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This feed contains articles for bioRxiv Subject Collection "Zoology"
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<title>bioRxiv</title>
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<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.15.718624v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
155 years after Van Beneden: redescription and first molecular characterisation of the enigmatic type species, Ascarophis morrhuae Van Beneden, 1870 (Nematoda, Cystidicolidae), and comparison to other Ascarophis species in the North Atlantic 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.15.718624v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Nematodes belonging to the Cystidicolidae Skrjabin, 1946 constitute more than 23 genera of 111 recognized species in fish from many habitats including the deep-sea, continental shelves, estuarine and freshwater habitats. The taxonomy of many species within the Cystidicolidae is unsettled due to their small size and correspondingly small morphological characters requiring use of scanning electron microscopy and supported more recently by molecular studies. The type species, Ascarophis morrhuae Van Beneden, 1870, which belongs to one of the first described and most speciose cystidicolid genera with 46 species, is based on a two-sentence description of a single female specimen from an Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, presumably captured off the coast of Belgium in the North Sea (Van Beneden, 1870). New material was collected/examined from Atlantic cod and haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus, from Iceland and the North Sea and specimens present in the Natural History Museum, London were also studied. Based on these materials, A. morrhuae is morphologically redescribed and the first DNA sequences of this species are provided, it is differentiated from other Ascarophis species present in the North Atlantic and previous records are reviewed. This information provides a foundation for taxonomic and phylogenetic reconsideration of all cystidicolid nematodes and related families.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Appy, R. G., Vanhove, M. P. M., MacKenzie, K., Hernandez-Orts, J. S., Kmentova, N. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-17</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.04.15.718624</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[155 years after Van Beneden: redescription and first molecular characterisation of the enigmatic type species, Ascarophis morrhuae Van Beneden, 1870 (Nematoda, Cystidicolidae), and comparison to other Ascarophis species in the North Atlantic]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-17</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.11.717882v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Exercise-induced Sweat Promotes Wound Healing in Diabetic Foot Ulcers 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.11.717882v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Persistent hyperglycemia impairs wound healing in diabetic patients, and severe cases may even lead to disability or death. Glycemic control alone cannot effectively prevent the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcers, a serious complication of diabetes. However, safe, efficient, and cost-effective therapies remain unavailable and are urgently needed. Using a novel sports medicine paradigm, we predicted, based on reverse-transcriptomics, that exercise-induced sweat has the potential to promote would healing in diabetic foot ulcers. Subsequent animal experiments demonstrated that sweat can indeed promote re-epithelialization and collagen deposition, upregulate the expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67, the angiogenesis marker CD31, and -SMA, and significantly accelerate wound healing in a mouse model of diabetic foot ulcers. This study provides a new direction for sports medicine and offers a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with diabetic foot ulcers.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Zhao, M., Tong, Y., Yao, H., Cao, J., Liang, T., Fei, Q., Liang, M., Yang, B., Sun, M. S., Wang, C., Zhang, J., Cui, Q. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-14</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.04.11.717882</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Exercise-induced Sweat Promotes Wound Healing in Diabetic Foot Ulcers]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-14</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.10.717815v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Optimizing calcein marking in the common periwinkle (Littorina littorea) for repeated-measures and mark-recapture studies 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.10.717815v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Calcein is a fluorescent marker commonly used to label growing calcified structures in marine organisms, but its efficacy is species- and context-specific. We evaluated calcein marking success and survival in the common periwinkle (Littorina littorea) during winter in the Gulf of Maine. Snails were immersed for 24 h in seawater containing 0, 50, or 100 mg L-1 calcein and scored for fluorescent marks 22 days later. Overall marking success was low (12.5% of exposed snails evaluated) but was strongly size-dependent: each 1 mm increase in shell length reduced the odds of acquiring a mark by 27%. Among exposed snails, higher calcein concentration (100 mg L-1) produced significantly brighter marks than the lower concentration (50 mg L-1). Survival was 100% across all treatments. The low overall marking rate likely reflects suppressed shell growth at winter temperatures. We recommend 100 mg L-1 calcein with a 24-h immersion for marking L. littorea and suggest that marking during warmer months would improve efficacy across a broader size range.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ahlefeld, G. K., Benavides, C. E., Chioffi, M. A., Furtney, F., Goerck de Carvalho Macedo, S., Korn, C. E. H., Marra-Perrault, G., McGlashan, E. A. F., Watts, L. A., Wilkinson, K. J., Wells, C. D. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-13</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.04.10.717815</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Optimizing calcein marking in the common periwinkle (Littorina littorea) for repeated-measures and mark-recapture studies]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-13</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.08.717229v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Accurate identification of invasive Aedes mosquito species using low-cost imaging and geometric wing morphometrics 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.08.717229v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Accurate species identification is crucial to assess the medical and veterinary relevance of a mosquito specimen, but it requires high experience of the observers and well-equipped laboratories. This study aimed to evaluate whether low-cost imaging in combination with geometric wing morphometrics can provide accurate identification of invasive, morphologically similar Aedes species.

The right wings of 670 female specimens covering 184 Ae. aegypti, 156 Ae. albopictus, 166 Ae. j. japonicus and 164 Ae. koreicus, were removed, mounted and photographed with a professional stereomicroscope (Olympus SZ61, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and a macro lens (Apexel-24XMH, Apexel, Shenzhen, China) attached to a smartphone. The coordinates of 18 landmarks on the vein crosses were digitalized by a single observer for each image. In addition, the landmarks of 20 specimens per species and imaging device were digitalized by six different observers to assess the degree of the observer error. The superimposed shape variables were used to compare the species classification accuracy of linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and XGBoost.

In the single-observer landmark data, the LDA achieved the best classification results with a mean accuracy of 95 % for landmarks from microscope images and 92 % for those obtained from smartphone images. In the multi-observer landmark data, LDA consistently performed worse than the other three classifiers, and the reduction in the accuracy was more pronounced for smartphone images than for microscope images. This pattern was associated with a higher degree of observer error for smartphone images, as confirmed by a landmark-wise comparison across all landmarks.

