The Science of Nature最新文献

Using ensemble modeling to predict the current distribution of Pistacia atlantica Desf. in Algeria 利用集合建模预测阿尔及利亚Pistacia atlantica Desf.的当前分布。

IF 2.1 3区生物学

The Science of Nature Pub Date : 2024-11-19 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01951-3

Massinissa Aloui, Souad Neffar, Haroun Chenchouni

{"title":"Using ensemble modeling to predict the current distribution of Pistacia atlantica Desf. in Algeria","authors":"Massinissa Aloui, Souad Neffar, Haroun Chenchouni","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01951-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01951-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>To understand the distribution of Atlas pistachio (<i>Pistacia atlantica</i> Desf.) in Algeria, we analyzed the environmental factors influencing its habitat. This study employs an ensemble modelling (EM) approach, a robust predictive technique in ecological niche modelling that enables us to identify critical environmental drivers affecting plant distributions across different ecosystems’ focal species. The EM incorporated four prediction algorithms (generalized linear model, boosted regression trees, random forest, and maximum entropy algorithms); we modelled Atlas pistachio’s niche with 2810 occurrence points and 32 environmental variables, including climatic, edaphic, topographic, and anthropogenic factors. The model demonstrated high accuracy, with an AUC of 0.97 and TSS of 0.88. Key factors influencing distribution were precipitation in the driest month (Bio14), soil bulk density (BD), cation exchange capacity (CEC), human modification, and average diurnal amplitude (Bio2), with a relative importance of 20.1%, 12.7%, 6.7%, 4.9%, and 3.1%, respectively. These findings underscore the utility of ensemble modelling to pinpoint specific environmental variables critical to the species’ presence and ecological adaptability, which has broader implications for other plant species in arid landscapes. Notably, the probability of Atlas pistachio occurrence increased with BD and decreased with CEC and human influence. Our results emphasize the EM approach as a versatile tool in ecological modelling, facilitating species-specific analyses that contribute to broader ecological restoration efforts, especially in degraded arid and semi-arid regions. This study advances our understanding of Atlas pistachio’s environmental requirements and highlights the importance of EM in developing targeted programs to restore degraded ecosystems.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142666803","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}

引用次数: 0

Discovering spider fly (Diptera: Acroceridae) hosts and their biology using citizen science 利用公民科学发现蜘蛛蝇（双翅目：螨科）寄主及其生物学特性

IF 2.1 3区生物学

The Science of Nature Pub Date : 2024-11-12 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01948-y

Rodrigo M. Barahona-Segovia, Rubén Montenegro Vargas, Roberto Rojas, Milenko A. Aguilera, Christian R. González

引用次数: 0

Postdoctoral struggles in the Global South: insights from India 全球南部的博士后奋斗：印度的启示

IF 2.1 3区生物学

The Science of Nature Pub Date : 2024-11-11 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01949-x

Suvarna Khadakkar, Saskya van Nouhuys

引用次数: 0

Extracts from the leaves of knotweeds (Reynoutria spp.) have a stimulating effect on the germination and initial growth of wheat grains 节节草（Reynoutria spp.）叶片的提取物对小麦的发芽和初期生长有促进作用

IF 2.1 3区生物学

The Science of Nature Pub Date : 2024-11-05 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01946-0

Božena Šerá, Pratik Doshi, Lubomír Věchet

{"title":"Extracts from the leaves of knotweeds (Reynoutria spp.) have a stimulating effect on the germination and initial growth of wheat grains","authors":"Božena Šerá, Pratik Doshi, Lubomír Věchet","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01946-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01946-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p> Knotweed (<i>Reynoutria</i> sp.) plants are known in the world mainly as invasive plants. However, it is known that their rhizomes or leaves contain secondary metabolites with biological activity. Our goal was to determine which of the three knotweed plants (<i>Reynoutria japonica</i>, <i>Reynoutria × bohemica</i>, and <i>Reynoutria sachalinensis</i>) is most suitable for seed growth stimulation. We tested alcoholic extracts of all three knotweed species by seed priming method on wheat germination and seedling characteristics, when 12 measured characteristics were monitored. Extracts from all three species of <i>Reynoutria</i> sp. generally showed an improvement in wheat germination and growth compared to the control. <i>R.</i> × <i>bohemica</i> appears to be the best source for stimulating wheat growth, as seedling vigor indexes I and II, R/S dry weight, shoot and seedling lengths, root, shoot, and seedling dry weights were significantly different (ANOVA, Duncan’s test, <i>α</i> < 0.05). The plants <i>Reynoutria</i> spp. seem to be possible sources for the protection and stimulation of agriculture crops.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00114-024-01946-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142579522","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}

