Search Results (224)

The black fig fly, Silba adipata (Diptera: Lonchaeidae), is an invasive pest recently introduced to Mexico, where it has rapidly spread across fig-producing regions. Despite its economic importance, effective monitoring strategies remain poorly studied. The present study evaluated the response of S. adipata adults to visual (color) and olfactory (attractant) cues under laboratory and field conditions in fig orchards. No significant color preferences were observed in laboratory choice tests using nine colors or in field trials using traps of four different colors. In the laboratory, traps containing 2% ammonium sulfate solution, torula yeast + borax, or Captor + borax, captured similar numbers of flies, whereas CeraTrap^® was less attractive. Traps containing 2% ammonium sulfate were more effective than 2% ammonium acetate, though attraction was comparable when ammonium acetate was diluted to 0.2% or 0.02%. In the field, torula yeast + borax and 2% ammonium sulfate mixed with fig latex outperformed the 2% ammonium sulfate solution alone, although seasonal variation influenced trap performance. A high proportion of field-captured females were sexually immature. Torula yeast + borax attracted high numbers of non-target insects and other lonchaeid species, which reduced its specificity. In contrast, traps containing fig latex mixtures showed higher selectivity, although some S. adipata adults could not be sexed due to specimen degradation. These findings highlight the value of torula yeast pellets and 2% ammonium sulfate plus fig latex for monitoring this pest, but merit validation in field studies performed over the entire crop cycle across both wet and dry seasons. Future studies should evaluate other proteins, ammonium salt combinations and fig latex volatiles in order to develop effective and selective monitoring or mass trapping tools targeted at this invasive pest. Full article

Monoculture and legume–grass mixed cropping are the two most common planting methods, with mixed cropping generally demonstrating higher hay yield and superior nutritional quality compared to monoculture. However, research on legume–grass mixed cropping for establishing cultivated pastures in typical sand-fixing vegetation areas of the Mu Us Sandy Land remains scarce. These knowledge gaps have hindered the synergistic integration of forage production and ecological restoration in the region. This study conducted mixed cropping trials in the sand-fixing vegetation zone of the Mu Us Sandy Land using Dahurian wildrye (Elymus dahuricus), Mongolian wheatgrass (Agropyron mongolicum), and Standing milkvetch (Astragalus adsurgens) to investigate the effects of species combinations and planting ratios on forage productivity and nutritional quality, aiming to determine the optimal planting strategy. Results showed that in the first establishment year, the yield of all mixed cropping systems significantly exceeded that of monocultured Dahurian wildrye and Mongolian wheatgrass. All mixed cropping combinations exhibited land equivalent ratios (LER) and relative yield totals (RYT) below 1, indicating varying degrees of interspecific competition during the first year, with grass species generally demonstrating stronger competitive abilities than legumes. Mixed-cropped forages showed higher crude protein, crude fat, and crude ash content compared to monocultures, alongside lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) levels, suggesting improved relative feed value (RFV). Among the combinations, E₅A₅ and E₆A₄ (5:5 and 6:4 ratio of Dahurian wildrye to Standing milkvetch) achieved higher RFV, with RFV gradually declining as the legume proportion decreased. In conclusion, both monoculture and legume–grass mixed cropping are viable in the Mu Us Sandy Land’s sand-fixing vegetation areas and the E₅A₅ combination (5:5 ratio of Dahurian wildrye to Standing milkvetch) as having the highest overall score, demonstrating that this mixed cropping ratio optimally balances yield and nutritional quality, making it the recommended planting protocol for the region. This mixed cropping system offers a theoretical foundation for efficiently establishing artificial pastures in the Mu Us Sandy Land, supporting regional pastoral industry development and desertification mitigation. Full article

