Integrative Zoology[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Uncovering the Process of Sexual Segregation: Male Early-Life Individual Tactics Shape Its Onset and Affect Phenotypic Quality in a Large Mammal.
Yu C, Amin B, David A … +6 more , Faull J, Conteddu K, Griffin LL, Smith AF, Haigh A, Ciuti S
Integr Zool · 2026 Mar · PMID 41885103 · Publisher ↗
Sexual segregation is widespread in vertebrates, yet little is known about the mechanisms (i.e., when, why, and how) driving subadult males to leave female groups to join adult males, including impacts on phenotypic qual...
Sexual segregation is widespread in vertebrates, yet little is known about the mechanisms (i.e., when, why, and how) driving subadult males to leave female groups to join adult males, including impacts on phenotypic quality. Using 6-year longitudinal data from 144 fallow deer males (from birth to after segregation), we examined the effects of neonatal personality, body condition, sociality, and space use during the first year of life on sexual segregation timing and excursions back to female groups, if any. Path analysis revealed via a number of direct and indirect pathways that males born heavier at birth, with more risk-prone neonatal personality, and with weaker social bonds with peers within natal groups, displayed a larger first set of antlers, left natal groups earlier (a.k.a. "early leavers"), and integrated more successfully into adult male groups, with fewer excursions back to the natal range. Interestingly, the initial antler length disadvantage of "late leavers" disappeared within 3 years after detachment, likely due to recovery in body condition. This research provides novel insights into the complex interplay between early-life traits, sexual segregation patterns, and consequences in a large mammal, enhancing understanding of this key ecological and evolutionary phenomenon in vertebrates.
Geographic Patterns of Head Morphology in Syngnathus typhle Across Marine Regions.
Ravisato M, Le Floch G, Pierri C … +14 more , Bels V, Castro-Hernandez JJ, Cornette R, Giannattasio L, Gristina M, Guerra A, Kvarnemo C, Lazic T, Louisy P, Monteiro N, Serranito B, Spoto M, Taboada B, Feunteun E
Integr Zool · 2026 Mar · PMID 41885075 · Publisher ↗
Geographic patterns in head morphology can reveal important aspects of population structure and phenotypic differentiation in marine species. We investigated these patterns in the broad-nosed pipefish Syngnathus typhle L...
Geographic patterns in head morphology can reveal important aspects of population structure and phenotypic differentiation in marine species. We investigated these patterns in the broad-nosed pipefish Syngnathus typhle Linnaeus, 1758, a coastal species widely distributed across distinct marine regions (Baltic, North, East Atlantic, and Mediterranean seas). Using landmark-based geometric morphometrics, we quantified head morphology variation in 241 live, wild-caught adults. Analyses revealed consistent geographic patterns in snout elongation, head depth, and eye position. Multivariate comparisons showed significant morphological separation among marine regions, with high classification success based solely on head morphology. These results indicate that S. typhle populations are spatially structured and not morphologically homogeneous across their range. Our findings demonstrate the utility of geometric morphometrics to detect subtle geographic variation in morphologically conservative taxa such as pipefish and provide a quantitative baseline for future research on phenotypic diversity and conservation management. Importantly, the study is based on non-invasive monitoring protocols using live animals.
Disentangling Multitrophic Interactions: How Vegetation Cover, Wild Boar, Deer, and Predators Shape Rodents Activity and Acorn Dispersal.
Notario Rincón D, Muñoz A, Barrientos R … +7 more , Gaytán Á, Cano L, Quiles P, Sánchez L, Redondo A, Cisneros A, Bonal R
Integr Zool · 2026 Mar · PMID 41885063 · Publisher ↗
Complex multitrophic interactions influence key ecosystem functions. In Mediterranean oak forests, both ungulates and rodents consume acorns, with rodents acting as effective seed dispersers. Rodents are in turn subjecte...