Geometric wing morphometrics provides a reliable method to distinguish the most common invasive Aedes species in Europe. Thereby, the image quality obtained by smartphones equipped with a macro lens is sufficient and represents a cost-effective alternative to professional microscopes. However, due to the greater degree of observer variation for smartphone images, landmark coordinates for such images should ideally be collected by a single observer.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sauer, F. G., Joest, H., Sulesco, T., Duve, P., Loc, D. H., Nolte, K., Luehken, R. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-10</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.04.08.717229</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Accurate identification of invasive Aedes mosquito species using low-cost imaging and geometric wing morphometrics]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-10</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.07.716894v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Functional Adaptations for Load-Bearing in a Dermal Bone: The Pectoral Fin Spine of the Russian Sturgeon (Huso gueldenstaedtii) 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.07.716894v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Dermal bone, which forms a variety of skeletal structures and persists in a wide range of extant vertebrates, evolved prior to endochondral bone which forms all mammalian load-bearing bones. Sturgeons are a family of fish which diverged soon after the lobe-finned/ray-finned split. Sturgeon retain a long robust spine at the leading edge of the pectoral fin, called the pectoral fin spine (PFS). Pectoral fin spines are bone elements that are present in many extinct and extant species of non-tetrapod jawed fish. In this study, we characterize the structure (light, polarized, micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy), composition (FTIR, TGA, BMD), and mechanical properties (3-point bending and microindentation) of the pectoral fin spine (PFS) of the Russian sturgeon (Huso gueldenstaedtii). The microstructure of the PFS is highly organized as it is formed by dermal osteonal bone and parallel fibered bone. Its microarchitecture, along with high material toughness, anisotropy, and substantial ash content, enables the PFS to bear loads and function in both locomotion and protection. In addition, we show an interconnected network of neurovascular canals and ornamentations, features also found in pectoral fin spines of other non-tetrapod jawed fish. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that dermal bone can form structurally organized, mechanically competent load-bearing elements and provide new insight into pectoral fin spines in ray-finned fish.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Marroquin-Arroyave, E., Milgram, J. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-09</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.04.07.716894</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Functional Adaptations for Load-Bearing in a Dermal Bone: The Pectoral Fin Spine of the Russian Sturgeon (Huso gueldenstaedtii)]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-09</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.06.716729v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF FLAXSEED SUPPLEMENTATION ON HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, LIPID PROFILE AND IMMUNITY OF MALE RABBIT 
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</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.06.716729v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Flaxseeds have high nutritive value due to the presence of proteins, lignins (SDG), fatty acids, vitamins, dietary fibers, minerals and carbohydrates. This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of distinct doses of flaxseeds on hematological parameters, immunity and lipid profile of male rabbit. In this research, 60 male rabbits were isolated into four groups, three treatment groups T1, T2 and T3 and a control group T0, with 15 rabbits in each group. The treatment groups were given 4%, 6% and 8% of flaxseeds per daily diet for 45 days. On 15th, 30th and 45th day of experiment, blood samples were collected to examine their hematological parameters. Serum was separated from the collected blood sample to perform ELISA and serum lipid profile test to assess antibody titer and lipid profile of the rabbits respectively. The results indicated a significant reduction in TC, TG, and LDL-C levels in contrast to HDL-C which increased significantly in all treatment groups. Whereas, the statistical analysis of hematological parameters showed an HSD (p[&le;]0.05) in flaxseed treated groups. A maximum level of Hb, WBCs, RBCs, MCHC, MCV, HCT, MCH and differential leukocytes count was recorded in high dose group T3 (8% flaxseeds) followed by medium dose group T2 (6% flaxseeds) and low dose group T1 (4% flaxseeds) respectively. There was a significant rise in antibody titer (p[&le;]0.05) against RHDV (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus) comparable to non-treated group. The outcomes illustrated that flaxseeds as nutritional supplement are undoubtedly beneficial to health and prevent various diseases.

Study contributionThis research specifically explores how dietary supplementation with flaxseeds, a widely recognized source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants, can influence metabolic health and immune function. These findings have significant implications for nutritional interventions aimed at improving cardiovascular health, immune support, and overall well-being, making it highly relevant to the journals readership.

The aim of this study was to investigates the dose-dependent effect of flaxseeds on hematological parameters, lipid profile and immunity of male rabbits. Using a controlled experimental design, male rabbits were fed a diet supplemented with varying doses of flaxseeds over a period of 45 days. Key parameters such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, antibody titer, red, white blood cell, platelet counts, Hb, HCT, MCV. MCHC, MCH and differential leukocytes levels were measured to assess the impact of flaxseeds. The results demonstrated that flaxseed supplementation significantly restored lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol and triglycerides, LDL-C and increasing HDL-C while also enhancing immune function by rising antibody titer and maintaining healthy blood profiles in the subjects.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kanwal, A., Iqbal, R., Farhan, F., Kanwal, A. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-08</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.04.06.716729</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF FLAXSEED SUPPLEMENTATION ON HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, LIPID PROFILE AND IMMUNITY OF MALE RABBIT]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-08</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.05.716530v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Radiographic assessment of bone maturation as a tool for age estimation in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.05.716530v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
We present the first radiographic ageing framework for common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), based on ossification and epiphyseal fusion patterns in the pectoral flipper, demonstrating higher reliability for chronological age estimation than currently available epigenetic approaches for this species. Using individuals of known dental age, we calibrated two modelling approaches to predict dental age from radiographic bone scores: 1) a univariate polynomial regression using a total bone score (sum of 16 scores across all assessed flipper bones), and 2) a multivariate canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP) incorporating 16 individual bone-score variables. Both approaches successfully predicted dental age from skeletal ossification patterns. For an age range of 0 to 24 years, polynomial regression demonstrated high predictive accuracy with median absolute errors (MAEs) of 1.25 years in females (Spearmans {rho} = 0.93, R{superscript 2} = 0.90) and 1.08 years in males ({rho} = 0.95, R{superscript 2} = 0.86). The CAP model yielded MAEs of 1.35 years in females ({rho} = 0.90, R{superscript 2} = 0.85) and 1.80 years in males ({rho} = 0.94, R{superscript 2} = 0.84). Notably, both radiographic bone ageing models achieved equal or lower median absolute errors and higher coefficients of determination than a recently developed epigenetic clock for common dolphins derived from the same population (MAE = 1.80, Pearsons correlation (r) = 0.91, R{superscript 2} = 0.82). When applying the bone ageing models to individuals of unknown dental age, both models produced age estimates consistent with expected life-history stages (foetus, neonate, juvenile, subadult, adult), although accuracy declined in dolphins above 20 years, likely as a consequence of subtle age-related variation in skeletal changes in this species. Radiographic ageing provides an accurate non-invasive tool for demographic assessment to support conservation management of common dolphins.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Hanninger, E.-M. F. F., Barratclough, A., Betty, E. L., Anderson, M. J., Perrott, M. R., Bowler, J., Palmer, E. I., Peters, K. J., Stockin, K. A. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-07</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.04.05.716530</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Radiographic assessment of bone maturation as a tool for age estimation in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis)]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-07</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.03.716302v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Semen collection, short term storage, and cryopreservation in the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.03.716302v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
As global reptile populations continue to decline, improving reproductive success in managed populations of listed species, such as Phrynosoma cornutum (the Texas horned lizard) has become increasingly critical for species survival. One understudied area of reproductive research in reptile species is gamete collection and storage, a crucial component for maintaining genetic diversity. In Texas, semen was collected from wild P. cornutum (n = 20) in June 2025. Semen collection was performed via electroejaculation (EEJ) under alfaxalone anesthesia. Prior to semen collection, snout-vent-lengths (SVL) and weights were recorded and testes measurements were taken using a portable ultrasound. Average sperm motility and concentration across all lizards was 83.7% and 85.7 x 106 sperm/mL, respectively. While lizards with longer SVLs had higher sperm motility, weight and testis size did not affect sperm parameters. Samples were extended in INRA96 and divided for use in cold-storage longevity or cryopreservation trials. Samples under cold-storage conditions were assessed for motility daily for 10 days. Motility was not significantly reduced until 48 hours post-collection and maintained 19% motility at day 10. For cryopreservation, samples were diluted 1:1 in INRAFreeze cryopreservation media and frozen in liquid nitrogen, then immediately thawed. Average post-thaw sperm motility was 13.9%, with the highest post-thaw motility recorded at 38.2%. This is the first report of semen storage and cryopreservation in Phrynosoma and provides valuable insight into semen storage potential in reptile species.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Julien, A. R., Griffioen, J. A., Perry, S. M., Doege, R., Burger, I. J., Barber, D. R. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-06</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.04.03.716302</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Semen collection, short term storage, and cryopreservation in the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-06</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.02.715475v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Forensic Identification of Confiscated Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) Casques and Implications for Individual Quantification in Wildlife Crimes 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.02.715475v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
