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Microsatellite Marker Development by Multiplex Ion Torrent PGM Sequencing: a Case Study of the Endangered Odorrana narina Complex of Frogs

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2014 — WHE8EF233C1A7

Researchers successfully developed 20 new microsatellite markers for the endangered Ryukyu tip-nosed frog (Odorrana narina) complex using Ion Torrent PGM™ sequencing, demonstrating its efficiency and cost-effectiveness for genetic studies. These markers showed high cross-amplification success across related species (O. amamiensis, O. supranarina, and O. utsunomiyaorum), with 17, 16, and 13 loci amplifying respectively, reflecting their close genetic relationships. The study also revealed that allele diversity and heterozygosity varied by island size, suggesting potential implications for speciation and adaptation. These markers will aid in conservation genetics and molecular ecological research, providing valuable tools for studying these threatened amphibians across their fragmented habitats.

Migrations of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) between Nesting and Foraging Grounds across the Coral Sea

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems — 2014 — WHEB95E1DBF84

A significant discovery in the study of green turtle migrations reveals that turtles foraging in New Caledonia's lagoons nest along the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) and vice versa, despite the availability of local foraging grounds. This long-distance migration pattern, spanning 1200 to 2680 kilometers, challenges conventional understanding of energetically efficient movement behaviors. Analysis of 50 years of tagging data from Queensland and New Caledonia identified 97 migrations, with most recovered turtles in New Caledonia originating from the southern Great Barrier Reef genetic stock. Notably, two females exhibited fidelity to distant foraging sites, highlighting previously unknown migration pathways within the Coral Sea. This research sheds light on the complex movement patterns of endangered marine megafauna and their implications for conservation management.

Minerals in the Foods Eaten by Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei)

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — 2014 — WHE8CCEE337A3

Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, primarily obtain minerals from herbaceous leaves, which form the bulk of their diet. However, less commonly eaten foods were found to be higher in specific minerals, suggesting these items may play a crucial role in meeting gorillas' mineral requirements. A principal component analysis revealed little correlation among minerals in different food items, indicating that mountain gorillas likely increase dietary diversity to ensure they acquire a full range of essential minerals. The study highlights the importance of understanding mineral bioavailability and its implications for gorilla health, emphasizing the need for further research to assess whether suboptimal mineral balance in their diet could have adverse consequences.

Mitochondrial DNA from El Mirador Cave (Atapuerca, Spain) Reveals the Heterogeneity of Chalcolithic Populations

Archaeological Site of Atapuerca — 2014 — WHEE0D373F391

A new analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from El Mirador Cave, Spain, challenges the notion that the Bell Beaker culture's expansion shaped the genetic landscape of Chalcolithic Europe. The study reveals that this Iberian population, dated to 4,760-4,200 years BP, shares affinities with Near Eastern groups and clusters genetically with Middle and Late Neolithic populations from Germany, rather than contemporaneous Bell Beakers. This suggests a heterogeneous genetic landscape among Chalcolithic groups in Europe, contradicting the assumption that haplogroup H's distribution was solely driven by the Bell Beaker culture's expansion. The research analyzed mtDNA sequences from 19 individuals, comparing them with modern and ancient populations to uncover these genetic connections.

Mitteilungen aus Athos-Handschriften

Mount Athos — 2014 — WHE0E43905865

Three previously unknown manuscripts of classical authors, including the oldest extant fragments of Sextus Empiricus and Cleomedes from the 10th century, have been discovered in Mount Athos' libraries. Additionally, a hitherto overlooked 13th-century manuscript of Homer's Iliad was identified in the Lavra library. These findings significantly expand the known corpus of ancient texts preserved on Mount Athos, with two fragments from Vatopedi dating back to the 10th century and representing the earliest witnesses for their respective authors. The study highlights the importance of Mount Athos as a repository of classical manuscripts, contributing valuable insights into the transmission of ancient literature.

Modal Analysis for the Rehabilitation Assessment of the Luiz I Bridge

Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar — 2014 — WHE77CBC84FFD

A recent modal analysis of the Luiz I Bridge, a historic steel-arch bridge in Porto, Portugal, revealed significant changes in its dynamic properties following rehabilitation and strengthening. The study compared ambient vibration data collected before and after construction works, highlighting variations in stiffness and modal parameters. These findings challenge the necessity for mandatory static field testing by demonstrating that dynamic testing alone can effectively assess structural behavior post-rehabilitation. Researchers used experimentally validated 3D finite-element models to simulate both phases, providing insights into how support conditions and deck structures influence bridge dynamics. This dual-testing approach offers a valuable method for verifying predicted behavior during design stages.

