Karyotype diversification and chromosome mutations (or macromutations) such as inversions, fusions, and fissions represent understudied factors of biological evolution. We present in this study one of the first experimental cytogenetic analyses on the Malagasy day geckos of the genus Phelsuma. A molecular analysis was performed using a trait of the mitochondrial 12S and a comparative chromosome study with traditional Giemsa coloration, Ag-NOR staining and sequential C-banding (C-banding + Giemsa + fluorochromes) on nine individuals of Phelsuma from different localities. The molecular analysis allowed unambiguous identification of three species (P. lineata, P. laticauda, and P. standingi), while two additional samples likely belong to a still formally undescribed lineage, here named Phelsuma cf. flavigularis. The comparative cytogenetic analysis showed that three of the studied species (P. lineata, P. laticauda and P. cf. flavigularis) have a karyotype composed of 2n = 36 with all acrocentric chromosomes gradually decreasing in length. In turn, P. standingi showed a karyotype of 2n = 32 with two large metacentric pairs (probably originated from two chromosome fusions) and fourteen acrocentric pairs. NOR loci were alternately localized in the study samples on the first (in P. laticauda), the third (in P. standingi), and the 15th chromosome pair (in P. lineata). Sequential C-banding indicated a scarce amount of heterochromatin in all species analyzed, mostly on the centromeric, pericentromeric and telomeric regions of most chromosome pairs. Adding this new data to those available from the literature, we show that common evolutionary trends characterize several clades of the Malagasy Gekkoninae.
There is a notable paucity of detailed information regarding the distribution and ecological characteristics of nonmarine Ostracoda in Northern Cyprus. Furthermore, a comprehensive assessment of their distribution across islands in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres is incomplete. To advance our understanding of ostracod diversity, distribution, and ecological preferences, a total of 79 aquatic sites in Northern Cyprus were randomly sampled between 18 May and 12 August 2022. A total of 64 ostracod taxa were identified, comprising 28 living species and 36 subfossils, with 18 species representing new records for the island. Additionally, five ostracod species were reported for the first time on any island. The ionic composition of the sampled waters was dominated by sodium and chloride. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) identified five key environmental variables (electrical conductivity, magnesium, calcium, pH, and water temperature) as significant factors influencing species distribution. The CCA model accounted for 66.4% of the variance in species–environment relationships. Species with cosmopolitan distributions had a broad tolerance to these environmental variables. To assess regional patterns in ostracod diversity, the occurrence data from Northern Cyprus were compared with those from Mersin Province (Türkiye) and 196 global island studies. No statistically significant difference in ostracod species diversity was observed between Mersin Province and Northern Cyprus. However, a marked contrast in species diversity was found between Mediterranean islands (153 taxa from 37 islands) and non-Mediterranean islands (321 taxa from 159 islands). In total, 351 living nonmarine ostracod species have been recorded from 188 islands worldwide, with 256 species from 136 islands in the Northern Hemisphere and 121 species from 52 islands in the Southern Hemisphere. Our results suggest that ostracod species have distinct ecological and habitat preferences, with species diversity generally increasing as islands are located closer to the mainland. This pattern is discussed with the predictions of island biogeography theory, highlighting the role of island size and proximity to mainland sources in shaping ostracod diversity.
The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is a keystone ecosystem engineer whose expanding populations increasingly occupy agricultural landscapes. Hair stable isotope analysis was applied to reconstruct assimilated diet in 56 legally hunted beavers in Lithuania in 2024–2025. Stable carbon isotope values were tightly clustered (–25.53 ± 0.10‰ SE), while those for nitrogen showed greater variability (5.38 ± 0.20‰ SE), indicating limited interindividual dietary differentiation. Generalized linear models revealed no significant effects of sex, year, or month, and age-related differences were limited to the youngest individuals. Comparison with published Polish data showed no significant differences in mean isotope values. Overall, the results indicated a stable assimilated diet at the population level despite documented seasonal and habitat-specific foraging flexibility.