In wildlife forensic practice, species identification and estimation of the Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) for highly processed specimens have long relied on weight-based conversion methods, which may result in underestimation of the number of individuals involved in a case. Focusing on confiscated casque products of the helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil), this study combines macroscopic morphological examination with mitochondrial DNA barcoding (16S rRNA, COI, and Cytb) to explore a more robust approach for individual quantification. The results demonstrate that the conventional "weight-based" approach overlooks critical biological information contained in anatomical structures and cannot accurately reflect the actual number of individuals involved. Based on this, we propose an anatomy-based criterion centered on the principle of structural uniqueness: specimens retaining biologically unique beak or casque structures should be directly assigned to a single individual, whereas weight-based estimation should only be applied when original anatomical features are entirely absent. In addition, considering material loss during processing, we propose approximately 85 g as a reference threshold for estimating the number of individuals in heavily processed solid casque products. This approach improves the scientific rigor and accuracy of forensic identification and provides reliable technical support for the conviction, sentencing, and law enforcement of wildlife trafficking cases involving helmeted hornbill and other endangered species.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Shen, Y., He, K., Wang, W., Huang, L., Chen, J. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-06</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.04.02.715475</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Forensic Identification of Confiscated Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) Casques and Implications for Individual Quantification in Wildlife Crimes]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-06</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.01.715895v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Investigating cognitive enrichment for dairy calves through behavioral measures of participation and engagement: a pilot study 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.01.715895v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Introducing cognitive enrichment from an early age has the potential to enhance an animals capacity to learn both simple and complex tasks, promote neural plasticity, and support cognitive development. This is applicable for young cattle who are at a critical stage in their development and could benefit from the influence cognitive enrichment has on their behavioral expression. This study aims to explore the effects cognitive enrichment has on weaned dairy calves through analyzing behavioral measures of voluntary participation and short-term behavioral reactions to enrichment exposure. Our study involved a total of five pairs of weaned calves (n=8 treatment; n=2 control). The treatment groups were presented with three variations of a puzzle box, each equipped with unique challenges that offer different solutions (push, slide, pull). These boxes were provided to the calves twice daily over the span of nine days in an isolated corridor located behind their pen. We hypothesized that motivated calves would consistently engage with cognitive enrichment voluntarily over time and express directed natural behaviors, reflecting sustained participation across repeated trials. Results demonstrated that calves consistently visited the cognitive enrichment area across trials, with an average latency of 75.7 {+/-} 47.0s from the pen to the enrichment. Secondly, the calves spent a significant proportion of trial time within the enrichment area at 65% (870.1 {+/-} 21s). Lastly, all calves expressed a broad range of behaviors in line with their natural exploration within the enrichment area, while the puzzle box treatment groups expressed higher durations of behavioral expressions when compared to the control (F=11.7, p<0.0001). Combined, these results indicate the calves motivations to voluntarily participate in a cognitive challenge. While these are promising findings for cognitive enrichment and its applicability to dairy calves, further work is needed to understand broader parameters. Specifically, how can social dynamics influence enrichment interaction in groups, how can this type of enrichment be implemented on farms, and what are the long-term effects to providing cognitive enrichment in the early stages of development.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Amarioarei, G., Cellier, M., Aigueperse, N., Wolfe, T., Shepley, E., Diallo, A. B., Vasseur, E. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-04</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.04.01.715895</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Investigating cognitive enrichment for dairy calves through behavioral measures of participation and engagement: a pilot study]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-04</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.31.715443v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Deep Learning Reveals Persistent Individual Signatures in Bat Echolocation Calls of the Greater Leaf-nosed Bat 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.31.715443v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Intraspecific variation is a prerequisite for natural selection and can manifest in various phenotypic traits, including vocal signals. However, classifying individuals based on their vocalizations, or acoustic individual identification (AIID), remains a significant challenge. This is particularly true for species that use rapidly varying echolocation calls for orientation. Here, we demonstrate that deep learning can overcome the limitation of traditional methods and reveal persistent individual signatures within bat echolocation calls. We recorded echolocation calls from 34 individuals of the greater leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros armiger) under controlled laboratory conditions, with 19 individuals recorded repeatedly over three months. We show that a convolutional neural network (CNN) dramatically outperforms a traditional method, achieving an average identification accuracy of 84% for single calls and 91% for call sequences. In contrast, the traditional Discriminant Functional Analysis method achieved accuracies of only 39% and 47%, respectively. Through systematically altering the temporal structure of echolocation calls in input sequences, we found that temporal patterning enhances individual classification accuracy, suggesting it contributes to the encoding of individual-specific information. This study revealed that echolocation calls of H. armiger can contain stable, individual identity that were previously undetectable. Our findings highlight the potential of deep learning for non-invasive AIID and provide a methodological basis for future studies aiming to monitor animals in more dynamic environments.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Li, A., Huang, W., Xie, X., Wen, W., Ji, L., Zhang, H., Zhang, C., Luo, J. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-04-02</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.31.715443</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Deep Learning Reveals Persistent Individual Signatures in Bat Echolocation Calls of the Greater Leaf-nosed Bat]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-04-02</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.26.714583v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Feeding the host reshapes virulence: nonlinear scaling in a microsporidian pathogen. 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.26.714583v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Resource availability is a central driver of ecological and evolutionary processes, yet its effects on infectious disease and virulence are not fully understood. A key limitation is that many studies consider only a narrow range of resource conditions or a limited subset of host and pathogen traits, potentially obscuring non-linear relationships. Here, we quantify how a gradient of six food levels simultaneously shapes host fitness and pathogen performance in the Daphnia magna- Ordospora colligata system. Across two laboratory experiments, we measured infection rates, pathogen burden, host fecundity, survival, and filtration rates. Increased food availability enhanced pathogen fitness, with both infection rates and spore burden increasing with provisioning. In contrast, host responses were trait-specific: while fecundity increased with food availability, pathogen-induced reductions in fecundity (i.e., virulence) peaked at intermediate resource levels, despite continued increases in pathogen load. This pattern indicates that resource availability alters host tolerance as well as pathogen growth, generating non-linear disease outcomes. Host survival was unaffected by either food provisioning or infection, further demonstrating that resource availability can simultaneously influence host and pathogen traits in different directions. Our results highlight the importance of integrating multiple fitness components across provisioning levels to understand disease dynamics and suggest that ongoing anthropogenic changes in resource availability may alter host-pathogen interactions.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Carrier-Belleau, C., Officer, M., McCartan, N., Strawbridge, J., Zulkipli, N., Piggott, J. J., Luijckx, P. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-27</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.26.714583</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Feeding the host reshapes virulence: nonlinear scaling in a microsporidian pathogen.]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-27</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.24.713291v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Estimating mosquito bionomics parameters with a hierarchical Bayesian model 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.24.713291v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
BackgroundThe malaria transmission potential and the vulnerability of Anopheles mosquitoes to different vector control methods depend, among other factors, on the endophily, endophagy, anthropophagy and survival of each species. Local information on these bionomic parameters is generally unavailable.

