PLOS ONE: [sortOrder=DATE_NEWEST_FIRST, sort=Date, newest first, q=subject:"Zoology"]PLOShttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/webmaster@plos.orgaccelerating the publication of peer-reviewed sciencehttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/search/feed/atom?sortOrder=DATE_NEWEST_FIRST&unformattedQuery=subject:%22Zoology%22&sort=Date,+newest+firstAll PLOS articles are Open Access.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/resource/img/favicon.icohttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/resource/img/favicon.ico2024-03-28T13:58:01ZComparison of nutritional value of snakehead fish from Guangdong and Deqing varietiesZeguo ZengMiao ZhengMengxiao ZhaoJing GuoShuifa ZhuXianguo ZouQingxiang Zeng10.1371/journal.pone.03012032024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Zeguo Zeng, Miao Zheng, Mengxiao Zhao, Jing Guo, Shuifa Zhu, Xianguo Zou, Qingxiang Zeng</p>
Environmental pollution and overfishing of wild fish resources have led to a significant decrease in snakehead fish, thus leading to the increased demand for breeding the snakehead fish. Guangdong and Deqing snakehead fish are two common consumed varieties. However, their nutritional value was unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional value of snakehead fish from Guangdong and Deqing varieties feeding with different fodders by analyzing and comparing the proximate composition, fatty acids and amino acids. Results showed that the contents of carbohydrate, energy and fat contents in Guangdong variety were lower than that in Deqing variety feeding commercial fodder or offal. Besides, Guangdong variety contained the highest contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (27.99 ± 1.99%) and EPA + DHA (2.70 ± 0.04%), as well as total essential amino acid content (2550.29), compared to Deqing variety feeding commercial fodder or offal. Overall, snakehead fish from Guangdong variety displayed the highest nutritional value, and thus was a reasonable choice for farmers and consumers. The findings of this study would help farmers to choose the suitable feeding variety and patterns of snakehead fish from the perspective of fish nutritional value, which is beneficial to the sustainable fish farming.Can cyclone exposure explain behavioural and demographic variation among lemur species?Alison M. BehieTravis S. SteffensKeaghan YaxleyAlan VincentPatricia C. WrightSteig E. JohnsonMary S. M. Pavelka10.1371/journal.pone.03009722024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Alison M. Behie, Travis S. Steffens, Keaghan Yaxley, Alan Vincent, Patricia C. Wright, Steig E. Johnson, Mary S. M. Pavelka</p>
Madagascar has a harsh and stochastic climate because of regular natural disturbances. This history of regular cyclones has been hypothesised to have directed evolutionary changes to lemur behaviour and morphology that make them more resilient to sudden environmental change. These adaptations may include: small group sizes, high degrees of energy-conserving behaviours, generalist habitat use, small home ranges, small body size, and a limited number of frugivorous species. To date, however, no one has tested how variation in cyclone exposure across Madagascar is associated with variation in these resilience traits. In this study, we created a detailed cyclone impact map for Madagascar using Koppen-Geiger climate class, historical cyclone tracks, the Saffir Class of cyclone and hurricane intensity, and precipitation data. We also used existing literature to calculate a resilience score for 26 lemur species for which data existed on resilience traits. Our cyclone impact map was then overlaid on known geographic ranges of these species and compared to resilience score while controlling for phylogenetic non-independence and spatial autocorrelation. We found no association between cyclone impact in a lemur range and their resilience score. When assessing traits individually, however, we found that cyclone impact was positively associated with body size, suggesting that the more impacted a species is by cyclones the smaller they are. We also found cyclone impact to be negatively associated with frugivory, with species in higher impact zones eating more fruit. While unexpected, this could reflect an increased production in fruit in tree fall gaps following cyclones. While we did not find a pattern between cyclone impact and behavioural resilience in lemurs, we suggest a similar study at a global scale across all primates would allow for more taxonomic variation and reveal larger patterns key to understanding past and future vulnerability to natural disturbances in primates.Enhanced dietary reconstruction of Korean prehistoric populations by combining δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N amino acids of bone collagenKyungcheol ChoyHee Young YunBenjamin T. FullerMarcello A. Mannino10.1371/journal.pone.03000682024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Kyungcheol Choy, Hee Young Yun, Benjamin T. Fuller, Marcello A. Mannino</p>
