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ETH Career Seed Award [22-2 Seed 010]; DOB Ecology; Bernina Foundation; Juan de la Cierva Incorporacion - Spanish Ministry of Science [IJC2020-043765-I]; Government of the Asturias Principality (REWILDING project, FEDER, GRUPIN) [AYUD/2021/51261]; Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES); Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung, Germany

The extinction of large frugivores has consequences for the recruitment of large-seeded plants with potential lasting effects on carbon storage in tropical rainforests. However, previous studies relating frugivore defaunation to changes in carbon storage ignore potential compensation by redundant frugivores and the effects of seed predators on plant recruitment. Based on empirical data of the recruitment success of a large-seeded hardwood tree species ( Cryptocarya mandioccana , Lauraceae) across a defaunation gradient of seed dispersers and predators, we show that defaunation increases both seed dispersal limitation and seed predation. Depending on the level of seed predator loss, plant recruitment is reduced by 70.7–94.9% as a result of the loss of seed dispersers. The loss of large seed predators increases the net seed mortality by 7–30% due to the increased abundance of small granivorous rodents. The loss of large seed dispersers can be buffered by the compensatory effects of smaller frugivores in seed removal, but it is not sufficient to prevent a decrease in plant recruitment. We show that the conservation of both seed predators and dispersers is necessary for the recruitment of large-seeded plants. Since these plants contribute substantially to carbon stocks, defaunation can jeopardize the maintenance of tropical forest carbon storage.

Frugivory interactions are key plant–animal mutualisms that facilitate seed dispersal and promote ecosystem resilience. However, these interaction networks are increasingly altered by the widespread introduction of non‐native plants through human activities. The integration of such species into frugivory networks—and their consequences for network stability—remains poorly understood. Here, we examined the role of non‐native plants in shaping frugivory network structure and robustness in a human‐modified tropical landscape. Using DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples from 21 frugivorous bird species in Gamboa, Panama, we identified consumed plant species and quantified the contribution of non‐natives to avian diets. Non‐native plants significantly altered network structure, reducing nestedness while increasing connectance and modularity compared to native‐only networks. Extinction simulations revealed that non‐native plants, despite comprising only 28% of plant species, triggered disproportionately higher secondary bird extinctions. Yet, these species showed lower persistence during sequential bird removals, creating a paradox: they act as crucial connectors within the network while simultaneously undermining its stability. Notably, three non‐native species served as key connector species linking network modules. The high connectivity of certain non‐native connector species is particularly concerning given their documented invasive potential in other regions. We anticipate that these findings will inform conservation strategies in human‐modified landscapes, particularly regarding the monitoring and management of highly connected non‐native plants that may both compromise ecosystem stability and facilitate biological invasions. While non‐native plants may provide temporary alternative food resources for adaptable frugivorous birds navigating increasingly human‐modified environments, they simultaneously risk diverting seed dispersers from native plants and undermining long‐term ecosystem integrity. DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples from 21 frugivorous bird species in Gamboa, Panama, was used to assess how non‐native plants influence frugivory network structure. Non‐native species, though comprising only 28% of plants, reduced nestedness, increased connectance and modularity, and caused disproportionately high secondary bird extinctions while showing lower persistence during bird removals. These findings indicate that highly connected non‐native plants can function as key network connectors yet undermine long‐term ecosystem stability, with important implications for conservation and invasive species management.

Assessing the conservation value of restoration plantings is critical to support the global forest landscape restoration movement. We assessed the implications of tree species selection in the restoration of Brazil's Atlantic Forest regarding carbon stocking and species conservation. This assessment was based on a comprehensive dataset of seedling acquisition records from 961 restoration projects,  more than14 million seedlings, 192 forest remnants, and functional data from 1,223 tree species. We found that animal‐dispersed trees with larger seeds tend to have higher seed prices, yet are underrepresented in the seedlings acquired for restoration plantations. Compared to forest remnants, fruit supply potentially offered by the species acquired for restoration plantings is lower for birds, but higher for bats. Reduced abundance of medium‐ and/or large‐seeded, animal‐dispersed trees lead to declines of 2.8–10.6% in simulated potential carbon stocking. Given the uncertainty in these estimates, policy interventions may be needed to encourage greater representation of large‐seeded, animal‐dispersed tree species in Atlantic Forest restorations. These findings provide critical guidance for recovering tree functional diversity, plant‐frugivore mutualistic interactions, and carbon stocking in multi‐species tropical forest restoration plantings.

