Abstract The brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal)) is an important pest of rice that causes significant yield loss. To prevent severe economic losses, it is crucial to implement effective sustainable management practices within an integrated pest management framework. Developing effective management strategies requires a thorough understanding of the pest’s biology. Hence, the study on the biology and development, N. lugens was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions (25 ± 5°C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity and 14:10 h light:dark) at ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), Hyderabad, Telangana (17°32′N, 78°39′E). The yellowish brown to dark brown one adult female laid an average of 110.8 eggs in cluster ranged from 4 to 16 eggs per cluster by trusting the leaf sheath serially. The highest number of eggs (87.60 %) were laid on leaf sheath of plants followed by midrib (9.20 %) and stem (3.20 %). The average incubation period was 7.20 ± 0.86 days with 81.39 per cent hatching. Emerged nymph passed through five nymphal instars to become an adult. The mean durations of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th instars were 2.15 ± 0.08, 3.35 ± 0.10, 4.45 ± 0.15, 3.75 ± 0.09 and 3.80 ± 0.09 days, respectively and nymphal survival was 86 ± 1.87 per cent. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post oviposition period varied from 2-5, 11-14 and 3-6 days, respectively with the mean values of 3.4 ± 0.40, 12.2 ± 0.58 and 4.8 ± 0.58 days, respectively. Adult male was short lived (15.20 days) as compared to female (19.6 days) with 1.0:1.35 sex ratio.
Abstract Freshwater amphipods of the genus Hyalella are widely distributed across continental Chile and exhibit marked geographical segregation associated with environmental gradients. The present study analyzed the latitudinal and altitudinal distribution patterns of Chilean Hyalella species using exploratory multivariate approaches based on published occurrence records. Geographic data from 139 records were compiled and analysed using non-parametric statistics and DBSCAN clustering methods. Significant differences among species were detected for both latitude and altitude ( ). The analyses revealed two main distributional assemblages. The first group included H. fossamanchini and H. kochi , species associated with high-altitude saline systems in northern Chile. The second assemblage grouped H. chiloensis , H. franciscae , H. patagonica , and H. simplex , which inhabit temperate and subantarctic freshwater environments in southern Chile. Hyalella costera showed partial overlap with H. chiloensis in coastal environments. The observed patterns suggest that latitudinal and altitudinal gradients are major ecological drivers influencing species segregation in Chilean Hyalella . Furthermore, the Andes may have acted both as a dispersal corridor and as a biogeographical barrier promoting diversification along continental Chile. These findings provide new insights into the geographical structuring of South American freshwater amphipods and contribute to the understanding of regional biogeographical processes in Andean freshwater ecosystems.
The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a major pest of potato crop worldwide, causing significant economic losses by infesting tubers both in the field and in storage. Early detection of the pest across its developmental stages is crucial for implementing timely management strategies. In this study, stage-specific sex differentiation was analysed through external morphological examinations at the larval, pupal, and adult stages. In the fourth instar larvae, males were identified by the presence of developing gonads, visible as two dark elliptical structures on either side of the midline on the fifth abdominal segment, which were absent in females. At the pupal stage, males and females were differentiated based on the distance between the genital and anal openings, which was greater in female pupae than in male pupae. In adults, females were identified by a distinct X-shaped marking on the forewings, whereas males exhibited series of black dots during resting posture. Detailed morphological identification including wing venation and genitalia dissection was conducted using eosin staining and ethanol clearing techniques. The study identified reliable morphological characters for distinguishing male and female at the larval, pupal and adult stages, providing practical criteria for stage-specific sex identification for laboratory and taxonomic studies.