Modeling episodic fluid‐release events in the ductile carbonates of the Glarus thrust

Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona — 2014 — WHE5A79B09861

Research on the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona reveals that episodic fluid-release events, driven by carbonate decomposition and shear heating, are key to the movement of the Glarus thrust. This midcrustal deformation structure, characterized by tens of kilometers of displacement on an ultrathin layer (the principal slip zone), exhibits periodic stick-slip behavior due to overpressured fluids. The study demonstrates that slow ductile creep deformation raises temperatures through shear heating, triggering carbonate decomposition and the subsequent release of highly pressurized fluids. These fluids lubricate the principal slip zone, enabling significant movement along millimeter-thick bands. This model identifies carbonate decomposition as a critical process for thrust motion and explains the source of overpressured fluids accessing the slip zone.

Modelling and analyzing the surface fire behaviour in Hyrcanian forest of Iran

Hyrcanian Forests — 2014 — WHEB5ED20F3CE

Surface fires in the Hyrcanian Forests of Iran exhibit distinct behaviors depending on litter type and environmental factors. Beech (Fagus orientalis L.) litter results in the largest burned area, while maple (Acer velutinum L.) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) litters influence fire spread parallelly and perpendicularly to contour lines, respectively. Fire behavior also varies with slope gradient, showing irregular increases in burned area as slopes steepen. Litter thickness significantly affects fire direction, particularly with hornbeam litter. The study used mathematical models in Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 to simulate surface fires over 30 minutes, analyzing parameters like wind velocity, slope, and litter characteristics associated with four tree species: beech, Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica C.A.M), maple, and hornbeam.

Modelling Tourism in the Galapagos Islands: An Agent-Based Model Approach

Galápagos Islands — 2014 — WHED1E522BB28

An agent-based model (ABM) successfully replicates real-world tourism dynamics in the Galápagos Islands, offering insights into how environmental changes could reshape the archipelago's touristic market. The model simulates tourist behavior and accommodation offers, aligning closely with field survey data. Preliminary simulations revealed emergent patterns that could guide policy decisions, demonstrating the ABM's potential as a tool for predicting tourism impacts on social-ecological systems.

Modern Landscape Management Using Andean Technology Developed by the Inca Empire

Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture — 2014 — WHE4A5C6FFEDD

A prolonged drought from 900 to 1400 AD significantly disrupted food production in the central Andes, contributing to the collapse of Tiwanaku and Wari cultures. The subsequent rise of the Inca Empire was likely facilitated by their advanced precision farming techniques, which enabled them to thrive in variable climates. This study highlights the resilience of Andean technology, demonstrating its effectiveness in modern landscape management despite adverse environmental conditions.

Modes of Religiosity and the Evolution of Social Complexity at Çatalhöyük

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2014 — WHE4F65F66A20

Research at Çatalhöyük suggests that religious routinization played a pivotal role in the emergence of complex Neolithic societies. The study proposes that as rituals became more frequent, they transitioned from binding small tribal groups to fostering larger, more diffuse identities, coinciding with agricultural intensification. This shift in religion's vitality—from esoteric mystery cults to more ideologically uniform practices—facilitated the evolution of social complexity, though elite exploitation of this religious structure occurred later. The findings reconcile the dual roles of religion as both a source of social cohesion and a tool for legitimizing hierarchical structures.

Mohenjo-Daro, Indus Valley Civilization: Water Supply and Water Use in One of the Largest Bronze Age Cities of the Third Millennium bc

Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro — 2014 — WHE671FE3A398

Recent archaeological research at Mohenjo-Daro, the probable capital of the Indus Valley Civilization, reveals that the city's true extent was significantly larger than previously thought. Drillings and deep soundings indicate that over 3 million square meters—three times the currently visible area—were buried under alluvial silts deposited by the Indus River over 4,500 years. This suggests that the ancient city was much lower in elevation than today's landscape, with the river having silted up its valley by more than 7 meters near Mohenjo-Daro. The study also highlights the uniformity of the city's material culture and architecture, built primarily from bricks of standardized proportions (1:2:4), with notable exceptions like cylindrical structures formed using conically shaped bricks.

Molecular dating of Winteraceae reveals a complex biogeographical history involving both ancient Gondwanan vicariance and long‐distance dispersal

Lord Howe Island Group — 2014 — WHEA2B536E77C

A molecular dating analysis of Winteraceae reveals a complex biogeographical history shaped by both ancient Gondwanan vicariance and long-distance dispersal. The study estimates the crown-group age of Winteraceae at 91.2 million years ago (Ma), with a confidence interval ranging from 118 to 67 Ma, providing robust evidence for the origin of Takhtajania perrieri in Madagascar through Gondwanan vicariance—the only angiosperm for which this has been confidently demonstrated. The analysis also identifies sister clades within the Bubbia/Zygogynum group, one from New Caledonia and another including Australian species, including those from Lord Howe Island. This suggests a dynamic interplay of continental rifting, submergence, exhumation, dispersal, and extinctions in shaping the family's distribution.

