used as a susceptible control. Cabbage 'Stonehead', pepper 'Red bull', and watermelon 'Charleston gray' and 'Fascination' were hosts and had similar mean ER values to the positive control, ranging from 64 to 18,717. Among field crops, cotton, soybean 'P5018RX', and tobacco were hosts with ER values that ranged from 185 to 706. Members of the Poaceae family such as sweet corn (Zea mays) and sudangrass (Sorghum x drummondii) were non-hosts to M. enterolobii and the mean ER values ranged from 1.85 to 7. The peanut 'Tifguard' and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) also had lower ER values than the vegetable hosts. Growers should consider planting less susceptible or non-hosts such as peanut, sudangrass, sweet corn, and winter wheat in 2-3 year crop rotations to lower populations of this invasive nematode.},
}

@article {pmid38736133,
year = {2024},
author = {Haubrock, PJ and Soto, I and Ahmed, DA and Ansari, AR and Tarkan, AS and Kurtul, I and Macêdo, RL and Lázaro-Lobo, A and Toutain, M and Parker, B and Błońska, D and Guareschi, S and Cano-Barbacil, C and Dominguez Almela, V and Andreou, D and Moyano, J and Akalın, S and Kaya, C and Bayçelebi, E and Yoğurtçuoğlu, B and Briski, E and Aksu, S and Emiroğlu, Ö and Mammola, S and De Santis, V and Kourantidou, M and Pincheira-Donoso, D and Britton, JR and Kouba, A and Dolan, EJ and Kirichenko, NI and García-Berthou, E and Renault, D and Fernandez, RD and Yapıcı, S and Giannetto, D and Nuñez, MA and Hudgins, EJ and Pergl, J and Milardi, M and Musolin, DL and Cuthbert, RN},
title = {Biological invasions are a population-level rather than a species-level phenomenon.},
journal = {Global change biology},
volume = {30},
number = {5},
pages = {e17312},
doi = {10.1111/gcb.17312},
pmid = {38736133},
issn = {1365-2486},
support = {ANR-20-EBI5-0004//Biodiversa+/ ; FWES-2021-0011//Sukachev Institute of Forest SB RAS/ ; PID2019-103936GB-C21//European Union NextGeneration EU: NextGenerationEU/PRTR)/ ; TED2021-129889B-I00//European Union NextGeneration EU: NextGenerationEU/PRTR)/ ; RED2022-134338//European Union NextGeneration EU: NextGenerationEU/PRTR)/ ; MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; PID2019-103936GB-C21//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; TED2021-129889B-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; RED2022-134338//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; ECF-2021-001//Leverhulme Trust/ ; 22-16-00075//Russian Science Foundation/ ; CN00000033//Italian Ministry of University and Research/ ; 899546//Marie Skłodowska-Curie/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Introduced Species ; *Invertebrates/physiology ; *Population Dynamics ; Europe ; Ecosystem ; Fresh Water ; },
abstract = {Biological invasions pose a rapidly expanding threat to the persistence, functioning and service provisioning of ecosystems globally, and to socio-economic interests. The stages of successful invasions are driven by the same mechanism that underlies adaptive changes across species in general-via natural selection on intraspecific variation in traits that influence survival and reproductive performance (i.e., fitness). Surprisingly, however, the rapid progress in the field of invasion science has resulted in a predominance of species-level approaches (such as deny lists), often irrespective of natural selection theory, local adaptation and other population-level processes that govern successful invasions. To address these issues, we analyse non-native species dynamics at the population level by employing a database of European freshwater macroinvertebrate time series, to investigate spreading speed, abundance dynamics and impact assessments among populations. Our findings reveal substantial variability in spreading speed and abundance trends within and between macroinvertebrate species across biogeographic regions, indicating that levels of invasiveness and impact differ markedly. Discrepancies and inconsistencies among species-level risk screenings and real population-level data were also identified, highlighting the inherent challenges in accurately assessing population-level effects through species-level assessments. In recognition of the importance of population-level assessments, we urge a shift in invasive species management frameworks, which should account for the dynamics of different populations and their environmental context. Adopting an adaptive, region-specific and population-focused approach is imperative, considering the diverse ecological contexts and varying degrees of susceptibility. Such an approach could improve and refine risk assessments while promoting mechanistic understandings of risks and impacts, thereby enabling the development of more effective conservation and management strategies.},
}

Animals
*Introduced Species
*Invertebrates/physiology
*Population Dynamics
Europe
Ecosystem
Fresh Water

@article {pmid38734771,
year = {2024},
author = {Taylor, BA and Tembrock, LR and Sankovitz, M and Wilson, TM and Looney, C and Takahashi, J and Gilligan, TM and Smith-Pardo, AH and Harpur, BA},
title = {Population genomics of the invasive Northern Giant Hornet Vespa mandarinia in North America and across its native range.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {10803},
pmid = {38734771},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {885512//Human Frontier Science Program/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; North America ; *Introduced Species ; *Wasps/genetics ; Genetics, Population ; Genomics/methods ; Genetic Variation ; Inbreeding ; Genome, Insect ; },
abstract = {The northern giant hornet Vespa mandarinia (NGH) is a voracious predator of other insect species, including honey bees. NGH's native range spans subtropical and temperate regions across much of east and southeast Asia and, in 2019, exotic populations of the species were discovered in North America. Despite this broad range and invasive potential, investigation of the population genomic structure of NGH across its native and introduced ranges has thus far been limited to a small number of mitochondrial samples. Here, we present analyses of genomic data from NGH individuals collected across the species' native range and from exotic individuals collected in North America. We provide the first survey of whole-genome population variation for any hornet species, covering this species' native and invasive ranges, and in doing so confirm likely origins in Japan and South Korea for the two introductions. We additionally show that, while this introduced population exhibited strongly elevated levels of inbreeding, these signatures of inbreeding are also present in some long-standing native populations, which may indicate that inbreeding depression alone is insufficient to prevent the persistence of NGH populations. As well as highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and eradication efforts to limit the spread of this species outside of its natural range, our data will serve as a foundational database for future genomic studies into introduced hornet populations.},
}

Animals
North America
*Introduced Species
*Wasps/genetics
Genetics, Population
Genomics/methods
Genetic Variation
Inbreeding
Genome, Insect

@article {pmid38415910,
year = {2024},
author = {Nie, P and Cao, R and Yang, R and Feng, J},
title = {Future range dynamics of Asian yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) and their range overlap with Western honey bees (Apis mellifera) reveal major challenges for bee conservation in Europe.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {80},
number = {6},
pages = {2785-2795},
doi = {10.1002/ps.7987},
pmid = {38415910},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {31560178//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Bees/physiology ; Europe ; *Wasps/physiology ; *Climate Change ; *Animal Distribution ; *Introduced Species ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The invasion of Asian yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) has significantly affected Western honey bees (Apis mellifera) and apiculture in Europe. However, the range dynamics of this hornet and its range overlap with the bees under future change scenarios have not yet been clarified. Using land-use, climate, and topographical datasets, we projected the range dynamics of this hornet and Western honey bees in Europe and the future overlap of their ranges.

RESULTS: We found that climatic factors had stronger effects on the potential ranges of the hornets compared with land-use and topographical factors. A considerable range expansion of this hornet was predicted, and an increase in the overlap between this pest and the bees was primarily caused by future decreases in temperature seasonality. Additionally, we detected future range expansions of the hornet in the UK and France; future range overlap between this pest and Western honey bees in the UK, Ireland, Portugal, and France; and future overlap between the ranges of this pest and bees but not under recent conditions was mainly projected in Germany, Denmark, and the UK.

CONCLUSION: Mitigating future climate change might effectively control the proliferation of the hornets and their effects on the bees. Strategies for preventing the invasion of this pest and developing European apiculture should be developed and implemented in these regions where future range overlap between them was projected. Given that climate-change scenarios may result in uncertainty in our projections, further investigation is needed to clarify future range changes of our target species. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

Animals
Bees/physiology
Europe
*Wasps/physiology
*Climate Change
*Animal Distribution
*Introduced Species
Conservation of Natural Resources

@article {pmid37652996,
year = {2023},
author = {Moyano, J},
title = {Origins of successful invasions.},
journal = {Nature ecology & evolution},
volume = {7},
number = {10},
pages = {1583-1584},
pmid = {37652996},
issn = {2397-334X},
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; Animals ; Biological Evolution ; },
}

*Introduced Species
Animals
Biological Evolution

@article {pmid37652995,
year = {2023},
author = {Mungi, NA and Jhala, YV and Qureshi, Q and le Roux, E and Svenning, JC},
title = {Megaherbivores provide biotic resistance against alien plant dominance.},
journal = {Nature ecology & evolution},
volume = {7},
number = {10},
pages = {1645-1653},
pmid = {37652995},
issn = {2397-334X},
support = {16549//Villum Fonden (Villum Foundation)/ ; DNRF173//Danmarks Grundforskningsfond (Danish National Research Foundation)/ ; },
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; India ; *Herbivory ; Animals ; Plants ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {While human-driven biological invasions are rapidly spreading, finding scalable and effective control methods poses an unresolved challenge. Here, we assess whether megaherbivores-herbivores reaching ≥1,000 kg of body mass-offer a nature-based solution to plant invasions. Invasive plants are generally adapted to maximize vegetative growth. Megaherbivores, with broad dietary tolerances, could remove large biomass of established plants, facilitating new plant growth. We used a massive dataset obtained from 26,838 camera stations and 158,979 vegetation plots to assess the relationships between megaherbivores, native plants and alien plants across India (~121,330 km[2]). We found a positive relationship between megaherbivore abundance and native plant richness and abundance, and a concomitant reduction in alien plant abundance. This relationship was strongest in protected areas with midproductive ecosystem and high megaherbivore density but it was lost in areas where thicket-forming alien plants predominated (>40% cover). By incorporating the role of ecosystem productivity, plants traits and densities of megaherbivores on megaherbivore-vegetation relationships, our study highlights a function of megaherbivores in controlling alien plant proliferation and facilitating diverse native plants in invaded ecosystems. The study shows great potential for megafauna-based trophic rewilding as a nature-based solution to counteract dominance of plant invasions.},
}

*Introduced Species
India
*Herbivory
Animals
Plants
Ecosystem

@article {pmid37567920,
year = {2023},
author = {García-Rodríguez, A and Zumbado-Ulate, H},
title = {Chytrid invasion drives frog redistributions.},
journal = {Nature ecology & evolution},
volume = {7},
number = {10},
pages = {1587-1588},
pmid = {37567920},
issn = {2397-334X},
mesh = {Animals ; *Anura/microbiology ; Chytridiomycota/physiology ; Introduced Species ; Animal Distribution ; },
}

Animals
*Anura/microbiology
Chytridiomycota/physiology
Introduced Species
Animal Distribution

@article {pmid38734639,
year = {2024},
author = {Bušić, N and Klobučar, A and Landeka, N and Žitko, T and Vignjević, G and Turić, N and Sudarić Bogojević, M and Merdić, E and Kučinić, M and Bruvo Mađarić, B},
title = {A DNA barcode reference library of Croatian mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae): implications for identification and delimitation of species, with notes on the distribution of potential vector species.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {216},
pmid = {38734639},
issn = {1756-3305},
support = {IP-2016-06-9988//Croatian Science Foundation/ ; IP-2016-06-9988//Croatian Science Foundation/ ; IP-2016-06-9988//Croatian Science Foundation/ ; IP-2016-06-9988//Croatian Science Foundation/ ; IP-2016-06-9988//Croatian Science Foundation/ ; IP-2016-06-9988//Croatian Science Foundation/ ; IP-2016-06-9988//Croatian Science Foundation/ ; ZUP-2018-55, 3105-5//Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek/ ; ZUP-2018-55, 3105-5//Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek/ ; ZUP-2018-55, 3105-5//Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek/ ; ZUP-2018-55, 3105-5//Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Croatia ; *Mosquito Vectors/genetics/classification/anatomy & histology ; *Culicidae/classification/genetics ; *Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; Anopheles/genetics/classification ; Phylogeny ; Gene Library ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Mosquitoes pose a risk to human health worldwide, and correct species identification and detection of cryptic species are the most important keys for surveillance and control of mosquito vectors. In addition to traditional identification based on morphology, DNA barcoding has recently been widely used as a complementary tool for reliable identification of mosquito species. The main objective of this study was to create a reference DNA barcode library for the Croatian mosquito fauna, which should contribute to more accurate and faster identification of species, including cryptic species, and recognition of relevant vector species.

METHODS: Sampling was carried out in three biogeographical regions of Croatia over six years (2017-2022). The mosquitoes were morphologically identified; molecular identification was based on the standard barcoding region of the mitochondrial COI gene and the nuclear ITS2 region, the latter to identify species within the Anopheles maculipennis complex. The BIN-RESL algorithm assigned the COI sequences to the corresponding BINs (Barcode Index Number clusters) in BOLD, i.e. to putative MOTUs (Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units). The bPTP and ASAP species delimitation methods were applied to the genus datasets in order to verify/confirm the assignment of specimens to specific MOTUs.

RESULTS: A total of 405 mosquito specimens belonging to six genera and 30 morphospecies were collected and processed. Species delimitation methods assigned the samples to 31 (BIN-RESL), 30 (bPTP) and 28 (ASAP) MOTUs, with most delimited MOTUs matching the morphological identification. Some species of the genera Culex, Aedes and Anopheles were assigned to the same MOTUs, especially species that are difficult to distinguish morphologically and/or represent species complexes. In total, COI barcode sequences for 34 mosquito species and ITS2 sequences for three species of the genus Anopheles were added to the mosquito sequence database for Croatia, including one individual from the Intrudens Group, which represents a new record for the Croatian mosquito fauna.

CONCLUSION: We present the results of the first comprehensive study combining morphological and molecular identification of most mosquito species present in Croatia, including several invasive and vector species. With the exception of some closely related species, this study confirmed that DNA barcoding based on COI provides a reliable basis for the identification of mosquito species in Croatia.},
}

Animals
*DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic
Croatia
*Mosquito Vectors/genetics/classification/anatomy & histology
*Culicidae/classification/genetics
*Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics
Anopheles/genetics/classification
Phylogeny
Gene Library

@article {pmid38731291,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhang, J and Xu, C and Wang, S and Wang, S and Li, Y},
title = {Variations in Genetic Diversity of Invasive Species Lithobates catesbeianus in China.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {14},
number = {9},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani14091287},
pmid = {38731291},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {32030070//National Science Foundation of China/ ; 2019QZKK0501//Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research (STEP) Program/ ; 050001-521100222045//the High-Level Talents Research Start-Up Project of Hebei University/ ; C2022201042//Hebei Natural Science Foundation/ ; Sino-BON//China's Biodiversity Observation Network/ ; },
abstract = {The introduction and subsequent range expansion of the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is part of a rising trend of troublesome biological invasions happening in China. This detrimental amphibious invasive species has strong adaptability. After its introduction and spread, it established its own ecological niche in many provinces of China, and its range has continued to expand to more areas. Previous studies recorded the introduction time of bullfrogs and calculated the changes in their genetic diversity in China using mitochondria, but the specific introduction route in China is still unknown. Expanding upon previous research, we employed whole-genome scans (utilizing 2b-RAD genomic sequencing) to examine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and microsatellites within Lithobates catesbeianus to screen the genomes of these invasive amphibian species from eight Chinese provinces and two U.S. states, including Kansas, where bullfrogs originate. A total of 1,336,475 single nucleotide polymorphic loci and 17 microsatellite loci were used to calculate the genetic diversity of bullfrogs and their migration pathways. Our results suggest that the population in Hunan was the first to be introduced and to spread, and there may have been multiple introductions of subpopulations. Additionally, the genetic diversity of both the SNP and microsatellite loci in the Chinese bullfrog population was lower than that of the US population due to bottleneck effects, but the bullfrogs can adapt and spread rapidly. This study will offer crucial insights for preventing and controlling future introductions into the natural habitats in China. Additionally, it will assist in devising more precise strategies to manage the existing populations and curtail their continued expansion, as well as aim to improve clarity and originality while mitigating plagiarism risk.},
}

@article {pmid38728690,
year = {2024},
author = {Oliveira, TG and Araspin, L and Navas, CA and Herrel, A},
title = {Impacts of a Simulated Infection on the Locomotor Behavior of Invasive and Noninvasive Species of Congeneric Anurans.},
journal = {Ecological and evolutionary physiology},
volume = {97},
number = {2},
pages = {71-80},
doi = {10.1086/729774},
pmid = {38728690},
issn = {2993-7973},
mesh = {Animals ; *Introduced Species ; *Locomotion/physiology ; *Xenopus laevis ; Female ; Male ; Species Specificity ; Anura/immunology ; },
abstract = {AbstractLocomotion is essential for survival, but it requires resources such as energy and metabolites and therefore may conflict with other physiological processes that also demand resources, particularly expensive processes such as immunological responses. This possible trade-off may impose limits on either the magnitude of immune responses or the patterns of activity and performance. Previous studies have shown that invasive species may have a depressed immune response, allowing them to maintain locomotor function and reproduction even when sick. This may contribute to the ecological success of invasive species in colonization and dispersal. In contrast, noninvasive species tend to reduce activity as a response to infection. Here, we studied the impact of a simulated infection on locomotor performance and voluntary movement in the anurans Xenopus laevis (a globally invasive species) and Xenopus allofraseri (a noninvasive congeneric). We found that a simulated infection reduces locomotor performance in both species, with an accentuated effect on X. allofraseri. Voluntary movement was marginally different between species. Our data suggest that a simulated infection leads to behavioral depression and reduced locomotor performance in anurans and show that this effect is limited in the invasive X. laevis. Contrasting responses to an immune challenge have been reported in the few amphibian taxa analyzed to date and suggest relationships between ecology and immunology that deserve further investigation. Specifically, a depressed immune response may underlie a propension to invasion in some species. Whether this is a general trend for invasive species remains to be tested, but our data add to the growing body of work documenting depressed immune systems in invasive species.},
}

Animals
*Introduced Species
*Locomotion/physiology
*Xenopus laevis
Female
Male
Species Specificity
Anura/immunology

@article {pmid38720068,
year = {2024},
author = {Mahon, MB and Sack, A and Aleuy, OA and Barbera, C and Brown, E and Buelow, H and Civitello, DJ and Cohen, JM and de Wit, LA and Forstchen, M and Halliday, FW and Heffernan, P and Knutie, SA and Korotasz, A and Larson, JG and Rumschlag, SL and Selland, E and Shepack, A and Vincent, N and Rohr, JR},
title = {A meta-analysis on global change drivers and the risk of infectious disease.},
journal = {Nature},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38720068},
issn = {1476-4687},
abstract = {Anthropogenic change is contributing to the rise in emerging infectious diseases, which are significantly correlated with socioeconomic, environmental and ecological factors[1]. Studies have shown that infectious disease risk is modified by changes to biodiversity[2-6], climate change[7-11], chemical pollution[12-14], landscape transformations[15-20] and species introductions[21]. However, it remains unclear which global change drivers most increase disease and under what contexts. Here we amassed a dataset from the literature that contains 2,938 observations of infectious disease responses to global change drivers across 1,497 host-parasite combinations, including plant, animal and human hosts. We found that biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, climate change and introduced species are associated with increases in disease-related end points or harm, whereas urbanization is associated with decreases in disease end points. Natural biodiversity gradients, deforestation and forest fragmentation are comparatively unimportant or idiosyncratic as drivers of disease. Overall, these results are consistent across human and non-human diseases. Nevertheless, context-dependent effects of the global change drivers on disease were found to be common. The findings uncovered by this meta-analysis should help target disease management and surveillance efforts towards global change drivers that increase disease. Specifically, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, managing ecosystem health, and preventing biological invasions and biodiversity loss could help to reduce the burden of plant, animal and human diseases, especially when coupled with improvements to social and economic determinants of health.},
}

