[Abstract] Background: Among the 22 species in the Vespa genus, five have successfully established populations outside their native ranges, while four others have been recorded either in natural habitats or during border inspections in various countries. This study aims to assess the potential threat posed by 12 hornet species—Vespa crabro, Vespa mandarinia, Vespa simillima, Vespa velutina, Vespa affinis, Vespa analis, Vespa basalis, Vespa bicolor, Vespa ducalis, Vespa dybowskii, Vespa soror, and Vespa tropica—within the geographical and ecological context of Iran, an arid Middle Eastern country. Using ecological niche modeling, we analyzed species occurrence data alongside climatic variables with minimal correlation to predict the potential distribution of these hornets across Iran. The mobility-oriented parity method was applied to identify areas where strict extrapolation is relevant for these species. Additionally, we generated a habitat suitability map for Apis mellifera (honey bee) using ecological niche modeling and compared the spatial overlap between the predicted risk maps for the hornets and the honey bee habitat suitability map, employing Schoener’s D metric.Results: The results revealed two key findings. First, a significant portion of Iran exhibits climatic dissimilarity compared to the native habitats of certain hornet species. Second, the spatial overlap analysis showed varying degrees of overlap between A. mellifera habitats and the potential distributions of different hornet species. Notably, V. mandarinia and V. crabro demonstrated the highest overlap values (D = 0.68), suggesting that these hornets could share substantial habitat preferences or ecological roles with honey bees in Iran.Conclusions: Although most regions of Iran appear less suitable for hornet invasions, caution is warranted in the northern areas, where trade and exchanges could serve as pathways for Vespa hornet introductions. These findings highlight the importance of targeted monitoring and preventative measures in these high-risk regions.

[Abstract] Background: Gastropods as primary consumer serve the principal ecological function of transporting nutrients and energy from food sources, such as phytoplankton and periphyton, to higher trophic levels in aquatic environments. In addition to their ecological roles, freshwater gastropods have long been used by humans in Korea. Owing to biosynthesis constraints, animals must consume important components, including fatty acids, from their diet. Thus, the fatty acid composition of consumers reflects that of their diets. To determine the patterns of fatty acid accumulation in gastropods in coexisting aquatic habitats, we conducted a spatiotemporal study on the fatty acid composition of four freshwater gastropods associated to humans collected from reservoirs, rivers, and rice paddy fields in Korea.Results: Our results showed that the four gastropod species [Chinese mystery (Cipangopaludina chinensis malleata), melanian (Semisulcospira gottschei), European ear (Radix auricularia), and golden apple (Pomacea canaliculata) snails] had differentiated fatty acid compositions according to sampling site based on the result of cluster analysis. Furthermore, principal component analysis showed that coexisting gastropods displayed intraspecific variations in fatty acid profiles, even when inhabiting same areas and were provided similar potential food sources. By comparing biomarkers, it appears that fatty acid accumulation patterns in gastropods are affected by their feeding strategies.Conclusions: Taxonomic variations in fatty acid composition can be attributed to competition for trophic niches with limited resources, survival, feeding strategies, and metabolic requirements.

[Abstract] Anurans communicate with others using several types of calls such as advertisement, encounter, release, and rain calls. Some treefrog species produce rain calls from their daytime shelters, such as trees and bushes, during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons. However, the function of rain calls is poorly understood. We investigated the potential functions of rain calls by comparing the responses of male Dryophytes japonicus to the playback of advertisement and rain calls. During one minute of playback and three minutes post-playback, the frequencies of orientation and approach of male D. japonicus towards the call-producing speaker did not differ in the rain and advertisement calls. However, the number of individuals, who finally arrived at the speaker among the males, approached towards the speaker, was significantly lower for the rain call compared to the advertisement call during one-minute playback. Our results suggest that both types of calls evoke the attention of conspecific males, but rain calls do not attract conspecific males, unlike advertisement calls. This difference may reflect the distinct functions of rain and advertisement calls.

