Review Articles

A review of current knowledge of the mosquito and vertebrate host species for Zika virus, mechanisms of vector-borne transmission, and the possible scenarios of recent Zika virus emergence and evolution, including potential spillback from urban to zoonotic cycles.

This Review discusses recent advances in our understanding of the evolutionary importance of ancient hybridization, adaptive introgression, and hybrid speciation brought about by whole genome data of non-model organisms.

Migratory species are often exploited by resident predators. Here, the authors review the extent to which prey induce large-scale movements of predators, and outline a framework for the ecological consequences of coupled migrations.

The bilaterian mouth and anus evolved from a simple gut with one gastric opening. Here, the authors review comparative data on several organisms and conclude that the single opening probably evolved into both mouth and anus (amphistomy).

Individual differences in behaviour have been of great interest to behavioural geneticists in recent years. This Review examines the genomic tools available to study such differences, and the pitfalls to avoid.

The poor reputation of predator and scavenger species belies their benefits to people, which include disease regulation, contributions to agriculture and waste disposal. These services should be emphasized in conservation considerations.

Invasive species can affect pollination in various ways, including altered ecological networks, new disease threats and reduced nutrition. This Review assesses these threats and builds on the IPBES report on pollinators.

Incorporating marine biomes into the planetary boundaries framework promotes integrated understanding of biophysical limits and earth system governance.

Bayesian phylogenetic methods are very popular among evolutionary biologists and ecologists. This Review summarizes the major features of Bayesian inference and discusses several practical aspects of Bayesian computation.

Assessing development challenges for fisheries-dependent countries based on analyses of interactions and trade-offs between goals focusing on food, biodiversity and climate change.

Multiple interacting factors have contributed to the rapid decline of honeybee populations worldwide. Here, the authors review the impact of parasites and pathogens, and how ecological and evolutionary principles can guide management practices.

Bisulfite sequencing is widely used to study genome-scale DNA methylation. In this Review, the authors discuss methodological and statistical considerations related to bisulfite sequencing that are particularly relevant when studying non-model organisms.

The evolution of complex adaptations poses conceptual challenges. Here, the authors discuss adaptive and non-adaptive scenarios in the evolution of complex adaptations and propose molecular mechanisms that provide access to new adaptive paths.

The widespread occurrence of microscopic plastic particles in the ocean is of both and ecological and societal concern. Here, the authors review the biological impacts of interactions with microplastics in the marine environment.

The Nutrient Network is a globally distributed, coordinated grassland ecology experiment. Here, the first decade of this network is reviewed, including insights into ecosystem productivity, stability and the effects of herbivores and invasive species.

The evolution of organs requires changes in multiple tissues and is underpinned by complex molecular mechanisms. In this Review, the authors use the evolution of the placenta in vertebrates as a model to discuss the genetic processes involved in organ origins.

A full understanding of speciation requires the integration of knowledge at the macro and micro evolutionary scales. Here, the authors discuss the developmental processes associated with variation within plant species and morphological innovations that promote speciation in plants.

miRNAs are crucial regulators of normal development in plants and animals, but their origins remain obscure. Exploration of the similarities and differences between different miRNA pathways help to elucidate their origins and role.

Humans have been modifying environments and habitats both indirectly and directly for millennia. This has resulted in extensive changes to the biology of non-domesticated non-human species, and this pattern is likely to increase in the future

The relationship between transcriptional and phenotypic dimorphism is poorly understood, and is based on variably supported assumptions about transcriptional architecture, phenotypic variation and the target of selection.