Integrative Zoology[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Body Size Regulates Niche Overlap Asymmetry in the Subtropical Andes Rain Shadow: Isotopic Paleoecology of Oligocene South American Ungulates.
Sanz-Pérez D, Hernández Del Pino S, Cerdeño E … +2 more , Hernández Fernández M, Domingo L
Integr Zool · 2025 Nov · PMID 41219155 · Publisher ↗
The Oligocene is a key period in South American mammalian evolution with diversification in groups such as notoungulates, sloths, and primates. While isotopic studies are abundant for the Neogene-Quaternary, Oligocene fa...
The Oligocene is a key period in South American mammalian evolution with diversification in groups such as notoungulates, sloths, and primates. While isotopic studies are abundant for the Neogene-Quaternary, Oligocene faunas remain understudied, with previous studies on Salla (Bolivia) and Gran Barranca (Argentina). This work presents δC and δO isotope values from tooth enamel of several mammals (notoungulates, pyrotheres, and marsupials) from Quebrada Fiera (Mendoza, Argentina) to infer diets and to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic conditions; hypsodonty and body mass estimates are used for contrasting paleoecological inferences. Herbivores δC values (from -10.5‰ to -6.2‰) indicate a mosaic landscape including woodland-mesic C grasslands and open woodland-arid C grasslands. Nevertheless, annual precipitation estimates (∼203 mm/year) suggest a crucial role for (semi)permanent bodies of water to sustain such a patchy environment and a rich community of herbivores. The mean δO value (25.5‰ ± 1.6‰) is intermediate between the values from Bolivia and Patagonia for the same period, suggesting the existence of a latitudinal gradient with more open and drier environments in lower latitudes. This would be associated with a stronger incidence of the rain shadow effect in the Central than the Southern Andes, likely reflecting regional differences in moisture sources. Importantly, this study reveals an overlap asymmetry in the isotopic niche associated with body size: smaller species exhibit significantly greater isotopic niche overlap, while larger species occupy more distinct isotopic spaces. These findings highlight the role of size-related ecological strategies in shaping community organization in the subtropical Andes rain shadow.
Feeding Preferences of Mosquitoes (Culicidae) from the Eastern Balkans and Their Role in Transmission of Avian Malaria.
Bobeva A, Marinov MP, Klayn S … +3 more , Ilieva M, Dimitrov D, Zehtindjiev P
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 41216928 · Publisher ↗
Research on the feeding preference of mosquitoes and the malaria parasites they transmit to vertebrate hosts is crucial for understanding the host-vector-parasite relationships in this complex system. In order to contrib...
Research on the feeding preference of mosquitoes and the malaria parasites they transmit to vertebrate hosts is crucial for understanding the host-vector-parasite relationships in this complex system. In order to contribute to the growing data on these associations, and focusing on avian malaria, we collected mosquitoes at regular intervals between April and October for 2 years (2017 and 2019) in a deciduous forest and reedbeds. Collected engorged mosquitoes were identified morphologically. Total DNA was extracted from the abdomen and head-thorax parts of the vectors and was used to identify blood meal origin as well as avian haemosporidian parasites. Vertebrate hosts were identified in 75 individuals. Forty-four of the blood meals (58.7%) had avian origin, belonging to 25 bird species, 30 (40.0%) were from mammals (13 species), and one (1.3%) from a reptile. The highest number of bird hosts were recorded in Culex pipiens. Culex modestus was found to feed on the greatest variety of blood sources-birds, mammals, and а reptile, whereas Aedes vexans, Anopheles maculipennis, and Anopheles hyrcanus were predominantly mammophilic. Avian haemosporidian parasites were isolated from 11 abdominal (11.6%) and four head-thorax (4.2%) samples. The most prevalent cytochrome b lineage in abdomens was SGS1 (Plasmodium relictum (Grassi & Feletti, 1891), n = 4), whereas CXPIP23 (Plasmodium sp.) was recorded in two of the mosquito head-thoraxes. Implementing an experimental approach focused on parasite development in the vectors will be an important next step in order to confirm the validity of the observed associations.
Museomics Deciphers the Phylogeographic Differentiation and Conservation Status of a Montane Pheasant.
Jiang Z, Cheng Y, Zhang S … +7 more , Zang W, He P, Zhang D, Mei J, Cui P, Qu Y, Wu H
Integr Zool · 2025 Nov · PMID 41216904 · Publisher ↗
Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and climate change have significantly reduced the genetic diversity and adaptive potential of local populations in numerous species. However, the lack of comprehensive genomic data fro...
Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and climate change have significantly reduced the genetic diversity and adaptive potential of local populations in numerous species. However, the lack of comprehensive genomic data from local populations has hindered the accurate assessment of their threatened status, hindering the designation of effective conservation units. Museum specimens offer a valuable source of historical DNA, enabling insights into population structure and uncovering hidden genetic diversity. The Koklass Pheasant, a montane species distributed across Central and Southwestern China, is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and climate change. Here, we utilized whole-genome sequencing data of museum samples to decipher the population structure and assess genetic diversity of this species. We identified six distinct populations, five of which corresponded to known subspecies in China, while a newly discovered Sichuan population exhibited clear genetic differentiation. Historical demographic analyses revealed a shared historical trajectory, characterized by expansion following the Last Glacial Maximum and a decline starting around 10 Kya. Genetic diversity and mutational load were unevenly distributed across populations. Notably, the Anhui population, which inhabits a restricted and isolated range, exhibited the lowest genetic diversity and highest mutational load, rendering it particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, ecological niche modeling predicted that climate change will lead to the near-complete loss of suitable habitat for populations in Anhui and Southern China. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating genomic data from museum samples into conservation strategies and highlight the necessity of establishing conservation units based on genetic diversity and evolutionary significance to safeguard the future of threatened species.
Does Rodent Management Impact the Distribution of Rattus rattus and Mastomys natalensis in Village Settings?
Mkomwa H, Makundi R, Belmain SR … +5 more , Ponchon A, Selemani M, Rija AA, Espinaze MPA, Telfer S
Integr Zool · 2025 Nov · PMID 41216896 · Publisher ↗
Rodents are significant agricultural and public health pests in rural village settings. Traditional rodent control methods, such as poison baiting and locally made traps, are usually implemented by individual households...
Rodents are significant agricultural and public health pests in rural village settings. Traditional rodent control methods, such as poison baiting and locally made traps, are usually implemented by individual households when rodent abundance is high and often provide only short-term relief. Moreover, impacts on different pest species may vary, and changes to inter-specific interactions may have potential ecological consequences. This study examines the impact of community-wide daily trapping inside houses on the abundance and distribution of Rattus rattus and Mastomys natalensis in Kilombero District, Tanzania. In this area, R. rattus are typically found inside houses, while M. natalensis are found outside. Snap traps were deployed daily inside all houses in treatment villages, while control villages received no intervention. Rhodamine B (RhB) baits in exterior areas monitored the movements of rodents from these areas to houses. Intensive in-house trapping successfully reduced the abundance of R. rattus but not M. natalensis. M. natalensis increased its use of houses in treatment villages, with a significant rise in the proportion of individuals captured indoors and a significant increase in the proportion of these individuals that had consumed RhB compared to non-treatment villages. Our results suggest that M. natalensis benefits from the reduced presence of R. rattus by expanding its habitat use to include houses. These findings underscore the effectiveness of intensive trapping in controlling R. rattus but reveal potential ecological readjustments following community ecology principles, with habitat shifts by M. natalensis. This highlights the need for integrated, multi-species management approaches for sustainable rodent pest control.
Excess Precipitation in Early Growing Season Increases Pathogen Pressure in Semiarid Grassland Ecosystem.
Li G, Hu B, Cheng M … +4 more , Han S, Lu J, Liu Q, He H
Integr Zool · 2025 Nov · PMID 41216895 · Publisher ↗
Rodents are important reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, and the Capillaria hepatica they carry pose a potential threat to public health in grassland ecosystems. Climate-driven changes in precipitation show complex effect...
Rodents are important reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, and the Capillaria hepatica they carry pose a potential threat to public health in grassland ecosystems. Climate-driven changes in precipitation show complex effects on disease ecology, particularly in steppe grasslands where extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent. Here, to investigate the effects of precipitation patterns on the epidemic dynamics of C. hepatica in host populations, we conducted a 7-year manipulation experiment in twelve 0.48-ha field enclosures in semiarid steppe grassland. We found that rainfall increases in the early growing season intensified the infection rate and infection intensity of the parasite. Structural equation model demonstrated that additional precipitation indirectly affected epidemic dynamics by changing population parameters including body weight and population size. On the other hand, C. hepatica in the enclosure also exhibited obvious male-biased parasitic characteristics, which were not observed in the wild population. In brief, our results provide experimental evidence for the impacts of rainfall patterns on parasite epidemiological dynamics at population level and highlight the importance of early rainfall increase on the parasite transmission in the semiarid grassland.