MethodsTo address this, we estimated species-specific values of these parameters using an augmented version of the global database of bionomics data by Massey et al. (2016). We applied inclusion and exclusion criteria to select eligible studies with relevant experimental designs that minimise bias from collection methods for parous, sac, endophagy, and endophily rates as well as for the resting duration. For the human blood index (HBI), we separated data from indoor and outdoor collections. We fitted hierarchical Bayesian models with levels based on Anopheles taxonomy to estimate these quantities. Based on the estimated bionomics, we quantified the expected vectorial capacity reduction after the introduction of a pyrethroid-pyrrole insecticide-treated net (ITN) for 57 Anopheles species.

ResultsWe identified 26 eligible studies for endophagy and 61 for the parous rate, leading to a Bayesian posterior average for the Anopheles genus of 42% (95% credible interval: 18-70) and 55% (32-77) respectively. HBI values widely varied depending on the location of collection, except for some species showing strong anthropophilic behaviours. Resting duration was estimated to be 2.1 days (1.2 - 4.8) at the genus level. Few studies were available to estimate the sac and endophily rates, which prevented us from deriving precise estimates for the whole Anopheles genus. Our estimates of the vectorial capacity reduction following the introduction of a pyrrole-pyrethroid ITN ranged between 48% and 76% across species, highlighting the important differences among mosquito species in vulnerability to vector control interventions.

ConclusionThis work demonstrates how data from both Anopheles species complexes and individual species can be leveraged to generate species-specific estimates of bionomic parameters, capturing the local characteristics and behaviour of malaria vectors. The dataset is readily updatable as new data become available. However, more frequent and standardised field surveys are still needed to accurately characterise local vector behaviour.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Lemant, J., Tarroux, A., Smith, T. A., Zogo, B., Golumbeanu, M., Odufuwa, O. G., Irish, S., Moore, S. J., Pothin, E., Champagne, C. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-26</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.24.713291</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Estimating mosquito bionomics parameters with a hierarchical Bayesian model]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-26</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.22.713490v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Extreme disparity in the appendicular skeleton of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.22.713490v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) display more morphological variation than any other mammal. Cranial morphology has been extensively studied, as have the relationships with function, development, genetics, veterinary medicine, and breed welfare. Postcrania remain comparatively understudied, despite well-documented breed-specific predispositions to musculoskeletal disease. Here, we apply three-dimensional landmark-free morphometrics to quantify the shape of 743 elements from 213 dogs, including the scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, pelvic girdle, femur, tibia, and fibula. We assess integration among limb elements and investigate drivers of shape variation within and between breeds. Across most breeds, limb bone shape is strikingly similar. Dachshunds, however, exhibit distinct morphology across all elements and one to two orders of magnitude greater variation than any other breed. Despite this disparity, integration remains high between all element pairs. Remarkably, we find no significant relationship between bone shape and body mass, age, or pathology, but comparison with historic specimens reveals marked changes in dachshund long bone shape over the past [~]150 years. These extreme differences are not shared by other sampled chondrodysplastic breeds, underscoring the need to understand morphological diversity beyond simple categorisation. These findings provide a quantitative framework for linking postcranial morphology with function, disease risk, and evidence-based improvements to canine welfare.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Roberts, L. E., Binfield, O. F., Charles, J. P., Comerford, E. J., Bates, K. T., Goswami, A. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-25</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.22.713490</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Extreme disparity in the appendicular skeleton of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris)]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-25</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.19.713079v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Reassessing display behavior from Bels et al. (2025) given the complexity of anthropogenic hybridization and intraspecific diversity in Iguana iguana 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.19.713079v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Understanding behavioral differences between non-native and closely related endangered species could be important to aid conservation management. In volume 169 of Zoology, Bels et al. (2025) reported on their comparison of display-action-patterns (DAP) between native Iguana delicatissima and non-native iguanas present on islands of the Guadeloupe Archipelago in the Caribbean Lesser Antilles. Here, we address conceptual and methodological concerns about their work and reanalyze their data given our proposed corrections, primarily a literature-informed adjustment of their "species" category. We additionally utilize online videos from South American mainland I. iguana populations, from where the non-native iguanas in the Guadeloupe Archipelago originate, to better understand the different DAPs between native and non-native iguanas in the Guadeloupe Archipelago. Significant differences in DAP characteristics among "species" categories (native I. delicatissima, non-native iguanas, and hybrids) show that Bels et al. (2025) oversimplified their data analyses by merging all non-native populations into one group. This result indicates the presence of behavioral variation among subpopulations within widely hybridizing iguanid populations, which has been poorly studied. Additionally, videos from mainland populations across two major mitochondrial clades of Iguana iguana show that non-native iguanas on Guadeloupe retained DAP characteristics of those populations from which they originate. We discuss these findings in light of the proposed hypotheses put forward by Bels et al. (2025), of which two can be excluded. Overall, our reanalysis shows that studies focusing on characteristics within settings of complex hybridization in diverse species should acknowledge this complexity.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ van den Burg, M. P., Thibaudier, J. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-23</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.19.713079</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Reassessing display behavior from Bels et al. (2025) given the complexity of anthropogenic hybridization and intraspecific diversity in Iguana iguana]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-23</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.17.712497v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Behavioral characteristics of an extremely old rhesus macaque in a zoo: Dementia-like symptoms and implications for quality of life of geriatric animals 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.17.712497v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Documenting and understanding the welfare of aging animals are crucial for maintaining their well-being and making appropriate management decisions. This study details the behaviors of an extremely old rhesus macaque (ISK) in which senile plaques and phosphorylated tau deposition were observed in post-mortem pathological analyses of the brain. We report on the activity bsudgets, behavioral rhythms, gait, quality of life (QoL) scores, and anecdotal episodes of this individual. The average 24-hour activity budgets, analyzed from surveillance camera recordings, revealed that ISK spent most of her time inactive. ISK was sometimes active at night, though her behavior remained predominantly diurnal. Gait analysis suggested that her movement patterns changed between the first (December 2020) and the last (June 2021) assessment. QoL assessments, using a scoring sheet, indicated relatively good well-being until the later stage of her life. An anecdotal episode, along with the husbandry diary, suggested signs of cognitive decline. These results suggest possible signs of physical decline, and some behavioral changes that could be associated with cognitive decline in an extremely old rhesus macaque. However, we could not confirm cognitive dysfunction without further controlled cognitive testing. We hope that future studies will consider the behavioral symptoms observed in this study as monitoring items to better understand physical and cognitive decline, and possible relationships with QoL in primates.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Yamanashi, Y., Bando, H., Niimi, K., Nakagawa, D., Iwaide, S., Murakami, T. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-19</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.17.712497</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Behavioral characteristics of an extremely old rhesus macaque in a zoo: Dementia-like symptoms and implications for quality of life of geriatric animals]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-19</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.15.711934v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
