PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Endophytic fungus Biscogniauxia petrensis produces antibacterial substances
items: The introduction of an invasive weed was not followed by the introduction of ethnobotanical knowledge: a review on the ethnobotany of Centaurea solstitialis L. (Asteraceae)
items: Raptor couples mTORC1 and ERK1/2 inhibition by cardamonin with oxidative stress induction in ovarian cancer cells
items: Diagnostic value and characteristic analysis of serum nucleocapsid antigen in COVID-19 patients
items: Soil organic carbon pools and carbon management index under different land use systems in North western Himalayas
items: Bombardiers and assassins: mimetic interactions between unequally defended insects
items: A new species of Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) from white-sand forests of central Amazonia, Brazil
items: Reliability of sonographic measurements of the ulnar collateral ligament: a multi-rater prospective study
items: Assessment of aquatic food web and trophic niche as a measurement of recovery function in restored mangroves in the Southern Gulf of Mexico
items: Isoscapes of remnant and restored Hawaiian montane forests reveal differences in biological nitrogen fixation and carbon inputs

Endophytic fungus Biscogniauxia petrensis produces antibacterial substances
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Widespread drug resistance and limited antibiotics challenge the treatment of pathogenic bacteria, which leads to a focus on searching for new antimicrobial lead compounds. We found the endophytic fungus Biscogniauxia petrensis MFLUCC14-0151 from the medicinal plant Dendrobium harveyanum had antibacterial activity for the first time. This work aimed to reveal the capacity of Biscogniauxia petrensis MFLUCC14-0151 against foodborne pathogenic bacteria and identify its bioactive substances. Bioassay-guided isolation led to the discovery of six infrequent active monomers, including (10R)-Xylariterpenoid B (1), Xylariterpenoid C (2), Tricycloalternarene 1b (3), Tricycloalternarene 3b (4), Funicin (5) and Vinetorin (6) from MFLUCC14-0151 for the first time. The results of antibacterial tests showed that (10R)-Xylariterpenoid B and Xylariterpenoid C exhibited inhibitory activities against Streptococcus agalactiae with MIC values ranging from 99.21 to 100.00 μM, and against Streptococcus aureus with MIC values ranging from 49.60 to 50.00 μM. Tricycloalternarene 1b and Tricycloalternarene 3b showed inhibitory effects on Streptococcus agalactiae with MIC values ranging from 36.13 to 75.76 μM. Unexpectedly, Funicin and Vinetorin exhibited remarkable antagonistic activities against Streptococcus agalactiae with MIC values of 10.35 and 10.21 μM, respectively, and against Streptococcus aureus with MIC values of 5.17 and 20.42 μM, respectively. In conclusion, we suggest that the isolated compounds Funicin and Vinetorin may be promising lead compounds for natural antibacterial agents.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Long Han
creator: Wen Zheng
creator: Zhangjiang He
creator: Shengyan Qian
creator: Xiaoya Ma
creator: Jichuan Kang
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Microbiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15461
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Han et al.
abstract: Widespread drug resistance and limited antibiotics challenge the treatment of pathogenic bacteria, which leads to a focus on searching for new antimicrobial lead compounds. We found the endophytic fungus Biscogniauxia petrensis MFLUCC14-0151 from the medicinal plant Dendrobium harveyanum had antibacterial activity for the first time. This work aimed to reveal the capacity of Biscogniauxia petrensis MFLUCC14-0151 against foodborne pathogenic bacteria and identify its bioactive substances. Bioassay-guided isolation led to the discovery of six infrequent active monomers, including (10R)-Xylariterpenoid B (1), Xylariterpenoid C (2), Tricycloalternarene 1b (3), Tricycloalternarene 3b (4), Funicin (5) and Vinetorin (6) from MFLUCC14-0151 for the first time. The results of antibacterial tests showed that (10R)-Xylariterpenoid B and Xylariterpenoid C exhibited inhibitory activities against Streptococcus agalactiae with MIC values ranging from 99.21 to 100.00 μM, and against Streptococcus aureus with MIC values ranging from 49.60 to 50.00 μM. Tricycloalternarene 1b and Tricycloalternarene 3b showed inhibitory effects on Streptococcus agalactiae with MIC values ranging from 36.13 to 75.76 μM. Unexpectedly, Funicin and Vinetorin exhibited remarkable antagonistic activities against Streptococcus agalactiae with MIC values of 10.35 and 10.21 μM, respectively, and against Streptococcus aureus with MIC values of 5.17 and 20.42 μM, respectively. In conclusion, we suggest that the isolated compounds Funicin and Vinetorin may be promising lead compounds for natural antibacterial agents.
bibliographic citation: Han et al. (2023) Endophytic fungus Biscogniauxia petrensis produces antibacterial substances. PeerJ 11:e15461 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15461
date submitted: 2022-11-11
date accepted: 2023-05-03
issued: 2023-06-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Han
  given name: Long
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Wen
author list: Agent
  family name: He
  given name: Zhangjiang
author list: Agent
  family name: Qian
  given name: Shengyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Xiaoya
author list: Agent
  family name: Kang
  given name: Jichuan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15461
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-07
copyright: © 2023 Han et al.
attribution name: Han et al.

