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Genomic variation in Plasmodium relictum (lineage SGS1) and its implications for avian malaria infection outcomes: insights from experimental infections and genome-wide analysis /
No full textBackground: The globally transmitted avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum (lineage SGS1) has been found to infect hundreds of different bird species with differences in infection outcomes ranging from more or less latent to potentially mortal. However, to date basic knowledge about the links between genetic differentiation and variation in infection outcome within this single malaria parasite species is lacking. Methods: In this study, two different isolates of SGS1, obtained in the wild from two different host species, were used to investigate differences in their development in the blood and virulence in the experimentally infected canaries. Simultaneously, 258 kb of the parasite genome was screened for genetic differences using parasite mRNA and compared between experimental groups. Results: The two isolates showed differences in development and caused mortality as well as effects on the blood parameters of their hosts. Although previous studies using single genes have shown very limited within lineage genetic diversity in the European population of SGS1, 226 SNPs were found across 322 genes, which separated the two experimental groups with a total of 23 SNPs that were fixed in either of the experimental groups. Moreover, genetic variation was found within each experimental group, hinting that each avian malaria infection harbours standing genetic variation that might be selected during each individual infection episode. Conclusion: These results highlight extensive genetic variation within the SGS1 population that is transferred into individual infections, thus adding to the complexity of the infection dynamics seen in these host–parasite interactions. Simultaneously, the results open up the possibility of understanding how genetic variation within the parasite populations is linked to the commonly observed differences in infection outcomes, both in experimental settings and in the wild. Graphical : (Figure presented.)
Timber trade in 17th-century Europe: different wood sources for artworks of Flemish painters /
No full textThe former Spanish Netherlands experienced a period of social, cultural and economic prosperity in the seventeenth century, with Antwerp as its most important commercial and artistic centre. The era’s vibrant art scene, once pivotal culturally, economically, and diplomatically, now offers invaluable insights for scientific studies on art, trade, and craftsmanship. In a study on 294 panel paintings by or related to two famous Flemish artists, Jacques Jordaens (1593–1678) and Anthony van Dyck (1599–1641), we applied classical art historical techniques, archival research, dendrochronology, and the study of panel maker’s and guild marks on the painting’s reverse to gain insights into the precise time of tree felling, the geographical provenance of the wood, and the panel makers patronised by the painters. The majority of the paintings (~ 80%), which were subjected to a dendrochronological analysis, could be dated and the results accorded well with the concomitant art historical assessment on authorship. Besides an active and well-known Baltic timber trade which provided over 71% of all the planks examined, straight-grained oak trees were also sourced from western Central Europe (20%). Interestingly, planks from the Baltic and the Ardennes region (France/Belgium) were used together in three different paintings, likely cut apart from larger panels. Employing a multidisciplinary approach to a comprehensive painting collection by individual painters provides not only a new tool to determine a painting’s date and authorship but also allows for a better understanding of the contemporary timber trade and associated craftsmanship
Plants, fungi, and carabid beetles in temperate forests: both observed and dark diversity depend on habitat availability in space and time /
No full textContext: The loss of ancient forests threatens many species. Effective nature conservation needs information on how forest availability in the surrounding landscape in space and time determines the diversity of multiple taxa. Objectives: We explored the relationship between forest availability at different spatiotemporal scales and the diversity of various groups: vascular plants (woody species, ground layer), epiphytes (bryophytes and lichens), fungi (ectomycorrhizal, arbuscular mycorrhizal, pathogenic, saprotrophic), and carabid beetles. Besides the observed diversity, we also estimated dark diversity, i.e. suitable but absent species. Dark diversity is theoretically a sensitive metric in detecting ecosystem conditions as it is typically relatively large and contains