ALBERT

Description: Although assessments of winter carryover effects on fitness-related breeding parameters are vital for determining the links between environmental variation and fitness, direct methods of determining overwintering distributions (e.g., electronic tracking) can be expensive, limiting the number of individuals studied. Alternatively, stable isotope analysis in specific tissues can be used as an indirect means of determining individual overwintering areas of residency. Although increasingly used to infer the overwintering distributions of terrestrial birds, stable isotopes have been used less often to infer overwintering areas of marine birds. Using Arctic-breeding common eiders, we test the effectiveness of an integrated stable isotope approach (13-carbon, 15-nitrogen, and 2-hydrogen) to infer overwintering locations. Knowing the overwinter destinations of eiders from tracking studies at our study colony at East Bay Island, Nunavut, we sampled claw and blood tissues at two known overwintering locations, Nuuk, Greenland, and Newfoundland, Canada. These two locations yielded distinct tissue-specific isotopic profiles. We then compared the isotope profiles of tissues collected from eiders upon their arrival at our breeding colony, and used a k -means cluster analysis approach to match arriving eiders to an overwintering group. Samples from the claws of eiders were most effective for determining overwinter origin, due to this tissue's slow growth rate relative to the 40-day turnover rate of blood. Despite taking an integrative approach using multiple isotopes, k -means cluster analysis was most effective when using 13-carbon alone to assign eiders to an overwintering group. Our research demonstrates that it is possible to use stable isotope analysis to assign an overwintering location to a marine bird. There are few examples of the effective use of this technique on a marine bird at this scale; we provide a framework for applying this technique to detect changes in the migration phenology of birds' responses to rapid changes in the Arctic. Two overwintering groups of an arctic breeding sea duck exhibit distinct stable isotope values of 13-carbon in their claws. Our research demonstrates a method to assign marine-based individuals to their overwintering grounds upon arrival at their breeding colonies as well as detect potentially novel wintering grounds. We provide framework for applying this technique to other marine species.

Description: Erratum: Stable and solubilized active Au atom clusters for selective epoxidation of cis -cyclooctene with molecular oxygen Nature Communications, Published online: 11 August 2017; doi:10.1038/ncomms15669

Description: Metallic ferromagnetic films with magnetic damping under 1.4 × 10 −3 Nature Communications, Published online: 10 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00332-x Owing to their conductivity, low-damping metallic ferromagnets are preferred to insulating ferromagnets in charge-based spintronic devices, but are not yet well developed. Here the authors achieve low magnetic damping in CoFe epitaxial films which is comparable to conventional insulating ferromagnetic YIG films.

Description: Structure of the magnetic excitations in the spin-1/2 triangular-lattice Heisenberg antiferromagnet Ba 3 CoSb 2 O 9 Nature Communications, Published online: 10 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00316-x Two-dimensional frustrated magnets are heavily studied because theories predict that quantum effects may lead to the emergence of fractionalized excitations. Ito et al. use inelastic neutron scattering to show that the excitation spectrum of Ba 3 CoSb 2 O 9 disagrees with current theoretical expectations.

Description: TDP2 suppresses chromosomal translocations induced by DNA topoisomerase II during gene transcription Nature Communications, Published online: 10 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00307-y DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by topoisomerase II (TOP2) are rejoined by TDP2-dependent non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) but whether this promotes or suppresses translocations is not clear. Here the authors show that TDP2 suppresses chromosome translocations from DSBs introduced during gene transcription.

Description: Nutrient limitation determines the fitness of cheaters in bacterial siderophore cooperation Nature Communications, Published online: 10 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00222-2 Cooperative behaviour among individuals provides a collective benefit, but is considered costly. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model system, the authors show that secretion of the siderophore pyoverdine only incurs a fitness cost and favours cheating when its building blocks carbon or nitrogen are growth-limiting.

Description: Serial processing of kinematic signals by cerebellar circuitry during voluntary whisking Nature Communications, Published online: 10 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00312-1 Cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) linearly encode whisker position but the precise circuit mechanisms that generate these signals are not well understood. Here the authors use patch clamp recordings to show that selective tuning of granule cell inputs and bidirectional tuning of interneuron inputs are required to generate the kinematic representations in PCs.

Description: Annotating pathogenic non-coding variants in genic regions Nature Communications, Published online: 9 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00141-2 While non-coding synonymous and intronic variants are often not under strong selective constraint, they can be pathogenic through affecting splicing or transcription. Here, the authors develop a score that uses sequence context alterations to predict pathogenicity of synonymous and non-coding genetic variants, and provide a web server of pre-computed scores.

Description: Measuring inter-protein pairwise interaction energies from a single native mass spectrum by double-mutant cycle analysis Nature Communications, Published online: 9 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00285-1 Double mutant cycle (DMC) analyses can provide the interaction energies between amino acids at the interface of protein complexes. Here, the authors determine pairwise interaction energies using high-resolution native mass spectroscopy, offering a straightforward route for the DMC methodology.

Description: IL-7Rα glutamylation and activation of transcription factor Sall3 promote group 3 ILC development Nature Communications, Published online: 10 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00235-x Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are important regulators of mucosal immunity, but how their development and homeostasis are modulated is still unclear. Here the authors show that the differentiation of group 3 ILCs is controlled by the glutamylation of IL-7Rα and the induction of transcription factor Sall3.

Description: Fisheries-induced evolution can change the trajectory of wild fish populations by selectively targeting certain phenotypes. For important fish species like Atlantic salmon, this could have large implications for their conservation and management. Most salmon rivers are managed by specifying an angling season of predetermined length based on population demography, which is typically established from catch statistics. Given the circularity of using catch statistics to estimate demographic parameters, it may be difficult to quantify the selective nature of angling and its evolutionary impact. In the River Etne in Norway, a recently installed trap permits daily sampling of fish entering the river, some of which are subsequently captured by anglers upstream. Here, we used 31 microsatellites to establish an individual DNA profile for salmon entering the trap, and for many of those subsequently captured by anglers. These data permitted us to investigate time of rod capture relative to river entry, potential body size-selective harvest, and environmental variables associated with river entry. Larger, older fish entered the river earlier than smaller, younger fish of both sexes, and larger, older females were more abundant than males and vice versa. There was good agreement between the sizes of fish harvested by angling, and the size distribution of the population sampled on the trap. These results demonstrate that at least in this river, and with the current timing of the season, the angling catch reflects the population's demographics and there is no evidence of size-selective harvest. We also demonstrated that the probability of being caught by angling declines quickly after river entry. Collectively, these data indicate that that the timing of the fishing season, in relation to the upstream migration patterns of the different demographics of the population, likely represents the most significant directional evolutionary force imposed by angling. A trap at the mouth of the Etne River in southwest Norway allows for the daily sampling of fish entering the river. Using mircosatellite markers, we were able to match many individuals subsequently caught by angling back to the trap. By examining the proportion of size classes entering the trap and those that were caught by anglers, out data revealed no evidence of size-selective mortality and that the timing of the fishing season is the most significant evolutionary force imposed by angling.

Description: Pitfall trapping is the standard technique to estimate activity and relative abundance of leaf litter arthropods. Pitfall trapping is not ideal for long-term sampling because it is lethal, labor-intensive, and may have taxonomic sampling biases. We test an alternative sampling method that can be left in place for several months at a time: verticallyplaced time-lapse camera traps that have a short focal distance, enabling identification of small arthropods. We tested the effectiveness of these time-lapse cameras, and quantified escape and avoidance behavior of arthropod orders encountering pitfall traps by placing cameras programed with a range of sampling intervals above pitfalls, to assess numerical, taxonomic, and body size differences in samples collected by the two methods. Cameras programed with 1- or 15-min intervals recorded around twice as many arthropod taxa per day and a third more individuals per day than pitfall traps. Hymenoptera (ants), Embioptera (webspinners), and Blattodea (cockroaches) frequently escaped from pitfalls so were particularly under-sampled by them. The time-lapse camera method effectively samples litter arthropods to collect long-term data. It is standardized, non-lethal, and does not alter the substrate or require frequent visits. Pitfall trapping is the standard technique to estimate activity and relative abundance of leaf litter arthropods, but pitfall trapping is not ideal for long-term sampling and may have taxonomic sampling biases. We test an alternative sampling method that can be left in place for several months at a time: close-focus, programmable time-lapse camera traps, and quantify the taxonomic bias of pitfall trapping. The camera method effectively samples litter arthropods to collect long-term data suitable for ecological studies

Description: We monitored soil CO 2 effluxes for over 3 years in a seasonally wet tropical forest in Central Panama using automated and manual measurements from 2013 to 2016. The measurements displayed a high degree of spatial and temporal variability. Temporal variability could be largely explained by surface soil water dynamics over a broad range of temporal scales. Soil moisture was responsible for seasonal cycles, diurnal cycles, intraseasonal variability such as rain-induced pulses following dry spells, as well as suppression during near saturated conditions, and ultimately, interannual variability. Spatial variability, which remains largely unexplained, revealed an emergent role of forest structure in conjunction with physical drivers such as soil temperature and topography. Mean annual soil CO 2 effluxes (± SE ) amounted to 1,613 (±59) gC m −2  year −1 with an increasing trend in phase with an El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle which culminated with the strong 2015–2016 event. We attribute this trend to a relatively mild wet season during which soil saturated conditions were less persistent. Soil respiration, monitored during three years, displaying high degree of spatial and temporal variabilities. Spatial variability is explained mostly by forest structure, in conjunction with physical drivers as soil temperature and topography. Temporal variability is explained by soil moisture over a broad range of scale, with soil temperature having a negligible effect. A combination of automated and manual measurements can help to better quantify soil CO 2 effluxes and provides accurate estimation of landscape soil carbon losses at annual scale.

Description: Erratum: Molecular preservation of 1.88 Ga Gunflint organic microfossils as a function of temperature and mineralogy Nature Communications, Published online: 14 August 2017; doi:10.1038/ncomms16147

Description: Vertical ocean heat redistribution sustaining sea-ice concentration trends in the Ross Sea Nature Communications, Published online: 15 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00347-4 The mechanisms responsible for the overall expansion of Antarctic sea-ice in recent decades remain unclear. Here, using observations and model results, the authors show that ice-ocean feedbacks, triggered by an external perturbation, could be responsible for changes in sea-ice extent observed in the Ross Sea.

Description: The origin of a primordial genome through spontaneous symmetry breaking Nature Communications, Published online: 15 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00243-x Early molecules of life likely served both as templates and catalysts, raising the question of how functionally distinct genomes and enzymes arose. Here, the authors show that conflict between evolution at the molecular and cellular levels can drive functional differentiation of the two strands of self-replicating molecules and lead to copy number differences between the two.

Description: Adaptive and non-adaptive divergence in a common landscape Nature Communications, Published online: 16 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00256-6 The three-spined stickleback is a model species for the study of adaptive divergence. Here, Raeymaekers et al. compare how the three-spined stickleback and its relative the nine-spined stickleback vary at the phenotypic and genomic levels in response to the same spatial and environmental drivers.

