Search Results (5,544)

Recent intensive research on the cypress bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei was prompted because of its invasion of Central Europe that caused serious damage to scale-leaved conifer ornamental trees. This dynamic also increased the risk of accidental introduction into North America. In contrast to other historically well-studied bark beetles infesting spruce, pine or broad-leaf trees, intense study of the pheromones and host plant kairomones of bark beetles associated with cupressaceous trees has only begun in the past decade. This highly specialized clade is represented by the genus Phloeosinus. The pressing need for semiochemical-baited traps demands the identification of behavior-modifying compounds. This challenge involves unraveling the various stimuli interacting in the complex communication system to reveal the composition of signal bouquets and the absolute configuration of their components capable of evoking behavior responses. In this short overview we describe the recent research results on host-finding and intraspecific chemical communication of P. aubei, with a short outlook on the species of this genus. Full article

Monitoring epibiotic communities on the invasive red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) in the Barents Sea is crucial for understanding the co-adaptation between this species and the local benthic fauna. Red king crabs were collected during regular diving surveys conducted in the coastal Barents Sea in 2015, 2021, and 2022. A detailed examination revealed the presence of two amphipod species, Metopa pusilla and Crassicorophium bonellii, which were not previously documented as epibionts on this host. With these additions, the total number of epibiotic amphipods on Barents Sea red king crabs rises to nine species (versus two in the native Sea of Okhotsk). Amphipod colonization was skewed toward large males, likely reflecting their greater migratory behavior. The prevalence of Metopa pusilla ranged from 1.9% to 4.3%, with a mean intensity of one individual per infested crab; Crassicorophium bonellii exhibited prevalence of 4.7–14.3% and mean intensity of 1.3–3.3 individuals. The primary colonization sites were the carapace and limbs. Given the low infestation parameters and the epibionts’ localization away from critical structures like the gills and egg clutches, it is concluded that these amphipods pose a negligible risk to host health. Full article

The invasive fish Atherina boyeri constitutes an ecologically disruptive yet underexploited biomass with strong potential for transformation into value-added biofunctional ingredients. This study investigates the functional, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of protein hydrolysates that were produced from fish collected in the Hirfanlı and Yamula reservoirs using three commercial proteases (alcalase, bromelain, and flavourzyme). Bromelain produced the highest degree of hydrolysis, yielding higher proportions of low-molecular-weight peptides and greater radical-scavenging activity. Flavourzyme hydrolysates exhibited the most favorable emulsifying properties, Alcalase hydrolysates produced the highest foaming capacity and stability. All hydrolysates showed high absolute zeta-potential values across pH 3–9, demonstrating strong colloidal stability. Protein solubility remained above 80% across most pH levels, indicating extensive peptide release and improved compatibility with aqueous media. The Oil-binding capacity (2.78–3.75 mL/g) was consistent with reported values for marine hydrolysates. Antioxidant and antimicrobial evaluations revealed clear enzyme-dependent patterns, with Bromelain exhibiting the strongest DPPH activity and Alcalase and Flavourzyme showing the most pronounced inhibition of major foodborne pathogens. Additionally, all hydrolysates exhibited measurable ACE-inhibitory activity, with flavourzyme-derived peptides showing the highest inhibitory activity, underscoring their potential relevance for antihypertensive applications. These findings highlight the strategic valorization of A. boyeri through enzymatic hydrolysis, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable, clean-label functional ingredient source. Full article

