Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lu Chen, Jingyun Luo, Minliang Jin, Ning Yang, Xiangguo Liu, Yong Peng, Wenqiang Li, Alyssa Phillips, Brenda Cameron, Julio S. Bernal, Ruben Rellan-Alvarez, Ruairidh J. H. Sawers, Qing Liu, Yuejia Yin, Xinnan Ye, Jiali Yan, Qinghua Zhang, Xiaoting Zhang, Shenshen Wu, Songtao Gui, Wenjie Wei, Yuebin Wang, Yun Luo, Chenglin Jiang, Min Deng, Min Jin, Liumei Jian, Yanhui Yu, Maolin Zhang, Xiaohong Yang, Matthew B. Hufford, Alisdair R. Fernie, Marilyn L. Warburton, Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra, Jianbing Yan
Summary: A study conducted on genomic variation in maize and all wild relatives of the genus Zea identified over 70 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The research focused on adaptive alleles in highland teosinte and temperate maize, highlighting the key role of flowering-time-related pathways in their adaptation.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Nicholas T. Homziak, Caroline G. Storer, Lawrence F. Gall, Robert J. Borth, Akito Y. Kawahara
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Catocala, providing strong support for its monophyly and resolving many important relationships within the genus. The results suggest that Fabaceae is the likely ancestral host plant family for Catocala and Ulotrichopus, with multiple shifts to different plant families. Larval host plant use has played a significant role in the evolutionary history of Catocala.
SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Zoology
Georgette Paola Ancajima, Maicon Alicrin Da Silva, Paulo Eduardo De Oliveira, Marcelo Duarte
Summary: This study recorded 14 pollen types from 12 angiosperm families, with Pera pollen being the most abundant. The results indicate that there is low specificity in flower choice, as both short and long proboscis sphingids visited the same species of flowers.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Caroline Reinwald, Julia A. -S Bauder, Florian Karolyi, Michael Neulinger, Sarah Jaros, Brian Metscher, Harald W. Krenn
Summary: This study examined the morphology of proboscis and feeding organs in different species of nectar-feeding hawk moths. Despite variations in proboscis length and feeding strategies, the external and internal composition of galeae, stipes pump, and suction pump were similar across all species. The morphology of the proboscis, especially the arrangement of sensilla at the tip, was highly conserved. The honey-feeding species Acherontia atropos exhibited a unique piercing proboscis, while the supposedly nonfeeding species still possessed all organs of the feeding apparatus. Morphometric analysis revealed correlations between different organ volumes, suggesting fine-tuning in the evolution of proboscis length and function.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniele De Luca, Wiebe H. C. F. Kooistra, Diana Sarno, Elio Biffali, Roberta Piredda
Summary: Concerted evolution is a process of homogenisation of repetitive sequences within a genome. By studying Chaetoceros species, researchers found that the dominant haplotype is a result of efficient homogenisation mechanism, while minor haplotypes are mostly generated by incomplete homogenisation. Additionally, the study showed that phylogenetic networks can be inferred from environmental data to visualize concerted evolution.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel Aldea, Yuji Atsuta, Blerina Kokalari, Stephen F. Schaffner, Rexxi D. Prasasya, Adam Aharoni, Heather L. Dingwall, Bailey Warder, Yana G. Kamberov
Summary: This study reveals the genetic basis of high eccrine gland density in humans and identifies multiple interacting mutations in the human ECE18 enhancer that promote eccrine gland formation. The research suggests that regulation of the EN1 gene has evolved specifically in humans to contribute to this unique human adaptation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jun-Tong Chen, Magnus Liden, Xian-Han Huang, Liang Zhang, Xin-Jian Zhang, Tian-Hui Kuang, Jacob B. Landis, Dong Wang, Tao Deng, Hang Sun
Summary: A systematic study of Corydalis with 530 species revealed three subgenera, 25 sections, and one series as monophyletic, and proposed a new classification with four subgenera, 39 sections, including 16 consistent with previous classification, 16 recircumscribed, one reinstated, and six newly established sections.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Telma G. G. Laurentino, Drew E. E. Dittmer, Maggie R. R. Grundler, Francisco Pina-Martins, Janey Haddock, Toby J. J. Hibbitts, Erica Bree Rosenblum
