PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Replacing mechanical protection with colorful faces–twice: parallel evolution of the non-operculate marine worm-snail genera Thylacodes (Guettard, 1770) and Cayo n. gen. (Gastropoda: Vermetidae)
items: Relationship between swimming speed, intra-cycle variation of horizontal speed, and Froude efficiency during consecutive stroke cycles in adolescent swimmers
items: The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS): psychometric properties and application on preschoolers
items: Assessing the effect of heavy metals on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and soil characteristics: plants-implications for phytoremediation
items: Effects of food-based enrichment on enclosure use and behavioral patterns in captive mammalian predators: a case study from an Austrian wildlife park
items: Bird diversity along an urban to rural gradient in large tropical cities peaks in mid-level urbanization
items: Identification of genetic loci for early maturity in spring bread wheat using the association analysis and gene dissection
items: Evaluating differences in density estimation for central Iowa butterflies using two methodologies
items: The gray matter atrophy and related network changes occur in the higher cognitive region rather than the primary sensorimotor cortex after spinal cord injury
items: Use of micro and macroalgae extracts for the control of vector mosquitoes

Replacing mechanical protection with colorful faces–twice: parallel evolution of the non-operculate marine worm-snail genera Thylacodes (Guettard, 1770) and Cayo n. gen. (Gastropoda: Vermetidae)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Vermetid worm-snails are sessile and irregularly coiled marine mollusks common in warmer nearshore and coral reef environments that are subject to high predation pressures by fish. Often cryptic, some have evolved sturdy shells or long columellar muscles allowing quick withdrawal into better protected parts of the shell tube, and most have variously developed opercula that protect and seal the shell aperture trapdoor-like. Members of Thylacodes (previously: Serpulorbis) lack such opercular protection. Its species often show polychromatic head-foot coloration, and some have aposematic coloration likely directed at fish predators. A new polychromatic species, Thylacodes bermudensis n. sp., is described from Bermuda and compared morphologically and by DNA barcode markers to the likewise polychromatic western Atlantic species T. decussatus (Gmelin, 1791). Operculum loss, previously assumed to be an autapomorphy of Thylacodes, is shown to have occurred convergently in a second clade of the family, for which a new genus Cayo n. gen. and four new western Atlantic species are introduced: C. margarita n. sp. (type species; with type locality in the Florida Keys), C. galbinus n. sp., C. refulgens n. sp., and C. brunneimaculatus n. sp. (the last three with type locality in the Belizean reef) (all new taxa authored by Bieler, Collins, Golding & Rawlings). Cayo n. gen. differs from Thylacodes in morphology (e.g., a protoconch that is wider than tall), behavior (including deep shell entrenchment into the substratum), reproductive biology (fewer egg capsules and eggs per female; an obliquely attached egg capsule stalk), and in some species, a luminous, “neon-like”, head-foot coloration. Comparative investigation of the eusperm and parasperm ultrastructure also revealed differences, with a laterally flattened eusperm acrosome observed in two species of Cayo n. gen. and a spiral keel on the eusperm nucleus in one, the latter feature currently unique within the family. A molecular ph…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Rüdiger Bieler
creator: Timothy M. Collins
creator: Rosemary Golding
creator: Camila Granados-Cifuentes
creator: John M. Healy
creator: Timothy A. Rawlings
creator: Petra Sierwald
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15854
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Bieler et al.
abstract: Vermetid worm-snails are sessile and irregularly coiled marine mollusks common in warmer nearshore and coral reef environments that are subject to high predation pressures by fish. Often cryptic, some have evolved sturdy shells or long columellar muscles allowing quick withdrawal into better protected parts of the shell tube, and most have variously developed opercula that protect and seal the shell aperture trapdoor-like. Members of Thylacodes (previously: Serpulorbis) lack such opercular protection. Its species often show polychromatic head-foot coloration, and some have aposematic coloration likely directed at fish predators. A new polychromatic species, Thylacodes bermudensis n. sp., is described from Bermuda and compared morphologically and by DNA barcode markers to the likewise polychromatic western Atlantic species T. decussatus (Gmelin, 1791). Operculum loss, previously assumed to be an autapomorphy of Thylacodes, is shown to have occurred convergently in a second clade of the family, for which a new genus Cayo n. gen. and four new western Atlantic species are introduced: C. margarita n. sp. (type species; with type locality in the Florida Keys), C. galbinus n. sp., C. refulgens n. sp., and C. brunneimaculatus n. sp. (the last three with type locality in the Belizean reef) (all new taxa authored by Bieler, Collins, Golding & Rawlings). Cayo n. gen. differs from Thylacodes in morphology (e.g., a protoconch that is wider than tall), behavior (including deep shell entrenchment into the substratum), reproductive biology (fewer egg capsules and eggs per female; an obliquely attached egg capsule stalk), and in some species, a luminous, “neon-like”, head-foot coloration. Comparative investigation of the eusperm and parasperm ultrastructure also revealed differences, with a laterally flattened eusperm acrosome observed in two species of Cayo n. gen. and a spiral keel on the eusperm nucleus in one, the latter feature currently unique within the family. A molecular ph…
bibliographic citation: Bieler et al. (2023) Replacing mechanical protection with colorful faces–twice: parallel evolution of the non-operculate marine worm-snail genera Thylacodes (Guettard, 1770) and Cayo n. gen. (Gastropoda: Vermetidae). PeerJ 11:e15854 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15854
date submitted: 2023-06-02
date accepted: 2023-07-16
issued: 2023-10-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Bieler
  given name: Rüdiger
author list: Agent
  family name: Collins
  given name: Timothy M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Golding
  given name: Rosemary
author list: Agent
  family name: Granados-Cifuentes
  given name: Camila
author list: Agent
  family name: Healy
  given name: John M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Rawlings
  given name: Timothy A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sierwald
  given name: Petra
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15854
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-10-09
copyright: ©2023 Bieler et al.
