Search Results (1,841)

Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (ber or Indian jujube) is a stress-tolerant dryland fruit tree valued for its nutritious fruit and ability to grow on marginal land. However, the phenotypic, cytotypic and genetic structure of its wild-growing/naturalized germplasm in Pakistan remains poorly characterized. This study provides an integrated assessment of phenotypic, cytotypic and simple-sequence-repeat (SSR) diversity in 100 wild-growing/naturalized accessions collected from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh to establish a baseline for conservation and germplasm management. We recorded 37 morphological and biochemical traits, estimated ploidy levels by flow cytometry (using diploid Z. jujuba ‘Dongzao’ as a reference), and genotyped a representative subset of 60 accessions with 14 SSR markers scored as a binary presence/absence matrix. Substantial phenotypic variation was observed, especially in canopy architecture, leaf traits and stone-related characteristics; fruit quality traits (total soluble solids, vitamin C, and acidity) varied within a narrower range. Province explained only a modest proportion of phenotypic variation (PERMANOVA R² = 0.059–0.109; p < 0.01), with extensive overlap among regions. Flow cytometry revealed polyploid diversity: hexaploid (2n = 6x = 72) accessions dominated (46.7%), followed by octoploid (2n = 8x = 96; 31.7%) and tetraploid (2n = 4x = 48; 21.7%) cytotypes. SSR analysis showed moderate within-province diversity (Nei’s H ≈ 0.51) but negligible genetic differentiation among provinces (R² = 0.030; p = 0.60; Φ ≈ −0.011), indicating weak geographic structuring. Wild-growing/naturalized Z. mauritiana in Pakistan forms a diverse, weakly structured gene pool in which most variation occurs within rather than among provinces. Sampling for conservation and germplasm management should, therefore, prioritize phenotypic distinctiveness, cytotype representation and ecological context rather than geographic origin alone. Experimental validation of any adaptive or agronomic advantages of particular cytotypes is needed before breeding recommendations can be made. Full article

The ecological stoichiometric traits of forest floor material nutrient resorption in forest ecosystems. However, systematic insights into nutrient allocation and scaling during the transformation of plant organs to forest floor material remain limited. This study examined six representative tree species on the southern slope of the Qilian Mountains, quantifying the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) contents and their stoichiometric characteristics in leaves, branches, and mixed forest floor material. Allometric relationships between N and P were analyzed using the standardized major axis regression. Coniferous species exhibited a conservative strategy with high C/N and C/P ratios, whereas broad-leaved species and mixed forests exhibited nutrient-enrichment strategies. During the organ-to-forest floor material transformation, N and P contents significantly reduced, whereas C/N and C/P ratios increased, indicating strong nutrient resorption. N and P were positively associated with plant organs and forest floor material, with isometric relationships (b = 1.06 and 0.98 for plant organs and forest floor material, respectively). Because the slopes did not differ significantly from 1 (p > 0.05), the N:P ratio remained relatively constant, with no significant P limitation. This indicates that tree species regulate forest floor material quality through divergent nutrient utilization strategies, modulating nutrient cycling. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the ecological restoration and stand structure optimization of alpine forests. Full article

