Search Results (19)

(1) Background: Parasites can significantly impact growth, reproductive success, and the development of secondary sexual characteristics in various species. Our study investigated the effect of gastrointestinal and lungworm parasite infections on the total annual horn growth of male bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) in Sheep River Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. (2) Methods: We collected fecal samples of individually marked male bighorns over two years to investigate parasite egg and oocyst numbers and parasite diversity in feces, and how these could potentially affect their annual horn growth. (3) Results: We found that parasite species richness, year, age class, and the interaction between age class and species richness were significant predictors of horn growth, while individual parasite species did not have a significant effect. Notably, parasite species richness positively affected horn growth in young males, whereas it did not predict horn growth in adult and old males. (4) Conclusions: One possible explanation is that young males might prioritize resources for body and horn growth, potentially at the expense of immunity or parasite resistance. Our finding contradicts the idea of parasite-mediated sexual selection, where traits like bright plumage signal good health and parasite resistance. Full article

The degeneration of germplasm is a key factor limiting the yield and quality of Gastrodia elata Blume. Sexual reproduction is a primary method to address this degeneration, while the number of flowers and capsules is directly related to sexual reproduction. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying the high flower/fruit-bearing traits in G. elata remain unclear. We first compared the quantitative and qualitative traits during the flowering to fruiting period of G. elata, including bolting height, flowering quantity, flowering time, fruiting quantity, capsule spacing, seed quality, etc. The natural materials were selected by multi-capsule and few-capsule for transcriptome analysis to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs); the candidate gene GePIF4 was suspected to regulate the formation of multiple flowers and fruits. It was confirmed that GePIF4 has multiple biological functions in the overexpression of transgenic lines, including increasing numbers of vegetative propagation corms (VPCs) and promoting the growth of G. elata. Through comparative transcriptomic analysis of EV and OE-GePIF4 transgenic lines, the transcriptional regulatory network of GePIF4 was identified, and transient expression of GePIF4 was demonstrated to significantly promote gastrodin accumulation. The dual-LUC assay and in vitro yeast one hybrid results showed that GePIF4 could directly bind to GeRAX2 to regulate multi-capsule formation, and GePIF4 could directly bind to GeC4H1 to promote gastrodin accumulation. Therefore, we elucidate the role of GePIF4 in multi-capsule formation and secondary metabolite accumulation, thereby laying the groundwork for the genetic improvement of G. elata germplasm resources. Full article

Sexual selection is a major driver of speciation and evolution, with mate choice being a key component. Individuals assess mate quality by integrating various mating cues. The Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), a species exhibiting pronounced sexual dimorphism in body size and secondary sexual traits, serves as an ideal model for studying mate choice. This study examines the impact of mating cues on mate choice in different sexes of G. affinis through a combination of morphological parameter database construction, computer-simulated animations, and dichotomous association preference tests. The results showed that male gonopodium status significantly affects female mate choice. Females exhibited a preference for males with resting-phase gonopodia, suggesting their aversion to forced copulation and sexual harassment in coercive mating systems. Furthermore, males preferred younger females, with this preference being positively correlated with male body size. This suggests that males are sensitive to sperm competition intensity and may base their choice on social rank. Geometric morphometric analysis and simulation experiments showed that males preferred females with larger gravid spots, regardless of age, suggesting that gravid spot size reflects female fecundity. Male preference for younger females with streamlined bodies and smaller abdomens was significant, but body size did not affect mate choice in general. Our findings highlight that female and male G. affinis employ different mate choice strategies, with females prioritizing male harassment avoidance and males considering multiple mating cues, not solely one dominant characteristic, in their mate choice decisions. These findings demonstrate that mate choice in G. affinis involves balancing conflicting preferences for traits associated with reduced harassment risk (e.g., resting-phase gonopodium in males) and those linked to reproductive potential (e.g., large gravid spot in females), highlighting the nuanced decision-making processes in both sexes. Full article