Abstract This study aims to quantify differences in bird assemblages across three wind farms and along a distance gradient, from wind farms to the edges of Acuña City, Mexico. If wind farms indeed reduce population levels of species most vulnerable to collisions, it is expected that these areas will host generalist species associated with anthropogenic habitats. We conducted 576 transects over two years (2021–2022) to estimate bird assemblages. A total of 147 species were recorded, with the highest richness and abundance at Distance III (the control site nearest to Acuña City), where 103 species were identified, these were mainly synanthropic species. This aligns with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, suggesting moderate disturbance promotes diversity by increasing resource availability. Contrary to our hypothesis, wind farms showed a higher presence of migratory birds and raptors, contributing to greater taxonomic distinctness. This increased diversity may result from the restricted human access around wind farms, which potentially serve as refuges, protecting these species from disturbances commonly associated with urbanization. These findings emphasize the need to understand how wind farms and urbanization shape biodiversity, particularly in arid ecosystems, where species are often highly specialized and sensitive to environmental change.
To sustainably manage forests, we must understand the effects of forestry practices on wildlife using a reliable index of their abundance. Here, we assessed the short-term responses of roe deer (Capre-olus pygargus) and water deer (Hydropotes inermis) to two forestry practices-selective cutting and shelter-wood cutting-in a temperate deciduous forest in Pyeongchang, South Korea. From May to September 2016, we conducted repeated pellet-group surveys and recorded herbivory signs across one selective-cut stand, one shelter-wood stand, and one uncut control stand to compare deer relative abundance, habitat use, and feeding-site selection among treatments. To obtain reliable estimates of relative abundance, we evaluated the ability of zero-inflated models to account for faecal pellet disappearance and applied zero-inflated negative binomial models for further analysis. Relative abundance of the deer was consistent across the stands, whereas habitat use increased with overstory coverage. Feeding-site selection differed markedly among treatments, with the probability of feeding-site occurrence increasing from 6.6% in the control stand to 20.1% in the selective-cut stand and 36.6% in the shelter-wood stand. These findings demonstrate how short-term structural changes following harvesting affect deer abundance, habitat use, and feeding behaviour. Coupling pellet-group surveys with zero-inflated models provides a practical approach for accounting for pellet disappearance and improving inferences about herbivore responses to forestry practices.
This editorial serves to announce a new publication format in Animal Biology: Registered Reports. In this innovative format, peer review occurs before, rather than after, results are known. It is designed to reward quality of the study, which is under the control of researchers, rather than study outcomes, which are not (or at least, should not be). By reducing incentives to obtain statistically significant results, Registered Reports help to counteract publication bias, ensuring published research is more representative of all studies being conducted. Animal Biology welcomes Registered Report submissions to support its aim to publish high-quality studies that integrate various disciplines within the broad field of zoology.
In Andhra Pradesh, pomegranate is cultivated on 15 420 ha, producing 6263 150 MT annually, with notable expansion in semi-arid regions such as Anantapur. This expansion has led to the emergence of new pests, including the leaf-footed bug Leptoglossus gonagra (Fabricius), a polyphagous, piercing and sucking insect from the family Coreidae. This pest was first recorded in October 2017 on the Bhagwa variety in Rekulakunta village, Anantapuramu district in Andhra Pradesh. The spatial distribution of bug population was studied in four cardinal directions using circular statistics around the pomegranate tree: East, West, North and South. Among these, the West direction showed the highest pest density, with 24 bugs per plant. The Rayleigh test statistics indicate that the bugs prefer the West side of the tree canopy. The monthly temporal distribution of the pomegranate leaf-footed bug population increased from May (2 bugs/plant) to reach its peak in December with 24 bugs per plant. Infestation levels, as year-wise temporal distribution from 2017 to 2023, ranged from 2.00 to 25.00 bugs per plant. The maximum bug population (25) was recorded in 2020, with fruit damage reaching up to 44.88%, affecting fruit quality. It pierces the fruit's rind and feeds on arils, causing them to dry and shrink, sometimes introducing secondary pathogens leading to rot. No damage to leaves or shoots was noted. The findings underscore the need for effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to address this emerging threat to pomegranate cultivation.