Soil degradation exerts profound impacts on soil ecological functions, global food security, and human development, making the development of effective technologies to mitigate degradation a critical research focus. Microorganisms play a leading role in rehabilitating degraded land, improving soil hydraulic properties, and enhancing soil structural stability. Mosses contribute to soil particle fixation through their unique rhizoid structures; however, the mechanisms underlying their interactions in mixed inoculation remain unclear. Therefore, this study addresses soil and water loss caused by rainfall erosion in the cold black soil region. We conducted controlled laboratory experiments cultivating Bacillus subtilis and cold-adapted moss species, evaluating the erosion mitigation effects of different biological treatments under gradient slopes (3°, 6°, 9°) and rainfall intensities (70 mm h⁻¹, 120 mm h⁻¹), and elucidating their carbon-based structural reinforcement mechanism. The results indicated that compared to the control group, Treatment C significantly increased the mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of soil aggregates by 121.6% and 76.75%, respectively. In separate simulated rainfall events at 70 mm h⁻¹ and 120 mm h⁻¹, Treatment C reduced soil loss by 95.70% and 96.75% and decreased runoff by 38.31% and 67.21%, respectively. Crucially, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) loss rate in Treatment C was only 21.98%, significantly lower than that in Treatment A (32.32%), Treatment B (22.22%), and the control group (51.07%)—representing a 59.41% reduction compared to the control. This demonstrates the following: (1) Bacillus subtilis enhances microbial metabolism, driving carbon conversion into stable pools, while mosses reduce carbon leaching via physical barriers, synergistically forming a dual “carbon protection–structural reinforcement” barrier. (2) The combined inoculation optimizes soil structure by increasing the proportion of large soil particles and enhancing aggregate stability, effectively suppressing soil loss even under extreme rainfall erosion. This study elucidates, for the first time, the biological pathway through which microbe–moss interactions achieve synergistic carbon sequestration and erosion resistance by regulating aggregate formation and pore water dynamics. It provides a scalable “carbon–structure”-optimized biotechnology system (co-inoculation of Bacillus subtilis and moss) for the ecological restoration of the cold black soil region. Full article

China has implemented large-scale mangrove restoration and afforestation initiatives in recent years. However, there has been a paucity of research on the growth of mangrove seedlings in a composite stress environment and the allometric growth equation of mangrove seedlings. To enhance juvenile mangrove survival rates and develop precise carbon sequestration models, this study examines biomass accumulation patterns and allometric equation development under diverse environmental and biological conditions. A manipulative field experiment employed a three-factor full factorial design using seedlings from eight mangrove species. The experimental design incorporated three variables: salinity, flooding (environmental stressors), and aboveground interspecific competition (a biological factor). Following a two-year growth period, measurements of surviving seedlings’ basal diameter, plant height, and above- and belowground biomass were collected to assess growth responses and construct allometric models. Results indicated that high salinity reduced total mangrove biomass, whereas prolonged flooding increased tree height. Interspecific competition favored fast-growing species (e.g., Sonneratia caseolaris) while suppressing slow-growing counterparts (e.g., Avicennia marina). Synergistic effects between salinity and flooding influenced biomass and basal diameter, whereas salinity–flooding and salinity–competition interactions demonstrated antagonistic effects on tree height. High salinity, prolonged flooding, and competition elevated the proportion of aboveground biomass allocation. The results suggest that salinity stress and flooding stress were major growth-limiting factors for juvenile mangroves. Slow-growing species are not suitable to be mixed with fast-growing species in mangrove afforestation projects. Allometric models fitting for juvenile mangroves growing under different environmental factors were also developed. This study deepens our understanding of the growth of mangrove seedlings under composite stress conditions, provides effective tools for assessing the carbon sink potential of mangrove seedlings, and provides scientific guidance for future mangrove restoration projects. Full article

