BMC ecology and evolution最新文献

{"title":"QInfoMating: sexual selection and assortative mating estimation software.","authors":"A Carvajal-Rodríguez","doi":"10.1186/s12862-025-02394-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12862-025-02394-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sexual selection theory is a multifaceted area of evolutionary research that has profound implications across various disciplines, including population genetics, evolutionary ecology, animal behavior, sociology, and psychology. It explores the mechanisms by which certain traits and behaviors evolve due to mate choice and competition within a species. In the context of this theory, the Jeffreys divergence measure, also known as population stability index, plays a key role in quantifying the information obtained when a deviation from random mating occurs for both discrete and continuous data. Despite the critical importance of understanding mating patterns in the context of sexual selection, there is currently no software available that can perform model selection and multimodel inference with quantitative mating data to test hypotheses about the dynamics underlying observed mating patterns. Recognizing this gap, I have developed QInfoMating which provides a comprehensive solution for analyzing and interpreting mating data within the framework of sexual selection theory.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The program QInfoMating incorporates a user-friendly interface for performing statistical tests, best-fit model selection, and parameter estimation using multimodel inference for both discrete and continuous mating data. A use case is presented with real data of the species Echinolittorina malaccana.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The application of information theory, model selection, and parameter estimation using multimodel inference are presented as powerful tools for the analysis of mating data, whether quantitative or categorical. The QInfoMating program is a tool designed to perform this type of analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":93910,"journal":{"name":"BMC ecology and evolution","volume":"25 1","pages":"51"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12100945/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144133067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Probable developmental, neurological and evolutionary trend in complex morphological structures: foramen magnum outlines analytic comparisons in four orders; Chiroptera: (Eidolon helvum), (Tadarida brachyptera), Pholidota (Phataginus tricuspis), Eulipotyphla (Atelerix albiventris) and Carnivora (Canis familiaris).","authors":"Oluwale Michael Samuel, Olumayowa Olawumi Igado","doi":"10.1186/s12862-025-02381-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12862-025-02381-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We here present developmental, neurological and evolutionary perspective study of the foramen magnum (FM) and its phylogenetic consequences among five species with close phylogenic proximity. The forms and outlines of this structure emphasize anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology and evolution demonstrating its immense forensic value. This investigation utilized Elliptical major and minor descriptors in a summary of 26 T. brachyptera, C. familiarius, 26 E. helvum, 20 P. tricuspis and 23 A. albiventris FM outlines in caudal view. Effective Principal Components were the first 6-10 respectively and confirmed size as overrode shape. Fit index of original vs reconstructed values with 92%, 96%, 96%, 97% and 98% accuracies confirmed existing evolutionary order. Irrespective of species, the 3rd harmonic demonstrated maximum values of descriptors but the first yielded highest in elliptical magnitude; E. helvum and T. brachyptera were exceptionally erratic revealing FM architectural complexities in them. Elliptical anisotropy was lowest in A. albiventris and highest in E. helvum with profound amplitude related descriptor values factor reduction between 1/4870 and 1/49 fraction. Partial Least Square and correlation analyses were 100% and 91.86% in combined dataset. Parsimony analysis indicated that Canis familiaris displayed the highest variation in FM evolution, suggesting a greater likelihood of malformation at the root branch of its phylogeny while T. brachyptera was least and more closely related to other species; NJ lead joiner with minimum branch length was P. tricuspis while sub tree and closest sub-tree pairs were A. albiventris and E. helvum respectively. Our results confirmed similar developmental trajectory of the foramen magnum among the species and followed established phylogenetic order but influenced by constraints in C. familiaris. Malformation manifestation possibilities increased along both domestication and phylogenetic levels confirming evolutionary trend and pattern in FM construction among species understudied.