Integrative zoology最新文献

{"title":"The Genetic Basis of Elongated Tails in Birds: Evidence for Sexual Selection as a Driver of Convergent Evolution","authors":"Hui Wang,&nbsp;Yu Liu,&nbsp;Nan Lyu,&nbsp;Zhengwang Zhang,&nbsp;De Chen,&nbsp;Qiong Liu","doi":"10.1111/1749-4877.70043","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1749-4877.70043","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Elongated tails are exaggerated ornaments observed in various bird species, and their functional and evolutionary dynamics have attracted considerable attention. Empirical studies consistently show that sexual selection is a major drive of tail elongation. However, the genetic basis of this trait remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we performed comparative genomic analyses of 23 bird species, including 7 with extremely long tails and 16 with relative short tails. Genes related to feather development exhibited amino acid convergence replacement (e.g., <i>APC</i>) or displayed faster evolutionary rates (e.g., <i>LEF1</i>, <i>WISP3</i>) in the long-tailed species. Importantly, we identified convergence replacements of amino acids and rapid evolution in genes related to reproductive functions (e.g., <i>PAQR7</i>) and immunity (e.g., <i>ADA</i>), suggesting that elongated tails may serve as honest signals of genetic quality. In conclusion, this study provides genomic evidence supporting the role of sexual selection in the evolution of elongated tails, revealing an intricate interplay between sexually selected traits, fitness, and immune competence.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":13654,"journal":{"name":"Integrative zoology","volume":"21 5","pages":"1235-1245"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145700762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Haemosporidian Parasite Infections and Host-Feeding Preferences of Hematophagous Insects Collected at the Birds of Prey Nests With Confirmation of Vectors for Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon sp.","authors":"Dovilė Bukauskaitė,&nbsp;Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas,&nbsp;Mélanie Duc,&nbsp;Margarita Kazak,&nbsp;Rasa Bernotienė,&nbsp;Rimgaudas Treinys","doi":"10.1111/1749-4877.70033","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1749-4877.70033","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Avian haemosporidian parasites, such as <i>Haemoproteus</i>, <i>Leucocytozoon</i>, and <i>Plasmodium</i> are transmitted by blood-sucking insects and can negatively affect their host. These parasites have specific life cycles that allow them to survive and spread efficiently through their vectors. However, the research on vectors and their feeding preferences are scarce. Therefore, in this study, we investigated haemosporidian parasite vectors and their feeding preferences in insects collected at birds of prey nests. To catch the vectors, UV-light traps were hung at the nests of birds of prey between June and July 2020 and 2021. Parous and nulliparous biting midge females were separated. Parous females were dissected for salivary gland preparations, and their remnants were stored in 96% EtOH for PCR-based analysis. We screened parous females for the presence of parasites amplifying a fragment of the cytochrome <i>b</i> gene of haemosporidian parasites using specific primers (Plas1F/HaemNR3 and 3760F/HaemJR4). To identify the feeding preference, we analyzed 73 engorged biting midge females using vertebrate specific primers L14841/H15149. In total, we dissected and analyzed 1262 parous biting midges (<i>Culicoides</i> spp.) and three blackfly (<i>Simulium</i> spp.) females. We found that <i>Simulium vernum</i> is a natural vector of <i>Leucocytozoon</i> sp. and identified <i>Haemoproteus</i> spp. sporozoite<i>s</i> in <i>Culicoides kibunensis</i>, <i>Culicoides pictipennis</i>, and <i>Culicoides segnis</i>. DNA of three birds and two mammals was detected in engorged biting midges.</p>\u0000 <p>In conclusion, our study provides valuable insights into the identification of natural vectors of avian haemosporidian parasites and their feeding preferences, contributing to a better understanding of the ecological dynamics that influence parasite transmission.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":13654,"journal":{"name":"Integrative zoology","volume":"21 5","pages":"1094-1104"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145534554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Excess Precipitation in Early Growing Season Increases Pathogen Pressure in Semiarid Grassland Ecosystem","authors":"Gaojian Li,&nbsp;Bin Hu,&nbsp;Mengyan Cheng,&nbsp;Shuyi Han,&nbsp;Jiqi Lu,&nbsp;Qiyong Liu,&nbsp;Hongxuan He","doi":"10.1111/1749-4877.70014","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1749-4877.70014","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Rodents are important reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, and the <i>Capillaria hepatica</i> they carry pose a potential threat to public health in grassland ecosystems. Climate-driven changes in precipitation show complex effects on disease ecology, particularly in steppe grasslands where extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent. Here, to investigate the effects of precipitation patterns on the epidemic dynamics of <i>C. hepatica</i> in host populations, we conducted a 7-year manipulation experiment in twelve 0.48-ha field enclosures in semiarid steppe grassland. We found that rainfall increases in the early growing season intensified the infection rate and infection intensity of the parasite. Structural equation model demonstrated that additional precipitation indirectly affected epidemic dynamics by changing population parameters including body weight and population size. On the other hand, <i>C. hepatica</i> in the enclosure also exhibited obvious male-biased parasitic characteristics, which were not observed in the wild population. In brief, our results provide experimental evidence for the impacts of rainfall patterns on parasite epidemiological dynamics at population level and highlight the importance of early rainfall increase on the parasite transmission in the semiarid grassland.