Systematic revision of the ‘diminutive’ Kentish Plover (Charadriidae:<i> Charadrius</i>) with the resurrection of <i>Charadrius seebohmi </i>based on phenotypic and genetic analyses

The Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus 1758 is a common shorebird in Eurasia and North Africa that breeds in a variety of habitats, exhibits different extents of migratory behaviour and is an emerging model species of breeding system evolution. Here we focus on the resident population found across the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka, and re-evaluate its systematic status based on phenotypic and genetic distinctiveness from a sympatric migrant, Charadrius alexandrinus sensu stricto, and the recently elevated closely related Charadrius dealbatus in East Asia. We show that the Sri Lankan and South Indian (South Asian) population differs in body size, moulting pattern and plumage coloration from C. alexandrinus and C. dealbatus. Furthermore, based on two mitochondrial, two sex-linked and 11 autosomal microsatellite markers from 378 individuals, we show that these three taxa have moderate genetic differentiation (Fst 0.078–0.096). The South Asian taxon is sister to the clade of C. alexandrinus sensu stricto and C. dealbatus with an estimated divergence time of 1.19 million years ago. We also examined ornithological records of major museum collections in Asia, Europe and North America for the south Asian taxon to evaluate its biogeographical and taxonomic status. Based on differences in genotype, phenotype, allochronic migratory pattern and breeding range, we resurrect the most suitable synonym, Charadrius alexandrinus seebohmi Hartert and Jackson, 1915, and elevate the nomen to the species level with the proposed English name ‘Hanuman Plover’.</p

Systematic revision of the ‘diminutive’ Kentish Plover (Charadriidae:<i> Charadrius</i>) with the resurrection of <i>Charadrius seebohmi </i>based on phenotypic and genetic analyses

The Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus 1758 is a common shorebird in Eurasia and North Africa that breeds in a variety of habitats, exhibits different extents of migratory behaviour and is an emerging model species of breeding system evolution. Here we focus on the resident population found across the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka, and re-evaluate its systematic status based on phenotypic and genetic distinctiveness from a sympatric migrant, Charadrius alexandrinus sensu stricto, and the recently elevated closely related Charadrius dealbatus in East Asia. We show that the Sri Lankan and South Indian (South Asian) population differs in body size, moulting pattern and plumage coloration from C. alexandrinus and C. dealbatus. Furthermore, based on two mitochondrial, two sex-linked and 11 autosomal microsatellite markers from 378 individuals, we show that these three taxa have moderate genetic differentiation (Fst 0.078–0.096). The South Asian taxon is sister to the clade of C. alexandrinus sensu stricto and C. dealbatus with an estimated divergence time of 1.19 million years ago. We also examined ornithological records of major museum collections in Asia, Europe and North America for the south Asian taxon to evaluate its biogeographical and taxonomic status. Based on differences in genotype, phenotype, allochronic migratory pattern and breeding range, we resurrect the most suitable synonym, Charadrius alexandrinus seebohmi Hartert and Jackson, 1915, and elevate the nomen to the species level with the proposed English name ‘Hanuman Plover’.</p

Self-healing composite coating fabricated with a cystamine crosslinked cellulose nanocrystal stabilized Pickering emulsion

A gelled Pickering emulsion system was fabricated by first stabilizing linseed oil droplets in water with dialdehyde cellulose nanocrystals (DACNCs) and then cross-linking with cystamine. Cross-linking of the DACNCs was shown to occur by a reaction between the amine groups on cystamine and the aldehyde groups on the CNCs, causing gelation of the nanocellulose suspension. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the cystamine-cross-linked CNCs (cysCNCs), demonstrating their presence. Transmission electron microscopy images evidenced that cross-linking between cysCNCs took place. This cross-linking was utilized in a linseed oil-in-water Pickering emulsion system, creating a novel gelled Pickering emulsion system. The rheological properties of both DACNC suspensions and nanocellulose-stabilized Pickering emulsions were monitored during the cross-linking reaction. Dynamic light scattering and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of the Pickering emulsion before gelling imaged CNC-stabilized oil droplets along with isolated CNC rods and CNC clusters, which had not been adsorbed to the oil droplet surfaces. Atomic force microscopy imaging of the air-dried gelled Pickering emulsion also demonstrated the presence of free CNCs alongside the oil droplets and the cross-linked CNC network directly at the oil-water interface on the oil droplet surfaces. Finally, these gelled Pickering emulsions were mixed with poly(vinyl alcohol) solutions and fabricated into self-healing composite coating systems. These self-healing composite coatings were then scratched and viewed under both an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope before and after self-healing. The linseed oil was demonstrated to leak into the scratches, healing the gap automatically and giving a practical approach for a variety of potential applications

