Accurate snake identification is fundamental for ecological research, biodiversity conservation, and snakebite management, particularly when dealing with medically important venomous species. Traditional morphological methods, however, are often unreliable and pose serious envenomation risks during live handling, while molecular approaches—though precise—require costly infrastructure and technical expertise, limiting their accessibility in many regions. These challenges highlight the urgent need for a safer, reliable, and field-friendly alternative. In this study, we present a novel, non-invasive identification method based on the micro-dermatoglyphic features of shed snake skin. Shed skins, commonly deposited in safe habitats during ecdysis, are readily detectable in the field and can retain microscopic structural traits for extended periods. We quantified six micro-dermatoglyphic features (edge perimeter, edge area, edge widest part distance, follicle perimeter, follicle area, and number of follicles per 20,000 µm²) from three head, nine trunk, and three tail scales in seven individuals each of Naja kaouthia and Naja naja. Statistical analyses demonstrated that these features not only reliably distinguish between the two species but also differentiate between sexes. Among the traits, edge widest part distance emerged as the most powerful discriminator, correctly separating 93.3% of scales between species (p < 0.001), followed by edge area (86.7%) and number of follicles per 20,000 µm² (46.7%). Furthermore, sex-based differences were significant (p < 0.001), with edge area distinguishing 60% of scales in N. kaouthia and 20% in N. naja. This study introduces the first demonstration of quantitative, rather than qualitative, shed-skin microdermatoglyphics as a taxonomic and ecological tool. By eliminating the risks of live handling and bypassing molecular constraints, this approach offers a practical, non-invasive, and widely applicable method for snake identification. Beyond taxonomy, it holds promise for evolutionary studies, biodiversity monitoring, and informing conservation and public health strategies in snakebite-prone regions.

The Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) serves as a key host for the brood parasitic Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). This study aims to investigate the breeding success, nesting patterns, and response to brood parasitism. Surveys of Long-tailed Shrike nests were carried out from March to August 2024, covering the breeding season. We searched for nests or adult shrikes through both walking and bicycle surveys in regions that were dominated by shrike-preferred habitats. Breeding activity peaked in May (37.5%), while the lowest activity was recorded in March, June, and July (12.5%). No breeding activity was observed in August. A total of eight Long-tailed Shrike (LTS) nests were identified, of which six were active and contained at least one egg. In total, 50% of nests were parasitized, and 50% were unparasitized. Breeding success of the LTS in parasitized and unparasitized nests was recorded as 55.56% and 58.75%, respectively, in relation to hatchlings, and also 36.11% and 47.78%, respectively, in relation to fledglings. The highest percentage of nesting materials commonly used by LTS for nest construction was fine grass (34.37%), followed by plastic threads (9.75%), ropes (7.45%), twigs (10.91%), leaves (0.51%), polythene (1.28%), root fibers (3.01%), synthetic nets (1%), cotton (0.22%), plant bark (0.73%), fabrics (1.20%), plastic bags (7.56%), and unidentified material (22%). The majority of nests (75%) were located at the periphery, and a few nests were built in central positions (25%) of the trees. Most nests were found in Mahogany trees, and the LTS primarily used Banana leaves (63.01%) for nest construction, but also used Acacia, Rain tree, and Mahogony leaves. These outcomes help to determine how brood parasitism affects host reproductive success. This study also highlights the urgent need for management of plastic pollution to reduce its integration into bird nests and to protect avian health.

Type I interferon (IFN) signalling is a key axis implicated in multiple autoimmune diseases, driving chronic immune dysregulation. While disease-specific interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) signatures have been studied extensively, the presence of a universal ISG signature across all autoimmune diseases remains unproven. Here, I perform a pan-disease comparative transcriptomic analysis to identify heterologous ISG overlaps—i.e., ISGs that are shared across subsets (pairs or triplets) of diseases, rather than across all.

