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Philosophical Transactions Of The Royal Society Of London. Series B, Biological Sciences[JOURNAL]
Philosophical Transactions Of The Royal Society Of London. Series B, Biological Sciences[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Delayed Anthropocene in the deep-sea biosphere: a last paradise soon lost?
Yasuhara M, Zhang J, Danovaro R … +2 more , Levin LA, Snelgrove PVR
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41568681 · Publisher ↗
The deep sea remains a last paradise and the place of minimal human impacts compared with other ecosystems. However, this pristine status is rapidly changing, and deep-sea human impacts have seldom been discussed in a br...
The deep sea remains a last paradise and the place of minimal human impacts compared with other ecosystems. However, this pristine status is rapidly changing, and deep-sea human impacts have seldom been discussed in a broad context that draws comparisons with those in other ecosystems. Here, we recap the history of human-induced ecological degradation in deep-sea, shallow-marine and terrestrial ecosystems to place the deep-sea situation in a broad context. Anthropogenic terrestrial ecosystem degradation started tens of thousands of years ago. Shallow-marine ecosystem change followed that of terrestrial degradation but also began several millennia ago. More substantial degradation commenced from the time of civilization, European colonization and industrialization. However, deep-sea ecological degradation started much later. In the deep sea, most major human impacts began much later than the industrial revolution, e.g. deep-sea trawling from the 1950s. Major near-future concerns include deep seabed mining and marine carbon dioxide removal. Deep-sea Anthropocene biosphere degradation is delayed in this regard, and the ecological integrity of the deep sea remains much better than in other 'paradises' such as tropical rain forests and coral reefs that are already degraded substantially. The deep sea could soon be similarly degraded if large-scale implementation of mining and/or marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies commences. This article is part of the theme issue 'The biosphere in the Anthropocene'.
The potential role of life cycle bottlenecks in shaping the marine latitudinal diversity gradient.
Chaudhary C, Pörtner HO, Dahlke F
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41568680 · Publisher ↗
The global response of marine species to climate warming has led to an equatorial dip and a poleward shift in species richness. Understanding the mechanisms driving such patterns is critical. While the role of ecophysiol...
The global response of marine species to climate warming has led to an equatorial dip and a poleward shift in species richness. Understanding the mechanisms driving such patterns is critical. While the role of ecophysiology in species biogeography has been widely debated, life cycle bottlenecks remain underexplored in large-scale biodiversity studies. Here, we highlight their importance by comparing the latitudinal distribution of fish species richness, sea surface temperature and the thermal tolerance of reproductive adults and egg stages (i.e. spawning stages) versus non-reproductive stages. Near the Equator, where the richness declines at the mean annual sea surface temperature >25°C, vulnerable spawning stages exist near their maximum thermal limits (approx. 28°C), implying very small thermal safety margins for reproduction. Recent poleward shifts in spawning habitats indicate that reproductive constraints may become key drivers of species redistribution, potentially initiating and intensifying both the equatorial richness dip and poleward shifts as temperatures rise. Therefore, vulnerable spawning stages should be an integral part of biodiversity analytics and marine conservation planning. This review steers the discussion towards an ecophysiological perspective on marine biodiversity dynamics. It also highlights data gaps across vertebrates and invertebrates, inconsistencies in existing information and the applicability of available datasets for biodiversity analyses. This article is part of the theme issue 'The biosphere in the Anthropocene'.
Fossil otolith assemblages reveal millennial-scale changes in reef fish biomass and trophic structure across the Isthmus of Panama.
Dillon EM, Arosemena R, Cybulski JD … +6 more , De Gracia B, Finnegan S, Lin CH, Mora J, Pallacks S, O'Dea A
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41568679 · Publisher ↗
Human activities have disrupted food webs across ecosystems, but opportunities to quantify pre-impact baselines are rare. Here, we present a novel approach to reconstruct per-capita fish biomass and trophic structure ove...