The introduction of an invasive weed was not followed by the introduction of ethnobotanical knowledge: a review on the ethnobotany of Centaurea solstitialis L. (Asteraceae)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Invasive plants are known for their impacts to ecosystems and societies, but their potential cultural use tend to be unexplored. One important mechanism of plant invasion is the use of “allelochemicals” or “novel weapons”: chemical defenses which are new to their invaded habitats and that confer them competitive advantages. However, these chemicals are precisely what confers them ethnobotanical and medicinal properties. We reviewed the literature assessing the biogeography of the cultural uses of the model invasive plant yellow-starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.; Asteraceae), and assessed the extent to which the introduction of a weed native to Eurasia into several non-native world regions was paralleled by the spread of cultural uses from its native range. We found that the species was rich in pharmaceutically active compounds and that the species had been traditionally used for medicinal purposes, as raw material, and as food. However, ethnobotanical uses were reported almost exclusively in its native range, with no uses described for the non-native range, apart from honey production in California, Argentina, and Australia. Our study exemplifies how, when plant introductions are not paralleled synchronously by significant human migrations, cultural adoption can be extremely slow, even within the native range of the species. Invasive species can provide real-time insights into the cultural processes by which humans learn to use plants. This case study highlights how biological invasions and cultural expansions can be subjected to different constraints.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Soraia Branco
creator: Ramona E. Irimia
creator: Daniel Montesinos
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Biogeography
subject: Ecology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15489
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Branco et al.
abstract: Invasive plants are known for their impacts to ecosystems and societies, but their potential cultural use tend to be unexplored. One important mechanism of plant invasion is the use of “allelochemicals” or “novel weapons”: chemical defenses which are new to their invaded habitats and that confer them competitive advantages. However, these chemicals are precisely what confers them ethnobotanical and medicinal properties. We reviewed the literature assessing the biogeography of the cultural uses of the model invasive plant yellow-starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.; Asteraceae), and assessed the extent to which the introduction of a weed native to Eurasia into several non-native world regions was paralleled by the spread of cultural uses from its native range. We found that the species was rich in pharmaceutically active compounds and that the species had been traditionally used for medicinal purposes, as raw material, and as food. However, ethnobotanical uses were reported almost exclusively in its native range, with no uses described for the non-native range, apart from honey production in California, Argentina, and Australia. Our study exemplifies how, when plant introductions are not paralleled synchronously by significant human migrations, cultural adoption can be extremely slow, even within the native range of the species. Invasive species can provide real-time insights into the cultural processes by which humans learn to use plants. This case study highlights how biological invasions and cultural expansions can be subjected to different constraints.
bibliographic citation: Branco et al. (2023) The introduction of an invasive weed was not followed by the introduction of ethnobotanical knowledge: a review on the ethnobotany of Centaurea solstitialis L. (Asteraceae). PeerJ 11:e15489 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15489
date submitted: 2022-08-02
date accepted: 2023-05-10
issued: 2023-06-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Branco
  given name: Soraia
author list: Agent
  family name: Irimia
  given name: Ramona E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Montesinos
  given name: Daniel
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15489
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-07
copyright: ©2023 Branco et al.
attribution name: Branco et al.

Raptor couples mTORC1 and ERK1/2 inhibition by cardamonin with oxidative stress induction in ovarian cancer cells
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background A balance on nutrient supply and redox homeostasis is required for cell survival, and increased antioxidant capacity of cancer cells may lead to chemotherapy failure. Objective To investigate the mechanism of anti-proliferation of cardamonin by inducing oxidative stress in ovarian cancer cells. Methods After 24 h of drug treatment, CCK8 kit and wound healing test were used to detect cell viability and migration ability, respectively, and the ROS levels were detected by flow cytometry. The differential protein expression after cardamonin administration was analyzed by proteomics, and the protein level was detected by Western blotting. Results Cardamonin inhibited the cell growth, which was related to ROS accumulation. Proteomic analysis suggested that MAPK pathway might be involved in cardamonin-induced oxidative stress. Western blotting showed that cardamonin decreased Raptor expression and the activity of mTORC1 and ERK1/2. Same results were observed in Raptor KO cells. Notably, in Raptor KO cells, the effect of cardamonin was weakened. Conclusion Raptor mediated the function of cardamonin on cellular redox homeostasis and cell proliferation through mTORC1 and ERK1/2 pathways.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yanting Zhu
creator: Shifeng Wang
creator: Peiguang Niu
creator: Huajiao Chen
creator: Jintuo Zhou
creator: Li Jiang
creator: Danyun Li
creator: Daohua Shi
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Pharmacology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15498
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Zhu et al.