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":13654,"journal":{"name":"Integrative zoology","volume":"21 5","pages":"1137-1144"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145488509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Two-Step Loss of GLUTs in the High-Metabolism Passerines","authors":"Lei Wu,&nbsp;Yanzhu Ji,&nbsp;Fumin Lei","doi":"10.1111/1749-4877.12958","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1749-4877.12958","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Glucose transporters (GLUTs) play vital roles in cellular metabolism. Understanding their evolutionary dynamics in birds is essential for elucidating avian physiology and adaptation. However, the choice of gene detection method in gene family analysis may affect the conclusion. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation of methodologies and GLUT gene loss events in avian lineages, focusing on the loss of GLUT4 and GLUT8. To illustrate the effects of these methods, we first employed BUSCO-based homolog identification, calculated pairwise evolutionary distances between different species, and performed separate blastn and blastp searches to identify homologs in two groups of animals. Our analyses revealed a significant decline in blastn accuracy with increasing evolutionary distance, represented by relative divergence times. Through a more robust blastp-based gene detection pipeline, we provide evidence for the loss of GLUT genes in birds based on 58 vertebrate genomes, including 47 bird species. Our results support the reported early loss of GLUT4 in Aves. We also newly emphasize the absence of GLUT8 in passerines, potentially due to adaptation to high-sugar diets in their ancestors. These findings enhance our knowledge of avian metabolism and the evolution of GLUT genes.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":13654,"journal":{"name":"Integrative zoology","volume":"21 5","pages":"1246-1253"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143407319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hemoparasites of the Four-Eyed Frog (Pleurodema thaul) From Chile","authors":"Rocío Sanhueza-Caba,&nbsp;Daniela Doussang,&nbsp;Claudio Azat","doi":"10.1111/1749-4877.70055","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1749-4877.70055","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Amphibians host a diverse array of macro and microparasites, and these relationships can provide relevant information for assessing and monitoring population and ecosystem health. The dynamics and outcomes of these host–parasite interactions are influenced by several biotic and abiotic factors, as well as by the characteristics of both the parasite and the host. This study aims to identify hemoparasites in <i>Pleurodema thaul</i> (four-eyed frog) (Leptodactylidae) across its extensive distribution in Chile and to explore potential relationships between parasite occurrence, host traits, and habitat variables. To achieve this, we surveyed <i>P. thaul</i> populations from 40 localities between the extreme north and south of Chile (22–43°S), in a latitudinal gradient of 2500 km. In each locality, individuals were actively searched along the margin of water bodies, manually captured, sexed, and measured using standard morphometric and biosecurity protocols. Blood samples were collected via facial vein puncture using needles and heparinized capillary tubes. Smears were prepared on-site, fixed with methanol, and stained with 10% Giemsa for subsequent microscopic analysis at 40× and 100× magnification. Hemoparasites were detected in 61% (221/363) of individuals, with three genera identified: the hemogregarines <i>Hepatozoon</i> sp. and <i>Dactylosoma</i> sp. (Adeleorina), with a prevalence of 7% and 39%, respectively, and the hemococcidium <i>Lankesterella</i> sp. (Eimeriorina), with 22%. The study describes the key characteristics of these parasites in both intra- and extracellular developmental stages. These findings contribute to the understanding of anuran hemoparasites by expanding knowledge on their distribution, morphological traits, and local and regional host–parasite interactions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":13654,"journal":{"name":"Integrative zoology","volume":"21 5","pages":"1105-1117"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145951788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Field to Lab: Giant Toad (Rhinella horribilis) as an Emerging Model for the Study of Amphibian Blood Parasites","authors":"Nubia E. Matta,&nbsp;Brayan Andrés Gamboa-Suárez,&nbsp;Angélica Tatiana Ospina-Rios,&nbsp;Gustavo Andres Fuentes-Rodriguez,&nbsp;Myriam Navarrete Jimenez","doi":"10.1111/1749-4877.70028","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1749-4877.70028","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Amphibians are experiencing significant declines due to habitat destruction, climate change, and the emergence of infectious diseases, such as chytridiomycosis. Despite their historical use as research models, standardized amphibian