Sexual dimorphism between males and females is a common pattern observed in the natural world and has become one of the main focuses of evolutionary biology.Amphibian head size and shape are important factors that may...Sexual dimorphism between males and females is a common pattern observed in the natural world and has become one of the main focuses of evolutionary biology.Amphibian head size and shape are important factors that may influence food acquisition,but knowledge about the sexual differences between amphibian head size and shape is relatively scant.Here,intersexual differences in the head size and shape of Rana kukunoris,which is a high-elevation frog from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,were investigated.Significant differences were found in the head shape but not the head size between sexes.A significant correlation was also observed between prey size and head size.However,these correlations disappeared when individual body size was controlled,suggesting that body size but not food size was the main factor resulting in intersexual differences in head size/shape.The results suggested that food competition between sexes did not result in sexual dimorphism of head shape among these frogs.展开更多
Species of the Pinus genus provide a classical model for studying hybrid speciation.Although studies on two narrowly distributed species(P inus funebris and P.takahasii)concluded that they originated from two widespre...Species of the Pinus genus provide a classical model for studying hybrid speciation.Although studies on two narrowly distributed species(P inus funebris and P.takahasii)concluded that they originated from two widespread species(P.sylvestris and P.densiflora)via hybrid speciation,the conclusion was based on a low number of informative restriction sites.In this study,we analyzed the sequences of four Pinus chloroplast(cp)genomes(P.sylvestris,P.densiflora,P.funebris and P.takahasii)to clarify whether hybrid speciation was involved.The complete cp-genomes of Pinus species ranged in size from 119,865 to 119,890 bp,similar to other Pinus species.Phylogenetic results based on the whole cp-genomes showed P.sylvestris clustered with P.funebris and P.takahasii,which suggested that P.sylvestris was the paternal parent in hybridization events.In an analysis of simple sequence repeats(SSRs),we detected a total of 69 SSRs repeats among the four Pinus cp-genomes;most were A or T bases.In addition,we identified divergent hotspot regions among the four Pinus cp-genomes(trnE-clpP,cemA-ycf4,petD-rpoA,psbD-trnT,and trnN-chlL),in P.sylvestris(psbD-trnT,trnN-chlL,psbB and rps8)and in P.densiflora(trnE-clpP,petD-rpoA,ycf3 intron,psbD-trnT,and trnN-chlL).The genome information found in this study provides new insights into hybrid speciation in P inus and contributes to a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships within the Pinus genus.展开更多
Climate change is ranked as one of the most severe threats to global biodiversity. This global phenomenon is particularly true for reptiles whose biology and ecology are closely linked to climate. In this study, we us...Climate change is ranked as one of the most severe threats to global biodiversity. This global phenomenon is particularly true for reptiles whose biology and ecology are closely linked to climate. In this study, we used over 1,300 independent occurrence points and different climate change emission scenarios to evaluate the potential risk of changing climatic conditions on the current and future potential distribution of a rock-dwelling lizard; the velvet gecko. Furthermore, we investigated if the current extent of protected area networks in Australia captures the full range distribution of this species currently and in the future. Our results show that climate change projections for the year 2075 have the potential to alter the distribution of the velvet gecko in southeastern Australia. Specifically, climate change may favor the range expansion of this species to encompass more suitable habitats. The trend of range expansion was qualitatively similar across the different cli- mate change scenarios used. Additionally, we observed that the current network of protected areas in southeast Australia does not fully account for the full range distribution of this species currently and in the future. Ongoing climate change may profoundly affect the potential range distribution of the velvet gecko population. Therefore, the restricted habitat of the velvet geckos should be the focus of intensive pre-emptive management efforts. This management prioritization should be extended to encompass the increases in suitable habitats observed in this study in order to maximize the microhabitats available for the survival of this species.展开更多
Fluctuations in food availability occur in many ecosystems and pose challenges to the organisms that inhabit them(Berg et al.2017).Because lizards have significantly lower field metabolic rates than endotherms,they ar...Fluctuations in food availability occur in many ecosystems and pose challenges to the organisms that inhabit them(Berg et al.2017).Because lizards have significantly lower field metabolic rates than endotherms,they are often considered "low energy specialists"that can cope with food shortages(Brown and Griffin 2005).However,active reptiles that maintain high body temperatures during periods of low prey availability can still incur significant energetic costs because metabolic rates scale with body temperature.To reduce these energetic costs,some reptile species select lower body temperatures and/or reduce their activity levels when food is scarce(Angilletta 2009).展开更多