Sex-Specific Involvement of Gut Microbiota in Behavioral and Endocrine Responses to Chronic Predator Odor in Brandt's Voles.
Gu C, Xu R, Yin B … +4 more , Wu R, Wei Y, Wang D, Wei W
Integr Zool · 2025 Nov · PMID 41216880 · Publisher ↗
Predator cues have profound impacts on the behavior and physiology of prey animals. However, the mechanisms underlying stress responses induced by chronic exposure to predator cues in mammals, particularly the role of th...
Predator cues have profound impacts on the behavior and physiology of prey animals. However, the mechanisms underlying stress responses induced by chronic exposure to predator cues in mammals, particularly the role of the gut microbiota, remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated how gut microbiota contributes to behavioral and physiological responses in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) under chronic predator odor exposure. Adult voles were repeatedly exposed to cat feces odor (CO) for 18 days (1 h/day), followed by behavioral tests to assess anti-predator and anxiety-like behaviors, hormonal measurements to evaluate basal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, and 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze gut microbiota composition. The results showed that repeated CO exposure increased anxiety-like behaviors and basal HPA axis activity in both sexes. However, anti-predator behaviors exhibited sex-specific responses: Males were habituated to repeated CO exposure by reducing freezing and alerting behaviors, whereas females consistently displayed concealing strategies, reflecting different adaptive strategies to prolonged predator threats. While CO exposure did not alter the α-diversity of gut microbiota, it significantly affected the β-diversity in females, including a reduction in the relative abundance of Treponema and Quinella. Cecal microbiota transplantation from female CO-exposed voles to naive recipients increased anxiety-like behaviors and basal HPA levels but did not alter anti-predator behaviors in the recipients. In contrast, male recipients showed no significant behavioral or physiological changes. These findings suggest that gut microbiota is involved in regulating anxiety-like behavior and HPA axis activity in female voles but has a limited regulating role in male voles.
Subterranean Traits of the Visual System in Mandarin Voles (Lasiopodomys mandarinus): Structural Remodeling and Functional Degeneration.
Huang M, Li M, Li M … +6 more , Li X, Liu D, Lu P, Wu C, Sun H, Wang Z
Integr Zool · 2025 Nov · PMID 41216799 · Publisher ↗
The visual systems of subterranean mammals often exhibit significant physiological and structural modifications due to light-restricted habitats, as widely reported. However, as subterranean species with a relatively sho...
The visual systems of subterranean mammals often exhibit significant physiological and structural modifications due to light-restricted habitats, as widely reported. However, as subterranean species with a relatively short divergence time from their above-ground relatives, Mandarin voles (Lasiopodomys mandarinus) have been the subject of limited research regarding their visual characteristics, and potential parallels in their visual system's environment-induced changes remain unclear. We systematically analyzed the visual system of Mandarin voles, using their above-ground sister species Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) and standard laboratory mice (C57BL/6J, Mus musculus) as reference controls. Behavioral results showed that Mandarin voles exhibit reduced visual function, including visual acuity (<0.02 cycles/degree) and depth perception. Anatomical examinations revealed structural remodeling in the retina and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), characterized by a relative decrease in rods and an increase in cones within the retina compared to C57BL/6J mice, along with dLGN showing reduced volume but increased mature neuron density and connectivity compared to Brandt's voles and C57BL/6J mice. Notably, the primary visual cortex (V1) retained a conserved structure. An evolutionary dynamic analysis of vision-related genes identified pseudogenization of genes and contraction of gene families associated with retinol metabolism, crystallin proteins, signal transduction, and retinal structure. These findings suggest that Mandarin voles exhibited visual functional degeneration, structural remodeling of visual pathways, and pseudogenization of vision-related genes compared to surface-dwelling species. This study systematically characterized the visual features of Mandarin voles, providing novel experimental evidence for understanding environmental adaptation in mammalian visual systems.
Hox Gene Variation Drives Morphological Specialization of Humpback Grouper Cromileptes altivelis.
Cao X, Zhong Z, Wu L … +2 more , Liu Q, Ding S
Integr Zool · 2025 Nov · PMID 41194614 · Publisher ↗
Morphological traits are central to traditional taxonomy, yet convergent and divergent evolution can lead to inconsistencies between morphological classification and molecular phylogenetics. The distinctive "sunken head...