Secondary sexual traits, such as specific body parts or colouration, play an important role in mating interactions. It has been proposed that they function as quality indicators driven by sexual selection. In birds, much attention has been paid to the study of feather pigmentation, especially in diurnal passerines. However, recent research demonstrates that structural achromatic colours are likely to be of similar importance for communication, especially for species inhabiting poorly lit environments and that are active at night. Using 15 years of capture–recapture data from a long-term study on adult European Nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus), we investigated the role of males’ white tail and wing markings as secondary sexual traits. We show that the inter-individual variation in marking size exceeds that of the other morphometric variables, suggesting that wing and tail markings could be subject to sexual selection. Older males, individuals with a higher body condition index, and long-term territory holders had larger markings, while these effects were particularly pronounced in terminal tail feather markings. The importance of markings for signalling is likely related to their observed use in social displays. Pronounced site differences in tail marking sizes and annual variation suggest environmental factors acting on the ornaments that remain to be further examined. Full article

Dioecious species show a division of labor expressed through the differentiated manifestation of resource acquisition. We hypothesized that the expression of secondary sexual dimorphism (SSD) in the leaf gas exchange of yerba mate would be more intensive in females than in males to permit females the carbon investments necessary to finish the reproductive cycle. This species can present two growth units annually (GU1-fall and GU2-spring) intercalated with two rest periods (R1-summer and R2-winter). The leaf area index (LAI) and the diurnal courses of leaf photosynthesis (A_net), stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf transpiration (E), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), water use efficiency (WUE), and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (A_net/C_i) were estimated in female and male plants of yerba mate during four periods of annual rhythmic growth in monoculture (MO) and agroforestry (AFS). Leaf gas exchanges varied over the annual rhythmic growth and were more intensive under MO than under AFS. A_net, A_net/C_i ratios, and WUE were higher in females than in males during the summer (R1) and spring (GU2). Also, g_s and E were more intensive in females than males during the summer. Oppositely, higher WUE in males than in females was observed during the fall (GU1) and winter (R2), with males also showing a higher A_net/C_i ratio during the winter and higher E during the spring (GU2). Despite the strong effect of the cultivation system on LAI and leaf gas exchange traits over the diurnal course, SSD expression was rarely modified by the cultivation system, being expressed only in MO for E during the spring (GU2) and WUE during the winter (R2). High WUE in males during the winter would benefit plants during cold and dry periods, improving the balance between carbon acquisition and water loss through transpiration. On the other hand, high A_net during the summer and spring could be considered as a general fitness strategy of female plants to improve photoassimilate supply and support their additional reproduction costs. Full article

The classic model of sex determination in insects suggests that they do not have sex hormones and that sex is determined in a cell-autonomous manner. On the other hand, there is accumulating evidence that the development of secondary sexual traits is controlled in a non-cell-autonomous manner through external factors. To evaluate the degrees of the cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous regulation of secondary sexual trait development, we analyzed the dynamics of the sexually dimorphic transcriptome in gynandromorphic individuals of the mo mutant strain in the silkworm Bombyx mori. The silkworm possesses a female heterogametic sex-determination system (ZZ = male/ZW = female), where the master regulatory gene for femaleness, Feminizer (Fem), is located in the W chromosome. As a secondary sexual trait, we focused on the fat body, which shows remarkable differences between the sexes during the last instar larval stage. A comparison of the transcriptomes between the fat bodies of male and female larvae identified 232 sex-differentially expressed genes (S-DEGs). The proportions of ZZ and ZW cells constituting the fat body of the gynandromorphic larvae were calculated according to the expression level of the Fem. Based on the obtained values, the expression level of each S-DEG was estimated, assuming that the levels of S-DEG expression were determined according to the proportion of ZZ and ZW cells. The estimated expression levels of 207 out of 232 S-DEGs were strongly correlated with the corresponding S-DEG expression level of the gynandromorphic fat body, determined by RNA-seq. These results strongly suggest that most of the sexually dimorphic transcriptome in the fat body is regulated in a cell-autonomous manner. Full article

