Both P3-4 differs from the very large species Plesiogulo botori from late Miocene of Kenya and Ethiopia. This confirms the existence of two distinct large species of Plesiogulo in Africa during the Mio/Pliocene, P. Ki16425 botori in the Late Miocene of Eastern Africa (6.1-5.5 Ma) and Plesiogulo aff. monspessulanus at the beginning of the Pliocene in southern Africa (5.2 Ma). Lastly, we report for the first time the presence of both Sivaonyx and Plesiogulo in MPPM and LQSM at Langebaanweg, suggesting that the differences observed from the locality may be produced by sedimentation or sampling biases instead of temporal replacement within the carnivoran guild.The use of ecological models enables determining the current distribution of species, but also their past distribution when matching climatic conditions are available. In specific cases, they can also be used to determine the likelihood of fossils to belong to the same species-under the hypothesis that all individuals of a species have the same ecological requirements. Here, using environmental modeling, we reconstructed the distribution of the Mongolian toad, Strauchbufo raddei, since the Last Glacial Maximum and thus covering the time period between the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene. We found the range of the species to have shifted over time, with the LGM population clustered around the current southern range of the species, before expanding east and north during the Pleistocene, and reaching the current range since the mid-Holocene. Finally, we determined that the ecological conditions during the life-time of the mid-Pleistocene fossils attributed to the species in Europe were too different from the one of the extant species or fossils occurring at the same period in Asia to belong to the same species.Background Depending on the stroke and distances of the events, swim starts have been estimated to account for 0.8% to 26.1% of the overall race time, with the latter representing the percentage in a 50 m sprint front crawl event (Cossor & Mason, 2001). However, it is still somewhat unclear what are the key physiological characteristics underpinning swim start performance. The primary aim of this study was to develop a multiple regression model to determine key lower body force-time predictors using the squat jump for swim start performance as assessed by time to 5 m and 15 m in national and international level swimmers. A secondary aim was to determine if any differences exist between males and females in jump performance predictors for swim start performance. Methods A total of 38 males (age 21 ± 3.1 years, height 1.83 ± 0.08 m, body mass 76.7 ± 10.2 kg) and 34 females (age 20.1 ± 3.2 years, height 1.73 ± 0.06 m, body mass 64.8 ± 8.4 kg) who had competed at either an elite (n = 31) or national level (n = 41 time to 5 m (R 2 = 0.689). Variables that were statistically significant predictors of time to 15 m in females were concentric impulse, body mass, concentric rate of power development and Reactive strength index modified (R 2 = 0.841). Discussion The results of this study highlight the importance of lower body power and strength for swim start performance, although being able to produce greater than 200 or 230 N.s concentric impulse in squat jump did not necessarily increase swim start performance over 5 m and 15 m, respectively. Swimmers who can already generate greater levels of concentric impulse may benefit more from improving their rate of force development and/or technical aspects of the swim start performance. The sex-related differences in key force-time predictors suggest that male and female swimmers may require individualised strength and conditioning programs and regular monitoring of performance.Cell culture provides useful model systems used in a wide range of biological applications, but its utility in marine invertebrates is limited due to the lack of immortalised cell lines. Primary cell and tissue cultures are typically used but remain poorly characterised for oysters, which can cause issues with experimental consistency and reproducibility. Improvements to methods of repeatable isolation, culture, and characterisation of oyster cells and tissues are required to help address these issues. In the current study, systematic improvements have been developed to facilitate the culture of primary cells from adult Pacific oyster tissues and identify novel cell morphologies that have not been reported previously. Cultures analysed by light microscopy, qPCR, and live cell imaging demonstrated maintenance of live, metabolically active Pacific oyster cells for several weeks post-explant. Interestingly, whole hearts dissected from adult oysters were found to continue contracting rhythmically up to 8 weeks after being transferred to a tissue culture system. Mantle tissue explants were also actively moving in the culture system. These improvements in primary cell culture of bivalves may be beneficial for research in ecotoxicology, virology, immunology, and genetic resistance to disease.Divergences between agricultural management can result in different types of biological interactions between plants and microorganisms, which may affect food quality and productivity. Conventional practices are well-established in the agroindustry as very efficient and lucrative; however, the increasing demand for sustainable alternatives has turned attention towards agroecological approaches. Here we intend to explore microbial dynamics according to the agricultural management used, based on the composition and structure of these bacterial communities on the most environmentally exposed habitat, the phyllosphere. Leaf samples were collected from a Citrus crop (cultivated Orange) in Mogi-Guaçu (SP, Brazil), where either conventional or ecological management systems were properly applied in two different areas. NGS sequencing analysis and quantitative PCR allowed us to comprehend the phyllosphere behavior and µ-XRF (micro X-ray fluorescence) could provide an insight on agrochemical persistence on foliar tissues. Our results demonstrate that there is considerable variation in the phyllosphere community due to the management practices used in the citrus orchard, and it was possible to quantify most of this variation. Equally, high copper concentrations may have influenced bacterial abundance, having a relevant impact on the differences observed. Moreover, we highlight the intricate relationship microorganisms have with crop production, and presumably with crop yield as well.