An integrative description of Mesobiotus mandalori sp. nov. (Eutardigrada, Macrobiotoidea) from Poland

In this paper we provide integrative description (morphological and genetic) of the new eutardigrade species Mesobiotus mandalori sp. nov. from central Poland, found during research on the vertical distribution of Tardigrada in the Czerniejewskie Forests. Mesobiotus mandalori sp. nov. belongs to the harmsworthi group, but it differs from the members of this group in some morphometric characters of the bucco-pharyngeal apparatus, claws and/or eggs. Morphologically, Meb. mandalori sp. nov. is most similar to Meb. pseudocoronatus, but it differs from it by a larger bare egg diameter and smaller number of egg processes on egg circumference. Morphometrical data were supported by results of comparative genetic analysis of four molecular markers: 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS2 and COI. According to COI the new species is most similar to Meb. skorackii with the genetic distance of 21.1%.https://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:0222E328-CF9E-4D04-8F8C-69C80515FEE

Pleistocene allopatric differentiation followed by recent range expansion explains the distribution and molecular diversity of two congeneric crustacean species in the Palaearctic

Pleistocene glaciations had a tremendous impact on the biota across the Palaearctic, resulting in strong phylogeographic signals of range contraction and rapid postglacial recolonization of the deglaciated areas. Here, we explore the diversity patterns and history of two sibling species of passively dispersing taxa typical of temporary ponds, fairy shrimps (Anostraca). We combine mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (ITS2 and 18S) markers to conduct a range-wide phylogeographic study including 56 populations of Branchinecta ferox and Branchinecta orientalis in the Palaearctic. Specifically, we investigate whether their largely overlapping ranges in Europe resulted from allopatric differentiation in separate glacial refugia followed by a secondary contact and reconstruct their postglacial recolonization from the inhabited refugia. Our results suggest the existence of distinct refugia for the two species, with genetic divergence among intraspecific lineages consistent with late Pleistocene glacial cycles. While B. ferox lineages originated from Mediterranean refugia, the origin of B. orientalis lineages was possibly located on the Pannonian Plain. We showed that most dispersal events predominantly happened within 100 km, coupled with several recent long-distance events (> 1000 km). Hence the regional habitat density of suitable habitats in Central Europe is possibly a key to the co-existence of the two species. Overall, our study illustrates how isolation in combination with stochastic effects linked to glacial periods are important drivers of the allopatric differentiation of Palaearctic taxa

Transcriptomic profiling of mare endometrium at different stages of endometrosis

Abstract In the current study, transcriptome profiles of mare endometrium, classified into categories I, IIA, and IIB according to Kenney and Doig, were compared using RNA sequencing, analyzed, and functionally annotated using in silico analysis. In the mild stage (IIA) of endometrosis compared to category I endometrium, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were annotated to inflammation, abnormal metabolism, wound healing, and quantity of connective tissue. In the moderate stage (IIB) of endometrosis compared to category I endometrium, DEGs were annotated to inflammation, fibrosis, cellular homeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and pregnancy disorders. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) identified cytokines such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and IL-17 as upstream regulators of DEGs associated with cellular homeostasis, metabolism, and fibrosis signaling pathways. In vitro studies showed the effect of these cytokines on DEGs such as ADAMTS1, -4, -5, -9, and HK2 in endometrial fibroblasts at different stages of endometrosis. The effect of cytokines on ADAMTS members’ gene transcription in fibroblasts differs according to the severity of endometrosis. The identified transcriptomic changes associated with endometrosis suggest that inflammation and metabolic changes are features of mild and moderate stages of endometrosis. The changes of ADAMTS-1, -4, -5, -9, in fibrotic endometrium as well as in endometrial fibroblast in response to TGF-β1, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-17 suggest the important role of these factors in the development of endometrosis

High genetic variation and phylogeographic relations among Palearctic fairy shrimp populations reflect persistence in multiple southern refugia during Pleistocene ice ages and postglacial colonisation

International audienceIntense anthropogenic disturbance threatens temporary pond ecosystems and their associated fauna across the Palearctic. Since fairy shrimps (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) are endemic to temporary ponds, populations are declining due to habitat loss and it is important to define adequate units for conservation. Phylogeographic reconstructions, based on genetic variation, provide valuable information for defining evolutionary and conservation units, especially for organisms with high levels of cryptic diversity like many fairy shrimps. We studied a total of 152 individuals of the fairy shrimp Branchipus schaefferi from 79 populations across the Palearctic and used mitochondrial (CO1) and nuclear (ITS1) DNA data to reconstruct the phylogeography of the species. Our results show that B. schaefferi comprises four highly diverged (10.3–16.5%) evolutionary clades. The present‐day haplotypes within each of the clades probably diverged from lineages that were maintained in separate refugia during the Pleistocene ice ages. While two clades represent distinct geographic regions, the two remaining clades have more wide and overlapping ranges. In addition, the limited number of shared haplotypes among populations from geographically distant regions within three of the clades suggest recent long‐distance dispersal events. Overall, the studied B. schaefferi dataset comprises high levels of genetic differentiation, without a clear morphological signal. Phylogenetic searches and pairwise genetic distances suggest that the studied lineages belong to a complex of four morphologically cryptic species. Since these four evolutionary old clades persist (±2 million years), despite overlapping geographic ranges and since they span a variety of ecological conditions, they should be considered as separate evolutionary significant units for conservation

The variation of stygofauna along a gradient of salinization in a coastal aquifer

We examined the variation of stygofauna composition collected in wells, along a gradient in groundwater salinity/conductivity in a coastal aquifer from southern Portugal. The studied coastal aquifer is considered vulnerable to salinization due to seawater intrusion, caused by overexploitation of the aquifer. Knowing the response of the stygofauna species to present levels of groundwater salinity makes it possible to understand and measure the effects of saltwater intrusion on stygofauna, rendering them potential bioindicators of this environmental pressure. Biotic and abiotic sampling was conducted in six shallow wells located in the fresh-saltwater interface of the Arade estuary along the salinity gradient established in the groundwater from the estuary to inland locations (microSiemens/cm). Groundwater salinity was highly correlated with taxa distribution. The stygobites Eucyclops hadjebensis and Acanthocyclops sensitivus, the cosmopolitan Megacyclops viridis and Cypria ophtalmica were particularly associated with low-salinity conditions, whereas Eucyclops graeteri, Megacyclops brachypus and Daphnia pulicaria were related to high-salinity waters. Multivariate analyses indicated that stygofauna assemblages varied significantly with location. We suggest that stygofauna composition and structure can be a useful complementing tool for monitoring seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers, where reduction or deterioration in groundwater resources is predicted