Abstract Efficient application of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in insect pests requires the availability of large numbers of intact and developmentally synchronized G 0 embryos for embryonic microinjection. The present study examined mating behaviour, oviposition biology, and fecundity patterns in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda , with the objective of optimizing egg collection for genome editing under controlled laboratory conditions. Experiments evaluated multiple mating behaviour, female density, oviposition substrate preference, temporal patterns of egg laying, and daily fecundity trends. Adults exhibited peak mating activity during the dark phase and showed both polyandrous and polygynous mating behaviour. Female density significantly influenced egg production, with intermediate numbers of mating pairs yielding the highest per-female fecundity, whereas overcrowding reduced oviposition output. Fresh maize leaves were strongly preferred for oviposition compared with maize leaf extract and white paper. Oviposition was temporally structured, with egg laying concentrated during the early post-mating period and peaking during the middle of the oviposition phase, followed by a progressive decline. Significant variation was observed among treatments for all reproductive parameters examined. Collectively, these findings provide a biologically informed framework for standardized and efficient G 0 egg collection in S. frugiperda , thereby facilitating CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing and precision-guided pest management strategies.
Abstract The tea mosquito bug (TMB), Helopeltis theivora is a serious pest on cocoa that inflicts substantial losses during epidemic situations. Understanding the pest’s ecology in relation to weather parameters is a major challenge, especially in the face of climate change. The study aimed to assess the feeding and ovipositional activity of TMB at the field level for two seasons (2022-24). Results showed that, TMB incidence ranged from 47 to 85% with the mean number of bugs on shoots, cherelles and pods were 2.04 ± 0.28, 2.92 ± 0.34 and 5.17 ± 0.69, respectively. However, the feeding activity was maximum in the early morning (0600 to 0800 h), declined gradually till mid-day and then reappeared in the late evening. In addition, adult female laid maximum number of eggs on cherelles (3.67 ± 0.41) than on pods (2.57 ± 0.25); while, shoots received lowest number of eggs (0.93 ± 0.20). Furthermore, the ‘optimum temperature’ (23-24°C) emerged as the strongest predictor for population fluctuation of TMB on cocoa plants and reached peak from last week of December to third week of January. All the weather factors including minimum temperature, rainfall, maximum temperature and relative humidity were negatively correlated in both seasons. Overall, the findings provide a comprehensive knowledge on feeding and ovipositional activity TMB under field conditions to implementing timely control measures.
Jerboas (Dipodidae) are highly adept at bipedal hopping in desert habitats, where the cushioning performance of their toepads is critical for absorbing impact energy during locomotion. However, the histomorphological characteristics of jerboa toepads remain unreported in existing literature. In this study, we systematically characterized the macro-microscopic structure of jerboa toepads via a series of experimental approaches. Ultrasonic elasticity testing was first employed to measure the Young's modulus of toepads in anesthetized jerboas, yielding highly repeatable results with an average value of 172.6 kPa. Subsequently, histological observations were conducted using fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These observations revealed that the jerboa toepad has a distinct layered structure, with each layer displaying unique microstructural features that collectively constitute a multistage cushioning system. The epidermal contours on both sides form S-shaped folds, giving the entire toepad a spring-like structure. Collagen fibres in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue are distributed in orientations parallel, perpendicular, or inclined to the epidermis, while collagen fibres partition the subcutaneous adipose tissue into numerous regularly arranged adipose compartments. Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) further confirmed that proteins and fats act synergistically to form the multistage cushioning structure of the jerboa toepad. This study improves our understanding of the cushioning mechanism of jerboa toepads and provides novel insights for the design of bionic ground-contacting components.
