enhancing-an-avian-sound-recognition-model-s-detection-precision-via

Enhancing an Avian Sound Recognition Model&#39;s Detection Precision via Logistic Regression of Large Acoustic Datasets: A Case Study of the European Robin (<em>Erithacus rubecula</em>)

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has become an invaluable tool for biodiversity research, enabling the non-invasive collection of vast datasets. However, ...

Liverpool John Moores University

The influence of visitor behaviour and sound pressure levels on zoo animals remains unclear.

Investigating the Impact of Acoustic Environment and Human Presence on Okapi Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites.

The Atlantic Forest broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) inhabits regions within one of the world's most ecologically diverse ecosystems, yet few studies have explored the relationship between body condition, blood biochemistry, and environmental factors in the wild. Our study investigated the effects of sex, ontogeny, habitat, and environmental variables on the body condition and blood biochemistry of free-ranging caimans from the state of Alagoas, Northeast Brazil. From 2020 to 2022, we captured 75 caimans across three sites in different seasons. Results revealed sex-specific responses to seasonal and Interannual weather changes, with females showing higher body condition in the wet season, while males peaked in the dry season. Elevated glucose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, and fructosamine were linked to higher body condition and larger individuals, while elevated aspartate aminotransferase to low body condition. Seasonal rainfall influenced blood parameters, with the dry season associated with higher creatinine, calcium, and alanine aminotransferase levels, and the wet season with higher total protein, sodium, and potassium. Differences in glucose, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase across sites pointed to physiological effects of human activities. Blood biochemical values varied widely, with some exceeding reported species ranges. These findings highlight the need to interpret physiological data within the context of local habitat and environmental conditions. Conservation strategies should go beyond species presence and habitat preservation, incorporating pollution control. Our study advances understanding of Caiman latirostris ecophysiology, offering valuable insights for the conservation and management of crocodilian populations in both wild and captive environments.

Body Condition and Blood Biochemistry of Free-Range Caiman latirostris in Northeast Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

In this study, we present the first comprehensive scientometric analysis of research on the domestic cat microbiome, providing a transparent and data-driven overview of the field. We examined 282 publications on the microbiome of domestic cats (Felis catus) to uncover dominant research themes, methodological patterns, microbial niches, and knowledge gaps. Our results reveal a sharp rise in publications since 2012, with a peak in 2024, where most work is concentrated in high-income countries and driven by a small number of academic institutions. Current efforts are heavily focused on the bacterial gut microbiome, typically using genomic tools for taxonomic profiling in comparative designs. In contrast, research on other microbial communities (e.g., oral or skin), non-bacterial taxa, functional analyses, and behavioural outcomes remains scarce, with behavioural studies virtually absent. Although some studies report health-related effects, mainly positive or neutral, the functional roles of the microbiota and their possible influence on feline behaviour remain largely unexplored. By mapping these trends and gaps, our study provides a strategic framework for advancing microbiome research in domestic cats. These findings highlight priority areas and methodological opportunities that can guide future investigations, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and ultimately deepen our understanding of the intricate links between microbial ecology, feline health, and behaviour. Studies connecting the microbiome with feline diseases, behaviour, and diet are strongly encouraged, given their high applicability to everyday animal care and management. Such research has the potential to improve both feline health and welfare, while also strengthening the human-cat bond.

The domestic cat microbiome: mapping knowledge gaps through scientometric analysis in feline microbial research.

The broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) is a key species in South American wetlands with ecological, cultural, and economic importance. Despite its significance, no systematic effort has quantified research trends and gaps. This study integrated bibliometric mapping and systematic review to analyze 484 publications, focusing on geographic distribution, research topics, and collaborative networks. Research is geographically and thematically imbalanced, dominated by Argentina and Brazil, and focused on physiology, toxicology, and reproduction, often under captive settings. Ecological and conservation-oriented studies on habitat-specific dynamics and anthropogenic impacts remain underrepresented. Keyword analysis identifies population ecology, habitat-specific studies, and conservation actions as key gaps. The role of C. latirostris as a sentinel species underscores the need to expand field-based research and conservation strategies that go beyond preserving physical habitats to include pollution control policies. Collaborative networks remain geographically clustered, underscoring the importance of fostering international partnerships. This study provides actionable recommendations to align research with conservation priorities, including prioritizing underrepresented regions, increasing field-based studies, addressing anthropogenic impacts, promoting regional capacity-building, and integrating grey literature into accessible databases. Beyond addressing C. latirostris, the results establish a replicable framework for identifying priorities and research gaps in other taxa, advancing conservation biology by bridging science with practice.