Human activities have disrupted food webs across ecosystems, but opportunities to quantify pre-impact baselines are rare. Here, we present a novel approach to reconstruct per-capita fish biomass and trophic structure over millennia using the size of otoliths (ear stones) preserved in fossil assemblages. Using this approach, we compared fish energetics on modern (past ~100 years) and mid-Holocene (~7-4 ka) coral reefs along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Panama-two adjacent regions with distinct oceanographic conditions and human impacts. Estimated mean per-capita fish biomass at mortality was around twofold higher in the highly productive Pacific compared with the more oligotrophic Caribbean. Reefs in Pacific Panama also supported relatively more top-heavy trophic structures, consistent with enhanced pelagic subsidies. This interoceanic difference has widened over time: while reefs in Caribbean Panama experienced predator loss and declining per-capita fish biomass, Pacific reefs showed increasing per-capita biomass, principally explained by piscivorous fish. These contrasting millennial-scale shifts highlight how environmental context can shape ecosystem responses to anthropogenic impact. The approach we develop demonstrates how otolith assemblages can serve as a tool to explore long-term energetic dynamics in fish communities, offering unique insights into reef resilience and recovery potential. This article is part of the theme issue 'The biosphere in the Anthropocene'.
The timing and magnitude of historical exploitation in the ocean.
McClenachan L, Colby J
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41568678 · Publisher ↗
Intensive exploitation in the ocean has been ongoing for centuries, but it has accelerated exponentially in the past eight decades. This semi-quantitative review considers the history of exploitation of major groups of m...
Intensive exploitation in the ocean has been ongoing for centuries, but it has accelerated exponentially in the past eight decades. This semi-quantitative review considers the history of exploitation of major groups of marine taxa including fish, mammals, reptiles and birds, assessing the magnitude and timing of exploitation. It finds that while trajectories differ across taxonomic groups, by far the largest removal of biomass from the ocean in human history has come through the targeted exploitation of wild-caught fisheries since World War II, with exploitation peaking for many taxa in the second half of the twentieth century. Next, we integrate historical ecology and environmental history to assess the social drivers of these different trajectories, identifying key economic, cultural, geostrategic and technological developments that underpinned both the acceleration and end of exploitation for different groups. We conclude by discussing universal factors driving exploitation, and the ways in which history can inform the future of human relationships with the sea. While the interaction of capitalism, colonialism and consolidation of economic interests has driven overexploitation, key examples of species recovery exist, and increasing attention to the role of place-based management is helping to imagine more sustainable relationships with the sea. This article is part of the theme issue 'The biosphere in the Anthropocene'.
Public health challenge of hybridization in urogenital schistosomiasis: New insights and one health perspectives from Malawi.
Musaya J, Kayuni SA, Kapira D … +11 more , Archer J, Makaula P, Mainga B, Chammudzi P, Namacha G, Lally D, Risse M, Jones S, Cunningham L, Juhasz A, Stothard RJ
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41538084 · Publisher ↗
The emergence of hybrid schistosomes resulting from interspecies mating between human and animal Schistosoma species is set to reshape the epidemiology of urogenital schistosomiasis in Malawi. Findings from the hybridiza...
The emergence of hybrid schistosomes resulting from interspecies mating between human and animal Schistosoma species is set to reshape the epidemiology of urogenital schistosomiasis in Malawi. Findings from the hybridization in urogenital schistosomiasis (HUGS) study in Malawi confirm the occurrence and circulation of S. haematobium × S. mattheei in humans, livestock and snails, from exemplar studies in Nsanje and Mangochi districts. Introgressed schistosomes complicate traditional diagnosis with atypical egg morphologies that defy standard microscopic identification, challenge current preventive chemotherapy strategies and raise concerns about long-term performance of mass drug administration considering zoonotic transmission inputs. With the recent completion of the multidisciplinary 4-year HUGS investigation, analysis of data reveals expanded infection risk among adults engaged in water-dependent occupations and highlights shared water bodies as key sites for human-animal-snail contact and hybrid emergence. This new One Health perspective introduces climate-driven ecological shifts, poor livestock management and lack of vector control strategies as circumstances that promote hybrid dispersal and environmental persistence. There is an urgent need to revise national schistosomiasis control strategies in Malawi, with incorporation of appropriate One Health dimensions. Looking ahead, better inclusion of hybrid schistosome surveillance into public health frameworks with intervention target indicators is needed to safeguard disease control gains and prevent future resurgence. This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue 'Parasite evolution and impact in action: exploring the importance and control of hybrid schistosomes in Africa and beyond'.