</p>","PeriodicalId":93910,"journal":{"name":"BMC ecology and evolution","volume":"25 1","pages":"50"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12093677/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144121645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Floral diversity, structural integrity, and regeneration patterns of Endba-Zend dry Afromontane forest in Northwestern Ethiopia.","authors":"Yitayih Dessie, Nigussie Amsalu, Belayneh Awoke, Getaneh Gebeyehu","doi":"10.1186/s12862-025-02387-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12862-025-02387-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study was carried out at Endba-Zend Forest in Sekela District, Northwestern Ethiopia, to investigate the plant species composition, structure, and regeneration status of a remnant forest. The vegetative data were collected using a systematic sampling technique. Four transects were put throughout a forest, 250 m apart and directed northwest-southeast. To collect vegetative data for trees and lianas, a 20 m ×20 m (400 m²) main plot was established at 50 m intervals. Five nested subplots were arranged at four corners of the main plot and one at the center to collect data for shrubs, herbaceous plants, and the regeneration state of woody species. The diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and cover abundance values were measured with a tape meter, a calibrated stick, and an ocular estimating device, respectively. The Shannon-Weiner and Sorenson's similarity index were used to assess the forest's species diversity. A total of 77 species belonging to 64 genera and 35 families were documented. The most diverse family was Asteraceae, which included 13 species, followed by Solanaceae (7 species). The forest had a total density of 663.95 stems ha^-1. The most common species in the forest area was Mytenus obscura, which occupied 88% of the total plots. Schefflera abyssinica was the dominating species, with higher basal area (BA) (9.84 m² ha^-1) and Important Value Index IVI (52.52%). The Shannon diversity index and evenness values for the forest were 2.6 and 0.75, respectively. Three distinct community types were identified: Vachellia abyssinica-Prunus Africana (Community type I), Mytenus obscura-Vernonia myrianta (Community type II), and Rubus steudneri-Dombeya torrida (Community type III). There was found a substantial similarity between community types I and II (Ss = 0.71). The seedling, sapling, and mature tree ratio indicated a fair regeneration status for the forest. Selective tree cutting and overgrazing cause significant disruptions to the forest environment. As a result, it requires special attention (conservation priority) to ensure the sustainable use of vegetation by offering alternative energy sources to the local community.</p>","PeriodicalId":93910,"journal":{"name":"BMC ecology and evolution","volume":"25 1","pages":"49"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12090637/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144112691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tree diversity, population structure, biomass accumulation, and carbon stock dynamics in tropical dry deciduous forests of Eastern India.","authors":"Abinash Mansingh, Antaryami Pradhan, Satya Ranjan Sahoo, Sujeet Sameer Cherwa, Bibhu Prasad Mishra, Laxmi Prasad Rath, Nirius Jenan Ekka, Bibhu Prasad Panda","doi":"10.1186/s12862-025-02385-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12862-025-02385-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tropical dry deciduous forests are crucial for biodiversity conservation and carbon storage but are increasingly threatened by human activities and climate change. This Study evaluates tree diversity, population structure, and biomass carbon stock across five forest ranges of eastern India.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A stratified random sampling approach was implemented using a 5 km × 5 km grid for vegetational attribute studies. Tree diversity was assessed within 0.1 ha (31.62 m × 31.62 m) plots, while biomass estimation focused on trees with ≥ 10 cm. girth at breast height. Population structure and biomass estimation were analyzed across six defined girth classes, employing standardized protocols to ensure accurate carbon stock estimation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 80 tree species belonging to 68 genera and 33 families were recorded, with Fabaceae emerging as the dominant family. Significant variation in species richness (32-52 species), tree density (804-1332 trees/ha), and basal area (18.28-24.92 m²/ha) was observed across the five forest ranges. Kolabira forest range (3.45) and Bagdihi forest range (3.37) exhibited the highest diversity indices, highlighting their ecological significance and carbon sequestration potential. Mid-sized trees (32-101 cm) contributed the most to biomass accumulation, while the lower densities in other size classes suggest selective exploitation. Total biomass was highest in Belpahar forest range (129.63 Mg/ha) and lowest in Jharsuguda forest range (86.73 Mg/ha), with a corresponding biomass carbon stock of 58.47 MgC/ha and 40.76 MgC/ha, respectively, emphasizing spatial variations in carbon storage across these dry deciduous forests.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings highlight the ecological significance of tropical dry deciduous forests and underscore the urgent need for conservation strategies to safeguard biodiversity and enhance carbon storage. In parallel, the study offers a valuable scientific foundation for advancing forest management practices and shaping policies to address biodiversity loss and climate challenges in this vital region of India.