The detection of food sources of blood-sucking vectors is essential for a better understanding of the hosts, reservoirs, and other fauna that participate in the transmission web of hemoparasites. The molecular identification of triatomine blood meal sources (BMSs) has been shown to be highly sensitive and taxonomically specific when compared to the immunological method. The application of molecular cloning makes it possible to identify multiple BMS species and/or different individuals/haplotypes of the same vertebrate species in a single triatomine specimen. In Brazil, the molecular detection of BMSs is incipient, with insufficient genetic information on the species of animals involved in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi. In this work, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a molecular approach using molecular cloning for the detection of multiple Brazilian mammalian species. The DNA was extracted from blood clots of 13 species of canids, bats, xenarthral, marsupials, and rodents. Serial proportions were used to formulate mixtures combining taxonomically close (belonging to the same family or order) and taxonomically distant (different families) species. The results showed that GenBank lacks reference sequences for some native species tested, such as the sylvatic rodent, Necromys lasiurus, and the wild canid, Lycalopex gymnocercus, for cytb and 12S rDNA, and the rodent Oecomys cleberi for 12S rDNA. The study also demonstrated that it is possible to detect multiple different species, even for those that are taxonomically close. This approach was proven to be efficient for the detection of species in equal and even in disparate unequal proportions, which could represent complementary information about the diversity of potential hosts of T. cruzi. The detection of multiple BMS species in mixed samples provides a more comprehensive and accurate landscape of T. cruzi transmission in nature. Full article

Background/Objectives: In South China, Lithocarpus species dominate mixed evergreen broadleaf forests, forming symbiotic relationships with ectomycorrhizal fungi and serving as food resources for diverse fauna, including frugivorous birds and mammals. The limited understanding of chloroplast genomes in this genus restricts our insights into its species diversity. This study investigates the chloroplast genome (cp genome) sequences from seven Lithocarpus species, aims to elucidate their structural variation, evolutionary relationships, and functional gene content to provide effective support for future genetic conservation and breeding efforts. Methods: We isolated total DNA from fresh leaves and sequenced the complete cp genomes of these samples. To develop a genomic resource and clarify the evolutionary relationships within Lithocarpus species, comparative chloroplast genome studies and phylogenetic investigations were performed. Results: All studied species exhibited a conserved quadripartite chloroplast genome structure, with sizes ranging from 161,495 to 163,880 bp. Genome annotation revealed 130 functional genes and a GC content of 36.72–37.76%. Codon usage analysis showed a predominance of leucine-encoding codons. Our analysis identified 322 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), which were predominantly palindromic in structure (82.3%). All eight species exhibited the same 19 SSR categories in similar proportions. Eight highly variable regions (ndhF, ycf1, trnS-trnG-exon1, trnk(exon1)-rps16(exon2), rps16(exon2), rbcL-accD, and ccsA-ndh) have been identified, which could be valuable as molecular markers in future studies on the population genetics and phylogeography of this genus. The phylogeny tree provided critical insights into the evolutionary trajectory of Fagaceae, suggesting that Lithocarpus was strongly supported as monophyletic, while Quercus was inferred to be polyphyletic, showing a significant cytonuclear discrepancy. Conclusions: We characterized and compared the chloroplast genome features across eight Lithocarpus species, followed by comprehensive phylogenetic analyses. These findings provide critical insights for resolving taxonomic uncertainties and advancing systematic research in this genus. Full article

Background: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) represents a progressively adopted life-sustaining intervention worldwide, particularly in the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Nevertheless, data concerning the prognostic significance of fungal isolation in this setting remain unclear. This study aims (i) to assess the incidence of fungal infection and colonization in a homogeneous cohort of V-V ECMO patients, and (ii) to evaluate the association between fungal infection or colonization and 1-year mortality, with a focus on the impact of specific fungal species. Methods: All consecutive adults admitted to the Intensive Care Units of five Italian university-affiliated hospitals and requiring V-V ECMO were screened. Exclusion criteria were age < 18 years, pregnancy, veno-arterial or mixed ECMO-configuration, incomplete records and survival < 24 h after V-V ECMO placement. A standard protocol of microbiological surveillance was applied and the distinction between different fungal species were made through in vivo and vitro tests. Cox-proportional hazards models, Kaplan–Meier curves and linear logistic regressions were applied for investigating mortality. Results: Two-hundred and seventy-nine V-V ECMO patients (72% male) were enrolled. The overall fungal isolation was 41% (n. 114): 23% infections and 18% colonizations. The overall 1-year mortality, among fungal isolations, was 40%, with no different risk in case of fungal infection (26 out of 63, 41%) (aHR 0.85, 95% CI [0.53–1.37], p-value 0.505) and colonization (20 out of 51, 39%) (aHR 0.86, 95%CI [0.51–1.43], p-value 0.556), as compared to patients never detecting fungi (68 out of 165, 41%, reference). According to the isolated mycotic species, as compared to Candida sp. group (reference), the risk of death was greater when different fungal species (e.g., Aspergillus sp. and Candida sp.) were concomitantly isolated in the same patient (OR 1.17, 95%CI [1.12–11.07], p-value 0.031. Conclusions: In the overall population, 23% V-V ECMO patients recorded ‘late’ fungal infections and 18% fungal colonizations, with a similar risk of death as compared to patients never experiencing fungi during the V-V ECMO course. The detection of concomitant different fungal species was an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality. Full article

