Integrative Zoology[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Ancient Mitogenomes Reveal the Maternal Genetic History of East Asian Gray Wolves (Canis lupus).
Zhang M, Wang C, Zheng Y … +17 more , Ni X, Hu S, Zhuang L, Guo M, Dai Q, Cao P, Ren L, Dong G, Yang R, Liu F, Feng X, Hou H, Wang H, Wang W, Zhang L, Bennett EA, Fu Q
Integr Zool · 2025 May · PMID 40439179 · Publisher ↗
The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is the only wild ancestor of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and serves a crucial role in understanding the highly controversial issue of dog origins. Recently, ancient DNA studies on gray wolve...
The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is the only wild ancestor of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and serves a crucial role in understanding the highly controversial issue of dog origins. Recently, ancient DNA studies on gray wolves from different regions of the Eurasian continent have achieved significant breakthroughs, providing important clues about the dog origins. As one of the potential origin areas for dogs, East Asia has seen some research on ancient dogs; however, reports related to gray wolves remain limited. In this study, we sequenced seven new mitogenomes of ancient gray wolves from Northern China, integrating them with 497 ancient and modern canid mitogenomes from published data. Our results reveal the following: (1) East Asian gray wolves have maintained high genetic diversity from ancient times to the present; (2) multiple haplogroup A gray wolves from Northern China support the hypothesis that Northeastern Eurasia is a core region for dog origins; (3) a deep gray wolf lineage in East Asia has been identified in this study; (4) different mitogenomes concentrated at the Jinchankou site indicate that admixture may have frequently occurred in the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. These findings enhance our understanding of the maternal genetic history of gray wolves in East Asia.
Novel Phylogeographic Structure of Avian Haemosporidians in a Widely Distributed Host.
Huang X, Yang M, Wang L … +3 more , Hsu CC, Liang W, Hsu YC
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 40439172 · Publisher ↗
Avian haemosporidian parasites are responsible for avian malaria and related blood diseases, which may cause harm to various hosts. Understanding the environmental factors that affect host‒parasite associations is critic...
Avian haemosporidian parasites are responsible for avian malaria and related blood diseases, which may cause harm to various hosts. Understanding the environmental factors that affect host‒parasite associations is critical for public health. However, most studies of this topic to date have focused on pooled data from communities, while the different traits of different host species often lead to an underestimation of these factors. In this study, we investigated the phylogeographical pattern of haemosporidian parasites in a widely distributed resident bird, the Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus), as well as the impact of environmental factors, including latitude, annual temperature, and humidity, on their prevalence. We observed that the prevalence of these parasites varies across sites but is generally low. Despite that, different patterns were observed for the different parasite genera. Plasmodium lineages are more widely distributed, whereas Haemoproteus are restricted to sites at lower latitudes and with lower annual temperatures, coincident with the barrier of the Yangzi River in China. This study highlights the importance of focusing on a single host when investigating variation in host‒parasite associations.
Tracing the Path to Extinction: Long-Term Impacts of Human and Environmental Factors on Tiger Survival in East Asia.
Zhang H, Wan X, Pan H … +4 more , Wang Z, Pan R, Li B, Wei F
Integr Zool · 2026 Mar · PMID 40439154 · Publisher ↗
Earth has experienced five major global mass biodiversity extinctions, and we are currently facing the sixth, which includes mammals, particularly carnivores, being among the most affected. Studying the remnant populatio...
Earth has experienced five major global mass biodiversity extinctions, and we are currently facing the sixth, which includes mammals, particularly carnivores, being among the most affected. Studying the remnant populations alone of the currently endangered species often provides limited information. It fails to reveal the scenarios of the early dynamics and key driving facts/factors that led to their population decline. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of long-term faunal extinction is not just an academic pursuit, but a crucial necessity for developing or amending tangible conservation strategies and management. This study examines the extirpation trajectories of tigers, relying extensively on fossil databases in the Pleistocene and historical geographic changes during the Holocene. We estimated their extinction probability and relationship with anthropogenic and climatic changes using a moving time window modeling framework. It illustrates how the impacts of humans on nature have significantly influenced threatened animals. These human activities will continue to shape the future survival prospects of tigers in China. Our findings indicate that cropland expansion, human population growth, and forest reduction have profoundly driven tiger extinctions, particularly after 1850, when pervasive human activities led to the disappearance of wild South China tigers. We estimate that isolated tiger populations face extinction within roughly 67.8 years, emphasizing the need for habitat connectivity. This study highlights the critical role of reducing human activities in tiger habitats and offers a model for estimating extinction probabilities and thresholds, underscoring the urgency of conservation strategies tailored to anthropogenic and environmental threats.
