Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: The small white butterfly (Pieris rapae) has been shown to use the polarized reflections from plant leaves to recognize host plants including cabbage (Brassica oleracea). The compound eyes of this insect contain several classes of photoreceptors sensitive to polarized light but the downstream processing allowing discrimination of plants based on polarized light is not well understood. Blake et al. (jeb220350) investigate possible mechanisms underlying the exploitation of these cues. The neurological mechanism remains elusive, but behavioral experiments reveal that the small white uses polarized light cues in a manner that differs from that of all polarization-sensitive taxa investigated thus far. Photo credit: Adam Blake.
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INSIDE JEB
OUTSIDE JEB
CONVERSATION
COMMENTARY
Remodeling the epigenome and (epi)cytoskeleton: a new paradigm for co-regulation by methylation
Summary: A shared chromatocytoskeletal machinery uses methylation to remodel chromatin and the cytoskeleton; we discuss how this might regulate and integrate cellular functions, and suggest the term ‘epiregulation’ to describe this co-regulation.
REVIEW
Surviving anoxia: the maintenance of energy production and tissue integrity during anoxia and reoxygenation
Summary: Here we integrate knowledge gained from studies of anoxia-tolerant species from many animal taxa to identify common strategies, as well as novel solutions, for the challenges of anoxia exposure.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Ionoregulatory aspects of the hypoxia-induced osmorespiratory compromise in the euryhaline Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus): the effects of salinity
Summary: In the euryhaline killifish Fundulus heteroclitus, ionoregulatory responses to acute hypoxia involve decreases in gill ion flux and permeability when in freshwater and seawater, but increases when in isosmotic salinity.
Carbonic anhydrases are influenced by the size and symbiont identity of the aggregating sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima
Summary: Symbiosis and body size are important in determining carbonic anhydrase activity and gene expression in the temperate symbiotic sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima.
Copepod feeding strategy determines response to seawater viscosity: videography study of two calanoid copepod species
Summary: Using high-speed micro-videography to resolve individual-level movements of copepods reveals that, depending on feeding strategy, calanoid copepods respond differently to changes in seawater viscosity but similarly to diet.
Neural dysfunction correlates with heat coma and CTmax in Drosophila but does not set the boundaries for heat stress survival
Summary: Hyperthermic failure of the Drosophila central nervous system causes heat coma, a trait varying in temperature between drosophilids, but neural failure is not the primary cause of heat mortality.
Chilling induces unidirectional solute leak through the locust gut epithelia
Summary: Evidence for the presence of cold-induced paracellular leak along the gut of the migratory locust; this leak is strongest in the mucosal to serosal direction.
Evidence that male sea lamprey increase pheromone release after perceiving a competitor
Summary: Male sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, increase pheromone release after perceiving intrasexual competition, and this change in chemical signaling strategy may influence female mate choice.
Mitochondrial performance of a continually growing marine bivalve, Mytilus edulis, depends on body size
Summary: Mitochondrial respiration in a marine mollusc increases with body mass, demonstrating a link with overall growth performance.
A novel microRNA and its pfk target control growth length in the freshwater shrimp Neocaridina heteropoda
Summary: Identification of a novel microRNA that inhibits translation of the phosphofructokinase (pfk) gene, thereby inhibiting molting and body length growth of the freshwater shrimp Neocaridina heteropoda.
Morphological and functional development of the spiral intestine in cloudy catshark (Scyliorhinus torazame)
Summary: The spiral intestine is formed and becomes functional for nutrient absorption at the timing of an embryonic event (‘pre-hatching’) in oviparous cloudy catsharks (Scyliorhinus torazame).
Polarized light sensitivity in Pieris rapae is dependent on both color and intensity
Editor's choice: Pieris rapae females process and interpret polarization reflections dependent on both their color and intensity and in ways different from other polarization-sensitive taxa.
Hypoxia acclimation alters reactive oxygen species homeostasis and oxidative status in estuarine killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus)
Summary: Hypoxia acclimation leads to pronounced changes in redox status, with no signs of oxidative damage, during hypoxia and re-oxygenation in the estuarine killifish.
How do hoverflies use their righting reflex?
Summary: Hoverfly righting is achieved by performing a rolling manoeuvre; reorientation is achieved within 6 wingbeats and hoverfly head rotation follows that of their body after a time lag of 16 ms.
To walk or to run – a question of movement attractor stability
Summary: In accordance with the dynamical systems theory, lower limb attractor stability is highest at a particular gait mode closest to the corresponding preferred speed.
Complex multi-modal sensory integration and context specificity in colour preferences of a pierid butterfly
Summary: Cross-modal integration of information negatively affects colour learning in a butterfly.
Mussel acclimatization to high, variable temperatures is lost slowly upon transfer to benign conditions
Summary: Acclimatization to high, variable temperatures is lost slowly with constant submersion, potentially facilitating animals’ survival during intermittent stressful thermal events. Previous acclimatization state influences the changes observed with constant submersion.
Ontogenetic variation in the auditory sensitivity of black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and the implications of anthropogenic sound on behavior and communication
Summary: Juvenile black sea bass, Centropristus striata, are significantly more sensitive to sounds than fish in two larger size classes, and all classes are most sensitive in the 150–300 Hz range.
Effect of ambient temperature on sleep breathing phenotype in mice: the role of orexins
Summary: Orexin peptides do not play a role in the temperature-dependent modulation of respiratory regulation in different sleep states in mice; however, the occurrence of sleep apneas critically depends on ambient temperature.
CORRESPONDENCE
Response to: Lipid content of whale blubber cannot be measured using biopsies
Ryan, C. (2020). Lipid content of whale blubber cannot be measured using biopsies. J. Exp. Biol. 223, jeb227710. doi:10.1242/jeb.227710
CORRECTION
Using the reactive scope model to redefine social stress in fishes

In their Review, Katie Gilmour and colleagues redefine the ambiguous concept of social stress by using the reactive scope model as a framework to explain the divergent physiological phenotypes of dominant and subordinate fishes.
JEB grants to support junior faculty

Learn about the grants that we launched in 2023 to support junior faculty from two of our awardees: Erin Leonard, Early-Career Researcher (ECR) Visiting Fellowship recipient, and Pauline Fleischmann, Research Partnership Kickstart Travel Grant recipient. The next deadline to apply is 6 June 2025.
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels survive extraordinarily low blood oxygen

Brynne Duffy and colleagues reveal that thirteen-lined ground squirrels are true hypoxia champions surviving extreme low blood oxygen, down to just 34% oxygen, when they emerge briefly from hibernation.
The Company of Biologists Workshops

For the last 15 years, our publisher, The Company of Biologists, has provided an apt environment to inspire biology and support biologists through our Workshops series. Read about the evolution of the Workshop series and revisit JEB's experience with hosting the first Global South Workshop.
Fast & Fair peer review

Our sister journal Biology Open has recently launched the next phase of their Fast & Fair peer review initiative: offering high-quality peer review within 7 working days. To learn more about BiO’s progress and future plans, read the Editorial by Daniel Gorelick, or visit the Fast & Fair peer review page.