attribution name: Bieler et al.

Relationship between swimming speed, intra-cycle variation of horizontal speed, and Froude efficiency during consecutive stroke cycles in adolescent swimmers
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between swimming speed, intra-cycle variation of horizontal speed of displacement (dv), and Froude efficiency (ηF) in front-crawl during three consecutive stroke cycles. The sample consisted of 15 boys aged 16.07 ± 0.77 years and 15 girls aged 15.05 ± 1.07 years. Swimming speed, dv and ηF were measured during a 25 m front-crawl trial. Three consecutive stroke cycles were measured. Swimming speed showed a non-significant stroke-by-stroke effect (F = 2.55, p = 0.087, η2 = 0.08), but a significant sex effect (F = 90.46, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.76). The dv and ηF had the same trend as the swimming speed for the stroke-by-stroke effect, but a non-significant sex effect (p > 0.05). The Spearman correlation matrix between swimming speed and dv, and swimming speed and ηF showed non-significant correlations for the three stroke cycles in both sexes. However, the tendency of the former was not always inverse, and the latter was not always direct. Coaches and swimmers need to be aware that lower dvs are not always associated with faster swimming speeds and vice-versa, and that ηF is a predictor of swimming speed, not dv.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Mafalda P. Pinto
creator: Daniel A. Marinho
creator: Henrique P. Neiva
creator: Jorge E. Morais
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Biomechanics
subject: Sports Medicine
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16019
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Pinto et al.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between swimming speed, intra-cycle variation of horizontal speed of displacement (dv), and Froude efficiency (ηF) in front-crawl during three consecutive stroke cycles. The sample consisted of 15 boys aged 16.07 ± 0.77 years and 15 girls aged 15.05 ± 1.07 years. Swimming speed, dv and ηF were measured during a 25 m front-crawl trial. Three consecutive stroke cycles were measured. Swimming speed showed a non-significant stroke-by-stroke effect (F = 2.55, p = 0.087, η2 = 0.08), but a significant sex effect (F = 90.46, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.76). The dv and ηF had the same trend as the swimming speed for the stroke-by-stroke effect, but a non-significant sex effect (p > 0.05). The Spearman correlation matrix between swimming speed and dv, and swimming speed and ηF showed non-significant correlations for the three stroke cycles in both sexes. However, the tendency of the former was not always inverse, and the latter was not always direct. Coaches and swimmers need to be aware that lower dvs are not always associated with faster swimming speeds and vice-versa, and that ηF is a predictor of swimming speed, not dv.
bibliographic citation: Pinto et al. (2023) Relationship between swimming speed, intra-cycle variation of horizontal speed, and Froude efficiency during consecutive stroke cycles in adolescent swimmers. PeerJ 11:e16019 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16019
date submitted: 2023-05-31
date accepted: 2023-08-11
issued: 2023-10-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Pinto
  given name: Mafalda P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Marinho
  given name: Daniel A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Neiva
  given name: Henrique P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Morais
  given name: Jorge E.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16019
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-10-09
copyright: © 2023 Pinto et al.
attribution name: Pinto et al.