Dynamic interactions between Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma mattheei and Schistosoma mansoni underscore the complex polyparasitism of intestinal schistosomiasis in southern Malawi.
O'Ferrall AM, Cunningham LJ, Lally D … +13 more , Makaula P, Namacha G, Juhász A, Jones S, Cowlishaw R, Rollason S, Chammudzi P, Kapira DR, Kayuni SA, LaCourse EJ, Roberts AP, Musaya J, Stothard JR
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41538083 · Publisher ↗
Schistosomiasis is prevalent among school-aged children (SAC) in Mangochi District, Malawi, where both intestinal and urogenital forms are endemic. In 2024, we identified schistosomiasis cases predominantly associated wi...
Schistosomiasis is prevalent among school-aged children (SAC) in Mangochi District, Malawi, where both intestinal and urogenital forms are endemic. In 2024, we identified schistosomiasis cases predominantly associated with excretion of Schistosoma haematobium × Schistosoma mattheei ova in the faeces of two individuals from Samama village, Mangochi District. In this expanded cross-sectional study, we characterize the prevalence and species composition of Schistosoma infections among 247 SAC in Samama, using genus- and species-specific molecular diagnostics. We also present follow-up data from the two previous cases, showing natural mixed-species re-infection six months after treatment. Schistosomiasis prevalence among SAC was 62.3%. Schistosoma spp. DNA was detected in 50.6% of faecal samples and Schistosoma spp. ova were observed on 34.8% of urine filters. Species-specific assays detected S. haematobium, S. mattheei and S. mansoni DNA in 36.8%, 14.4% and 18.4% of faecal samples from children with intestinal schistosomiasis. Triple-species infections were identified in 10 children by faecal and urine testing. Notably, detection of S. haematobium DNA in faeces was strongly associated with S. mattheei co-infection (p = 0.006), highlighting potential cross-species interactions. Our findings underscore the need to integrate molecular diagnostics alongside routine testing strategies for enhanced surveillance of polyparasitic infections in zoonotic transmission zones across Africa. This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue 'Parasite evolution and impact in action: exploring the importance and control of hybrid schistosomes in Africa and beyond'.
Clinical morbidity of single or mixed schistosome species infection in two communities of southern Malawi.
Kayuni SA, Kinley L, Mainga B … +27 more , Kumwenda D, Cunningham L, Lally D, Chammudzi P, Kapira D, Namacha G, Chisale A, Nchembe T, Chibwana E, Nkhalemba B, Chapweteka G, Chibowa H, Kumfunda V, Juhasz A, Jones S, Cowlishaw R, Archer J, O'Ferrall AM, Rollason S, Nguluwe A, Chiphwanya J, Luhanga M, Kafanikhale H, Makaula P, LaCourse EJ, Stothard JR, Musaya J
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41538082 · Publisher ↗
As part of a larger community-based epidemiological study entitled Hybridisation in Uro-Genital Schistosomiasis (HUGS), a parasite infection and clinical morbidity sub-study, implementing portable ultrasonography annuall...
As part of a larger community-based epidemiological study entitled Hybridisation in Uro-Genital Schistosomiasis (HUGS), a parasite infection and clinical morbidity sub-study, implementing portable ultrasonography annually, was undertaken upon 701 participants from two communities in Mangochi and Nsanje Districts, southern Malawi. Our aim was to document the clinical morbidity a year after praziquantel treatment in those with previously proven human and/or zoonotic schistosomiasis, repeated a calendar year later after biannual praziquantel treatment. The median participant age was 12.0 years, with 293 (41.8%) having urinary Schistosoma haematobium egg-patent infections. Upon molecular analyses, these participants were co-infected with S. mansoni (29, 9.9%), S. mattheei (38, 13.0%), and six were infected with all three schistosome species occurring concurrently. A total of 166 participants (23.7%) had abnormal bladder wall thickness, 72 severely abnormal thickened bladder walls and 7 had bladder wall masses, among other abnormalities by ultrasonography. On the second annual follow-up, 203 participants were available (median age: 22.0 years), and of these, 27 (13.3%) presented with urinary S. haematobium egg-patent infections, with 2 (1.0%) having Schistosoma mansoni, 8 (3.9%) having Schistosoma mattheei and 2 with all species concurrently. Of these, only six participants (3.0%) had severely abnormal thickened bladder walls and other abnormalities. Overall, greater morbidity was observed in those with S. haematobium alone than in those with mixed species infections. 'This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue 'Parasite evolution and impact in action: exploring the importance and control of hybrid schistosomes in Africa and beyond'.