Common methods for detecting Drosophila suzukii (spotted-wing drosophila, SWD) in fruit, such as microscopy, physical extraction, and incubation, are time-consuming and may underrepresent egg and first instar larvae counts, the smallest life stages of SWD. To address these limitations, we evaluated a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) protocol to detect and quantify SWD eggs using a linear model of the log-transformed ratio of eggs to sample volume (µL) in Tris buffer and fruit tissue. Compared to traditional approaches, this method reduces identification time from several weeks to approximately five hours. We observed a negative linear correlation between qPCR cycle threshold and egg concentration in both standard and fruit tissue samples, with similar model fits (R² = 0.7215 for field fruit tissue; R² = 0.874 for standard samples). This DNA-based protocol improves infestation detection speed and accuracy by enabling rapid, species-specific identification of D. suzukii in fruit tissue, addressing limitations of morphological identification of eggs and larvae. Further refinement for fruit tissue could enhance real-world applicability. Rapid detection may enable timely assessment of varietal resistance to SWD and support safer control strategies targeting early life stages, helping to prevent pest development and fruit degradation. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential regulators of fertilization and early embryo development in mammals, including humans and various animal models, but they exert detrimental effects when produced in excess. In assisted reproductive technologies (ART), particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF), exposure to non-physiological conditions increases oxidative stress (OS), impairing gamete quality, embryo viability, and clinical outcomes. This review synthesizes experimental and clinical studies describing the endogenous and exogenous sources of ROS relevant to embryo development in IVF. Endogenous ROS arise from intrinsic metabolic pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation, NADPH oxidase, and xanthine oxidase. Exogenous sources include suboptimal laboratory conditions characterized by factors such as high oxygen tension, temperature shifts, pH instability, light exposure, media composition, osmolarity, and cryopreservation procedures. Elevated ROS disrupt oocyte fertilization, embryonic cleavage, compaction, blastocyst formation, and implantation by inducing DNA fragmentation, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. In addition, the review highlights how parental health factors establish the initial redox status of gametes, which influences subsequent embryo development in vitro. While antioxidant supplementation and optimized culture conditions can mitigate oxidative injury, the precise optimal redox environment remains a subject of ongoing research. This review emphasizes that future research should focus on defining specific redox thresholds and developing reliable, non-invasive indicators of embryo oxidative status to improve the success rates of ART. Full article

The invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax was first recorded in Spain in 2010 and in Italy in 2012. Control strategies to reduce V. v. nigrithorax infestation level in apiaries include nest neutralization and trapping of adult hornets. Trapping methods are simpler, more cost-effective, and can be implemented directly by beekeepers without the use of insecticides; however, they are usually poorly effective or selective. While assessing trap effectiveness is essential for reducing V. v. nigrithorax pressure on hives, evaluating trap selectivity is equally crucial to minimize the capture of non-target insects, such as honey bees and native hornets like Vespa crabro, which exist in a delicate balance with the honey bees. During autumn 2024, five combinations of commercially available mechanical traps, tested with both a homemade and a commercial bait, were evaluated in Spain and Italy to determine the most effective and selective option against V. v. nigrithorax. The mean daily capture rate was significantly lower in Italy (0.19 ± 0.07) than in Spain (1.82 ± 0.39). Significant differences were observed among the five trap–bait combinations (p < 0.0001), with the VelutinaTrap^® (BeeVital GmbH, Vienna, Austria) associated with a homemade bait (sugar, yeast, and water) being the most effective. When trap design was considered independently of bait, VelutinaTrap^® remained the most effective option (p < 0.0001). In contrast, no significant differences were detected between bait types when analyzed irrespective of trap design (p = 0.524). Concerning selectivity, even though all tested traps showed positive results against A. mellifera, the combination VelutinaTrap^® associated with the homemade bait significantly outperformed in V. crabro selectivity. Further research is needed to develop more effective traps for capturing V. v. nigrithorax and to investigate environmental factors that influence variations in the attractiveness of the same trap and bait combinations across different seasons and geographical areas. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major economic crop highly susceptible to Colletotrichum graminicola, the causal agent of anthracnose leaf blight, which causes substantial annual yield losses. This fungal pathogen employs numerous effectors to manipulate plant immunity, yet the functions of many secreted proteins during biphasic infection remain poorly characterized. In this study, we identified CgMas2, a candidate secreted protein in C. graminicola and a homolog of Magnaporthe oryzae MoMas2. Deletion of CgMAS2 in the wild-type strain CgM2 did not affect fungal vegetative growth or conidial morphology but significantly impaired virulence on maize leaves. Leaf sheath infection assays revealed that CgMas2 is required for biotrophic invasive hyphal growth, as the mutant showed defective spreading of invasive hyphae to adjacent cells. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that CgMas2 localizes to the cytoplasm of conidia and to the primary infection hyphae. Furthermore, DAB staining demonstrated that disrupt of CgMAS2 leads to host reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Comparative transcriptome analysis of maize infected with ΔCgmas2 versus CgM2 revealed enrichment of GO terms related to peroxisome and defense response, along with up-regulation of benzoxazinoid biosynthesis genes (benzoxazinone biosynthesis 3, 4 and 5) at 60 h post-inoculation (hpi). Conversely, six ethylene-responsive transcription factors (ERF2, ERF3, ERF56, ERF112, ERF115 and ERF118) involved in ethylene signaling pathways were down-regulated at 96 hpi. These expression patterns were validated by RT-qPCR. Collectively, our results demonstrate that CgMas2 not only promotes invasive hyphal growth during the biotrophic stage but may also modulate phytohormone signaling and defense compound biosynthesis during the necrotrophic phase of infection. Full article

