Epidemiology and Genetic Relationship of Toxigenic Fungi in Maize Grains From North Central Nigerian States.

Contamination of maize adversely affects maize quality, yield, and export creating a gap in the attainment of food security, which is a millenium development goal in Nigeria. The study determined fungal abundance, genetic variability, and prevalence of toxigenic fungi in maize grains consumed in North Central, Nigeria. Sixty composite stored maize samples were collected and fungi were isolated and identified after which a multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the presence of mycotoxin regulatory genes in suspected toxigenic fungi. The genetic relationship among the toxigenic fungi was determined and the genetic correlation between Aspergillus isolates was established through Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. About 389 (64.83%) of the total maize samples collected had fungal species belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium, Fusarium, Trichophyton, and Talaromyces associated with them. Among the regions surveyed, Kogi State exhibited the highest maize contamination rate at 89 samples, accounting for 22.9% of the total samples collected. In Benue and Kogi, the genus Aspergillus exhibited the highest relative abundance, with percentages of 76.6% and 76.3%, respectively. Among its species, Aspergillus flavus and A. niger were the most predominant. Kwara State had the highest fungal diversity with a value of 1.711 (P < .05). Benue State had 11 isolates (4.6%) with genes encoding for mycotoxin production, the highest recorded. Conversely, Nasarawa and Niger States each had the lowest count, with 4 isolates possessing such genes. Out of the 238 fungi suspected to be mycotoxigenic that were isolated, 39 have genes that encode for mycotoxin synthesis. Low divergence existed between toxigenic fungal species using the alpha diversity index. This study confirmed that the grains were contaminated with closely related fungal strains, and concluded that maize grains consumed in North Central Nigeria showed high association with fungal microbiota, including species capable of contaminating the grains with mycotoxins.

Temporal trend data (2005-2020) in density and biomass of 13 herbivorous fishes in the Gulf of California.

This dataset comes from a multi-institution compilation of monitoring information for 13 marine herbivorous fishes belonging to six genera of five families: Acanthuridae, Girellidae, Kyphosidae, Pomacentridae and Scaridae, gathered from 2005 to 2020 in the Gulf of California. The database presents a total of 884 records of biomass and density got from 15,542 visual censuses performed using scuba diving in 34 localities comprising 268 rocky and coral reef sites. The censuses consisted of belt transects (250 m2, 100 m2, and 60 m2) laid parallel to the coastline, where expert monitors recorded the abundance of all observed adult individuals of the 13 target herbivorous species, and visually estimated the total length (cm) of each fish. In the database, the information for each transect is presented in the form of average fish density (individuals/m2) and biomass (g/m2), the latter was estimated based on the abundance and size per individual and the published weight-length relationship for each species. Also, we present the latitude and longitude of each locality, type of management, localities in the Gulf of California, institutions, the initial and final year of data, total number of years, as well as the mean, standard deviation, sample size, slope (annual rate of change), probability value, standard error and minimum and maximum value calculated for each species within each locality. This dataset represents an historical baseline of the status of the 13 species in the Gulf of California and can be used to conduct analyses of temporal and spatial trends in herbivorous fish assemblages, considering tropicalization of the interest region due to global change. Moreover, this data will provide key information to stakeholders and managers of protected areas along the gulf and the eastern tropical Pacific region.

Diversity and Population Sizes of Wintering Waterbirds in the Wetlands of the Saïss-Middle Atlas Region (North-Central Morocco): Main Survival Factors and Evaluation of Habitat Loss.

Moroccan wetlands host up to half a million wintering birds and provide a stopover for tens of thousands of migrants, while they are inhabited by few nesting species. Most of this avifauna prefers to use the large coastal wetlands or reservoirs, while many species are dispersed across hundreds of small inland wetlands of various types. In this study, we monitored the wintering avifauna of 11 wetlands of the Saïss plain and its adjacent Atlas Mountains (north-center of Morocco), during six wintering seasons (2017-2018 to 2022-2023), with the objective of assessing the importance of this region as a waterbird wintering area. Using the richness of the species, we determine the bird population changes during this pentad and between the different types of wetlands (natural, human-made, and natural wetlands). During this study, we recorded 51 species, belonging to 17 families, among which exist four remarkable birds: the endangered Oxyura leucocephala, the vulnerable Aythya ferina and the near-threatened Aythya nyroca and Limosa limosa. Bird diversity is higher in human-made ecosystems than in peri-urban and natural ecosystems, while the populations' size is similar in urban and non-urban wetlands. With regard to bird conservation, these inland wetlands, mainly the small ones, are threatened by recurrent droughts and various anthropic stressors, which we describe using our observations of the two last decades (2003-2023). The loss of habitat is significant, reaching 348.5 hectares, while the impacts of reduced precipitation and temperature increase are particularly evident in the mountainous natural lakes.