Epidemiological Dynamics of a Visually Apparent Disease: Camera Trapping and Machine-Learning Applied to Rumpwear in the Common Brushtail Possum.
Ringwaldt EM, Buettel JC, Carver S … +1 more , Brook BW
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 40437839 · Full text
Visually apparent diseases are valuable for investigating and monitoring the occurrence and prevalence of pathogens in wildlife populations through passive monitoring methods like camera trapping. Rumpwear, characterized...
Visually apparent diseases are valuable for investigating and monitoring the occurrence and prevalence of pathogens in wildlife populations through passive monitoring methods like camera trapping. Rumpwear, characterized by visible clinical signs of hair breakage and damage on the lumbosacral region, affects common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) across Australia. However, the etiology of rumpwear remains unclear, and the spatiotemporal factors are understudied. This study investigated the epidemiology of rumpwear in common brushtail possums at Adamsfield, Tasmania (Australia), and predicted rumpwear distribution across the Tasmanian landscape. We visually classified images of rumpwear clinical signs in 6908 individual possums collected from a 3-year camera trapping network. Our results revealed that: (1) adults were twice as likely to show signs of rumpwear compared to young possums; (2) rumpwear occurrence increased with the relative activity of possums at a site; and (3) prevalence of rumpwear was seasonal, being lowest in May (3.2%-late autumn) and highest in December (27.1%-early summer). Collectively, these findings suggest that the occurrence of rumpwear may be density dependent, the putative etiological agent seems to be influenced by seasonal factors or site use. Additionally, a convolution neural network (CNN) was trained to identify rumpwear automatically based on the manually (human-expert) classified camera trap images. Applying the trained classifier to 38,589 brushtail possum images from across Tasmania, the CNN predicted that rumpwear is widespread, with an overall prevalence of 18.6%. This study provides new insights into rumpwear epidemiology and identified factors for further investigating within this host-pathogen system.
Habitat Features, Coyotes, and Humans Drive Diel Activity Variation Among Sympatric Mammals.
Proudman NJ, Allen ML
Integr Zool · 2025 May · PMID 40405344 · Publisher ↗
The ability of animals to plasticly adjust their diel activity has important implications for their persistence and the structure of food webs. While many studies have examined diel activity in mammals, few have compared...
The ability of animals to plasticly adjust their diel activity has important implications for their persistence and the structure of food webs. While many studies have examined diel activity in mammals, few have compared multiple abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic variables to determine what factors have the strongest effects on sympatric species within a system. Understanding the bounds of variation in behavior is vital to accurately determine the effects of environmental stressors on the diel activity of wildlife. We quantified shifts in diel activity (Δ%) among nine sympatric mammal species using camera traps across Illinois and compared the effect of 12 variables using generalized linear mixed modeling. We found habitat type and the presence of coyotes (Canis latrans) to be the most important drivers of mammal diel activity, but other biotic and anthropogenic variables also affected diel activity in several species. Domestic cats (Felis catus; Δ = 25.7%), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes; Δ = 25.2%), bobcats (Lynx rufus; Δ = 20.7%), and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis; Δ = 19.3%) exhibited the most behavioral plasticity of our focal species. Decreased diurnal activity in more open habitat types by multiple species likely reflects the anthropogenic fear effects in the human-dominated landscape of Illinois, while urban environments may act as spatiotemporal refuges from coyotes for subordinate mesocarnivores. Our study shows that a broad range of factors contribute to variation in mammal diel activity, which can in turn affect the predatory and competitive pressures among sympatric species, with the potential for cascading effects across multiple trophic levels. Our study provides a robust baseline for the diel variation in mammal activity, allowing for more accurate assessments of their behavior.