Protecting aquatic biodiversity while ensuring reliable hydropower production and water supply remains a core challenge for both water security and biosecurity. In this PRISMA-based systematic review, we synthesize evidence from 96 studies on fish guidance and deterrence at hazardous water intakes. We examine non-physical barriers, including acoustic and light cues, electric fields, bubble curtains, and chemical stimuli, as well as physical barriers such as racks, guidance structures, and nets or screens that aim to divert fish away from intakes and toward selective passage routes. Overall, guidance and deterrence performance is strongly species- and site-specific. Multimodal systems that combine multiple cues show the highest mean guidance efficiency (~80%), followed by light-based deterrents (~77%). Acoustic, electric, and bubble barriers generally achieve intermediate efficiencies (~55–58%), whereas structural devices alone exhibit lower mean performance (~46%), with substantial variability among sites and designs. Physical screens remain effective for larger size classes but can increase head loss and debris accumulation. By contrast, non-physical systems offer more flexible, low-footprint options whose success depends critically on local hydraulics, the sensory ecology of target species, and ambient environmental conditions. We identify major knowledge gaps relating to underlying sensory and behavioral mechanisms, hydraulics-based design rules, and standardized performance metrics. We also highlight opportunities to integrate advanced monitoring and AI-based analytics into adaptive, site-specific guidance systems. Taken together, our findings show that carefully selected and tuned barrier technologies can provide practical pathways to enhance water security and biosecurity, while supporting sustainable fish passage, improving invasive-species control, and reducing ecological impacts at water infrastructure. Full article

Invasions by alien plants are major global drivers of ecosystem changes and loss of biodiversity. Guangxi is an ecological barrier in southern China that is increasingly being affected by invasive alien plant species. We comprehensively reviewed the literature, compiling and analyzing the long-term changes in species composition, native range, life forms, municipal-scale patterns, and correlates of invasive alien plant richness in Guangxi at three time points (1973, 2010, and 2023). Over the 50-year period, the number of invasive alien plant species markedly increased from 31 species in 1973 to 84 in 2010 and 158 in 2023; the number of families, genera, and species increased 2.05-, 3.75-, and 5.10-fold, respectively. Species native to North America consistently dominated the invasive flora, followed by those native to Africa. The number of species native to South America and Asia increased in the records from 2010 to 2023. Annual herbaceous plants accounted for the largest proportion of invasive species throughout the study period and showed the largest absolute increase in species number. However, no substantial temporal shifts in the overall life-form composition were detected. At the municipal scale, the invasive alien plant richness exhibited pronounced spatial heterogeneity. The invasive alien plant richness was highest in Guilin and Baise in 1973, in Guilin in 2023, followed by Nanning and Baise. Correlation analyses based on 2023 data revealed a significant positive association between invasive alien plant richness and tourism intensity, whereas relationships between population size, gross domestic product, and climatic variables were weak or nonsignificant. Overall, our results document the continued expansion and the spatial differentiation of invasive alien plants in Guangxi over the 50-year period of 1973–2023. These patterns primarily reflect the accumulation in the number of recorded invasive species under a consistent classification framework and should be interpreted with caution given the potential variation in survey effort among periods and cities. The results provide a descriptive baseline for the provincial-scale monitoring, risk assessment, and management of invasive alien plants. Full article