Morphological traits are central to traditional taxonomy, yet convergent and divergent evolution can lead to inconsistencies between morphological classification and molecular phylogenetics. The distinctive "sunken head and humpback" morphology of Cromileptes altivelis and its close phylogenetic relationship with Epinephelus make it an ideal model for evaluating the weighting of morphological traits in taxonomic classification and refining the classification system. We measured and analyzed the morphological specialization process of C. altivelis, identifying key developmental stages leading to its humpback phenotype. This trait develops through cranial remodeling, involving changes in the supraoccipital, frontal, and lateral occipital bones, with structural support from predorsal bones and the first neural arch and spine. Examining the Hox gene family, we found that C. altivelis possesses 49 highly conserved Hox genes, with no significant differences in gene copy number, arrangement, or exon count among groupers. However, unique amino acid variations were identified in the Hoxa7a, Hoxa10b, and Hoxc1a proteins of C. altivelis, which are otherwise highly conserved among other teleost fishes. Functional assays confirmed that mutations in these genes enhance gene transcription activity, promoting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. qPCR analysis showed that the expression of hoxa7a and hoxa10b was significantly upregulated during the humpback stage, implicating their contribution to the morphological specialization of C. altivelis. hoxa10b remained elevated post-humpback, suggesting a role in bone strength and homeostasis, whereas hoxc1a exhibited consistently low expression, indicating limited involvement. Our findings provide insights into resolving taxonomic discrepancies in C. altivelis and offer a framework for understanding its adaptive evolution and speciation.
Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon in Raptors and Other Captive Birds at the National Zoological Garden in South Africa.
Gaorekwe RM, Phetla V, Malatji DP … +1 more , Chaisi M
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 41159674 · Full text
Avian haemosporidian infections have been associated with disease outbreaks in zoos and rehabilitation centers globally. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasite...
Avian haemosporidian infections have been associated with disease outbreaks in zoos and rehabilitation centers globally. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites in captive birds at the National Zoological Garden in South Africa. One hundred and eighty-three blood samples from five orders and 15 species of captive flamingos, vultures, owls, ibises and parrots were analyzed for haemosporidia by nested polymerase chain reaction assays. The samples were collected as part of the zoo's studbook and archived at South African National Biodiversity Institute's Wildlife Biobank. The overall infection rate was 36.1%, and infections by Leucocytozoon spp. (33.3%) were significantly higher than Haemoproteus spp. (14.8%) (p < 0.001). Twenty-one samples (11.5%) had mixed Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon infections. The Spotted Eagle Owl (Bubo africanus) and Barn Owl (Tyto alba) had the highest infection rates. Twenty-six sequences, similar to published sequences of Leucocytozoon spp. (lineages lCHRKLA02, lCIAE02, and lBUVIR02) and Haemoproteus spp. (lineage hTYTAL6) were obtained. Two new lineages (lBUBCAP01 and hBOSHAG02) are described in this study. This is the first molecular survey of haemosporidian parasites in captive birds of the orders Accipitriformes, Pelecaniformes, Psittaciformes, Phoenicopteriformes, and Strigiformes in South Africa. This study provides new geographical and host records of known and novel haemosporidian lineages. It highlights the need for intensive surveys of these parasites in populations of captive and free-ranging birds in South Africa, regular monitoring of infections, updated screening methods, and insect control in the zoo's animal collection to avoid disease outbreaks.
Proteomic Mechanisms of Hepatic- and Cardio-Protection of a Food-Hoarding Hibernator, Tamias sibiricus.
Zhao X, Ma Y, Yi X
Integr Zool · 2025 Oct · PMID 41123237 · Publisher ↗
Hibernation involves complex physiological adaptations enabling animals to survive extreme conditions. During hibernation, body temperature, metabolic rate, and heart rate change significantly but are quickly restored up...
Hibernation involves complex physiological adaptations enabling animals to survive extreme conditions. During hibernation, body temperature, metabolic rate, and heart rate change significantly but are quickly restored upon arousal. Despite extensive research, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study used proteomics to examine cardiac and hepatic protein levels in food-hoarding hibernator Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus) during torpor and arousal. Results show that, unlike the fat-storing hibernators, the liver of chipmunks maintains glucose, lipid, and bile acid synthesis throughout hibernation due to changes in proteins like GALE, SLC2A3, GSK-3α, HMGCS2, ACAT2, and AMACR. In contrast, reduced mitochondrial autophagy (PINK1 and PARKIN) and enhanced anti-apoptotic mechanisms (TFRC, WFS1, and NDRG1) help maintain energy balance in the heart. These findings provide new insights into cardio-protection in food-hoarding hibernators and improve our understanding of adaptive mechanisms in mammalian hibernators.
