@article {pmid42806025,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, Z and Yan, Z and García Molinos, J and Yu, G and Bede-Fazekas, Á and Carlton, JT and Kass, JM and Kulp, SA and MacIsaac, HJ and Mammola, S and Ding, L and Du, Y and Jin, L and Li, X and Liao, W and Xin, Y and Lin, Q and Liu, X},
title = {Global sea-level rise will create a new biological invasion front.},
journal = {Nature ecology & evolution},
volume = {10},
number = {11},
pages = {2117-2128},
pmid = {42806025},
issn = {2397-334X},
support = {32171657//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 42425004//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; Y201920//Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS)/ ; 2023IOZ0104//CAS | Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOZ, CAS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; Animals ; *Sea Level Rise ; *Climate Change ; *Ecosystem ; *Aquatic Organisms/physiology ; Oceans and Seas ; *Conservation of Natural Resources ; },
abstract = {Climate change is causing a redistribution of life on Earth but also creating new habitats that can result in biological invasions. Despite great efforts focused on predicting range expansions of non-native species under climate change, its induced sea-level rise may open new habitats for the landward expansion of marine non-native species into inundated coastal lands, which remains unexplored. Here we show that over two-thirds of inundated coastal land area (approximately 290,000-470,000 km[2]) will be environmentally suitable for 122 established non-native marine animals by the middle and end of this century, particularly in estuaries of mid-latitude regions. This emphasizes the need to consider sea-level rise when conducting invasion risk predictions under climate change scenarios. The development of effective early-warning systems and proactive management strategies will become critical for detecting and mitigating marine invasions into inundated regions as coastal lands continue to be reclaimed by the ocean across the world.},
}

*Introduced Species
Animals
*Sea Level Rise
*Climate Change
*Ecosystem
*Aquatic Organisms/physiology
Oceans and Seas
*Conservation of Natural Resources

@article {pmid42950972,
year = {2026},
author = {Maluleke, NC and Dalu, T and Munyai, LF},
title = {Vehicle interiors as mobile reservoirs of urban microplastics: seasonal accumulation, polymer composition and occupant exposure inferred from car wash vacuum debris.},
journal = {Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)},
volume = {411},
number = {Pt B},
pages = {129447},
doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2026.129447},
pmid = {42950972},
issn = {1873-6424},
abstract = {Vehicle cabins are enclosed, plastic rich spaces that people occupy daily, yet the microplastics that accumulate inside them are rarely measured. Debris removed by car wash vacuum cleaners offers a direct and largely unexploited window on that accumulation and is itself an unmanaged urban waste stream. We quantified the abundance, morphology, colour and polymer composition of microplastics in vacuum debris from 15 formal car wash facilities in Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), South Africa, spanning three land use zones (low density residential, central business district and industrial) across three seasons (hot-wet, cool-dry and hot-dry) in 2025, with 100 samples collected per season. Samples were density separated in zinc chloride (1.7 g cm[-3]), vacuum filtered, enumerated by stereomicroscopy (×80) and confirmed by Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy. Microplastics were detected at every facility, although the proportion of individual samples with no detectable particles rose sharply in the hot-dry season, from 2.9 % to 74.3 % in the low density zone. Abundance peaked in the hot-wet season and was highest in the low density zone (4480 ± 3260 particles kg[-1]). Fragments dominated, followed by fibres, foams, films and beads, and both morphotype and colour composition shifted with season and land use. Fourier-transform infrared micro-spectroscopy identified a polymer suite consistent with vehicle interior materials and occupant-derived debris, led by polydimethylsiloxane, poly (vinyl chloride) and poly (methyl methacrylate). Season explained substantially more variation in estimated occupant exposure than land use zone (partial η[2] = 0.265-0.280 versus 0.014-0.019), and ingestion of settled dust accounted for 94-96 % of estimated annual fibre exposure against 4-6 % for inhalation. Car wash vacuum debris therefore functions both as an integrative indicator of the microplastics urban residents encounter inside vehicles and as an overlooked point source of secondary microplastic release where it is disposed of without containment.},
}

@article {pmid42954383,
year = {2026},
author = {Laffargue, TT and Pollet, N and Brousseau, L and Miller, WJ and Hua-Van, A and Chouteau, M},
title = {Microbial profiling of Drosophila in French Guiana reveals candidate microbial taxa associated with native and invasive host.},
journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiag121},
pmid = {42954383},
issn = {1574-6941},
abstract = {Invasive alien species (IAS) threaten biodiversity, human health, and economies, yet host-associated microbiome differences between invasive and native species remain poorly understood in natural systems. We investigated bacterial and fungal microbiomes of IAS and native Drosophila species collected along an anthropisation gradient in French Guiana. IAS occurrence declined strongly from coastal anthropised habitats toward rainforest localities. Using bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS metabarcoding of pooled flies, we assessed microbial diversity and community structure across host species, host category (invasive vs. native), and locality. IAS-associated bacterial communities showed reduced alpha diversity and differed in structure from those of native Drosophila. Bacteriome variation was also associated with host phylogeny and locality; because host category was partially confounded with these factors, differences cannot be attributed solely to invasion status. Fungal communities were primarily associated with locality and host species. We further identified core and exclusive taxa and compared bacteriome composition with global reference datasets and microbiome literature, identifying bacterial and fungal taxa preferentially or exclusively associated with invasive or native hosts. Overall, our study characterises microbiome variation between invasive and native Drosophila in French Guiana and identifies candidate taxa for future functional investigation.},
}

@article {pmid42957155,
year = {2026},
author = {Keirsebelik, H and Ewers, C and Opinion, AG and Stachnik, M and Normant-Saremba, M and Poma, G and Bosschaerts, S and De Boeck, G and Schoelynck, J},
title = {Hepatospora eriocheir infection affects the fitness of adult Chinese mitten crabs in their non-native range.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {220},
number = {},
pages = {108784},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2026.108784},
pmid = {42957155},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {For many invasive crustaceans, including the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), the prevalence and impact of parasites in their introduced range remain largely unexplored. The microsporidium Hepatospora eriocheir was recently detected in mitten crabs across Europe, yet little is known about its physiological effects on its host. In this study, the influence of H. eriocheir infection on physiological biomarkers in adult mitten crabs collected from rivers in Germany and Belgium was experimentally investigated. We assessed metabolic rates (routine and maximum metabolic rate, aerobic scope), haemolymph glucose and lactate levels, and lipid content in the hepatopancreas. Infection prevalence reached 27% in adult mitten crabs from the Belgian population and 38% in individuals from the German population. Infected individuals showed a significantly reduced maximum metabolic rate and aerobic scope, while the routine metabolic rate remained unaffected. Glucose levels were lower in infected crabs both at rest and post-exercise, which indicates that energy reserves have dropped, whereas lactate levels showed no significant difference. The lipid content in the hepatopancreas was reduced, likely due to direct exploitation of host resources by the parasite and damage to hepatopancreatic tissue. Together, these patterns indicate an impaired energy metabolism, which may hamper energetically demanding activities such as migration and reproduction. The Chinese mitten crab is a catadromous species, and as the examined crabs were at the life stage when they commence a long-distance migration for their single reproductive event, infection by H. eriocheir may compromise their ability to complete this migration and successfully reproduce.},
}

@article {pmid41950489,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, M and Li, S and Wang, F and He, D and Zhan, A},
title = {Low Temperature Reduces Byssus Adhesion of Highly Invasive Golden Mussels: Influencing Mechanisms and Antifouling Implications.},
journal = {Integrative zoology},
volume = {21},
number = {6},
pages = {1575-1590},
doi = {10.1111/1749-4877.70083},
pmid = {41950489},
issn = {1749-4877},
mesh = {Animals ; *Biofouling/prevention & control ; *Cold Temperature ; *Introduced Species ; *Mytilidae/physiology ; },
abstract = {Byssus adhesion-based biofouling by invasive mussels poses threats to freshwater ecosystems and underwater facilities. Among existing antifouling strategies, high-temperature treatment, though effective, is limited by high energy consumption and potential surface damage. Low-temperature treatment offers a promising alternative, but its mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we used the invasive golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) as a model species to investigate the mechanisms by which low temperatures (15°C and 5°C) affect byssus adhesion. Our results showed low-temperature exposures significantly reduced adhesion rates, primarily by limiting byssus production and decreasing byssus breaking force. Staining analysis observed foot gland atrophy and thickened collagen, suggesting disrupted byssal protein secretion. Additionally, reduced levels of tyrosinase and polyphenol oxidase further suggested the decreased byssus structural integrity due to disrupted byssal protein cross-linking. Individual and integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses confirmed downregulations of genes/pathways for byssal protein synthesis (such as Foot protein 15, Putative foot protein-2, and the Phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis pathway) and upregulations of metabolites (pretyrosine and genipin) linked to protein cross-linking disruption, which collectively restricted byssal protein synthesis, precursor availability, and cross-linking processes. Notably, integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses also revealed that low-temperature exposures activated survival-prioritized responses, including antioxidant, cellular stress response, immune regulation, and anti-apoptosis, reallocating energy from byssus production to stress responses and contributing to the reduced byssus adhesion. These findings advance low-temperature treatment as a strategy for controlling freshwater mussel biofouling and provide a foundation for developing targeted, environmentally sustainable antifouling approaches.},
}

Animals
*Biofouling/prevention & control
*Cold Temperature
*Introduced Species
*Mytilidae/physiology

@article {pmid42263066,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, Y and Ye, J and Cheng, H and Chen, T},
title = {Potential Advantages of Infrared Spectroscopy in Early Diagnosis of Pine Wilt Disease.},
journal = {Plant disease},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {PDIS02260426RE},
doi = {10.1094/PDIS-02-26-0426-RE},
pmid = {42263066},
issn = {0191-2917},
abstract = {Early diagnosis technology is crucial for early warning and control of pine wilt disease (PWD), a devastating forest disease. However, current methods rely largely on external symptoms and are ineffective during the asymptomatic stage. This study employed 3-year-old Pinus thunbergii seedlings as the experimental material to compare the timing of anomaly detection using needle water content, relative conductivity (RC), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy following inoculation with the pine wood nematode (PWN). The feasibility of applying infrared spectroscopy for early PWD diagnosis was further validated through negative controls and chemometric models. The results revealed an approximately 2-week asymptomatic diagnostic window following infection. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy enabled earlier detection than measurements of needle water content or RC. Furthermore, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy distinguished nematode stress from drought stress based on differential trends at 2,908 and 2,840 cm[-1] and in the full-spectrum integrated area. Derivative spectra further revealed multiple early-stage characteristics. Exploratory analysis of all stages using principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis indicated that simultaneous multistage discrimination was not feasible because of weak early-stage signals and severe overlap between Stage 0 and Stage I (test-set accuracy: 30.5%). While focusing specifically on Stage 0 and Stage I to construct an orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model, test-set performance improved to an accuracy of 85.2%, a sensitivity of 85.7%, a specificity of 84.6%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.879 (95% confidence interval: 0.741, 0.992). The permutation test was statistically significant (P = 0.0050). Variable importance in projection analysis identified nine markers with scores ≥1.0, indicating that PC1 and raw spectral features drove discrimination synergistically. Univariate testing revealed that only A11_Peak_1278_existence was statistically significant, confirming that Stage I was characterized by the superposition of weak multivariate signals. In summary, coordinated changes across multiple peaks and the distinctive decrease-increase-stabilize-decrease pattern observed in certain peaks constitute a unique spectral signature of PWD. Infrared spectroscopy can detect subtle anomalies in 3-year-old P. thunbergii seedlings infected with PWN while needles remain asymptomatic, water content changes are still insignificant, and cell membrane function has not yet been extensively compromised. These findings demonstrate the significant potential of infrared spectroscopy for early PWD diagnosis.},
}

@article {pmid42390845,
year = {2026},
author = {Rashydov, A and Oros, M and Lisitsyna, O and Greben, O and Ovcharenko, M and Sarabeev, V},
title = {New Co-Introduced Trematode, Maritrema dikerogammari sp. nov., From Invasive Amphipods in the Danube: Insights Into Maritrema Taxonomy and Phylogeny.},
journal = {Integrative zoology},
volume = {21},
number = {6},
pages = {1616-1632},
doi = {10.1111/1749-4877.70139},
pmid = {42390845},
issn = {1749-4877},
support = {(Project No. 09I03-03-V01-00144)//EU NextGenerationEU/ ; (Project No. APVV-24-0140)//Slovak Research and Development Agency/ ; (Project No. SoE/2025/61/MSCA4Uk)//Slovak Academy of Sciences/ ; (Project No. 52510298)//International Visegrád Fund / International Visegrád Scholarship/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Phylogeny ; *Trematoda/classification/genetics/anatomy & histology ; *Amphipoda/parasitology ; *Introduced Species ; Slovakia ; Poland ; Fresh Water ; },
abstract = {Biological invasions are among the most disruptive forces affecting global biodiversity. The "killer shrimp" Dikerogammarus villosus, a pervasive Ponto-Caspian invader across Europe, serves as a key model for understanding the ecological consequences of such expansions. However, despite its extensive spread, the helminth fauna associated with this invader remains poorly characterized, obscuring potential spillover effects and the evolutionary history of its symbionts. To address this gap, we surveyed 54 European freshwater localities (2020-2025) and screened 1271 D. villosus specimens from 10 positive stations. These sites span the Danube (Slovakia) and Baltic (Poland) drainage basins, representing the southern and northern invasion corridors. Using an integrative taxonomic approach combining detailed morphology (12 fixed adults and 4 live metacercariae) and multi-locus phylogenetics (18S, 28S, ITS, and COI), we formally describe Maritrema dikerogammari sp. nov. infecting D. villosus. Our analyses place the new species within a distinct freshwater clade as the sister taxon to the Carpathian endemic Maritrema neomi. Historical records of Maritrema inusitatum from the Dnieper River were misidentifications, and we reassign them to the new species, confirming the parasite's longstanding presence in both the Danube and Dnieper basins. This study documents a clear case of "hidden co-invasion," where a cryptic parasite established itself in the invasion corridor undetected. Phylogenetic reconstruction reveals that the evolution of this group is driven by a fundamental marine-to-freshwater transition, shaped by ancient vicariance and recent host-facilitated dispersal. We refine the taxonomy of the genus Maritrema and underscore the critical role of invasion routes in the spread of associated fauna.},
}

Animals
*Phylogeny
*Trematoda/classification/genetics/anatomy & histology
*Amphipoda/parasitology
*Introduced Species
Slovakia
Poland
Fresh Water

@article {pmid42490309,
year = {2026},
author = {Chase, SM and Søndreli, KL and Grünwald, NJ and LeBoldus, JM},
title = {Recurrent Invasion of Oregon's Coastal Forests by the Sudden Oak Death Pathogen: The NA2 Lineage's First Escape into the Wild.},
journal = {Phytopathology},
volume = {116},
number = {11},
pages = {1848-1858},
doi = {10.1094/PHYTO-04-26-0106-R},
pmid = {42490309},
issn = {0031-949X},
mesh = {Oregon ; *Quercus/microbiology/parasitology ; *Phytophthora/genetics/physiology ; Forests ; *Plant Diseases/microbiology/parasitology ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genetic Variation ; Introduced Species ; },
abstract = {Phytophthora ramorum, the sudden oak death (SOD) pathogen, has invaded U.S. nurseries and western forests repeatedly. Invasions by three distinct clonal lineages (NA1, NA2, and EU1) have affected U.S. wildland forests since 2001. Most recently, NA2 established an invasive population in coastal forests surrounding Port Orford in southwest Oregon. This is the first instance of NA2 encountered outside of a nursery. We assessed this new invasion's diversity and population structure using single-nucleotide polymorphisms from whole-genome sequences of 195 isolates. Genomes were sampled from the nursery trade and from the forest invasion surrounding Port Orford. The NA2 forest invasion lacks genetic diversity and likely originated from a single introduction. A subset of NA2 isolates (10.8%) were genetically distant from all other isolates including each other. This distance was correlated with frequency of genomic runs of homozygosity. No evidence of hybridization was found, though NA2 and EU1 mating types are compatible and their ranges in wild forests overlap. The aggressiveness and sporulation of NA2 isolates were measured on three host tree species and compared with isolates of other lineages. NA2 and EU1 phenotypes were similar. NA2 caused larger lesions on Douglas-fir and tanoak seedlings than NA1, the lineage of the original introduction into Oregon forests. Results indicate that the NA2 population is not distinct from the older EU1 Oregon population in terms of population diversity, disease aggressiveness, or potential for spread. However, the introduction of NA2 has increased the SOD epidemic's range, risk of hybridization, overall genetic diversity, and adaptive potential.},
}

Oregon
*Quercus/microbiology/parasitology
*Phytophthora/genetics/physiology
Forests
*Plant Diseases/microbiology/parasitology
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Genetic Variation
Introduced Species

@article {pmid42940938,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, X and Gong, P and Zhao, Z and Wang, F and Li, Q and Li, X and Zhang, Y and Zhu, X},
title = {Characterization of a Stably Maintained, Highly Beta-Cypermethrin-Resistant Strain of the Bird Cherry-Oat Aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae).},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42940938},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {32272604//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Insecticide resistance threatens effective pest management. In this study on Rhopalosiphum padi, a predominant wheat pest, a field-derived beta-cypermethrin-resistant strain (Beta-R strain) showed a 4623.50-fold resistance increase after 22 generations of beta-cypermethrin exposure and remained highly resistant (>4000-fold) after 40 generations without exposure. Beta-R strain exhibited a relative fitness of 0.92, high cross-resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin, low-to-moderate resistance to sulfoxaflor, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid, and negative or no resistance to omethoate and chlorpyrifos. The cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) contribute to this resistance. A homozygous spuer-kdr M918L mutation was identified in the IIS4-S6 region of the voltage-gated sodium channel gene in the Beta-R strain; however, transgenic Drosophila melanogaster assays showed that this mutation alone conferred only a 2.96-fold increase in beta-cypermethrin resistance. These findings show that resistant of R. padi to beta-cypermethrin can be retain high-level resistance without insecticide exposure, while also conferring high-level cross-resistance to other pyrethroids and low or negative resistance to other insecticides with different modes of action, with the resistance phenotype linked to upregulated P450/GST activities and an M918L mutation that makes only a minor contribution. These findings have significant implications for the management of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in R. padi.},
}

@article {pmid42940952,
year = {2026},
author = {Shen, S and Wen, R and Yang, Y and Xu, H and Chen, Y and Li, C and Lu, Y and Liu, Y and Chen, Y and Lu, Z and Wu, Y and Guo, J},
title = {Host Pre-Adaptation and Sublethal Indoxacarb Interactively Affect Growth and Development of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, with Potential Involvement of P450 and Juvenile Hormone-Related Genes.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42940952},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {LMS26C140002//Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation/ ; 2025SZRJJ2104//Natural Science Foundation of Hangzhou/ ; CARS-01//China Agriculture Research System/ ; KJLYRC-[2026]063//Guizhou Science and Technology Talent Program/ ; GCC[2022]005//Guiyang Training Project for "Thousand Level" Talents in Guizhou Province/ ; },
abstract = {Host switching alters insecticide responses, but its interplay with sublethal stress remains unclear. We examined if host pre-adaptation modulates sublethal indoxacarb effects on Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and whether P450 and juvenile hormone-related genes are involved. Two long-term laboratory populations with different origins and rearing histories were used: a wheat-reared population (collected 2019 in Nanjing; >20 generations) and a rice-reared population (collected 2021 in Hangzhou; >10 generations). They were reciprocally transferred onto rice and wheat, establishing four host switching treatments (RR, RW, WR, WW). Second-instar larvae were exposed to LC25 indoxacarb, after which we recorded larval and pupal development, fecundity and egg hatchability, and quantified six P450 genes (CmedCYP49A1, CmedCYP6AE30, CmedCYP12A2, CmedCYP301A1, CmedCYP4V2, and CmedCYP4AE76) and four JH-related genes (CmedAT, CmedJHAMT, CmedJHE, and CmedJHBP1). Host switching was associated with altered susceptibility, with RR more susceptible than RW and WW less susceptible than WR. Developmental effects were instar-specific. Pupal traits were affected by insecticide treatment and population origin, whereas reproductive traits were mainly affected by population origin. P450 and JH-related genes showed gene-specific expression patterns and were associated with some phenotypic changes. Gene expression correlated with phenotypes, suggesting potential trade-offs among detoxification, development, and reproduction. These laboratory findings indicate that host pre-adaptation and sublethal indoxacarb affect life-history traits in trait- and instar-specific ways. P450 and JH genes are potentially involved and merit functional validation, but field validation is needed before management application.},
}

@article {pmid42942259,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, W and Liu, J and Zhou, M and Mu, L},
title = {A Comparative Analysis of the Ecological Niches of Erigeron canadensis L. and Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. in Invasive Areas and Their Native Habitats.},
journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42942259},
issn = {2075-1729},
support = {ZQTYB240100013//Survey of National Key Protected Wild Plants in Heilongjiang Province/ ; },
abstract = {Biological invasions are a major threat to biodiversity; analyzing changes in the ecological niches of invasive species is of great significance for the prevention and control of biological invasions. Heilongjiang Province, which serves as a crucial ecological security barrier for China, has also faced invasions by invasive Asteraceae plants in recent years; however, the invasion patterns and ecological adaptation characteristics of these invasive plants remain unclear. Therefore, this study selected the representative Asteraceae species, E. canadensis and E. annuus, as the subjects of investigation. Based on data from the Heilongjiang invasive plant survey and supplementary field survey data, and in combination with distribution data from their native range in North America, the study employed methods such as ecological niche analysis and ecological niche overlap comparison and used Schoener's D index. This study evaluates the potential suitable habitats for E. canadensis and E. annuus in Heilongjiang Province and analyzes the characteristics of niche shifts between their native and invaded habitats. The results indicate that both invasive plant species exhibit strong ecological conservatism; however, their ecological adaptation strategies in Heilongjiang Province differ, with E. annuus showing a higher degree of spread compared to E. canadensis.},
}

@article {pmid42946968,
year = {2026},
author = {Radcliffe, WV and Kim, D and Bryant, K and Riggins, CL and Heard, T and McGarrity, ME and Daugherty, DJ and Perkin, JS and Moran, RL},
title = {The Genomic Complexity of Invasion: Cryptic Lineages, Founder Effects and Sex Determination in Armoured Catfish.},
journal = {Molecular ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {20},
pages = {},
pmid = {42946968},
issn = {1365-294X},
support = {CA-0005842//Texas Parks and Wildlife Department/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Introduced Species ; *Sex Determination Processes/genetics ; *Catfishes/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Founder Effect ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Female ; *Genetics, Population ; Male ; Texas ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Sex Ratio ; Population Density ; Genomics ; },
abstract = {Genetic biocontrol approaches offer promising tools for managing invasive species. However, their success depends on species identity, demographic history and the genomic architecture of sex determination, which remain poorly resolved for many non-model taxa. We integrated high-quality genome assembly, whole-genome resequencing and population genomics to evaluate biocontrol feasibility in invasive suckermouth armoured catfish (Loricariidae) in Texas. Mitochondrial phylogenies and genome-wide SNPs revealed cryptic diversity, with distinct lineages from at least two genera (Hypostomus and Pterygoplichthys) exhibiting strong drainage-level genetic differentiation. Effective population size estimates were exceptionally low, consistent with founder effects and moderate inbreeding. Genome-wide association analyses detected no large-effect loci for sex in either genus, despite high statistical power in Hypostomus, suggesting that sex determination is polygenic and/or environmentally influenced. These results identify key biological constraints for sex-ratio-based biocontrol and underscore the importance of genomic assessments prior to management interventions. More broadly, our study highlights how integrating genomic resources, demographic inference and evolutionary context can guide invasive species control strategies.},
}

Animals
*Introduced Species
*Sex Determination Processes/genetics
*Catfishes/genetics
Phylogeny
*Founder Effect
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Female
*Genetics, Population
Male
Texas
Genome-Wide Association Study
Sex Ratio
Population Density
Genomics