The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS): psychometric properties and application on preschoolers
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The concept of oral health related to quality of life involves the impact that oral health has on an individual’s well-being. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was developed to measure the impact of oral health problems on the lives of children and their families. Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of ECOHIS applied to mothers of preschool children and estimate the influence of demographic characteristics, caries experience, and plaque index on the ECOHIS score. Methods The fit of ECOHIS to the data was assessed by confirmatory analysis. Chi-square for degrees of freedom ratio (χ2/df), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) were used. Reliability was estimated by the ordinal coefficients alpha (α) and omega (ω). The factorial invariance was estimated by the difference in CFI (ΔCFI). Comparisons of the ECOHIS mean scores according to the demographic characteristics, caries experience, and plaque index was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results A total of 371 children participated in the study. Mothers’ mean age was 33.0 (SD = 7.04) years. The ECOHIS presented a good fit to the data (χ2/df = 4.31; CFI = 0.95; TLI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.09) and a strict model invariance. Children without caries and from higher income class had lower oral health impact. Conclusion The data obtained with the ECOHIS were valid, reliable, and invariant. Children with caries experience and from lower income families had a greater impact of oral problems.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Bianca Núbia Souza Silva
creator: Lucas A. Campos
creator: João Marôco
creator: Juliana A.D.B Campos
subject: Dentistry
subject: Epidemiology
subject: Pediatrics
subject: Public Health
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16035
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Silva et al.
abstract: Background The concept of oral health related to quality of life involves the impact that oral health has on an individual’s well-being. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was developed to measure the impact of oral health problems on the lives of children and their families. Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of ECOHIS applied to mothers of preschool children and estimate the influence of demographic characteristics, caries experience, and plaque index on the ECOHIS score. Methods The fit of ECOHIS to the data was assessed by confirmatory analysis. Chi-square for degrees of freedom ratio (χ2/df), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) were used. Reliability was estimated by the ordinal coefficients alpha (α) and omega (ω). The factorial invariance was estimated by the difference in CFI (ΔCFI). Comparisons of the ECOHIS mean scores according to the demographic characteristics, caries experience, and plaque index was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results A total of 371 children participated in the study. Mothers’ mean age was 33.0 (SD = 7.04) years. The ECOHIS presented a good fit to the data (χ2/df = 4.31; CFI = 0.95; TLI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.09) and a strict model invariance. Children without caries and from higher income class had lower oral health impact. Conclusion The data obtained with the ECOHIS were valid, reliable, and invariant. Children with caries experience and from lower income families had a greater impact of oral problems.
bibliographic citation: Silva et al. (2023) The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS): psychometric properties and application on preschoolers. PeerJ 11:e16035 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16035
date submitted: 2023-03-20
date accepted: 2023-08-14
issued: 2023-10-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Silva
  given name: Bianca Núbia Souza
author list: Agent
  family name: Campos
  given name: Lucas A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Marôco
  given name: João
author list: Agent
  family name: Campos
  given name: Juliana A.D.B
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16035
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-10-09
copyright: ©2023 Silva et al.
attribution name: Silva et al.

Assessing the effect of heavy metals on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and soil characteristics: plants-implications for phytoremediation
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Heavy metal pollution has become a global environmental issue. Heavy metals are contaminating the agro-soils, growing crops, and vegetables through different agricultural practices. In this study, besides the phytoremediation potential of maize, the role of chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) on crop and soil health has been investigated. Methods Two maize varieties, Pak-Afgoi and Neelem, were grown under varying concentrations of Cr (50–300 ppm) and Pb (30–300 ppm) and different growth parameters i.e., seed germination, leaf size/number, stem girth, plant height, biomass, chlorophyll content, relative growth rate (RGR), and net assimilation rate (NAR) were studied under Cr and Pb stress. Likewise, the effect of metals was also assessed on different soil characteristics including soil texture, pH, EC, soil organic matter, urease activity and nutrients. Results Studied plant attributes were adversely affected by heavy metals toxicity. Affected values of RGR and NAR showed a linear correlation with affected growth and dry matter yield of maize. Heavy metals impacted different soil parameters including soil microbial performance and revealed a declining trend as compared to control soil. Maize varieties showed a significant phytoremediation potential i.e., uptake of Cr and Pb was 33% and 22% in Pak-Afgoi, while Neelem showed 38% and 24% at 300 ppm, respectively. Data regarding metal translocation factor (TF), bioaccumulation factor (ACF), and biomagnification ratio (BMR) significantly revealed the potential of maize varieties in the removal of Cr and Pb metals from affected soils. However, Cr-accumulation was higher in shoots, and Pb accumulated in plant roots showed a differential behavior of metal translocation and affinity with the varieties. These maize varieties may be recommended for general cultivation in the Cr and Pb-contaminated areas.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Muhammad Imran Atta
creator: Syeda Sadaf Zehra
creator: Habib Ali
creator: Basharat Ali
creator: Syed Naveed Abbas
creator: Sara Aimen
creator: Sadia Sarwar
creator: Ijaz Ahmad
creator: Mumtaz Hussain
creator: Ibrahim Al-Ashkar
creator: Dinakaran Elango
creator: Ayman El Sabagh
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Ecology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Environmental Contamination and Remediation
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16067
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Atta et al.
