Integrative Zoology[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Congener Dreissenid Mussels Differ in Their Survival and Behavioral Responses to Drought and Immersion in Sediments.
Kobak J, Wiśniewski K, Bomba A … +4 more , Szarmach D, Balogh C, Jermacz Ł, Poznańska-Kakareko M
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 42171343 · Publisher ↗
Quagga (QM) and zebra (ZM) mussels (Dreissena bugensis and Dreissena polymorpha) are invasive bivalves forming freshwater fouling communities of high economic and environmental importance in Europe and North America. The...
Quagga (QM) and zebra (ZM) mussels (Dreissena bugensis and Dreissena polymorpha) are invasive bivalves forming freshwater fouling communities of high economic and environmental importance in Europe and North America. They may experience immersion in soft sediments by sedimenting particles (mostly at deeper locations or areas with high hydrodynamic activity) or while attached to burrowing unionid mussels. On the other hand, mussels located near the water surface may encounter water level decreases and air exposure during droughts. We experimentally tested mussel survival and behavioral responses to immersion in sediments and water level reduction. Interspecific differences in these responses can help understand the ongoing replacement of ZM by QM in invaded communities and less common cases of their co-existence. ZM were more resistant to both stressors, surviving longer when immersed in sediments or exposed to air. Moreover, both species survived better in coarse versus fine sediments. QM re-emerged from sediments more efficiently than ZM. In turn, ZM relocated over longer downward distances facing water level reduction compared to the behavior of individuals tested at the constant water level. Thus, ZM seem better adapted to remain at their attachment sites, survive temporary adverse conditions, and cope with dangers typical for shallow nearshore areas. On the other hand, QM perform better on soft bottoms, abandoning their attachment sites to cope with immersion in sediments. These adaptations allow QM to dominate deep-water soft sediments, whereas ZM can find refuges in areas periodically exposed to air and on unionid mussels.
It's Complicated: How Sex, Family, and Season Affect Growth of a Sexually Size Dimorphic Spider.
Prezelj T, Debes PV, Golobinek R … +1 more , Kralj-Fišer S
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 42153988 · Publisher ↗
Female-biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD), where females are larger than males, is widespread. While ultimate explanations for SSD are well established, the proximate developmental mechanisms remain poorly understood. S...
Female-biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD), where females are larger than males, is widespread. While ultimate explanations for SSD are well established, the proximate developmental mechanisms remain poorly understood. Studying sex-specific growth trajectories to identify common versus sex-specific growth periods is therefore key to uncovering when and how SSD emerges. Theory predicts that female-biased SSD may arise if females hatch larger, grow more rapidly, grow longer, or combine these pathways. We studied sex-specific growth trajectories in the African hermit spider, Nephilingis cruentata, where adult females are on average 75 times heavier and take 2.3 times longer until adulthood than males. We tracked sex-specific carapace-width growth for 916 individuals from 153 families, which allowed us to test and account for the importance of family effects on sex-specific growth. After initial growth trajectories common to both sexes, trajectories diverged after ∼80-90 days, coinciding with the male subadult stage onset. At this point, male growth decelerated and terminated at sexual maturity, whereas female growth accelerated until their subadult stage at ∼200 days. Thereafter, the female growth rate also decelerated and terminated at sexual maturity. Thus, females attain their larger size through both an extended growth period and a more rapid growth rate, which initiates in female mid-development. Whereas we detected seasonal effects on growth that were similar in both sexes, among-family variation showed sex-specific signatures. Our results pinpoint a key developmental window of growth trajectory divergence between sexes, providing a target for investigation of the mechanisms underlying SSD and emphasizing the importance of family effects.
Sex Role-Dependent Behavioral and Architectural Divergence in a Jumping Spider.
Wang Y, Jiang C, Liu JX … +2 more , Jiao X, Chen Z
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 42145233 · Publisher ↗
Sex differences in behavior and functional traits are often attributed to differences in mating effort intensity, but the role of sex-specific parental demands remains poorly understood. Using the jumping spider Toxeus m...