Rapid increases in the abundance and biomass of nonindigenous species have the potential to profoundly reshape demersal fish assemblages in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, yet quantitative evidence from long-term standardized surveys remains scarce. In the present study, temporal changes in biomass dynamics and community structure were assessed using fishery-independent trawl surveys conducted on the continental shelf of Antalya Bay (GSA 24) during two periods a decade apart (2009–2010 and 2020–2021), with particular focus on the Lessepsian striped piggy Pomadasys stridens. Based on the second survey, in which both daytime and nocturnal sampling were conducted, the biomass index (BI) differed significantly between diel periods (p < 0.001), with higher and more variable BI values recorded during nocturnal hauls. Intersurvey comparisons based on nocturnal hauls revealed an approximately 33-fold increase in mean BI of P. stridens over the decade, from 11.9 to 410 kg km–2 (p < 0.001), while occurrence frequency increased from 75% to 100%. Total catch increased from 51.9 kg to 2260.6 kg between surveys. During the second survey, P. stridens accounted for 59.8% of the total teleost biomass and consistently emerged as the dominant contributor to within-season similarity across all seasons, explaining up to 75.6% of the community similarity in winter. PERMANOVA revealed significant seasonal differences in teleost biomass structure (p = 0.002), whereas diel effects were not significant. Generalized linear models confirmed a strong survey effect on BI with additional seasonal modulation, while environmental variability was primarily structured by seasonal rather than intersurvey differences. These results reveal a rapid and pronounced increase in the biomass and ecological dominance of P. stridens in Antalya Bay, suggesting that the region may represent a possible transitional zone facilitating the establishment and dominance of thermophilic and Lessepsian species in the ultra-oligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean.
The globalization of trade, aquaculture, and the ornamental pet industry has accelerated the transboundary movement of nonnative crayfish species, with significant ecological consequences. Türkiye, a biodiversity-rich country bridging Europe and Asia, has increasingly become a point of concern due to the rising presence of alien crayfish taxa introduced primarily via the aquarium trade and scientific research. This study investigates the presence records of nonnative crayfish species in Türkiye, identifies their likely introduction pathways, and outlines potential future outspread routes across the major freshwater basins of the country. Species such as Procambarus clarkii, Cherax quadricarinatus, C. albertisii, and Cambarellus patzcuarensis have been detected in commercial trade and research institutions in İzmir, İstanbul, Ankara, and Adana. While established wild populations have not yet been confirmed, the continued import, sale, and handling of high-risk species without adequate regulation suggests a high likelihood of future invasions. T he ecological characteristics of these crayfish, including high reproductive rates, broad environmental tolerances, and disease carrying potential, make them particularly dangerous once released into natural ecosystems. Our analysis identifies Western Anatolia, particularly İzmir, as a key introduction hub, with plausible spread routes extending northwest to the Marmara Region, east to Central Anatolia, and south toward the Mediterranean watershed. The review emphasizes the need for immediate preventive action, including the development of species-specific legislation, enhanced surveillance through molecular tools, public education campaigns, and stricter control over the pet and aquaculture trades. Without such measures, Türkiye risks replicating the ecological and economic disruptions experienced by other European nations affected by invasive crayfish. The review also highlights that Türkiye’s geographical location, coupled with its commercial fishery ties to Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia, increases the risk of invasive alien crayfish species spreading beyond Türkiye’s borders due to their presence in urban areas and widespread online ornamental trade, posing a broader threat to global freshwater ecosystems.
The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is widely distributed across the northern half of Africa, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Asia. However, numerous studies indicate that this carnivore is in decline, and it is currently classified as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In North Africa, the Hyaena hyaena barbara subspecies has been extirpated from many areas. This article summarizes data collected from observations of the striped hyena in North Africa between 2004 and 2024. Among the 418 striped hyenas recorded in North Africa between 2004 and 2024, 18.4% (n = 77) were confirmed road kills, 9.6% (n = 40) were mortalities caused by locals, hunters, or poachers (retaliatory killing and poaching), and 4.1% (n = 17) were captured. Human activity (e.g., road collisions, intentional kills, and captures) directly removed 134 hyenas (32.1% of all hyenas recorded). Road traffic collisions were the primary cause of death (77 hyenas), followed by intentional killings by residents, hunters, or poachers (40 hyenas) and captures (17 hyenas). These findings show the detrimental effects that human-caused threats—specifically traffic, persecution, and live capture—have on striped hyena populations across North Africa. This study provides conservation suggestions to protect the remnant populations in various parts of North Africa based on the primary risks to the species.