A holistic survey of small mammal diversity across an iconic Madrean Sky Island (Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona, USA) 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.15.711934v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
The Santa Catalina Mountains are an iconic member of the Madrean Sky Islands, rising above Tucson, Arizona, USA, where the Catalina Highway connects Sonoran desertscrub to stands of conifer forest nearly 2,800 meters in elevation. As one of the [~]54 forested mountain areas in this system, the Santa Catalinas host unique biotic communities relative to the surrounding lowlands. However, most of these sky islands lack the surveys of resident small mammals (either historical or recent) needed for studying biodiversity in the context of changing climate and habitat use. From 2021 to 2023, we surveyed 10 localities on the north and south slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains using holistic sampling methods to document terrestrial small mammal diversity and preserve multiple tissue types. Here we summarize these new collections relative to previous voucher specimens and human observations, identifying gaps for future work to address. Our survey recorded the presence of 15 species, preserved 150 voucher specimens paired with a suite of flash-frozen tissues, and non-lethally sampled another 219 individuals (ear tissue, feces, ectoparasites, and measurements) to provide populational data from sites where vouchering occurred. Despite the road accessibility and long history of sampling in the Santa Catalina Mountains, our surveys extended the known elevational range for 8 species, including the first known specimen of Reithrodontomys fulvescens from the area. Our use of a transect-based survey design, which maximizes species diversity across biotic communities, paired with holistic specimen preservation techniques, provides a model for surveying patterns of population genetic and parasite sharing relationships across other Madrean Sky Islands, bridging a [~]40 year lull in specimen preservation while adding new data dimensions that promote integrative studies of small mammal biodiversity. With more complete sampling, other mountains will offer promising replicates for studying eco-evolutionary impacts of the regions episodic habitat connectivity.

Teaser textSurveying the terrestrial small mammals of the Santa Catalina Mountains, part of the Madrean Sky Islands, we analyze modern occurrences relative to previous records and demonstrate the potential value of holistically surveying sky island small mammals.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Rowsey, D. M., Smith, S. M., Zamora Chavez, L. J., Rivera, D. C., Hess, S. C., Jones, M. F., Bucci, M. E., Mohammadian, S., Alston, J. M., Baez, J. R., Vargas, K. L., Upham, N. S. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-18</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.15.711934</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[A holistic survey of small mammal diversity across an iconic Madrean Sky Island (Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona, USA)]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-18</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.14.711761v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Assessing the impact of gamma irradiation on key biological traits of peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae) under laboratory conditions 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.14.711761v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) poses a significant threat to global fruit production due to its high reproductive capacity and broad host range. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of gamma irradiation on key biological parameters of B. zonata. Six-day-old pupae were exposed to irradiation doses of 0, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 Gy, and subsequent developmental and reproductive traits were assessed to determine the impact of irradiation. Post-irradiation results revealed a dose-dependent trend. Higher doses ([&ge;]50 Gy) significantly reduced adult emergence, increased the incidence of partially emerged or deformed adults, and shortened adult longevity. Reproductive potential was significantly impaired in males irradiated at 60 and 70 Gy when mated with un-irradiated females, resulting in a marked decline in both fecundity and egg hatchability. Females irradiated at doses [&ge;]50 Gy failed to produce eggs when paired with either irradiated or non-irradiated males, indicating a high level of radio-sensitivity in female flies. Additionally, several traits in the F1 generation such as pupal recovery, pupal size, and adult development exhibited significant abnormalities and suggesting that the effects of irradiation may be transmitted to the next generation. Sterility was highest in males irradiated at 60 and 70 Gy, while females exhibited complete sterility at doses exceeding 40 Gy. The findings indicate that a dose of 70 Gy may be optimal for effective sterility induction in B. zonata. However, further detailed studies are required to standardize this dose, incorporating rigorous quality control measures to optimize its application in sterile insect technique (SIT) programs.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Shah, S. J. A., Hajra, B., Khan, M. H., Zaidi, F., Salman, M., Saeed, Z., Khalique, U., Ayaz, M., Fatima, S. H. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-17</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.14.711761</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Assessing the impact of gamma irradiation on key biological traits of peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae) under laboratory conditions]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-17</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.13.710869v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Using insertable cardiac monitors to test determinants of heart rate and activity in captive baboons 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.13.710869v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
BackgroundInsertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) provide fine-grained, continuous data on cardiac activity. These data have great potential to reveal individual physiology, energetics, and stress responses, with implications for animal health, cognition, welfare, and conservation. However, these devices must be tested for safety, accuracy, and biological validity before being deployed in new species. Here we do so for the Reveal LINQTM ICM (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN USA) over an 8-month period in 10 adult female baboons (Papio anubis and P. cynocephalus) at the Kenya Institute of Primate Research in Kenya. We also report data on heart rate, physical activity, and body temperature in unrestrained, conscious, captive baboons during their normal activities. Finally, we test how heart rate and activity levels are predicted by baboon species, body mass index, time of day, ambient temperature, social dominance rank, and ovarian cycle phase.

ResultsThe baboons had no adverse reactions to the Reveal LINQTM ICM. Their mean daytime heart rates (HRs) over 2-minute intervals ranged from 89.7 to 128.0 beats per minute (bpm), and their resting HRs ranged from 74.7 to 103.0 bpm. The fastest observed R-wave interval validated by electrocardiogram (ECG) was 230 milliseconds (ms) (260 bpm), and the slowest was 1270 ms (47.4 bpm). In terms of predictors of HR and activity, HR was highly individualized, while activity level was not: baboon identity explained 40% of the variation in HR, but identity only 1% of variation in activity levels. HR was positively correlated with physical activity and HR was highest during daylight hours when the baboons were more active. Dominant baboons had higher HRs controlling for activity and were more active than low ranking individuals. In terms of ovarian cycle phase, HR was higher when individuals were in the periovulatory and luteal phases of the ovarian cycle compared to the follicular phase.

