Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research

The ability to endure a wide range of body temperatures, called heterothermy, offers many species worldwide the possibility to survive times of malnourishment by lowering metabolic rate and body temperature. During development, facultative hypothermia and therefore lowered body temperatures might have disadvantages. Our study aimed at identifying potential trade-offs between the use of facultative hypothermia and investment into growth, immunity, and nutritional physiology in chicks of an Antarctic seabird, the Wilson's Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus). To answer these questions, we used the irregular occurrence of facultative hypothermia of chicks from a free-living colony breeding on the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Our study showed that chicks experiencing lower body temperatures or snowstorms had slower growth, fewer circulating leukocytes, and lower triglyceride concentrations. These findings suggest reduced investment into physiology and growth during events of facultative hypothermia. Patterns of wing growth following facultative hypothermia suggest that chicks may recover within little time after feeding and rewarming. For other parameters, more data of intervals with facultative hypothermic body temperatures followed by normothermy are needed to allow similar conclusions. Our results suggest that while heterothermy seems a beneficial strategy for chick survival in this species, it incurs partially reversible trade-offs with other physiological traits.

Biodiversity genomics is converging from historically separate approaches — DNA barcoding and reference genome sequencing — into an integrated digital ecosystem driven by shared data stewardship principles: transparent provenance, persistent identifiers and interoperable repositories. We demonstrate how these workflows can operate within a unified informatics architecture spanning data generation, validation, publication and reuse. We describe coordinated infrastructure, including the European BOLD mirror, ERGA Genome Tracking Console and metadata platforms COPO and PlutoF. These systems employ harmonised validation pipelines, shared metadata standards that bridge the Darwin Core and Genomic Standards Consortium vocabularies and automated data exchange amongst ENA, UNITE and GBIF. Workflows in Galaxy, Nextflow and Snakemake are registered in WorkflowHub as Research Object Crates (RO-Crates), ensuring reproducibility and complete provenance. Key outcomes include comprehensive data flow documentation, automated quality control using BUSCO and ERGA Assembly Reports and robust specimen-to-data linkage. We identify challenges in metadata harmonisation, distributed tracking, collaborative attribution and infrastructure sustainability and provide recommendations for addressing them through existing platforms and emerging RO-Crate standards. This work establishes practical foundations for treating biodiversity molecular data as a continuum, demonstrating how FAIR principles can scale to continental initiatives.

Reliable information on the state of biodiversity depends on long-term, spatially representative, and taxonomically valid monitoring data. Citizen science (CS) is increasingly considered a complementary and valuable component of biodiversity monitoring, yet its suitability for meeting specific monitoring needs has rarely been assessed systematically. To address this, we conducted a nationwide anonymous survey among about 350 stakeholders involved in professional and CS-based biodiversity monitoring in Germany. Respondents evaluated key structural needs for improvement in current monitoring programs and assessed the perceived ability of CS to address these needs. To synthesize the responses, we systematically compared perceived monitoring needs with the perceived suitability of CS for the same set of criteria. This comparison yields a data-driven, conceptual gap framework identifying three key areas of i) strong potential, where CS aligns well with high monitoring needs; ii) critical gaps, where needs are high, but CS is considered unsuitable without additional support; and iii) intermediate zones, where CS may contribute under certain conditions. High needs in monitoring were reported for improving data continuity and quality, spatial and temporal coverage, methodological consistency, and taxonomic expertise. CS was considered particularly well-suited to contributing to areas of strong potential, such as expanding sampling coverage, supporting long-term datasets, and offering opportunities for training, engagement and piloting new methods. Conversely, critical gaps emerged for tasks requiring specialized taxonomic expertise, rigorous validation or strict standardization—areas in which CS would require additional infrastructures, professional oversight, or hybrid models to contribute effectively. Additionally, an exploratory subset of species and data experts investigated these patterns qualitatively and more in detail. Lastly, respondents identified key criteria in successful CS projects. Together, these findings offer a structured, evidence-based framework for where CS can meaningfully contribute to national biodiversity monitoring and indicators and where targeted investment, coordination, or expertise are required. The results provide actionable guidance for designing scalable monitoring architectures aligned with national and GBF targets.