Compound specific stable isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) is a powerful tool for determining dietary behaviors in complex environments and improving dietary reconstructions. Here, we conducted CSIA-AA on human (n = 32) and animal (n = 13) remains from two prehistoric archaeological sites (Mumun, Imdang) to assess in more detail the dietary sources consumed by prehistoric Korean populations. Results of estimated trophic position (TP) using Δ<sup>15</sup>N<sub>Glx-Phe</sub> show that the Imdang individuals consumed aquatic resources, as well as terrestrial resources. Principal component analysis (PCA) using δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N essential amino acid (EAA) values show that the Imdang humans closely cluster with game birds and terrestrial herbivores, whilst the Mumun humans closely cluster with C<sub>4</sub> plants. Quantitative estimation by a Bayesian mixing model (MixSIAR) indicates that the Imdang humans derived a large proportion of their proteins from terrestrial animals and marine fish, whereas the main protein sources for the Mumun humans were C<sub>4</sub> plants and terrestrial animals. Additionally, the comparison between the EAA and bulk isotope models shows that there is a tendency to overestimate the consumption of plant proteins when using bulk isotopic data. Our CSIA-AA approach reveals that in prehistoric Korea there were clear differences in human diets through time. This study adds to a growing body of literature that demonstrates the potential of CSIA-AA to provide more accurate estimations of protein consumption in mixed diets than previous bulk isotopic studies.Demography, commonly diagnosed disorders and mortality of guinea pigs under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2019—A VetCompass studyDan G. O’NeillJacques L. TaffinderDave C. BrodbeltVicki Baldrey10.1371/journal.pone.02994642024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Dan G. O’Neill, Jacques L. Taffinder, Dave C. Brodbelt, Vicki Baldrey</p>
Introduction <p>Guinea pigs are popular as domestic pets but there is limited information on the health of the wider pet population. This study aimed to report demography, commonly diagnosed disorders and mortality of guinea pigs under UK primary veterinary care.</p> Methods <p>Diagnosis and mortality information on guinea pigs was extracted from anonymised UK primary-care clinical records in VetCompass.</p> Results <p>From 51,622 guinea pigs under primary veterinary care during 2019, a specific breed was not recorded in 50,098 (97.05%). Of guinea pigs with information recorded, 23,206 (47.33%) were female and 25,828 (52.67%) were male. There were 1,020 (2.08%) neutered and 48,014 (97.92%) entire. Median adult bodyweight overall was 1.05kg (interquartile range [IQR] 0.90–1.19, range 0.40–2.66). From a random sample of 3,785/51,622 (7.33%) guinea pigs, the most prevalent disorders were overgrown nail(s) (n = 1,005, 26.55%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 25.15–27.99), dermatophytosis (228, 6.02%, 95% CI 5.29–6.83) and corneal ulceration (189, 4.99%, 95% CI 4.32–5.74). Among the 30 most common disorders, females showed predisposition for 3 disorders and males showed predisposition for 5 disorders. The disorder with the youngest age of affected animals was dermatophytosis (1.11 years) while weight loss had the oldest age of affected animals (4.64 years). From 757 recorded deaths, the median age at death overall was 4.03 years (IQR 2.56–5.44, range 0.17–10.00). Among deaths with a recorded cause, the most common causes of death were anorexia (n = 82, 13.87%, 95% CI 11.19–16.93), collapsed (58, 9.81%, 95% CI 7.54–12.50) and peri-anaesthetic death (20, 3.38%, 95% CI 2.08–5.18).</p> Conclusions <p>These results can assist veterinarians and owners by providing demographic, disorder and mortality benchmarks that support improved clinical care and welfare outcomes in guinea pigs. Many common disorders in guinea pigs were husbandry related.</p>The great urban shift: Climate change is predicted to drive mass species turnover in citiesAlessandro FilazzolaMarc T. J. JohnsonKimberly BarrettSue HayesNamrata ShresthaLaura TimmsJames Scott MacIvor10.1371/journal.pone.02992172024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Alessandro Filazzola, Marc T. J. Johnson, Kimberly Barrett, Sue Hayes, Namrata Shrestha, Laura Timms, James Scott MacIvor</p>