abstract: Background Heavy metal pollution has become a global environmental issue. Heavy metals are contaminating the agro-soils, growing crops, and vegetables through different agricultural practices. In this study, besides the phytoremediation potential of maize, the role of chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) on crop and soil health has been investigated. Methods Two maize varieties, Pak-Afgoi and Neelem, were grown under varying concentrations of Cr (50–300 ppm) and Pb (30–300 ppm) and different growth parameters i.e., seed germination, leaf size/number, stem girth, plant height, biomass, chlorophyll content, relative growth rate (RGR), and net assimilation rate (NAR) were studied under Cr and Pb stress. Likewise, the effect of metals was also assessed on different soil characteristics including soil texture, pH, EC, soil organic matter, urease activity and nutrients. Results Studied plant attributes were adversely affected by heavy metals toxicity. Affected values of RGR and NAR showed a linear correlation with affected growth and dry matter yield of maize. Heavy metals impacted different soil parameters including soil microbial performance and revealed a declining trend as compared to control soil. Maize varieties showed a significant phytoremediation potential i.e., uptake of Cr and Pb was 33% and 22% in Pak-Afgoi, while Neelem showed 38% and 24% at 300 ppm, respectively. Data regarding metal translocation factor (TF), bioaccumulation factor (ACF), and biomagnification ratio (BMR) significantly revealed the potential of maize varieties in the removal of Cr and Pb metals from affected soils. However, Cr-accumulation was higher in shoots, and Pb accumulated in plant roots showed a differential behavior of metal translocation and affinity with the varieties. These maize varieties may be recommended for general cultivation in the Cr and Pb-contaminated areas.
bibliographic citation: Atta et al. (2023) Assessing the effect of heavy metals on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and soil characteristics: plants-implications for phytoremediation. PeerJ 11:e16067 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16067
date submitted: 2023-06-16
date accepted: 2023-08-20
issued: 2023-10-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Atta
  given name: Muhammad Imran
author list: Agent
  family name: Zehra
  given name: Syeda Sadaf
author list: Agent
  family name: Ali
  given name: Habib
author list: Agent
  family name: Ali
  given name: Basharat
author list: Agent
  family name: Abbas
  given name: Syed Naveed
author list: Agent
  family name: Aimen
  given name: Sara
author list: Agent
  family name: Sarwar
  given name: Sadia
author list: Agent
  family name: Ahmad
  given name: Ijaz
author list: Agent
  family name: Hussain
  given name: Mumtaz
author list: Agent
  family name: Al-Ashkar
  given name: Ibrahim
author list: Agent
  family name: Elango
  given name: Dinakaran
author list: Agent
  family name: El Sabagh
  given name: Ayman
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16067
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-10-09
copyright: ©2023 Atta et al.
attribution name: Atta et al.

Effects of food-based enrichment on enclosure use and behavioral patterns in captive mammalian predators: a case study from an Austrian wildlife park
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Combining naturalistic enclosure design and animal welfare with visitor interests and education can be challenging for zoos and wildlife parks. To accomplish both purposes, different types of enrichment (food-based or non-food-based items, such as environmental, sensory, cognitive, social) can be used. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of food-based and olfactory enrichments on enclosure use, behavior, and visibility of captive brown bears (Ursus arctos), pine martens (Martes martes), domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), and golden jackals (Canis aureus). Methods We used observational approaches to measure enclosure use, behavior, and visibility during three different experimental phases: (1) pre-enrichment (baseline, no experience with the enrichment yet), (2) during enrichment (enrichment was provided at low frequented locations in the enclosures that are easily visible to visitors), and (3) post-enrichment (enrichment was removed from the enclosures). Results We found that enrichment led to a uniform use of the enclosure and enhanced visibility in brown bears, increased activity budgets in pine martens, and observed high object interaction in both species. No effects of enrichment were detected in domestic ferrets. Golden jackals did not leave their burrows during daytime during the entire observation period; thus, observations were not possible at all. Our results suggest different effects of food-based enrichment, e.g., enclosure use, temporal activity patterns, and animal visibility. However, further studies should control for the specific role of the factors involved. Our study represents one of the first explorations of food-based enrichment in rather understudied species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Verena Puehringer-Sturmayr
creator: Monika Fiby
creator: Stephanie Bachmann
creator: Stefanie Filz
creator: Isabella Grassmann
creator: Theresa Hoi
creator: Claudia Janiczek
creator: Didone Frigerio
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Zoology
subject: Science and Medical Education
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16091
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Puehringer-Sturmayr et al.
