Search Results (119)

Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrate groups globally, with over 40% of species at risk of extinction. However, a gap remains in understanding how to effectively develop and implement amphibian conservation strategies at local and global scales to minimize extinction risk. This review synthesizes multidisciplinary evidence to frame amphibian conservation as a priority not only for species preservation but for safeguarding ecosystem functioning and human well-being. Drawing on ecological, physiological, biomedical, and technological literature, we highlight the foundational roles amphibians play in various biomes: regulating invertebrate populations, mediating nutrient and energy flows, modifying physical habitats, and supporting biodiversity through trophic interactions. Their dual aquatic–terrestrial life cycles and highly permeable skin make them highly sensitive to environmental change, positioning them as bioindicators for ecosystem health. We further explore emerging tools and concepts such as environmental metabolomics, remote sensing, and citizen science for monitoring population trends and environmental stressors. Additionally, we discuss conservation challenges in relation to land-use change, climate disruption, invasive species, emerging diseases, and institutional underinvestment. We argue for the recognition of amphibians as ecological allies and the increased integration of amphibian conservation into broader frameworks such as ecosystem service valuation, climate resilience planning, and public health policy improvement. Finally, we identify key research gaps and suggest future directions to remedy these oversights, including the incorporation of traditional knowledge, socio-cultural engagement, and technological innovations for sustainable amphibian conservation. Realizing this vision will require globally coordinated, locally grounded strategies that fuse scientific insight, inclusive governance, and long-term investment—ensuring that amphibian conservation advances ecosystem stability and benefits both nature and society. Full article

Freshwater ecosystems are rapidly losing biodiversity due to anthropogenic and environmental pressures. Considering that many species remain unknown, these systems represent an invaluable reservoir of biodiversity. For this reason, a prompt biodiversity census becomes essential. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has the potential to provide a faster and non-invasive alternative to traditional methods for biodiversity monitoring, conservation, and management. This study used eDNA to provide a preliminary snapshot of vertebrates in two Sicilian lakes: Lake Rosamarina and Lake Garcia. eDNA analyses identified four classes of vertebrates, 14 orders, and 16 families, with notable taxonomic differences between the two lakes. The analysis revealed the presence of several non-native and potentially invasive species, including fish (Cyprinus carpio, Micropterus salmoides, Perca fluviatilis, Carassius auratus, and Ameiurus melas), as well as the amphibian Xenopus laevis and the terrestrial mammal Myocastor coypus. The presence of these species, known for their ecological impact on native communities, highlights the potential of eDNA analysis as a powerful tool for the early detection and preventive biomonitoring of biological invasions. These results provide an initial assessment of vertebrate biodiversity in these sites, demonstrating how eDNA can serve as an effective method for biodiversity evaluation and monitoring. Full article

Wetland diversity and associated wildlife is declining globally. The Szaporca Old-Drava oxbow, one of Hungary’s first wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention, has been threatened by desiccation, prompting the implementation of water replenishment interventions. This study aimed to determine which aquatic vertebrate species can be detected using bottle traps in the oxbow and whether the traps’ efficiency and capture success change following hydrological restoration. Our results showed that the relative frequency of smooth newts caught with bottle traps was 10%, while that of other amphibians (Danube crested newt, common spadefoot toad, edible frog) and fish (European weather loach, European mudminnow, Danube whitefin gudgeon) species did not even reach 1%. Based solely on the relative frequency data of the smooth newt, we found that both the capture efficiency (10.4% vs. 3%) and capture success (17% vs. 7.4%) of bottle traps significantly declined following an increase in water volume in the oxbow. Sex ratio patterns also shifted markedly: in the year of water scarcity, the male-to-female ratio of smooth newt was 2.7:1, whereas during water-abundant conditions it increased to 7:1. Water replenishment raised the water level by nearly one meter, resulting in the partial inundation of terrestrial vegetation and consequent habitat alterations. While water supplementation clearly supports the persistence of rare, protected, strictly protected and endemic aquatic species, our findings highlight the importance of considering hydrological conditions when interpreting the results of long-term monitoring in wetland ecosystems. Full article

The article is devoted to the analysis of changes in the structure of the territory of Kazan in the period from the 18th century to the present. The spatial and temporal variability of the main functional zones of the city is considered. The main ways of expanding the territory of the city and its constituent functional zones related to the main historical processes are given. The total area of the city, according to cartographic analysis, increased 77.04 times in the period from 1739 to 2021. The article presents the dynamics of changes in the areas of the functional zones of the city during the period under review. The characteristic of ecosystems for the biodiversity of terrestrial vertebrates of the identified functional zones is given. Full article

