The Science of Nature最新文献

{"title":"Cytochrome-b discriminates civet species: A case study of suspected civets in Tamil Nadu, India","authors":"Radhakrishnan Uma Maheswari,&nbsp;Kalaiyarasan Boopathy Thiyagarajan,&nbsp;Chandrasekaran Bala Amarnath,&nbsp;Saikumar Sakthinarenderan,&nbsp;Dhayanithi Vasanthakumari,&nbsp;Sekar Senbagapriya","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02111-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02111-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In India, eight civet species have been documented. Among these, the Asian palm civet and the Small Indian civet are most frequently reported in poaching incidents for bushmeat and other purposes. In this study, we examined four processed leg samples (<i>n</i> = 4) seized by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and suspected to be of civet origin. DNA was extracted and four partial mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b (cyt-b), 12 S ribosomal RNA (12 S rRNA), 16 S ribosomal RNA (16 S rRNA), and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COXI)) were amplified for species identification. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis indicated that cyt-b provided clearer species-level resolution compared to the other genes, which showed ambiguous matches, likely due to limited reference data in the NCBI database. Phylogenetic analysis further confirmed that all samples originated from <i>Paradoxurus jerdoni</i> (brown palm civet). This case study shows that lesser-reported civet species may also be involved in wildlife trade and demonstrates that cyt-b is a practical genetic marker for forensic identification under current database limitations. The findings highlight the need for robust reference databases to improve species discrimination in wildlife forensic investigations and support enforcement efforts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147829674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"More than meets the (human) eye: Cryptic chromatic diversity in a colour polymorphic lizard","authors":"Guillem Pérez i de Lanuza,&nbsp;Enrique Font","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02106-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02106-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Understanding the evolution of polymorphisms, such as colour polymorphisms, is a key aim in evolutionary biology. Accurate, objective description of the different colour variants is crucial to correctly explore colour polymorphisms, a task that can be hindered by the existence of cryptic morphs. Colour polymorphisms are common in many lizards, including lacertids (fam. Lacertidae). The common wall lizard, <i>Podarcis muralis</i>, shows a complex colour polymorphism involving up to five discrete morphs that differ in their ventral coloration: white, yellow, and orange pure morphs, as well as white-orange and yellow-orange mosaic morphs. Here we report that colour polymorphism in this species is more complex than hitherto appreciated due to the presence of two different types of white coloration: one absorbing and another reflecting in the near ultraviolet (UV). Our results show that both colours are found in all populations although in different frequencies. Visual models indicate that both whites are likely to be perceived by the lizards as distinct colour categories. No equivalent cryptic colour variation was found among yellow or orange animals. However, the two whites are also present in white-orange mosaics. As both whites are present in different adult individuals from the same population, it seems more adequate to describe the ventral polymorphism of <i>P. muralis</i> as comprising not five, but seven morphs: UV-absorbing white (UV⁻white), UV-reflecting white (UV⁺white), yellow and orange pure morphs, as well as UV⁻white-orange, UV⁺white-orange, and yellow-orange mosaic morphs. Our results demonstrate that the two types of white are also found in other <i>Podarcis</i> species as well as in other lacertids, revealing that this phenomenon is not a derived character restricted to <i>Podarcis</i>. The existence of cryptic morphs highlights the impact of relying on anthropomorphic descriptions in studies of colour polymorphisms.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00114-026-02106-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147829149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Different cadaver astigmatan mites (Arthropoda: Acari) are designed to bite flesh differently","authors":"Clive E Bowman,&nbsp;M Alejandra Perotti","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02108-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02108-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>How dead bodies decay is useful forensically. Necrophagous astigmatan mites (Acari: Sarcoptiformes) commonly attacking cadavers change from protein-seeking Type 1 surface feeding omnivores to interstitial Type 2 fragmentary feeding obligate fungivore / microbiovores as human body decomposition progresses after death. An analytical occlusive method shows that at each forensic decay stage the chelae of the astigmatans are designed to bite foodstuff differently. Fixed chelal digits are more ‘toothy’ than moveable digits in such sarcoptiform mites. Variation in fixed digit design is all about the size and pattern of peaks (‘peakiness’) for biting, while astigmatan moveable digit variation is mainly about the size and pattern of valleys (’gullet-ness’) for the ‘scooping’ of decaying material. Foodstuff caught on the moveable digit is thus masticated against the fixed digit like an ‘excavation-bucket’ machine used for handling aggregates in building construction. <i>Lardoglyphus zacheri</i> has a distinct chela suitable to slice flesh and grip myofibrils. <i>Acarus siro</i> through <i>Sancassania berlesei</i> to <i>Tyrophagus putrescentiae</i> show a cline in digit design from a dry material ‘demolition crusher’ with rough surface digits, through a wet chunk and slice feeder, to a specialist multifunctional saprophage. <i>Sancassania berlesei</i> is unlikely to actively burrow into flesh. Trophic niche width increases from stage 2 (bloated putrefaction) as soft food specialist species invade. Niche width markedly widens at stage 5 (mummified dry desiccated bones and remains), as incorporation into a soil with diverse saprophagous mites is coming to completion.