Announcements

We are thrilled to share the updated Exceptional Reviewers List 2025. This program was designed to recognize and honor scholars who have consistently delivered exceptional review reports to our journal. Committed to fostering rigorous research and promoting knowledge exchange, the journal Animals (ISSN: 2076-2615) recognizes our reviewers' significant role in maintaining the quality and integrity of our published articles. According to surveys conducted in 2024, 95.3% of our authors rate the peer review as good or excellent thanks to our pool of excellent reviewers.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all reviewers who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to assist in the peer-review process of Animals. Their dedication and attention to detail in evaluating manuscripts, offering valuable feedback, and contributing to academic rigor are truly commendable.

The Exceptional Reviewers List was introduced in April 2024. Each quarter, we will be selecting a group of outstanding reviewers and introduce them here.

Q1:
Name: Dr. Jaco Bakker
Affiliation: Animal Science Department, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands
Interests: non-human primates; macaques; common marmoset

Name: Dr. Anna Czech
Affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland
Interests: poultry nutrition; pig nutrition; veterinary; agricultural and biological sciences; environmental science; biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology; chemistry

Name: Dr. Antonio Molina
Affiliation: Universidad de Córdoba, Spain
Interests: animal genetics 

Name: Dr. Richard Murray
Affiliation: University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
Interests: cattle; perinatal mortality ruminants; reproduction pathophysiology ruminants

Name: Dr. Bruce S. Seal
Affiliation: Oregon State University-Cascades, USA
Interests: microbial derived products; antimicrobial; probiotics; evolutionary biology

Q2:
Name: Dr. Federica Raspa
Affiliation: University of Turin, Italy
Interests: veterinary; animal science; Education; food safety; feed analysis

Name: Dr. Han-Tsung Wang
Affiliation: Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10672, Taiwan
Interests: animal nutrition; in vitro digestion; feed evaluation; rumen microbiology

Name: Dr. Betty McGuire
Affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
Interests: mammalian social behavior, parental care, and ecology; applied animal behavior; human-animal interactions; animal shelters; animal welfare; dog; rodent

Name: Dr. Shozo H. Sugiura
Affiliation: School of Environmental Sciences, University of Shiga Prefecture, Hassaka 2500, Hikone, Shiga 522-8533, Japan
Interests: research on fish nutrition and feed; research and development of low phosphorus, low fish meal, low price fish feed; phosphorus metabolism and digestion and absorption physiology in fish; eco-friendly feed; sustainable aquaculture technology research

Name: Dr. Isa Fusaro
Affiliation: University of Teramo, Italy
Interests: veterinary science; animal science; feeds; food; welfare; education

Conference: The 9th International Symposium on Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality
Date: 9–11 May 2025
Location: Beijing, China

MDPI will be attending the 9th International Symposium on Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality, which will be held from 9 to 11 May 2025 in Beijing, China.

The International Symposium on “Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality” has been held continuously, with eight sessions over 15 years since its first event in 2009. Renowned international experts from 13 developed dairy countries including the United States, the Netherlands, and New Zealand have delivered over 200 keynote speeches at the conference, with more than 4,000 people attending on-site. It has become an important scientific platform for understanding the latest progress in international dairy science and technology, strengthening domestic and foreign dairy exchanges, and promoting cooperation in dairy science and technology between China and foreign countries. The purpose of this symposium is to exchange the latest progress in domestic and international dairy science theories and technologies and jointly discuss strategies for the high-quality development of the global dairy industry, with the aim of developing new high-quality technology for productivity and promoting the stable and healthy development of the dairy industry, which is of vital importance.

The conference topics cover:

• Progress in key efficient and high-quality technologies for the entire dairy industry chain;
• Progress in milk quality and safety;
• Research progress on the nutritional quality of special livestock milk.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Animals;
• Agriculture;
• Beverages;
• Foods;
• Ruminants.