Agriophyllum squarrosum (L.) Moq. is a desert-adapted pseudocereal that has recently attracted attention as a climate-resilient crop and source of valuable phytochemicals and nutritionally relevant metabolites. Despite their ecological and nutritional importance, comprehensive studies combining lipid and phenolic profiles across natural populations remain limited. In the present study, five populations of A. squarrosum from ecologically contrasting regions of Kazakhstan were analyzed to evaluate biochemical diversity and potential for functional food applications. Total lipid content was determined using near-infrared spectroscopy, fatty acid composition was assessed by GC-MS, and phenolic compounds were quantified by HPLC. Multivariate approaches, including PCA, MANOVA, PLS analysis, correlation networks, and TOPSIS ranking, were applied to evaluate population differentiation and relationships between biochemical traits and environmental conditions. Total lipid content in seeds ranged from 7.71% to 15.40%, linoleic acid represented 50.20–57.67% of total fatty acids, and oleic acid ranged from 24.80% to 40.10%. Isorhamnetin was the dominant phenolic compound in leaves, with concentrations between 0.24 and 0.65 mg/g. Populations from Aktobe showed higher lipid and oleic acid contents, whereas Almaty populations accumulated greater flavonoid levels, including isorhamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol. These findings reveal substantial metabolic differentiation among populations and suggest possible associations with ecological conditions. The observed accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids and phenolic compounds, including isorhamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol, identifies promising germplasm resources for future studies on functional food development and biological activity evaluation. The results further support the potential utilization of A. squarrosum in sustainable agriculture in arid regions. Full article

Urban green infrastructure is increasingly exposed to fine-scale thermal heterogeneity generated by anthropogenic point-source heat emissions, yet the leaf-level responses of adjacent vegetation to such localized stress remain poorly understood. Here, we examined whether air-conditioner (AC) exhaust, a widespread point-source heat emitter, is associated with functional trait shifts in Fraxinus chinensis street trees, and whether easily measurable leaf traits can serve as candidate indicators for ecological monitoring. Using a matched treatment–control field comparison, we compared trees located 2 m from operating AC units with unaffected controls and quantified nine leaf functional traits together with concurrent microclimate variables. AC exhaust created a distinct compound heat–drought–wind micro-environment at the 2 m patch scale, with higher air temperature (+6.3 °C), lower relative humidity (−12.3 percentage points), and higher wind speed (5.2-fold). Exposed trees showed a coordinated shift toward more resource-conservative leaf traits: leaf dry matter content (+14.8%), tissue density (+13.6%), leaf thickness (+6.3%), and stomatal density (+11.7%) increased significantly, whereas specific leaf area (−10.6%), leaf area (−12.5%), chlorophyll content index (−4.6%), and stomatal area (−10.4%) decreased significantly. The observed “small-and-numerous” stomatal configuration suggests altered stomatal regulation, although its implications for transpiration-driven cooling require direct physiological validation. Exploratory structural equation modeling suggested associations among AC-exhaust exposure, leaf economic strategy, and stomatal traits; stomatal regulation showed the highest proportion of model-explained variance (R² = 0.598), but this value should not be interpreted as direct evidence of impairment severity or restoration potential. Leaf dry matter content, specific leaf area, and stomatal density emerged as sensitive and practical candidate indicators of AC-exhaust-associated leaf functional shifts. These findings support precautionary management near AC exhaust outlets, while specific planting-distance thresholds and zoning frameworks require future validation through distance-gradient or manipulative experiments. Full article

Introduction: Elasmobranchs play a crucial role in ecosystem regulation, but they are highly vulnerable to rapid environmental changes, particularly those driven by anthropogenic activities. Therefore, elasmobranchs are among the most threatened vertebrate groups worldwide, with overfishing and habitat degradation representing the primary threats to their survival. To address these challenges, in situ and ex situ conservation programs are complementary approaches. Objective: The implementation of assisted reproductive technologies, still poorly developed for elasmobranchs, represents a critical component of these ex situ strategies. Focused on that aspect, the main goal of this work was to get a better understanding of the sperm cells morphologies of different Mediterranean elasmobranch species. Results: The Elasmobranchii spermatozoa possesses a long and he-lical head, an elongated midpiece, and a flagellum supplemented with additional ultrastructural components to its axoneme. The comparative analysis of sperm head morphology revealed substantial interspecific variation among the studied elasmobranchs. Head length was relatively conserved, ranging from 48.5 to 62.0 μm, whereas helical parameters showed much greater variability. S. canicula and M. mobular exhibited the most compact head morphology, characterized by short helical wavelengths, low amplitudes, and the highest numbers of helices. In contrast, the batoids R. rhinobatos, R. radula, and R. clavata displayed broader, more widely spaced helices and fewer turns. Phylogenetic patterns were partially evident, as the closely related rajids shared very similar sperm morphology, while R. rhinobatos showed a comparable batoid morphotype. However, similarities between the distantly related M. mobular and S. canicula, and differences between the scyliorhinids S. canicula and G. melastomus, suggest that ecological and reproductive factors, in addition to phylogeny, have influenced the evolution of sperm head morphology in elasmobranchs. Conclusion: Elasmobranchii species possess big spermatozoa (compared to bony fishes) with an elongated helical head and tail similar to one currently existing (but later diverged) in birds, reptiles, and amphibians, which can be considered an evolutionary ancient. Sperm head morphology varies markedly among elasmobranchs, mainly regarding helical traits rather than head length. While phylogeny explains similarities among rajids, convergent patterns in distantly related species suggest that additional ecological and reproductive factors influence sperm evolution and structural design. Full article

