Royal Society Open Science,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
11(11)
Published: Nov. 1, 2024
People
have
influenced
Earth’s
biodiversity
for
millennia,
including
numerous
introductions
of
domestic
and
wild
species
to
islands.
Here,
we
explore
the
origins
ecology
Santa
Catalina
Island
ground
squirrel
(SCIGS;
Otospermophilus
beecheyi
nesioticus
),
one
only
five
endemic
terrestrial
mammals
found
on
California’s
Island.
We
synthesized
all
records
archaeological/palaeontological
SCIGS,
conducted
radiocarbon
dating
stable
isotope
analysis
potentially
earliest
SCIGS
remains
performed
genetic
modern
SCIGS.
Squirrels
were
not
identified
in
island
palaeontological
deposits,
but
at
least
12
archaeological
sites
contain
bones,
some
that
are
butchered
or
burned.
All
directly
dated
bones
Late
Holocene
age
younger
than
approximately
1290
cal
BP.
The
first
mitochondrial
genome
15
mitogenomes
document
introduction
squirrels.
Stable
data
indicate
variable
diets
potential
subsidies
from
marine
environments
plants
consumed
by
individuals.
cannot
rule
out
a
natural
overwater
dispersal,
post-date
evidence
people
several
millennia
and,
along
with
other
lines
evidence,
support
human-assisted
translocation
squirrels
during
Holocene.
These
illustrate
important
role
Indigenous
shaping
enhancing
around
world.
Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
2024(468)
Published: June 28, 2024
Parrots
(Order:
Psittaciformes)
are
a
diverse
clade
that
is
easily
distinguishable
from
other
birds.
Despite
the
clear
characters
define
Psittaciformes
(hooked
bills,
zygodactylous
feet,
and
plumage
often
predominantly
green
or
red),
relative
morphological
uniformity
among
parrots
has
made
taxonomic
classification
fraught
endeavor
for
over
century.
Parrot
systematics
were
propelled
forward
when
DNA
sequencing
data
shed
insights
into
higher-
species-level
relationships.
However,
despite
these
significant
advances,
major
gaps
in
taxon
sampling
uncertainty
relationships
remained
due
to
inferring
phylogenetic
with
short
fragments
of
DNA.
Recent
work
using
genome-wide
molecular
markers
nearly
complete
parrot
brought
clarity
many
remaining
outstanding
questions
on
Here,
we
build
this
by
including
four
additional
species
present
revision
better
aligned
its
evolutionary
tree.
We
infer
maximum
likelihood
time-calibrated
phylogenies
parrots,
accounts
106
genera,
compare
how
our
findings
relate
previous
work,
highlight
future
areas
research.
The
family-group
nomenclature
propose
reflects
deep
divergences
diagnosable
synapomorphies
commensurate
across
comparable
ranks
psittaciform
clades.
erect
three
new
names
at
rank
tribe
(Brotogerini
Smith,
Thom,
Joseph,
2024;
Neophemini
Schodde,
Mason,
Bolbopsittacini
2024).
elevate
one
subfamily
cacatuid
genus
Probosciger
restrict
usage
recently
introduced
Touitini
type
Touit.
At
shallower
scales,
recognition
more
rather
than
fewer
genera
addresses
issues
paraphyly
high
discordance
genomic
those
levels.
support
reinstatements
older
generic
advocated
recent
decades,
further
reinstate
five
valid,
available
not
widely
used
literature
if
all
(Licmetis,
Gymnopsittacus,
Clarkona,
Suavipsitta,
Cardeos).
advocate
retention
Vini
Lesson,
1833,
Coriphilus
Wagler,
1832,
based
preliminary
examination
showing
substantially
frequent
former.
redraw
limits
some
cases
(e.g.,
Bolborhynchus
parrotlets
allies)
includes
recognizing
proposed
Psittacula
sensu
lato
ringneck
parakeets.
Our
revised
longstanding
have
arisen
through
acquisition
genetic
data.
It
provides
context
temporal
origins
clades
phenotypic
diversification
throughout
their
history.
hope
it
will
be
benchmark
guiding
study
as
well
downstream
analyses
fields.
