-
Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Many animals can dynamically change their colour to better match their surroundings or enhance communication. This adaptive plasticity occurs over varying timescales and is shaped by ecological and evolutionary pressures. Duarte et al. (jeb249764) reviewed the mechanisms and functions of dynamic colour change across taxa, highlighting advances from molecular physiology to ecological interactions and behaviour. They also explored how anthropogenic stressors, such as pollution and habitat alteration, may impair this ability in a changing world. Pictured is a camouflaged carnival prawn (Hippolyte obliquimanus) with near-perfect colour matching to its algal host. These prawns can change colour over days to blend with different seaweed species. Photo credit: Alvaro E. Migotto.
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of contents
- PDF Icon PDF LinkIssue info
INSIDE JEB
OUTSIDE JEB
NEWS
CONVERSATION
REVIEW
Animal colour change: proximate mechanisms, evolutionary ecology and response to anthropogenic impacts
Summary: We review current knowledge and new evidence on the mechanisms and functions of animal dynamic colour change and how it is affected by human activities, highlighting key unresolved questions.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Dynamic and asynchronous ontogenetic changes in growth and metabolic rate in thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus)
Mass and metabolic rate of thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) iteratively measured from birth to adulthood show multiple distinct and asynchronous changes in growth rate and metabolic scaling.
Prior cueing affects the saccadic response to targets in the praying mantis Sphodromantis lineola
Cue position and, to a lesser extent, disparity affect responses to a subsequent target in the praying mantis. This adds further evidence for the complexity of attention-like processes in insects.
Bumblebees locate goals in 3D with absolute height estimation from ventral optic flow
Summary: Bumblebees can localize a goal in 3D using absolute height estimation based on ground cues. Manipulating the height of local landmarks revealed the use of ventral optic flow.
Effects of diet quality on the musculoskeletal system of the masticatory apparatus in Mus musculus domesticus
Summary: In house mice kept under semi-natural conditions, diet quality influences the dimensions of the masticatory musculature rather quickly, whereas the morphology of the mandible appears less plastic over the same period of time.
Chronic stress and the development of a depression-like neuroendocrine profile in Atlantic salmon
Atlantic salmon under chronic stress develop a depression-like neuroendocrine profile with a chronically elevated serotonin system that is unable to respond further to acute stress.
Genetic heterogeneity induces non-additive behavioural changes in Drosophila
Summary: Genetic heterogeneity in Drosophila melanogaster induces synergistic behavioural changes, enhancing group dynamics. Heterogeneity in locomotor activity is suggested to drive diversity effects, highlighting the role of intraspecific variation in collective behaviour.
Gene expression correlates and mechanistic insights into electric organ discharge duration changes in mormyrid electric fish
Summary: Androgen hormones drive gene expression changes that shape electrocyte morphology and ion channel activity, unlocking the molecular mechanisms behind electric signal duration elongation in mormyrid fish.
Long-term multichannel recordings in Drosophila flies reveal altered predictive processing during sleep compared with wake
The sleeping fly brain still responds to visual stimuli; however, response amplitudes depend on stimulus history and probability, as well as recording location.
Hummingbirds excel at maneuvering and flying through tight spaces
Summary: Free-flying hummingbirds exhibit remarkable maneuvering performance, in part based on asymmetric wing movements, to fly through fence openings narrower than their wingspan using two transit strategies to approach a feeder.
Trade-offs between behavioral plasticity and physiological adaptations in midday gerbils (Meriones meridianus) in response to extreme temperatures
Summary: Midday gerbils prioritize behavioral shifts to evade summer heat but rely on enhanced brown adipose tissue metabolism for chronic cold tolerance in autumn.
ECR SPOTLIGHTS
CORRECTION
Harnessing physiological research for smarter environmental policy
In their Perspective, Alexia Dubuc and colleagues discuss strategies to strengthen collaboration, communication and engagement between physiological researchers and environmental policy makers to ensure that conservation strategies address the threats posed by climate change.
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 28 November 2025.
Early testing could make risky falls a thing of the past for elderly people
Falls cost healthcare systems billions each year, but there may be a solution. Jiaen Wu and colleagues of Stanford University, USA, suggest that measuring the way someone walks before they get old might let doctors know who is at risk for a potentially life-threatening fall in the future.
Ecosystem engineers on tropical reefs in transition
Giant barrel sponges (GSBs) remain robust to rising seawater temperatures and have rapidly populated reefs stripped of coral cover by climate change. GBSs may be poised to become the dominant habitat-forming organisms in tropical reef ecosystems of the future. In this Review, Joseph Pawlik provides an integrative and critical assessment of research on giant barrel sponges.
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.