An Aspergillus flavus outbreak strain dominated the indoor environment in a Danish hospital ward for eight years and subsequently multiple isogenic infections occurred. We investigated whether strain-specific traits were present to understand its prevalence and persistence. The outbreak strain was studied alongside comparator A. flavus isolates with respect to altered virulence that could enhance its pathogenic potential and secondary metabolism that could influence environmental persistence. Twenty-four isolates were examined for growth patterns on ten media and by secondary metabolite profiling using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. Strain-specific virulence and other phenotypic traits were studied in vivo using Galleria mellonella and in vitro by culturing on specialised media. No indication of virulence alterations was observed in larvae. However, the outbreak strain exhibited a reproducible fingerprint phenotype with distinct morphological features and secondary metabolites. These included mycotoxins known to be harmful to humans and animals. Although this study found no evidence of increased virulence, identification of a distinct phenotypic profile could indicate adaptation or an intrinsic ecological background of the outbreak strain and possibly competitive traits via potentially bioactive secondary metabolites. Moreover, the production of several mycotoxins by this A. flavus strain raises concerns for both patients and staff. Further analyses of the strain’s ecology, toxic potential, virulence, and phylogeny in a global context could be studied in future experiments. Full article

Introduction: Skates (Rajidae) are cornerstone elasmobranchs, yet their intrinsic biological constraints, like slow growth, late maturation, and low fecundity, render them exceptionally susceptible to anthropogenic pressure. Despite their ecological and economic importance, tracking their population trajectories is historically hindered by “taxonomic blurring” and aggregated reporting in commercial fisheries. Objective: This study evaluates long-term conservation trends and exploitation dynamics of Rajidae species in the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. Methodology: We analyzed 31 Rajidae species across the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea (FAO Areas 27 and 37) by integrating IUCN Red List assessments, species-specific life-history traits (maximum body size and depth distribution), and FAO fisheries landing data from 1992 to 2023. Descriptive analyses and Spearman correlations were used to assess temporal trends in conservation status and exploitation patterns. Results: Our synthesis reveals that some species show improvements in IUCN Red List category assessments, likely driven by recent management interventions such as species-specific reporting, catch quotas, and targeted retention bans. However, we also identify a critical mismatch between policy and biology: current Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and minimum landing sizes often do not explicitly incorporate species-specific life-history traits, inadvertently favoring smaller, less-marketable taxa while leaving larger, vulnerable species at risk. While FAO landings offer a valuable broad-scale overview of exploitation, the results highlight the limitations of aggregated fisheries statistics for species-level conservation assessments. Conclusions: These findings underline the need to adopt more precise and species-specific fisheries management approaches for Rajidae, including expanded regional monitoring programs, the use of data collected by on-board observers or electronic monitoring tools, and improved control of data reporting procedures, to prevent continued aggregation of species-level data. Full article