Sex differences in behavior and functional traits are often attributed to differences in mating effort intensity, but the role of sex-specific parental demands remains poorly understood. Using the jumping spider Toxeus maxillosus-where males engage in mate searching and courtship without providing parental care, while females provide extended maternal care from egg attendance to offspring maturity (around 3 months)-we conducted an exploratory investigation into whether these distinct selective pressures led to divergence in spatial behaviors and nest architecture. Results revealed that males and females showed equivalent accuracy, latency, and learning-related performance in both a route-planning test under water stress and a color-pattern associative memory task. In contrast, during nest-construction assays, females built complex, multi-entrance structures that closely matched the container's corner geometry, whereas males constructed only simple nests. Moreover, females built significantly larger and denser nests in both tube-present and tube-absent conditions. These findings indicate that when spatial or signal-processing abilities are equally critical for both sexes' survival and reproduction, sexual and parental selection can converge on similar phenotypic performance; however, when trait functionality is strongly sex-limited (as in nest construction), divergence emerges. Our results reconcile conflicting reports of sex differences in spatially related traits by demonstrating that ecological necessity, rather than selective pressures alone, predicts the extent of divergence.
Trait-Associated Gaps in IUCN Assessment and Conservation Prioritization for Echolocating Mammals.
Li J, Guo J, Wang J … +8 more , Newman C, Wu J, Lei B, Peng G, Buesching CD, Macdonald DW, Wu N, Zhou Y
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 42133879 · Publisher ↗
Echolocating mammals comprise an evolutionarily and functionally distinct group of often cryptic species that navigate using ultrasound, of which many terrestrial representatives are nocturnal. We show that, compared to...
Echolocating mammals comprise an evolutionarily and functionally distinct group of often cryptic species that navigate using ultrasound, of which many terrestrial representatives are nocturnal. We show that, compared to non-echolocators, these species are disproportionately represented in data-deficient or unevaluated IUCN categories, due to fewer population studies. This pattern is associated with ecological and socioeconomic correlates of detectability and research effort, including occurrence in less accessible habitats (e.g., caves and open ocean), smaller population sizes, restricted areas of occupancy, and lower national economic prosperity. We recommend that, given their evolutionary and functional distinctiveness, high taxonomic richness (particularly in bats), and important ecosystem functions, echolocators warrant greater IUCN assessment and elevated conservation priority, especially considering the ongoing threats that they face.
Putting Rodents at the Center of One Health Programs: A Narrative Synthesis.
Belmain SR
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 42127313 · Publisher ↗
Rodents occupy a pivotal position at the interface of humans, animals, and the environment, making them a fundamental component of One Health frameworks. Both commensal and sylvatic rodent species act as reservoirs, ampl...
Rodents occupy a pivotal position at the interface of humans, animals, and the environment, making them a fundamental component of One Health frameworks. Both commensal and sylvatic rodent species act as reservoirs, amplifiers, and sentinels for a wide diversity of zoonotic pathogens, while simultaneously delivering key ecosystem services that influence biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and landscape structure. Spillover of pathogens between rodents, humans, livestock, and other wildlife occurs bidirectionally, enabling pathogen persistence, evolution, and emergence, particularly in rapidly changing socio-ecological systems. Invasive and synanthropic rodent species can profoundly disrupt ecosystems, contribute to biodiversity loss, and erode dilution effects that otherwise reduce disease transmission. At the same time, rodents serve as sensitive bioindicators of environmental contamination, antimicrobial resistance, and ecosystem degradation due to their close association with agriculture, waste streams, and human settlement. This narrative synthesis argues that rodents should be explicitly placed at the center of One Health programs, particularly within the scope of integrative zoology, which seeks to unify ecological, evolutionary, and health-related perspectives. Drawing on more than two decades of multidisciplinary research, largely from sub-Saharan Africa, this paper synthesizes current understanding of rodent ecology, pathogen diversity, and environmental change, while highlighting the RatZooMan project as an early exemplar of a rodent-focused One Health approach. We expand existing concepts, remove disciplinary silos, and identify future research directions that reconcile zoonotic disease prevention with ecosystem integrity and sustainable development.
A New Model of Feeding Biomechanics Based on Tied-Arch Principles.
Mitchell DR
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 42127310 · Publisher ↗
Understanding of how skulls transmit and resolve forces during biting currently derives from several independent frameworks originating mostly from carnivorans and primates. This new biomechanical model integrates this c...