The species and abundance of gut bacteria both positively impact Phortica okadai behavior.

BACKGROUND: Gut bacteria, which serve as essential modulators, exert a significant impact on insect physiology and behavior and have substantial application potential in pest management. The dynamics of gut bacteria and their impact on Phortica okadai behavior remain unclear. METHODS: In this study, the dynamics of gut bacteria at different developmental stages in P. okadai were analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing, and the species and abundance of gut bacteria that affect host behavior were examined via behavioral experiments. RESULTS: A total of 19 phyla, 29 classes, 74 orders, 101 species, and 169 genera were identified. The results of the behavioral experiments indicated that the species Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis, Acetobacter tropicalis, Leuconostoc citreum, and Levilactobacillus brevis effectively influenced the feeding preference of P. okadai, and the single-bacterium-seeded P. okadai exhibited feeding preferences distinct from those of the germ-free (GF) and wild-type P. okadai. CONCLUSIONS: The species and relative abundance of gut bacteria together positively impact P. okadai behavior. Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis, as the most attractive bacteria to P. okadai, presents opportunities for novel pest control strategies targeting this vector and agricultural pest.

Pikeperch muscle tissues: a comparative study of structure, enzymes, genes, and proteins in wild and farmed fish.

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is a freshwater species and an internationally highly demanded fish in aquaculture. Despite intensive research efforts on this species, fundamental knowledge of skeletal muscle biology and structural characteristics is missing. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of skeletal muscle parameters in adult pikeperch from two different origins, wild-caught specimens from a lake and those reared in a recirculating aquaculture system. The analyses comprised the biochemical characteristics (nucleic acid, protein content), enzyme activities (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase), muscle-specific gene and protein expression (related to myofibre formation, regeneration and permanent growth, muscle structure), and muscle fibre structure. The findings reveal distinct differences between the skeletal muscle of wild and farmed pikeperch. Specifically, nucleic acid content, enzyme activity, and protein expression varied significantly. The higher enzyme activity observed in wild pikeperch suggests greater metabolically activity in their muscles. Conversely, farmed pikeperch indicated a potential for pronounced muscle growth. As the data on pikeperch skeletal muscle characteristics is sparse, the purpose of our study is to gain fundamental insights into the characteristics of adult pikeperch muscle. The presented data serve as a foundation for further research on percids' muscle biology and have the potential to contribute to advancements and adaptations in aquaculture practices.

Checklist of land snail species of Gua Rumbang, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo (Mollusca, Gastropoda), with a description of a new species, Diplommatinarumbangensis sp. nov.

The current study presents an annotated checklist of the land snail species in the vicinity of the limestone hill of Gua (= cave) Rumbang, an outcrop located at the district of Padawan, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The sampling was conducted at the surrounding areas and near the cave's entrance. A total of 62 species, involving 19 families and 38 genera, were recorded. Comparison with previous surveys made in the Bau limestone hills revealed similarities with respect to the species-rich families Diplommatinidae and Cyclophoridae, and the genera Kaliella and Diplommatina, highlighting the regional consistency of the land snail diversity of the Bau-Padawan-Serian cluster. Possibly because of its smaller size, Gua Rumbang is home to two endemic species, while there are eight endemic species in the Bau limestone karsts. This suggests a potential for a significant species diversity within the areas of the limestone ranges that remain to be explored. Nonetheless, the occurrence of endemic species in Gua Rumbang highlights the need to conserve certain areas within the Padawan limestone range since hitherto no protected areas have been proposed in this region. In this checklist, a new species for science is also described, namely, Diplommatinarumbangensissp. nov.

Dynamics of microplastic abundance under tidal fluctuation in Musi estuary, Indonesia.