Complex multitrophic interactions influence key ecosystem functions. In Mediterranean oak forests, both ungulates and rodents consume acorns, with rodents acting as effective seed dispersers. Rodents are in turn subjected to predation and disturbance by carnivores and ungulates. Most studies assess only pairwise interactions between rodents and their predators or competitors. In this study, we combined camera trapping and piecewise structural equation modeling to evaluate how vegetation structure, carnivores, deer, and wild boars influence rodent activity and their role as seed dispersers. Rodent activity increased with shrub density, as they find protection under vegetation cover. However, at a finer scale, rodent activity was unrelated to carnivore records. Camera traps allowed separating the effects of different ungulate species. While wild boars had a direct negative effect on rodent activity and hence an indirect negative one on acorn dispersal, deer had no effect on rodents. Unlike wild boars, deer do not trample and root in the soil, destroying burrows and even predating rodents. Most acorns were dispersed under shrubs by rodents, and the effect of rodent activity on dispersal distances was entirely mediated by vegetation cover. By explicitly separating the effects of different large-sized mammals, our study identifies wild boars as the main disruptor of mice activity and rodent-mediated seed dispersal. These results emphasize the need to investigate ecological processes, considering the combined influence of all interacting species. Our approach reveals hidden pathways that single-factor studies often miss and provides valuable insights for managing forest regeneration and biodiversity.
Robust Doppler Shift Compensation in Freely Flying Bats Under Acoustic Interference.
Li A, Zhang H, Lu M … +3 more , Cao Q, Tian X, Luo J
Integr Zool · 2026 Mar · PMID 41885051 · Publisher ↗
Noise is ubiquitous to all biological and ecological systems and is of pivotal importance to acoustically signaling species. To counter the detrimental effects of noise, animals have adopted a range of strategies. Differ...
Noise is ubiquitous to all biological and ecological systems and is of pivotal importance to acoustically signaling species. To counter the detrimental effects of noise, animals have adopted a range of strategies. Different strategies generally help to mitigate, but rarely restore the performance to noise-free scenarios. Here, we document that the performance of Doppler shift compensation (DSC), a highly precise echolocation behavior, is immune to various types of acoustic interference at moderately high noise levels in flying Pratt's roundleaf bats (Hipposideros pratti). The DSC performance of individual bats was quantified under 10 types of bandpass-filtered noise and echolocation calls from seven bat species, apart from a silence control condition. We found that H. pratti maintained high DSC performance across all playback conditions. Surprisingly, we found evidence that H. pratti exhibited higher DSC precision in experimental conditions of narrowband noise and echolocation calls of one heterospecific bat species. The main energy of these acoustic stimuli coincided with the minimum (terminal) frequency of the frequency-modulated component of the dominant second harmonic in the echolocation calls of H. pratti. Thus, contrary to the widespread view, acoustic interference does not universally impair motor performance, and instead, some species may exhibit improved performance under certain noise conditions.
The Size, Demography, and Distribution of Cambodia's Largest Elephant Population Revealed Using Traditional Genetic Tools and a Novel SNP Panel.
Crouthers R, Linklater W, Ritchie P … +3 more , In V, Phoeurk C, Ball A
Integr Zool · 2026 Mar · PMID 41806351 · Publisher ↗
Wildlife adaptive management is often constrained by gaps in population data. This study aimed to evaluate the population size and demography of elephants occurring in eastern Cambodia. A fecal mark-recapture study was c...
Wildlife adaptive management is often constrained by gaps in population data. This study aimed to evaluate the population size and demography of elephants occurring in eastern Cambodia. A fecal mark-recapture study was conducted in two adjacent protected areas: the Phnom Prich and the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuaries. Population parameters were assessed using microsatellite, single nucleotide polymorphism and sex determination DNA markers. Age structure was assessed using bolus size. A total of 156 unique genotypes were identified and results indicate both sanctuaries support 381.5 individuals (95% CI = 282-549), Cambodia's largest population, with an N of 59.8 (95% CI = 46.3-79.6). We found no evidence for elephants crossing National Road 76, indicating that it may now divide the population into two groups with more than 100 individuals each. However, each with an N < 50 and low numbers of neonates/juveniles raise concerns about their persistence. To prevent further fragmentation and ensure fluidity of movement, new strategies are required to promote forest connectivity and minimize anthropogenic disturbances within and between these two protected areas.
Untangling Responses of A-to-I RNA Editing to Heat Stress in the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.
Zhu Y, Liao M, Han G … +4 more , Su Q, Zhao L, Su Y, Dong Y
Integr Zool · 2026 Mar · PMID 41806333 · Publisher ↗
RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification that can have important effects on mRNA translation and, thereby, on the composition of the proteome. RNA editing exhibits complex responses to temperature and thus may...
RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification that can have important effects on mRNA translation and, thereby, on the composition of the proteome. RNA editing exhibits complex responses to temperature and thus may be important in ectothermic species' capacities to cope with thermal stress. To investigate the temperature-dependent patterns and potential functions of RNA editing events in intertidal mollusks, we conducted a genome-wide identification and analysis of RNA editing sites in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to various temperatures. Our results showed that the number of sites where adenosine (A) was converted to inosine (I) decreased significantly with increasing temperatures and correlated positively with the expression level of the enzyme adenosine deaminase acting on RNA. Furthermore, the shared edited genes among all temperatures were enriched significantly in some key biological processes (e.g., negative regulation of apoptotic processes), and the unique edited genes at the sublethal temperature of 31°C were enriched significantly in some cellular signaling pathways (e.g., GTPase activator activity). Luciferase assays showed that protein translation efficiency was positively correlated with the number of edited A-to-I sites in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). Our study demonstrates that temperature-sensitive A-to-I editing events may play an important role in allowing mollusks like M. galloprovincialis to rapidly acclimatize to stressful thermal environments.
Comparing and Mapping Historical Extinction Debts of Different Groups of Amphibians in Different Suitable Habitat Classes of China.
Xiao Q, Shi X, Guo Q … +1 more , Chen Y
Integr Zool · 2026 Mar · PMID 41806307 · Publisher ↗
China's rapid urbanization and industrialization have profoundly altered land-use patterns, posing significant threats to amphibian biodiversity. Using species-area relationship models, we assessed extinction debts acros...
China's rapid urbanization and industrialization have profoundly altered land-use patterns, posing significant threats to amphibian biodiversity. Using species-area relationship models, we assessed extinction debts across five habitat types (farmland, forestland, grassland, water habitats, and general habitable areas) for amphibian species. Results demonstrate that historical extinction debts were paid off during 1980-2000, whereas new debts accumulated in forestlands, grasslands, and particularly aquatic habitats over the following two decades. Spatial analyses reveal elevated extinction debt magnitudes in southern China due to intensive land-use changes, contrasting with lower impacts in northern regions. Notably, extinction debts for threatened species are concentrated in the Sichuan Basin, Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Hainan, and Taiwan Province, highlighting critical conservation gaps. These findings underscore the necessity of habitat-specific protection strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss in high-risk zones.
Intra- and Interspecific Effects on Spatio-Temporal Behavior of Common Commensal Rodent Species.
Huels F, Sluydts V, Vermeiren D … +6 more , Voinson M, Kirkpatrick L, Herrera Olivares I, Leirs H, Jacob J, Vanden Broecke B
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41725586 · Publisher ↗
Commensal rodent species such as roof rats (Rattus rattus), brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), and house mice (Mus musculus) show various ecological and behavioral adaptations to the commensal environment. Where they live i...
Commensal rodent species such as roof rats (Rattus rattus), brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), and house mice (Mus musculus) show various ecological and behavioral adaptations to the commensal environment. Where they live in close proximity to humans, they damage infrastructure, contaminate stored goods, and can transmit zoonotic pathogens. Identification of patterns and drivers of movements of these species helps to understand interactions among them as well as interaction with pathogens, humans, and livestock. Using a novel Bluetooth logger system, contact data and rodent movement patterns were recorded in the pig farm environment with unprecedented spatial resolution. There were interspecific differences between roof rat, brown rat, and house mouse in temporal activity, home range size, and movements between individual stable buildings. Rat species showed more nocturnal activity and occupied larger home range areas than co-occurring house mice, which, however, travelled significantly longer distances per hour. All investigated species almost never moved between the interiors of different buildings, but movements within and around buildings were frequent. Intraspecific effects such as sex and body weight were restricted to the effects of body weight on core home ranges (all species) and distance moved per hour (roof rats) as well as more movement between buildings in male versus female brown rats. Commensal rodent species reacted differently to the farm environment, probably to avoid resource competition and to support co-existence. Identifying movement patterns and contact points between rodents and livestock contributes to a better understanding of possible transmission routes of rodent-borne pathogens in livestock farming.
Kaempferol Protects Intestinal Health in Chinese Forest Musk Deer Possibly by Regulating Intestinal Microbiota and Inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway.
Liu X, Ren Z, Sun X … +1 more , Wang S
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41700003 · Publisher ↗
Captive Chinese forest musk deer (FMD; Moschus berezovskii) frequently experience diarrhea linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study uses network pharmacology analysis to clarify kaempferol's therapeutic potential a...