Description: Dispersal is a driving factor in the creation and maintenance of biodiversity, yet little is known about the effects of habitat variation and geography on dispersal and population connectivity in most mammalian groups. Bats of the family Molossidae are fast-flying mammals thought to have potentially high dispersal ability, and recent studies have indicated gene flow across hundreds of kilometers in continental North American populations of the Brazilian free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis . We examined the population genetics, phylogeography, and morphology of this species in Florida and across islands of The Bahamas, which are part of an island archipelago in the West Indies. Previous studies indicate that bats in the family Phyllostomidae, which are possibly less mobile than members of the family Molossidae, exhibit population structuring across The Bahamas. We hypothesized that T. brasiliensis would show high population connectivity throughout the islands and that T. brasiliensis would show higher connectivity than two species of phyllostomid bats that have been previously examined in The Bahamas. Contrary to our predictions, T. brasiliensis shows high population structure between two groups of islands in The Bahamas, similar to the structure exhibited by one species of phyllostomid bat. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses suggest that this structure may be the result of ancient divergence between two populations of T. brasiliensis that subsequently came into contact in The Bahamas. Our findings additionally suggest that there may be cryptic species within T. brasiliensis in The Bahamas and the West Indies more broadly. We examined the population genetics, phylogeography, and morphology of a highly mobile bat in Florida and across islands of The Bahamas. This bat exhibited strong differentiation in The Bahamas across all data types, similar to the differentiation exhibited by less-mobile species of bat. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses suggest that two populations diverged in the past and subsequently came into contact in The Bahamas and that one of these populations may represent a cryptic species.

Description: Across species, diversity at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is critical to individual disease resistance and, hence, to population health; however, MHC diversity can be reduced in small, fragmented, or isolated populations. Given the need for comparative studies of functional genetic diversity, we investigated whether MHC diversity differs between populations which are open, that is experiencing gene flow, versus populations which are closed, that is isolated from other populations. Using the endangered ring-tailed lemur ( Lemur catta ) as a model, we compared two populations under long-term study: a relatively “open,” wild population ( n  = 180) derived from Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar (2003–2013) and a “closed,” captive population ( n  = 121) derived from the Duke Lemur Center (DLC, 1980–2013) and from the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Zoos (2012). For all animals, we assessed MHC-DRB diversity and, across populations, we compared the number of unique MHC-DRB alleles and their distributions. Wild individuals possessed more MHC-DRB alleles than did captive individuals, and overall, the wild population had more unique MHC-DRB alleles that were more evenly distributed than did the captive population. Despite management efforts to maintain or increase genetic diversity in the DLC population, MHC diversity remained static from 1980 to 2010. Since 2010, however, captive-breeding efforts resulted in the MHC diversity of offspring increasing to a level commensurate with that found in wild individuals. Therefore, loss of genetic diversity in lemurs, owing to small founder populations or reduced gene flow, can be mitigated by managed breeding efforts. Quantifying MHC diversity within individuals and between populations is the necessary first step to identifying potential improvements to captive management and conservation plans. Using the endangered ring-tailed lemur ( Lemur catta ) as a model, we compared two populations under long-term study: a relatively “open,” wild population ( n  = 180) derived from Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar and a more “closed” or isolated, captive population ( n  = 121) derived from the Duke Lemur Center and from the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Zoos. Wild individuals possessed more MHC-DRB alleles than did captive individuals, and overall, the wild population had more unique MHC-DRB alleles that were more evenly distributed than did the captive population. Despite management efforts to maintain genetic diversity in the captive population, MHC diversity remained static from 1980 to 2010; however, captive-breeding efforts since 2010 resulted in the MHC diversity of offspring increasing to a level commensurate with that found in wild individuals.

Description: Floral traits have largely been attributed to phenotypic selection in plant–pollinator interactions. However, the strength of this link has rarely been ascertained with real pollinators. We conducted pollinator observations and estimated selection through female fitness on flowering phenology and floral traits between two Primula secundiflora populations. We quantified pollinator-mediated selection by subtracting estimates of selection gradients of plants receiving supplemental hand pollination from those of plants receiving open pollination. There was net directional selection for an earlier flowering start date at populations where the dominant pollinators were syrphid flies, and flowering phenology was also subjected to stabilized quadratic selection. However, a later flowering start date was significantly selected at populations where the dominant pollinators were legitimate (normal pollination through the corolla tube entrance) and illegitimate bumblebees (abnormal pollination through nectar robbing hole which located at the corolla tube), and flowering phenology was subjected to disruptive quadratic selection. Wider corolla tube entrance diameter was selected at both populations. Furthermore, the strength of net directional selection on flowering start date and corolla tube entrance diameter was stronger at the population where the dominant pollinators were syrphid flies. Pollinator-mediated selection explained most of the between-population variations in the net directional selection on flowering phenology and corolla tube entrance diameter. Our results suggested the important influence of pollinator-mediated selection on floral evolution. Variations in pollinator assemblages not only resulted in variation in the direction of selection but also the strength of selection on floral traits. There was directional selection for earlier flowering start at the population where the dominant pollinators were syrphid flies. However, later flowering start date was significantly selected at the population where the dominant pollinators were legitimate and illegitimate bumblebees. Wider tube entrance diameter was selected at both populations, but the strength of selection varied among populations.

Description: Invasive species are an important issue worldwide but predicting invasiveness, and the underlying mechanisms that cause it, is difficult. There are several primary hypotheses to explain invasion success. Two main hypothesis based on niche spaces stand out as alternative, although not exclusive. The empty niche hypothesis states that invaders occupy a vacant niche space in the recipient community, and the niche competition hypothesis states that invaders overlap with native species in niche space. Studies on trait similarity/dissimilarity between the invader and native species can provide information on their niche overlap. Here, we use the highly invasive and well-studied cane toad ( Rhinella marina ) to test these two hypotheses in Australia, and assess its degree of overlap with native species in several niche dimensions. We compare extensive morphological and environmental data of this successful invader to 235 species (97%) of native Australian frogs. Our study is the first to document the significant morphological differences between the invasive cane toad and a continent-wide frog radiation: despite significant environmental overlap, cane toads were distinct in body size and shape from most Australian frog species, suggesting that in addition to their previously documented phenotypic plasticity and wide environmental and trophic niche breadth, their unique shape also may have contributed to their success as an invasive species in Australia. Thus, the invasive success of cane toads in Australia may be explained through them successfully colonizing an empty niche among Australian anurans. Our results support that the cane toad's distinct morphology may have played a unique role in the invasiveness of this species in Australia, which coupled with a broad environmental niche breadth, would have boosted their ability to expand their distribution across Australia. We also propose RLLR (Relative limb length ratio) as a potentially useful measure of identifying morphological niche uniqueness and a potential measure of invasiveness potential in anuran amphibians. Predicting and explaining invasiveness success of alien species is an enormously important issue worldwide. We test successful invasiveness based on niche opportunities of the highly invasive cane toads in Australia—one of the most successful and best-known biological invasions—through comparison with all native Australian amphibians. We measured and analyzed body size and shape, as well as environmental variables, of the cane toad in relation to each of the 235 Australian frog species. Cane toads’ body size and shape were strikingly distinct from all frog species; thus, they occupy an empty morphological niche in Australia; while their environmental niche breadth overlapped with most frog species. Their distinct morphology, phenotypic plasticity, and wide environmental niche breadth could have been a crucial factor determining their invasiveness success in Australia.

Description: Positive interactions between exotic species may increase ecosystem-level impacts and potentially facilitate the entry and spread of other exotic species. Invader-facilitated invasion success—”secondary invasion”—is a key conceptual aspect of the well-known invasional meltdown hypothesis, but remains poorly defined and empirically underexplored. Drawing from heuristic models and published empirical studies, we explore this form of “secondary invasion” and discuss the phenomenon within the recognized conceptual framework of the determinants of invasion success. The term “secondary invasion” has been used haphazardly in the literature to refer to multiple invasion phenomena, most of which have other more accepted titles. Our usage of the term secondary invasion is akin to “invader-facilitated invasion,” which we define as the phenomenon in which the invasion success of one exotic species is contingent on the presence, influence, and impacts of one or more other exotic species. We present case studies of secondary invasion whereby primary invaders facilitate the entry or establishment of exotic species into communities where they were previously excluded from becoming invasive. Our synthesis, discussion, and conceptual framework of this type of secondary invasion provides a useful reference to better explain how invasive species can alter key properties of recipient ecosystems that can ultimately determine the invasion success of other species. This study increases our appreciation for complex interactions following invasion and highlights the impacts of invasive species themselves as possible determinants of invasion success. We anticipate that highlighting “secondary invasion” in this way will enable studies reporting similar phenomena to be identified and linked through consistent terminology. The term “secondary invasion” is used in ecological literature to describe multiple phenomena and is without formal definition. Here, we define “secondary invasion” as the situation whereby the invasion success of one exotic species (the secondary invader) is contingent on the presence, influence, and impact of one or more other exotic species (the primary invader(s)). Using examples, we discuss the mechanisms by which primary invaders indirectly, or directly, facilitate secondary invaders through altering properties of the recipient community.

Description: The study of island fauna has greatly informed our understanding of the evolution of diversity. We here examine the phylogenetics, biogeography, and diversification of the damselfly genera Nesobasis and Melanesobasis , endemic to the Fiji Islands, to explore mechanisms of speciation in these highly speciose groups. Using mitochondrial (COI, 12S) and nuclear (ITS) replicons, we recovered Garli - part maximum likelihood and Mrbayes Bayesian phylogenetic hypotheses for 26 species of Nesobasis and eight species/subspecies of Melanesobasis . Biogeographical patterns were explored using Lagrange and Bayes - Lagrange and interpreted through beast relaxed clock dating analyses. We found that Nesobasis and Melanesobasis have radiated throughout Fiji, but are not sister groups. For Nesobasis , while the two largest islands of the archipelago—Viti Levu and Vanua Levu—currently host two distinct species assemblages, they do not represent phylogenetic clades; of the three major groupings each contains some Viti Levu and some Vanua Levu species, suggesting independent colonization events across the archipelago. Our Beast analysis suggests a high level of species diversification around 2–6 Ma. Our ancestral area reconstruction ( Rasp - Lagrange ) suggests that both dispersal and vicariance events contributed to the evolution of diversity. We thus conclude that the evolutionary history of Nesobasis and Melanesobasis is complex; while inter-island dispersal followed by speciation (i.e., peripatry) has contributed to diversity, speciation within islands appears to have taken place a number of times as well. This speciation has taken place relatively recently and appears to be driven more by reproductive isolation than by ecological differentiation: while species in Nesobasis are morphologically distinct from one another, they are ecologically very similar, and currently are found to exist sympatrically throughout the islands on which they are distributed. We consider the potential for allopatric speciation within islands, as well as the influence of parasitic endosymbionts, to explain the high rates of speciation in these damselflies. The damselfly genera Nesobasis and Melanesobasis are endemic to the Fiji Islands; despite this limited distribution, these groups are highly speciose. Here we explore species relationships within these groups, showing that speciation has been relatively recent, and that the evolutionary history of these species are more complex than current distributions indicate. We also ask why such species diversity would arise among a group of species that are ecologically very similar.

Description: Fermion-induced quantum critical points Nature Communications, Published online: 22 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00167-6 Quantum phase transitions are governed by Landau-Ginzburg theory and the exceptions are rare. Here, Li et al. propose a type of Landau-forbidden quantum critical points induced by gapless fermions in two-dimensional Dirac semimetals.

Description: A three enzyme system to generate the Strychnos alkaloid scaffold from a central biosynthetic intermediate Nature Communications, Published online: 22 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00154-x The biosynthetic pathway of preakuammicine, a monoterpene precursor of the anti-cancer agent vinblastine, has remained largely unexplored. Here, the authors provide transcriptomic and biochemical data to identify two enzymes that, in tandem, convert strictosidine to akuammicine, the stable shunt product of preakuammicine.

