Integrated Eco-Health approach significantly reduces helminth infections in endemic Khong islands with emphasis on Schistosoma mekongi.

BACKGROUND: Helminth infections, including Opisthorchis viverrini, hookworm, and Trichuris trichiura, are prevalent in Khong district, Champasack province, southern Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). Schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mekongi is of public health concern on the islands of the Khong district. This study aimed to assess the impact of an Eco-Health/One-Health approach in combination with mass drug administration (MDA) to reduce these helminth infections. METHODS: We conducted a community intervention using a stepped-wedge trial approach on two endemic islands (Donsom and Donkhone) of the Khong district, Champasack province, Lao PDR, between April 2012 and March 2013. In each study village, 30-40 households were randomly selected. All members of selected households, who were at home during the study period were invited to participate in the study. A baseline study was conducted to assess helminth infections, knowledge attitudes and practices toward Schistosoma mekongi infection, behavior of open defecation and availability of latrine at home. After the baseline (T0), the Eco-Health/One-Health approach was implemented on Donsom (intervention) and Donkhone island (control). An assessment was conducted in 2014 (T1), one year after the completion of intervention implementation, to assess the short-term impact of the Eco-Health/One-Health approach on helminth infections and compare intervention and control islands. Later in 2015, the Eco-Health/One-Health approach was implemented on control island (Donkhone). After the implementation of intervention, the parasitological assessments were conducted annually in humans in 2015 (T2), in 2016 (T3) and in 2017 (T4), and in dogs in 2017 (T4) to evaluate the long-term impact of the intervention on helminth infections. Frequency was used to describe the prevalence of helminth infections. Logistic regression was applied to associate the KAP (knowledge, attitudes, and practices and open defecation behavior) and the reduction of helminth infections between intervention and control islands. The reduction in prevalence pre- and post-intervention was associated using a McNemar test. A two-independent sample t-test was applied to compare the mean eggs per gram (EPG) of helminth infections between control and intervention islands. A paired t-test test was used to compare the mean EPG of stool samples before (baseline) and after (follow-up) interventions for the two islands separately. A P-value lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Eco-Health/One-Health approach appears to be associated with reduction in prevalence of S. mekongi by 9.0% [odds ratio (OR) = 0.49, P = 0.003] compared to the use of mass drug administration alone (control island). Additionally, this intervention package significantly reduced O. viverrini infection by 20.3% (OR = 1.92, P < 0.001) and hookworm by 17.9% (OR = 0.71, P = 0.045), respectively. Annual parasitological assessments between 2012 and 2017 showed that the Eco-Health/One-Health approach, coupled with MDA, steadily reduced the prevalence of S. mekongi on the intervention island from 29.1% to 1.8% and on the control island from 28.4% to 3.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that the Eco-Health/One-Health approach appears to be associated with a significant reduction in prevalence of S. mekongi and helminth co-infections, particularly hookworm and T. trichiura. Therefore, implementing the Eco-Health/One-Health approach in schistosomiasis-endemic areas could accelerate the achievement of national goals for transmission interruption by 2025 and elimination by 2030.

Peteryoungia algae sp. nov. isolated from seaweeds of Gouqi Island, China, and its unique genetic features among Peteryoungia strains.

A Gram-stain-negative, light khaki, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, motile via multiple flagella, and catalase- and oxidase-positive bacterium, designated as SSM4.3T, was isolated from the seaweed of Gouqi Island in the East China Sea. The novel isolate grows at 0-5.0% NaCl concentrations (w/v) (optimum 1%), pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0), and 15-37 °C (optimum 30 °C). The 16S rRNA gene sequences-based phylogeny indicates that the novel marine isolate belongs to the family Rhizobiaceae and that it shared the greatest sequence similarity (98.9%) with Peteryoungia rhizophila CGMCC 1.15691T. This classification was also supported by phylogenetic analysis using core genes. The predominant fatty acids (≥ 10%) of the strain were identified as C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c. Q-10 was identified as the major isoprenoid quinone, with trace levels of Q-9 present. The major polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The complete genome size of strain SSM4.3T is 4.39 Mb with a DNA G+C content of 61.3%. The average nucleotide identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridization, and average amino acid identity values between the genomes of strain SSM4.3T and its closely related representatives were 74.80-86.93%, 20.00-32.30%, and 70.30-91.52%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis, grounded on the core genes, reveals the evolutionary relationship between SSM4.3T and other Peteryoungia strains. Pan-genomics analysis of 8 previously classified Peteryoungia species and SSM4.3T revealed their unique genetic features and functions. Overall, strain SSM4.3T was considered to be a new species of the Peteryoungia genus; the name Peteryoungia algae sp. nov. has been proposed, with type strain SSM4.3T (= LMG 32561 = MCCC 1K07170).

