Lions (Panthera leo) play a crucial ecological role in shaping and maintaining fragile ecosystems within Africa. Conservation efforts should focus on genetic variability within wild populations when considering reintroduction attempts. We studied two groups of lions from two conservation sites located in Zambia and Zimbabwe to determine their genetic make-up, information that is usually unknown to the sites. In this study, we analysed 17 specimens for cytb and seven microsatellite markers to ascertain family relationships and genetic diversity previously obtained by observational studies. We then produced a standardised haplogroup phylogeny using all available entire mitogenomes, as well as calculating a revised molecular clock. The modern lion lineage diverged ~151 kya and was divided into two subspecies, both containing three distinct haplogroups. We confirm that Panthera leo persica is not a subspecies, but rather a haplogroup of the northern P.l. leo that exited Africa at least ~31 kya. The progenitor to all lions existed ~1.2 Mya, possibly in SE Africa, and later exited Africa and split into the two cave lion lineages ~175 kya. Species demography is correlated to major climactic events. We now have a detailed phylogeny of lion evolution and an idea of their conservation status given the threat of climate change.

The Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) is widely distributed in Italy, where it is the ecologically dominant oak on sandy and acidic soil. In this work, we analysed 23 natural populations by means of eight SSR (microsatellite) markers, to obtain the first synthetic map of genetic variability for this species and to study its dispersion during the Holocene, due to the possibility that at least one refugium during the Last Glacial Maximum was in Italy. The analyses showed a good amount of genetic variability together with fair differentiation between populations, as indicated by F_ST = 0.059. A Bayesian analysis of the amount of admixture among populations revealed the presence of four putative gene pools of origin and a rough subdivision of the populations according to their geographic location, as confirmed by the spatial analysis. No evidence for the existence of putative refugial populations was found; however, this study paves the way for the planning of conservation strategies also with regard to the relationship between Turkey oak and other oak species in Italy.

The sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) is an important species of European trees, studied for both ecological and economic reasons. Its cultivation in the Italian peninsula can be linked to the Roman period and has been documented, especially in the Tuscan region, for centuries. We sampled 131 grafted trees from three separate areas to determine the genetic variability between populations and assess genetic identity for different varieties of trees, which is useful for future breeding programs and propagation efforts. Molecular analyses were performed using eight microsatellite loci. A total of 98 alleles was detected with an average of 12.3 alleles per locus. We found high levels of genetic diversity within the varieties of the same area, ranging between H_e = 0.682–0.745. Of the eight loci, seven were found to be at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. (F_ST values Differentiation between cultivation areas was significant between 0.052–0.147) with the two Southern Tuscan areas showing the closest relationship as also indicated by Bayesian inference of the population structure, which revealed the existence of three ancestral gene pools of origin. Demographic events were detected by a coalescent-based approximate Bayesian computation in two of the homogeneous clusters. This work is a step forward for the conservation of this iconic species, albeit at a regional level, as chestnut varieties have never received the full attention of breeders.

We investigated mitochondrial diversity and phylogeographic structure across all subspecies of the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) to clarify evolutionary relationships, identify novel haplogroups, and assess the extent of hybridisation and maternal introgression. We analysed 580 complete H. rustica mitochondrial genomes together with twelve additional Hirundo species, three of which were newly obtained. We identified 553 unique haplotypes, including 166 previously undescribed ones, revealing high nucleotide diversity among subspecies. Phylogenetic analyses found five major haplogroups. Of these, a novel haplogroup (E) was discovered and ascribed to H.r. tytleri, previously considered part of H.r. erythrogaster. Comparative analyses with other Hirundo species support a southern African origin of H. rustica at the end of the Pliocene, followed by diversification and northward expansion. Our comprehensive dataset substantially refines the phylogeographic resolution of the species. We identify a novel haplogroup, clarify subspecies-level relationships, and reveal pervasive hybridisation and maternal introgression. These findings revise the evolutionary history of H. rustica and underscore the complexity of its population structure and gene flow. Beyond reconstructing lineage history, our study provides an evolutionary framework crucial for predicting environmental change responses and guiding migratory species conservation strategies.

Eutrophication is traditionally examined in relation to oxygen depletion, biodiversity loss, and water quality decline, but its role in surface–atmosphere exchanges remains poorly quantified. We evaluated whether eutrophication enhances lake evaporation, thereby contributing to greenhouse forcing through increased water vapour release. A one-dimensional heat budget model was applied to Lake Varese, a shallow subalpine lake in northern Italy, using meteorological forcing and seasonally varying optical properties. Modelled temperatures were validated against 2022 in situ profiles. Simulations based on literature optical parameters systematically overestimated deep-water heating. Optimisation of radiation absorption coefficients improved accuracy (RMSE = 0.88 °C).,Scenario analysis comparing current eutrophic conditions with a clear-water baseline showed that eutrophication increased annual evaporation by ~18%. This enhancement arises from greater absorption of solar radiation in surface layers, leading to elevated surface temperatures and intensified evaporation.,These results identify eutrophication as a previously unaccounted driver of lake–atmosphere feedbacks, with an effect size comparable to projections of century-scale warming-induced evaporation increases. Our findings suggest that nutrient enrichment not only degrades aquatic ecosystems but also contributes to greenhouse gas feedbacks. Incorporating this mechanism into climate models, and prioritizing nutrient reduction, may yield co-benefits for water quality and climate mitigation.

The barn swallow ( Hirundo rustica, H.r. ) is one of the most iconic and fascinating migratory birds since ancient times, their philopatry and pair bonding have been the symbol of travellers and lovers throughout history. The barn swallow subspecies complex has been the main focus of many latest papers, focusing mainly on the Eurasian and Levant subspecies ( H.r. rustica and H.r. transitiva ). The remaining subspecies have either not been studied or few complete mitogenome sequences have been obtained. We present a comprehensive phylogeographic analysis of 580 complete mitochondrial genomes of barn swallows representing all recognized subspecies. We identified 553 unique haplotypes, 166 of which are novel, with high haplotype diversity and notable nucleotide diversity among subspecies. Phylogenetic analysis by maximum parsimony supports a single maternal ancestor and reveals five main haplogroups, confirming and refining prior classifications. A novel, distinct haplogroup (E) was identified for H.r. tytleri , previously classified as a sub-branch of H.r. erythrogaster . The inclusion of 66 hybrid individuals confirmed extensive maternal introgression and revealed multiple cases of mitogenome-subspecies mismatches, notably in savignii , transitiva , and tytleri populations. We further integrated 13 mitogenomes from 12 other Hirundo species, three of which are newly sequenced, to contextualize H. rustica evolution within the genus. Our findings support a southern African origin with subsequent diversification and a northward expansion. This study significantly enhances resolution of barn swallow mitogenomic diversity, revises phylogenetic relationships, identifies new haplogroups, hints at inter-subspecies gene flow and refines coalescent-based divergence times, offering key insights into the evolutionary history and hybridisation patterns of this iconic migratory species.