Temporal trends in global reptile species descriptions over three decades DOI
Jhonny J. M. Guedes,

Hidalgo Valentim Gomes de Lima,

Lucas Rosado Mendonça

et al.

Systematics and Biodiversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 22(1)

Published: Nov. 28, 2024

Despite the urgency imposed by current biodiversity crisis, many species remain undescribed, facing extinction before their formal recognition science. Accelerating descriptions is thus imperative. However, should be robust and based on good taxonomic practice, which may enhance long-term nomenclatural stability that crucial for scientific research conservation planning. Yet, few studies have assessed robustness of description. Here, we evaluated temporal trends in nearly 4,000 squamate reptiles spanning more than three decades (from 1990 to 2023). We observed an average increase about 115% number lines evidence used descriptions, such as pholidosis, morphometrics, genes sequenced molecular analysis. Type-series size decreased half lizards but remained roughly constant snakes, while page length dedicated showed upward trajectory both taxa, increasing 42.7% over time. Furthermore, our study highlights positive correlation between (i.e. measured provided, type-series size, pages) reviews, well impact collaborative efforts, with authors associated greater pages. Overall, become thorough recent decades. The proportion included analysis has grown time, all described annually years having data. hundreds new reptile being annually, potential invalidation future jeopardise efforts. Therefore, thorough, accurate are important addressing crisis providing reliable data analyses

Language: Английский

Global evaluation of current and future threats to drylands and their vertebrate biodiversity DOI Creative Commons
Amir Lewin, Gopal Murali, Shimon Rachmilevitch

et al.

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(8), P. 1448 - 1458

Published: July 4, 2024

Drylands are often overlooked in broad conservation frameworks and development priorities face increasing threats from human activities. Here we evaluated the formal degree of protection global drylands, their land vertebrate biodiversity current threats, projected human-induced land-use changes to drylands under different future climate change socioeconomic scenarios. Overall, have lower protected-area coverage (12%) compared non-drylands (21%). Consequently, most dryland vertebrates including many endemic narrow-ranging species inadequately protected (0-2% range coverage). Dryland threatened by varied anthropogenic factors-including agricultural infrastructure (that is, artificial structures, surfaces, roads industrial sites). Alarmingly, 2100 experience some conversion 95-100% natural habitat due urban, alternative energy expansion. This loss undisturbed regions is expected across pathways, even optimistic scenarios characterized progressive policies moderate trends.

Language: Английский

Citations

9
Generation length of the world's amphibians and reptiles DOI Creative Commons
Giordano Mancini, Luca Santini, Victor Cazalis

et al.

Ecography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 19, 2025

Variation in life histories influences demographic processes, from adaptive changes to population declines leading extinction. Among history traits, generation length offers a critical feature forecast species' trajectories such as (widely used by the IUCN Red List) and adaptability environmental change over time. Therefore, estimates of are crucial monitor stability or predict future highly threatened organisms, particularly amphibians reptiles, which among vertebrates for uncertainty impacts remains high. Despite its importance, reptiles is largely missing. Here, we aim fill this gap modeling lengths amphibians, squamates testudines function species size, climate, phylogeny using generalized additive models phylogenetic least squares. We estimated 5059 (57%) 8722 (73%) 117 (32%) testudines. Our performed well most families (e.g. Bufonidae Lacertidae Colubridae squamates, Geoemydidae testudines) while found high around prediction few families, notably Chamaeleonidae. Species' body size mean temperature were main predictors all groups. Although our not meant substitute robust validated measurements field studies natural museums, they can help reduce existing biases conservation assessments until data comprehensively available.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Artificial intelligence for life sciences: A comprehensive guide and future trends DOI

Ming Luo,

Wenyu Yang, Long Bai

et al.