Mapping knowledge to guide conservation action: Trends in broad-snouted caiman research.

Zoos are increasingly hosting out-of-hours events such as 'Music Nights' to increase visitation, raising potential animal welfare concerns due to anthropogenic noise pollution. This study examined the physiological stress response, measured through faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGCM), of Bornean orangutans (;  = 6) at Twycross Zoo during four consecutive weekends of live music events. Faecal samples were collected over these weekends and compared with a comprehensive 24 h acoustic analysis of the enclosure. The acoustic data indicated that the environment was dominated by noise from the ventilation system, which masked the sound from the live music. Comparisons of acoustic metrics between Event and Non-Event periods showed that LAeq, LA10, and LA90 were significantly higher during event hours or open zoo periods. In contrast, daily means did not differ. Group-averaged FGCM concentrations were higher on Event days (mean ± SE: Event = 826 ± 99 ng/g; No Event = 701 ± 44 ng/g), but comparisons for each individual showed no significant differences (Batu:  = 0.577,  = 0.596; Maliku:  = 1.475,  = 0.212; Molly:  = 0.290,  = 0.786; Kibriah:  = 0.771,  = 0.506). In contrast, FGCM concentrations increased significantly with increasing acoustic levels (LAeq) across individuals, with Batu and Maliku generally showing higher FGCM levels in response to louder days. These findings suggest that the constant background noise may have caused partial habituation. At the same time, individual variation highlights the importance of assessing physiological responses at the individual level, as relying on group-level data may overlook adverse welfare effects on sensitive individuals.

Effect of Noise on Bornean Orangutans' Glucocorticoid Metabolite (GCM) Levels.

The black caiman (Melanosuchus niger, Spix, 1825) is a crocodilian species endemic to the Amazon biome, that nests within a defined nesting season bridging the local dry and wet seasons. Eggs are deposited in a mound of fresh and old vegetation, but little is known about the thermal relations of M. niger nests and their influence on embryo development rates and total incubation time. We present data for 7 wild nests from the southwestern Brazilian Amazon, gathered in 2019 and 2024. The mean incubation period from laying to hatching was 77.1 ± 8.3 days (SD; range 71.3-93.8 days). Nest temperatures were subject to daily cycling and baseline shifts over time, and had an overall mean of 31.6 ± 1.65 °C (range 27.2 °C-35.9 °C). The nests insulate and buffer the eggs against ambient temperature extremes. Mean nest temperature increases with nest size, and precipitation causes baseline declines in temperature. High nest temperatures (33.6 ± 1.39 °C) in one nest disrupted normal embryo development, and may have affected another. Embryo development rates within 6 nests, and their interactions with nest temperatures, survival to hatching and development time between laying and hatching are investigated. Based on nest temperatures we consider it likely that the M. niger nests we studied would have produced hatchlings with a female bias but could not confirm it.

Article	Year
Investigating the Impact of Acoustic Environment and Human Presence on Okapi Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites. Noise & health\| PubMed ID: 41482903	2025
Body Condition and Blood Biochemistry of Free-Range Caiman latirostris in Northeast Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Journal of experimental zoology. Part A, Ecological and integrative physiology\| PubMed ID: 39803886	2025
The domestic cat microbiome: mapping knowledge gaps through scientometric analysis in feline microbial research. Veterinary research communications\| PubMed ID: 41160321	2025
Mapping knowledge to guide conservation action: Trends in broad-snouted caiman research. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias\| PubMed ID: 41370442	2025
Effect of Noise on Bornean Orangutans' Glucocorticoid Metabolite (GCM) Levels. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI\| PubMed ID: 41375443	2025
Thermal ecology and embryonic development in black caiman's (Melanosuchus niger, Spix 1758). Journal of thermal biology\| PubMed ID: 41435628	2026
Corrigendum to "Thermal ecology and embryonic development in black caiman's (Melanosuchus niger, Spix 1758)" [J. Therm. Biol. (2026) 104357]. Journal of thermal biology\| PubMed ID: 41651709	2026

Luiza Passos

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