@article {pmid38726247,
year = {2024},
author = {Cichy, A and Stanicka, A and Żbikowska, E},
title = {Each coin has 2 sides: a positive role of alien Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Grey, 1843) snails in reducing the infection of native lymnaeids with trematodes.},
journal = {Current zoology},
volume = {70},
number = {2},
pages = {262-269},
doi = {10.1093/cz/zoac105},
pmid = {38726247},
issn = {1674-5507},
abstract = {The change in the distribution of organisms in freshwater ecosystems due to natural or manmade processes raises the question of the impact of alien species on local communities. Although most studies indicate a negative effect, the positive one is more difficult to discern, especially in multispecies systems, including hosts and parasites. The purpose of the study was to check whether the presence of an alien host, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, reduces the intensity of Echinoparyphium aconiatum metacercariae in a native host, Radix spp. We additionally tested the impact of water temperature and the biomass of the alien host on the dilution effect. We experimentally studied (1) the lifespan of echinostome cercariae in different temperatures, (2) the infectivity of cercariae toward the alien host and native host, and (3) the impact of different biomass of the alien host on the intensity of metacercariae in the native host. We found that cercarial survival and infectivity were temperature dependent. However, cercarial survival decreased with increasing temperature, contrary to cercarial infectivity. Echinostome cercariae entered the renal cavity of both the native host and alien host, and successfully transformed into metacercariae. The number of metacercariae in the native host decreased with the increasing biomass of the alien host. Our results indicate that lymnaeids may benefit from the co-occurrence with P. antipodarum, as the presence of additional hosts of different origins may reduce the prevalence of parasites in native communities. However, the scale of the dilution effect depends not only on the increased spectrum of susceptible hosts but also on the other variables of the environment, including water temperature and host density.},
}

@article {pmid38719043,
year = {2024},
author = {Fan, P and Yu, H and Lv, T and Wang, H and Li, D and Tong, C and Wu, Z and Yu, D and Liu, C},
title = {Alien emergent aquatic plants develop better ciprofloxacin tolerance and metabolic capacity than one native submerged species.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {173030},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173030},
pmid = {38719043},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Antibiotic pollution and biological invasions pose significant risks to freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem health. However, few studies have compared the ecological adaptability and ciprofloxacin (CIPR) degradation potential between alien and native macrophytes. We examined growth, physiological response, and CIPR accumulation, translocation and metabolic abilities of two alien plants (Eichhornia crassipes and Myriophyllum aquaticum) and one native submerged species (Vallisneria natans) exposed to CIPR at 0, 1 and 10 mg/L. We found that E. crassipes and M. aquaticum's growth were unaffected by CIPR while V. natans was significantly hindered under the 10 mg/L treatment. CIPR significantly decreased the maximal quantum yield of PSII, actual quantum yield of PSII and relative electron transfer rate in E. crassipes and V. natans but didn't impact these photosynthetic characteristics in M. aquaticum. All the plants can accumulate, translocate and metabolize CIPR. M. aquaticum and E. crassipes in the 10 mg/L treatment group showed greater CIPR accumulation potential than V. natans indicated by higher CIPR contents in their roots. The oxidative cleavage of the piperazine ring acts as a key pathway for these aquatic plants to metabolize CIPR and the metabolites mainly distributed in plant roots. M. aquaticum and E. crassipes showed a higher production of CIPR metabolites compared to V. natans, with M. aquaticum exhibiting the strongest CIPR metabolic ability, as indicated by the most extensive structural breakdown of CIPR and the largest number of potential metabolic pathways. Taken together, alien species outperformed the native species in ecological adaptability, CIPR accumulation and metabolic capacity. These findings may shed light on the successful invasion mechanisms of alien aquatic species under antibiotic pressure and highlight the potential ecological impacts of alien species, particularly M. aquaticum. Additionally, the interaction of antibiotic contamination and invasion might further challenge the native submerged macrophytes and pose greater risks to freshwater ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid38719053,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, X and Lu, T and Yang, B and Cao, J and Li, M},
title = {Exposure to resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate) induces colonization of alien microorganisms with potential impacts on the gut microbiota and metabolic disruption in male zebrafish.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {172892},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172892},
pmid = {38719053},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Organophosphate esters (OPEs) have been demonstrated to induce various forms of toxicity in aquatic organisms. However, a scarcity of evidence impedes the conclusive determination of whether OPEs manifest sex-dependent toxic effects. Here, we investigated the effects of tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) and resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) on the intestines of both female and male zebrafish. The results indicated that, in comparison to TCPP, RDP induced more pronounced intestinal microstructural damage and oxidative stress, particularly in male zebrafish. 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics revealed significant alterations in the species richness and oxidative stress-related metabolites in the intestinal microbiota of zebrafish under exposure to both TCPP and RDP, manifesting gender-specific effects. Based on differential species analysis, we defined invasive species and applied invasion theory to analyze the reasons for changes in the male fish intestinal community. Correlation analysis demonstrated that alien species may have potential effects on metabolism. Overall, this study reveals a pronounced gender-dependent impact on both the intestinal microbiota and metabolic disruptions of zebrafish due to OPEs exposure and offers a novel perspective on the influence of pollutants on intestinal microbial communities and metabolism.},
}

@article {pmid38718023,
year = {2024},
author = {Enriquez, MS and Hall, LM and Michels, NO and Fleissner, ER and Mensinger, AF},
title = {The effects of intensive trapping on invasive round goby densities.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {5},
pages = {e0301456},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0301456},
pmid = {38718023},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Animals ; *Introduced Species ; Ecosystem ; Population Density ; Perciformes/physiology ; Fishes/physiology ; Lakes ; },
abstract = {The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is an invasive benthic fish first introduced to the Laurentian Great Lakes in 1990 that has negatively impacted native fishes through increased competition for food and habitat, aggressive interactions, and egg predation. While complete eradication of the round goby is currently not possible, intensive trapping in designated areas during spawning seasons could potentially protect critical native fish spawning habitats. Baited minnow traps were spaced 10 meters apart in shallow water along a 100-meter stretch of shoreline within the Duluth-Superior Harbor during the round goby breeding period (June to October) with captured round gobies removed from interior traps (N = 10) every 48 hours. These traps were bracketed by two pairs of reference traps deployed weekly for 48 hours, from which round gobies were also tagged and released. The number of round gobies captured in the interior traps declined by 67% compared to reference traps over the course of the study, with extended periods of no captures. The tagged round gobies showed high site affinity, with 82.8% of tagged fish recaptured at the previous release site. The results indicate that even at open water sites, which allow natural migration of round gobies into the area, extensive trapping could reduce local population numbers.},
}

Animals
*Introduced Species
Ecosystem
Population Density
Perciformes/physiology
Fishes/physiology
Lakes

@article {pmid38717978,
year = {2024},
author = {Wolfe, ML and Bowers-Doerning, CM and Espinosa, A and Frantz, T and Hoese, WJ and Lam, JG and Lamp, KR and Lyons, RA and Nguyen, JK and Keyes, BD and Smith, J and Suther, HL and Swintek, M and Vannordstrand, JC and Zacherl, DC},
title = {Intra-decadal increase in globally-spread Magallana gigas in southern California estuaries.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {5},
pages = {e0302935},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0302935},
pmid = {38717978},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {California ; Animals ; *Estuaries ; *Introduced Species ; *Climate Change ; Ecosystem ; Seasons ; Crassostrea ; Temperature ; },
abstract = {Introduction and establishment of non-indigenous species (NIS) has been accelerated on a global scale by climate change. NIS Magallana gigas' (formerly Crassostrea gigas') global spread over the past several decades has been linked to warming waters, specifically during summer months, raising the specter of more spread due to predicted warming. We tracked changes in density and size distribution of M. gigas in two southern California, USA bays over the decade spanning 2010-2020 using randomly placed quadrats across multiple intertidal habitats (e.g., cobble, seawalls, riprap) and documented density increases by 2.2 to 32.8 times at 7 of the 8 sites surveyed across the two bays. These increases in density were coincident with 2-4° C increases in median monthly seawater temperature during summer months, consistent with global spread of M. gigas elsewhere. Size frequency distribution data, with all size classes represented across sites, suggest now-regular recruitment of M. gigas. Our data provide a baseline against which to compare future changes in density and abundance of a globally-spread NIS of significant concern.},
}

California
Animals
*Estuaries
*Introduced Species
*Climate Change
Ecosystem
Seasons
Crassostrea
Temperature

@article {pmid38717262,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhao, Z and Yang, L and Long, J and Chang, Z and Chen, X},
title = {Predicting suitable areas for Metcalfa pruinosa (Hemiptera: Flatidae) under climate change and implications for management.},
journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)},
volume = {24},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jisesa/ieae053},
pmid = {38717262},
issn = {1536-2442},
support = {32060343//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2021YFD1601000//Science Technology Program of GTC/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Climate Change ; *Introduced Species ; *Animal Distribution ; Hemiptera/physiology ; Insect Control/methods ; },
abstract = {Climate change is a prominent factor reshaping the distribution of invasive species. Metcalfa pruinosa (Say 1830) (Hemiptera: Flatidae), native to North America, has invaded other continents and poses a serious threat to various agricultural crops and the human residential environment. Understanding the distribution of M. pruinosa based on climatic conditions is a critical first step to prevent its further invasion. Therefore, based on its occurrence records and associated environmental variables, a Maxent model was developed to predict suitable areas for this species in the present and future on a global scale. The model exhibited outstanding performance, with a mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and true skill statistic values of 0.9329 and 0.926, respectively. The model also indicated that annual precipitation (Bio12) and max temperature of the warmest month (Bio5) were the key environmental variables limiting the distribution of M. pruinosa. Moreover, the model revealed that the current suitable area is 1.01 × 107 km2 worldwide, with southern China, southern Europe, and the eastern United States predicted to be the primary and highly suitable areas in the latter 2 regions. This area is expected to increase under future climate scenarios, mainly in the northern direction. The study's findings contribute to our understanding of climate change's impact on M. pruinosa distribution, and they will aid governments in developing appropriate pest management strategies, including global monitoring and strict quarantine measures.},
}

Animals
*Climate Change
*Introduced Species
*Animal Distribution
Hemiptera/physiology
Insect Control/methods

@article {pmid38715727,
year = {2024},
author = {Girard, M and Martin, E and Vallon, L and Tran Van, V and Da Silva Carvalho, C and Sack, J and Bontemps, Z and Balteneck, J and Colin, F and Duval, P and Malassigné, S and Hennessee, I and Vizcaino, L and Romer, Y and Dada, N and Ly Huynh Kim, K and Huynh Thi Thuy, T and Bellet, C and Lambert, G and Nantenaina Raharimalala, F and Jupatanakul, N and Goubert, C and Boulesteix, M and Mavingui, P and Desouhant, E and Luis, P and Cazabet, R and Hay, AE and Valiente Moro, C and Minard, G},
title = {Human-aided dispersal and population bottlenecks facilitate parasitism escape in the most invasive mosquito species.},
journal = {PNAS nexus},
volume = {3},
number = {5},
pages = {pgae175},
pmid = {38715727},
issn = {2752-6542},
abstract = {During biological invasion process, species encounter new environments and partially escape some ecological constraints they faced in their native range, while they face new ones. The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is one of the most iconic invasive species introduced in every inhabited continent due to international trade. It has also been shown to be infected by a prevalent yet disregarded microbial entomoparasite Ascogregarina taiwanensis. In this study, we aimed at deciphering the factors that shape the global dynamics of A. taiwanensis infection in natural A. albopictus populations. We showed that A. albopictus populations are highly colonized by several parasite genotypes but recently introduced ones are escaping it. We further performed experiments based on the invasion process to explain such pattern. To that end, we hypothesized that (i) mosquito passive dispersal (i.e. human-aided egg transportation) may affect the parasite infectiveness, (ii) founder effects (i.e. population establishment by a small number of mosquitoes) may influence the parasite dynamics, and (iii) unparasitized mosquitoes are more prompt to found new populations through active flight dispersal. The two first hypotheses were supported as we showed that parasite infection decreases over time when dry eggs are stored and that experimental increase in mosquitoes' density improves the parasite horizontal transmission to larvae. Surprisingly, parasitized mosquitoes tend to be more active than their unparasitized relatives. Finally, this study highlights the importance of global trade as a driver of biological invasion of the most invasive arthropod vector species.},
}

@article {pmid38715462,
year = {2024},
author = {Dobelmann, J and Manley, R and Wilfert, L},
title = {Caught in the act: the invasion of a viral vector changes viral prevalence and titre in native honeybees and bumblebees.},
journal = {Biology letters},
volume = {20},
number = {5},
pages = {20230600},
doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2023.0600},
pmid = {38715462},
issn = {1744-957X},
support = {//H2020 European Research Council/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Bees/virology ; *Varroidae/virology/physiology ; *RNA Viruses/physiology/genetics ; France/epidemiology ; Introduced Species ; Dicistroviridae/genetics/physiology ; Prevalence ; },
abstract = {Novel transmission routes change pathogen landscapes and may facilitate disease emergence. The varroa mite is a virus vector that switched to western honeybees at the beginning of the last century, leading to hive mortality, particularly in combination with RNA viruses. A recent invasion of varroa on the French island of Ushant introduced vector-mediated transmission to one of the last varroa-naive native honeybee populations and caused rapid changes in the honeybee viral community. These changes were characterized by a drastic increase in deformed wing virus type B prevalence and titre in honeybees, as well as knock-on effects in bumblebees, particularly in the year following the invasion. Slow bee paralysis virus also appeared in honeybees and bumblebees, with a 1 year delay, while black queen cell virus declined in honeybees. This study highlights the rapid and far-reaching effects of vector-borne transmission that can extend beyond the directly affected host species, and that the direction of the effect depends on the pathogen's virulence.},
}

Animals
Bees/virology
*Varroidae/virology/physiology
*RNA Viruses/physiology/genetics
France/epidemiology
Introduced Species
Dicistroviridae/genetics/physiology
Prevalence

@article {pmid38715155,
year = {2024},
author = {Wei, Y and Su, J and Wang, H and Ma, X and Huang, J and Liao, H and Gao, Q and Zhou, H},
title = {First Report of Exserohilum rostratum Causing Brown Spot on Spartina alterniflora in China.},
journal = {Plant disease},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1094/PDIS-02-24-0330-PDN},
pmid = {38715155},
issn = {0191-2917},
abstract = {Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a perennial grass, has become an invasive species in China's coastal wetlands (Zhang et al. 2018). In July 2021, brown spot symptoms were observed on S. alterniflora in a coastal wetland (21°45'48″N, 108°44'00″E) in Beihai City, Guangxi Province, China. The disease affected approximately 50% of the plants in the surveyed area (0.2 ha) and was also observed in other regions of Beihai. It caused brown lesions with a gray or whitish center on the leaves and stems of S. alterniflora. As the disease developed, it ultimately led to leaf shedding and plant death. To isolate the causal agent, 18 fragments (~ 5 mm) from six symptomatic plants (3 leaf pieces per plant) were surface sterilized with 1% NaOCl solution for 2 min and rinsed three times with sterilized water. Subsequently, the tissues were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.1 g/liter) and incubated at 28°C for three days. The hyphal tips were transferred onto fresh PDA to obtain pure cultures. A total of 25 isolates were obtained, 20 of which shared similar morphologies, while the remaining five exhibited distinct morphological characteristics and were non-pathogenic to S. alterniflora. Three isolates (MC16.1.3, MC16.6.2, and MC16.8.3) were randomly selected from the 20 for further investigation. The colonies on PDA were flat with dense aerial mycelia. The colony margins were entire, light brown in the centre, white to grey at the margin; reverse dark brown in the centre, gray at the margin. Conidia were straight to slightly curved, light olive-brown to dark olive-brown, septate, measured 33.5 to 79.1 μm × 10.4 to 18.7 μm (average 52.9 × 14.4 μm, n = 100), with a distinctly protruding hilum swelled from the basal cell. For molecular identification, the genomic DNA was extracted from mycelium on PDA using the CTAB method (Guo et al. 2000). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1-α) genes were amplified and sequenced with the primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), GPD1/GPD2 (Berbee et al. 1999), and EF1-983/EF1-2218 (Rehner et al. 2005), respectively. A BLAST analysis revealed that the ITS (OR516787-9), GAPDH (OR523686-8), and TEF-α (OR523683-5) had 99.1 to 99.7% identity with those of E. rostratum strains BRIP 11417 (LT837836, LT882553, and LT896656) and CBS 128061 (KT265240, LT715900, and LT896658) (Hernández-Restrepo et al. 2018). Based on the concatenated sequences, a phylogenetic tree generated by PhyloSuite software (Zhang et al., 2020) through Bayesian inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) methods placed the isolates within E. rostratum. These morphological characteristics and molecular analyses confirmed the pathogen as E. rostratum (Hernández-Restrepo et al. 2018; Kaboré et al. 2022). To confirm pathogenicity, a conidial water suspension (~ 1 × 106 conidia/ml) of each of the three strains was inoculated on nine healthy S. alterniflora plants that had been grown for six months. Control plants were treated with sterile water. All plants were then enclosed in plastic bags and incubated in a greenhouse at 28°C. Six days after inoculation, the plants exhibited symptoms similar to those observed in nature. The control plants developed no symptoms. These experiments were replicated three times with similar results. To fulfill Koch's postulates, E. rostratum was consistently re-isolated from symptomatic tissue and confirmed by morphology and sequencing, whereas no fungus was isolated from the control plants. In recent years, S. alterniflora has posed a serious threat to the indigenous biodiversity of wetland ecosystems (Zhang et al. 2018). To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. rostratum causing brown spot on S. alterniflora worldwide.},
}