The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta Meyrick, is a formidable threat to global tomato production, necessitating sustainable management solutions. Among potential predators, the mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis has emerged as a promising biocontrol agent. This study comprehensively assesses its developmental biology, reproductive potential and predatory efficiency under controlled conditions to evaluate its suitability for integrated pest management (IPM). Our findings reveal that access to T. absoluta as prey significantly enhanced the growth, survival and reproductive potential of N. tenuis . When fed on T. absoluta , the predator exhibited an extended nymphal development period (15.45 days) compared to tomato leaves alone (12.21 days) alongside improved survival rates. Notably, fecundity of predator increased remarkably, with females laying 68.5 eggs as compared to 45.5 eggs in the absence of prey. The one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in predatory efficiency across the developmental stages of N. tenuis . The adult N. tenuis possesses a remarkable ability to suppress T. absoluta populations, consuming an average of 4.25 eggs. Predation efficiency declined as the stage of the prey progressed from egg to third instar larvae, with early-stage nymphs displaying limited predatory impact on T. absoluta larvae. These findings highlight the potential of N. tenuis as an effective, eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides in controlling T. absoluta , offering a sustainable pest management solution through its integration into IPM programs.
Global warming and environmental pollution affect humans and all living things ecologically. It is thought that these stress factors may directly or indirectly affect the insect-fungus relationship, influencing competition and even nutritional exchange. For this purpose, different myxomycetes ( Amaurochaete comata , Claustria didermoides ) were added to the nutritional medium of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster , and their interactions in stressful and non-stressful environments, a chemical stress environment is created with hydrogen peroxide, were investigated. The physiological (effects, including survival rate, developmental period, larval feeding amount and crawling ability, fly feeding weight and climbing ability, adult wing size) and biochemical (mitochondrial viability, antioxidant enzyme activity such as catalase, superoxide dismutase in oxidative stress), of the fly were evaluated nutrition and environment. With these markers, which make it possible to monitor toxicity, it was determined that the fly with myxomycetes added to its nutritional content could not ultimately reduce stress and only marginally affected life and development under non-stressful conditions. Although the amount of cellular stress in the fly could not be reduced entirely, it is anticipated that this mechanism can be used to control myxomycetes and harmful insect species.
Artificial nest-boxes are now vital for countering cavity-nester declines from habitat loss, but the impact of nest-box design on long-term breeding success is still uncertain. Using 23 years of data from a Lesser Kestrel ( Falco naumanni ) colony in central Greece, we compared vertical and horizontal nest-box designs to assess effects on occupancy, breeding phenology, reproductive output, and particularly the repeatability of key breeding traits. Repeatability measures how much of a trait’s total variance is due to consistent, site-specific differences – like a stable microclimatic or nest-box structure–as opposed to random year-to-year variation. It shows what portion of variability is explained by persistent nest site features, versus what is due to chance. Vertical nest-boxes were used more often and had slightly higher average productivity. However, horizontal boxes had higher repeatability for clutch size and fledgling number. For both nest-box types, phenological traits like laying, hatching, and fledging dates -showed low repeatability, suggesting annual environmental changes were more influential than nest-site features. Our results indicate that the most-used nest boxes do not always provide the most consistent breeding conditions, emphasizing the need to assess both productivity and its temporal consistency in conservation programs.
The whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera Horváth, a major pest of rice, Oryza sativa L., was studied under controlled conditions in Telangana, India, during the Rabi season of 2024-2025 to understand its biological characteristics. Eggs were predominantly laid on the leaf sheath (47.6%), followed by the midrib (41.4%) and stem (11.0%), in clusters of 7-24. The incubation period ranged from 6 to 10 days, averaging 8.8 days, with a hatchability rate of 86.5%. The nymphal stage lasted 16-19 days (average 17.38 days) and consisted of five instars with the following durations: 1st instar 2.73 days; 2nd instar 3.01 days; 3rd instar 3.72 days; 4th instar 3.91 days; and 5th instar 4.01 days. Nymphal survival decreased from 95% on the 5th day to 87% by the 20th day. Adult emergence was 87 per cent, with a female-biased sex ratio of 1.5:1. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods averaged 3.38, 8.98 and 3.12 days, respectively. Females lived longer (15.48 days) than males (12.5 days). Fecundity averaged 137.2 eggs per female (range 108-152). These findings provide essential insights into WBPH biology contributing to the development of effective management strategies for WBPH.
