Geographic genetic variation at the regional level can be investigated using molecular methods by inferring phylogeographic structures within species. Small rodents are an interesting model for such kind of investigations due to their high variability. In this study, in order to assess the phylogeographic structure of the steppe field mouse, Apodemus witherbyi, DNA sequence data of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were analyzed from 100 individuals sampled at different localities across the Middle East region. Genetic variation among different population of this species is generally low. However, in certain areas like northeast Iran, Turkmenistan and northern, northeastern, and eastern Turkey, A. witherbyi shows higher genetic diversity indicating that these regions may have served as refugia for this species during the Quaternary. The effect of past climatic fluctuations on the genetic diversity and genetic structure of the steppe field mouse may be less pronounced than for other small mammals from the Western Palaearctic region.
Wild boar rooting behaviour can be shaped by several environmental variables (e.g., food availability and habitat features) and can directly or indirectly influence various habitats, ecological processes and taxa. One of these, ground-dwelling rodents, are known to be affected by wild boar foraging activity due to food competition and direct disturbance. In the current study, the following questions were investigated: do vegetation composition, structural components of forest habitats (at ground, shrub, and tree levels) and acorn availability influence rooting activity of wild boars and consequently, also the abundance of Apodemus flavicollis and A. sylvaticus in the same area. This research was carried out in a Mediterranean deciduous oak forest across 12 sampling sites. The results showed that, among the habitat variables considered, only shrub cover at 1 m height had a significant association with the extent of wild boar rooting. Contrary to expectations, acorn availability did not significantly influence rooting activity, suggesting either a more complex relationship between food availability and rooting behaviour or the influence of other local factors. Likewise, the number of Apodemus spp. individuals captured was not significantly related to rooting activity, indicating no detectable effects of wild boar rooting on rodents in the study area. This study contributes to our understanding of the factors driving this foraging behaviour and its ecological and socioeconomic implications.
In many animal taxa, studies of trait diversification have mainly focused on adult phenotypes, while early life traits have been poorly studied from a macroevolutionary perspective. Reef fishes provide a good system for studying the evolution of animals with complex life cycles. Their biphasic life cycle-a pelagic larval stage and reef-associated juvenile/adult stages-and the fact that they are among the most diversified groups of vertebrates make them ideal candidates. This study aims to describe the patterns of diversification of an important larval trait, the pelagic larval duration (PLD), responsible for the dispersal ability of reef fishes in the ocean. Leveraging data available in the literature, we explored the diversification of PLD in three diverse families (Labridae, Pomacanthidae, and Pomacentridae). Our results show significant variation in PLD across the three fish families and across biogeographic regions, and reveal a strong phylogenetic signal in PLD. Our macroevolutionary analyses support that the tempo of PLD evolution is tightly associated with speciation events in Labridae and Pomacanthidae, sustaining the role of the pelagic larval phase in reef fish diversification. The hypothesis of a single optimal PLD value for all fishes-representing a trade-off between genetic mixing, colonisation of isolated reefs and mortality during the pelagic phase-was rejected by our comparisons of trait evolution models. Instead, we highlight multiple evolutionary shifts towards both short and long PLD durations. Finally, we reveal that PLD is linked to some adult ecological traits in Pomacanthidae but the same relationship is absent for Pomacentridae and Labridae. Our results strengthen the idea that PLD diversity is structured by phylogenetic relationships, and that the evolutionary dynamics of PLD are lineage-specific.
This study investigates the reproductive traits of Vertigo antivertigo, focusing on oviposition timing and number of eggs laid across varying environmental conditions to evaluate the species’ phenotypic responsiveness and adaptive capacity. Five experiments were conducted using snails from both geographically proximate and distant populations to assess the flexibility of reproductive traits in response to ecological factors such as habitat quality, hibernation conditions, and photoperiod. Significant inter- and intrapopulation differences were observed in response to microhabitat and hibernation conditions. Naturally hibernating snails initiated egg laying earlier and produced more eggs than those hibernating under laboratory conditions. Geographically distant populations differed in reproductive timing under laboratory conditions, suggesting local adaptation to seasonal constraints. Hibernation duration affected the onset of reproduction, supporting the role of endogenous rhythms in seasonal reproductive regulation. In contrast, photoperiod had no significant effect. Overall, the results highlight substantial phenotypic flexibility in reproductive traits of V. antivertigo, shaped by both passive environmental responses and adaptive processes, which may enhance resilience to ongoing climate change.
Protected areas are central to biodiversity conservation, but management efforts usually prioritise vertebrates or plant communities. The effectiveness of these initiatives in safeguarding insect diversity, particularly wild bees, remains poorly studied, and existing evidence shows contrasting results. To address this gap, we surveyed bee communities for five months in two recently established national parks in Belgium, namely the Semois Valley (SVNP) and Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse (ESEMNP), across a range of habitats. First, we evaluated whether mean alpha diversity (Hill numbers) and beta diversity varied across parks and habitats. Then we assessed whether threatened bee species (as categorized by the Belgian Red List) were associated with specific habitats or park. Collectively, these analyses enabled a comparative assessment of these two parks, highlighting their relative conservation value and identifying key habitats for wild bee conservation. We hypothesized that the mesic and calcareous grasslands would support the highest diversity in the national parks SVNP and ESEMNP respectively. Overall, we recorded 2278 bee specimens belonging to 153 species, including 30 threatened species, with the Semois Valley National Park harbouring higher overall mean alpha diversity than the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse National Park. While no significant differences in alpha diversity were observed among habitats in the first National Park, calcareous grasslands and hay meadows in the second National Park supported the highest alpha diversity of wild bees, emphasizing the high conservation value of these habitats. Conversely, tall-herb habitats consistently showed the lowest alpha diversity across both national parks. Ensuring the persistence of these parks and their key habitats through targeted management and connectivity measures, will be essential for maintaining bee diversity in Belgium.