The vertebrate mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) is a small, circular DNA molecule typically ~16–17 kb in length, encoding 37 genes that are essential for the electron transport chain, the mechanism that drives mostly all the ATP synthesis in cells. Owing to its central role in energy metabolism, its structure is highly conserved across vertebrate lineages in both the number and relative position of each gene in the genome. Nevertheless, different variations have been found in several teleost lineages, including antarctic fishes (Nototheniidae), gadiforms, hatchetfishes (Sternoptychidae), and Batrachoidiformes. The explanation for these phenomena remains unknown yet may reflect shifts in functional constraints and can provide insights into lineage-specific and/or coevolutionary processes. This raises the possibility that mitogenome structure is related to habitat selection, potentially reflecting environmental influences on energetic regulation. To further test this hypothesis, we studied more than 400 teleost species across all major teleost lineages. The mitogenome sequences were downloaded from NCBI and annotated using two independent algorithms (MITOZ and MITOS) and then compared with a reference (Danio rerio) to find any deviation from the standard structure. Similarly, ecological data was downloaded from FishBase using the R Package “rfishbase” 5.0.3. Two independent ancestral reconstruction analyses were carried out for both traits, “Mitogenome” and “Habitat”, using a reference evolutionary tree for teleosts to unravel both evolutionary histories. The possible association between mitogenome and habitat was then assessed using a suite of phylogenetic comparative methods, including Pagel’s correlation test (corHMM) to evaluate whether both traits evolved in a correlated fashion, branch-level co-transition analysis to identify lineages where structural changes and habitat shifts co-occurred, and node-by-node comparisons of ancestral state probabilities across the phylogeny. Preliminary results suggest a correlation between some deep-sea environments and a modified mitogenome structure, with structural deviations tending to cluster in lineages inhabiting greater depths. These exploratory findings raise the possibility that changes in mitogenome architecture may be linked to adaptations in energetic metabolism required for life in extreme low-energy environments. Further analyses are underway to clarify the functional significance of these genomic changes and their relationship to ecological and metabolic pressures in teleost evolution. Full article

Armillaria is a genus of macrofungi with high ecological, biological, medicinal, and edible value. As facultative plant pathogens and nutritional symbionts, Armillaria species support the growth of valuable medicinal plants including Gastrodia elata and Polyporus umbellatus. They also exhibit unique traits such as exceptional longevity, widespread clonal expansion, rhizomorph formation, and bioluminescence, making them a valuable model for studying fungal ecology, symbiosis, specialized metabolism, and applied research. This review summarizes recent progress in Armillaria research, covering biological characteristics, nutritional components, bioactive constituents, species identification, genomic resources, and biosynthetic pathways. We discuss advances in artificial cultivation and the regulatory roles of exogenous phytohormones in mycelial and rhizomorph development. The nutritional value of fruiting bodies is highlighted, with a focus on key pharmacologically active metabolites such as protoilludane-type sesquiterpenes and polysaccharides. We also review multilocus phylogenetic analysis, comparative genomics, and the biosynthetic gene clusters of melleolides and bioluminescence, which have improved understanding of Armillaria evolution and functional differentiation. Full article

Environmental contamination by rare earth elements (REEs) is increasing globally due to their extensive use in modern technologies, medicine, agriculture, and aquaculture. Their release into aquatic systems via wastewater discharge, industrial emissions, surface runoff, and atmospheric deposition has raised concerns regarding their environmental fate and potential ecotoxicological effects. Despite this, information on REE accumulation in marine predators remains limited. This study provides a multi-species assessment of REE bioaccumulation in elasmobranchs. Concentrations of 14 REEs (Ce, Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Ho, La, Lu, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, Tm, and Yb) were quantified in liver and muscle tissues of six elasmobranch species collected from demersal and deep-sea habitats along the Portuguese continental shelf. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to evaluate differences in REE concentrations among species and tissues, and to explore potential patterns associated with ecological traits. Results indicated that REE concentrations varied significantly across tissues and species, with muscle generally exhibiting higher accumulation than liver. Overall, this study provides the first comprehensive baseline of REE bioaccumulation in elasmobranchs from the Portuguese coast, contributing to a better understanding of emerging contaminants in marine food webs. These findings have important implications for environmental biomonitoring and highlight potential risks associated with seafood consumption. Full article