Captive Chinese forest musk deer (FMD; Moschus berezovskii) frequently experience diarrhea linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study uses network pharmacology analysis to clarify kaempferol's therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement for FMD intestinal health, especially under antibiotic restrictions. To explore its mechanisms, we employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile gut microbiota composition, untargeted metabolomics to identify key metabolites, biochemical assays (ELISA) to measure inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and RT-qPCR to quantify gene expression related to inflammatory pathways. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that kaempferol mitigates intestinal inflammation by targeting critical molecules, such as TNF. Kaempferol significantly reduced fecal scores and diarrhea frequencies compared to controls (p < 0.05). ELISA analyses of fecal samples demonstrated that kaempferol suppressed IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA, while enhancing sIgA, IgG, GSH-Px, and CAT. 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that 400 mg/kg kaempferol treatment led to a 64.98% increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, accompanied by significant enrichment of beneficial microbiota identified via linear discriminant analysis (LDA > 3.0), including the Christensenellaceae R7 group and Blautia. Metabolomic analysis showed significantly increased intestinal levels of indoleacetic acid and indolelactic acid. RT-qPCR confirmed kaempferol's suppression of NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway genes. This study establishes an integrated "active ingredient-host target-intestinal microbiota-metabolic regulation-pathway network" framework through multi-omics analysis and highlights that kaempferol promotes intestinal health in FMD by modulating the gut microbiota-metabolite axis to suppress NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome activation. This work deepens research on natural plant extracts for FMD intestinal health and provides new perspectives to advance sustainable FMD breeding.
Retention of Sweet Taste in Sirenians Reflects Ecological Adaptation in Marine Mammals.
Li Y, Wen M, Feng Y … +1 more , Zhao H
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41684201 · Publisher ↗
Taste perception is vital for animal survival. Among marine mammals, whales and pinnipeds have lost all sweet and umami taste receptor genes, whereas sirenians (manatees and dugongs) have retained them. The leading hypot...
Taste perception is vital for animal survival. Among marine mammals, whales and pinnipeds have lost all sweet and umami taste receptor genes, whereas sirenians (manatees and dugongs) have retained them. The leading hypotheses for taste loss in marine mammals involve feeding behavior, dietary shifts, and high sodium concentrations. To characterize the evolution of sweet taste in sirenians, we analyzed the complete repertoire of sweet taste receptor genes (Tas1r2 and Tas1r3) and their coding sequences in 53 mammal species. Among marine mammals, only sirenians possessed intact sequences for both genes. Sequence analyses showed that both genes in sirenians are under strong purifying selection, comparable to that in most terrestrial mammals. Functional assays revealed that sirenians respond to natural sugars, but in species-specific ways: Manatee receptors responded to both sucrose and fructose, whereas dugong receptors responded only to sucrose with lower sensitivity. Our findings provide the first evidence for the retention of natural sugar detection in sirenians and that this ability differs between species. Thus, sirenians are the only marine mammals known to have functional sweet taste, indicating that taste loss in other marine mammals is more likely linked to feeding behavior and diet rather than high sodium concentrations. The functional differences between manatees and dugongs likely reflect dietary divergence and ecological niche separation.
Whole-Genome Sequencing and Resequencing of Hucho bleekeri Provides Insights into Genetic Mechanisms of Environmental Adaptation.
Chen Y, Yang H, Liu Z … +7 more , Wu X, Wei Q, Chen Y, Lin J, Yu Y, Tu Q, Li H
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41684199 · Publisher ↗
Salmonidae represents an important family in the study of genome evolution following genome duplication. Hucho bleekeri has the lowest latitude distribution among all salmonid fish and is an excellent model for studying...
