Male same-sex sexual behavior (SSB) is widespread among animal species, but its proximate (mechanistic) and ultimate (evolutionary) explanations remain unclear. A prevailing view is that SSB reflects impaired sex recognition, especially in insects. By unbiased behavioral screening, we identified a Drosophila species, D. santomea, in which males seldom attack and spontaneously court males vigorously, in addition to females. Behavioral, chemical, and optogenetic neuronal manipulations indicate that D. santomea males can distinguish conspecific sex and retain functional aggression circuitry. Instead, male SSB reflects three evolved pheromonal changes affecting two separate signaling systems, resulting in both reduced pheromone production and behavioral valence reversal. One of these occurs unexpectedly in females and may have evolved to prevent hybridization with an interfertile, geographically overlapping sibling species. Remarkably, male SSB and similar pheromonal changes also selectively co-occur in D. persimilis, a geographically and phylogenetically distant species and member of another sympatric sibling pair, implying evolutionary convergence in the two young taxa. The results identify a pheromonal mechanism for rapid social evolution in Drosophila and suggest a plausible evolutionary origin for male SSB as arising in concert with female adaptations that ensure reproductive isolation during speciation.

Pot trials were performed to explore the impacts of seed priming (SPr) plus leaf treatment (LTr) with trans-zeatin-type cytokinin (tZck; 0.05 mM) and silymarin (Sim; 0.5 mM) on growth, yield, physio-biochemical responses, and antioxidant defense systems in Cd-stressed wheat. tZck + Sim applied as SPr + LTr was more effective than individual treatments, and the impacts were more pronounced under stress conditions. Cd stress (0.6 mM) severely declined growth and yield traits, and photosynthesis efficiency (pigment contents, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, and photochemical activity) compared to the control. These negative impacts coincided with increased levels of Cd²⁺, O₂^•− (superoxide), H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide), MDA (malondialdehyde), and EL (electrolyte leakage). Non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant activities, and tZck and Sim …

This research was carried out at Kharga and Dakhla, in the western Egyptian desert. The species investigated include basically those of different ecological affiliations as well as different life forms, in order to have comparative indications in the ionic means of adjustment. During winter and summer, the water soluble ions in both soil and plants were analyzed. Also, the total osmotic water potential and the share of ionic radicals of plants were calculated. The data revealed that, halophytic species maintain osmotic adjustment due to accumulation of ions depending on seasonal and species variation and ionic osmotic potential which were related to chlorides, sodium and potassium. The seasonality or location has the dominant effect on Na+, K+, Cl- and SO4-2 concentrations in halophytes Suaeda and Cressa and affected by the interaction (S x L) in case of Z.coccenium. The ionic osmotic potential of Na+/K+ and Cl- / SO4-2 ratios for salt tolerance in studied species were discussed.

Selenium (Se) enhances the resistance of plants exposed to metal stress and can be used to lessen the impacts of toxic elements and to enhance the effectiveness of the plants used to clean up polluted sites. There is no information available about the optimum dose and form of Se to stimulate the camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum Medik) plant, which is one of the plants used in the phytostabilization of toxic elements. The impacts of selenate (Se-VI) and selenite (Se-IV) on the phytoremediation of toxic metals from loamy soils by camelthorn were investigated in a pot experiment. Se-VI and Se-IV were added to the soil at doses of 0, 5, and 10 mg Se kg⁻¹ soil, and each treatment was repeated five times. Se-VI and Se-IV, significantly increased plant growth and nutrient uptake. The addition of Se, either from Se-VI or Se-IV, significantly increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes, and the …

Sabkhas are unique salt flat formations situated along the coastline and have been the subject of extensive scientific inquiry. This study delves into the formation and significance of sabkhas, along the South Red Sea coast of Egypt. Combining field observations, satellite imagery, and GIS analysis, the research unveils the processes shaping these distinct landscapes and their broader impact on the region. The study utilizes Sentinel-2 A imagery and digital elevation models to map salinity and identify optimal methods for salt detection. It further employs advanced data processing techniques to refine land cover classification and identify unique features within four sabkhas along the Red Sea coast: Ras Baghdadi, Marsa Abu Madd, Bir Shalatein-Marsa Himeira, and Diib. Examining these sabkhas reveals intricate details of their topography, hydrology, and sediment composition. The study identifies factors contributing to their individual characteristics, such as structural control, interaction with lagoons, and the influence of wind and aridity. Analysis of satellite data and field observations unveils the presence of salt ponds, dunes, microbial mats, and distinct sediment layers within these formations. Evaporite crystals, halophytic vegetation, and color patterns provide further insights into their formation processes. The study emphasizes that sea level fluctuations, fluvial and aeolian processes, and limited human intervention have shaped the temporal evolution of these sabkhas. However, climate change poses significant future challenges. By highlighting the importance of understanding and preserving these ecologically and economically valuable ecosystems, this research underscores the urgent need for their protection in the face of a changing climate

This paper introduces a novel generalization of the Mittag-Leffler function, delving into its fundamental characteristics. The analysis encompasses a thorough exploration of its properties, including the derivation of recurrence relations, differential formulas, and various integral representations such as the Euler, Laplace, Mellin, Whittaker, and Mellin–Barnes transforms. Furthermore, the study establishes connections to other significant special functions, expressing the new generalization in terms of the Fox-Wright function, the generalized hypergeometric function, and the H-function. The paper also defines associated fractional integral and differential operators, highlighting the function’s relevance to fractional calculus. Several noteworthy
special cases are derived from the main results, demonstrating the breadth and adaptability of this new function. This research provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the properties of this generalized Mittag-Leffler function and suggests its potential for applications in diverse areas, particularly within the realm of fractional analysis and its related fields.