abstract: Background Combining naturalistic enclosure design and animal welfare with visitor interests and education can be challenging for zoos and wildlife parks. To accomplish both purposes, different types of enrichment (food-based or non-food-based items, such as environmental, sensory, cognitive, social) can be used. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of food-based and olfactory enrichments on enclosure use, behavior, and visibility of captive brown bears (Ursus arctos), pine martens (Martes martes), domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), and golden jackals (Canis aureus). Methods We used observational approaches to measure enclosure use, behavior, and visibility during three different experimental phases: (1) pre-enrichment (baseline, no experience with the enrichment yet), (2) during enrichment (enrichment was provided at low frequented locations in the enclosures that are easily visible to visitors), and (3) post-enrichment (enrichment was removed from the enclosures). Results We found that enrichment led to a uniform use of the enclosure and enhanced visibility in brown bears, increased activity budgets in pine martens, and observed high object interaction in both species. No effects of enrichment were detected in domestic ferrets. Golden jackals did not leave their burrows during daytime during the entire observation period; thus, observations were not possible at all. Our results suggest different effects of food-based enrichment, e.g., enclosure use, temporal activity patterns, and animal visibility. However, further studies should control for the specific role of the factors involved. Our study represents one of the first explorations of food-based enrichment in rather understudied species.
bibliographic citation: Puehringer-Sturmayr et al. (2023) Effects of food-based enrichment on enclosure use and behavioral patterns in captive mammalian predators: a case study from an Austrian wildlife park. PeerJ 11:e16091 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16091
date submitted: 2023-01-12
date accepted: 2023-08-23
issued: 2023-10-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Puehringer-Sturmayr
  given name: Verena
author list: Agent
  family name: Fiby
  given name: Monika
author list: Agent
  family name: Bachmann
  given name: Stephanie
author list: Agent
  family name: Filz
  given name: Stefanie
author list: Agent
  family name: Grassmann
  given name: Isabella
author list: Agent
  family name: Hoi
  given name: Theresa
author list: Agent
  family name: Janiczek
  given name: Claudia
author list: Agent
  family name: Frigerio
  given name: Didone
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16091
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-10-09
copyright: ©2023 Puehringer-Sturmayr et al.
attribution name: Puehringer-Sturmayr et al.

Bird diversity along an urban to rural gradient in large tropical cities peaks in mid-level urbanization
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The gradient from natural to urban areas strongly associates with the structure of avian communities over that gradient. Most research on urban birds is from temperate areas and knowledge from tropical Southeast Asia is lacking. We examined bird species diversity, relative abundance, and species composition along an urban to rural gradient in three Myanmar cities, and assessed potential environmental factors responsible for the changes. We counted birds within 40 point-count sites with 50-m fixed-radius in three large cities of Myanmar, namely Mandalay, Mawlamyine, and Myeik. We distinguished four urban habitat types (Downtown–urban, University Campus–suburban, Paddy Field–agriculture, Hill–forest). We classified all species into migrant or resident and into major feeding groups and related with several environmental parameters such as ‘impervious surface’. We counted 5,423 individuals of 103 species with roughly equal species diversity between the three cities. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) was the most frequent species. The species composition differed significantly between the four major habitat types. Omnivores were more abundant in the city center than all other functional groups. Interestingly, insectivores were also predominant in the city center. In addition, more generalist’ species occurred towards the city center compared to the periphery, indicating that the periphery has increased relevance for specialized birds. We found some marked differences in species composition between the three cities of Mandalay, Mawlamyine, and Myeik. Additionally to species composition, species diversity and relative abundance differed significantly between each of the four major habitat types in all three cities.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Marcela Suarez-Rubio
creator: Paul J.J. Bates
creator: Thein Aung
creator: Nay Myo Hlaing
creator: Sai Sein Lin Oo
creator: Yu Kay Zin Htun
creator: Saw Myat Ohn Mar
creator: Aye Myint
creator: Thin Lae Lae Wai
creator: Pann Mo Mo
creator: Lutz Fehrmann
creator: Nils Nölke
creator: Christoph Kleinn
creator: Swen C. Renner
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16098
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Suarez-Rubio et al.
abstract: The gradient from natural to urban areas strongly associates with the structure of avian communities over that gradient. Most research on urban birds is from temperate areas and knowledge from tropical Southeast Asia is lacking. We examined bird species diversity, relative abundance, and species composition along an urban to rural gradient in three Myanmar cities, and assessed potential environmental factors responsible for the changes. We counted birds within 40 point-count sites with 50-m fixed-radius in three large cities of Myanmar, namely Mandalay, Mawlamyine, and Myeik. We distinguished four urban habitat types (Downtown–urban, University Campus–suburban, Paddy Field–agriculture, Hill–forest). We classified all species into migrant or resident and into major feeding groups and related with several environmental parameters such as ‘impervious surface’. We counted 5,423 individuals of 103 species with roughly equal species diversity between the three cities. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) was the most frequent species. The species composition differed significantly between the four major habitat types. Omnivores were more abundant in the city center than all other functional groups. Interestingly, insectivores were also predominant in the city center. In addition, more generalist’ species occurred towards the city center compared to the periphery, indicating that the periphery has increased relevance for specialized birds. We found some marked differences in species composition between the three cities of Mandalay, Mawlamyine, and Myeik. Additionally to species composition, species diversity and relative abundance differed significantly between each of the four major habitat types in all three cities.