Neotropical raptors are among the most threatened birds, facing increasing extinction risks due to habitat loss and human persecution. Despite their importance for ecosystem stability, basic data on their distribution, abundance, and genetic diversity remain scarce. To address these gaps, we assembled and annotated the mitochondrial genomes of nine high-priority raptors from the Neotropics, including the threatened Chaco Eagle (Buteogallus coronatus), Black-and-Chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori), Rufous-tailed Hawk (Buteo ventralis), and Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), as well as the Near Threatened Orange-breasted Falcon (Falco deiroleucus), Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis), Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus), Plumbeous Hawk (Cryptoleucopteryx plumbea), and Solitary Eagle (Buteogallus solitarius). Mitogenome sizes ranged from 17,848 to 20,449 bp, with consistent gene content and a Control Region architecture common in Falconidae and Accipitridae. Phylogenetic analyses provided strong support for most relationships, highlighting the value of mitogenomic data for phylogeographic studies. We further designed metabarcoding primers for environmental DNA applications. Primers targeting the 12S rRNA gene and a mini-barcode for the Harpy Eagle's Control Region showed high resolution using short, conserved sequences ideal for combining degraded DNA with next-generation sequencing. Our study provides essential molecular tools for monitoring and protecting these ecologically vital yet threatened raptors across the Americas.

Abstract Climate change can alter predator-prey dynamics by influencing the distribution and movements of migratory prey. Despite increasing research on predator-prey mismatches, how predators respond to changes in prey availability caused by climate change remains largely unknown, particularly for behaviourally flexible species such as central-place foragers. In the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, increased rainfall in recent decades is thought to have altered the movement patterns of large herds of migratory herbivores, the main prey of spotted hyaenas ( Crocuta crocuta ) in the park, leading to a decrease in yearly migratory prey presence within hyaena clan territories. Between 1990 and 1994, migratory prey were present within hyena clan territories for about 12% of the year—mainly in May–June and November-December—dropping to just 7% between 2015 and 2019. Using longitudinal data from three Serengeti hyaena clans at the centre of the park monitored between 1990 and 2019, we investigated the impact of the observed decrease in migratory prey presence on the number of observations of hyaenas feeding at carcasses (“feeding events”, n = 777), and explored associated changes in hyaena clan size. The vast majority of observed hyaena feeding events involved migratory prey species, with this relative proportion remaining constant throughout the study period. Annual patterns in the number of feeding events closely mirrored annual patterns of migratory prey presence in clan territories, with two distinct peaks mid-year and toward the end of the year. As migratory prey presence in the study clan territories declined over the years, the number of observed feeding events also decreased. However, the size of two out of three clans increased over time, suggesting that the decline in migratory prey presence in clan territories and in the number of observed feeding events did not negatively impact hyaena clans. This absence of decline in clan size may reflect the fact that hyaenas feed within their territories for only a small fraction of the year, although it also invites further investigation into the mechanisms hyaenas may employ to compensate for reduced prey availability and reduced feeding events within their clan territories.

The reference genomes of Culex laticinctus, Culex modestus, Culex perexiguus, and Culex theileri offer crucial resources for exploring the genetic basis of vector competence for different pathogens, including the emerging West Nile virus. Each genome was assembled into three contiguous chromosomal pseudomolecules. These chromosome-level assemblies encompass 834, 698, 436, and 934 Mb, respectively. They are composed of 3,284, 4,220, 1,917, and 2,704 contigs and 312, 979, 475, and 709 scaffolds, with contig N50 values of 434, 313, 473, and 770 kb, and scaffold N50 values of 292, 246, 150, and 281 Mb, respectively. These genomes offer an essential genomic resource for advancing our understanding of Culex evolution and population genomic analyses, which will help to implement sustainable mosquito control efforts and disease prevention.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health threat projected to cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if no immediate action is taken. While misuse and overuse of antibiotics are the main drivers of increasing AMR, the eco-evolutionary dynamics of AMR in the environment - particularly across the urban-rural continuum - remain poorly understood. Using shotgun sequencing, we investigated urban, farm, and rural water sources in the Berlin-Brandenburg region to explore the distinctness or overlap of their antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) profiles and the potential impact of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). ARGs were identified using multiple databases and five bioinformatic tools, combining sequence-based alignment and deep learning approaches. This multi-tool approach allowed for the detection of up to 18 AMR classes - more than any single tool alone. The multi-tool screening approach for ARGs, combined with the ABRicate algorithm, was superior to all single ARG tools and databases, detecting more AMR classes, allowing for biocide and metal resistance detection, while being less sensitive for the detection of aminocoumarin resistance genes. ARG diversity was higher in urban lake sediments, urban waters, and wastewater compared to rural lake sediments and water. Among all environments, urban lake water showed the highest overall ARG abundance, second only to wastewater, and this pattern held across all AMR classes except for aminoglycoside resistance, which was most prevalent in rural lake sediments. The WWTP was unable to remove the circulating pool of ARGs, despite a decrease in unique ARGs in the outflow. Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR); Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs); Deep sequencing; Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP); Urban lake.