The Innovation Life, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100105 - 100105

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

<p>Artificial intelligence has had a profound impact on life sciences. This review discusses the application, challenges, and future development directions of artificial in various branches sciences, including zoology, plant science, microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell developmental genetics, neuroscience, psychology, pharmacology, clinical medicine, biomaterials, ecology, environmental science. It elaborates important roles aspects such as behavior monitoring, population dynamic prediction, microorganism identification, disease detection. At same time, it points out challenges faced by application data quality, black-box problems, ethical concerns. The are prospected from technological innovation interdisciplinary cooperation. integration Bio-Technologies (BT) Information-Technologies (IT) will transform biomedical research into AI for Science paradigm.</p>

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Zoogeographical regions in the Atlantic Forest: patterns and potential drivers DOI
Fernando Rodrigues da Silva, Anna Elizabeth de Oliveira‐Silva, Alexandre Antonelli

et al.

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(10), P. 1852 - 1863

Published: May 1, 2024

Abstract Aim To delineate present‐day zoogeographical regions of terrestrial vertebrates (frogs, lizards, snakes, birds and non‐volant mammals) in the Atlantic Forest. Within each taxonomic group, we examine relative importance abrupt climatic transitions, orographic barriers, past climate change rivers shaping boundaries. Location South America's Methods We applied a network‐based method to regions, using distribution data (range maps) for 455 species frogs, 103 220 917 202 mammals, 50 × km grid cells. used hierarchical generalized linear mixed‐effects models test environmental predictors associated with Finally, intersected bioregion maps delineated group identify general patterns across all vertebrates. Results identified four five lizards mammals. Depending on contemporary conditions, elevation variation and/or were The combined indicate that Forest retains spatially cohesive based Main conclusions Cross‐taxon congruence indicates geographical characteristics have strong influence location In contrast, transition zones appear be spatial life history traits potentially explaining observed differences number bioregions groups position This work paves way further research into evolutionary assembly Forest's may help inform conservation priorities maintaining their distinctive faunas.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
In ‘hot’ pursuit: exploring the evolutionary ecology of labial pits in boas and pythons DOI Creative Commons
Aritra Biswas, Avrajjal Ghosh, Madhura Agashe

et al.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2045)

Published: April 1, 2025

The evolution of thermoreception in animals, particularly that infrared (IR)-sensing pits boas, pythons and pit vipers, is a fascinating area sensory ecology. While numerous studies have focused on the molecular mechanisms IR sensing snakes, broader ecological evolutionary significance remains less explored. In this study, we examined origins consequences labial boas using phylogenetic comparative methods. We analysed how various biological factors—such as hunting mode, diet, habitat, body size biome—were correlated with presence pits, whether adaptation influenced diversification rates. Our findings revealed evolved multiple times showed strong associations an arboreal habitat endothermic but did not find significant correlation between mode or any other traits. Moreover, lineages exhibit higher This research provides new insights into eco-evolutionary role heat-sensing suggesting emergence might acted key innovation, significantly affecting use patterns prey preference for boas.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Harnessing traits to predict economic impacts from biological invasions DOI Creative Commons
Ross N. Cuthbert, Thomas W. Bodey, Elizabeta Briski

et al.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 1, 2025

Biological invasions stand among the main anthropogenic threats to ecosystems globally while causing multitrillion-dollar impacts. Surprisingly, trait-based frameworks have been designed predict invasion success and invader ecological impacts, no such approaches exist understand economic We propose first framework by bridging evolutionary biology of traits escalation costs. Previously acquired can benefit performance, their rapid change could exacerbate impacts through adaptive non-adaptive processes during invasion, as natural selection, genetic drift, or phenotypic plasticity. Emerging evidence suggests that some organismal determine impact magnitudes. discuss new transdisciplinary avenues inform cost forecasting management responses for current future biological invasions.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Evolution of Pineal Nonvisual Opsins in Lizards and the Tuatara and Identification of Lepidopsin: A New Opsin Gene DOI Creative Commons

Rafael Romero,

Flávio S. J. de Souza

Genome Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(5)