bibliographic citation: Suarez-Rubio et al. (2023) Bird diversity along an urban to rural gradient in large tropical cities peaks in mid-level urbanization. PeerJ 11:e16098 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16098
date submitted: 2022-01-14
date accepted: 2023-08-24
issued: 2023-10-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Suarez-Rubio
  given name: Marcela
author list: Agent
  family name: Bates
  given name: Paul J.J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Aung
  given name: Thein
author list: Agent
  family name: Hlaing
  given name: Nay Myo
author list: Agent
  family name: Oo
  given name: Sai Sein Lin
author list: Agent
  family name: Htun
  given name: Yu Kay Zin
author list: Agent
  family name: Ohn Mar
  given name: Saw Myat
author list: Agent
  family name: Myint
  given name: Aye
author list: Agent
  family name: Wai
  given name: Thin Lae Lae
author list: Agent
  family name: Mo
  given name: Pann Mo
author list: Agent
  family name: Fehrmann
  given name: Lutz
author list: Agent
  family name: Nölke
  given name: Nils
author list: Agent
  family name: Kleinn
  given name: Christoph
author list: Agent
  family name: Renner
  given name: Swen C.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16098
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-10-09
copyright: ©2023 Suarez-Rubio et al.
attribution name: Suarez-Rubio et al.

Identification of genetic loci for early maturity in spring bread wheat using the association analysis and gene dissection
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Early maturity in spring bread wheat is highly desirable in the regions where it enables the plants to evade high temperatures and plant pathogens at the end of the growing season. Methods To reveal the genetic loci responsible for the maturity time association analysis was carried out based on phenotyping for an 11-year period and high-throughput SNP genotyping of a panel of the varieties contrasting for this trait. The expression of candidate genes was verified using qPCR. The association between the SNP markers and the trait was validated using the biparental F2:3 population. Results Our data showed that under long-day conditions, the period from seedling to maturity is mostly influenced by the time from heading to maturity, rather than the heading time. The QTLs associated with the trait were located on 2A, 3B, 4A, 5B, 7A and 7B chromosomes with the 7BL locus being the most significant and promising for its SNPs accelerated the maturity time by about 9 days. Gene dissection in this locus detected a number of candidates, the best being TraesCS7B02G391800 (bZIP9) and TraesCS7B02G412200 (photosystem II reaction center). The two genes are predominantly expressed in the flag leaf while flowering. The effect of the SNPs was verified in F2:3 population and confirmed the association of the 4A, 5B and 7BL loci with the maturity time.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Antonina A. Kiseleva
creator: Irina N. Leonova
creator: Elena V. Ageeva
creator: Ivan E. Likhenko
creator: Elena A. Salina
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Genetics
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16109
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Kiseleva et al.
abstract: Background Early maturity in spring bread wheat is highly desirable in the regions where it enables the plants to evade high temperatures and plant pathogens at the end of the growing season. Methods To reveal the genetic loci responsible for the maturity time association analysis was carried out based on phenotyping for an 11-year period and high-throughput SNP genotyping of a panel of the varieties contrasting for this trait. The expression of candidate genes was verified using qPCR. The association between the SNP markers and the trait was validated using the biparental F2:3 population. Results Our data showed that under long-day conditions, the period from seedling to maturity is mostly influenced by the time from heading to maturity, rather than the heading time. The QTLs associated with the trait were located on 2A, 3B, 4A, 5B, 7A and 7B chromosomes with the 7BL locus being the most significant and promising for its SNPs accelerated the maturity time by about 9 days. Gene dissection in this locus detected a number of candidates, the best being TraesCS7B02G391800 (bZIP9) and TraesCS7B02G412200 (photosystem II reaction center). The two genes are predominantly expressed in the flag leaf while flowering. The effect of the SNPs was verified in F2:3 population and confirmed the association of the 4A, 5B and 7BL loci with the maturity time.
bibliographic citation: Kiseleva et al. (2023) Identification of genetic loci for early maturity in spring bread wheat using the association analysis and gene dissection. PeerJ 11:e16109 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16109
date submitted: 2023-05-31
date accepted: 2023-08-25
issued: 2023-10-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Kiseleva
  given name: Antonina A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Leonova
  given name: Irina N.
author list: Agent
  family name: Ageeva
  given name: Elena V.
author list: Agent
  family name: Likhenko
  given name: Ivan E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Salina
  given name: Elena A.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16109
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-10-09
copyright: © 2023 Kiseleva et al.
attribution name: Kiseleva et al.