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00114-026-02108-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Desert treasures: a comprehensive review of the diversity, phytochemistry, ethnobotany, and conservation of thar desert flora","authors":"Ummar Iqbal,&nbsp;Hafiza Zahra Naseem,&nbsp;Hadia Jabeen,&nbsp;Muhammad Faraz Gul,&nbsp;Saba Gul,&nbsp;Nargis Naz,&nbsp;Mansoor Hameed,&nbsp;Farooq Ahmad,&nbsp;Muhammad Sajid Aqeel Ahmad,&nbsp;Muhammad Ashraf","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02099-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02099-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Thar Desert, one of South Asia largest arid ecosystems, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and ecological diversity. It supports unique indigenous communities whose livelihoods depend on agriculture, animal husbandry, and traditional crafts such as woodworking, wool weaving, and jewelry making. Despite its ecological and medicinal significance, much of the region’s ethnobotanical knowledge remains undocumented. To systematically characterize the distribution, diversity, and medicinal potential of Thar Desert flora, an extensive literature review was conducted using scientific databases including Flora of Pakistan, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), and Plants of the World Online (POWO), as well as search engines such as Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect (1980–2024). A total of 162 plant species belonging to 69 families were documented and evaluated for their phytochemical composition, ethnomedicinal relevance, and conservation status across the Thar Desert. The dominant families—Poaceae (27%), Fabaceae (16%), and Asteraceae (11%)—exhibit remarkable ecological adaptability through halophytic, xerophytic, and nitrogen-fixing traits that stabilize sand dunes, enhance soil fertility, and provide forage for livestock and wildlife. The life-form spectrum is dominated by therophytes (45%), followed by chamaephytes (28%), phanerophytes (10%), hemicryptophytes (9%), cryptophytes (7%), and parasitic species (1%). Alarmingly, 52% of the documented taxa are listed as Data Deficient and 3% as Critically Endangered, underscoring the urgent need for conservation. Phytochemical evidence highlights the abundance of terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids, compounds of recognized pharmacological value. However, increasing pressures from habitat degradation, overgrazing, and climate change continue to threaten this fragile ecosystem. To safeguard the Thar Desert biological and ethno-medicinal heritage, immediate conservation interventions are recommended. These include afforestation programs, sustainable rangeland and water management, biotechnological propagation of threatened taxa, and comprehensive documentation of indigenous medicinal practices. Strengthening protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves, along with implementing community-based conservation and policy integration, will be essential. Such coordinated actions are critical to preserving the Thar Desert biodiversity, promoting sustainable use of its flora, and maintaining its invaluable cultural and medicinal legacy for future generations.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147759331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reproduction by worker-derived kings under natural conditions in the termite Reticulitermes speratus","authors":"Mamoru Takata,&nbsp;Soshi Araki,&nbsp;Michihiko Takahashi,&nbsp;Kenji Matsuura","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02105-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02105-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A defining feature of eusociality is the presence of a lifelong sterile caste, such as workers and soldiers, that forgo reproduction entirely. In many species, however, workers are not absolutely sterile but are instead functionally sterile—they retain reproductive potential that can be expressed under certain conditions. Why this potential persists despite the evolutionary expectation of trait loss remains an open question. In this study, we present the first field-based evidence that worker-derived male reproductives, previously known only from laboratory observations, can successfully reproduce under natural conditions in the subterranean termite <i>Reticulitermes speratus</i>. A survey of 702 field colonies identified one colony containing only worker-derived kings. Microsatellite genotyping confirmed that these individuals reproduced via mother–son mating (i.e., within-colony inbreeding), and the caste fate of their offspring matched the expected pattern for matings between worker-derived kings and nymph-derived queens. Importantly, no male nymphs—the usual precursors of male reproductives—were present in the colony. Further investigation revealed that 40% of surveyed colonies (6 out of 15) entirely lacked male nymphs, indicating that such conditions may occur with non-negligible frequency in the wild. These findings suggest that worker-derived males gain rare but functional reproductive opportunities when typical male reproductives are absent, thereby maintaining their reproductive capacity over evolutionary timescales. This study provides important insight into the mechanisms that preserve reproductive totipotency in eusocial workers and underscores the value of examining reproductive roles in natural contexts to better understand the evolution of permanent sterility and true superorganismality.