Effects of Climate Warming on Overwintering of Qinghai Toad-Headed Lizards at Two Contrasting Elevations.
Liao L, Wang X, Zhu Z … +5 more , Yu W, Zhao X, Du W, Yang Y, Zeng Z
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 40400123 · Publisher ↗
Increases in temperature associated with global warming have significant implications for organismal fitness. Thermal condition changes of inactive or dormant periods (such as winters) also have important effects on anim...
Increases in temperature associated with global warming have significant implications for organismal fitness. Thermal condition changes of inactive or dormant periods (such as winters) also have important effects on animals, particularly for ectotherms. Neglecting the potential consequences of winter warming can lead to biases in assessing the effect of climate change. The impacts of winter warming on ectotherms may be complex and multifaceted, possibly varying with geographic location including thermal ecological niche, altitude, and latitude. Therefore, we conducted field warming experiments (warmer climate vs. present climate) to investigate the effects of winter warming on the mass loss, body condition, physiological process, and survival capacity of Qinghai toad-headed lizards (Phrynocephalus vlangalii) at two contrasting altitudes (2600 vs. 3600 m) of the northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China. The warming treatment reduced mass loss of the 2600-m-altitude lizard population, enhanced body condition, and increased overwintering survival rate after hibernation, while there was no significant effect on these indicators for the 3600-m-altitude lizard population with warming treatment. The two altitudinal populations showed different regulatory patterns of metabolic pathways in response to warming winters. Under simulated warming, the 2600-m-altitude lizard population mostly downregulated energy metabolism-related pathways (e.g., glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, fatty acid degradation, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation) during hibernation. In contrast, under winter warming, the 3600-m-altitude lizard population primarily upregulated amino acid metabolism pathways (including serine and threonine metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; cysteine and methionine metabolism; as well as histidine metabolism), which may be associated with cold stress adaptation. These findings contribute to our understanding of the adaptive effects of winter warming on reptiles and their physiological mechanisms, facilitating a better assessment of vulnerability to climate change.
Genomic Differentiation and Adaptation of Rattus nitidus Across Spatial Scales.
Zhang M, Li Z, Cao R … +5 more , Yang L, Shi C, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang J
Integr Zool · 2025 May · PMID 40400116 · Publisher ↗
The Himalayan field rat (Rattus nitidus) (HFR) has differentiated into two distinct populations-Xizang population and inland China population. Historical declines in effective population size have led to reduced genetic...
The Himalayan field rat (Rattus nitidus) (HFR) has differentiated into two distinct populations-Xizang population and inland China population. Historical declines in effective population size have led to reduced genetic diversity in the Xizang HFR population, while the inland China HFR population has maintained relative stability.
Hedgehogs and Angiostrongylus cantonensis: Uncovering the Role of Atelerix albiventris in the Parasite Life Cycle.
Šipková A, Javorská K, Anettová L … +5 more , Pandian D, Cibulka P, Kačmaříková J, Novotný L, Modrý D
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 40400115 · Full text
The ongoing invasion of the zoonotic parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis threatens humans, other mammals, and birds. In Mallorca, neurological disorders associated with this parasite are increasingly reported in free-li...
The ongoing invasion of the zoonotic parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis threatens humans, other mammals, and birds. In Mallorca, neurological disorders associated with this parasite are increasingly reported in free-living Algerian hedgehogs, Atelerix algirus, raising public health concerns. Experimental infections in the related species Atelerix albiventris were conducted to investigate the role of hedgehogs in the life cycle of the parasite. Captive-born hedgehogs were orally inoculated with 200 and 2000 third-stage larvae and monitored for 50 days by behavioral observations, blood tests (hematology and biochemistry), histopathology, and qPCR analysis. Baermann's larvoscopy was used to examine feces starting from day 39 post-infection (DPI). Neuropathological symptoms were only observed in the high-dose group, with larvae detected in brain tissue at 5, 15, 23, and 44 DPI. In contrast, no clinical symptoms or larvae in tissues were found in the low-dose group. Parasite DNA was present in the organs of both groups, but neurological migration occurred exclusively in the high-dose group. Blood tests showed no specific patterns indicating infection. Hedgehogs are aberrant hosts of A. cantonensis, showing severe neuropathological symptoms at high infection levels (2000 third-stage larvae), while lower doses remain asymptomatic. The parasite cannot complete its life cycle in A. albiventris hedgehogs, which do not contribute to its ecological circulation. However, hedgehogs can serve as sentinels for the spread of A. cantonensis in newly invaded regions like Mallorca. Monitoring neurological disease in wildlife could provide valuable insights into the potential spread of this zoonotic parasite in temperate latitudes.