Biology Letters,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
21(1)
Published: Jan. 1, 2025
Islands
are
well
known
for
their
unique
biodiversity
and
significance
in
evolutionary
ecological
studies.
Nevertheless,
the
extinction
of
island
species
accounts
most
human-caused
extinctions
recent
time
scales,
which
have
accelerated
centuries.
Pigeons
doves
(Columbidae)
noteworthy
high
number
endemics,
as
risks
those
faced
since
human
arrival.
On
Caribbean
islands,
no
other
columbid
has
generated
more
phylogenetic
interest
uncertainty
than
blue-headed
quail-dove,
Starnoenas
cyanocephala
.
This
endangered
Cuban
endemic
been
considered
similar,
both
behaviourally
phenotypically,
to
Australasian
geographically
closer
‘quail-dove’
(
Geotrygon
s.l.)
Western
Hemisphere.
Here,
we
use
whole
genome
sequencing
from
newly
sequenced
columbids
combination
with
sequence
data
previous
publications
investigate
its
relationships.
Phylogenomic
analyses,
represent
35
51
genera
currently
comprising
Columbidae,
reveal
that
quail-dove
is
sole
representative
a
lineage
diverging
early
radiation
columbids.
sister
species-rich
subfamily
Columbinae,
found
worldwide.
As
highly
distinctive
lacking
close
modern
relatives,
recommend
elevating
conservation
priority
Journal of Archaeological Research,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 7, 2025
In
this
paper,
I
review
archaeological
evidence
for
shifting
human-avian
interactions.
Many
species
of
birds,
altering
their
behavior
in
response
to
anthropogenic
niche
construction,
experienced
an
increased
encounter
rate
with
humans.
Intensification
relationship
led
management
and
domestication
some
taxa.
An
examination
the
methods
zooarchaeologists
employ
study
changing
interaction
illustrates
limitations
evidence.
Art
history,
architecture,
historical
sources,
based
on
modern
distributions,
DNA
analysis
fill
gaps
our
knowledge.
It
is
necessary
develop
novel
investigate
earlier
history
bird-human
We
also
need
consider
other
taxa
behaviorally
amenable
domestication,
as
there
was
probably
a
diverse
array
past
human-bird
relationships
that
remain
unknown.
Archaeologically,
between
people
birds
fundamental
understanding
many
symbolic
economic
practices
central
human
societies.
This
highlights
varied
humans
globally
allowing
cross-regional
examination.
People and Nature,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
6(3), P. 1023 - 1035
Published: March 27, 2024
Abstract
Zoonoses
constitute
a
major
risk
to
human
health.
Comprehensive
assessments
on
the
potential
emergence
of
novel
disease
outbreaks
are
essential
ensure
effectiveness
sanitary
controls
and
establish
mitigating
actions.
Through
continental‐scale
survey
rural
settlements
conducted
over
13
years
in
15
Neotropical
countries,
we
document
vast
extent
poaching
meet
local
demand
for
pets,
resulting
thousands
families
living
with
ca.
275
species
wild
animals
without
any
controls.
Parrots
account
80%
dying
mostly
from
diseases
at
an
average
age
1
year.
This
culturally
rooted
tradition,
which
dates
back
pre‐Columbian
times,
may
lead
health
risks
by
bringing
prone
carrying
parasites
pathogens
into
close
contact
humans
their
exotic
pets
livestock.
Although
animal
have
been
transmitted
centuries,
current
trend
population
growth
connectivity
can
increase
zoonotic
spreading
unprecedented
pace.
Similarly,
transmission
poultry
is
also
expected
be
facilitated
via
leading
conservation
problems.
Several
studies
highlighted
posed
wildlife
city
markets
cross‐species
transmission,
ignoring
associated
widespread
pet
ownership
poached
locally
areas.
Given
its
geographic
social
dimensions,
holistic
approach
required
reduce
this
illegal
activity
as
well
strengthen
surveillance
seized
individuals
people
would
benefit
both
wildlife.
