Free-ranging pet cats have been identified as significant predators of wildlife. Managing this conflict is challenging, because control of movement ultimately lies with the owner. Previous research has focused on the influence of environmental, intrinsic, husbandry-, and personality-related factors on cats’ behavior when stepping out the door. However, an overlooked driver is the strength of the cat–owner relationship. In this explorative study, we used animal-borne video cameras to document the outdoor behavior of 12 cats and in parallel assessed the relationship with their owners through the Cat–Owner Relationship Scale (CORS), along with intrinsic (age and sex) and husbandry-related (cat’s role, cat’s restriction and roaming pattern, parasite treatment, and provisioning households) determinants. We found no statistical evidence of a direct influence of the cat–owner relationship on exploratory and hunting behaviors, but owners with higher CORS scores observed more harassment incidents by their cats and owners reporting more hunting behavior tended to own cats that roamed more in nature; those cats also explored more. We further observed high individual variability in hunting and time allocated to urban and natural environments. Comparing our results with the previous literature, we conclude that outdoor behavior largely varies between individual cats and is difficult to predict. However, the greater awareness of cat–wildlife conflict among owners with stronger bonds may provide an opportunity to promote changes in owner behavior.
Understanding habitat suitability and environmental preferences of shortbill spearfish (Tetrapturus angustirostris) is essential for assessing and mitigating bycatch risk in pelagic longline fisheries. Using observer data collected by the Chinese Pacific tuna longline fishery, including 19,932 longline sets collected during 2010–2021, we compared five individual modelling algorithms and three ensemble strategies to predict habitat suitability across the Pacific Ocean and identify key environmental drivers. Model performance was evaluated using repeated 10-fold cross-validation with three repetitions. The stacking ensemble achieved the highest predictive performance (AUC = 0.872; TSS = 0.591), followed closely by random forest (RF; AUC = 0.869), although the absolute difference between these two models was small. A sensitivity analysis including log-transformed observed hooks resulted in only minor improvements in RF and stacking performance and did not materially alter the main habitat-suitability patterns. Both generally outperformed the other individual and weighted ensemble models. Permutation-based importance analyses consistently identified salinity as the strongest environmental predictor of habitat suitability, followed by chlorophyll-a concentration, distance to shore, and dissolved oxygen concentration. Partial dependence analyses showed that the stacking ensemble produced smoother and more readily interpretable responses to environmental gradients, particularly salinity and dissolved oxygen, whereas RF placed greater importance on a limited number of dominant predictors. Highly suitable habitat was primarily predicted in subtropical offshore waters of the southeastern Pacific (10° S–25° S, 100° W–130° W), which were characterized by relatively high salinity, moderate dissolved oxygen concentrations, and low chlorophyll-a concentrations. A secondary area of elevated suitability was identified in the central North Pacific (160° E–180° E, 15° N–25° N). Overall, the stacking ensemble provided robust predictions of shortbill spearfish habitat suitability, whereas RF remained useful for identifying dominant environmental correlates. The predicted habitat maps provide a spatial basis for identifying potential bycatch-risk hotspots and supporting adaptive management strategies, such as spatially targeted monitoring and mitigation measures in tuna longline fisheries.
Gallbladder mucocele is a common extrahepatic biliary condition in dogs, traditionally managed with cholecystectomy, while conservative approaches combining clinical and nutritional strategies remain underexplored. This case series reports four dogs diagnosed with gallbladder mucocele, all presenting with hyperlipidemia, three with overweight or obesity, and one with hypothyroidism. The dogs were treated using a multimodal protocol combining pharmacological therapy with nutritional strategies. The pharmacological protocol included ursodeoxycholic acid, silymarin, S-adenosyl-L-methionine, bezafibrate, and omega-3 fatty acids, with doses adjusted according to body weight. Nutritional interventions were individualized and included weight-loss diets and a low-fat gastrointestinal diet. Clinical and ultrasonographic outcomes varied among cases, with partial or complete resolution observed over different follow-up periods. These findings suggest that clinical management combined with individualized nutritional protocols may be a potential approach for asymptomatic dogs with gallbladder mucocele, particularly when surgery is not feasible, and could inform future investigations.
Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS) is characterized by multifocal inflammatory lesions in pigs of different ages and has been associated with systemic inflammatory processes. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to characterize associations between SINS expression and systemic inflammatory, hematological, and metabolic biomarkers in pigs from two farm cooperatives within the same commercial production system. In this exploratory study, 45 undocked piglets were assessed during the suckling and weaner stages. Clinical lesions were quantified across multiple body regions, and clinical-chemical and hematological parameters were analyzed in weaners. LASSO regression identified Pig major acute phase protein (PigMAP) as the biomarker most strongly associated with SINS-related traits, showing positive associations with tail base bristle loss and teat redness, whereas heel swelling and tail tip reddening were negatively associated or showed no association. Additional findings included decreased creatinine and urea under more favorable environmental conditions, and differences in bilirubin, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) under less favorable conditions, indicating distinct patterns of clinical-chemical parameters associated with SINS. Platelet counts were lower in piglets with SINS status 2, i.e., piglets showing clinical signs of SINS during both the suckling and nursery periods, with statistically significant differences in the respective comparisons. These findings are consistent with the concept of SINS as a systemic inflammatory condition accompanied by measurable hematological and metabolic alterations. Together, these findings broaden the biological characterization of SINS and provide a foundation for future longitudinal studies investigating the temporal relationships between clinical manifestations and systemic biomarkers.
The global transition to antibiotic-free livestock production, accelerated by antimicrobial-resistance concerns, has intensified the search for alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters, and phytobiotics have emerged as key candidates. Cangzhu, the dried rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC, is a crude drug of traditional Chinese medicine that has attracted substantial attention as a multipurpose phytobiotic. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the phytochemistry, gut-protective mechanisms, and practical application of Cangzhu in sustainable livestock production. Its principal bioactive constituents are sesquiterpenoids (atractylone, β-eudesmol, hinesol, atractylenolides I–III), polyacetylenes (including atractylodin), polysaccharides, and flavonoids. Reported gut-protective mechanisms comprise upregulation of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1); dual suppression of the NF-κB and MAPK-signaling pathways; activation of the Nrf2–Keap1 antioxidant axis; modulation of the gut microbiota; and TLR4-mediated stimulation of mucosal immunity. In swine, poultry, and ruminant studies, Atractylodes-based supplementation has been associated with improved growth performance, a lower incidence of diarrhea, favorable intestinal morphology, downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), beneficial microbiota shifts, and inhibited pathogens. However, much of the mechanistic evidence derives from rodent and in vitro models, and much of the in vivo livestock evidence from the related species A. macrocephala (Baizhu) or multi-herb formulations; direct livestock trials with pure A. lancea remain limited for several endpoints, and the responses observed in these heterogeneous studies depend on the formulation, dose, and animal species used, as indicated by the explicit evidence-tier and source-species tags applied throughout the text, tables, and figures. The reported effective inclusion levels should be read as experimental study ranges and not as standardized dose recommendations. Framed within the One Health paradigm, Cangzhu is therefore best characterized as a mechanistically substantiated candidate alternative to antibiotic growth promoters whose adoption requires species-specific dose validation, quality standardization, and commercial-scale economic confirmation.
Mineral imbalances in extensive goat production are frequently viewed as isolated deficiencies; however, they arise from complex interactions within the soil–plant–animal continuum. This review critically synthesizes evidence on mineral dynamics in goats raised under extensive, arid, and semiarid conditions, with emphasis on geochemical availability, soil–plant transfer, digestive mineral processes, and animal biomarkers. Soil mineral concentrations do not necessarily predict plant uptake or animal mineral status, particularly in alkaline and drought-prone soils where physicochemical factors constrain mineral solubility and availability. Forage plant species play a crucial role in linking soil to goats, although their mineral contributions vary by species, plant part, and season. Furthermore, ruminal physicochemical transformations and mineral antagonisms can alter the amount and chemical form of minerals reaching the intestine, thereby influencing subsequent intestinal absorption and whole-animal utilization, with Cu–Mo–S interactions being particularly relevant. Assessing mineral status in goats requires an integrated approach that considers soil, plant, selected diet, water, supplementation, animal biomarkers, and health outcomes. Future research should prioritize goat-specific predictive studies to improve supplementation strategies and enhance sustainability.