Tidal dynamics contribute to fluctuations in microplastic abundance (MPs). This is the first study to characterize MPs under the influence of tidal fluctuations in the Musi River Estuary. MPs samples were collected during flood and ebb tides at 10 research stations representing the inner, middle and outer parts of the Musi River Estuary. MPs were extracted to identify the shape, color and size. MP abundances were 467.67 ± 127.84 particles/m3 during flood tide and 723.67 ± 112.05 particles/m3 during ebb tide. The concentration of MPs in the outer zone of the estuary (ocean) was detected to be higher than in the inner zone of the estuary (river). The MPs found were dominated by black color, film shape and size 101-250 µm. A greater abundance of MPs at ebb tide than at flood tide implies that the Musi Estuary's largest source of emissions is discharge from the river.

Integrated Proteomics Analysis of Baseline Protein Expression in Pig Tissues.

The availability of an increasingly large amount of public proteomics data sets presents an opportunity for performing combined analyses to generate comprehensive organism-wide protein expression maps across different organisms and biological conditions. Sus scrofa, a domestic pig, is a model organism relevant for food production and for human biomedical research. Here, we reanalyzed 14 public proteomics data sets from the PRIDE database coming from pig tissues to assess baseline (without any biological perturbation) protein abundance in 14 organs, encompassing a total of 20 healthy tissues from 128 samples. The analysis involved the quantification of protein abundance in 599 mass spectrometry runs. We compared protein expression patterns among different pig organs and examined the distribution of proteins across these organs. Then, we studied how protein abundances were compared across different data sets and studied the tissue specificity of the detected proteins. Of particular interest, we conducted a comparative analysis of protein expression between pig and human tissues, revealing a high degree of correlation in protein expression among orthologs, particularly in brain, kidney, heart, and liver samples. We have integrated the protein expression results into the Expression Atlas resource for easy access and visualization of the protein expression data individually or alongside gene expression data.

Long-Term Trends in Mosquito Vector Populations and their Impact on Yellow Fever Outbreaks in Atlantic Forest Fragments of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (2016-2021).

Among all living beings, mosquitoes account for the highest number of human fatalities. Our study aimed to determine mosquito egg abundance fluctuation from 2015 to 2020, in order to observe which years had the highest mosquito vector densities and whether they coincided with yellow fever virus outbreaks in both human and nonhuman primates. The study area included Atlantic Forest fragments in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Studies from the Diptera Laboratory at FIOCRUZ were selected and compared along a timeline period of the field collections. The highest peak in egg abundance from the analyzed studies was observed from 2016 to 2017 and from 2015 to 2016. The lowest egg abundance was during the collection periods from 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020. The species with the highest abundance throughout all the periods of the studies analyzed was Haemagogus leucocelaenus, representing 87% of all epidemiological species identified. The species with the lowest abundance was Hg. Janthinomys, representing only 1%. Monitoring the population of mosquitoes is imperative for disease surveillance, as the rise in specimens of various vector species directly impacts the occurrence of yellow fever cases in both nonhuman primates and human populations.

mbDecoda: a debiased approach to compositional data analysis for microbiome surveys.

Potentially pathogenic or probiotic microbes can be identified by comparing their abundance levels between healthy and diseased populations, or more broadly, by linking microbiome composition with clinical phenotypes or environmental factors. However, in microbiome studies, feature tables provide relative rather than absolute abundance of each feature in each sample, as the microbial loads of the samples and the ratios of sequencing depth to microbial load are both unknown and subject to considerable variation. Moreover, microbiome abundance data are count-valued, often over-dispersed and contain a substantial proportion of zeros. To carry out differential abundance analysis while addressing these challenges, we introduce mbDecoda, a model-based approach for debiased analysis of sparse compositions of microbiomes. mbDecoda employs a zero-inflated negative binomial model, linking mean abundance to the variable of interest through a log link function, and it accommodates the adjustment for confounding factors. To efficiently obtain maximum likelihood estimates of model parameters, an Expectation Maximization algorithm is developed. A minimum coverage interval approach is then proposed to rectify compositional bias, enabling accurate and reliable absolute abundance analysis. Through extensive simulation studies and analysis of real-world microbiome datasets, we demonstrate that mbDecoda compares favorably with state-of-the-art methods in terms of effectiveness, robustness and reproducibility.

Ecology and abundance of a relict population of the bush cricket Saga pedo in the Northern Apennines, Italy.