Spatial, Temporal, and Host-Specificity Patterns of Three Genera of Blood Coccidian Parasites in Two Syntopic Mediterranean Lizards.
Mediavilla C, Fandos G, Blázquez-Castro S … +3 more , Reguera S, Barrientos R, Megía-Palma R
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 41123233 · Full text
We investigated the phenological variation of three genera of blood parasites of lizards (Schellackia, Karyolysus, and Lankesterella) using samples of 275 adult Psammodromus algirus and 138 Acanthodactylus erythrurus col...
We investigated the phenological variation of three genera of blood parasites of lizards (Schellackia, Karyolysus, and Lankesterella) using samples of 275 adult Psammodromus algirus and 138 Acanthodactylus erythrurus collected from April to September in 2021 and 2022. Both years experienced heatwaves, and 2022 had the warmest summer on historical record for the region. We captured lizards in two close areas that differed in vegetation quality due to differential human pressure. We found that Schellackia and Karyolysus more frequently infected P. algirus, whereas Lankesterella infected A. erythrurus. We fitted generalized additive models to explain parasite intensity, including the non-linear effect of phenology sorted by sex and the linear effects of body length, body condition, host sex, heterophil-lymphocyte ratio, distance to a road, and microclimate. We found a positive effect of body length on parasite intensity across parasite genera. The intensity of Schellackia was higher in female hosts, contradicting the dogma of higher male susceptibility to infections. The intensity of Lankesterella was lower closer to the road, indicating that parasite transmission success can vary at the microgeographic scale. We found a non-linear significant increase of Karyolysus across the activity period, suggesting a relaxation of the antiparasitic control upon this genus toward the end of the activity period. For Lankesterella, we observed a phenological increase only in female lizards, suggesting sexual differences in immunocompetence. We found higher intensity of Karyolysus and Lankesterella in 2022, conforming to the idea that heat waves may impair lizards' immunocompetence.
Prenatal Environmental Hypoxia Enhances Adult Hypoxia Tolerance in Brandt's Voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii): Behavioral and Transcriptomic Insights.
Li M, Qiao C, Li X … +3 more , Huang M, Wang Z, Shi L
Integr Zool · 2025 Oct · PMID 41123226 · Publisher ↗
Prenatal hypoxia poses significant risks to mammalian brain development, often leading to long-term cognitive and memory deficits. However, certain hypoxia-tolerant species, such as Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii),...
Prenatal hypoxia poses significant risks to mammalian brain development, often leading to long-term cognitive and memory deficits. However, certain hypoxia-tolerant species, such as Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii), have evolved unique adaptations to thrive in low-oxygen environments. This study explores the effects of prenatal environmental hypoxia on the cognitive abilities and molecular responses of Brandt's voles in adulthood. Using behavioral tests (novel object recognition and Y maze) and transcriptomic analysis, we found that Brandt's voles exposed to prenatal environmental hypoxia exhibited intact cognitive and memory functions, contrasting with the deficits observed in model organisms. Transcriptomic profiling, validated by RT-qPCR experiments, revealed adaptive changes in energy metabolism, oxygen transport, and neuroprotective mechanisms, particularly in voles exposed to hypoxia both prenatally and in adulthood. These findings suggest that moderate prenatal environmental hypoxia exposure induces developmental plasticity in Brandt's voles, enhancing their hypoxia tolerance in adulthood, which contrasts with the detrimental effects observed in model organisms under similar conditions. Our study highlights the importance of investigating non-model organisms with natural hypoxia exposure histories, providing novel insights into the mechanisms of hypoxia adaptation and potential strategies for mitigating hypoxia-related neurological damage.
Prevalence, Genetic Diversity, and Pathogenicity of Avian Haemosporidian Parasite Co-infection in Free-Living Long-Eared Owls (Asio otus).
Stanković D, Rajković DZ, Raković M … +4 more , Skorić S, Chakarov N, Pibaque P, Marzal A
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 41123221 · Publisher ↗
In wild birds, a frequent and significant aspect of co-evolution is simultaneous infections of a single avian host with multiple parasites from different haemosporidian genera, or from the same genus. To date, the majori...
