Changes in Diurnal Cliff-Nesting Raptor Occurrence on the Ungalik River in Western Alaska: 1977, 1979, and 2008

Diurnal cliff-nesting raptors were inventoried on the Ungalik River, Alaska, in 1977 and 1979. In 2008 we resurveyed the drainage, replicating the techniques used in 1979. The density of nesting raptors during the late nesting season has doubled in the past three decades, from six occupied territories detected in 1977 and four in 1979 to 12 in 2008. A single Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) was sighted during aerial surveys in 1977, and a pair of Peregrine Falcons was detected during a boat survey in 1979; however, nesting by these birds was not confirmed. In contrast, we detected five occupied Peregrine Falcon territories along the Ungalik River in 2008. Other changes in cliff-nesting raptor occurrence included a decrease in occupied Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) territories from four in 1977 to one in 1979 and two in 2008, a decrease in Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) nests from one in 1979 (none in 1977) to none in 2008, and increases in Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests, from two in 1977 and 1979 to five in 2008. Changes in the number of nests of cliff-nesting raptors in this small population may have resulted, in part, from natural variation associated with changes in weather or prey abundance. However, it is likely that the increase in nesting Peregrine Falcons is related to global population recovery. Our data indicate that factors other than available nesting sites limit cliff-nesting raptor numbers along the Ungalik River. Spatial analysis indicated that cliff-nesting raptor nests were most often on hills or cliffs that face away from the coast, which is the source of most storms.En 1977 et en 1979, des rapaces diurnes nichant en falaise ont été répertoriés sur la rivière Ungalik, en Alaska. En 2008, nous avons réalisé de nouveaux relevés dans le bassin hydrographique, en reprenant les techniques employées en 1979. La densité des nids de rapaces en fin de saison de nidification a doublé au cours des trois dernières décennies. En 1977, il y avait six territoires occupés, puis quatre en 1979, et 12 en 2008. Un seul faucon pèlerin (Falco peregrinus) a été vu durant les relevés aériens de 1977 et une paire de faucons pèlerins a été observée pendant un relevé en bateau en 1979, bien que la nidification de ces oiseaux n’ait pas été confirmée. En revanche, en 2008, nous avons observé cinq territoires de faucon pèlerin occupés le long de la rivière Ungalik. Parmi les autres changements dans l’occurrence des rapaces nichant en falaise, on compte une diminution des territoires de faucon gerfaut (Falco rusticolus) occupés, passant de quatre en 1977 à un en 1979, puis à deux, en 2008; une diminution des nids de buse pattue (Buteo lagopus), passant de un en 1979 (aucun en 1977) à aucun en 2008; une augmentation des nids d’aigle royal (Aquila chrysaetos), passant de deux en 1977 et en 1979 à cinq en 2008. Les changements caractérisant le nombre de nids de rapaces nichant en falaise dans cette petite population pourraient découler, en partie, de la variation naturelle liée aux changements climatiques ou de l’abondance des proies. Toutefois, il est probable que l’augmentation de faucons pèlerins en nidification soit liée au rétablissement de la population mondiale. Nos données indiquent que des facteurs autres que les sites de nidification disponibles limitent le nombre de rapaces diurnes nichant en falaise le long de la rivière Ungalik. Une analyse spatiale démontre que les rapaces diurnes nichant en falaise faisaient plus souvent leur nid sur les collines ou les falaises à l’opposé du littoral, d’où proviennent la plupart des tempêtes.

Cytosine methylation patterns suggest a role of methylation in plastic and adaptive responses to temperature in European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) populations

Temperature is a key environmental parameter affecting both the phenotypes and distributions of organisms, particularly ectotherms. Rapid organismal responses to thermal environmental changes have been described for several ectotherms; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms often remain unclear. Here, we studied whole genome cytosine methylation patterns of European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) embryos from five populations with contemporary adaptations of early life history traits at either 'colder' or 'warmer' spawning grounds. We reared fish embryos in a common garden experiment using two temperatures that resembled the 'colder' and 'warmer' conditions of the natal natural environments. Genome-wide methylation patterns were similar in populations originating from colder thermal origin subpopulations, whereas single nucleotide polymorphisms uncovered from the same data identified strong population structure among isolated populations, but limited structure among interconnected populations. This was surprising because the previously studied gene expression response among populations was mostly plastic, and mainly influenced by the developmental temperature. These findings support the hypothesis of the magnified role of epigenetic mechanisms in modulating plasticity. The abundance of consistently changing methylation loci between two warmer-to-colder thermal origin population pairs suggests that local adaptation has shaped the observed methylation patterns. The dynamic nature of the methylomes was further highlighted by genome-wide and site-specific plastic responses. Our findings support both the presence of a plastic response in a subset of CpG loci, and the evolutionary role of methylation divergence between populations adapting to contrasting thermal environments.Peer reviewe

