Search Results (469)

Tuta absoluta is a globally significant invasive pest that has rapidly developed resistance to multiple classes of insecticides, highlighting the critical need for RNA interference (RNAi) targets for sustainable pest management. The insulin signaling pathway is a key regulator of insect reproduction; however, the role of PIK3AP, an adaptor protein that links receptor tyrosine kinases to the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, remains poorly understood in Lepidopteran pests. In this study, TaPIK3AP was identified in T. absoluta, exhibiting elevated expression levels in the heads of female adults and during the early reproductive period. RNAi-mediated knockdown of TaPIK3AP reduced fecundity by 76%, decreased egg hatching rate by 43%, shortened the oviposition period by two days, and caused pronounced ovarian atrophy accompanied by impaired yolk deposition. Mechanistically, knockdown of TaPIK3AP led to the suppression of Vg and VgR expression, a reduction in juvenile hormone (JH) titer, downregulation of JH signaling genes, and a significant decrease in the transcript levels of key components of the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway, including mTOR, Rheb, and S6K. These findings demonstrate that TaPIK3AP integrates Vg, JH, and TOR signaling pathways to regulate female reproduction in T. absoluta, thereby identifying it as a potential molecular target for RNAi-based sustainable pest management strategies. Full article

The Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei Steindachner, 1864) is a potamodromous species that displays migratory movements, with adults moving upstream during spring to spawn, followed by downstream migration in autumn by both adults and juveniles to feed and inhabit more productive river stretches. Increasing river fragmentation due to dam construction and operation causes a loss of connectivity and suitable habitat, which can affect this natural behaviour. In a tributary of River Douro, River Tua, a 108 m high dam, was recently built (i.e., Foz Tua dam in 2017) at only 1.1 km from the river mouth, leaving the upstream spawning area inaccessible. To evaluate the species behavioural response to this impact, a passive acoustic telemetry array was deployed in the study area, and between 2018 and 2023, 120 tagged fish had their movements tracked. The results showed two different behavioural profiles in the same population with migratory (42.5%) and resident (54.0%) individuals. During this period, a specific experimental study was developed to evaluate the response of a subset of 90 fish, captured upstream of the Foz Tua dam and translocated to an alternative downstream Douro tributary (River Pinhão, ~20 km downstream from River Tua). From these, 66.7% remained at the release site, whilst 23.3% returned to the river of origin, i.e., River Tua. From the returned fraction, 28.6% of the tagged fish maintained this migratory behaviour between both rivers in the following years. Generalized Additive Models were used for each of the two behavioural profiles observed in this study, to identify which environmental variables were associated with the presence of the tagged barbels downstream the Foz Tua dam. Ecological flow, temperature and day-period were some of the predictors explaining the use of this river stretch downstream of Foz Tua dam. This study substantially updates the available information regarding this species’ movement patterns at large spatial and temporal scales, contributing to enhancement of management and conservation programs for potamodromous species, in highly impounded and fragmented rivers. Full article

Introduction: Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, holding great ecological and economic importance. As transitional zones between rivers and the sea, they experience abrupt abiotic changes linked to the tidal cycle, as well as seasonal changes related to greater river discharge during periods of higher rainfall. Therefore, salinity and temperature are key factors in structuring communities. These estuarine areas are recognized as nursery grounds, offering an abundance of food and shelter from predators, which creates ideal conditions for juvenile growth. Objective: Intense heatwaves were recorded in northern Spain during 2021 and 2022. This study aimed to understand how environmental factors influence the daily and seasonal dynamics of epibenthic communities and to compare these results with those obtained 40 years ago. Methodology: The epibenthic community in the Minho River estuary was assessed between September 2021 and August 2022 during spring tides at both low tide and high tide. Five trawls were carried out at each tide using a 2-meter-wide beam trawl. Several physical and chemical parameters were evaluated during the sampling process. Results: A total of 10,527 demersal fish and epibenthic crustaceans belonging to 21 species were caught in the sampling area. The structure of epibenthic assemblages was heavily influenced by tidal regimes. Assemblages at low tide had a greater number of taxa. In contrast, high-tide assemblages exhibited significantly higher diversity and evenness. Significant differences were observed between the spring/summer and winter assemblages. A SIMPER analysis revealed that Carcinus maenas contributed most to assemblage dissimilarity, both seasonally and by tide. Furthermore, Echiichthys vipera and Platichthys flesus were the species that contributed most to assemblage dissimilarity in both 1982 and 2021–2022. Conclusions: Compared with historical data, the rise in temperature and salinity, coupled with reduced water flow, has caused a profound restructuring of benthopelagic communities. This is driven by a significant increase in the marine character of the habitat. Substantial taxonomic turnover is evident, characterized by reductions in abundance and increases in the number of taxa sampled, as well as in diversity and evenness. Full article

The Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) is a distinct subspecies whose ongoing population recovery in Italy has progressively increased the demand for live capture protocols validated for scientific monitoring and conservation management. Despite the widespread use of mechanical and chemical immobilization in European wolf management, no study has to date systematically evaluated the combined use of the Fremont™ humane foot snare with a medetomidine-ketamine-acepromazine (MKA) protocol in this subspecies, nor characterized the associated cardiorespiratory, thermal, and hematobiochemical parameters under operational field conditions. Between June 2010 and July 2017, thirteen free-ranging Apennine wolves were captured in Maiella National Park (central Apennines, Italy) using the Fremont™ snare and immobilized with a standardized MKA protocol; only animals immobilized with this protocol are reported here, as three additional capture events employed different drug combinations. Cardiorespiratory parameters, body temperature, peripheral oxygen saturation, venous blood gas values, and a comprehensive hematological and serum biochemical panel were recorded during immobilization. Mean heart rate was 100 ± 15 bpm, respiratory rate 24 ± 13 breaths/min, body temperature 38.1 ± 1.3 °C, and mean SpO₂ 88 ± 11% (range: 66–97%; n = 12). No clinically significant hyperthermia requiring active intervention was recorded in the cohort as a whole. Hematological and biochemical values were broadly consistent with published reference ranges for the species, with condition-specific deviations identified in two individuals—one pregnant female and one juvenile presenting signs of transient capture-related myopathy—both of which resolved without clinical sequelae. No capture-related mortality occurred. All thirteen individuals survived the minimum post-capture monitoring period. Preliminary GPS observations in a subset of individuals (n = 3) suggest a transient reduction in movement activity in the immediate post-release period. These findings support the safety and operational feasibility of the combined Fremont™ snare–MKA protocol for the Apennine wolf, and provide baseline physiological and hematobiochemical reference data for Canis lupus italicus relevant to future capture and conservation management programmes. Full article

The diversity and fisheries status of cartilaginous species along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast were investigated up to 2025. A total of 69 species were recorded, comprising 2 chimaeras, 41 sharks, and 26 rays and skates, including new records such as Cetorhinus maximus, Odontaspis ferox, and Dalatias licha. The coastline was divided into five zones (A–E), with the highest species diversity observed in Zone D (western Alexandria to Matrouh), followed by Zone C (off Alexandrian coast). The total landed catches and bycatch from various fishing gear were estimated from 2023 to 2025. In 2025, total annual catch reached 665,820 kg. Damietta recorded the highest landings in 2025 (274,350 kg; 41.20%), whereas Port Said had the lowest. Among elasmobranchs, Glaucostegus cemiculus accounted for the highest catch (109,100 kg; 16.39%), followed by Carcharhinus plumbeus (95,500 kg; 14.34%). Spring season showed the highest catchability percentage over the three-year period. Alexandria serves as the prime market for elasmobranchs, receiving additional quantities from the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea, along with Damietta. Port Said occasionally shares this role. The findings highlight the need for conservation, particularly in Zone D, as it is a hotspot for diversity, nursery, and reproductive activity. Strengthened control of fishing and trade is recommended from April to October, with emphasis on the period of April–May. Additionally, raising awareness among fishers is essential to reduce the capture of juveniles and pregnant individuals, especially during the periods of March–May and October–December. Full article

Reproductive performance is closely linked to nutrient availability, yet the specific nutrient-derived cues governing oviposition decision-making remain inadequately defined. Chemically defined holidic media used in Drosophila melanogaster studies provide precise control over dietary components; however, the mechanisms by which individual nutrients exert acute effects on inter-organ endocrine signaling to trigger oviposition behavior are not well understood. In a two-choice oviposition assay, where substrates are presented within the same chamber, we observed that HM induces a rapid increase in egg laying in D. melanogaster compared to grape/apple juice media (GJM), yielding 4.02× and 5.27× more eggs at 2 h and 8 h, respectively. Systematic nutrient omission and subsequent supplementation identify lysine as the key essential amino acid driving this rapid oviposition response. Notably, this phenomenon reflects a short-term oviposition reaction, rather than long-term nutritional modulation of ovarian development. Lysine supplementation results in elevated levels of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone (JH), as well as the induction of ecdysis-triggering hormone (ETH) expression. Pharmacological interventions support a model in which a 20E–ETH–JH endocrine cascade underlies the lysine-dependent phenotype: methoprene phenocopies the effect, whereas precocene suppresses the HM-induced increase in egg laying. A 20E analog similarly enhances oviposition. Consistent with the role of JH in reproductive tissues, activation of the JH pathway correlates with increased expression of extracellular matrix genes in the ovarian muscle. Collectively, these results demonstrate that lysine acts as a critical nutritional cue to activate the 20E–ETH–JH endocrine axis and acutely promote egg laying behavior in D. melanogaster over a short time period. This provides a defined framework for investigating the short-term nutrient hormone regulation of ovulation and offers a practical strategy for efficient egg collection. Full article