The expansion of forest cover and intensification of agriculture represent the main threats to the bush cricket Saga pedo, currently listed as Vulnerable globally by the IUCN and included in Annex IV of the European Union Habitats Directive. Gathering information on its ecology and population size is challenging due to its low abundance and localized distribution. Additionally, the elusive and cryptic behavior of this species reduces the likelihood of its detection, potentially resulting in population underestimations. Thus, in this study, we aimed to (1) estimate S. pedo population size in relation to environmental variables and prey availability and (2) predict abundance of S. pedo in our study area for future monitoring in nearby territories. We found that the population of S. pedo in our study area consists of 197 (±115) individuals with a detection probability of 21.01% (±11.09). Detection probability of S. pedo further decreases on windy days. Moreover, we found that the investigated population of S. pedo occupies suboptimal areas, as highlighted not only by the predicted abundances but also by the association between S. pedo and other subfamilies of orthoptera that are ecologically very distant from our target species and mostly linked to mesophilic biotopes. Most of the individuals we observed are concentrated in small clearings completely within wooded matrices and therefore isolated from each other. Based on our results, it is possible that forest expansion toward open meadows represents the main threat to this population, transforming the clearings and xeric meadows (to which S. pedo is linked) into small and fragmented patches that are suboptimal and insufficient to host viable populations.

Beneath the blades: Marine wind farms support parts of local biodiversity - a systematic review.

Offshore wind energy developments in European waters are rapidly expanding to meet the increasing global demand for renewable energy. These developments provide new substrates for species colonisation, but also introduce changes in electromagnetic fields, noise levels, and hydrological conditions. Understanding how these man-made structures affect marine biodiversity across various species groups is crucial, yet our knowledge in this field remains incomplete. In this synthesis paper, based on 14 case studies conducted in northeastern Atlantic (North, Irish and Baltic seas), we aggregated species-level data on abundance, biomass, and other quantity proxies spanning the entire food chain from invertebrates to mammals, and compared these variables between wind farms and nearby control sites. Overall, our analysis revealed that in wind farm areas, species tend to occur at higher quantities than in control areas. Additionally, we noticed a slight trend where the positive effect of wind farms was more pronounced in newly established ones, gradually diminishing as wind farms aged. None of the tested covariates (depth, distance from coastline, years in commission) nor species' characteristics (habitat and spawning types, trophic level) showed statistical significance. When examining species groups individually, there was a tendency for wind farm areas to harbour higher quantities of polychaetes, echinoderms and demersal fishes. These findings suggest that wind farms contribute to the so-called reef-effect, providing shelter and food supplies to their inhabitants and acting as no-take-zones. Our results support the idea that wind farms could serve as zones of increased local biodiversity, potentially facilitating spillover effects to nearby areas for certain species groups. Further studies are necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the adverse effects of wind farms on associated biodiversity, while also exploring avenues to amplify their positive impacts.

Seasonal fish larvae abundance and composition in seagrass habitats of coastal East Africa.

Seagrass habitats play a major role in fisheries productivity through nursery functions and feeding grounds for diverse fish species. However, little is known about the seasonal distribution of fish larvae at large spatial scales in coastal East Africa. We investigated drivers of the seasonal fish larvae abundance and composition in seagrass habitats in Kenya and Tanzania. We found a high diversity of fish larvae (54 families) inhabiting seagrass habitats that differed between sites and seasons. Fish larvae abundance were highest in Kenya, particularly during the northeast monsoon season. Overall, total larval abundances per site were low, reaching less than 190 individuals/100 m3 in Kenya and less than 40 individuals/100 m3 in Tanzania, likely related to the low productivity and strong hydrodynamic processes in this region. Our data suggests that most of the fish spawn year-round in these tropical waters as we did not find strong seasonal patterns. All sites had a high relative abundance of larvae from demersal spawning fishes, indicating that many fish species move to coastal sites for spawning. Primary productivity and dissolved oxygen, driven by hydrodynamics conditions are positively related to fish larvae productivity both in Kenya and Tanzania. These findings indicate that the occurrence of both resident and transient fish larvae in seagrass meadows is driven by strong hydrodynamic and tidal processes that transport fish larvae across adjacent habitats.

Impact of diversified cropping systems and fertilization strategies on soil microbial abundance and functional potentials for nitrogen cycling.

