Members of the genus Nannizziopsis are emerging fungal pathogens of reptiles that have been documented as the cause of fatal mycoses in a wide range of reptiles in captivity. Cases of severe, proliferative dermatitis, debility and death have been detected in multiple free-living lizard species from locations across Australia, including a substantial outbreak among Eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii) in Brisbane, Queensland. We investigated this disease in a subset of severely affected lizards and identified a clinically consistent syndrome characterized by hyperkeratosis, epidermal hyperplasia, dermal inflammation, necrosis, ulceration, and emaciation. Using a novel fungal isolation method, histopathology, and molecular techniques, we identified the etiologic agent as Nannizziopsis barbatae, a species reported only once previously from captive lizards in Australia. Here we report severe dermatomycosis caused by N. barbatae in five species of Australian lizard, representing the first cases of Nannizziopsis infection among free-living reptiles, globally. Further, we evaluate key pathogen and host characteristics that indicate N. barbatae-associated dermatomycosis may pose a concerning threat to Australian lizards.
Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is pervasive across taxa and reflects differences in the effects of sexual and natural selection on body size between the sexes. However, disentangling the complex eco‐evolutionary interactions between these two mechanisms remains a major challenge for biologists.
Here, we combine macro‐evolutionary (between‐species), local evolutionary (between‐population) and fine‐scale evolutionary (within‐population) patterns of SSD to explore how sexual and natural selection interact and shape the evolution of SSD in Australian agamid lizards. Australian agamid lizards show substantial variation in SSD, ecological traits and species density making them an ideal study system to address this question.
At the between‐species level, population density, ecological generalism and mean species size significantly predict SSD variation; however, only ecological generalism was found to significantly explain variation in larger‐than‐average male‐biased SSD. At the population level, density positively correlated with SSD in native habitats, but not city park habitats. Last, agonistic behaviour acted as the primary driver of SSD at the within‐population level.
Our results indicate how sexual and natural selection can interact at different evolutionary scales, and show the importance of considering both selective mechanisms when investigating patterns of SSD.
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Herbal remedies are popular in the UK, but there is evidence that some of the most commonly used herbs can interact with conventional drugs, sometimes with potentially serious consequences. This article looks at four common herbal remedies and examines the scientific evidence for their interactions with drugs.
Herbal remedies are popular in the UK, but there is evidence that some of the most commonly used herbs can interact with conventional drugs, sometimes with potentially serious consequences. This article looks at four common herbal remedies and examines the scientific evidence for their interactions with drugs.
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