Editorial 2025 DOI
Shawn R. Narum, Joanna L. Kelley,

Benjamin Sibbett

et al.

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Dec. 14, 2024

Heading into 2025, Molecular Ecology Resources continues as a leader in publication of broad resources for the molecular ecology community. has ranked highly (> 90th percentile) several years categories Evolutionary Biology and based on impact factor additional indicators. The current (IF) MER is 5.5, which lower than previous years. However, other metrics that are less sensitive to quirks introduced by new calculation IF provide more consistent picture such observed with 5-year (7.8 compared 8.0 year), h5-index (66 same year) Scopus (CiteScore = 15.6 12.9 year). journal navigate changes publishing landscape includes competition quality papers, options open access, improvements peer-review process. Ultimately, we strive high-quality community rigorous ethics standards. Further, aim support our authors, reviewers readers responsive interaction experience. Top published last year include key contributions across multiple subject areas. One article each issue may receive extra attention through "From Cover" article. Perspective articles intended highlight major advances top journal, these coordinated News & Views Editor, Joanna Kelley. In year, cover focused including: refining analytical studies genetic resistance (Beninde, Wittische, Frantz 2024), method genotype–environment association called WZA (weighted Z analysis) (Booker et al. guidance species delimitation circumstances limited sampling (Opatova, Bourguignon, Bond eRNA applications can discern life stages population demographics (Parsley Goldberg useful review metabarcoding pipelines (Hakimzadeh guide applying local ancestry inference methods (Oliveira, Marchi, Excoffier demonstration genomics informed breeding practices reduce inbreeding load captive populations (Speak illustration drone collect samples from baleen whales monitoring (O'Mahony 2024). Additional 2024 selected Editor-in-Chief Shawn Narum structured approach fastsimcoal2 package demographic conservation genetics or archaeogenetics (Marchi, Kapopoulou, practical estimating effective sizes (Waples non-invasive age estimation bottlenose dolphins methylation patters faecal DNA (Yagi genotyping individual terrestrial mammals snow track (DeBarba fascinating example jumping supergene S-locus controls heterostyly angiosperms (Potente We would like express appreciation team Associate Editors their well Junior Editorial Board. A complete list Board listed Appendix biographies website. also offer gratitude Pierre Taberlet who served editorial board 25 made extensive journal. Finally, grateful providing expertise system; past B. authors declare no conflicts interest. Narum, University Idaho/Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, USA. Executive Editor Ben Sibbett, Wiley. Kelley, Washington State University, Reviews Freeland, Trent Canada. Alana Alexander, Otago, New Zealand. Paula Arribas, IPNA-CSIC, Spain. Frederic Austerlitz, National Museum Natural History, France. Nick Barton, IST Austria, Austria. John Benzie, College Cork, Ireland. Holly Bik, Georgia, Pim Bongaerts, California Academy Sciences, Aurélie Bonin, Joseph Fourier Camille Bonneaud, Exeter, UK. Jason Bragg, Botanic Gardens Sydney, Australia. Luke Browne, Yale Ana Caicedo, Massachusetts, Sébastien Calvignac-Spencer, Robert Koch Institute, Germany. Samridhi Chaturvedi, Tulane David Coltman, Alberta, Simon Creer, Bangor Mitch Cruzan, Portland Angus Davison, Nottingham, Andrew DeWoody, Purdue Brent Emerson, Fountain-Jones, Minnesota, Kimberly Gilbert, Bern, Switzerland. Rosemary Gillespie, Berkeley, Tatiana Giraud, Paris-Sud Alison Goncalves Nazareno, Federal Minas Gerais, Brazil. Michael Hansen, Aarhus Denmark. Shotaro Hirase, Tokyo, Japan. Paul Hohenlohe, Idaho, Kayla King, Oxford, Kinziger, Humboldt Carla Martins Lopes, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Josephine Pemberton, Edinburgh, Yanhua Qu, Chinese China. Naiara Rodriguez-Ezpeleta, AZTI, Jorge Rodrigues, California, Sean Rogers, Calgary, Jacob Russell, Drexel Christian Schlötterer, Veterinary Medicine, Schoville, Wisconsin-Madison, Suhua Shi, Sun Yat-sen Victoria Sork, Taberlet, Isheng Tsai, Academia Sinica, Taiwan. Clement Tsui, Weill Cornell Qatar. Maren Wellenreuther, Auckland, Wright, Sheffield, Jeremy Yoder, Lucie Zinger, Sabatier University-Toulouse III, Tom Booker, British Columbia, Yann Dorant, French Institute Ocean Science, Kaichi Huang, Arne Jacobs, Glascow, Scotland. Antonino Malacrinò, Reggio Calabria, Italy. Angel Rivera-Colon, Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Jana Wold, Canterbury, Aotearoa have nothing report.