Human experiences with nature are important for our culture, economy, and health. Anthropogenically-driven climate change is causing widespread shifts in biodiversity and resident urban wildlife are no exception. We modelled over 2,000 animal species to predict how climate change will impact terrestrial wildlife within 60 Canadian and American cities. We found evidence of an impending <i>great urban shift</i> where thousands of species will disappear across the selected cities, being replaced by new species, or not replaced at all. Effects were largely species-specific, with the most negatively impacted taxa being amphibians, canines, and loons. These predicted shifts were consistent across scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions, but our results show that the severity of change will be defined by our action or inaction to mitigate climate change. An impending massive shift in urban wildlife will impact the cultural experiences of human residents, the delivery of ecosystem services, and our relationship with nature.Investigating hill sheep farmers and crofters’ experiences of blackloss in the Highlands and Islands of ScotlandFiona McAuliffeAnn McLarenNeil SargisonFranz BrülisauerAndrew KentDavy McCracken10.1371/journal.pone.02982552024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Fiona McAuliffe, Ann McLaren, Neil Sargison, Franz Brülisauer, Andrew Kent, Davy McCracken</p>
Hill sheep farming is an important component of Scottish agriculture and comprises a significant land use in much of the Highlands and Islands. However it faces significant challenges due to the natural constraints of the landscape. Hill sheep farming uses hardy traditional breeds, such as the Scottish blackface and North Country Cheviot to graze extensive areas, where the sheep are not housed and tend to lamb on the open hill. Flocks are gathered several times a year for stock checks, husbandry, and health treatments. Between these handling events, stock will disappear and be unaccounted for. These unexplained losses are known as blackloss in the Highlands and Islands. Previously reported figures for annual lamb blackloss give an average of 18.6%. These losses are in addition to the known losses of lambs and represent a significant welfare and sustainability issue. High parasite burdens, predation, a photosensitisation disease known as plochteach or yellowses, and poor nutrition are often given as presumed reasons for blackloss. A questionnaire was developed to assess the experiences, impacts and understanding flock managers have of blackloss. Typology analysis using partitioning around medoids was used to cluster respondents into three distinct groups: 1- very large extensive farms and Sheep Stock Clubs, 2- medium sized farms, and 3- small-scale crofts. The responses of these groups were subsequently analysed to see if their experiences and perceptions of blackloss differed with relation to lamb health challenges and predation impacts. The groups reported similar health challenges, apart from Group 1 which had a significantly higher plochteach challenge. In terms of predators, Group 1 also perceived white-tailed eagles (<i>Haliaeetus albicilla</i>) as a much higher threat to their lambs than the other groups. It was observed that many of the respondents believed blackloss is inevitable and that predators pose a large threat to lambs. However, most agreed that reducing these losses is important and that understanding the causes would enable them to do so.Gray whale (<i>Eschrichtius robustus</i>) post-mortem findings from December 2018 through 2021 during the Unusual Mortality Event in the Eastern North PacificStephen RavertyPádraig DuignanDenise GreigJessica L. HugginsKathy Burek HuntingtonMichael GarnerJohn CalambokidisPaul CottrellKerri DanilDalin D’AlessandroDeborah DuffieldMoe FlanneryFrances MD GullandBarbie HalaskaDyanna M. LambournTaylor LehnhartJorge Urbán R.Teri RowlesJames RiceKate SavageKristin WilkinsonJustin GreenmanJustin ViezbickeBrendan CottrellP. Dawn GoleyMaggie MartinezDeborah Fauquier10.1371/journal.pone.02958612024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Stephen Raverty, Pádraig Duignan, Denise Greig, Jessica L. Huggins, Kathy Burek Huntington, Michael Garner, John Calambokidis, Paul Cottrell, Kerri Danil, Dalin D’Alessandro, Deborah Duffield, Moe Flannery, Frances MD Gulland, Barbie Halaska, Dyanna M. Lambourn, Taylor Lehnhart, Jorge Urbán R., Teri Rowles, James Rice, Kate Savage, Kristin Wilkinson, Justin Greenman, Justin Viezbicke, Brendan Cottrell, P. Dawn Goley, Maggie Martinez, Deborah Fauquier</p>