The Mediterranean Sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus is a key benthic herbivore and a valuable fishery resource because of the high commercial and gastronomic value of its edible gonads. Increasing market demand, overharvesting, climate change, habitat degradation, and pollution have contributed to the decline of wild populations in several Mediterranean areas. This narrative review, including a preliminary case study, provides an integrated perspective on the role of P. lividus in conservation-oriented aquaculture, with particular attention to Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), microbiological quality, sperm quality assessment, cryopreservation, and germplasm biobanking. IMTA may improve nutrient recycling and resource-use efficiency, whereas cryopreservation and biobanking can support genetic resource conservation, selective breeding, hatchery production, and future restocking programs. Within this framework, the ongoing AVATIM project (“Virtuous Aquaculture in Integrated Marine Multitrophic Aquaculture”) is presented as an operational case study illustrating how reproductive biotechnology may be integrated into sustainable multitrophic aquaculture and germplasm conservation strategies. Baseline sperm quality parameters of sexually mature males collected from the southern Adriatic Sea were assessed using Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis and flow cytometry, providing baseline values for future cryopreservation studies and biobanking applications. Overall, AVATIM illustrates how IMTA, reproductive biotechnology, and genetic resource conservation may jointly support sustainable Mediterranean Sea urchin management.
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a promising adjunctive treatment for dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE), but response is usually assessed at scheduled follow-up visits, potentially overlooking day-to-day fluctuations. This prospective observational study evaluated temporal response after a single FMT administered by retention enema using daily owner-completed Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index (CIBDAI) monitoring. Fourteen dogs with CE refractory or incompletely responsive to dietary management were enrolled. CIBDAI scores were assigned by a veterinarian at baseline and on days 7 and 30, while owners completed a daily clinical diary for 30 days. Changes over time were assessed using the Friedman test, longitudinal trends using a generalized additive mixed model, and agreement between owner and veterinarian-assigned scores using quadratic-weighted Cohen’s kappa and Bland–Altman analysis. Clinician-assigned CIBDAI scores showed a significant overall effect of time (p < 0.01), but no pairwise comparison remained significant after correction. Daily monitoring showed a significant nonlinear pattern in the primary diary-only model, although no interval of significant change was identified. In the secondary baseline-inclusive model, the derivative was significantly negative between Days 2 and 5. In within-dog descriptive comparisons, dogs experienced a median of 3.5 days (range: 0–14) with daily CIBDAI scores at or above their individual T0 value. Weighted kappa was 0.680 (95% CI: 0.266–1.000) at T7 and 0.821 (95% CI: 0.690–0.952) at T30. Bland–Altman analysis identified no proportional bias at T7, whereas significant proportional bias was observed at T30, indicating greater divergence between owner and veterinarian-assigned scores at higher CIBDAI values. Daily owner-reported monitoring captured day-to-day fluctuations that would likely have been missed by conventional outpatient assessments performed only at predefined follow-up time points and may therefore support more individualized post-FMT follow-up in dogs with CE.
Przewalski’s gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) is an endangered ungulate endemic to the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau of China. Increasing habitat alteration and close contact with domestic livestock have raised concerns about cross-species pathogen transmission, yet infectious disease studies in this species remain limited. To determine the etiology of illness in two deceased gazelles from a conservation facility in Qinghai Province, we screened samples for a panel of pathogens, including Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, Clostridium perfringens toxin genes, Mannheimia haemolytica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV), using PCR and RT-PCR. BVDV-specific nucleic acids were detected in tissue samples from both individuals, whereas all other targeted pathogens tested negative. The virus was successfully isolated in Madin–Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cells and confirmed by RT-PCR, followed by whole-genome sequencing of the isolate, which was designated QH PSYL 2026. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length genome and 5′UTR sequences assigned the isolate to the BVDV-1c subgenotype. Notably, its 5′UTR sequence shared 100% identity with those of local cattle-derived BVDV strains, providing molecular evidence suggestive of an epidemiological linkage between wildlife and livestock. Integrating clinical signs, gross pathology, and laboratory results, the cases were consistent with BVDV infection as the primary presumptive etiology. To our knowledge, this is the first report of BVDV infection, virus isolation, and genomic characterization in Przewalski’s gazelle. The detection of a BVDV-1c strain in this endangered species highlights the potential threat that livestock-associated pathogens pose to wildlife on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. These findings furnish crucial baseline data for disease surveillance, molecular epidemiology, and conservation management of Przewalski’s gazelle and provide valuable scientific evidence for wildlife disease prevention and control in plateau ecosystems.