Salmonidae represents an important family in the study of genome evolution following genome duplication. Hucho bleekeri has the lowest latitude distribution among all salmonid fish and is an excellent model for studying the relationships among biogeography, evolution, and environmental change. In this study, we constructed a high-quality reference genome for H. bleekeri, with a 3,700,945,220 bp length of the scaffold and a scaffold N50 of 75,100,808 bp. The final genome size of H. bleekeri was 3.7 G, and the genome was anchored to 44 chromosomes on the basis of Hi-C scaffolding. We confirmed the existence of Ss4R in the H. bleekeri genome, revealing that Ss4R occurred before the differentiation of salmonid species. Comparative genome analysis revealed that genes involved in transmembrane transport, metabolism, and stress were significantly expanded and may play important roles in the environmental adaptation of H. bleekeri. To further reveal the genetic structure of Salmonidae at the genome level, we conducted whole-genome resequencing of all Hucho species in China. Significant genetic differences were detected between different Hucho species and between different populations of same species. A genome-wide selective sweep test was conducted to analyze the different populations of H. bleekeri with significant body size variation. We predicted several candidate genes potentially subjected to selection, such as MYH, mAChR, SDH, and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, which might be associated with the growth and environmental adaptation of H. bleekeri. Our study has profound significance in characterizing the evolution of salmonid fish and the population structure of Hucho species.
Mitigating Human-Large Carnivore Conflicts via Time-Regulated Management of Free-Ranging Livestock in the Sanjiangyuan Region, China.
Wang D, Li Q, Su X … +1 more , Lian X
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41684196 · Publisher ↗
Livestock depredation by large carnivores is a global conservation challenge that fuels human-carnivore conflict and hinders coexistence with agropastoral communities. Understanding carnivore activity patterns and implem...
Livestock depredation by large carnivores is a global conservation challenge that fuels human-carnivore conflict and hinders coexistence with agropastoral communities. Understanding carnivore activity patterns and implementing temporal segregation are key to mitigating conflict risks. In this study, we have compiled nearly a decade (2014 to 2024) of infrared camera monitoring data from a representative region of China (the Sanjiangyuan Region), where human-large carnivore conflicts are particularly pronounced. We employed kernel and conditional circular kernel density estimation to analyze the diel activity patterns of four large carnivores and to identify seasonal variations between cold and warm periods, thereby enabling the identification of high-risk intervals for potential human-large carnivore conflicts. Our analysis showed that all four large carnivores were primarily nocturnal with species-specific peak activity times. Notably, the wolf (Canis lupus) exhibited distinct seasonal diel activity patterns, unlike the other species. The temporal risk assessment of livestock predation identified species-specific high-risk windows: for snow leopards (Panthera uncia), the high-risk periods are from 02:35 to 06:41 and from 16:00 to 21:08; for wolves, the high-risk periods are from 06:24 to 11:33 and from 16:12 to 21:24; for Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), the high-risk periods are from 01:42 to 06:46 and from 15:57 to 19:32; and for brown bears (Ursus arctos), the high-risk periods for intruding into pastoral dwellings, causing property damage, and posing risks to human safety are from 20:42 to 02:36. Our study established temporal management frameworks in SR for human-carnivore conflict risk mitigation, providing transferable insights for global human-wildlife conflict resolution.
Foraging Under Competition in Mongolian Gerbils: The Influence of Personality and Its Physiological Basis.
Gan L, Liu W, Liu J … +1 more , Wang D
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41684195 · Publisher ↗
Personality can influence animals' competitive foraging behavior. The state-behavior feedback theory suggests that these personality-driven variations may be affected by physiological states. However, the impact of perso...
Personality can influence animals' competitive foraging behavior. The state-behavior feedback theory suggests that these personality-driven variations may be affected by physiological states. However, the impact of personality on competitive foraging behavior within a species, as well as the physiological states associated with these variations in personality-driven foraging behavior, remains unclear. In this study, we investigated changes in foraging behavior between bold and shy Mongolian gerbils across three distinct contexts: (1) non-competitive foraging contexts, (2) a competition-introduced context at a feeding site, and (3) competitor relocation to another feeding site. We also explored the potential hormonal and energy balance factors that may influence these behavioral variations. Our results revealed that bold gerbils exhibited a consistently greater tendency to compete in two competitive contexts. Shy gerbils opted for lower-cost and more easily obtainable food resources in the competition-introduced context but displayed a similarly high tendency to compete during the competitor transfer context. Although we did not find a significant difference in fecal production, digestibility, basal metabolic rate, or blood corticosterone levels between bold and shy gerbils, bolder gerbils exhibited lower body mass and daily energy expenditure but higher food intake. Our findings indicate that Mongolian gerbils exhibited personality-driven competitive foraging strategies during intraspecific competition, which may be influenced more by differences in energy allocation than by competition pressure. This study provides empirical evidence to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying personality variation in behavior and the personality-driven behavioral plasticity based on the state-behavior feedback framework.