@article {pmid38713379,
year = {2024},
author = {Sandretti-Silva, G and Vannucchi, FS and Teixeira, L and Tan, TY and Mori, GM and Reinert, BL and Bornschein, MR},
title = {Short-term extinction predicted by population viability analysis for a Neotropical salt marsh endemic bird.},
journal = {Environmental monitoring and assessment},
volume = {196},
number = {6},
pages = {520},
pmid = {38713379},
issn = {1573-2959},
support = {2022/04847-7//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; 0682/20052//Fundação Grupo Boticário de Proteção à Natureza/ ; 0682/20052//Fundação Grupo Boticário de Proteção à Natureza/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Wetlands ; *Conservation of Natural Resources ; Brazil ; *Population Dynamics ; Extinction, Biological ; Environmental Monitoring/methods ; Endangered Species ; Birds ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Salt marshes pose challenges for the birds that inhabit them, including high rates of nest flooding, tipping, and predation. The impacts of rising sea levels and invasive species further exacerbate these challenges. To assess the urgency of conservation and adequacy of new actions, researchers and wildlife managers may use population viability analyses (PVAs) to identify population trends and major threats. We conducted PVA for Formicivora acutirostris, which is a threatened neotropical bird species endemic to salt marshes. We studied the species' demography in different sectors of an estuary in southern Brazil from 2006 to 2023 and estimated the sex ratio, longevity, productivity, first-year survival, and mortality rates. For a 133-year period, starting in 1990, we modeled four scenarios: (1) pessimistic and (2) optimistic scenarios, including the worst and best values for the parameters; (3) a baseline scenario, with intermediate values; and (4) scenarios under conservation management, with increased recruitment and/or habitat preservation. Projections indicated population decline for all assessment scenarios, with a 100% probability of extinction by 2054 in the pessimistic scenario and no extinction in the optimistic scenario. The conservation scenarios indicated population stability with 16% improvement in productivity, 10% improvement in first-year survival, and stable carrying capacity. The disjunct distribution of the species, with remnants concentrated in a broad interface with arboreal habitats, may seal the population decline by increasing nest predation. The species should be considered conservation dependent, and we recommend assisted colonization, predator control, habitat recovery, and ex situ conservation.},
}

Animals
*Wetlands
*Conservation of Natural Resources
Brazil
*Population Dynamics
Extinction, Biological
Environmental Monitoring/methods
Endangered Species
Birds
Ecosystem

@article {pmid38708868,
year = {2024},
author = {Hong, Y and Yuan, Z and Liu, X},
title = {Global drivers of the conservation-invasion paradox.},
journal = {Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e14290},
doi = {10.1111/cobi.14290},
pmid = {38708868},
issn = {1523-1739},
support = {202001AW070016//Yunnan Fundamental Research Project/ ; 202005AC160046//Yunnan Fundamental Research Project/ ; 2022xjkk0800//the Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition Program/ ; 32171657//the National Science Foundation of China/ ; SWU7112200222//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities/ ; NFS2101//the grants of High Quality Economic and Social Development in Southern Xinjiang/ ; Y201920//the grants from Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {The conservation-invasion paradox (CIP) refers to a long-term phenomenon wherein species threatened in their native range can sustain viable populations when introduced to other regions. Understanding the drivers of CIP is helpful for conserving threatened species and managing invasive species, which is unfortunately still lacking. We compiled a global data set of 1071 introduction events, including 960 CIP events (successful establishment of threatened species outside its native range) and 111 non-CIP events (unsuccessful establishment of threatened species outside its native range after introduction), involving 174 terrestrial vertebrates. We then tested the relative importance of various predictors at the location, event, and species levels with generalized linear mixed models and model averaging. Successful CIP events occurred across taxonomic groups and biogeographic realms, especially for the mammal group in the Palearctic and Australia. Locations of successful CIP events had fewer native threat factors, especially less climate warming in invaded regions. The probability of a successful CIP event was highest when species introduction efforts were great and there were more local congeners and fewer natural enemies. These results can inform threatened species ex situ conservation and non-native invasive species mitigation.},
}

@article {pmid38708381,
year = {2024},
author = {Haberski, A and Caterino, MS},
title = {A review of Nearctic Lathrobium (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae), with revision and descriptions of new flightless species from the mountains of the southeastern U.S.},
journal = {ZooKeys},
volume = {1198},
number = {},
pages = {193-277},
pmid = {38708381},
issn = {1313-2989},
abstract = {Species of the genus Lathrobium Gravenhorst (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) from North America north of Mexico are reviewed and 41 species are recognized. Morphology and mitochondrial COI sequence data were used to guide species designations in three flightless lineages endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains, a biologically diverse region known for cryptic diversity. Using a combination of phylogeny, algorithm-based species delimitation analyses, and genitalic morphology, five new cryptic species are described and possible biogeographic scenarios for their speciation hypothesized: L.balsamense Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L.camplyacra Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L.islae Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L.lividum Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L.smokiense Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov. Five additional species are described: L.absconditum Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L.hardeni Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L.lapidum Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., L.solum Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov., and L.thompsonorum Haberski & Caterino, sp. nov. Two species are transferred from Lathrobium to Pseudolathra Casey: Pseudolathraparcum (LeConte, 1880), comb. nov. and Pseudolathratexana (Casey, 1905), comb. nov. Twenty-six names are reduced to synonymy. Lectotypes are designated for 47 species. Larvae are described where known, and characters of possible diagnostic value are summarized. Species diagnoses, distributions, illustrations of male and female genitalia, and a key to Lathrobium species known from the Nearctic region (including several introduced species) are provided.},
}

@article {pmid38708123,
year = {2024},
author = {Sisay, K and Bekele, K and Haji, J and Schaffner, U},
title = {Rural Households' Demand Status for Mitigation of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC Invasion and Its Determinant Factors in Ethiopia: Empirical Evidence from Afar National Regional State.},
journal = {TheScientificWorldJournal},
volume = {2024},
number = {},
pages = {5521245},
pmid = {38708123},
issn = {1537-744X},
mesh = {Ethiopia ; *Prosopis/growth & development ; Humans ; *Family Characteristics ; *Rural Population ; Male ; Female ; Introduced Species ; Conservation of Natural Resources/methods ; Adult ; },
abstract = {Ethiopia is among the world's poorest nations, and its economy is growing extremely slowly; thus, the government's budget to manage environmental amenities is not always sufficient. Thus, for the provision of environmental management services such as the eradication of Prosopis juliflora, the participation of local households and other stakeholders is crucial. This study is therefore initiated with the objective of assessing rural households' demands for mitigating Prosopis juliflora invasion in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was employed to obtain the 313 sample rural households that were used in the analysis, and those sample households were selected randomly and independently from the Amibara and Awash Fentale districts of Afar National Regional State, Ethiopia. In doing this, a seemingly unrelated bivariate probit model was used to determine factors affecting rural households' demands for mitigating Prosopis juliflora invasion. Consequently, as per the inferential statistical results, there was a significant mean/percentage difference between willing and nonwilling households for the hypothesized variables, except for some variables such as farm experience; years lived in the area, distance from the market, and dependency ratio. Furthermore, the seemingly unrelated bivariate probit model result indicates that sex, family size, tenure security, livestock holding, frequency of extension contact, and years lived in the area were important factors influencing the willingness to participate in Prosopis juliflora management practices positively, whereas age, off-farm/nonincome, and bid value affected willingness to pay negatively and significantly. Hence, to improve the participation level of households, policymakers should target these variables.},
}

Ethiopia
*Prosopis/growth & development
Humans
*Family Characteristics
*Rural Population
Male
Female
Introduced Species
Conservation of Natural Resources/methods
Adult

@article {pmid38707297,
year = {2024},
author = {Thirunavukkarasu, S and Murugan, G and Hwang, JS and Munuswamy, N},
title = {Morphology and morphometry of morphotypes in the population of Artemia franciscana (Kellogg, 1906) from salterns of the southeastern coast of India.},
journal = {Heliyon},
volume = {10},
number = {9},
pages = {e29796},
pmid = {38707297},
issn = {2405-8440},
abstract = {We document the morphology, morphometric variations among the morphotypes of the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana. From the samples collected at four different locations in South India, Tamil Nadu viz. Kelambakkam, Vedaranyam, Tuticorin and Nagarcoil we identified six morphotypes: M1, M3, M4 in males and F1, F2, F3 in females. The Scanning electron micrographs of male morphotypes show distinct variation in the basal width, shape and number of cuticular cones on the second antennae. Similarly, the female morphotypes show various shape and sizes of the ovisac with or without spines. However, the cyst surface topography is smooth without any specific variation/ornamentation in all three female morphotypes. Multivariate analysis of eighteen morphological traits measured in males and fifteen in females to elucidate the intraspecific variations among morphotypes indicate significant dissimilarity between males and females. Furthermore, relative length measurements showed distinct morphometric variation of traits between the morphotypes encountered at different sampling sites.},
}

@article {pmid38706739,
year = {2024},
author = {Mallett, MC and Thiem, JD and Butler, GL and Kennard, MJ},
title = {A systematic review of approaches to assess fish health responses to anthropogenic threats in freshwater ecosystems.},
journal = {Conservation physiology},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {coae022},
pmid = {38706739},
issn = {2051-1434},
abstract = {Anthropogenic threats such as water infrastructure, land-use changes, overexploitation of fishes and other biological resources, invasive species and climate change present formidable challenges to freshwater biodiversity. Historically, management of fish and fishery species has largely been based on studies of population- and community-level dynamics; however, the emerging field of conservation physiology promotes the assessment of individual fish health as a key management tool. Fish health is highly sensitive to environmental disturbances and is also a fundamental driver of fitness, with implications for population dynamics such as recruitment and resilience. However, the mechanistic links between particular anthropogenic disturbances and changes in fish health, or impact pathways, are diverse and complex. The diversity of ways in which fish health can be measured also presents a challenge for researchers deciding on methods to employ in studies seeking to understand the impact of these threats. In this review, we aim to provide an understanding of the pathway through which anthropogenic threats in freshwater ecosystems impact fish health and the ways in which fish health components impacted by anthropogenic threats can be assessed. We employ a quantitative systematic approach to a corpus of papers related to fish health in freshwater and utilize a framework that summarizes the impact pathway of anthropogenic threats through environmental alterations and impact mechanisms that cause a response in fish health. We found that land-use changes were the most prolific anthropogenic threat, with a range of different health metrics being suitable for assessing the impact of this threat. Almost all anthropogenic threats impacted fish health through two or more impact pathways. A robust understanding of the impact pathways of anthropogenic threats and the fish health metrics that are sensitive to these threats is crucial for fisheries managers seeking to undertake targeted management of freshwater ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid38704909,
year = {2024},
author = {Gao, X and Li, X and Wang, Y and Lin, C and Zuo, Y and Li, X and Xing, W},
title = {Does invasive submerged macrophyte diversity affect dissimilatory nitrate reduction processes in sediments with varying microplastics?.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {472},
number = {},
pages = {134510},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134510},
pmid = {38704909},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Nitrogen removal is essential for restoring eutrophic lakes. Microorganisms and aquatic plants in lakes are both crucial for removing excess nitrogen. However, microplastic (MP) pollution and the invasion of exotic aquatic plants have become increasingly serious in lake ecosystems due to human activity and plant-dominant traits. This field mesocosm study explored how the diversity of invasive submerged macrophytes affects denitrification (DNF), anammox (ANA), and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) in lake sediments with varying MPs. Results showed that invasive macrophytes suppressed DNF rates, but DNRA and ANA were less sensitive than DNF to the diversity of invasive species. Sediment MPs increased the biomass of invasive species more than native species, but did not affect microbial processes. The effects of MPs on nitrate dissimilatory reduction were process-specific. MPs increased DNF rates and the competitive advantage of DNF over DNRA by changing the sediment environment. The decoupling of DNF and ANA was also observed, with increased DNF rates and decreased ANA rates. The study findings suggested new insights into how the invasion of exotic submerged macrophytes affects the sediment nitrogen cycle complex environments.},
}

@article {pmid38598071,
year = {2024},
author = {Altamiranda-Saavedra, M and Camaho-Portocarrero, R and Machado, JO and Jaramillo, JDM and Torres-Moreno, N and Marín-Ortiz, JC and Giraldo-Jaramillo, M},
title = {Identifying Areas of Invasion Risk and Changes in the Ecological Niche Occupied by the Coffee Leaf Miner Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae).},
journal = {Neotropical entomology},
volume = {53},
number = {3},
pages = {608-616},
pmid = {38598071},
issn = {1678-8052},
support = {206001218//CODEI/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Introduced Species ; *Ecosystem ; Animal Distribution ; Lepidoptera ; Coffea ; Moths ; },
abstract = {Insects of economic importance such as Leucoptera coffeella can cause high defoliation in plants and reduce crop yields. We aimed to identify changes in the ecological niche and potential zones of the invasion. Occurrence records were obtained from databases and bibliography. WorldClim V2.0 bioclimatic layers were used. For the modeling of the potential distribution, the kuenm R package was used by executing the Maxent algorithm. The potential distribution models suggested greatest environmental suitability extends from Europe, South Asia, and Central and South Africa, showing the "tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests" as the ecoregion that presents the greatest probability of the presence of L. coffeella. The potential distribution model projected in the invaded area agrees with the known distribution in the region (America), although the results show that it is occupying environmental spaces not present in the area of origin. This species presented a large proportion of the invaded niche that overlaps the native niche and is colonizing new environmental conditions in the invaded area relative to its native distribution (Africa). This information could be used in the planning of coffee crops on the American continent.},
}

Animals
*Introduced Species
*Ecosystem
Animal Distribution
Lepidoptera
Coffea
Moths

@article {pmid38509263,
year = {2024},
author = {Chen, GY and Huang, SY and Lin, MD and Chouvenc, T and Ching, YH and Li, HF},
title = {Hybrids of two destructive subterranean termites established in the field, revealing a potential for gene flow between species.},
journal = {Heredity},
volume = {132},
number = {5},
pages = {257-266},
pmid = {38509263},
issn = {1365-2540},
support = {MOST 108-2628-B-005-004 [Li]//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan)/ ; MOST 109-2628-B-005-007 [Li]//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan)/ ; MOST 111-2740-B-A49-001 [Li]//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Isoptera/genetics/physiology ; *Hybridization, Genetic ; Female ; *Gene Flow ; Male ; *Microsatellite Repeats/genetics ; Taiwan ; Introduced Species ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; },
abstract = {Hybridization between invasive pest species may lead to significant genetic and economic impacts that require close monitoring. The two most invasive and destructive termite species worldwide, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann), have the potential for hybridization in the field. A three-year field survey conducted during the dispersal flight season of Coptotermes in Taiwan identified alates with atypical morphology, which were confirmed as hybrids of the two Coptotermes species using microsatellite and mitochondrial analyses. Out of 27,601 alates collected over three years, 4.4% were confirmed as hybrid alates, and some advanced hybrids (>F1 generations) were identified. The hybrid alates had a dispersal flight season that overlapped with the two parental species 13 out of 15 times. Most of the hybrid alates were females, implying that mating opportunities beyond F1 may primarily be possible through female hybrids. However, the incipient colony growth results from all potential mating combinations suggest that only backcross colonies with hybrid males could sometimes lead to brood development. The observed asymmetrical viability and fertility of hybrid alates may critically reduce the probability of advanced-hybrid colonies being established in the field.},
}

Animals
*Isoptera/genetics/physiology
*Hybridization, Genetic
Female
*Gene Flow
Male
*Microsatellite Repeats/genetics
Taiwan
Introduced Species
DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics

@article {pmid38704835,
year = {2024},
author = {Bureš, P and Del Guacchio, E and Šmerda, J and Özcan, M and Blizňáková, P and Vavrinec, M and Michálková, E and Veselý, P and Veselá, K and Zedek, F},
title = {Intergeneric hybrid origin of the invasive tetraploid Cirsium vulgare.},
journal = {Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/plb.13653},
pmid = {38704835},
issn = {1438-8677},
support = {GA20-15989S//Grantová Agentura České Republiky/ ; },
abstract = {The invasive tetraploid Cirsium vulgare hybridizes with both Cirsium and Lophiolepis. Its conflicted position in molecular phylogenies, and its peculiar combination of morphological, anatomical, and genomic features that are alternatively shared with representatives of Cirsium or Lophiolepis, strongly suggest its intergeneric hybrid origin. Genetic relationships of C. vulgare (8 samples) with genus Lophiolepis (11 species) and other representatives of genus Cirsium (12 species) were evaluated using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) and examined using analytical and imaging approaches, such as NeighborNet, Heatmap, and STRUCTURE, to identify nuclear genomes admixture. Estimation of the intensity of spontaneous hybridization within and between Cirsium and Lophiolepis was based on herbarium revisions and published data for all reported hybrids pertinent to taxa currently included in Cirsium or Lophiolepis. The genome of any examined Cirsium species is more similar to C. vulgare than to any Lophiolepis species, and vice versa. The nuclear genome of the tetraploid C. vulgare is composed of two equivalent parts, each attributable either to Lophiolepis or to Cirsium; the organellar RADseq data clustered C. vulgare with the genus Cirsium. Spontaneous hybridization between Cirsium and Lophiolepis is significantly less intensive than within these genera. Our analyses provide compelling evidence that the invasive species C. vulgare has an allotetraploid intergeneric origin, with the maternal parent from Cirsium and the paternal from Lophiolepis. For the purpose of delimiting monophyletic genera, we propose keeping Lophiolepis separate from Cirsium and segregating C. vulgare into the hybridogenous genus Ascalea.},
}

@article {pmid38702853,
year = {2024},
author = {Cretini, C and Galloway, KA},
title = {Acidic Apple Snails: Effects of Climate Change on The Mechanical Properties of An Invasive Gastropod.},
journal = {Integrative and comparative biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/icb/icae013},
pmid = {38702853},
issn = {1557-7023},
abstract = {Climate change can directly and indirectly affect species distribution. Warming may allow for invasive species, such as apple snails, to migrate to higher latitudes where temperatures are more conducive to their survival and invasion success. Higher temperatures and lower pH ranges have been previously documented to affect the form and function of calcium carbonate shells, which serve many functions including protection from predators and thermoregulation. This study aimed to quantify differences in the morphology and mechanical properties of invasive apple snail, Pomacea maculata, shells after altering temperature and pH. We mechanically tested shells among three five-week treatments: control, higher temperature, lower pH. Ultimate Strength increased in shells that were exposed to higher temperatures, but Young's Modulus and Peak Load did not differ among control, temperature, and pH treatments. Apple snails in higher temperature tanks increased their shell length over the five-week trials, while snails in lower pH tanks decreased their shell length. Although snail morphometrics did not differ between sexes, male shells exhibited a higher Peak Load, Young's Modulus, and Ultimate Strength compared to female shells. Our findings are consistent with previous gastropod studies, in that a lower pH is associated with a decrease in shell size, and higher temperatures yield larger snail shells with a higher Ultimate Strength. Peak Load did not significantly differ among treatments, which suggests that the cross-sectional area is relatively important when considering this species mechanical performance today and in future climates. Due to the intense nutritional and calcium demands of egg production, female snails may be more susceptible to weakened shells due to low pH environments caused by climate change.},
}