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147738414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Local biophysical drivers outweigh climatic controls in shaping juniper regeneration in the Eastern Hindu Kush: implications for conservation","authors":"Nasir Ud Din,&nbsp;Nasrullah Khan","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02104-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02104-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Junipers are a vital component of the montane ecosystems in the Hindu Kush, and their regeneration and healthy recruitment are critical for the long-term sustainability of these woodlands. However, the current regeneration status and the environmental and socio-ecological drivers shaping it remain insufficiently investigated. We assessed the natural regeneration of junipers from 30 stands (300 plots) and examined the environmental factors, disturbance gradients, and stand structural attributes that influence their patterns. Cluster analysis identified three distinct community types (hereafter C-I to C-III); each represents various regeneration dynamics and disturbance levels. Overall, regeneration was poor (seedling density &lt; 46 ± 4.54 individuals ha^− 1) and significantly declined with disturbance intensity (<i>R²</i>= 0.39; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Importantly, regeneration varied among the communities, with significantly higher seedlings and saplings recorded in C-I (least disturbed) compared to C-II and C-III (moderately and highly disturbed, respectively) (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that regeneration was positively associated with soil clay, phosphorus, potassium, water availability, saturation, and field capacity, with a moderate impact from structural attributes. However, elevation, sand, and bulk density were negative drivers. Structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that topography exerted a strong negative (<i>PC</i>= -0.87), while soil factors had a strong positive effects (<i>PC</i> = 0.49) on regeneration, with climate showing a minimal effect. Our findings suggest that these woodlands exhibit considerably low regeneration, highlighting the urgent need for management interventions. Efforts should focus on improving soil conditions and addressing topography-related limitations, while controlling human-induced disturbances such as deforestation to maintain healthy woodland dynamics.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147738710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cuticular hydrocarbons as biomarkers of developmental stages in Thanatophilus sinuatus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): evidence from GC–MS and random forest modeling","authors":"Swaima Sharif,&nbsp;Pavel Jakubec,&nbsp;Hannah Moore,&nbsp;Robert Cody,&nbsp;Jens Amendt,&nbsp;Ayesha Qamar","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02103-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02103-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The analysis of cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles can provide valuable insights into species identification, immature development and adult ageing, sexual communication, reproductive functions, and other physiological processes of insects. This study investigated the CHC profiles across the life stages of <i>Thanatophilus sinuatus</i> (Fabricius, 1775), a carrion beetle species commonly associated with decomposing tissues, including human remains. We examined the first, second, and third larval instars, the pupa, and the adult male and female using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. A total of 56 CHCs were identified, including <i>n</i>-alkanes, branched alkanes, and alkenes. Branched alkanes were dominant throughout development, while significant compositional differences were observed among stages. Certain compounds showed consistent proportions across development, suggesting roles in physiological or behavioral processes. Gender-specific differences were also evident, with some CHCs detected exclusively in males or females, potentially linked to sexual communication and reproductive functions. Principal component analysis revealed distinct clustering of developmental stages, and Random Forest classification with out-of-bag validation confirmed high predictive accuracy of CHC profiles for developmental stage identification. These findings highlight the potential of CHC profiling, combined with machine learning approaches, as a valuable tool, particularly useful in situations where specimens of <i>T. sinuatus</i> or other related species are damaged, incomplete, or present only as chemical residues, rather than when intact larvae are available. CHC profiling offers a complementary method for cases where diagnostic characters are missing or obscured.