SICB journals

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This account spotlights manuscripts & authors from from The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology's(sicb.bsky.social) journals- ICB & IOB (OA) -header art done by Noah Bressman

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SICB journals@sicbjournals· 27d

ICB celebrates #WorldSnakeDay with Timothy Colston 's Moment of Awe with the Puerto Rican #Boa read in full & read Tim's co authored work integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2026/07/16/i... #herpetology #snakes #biology #science

SICB journals@sicbjournals· 27d

IOB celebrates #WorldSnakeDay with this book review by IOB author Zander Perelman 🙌 iobopen.com/2026/07/16/a... #herpetology #snakes #herpetologist #science

SICB journals@sicbjournals· 28d

ICB One more day til World #Snake Day! Don't miss doi.org/10.1093/icb/... Balchan et al "We review evidence for 10 key contexts in which #venom variation arises, including within-population differences, sexual #dimorphism, geographic structuring..."

Fig. 1

Venomous species exist across the squamate tree of life in multiple lineages. (A) Calloselasma rhodostoma is a pit viper distributed across Southeast Asia with venoms adapted for local prey communities, and the link between snake venom and diet was thoroughly investigated for the first time in this species (Daltry et al. 1996). (B) Naja nigricollis is an elapid snake from Sub-Saharan Africa with the ability to spit venom defensively (Kazandjian et al. 2021). (C) Leptophis ahaetulla is a venomous arboreal colubrid from South America with low toxicity toward mammals (Sánchez et al. 2018). (D) Heloderma suspectum is a venomous anguimorph lizard native to the warm deserts of North America, with venom used primarily for defensive purposes and serving secondary roles in prey incapacitation (Beck, 2005). Photos by Artur Tomaszek (A), Chad Keates (B), Damien Esquerré (C), and Bryan Hughes (D), and used with permission.

SICB journals@sicbjournals· 28d

IOB "We hypothesized that sex, body size, and male morph would correlate with eye structure and estimated global and localized visual acuity in C. pallida #bees..." Meghan Barrett , S O’Donnell doi.org/10.1093/iob/... #entomology #biology #insects

SICB journals@sicbjournals· 29d

ICB is gearing up for July 16th's World #snake Day with #Venom Variation as a Window into the #Ecology and #Evolution of #Snakes Neil R. Balchan , Stephen Mackessy , Guinevere O U Wogan , Damien Esquerré , Ignazio Avella doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

Snake #venoms are complex #biochemical systems that function primarily in prey subjugation and defense, yet their composition varies extensively across individuals, populations, species, and environments. This variation provides a powerful framework for investigating #ecological and #evolutionary processes. Here, we offer a forward-looking synthesis of snake venom diversity that proposes new research directions and highlights how venom variation can illuminate eco-evolutionary dynamics across biological scales. We review evidence for 10 key contexts in which venom variation arises, including within-population differences, sexual dimorphism, geographic structuring, #ontogenetic shifts, seasonal changes, interspecific divergence, hybridization, convergent evolution, prey specificity, and venom resistance. Together, these processes demonstrate that venom phenotypes are shaped by interacting selective pressures such as trophic ecology, predator–prey coevolution, environmental heterogeneity, and gene flow. While #phylogenetic history establishes broad toxin composition patterns, ecological factors frequently drive rapid and repeated shifts in venom phenotype. We further outline the historical development of venom #research, from early descriptive studies to modern integrative approaches enabled by advances in proteomics, transcriptomics, genomics, and functional assays. These methodological innovations increasingly allow venom composition to be linked directly to ecological performance and evolutionary outcomes. Despite this progress, major gaps remain, including limited taxonomic coverage, incomplete integration of ecological data, and insufficient experimental tests of adaptive hypotheses...

SICB journals@sicbjournals· 29d

IOB "...smaller body sizes may impose #morphological constraints on eye investment, limiting adaptive behavioral performance." M Barrett , S O’Donnell doi.org/10.1093/iob/... #entomology #insects #biology #bees

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 13

ICB Review of Wild #Orcas: A Deep Dive into the World of Killer #Whales By W.O.S. www.womeninoceanscience.com member Meredith Pratt, #Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Central Florida read in full integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2026/07/13/w...

"Wild Orcas is a beautiful hard cover #book which I was not expecting when I received my copy in the mail. The book itself is perfect for a coffee table, and almost every page includes images that accompany the information being presented. It felt like a traditional paperback book, a coffee table book, and a textbook all in one, and I have never really read anything like it before. From the beginning, it was both educational and visually engaging, with the photographs adding to the story.