Diversified cropping systems and fertilization strategies were proposed to enhance the abundance and diversity of the soil microbiome, thereby stabilizing their beneficial services for maintaining soil fertility and supporting plant growth. Here, we assessed across three different long-term field experiments in Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Northern Germany) whether diversified cropping systems and fertilization strategies also affect their functional gene abundance. Soil DNA was analyzed by quantitative PCR for quantifying bacteria, archaea and fungi as well as functional genes related to nitrogen (N) transformations; including bacterial and archaeal nitrification (amoA-bac,arch), three steps of the denitrification process (nirK, nirS and nosZ-cladeI,II) and N2 assimilation (nifH), respectively. Crop diversification and fertilization strategies generally enhanced soil total carbon (C), N and microbial abundance, but with variation between sites. Overall effects of diversified cropping systems and fertilization strategies on functional genes were much stronger than on the abundance of bacteria, archaea and fungi. The legume-based cropping systems showed great potential not only in stimulating the growth of N-fixing microorganisms but also in boosting downstream functional potentials for N cycling. The sorghum-based intercropping system suppressed soil ammonia oxidizing prokaryotes. N fertilization reduced the abundance of nitrifiers and denitrifiers except for ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, while the application of the synthetic nitrification inhibitor DMPP combined with mineral N reduced growth of both ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a strong impact of diversified agricultural practices on the soil microbiome and their functional potentials mediating N transformations.

One way or another: Combined effect of dispersal and asymmetry on total realized asymptotic population abundance.

Understanding the consequences on population dynamics of the variability in dispersal over a fragmented habitat remains a major focus of ecological and environmental inquiry. Dispersal is often asymmetric: wind, marine currents, rivers, or human activities produce a preferential direction of dispersal between connected patches. Here, we study how this asymmetry affects population dynamics by considering a discrete-time two-patch model with asymmetric dispersal. We conduct a rigorous analysis of the model and describe all the possible response scenarios of the total realized asymptotic population abundance to a change in the dispersal rate for a fixed symmetry level. In addition, we discuss which of these scenarios can be achieved just by restricting mobility in one specific direction. Moreover, we also report that changing the order of events does not alter the population dynamics in our model, contrary to other situations discussed in the literature.

Simultaneous methane mitigation and nitrogen removal by denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation in lake sediments.

Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas, with lake ecosystems significantly contributing to its global emissions. Denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) process, mediated by NC10 bacteria and ANME-2d archaea, links global carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, their potential roles in mitigating methane emissions and removing nitrogen from lake ecosystems remain unclear. This study explored the spatial variations in activities of nitrite- and nitrate-DAMO and their functional microbes in Changdanghu Lake sediments (Jiangsu Province, China). The results showed that although the average abundance of ANME-2d archaea (5.0 × 106 copies g-1) was significantly higher than that of NC10 bacteria (2.1 × 106 copies g-1), the average potential rates of nitrite-DAMO (4.59 nmol 13CO2 g-1 d-1) and nitrate-DAMO (5.01 nmol 13CO2 g-1 d-1) showed no significant difference across all sampling sites. It is estimated that nitrite- and nitrate-DAMO consumed approximately 6.46 and 7.05 mg CH4 m-2 d-1, respectively, which accordingly achieved 15.07-24.95 mg m-2 d-1 nitrogen removal from the studied lake sediments. Statistical analyses found that nitrite- and nitrate-DAMO activities were both significantly related to sediment nitrate contents and ANME-2d archaeal abundance. In addition, NC10 bacterial and ANME-2d archaeal community compositions showed significant correlations with sediment organic carbon content and water depth. Overall, this study underscores the dual roles of nitrite- and nitrate-DAMO processes in CH4 mitigation and nitrogen elimination and their key environmental impact factors (sediment organic carbon and inorganic nitrogen contents, and water depth) in shallow lake, enhancing the understanding of carbon and nitrogen cycles in freshwater aquatic ecosystems.

Biological and environmental covariates of juvenile sockeye salmon distribution and abundance in the southeastern Bering Sea, 2002-2018.

Climate change is altering the distribution and abundance of marine species, especially in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. In the eastern Bering Sea, home of the world's largest run of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), juvenile sockeye salmon abundance has increased and their migration path shifted north with warming, 2002-2018. The reasons for these changes are poorly understood. For these sockeye salmon, we quantify environmental and biological covariate effects within spatio-temporal species distribution models. Spatio-temporally, with respect to juvenile sockeye salmon densities: (1) sea surface temperature had a nonlinear effect, (2) large copepod, Calanus, a minor prey item, had no effect, (3) age-0 pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), a major prey item during warm years, had a positive linear effect, and (4) juvenile pink salmon (O. gorbuscha) had a positive linear effect. Temporally, annual biomass of juvenile sockeye salmon was nonlinearly related to sea temperature and positively related to age-0 pollock and juvenile pink salmon abundance. Results indicate that sockeye salmon distributed with and increased in abundance with increases in prey, and reached a threshold for optimal temperatures in the eastern Bering Sea. Changes in population dynamics and distribution of sockeye salmon in response to environmental variability have potential implications for projecting specific future food securities and management of fisheries in Arctic waters.