</p>","PeriodicalId":93910,"journal":{"name":"BMC ecology and evolution","volume":"25 1","pages":"48"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12083108/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144086958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modelling of past, current and future distribution of suitable habitat for Menelik's bushbuck (Tragelaphus sylvaticus meneliki Neumann, 1902) in the Ethiopian highlands.","authors":"Zeleke Tigabe Abuhay, Arega Mekonnen Ali, Anagaw Atickem, Dietmar Zinner","doi":"10.1186/s12862-025-02367-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-025-02367-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Wildlife species adapted to the Afro-alpine highlands are vulnerable to loss of habitat due to global warming accompanying potential upward shifts and elevational range contractions of their preferred habitats. Understanding the trends in the shift of suitable habitats of endemic taxa is key to planning the conservation and management of species. Therefore, this study aimed to model the distribution of Menelik's bushbuck, a spiral-horned antelope endemic to Ethiopian highlands across the past (Last Glacial Maximum, and Mid-Holocene), present, and future.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed the ensemble modelling implemented in the \"sdm\" R package using 6 modelling techniques (MaxEnt, Generalized Linear Model, Generalized Additive Model, Random Forest, Boosted Regression Tree, and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines). We combined 248 occurrence points of Menelik's bushbuck with 12 climatic, topographic, and anthropogenic variables. We selected these variables from originally 24 variables using the VIF step procedure to avoid highly correlated predictor variables for the final model run.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The performance of the ensemble model was excellent having AUC = 0.97 and TSS = 0.88 values. Bio6 (minimum temperature of the coldest month) contributed most to the distribution of Menelik's bushbuck followed by bio12 (annual precipitation) and elevation. The model projection estimated the suitable habitat of Menelik's bushbuck steadily decreases with increasing representative concentration pathways (RCP) scenarios and projection years. The current suitable habitat of this species is estimated to be 25,546 km² whereas the Mid-Holocene and the Last Glacial Maximum potential habitats was about 60,282.24 km² and 33,652 km² respectively. The magnitude of the loss of suitable habitats of Menelik's bushbuck will be highest in 2050 and 2070 under RCP 8.5 climate scenarios showing the loss in the currently suitable habitats of this species is over 95.1% and 99.8% respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Melelik's bushbuck has lost suitable habitat since the LGM and the loss will be greatest in the future due to climate change and land use change. The sharp decline of the suitable habitat will greatly threaten the future survival of the species. Our modelling can assist in identifying potential refuge areas for the species to assist in its preservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":93910,"journal":{"name":"BMC ecology and evolution","volume":"25 1","pages":"47"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067960/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144002329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental evidence of pollination by deception in a dioecious palm.","authors":"Galilea Orellana-Vera, Thomas Auffray, Rommel Montúfar, Marc Gibernau, Sylvain Pincebourde, Arturo Guasti, Jérôme Casas, Olivier Dangles","doi":"10.1186/s12862-025-02388-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12862-025-02388-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Flower traits and pollinator activity patterns can vary over the course of a single day. Therefore, the pollination processes occurring over short time scales are crucial to sustain the complex dynamics of plant-pollinator interactions. Here, we characterized the diel patterns of flower opening (e.g. anthesis), scent emission, and insect visits in highly dimorphic male (rewarding) and female (deceptive) inflorescences of the ivory palm (Phytelephas aequatorialis), a thermogenic dioecious species endemic to western Ecuador. We conducted field experiments using artificial scented-baits (designated as artificial flowers) consisting of a heating plate (simulating thermogenesis) and p-methylanisole (the primary odor compound in inflorescences of both sexes) in two different amounts to mimic female and male inflorescences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that female inflorescences open synchronously at dawn and dusk, while male inflorescences can open at any time throughout the day. Both sexes emitted floral odors consistently throughout the day. Even though male inflorescences emitted greater quantities of p-methylanisole, artificial flowers with different amounts of p-methylanisole attracted a similar diversity and abundance of insects throughout the day. Furthermore, male and female artificial flower attracted an equal abundance of visitors within five minutes of the emission of p-methylanisole.