Uncontrolled deforestation and population growth threaten a tropical island's water and land resources in only 10 years.

Rapid demographic growth in tropical islands can exacerbate conflicts and pressures on natural resources, as illustrated by the French island of Mayotte where resources are limited. In only 10 years, uncontrolled migration and population growth (+80% of population between 2002 and 2021) have led to a pronounced 3600% increase in deforestation rates (2010-2014) and an intensification of agricultural practices, escalating conflicts over limited land, water, and biodiversity resources. Implementing an original multi-proxy approach to sediment cores, our study reveals a staggering 300% acceleration in erosion during the first wave of migration (2011-2015), followed by a further 190% increase (2019-2021) under sustained migratory and demographic pressures. Sedimentary DNA analysis provided insights into increased connectivity and community changes. By 2050, the population of this region will increase by 74 and 103%, in Comoros and Madagascar islands, respectively. Urgent conservation measures are needed to avoid major socio-environmental crises and to protect resources for future generations.

Adapting malaria indicator surveys to investigate treatment adherence: a pilot study on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to anti-malarial treatment regimens is an important aspect of understanding and improving the impact of malaria case management. However, both adherence to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and the factors driving it vary widely. While many other evaluation activities have been conducted on Bioko Island, until now adherence to anti-malarial treatments, and in particular ACT has not been evaluated. METHODS: The implementation of a malaria indicator survey (MIS) conducted on Bioko in 2023 was leveraged to evaluate adherence to ACT provided to individuals testing positive following the survey. A follow-up team visited the targeted households, physically observed treatment blisters where possible, and provided messaging to household members on the importance of adhering to the treatment guidelines to household members. The team used survey data from the targeted households to make messaging as relevant to the household's particular context as possible. RESULTS: Overall ACT adherence on Bioko Island was low, around 50%, and this varied demographically and geographically. Some of the highest transmission areas had exceptionally low adherence, but no systematic relationship between proper adherence and Plasmodium falciparum prevalence was detected. Estimates of adherence from follow-up visits were much lower than survey-based estimates in the same households (52.5% versus 87.1%), suggesting that lack of proper adherence may be a much larger issue on Bioko Island than previously thought. CONCLUSION: Representative surveys can be easily adapted to provide empirical estimates of adherence to anti-malarial treatments, complementary to survey-based and health facility-based estimates. The large discrepancy between adherence as measured in this study and survey-based estimates on Bioko Island suggests a health facility-based study to quantify adherence among the population receiving treatment for symptomatic malaria may be necessary.

Impact of feralization on evolutionary trajectories in the genomes of feral cat island populations.

Feralization is the process of domesticated animals returning to the wild and it is considered the counterpart of domestication. Molecular genetic changes are well documented in domesticated organisms but understudied in feral populations. In this study, the genetic differentiation between domestic and feral cats was inferred by analysing whole-genome sequencing data of two geographically distant feral cat island populations, Dirk Hartog Island (Australia) and Kaho'olawe (Hawaii) as well as domestic cats and European wildcats. The study investigated population structure, genetic differentiation, genetic diversity, highly differentiated genes, and recombination rates. Genetic structure analyses linked both feral cat populations to North American domestic and European cat populations. Recombination rates in feral cats were lower than in domestic cats but higher than in wildcats. For Australian and Hawaiian feral cats, 105 and 94 highly differentiated genes compared to domestic cats respectively, were identified. Annotated genes had similar functions, with almost 30% of the divergent genes related to nervous system development in both feral groups. Twenty mutually highly differentiated genes were found in both feral populations. Evolution of highly differentiated genes was likely driven by specific demographic histories, the relaxation of the selective pressures associated with domestication, and adaptation to novel environments to a minor extent. Random drift was the prevailing force driving highly divergent regions, with relaxed selection in feral populations also playing a significant role in differentiation from domestic cats. The study demonstrates that feralization is an independent process that brings feral cats on a unique evolutionary trajectory.

Remote islands as natural laboratories: human-food association increases attraction to humans and novelty exploration in a seabird.