Introduction: Long-term ecological monitoring is essential to understand the responses of fish communities to global change in transitional ecosystems. Coastal lagoons are particularly vulnerable to eutrophication, which can trigger abrupt regime shifts, mass mortality events, and loss of ecological functions. The Mar Menor coastal lagoon (SE Spain) represents one of the most impacted Mediterranean systems, providing a unique opportunity to assess long-term ecological responses of fish assemblages to sustained anthropogenic pressure. Objetives: This study aims to synthesize long-term monitoring data to evaluate structural, functional, and population-level responses of fish assemblages to eutrophication processes, and to identify critical habitats and mechanisms supporting resilience. Methodology: We integrated multiple datasets derived from long-term monitoring programs (2002–2004 as and 2018–2025), including community structure, functional diversity, population dynamics of resident species, and habitat-based indicators. Analyses encompassed pre-impact, eutrophication, and post-disturbance phases, allowing for a multi-scale assessment of ecological responses. Results: Eutrophication-driven disturbances caused major shifts in fish assemblages, including declines in biomass and abundance, species-specific responses, and increased dominance of opportunistic trophic groups. Functional diversity analyses revealed strong homogenization processes and loss of specialist traits, indicating reduced ecosystem functionality. Population dynamics of resident species reflected habitat degradation, highlighting their value as ecological indicators. Despite these impacts, shallow coastal habitats acted as critical refuges, buffering hypoxic conditions and enabling partial persistence and recovery of fish communities. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that long-term monitoring provides essential insights into the mechanisms driving fish community responses to eutrophication. The identification of functional changes and refuge habitats is key for adaptive management. Protecting and restoring critical habitats, particularly shallow areas, is crucial to enhance resilience and guide conservation strategies in Mediterranean coastal lagoons under global change. Full article

River restoration is increasingly promoted as a nature-based solution, but evidence of its ecological effectiveness in mountain gravel-bed rivers remains limited. Macroinvertebrate responses to hydromorphological restoration are variable and are still rarely evaluated using an integrated approach combining taxonomic, biotic index, and trait-based components. This study examined whether the hydromorphological restoration of the upper Raba River was associated with measurable environmental and ecological differences between the restored and unrestored sections. Six river sections were analyzed, including three restored and three unrestored sections. The environmental characterisation included hydromorphological and physicochemical variables. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled in shallow marginal and main-current habitats, and the analyses included assemblage metrics, biotic indices, taxonomic composition, indicator taxa, and functional traits. The restored sections showed greater channel complexity, including a larger active channel zone, a larger number of active channels, and a coarser substrate. These differences were accompanied by higher Shannon diversity, higher values of the Polish Biological Monitoring Working Party index (BMWP-PL), a higher percentage of individuals of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (%EPT), distinct assemblage composition, and shifts in indicator taxa and selected functional traits. The results highlight the value of multidimensional assessment frameworks to evaluate the effects of restoration on mountain rivers. Full article