Understory vegetation is an important component of forest ecosystems, and the supply of nutrients in the soil is related to the growth and development of soil microorganisms and understory plants. The effects of different tree species composition ratios in the forest on the process of soil microbial community assembly are not clear in the existing studies, and the factors influencing the differences in the abundance of understory plants under different forest canopy compositions and their mechanisms of action have not yet been clearly explained. In this study, two types of pure forests (PFP and PFQ) and two types of mixed forests (MF and MPQ) were selected from the Zhongcun Forestry, and the soil characteristics, soil microbial community assembly process, and understory plant community abundance, composition, and β-diversity were analyzed for the different forest types. The results showed that changes in the proportion of broadleaf and coniferous species in the forest could lead to changes in the community assembly process of soil fungi, and that the fungal assembly process in the mixed forest was mainly related to dispersal limitation. Compared with pure forests that were exclusively coniferous or exclusively broadleaf, mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests had a higher abundance of understory plants and a more stable forest community composition. In mixed forests, forests with a large proportion of broadleaf arbors had more available resources in the soil, soil pH was closer to neutral, and soil C was less likely to be lost compared to forests with a large proportion of conifers. Full article

In recent years, the cultivation techniques of large-diameter forests have garnered increasing attention due to their significant ecological and economic values. However, the effects of small-scale latitudinal changes on the species distribution and community composition of large-diameter trees remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the effects of narrow latitudinal gradients on the species composition and structure of large-diameter forests. Investigating these impacts provides critical insights for silvicultural species selection and forest structure optimization, particularly in the context of global warming, and is essential for the sustainable development of large-diameter forests. In this study, three forest communities along a small-scale latitudinal gradient in subtropical China were selected to study the community structure of large-diameter trees by analyzing species composition and species diversity. The community structure was also studied by analyzing species rank curves, the diameter structure, PCoA, MRPP, and indicator species. The results revealed that as latitude increased, the proportion of rare species rose from 43.8% in LL (low-latitude) to 63.2% in HL (high-latitude) areas, while the stem density of dominant species and the number of stems per species also increased. Additionally, species composition homogeneity decreased (based on PCoA and MRPP analysis), age-class structures became more complex, and the proportion of tropical genera gradually declined, whereas temperate genera increased. These findings indicate that small-scale latitudinal variation is a key driver of changes in the composition and structure of large-diameter forests. Currently, the northern Guangdong region is suitable for large-diameter forest development, with Fagaceae species (particularly Castanopsis and Lithocarpus) showing high potential. Specifically, Castanopsis eyrei, Castanopsis fissa, and Ternstroemia gymnanthera are well-suited for large-diameter stand cultivation in Guangdong. For mixed large-diameter forests, Machilus chinensis, Cinnamomum porrectum, and Schima superba are recommended as optimal associated species. However, as global warming progresses, the suitability of tree species for afforestation may shift, necessitating adaptive management strategies. Full article