I selected publicly available gene expression datasets for autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and primary Sjögren’s syndrome. Using standardized R workflows (e.g. limma), I identified differentially expressed genes for each disease (|log₂FC| > 1, adj. p < 0.05). These DEGs were intersected with a curated ISG reference catalog to isolate disease-specific ISG sets. I then performed pairwise and triple-wise overlap analyses to detect shared ISG signatures across disease combinations. Enrichment analyses (Gene Ontology, KEGG) elucidated the functional context of shared vs. unique ISG modules, and network-based visualization characterized hub genes and interconnections.

I found no ISG that is commonly differentially expressed across all autoimmune diseases studied. However, multiple ISGs are shared in subsets, e.g., between SLE and pSS, RA and MS, and in some cases trios such as pSS–RA–SLE. Overlapping ISG modules are enriched in antiviral defence, cytokine signalling, and JAK–STAT activation, whereas disease-unique ISGs map to pathways involving tissue remodelling, B-cell signalling, and metabolic processes. Network analysis identifies hub ISGs within overlapping modules that may serve as cross-disease regulatory nodes.

These results support a model in which autoimmune disorders share heterologous rather than universal interferon signatures. Overlapping ISG modules across disease subsets point toward convergent immune dysregulation, while unique ISGs may contribute to disease-specific pathology. The hub ISGs uncovered are promising candidates for cross-disease biomarker development or targeted therapy.

Introduction

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in cell differentiation by providing ligands that interact with receptors on the cell surface. The cuticle functions as a specialized form of ECM. In butterflies, wing patterns are formed by the precise arrays of scales. During the early pupal stage, the cuticle layer forms in close apposition to the epithelial cells that will later differentiate into scale cells. In the blue pansy butterfly (Junonia orithya), the prospective eyespot pattern is pre-determined early in the pupal stage. The center of the future eyespot is recognized as a developmental organizer. Our laboratory discovered that the physical contact of the pupal wing epithelium with the cuticle plays an essential role in eyespot formation. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that the physical interactions between the epithelial cells and the cuticle contributes to the spatial regulation of eyespot pattern development.

Methods

We utilized three types of microscopes: a standard light microscope, a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). We mainly examined the width of the intervening spaces between the epithelial cells and the cuticle as an indicator of the physical interactions between them.

Results

We found that the width of the intervening space, cuticle thickness, and cuticle surface structures differed between the pupae of 6 and 12 h post-pupation in the forewings, based on the light microscopy and TEM observations. Furthermore, using a CLSM, we found that the center of the prospective hindwing eyespot is different from its surrounding regions in the width of intervening space in the pupae of 11–13 h post-pupation.

Conclusion

The width of the intervening space between the epithelial cells and the cuticle on the prospective eyespot center may be an indication of the behavior of the eyespot organizer for the determination of eyespot patterns.

Meta-analysis is allowing us to combine results from different studies, and is advantageous due to its ability to enhance statistical power with larger data. In biological studies, meta-analysis improves the generalizability of conclusions, offering a broader perspective across taxa or experimental conditions. Microplastic pollution became a global environmental concern that occurs across ecosystems within both living organisms and abiotic environments. Recently, a rapidly growing number of scientific studies on microplastics in amphibians has been published. The studies produced a substantial body of data suitable for meta-analytical evaluation. In this study, a meta-analytical framework was constructed to understand microplastic patterns in seven amphibians from Türkiye. For that, literature data was compiled from published papers and transferred to the R Programming Language in .csv format. Data arrangement was performed using the dplyr, tidyr and janitor packages. The data was subjected to meta-analysis using metafor packages and visualized using the ggplot2 package. Microplastic occurrence pointed to a significant overall effect on amphibians (p<0.001), with great heterogeneity (I²=91.7%; tau²=0.61), indicating substantial variability among studies. Plastic type significantly influenced effect sizes (p<0.001), with less abundant MP types showing strong negative effects, while PET and EVA had smaller effects, but non-significant differences were observed among species (p>0.05). Plastic shape also strongly affected outcomes (p<0.001), with less abundant MP shapes exhibiting large negative effects, and fibers showing a marginal positive effect; at the species level, differences were non-significant (p>0.05). To sum, plastic type and shape showed variability between different studies; however, these differences were not significant in distinct amphibian species. This observation may be attributed to the fact that amphibians do not selectively ingest different microplastic types or shapes, rather, ingestion has randomly occurred. To understand more, test factors, i.e., habitat type, life form and life stage, as well as MP patterns such as colour and size, can be added to datasets in further studies.