Cardiovascular Plasticity and Adaptation of High-Altitude Birds and Mammals.
She H, Qu Y
Integr Zool · 2025 May · PMID 40400082 · Publisher ↗
Exposure to a hypoxic environment at high altitudes imposes severe pressure on animals living there, which utilize substantial cardiovascular and respiratory responses to meet the physiological challenge of oxygen requir...
Exposure to a hypoxic environment at high altitudes imposes severe pressure on animals living there, which utilize substantial cardiovascular and respiratory responses to meet the physiological challenge of oxygen requirement. These responses may result from phenotypic plasticity through short-term exposure (i.e., within a generation) to a new environment or shaped by adaptation (i.e., many generations) through long-term evolution. For example, plasticity triggers a sympathetic-mediated adrenergic response, resulting in an elevation of heart rate and hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction that eventually contributes to pulmonary hypertension in some animals. Adaptation to high altitudes can drive an increase in muscular capillarization and adaptive cardiac growth, which promote oxygen diffusion and transportation. Exposure to a high-altitude hypoxic environment stimulates excessive erythropoiesis, which has maladaptive effects and contributes to chronic mountain sickness. Maladaptation caused by plasticity at early stages can be reversed during adaptation. Despite extensive research on high-altitude adaptation, the phenotypic changes and genetic variations in cardiovascular systems responding to high-altitude hypoxia remain insufficiently integrated across taxa. While genomic and transcriptomic studies have advanced our understanding, a cross-taxa comparison of cardiovascular adaptations is still incomplete. We here review recent literature on phenotypic plasticity, adaptations, and genetic and transcriptional basis of cardiovascular systems of mammals and birds living in high altitudes with respect to their duration of exposure at high altitudes. By integrating and comparing data across mammalian and avian species, we aim to provide a framework for understanding the plasticity and adaptation of the cardiovascular system in high-altitude environments.
Potential Correlation Between Bombus lantschouensis Thoracic Morphology and Flight Behavior.
Li W, Liu S, Zong L … +17 more , Huang Z, Jiang L, Liu X, Yang P, Zhang Y, Du Z, Fan W, Qin Z, Wang X, Zhang X, Wang X, Yin H, An J, Zhu C, Orr MC, Wang J, Ge S
Integr Zool · 2025 May · PMID 40365727 · Publisher ↗
Remarkably little modern work has investigated the thoracic structures of insects and their relationship to flight locomotion. Most studies focus exclusively on either morphology or flight kinematics. In this study, we e...
Remarkably little modern work has investigated the thoracic structures of insects and their relationship to flight locomotion. Most studies focus exclusively on either morphology or flight kinematics. In this study, we explore within-species variation in mesosomal structures (thorax + propodeum) and their correlation with different flight modes of Bombus lantschouensis. The mesosomal structures, including skeletons and muscles, of four categories-pre-mating queen, post-mating queen, drone, and worker-are examined using micro-CT and 3D reconstruction. Their flight behaviors are also captured using high-speed cameras. Three key kinematic parameters are recorded-wingbeat frequency, flapping amplitude, and average speed-across three flight modes: takeoff, hovering, and forward flight. The wingbeat frequencies of the drone and the worker are higher than those of the queens. The relative distance between the mesophragma and propodeum (DMPP) and the toughness of the mesepisternum, part of the indirect flight system, are related to wingbeat frequency. Flapping amplitude is generally inversely proportional to wingbeat frequency, which might also be influenced by wing shape. After mating, additional fat in the body of the queen increased her weight and possibly compressed her muscles and DMPP, thereby reducing her average takeoff speed. Otherwise, the high diversity of the prothoracic muscles and the pronotal changes might be related to visual capabilities. The changes in the metathoracic muscles connecting to the metacoxal might be related to the functions of the hindlegs. This work provides a basis for future comparative work on bumblebee morphology and biomechanics.