@article {pmid42947418,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, H and Oduor, AMO and Xiao, L and Liu, Y},
title = {Artificial light at night alters the relative dominance of invasive plants in a nutrient-dependent manner across native species richness levels.},
journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences},
volume = {293},
number = {2081},
pages = {},
pmid = {42947418},
issn = {1471-2954},
support = {W2411021//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32571783//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2026PVB0077//Chinese Academy of Sciences President's International Fellowship Initiative (CAS-PIFI)/ ; },
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; *Light ; *Biodiversity ; Biomass ; Nutrients ; },
abstract = {Non-native plant invasions pose a global challenge, yet how nutrient enrichment and artificial light at night (ALAN) interact with native-community species richness to shape invasive-plant performance and community-level dominance remains unclear. We conducted a multispecies greenhouse experiment in which target invasive species and native communities were established simultaneously under fully crossed factorial combinations of ALAN (No-ALAN or ALAN), nutrient enrichment (low or high) and native species richness (two, four or eight species). We quantified target invasive-plant above-ground biomass, flowering probability and proportional above-ground biomass, as well as native-community and total-community above-ground biomass. Nutrient enrichment increased invader above-ground biomass by 272.88%, flowering probability by 30.39% and native-community above-ground biomass by 97.58%, although its effect on proportional invader biomass remained uncertain. ALAN did not clearly affect invader biomass or flowering but increased its proportional biomass under high-nutrient conditions by 5.74% and reduced it under low nutrients by 4.75%. Native species richness showed no clear effects on invader performance, community biomass or responses to ALAN and nutrients. Within this experimental context, invasive-plant performance was driven primarily by nutrient enrichment, with ALAN facilitating invader dominance under high-nutrient conditions, indicating that invasion outcomes were more influenced by resource availability than by native-community species richness.},
}

*Introduced Species
*Light
*Biodiversity
Biomass
Nutrients

@article {pmid42574997,
year = {2026},
author = {Marrone, A and Geremia, E and Muscari Tomajoli, MT and Esposito Marroccella, S and Petito, A and Fasciolo, G and Donnarumma, L and Venditti, P and Deidun, A and Napolitano, G},
title = {Thermal effluent exposure reveals early physiological constraints and the bioindicator potential of the invasive pearl oyster Pinctada radiata in a warming Mediterranean Sea.},
journal = {Marine pollution bulletin},
volume = {233},
number = {Pt 2},
pages = {120224},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.120224},
pmid = {42574997},
issn = {1879-3363},
mesh = {Animals ; *Pinctada/physiology ; Mediterranean Sea ; Introduced Species ; *Environmental Monitoring ; Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism ; Biomarkers/metabolism ; Temperature ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Hot Temperature ; Antioxidants/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Thermal pollution from coastal power stations creates persistent local hotspots that can serve as in situ analogues of future ocean warming scenarios. We investigated the physiological and metabolic responses of the invasive pearl oyster Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814) along a thermal gradient (26.3 °C, 27.1 °C, 28.5 °C) generated by the Delimara Power Station (Malta) cooling-water effluent. Redox-related biomarkers (reactive oxygen species [ROS] content; lipid hydroperoxides [HPs] and protein carbonyls [CO]; susceptibility to oxidants [ΔHPs]; total antioxidant capacity [TAC]; glutathione peroxidase [GPX] and glutathione reductase [GR] activity) and aerobic (cytochrome c oxidase [COX] activity) and anaerobic (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] activity) metabolism were evaluated in gills and adductor muscles. Gills exhibited no significant differences at 27.1 °C as compared to 26.3 °C. At 28.5 °C, reduced TAC, GPX, and GR, and increased HPs were indicative of oxidative damage. The adductor muscle exhibited a temperature-dependent response: at 27.1 °C, increased TAC, GPX, and GR, and reduced ΔHPs and CO, compared to 26.3 °C, were indicative of improved protection against oxidative damage; at 28.5 °C, the antioxidant profile was comparable to that at 26.3 °C. Interestingly, the increased ΔHPs and reduced TAC and GPX at 28.5 °C compared to 27.1 °C suggested a constraint of compensatory antioxidant mechanisms under higher thermal load. Metabolic analyses revealed unchanged COX activity in gills but reduced COX activity in the adductor muscle together with decreased LDH activity in both tissues, suggesting coordinated metabolic downregulation under prolonged thermal exposure. In conclusion, P. radiata exhibited thermal tolerance, although compensatory mechanisms became progressively constrained at the highest temperature. Further warming may therefore impair performance or shift distribution toward higher latitudes or deeper waters.},
}

Animals
*Pinctada/physiology
Mediterranean Sea
Introduced Species
*Environmental Monitoring
Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism
Biomarkers/metabolism
Temperature
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
Hot Temperature
Antioxidants/metabolism

@article {pmid42585686,
year = {2026},
author = {Ribeiro, RS and Espírito Santo, C and Celestino, S and Mamede, M and Castro, JJ and Cruz, T and Silva, T and Jacinto, D and Bartilotti, C and Lobo-Arteaga, J and Tuaty-Guerra, M and Canning-Clode, J and Duarte, S and Lavrador, AS and Costa, AC and Parente, MI and Parretti, P and Ramalhosa, P and Castro, N and Morais, P and Teodósio, MA and Encarnação, J and Afonso, I and Cabral, S and Carvalho, F and Dionísio, MA and Melo, R and Amorim, A and Sousa, A and Cidade, T and Chainho, P},
title = {Collaborative science narrows knowledge gaps in marine biological invasions to advance a national framework.},
journal = {Marine pollution bulletin},
volume = {233},
number = {Pt 2},
pages = {120221},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.120221},
pmid = {42585686},
issn = {1879-3363},
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; Animals ; *Aquatic Organisms ; Portugal ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Biodiversity ; Environmental Monitoring ; },
abstract = {Large-scale data synthesis is a foundation pillar of modern macroecology, necessary for transitioning fragmented regional data into scalable biosecurity frameworks. This study presents the outcomes of a coordinated nationwide effort to analyze marine Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) records across mainland Portugal, the Azores and Madeira archipelagos using a dual-framework design. Our goals were to update the morphologically confirmed NIS inventory, identify primary introduction pathways, examine temporal and spatial trends, and evaluate genetic database coverage. We delivered an updated checklist comprising 231 morphologically confirmed marine NIS, including five new regional records. Spatial analysis reveals distinct biogeographical divergence: mainland NIS predominantly originate from the temperate North Pacific, probably due to shipping and aquaculture vectors, whereas archipelago NIS originate from the North Atlantic. This pronounced regional variability in pathway dynamics underscores the need for spatially specific management rather than uniform national policies. Also, a systematic genetic gap analysis showed that 71% of these species are cataloged in global repositories, whereas only 12.5% feature locally sourced sequences. To bridge this gap, the second framework introduces a precautionary molecular watchlist of 22 species detected exclusively via DNA-based methods awaiting morphological confirmation. Ultimately, this dual-framework structure demonstrates how integrating taxonomy with provisional molecular data provides a reliable, data-driven baseline, while moving beyond a localized dataset update to offer a scalable reference frame capable of informing regional and global marine biosecurity frameworks.},
}

*Introduced Species
Animals
*Aquatic Organisms
Portugal
Conservation of Natural Resources
Biodiversity
Environmental Monitoring

@article {pmid42940933,
year = {2026},
author = {Cheng, Y and Zhou, Y and Dai, C and Ran, H and Li, C},
title = {Identification of Genes Encoding Seminal Fluid Proteins in Coccinella septempunctata and Functional Analysis of the Gene Encoding Trypsin.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42940933},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {32460711//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; QianKeHe ZSYS [2025] 024//Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosecurity/ ; QianKeHeFuQi [2023]011//Innovative Capabilities Buildup of Green Prevention and Control for Invasive Species in Agriculture/ ; },
abstract = {In this study, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were used to identify genes encoding seminal fluid proteins in Coccinella septempunctata L. A total of 65 SFPs domains containing secretory signal peptides were identified, including trypsin, Kazal_2, His_Phos_2, Peptidase_M14, lipase, Kunitz_BPTI, Ribonuc_2-5A, and Gly-co_transf_90; an additional 22 signal peptide-containing domains were identified that lacked annotations in the Pfam database. Transcript levels of the 65 SFPs accounted for 87.58% of the total expression levels of 211 specifically expressed proteins in the male reproductive tract (MRT). RNA interference (RNAi) was used to analyze the function of the SFP trypsin. RNAi-mediated knockdown of the seminal fluid trypsin gene in male C. septempunctata, followed by mating with females, significantly reduced female fecundity and egg hatching rates. This study enriches our knowledge of insect SFPs and provides a theoretical basis for the artificial rearing of C. septempunctata.},
}

@article {pmid42717422,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, M and Zhou, X and Yang, H and Wang, D and Li, N and Wang, J and Li, J and Yin, H},
title = {Long-Term Warming Suppresses Nitrogen-Fixation Gene Transcription in the Rhizosphere of Invasive Plant Solidago canadensis.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {49},
number = {12},
pages = {10081-10095},
doi = {10.1111/pce.70868},
pmid = {42717422},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {32471837//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32301473//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2026NSFSC0184//Sichuan Science and Technology Program/ ; 2024NSFSC1230//Sichuan Science and Technology Program/ ; XZAJYBSYS-202403//Open Research Fund from the Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau (Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry University), Ministry of Education of China/ ; QNTS2024-7//Youth Exploration Project of Chengdu Institute of Biology, CAS/ ; },
mesh = {*Rhizosphere ; *Nitrogen Fixation/genetics ; *Introduced Species ; *Solidago/genetics/metabolism/growth & development/microbiology/physiology ; *Transcription, Genetic ; Plant Roots/metabolism ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Soil Microbiology ; Oxidoreductases ; },
abstract = {Climate warming can enhance the growth performance of invasive plants, potentially increasing their nitrogen (N) demand. However, whether this additional demand is supported by free-living N fixation remains unclear. Here, we used a 12-year warming experiment to determine how warming affected diazotrophic abundance, community composition, and nifH transcription in the roots and rhizosphere of the invasive plant Solidago canadensis during the growing and flowering stages. While warming increased plant biomass, it did not increase diazotrophic abundance or nifH transcription in either roots or rhizosphere soil. In the rhizosphere, warming even suppressed nifH transcription during flowering, which coincided with pronounced shifts in the rhizosphere metabolome and diazotrophic community composition, particularly among Bradyrhizobium-affiliated taxa. By contrast, these associations were weak or absent during the growing stage, indicating that plant developmental stage and concurrent seasonal variation modulate the responses of diazotrophs to climate warming. Overall, given the relatively high N availability at our study site, warming-enhanced growth of S. canadensis was unlikely to be supported by increased inputs of newly fixed N. Instead, S. canadensis may have met its increased N demand primarily through morphological and physiological adjustments that favour more efficient uptake and use of existing N pools, as indicated by higher specific root length and increased leaf N-use efficiency under warming. Future studies that directly quantify N fixation rates across gradients of N availability are warranted to validate our findings, especially in N-limited conditions where biological N fixation may contribute more substantially to plant N acquisition.},
}

*Rhizosphere
*Nitrogen Fixation/genetics
*Introduced Species
*Solidago/genetics/metabolism/growth & development/microbiology/physiology
*Transcription, Genetic
Plant Roots/metabolism
Nitrogen/metabolism
Soil Microbiology
Oxidoreductases

@article {pmid42940928,
year = {2026},
author = {Gubka, A and Dubec, M and Nikolov, C and Darnadyová, K and Kurhajcová, I and Lučaj, M and Galko, J and Kunca, A and Lalík, M and Vakula, J and Rell, S and Longauerová, V and Leontovyč, R and Zúbrik, M},
title = {First Detection and Delimiting Survey of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)) in Slovakia.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42940928},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {101059552//European Commission/ ; 313011S735//European Commission/ ; APVV-23-0156//Slovak Research and Development Agency/ ; APVV-24-0425//Slovak Research and Development Agency/ ; APVV-25-0060//Slovak Research and Development Agency/ ; APVV-25-0731//Slovak Research and Development Agency/ ; APVV-25-0088//Slovak Research and Development Agency/ ; 08V0301//Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic/ ; },
abstract = {The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, 1888 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is an invasive pest in Europe and North America, responsible for extensive mortality of ash (Fraxinus spp.). This study reports its first confirmed occurrence in Slovakia and summarises the subsequent delimiting survey. On 25 June 2026, specimens morphologically resembling A. planipennis were collected from a monitoring trap in a park in Streda nad Bodrogom, south-eastern Slovakia. Eighteen adults were identified as A. planipennis by the national quarantine diagnostics laboratory, with confirmation by the European Union Reference Laboratory in France. Initial field inspections revealed characteristic galleries and D-shaped exit holes on ash trees at the detection site, in nearby forests, and along roads within approximately 7 km. By 31 July 2026, 2250 survey points had been recorded, of which 149 showed evidence of A. planipennis, including adults, larvae, galleries, or exit holes. Old galleries together with living larvae indicate that the pest had probably been established in Slovakia for several years before detection in 2026. Symptom assessment was complicated by widespread ash dieback caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (T. Kowalski) Baral, Queloz & Hosoya, 2014.},
}

@article {pmid42940903,
year = {2026},
author = {Yuan, Z and Nong, N and Qin, Z and Gao, Q},
title = {Life History of the Invasive Big-Headed Ant Pheidole megacephala (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42940903},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {2026GXNSFAA00641062//Guangxi Natural Science Foundation/ ; S202310593406 and 202210593041//The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students of Guangxi University/ ; 2024GXNSFBA010431//Youth Science Foundation of the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province/ ; },
abstract = {The African big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius, 1793), ranks among the world's 100 worst invasive alien species, yet its basic life history remains poorly documented. We combined laboratory rearing and field observations in subtropical China with light and scanning electron microscopy to characterize the morphology, development, caste differentiation and reproductive behavior of this ant across its life cycle. Larvae passed through three instars. Head capsule width separated the three instars, whereas setal morphology was both instar- and caste-specific, because worker- and soldier-destined third instars remained densely setose while reproductive larvae shed their setae and were nearly glabrous as prepupae, an external marker of caste fate before pupation. At 28 °C, non-reproductives developed from egg to adult in 28.73 ± 2.83 d with marked asynchrony, whereas reproductives shared the early schedule but required longer prepupal and pupal periods, totaling 37.60 ± 3.20 d. Caste production was seasonal, colonies were polygynous, and oviposition proceeded in discrete batches. Nests were cryptic and associated with moist, sheltered microhabitats. This first integrated life-history account identifies seasonal and microhabitat vulnerabilities that surveillance and control can exploit.},
}

@article {pmid42759167,
year = {2026},
author = {Sarà, G},
title = {Disturbance duration governs mortality risk while cumulative energetic deficit shapes reproduction in Mediterranean mussels.},
journal = {Marine environmental research},
volume = {222},
number = {},
pages = {108411},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.108411},
pmid = {42759167},
issn = {1879-0291},
mesh = {Animals ; Reproduction ; *Mytilus/physiology ; *Bivalvia/physiology ; Ecosystem ; *Energy Metabolism ; Mediterranean Sea ; Introduced Species ; Models, Biological ; },
abstract = {Marine mussels are foundation species and ecosystem engineers increasingly exposed to marine heatwaves, hypoxic episodes and food limitation, yet apparently similar events can generate sharply different outcomes among populations. Here I test whether this variation can be explained by the interaction between disturbance duration, cumulative energetic deficit and internal energetic state. Using a Dynamic Energy Budget model for the native Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the invasive Brachidontes pharaonis across four environmental forcing scenarios, I decompose reproductive performance into the probability of reaching maturity and reproductive investment conditional on maturation. At equal cumulative energetic deficit, the uninterrupted duration of feeding suppression governs mortality risk and overall reproductive performance, whereas accumulated deficit governs how much surviving individuals invest in reproduction. Survival declines nonlinearly across a narrow duration range whose position is ordered by the reserve margin maintained under undisturbed conditions. Vulnerability therefore depends on the coincidence between event duration and energetic state, which varies with local food conditions, season and life stage. The native species, operating closer to its starvation boundary, is consistently more vulnerable than the invader, which maintains a larger reserve buffer. These results identify reserve margin as a measurable candidate predictor of recruitment failure and mortality risk. More broadly, they show why cumulative exposure metrics alone may miss the temporal continuity that drives survival loss. This individual-level mechanism provides a testable explanation for why apparently comparable coastal disturbances can generate uneven recruitment failure and contribute to spatially heterogeneous mass mortality in mussel populations.},
}

Animals
Reproduction
*Mytilus/physiology
*Bivalvia/physiology
Ecosystem
*Energy Metabolism
Mediterranean Sea
Introduced Species
Models, Biological

@article {pmid42826569,
year = {2026},
author = {Pinochet, J and Molina-Valdivia, V and Leiva-Fernández, I and Rodríguez-Melo, C and Hinojosa, IA},
title = {Effect of vessel noise on larval settlement of the exotic invasive bryozoan Bugulinaflabellata.},
journal = {Marine environmental research},
volume = {222},
number = {},
pages = {108433},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.108433},
pmid = {42826569},
issn = {1879-0291},
mesh = {Animals ; *Bryozoa/physiology/growth & development ; *Introduced Species ; *Ships ; Larva/physiology/growth & development ; *Noise/adverse effects ; Biofouling ; },
abstract = {In recent decades, underwater noise from maritime traffic has increased, affecting key ecological processes in marine ecosystems. Invertebrate larvae use acoustic cues to identify suitable habitats for settlement, suggesting that anthropogenic noise may influence early life stages. This study evaluated the effect of vessel noise on the larval settlement of the invasive bryozoan Bugulina flabellata. Larvae were exposed for 1 h to three acoustic treatments: control (no sound), low-level, and high-level traffic noise (∼95, 130 and 150 dBRMS in 200-24.000Hz respectively). Each treatment was replicated five times using recordings from different vessels. Settlement percentages were quantified for each treatment. Results showed a consistent increase in larval settlement under all sound treatments compared with the control, suggesting that underwater noise may facilitate colonization on artificial substrates in port areas. These findings highlight the ecological relevance of underwater acoustics and suggest that anthropogenic noise can influence early stages of marine biofouling and biological invasions.},
}

Animals
*Bryozoa/physiology/growth & development
*Introduced Species
*Ships
Larva/physiology/growth & development
*Noise/adverse effects
Biofouling

@article {pmid42896264,
year = {2026},
author = {Florido, M and Megina, C and Navarro-Barranco, C and Guerra-García, JM and Miró, JM and Conejero-Seco, B and Donázar-Aramendía, I and García-Gómez, JC},
title = {Beyond species loss: early epifaunal reorganization following Rugulopteryx okamurae establishment in a successive-invasion context.},
journal = {Marine environmental research},
volume = {222},
number = {},
pages = {108461},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.108461},
pmid = {42896264},
issn = {1879-0291},
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; *Ecosystem ; Spain ; *Biodiversity ; Animals ; *Environmental Monitoring ; },
abstract = {Marine invasions are rapidly transforming coastal ecosystems, while their ecological impacts remain difficult to predict under accelerating scenarios of successive invasions. This is particularly critical for the North Pacific phaeophycean Rugulopteryx okamurae, whose unprecedented spread is transforming Mediterranean and North Atlantic benthic communities through poorly understood cascading ecological effects. Here, we provide the first spatio-temporal assessment of how R. okamurae restructures mobile epifaunal communities. We used a spatially replicated BACI design across invaded and non-invaded stations in the Alboran Sea (southern Spain), with samplings conducted before (2014) and after (2021) the establishment of R. okamurae. We disentangled the effects associated with the arrival of R. okamurae from its role as a novel habitat provider. To characterize these invasion effects, we used the native Halopteris scoparia and the invasive Asparagopsis taxiformis as reference habitat-forming species. Two years after its arrival, the invasion of R. okamurae was still at an incipient stage. Invasion-related responses were limited to increased richness in A. taxiformis and several habitat- and species-specific changes. Assemblages on R. okamurae more closely resembled those associated with the pre-established invader A. taxiformis than those of the native H. scoparia, while showing low habitat affinity and no consistent gains in richness or density. These patterns, detectable because sampling captured an early invasion stage, suggest that epifaunal reorganization is species- and habitat-dependent and may precede broader taxonomic impacts. This highlights the importance of species-level analyses and previous invasion history when assessing the ecological impacts of newly established habitat-forming invaders.},
}

*Introduced Species
*Ecosystem
Spain
*Biodiversity
Animals
*Environmental Monitoring

@article {pmid42937484,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhao, W and Costa, MDP and Lin, S and Wu, S and Gong, L and Hu, Y and Su, L and Jiang, Y and Yan, X and Zhong, J and Wang, J and Li, X and Macreadie, PI},
title = {Inland Migration Space Requirements for Maintaining Blue Carbon Stocks after Spartina Eradication under Accelerating Sea Level Rise.},
journal = {Environmental science & technology},
volume = {60},
number = {42},
pages = {30122-30135},
doi = {10.1021/acs.est.6c10279},
pmid = {42937484},
issn = {1520-5851},
support = {2026-BS-0678//Department of Science and Technology of Liaoning Province/ ; 2023YFE0113100//National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program)/ ; 42141016//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 42176164//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; },
mesh = {*Carbon ; *Sea Level Rise ; *Poaceae ; Wetlands ; China ; },
abstract = {China's nationwide Spartina alterniflora eradication program across 18,000 km of coastline aims to restore native biodiversity, but removing these carbon-rich invasive stands is estimated to release 21.4 Mt CO2. This challenge is compounded by accelerating sea level rise, which threatens the native replacements meant to restore blue carbon functions, and current restoration approaches lack systematic strategies to address both pressures. We coupled species distribution modeling with the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) to project the performance of two posteradication restoration strategies─Environmental Suitability (ES, prioritizing habitat preferences) and Optimized Carbon Stock (CS, prioritizing high-carbon species)─under SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 through 2100, and quantified the minimum inland migration area required to sustain a target carbon stock (2.16 Tg C). Across projections for 2060 and 2100, tidal marshes outside seawalls are projected to lose 23-50% of their area, with carbon stocks declining 12-51% relative to 2021 levels. The CS strategy maintained 6-16% higher carbon stocks than ES. Mainting the target carbon stock required 31-157 km2 of inland migration space, with CS's advantage over ES in reducing migration requirements narrowing from 37% under SSP1-2.6 (2060) to 4% under SSP5-8.5 (2100). These results show that management strategies lose effectiveness under extreme climate conditions, underscoring the value of early intervention under low-emission scenarios, and offer practical migration-space targets for coastal planning wherever invasive species control intersects with accelerating environmental change.},
}

*Carbon
*Sea Level Rise
*Poaceae
Wetlands
China

@article {pmid42938402,
year = {2026},
author = {Tobe, A and Izawa, M and Inoue-Murayama, M},
title = {Molecular Screening for Potential Resistance to Toxic Invasive Prey: Implications for Island Conservation.},
journal = {Genes},
volume = {17},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42938402},
issn = {2073-4425},
support = {JPMJSP2110//Japan Science and Technology Agency/ ; JP25KJ1561//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JPMEERF20244M01//Environment Research and Technology Development Fund/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Introduced Species ; Islands ; *Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase/genetics/metabolism/chemistry ; *Bufo marinus/genetics ; *Cardiac Glycosides/toxicity ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Japan ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Invasive species can disrupt native predator-prey interactions, and toxic invasive prey may pose particular threats to native predators. The cane toad (Rhinella marina) secretes cardiotonic steroids (CTSs) that can cause lethal poisoning in predators. We reviewed the molecular basis and evolutionary patterns of CTS resistance and evaluated the potential and limitations of genetic screening for assessing wildlife vulnerability on Ishigaki-jima and Iriomote-jima Islands, Japan. Methods: We reviewed experimental, structural, and evolutionary evidence for CTS resistance associated with Na+/K+-ATPase α subunit (NKAα) and screened publicly available NKAα1 sequences from vertebrates occurring on the two islands, focusing on amino acid states previously associated with CTS target-site insensitivity. Results: NKAα1 sequences were available for 96 of 185 native terrestrial vertebrate species. Most retained the putatively ancestral Q111/N122 combination, whereas alternative states at these major resistance-associated sites occurred in only a few species. These included T111/N122 in the black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor), and E111/N122 in the crested serpent-eagle (Spilornis cheela perplexus) and grey-faced buzzard (Butastur indicus). T111 has shown context-dependent effects on CTS sensitivity in functional assays, whereas E111 has been proposed as a candidate resistance-associated state but lacks direct functional validation. The endangered Iriomote cat (Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis), an endemic predator that frequently consumes anurans, retained Q111/N122. Conclusions: NKAα1 sequence alone cannot establish whole-animal susceptibility or conservation risk because resistance may depend on sequence background, other NKAα paralogs, physiological mechanisms, and behavior. Molecular screening should therefore be viewed as an initial tool for identifying candidate molecular signatures and prioritizing species and knowledge gaps for subsequent functional, toxicological, and ecological investigation.},
}