Beginning in December 2018, increased numbers of gray whale (<i>Eschrichtius robustus</i>) strandings were reported along the west coast of Mexico, the United States, and Canada, prompting declaration of a gray whale Unusual Mortality Event (UME) by the United States National Marine Fisheries Service. Although strandings declined in 2020 and 2021 from a peak in 2019, the UME is still ongoing as of fall 2023. Between 17 December 2018 and 31 December 2021, 503 animals stranded along the west coast of North America, with 226 strandings in Mexico, 71 in California, 12 in Oregon, 56 in Washington, 21 in British Columbia, and 117 in Alaska. These included 187 males, 167 females, and 149 whales of undetermined sex; and 193 adults, 194 subadults, 40 calves, 1 fetus, and 75 whales of undetermined age class. We report on 61 of the 503 carcasses (12%) that had external and internal gross necropsy and/or histopathology data: of these 61 whales, findings that contributed to death were identified in 33 (54%) whales. Sixteen of the 61 (26%) were severely emaciated. Gross lesions of blunt force trauma consistent with vessel strike were identified in 11 of the 61 animals (18%), only two of which were emaciated. Two whales (3%) were entangled at time of death, and one died from entrapment. Signs of killer whale (<i>Orcinus orca</i>) interaction were documented in 19 of the 61 animals; five were deemed from recent interactions and three (5%) likely contributed to mortality. A specific cause of death could not be identified in 28 of 61 whales (46%). Additionally, logistical challenges and the advanced state of decomposition of most examined carcasses precluded detection of potential infectious or toxic causes of morbidity or mortality. Up to 2016, the eastern North Pacific population of gray whale population had generally been increasing since the cessation of historic whaling and a prior UME in 1999–2000. However, recent abundance and calf production estimates have declined, a trend that overlaps the current UME. The relative contributions of carrying capacity, environmental change, prey shifts, and infectious, toxic, and other processes to the increased gray whale mortalities have not yet been resolved. Nevertheless, the marked temporal increase in strandings, including findings of malnutrition in some of the whales, along with low calf production, likely represent consequences of complex and dynamic ecological interactions in the ocean impacting the population.Changes in SARS-CoV-2 viral load and titers over time in SARS-CoV-2-infected human corpsesSayaka NagasawaYuichiro HirataSho MiyamotoSeiya OzonoShun IidaHarutaka KatanoShigeki TsuneyaKei KiraSusumu KobayashiMakoto NakajimaHiroyuki AbeMasako IkemuraIsao YamamotoKimiko NakagawaKazumi KubotaShinji AkitomiIwao HasegawaTetsuo UshikuTadaki SuzukiHirotaro IwaseYohsuke MakinoHisako Saitoh10.1371/journal.pone.02870682024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Sayaka Nagasawa, Yuichiro Hirata, Sho Miyamoto, Seiya Ozono, Shun Iida, Harutaka Katano, Shigeki Tsuneya, Kei Kira, Susumu Kobayashi, Makoto Nakajima, Hiroyuki Abe, Masako Ikemura, Isao Yamamoto, Kimiko Nakagawa, Kazumi Kubota, Shinji Akitomi, Iwao Hasegawa, Tetsuo Ushiku, Tadaki Suzuki, Hirotaro Iwase, Yohsuke Makino, Hisako Saitoh</p>
High viral titers of infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been detected in human corpses long after death. However, little is known about the kinetics of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in corpses. In this case series study, we investigated the postmortem kinetics of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in human corpses by collecting nasopharyngeal swab samples at multiple time points from six SARS-CoV-2-infected patients after their death. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from all six deceased patients. A viral culture showed the presence of infectious virus in one deceased patient up to 12 days after death. Notably, this patient had a shorter time from symptom onset to death than the other patients, and autopsy samples showed pathological findings consistent with viral replication in the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, this patient died during the viral shedding phase, and the amount of infectious virus in the corpse did not decrease over time up to the date of autopsy (12 days after death). The findings of this study indicate that the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in corpses can vary among individuals and may be associated with the stage of the disease at the time of death. These important results complement many previously reported findings on the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 at postmortem.Urinary proteomics reveals biological processes related to acute kidney injury in <i>Bothrops atrox</i> envenomingsLisele Maria Brasileiro-MartinsSofia Angiole CavalcanteThaís Pinto NascimentoAlexandre Vilhena Silva-NetoMarlon Dias Mariano SantosAmanda C. Camillo-AndradeJuliana de Saldanha da Gama FischerCaroline Coelho FerreiraLucas Barbosa OliveiraMarco Aurelio SartimAllyson Guimarães CostaManuela B. PuccaFan Hui WenAna Maria Moura-da-SilvaJacqueline SachettPaulo Costa CarvalhoPriscila Ferreira de AquinoWuelton M. Monteiro10.1371/journal.pntd.00120722024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Lisele Maria Brasileiro-Martins, Sofia Angiole Cavalcante, Thaís Pinto Nascimento, Alexandre Vilhena Silva-Neto, Marlon Dias Mariano Santos, Amanda C. Camillo-Andrade, Juliana de Saldanha da Gama Fischer, Caroline Coelho Ferreira, Lucas Barbosa Oliveira, Marco Aurelio Sartim, Allyson Guimarães Costa, Manuela B. Pucca, Fan Hui Wen, Ana Maria Moura-da-Silva, Jacqueline Sachett, Paulo Costa Carvalho, Priscila Ferreira de Aquino, Wuelton M. Monteiro</p>