Clinical and Pathological Effects of Filariasis in Tayra (Eira barbara) and Crab-Eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous) from Colombia.
Gamboa-Suárez BA, González AD, Nova-Chamorro MH … +2 more , Brieva C, Matta NE
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 40312846 · Publisher ↗
Various nematodes, including onchocercids, can infect mustelids and canids. However, there are few records concerning pathogenesis in wildlife species. Diagnosis is made through microscopic observation of blood. Neverthe...
Various nematodes, including onchocercids, can infect mustelids and canids. However, there are few records concerning pathogenesis in wildlife species. Diagnosis is made through microscopic observation of blood. Nevertheless, a specific onchocercid assignment is difficult to achieve. In this report, through morphological analysis of microfilariae and molecular characterization using the 18S, 12S, and COI genes, two cases of microfilarial infections were confirmed, Acanthocheilonema sp. infecting tayras (Eira barbara) and Dirofilaria sp. infecting crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of Acanthocheilonema infection in E. barbara. Cross-sections of adult worms (Acanthocheilonema) were associated with necrotic foci and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the lung parenchyma and pancytopenia, and elevated creatine kinase levels were also observed. Chest x-rays revealed a mixed pulmonary pattern. Meanwhile, Dirofilaria infection in C. thous produced severe generalized suppurative, fibrinous, and hemorrhagic bronchopneumonia and glomerulonephritis, with anemia, neutrophilia, monocytosis, decreased creatinine, and elevated creatine kinase observed. Additionally, findings such as hematuria, proteinuria, glucosuria, amorphous urates, and fine granular casts were observed. Rehabilitation centers provide an opportunity to monitor emerging diseases in wildlife from a One Health perspective. Zoonotic parasites in wildlife should be addressed in an integrated and multidisciplinary manner to develop action plans that incorporate ecological, social, conservation, and public health concerns. This report highlights that Acanthocheilonema sp. and Dirofilaria sp. are potential causes of pulmonary, cutaneous, and renal disease in species like tayras and crab-eating foxes. These species should be considered in management plans for filariasis, which has veterinary and public health implications.
Behavioral, Ecological, and Morphological Data Suggest a Close Relationship Between the Ant Colobopsis truncata and the Gall Wasp Aphelonyx cerricola.
Giannetti D, Gil-Tapetado D, Schifani E … +3 more , Nalini E, Grasso DA, Polidori C
Integr Zool · 2025 May · PMID 40312822 · Publisher ↗
Wasps of the family Cynipidae are known to induce galls of a species-specific morphology, which during senescence provide a refuge for secondary insect fauna, especially ants. Here, we studied for the first time the colo...
Wasps of the family Cynipidae are known to induce galls of a species-specific morphology, which during senescence provide a refuge for secondary insect fauna, especially ants. Here, we studied for the first time the colonization of galls of Aphelonyx cerricola by two ant species, Colobopsis truncata and Crematogaster scutellaris. Field sampling across one urban and one natural site in Italy showed that 61% of A. cerricola galls were colonized by these ants, though essentially (87%) by Co. truncata. These species exclusively colonized partially empty or completely empty galls, predominantly the larger ones composed of fewer subunits. By inspecting the European distribution of Co. truncata and Cr. scutellaris, we found that Co. truncata tends to be closer to the host plant of A. cerricola, Quercus cerris, than Cr. scutellaris. Climatic niche modeling indicated a greater niche overlap between Co. truncata and the host plant Q. cerris compared to Cr. scutellaris. Additionally, we discovered that Co. truncata queens have mandibles with a morphology likely less optimized for excavating compared to workers, with lower zinc enrichment levels than workers. This suggests that colony founding in Co. truncata may require less excavating activity compared to Cr. scutellaris, possibly explaining Co. truncata preference for empty galls and the higher colonization rate of non-emptying galls of other cynipids by Cr. scutellaris. Altogether, our data point to a close relationship between the ant Co. truncata and A. cerricola, and further investigations may shed light on its possible benefits for both species.