Increased attraction to humans and their objects often arises after repeated and positive human-wildlife encounters (e.g. food provided in tourist settings). The causes of this 'over-attraction', which may result from a learned association between humans and food, are still poorly studied in wild animals. Understanding the influence of humans on animals' responses is yet crucial to prevent negative effects (e.g. aggression). We presented three novel objects to two groups of free-ranging brown skuas (Catharacta antarctica ssp. lonnbergi) in the remote sub-Antarctic, where their habitats show no or minimal human disturbance. Skuas in one group (Verte) had previously participated in repeated food-rewarded behavioural and cognitive tasks with a human experimenter; skuas in the other group (Ratmanoff) had never done so. Objects consisted of (i) one natural-food-resembling object (plastic fish), (ii) one anthropogenic food object (real cake slice), and (iii) one anthropogenic non-food object (yellow glove). Verte group skuas approached the human experimenter and pecked significantly more and sooner at novel objects. Human-food association may have thus resulted in increased attraction to humans and novelty exploration in previously naive brown skuas, making this species a useful model for investigating the consequences of experience with humans on wildlife behaviour.

Gene-centered metagenome analysis of Vulcano Island soil (Aeolian archipelago, Italy) reveals diverse microbial key players in methane, hydrogen and sulfur cycles.

The Aeolian archipelago is known worldwide for its volcanic activity and hydrothermal emissions, of mainly carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide are minor components of these emissions which together can feed large quantities of bacteria and archaea that do contribute to the removal of these notorious greenhouse gases. Here we analyzed the metagenome of samples taken from the Levante bay on Vulcano Island, Italy. Using a gene-centric approach, the hydrothermal vent community appeared to be dominated by Proteobacteria, and Sulfurimonas was the most abundant genus. Metabolic reconstructions highlight a prominent role of formaldehyde oxidation and the reverse TCA cycle in carbon fixation. [NiFe]-hydrogenases seemed to constitute the preferred strategy to oxidize H2, indicating that besides H2S, H2 could be an essential electron donor in this system. Moreover, the sulfur cycle analysis showed a high abundance and diversity of sulfate reduction genes underpinning the H2S production. This study covers the diversity and metabolic potential of the microbial soil community in Levante bay and adds to our understanding of the biogeochemistry of volcanic ecosystems.

UAV telephotography elucidates floristic variability and beta diversity of island cliffs under grazing interventions.

Cliffs contain one of the least known plant communities, which has been overlooked in biodiversity assessments due to the inherent inaccessibility. Our study adopted the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with the telephoto camera to remotely clarify floristic variability across unreachable cliffs. Studied cliffs comprised 17 coastal and 13 inland cliffs in Gageodo of South Korea, among which 9 and 5 cliffs were grazed by the introduced cliff-dwelling goats. The UAV telephotography showed 154 and 166 plant species from coastal and inland cliffs, respectively. Inland cliffs contained more vascular plant species (P < 0.001), increased proportions of fern and woody species (P < 0.05), and decreased proportion of herbaceous species (P < 0.001) than coastal cliffs. It was also found that coastal and inland cliffs differed in the species composition (P < 0.001) rather than taxonomic beta diversity (P = 0.29). Furthermore, grazed coastal cliffs featured the elevated proportions of alien and annual herb species than ungrazed coastal cliffs (P < 0.05). This suggests that coastal cliffs might not be totally immune to grazing if the introduced herbivores are able to access cliff microhabitats; therefore, such anthropogenic introduction of cliff-dwelling herbivores should be excluded to conserve the native cliff plant communities.

Doubling the known diversity of a remote island fauna: marine bivalves of the Juan Fernández and Desventuradas oceanic archipelagos (Southeastern Pacific Ocean).