Understanding of how skulls transmit and resolve forces during biting currently derives from several independent frameworks originating mostly from carnivorans and primates. This new biomechanical model integrates this classic jaw lever theory with structural mechanics to explain how the highest magnitude stresses and strains arise through the tetrapod cranium during biting. The model proposes that bite forces are resolved through compression-dominant arcs spanning the skull between jaw muscle origins, biting teeth, and jaw joints. The apex, or "vertex," of a compression arc corresponds to the most efficient load-bearing geometry for resisting the muscle resultant force vector. Finite element simulations of a dietary generalist (Didelphis virginiana), a bone-cracking specialist (Sarcophilus harrisii), and an encephalized primate (Cacajao calvus), combined with novel visualization of subsurface stresses, demonstrate that withstanding high bite-induced reaction forces benefits from skull geometries that optimize compressive load paths while minimizing peak tensile stresses. Skull functions that impede generation of continuous compression arcs, such as enlarged braincase size, increase reliance on more diffuse stresses and tensile support. By contrast, when selection favors resisting higher bite reaction forces, bone structure is predicted to evolve toward funicular shapes, thereby consolidating compressive stress fields. However, geometry will always be constrained by development, phylogenetic history, and functional trade-offs that can impact the continuity or efficiency of compressive resolution. Compression arcs are therefore often supported by tensile ties, thus framing the tetrapod skull as a tied-arch bridge analog. The model provides a first-principles framework for predicting and interpreting evolutionary optimization in skull structure and biting performance.
Snake Gut Microbiota as a Source of Anti-Inflammatory Probiotics: Isolation and Functional Characterization of Two Novel Strains.
Kang X, Hu L, Song J … +9 more , Zhang Z, Li Y, Zhang Q, Luo C, Pang Y, Guo P, Yue B, Li P, Fan Z
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 42104937 · Publisher ↗
The intestinal microbiome is fundamental to host physiological homeostasis, while deviations from its balanced state have been linked to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). To address the limitations of conventional antib...
The intestinal microbiome is fundamental to host physiological homeostasis, while deviations from its balanced state have been linked to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). To address the limitations of conventional antibiotic therapies, this study explored snake gut microbiota as a novel source of anti-inflammatory probiotics. We explored the gut microbiota of five snake species (Deinagkistrodon acutus, Trimerodytes annularis, Trimerodytes percarinatus, Lycodon rufozonatus, and Trimeresurus stejnegeri) through metagenomic sequencing. Community composition analysis revealed that the phylum-level composition was mainly Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinomycetota, and Firmicutes. We further detected some potential probiotic species, such as Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, and Limosilactobacillus. From 196 isolated strains, Lactobacillus johnsonii DA0116 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri DA0218 were selected through rigorous safety and functional assessments, including acid/bile tolerance, pathogen inhibition, and adhesion capacity. In a DSS-induced murine colitis model, both strains significantly reduced disease activity index (DAI), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8), and restored gut microbiota diversity. Additionally, whole-genome analysis identified bacteriocin synthesis clusters (gassericin-S/T) and carbohydrate metabolism genes, explaining their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. This study not only emphasizes the untapped latent value of reptilian gut microbiota for probiotic discovery but also provides two candidate strains with therapeutic promise for IBD and functional food applications.
Productivity and Human Disturbance Shape Contrasting Distribution Patterns of Core and Occasional Bird Species in a Subtropical Forest Reserve in Southern China.
Quan Q, Shu Z, Xiao Z … +3 more , Wang X, Shen Y, Zhang Q
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 42104928 · Publisher ↗
Protected areas often use a zoning management to balance conservation and sustainable development, yet its effectiveness for animal communities remains a critical knowledge gap. We investigated how reserve zoning and hum...