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings suggest that, despite sexual dimorphism in opening time, intersexual mimicry in P. aequatorialis is sustained by a consistent odor release, which optimizes the probability of both sexes being visited by the same insect community during the day.</p>","PeriodicalId":93910,"journal":{"name":"BMC ecology and evolution","volume":"25 1","pages":"46"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067733/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144058263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What maintains variation in flower accessibility to pollinators in plant communities? A simulation study.","authors":"Tamar Keasar, Eric Wajnberg","doi":"10.1186/s12862-025-02380-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12862-025-02380-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Flowers in natural plant communities come in many shapes. Flowers with restrictive morphologies are considered complex, because only a subset of pollinators are able to learn how to access their nectar and pollen. Other flowers are easily accessible to diverse pollinating insects, and are regarded as simple. How and why do the two types of flowers coexist in natural plant communities? We developed a spatially explicit evolutionary simulation framework to explore this question. We modeled the dynamics of two types of flowers ('complex' and 'simple') that differ in accessibility to their simulated pollinators and in food rewards. The flowers are visited by a population of pollinators, which initially possess heritable variation in their ability to learn to forage on the complex flowers. We manipulated the pollinators' flying distances and the flowers' overall density, spatial distribution, and starting proportion of simple flowers. We recorded the resulting dynamics of the two flower types in the community, and of the pollinators' learning rates, over 100 generations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Complex and simple flowers coexisted under all simulated conditions. The steady-state community always contained more simple flowers than complex ones. Complex flowers attained higher frequencies when flowers were highly aggregated than when flower aggregation was low. Long-distance fliers evolved higher learning abilities than short-distance fliers. Pollinator learning abilities, in turn, were positively correlated with the frequency of complex flowers.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Frequencies of complex flowers vary among natural plant communities. Our model predicts that this variation is shaped by the plants' spatial distribution as well as by the cognitive abilities of their pollinators. The model generates novel and testable hypotheses for understanding how diversity in flower shapes is maintained in natural plant communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":93910,"journal":{"name":"BMC ecology and evolution","volume":"25 1","pages":"45"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12063305/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144060822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Positive selection and relaxed purifying selection contribute to rapid evolution of sex-biased genes in green seaweed Ulva.","authors":"Xiaojie Liu, Jonas Blomme, Kenny A Bogaert, Sofie D'hondt, Emma Coulembier Vandelannoote, Thomas Wichard, Olivier De Clerck","doi":"10.1186/s12862-025-02382-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-025-02382-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The evolution of differences in gamete size and number between sexes is a cornerstone of sexual selection theories. The green macroalga Ulva, with incipient anisogamy and parthenogenetic gametes, provides a unique system to investigate theoretical predictions regarding the evolutionary pressures that drive the transition from isogamy to anisogamy, particularly in relation to gamete size differentiation and sexual selection. Its minimal gamete dimorphism and facultative parthenogenesis enable a rare window into early evolutionary steps toward anisogamy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>By analyzing the expression profiles of sex-biased genes (SBGs) during gametogenesis, we found that SBGs evolve faster than unbiased genes, driven by higher rates of non-synonymous substitution (dN), indicating that SBGs are under stronger selective pressures. Mating type minus-biased genes (mt-BGs) exhibit higher dN/dS values than mating type plus-biased genes (mt+BGs), suggesting stronger selective pressures on mt-BGs, although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). Using branch-site and RELAX models, we found positive selection and relaxed purifying selection acting on a significant proportion of SBGs, particularly those associated with flagella function.