Juan Fernández and Desventuradas are two oceanic archipelagos located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean far off the Chilean coast that received protected status as marine parks in 2016. Remoteness and access difficulty contributed to historically poor biodiversity sampling and limited associated research. This is particularly noticeable for bivalves, with most prior regional publications focused on single taxa or un-illustrated checklists. This study investigates marine bivalves collected between the intertidal and 415 m depth during (1) the 1997 IOC97 expedition aboard the M/V Carlos Porter, with special focus on scuba-collected micro-mollusks of both archipelagos, (2) two expeditions by the R/V Anton Bruun (Cruise 12/1965 and Cruise 17/1966), and (3) Cruise 21 of USNS Eltanin under the United States Antarctic Program, which sampled at Juan Fernández in 1965. Also, relevant historical material of the British H.M.S. Challenger Expedition (1873-1876), the Swedish Pacific Expedition (1916-1917), and by German zoologist Ludwig H. Plate (1893-1895) is critically revised. A total of 48 species are recognized and illustrated, including 19 new species (described herein) and six other potentially new species. The presence of two species mentioned in the literature for the region (Aulacomya atra and Saccella cuneata) could not be confirmed. The genera Verticipronus and Halonympha are reported for the first time from the Eastern Pacific, as are Anadara and Condylocardia from Chilean waters. Lectotypes are designated for Arca (Barbatia) platei and Mytilus algosus. These findings double the number of extant bivalve species known from the Juan Fernández and Desventuradas archipelagos, highlighting the lack of attention these islands groups have received in the past. A high percentage of species endemic to one or both archipelagos are recognized herein, accounting for almost 78% of the total. The newly recognized level of bivalve endemism supports the consideration of Juan Fernández and Desventuradas as two different biogeographic units (Provinces or Ecoregions) of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Mesobacterium hydrothermale sp. nov., isolated from shallow-sea hydrothermal systems off Kueishantao Island.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, aerobic bacterium, designated as strain TK19101T, was isolated from the intermediate seawater of yellow vent in the shallow-sea hydrothermal system located near Kueishantao Island. The strain was found to grow at 10-40 °C (optimum, 35 °C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, 7.0), and in 0-5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1%). Strain TK19101T was catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. The predominant fatty acids (> 10%) in strain TK19101T cells were C16:0, summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω6c and/or C18:1 ω7c), and C18:0. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of strain TK19101T was ubiquinone-10. The polar lipids of strain TK19101T comprised phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipid, and unknown polar lipid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TK19101T belonged to the genus Mesobacterium. Strain TK19101T exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value to Mesobacterium pallidum MCCC M24557T (97.48%). The estimated average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain TK19101T and the closest related species Mesobacterium pallidum MCCC M24557T were 74.88% and 20.30%, respectively. The DNA G + C content was 63.49 mol%. On the basis of the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain TK19101T has a unique phylogenetic status and represents a novel species of genus Mesobacterium, for which the name Mesobacterium hydrothermale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TK19101T (= MCCC 1K08936T = KCTC 8354T).

Satellite observations reveal anthropogenic pressure significantly affects the suspended particulate matter concentrations in coastal waters of Hainan Island.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) plays a crucial role in assessing the health status of coastal ecosystems. Satellite remote sensing offers an effective approach to investigate the variations and distribution patterns of SPM, with the performance of various satellite retrieval models exhibiting significant spatial heterogeneity. However, there is still limited information on precise remote sensing retrieval algorithms specifically designed for estimating SPM in tropical areas, hindering our ability to monitor the health status of valuable tropical ecological resources. A relatively accurate empirical algorithm (root mean square error = 2.241 mg L-1, mean absolute percentage error = 42.527%) was first developed for the coastal SPM of Hainan Island based on MODIS images and over a decade of field SPM data, which conducted comprehensive comparisons among empirical models, semi-analytical models, and machine learning models. Long-term monitoring from 2003 to 2022 revealed that the average SPM concentration along the coastal wetlands of Hainan Island was 6.848 mg L-1, which displayed a decreasing trend due to government environmental protection regulations (average rate of change of -0.009 mg L-1/year). The seasonal variations in coastal SPM were primarily influenced by sea surface temperature (SST). Spatially, the concentrations of SPM along the southwest coast of Hainan Island were higher in comparison to other waters, which was attributable to sediment types and ocean currents. Further, anthropogenic pressure (e.g., agricultural waste input, vegetation cover) was the main influence on the long-term changes of coastal SPM in Hainan Island, particularly evident in typical tropical ecosystems affected by aquaculture, coastal engineering, and changes in coastal green vegetation. Compared to other typical ecosystems around the globe, the overall health status of SPM along the coast wetlands of Hainan is considered satisfactory. These findings not only establish a robust remote sensing model for long-term SPM monitoring along the coast of Hainan Island, but also provide comprehensive insights into SPM dynamics, thereby contributing to the formulation of future coastal zone management policies.

Convergent evolution toward a slow pace of life predisposes insular endotherms to anthropogenic extinctions.

Island vertebrates have evolved a number of morphological, physiological, and life history characteristics that set them apart from their mainland relatives. However, to date, the evolution of metabolism and its impact on the vulnerability to extinction of insular vertebrates remains poorly understood. This study used metabolic data from 2813 species of tetrapod vertebrates, including 695 ectothermic and 2118 endothermic species, to reveal that island mammals and birds evolved convergent metabolic strategies toward a slow pace of life. Insularity was associated with shifts toward slower metabolic rates and greater generation lengths in endotherms, while insularity just drove the evolution of longer generation lengths in ectotherms. Notably, a slow pace of life has exacerbated the extinction of insular endemic species in the face of anthropogenic threats. These findings have important implications for understanding physiological adaptations associated with the island syndrome and formulating conservation strategies across taxonomic groups with different metabolic modes.