Caudal autotomy in lizard species is an anti-predator strategy that can momentarily save the life of an individual. This phenomenon incurs a strong cost-benefit trade-off, since surviving by shedding the tail represents a high energy cost in the future and can lead to negative effects on behavioural, physiological, and life history traits. In this study, the frequency of tail loss and location of breaking point were evaluated, as well as the potential variation in some physiological and ecological traits between organisms with a complete tail and organisms with an incomplete tail in the lizard Sceloporus mucronatus , which inhabits in two localities with contrasting environments in central Mexico. The results show a low frequency of caudal autotomy at the proximal and distal extremes of the tail (except in males of Tecocomulo). The organisms that inhabit the site with less vegetation cover showed a greater frequency of tail loss compared to organisms from the site with more vegetation cover. In both populations, females showed a higher frequency of caudal autotomy than males. Some significant differences were recorded in body temperature, levels of thermoregulatory behaviour, perch height, and ectoparasite load between organisms with a complete tail and organisms with an incomplete tail; however, we did not detect a consistent pattern of variation between sexes and populations. The differences in the frequency of tail loss between sexes and populations suggest differential predation pressure. Caudal autotomy could be modifying some ecological and physiological traits of the individuals; however, we did not detect a consistent pattern of variation between treatments.
Ecotones are transitional zones between distinct ecological communities that often exhibit elevated biodiversity due to the overlap of species from adjacent habitats. Gallery forests, linear riparian woodlands within savanna landscapes, function as such ecotones, providing refugia, dispersal corridors, and unique ecological niches. In the Dahomey Gap, a savannah intrusion separating Upper and Lower Guinean forests in West Africa, we analyzed rodent and bat diversity across three habitat types: non-riparian forests (FOR), gallery forests (GALFOR), and savannas (SAV). Data were compiled from published literature and field surveys across Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Species richness, habitat breadth, and taxon-specific habitat associations were assessed using Poisson and binomial Generalized Linear Models (GLMs), alongside Detrended Correspondence Analysis and species-area relationships. A total of 101 species (49 rodents, 52 bats) across 150 habitat occurrences were recorded. SAV showed the highest species richness, whereas GALFOR displayed strong compositional similarity to FOR, hosting no exclusive species but supporting forest-associated taxa. GLMs revealed taxon-specific patterns: bats and arboreal rodents were linked to forested habitats, while Muridae and Nesomyidae predominated in savannas. Edge effects were weak at the species level but pronounced at the family level. We quantified the relationship between habitat area and mammalian diversity using Poisson GLMs and a log-log species-area regression, finding that species richness increased with area while family-level diversity showed no significant response. However, relative to its very limited spatial extent, GALFOR supported a higher number of species than the two other main habitat types, particularly when compared with SAV. These findings confirm gallery forests as functional ecotones and ecological corridors, vital for maintaining mammalian diversity across fragmented savanna-forest mosaics.
This study explores cranial shape variation in kangaroo mice ( Microdipodops ), testing two hypotheses: (1) scaled cranial shape accurately distinguishes taxa across taxonomic levels, and (2) cranial shape variation is influenced by allometric and ecological factors. Using geometric morphometric analyses of 75 landmarks from 141 adult specimens representing two species and seven subspecies (39 localities), I found that cranial shape effectively differentiates species and most subspecies, with classification accuracies exceeding 86% for species and 60-73% for subspecies, outperforming cranial size in taxon discrimination. Allometric effects were significant, with unique scaling patterns observed in each taxon. Microdipodops pallidus , an ecological specialist adapted to extreme arid environments, occupies a restricted morphospace, while the generalist M. megacephalus shows greater cranial variability across broader climatic gradients. Climate significantly influenced cranial morphology, sometimes explaining more variation than subspecies, suggesting adaptive responses to environmental pressures. Enlarged auditory bullae in M. pallidus are associated with reduced facial bones, reflecting trade-offs between sensory specialization and feeding adaptations. Subspecies-level analyses revealed distinct cranial features, such as the reduced mastoids of M. m. polionotus (“Mono peripheral isolate”) and the small face of M. m. paululus . This study supports recognizing the “Western clade” ( M. m. oregonus , M. m. ambiguus , M. m. californicus ) as a cryptic species based on its reduced auditory bullae and distinct cranial shape. This study demonstrates how allometry and ecological specialization influence morphological diversity in this vulnerable desert genus, highlighting the value of geometric morphometrics for taxonomy and conservation planning.