If you are planning to attend the conference, we encourage you to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We are eager to meet you in person and assist you with any queries that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the official website: http://www.dairymeeting.com/cn2025/default.htm.

We recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Kathleen A. Cooney about her paper “Ethical and Practical Considerations Associated with Companion Animal Euthanasia”, which was published in 2023.

The following is an interview with Dr. Kathleen A. Cooney written by Taheer Ali (Content Assistant):

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your current research?
I became a veterinarian in 2004 in the state of Colorado and since 2006 have focused on end-of-life care for companion animals. I have provided euthanasia and palliative care services for over 10 years. In 2017, to help veterinary professionals better understand the complexity of euthanasia, I founded the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA), of which I am the Senior Director of Medical Education. I am also the author of several books, book chapters, and research papers. Since 2020, I have taught at Colorado State University as part of the Affiliate Faculty and in 2024, I received board certification for animal welfare via the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW).

2. What do you think we can learn from your paper?
Euthanasia is a complicated topic which can be conflicting and unpleasant, and this paper provides people with the opportunity to learn more about it. As veterinary professionals, we often feel a lot of pressure when trying to navigate the conflicting obligations and responsibilities we have towards both animals and their owners.

3. What do you think made the academic community respond so well to your paper?
Researchers and academics from a wide variety of backgrounds gravitate towards papers like this because it addresses head-on the complexity of animal euthanasia. I don’t believe it has gotten any easier. Even after 18 years and many paths developed to provide better end-of-life care, I still find myself having the same conversations with my clients. There are moral pressures and stresses and an ever-present empathetic strain which must be navigated. One way it is navigated is through discussion and the sharing of our experiences. At our academy (CAETA), we offer veterinarian students and technicians in shelter medicine over 50 hours of content that explore a lot of these areas.
My hope for the future is that there is more education on veterinary euthanasia. I also see the space for a new field within end-of-life veterinary—veterinary thanatology. Thanatology as an area of study already exists for humans, and I believe the same should exist for animals. A better understanding of animal death can improve and provide a better understanding of animal welfare. A good life should be followed by a good death. Euthanasia should be considered carefully to maintain animal welfare. Animals should be kept in as positive a state as possible, free of pain, as well as anxiety and fear, all the way up to their final moments of consciousness. Much research has already been conducted on euthanasia and slaughter to maintain that safe experience.

4. What other resources would you recommend for veterinary professionals?
I would recommend the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which offers robust, highly referenced guidelines, including those for animal slaughter and euthanasia. These guidelines are scientifically proven, reliable, and regularly adjusted in accordance with the latest research. I would also recommend the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), which offer documents curated by experts in the field. It is important that veterinarians are kept up to date with the newest research. Animal welfare can be at risk if practitioners are untrained in a broad range of methodology. They should be able to move seamlessly from plan A to plan B to plan C.

5. What advice could you provide to those who may struggle in this area of veterinary medicine?
To those who may struggle making decisions regarding euthanasia, you are not alone and what you are feeling is normal. Looking further into the topic may help broaden your professional and personal skills and make the procedure easier to handle. There are veterinarians who have devoted their entire careers to this field and who find great fulfillment when they have been able to approach and perform it successfully. They are also able to provide the service as often and frequently as required. Essentially, the most important thing is education. It brings out a certain confidence so that one is gravitating towards rather than away from appointments. There are many resources out there for learning more about veterinary euthanasia. To love helping owners navigate this tough decision is to love animals. Euthanasia itself should not be considered a failure, but a difficult decision made in an animal’s best interest.

7. Why did you choose to publish with MDPI Animals?
I had chosen to publish in MDPI Animals as it is an open access journal that allows for reaching a larger audience, which a veterinary-specific journal could not promise. A wider reach allows for a wider impact. Publication with MDPI is also a quick and easy process, and good reviewers are selected.