Investigating Circadian Gating of Temperature Responsive Genes.

Understanding gene expression dynamics in the context of the time of day and temperature response is an important part of understanding plant thermotolerance in a changing climate. Performing "gating" experiments under constant conditions and light-dark cycles allows users to identify and dissect the contribution of the time of day and circadian clock to the dynamic nature of stress-responsive genes. Here, we describe the design of specific laboratory experiments in plants (Arabidopsis thaliana and bread wheat, Triticum aestivum) to investigate temporal responses to heat (1 h at 37 °C) or cold (3 h at 4 °C), and we include known marker genes that have circadian-gated responses to temperature changes.

Prediction of microbial activity and abundance using interpretable machine learning models in the hyporheic zone of effluent-dominated receiving rivers.

Serving as a vital linkage between surface water and groundwater, the hyporheic zone (HZ) plays a fundamental role in improving water quality and maintaining ecological security. In arid or semi-arid areas, effluent discharge from wastewater treatment facilities could occupy a predominant proportion of the total base flow of receiving rivers. Nonetheless the relationship between microbial activity, abundance and environmental factors in the HZ of effluent-receiving rivers appear to be rarely addressed. In this study, a spatiotemporal field study was performed in two representative effluent-dominated receiving rivers in Xi'an, China. Land use data, physical and chemical water quality parameters of surface and subsurface water were used as predictive variables, while the microbial respiratory electron transport system activity (ETSA), the Chao1 and Shannon index of total microbial community, as well as the Chao1 and Shannon index of denitrifying bacteria community were used as response variables, while ETSA was used as response variables indicating ecological processes and Shannon and Chao1 were utilized as parameters indicating microbial diversity. Two machine learning models were utilized to provide evidence-based information on how environmental factors interact and drive microbial activity and abundance in the HZ at variable depths. The models with Chao1 and Shannon as response variables exhibited excellent predictive performances (R2: 0.754-0.81 and 0.783-0.839). Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) was the most important factor affecting the microbial functions, and an obvious threshold value of ∼2 mg/L was observed. Credible predictions of models with Chao1 and Shannon index of denitrifying bacteria community as response variables were detected (R2: 0.484-0.624 and 0.567-0.638), with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) being the key influencing factor. Fe (Ⅱ) was favorable in predicting denitrifying bacteria community. The ESTA model highlighted the importance of total nitrogen in the ecological health monitoring in HZ. These findings provide novel insights in predicting microbial activity and abundance in highly-impacted areas such as the HZ of effluent-dominated receiving rivers.

N-mixture models for population estimation: Application in spotted lanternfly egg mass survey.

Population density and structure are critical to nature conservation and pest management. Traditional sampling methods such as capture-mark-recapture and catch-effort can't be used in situations where catching, marking, or removing individuals are not feasible. N-mixture models use repeated count data to estimate population abundance based on detection probability. They are widely adopted in wildlife surveys in recent years to account for imperfect detection. However, its application in entomology is relatively new. In this paper, we describe the general procedures of N-mixture models in population studies from data collection to model fitting and evaluation. Using Lycorma delicatula egg mass survey data at 28 plots in seven sites from the field, we found that detection probability (p) was negatively correlated with tree diameter at breast height (DBH), ranged from 0.516 [95 % CI: 0.470-0.561] to 0.614 [95 % CI: 0.566-0.660] between the 1st and the 3rd sample period. Furthermore, egg mass abundance (λ) was positively associated with basal area (BA) for the sample unit (single tree), with more egg masses on tree of heaven (TOH) trees. More egg masses were also expected on trees of other species in TOH plots. Predicted egg mass density (masses/100 m2) ranged from 5.0 (95 % CI: 3.0-16.0) (Gordon) to 276.9 (95 % CI: 255.0-303.0) (Susquehannock) for TOH plots, and 11.0 (95 % CI: 9.00-15.33) (Gordon) to 228.3 (95 % CI: 209.7-248.3) (Burlington) for nonTOH plots. Site-specific abundance estimates from N-mixture models were generally higher compared to observed maximum counts. N-mixture models could have great potential in insect population surveys in agriculture and forestry in the future.