Scavenging is a widespread feeding strategy involving a diversity of taxa from different trophic levels, from apex predators to obligate scavengers. Scavenger species play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning by removing carcasses, recycling nutrients and preventing disease spread. Understanding the trophic roles of scavenger species can help identify specialized species with unique roles and species that may be more vulnerable to ecological changes. To identify species with specialized roles, we studied three scavenger networks (one in north temperate Spain and two in central‐south Mediterranean Spain) that comprised 25 scavenger species (65% birds and 35% mammals), consuming carcasses of four wild ungulate species. We characterized the trophic role of a species by combining four species‐level network metrics (normalized degree, specialization, closeness, and betweenness centrality) into a single centrality metric, quantifying how scavenger species interact with carcass species within their ecological network. Higher centrality indicates the species feeds on a greater variety of carcasses and may contribute more to carrion consumption than species with lower centrality, which have more peripheral and specialized roles. The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) and the azure‐winged magpie (Cyanopica cyanus) had the highest centrality. In contrast, the red kite (Milvus milvus) in the northern site had the lowest centrality, and the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) was among the most peripheral species for all three networks. In general, scavengers with large home ranges and nocturnal or crepuscular activity patterns tended to have more central roles, whereas species that forage silently tended to have more peripheral roles. Changes in species' centrality between sites and the high centrality of species with large home ranges suggest that management strategies in one location can have implications that extend beyond, highlighting the need to implement coordinated transboundary protection efforts to ensure the resilience and functionality of scavenger networks and derived ecosystem services. We did not plan for a graphical table of content.

Ethanol is one of the most commonly abused drugs and consequently its toxic and psychoactive effect has been widely investigated, although little is known about the time-dependent effects of this drug. In the present research zebrafish was used to assess daily rhythms in ethanol toxicity and behavioural effects, as well as the temporal pattern of expression of key genes involved in ethanol detoxification in the liver (adh8a, adh5, aldh2.1 and aldh2.2). Our results showed marked differences in the mortality rate of zebrafish larvae depending on the time of day of the exposure to 5% ethanol for 1h (82% and 6% mortality in the morning and at night, respectively). A significant daily rhythm was detected with the acrophase located at \"zeitgeber\" time (ZT) = 04:22 h. Behavioural tests exposing zebrafish to 1% ethanol provoked a major decrease in swimming activity (68-84.2% reduction) at ZT2, ZT6 and ZT10. In contrast, exposure at ZT18 stimulated swimming activity (27% increase). During the day fish moved towards the bottom of the tank during ethanol exposure, whereas at night zebrafish increased their activity levels right after the exposure to ethanol. Genes involved in ethanol detoxification failed to show significant daily rhythms in LD, although all of them exhibited circadian regulation in constant darkness (DD) with acrophases in phase and located at the end of the subjective night. Taken altogether, this research revealed the importance of considering the time of day when designing and carrying out toxicological and behavioural tests to investigate the effects of ethanol, as the adverse effects of this drug were more marked when fish were exposed in the morning than at night.

