BMC Ecology and Evolution welcomes submissions of research exploring the remarkable adaptations and ecological dynamics that enable life to flourish in the dark and low light environments. Contributions will explore evolutionary adaptations such as sensory specialization (e.g., night vision, echolocation, bioluminescence, heat-sensitive pits, and specialized hairs) that allow organisms to navigate, forage, and communicate in low-light conditions from caves to the deep sea. The collection will also investigate behavioral and physiological mechanisms, including circadian rhythm adjustments and predator-prey interactions, that are essential for survival in nocturnal niches.

Submissions on the impact of anthropogenic influences, such as light pollution, on nocturnal ecosystems and biodiversity are encouraged. The Collection also welcomes research on nighttime bioacoustics and soundscapes, examining how sound is used to adapt to and shape nocturnal environments. Contributions discussing the role of citizen science in advancing our understanding of nighttime ecology are also encouraged.

Evolution of disease: From pathogens to proliferating cells is a special Collection that explores how evolutionary processes shape health and disease—from infectious microbes to cancerous cells. We invite research within the discipline of evolutionary medicine that examine how forces such as natural selection, genetic drift, host-pathogen coevolution, and environmental change contribute to disease susceptibility, resistance, and progression. We welcome submissions that deepen our understanding of disease as a dynamic outcome of evolutionary interactions.

Topics of research may include but are not limited to research which uses evolutionary principles to understand:

1. Pathogen evolution, resistance, and host interactions

•

The evolution of antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic resistance

•

Mechanisms of immune evasion, persistence, and transmission

•

Experimental evolution and molecular insights into pathogen adaptation

•

Host-pathogen coevolution and the impacts of medical or environmental interventions

•

Comparative host-pathogen dynamics across species

2. Evolutionary mismatch and modern disease

•

Evolutionary insights into metabolic disorders, autoimmune conditions and cancer

•

When a previously advantageous trait becomes maladaptive due to change in the environment

3. Evolution of cancer

•

Evolutionary and ecological models of cancer progression and resistance

•

Comparative oncology: insights from cancer-resistant and long-lived species

•

Somatic evolution, immune escape, and tumor heterogeneity

4. Genetic variation, adaptation, and disease susceptibility

•

Adaptive and maladaptive genetic variants in human and animal populations

•

Pleiotropy and trade-offs in immune function, metabolism, and reproduction

•

Population genetics, admixture, and the evolutionary roots of health inequality

5. Microbiome evolution and host symbiosis

•

Coevolution and community ecology of host-associated microbiota

•

Functional evolution in microbial genomes and implications for host health

•

Microbiome shifts due to modern environments, drugs, or host genetic factors

6. Viral evolution and endogenous elements

•

Evolutionary arms races between hosts and viruses

•

Evolution and function of endogenous viral elements in animal genomes

•

Phylogenomic approaches to uncover ancient viral influences on host evolution

7. Experimental and computational approaches

•

Experimental evolution in microbial or model systems

•

Genomics, phylogenomics, and systems biology in disease evolution

•

Machine learning and AI in evolutionary medicine research