ConclusionsOur findings support the future use of ICMs to investigate physiological responses in baboons. These devices safety and validity represent the plausibility of understanding inter-individual and inter-species variation in heart rate and activity in response to variation in the external environment and in individual internal state.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Andreadis, C. R., Kulahci, I. G., Ndung'u, J., Kigen, D., Kimiti, P., Mugambi Kibe, K., Laske, N. R., Mwadime, J., Wanjala, N., Pontzer, H., Laske, T. G., Akinyi, M. Y., Archie, E. A. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-17</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.13.710869</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Using insertable cardiac monitors to test determinants of heart rate and activity in captive baboons]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-17</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.13.711545v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Ethyl-iophenoxic acid as a serum biomarker for marsupial species in oral bait trials 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.13.711545v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Ethyl-iophenoxic acid (Et-IPA) is widely recognized as a useful biomarker to confirm oral bait consumption in eutherian species. In historical studies on marsupials, Et-IPA was rapidly eliminated from brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) suggesting limited use for marsupial species. However, a 1 mg oral dose of Et-IPA was detectable in the marsupial Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) for [&ge;] 56 days suggesting the biomarker can be used in a devil bait vaccine program. To assess Et-IPA marking in off-target marsupials that may consume baits, we administered 1 mg oral doses of Et-IPA to brushtail possums, forester kangaroos (Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis), spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) and eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus). Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect and quantify serum Et-IPA. Et-IPA was detected in the serum on day 2 but was not detected by day 14 in any of the species tested, including the two quoll species which are in the same carnivorous Dasyuridae family as the devils. The rapid elimination of Et-IPA in the marsupials included in this study suggests it is not useful as a biomarker for these species. Furthermore, rapid elimination in the kangaroos and possums suggests that Et-IPA is unlikely to accumulate in the food chain following distribution of Et-IPA-marked oral bait vaccines for Tasmanian devils.

Short summary for non-expertsA recent study in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) challenged the concept that ethyl iophenoxic acid (Et-IPA) is not a useful serum biomarker for marsupials. Using the same sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method we detected serum Et-IPA in four marsupial species on day two post-ingestion but by day 14, serum Et-IPA was undetectable. These findings indicate that Et-IPA is an unsuitable biomarker for these species and suggest that Et-IPA from devil bait vaccines is unlikely to bioaccumulate in the Tasmanian environment.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Nofs, S. A., Pye, R. J., Nichols, D. S., Johnson, S. R., Gilbert, A. T., Lazenby, B., Flies, A. S. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-16</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.13.711545</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Ethyl-iophenoxic acid as a serum biomarker for marsupial species in oral bait trials]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-16</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.11.711206v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Influence of ocean warming and acidification on juveniles of the true giant clam, Tridacna gigas, and its microalgal symbionts 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.11.711206v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Uncontrolled carbon dioxide emissions from human activities contribute to ocean warming and acidification. These alterations in ocean chemistry threaten marine organisms, such as the true giant clam, Tridacna gigas, which is already imperiled due to overharvesting and habitat destruction. To gain an understanding of the physiological and molecular responses of T. gigas and its symbiotic dinoflagellates to ocean warming and acidification, we subjected juvenile individuals to different treatments simulating predicted seawater pH (7.6 and 8.0) and temperature (28{degrees}C, 30{degrees}C, 32{degrees}C and 34{degrees}C) levels for the next century. Juvenile giant clams were able to tolerate sustained exposure to temperatures of up to 32{degrees}C and pH as low as 7.6, while exposure to higher temperature (34{degrees}C), regardless of pH level, resulted in total mortality after a week. However, symbiosis was compromised even in the sublethal treatments, as indicated by the decrease in Symbiodiniaceae density and changes in symbiont gene expression. Symbionts significantly upregulated genes involved in splicing, translation, fatty acid metabolism, and DNA repair, which may constitute an adaptive response, while downregulating genes involved in photosynthesis and transmembrane transport, suggests impaired transfer of photosynthates to the host. These findings demonstrate the vulnerability of the juvenile T. gigas holobiont to heat stress, highlighting the critical importance of continued conservation and management alongside efforts to mitigate global changes in ocean conditions to safeguard this iconic marine bivalve.

Summary StatementThis study investigates physiological and molecular responses of Tridacna gigas to seawater warming and acidification, providing insights into the potential future of endangered giant clam populations in a changing ocean.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Baquiran, J. I. P., Posadas, N., Nada, M. A. L., Maala, G. J. L., Cabaitan, P. C., Conaco, C. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-13</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.11.711206</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Influence of ocean warming and acidification on juveniles of the true giant clam, Tridacna gigas, and its microalgal symbionts]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-13</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.06.709542v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Potential acoustic signatures of stress in black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens; Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.06.709542v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) have quickly become one of the most farmed animals in the world. However, little is known about how to monitor stress and welfare in these animals. The difficulty of welfare assessment is compounded by the fact that BSFL live in their feed and prefer darkness. This behaviour makes it challenging to observe potential welfare indicators without inducing stress via disturbing the larvae or moving them into the light. However, acoustic devices may be able to pick up signatures of stress in the population even while they are out of sight, allowing for remote monitoring of animals in natural conditions (in the feed and/or in the dark). Acoustic monitoring of this type has been deployed for the detection of insects in stored grains, suggesting this method holds some promise for assessing insect behavioural signatures. In this study, we aimed to identify general, acoustic signatures of stress in BSFL by recording them during exposure to two stressors (light or shaking) or in a low-stress control condition. Our data suggest there are consistent differences in the acoustic recordings of the  non-stressed and  stressed conditions that may indicate the animals behaviours shift consistently in response to stress. Ultimately, the data suggest acoustic monitoring may hold promise for larval behaviour and/or welfare assessment and should be further explored in response to a variety of stressors across the larval life stage.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Perl, C. D., Escott, O., Reiss, G., Crump, A., Barrett, M. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-10</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.06.709542</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Potential acoustic signatures of stress in black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens; Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-10</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.06.710017v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Creating complete life histories of individual female tsetse (Glossina spp) to study the effects of meteorological conditions on fly size in Zimbabwe 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.06.710017v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Combining novel methodologies with ovarian dissection, we estimated life histories for ca. 90,000 individual female Glossina pallidipes and G. m. morsitans sampled from 1988-1999 in Zimbabwes Zambezi Valley. Using temperature-dependent development rates we stepped back through each flys life, fixing dates of successive pregnancies, adult emergence, pupal period, pregnancy and oogenesis. This enabled modelling of relationships between wing and egg lengths, and conditions prevailing when these lengths were being determined. Egg lengths increased with maternal wing length, were shorter in primiparous flies but changed little with age thereafter. G. pallidipes egg lengths were positively related to NDVI and negatively to temperature (R2 = 0.68), for variables averaged over the period of oogenesis for each fly, and then averaged again across weekly cohorts of flies. G. m. morsitans mean egg lengths, pooled by month, showed the same pattern (R2 = 0.53). Pooled mean wing lengths increased with NDVI and decreased with temperature prevailing while flies were developing in the ovaries and uterus; R2= 0.66 (G. pallidipes) and R2= 0.56 (G. m. morsitans). The models - fitted using flies captured after November 1991 - gave good predictions, with no further modeling, for egg and wing lengths of flies captured between September 1988 and November 1991. The models facilitate true predictions of future changes in fly size based on readily available meteorological data, benefiting vector and disease control efforts in predicting likely changes in tsetse population densities and distribution. Selection against small individuals in the hot-dry season is not restricted to teneral mortality continuing for some weeks after emergence. NDVI, measures of wetness and temperature can indirectly impact tsetse size, mortality and population density by affecting vertebrate host density and, thereby, the probability of tsetse locating and feeding on a host. Our methodology impacts numerous areas of vector biology and control.