Background/Objectives. Burnout and occupational stress are significant issues among forensic professionals, impacting their well-being and job performance. This systematic review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the occupational stress and burnout experienced by forensic personnel, exploring the profound and multifaceted impact on their physical, mental, professional, and interpersonal well-being. Methods. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using Scopus and WOS databases to search for articles published from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2024. The search used keywords related to burnout and forensic professions. Inclusion criteria were original articles in English and French, while reviews, book chapters, editorials, and notes were excluded. A total of 10 studies were included after eliminating duplicates and excluding irrelevant articles. Results. The review identified seven key findings. (1) High levels of occupational stress and burnout among forensic personnel necessitate effective stress management strategies and resilience training; (2) autopsy technicians in Romania experience burnout and alexithymia, particularly related to traumatic events involving children, highlighting the need for specialized support systems; (3) disparities in burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were observed in autopsy technicians and resident doctors, suggesting tailored mental health resources; (4) organizational factors, such as peer support and compensation satisfaction, significantly impact burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS) among sexual assault nurse examiners; (5) burnout among forensic physicians, both in Romania and Egypt, is linked to personality traits, job satisfaction, and socio-demographic factors; (6) pathologists face a range of health issues, including musculoskeletal problems and psychological disorders, underscoring the need for industry-specific health measures; and (7) the lack of wellness resources for forensic professionals calls for improved mental health support and training. Conclusions. The findings highlight the pervasive issue of burnout and stress among forensic professionals globally. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive stress management programs, tailored mental health resources, and organizational support. Future research should focus on developing and implementing effective interventions to enhance resilience and job satisfaction within this high-stress field. Full article

The crustacean female sex hormone (CFSH) is a neurohormone peculiar to crustaceans that plays a vital role in sexual differentiation. This includes the preservation and establishment of secondary female sexual traits, as well as the inhibition of insulin-like androgenic gland factor (IAG) expression in the androgenic gland (AG). There have been no reports of CFSH receptors in crustaceans up to this point. In this study, we identified a candidate CFSH receptor from the mud crab Scylla paramamosain (named Sp-SEFIR) via protein interaction experiments and biological function experiments. Results of GST pull-down assays indicated that Sp-SEFIR could combine with Sp-CFSH. Findings of in vitro and in vivo interference investigations exhibited that knockdown of Sp-SEFIR could significantly induce Sp-IAG and Sp-STAT expression in the AG. In brief, Sp-SEFIR is a potential CFSH receptor in S. paramamosain, and Sp-CFSH controls Sp-IAG production through the CFSH-SEFIR-STAT-IAG axis. Full article

Mulberry (Morus L.; Moraceae; Rosales) is an economically important tree with a long history in China and valued for its rich nutrient, flavor content, medicinal value and useful ecological functions. Morus species are widely distributed in Asia, Europe, North and South America and Africa and exhibit obvious differences in morphological characteristics and phenological stages due to being distributed in diverse climate zones. The morphological description of the phenological stages of black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) has been established in Mediterranean climates and this study extended the BBCH scale for application in different Morus species, especially for mulberry trees grown in subtropical monsoon climates. In this study, we used the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemische Industrie) scale to describe in detail the phenological growth stages for Morus species in Wuhan, China (a subtropical monsoon climate). Based on this general scale, eight principal stages, i.e., bud, leaf and shoot development stage, inflorescence emergence stage, flowering stage, fruit development stage, fruit maturation stage, senescence and beginning of dormancy stage, were described. We provide photographic images of some primary and secondary developmental stages to better define and standardize morphological characteristics and phenological descriptions of these mulberries (Morus spp.). In addition, because the color of mulberry fruit varies from white, purple, black, or pink to red at maturity, with mostly monosexual flowers, we have also presented detailed descriptions of morphological traits of flower sexuality and fruit color among these four species. In addition, two late phenological germplasms (late bud sprouting associated with late blooming and late fruit ripening) were screened out according to the BBCH scale. Overall, this study will contribute to advance the field of mulberry breeding and implementation of agronomic practices and facilitate convenient communication between mulberry cultivators and researchers in different areas. Full article