Summary: The White Sands lizards in New Mexico have evolved blanched coloration on white gypsum dunes, and the Salt Basin Dunes population of the lesser earless lizard in Texas has also developed a similar blanched morph. Genetic analysis shows that these two populations are independent lineages without genetic parallelism in a specific coding region. Additionally, they exhibit divergence in limb length and habitat use behavior.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Katharina Schramm, Michele Skopec, Denise Dearing
Summary: Herbivorous mammals have limited understanding of detoxification processes used to transform plant secondary compounds. Specialist herbivores may rely more on energetically cheap Phase I biotransformation reactions. This study compared urinary metabolite patterns of two specialist herbivores to explore this hypothesis.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Amruta Tendolkar, Aaron F. Pomerantz, Christa Heryanto, Paul D. Shirk, Nipam H. Patel, Arnaud Martin
Summary: The study demonstrates the crucial role of the Ubx gene in specifying many aspects of hindwing-specific identities in butterflies and moths, showing its involvement in various gene regulatory networks related to wing development and patterning.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
R. Keating Godfrey, Sarah E. Britton, Shova Mishra, Jay K. Goldberg, Akito Y. Kawahara
Summary: The whitelined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) is a model organism for studying phenotypic plasticity, plant-herbivore interactions, physiological ecology, and flight control. This study reports a high-quality genome and annotates the core melanin synthesis pathway genes, providing an important foundation for future research.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Zachary P. Cohen, Yolanda H. Chen, Russell Groves, Sean D. Schoville
Summary: Pesticide resistance in the Colorado potato beetle illustrates rapid evolution in response to environmental change. Studying two highly resistant populations in the United States, researchers found differences in demography, recombination, and selection. They identified specific genes associated with insecticide resistance that underwent independent, rapid evolution in geographically distinct populations.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Romana Vargova, Pavla Hanouskova, Jana Salamonova, David Zihala, Jeffrey D. Silberman, Marek Elias, Ivan Cepicka
Summary: In this study, detailed microscopic and transcriptome analyses were conducted on a poorly documented strain of an anaerobic free-living marine flagellate, PCS, in the CL3 fornicate lineage. The researchers discovered a new member of the Caviomonadidae family, Euthynema mutabile, which possesses an ultrastructurally discernible MRO. Transcriptome analyses also showed unique amino acid substitutions in I. spirale's eRF1 protein domain responsible for termination codon recognition. The study suggests that the CL3 clade has undergone a hydrogenosome-to-mitosome transition independent from that previously documented in the lineage leading to Giardia.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Kuang-Ping Yu, Matjaz Kuntner, Ren-Chung Cheng
Summary: This study examines the classification and phylogenetic placement of Cyphalonotus and reveals its relationship with the genus Poltys. The study also provides new data on sexual size dimorphism in Poltys and confirms the monomorphism in Cyphalonotus and related genera.
INVERTEBRATE SYSTEMATICS
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Ally Harari, Rakefet Sharon
Summary: Mating-disruption is an environmentally safe pest control method, but recent studies have found reduced efficacy, possibly due to the evolution of resistance in pests. This review summarizes cases of mating-disruption resistance in tea pests and the pink bollworm, and discusses possible explanations and modes of action.
ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALIS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hanxia Yu, Johannes J. Le Roux, Zhaoyang Jiang, Feng Sun, Changlian Peng, Weihua Li
Summary: Invasive Mikania micrantha outcompetes native competitors by transferring more nitrogen to plant tissue, resulting in higher nitrogen cycling rates and available nitrogen in the soil, which supports greater interspecific competition.
Article
Entomology
Yordan Hristov, Johannes J. Le Roux, Michael H. Allsopp, Theresa C. Wossler
Summary: This study genotyped P. larvae isolates in South Africa and found that all isolates belonged to the ERIC I genotype, with two subtypes, Ab and ab. These findings are consistent with the global prevalence of the ERIC I AFB genotype among honey bee colonies infected with P. larvae.
JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jan-Hendrik Keet, Allan G. Ellis, Cang Hui, Ana Novoa, Johannes J. Le Roux
Summary: The study found that invasive nitrogen-fixing Australian Acacia trees altered soil chemistry and function in South Africa's Core Cape Subregion, increasing levels of nitrogen, carbon, and pH, as well as influencing the composition of soil bacterial communities.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sara Vicente, Cristina Maguas, David M. Richardson, Helena Trindade, John R. U. Wilson, Johannes J. Le Roux
Summary: The study found that the genetic diversity of invasive populations of Australian acacias is similar to that of native populations, and there is little evidence of extensive inbreeding in invasive populations. This may be attributed to the extensive movement, introduction efforts, and human use of Australian acacias around the world.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mario Mairal, Steven L. Chown, Justine Shaw, Desalegn Chala, John H. Chau, Cang Hui, Jesse M. Kalwij, Zuzana Munzbergova, Bettine Jansen van Vuuren, Johannes J. Le Roux
Summary: The study reveals that human activity significantly impacts the post-introduction dynamics of invasive species, leading to high genetic diversity and admixture of P. annua on Marion Island, while populations on unoccupied Prince Edward Island show low genetic diversity and structure. High genetic variation and admixture facilitated by human activity, coupled with high habitat suitability, suggest that P. annua is likely to increase its distribution and abundance in the future.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Staci Warrington, Allan G. Ellis, Jan-Hendrik Keet, Johannes J. Le Roux
Summary: This study examined the effect of different rhizobial associations on the performance of Australian Acacia saligna in different soils within South Africa's Core Cape Subregion (CCR), as well as the impact of exotic rhizobia on the endemic legume, Psoralea pinnata. The results showed that A. saligna predominantly associated with Australian bradyrhizobia, even in the absence of inoculum, while P. pinnata largely associated with native South African Mesorhizobium strains. This suggests that exotic Australian bradyrhizobia are already present and widespread in the CCR soils, and that mutualist limitation is not a barrier to further acacia invasion in the region.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Clova A. Mabin, Tamara B. Robinson, John R. U. Wilson, Heidi Hirsch, Maria L. Castillo, Michelle Jooste, Johannes J. Le Roux
Summary: The study investigated the introduction and spread of European shore crab and Mediterranean shore crab in South Africa using genetic data and modeling approaches. The results suggest multiple introductions and movement of crabs between populations, as well as hybridization between different species. The study highlights the importance of targeting all known invasive populations for effective management and eradication.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hanxia Yu, Johannes J. Le Roux, Mengxin Zhao, Weihua Li
Summary: This study investigates the effects of sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) of the invasive plant Mikania micrantha on soil microbial diversity and activity. The results show that Mikania STLs can significantly increase the regulation of soil microbial activity. Specifically, the presence of dihydromikanolide, a specific STL, increases bacterial richness but decreases soil fungal richness. Dihydromikanolide also promotes the abundance of beneficial soil bacteria and fungi associated with nutrient cycling and supply, while reducing pathogen abundance.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Genevieve L. Theron, Johannes J. Le Roux, Steven D. Johnson, Bruce Anderson
Summary: One of the key factors influencing floral trait diversification and speciation in angiosperms is pollinator shifts. The African genus, Ferraria, demonstrates a wide range of floral scent and color variations, which have evolved under the influence of different pollinator groups.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniela M. Monsanto, Devon C. Main, Charlene Janion-Scheepers, Arsalan Emami-Khoyi, Louis Deharveng, Anne Bedos, Mikhail Potapov, Shilpa P. Parbhu, Johannes J. Le Roux, Peter R. Teske, Bettine Jansen van Vuuren
Summary: The study found no evidence that selection signals in mitochondrial genes are linked to the evolution of different life forms in Collembola, suggesting that mutations accumulate over time. The importance of nuclear-mitochondrial interactions in the evolution of collembolan life forms was highlighted.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mario Mairal, Carlos Garcia-Verdugo, Johannes J. Le Roux, John H. Chau, Bettine Jansen van Vuuren, Cang Hui, Zuzana Munzbergova, Steven L. Chown, Justine D. Shaw
Summary: This study investigates the invasive plant species Poa annua in the isolated islands of the Southern Ocean. The results show that P. annua exhibits high genetic diversity, low population structure, and low selfing rates in the sub-Antarctic archipelagos. It suggests multiple independent introductions of P. annua into the sub-Antarctic and convergent reproductive strategies in each major archipelago.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Johannes J. Le Roux, Michelle R. Leishman, Dylan M. Geraghty, Anthony Manea
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
K. L. Glennon, J. J. Le Roux, D. I. Thompson
Summary: This study examined the genetic diversity and structure of the endangered species Warburgia salutaris in South Africa's Kruger National Park. Contrary to expectations, high genetic diversity and clonality were found in all sub-populations of W. salutaris. The lack of recent sexual reproduction in the wild population is likely due to high levels of clonality and short distance pollination.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Johannes J. Le Roux, Michelle R. Leishman, Dylan Geraghty, Anthony Manea
Summary: The invasion of O. europaea subsp. cuspidata affects the availability of microbial mutualists for native legumes in the CPW, but these impacts do not persist as legacy effects.
Article
Ecology
Ossola Alessandro, Yu Mengran, Le Roux Jaco, Bustamante Heriberto, Uthayakumaran Luther, Leishman Michelle
Summary: This study is among the first to use large datasets to predict the impact of urban infrastructure, trees, and environmental factors on sewer blockages. It found that urban morphology and pipe characteristics were more significant than tree characteristics in explaining root blockages. The abundance of tree stems and the presence of the Chinese banyan tree were the most important variables in predicting the frequency of root blockages per unit pipe length.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)