-
Mashup Score: 2A large new Middle Jurassic ichthyosaur shows the importance of body size evolution in the origin of the Ophthalmosauria - BMC Ecology and Evolution - 1 month(s) ago
The Middle Jurassic is an important time period for the evolutionary history of marine reptiles as it represented a transitional phase for many clades. Notably, in ichthyosaurs, many early parvipelvian taxa went extinct. The Middle Jurassic saw the emergence of the derived Ophthalmosauria, ultimately becoming the dominant ichthyosaurian clade by the end of the epoch. Even though this is an important period in the evolutionary history of Ophthalmosauria, our understanding remains limited in terms of morphology and taxonomy due to the scarcity of vertebrate-bearing strata. Here we present a large new ichthyosaur from the Bajocian of Switzerland, represented by an almost complete skull with 3D-preserved bones, the (inter)clavicles and a large portion of the postcranial skeleton. After CT- and surface scanning, we reconstructed the 3D in vivo morphology. Our morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses show that the new taxon named Argovisaurus martafernandezi is nested at the base
Source: bmcecolevol.biomedcentral.comCategories: General Medicine News, General HCPsTweet
-
Mashup Score: 0New information on paleopathologies in non-avian theropod dinosaurs: a case study on South American abelisaurids - BMC Ecology and Evolution - 3 month(s) ago
Studies on pathological fossil bones have allowed improving the knowledge of physiology and ecology, and consequently the life history of extinct organisms. Among extinct vertebrates, non-avian dinosaurs have drawn attention in terms of pathological evidence, since a wide array of fossilized lesions and diseases were noticed in these ancient organisms. Here, we evaluate the pathological conditions observed in individuals of different brachyrostran (Theropoda, Abelisauridae) taxa, including Aucasaurus garridoi, Elemgasem nubilus, and Quilmesaurus curriei. For this, we use multiple methodological approaches such as histology and computed tomography, in addition to the macroscopic evaluation. The holotype of Aucasaurus shows several pathognomonic traits of a failure of the vertebral segmentation during development, causing the presence of two fused caudal vertebrae. The occurrence of this condition in Aucasaurus is the first case to be documented so far in non-tetanuran theropods. Regardi
Source: bmcecolevol.biomedcentral.comCategories: General Medicine News, General HCPsTweet
-
Mashup Score: 1Artificial light at night reduces earthworm activity but increases growth of invasive ragweed - BMC Ecology and Evolution - 3 month(s) ago
Background Artificial light at night, also referred to as light pollution (LP), has been shown to affect many organisms. However, little is known about the extent to which ecological interactions between earthworms and plants are altered by LP. We investigated the effects of LP on anecic earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) that come to the surface at night to forage and mate, and on the germination and growth of the invasive and allergenic ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). In a full factorial pot experiment in the greenhouse, we tested four factors and their interactions: LP (5 lux vs. 0 lux at night), earthworms (two individuals vs. none), plant species (seeding of ragweed only vs. mixed with Phacelia seeds) and sowing depth (seed placed at the surface vs. in 5 cm depth). Data were analysed using Generalized Linear (Mixed) Models and multifactorial ANOVAs with soil parameters as covariates. Results Light pollution reduced earthworm surface activity by 76% as measured by casting activit
Source: bmcecolevol.biomedcentral.comCategories: General Medicine News, General HCPsTweet
-
Mashup Score: 0
Biodiversity helps to ensure a healthy and functioning planet. We depend on biodiversity to facilitate ecosystem services essential for life and our well-being. These include the microorganisms that enrich soil and purify water, the pollinators that give us food, and the plants that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, as the human impact on the planet intensifies, the ability of…
Source: BMC Series blogCategories: General Medicine Journals and Societies, Latest HeadlinesTweet
-
Mashup Score: 0
We are delighted to announce our second BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition! Submit your images and the stories behind them for a chance to highlight your research, win prizes, and have your photography featured in the journal.
Source: BMC Series blogCategories: General Medicine Journals and Societies, Latest HeadlinesTweet
-
Mashup Score: 0
Background Sharks and rays are some of the most threatened marine taxa due to the high levels of bycatch and significant demand for meat and fin-related products in many Asian communities. At least 25% of shark and ray species are considered to be threatened with extinction. In particular, the density of reef sharks in the Pacific has declined to 3–10% of pre-human levels. Elasmobranchs are…
Source: BioMed CentralCategories: General Medicine Journals and Societies, Latest HeadlinesTweet
-
Mashup Score: 0eDNA as a jawsome tool for ‘Seq’-ing sharks - 2 year(s) ago
Poor visibility in sedimented seawater, coupled with elusive behaviour of elasmobranchs, render their sightings to be extremely rare in urban city reef environments. Environmental DNA tools can help improve detection successes, greatly reducing the phantom diversity of sharks and rays in Singapore.
Categories: General Medicine Journals and Societies, Latest HeadlinesTweet
-
Mashup Score: 1
Biodiversity monitoring is vital for understanding the impacts of climate change, human disturbance, and monitoring invasive and endangered species. We explored, for the first time, the use of airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) as a method of whole plant community monitoring.
Categories: General Medicine Journals and Societies, Latest HeadlinesTweet
-
Mashup Score: 0Inaugural BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition: the winning images - BMC Ecology and Evolution - 3 year(s) ago
The inaugural BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition attracted entries from talented ecologists and evolutionary biologists worldwide. Together, these photos beautifully capture biodiversity, how it arose and why we should conserve it. This editorial celebrates the winning images as selected by the Editor of BMC Ecology and Evolution and senior members of the journal’s editorial board.
Source: BMC Ecology and EvolutionCategories: General Medicine Journals and Societies, Latest HeadlinesTweet
A study published in #BMCEcolEvol reports a large new ichthyosaur, a dolphin-like marine reptile, which swam the seas in the middle Jurassic. https://t.co/Ski58Sj7Bz