Climate warming is projected to drive the extinction of approximately one-fifth of the world’s lizard species within the next 60 years(by 2080).However,it remains unclear to what extent and how the global lizard popu...Climate warming is projected to drive the extinction of approximately one-fifth of the world’s lizard species within the next 60 years(by 2080).However,it remains unclear to what extent and how the global lizard population will be affected by this phenomenon on a geographical scale.Furthermore,there is a need to establish a connection between extinction risk and the prioritization of conservation efforts.In this context,we aim to address concerns related to geographically isolated and critically small lizard populations,highlighting why they face an exceptionally high risk of extinction.We also explore the potential for entire populations to vanish without notice.A comprehensive understanding of these factors is essential to inform the prioritization of conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding lizard populations in tropical countries under future climate change scenarios.展开更多
Arthropoda,a diverse phylum encompassing Myriapoda,Crustacea,Chelicerata,and Insecta,constitutes more than 80%of the total number of documented species(Qu et al.2020).Within these groups,centipedes(Chilopoda)hold a un...Arthropoda,a diverse phylum encompassing Myriapoda,Crustacea,Chelicerata,and Insecta,constitutes more than 80%of the total number of documented species(Qu et al.2020).Within these groups,centipedes(Chilopoda)hold a unique position as one of the oldest terrestrial venomous groups,with a fossil history spanning 430 million years.This lineage encompasses five orders and includes more than 3500 species(Undheim&King 2011).Centipedes,characterized by having a pair of legs per segment,have drawn significant attention in the biomedical field(Undheim et al.2015)due to their production of venoms in specialized venom glands that have modified the first pair of trunk legs(Giribet&Edgecombe 2019).Centipedes are carnivorous,soil-dwelling invertebrates with a predatory nature,playing a pivotal role as indicators of soil biodiversity and serving as vital tools for evaluating ecosystem health(Dugon 2017;Halpin et al.2021).Despite their ecological value,the evolutionary ecology of myriapods has received relatively less attention compared to other arthropods.However,recent advances have been made,with nonchromosomallevel genomes of five millipedes and four centipedes having been published,shedding more light on their evolutionary history(Chipman et al.2014;Kenny et al.2015;Qu et al.2020;So et al.2022).展开更多
Pea,rice,hemp,and oat proteins at concentrations of 5%and 10%were modified using controlled hydrolysis by Alcalase^(®)(4%,g enzyme/g protein)during 30,60,120,and 300 min,and their solubility and surface propertie...Pea,rice,hemp,and oat proteins at concentrations of 5%and 10%were modified using controlled hydrolysis by Alcalase^(®)(4%,g enzyme/g protein)during 30,60,120,and 300 min,and their solubility and surface properties were measured.The degree of hydrolysis(DH%)gradually increased with hydrolysis time(R^(2)≥85%)and(R^(2)≥96%)at 5%and 10%protein concentrations,respectively.The protein profile of hydrolysates suggests that Alcalase^(®)cleaved the pea,rice,and oat proteins to smaller sizes up to 15 kDa and the hemp protein to larger polypeptides with exposure of basic subunits(20 kDa).All plant proteins at 5%and 10%protein concentrations were greatly solubilised after 30 min of hydrolysis(at pH 8.0 and temperature 50℃)compared with their unhydrolysed counterparts.Increasing the hydrolysis time to four,five,and ten times more than 30 min further increased protein solubility.The relative fluorescent intensity from the spectrofluorometer suggests that hydrophobic groups remained unchanged after hydrolysis in rice protein.This agrees with the low DH%of rice protein.Unhydrolysed pea had the highest hydrophobicity with values of 59.69±1.94 and 86.28±2.88 at 5%and 10%protein,respectively,which decreased through hydrolysis.On the other hand,hemp hydrolysates had the highest hydrophobicity compared with their unhydrolysed counterparts at both protein concentrations.Hydrolysis increased surface charge only in oat protein.Higher protein concentration led to lower protein solubility in oat and hemp proteins.These results showed that prolonged hydrolysis and higher protein concentration can affect the dynamic association and dissociation of proteins leading the functional groups previously exposed by hydrolysis to hide in the interior of the protein structure.展开更多
基金support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant no.32270457)The authors confirmed that this study based on the The Animal Ethics Committee at Anhui University permitted this experiments(IACUC(AHU)-2022-007).