Protected areas often use a zoning management to balance conservation and sustainable development, yet its effectiveness for animal communities remains a critical knowledge gap. We investigated how reserve zoning and human disturbance jointly shape bird diversity in a restored subtropical forest in Southeast China. Using a suite of statistical models on grid-based survey data, we analyzed community, functional groups, and species-level responses to zoning, human disturbance, and other landscape factors. Our findings revealed a significant mismatch between management areas and avian diversity patterns. Bird diversity hotspots were not in the strictly protected core areas but in experimental areas near human settlements. This pattern is driven by contrasting responses within the bird community: higher productivity primarily supports abundant core species, whereas proximity to human settlements strongly attracts occasional species. The presence of human settlements could augment vegetation complexity and resource availability, potentially driving higher levels of species coexistence. In contrast, in the study, birds exhibit a strong avoidance of edge areas in protected areas, as these zones often signify intense human disturbance from the surrounding landscape. We conclude that static zoning has limitations in recovering ecosystems. Effective management must balance the enhancement of habitat heterogeneity to support broad community richness with the preservation of core areas, which serve as irreplaceable refugia for disturbance-sensitive species despite not being richness hotspots.
Future Climate Change Will Severely Threaten the Current Habitat of Ichthyophis kohtaoensis in China.
Zhou Z, Lai J, Han X … +5 more , Li G, Zhang T, Wu Z, Sun B, Bei Y
Integr Zool · 2026 May · PMID 42101057 · Publisher ↗
In the context of climate change, species extinction and biodiversity loss of amphibians have become widespread concerns. Assessing the impacts of climate change on amphibians is a basis for understanding their survival...
In the context of climate change, species extinction and biodiversity loss of amphibians have become widespread concerns. Assessing the impacts of climate change on amphibians is a basis for understanding their survival and developing effective conservation strategies. However, some fundamental information, such as the distribution area and determinants of a rare caecilian species (Ichthyophis kohtaoensis), remains largely scarce. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic and integrative investigation by extensive field survey and literature collection to outline the geographic range of this species. With the distribution database, we employed species distribution models to assess the impacts of climate change and human activities on its distribution under current and two future climate scenarios with different shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5). The results indicate that the current distribution of I. kohtaoensis is approximately 186 420 km, and climate variables are the dominant factor in determining its distribution. Moreover, its current potential habitat area may decrease by more than 42.5%, facing a risk of extinction under climate change. In addition, habitat loss is more severe under the high-emission scenario (SSP5-8.5) than under the low-emission scenario (SSP1-2.6), reflecting the species' sensitivity to climate change. This study also provides fundamental information to guide future population-rediscovery efforts for I. kohtaoensis and to inform the development of conservation strategies and implementation.
Gonadal Development-Related Genes and a Male-Specific Genetic Marker Identified in the Endangered Sichuan Taimen (Hucho bleekeri).
Wei Q, Li H, Chen Y … +3 more , Yang H, Du J, Song Z
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 42051216 · Publisher ↗
Sex determination and differentiation represent fundamental topics in reproductive biology. Sichuan taimen (Hucho bleekeri), a first-class national protected fish species in China, lacks obvious secondary sexual characte...
Sex determination and differentiation represent fundamental topics in reproductive biology. Sichuan taimen (Hucho bleekeri), a first-class national protected fish species in China, lacks obvious secondary sexual characteristics, making it challenging to distinguish sex without resorting to invasive methods such as dissection. This limitation presents a significant obstacle to both artificial breeding and conservation efforts for the species. Herein, we performed transcriptome and proteome sequencing to identify sex-biased genes of H. bleekeri. A total of 25 258 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in gonadal tissues, including 15 071 up-regulated male-biased DEGs. Proteomics analysis identified 2937 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Integrated analysis identified several key DEGs, including sdY, CYP11A1, 3β-HSD1, CYP17A1, CYP11B, CYP19A1A, 17β-HSD1, and 17β-HSD8, in which CYP11A1, 3β-HSD1, CYP17A1, and CYP11B exhibited high expression in the testis. Furthermore, the cDNA sequence of the sdY gene was obtained, and in situ hybridization revealed that sdY is exclusively expressed in the Sertoli cells of the testis. In addition, one pair of sdY primers was designed to screen sex-linked markers, and the results confirmed that sdY can serve as a sex-specific marker in H. bleekeri. The present study would provide a foundation for future research on genes involved in sex determination, differentiation, and artificial breeding in H. bleekeri.
RNA Virus Diversity, Cross-Species Transmission, and Molecular Constraints in Two Closely Related Rat Species.