Language: Английский

Closing the air gap: the use of drones for studying wildlife ecophysiology DOI Creative Commons
Adam Yaney‐Keller, Rebecca R. McIntosh, Rohan H. Clarke

et al.

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

ABSTRACT Techniques for non‐invasive sampling of ecophysiological data in wild animals have been developed response to challenges associated with studying captive or using invasive methods. Of these, drones, also known as Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and their sensors, emerged a promising tool the ecophysiology toolkit. In this review, we synthesise research scoping review on use drones wildlife PRISMA‐SCr checklist identify where efforts focused knowledge gaps remain. We these results explore current best practices provide recommendations future use. 136 studies published since 2010, aided animal body condition morphometrics, kinematics biomechanics, bioenergetics, health (e.g. microbiomes, endocrinology, disease) both aquatic terrestrial environments. Focal taxa are biased towards marine mammals, particularly cetaceans. While conducted globally, is primarily led by institutions based North America, Oceania, Europe. The obtain morphometric through standard colour sensors single camera photogrammetry predominates. such video tracking thermal imaging allowed insights into other aspects ecophysiology, when combined external techniques biologgers. most used commercially available multirotor platforms modification collect samples, integration techniques, multidisciplinary integrate suite remote sensing methods more fully. outline how technological advances will play key role delivery novel improved data. recommend that researchers prepare influx drone‐assisted advancements cross‐institutional collaborations. describe diversify across species environments sources technologies comprehensive results.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
From blow to DNA: citizen science advancing genetic research on southern right whales DOI
Petra Nevečeřalová, Vladimír Soukup, Jan Štundl

et al.

Conservation Genetics Resources, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 24, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Drones Applied to Cetacean Research: A Case Study of Fin Whales DOI
Eduard Degollada,

Beatriu Tort,

Dorottya Mészáros

et al.

IntechOpen eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 21, 2025

The fin whale is the only species regularly found in Mediterranean Sea, with a year around presence. However, aquatic environment and whale’s diving behavior have posed challenges to studying this marine mammal. increasing use of drones cetacean research has significantly enhanced our understanding species. Drones provide ability quickly discreetly fly over whales, minimizing disturbance, while capturing high-quality footage that enables observation their characteristic features used for identification, as well supporting morphometric analysis. Additionally, can assist collecting blow samples guiding vessels closer, more effective approaches conduct biopsies, collect fecal samples, or deploy tagging devices. This technological advancement greatly contributed deeper offering valuable insights into health population.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Hidden in the blow - a matrix to characterise cetaceans’ respiratory microbiome: short-finned pilot whale as case study DOI Creative Commons
Beatriz Santos, Luís Afonso, Filipe Alves

et al.

Metabarcoding and Metagenomics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: Aug. 28, 2024