Dendroctonus valens LeConte represents a major invasive pest species in China. Both larvae and adults primarily feed on the phloem of the tree trunk base and roots, disrupting nutrient transport and leading to host tree mortality, which poses a severe threat to forest ecosystems and the forestry economy. Juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) is a key enzyme in insect juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis. In this study, we identified a JHAMT-encoding gene, DvJHAMT, in D. valens via bioinformatic analysis. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that DvJHAMT is predominantly expressed during the egg and larval stages. In the fourth-instar larvae, the highest expression levels were observed in the head and epidermis, suggesting a central regulatory role during this critical developmental period. To investigate its function via RNA interference (RNAi), a nanomaterial, star polycation (SPc), was employed for the transdermal delivery of dsRNA into the fourth-instar larvae. The results demonstrated that DvJHAMT knockdown significantly downregulated mRNA levels, resulting in marked decreases in larval survival, pupation, and eclosion rates. Notably, treatment with 0.7 µg dsDvJHAMT-SPc resulted in a 96.67% mortality rate and a reduced pupation rate of 41.67% at 34 days post-treatment. Furthermore, RNAi led to developmental deformities and significant weight loss in larvae. ELISA assays confirmed that DvJHAMT silencing led to reduced JHAMT enzyme activity and JH III titers in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that DvJHAMT plays a vital role in JH biosynthesis and that its suppression exhibits potent lethal effects, suggesting that DvJHAMT is a promising candidate for RNAi-based management of D. valens. Full article

Objectives: We aimed to assess and compare Anti-Cell (AC) staining patterns and semi-quantitative titre levels of related antibodies in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with and without associated uveitis (JIA-U) to identify distinctive immunological profiles and contribute to a deeper understanding of JIA-U aetiopathogenesis. Methods: Data from JIA patients diagnosed between January 2020 and December 2025 in our centre were evaluated. The HEp-2 indirect immunofluorescence assay (HEp-2 IFA) was used to determine AC patterns and semiquantitative titres of associated antibodies. Results: 217 JIA patients were evaluated: 161 (74%) without uveitis and 56 (26%) with JIA-U. The AC-1 pattern was detected in 94 of 217 children (43%). It was markedly enriched among children with JIA-U, present in 39 of 56 (70%), compared with 55 of 161 (34%) in the non-uveitis group. High staining intensity (i.e., semiquantitative titre ++/+++) of AC-1 was also more commonly detected in JIA-U patients (39%) compared to children without uveitis (11.8%). The AC-4 pattern was detected in 30 of 217 JIA patients (14%), but more commonly in the non-uveitis (17.4%) compared to the JIA-U group (3.6%). Conclusions: JIA-U is closely linked to AC-1 staining patterns and higher semiquantitative titres of associated antibodies. Our results provide additional insight into the pathogenesis of JIA-U and underscore the significance of the new Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO) JIA classification criteria. The potential clinical relevance of AC patterns in children with JIA and JIA-U requires further multicentre studies involving larger cohorts and extended follow-up periods. Full article

The rehabilitation of the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, involves stressors like handling and confinement. To assess physiological stress responses during rehabilitation, twenty-five C. caretta hospitalized at C.Re.Ta.M. were monitored over a two-month period at three time points (T0, T1, and T2). The cohort included 12 juveniles (CCL: 30.6 ± 5.7 cm) and 13 subadults (CCL: 52.5 ± 10.4 cm). Heterophil/lymphocyte ratios (H/L), corticosterone (CORT), glucose (Glu), creatine kinase (CK), and uric acid (UA) plasma concentrations were assessed. Two-way repeated-measure ANOVA revealed significant time effects on H/L ratio (p < 0.0001), CORT (p < 0.0001), Glu (p = 0.0002), CK (p < 0.0001), and UA (p < 0.05), with a significative group x time interaction observed for CK (p = 0.016), CORT (p = 0.006) and UA (p = 0.035). No group effect was observed in any of the data. In the juvenile group, H/L (p < 0.01) and CORT (p < 0.001) were significantly lower at T2 compared to T0. At the T0 point, CORT levels were significantly higher in juveniles compared to the subadult group. In subadults, significant decreases in H/L ratio (p < 0.001), Glu (p < 0.01), CK (p < 0.001), and UA (p < 0.05) were observed at both T1 and T2 relative to T0. At T0, CK levels were significantly higher in subadults compared to juveniles. No significant correlations were found between CORT and the other measured parameters. Our results suggest that the rehabilitation period is a safety period during which the animals reestablish their homeostasis despite captivity conditions. However, further studies are needed to define other causes of variations in stress levels in rehabilitating C. caretta. Full article