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical systemic complication caused by <i>Bothrops</i> envenoming, a neglected health problem in the Brazilian Amazon. Understanding the underlying mechanisms leading to AKI is crucial for effectively mitigating the burden of this complication. This study aimed to characterize the urinary protein profile of <i>Bothrops atrox</i> snakebite victims who developed AKI. We analyzed three groups of samples collected on admission: healthy subjects (controls, n = 10), snakebite victims who developed AKI (AKI, n = 10), and those who did not evolve to AKI (No-AKI, n = 10). Using liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we identified and quantified (label-free) 1190 proteins. A panel of 65 proteins was identified exclusively in the urine of snakebite victims, with 32 exclusives to the AKI condition. Proteins more abundant or exclusive in AKI’s urine were associated with acute phase response, endopeptidase inhibition, complement cascade, and inflammation. Notable proteins include serotransferrin, SERPINA-1, alpha-1B-glycoprotein, and NHL repeat-containing protein 3. Furthermore, evaluating previously reported biomarkers candidates for AKI and renal injury, we found retinol-binding protein, beta-2-microglobulin, cystatin-C, and hepcidin to be significant in cases of AKI induced by <i>Bothrops</i> envenoming. This work sheds light on physiological disturbances caused by <i>Bothrops</i> envenoming, highlighting potential biological processes contributing to AKI. Such insights may aid in better understanding and managing this life-threatening complication.Reinfection of farm dogs following praziquantel treatment in an endemic region of cystic echinococcosis in southeastern IranMehdi BorhaniMohammad Ali MohammadiMahbod EntezamiMohammad Reza BaneshiSaeid NasibiJoaquin M. PradaMajid Fasihi Harandi10.1371/journal.pntd.00119392024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Mehdi Borhani, Mohammad Ali Mohammadi, Mahbod Entezami, Mohammad Reza Baneshi, Saeid Nasibi, Joaquin M. Prada, Majid Fasihi Harandi</p>
Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) as a prevalent tapeworm infection of human and herbivorous animals worldwide, is caused by accidental ingestion of <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> eggs excreted from infected dogs. CE is endemic in the Middle East and North Africa, and is considered as an important parasitic zoonosis in Iran. It is transmitted between dogs as the primary definitive host and different livestock species as the intermediate hosts. One of the most important measures for CE control is dog deworming with praziquantel. Due to the frequent reinfection of dogs, intensive deworming campaigns are critical for breaking CE transmission. Dog reinfection rate could be used as an indicator of the intensity of local CE transmission in endemic areas. However, our knowledge on the extent of reinfection in the endemic regions is poor. The purpose of the present study was to determine <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus</i> reinfection rate after praziquantel administration in a population of owned dogs in Kerman, Iran. A cohort of 150 owned dogs was recruited, with stool samples collected before praziquantel administration as a single oral dose of 5 mg/kg. The re-samplings of the owned dogs were performed at 2, 5 and 12 months following initial praziquantel administration. Stool samples were examined microscopically using Willis flotation method. Genomic DNA was extracted, and <i>E</i>. <i>granulosus sensu lato</i>-specific primers were used to PCR-amplify a 133-bp fragment of a repeat unit of the parasite genome. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method to calculate cumulative survival rates, which is used here to capture reinfection dynamics, and monthly incidence of infection, capturing also the spatial distribution of disease risk. Results of survival analysis showed 8, 12 and 17% total reinfection rates in 2, 5 and 12 months following initial praziquantel administration, respectively, indicating that 92, 88 and 83% of the dogs had no detectable infection in that same time periods. The monthly incidence of reinfection in total owned dog population was estimated at 1.5% (95% CI 1.0–2.1). The results showed that the prevalence of echinococcosis in owned dogs, using copro-PCR assay was 42.6%. However, using conventional microscopy, 8% of fecal samples were positive for taeniid eggs. Our results suggest that regular treatment of the dog population with praziquantel every 60 days is ideal, however the frequency of dog dosing faces major logistics and cost challenges, threatening the sustainability of control programs. Understanding the nature and extent of dog reinfection in the endemic areas is essential for successful implementation of control programs and understanding patterns of CE transmission.Sexual and reproductive health among men with genital schistosomiasis in southern Tanzania: A descriptive studyTwilumba MakeneAbdallah ZachariaStanley HauleGift LukumayBilly Ngasala10.1371/journal.pgph.00025332024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Twilumba Makene, Abdallah Zacharia, Stanley Haule, Gift Lukumay, Billy Ngasala</p>