Molecular Phylogenetic Affinities ofScarus obishimeRandall & Earle, 1993, Endemic to the Pacific Ocean Archipelago of Ogasawara (Japan)

Ogasawara Islands — 2014 — WHE27A70983B1

A rare parrotfish, Scarus obishime, endemic to the Ogasawara Islands, shares close phylogenetic affinities with Scarus ovifrons, a species found along Japan's southern coasts. This is the first formal molecular analysis confirming their relationship using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences from two specimens of S. obishime. The study analyzed partial sequences of one nuclear gene (S7 ribosomal protein intron 1) and two mitochondrial regions (control region and 16S rRNA), comparing them with published data from related species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a robust affinity between the two species, while also suggesting a partially shared evolutionary history involving an Arabian lineage, Scarus arabicus. This insight sheds light on the complex evolutionary pathways of parrotfish in the Pacific and adjacent regions.

Molecular phylogenetics of theHandleyomys chapmanicomplex in Mesoamerica

Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica — 2014 — WHEDBA7E64041

A new analysis of Handleyomys chapmani, a Mexican endemic rodent, reveals that the species is paraphyletic, comprising two distinct evolutionary lineages that diverged during late Pleistocene climatic shifts. Using mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, researchers mapped these clades to the Sierra Madre Oriental-Oaxacan Highlands and Sierra Madre del Sur mountain ranges, with H. saturatior emerging as a sister lineage to one clade. The study suggests that geographic barriers like the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley reinforced their isolation, necessitating a reevaluation of H. chapmani's conservation status due to its reduced distributional range.

Monticello

Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville — 2014 — WHE894385C44E

The restoration of Monticello's landscape, while grounded in Jefferson's extensive archives and archaeological research, ultimately represents an 'evocation' rather than a complete reconstruction. This approach lays the foundation for future preservation efforts by blending historical documentation with innovative interpretations. The study combines written records, Jefferson's personal notes, and archaeological findings to create a plausible representation of his visionary garden, acknowledging the inherent challenges in fully recovering the original design.

Monument of Love or Symbol of Maternal Death: The Story Behind the Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal — 2014 — WHEEDFE828B61

A comparative analysis of the Taj Mahal reveals enduring parallels between maternal death 382 years ago and contemporary India, highlighting persistent issues in reproductive health despite progress. The study underscores gender disparities in decision-making power, drawing inspiration from historical solutions like Queen Ulrika Eleonora's initiatives to propose actionable strategies for improving maternal health outcomes today. By juxtaposing the symbolism of the Taj Mahal with modern challenges, this research advocates for visionary policy interventions to reduce maternal mortality rates and address systemic barriers in healthcare access.

Moonlight-related mortality: lunar conditions and roadkill occurrence in the Amami Woodcock Scolopax mira

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island — 2014 — WHEE48CB8EF7A

Roadkill occurrence in the endangered Amami Woodcock (Scolopax mira) is strongly influenced by lunar conditions, with mortality peaking during the waxing moon phase, particularly between dusk and midnight. This pattern aligns with the species' nighttime road activity and matches historical roadkill records, especially during its breeding season (February to May). The study also found that 90% of nighttime traffic at hotspots occurs before midnight. These insights suggest that reducing vehicle speed on moonlit nights, particularly several days before a full moon in March, could significantly mitigate roadkill risks for this species. The interplay of woodcock behavior, lunar conditions, and traffic trends provides critical evidence for targeted conservation strategies, highlighting the broader potential impact of moonlight on nocturnal animal-vehicle collisions.

More than sense of place? Exploring the emotional dimension of rural tourism experiences

The English Lake District — 2014 — WHEBDC4C31746

Rural tourism in the English Lake District induces strong emotional and spiritual responses, independent of individuals' openness to spirituality or sense of place. The study found that engaging physically with the landscape—becoming part of it—was fundamental to these experiences. All respondents reported highly emotive encounters, with interpretations shaped by personal beliefs rather than a pre-existing attachment to rurality. This challenges the notion that sense of place is a prerequisite for emotional fulfillment in tourism, highlighting the profound impact of immersive, physical engagement with nature.

Morphologic-anthropological investigations in tomb K93.12 at Dra' Abu el-Naga (Western Thebes, Egypt

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis — 2014 — WHEB745C07B41

A detailed morphologic-anthropological study of tomb K93.12 at Dra' Abu el-Naga, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, reveals significant insights into the health and demographic structure of individuals buried in this ancient Egyptian necropolis from the 18th to the 26th dynasties. The analysis of 79 partly reconstructed skeletal remains indicates a male predominance, with a high percentage of young children (< 6 years) and adults aged 20-40 years. Paleopathological examination uncovered a high prevalence of stress markers like cribra orbitalia in younger individuals, along with dental diseases, degenerative conditions, and a possible case of ankylosing spondylitis. Additionally, 13 mummies from an intrusive waste pit were attributed to three distinct earlier time periods based on mummification styles and materials, providing further context to the tomb's reuse history.