Predicting current and future habitat of Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) under climate change.

Climate change is among the greatest drivers of biodiversity loss, threatening up to 15-30% of described species by the end of the twenty-first century. We estimated the current suitable habitat and forecasted future distribution ranges of Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) under climate change scenarios. We collected occurrence records of Indian pangolin using burrow counts, remote camera records and previously published literature in Pakistan during 2021-2023. We downloaded bioclimatic data for current (1970-2000) and future (2041-2060, 2061-2080, 2081-2100) climate scenarios from the WorldClim database using the Hadley Global Environment Model (HadGEM3-GC31-LL). We used MaxEnt software to predict current and future distributions of Indian pangolin, then computed the amount of habitat lost, gained, and unchanged across periods. We obtained 560 Indian pangolin occurrences overall, 175 during the study, and 385 from our literature search. Model accuracy was very good (AUC = 0.885, TSS = 0.695), and jackknife tests of variable importance showed that the contribution of annual mean temperature (bio1) was greatest (33.4%), followed by the mean temperature of the coldest quarter (bio-12, 29.3%), temperature seasonality (bio 4, 25.9%), and precipitation seasonality (bio 15, 11.5%). The maxent model predicted that during the current time period (1970-2000) highly suitable habitat for Indian pangolin was (7270 km2, 2.2%), followed by moderately suitable (12,418 km2, 3.7%), less suitable (49,846 km2, 14.8%), and unsuitable habitat (268,355 km2, 79.4%). Highly suitable habitat decreased in the western part of the study area under most SSPs and in the central parts it declined under all SSPs and in future time periods. The predicted loss in the suitable habitat of the Indian pangolin was greatest (26.97%) under SSP 585 followed by SSP 126 (23.67%) during the time 2061-2080. The gain in suitable habitat of Indian pangolin was less than that of losses on average which ranged between 1.91 and 13.11% under all SSPs during all time periods. While the stable habitat of the Indian pangolin ranged between 64.60 and 83.85% under all SSPs during all time periods. Our study provides the current and future habitat ranges of Indian pangolin in the face of a changing climate. The findings of our study could be helpful for policymakers to set up conservation strategies for Indian pangolin in Pakistan.

Identification and expression analysis of SBP-Box-like (SPL) gene family disclose their contribution to abiotic stress and flower budding in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan).

The SPL gene family (for Squamosa Promoter-binding like Proteins) represents specific transcription factors that have significant roles in abiotic stress tolerance, development and the growth processes of different plants, including initiation of the leaf, branching and development of shoot and fruits. The SPL gene family has been studied in different plant species; however, its role is not yet fully explored in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan ). In the present study, 11 members of the CcSPL gene family were identified in C. cajan . The identified SPLs were classified into nine groups based on a phylogenetic analysis involving SPL protein sequences from C. cajan , Arabidopsis thaliana , Cicer arietinum , Glycine max , Phaseolus vulgaris , Vigna unguiculata and Arachis hypogaea . Further, the identification of gene structure, motif analysis, domain analysis and presence of cis -regulatory elements in the SPL family members were studied. Based on RNA-sequencing data, gene expression analysis was performed, revealing that CcSPL2.1, 3 and 13A were significantly upregulated for salt-tolerance and CcSPL14 and 15 were upregulated in a salt-susceptible cultivar. Real-time qPCR validation indicated that CcSPL3, 4, 6 and 13A were upregulated under salt stress conditions. Therefore, molecular docking was performed against the proteins of two highly expressed genes (CcSPL3 and CcSPL14 ) with three ligands: abscisic acid, gibberellic acid and indole-3-acetic acid. Afterward, their binding affinity was obtained and three-dimensional structures were predicted. In the future, our study may open avenues for harnessing CcSPL genes in pigeon pea for enhanced abiotic stress resistance and developmental traits.

Sublethal effects of spinetoram and emamectin benzoate on key demographic parameters of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions.

Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda, is a serious invasive pest of many crops that causes huge economic losses to agricultural commodities. Insecticides are employed for the management of S. frugiperda. In this study, we investigated the impact of sublethal concentration (LC10) and low lethal concentration (LC30) of spinetoram and emamectin benzoate on S. frugiperda using two-sex life table method. Bioassay results revealed that emamectin benzoate exhibited more toxicity on the 3rd instar of S. frugiperda (LC50 8.35 × 10-4 mgL-1) than spinetoram (LC50 2.6 × 10-2 mgL-1) after 48 h exposure. The total longevity, adult pre-ovipositional period (APOP) and total pre-ovipositional period (TPOP) were prolonged, while pre-adult survival rate and fecundity were reduced at both concentrations of spinetoram and emamectin benzoate. Moreover, the key demographic parameters, including the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproductive rate (R0), were significantly lower in insecticide treated groups as compared to untreated insects. Our findings revealed that the sublethal and low lethal concentrations of both insecticides reduce the survival and reproductive capability of S. frugiperda. These results would be useful to assess the overall effect of both insecticides on S. frugiperda and can provide important implications for the rational utilization of insecticides against S. frugiperda.