[Abstract] Background: Koreoleptoxis globus is an endangered candidate species of snail in South Korean streams. This species primarily inhabits streams characterized by fast current velocities and coarse-particle streambed substrates. In this study, 12 types of probability distribution models, including exponential, normal, log-normal, logistic, Weibull, gamma, beta, and Gumbel, were used to quantitatively assess the physical microhabitat preferences of K. globus. The evaluation was based on data collected from 340 sampling units across 34 sites in South Korea between April 2024 and May 2024, focusing on variables such as water depth, current velocity, and streambed substrate.Results: The best-fitting probability distribution models for each physical environmental factor were identified as follows: 1) water depth, inverted log-normal distribution, 2) current velocity, beta distribution, and 3) streambed substrate, Weibull distribution. Optimal water depth preferences ranged from 31.2 cm to 53.7 cm. Current velocity preferences ranged from 57.8 cm s^-1 to 88.8 cm s^-1. Substrate preferences ranged from −7.4 Φm to −5.6 Φm. The mean values for these factors were water depth of 35.8 cm, current velocity of 63.0 cm s^-1, and streambed substrate of −5.7 Φm. Mode values were water depth of 44.4 cm, current velocity of 75.6 cm s^-1, and substrate of −6.7 Φm. Standard deviation values were water depth of 15.8 cm, current velocity of 21.4 cm s^-1, and streambed substrate of 1.5 Φm.Conclusions: Overall, the beta and Weibull distribution models demonstrated a high degree of fit, likely owing to the inherent flexibility of these models. Beta distribution models were well suited for cases with negative skewness, whereas Weibull distribution models provided a better fit for cases with positive skewness. The physical habitat characteristics of K. globus were quantitatively demontrated to correspond to riffled areas. Further research is required to explore the interactions between physical environmental factors and the impact of habitat disturbance.

[Abstract] Background: Introducing invasive alien species can reduce biodiversity by interfering with native species or spreading disease and having socioeconomic consequences. Therefore, international society has set goals for preventing and suppressing the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. Nevertheless, humans intentionally introduce and release alien species into the wild, facilitating their invasion. Procambarus virginalis (marbled crayfish) is a Decapoda invertebrate sold for ornamental purposes. Ecological repercussions are anticipated because individuals have been verified to exist in the wild in South Korea. P. virginalis, believed to have originated in Europe and North America, is parthenogenetic. Therefore, there is concern that its population may quickly expand in the natural environment.Results: This study examined the invasion risk of P. virginalis in South Korea and predicted its dispersal under future climatic circumstances. The habitat suitability for P. virginalis in Europe, North America, and Northeast Asia was determined using an ensemble species distribution model, and climatic niches were compared. Furthermore, the distributions of South Korea under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios are provided. The Northeast Asian region had habitat suitability comparable to that of Europe, and there was evidence that its climatic niche overlapped Europe (Schoener’s D = 0.29). In the future climatic scenario, 38% of South Korea is at risk of moderate to low invasion. The human disturbance index was the most critical variable in the distribution.Conclusions: We believe the hazards of its invasion of South Korea are significant. Additionally, there is a high possibility that they will be established in nature due to artificial releases. Therefore, continuous monitoring and appropriate management are needed for areas with a high risk of P. virginalis invasion.

[Abstract] Background: The forest edge of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) is commonly invaded by Chromolaena odorata, which could affect the leaf-litter decomposition (LLD) rate through the litter fauna and the litter chemistry. We tested the effects of positions (edge vs. interior), C. odorata inclusion, and macrofauna inclusion using litterbags containing the two most dominant tree species from each forest type of SDTF (a dipterocarp deciduous forest and a mixed deciduous forest [MDF]), in northern Thailand.Results: The results showed that leaf litter decayed at the same rate between the forest edge and interior. A difference in the decomposition rate between the edge and interior was only found in the MDF and only when the composition of the litter contained a high nitrogen (C. odorata) and phosphorous content (Pterocarpus macrocarpus – a native tree of MDF). Exclusion of macrofauna resulted in slower decomposition rates, but this effect was not significant when combined with the edge condition.Conclusions: Our findings indicated that the forest edge condition has no directly significant effect on the LLD rate but is mediated through changes in the litter chemistry by inclusion of C. odorata litter.