Geological data of the region indicate that the Canary Islands have not been connected to the mainland before. However, fossil evidence suggests some kind of faunal exchange with Africa during the late Neogene. After extensive field work during past years, a re-evaluation of the fossil remains of the first terrestrial vertebrates that settled and thrived on the Canary Islands is presented, with special attention to the long-debated identity of birds that laid large-sized eggs, reported some decades ago on Lanzarote Island. The age of the eggshell-bearing deposits has been recently updated as Early Pliocene (ca. 4 Ma). The dispersal mode of these terrestrial birds to reach the island was an unsolvable challenge in previous studies because the regional geography of the sea bottom was neglected, as well as the chronological succession of events in the formation of the Canary Eastern Ridge, which increased attention to a unique case of arrival of ratites on an island never before united with the mainland. The few animals found in northern Lanzarote (ratites, snakes, turtles, terrestrial snails and bite marks on eggshells pointing to a jagged and unknown large predator) probably made the sea crossing from the mainland in different ways. Two scenarios are contemplated. In both, the circumstances facilitating the faunal transit from Africa to the Canaries ceased after the early Pliocene, around 4 Ma, since these animals have never managed to cross the Canary Channel again. Full article

Spinal deformities—such as kyphosis, scoliosis, and lordosis—are observed across all major vertebrate groups. Reports in wild reptiles are increasing but are mainly published in natural history notes as curiosities, with little exploration of their aetiology, pathology, prevalence, or consideration of potential ecological, evolutionary, and life history implications. Addressing this gap, I compiled the most comprehensive database to date by reviewing the peer-reviewed and grey literature and collecting unpublished records via standardised social media inquiries. I identified 690 observations from 146 sources, covering 109 reptile species in 24 families across 37 countries. Spinal deformities appear across all major reptile clades, though Testudines are over-represented (78.6% of all observations and 42.2% of all species). A phylogenetic meta-analysis of 54 effect sizes from 37 species yielded a global prevalence estimate of 0.21%, with no significant effects of phylogeny, habitat use, or habitat type detected, possibly due to dataset limitations. However, kyphosis was more common in (semi)aquatic Testudines, whereas scoliosis was more frequent in terrestrial squamates. Although deformities may impair key life history traits, supporting evidence remains scarce. The findings highlight the understudied nature of spinal deformities in wild reptiles and underscore the need for standardised, ecologically informed reporting to better understand their causes and consequences. Full article

Mediterranean ecosystems have been grazed by livestock for thousands of years. While considered both a major anthropogenic stressor and a potential habitat conservation tool, the effects of livestock grazing on vertebrate populations remain poorly understood. Our study focused on goat and sheep grazing on a large island off the coast of Greece in order to shed light on (1) the nature of the relationship between livestock grazing and vertebrate assemblages, and (2) the mediating mechanisms. Sampling small mammal, reptile, and passerine bird species across a range of livestock grazing intensities in a Mediterranean pastoral system, we used Generalized Linear Modeling to test for the presence of a unimodal relationship between grazing disturbance and vertebrate diversity in line with the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH). An information-theoretic approach helped elucidate which habitat characteristics best predicted vertebrate-grazing responses. Terrestrial species abundance decreased steadily with increasing grazing, while species richness exhibited a unimodal response, peaking at intermediate livestock stocking rates and offering support for the IDH. This response was best predicted by invertebrate food availability. Both passerine bird species’ richness and abundance showed no clear relationship with grazing yet were significantly correlated with changes in vegetation structure. Our findings suggest that there is no ideal grazing level for broadly optimizing both vertebrate abundance and richness. However, only light-to-intermediate livestock stocking rates are associated with healthy wildlife populations while also promoting terrestrial species richness. Agricultural policy that avoids overgrazing while encouraging a mosaic of different grazing intensities at the regional level is needed to best support diverse vertebrate assemblages. Full article

Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal disease affecting terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates worldwide. This study investigated molecularly and microscopically the prevalence and the diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in goats across the Bouira communes, Algeria. A total of 559 fecal samples were collected from 70 farms, representing 16.6% of the regional goat population. Samples were analyzed using microscopy (modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining) and molecular methods (i.e., qPCR and nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing). Microscopy detected Cryptosporidium in 6.1% of samples, while qPCR revealed a significantly higher prevalence of 13.6% (p < 0.00001), confirming the superior sensitivity of molecular diagnostics. Spatial analysis identified significant clustering (Moran’s I = 0.330, p = 0.0003), with communes-level prevalence ranging from 6.7% to 45.7%. Infection rates correlated positively with humidity and rainfall but negatively with temperature. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed Cryptosporidium xiaoi as the sole species circulating, showing 100% genetic similarity to global caprine isolates. Despite C. xiaoi’s host adaptation, a GenBank review highlighted six other zoonotic species infecting goats worldwide, underscoring potential cross-species transmission risks. The study emphasizes the need for PCR-based surveillance to assess true prevalence and zoonotic threats, while climatic findings support targeted interventions in high-risk areas. Full article