Urban aquatic ecosystems are increasingly shaped by anthropogenic pressures that alter community structure and ecological functioning. This study investigates how the functional organization of zooplankton communities reflects ecosystem stability along an urbanization gradient in the Colentina River–Lake system (Romania). Zooplankton taxa were classified into trophic guilds and size-based functional groups, and functional diversity was quantified using the FEve, FDiv, FDis, and RaoQ indices, based on functional trait structure and distribution within communities. Ecosystem stability patterns were estimated through zooplankton community resilience (RSL) and resistance (RST), indices derived from Shannon diversity and Pielou evenness. Across the system, filter feeders dominated, and their density increased toward downstream, highly urbanized sectors. Also, small-sized organisms (SMC) were consistently prevalent, representing a zooplankton component commonly associated with stress tolerance and opportunism in disturbed aquatic environments. Functional diversity patterns showed low evenness but high divergence, suggesting that although few functional strategies dominate, communities maintain internal differentiation. While filter feeders remained dominant even in disturbed sectors, the uneven distribution of other groups, especially scrapers, may reflect greater sensitivity to anthropogenic conditions. These findings suggest that functional trait composition, in addition to diversity, plays an important role in shaping structural stability patterns. These findings indicate that functional trait composition, in addition to diversity, was associated with the observed stability patterns. The study reinforces the value of zooplankton as sensitive indicators of functional integrity in anthropogenically impacted freshwater systems and provides insights relevant for sustainable urban water management. Full article

Introduction: Freshwater ecosystems are global biodiversity hotspots, yet they remain highly vulnerable to biological invasions. Non-native freshwater fish species (NNFS) have established self-sustaining populations across nearly all biogeographic realms, reshaping regional ichthyofaunas and driving community-level impacts through predation, competition, hybridisation and ecosystem disruption. Critically, both foreign introductions and within-country translocations (extralimital species) contribute to this process, yet the latter remain more weakly regulated and consistently under-studied in invasion risk frameworks. Objective: We developed a stage-structured profiling framework to jointly evaluate foreign and extralimital NNFS in Greece and predict three sequential invasion outcomes, establishment, spread and integration, with the goal of identifying the ecological traits and pathway variables that best explain invasion success at each stage and informing management policy. Methodology: We compiled a dataset of 63 NNFS recorded in Greek freshwaters (36 foreign, 27 extralimital), characterised by eleven ecological, biogeographic and anthropogenic attributes. Logistic and multiple regression models and classification and regression trees (CART) were fitted independently for each invasion stage, with cross-validated predictor screening to limit multicollinearity and a taxonomy-based covariate to account for phylogenetic non-independence. Results: All 27 extralimital translocations established successfully, compared with only 11 of 36 foreign introductions, underscoring the disproportionate establishment success of within-country movements. Establishment probability was positively associated with high physiological tolerance and proximity to the nearest native source, and negatively associated with maximum adult size; propagule pressure provided only weak additional support. Spread across drainage basins was driven primarily by introduction effort and physiological tolerance. Integration increased with introduction effort, while the CART identified distance from the nearest native source as the primary partition of widespread, high-abundance outcomes, with trophic level further structuring outcomes among extralimital taxa. Conclusions: Our results indicate that management frameworks focused solely on foreign NNFS substantially underestimate invasion risk from within-country translocations. A compact set of predictors, biogeographic proximity, physiological tolerance and introduction effort, offers a practical, pathway-inclusive screening tool to guide prevention, surveillance and early detection in Mediterranean river networks, addressing a recognised European policy gap where extralimital movements remain more weakly regulated than foreign introductions. Full article

Fish represent the most species-rich group within the phylum Chordata, possessing exceptional nutritional and ornamental value. Global aquaculture, particularly finfish farming, is experiencing rapid expansion worldwide, and fish serve as crucial model organisms for vertebrate developmental biology and functional genomics research. However, traditional breeding methods are plagued by limitations such as low precision and lengthy breeding cycles. Currently, gene editing technologies represented by the CRISPR/Cas system, base editing, and prime editing have provided revolutionary tools for dissecting gene function, modeling human diseases, targeted trait improvement, and ecological adaptation studies. This review describes the evolutionary history of gene editing technology, compares gene delivery strategies in fish embryos, and highlights landmark applications in key areas, including gene function research, aquaculture breeding, ornamental fish coloration regulation, and human disease model construction. Finally, we propose that innovation should be pursued while ensuring biosafety and regulatory compliance, to promote the transformation of fish gene editing toward large-scale and safe application. Full article