Niche partitioning by sympatric civets in the Himalayan foothills of Pakistan.

Niche overlap between sympatric species can indicate the extent of interspecific competition. Sympatric competing species can exhibit spatial, temporal, and dietary adjustments to reduce competition. We investigated spatial, temporal, and dietary niche overlap of sympatric Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and small Indian civet ( Viverricula indica), in and around Pir Lasura National Park, Pakistan. We used remote cameras to determine the frequency and timing of detections to estimate spatial and temporal overlap, and prey remains from scats to estimate dietary overlap. We collected scat samples of Asian palm civet (n = 108) and small Indian civet (n = 44) for dietary analysis. We found low spatial (Oij = 0.32) and temporal (Δ = 0.39) overlap, but high dietary niche overlap (0.9) between these two civet species. Both civet species were detected at only 11 camera sites and small Indian civets were detected most frequently during 2:00-5:00 h and 8:00-10:00 h, whereas Asian palm civets detections were greatest during 20:00-2:00 h. The overall niche breadth of Asian palm civet was slightly narrower (L = 9.69, Lst = 0.31) than that of the small Indian civet (L = 10, Lst = 0.52). We identified 27 dietary items (15 plant, 12 animal) from scats of Asian palm civet including Himalayan pear (Pyrus pashia; 27%), Indian gerbil (Tatera indica; 10%), Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta; 4%), and insects (5%). Scat analysis of small Indian civets revealed 17 prey items (eight plant, nine animal) including Himalayan pear (24%), domestic poultry (15%), Indian gerbil (11%), and house mouse (Mus musculus; 5%). Both civet species consumed fruits of cultivated orchard species. Spatial and temporal partitioning of landscapes containing diverse foods appears to facilitate coexistence between Asian palm civets and small Indian civets.

Genes involved in the Type I pheromone biosynthesis pathway and chemoreception from the sex pheromone gland transcriptome of Dioryctria abietella.

Dioryctria abietella is a coniferous seed orchard pest that can damage a series of host plants and cause huge losses to the forest economy. Sex pheromones play an important role in lepidopteran sex communication for reproduction and can be used as biological control agents to monitor and trap pests. However, the genes involved in the biosynthesis, transportation, and degradation of D. abietella sex pheromones have not been studied extensively. Transcriptome analysis of female D. abietella sex pheromone glands (PGs) revealed that 210 candidate genes might be involved in sex pheromone biosynthesis (139 genes) and chemoreception systems (71 genes). The gene expression patterns exhibited four desaturase genes (DabiDES4-7) and one fatty acid reductase gene (DabiFAR6), which were more highly expressed in sex pheromone glands than in other tissues, suggesting that these enzymes play an important role in D. abietella sex pheromone synthesis. In addition, most DabiOBPs showed high expression in antennae, but only DabiOBP4 exhibited specific expression in sex pheromone glands, suggesting that they may play many physiological roles in D. abietella. We put forth a reasonable hypothesis about type I pheromone biosynthesis pathways based on these genes identified in the D. abietella sex pheromone gland transcriptome. Our findings lay a foundation for population monitoring, mating disruption, mass trapping, and the development of ecologically acceptable management strategies.

Identification and analysis of olfactory genes in Dioryctria abietella based on the antennal transcriptome.

The coneworm Dioryctria abietella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is an economy devastating pest that infests many valuable conifer species in the Holarctic regions, such as Pinus koraiensis Siebold and Zucc. The chemosensory system plays a crucial role in the mating, foraging, and ovipositing of this pest, and therefore it is desirable to identify chemosensory molecules for pest control. However, little is known at molecular level about the olfactory mechanisms in D. abietella. In the present study, we first established antennal transcriptomes of D. abietella and identified 132 putative chemosensory genes, including 15 odorant-binding proteins, 18 chemosensory proteins, 65 odorant receptors, 5 sensory neuron membrane proteins, 24 ionotropic receptors, and 5 gustatory receptors. In addition, phylogenetic trees were constructed for chemosensory genes to investigate the orthologs between D. abietella and other species of insects. Furthermore, we also compared the patterns of motifs between OBPs and CSPs using MEME. Additionally, we observed that most of DabiOBPs and DabiCSPs had the antenna-biased expression by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and there was a higher expression of DabiPBP1 and DabiPBP2 in male antennae than in female antennae. The binding sites of DabiPBPs (DabiPBP1, DabiPBP2) and DabiPRs (DabiOR19, DabiOR31) to the sex pheromone were predicted well by three-dimensional docking structure modelling and molecular docking. Our finding supplied a foundation for further research on the binding process of OBPs or CSPs and sensing process of ORs, SNMPs, IRs or GRs in D. abietella.