One Health insights into local transmission of zoonotic Schistosoma mattheei in southern Malawi.
Juhász A, Makaula P, Cunningham LJ … +12 more , Nkolokosa C, Archer J, Jones S, Namacha G, Chammudzi P, Mainga B, Lally D, Kayuni SA, LaCourse EJ, O'Ferrall AM, Musaya J, Stothard JR
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41538080 · Publisher ↗
Schistosoma mattheei is a zoonotic schistosome species in central and southern Africa and is of increasing public health concern in southern Malawi. To gain insight into its local transmission, we investigated the biolog...
Schistosoma mattheei is a zoonotic schistosome species in central and southern Africa and is of increasing public health concern in southern Malawi. To gain insight into its local transmission, we investigated the biology of Schistosoma mattheei in southern Malawi, integrating epidemiological, environmental and genetic data within a One Health framework. Cattle, goats, humans and snails were surveyed, with DNA barcoding revealing nine mitochondrial S. mattheei haplotypes. Two haplotypes were shared across species, indicating cross-host transmission. Infected snails were detected year-round, with seasonal variation linked to vegetation cover (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)). Praziquantel (40 mg kg-1) treatment in selected cattle herds reduced infection prevalence over 12 weeks. These findings highlight the zoonotic potential of S. mattheei and the need for integrated control strategies. This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue 'Parasite evolution and impact in action: exploring the importance and control of hybrid schistosomes in Africa and beyond'.
Multidisciplinary challenges by 'pure' and hybrid Schistosoma species introduced into southwestern Europe.
De Elías-Escribano A, Artigas P, Salas-Coronas J … +9 more , Luzon-Garcia MP, Soriano-Pérez MJ, Castillo-Fernández N, Fantozzi MC, Martínez-Ortí A, Boissier J, Mas-Coma S, Valero MA, Bargues MD
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41538079 · Publisher ↗
In Europe, imported schistosomiasis affects a diverse range of patients, including migrants, travellers, visiting friends and relatives, and expatriates who have lived in endemic areas. The variety of regions linked to t...
In Europe, imported schistosomiasis affects a diverse range of patients, including migrants, travellers, visiting friends and relatives, and expatriates who have lived in endemic areas. The variety of regions linked to these patients' origins or destinations increases the likelihood of infections from different Schistosoma species and hybrids. This work aims to address the multidisciplinary challenges posed by 'pure' and hybrid Schistosoma species in southwestern Europe. It explores (i) the role of molecular analysis in identifying species and hybrids, (ii) the importance of morphogenetic studies of Schistosoma eggs, (iii) the potential risk of hybrid Schistosoma infections emerging in Europe and (iv) the clinical management, diagnostis and treatment of schistosomiasis in non-endemic European countries. The study includes examples of 'pure' and hybrid species detected in a tropical medicine unit in Almería, Spain. In this context, the complexity of managing not only the clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment of this disease, but also the need and readiness to quantify the risks and prevent future outbreaks of schistosomiasis in Europe are evident. Schistosoma hybrids potentially able to adapt to new European habitats are a challenge, which highlights the need for appropriate surveillance and preventive measures to avoid the introduction of schistosomiasis into Europe. This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue 'Parasite evolution and impact in action: exploring the importance and control of hybrid schistosomes in Africa and beyond'.
Finding hybrid schistosomes in genital schistosomiasis: are we missing their clinical relevance?
Rafferty H, Bustinduy A
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41538078 · Publisher ↗
Genital schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that affects both men and women as male and female genital schistosomiasis (MGS and FGS), respectively. Symptoms mimic sexually transmitted infections in men and women, owin...