文摘Sexual dimorphism between males and females is a common pattern observed in the natural world and has become one of the main focuses of evolutionary biology.Amphibian head size and shape are important factors that may influence food acquisition,but knowledge about the sexual differences between amphibian head size and shape is relatively scant.Here,intersexual differences in the head size and shape of Rana kukunoris,which is a high-elevation frog from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,were investigated.Significant differences were found in the head shape but not the head size between sexes.A significant correlation was also observed between prey size and head size.However,these correlations disappeared when individual body size was controlled,suggesting that body size but not food size was the main factor resulting in intersexual differences in head size/shape.The results suggested that food competition between sexes did not result in sexual dimorphism of head shape among these frogs.
基金funded by Kunyu Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration。
文摘Species of the Pinus genus provide a classical model for studying hybrid speciation.Although studies on two narrowly distributed species(P inus funebris and P.takahasii)concluded that they originated from two widespread species(P.sylvestris and P.densiflora)via hybrid speciation,the conclusion was based on a low number of informative restriction sites.In this study,we analyzed the sequences of four Pinus chloroplast(cp)genomes(P.sylvestris,P.densiflora,P.funebris and P.takahasii)to clarify whether hybrid speciation was involved.The complete cp-genomes of Pinus species ranged in size from 119,865 to 119,890 bp,similar to other Pinus species.Phylogenetic results based on the whole cp-genomes showed P.sylvestris clustered with P.funebris and P.takahasii,which suggested that P.sylvestris was the paternal parent in hybridization events.In an analysis of simple sequence repeats(SSRs),we detected a total of 69 SSRs repeats among the four Pinus cp-genomes;most were A or T bases.In addition,we identified divergent hotspot regions among the four Pinus cp-genomes(trnE-clpP,cemA-ycf4,petD-rpoA,psbD-trnT,and trnN-chlL),in P.sylvestris(psbD-trnT,trnN-chlL,psbB and rps8)and in P.densiflora(trnE-clpP,petD-rpoA,ycf3 intron,psbD-trnT,and trnN-chlL).The genome information found in this study provides new insights into hybrid speciation in P inus and contributes to a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships within the Pinus genus.
文摘Climate change is ranked as one of the most severe threats to global biodiversity. This global phenomenon is particularly true for reptiles whose biology and ecology are closely linked to climate. In this study, we used over 1,300 independent occurrence points and different climate change emission scenarios to evaluate the potential risk of changing climatic conditions on the current and future potential distribution of a rock-dwelling lizard; the velvet gecko. Furthermore, we investigated if the current extent of protected area networks in Australia captures the full range distribution of this species currently and in the future. Our results show that climate change projections for the year 2075 have the potential to alter the distribution of the velvet gecko in southeastern Australia. Specifically, climate change may favor the range expansion of this species to encompass more suitable habitats. The trend of range expansion was qualitatively similar across the different cli- mate change scenarios used. Additionally, we observed that the current network of protected areas in southeast Australia does not fully account for the full range distribution of this species currently and in the future. Ongoing climate change may profoundly affect the potential range distribution of the velvet gecko population. Therefore, the restricted habitat of the velvet geckos should be the focus of intensive pre-emptive management efforts. This management prioritization should be extended to encompass the increases in suitable habitats observed in this study in order to maximize the microhabitats available for the survival of this species.
基金The research was supported financially by the University of Technology Sydney.All procedures were approved by the UTS Animal Care and Ethics Committee(protocol ACEC 2012000256)a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service scientific licence(SL 101013 toJ.K.W.).