Genome-Wide Mining of lncRNAs Reveals Their Potential Regulatory Role in the Evolution of Viviparity.
Feng X, Gao W, Dong W … +4 more , Chen Y, Murphy RW, Zhang Y, Che J
Integr Zool · 2025 Apr · PMID 40296238 · Publisher ↗
Reproduction in vertebrates usually involves egg-laying (oviparity) or live-bearing (viviparity). Oviparity is the ancestral trait from which viviparity has independently evolved more than 100 times in squamate reptiles....
Reproduction in vertebrates usually involves egg-laying (oviparity) or live-bearing (viviparity). Oviparity is the ancestral trait from which viviparity has independently evolved more than 100 times in squamate reptiles. This transition involves a series of physiological and structural changes, including the degeneration of eggshell and the evolution of a placenta and differences in the temporal and spatial expression patterns of some functional genes that drive the structural transformation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the regulation of gene expression, yet it remains unclear whether they participate in gene expression shifts during the transition from oviparity to viviparity, and if so how. Therefore, we employ deep mining to identify novel lncRNAs of a closely related oviparous-viviparous pair of lizards (Phrynocephalus przewalskii and P. vlangalii). We construct cis- and trans-regulatory networks between lncRNAs and target genes using the transcriptomic data of oviduct or uteri tissues across reproductive periods. Results show that lncRNAs that regulate eggshell gland developmental genes in the oviparous lizard are lost or less expressed in the viviparous lizard. A number of lncRNAs involved in the regulation of placental development and embryo attachment in viviparous species have no orthologs in oviparous species, and others show little or no expression. Accordingly, lncRNAs may play important regulatory roles in the physiological and structural changes in the transition from oviparity to viviparity. These results open doors to the further elucidation of genetic regulatory networks.
Within-Host "Infraecology": Asymmetric Interactions Between Two Co-infecting Eye Parasites.
Gopko M, Savina K, Sotnikov D … +1 more , Mironova E
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 40288961 · Publisher ↗
Parasites within the host body can occupy similar ecological niches and, therefore, compete for resources. Similarly to macroecological environments, within-host habitats often provide unequal access to resources for dif...
Parasites within the host body can occupy similar ecological niches and, therefore, compete for resources. Similarly to macroecological environments, within-host habitats often provide unequal access to resources for different parasitic species. Parasites that live closer to the source of nutrients likely "intercept" resources, thus inhibiting the growth of "downstream" competitors. The eyes of vertebrates are an example of such asymmetric habitats, as lenses have priority access to nutrients over the vitreous humor. However, parasitic interactions in asymmetric environments have been rarely purposefully examined. We experimentally infected fish with lens- and vitreous-dwelling parasites (Diplostomum pseudospathaceum and Tylodelphys clavata, respectively) to compare their infection success and growth in the presence/absence of each other. We found evidence of antagonistic interactions between parasites during the infection process and their growth within hosts. Each parasite species decreased the infection success of the other to a similar extent. Importantly, in accordance with our initial hypothesis, interactions between the parasites during the growth phase were asymmetric. In the presence of D. pseudospathaceum living closer to the nutrient source (in the lens), vitreous-dwelling T. clavata grew slower than in monoinfections. In contrast, the presence of T. clavata, the "downstream" parasite, did not influence the growth of the D. pseudospathaceum. Our results highlight how within-host interactions and spatial heterogeneity affect the infection success of parasites and the size structure of infracommunities. We emphasize that such "infraecological" considerations should be considered when studying parasitic communities since within-host ecological interactions can influence infection dynamics and virulence.
Nonlinear Abundance-Area Relationship Underlying Processes of the American Bullfrog Invasion in the Zhoushan Archipelago, China.
Li Y, Du Y, Tu W … +9 more , Wang Y, Zhang Q, Xi Y, Ding J, Han L, Zhao Z, Dai Y, Wang Y, Liu X
Integr Zool · 2025 Sep · PMID 40275834 · Publisher ↗
The small-island effect (SIE) has been used to quantify the increase of established non-native species richness with island area but has not yet been applied to explore the dynamics of non-native species abundance, which...