Genital schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that affects both men and women as male and female genital schistosomiasis (MGS and FGS), respectively. Symptoms mimic sexually transmitted infections in men and women, owing to inflammation in the genital organs caused by migrating and trapped parasite ova. Schistosoma haematobium is the main causative organism, with an estimated 75% of infected women experiencing FGS, equating to approximately 56 million women mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Estimates for MGS are mostly lacking, but numbers may be equivalent. S. haematobium has been found in hybridized forms with other Schistosoma animal species such as S. bovis, S. curassoni, S. mattheei and human schistosomes like S. mansoni. It is currently unclear what the impact of these species might be on genital schistosomiasis, including on clinical presentation, prognosis and management. In this review, we explore genital schistosomiasis and hypothesize the potential morbidity impact of hybrid species, along with highlighting future research needs. This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue 'Parasite evolution and impact in action: exploring the importance and control of hybrid schistosomes in Africa and beyond'.
Transcriptomic plasticity in hybrid schistosomes can contribute to their zoonotic potential.
Luviano Aparicio N, Mathieu-Bégné E, Kincaid-Smith J … +10 more , Rey O, Picard M, Chaparro C, Allienne JF, Rognon A, Polack B, Vallée I, Thomas M, Boissier J, Toulza E
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41538077 · Publisher ↗
Hybrids between Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis contribute to human and animal infections, highlighting complex interspecies interactions that facilitate schistosomiasis transmission. Schistosoma bovis infe...
Hybrids between Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis contribute to human and animal infections, highlighting complex interspecies interactions that facilitate schistosomiasis transmission. Schistosoma bovis infects multiple ruminant hosts, promoting cross-species transmission and increasing zoonotic risk. This study explores transcriptomic plasticity as a mechanism enabling hybrid schistosomes to adapt to different definitive hosts. We analysed two contexts: (1) introgressed S. haematobium × S. bovis hybrids, which exhibited higher virulence in sheep than parental S. bovis; and (2) S. bovis infecting different mammalian hosts. Introgression, the transfer of genetic material between species through hybridization and repeated backcrossing, was associated with 366 differentially expressed genes (4% of coding genes) between introgressed hybrids and S. bovis in sheep. Additionally, S. bovis showed host-dependent transcriptomic changes, with 30% of genes differentially expressed between infections in hamsters and sheep. Enriched biological processes shared across introgression and host adaptation included nuclear mRNA catabolism and inner mitochondrial membrane organization, indicating increased gene expression plasticity and metabolic adaptation to environmental stress. These findings suggest that transcriptomic plasticity enhances the adaptability of S. bovis and hybrid worms, increasing their zoonotic potential. This raises concerns for schistosomiasis control, as such plasticity could expand transmission capacity and complicate intervention strategies. This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue 'Parasite evolution and impact in action: exploring the importance and control of hybrid schistosomes in Africa and beyond'.
Not all 'hybrids' matter: towards a nuanced understanding of Schistosoma species hybridization.
Webster B, Huyse T
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2026 Jan · PMID 41538075 · Publisher ↗
Hybridization between Schistosoma species has gained increasing attention in recent years, with reports from across Africa raising concerns about impacts on transmission, zoonotic spillover and control. While such interp...
Hybridization between Schistosoma species has gained increasing attention in recent years, with reports from across Africa raising concerns about impacts on transmission, zoonotic spillover and control. While such interpretations often present 'hybrids' as emerging threats, they frequently outpace the supporting evidence. In this paper, we critically examine the assumptions and limitations underlying current discourse on Schistosoma hybridization. Drawing on experimental, field and genomic studies, we distinguish between transient hybridization, dead-end interactions and introgression, each with variable biological and epidemiological relevance. Advanced genomic analyses suggest the apparent rise in hybrid reports likely reflects expanded molecular surveillance rather than biological emergence, as many forms may have existed historically but went undetected. The absence of baseline or longitudinal data impedes testing of temporal trends, justifying enhanced surveillance while also cautioning against overreaction. Policy and funding responses should therefore remain proportionate and evidence-based. We argue that many hybridization scenarios do not warrant reactive control measures, especially where existing interventions remain effective. Overstating their significance risks misdirecting the already limited resources towards interventions, such as livestock treatment, that lack feasibility or justification. We propose a context-sensitive framework to distinguish fundamental evolutionary questions from actionable public health priorities. This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue 'Parasite evolution and impact in action: exploring the importance and control of hybrid schistosomes in Africa and beyond'.