Description: South America is undergoing a rapid and large-scale conversion of natural habitats to cultivated land. Ecosystem services still remain important but their level and sustainability are not known. We quantified predation intensity in an Argentinian agricultural landscape containing remnants of the original chaco serrano forest using artificial sentinel prey. We sought to identify the main predators and the effect of landscape configuration and maize phenology on predation pressure by invertebrate and vertebrate predators in this landscape. The most common predators were chewing insects (50.4% predation events), birds (22.7%), and ants (17.5%). Overall predation rates in forest fragments (41.6% per day) were significantly higher than in the surrounding maize fields (21.5% per day). Invertebrate predation was higher inside and at the edge of forest fragments than within fields, and did not change with increasing distance from a fragment edge, indicating a lack of spillover from the native habitat remnants to the cultivated matrix at the local scale. Distance from a continuous forest had a positive impact on predation by invertebrates and a negative impact on vertebrate predation. Attacks on artificial caterpillars were measured in Argentinian maize-forest landscape. Chewing insects, ants, birds, and mammals were the major predators. Predation was 44.5% per day at edges, 41.6% per day in forest, and 21.5% per day in maize.

Description: Water eutrophication creates unfavorable environmental conditions for submerged macrophytes. In these situations, biotic interactions may be particularly important for explaining and predicting the submerged macrophytes occurrence. Here, we evaluate the roles of biotic interactions in predicting spatial occurrence of submerged macrophytes in 1959 and 2009 for Dianshan Lake in eastern China, which became eutrophic since the 1980s. For the four common species occurred in 1959 and 2009, null species distribution models based on abiotic variables and full models based on both abiotic and biotic variables were developed using generalized linear model (GLM) and boosted regression trees (BRT) to determine whether the biotic variables improved the model performance. Hierarchical Bayesian-based joint species distribution models capable of detecting paired biotic interactions were established for each species in both periods to evaluate the changes in the biotic interactions. In most of the GLM and BRT models, the full models showed better performance than the null models in predicting the species presence/absence, and the relative importance of the biotic variables in the full models increased from less than 50% in 1959 to more than 50% in 2009 for each species. Moreover, co-occurrence correlation of each paired species interaction was higher in 2009 than that in 1959. The findings suggest biotic interactions that tend to be positive play more important roles in the spatial distribution of multispecies assemblages of macrophytes and should be included in prediction models to improve prediction accuracy when forecasting macrophytes’ distribution under eutrophication stress. By comparing biotic factor’ role in predicting spatial distribution of macrophytes before and after eutrophication in a shallow lake, the results indicate biotic interactions of macrophytes exert a dominant role in predicting their distribution and tend to be positive in eutrophic water. This suggests biotic interactions should be included in prediction models to improve prediction accuracy as forecasting macrophytes’ distribution under eutrophication stress.

Description: Computational prediction of new auxetic materials Nature Communications, Published online: 22 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00399-6 There are very few inorganic materials with auxetic homogenous Poisson’s ratio in polycrystalline form. Here authors develop an approach to screening materials databases for target properties such as negative Poisson’s ratio by using stability and structural motifs to predict new instances of homogenous auxetic behavior as well as a number of materials with near-zero Poisson’s ratio.

Description: Nanodiamonds suppress the growth of lithium dendrites Nature Communications, Published online: 25 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00519-2 Lithium metal is an ideal anode material for rechargeable batteries but suffer from the growth of lithium dendrites and low Coulombic efficiency. Here the authors show that nanodiamonds serve as an electrolyte additive to co-deposit with lithium metal and suppress the formation of dendrites.

Description: Redox reactions and weak buffering capacity lead to acidification in the Chesapeake Bay Nature Communications, Published online: 28 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00417-7 The potential contribution of redox reactions to acidification in coastal waters is unclear. Here, using measurements from the Chesapeake Bay, the authors show that pH minimum occurs at mid-depths where acids are produced via hydrogen sulfide oxidation in waters mixed upward from anoxic depths.

Description: Systems analysis of apoptotic priming in ovarian cancer identifies vulnerabilities and predictors of drug response Nature Communications, Published online: 28 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00263-7 High-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGS-OvCa) frequently develop chemotherapy resistance. Here, the authors through a systematic analysis of proteomic and drug response data of 14 HGS-OvCa PDXs demonstrate that targeting apoptosis regulators can improve response of these tumors to inhibitors of the PI3K/mTOR pathway.

Description: A reporter system coupled with high-throughput sequencing unveils key bacterial transcription and translation determinants Nature Communications, Published online: 28 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00239-7 Quantitative analysis of how DNA sequence determines transcription and translation regulation is of interest to systems and synthetic biologists. Here the authors present ELM-seq, which uses Dam activity as reporter for high-throughput analysis of promoter and 5’-UTR regions.

Description: Ecological restoration is expected to reverse the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Due to the low number of well-replicated field studies, the extent to which restoration recovers plant communities, and the factors underlying possible shortcomings, are not well understood even in medium term. We compared the plant community composition of 38 sites comprising pristine, forestry-drained, and 5 or 10 years ago restored peatlands in southern Finland, with special interest in understanding spatial variation within studied sites, as well as the development of the numbers and the abundances of target species. Our results indicated a recovery of community composition 5–10 years after restoration, but there was significant heterogeneity in recovery. Plant communities farthest away from ditches were very similar to their pristine reference already 10 years after restoration. In contrast, communities in the ditches were as far from the target as the drained communities. The recovery appears to be characterized by a decline in the number and abundance of species typical to degraded conditions, and increase in the abundance of characteristic peatland species. However, we found no increase above the drained state in the number of characteristic peatland species. Our results suggest that there is a risk of drawing premature conclusions on the efficiency of ecological restoration with the current practice of short-term monitoring. Our results also illustrate fine-scale within-site spatial variability in the degradation and recovery of the plant communities that should be considered when evaluating the success of restoration. Overall, we find the heterogeneous outcome of restoration observed here promising. However, low recovery in the number of characteristic species demonstrates the importance of prioritizing restoration sites, and addressing the uncertainty of recovery when setting restoration targets. It appears that it is easier to eradicate unwanted species than regain characteristic species by restoration. We studied the recovery of forestry-drained peatland ecosystems using a sample of 38 independent sites in Finland. Significant recovery of plant communities along with heterogeneity in recovery trajectories within sites was observed during the first decade after restoration. Our results highlight the need for adjusting unsubstantiated short-term expectations of restoration success, and the need for considering the fine-scale spatial variability in the degradation and recovery of the plant communities. Comparably low recovery in the number of characteristic species demonstrates the importance of prioritizing restoration sites and addressing the uncertainty of recovery when setting targets for restoration. Unwanted species are more easily eradicated than characteristic species regained by restoration.

Description: The establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) can often lead to environmental differences between MPAs and fishing zones. To determine the effects on marine dispersal of environmental dissimilarity between an MPA and fishing zone, we examined the abundance and recruitment patterns of two anemonefishes ( Amphiprion frenatus and A. perideraion ) that inhabit sea anemones in different management zones (i.e., an MPA and two fishing zones) by performing a field survey and a genetic parentage analysis. We found lower levels of abundance per anemone in the MPA compared to the fishing zones for both species ( n  = 1,525 anemones, p  = .032). The parentage analysis also showed that lower numbers of fishes were recruited from the fishing zones and outside of the study area into each anemone in the MPA than into each anemone in the fishing zones ( n  = 1,525 anemones, p  〈 .017). However, the number of self-recruit production per female did not differ between the MPA and fishing zones ( n  = 384 females, p  = .516). Because the ocean currents around the study site were unlikely to cause a lower settlement intensity of larvae in the MPA, the ocean circulation was not considered crucial to the observed abundance and recruitment patterns. Instead, stronger top-down control and/or a lower density of host anemones in the MPA were potential factors for such patterns. Our results highlight the importance of dissimilarity in a marine environment as a factor that affects connectivity. This study examined the abundance and recruitment patterns of two anemonefishes in different management zones (i.e., an MPA and two fishing zones) by performing a field survey and a genetic parentage analysis. We found lower levels of abundance per anemone and lower number of recruitment into an anemone in the MPA compared to the fishing zones for both species. Our findings highlight the importance of dissimilarity in a marine environment as a factor that affects connectivity.

Description: The onset of widespread marine red beds and the evolution of ferruginous oceans Nature Communications, Published online: 30 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00502-x The evolution of oceanic redox state in the past is poorly known. Here, the authors present a temporal record of banded iron formations and marine red beds, which indicate deep-ocean oxygenation occurred in the middle Ediacaran, coinciding with the onset of widespread marine red beds.

Description: Transport and excitations in a negative- U quantum dot at the LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 interface Nature Communications, Published online: 30 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00495-7 Complex oxide devices provide a platform for studying and making use of strongly correlated electronic behavior. Here the authors present a LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 quantum dot and show that its transport behavior is consistent with the presence of attractive electron interactions and the charge Kondo effect.

Description: Variable repeats in the eukaryotic polyubiquitin gene ubi4 modulate proteostasis and stress survival Nature Communications, Published online: 30 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00533-4 Eukaryotic cells rely on the ubiquitin-proteasome system for selective degradation of proteins, a process vital to organismal fitness. Here the authors show that the number of repeats in the polyubiquitin gene is evolutionarily unstable within and between yeast species, and that this variability may tune the cell’s capacity to respond to sudden environmental perturbations.

Description: MHC matching improves engraftment of iPSC-derived neurons in non-human primates Nature Communications, Published online: 30 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00926-5 Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) matching improves graft survival rates after organ transplantation. Here the authors show that in macaques, MHC-matched iPSC-derived neurons provide better engraftment in the brain, with a lower immune response and higher survival of the transplanted neurons.

Description: Poliovirus intrahost evolution is required to overcome tissue-specific innate immune responses Nature Communications, Published online: 29 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00354-5 RNA viruses, such as polioviruses, have a great evolutionary capacity and can adapt quickly during infection. Here, the authors show that poliovirus infection in mice requires adaptation to innate immune microenvironments encountered in different tissues.

Description: Matrix degradability controls multicellularity of 3D cell migration Nature Communications, Published online: 29 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00418-6 The fabrication of vascularized 3D tissues requires an understanding of how material properties govern endothelial cell invasion into the surrounding matrix. Here the authors integrate a non-swelling synthetic hydrogel with a microfluidic device to study chemokine gradient-driven angiogenic sprouting and find that matrix degradability modulates the collectivity of cell migration.