Unraveling Occurrence Patterns and Diversity of Avian Malaria Parasites in Iberian Obligate and Facultative Scavenger Birds.
Oliva-Vidal P, Muriel J, Marzal A … +3 more , López Del Aguila GM, Martínez JM, Margalida A
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41684191 · Publisher ↗
Avian malaria is a globally distributed vector-borne infectious disease caused by haemosporidian parasites capable of driving population declines and even species extinctions, posing major challenges for conservation bio...
Avian malaria is a globally distributed vector-borne infectious disease caused by haemosporidian parasites capable of driving population declines and even species extinctions, posing major challenges for conservation biology. However, its occurrence in scavenger birds, particularly vulture species, remains poorly understood. We conducted active monitoring in northeastern and central Spain, collecting 383 blood samples from free-living birds of all age classes, including obligate (all European vultures) and facultative (red and black kites) scavenger species, to assess the occurrence of avian malaria parasites and identify their lineages using a nested-PCR protocol. Overall haemosporidian prevalence was 3.4% (13/383), with Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium detected at values of 2.3% and 1.6%, respectively. Among positive birds, Leucocytozoon spp. (69.2%) were more common than Plasmodium spp. (46.1%), including two co-infected individuals. Red kites, cinereous, bearded, and Egyptian vultures harbored both Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon, while black kites and griffon vultures only showed Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon, respectively. Black kites exhibited the highest haemosporidian prevalence (8.3%), followed by cinereous vultures (5.3%), red kites (4.8%), Egyptian (4.6%), bearded (1.9%), and griffon vultures (1.3%). Interestingly, we report 10 new host-parasite interactions and describe a novel Leucocytozoon lineage (lGYPBAR01) infecting all European vultures except the griffon vulture. We also detected Plasmodium relictum pSGS1 in an adult red kite, the first confirmed occurrence of this lineage in adults of the species. Our findings highlight a previously overlooked threat to avian scavengers and suggest that global warming may further facilitate the spread of haemosporidian-infected vectors, underscoring the urgent need for targeted conservation measures and further research into parasite dynamics in vulnerable wild populations.
Seasonal Variation in Microhabitat Use of the Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) in Laojunshan National Nature Reserve, China.
Ye P, Chen B, He S … +2 more , Fu Y, Liao W
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41684182 · Publisher ↗
Understanding habitat use is essential for effective wildlife conservation. The silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera), a threatened ground-dwelling bird native to southern China, exhibits seasonal preferences for microhab...
Understanding habitat use is essential for effective wildlife conservation. The silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera), a threatened ground-dwelling bird native to southern China, exhibits seasonal preferences for microhabitat use that are not well understood. We conducted field surveys in Laojunshan National Nature Reserve during the breeding (April-June) and non-breeding (October-November) seasons of 2024. Using a presence-based sampling design, we analyzed 16 habitat variables from 80 sampling quadrats (40 used and 40 control). Our findings revealed that the species consistently preferred gentle, shady slopes at an elevation of 1300-1600 m. However, the vegetation preferences changed with the seasons, shifting from bamboo-dominated habitats with abundant litter during the breeding season to structurally complex tree-shrub layers in the non-breeding season. These findings highlight an adaptive strategy that reflects the changing resource needs of the silver pheasant, providing a scientific basis for seasonal habitat management and conservation planning in Laojunshan and similar forest ecosystems.
Chromosome-Level Genome Assemblies of Two Softshell Turtles with ZZ/ZW Provide Insights into TE-Driven Recombination Suppression in Sex Chromosomes.
Liu J, Yang Z, Tang M … +7 more , Chen T, Liu S, Meng Z, Bu X, Xia X, Yang G, Nie L
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41684160 · Publisher ↗
In this study, we present chromosome-level genome assemblies for two softshell turtles, the spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera) and the wattle‑necked softshell (Palea steindachneri), and use population level resequencing...