The small-island effect (SIE) has been used to quantify the increase of established non-native species richness with island area but has not yet been applied to explore the dynamics of non-native species abundance, which is important to develop timely mitigation strategies on established populations. Based on field surveys of established populations of the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus = Rana catesbeiana) across 92 permanent water bodies on 31 islands in the Zhoushan Archipelago, China, we explored the abundance-area relationship (AAR) of the invasive bullfrogs at the island and habitat (i.e., permanent still waters) scales, respectively. We did not detect the non-linear increase of bullfrog abundance with island area in the Zhoushan Archipelago, but found a piecewise trend of the bullfrog abundance with the area of invaded waters. Overall, bullfrogs were more abundant on larger islands, less isolated islands, and in waters with lower densities of native anurans. Our findings indicate that the invasive bullfrogs may have not reached the threshold of rapid increase of population abundance in the Zhoushan Archipelago and highlight the importance of continued close monitoring to prevent future population outbreaks.
Fruit Choice by Two Sympatric Primate Species: Determining Nutritional Composition Using Visual and Tactile Cues.
Chen Y, Zhong X, Fan P
Integr Zool · 2025 Apr · PMID 40268865 · Publisher ↗
In forested environments it is challenging for fruit-eating animals to select fruits that meet their nutritional needs. Primates base their food choices on fruit phenotypic traits such as color and tactile cues to determ...
In forested environments it is challenging for fruit-eating animals to select fruits that meet their nutritional needs. Primates base their food choices on fruit phenotypic traits such as color and tactile cues to determine nutrient content to improve foraging efficiency. However, are fruit phenotypic traits reliable indicators of nutrient content? To answer this question, we integrated observations of feeding behavior with the nutritional and physical characteristics of the fruits in the diet of two sympatric primates (Nomascus concolor and Trachypithecus crepusculus) in a subtropical forest in Southwestern China. Gibbons chose fruits with high total non-structural carbohydrate content that have high chromatic contrast against a predominantly green background, while langurs chose fruits with high crude protein content and high hardness. The chromatic contrast exhibited a significant positive correlation with the carbohydrate content, and the fruit hardness demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the protein content. Chromatic conspicuousness and hardness may serve as important fruit foraging cues for gibbons and langurs. This study adds to our growing understanding of how Old World primates use color vision and tactile cues while foraging and provides new insights to the evolution of diverse animal sensory systems.
Metagenomic Insights into the Rumen Microbiome in Solid and Liquid Fractions of Yaks and Their Differences Compared to Other Ruminants.
Yan X, Xie F, Yang S … +6 more , Sun Y, Lei Y, Ren Q, Si H, Li Z, Qiu Q
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 40265464 · Publisher ↗
The rumen microbiome plays a critical role in nutrient metabolism and adaptation of the yak (Bos grunniens), an import livestock animal of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau renowned for their superior plant fiber degradation cap...
The rumen microbiome plays a critical role in nutrient metabolism and adaptation of the yak (Bos grunniens), an import livestock animal of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau renowned for their superior plant fiber degradation capacity. However, the microbiome among the different ecological niches within yak's rumen remains unelucidated. Through shotgun sequencing of rumen solid and liquid fractions from five yaks, we identified significant differences in the microbial communities and their genetic functions between the solid and liquid fractions. Solid fractions exhibited dominance by Ruminococcus, Succiniclasticum, and Aspergillus, while Prevotella, Paludibacter, Parabacteroides, and Bacteroides prevailed in liquid fractions. Comparative CAZyme profiling revealed solid fractions were significantly enriched in cellulose/hemicellulose-targeting enzymes (GH5, GH11, and CBM63), implicating their specialization in breaking down the fibrous grasses. In contrast, liquid fractions showed higher abundances of starch-degrading enzymes (GH13, CBM48) and host-glycan utilizers (GH92), suggesting roles in soluble nutrient extraction and host-microbe interactions. Comparative analysis of 574 metagenome-assembled genomes suggested that Methanomethylophilaceae_UBA71 and nitrate-respiring Ruminococcaceae_Firm-04 preferentially colonized in the solids, whereas propionate-producing Quinella and animal glycan-degrading Bacteroides were more prevalent in the liquids. Moreover, compared to Hu sheep, yak's rumen microbiome showed significantly enhanced utilization of plant polysaccharide capacity. Comparative analysis across 10 ruminant species further highlighted host phylogeny as a key driver of rumen microbiome variation. These findings advance our understanding of niche differentiation and functional specialization within the unique yak rumen ecosystem.