Description: The relationships between cover and AGB for the dominant and widely distributed alpine grasslands on the northern Tibetan Plateau is still not fully examined. The objectives of this study are to answer the following question: (1) How does aboveground biomass (AGB) of alpine grassland relate to plant cover at different spatial scales? (2) What are the major biotic and abiotic factors influencing on AGB–cover relationship? A community survey (species, cover, height, and abundance) was conducted within 1 m × 1 m plots in 70 sites along a precipitation gradient of 50–600 m. Ordinary linear regression was employed to examine AGB–cover relationships of both community and species levels at regional scale of entire grassland and landscape scale of alpine meadow, alpine steppe, and desert steppe. Hierarchical partitioning was employed to estimate independent contributions of biotic and abiotic factors to AGB and cover at both scales. Partial correlation analyses were used to discriminate the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on AGB–cover relationships at two spatial scales. AGB and community cover both exponentially increased along the precipitation gradient. At community level, AGB was positively and linearly correlated with cover for all grasslands except for alpine meadow. AGB was also linearly correlated with cover of species level at both regional and landscape scales. Contributions of biotic and abiotic factors to the relationship between AGB and cover significantly depended on spatial scales. Cover of cushions, forbs, legumes and sedges, species richness, MAP, and soil bulk density were important factors that influenced the AGB–cover relationship at either regional or landscape scale. This study indicated generally positive and linear relationships between AGB and cover are at both regional and landscape scales. Spatial scale may affect ranges of cover and modify the contribution of cover to AGB. AGB–cover relationships were influenced mainly by species composition of different functional groups. Therefore, in deriving AGB patterns at different spatial scales, community composition should be considered to obtain acceptable accuracy. This study indicated generally positive and linear relationships between AGB and cover are at both regional and landscape scales, and suggested that in deriving AGB patterns at different spatial scales, community composition and related environmental factors should be considered to obtain acceptable accuracy.

Description: The aim was to assess patterns of plant diversity in response to elevation and disturbance in a tropical mountain. The study area was located in north-central portion of the Eastern Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes, on a road from 1,150 m a.s.l. (Osayacu) to 4,000 (Papallacta). Along a mountain road spanning a wide altitudinal gradient, at 20 elevations we sampled three plots: one at the roadside and two perpendicular to the roadside. The relationship between elevation and species richness was assessed using linear and quadratic regressions, the effect of disturbance on species richness was determined by ANCOVA and a t test with parameters obtained from quadratic equations. Similarity of species composition among the roadside and sites distant was evaluated with the Chao-Jaccard and classic Jaccard similarity indices, the distribution of non-native species according to their origin were analyzed with linear and quadratic regression. The native species showed a linearly monotonic decrease with elevation, whereas non-natives showed a quadratic distribution. Disturbed had the greatest number of non-native species and lower native species richness, showing also a high floristic similarity; less disturbed areas showed the opposite. The non-native species of temperate origin were more numerous and showed unimodal elevational distribution, while species of tropical origin were few and decreased linearly with elevation. We conclude that in a tropical highland mountain range, native and non-native plant species respond differently to elevation: native species exhibit a monotonically linear decrease, and non-native species show a unimodal trend. Disturbance positively affects non-native species showing higher richness and fewer species turnover. In addition, the non-native species are located along of the elevational gradient in relation to their biogeographic origin. We studied the distribution patterns of non-native and native species of plants of the Ecuadorian Andes in relation to elevation and in relation to the effect of disturbance. We found that in the elevational gradient, native and non-native species respond differently to elevation. Moreover, the disturbance affects mainly to non-native species, increasing their richness in highly disturbed areas.

Description: Understanding the environmental factors driving species-genetic diversity correlations (SGDCs) is critical for designing appropriate conservation and management strategies to protect biodiversity. Yet, few studies have explored the impact of changing land use patterns on SGDCs specifically in aquatic communities. This study examined patterns of genetic diversity in roach ( Rutilus rutilus L.) together with fish species composition across 19 locations in a large river catchment, spanning a gradient in land use. Our findings show significant correlations between some, but not all, species and genetic diversity end points. For example, genetic and species differentiation showed a weak but significant linear relationship across the Thames catchment, but additional diversity measures such as allelic richness and fish population abundance did not. Further examination of patterns in species and genetic diversity indicated that land use intensification has a modest effect on fish diversity compared to the combined influence of geographical isolation and land use intensification. These results indicate that environmental changes in riparian habitats have the potential to amplify shifts in the composition of stream fish communities in poorly connected river stretches. Conservation and management strategies for fish populations should, therefore, focus on enhancing connectivity between river stretches and limit conversion of nearby land to arable or urban use to maintain current levels of biodiversity. Our paper contributes to the ongoing debate concerning whether environmental drivers dictate parallel distributions of communities and populations. Results here show that strong parallels of low species diversity and genetic diversity can arise in isolated river stretches running through areas that are increasingly subjected to intensive land use practices (especially arable cropland). Conversion of natural land and physical isolation of fish populations are therefore a major threat to the sustainability of fish species.

Description: Temperature is a core component of a species' fundamental niche. At the fine scale over which most organisms experience climate (mm to ha), temperature depends upon the amount of radiation reaching the Earth's surface, which is principally governed by vegetation. Tropical regions have undergone widespread and extreme changes to vegetation, particularly through the degradation and conversion of rainforests. As most terrestrial biodiversity is in the tropics, and many of these species possess narrow thermal limits, it is important to identify local thermal impacts of rainforest degradation and conversion. We collected pantropical, site-level (〈1 ha) temperature data from the literature to quantify impacts of land-use change on local temperatures, and to examine whether this relationship differed aboveground relative to belowground and between wet and dry seasons. We found that local temperature in our sample sites was higher than primary forest in all human-impacted land-use types (N = 113,894 daytime temperature measurements from 25 studies). Warming was pronounced following conversion of forest to agricultural land (minimum +1.6°C, maximum +13.6°C), but minimal and nonsignificant when compared to forest degradation (e.g., by selective logging; minimum +1°C, maximum +1.1°C). The effect was buffered belowground (minimum buffering 0°C, maximum buffering 11.4°C), whereas seasonality had minimal impact (maximum buffering 1.9°C). We conclude that forest-dependent species that persist following conversion of rainforest have experienced substantial local warming. Deforestation pushes these species closer to their thermal limits, making it more likely that compounding effects of future perturbations, such as severe droughts and global warming, will exceed species' tolerances. By contrast, degraded forests and belowground habitats may provide important refugia for thermally restricted species in landscapes dominated by agricultural land. We collated site-level temperature data from across the tropics to examine local, biologically relevant thermal impacts of land-use change. Across our sample sites, we found that forest conversion resulted in local warming of up to 13.6°C, but such warming was avoided in degraded forests and belowground. We conclude that species persisting in converted habitats may already be under substantial thermal stress before accounting for future climate change, but degraded forests and belowground habitats can offer important refugia for thermally restricted species.

Description: Rechargeable aqueous zinc-manganese dioxide batteries with high energy and power densities Nature Communications, Published online: 1 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00467-x The development of rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries are challenging but promising for energy storage applications. With a mild-acidic triflate electrolyte, here the authors show a high-performance Zn-MnO 2 battery in which the MnO 2 cathode undergoes Zn 2+ (de)intercalation.

Description: Multiple periodicity in a nanoparticle-based single-electron transistor Nature Communications, Published online: 1 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00442-6 Single-electron transistors are elements for nanoscale electronics. Employing single-electron transistors based on gold nanoparticles, Bitton et al., report a fabrication technique that allows precise control over the coupling between a nanodot and leads, resulting in new transport characteristics.

Description: Siderophore cheating and cheating resistance shape competition for iron in soil and freshwater Pseudomonas communities Nature Communications, Published online: 4 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00509-4 Lab strains of Pseudomonas are model systems for the evolution of cooperation over public goods (iron-scavenging siderophores). Here, Butaitė et al. add ecological and evolutionary insight into this system by showing that cheating and resistance to cheating both shape competition for iron in natural Pseudomonas communities.

Description: Genetically engineered red cells expressing single domain camelid antibodies confer long-term protection against botulinum neurotoxin Nature Communications, Published online: 4 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00448-0 The therapeutic use of single-chain antibodies (VHHs) is limited by their short half-life in the circulation. Here the authors engineer mouse and human red blood cells to express VHHs against botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) on their surface and show that an infusion of these cells into mice confers long lasting protection against a high dose of BoNT/A.

Description: Demonstration of sub-luminal propagation of single-cycle terahertz pulses for particle acceleration Nature Communications, Published online: 4 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00490-y Controlled generation of terahertz radiation with subluminal phase velocities is a key issue in laser-driven particle acceleration. Here, the authors demonstrate a travelling-source approach utilizing the group-to-phase front conversion to overcome the sub-luminal propagation limit.

Description: Ratiometric Matryoshka biosensors from a nested cassette of green- and orange-emitting fluorescent proteins Nature Communications, Published online: 5 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00400-2 Single fluorescent protein biosensors are susceptible to expression and instrumental artifacts. Here Ast et al. describe a dual fluorescent protein design whereby a reference fluorescent protein is nested within a reporter fluorescent protein to control for such artifacts while preserving sensitivity and dynamic range.

Description: Integrative genomics of microglia implicates DLG4 (PSD95) in the white matter development of preterm infants Nature Communications, Published online: 5 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00422-w Inflammation mediated by microglia plays a key role in brain injury associated with preterm birth, but little is known about the microglial response in preterm infants. Here, the authors integrate molecular and imaging data from animal models and preterm infants, and find that microglial expression of DLG4 plays a role.

Description: Land-locked mammalian Golgi reveals cargo transport between stable cisternae Nature Communications, Published online: 5 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00570-z The different composition of Golgi cisternae gave rise to two different models for intra-Golgi traffic: one where stable cisternae communicate via vesicles and another one where cisternae biochemically mature to ensure anterograde transport. Here, the authors provide evidence in support of the stable compartments model.

Description: Enoyl-CoA hydratase-1 regulates mTOR signaling and apoptosis by sensing nutrients Nature Communications, Published online: 6 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00489-5 Overnutrition has been linked to increased risk of cancer. Here, the authors show that exceeding nutrients suppress Enoyl-CoA hydratase-1 (ECHS1) activity by inducing its acetylation resulting in accumulation of fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids and oncogenic mTOR activation.

Description: This is the first comprehensive region wide, spatially explicit epidemiologic analysis of surveillance data of the aquatic viral pathogen infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) infecting native salmonid fish. The pathogen has been documented in the freshwater ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest of North America since the 1950s, and the current report describes the disease ecology of IHNV during 2000–2012. Prevalence of IHNV infection in monitored salmonid host cohorts ranged from 8% to 30%, with the highest levels observed in juvenile steelhead trout. The spatial distribution of all IHNV-infected cohorts was concentrated in two sub-regions of the study area, where historic burden of the viral disease has been high. During the study period, prevalence levels fluctuated with a temporal peak in 2002. Virologic and genetic surveillance data were analyzed for evidence of three separate but not mutually exclusive transmission routes hypothesized to be maintaining IHNV in the freshwater ecosystem. Transmission between year classes of juvenile fish at individual sites (route 1) was supported at varying levels of certainty in 10%–55% of candidate cases, transmission between neighboring juvenile cohorts (route 2) was supported in 31%–78% of candidate cases, and transmission from adult fish returning to the same site as an infected juvenile cohort was supported in 26%–74% of candidate cases. The results of this study indicate that multiple specific transmission routes are acting to maintain IHNV in juvenile fish, providing concrete evidence that can be used to improve resource management. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that more sophisticated analysis of available spatio-temporal and genetic data is likely to yield greater insight in future studies. Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is an acute, potentially lethal, pathogen in several sympatric species of Pacific salmonid fish, which are highly valued by many cultures in the Pacific Northwest of North America. This is the first large-scale study of spatially and temporally explicit IHNV surveillance data, seeking evidence for hypothesized transmission routes that may explain the remarkable persistence of this virus in the freshwater ecosystem.