The Polish Konik horse (PKH) is one of Europe’s best-known native conservation breeds. Traditionally associated with the extinct Eurasian tarpan and conservation grazing, the breed has recently become the subject of multidisciplinary research encompassing genetics, ecology, health, behaviour and reproduction. This narrative review summarises current knowledge on the biological characteristics and contemporary scientific significance of the PKH. Literature published between 2005 and 2026 was identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar and narratively synthesised. Available evidence suggests that, despite severe historical bottlenecks, the PKH has retained considerable genetic diversity and its characteristic maternal and paternal founder-line structure. Recent molecular studies have revised traditional concepts of the breed’s origin, while ecological research supports its important role in conservation grazing and wetland restoration. Behavioural and reproductive studies indicate stable temperament, high reproductive efficiency and adaptation to extensive management systems. However, current knowledge is derived predominantly from observational studies, with relatively few comparative investigations and limited genomic and longitudinal data. The PKH represents a valuable model for research on conservation genetics, environmental adaptation, animal welfare, reproductive biology and ecosystem management. Further interdisciplinary studies are needed to strengthen the evidence base for conservation and breeding strategies.
Pelvic urethral rupture is an uncommon but serious injury in cats that may result in extensive urine extravasation and severe soft tissue damage. This report describes the surgical management of two cats with pelvic urethral rupture complicated by urine extravasation extending into the femoral region, resulting in urethrocutaneous fistulation and extensive soft tissue necrosis. Two 2-year-old male domestic shorthairs presented with similar injuries, one undergoing retrograde urethrography, the other additional CT scan as well to define the extent of injury. In Case 1, transpelvic urethrostomy was performed following surgical debridement of necrotic tissue, and tension-relieving mesh incisions were subsequently made in the surrounding skin of the left thigh to reduce tension on the primary closure and facilitate closure of the skin defect created by debridement. In Case 2, prepubic urethrostomy and surgical debridement were performed following confirmation of pelvic urethral rupture, with contrast accumulation identified at the dorsal aspect of the ischiatic arch on CT. In both cases, the soft tissue wounds were managed by second-intention healing. Both cats recovered without major postoperative complications, and the soft tissue injuries had resolved successfully during follow-up. Both cases demonstrate that prompt surgical intervention combined with appropriate wound management can result in favorable outcomes in cats with pelvic urethral rupture complicated by extensive urine extravasation into the femoral region.
Excessive body fat deposition during pregnancy is believed to have an adverse effect on the reproductive performance of sows. Feed intake regulation (REG) is an effective method to modulate energy intake and fat deposition. This study aimed to explore the impact of feed intake and body fat deposition on reproductive performance. A total of 24 Shaziling sows (parity 3–6) were divided into two groups based on their BF on day 30 of gestation, and subsequently randomly assigned to control (CON) and REG groups: (1) BF between 12 and 16 mm (LB-CON, n = 6), (2) BF between 12 and 16 mm (LB-IF, n = 6), (3) BF between 18 and 22 mm (HB-CON, n = 6), and (4) BF between 18 and 22 mm (HB-RF, n = 6). Sows in the LB-CON and HB-CON groups were fed a basic diet at a dosage of 1.88 kg/d. The LB-IF and HB-RF groups received REG and were fed a basic diet at dosages of 2.07 kg/d and 1.69 kg/d, respectively. Higher total litter weight and live litter weight were observed in HB-RF sows (p < 0.05). In addition, HB-CON sows displayed higher serum levels of IL-6, TG, and GLU when compared with LB-CON sows (p < 0.05), whereas HB-RF sows exhibited lower levels of these markers than HB-CON sows (p < 0.05). The lipid droplet area fraction was higher in HB-CON sows than in LB-CON sows (p < 0.05), and this fraction was reduced in HB-RF sows compared with HB-CON sows (p < 0.05). The placental level of TC increased in HB-CON sows when compared with LB-CON sows (p < 0.05). The placental levels of T-AOC and GPX increased in HB-RF sows when compared with HB-CON sows (p < 0.05). Moreover, the mRNA expression of FABP3 was higher in HB-CON sows when compared with LB-CON sows (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression of GLUT3 and PlGF increased in HB-RF sows when compared with HB-CON sows (p < 0.05). In addition, HB-RF sows exhibited increased Shannon, Simpson, and ACE indices when compared with HB-CON sows (p < 0.05). The characterization of the fecal microbiota revealed that HB-RF sows displayed a lower ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota and an increased relative abundance of Limosilactobacillus when compared with HB-CON sows (p < 0.05). Collectively, these observations suggested that reduced feed intake in Shaziling sows with high backfat thickness improved reproductive indices, alleviated placental oxidative stress and inflammatory status, elevated placental nutrient transport and angiogenesis-related gene expression, and reshaped fecal microbiota. These results provide valuable reference for pig production.
