5 October 2020

Are giant clams (Tridacna maxima) distractible? A multi-modal study

"Interesting work examining the behavior of giant clams in response to anthropogenic noises (boat engines) they would commonly hear in their natural environments."

James Reimer, Handling Editor

30 September 2020

Social influence on the effectiveness of virtual fencing in sheep

"New tools to manage grazing sheep"

Javier Alvarez-Rodriguez, Handling Editor

24 September 2020

Life history and habitat do not mediate temporal changes in body size due to climate warming in rodents

"This paper is an interesting contribution to a better knowledge and interpretations of the impact of global warming on the ecosystems and the expected responses (if any) of the biota. Particularly in this case authors studied the responses from six African murid species and 50 species from seven families of rodents worldwide, based on the prediction that body size of these rodents would decrease with time, in accordance with the third universal response to anthropogenic warming. Their results were ambiguous and although they seem not to confirm the initial prediction, they give place to investigate other environmental factors intervening to produce the changes in biodiversity and macroevolutive patterns observed widespread. Thus, I consider that this work will be a valuable referent for future investigations in the area and related researching fields."

Graciela Piñeiro, Handling Editor

18 September 2020

Development of a noninvasive photograph-based method for the evaluation of body condition in free-ranging brown bears

"Non-invasive techniques to study free-ranging animals, particularly large species, are critical to many studies where capture is difficult, expensive or dangerous. And body condition indices are important measures in studies of life history, management and conservation."

Jane Waterman, Handling Editor

7 September 2020

Adaptations to cursoriality and digit reduction in the forelimb of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

"Important new description of the forelimb myology of Lycaon pictus."

Brandon Hedrick, Handling Editor

3 September 2020

Comparing the gastrointestinal barrier function between growth-retarded and normal yaks on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

"This article will improve our understanding of the gastrointestinal barrier functions in growth-retarded yaks and it provides a potential solution to promote the growth of growth-retarded yaks."

Ingrid Weiss, Handling Editor

14 August 2020

Multi-omics analysis to examine microbiota, host gene expression and metabolites in the intestine of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) with different growth performance

"This manuscript presents an analysis of gut microbiota and gene expression of growth-related genes in black tiger prawn. The presented data are of general interest."

María Ángeles Esteban, Handling Editor

13 August 2020

The evolution of feeding within Euchelicerata: data from the fossil groups Eurypterida and Trigonotarbida illustrate possible evolutionary pathways

"The article is beautifully illustrated and nicely integrates important morphological information from the fossil record and the extant biota into a phylogenetic framework. It helps advance understanding of key topics such as arthropod and chelicerate morphology and phylogeny."

Bruce Lieberman, Handling Editor

10 August 2020

Effects of variation in forest fragment habitat on black howler monkey demography in the unprotected landscape around Palenque National Park, Mexico

"The study quantified the effect of landscape structure on the demography of black howler monkeys in Mexico. While population size increased with fragment area and connectivity, larger and less isolated fragments tended to have more adult females. Results suggest that both landscape connectivity and fragment area should be maintained and increased."

Rodolfo Jaffé, Handling Editor

24 July 2020

Auditory processing in the zebra finch midbrain: single unit responses and effect of rearing experience

"This is an interesting electrophysiological study of auditory processing in the midbrain and how it changes with experience during zebrafinch development."

Susanne Schmid, Handling Editor