Article
Ecology
Xun Xu, Bao-Sheng Wang, Hui Yu
Summary: By using population genomics approaches, this study investigates the intraspecies differentiation of a fig wasp species and reveals genetic differences between the Hainan Island population and the continental populations. The research suggests that both geographic barriers and adaptation play a role in the genetic divergence of the population-level, providing insights into the potential speciation of non-model organisms.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ningxin Gu, Guoling Chen, Jia Yang, Chenqing Zheng, Xiaohui Gao, Leyang Yuan, Siyu Wang, Zhongyong Fan, Yiwei Lu, Gang Song, Shuihua Chen, Yang Liu
Summary: The Chinese Crested Tern is one of the most endangered seabird species in the world, with lower genetic diversity and signals of post-bottleneck population expansion observed. The study also found introgression between Chinese Crested Tern and Great Crested Tern.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Xiaoxia Deng, Yaolin Liao, Wanzhen Liu, Hui Yu
Summary: Although cases of breakdown in partner specificity are increasing, figs and their pollinating fig wasps are the most tightly integrated pollination mutualism. However, sometimes the pollinating fig wasp evolves cheating in this system. This study investigates the coexistence of two related fig wasp species in Ficus altissima, revealing that both species can share a host in a natural setting, although the pollinating wasp is more abundant.
ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joeselle Serrana, Kozo Watanabe
Summary: Metabarcoding is a fast and cost-effective tool for species identification, and this study assessed its ability to infer haplotypes in freshwater macroinvertebrates. The influence of DNA template concentration and PCR cycle on detecting true and false haplotypes was also examined.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Mohammed-Ahmed B. Elnour, Andrea Gloria-Soria, Rasha S. Azrag, Abeer M. Alkhaibari, Jeffrey R. Powell, Bashir Salim
Summary: Through genetic studies of Aedes aegypti in Sudan, two genetically distinct subspecies were identified in the country, located in Eastern and Western Sudan respectively. The research findings suggest that populations in Eastern Sudan are genetically closer to Asian and American populations, while populations in Western Sudan are more related to populations in East and West Africa.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bertrand Gauffre, Alexandre Boissinot, Vincent Quiquempois, Raphael Leblois, Pierre Grillet, Sophie Morin, Damien Picard, Cecile Ribout, Olivier Lourdais
Summary: The study showed that landscape heterogeneity significantly influences genetic diversity and gene flow in marbled newts. Higher pond density positively affects local genetic diversity, while arable crop land cover negatively impacts gene flow and connectivity.
Article
Forestry
Clara Vega, Victoria Fernandez, Luis Gil, Maria Valbuena-Carabana
Summary: This study evaluates the clonal and fine-scale spatial genetic structure of English holly in a sub-Mediterranean mixed forest in central Spain. The results show high clonal diversity and strong fine-scale genetic structure in the dense coppiced area, while the open woody pasture area exhibits weaker structure. Current management strategies do not seem to negatively affect the genetic diversity of this species.
Article
Forestry
Aaron Brunton, David J. Lee, Gabriel Conroy, Steven Ogbourne
Summary: Genetic diversity in Santalum lanceolatum populations is low, with evidence of regional differentiation and low levels of inbreeding. The clonal structure may be restricting sexual reproduction and natural recruitment potential. A conservation strategy involving genetic rescue is recommended to prevent further decline and potential local extinction.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yanfeng Duan, Shaoguang Duan, Jianfei Xu, Jiayi Zheng, Jun Hu, Xiaochuan Li, Baoju Li, Guangcun Li, Liping Jin
Summary: Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a devastating disease in potato-producing regions. Cultivation of resistant varieties and identification of germplasms with late blight resistance are effective ways to control the disease. A diverse population of 189 genotypes was screened for resistance, revealing broad-spectrum and isolate-specific resistant resources. Genetic analysis found abundant variation, with differentiation among populations and potential for gene improvement in breeding programs. Results provide valuable information for cultivar improvement and resistance gene mining.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolina de Oliveira Bernardes, Amelia Carlos Tuler, Drielli Canal, Marina Santos Carvalho, Adesio Ferreira, Marcia Flores da Silva Ferreira
Summary: This study assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of three Psidium species in the disturbed environment of Restinga in the Atlantic Forest of Espirito Santo, Brazil. The genetic variability was high and there was greater variation within populations than among populations. The populations were clustered into two main groups and considered moderately structured.
BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Morgane Tidiere, Elodie Portanier, Stephanie Jacquet, Steven M. Goodman, Gildas Monnier, Gregory Beuneux, Jean-Francois Desmet, Cecile Kaerle, Guillaume Queney, Michel Barataud, Dominique Pontier
Summary: This study genetically characterized the Chaerephon pumilus species group in the Comoros, revealing genetic differentiation and mitonuclear discordance. The results also suggested a more pronounced geographically based genetic structure in C. pusillus.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Daronja Trense, Laura Jager, Klaus Fischer
Summary: Genetic connectivity and diversity play a crucial role in species' resilience to environmental change. This study aimed to investigate resilience in two butterfly species by analyzing genetic diversity and barriers to dispersal. The results revealed higher genetic diversity and pronounced genetic structure in L. hippothoe compared to L. virgaureae, with both species exhibiting a major genetic barrier in the central Alps. Valleys and high mountain ridges were identified as significant dispersal barriers impacting population genetic structure. Different conservation strategies are recommended for the two species, focusing on habitat connectivity in L. hippothoe and increasing local population sizes in L. virgaureae.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Hossam Abou-Shaara, Sara AlAshaal, Mohamed Nasser, Omaima Nasif, Sulaiman Alharbi
Summary: The study analyzed different strains of deformed wing virus (DWV), designed primers to distinguish between these strains, and found similarities in their nucleotide composition and genetic relationships. The phylogenetic tree classified strains into three groups, with two groups from the USA and Europe, and one group from Asia. The research suggests rapid variations and mutations in DWV sequences.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Varun Hiremath, Kanwar Pal Singh, Neelu Jain, Kishan Swaroop, Pradeep Kumar Jain, Sapna Panwar, Nivedita Sinha
Summary: This study investigated the genetic diversity and relationships among 84 gladiolus genotypes using SSR markers. The results showed that these SSR markers can be used for cultivar identification, conservation, and crop improvement of gladiolus genotypes.
