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An urban Blitz with a twist: rapid biodiversity assessment using aquatic environmental DNA
Get PDFAs global biodiversity declines, there is an increasing need to create an educated and engaged society. Having people of all ages participate in measuring biodiversity where they live helps to create awareness. Recently, the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for biodiversity surveys has gained momentum. Here, we explore whether sampling eDNA and sequencing it can be used as a means of rapidly surveying urban biodiversity for educational purposes. We sampled 2 × 1 L of water from each of 15 locations in the city of Trondheim, Norway, including a variety of freshwater, marine, and brackish habitats. DNA was extracted, amplified in triplicate targeting the barcoding fragment of COI gene, and sequenced. The obtained data were analyzed on the novel mBRAVE platform, an online open‐access software and computing resource. The water samples were collected in 2 days by two people, and the laboratory analysis was completed in 5 days by one person. Overall, we detected the presence of 506 BINs identified as belonging to 435 taxa, representing at least 265 putative species. On average, only 5.4% of the taxa were shared among six replicates per site. Based on the observed diversity, three distinct clusters were detected and related to the geographic distribution of sites. There were some taxa shared between the habitats, with a substantial presence of terrestrial biota. Here we propose a new form of BioBlitz, where with noninvasive sampling effort combined with swift processing and straightforward online analyses, hundreds of species can be detected. Thus, using eDNA analysis of water is useful for rapid biodiversity surveys and valuable for educational purposes. We show that rapid eDNA surveys, combined with openly available services and software, can be used as an educational tool to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity.© 2020 The Authors. Environmental DNA published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The attached file is the published pdf.NHM Repositor
A new metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Oxford Clay Formation (Middle Jurassic) of England, with implications for the origin and diversification of Geosaurini
Get PDFMetriorhynchids are an extinct group of Jurassic–Cretaceous crocodylomorphs secondarily adapted to a marine lifestyle. A
new metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Oxford Clay Formation (Callovian, Middle Jurassic) of England is
described. The specimen is a large, fragmentary skull and associated single ramus of a lower jaw uniquely preserved in a
septarian concretion. The description of the specimen reveals a series of autapomorphies (apicobasal flutings on the middle
labial surface of the tooth crowns, greatly enlarged basoccipital tuberosities) and a unique combination of characters that
warrant the creation of a new genus and species: Ieldraan melkshamensis gen. et sp. nov. This taxon shares numerous
characters with the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous genus Geosaurus: tooth crowns that have three apicobasal facets on
their labial surface, subtly ornamented skull and lower jaws elements, and reception pits along the lateral margin of the
dentary (maxillary overbite). Phylogenetic analysis places this new species as the sister taxon to Geosaurus. The new
taxon adds valuable information on the time of origin of the macrophagous subclade Geosaurini, which was initially
thought to have evolved and radiated during the Late Jurassic. The presence of Ieldraan melkshamensis, the phylogenetic
re-evaluation of Suchodus durobrivensis as a Plesiosuchus sister taxon and recently identified Callovian Dakosaurus-like
specimens in the Oxford Clay Formation, indicate that all major Geosaurini lineages originated earlier than previously
supposed. This has major implications for the evolution of macropredation in the group. Specifically, we can now
demonstrate that the four different forms of true ziphodonty observed in derived geosaurins independently evolved from a
single non-functional microziphodont common ancestor.This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Systematic Palaeontology on 2 Oct 2017, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2017.1367730NHM Repositor
Darwin’s Fancy Revised: An Updated Understanding of the Genomic Constitution of Pigeon Breeds
Get PDFThrough its long history of artificial selection, the rock pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789) was forged into a large number of domestic breeds. The incredible amount of phenotypic diversity exhibited in these breeds has long held the fascination of scholars, particularly those interested in biological inheritance and evolution. However, exploiting them as a model system is challenging, as unlike with many other domestic species, few reliable records exist about the origins of, and relationships between, each of the breeds. Therefore, in order to broaden our understanding of the complex evolutionary relationships among pigeon breeds, we generated genome-wide data by performing the Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) method on close to 200 domestic individuals representing over 60 breeds. We analyzed this GBS data alongside previously published Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) data, and this combined analysis allowed us to conduct the most extensive phylogenetic analysis of the group, including two feral pigeons and one outgroup. We improve previous phylogenies, find considerable population structure across the different breeds, and identify unreported interbreed admixture events. Despite the reduced number of loci relative to WGS, we demonstrate that GBS data provide sufficient analytical power to investigate intertwined evolutionary relationships, such as those that are characteristic of animal domestic breeds. Thus, we argue that future studies should consider sequencing methods akin to the GBS approach as an optimal cost-effective approach for addressing complex phylogenies.© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The attached file is the published pdf.NHM Repositor