引用次数: 0

Fine-scale habitat selection in tree-dwelling spiders: an experimental approach 树栖蜘蛛的精细栖息地选择：一种实验方法

IF 2.1 3区生物学

The Science of Nature Pub Date : 2024-10-30 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01947-z

German Antonio Villanueva-Bonilla, Yuri Fanchini Mesas, Marcelo de Oliveira Gonzaga, Hebert da Silva Souza, Antonio Domingos Brescovit, Jober Fernando Sobczak, João Vasconcellos Neto

{"title":"Fine-scale habitat selection in tree-dwelling spiders: an experimental approach","authors":"German Antonio Villanueva-Bonilla, Yuri Fanchini Mesas, Marcelo de Oliveira Gonzaga, Hebert da Silva Souza, Antonio Domingos Brescovit, Jober Fernando Sobczak, João Vasconcellos Neto","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01947-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01947-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Habitat selection by spiders is strongly influenced by biotic factors such as the availability and diversity of prey and abiotic factors such as temperature, humidity, and the structural complexity of the habitat. Structural complexity is an aspect that intensely affects species persistence, population stability, and the coexistence of interacting species. Trees comprise a complex set of microhabitats due to their large biomass and heterogeneity of the architectural components of their trunk surface and branches. Spider species that live on trunks have diversified physiological or morphological adaptations that confer advantages in this environment. In this study, we experimentally examined the habitat choice by the tree-dwelling spiders <i>Selenops cocheleti</i> (Selenopidae), <i>Corinna rubripes</i> (Corinnidae), and <i>Loxosceles gaucho</i> (Sicariidae). We found that microhabitat specialization was restricted to trunk architectural characteristics rather than plant taxonomy. <i>Selenops cocheleti</i> and <i>C. rubripes</i> significantly preferred loose barks and holes in the trunks, respectively, showing that both spider species can evaluate the physical structure of the microhabitat on a fine scale. On the other hand, <i>L. gaucho</i> selected crevices and holes near the base of the trunk without giving much importance to the physical characteristics of the microhabitat per se (e.g., depth, height, length). Our findings indicate that for generalist predators like spiders, coexistence relies heavily on spatial segregation driven by distinct habitat preferences, irrespective of their method for capturing prey.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142540507","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}

引用次数: 0

Animal family discrimination from hair using ATR-FTIR and machine learning methods for applications in illegal wildlife trafficking 利用 ATR-FTIR 和机器学习方法从毛发中辨别动物科属，以应用于非法野生动物贩运。

IF 2.1 3区生物学

The Science of Nature Pub Date : 2024-10-24 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01944-2

Rajni Bala, Akanksha Sharma, Vishal Sharma

{"title":"Animal family discrimination from hair using ATR-FTIR and machine learning methods for applications in illegal wildlife trafficking","authors":"Rajni Bala, Akanksha Sharma, Vishal Sharma","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01944-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01944-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Wildlife forensics plays a pivotal role in the combating illegal trafficking, supporting biodiversity conservation, and aiding in the identification of animals in wildlife. Animal hair, often found in trafficking crimes, serves as vital biological evidence that can provide significant information for animal identification. This study proposes a novel method integrating machine learning classifiers with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode to enhance the effectiveness of animal identification in wildlife forensic casework. Additionally, compound microscopy has also been utilized as a preliminary tool to perform morphological analysis of hair samples from four animal families, including Bovidae, Cervidae, Elephantidae, and Felidae. Further, chemical profiling through spectral data revealed significant overlapping peaks between family Bovidae and Cervidae. The classification experiment provides the random forest (RF) classifier as the most effective for family discrimination model. This research offers valuable insights for wildlife forensics by improving the identification accuracy of unknown hair samples, thus enhancing the overall effectiveness in forensic investigations.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00114-024-01944-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142492641","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}

引用次数: 0

Hidden in red: evidence for and against red camouflage in a jumping spider (Saitis barbipes) 隐藏在红色中：一种跳跃蜘蛛（Saitis barbipes）红色伪装的证据与反证