@article {pmid38699867,
year = {2024},
author = {Ninsin, KD and Souza, PGC and Amaro, GC and Aidoo, OF and Barry, EJDV and da Silva, RS and Osei-Owusu, J and Dofuor, AK and Ablormeti, FK and Heve, WK and Edusei, G and Agboyi, LK and Beseh, P and Boafo, HA and Borgemeister, C and Sétamou, M},
title = {Risk of spread of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in Ghana.},
journal = {Bulletin of entomological research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-20},
doi = {10.1017/S0007485324000105},
pmid = {38699867},
issn = {1475-2670},
abstract = {The impact of invasive species on biodiversity, food security and economy is increasingly noticeable in various regions of the globe as a consequence of climate change. Yet, there is limited research on how climate change affects the distribution of the invasive Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera:Liviidae) in Ghana. Using maxnet package to fit the Maxent model in R software, we answered the following questions; (i) what are the main drivers for D. citri distribution, (ii) what are the D. citri-specific habitat requirements and (iii) how well do the risk maps fit with what we know to be correctly based on the available evidence?. We found that temperature seasonality (Bio04), mean temperature of warmest quarter (Bio10), precipitation of driest quarter (Bio17), moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer land cover and precipitation seasonality (Bio15), were the most important drivers of D. citri distribution. The results follow the known distribution records of the pest with potential expansion of habitat suitability in the future. Because many invasive species, including D. citri, can adapt to the changing climates, our findings can serve as a guide for surveillance, tracking and prevention of D. citri spread in Ghana.},
}

@article {pmid38698043,
year = {2024},
author = {Balah, MA and Al-Andal, A and Radwan, AM and Donia, AEM},
title = {Unveiling allelopathic dynamics and impacts of invasive Erigeron bonariensis and Bidens pilosa on plant communities and soil parameters.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {10159},
pmid = {38698043},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {110/1444//the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University/ ; },
mesh = {*Bidens ; *Introduced Species ; *Soil/chemistry ; *Allelopathy ; *Erigeron/chemistry ; Egypt ; Hydroxybenzoates ; },
abstract = {Invasive alien species are becoming more and more prevalent worldwide, Erigeron bonariensis and Bidens pilosa are two invasive species of Asteraceae in Egypt. To mitigate their detrimental effects and understand their differences in invasiveness, we compared the allelopathic potentials of E. bonariensis and B. pilosa using leachates, decaying residues, and volatilization processes. Notably, the allelopathic variances in leachates were significant, influenced by plant types, concentrations, and response patterns of target plant traits, as indicated by EC50. The relative phytotoxicity of the invasive species decayed residues peaked between 20 and 25 days in the soil, with a positive correlation with concentrations and soil properties. The highest quantities of phenolic acids were chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid reaching (5.41 and 4.39 µg g[-1]) E. bonariensis and (4.53 and 4.46 µg g[-1]) B. pilosa, in leachates extracts respectively, while in the soil extract of decayed residues were coumaric acid and ferulic acid measuring (1.66 and 1.67 µg g[-1]) E. bonariensis and (1.47 and 1.57 µg g[-1]) B. pilosa, respectively. Using GC/MS analysis, the main volatile components in E. bonariensis were 1, 8 cineole (5.62%), and α-terpinene (5.43%) and iso-Caryophyllene (5.2%) which showed the greatest inhibitory effects. While B. pilosa main constituents were trans-sabinene (5.39%) and Camphene (5.11%), respectively. Finally, the high invasion level displayed from E. bonariensis (0.221) compared with B. pilosa (0.094) which correlated with the stronger allelopathic activities against plant species, and soil properties. Therefore, the allelopathic potentialities of these species are critically relevant to their invasion success.},
}

*Bidens
*Introduced Species
*Soil/chemistry
*Allelopathy
*Erigeron/chemistry
Egypt
Hydroxybenzoates

@article {pmid38694748,
year = {2024},
author = {Ranke, PS and Pepke, ML and Søraker, JS and David, G and Araya-Ajoy, YG and Wright, J and Nafstad, ÅM and Rønning, B and Pärn, H and Ringsby, TH and Jensen, H and Sæther, BE},
title = {Long-distance dispersal in the short-distance dispersing house sparrow (Passer domesticus).},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {5},
pages = {e11356},
doi = {10.1002/ece3.11356},
pmid = {38694748},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a small passerine known to be highly sedentary. Throughout a 30-year capture-mark-recapture study, we have obtained occasional reports of recoveries far outside our main metapopulation study system, documenting unusually long dispersal distances. Our records constitute the highest occurrence of long-distance dispersal events recorded for this species in Scandinavia. Such long-distance dispersals radically change the predicted distribution of dispersal distances and connectedness for our study metapopulation. Moreover, it reveals a much greater potential for colonization than formerly recorded for the house sparrow, which is an invasive species across four continents. These rare and occasional long-distance dispersal events are challenging to document but may have important implications for the genetic composition of small and isolated populations and for our understanding of dispersal ecology and evolution.},
}

@article {pmid38694109,
year = {2024},
author = {Bashir, I and War, AF and Rafiq, I and Reshi, ZA and Rashid, I and Shouche, YS},
title = {Uncovering the secret weapons of an invasive plant: The endophytic microbes of Anthemis cotula.},
journal = {Heliyon},
volume = {10},
number = {9},
pages = {e29778},
doi = {10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29778},
pmid = {38694109},
issn = {2405-8440},
abstract = {Understanding plant-microbe interaction can be useful in identifying the microbial drivers of plant invasions. It is in this context that we explored the diversity of endophytic microbes from leaves of Anthemis cotula, an annual plant that is highly invasive in Kashmir Himalaya. We also tried to establish the role of endophytes in the invasiveness of this alien species. We collected and processed leaf samples from three populations at three different sites. A total of 902 endophytic isolates belonging to 4 bacterial and 2 fungal phyla were recovered that belonged to 27 bacterial and 14 fungal genera. Firmicutes (29.1%), Proteobacteria (24.1%), Ascomycota (22.8%) and Actinobacteria (19%) were dominant across all samples. Plant growth promoting traits, such as Ammonia production, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) production, Phosphate solubilization and biocontrol activity of these endophytes were also studied and most of the isolates (74.68%) were positive for ammonia production. IAA production, phosphate solubilization and biocontrol activity was present in 39.24%, 36.70% and 20.26% isolates, respectively. Furthermore, Botrytis cinerea, a pathogen of A. cotula in its native range, though present in Kashmir Himalaya does not affect A. cotula probably due to the presence of leaf endophytic microbial antagonists. Our results highlight that the beneficial plant growth promoting interactions and enemy suppression by leaf endophytes of A. cotula, may be contributing to its survival and invasion in the Kashmir Himalaya.},
}

@article {pmid38693457,
year = {2024},
author = {Hrabovský, M and Kubalová, S and Mičieta, K and Ščevková, J},
title = {Environmental impacts on intraspecific variation in Ambrosia artemisiifolia genome size in Slovakia, Central Europe.},
journal = {Environmental science and pollution research international},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38693457},
issn = {1614-7499},
support = {1/0180/22//Vedecká Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaŠ SR a SAV/ ; },
abstract = {The quantity of DNA in angiosperms exhibits variation attributed to many external influences, such as environmental factors, geographical features, or stress factors, which exert constant selection pressure on organisms. Since invasive species possess adaptive capabilities to acclimate to novel environmental conditions, ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) was chosen as a subject for investigating their influence on genome size variation. Slovakia has diverse climatic conditions, suitable for testing the hypothesis that air temperature and precipitation, the main limiting factors of ragweed occurrence, would also have an impact on its genome size. Our results using flow cytometry confirmed this hypothesis and also found a significant association with geographical features such as latitude, altitude, and longitude. We can conclude that plants growing in colder environments farther from oceanic influences exhibit smaller DNA amounts, while optimal growth conditions result in a greater variability in genome size, reflecting the diminished effect of selection pressure.},
}

@article {pmid38692031,
year = {2024},
author = {Lima, CG and Campos, JC and Regos, A and Honrado, JP and Fernandes, PM and Freitas, TR and Santos, JA and Vicente, JR},
title = {Fire suppression and land-use strategies drive future dynamics of an invasive plant in a fire-prone mountain area under climate change.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {359},
number = {},
pages = {120997},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120997},
pmid = {38692031},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Woody invasive alien species can have profound impacts on ecosystem processes and functions, including fire regulation, which can significantly affect landscape resilience. Acacia dealbata, a widespread invasive alien plant in the Iberian Peninsula, holds well-known fire-adaptation traits (e.g., massive soil seed banks and heat-stimulated seed germination). In this study, we assess to what extent fire suppression and land-use strategies could affect the potential distribution of A. dealbata in a fire-prone transboundary protected mountain area of Portugal and Spain, using Habitat Suitability Models. Specifically, we predicted changes in habitat suitability for A. dealbata between years 2010 and 2050. We explored the potential impacts of two land-use strategies ('Business-as-usual' or 'High Nature Value farmlands') combined with three levels of fire suppression effectiveness using the biomod2 package in R. We also considered the potential effects of two climate change scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Our modeling approach demonstrated a strong capacity to predict habitat suitability using either climate or land-cover information alone (AUC climate = 0.947; AUC LC = 0.957). According to climate-based models, A. dealbata thrives under conditions characterized by higher precipitation seasonality, higher precipitation in the warmest month, and higher minimum temperature in the coldest month. Regarding land cover, A. dealbata thrives mainly in landscapes dominated by urban areas and evergreen forest plantations. Our models forecasted that habitat suitability by 2050 could either increase or decrease depending on the specific combinations of fire suppression, land-use, and climate scenarios. Thus, a combination of business-as-usual and fire-exclusion strategies would enhance habitat suitability for the species. Conversely, management promoting High Nature Value farmlands would decrease the available suitable habitat, particularly under low fire suppression efforts. These findings suggest that promoting sustainable farming activities could impede the spread of A. dealbata by reducing habitat availability, while strategies aiming at fire-exclusion could facilitate its expansion, likely by enabling establishment and large seed production. This study highlights the complex interplay between fire-prone invasive species, fire and land-use strategies, and climate change; and thus the need to consider the interactions between land-use and fire management to promote invasive species control and landscape resilience.},
}

@article {pmid38693164,
year = {2024},
author = {Bakaloudis, DE and Thoma, CT and Makridou, KN and Kotsonas, EG},
title = {Occupancy dynamics of free ranging American mink (Neogale vison) in Greece.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {9973},
pmid = {38693164},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {LIFE18 NAT/GR/000430//European Commission/ ; 181.1/2020//Hellenic Green Fund/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Greece ; *Mink/physiology ; *Ecosystem ; *Introduced Species ; Population Dynamics ; Seasons ; },
abstract = {Identifying the environmental factors that determine the occurrence of invasive species is essential in defining and implementing effective control campaigns. Here, we applied multi-season occupancy models to analyze American mink (Neogale vison) track data collected using 121 floating rafts, as a function of factors occurring at multiple spatial scales. Our overall aim was to identify those factors that determine the use, colonization or abandonment of rafts by free ranging individuals found in western Macedonia, Greece. We found that increasing values of shrubs and rock cover at the micro-habitat scale were positively associated with the species' probability of raft use, as was the density of medium-sized rivers at the landscape scale. Colonization was found to increase with increasing amounts of shrub and reed cover; however, both variables were not informative. Conversely, the distance from the nearest fur farm was highly informative in predicting raft abandonment by the species. Effective control actions may require removal by trapping along rocky or densely vegetated riverbanks or lake shores located in the vicinity of the established fur farms in the area. Habitat management, although possible, may be difficult to implement due to the ability of the species to adapt. Finally, fur farms should maximize security and establish an early warning and rapid eradication system in case of future escapes.},
}

Animals
Greece
*Mink/physiology
*Ecosystem
*Introduced Species
Population Dynamics
Seasons

@article {pmid38684739,
year = {2024},
author = {Wessely, J and Essl, F and Fiedler, K and Gattringer, A and Hülber, B and Ignateva, O and Moser, D and Rammer, W and Dullinger, S and Seidl, R},
title = {A climate-induced tree species bottleneck for forest management in Europe.},
journal = {Nature ecology & evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38684739},
issn = {2397-334X},
support = {I 3757-B29//Austrian Science Fund (Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung)/ ; 101001905//EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council)/ ; 101001905//EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council)/ ; },
abstract = {Large pulses of tree mortality have ushered in a major reorganization of Europe's forest ecosystems. To initiate a robust next generation of trees, the species that are planted today need to be climatically suitable throughout the entire twenty-first century. Here we developed species distribution models for 69 European tree species based on occurrence data from 238,080 plot locations to investigate the option space for current forest management in Europe. We show that the average pool of tree species continuously suitable throughout the century is smaller than that under current and end-of-century climate conditions, creating a tree species bottleneck for current management. If the need for continuous climate suitability throughout the lifespan of a tree planted today is considered, climate change shrinks the tree species pool available to management by between 33% and 49% of its current values (40% and 54% of potential end-of-century values), under moderate (Representative Concentration Pathway 2.6) and severe (Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5) climate change, respectively. This bottleneck could have strong negative impacts on timber production, carbon storage and biodiversity conservation, as only 3.18, 3.53 and 2.56 species of high potential for providing these functions remain suitable throughout the century on average per square kilometre in Europe. Our results indicate that the option space for silviculture is narrowing substantially because of climate change and that an important adaptation strategy in forestry-creating mixed forests-might be curtailed by widespread losses of climatically suitable tree species.},
}

@article {pmid38536504,
year = {2024},
author = {Urvois, T and Auger-Rozenberg, MA and Roques, A and Kerdelhué, C and Rossi, JP},
title = {Intraspecific niche models for the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus crassiusculus suggest contrasted responses to climate change.},
journal = {Oecologia},
volume = {204},
number = {4},
pages = {761-774},
pmid = {38536504},
issn = {1432-1939},
mesh = {Animals ; *Climate Change ; *Coleoptera ; *Introduced Species ; Europe ; Models, Biological ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Xylosandrus crassiusculus is an invasive ambrosia beetle comprising two differentiated genetic lineages, named cluster 1 and cluster 2. These lineages invaded different parts of the world at different periods of time. We tested whether they exhibited different climatic niches using Schoener's D and Hellinger's I indices and modeled their current potential geographical ranges using the Maxent algorithm. The resulting models were projected according to future and recent past climate datasets for Europe and the Mediterranean region. The future projections were performed for the periods 2041-2070 and 2071-2100 using 3 SSPs and 5 GCMs. The genetic lineages exhibited different climate niches. Parts of Europe, the Americas, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Oceania were evaluated as suitable for cluster 1. Parts of Europe, South America, Central and South Africa, Asia, and Oceania were considered as suitable for cluster 2. Models projection under future climate scenarios indicated a decrease in climate suitability in Southern Europe and an increase in North Eastern Europe in 2071-2100. Most of Southern and Western Europe was evaluated as already suitable for both clusters in the early twentieth century. Our results show that large climatically suitable regions still remain uncolonized and that climate change will affect the geographical distribution of climatically suitable areas. Climate conditions in Europe were favorable in the twentieth century, suggesting that the recent colonization of Europe is rather due to an increase in propagule pressure via international trade than to recent environmental changes.},
}

Animals
*Climate Change
*Coleoptera
*Introduced Species
Europe
Models, Biological
Ecosystem

@article {pmid38684711,
year = {2024},
author = {Hagan, T and Ding, G and Buchmann, G and Oldroyd, BP and Gloag, R},
title = {Serial founder effects slow range expansion in an invasive social insect.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {3608},
pmid = {38684711},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {DP190101500//Department of Education and Training | Australian Research Council (ARC)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Bees/genetics/physiology ; *Founder Effect ; *Introduced Species ; *Genetic Variation ; Male ; Female ; Population Dynamics ; Social Behavior ; },
abstract = {Invasive populations often experience founder effects: a loss of genetic diversity relative to the source population, due to a small number of founders. Even where these founder effects do not impact colonization success, theory predicts they might affect the rate at which invasive populations expand. This is because secondary founder effects are generated at advancing population edges, further reducing local genetic diversity and elevating genetic load. We show that in an expanding invasive population of the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana), genetic diversity is indeed lowest at range edges, including at the complementary sex determiner, csd, a locus that is homozygous-lethal. Consistent with lower local csd diversity, range edge colonies had lower brood viability than colonies in the range centre. Further, simulations of a newly-founded and expanding honey bee population corroborate the spatial patterns in mean colony fitness observed in our empirical data and show that such genetic load at range edges will slow the rate of population expansion.},
}

Animals
Bees/genetics/physiology
*Founder Effect
*Introduced Species
*Genetic Variation
Male
Female
Population Dynamics
Social Behavior

@article {pmid38682794,
year = {2024},
author = {Hartman, JH and Corush, J and Larson, ER and Tiemann, JS and Willink, PW and Davis, MA},
title = {Niche conservatism and spread explain introgression between native and invasive fish.},
journal = {Molecular ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e17363},
doi = {10.1111/mec.17363},
pmid = {38682794},
issn = {1365-294X},
support = {//University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences: Jonathan Baldwin Turner Fellowship/ ; //International Association of Great Lakes Research: Norman S. Baldwin Fishery Science Scholarship/ ; //University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, School of Integrative Biology: Herbert Holdsworth Ross Memorial Fund Scholarship/ ; ILLU-875-976//U.S. Department of Agriculture Hatch Act/ ; //Illinois Department of Transportation/ ; //Illinois State Toll Highway Authority/ ; #375 IDNR 00501571//Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Heritage/ ; },
abstract = {Hybridisation can be an important driver of evolutionary change, but hybridisation with invasive species can have adverse effects on native biodiversity. While hybridisation has been documented across taxa, there is limited understanding of ecological factors promoting patterns of hybridisation and the spatial distribution of hybrid individuals. We combined the results of ecological niche modelling (ENM) and restriction site-associated DNA sequencing to test theories of niche conservatism and biotic resistance on the success of invasion, admixture, and extent of introgression between native and non-native fishes. We related Maxent predictions of habitat suitability based on the native ranges of invasive Eastern Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus diaphanus Lesueur 1817) and native Western Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus menona Jordan and Copeland 1877) to admixture indices of individual Banded Killifish. We found that Eastern Banded Killifish predominated at sites predicted as suitable from their ENM, consistent with niche conservatism. Admixed individuals were more common as Eastern Banded Killifish habitat suitability declined. We also found that Eastern Banded Killifish were most common at sites closest to the presumed source of this invasion, whereas the proportion of admixed individuals increased with distance from the source of invasion. Lastly, we found little evidence that habitat suitability for Western Banded Killifish provides biotic resistance from either displacement by, or admixture with, invasive Eastern Banded Killifish. Our study demonstrates that ENMs can inform conservation-relevant outcomes between native and invasive taxa while emphasising the importance of protecting isolated Western Banded Killifish populations from invasive conspecifics.},
}

@article {pmid38681672,
year = {2024},
author = {Burkett, CA and Corwin, R and Lautenbach, J and Serrani Gallego, I and Joseph, SA and Burkett, F and Hendrickson, BJ and Jackson, DA and McCool, M and Molina, CM and Armijo Morales, F and Todd, ER and Mackenzie, R and Sanchez Jardon, L and Thompson, M and Rozzi, R and Gregory, AJ},
title = {An Introduction to the Native and Non-Native Plant-Insect Interactions and Potential Pollinators of Puerto Williams and Yendegaia, Cabo de Hornos, Chile.},
journal = {microPublication biology},
volume = {2024},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38681672},
issn = {2578-9430},
abstract = {The Magellanic sub-Antarctic ecoregion of southern Chile represents one of the last remaining pristine areas on Earth, but there are knowledge gaps concerning the biodiversity and interactions of the regions' flora and fauna. Non-native insect species like Bombus terrestris and Vespula vulgaris are known to have detrimental influence on native populations through competition for resources/nesting habitat, larvae predation, and foreign pathogen introduction. However, their interactions with the native and non-native plants in the region and between introduced species are unknown. This study highlights the importance of further investigations documenting the region's biodiversity, native and non-native species interactions, and local pollinators.},
}