Male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) is a significantly neglected condition, and its consequences often receive inadequate attention. The disease is suggested to cause schistosomiasis-induced sexual and reproductive health problems among males. The study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of MGS, sexual and reproductive health problems that could be caused by MGS among adult males in Mtama district. A community-based cross-sectional study using quantitative methods was carried out among males aged ≥ 18 years in selected households. Semen and urine samples were collected from each participant to establish the prevalence of MGS and urogenital schistosomiasis respectively. Semen quality was macroscopically and microscopically assessed. Urine samples were analyzed using filtration technique. A structured questionnaire interview was carried out to collect socio-demographic data, sexual and reproductive health information. Descriptive statistics were used to provide a summary of each variable. The prevalence (proportions) were presented in percentages and their respective 95% confidence intervals. A total of 223 adult males participated in this study. The prevalence of MGS and urogenital schistosomiasis were 5.8% (95% CI; 3.1%-9.0%) and 22.4% (95% CI; 16.6%-27.8%) respectively. The prevalence of <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> eggs in semen was found high among young adults 12/129 (9.3%, 95% CI; 4.9%-15.7%), who never attended to school 6/35 (17.1%, 95% CI; 6.6%-33.6%), petty traders 4/26 (15.4%, 95% CI; 4.4%-34.9%), never impregnated woman 9/70 (12.9%, 95% CI: 6.6%-33.6%), experienced pain during ejaculation 4/17 (23.5%, 95% CI; 4.9%-15.7%), and with brownish semen 2/5 (40%, 95% CI; 4.9%-15.7%). According to the findings, MGS, like urogenital schistosomiasis, is prevalent in southern Tanzania. The disease is prevalent among males with some reproductive and sexual issues. This highlight the need for more research to investigate the association of MGS and male reproductive and sexual health for improved health services among males.Bias in the arrival of variation can dominate over natural selection in Richard Dawkins’s biomorphsNora S. MartinChico Q. CamargoArd A. Louis10.1371/journal.pcbi.10118932024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Nora S. Martin, Chico Q. Camargo, Ard A. Louis</p>
Biomorphs, Richard Dawkins’s iconic model of morphological evolution, are traditionally used to demonstrate the power of natural selection to generate biological order from random mutations. Here we show that biomorphs can also be used to illustrate how developmental bias shapes adaptive evolutionary outcomes. In particular, we find that biomorphs exhibit phenotype bias, a type of developmental bias where certain phenotypes can be many orders of magnitude more likely than others to appear through random mutations. Moreover, this bias exhibits a strong preference for simpler phenotypes with low descriptional complexity. Such bias towards simplicity is formalised by an information-theoretic principle that can be intuitively understood from a picture of evolution randomly searching in the space of algorithms. By using population genetics simulations, we demonstrate how moderately adaptive phenotypic variation that appears more frequently upon random mutations can fix at the expense of more highly adaptive biomorph phenotypes that are less frequent. This result, as well as many other patterns found in the structure of variation for the biomorphs, such as high mutational robustness and a positive correlation between phenotype evolvability and robustness, closely resemble findings in molecular genotype-phenotype maps. Many of these patterns can be explained with an analytic model based on constrained and unconstrained sections of the genome. We postulate that the phenotype bias towards simplicity and other patterns biomorphs share with molecular genotype-phenotype maps may hold more widely for developmental systems.Color polymorphism and mating trends in a population of the alpine leaf beetle <i>Oreina gloriosa</i>Angela RoggeroDaniele AlùAlex LainiAntonio RolandoClaudia Palestrini10.1371/journal.pone.02983302024-03-26T14:00:00Z2024-03-26T14:00:00Z<p>by Angela Roggero, Daniele Alù, Alex Laini, Antonio Rolando, Claudia Palestrini</p>