models are currently scarce. The Neotropics, particularly Colombia, host a remarkable diversity of amphibians, with approximately 876 species recorded. While hemoparasites are frequently reported in these species, their life cycles remain poorly characterized due to chronic infections and reliance on invertebrate vectors. This study identifies <i>Rhinella horribilis</i> (Wiegmann, 1833) as a promising animal model for pathogen research. These toads are widespread in the Neotropics; in fact, other members of this genus, such as <i>Rhinella marina</i> (Linnaeus, 1758), are invasive in some regions. They host a diverse range of blood and ectoparasites yet face minimal conservation concerns. We aimed to standardize the ex situ husbandry of <i>R. horribilis</i> under conditions that differed from its native habitat, successfully maintaining them for a period of 2 years. We describe optimal care protocols and present a case study monitoring trypanosome presence. Our findings support <i>R. horribilis</i> as a valuable model for studying amphibian pathogens. Their manageable size, non-lethal blood collection, broad distribution, and natural susceptibility to infections make them ideal for long-term research in physiology, ethology, microbiology, and parasitology. This model could facilitate studies on <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)</i> and blood parasites, advancing conservation efforts for endangered species.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":13654,"journal":{"name":"Integrative zoology","volume":"21 5","pages":"1069-1076"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145534561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Onchocercidae (Nematoda: Filarioidea) Infecting Colombian Avian Hosts: Insight From Morphotypes of Microfilariae and Molecular Lineages","authors":"Gustavo Andrés Fuentes-Rodríguez,&nbsp;Nubia E. Matta,&nbsp;Angie D. González","doi":"10.1111/1749-4877.70065","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1749-4877.70065","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Members of the Onchocercidae family are parasites that infect a wide range of tetrapods, including wild birds and other animals. In Colombia, studies on avian blood parasites have diagnosed infections with microfilariae in several species using light microscopy. However, no morphological or molecular analyses of these nematodes have been conducted to date. The present study examined samples from 3820 wild birds with material deposited in the biological collection of the Host–Parasite Relationship Study Group since 1999. Of these individuals, 142 (3.7%) were infected with microfilaria and were analyzed using morphological and morphometric measurements. Additionally, 55 samples with blood or tissue preserved in ethanol were analyzed for sequencing of nuclear marker 18S rDNA and mitochondrial markers 12S rDNA and COI. Morphological analyses showed infection by at least one of 13 designed morphotypes of microfilariae. Twenty-nine sequences were obtained (10 of COI, 6 of 12S, and 13 of 18S), corresponding to 21 molecular lineages associated with Onchocercidae. These sequences were associated with the subfamilies Lemdaninae and Splendidofilariinae, the genera <i>Aproctella</i> Cram, 1931<i>, Splendidofilaria</i> Skrjabin, 1923, and <i>Eufilaria</i> Seurat, 1921, and other sequences did not cluster within any genus for which sequences were available for a particular molecular marker. These findings establish the first framework of morphological and molecular diversity of avian Onchocercidae in the megadiverse Neotropical country Colombia, expanding the known distribution of several genera and highlighting the need for further sampling of adult filariids to refine taxonomic resolution.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":13654,"journal":{"name":"Integrative zoology","volume":"21 5","pages":"1118-1136"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146124069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Review of Genetic Information of Morphologically Described Haemoproteus Parasites Recorded in GenBank and MalAvi Databases","authors":"Misa Shimizu,&nbsp;Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas,&nbsp;Jenny C. Dunn","doi":"10.1111/1749-4877.70031","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1749-4877.70031","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Haemoproteus</i> Kruse, 1890 (Haemosporida: Haemoproteiidae) parasites are known for their high genetic diversity, avian host-specificity, and wide geographical distribution. Currently, 2019 lineages are registered as <i>Haemoproteus</i> species, but only 160 of them have been linked to morphospecies. Two main open access and independent databases are used to compile genetic, geographical, and host information on <i>Haemoproteus</i> parasites: GenBank and MalAvi. However, the data registered are not integrated, representing an obstacle in investigating <i>Haemoproteus</i> parasites. Here, we review all reported avian <i>Haemoproteus</i> lineages convincingly linked to morphospecies. First, we collected all records from GenBank and MalAvi and extracted <i>Haemoproteus</i> parasites identified from wild birds using the cytochrome <i>b</i> gene, with clear evidence of gametocytes being present in blood smears. This led to 135 lineages that were phylogenetically analyzed and compared regarding their distribution across bird species, families, orders, and geographic regions. Most lineages were identified from Passeriformes (68.8%, 95 lineages) and Columbiformes (13.8%, 19 lineages). Phylogenetic analysis shows the relation between bird host families and parasite lineages, confirming that <i>Haemoproteus</i> parasites are highly host-specific and that morphospecies tend to cluster phylogenetically. The global patterns of host-bird specificity and distributions show that lineages linked with morphospecies were skewed toward Europe and South America. Additionally, there are discrepancies between the two databases, as well as lineages in MalAvi linked to morphospecies without clear evidence of morphological identification. In conclusion, the research on <i>Haemoproteus</i> parasites would benefit from establishing a clear protocol for data registration and integrating the morphological and molecular methods for parasite screening.