@article {pmid38679367,
year = {2024},
author = {Shamsi, S and Banfield, A and Francis, N and Barton, DP and McLellan, M},
title = {Characterisation of Nematoda and Digenea in selected Australian freshwater snails.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108116},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2024.108116},
pmid = {38679367},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {Freshwater snails are integral to local ecosystems as a primary food source for various vertebrate species, thereby contributing significantly to ecological food webs. However, their role as intermediate hosts also makes them pivotal in the transmission of parasites. In Australia, research on freshwater snails has predominantly focused on their role as intermediate hosts for livestock parasites, while there has been limited exploration of the impact of these parasites on snail health and population dynamics. The aim of this study was to determine parasitic infection in freshwater snails. This study was conducted in the south-eastern region of Australia, in 2022. A total of 163 freshwater snails from four different species were collected and examined in the Murrumbidgee catchment area in the southeastern part of Australia during the Southern Hemisphere summer and autumn months (February to May). The species included Isidorella hainesii, Glyptophysa novaehollandica, Bullastra lessoni (endemic species), and Physella acuta (an introduced species). Through the analysis of sequence data from the various regions of the nuclear ribosomal DNA, we determined that the Digenea species in this study belonged to three distinct species, including Choanocotyle hobbsi, Petasiger sp. and an unidentified species belonging to Plagiorchioidea. Additionally, analysis of the sequences from Nematoda found in this study, revealed they could be categorized into two separate taxa, including Krefftascaris sp. and an unidentified nematode closely associated with plant and soil nematodes. This research holds significant implications for the future understanding and conservation of Australian freshwater ecosystems. As many of freshwater snail species in Australia are endemic and face population threats, exploring the potential adverse impacts of parasitic infections on snail health, is crucial for advancing our understanding of these ecosystems and also paving the way for future research and conservation efforts.},
}

@article {pmid38311643,
year = {2024},
author = {Donnelly, A and Yu, R and Rehberg, C and Schwartz, MD},
title = {Characterizing spring phenology in a temperate deciduous urban woodland fragment: trees and shrubs.},
journal = {International journal of biometeorology},
volume = {68},
number = {5},
pages = {871-882},
pmid = {38311643},
issn = {1432-1254},
mesh = {*Seasons ; *Trees/growth & development ; Wisconsin ; Plant Leaves/growth & development ; Introduced Species ; Forests ; Cities ; },
abstract = {Phenological research in temperate-deciduous forests typically focuses on upper canopy trees, due to their overwhelming influence on ecosystem productivity and function. However, considering that shrubs leaf out earlier and remain green longer than trees, they play a pivotal role in ecosystem productivity, particularly at growing season extremes. Furthermore, an extended growing season of non-native shrubs provides a competitive advantage over natives. Here, we report spring phenology, budburst, leaf-out, and full-leaf unfolded (2017-2021) of a range of co-occurring species of tree (ash, American basswood, red oak, white oak, and boxelder) and shrub (native species: chokecherry, pagoda dogwood, nannyberry, American wild currant and Eastern wahoo, and non-native species: buckthorn, honeysuckle, European privet, and European highbush cranberry) in an urban woodland fragment in Wisconsin, USA, to determine how phenology differed between plant groups. Our findings show that all three spring phenophases of shrubs were 3 weeks earlier (p < 0.05) than trees. However, differences between shrubs groups were only significant for the later phenophase; full-leaf unfolded, which was 6 days earlier (p < 0.05) for native shrubs. The duration of the spring phenological season was 2 weeks longer (p < 0.05) for shrubs than trees. These preliminary findings demonstrate that native shrubs, at this site, start full-leaf development earlier than non-native species suggesting that species composition must be considered when generalizing whether phenologies differ between vegetation groups. A longer time series would be necessary to determine future implications on ecosystem phenology and productivity and how this might impact forests in the future, in terms of species composition, carbon sequestration, and overall ecosystem dynamics.},
}

*Seasons
*Trees/growth & development
Wisconsin
Plant Leaves/growth & development
Introduced Species
Forests
Cities

@article {pmid38678583,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, S and Wang, C and Zhang, J and Jiang, K and Nian, F},
title = {Allelopathy and potential allelochemicals of Ligularia sagitta as an invasive plant.},
journal = {Plant signaling & behavior},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {2335025},
doi = {10.1080/15592324.2024.2335025},
pmid = {38678583},
issn = {1559-2324},
mesh = {*Allelopathy ; *Asteraceae/metabolism/drug effects ; *Pheromones/pharmacology/metabolism ; *Introduced Species ; *Germination/drug effects ; Seedlings/drug effects/metabolism/growth & development ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology ; },
abstract = {Allelopathy is the main chemical means in the invasion process of exotic plants and one of the key factors in grassland degradation. In this experiment, we investigated the effects of ethyl acetate phase extract (EAE), n-butanol phase extract (BE) and aqueous phase extract (AE) from the aboveground (stems and leaves) and roots of Ligularia sagitta on seed germination and seedling growth of four Gramineae forages (Poa pratensis L. Festuca ovina L. Elymus nutans Griseb. Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.) in their sympatric domains and one Legosuminae forage (Medicago sativa L.). The chemical components in each phase extract of L. sagitta were determined with UHPLC-MS/MS non-targeted metabolomics, and the differential compounds were screened using Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA). Within a set concentration range, EAE significantly inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of four Gramineae forages. BE and AE acted mainly in the seedling growth stage and did not significantly inhibit forage seed germination. P. pratensis was most sensitive to L. sagitta extracts; at 2.0 mg/mL of EAE from roots, germination energy and germination rate of P. pratensis seeds were 0. L. sagitta extracts inhibited the growth of M. sativa seedlings and did not inhibit its seed germination. A total of 904 compounds were identified with UHPLC-MS/MS, among which 31, 64, 81 and 66 metabolites displayed different accumulation patterns in the four comparison groups (R.EAE vs. R.BE, R.EAE vs. R.AE, SL.EAE vs. SL.BE, SL.EAE vs. SL.AE), respectively. In particular, 9 compounds were found to be common up-regulated differential metabolites in the four comparison groups and were enriched in EAE. Additionally, N,N-dimethylaniline, Caffeic acid, 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde and cis-9-Octadecenoic acid as potential allelochemicals in L. sagitta. The results of this study support efforts at finding alternative control plants for the restoration of poisonous grass-type degraded grasslands.},
}

*Allelopathy
*Asteraceae/metabolism/drug effects
*Pheromones/pharmacology/metabolism
*Introduced Species
*Germination/drug effects
Seedlings/drug effects/metabolism/growth & development
Plant Extracts/pharmacology

@article {pmid38678025,
year = {2024},
author = {Eskew, EA and Bird, BH and Ghersi, BM and Bangura, J and Basinski, AJ and Amara, E and Bah, MA and Kanu, MC and Kanu, OT and Lavalie, EG and Lungay, V and Robert, W and Vandi, MA and Fichet-Calvet, E and Nuismer, SL},
title = {Reservoir displacement by an invasive rodent reduces Lassa virus zoonotic spillover risk.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {3589},
pmid = {38678025},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {R01GM122079//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; DEB 2028162//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; D18AC00028//United States Department of Defense | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Lassa virus/pathogenicity/physiology ; *Lassa Fever/transmission/epidemiology/virology/veterinary ; *Introduced Species ; *Disease Reservoirs/virology ; Humans ; Rats ; *Murinae/virology ; *Zoonoses/virology/transmission/epidemiology ; Sierra Leone/epidemiology ; Guinea/epidemiology ; Ecosystem ; Rodent Diseases/virology/epidemiology/transmission ; },
abstract = {The black rat (Rattus rattus) is a globally invasive species that has been widely introduced across Africa. Within its invasive range in West Africa, R. rattus may compete with the native rodent Mastomys natalensis, the primary reservoir host of Lassa virus, a zoonotic pathogen that kills thousands annually. Here, we use rodent trapping data from Sierra Leone and Guinea to show that R. rattus presence reduces M. natalensis density within the human dwellings where Lassa virus exposure is most likely to occur. Further, we integrate infection data from M. natalensis to demonstrate that Lassa virus zoonotic spillover risk is lower at sites with R. rattus. While non-native species can have numerous negative effects on ecosystems, our results suggest that R. rattus invasion has the indirect benefit of decreasing zoonotic spillover of an endemic pathogen, with important implications for invasive species control across West Africa.},
}

Animals
*Lassa virus/pathogenicity/physiology
*Lassa Fever/transmission/epidemiology/virology/veterinary
*Introduced Species
*Disease Reservoirs/virology
Humans
Rats
*Murinae/virology
*Zoonoses/virology/transmission/epidemiology
Sierra Leone/epidemiology
Guinea/epidemiology
Ecosystem
Rodent Diseases/virology/epidemiology/transmission

@article {pmid38676538,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, Y and Xu, HQ and Han, HL and Chen, D and Jiang, H and Smagghe, G and Wang, JJ and Wei, D},
title = {CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of a male accessory glands-specific gene takeout1 decreases the fecundity of Zeugodacus cucurbitae female.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.8145},
pmid = {38676538},
issn = {1526-4998},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), is an invasive Tephritidae pest with robust fertility. The male accessory glands (MAGs) form a vital organ that ensures insect reproductive efficiency. Most of the secreted proteins by MAGs exhibit a male bias expression. Takeout, one of these proteins, is abundantly presented in the MAGs of many insects.

RESULTS: In this study, we identified 32 takeout genes in Z. cucurbitae. The phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignment results showed that Zctakeout1 is the most related homolog to the MAGs-specific takeout in Tephritidae. The real-time quantitative PCR results showed that Zctakeout1 was exclusively expressed in the male adult stage, and its expression level gradually increased with the increase in age and then remained stable at the sexually matured stage. The distribution among tissues demonstrated the specific expression of Zctakeout1 in the MAGs, and fluorescence immunohistochemical results confirmed the presence of Zctakeout1 in close proximity to binuclear cells of the mesoderm epidermal MAGs. In continuation, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing was employed, resulting in successfully generating a homozygous strain with an +8 bp insertion. The mating experiments with the Zctakeout1[-/-] males resulted in significant reductions in both the mating rate and egg production of females.

CONCLUSION: These findings prove that the MAGs-specific Zctakeout1 is essential in regulating fecundity in female Z. cucurbitae fruit flies. Our data suggests its utilization in future essential insect-specific gene-directed sterility insect technique (SIT) by the genetic manipulation to keep these important Tephritidae populations under control. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.},
}

@article {pmid38675862,
year = {2024},
author = {Hall, RN and Trought, K and Strive, T and Duckworth, JA and Jenckel, M},
title = {First Detection and Circulation of RHDV2 in New Zealand.},
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {16},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {38675862},
issn = {1999-4915},
support = {Project 404961//Ministry of Primary Industries Sustainable Farming Fund/ ; MBIE 45974 CRFSI-LCR//Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment/ ; P01-B-002//Centre for Invasive Species Solutions/ ; },
mesh = {New Zealand/epidemiology ; Animals ; *Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; *Phylogeny ; Rabbits/virology ; *Caliciviridae Infections/veterinary/epidemiology/virology ; Phylogeography ; Hares/virology ; Retrospective Studies ; Genome, Viral ; },
abstract = {Rabbit haemorrhage disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is a highly pathogenic lagovirus that causes lethal disease in rabbits and hares (lagomorphs). Since its first detection in Europe in 2010, RHDV2 has spread worldwide and has been detected in over 35 countries so far. Here, we provide the first detailed report of the detection and subsequent circulation of RHDV2 in New Zealand. RHDV2 was first detected in New Zealand in 2018, with positive samples retrospectively identified in December 2017. Subsequent time-resolved phylogenetic analysis suggested a single introduction into the North Island between March and November 2016. Genetic analysis identified a GI.3P-GI.2 variant supporting a non-Australian origin for the incursion; however, more accurate identification of the source of the incursion remains challenging due to the wide global distribution of the GI.3P-GI.2 variant. Furthermore, our analysis suggests the spread of the virus between the North and South Islands of New Zealand at least twice, dated to mid-2017 and around 2018. Further phylogenetic analysis also revealed a strong phylogeographic pattern. So far, no recombination events with endemic benign New Zealand rabbit caliciviruses have been identified. This study highlights the need for further research and surveillance to monitor the distribution and diversity of lagoviruses in New Zealand and to detect incursions of novel variants.},
}

New Zealand/epidemiology
Animals
*Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
*Phylogeny
Rabbits/virology
*Caliciviridae Infections/veterinary/epidemiology/virology
Phylogeography
Hares/virology
Retrospective Studies
Genome, Viral

@article {pmid38674461,
year = {2024},
author = {Udugamasuriyage, D and Kahandawa, G and Tennakoon, KU},
title = {Nonchemical Aquatic Weed Control Methods: Exploring the Efficacy of UV-C Radiation as a Novel Weed Control Tool.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants13081052},
pmid = {38674461},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {//Federation University/ ; //Australian Government/ ; },
abstract = {Aquatic weeds, including invasive species, are a worldwide problem. The presence of aquatic weeds poses several critical issues, such as hindering the continuous flow of water in irrigation channels and preventing the proper distribution of adequate water quantities. Therefore, effective control measures are vital for agriculture and numerous downstream industries. Numerous methods for controlling aquatic weeds have emerged over time, with herbicide application being a widely used established method of weed management, although it imposes significant environmental risks. Therefore, it is important to explore nonchemical alternative methods to control existing and emerging aquatic weeds, potentially posing fewer environmental hazards compared with conventional chemical methods. In this review, we focus on nonchemical methods, encompassing mechanical, physical, biological, and other alternative approaches. We primarily evaluated the different nonchemical control methods discussed in this review based on two main criteria: (1) efficiency in alleviating aquatic weed problems in location-specified scenarios and (2) impacts on the environment, as well as potential health and safety risks. We compared the nonchemical treatments with the UV-C-radiation-mediated aquatic weed control method, which is considered a potential novel technique. Since there is limited published literature available on the application of UV-C radiation used exclusively for aquatic weed control, our review is based on previous reports of UV-C radiation used to successfully control terrestrial weeds and algal populations. In order to compare the mechanisms involved with nonchemical weed control methods, we reviewed respective pathways leading to plant cell death, plant growth inhibition, and diminishing reemergence to justify the potential use of UV-C treatment in aquatic habitats as a viable novel source for aquatic weed control.},
}

@article {pmid38674438,
year = {2024},
author = {Almeida, L and Colmonero-Costeira, I and Silva, MJFD and Veracini, C and Vasconcelos, R},
title = {Insights into the Geographical Origins of the Cabo Verde Green Monkey.},
journal = {Genes},
volume = {15},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/genes15040504},
pmid = {38674438},
issn = {2073-4425},
support = {(_2024 to RV)//Cabeólica S.A./ ; LA was supported by a PhD grant (PRT/BD/154373/2022) funded by the Portuguese 'Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), financed by the CEBiCNa Programme. This research was also funded by Portuguese funds through the FCT project (DOI 10.54499/EXPL//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Chlorocebus aethiops/genetics ; Cabo Verde ; Phylogeny ; Cytochromes b/genetics ; Haplotypes ; Introduced Species ; Phylogeography ; Feces/chemistry ; },
abstract = {The green monkey Chlorocebus sabaeus, L. 1766, native to West Africa, was introduced to the Cabo Verde Archipelago in the 16th century. Historical sources suggest that, due to the importance of Cabo Verde as a commercial entrepôt in the Atlantic slave trade, establishing the precise place of origin of this introduced species is challenging. Non-invasive fecal samples were collected from feral and captive green monkey individuals in Cabo Verde. Two mitochondrial fragments, HVRI and cyt b, were used to confirm the taxonomic identification of the species and to tentatively determine the geographic origin of introduction to the archipelago from the African continent. By comparing the new sequences of this study to previously published ones, it was shown that Cabo Verde individuals have unique haplotypes in the HVRI, while also showing affinities to several populations from north-western coastal Africa in the cyt b, suggesting probable multiple sources of introduction and an undetermined most probable origin. The latter is consistent with historical information, but may also have resulted from solely using mtDNA as a genetic marker and the dispersal characteristics of the species. The limitations of the methodology are discussed and future directions of research are suggested.},
}

Animals
*DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
Chlorocebus aethiops/genetics
Cabo Verde
Phylogeny
Cytochromes b/genetics
Haplotypes
Introduced Species
Phylogeography
Feces/chemistry

@article {pmid38672746,
year = {2024},
author = {Bakacsy, L and Kardos, LV and Szepesi, Á and Nagy, KN and Vasas, A and Feigl, G},
title = {Investigation of the Allelopathic Effect of Two Invasive Plant Species in Rhizotron System.},
journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/life14040475},
pmid = {38672746},
issn = {2075-1729},
support = {FK129061//National Research, Development and Innovation Office (Hungary)/ ; },
abstract = {A key question in plant invasion biology is why invasive plants are more competitive in their introduced habitat than in their native habitat. Studies show that invasive species exhibit allelopathy, influencing other plants by releasing chemicals. Research on allelopathy uses in vitro tests, investigating effects on seed germination and seedling development. Although soil plays a role in modifying allelopathic effects, observations with soil are rare and almost nothing is known about the root development of test plants developing in soil and the effects of allelopathic compounds on root architecture. Our study evaluates the allelopathic effects of false indigo-bush (Amorpha fruticosa L.) and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) on oilseed rape growth as a model plant. The rhizotron system was used to study the effect of morphology and root architecture. Leaf-soil mixtures at 0.5%, 1%, and 5% concentrations were used. Shoot and root development was strongly inhibited at 5%. But there was no difference between the allelopathy of the two species, and the application of lower concentrations did not show any effect, demonstrating that soil has a significant modifying effect on their allelopathy. Our results highlight that the development of roots growing in the soil is also worth investigating in connection with allelopathy, which can strengthen the ecological importance of allelochemicals during successful invasions.},
}

@article {pmid38672340,
year = {2024},
author = {Martinez, LE and Gilardoni, C and Medina, CD and Cremonte, F and Etchegoin, JA},
title = {Histopathological Lesions Caused by a Digenean Trematode in a Pest Apple Snail, Pomacea canaliculata, in Its Native Geographic Distribution Area.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani14081191},
pmid = {38672340},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {J.A.E., PIP number 11220210100935CO//Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas/ ; C.G., PICT 2019-0837//Agencia Nacional de Promoción de la Investigación, el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación/ ; FC 2020-2120//Agencia Nacional de Promoción de la Investigación, el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación/ ; J.A.E., grant number 15/E1032 EXA 1074/22//National University of Mar del Plata/ ; },
abstract = {Pomacea canaliculata is one of the most dangerous invasive species. Morphological and molecular analyses have revealed that a digenean species belonging to the family Echinostomatidae parasitizes this snail at two sites in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, South America. Molecular results confirmed that the species belongs to a genus closely related to Patagifer. Analysis of the 28S rDNA showed that the sequences of the rediae and metacercariae are identical, indicating that the apple snail acts as the first and second intermediate host. The cercariae may encyst as metacercaria inside the redia and also emerge and re-infect the same snail or another snail. The prevalence of digeneans was higher in one of the sampling locations (15.1% vs. 0.72%), probably because the bird species that acts as the definitive host is more abundant in that area. Histopathological examination showed that the parasite quickly invades multiple host organs (gills, intestines, albumen gland, lung, kidney, and mantle border) besides the gonad and digestive gland, as is usual in digeneans. In addition, the partial or total castration of snails was observed in cases of moderate and high infection intensity. In males, there was loss of integrity in testicular tubules, while in females, the replacement of ovarian tissue by rediae was found.},
}