This study investigates the presence of undeclared meat species in beef sausages and analyzes the impact of poultry meat addition on fatty acid composition. A total of 68 beef sausage samples produced and obtained from markets in Kosovo were analyzed, comprising 43 industrial and 25 traditional (homemade) sausages. Using the Liquid Chip Display (LCD) Array System, Meat 5.0, we detected that 52.94% of the samples contained meat from other species, with poultry being the most frequently added (45.55%), followed by mutton (4.41%) and turkey (2.9%). Notably, 46.42% of industrial sausages with added meat and 100% of homemade sausages with mixed meat were undeclared, highlighting significant mislabeling concerns. Fatty acid analysis with Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) revealed that sausages with poultry meat exhibited lower levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly linoleic (C18:2) and alfa-linolenic (C18:3) acids. The inclusion of poultry meat significantly reduced the proportion of palmitic (C16:0) and stearic (C18:0) acids while increasing unsaturated fatty acids. As the percentage of poultry meat increased, SFAs decreased from 54.08% (at 10% poultry meat) to 29.55% (at 90%), while PUFAs rose from 4.09% to 26.64%. These findings indicate that poultry addition enhances the nutritional profile of sausages by improving the fatty acid balance. This study highlights the need for stricter labeling regulations to ensure consumer transparency. Future research should explore these modified products’ sensory and quality attributes to assess their market acceptance. Full article

This study investigates the effects of warming water on growth in seven demersal fish species including Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), roughhead grenadier (Macrourus berglax) and three species of redfish (Sebastes spp.) in the Northwest Atlantic and compares the changes in growth across species. Length-at-age data were collected from EU bottom trawl surveys from 1993 to 2018, and bottom temperature data were obtained from the Copernicus Marine Service. Generalised additive mixed models (GAMMs) were used to describe the temperature effects on growth. The analysis was carried out separately for males and females. Both sexes of all species except American plaice showed significant temperature effects on growth. To obtain the growth parameters, von Bertalanffy growth functions (VBGFs) were fitted to the predictions from best-fit GAMMs for all species and both sexes under five different bottom temperature scenarios (3, 3.5, 4, 4.5 and 5 °C). The predictions from all best-fit GAMMs were broadly similar in form to the fitted von Bertalanffy growth functions (R² > 90%). Increased bottom temperature generally resulted in a decrease in the asymptotic length (L_∞) and an increase in the growth rate (k). The species with the most dramatic increase in k over the temperature range of 3 °C to 5 °C was Atlantic cod, for which k increased from 0.05 to 0.13 year⁻¹ in females and from 0.08 to 0.14 year⁻¹ in males. The maximum length (L_max), predicted by the VBGF at maximum age generally declined from 3 °C to 5 °C. The species with the most pronounced decline in L_max was beaked redfish (S. mentella). An increase in the proportion of smaller individuals could impact population productivity and result in lower biomass available to fisheries. Uneven changes in fish growth in the warming ocean could also have wider ecological implications and alter the trophic landscape. Full article

This study investigates the scale-dependent alpha and beta diversity patterns in the subalpine grasslands of the Central Balkan Mountains following decades of reduced grazing. We examined two distinct vegetation patches: pure grasslands (N-type) and grasslands mixed with dwarf shrubs (V-type), focusing on coarse-scale (among stands) and fine-scale (within stands) heterogeneity. Using micro-quadrat transects and dissimilarity analyses, we assessed the species composition variability and spatial complexity of the two vegetation patches. The results showed that the N-type exhibited higher coarse-scale beta diversity, attributed to fluctuating dominant grass proportions, and lower fine-scale diversity due to competitive exclusion. Conversely, V-type vegetation displayed lower coarse-scale but higher fine-scale diversity, reflecting the heterogeneous spatial matrix created by dwarf-shrub encroachment. Fine-scale spatial complexity, quantified by the compositional diversity of dominants, strongly correlated with species richness and diversity. Two main conclusions emerged: (a) Grazing decline-driven succession toward grass–dwarf shrub mixtures enhanced local diversity while reducing landscape heterogeneity. Conversely, regeneration toward typical dominant grasses diminished local diversity but increased landscape heterogeneity. (b) A balanced fine-scale spatial mixture of dominant species was found to reduce their individual negative impact on other species’ diversity. Effective high-mountain pasture management requires the consideration of scale and local plant co-existence. Full article