Description: Determining whether comparable processes drive genetic divergence among marine species is relevant to molecular ecologists and managers alike. Sympatric species with similar life histories might be expected to show comparable patterns of genetic differentiation and a consistent influence of environmental factors in shaping divergence. We used microsatellite loci to quantify genetic differentiation across the Scotia Arc in three species of closely related benthic octopods, Pareledone turqueti , P. charcoti, and Adelieledone polymorpha . The relative importance of environmental factors (latitude, longitude, depth, and temperature) in shaping genetic structure was investigated when significant spatial genetic structure was uncovered. Isolated populations of P. turqueti and A. polymorpha at these species’ range margins were genetically different to samples close to mainland Antarctica; however, these species showed different genetic structures at a regional scale. Samples of P. turqueti from the Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island, and Signy Island were genetically different, and this divergence was associated primarily with sample collection depth. By contrast, weak or nonsignificant spatial genetic structure was evident across the Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island, and Signy Island region for A. polymorpha , and slight associations between population divergence and temperature or depth (and/or longitude) were detected. Pareledone charcoti has a limited geographic range, but exhibited no genetic differentiation between samples from a small region of the Scotia Arc (Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula). Thus, closely related species with similar life history strategies can display contrasting patterns of genetic differentiation depending on spatial scale; moreover, depth may drive genetic divergence in Southern Ocean benthos. We show that three closely related species of benthic octopod, with similar life histories, distributed across the same region of the Southern Ocean, exhibit contrasting population genetic signatures. In addition, our study provides evidence for local associations between depth and genetic variation in one of these species, Pareledone turqueti . To our knowledge this is the first clear evidence of an effect of bathymetry on genetic divergence in a Southern Ocean taxon and provides evidence for a previously unrecognized speciation driver.

Description: Pollination is a key ecosystem service, and appropriate management, particularly in agricultural systems, is essential to maintain a diversity of pollinator guilds. However, management recommendations frequently focus on maintaining plant communities, with the assumption that associated invertebrate populations will be sustained. We tested whether plant community, flower resources, and soil moisture would influence hoverfly (Syrphidae) abundance and species richness in floristically-rich seminatural and floristically impoverished agricultural grassland communities in Wales (U.K.) and compared these to two Hymenoptera genera, Bombus, and Lasioglossum . Interactions between environmental variables were tested using generalized linear modeling, and hoverfly community composition examined using canonical correspondence analysis. There was no difference in hoverfly abundance, species richness, or bee abundance, between grassland types. There was a positive association between hoverfly abundance, species richness, and flower abundance in unimproved grasslands. However, this was not evident in agriculturally improved grassland, possibly reflecting intrinsically low flower resource in these habitats, or the presence of plant species with low or relatively inaccessible nectar resources. There was no association between soil moisture content and hoverfly abundance or species richness. Hoverfly community composition was influenced by agricultural improvement and the amount of flower resource. Hoverfly species with semiaquatic larvae were associated with both seminatural and agricultural wet grasslands, possibly because of localized larval habitat. Despite the absence of differences in hoverfly abundance and species richness, distinct hoverfly communities are associated with marshy grasslands, agriculturally improved marshy grasslands, and unimproved dry grasslands, but not with improved dry grasslands. Grassland plant community cannot be used as a proxy for pollinator community. Management of grasslands should aim to maximize the pollinator feeding resource, as well as maintain plant communities. Retaining waterlogged ground may enhance the number of hoverflies with semiaquatic larvae. Plant community does not predict pollinator community in Welsh grasslands. Flower resource, mediated by management, is a critical factor. There are distinctive hoverfly communities associated with different grassland types.

Description: Life history traits in many ectotherms show complex patterns of variation among conspecific populations sampled along wide latitudinal or climatic gradients. However, few studies have assessed whether these patterns can be explained better by thermal reaction norms of multiple life history traits, covering major aspects of the life cycle. In this study, we compared five populations of a Holarctic, numerically dominant soil microarthropod species, Folsomia quadrioculata , sampled from a wide latitudinal gradient (56–81°N), for growth, development, fecundity, and survival across four temperatures (10, 15, 20, and 25°C) in common garden experiments. We evaluated the extent to which macroclimate could explain differences in thermal adaptation and life history strategies among populations. The common garden experiments revealed large genotypic differences among populations in all the traits, which were little explained by latitude and macroclimate. In addition, the life history strategies (traits combined) hardly revealed any systematic difference related to latitude and macroclimate. The overall performance of the northernmost population from the most stochastic microclimate and the southernmost population, which remains active throughout the year, was least sensitive to the temperature treatments. In contrast, performance of the population from the most predictable microclimate peaked within a narrow temperature range (around 15°C). Our findings revealed limited support for macroclimate-based predictions, and indicated that local soil habitat conditions related to predictability and seasonality might have considerable influence on the evolution of life history strategies of F. quadrioculata . This study highlights the need to combine knowledge on microhabitat characteristics, and demography, with findings from common garden experiments, for identifying the key drivers of life history evolution across large spatial scales, and wide climate gradients. We believe that similar approaches may substantially improve the understanding of adaptation in many terrestrial ectotherms with low dispersal ability. A common garden approach was used to compare the differences in multiple postembryonic life history traits among conspecific populations of a soil-dwelling Collembolan species, which is widely distributed and numerically dominant across Holarctic. Our aim was to evaluate the extent of influence of macroclimate variables on the evolution of life history traits. We found trait-specific patterns of variation among population and limited support for macroclimate-driven evolution. Evidently, the life history strategies might be strongly affected by soil habitat conditions linked to seasonality and stochasticity at the sampling sites.

Description: Examining variations in pollinator effectiveness can enhance our understanding of how pollinators and plants interact. Pollen deposition and seed production after a single visit by a pollinator are often used to estimate pollinator effectiveness. However, seed production is not always directly related to pollen deposition because not all pollen grains that are deposited on a stigma are compatible or conspecific. In the field, we tested pollinator effectiveness based on pollen deposition and the resulting seed production after single visits by different pollinator groups in a gynodieocious alpine plant Cyananthus delavayi ( Campanulaceae ). Our results showed that mean pollen deposition was generally inconsistent with mean seed production when comparisons were performed among different pollinator groups and sexes. In general, the correlations were not significant between pollen deposition and seed production in both perfect and female flowers after single visits by halictid bees, bumble bees, and hoverflies. We suggest seed set of virgin flowers after single visits is a more reliable indicator of pollinator effectiveness than pollen deposition and would be a better indicator of pollinator effectiveness for future studies. Seed production may not be related to pollen deposition because the pollen grains that arrive on a stigma may not always be compatible or conspecific. Our results on gynodioecious Cyananthus delavayi suggest that seed production after single visit is a more reliable indicator of pollinator effectiveness than pollen deposition, and thus it would be better to employ seed production to estimate pollinator effectiveness in future studies.

Description: In recent years, animal ethics issues have led researchers to explore nondestructive methods to access materials for genetic studies. Cicada exuviae are among those materials because they are cast skins that individuals left after molt and are easily collected. In this study, we aim to identify the most efficient extraction method to obtain high quantity and quality of DNA from cicada exuviae. We compared relative DNA yield and purity of six extraction protocols, including both manual protocols and available commercial kits, extracting from four different exoskeleton parts. Furthermore, amplification and sequencing of genomic DNA were evaluated in terms of availability of sequencing sequence at the expected genomic size. Both the choice of protocol and exuvia part significantly affected DNA yield and purity. Only samples that were extracted using the PowerSoil DNA Isolation kit generated gel bands of expected size as well as successful sequencing results. The failed attempts to extract DNA using other protocols could be partially explained by a low DNA yield from cicada exuviae and partly by contamination with humic acids that exist in the soil where cicada nymphs reside before emergence, as shown by spectroscopic measurements. Genomic DNA extracted from cicada exuviae could provide valuable information for species identification, allowing the investigation of genetic diversity across consecutive broods, or spatiotemporal variation among various populations. Consequently, we hope to provide a simple method to acquire pure genomic DNA applicable for multiple research purposes. We investigated an efficient method in extracting high-quality and quantity of DNA from cicada exuviae by comparing six different extraction protocols. Results show that peaks of UV–Vis spectra at 260 nm indicate the absorbance wavelength of genomic DNA, while the lack of peaks at this wavelength implies organic contaminants such as humic acids. In six protocols, only samples extracted by PowerSoil kit show clear peaks at 260 nm.

Description: Corrigendum: p120-catenin prevents multinucleation through control of MKLP1-dependent RhoA activity during cytokinesis Nature Communications, Published online: 6 September 2017; doi:10.1038/ncomms16030

Description: APOBEC3A is an oral cancer prognostic biomarker in Taiwanese carriers of an APOBEC deletion polymorphism Nature Communications, Published online: 6 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00493-9 Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a prevalent malignancy in Taiwan. Here, the authors show that OSCC in Taiwanese show a frequent deletion polymorphism in the cytidine deaminases gene cluster APOBEC3 resulting in increased expression of A3A, which is shown to be of clinical prognostic relevance.

Description: Metabolic stress-induced cardiomyopathy is caused by mitochondrial dysfunction due to attenuated Erk5 signaling Nature Communications, Published online: 8 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00664-8 The mechanistic link between metabolic stress and associated cardiomyopathy is unknown. Here the authors show that high fat diet causes calpain-1-dependent degradation of ERK5 leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting the maintenance of cardiac ERK5 as a therapeutic approach for cardiomyopathy prevention and/or treatment.

Description: The most active Cu facet for low-temperature water gas shift reaction Nature Communications, Published online: 8 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00620-6 Nanocrystals display a variety of facets with different catalytic activity. Here the authors identify the most active facet of copper nanocrystals relevant to the low-temperature water gas shift reaction and further design zinc oxide-copper nanocubes with exceptionally high catalytic activity.

Description: Evolution of protein-coupled RNA dynamics during hierarchical assembly of ribosomal complexes Nature Communications, Published online: 8 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00536-1 Ribosomes assemble through the hierarchical addition of proteins to a ribosomal RNA scaffold. Here the authors use three-color single-molecule FRET to show how the dynamics of the rRNA dictate the order in which multiple proteins assemble on the 5′ domain of the E. coli 16S rRNA.

Description: Nitrogen (N) deficiency occurs in over 80% of karst soil of southwest China, which restricts regional agricultural production. To test whether N fixed by legumes becomes available to nonfixing companion species, N fluxes between soybean and maize under no, partial, and total restriction of root contact were measured on a karst site in southwest China. N content and its transfer between soybean and maize intercrops were explored in a 2-year plot experiment, with N movement between crops monitored using 15 N isotopes. Mesh barrier (30 μm) and no restrictions barrier root separation increased N uptake of maize by 1.28%–3.45% and 3.2%–3.45%, respectively. N uptake by soybean with no restrictions root separation was 1.23 and 1.56 times higher than that by mesh and solid barriers, respectively. In the unrestricted root condition, N transfer from soybean to maize in no restrictions barrier was 2.34–3.02 mg higher than that of mesh barrier. Therefore, it was implied that soybean/maize intercropping could improve N uptake and transfer efficiently in the karst region of southwest China. Soil nitrogen (N) content changes and its transfer between soybean and maize intercrops were explored in a 2-year plot experiment. N uptake and transfer in soybean/maize intercropping were mediated by soil N level.