Marine benthic ecosystems along urbanised coastlines face heightened vulnerability due to the cumulative effects of chronic anthropogenic stressors. Climate change intensifies these pressures through more frequent and severe storms, while ongoing coastal development adds further stress through infrastructure projects. This study examined how soft-bottom communities in the coastal NW Mediterranean responded to two major disturbances: an exceptional storm in 2018 and the construction of a new wastewater pipeline in 2019. Sediment grain size, organic content, bacterial abundance and enzymatic activity, and metazoan communities were analysed during summer of 2018, 2019 and 2020 and in the following spring period. Hydrodynamic forcing caused a general increase in the grain size in 2019. Meiobenthos responded with a strong decline in abundance, especially crustaceans, while macrobenthos changed from a mixed deposit-feeder community to a suspension-feeder dominated one. In 2020, the improved trophic value of sediment organic matter in the pipe area favoured bacterial increase. While meiobenthos abundance slowly recovered, the differentiation increased due to macrobenthic juveniles, resulting from increased macrobenthic abundance and diversity (mainly pure deposit-feeders). A clear shift towards organic enrichment-tolerant taxa due to wastewater release was not observed, given the contemporary presence of very sensitive organisms, indicating that co-occurring stressors can lead to nonlinear responses of the communities.: Full article

Monitoring population trends of the Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) is challenging due to its cryptic behaviour and migratory dynamics. In this study, we analysed hunting and post-hunting data collected through the “Beccapp” application to assess temporal patterns of the abundance and demographic structure of woodcock in the Apulia region (southern Italy) over three consecutive seasons (2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025). A total of 2580 trips were recorded, including 1795 hunting trips and 785 post-hunting monitoring trips, covering 89 municipalities. Relative abundance was estimated using the Index of Abundance per Trip (ICA). Mean ICA values remained stable across seasons and were highly correlated when calculated using all surveyed municipalities or only those consistently monitored (Pearson’s r = 0.998, p < 0.001), indicating robustness to spatial variability. Decadal analyses revealed two main ICA peaks (0.86 in late November–early December and 1.1 in late February–early March), corresponding to post-nuptial and pre-nuptial migration periods. Demographic analyses based on wing collections showed a predominance of juveniles (83.2%) in the hunting bag, with no significant differences in body mass between age classes. These results highlight the value of standardized hunter-based monitoring for monitoring the abundance of Eurasian Woodcock and supporting sustainable management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin (DOX) are integral to pediatric cancer protocols, yet little is known about how juvenile DOX exposure shapes the long-term trajectory of bone growth, microarchitectural connectivity, and the functional balance of bone turnover after treatment cessation. This study aimed to define how juvenile DOX exposure remodels trabecular architecture and bone homeostasis both acutely and after recovery. Methods: Four-week-old female BALB/c mice were treated with 6 mg/kg DOX or saline once weekly for four weeks. Bone parameters were analyzed immediately after treatment and after a 4-week drug-free recovery period. Assessments included high-resolution µCT for bone structure and connectivity, H&E and TRAP staining for histological evaluation, and ELISA for bone turnover markers (PINP, OC/BGP, TRACP-5b) in both serum and bone marrow. Results: DOX exposure significantly compromised trabecular bone mass and network connectivity, with persistent bone loss extending into the recovery period. Histologically, DOX caused marked degeneration in the epiphyseal growth plate and calcified zones, alongside a marked increase in osteoclast numbers. Functionally, an acute increase in circulating bone formation markers was observed post-treatment. However, during the recovery phase, this transitioned to a significant suppression of these systemic markers, coupled with significantly increased localized bone resorption. Conclusions: Juvenile DOX exposure produces sustained trabecular network impairment and growth plate degeneration. This durable structural deterioration is functionally associated with the establishment of a localized, pathologically uncoupled remodeling environment. Full article