Infectious diseases remain a major global health challenge, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Beyond antimicrobial resistance, challenges in infection management include the immense diversity of pathogens, their ability to persist in latent forms, and the complexity of host–pathogen interactions that allow pathogens to evade immune defences. The ability of pathogens to invade, colonize, and manipulate host systems is governed by complex molecular mechanisms that are often finely tuned to evade host defences. In this study, we examined key molecular pathways involved in host–pathogen interactions, focusing on factors that contribute to pathogen survival, replication, and immune evasion. Using a combination of cellular models, molecular assays, and biochemical analyses, we identified critical virulence factors and host signalling pathways that represent potential intervention points. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) analyses and computer aided drug design (CADD)-based approaches were employed to identify molecular features crucial for pathogen survival and for designing targeted therapeutics. We discuss conventional approaches, such as antibiotics and antiviral drugs, alongside rational, host-directed strategies that modulate immune responses to improve treatment outcomes. Recent developments in antimicrobial therapy, including small-molecule inhibitors, antimicrobial peptides, and biologics, are highlighted, with a perspective on emerging technologies. By integrating mechanistic understanding with translational approaches, this work highlights the importance of a multilevel perspective on infection biology, encompassing molecular, cellular, and organismal responses. These findings provide a context for designing precise and effective interventions, offering potential pathways for improved management of infectious diseases and reduced treatment-related side effects.

Food transport represents a key behavioral process enabling the ingestion of nutrients and water. The behaviors and mechanisms underlying food acquisition are closely linked to sensorimotor actions that emerge from the integration of both morphological heritage and environmental constraints. In accordance with the actual framework proposed in the literature, food transport can be interpreted as a complex sequence of coordinated movements involving cranial and postcranial structures, whose evolution reflects functional trade-offs between efficiency, ecological opportunity, and phylogenetic constraint. Following the broader eco-evolutionary perspective, food transport behaviors should also be understood in the context of environmental variability and resource accessibility, which shape the selective pressures driving behavioral flexibility and innovation. This paper provides an overview of current knowledge on the evolution of behavioral and functional patterns associated with food transport in birds exploiting marine food resources. We compare different modes of food transport across major avian lineages—particularly shorebirds (Charadriiformes), Anatidae, and Laridae—in order to highlight the diversity of feeding strategies and their functional bases in relation to ecological specialization. By integrating behavioral and functional approaches within a phylogenetic framework, we aim to reconstruct the evolutionary scenarios underlying food transport in marine birds. This synthesis allows us to test hypotheses concerning ancestral behavioral patterns, convergence, and the adaptive landscape that has shaped the evolution of food transport mechanisms in marine avifauna.

Helminth parasites are key regulators of host health, population dynamics, and ecological interactions. Yet, the influence of urbanization on parasite prevalence in colonial waterbirds remains poorly understood. We investigated gastrointestinal parasites in Ardeola grayii across urban and semi-urban sites in North Kerala, India. A total of 150 fecal samples were collected and examined and we evaluated colony-level variables including site type (urban vs. semi-urban), nest abundance, and species composition (single vs. multi-species nesting).

Overall, the majority of samples (67.3%) were parasite-free, with a higher prevalence recorded in semi-urban sites (38.0%) compared to urban sites (24.1%). Logistic regression analysis revealed site category as a significant predictor (p = 0.01), indicating that birds in urban colonies had a lower probability of harboring parasites. In contrast, nest abundance (p = 0.10) and species composition (p = 0.60) showed no significant influence.