Li Z, Zhang M, Cao R … +4 more , Shi C, Yang L, Zhang J, Zhang Y
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 42033733 · Publisher ↗
Viral infection involves co-evolution with hosts, yet the molecular determinants that constrain viral cross-species transmission remain poorly understood. Here, we established conspecific and heterospecific co-housing mo...
Viral infection involves co-evolution with hosts, yet the molecular determinants that constrain viral cross-species transmission remain poorly understood. Here, we established conspecific and heterospecific co-housing models for two closely related rat species, Rattus norvegicus (RN) and Rattus tanezumi (RT), both maintained in laboratory settings for over 10 generations, together with wild-caught RT individuals. Using meta-transcriptomic sequencing and population genomic analyses, we compared their RNA virus profiles and investigated the potential molecular constraints on cross-species viral transmission. From 63 rats, we characterized an extensive RNA virome comprising more than 600 viruses, including 7 zoonotic viruses, 29 viruses with cross-species transmission potential, and 335 novel viruses. Notably, the prevalence of Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) was significantly higher in RN than in RT. Population genomic analysis revealed that RN exhibited higher heterozygosity in Itgb3 (the gene encoding the SEOV receptor, β3-integrin) and Tlr7 (the gene encoding the receptor for viral ssRNA, Toll-like receptor 7) compared to RT. These genetic variations likely represent the molecular determinants responsible for the differential susceptibility to SEOV between the two species. Our findings clarify the diversity and prevalence of RNA viruses in closely related rodent species and highlight host genetic barriers that may influence zoonotic spillover risk.
Adapting to Urban Heights: Multidimensional Gradients Drive Nest-Selection Plasticity and Trade-Offs in a Human-Commensal Sparrow.
Wang Y, Kou G, Liu F … +9 more , Liu X, Li J, Wang J, Zhang Q, Yin Y, Wang L, Wingfield JC, Lei F, Li D
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 42029074 · Publisher ↗
Urbanization is reshaping ecosystems worldwide, driving wildlife to navigate and adapt to novel and highly dynamic environments. The Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus, ETS) serves as an exemplary human commensal, th...
Urbanization is reshaping ecosystems worldwide, driving wildlife to navigate and adapt to novel and highly dynamic environments. The Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus, ETS) serves as an exemplary human commensal, thriving in cities through exceptional behavioral and ecological flexibility. Here, we systematically investigated the nest-site selection strategies of ETSs across 645 residential buildings across 22 cities in northern China, integrating climatic, geographic, biotic, and anthropogenic variables at a macroecological scale. We found that both the availability and use of nest height preference increased with building height, underscoring ETSs' capacity to exploit vertical resources in dense urban landscapes. Notably, the preference for lower nest heights when nest sites were abundant suggests a strategy to reduce intraspecific competition and energy expenditure. Negative associations between nest-site use or preference and the normalized difference vegetation index indicate that ETSs favor anthropogenic over vegetated resources, likely to circumvent interspecific competition in urban green spaces. Additionally, altitudinal gradients modulated ETSs' nesting responses: At lower elevations, higher building heights promoted nesting, whereas increased economic development (gross domestic product per cell) and noise suppressed it-signaling an avoidance of intense anthropogenic disturbance. Conversely, ETSs showed reduced competition at higher altitudes and increasingly relied on resources linked to urban prosperity. These findings reveal context-dependent patterns of nest-site selection in ETSs across multidimensional urban gradients. Our study documents behavioral plasticity in a highly successful urban-commensal species and highlights the need for future research linking such patterns to individual fitness, population persistence, and broader biodiversity management in cities.
Advances in Large-Scale Surveying and Monitoring of Large Wild Animals Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
Guo S, He G, Fu H … +14 more , Xie Y, Jin S, Han M, Zhang T, Shao G, Wen Y, Dunn DW, Pan R, Yang L, Du H, Jia J, Hao L, Wei F, Li B
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 42024794 · Publisher ↗
As the number of endangered animal species increases, their conservation requires effective methods for the surveying and monitoring of the spatial and temporal distributions of targeted species, often on a large scale....