abstract: Background A balance on nutrient supply and redox homeostasis is required for cell survival, and increased antioxidant capacity of cancer cells may lead to chemotherapy failure. Objective To investigate the mechanism of anti-proliferation of cardamonin by inducing oxidative stress in ovarian cancer cells. Methods After 24 h of drug treatment, CCK8 kit and wound healing test were used to detect cell viability and migration ability, respectively, and the ROS levels were detected by flow cytometry. The differential protein expression after cardamonin administration was analyzed by proteomics, and the protein level was detected by Western blotting. Results Cardamonin inhibited the cell growth, which was related to ROS accumulation. Proteomic analysis suggested that MAPK pathway might be involved in cardamonin-induced oxidative stress. Western blotting showed that cardamonin decreased Raptor expression and the activity of mTORC1 and ERK1/2. Same results were observed in Raptor KO cells. Notably, in Raptor KO cells, the effect of cardamonin was weakened. Conclusion Raptor mediated the function of cardamonin on cellular redox homeostasis and cell proliferation through mTORC1 and ERK1/2 pathways.
bibliographic citation: Zhu et al. (2023) Raptor couples mTORC1 and ERK1/2 inhibition by cardamonin with oxidative stress induction in ovarian cancer cells. PeerJ 11:e15498 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15498
date submitted: 2023-02-02
date accepted: 2023-05-12
issued: 2023-06-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Yanting
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Shifeng
author list: Agent
  family name: Niu
  given name: Peiguang
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Huajiao
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Jintuo
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Danyun
author list: Agent
  family name: Shi
  given name: Daohua
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15498
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-07
copyright: © 2023 Zhu et al.
attribution name: Zhu et al.

Diagnostic value and characteristic analysis of serum nucleocapsid antigen in COVID-19 patients
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background To date, several types of laboratory tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis have been developed. However, the clinical importance of serum severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid antigen (N-Ag) remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we sought to investigate the value of serum SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag for COVID-19 diagnosis and to analyze N-Ag characteristics in COVID-19 individuals. Methods Serum samples collected from 215 COVID-19 patients and 65 non-COVID-19 individuals were used to quantitatively detect N-Ag via chemiluminescent immunoassay according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results The sensitivity and specificity of the N-Ag assay were 64.75% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) [55.94–72.66%]) and 100% (95% CI [93.05–100.00%]), respectively, according to the cut-off value recommended by the manufacturer. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed a sensitivity of 100.00% (95% CI [94.42–100.00%]) and a specificity of 71.31% (95% CI [62.73–78.59%]). The positive rates and levels of serum SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag were not related to sex, comorbidity status or disease severity of COVID-19 (all P < 0.001). Compared with RT‒PCR, there was a lower positive rate of serum N-Ag for acute COVID-19 patients (P < 0.001). The positive rate and levels of serum SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag in acute patients were significantly higher than those in convalescent patients (all P < 0.001). In addition, the positive rate of serum SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag in acute COVID-19 patients was higher than that of serum antibodies (IgM, IgG, IgA and neutralizing antibodies (Nab)) against SARS-CoV-2 (all P < 0.001). However, the positive rate of serum SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag in convalescent COVID-19 patients was significantly lower than that of antibodies (all P < 0.001). Conclusion Serum N-Ag can be used as a biomarker for early COVID-19 diagnosis based on appropriate cut-off values. In addition, our study also demonstrated the relationship between …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Xihong Zhang
creator: Chungen Qian
creator: Li Yang
creator: Huixia Gao
creator: Ping Jiang
creator: Muwei Dai
creator: Yuling Wang
creator: Haiyan Kang
creator: Yi Xu
creator: Qian Hu
creator: Fumin Feng
creator: Bangning Cheng
creator: Erhei Dai
subject: Immunology
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: COVID-19
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15515
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Zhang et al.