In this study, the distribution of endemic leaf beetles in T & uuml;rkiye was analyzed holistically at the provincial scale using species richness (ENR), corrected weighted endemism (CWE), and range-restricted endemism (RRE) indices. A total of 95 endemic taxa were found in T & uuml;rkiye and these taxa exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity in terms of richness and extent of distribution. The Western and Central Taurus Mountains and the Eastern Black Sea Region were found to be the main centers of endemism, with high densities of narrowly distributed and geographically restricted species. These patterns clearly demonstrate that key biogeographic factors, such as steep elevation gradients, strong orographic barriers, habitat fragmentation, and host plant restrictions, favor long-term isolation and local speciation. In contrast, the more uniform topography of Western Anatolia and the Marmara Region generally exhibits low endemism values. The strong spatial overlap between leaf beetles and plant endemism suggests that host specialization plays a significant role in shaping distribution boundaries. Overall, the findings highlight that T & uuml;rkiye's mountainous areas contain critical refuge areas harboring unique endemic leaf beetle communities and that these regions should be prioritized in biodiversity conservation strategies.
Understanding species-specific habitat preferences provides essential ecological information about interactions among habitat components. In South Korea, roe deer ( (Capreolus pygargus) and water deer ( (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) are the dominant large herbivorous mammals of the family Cervidae. The increasing populations of these species have led to ecological and economic challenges. Therefore, we investigated the effects of spatial scale characteristics on the habitat preferences of roe deer and water deer. From June to August each year between 2021 and 2023, we calculated the relative abundance index (RAI) using camera-trap data and analyzed patch characteristics in the study area using remote sensing techniques, including land-use classification based on Landsat 8 satellite imagery. The study area spanned from Chunwangbong to Myojeckryong within the Baekdudaegan Protected Area in South Korea. The RAI of water deer was positively correlated with the total edge length and the total area of specific land cover types, namely agricultural and forested areas. In contrast, the RAI of roe deer was positively correlated with the mean patch size and the total area of forest and water cover types. During the study period, which coincided with the rutting or prerutting season for roe deer and the nursing period for water deer, habitat preference was positively associated with the patch size of forest and agricultural areas. However, spatial scale preferences differed between species: roe deer favored large, contiguous patches, whereas water deer preferred habitats with more diverse patch types. Our results indicate that habitat preferences are linked to behavioral characteristics driven by species-specific life cycles.
Global warming and extreme heatwaves, which can alter species distribution and ecosystem dynamics, have profound effects on forest ants. This study investigated the impact of summer and autumn 2024 heatwaves on the activity, prey transport, and nest-building of Formica rufa Linnaeus, 1761 and Lasius fuliginosus (Latreille, 1798) in deciduous forests of Kyiv, Ukraine. Fieldwork was conducted from June to September 2024 in Holosiyivo Forest and the Feofaniya tract. Ant colonies were assigned to experimental plots, where logs were placed along foraging trails, or to control plots with unmanipulated ground-floor trails. The study included 10 F. rufa anthills for activity monitoring (five experimental, five control) and 16 F. rufa anthills for structural measurements (eight experimental, eight control), along with six L. fuliginosus colonies (three experimental, three control), with a total of 186 observations (120 for F. rufa, 66 for L. fuliginosus). Data on temperature and humidity were recorded to assess their influence on ant activity and nest structure. For F. rufa, trail activity showed a negative correlation with temperature (r = -0.308, p < 0.001) and a positive correlation with humidity (r = 0.355, p < 0.001), with multiple regression confirming humidity as the stronger predictor of activity (Wilks lambda = 0.874, F = 17.02, p = 0.00042). Logs significantly enhanced foraging efficiency, particularly in July, doubling the activity and increasing prey transport by up to 178% compared to forest-floor trails. Anthill volumes declined from 2023 to 2024, with a smaller decrease in experimental nests (38%) than in controls (58.8%), and the number of branch nests was higher in experimental colonies (mean: 2.58 vs. 1.07). L. fuliginosus displayed lower thermal tolerance with almost complete cessation of prey transport by late season despite the structural advantages of log trails. These findings indicate that extreme heat and low humidity strongly suppress ant activity and prey transfer, but the structural enrichment of foraging trails mitigates some of those negative effects. F. rufa exhibited greater resilience than L. fuliginosus, maintaining higher activity and nest-building under heatwave conditions. The study highlights the importance of microhabitat structure in promoting colony performance and provides insights into the vulnerability of temperate forest ants under ongoing climate change.