In this study, we present chromosome-level genome assemblies for two softshell turtles, the spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera) and the wattle‑necked softshell (Palea steindachneri), and use population level resequencing to characterize their ZW sex chromosomes. Our results indicate that W‑chromosome degeneration in these species is associated primarily with a dramatic accumulation of transposable elements (TEs)-not with stepwise strata formation as seen in many birds and mammals-and that TE proliferation likely contributed to recombination suppression between Z and W. Specifically, the pseudoautosomal regions span 0-3.17 Mb in A. spinifera and 36.74-39.62 Mb in P. steindachneri, reflecting conserved synteny; protein-coding W-linked genes show a mean d/d ≈ 0.52, consistent with ongoing purifying selection; and TEs occupy 73.7%-83.3% of the W sequence, with LTRs (≈22.7%-23.3%) and LINEs (≈27.9%-34.7%) markedly enriched relative to the Z chromosome and autosomes. Molecular dating of LTR insertions places most activity within the past ∼40 million years, after species divergence and temporally consistent with the inferred onset of recombination suppression. Together, these findings support a model in which large-scale TE accumulation drove rapid W‑chromosome differentiation in softshell turtles, offering a complementary pathway to strata-based sex‑chromosome evolution and underscoring the potent role of mobile elements in shaping vertebrate sex chromosomes.
Trait Hierarchy and Interactive Effects Govern Seed Fate in Rodent-Mediated Dispersal: Insights from Coat Thickness, Nutrients, and Tannins.
Liang H, Fu L, Ma F … +4 more , Zhao K, Hou Z, Guo J, Yang X
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41684159 · Publisher ↗
Seed traits play a pivotal role in shaping rodent-mediated seed dispersal, a key process driving forest regeneration. However, disentangling the independent and interactive effects of physical (coat thickness), nutrition...
Seed traits play a pivotal role in shaping rodent-mediated seed dispersal, a key process driving forest regeneration. However, disentangling the independent and interactive effects of physical (coat thickness), nutritional, and chemical (tannin) traits remains challenging due to their natural covariation. Using artificial seeds in enclosures, we quantified how these traits influence foraging decisions by Leopoldamys edwardsi, a dominant scatter-hoarding rodent in subtropical forests. Our results revealed a hierarchical order of trait importance: nutrient content > tannin content > coat thickness. High-nutrient seeds were preferentially consumed, while moderately nutrient-rich seeds (50% peanut powder) were most frequently scatter-hoarded, balancing immediate energy gain and long-term storage. Tannins exerted a dual effect: low concentrations (0.5%) enhanced consumption, likely due to reduced microbial decay, whereas high concentrations (7%) deterred both consumption and hoarding by impairing digestibility. Coat thickness had weaker effects but interacted with nutrients, as thin-coated, high-nutrient seeds were favored for both consumption and hoarding. Interactive effects highlighted a "benefit-first" decision framework, where rodents prioritize energy gain (nutrients), then modulate behavior to preserve benefits (tannins aiding storage), and finally account for handling costs (coat thickness). These findings illuminate coevolutionary dynamics between rodents and seeds, emphasizing how trait combinations shape mutualistic interactions critical for forest dynamics. Our study provides a mechanistic basis for predicting how shifts in seed traits may disrupt these interactions, with implications for ecosystem management.
Genomic Investigations Unveil the Genetic Underpinnings of Environmental Adaptation in African Goat Populations.
Peng W, Wang Y, Zhang Y … +17 more , Gao L, Wu L, Wang S, Gao Y, Shi W, Lu K, Deng R, Li J, Han J, Lu X, Liu Y, Tang X, Zhang Y, Li G, Huang L, Yang M, Li X
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41684133 · Publisher ↗
In the expansive African region, goats display a diverse array of breeds that have evolved over time to adapt to varying local climates and environments. This study involved the analysis of 1591 samples, including 63 dom...
In the expansive African region, goats display a diverse array of breeds that have evolved over time to adapt to varying local climates and environments. This study involved the analysis of 1591 samples, including 63 domestic breeds and 164 individuals from wild related species, focusing on genetic diversity, population structure, gene flow, selective signals, and landscape genomics. Our findings revealed lower genetic diversity in wild related species, particularly in the mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus). Gene flow was observed between wild Yura goats and North African populations. Introgression analysis identified 34 adaptive genes from wild relatives, particularly those involved in immune response to environmental stress (RGS family). Selection signatures, based on F, nucleotide diversity (π), and iHS methods, highlighted genes associated with lipid deposition (GSK3B), energy metabolism (HTR4), and response to cold climates (GLIS1). Landscape genomics further identified 23 climate-related genes, encoding integrin complex (ITGAM/ITGAX), sodium channel (SCN7A/SCN9A), and proton transporter (ATP6V0D1), which regulate cell adhesion, ion homeostasis, and pH balance to cope with pathogen pressure in sub-Saharan Africa, osmotic imbalance in arid environments, and heat stress in the East African plateau. This study provides the first systematic explanation of the multi-directional adaptation mechanisms of African goats to high temperature, drought, and pathogen infection. The adaptive gene modules, such as the ABCG1-AGTR1 metabolic axis, provide precise molecular targets for drought stress of livestock in arid regions, and provide a new paradigm for understanding the evolutionary logic of mammalian environmental adaptation.
