Thermal habitat selection is a key consideration when assessing the capacity of ectotherms to tolerate warming conditions during summer. We used high dimension acoustic arrays in three lakes to determine diel thermal habitat selection by free-ranging adult brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814)), with surgically implanted acoustic tags (fork length range, 26.2–54.5 cm). Brook trout occupied a range of temperatures during lake stratification when warm surface waters and cold hypolimnetic waters were present. The overall mean occupied temperature was close to literature estimates of a single preferred temperature (15°C), but few individuals spent most of their time at this temperature. The preferred temperature range was 13–17°C in each lake while < 10°C and > 20°C were avoided. Individual variation was extensive and closely associated with body size. Despite wide diel variation in patterns of thermal habitat selection, thermal time (degree-hours; °C-hrs) was consistent and inversely related to body size over a month. Large adult brook trout accumulated fewer degree-hours than smaller brook trout. The intercept of this relationship was close to their sublethal threshold as defined by physiological stress. We hypothesize that adult brook trout actively manage metabolic rate as a function of body size over periods greater than the diel cycle.

We conducted a study to clarify the daily activity patterns of Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis (Swinhoe, 1870)) and Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus (Pallas, 1771)) to assess the potential temporal niche partitioning between these two sympatric species. We hypothesized that the two species would show different diel activity patterns in the temperate forest. Camera traps were employed in Japanese larch plantations (Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carrière) and natural deciduous forests on Mt. Gariwang, Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, South Korea, during the summer of 2023. Kernel density estimation and overlap coefficients were analyzed using video data. The relative abundance index of the Korean water deer was 3.40 in plantations and 14.13 in deciduous forests, while that of the Siberian roe deer was 17.93 in plantations and 35.87 in deciduous forests. The overlap coefficients between the two species were 0.72 in both plantations and deciduous forests, suggesting temporal niche partitioning. Korean water deer exhibited nocturnal activity in plantations but showed no distinct pattern in deciduous forests; however, Siberian roe deer consistently displayed a crepuscular pattern in both habitats. We provide insights into the ecological interactions between these cervid species and highlights the need for further research on seasonal variations in their activity patterns.

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus Linnaeus, 1758) throughout the boreal forest move and select habitat in a manner that ought to maximize benefits while mitigating costs. Boreal forests, however, are undergoing rapid changes that may be affecting cost:benefit ratios, including expanding linear features and climate-induced increased wildfire activity. These costs and benefits may further vary seasonally and by social context. To test the effects of season and social context on caribou movement and selection of potentially risky habitats, we used a socially informed integrated step selection analysis (iSSA). We tested responses to two forms of putative risk in Terra Nova National Park, NL: roads and areas burned 2 – 75 years prior. We also tested how season and social context affected selection for forested vs. open habitats. Caribou avoided areas near roads irrespective of season. Burned area avoidance varied by season and burn age. Caribou selected more open habitats only when in proximity to another collared individual, but social facilitation did not appear to mitigate risks associated with roads or burned habitats. As the most at-risk populations of woodland caribou exist at low density in highly disturbed landscapes, our results affirm the importance of considering sociality in maintaining access to resources.

Determination of the capacity for adaptive nonshivering thermogenesis is of importance in a broad range of metabolic studies, including investigations of the effects of cold acclimation, preparation for and arousal from hibernation, diet-induced thermogenesis, and metabolic balance. Adaptive nonshivering thermogenesis is understood as being mediated through the activity of uncoupling-protein-1 (UCP1). Norepinephrine and the β3-adrenergic agonist CL-316,423 have long been used to assess the capacity for nonshivering thermogenesis in intact mammals. Here we examine whether in mice (Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758) the acclimation-induced thermogenic effect of the β3-adrenergic agent CL-316,243 underestimates true adrenergically (norepinephrine-)induced capacity for nonshivering thermogenesis, whether anesthesia partly masks true thermogenic capacity, and to what degree adrenergic responses are proportional to and dependent upon the presence of UCP1. All conditions yielded significant differences between cold- and thermoneutral-acclimated mice and between wildtype and UCP1-KO mice. The cold-acclimation-recruited thermogenesis elicited by CL-316,243 was not statistically significantly lower than that elicited by norepinephrine, and the level of cold acclimation-recruited adrenergically induced thermogenesis was not statistically significantly affected by anesthesia. The absence of UCP1 practically eliminated cold acclimation-recruited adrenergically induced thermogenesis. Cold acclimation-recruited adrenergically-induced thermogenesis is positively associated with UCP1 amount. Qualitatively and quantitatively comparable results are thus obtained irrespective of which adrenergic activator is used.

Daily and seasonal variation in light levels as well as meteorological variables can influence vocal behavior in both diurnal and nocturnal avian species. The Common Poorwill ( Phalaenoptilus nuttallii (Audubon, 1844)) is a visually orienting insectivore most active at dusk and dawn as well as during moonlit nights. Cloud cover is known to limit the amount of perceivable lunar light and generally creates a darker environment similar to when moonlight is low or absent. We examined the effect of cloud cover on the calling behaviour of the Common Poorwill while controlling for moonlight to test the prediction that lower light levels would reduce vocal activity. We conducted 291 point count surveys during the 2014 breeding season in southern British Columbia, Canada, starting at the end of civil twilight under various cloud and moonlight conditions. As expected, moonlight was a significant predictor of mean calling rate, but we found that neither cloud cover alone nor the interaction between moonlight and cloud cover was significant. Future studies should examine calling rates near urban centers to gain insight into the impacts of light pollution on nocturnal behaviours.