Animals
*Introduced Species
Islands
*Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase/genetics/metabolism/chemistry
*Bufo marinus/genetics
*Cardiac Glycosides/toxicity
Conservation of Natural Resources
Japan

@article {pmid42939114,
year = {2026},
author = {Bibi, S and Zhu, Y and Liu, C and Yang, L and Wang, K and Zhu, A and Yu, L and Song, Y and Li, H and Huo, B and Chen, S},
title = {Adaptive Mechanisms of Endemic Fish Triplophysa yarkandensis in the Tarim River Basin of Northwestern China.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {16},
number = {20},
pages = {},
pmid = {42939114},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {2025AB008//Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps/ ; XARS-08-202614//Xinjiang Agriculture Research System/ ; 2023TSYCCX0128//Tianshan Talent Training Project of Xinjiang/ ; },
abstract = {Dryland river ecosystems are among the most susceptible freshwater environments, with climate change, hydrological shifts, salinization and anthropogenic disturbance posing increasing threats to aquatic biodiversity. Endemic fishes in these regions are particularly vulnerable because of restricted geographic range, ecological specialization and narrow environmental tolerance limits, which reduce their capacity to cope with rapid environmental change. Triplophysa yarkandensis has a coordinated set of adaptive responses such as benthic morphological specialization, adaptable trophic modes, osmoregulatory ability to cope with saline-alkaline stress, and thermal tolerance mediated by stress-sensitive genes. Notably, muscle transcriptomic evidence indicates heat-associated expression changes in genes of the IRE1-TRAF2-MAP3K5-JNK signaling axis, suggesting this pathway as a candidate link between endoplasmic-reticulum stress and apoptosis-related responses. But its activation and causal role in apoptosis have not yet been confirmed at the protein and functional level. Nevertheless, these adaptations are increasingly constrained by habitat fragmentation, invasive species, declining water quality, and altered flow regimes, highlighting the limited buffering capacity of endemic species under increasing environmental disturbance. These observations provide a scientific basis for conservation planning, ecological monitoring, and adaptive management in arid inland waters, including habitat restoration, ecological flow regulation, and species-specific protection. Future studies must combine long-term field studies, multi-stressor experimental systems, and genomic-ecophysiological designs to define adaptive limits and improve conservation outcomes under continued climate change.},
}

@article {pmid42939252,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhou, MZ and Wright, CS},
title = {Free-Ranging Cat Predation on Wildlife in East Asia: A Scoping Review of Ecological Evidence and Knowledge Gaps.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {16},
number = {20},
pages = {},
pmid = {42939252},
issn = {2076-2615},
abstract = {Free-ranging domestic cats (Felis catus) interact with wildlife through predation and other ecological pathways, yet evidence of their associated effects has not been comprehensively synthesized in East Asia. This scoping review mapped empirical evidence on free-ranging cat predation and associated ecological effects in East Asia, characterized its geographic distribution and inferential strength, and identified knowledge gaps. Five databases, including region-specific databases, were searched through June 2026, and reference lists of included full-text sources were hand-searched. Of 9326 records identified, 31 sources met the inclusion criteria: 28 from the pre-specified East Asian region and 3 global or multinational sources with independently extractable East Asia-specific data. Diet- and carcass-based studies documented consumption of diverse wildlife taxa, whereas fewer evaluated prey abundance or other population-level outcomes. Reported predation estimates varied substantially among studies, reflecting differences in cat category, ecological setting, and methodology. Evidence was concentrated in Japan, with the clearest conservation concerns reported from Japanese island ecosystems involving endemic or IUCN-listed threatened species. Human-mediated factors and management practices were recurrent contextual themes; however, direct evidence linking these factors to wildlife outcomes was limited. Overall, the evidence base was geographically and methodologically uneven, underscoring the need for standardization, broader regional coverage, and improved documentation.},
}

@article {pmid42936373,
year = {2026},
author = {Hulme, PE and Dechoum, MS and Essl, F and Martinou, AF and Pauchard, A and Pyšek, P and Roy, HE and Sheppard, AW and Vilà, M and Wilson, JRU},
title = {One Biosecurity is essential to implement One Health.},
journal = {Bioscience},
volume = {76},
number = {10},
pages = {1032-1049},
pmid = {42936373},
issn = {0006-3568},
abstract = {Although One Health and biosecurity both aim to protect the health of people, animals, and ecosystems from biological hazards, the two fields remain heavily siloed across distinct policy and research domains. One Health has yet to fully integrate environmental perspectives, especially biological invasions, into its workplan, whereas biosecurity lacks an effective inclusion of the social and health sciences, further hindering collaboration. One Biosecurity offers a vital interdisciplinary framework that bridges human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health sectors, fostering a stronger connection between biosecurity and One Health. This comprehensive approach spans the entire biosecurity continuum, from pre-border intelligence scans to border inspections and post-border incursion management, enabling more effective responses to the threats posed by biological invasions. By unifying these efforts, One Biosecurity will engage a broader group of multilateral organizations, bring together diverse stakeholders, and implement balanced strategies that better safeguard human health, agriculture production systems, and the natural environment.},
}

@article {pmid42932659,
year = {2026},
author = {Ge, Z and Richardson, DM and Pyšek, P and Cai, T and Chen, Y},
title = {Resource-driven release from lag phase triggers the world's fastest and largest coastal plant invasion.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {123},
number = {44},
pages = {e2622290123},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2622290123},
pmid = {42932659},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {2022R52016//MOST | NSFC | NSFC-Zhejiang Joint Fund | | Science and Technology Program of Zhejiang Province ()/ ; LD26D060002//MOST | NSFC | NSFC-Zhejiang Joint Fund | | Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (ZJNSF)/ ; JG2508//Special Fund for Basic Scientific Research of the Second Institute of Oceanography/ ; },
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; *Poaceae/physiology/growth & development ; Ecosystem ; China ; Models, Biological ; Geologic Sediments ; Pacific Ocean ; Reproduction ; },
abstract = {What determines the duration of invasion lag phases remains one of the major unresolved questions in invasion ecology. Lag phases are often attributed to genetic adaptation, propagule limitation, or demographic stochasticity, yet the mechanisms by which environmental conditions regulate establishment success remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the explosive expansion of Spartina alterniflora along the coast of mainland China, the most rapid plant invasion recorded globally. Combining field experiments, demographic theory, and historical invasion records, we identify resource-regulated Allee effects as a mechanism governing the invasion lag phase. Experimentally, sediment accretion substantially increases clonal propagation and sexual reproduction, weakening demographic constraints associated with establishment and accelerating the transition from sparse founder patches to highly reproductive meadows. A theoretical model reveals that sediment-driven positive feedbacks weaken demographic constraints during establishment and shorten the duration of Allee effects. Historical invasion records spanning both sides of the Pacific Ocean support the predicted negative relationship between sedimentation rate and lag-phase duration. Invasion lag phases can arise solely from interactions between species traits and environmental resource availability. Contrary to the prevailing view that Allee effects are fixed properties of species, our results show that their duration is regulated by environmental resource availability. More broadly, environmental resources can govern ecological transitions by controlling transient dynamics during establishment, providing an explanation for why some introduced populations remain dormant for decades, whereas others rapidly become dominant ecosystem engineers.},
}

*Introduced Species
*Poaceae/physiology/growth & development
Ecosystem
China
Models, Biological
Geologic Sediments
Pacific Ocean
Reproduction

@article {pmid42933707,
year = {2026},
author = {Sata, T and Ueoka, N and Okuda, K},
title = {Species-sex-specific behavioral interaction profiles between invasive mosquitofish and native medaka.},
journal = {Behavioural processes},
volume = {243},
number = {},
pages = {105458},
doi = {10.1016/j.beproc.2026.105458},
pmid = {42933707},
issn = {1872-8308},
abstract = {Introduced species can affect native species through direct behavioral interactions, but such effects are often summarized at the species level, potentially obscuring variation among sex classes and actor-receiver combinations. We examined species-sex-specific behavioral interaction profiles between invasive western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and native Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) under controlled laboratory conditions. Behavioral observations were conducted in 274 trials across 27 species-sex composition treatments. We recorded tracking events, defined as cases in which an actor fish followed or chased a receiver, and fin-nipping following tracking, defined as cases in which the tracking actor pecked the receiver's fin immediately after tracking. Across all trials, 11,847 tracking events were recorded, of which 2057 were accompanied by fin-nipping. Tracking frequency differed among actor-receiver combinations, with male mosquitofish showing the highest standardized tracking frequencies across multiple receiver classes. Tracking events accompanied by fin-nipping were also frequent when male mosquitofish acted as initiators. However, the probability that a tracking event was accompanied by fin-nipping differed significantly among actor classes, whereas no significant effects of receiver class or the actor × receiver interaction were detected. Survival analysis further showed that tracking events accompanied by fin-nipping occurred earlier when mosquitofish, especially males, acted as initiators. These results indicate that behavioral interactions between mosquitofish and medaka are not simply characterized by receiver-specific heterospecific aggression. Instead, interactions between mosquitofish and medaka followed an actor-centered pattern, in which male mosquitofish frequently initiated tracking and some of these tracking events were followed by fin-nipping.},
}

@article {pmid42934982,
year = {2026},
author = {Sai, BL and Guo, C and Li, L and Ci, H and You, WH and Yan, ER and Cornelissen, JHC},
title = {Enemy release in salt marshes: How herbivorous crabs help an invasive grass to outcompete the native reed.},
journal = {Ecology},
volume = {107},
number = {10},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ecy.70580},
pmid = {42934982},
issn = {1939-9170},
support = {2017YFC0506002//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 32030068//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Wetlands ; *Brachyura/physiology ; *Herbivory/physiology ; *Introduced Species ; *Poaceae/physiology ; China ; },
abstract = {Biological resistance plays a key role in minimizing plant invasions, even when abiotic conditions are favorable for invasion. Through competition with native plants and herbivory by native herbivores, invasive plants can impact ecosystem functions profoundly. While the effect of invasive plants on native plants& performance via competition has been well documented across ecosystems, less is known about the role of facilitation versus inhibition by herbivores in plant invasions, especially in stressful environments. Our main aims were to investigate the role of herbivores (crabs) in plant invasions in coastal wetlands and understand the underlying mechanisms of competition and herbivory on invader performance (i.e., growth and reproduction). We investigated the crabs' effects on the growth (plant mean height, relative growth rate (RGR), and aboveground biomass) and reproduction (sprout density) of the invasive species Spartina alterniflora and the native grass Phragmites australis in East China. Thereto, we conducted a 2-year crab exclusion experiment across three different habitats (low S. alterniflora zone, middle S. alterniflora and P. australis zone, and high P. australis zone) in a salt marsh wetland and a feeding preference trial of crabs in terms of plant traits in the lab. Our results showed that crabs had a strong negative effect on the plant mean height, aboveground biomass, RGR, and sprout regeneration of P. australis in both the high P. australis zone and the middle zone where the two plant species co-occurred. In contrast, the absence of crabs significantly decreased the density of new sprouts of S. alterniflora in both the low S. alterniflora zone and the middle zone. Our lab feeding experiments showed that crabs had a feeding preference for P. australis, as related to its lower total organic carbon content and smaller C/N ratio, and higher N content and N/P ratio compared to S. alterniflora. These findings are consistent with the enemy release hypothesis as opposed to the biological resistance hypothesis. That is to say, S. alterniflora appeared to benefit from not having co-evolved with native herbivorous crabs, hence the preferential feeding by native crabs on P. australis facilitated the success of S. alterniflora introduced to a novel wetland area. Thus, our study provides a new perspective for understanding how native herbivores contribute to the competitive advantage of an invasive plant species to outcompete the native reed through enemy release.},
}

Animals
*Wetlands
*Brachyura/physiology
*Herbivory/physiology
*Introduced Species
*Poaceae/physiology
China

@article {pmid42931948,
year = {2026},
author = {Cruz, CP and Garcia-Suabita, W and Luna, P and Dáttilo, W},
title = {Global drivers of invasive and native plant niche breadth within plant-floral visitor interaction networks.},
journal = {Oecologia},
volume = {208},
number = {11},
pages = {},
pmid = {42931948},
issn = {1432-1939},
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; Ecosystem ; Plants ; Pollination ; Climate ; },
abstract = {Plant invasions are of major ecological concern due to their negative effects on local communities, posing a threat to native plant diversity through competition for resources. Particularly, invasive species' impacts on plant-pollinator interactions can have important consequences for native plant fitness, as well as exert neutral or facilitative effects on these mutualistic interactions. The niche breadth, understood as the variety of resources used by a species, can be related in this case to the magnitude and direction of invaders' impacts on recipient plant communities. However, a comprehensive understanding of which factors shape the invasive plants' niche breadth globally remains limited. To address this gap, we investigated the global drivers of invasive and native plants' niche breadth based on two complementary metrics. To do that, we compiled a global dataset of weighted plant-floral visitor interaction networks that included invasive plants and estimated species specialization (d') and normalized degree for invasive and native plants. Moreover, we assessed the influence of climate and geographical factors on both metrics using LMM models. Our results revealed that temperature, precipitation, insularity, and latitude emerged as key predictors of specialization, and that temperature, latitude, and web intensity shaped the normalized degree for both plant groups. However, invasive status did not have a significant effect on either niche-breadth metric, and no interaction with the other drivers turned out to be significant. Our findings highlight the strong influence of environmental and geographical factors on plants' niche breadth; this is especially relevant considering the current climate change context.},
}

*Introduced Species
Ecosystem
Plants
Pollination
Climate

@article {pmid42931988,
year = {2026},
author = {Tshifura, AR and Themba, NN and Teixeira-de-Mello, F and Munyai, LF and Dondofema, F and Matam, NY and Dalu, T},
title = {Assessment of Microplastic and Element Contamination in Fish Sold by Informal Roadside Vendors in Limpopo Province, South Africa.},
journal = {Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology},
volume = {91},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {42931988},
issn = {1432-0703},
mesh = {South Africa ; Animals ; *Food Contamination/analysis/statistics & numerical data ; *Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis ; *Microplastics/analysis ; *Fishes ; Environmental Monitoring ; *Seafood/analysis ; },
abstract = {Fish is the cheapest source of protein, minerals, and vitamins for most households in sub-Saharan Africa. Of late, microplastic and metal pollution have raised concerns about food safety, especially in informal markets where fish is commonly sold and consumed. Informal roadside fish markets are, however, almost absent from this literature, and the extent to which post harvest handling adds to the contaminant load of the tissue that is actually eaten is unknown. This study assessed microplastic and element contamination in ready to eat braaied (open fire grilled) fish sold by roadside vendors in Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fish samples (n = 4 per stall) were collected from nine stalls, and microplastics extracted from the dorsolateral white muscle were characterised by morphology, colour and polymer type using stereomicroscopy and micro-Fourier transform infrared (µ-FTIR) spectroscopy, while element concentrations in the same tissue were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following microwave assisted acid digestion. The study indicates high microplastic burdens, dominated by fibres, films, and fragments. Total microplastic abundances differed significantly among sites, with mean values ranging from ~ 105 particles kg[- 1] at site 9 to ~ 470 particles kg[- 1] at site 1. Transparent microplastics dominated, and colours such as black, blue, red, yellow, green and other occurred at much lower concentrations. Polymer identification by µ-FTIR showed that polyethylene (40.5%), polypropylene (23.8%), polystyrene (18.3%) and polyvinyl chloride (7.4%) accounted for most of the particles analysed. Iron (Fe) was the dominant trace element, showing the highest mean concentrations across all sites (~ 70-110 mg kg[-1]). The concentrations of the 12 elements recorded in braaied fish from roadside vendors varied among sites, and mean Cr, Cu, Se and Mo concentrations exceeded FAO/WHO recommended maximum levels for fish at several stalls. Estimated consumer intake ranged from ~ 180 to ~ 790 particles per meal (~ 2-12 particles kg[- 1] body weight), with the highest values at stalls adjacent to busy roads. There is a need for improved hygiene practices, better control of plastic pollution, and enhanced food safety monitoring in informal fish markets in South Africa.},
}

South Africa
Animals
*Food Contamination/analysis/statistics & numerical data
*Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis
*Microplastics/analysis
*Fishes
Environmental Monitoring
*Seafood/analysis

@article {pmid42932026,
year = {2026},
author = {Dalu, T and Dondofema, F and Keates, C and Munyai, LF},
title = {Predominantly lithogenic chromium and nickel elevate sediment guideline quotients and exposure screening in a subtropical African water supply reservoir.},
journal = {Environmental geochemistry and health},
volume = {48},
number = {16},
pages = {},
pmid = {42932026},
issn = {1573-2983},
support = {TTK240409213108//National Research Foundation/ ; TTK230508103682//National Research Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Geologic Sediments/chemistry/analysis ; *Nickel/analysis ; *Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis ; *Chromium/analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; Water Supply ; Humans ; South Africa ; *Environmental Exposure/analysis ; },
abstract = {Reservoir sediments accumulate potentially toxic elements from both catchment weathering and human activity, and concentration-based indices regularly confound the two. We evaluated this distinction in the Nandoni Reservoir, a water supply impoundment along the Luvuvhu River, South Africa. Surface sediment (0 to 5 cm) was collected using an Ekman grab at 21 sampling sitessite in October 2023, at the end of the dry season, and 26 elements were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Chromium, nickel, copper and lead covaried strongly with aluminium, with element to aluminium ratio coefficients of variation of 0.36 or less. Aluminium normalised enrichment factors for Pb, Zn, Cd, As and Hg were at or below crustal proportions, whereas Cr, Cu and Ni were elevated relative to average shale. These patterns are consistent with predominantly lithogenic control, but do not by themselves establish source dominance and do not exclude diffuse anthropogenic inputs. Chromium exceeded the consensus probable effect concentration at 14 sampling sitesite and nickel at 13, and the mean probable effect concentration quotient ranged from 0.18 to 0.85. Exceedance of this kind indicates screening level concern rather than demonstrated ecological effect. Deterministic hazard indices were 0.07 to 0.34 for an adult maintenance worker and 0.36 to 1.67 for a child with incidental shoreline contact, exceeding one at nine sites for the child, falling to three sites when chromium was treated as Cr(III) rather than as the conservative upper bound Cr(VI). Replacing average shale with a pre-industrial reference inflated the pollution load index 4.0 fold, driven almost entirely by Ni, Cu and Cr. Source attribution, ecological screening and exposure assessment must be reported as separate lines of evidence.},
}

*Geologic Sediments/chemistry/analysis
*Nickel/analysis
*Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis
*Chromium/analysis
Environmental Monitoring
Water Supply
Humans
South Africa
*Environmental Exposure/analysis

@article {pmid42916423,
year = {2026},
author = {Yang, J and Li, H and Zhang, Y and Mu, Y and Song, C and Zhang, L and You, J and Zhang, X},
title = {Joint Effects of Water Quality Degradation and Non-Native Fish Invasion on Estuarine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stability.},
journal = {Environmental science & technology},
volume = {60},
number = {38},
pages = {27137-27150},
doi = {10.1021/acs.est.6c06492},
pmid = {42916423},
issn = {1520-5851},
support = {42377277//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; U1901220//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; BZ2024053//the Jiangsu Provincial Science and Technology Program Special Fund/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Estuaries ; *Fishes ; *Biodiversity ; *Water Quality ; *Introduced Species ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Water quality degradation and biological invasions represent major drivers of global ecosystem degradation, yet their interactive effects remain poorly understood, especially in anthropogenically disturbed estuarine ecosystems. Here, we employed environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to characterize multi-trophic biological communities in a subtropical estuary and to assess how water-quality degradation influences the invasion success of non-native fishes. The results show, firstly, the relative sequence abundance of non-native fish, rather than their species richness, emerged as the primary factor negatively associated with native fish diversity. Based on the observational dataset, we identified a statistical breakpoint, and the transition from low to high invasion pressure corresponds to a unimodal (hump-shaped) diversity pattern. Secondly, non-native fish primarily compete for food resources, thereby constraining the ecological niches of native species. Thirdly, a strong interactive effect exists between water quality degradation and non-native fish invasion. Water quality degradation acts not merely as a direct environmental stressor, but also indirectly weakens native communities. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into how declines in water quality interact with biological invasions and highlight the need for integrated invasion management strategies that simultaneously improve water quality and mitigate the impacts of invasive species in estuarine ecosystems.},
}

Animals
*Estuaries
*Fishes
*Biodiversity
*Water Quality
*Introduced Species
Ecosystem

@article {pmid42919548,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, W and Hu, X and Sun, G and Ye, J},
title = {Identification of BxUGP-1 in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and its functional characterization in response to fluopyram stress.},
journal = {Pesticide biochemistry and physiology},
volume = {224},
number = {},
pages = {107352},
doi = {10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.107352},
pmid = {42919548},
issn = {1095-9939},
mesh = {Animals ; *Tylenchida/genetics/drug effects/enzymology ; *UTP-Glucose-1-Phosphate Uridylyltransferase/genetics/metabolism/chemistry ; *Helminth Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Antinematodal Agents/pharmacology ; RNA Interference ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Stress, Physiological ; },
abstract = {Pine wilt disease, caused by the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), is a highly destructive disease affecting forests worldwide. Extensive reliance on traditional nematicides has promoted resistance, underscoring the need for new molecular targets to improve control. UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase), a key enzyme in carbohydrate metabolism, catalyzes the conversion of uridine triphosphate and glucose-1-phosphate to UDP-glucose, contributing to energy metabolism, glycosylation, and detoxification. However, its role in nematodes remains poorly understood. This study describes the identification and cloning of the UGPase-encoding gene BxUGP-1 from B. xylophilus, and characterizes its molecular properties and biological functions. The recombinant BxUGP-1 protein exhibited UGPase catalytic activity, while molecular docking predicted a possible structural association between BxUGP-1 and fluopyram. Additionally, fluopyram exposure induced significant BxUGP-1 expression, showing an initial increase followed by a decrease, indicating gene responsiveness to exogenous chemical stress. When fluopyram treatment was combined with RNA interference (RNAi), BxUGP-1 silencing significantly reduced nematode feeding and reproduction, increased fluopyram sensitivity, and weakened host plant infectivity. Overall, these findings demonstrate that BxUGP-1 is critical for adaptation to chemical stress in B. xylophilus. This study clarifies the role of a key carbohydrate metabolism enzyme in stress tolerance and pathogenicity in B. xylophilus, providing a foundation for developing novel control strategies against this pest.},
}

Animals
*Tylenchida/genetics/drug effects/enzymology
*UTP-Glucose-1-Phosphate Uridylyltransferase/genetics/metabolism/chemistry
*Helminth Proteins/genetics/metabolism
*Antinematodal Agents/pharmacology
RNA Interference
Molecular Docking Simulation
Stress, Physiological

@article {pmid42923419,
year = {2026},
author = {Di Stefano, SA and Weston, MA and Plotz, RD and Krauss, J and Yokochi, K and Rendall, AR},
title = {Antipredator behavior of European rabbits by day and night.},
journal = {Behavioral ecology : official journal of the International Society for Behavioral Ecology},
volume = {37},
number = {6},
pages = {arag123},
pmid = {42923419},
issn = {1045-2249},
abstract = {Most fear ecology research focusses on daytime escape, yet nighttime escape is also likely to be critical to survival. Current research on fear ecology is predicated on the assumption that escape is the same by day and night, yet recent research alludes to greater complexity in responses. Many prey species are active at night to avoid predators, some predators are nocturnal, and prey likely must rely on a different mix of sensory modalities to detect approaching predators at night. By incorporating thermal imaging technology, we measured alertness, distance to cover and Flight-initiation Distances (FIDs) by day and night, across different predator regimes of European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, an invasive species in Australia with a long history of coexistence with predators. Distance to cover increased by night, decreased with rabbit alertness, and increased with Starting Distance (SD). The probability of being alert increased closer to cover during day and night. FIDs were longer with longer SDs. Rabbits fled more directly towards cover the further they were from cover at night (but not day) time, and only in the absence of cats and foxes. We demonstrate intense antipredator behavior of rabbits by day and night, and specific nocturnal antipredator adaptations, such as using more open areas and only escaping towards cover where terrestrial nocturnal predators are absent. Given the nuanced changes in antipredator behavior by day and night, our results call for future studies to compare daytime and nighttime behaviors.},
}