Evaluating differences in density estimation for central Iowa butterflies using two methodologies
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The Pollard-Yates transect is a widely used method for sampling butterflies. Data from these traditional transects are analyzed to produce density estimates, which are then used to make inferences about population status or trends. A key assumption of the Pollard-Yates transect is that detection probability is 1.0, or constant but unknown, out to a fixed distance (generally 2.5 m on either side of a transect line). However, species-specific estimates of detection probability would allow for sampling at farther distances, resulting in more detections of individuals. Our objectives were to (1) evaluate butterfly density estimates derived from Pollard-Yates line transects and distance sampling, (2) estimate how detection probabilities for butterflies vary across sampling distances and butterfly wing lengths, and (3) offer advice on future butterfly sampling techniques to estimate population density. We conducted Pollard-Yates transects and distance-sampling transects in central Iowa in 2014. For comparison to densities derived from Pollard-Yates transects, we used Program DISTANCE to model detection probability (p) and estimate density (D) for eight butterfly species representing a range of morphological characteristics. We found that detection probability among species varied beyond 2.5 m, with variation apparent even within 5 m of the line. Such variation correlated with wing size, where species with larger wing size generally had higher detection probabilities. Distance sampling estimated higher densities at the 5-m truncation for five of the eight species tested. At this truncation, detection probability was <0.8 for all species, and ranged from 0.53 to 0.79. With the exception of the little yellow (Pyrisitia lisa), species with median wing length <5.0 mm had the lowest detection probabilities. We recommend that researchers integrate distance sampling into butterfly sampling and monitoring, particularly for studies utilizing survey transects >5 m wide and when smal…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Shane Patterson
creator: Jonathan Harris
creator: Stephen Dinsmore
creator: Karen Kinkead
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16165
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Patterson et al.
abstract: The Pollard-Yates transect is a widely used method for sampling butterflies. Data from these traditional transects are analyzed to produce density estimates, which are then used to make inferences about population status or trends. A key assumption of the Pollard-Yates transect is that detection probability is 1.0, or constant but unknown, out to a fixed distance (generally 2.5 m on either side of a transect line). However, species-specific estimates of detection probability would allow for sampling at farther distances, resulting in more detections of individuals. Our objectives were to (1) evaluate butterfly density estimates derived from Pollard-Yates line transects and distance sampling, (2) estimate how detection probabilities for butterflies vary across sampling distances and butterfly wing lengths, and (3) offer advice on future butterfly sampling techniques to estimate population density. We conducted Pollard-Yates transects and distance-sampling transects in central Iowa in 2014. For comparison to densities derived from Pollard-Yates transects, we used Program DISTANCE to model detection probability (p) and estimate density (D) for eight butterfly species representing a range of morphological characteristics. We found that detection probability among species varied beyond 2.5 m, with variation apparent even within 5 m of the line. Such variation correlated with wing size, where species with larger wing size generally had higher detection probabilities. Distance sampling estimated higher densities at the 5-m truncation for five of the eight species tested. At this truncation, detection probability was <0.8 for all species, and ranged from 0.53 to 0.79. With the exception of the little yellow (Pyrisitia lisa), species with median wing length <5.0 mm had the lowest detection probabilities. We recommend that researchers integrate distance sampling into butterfly sampling and monitoring, particularly for studies utilizing survey transects >5 m wide and when smal…
bibliographic citation: Patterson et al. (2023) Evaluating differences in density estimation for central Iowa butterflies using two methodologies. PeerJ 11:e16165 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16165
date submitted: 2023-04-09
date accepted: 2023-09-01
issued: 2023-10-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
author list: Agent
  family name: Patterson
  given name: Shane
author list: Agent
  family name: Harris
  given name: Jonathan
author list: Agent
  family name: Dinsmore
  given name: Stephen
author list: Agent
  family name: Kinkead
  given name: Karen
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16165
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-10-09
copyright: ©2023 Patterson et al.
attribution name: Patterson et al.

The gray matter atrophy and related network changes occur in the higher cognitive region rather than the primary sensorimotor cortex after spinal cord injury
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Objective This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore brain structural and related network changes in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Thirty-one right-handed SCI patients and 31 gender- and age-matched healthy controls (HC) were included. The gray matter volume (GMV) changes in SCI patients were observed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Then, these altered gray matter clusters were used as the regions of interest (ROIs) for whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) analysis to detect related functional changes. The potential association between GMV and FC values with the visual analog scale (VAS), the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score, and the course of injuries was investigated through partial correlation analysis. Results GMV of the frontal, temporal, and insular cortices was lower in the SCI group than in the HC group. No GMV changes were found in the primary sensorimotor area in the SCI group. Besides, the altered FC regions were not in the primary sensorimotor area but in the cingulate gyrus, supplementary motor area, precuneus, frontal lobe, and insular. Additionally, some of these altered GMV and FC regions were correlated with ASIA motor scores, indicating that higher cognitive regions can affect motor function in SCI patients. Conclusions This study demonstrated that gray matter and related network reorganization in patients with SCI occurred in higher cognitive regions. Future rehabilitation strategies should focus more on cognitive functions.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xin Chen
creator: Ling Wang
creator: Weimin Zheng
creator: Yanhui Yang
creator: Beining Yang
creator: Yongsheng Hu
creator: Jubao Du
creator: Xuejing Li
creator: Jie Lu
creator: Nan Chen
subject: Cognitive Disorders
subject: Radiology and Medical Imaging
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16172
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Chen et al.