abstract: Background To date, several types of laboratory tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis have been developed. However, the clinical importance of serum severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid antigen (N-Ag) remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we sought to investigate the value of serum SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag for COVID-19 diagnosis and to analyze N-Ag characteristics in COVID-19 individuals. Methods Serum samples collected from 215 COVID-19 patients and 65 non-COVID-19 individuals were used to quantitatively detect N-Ag via chemiluminescent immunoassay according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results The sensitivity and specificity of the N-Ag assay were 64.75% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) [55.94–72.66%]) and 100% (95% CI [93.05–100.00%]), respectively, according to the cut-off value recommended by the manufacturer. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed a sensitivity of 100.00% (95% CI [94.42–100.00%]) and a specificity of 71.31% (95% CI [62.73–78.59%]). The positive rates and levels of serum SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag were not related to sex, comorbidity status or disease severity of COVID-19 (all P < 0.001). Compared with RT‒PCR, there was a lower positive rate of serum N-Ag for acute COVID-19 patients (P < 0.001). The positive rate and levels of serum SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag in acute patients were significantly higher than those in convalescent patients (all P < 0.001). In addition, the positive rate of serum SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag in acute COVID-19 patients was higher than that of serum antibodies (IgM, IgG, IgA and neutralizing antibodies (Nab)) against SARS-CoV-2 (all P < 0.001). However, the positive rate of serum SARS-CoV-2 N-Ag in convalescent COVID-19 patients was significantly lower than that of antibodies (all P < 0.001). Conclusion Serum N-Ag can be used as a biomarker for early COVID-19 diagnosis based on appropriate cut-off values. In addition, our study also demonstrated the relationship between …
bibliographic citation: Zhang et al. (2023) Diagnostic value and characteristic analysis of serum nucleocapsid antigen in COVID-19 patients. PeerJ 11:e15515 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15515
date submitted: 2023-03-09
date accepted: 2023-05-15
issued: 2023-06-07
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Xihong
author list: Agent
  family name: Qian
  given name: Chungen
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Gao
  given name: Huixia
author list: Agent
  family name: Jiang
  given name: Ping
author list: Agent
  family name: Dai
  given name: Muwei
author list: Agent
  family name: Wang
  given name: Yuling
author list: Agent
  family name: Kang
  given name: Haiyan
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Yi
author list: Agent
  family name: Hu
  given name: Qian
author list: Agent
  family name: Feng
  given name: Fumin
author list: Agent
  family name: Cheng
  given name: Bangning
author list: Agent
  family name: Dai
  given name: Erhei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15515
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-07
copyright: © 2023 Zhang et al.
attribution name: Zhang et al.

Soil organic carbon pools and carbon management index under different land use systems in North western Himalayas
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of important land uses and soil depth on soil organic carbon pools viz. total organic carbon, Walkley and black carbon, labile organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and carbon management index (CMI) in the north Western Himalayas, India. Soil samples from five different land uses viz. forest, pasture, apple, saffron and paddy-oilseed were collected up to a depth of 1 m (0–30, 30–60, 60–90 cm). The results revealed that regardless of soil depth, all the carbon pools differed significantly (p < 0.05) among studied land use systems with maximum values observed under forest soils and lowest under paddy-oilseed soils. Further, upon evaluating the impact of soil depth, a significant (p < 0.05) decline and variation in all the carbon pools was observed with maximum values recorded in surface (0–30 cm) soils and least in sub-surface (60–90 cm) layers. CMI was higher in forest soils and lowest in paddy-oilseed. From regression analysis, a positive significant association (high R-squared values) between CMI and soil organic carbon pools was also observed at all three depths. Therefore, land use changes and soil depth had a significant impact on soil organic carbon pools and eventually on CMI, which is used as deterioration indicator or soil carbon rehabilitation that influences the universal goal of sustainability in the long run.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Yasir Hanif Mir
creator: Mumtaz Ahmad Ganie
creator: Tajamul Islam Shah
creator: Aziz Mujtaba Aezum
creator: Shabir Ahmed Bangroo
creator: Shakeel Ahmad Mir
creator: Shahnawaz Rasool Dar
creator: Syed Sheeraz Mahdi
creator: Zahoor Ahmad Baba
creator: Aanisa Manzoor Shah
creator: Uzma Majeed
creator: Tatiana Minkina
creator: Vishnu D. Rajput
creator: Aijaz Ahmad Dar
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Soil Science
subject: Natural Resource Management
subject: Biogeochemistry
subject: Food, Water and Energy Nexus
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15266
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Mir et al.
abstract: Current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of important land uses and soil depth on soil organic carbon pools viz. total organic carbon, Walkley and black carbon, labile organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and carbon management index (CMI) in the north Western Himalayas, India. Soil samples from five different land uses viz. forest, pasture, apple, saffron and paddy-oilseed were collected up to a depth of 1 m (0–30, 30–60, 60–90 cm). The results revealed that regardless of soil depth, all the carbon pools differed significantly (p < 0.05) among studied land use systems with maximum values observed under forest soils and lowest under paddy-oilseed soils. Further, upon evaluating the impact of soil depth, a significant (p < 0.05) decline and variation in all the carbon pools was observed with maximum values recorded in surface (0–30 cm) soils and least in sub-surface (60–90 cm) layers. CMI was higher in forest soils and lowest in paddy-oilseed. From regression analysis, a positive significant association (high R-squared values) between CMI and soil organic carbon pools was also observed at all three depths. Therefore, land use changes and soil depth had a significant impact on soil organic carbon pools and eventually on CMI, which is used as deterioration indicator or soil carbon rehabilitation that influences the universal goal of sustainability in the long run.