@article {pmid42925149,
year = {2026},
author = {Bosua, HJ and Singh, S and Karsten, M and Terblanche, JS},
title = {Artificial selection for enhanced flight propensity in an invasive species (Ceratitis capitata) reveals minimal trade-offs.},
journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jeb/voag114},
pmid = {42925149},
issn = {1420-9101},
abstract = {Enhanced flight propensity may facilitate range expansions with implications for evolutionary potential, population dynamics, and species invasions. This study investigated artificial selection for flight propensity in a highly invasive agricultural fruit pest, the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), Ceratitis capitata under laboratory conditions. A selection filter was applied for 4-5 generations of C. capitata to select for the fastest (and as a reference group the most lethargic) flyers. Individuals that were able to rapidly overcome a flight barrier were termed "Flyers", while philopatric individuals were referred to as "Non-flyers." Flight propensity was quantified using flight performance measurements, whereas walking speed was used as a measurement of locomotor activity. Reproductive traits, thermal performance (i.e., chill coma recovery and heat knockdown time), and desiccation and starvation resistance were assessed for potential physiological trade-offs that may be associated with increased flight propensity. Flight performance trials showed that Flyers performed significantly better than Non-flyers after 4-5 generations of selection, with only female Flyers showing an increased body mass compared to Non-flyers. Cold stress-resistance was the only trait where Non-flyers outperformed Flyers, while thermal tolerance and fecundity traits remained similar between Flyers and Non-flyers. These findings demonstrated that it may be possible to select for enhanced flight propensity without incurring substantial performance or life-history costs. The ability to improve flight performance with minimal costs could be a key factor contributing to the success of invasive species, such as the Mediterranean fruit fly.},
}

@article {pmid42925750,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Y and Li, R and Sun, S and Zhong, M and Wang, C and Chu, Y and Qin, Y and Zhang, X and Rao, Q and Chen, J and Su, H},
title = {Weak cross-trophic coupling of multidimensional stability in plankton communities under multiple stressors.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {419},
number = {},
pages = {131241},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.131241},
pmid = {42925750},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Nutrient enrichment and biological invasions frequently co-occur in freshwater ecosystems, yet it remains unclear whether stability of entire planktonic groups responds uniformly to these combined stressors. To address this question, we conducted a fully factorial mesocosm experiment that crossed three nutrient regimes with two invasive species that impose distinct disturbance pathways. We quantified temporal stability, resistance, resilience, and recovery across functional and compositional facets in zooplankton, phytoplankton, and bacterioplankton communities. Our results revealed highly taxon- and dimension-specific responses. Snail bioturbation significantly reduced the functional resistance of zooplankton under high nutrient conditions. Meanwhile, the functional resistance of bacterioplankton declined with increasing nutrient levels. This suggests that functionally distinct stressors may affect different trophic guilds through distinct mechanisms. Species richness was consistently positively associated with compositional temporal stability, resistance and recovery across all trophic levels, but was negatively associated with resilience, revealing a fundamental trade-off between maintaining community robustness and enabling rapid adaptability. Functional and compositional stability were positively correlated only in the temporal stability dimension, but exhibited negative associations in the resistance and recovery dimensions. This indicates that biomass-related functions and community structure can follow divergent trajectories throughout perturbation and recovery. Most critically, the multivariate analyses and pairwise correlations among trophic levels indicated generally weak cross-trophic coupling, suggesting that, under the conditions of this mesocosm experiment, no single planktonic group provided a consistently reliable proxy for multidimensional whole-community stability. These findings highlight the value of assessing multiple dimensions of ecological stability across trophic groups. Consideration of stability indicators across multitrophic groups may provide complementary information for adaptive lake management as global pressures from nutrient loading and biological invasions continue to intensify.},
}

@article {pmid42926733,
year = {2026},
author = {Xu, Y and Tan, C and Ferguson, DK and Yang, Y},
title = {Threatened Conifers Need Targeted and Integrated Conservation: A Case Study of Pinus dabeshanensis.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {e74580},
pmid = {42926733},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Due to global warming, over-exploitation, habitat degradation, environmental pollution, and alien species invasion, around 28% of assessed global species are threatened, with conifers being especially endangered. China has attached great importance to biodiversity conservation, and implemented a series of targeted initiatives over the past two decades to protect and conserve the endangered species in China. Pinus dabeshanensis W.C.Cheng et Y.W.Law is a conifer species with an extremely small population and is listed as Grade I in the national key protected wild plants in China. Despite conservation efforts, the effectiveness of these measures remains unknown. In this study, we have assessed the conservation effectiveness of this critically endangered conifer species, and identified conservation gaps to achieve a new conservation plan for the species. This paper should also be helpful for planning conservation of other endangered conifers. We conducted a systematic assessment of the current state of P. dabeshanensis, and the effectiveness of in situ and ex-situ conservation, artificial propagation, and reintroduction based on field investigations and a comprehensive review of the published literature, and thereby identified the conservation gaps. The results suggest that the natural population of P. dabeshanensis is extremely small, being composed of only 320 recorded individuals sporadically distributed in Henan, Hubei, and Anhui. Although populations in Yingshan of Hubei, Shangcheng in Henan, and Jinzhai of Anhui are protected in national nature reserves, the largest known wild population in Dawanggou of Yuexi in Anhui is not protected by any nature reserve. Ex-situ conservation is still at a preliminary stage, with very small numbers planted in botanical gardens and lacking the full range of the species' genetic diversity. We also found that the species suffers from reproductive failure including low pollination success and poor seed set. While reintroduction practices have been conducted at several localities, seedling survival rates vary greatly due to a lack of subsequent management/protection. The lack of standardized reintroduction protocols and management guidelines hinders a consistent and effective implementation of these practices. Although many Chinese institutions including universities, nature reserves, and botanical gardens have been involved in the conservation of P. dabeshanensis, the overall effectiveness has been limited due to inadequate coordination and fragmented efforts. To substantially advance conservation effectiveness, there needs to be a targeted species conservation plan. Within this framework, it will be necessary to combine different approaches in order to ensure the effective protection of this endangered pine. The present study has involved a comprehensive investigation into the conservation effectiveness of P. dabeshanensis, identified critical conservation gaps, and proposed an integrated conservation strategy. Our findings and suggestions will also be valuable for the conservation of other endangered gymnosperm species.},
}

@article {pmid42927042,
year = {2026},
author = {Karatayev, AY and Karatayev, VA and Burlakova, LE and Rudstam, LG and Watkins, JM and Kovalenko, KE and Koeberle, AL and Boudet, SE and Ibelings, BW and Barulin, NV and Gallina, N and Mauch, J and Weber, AA and Waterfield, H and Albright, M and Spaak, P},
title = {Larger lakes are hit harder and longer by Dreissena invasion.},
journal = {Biological invasions},
volume = {28},
number = {11},
pages = {244},
pmid = {42927042},
issn = {1387-3547},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Invasive quagga mussels are swiftly spreading across Europe and North America, causing major ecological and economic impacts even in lakes already invaded by zebra mussels. A key challenge is to understand the magnitude and timing of mussel impacts across a wide range of freshwater ecosystems, to predict potential impacts on uninvaded systems. We assembled high-resolution data sets spanning 18 North American and European invaded lakes and five key ecosystem variables (Secchi depth, phosphorus and chlorophyll concentration, phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass). We then address the questions: How have the pace and magnitude of dreissenid impacts varied with lake morphometry (area, depth, volume)? How have impacts differed between polymictic and stratified lakes? Which lakes have exhibited recovery following zebra and quagga mussel invasions? We found that impacts manifest earlier in polymictic than in stratified lakes. After the initial impacts, lakes invaded by zebra mussels usually exhibited signs of partial ecosystem recovery, which was interrupted in lakes that experienced a secondary invasion by quagga mussels. In the Laurentian Great Lakes, mussel populations reached maximum biomass later, and ecosystem impacts manifested more slowly but culminated at a higher overall impact level. Furthermore, no ecosystem recovery in the Great Lakes has been observed to date, even 30 years after mussel invasions, though recovery may be delayed in large lakes. Our results indicated that lake size is more important than other parameters in determining Dreissena impact, and findings from smaller inland lakes cannot be directly applied to larger systems (e.g., the Great Lakes) and vice versa.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-026-03964-7.},
}

@article {pmid42927229,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, J and Yang, M and Meng, X and Chen, T and Chen, N and Wang, Y and Liang, C and Du, B},
title = {Carbon nanoparticles synergistically improve drought tolerance and nutraceutical innovation in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.): Antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-fibrotic activities enhanced via flavonoid accumulation.},
journal = {Food chemistry: X},
volume = {39},
number = {},
pages = {104584},
pmid = {42927229},
issn = {2590-1575},
abstract = {Drought stress severely constrains okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) productivity and bioactive quality, yet effective mitigation strategies remain limited. Here, we demonstrate that carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) not only enhance drought tolerance-through improved root architecture, water uptake, and photosynthetic efficiency-but also uniquely reprogram flavonoid metabolism. Metabolomic profiling revealed 1025 metabolites; flavonoids were most responsive, with CNPs under drought specifically activating flavone and flavonol pathways, driving 1.55-6.86-fold accumulation of bioactive flavonoids (rutin, quercetin). Purified flavonoid extracts exhibited enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and suppressed hepatic stellate cell activation markers, suggesting nutraceutical potential beyond stress mitigation. This work establishes a dual-function CNP strategy that simultaneously improves agronomic resilience and enriches health-promoting metabolites in a major vegetable crop, addressing a critical gap in nano-enabled sustainable agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid42927530,
year = {2026},
author = {Fallet, E and Noël, S and Ventura, M and Justine, JL and Roy, V and Dupont, L},
title = {Population genetic structure of the invasive flatworm Obama nungara in France revealed by mitochondrial and microsatellite markers.},
journal = {Genetica},
volume = {154},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42927530},
issn = {1573-6857},
support = {ANR-21-CE02-0016//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Microsatellite Repeats ; France ; Genetic Variation ; *Introduced Species ; *Genetics, Population ; Haplotypes ; *DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {Biological invasions pose a significant threat to biodiversity, yet the processes of introduction and dispersal remain difficult to reconstruct, particularly in soil-dwelling organisms. A multi-marker molecular approach can help overcome this limitation. Here, we examined the genetic structure of the invasive terrestrial flatworm Obama nungara (Geoplanidae) in France using mitochondrial (COI) sequences and newly developed nuclear microsatellite markers, representing the first application of this marker type in an invasive geoplanid flatworm. Analysis of 340 COI sequences, including 169 that were newly generated for this study, revealed that all recent French populations belong to the Argentina 1 lineage, with no evidence of additional primary introductions. Haplotype diversity was low at the local scale. In contrast, microsatellite data revealed moderate genetic diversity and heterozygote deficits in several populations, as well as signatures of recent bottlenecks. Significant genetic differentiation was observed among most populations, with no isolation by distance. These results suggest that the invasion of O. nungara in France was driven by a small number of initial introductions followed by sporadic spread, likely facilitated by horticultural trade. Combining mitochondrial and nuclear markers further reveals a pattern of weakly connected introduction foci rather than a continuous spatial expansion, which reflects the contribution of complementary genetic markers to resolving invasion dynamics across scales.},
}

Animals
*Microsatellite Repeats
France
Genetic Variation
*Introduced Species
*Genetics, Population
Haplotypes
*DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
Phylogeny

@article {pmid42928696,
year = {2026},
author = {Vilizzi, L},
title = {Comparing Like With Like in Biological Invasion Risk Analysis.},
journal = {Risk analysis : an official publication of the Society for Risk Analysis},
volume = {46},
number = {11},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/risa.70399},
pmid = {42928696},
issn = {1539-6924},
mesh = {Risk Assessment/methods ; *Introduced Species ; Animals ; Decision Support Techniques ; },
abstract = {Biological invasion decision-support methods are often compared under broad labels such as "risk assessment," even when they perform different functions. This Perspective argues that functional commensurability must be established before methods are compared. In biological invasion risk analysis, screening serves an initial risk identification function, flagging extant or horizon non-native species within a defined risk assessment area for prevention, surveillance, or more detailed evaluation. Comprehensive risk assessment examines entry or introduction, establishment, spread, and their ecological, economic, and socio-cultural consequences in greater detail. Risk management integrates risk with feasibility, cost, effectiveness, legal constraints, and stakeholder values. Impact classification and post-establishment population prioritization may contribute to these functions without being equivalent to them. Published comparisons show how conflating such functions can create false equivalence. The emerging Dispersal-Origin-Status-Impact (DOSI) literature provides an illustrative example through its comparisons with applications of the globally implemented Invasiveness Screening Kit (ISK) decision-support tools: population status and management priority are not the same quantities as prospective invasion risk screening, and species-based screening does not imply coarse spatial resolution. Forty-five peer-reviewed ISK-family studies report local or subnational screenings, including spatial resolutions comparable with or finer than DOSI applications. Valid comparisons require a shared decision objective, explicit spatial and temporal boundaries, independent evaluation evidence, and assessment of uncertainty and the consequences of error. These requirements permit methods to be evaluated for a common use, or combined within adaptive management, without treating disagreement between unlike outputs as evidence of superior performance.},
}

Risk Assessment/methods
*Introduced Species
Animals
Decision Support Techniques

@article {pmid42928798,
year = {2026},
author = {Corominas, F and Vilar, L and Bou, J},
title = {Which treatment is most effective at reducing the damage caused by the pest box tree moth? A case in a Mediterranean mountain.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {e21800},
pmid = {42928798},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {Animals ; *Moths ; *Bacillus thuringiensis ; *Pest Control, Biological/methods ; Sex Attractants/pharmacology ; Mediterranean Region ; },
abstract = {Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is an important element of the European plant landscape. Currently, this species is seriously threatened due to the high impact of the pest box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis). This lepidopteran is an invasive species of Asian origin that feeds exclusively on the genus Buxus. Management of this pest is necessary, but field trials are lacking. The aim of this study is to provide robust information about the effectiveness of the three major control methods currently available through a case study on a Mediterranean mountain. These treatments include the application of Bacillus thuringiensis and mass capture with sex pheromones in combination with the use of parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma. The experiment was carried out at Pla Boixer, NE Iberian Peninsula. Between 2020 and 2022, damage to boxwood was sampled and analysed at different scales. The results show that Bacillus thuringiensis reduced defoliation by 53%, whereas mass trapping only preserved regrowth with no significant reduction in damage (p > 0.05). Trichogramma releases did not significantly affect damage levels, nor in combination with other treatments. The treatment with B. thuringiensis protected the boxwood from defoliation but its use should be limited to specific cases in which boxwood is highly affected at the regional scale because of its impact on ecosystems and the difficulty of its application. No seasonality was observed in the damage; however, regrowth showed a favourable trend from spring to autumn. These insights should be considered in future management plans for this pest.},
}

Animals
*Moths
*Bacillus thuringiensis
*Pest Control, Biological/methods
Sex Attractants/pharmacology
Mediterranean Region

@article {pmid42931465,
year = {2026},
author = {Vignjević, G and Grego, B and Turić, N and Bušić, N and Zamburlini, R and Merdić, E},
title = {First Record of the Mosquito Aedes koreicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Croatia.},
journal = {Tropical medicine and infectious disease},
volume = {11},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42931465},
issn = {2414-6366},
abstract = {Aedes koreicus, the Korean bush mosquito, has emerged as a significant invasive threat across Europe since its initial detection in Belgium in 2008. Native to East Asia, this cold-tolerant, container-breeding species has established populations in more than a dozen European countries. During entomological field sampling in the Buzet area (Istria, Croatia), two used-tire depots in the village of Štrped were encountered and identified as potentially suitable breeding habitats for container-breeding mosquitoes. Following the initial detection of these mosquitoes' larvae, the locality was revisited four times from March to May 2026. Dippers of different sizes were used to sample larvae in the tires. Of the 132 larvae collected, eight species were morphologically identified. Nineteen specimens were identified as Ae. koreicus and were detected during each visit. The identification of Ae. koreicus was confirmed by molecular analysis. Sequencing and analysis of cytochrome c oxidase I showed high similarity among Ae. koreicus populations across Europe. This finding confirms the presence of Ae. koreicus in Croatia, which could potentially lead to further establishment, and highlights the need for continued surveillance of invasive mosquito species.},
}

@article {pmid42908116,
year = {2026},
author = {Bisquert-Ribes, M and Escrivà, A and Rueda, J and García-Román, Z and Mestre, A and Armengol, X and Mesquita-Joanes, F},
title = {Spatial and historical effects shape a wide-scale rice field ostracod metacommunity pervaded by invasive species.},
journal = {Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America},
volume = {36},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/eap.70340},
pmid = {42908116},
issn = {1051-0761},
support = {BIOSCALING PID2023-146630NB-I00//Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities/ ; FPU19/02264//Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training/ ; //European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)/ ; AICO/2020/182//Comunidad Valenciana Department of Innovation, Universities, Science and Digital Society/ ; ECOINVADER CGL2008-01296//Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Introduced Species ; *Crustacea/physiology ; *Oryza ; Spain ; Agriculture ; },
abstract = {Metacommunity structure is shaped by a complex interplay of environmental conditions, spatial factors, and historical contingencies. To determine the processes that govern community assembly and biodiversity patterns, it is necessary to know the relative importance of these elements. In this study, we examine the ostracod metacommunity of rice fields across the Iberian Peninsula, aiming to assess the influence of spatial constraints, historical contingency (as derived from taphocoenoses remains), and environmental variables on the present metacommunity (biocoenoses) structure. We hypothesized that while all three components would affect the metacommunity, spatial effects would be particularly relevant due to the large geographical scope and associated dispersal limitations. Our results indicate that space was the most relevant factor in structuring the metacommunity, operating at broad and fine scales. Historical contingency also contributed substantially, as indicated by the high concordance between taphocoenoses and biocoenoses, suggesting that past community composition influences present assemblages, possibly through colonization advantages associated with egg banks. Although the pure environmental fraction was comparatively weak and nonsignificant, likely due to the low environmental variability of these homogeneous and artificially controlled aquatic habitats, the substantial shared environmental-spatial fraction could indicate that environmental conditions covaried with broad-scale spatial structure among regions. A notable number of invasive ostracods were identified, suggesting ongoing, albeit infrequent, colonization processes, probably facilitated by waterbirds, land ploughing, movement of agricultural machinery, and farmer activities, which support the establishment of invasive species within each community egg bank. These findings indicate that biodiversity management in seasonal agricultural landscapes, such as rice fields, should extend beyond local environmental conditions, taking into account regional connectivity, the persistence of egg-bank legacies, and human-mediated dispersal pathways that may facilitate the establishment of non-native species.},
}

Animals
*Introduced Species
*Crustacea/physiology
*Oryza
Spain
Agriculture

@article {pmid42909570,
year = {2026},
author = {Urbanowski, C and Malica, J and Turczański, K and Andrzejewska, A and Kurek, P and Wiatrowska, B},
title = {Ecological impact of steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa L.) invasion on mite communities (Acari, Mesostigmata) in wet meadow ecosystems.},
journal = {Experimental & applied acarology},
volume = {97},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {42909570},
issn = {1572-9702},
mesh = {Animals ; *Mites/physiology ; *Introduced Species ; Poland ; *Biodiversity ; *Grassland ; Soil/chemistry ; },
abstract = {Invasive plants are species introduced outside their natural range and often cause ecological or economic harm. By modifying litter quality, root architecture, and soil chemistry, invasive plants can alter many soil processes, including nutrient cycling and edaphic activity. The main aim of our study was to provide the first assessment in Poland of the ecological impact of Spiraea tomentosa L. invasion on the abundance, diversity, and species richness of soil Mesotigmata (Gamasida; Gamasina and Uropodnia) mite communities in wet meadow ecosystems, thereby offering novel insights into the belowground ecological consequences of this invasive species. The research was carried out in a wet meadow complex located in the Lower Silesian Forests in south-western Poland. A total of 104 soil samples were collected from 26 experimental plots (13 invaded by Spiraea tomentosa and 13 uninvaded) in May and October 2024. In total, we identified 2,502 mesostigmatid mites belonging to 71 taxa. The three most abundant mite species across the entire study were Paragamasus vagabundus (Karg) (409 ind.), Zercon gurensis Mihelčič (228), and Trachytes aegrota (C. L. Koch) (216). Mite abundance was negatively associated with soil Fe, while litter pH and litter Pb showed positive but non-significant trends. Species richness was positively associated with soil Mn and litter Pb, and negatively associated with soil Fe and litter Cu. Mite diversity showed a significant overall effect of collection time and site type, although Tukey HSD post hoc tests did not detect significant pairwise differences among treatment combinations. Moreover, Mesostigmata diversity increased with soil Mn and K and decreased with soil Fe, Na, and soil moisture. However, diversity was lower at uninvaded sites than at invaded sites. Overall, our findings show that microhabitat alteration associated with the biological invasion of Spiraea tomentosa has a complex impact on the diversity and composition of mite communities.},
}

Animals
*Mites/physiology
*Introduced Species
Poland
*Biodiversity
*Grassland
Soil/chemistry

@article {pmid42910216,
year = {2026},
author = {Choi, TY and Son, DC and Lee, SR},
title = {Repeated Introductions and Anthropogenic Dispersal Fuel the Regional Expansion of Ambrosia trifida.},
journal = {Evolutionary applications},
volume = {19},
number = {10},
pages = {e70333},
pmid = {42910216},
issn = {1752-4571},
abstract = {Understanding the processes that shape biological invasions is essential for predicting the spread and persistence of introduced species, yet these processes remain poorly resolved for many unintentionally introduced plants. We combined genome-wide SNP data, demographic modeling, and climatic niche analyses to investigate the invasion of giant ragweed in South Korea. A total of 419 individuals from 35 introduced populations and 59 individuals from four native North American populations were analyzed. Introduced populations retained high genetic diversity and exhibited weak spatial structure, consistent with extensive human-mediated dispersal. Approximate Bayesian Computation supported a recent invasion within the last ~70 years involving multiple introductions from genetically divergent sources, followed by rapid divergence and severe but transient demographic bottlenecks. Climatic niche analyses revealed substantial overlap between native and introduced ranges but pronounced niche unfilling, indicating that Ambrosia trifida has yet to occupy its full potential climatic niche in South Korea. Together, these results show that repeated introductions, admixture, and anthropogenic dispersal, rather than major climatic niche shifts, have shaped the contemporary invasion. Our findings highlight how integrating population genomics with niche analyses can resolve invasion processes and inform management of rapidly spreading invasive species.},
}

@article {pmid42912131,
year = {2026},
author = {St-Louis, D and Boussès, P and Talignani, L and Lasica, C and Emmanuel, E and Simard, F and Roiz, D},
title = {Aedes vittatus in Haiti: continued expansion across the Caribbean and implications for the Americas.},
journal = {Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz},
volume = {121},
number = {},
pages = {e260238},
pmid = {42912131},
issn = {1678-8060},
mesh = {Animals ; *Aedes/classification/genetics ; Haiti ; Phylogeny ; *Mosquito Vectors/classification/genetics ; Caribbean Region ; Americas ; Larva ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Aedes vittatus, an emerging invasive species and arboviral vector with high ecological plasticity and dispersal capacity, is expanding in the Caribbean, being detected in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica and recently in Yucatán, Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide evidence of the establishment of Ae. vittatus in Haiti.

METHODS: Larval surveys were conducted in 18 localities within 12 municipalities in the North and Northeast departments of Haiti. Specimens were identified morphologically and confirmed by COI-based DNA barcoding.

FINDINGS: We report, for the first time, the detection of the invasive vector Ae. (Fredwardsius) vittatus in Haiti, confirmed morphologically and molecularly, with the species detected in half of the municipalities sampled. Phylogenetic analyses placed Haitian specimens within a Caribbean/American group, closely related to sequences from Mexico. Additional mosquito species were identified, including first records of Culex garciai and Culex interrogator in Haiti.

MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Given its potential role as a vector of chikungunya, dengue, Zika and yellow fever, continued entomological surveillance and early detection in the Caribbean and the Americas are needed.},
}

Animals
*Aedes/classification/genetics
Haiti
Phylogeny
*Mosquito Vectors/classification/genetics
Caribbean Region
Americas
Larva

@article {pmid42913423,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, X and Schaffner, U and Hogg, BN and Daane, KM},
title = {Proactive Biological Control of Invasive Exotic Arthropod Pests and Weeds.},
journal = {Annual review of entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-ento-040326-040458},
pmid = {42913423},
issn = {1545-4487},
abstract = {Invasive exotic arthropods and weeds pose a growing threat to biodiversity, food security, and the functioning of whole ecosystems, resulting in significant socioeconomic and ecological impacts. Classical biological control-the importation of specialist natural enemies from the native range-can lead to long-term, sustainable pest suppression, but it is typically implemented reactively after the invasive species is established and is causing significant negative impacts. Proactive biological control offers an anticipatory approach, developing biological control agents before or shortly after establishment and enabling rapid response to new incursions. This review examines current applications, opportunities, and challenges of proactive strategies and proposes steps to advance proactive management of invasive arthropod pests and weeds.},
}

@article {pmid42914101,
year = {2026},
author = {Leskey, TC and Nixon, LJ and Cullum, JP and Short, BD and Kirkpatrick, D and Carper, GL},
title = {Evaluation of trap-based treatment thresholds for baited sticky cards to guide management of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in apple orchards.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toag326},
pmid = {42914101},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {2024-51181-43213//USDA-NIFA SCRI/ ; 2016-51181-25409//USDA-NIFA SCRI/ ; 2011-51181-30937//USDA-NIFA SCRI/ ; },
abstract = {The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), remains a serious pest of orchard crops, particularly apples in the Eastern United States. While a trap-based treatment threshold was developed for this pest previously, this decision support tool relied on adult captures using large black pyramid traps and experimental pheromone lures. With the availability of commercially produced pheromone lures and simpler trap designs (clear sticky panel traps deployed atop wooden posts), we evaluated experimental adult and nymphal thresholds using this system over 3 growing seasons (2017 to 2019). We found that a threshold of 4 adults/trap (cumulative) not only reduced insecticide applications by at least 40%, but also resulted in no significant differences in fruit injury at harvest compared with orchard blocks treated with a weekly insecticide application, though more field-level validation is warranted to ensure this IPM tool is adaptable for different scales of production and market channels and can be adopted by affected growers managing H. halys as part of their IPM programs.},
}

@article {pmid42914738,
year = {2026},
author = {Dubé, J and Collantes Lozano, LV and Poteau, C and Quirion, S and Richard-Lesage, A and Lavoie, C},
title = {Does an invasive aquatic plant influence lakefront property values? Revisiting the impact of Eurasian watermilfoil using an event study analysis.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {419},
number = {},
pages = {131177},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.131177},
pmid = {42914738},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Invasive aquatic plants are associated with substantial economic costs. In North America, a large number of lakes have been invaded by Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM; Myriophyllum spicatum), a species widely reported to reduce lakefront property values by 1-40%. We reassessed the impact of EWM on property values using a causal identification strategy based on an event-study framework. This reassessment relied on more than 11,000 lakefront real estate transactions conducted in Québec (Canada) between 2000 and 2023. We tested the hypothesis that EWM exerted a significant negative effect on property values and that this effect was further amplified following media coverage of the invasion. Contrary to findings from studies conducted in the United States, we did not detect a robust or statistically significant effect of EWM on lakefront house prices. Likewise, we did not find a significant price response associated with either the initial detection of EWM or its first mention in a local newspaper. Differences may be explained by limitations in previous studies that relied on hedonic price models without an explicit causal identification strategy. In addition, the potential effect of EWM on prices may be attenuated by strong demand for lakefront properties combined with highly constrained housing supply. Overall, our findings suggest that the effect of invasive aquatic plants on property values reflects a complex buyer-seller decision-making process, particularly in settings where other amenities remain highly attractive to prospective buyers.},
}

@article {pmid42916415,
year = {2026},
author = {Hartland, A and Melchior, M and Hamilton, DP and Lehto, NJ and Mullarney, JC and Sandwell, D and Robb, L and Jabbari, A and Lang, J and Clague, J and Özkundakci, D and Hofstra, D},
title = {Carbonate-System Perturbation by Invasive Bivalves Threatens Drinking-Water Security in Calcium-Limited Catchments.},
journal = {Environmental science & technology},
volume = {60},
number = {38},
pages = {27204-27214},
doi = {10.1021/acs.est.6c03421},
pmid = {42916415},
issn = {1520-5851},
support = {NA//Waikato Regional Council/ ; LVLX2302//Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment/ ; NIW2475//Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Calcium ; *Drinking Water ; *Bivalvia ; Introduced Species ; New Zealand ; Rivers ; Corbicula ; Arsenic ; },
abstract = {Invasive bivalve ecosystem engineers pose an under-recognized threat to drinking-water security. In the Waikato River, New Zealand, rapid establishment of Corbicula fluminea (Asian clam) since their 2023 incursion has depleted dissolved calcium ∼24% below historical baselines through biogenic CaCO3 fixation at ∼14 ± 14 tonnes day-1 (2024-2025) while simultaneously raising alkalinity ∼15-20% through catabolic NH4+/HCO3- excretion. Residence-time mass balances yield a basin-scale population density of 370 ± 323 individuals m-2, consistent with independent field surveys (557 ± 435 individuals m-2). Across a 20 year water treatment plant (WTP) operating record, arsenic-removal efficiency increases with Ca2+ and decreases with alkalinity, identifying Ca2+ as the dominant control and alkalinity as a negative covariate of coagulation chemistry. During a month-long 2024 anomaly, finished-water arsenic breached the 0.01 mg L-1 maximum acceptable value at five downstream WTPs, rising 6.4-fold at the monitored plant, despite increased alum dosing, while inlet arsenic stayed seasonal, indicating coagulation failure from selective Ca2+ depletion against a rising alkalinity background. A secondary threat arises when thermal stratification and attenuated flow in upstream hydroelectric reservoirs (τ > 6 days, Lake Kara̅piro) drive clam-mediated sediment anoxia, mobilizing reduced As3+ toward intakes. As C. fluminea expands globally, biological carbonate-system perturbation threatens drinking-water security in calcium-limited catchments.},
}

Animals
Calcium
*Drinking Water
*Bivalvia
Introduced Species
New Zealand
Rivers
Corbicula
Arsenic

@article {pmid42906249,
year = {2026},
author = {Rivera-Ingraham, GA and Renshaw, GMC and Cunha, M and Leite, C and Crochemore, S and Pereira, ME and Lignot, JH and Solé, M and Freitas, R and Martínez-Alarcón, D},
title = {Sex, genes and metabolism: exploring drivers of success through native and invasive populations of the European green crab.},
journal = {Marine environmental research},
volume = {223},
number = {},
pages = {108446},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.108446},
pmid = {42906249},
issn = {1879-0291},
abstract = {The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) is a keystone predator in its native range and one of the world's most damaging invasive species. Although its invasion success has frequently been associated with exceptional physiological plasticity, comparatively few studies have simultaneously examined organismal energetics, biochemical regulation, physiological organization and mitochondrial genetic diversity across native and invasive populations. In this study crabs were sampled from native populations inhabiting cooler waters in France and warmer waters in Portugal, and from a long-established (warm-water) invasive population in Australia. Across 12 sites, we measured whole-animal respiration, gill-based biochemical markers (antioxidant activity, oxidative damage, acetylcholinesterase activity, and detoxification enzymes), hepatopancreas morphology, and genetic diversity using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Growth scaling exponents were conserved across all populations, indicating that invasion history did not alter ontogenetic growth trajectories, despite population-specific shifts in body condition. Native populations displayed clear physiological differentiation between regions: crabs from colder regions of France exhibited higher respiration rates and metabolic turnover than crabs from warmer waters (Portugal). In contrast, the invasive Australian population maintained organismal metabolic traits and body condition comparable to warmer native populations but exhibited markedly elevated antioxidant capacities and higher acetylcholinesterase activity while maintaining similar haplotype diversity to native populations. These findings suggest that invasion success in Australia is not driven by body condition or elevated metabolic demand, but rather by differences in biochemical regulation. Together, our results indicated that the success of invasive C. maenas population may rely on regulatory and metabolic flexibility rather than changes in baseline energy balance. By highlighting the interplay between physiology, sex, and genetic diversity, this work advances our understanding of how invasive populations persist under environmental stress and offers new perspectives for managing marine invaders in a changing ocean.},
}

@article {pmid42907739,
year = {2026},
author = {Jia, F and Lu, H and He, B and Geng, Y and Wang, Y and Liu, D and Li, B},
title = {Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals differential molecular mechanisms underlying resistance of native and invasive Phytolacca americana against Spodoptera litura herbivory.},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42907739},
issn = {1471-2229},
support = {32460337//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022YFF130240200//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; C6213001257//Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Spodoptera/physiology ; *Herbivory ; *Phytolacca americana/genetics/metabolism/physiology ; *Transcriptome ; Introduced Species ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Metabolomics ; *Plant Defense Against Herbivory/genetics ; Metabolome ; Cyclopentanes ; Oxylipins ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: In response to herbivory from insects, plants have evolved complex defense strategies. Alien plants often escape control by specialist insects in their introduced range. This release from herbivory pressure may lead to a reallocation of the defensive strategies of alien plants, thereby promoting their invasiveness. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this resource reallocation process remain unclear. In the present study, we used Phytolacca americana as a model species, and combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to investigate the molecular basis of its invasion success under the herbivory by Spodoptera litura.

RESULTS: Herbivore assays with S. litura revealed that constitutive resistance was comparable between native and invasive P. americana, while induced resistance was significantly lower in invasive P. americana. In the native population, differentially expressed genes and differential abundance metabolites upon S. litura herbivory were mainly enriched in α‑linolenic acid metabolism, the primary pathway for jasmonic acid (JA) formation, whereas in the invasive population, they were predominantly enriched in biosynthesis of amino acids. Notably, the invasive population maintains the synthesis of certain defense metabolites like isoquercitrin, suggesting a defense strategy reconfiguration rather than a complete loss.

CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings suggest that invasive P. americana may employ a strategic resource reallocation from induced defense to growth metabolism, while JA-mediated induced defense was activated in native P. americana. Our results provide support for the Shifting Defense Hypothesis and advance the mechanisms of plant invasion adaptation.},
}

Animals
*Spodoptera/physiology
*Herbivory
*Phytolacca americana/genetics/metabolism/physiology
*Transcriptome
Introduced Species
Gene Expression Profiling
Metabolomics
*Plant Defense Against Herbivory/genetics
Metabolome
Cyclopentanes
Oxylipins

@article {pmid42903053,
year = {2026},
author = {Lovazzano, A},
title = {New challenges in horticultural IPM: artificial intelligence can enhance the use of biocontrol agents.},
journal = {Open research Europe},
volume = {6},
number = {},
pages = {204},
pmid = {42903053},
issn = {2732-5121},
abstract = {Modern horticulture faces the dual imperatives of increasing global food production while mitigating the severe environmental and health impacts of conventional chemical pesticides. Biological control agents (BCAs), which utilize beneficial microorganisms, macroorganisms, semiochemical and botanicals to suppress pathogens, represent a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture but have been historically constrained by inconsistent field performance, high specificity, and slow action. Concurrently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force in agriculture, offering a powerful suite of tools for data analysis, prediction, and automation. The synergy of BCAs and AI creates advanced strategies where AI directly addresses the inherent limitations of biological control. It can foster the deployment of AI-driven predictive models for proactive pest outbreak forecasting, enabling timely and effective BCA application. Furthermore, it details the role of precision robotics and drones, guided by computer vision, in the targeted delivery of these agents. These components are synthesized into the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 5.0, where intelligent decision support systems orchestrate a holistic, data-driven approach to plant health. However, the realization of this vision is contingent on overcoming significant economic, regulatory, and adoption hurdles. High initial costs, complex and divergent regulatory countries in the EU and US, and socio-technical barriers to farmer adoption present formidable challenges. A focus on developing robust, low-cost technologies, enhancing BCA formulation and stability, creating interoperable data frameworks, and addressing the socio-economic factors is necessary to translate technological potential into widespread, sustainable practice.},
}

@article {pmid42903067,
year = {2026},
author = {Gumede, BP and Munyai, LF and Wu, N and Oduro, C and Dalu, T},
title = {Spatial and Environmental Drivers of Macroinvertebrate Diversity in Groundwater-Dependent Pan Wetlands Across a Transboundary Aquifer System.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {e74440},
pmid = {42903067},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Groundwater-dependent pan wetlands are keystone habitats for aquatic biodiversity in semi-arid landscapes, yet the processes that structure their invertebrate communities remain poorly resolved. We surveyed 221 pan wetlands across the Khakhea-Bray Transboundary Aquifer (KBTA), South Africa, a landscape of low relief (1027-1231 m a.s.l.), and asked whether macroinvertebrate assemblages track local physicochemical conditions, landscape position, or both. Pans were assigned to four elevation classes, used here as a surrogate for hydrogeomorphic setting and its hydroperiod consequences rather than as a climatic elevation gradient, because the total relief is an order of magnitude smaller than in studies where elevation acts as a direct driver. Waters were predominantly neutral to alkaline (mean pH 7.6-8.6), consistent with a strong groundwater signature. Dissolved oxygen, water temperature, water depth, ammonium, nitrate and phosphate differed significantly among classes, whereas pH, oxidation-reduction potential, conductivity, total dissolved solids and surface area did not. Assemblage composition differed among classes, but the effect was weak: global ANOSIM detected no separation, and similarity percentage analysis attributed between-class dissimilarity (67.9%-73.4%) to shifts in the relative abundance of a few dominant taxa, chiefly Anostraca, Spinicaudata and Notostraca, rather than to species turnover. Taxa richness differed significantly among classes, whereas abundance, Simpson, Shannon-Wiener and evenness did not, and within-class variation exceeded among-class differences. Shallow, short-hydroperiod pans were dominated by large branchiopods, whereas deeper, longer-hydroperiod pans supported proportionally more predatory aquatic insects and molluscs, consistent with hydroperiod and predation, rather than elevation, acting as the operative filters. Boosted regression trees ranked geographic position, particularly longitude, above local physicochemical variables as a correlate of taxa richness; because the surveyed pans are strongly clustered in space, this result is interpreted as evidence of unmeasured, spatially structured habitat variation rather than as a predictive relationship. Conserving these systems will require maintaining groundwater regimes and the full range of hydroperiods across the pan network under coordinated transboundary management, and monitoring assemblage composition rather than richness alone.},
}

@article {pmid42903594,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, S and Li, M and Guo, Y and Li, J and Wang, R},
title = {Habitat Type and Disturbance Intensity Are Associated With Invasive Plant Community Structure Across an Urbanizing Subtropical Island.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {e74522},
pmid = {42903594},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Urbanization promotes biological invasions, yet the relative importance of spatial versus temporal dynamics in subtropical urban ecosystems remains unclear. We investigated invasive plant communities across six habitat types in Hengqin, South China, to evaluate factors influencing their distribution across habitats and seasons. Using nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and zero-one inflated Beta (ZOIB) models, we found that habitat type and disturbance intensity were strongly associated with invasive species distribution, explaining 58.9% of the community composition (R [2] = 0.589). Seasonal variation showed limited influence on community composition (R [2] = 0.012, p = 1.000), but the ZOIB model revealed a significant habitat × season interaction (χ 15 2 = 30.32, p = 0.011), indicating that seasonal effects were habitat-dependent. Invasive species exhibited significantly broader occupancy breadth than native species (Shannon index: 3.00 vs. 2.45, p = 0.024), consistent with the generalist hypothesis. Greater spatial co-occurrence among dominant invasive species (median = 0.203) compared to native species suggests that these plants share similar habitat preferences and disturbance tolerance, enabling co-occurrence in high-stress environments. The weak overall seasonal signal contrasts with phenology-based models typical of temperate zones, although seasonal effects were evident in certain habitat types (e.g., forest edge, park, and wetland declined from spring to summer). This relative stability may reflect subtropical climate and the ability of dominant invasive species to maintain year-round growth. These findings suggest that management should prioritize high-risk habitats such as roadside and wasteland, while also considering seasonal timing in habitats with marked fluctuations.},
}

@article {pmid42901700,
year = {2026},
author = {Radersma, M and Nieze, J and Onyango, VT and Kobbekaduwa, V and Burkholder, R and Pochubay, EA and Conner, KN and Anderson, S and Wilstermann, AM and Tsao, JI and Miller, WL},
title = {Initial detection of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Michigan.},
journal = {Journal of medical entomology},
volume = {63},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jme/tjag166},
pmid = {42901700},
issn = {1938-2928},
mesh = {Animals ; *Haemaphysalis longicornis/physiology/growth & development ; Michigan ; Nymph/growth & development/physiology ; *Animal Distribution ; Introduced Species ; Female ; *Ixodidae/growth & development ; },
abstract = {The invasive tick Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Asian longhorned tick) was first detected in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America in 2017, prompting concerns about the introduction and establishment of this exotic pest. As of April 2025, H. longicornis expanded to 21 eastern and midwestern states. Haemaphysalis longicornis is a cattle pest that can cause anemia and exsanguination and is a vector of the parasite Theileria orientalis Ikeda. This report describes the first detection of H. longicornis in Michigan during surveillance for host-seeking ticks of public health concern. Ticks were collected via drag sampling from May to July 2025 at Grand Mere State Park (GMSP, Berrien County), located along Lake Michigan ∼30 km north of the Indiana border. Three H. longicornis nymphs were collected 30 May, 6 June, and 11 June. After detection of the first specimen, GMSP was revisited 6 times (total drag distance = 19,920 m2). Five other species were collected during surveillance for H. longicornis, including 302 specimens of the emerging Amblyomma americanum Linnaeus (lone star tick) and 1 A. maculatum Koch (Gulf Coast tick), the latter of which was not previously reported at this site or surrounding areas. One road-killed Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann (white-tailed deer) was sampled for ticks ∼10 km south of GMSP. While no H. longicornis were detected, 13 A. americanum and 1 A. maculatum were found on this deer. Continued surveillance at GMSP and in the surrounding area is necessary to evaluate the potential distribution of H. longicornis in southwest Michigan.},
}

Animals
*Haemaphysalis longicornis/physiology/growth & development
Michigan
Nymph/growth & development/physiology
*Animal Distribution
Introduced Species
Female
*Ixodidae/growth & development

@article {pmid42902431,
year = {2026},
author = {Tang, S and Xing, Y and Yan, Z and Nyirenda, K and Zhao, J},
title = {Spatiotemporal plasticity of the gut microbiome facilitates redbelly tilapia (Coptodon zillii) invasion in China.},
journal = {Animal microbiome},
volume = {8},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42902431},
issn = {2524-4671},
support = {2022YFC2601302//the National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The redbelly tilapia (Coptodon zillii) is a highly invasive fish species posing serious ecological risks to freshwater systems in China. To uncover mechanisms behind its invasion success, this study investigated spatiotemporal plasticity of its gut microbiome and explored the drivers of such plasticity. Using high-throughput 16 S rRNA sequencing, gut microbiota of C. zillii from five water bodies (two rivers, three reservoirs) and from Shuikou Reservoir across four seasons were compared.

RESULTS: Among populations from different habitats, 6 of the top 10 abundant phyla and 17 of the top 30 genera varied significantly (P < 0.05). Gut microbiota differed significantly (P < 0.05) in all pairwise population comparisons. Alpha diversity indices also showed significant differences among some populations (P < 0.05). Of 24 digestion-related KEGG pathways identified, 23 exhibited significant abundance variations across populations. Relative gene abundances of beta-glucosidase (P = 0.0025) and chitinase (P = 0.022) also differed significantly. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity were key environmental drivers of gut microbiota variation. Notably, microbial community assembly was predominantly governed by deterministic processes (> 60%), with heterogeneous selection contributing 42%-63%. In seasonal samples from Shuikou Reservoir, 6 of the top 10 phyla and 15 of the top 30 genera showed significant seasonal variation (P < 0.05). PERMANOVA indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in all pairwise seasonal comparisons. Of 19 digestion-related KEGG pathways, 13 exhibited significant abundance variations across seasons. Chitinase-coding gene abundance varied significantly among populations (P < 0.0001). Key factors driving seasonal differentiation were pH, conductivity, turbidity degree, and total nitrogen.

CONCLUSIONS: The gut microbiome of invasive C. zillii displays significant spatiotemporal variation in structure, diversity, and functional gene composition. This pronounced plasticity-rather than a stable, specialized microbiota-likely serves as a key adaptive strategy, enabling the species to thrive in heterogeneous environments.},
}

@article {pmid42096347,
year = {2026},
author = {Du, G and Han, J and Fu, B and Yuan, Y and Jiang, X and Sheng, Q and Luo, M and Hu, B},
title = {Decadal Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Genetic Diversity of Erwinia amylovora in China (2016 to 2025) Revealed by CRISPR Genotyping.},
journal = {Plant disease},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {PDIS01260014RE},
doi = {10.1094/PDIS-01-26-0014-RE},
pmid = {42096347},
issn = {0191-2917},
abstract = {Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, is a critical quarantine disease that emerged in China over the past decade. To characterize the population structure, genetic diversity, and virulence differentiation of E. amylovora, we performed CRISPR-based genotyping on 270 isolates collected from Xinjiang and Gansu between 2016 and 2025 in China. All isolates contained three CRISPR loci (CR1, CR2, and CR4), revealing 15 distinct genotypes. Notably, 14 genotypes were identified in China for the first time, all differing from the North American reference strain Ea055 (A, a, α). The identified genotypes clustered into eight distinct lineages, with Lineage I comprising the dominant A-type (A, t, α) and three related genotypes, representing 86.7% of the total isolates. The dominant Central Asian genotype (A, t, α) represented 84.1% of isolates and remains the primary invasive lineage. However, significant regional differentiation was observed: Lineages III and V were unique to Zhangye, Gansu (2023 to 2025), where genotype (ie, t, α) became regionally dominant (63.3%). Furthermore, our data suggest that genotypes A and D, originating from Central Asian populations, were independently introduced into the Ili and Aksu regions of Xinjiang, China, respectively. Pathogenicity assays on detached pear leaves (Pyrus sinkiangensis) showed 61.5% of strains were highly/strongly virulent; no direct correlation was observed between CRISPR genotypes and virulence levels. These findings reveal that since its introduction, E. amylovora has undergone localized adaptation, and population differentiation has occurred at the CRISPR genotype level, resulting in a complex genetic landscape. This decadal analysis provides a critical scientific foundation for tracing fire blight spread and management strategies.},
}

@article {pmid42889324,
year = {2026},
author = {Sahebi, S and Hill, DJ},
title = {Scale-space image analysis for mapping spotted knapweed in grassland ecosystems.},
journal = {Applications in plant sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e70086},
pmid = {42889324},
issn = {2168-0450},
abstract = {PREMISE: This study investigates the value of scale-space representations of spatial features for the identification and mapping of invasive plants using high-resolution multispectral imagery. Scale-space representations combine the two-dimensional spatial domain with a third dimension representing spatial scale, such that features can be represented across both space and image spatial resolution.

METHODS: Gaussian pyramids were constructed to create representations of the features across five image resolution levels (between 3 and 46 cm) within the scale space. A case study was employed to evaluate the importance of features across the scale space for the identification and mapping of spotted knapweed in a grassland ecosystem using multispectral imagery acquired using a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). Classification was performed using a random forest classifier that was constructed using a process that included feature and hyperparameter optimization.

RESULTS: The results of this case study show that classifiers constructed with only high spatial resolution features were associated with better classification performance than those constructed with only lower spatial resolution features; however, the best classification is achieved by leveraging features from throughout the feature scale spaces.

DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that optimization of the spatial scale at which features are computed can substantially improve remote sensing image analysis and potentially inform RPAS flight planning to improve mission efficiency.},
}

@article {pmid42890153,
year = {2026},
author = {Rodriguez Perez, C and Persson, K and Shaw, DM},
title = {We are the Earthworms! Aliens Using 3R on Humans: A Qualitative Experimental Ethics Study with Animal Research Professionals.},
journal = {Journal of agricultural & environmental ethics},
volume = {39},
number = {1},
pages = {9},
pmid = {42890153},
issn = {1187-7863},
abstract = {This study explores animal research professionals' attitudes toward the 3R principles (i.e., 3R: replacement, reduction, and refinement of the use of animals in research) using an experimental ethics approach. A thought experiment involving a superior extraterrestrial alien species conducting research on humans according to 3R was presented to 13 Swiss-based animal research professionals (i.e., researchers using animals, veterinarians, animal welfare officers, 3R coordinators, animal science trainers, and members of animal experimentation commissions) during qualitative semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to reflect on whether the aliens' research is justified, as well as on the extent to which 3R is the right framework for it. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Participants revealed a spectrum of attitudes, ranging from ambivalent acceptance to outright rejection of "3R for humans". Key themes included concerns about legitimacy, consent, and power asymmetry, as well as anthropocentric and speciesist attitudes. These findings support previously identified concerns about the limitations of 3R and show that professionals also recognize these challenges when reflecting on the issue using a role-reversal thought experiment. This underscores the ongoing need to advance ethical frameworks in animal research, expanding beyond 3R to incorporate broader moral considerations. Ultimately, our findings suggest that empirical animal ethics, and in particular thought experiments of this kind, offers a promising route to fostering ethical reflection and reform.},
}

@article {pmid42892822,
year = {2026},
author = {Gong, H and Yang, X and Bidegain, G and Wang, Y and Jiang, Y and Han, T and Dong, J and Zhang, X},
title = {Assessing the Potential Distribution of Eriocheir sinensis Under Climate Change: Regional Contrasts and Spatial Mismatches in Terrestrial and Nearshore Suitability.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {e74351},
pmid = {42892822},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), native to China and the Korean Peninsula, has established invasive populations with substantial ecological and economic impacts in Europe and North America. Anticipating changes in its potential distribution is important for invasion-risk screening and estuarine management. We developed a global species distribution model (G-SDM) and regional models for the native range, Europe, and North America, each comprising terrestrial and nearshore brackish-water components. Future suitability was projected under SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585. Terrestrial PCA-env analyses assessed changes in projected suitable environmental space, whereas MESS and MoD diagnosed environmental novelty and extrapolation uncertainty. Terrestrial suitability was mainly associated with annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, and distance to the coastline, whereas nearshore suitability was mainly associated with water depth, chlorophyll concentration, and sea-surface temperature, although the ranking of predictor importance differed among regions. Predicted-suitable environments in Europe and North America extended to lower annual and wettest-quarter temperatures than those in the native range. Under future scenarios, projected suitability was generally redistributed towards higher latitudes, particularly under SSP585. Terrestrial suitability showed more pronounced spatial redistribution than nearshore suitability in several regions, and the two components were not always geographically aligned. Terrestrial PCA-env analyses indicated greater retention of suitable environmental space in Europe but increasing unfilling in the native range and North America. MESS analysis further identified environmental novelty and extrapolation uncertainty in some future suitable areas. These findings provide a scientific basis for early prevention, targeted monitoring, field validation, and estuarine management.},
}

@article {pmid42895885,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, X and Deng, Y and He, X and Shao, H and Yu, S and Zhang, J and Yong, B and Tao, X},
title = {Albifimbria verrucaria DY01: a tomato-safe mycoherbicide candidate with broad-spectrum activity against farmland weeds and invasive Ageratina adenophora.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.71411},
pmid = {42895885},
issn = {1526-4998},
abstract = {The rapid evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds has driven urgent demand for eco-friendly bioherbicides, yet most microbial agents suffer narrow application ranges and unstable field efficacy. In this study, an Albifimbria verrucaria strain DY01 was isolated from naturally diseased leaves of Oplismenus undulatifolius. At 4 × 10[7] CFU mL[-1], DY01 spore suspension caused severe chlorosis and seedling mortality across six out of seven tested weeds within 5 days, while only Cyperus iria sustained minimal injury. The mortality rates of Echinochloa crus-galli, Microstegium vimineum, and the invasive species Ageratina adenophora reached 97.84%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Crop safety evaluation further demonstrated unique selectivity: tomato showed no phytotoxic symptoms even at the maximum test concentration, whereas Chinese cabbage suffered near-complete mortality, wheat displayed high lethal rates, and maize plus broad bean developed extensive necrotic lesions and growth retardation. Comparative bioassays confirmed that the <1000 Da dialyzed fraction exhibited stronger weed-suppressive effects than crude extract, indicating that active metabolites are small-molecule-weight compounds. The genome of DY01 was sequenced, yielding a 44.73 Mb assembly comprising 10 scaffolds with 13 600 predicted genes and 92 biosynthetic regions were identified, including T1PKS, NRPS, and terpene-precursor clusters, indicating the substantial secondary-metabolite biosynthetic potential of DY01. This study identified a broad-spectrum, tomato-safe A. verrucaria isolate with potent phytotoxicity, offering a valuable microbial resource and molecular foundation for developing targeted bioherbicides applied in tomato planting systems. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid42896267,
year = {2026},
author = {Yang, W and Zhou, H and Hu, H and Wang, W and Zhang, H and Fang, G},
title = {Revealing the spatial heterogeneity of pine wilt disease spread in China through Geographical Pattern Causality analysis.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {419},
number = {},
pages = {131205},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.131205},
pmid = {42896267},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Pine wilt disease (PWD) is one of the most destructive invasive forest diseases in China, yet the environmental drivers underlying its spatially heterogeneous spread remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the spatial and temporal patterns of natural PWD dispersal, identify persistent hotspots, and determine region-specific environmental drivers of PWD habitat suitability. We developed an integrated framework combining dispersal screening, biomod2 ensemble modelling, SaTScan spatiotemporal scan statistics, and Geographical Pattern Causality (GPC) analysis to examine PWD spread and its environmental drivers at national and regional scales. Natural dispersal increased markedly after 2016 and reached a peak of 9728 newly affected subcompartments in 2020. At the national scale, Altitude, mean diurnal temperature range (Bio2), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were the dominant determinants of habitat suitability, with relative importance values of 27.52%, 25.29%, and 21.87%, respectively. However, GPC analysis confirmed pronounced spatial heterogeneity among the SaTScan-identified hotspot regions during the outbreak period. In hotspot region A, Aspect and Slope showed the strongest positive causal relationships on PWD suitability, with causal strengths of 0.361 and 0.284, respectively. In contrast, Altitude and Slope showed strong negative effects in hotspot region C, with strengths of 0.591 and 0.520, respectively. Wind speed showed negative causal relationships with PWD habitat suitability across all hotspot regions. These findings demonstrate that the environmental drivers of PWD vary substantially across spatial scales and hotspot regions, highlighting the importance of incorporating regional heterogeneity into PWD monitoring, risk assessment, and differentiated management.},
}

@article {pmid42896957,
year = {2026},
author = {Newton, JP and Allentoft, ME and Bateman, PW and Ferrier, S and Thomsen, PF and Nevill, P},
title = {Car-Mounted Airborne eDNA Sampling Detects Landscape Scale Biodiversity Turnover Along Environmental Gradients.},
journal = {Molecular ecology resources},
volume = {26},
number = {7},
pages = {e70217},
pmid = {42896957},
issn = {1755-0998},
support = {//Mineral Resources/ ; },
mesh = {*DNA, Environmental/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Biodiversity ; Animals ; Extrachromosomal DNA ; Plants/genetics/classification ; Western Australia ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Ecosystem ; *Metagenomics/methods ; },
abstract = {Documenting accelerating global biodiversity decline requires monitoring tools that can operate across large spatial scales and repeated timeframes. Analysis of airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) is an emerging method used to track species distributions, but it is unknown whether airborne eDNA retains coherent ecological signals across terrestrial landscapes, or whether atmospheric mixing and DNA transport make it too spatially diffuse to resolve meaningful macroecological patterns. To address this question, we conducted a biodiversity survey using car-mounted airborne eDNA sampling along a repeated 1155 km route across south-western Western Australia, spanning the Southwest Australian biodiversity hotspot and adjacent inland regions. This extensive and environmentally heterogeneous region faces ongoing pressures from habitat loss, invasive species and climate change, highlighting the need for scalable biodiversity monitoring approaches. Samples were collected at ~26 km intervals and analysed using metabarcoding assays targeting plants, vertebrates and arthropods, with generalised dissimilarity modelling used to assess environmental drivers of community turnover. We detected a broad range of plants and animals, including species of ecological and biosecurity importance. Different taxonomic groups showed distinct spatial scales of airborne eDNA community similarity and beta diversity was structured primarily by habitat and environmental gradients rather than geographic distance alone. This indicates that airborne eDNA did not simply reflect spatially homogenised biological material but retained ecological structure informative of macroecological patterns. Together, these findings demonstrate that car-mounted airborne eDNA can recover ecologically meaningful patterns of community turnover across heterogeneous terrestrial landscapes and support landscape-scale biodiversity assessment.},
}

*DNA, Environmental/genetics/isolation & purification
*Biodiversity
Animals
Extrachromosomal DNA
Plants/genetics/classification
Western Australia
DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic
Ecosystem
*Metagenomics/methods

@article {pmid42897496,
year = {2026},
author = {Mendivil, A and Ramírez, R and Morin, J and Ramirez, JL and Shiga, B and Oliveros, N and Congrains, C and Martin, MD},
title = {First mitochondrial genomes in the Effusa clade (Gastropoda, Ampullariidae): unveiling new insights from Neotropical endemic Pomacea spp.},
journal = {BMC genomics},
volume = {27},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42897496},
issn = {1471-2164},
mesh = {Animals ; *Genome, Mitochondrial ; Phylogeny ; *Gastropoda/genetics/classification ; RNA, Transfer/genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Pomacea is the most diverse genus of the freshwater snail family Ampullariidae, which have been proposed as model organisms in biogeography, speciation and invasive biology. While substantial effort has been put into the mitochondrial genomes of Pomacea clades associated with invasive species (P. canaliculata and P. bridgesii groups), comparatively little is known about the mitogenomic organization and structure within the Effusa clade.

RESULTS: This study provides the first complete and annotated mitochondrial genomes of the Effusa clade, based on Pomacea nobilis (Reeve, 1856) and a putative undescribed Pomacea lineage (hereafter Pomacea sp.). The mitochondrial genome of P. nobilis (16,279 - 16,471 bp) and Pomacea sp. (16,355 bp) are among the largest recorded for Pomacea and contain the typical 37 animal genes. A comparative analysis with other Ampullariidae revealed that the Effusa clade differs from both P. canaliculata and P. bridgesii clades mainly by the higher proportion of intergenic regions, the size of many genes (ATP8, ATP6, NAD6, COIII and NAD2), the largest ribosomal RNAs among Pomacea and a putative large repetitive unit in the control region.

CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the distinctiveness of Effusa clade mitogenomes in comparison with the P. canaliculata and P. bridgesii groups. Further mitogenomic studies on underexplored Pomacea lineages will be important to broaden our understanding of mitochondrial genome diversity among apple snails.},
}

Animals
*Genome, Mitochondrial
Phylogeny
*Gastropoda/genetics/classification
RNA, Transfer/genetics
DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
RNA, Ribosomal/genetics

@article {pmid42898102,
year = {2026},
author = {Novoa, A and Shackleton, R and Bacher, S and Pipek, P and Chaichana, R and El-Keblawy, A and Galil, B and Gioria, M and Golivets, M and D'Hertefeldt, T and Ikegami, M and Jarić, I and Kull, CA and Mohanty, NP and Pattison, Z and Pauchard, A and Pergl, J and Preda, C and Pyšková, K and Rodríguez, J and Štajerová, K and Hai van Nguyen, T and Yazlık, A and Zenni, RD and Pyšek, P},
title = {Limited global awareness of invasive alien species and little support for their management.},
journal = {iScience},
volume = {29},
number = {11},
pages = {117811},
pmid = {42898102},
issn = {2589-0042},
abstract = {Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the main drivers of global change and can cause a wide range of negative ecological and social impacts. Addressing these impacts requires management actions, which can fail to be effective when not supported by the public. Here, we conducted the first global survey on people's awareness and perceptions of IAS and support for their management. Our results revealed low public awareness and understanding of biological invasions, and suggest that these are mainly influenced by people's sociodemographic status rather than the social-ecological contexts. Greater awareness of IAS was associated with more negative perceptions toward them and greater support for their management. A large majority of people did not support the use of most management measures. These results suggest that limited public awareness may represent a major obstacle to successfully managing IAS globally, highlighting the need for broader public communication, outreach, and engagement.},
}

@article {pmid42898944,
year = {2026},
author = {Kantor, C and Eisenback, JD and Zasada, I and Kantor, M},
title = {Where next for the discipline of nematology? Trends and implications for workforce sustainability, disease diagnostics, and biosecurity.},
journal = {Journal of nematology},
volume = {58},
number = {1},
pages = {573-590},
pmid = {42898944},
issn = {0022-300X},
abstract = {Nematodes are among the most abundant and functionally important organisms on Earth, strongly influencing soil processes, agricultural productivity, and biosecurity systems. Despite nematodes' increasingly important role in agricultural resilience and national biosecurity, the discipline has experienced sustained institutional decline across North America. This work examines the historical development, peak, and contraction of nematology as a scientific discipline in the United States, with comparative insights from Canada. Drawing on historical records, professional society membership data, faculty demographics, diagnostic infrastructure, and bibliometric analyses, we demonstrate that current nematology capacity is increasingly fragile, geographically concentrated, and insufficient to meet emerging risks. The findings reveal a paradox: while nematode-driven threats to crops, forests, and ecosystems are intensifying due to global trade and environmental change, workforce pipelines, diagnostic capacity, and institutional support continue to erode. Bibliometric trends further suggest that the field's future visibility depends on cross-disciplinary integration with molecular biology, ecology, and food security research. We argue that nematology constitutes critical scientific infrastructure and that its decline reflects structural disinvestment rather than diminished relevance. Strategic reinvestment in nematology training, diagnostics, and faculty positions is essential in an increasingly high-risk global environment.},
}

@article {pmid42883416,
year = {2026},
author = {Shou, L and Wang, Y and Shang, Y and Lu, J and Liu, M and Zhou, S and Li, J and Zhang, J},
title = {Predicting the Potential Suitable Distribution of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus in China Using a BIOMOD2 Ensemble Model.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {19},
pages = {},
pmid = {42883416},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {2025SZD1B01//Hangzhou Key Scientific Research Program/ ; 2025SNJF032//Zhejiang Province "Sannong Jiufang" Science and Technology Collaboration Program/ ; 019250094//Key Investigation and Monitoring Project of Agricultural Alien Invasive Species of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China/ ; },
abstract = {Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is an emerging tobamovirus that threatens tomato production and seedling trade. We used a BIOMOD2 ensemble to model present and future environmental suitability in China from 35 screened occurrence records, climatic predictors, and agricultural context data. Climate projections were based on BCC-CSM2-MR under SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585 for the 2050s and 2090s. The ensemble achieved calibration TSS = 0.831 and AUC/ROC = 0.958. Spatial-block evaluation was lower and more variable, so the calibration metrics do not demonstrate equally strong geographic transferability. Bio6 and bio15 were the leading predictors, followed by bio5 and bio13. At the primary AUCroc threshold of 0.441, the current suitable area was 44.35 × 10[4] km[2] (approximately 4.62% of China's land area), concentrated in warm, humid eastern and southern regions. Future estimates depend on the selected GCM and binary threshold. The maps identify environmental suitability and monitoring priorities rather than epidemic probability.},
}

@article {pmid42883418,
year = {2026},
author = {Yan, N and He, S and Ding, D and Zhang, Q and Liu, Q},
title = {Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Pattern Analysis of the Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase (PAL) Gene Family in Wheat Under Stripe Rust.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {19},
pages = {},
pmid = {42883418},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {32360659//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2024B02007-2//Key Research and Development Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region/ ; },
abstract = {Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) has been identified as the key rate-limiting enzyme of the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway, which affects the synthesis of plant secondary metabolites and stress responses. To investigate the composition and function of the PAL gene family in wheat against wheat stripe rust, 54 TaPAL gene family members were identified based on the wheat IWGSC RefSeq v2.1 genome data. Phylogenetic analysis of PAL proteins from wheat, maize, rice, tobacco, and Arabidopsis indicated that wheat PAL genes are more closely related to those of maize and rice. Promoter analysis revealed that these genes contain multiple hormone- and stress-responsive cis-acting elements. To investigate the expression characteristics of the TaPAL family under diverse stress conditions, qRT-PCR was conducted to analyze the transcriptional responses of 24 members distributed across different chromosomes to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) infection. Under Pst infection, relatively low basal expression was maintained by most TaPAL genes during early stages, whereas most TaPAL genes were significantly induced at 120 hpi. High expression levels were sustained by most genes at 240 hpi, and decreases were observed at 360 hpi. Four genes selected based on our laboratory's previous transcriptome data were used for expression analysis under exogenous hormone treatments and abiotic stresses. Diverse expression patterns were exhibited by the TaPAL genes under hormone treatments and abiotic stresses, indicating possible regulatory differentiation among family members. The results provide candidate genes for further functional studies of the wheat PAL gene family in stress responses.},
}

@article {pmid42883435,
year = {2026},
author = {Tamboli, AS and Youn, JS and Kadam, SK and Lekhak, MM and Bocianowski, J},
title = {Mitochondrial Genome of the Korean Endemic Arabis takesimana (Brassicaceae): Addition to the Genomic Resources and Evolutionary Insights.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {19},
pages = {},
pmid = {42883435},
issn = {2079-7737},
abstract = {Brassicaceae is a major model system for studies of plant evolution, systematics, comparative genomics, and speciation; however, mitochondrial genomic resources remain limited compared to plastid genomic resources, constraining investigations of mitochondrial genome evolution. Here, we report the mitogenome of the Korean endemic species Arabis takesimana, representing only the third available mitogenome for the genus Arabis. The mitogenome is 291,633 bp in length with a GC content of 45.3%. It was assembled with an average sequencing depth of 298.9×. It contains 58 annotated genes, including 34 protein-coding genes, three rRNA genes, and 21 tRNA genes. A 5.15 kb mitochondrial plastid DNA insertion (MIPT) region contributes four intact plastid-derived tRNA genes (trnA, trnL-CAA, trnS-GGA, and trnN-GUU) and a partial rrn18 gene. The mitogenome also contains 21.83 kb of transposable element (TE) sequences and 44.03 kb of repetitive DNA, representing 7.48% and 15.09% of the genome, respectively. Comparative analysis of 32 Brassicaceae mitogenomes revealed 30 conserved mitochondrial protein-coding genes shared across the sampled taxa, whereas rpl2, rpl10, rps1, rps10, rps13, rps14, rps19, sdh3, and sdh4 exhibited lineage-specific patterns of truncation, pseudogenization, or loss. Linear regression revealed a strong positive association between mitogenome size and TE content (R[2] = 0.7245), whereas MIPT content (R[2] = 0.09146) and repetitive DNA (R[2] = 0.1896) showed weaker associations with mitogenome size. Nucleotide diversity analyses identified highly variable mitochondrial loci with potential as molecular markers. Phylogenetic analyses based on conserved mitochondrial protein-coding genes resolved sampled Brassicaceae species with strong support and established the phylogenetic placement of A. takesimana, highlighting the utility of mitogenomic data for evolutionary, phylogenetic, and comparative genomic studies within the family.},
}

@article {pmid42883806,
year = {2026},
author = {Magiera, A and Marchelak, A and Kołodziejczyk-Czepas, J and Dowgird, A and Olszewska, MA},
title = {Flower Extracts of the Invasive Species Prunus serotina Ehrh.: Phytochemical Composition, Protective Effects on Human Plasma Components, and Impact on Neutrophil Functions.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {19},
pages = {},
pmid = {42883806},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {503/3-022-01/503-31-001; 502-06/9-902-01/502-06-001-12//Medical University of Lodz/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Plant Extracts/pharmacology/chemistry ; *Neutrophils/drug effects/metabolism ; *Prunus/chemistry ; *Flowers/chemistry ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; *Phytochemicals/pharmacology/chemistry ; Antioxidants/pharmacology/chemistry ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism ; Phenols ; },
abstract = {Prunus serotina Ehrh. (Rosaceae) is one of the most widespread invasive tree species in Europe. Its abundant floral biomass remains understudied, despite its potential as a source of valuable bioactive compounds. Our study provides a comprehensive phytochemical characterization of P. serotina flower extracts and the first evaluation of their biological activity in models related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Phytochemical composition was analyzed using UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS[3], HPLC-PDA, and spectrophotometric techniques. Over 60 specialized metabolites were fully or partially identified, primarily polyphenolic compounds (flavonols, phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins), and the content of major constituents was quantified using authentic reference standards, providing the most detailed profiling data on P. serotina flowers to date. The total phenolic content of the extracts, obtained using water, 70% ethanol-water, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, ranged from 119.05 to 144.97 mg/g dw. Biological potential of the extracts was evaluated by assessing their effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine release (TNF-α), the inflammation-related enzyme elastase (ELA-2), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in stimulated human immune cells (neutrophils), as well as their ability to enhance plasma antioxidant capacity (NEAC) and protect human plasma proteins and lipids from peroxynitrite-induced damage. At concentrations of 1-100 µg/mL, the extracts decreased TNF-α, ELA-2, and ROS levels by up to 46%, 43%, and 74%, respectively, and reduced 3-nitrotyrosine by up to 72%. These findings highlight the potential of P. serotina biomass as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds for inflammation- and oxidative stress-related disorders, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, further in vivo studies are needed to verify these effects under physiological conditions and assess their pharmacological potential.},
}

Humans
*Plant Extracts/pharmacology/chemistry
*Neutrophils/drug effects/metabolism
*Prunus/chemistry
*Flowers/chemistry
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
*Phytochemicals/pharmacology/chemistry
Antioxidants/pharmacology/chemistry
Oxidative Stress/drug effects
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
Phenols

@article {pmid42884775,
year = {2026},
author = {Šipek, M and Horvat, E and Šajna, N},
title = {Broad Habitat Tolerance of the Alien Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Teschem. Across Urban Vegetation Communities in a Central European City.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {19},
pages = {},
pmid = {42884775},
issn = {2223-7747},
abstract = {Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Teschem. is an invasive alien species increasingly recorded in urban environments; however, its habitat characteristics, ecological preferences, and associated vegetation communities remain insufficiently studied in Central Europe. This study investigated the distribution and habitats of D. indica in the urban area of Maribor, Slovenia, aiming to assess its ecological amplitude across urban vegetation. Field surveys identified 47 sites, of which 24 vegetation plots were analyzed to characterize associated plant communities, while environmental conditions were assessed at 18 plots. The species was recorded in forest understories, forest edges, parking lots, lawns, and ruderal sites and showed the highest affinity for semi-shaded habitats. Habitats differed significantly in light availability, soil nitrogen and copper content, while soil moisture, pH, and other analyzed soil chemical properties did not differ significantly but displayed substantial variation within individual habitat. Cluster analysis revealed four vegetation clusters associated with D. indica habitats, which partially corresponded to the habitat groups defined along the light gradient. Ordination analysis further supported a partial differentiation of vegetation assemblages associated with contrasting light conditions, although the environmental variables did not explain a significant proportion of variation in species composition. These results indicate that D. indica occurs across a broad ecological range and can persist within heterogeneous urban vegetation communities. Its ability to establish under contrasting environmental conditions, particularly in disturbed and semi-shaded habitats, may contribute to its continued spread within urban landscapes and facilitate potential expansion into adjacent natural habitats.},
}

@article {pmid42885619,
year = {2026},
author = {Villar, DA and Turpo Aroquipa, R and Gamarra Peralta, C and Moreno Terrazas, E},
title = {Competitive exclusion, not predation, likely drove the decline in native fish diversity following carnivorous fish introductions to Lake Titicaca in the mid-20th century.},
journal = {Journal of fish biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/jfb.70695},
pmid = {42885619},
issn = {1095-8649},
abstract = {Lake Titicaca is a continental centre for ichthyological biodiversity, with over 90% of native species being endemic. However, these species face significant threats from invasive species, particularly from invasive salmonids and invasive Argentine pejerrey. While ecologists have known that these invasive species have had deleterious effects on the ichthyofauna of Lake Titicaca for decades, whether this is a consequence of competitive exclusion or direct predation remains unknown. We tested this using morphological data, testing whether the closeness of native species to invasives in morphospace was predictive of their current conservation status, and whether smaller species were likelier to be at risk than larger species. We also tested whether fisheries pressure better explained extinction risk and found species that were at higher risk of extinction were fished less than those which were at a lower risk of extinction. We found that larger species, and those closer to the invasives in morphospace, are likelier to be endangered or to have gone extinct. This strongly suggests that competitive exclusion is the primary way that invasive species cause native fish declines in Lake Titicaca. Using morphospace to assess the mechanisms of invasive species' impacts on native fish species is an alternative to longer-term monitoring which is often absent in poorly studied, though highly diverse, tropical waters. It could be used by conservationists in other regions to triage conservation efforts towards more vulnerable species and to predict which species are likelier to be harmed when a new invasive species is identified.},
}