As the number of endangered animal species increases, their conservation requires effective methods for the surveying and monitoring of the spatial and temporal distributions of targeted species, often on a large scale. Traditional methods often fail to meet the requirements for effective, large-scale surveying and monitoring due to inherent limitations. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for wild animal surveys presents a promising alternative to traditional ground-based methods, particularly for large-scale monitoring. However, its application has been predominantly limited to open landscapes, leaving a significant gap for surveys in complex, forested environments that host numerous elusive and endangered large vertebrate species. This review synthesizes recent advancements and critically assesses the challenges of UAV-based surveys for large vertebrates. We systematically evaluate suitable survey strategies (e.g., absolute/relative and overall/sampling), platform types (fixed-wing vs. rotary-wing), and airborne detectors (RGB, thermal, and multispectral) for different contexts. We conclude that the future of large-scale wildlife monitoring in rugged, mountainous regions relies on the integration of three key technologies: (1) developing long-endurance UAV platforms, (2) employing multi-spectral detection equipment to acquire multimodal data, and (3) establishing efficient, artificial intelligence-driven data processing pipelines. By addressing these priorities, UAV technology can fully realize its potential to provide accurate, efficient, and non-invasive monitoring solutions for large vertebrate populations in their most challenging habitats.
Metabolome Diversity Enhances Resistance of Intertidal Clams to Thermal Stress.
Hu Z, Wei XT, Lin X … +3 more , Ma L, Zhang T, Dong Y
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 42018722 · Publisher ↗
Global warming and marine heatwaves have devastating impacts on marine ectotherms. Clams inhabiting sandflats are frequently exposed to air and high temperatures. Different geographical species/populations facing diverse...
Global warming and marine heatwaves have devastating impacts on marine ectotherms. Clams inhabiting sandflats are frequently exposed to air and high temperatures. Different geographical species/populations facing diverse thermal environments may exhibit divergent physiological capabilities to cope with local conditions, and understanding species/population-specific physiological plasticity has been highlighted as important to fully uncover species' tolerance capacity within the highly heterogeneous spatial patterns. In the present study, we conducted metabolomic analyses of four Meretrix populations along China's coast, including three populations of Meretrix petechialis and one of Meretrix lusoria, to illustrate species/population-specific metabolomic responses to thermal stress. Our results indicated that the thermal environments of clam habitats varied along the coastlines. Metabolome responses showed species/population-specific patterns in response to high temperatures, suggesting metabolomic plasticity among species/populations. The northern populations mainly respond to high-temperature stress by enhancing antioxidant defenses and adjusting energy metabolism. Glycerophospholipid metabolism was a vital metabolic response to thermal stress in the southern species/population. GDP-L-fucose levels were positively correlated with the clams' upper thermal limits. Additionally, metabolite-based genome-wide association studies on GDP-L-fucose identified six candidate genes: neuropeptide FF receptor 2-like, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase rnf213-alpha-like isoform X2, uncharacterized protein LOC123550816, solute carrier family 28 member 3-like isoform X1, adenylate kinase isoenzyme 5-like isoform X6, and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM33-like, highlighting the potential roles of codon usage bias and changes in protein structure. Overall, we emphasized metabolome diversity across species/populations and stressed the importance of accounting for it when assessing the impacts of climate change on marine ectotherms.
The Earliest Feathers from the Lower Cretaceous Dabeigou Formation of North Hebei: Implications for the Early Evolution of the Jehol Biota.
Wu Q, Zhang QN, Xi DP
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 42018721 · Publisher ↗
The Middle-Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota and the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota in northeastern China are renowned for their numerous exceptional fossils of feathered non-avian dinosaurs and early avialans, which are pivotal...
The Middle-Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota and the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota in northeastern China are renowned for their numerous exceptional fossils of feathered non-avian dinosaurs and early avialans, which are pivotal for elucidating the origins and evolutionary trajectories of birds. The Early Cretaceous witnessed a rapid diversification of terrestrial biotas, with the Jehol Biota serving as one of the most typical and famous assemblages in China from this era. In this report, we present two isolated feather specimens recovered from the oldest sedimentary strata of the Dabeigou Formation, located within the Luanping Basin in northern Hebei Province, China. Both feather specimens are preserved as carbonized residues, and morphological analyses indicate that they represent some of the earliest feathered theropods from the Jehol Group reported to date, potentially including avian taxa. This discovery not only enriches the evidence for diverse terrestrial vertebrate groups of the Jehol Biota but also signifies the establishment of a complex ecosystem during the biota's early evolutionary stages.