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":13654,"journal":{"name":"Integrative zoology","volume":"21 5","pages":"1077-1093"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145700778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Host Traits and Avian Malaria Parasites: Understanding the Intrinsic Connections","authors":"Paula A. Pinzón-Cárdenas,&nbsp;Catalina González-Quevedo,&nbsp;Guillermo L. Rúa-Uribe,&nbsp;Javier Pérez-Tris,&nbsp;Héctor F. Rivera-Gutiérrez","doi":"10.1111/1749-4877.70021","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1749-4877.70021","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Parasitism can play a key role in shaping species’ adaptability to environmental changes. Understanding how intrinsic traits of bird species influence susceptibility to haemosporidian infection is critical for understanding host–parasite dynamics, especially in biodiverse tropical regions. This study aimed to determine the host traits that influence the probability of haemosporidian infection in birds in a tropical country. We compiled published haemosporidian diagnoses of birds from Colombia and data on ecological, morphological, coloration, and sexual selection (dimorphism and dichromatism) traits. We also calculated an index for habitat specialization. Using phylogenetic generalized linear models (phylo-GLMs), we performed a phylogenetically informed comparative analysis of 115 bird species from different families with diverse characteristics. Our analysis revealed that migratory species, birds with larger body sizes, and those with more colorful plumage had a higher probability of infection. Conversely, habitat specialization was negatively associated with infection risk. Our results are explained in the framework of increased exposure to haemosporidian vectors. However, further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between the traits related to sexual selection and infection. These findings provide valuable insights into host–parasite dynamics in tropical bird communities and help to understand susceptibility factors, considering the potential negative consequences for avian communities.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":13654,"journal":{"name":"Integrative zoology","volume":"21 5","pages":"1055-1068"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145563804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exo-Erythrocytic Development of Haemoproteus belopolskyi (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) in the Type-Vertebrate Host Hippolais icterina, With Remarks on Phenotypic Variation in Avian Haemoproteids","authors":"Mélanie Tchoumbou,&nbsp;Tanja Himmel,&nbsp;Josef Harl,&nbsp;Tatjana Iezhova,&nbsp;Vytautas Eigirdas,&nbsp;Herbert Weissenböck,&nbsp;Gediminas Valkiūnas","doi":"10.1111/1749-4877.70126","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1749-4877.70126","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The patterns of exo-erythrocytic development remain poorly understood for most described <i>Haemoproteus</i> parasites. Three modes of exo-erythrocytic development have been recognized so far: <i>Haemoproteus</i> species that develop only meronts, only megalomeronts, and both morphotypes. The factors underlying the occurrence of these different tissue stages in certain <i>Haemoproteus</i> lineages remain unclear, emphasizing the need for further research on these parasites, which can cause severe disease in non-adapted avian hosts. We investigated, for the first time, the tissue merogony of <i>Haemoproteus belopolskyi</i> in the type-vertebrate host, the Icterine Warbler, <i>Hippolais icterina</i> (Acrocephalidae). Twenty-two naturally infected birds were examined using an integrative approach that included microscopy, nested PCR, traditional histology, chromogenic in situ hybridization, and laser capture microdissection. Phylogenetic analysis of the parasite's partial cytochrome b gene showed a close relationship among the detected <i>Haemoproteus</i> lineages. Megalomeronts of <i>H. belopolskyi</i> were found in the kidneys and heart of eight individuals. In addition to big megalomeronts, small immature meront-like structures were seen in the renal tubules. Molecular analyses and systematic comparison of these structures showed that they represent young (initial) stages of megalomeront development. Laser capture microdissection demonstrated that both the immature and advanced megalomeronts belonged to the <i>H. belopolskyi</i> lineage hHIICT1, indicating that <i>H. belopolskyi</i> produces only megalomeronts and highlighting the importance of integrative analyses to identify tissue stages of different sizes and morphologies.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":13654,"journal":{"name":"Integrative zoology","volume":"21 5","pages":"1190-1205"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147987311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}