文摘Fluctuations in food availability occur in many ecosystems and pose challenges to the organisms that inhabit them(Berg et al.2017).Because lizards have significantly lower field metabolic rates than endotherms,they are often considered "low energy specialists"that can cope with food shortages(Brown and Griffin 2005).However,active reptiles that maintain high body temperatures during periods of low prey availability can still incur significant energetic costs because metabolic rates scale with body temperature.To reduce these energetic costs,some reptile species select lower body temperatures and/or reduce their activity levels when food is scarce(Angilletta 2009).
文摘Climate warming is projected to drive the extinction of approximately one-fifth of the world’s lizard species within the next 60 years(by 2080).However,it remains unclear to what extent and how the global lizard population will be affected by this phenomenon on a geographical scale.Furthermore,there is a need to establish a connection between extinction risk and the prioritization of conservation efforts.In this context,we aim to address concerns related to geographically isolated and critically small lizard populations,highlighting why they face an exceptionally high risk of extinction.We also explore the potential for entire populations to vanish without notice.A comprehensive understanding of these factors is essential to inform the prioritization of conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding lizard populations in tropical countries under future climate change scenarios.
基金supported by the Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation and Innovative Development of Chinese Medicine—of China(2023AFD144)the Funds for Distinguished Young Scholars of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine(2022ZZXJ1003)to L.Z.
文摘Arthropoda,a diverse phylum encompassing Myriapoda,Crustacea,Chelicerata,and Insecta,constitutes more than 80%of the total number of documented species(Qu et al.2020).Within these groups,centipedes(Chilopoda)hold a unique position as one of the oldest terrestrial venomous groups,with a fossil history spanning 430 million years.This lineage encompasses five orders and includes more than 3500 species(Undheim&King 2011).Centipedes,characterized by having a pair of legs per segment,have drawn significant attention in the biomedical field(Undheim et al.2015)due to their production of venoms in specialized venom glands that have modified the first pair of trunk legs(Giribet&Edgecombe 2019).Centipedes are carnivorous,soil-dwelling invertebrates with a predatory nature,playing a pivotal role as indicators of soil biodiversity and serving as vital tools for evaluating ecosystem health(Dugon 2017;Halpin et al.2021).Despite their ecological value,the evolutionary ecology of myriapods has received relatively less attention compared to other arthropods.However,recent advances have been made,with nonchromosomallevel genomes of five millipedes and four centipedes having been published,shedding more light on their evolutionary history(Chipman et al.2014;Kenny et al.2015;Qu et al.2020;So et al.2022).
文摘Pea,rice,hemp,and oat proteins at concentrations of 5%and 10%were modified using controlled hydrolysis by Alcalase^(®)(4%,g enzyme/g protein)during 30,60,120,and 300 min,and their solubility and surface properties were measured.The degree of hydrolysis(DH%)gradually increased with hydrolysis time(R^(2)≥85%)and(R^(2)≥96%)at 5%and 10%protein concentrations,respectively.The protein profile of hydrolysates suggests that Alcalase^(®)cleaved the pea,rice,and oat proteins to smaller sizes up to 15 kDa and the hemp protein to larger polypeptides with exposure of basic subunits(20 kDa).All plant proteins at 5%and 10%protein concentrations were greatly solubilised after 30 min of hydrolysis(at pH 8.0 and temperature 50℃)compared with their unhydrolysed counterparts.Increasing the hydrolysis time to four,five,and ten times more than 30 min further increased protein solubility.The relative fluorescent intensity from the spectrofluorometer suggests that hydrophobic groups remained unchanged after hydrolysis in rice protein.This agrees with the low DH%of rice protein.Unhydrolysed pea had the highest hydrophobicity with values of 59.69±1.94 and 86.28±2.88 at 5%and 10%protein,respectively,which decreased through hydrolysis.On the other hand,hemp hydrolysates had the highest hydrophobicity compared with their unhydrolysed counterparts at both protein concentrations.Hydrolysis increased surface charge only in oat protein.Higher protein concentration led to lower protein solubility in oat and hemp proteins.These results showed that prolonged hydrolysis and higher protein concentration can affect the dynamic association and dissociation of proteins leading the functional groups previously exposed by hydrolysis to hide in the interior of the protein structure.
基金funded by the National Science and Technology Basic Resources Survey Project(SQ2019FY101602)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31660195).