The authors are both killer #whale #scientists, and their expertise was evident throughout the book. Before reading Wild Orcas, I had read a few other books about killer whales and whales in general, so I had a basic understanding of how these animals interact and communicate with one another. I also knew there were different subpopulations, such as those in the Pacific Northwest. However, after reading this book, I had a much deeper understanding of these topics and many others. I learned that these subpopulations are called ecotypes, and that killer whale ecotypes around the world are not all the same or even necessarily closely related. It was interesting to learn that different groups have their own ways of communicating within their communities, which further supports the idea that these animals have culture..." read in full via blog

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 10

ICB's Fine Art Friday! #artist/#scientist 's Victoria Glynn donated work for #SICB student scholarships fineartamerica.com/featured/com... & read Symbiont identity impacts #prokaryotic #microbiome dynamics during heat stress in a model system for #corals Glynn et al doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 10

Meet IOB co author Diana Gabriela Vega Montes De Oca - a graduate in #Biology. Master’s degree in #Biosystematics and Natural Resource Management. www.genomicandbiolab.com/diana-gabrie... & read doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

Meet IOB co author Diana Gabriela Vega Montes De Oca - a graduate in #Biology.

Master’s degree in #Biosystematics and Natural Resource Management.

https://www.genomicandbiolab.com/diana-gabriela-vega-montes-de-oca

Diana is has this to say,
"I am passionate about birds and #bats ever since I was very young. It seems to me that today, more than ever, a deeper understanding of #wildlife has become essential due to the critical stage of #biodiversity loss we are facing globally. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to study such fundamental aspects of #birds and bats as their genetics and #taxonomy. For this reason, my thesis focuses on studying the #phylogenetic systematics of the genus *Glossophaga*."
& read
Intraspecific and Geographical Variation of Glossophaga commissarisi in #Mexico: #Morphological Approach
D Vega-Montes de Oca ,
F Rodríguez-Gómez ,
C A Espinoza-Campuzano ,
M M Ramírez-Martínez ,
L I Iñiguez-Dávalos
https://doi.org/10.1093/iob/obag015

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 8

ICB's latest art in bio author Victoria Glynn is an #evolutionary #biologist fascinated by how host and #microbiome responses jointly shape #organismal responses to #environmental change. integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/fine-art-ame... & victoriamglynn.weebly.com/artwork.html

To address this question, Victoria leverages a diverse range of next-generation sequencing techniques paired with more traditional physiological measurements. Beyond research, she is actively involved in science education and science communication projects.

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 8

IOB "These findings suggest that morphological differentiation in G. commissarisi may be better understood through biogeographic and #ecological perspectives, complementing traditional morphological analyses..." D Vega-Montes de Oca , et al doi.org/10.1093/iob/... #bats #science

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 7

ICB read the latest from artist & scientist Victoria Glynn et al Symbiont identity impacts #prokaryotic #microbiome dynamics during heat stress in a model system for #corals doi.org/10.1093/icb/... & the Art in bio blog integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/fine-art-ame... #science

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 7

IOB This study investigates morphological variation within #Glossophaga commissarisi... and evaluating the influence of biogeographic provinces, latitude, altitude, and sex. doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

Intraspecific and Geographical Variation of Glossophaga commissarisi in Mexico: Morphological Approach
D Vega-Montes de Oca ,
F Rodríguez-Gómez ,
C A Espinoza-Campuzano ,
M M Ramírez-Martínez ,
L I Iñiguez-Dávalos
Integrative Organismal Biology, Volume 8, Issue 1, 2026, obag015, https://doi.org/10.1093/iob/obag015

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 6

#Art and #science cross-pollinate each other, serving as a source of inspiration for my illustrations and serving as a tool to convey often unseen interactions in the world around us. By Victoria Marie Glynn, ICB author integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/fine-art-ame... #biology

I think part of what drew me to #science as a young girl growing up in Honduras was how it was able to unearth aspects of our natural environment that were not always apparent. I remember taking a field trip in middle school to La Tigra National Park, a beautiful cloud forest where, during our hike, we were sometimes engulfed by mist and fog, and time and space seemed to freeze. I remember thinking “how do we know what’s really here and how it changes?” I imagine if you visited this forest daily, you would become attuned to the minutiae of your surroundings, but even then, how can you be sure? While there are no certainties in life, and science is a probabilistic endeavor, I came to realize early into my academic trajectory that combining multiple ways of seeing and knowing provides the most cogent knowledge....read in full via blog

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 6

IOB now in issue! Intraspecific and Geographical Variation of #Glossophaga commissarisi in #Mexico: #Morphological Approach D Vega-Montes de Oca , F Rodríguez-Gómez , C A Espinoza-Campuzano , M M Ramírez-Martínez , L I Iñiguez-Dávalos doi.org/10.1093/iob/... #bats #science #ecology