Accurate pedigree reconstruction is critical for genetic evaluation in admixed cattle populations, yet the relative performance of microsatellite and genome-wide SNP markers in twin-rich herds with incomplete pedigree records remains unclear. We compared 12 ISAG-recommended microsatellite markers with whole-genome SNP data for dam–calf assignment in a Simmental crossbred population (n = 43, 13 dam–calf groups) from southern China. Twin zygosity was determined from SNP identity-by-descent (PI_HAT) values: nine calf pairs were dizygotic, one pair was monozygotic (20A/21A), and one adult pair was composed of dizygotic twin sisters (31A/34A). Admixture analysis at K = 3 revealed ancestry proportions of 50.7% European taurine, 28.9% Chinese indicine and 20.4% East Asian taurine. The SNP-based neighbor-joining tree correctly recovered 12 of 13 groups (92.3%, 95% CI: 64.0–99.8%), whereas the microsatellite-based tree recovered 11 (84.6%, 95% CI: 54.6–98.1%); the difference was not statistically significant (exact McNemar test, p = 1.0). Locus INRA023 was monomorphic (PIC = 0), reducing the effective number of markers to 11. These results indicate that genome-wide SNPs show a favourable trend in accuracy and are less prone to false-positive clustering than a standard microsatellite panel in admixed, twin-rich cattle populations.
The Min pig, a Chinese indigenous breed, is valued for its excellent meat quality and stress tolerance. Nevertheless, its growth rate falls considerably short of commercial pig breeds, a pattern typical of most unselected indigenous populations, and marked individual variation further undermines its economic viability. To explore the genetic basis of this variation, we evaluated a series of nonlinear fixed-effects and mixed-effects models based on the Gompertz, Logistic, and von Bertalanffy functions using body weight records from 92 Min pigs. Model selection was based on AIC, BIC, and leave-one-out cross-validation. The best-fitting model was a Logistic nonlinear mixed-effects model with individual-level random effects on all three growth parameters (Asymptotic weight, timing parameter, and be parameter), which clearly outperformed models with simpler random-effect structures and fixed-effects models. From this model, we identified three characteristic growth transition points: the early transition point (Growth Rate Index, GRI) at 94.83 days (22.32 kg), the single inflection point (Maximum Growth Rate, MGR) at 166.06 days (52.80 kg), and the late transition point (Late Growth Rate Index, LGRI) at 237.29 days (83.29 kg), with a maximum absolute growth rate of 488.2 g/day. These points partitioned growth into initial acceleration, rapid growth, deceleration, and Asymptotic growth phases. Using individual fitted growth curves, we selected five fast-growing and five slow-growing pigs that reached approximately 90 kg during the plateau phase, defined as a predicted body weight of at least 95% of the individual Asymptotic weight. The fast-growing group reached 90 kg at 240.5 ± 20.42 days, whereas the slow-growing group reached the same weight at 286.67 ± 19.20 days. At the 90 kg slaughter weight, we collected longissimus dorsi muscle samples from these pigs during the plateau phase and performed RNA-seq. Transcriptome analysis revealed 864 differentially expressed genes between the two groups, with 540 upregulated and 324 downregulated in the fast-growing group. Pathway enrichment implicated the PI3K-Akt and TGF-β signaling pathways in muscle development, and differential expression of IGFN1, DCN, COL3A1, MYOC, COL1A2, COL1A1, and IGF2 may explain the growth variation between the groups. In summary, the Logistic mixed-effects model with individual-level random effects on all growth parameters effectively captures the growth pattern of Min pigs, and the PI3K-Akt and TGF-β pathways likely mediate growth differences in this breed.