Fast-growing invasive tree species management produces a significant amount of low-density and low-value biomass, which offers a chance for waste valorization in the environmentally friendly construction sector. This study examines the utilization potential of low-value natural waste materials of tree bark, obtained from invasive hardwood species, in the production of environmentally friendly building mortars. More specifically, this study focuses on mixing bark powder of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle), with two commercial commonly found lime-based mortar powders in five different ratios of bark content (0%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 30%) characterizing the produced composites, in terms of physical, hygroscopic and mechanical properties. Slightly lighter composites were created with the use of bark additives especially at the bark content of 20% and 30%. As regards the compressive strength, the bark shares of 10% and 20% exhibited the most beneficial performance among those studied, though only the weaker performance of mortar type (M1) benefited significantly from bark incorporation. For both mortars, the composites containing black locust bark presented higher resistance to compression strength and elasticity, demonstrating higher composite integration in general and milder, plastic fraction in relation to tree-of-heaven bark-based specimens, the properties of which are considered crucial for the durability of structural materials. However, black locust bark exhibited higher water absorption compared to tree-of-heaven-based specimens. Despite the drawback of higher hygroscopicity, the results show that black locust bark, especially at lower incorporation rates (10–20%), is a promising functional additive for generating lighter, more ductile mortars, supporting the creation of novel building materials and sustainable waste management. Full article

A comprehensive analysis was conducted to explore whether feeding inclusion procyanidin-rich grape seed powders (GSPs) affected the faba bean-induced muscle crispness in the aquaculture of crisped grass carp. The procyanidin content in the prepared GSP was 10.40 g/100 g. Additionally, one thousand 1-year-old grass carp with an initial weight of 27 g and an initial length of 12 cm were divided into five groups, including the blank control (basal diet); the positive control (faba bean diet); and the low (faba bean diet supplemented 100 mg/kg GSP), middle (faba bean diet supplemented 500 mg/kg GSP), and high (faba bean diet supplemented 1000 mg/kg GSP) GSP-supplemented groups. After feeding for 60 days, the weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and condition factor were elevated in the high-GSP-supplemented group in comparison with the blank control (p < 0.05), accompanied by a significant decrease in the feeding coefficient (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, a significant increase in muscle ROS content, shear force, gumminess, and chewiness was determined in the high-GSP-supplemented group when compared with the positive group, suggesting that a relatively high daily supplement of GSP facilitated muscle crispness. Moreover, the composition of intestine microbiota was significantly varied between groups with the daily addition of GSP (p < 0.05). Among them, Lactococcus chungangensis was identified as the key biomarker of the high-GSP-supplemented group, which was closely related to the increased muscle ROS content, the modifications in muscle nutritional metabolites (Met, C20:2n6, C20:3n6, C20:4n6, and C22:4n6), and the alterations in muscle texture (gumminess, chewiness, shear force, hardness, and adhesiveness). Based on these results, we believe that a relatively high daily supplement of GSP (1000 mg/kg) facilitated muscle crispness in the aquaculture of crisped grass carp. Full article

Freshwater ecosystems are increasingly threatened by pollution, hydromorphological alteration, invasive species, and loss of ecological connectivity, complicating the monitoring and conservation of native fish communities. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as a sensitive, non-invasive, and cost-effective tool for detecting species, including rare or low-abundance taxa, overcoming several limitations of traditional methods. However, its rapid expansion has generated methodological dispersion and heterogeneity in protocols. This systematic review and bibliometric analysis synthesize 131 articles published between 2020 and 2025 on the use of eDNA in freshwater fish conservation. Due to the strong methodological heterogeneity among studies, the evidence was synthesized through a structured qualitative approach under PRISMA standards. Results show rapid growth in scientific output since 2023. eDNA has proven highly effective in identifying key ecological patterns such as migration and spawning, detecting critical habitats, and supporting temporal and spatial assessments. It has also facilitated early detection of invasive species including Oreochromis niloticus, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, and Chitala ornata, and improved monitoring of threatened native species, reinforcing conservation decision-making. Despite advances, challenges persist, including variability in eDNA persistence and transport, gaps in genetic reference databases, and a lack of methodological standardization. Future perspectives include detecting parasites, advancing trophic analyses, and integrating eDNA with ecological modeling and remote sensing. Full article

