SICB journals

Fig. 1. Sample images and size scales of biological and robotic metachronal swimmers, including (A) peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus), modified from Garayev and Murphy (2021). (B) Mysid shrimp (Americamysis bahia), modified from Ruszczyk et al. (2021). (C) Larval lobate ctenophore (Bolinopsis vitrea) (unpublished). (D) Tomopterid worm (Tomopteris krampi), modified from Daniels et al. (2021). (E) Copepod nauplius (Bestiolina similis), modified from Lenz et al. (2015). (F) Ghost shrimp (Palaemonetes sp.) (unpublished). (G) Krillbot (self-propelling robot), Ford and Santhanakrishnan (2020).

ICB

#Metachronal Motion across Scales: Current Challenges and Future Directions
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
by
Margaret Byron

sites.psu.edu/byronlab/
et al

"Here we provide an overview of known commonalities and differences between systems that use metachrony to generate fluid flow."

IOB
"We introduce a new CURE lab tailored for introductory #biology students at the undergraduate level, utilizing #duckweed as a model #organism to investigate #ecological interactions and #environmental management."
J. Daniels et al
doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

#science #teaching #education

Fig. 3 Bolus size measurement. This figure depicts the method used to measure bolus size in visible swallows. Light yellow outlines highlight the cross-sectional area of each bolus, which was converted to mm² after calibration with stainless steel neck collar balls. The bolus lengths provide a visual reference for size but were not used for formal measurements in this study. The animals were habituated to wearing the very light neck collar, which did not appear to affect their posture, natural swallowing behavior, or bolus estimation, even with slight superposition as observed in marmoset F9.

ICB
"Postural analysis revealed older marmosets exhibited more flexed #cervicothoracic and #thoracolumbar angles and increased spinal sinuosity..."
from
Max Sarmet , @mayerllab.bsky.social et al

doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

#biomechanics #dysphagia #physiology #xray #biology

Fig. 2 Potential variation in basal HSP expression patterns across embryonic development in the form of an ontogenetic increase or decrease in expression. Because warmer incubation conditions accelerate development (and therefore reduce incubation duration), we would expect that any ontogenetic change in HSP expression (if present) would occur sooner under warm conditions relative to cool conditions.

IOB
"Understanding #physiological responses to short-term changes in #temperature is of growing interest considering the rising frequency and severity of transient temperatures such as heat waves..."

C R Warren et al
doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

#vertebrates #science #biology #ectotherms

He Built a Server to Protect Indigenous Health Data

LOVE seeing the work on @nativebio.bsky.social and @joseph-yracheta.bsky.social highlighted in the NYT.

More good news of Indigenous data champions!

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/s...

ICB
#Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), with their notable human-like similarities and practical advantages, represent an ideal #biogerontology model, though their swallowing #physiology remains largely underexplored..."

from
Max Sarmet et al
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

Look into IOB co author- Rachel Bowden's
about.illinoisstate.edu/rmbowde/
Some of her #research interests include the development of #immune function in reptiles and the maternal resource provision to offspring.
previous work www.videtteonline.com/features/isu...

Then read
doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

ICB
"From a comparative #biology perspective, this study aims to elucidate swallowing #biomechanics and #physiology across the lifespan of healthy captive common marmosets using cineradiographic imaging."
#Marmoset Swallowing #Physiology...
Max Sarmet et al
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

#science

IOB
"Our study demonstrates the importance of considering #ontogenetic changes in #physiological responses to temperature even across #embryonic development.."
C R Warren @clintonrwarren.bsky.social
et al
doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

#turtles #science

Art in Bio with Jordan Rambo With all the many hardships that persist, we want to take time to focus on the beauty that is still being created. We also recognize that with the increasing recognition of STEAM (Science, Technolo…

ICB's Tuesday blog Art in bio break with Jordan Rambo
integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2026/02/03/a...
"I have seen firsthand how #art encourages people to care, and the more people care, the more willing they are to listen and engage with #conservation..."