@article {pmid42882965,
year = {2026},
author = {Taş, B},
title = {Framing the Raccoon: Discourse, Governance, and Ethics in Urban Wildlife Management in Germany.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {16},
number = {19},
pages = {},
pmid = {42882965},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {PID2024-156807OB-I00/MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033//European Regional Development Fund/ ; },
abstract = {Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are classified as an invasive alien species of European Union concern, yet their governance involves ecological, legal, and ethical considerations. This study examines how raccoons are framed and governed in Germany, with particular attention to Berlin and Kassel/Hesse, and how these framings legitimise different interventions. Frame analysis and critical discourse analysis were applied to 39 governmental, parliamentary, public-information, and organisational documents. Four recurring and overlapping frames were identified: invasive threat, urban conflict/pest, manageable population, and cohabiting neighbour. These frames define harm and allocate responsibility differently, legitimising responses ranging from prevention and coexistence to hunting and fertility control. They also differ in which forms of animal suffering they make visible or obscure. Even non-lethal fertility control could reproduce a control-oriented logic when the need to reduce raccoon populations was assumed rather than justified. Raccoon governance is therefore shaped not only by ecological evidence and legal obligations but also by judgments concerning risk, order, belonging, care, and control. The analysis shows how invasive classification structures evidential and moral priorities, foregrounding population-level ecological harms while often subordinating human responsibility and the interests of individual raccoons. It argues that invasive status alone cannot establish either the necessity or the ethical acceptability of intervention: documented local harms, expected benefits, harms imposed on individual animals, feasible alternatives, and human responsibility must all be made explicit, while non-intervention must remain possible where serious harm has not been demonstrated.},
}

@article {pmid42874994,
year = {2026},
author = {McKeown, JP and Wadkin, LE and Parker, NG and Golightly, A and Baggaley, AW},
title = {Reaction-diffusion models of invasive tree pest spread: Quantifying the expansion of oak processionary moth in the UK.},
journal = {Mathematical biosciences},
volume = {402},
number = {},
pages = {109824},
doi = {10.1016/j.mbs.2026.109824},
pmid = {42874994},
issn = {1879-3134},
abstract = {UK woodlands, forests, and urban treescapes are under threat from invasive species, exacerbated by climate change, trade, and transport. Invasive tree pests debilitate their host and disrupt forest ecosystems, thus it is imperative to quantitatively model and predict their spread. Addressing this, we model the spread of an invasive pest using a spatiotemporal reaction-diffusion equation, representing the spatial distribution as a population density field. We solve this intractable equation numerically and, from the solution, we determine first arrival times of the pest at locations in the field. The adopted model permits us to obtain the expansion rate of pest spread directly from the model parameters, which we infer in the Bayesian paradigm, using a Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme. We apply our framework to the ongoing spread of oak processionary moth in the UK, an outbreak which continues to grow despite management efforts. We demonstrate that our approach effectively captures the spread of the pest and that a model with a non-constant expansion rate is a better fit to the data than a constant-rate model. Finally, we discuss possible reasons for the apparent non-constant rate of expansion, arguing that this may be due to the impact of host species and environment heterogeneity, rather than a genuine change in the intrinsic expansion rate. The proposed framework is a powerful tool for quantitatively modelling the spread of an invasive tree pest and could underpin future prediction and management approaches.},
}

@article {pmid42878679,
year = {2026},
author = {Sumi, U and Sugiura, S},
title = {Differential Effectiveness of Anti-Predator Defenses in Non-Native Leaf Beetles Against Native Frogs and Lizards.},
journal = {Zoological science},
volume = {43},
number = {5},
pages = {438-445},
doi = {10.2108/zs260009},
pmid = {42878679},
issn = {0289-0003},
mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera/physiology ; *Predatory Behavior/physiology ; *Anura/physiology ; *Lizards/physiology ; Introduced Species ; },
abstract = {Predators constitute an important source of biotic resistance influencing the establishment and population increase of non-native species, and the strength of this resistance depends on how effectively predators tolerate or overcome the defenses of non-native prey. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of defenses in the non-native leaf beetle Lema diversipes and its closely related native congener L. decempunctata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) against two native predators: the Japanese tree frog, Dryophytes japonicus (Anura: Hylidae), and the Japanese skink, Plestiodon japonicus (Squamata: Scincidae). Adults of both beetle species secreted chemicals from their elytra when stimulated. To investigate defensive effectiveness, individual adults were provided to predators under laboratory conditions. All adults of both beetle species were attacked and consumed by tree frogs, whereas 93% of L. diversipes and 60% of L. decempunctata were rejected by skinks. These results indicate that the beetles' chemical defenses are more effective against skinks than against tree frogs. Consequently, native tree frogs may exert stronger biotic resistance than native skinks, and tree frogs potentially suppress the population increase of L. diversipes. Overall, our findings show that chemical defense effectiveness varies between predator groups, highlighting the importance of predator diversity in shaping invasion outcomes.},
}

Animals
*Coleoptera/physiology
*Predatory Behavior/physiology
*Anura/physiology
*Lizards/physiology
Introduced Species

@article {pmid42881275,
year = {2026},
author = {Singh, PP and Shukla, U and Singh, S and Shipra, and Samal, P and Mathur, A and Verma, P and Kaur, J and Behera, SK and Rai, R and Adhikari, D},
title = {Resource-efficient surveillance of invasive plants using Sentinel-2 phenology and street view validation.},
journal = {Environmental monitoring and assessment},
volume = {198},
number = {11},
pages = {},
pmid = {42881275},
issn = {1573-2959},
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; *Environmental Monitoring/methods ; India ; Prosopis/growth & development ; Trees/growth & development ; Asteraceae/growth & development ; },
abstract = {Invasive plants can undermine the ecological integrity and long-term benefits of urban greening. Yet municipal agencies often lack scalable tools for targeted surveillance. We evaluated a resource-efficient workflow in Lucknow, India, combining Sentinel-2 Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series, MaxEnt modelling, field checks and Google Street View (GSV). Three invasive plants representing contrasting growth forms were selected: Neltuma juliflora (Sw.) Raf. (syn. Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.; tree), Lantana camara L. (shrub) and Parthenium hysterophorus L. (herb). Monthly predictor contributions varied among species, identifying candidate surveillance windows in late post-monsoon and late-winter periods. Field surveys confirmed species presence at 26/30, 27/30 and 24/30 selected high-suitability sites for L. camara, N. juliflora and P. hysterophorus, respectively. Across 90 GSV sites per species, detections increased from low to high suitability, with each class increase associated with 3.46-4.11-fold higher odds of detection. Inter-observer agreement was lower for the herb than for the woody species. Land-cover overlays showed the highest mean suitability in forest for the woody species and in built-up land for the herb. Intersecting the maximum-suitability screening layer with low Dynamic World vegetation probability identified 1,000.61 ha of potential conflict zones, including 361.37 ha within mapped wards. Overall, the workflow supports targeted surveillance by prioritising areas for field verification. With local recalibration, it could inform municipal policies for invasive-plant surveillance and the allocation of management resources within urban greening programmes in other cities also.},
}

*Introduced Species
*Environmental Monitoring/methods
India
Prosopis/growth & development
Trees/growth & development
Asteraceae/growth & development

@article {pmid42881429,
year = {2026},
author = {Haubrock, PJ and Abreo, NA and Katsanevakis, S and Essl, F and Tarkan, AS and Padilha, J and Hulme, PE and Ahmed, DA and Nogueira, AB and Everts, T and Hui, C and Sousa, R and Britton, JR},
title = {Living on the Edge: Ecological and Evolutionary Dynamics Along Invasion Fronts.},
journal = {Ecology letters},
volume = {29},
number = {10},
pages = {e70465},
pmid = {42881429},
issn = {1461-0248},
support = {101203662//HORIZON EUROPE Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions/ ; 101181413//European Union's Horizon Europe/ ; COMPETE2030-FEDER-00686700//Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)/ ; I 5825-B/FWF_/Austrian Science Fund FWF/Austria ; },
mesh = {*Introduced Species ; *Biological Evolution ; Animals ; *Ecosystem ; Population Dynamics ; Models, Biological ; },
abstract = {Invasion fronts are the advancing edges of non-native species' ranges and represent dynamic, non-equilibrium boundaries where colonization, biotic interactions and rapid evolutionary processes interact. Although biological invasions are increasingly well studied, the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms operating at invasion fronts remain conceptually fragmented despite their disproportionate influence on spread dynamics, exerted impact and management. Here, we synthesize how invasion-front geometries arise from interactions among propagule pressure, landscape permeability, long-distance dispersal and environmental heterogeneity, producing continuous (including satellite colonies), patchy/fragmented or coalescing fronts that shift with invasion stage and spatiotemporal scales. We integrate ecological and evolutionary evidence from macro-organisms to show how gradients from core to front can result in declining population density, increased trait divergence, spatial sorting, serial founder effects, expansion load, and behavioural and physiological differentiation. We further draw parallels with climate-driven range expansions, while emphasizing the stronger disequilibrium and novel biotic contexts characteristic of non-native invasion fronts. Finally, we map these dynamics onto impact trajectories, demonstrating how trait-mediated interactions, resource reallocation and system-level reconfiguration can emerge sequentially along the invasion gradient. By unifying ecological and evolutionary processes across appropriate spatial and temporal scales, we establish invasion fronts as powerful natural laboratories and critical leverage points for predicting, monitoring and managing biological invasions.},
}

*Introduced Species
*Biological Evolution
Animals
*Ecosystem
Population Dynamics
Models, Biological

@article {pmid42873330,
year = {2026},
author = {Norhan, NA and Yusoff, NAH and Abdullah, F and Ishak, AN and Husin, NM and Wee, HB and Jones, JB and Ikhwanuddin, M and Nor, SAM and Hassan, M},
title = {Host Compatibility of the Temnocephalid Diceratocephala boschmai: Experimental Transmission Between Invasive Cherax quadricarinatus and Native Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Malaysia.},
journal = {Acta parasitologica},
volume = {71},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {42873330},
issn = {1896-1851},
support = {Vot 63933 and 56053//Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, under the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) programme, Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Malaysia ; *Palaemonidae/parasitology ; Introduced Species ; Hemolymph/chemistry ; *Host Specificity ; Symbiosis ; Glucose/analysis ; Hemocytes ; Fresh Water ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The introduction of host-associated symbionts by invasive species threatens native aquatic biodiversity through symbiont spillover and host switching. This study investigated the experimental host-specificity and transmission potential of Diceratocephala boschmai from invasive Cherax quadricarinatus to the native giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

METHODS: Briefly, temnocephalid-infested C. quadricarinatus were exposed to symbiont-free M. rosenbergii and C. quadricarinatus for 30 days. Thereafter, symbiont transmission was assessed, and host hemolymph parameters, including total hemocyte count (THC), differential hemocyte count (DHC), glucose, and protein concentration, were evaluated.

RESULTS: Successful transmission was observed in 93.33% of C. quadricarinatus, with both adult worms and egg capsules detected, whereas no transmission was observed in M. rosenbergii. THC was significantly higher in experimentally infested C. quadricarinatus (TCq) than in non-infested C. quadricarinatus (NCq) (p<0.05). DHC and glucose concentrations differed among host populations. Total protein concentration also differed significantly among host populations, with NMr exhibiting higher concentrations than the other groups, whereas no significant difference was detected between TCq and NCq.

CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate successful infestation of C. quadricarinatus but not in M. rosenbergii under the experimental conditions, suggesting differences in host compatibility. Increased THC in experimentally infested C. quadricarinatus indicates a cellular response to symbiont exposure, although experimental stress may also have contributed. Overall, the findings provide restricted host compatibility and highlight that invasive C. quadricarinatus may serve as a reservoir for D. boschmai, facilitating its persistence and dissemination in freshwater ecosystems.},
}

Animals
Malaysia
*Palaemonidae/parasitology
Introduced Species
Hemolymph/chemistry
*Host Specificity
Symbiosis
Glucose/analysis
Hemocytes
Fresh Water

@article {pmid42874260,
year = {2026},
author = {Ghaly, TM and McPherson, VJ and Rajabal, V and Ghaly, ME and Taws, N and Gallagher, RV and Le Roux, JJ and Tetu, SG},
title = {Soil microbial traits shift on contrasting timescales following restoration of former grazing lands.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {419},
number = {},
pages = {131161},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.131161},
pmid = {42874260},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Native vegetation restoration is a key strategy for restoring degraded lands globally. While this process can reshape belowground microbial communities, the extent to which such changes restore soil ecosystem functions, and whether different microbial traits recover synchronously or on distinct timescales remains less clear. Understanding the sequence of functional recovery is essential for evaluating restoration success, as distinct microbial traits drive different ecosystem services, from carbon storage to plant growth promotion, and serve as meaningful indicators of long-term ecological recovery. To address this, we applied deep metagenomic sequencing to characterise soil microbial responses following native vegetation restoration (spanning 1-31 years prior to sampling) on grazing agricultural lands. We found that microbial functional changes occurred in distinct phases: an early, rapid restructuring of core soil health processes, detectable as early as three years, including enrichment of nutrient retention and carbon fixation pathways, followed by a more gradual development of plant growth-promoting traits as the plant community matures. Genome-resolved analyses of nearly 500 metagenome-assembled genomes revealed a fundamental shift in dominant microbial life history strategies. Specifically, communities transitioned from a resource-scavenging and stress tolerance profile in grazing soils to strategies that prioritise biosynthesis and growth yields in restored soils. These lifestyle shifts have important implications for enhancing the microbial biomass and carbon sink potential of soils. Together, these findings show that microbial functional shifts following restoration are temporally structured - informing expectations for when key restoration targets may be achieved, and providing a practical framework for monitoring ecosystem recovery.},
}

@article {pmid42871437,
year = {2026},
author = {De Donno, MD and Zangaro, F and Arnosti, P and Bergamin, S and Boban, J and Bozzetti, MP and Cazzetta, A and De Pittà, C and Dessanai, D and Drigo, F and Julius, OT and Ključe, L and Lušić, J and Marcucci, F and Massaro, R and Morelli, V and Moro, I and Nazlić, N and Pellizzato, M and Rainò, M and Shauer, M and Tasinazzo, M and Troli, E and Specchia, V and Pinna, M},
title = {Targeted eDNA Survey Enables Consistent Detection of the Invasive Blue Crab in Trans-Border Adriatic Coastal-Marine Ecosystems.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {e74462},
pmid = {42871437},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {The invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus poses a significant ecological and economic threat to Mediterranean marine ecosystems, highlighting the need for sensitive and reliable tools for its early detection. We developed and validated a species-specific environmental DNA (eDNA) assay designed for sensitive detection of C. sapidus. Species-specific primers targeting a 464 bp fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene were designed, and their specificity was confirmed through in silico analyses using Primer-BLAST and Sanger sequencing, and their effectiveness was validated via high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of environmental DNA (eDNA) samples. The assay based on eDNA proved to be reliable and robust in confirming the presence of blue crab DNA in five cross-border Adriatic pilot areas impacted by this invasive species. In addition, the dominant OTU was consistently present in all sites, while haplotype network analysis using ASVs revealed a shared central haplotype across Adriatic populations, supporting their genetic cohesiveness and a common invasion history. These results emphasize the importance of molecular tools for tracking invasion dynamics and reinforce the potential for uniform genetic profiles to facilitate management efforts. Overall, our findings demonstrate that targeted eDNA approaches are essential for effective early detection and containment strategies in marine ecosystems threatened by biological invasions, and that the blue crab in the Adriatic Sea constitutes a potential genetically cohesive invasive entity.},
}

@article {pmid42327020,
year = {2026},
author = {Schizas, NV and Toledo-Rodriguez, DA and Jimenez Marrero, NM and Veglia, AJ and Sáez, JE and Estrada, RE and Pérez, AM and Del Carmen Luguera González, Y and Muñoz-Maravilla, JD and Weil, E and McFadden, CS},
title = {The invasive soft coral Xenia umbellata has been confirmed in Cuban waters.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42327020},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Octocoral colonies with unusual morphology were detected in September 2022 and October 2023 in two coastal areas east of Havana, Cuba, and tentatively identified as Unomia stolonifera. U. stolonifera is an invasive octocoral from the Indo-Pacific that was first reported in the Caribbean off Venezuela in the 2000's, where it has spread rapidly, smothering coral reefs and substantially altering benthic communities. After obtaining tissue samples from a Cuban octocoral colony, we re-examined the specimen using molecular barcoding of three mitochondrial regions (16S/ND2, mtMutS, COI) and the nuclear large ribosomal subunit (28S rRNA), and we unequivocally identified it as Xenia umbellata. X. umbellata, a native of the Red Sea, was first identified in southern Puerto Rico in October 2023 and has since been found in various marine ecosystems along the southern coast of the island. The presence of either invasive octocoral species in Cuba or elsewhere in the Caribbean would be of a serious environmental concern due to their documented tolerance, totipotentiality, propagation capacity and significant negative interactions with local benthic fauna. Attempts to eradicate the invasive soft coral colonies from Cuban waters have been initiated with apparent success, helping to control further expansion. The most likely introduction pathway is the accidental or intentional releases from the aquarium trade but transport via ballast water cannot be ruled out. We cannot discount the possibility of independent invasion events from different routes to Puerto Rico and Cuba occurring within a year of each other. Propagation from Cuba to Puerto Rico, or vice versa, which we consider highly improbable, would likely imply that soft coral populations may also have been established on Hispaniola but have remained undetected in the Dominican Republic and Haiti to date.},
}

@article {pmid42543195,
year = {2026},
author = {Stern, N and Nazarova, S},
title = {Invasives in the dark: An established population of the arrow bulleye Priacanthus sagittarius on the aphotic continental slope of the eastern Mediterranean.},
journal = {Journal of fish biology},
volume = {109},
number = {4},
pages = {2288-2293},
doi = {10.1111/jfb.70603},
pmid = {42543195},
issn = {1095-8649},
mesh = {Animals ; Mediterranean Sea ; *Introduced Species ; Gastrointestinal Contents ; Ecosystem ; Israel ; },
abstract = {Although the eastern Mediterranean is recognized as the most heavily invaded marine region worldwide, such incursions have been documented almost exclusively in coastal and upper-shelf habitats. Here, we present the first record of a fish invasion into the Mediterranean's aphotic zone, reporting nine specimens of the arrow bulleye Priacanthus sagittarius captured at a depth of 420 m on the sandy continental slope off the Israeli coast. DNA-based analysis of stomach contents identified deep-sea prey taxa, providing robust evidence that this non-indigenous species is actively feeding within the deep benthic environments of the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, analyses of genetic population structure indicate a downward expansion of local continental populations and reveal cryptic diversity between native populations along the Indian and West Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea and invasive Mediterranean populations. The potential ecological consequences of colonizing and exploiting new deep-sea habitats are also explored.},
}

Animals
Mediterranean Sea
*Introduced Species
Gastrointestinal Contents
Ecosystem
Israel

@article {pmid42543526,
year = {2026},
author = {Ramírez-García, A and Korkmaz, M and Pacheco, JP and Tavşanoğlu, ÜN and Pita-Zamudio, MV and Acar, V and Aznarez, C and Metin, M and Dede, C and Yılmaz, G and Ertuğrul, S and Amorim, CA and Çolak, MA and Özgencil, İK and Akyürek, Z and Özkan, K and Beklioğlu, M and Jeppesen, E},
title = {Trophic niche overlap between native and non-native fishes in central Anatolian lakes, Türkiye.},
journal = {Journal of fish biology},
volume = {109},
number = {4},
pages = {2272-2287},
doi = {10.1111/jfb.70602},
pmid = {42543526},
issn = {1095-8649},
support = {118C250//Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu (TÜBİTAK)/ ; 121C273//Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu (TÜBİTAK)/ ; ÇDAP-108-2021-10658//Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi (METU BAP)/ ; 871081//European Commission (EU H2020)/ ; BAP-08-11-DPT2012K120880//Deniz Ekosistem ve İklim Araştırmaları Merkezi (DEKOSIM)/ ; CF18-0894//Carlsbergfondet (Carlsberg Foundation)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Lakes ; *Fishes/physiology ; *Food Chain ; *Diet ; *Introduced Species ; Turkey ; Gastrointestinal Contents ; *Ecosystem ; Predatory Behavior ; },
abstract = {The Central Anatolian region of Türkiye exhibits exceptionally high freshwater fish diversity and endemism and is increasingly exposed to the introduction of non-native taxa. We examined the diet composition, prey selectivity and interspecific dietary overlap among eight native and five non-native fish species across seven lakes in Central Anatolia. Fish were sampled using multimesh gill nets and fyke nets, and their stomach contents were identified. In addition, zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrate communities were quantified to evaluate prey selectivity patterns. Aquatic insects were the main food sources (averaging 60%), followed by cladocerans (25%), for both native and non-native fish species. Horn's index indicated a high dietary overlap (>0.60) between several native and non-native species, suggesting substantial overlap in resource use and the potential for exploitative interactions. Native species generally exhibited more specialized diets, whereas non-native species tended to be generalists. Prey selectivity analysis revealed that both native and non-native species preferentially consumed aquatic insects over other available prey types, indicating shared reliance on benthic food resources. These findings suggest that non-native fishes may influence trophic structure and resource use patterns in freshwater ecosystems with high endemism. We emphasize the importance of region-specific monitoring and management strategies to mitigate the ecological impacts of non-native fishes and support the conservation of Türkiye's freshwater biodiversity.},
}

Animals
Lakes
*Fishes/physiology
*Food Chain
*Diet
*Introduced Species
Turkey
Gastrointestinal Contents
*Ecosystem
Predatory Behavior

@article {pmid42870688,
year = {2026},
author = {Boyette, JL and Carvalho, T and Rodriguez, D and Neely, WJ and Medina, D and Martins, RA and Ossiboff, RJ and Gomez, Z and Vuyk, WC and Buttimer, SM and Paniagua Torres, KA and Assis, AB and Navas, CA and Muletz-Wolz, CR and Campana, MG and Richards-Zawacki, CL and Becker, CG},
title = {Overcoming Detection Lag in a Cryptic Panzootic: Chytrid Invasion Linked to Historically Enigmatic Amphibian Declines in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.},
journal = {Molecular ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {19},
pages = {e70573},
pmid = {42870688},
issn = {1365-294X},
support = {DEB-2227340//National Science Foundation/ ; DEB-2413542//National Science Foundation/ ; BII-2120084//National Science Foundation/ ; IOS-2131060//National Science Foundation/ ; DGE-1255832//National Science Foundation/ ; //Smithsonian Institution/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Brazil ; *Batrachochytrium/genetics/pathogenicity ; *Introduced Species ; *Amphibians/microbiology ; Forests ; Biodiversity ; Genotype ; *Chytridiomycota/genetics ; },
abstract = {As human activity accelerates the spread of pathogens and other invasive species, reconstructing the cryptic early dynamics of undetected invasions has become a central challenge in disease ecology and invasion biology. Here, we leverage museum specimens to reconstruct the invasion of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a fungal panzootic driving global amphibian biodiversity loss, across historically enigmatic declines in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain Bd's historical dynamics in this region: long-term enzootic persistence versus recent epizootic invasion coinciding with declines. Using molecular screening, histopathology, and genotyping of museum and modern specimens, we find no evidence of Bd infection prior to the decline, followed by widespread infection immediately thereafter. Only the global panzootic lineage (Bd-GPL) was detected during the first year of post-decline sampling, implicating its invasion in driving regional losses. Infection prevalence varied among species following the decline, likely reflecting species-specific interactions between baseline susceptibility and ecological exposure risk. Contemporary host populations exhibit more uniform prevalence regardless of decline history, consistent with the evolution of pathogen tolerance under enzootic conditions. Together, these results provide the first site-specific evidence linking Bd-GPL invasion to enigmatic amphibian declines in Brazil and demonstrate the power of museum collections for resolving detection lag dynamics in emerging infectious diseases.},
}

Animals
Brazil
*Batrachochytrium/genetics/pathogenicity
*Introduced Species
*Amphibians/microbiology
Forests
Biodiversity
Genotype
*Chytridiomycota/genetics

@article {pmid42870969,
year = {2026},
author = {Fan, J and Li, X and Xiang, J and Li, W and Deng, Z},
title = {Distribution Patterns and Environmental Correlates of Invasive Plants Along an Urbanization Gradient in a Medium-Sized Mountainous City of Southwest China.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {e74220},
pmid = {42870969},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Against the backdrop of ongoing urban expansion, alien plant invasions are closely linked to the stability of urban ecosystems. However, few studies have documented invasive plant distribution and their statistical associations with landscape variables in mountainous medium-sized cities, which serve as critical urban-rural transition zones. This study selected Anning City, a representative mountainous medium-sized city in Yunnan, Southwest China, as the research case. We established 63 standard sampling plots spanning urban, suburban, and exurban zones along an urbanization gradient. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and Monte Carlo permutation tests were adopted to quantify statistical associations between six major macro-environmental variables and invasive plant spatial distribution, and to characterize the distribution features of invasive plants for reference in targeted monitoring work. The main observations are summarized as follows: (1) A total of 66 alien invasive plant species belonging to 24 families and 51 genera were recorded. Asteraceae was the most abundant family, accounting for 25.75% of all taxa; 68.18% of species originated from the Americas, and annual and biennial herbs dominated the community (75.75%), which tend to occur abundantly in frequently disturbed habitats. (2) This local dataset captured a site-specific trend where invasion abundance declines as urbanization intensity rises: the total number of invasive species increased from urban to suburban and exurban zones, yet significant gradient differentiation only existed in plant abundance rather than species richness. Suburban and exurban plots had similar abundance values (p > 0.05), and both presented significantly higher invasive abundance than urban plots (p < 0.001). Dense invasive aggregations were frequently detected along transportation corridors and rural land, while forested areas generally corresponded to lower invasive plant coverage. (3) Invasive plant distribution displayed combined statistical associations with multiple environmental variables. Building density presented the strongest correlation with community composition (p = 0.004), while urbanization gradient, terrain attributes, and population density also showed significant associations; no meaningful statistical links were detected for road network density and land-use type. Widespread and common species exhibited significant correlations with macro-environmental predictors, whereas rare species showed no such associations. Collectively, this paper describes the site-specific distribution features of invasive plants and their correlated landscape variables in mountainous medium-sized cities of Southwest China. This work supplements case evidence for invasion ecology research in moderately urbanized mountainous regions and offers empirical references for invasive plant surveillance in comparable subtropical mountainous medium-sized cities globally.},
}

@article {pmid42481935,
year = {2026},
author = {Jeong, S and Kim, TM and Choi, B and Kim, Y and Kim, E},
title = {Seed endophytic bacterium induces a priming-like drought transcriptomic state in an invasive plant prior to stress exposure.},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42481935},
issn = {1471-2229},
support = {RS-2024-00456189, RS-2025-00558787//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; },
mesh = {*Endophytes/physiology ; *Transcriptome ; Drought Resistance ; *Seeds/microbiology ; Introduced Species ; Stress, Physiological ; Droughts ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Seedborne endophytes may facilitate plant establishment by modifying host responses to environmental stress, but the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. This may be particularly important for invasive plants, whose establishment in novel habitats often depends on tolerance to abiotic stress.