In wild birds, a frequent and significant aspect of co-evolution is simultaneous infections of a single avian host with multiple parasites from different haemosporidian genera, or from the same genus. To date, the majority of haemosporidian phylogenetic studies have been focused on Passerines. Other bird groups, such as nocturnal species, particularly owls, even though they play an important role in ecosystems, have been largely neglected. In our study, the use of a combination of different methodologies, including Illumina sequencing and a nested PCR protocol along with blood smear examination, provided valuable insights into detecting multiple infections. Out of 101 screened long-eared owl (Asio otus), screened in Vojvodina, Serbia, the overall prevalence was 69.3%, among which 26.73% individuals carried co-infections. With a prevalence of 41.58%, the most prevalent genus was Haemoproteus. However, no correlation was found between the presence of single or multiple infections and the body condition of long-eared owls, indicating that chronic haemosporidian infections may be harmless to the hosts during the non-breeding period. Furthermore, no significant differences in prevalence between adult and young birds were found. Additionally, long-eared owls represent a new host for 5 of 10 parasite lineages identified in this study, previously documented elsewhere. For this reason, continued research during the nesting period, when vectors are active, is crucial to better understand the full haemosporidian diversity in this top predator.
Living Low and Dry: Costs of and Resilience to Soil Hydric Stress in a Fossorial Amphisbaenian Reptile.
Martín J, Navarro-Castilla Á, de la Concha A … +3 more , Cuervo JJ, Barja I, López P
Integr Zool · 2025 Oct · PMID 41123191 · Publisher ↗
The physiological traits of animals can be strongly influenced by climatic fluctuations, and future climate changes may have negative impacts. However, the magnitude of these effects likely depends on the type of animal...
The physiological traits of animals can be strongly influenced by climatic fluctuations, and future climate changes may have negative impacts. However, the magnitude of these effects likely depends on the type of animal and its specific environment. In fossorial animals, soil alterations can affect their physiological traits, but adaptations to fossoriality may lead to different effects when compared to epigeal animals. We experimentally examined the hydric physiology and the effects of soil hydric stress (i.e., a simulated drought) on the physiological state of the amphisbaenian Blanus cinereus, a strictly fossorial reptile. Individuals selected substrates with moderately low moisture levels in a laboratory gradient but avoided the wettest substrates. The evaporative water loss rates of amphisbaenians were temperature-dependent, but notably low compared to other epigeal reptiles of similar size and climatic niche. In the hydric stress experiment, amphisbaenians buried in dry substrates did not gain body weight and showed increased glucocorticoid (GC) levels, whereas those in wet substrates gained weight without an increase in GC levels. However, immune response was unaffected by the drought or elevated GC levels, and individuals exposed to hydric stress recovered their weight after a subsequent recovery period under normal conditions. Additionally, amphisbaenians compensated for drought conditions behaviorally, more often selecting soils under rocks where conditions could be more favorable. These results suggest that soil drought imposes moderate, temporary costs, but that amphisbaenians can cope with, at least, moderately short droughts, likely as a result of their adaptations to the underground environment.
Bird Community Composition, Migration, and Environmental Factors Jointly Influence the Global Distribution of Avian Haemosporidian Lineages.
Molinero C, Brown CH, Odom TL … +2 more , Suh DC, Park AW
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 41123185 · Full text
Parasite distributions are under the influence of host occurrence and tolerable environmental conditions. In vector-borne disease systems, including avian malaria, they are further constrained by the environmental niche...
Parasite distributions are under the influence of host occurrence and tolerable environmental conditions. In vector-borne disease systems, including avian malaria, they are further constrained by the environmental niche of the vectors. The fact that avian haemosporidians occur in a large number of migratory and non-migratory species means the role of bird migration in the global distribution of avian haemosporidians is an open question. Because avian haemosporidians refer to a large number of genetic lineages that are well characterized in terms of host and geographic range, we introduce an ecoregion pairwise analysis that sets out to explain the similarity in lineages in pairs of ecoregions as a function of the pair's similarity in migratory and non-migratory bird communities, as well as environmental conditions. We identify important roles for each of these factors in explaining the overall geographic distribution of lineages, including strong support for the role of migratory birds in moving lineages between environmentally dissimilar ecoregions.
Comparison of Three Sympatric Desert Lizards: Digestive Tract Structure, Digestive Enzyme Activities, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolites.