Transcriptomics Unveil Dsx1 as a Critical Regulator in Sexual Dimorphism of Crustaceans.
Tong Y, Xin W, Liu Z … +6 more , Zheng Y, Huang M, Liu H, Lu D, Peng W, Hou Z
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 42018717 · Publisher ↗
Sexually dimorphic traits are involved in reproductive competition and are specified during development through sex-biased gene expression programs. Here, we test this hypothesis using RNA-seq data from male and female T...
Sexually dimorphic traits are involved in reproductive competition and are specified during development through sex-biased gene expression programs. Here, we test this hypothesis using RNA-seq data from male and female T3 legs throughout the development of crustacean amphipods. Through comparative transcriptome, we found that Dsx1 shows male-biased expression during development of Morinoia aosen, and explored its phylogeny. Next, we performed RNA interference on amputated males, and found that knockdown of Dsx1 cause the feminization of the regenerated dactylus of T3 legs. Finally, to understand the genetic regulation of the embryonic development of sex differences, we conducted CRISPR-Cas9 knockout in crustacean model species Parhyale hawaiensis, to validate the feminization of T3 legs in male mutants. Together, phylogenetic analyses and gene knockout experiments identified homologous genes and revealed the conserved function of Dsx1 across different species. Our study provides insight into the causal relationship between sex-biased gene expression and sexually dimorphic traits.
Melanocortin 1 Receptor Signaling Protects Against Tubular Epithelial Cell Injury and M1 Macrophage Polarization in Acute Kidney Injury.
Chen Z, Chen W, Liu Y … +6 more , Pan S, Duan J, Liu D, Dong J, Liu Z, Qiao Y
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 42018715 · Publisher ↗
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by high incidence and mortality rates, and a lack of specific targeted therapies. Inflammatory responses mediated by immune cells and direct damage to renal tubular epithelial c...
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by high incidence and mortality rates, and a lack of specific targeted therapies. Inflammatory responses mediated by immune cells and direct damage to renal tubular epithelial cells underlie AKI development. Melanocortin exerts renoprotective effects through systemic immune regulation; however, the renoprotective role of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) remains unclear. MC1R-deficient (e/e) mice developed higher serum creatinine levels, more severe renal dysfunction, and greater histological damage than wild-type (WT) mice following folic acid-induced AKI. Treatment with MC1R agonist MS05 improved experimental nephritis in WT mice; however, this effect was less pronounced in e/e mice. The exacerbation of AKI in e/e mice was associated with damage to renal tubular epithelial cells and macrophage infiltration, where MC1R is highly expressed. MC1R alleviates tubular cell inflammation by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB pathway and suppresses the polarization of M1 macrophages. Chimeric mice were generated through transplantation of bone marrow-derived macrophages after irradiation. Macrophages from e/e mice with MC1R dysfunction exacerbated kidney injury in WT mice, whereas those from WT mice mitigated kidney injury in e/e mice. Targeting MC1R in renal tubular epithelial cells and macrophages provides a novel treatment concept for AKI.
Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Coordinated Adaptations in Genes, Metabolism, and Gut Microbiota Underpinning Herbivory in Lordiphosa Flies.
Guo R, Gao J, Zhang C … +2 more , Chang Z, Sun Y
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 42012066 · Publisher ↗
Herbivorous insects are among the most ecologically successful animal groups. However, the adaptive mechanisms that allow them to exploit plant hosts, which are often nutrient-poor (low in simple sugars, high in structur...