Cladoceran community dynamics were examined in the Romanian sector of the Black Sea during the warm seasons of 2013-2020, using Marine Reporting Units (MRUs) to evaluate spatial heterogeneity across transitional, coastal, and marine waters. Analyses of density, biomass, mean individual biomass (MIB), and species composition revealed interannual fluctuations superimposed on strong nearshore-offshore gradients, with higher values in transitional and coastal MRUs. The assemblage was consistently dominated by Pleopis polyphemoides and Penilia avirostris, which together accounted for most of the total abundance and biomass. Multivariate analysis identified significant differences in taxonomic composition across MRUs and years, while correlation analyses highlighted temperature as the primary environmental driver of cladoceran variability. Nutrient influences were more spatially discrete, reflecting local riverine inputs and hydrodynamic mixing. Shifts in MIB indicated alternations between small-and large-bodied dominance, signaling changes in size structure and potential impacts on pelagic trophic transfer. The high sensitivity of cladocerans to thermal and nutrient regimes underscores their value as indicators for ecosystem assessments under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), particularly within Descriptor 4 (Food Webs) and Descriptor 1 (Biodiversity). The present study provides an improved understanding of cladoceran responses to environmental variability in the northwestern Black Sea and supports their integration into regional monitoring frameworks.
Lissachatina fulica mucin can be used as a nutraceutical agent depending on the quality of their feed. Polystyrene (PS) waste harms soil and plants consumed by snails, potentially affecting the quality of mucin production. This study investigated the impact of PS on growth and mucus-producing cell characteristics as well as the network pharmacology of mucin protein components. Fifty 5-6 cm L. fulica snails (20-24 g) were fed organic waste (OW) and organic waste with PS (OWPS). After 28 days of ad libitum access to food, the snails' mucus, meat, and shells were collected and weighed. Tissue samples from the anterior and posterior pedal regions were stained with periodic acid-Schiff alican blue (PAS-AB) for histological analysis. L. fulica crude mucin proteins were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry followed by network pharmacology analysis. PS increased crude fiber, slightly altered snail meat composition, and decreased feed consumption and body weight. The mucus from the OWPS group was more pigmented, viscous, and foamy than that of the OW group. OWPS decreased mucus cell density in the anterior region and reverses dorsal/ventral dominance in the posterior region. A total of 26 active compounds were identified, 19 of which were similar to OW mucin, and 7 were unique to OWPS: Guanine, L-(+)-leucine, 6-amino-5-nitrosouracil, ethyl cyanacetate, D-pantothenic acid, lysine butyrate, and 1-azanylidina-Ncyanosulfonyl methane sulfonamide. Network analysis showed that L-leucine and lysine butyrate (node degree > 10) activate 19 target proteins, thereby enhancing the signals from nerves and the brain that control movement and sensation. PS in snail feed reduced growth and altered mucus properties, potentially due to seven unique active compounds, including L-leucine and lysine butyrate.