8. Who do you want to reach with your message?
I want my message to reach veterinarians, especially those who are just graduating, as they tend to not know how to perform euthanasia well or have the professional skills necessary to navigate its complexities. Most vets will build on these skills in their first year after school, which often results in a steep learning curve. Established veterinarians alike also need more education around euthanasia and animal welfare. Only five years ago was I myself truly awoken to it. Furthermore, I want my message to reach professionals in other animal industries—ethical and compassionate people seeking to improve their skills in the area. We all do our best with what we know today, but things are constantly developing in animal welfare. We need to be as current as we can. I am very proud of professionals who seek modern euthanasia and those who believe a better death is better welfare.

9. What does the future look like for animal euthanasia and animal welfare?
There are several growing areas in the field of animal euthanasia and welfare, including the specific techniques used to perform euthanasia. As the use of technology in medicine grows, in the next 10 years, we can expect the introduction of newer, more technical procedures. The discussion of ethics will further remain an area of exploration, as it is still difficult to overcome certain challenges. To euthanize or to not euthanize and who should take part in that decision, for example, is always a key question. Another growing area is the discussion of client and patient needs. How can we communicate the techniques for euthanasia effectively and how can we support those who are grieving? This contributes to a developing field of veterinary social work which is focusing on providing communication needs for clients.
We should also see policies being guided only by modern research. When we know better, we should do better. Society should further understand the reasons for euthanasia and trust veterinarians in their decisions regarding it. In our paper, we discuss various types of euthanasia and carefully address the issue of suffering and the importance of intent. The consequences and pressures that come with veterinary euthanasia are also explored. It is important that veterinarians can perform euthanasia well and are comfortable in doing so. If it cannot be performed well, it should be avoided.

10. What would you like the public to know regarding animal euthanasia and welfare?
For anyone that was not aware of what animal euthanasia and animal welfare entailed, I would like to firstly inform them of some of the norms and realities of professional animal caregivers and their day-to-day ongoings. I would then discuss the harsh reality that animals die and that unfortunately, the resources available upon an animal death are less abundant than that of a human. I would tell them that euthanasia can become a way to release an animal from its body before things become more difficult. When we know an animal is dying, those who are trained in performing euthanasia can perform it in the best way they know how. When an animal is not dying but does not have the necessary means to continue living a substantial life, it is in the best interest of the animal that the procedure of euthanasia is considered. For anyone that is a pet owner, I say to them to always be curious and to keep asking questions.

World Tuna Day, observed on May 2, serves as a global call to raise awareness about the pressing challenges facing tuna populations and to emphasize the need for sustainable fishing practices. Tuna and tuna-like species are vital to the global economy and food supply, contributing significantly to food security, economic growth, and the livelihoods of communities around the world. However, the growing market demand has placed immense pressure on tuna stocks. Alarming data show that 33.3% of the seven main tuna species are now fished at biologically unsustainable levels, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts and international cooperation.

In recognition of World Tuna Day 2025, we encourage you to explore current research and expert discussions featured in MDPI journals such as Animals, Fishes, Foods, and Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (JMSE). Through open access publishing and interdisciplinary collaboration, MDPI is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions that support the sustainable management of tuna and promote the long-term health of our oceans.

“Correlation Between Sensory Characteristics and Physicochemical Properties of Wild and Farmed Frozen Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)
by Hiroki Kashikura, Masafumi Yagi, Yusa Nakamura, Akira Sakai, Kigen Takahashi, Seiichi Hiratsuka and Keiichi Goto
Fishes 2024, 9(12), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9120473

“The Impact of Acute Ammonia Nitrogen Stress on Serum Biochemical Indicators and Spleen Gene Expression in Juvenile Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)”
by Yongyue Sun, Zhengyi Fu and Zhenhua Ma
Animals 2024, 14(21), 3090; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213090

“Optimization of the Preparation Process and Ameliorative Efficacy in Osteoporotic Rats of Peptide–Calcium Chelates from Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Meat”
by Wan-Zhen Yan, Jiao Wang, Yu-Mei Wang, Yu-Hui Zeng, Chang-Feng Chi and Bin Wang
Foods 2024, 13(17), 2778; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13172778