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Hargrove, J. W., Bruce, F., Van Sickle, J. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-09</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.06.710017</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Creating complete life histories of individual female tsetse (Glossina spp) to study the effects of meteorological conditions on fly size in Zimbabwe]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-09</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.06.710013v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Photosymbiotic algae acquisition and their interactions with the acoel Convolutriloba macropyga 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.06.710013v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Symbiosis with photosynthetic microbes is widespread in marine animals, with various symbiont transmission modes and localisation within the host. Here, we characterise the association between the acoel Convolutriloba macropyga and its photosymbionts, identified as Tetraselmis green algae based on rbcL gene phylogenetic analysis. Symbionts are transmitted vertically to asexual offspring and acquired horizontally by juveniles after sexual reproduction. Embryos develop to aposymbiotic juveniles that ingest Tetraselmis through the mouth. Confocal microscopy shows an increase in algae number within juveniles and in their presence at the body wall. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that symbionts lose flagella and theca. In adults, symbionts are extracellular at the body periphery, but can be intracellular within the parenchyma, in contrast with previously described acoel photosymbionts. This likely reflects different host-symbiont interactions, with algae potentially performing photosynthesis and nutrient exchange at the periphery, while undergoing transport or digestion in the parenchyma. Comparative transcriptomics between symbiotic adults and aposymbiotic juveniles shows an enrichment of amino acid synthesis, lipid metabolism, and osmotic and oxidative stress responses in symbiotic adults. Our data shows that algal symbionts engage with host tissues in distinct ways, inside or outside host cells, highlighting a previously unappreciated spatial complexity in host-algae interactions.

HighlightsO_LITetraselmis algae are taken up by Convolutriloba macropyga juveniles
C_LIO_LIAlgal symbionts in juveniles lose theca and flagella, proliferate, and move to the body wall
C_LIO_LISymbionts are extracellular at the body wall and can be intracellular in the parenchyma
C_LIO_LIAmino acid synthesis, lipid metabolism, osmoregulation and stress responses are activated in symbiotic adults
C_LI
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Pinto, F., Lando, G., Cetrangolo, V., Felbel, K., Grimmer, E., Hejnol, A., Rimskaya-Korsakova, N. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-09</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.06.710013</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Photosymbiotic algae acquisition and their interactions with the acoel Convolutriloba macropyga]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-09</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.06.710029v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Wing pitch timing and wing elevation modulate forces and body pitch in forward flapping flight 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.06.710029v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Aerodynamic performance in airplanes and flying animals can be controlled by changes in wing shape and size, but during flapping flight another key component is wing motion. Observations of free-flying animals reveal natural wing motions, but testing causal mechanisms requires controlled manipulation of flapping kinematics. In flapping wings, aerodynamic interactions between the two wings are expected to depend on wingbeat phase, wing proximity, and wing attitude. How these interactions influence force production remains unclear. Here we used a robotic flapping wing and quantitative flow measurements to test the effect of wing interactions between wings flapped above or below the body in combination with pitch timing during upstroke-downstroke transitions. We show that both force magnitude and direction depend strongly on these parameters. High wing position combined with early pitching enhanced vertical force, whereas low position and late pitching increased thrust. Maximum aerodynamic efficiency was achieved flapping around the horizontal plane and pitching late. Transition phases strongly affected thrust generation and produced substantial body pitch torques. These findings demonstrate that small kinematic adjustments can markedly alter aerodynamic performance and be used for tailless flight control. This offers mechanistic explanations for observed animal wing motions and novel strategies for controlling flapping drones.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Colognesi, V., Johansson, C. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-06</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.06.710029</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Wing pitch timing and wing elevation modulate forces and body pitch in forward flapping flight]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-06</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.03.709309v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Pigments and microstructure of the colour polymorphic shells of Polymita picta and P. muscarum (Gastropoda: Cepolidae), with observations on a new light-transmitting shell spot system 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.03.709309v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Colour polymorphism in the Cuban painted snails Polymita picta and P. muscarum is striking, yet the pigmentary and structural bases remain unclear. We combined spectrophotometric screening, Raman micro-spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and LED transillumination to link pigments, ultrastructure and optics across shell morphs. Melanin standard (Sepia officinalis) yielded a robust linear calibration used to quantify total melanin pigments at 215 nm in pooled extracts. Melanin was detected in all samples with predominance in darker morphs. Raman spectra (785 nm) confirmed aragonite mineral organization and revealed carotenoid bands, consistent with a mixed-pigment model in which carotenoids contribute to ground and band colours and melanins underlie darker elements. SEM showed a canonical crossed-lamellar wall with alternating transverse and co-marginal tiers. At "spot" domains surfaces were cribose; fracture exposed locally disordered, more porous mineral arrangement enriched in organic matrix, bounded basally by an organic layer. We understand these as a photo-transmissive system in terrestrial gastropods probably overlooked. Under transillumination, spots acted as discrete light-transmitting windows, abundant in P. muscarum and sparse in P. picta. We propose a pigment-structure-optics framework, in which pigments and microstructural packing jointly play potential roles in photoprotection and behavioural thermoregulation. These results provide a mechanistic context for colour polymorphism in Polymita and suggest testable links to thermal ecology and conservation.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Gordillo-Perez, M. J., Beenaerts, N., Sigwart, J., Backeljau, T., Vranken, T., Vilaso-Cadre, J. E., Heleven, M., Smeets, K., Vandamme, D., Reyes-Tur, B. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-05</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.03.709309</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Pigments and microstructure of the colour polymorphic shells of Polymita picta and P. muscarum (Gastropoda: Cepolidae), with observations on a new light-transmitting shell spot system]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-05</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.04.709710v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Investigating the use of human COVID-19 rapid assays to detect antibody and antigen in domesticated dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.04.709710v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in humans, is also known to infect animals including dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus). This study evaluated the efficacy of human COVID-19 rapid antigen and antibody tests in dogs and cats. Nasal/oral swabs from 60 animals (32 dogs, 28 cats) and serum from 40 animals (20 dogs, 20 cats) were tested. Rapid antigen tests used on respiratory swabs showed low-to-moderate sensitivity (75% dogs, 57% cats) and moderate-to-high specificity (79% dogs, 95% cats) compared to RT-PCR. Rapid antibody tests used on serum samples demonstrated low-to-moderate sensitivity (70% dogs, 50% cats) and moderate-high specificity (60% dogs, 100% cats) compared to PRNT. While imperfect, these test kits may have some utility for field surveillance studies, particularly when species-specific rapid SARS-CoV-2 assays for dogs and cats are unavailable. These test characteristics in dogs and cats are similar to the findings from studies of the same types of tests in humans which have found an average sensitivity and specificity of common commercially available kits in the US range from 50.0-84.3% and 64.5-74.3%, respectively, when used with human samples (1,2).