Description: In eastern North America, the field milkweed, Asclepias syriaca L. (Asclepiadaceae), is used in planting schemes to promote biodiversity conservation for numerous insects including the endangered monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus) (Nymphalidae). Less is known about its pollinators, and especially in urban habitats where it is planted often despite being under increasing pressure from invasive plant species, such as the related milkweed, the dog-strangling vine (DSV), Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopow) Barbar. (Asclepiadaceae). During the A. syriaca flowering period in July 2016, we surveyed bees in open habitats along a DSV invasion gradient and inspected 433 individuals of 25 bee species in 12 genera for pollinia: these were affixed to bees that visited A. syriaca for nectar and contain pollen packets that are vectored (e.g., transferred) between flowers. Of all bees sampled, pollinia were found only on the nonindigenous honeybee, Apis mellifera (43% of all bees identified), as well as one individual bumblebee, Bombus impatiens Cresson. Pollinia were recorded from 45.2% of all honeybees collected. We found no relationship between biomass of DSV and biomass of A. syriaca per site. There was a significant positive correlation between A. syriaca biomass and the number of pollinia, and the proportion vectored. No relationship with DSV biomass was detected for the number of pollinia collected by bees but the proportion of vectored pollinia declined with increasing DSV biomass. Although we find no evidence of DSV flowers attracting potential pollinators away from A. syriaca and other flowering plants, the impacts on native plant–pollinator mutualisms relate to its ability to outcompete native plants. As wild bees do not appear to visit DSV flowers, it could be altering the landscape to one which honeybees are more tolerant than native wild bees. A honeybee with pollinia from the native milkweed, A. syriaca , attached to its appendages. When the bee visits milkweed for nectar, it picks up pollinia and deposits the pollen packet into the next flower. The pollinia structure—like a clothespin—remains attached to the bee and can be counted to determine pollination effort by individual bees. Photograph credit: Marylouisse Feliciano.

Description: A trademark of eusocial insect species is reproductive division of labor, in which workers forego their own reproduction while the queen produces almost all offspring. The presence of the queen is key for maintaining social harmony, but the specific role of the queen in the evolution of eusociality remains unclear. A long-discussed scenario is that a queen either behaviorally or chemically sterilizes her workers. However, the demographic and ecological conditions that enable such manipulation are still debated. We study a simple model of evolutionary dynamics based on haplodiploid genetics. Our model is set in the commonly observed case where workers have lost the ability to lay female (diploid) eggs by mating, but retain the ability to lay male (haploid) eggs. We consider a mutation that acts in a queen, causing her to control the reproductive behavior of her workers. Our mathematical analysis yields precise conditions for the evolutionary emergence and stability of queen-induced worker sterility. These conditions do not depend on the queen's mating frequency. We find that queen control is always established if it increases colony reproductive efficiency, but can evolve even if it decreases colony efficiency. We further derive the conditions under which queen control is evolutionarily stable against invasion by mutant workers who have recovered the ability to lay male eggs. In the social Hymenoptera, the behavioral or chemical sterilization of workers by the queen is a long-discussed scenario. Using a simple model of evolutionary dynamics based on haplodiploid genetics, we derive precise conditions for the evolutionary emergence and stability of queen-induced worker sterility. We further outline the conditions under which queen control is evolutionarily stable against invasion by mutant, reproductive workers.

Description: Kelp forests dominated by species of Laminariales are globally recognized as key habitats on subtidal temperate rocky reefs. Forests characterized by fucalean seaweed, in contrast, receive relatively less attention despite being abundant, ubiquitous, and ecologically important. Here, we review information on subtidal fucalean taxa of Australia's Great Southern Reef, with a focus on the three most abundant and widely distributed genera ( Phyllospora, Scytothalia , and Sargassum ) to reveal the functionally unique role of fucoids in temperate reef ecology. Fucalean species span the entire temperate coastline of Australia (~71,000 km 2 ) and play an important role in supporting subtidal temperate biodiversity and economic values on rocky reefs as well as in adjacent habitats. Climatic and anthropogenic stressors have precipitated significant range retractions and declines in many fucoids, with critical implications for associated assemblages. Such losses are persistent and unlikely to be reversed naturally due to the life history of these species and colonization of competitors and grazers following loss. Active restoration is proving successful in bringing back some fucoid species ( Phyllospora comosa ) lost from urban shores and will complement other passive and active forms of conservation. Fucalean forests play a unique role on subtidal temperate reefs globally, especially in Australia, but are comparatively understudied. Addressing this knowledge gap will be critical for understanding, predicting, and mitigating extant and future loss of these underwater forests and the valuable ecosystem services they support. Underwater forests dominated by fucoids are largely understudied relative to their laminarian counterparts, but are equally as abundant and ecologically important. We show that Australia's dominant subtidal fucoids support important biodiversity and economic values, but are declining with critical implications for associated assemblages. Although active restoration is proving successful in bringing these forests back, the dearth of knowledge on underwater fucoid forests requires prompt action to properly manage and protect these key habitats.

Description: Discovery of a proteolytic flagellin family in diverse bacterial phyla that assembles enzymatically active flagella Nature Communications, Published online: 12 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00599-0 So far no enzymatic activity has been attributed to flagellin, the major component of bacterial flagella. Here the authors use bioinformatic analysis and identify a metallopeptidase insertion in flagellins from 74 bacterial species and show that recombinant flagellin and flagellar filaments have proteolytic activity.

Description: A genome-wide association study identifies a novel susceptibility locus for the immunogenicity of polyethylene glycol Nature Communications, Published online: 12 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00622-4 Some individuals develop antibodies against the polyethylene glycol that is commonly used in therapeutic preparations. Here the authors conduct a GWAS in Han Chinese and find the IGH locus is associated with anti-PEG IgM.

Description: During the early stages of adaptive radiation, populations diverge in life history traits such as egg size and growth rates, in addition to eco-morphological and behavioral characteristics. However, there are few studies of life history divergence within ongoing adaptive radiations. Here, we studied Astatotilapia calliptera , a maternal mouthbrooding cichlid fish within the Lake Malawi haplochromine radiation. This species occupies a rich diversity of habitats, including the main body of Lake Malawi, as well as peripheral rivers and shallow lakes. We used common garden experiments to test for life history divergence among populations, focussing on clutch size, duration of incubation, egg mass, offspring size, and growth rates. In a first experiment, we found significant differences among populations in average clutch size and egg mass, and larger clutches were associated with smaller eggs. In a second experiment, we found significant differences among populations in brood size, duration of incubation, juvenile length when released, and growth rates. Larger broods were associated with smaller juveniles when released and shorter incubation times. Although juvenile growth rates differed between populations, these were not strongly related to initial size on release. Overall, differences in life history characters among populations were not predicted by major habitat classifications (Lake Malawi or peripheral habitats) or population genetic divergence (microsatellite-based F ST ). We suggest that the observed patterns are consistent with local selective forces driving the observed patterns of trait divergence. The results provide strong evidence of evolutionary divergence and covariance of life history traits among populations within a radiating cichlid species, highlighting opportunities for further work to identify the processes driving the observed divergence. During the process of adaptive radiation, species can diverge in life history traits as well as habitat use, diet, and behaviour. Here, we provide evidence of divergence in life history traits within Astatotilapia calliptera , a species within the Lake Malawi cichlid fish radiation. These results suggest that life history divergence could take a role in cichlid speciation.

Description: The residence time is the amount of time spent within a predefined circle surrounding each point along the movement path of an animal, reflecting its response to resource availability/quality. Two main residence time-based methods exist in the literature: (1) The variance of residence times along the path plotted against the radius of the circle was suggested to indicate the scale at which the animal perceives its resources; and (2) segments of the path with homogeneous residence times were suggested to indicate distinct behavioral modes, at a certain scale. Here, we modify and integrate these two methods to one framework with two steps of analysis: (1) identifying several distinct, nested scales of area-restricted search (ARS), providing an indication of how animals view complex resource landscapes, and also the resolutions at which the analysis should proceed; and (2) identifying places which the animal revisits multiple times and performs ARS; for these, we extract two scale-dependent statistical measures—the mean visit duration and the number of revisits in each place. The association between these measures is suggested as a signature of how animals utilize different habitats or resource types. The framework is validated through computer simulations combining different movement strategies and resource maps. We suggest that the framework provides information that is especially relevant when interpreting movement data in light of optimal behavior models, and which would have remained uncovered by either coarser or finer analyses. A methodological framework to infer scale-dependent, detailed space-use behavior from movement data is presented. The framework unifies two existing methods based on the residence-time measure, providing improvements, integration, and a detailed test using computer simulations.

Description: Therian X and Y sex chromosomes arose from a pair of autosomes. Y chromosomes consist of a pseudoautosomal region that crosses over with the X chromosome and a male-specific Y -chromosomal region that does not. The X chromosome can be structured into “evolutionary strata”. Divergence of X-chromosomal genes from their gametologs is similar within a stratum, but differs among strata, likely caused by a different onset of suppression of crossing over between gametologs. After stratum formation, exchange of information between gametologs has long been believed absent; however, recent studies have shown limited exchange, likely through gene conversion. Herein we investigate exchange of genetic information between gametologs in old strata that formed before the split of Laurasiatheria (cattle) from Euarchontoglires (primates and rodents) with a new phylogenetic approach. A prerequisite for our test is an overall preradiative topology, that is, all X-chromosomal gametologs are more similar among themselves than to Y-chromosomal sequences. Screening multiple sequence alignments of the coding sequences of genes from cattle, mice, and humans identified four genes, DDX3X/Y , RBMX/Y , USP9X/Y , and UTX/Y , exhibiting a preradiation topology. Applying our test, we detected exchange of genetic information between all four X and Y gametologs after stratum formation. Preradiation phylogeny of X and Y gametologs in the three species Bos , Homo , and Mus . Time is measured in millions of years before present. The X gametolog is characterized by thick lines and the Y gametolog by thin lines. The broken lines at the base indicate a variable time of differentiation of gametologs before the split of the Laurasiatheria from the Euarchontoglires. bx , hx , and mx are the terminal branches of the X gametolog phylogeny leading to cattle, humans, and mice, respectively, and sx is the internal branch uniting the Euarchontoglires humans and mice after the split of Laurasiatheria. by , hy , my , and sy are the respective branches on the Y gametolog. Gametologs within the same organism may exchange genetic information.

Description: Land-use and management are disturbance factors that have diverse effects on community composition and structure. In traditional rural grasslands, such as meadows and pastures, low-intensity management is maintained to enhance biodiversity. Maintenance of road verges, in turn, creates habitat, which may complement traditional rural grasslands. To evaluate the effect of low-intensity disturbance on insect communities, we characterized species abundance distributions (SAD) for Carabidae, Formicidae, and Heteroptera in three grassland types, which differed in management: meadows, pastures, and road verges. The shape of SAD was estimated with three parameters: abundance decay rate, dominance, and rarity. We compared the SAD shape among the grassland types and tested the effect of environmental heterogeneity (plant species richness) and disturbance intensity (trampling in pastures) on SADs. The shape of SADs did not differ among the grassland types but among the taxonomic groups instead. Abundance decay rate and dominance were larger for Formicidae, and rarity smaller, than for Carabidae and Heteroptera. For Carabidae and window-trapped Heteroptera, rarity increased with increasing plant species richness. For Formicidae, dominance increased with trampling intensity in pastures. Although the SAD shape remained largely unchanged, the identity of the dominant species tended to vary within and among grassland types. Our study shows that for a given taxonomic group, the SAD shape is similar across habitat types with low-intensity disturbances resulting from different management. This suggests that SADs respond primarily to the intensity of disturbance and thus could be best used in monitoring communities across strong disturbance and environmental gradients. Because taxonomic groups can inherently have different SADs, taxon-specific SADs for undisturbed communities must be empirically documented before the SAD shape can be used as an indicator of environmental change. Because the identity of the dominant species changes from management type to another, the SAD shape alone is not an adequate monitoring tool. We characterized species abundance distributions (SADs) for Carabidae, Formicidae, and Heteroptera communities in three grassland types, which differed in management: meadows, pastures, and road verges. Our study shows that for a given taxonomic group, the SAD shape is similar across habitat types with low-intensity disturbances resulting from different management types. However, because the identity of the dominant species changes from management type to another, the SAD shape alone is not an adequate monitoring tool.