Published: April 7, 2025

Many lizards (Squamata), as well the tuatara (Rhynchocephalia), are distinguished among vertebrate groups for presence of parietal eye, or "third eye", a structure derived from pineal complex containing simplified retina with photoreceptor cells. The eye expresses nonvisual opsins that differ visual opsin repertoire lateral eyes. These pinopsin (OPNP), parapinopsin (OPNPP), and parietopsin (OPNPT), all being evolutionary close to opsins. Here, we searched over 60 lepidosaurian genomes check trajectory these genes in reptiles. Unexpectedly, identified novel gene, which termed "lepidopsin" (OPNLEP), is present solely most lizard but absent other vertebrates. Remnants gene found coelacanth some ray-finned fishes, implying OPNLEP an ancient has been repeatedly lost during evolution. We Iguania, Anguimorpha, Scincoidea, Lacertidae clades, possess harbor genes. Lizards missing like geckos, teiids, fossorial amphisbaenian, lack In summary, our survey reveals (i) persistence previously unknown gene-OPNLEP-in lepidosaurians; (ii) losses specific clades; (iii) correlation between genomic

Language: Английский

Citations

0
State of knowledge for invasive green iguanas in Florida reveals negative impacts and pervasive research needs DOI Creative Commons
Natalie M. Claunch,

P. L. Jones,

Emily S. Khazan

et al.

Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 3

Published: March 26, 2025

Green iguanas ( Iguana iguana ), large-bodied lizards native to South and Central America, have established multiple invasive populations worldwide. Where established, green negative impacts on private property, agriculture horticulture, infrastructure human safety, the natural environment. Most attempts formally quantify of been conducted in Puerto Rico, or are limited singular reports. Florida since 1966 currently pose a high management concern which must be informed by research control methods. Impact data from justify these efforts often anecdotal out date. Here we present contemporary review known potential sectors over time space. We leverage accessed various stakeholders, including nuisance wildlife report collected Fish Wildlife Commission’s Management Section, conflict reports USDA Services Information System, strike Federal Aviation Administration, fault energy companies, observations resource managers. identify important knowledge gaps quantifying scope magnitude necessary guide future actions.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Effect of Soil Properties on Species Richness of Fossorial Squamate Reptiles DOI Creative Commons

Dunxue Chen,

Uri Roll, Shai Meiri

et al.

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 26, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim Species richness varies greatly over geographic gradients. Climate and other above‐ground attributes are the most common variables used to explain animal patterns. However, soil properties may play an important role in shaping of species living underground. Studies have yet comprehensively analyse fossorial squamates' patterns how influence them. We investigated different predictors, including climate, influenced fully‐fossorial, semi‐fossorial, non‐fossorial squamates. Location Global. Taxon Reptilia: Squamata. Methods categorised squamates into non‐fossorial, assessed for each category independently. selected potential climatic factors that could their richness. Then we ordinary least squares regression models with spatially lagged (OLSL) geographically weighted (GWRL) investigate climate on group. Results Fully‐fossorial squamate peaks Africa South America. Semi‐fossorial is highest America Australia. Non‐fossorial exhibit maximum Southeast Asia. was more strongly associated than all groups. Nevertheless, as levels fossoriality increase, become correlates Main Conclusions This study highlights importance incorporating alongside biogeography.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Evidence for clinging arboreality in a Middle Jurassic stem lepidosaur DOI
David P. Ford, Roger Benson, Elizabeth Griffiths

et al.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2045)

Published: April 1, 2025

Lepidosaurs are an ecologically diverse and speciose group with more than 11 000 living species (squamates the tuatara). Stem lepidosaurs known from Early Triassic onwards, but primarily very incomplete specimens. Therefore, we have little information on their ecological diversity or context of deep evolutionary divergences Lepidosauria. Marmoretta oxoniensis , Middle Jurassic UK, is one most completely candidate stem lepidosaurs. Previous studies proposed that it may been semi-aquatic, based its abundance in marginal marine rocks. We show here was adapted for climbing, post-cranial anatomy a partial skeleton, visualized using micro-computed tomography (µCT)—in particular, steep angles thoracic zygapophyses, ungual phalanx morphology elongate penultimate manual phalanges curve distoventrally along lengths. Linear discriminant analysis hand, training dataset hand skeleton measurements habitat use extant squamates, returns strong evidence clinging arboreality clusters among scansorial/arboreal iguanians manus shape space. Evidence provides first about probable lepidosaur illuminates vertical structure communities mid-Mesozoic.

Language: Английский

Citations

0