Yang Y, Wang Z, Wu R
Integr Zool · 2025 Oct · PMID 41081315 · Publisher ↗
The flexibility of digestive tract morphology and the composition of gut microbiota play crucial roles in the environmental adaptation of reptiles. To evaluate the contributions of the dietary niches to the gut microbiot...
The flexibility of digestive tract morphology and the composition of gut microbiota play crucial roles in the environmental adaptation of reptiles. To evaluate the contributions of the dietary niches to the gut microbiota, we performed 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolite profiling for three sympatric lizard species-Teratoscincus roborowskii, Phrynocephalus axillaris, and Eremias roborowskii-and compared their goblet cell and enzyme activities of the digestive tract. The results revealed that goblet cell densities in the stomach body and pylorus were significantly higher in both T. roborowskii and E. roborowskii, which occasionally include fruit in their diets. Lipase activity was significantly higher in the insectivorous P. axillaris, while the α-amylase and cellulase activities were elevated in the omnivorous T. roborowskii and E. roborowskii. All three lizard species shared the same dominant microbiota at the phylum level. However, dietary niche differences led to P. axillaris having a higher abundance of Desulfovibrionaceae, while E. roborowskii had a significantly higher abundance of Bacteroidetes. Metabolomic profiling revealed that the metabolites involved in carbohydrate metabolism were highly upregulated in E. roborowskii, corresponding to the host's diet and metabolic pathways. Notably, a strong correlation was observed between digestive enzymes, gut microbiota, and fecal metabolites. Overall, our study suggests that the dietary niche may promote divergence or convergence of microbiota across host species, facilitating the establishment of host-specific intestinal adaptation strategies. Our findings provide insights into lizard adaptation to extreme deserts from the perspectives of the gut microbiome and digestive physiology.
Can Wapiti (Cervus elaphus) Browsing Stimulate the Chemical Defense of Taxus cuspidata-A Case of Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park.
Feng J, Du H, Wang X … +1 more , Zhang M
Integr Zool · 2025 Oct · PMID 41063641 · Publisher ↗
The interactions between animals and plants are the most critical processes in terrestrial ecosystems. Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park is one of China's first five national parks, where the recovery of th...
The interactions between animals and plants are the most critical processes in terrestrial ecosystems. Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park is one of China's first five national parks, where the recovery of the amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and its prey populations is vital for biodiversity conservation. Wapiti (Cervus elaphus) is the class II national protected animal in China and one of the main prey of amur tiger. Taxus cuspidata is a Tertiary relict tree and the class I national protected plant and wapiti browsing its saplings is likely to increase its endangered status. Given that both species serve as key conservation priorities in the national park, there is an urgent need to address the ecological balance between them. From 2020 to 2024, we conducted camera traps, field investigation, and high performance liquid chromatography to study the interaction between them. We found that wapiti mainly browsed the saplings in 20-100 cm. When the height reaches 250 cm, it can avoid being browsed. After being browsed, saplings tend to abandon the growth of the main branches and focus on the recovery of lateral branches and ground diameters. The concentration of tannins doubles, while the concentration of terpenoids nearly triples and that of flavonoids almost doubles after browsed by wapiti. Wapiti did not browse the same saplings twice. In summary, although wapiti browsing inhibits the growth of saplings, the chemical defense also ensures that it is not browsed twice. The results not only provide a scientific basis for solving the cooperative conservation of wapiti and T. cuspidata but also promote the study of interaction and co-evolution between large herbivores and rare plants.
A New Species of Plasmodium of the Subgenus Novyella Infecting White-Shouldered Fire-Eyes (Pyriglena leucoptera) (Aves: Thamnophilidae) in Brazil.
Alves LGM, Pereira PHO, Batista VL … +2 more , Lopes LE, Braga ÉM
Integr Zool · 2026 Jan · PMID 41063637 · Full text
Bird parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium (Haemosporida: Plasmodiidae) are found worldwide, with over 50 described species categorized into five subgenera. The subgenus Novyella comprises 22 morphologically identi...