Genome of melody: applying bioinformatics to study the evolution of Gregorian chant.
Hajič J, Lanz V, Ballen GA
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2025 Dec · PMID 41537896 · Publisher ↗
Gregorian chant was a central musical tradition in Medieval Latin Europe and one of the expressions of its cultural unity: any Latin Christian liturgy, such as the weekly Sunday mass, would have involved Gregorian chant...
Gregorian chant was a central musical tradition in Medieval Latin Europe and one of the expressions of its cultural unity: any Latin Christian liturgy, such as the weekly Sunday mass, would have involved Gregorian chant as a major part of the prescribed ritual. The Gregorian legend of chant melodies' divine origin required the practitioners to conserve them, to the extent that this requirement motivated the development of exact pitch notation. Nevertheless, surviving manuscripts document a considerable melodic diversity. Some systematic patterns within this melodic diversity have previously been observed in chant scholarship, especially during efforts to build a critical edition reconstructing the earliest possible forms of chant melodies with philological approaches. Taking an evolutionary perspective, we notice analogies between biological evolution and processes of chant transmission, which lead us to suggest recovering these 'melodic dialects' using phylogenetic methods instead. In this paper, we show that phylogenetic models recover historically plausible patterns of chant melody evolution. We observe that some, but not all, institutional networks play a more important role than geographical proximity. Phylogeny is shown to be a viable class of methods for studying chant melody, and we discuss next steps for a more comprehensive evolutionary approach to chant. This article is part of the theme issue 'Transforming cultural evolution research and its application to global futures'.
Cultural transmission and market participation in a Congo Basin village.
Boyette AH, Kandza V, Bihoundou Mouketou BD … +6 more , Visine A, Ouamba YR, Koubemba Missamou HB, Ngalekandza E, Andrews J, Cebioğlu S
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2025 Dec · PMID 41537895 · Publisher ↗
Guided by cultural evolutionary theory, this study investigates people's economic activities in a village in the Republic of the Congo as shifting sets of traits that, at the individual level, are learnt according to the...
Guided by cultural evolutionary theory, this study investigates people's economic activities in a village in the Republic of the Congo as shifting sets of traits that, at the individual level, are learnt according to their perceived advantages in relation to the current environment, but can scale up to influence population-level adaptation. Using systematic interviews (n = 181), we examine the cultural transmission pathways and social learning processes through which people integrate earning cash into subsistence strategies, and use Bayesian regression modelling to test four hypotheses around which demographic attributes are associated with greater participation in the (limited) formal wage-earning sector. We show that market integration through the sale of forest and agricultural products follows the same cultural transmission pathways and social learning processes as traditional subsistence practices themselves. In contrast, integrating the earning of cash through wage labour requires non-local pathways and disembedded, higher-cost social learning. Also, males and migrants to the village were more likely to engage in wage labour. We conclude that a mixed economy seems sustainable at the study village, but that integration of the wage-labour market can lead to economic inequality resulting from fundamental cultural evolutionary properties of globalization. This article is part of the theme issue 'Transforming cultural evolution research and its application to global futures'.
Comparing expert assessments of research quality between the Global North and East Africa.
Singh J, Mody F, Schmidt M … +4 more , Shari S, Wambua J, Wilkinson D, Forscher P
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2025 Dec · PMID 41537894 · Publisher ↗
This study investigates how expert assessments of the quality of behavioural science research vary across geographic and epistemic contexts. Using a form of structured peer review called the IDEA protocol, we use data fr...