The bright colors of Alpine leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) are thought to act as aposematic signals against predation. Within the European Alps, at least six species display a basal color of either blue or green, likely configuring a classic case of müllerian mimicry. In this context, intra-population color polymorphism is paradoxical as the existence of numerous color morphs might hamper the establishment of a search image in visual predators. Assortative mating may be one of the main factors contributing to the maintenance of polymorphic populations. Due to the marked iridescence of these leaf beetles, the perceived color may change as the viewing or illumination angle changes. The present study, conducted over three years, involved intensive sampling of a population of <i>Oreina gloriosa</i> from the Italian Alps and applied colorimetry and a decision tree method to identify the color morphs in an objective manner. The tertiary sex ratio of the population was biased in favor of males, suggesting that viviparous females hide to give birth. Seven color morphs were identified, and their frequencies varied significantly over the course of the study. Three different analyses of mating (JMating, QInfomating, and Montecarlo simulations) recognized a general trend for random mating which coexists with some instances of positive and negative assortative mating. This could help explain the pre-eminence of one morph (which would be favored because of positive selection due to positive assortative mating) in parallel with the persistence of six other morphs (maintained due to negative assortative mating).<i>Corythauma ayyari</i> (Insecta, Heteroptera, Tingidae) depends on its host plant to spread in EuropeManon DurandEric Guilbert10.1371/journal.pone.02951022024-03-26T14:00:00Z2024-03-26T14:00:00Z<p>by Manon Durand, Eric Guilbert</p>
Biological invasions increase with the intensity of globalization, human activities, and climate change. Insects represent a high potential of invasive species due to their adaptability to new environment. We analysed here the potential of an Asian phytophagous bug, <i>Corythauma ayyari</i> (Heteroptera, Tingidae) to become widespread, recently recorded in Europe, and that depends on <i>Jasminum</i> spp., an ornamental plant widespread in Europe. We modelled its current distribution, projected it into the future and tested its niche overlap between native and invaded areas. When considering the host plants as environmental variables, the analysis shows that <i>C</i>. <i>ayyari</i> shifted to a new ecological niche but its distribution is restricted by its host plant distribution. Including or excluding the host plants as environmental variables has an impact on <i>C</i>. <i>ayyari</i> distribution. We recommend to consider host plant interactions when dealing with niche modelling of phytophagous species.Landscape of toxin-neutralizing therapeutics for snakebite envenoming (2015–2022): Setting the stage for an R&D agendaJuliette BorriJosé María GutiérrezCecilie KnudsenAbdulrazaq G. HabibMaya GoldsteinAndrew Tuttle10.1371/journal.pntd.00120522024-03-26T14:00:00Z2024-03-26T14:00:00Z<p>by Juliette Borri, José María Gutiérrez, Cecilie Knudsen, Abdulrazaq G. Habib, Maya Goldstein, Andrew Tuttle</p>
Background <p>Progress in snakebite envenoming (SBE) therapeutics has suffered from a critical lack of data on the research and development (R&D) landscape. A database characterising this information would be a powerful tool for coordinating and accelerating SBE R&D. To address this need, we aimed to identify and categorise all active investigational candidates in development for SBE and all available or marketed products.</p> Methodology/Principal findings <p>In this landscape study, publicly available data and literature were reviewed to canvas the state of the SBE therapeutics market and research pipeline by identifying, characterising, and validating all investigational drug and biologic candidates with direct action on snake venom toxins, and all products available or marketed from 2015 to 2022. We identified 127 marketed products and 196 candidates in the pipeline, describing a very homogenous market of similar but geographically bespoke products and a diverse but immature pipeline, as most investigational candidates are at an early stage of development, with only eight candidates in clinical development.</p> Conclusions/Significance <p>Further investment and research is needed to address the shortfalls in products already on the market and to accelerate R&D for new therapeutics. This should be accompanied by efforts to converge on shared priorities and reshape the current SBE R&D ecosystem to ensure translation of innovation and access.</p>