This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with 4% multispecies probiotic fermented broth (MPFB) on the apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, serum immune indices, intestinal morphology, cecal microbiota, and thigh muscle nutrient composition in 815-strain yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 400 healthy 4-day-old broilers with similar body weight and a 1:1 sex ratio were randomly assigned to the control group with basal diet (CON) or the MPFB group with 4% MPFB. The results showed that MPFB significantly increased the apparent digestibility of crude protein and calcium (p < 0.05), and that of crude fiber and phosphorus (p < 0.01). The MPFB group had a higher thigh muscle yield and a lower abdominal fat yield (p < 0.05), while carcass yield tended to increase (p = 0.071). MPFB also elevated serum immunoglobulin M and interleukin-2 concentrations (p < 0.05), increased duodenal villus height (p < 0.05), reduced duodenal crypt depth (p < 0.05), and increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (p < 0.05). Cecal microbiota analysis showed that MPFB significantly enriched Ruminococcus gauvreauii_group, Ruminococcus torques_group, and Turicibacter (p < 0.05), while Bacteroides tended to increase (p = 0.093), which were positively correlated with the improved nutrient digestibility and duodenal morphology. In thigh muscle, MPFB tended to increase cysteine content (p = 0.081), decreased C14:0 (p < 0.05), C16:0 and total saturated fatty acids (p < 0.01), increased C20:2 (p < 0.05), and tended to decrease C12:0 and C16:1 but increase C18:2n6c and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (p < 0.10). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 4% MPFB improved nutrient utilization and selected carcass traits and modulated the thigh muscle fatty acid profile in yellow-feathered broilers, which are potentially associated with improved intestinal morphology and modulation of the cecal microbiota.
Avian coccidiosis is an intestinal disease caused by several different Eimeria spp. that impair the host’s intestinal system, resulting in poor nutrition absorption, reduced growth, and often death. Increasing evidence from recent studies indicates that Eimeria infection disrupts epithelial integrity and reshapes the intestinal microbial ecosystem. Probiotics can enhance poultry productivity and gut health by modulating the microbiome, with certain probiotics demonstrating anticoccidial properties. A detailed understanding of Eimeria-induced dysbiosis, barrier injury, mucosal inflammation, secondary bacterial risk, and probiotic-mediated control is necessary for the effective application of probiotics in commercial practice and for developing logical strategies to control coccidiosis in the post-antibiotic era. This review differs from general coccidiosis or probiotic reviews by integrating evidence across five linked dimensions: Eimeria species, intestinal site, time after infection, probiotic strain or function, and production translation. It summarizes the current understanding of Eimeria-driven gut microbiota dysbiosis and probiotic-based interventions for chicken coccidiosis, with a focus on intestinal site specificity, temporal microbial patterns, microbial metabolism, host–microbiota interactions, and practical implications for poultry production. Future research should move from correlation-based microbiota profiling toward strain-resolved, mechanism-oriented, and production-relevant evaluation.
Xenopus tadpoles begin displaying several innate visually guided behaviors by developmental stage 48—just 10 days postfertilization. These behaviors include a preference for green over light, and light over dark. Until now, these preferences have been studied by measuring the behavior of groups of tadpoles. The overall behavior of the group, however, does not necessarily reflect the behavior of individuals. Therefore, here we studied visual preferences displayed by individual tadpoles. Our data show that individual tadpoles display varied behavior relative to one another: some tadpoles displayed a strong preference for light over dark while others preferred dark over light; some displayed a strong preference for green over light while others preferred light over green. While preferences varied across tadpoles, preferences displayed within individuals were stable over time (i.e., consistent). Also, previous work on groups of tadpoles shows that visual preferences are shaped by the neuromodulator serotonin (5-HT). At the single tadpole level, we found that inhibiting 5-HT weakened the preference for light displayed by most individuals, and that enhancing endogenous serotonin transmission strengthened the preference for light displayed by most individuals. However, through this, we also identified a small subset of tadpoles that displayed an exceptionally strong preference for light which appeared to be insensitive to experimentally altered levels of 5-HT activity.