Diospyros sericea is a tree/shrub species considered dioecious and broadly distributed in Brazil. Despite its importance for niche composition in a range of ecosystems, there is little knowledge about this species, and so far no study has analyzed its sexual system. We aimed to investigate dioecy expression in D. sericea through sexual dimorphisms in its phenology and floral biology. We analyzed the phenological events over a year and studied floral biology traits (morphology, flower development, floral resource, floral attractants supply, viability of pollen, and stigma receptivity) in both male and female plants. D. sericea presents typical features of dioecious plants like well-established primary and secondary dimorphisms that contribute to its reproductive success. However, we also identified fruit development in what should be structurally male individuals. We suggest that the evolutionary pathway leading to the observed phenomenon may be the existence of subdioecious populations with “inconstant males”. Although our data prevented us from making further assumptions about the origin of this trait, the study contributes to future analyses towards unraveling the enigma of dioecy not only in D. sericea but in other Diospyros species. Full article

Two large-bodied newt species, Triturus ivanbureschi and T. macedonicus, hybridize in nature across the Balkan Peninsula. Consequences of hybridization upon secondary contact of two species include species displacement and asymmetrical introgression of T. ivanbureschi mtDNA. We set an experimental reciprocal cross of parental species and obtained two genotypes of F₁ hybrids (with T. ivanbureschi or T. macedonicus mtDNA). When hybrids attained sexual maturity, they were engaged in mutual crossings and backcrossing with parental species. We followed reproductive traits over two successive years. Our main aim was to explore the reproductive success of F₁ females carrying different parental mtDNA. Additionally, we tested for differences in reproductive success within female genotypes depending on the crossing with various male genotypes (hybrids or parental species). Both female genotypes had similar oviposition periods, number of laid eggs and hatched larvae but different body and egg sizes. Overall reproductive success (percentage of egg-laying females and viability of embryos) was similar for both genotypes. The type of crossing led to some differences in reproductive success within female genotypes. The obtained results suggest that processes that led to exclusion of T. macedonicus mtDNA in natural populations may be related to the survival at postembryonic stages of F₂ generation or reproductive barriers that emerged in subsequent hybrid generations. Full article

Anal fissures (AFs) are lesions located in the lower anal canal. They can be primary (chronic or acute) or secondary to a basic disease. There is high comorbidity of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic AF, with poorer quality of life (QoL) and sexual function. This is a case–control study carried out in the San Juan Hospital (Alicante, Spain). Sixty-seven participants were included in the study, including 35 cases and 32 controls: 36 males and 31 females. This study aims to investigate the association of presenting AFs with sexuality, quality of life, anxiety, depression, and anger. The instruments used were the Spanish validated versions of the validated original selected questionnaires. These instruments were used to assess health-related quality of life, anxiety, anger, depression, and sexual function. Results show higher values in cases than in controls with statistical significance in anxiety state and trait; anxiety and depression; bodily pain, general health, and vitality; and 10 of the 12 anger factors. Higher values in controls than in cases with statistical significance in sexuality and many of the QoL factors were found. Addressing these issues in AF surgical patients would be beneficial for their clinical assessment and intervention. Full article