Article
Forestry
Giorgia Carletti, Luigi Cattivelli, Lorenzo Vietto, Giuseppe Nervo
Summary: SalixL. (willow) is the largest genus in the Salicaceae family, playing a significant role in riparian habitats, wetlands, and shrub tundra. A set of six SSR markers has been successfully identified to distinguish S. alba from other Salix species, making them valuable genetic resources for forestry research and breeding programs.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Jonathan T. D. Finch, James M. Cook
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Entomology
Scott Nacko, Mark Hall, Michael Duncan, James Cook, Markus Riegler, Robert Spooner-Hart
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lisa Cooper, Lynsey Bunnefeld, Jack Hearn, James M. Cook, Konrad Lohse, Graham N. Stone
Article
Ecology
Giles M. Ross, Sebastian Horn, Catriona A. Macdonald, Jeff R. Powell, Jason K. Reynolds, Michelle M. Ryan, James M. Cook, Uffe N. Nielsen
Article
Entomology
Alexander R. Robertson, Jonathan T. D. Finch, Andrew D. Young, Robert N. Spooner-Hart, Soraya K. M. Outim, James M. Cook
AUSTRAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Entomology
David F. Cook, Sasha C. Voss, Jonathan T. D. Finch, Romina C. Rader, James M. Cook, Cameron J. Spurr
Article
Ecology
Alihan Katlav, James M. Cook, Markus Riegler
Summary: The study found that larger eggs are more likely to be fertilized and develop into female offspring, while smaller eggs are more likely to remain unfertilized and become male offspring. Mating increases female investment in egg size, enhancing fertilization success and female offspring survival but reducing lifetime fecundity. This suggests a reproductive strategy favoring increased daughter production, potentially conflicting with the optimal offspring sex ratio.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Alihan Katlav, Duong T. Nguyen, James M. Cook, Markus Riegler
Summary: In haplodiploid animals, females can face constraints in producing female offspring due to factors such as insemination failure or physiological limitations. Research on Pezothrips kellyanus revealed that constrained sex allocation occurs in small females producing smaller eggs, while large females producing larger eggs tend to have a female-biased sex ratio. This bimodal sex allocation pattern is correlated with maternal condition and may be related to an egg size-mediated fertilization mechanism in haplodiploids.
Article
Entomology
O. M. Bernauer, J. M. Cook, S. M. Tierney
Summary: This study provides a detailed description of the life cycle, nesting biology, and social organization of a progressive provisioning allodapine bee in the Greater Sydney region. The research revealed the presence of multiple adult female bees in most nests, indicating reproductive division of labor and sex allocation patterns in this population. Multi-female nests showed evidence of reproductive dominance hierarchies and higher brood production compared to single-female nests.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Olivia M. Bernauer, James M. Cook, Simon M. Tierney
Summary: This study examined the pollination services provided by 11 insect taxa to a model plant by observing their behaviors on flowers. The results indicated that there was moderate functional redundancy in pollination services, even under simulated extinction events, suggesting some resilience to animal-plant network disruptions.
Article
Entomology
Scott Nacko, Mark Hall, Robert Spooner-Hart, James Cook, Olivia Bernauer, Markus Riegler
Summary: The study found that Australian stingless bees do not make significant contributions to the pollination of cucumber and watermelon crops, while other native flower visitors, including halictid bees, may play an important role.
JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alihan Katlav, James M. Cook, Markus Riegler
Summary: Many insects delay egg-laying to optimize their reproductive effort. This study focused on thrips and found that delaying oviposition did not impact egg size, but increased egg load and quantity. Delayed oviposition did not affect offspring fitness or sex ratio. This suggests that thrips females can delay oviposition without incurring physiological costs.
Article
Biology
Simon M. Tierney, Olivia M. Bernauer, Lachlan King, Robert Spooner-Hart, James M. Cook
Summary: This study observed the foraging behavior of 69,354 invertebrate flower visitors in Australian orchards and found that native stingless bees and introduced honey bees were the most abundant and efficacious pollinators. However, tree-nesting stingless bees decreased with distance from native forest and their distribution limits pollination service in other major Australian apple-producing regions. More broadly distributed native bees transferred the most pollen per-visit, but their low abundances resulted in a general reliance on honey bees for apple pollination.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
James M. Cook
Summary: The study found that in P. minerva, the ratio of winged males to unmated females closely matches, providing strong quantitative support for Hamilton's simple Mendelian model. There was no evidence for other factors that could violate simplifying assumptions of the model, and the proportion of winged males was not correlated with the number of wasps per fig, indicating no evidence for a conditional strategy.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Mark A. Hall, Laura E. Brettell, Hongwei Liu, Scott Nacko, Robert Spooner-Hart, Markus Riegler, James M. Cook
Summary: The microbiomes of stingless bees can undergo significant changes in response to the environment, which may have long-lasting effects. Differences in microbiome composition were observed initially between colonies at different sites and timepoints, but bacterial communities within colonies tended to become more similar over time.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2021)