Onchocercidae (Nematoda: Filarioidea) Infecting Colombian Avian Hosts: Insight from Morphotypes of Microfilariae and Molecular Lineages.
Fuentes-Rodríguez GA, Matta NE, González AD
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41641750 · Publisher ↗
Members of the Onchocercidae family are parasites that infect a wide range of tetrapods, including wild birds and other animals. In Colombia, studies on avian blood parasites have diagnosed infections with microfilariae...
Members of the Onchocercidae family are parasites that infect a wide range of tetrapods, including wild birds and other animals. In Colombia, studies on avian blood parasites have diagnosed infections with microfilariae in several species using light microscopy. However, no morphological or molecular analyses of these nematodes have been conducted to date. The present study examined samples from 3820 wild birds with material deposited in the biological collection of the Host-Parasite Relationship Study Group since 1999. Of these individuals, 142 (3.7%) were infected with microfilaria and were analyzed using morphological and morphometric measurements. Additionally, 55 samples with blood or tissue preserved in ethanol were analyzed for sequencing of nuclear marker 18S rDNA and mitochondrial markers 12S rDNA and COI. Morphological analyses showed infection by at least one of 13 designed morphotypes of microfilariae. Twenty-nine sequences were obtained (10 of COI, 6 of 12S, and 13 of 18S), corresponding to 21 molecular lineages associated with Onchocercidae. These sequences were associated with the subfamilies Lemdaninae and Splendidofilariinae, the genera Aproctella Cram, 1931, Splendidofilaria Skrjabin, 1923, and Eufilaria Seurat, 1921, and other sequences did not cluster within any genus for which sequences were available for a particular molecular marker. These findings establish the first framework of morphological and molecular diversity of avian Onchocercidae in the megadiverse Neotropical country Colombia, expanding the known distribution of several genera and highlighting the need for further sampling of adult filariids to refine taxonomic resolution.
Sensory Biology of the Franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei, Pontoporiidae, Cetartiodactyla): Ontogenetic Modifications of Vibrissae and Vibrissal Crypts.
Krmpotic CM, Loza CM, Scarano AC … +8 more , Andrés-Laube PF, Acuña F, Loureiro JP, Zanuzzi CN, Castro NN, Pombo MT, von Fersen L, Barbeito CG
Integr Zool · 2026 Feb · PMID 41641744 · Publisher ↗
The transition of cetaceans from a terrestrial to an aquatic environment involved a crucial sensory adaptation in environments with limited visibility. Vibrissae, important mechanoreceptors, undergo an ontogenetic transf...
The transition of cetaceans from a terrestrial to an aquatic environment involved a crucial sensory adaptation in environments with limited visibility. Vibrissae, important mechanoreceptors, undergo an ontogenetic transformation in odontocetes. Although most lose them early in life, their follicles persist as innervated vibrissal crypts, suggesting a continuous sensory function. In some species, these crypts could function as mechanoreceptors, electroreceptors, or even be involved in magnetoreception. The Franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) is a species restricted to the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. It currently faces high mortality rates due to incidental capture in gillnets, which has led to its current classification as Vulnerable. This research describes the histomorphology of vibrissae and crypts in different developmental stages. The samples were processed using routine histological techniques, immunohistochemistry, and scanning electron microscopy. In neonates, the emerging and innervated vibrissae probably are important for lactation. Subsequently, the vibrissal hair is lost or involutes , being replaced in juveniles and adults by an innervated pseudohair that likely maintains a mechanoreceptive function, although its micromorphology also suggests a potential electroreception. The maturation of the echolocation system, which allows for a broader diet, coincides with these changes in the vibrissae. This suggests that the initial mechanoreceptive structures, linked to lactation, evolve to complement hearing and foraging within low-visibility environments.
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