IF 2.1 3区生物学

The Science of Nature Pub Date : 2024-10-16 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01945-1

Jasmin Laura Gerfen, Cynthia Tedore

{"title":"Hidden in red: evidence for and against red camouflage in a jumping spider (Saitis barbipes)","authors":"Jasmin Laura Gerfen, Cynthia Tedore","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01945-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01945-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Investigating the conspicuousness of animal color patterns to different observers is crucial for understanding their function. This study examines the peculiar case of a jumping spider (<i>Saitis barbipes</i>) whose males display red and black ornaments during courtship despite an apparent inability to distinguish these colors. We propose that, through predator eyes, red may actually be a better match than black to the spiders’ leaf litter background, and that the black fringe of hairs surrounding red ornaments may blur with red at natural predator acuities and viewing distances to produce a background-matching desaturated red. In a field experiment, we test whether red ornaments reduce predation relative to red ornaments painted black, and find that, unexpectedly, spiders with red ornaments are more heavily predated upon. Having established birds as the spiders’ primary predators, we image the spiders in their natural habitat using an avian-vision camera. We find their red coloration to have similar color contrast, but lower achromatic contrast, with the background than black coloration. We also find that red and black elements blur together at typical avian acuities and viewing distances to produce lower chromatic and achromatic contrasts with the background than would be seen by animals with higher acuities and/or closer viewing distances. Interestingly, red ornaments appear orange or yellow when viewed obliquely, which reduces their achromatic, but not chromatic, contrast with the background. Our imaging results provide support for our hypothesis that red is camouflaging, whereas the results of our predation experiment do not. Any functional significance of the spiders’ red coloration therefore remains unresolved.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00114-024-01945-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142438882","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}

引用次数: 0

Neither nectar nor deception: the role of floral rewards in the pollination system of Laelia (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) 既非花蜜也非欺骗：花奖励在莱里亚（兰科：莱里亚属）授粉系统中的作用

IF 2.1 3区生物学

The Science of Nature Pub Date : 2024-10-14 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01941-5

Emerson R. Pansarin, Silvia R. M. Pedro, Ludmila M. Pansarin, Kevin L. Davies, Małgorzata Stpiczyńska

{"title":"Neither nectar nor deception: the role of floral rewards in the pollination system of Laelia (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae)","authors":"Emerson R. Pansarin, Silvia R. M. Pedro, Ludmila M. Pansarin, Kevin L. Davies, Małgorzata Stpiczyńska","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01941-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01941-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Orchids offer a variety of floral rewards to pollinators. In many orchid groups, however, the transfer of pollen is based on food-deception, as in the case of <i>Laelia</i> (including <i>Schomburgkia s.s</i>.), a genus assigned to the Neotropical subtribe Laeliinae. Here, we report on the reproductive biology of a Brazilian member of this subtribe, namely, <i>Laelia gloriosa</i>, occurring in the forested areas of southeastern Brazil. The study includes analyses of floral morphology, histochemistry, and the chemical analysis of floral rewards and scents. Pollinators and pollination mechanism data were collected in the field by means of focal observations. Analyses of breeding systems and the percentage of potentially viable seed were also recorded. The floral morphology of <i>Laelia gloriosa</i> indicates that this species is melittophilous. The flowers release a citrus-like fragrance that attracts many species of bee. The flowers offer waxy material as a reward, and this is collected exclusively by Meliponini bees. Several bee species visit the flowers. However, those of <i>L. gloriosa</i> are pollinated exclusively by <i>Trigona spinipes</i>. Pollinaria are deposited on the bee’s scutellum. Plants of the studied population were entirely self-compatible, but pollinator-dependent. The frequency of visits to these flowers was greater than in rewardless Laeliinae. Our study provides the first evidence of lipoidal substances as a resource in Laeliinae. The discovery that an orchid species (<i>Laelia gloriosa</i>) of this subtribe, hitherto considered to be entirely pollinated by nectar-seeking pollinators, offers a floral waxy material and provides new insights into the evolution of this important subtribe.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142431042","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}

引用次数: 0

A new carcharodontosaurid specimen sheds light on the anatomy of South American giant predatory dinosaurs 一个新的腕龙标本揭示了南美洲巨型食肉恐龙的解剖结构。