Tick-borne piroplasmids are apicomplexan protozoa that infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts, with significant implications for animal and human health. This study investigated the occurrence and genetic diversity of piroplasmids in wild mammals, unconventional pets, and associated ticks in Goiás state, midwestern Brazil. Between April 2023 and January 2024, 105 blood samples, 22 tissue samples, and 300 ticks were collected from 21 mammalian species housed in wildlife screening centers, zoos, and veterinary clinics. Molecular screening targeting the 18S rRNA gene of piroplasmids detected a 25.7% (27/105) overall positivity, with gray brockets (Subulo gouazoubira) and South American tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) showing the highest infection rates. Three tick samples tested positive, including two Amblyomma sculptum nymphs and a male of Amblyomma dubitatum collected from a tapir and capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Cytauxzoon brasiliensis was reported, for the first time, in cougars (Puma concolor) from Goiás state, midwestern Brazil, indicating the role of this feline as a host of this parasite. Babesia goianiaensis was confirmed in a capybara, and Theileria terrestris in tapirs. Phylogenetic analyses clustered gray brockets-associated Theileria sequences with Theileria sp. previously detected in Neotropical deer from Brazil and Theileria cervi. While the phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit III separated Theileria genotypes detected in S. gouazoubira from T. cervi, hsp70-based phylogenetic inferences clustered the genotypes detected in Tapirus terrestris with Theileria terrestris, suggesting host-specific evolutionary lineages. These findings contribute to the understanding of Piroplasmida diversity and circulation in South American wild mammals, emphasizing the need for enhanced molecular surveillance to elucidate transmission dynamics, assess potential health risks, and contribute to the establishment of wildlife conservation and One Health strategies. Full article

Irrigation canals are essential for agriculture in semi-arid regions like northern Chile, yet their ecological impacts on wildlife remain underexplored. Here, we assessed the effects of a 900 m transect of a dry, polyethylene-covered irrigation canal in the Coquimbo region on local terrestrial fauna. A total of 121 reptiles, marsupials, and rodents were found in the canal, with 82.64% mortality. Our evidence suggests that the animals drowned when the water flux stopped or perished because of the extreme heat irradiated by the polyethylene geomembrane once the canal became empty. We highlight that these canals act as lethal pitfall traps for terrestrial vertebrates, as seen in other countries. Given the ecological impact that these waterways impose on local fauna, the implementation of mitigation strategies such as physical barriers, escape aids, and connectivity structures to reduce mortality is urgent in the region. Full article

The global 30 × 30 initiative, endorsed by 188 countries, aims to expand terrestrial and marine protected areas to cover 30% of the planet by 2030. This study utilizes newly available species-occurrence maps from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to identify conservation priorities in 10 countries across Latin America (Brazil, Costa Rica, and Ecuador), Africa (Cameroon, South Africa, and Madagascar), and the Asia–Pacific region (Papua New Guinea, Philippines, India, and China). By incorporating diverse taxa—including vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants—the analysis ensures equitable species representation in conservation planning. A spatial prioritization algorithm is employed to pinpoint areas where new protected regions can address biodiversity gaps, with a particular focus on endemic and unprotected species. The results highlight significant variation in initial conservation conditions, including existing protection levels and spatial distribution of unprotected species. Countries with high spatial clustering of unprotected species achieve substantial protection gains with modest protected-area expansions, while others may require exceeding the 30% target to ensure comprehensive biodiversity coverage. The study underscores the importance of localized conservation strategies within the broader global framework, demonstrating how targeted spatial planning can enhance biodiversity outcomes and support the equitable implementation of the 30 × 30 commitment. Full article