Cetaceans are key sentinel species of marine ecosystems and ocean health, being a strategic taxonomic group that evaluates the well-being aquatic habitats detects harmful environmental trends. Respiratory diseases amongst main causes death in these animals, so identifying microbiome community their exhaled breath condensates (EBC), i.e. blow, has been proposed as biomarker for assessing respiratory health. Yet, to characterise microbiomes related animals’ tract use them proxy health status, it is necessary develop baseline data on microorganisms associated with cetaceans. Here, short-finned pilot whale (SFPW, Globicephala macrorhynchus ) was used case study validate most suitable primer set explore prokaryotic diversity cetaceans’ tract. DNA extracted from blow samples (n = 12) animals off Madeira Island sequenced amplify both V3-V4 V4-V5 hypervariable regions 16S rRNA gene, using same sequencing platform (Illumina MiSeq). Independently used, all blows shared Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes Proteobacteria phyla composition. resulted higher taxa relative abundance above 1%, whereas primers captured number microbial Amplicon Sequence Variants, detecting rare biosphere pathogen potential. Additionally, core more efficiently. Thus, this provides detailed characterisation SFPW respiratory-associated communities, strengthening idea sociality influencing composition Moreover, supports relevant physiological state airways free-ranging

Language: Английский

Citations

1
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind: Blow sampling provides a new dimension to whale population monitoring DOI Creative Commons
Elena Valsecchi

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(8)

Published: Aug. 26, 2024

Marine mammals play a fundamental role in the functioning of healthy marine ecosystems and are important indicator species. Studying their biology, distributions, behaviour health still technically logistically demanding for researchers. However, efforts commitment have not been vain, since we witnessing constant exponential advancement study these animals, thanks to technological progress numerous fields. These include miniaturization performance biologger tags, which equipped with sensors measuring physiological parameters, hydrophones, accelerometers, time-depth records spatial locations; use high throughput 'Next Generation' Sequencing gain genetic information about communities individual species from nucleic acids environmental samples at miniscule concentrations; through, possibility monitoring autonomous aerial underwater vehicles. In parallel advances computing statistical modelling frameworks support analysis increasingly large complex data sets. this issue, O'Mahony et al. (2024) draw least two innovations: (a) collection biological material retrieved whales' blows using modified drone (b) infer wide spectrum (both nuclear mitochondrial) target animal/population. The methodology is completely novel, but shows an impressive amount obtained compared preceding studies same approach. wake promising results, future perspectives evaluated relation alternative sampling methodologies currently use. It possible speculate that, next few years, combination non-invasive molecular profiling enhanced technology (e.g. assembling smaller components, thus expanding capacity operation) will open up that were unimaginable beginning millennium.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Genetic Sex Determination of Free-Ranging Short-Finned Pilot Whales from Blow Samples DOI Creative Commons
Patricia Arranz, Ruth Coya,

Elena Turac

et al.

Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4(4), P. 860 - 870

Published: Dec. 12, 2024

Whale blow, the vapor exhaled during respiration of cetaceans, provides valuable genetic information to monitor health status and population dynamics. However, obtaining samples sufficient quality quantity remains a challenge, particularly for small odontocetes. Here, we developed both field laboratory protocols optimized analysis blow short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus). Blow collection was performed from research vessel at slow speed using hand-held carbon fiber pole equipped with sterile Petri dish. Determination sex conducted up five PCRs multiplexed markers classical methodology (SRY + ZFX/ZFY genes) novel protocol FCB17) highly degraded, fragmented and/or scarce DNA. A total 47 free-ranging off Canary Islands were collected. The presence DNA confirmed in 98% samples, which further processed resulting 32 them positive determination applying (70%), compared only 8 (19%) method. Results success sampling, extraction This represents an important management tool conduct future non-invasive assessments cetaceans wild.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Editorial 2025 DOI
Shawn R. Narum, Joanna L. Kelley,

Benjamin Sibbett

et al.