Shape and size analyses of otoliths are widely considered appropriate tools for distinguishing between fish species and for assessing populations and stocks. The present study aims to distinguish four gurnard species collected from Edremit Bay (Aegean Sea) based on variations in their otolith shape morphology. A total of 60 specimens of Eutrigla gurnardus, 64 of Chelidonichthys lastoviza, 60 of Chelidonichthys lucerna, and 60 of Lepidotrigla cavillone were analyzed. No significant intraspecific differences were noted in the morphology of the left and right otoliths, and so only the left sagittal otoliths were subjected to further analysis. Otolith shape was quantified using wavelet coefficients generated via the ShapeR software package. In addition, otolith size indices, including length (OL), height (OH), perimeter (OP), and area (OA), were extracted from digital images, while shape descriptors such as form factor (FF), aspect ratio (AR), ellipticity (E), circularity (C), roundness (RD), and rectangularity (R), were measured for each species. Significant interspecific differences were observed in the otolith shape and size indices (p < 0.05), and mean otolith shapes generated using wavelet derived contours revealed obvious shape differences among the species. These findings were strongly supported by a canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP), with the first two axes together explaining 96.5% of the total variance (CAP1 = 84.7%, CAP2 = 11.8%). Overall, the results indicate that otolith shape analysis is a reliable tool for identifying gurnard species and provides a methodological baseline for future comparative studies in the Aegean Sea.
The population dynamics of the Asian invasive copepod Sinodiaptomus sarsi were studied for four years after its introduction into an artificial pond in Kyiv (Ukraine) in 2020. The growth and development parameters of this species were measured under laboratory conditions. From its first appearance in spring 2020, the abundance of copepodite stages and adults increased from 3.5-5.2 individuals (ind.) m-3 to 1057.8 ind. m-3 in June 2024, suggesting the successful establishment of S. sarsi populations in this region. A characteristic feature of S. sarsi development in ponds is a male-biased sex ratio in the later copepodite stages. The sex ratio of adults grown in the laboratory at 23 degrees C was also skewed toward males. The sizes of all developmental stages, from egg to adult, reared in the laboratory were similar to those of S. sarsi living in rivers of northeastern China. Males developed faster than females. Postembryonic development times (from first nauplii to adult males and females) were 12.3 and 13.3 days, respectively. Body weight of nauplii increased from 0.0010 +/- 0.0003 mg in the nauplii Ito 0.179 +/- 0.026 and 0.293 +/- 0.079 mg, in adult males and females, respectively, according to the exponential model ln (M, mg) = 0.43 & times; D (development time, days)-7.4. Mass-specific growth rates varied from 0.38 d-1 in nauplii to 0.54 d-1 in adult females. These stage-specific data on functional traits help us understand the biology of invasive species and can be incorporated into models to simulate and predict population and community dynamics. A special section is devoted to methods for determining the body volume of nauplii and copepodites of S. sarsi.
This study provides a comparative analysis of two deep-water pandalid shrimp species, Plesionika martia and P. heterocarpus, based on monthly samples collected over one year in the Eastern Aegean Sea. Specimens were obtained from species-specific depth zones (550 m for P. martia and 350 m for P. heterocarpus) to examine morphometric traits, sexual dimorphism, and reproductive patterns. A total of 4419 individuals were analyzed. Females were significantly larger and more abundant than males (K-S test, p < 0.05), indicating pronounced sexual dimorphism. Length-weight relationships revealed negative allometric growth in both species, confirmed by t-tests (p < 0.05). Reproductive activity differed markedly: P. martia showed a short and distinct spawning period peaking in late autumn, whereas P. heterocarpus displayed a prolonged, bimodal cycle with peaks in spring and summer. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the proportion of ovigerous females varied significantly by season and species. A strong positive correlation between carapace length and gonad weight was found, with a more linear relationship in P. martia and greater variability in P. heterocarpus. Size at first maturity (L-50) was estimated at 22.3 mm CL for P. heterocarpus but could not be reliably determined for P. martia due to limited small-size data, likely reflecting ontogenetic depth segregation. The consistent bathymetric separation between these species-also reported in the Western Mediterranean-suggests ecological niche differentiation. Species-specific management measures, including depth-based fishing restrictions and temporal closures during reproductive peaks, are recommended to support the sustainable exploitation of deep-sea shrimp stocks in the region.