This study investigates how expert assessments of the quality of behavioural science research vary across geographic and epistemic contexts. Using a form of structured peer review called the IDEA protocol, we use data from the repliCATS project (Global North cohort) and a follow-up study conducted by Busara (East Africa cohort) to compare how experts judge the quality, and especially the generalizability, of 80 behavioural science papers. Due to their greater familiarity with how other contexts might differ from Global North contexts, we expected that East African experts would express greater scepticism about the generalizability of these findings. Contrary to expectations, East African experts (n = 318) rated the papers as more credible on most metrics, including generalizability, than did the Global North experts (n = 384). We explore three interpretations of these findings: East African assessors possess unique contextual insights; Global North assessors apply stricter scepticism rooted in a broader crisis of confidence in behavioural science; or the comparison itself is invalid due to methodological issues or contextual mismatch. Our discussion illustrates that anyone interested in the cultural evolution of research practices needs to take into account differences and hierarchies between the research cultures of the Global North and the Global South. This article is part of the theme issue 'Transforming cultural evolution research and its application to global futures'.
Cultural evolution and hunter-gatherer education: towards educational self-determination.
Hays JL
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2025 Dec · PMID 41537892 · Publisher ↗
This article describes the Cultural Evolution Society (CES) funded Working Group on Hunter-Gatherer Education, which has a focus on hunter-gatherer communities' ongoing efforts to control their own educational options an...
This article describes the Cultural Evolution Society (CES) funded Working Group on Hunter-Gatherer Education, which has a focus on hunter-gatherer communities' ongoing efforts to control their own educational options and to secure sustainable livelihoods. Working with individuals from hunter-gatherer communities, educational practitioners, global organizations and other researchers, our group promotes more just, inclusive and scientifically informed approaches to education for these small communities. In particular, our working group draws on theories of cultural evolution to frame the relevant problems in terms of the dynamics of human cultural learning; we then ground these theories in our local fieldwork and practice with communities around the world. This article first provides an overview of hunter-gatherers as a global population and their educational challenges, and explains the history and rationale of our working group and the broader network it is grounded in. It explores the paradoxes of formal education and global educational goals for these marginalized communities and presents them not as isolated occurrences, but as a particularly vivid example of educational 'crises' that confront many societal groups. The article explores the concepts of autonomy and self-determination as they relate to Indigenous hunter-gatherers and their educational choices and suggests a re-framing of educational approaches that forward these concepts. The final sections of this article describe the project of our CES working group and how we hope our work can contribute to greater educational self-determination for the populations we work with. This article is part of the theme issue 'Transforming cultural evolution research and its application to global futures'.
Foundational principles of an applied cultural evolutionary science for natural resource management and conservation.
Berl REW, Fisk JJ, van Eeden LM … +13 more , Salerno J, Fernández-Llamazares Á, Leong KM, Long JW, Boomer GS, Williams CK, Arbieu U, Lehnen L, Landon AC, Ellis EC, Verschuuren B, Larson LR, Gavin MC
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2025 Dec · PMID 41537891 · Publisher ↗
Culture, as the filter through which people view the world and a key determinant of human behaviour, is central to the practice of natural resource management and conservation. Conservation is intended to moderate the im...
Culture, as the filter through which people view the world and a key determinant of human behaviour, is central to the practice of natural resource management and conservation. Conservation is intended to moderate the impacts of human cultural modification of the environment, exists as an endeavour because it is culturally valued, and acts largely through policies to encourage or discourage targeted human behaviours. However, culture is not static; as organisms and ecologies evolve, so too does culture exist as a dynamic, interconnected, coevolving element of the social-ecological systems in which management action is situated and implemented. Cultural evolution (CE) offers a valuable theoretical contribution to the scientific understanding of culture, cultural diversity and culture change and has the potential to be harnessed in the applied research and practice of conservation social science. We illustrate the essential principles necessary to grow an applied science of CE for natural resource management and conservation, and identify opportunities for CE to provide valuable information for science-based decision making and help conservation institutions and organizations adapt to the ongoing challenges posed by culture change. This transdisciplinary integration can contribute to improved outcomes across conservation objectives and build more resilient, sustainable social-ecological systems. This article is part of the theme issue 'Transforming cultural evolution research and its application to global futures'.
Land rights institutions and the scope of cooperation.
Fabbri M, Nosenzo D, Schulz JF
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2025 Dec · PMID 41537890 · Publisher ↗
Impersonal prosociality-the inclination to trust and cooperate outside one's social circle-varies widely across societies. This study examines whether formalizing land property rights in a society previously governed by...