susceptible species. Methods: We recorded the observed diversity by field sampling and soil DNA in 100 temperate ancient old-growth forest sites in southern Estonia; dark diversity was estimated for the same sites using species co-occurrence data. Forest availability estimates were obtained from four topographic maps (1900s-2010s) at the 0.5–5 km radius. Results: The biodiversity of forest specialists was higher at larger historical forest availability at the spatial scale of 2–5 km radius. The diversity of light-demanding forest ecotone taxa mainly had negative relationships with young forests on previous agricultural lands (at 0.5–2 km radius). Dark diversity models were often more strongly associated with forest availability than observed diversity models. Conclusions: Dark diversity enhances our understanding of how current and historical forest availability affects local biodiversity. As young forests cannot provide suitable habitats for many forest-dwelling species, stable forest habitats must be preserved as source areas to enhance biodiversity
A Phenomenon: what are the minuscule grey moths abundant in the dry season in the tropical dry forests of the Pacific Coast of Honduras? /
No full textOur investigation centered on the tropical dry forests along the Pacific coast of Honduras, aiming to elucidate the presence and abundance of minuscule grey moths during the dry season. Through specimen dissections and the taxonomic identification of the collected material, we have described three new species: Acalyptris podenasi sp. nov., A. palpiformis sp. nov., and A. tortoris sp. nov. Additionally, we documented two species previously known from neighboring countries, A. lascuevella Puplesis & Robinson and A. basicornis Remeikis & Stonis. The females of A. lascuevella were previously unknown and are documented here for the first time. Morphological examinations were complemented by DNA barcoding, particularly highlighting variation in A. lascuevella. The paper’s primary significance lies not only in the description of new species but also in uncovering their taxonomic, morphological, and molecular importance. We found that these species are unique and indicative of the previously unstudied dry forests as a distinct ecosystem. Our findings revealed several novel atypical morphological traits within the studied Nepticulidae, including unusually large signum cells in the female genitalia, a dorso-ventrally divided uncus, and asymmetrical valvae in the male genitalia. These discoveries underscore the morphological diversity of Acalyptris Meyrick and their significance in evolutionary biology. Consequently, the paper addresses a previously unknown phenomenon of the occurrence and astonishing abundance of minuscule plant-mining micromoths in dry deciduous forests during the peak of the dry season. We hope that this paper will encourage Lepidoptera taxonomists to explore micromoths in other tropical dry forests, which, while limited in distribution, hold global importance. The paper is extensively illustrated with photographs of Acalyptris adults and their genitalia, along with maps, habitats, and molecular phylogenetic trees
Checklist of the tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) of the Republic of Mordovia (Russia) including state protected areas /
No full textAn annotated checklist for the dipteran family Tachinidae of the Republic of Mordovia (Russia) is presented. Tis checklist is based on the material collected in 2016–2021. In total 228 species are recorded, two of which for the frst time for both Europe and Russia, two for Europe, eleven for Russia and another eight for the European part of Russia. Special reference is made to the occurrence of Tachinidae in the two largest state protected areas of Mordovia. Te tachinid fauna of the Republic of Mordovia refects its zoogeographical position on the crossroads of Europe and Siberia, as well as on the crossroads of taiga and steppe
Four new Afrotropical Hypotrabala from moist broadleaf forests and the first description of the female of H. obscura (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae, Selenepherini) /
No full textFour new species in the genus Hypotrabala Holland, 1893 are described: 1) Hypotrabala leopoldi sp. n. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); 2) Hypotrabala benjamini sp. n. from DRC; 3) Hypotrabala carlottae sp. n. from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana; and 4) Hypotrabala bettinae sp. n. from Nigeria. They are somewhat reminiscent of the dark colored Hypotrabala obscura Takano & László, 2024 known from the type series of four males originating from Gabon. The female of H. obscura and its genitalia are described for the first time; the species is recorded for the first time for Cameroon. Adults of both sexes, their genitalia, and map with collecting localities are illustrated