The lower prevalence of parasites in urban colonies likely reflects ecological shifts driven by urbanization. Contributing factors may include declines in intermediate host populations, altered foraging behavior of urban-adapted birds that rely on human-provided food, and potential pharmaceutical contamination in urban waterbodies that reduces parasite survival. Such findings align with broader ecological evidence that urbanization reduces biodiversity and host richness, thereby limiting opportunities for parasite transmission. This study underscores the importance of integrating parasite ecology into urban wildlife research. A deeper understanding of how urbanization shapes host–parasite interaction has significant implications for biodiversity conservation and for anticipating and managing zoonotic disease risks in rapidly developing landscapes.

In this study, we report the first scientifically confirmed sighting of Dugong dugon at Pulau Pannikiang (−4.3519°, 119.5994°), a mangrove-dominated island on the west coast of South Sulawesi, Barru Regency, Indonesia. The solitary individual was observed displaying foraging behavior in a Thalassia hemprichii seagrass meadow, followed by a school of Golden Travellay fish, Gnathanodon speciosus. This sighting was photographically documented in the form of photographs and a 79-second video. This record expands the known geographic range of this IUCN Vulnerable species in South Sulawesi and underscores the ecological importance of understudied coastal habitats. Interviews with fishermen revealed sporadic historical sightings, suggesting long-term site relevance. A juvenile stranding incident in August 2021, likely due to vessel trauma, emphasizes the mounting anthropogenic pressures. We contextualize this finding by compiling 13 confirmed regional records of D. dugon between 2007 and 2024. The compiled data, spanning 17 years, indicates a persistent yet spatially scattered presence of Dugong dugon along the coastal and island regions of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sightings, strandings, and foraging behaviors have been documented across multiple data types—ranging from peer-reviewed journals and conservation reports to local news and community observations—underscoring both scientific and anecdotal acknowledgment of dugong activity. This observation provides essential baseline data for dugong conservation and highlights the urgent need for improved habitat protection, marine mammal monitoring frameworks, and spatial planning. Strengthening local conservation policies and engaging coastal communities are crucial steps toward safeguarding seagrass ecosystems and their megafauna.

Introduction: This study investigates Insulin-like 3 (INSL3), also known as the Leydig cell-specific insulin-like peptide (LEY I-L), within the framework of evolutionary biology. It examines key aspects of gene structure, such as the dynamics and intronic phase, and employs bioinformatics tools to explore both the ancestral and modern functional roles of Insl3.

Insulin-like 3 (INSL3) belongs to a superfamily of peptides, growth factors, and hormones that include insulin, IGF, and relaxin. INSL3 is primarily produced as a pre-prohormone in somatic cells of the gonads, particularly in the Leydig cells of the testes and theca cells of ovarian follicles. cDNA sequences of INSL3 have been isolated from several vertebrate species. The structure of the INSL3 gene is similar to that of insulin and relaxin, consisting of two exons and one intron.

Investigation Methods: We used in silico analyses to determine and compare the structure of the Insl3 coding gene across vertebrate, invertebrate and ancestral chordate genomes.

Results: Bioinformatics analyses presented here and performed on nearly all known insl3 genes and cDNA sequences from the database reveal that the insl3 gene structure is conserved among fish and various non-mammalian vertebrate species, although intron lengths differ.

The in silico results also provide evidence for the gain-of-function role of a single copy of the insl3 gene in mammalian testis development: zebrafish insl3 proximal promoters reveal the presence of the same point mutation in the binding site of a key transcription factor that affects the promoter activity of mouse and human INSL3. This mutation negatively impacts the transcription of the insulin-like 3 gene in Leydig cells. Since the gene for the binding factor is present in the zebrafish genome, the proposed hypothesis suggests that Insl3's new key role in testicular descent and in testis development might also arise from a point mutation in its DNA binding site on the promoter.