bibliographic citation: Mir et al. (2023) Soil organic carbon pools and carbon management index under different land use systems in North western Himalayas. PeerJ 11:e15266 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15266
date submitted: 2022-09-14
date accepted: 2023-03-29
issued: 2023-06-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Mir
  given name: Yasir Hanif
author list: Agent
  family name: Ganie
  given name: Mumtaz Ahmad
author list: Agent
  family name: Shah
  given name: Tajamul Islam
author list: Agent
  family name: Aezum
  given name: Aziz Mujtaba
author list: Agent
  family name: Bangroo
  given name: Shabir Ahmed
author list: Agent
  family name: Mir
  given name: Shakeel Ahmad
author list: Agent
  family name: Dar
  given name: Shahnawaz Rasool
author list: Agent
  family name: Mahdi
  given name: Syed Sheeraz
author list: Agent
  family name: Baba
  given name: Zahoor Ahmad
author list: Agent
  family name: Shah
  given name: Aanisa Manzoor
author list: Agent
  family name: Majeed
  given name: Uzma
author list: Agent
  family name: Minkina
  given name: Tatiana
author list: Agent
  family name: Rajput
  given name: Vishnu D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Dar
  given name: Aijaz Ahmad
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15266
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-06
copyright: ©2023 Mir et al.
attribution name: Mir et al.

Bombardiers and assassins: mimetic interactions between unequally defended insects
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: In defensive mimicry, resemblance between unequally defended species can be parasitic; this phenomenon has been termed quasi-Batesian mimicry. Few studies have used real co-mimics and their predators to test whether the mimetic interactions were parasitic. Here, we investigated the mimetic interaction between two well-defended insect species, the bombardier beetle Pheropsophus occipitalis jessoensis (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and the assassin bug Sirthenea flavipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), using their potential predator, the pond frog Pelophylax nigromaculatus (Anura: Ranidae), which coexists with these insect species in the same habitat in Japan. We observed behavioural responses of this frog species (adults and juveniles) to adult Ph. occipitalis jessoensis and adult S. flavipes under laboratory conditions. Among the frogs, 100% and 75% rejected Ph. occipitalis jessoensis and S. flavipes, respectively, suggesting that, compared with the assassin bug S. flavipes, the bombardier beetle Ph. occipitalis jessoensis is more well-defended against frogs. An assassin bug or a bombardier beetle was provided to a frog that had encountered the other insect species. Frogs with a history of assassin bug encounter demonstrated a lower rate of attack toward bombardier beetles. Similarly, frogs with a history of bombardier beetle encounter demonstrated a lower rate of attack toward assassin bugs. Therefore, both the bombardier beetle Ph. occipitalis jessoensis and the assassin bug S. flavipes benefit from the mimetic interaction.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Shinji Sugiura
creator: Masakazu Hayashi
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15380
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Sugiura and Hayashi
abstract: In defensive mimicry, resemblance between unequally defended species can be parasitic; this phenomenon has been termed quasi-Batesian mimicry. Few studies have used real co-mimics and their predators to test whether the mimetic interactions were parasitic. Here, we investigated the mimetic interaction between two well-defended insect species, the bombardier beetle Pheropsophus occipitalis jessoensis (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and the assassin bug Sirthenea flavipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), using their potential predator, the pond frog Pelophylax nigromaculatus (Anura: Ranidae), which coexists with these insect species in the same habitat in Japan. We observed behavioural responses of this frog species (adults and juveniles) to adult Ph. occipitalis jessoensis and adult S. flavipes under laboratory conditions. Among the frogs, 100% and 75% rejected Ph. occipitalis jessoensis and S. flavipes, respectively, suggesting that, compared with the assassin bug S. flavipes, the bombardier beetle Ph. occipitalis jessoensis is more well-defended against frogs. An assassin bug or a bombardier beetle was provided to a frog that had encountered the other insect species. Frogs with a history of assassin bug encounter demonstrated a lower rate of attack toward bombardier beetles. Similarly, frogs with a history of bombardier beetle encounter demonstrated a lower rate of attack toward assassin bugs. Therefore, both the bombardier beetle Ph. occipitalis jessoensis and the assassin bug S. flavipes benefit from the mimetic interaction.
bibliographic citation: Sugiura et al. (2023) Bombardiers and assassins: mimetic interactions between unequally defended insects. PeerJ 11:e15380 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15380
date submitted: 2022-04-28
date accepted: 2023-04-18
issued: 2023-06-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Sugiura
  given name: Shinji
author list: Agent
  family name: Hayashi
  given name: Masakazu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15380
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-06
copyright: ©2023 Sugiura and Hayashi
attribution name: Sugiura and Hayashi

A new species of Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) from white-sand forests of central Amazonia, Brazil
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The white-sand ecosystems in the Solimões-Negro Interfluve are among the less studied in Amazonia. Recent herpetological surveys conducted west of Manaus, Brazil (central Amazonia) indicate that white-sand forests host a unique anuran fauna comprising habitat specialized and endemic species. In the present study we describe a new species of rain frog belonging to the Pristimantis unistrigatus species group from the white-sand forest locally called “campinarana” (thin-trunked forests with canopy height below 20 m). The new species is phylogenetically close to rain frogs from western Amazonian lowlands (P. delius, P. librarius, P. matidiktyo and P. ockendeni). It differs from its closest relatives mainly by its size (male SVL of 17.3–20.1 mm, n = 16; female SVL of 23.2–26.5 mm, n = 6), presence of tympanum, tarsal tubercles and dentigerous processes of vomers, its translucent groin without bright colored blotches or marks, and by its advertisement call (composed of 5–10 notes, call duration of 550–1,061 ms, dominant frequency of 3,295–3,919 Hz). Like other anuran species recently discovered in the white-sand forests west of Manaus, the new species seems to be restricted to this peculiar ecosystem.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Alexander Tamanini Mônico
creator: Miquéias Ferrão
creator: Jiří Moravec
creator: Antoine Fouquet
creator: Albertina P. Lima
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15399
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Mônico et al.