European native land snails, Trochulus hispidus (Linnaeus, 1758), were collected from Brighton, Ontario, Canada, over a 20-month period beginning in April 2020. Polysporocystic oocysts consistent with Klossia spp. (Apicomplexa: Adeleidae) were observed in macerated snail kidney tissues by light microscopy. Sporulated oocysts measured 103 ± 5.8 µm × 99 ± 7.4 µm with indistinct or absent oocyst residuum; oocysts contained more than 125 tetrazoic sporocysts. Sporocysts measured 12 ± 0.66 µm × 11 ± 0.76 µm with a centrally placed sporocyst residuum and a few irregularly dispersed granules. DNA was extracted from all kidney tissues and prevalence of the Klossia-infection determined by Klossia-specific PCR was 46% (19 of 41). Nuclear 18S rDNA (1800 bp) and complete mitochondrial genome (6757 bp) sequences differed sufficiently from available Klossia spp. sequences to justify description of a new Klossia species, Klossia vaderbriani n. sp. Phylogenetic analysis using combined nuclear (18S rDNA) and mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I—COI) sequences strongly support the monophyly of the genus Klossia but not of the family Adeleidae to which these parasites belong. These observations and a detailed literature review supported a wider discussion on the taxonomy of the genera in the family Adeleidae.

The North Atlantic right whale ( Eubalaena glacialis, Müller, 1776) is a critically endangered species threatened by vessel strikes and gear entanglement, like other large whales. In southern Gaspé Peninsula, lobster fishers face the challenge of balancing their fishing activities with protection measures for right whales as implemented by DFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada). To gather data on cetacean presence and distribution, including the North Atlantic right whale, the Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie launched a cetacean inventory program. Surveys were conducted annually (2019–2024) along the southern coast of the Gaspé Peninsula in lobster fishing areas ranging from 0 to 37 m in depth. A total of 541 cetacean sightings were recorded between 2019 and 2024, with behavioral data collected by experienced marine mammal observers. The study revealed the presence of four species of piscivorous cetaceans: minke whale ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Lacepede, 1804), harbour porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena, Linnaeus, 1758), humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae, Borowski, 1781), and fin whale ( Balaenoptera physalus, Linnaeus, 1758). Spatial and temporal variations in the areas use appear associated with food resource availability. No North Atlantic right whales were sighted in this lobster fishing areas. This study highlights the potential of fisher-led initiatives to support scientific research.

The association between certain life history traits and species that inhabit temporary aquatic environments is a common pattern among invertebrates. This study examines the life history traits of two endemic genera of Patagonian limnephilid caddisflies that breed in temporary habitats: Verger Navas, 1918 and Austrocosmoecus Schmid. I studied reproductive phenology and egg mass characteristics across five wetlands in northwest Patagonia. A set of experiments was conducted to assess the desiccation tolerance of egg masses. Oviposition occurred between early February and late March; egg masses were found in microhabitats where relative air humidity was at least 50%, temperatures being lower in Austrocosmoecus than Verger microhabitats. Verger egg masses were often observed beneath herbaceous vegetation, while Austrocosmoecus masses were typically found under leaf litter. Egg masses of Verger were smaller than those of Austrocosmoecus but contained more eggs, which were smaller in size; newly hatched Verger larvae were also smaller than those of Austrocosmoecus. The egg masses of both genera demonstrated a degree of desiccation tolerance, but Austrocosmoecus exhibited higher survival rates across all desiccation treatments. Egg masses and early larval stages were found in the dry sediments of all wetlands, suggesting that the latter may act as refuges for these life cycle stages.

Whether ecotourism can lead to human–wildlife conflict is not well understood. In Nuxalk Territory, grizzly bear ( Ursus arctos horribilis Ord, 1815) conflict occurred ∼41–58 km downstream from ecotourism. We screened for genetic matches between individuals that encountered conflict ( n = 30) and 118 individuals detected upstream via hair snags (including 34 at ecotour sites). Of these 34, one encountered conflict. In analysis Scenario 1, we considered all detected and undetected bears in the region as freely mixing, and used Bayes’ theorem to account for imperfect detection of ecotour bears among conflict samples, deriving an estimate of 1.47 (rounded to 2). Accounting for this uncertainty, we used a probability approach to ask how large the unknown non-ecotour bear population would have to be to observe this frequency of conflict among ecotour bears (2/34) by chance. The resulting population level exceeded available estimates, suggesting ecotour bears are less likely to encounter conflict. In Scenario 2, we assumed that downstream bears are not necessarily from the same population as those sampled upstream; we compared the proportions of known ecotour and non-ecotour bears among conflict samples and found no evidence of a significant difference. Collectively, these analyses suggest other human-caused drivers of conflict.