Passiflora is a large and widespread genus of tropical plants that includes over 500 species. Organogenesis-based in vitro plant regeneration systems have long been available for the commercially important species Passiflora edulis, the passionfruit, and for a few other related wild species. Recently, somatic embryogenesis from mature zygotic embryos was reported for passionfruit and for a related wild species, P. cincinnata, although the recovery of entire plants was obtained only for the latter. Here we assessed the in vitro morphogenic responses of zygotic embryos of five different Passiflora species (P. alata Curtis, P. crenata Feuillet & Cremers, P. edulis Sims, P. foetida L. and P. gibertii N.E. Brown) cultured in basal Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.5 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) and different concentrations (13.6, 18.1, 22.6 or 27.1 μM) of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). We characterized these different responses using light and scanning electron microscopy. Somatic embryos were obtained in MS medium supplemented with 4.5 μM BA and either 13.6 or 18.1 μM 2,4-D for all species, except P. foetida for which only indirect shoot organogenesis was observed. Regeneration of entire plants that could be acclimatized was achieved for all species studied. Additionally, our results indicated that the in vitro conditions that promote somatic embryogenesis in some Passiflora species might induce shoot organogenesis in others, suggesting that the conservation of morphogenetic signals among Passiflora species might be limited by their phylogenetic relatedness.

Globally, mental health (MH) problems increasingly affect young people, contributing significantly to disability and disease. In low- and middle-income countries, such as Colombia, barriers to accessing care exacerbate the treatment gap. In addition, the lack of widespread digital interventions further deepens the digital health divide between the Global North and Global South, limiting equitable access to innovative MH solutions. This study aims to co-design and develop an MH platform using participatory design methodologies and conduct a 15-month naturalistic observational trial to assess its feasibility among Colombian youth. This study used a mixed methods approach within a structured research and development cycle. To ensure a user-centered design, we began with a series of co-design workshops, where stakeholders collaboratively identified key user needs. Following this, usability testing was conducted in 2 stages, alpha and beta, using the System Usability Scale (SUS) to assess functionality and user experience. To capture real-world interactions, a naturalistic observational trial ran from July 2022 to October 2023, collecting data on user engagement and system performance. This study integrated quantitative and qualitative analyses. A total of 146 individuals participated in the co-design process, with 110 (75.3%) contributing to the development of platform components and 36 (24.7%) participating in usability testing. The co-designed platform integrated several key features, including social media and advertising, an MH screening tool, registration, targeted psychoeducational resources, automated tailored recommendations, and a \"track-as-you-go\" feature for continuous MH monitoring. Additional elements included user-friendly follow-up graphs, telecounseling integration, customizable well-being nudges, an emergency button, and gamification components to enhance engagement. During usability testing, the beta prototype received a median SUS score of 85.0 (IQR 80-92.5), indicating high usability. In the subsequent observational trial, which ran from July 2022 to October 2023, a total of 435 users interacted with the platform-314 (72.2%) as registered users and 121 (27.8%) anonymously. Emotional distress was prevalent, with 63.7% (200/314) of the registered users and 61.2% (74/121) of the anonymous users reporting distress, as measured by the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Despite 102 users requesting telecounseling, only 26.5% (27/102) completed a session. While usability scores remained high, engagement challenges emerged, with only 18.8% (59/314) of the users continuing platform use beyond the first day. This study explored the development and user experience of a youth MH platform in Colombia, demonstrating that a cocreation approach is both feasible and effective. By actively involving users throughout the design process, the platform achieved high usability and incorporated features that resonated with its target audience. However, sustaining long-term engagement remains a challenge, as does addressing privacy concerns, particularly for younger users. These findings highlight the importance of continuous user-centered refinement to enhance both accessibility and retention in digital MH interventions.

The plant-specific NAM/ATAF/CUC (NAC) transcription factors play critical roles in diverse developmental processes such as the establishment of the shoot apical meristem, lateral root formation, flowering time, senescence, abiotic stress and defense responses. NAC domain transcription factors may be regulated at the transcriptional level by environmental clues, such as hormone concentrations. Here we report the cloning of a Passiflora morifolia putative homolog to a gene encoding a NAC-domain transcription factor, PmNAC1. We have examined the expression patterns of this gene during in vitro callus induction and growth. We observed that the induction of transcript levels of PmNAC1 is correlated to increasing concentrations of 1-naphthalene acetic acid in the culture medium. Additionally, the results of in situ hybridization experiments indicated a dynamic spatial expression pattern for PmNAC1 during callus growth, coincidental with provascular tissue differentiation, especially with xylem cell specification.