Genomic predictions for enteric methane production are improved by metabolome and microbiome data in sheep (Ovis aries)

Methane production from rumen methanogenesis contributes approximately 71% of greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. This study has performed genomic predictions for methane production from 99 sheep across 3 yr using a residual methane phenotype that is log methane yield corrected for live weight, rumen volume, and feed intake. Using genomic relationships, the prediction accuracies (as determined by the correlation between predicted and observed residual methane production) ranged from 0.058 to 0.220 depending on the time point being predicted. The best linear unbiased prediction algorithm was then applied to relationships between animals that were built on the rumen metabolome and microbiome. Prediction accuracies for the metabolome-based relationships for the two available time points were 0.254 and 0.132; the prediction accuracy for the first microbiome time point was 0.142. The second microbiome time point could not successfully predict residual methane production. When the metabolomic relationships were added to the genomic relationships, the accuracy of predictions increased to 0.274 (from 0.201 when only the genomic relationship was used) and 0.158 (from 0.081 when only the genomic relationship was used) for the two time points, respectively. When the microbiome relationships from the first time point were added to the genomic relationships, the maximum prediction accuracy increased to 0.247 (from 0.216 when only the genomic relationship was used), which was achieved by giving the genomic relationships 10 times more weighting than the microbiome relationships. These accuracies were higher than the genomic, metabolomic, and microbiome relationship matrixes achieved alone when identical sets of animals were used

Quantitative Differences in Rumen Epithelium Proteins in Lambs Fed Wheat, Perennial Wheat, or Perennial Wheat plus Lucerne

The value of crops such as perennial wheat (PW) for grain and grazing compared to conventional wheat (W), or the addition of lucerne to PW (PWL) is still being determined. This research sought to determine if these diets were associated with changes in the membranebound proteins that transport nutrients in the rumen epithelium (RE). Crossbred ewes (Poll Dorset × Merino) were fed W, PW, or PWL (50:50) fresh-cut forage ad libitum for 4 weeks. Average daily gain (ADG; p p p p < 0.05) different in fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and biosynthesis of cofactors pathways. There were not any differences in protein abundance related to nutrient transport or energy metabolism in the RE between W- vs. PW- and W- vs. PWL-fed lambs. However, in the PW- vs. PWL-fed lambs, there was a difference in the level of proteins regulating the metabolism of fatty acids and energy production in the mitochondria of the rumen epithelium

Self-Healing Composite Coating Fabricated with a Cystamine Cross-Linked Cellulose Nanocrystal-Stabilized Pickering Emulsion

This is data from the publication "Self-Healing Composite Coating Fabricated with a Cystamine Cross-Linked Cellulose Nanocrystal-Stabilized Pickering Emulsion" https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.3c0091

Self-Healing Composite Coating Fabricated with a Cystamine Cross-Linked Cellulose Nanocrystal-Stabilized Pickering Emulsion

A gelled Pickering emulsion system was fabricated by first stabilizing linseed oil droplets in water with dialdehyde cellulose nanocrystals (DACNCs) and then cross-linking with cystamine. Cross-linking of the DACNCs was shown to occur by a reaction between the amine groups on cystamine and the aldehyde groups on the CNCs, causing gelation of the nanocellulose suspension. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the cystamine-cross-linked CNCs (cysCNCs), demonstrating their presence. Transmission electron microscopy images evidenced that cross-linking between cysCNCs took place. This cross-linking was utilized in a linseed oil-in-water Pickering emulsion system, creating a novel gelled Pickering emulsion system. The rheological properties of both DACNC suspensions and nanocellulose-stabilized Pickering emulsions were monitored during the cross-linking reaction. Dynamic light scattering and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of the Pickering emulsion before gelling imaged CNC-stabilized oil droplets along with isolated CNC rods and CNC clusters, which had not been adsorbed to the oil droplet surfaces. Atomic force microscopy imaging of the air-dried gelled Pickering emulsion also demonstrated the presence of free CNCs alongside the oil droplets and the cross-linked CNC network directly at the oil–water interface on the oil droplet surfaces. Finally, these gelled Pickering emulsions were mixed with poly(vinyl alcohol) solutions and fabricated into self-healing composite coating systems. These self-healing composite coatings were then scratched and viewed under both an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope before and after self-healing. The linseed oil was demonstrated to leak into the scratches, healing the gap automatically and giving a practical approach for a variety of potential applications