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Cybulska, L. C., Hamer, S. A., Teasdale, C., Johnson, G., Hamer, G., Grassman, J. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-05</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.03.04.709710</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Investigating the use of human COVID-19 rapid assays to detect antibody and antigen in domesticated dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus)]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-05</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.28.708708v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Shrimp endogenous viral elements (EVE) correlate with survival in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenges 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.28.708708v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Shrimp and other arthropods are capable of specific, adaptive immune responses to viruses based on viral copy DNA (vcDNA) fragments in the host genome called endogenous viral elements (EVE). These may produce negative sense RNA transcripts leading to an RNA interference (RNAi) defense response against cognate viruses. We first reported high-frequency-read sequences (HFRS) of white spot syndrome virus EVE (named WSSV-EVE 4,6,8) in a WSSV-free breeding stock of whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Here we describe screening for the same HFRS-EVE in a captured giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) breeding stock, also free of WSSV. WSSV-EVE 4,6,8 was detected in some of the P. monodon stock individuals with positive or negative RNA expression. Eight broodstock individuals were selected for mating in 4 crosses. The offspring from these crosses were grown sufficiently to allow tagging and pleopod sampling for DNA and RNA analysis prior to challenge with WSSV. This allowed for Mendelian analysis of EVE inheritance and for its expression or not in the offspring, together with analysis of their relationships to survival and WSSV infection level after challenge. The results revealed that EVE inheritance was Mendelian, but that their RNA expression or not was independently controlled. In Crosses 1 and 2, all the offspring died and none of them carried 2 or more of the expressed EVE in their parental shrimp. In contrast, 100% of 10 arbitrarily selected surviving shrimp from Cross 3 and 90% from Cross 4 carried and expressed 2 or more of the 3 expressed EVE transmitted from the parental shrimp. These results reveal a potential protocol for development of viral tolerant shrimp stocks.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Taengchaiyaphum, S., Buathongkam, P., Srisala, J., Wongklaluang, P., Wongpim, T., Phomklad, S., Kaewlok, K., Inkaew, J., Laiphrom, S., Powtongsook, S., FLEGEL, T. W., Itsathitphaisarn, O., Sritunyalucksana, K. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-03</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.02.28.708708</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Shrimp endogenous viral elements (EVE) correlate with survival in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenges]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-03</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.27.708595v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Histo-anatomical atlas and thermal tolerance of Garra rufa: A novel small teleost model adaptable to human body temperature 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.27.708595v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Garra rufa, commonly known as the doctor fish, is a small freshwater cyprinid notable for its exceptional tolerance to high temperatures, surviving even at around the human body temperature of 37 {degrees}C, and has emerging potential as a novel laboratory model for human cancer xenotransplantation and infectious disease research. To establish a foundation for its experimental use, we conducted comprehensive anatomical and histological analyses across major organ systems. The overall body organization and tissue architecture of G. rufa are broadly similar to those of zebrafish (Danio rerio), indicating a conserved cyprinid body plan. However, several organ systems in G. rufa exhibited species-specific differences compared with zebrafish, including a well-developed adhesive disc around the oral region, a long and coiled intestine, and a distinct dark pigmentation of the peritoneum. These species-specific traits may reflect ecological and behavioral adaptations of G. rufa, including benthic scraping in warm, flowing habitats. Physiological assays confirmed that G. rufa maintains high survival rates and normal swimming activity at 37 {degrees}C, whereas zebrafish exhibit significant mortality and reduced locomotion under the same conditions. Collectively, this work provides a comprehensive histo-anatomical atlas of G. rufa, highlighting its unique morphological specializations while establishing an essential reference for the development of this species as a novel experimental fish model.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kon, T., Kon-Nanjo, K., Nihei, S., Zang, L., Simakov, O., Shimada, Y. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-02</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.02.27.708595</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Histo-anatomical atlas and thermal tolerance of Garra rufa: A novel small teleost model adaptable to human body temperature]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-02</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
<item rdf:about="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.27.708658v1?rss=1">
<title>
<![CDATA[
Efficacy of intensive seawater irrigation in mitigating climate-driven increases in incubation temperature of green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) nests. 
]]>
</title>
<link>
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.27.708658v1?rss=1
</link>
<description><![CDATA[
Sea turtles exhibit environmental sex determination and face risks of over-feminization, heat-induced embryonic failure, and hatchling mortality due to rising global temperatures. Mitigating these impacts of climate change may necessitate interventions to reduce sand temperature. One proposed strategy is to irrigate nests with seawater, but uncertainties exist regarding turtle egg tolerance to saline nest sand. To test the hypothesis that sea turtle embryos can tolerate a regimen of irrigation with seawater at a management-relevant scale, we investigated the impact of two levels of large-scale irrigation using cooled seawater on green turtle nests and embryos, assessing the effects on important nest environmental factors and developmental success. Irrigation which simulated 200 mm of rain reduced the temperature in clutches by up to 5.6 {degrees}C (1.34 {+/-} 0.10 mean {+/-} SD) without adversely affecting clutch oxygen levels, sand water potential, or sand moisture content, but our irrigation regimens resulted in very low hatching success (1.5%). However, late-stage embryonic mortality predominated, suggesting that early embryos may have an unexpected tolerance to saline sand and increasing our understanding of sea turtle resilience to seawater irrigation. The observation that younger embryos may be less susceptible to seawater-associated mortality than mature embryos near hatching further informs the limitations and potential applications of seawater irrigation as a management strategy.
]]></description>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Adams, D. M., Williamson, S. A., Evans, R. G., Reina, R. D. ]]></dc:creator>
<dc:date>2026-03-02</dc:date>
<dc:identifier>doi:10.64898/2026.02.27.708658</dc:identifier>
<dc:title><![CDATA[Efficacy of intensive seawater irrigation in mitigating climate-driven increases in incubation temperature of green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) nests.]]></dc:title>
<dc:publisher>Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory</dc:publisher>
<prism:publicationDate>2026-03-02</prism:publicationDate>
<prism:section></prism:section>
</item>
</rdf:RDF>