Description: BRCA2 suppresses replication stress-induced mitotic and G1 abnormalities through homologous recombination Nature Communications, Published online: 13 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00634-0 BRCA2 mutations promote tumour formation while also paradoxically causing cell lethality. Here the authors generate conditional BRCA2 loss in a non-transformed human mammary cell line and see increased replication stress due to under-replication of DNA.

Description: Observed changes in mean temperature and increased frequency of extreme climate events have already impacted the distributions and phenologies of various organisms, including insects. Although some research has examined how parasitoids will respond to colder temperatures or experimental warming, we know relatively little about how increased variation in temperature and humidity could affect interactions between parasitoids and their hosts. Using a study system consisting of emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis , and its egg parasitoid Oobius agrili , we conducted environmentally controlled laboratory experiments to investigate how increased seasonal climate variation affected the synchrony of host–parasitoid interactions. We hypothesized that increased climate variation would lead to decreases in host and parasitoid survival, host fecundity, and percent parasitism (independent of host density), while also influencing percent diapause in parasitoids. EAB was reared in environmental chambers under four climate variation treatments (standard deviations in temperature of 1.24, 3.00, 3.60, and 4.79°C), while O .  agrili experiments were conducted in the same environmental chambers using a 4 × 3 design (four climate variation treatments × 3 EAB egg densities). We found that EAB fecundity was negatively associated with temperature variation and that temperature variation altered the temporal egg laying distribution of EAB. Additionally, even moderate increases in temperature variation affected parasitoid emergence times, while decreasing percent parasitism and survival. Furthermore, percent diapause in parasitoids was positively associated with humidity variation. Our findings indicate that relatively small changes in the frequency and severity of extreme climate events have the potential to phenologically isolate emerging parasitoids from host eggs, which in the absence of alternative hosts could lead to localized extinctions. More broadly, these results indicate how climate change could affect various life history parameters in insects, and have implications for consumer–resource stability and biological control. We observed the effect temperature and humidity variation had on a host-parasite relationship, most notably, how it impacted the fecundity and mortality of both species, and the emergence time, % diapause and % parasitism of the parasatoid. Our findings suggest that significant climate variation, already observed in the newly invaded host range of USA, may decouple the phenological synchrony between host and parasitoid, diminishing the effectiveness of biological control methods. Furthermore, we suspect this decoupling to be a general trend in similar host-parasitoid relationships.

Description: Recent advances in molecular techniques allow us to resolve the diet of unstudied taxa. Odonates are potentially important top-down regulators of many insects. Yet, to date, our knowledge of odonate prey use is based mainly on limited observations of odonates catching or eating their prey. In this study, we examine the potential use of metabarcoding in establishing the diet of three adult odonate species ( Lestes sponsa , Enallagma cyathigerum, and Sympetrum danae ) at a site in southwestern Finland. To this purpose, we compared three different methods for extracting DNA from fecal samples: the Macherey-Nagel Nucleospin XS kit, a traditional salt extraction, and the Zymo Research Fecal Microprep kit. From these extracts, we amplified group-specific mitochondrial markers (COI and 16S rRNA) from altogether 72 odonate individuals, and compared them to comprehensive reference libraries. The three odonate species show major overlap in diet, with no significant differences between individuals of different size and/or gender, reflecting opportunistic foraging of adult odonates. Of a total of 41 different prey species detected, the most frequently consumed ones were Diptera, with additional records of six other orders. Based on our data, the best DNA extraction method is the traditional salt extraction, as it provides the most information on prey content while also being the most economical. To our knowledge, this is the first study to resolve the species-level diet of adult odonates. Armed with the appropriate methodological caveats, we are ready to examine the ecological role of odonates in both terrestrial and aquatic food webs, and in transferring subsidies between these two realms. This is the first study to shed light on the species-level diet of adult odonates. Drawing on molecular tools, we find that Odonata diet shows extensive overlap with previous records of bat diet and tentative records of bird diet, thus revealing major overlap in prey choice by dominant vertebrate groups. Based on the current study, we recommend using a traditional salt-based method for the extraction and purification of odonate fecal DNA.

Description: Understanding CRY2 interactions for optical control of intracellular signaling Nature Communications, Published online: 15 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00648-8 Cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) can form light-regulated CRY2-CRY2 homo-oligomers or CRY2-CIB1 hetero-dimers, but modulating these interactions is difficult owing to the lack of interaction mechanism. Here the authors identify the interactions facilitating homo-oligomers and introduce mutations to create low and high oligomerization versions.

Description: Functional organization of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in cells infected by respiratory syncytial virus Nature Communications, Published online: 15 September 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00655-9 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) induces formation of inclusion bodies (IBs) sheltering viral RNA synthesis. Here, Rincheval et al. identify highly dynamic IB-associated granules (IBAGs) that accumulate newly synthetized viral mRNA and the viral M2-1 protein but exclude viral genomic RNA and RNA polymerase complexes.

Description: A prominent hypothesis for polyandry says that male–male competitive drivers induce males to coerce already-mated females to copulate, suggesting that females are more likely to be harassed in the presence of multiple males. This early sociobiological idea of male competitive drive seemed to explain why sperm-storing females mate multiply. Here, we describe an experiment eliminating all opportunities for male–male behavioral competition, while varying females’ opportunities to mate or not with the same male many times, or with many other males only one time each. We limited each female subject's exposure to no more than one male per day over her entire lifespan starting at the age at which copulations usually commence. We tested a priori predictions about relative lifespan and daily components of RS of female Drosophila melanogaster in experimental social situations producing lifelong virgins, once-mated females, lifelong monogamous, and lifelong polyandrous females, using a matched-treatments design. Results included that (1) a single copulation enhanced female survival compared to survival of lifelong virgins, (2) multiple copulations enhanced the number of offspring for both monogamous and polyandrous females, (3) compared to females in lifelong monogamy, polyandrous females paired daily with a novel, age-matched experienced male produced offspring of enhanced viability, and (4) female survival was unchallenged when monogamous and polyandrous females could re-mate with age- and experienced-matched males. (5) Polyandrous females daily paired with novel virgin males had significantly reduced lifespans compared to polyandrous females with novel, age-matched, and experienced males. (6) Polyandrous mating enhanced offspring viability and thereby weakened support for the random mating hypothesis for female multiple mating. Analyzes of nonequivalence of variances revealed opportunities for within-sex selection among females. Results support the idea that females able to avoid constraints on their behavior from simultaneous exposure to multiple males can affect both RS and survival of females and offspring. An experiment to test costs and benefits to mothers’ and offspring fitness of different mating opportunities for females, while eliminating all direct behavioral male–male interactions as well as direct behavioral interactions between females. The experimental design reduced the force of male coercive copulation that can occur when males experience behavioral sexual selection over access to females.

Description: Breeding dispersal is a key process of population structure and dynamics and is often triggered by an individual's breeding failure. In both colonial and territorial birds, reproductive success of conspecifics (RSc) can also lead individuals to change breeding sites after a failure on a site. Yet, few studies have simultaneously investigated the independent contribution of individual reproductive success (RSi) and of RSc on dispersal decision. Here, we develop a modeling framework to disentangle the effects of RSi and RSc on demographic parameters, while accounting for imperfect individual detection and other confounding factors such as age or dispersal behavior in the previous year. Using a 10-year capture–recapture dataset composed of 1,595 banded tree swallows, we assessed the effects of nonmanipulated RSi and RSc on female breeding dispersal in this semicolonial passerine. Dispersal was strongly driven by RSi, but not by RSc. Unsuccessful females were 9.5–2.5 times more likely to disperse than successful ones, depending if they had dispersed or not in the previous year, respectively. Unsuccessful females were also three times less likely to be detected than successful ones. Contrary to theoretical and empirical studies, RSc did not drive the decision to disperse but influenced the selection of the following breeding site once dispersal had been initiated. Because detection of individuals was driven by RSi, which was positively correlated to RSc, assuming a perfect detection as in previous studies may have lead us to conclude that RSc affected dispersal patterns, yet our approach corrected for this bias. Overall, our results suggest that the value and use of RSc as public information to guide dispersal decisions are likely dictated by multiple ecological determinants, such as landscape structure and extent, if this cue is indeed used. Currently, few studies have simultaneously investigated the contribution of individual reproductive success (RSi) and reproductive success of conspecifics (RSc). on dispersal decision, contrary to settlement decision after a dispersal event. Here, we develop a new analytical framework to disentangle the effects of RSi and RSc on demographic parameters, while accounting for imperfect individual detection and other confounding factors in tree swallow. Our results contrast with previous studies by the fact that RSc does not impact the decision to disperse and we discuss these results and the potential bias caused by the use of classical regression analyses.

Description: Time-lapse crystallography snapshots of a double-strand break repair polymerase in action Nature Communications, Published online: 15 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00271-7 DNA polymerase (pol) μ functions in DNA double-strand break repair. Here the authors use time-lapse X-ray crystallography to capture the states of pol µ during the conversion from pre-catalytic to product complex and observe a third transiently bound metal ion in the product state.

Description: Formation pathways of mesoporous silica nanoparticles with dodecagonal tiling Nature Communications, Published online: 15 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00351-8 Probing the growth pathways of quasicrystalline materials, where tiling units arrange with local but no long-range order, remains challenging. Here, the authors demonstrate that dodecagonal tiling of mesoporous silica nanoparticles occurs via irreversible packing of micelles with non-uniform size distribution.

Description: Spatial genomic heterogeneity in multiple myeloma revealed by multi-region sequencing Nature Communications, Published online: 16 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00296-y In multiple myeloma, malignant cells expand within bone marrow. Here, the authors use multi-region sequencing in patient samples to analyse spatial clonal architecture and heterogeneity, providing novel insight into multiple myeloma progression and evolution.

Description: Genetic regulatory effects modified by immune activation contribute to autoimmune disease associations Nature Communications, Published online: 16 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00366-1 Insight into the genetic influence on the immune response is important for the understanding of interindividual variability in human pathologies. Here, the authors generate transcriptome data from human blood monocytes stimulated with various immune stimuli and provide a time-resolved response eQTL map.