[Abstract] Background: Seed germination studies of high mountain plants across environmental gradients are potentially important for understanding the impacts of climate and other environmental changes. In this study, we analyzed the variation in seed germination patterns of the Himalayan medicinal herb Aconitum spicatum across temperature, light, and water stress gradients. Seeds of A. spicatum collected from three different elevations (low: 3,315, mid: 3,910, high: 4,200 m asl) were germinated in a growth chamber under different temperatures (low: 25/15°C; high: 30/20°C), light conditions (12-hour photoperiod and complete dark), and water potentials (−0.10, −0.25, −0.50, −0.75, −1 MPa).Results: Seed mass and germination traits such as germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (MGT) and Timson’s index (TI) did not vary consistently with elevation. While light did not affect germination, high temperatures significantly reduced GP and TI, and increased MGT when compared with low-temperature conditions. The GP declined from approximately 80% at control to less than 20% under mild water stress (−0.50 MPa) with complete inhibition at higher water stress levels. The MGT increased and TI declined with increasing water stress.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a significant negative impact of elevated temperatures and increased water stress on the germination of A. spicatum, an important medicinal herb of the Himalaya. These findings highlight the species' high vulnerability to the effects of climate change, particularly of the temperature increases and declining precipitation. We suggest incorporating potential impacts of warming and drought into strategies for the sustainable harvest and conservation of A. spicatum in future.

[Abstract] Background: Biodiversity serves as the foundation for ecosystems and the functional roles of species that supply services to human well-being. The functional roles of species in a region can be assessed by estimating biological diversity. Due to their presence in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, insects have been used as model organisms in several studies, and among insects, butterfly species are considered important model organisms for both ecology and conservation biology. Butterfly species are very sensitive to changes in climatic conditions and serve as important bioindicators for both habitat and climate. For this reason, estimation of butterfly diversity at the spatio-temporal scale is important. On a spatial scale, habitat heterogeneity is believed to be the important factor that plays an important role in maintaining butterfly species diversity, while the differences in diversity of butterfly species on a temporal scale can be linked with climatic conditions both at the regional and local scales.Results: The present study aimed to determine the effects of habitat characteristics and climatic conditions on the diversity of butterfly species in Purulia, India. A total of 83 butterfly species were found during the present study. Out of 83 butterfly species, Nymphalidae dominate over other families (28 species; 33.73%). The highest species richness was observed in the Ajodhya Hill region (61 species), followed by Garh Panchakot (54 species) and Leprosy Mission (47 species). The relative abundance and butterfly species richness differed between sites with different habitat characteristics. Maximum temperature serves as the most sensitive variable for species richness and is negatively related.Conclusions: From this study, it is evident that different habitats in Purulia can sustain a diverse variety of butterfly species, but significant conservation effort is required. So, considering Purulia as a model area, steps must be taken to maintain habitat heterogeneity and local climatic conditions for sustaining ecosystem services provided by butterfly species.

[Abstract] Background: The 1996 Goseong forest fire, the largest recorded, prompted a debate on the potential for natural forest recovery, leading to the designation of a natural restoration research area. This study mainly aimed to demonstrate the forest’s natural regenerative ability in a prefire Pinus densiflora forest that had been affected by a stand-replacing fire. To achieve this, the study tracked the key aspects of the succession process, specifically the formation of vertical structure and changes in species composition.Results: The regenerating vegetation initially passed through stages dominated by herbaceous and shrub layers, then differentiated into the canopy layer, eventually forming the early-stage forest after 20 years. Site A had developed into a forest with an average canopy height of 13.3 m and 73% coverage, while Site B was restored with a canopy height of 10 m and 27% coverage. Tree species of the genus Quercus dominated the canopy layer, occupying 99% of the tree basal area (from 17% prefire). Consequently, the prefire pine forest shifted to a Quercus-dominated forest after secondary succession. Pinus densiflora (83% of the prefire basal area) occupied only 1% after 20 years. Oak species became dominant from the initial stages of regeneration, playing a key role in shaping the early-stage forest structure. The species composition of the regenerating stands was already determined in the initial stage and closely resembled that of 20 years later. Since most species regenerated through resprouting, the understory remained dominated by pine forest companion species. Oak-associated species tended to increase in later stages. No invasive species were observed, and annual plants had low abundance.Conclusions: The study demonstrated the natural regenerative power of the forest following the fire, revealing that it takes around 20 years for a prefire pine forest to be restored an early-stage oak-dominated forest. Quercus trees, particularly Quercus variabilis and Quercus mongolica, regenerated rapidly immediately after fire, contributing to the development of the early-stage forest. Although this study was small in scale, it is a rare study conducted at permanent plots over 20 years, revealing the secondary succession process.