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the selective pressures shaping anisogamy and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying its evolution. The faster evolution of SBGs, particularly mt-BGs, and the positive selection on genes associated with motility, such as those related to flagella function, suggest the importance of enhanced gamete motility in the transition to anisogamy. These findings contribute to our understanding of sexual selection and the evolutionary forces that drive the differentiation of gamete size and number between sexes.</p>","PeriodicalId":93910,"journal":{"name":"BMC ecology and evolution","volume":"25 1","pages":"44"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12063405/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144026567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Woody plant species composition, structure, and regeneration status of ruruki forest of Liban Jawi District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.","authors":"Bayissa Belay, Tena Regasa, Siraj Mammo","doi":"10.1186/s12862-025-02375-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-025-02375-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study was conducted to assess the woody plant species composition, population structure, and regeneration status of Ruruki Forest. A total of 30 sample plots, each 20 m × 20 m, were established using a systematic sampling method. A sub-plot of 5 m × 5 m was used to count saplings and seedlings. To describe the vegetation structure of the study forest we computed DBH and height size frequency distributions of individuals and species importance value indexes (IVI).A total of 70 woody species which categorized into 64 genera, and 45 families were identified of which 57.14% were trees, while shrubs and lianas cover37.14%and5.7%, respectively. The total density of woody species recorded was 868.33 individuals / ha. The highest IVI index was recorded for Syzygium guineense species, indicating the species is ecologically important. The results of height showed that there was a greater predominance of small-sized individuals of woody species than large-sized woody species for the study forest. The general pattern of the DBH class distribution of the forest showed an irregular distribution, which implies there was some selective cutting of individual woody species for different purposes. The overall regeneration status of the forest was found to be fair. Generally, the result obtained from this study shows that there is disturbances and selective cutting of trees in the forest. Hence, there is a need for full participation in sustainable forest management to control selective cutting and to apply the best forest management practices, such as reforestation and afforestation.</p>","PeriodicalId":93910,"journal":{"name":"BMC ecology and evolution","volume":"25 1","pages":"42"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12057133/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144045109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Novel genetic association with migratory diapause in Australian monarch butterflies.","authors":"William Hemstrom, Micah Freedman, Myron P Zalucki, Michael Miller","doi":"10.1186/s12862-025-02384-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-025-02384-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are a charismatic and culturally important North American butterfly species famous for their unique, dramatic migratory life history. While non-migratory populations of the species are widespread and apparently stable, migratory populations in North America have recently seen declines, prompting concern that the migratory phenomenon in North America may be at risk of disappearing. In contrast, a relatively recently-established monarch population in Australia has rapidly re-acquired a migratory life history following hundreds of generations of residency and successive bottlenecks as the species island-hopped across the Pacific during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The process by which migration re-emerged in Australian monarchs is not currently known.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We raised and sequenced individuals from Queensland, Australia under environmental conditions associated with migration initiation and found strong variance in reproductive diapause, a key migratory trait, between families which was associated with variation at the spectrin beta chain protein Karst. This protein is known to be involved in diapause termination in monarchs but has not previously been identified as associated with migratory life history variance. The most strongly associated migratory SNPs are also present at a low frequency in North America, suggesting that the Australian population is leveraging standing variation which persisted across repeated bottlenecks as Monarchs spread across the Pacific.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results provide an intriguing example of how the temporary loss of migration-in this case likely over hundreds of generations-may not entail the loss of genetic variation associated with this complex life history strategy.</p>","PeriodicalId":93910,"journal":{"name":"BMC ecology and evolution","volume":"25 1","pages":"43"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12057088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144055471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}