“Exploring the Blood Glucose-Lowering Potential of the Umami Peptides LADW and EEAEGT Derived from Tuna Skeletal Myosin: Perspectives from α-Glucosidase Inhibition and Starch Interaction”
by Shuai Zhao, Shengbao Cai, Lixin Ding, Junjie Yi, Linyan Zhou, Zhijia Liu and Chuanqi Chu
Foods 2024, 13(2), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13020294

“Mechanisms of Digestive Enzyme Response to Acute Salinity Stress in Juvenile Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)”
by Ninglu Zhang, Rui Yang, Zhengyi Fu, Gang Yu and Zhenhua Ma
Animals 2023, 13(22), 3454; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13223454

“Projected Changes in Spawning Ground Distribution of Mature Albacore Tuna in the Indian Ocean under Various Global Climate Change Scenarios”
by Sandipan Mondal, Aratrika Ray, Ming-An Lee and Malagat Boas
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(8), 1565; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11081565

“Effects of Climate Variability on Two Commercial Tuna Species Abundance in the Indian Ocean”
by Yang Wang, Fan Zhang, Zhe Geng, Yuying Zhang, Jiangfeng Zhu and Xiaojie Dai
Fishes 2023, 8(2), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8020099

“Impact of Salinity Changes on the Antioxidation of Juvenile Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)”
by Shengjie Zhou, Ninglu Zhang, Zhengyi Fu, Gang Yu, Zhenhua Ma and Lei Zhao
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(1), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11010132

We are honored to introduce the award committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, composed of distinguished scientists from around the world whose research covers diverse areas of natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, and drug discovery. Their broad expertise and pioneering contributions have significantly advanced medicinal and natural products research.

Through their collective insights, rigorous evaluation, the committee has carefully selected this year’s award recipients, recognizing exceptional achievements in the field.

We sincerely thank these distinguished scholars for their efforts and dedication to upholding the standards of the Tu Youyou Award.  Below is the list of committee members. For more information about the Tu Youyou Award, please visit https://tuyouyouprize.org/. 

Chair:

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn Ohio State University, USA

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn is a leading expert in pharmacognosy and natural products research. He is recognized for his key contributions to discovering bioactive compounds from plants, especially in anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents. His prolific contributions include over 590 peer-reviewed works and book chapters and edited or co-edited 40 scientific volumes.

Prof. Angelo Fontana University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy	Angelo Fontana is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy and serves as Director of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry at the National Research Council (CNR). His research focuses on bioactive small molecules derived from marine eukaryotes, with a particular interest on their pharmaceutical applications in immunology and oncology. He also explores their potential as molecular tools for probing and modulating complex biological systems. Prof. Fontana is a co-founder of BioSEArch SRL and has been recognized with numerous grants and honors, including the Apivita Award from the Phytochemical Society of Europe.
Prof. Binghe Wang Georgia State University, USA	Prof. Binghe Wang’s lab works on drug design, drug delivery, click chemistry, chemical biology, new diagnostics, and gaseous signaling molecules such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. His interdisciplinary research supports advances in cancer, infectious diseases, organ protection, inflammation, and other areas.
Dr. Diana Pinto University of Aveiro, Portugal	Dr. Diana Pinto, an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, specializes in organic synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, sustainable catalysis (organo-, heterogeneous, and biocatalysis), and natural product research, including isolation, characterization, and total synthesis.
Prof. Hideaki Kakeya Kyoto University, Japan	Prof. Hideaki Kakeya conducts cutting-edge research in chemical biology, high-throughput screening, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural products for system chemotherapy and other therapeutic applications.
Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel University of Strathclyde, UK	Prof. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel heads the Natural Products Metabolomics Group (NPMG), specializing in marine natural products discovery and metabolomics-driven drug development. A recognized expert in bioactive metabolites, she collaborates with industry and academia to address antimicrobial resistance and sustainable bioprospecting. She serves on the Editorial Board of Marine Drugs and holds two patents in the field.
Prof. Thomas Prisinzano University of Kentucky, USA	Prof. Thomas Prisinzano combines medicinal and natural product chemistry to explore neurotransmitter systems and develop treatments for drug abuse and pain. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Innovator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.
Prof. Wei Li University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA	A distinguished professor and Director of the Drug Discovery Center, Prof. Wei Li is also the founder of SEAK Therapeutics, and the 2025 Chair-Elect of the Drug Discovery and Development Division of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). His work focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule drug discovery, with over 200 publications and 15 issued US patents.