The Djurdjura National Park (PND, Algeria) is part of one of the world's 36 biodiversity hot spots, recognised by the United Nations as a national biosphere reserve. It contains the Darna primary forest, a key habitat for several mesocarnivore mammals, including the golden wolf (Canis lupaster), the common genet (Genetta genetta) and the ichneumon mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon). Although their diets are primarily based on animal prey, these carnivores exhibit both qualitative and quantitative reliance on plants, a pattern that merits thorough documentation. We analysed 30 scats per species per month over four years (1440 scats per species). More than 35% of the identified food items' frequencies of occurrence were of plant origin, confirming the importance of plant resources in their trophic ecology. Frugivory represents a major component of the plant diet (80% of the plant taxa consumed). Over half of these are cultivated species, reflecting a close interaction between wildlife and agroforestry areas. The remaining plant taxa consist mainly of wild grasses, which are likely used for zoopharmacognostic purposes. The analysis of seasonal variations, validated by the chi-square (chi 2) test, highlights a feeding opportunism modulated by the seasonal availability of resources. In addition to their trophic role, the latrines appear to be genuine islands of plant regeneration, encouraging seed dispersal and thus contributing to the preservation of forest biodiversity and resilience. Integrating these results into the conservation and management strategies for the mountain forests of the PND (and others) could strengthen the sustainable management of these Mediterranean ecosystems by enhancing ecological interactions between mesocarnivore mammals and plant communities.
Estimating ecological flows (EFs) in rivers is crucial for meeting the Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC goals. To develop an EF model, it is essential to use biological indicators to reliably record the impacts of human-induced alterations on aquatic ecosystems. The adaptability of fish to annual flow variability makes them a significant biological quality element (BQE). Consequently, using fish as bioindicators is a powerful tool for assessing the impact of changes in the hydrological regime on the natural communities within a river system. The new index of the ecological status of fish communities (NISECI) is a methodology developed in Italy that uses fish communities as BQEs to assess the ecological status of rivers, as directed by the WFD. We aimed to apply the NISECI to define the transition from the minimum vital flow (MVF), currently in force in Italian legislation, to the EF, as per the WFD. Specifically, we defined NISECI values for 26 stretches of river located within the Tiber River basin hydrographic network and characterized the physicochemical and hydromorphological conditions. Fish and environmental data were collected between July 2024 and May 2025. For summer flow rates (the low-flow season), we equated the EF to the MVF at locations where WFD objectives had been met (i.e. good ecological status). In the other cases, we predicted an increase in flow rate depending on the deviation from good ecological status. In line with this holistic multidisciplinary approach, we based variation in the quantity, quality, and timing of water discharge envisioned by the EF concept on the natural flow duration curves calculated for the Tiber River basin.
Mayflies are among the most abundant benthic invertebrates inhabiting natural lotic freshwater systems. Their assemblages vary with environmental, geographical, and hydrological conditions along altitudinal gradients and under different types of watershed disturbance. The main objective of this study was to analyze the composition and beta-diversity of mayflies across three river watersheds and to assess how these assemblages differ among them. We collected biological and environmental data from 38 sampling sites distributed across the three river watersheds. We hypothesized that mayfly assemblages would vary with environmental gradients on both spatial and temporal scales; specifically, we expected pristine streams to exhibit higher taxonomic richness and a greater proportion of rare species. In total, 59 morphologically distinct mayfly taxa belonging to 18 genera and eight families were identified. In this study, four endemic species-Epeorus yougoslavicus, Ecdyonurus (Helvetoraeticus) epeorides, Rhithrogena braaschi, and Rh. thracica-were recorded. The communities at mountainous sites were dominated by Baetis alpinus, which was gradually replaced by B. rhodani or Alainites muticus in lower reaches. We found little variation in the number of taxa, total and relative abundance, and species richness between seasons and river types, mainly because site seasonality was influenced not by low water levels in autumn but by fine-scale microhabitat diversity. The Struma River watershed exhibited the highest richness (>20 mayfly taxa), observed at several sampling sites. Along the elevational gradient, the number of taxa increased toward lower-altitude sites, except at human-impacted locations. Significant positive (general degradation score) and negative (sites shading) correlations were found with total mayfly abundance, suggesting a potential loss of stenothermal and endemic species. Therefore, the diverse mayfly assemblages-including rare and endemic species-underscore the importance of protecting these rivers from future degradation and pollution across the western Aegean basins and the broader Balkan Peninsula.