Herbivorous insects are among the most ecologically successful animal groups. However, the adaptive mechanisms that allow them to exploit plant hosts, which are often nutrient-poor (low in simple sugars, high in structural carbohydrates) and defended by toxic secondary metabolites, are not fully resolved. Here, we investigated the evolutionary basis of herbivory in Lordiphosa clarofinis, a drosophilid species feeding on living plant tissues, using multi-omics approaches. Behavioral experiments revealed a strong oviposition preference for Galinsoga parviflora (a host rich in secondary metabolites), accompanied by elevated expression of chemosensory genes linked to host discrimination. Comparative genomic analyses revealed lineage-specific expansions of gene families associated with detoxification (e.g., cytochrome P450s) and carbohydrate metabolism, alongside positive selection on genes involved in fatty acid utilization and glycogen synthesis. Transcriptomic data showed differential expression of energy metabolism pathways in response to low-sugar plant diets, with upregulation of genes linked to lipid oxidation and gluconeogenesis. Metagenomic profiling of gut microbiota identified key taxa (e.g., Bacteroidetes) capable of degrading plant polysaccharides and synthesizing essential vitamins, potentially complementing host nutritional intake. Our results demonstrate that herbivory in L. clarofinis is associated with coordinated genomic, transcriptional, and microbial changes, rather than being attributable to a single adaptive mechanism. This study highlights how multi-level biological features covary with plant-based feeding and provides a framework for investigating the complex evolutionary and ecological correlates of herbivory in insects.
Plant and Fruit Traits Drive the Structure of Bird-Frugivore Networks in a Simplified Coastal Forest of Eastern China.
Xu Y, He Y, Pan Y … +3 more , Tang N, Wang Z, Li N
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 41999658 · Publisher ↗
Plant and fruit functional traits fundamentally structure mutualistic networks in forest ecosystems. However, it remains unclear how these traits affect the network structure in the coastal forests. Understanding the rel...
Plant and fruit functional traits fundamentally structure mutualistic networks in forest ecosystems. However, it remains unclear how these traits affect the network structure in the coastal forests. Understanding the relationship between plant traits and network structure is crucial not only for fundamental ecology, but also for the effective conservation and management in the coastal forest ecosystems. Here, we examined avian-frugivory networks in the coastal forests of Dafeng, eastern China, by integrating key plant (height, canopy density, and fruit yield) and fruit traits (water content, crude fat, sugar, starch, and phenolics). The frugivory network exhibited a specialized and modular structure with significantly lower connectance and nestedness than null model expectations. Generalist species, particularly the light-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis), acted as the main forager in the network, interacting with all 12 plant species. The results of generalized additive models revealed complex nonlinear relationships between plant functional traits and network structure: fruit yield exhibited a threshold effect on species degree, while water content showed a unimodal effect. Crude fat and tannin content further influenced specialization through saturating and unimodal patterns, respectively. Overall, our study highlight that both structural and nutritional traits critically shape frugivory networks in coastal forests. Our findings also provide a trait-based framework for conservation of coastal forests, underscoring the need to preserve generalist frugivores and prioritize plant species with key functional traits to maintain ecosystem resilience.
Low Genetic Diversity in Climate Change Refugia Threatens the Endangered Himalayan Red Panda Ailurus fulgens.
Thapa A, Ma T, Wei F … +1 more , Hu Y
Integr Zool · 2026 Apr · PMID 41999657 · Publisher ↗
Accelerated global warming in the Himalayas poses a significant threat to its unique ecosystem and endemic species, particularly the endangered Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens). It faces severe threats from climate...
Accelerated global warming in the Himalayas poses a significant threat to its unique ecosystem and endemic species, particularly the endangered Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens). It faces severe threats from climate change, habitat fragmentation, and anthropogenic pressures. To assess its conservation status, we evaluated genetic diversity, population structure, and habitat suitability under past, current, and future climate. Using ensemble distribution modeling and landscape genetics approaches, we examined mitochondrial DNA control regions and 12 microsatellite loci, identifying 35 genetically distinct individuals from 196 samples. Two genetic clusters were observed, which included a western population with low genetic diversity (h = 0.200) and high inbreeding (F = 0.178) and a central-eastern population with moderate diversity. Three climate change refugia, persisting since the Last Glacial Maximum, were identified, which covered 52% of the current habitat, but with low genetic diversity. Habitat suitability is projected to decrease by 47.37% (2050) and 51.28% (2070) under the SSP 585 scenario. Approximately 52.76% of the habitat lies within the refugia, with 12 potential linkages between the core habitats, although the western region exhibited high resistance to movement. Urgent actions are needed to protect refugia, enhance connectivity, and promote gene flow to ensure the resilience of this species against climate change and human threats.
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