abstract: Objective This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore brain structural and related network changes in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Thirty-one right-handed SCI patients and 31 gender- and age-matched healthy controls (HC) were included. The gray matter volume (GMV) changes in SCI patients were observed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Then, these altered gray matter clusters were used as the regions of interest (ROIs) for whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) analysis to detect related functional changes. The potential association between GMV and FC values with the visual analog scale (VAS), the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score, and the course of injuries was investigated through partial correlation analysis. Results GMV of the frontal, temporal, and insular cortices was lower in the SCI group than in the HC group. No GMV changes were found in the primary sensorimotor area in the SCI group. Besides, the altered FC regions were not in the primary sensorimotor area but in the cingulate gyrus, supplementary motor area, precuneus, frontal lobe, and insular. Additionally, some of these altered GMV and FC regions were correlated with ASIA motor scores, indicating that higher cognitive regions can affect motor function in SCI patients. Conclusions This study demonstrated that gray matter and related network reorganization in patients with SCI occurred in higher cognitive regions. Future rehabilitation strategies should focus more on cognitive functions.
bibliographic citation: Chen et al. (2023) The gray matter atrophy and related network changes occur in the higher cognitive region rather than the primary sensorimotor cortex after spinal cord injury. PeerJ 11:e16172 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16172
date submitted: 2023-01-23
date accepted: 2023-09-03
issued: 2023-10-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xin
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Ling
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Weimin
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Yanhui
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Beining
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Yongsheng
author list: Agent
  family name: Du
  given name: Jubao
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Xuejing
author list: Agent
  family name: Lu
  given name: Jie
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Nan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16172
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-10-09
copyright: ©2023 Chen et al.
attribution name: Chen et al.

Use of micro and macroalgae extracts for the control of vector mosquitoes
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous vectors of human diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus. Controlling these vectors is a challenging responsibility for public health authorities worldwide. In recent years, the use of products derived from living organisms has emerged as a promising approach for mosquito control. Among these living organisms, algae are of great interest due to their larvicidal properties. Some algal species provide nutritious food for larvae, while others produce allelochemicals that are toxic to mosquito larvae. In this article, we reviewed the existing literature on the larvicidal potential of extracts of micro- and macroalgae, transgenic microalgae, and nanoparticles of algae on mosquitoes and their underlying mechanisms. The results of many publications show that the toxic effects of micro- and macroalgae on mosquitoes vary according to the type of extraction, solvents, mosquito species, exposure time, larval stage, and algal components. A few studies suggest that the components of algae that have toxic effects on mosquitoes show through synergistic interaction between components, inhibition of feeding, damage to gut membrane cells, and inhibition of digestive and detoxification enzymes. In conclusion, algae extracts, transgenic microalgae, and nanoparticles of algae have shown significant larvicidal activity against mosquitoes, making them potential candidates for the development of new mosquito control products.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ozge Tufan-Cetin
creator: Huseyin Cetin
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.16187
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Tufan-Cetin and Cetin
abstract: Mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous vectors of human diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus. Controlling these vectors is a challenging responsibility for public health authorities worldwide. In recent years, the use of products derived from living organisms has emerged as a promising approach for mosquito control. Among these living organisms, algae are of great interest due to their larvicidal properties. Some algal species provide nutritious food for larvae, while others produce allelochemicals that are toxic to mosquito larvae. In this article, we reviewed the existing literature on the larvicidal potential of extracts of micro- and macroalgae, transgenic microalgae, and nanoparticles of algae on mosquitoes and their underlying mechanisms. The results of many publications show that the toxic effects of micro- and macroalgae on mosquitoes vary according to the type of extraction, solvents, mosquito species, exposure time, larval stage, and algal components. A few studies suggest that the components of algae that have toxic effects on mosquitoes show through synergistic interaction between components, inhibition of feeding, damage to gut membrane cells, and inhibition of digestive and detoxification enzymes. In conclusion, algae extracts, transgenic microalgae, and nanoparticles of algae have shown significant larvicidal activity against mosquitoes, making them potential candidates for the development of new mosquito control products.
bibliographic citation: Tufan-Cetin et al. (2023) Use of micro and macroalgae extracts for the control of vector mosquitoes. PeerJ 11:e16187 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16187
date submitted: 2023-05-12
date accepted: 2023-09-06
issued: 2023-10-09
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Tufan-Cetin
  given name: Ozge
author list: Agent
  family name: Cetin
  given name: Huseyin
doi: 10.7717/peerj.16187
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-10-09
copyright: ©2023 Tufan-Cetin and Cetin
attribution name: Tufan-Cetin and Cetin

PeerJ
type: Periodical
uri: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359