Diversity and distribution of the lichen genus Umbilicaria in the Argentine Islands-Kyiv Peninsula region, the maritime Antarctic.

This paper documents the occurrence of the genus Umbilicaria in the Argentine Islands-Kyiv Peninsula region of the Graham Coast in the maritime Antarctic. The presence of seven Umbilicaria species (U. africana, U. antarctica, U. aprina, U. decussata, U. kappenii, U. nylanderiana and U. umbilicarioides) in the ice-free areas of the Argentine Islands-Kyiv Peninsula region were confirmed. The species of U. africana and U. aprina are documented from the studied region for the first time. This study moves the southern distribution limit of U. africana about 300 km to the south: to the Argentine Islands-Kyiv Peninsula region. The distribution maps of Umbilicaria species for the studied region and maritime Antarctica are prepared.

Genome-wide relaxation of selection and the evolution of the island syndrome in Orkney voles.

Island populations often experience different ecological and demographic conditions than their counterparts on the continent, resulting in divergent evolutionary forces affecting their genomes. Random genetic drift and selection both may leave their imprints on island populations, although the relative impact depends strongly on the specific conditions. Here we address their contributions to the island syndrome in a rodent with an unusually clear history of isolation. Common voles (Microtus arvalis) were introduced by humans on the Orkney archipelago north of Scotland >5000 years ago and rapidly evolved to exceptionally large size. Our analyses show that the genomes of Orkney voles were dominated by genetic drift, with extremely low diversity, variable Tajima's D, and very high divergence from continental conspecifics. Increased d N/d S ratios over a wide range of genes in Orkney voles indicated genome-wide relaxation of purifying selection. We found evidence of hard sweeps on key genes of the lipid metabolism pathway only in continental voles. The marked increase of body size in Orkney-a typical phenomenon of the island syndrome-may thus be associated to the relaxation of positive selection on genes related to this pathway. On the other hand, a hard sweep on immune genes of Orkney voles likely reflects the divergent ecological conditions and possibly the history of human introduction. The long-term isolated Orkney voles show that adaptive changes may still impact the evolutionary trajectories of such populations despite the pervasive consequences of genetic drift at the genome level.

Exploring phylogeny and genomic vulnerability of Melastoma (Melastomataceae) endemic to a World Natural Heritage site, the Bonin Islands.

Melastoma (Melastomataceae) includes ca. 100 species across tropical to subtropical regions of Asia and Oceania. The Bonin Islands harbor three endemic taxa: M. tetramerum, M. tetramerum var. pentapetalum, and M. candidum var. alessandrense. Of these, M. tetramerum is critically endangered and faces near extinction in the wild. This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships among these endemic Melastoma species in the Bonin Islands based on the whole chloroplast genome and nuclear SNPs. The results revealed that M. candidum var. alessandrense was placed in the clade of the widespread East Asian M. candidum and has a distinct evolutionary origin from the other two taxa. The population genomics analyses (heterozygosity, rates of deleterious mutations, and numbers and lengths of runs of homozygosity) indicated lower genetic diversity and more vulnerable genomes of endemic Melastoma, especially M. tetramerum var. pentapetalum. M. tetramerum var. pentapetalum is not a target of any protection programs, however, conservation plans might be required for this variety because M. tetramerum var. pentapetalum would have a more vulnerable genome than M. tetramerum, which faces near extinction in the wild. This information can facilitate the development of effective conservation strategies in a precautionary way that anticipates imminent threats to the survival of the species.