IOB's latest from the Bowden lab
read
doi.org/10.1093/iob/...
& meet some of the lab
@clintonrwarren.bsky.social

scholar.google.com/citations?us...

Rachel Bowden & Madison Wilken
about.illinoisstate.edu/rmbowde/rese...

#physiology #HSP #biology #science #turtles

ICB 's
#Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) Swallowing #Physiology: Novel #Dysphagia Model Across Lifespan
Max Sarmet ,
@mayerllab.bsky.social et al
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

#biomechanics #science #biology #academia

https://clintonrwarren.owlstown.net/

IOB - now in issue!
Early Developmental Decline in HSP Expression Affects Subsequent Response to Transient Heat Exposure
@clintonrwarren.bsky.social

clintonrwarren.owlstown.net
et al

doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

#science #biology #ectothermic #invertebrates

Get to know lead ICB author
Sara Citron
stories.ulethbridge.ca/sara-citron/
lead on
Comparative #Anatomy Supports the Evolution of Nocturnality in the #Extinct #Hawaiian #Ibis Apteribis
Citron,
Keirnan
Weisbecker
James
Iwaniuk
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

#birds #avian

Connect with IOB co author C. Loren Buck
who is driven by questions of #organismal #physiology; specifically, #adaptations of animals to extreme environments & organismal responses to changing environments.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/loren-buc...
& read his co authored:

doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

Fig 2 Top: digital reconstructions of the skulls of (A) American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus skull ROM112456), and (B) Apteribis sp. (USNMPAL377837), with azure circle highlighting the orbit and green segment highlighting the optic foramen. Bottom: endocasts of (C) Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), (D) Apteribis sp., (E) Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash), (F) Sharp-tailed Ibis (Cercibis oxycerca), (G) American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), (H) Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), (I) Madagascar Ibis (Lophotibis cristata), (J) Green Ibis (Mesembrinibis cayennensis), (K) Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon), (L) Bare-faced Ibis (Phimosus infuscatus), (M) White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi), (N) Red-naped Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa), (O) Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis), and (P) Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis). The green-marked brain region highlights the optic lobe. Note the reduced optic system of Apteribis for all three traits: orbits, optic foramen, and optic lobes.

" This study provides the first quantitative evidence for the evolution of a kiwi-like niche for a #bird outside New Zealand, and emphasizes the remarkable diversity of #avian lifestyles lost due to #anthropogenic impact..."
ICB's
Sara Citron et al
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

Use of Nonconventional Sample Matrices for Endocrine Studies of Pit Vipers: Assay Validation and Applications Open Access E de Souza , D M D Mello , X Glaudas , E Hingst-Zaher , S M Almeida-Santos , C L Buck Integrative Organismal Biology, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2025, obaf048, https://doi.org/10.1093/iob/obaf048

Erika Hingst-Zaher "Researcher and Museum Director at Instituto Butantan, interested in vertebrate zoology and ecology, as well as science dissemination and outreach" Instagram: @hingstz and @museubiologico_oficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-hingst-zaher-1bb17b37b/ Selma Almeida-Santos "I'm interested in Squamata reproductive biology. I believe that endocrine systems can help us elucidate reproductive patterns and improve our impact on conservation and animal well-being under human care." Instagram: @selma.butantan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selma-butantan-7581ba71/

Meet IOB co authors
Erika Hingst-Zaher
"Researcher and Museum Director at Instituto Butantan, interested in #vertebrate #zoology & #ecology, as well as science dissemination & outreach"
&
Selma Almeida-Santos
"I'm interested in Squamata reproductive biology..."
co authors on
doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