A Functionally Conserved yet Dynamically Evolving Toolkit Underpinning Molluscan Biomineralization: Insights From Shell and Radula.
Li Z, Yang M, Ma X … +12 more , Zhou C, Meng F, Shi P, Hu P, Liang B, Jiang Q, Zhang L, Liu X, Shi T, Lai C, Zhang T, Song H
Integr Zool · 2025 Apr · PMID 40248912 · Publisher ↗
The molluscan shell and radula constitute pivotal molluscan innovations, each characterized by distinct functions and diverse forms, regulated by the highly specific biomineralization regulatory networks. Despite their p...
The molluscan shell and radula constitute pivotal molluscan innovations, each characterized by distinct functions and diverse forms, regulated by the highly specific biomineralization regulatory networks. Despite their paramount importance, the conserved components and adaptive evolutionary processes governing these regulatory networks remain unresolved. To address this knowledge gap, we advocate for the integration of data from less-explored lineages, such as Scaphopoda, as an essential step. This study presents the inaugural comprehensive transcriptome analysis of Pictodentalium vernedei, a representative species of Scaphopoda distinguished by a unique and evolutionarily conserved shell morphology and radula structure. Furthermore, comparative transcriptome/genome analyses are employed to unravel the conservatism and evolutionary innovation of the involved biomineralization regulatory elements. Our findings underscore the central role of secretomes in governing biomineralization processes, and we identified a fundamental set of 26 domains within molluscan secretomes, forming an essential functional protein domain repertoire necessary for the transformation of inorganic ions into biomineralized structures. This core biomineralization toolkit has undergone independent expansion and lineage-specific recruitment, giving rise to novel, modular domain architectures. This may be essential for the functional specialization and morphological diversification of shell and radula structures. These evolutionary processes are driven by the independent co-option of ancient genes and the emergence of novel de novo genes. This comprehensive investigation not only contributes insights into the evolution of molluscan biomineralization structures but also establishes avenues for further scholarly exploration.
Rethinking the Impact of Human Disturbance on Wildlife: Fine-Scale Responses from Species to Guilds.
Yang S, Hu J
Integr Zool · 2025 Sep · PMID 40247446 · Publisher ↗
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WIMANET: The Power of a Network in Wildlife Malaria Research.
Marzal A, Bodawatta K, Chagas CRF … +13 more , Chakarov N, Duc M, Emmenegger T, Ferraguti M, García-Longoria L, Gutiérrez-López R, Lopes RJ, Martínez-De La Puente J, Renner S, Santiago-Alarcón D, Sehgal RNM, Stanković D, Dunn JC
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 40246698 · Full text
The Wildlife Malaria Network (WIMANET) is an EU-COST-funded global network of researchers and stakeholders interested in wildlife malaria and related haemosporidian parasites. The network has six working groups covering...
The Wildlife Malaria Network (WIMANET) is an EU-COST-funded global network of researchers and stakeholders interested in wildlife malaria and related haemosporidian parasites. The network has six working groups covering a diverse range of core topics within wildlife malaria research, focusing on genetics and genomics, species identification, vectors, haematology, communities, and communication. Up to now, the network includes 229 members from 45 countries including Europe, America, Africa, and Asia, but this number is continually growing. This review outlines the aims and goals of WIMANET, providing a summary of activities and plans for each of the six working groups for the next years. The network is open to new members, and we provide details on how both new and existing members can get involved in the network and take part in activities. WIMANET provides a global platform for collaborative and innovative research, and we encourage all members of the wildlife malaria community (and beyond) to take advantage of the opportunities the network offers.
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