RESULTS: Here, we examined whether the seed endophytic bacterium Erwinia tasmaniensis YJ6 induces priming-like drought-associated gene expression in the invasive plant Lactuca serriola. We compared the growth and root transcriptomes of uninfected and YJ6-infected plants grown under benign and drought conditions. YJ6 infection mitigated drought-induced reductions in shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and relative leaf growth, whereas these traits decreased in uninfected plants. Under benign water conditions, YJ6 infection induced 1,114 differentially expressed genes, including 317 genes that overlapped with drought-responsive genes in uninfected plants. Functional enrichment analyses showed that bacterial infection under benign conditions and drought exposure in uninfected plants affected several common pathways, including plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and nitrogen metabolism. YJ6 infection also affected genes associated with ABA-related signaling, gibberellin biosynthesis, and soluble sugar metabolism.

CONCLUSION: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that YJ6 infection may establish a priming-like transcriptomic state before drought exposure. This suggests a possible transcriptomic basis for seedborne microbe-mediated stress tolerance in invasive plants, although priming remains to be tested directly.},
}

*Endophytes/physiology
*Transcriptome
Drought Resistance
*Seeds/microbiology
Introduced Species
Stress, Physiological
Droughts
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism

@article {pmid42648662,
year = {2026},
author = {Longcamp, A},
title = {On the role of victim specificity in evolutionary rescue from invading exploiters.},
journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology},
volume = {39},
number = {10},
pages = {1215-1230},
doi = {10.1093/jeb/voag081},
pmid = {42648662},
issn = {1420-9101},
mesh = {*Biological Evolution ; Animals ; *Models, Biological ; Mutation ; *Introduced Species ; },
abstract = {From invasive predators displacing wildlife to medically deployed bacteriophages eliminating pathogens, biological invasions by exploiters are a fundamental driver of extinction, with implications for both conservation and medicine. Resident victim populations facing such invasions can sometimes avoid extinction through adaptation, a process known as evolutionary rescue. Here, an analytical approximation is derived for the probability of evolutionary rescue from invading exploiters, focusing on how rescue depends on a key exploiter trait-victim specificity. Rescue is shown to be most likely either when invaders are slow-spreading, resident-dependent specialists whose failure to encounter suitable victims buys time for mutation, or when invaders are fast-spreading generalists that rapidly relieve mutants from standing genetic variation of intraspecific competition. For both the generalist and specialist cases, increased resident growth rates are shown to often promote rescue by boosting mutational input and mutant fitness. However, a notable exception to this pattern-and the central result of the study-is that a lower resident birth rate can sometimes facilitate rescue relative to a higher one by indirectly diminishing the effect of demographic stochasticity on mutant establishment. Through this weakening of stochasticity, a lower density-independent birth rate primarily promotes rescue from generalists, whereas a competition-induced lower birth rate can also appreciably aid rescue from specialists. Overall, the results suggest that victim specificity can reshape evolutionary rescue by dynamically coupling the rate of resident decline to the growth rate of the stressor driving the decline, potentially altering how resident demography affects rescue.},
}

*Biological Evolution
Animals
*Models, Biological
Mutation
*Introduced Species

@article {pmid42857887,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, BO and Shen, Y and Ozaki, H and Yoshida, N and Morinaga, SI and Muller, O and Hikosaka, K},
title = {Genetic Structure Along Temperature Gradient in a Recent Invader Cardamine hirsuta in Eastern Japan.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {e74480},
pmid = {42857887},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Invasive species often spread rapidly, which appears discrepant because species distribution is often limited by environmental conditions. Even in widely distributed species, there are differences among genetic clusters along environmental gradients, suggesting that the environmental range of one genetic group is limited but extended distribution is possible through genetic differentiation. Cardamine hirsuta is native to Europe, invaded Japan in the 1970s, and is now found throughout Japan. To understand how C. hirsuta has rapidly spread across a climatic gradient in eastern Japan, where there is a large temperature gradient along the latitude, we characterized its genetic structure and addressed three hypotheses: (1) a genetic cluster is widely distributed because it favors a broad range of environmental conditions, (2) different genetic clusters are distributed across distinct environmental conditions because of different environmental preferences, and (3) admixed plants between different genetic clusters fill gaps where original genetic clusters are less adapted. We analyzed 82 individuals collected from 29 sites, and ADMIXTURE analysis showed the lowest cross-validation error at K = 4. Cluster 2 was widely distributed in eastern Japan, whereas Cluster 3 was found in northern areas and Cluster 1 was found in southern areas. Individuals with mixed ancestry were observed, particularly in regions where the distributions of genetic clusters overlapped. The potential distributions of different clusters, which were associated mainly with the temperature gradient, overlapped without obvious gaps, providing no evidence that individuals with mixed ancestry preferentially occurred in gaps between the potential distributions of the original genetic clusters. We conclude that genetic clusters within an invasive species can show contrasting climatic associations, while some clusters may occur across a comparatively broad climatic range. Considering such intraspecific genetic structure may provide additional information for assessing potential range expansion and contribute to more effective monitoring of ongoing invasions.},
}

@article {pmid42858070,
year = {2026},
author = {Baniszewski, JA and Tobin, PC and Del Pozo-Valdivia, AI and Reding, ME and Ranger, CM},
title = {Degree-day models reveal divergent flight phenology of invasive ambrosia beetles: implications for areawide management.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toag306},
pmid = {42858070},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {#2021-51181-35863//USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture-Specialty Crop Research Initiative/ ; //USDA-Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative/ ; #5082-21000-018-00D//USDA-ARS National/ ; },
abstract = {Invasive ambrosia beetles present a severe threat to ornamental nurseries, particularly during spring months. However, divergent flight periods among species can create a continuous threat from early spring through mid-summer, making it critical to understand species-specific flight seasonality to optimize management. The primary objective of this study was to model the seasonal flight phenology and multi-generational dynamics of invasive ambrosia beetle species. A grid of ethanol-baited traps was deployed from April to September 2022 and 2023 within ornamental nurseries in Ohio. We used occurrence data to develop species-specific 5 and 10 °C degree-day (DD) models. We quantified 10 species of ambrosia beetles, including the predominant invasive species Xylosandrus germanus, followed by Anisandrus maiche, and then Xylosandrus crassiusculus. Xylosandrus germanus exhibited a comparatively short lag phase that corresponded to rapid trap captures early in the season. Xylosandrus crassiusculus showed a moderate lag, or slow initial accumulation phase, while A. maiche exhibited a prolonged lag phase before trap captures increased rapidly. Of the three key pest species, X. germanus reached 10% of trap captures at 11 DD, X. crassiusculus at 107 DD, and A. maiche at 477 DD. These results demonstrate that with the introduction of A. maiche, the window of infestation risk has broadened into a prolonged spring-to-summer threat due to their divergent flight phenologies.},
}

@article {pmid42858516,
year = {2026},
author = {Prati, S and Valade, P and Faivre, L and Jabłońska, A and Maciaszek, R and Miyai, CA and Lima, AMOM and Jaquemet, S},
title = {Thermal and salinity tolerance of feral and pet-traded cherry shrimp Neocaridina davidi (Bouvier, 1904).},
journal = {Journal of thermal biology},
volume = {141},
number = {},
pages = {104582},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtherbio.2026.104582},
pmid = {42858516},
issn = {0306-4565},
abstract = {Temperature and salinity are key abiotic factors influencing the physiology, distribution, and survival of aquatic organisms, yet their combined effects remain poorly understood, especially in landlocked freshwater decapods. We provide experimental data on the single and, for the first time, combined effects of temperature and salinity in atyid shrimps, focusing on Neocaridina davidi, an exotic and potentially invasive species widely traded in the aquarium industry. We used dynamic assays (CTmin, CTmax, and LTmax) and reaction norms to compare pet-traded and feral N. davidi populations with different life histories acclimated to 15-27°C and 0-10‰. These included the oldest known European population in a thermally and saline-polluted channel in Poland and recently established populations on Réunion Island. Overall, increased salinity reduced thermal tolerance. Despite being a landlocked freshwater shrimp, N. davidi exhibited moderate salinity tolerance, suggesting possible dispersal into low-to moderately saline brackish waters. However, ecological performance declined with rising salinity before physiological limits were reached. All populations showed thermal plasticity, though the magnitude of these responses varied among populations, consistent with differences in environmental history, phenotypic plasticity, and potentially genetic differentiation. These findings highlight the importance of both physiological plasticity and environmental context in shaping tolerance to interacting abiotic stressors when predicting invasion dynamics and the future distribution of this emerging invader.},
}

@article {pmid42860800,
year = {2026},
author = {Renault, D and Pertierra, LR and Vorstenbosch, T and Daly, E and Lembrechts, JJ and Cuthbert, RN and Geron, C and Haubrock, PJ and Laparie, M and Convey, P and Dullinger, S and Essl, F and Greve, M and Kristensen, TN and Pergl, J and Pyšek, P and Richardson, DM and Speed, JDM and Vítková, M and Bittebiere, AK},
title = {Global change threatens the biodiversity of cold regions: Current knowledge and priorities for further research.},
journal = {Ecology},
volume = {107},
number = {10},
pages = {e70537},
doi = {10.1002/ecy.70537},
pmid = {42860800},
issn = {1939-9170},
support = {//Institut Polaire Français Paul Emile Victor/ ; SS70010001//Technology Agency of the Czech Republic/ ; ECF-2021-001//Leverhulme Trust/ ; 0156-00024B//Biodiversa BiodivClim-191 ASICS/ ; CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/18_05//Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic/ ; 0523109207//NRF grant of the South African National Antarctic Program/ ; //South African Department of Science and Innovation/ ; RYC2022-036444-I//Spanish National Research Agency/ ; ANR-20-EBI5-0004//Biodiversa+/ ; DFF8021-00014B//Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond/ ; RVO 67985939//Akademie Věd České Republiky/ ; //British Antarctic Survey/ ; //Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University/ ; //Zone Atelier Antarctique et Terres Australes/ ; //NERC/ ; },
mesh = {*Biodiversity ; Animals ; *Climate Change ; *Invertebrates/physiology ; Plants/classification ; },
abstract = {Cold regions are among the most pristine areas remaining globally, hosting unique fauna and flora. Historically, these regions have often been refugia from land-use change, resource exploitation, and pollution, but climate warming and biological invasions increasingly constitute profound threats. Focusing on terrestrial plant and invertebrate species, we provide an overview of the impacts of climate change and biological invasions on the biodiversity of cold regions, from the individual to the species level, and discuss pervasive challenges to understanding and managing these impacts. In particular, we explore the consequences of climate change and biological invasions in the contexts of individual physiology, population dynamics, and species redistribution. We suggest new research avenues by identifying priorities for future studies on plants and invertebrates of cold regions in the context of concurrent climate change and biological invasion.},
}

*Biodiversity
Animals
*Climate Change
*Invertebrates/physiology
Plants/classification

@article {pmid42862036,
year = {2026},
author = {Fu, J and Wang, J and Ling, S and Pan, Y and Jia, L and Sheng, Y and Andongma, AA and Zhan, S and Xu, L and Wang, Y},
title = {BdPiwi is essential for gametogenesis and post-embryonic development in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.71378},
pmid = {42862036},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {//Talent Research Project of Anhui Agricultural University (rc342219 and rc342503)/ ; //National Natural Science Foundation of China (32225008, 32225008, 32530015, 32202283)/ ; //Education Department of Anhui Province Outstanding Youth Project (2023AH030045)/ ; //Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation Excellent Youth Project (2508085Y017)/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway is a conserved transposon silencing mechanism essential for genomic integrity and gametogenesis. While Piwi proteins are known to play essential roles in insect germline development, their functional characteristics remain largely unexplored in agricultural pests. Here, we investigated BdPiwi in Bactrocera dorsalis, a highly invasive pest whose exceptional reproductive capacity underpins its global pest status.

RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis revealed that BdPiwi is evolutionarily conserved among insects and contains the canonical PAZ and PIWI domains. Spatiotemporal profiling showed ubiquitous expression across developmental stages, with predominant enrichment in adult ovaries. Based on CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis, we found that BdPiwi loss caused severe gonadal arrest and complete sterility in both sexes-females lacked detectable oocytes and males produced no mature sperm. Transcriptomic analysis uncovered widespread transcriptional upregulation, extensive transposon derepression, and dysregulated immunometabolic genes likely contributing to oogenic failure. Additionally, mutants exhibited prolonged larval duration and abnormal eclosion.

CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that BdPiwi is a pleiotropic regulator governing gonadogenesis, fertility, and metamorphic transition in B. dorsalis. This study expands the functional repertoire of Piwi genes in insect pests and provides a promising molecular target for genetic-based management of this devastating invasive species. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid42864100,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, X and Liu, SP and Li, QC and Zhang, SG and Han, ZC and Chen, QX and Yang, S},
title = {[Effects of different land use types on soil organic carbon and its stability in coastal wetlands of Wenzhou, China.].},
journal = {Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology},
volume = {37},
number = {9},
pages = {3109-3120},
doi = {10.13287/j.1001-9332.202609.033},
pmid = {42864100},
issn = {1001-9332},
mesh = {China ; *Wetlands ; *Soil/chemistry ; *Carbon/analysis ; *Organic Chemicals/analysis ; Seashore ; Rhizophoraceae/growth & development ; Carbon Sequestration ; Poaceae/growth & development ; },
abstract = {Reclamation aquaculture and invasions by alien species have caused severe degradation of coastal tidal-flat wetlands in China. Mangrove restoration is an important pathway for improving the ecological functions of these tidal flats. At the northern limit of mangrove afforestation in China (Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province), the effects of mangrove planting on the sequestration capacity and stability of soil organic carbon (SOC) remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the contents and fractions of soil organic carbon, as well as their association characteristics with iron and aluminum oxides across these different land-use types in Yueqing Bay of Wenzhou as the research area. There were four representative land-use types, including bare mudflat representing the pristine state, Kandelia obovata forest representing mangrove restoration, Spartina alterniflora marsh representing alien plant invasion, and aquaculture ponds representing intensive anthropogenic use. The results showed that: 1) Soils under K. obovata and S. alterniflora had higher contents of SOC, labile organic carbon, and dissolved organic carbon, which ranged from 10.76 to 10.85, 1.122 to 1.125, and 0.311 to 0.312 g·kg[-1], respectively, being significantly higher than those in the bare mudflat and aquaculture ponds. 2) Compared with the other soil types, the K. obovata soil exhibited the highest contents of free iron oxide and free aluminum oxide, reaching (12.11±0.74) and (3.91±0.31) g·kg[-1], respectively. Moreover, the proportions of Fe(Ⅲ) and Al-O in the K. obovata soil reached 82.3% and 93.6%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in S. alterniflora (66.7% and 57.3%), bare mudflat (65.7% and 81.2%), and aquaculture ponds (65.7% and 84.8%). 3) The molar ratios of carbon to iron (C/Fe) in all soils were below 1, indicating that organic carbon was predominantly retained through association with iron oxides by adsorption. The content of iron-bound organic carbon (Fe-OC) was highest in the K. obovata soil (5.82±1.03 g·kg[-1]), which was significantly higher than that in S. alterniflora (2.98±0.43 g·kg[-1]), aquaculture ponds (2.95±0.16 g·kg[-1]), and bare mudflat (2.21±0.31 g·kg[-1]). Our results demonstrated that K. obovata mangroves could enhance the sequestration and stability of soil organic carbon in coastal wetlands by promoting the transformation of iron and aluminum oxides into crystalline forms and forming high-valence mineral-organic complex interfaces.},
}

China
*Wetlands
*Soil/chemistry
*Carbon/analysis
*Organic Chemicals/analysis
Seashore
Rhizophoraceae/growth & development
Carbon Sequestration
Poaceae/growth & development

@article {pmid42867025,
year = {2026},
author = {Gao, B and Wang, YC and Zhu, JS and Zhang, YY and Zhou, C and Wang, BB and Reynolds, DR and Chapman, JW and Wu, Y and Hu, G},
title = {Divergent migratory strategies along the East Asian insect flyway: A trade-off between flight power and atmospheric dependence.},
journal = {Insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1744-7917.70376},
pmid = {42867025},
issn = {1744-7917},
support = {2021YFD1401100//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; SBK20260900037//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; KJJQ2026010//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities/ ; RENCAI2026005//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities/ ; 32202289//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; KJLYRC-[2026]063//Guizhou Science and Technology Talent Program/ ; },
abstract = {Mass migration within the East Asian insect flyway is a globally significant ecological phenomenon, yet how insects with different flight capabilities utilize divergent strategies to exploit the same wind system remains a critical puzzle. We hypothesize that these strategies arise from a fundamental trade-off between active trajectory control and strategic atmospheric exploitation. To test this, we integrated long-term (11-year) field observations with atmospheric trajectory modeling to quantitatively assess the migratory performance of two species with disparate flight capacities: the oriental armyworm moth (Mythimna separata), a relatively powerful flier, and the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), a weak flier. Our simulations reveal that the strong-flying M. separata, which initiates its northward migration from mid-May, actively influences its trajectory, leveraging its self-powered flight to overcome slower, less directionally stable winds. In contrast, the weaker-flying N. lugens, which migrates about a month later, synchronizes its migration with a period of faster, more stable wind currents, allowing it to compensate for its limited flight power. These findings provide a mechanistic demonstration of how a trade-off between self-propelled power and atmospheric selectivity shapes migratory success. Ultimately, this study establishes that flight capacity is a key determinant of how migratory insects interact with their atmospheric environment, which in turn impacts their contrasting life histories within a shared flyway.},
}

@article {pmid42867119,
year = {2026},
author = {Dant, AJ and Bishop, LG and Dlugosch, KM},
title = {A classification approach to categorize urbanized landscapes in California and trait variation in Maltese starthistle.},
journal = {Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America},
volume = {36},
number = {7},
pages = {e70330},
doi = {10.1002/eap.70330},
pmid = {42867119},
issn = {1051-0761},
support = {2023-67013-40169//USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 2024-67011-43011//USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 1750280//US National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {California ; *Centaurea/physiology ; *Urbanization ; *Ecosystem ; Introduced Species ; },
abstract = {There is increasing evidence that the traits of organisms can differ in urban environments, but defining what makes an environment "urban" is difficult. There are many variables associated with increasing human impacts that might be associated with urbanization, and this makes it challenging to identify both how traits vary across diverse urbanized landscapes and the variables that might drive that variation. To better define the mosaic of urban environmental heterogeneity and identify similar environments that are comparable across its complexity, we developed a multivariate landscape classification framework and applied it to classification of land area in the state of California, USA. We then asked if these multivariate Environmental Zones were better able to explain trait variation than univariate urban versus nonurban dichotomies or gradients, using a case study of the invasive, annual plant Maltese starthistle (Centaurea melitensis), commonly found throughout much of California. We used a hierarchical cluster analysis to group 7829 government census tracts into Environmental Zones based on a set of 19 independent environmental characteristics, including climate, land cover, pollution, and socioeconomic variables. This analysis identified nine major Environmental Zones, which were differentiated based upon complex combinations of variables that did not align with urban versus natural dichotomies or gradients. Environmental Zones also occurred as mosaics of many zones within cities and differed in their relative abundance between cities, reflecting complex urban landscapes unique to each area. Seeds from 17 populations of Maltese starthistle were collected from six of the Environmental Zones, including two more heavily urbanized zones, and four more natural/agricultural. Seeds were grown in greenhouse conditions, and eight vegetative traits were measured. No trait differed significantly between qualitatively urban versus nonurban sites, or across a quantitative gradient of impervious surface area, but four traits differed according to Environmental Zones (length of longest leaf, specific leaf area [SLA], root diameter, and the number of flowerheads). Traits differed between the more urbanized zones, as well as among the more natural zones. Our results reveal that more complex multivariate classifications of the urban mosaic can identify similar, comparable environments across complex landscapes and better explain trait variation in organisms navigating urbanized environments.},
}

California
*Centaurea/physiology
*Urbanization
*Ecosystem
Introduced Species

@article {pmid42867219,
year = {2026},
author = {Granatosky, MC},
title = {Urban Invasion Restructures Locomotor Repertoires: Evidence from Introduced Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus).},
journal = {Integrative and comparative biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/icb/icag115},
pmid = {42867219},
issn = {1557-7023},
abstract = {Biological invasions are rarely examined through a locomotor lens, yet they provide a powerful opportunity to understand how organisms adjust movement in response to novel environmental conditions. When locomotion is considered in invasion biology, it is typically evaluated in terms of performance (e.g., speed, endurance, dispersal capacity), with far less attention given to how organisms restructure the behaviors that comprise locomotion itself. Urban environments introduce novel substrate geometries and mechanical challenges, potentially altering not only how animals move, but which behaviors they use. Using previously collected positional behavior data from an introduced population of monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus), this study evaluates how locomotor repertoire structure varies across substrate types, with particular emphasis on artificial substrates. Locomotor behavior was quantified as substrate-specific probability distributions and analyzed using complementary metrics of diversity, evenness, behavioral enrichment, and repertoire dissimilarity. Artificial substrates exhibited the highest locomotor diversity and high evenness, indicating a broad and relatively balanced use of locomotor behaviors. In contrast, natural substrates were characterized by lower diversity and greater dominance of specific behaviors. Behavioral enrichment analyses revealed increased use of walking and multiple climbing strategies on artificial substrates, coupled with reductions in aerial transitions (i.e, Flight_short_interbranch) and sidling. Dissimilarity metrics further demonstrated that locomotor repertoires on artificial substrates were qualitatively distinct from those observed in natural contexts. These findings indicate that urban environments drive restructuring of locomotor repertoires rather than simple performance tuning within a fixed behavioral framework. By demonstrating that locomotor behavior itself can shift in response to environmental novelty, this study highlights the importance of integrating behavioral, performance, and morphological perspectives when evaluating adaptation to urban environments and biological invasion.},
}