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" 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/...

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.

January 29, 2026 at 12:35 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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/...

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/

January 29, 2026 at 12:30 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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

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.

January 28, 2026 at 12:49 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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

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."

January 28, 2026 at 12:34 PM

Reposted by SICB journals

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

@sicb.bsky.social

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

January 27, 2026 at 12:13 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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

January 27, 2026 at 12:16 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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...

January 27, 2026 at 11:57 AM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

@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

January 26, 2026 at 12:38 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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..."

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.

January 26, 2026 at 12:19 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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

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.

January 26, 2026 at 12:15 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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...

January 25, 2026 at 12:33 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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

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.

January 23, 2026 at 1:38 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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

January 23, 2026 at 12:31 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

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

January 22, 2026 at 5:32 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

“…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/...

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

media.tenor.com

January 22, 2026 at 2:25 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

ICB
"The ability to detect & monitor #disease at the molecular level can bridge critical knowledge gaps in wildlife health management, ultimately strengthening #conservation efforts.
see box 2 from
" #Proteomics Approaches to #Ecoimmunology..."
Amanda Vicente-Santos et al
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

see box 2 of the paper

These studies illustrate how proteomics can enhance wildlife disease diagnostics and conservation monitoring. The application of CSF proteomics in diagnosing #neurodegenerative diseases (Neely et al. 2015) and the validation of urine proteomics as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for renal disease (Neely et al. 2018) demonstrate the broad translational potential of this approach...

January 21, 2026 at 12:10 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

IOB

"This study provides some general insights into oil droplet capture by #tunicates, the mechanics of droplet capture, the absence of selection based on the type of oil, and oil droplet size capture..."

doi.org/10.1093/iob/...
by
K Beaudry & C B Cameron

#science #invertebrates #microscopy

Fig. 3
Oil droplets in the fecal matter (A) and rejected mucus (B) of Ci. intestinalis following feeding on a waste oil in seawater emulsion. Scale bar: 200 μm.

January 21, 2026 at 11:58 AM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

Great to see @academic.oup.com 's posting about M.I.S.S.
www.misselasmo.org
/ICB papers !
Do be sure to also catch the latest blog by one of our authors in this collection, Hannah Epstein.
integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2026/01/20/s...

#sharks #science #biologists #academia

January 21, 2026 at 11:43 AM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

ICB

Sandpaper Carrying its Own Current- a M.I.S.S.

moment of awe with co author Hannah Epstein

"The skin felt rough and alive beneath my fingertips, like sandpaper carrying its own current..."

read in full
integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2026/01/20/s...

#sharks #science

January 20, 2026 at 12:06 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

IOB

Oil Droplet Capture by #Tunicates

K. Beaudry & @invertevo.bsky.social

doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

"These results demonstrate that #tunicates can provide an entry for oils into marine food webs...

#microscopy #science #biology #videography

Fig. 1
Fecal matter of tunicates after feeding on a waste motor oil-in-water emulsion. (A, B) Molgula manhattensis, (C, D) Cn. finmarkiensis, (E, F) B. villosa, (G, H) H. igaboja, (I, J) Co. inflata, and (K, L) Styela clava. In each pair the left image (A, C, E, G, I, K) is fecal matter with oil droplets, and the right images (B, D, F, H, J, L) are controls from animals not exposed to oil. Arrows point to a sample of oil droplets. Scale bar: 200 μm.

January 20, 2026 at 11:57 AM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

ICB
#Proteomics Approaches to #Ecoimmunology:
New Insights into #Wildlife #Immunity and #Disease
by
Amanda Vicente-Santos ,
Natalia Sandoval-Herrera ,
Gábor Á Czirják ,
Benjamin A Neely ,
Daniel J Becker
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

Fig. 1
Applications of proteomics in wildlife immunology. The left panel shows the main drivers of intra- and interspecific variance in immune phenotypes and their influence on larger-scale processes (adapted from Schoenle et al. 2018). Yellow boxes indicate drivers that can be studied using proteomics. The right panel shows three main categories of application of proteomics in ecoimmunology and example questions that have been addressed in the literature. The symbols (+, ●, *) match the drivers from the left panel. The animal silhouettes illustrate particular studies as examples of the wide range of species studied, where (a) Otčenášková et al. 2023, (b) Li et al. 2024, (c) Geng et al. 2015, (d) Kershaw et al. 2024, (e: Chaousis et al. 2021, (f) Gillis-Germitsch et al. 2021, (g) Neely et al. 2018, (h) Mangiaterra et al. 2022, (i) Raposo de Magalhães et al. 2020, (j) Vicente-Santos et al. 2023, (k) Ruengket et al. 2023, (l) Kuleš et al. 2024, (m) Kuleš et al. 2021.

January 19, 2026 at 1:38 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

IOB
"We used #videography, dissections, and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) fluorescence #microscopy to study the capture of oil droplets by 10 different species of tunicate."
Beaudry , @invertevo.bsky.social

doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

#invertebrates #Science #biology #ocean #research

January 19, 2026 at 1:10 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

#FossilFriday

SICB journals @sicbjournals.bsky.social · 13d

IOB - Watch this incredible #3D digital model of the petrosal #bone of a 33 million year old ancient camel from North America (specimen number FMNH UC 394).

youtu.be/s3iZDPnAE34

from
doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

SV Robson, @jmtheodor.bsky.social et al

#fossils #ear #paleobiology #science

A 3D digital model of the petrosal bone of a 33 million year old ancient camel from North America (specimen number FMNH UC 394). The petrosal is a bone in the back of the skull that contains the organs of hearing and balance in life. for specialists: A 3D digital model of the petrosal bone (which encapsulates the inner ear) of Poebrotherium wilsoni, a 33 Ma old camelid from North America (specimen number FMNH UC 394).

January 16, 2026 at 2:41 PM

Reposted by SICB journals

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

@sicb.bsky.social

Just a few more days to sign up for our #SICB January
zoom talk on 1-20-26 with Dr. Stanton Belford
(ICB /Black in Marine #Science author & member)
He will be sharing more about his Marine Nostalgia stories and his #scientific journey

our.tennessee.edu/2025/stanton...

#research #oceanlife

January 16, 2026 at 1:12 PM

SICB journals

@sicbjournals.bsky.social

Meet the ICB authors of
Tapered Tiles Modulate Flexibility in Segmented #Armadillo -Inspired Armor
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
Teeple,
@karlycohen.bsky.social
Stankowich
Paig-Tran
@cmdonatelli.bsky.social

youtube.com/shorts/M9f_E...

#Biomechanics #science #biology #fish #sharks #bio-inspired

Julia B Teeple ,
https://news.fullerton.edu/2025/12/biology-grad-student-publishes-4-research-papers-in-scientific-journals/

Karly E Cohen ,

https://www.karlye-cohen.com/

Theodore Stankowich ,

https://www.csulb.edu/biological-sciences/mammal-lab

E W Misty Paig-Tran ,
https://www.sharks4kids.com/post/2019/07/30/shark-week-meet-biologist-dr-misty-paig-tran

Cassandra M Donatelli

https://directory.tacoma.uw.edu/employee/cdonatel

January 16, 2026 at 12:36 PM

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