@article {pmid38669881,
year = {2024},
author = {Brancatelli, GIE and Amodeo, MR and Zalba, SM},
title = {Modeling population dynamics of invasive pines to optimize their control in native grasslands of Argentina.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {359},
number = {},
pages = {120897},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120897},
pmid = {38669881},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {The spread of invasive alien species over natural environments has become one of the most serious threats to biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems worldwide. Understanding the population attributes that allow a given species to become invasive is crucial for improving prevention and control interventions. Pampas grasslands are particularly sensitive to the invasion of exotic woody plants. In particular, the Ventania Mountains undergo the advance of alien woody plants; among which the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) stands out due to the extension of the area it covers and the magnitude of the ecological changes associated to its presence. Using a model that describes the population dynamics of the species in the area, we evaluated the expected behavior of the population under different environmental conditions and different management scenarios. When the effect of stochastic fires was simulated, the growth rate was greater than 1 for all the frequencies considered, peaking under fires every nine years, on average. When evaluating the effect of periodic mechanical control of the adult population, the reduction in growth rate was insufficient, except for cutting intensities that significantly exceeded the current operational capacity of the area. Under prescribed fire scenarios, on the other hand, burning frequencies greater than seven years resulted in population reductions. The results highlight the importance of fire in regulating the population of P. halepensis in the Ventania Mountains, with contrasting effects depending on the frequency with which it occurs, which allows considering it as an effective environmental management option for the control of the species.},
}

@article {pmid38669461,
year = {2024},
author = {Zia, A and Gulzar, S and Ruban, AV},
title = {Enhanced photochemical efficiency of PSII in Prosopis juliflora suggests contribution to invasion advantage over native C3 xero-halophytes under salt stress.},
journal = {Functional plant biology : FPB},
volume = {51},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1071/FP23272},
pmid = {38669461},
issn = {1445-4416},
mesh = {*Prosopis/drug effects/chemistry ; *Photosystem II Protein Complex/metabolism ; *Chlorophyll/metabolism ; *Chlorophyll A/metabolism ; Salt Stress/drug effects ; Salt-Tolerant Plants/drug effects ; Photosynthesis/drug effects ; Introduced Species ; Fluorescence ; },
abstract = {Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters related to PSII photochemistry, photoprotection and photoinhibition were investigated in four C3 plant species growing in their natural habitat: Prosopis juliflora ; Abutilon indicum ; Salvadora persica ; and Phragmites karka . This study compared the light reaction responses of P. juliflora , an invasive species, with three native co-existing species, which adapt to varying water deficit and high salt stress. Chlorophyll a fluorescence quenching analyses revealed that P. juliflora had the highest photochemical quantum efficiency and yield, regulated by higher fraction of open reaction centres and reduced photoprotective energy dissipation without compromising the integrity of photosynthetic apparatus due to photoinhibition. Moreover, the elevated values of parameters obtained through polyphasic chlorophyll a fluorescence induction kinetics, which characterise the photochemistry of PSII and electron transport, highlighted the superior performance index of energy conservation in the transition from excitation to the reduction of intersystem electron carriers for P. juliflora compared to other species. Enhanced pigment contents and their stoichiometry in P. juliflora apparently contributed to upregulating fluxes and yields of energy absorbance, trapping and transport. This enhanced photochemistry, along with reduced non-photochemical processes, could explain the proclivity for invasion advantage in P. juliflora across diverse stress conditions.},
}

*Prosopis/drug effects/chemistry
*Photosystem II Protein Complex/metabolism
*Chlorophyll/metabolism
*Chlorophyll A/metabolism
Salt Stress/drug effects
Salt-Tolerant Plants/drug effects
Photosynthesis/drug effects
Introduced Species
Fluorescence

@article {pmid38548188,
year = {2024},
author = {He, X and Qian, Z and Gichira, AW and Chen, J and Li, Z},
title = {Assembly and comparative analysis of the first complete mitochondrial genome of the invasive water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes.},
journal = {Gene},
volume = {914},
number = {},
pages = {148416},
doi = {10.1016/j.gene.2024.148416},
pmid = {38548188},
issn = {1879-0038},
mesh = {*Genome, Mitochondrial ; *Eichhornia/genetics ; *Phylogeny ; Introduced Species ; RNA, Transfer/genetics ; Base Composition ; RNA Editing ; Genome, Plant ; },
abstract = {Eichhornia crassipes is an aquatic plant in tropical and subtropical regions, renowned for its notorious invasive tendencies. In this study, we assembled the complete mitogenome of E. crassipes into a single circle molecule of 397,361 bp. The mitogenome has 58 unique genes, including 37 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 18 tRNA genes, three rRNA genes, and 47 % GC content. Sixteen (6.93 %) homologous fragments, ranging from 31 bp to 8548 bp, were identified, indicating the transfer of genetic material from chloroplasts to mitochondria. In addition, we detected positive selection in six PCGs (ccmB, ccmC, ccmFC, nad3, nad4 and sdh4), along with the identification of 782 RNA editing sites across 37 mt-PCGs. These findings suggest a potential contribution to the robust adaptation of this invasive plant to the stressful environment. Lastly, we inferred that phylogenetic conflicts of E. crassipes between the plastome and mitogenome may be attributed to the difference in nucleotide substitution rates between the two organelle genomes. In conclusion, our study provided vital genomic resources for further understanding the invasive mechanism of this species and exploring the dynamic evolution of mitogenomes within the monocot clade.},
}

*Genome, Mitochondrial
*Eichhornia/genetics
*Phylogeny
Introduced Species
RNA, Transfer/genetics
Base Composition
RNA Editing
Genome, Plant

@article {pmid38669254,
year = {2024},
author = {Seehausen, ML and Rimmer, A and Wiesner, A and Kenis, M and Scott-Dupree, C and Smith, SM},
title = {Modelling potential distribution of the invasive box tree moth across Asia, Europe, and North America.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {4},
pages = {e0302259},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0302259},
pmid = {38669254},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Animals ; *Moths/physiology ; Europe ; *Introduced Species ; North America ; Asia ; Models, Biological ; Animal Distribution ; },
abstract = {The box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) (BTM) is a native moth throughout eastern Asia, having recently become invasive in Europe (2007) where it feeds on boxwood (= box tree), Buxus spp. The moth rapidly spread across Europe and the Caucasus causing damage to both ornamental and wild Buxus. In 2018, C. perspectalis was found in Toronto, ON, Canada, and has since spread south into the US. To better predict where the moth will establish and have significant impact on ornamental trade in North America, we used most recent scientific literature and distribution points to update the temperature and diapause indices of an existing ecoclimatic CLIMEX model. The model parameters provided a good fit for the potential distribution of BTM compared to its known distribution across eastern Asia and in Europe. Interestingly, our results suggest that the current native distribution in Asia is incomplete and that further expansion is also possible in its introduced range, especially in northern Europe, along the Mediterranean coast of Africa, and eastward to central Russia. In North America, the model predicts that most of North America should be climatically suitable for the moth's establishment, with the exception of Alaska and the northern territories of Canada, as well as higher elevations in the Rocky Mountains and southern hot and dry areas. Our study highlights the importance of the CLIMEX model to assess the risk of BTM spreading in its newly invaded areas, especially North America, and its use to help make decisions in terms of regulatory dispersal restrictions and choice of management options.},
}

Animals
*Moths/physiology
Europe
*Introduced Species
North America
Asia
Models, Biological
Animal Distribution

@article {pmid38668530,
year = {2024},
author = {Lopez, DJ and Winkel, KD and Wanandy, T and van Nunen, S and Perrett, KP and Lowe, AJ},
title = {The Human Health Impacts of the Red Imported Fire Ant in the Western Pacific Region Context: A Narrative Review.},
journal = {Tropical medicine and infectious disease},
volume = {9},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/tropicalmed9040069},
pmid = {38668530},
issn = {2414-6366},
support = {no number//The Invasive Species Council/ ; no number//the National Farmers Federation/ ; no number//CANEGROWERS/ ; no number//Greenlife Industry Australia/ ; no number//The Nursery and Garden Industry Association (Qld)/ ; GNT2008911//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; },
abstract = {Background: The red imported fire ant (RIFA) is one of the world's most destructive invasive species. RIFA stings are painful and can lead to allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis, yet health impacts remain inadequately defined. Methods: We searched MEDLINE (Ovid) and Google Scholar (grey literature) from inception until 20 September 2023 for articles in English using search terms related to red imported fire ants and allergies, including anaphylaxis. Results: Approximately a third of the population in RIFA-infested areas are stung each year. The most frequent reaction is a sterile 1-2 mm pseudo pustule on the skin. Approximately 20% of stings cause a large local reaction and between about 0.5% and 2% stings cause a systemic allergic reaction which can range from skin symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Local biodiversity is also significantly disrupted by invading RIFA and may lead to complex adverse effects on human health, from agriculture losses to expanded ranges for pathogen vectors. Conclusions: The potential for red imported fire ants to establish themselves as an invasive species in the Western Pacific presents a substantial and costly health issue. Successful eradication and surveillance programs, to identify and eradicate new incursions, would avoid substantial health impacts and costs.},
}

@article {pmid38668258,
year = {2024},
author = {Perin, PP and Turmina, T and Arias-Pacheco, CA and Gomes, JS and Andrade, LO and Zolla, NO and Mendonça, TO and Oliveira, WJ and Fahl, WO and Scheffer, KC and Cunha Neto, RDS and Chierato, MER and Mori, E and Felicio, ALA and Haga, GSI and Guido, MC and Barrochelo, LH and Marcos, ADS and Lux Hoppe, EG},
title = {Rabies Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Free-Ranging Invasive Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) from Brazil.},
journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/pathogens13040303},
pmid = {38668258},
issn = {2076-0817},
support = {311063/2022-5//National Council for Scientific and Technological Development/ ; },
abstract = {Rabies, one of the most lethal global zoonoses, affects all mammals. It remains circulating worldwide in sylvatic cycles through terrestrial and airborne reservoirs, and in Brazil, bats are currently the main reservoirs and source of transmission. Wild boars, an important invasive alien species in Brazil, are a proven food source for hematophagous bats and may participate in the Brazilian sylvatic cycle of rabies. We evaluated the presence of this pathogen in hunted wild boars from the São Paulo state using histopathology, the direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA), viral isolation in cell culture (VICC), the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT), and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The results of histopathological, DFA, VICC, and RT-qPCR analysis were negative for all samples; seven serum samples tested positive in the RFFIT, and titers ranged from 0.13 IU/mL to 0.5 IU/mL. The presence of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies in the studied wild boars suggests the circulation of the virus in these animals. Educative actions directed at hunters should include information on the prevention of this important zoonosis.},
}

@article {pmid38666891,
year = {2024},
author = {Castriota, L and Falautano, M and Perzia, P},
title = {When Nature Requires a Resource to Be Used-The Case of Callinectes sapidus: Distribution, Aggregation Patterns, and Spatial Structure in Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and Adjacent Waters.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology13040279},
pmid = {38666891},
issn = {2079-7737},
abstract = {The Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus, which is native to the western Atlantic coast and listed among the 100 most invasive alien species in the Mediterranean Sea, is attracting a great deal of interest because of its rapid colonisation of new areas, the significant increase in its population, and the impacts it may have on ecosystems and ecosystem services. Outside its natural distribution range, the species was first found on European Atlantic coasts in the early 1900s and was introduced into the Mediterranean Sea a few decades later, probably through ballast water. Currently, it is found in almost the entire Mediterranean Basin and is also expanding into the Black Sea and along the north African and Iberian Atlantic coasts. Based on a systematic review of C. sapidus occurrences, this study describes its distribution, aggregation patterns, and spatial structure in Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and adjacent waters through a series of ecological indicators elaborated using GIS spatial-temporal statistics. The main results highlight that the species is expanding in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters, while in northern Europe, the population remains confined in some areas. Furthermore, the main species detection methods are analysed, finding that traps and nets are the most frequently used methods, and management suggestions are provided.},
}

@article {pmid38666887,
year = {2024},
author = {DeBerry, DA and Hunter, DM},
title = {Impacts of Invasive Plants on Native Vegetation Communities in Wetland and Stream Mitigation.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology13040275},
pmid = {38666887},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {RFP E08//The Resource Protection Group/ ; },
abstract = {We sampled vegetation communities across plant invasion gradients at multiple wetland and stream mitigation sites in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont physiographic provinces of Virginia, USA. Impacts of invasion were evaluated by tracking changes in species composition and native vegetation community properties along the abundance gradients of multiple plant invaders. We found that native species richness, diversity, and floristic quality were consistently highest at moderate levels of invasion (ca. 5-10% relative abundance of invader), regardless of the identity of the invasive species or the type of mitigation (wetland or stream). Likewise, native species composition was similar between uninvaded and moderately invaded areas, and only diminished when invaders were present at higher abundance values. Currently, low thresholds for invasive species performance standards (e.g., below 5% relative abundance of invader) compel mitigation managers to use non-selective control methods such as herbicides to reduce invasive plant cover. Our results suggest that this could cause indiscriminate mortality of desirable native species at much higher levels of richness, diversity, and floristic quality than previously thought. From our data, we recommend an invasive species performance standard of 10% relative invader(s) abundance on wetland and stream mitigation sites, in combination with vigilant invasive plant mapping strategies. Based on our results, this slightly higher standard would strike a balance between proactive management and unnecessary loss of plant community functions at the hands of compulsory invasive species management.},
}

@article {pmid38666820,
year = {2024},
author = {Ulman, A and Abd Rabou, AFN and Al Mabruk, S and Bariche, M and Bilecenoğlu, M and Demirel, N and Galil, BS and Hüseyinoğlu, MF and Jimenez, C and Hadjioannou, L and Kosker, AR and Peristeraki, P and Saad, A and Samaha, Z and Stoumboudi, MT and Temraz, TA and Karachle, PK},
title = {Assessment of Human Health Impacts from Invasive Pufferfish (Attacks, Poisonings and Fatalities) across the Eastern Mediterranean.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology13040208},
pmid = {38666820},
issn = {2079-7737},
abstract = {The silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin 1789), and to a lesser degree the orange spotted toadfish Torquigener hypselogeneion (Bleeker, 1852), pose threats to human health from physical attacks and poisonings in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. This study reviewed human health-related impacts resulting from these pufferfish, compiling and assessing records from online sources, the peer-reviewed literature, medical records, personal interviews, and observations across the Eastern Mediterranean in the years 2004 to 2023. A total of 198 events impacting human health were documented: 28 records of physical attacks, at least 144 non-lethal poisoning episodes, and 27 human fatalities resulting from consumption. The majority of the reported incidences occurred in Syria, Türkiye, and Lebanon. Most physical attacks occurred in summer, while most poisoning events occurred during winter. The number of recorded incidents greatly increased after 2019, especially with regard to poisonings, yet whether this is related to greater media attention, or to increased fish abundance is unclear. This is the first comprehensive study to collate findings on attacks, poisonings and fatalities caused by these pufferfish in the Mediterranean Sea, and may help in improving national health policies. We urge the continuation of national campaigns to caution residents and tourists of these species' high toxicities and potential aggressiveness.},
}

@article {pmid38666814,
year = {2024},
author = {Morpurgo, M and Marrone, F and Ciutti, F and Cappelletti, C and Vorhauser, S and Alber, R and Dossena, M and Salmaso, N and Fontaneto, D and Caputo, L and Vecchioni, L},
title = {Distribution and Genetic Lineages of the Craspedacusta sowerbii Species Complex (Cnidaria, Olindiidae) in Italy.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology13040202},
pmid = {38666814},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {CUP H96C18000130005//Betrieb Landesmuseen / Azienda Provinciale dei Musei Altoatesini/ ; D.M. 737/2021-CUP B79J21038330001//NextGenerationEU of the European Union/ ; EAW, grant number ASP569//European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Alpine Space program, project Eco-AlpsWater/ ; Award Number: CN_00000033, Concession Decree No. 1034 of 17 June 2022//the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4 - Call for tender No. 3138 of 16 December 2021, rectified by Decree n.3175 of 18 December 2021 of the Italian Ministry of University and Research/ ; },
abstract = {Olindiid freshwater jellyfishes of the genus Craspedacusta Lankester, 1880 are native to eastern Asia; however, some species within the genus have been introduced worldwide and are nowadays present in all continents except Antarctica. To date, there is no consensus regarding the taxonomy within the genus Craspedacusta due to the morphological plasticity of the medusa stages. The species Craspedacusta sowerbii Lankester, 1880 was first recorded in Italy in 1946, and until 2017, sightings of the jellyfish Craspedacusta were reported for 40 water bodies. Here, we shed new light on the presence of the freshwater jellyfishes belonging to the genus Craspedacusta across the Italian peninsula, Sardinia, and Sicily. First, we report 21 new observations of this non-native taxon, of which eighteen refer to medusae sightings, two to environmental DNA sequencing, and one to the finding of polyps. Then, we investigate the molecular diversity of collected Craspedacusta specimens, using a Bayesian analysis of sequences of the mitochondrial gene encoding for Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (mtDNA COI). Our molecular analysis shows the presence of two distinctive genetic lineages: (i) a group that comprises sequences obtained from populations ranging from central to northern Italy; (ii) a group that comprises three populations from northern Italy-i.e., those from the Lake Levico, the Lake Santo of Monte Terlago, and the Lake Endine-and the single known Sicilian population. We also report for the first time a mtDNA COI sequence obtained from a Craspedacusta medusa collected in Spain.},
}

@article {pmid38666292,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhao, C and Bian, C and Mu, X and Zhang, X and Shi, Q},
title = {Gonadal transcriptome sequencing reveals sexual dimorphism in expression profiling of sex-related genes in Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus).},
journal = {Frontiers in genetics},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1381832},
doi = {10.3389/fgene.2024.1381832},
pmid = {38666292},
issn = {1664-8021},
abstract = {Asia arowana (Scleropages formosus) is an ornamental fish with high economic value, while its sex determination mechanism is still poorly understood. By far, no morphological evidence or molecular marker has been developed for effective distinguishment of genders, which poses a critical challenge to our captive breeding efforts. In this study, we sequenced gonadal transcriptomes of adult Asian arowanas and revealed differential expression profiling of sex-related genes. Based on the comparative transcriptomics analysis of testes (n = 3) and ovaries (n = 3), we identified a total of 8,872 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 18,490 differentially expressed transposable elements (TEs) between male and female individuals. Interestingly, the expression of TEs usually has been more significantly testis-biased than related coding genes. As expected, several genes related to females (such as foxl2 and cyp19a1a) are significantly transcribed in the ovary, and some genes related to male gonad development (such as dmrt1, gsdf and amh) are highly expressed in the testis. This sexual dimorphism is valuable for ascertaining the differential expression patterns of sex-related genes and enriching the genetic resources of this economically important species. These valuable genetic materials thereby provide instructive references for gender identification and one-to-one breeding practices so as to expand fish numbers for a rapid elevation of economic value.},
}