Description: Local tree species diversity is maintained in part by conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD). This pervasive mechanism occurs in a variety of forms and ecosystems, but research to date has been heavily skewed toward tree seedling survival in tropical forests. To evaluate CNDD more broadly, we investigated how sapling growth rates were affected by conspecific adult neighbors in a fully mapped 25.6 ha temperate deciduous forest. We examined growth rates as a function of the local adult tree neighborhood (via spatial autoregressive modeling) and compared the spatial positioning of faster-growing and slower-growing saplings with respect to adult conspecific and heterospecific trees (via bivariate point pattern analysis). In addition, to determine whether CNDD-driven variation in growth rates leaves a corresponding spatial signal, we extended our point pattern analysis to a static, growth-independent comparison of saplings and the next larger size class. We found that negative conspecific effects on sapling growth were most prevalent. Five of the nine species that were sufficiently abundant for analysis exhibited CNDD, while only one species showed evidence of a positive conspecific effect, and one or two species, depending on the analysis, displayed heterospecific effects. There was general agreement between the autoregressive models and the point pattern analyses based on sapling growth rates, but point pattern analyses based on single-point-in-time size classes yielded results that differed markedly from the other two approaches. Our work adds to the growing body of evidence that CNDD is an important force in temperate forests, and demonstrates that this process extends to sapling growth rates. Further, our findings indicate that point pattern analyses based solely on size classes may fail to detect the process of interest (e.g., neighborhood-driven variation in growth rates), in part due to the confounding of tree size and age. Conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD) occurs in a variety of forms and ecosystems, but research to date has been skewed towards tree seedling survival in tropical forests. We investigated how sapling growth rates were affected by large conspecific and heterospecific neighbors in a fully mapped temperate forest, and found that negative conspecific effects were stronger for most species. Our work adds to the growing body of evidence that CNDD is a major organizing force in temperate forests and demonstrates that this process extends to sapling growth rates.

Description: Most emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses originating from wildlife among which vector-borne diseases constitute a major risk for global human health. Understanding the transmission routes of mosquito-borne pathogens in wildlife crucially depends on recording mosquito blood-feeding patterns. During an extensive longitudinal survey to study sylvatic anophelines in two wildlife reserves in Gabon, we collected 2,415 mosquitoes of which only 0.3% were blood-fed. The molecular analysis of the blood meals contained in guts indicated that all the engorged mosquitoes fed on wild ungulates. This direct approach gave only limited insights into the trophic behavior of the captured mosquitoes. Therefore, we developed a complementary indirect approach that exploits the occurrence of natural infections by host-specific haemosporidian parasites to infer Anopheles trophic behavior. This method showed that 74 infected individuals carried parasites of great apes (58%), ungulates (30%), rodents (11%) and bats (1%). Accordingly, on the basis of haemosporidian host specificity, we could infer different feeding patterns. Some mosquito species had a restricted host range ( An. nili only fed on rodents, whereas An. carnevalei , An. coustani , An. obscurus, and An. paludis only fed on wild ungulates). Other species had a wider host range ( An. gabonensis could feed on rodents and wild ungulates, whereas An. moucheti and An. vinckei bit rodents, wild ungulates and great apes). An. marshallii was the species with the largest host range (rodents, wild ungulates, great apes, and bats). The indirect method substantially increased the information that could be extracted from the sample by providing details about host-feeding patterns of all the mosquito species collected (both fed and unfed). Molecular sequences of hematophagous arthropods and their parasites will be increasingly available in the future; exploitation of such data with the approach we propose here should provide key insights into the feeding patterns of vectors and the ecology of vector-borne diseases. Understanding the transmission routes of mosquito-borne pathogens in wildlife crucially depends on recording mosquito blood-feeding patterns. Due to the limitations of the methods currently used to investigate the trophic behavior of mosquitoes, here we propose a complementary indirect approach that exploits the host specificity of parasites carried or transmitted by vector mosquitoes.

Description: Corrigendum: Adrenergic-mediated loss of splenic marginal zone B cells contributes to infection susceptibility after stroke Nature Communications, Published online: 18 August 2017; doi:10.1038/ncomms16151

Description: Corrigendum: Mitochondrial ATP transporter depletion protects mice against liver steatosis and insulin resistance Nature Communications, Published online: 18 August 2017; doi:10.1038/ncomms16143

Description: Game species like the red deer have been subjected to anthropogenic impacts for centuries. Translocations are often carried out—sometimes illegally—not only for sporting purposes, but also to increase trophy quality, reduce inbreeding, or mitigate bottlenecks after excessive persecution. Apart from the blurring of large-scale genetic structure, translocations without adequate quarantine measure risk introducing pathogens into potentially immunologically naïve populations. It is therefore important to understand the frequency of clandestine translocations. Identification of non-autochthonous animals and their potential origin is often difficult and, in red deer, has been hampered by the lack of large-scale genotypic datasets for comparison. In the present study, we make use of a recently published European-wide microsatellite dataset to detect and quantify the presence of non-autochthonous red deer in a large population sample ( n  = 1,780) from Central Europe (Belgium). Using factorial correspondence analysis, assignment tests and Bayesian clustering algorithms we arrive at an estimate of 3.7% non-autochthonous animals (or their descendants). Some of these animals were assigned to a nearby French population and may have immigrated into Belgium naturally, but the large majority must have been introduced by humans. Our analysis pointed to the British Isles and Germany/Poland as the potential origin of many introduced deer, regions known to have been source populations for translocations in Europe and beyond. We found evidence for recreational hunters using carcasses from farmed deer to fulfill mandatory hunting quotas. Our study is the first to quantify the extent of human-mediated introductions in a European game species at such a large scale with large and representative sample sizes. While the red deer has been subjected to anthropogenic influence for centuries, it is not clear whether illegal translocation of farmed or non-native deer into a natural population is a frequent event. However, an understanding of the frequency of clandestine translocation is required for management purposes, epidemiological risk assessment, and conservation. Our study is the first to quantify the extent of human-mediated introductions in a European game species at a large scale with large and representative sample sizes.

Description: Differential alternative splicing coupled to nonsense-mediated decay of mRNA ensures dietary restriction-induced longevity Nature Communications, Published online: 21 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00370-5 Alternative splicing coupled to nonsense-mediated decay (AS-NMD) is a conserved mechanism for post-transcriptional gene regulation. Here, the authors provide evidence that AS-NMD is enhanced during dietary restriction (DR) and is required for DR-mediated longevity assurance in C. elegans .

Description: JunB promotes Th17 cell identity and restrains alternative CD4 + T-cell programs during inflammation Nature Communications, Published online: 21 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00380-3 AP-1 family transcription factors regulate CD4 + T helper cell differentiation. Here the authors show that the AP-1 member JunB is a nonredundant regulator of transcriptional programs that support Th17 cell identity and restrain alternative Th1 and Treg cell fates in inflammatory contexts of acute fungal infection and chronic autoimmunity.

Description: ROCKII inhibition promotes the maturation of human pancreatic beta-like cells Nature Communications, Published online: 21 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00129-y Our incomplete understanding of how pancreatic beta cells form limits the generation of beta-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). Here, the authors identify a ROCKII inhibitor H1152 as increasing insulin secreting cells from hPSCs and improving beta-cell maturation on transplantation in vivo.

Description: Timing of Smarcb1 and Nf2 inactivation determines schwannoma versus rhabdoid tumor development Nature Communications, Published online: 21 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00346-5 SMARCB1 mutations predispose to rhabdoid tumors and schwannomas but the mechanisms underlying the tumor type specificity are unknown. Here the authors present new mouse models and show that early Smarcb1 loss causes rhabdoid tumors whereas loss at later stages combined with Nf2  gene inactivation causes shwannomas.

Description: Single molecule high-throughput footprinting of small and large DNA ligands Nature Communications, Published online: 21 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00379-w Mapping the sequence specificity of DNA ligands remains a challenge, particularly for small drugs. Here the authors develop a parallelized single molecule magnetic tweezers approach using engineered DNA hairpins that can detect sequence selectivity, thermodynamics and kinetics of binding for small drugs and large proteins.

Description: Live-cell p53 single-molecule binding is modulated by C-terminal acetylation and correlates with transcriptional activity Nature Communications, Published online: 22 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00398-7 Both transcription binding kinetics and post-translational modifications of transcription factors are thought to play a role in the modulation of transcription. Here the authors use single-molecule tracking to directly demonstrate that p53 acetylation modulates promoter residence time and transcriptional activity.

Description: Dispersal is an important aspect in organism's life history which could influence the rate and outcome of evolution of organism. Plateau pika is the keystone species in community of grasslands in Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we combine genetic and field data to character the population genetic pattern and dispersal dynamics in plateau pika ( Ochotona curzoniae ). Totally, 1,352 individual samples were collected, and 10 microsatellite loci were analyzed. Results revealed that plateau pika possessed high genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficient in a fine-scale population. Dispersal distance is short and restricted in about 20 m. An effective sex-biased dispersal strategy is employed by plateau pika: males disperse in breeding period for mating while females do it after reproduction for offspring and resource. Inbreeding avoiding was shown as the common driving force of dispersal, together with the other two factors, environment and resource. In addition, natal dispersal is female biased. More detailed genetic analyzes are needed to confirm the role of inbreeding avoidance and resource competition as ultimate cause of dispersal patterns in plateau pika. Plateau pika possessed high genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficient in a fine-scale population. Dispersal distance is short and restricted in about 20 m. An effective sex-biased dispersal strategy is employed by plateau pika: males disperse in breeding period for mating while females do it after reproduction for offspring and resource.

Description: Biological invasions are worldwide phenomena that have reached alarming levels among aquatic species. There are key challenges to understand the factors behind invasion propensity of non-native populations in invasion biology. Interestingly, interpretations cannot be expanded to higher taxonomic levels due to the fact that in the same genus, there are species that are notorious invaders and those that never spread outside their native range. Such variation in invasion propensity offers the possibility to explore, at fine-scale taxonomic level, the existence of specific characteristics that might predict the variability in invasion success. In this work, we explored this possibility from a molecular perspective. The objective was to provide a better understanding of the genetic diversity distribution in the native range of species that exhibit contrasting invasive propensities. For this purpose, we used a total of 784 sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA-COI) collected from seven Gammaroidea, a superfamily of Amphipoda that includes species that are both successful invaders ( Gammarus tigrinus , Pontogammarus maeoticus, and Obesogammarus crassus ) and strictly restricted to their native regions ( Gammarus locusta , Gammarus salinus , Gammarus zaddachi, and Gammarus oceanicus ). Despite that genetic diversity did not differ between invasive and non-invasive species, we observed that populations of non-invasive species showed a higher degree of genetic differentiation. Furthermore, we found that both geographic and evolutionary distances might explain genetic differentiation in both non-native and native ranges. This suggests that the lack of population genetic structure may facilitate the distribution of mutations that despite arising in the native range may be beneficial in invasive ranges. The fact that evolutionary distances explained genetic differentiation more often than geographic distances points toward that deep lineage divergence holds an important role in the distribution of neutral genetic diversity. In this article, we compared the genetic diversity and the differentiation, or structure, among populations of invasive and non-invasive gammarids. We further hypothesized that either geographic or evolutionary distances would explain differentiation levels. First, we found that the degree of differentiation was higher among populations of non-invasive gammarids, although genetic diversity did not differ between non-invasive and invasive. Second, we found that evolutionary distances explained population differentiation more often than geographic distances, further suggesting that deep lineage divergence plays an important role in the distribution of neutral genetic diversity.

Description: Layered van der Waals crystals with hyperbolic light dispersion Nature Communications, Published online: 22 August 2017; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00412-y Natural hyperbolic materials retain the peculiar optical properties of traditional metamaterials whilst not requiring artificial structuring. Here, the authors perform a theoretical screening of a large class of natural materials with hyperbolic dispersion among the family of layered transition metal dichalcogenides.