Current trends emphasize the importance of the examination of the functional composition of lichens, which may provide information on the species realized niche diversity and community assembly processes, thus enabling one to understand the specific adaptations of lichens and their interaction with the environment. We analyzed the distribution and specialization of diverse morphological, anatomical and chemical (lichen secondary metabolites) traits in lichen communities in a close-to-natural forest of lowland Europe. We considered these traits in relation to three levels of forest ecosystem organization: forest communities, phorophyte species and substrates, in order to recognize the specialization of functional traits to different levels of the forest complexity. Traits related to the sexual reproduction of mycobionts (i.e., ascomata types: lecanoroid apothecia, lecideoid apothecia, arthonioid apothecia, lirellate apothecia, stalked apothecia and perithecia) and asexual reproduction of mycobionts (pycnidia, hyphophores and sporodochia) demonstrated the highest specialization to type of substrate, tree species and forest community. Thallus type (foliose, fruticose, crustose and leprose thalli), ascospore dark pigmentation and asexual reproduction by lichenized diaspores (soredia and isidia) revealed the lowest specialization to tree species and substrate, as well as to forest community. Results indicate that lichen functional trait assemblage distribution should not only be considered at the level of differences in the internal structure of the analyzed forest communities (e.g., higher number of diverse substrates or tree species) but also studied in relation to specific habitat conditions (insolation, moisture, temperature, eutrophication) that are characteristic of a particular forest community. Our work contributes to the understanding of the role of the forest structure in shaping lichen functional trait composition, as well as enhancing our knowledge on community assembly rules of lichen species. Full article

When females copulate with multiple males, pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection may interact synergistically or in opposition. Studying this interaction in wild populations is complex and potentially biased, because copulation and fertilization success are often inferred from offspring parentage rather than being directly measured. Here, I simulated 15 species of socially monogamous birds with varying levels of extra-pair paternity, where I could independently cause a male secondary sexual trait to improve copulation success, and a sperm trait to improve fertilization success. By varying the degree of correlation between the male and sperm traits, I show that several common statistical approaches, including univariate selection gradients and paired t-tests comparing extra-pair males to the within-pair males they cuckolded, can give highly biased results for sperm traits. These tests should therefore be avoided for sperm traits in socially monogamous species with extra-pair paternity, unless the sperm trait is known to be uncorrelated with male trait(s) impacting copulation success. In contrast, multivariate selection analysis and a regression of the proportion of extra-pair brood(s) sired on the sperm trait of the extra-pair male (including only broods where the male sired ≥1 extra-pair offspring) were unbiased, and appear likely to be unbiased under a broad range of conditions for this mating system. In addition, I investigated whether the occurrence of pre-copulatory selection impacted the strength of post-copulatory selection, and vice versa. I found no evidence of an interaction under the conditions simulated, where the male trait impacted only copulation success and the sperm trait impacted only fertilization success. Instead, direct selection on each trait was independent of whether the other trait was under selection. Although pre- and post-copulatory selection strength was independent, selection on the two traits was positively correlated across species because selection on both traits increased with the frequency of extra-pair copulations in these socially monogamous species. Full article

Size-selective mortality is common in fish stocks. Positive size-selection happens in fisheries where larger size classes are preferentially targeted while gape-limited natural predation may cause negative size-selection for smaller size classes. As body size and correlated behavioural traits are sexually selected, harvest-induced trait changes may promote prezygotic reproductive barriers among selection lines experiencing differential size-selective mortality. To investigate this, we used three experimental lines of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to positive (large-harvested), negative (small-harvested) and random (control line) size-selective mortality for five generations. We tested prezygotic preferences through choice tests and spawning trials. In the preference tests without controlling for body size, we found that females of all lines preferred males of the generally larger small-harvested line. When the body size of stimulus fish was statistically controlled, this preference disappeared and a weak evidence of line-assortative preference emerged, but only among large-harvested line fish. In subsequent spawning trials, we did not find evidence for line-assortative reproductive allocation in any of the lines. Our study suggests that size-selection due to fisheries or natural predation does not result in reproductive isolation. Gene flow between wild-populations and populations adapted to size-selected mortality may happen during secondary contact which can speed up trait recovery. Full article