Description of the female, redescription of the male of Lemonia tamara, and a checklist of Lemonia (Lepidoptera, Brahmaeidae) /
No full textThe hitherto unknown female of Lemonia tamara Antoshin & Zolotuhin, 2013 is described. Male features are redescribed based on additional two adult specimens. Adults and genitalia are illustrated. Complete list of Lemonia Hübner, 1820 species is provided
In vitro study of cyano-phycocyanin release from hydrogels and ex vivo study of skin penetration /
No full textBackground: This study explored the most suitable materials for incorporating cyano-phycocyanin (C-PC) into hydrogels, focusing on maintaining the C-PC’s long-term structural integrity and stabilityNext, the release of C-PC from the hydrogels and its skin penetration were investigated. Methods: A series of 1% (w/w) C-PC hydrogels was prepared using various gelling agents and preservatives. Spectrophotometric measurements compared the amount of C-PC in the hydrogels to the initially added amount. After selecting the most suitable gelling agent and preservative, two C-PC hydrogels, with and without propylene glycol (PG) (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA), were produced for further testing. In vitro release studies utilized modified Franz-type diffusion cells, while ex vivo skin-permeation studies employed Bronaugh-type cells and human skin. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analyzed C-PC accumulation in the skin. Results: The findings demonstrated that sodium alginate (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA), and SoligelTM (Givaudan, Vernier, Switzerland) are effective biopolymers for formulating hydrogels while maintaining C-PC stability. After 6 h, C-PC release from the hydrogel containing PG was approximately 10% or 728.07 (±19.35) μg/cm2, significantly higher than the nearly 7% or 531.44 (±26.81) μg/cm2 release from the hydrogel without PG (p < 0.05). The ex vivo qualitative skin-permeation study indicated that PG enhances C-PC penetration into the outermost skin layer. Conclusion: PG’s ability to enhance the release of C-PC from the hydrogel, coupled with its capacity to modify the skin barrier ex vivo, facilitates the penetration of C-PC into the stratum corneum
Contrasting the ecology of planktonic crustaceans from freshwaters: Insights from stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) /
No full textWe examined the feeding ecology of planktonic crustaceans at three waterbodies situated across a latitudinal gradient in Europe (Croatia, Poland, Lithuania) using stable isotope measurements (δ13C, δ15N) in animal tissues. Relative, lake-specific values of δ15N showed that in all lakes, calanoid copepods occupied the highest trophic position, while Daphnia sp. and Diaphanosoma sp. were located closer to primary producers with Cyclopoid copepods located between these groups. We found a negative correlation between C:N ratio (proxy for lipid content) and δ15N, which indicates lipid content declined with the trophic level of the animals. Employment of stable isotope-based approach allows better recognition of trophic linkages than could be inferred from classical methods, and therefore our results contribute improvement of management strategies developed for aquatic ecosystems
Assessment of the potential for CO2 storage and utilization in the fractured and porous reservoir of the Cambrian sandstones in West Lithuania’s Baltic basin /
No full textCambrian sandstones comprise a large and saline-only aquifer that can be utilized for CO2 geological storage in the Baltic basin, including Lithuania. The two prospective storage sites with the most potential are located in west Lithuania. Despite the larger area of the Gargždai elevation (233 km2), the Syderiai uplift (62 km2) is characterized by the largest storage volume. The most significant difference between the studied structures is primarily related to the much higher reservoir quality of the Cambrian sandstones at the Syderiai site. The sandstones’ average porosity is 16% and their permeability measures 310 mD, while the Gargždai site is characterized by poor reservoir quality (average porosity of 7% and permeability as low as 10 mD in the sandstone). The main controlling parameter for the sandstones is authigenic quartz cementation. The reservoir type is classified as the porous sandstone type for the Syderiai site and as the fractured reservoir type for the Gargždai site. The storage volumes of CO2 of the sites were assessed as 56.7 Mt and 31.3 Mt, respectively. The present study determined that the Syderiai uplift was the prospective site with the most potential for the geological storage trapping of CO2, owing to its high reservoir quality, while the Gargždai elevation is characterized as a potential alternative for CO2 storage combined with EOR technology for oil exploitation, despite its poor reservoir quality