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Richard DiMarchi Indiana University, USA	Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
“Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
Rolf Müller Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany; Saarland University, Germany	Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
“The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
• Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
• Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
• Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
• Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
• Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
• Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

Mother Earth is sending us an urgent call to action as nature suffers from the devastating impacts of human activity. Our oceans are choked with plastic and acidifying, while extreme heat, wildfires, and floods have disrupted millions of lives. Climate change, deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, illegal wildlife trade, and other human-driven disruptions are accelerating the destruction of ecosystems and biodiversity. As we mark the third Mother Earth Day within the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, it is clear that healthy ecosystems are vital for all life on Earth. Restoring damaged ecosystems can help end poverty, fight climate change, and prevent mass extinction, but success depends on everyone playing their part. Together, we must act now to heal our planet and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

On this significant day, we are proud to present a curated collection of articles and initiatives dedicated to groundbreaking research and innovative solutions for protecting and restoring our planet. As we celebrate Mother Earth and reflect on the urgent need for action, these contributions highlight critical efforts to combat climate change, restore ecosystems, and promote sustainability. We invite readers to explore these resources and join us in our shared mission to safeguard the health of our planet for future generations. Together, we can make a lasting impact and ensure a thriving, resilient Earth for all.

Keynote Speakers

“The Conservation of Biodiverse and Threatened Dry Rainforest Plant Communities Is Vital in a Changing Climate”
by Marion Howard, Hilary Pearl, Bill McDonald, Yoko Shimizu, Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava and Alison Shapcott
Conservation 2024, 4(4), 657-684; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4040040

“Ten Years of Mediterranean Monk Seal Stranding Records in Greece under the Microscope: What Do the Data Suggest?”
by Maria Solanou, Aliki Panou, Irida Maina, Stefanos Kavadas and Marianna Giannoulaki
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091309

“Groundwater Temperature Stripes: A Simple Method to Communicate Groundwater Temperature Variations Due to Climate Change”
by Manuela Lasagna, Elena Egidio and Domenico Antonio De Luca
Water 2024, 16(5), 717; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050717

“Resilience of an Urban Coastal Ecosystem in the Caribbean: A Remote Sensing Approach in Western Puerto Rico”
by Yadiel Noel Bonilla-Roman and Salvador Francisco Acuña-Guzman
Earth 2024, 5(1), 72-89; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth5010004

“Particulate Matter in the American Southwest: Detection and Analysis of Dust Storms Using Surface Measurements and Ground-Based LIDAR”
by Joscelyne Guzman-Gonzalez, Rosa M. Fitzgerald, Nakul N. Karle, Ricardo K. Sakai and William R. Stockwell
Atmosphere 2024, 15(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15010110

“An Imported Environmental Crisis: Plastic Mismanagement in Africa”
by Gilbert Moyen Massa and Vasiliki-Maria Archodoulaki
Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020672

“The Effect of Habitat on Insect Movements: Experimental Evidence from Wild-Caught Butterflies”
by Matteo Marcantonio, Raluca Voda, Daniele Da Re, Quentin Igot, Roger L. H. Dennis, Aurélien Vielfaure, Sophie O. Vanwambeke and Caroline M. Nieberding
Insects 2023, 14(9), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14090737