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147715543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multilevel variation in pathogen susceptibility and grooming behavior in ant societies","authors":"Romain Willeput,&nbsp;Claire Detrain","doi":"10.1007/s00114-025-02055-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-025-02055-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ant societies rely on a combination of individual and collective defenses to mitigate pathogen exposure and transmission. Certain morphological, physiological, and life-history traits are expected to influence ant susceptibility to pathogens. In species with an exclusively subterranean lifestyle, such as the yellow meadow ant <i>Lasius flavus</i>, a weakly sclerotized and depigmented cuticle is assumed to increase vulnerability to contact-transmitted entomopathogens, potentially favoring a compensatory investment in grooming behavior. However, little is known about how survival and sanitary behavior are related, and how they vary across biological levels: between species, colonies, or nestmates. In this study, we exposed <i>L. flavus</i> workers to spores of the entomopathogenic fungus <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> and compared their survival with that of five closely related, pigmented, epigeous <i>Lasius</i> species. Although pathogen susceptibility and grooming behavior differed among species, <i>L. flavus</i> workers unexpectedly showed levels comparable to those of most epigeous species. Mortality also varied significantly across <i>L. flavus</i> colonies and between functional groups of workers, with foragers experiencing higher mortality than intranidal workers, likely due to immunosenescence. Across <i>Lasius</i> species, both self-grooming and acidopore-grooming correlated positively with survival, suggesting that these behaviors contribute to pathogen resistance at the interspecific level. Among <i>L. flavus</i> colonies and functional groups of workers, the weaker, non-significant correlation between survival and grooming suggests that other immune traits may prevail at this level. Overall, our findings highlight both individual- and colony-level variation in pathogen susceptibility and emphasize the interplay between immune defenses and behavioral strategies in shaping species-specific adaptations to pathogenic threats.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147669635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Behaviour and vocalization of Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) in rutting harems considering the sex-specific vocal anatomy","authors":"Roland Frey,&nbsp;Ilya A. Volodin,&nbsp;Vadim E. Kirilyuk,&nbsp;Elena V. Volodina","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02102-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02102-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We investigated behaviour and vocalization of wild-living male and female Mongolian gazelles during the winter rutting period, occurring at low temperatures, on average − 21.7˚C. We used both manual and automated audio recordings and manual video recordings of calling animals in rutting harems. Recording vocalizations with automated devices placed within harems documented a high vocal activity during the rut in both sexes. Harem males produced their series of rutting <i>barks</i> day and night. Video recordings revealed larynx retraction at each <i>bark</i> resulting in substantial vocal tract elongation. Harem females produced various <i>contact calls</i> but did not produce <i>barks</i>. Both sexes produced nasal alarm <i>snorts</i> and oral <i>running calls</i>, with widely open mouth during galloping. Mating behaviour and fights between rival males were not accompanied by any calls. Both male rutting <i>barks</i> and female <i>contact calls</i> were unusually high-frequency for animals of such size. We integrated data on behavioural postures and acoustic variables with data on sex-specific vocal anatomy, obtained during dissections of male and female specimens. We showed that Mongolian gazelle is the only studied ruminant, in which flexible vocal folds were evolutionarily lost. For both male and female larynges, we report the lack of any thin and flexible, rostrally directed mucosal parts in the glottal region suggesting that Mongolian gazelle, contrary to most other mammals, do not produce their calls by expiratory airflow-induced vocal fold vibration. The production mechanism of the high-frequency calls in Mongolian gazelle remains unclear. We discuss the evolution of vocal rutting behaviour in polygynous Mongolian gazelles.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147643059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptations of seal louse nits to underwater life: morphology, respiration and attachment","authors":"Anika Preuss,&nbsp;Thomas van de Kamp,&nbsp;Stanislav N. Gorb","doi":"10.1007/s00114-026-02095-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-026-02095-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Marine mammals host a variety of parasites, engaged in continuous evolutionary competition. Our understanding of parasitic insects associated with these mammals, specifically their physiological adaptations to the marine environment, remains limited. Among thirteen insect species capable of enduring extended underwater periods in open oceans is the seal louse, <i>Echinophthirius horridus</i>, which infests true seals. This species relies on adaptations to survive extreme conditions such as hypoxia, temperature variations, hydrostatic pressure, and drag forces during host dives. These conditions affect both adult lice and louse embryos within their nits. Questions arise about how these early stages survive underwater, respire inside the eggs during dives, and what limits their survival. Using CLSM, SEM, and synchrotron X-ray microtomography, we identified morphological structures consistent with a potentially specialized respiratory system in the nits, a multi-layered eggshell and structural features that may help limit water entry. Adhesive force tests showed that the nit sheath attaching eggs to seal hair is not the primary vulnerability during host dives; rather, prolonged submersion likely imposes oxygen limitation over time. This research enhances our understanding of ectoparasite-host dynamics in marine mammals and demonstrates remarkable adaptability of insects to challenging aquatic niches.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00114-026-02095-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147642900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}