Spatiotemporal response of the optical characteristics of dissolved organic matter to seasonality and land use in tropical island rivers.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM), a pivotal component in the global carbon cycle, plays a crucial role in maintaining the productivity and functionality of aquatic ecosystems. However, the driving factors of variations in the properties of riverine DOM in tropical islands still remain unclear. In this study, the spatiotemporal response of the optical characteristics of riverine DOM to seasonality and land use on Hainan Island in southern China was investigated. Our results revealed that DOM in the rivers of Hainan Island exhibited a relatively high proportion of fulvic acid and demonstrated strong terrestrial sources. The optical properties of DOM exhibited significant variations both seasonally and spatially. Land use exerted a dominant influence on riverine DOM. Specifically, during the wet season, riverine DOM exhibited larger molecular weight, increased chromophoric DOM (CDOM) abundance, and higher Fmax compared to the dry season. Furthermore, riverine DOM influenced by grassland and farmland showed higher CDOM abundance, Fmax, and humification degree in contrast to those impacted by forest and urban. Random forest and correlation analysis results indicated that grassland and farmland enhanced the Fmax of DOM by increasing levels of TP, NO3--N, Chl a, and NH4+-N in the dry season. However, during the wet season, the increased Fmax of DOM induced by grassland and farmland relied on the increments of Chl a and TP concentrations. This study improves our understanding of the spatiotemporal fluctuations of DOM in the rivers of Hainan Island, highlighting the effects of season and land use on DOM. It offers valuable support for improving water quality and contributes to enhancing human comprehension of the global carbon cycle.

Characterization and Genomic Analysis of Affinirhizobium gouqiense sp. nov. Isolated from Seawater of Gouqi Island Located in the East China Sea and Reclassification of Rhizobium lemnae to the Genus Affinirhizobium as Affinirhizobium lemnae comb. nov.

A novel bacterium designated as SSA5.23T was isolated from seawater. Cells of SSA5.23T are Gram-stain-negative, short, rod-shaped, and exhibit motility via numerous peritrichous flagella. The strain could grow at temperatures ranging from 15 to 35 °C (optimum at 25 °C), in a salinity range of 0-5.0% (w/v) NaCl, and within a pH range of 6.0-9.0 (optimum at pH 7.0). The predominant cellular fatty acid of SSA5.23T was C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c, and the major respiratory quinones were Q-9 and Q-10. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol were identified as the primary polar lipids. The complete genome (5.47 Mb) of SSA5.23T comprises of a circular chromosome of 3.64 Mb and three plasmids, specifically sized at 59.73 kb, 227.82 kb, and 1.54 Mb, respectively. Certain genes located on the plasmids play roles in denitrification, oxidative stress resistance, and osmotic tolerance, which likely contribute to the adaptability of this strain in marine conditions. Core-proteome average amino acid identity analysis effectively identified the strain's affiliation with the genus Affinirhizobium, showing the highest value (89.9%) with Affinirhizobium pseudoryzae DSM 19479T. This classification was further supported by the phylogenetic analysis of concatenated alignment of 170 single-copy orthologous proteins. When compared to related reference strains, SSA5.23T displayed an average nucleotide identity ranging from 74.9 to 80.3% and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values ranging from 19.9 to 23.9%. Our findings confirmed that strain SSA5.23T represents a novel species of the genus Affinirhizobium, for which the name Affinirhizobium gouqiense sp. nov. (type strain SSA5.23T = LMG 32560T = MCCC 1K07165T) was suggested.

Transformation of coastal wetlands in the Sundarban Delta (1999-2020).

Spanning across Bangladesh and India, the Sundarban Delta consists of over a thousand islands, the majority of which are protected. These islands are important for the rich biodiversity and unique species found here. However, these islands are also at the forefront of climate change due to the impact of rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Therefore, we analyzed the long-term transformations in the land use land cover (LULC) between 1999 and 2020. We used a variety of geostatistical methods, including optimized hot spots cold spots and join count statistics, to examine the spatial patterns of changes in LULC across the study area. The results of our analysis revealed substantial changes in the spatial patterns of mangroves and pond aquaculture. The changes revealed a distinct north-south demarcation in spatial patterns, in the form of clustering of mangroves in the uninhabited islands located in the south and pond aquaculture clustered in the northern inhabited islands. The loss of area under mangroves was concentrated in the southern edges of the islands, which were most exposed to erosion in the open ocean. Nevertheless, we observed an increase in the area under mangroves in some of the northern riverine islands (17 km2). In the case of pond aquaculture, it was mostly concentrated in inhabited islands in the north. Most of the expansions were concentrated in the Indian part of the delta (631 km2). It is noteworthy that because of effective conservation measures, there was very limited overlap between mangroves and pond aquaculture, denoting the conversion of agricultural land to pond aquaculture instead of mangroves. Thus, the results of our study revealed the importance of local level conservation policies and anthropogenic activities, such as deforestation and local level disturbance like over-extraction of water and pollution, on the changing patterns of LULC across this unique, fragile ecosystem. Future studies may incorporate a finer resolution time series of LULC changes over time and space to enable more detailed analysis.