“Artificial Reefs around the World: A Review of the State of the Art and a Meta-Analysis of Its Effectiveness for the Restoration of Marine Ecosystems”
by Carolina Bracho-Villavicencio, Helena Matthews-Cascon and Sergio Rossi
Environments 2023, 10(7), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10070121

“Topography, Slope and Geomorphology’s Influences on Shoreline Dynamics along Dakar’s Southern Coast, Senegal”
by Ibrahima Pouye, Dieudonné Pessièzoum Adjoussi, Jacques André Ndione and Amadou Sall
Coasts 2023, 3(1), 93-112; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts3010006

“Potential Use of Industrial Biomass Waste as a Sustainable Energy Source in the Future”
by Tomasz Kalak
Energies 2023, 16(4), 1783; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16041783

Animal science is a multi-disciplinary and dynamic field dedicated to understanding the biology, management, and sustainable utilization of animals. This discipline encompasses the study of diverse animal species, including livestock, companion animals, wildlife, and aquatic organisms; it also focuses on investigating their physiology, genetics, nutrition, behavior, and health. It also delves into the complex interactions between animals and their environment, exploring their vital roles within ecosystems. By integrating knowledge from various fields such as biology, genetics, nutrition, veterinary medicine, and ecology, animal science aims to optimize animal production, improve animal welfare, and address critical challenges related to food security, conservation, and the responsible management of animal populations within the context of a healthy and functioning ecosystem.

MDPI’s animal science cluster is designed to be a dynamic hub for cutting-edge research, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the animal kingdom and its vital role in our world. Our mission extends beyond simply publishing; we aim to accelerate the dissemination of discoveries that drive advancements in animal health, welfare, sustainable management, and conservation. This cluster offers authors diverse publishing options, ensuring their research finds the most relevant and impactful audience within the diverse landscape of animal science.

The nine participating journals include:

• Animals focuses on any field of study that involves animals, including zoology, ethnozoology, animal science, animal ethics, and animal welfare. Animals is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Clive J. C. Phillips (¹ Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia; ² Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute, Australia);
• Arthropoda focuses on arachnids (mites, scorpions, spiders), myriapods (millipedes, centipedes and allied taxa), pycnogonids, horseshoe crabs and crustaceans. Arthropoda is led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Sammy De Grave (Oxford University Museum of Natural History, UK);
• Birds focuses on any field of study that involves wild birds, with special emphasis on bird ecology, communities, conservation, and behavioral ecology. Birds is led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Jukka Jokimäki (Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Finland);
• Insects focuses on the biology, physiology, behavior, and management of arthropods, as well as their interactions with human societies, plants, and ecosystem services. Insects is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Brian T. Forschler (Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, USA);
• Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens includes all aspects of botanical gardens, zoological gardens, natural sciences museums, and other similar institutions. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens is led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Kevin Cianfaglione (Faculté de Gestion, Economie et Science (FGES), Université Catholique de Lille, France);
• Pets focuses on all aspects of companion animals, including but not limited to their health and disease, veterinary care, nutrition, genetics and genomics, behavior, welfare, and interactions and relations with humans. Pets is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Jan S. Suchodolski (Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, USA);
• Poultry is a multi-disciplinary journal on the poultry industry throughout the world. Poultry covers a broad spectrum of subjects influencing poultry animals' health, welfare, and productivity. Poultry is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Michael Hess (Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria);
• Ruminants focuses on any field of study that involves ruminants, including cattle, all domesticated and wild bovines, goats, sheep, giraffes, deer, gazelles, and antelopes. Ruminants is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Brian J. Leury (Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia);
• Veterinary Sciences focuses on any field of veterinary sciences, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, disorder, and injury in animals. With a strong emphasis on the One Health approach, the journal also explores the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health. Veterinary Sciences is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Patrick Butaye (¹ Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium; ² Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, China).