Cotton pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) has become a pest of major significance in India. The outbreak of the pest is being noticed frequently across the country even after adopting stringent pest management practices. Resistance against the Cry toxins expressed by transgenic cotton was found to be the major reason. Hence, the current investigation was planned and executed to confirm the mode of inheritance of resistance against Cry2Ab toxin expressed in the transgenic cotton. Bioassays were done with the Cry2Ab toxin against the different strains of pink bollworm and the response of resistant, susceptible, F1 hybrid and backcross progeny to Cry2Ab was recorded. The mortality of the pink bollworm in these different crosses was analyzed and median lethal concentrations were estimated to determine the inheritance. The results were quite promising with dominance values ranging between 0.88 and 0.89 indicating a dominant mode of inheritance of resistance and also found to be a monogenic, autosomal trait. This might be the major factor responsible for pink bollworm outbreak as well as severe yield loss in cotton.
Hunting any wildlife species is an anthropogenic pressure that modulates target species populations, affecting phenotype expressions like behavior. Such behavioral adaptations occur in the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus), which adjusts its activity pattern and activity level to satisfy survival needs. This response is mediated by temporal avoidance mechanisms that can induce physiological alterations in individuals. We estimated activity levels and activity patterns from 640 camera trapping records of Iberian wolf and 829 of hunting disturbance, in three areas where hunting is allowed and one area where hunting is banned in the Macizo Central Ourensano, during the pup-caring season. Wolves were active 10.83 hours/day in hunting-banned areas, and between 12 and 17.90 hours/day in hunting-allowed areas. The activity pattern of wolves was cathemeral in all the sampled areas, except in Baldriz, a hunting-permitted area, where it was mostly nocturnal. Wolf reproductive groups differed in their daily activity pattern due to varying hunting intensities, with activity peaks occurring before noon in protected areas, and at twilight in non-protected areas. No significant change in wolf activity was observed in response to the presence of off-road trucks, compared to the presence of hunting dogs and hunters, which are directly associated with hunting. This suggests that wolves adjust their activity pattern based on habitat conditions, such as the presence of anthropogenic disturbances like hunting, even when the wolf is not a target species.
The behavioral rhythm and time distribution of the Chinese monal (Lophophorus lhuysii) in captivity was different from those in the wild, and this may affect its reproductive rate and survival status. In order to understand the behavior characteristics of captive Chinese monals, between August 2016 and August 2017 an instantaneous scanning method was employed to investigate the daily behavioral rhythm of captive Chinese monals in Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China. The results indicated the following: the daily behavioral rhythm of Chinese monals demonstrated the absence of a distinct feeding peak during the spring breeding season. In summer, autumn, and winter, foraging and wandering behaviors exhibited peaks in both the morning and evening, while resting behavior and foraging or wandering behavior displayed distinct peaks. Preening behavior was observed across all seasons, with a peak occurring around noon. Differences in diurnal behavioral rhythms between males and females were noted across all seasons. The time distribution of daily behavior demonstrated notable seasonal regularity and periodicity, and also showed differences between males and females. In spring, no significant differences were found between males and females in feeding, resting, preening, and sand-bathing behavior (all P > 0.05). During summer, the sand-bathing behavior of males was significantly lower than that of females (all P < 0.05). In autumn, males exhibited a significantly higher frequency of forging behavior (P = 0.000) and a significantly lower frequency of resting behavior compared to females (P = 0.001). Additionally, wandering behavior in males was significantly lower than in females (P = 0.030). In winter, the sand-bathing behavior of males was significantly lower than that of females (P = 0.001). This study is not only of great significance for the conservation and artificial breeding of this species, but also has practical application value for understanding its ecological habits and improving the level of feeding and management.