Impersonal prosociality-the inclination to trust and cooperate outside one's social circle-varies widely across societies. This study examines whether formalizing land property rights in a society previously governed by informal use rights expands the circle of prosocial behaviours. We hypothesized that formal land property institutions, backed by state enforcement, reduce reliance on local social networks for property protection, potentially broadening social interaction and fostering prosociality toward strangers. To test this hypothesis, we leverage a large-scale land rights formalization programme in Benin, implemented as a randomized control trial. Using lab-in-the-field experiments, vignette studies and attitudinal surveys, we find no evidence that the reform increased the circle of trust, trustworthiness or prosocial norm enforcement toward strangers in other villages. Instead, exploratory analyses suggest that formalized land rights tend to enhance prosociality among co-villagers. While we examine changes in kinship structures as a possible mechanism, results remain inconclusive. These findings suggest that land tenure reforms may reshape social behaviour by reinforcing local ties rather than by broadening prosociality beyond immediate communities. This article is part of the theme issue 'Transforming cultural evolution research and its application to global futures'.
The social performance of gender roles: men report lower support for women's empowerment when in front of their peers.
Brand CO, Ishungisa AM, Kilgallen JA … +9 more , Pungu DC, Mabula E, Katunzi F, Nicholaus I, Mang'era CW, Charles PS, Kumogola Y, Urassa M, Lawson DW
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2025 Dec · PMID 41537885 · Publisher ↗
Beliefs about gender roles are widely understood to be acquired via social learning. However, accounts of gender socialization remain disconnected from a growing literature on evolved social learning strategies. We imple...
Beliefs about gender roles are widely understood to be acquired via social learning. However, accounts of gender socialization remain disconnected from a growing literature on evolved social learning strategies. We implemented a novel field experiment to elucidate how social information on gender is produced and transmitted among young men in an urbanizing Tanzanian community. Men interviewed in front of their peers reported lower support for women's empowerment compared to men interviewed privately. We interpret this finding as indicative of men modifying or strategically misrepresenting beliefs to match an assumed lack of support for women's empowerment among their peers. We also found that men interviewed in front of community elders, assumed to hold relatively patriarchal beliefs, reported relatively low support for women's empowerment. However, contrary to our expectations, men interviewed in the presence of highly educated urban men, assumed to be more supportive of women's empowerment, also reported lower support than when interviewed privately. Supporting qualitative data suggests that our assumptions about our comparison groups may be somewhat naive, with participants emphasizing similarity rather than differences between themselves and those from the city. We discuss the implications of our results for our understanding of gender socialization from a cultural evolution perspective. This article is part of the theme issue 'Transforming cultural evolution research and its application to global futures'.
Globalized adolescence: tracking the developmental implications of modern globalization in Thailand.
McKenzie J, Panyakotkaew A
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci · 2025 Dec · PMID 41537883 · Publisher ↗
This repeated cross-sectional study examines differences in Millennial and Generation Z Thai adolescent moral values and explores the relationship between Gen Z media use and moral values. In 2012 and 2023, ethnographic...
This repeated cross-sectional study examines differences in Millennial and Generation Z Thai adolescent moral values and explores the relationship between Gen Z media use and moral values. In 2012 and 2023, ethnographic fieldwork was conducted and data were collected in a provincial city and a nearby rural district in northern Thailand. In 2012, participants included 40 Millennial adolescents (Mage = 17.30, evenly divided by rural and urban contexts); in 2023, participants included 60 Gen Z adolescents (Mage = 17.47, evenly divided by rural and urban contexts). Quantitative analysis of endorsement of Autonomy, Community and Divinity values revealed differences in moral values across generational cohorts, with cohort differences being most pronounced among adolescents in the rural context. Whereas urban and rural Gen Z participants endorsed Divinity values less than Millennial participants, patterns for Community and Autonomy values differed by ecological context. Results also revealed distinct links between media use and moral values among Gen Z adolescents, with patterns that varied by ecological context. This study speaks to the volatility and stability of adolescent moral values in the face of shifting exposure to intercultural contact-particularly by way of technological integration. Findings highlight within-nation heterogeneity in how constellations of moral values adapt to contemporary cultural transformation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Transforming cultural evolution research and its application to global futures'.
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