MDPI’s Mission and Values:

As a pioneer of academic open access publishing, MDPI has served the scientific community since 1996. We aim to foster scientific exchange in all forms across all disciplines. MDPI's guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:

• Open Access—All of our content is published in open access and distributed under a Creative Commons License, providing free access to science and the latest research, allowing articles to be freely shared and content to be re-used with proper attribution;
• Timeliness and Efficiency—Publishing the latest research through thorough editorial work, ensuring a first decision is provided to authors in under 32 days and papers are published within 7-10 days upon acceptance;
• Simplicity—Offering user-friendly tools and services in one place to enhance the efficiency of our editorial process;
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By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.

Selected Topics:

• Precision Feeding and Management of Farm Animals, 3rd Edition;
• Research on Companion Animal Nutrition;
• Advances in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of Animals.

Selected Articles:

Animals
“Effects of Nutritional Factors on Fat Content, Fatty Acid Composition, and Sensorial Properties of Meat and Milk from Domesticated Ruminants: An Overview”
Animals 2024, 14(6), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060840

Arthropoda
“How Urban-Tolerant Are They? Testing Prey–Capture Behavior of Introduced Jorō Spiders (Trichonephila clavata) Next to Busy Roads”
Arthropoda 2024, 2(1), 55-65; https://doi.org/10.3390/arthropoda2010004

Birds
“Nest Design and Breeding Success: Replicability of Methodologies and Research Findings in Secondary Hole Nesting Passerines”
Birds 2024, 5(2), 278-307; https://doi.org/10.3390/birds5020019

Insects
“Mosquito-Borne Diseases and Their Control Strategies: An Overview Focused on Green Synthesized Plant-Based Metallic Nanoparticles”
Insects 2023, 14(3), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030221

Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens
“Cetacean Sanctuaries: Do They Guarantee Better Welfare?”
J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2025, 6(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg6010004

Pets
“The Effects of Dog Behavioural Problems on Owner Well-Being: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions”
Pets 2024, 1(1), 53-69; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets1010007

Poultry
“Impact of Heat Stress on Broiler Chicken Production”
Poultry 2024, 3(2), 107-128; https://doi.org/10.3390/poultry3020010

Ruminants
“Impact of Lameness on Brush Use in a Loose-Housed Dairy System”
Ruminants 2024, 4(3), 375-386; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants4030027

Veterinary Sciences
“Infection and Coinfection of Porcine-Selected Viruses (PPV1 to PPV8, PCV2 to PCV4, and PRRSV) in Gilts and Their Associations with Reproductive Performance”
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(5), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11050185

In commemoration of International Mother Earth Day, MDPI is organizing a special webinar to bring together researchers and experts to share their thoughts on raising awareness about the importance of environmental protection and addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, ecosystem recovery, and sustainable development.

The theme of the webinar revolves around fostering a deeper understanding of humanity’s role in preserving our planet for future generations, as well as the crucial roles of biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices in preserving our ecosystems for future generations. This webinar will provide a platform for meaningful discussions and knowledge exchange on the importance of climate change and the importance of the recovery of our ecosystems.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the MDPI International Mother Earth Day Webinar 2025. Please find an up-to-date outline of the presenters below.

Any interesting suggestions regarding topics and speakers are welcome.

Date: 22 April 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. CEST | 4:30 p.m. AEST | 2:30 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 878 0932 6864

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will inform you when the recording is available to watch.

Register now for free!

Program:

Webinar Speakers:

• Prof. Károly Németh, ¹ National Program of Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Saudi Geological Survey, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; ² Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science, Sopron, Hungary; ³ Geoconservation Trust Aotearoa SW Pacific, Opotiki, New Zealand;
• Prof. Brendan Macke, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.

For more information about this webinar, please visit https://sciforum.net/event/MEDW2025?subscribe.

If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact journal.webinar@mdpi.com.

MDPI International Mother Earth Day Webinar Secretariat