Monitoring nest incorporation of anthropogenic debris by Northern Gannets across their range
Get PDFAnthropogenic marine debris is a recognised global issue, which can impact a wide range of organisms. This has led to a rise in research focused on plastic ingestion, but quantitative data on entanglement are still limited, especially regarding seabirds, due to challenges associated with monitoring entanglement in the marine environment. However, for seabird species that build substantial surface nests there is the opportunity to monitor nest incorporation of debris that individuals collect as nesting material. Here, we monitored nest incorporation of anthropogenic marine debris by Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) from 29 colonies across the species' range to determine a) the frequency of occurrence of incorporated debris and b) whether the Northern Gannet is a suitable indicator species for monitoring anthropogenic debris in the marine environment within their range. Using data obtained from visual observations, digital photography and published literature, we recorded incorporated debris in 46% of 7280 Northern Gannet nests, from all but one of 29 colonies monitored. Significant spatial variation was observed in the frequency of occurrence of debris incorporated into nests among colonies, partly attributed to when the colony was established and local fishing intensity. Threadlike plastics, most likely from fishing activities, was most frequently recorded in nests, being present in 45% of 5842 nests, in colonies where debris type was identified. Comparisons with local beach debris indicate a preference for threadlike plastics by Northern Gannets. Recording debris in gannet nests provides an efficient and non-invasive method for monitoring the effectiveness of actions introduced to reduce debris pollution from fishing activities in the marine environment.This document is the author’s final accepted version of the journal article. You are advised to consult the published version if you wish to cite from it.NHM Repositor
Oil Vulnerability Index, Impact on Arctic Bird Populations (Proposing a Method for Calculating an Oil Vulnerability Index for the Arctic Seabirds)
No full textIn recent decades, political and commercial interest in the Arctic’s resources has increased dramatically. With the projected increase in shipping activity and hydrocarbon extraction, there is an increased risk to marine habitats and organisms. This comes with concomitant threats to the fragile Arctic environment especially from oil, whether from shipping accidents, pipeline leaks, or sub-surface well blowouts. Seabirds are among the most threatened group of birds, and the main threats to these species at-sea are commercial fishing and pollution. Seabirds are vulnerable to oil pollution, which can result in mass mortality events. Species are affected to a differing extent, therefore it is important to objectively predict which species are most at risk from oil spills and where. Assessing the vulnerability of seabirds to oil is achieved through establishing an index for the sensitivity of seabirds to oil – Oil Vulnerability Index (OVI). This incorporates spatial information on the distribution and density of birds as well as on species specific behaviours and other life history characteristics. This chapter focuses on the threat of oil to seabirds, especially in the Arctic, and how an OVI can be used to highlight which species are most at risk and where within the Arctic region.© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020. The attached file is the final accepted manuscript version.NHM Repositor
The effect of polyploidy and hybridization on the evolution of floral colour inNicotiana(Solanaceae)
Get PDFBackground and Aims: Speciation in angiosperms can be accompanied by changes in floral colour that may
influence pollinator preference and reproductive isolation. This study investigates whether changes in floral colour
can accompany polyploid and homoploid hybridization, important processes in angiosperm evolution.
Methods: Spectral reflectance of corolla tissue was examined for 60 Nicotiana (Solanaceae) accessions (41 taxa)
based on spectral shape (corresponding to pigmentation) as well as bee and hummingbird colour perception in order
to assess patterns of floral colour evolution. Polyploid and homoploid hybrid spectra were compared with those of
their progenitors to evaluate whether hybridization has resulted in floral colour shifts.
Key Results: Floral colour categories in Nicotiana seem to have arisen multiple times independently during the
evolution of the genus. Most younger polyploids displayed an unexpected floral colour, considering those of their
progenitors, in the colour perception of at least one pollinator type, whereas older polyploids tended to resemble
one or both of their progenitors.
Conclusions: Floral colour evolution in Nicotiana is weakly constrained by phylogeny, and colour shifts do occur
in association with both polyploid and homoploid hybrid divergence. Transgressive floral colour in N. tabacum has
arisen by inheritance of anthocyanin pigmentation from its paternal progenitor while having a plastid phenotype
like its maternal progenitor. Potentially, floral colour evolution has been driven by, or resulted in, pollinator shifts.