Regulatory Architecture of Gene Expression Variation in the Threespine Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus

Much adaptive evolutionary change is underlain by mutational variation in regions of the genome that regulate gene expression rather than in the coding regions of the genes themselves. An understanding of the role of gene expression variation in facilitating local adaptation will be aided by an understanding of underlying regulatory networks. Here, we characterize the genetic architecture of gene expression variation in the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), an important model in the study of adaptive evolution. We collected transcriptomic and genomic data from 60 half-sib families using an expression microarray and genotyping-by-sequencing, and located expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) underlying the variation in gene expression in liver tissue using an interval mapping approach. We identified eQTL for several thousand expression traits. Expression was influenced by polymorphism in both cis- and trans-regulatory regions. Transe-QTL clustered into hotspots. We did not identify master transcriptional regulators in hotspot locations: rather, the presence of hotspots may be driven by complex interactions between multiple transcription factors. One observed hotspot colocated with a QTL recently found to underlie salinity tolerance in the threespine stickleback. However, most other observed hotspots did not colocate with regions of the genome known to be involved in adaptive divergence between marine and freshwater habitats.Peer reviewe

Unusual raptor nests around the world

From surveys in many countries, we report using unusual nesting materials (e.g., paper money, rags, metal, antlers, and large bones) and unusual nesting situations. For example, we documented nests of Steppe Eagles [Aquila nipalensis] and Upland Buzzards [Buteo hemilasius] on the ground beside well-traveled roads, Saker Falcon [Falco cherrug] eyries in attics and a cistern, and Osprey [Pandian haliaetus] nests on the masts of boats and on a suspended automobile. Other records include a Golden Eagle [A. chrysaelos] nest 7.0 m in height, believed to be the tallest nest ever described, and, for the same species, we report nesting in rudimentary, nests. Some nest sites are within a Few meters of known predators or competitors. These unusual observations may be important in revealing the plasticity of a species' behavioral repertoire

Epizoochory in Parrots as an Overlooked Yet Widespread Plant–Animal Mutualism

Plant–animal interactions are key to sustaining whole communities and ecosystem function. However, their complexity may limit our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the species involved. The ecological effects of epizoochory remain little known compared to other seed dispersal mechanisms given the few vectors identified. In addition, epizoochory is mostly considered non-mutualistic since dispersers do not obtain nutritional rewards. Here, we show a widespread but unknown mutualistic interaction between parrots and plants through epizoochory. Combining our observations with photos from web-sources, we recorded nearly 2000 epizoochory events in 48 countries across five continents, involving 116 parrot species and nearly 100 plant species from 35 families, including both native and non-native species. The viscid pulp of fleshy fruits and anemochorous structures facilitate the adherence of tiny seeds (mean 3.7 × 2.56 mm) on the surface of parrots while feeding, allowing the dispersion of these seeds over long distances (mean = 118.5 m). This parrot–plant mutualism could be important in ecosystem functioning across a wide diversity of environments, also facilitating the spread of exotic plants. Future studies should include parrots for a better understanding of plant dispersal processes and for developing effective conservation actions against habitat loss and biological invasions.This research was funded by Severo Ochoa Program (SVP-2014-068732), Action COST “ParrotNet” (ES1304), and Loro Parque Fundación (PP-146-2018-1). E.S.-G. is funded by a Ramón y Cajal contract (RYC-2019-027216I) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation

In-Space Assembly Capability Assessment for Potential Human Exploration and Science Applications

Human missions to Mars present several major challenges that must be overcome, including delivering multiple large mass and volume elements, keeping the crew safe and productive, meeting cost constraints, and ensuring a sustainable campaign. Traditional methods for executing human Mars missions minimize or eliminate in-space assembly, which provides a narrow range of options for addressing these challenges and limits the types of missions that can be performed. This paper discusses recent work to evaluate how the inclusion of in-space assembly in space mission architectural concepts could provide novel solutions to address these challenges by increasing operational flexibility, robustness, risk reduction, crew health and safety, and sustainability. A hierarchical framework is presented to characterize assembly strategies, assembly tasks, and the required capabilities to assemble mission systems in space. The framework is used to identify general mission system design considerations and assembly system characteristics by assembly strategy. These general approaches are then applied to identify potential in-space assembly applications to address each challenge. Through this process, several focus areas were identified where applications of in-space assembly could affect multiple challenges. Each focus area was developed to identify functions, potential assembly solutions and operations, key architectural trades, and potential considerations and implications of implementation. This paper helps to identify key areas to investigate were potentially significant gains in addressing the challenges with human missions to Mars may be realized, and creates a foundation on which to further develop and analyze in-space assembly concepts and assembly-based architectures