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: Dec. 14, 2024

Heading into 2025, Molecular Ecology Resources continues as a leader in publication of broad resources for the molecular ecology community. has ranked highly (> 90th percentile) several years categories Evolutionary Biology and based on impact factor additional indicators. The current (IF) MER is 5.5, which lower than previous years. However, other metrics that are less sensitive to quirks introduced by new calculation IF provide more consistent picture such observed with 5-year (7.8 compared 8.0 year), h5-index (66 same year) Scopus (CiteScore = 15.6 12.9 year). journal navigate changes publishing landscape includes competition quality papers, options open access, improvements peer-review process. Ultimately, we strive high-quality community rigorous ethics standards. Further, aim support our authors, reviewers readers responsive interaction experience. Top published last year include key contributions across multiple subject areas. One article each issue may receive extra attention through "From Cover" article. Perspective articles intended highlight major advances top journal, these coordinated News & Views Editor, Joanna Kelley. In year, cover focused including: refining analytical studies genetic resistance (Beninde, Wittische, Frantz 2024), method genotype–environment association called WZA (weighted Z analysis) (Booker et al. guidance species delimitation circumstances limited sampling (Opatova, Bourguignon, Bond eRNA applications can discern life stages population demographics (Parsley Goldberg useful review metabarcoding pipelines (Hakimzadeh guide applying local ancestry inference methods (Oliveira, Marchi, Excoffier demonstration genomics informed breeding practices reduce inbreeding load captive populations (Speak illustration drone collect samples from baleen whales monitoring (O'Mahony 2024). Additional 2024 selected Editor-in-Chief Shawn Narum structured approach fastsimcoal2 package demographic conservation genetics or archaeogenetics (Marchi, Kapopoulou, practical estimating effective sizes (Waples non-invasive age estimation bottlenose dolphins methylation patters faecal DNA (Yagi genotyping individual terrestrial mammals snow track (DeBarba fascinating example jumping supergene S-locus controls heterostyly angiosperms (Potente We would like express appreciation team Associate Editors their well Junior Editorial Board. A complete list Board listed Appendix biographies website. also offer gratitude Pierre Taberlet who served editorial board 25 made extensive journal. Finally, grateful providing expertise system; past B. authors declare no conflicts interest. Narum, University Idaho/Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, USA. Executive Editor Ben Sibbett, Wiley. Kelley, Washington State University, Reviews Freeland, Trent Canada. Alana Alexander, Otago, New Zealand. Paula Arribas, IPNA-CSIC, Spain. Frederic Austerlitz, National Museum Natural History, France. Nick Barton, IST Austria, Austria. John Benzie, College Cork, Ireland. Holly Bik, Georgia, Pim Bongaerts, California Academy Sciences, Aurélie Bonin, Joseph Fourier Camille Bonneaud, Exeter, UK. Jason Bragg, Botanic Gardens Sydney, Australia. Luke Browne, Yale Ana Caicedo, Massachusetts, Sébastien Calvignac-Spencer, Robert Koch Institute, Germany. Samridhi Chaturvedi, Tulane David Coltman, Alberta, Simon Creer, Bangor Mitch Cruzan, Portland Angus Davison, Nottingham, Andrew DeWoody, Purdue Brent Emerson, Fountain-Jones, Minnesota, Kimberly Gilbert, Bern, Switzerland. Rosemary Gillespie, Berkeley, Tatiana Giraud, Paris-Sud Alison Goncalves Nazareno, Federal Minas Gerais, Brazil. Michael Hansen, Aarhus Denmark. Shotaro Hirase, Tokyo, Japan. Paul Hohenlohe, Idaho, Kayla King, Oxford, Kinziger, Humboldt Carla Martins Lopes, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Josephine Pemberton, Edinburgh, Yanhua Qu, Chinese China. Naiara Rodriguez-Ezpeleta, AZTI, Jorge Rodrigues, California, Sean Rogers, Calgary, Jacob Russell, Drexel Christian Schlötterer, Veterinary Medicine, Schoville, Wisconsin-Madison, Suhua Shi, Sun Yat-sen Victoria Sork, Taberlet, Isheng Tsai, Academia Sinica, Taiwan. Clement Tsui, Weill Cornell Qatar. Maren Wellenreuther, Auckland, Wright, Sheffield, Jeremy Yoder, Lucie Zinger, Sabatier University-Toulouse III, Tom Booker, British Columbia, Yann Dorant, French Institute Ocean Science, Kaichi Huang, Arne Jacobs, Glascow, Scotland. Antonino Malacrinò, Reggio Calabria, Italy. Angel Rivera-Colon, Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Jana Wold, Canterbury, Aotearoa have nothing report.

Language: Английский

Citations

0