Collagen is a structural protein found in the connective tissues of terrestrial and marine animals. Its diverse functional attributes span its applications in several industries, including food, supplements, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Typically derived from mammalian sources, collagen and its derivatives, including gelatin and collagen peptides, are essential for the food and supplement industries. Recently, marine collagen has emerged as a viable mammalian collagen alternative due to its unique functionality and sustainability. Marine vertebrates and invertebrates are reliable sources of marine collagen. Some marine organisms are promising sustainable sources of collagen for nutritional applications. Recent research highlights significant advances in marine collagen extraction, processing, and novel applications. Hence, recent interest has propelled research in identifying novel collagen sources and advancing technologies to produce marine collagen-based products. Considering the recent scientific interest in marine collagen, this review provides an overview of recent progress in marine collagen production, including novel sources, innovative processing technologies, nutritional and functional properties, safety and quality control, current challenges, and future research directions. The review highlights certain challenges, including unpleasant odor, flavor, color, insufficient supply, and inconsistent quality of marine collagen. Future research should focus on increasing the collagen extraction yield, improving the smell and flavor, and developing novel delivery systems to increase bioavailability and functionality. Full article

Haemosporidian parasites (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida) are diverse obligatory heteroxenous protists, which infect all major groups of terrestrial vertebrates and use dipterous blood-sucking insects as vectors. These pathogens are responsible for various diseases, including malaria, which remains an important human and animal illness. In the wild, haemosporidians are particularly diverse in reptiles and birds in tropical countries, where they are flourishing. Avian haemosporidians have been particularly extensively investigated, especially due to their high prevalence and global distribution, including the countries with cold climates. The general scheme of the life cycle of haemosporidians is known, but the details of development remain insufficiently investigated or even unknown in most of the described parasite species, suggesting the existence of knowledge gaps. This attracts attention to some recent observations, which remain fragmentary but suggest the existence of formerly neglected or underestimated modes of the haemosporidians’ survival in vertebrates. Such findings are worth discussion as they indicate the novel directions in wildlife haemosporidian research. This article overviews some recent findings, which call for broadening of the orthodox views on modes of existence of haemosporidian parasites in avian hosts. Among them are the role of blood merogony in the long-lasting persistence of malaria parasites in birds, the role of gametocytes in the long-lasting survival of Haemoproteus species in vertebrates, the possible reasons of undetectable avian Haemoproteus infections due to peculiarities of exo-erythrocytic development, and the plausible factors driving the narrow vertebrate host specificity of Haemoproteus species. Full article

Mucomics is the study of mucus and its biochemical properties. This discipline has gained increasing attention due to the critical roles mucus plays in protection, adhesion, and communication across species. Ethical restrictions on vertebrate research have driven the interest in invertebrate models such as mollusks. Mollusks produce large amounts of mucus which has several functions, including immune defense, digestion, and environmental adaptation. Mollusks—terrestrial, freshwater, or marine—are valuable models for investigating mucus composition and its responses to environmental stressors, including heavy metal contamination. Histochemical and glycomic techniques have revealed variations in mucin glycosylation patterns that influence mucus functionality, such as its viscoelastic and adhesive properties. Bivalves and gastropods, widely used as bioindicators and generally not subject to regulatory constraints in experimental use, accumulate pollutants in their mucus, reflecting environmental health. Investigative techniques such as lectin histochemistry, proteomic, and glycomic analyses provide insights into the impact of contaminants on mucus composition. Further research on molluscan mucins can enhance understanding of their physiological roles, environmental interactions, and potential biomedical applications. By integrating molecular and histochemical approaches, mucomic studies offer a comprehensive perspective on mucus function, advancing both ecological monitoring and biotechnological applications. Full article

The soil environment has been considered capable of storing toxic substances without serious consequences for the inhabitants since plants are able to bioaccumulate pollutants without compromising their survival. The application of chemicals to increase soil productivity and the dumping of waste have worsened soil quality. Recently, following a greater awareness of the importance of monitoring the damage deriving from the consumption of contaminated crops for humans and of the protection of biodiversity, studies aimed at identifying the effects of soil contamination on terrestrial animals have increased considerably. Studies using field lizards as model organisms fit into this scenario; this research has shed light on the uptake, accumulation, and toxicity of soil pollutants on reptiles. This review summarizes data collected on lizards of the Podarcis genus, a group of resilient wild species capable of living in both pristine and anthropized areas; the data reveal that many of the effects recorded in lizard tissues at the molecular, biochemical, and histological levels are independent of the chemical composition of the contaminants and are mostly linked to the type of cellular response. Overall, these studies confirm Podarcis lizards as a good model system in ecotoxicological and cytotoxicological research, providing an accurate description of the effects of pollutants, clarifying the defense mechanisms activated in relation to different exposure routes and, finally, providing predictive information on the risks faced by other animals. Since the effects recorded in lizards have often also been observed in mammals, it can be concluded that the results obtained from studies on these animals can be translated to other terrestrial vertebrates, including mammals. Full article