abstract: The white-sand ecosystems in the Solimões-Negro Interfluve are among the less studied in Amazonia. Recent herpetological surveys conducted west of Manaus, Brazil (central Amazonia) indicate that white-sand forests host a unique anuran fauna comprising habitat specialized and endemic species. In the present study we describe a new species of rain frog belonging to the Pristimantis unistrigatus species group from the white-sand forest locally called “campinarana” (thin-trunked forests with canopy height below 20 m). The new species is phylogenetically close to rain frogs from western Amazonian lowlands (P. delius, P. librarius, P. matidiktyo and P. ockendeni). It differs from its closest relatives mainly by its size (male SVL of 17.3–20.1 mm, n = 16; female SVL of 23.2–26.5 mm, n = 6), presence of tympanum, tarsal tubercles and dentigerous processes of vomers, its translucent groin without bright colored blotches or marks, and by its advertisement call (composed of 5–10 notes, call duration of 550–1,061 ms, dominant frequency of 3,295–3,919 Hz). Like other anuran species recently discovered in the white-sand forests west of Manaus, the new species seems to be restricted to this peculiar ecosystem.
bibliographic citation: Mônico et al. (2023) A new species of Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) from white-sand forests of central Amazonia, Brazil. PeerJ 11:e15399 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15399
date submitted: 2022-12-20
date accepted: 2023-04-20
issued: 2023-06-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Mônico
  given name: Alexander Tamanini
author list: Agent
  family name: Ferrão
  given name: Miquéias
author list: Agent
  family name: Moravec
  given name: Jiří
author list: Agent
  family name: Fouquet
  given name: Antoine
author list: Agent
  family name: Lima
  given name: Albertina P.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15399
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-06
copyright: ©2023 Mônico et al.
attribution name: Mônico et al.

Reliability of sonographic measurements of the ulnar collateral ligament: a multi-rater prospective study
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The use of sonography is a cost-effective and reliable method to evaluate upper extremity superficial tissue structural integrity and pathology. Establishing the measurement reliability of widely used diagnostic ultrasound evaluation for musculoskeletal assessment is paramount enhance accurate clinical evaluations. The objective of this study was to establish the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of select ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) thickness measures at two distinct anatomical locations in intercollegiate baseball athletes using ultrasound imaging (USI). Methods This was a prospective cohort study conducted in a university research laboratory and included a total of 17 NCAA Division I baseball athletes (age 20.4 ± 1.43, height = 183.63 cm ± 6.27 cm, mass = 89.28 kg ± 8.24 kg). Two trained clinicians measured UCL mid-substance and apex thickness in the throwing extremity, prospectively, on 5 occasions at 1-month intervals during rest. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) (model 3,3), associated standard error of measurement, and 95% minimal detectable change in thickness were derived. Results Intrarater reliability estimates for operator 1 were 0.90–0.98 (mid-substance) and 0.91–0.99 (apex). Operator 2’s values were 0.92–0.97 and 0.93–0.99, respectively. The standard error of measurement (SEM) ranged from 0.045–0.071 cm (mid-substance) and 0.023–0.067 cm (apex). The minimal detectable difference (MDD95) was 0.12–0.20 cm (mid-substance) and 0.07–0.19 cm (apex). Interrater reliability was 0.86–0.96 (mid-substance) and 0.79–0.98 (apex); most ICCs were >0.90. Measurement of UCL thickness at two locations demonstrated very good to excellent reliability with high precision. Using this protocol, two evaluators can obtain consistent UCL measurement at two positions. This finding has significant implications for the clinical evaluation of superficial tissue pathology of the same individual by two experienced practitioners.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Shawn D. Felton
creator: Arie J. Van Duijn
creator: Mitchell L. Cordova
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Radiology and Medical Imaging
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15418
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Felton et al.
