M. R. Pie

Substantial variation in species ages among vertebrate clades

The paper shows that species ages vary significantly among terrestrial vertebrate clades, with mammals and birds having younger species ages than squamates and amphibians.

Population of the Parana Antwren Formicivora acutirostris reassessed as being 64% smaller: Revision of its conservation status and assessment of its Green Status, with management proposals

The paper reassesses the population size and conservation status of Formicivora acutirostris, finding it 64% smaller and recommending it be classified as vulnerable.

Wall-following: phylogenetic context of an enhanced behaviour in stygomorphic Sinocyclocheilus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) cavefishes

This study examines wall-following behavior in Sinocyclocheilus cavefish, finding that eyeless species exhibit enhanced behavior compared to sighted ones, with phylogenetic patterns linking behavior intensity to subterranean adaptation.

A frog adaptive radiation: Ecomorphological evolution in Old-World shrub frogs (Rhacophoridae: Pseudophilautus)

This study identifies five ecomorphological categories in Pseudophilautus shrub frogs, showing body size and specific traits correlate with habitat type and that ecomorphs evolved multiple times in response to climate changes.

Selection on visual opsin genes in diurnal Neotropical frogs and loss of the SWS2 opsin in poison frogs

The paper identifies positive selection on opsin genes in diurnal Neotropical frogs and reports the loss of SWS2 opsin in poison frogs, suggesting implications for their visual adaptation and chemical ecology.

Climatic niche evolution of infectious diseases driving amphibian declines

This study shows that amphibian pathogens are intensifying their impact as their climatic niches evolve, with implications for global amphibian declines.

Wanted not, wasted not: Searching for non-target taxa in environmental DNA metabarcoding by-catch

The paper analyzes non-target taxa in environmental DNA metabarcoding samples originally targeting fish, identifying mammals and birds including a potentially invasive species.

Evolving in the darkness: phylogenomics of Sinocyclocheilus cavefishes highlights recent diversification and cryptic diversity

This study uses RADseq to analyze the phylogenetics of Sinocyclocheilus cavefishes, identifying six major clades, 19 known species, and two cryptic species, with recent diversification linked to geological events.

Drivers of an epic radiation: the role of climate and islands in species diversification and reproductive-mode evolution of Old-World tree frogs

This study investigates the diversification and reproductive-mode evolution of Old-World tree frogs, identifying climate and island effects as key drivers of speciation and niche adaptation.

Monitoring fish communities through environmental DNA metabarcoding in the fish pass system of the second largest hydropower plant in the world

The paper evaluates environmental DNA metabarcoding for monitoring fish communities around a hydropower dam and finds it effective despite challenges in reference databases.

The diversification of termites: inferences from a complete species-level phylogeny

This study constructs the first complete species-level phylogeny of termites using genetic and taxonomic data, revealing relatively constant speciation rates with two positive shifts.

An experimental assessment of the distribution of environmental DNA along the water column

The paper assesses eDNA distribution in a controlled water column experiment, showing rapid spread within 30 minutes.

Mandibular morphology, task specialization, and bite mechanics in Pheidole ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This study uses FEA to compare biomechanical performance of major and minor worker mandibles in Pheidole ants, finding that minor mandibles perform better in strike bites despite expectations.

The evolution of latitudinal ranges in reef-associated fishes: heritability, limits, and inverse Rapoport's rule

This study examines the evolution of latitudinal ranges in reef fish, finding phylogenetic signal, faster evolution of high-latitude limits, and confirmation of inverse Rapoport's rule.

Morphological evolution in the ant reproductive caste

The paper analyzes morphological variation in ant reproductive castes, finding increased dimorphism and accelerated evolution in queens compared to males.

Worker-behavior and behavior-behavior interaction networks in the trap-jaw ant Odontomachus chelifer (Latreille, 1802) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This study uses network analysis to examine worker-behavior and behavior-behavior interactions in trap-jaw ants, revealing structured networks with varying degrees of specialization and key behaviors influencing network organization.

No evidence for dominance-discovery tradeoffs in Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) assemblages

The study tests the dominance-discovery tradeoff in Pheidole ant assemblages and finds no evidence supporting the tradeoff as a mechanism for coexistence.

Evolution in Sinocyclocheilus cavefish is marked by rate shifts, reversals and origin of novel traits

This study analyzes the evolutionary patterns of Sinocyclocheilus cavefish, identifying rate shifts, trait reversals, and novel traits in their morphological evolution.

Phylogenomic Species Delimitation In Microendemic Frogs Of The Brazilian Atlantic Forest

This study evaluates species delimitation in microendemic frogs using phylogenomic data, finding that adding more loci has a stronger impact on model support than prioritizing informative loci.

Phylogenomics of montane frogs of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest supports a scenario of isolation in sky islands followed by relative climatic stability

This study uses phylogenomic data to support a scenario of diversification-by-isolation in sky islands of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest due to climatic stability.