However, those polyploids that are not sympatric (on a regional scale) with their progenitor lineages are typically
not divergent in floral colour from them, perhaps because of a lack of competition for pollinators.This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/
by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.NHM Repositor
Classification and characterisation of magmatic-hydrothermal tourmaline by combining field observations and microanalytical techniques
Get PDFTourmaline from the St. Byron lobe of the Land’s End granite, SW England, was
assessed by macroscopic, optical and quantitative microanalytical methods. In total, seven types
of tourmaline were distinguished. The seven types reflect different crystallisation environments
and stages in the magmatic-hydrothermal transition. Types 1-3 are interpreted to represent a
gradual transition from tourmaline crystallising from a silicate melt to precipitation from
magmatic aqueous fluids. Types 5-7 crystallised at subsolidus conditions from a different fluid
generation than types 1-3. These fluids may be magmatic or mixed with other fluids (e.g.,
meteoric or formation waters). The Sn-mineralisation in the area is mostly related to the latter
fluid generation, and the mineralising potential is reflected by the tourmaline composition.This is an open access article, available to all readers online, published under a creative commons licensing Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI. Published under licence by IOP Publishing LtdNHM Repositor
Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas [in special issue: New Frontiers in Ocean Exploration: The E/V Nautilus, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer and R/V Falkor Field Season
No full textOceanography articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format as long as users cite the materials appropriately (e.g., authors, Oceanography, volume number, issue number, page number[s], figure number[s], and DOI for the article), provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate the changes that were made to the original content.NHM Repositor
Eight urgent, fundamental and simultaneous steps needed to restore ocean health, and the consequences for humanity and the planet of inaction or delay
Get PDFThe ocean crisis is urgent and central to human wellbeing and life on Earth; past and current activities are damaging the planet's main life support system for future generations. We are witnessing an increase in ocean heat, disturbance, acidification, bio‐invasions and nutrients, and reducing oxygen levels. Several of these act like ratchets: once detrimental or negative changes have occurred, they may lock in place and may not be reversible, especially at gross ecological and ocean process scales.
Each change may represent a loss to humanity of resources, ecosystem function, oxygen production and species. The longer we pursue unsuitable actions, the more we close the path to recovery and better ocean health and greater benefits for humanity in the future.
We stand at a critical juncture and have identified eight priority issues that need to be addressed in unison to help avert a potential ecological disaster in the global ocean. They form a purposely ambitious agenda for global governance and are aimed at informing decision‐makers at a high level. They should also be of interest to the general public.
Of all the themes, the highest priority is to rigorously address global warming and limit surface temperature rise to 1.5°C by 2100, as warming is the pre‐eminent factor driving change in the ocean. The other themes are establishing a robust and comprehensive High Seas Treaty, enforcing existing standards for Marine Protected Areas and expanding their coverage, especially in terms of high levels of protection, adopting a precautionary pause on deep‐sea mining, ending overfishing and destructive fishing practices, radically reducing marine pollution, putting in place a financing mechanism for ocean management and protection, and lastly, scaling up science/data gathering and facilitating data sharing.
By implementing all eight measures in unison, as a coordinated strategy, we can build resilience to climate change, help sustain fisheries productivity, particularly for low‐income countries dependent on fisheries, protect coasts (e.g. via soft‐engineering/habitat‐based approaches), promote mitigation (e.g. carbon storage) and enable improved adaptation to rapid global change.The attached document is the author(’s’) final accepted/submitted version of the journal article. You are advised to consult the publisher’s version if you wish to cite from it.NHM Repositor
Deep-Sea Mining: Processes and Impacts
Get PDFMining the extensive accumulations of minerals on the seafloor of the deep ocean can provide important resources but also has the potential to lead to widespread environmental impacts. Some of these impacts are unknown but there are expected to be differences between the mining of the three main resource types: polymetallic nodules, seafloor massive sulphides and cobalt-rich crusts. Here we detail the mining processes as well as the expected impacts of mining and discuss their potential effects to deep-ocean ecosystems. We also highlight the missing evidence needed to underpin effective environmental management and regulation of the nascent deep-sea mining industry.The attached document is the author’s final accepted/submitted version of the journal article. You are advised to consult the publisher’s version if you wish to cite from it.NHM Repositor