As an important indicator species for ecological environments, birds can effectively reflect the ecological quality of urban parks through their diversity characteristics. This study takes Xuzhou Quanshan Forest Park as an example to systematically investigate avian diversity and habitat variations by using the line transect and direct counting methods. A total of 120 bird species from 16 orders and 40 families were recorded, accounting for 24.89% of the total bird species in Jiangsu Province, 45.28% in Xuzhou City, and 79% in Quanshan District. The results showed that the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’) was highest in wetland habitats (H’ = 2.40), while the lowest was found in coniferous forest habitats (H’ = 1.09). Jaccard similarity coefficient analysis revealed the highest similarity of bird communities between broadleaf forests and mixed coniferous-broadleaf forests (Cj = 0.363), and the lowest similarity between wetlands and coniferous forests (Cj = 0.071). From a zoogeographical perspective, widespread species dominated across different habitats. Resident birds were the most abundant, and passerines constituted the highest proportion of all birds recorded. Based on these results, recommendations such as optimizing vegetation structures, expanding wetland areas, and reducing human disturbance are proposed to enhance avian diversity and promote sustainable development of urban ecosystems. This study provides scientific evidence for ecological planning and avian conservation in urban parks. Full article

To explain one of the reasons why two adjacent deep-rooted desert plants can coexist over long periods, mutual water supply between species was investigated. The study focused on δD and δ¹⁸O stable isotopic characteristics of root water and soil water near the roots of Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. and Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. in the Tarim River Basin in China during the growing season. The direct comparison method and the Mix SIAR model were employed to analyze the water sources of the plants and the contribution rates of each water source. A similarity proportional index was used to assess the hydraulic connections between plant species. The water sources of T. ramosissima and A. sparsifolia were soil water found at depths of 40 to 90 cm and 220 to 300 cm (a total contribution rate of 58.85%) and 130 to 190 and 240 to 300 cm (a total contribution rate of 81.35%) with groundwater depths of 2.5 to 3.0 m, respectively. When the groundwater depth increased to 4 m, the water sources for both T. ramosissima and A. sparsifolia were soil water at depths of 20 to 100 (a contribution rate of 70.60%) and 20 to 120 cm (a contribution rate of 49.60%), respectively. Both A. sparsifolia and T. ramosissima could lift water from deep soil or groundwater for their own growth needs and supply some water to each other, which suggests that desert plants were allowed to achieve mutual benefits and coexistence through hydraulic connections. These results enrich the theoretical understanding of desert plant coexistence and provide a scientific basis for desert vegetation restoration. Full article

A competition experiment between Vachellia gerrardii and invasive Nicotiana glauca Graham was conducted to assess the impact of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) symbiosis on the inter and intraspecific competition between the two species. Seedlings were established under mono and mixed plantations with different species proportions (3:1, 2:2, 1:3) and plant densities (1, 2, 3, and 4 plants/pot) for mixed and mono planting respectively, with and without AMF. The vegetative growth parameters (height, leaf area and number, total dry weight/plant, relative yield, relative yield total), roots characteristics (length, surface area, volume, tips number), competitive interaction (aggressivity), and physiological traits (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance) were measured to evaluate plant responses to AMF symbiosis and competition. The results revealed that AMF symbiosis significantly enhanced the vegetative parameters (leaf area, height, and total dry weight) in both species under mono and mixed plantations compared to plants without AMF. Under AMF treatment, in the interspecific competition, most vegetative and root parameters of N. glauca were higher than V. gerrardii. At inoculant and species proportions, the relative yield of N. glauca exceeded that for V. gerrardii; however, N. glauca was more aggressive towards V. gerrardii. N. glauca root indices were higher than V. gerrardii under inter and intraspecific competition. Simultaneously, for both species, in monoculture plantations, most parameters decreased as plant density increased, wherein the decrease was higher for plants grown without AMF. Photosynthesis increased in AMF treatment, particularly for N. glauca. In conclusion, AMF promoted the growth of invasive N. glauca more than native V. gerrardii, particularly in terms of the root system. Our results provide a critical perspective that the AMF has the potential to contribute and facilitate the invasion of N. glauca, as well as support it with a competitive advantage over V. gerrardii, thus highlighting its potential role in shaping plant–plant interaction in invaded habitats. Full article