@article {pmid38664465,
year = {2024},
author = {Xu, R and Chapman, DC and Elliott, CM and Call, BC and Jacobson, RB and Wang, B},
title = {Ecological inferences on invasive carp survival using hydrodynamics and egg drift models.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {9556},
pmid = {38664465},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {G21AP10172//United States Geological Survey (USGS) Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Competitive Grants Program/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Carps/physiology ; *Hydrodynamics ; *Rivers ; Introduced Species ; Ovum/physiology ; Models, Biological ; Models, Theoretical ; },
abstract = {Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (H. molitrix), black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), are invasive species in North America. However, they hold significant economic importance as food sources in China. The drifting stage of carp eggs has received great attention because egg survival rate is strongly affected by river hydrodynamics. In this study, we explored egg-drift dynamics using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to infer potential egg settling zones based on mechanistic criteria from simulated turbulence in the Lower Missouri River. Using an 8-km reach, we simulated flow characteristics with four different discharges, representing 45-3% daily flow exceedance. The CFD results elucidate the highly heterogeneous spatial distribution of flow velocity, flow depth, turbulence kinetic energy (TKE), and the dissipation rate of TKE. The river hydrodynamics were used to determine potential egg settling zones using criteria based on shear velocity, vertical turbulence intensity, and Rouse number. Importantly, we examined the difference between hydrodynamic-inferred settling zones and settling zones predicted using an egg-drift transport model. The results indicate that hydrodynamic inference is useful in determining the 'potential' of egg settling, however, egg drifting paths should be taken into account to improve prediction. Our simulation results also indicate that the river turbulence does not surpass the laboratory-identified threshold to pose a threat to carp eggs.},
}

Animals
*Carps/physiology
*Hydrodynamics
*Rivers
Introduced Species
Ovum/physiology
Models, Biological
Models, Theoretical

@article {pmid38664274,
year = {2024},
author = {Kaswa, M and Kumar, A and Prasad, M and Upadhyay, D and Mahawer, SK and Washnik, VK and Tamboli, P},
title = {Exploring the influence of invasive weed biochar on the sorption and dissipation dynamics of imazethapyr in sandy loam soil.},
journal = {Environmental monitoring and assessment},
volume = {196},
number = {5},
pages = {478},
pmid = {38664274},
issn = {1573-2959},
mesh = {*Charcoal/chemistry ; *Soil Pollutants/analysis ; *Herbicides/analysis/chemistry ; *Soil/chemistry ; *Plant Weeds ; Adsorption ; *Nicotinic Acids/chemistry ; Lantana/chemistry ; Introduced Species ; Kinetics ; Asteraceae/chemistry ; },
abstract = {The management of invasive weeds on both arable and non-arable land is a vast challenge. Converting these invasive weeds into biochar and using them to control the fate of herbicides in soil could be an effective strategy within the concept of turning waste into a wealth product. In this study, the fate of imazethapyr (IMZ), a commonly used herbicide in various crops, was investigated by introducing such weeds as biochar, i.e., Parthenium hysterophorus (PB) and Lantana camara (LB) in sandy loam soil. In terms of kinetics, the pseudo-second order (PSO) model provided the best fit for both biochar-mixed soils. More IMZ was sorbed onto LB-mixed soil compared to PB-mixed soil. When compared to the control (no biochar), both PB and LB biochars (at concentrations of 0.2% and 0.5%) increased IMZ adsorption, although the extent of this effect varied depending on the dosage and type of biochar. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm provided a satisfactory explanation for IMZ adsorption in soil/soil mixed with biochar, with the adsorption process exhibiting high nonlinearity. The values of Gibb's free energy change (ΔG) were negative for both adsorption and desorption in soil/soil mixed with biochar, indicating that sorption was exothermic and spontaneous. Both types of biochar significantly affect IMZ dissipation, with higher degradation observed in LB-amended soil compared to PB-amended soil. Hence, the findings suggest that the preparation of biochar from invasive weeds and its utilization for managing the fate of herbicides can effectively reduce the residual toxicity of IMZ in treated agroecosystems in tropical and subtropical regions.},
}

*Charcoal/chemistry
*Soil Pollutants/analysis
*Herbicides/analysis/chemistry
*Soil/chemistry
*Plant Weeds
Adsorption
*Nicotinic Acids/chemistry
Lantana/chemistry
Introduced Species
Kinetics
Asteraceae/chemistry

@article {pmid38662833,
year = {2024},
author = {Langhammer, PF and Bull, JW and Bicknell, JE and Oakley, JL and Brown, MH and Bruford, MW and Butchart, SHM and Carr, JA and Church, D and Cooney, R and Cutajar, S and Foden, W and Foster, MN and Gascon, C and Geldmann, J and Genovesi, P and Hoffmann, M and Howard-McCombe, J and Lewis, T and Macfarlane, NBW and Melvin, ZE and Merizalde, RS and Morehouse, MG and Pagad, S and Polidoro, B and Sechrest, W and Segelbacher, G and Smith, KG and Steadman, J and Strongin, K and Williams, J and Woodley, S and Brooks, TM},
title = {The positive impact of conservation action.},
journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {384},
number = {6694},
pages = {453-458},
doi = {10.1126/science.adj6598},
pmid = {38662833},
issn = {1095-9203},
mesh = {*Conservation of Natural Resources ; *Biodiversity ; *Introduced Species ; Ecosystem ; Animals ; },
abstract = {Governments recently adopted new global targets to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. It is therefore crucial to understand the outcomes of conservation actions. We conducted a global meta-analysis of 186 studies (including 665 trials) that measured biodiversity over time and compared outcomes under conservation action with a suitable counterfactual of no action. We find that in two-thirds of cases, conservation either improved the state of biodiversity or at least slowed declines. Specifically, we find that interventions targeted at species and ecosystems, such as invasive species control, habitat loss reduction and restoration, protected areas, and sustainable management, are highly effective and have large effect sizes. This provides the strongest evidence to date that conservation actions are successful but require transformational scaling up to meet global targets.},
}

*Conservation of Natural Resources
*Biodiversity
*Introduced Species
Ecosystem
Animals

@article {pmid38662180,
year = {2024},
author = {Anderson, EB},
title = {Invasion on So Grand a Scale: Darwin, Lyell, and Invasive Species.},
journal = {Journal of the history of biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38662180},
issn = {1573-0387},
abstract = {The importance of naturalization-the establishment of species introduced into foreign places-to the early development of Darwin's theory of evolution deserves historical attention. Introduced and invasive European species presented Darwin with interpretive challenges during his service as naturalist on the HMS Beagle. Species naturalization and invasive species strained the geologist Charles Lyell's creationist view of the organic world, a view which Darwin adopted during the voyage of the Beagle but came to question afterward. I suggest that these phenomena primed Darwin to question the "stability of species." I then examine the role of introduced and invasive species in Darwin's early theorizing and negotiation with Lyell's ideas, recorded in his post-voyage "transmutation notebooks." Therein, the subject was an inflection point in his contention with Lyell's views and moreover, his theorizing on invasive species occasioned some of his earliest inklings of natural selection. Finally, I examine how naturalization was crucial to Lyell's own eventual conversion to evolutionism. I conclude with brief reflections on the implications of this narrative for our understanding of Darwin's reasoning, his intellectual relationship to Lyell, and the historical context that shaped his theory.},
}

@article {pmid38660818,
year = {2024},
author = {Chen, X and Evans, TG and Jeschke, JM and Jähnig, SC and He, F},
title = {Global introductions and environmental impacts of freshwater megafish.},
journal = {Global change biology},
volume = {30},
number = {4},
pages = {e17289},
doi = {10.1111/gcb.17289},
pmid = {38660818},
issn = {1365-2486},
support = {//Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst/ ; //Leibniz-Gemeinschaft/ ; //China Scholarship Council/ ; E355S122//Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Fresh Water ; *Introduced Species ; *Fishes ; Environment ; },
abstract = {Freshwater megafish species, such as sturgeons, salmonids, carps, and catfishes, have a maximum reported weight ≥30 kg. Due to their charisma and economic value, they have been widely introduced outside of their native ranges. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the introduction of freshwater megafish and an assessment of their environmental impacts. Of the 134 extant freshwater megafish species, 46% have been introduced to new environments, and of these, 69% have established self-sustaining alien populations. These introductions affect 59% of the world's main basins, with the USA and western Europe being particular hotspots of megafish introductions. The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is the most widely introduced species. Using the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT and EICAT+) frameworks, we assessed the severity and type of negative and positive impacts posed by alien megafish on native species. Alien megafish caused negative impacts through nine different mechanisms, with predation being the most frequently reported mechanism, followed by herbivory and competition. Moreover, 58% of the alien megafish species with sufficient data to evaluate the severity of their impacts caused declining populations of native species, or worse, extirpations of native species populations. The positive environmental impacts of alien megafish were far less frequently documented. They include biotic interactions that benefit native species, and the provision of trophic resources or habitats. Widely introduced or extensively studied species are more likely to have documented severe impacts on native species. There is a clear trade-off between the economic benefits associated with megafish introductions and the severe adverse impacts they have on native biodiversity. Our study highlights the need for comprehensive risk assessments to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of megafish. More research and long-term monitoring schemes are required to inform management actions to protect biodiversity, particularly in the Global South.},
}

Animals
*Fresh Water
*Introduced Species
*Fishes
Environment

@article {pmid38660810,
year = {2024},
author = {Dickie, M and Serrouya, R and Becker, M and DeMars, C and Noonan, MJ and Steenweg, R and Boutin, S and Ford, AT},
title = {Habitat alteration or climate: What drives the densities of an invading ungulate?.},
journal = {Global change biology},
volume = {30},
number = {4},
pages = {e17286},
doi = {10.1111/gcb.17286},
pmid = {38660810},
issn = {1365-2486},
support = {//Canadian Society of Zoologists Anne Innis Dagg Research Grant/ ; //Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; //Government of Alberta/ ; //Regional Industry Caribou Collaboration/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Deer/physiology ; *Climate Change ; *Ecosystem ; Population Density ; Seasons ; Canada ; Introduced Species ; },
abstract = {Anthropogenic habitat alteration and climate change are two well-known contributors to biodiversity loss through changes to species distribution and abundance; yet, disentangling the effects of these two factors is often hindered by their inherent confound across both space and time. We leveraged a contrast in habitat alteration associated with the jurisdictional boundary between two Canadian provinces to evaluate the relative effects of spatial variation in habitat alteration and climate on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) densities. White-tailed deer are an invading ungulate across much of North America, whose expansion into Canada's boreal forest is implicated in the decline of boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), a species listed as Threatened in Canada. We estimated white-tailed deer densities using 300 remote cameras across 12 replicated 50 km[2] landscapes over 5 years. White-tailed deer densities were significantly lower in areas where winter severity was higher. For example, predicted deer densities declined from 1.83 to 0.35 deer/km[2] when winter severity increased from the lowest value to the median value. There was a tendency for densities to increase with increasing habitat alteration; however, the magnitude of this effect was approximately half that of climate. Our findings suggest that climate is the primary driver of white-tailed deer populations; however, understanding the mechanisms underpinning this relationship requires further study of over-winter survival and fecundity. Long-term monitoring at the invasion front is needed to evaluate the drivers of abundance over time, particularly given the unpredictability of climate change and increasing prevalence of extreme weather events.},
}

Animals
*Deer/physiology
*Climate Change
*Ecosystem
Population Density
Seasons
Canada
Introduced Species

@article {pmid38658454,
year = {2024},
author = {Cerri, J and Sciandra, C and Contardo, T and Bertolino, S},
title = {Local Economic Conditions Affect Aedes albopictus Management.},
journal = {EcoHealth},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38658454},
issn = {1612-9210},
abstract = {Invasive mosquitoes are an emerging public health issue, as many species are competent vectors for pathogens. We assessed how multiple environmental and socio-economic factors affected the engagement of municipalities in Italy (n = 7679) in actions against Aedes albopictus, an invasive mosquito affecting human health and well-being, between 2000 and 2020. We collected information about mosquito control from official documents and municipal websites and modeled the role played by multiple environmental and socioeconomic factors characterizing each municipality through the random forest algorithm. Municipalities are more prone to manage A. albopictus if more urbanized, in lowlands and with long infestation periods. Moreover, these variables are more predictive of management in municipalities with a high median income and thus more economic resources. Only 25.5% of Italian municipalities approved regulations for managing A. albopictus, and very few of them were in Southern Italy, the most deprived area of the country. Our findings indicate that local economic conditions moderate the effect of other drivers of mosquito control and ultimately can lead to better management of A. albopictus. If the management of invasive mosquitoes, or other forms of global change, is subjected to local economic conditions, economic inequalities will jeopardize the success of large-scale policies, also raising issues of environmental and climate justice.},
}

@article {pmid38657609,
year = {2024},
author = {Farooq, H and Harfoot, M and Rahbek, C and Geldmann, J},
title = {Threats to reptiles at global and regional scales.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.007},
pmid = {38657609},
issn = {1879-0445},
abstract = {Reptiles are an important, yet often understudied, taxon in nature conservation. They play a significant role in ecosystems[1] and can serve as indicators of environmental health, often responding more rapidly to human pressures than other vertebrate groups.[2] At least 21% of reptiles are currently assessed as threatened with extinction by the IUCN.[3] However, due to the lack of comprehensive global assessments until recently, they have been omitted from spatial studies addressing conservation or spatial prioritization (e.g., Rosauer et al.,[4][,][5][,][6][,][7][,][8] Fritz and Rahbek,[4][,][5][,][6][,][7][,][8] Farooq et al.,[4][,][5][,][6][,][7][,][8] Meyer et al., [4][,][5][,][6][,][7][,][8] and Farooq et al.[4][,][5][,][6][,][7][,][8]). One important knowledge gap in conservation is the lack of spatially explicit information on the main threats to biodiversity,[9] which significantly hampers our ability to respond effectively to the current biodiversity crisis.[10][,][11] In this study, we calculate the probability of a reptile species in a specific location being affected by one of seven biodiversity threats-agriculture, climate change, hunting, invasive species, logging, pollution, and urbanization. We conducted the analysis at a global scale, using a 50 km × 50 km grid, and evaluated the impact of these threats by studying their relationship with the risk of extinction. We find that climate change, logging, pollution, and invasive species are most linked to extinction risk. However, we also show that there is considerable geographical variation in these results. Our study highlights the importance of going beyond measuring the intensity of threats to measuring the impact of these separately for various biogeographical regions of the world, with different historical contingencies, as opposed to a single global analysis treating all regions the same.},
}

@article {pmid38655010,
year = {2024},
author = {Suzuki, Y and Hisasue, Y},
title = {Discovery of presumably introduced spiders, Oedignathascrobiculata Thorell, 1881 (Araneae, Liocranidae) and Boagriusqiong Lin & Li, 2022 (Araneae, Palpimanidae) on Chichi-jima Island, the Ogasawara Islands, Japan.},
journal = {Biodiversity data journal},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e121421},
pmid = {38655010},
issn = {1314-2828},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The spider fauna of the Ogasawara Islands, oceanic islands located 1,000 km south of mainland Japan was comprehensively examined by the National Museum of Nature and Science in 2011, which revealed that approximately 70% of the spider fauna was composed of non-native species. Following the preceding study, however, only descriptions of several new species have been added and no major updates have been made for the overall spider fauna of the Islands.

NEW INFORMATION: The faunistic survey of spiders conducted on Chichi-jima Island, the largest island in the Ogasawara Islands in 2023 revealed the presence of two ground-dwelling spider species, Oedignathascrobiculata Thorell, 1881 (Araneae, Liocranidae) and Boagriusqiong Lin & Li, 2022 (Araneae, Palpimanidae) on the Island. This represents the first record of the two species from Japan, the first record of palpimaid spiders from Japan and the initial documentation of liocranid spiders in the Ogasawara Islands.},
}

@article {pmid38583606,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, Q and Zhang, H and Yan, Z and Wang, J and Yu, H and Yu, D and Liu, C},
title = {Decomposition of exotic versus native aquatic plant litter in a lake littoral zone: Stoichiometry and life form analyses.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {927},
number = {},
pages = {172271},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172271},
pmid = {38583606},
issn = {1879-1026},
mesh = {*Lakes/chemistry ; *Plants ; *Phosphorus/analysis ; *Nitrogen/analysis ; *Introduced Species ; Carbon/analysis ; Ecosystem ; Plant Leaves/chemistry ; China ; },
abstract = {The decomposition rates and stoichiometric characteristics of many aquatic plants remain unclear, and our understanding of material flow and nutrient cycles within freshwater ecosystems is limited. In this study, an in-situ experiment involving 23 aquatic plants (16 native and 7 exotic species) was carried out via the litter bag method for 63 days, during which time the mass loss and nutrient content (carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P)) of plants were measured. Floating-leaved plants exhibited the highest decomposition rate (0.038 ± 0.002 day[-1]), followed by submerged plants and free-floating plants (0.029 ± 0.002 day[-1]), and emergent plants had the lowest decomposition rate (0.019 ± 0.001 day[-1]). Mass loss by aquatic plants correlated with stoichiometric characteristics; the decomposition rate increased with an increasing P content and with a decreasing C content, C:N ratio, and C:P ratio. Notably, the decomposition rate of submerged exotic plants (0.044 ± 0.002 day[-1]) significantly exceeded that of native plants (0.026 ± 0.004 day[-1]), while the decomposition rate of emergent exotic plants was 55 ± 4 % higher than that of native plants. The decomposition rates of floating-leaved and free-floating plants did not significantly differ between the native and exotic species. During decomposition, emergent plants displayed an increase in C content and a decrease in N content, contrary to patterns observed in other life forms. The P content decreased for submerged (128 ± 7 %), emergent (90 ± 5 %), floating-leaved (104 ± 6 %), and free-floating plants (32 ± 6 %). Exotic plants released more C and P but accumulated more N than did native plants. In conclusion, the decomposition of aquatic plants is closely linked to litter quality and influences nutrient cycling in freshwater ecosystems. Given these findings, the invasion of the littoral zone by submerged and emergent exotic plants deserves further attention.},
}

*Lakes/chemistry
*Plants
*Phosphorus/analysis
*Nitrogen/analysis
*Introduced Species
Carbon/analysis
Ecosystem
Plant Leaves/chemistry
China