Ontogenetic changes in bone microstructure provide key information on growth patterns and functional differentiation in birds. This study describes microanatomical and histological variation in the appendicular and axial skeleton across an ontogenetic series of Pygoscelis antarctica. Fifty-two thin sections were analyzed, representing five chicks of different ages, a juvenile, and an adult. Early stages are characterized by thin, highly vascularized cortices and extensive trabecular bone surrounding a large medullary cavity. The chick sequence shows progressive periosteal deposition, trabecular expansion, and increasing osteosclerosis. In the juvenile, secondary compaction and the initial development of the inner circumferential layer appear together with the onset of extensive remodeling. The adult specimen exhibits fully developed outer and inner circumferential layers, lamellar cortical tissue, and marked secondary remodeling, with differential medullary reduction among skeletal elements. Compared with Aptenodytes patagonicus, P. antarctica shows earlier and more pronounced medullary reduction and secondary trabecular compaction in the forelimbs, likely related to its shorter dependency period and earlier initiation of marine locomotion. In contrast, hindlimbs retain a medullary cavity and follow sex-linked pathways of medullary modification: males develop an inner circumferential layer, whereas females show trabecular bone followed by secondary compaction. Full article

Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) is a phytozoophagous crop pest. While the effects of plant-based diets on its development and reproduction have been extensively studied, the combined effects of plant- and prey-based diets on these traits remain poorly understood. This study systematically evaluated the effects of plant-only, prey-only, and mixed plant–prey diets on A. lucorum nymphal survival and development, as well as adult longevity and fecundity, under controlled laboratory conditions. The results demonstrate that diet composition significantly affected nymphal survival and developmental progression. Nymphs fed exclusively on prey (Aphis gossypii Glover or Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) nymphs) failed to complete juvenile development. Although a diet of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) eggs alone enabled some individuals to reach adulthood, survival rates were significantly lower than those in mixed-diet treatments. Mixed feeding markedly improved nymphal survival, with the highest rates observed in groups fed green beans + H. armigera eggs and cotton leaves + B. tabaci nymph combinations (both 64.45%). The developmental duration was also influenced. Mixed diets, particularly green beans + H. armigera eggs, significantly shortened each instar and the total developmental time (11.04 ± 0.17 d), whereas a diet of cotton leaves alone prolonged development (19.45 ± 0.24 d). Adult longevity and reproductive output were likewise diet-dependent. The longest lifespans were recorded in adults fed green beans alone or green beans + H. armigera eggs, while the shortest lifespan was observed for those fed only cotton leaves. Successful oviposition was only achieved following four dietary treatments: green beans alone, green beans + H. armigera eggs, H. armigera eggs alone, and cotton leaves + H. armigera eggs. Among these, the green bean + H. armigera egg diet yielded the best reproductive performance, featuring the shortest pre-oviposition period (5.82 ± 0.60 d), the longest oviposition period (19.41 ± 1.68 d), and the highest mean fecundity per female (238.35 ± 25.51 eggs). This underscores the reproductive advantage of a mixed plant–prey diet. This study clarifies how dietary conditions shape the survival, development, and reproduction of A. lucorum, highlighting its strong reliance on nutritional quality for key life-history traits. These findings offer valuable insights into the ecological adaptations underlying the feeding behavior of this insect. Full article

Toxic environmental contaminants, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) occur differentially in animal tissues. This study examined paired liver and muscle tissues from the same animals, reducing the uncertainty inherent in other studies that source tissues from different animals. Investigations were carried out on cattle and sheep from two separate herds in Southern Italy. As all animals experienced the same environmental impacts, husbandry, and feed regimes, contaminant distribution between tissues would result from physiological considerations, which would also allow for better examination of the effects of age. In both investigations, PCDD/F and PCB concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the liver relative to muscle. A characteristic occurrence pattern showed PCBs dominating the combined toxic equivalence (TEQ) by >95% in cattle tissues and 78% and 67% in sheep muscle and liver, respectively. A majority of liver samples exceeded regulated maximum limits, and the herds were excluded from the food supply. Subsequent regional monitoring showed regulatory compliance of cattle/sheep meat and liver, but prominence of PCB-TEQ persisted. Concentrations of both contaminants declined strongly in the tissues of both species with increasing age of juveniles but stabilized in older animals (>one year in sheep; 2/3 years in cattle). Although weight gain might partly account for this pattern, the initial decline may also relate to inadequate levels of CYP enzymes in the youngest juveniles, but this would need to be confirmed in both species by targeted toxicokinetic studies during this perinatal period. The expression of these detoxifying enzymes is reported to rise rapidly with increasing postnatal age in many animal species, including sheep. Full article