Fig. 1 Digital reconstruction of Apteribis sp. skull (USNMPAL377837) illustrating the osteological measurements taken. (A) Largest circle that fits within the bony orbit. The black line with arrows indicates the circle diameter. (B) Close up of the olfactory sulcus, used as a proxy of the olfactory nerve. The black line with arrows indicates its diameter rostral to the foramina nervus olfactorii. (C) Close up of the foramen nervus ophthalmicus (black arrows) and the foramen nervus maxillomandibularis (white arrows). The area of the foramina was used to quantify the trigeminal nerves V1 (nervus ophtalmicus) and V2 + V3 (nervus maxillomandibularis), respectively. The black and white segments indicate the two perpendicular major diameters used to obtain the elliptical area of the foramina. (D) Close up of the optic foramen, with white segment showing its rostro-caudal maximum diameter. (E) Close up of the distal part of the upper bill, showing the pits of the bill tip organ.

Comparative #Anatomy Supports the #Evolution of #Nocturnality in the Extinct Hawaiian Ibis Apteribis
Citron ,
Keirnan ,
Weisbecker ,
James ,
Iwaniuk
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
"Evolution on islands often generates specialized lifestyles that are rarely seen in continental species..."
#science

Daniela Mello “I find it absolutely mind-blowing that we can explore animal physiology through unconventional — and sometimes unexpected — biological samples.” Xavier Glaudas "My primary research interests lie in animal behavioral and evolutionary ecology. Over the years, my research has mainly revolved around animal foraging, mating systems, space use and defense."

Meet more co authors of IOB's
Use of Nonconventional Sample Matrices for #Endocrine Studies of Pit #Vipers: Assay Validation and Applications
doi.org/10.1093/iob/...
Daniela Mello (@) danimellovet on Insta
&
Xavier Glaudas (@)glaudasx on Insta
read the image description

#snakes #science

Do you know the origins of #SICB 's Bart award?
It was made in honor of
George A. Bartholomew (known as Bart by his colleagues and students)
www.eeb.ucla.edu/dr-george-ba...
read more
sicb.org/awards/georg...
2026's candidate to be announced soon

#science #physiology #biology

ICB's & www.misselasmo.org ,
Jasmin Graham,
issue author and cofounder, shares her #scientist 's
playlist with us.
integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2026/01/27/j...
featuring
@biologycarly.bsky.social
& more
& read the M.I.S.S. issue!

academic.oup.com/icb/issue/65/5

Meet IOB co author of
doi.org/10.1093/iob/...
Eletra de Souza
"I'm interested in various aspects of #wildlife ecology, & I'm excited about coupling different methods to obtain a broader understanding of an animal's #ecology and #behavior."
(@)desouza.eletra Insta
www.linkedin.com/in/eletra-de...

@hippieherper.bsky.social - congrats again on your award and see the special section in our home page dedicated to your work🙌

academic.oup.com/iob

#snakes #ecology #science #scientists

Evolution on islands often generates specialized lifestyles that are rarely seen in continental species. The biota on oceanic islands are, however, prone to extinctions following human colonization, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the lifestyles of species that evolved prior to colonization. For example, the Hawaiian Islands hosted a unique and diverse assemblage of endemic taxa, most of which became extinct following human colonization. Among these is Apteribis (Threskiornitidae), an extinct genus of flightless ibises for which nothing is known of their behaviour and ecology. To gain insight into the foraging behaviour and activity pattern of this unusual genus, we quantified their olfactory, visual, and somatosensory systems from direct measurements of skulls, CT scans, and endocasts. We then compared Apteribis with extant ibises with phylogeny-informed statistics to determine if they differed significantly in any of our measured traits. Our analyses show that the olfactory and somatosensory systems of Apteribis are comparable in size and anatomy to those of extant ibises and it was likely flexible in terms of preferred foraging habitat. In contrast, the visual system of Apteribis is greatly reduced in size, suggesting a nocturnal lifestyle, which is an unprecedent trait among ibises. Our data therefore suggests that Apteribis occupied a niche similar to that of New Zealand kiwi (Apteryx): nocturnal, flightless species that rely on tactile cues from its beak to detect prey. This study provides the first quantitative evidence for the evolution of a kiwi-like niche for a bird outside New Zealand, and emphasizes the remarkable diversity of avian lifestyles lost due to anthropogenic impact.