Additive interactions of some reduced-risk biocides and two entomopathogenic nematodes suggest implications for integrated control of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Higher volumes of conventional and novel chemical insecticides are applied by farmers to control resistant strains of armyworm (Spodoperta litura) in Pakistan without knowing their risks to the environment and to public health. Ten reduced-risk insecticides were tested for their compatibility with two entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs); Heterorhabditis indica and Steinernema carpocapsae against S. litura. The insecticide emamectin benzoate was highly toxic (LC50 = 2.97 mg/l) against 3rd instar S. litura larvae when applied alone whereas, novaluron and methoxyfenozide were the least toxic (LC50 = 29.56 mg/l and 21.06 mg/l), respectively. All the insecticides proved harmless against the two EPNs even 96 h after treatment. Indoxacarb, flubendiamide and spinetoram produced the greatest mortalities (72-76%) of S. litura larvae after 72 h when applied in mixtures with H. indica. Lowest mortalities (44.00 ± 3.74% and 48.00 ± 2.89) were observed for mixtures of H. indica with methoxyfenozide and chlorfenapyr, respectively. The positive control treatments with both EPNs (S. carpocapsae and H. indica) produced > 50% mortality 96 h after treatment. For insecticide mixtures with S. carpocapsae, only indoxacarb produced 90% mortality of larvae, whereas, indoxacarb, flubendiamide, emamectin benzoate, and spinetoram produced 90-92% mortality of larvae when applied in mixtures with H. indica. Additive interactions (Chi-square < 3.84) of EPN mixtures with reduced volumes of reduced-risk insecticides suggest opportunities to develop more environmentally favorable pest management programs for S. litura.

A global snapshot of endourology residency training.

BACKGROUND: Urology has become more complex over the last decades with surgical sophisticated technologies such as endoscopy, laparoscopy and robotic surgery. As these minimally invasive methods gain popularity throughout the world, this has led in some countries to a serious training gap as compared to other countries, and between generations of surgeons within national training systems. There is a huge heterogeneity in urological training between countries, whether developed or developing. This paper attempts to shed some light onto global urological training, comparing a significant number of various national systems, and to outline global tendencies in urological training. It will enable interested readers to see where their own system stands in international comparison, and hopefully enable them to identify training needs to achieve global quality standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a questionnaire-based assessment which was sent to 240 members of U-merge from 62 countries. In addition, there is ample literature on the requirements of structured training programs and assessments, and we have tried to briefly outline the key points in this paper. RESULTS: We received responses from 32 countries Urology residency training is hugely heterogenous between countries. Only 44% of nations use a structured training program with assessments. Others use the Halstedian apprenticeship approach. Notably, some developing countries do use modern teaching and assessment methods, whereas some developed countries still use the outmoded apprenticeship model. For the interested reader, results have been tabled in detail, and training systems described country by country. CONCLUSIONS: Our results have shown a huge heterogeneity in quality urology training between countries and within continents. In systems without national structure of training, it can be assumed that such differences exist even between hospitals/ training institutions. There is no doubt in times of globalization with resident and doctor migration and exchanges that training needs structure and standardization. The still huge gap in developing countries to catch up and be able to afford latest surgical and learning technologies need to be addressed with the help of responsible outreach programs.

Correction to: Nutrients, vitamins, probiotics and herbal products: an update of their role in urolithogenesis.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.

Nutrients, vitamins, probiotics and herbal products: an update of their role in urolithogenesis.

Nutrients, vitamins, probiotics, and herbal products may be risk factors, or alternately, protect against the formation of urinary stones. The purpose of this review was to update knowledge of the role of nutraceuticals in renal stone formation. A systematic search of the relevant literature published in PubMed in the last ten years was conducted and a narrative review of the data from the included studies was done. Search screened 513 studies that were reduced to 34 after evaluation by title and abstract; other 38 studies were retrieved by references of the selected studies. Beverages high fluid intake confirmed protective effect; orange juice protective effect; apple or grapefruit juice not confirmed as risk factors; sugar-sweetened soda and punch increased risk of stone formation. Energy intake: very high energy intake increased risk factor for women (especially after menopause); dietary acid load increased risk at equal levels of energy intake. Macronutrients confirmed increased risk of high protein intake. Calcium and Oxalate: calcium intake protective effect; oxalate intake only modest increase of risk in men and older women. Metal cations zinc and iron intake no clear impact on the risk of stone formation, dietary copper increased risk; manganese intake reduced risk of stone formation. Fruits and Vegetables decreased risk. Vitamins B6 intake not associated to risk of stone formation; vitamin C intake increased risk in men; vitamin D or supplemental vitamin D intake not associated to increased risk in men and younger women, suggestion of a higher risk in older women; Probiotics Gut colonization with Oxalobacter formigenes associated to lower risk of stone formation, effect of oxalate-degraders probiotics on urinary oxalate equivocal. Herbal products efficacy of some herbal products demonstrated in some trials, more investigations needed to confirm their efficacy and safety.