Rising environmental stressors, including climate change, nutrient loading, pollution, and anthropogenic impacts, have made the continuous monitoring of lake water quality increasingly essential. While in situ methods offer high precision, satellite-based remote sensing is essential for capturing large-scale, long-term changes and accessing remote or extreme environments. To complement these approaches, we developed a cost-effective in situ optical measurement system specifically designed for optically complex inland waters. The instrument enables detailed optical characterization across scattering angles from 0 degrees to 160 degrees and wavelengths between 423 and 728 nm, covering both visible and near-infrared regions. Initial validation was performed using monocultures of Chlorella vulgaris, a well-established model organism for chlorophyll-a optical studies. As a result of laboratory measurements of C. vulgaris monocultures using a spectral goniometer, forward and backward scattering profiles, polarization characteristics, three-dimensional patterns, volume scattering functions, and radiant intensities at 90 degrees across Sentinel-3 OLCI bands toward density changes were modeled. The results confirmed Mie scattering dominance in line with the theoretical expectations. Overall, the developed full-spectrum goniometer can serve as a reliable and practical tool for in situ optical monitoring.
Ostracods are diminutive aquatic invertebrates with a broad geographical distribution across a diverse range of aquatic habitats, including lentic and lotic freshwater environments as well as marine waters. Due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, ostracods are valuable tools in biodiversity monitoring, providing a link to past, present, and future ecological conditions. Despite the significance of classical taxonomic studies in species identification, molecular approaches remain underutilized in ostracod research, representing an area of potential growth for advancing our understanding of this diverse group. Thus, molecular studies in ostracods have the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of morphology, ecological variation and adaptation, and species diversity. While adaptation through morphological characters (e.g., carapace variation serving as a protective structure) and form (e.g., size, shape, and mineral composition) vary in response to environmental factors, molecular tools such as DNA sequence analyses can be useful for exploring how ostracods thrive in different aquatic habitats and how they speciated over time. In this study, we isolated total DNA and amplified 658 bp of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene from nonmarine ostracod species collected from Denizli Province, T & uuml;rkiye. In addition, we included 5068 publicly available COI sequences retrieved from NCBI. Our analyses provide a broader molecular framework for examining evolutionary relationships, morphological congruence, and ecological differentiation across ostracod lineages. The results emphasize the need for more integrated studies that combine molecular, ecological, and morphological data to improve species delimitation and understand habitat-driven divergence in this underexplored group.
Since its introduction into Serbian watercourses, the invasive Carassiusgibelio (Bloch, 1782) (Prussian carp) has spread rapidly. This paper provides an up-to-date overview of the sex ratio, age structure, and growth parameters in Serbian populations of this fish and describes how growth varies in two contrasting ecosystems: lotic and lentic. A total of 133 individuals were sampled. The individuals from lentic habitats were longer on average, with no significant differences in average weight or age between the two ecosystem types. There was a difference in the sex ratio between the ecosystems, as indicated by a higher proportion of males in lentic waters (43.42%), than males in lotic waters (28.07%). Positive allometric growth was observed in both ecosystem types (b = 3.1693 and 3.0316). The individuals from lotic habitats had better growth performance and greater potential for reaching larger sizes (L infinity = 59.50 cm, K = 0.09, t0 = -0.07), whereas those in lentic waters grew faster and more efficiently(L infinity = 43.02 cm, K = 0.12, t0 = -0.30). The proportion of males was higher than anticipated for species known for gynogenesis in both ecosystem types, especially in lentic habitats. This suggests that Prussian carp has undergone naturalization events in Serbian watercourses over nearly 7 decades-a strategy that could increase genetic diversity and promote long-term population stability.