Cryptic species represent a major challenge in #biodiversity research due to their subtle and poorly defined morphological boundaries. This study investigates morphological variation within Glossophaga commissarisi, focusing on the differentiation between its two recognised subspecies, G. c. commissarisi and G. c. hespera, and evaluating the influence of biogeographic provinces, latitude, altitude, and sex. We applied geometric #morphometrics (GM) to cranial structures and linear morphometric analysis (LM) to cranial and wing traits to assess patterns of variation. Significant shape differences were detected between subspecies, particularly in the fronto-maxillary region, independent of size, while the mandible showed size-dependent variation. Additionally, geographical factors, specifically elevation, latitude, and biogeographic province, emerged as key drivers of morphological divergence. Sexual #dimorphism was evident in mandible and wing structures, with females displaying distinct mandibular and wing traits, potentially linked to reproductive and ecological roles. In G. c. hespera, geographic variation is noted in fronto-maxillary elevation; and by biogeographic provinces in ventral differentiation, with higher-altitude specimens differing from those of lowland populations in the Northern Pacific region. Similarly, G. c. commissarisi shows latitudinal variation, with Chiapas populations (16°N) distinct from those at 15°N and 17°N. These findings suggest that morphological differentiation in G. commissarisi may be better understood through biogeographic and ecological perspectives, complementing traditional morphological analyses. However, genetic and #ecological data remain critical for clarifying #taxonomic boundaries and #evolutionary processes within these cryptic taxa. Limited sample availability due to the rarity of this species underscores the need for broader regional sampling in future #research.

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 3

Friday ICB in advanced: FATE ( #Fish #Aquarium with a Turbulent #Environment): a turbulence-control facility for quantifying fish-flow interactions and collective behavior Michael C. , Rui Ni doi.org/10.1093/icb/... from the me.jhu.edu/fluidtranspo... #science

Despite its ubiquity in natural flows, the effects of turbulence on fish locomotion and behavior remain poorly understood. The prevailing hypothesis is that these effects depend on the spatial and temporal scales of the turbulence relative to the fish’s size and swimming speed. But in conventional facilities, turbulence usually increases with mean flow, which forces higher swimming speeds and can leave these relative scales unchanged. We therefore present a novel experimental facility that leverages a jet array to decouple the turbulence from the mean flow and systematically control its scales. This approach allows the ratio of turbulent to fish inertial scales to be varied over an order of magnitude, providing a controlled framework for quantifying fish-turbulence interactions. The facility also supports experiments probing strategies fish may use to cope with turbulence, including collective behaviors. Insights from this work have broader implications for #ecological studies and #engineering applications, including the design of effective fishways and #bio-inspired underwater vehicles.

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 3

IOB check what Matt Wileyto and the Fish lab is up to ffish8.wixsite.com/liquid-life-... . This lab co authored Aquatic Turning Performance in Juvenile #Loggerhead and Green Sea #Turtles Wileyto , Fish , Trail , Wyneken , Kramer-Bottiglio doi.org/10.1093/iob/... #science

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 2

IOB "Asymmetries were observed in limb usage during turns, which affected the angular #velocity. Stroke frequencies significantly differ between turn type, but not between species." M T Wileyto , F E Fish , J Wyneken , et al doi.org/10.1093/iob/... #turtles #oceanscience #biologists #science

Fig. 9
Differences in speed (m s−1) between broad limb pairings (Forelimbs vs Hindlimbs; Outboard Limbs vs Inboard Limbs). Within C. mydas, differences were consistently found within broad pairings: forelimbs were faster than hindlimbs, and inboard limbs were faster than outboard limbs, regardless of the turn type (rotational and translational). This might reflect the differences between their angular velocities during rotational and translational turns: the angular velocities of C. caretta showed no difference between rotational and translational turns, while the angular velocities of C. mydas differed between turn types.

Fig. 10
Differences in speed (m s−1) between specific limb pairings (Outboard Forelimb vs Inboard Forelimb; Outboard Hindlimb vs Inboard Hindlimb). Within C. caretta, differences in stroke speed were only found in specific pairs of limbs. In both rotational and translational turns, C. caretta was consistent in producing faster strokes from inboard hindlimbs. When disregarding turn type, the outboard forelimb was faster than the inboard forelimb. Only one specific pairing in C. mydas showed differences: during rotational turns, the speeds of inboard and outboard hindlimbs differed while the two forelimbs were similar...

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 1

ICB "We recorded tadpole activity for 4 min prior to, 1 min during, and 4 min following treatment exposure using portable locomotion activity monitors (pLAMs)..." Activity Responses of Rana forreri and Rhinella horribilis #Tadpoles to #Predation Cues González-Aguilar et al doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jul 1

IOB "The #turtles were observed performing two types of yawing turns: pure rotational turns and translational turns..." The Aquatic Turning Performance in Juvenile #Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles M T Wileyto et al doi.org/10.1093/iob/... #science #biomechanics #biologists

Fig. 3
Top view of the experimental tank filled with salt water. Inside, a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) neonate investigates food on the end of a wand.
Fig. 4
Images from video of sea turtle turning. Symbols show the position of the rostrum (red), anterior of carapace (blue), and posterior of the carapace (purple) for a rotational turn (left) and translational turn (right).