[Abstract] Background: The invasive weed Chromolaena odorata has been pronounced in dry habitats in Nepal, where a threatened native tree Aegle marmelos prefers to grow. It is known that the allelochemicals from C. odorata can harm native species differently, however, the impact may depend on environmental factors such as soil moisture in the invaded habitats. This study evaluates how the native tree responds to leaf and root products (leachates) of C. odorata and how water stress influences this interaction. For evaluating these facts, field survey to know the A. marmelos seedling status in C. odorata invaded and uninvaded sites was carried out. The seedlings were also grown in pots by treating the pot soil with C. odorata root and leaf leachates under water-stressed and unstressed conditions. Morphological and biochemical traits (root and shoot length, seedling biomass, leaf and root number, specific leaf area (SLA), photosynthetic pigments and proline) were measured.Results: A significant decrease in A. marmelos seedling population was found within its habitat under the canopy of C. odorata. Root length and biomass of A. marmelos seedlings were decreased by water stress (frequent drought). Addition of C. odorata leaf and root leachates further increased the toxic effects. Similarly, the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) was decreased under drought conditions, with C. odorata leachates contributing more to the reduction in chlorophyll amount. The increment of the osmolyte proline in the native seedlings shows the seedlings are experiencing stressful environment.Conclusions: Seedlings of A. marmelos are facing a stressful environment in their habitat invaded by C. odorata. Frequent dryness and exposure of the native seedlings to invasive leachates together can significantly decline the population of threatened native species. Hence, removal of C. odorata from the invaded habitat is recommended before the onset of monsoon season to prevent leaching from its aerial or underground parts to minimize the negative impacts on the growth and development of such a threatened native tree.

[Abstract] Background: In situations where natural pollen sources are insufficient, it becomes crucial to explore alternative proteins for honey bees. Utilizing mulberry leaf protein concentrate (LPC) emerges as a vital strategy to enhance the nutritional quality of dietary supplements for honey bees, thus mitigating the effects of limited pollen availability. Moreover, it acts as a dietary supplement that positively influences honey bee longevity and health. This study aims to evaluate the effects of incorporating mulberry LPC into honey bee nutritional supplements on maintaining bee health and prolonging their lifespan.Results: Mulberry LPC exhibited high protein content (28.60% ± 3.22%), dry matter (86.55% ± 4.56%), and low levels of fiber (3.16% ± 0.25%), ether extract (3.12% ± 0.25%), and ash (0.71% ± 0.10%), respectively. The essential amino acid composition derived from mulberry LPC revealed elevated values of leucine and lysine, which are necessary for honey bee development. Through a comprehensive investigation of mulberry LPC supplementation in pollen patty on honey bee physiology and life span, the treatment administering 2.5%–5.0% mulberry displayed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in acini sizes and prolonged the life span when compared to the control group fed solely with sucrose syrup.Conclusions: This finding is the first report highlighting the potential of mulberry LPC as a novel supplement feed for honey bees. Mulberry LPC demonstrated notable characteristics, including a high protein content. Furthermore, the essential amino acid composition of mulberry LPC showed elevated levels of leucine and lysine. Our results signify the beneficial impact of mulberry LPC in honey bee nutrition, suggesting its potential as a viable dietary intervention to improve honey bee health and life span. Further research in this domain holds promise for advancing beekeeping practices and ensuring the sustainability of honey bee populations.

[Abstract] Background: Ingestion of microplastics (MPs) by commercially important fish, such as Bombay duck (Harpadon nehereus) can lead to the transport of MPs to humans and negatively impact health and physiology. Thus, assessment of the presence, type, and features of MP in this species is necessary to understand the possible impacts and adopt management measures. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence, occurrence and physicochemical features of MPs in the gastrointestinal tract of Bombay duck (H. nehereus) from the Patenga Sea Beach of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. This area faces high amount of plastic discharge from the Karnaphuli River, industries, tourists, and urban households. Ninety-six fish were collected from the fishing trawlers of the Patenga Sea Beach. Their total length, body weight was measured and gastrointestinal tracts were separated for analysis. The samples underwent digestion, density separation, measurement, microscopic observation, and quantification. The color, type, and size were observed with microscopic image analysis software and polymer composition was determined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy method.Results: The total items of MPs ranged from 25 to 198 per fish with a mean of 98.34 ± 53.11. There was a significant difference in the items of MPs among different sized fish (H = 74.656, p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation (ρ = 0.952, p < 0.05) was found between total length of fish and the number of MPs. Total 05 colors, 04 types and 03 size classes were observed. Filament type, blue color, and 500 μm to < 1 mm sized MPs were dominant. Four (04) types of polymers, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyamide, and polystyrene, were found.Conclusions: The findings and insights from this study will help to understand the nature and extent of MP pollution in commercially important marine fish and possible impacts on the environment and humans.