@article {pmid38654007,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, Y and Luo, Y and Ge, Y and Liu, S and Liang, W and Wu, C and Wei, S and Zhu, J},
title = {Chromosome-level genome assembly of the predatory stink bug Arma custos.},
journal = {Scientific data},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {417},
pmid = {38654007},
issn = {2052-4463},
abstract = {The stink bug Arma custos (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a predatory enemy successfully used for biocontrol of lepidopteran and coleopteran pests in notorious invasive species. In this study, a high-quality chromosome-scale genome assembly of A. custos was achieved through a combination of Illumina sequencing, PacBio HiFi sequencing, and Hi-C scaffolding techniques. The final assembled genome was 969.02 Mb in size, with 935.94 Mb anchored to seven chromosomes, and a scaffold N50 length of 135.75 Mb. This genome comprised 52.78% repetitive elements. The detected complete BUSCO score was 99.34%, indicating its completeness. A total of 13,708 protein-coding genes were predicted in the genome, and 13219 of them were annotated. This genome provides an invaluable resource for further research on various aspects of predatory bugs, such as biology, genetics, and functional genomics.},
}

@article {pmid38651163,
year = {2024},
author = {Kharel, N and Dangol, A and Shrestha, A and Airi, H and Devkota, A and Thapa, LB and Shrestha, BB},
title = {Germination patterns and seedling growth of congeneric native and invasive Mimosa species: Implications for risk assessment.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {e11312},
pmid = {38651163},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Comparisons of plant traits between native and invasive congeners are useful approaches for identifying characteristics that promote invasiveness. We compared germination patterns and seedling growth of locally sympatric populations of native Mimosa himalayana and two varieties of invasive M. diplotricha (var. diplotricha and var. inermis) growing in southeastern Nepal. Seeds were germinated under a 12-h photoperiod or complete dark, low (25/15°C day/night) and high (30/20°C) temperatures, different water stress levels (0, -0.1, -0.25, -0.5, -0.75 and -1.0 MPa), and soil depths (0, 2, and 4 cm). Plant height, biomass allocations, and relative growth rate (RGR) of seedlings were measured. Invasive M. diplotricha had higher germination percentage, rate, and shorter germination time compared with the native species. Germination of both congeners declined as water stress increased, but the decline was more pronounced in native species. Seedling emergence declined with increasing depth in all taxa. The seedlings of invasive species were taller with higher leaf number and allocated greater proportion of biomass to shoot, whereas the native congener allocated greater biomass to root. The RGR was nearly twice as high in invasive species as it was in the native congener. Seedling height and number of leaves were always higher in invasive than in native species, and the native-invasive differences increased over time. Better germination and higher growth performance of invasive species than the congeneric native one suggests that seed germination and seedling growth can be useful traits for the prediction of species' invasiveness in their introduced range during risk assessment process.},
}

@article {pmid38650871,
year = {2024},
author = {Han, J and Dong, Z and Ji, W and Lv, W and Luo, M and Fu, B},
title = {From predator to protector: Myxococcus fulvus WCH05 emerges as a potent biocontrol agent for fire blight.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1378288},
pmid = {38650871},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Fire blight, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Erwinia amylovora, poses a substantial threat to pome fruit production worldwide. Despite existing control strategies, a pressing need remains for sustainable and environmentally friendly fire blight management. Myxobacteria, renowned for their predatory behavior and potent enzymes, emerge as a groundbreaking biocontrol approach with significant potential. Here, we report the biocontrol potential of a novel Myxococcus fulvus WCH05, against E. amylovora. Using various in vitro and planta assays, we demonstrated the multifaceted biocontrol abilities of strain WCH05. In plate predation assays, strain WCH05 exhibited not only strong predation against E. amylovora but also broad-spectrum activities against other plant pathogenic bacteria. Pre-treatment with strain WCH05 significantly decreased pear blossom blight incidence in detached inflorescence assays, achieving a controlled efficacy of 76.02% that rivaled the antibiotic streptomycin (79.79%). In greenhouse trials, strain WCH05 effectively reduced the wilting rate and disease index in young pear seedlings, exhibiting both protective (73.68%) and curative (68.66%) control. Further investigation revealed that the biocontrol activity of strain WCH05 relies on both direct contact and extracellular enzyme secretion. While cell extracts lacked inhibitory activity, ammonium sulfate-precipitated secreted proteins displayed potent lytic activity against E. amylovora. Substrate spectrum analysis identified peptidases, lipases, and glycosidases among the secreted enzymes, suggesting their potential roles in pathogen degradation and biocontrol efficacy. This study presents the first evidence of Myxococcus fulvus WCH05 as a biocontrol agent against fire blight. Its potent predatory abilities and enzymatic arsenal highlight its potential for sustainable disease management in pome fruit production. Future research will focus on identifying and characterizing specific lytic enzymes and optimizing strain WCH05 application strategies for field efficacy.},
}

@article {pmid38649047,
year = {2024},
author = {Mai, Y and Wang, Y and Geng, T and Peng, S and Lai, Z and Wang, X and Li, H},
title = {A systematic toxicologic study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on aquatic organisms via food-web bioaccumulation.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {929},
number = {},
pages = {172362},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172362},
pmid = {38649047},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Pollution-induced declines in fishery resources restrict the sustainable development of fishery. As a kind of typical environmental pollutant, the mechanism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) facilitating fishery resources declines needs to be fully illustrated. To determine how PAHs have led to declines in fishery resources, a systematic toxicologic analysis of the effects of PAHs on aquatic organisms via food-web bioaccumulation was performed in the Pearl River and its estuary. Overall, PAH bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms was correlated with the trophic levels along food-web, exhibiting as significant positive correlations were observed between PAHs concentration and the trophic levels of fishes in the Pearl River Estuary. Additionally, waterborne PAHs exerted significant direct effects on dietary organisms (P < 0.05), and diet-borne PAHs subsequently exhibited significant direct effects on fish (P < 0.05). However, an apparent block effect was found in dietary organisms (e.g., zooplankton) where 33.49 % of the total system throughput (TST) was retained at trophic level II, exhibiting as the highest PAHs concentration, bioaccumulation factor (BAF), and biomagnification factor (BMF) of ∑15PAHs in zooplankton were at least eight-fold greater than those in fishes in both the Pearl River and its estuary, thereby waterborne PAHs exerted either direct or indirect effects on fishes that ultimately led to food-web simplification. Regardless of the block effect of dietary organisms, a general toxic effect of PAHs on aquatic organisms was observed, e.g., Phe and BaP exerted lethal effects on phytoplankton Chlorella pyrenoidosa and zooplankton Daphnia magna, and decreased reproduction in fishes Danio rerio and Megalobrama hoffmanni via activating the NOD-like receptors (NLRs) signaling pathway. Consequently, an assembled aggregate exposure pathway for PAHs revealed that increases in waterborne PAHs led to bioaccumulation of PAHs in aquatic organisms along food-web, and this in turn decreased the reproductive ability of fishes, thus causing decline in fishery resources.},
}

@article {pmid38646489,
year = {2024},
author = {Sugiura, S and Hayashi, M},
title = {Defenses of whirligig beetles against native and invasive frogs.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e17214},
pmid = {38646489},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera/physiology ; *Introduced Species ; *Predatory Behavior/physiology ; Japan ; Ranidae ; Rana catesbeiana ; },
abstract = {Many native insects have evolved defenses against native predators. However, their defenses may not protect them from non-native predators due to a limited shared history. The American bullfrog, Aquarana catesbeiana (Anura: Ranidae), which has been intentionally introduced to many countries, is believed to impact native aquatic animals through direct predation. Adults of whirligig beetles (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae), known for swimming and foraging on the water surface of ponds and streams, reportedly possess chemical defenses against aquatic predators, such as fish. Although whirligig beetles potentially encounter both bullfrogs and other frogs in ponds and lakes, the effectiveness of their defenses against frogs has been rarely studied. To assess whether whirligig beetles can defend against native and non-native frogs, we observed the behavioral responses of the native pond frog, Pelophylax nigromaculatus (Anura: Ranidae), and the invasive non-native bullfrog, A. catesbeiana, to native whirligig beetles, Gyrinus japonicus and Dineutus orientalis, in Japan. Adults of whirligig beetles were provided to frogs under laboratory conditions. Forty percent of G. japonicus and D.orientalis were rejected by P. nigromaculatus, while all whirligig beetles were easily consumed by A. catesbeiana. Chemical and other secondary defenses of G. japonicus and D. orientalis were effective for some individuals of P. nigromaculatus but not for any individuals of A. catesbeiana. These results suggest that native whirligig beetles suffer predation by invasive non-native bullfrogs in local ponds and lakes in Japan.},
}

Animals
*Coleoptera/physiology
*Introduced Species
*Predatory Behavior/physiology
Japan
Ranidae
Rana catesbeiana

@article {pmid38646477,
year = {2024},
author = {Xia, Y and Feng, J and Zhang, H and Xiong, D and Kong, L and Seviour, R and Kong, Y},
title = {Effects of soil pH on the growth, soil nutrient composition, and rhizosphere microbiome of Ageratina adenophora.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e17231},
pmid = {38646477},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {*Ageratina ; Antioxidants ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Rhizosphere ; *Microbiota ; Glutathione ; Introduced Species ; *Marijuana Abuse ; Nutrients ; Soil ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; },
abstract = {Ageratina adenophora is an invasive weed species found in many countries. Methods to control the spread of this weed have been largely unsuccessful. Soil pH is the most important soil factor affecting the availability of nutrients for plant and impacting its growth. Understanding the mechanisms of the influence of soil pH on the growth of A. adenophora may help to develop effective control measures. In this study, we artificially changed the soil pH in pot experiments for A. adenophora. We studied the effects of acidic (pH 5.5), weakly acidic (pH 6.5), neutral (pH 7.2), and alkaline (pH 9.0) soils on the growth, availability of soil nutrients, activity of antioxidant enzymes, levels of redox markers in the leaves, and the structure and diversity of the rhizosphere microbiome. Soil with a pH 7.2 had a higher (47.8%) below-ground height versus soils of pH 5.5 at day 10; plant had a higher (11.3%) above-ground height in pH 7.2 soils than pH 9.0 soils at day 90; no differences in the fresh and dry weights of its above- and belowground parts, plant heights, and root lengths were observed in plants growing in acid, alkaline, or neutral pH soil were observed at day 180. Correspondingly, the antioxidant enzymes SOD (superoxide dismutase), POD (peroxidase), CAT (catalase) and redox markers GSH (glutathione) and MDA (malondialdehyde) were measured in the leaves. Significant differences existed in the activities of CAT and the levels of GSH between those growing in acidic and alkaline soils and those in neutral pH soil at day 90; however, only lower (36.8%) CAT activities in those grown at pH 5.5 than those grown at pH 7.2 were found at day 180. Similarly, significant differences in available P (16.89 vs 3.04 mg Kg[-1]) and total K (3.67 vs 0.96 mg Kg[-1]), total P (0.37 vs 0.25 g Kg[-1]) and total N (0.45 vs 1.09 g Kg[-1]) concentrations were found between the rhizosphere soils of A. adenophora grown at pH 9.0 and 7.2 at day 90; no such differences were seen at day 180. High throughput analyses of the 16S rRNA and ITS fragments showed that the rhizosphere microbiome diversity and composition under different soil pH conditions changed over 180 days. The rhizosphere microbiomes differed in diversity, phylum, and generic composition and population interactions under acid and alkaline conditions versus those grown in neutral soils. Soil pH had a greater impact on the diversity and composition of the prokaryotic rhizosphere communities than those of the fungal communities. A. adenophora responded successfully to pH stress by changing the diversity and composition of the rhizosphere microbiome to maintain a balanced nutrient supply to support its normal growth. The unusual pH tolerance of A. adenophora may be one crucial reason for its successful invasion. Our results suggest that attempts use soil pH to control its invasion by changing the soil pH (for example, using lime) will fail.},
}

*Ageratina
Antioxidants
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
Rhizosphere
*Microbiota
Glutathione
Introduced Species
*Marijuana Abuse
Nutrients
Soil
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

@article {pmid38598547,
year = {2024},
author = {Willoughby, JR and McKenzie, BA and Ahn, J and Steury, TD and Lepzcyk, CA and Zohdy, S},
title = {Assessing and managing the risk of Aedes mosquito introductions via the global maritime trade network.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {4},
pages = {e0012110},
pmid = {38598547},
issn = {1935-2735},
mesh = {*Aedes/physiology ; Animals ; *Ships ; Mosquito Vectors/physiology ; Mosquito Control/methods ; Commerce ; United States ; Introduced Species ; },
abstract = {The global shipping network (GSN) has been suggested as a pathway for the establishment and reintroduction of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus primarily via the tire trade. We used historical maritime movement data in combination with an agent-based model to understand invasion risk in the United States Gulf Coast and how the risk of these invasions could be reduced. We found a strong correlation between the total number of cargo ship arrivals at each port and likelihood of arrival by both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Additionally, in 2012, 99.2% of the arrivals into target ports had most recently visited ports likely occupied by both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, increasing risk of Aedes invasion. Our model results indicated that detection and removal of mosquitoes from containers when they are unloaded effectively reduced the probability of mosquito populations establishment even when the connectivity of ports increased. To reduce the risk of invasion and reintroduction of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, surveillance and control efforts should be employed when containers leave high risk locations and when they arrive in ports at high risk of establishment.},
}

*Aedes/physiology
Animals
*Ships
Mosquito Vectors/physiology
Mosquito Control/methods
Commerce
United States
Introduced Species

@article {pmid38646794,
year = {2024},
author = {Howerton, E and Langkilde, T and Shea, K},
title = {Misapplied management makes matters worse: Spatially explicit control leverages biotic interactions to slow invasion.},
journal = {Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e2974},
doi = {10.1002/eap.2974},
pmid = {38646794},
issn = {1051-0761},
support = {//Eberly College of Science Barbara McClintock Science Achievement Graduate Scholarship in Biology at the Pennsylvania State University/ ; },
abstract = {A wide range of approaches has been used to manage the spread of invasive species, yet invaders continue to be a challenge to control. In some cases, management actions have no effect or may even inadvertently benefit the targeted invader. Here, we use the mid-20th century management of the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, in the US as a motivating case study to explore the conditions under which such wasted management effort may occur. Introduced in approximately 1940, the fire ant spread widely through the southeast US and became a problematic pest. Historically, fire ants were managed with broad-spectrum pesticides; unfortunately, these efforts were largely unsuccessful. One hypothesis suggests that, by also killing native ants, mass pesticide application reduced competitive burdens thereby enabling fire ants to invade more quickly than they would in the absence of management. We use a mechanistic competition model to demonstrate the landscape-level effects of such management. We explicitly model the extent and location of pesticide applications, showing that the same pesticide application can have a positive, neutral, or negative effect on the progress of an invasion, depending on where it is applied on the landscape with respect to the invasion front. When designing management, the target species is often considered alone; however, this work suggests that leveraging existing biotic interactions, specifically competition with native species, can increase the efficacy of management. Our model not only highlights the potential unintended consequences of ignoring biotic interactions, but also provides a framework for developing spatially explicit management strategies that take advantage of these biotic interactions to work smarter, not harder.},
}

@article {pmid38646768,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, LL and Yang, CQ and Wang, Y and Li, XH and Wan, FH and Zhang, AB},
title = {Ecological niche shift and suitable area expansion of a globally invasive species Phthorimaea operculella.},
journal = {Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {3},
pages = {797-805},
doi = {10.13287/j.1001-9332.202403.013},
pmid = {38646768},
issn = {1001-9332},
abstract = {Phthorimaea operculella is a major potato pest of global importance, early warning and detection of which are of significance. In this study, we analyzed the climate niche conservation of P. operculella during its invasion by comparing the overall climate niche from three dimensions, including the differences between native range (South America) and entire invaded region (excluding South America), the differences bwtween native range (South America) and five invaded continents (North America, Oceania, Asia, Africa, and Europe), as well as the differences between native region (South America) and an invaded region (China). We constructed ecological niche models for its native range (South America) and invaded region (China). The results showed that the climatic niche of the pest has expanded to varying degrees in different regions, indicating that the pest could well adapt to new environments during the invasion. Almost all areas of South America are suitable for P. operculella. In China, its suitable area is mainly concentrated in Shandong, Hebei, Tianjin, Beijing, Henan, Hubei, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hainan, northern Guangxi, southern Hunan, Anhui, Guangdong, Jiangsu, southern Shanxi, and southern Shaanxi. With increasing greenhouse gas emissions and global temperature, its suitable area will decrease at low latitude and increase gradually at high latitude. Specifically, the northern boundary will extend to Liaoning, Jilin, and the southeastern region of Inner Mongolia, while the western boundary extends to Sichuan and the southeast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The suitable area in the southeast Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Hainan Island, and the south of Yangtze River, will gradually decrease. The total suitable habitat area for P. operculella in China is projected to increase under future climate condition. From 2081 to 2100, under the three greenhouse gas emissions scenarios of ssp126, ssp370, and ssp585, the suitable area is expected to increase by 27.78, 165.54, and 140.41 hm[2], respectively. Therefore, it is crucial to strengtehen vigilance and implement strict measures to prevent the further expansion of P. operculella.},
}

@article {pmid38646754,
year = {2024},
author = {Hu, AL and Yang, J and Liu, BL and Zou, Y},
title = {Prediction on the changes in potential suitable areas for mangroves along the coast of Guangxi and the threat from Spartina alterniflora invasion.},
journal = {Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {3},
pages = {669-677},
doi = {10.13287/j.1001-9332.202403.024},
pmid = {38646754},
issn = {1001-9332},
abstract = {As one of the important blue carbon pools in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones, mangroves are widely distributed along the coast of Guangxi in China. To deeply explore the variations of potential suitable habitats for mangroves in China under the background of climate change, based on remote sensing interpretation data of coastal wetlands in Guangxi, global marine environment and bioclimatic environment data in 2021, we constructed a maximum entropy habitat distribution model to simulate the spatial distribution of potential suitable areas for mangroves and the invasive species, Spartina alterniflora, along the coast of Guangxi, and predicted the patterns under extreme climate change scenarios (SSP5-8.5). The results showed that the interpreted area of mangrove forests along the coastline of Guangxi was 9136.7 hm[2] in 2021, while the predicted area of potential suitable habitat area was 55955.9 hm[2]. Current distribution area of mangroves had basically covered its potential high suitability area and nearly 10% of the moderate suitability area. The current area of S. alterniflora was 1320.4 hm[2], and the predicted area of potential high suitability area was twice of current area, indicating that there was still a large proportion of high suitability area that was not occupied by S. alterniflora. The most important environmental factors driving the distribution of potential habitats in mangroves were offshore Euclidean distance (62.2%), terrain deviation index (8.7%), average sea surface temperature in the hottest season (6.1%), and seabed terrain elevation (5.6%). The contribution of geographical conditions on mangrove distribution was predominant. Under the climate change scenario (SSP5-8.5), potential suitable area for mangroves would increase by 5.3%, while that for S. alterniflora would decrease by 3.1%. The overlapping proportion of the potential suitable area for mangroves and S. alterniflora was similar under current and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, being 15.2% and 14.5%, respectively. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen the protection and ecological restoration of mangroves along the coast of Guangxi and there is great challenge for preventing further invasion of S. alterniflora.},
}