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jun 30

ICB "#Tadpoles must rapidly detect and respond to #predation cues to survive the most vulnerable stage of anuran development..." from work by Dariana González-Aguilar , Juan G Abarca , Yash Sondhi , Pablo Allen , José Miguel Chaves-Fallas doi.org/10.1093/icb/... #biology #science

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jun 30

IOB "Sea #turtles are known for being accomplished swimmers, capable of covering great distances. Despite the importance of #maneuverability, little has been done to define the mechanics of turning in these marine organisms." from Wileyto et al doi.org/10.1093/iob/... #science #biology

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jun 29

ICB blog Accurate #Science and Affirming Students Identities Go Hand in Hand by Stephanie Bilodeau, #Postdoctoral #Research Associate at University of Georgia, SICB DEE and @sicb-dab.bsky.social integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2026/06/29/a... #biology #science #PhD

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jun 29

IOB 's latest Aquatic Turning Performance in Juvenile Loggerhead and Green Sea #Turtles M T Wileyto , F E Fish , S E Trail , J Wyneken , R Kramer-Bottiglio doi.org/10.1093/iob/... #biomechanics #oceanscience #science #biology

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jun 25

ICB's #PollinatorWeek post by Jacob Cummings on the work of Erica Westerman Jordanna Sprayberry & James Crall #Science as a #community: building bridges to understand #pollination networks Read integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2026/06/25/s... #bees #entomology #science

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jun 25

Be sure to connect with IOB co author Diriba Fufu Serdo www.linkedin.com/in/diriba-fu... co author of The Integrative Imperatives of #Locust Phase #Polyphenism Research: A #Bibliometric Analysis D F Serdo , Z Németh , doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

Transformative advances require strategic reorientation: from model-organism focus to comparative ecology, from episodic collaboration to equitable partnership with range-state scientists, from descriptive mechanism to functional validation, and from neglected frontiers (microbiome, epigenetics, and climate) to systematic investigation. This bibliometric mapping provides an evidence-based framework to guide future research toward greater impact on global food security.

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jun 24

ICB #PollinatorWeek "In #insects, both age and experience are known to influence neural structure, but how these factors differ between the sexes remains largely unexplored..." from Denise Yamhure-Ramírez et al doi.org/10.1093/icb/...

Neuroplasticity enables the brain to reorganize in response to developmental change and experience, thereby supporting behavioral flexibility. In insects, both age and experience are known to influence neural structure, but how these factors differ between the sexes remains largely unexplored. Here, using micro-CT scanning, we quantify volumetric plasticity across eight brain regions in the orchid bee Euglossa dilemma, a facultatively social species with pronounced sexual dimorphism in behavior. We show that neuroplasticity follows sex- and region-specific trajectories that map onto the distinct reproductive behaviors exhibited by male and female bees.

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jun 24

IOB "Transformative advances require strategic reorientation..." from The Integrative Imperatives of Locust Phase Polyphenism Research: A Bibliometric Analysis Serdo and Nemeth doi.org/10.1093/iob/...

image from https://critter.science/the-african-desert-locust/

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jun 23

ICB #Pollinatorweek BEE AWARE-BEHAVIORAL PLASTICITY, DYSREGULATION, AND CROSS-SPECIES INTEGRATION IN A CHANGING WORLD Sex-Specific #Neuroplasticity in the #Brain of a Facultatively Social Orchid #Bee Denise Yamhure-Ramírez et al doi.org/10.1093/icb/... #bees #ecology #biology

Fig. 1

Life cycle of the female orchid bee, E. dilemma. Color tags follow individual bees through the cycle which begings with a dispersing female (no tag). Dispersing bees carry yellow pollen on the corbicula. A solitary foundress bee (red tag) initiates a nest and builds ∼6 brood cells. When a foundress completes the first batch of brood-cells, she stops foraging and transitions into a guard and remains inside the nest protecting the developing brood (4–6 weeks). Once offspring emerges, some female bees disperse to start new nests, while others stay inside the nest to become subordinate helpers (blue tag). Subordinates forage for resin and pollen, build brood cells, and lay eggs. Invariably, the dominant bee eats the eggs laid by the subordinate daughter and replaces them with her own, effectively controlling the reproductive output of the colony. Bee and brood cell images were generated with AI prompted with real images.

SICB journals@sicbjournals· Jun 23

IOB "Here, we present the first comprehensive #bibliometric analysis of locust phase polyphenism research, quantitatively mapping its intellectual structure, collaborative networks, and thematic #evolution. doi.org/10.1093/iob/... Diriba Fufa et al #science #biology