abstract: Background The use of sonography is a cost-effective and reliable method to evaluate upper extremity superficial tissue structural integrity and pathology. Establishing the measurement reliability of widely used diagnostic ultrasound evaluation for musculoskeletal assessment is paramount enhance accurate clinical evaluations. The objective of this study was to establish the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of select ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) thickness measures at two distinct anatomical locations in intercollegiate baseball athletes using ultrasound imaging (USI). Methods This was a prospective cohort study conducted in a university research laboratory and included a total of 17 NCAA Division I baseball athletes (age 20.4 ± 1.43, height = 183.63 cm ± 6.27 cm, mass = 89.28 kg ± 8.24 kg). Two trained clinicians measured UCL mid-substance and apex thickness in the throwing extremity, prospectively, on 5 occasions at 1-month intervals during rest. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) (model 3,3), associated standard error of measurement, and 95% minimal detectable change in thickness were derived. Results Intrarater reliability estimates for operator 1 were 0.90–0.98 (mid-substance) and 0.91–0.99 (apex). Operator 2’s values were 0.92–0.97 and 0.93–0.99, respectively. The standard error of measurement (SEM) ranged from 0.045–0.071 cm (mid-substance) and 0.023–0.067 cm (apex). The minimal detectable difference (MDD95) was 0.12–0.20 cm (mid-substance) and 0.07–0.19 cm (apex). Interrater reliability was 0.86–0.96 (mid-substance) and 0.79–0.98 (apex); most ICCs were >0.90. Measurement of UCL thickness at two locations demonstrated very good to excellent reliability with high precision. Using this protocol, two evaluators can obtain consistent UCL measurement at two positions. This finding has significant implications for the clinical evaluation of superficial tissue pathology of the same individual by two experienced practitioners.
bibliographic citation: Felton et al. (2023) Reliability of sonographic measurements of the ulnar collateral ligament: a multi-rater prospective study. PeerJ 11:e15418 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15418
date submitted: 2022-11-09
date accepted: 2023-04-25
issued: 2023-06-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Felton
  given name: Shawn D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Van Duijn
  given name: Arie J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Cordova
  given name: Mitchell L.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15418
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-06
copyright: ©2023 Felton et al.
attribution name: Felton et al.

Assessment of aquatic food web and trophic niche as a measurement of recovery function in restored mangroves in the Southern Gulf of Mexico
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Mangroves are coastal wetlands with high biodiversity and productivity, with great interaction with coastal environments. In the face of worldwide mangrove loss, restoration projects attempt to recover ecosystem composition and functioning over time. Our objective was to examine and compare the food webs in mangrove areas with different restoration times and in a reference mangrove in Términos Lagoon, Mexico. We estimated the trophic structure, identified the carbon resources that maintain aquatic consumers through the analysis of stable isotopes, and compared the trophic niche of the restored mangroves with the reference mangrove. We analyzed environmental variables, trophic structure, and contributions of resources during three seasons: rainy, dry, and “nortes”. Environmental changes and food structure changed in response to regional seasons. Bayesian mixing models indicated that food webs varied seasonally as a response to the primary productivity developed at Términos Lagoon. As expected, the assimilation of C3 plants in the reference mangrove was highest, as a primary (“nortes” season) and secondary resource (dry and rainy seasons). The restored mangroves depended mainly on allochthonous resources (seagrass, epiphytes, and phytoplankton). The assimilation of these resources highlighted the importance of connectivity and the input of sources of carbon from nearby coastal environments. Trophic niche analysis showed that the area with longer restoration time was more similar to the reference mangrove, which is evidence of the importance and efficacy of the restoration process, as well as the restoration of the ecosystem function over time.
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format: text/html
creator: Miriam Soria-Barreto
creator: Rosela Pérez-Ceballos
creator: Arturo Zaldívar-Jiménez
creator: Rolando Gelabert Fernández
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15422
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Soria-Barreto et al.
abstract: Mangroves are coastal wetlands with high biodiversity and productivity, with great interaction with coastal environments. In the face of worldwide mangrove loss, restoration projects attempt to recover ecosystem composition and functioning over time. Our objective was to examine and compare the food webs in mangrove areas with different restoration times and in a reference mangrove in Términos Lagoon, Mexico. We estimated the trophic structure, identified the carbon resources that maintain aquatic consumers through the analysis of stable isotopes, and compared the trophic niche of the restored mangroves with the reference mangrove. We analyzed environmental variables, trophic structure, and contributions of resources during three seasons: rainy, dry, and “nortes”. Environmental changes and food structure changed in response to regional seasons. Bayesian mixing models indicated that food webs varied seasonally as a response to the primary productivity developed at Términos Lagoon. As expected, the assimilation of C3 plants in the reference mangrove was highest, as a primary (“nortes” season) and secondary resource (dry and rainy seasons). The restored mangroves depended mainly on allochthonous resources (seagrass, epiphytes, and phytoplankton). The assimilation of these resources highlighted the importance of connectivity and the input of sources of carbon from nearby coastal environments. Trophic niche analysis showed that the area with longer restoration time was more similar to the reference mangrove, which is evidence of the importance and efficacy of the restoration process, as well as the restoration of the ecosystem function over time.
bibliographic citation: Soria-Barreto et al. (2023) Assessment of aquatic food web and trophic niche as a measurement of recovery function in restored mangroves in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. PeerJ 11:e15422 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15422
date submitted: 2022-01-31
date accepted: 2023-04-25
issued: 2023-06-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Soria-Barreto
  given name: Miriam
author list: Agent
  family name: Pérez-Ceballos
  given name: Rosela
author list: Agent
  family name: Zaldívar-Jiménez
  given name: Arturo
author list: Agent
  family name: Gelabert Fernández
  given name: Rolando
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15422
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-06
copyright: ©2023 Soria-Barreto et al.
attribution name: Soria-Barreto et al.