In struggling against invasive species ravaging riverscape ecosystems, gaps in dispersal pathway knowledge and fragmented approaches across scales have long stalled effective riparian management worldwide. To reduce these limitations and enhance invasion management strategies, selecting appropriate alien species as models for in-depth pathway analysis is essential. Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. (alligator weed) emerges as an exemplary model species, boasting an invasion record of around 120 years spanning five continents worldwide, supported by genetic evidence of repeated introductions. In addition, the clonal reproduction of A. philoxeroides supports swift establishment, while its amphibious versatility allows occupation of varied riparian environments, with spread driven by natural water-mediated dispersal (hydrochory) and human-related vectors at multiple scales. Thus, leveraging A. philoxeroides, this review proposes a comprehensive multi-scale framework, which integrates monitoring with remote sensing, environmental DNA, Internet of Things, and crowdsourcing for real-time detection. Also, the framework can further integrate, e.g., MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy Model) for climatic suitability and mechanistic simulations of hydrodynamics and human-mediated dispersal to forecast invasion risks. Furthermore, decision-support systems developed from the framework can optimize controls like herbicides and biocontrol, managing uncertainties adaptively. At the global scale, the dispersal paradigm can employ AI-driven knowledge graphs for genetic attribution, multilayer networks, and causal inference to trace pathways and identify disruptions. Based on the premise that our multi-scale framework can bridge invasion ecology with riverscape management using A. philoxeroides as a model, we contend that the implementation of the proposed framework tackles core challenges, such as sampling biases, shifting environmental dynamics, eco–evolutionary interactions using stratified sampling, and adaptive online algorithms. This methodology is purposed to offer scalable tools for other aquatic invasives, evolving management from reactive measures to proactive, network-based approaches that effectively interrupt dispersal routes. Full article

Delphastus Casey (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Serangiini) comprises small predatory ladybird beetles that feed on immature whiteflies. Several Delphastus species are utilized as biological control agents. However, Delphastus pallidus (LeConte) has been understudied for the past several decades. Recent landscape surveys in South Florida revealed a marked increase in D. pallidus populations associated with multiple whitefly species. We evaluated whitefly species preferences of D. pallidus using choice and no-choice assays conducted in incubators and insectaries. Seven whitefly species were confirmed as prey and ranked in order of preference: Bemisia tabaci Gennadius > Aleurothrixus trachoides (=Aleurotrachelus trachoides) (Back) > Singhiella simplex (Singh) > Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi > Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin > Asiothrixus antidesmae (Takahashi) > Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell. Findings indicate that D. pallidus feeds on a taxonomically and morphologically diverse set of whiteflies, including both waxy and non-waxy species, which likely facilitates establishment and dispersal in ornamental and agricultural landscapes. This study is the first to document D. pallidus as a potentially native U.S. predatory beetle that attacks at least seven whitefly species. Knowledge of its prey preferences will inform mass-rearing strategies and potential deployment for whitefly biocontrol. Full article

This study characterizes the chemical defense system of the invasive longhorn beetle Aromia bungii, a destructive pest of Prunus trees, addressing the limited understanding of chemical defensive mechanisms in Cerambycidae. High-speed cameras, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), dissection, and micro-CT imaging were used to investigate defensive behavior, and the structure of the defense system, in this beetle. Both sexes of A. bungii possess a pair of triangular, sac-like defensive glands symmetrically located in the metathorax, attached to the metasternum. Upon mechanical stimulation, white liquid defensive substances are rapidly ejected through a pair of slit-shaped openings (~200 µm) at the metasternum corners, without gland eversion, reaching over 50 cm. The average weight of substances ejected in first sprays was 7.95 ± 0.79 mg for females and 8.62 ± 2.13 mg for males (mean ± se), with no significant difference between sexes. However, the weight in second sprays after 10 days was significantly lower, at 2.93 ± 0.54 mg for females and 2.22 ± 0.40 mg for males (mean ± se), suggesting that the beetles cannot re-synthesize the substances soon after spray. The weight of ejected substances had no correlation with beetle body weight. Our findings represent the first detailed morphological and functional description of a chemical defense system in Cerambycidae, revealing a specialized metasternal gland and spray mechanism. The substantial but likely non-renewable defensive substances reflect an adaptive trade-off in energy allocation between reproduction and defense in this species that exhibits high fecundity but a short lifespan at the adult stage. Full article