Alterations to parvalbumin-expressing interneuron function and associated network oscillations in the hippocampal – medial prefrontal cortex circuit during natural sleep in AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F mice

In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the accumulation of the peptide amyloid-β (Aβ) damages synapses and disrupts neuronal activity, leading to the disruption of neuronal oscillations associated with cognition. This is thought to be largely due to impairments in CNS synaptic inhibition, particularly via parvalbumin (PV)-expressing interneurons that are essential for generating several key oscillations. Research in this field has largely been conducted in mouse models that over-express humanised, mutated forms of AD-associated genes that produce exaggerated pathology. This has prompted the development and use of knock-in mouse lines that express these genes at an endogenous level, such as the App mouse model used in the present study. These mice appear to model the early stages of Aβ-induced network impairments, yet an in-depth characterisation of these impairments in currently lacking. Therefore, using 16 month-old App mice, we analysed neuronal oscillations found in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during awake behaviour, rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) sleep to assess the extent of network dysfunction. No alterations to gamma oscillations were found to occur in the hippocampus or mPFC during either awake behaviour, REM or NREM sleep. However, during NREM sleep an increase in the power of mPFC spindles and decrease in the power of hippocampal sharp-wave ripples was identified. The latter was accompanied by an increase in the synchronisation of PV-expressing interneuron activity, as measured using two-photon Ca imaging, as well as a decrease in PV-expressing interneuron density. Furthermore, although changes were detected in local network function of mPFC and hippocampus, long-range communication between these regions appeared intact. Altogether, our results suggest that these NREM sleep-specific impairments represent the early stages of circuit breakdown in response to amyloidopathy

HPV-Related Anal Cancer Is Associated With Changes in the Anorectal Microbiome During Cancer Development

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a rare gastrointestinal cancer. Factors associated with progression of HPV infection to anal dysplasia and cancer are unclear and screening guidelines and approaches for anal dysplasia are less clear than for cervical dysplasia. One potential contributing factor is the anorectal microbiome. In this study, we aimed to identify differences in anal microbiome composition in the settings of HPV infection, anal dysplasia, and anal cancer in this rare disease. METHODS: Patients were enrolled in two prospective studies. Patients with anal dysplasia were part of a cross-sectional cohort that enrolled women with high-grade lower genital tract dysplasia. Anorectal tumor swabs were prospectively collected from patients with biopsy-confirmed locally advanced SCCA prior to receiving standard-of-care chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Patients with high-grade lower genital tract dysplasia without anal dysplasia were considered high-risk (HR Normal). 16S V4 rRNA Microbiome sequencing was performed for anal swabs. Alpha and Beta Diversity and composition were compared for HR Normal, anal dysplasia, and anal cancer. RESULTS: 60 patients with high-grade lower genital tract dysplasia were initially enrolled. Seven patients had concurrent anal dysplasia and 44 patients were considered HR Normal. Anorectal swabs from 21 patients with localized SCCA were included, sequenced, and analyzed in the study. Analysis of weighted and unweighted UniFrac distances demonstrated significant differences in microbial community composition between anal cancer and HR normal (p CONCLUSION: Although alpha diversity was similar between HR Normal, dysplasia and cancer patients, composition differed significantly between the three groups. Increased anorecta

A high-resolution map of human evolutionary constraint using 29 mammals.

The comparison of related genomes has emerged as a powerful lens for genome interpretation. Here we report the sequencing and comparative analysis of 29 eutherian genomes. We confirm that at least 5.5% of the human genome has undergone purifying selection, and locate constrained elements covering ∼4.2% of the genome. We use evolutionary signatures and comparisons with experimental data sets to suggest candidate functions for ∼60% of constrained bases. These elements reveal a small number of new coding exons, candidate stop codon readthrough events and over 10,000 regions of overlapping synonymous constraint within protein-coding exons. We find 220 candidate RNA structural families, and nearly a million elements overlapping potential promoter, enhancer and insulator regions. We report specific amino acid residues that have undergone positive selection, 280,000 non-coding elements exapted from mobile elements and more than 1,000 primate- and human-accelerated elements. Overlap with disease-associated variants indicates that our findings will be relevant for studies of human biology, health and disease