Bird parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium (Haemosporida: Plasmodiidae) are found worldwide, with over 50 described species categorized into five subgenera. The subgenus Novyella comprises 22 morphologically identified species, of which 59% are genetically associated with at least one haplotype. In the Americas, only three morphospecies have their microscopic characteristics linked to a molecular signature. In this study, we described a new species of Plasmodium (Novyella) infecting a white-shouldered fire-eye (Pyriglena leucoptera) in Brazil. Molecular analysis reveals that the new species, associated with the lineage PYLEU01, is closely genetically related to Plasmodium (Novyella) homopolare, exhibiting a genetic divergence of 4.18%. However, it differs from P. homopolare due to the presence of many mature amoeboid trophozoites and some young meronts located laterally in relation to the erythrocyte nuclei and the smaller average number of merozoites in mature erythrocytic meronts. Morphology of blood stages of new species is most similar to Plasmodium vaughani and Plasmodium rouxi, but is different from these parasites due to the presence of predominantly 4 merozoites in mature erythrocytic meronts (not characteristic of P. vaughani) and the presence of 5-6 merozoites in some mature erythrocytic meronts (not characteristic of P. rouxi). Our integrative analyses reveal that the newly described species represents a distinct Plasmodium parasite from other Novyella morphospecies.
Serotonergic Modulation of Social Dominance via the Dorsal Raphe-Central Amygdala Circuit in Male Mice.
Liu Y, Jiang Y, Bai Y … +10 more , An Q, Tian J, Wu J, Li L, Zhou J, Zhang X, Wang R, Wang H, Niu Q, Li L
Integr Zool · 2025 Oct · PMID 41063636 · Publisher ↗
Social hierarchy is a fundamental aspect of social behavior in animals, influencing individual health and well-being. This study investigated the role of serotonin (5-HT) neurons in the dorsal raphe (DR) nucleus and thei...
Social hierarchy is a fundamental aspect of social behavior in animals, influencing individual health and well-being. This study investigated the role of serotonin (5-HT) neurons in the dorsal raphe (DR) nucleus and their projections to the central amygdala (CeA) in regulating social dominance in male mice. We first observed elevated c-Fos expression in 5-HT neurons of subordinate mice, indicating heightened neuronal activity during social competition. Using chemogenetic approaches, we found that activation of DR 5-HT neurons and DR-CeA projections significantly reduced the social rank of dominant individuals, while inhibition had negligible effects on the subordinates. Additionally, activation of the DR-CeA circuit induced anxiety-like behaviors in dominant mice, as evidenced by reduced exploration in the open-field test. Pharmacological blockade of 5-HT1A receptors in the CeA reversed the effects of chemogenetic activation, highlighting the involvement of 5-HT1A receptors in this process. These findings underscore the critical role of the DR-CeA circuit in modulating social dominance and suggest that 5-HT1A receptors in the CeA play a pivotal regulatory role. Overall, the current study provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying social hierarchy, which is closely related to our health and welfare.
The Role of Miocene-Pleistocene Environmental Change in Diversification of the Genus Hypoclinemus Chabanaud, 1928.
Rodrigues AES, Ready JS, Pereira da Silva LG … +6 more , Silva KF, Silva DJF, Sabaj MH, Ândrade M, Vasconcelos S, Sales JBL
Integr Zool · 2025 Oct · PMID 41063621 · Publisher ↗
The Neotropical region stands out as one of the most taxonomically diverse areas on the planet, garnering significant attention in the context of marine incursions and their role in shaping this diversity. Among marine-d...
The Neotropical region stands out as one of the most taxonomically diverse areas on the planet, garnering significant attention in the context of marine incursions and their role in shaping this diversity. Among marine-derived taxa, pleuronectiform fishes exhibit distinctive morphological characteristics that have attracted significant scientific interest. The broad distribution of a single species across multiple South American river basins positions Hypoclinemus mentalis as an ideal candidate for biogeographic studies within South America, with an emphasis on the detection of cryptic lineages associated with major drainage basins. This study aimed to investigate the monotypic status of Hypoclinemus, its evolutionary history, and whether historical paleogeographical events could play a role in the dispersion of H. mentalis in the Neotropical region, utilizing mitochondrial and nuclear markers. In our study, we employed mitochondrial and nuclear markers to investigate the potential existence of such lineages within the broader context of a molecular phylogeny that encompasses all valid genera in the flatfish family Achiridae. Our findings reveal that Hypoclinemus comprises seven operational taxonomic units (OTUs), as deduced from specimens collected across the majority of its documented range. Furthermore, our phylogeographic analyses support the hypothesis that colonization of freshwater habitats occurred through connections between the Caribbean Sea and Lake Pebas approximately 21.28 million years ago. Moreover, we observed that differentiation of lineages within the Hypoclinemus genus was significantly influenced by pronounced sea level fluctuations during the Plio-Pleistocene epoch, underscoring the impact of glaciations and interglacial periods on the biogeographic patterns.
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