Isoscapes of remnant and restored Hawaiian montane forests reveal differences in biological nitrogen fixation and carbon inputs
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Deforestation and subsequent land-use conversion has altered ecosystems and led to negative effects on biodiversity. To ameliorate these effects, nitrogen-fixing (N2-fixing) trees are frequently used in the reforestation of degraded landscapes, especially in the tropics; however, their influence on ecosystem properties such as nitrogen (N) availability and carbon (C) stocks are understudied. Here, we use a 30-y old reforestation site of outplanted native N2-fixing trees (Acacia koa) dominated by exotic grass understory, and a neighboring remnant forest dominated by A. koa canopy trees and native understory, to assess whether restoration is leading to similar N and C biogeochemical landscapes and soil and plant properties as a target remnant forest ecosystem. We measured nutrient contents and isotope values (δ15N, δ13C) in soils, A. koa, and non-N2-fixing understory plants (Rubus spp.) and generated δ15N and δ13C isoscapes of the two forests to test for (1) different levels of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and its contribution to non-N2-fixing understory plants, and (2) the influence of historic land conversion and more recent afforestation on plant and soil δ13C. In the plantation, A. koa densities were higher and foliar δ15N values for A. koa and Rubus spp. were lower than in the remnant forest. Foliar and soil isoscapes also showed a more homogeneous distribution of low δ15N values in the plantation and greater influence of A. koa on neighboring plants and soil, suggesting greater BNF. Foliar δ13C also indicated higher water use efficiency (WUEi) in the plantation, indicative of differences in plant-water relations or soil water status between the two forest types. Plantation soil δ13C was higher than the remnant forest, consistent with greater contributions of exotic C4-pasture grasses to soil C pools, possibly due to facilitation of non-native grasses by the dense A. koa canopy. These findings are consequential for forest restoration, as they contribute to …
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Christopher B. Wall
creator: Sean O. I. Swift
creator: Carla M. D’Antonio
creator: Gerhard Gebauer
creator: Nicole A. Hynson
subject: Ecology
subject: Plant Science
subject: Soil Science
subject: Natural Resource Management
subject: Forestry
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.15468
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2023 Wall et al.
abstract: Deforestation and subsequent land-use conversion has altered ecosystems and led to negative effects on biodiversity. To ameliorate these effects, nitrogen-fixing (N2-fixing) trees are frequently used in the reforestation of degraded landscapes, especially in the tropics; however, their influence on ecosystem properties such as nitrogen (N) availability and carbon (C) stocks are understudied. Here, we use a 30-y old reforestation site of outplanted native N2-fixing trees (Acacia koa) dominated by exotic grass understory, and a neighboring remnant forest dominated by A. koa canopy trees and native understory, to assess whether restoration is leading to similar N and C biogeochemical landscapes and soil and plant properties as a target remnant forest ecosystem. We measured nutrient contents and isotope values (δ15N, δ13C) in soils, A. koa, and non-N2-fixing understory plants (Rubus spp.) and generated δ15N and δ13C isoscapes of the two forests to test for (1) different levels of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and its contribution to non-N2-fixing understory plants, and (2) the influence of historic land conversion and more recent afforestation on plant and soil δ13C. In the plantation, A. koa densities were higher and foliar δ15N values for A. koa and Rubus spp. were lower than in the remnant forest. Foliar and soil isoscapes also showed a more homogeneous distribution of low δ15N values in the plantation and greater influence of A. koa on neighboring plants and soil, suggesting greater BNF. Foliar δ13C also indicated higher water use efficiency (WUEi) in the plantation, indicative of differences in plant-water relations or soil water status between the two forest types. Plantation soil δ13C was higher than the remnant forest, consistent with greater contributions of exotic C4-pasture grasses to soil C pools, possibly due to facilitation of non-native grasses by the dense A. koa canopy. These findings are consequential for forest restoration, as they contribute to …
bibliographic citation: Wall et al. (2023) Isoscapes of remnant and restored Hawaiian montane forests reveal differences in biological nitrogen fixation and carbon inputs. PeerJ 11:e15468 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.15468
date submitted: 2023-02-16
date accepted: 2023-05-05
issued: 2023-06-06
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Wall
  given name: Christopher B.
author list: Agent
  family name: Swift
  given name: Sean O. I.
author list: Agent
  family name: D’Antonio
  given name: Carla M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Gebauer
  given name: Gerhard
author list: Agent
  family name: Hynson
  given name: Nicole A.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15468
volume: 11
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2023-06-06
copyright: © 2023 Wall et al.
attribution name: Wall et al.

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