Coprophagy is a common behavior in domestic dogs, yet its effects on the intestinal microbiota and asymptomatic carriage of enteropathogens remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether healthy coprophagic dogs differ from non-coprophagic dogs in fecal microbiota composition or prevalence of asymptomatic enteropathogen carriage. Forty-four clinically healthy dogs were prospectively enrolled, including 23 coprophagic and 21 non-coprophagic animals as reported by their owners. Ages spanned from 6 to 119 months old, including 19 mixed-breed dogs and 25 purebred dogs, and diet was not controlled for. Fecal samples were analyzed using quantitative PCR to determine the canine dysbiosis index, quantify core bacterial taxa, and detect selected enteropathogens, including Clostridium perfringens, Clostridioides difficile, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella spp., canine parvovirus, and toxin-associated genes. Demographic and microbiological data were compared between groups, with correction for multiple testing. No significant differences were observed between coprophagic and non-coprophagic dogs in dysbiosis index (q = 1), abundance of the core bacterial taxa evaluated (q = 0.17–1), or detection of enteropathogens (q = 0.734–1) after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Enteropathogens were absent or detected infrequently in both groups. These findings indicate that coprophagy in otherwise healthy dogs is not associated with measurable alterations in dysbiosis index, core fecal microbiota, or increased enteropathogen carriage.
Thai swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are valuable animal genetic resources, but their regional diversity remains incompletely characterized. Morphological records were obtained from 799 buffaloes, and 474 individuals were genotyped using the 90K Axiom® Buffalo SNP Genotyping Array (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Applied Biosystems™, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Qualitative traits included coat color, horn shape, chevron pattern, and hair-whorl distribution, while quantitative characterization covered 30 body measurements. After excluding missing traits, 30 traits adjusted for sex, age, province, and farm from 768 animals were used for morphology-based analyses, which identified regional phenotypic differences but also substantial overlap, consistent with the influence of feeding, management, environment, and local selection on body conformation. Genome-wide SNP analyses indicated a broadly shared genetic background with detectable regional structure, and runs of homozygosity revealed regional differences in genomic autozygosity. The Lower South showed a comparatively strong recurrent-ROH pattern, whereas inference for the Upper South requires caution because of its small genomic sample. Overall, integrating morphology and genome-wide SNP data improves regional characterization, but data-dependent statistics, population-structure estimates, and conservation implications should be interpreted while regarding small sampling and unbalanced data.
Closed-flume spatial constraints may bias swimming-performance data used in fish-passage design. Two independent experiments were conducted using different size classes of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Fish with a mean body length (BL) of 7.92 ± 0.61 cm were used to assess five test-section lengths (8, 6, 4, 3.5, and 3 BL), whereas fish with a mean BL of 15.76 ± 0.97 cm were used to assess three blockage ratios (1.88%, 9.26%, and 15.31%). Incremental-velocity tests quantified critical swimming speed and behavior, and three-dimensional simulations examined the local flow field under the 9.26% blockage. Relative critical swimming speed was similar at 4–8 BL (9.71–9.95 BL/s) but decreased by 10.96% from 4 to 3.5 BL. Increasing blockage from 1.88% to 9.26% and 15.31% reduced it from 6.99 to 5.34 and 5.24 BL/s, respectively. Behavioral responses also depended on spatial constraint: shorter sections reduced the space available for forward movement and postural adjustment, whereas higher blockage restricted lateral body and tail movements. As velocity increased, fish intensified tail beating; under higher blockage, compensation relied increasingly on tail-beat frequency because amplitude adjustment was constrained, with greater variation among individuals. Simulations showed that local streamwise velocity near the maximum fish cross-section was 20.8–25.0% above inlet velocity. At least 4 BL is recommended for fish comparable to those in the length experiment. Below 5% is suggested as a precautionary blockage target.