IF 2.1 3区生物学

The Science of Nature Pub Date : 2024-10-09 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01942-4

Alexis M. Aranciaga Rolando, Matías J. Motta, Federico L. Agnolín, Takanobu Tsuihiji, Santiago Miner, Federico Brissón-Egli, Fernando E. Novas

{"title":"A new carcharodontosaurid specimen sheds light on the anatomy of South American giant predatory dinosaurs","authors":"Alexis M. Aranciaga Rolando, Matías J. Motta, Federico L. Agnolín, Takanobu Tsuihiji, Santiago Miner, Federico Brissón-Egli, Fernando E. Novas","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01942-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01942-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Carcharodontosaurids were gigantic terrestrial dinosaurs and top predators of dinosaur faunas in Gondwanan landmasses during the “Mid”-Cretaceous Period. Despite their wide geographical and stratigraphical distribution, essential parts of their anatomy are still poorly known. The present contribution aims to describe a new partial skeleton of the carcharodontosaurid <i>Taurovenator violantei</i>, which was previously known only by an isolated postorbital bone coming from Cenomanian–Turonian beds of northern Patagonia, Argentina. The neck of <i>Taurovenator</i> is composed of notably high anterior cervicals, bearing neural spines with expanded, flange-like dorsal tips which are successively imbricated. This condition has been reported previously in the carcharodontosaurid <i>Acrocanthosaurus</i>, but its occurrence in <i>Taurovenator</i> and other members of the clade suggests it may represent a synapomorphy of this theropod family. This unique neck morphology was probably related to strong modifications in musculature and restriction in the range of movements within the neck, but not with the head. The new specimen also affords valuable anatomical information on the forelimb of Patagonian carcharodontosaurids. As in other giganotosaurines, <i>Taurovenator</i> shows strongly reduced forelimbs, particularly the forearm, showing hand elements with elongated non-ungual phalanges, and well-marked articular surfaces and muscular insertions, suggesting highly movable digits. This new specimen of <i>Taurovenator</i> allows us to expand anatomical and morpho-functional discussions about the carcharodontosaurid clade.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142387201","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}

引用次数: 0

Investigating the distribution of a unique crustacean microendemic to tree hollows 调查树洞中特有的一种小型甲壳类动物的分布情况。

IF 2.1 3区生物学

The Science of Nature Pub Date : 2024-10-07 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01943-3

Bruna Raiary, Carolina Ribeiro, Débora Lima, Arthur Afeitos, Thais Mendonça, Valéria Cárdenas, André Magalhães, Cristiano Schetini de Azevedo, Raquel Cassino, Yasmine Antonini, João C. F. Cardoso

{"title":"Investigating the distribution of a unique crustacean microendemic to tree hollows","authors":"Bruna Raiary, Carolina Ribeiro, Débora Lima, Arthur Afeitos, Thais Mendonça, Valéria Cárdenas, André Magalhães, Cristiano Schetini de Azevedo, Raquel Cassino, Yasmine Antonini, João C. F. Cardoso","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01943-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01943-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Water-filled tree hollows constitute phytotelmata that harbor specialized organisms. One striking example of extreme adaptation to these microhabitats is the case of the microcrustacean <i>Micromoina arboricola</i>, which has been found inhabiting the hollow of a single tree individual in the Atlantic Forest. We investigated the spatial distribution and influence of microhabitat characteristics such as hollow volume and height from the ground in the occurrence of <i>M. arboricola</i>. We surveyed all the trunks present in <i>ca.</i> 5000 m<sup>2</sup> of an Atlantic old-growth forest area. We found <i>M. arboricola</i> individuals in 75% of the hollows, thus expanding the known distribution of the species. Spatial analysis suggested a clustered pattern of population densities across hollows, indicating that the dispersal capacity to new microhabitat patches may vary in space. Although we did not find an effect of hollow volume, population density was negatively related to hollow height. This suggests that more restrictive abiotic conditions at greater heights limit the occurrence of the species, emphasizing its vulnerability to environmental changes. Hollow-mediated ecosystem engineering depends on the occasional formation of cavities that require time and ancient trees. Preserving old forests with hollows under varying conditions tends to maintain ecosystem functionality and the conservation of this unique microendemic species.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142379843","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}

引用次数: 0