BackgroundMixed strongyle infections represent the most prevalent equine parasitosis and can result in life-threatening disease, especially in young horses. Species involvement and pathogenesis of this parasitosis are poorly understood, and data on foals and broodmares are notably lacking.MethodsIn a longitudinal study undertaken in 2022 in Germany, individual faecal samples (n = 497) and metadata were collected for naturally infected foals and broodmares (n = 48) kept under conventional husbandry conditions. Nematode infections were detected coproscopically via the Mini-FLOTAC method. In a subset of strongyle egg-positive samples (n = 46), species were identified using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I deep amplicon sequencing. Species prevalence, richness, and alpha and beta diversity were compared between foals and mares.ResultsOverall, 22.2% of the foal samples and 10.2% of the mare samples were strongyle egg positive (eggs per gram > 5). Parascaris spp. were only detected in foals (15.1%). Strongyloides westeri was detected in one foal sample. Strongyle egg detection increased in likelihood with each additional sample timepoint (OR = 1.42, P < 0.001) and with ascarid egg detection (OR = 6.49, P < 0.001), while last anthelmintic treatment with pyrantel decreased the odds of detecting eggs (OR = 0.12, P = 0.002). Deep amplicon sequencing detected 16 species of small strongyles but no large strongyle species. Cylicostephanus goldi, Cylicostephanus minutus operational taxonomic unit II and Cylicocyclus ashworthi were significantly more prevalent in mares (P < 0.05), while Cylicostephanus calicatus operational taxonomic unit II was more prevalent in foals (P < 0.01). Mares showed a significantly higher amplicon sequence-variant-based richness (Chao 1 index, P < 0.001) and diversity (inverse Simpson index, P < 0.01) than foals. Group (foals vs. mares) explained some of the variance in beta diversity, according to permutational multivariate ANOVA. Co-infection with Parascaris spp. did not affect strongyle community composition in the foals. Bray–Curtis and Jaccard distance (dissimilarity) plots showed separate clusters for mares and foals, with some overlap and a moderate model fit.ConclusionsCytochrome oxidase-based characterization of mixed strongyle infections revealed strongyle community differences between broodmares and foals. Possible age associations were identified for four species of small strongyles, including two cryptic species. Low overall strongyle prevalence and egg-shedding intensity, non-random sampling and differences in anthelmintic treatment schemes limited the statistical power of this study.Graphical Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-025-07192-1.

Increasing numbers of animals are captured every year for the deployment of bio-loggers to collect data for scientific research. This usually requires immobilisation and handling by researchers, sometimes repeatedly on the same individuals, and has the potential to change the spatial behaviour of captured animals, such as avoiding humans and human infrastructure. This is especially relevant for species like lions ( Panthera leo ), which are among the most studied carnivores and at the same time globally one of the most sought-after species for wildlife-viewing tourism. Here, we used habitat-selection functions to examine habitat selection of lions after being chemically immobilised, some of them repeatedly, by darting from a car. Our study focused on the central part of the Etosha National Park, Namibia, a protected area with a large, but spatially and temporally regulated tourist presence. We found that captured lions did not avoid tourist camps, roads or waterholes, despite high numbers of tourists at these sites. Lions also did not change their habitat selection in relation to tourist infrastructure dependent on how many times they were darted (once vs twice) nor with time since darting. Our study indicated that in a protected area with strictly controlled tourist movements (restriction to tourist roads and daytime periods), tourism has a minimal impact on the movement of lions. Furthermore, repeated darting and chemical immobilisation did not seem to reduce lion-viewing possibilities for tourists during our study. These findings are crucial for shaping more effective policy, research and visitor management strategies. Implementing similar measures in other protected areas such as a zero-tolerance policy for off-road driving and restricting tourist activity to daytime hours (i.e. when carnivores are less active) can help minimize the effects of tourism on wildlife.