Read
free
Plain
Language
Summary
article
Journal
blog.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Nov. 13, 2023
Abstract
Earth
is
home
to
millions
of
plant
and
animal
species,
with
more
than
40
thousand
species
facing
extinction
worldwide
(Diaz
et
al.
2019).
Species’
range
size
particularly
important
in
this
context
because
it
influences
risk
(Purvis
2000,
Gaston
&
Fuller
2009),
but
the
causes
underlying
wide
natural
variation
remain
poorly
known.
Here,
we
investigate
how
evolutionary
age
related
present-day
for
over
25,000
mammals,
birds,
reptiles,
amphibians,
reef
fishes,
plants.
We
show
that,
on
average,
older
have
significantly
larger
ranges,
effect
modulated
by
clade,
geographical
dispersal
ability.
Specifically,
does
not
affect
island
islands
limit
hence
size,
regardless
age.
Furthermore,
from
clades
high
capabilities
obtain
large
ranges
faster,
thereby
further
neutralizing
relationship
between
size.
Our
results
can
help
supporting
global
conservation
priorities,
showing
that
are
young,
occupy
islands,
and/or
limited
often
small
therefore
increased
risk.
The American Naturalist,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
204(4), P. 400 - 415
Published: June 28, 2024
AbstractHow
communities
assemble
and
restructure
is
of
critical
importance
to
ecological
theory,
evolutionary
conservation,
but
long-term
perspectives
on
the
patterns
processes
community
assembly
are
rarely
integrated
into
traditional
ecology,
utility
as
an
concept
has
been
repeatedly
questioned
in
part
because
a
lack
temporal
perspective.
Through
synthesis
paleontological
neontological
data,
I
reconstruct
Caribbean
frugivore
over
Quaternary
(2.58
million
years
ago
present).
Numerous
lineages
arise
during
periods
coincident
with
global
origins
plant-frugivore
mutualisms.
The
persistence
many
these
indicative
stability,
analysis
extinctions
reveals
nonrandom
loss
large-bodied
mammalian
reptilian
frugivores.
Anthropogenic
impacts,
including
human
niche
construction,
underlie
recent
reorganization
communities,
setting
stage
for
continued
declines
responses
plants
that
have
lost
mutualistic
partners.
These
impacts
also
support
ongoing
future
introductions
invader
complexes:
introduced
frugivores
further
exacerbate
native
biodiversity
by
interacting
more
strongly
one
another
than
or
This
work
illustrates
data
conceptualizing
which
dynamic
important
entities.
Integrative Zoology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
19(5), P. 887 - 897
Published: Jan. 12, 2024
Collection
specimens
provide
valuable
and
often
overlooked
biological
material
that
enables
addressing
relevant,
long-unanswered
questions
in
conservation
biology,
historical
biogeography,
other
research
fields.
Here,
we
use
preserved
to
analyze
the
distribution
of
black
francolin
(Francolinus
francolinus,
Phasianidae),
a
case
has
recently
aroused
interest
archeozoologists
evolutionary
biologists.
The
currently
ranges
from
Eastern
Mediterranean
Middle
East
Indian
subcontinent,
but,
at
least
since
Ages,
it
also
had
circum-Mediterranean
distribution.
species
could
have
persisted
Greece
Maghreb
until
19th
century,
even
though
this
possibility
been
questioned
due
absence
museum
scant
literary
evidence.
Nevertheless,
identified
four
200-year-old
stuffed
francolins-presumably
only
ones
still
existing-from
these
areas
sequenced
their
mitochondrial
DNA
control
region.
Based
on
comparison
with
conspecifics
(n
=
396)
spanning
entirety
historic
current
range,
found
new
samples
pertain
previously
genetic
groups
either
Near
or
subcontinent.
While
disproving
former
occurrence
an
allegedly
native
westernmost
subspecies,
results
point
toward
role
Crown
Aragon
expansion
francolin,
including
Greece.
Genetic
evidence
hints
long-distance
transport
birds
along
Silk
Road,
probably
be
traded
commerce
centers
Mediterranean.