ICB
Comparative #Anatomy Supports the Evolution of #Nocturnality in the Extinct #Hawaiian Ibis Apteribis
Sara Citron , et al
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
" This study provides the first quantitative evidence for the #evolution of a kiwi-like niche for a #bird outside New Zealand..."

Understanding a species’ physiological state is important for advancing animal ecology and conservation. Endocrine responses to reproduction, stress, and nutritional status are commonly assessed through gonadal, adrenal, and thyroid hormones, respectively. Using nonconventional samples for endocrinological evaluation is an increasingly utilized method but remains uncommon for snakes. In this study, we assessed whether feces, urine, or shed skin from two Neotropical pit vipers (Bothrops jararaca and B. jararacussu) contain detectable testosterone (T), progesterone (P4), 17β-estradiol (E2), corticosterone (CORT), and triiodothyronine (T3) using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). We collected samples from 23 individuals, 10 B. jararaca and 13 B. jararacussu, and assessed detectability of hormones and/or immunoreactive hormone metabolites (IHM). We used tests of parallelism and accuracy to validate assays. Triiodothyronine was not detected in urine of either species; all other hormones were detected in all matrices. Testosterone and T3 showed good parallelism for all matrices tested. Parallelism tests for E2 (urine, both species), CORT (urine, B. jararaca, and shed skin, B. jararacussu), and P4 (urine, B. jararaca) showed marginally acceptable results. All accuracy validations were successful, except for T3 in shed skin extract (B. jararacussu) and P4 in urine extract (B. jararaca). This study demonstrates the applicability of nonconventional samples for hormone and IHM detection and quantification, offering valuable tools to monitor the endocrinological status of both free-ranging and confined snakes.

IOB
Use of Nonconventional Sample Matrices for #Endocrine Studies of Pit Vipers: Assay Validation and Applications
de Souza ,
Mello ,
Glaudas ,
Hingst-Zaher ,
Almeida-Santos ,
Buck
doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

#snakes #science #conservation #hormones #academia #vipers

Sunday #book review by IOB author @arielkahrl.bsky.social

The Book of Frogs, second edition” by O’Shea & Halliday is a perfect resource for someone who wants an up-to-date, detailed, & engaging introduction to the natural history, #taxonomy, & diversity of #frogs..."

iobopen.com/2026/01/25/t...

Fig. 4 Corella willmeriana captured and ingested light crude oil droplets, viewed with a light (left column) and TRITC autofluorescence (right column). (A, B, C, D) Droplets captured by the branchial basket of an individual after the feeding period. (E, F) Gut content. (G, H) Fecal matter. Arrows point to a sample of oil droplets. Scale bar: 200 μm.

connect with IOB co author

@invertevo.bsky.social

mapageweb.umontreal.ca/cameroc/

of

Oil Droplet Capture by #Tunicates

C B Cameron et al

doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

#science #invertebrates

Get to know ICB's authors of
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
Vicente-Santos ,
news.emory.edu/features/202...
Sandoval-Herrera ,
naivosh.wixsite.com/consphysio
Czirják ,
www.izw-berlin.de/en/gabor-czi...
Neely ,
benjaminneely.com

@danjbecker.bsky.social
beckerlab.weebly.com

#disease #conservation

Thanks so much @chijing-leow.bsky.social 🙌we greatly appreciate all you do for your science community!

a seal is sticking its tongue out in front of a stadium that has the word gators on it Alt: Proteomics as a tool for wildlife health and conservation: insights from California sea lions box 2 in the paper

“…The ability to detect and monitor #disease at the molecular level can bridge critical knowledge gaps in wildlife health management, ultimately strengthening #conservation efforts…”

ICB
Vicente-Santos et al

doi.org/10.1093/icb/...