Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marcin Markowski, Piotr Minias, Miroslawa Banbura, Michal Gladalski, Adam Kalinski, Joanna Skwarska, Jaroslaw Wawrzyniak, Piotr Zielinski, Jerzy Banbura
Summary: Human-induced landscape conversions can affect dispersal patterns and genetic structure of bird populations. Urbanization can enhance genetic differentiation, but different bird species may respond differently to urbanization-related changes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hailang Tong, Hongda Deng, Zhiqiang Han
Summary: Camellia hainanica, a woody olive tree species found in China's Hainan Province, has been neglected due to geographic isolation, hindering the exploitation of germplasm resources. This study analyzed the ploidy and genetic characteristics of C. hainanica populations, revealing complex ploidy differentiation and low genetic diversity and differentiation among populations. The study suggests ex-situ cultivation and in-situ management measures for the future conservation of C. hainanica's genetic diversity.
Article
Ecology
Kun Zhang, Jianxun Wu, Daogui Deng, Hui Zhao, Qi Liu, Shuixiu Peng, Yanan Zhang, Zhongze Zhou
Summary: This study investigated the genetic diversity and differentiation of Daphnia sinensis population in Lake Chaohu, Jiangsu, using the COI gene and microsatellite markers. The results showed that water temperature and total dissolved phosphorus were closely correlated with the seasonal genetic differentiation of D. sinensis, while nitrogen content in the sediments was significantly associated with its long-term microevolution. This suggests that the changing pattern of D. sinensis population genetic structure is closely related to environmental selection.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Lei Yue, Li-Jun Cao, Jin-Cui Chen, Ya-Jun Gong, Yan-Hao Lin, Ary Anthony Hoffmann, Shu-Jun Wei
Summary: The study on population genetic structure of Drosophila melanogaster in China reveals high levels of genetic uniqueness among populations, with geographic isolation and environmental factors playing significant roles in shaping the genetic structure after the species' introduction into China.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Erin Foster, Jane Watson, Matthew A. Lemay, M. Tim Tinker, James A. Estes, Rebecca Piercey, Lauren Henson, Carol Ritland, Allyson Miscampbell, Linda Nichol, Margot Hessing-Lewis, Anne K. Salomon, Chris T. Darimont
Summary: Disturbance generated by sea otters digging for prey in eelgrass meadows increases genetic diversity in plants, with higher allelic richness and genotypic diversity in areas where sea otters have been established for 20 to 30 years. The influence of sea otters on genetic diversity is stronger than other factors, demonstrating an underappreciated evolutionary process by which megafauna may promote genetic diversity and ecological resilience.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Fangcao Zhao, Liang Guo, Nan Zhang, Jingwen Yang, Kecheng Zhu, Huayang Guo, Baosuo Liu, Bo Liu, Dianchang Zhang, Shigui Jiang
Summary: This study assessed the genetic diversity of Lutjanus kasmira populations in the South China Sea using SNP data obtained from RAD-seq. The results showed that the genetic diversity of the populations in Zhubi Dao and Meiji Dao was relatively low at the genome level, and their genetic differences were small.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suzuki Setsuko, Kyoko Sugai, Ichiro Tamaki, Koji Takayama, Hidetoshi Kato
Summary: “Genetic diversity of plant populations on islands is influenced by factors such as island origin, age, and size. This study examined the genetic diversity of Planchonella obovata populations on both continental and oceanic islands in Japan. The results showed that island origin and age significantly affected genetic diversity, and younger oceanic islands had lower genetic diversity. The population size and genetic structure were also consistent with the geographic pattern of the islands.”
Article
Microbiology
Karine Cahier, Damien Piel, Ruben Barcia-Cruz, David Goudenege, K. Mathias Wegner, Marc Monot, Jesus L. Romalde, Frederique Le Roux
Summary: Phages depend on their bacterial hosts to replicate, and the habitat, density, and genetic diversity of host populations are crucial factors in phage ecology. This study compared two populations of marine bacterial hosts and their phages collected from an oyster farm. The results showed that Vibrio crassostreae, a species associated specifically with oysters, had a genetically structured population, leading to the isolation of closely related phages forming large modules in the phage-bacterial infection networks. On the other hand, Vibrio chagasii, which blooms in the water column, had a lower number of closely related hosts and a higher diversity of isolated phages resulting in small modules in the network. Furthermore, the study found that phage load was correlated with V. chagasii abundance over time, and these phage blooms could generate genetic variability to counteract host defense systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Qinhui Zhang, Xinxin Zhang, Yuchun Yang, Lianfeng Xu, Jian Feng, Jingyuan Wang, Yongsheng Tang, Xiaona Pei, Xiyang Zhao
Summary: This study developed molecular markers and assessed the genetic diversity of Juglans mandshurica populations. The results showed moderate levels of genetic differentiation and gene flow among populations. Various genetic conservation strategies were proposed based on the genetic diversity characteristics.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dimitrios Tsaparis, Thomas Lecocq, Dimitrios Kyriakis, Katerina Oikonomaki, Pascal Fontaine, Costas S. Tsigenopoulos
Summary: The genetic background of pikeperch populations was assessed using genetic markers, revealing that current broodstocks have similar genetic diversity to wild populations. Genetic differentiation analysis showed that European pikeperch populations can be divided into two groups, with one predominantly found in Northern Europe and around the Baltic Sea, and the other primarily in Central Europe. Aquaculture broodstocks were found to have fish of a single origin with a few exceptions. The study provides valuable information on the genetic diversity of pikeperch and offers a genetic tool for fish stock management and improvement.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Chen, Weimin Wang
Summary: The study revealed a high genetic differentiation among the four Megalobrama species, and genetic distance among populations was not affected by geographical distance. Additionally, gene flow was found between the Liangzi Lake and Jinsha River Reservoir populations, and the Zhaoqing population might have experienced a population expansion.
Article
Microbiology
Qi Huang, Lei Xu, Lili Xie, Ping Liu, Eric Zeus C. Rizo, Bo-Ping Han
Summary: This study investigates the fine-scale spatial genetic variation of Daphnia galeata within four large reservoirs using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and microsatellites. The results show that fine-scale spatial genetic variation commonly occurs within reservoirs, suggesting strong environmental selection. Additionally, the study finds that local genetic diversity of D. galeata does not follow the theoretical pattern of rapid erosion, but peaks in mid or mid-late growth season. This suggests that local genetic diversity is shaped by both recruitment from resting egg banks and gene flow within reservoirs. Therefore, sampling periods and locations of a water body are important considerations in regional studies.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhi Wang, Xingxing Cai, Xiao-Qi Jiang, Qi-Yu Xia, Lin-Feng Li, Bao-Rong Lu
Summary: Sympatric genetic divergence is an intriguing and controversial pattern in the theory of ecological speciation. The analysis of genomic DNA sequences of weedy rice populations in the same fields but different seasons reveals significant genetic divergence between the populations, suggesting the role of temporal isolation in creating genetic divergence.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuze Zhao, Yifan Zhong, Congting Ye, Pingping Liang, Xiaobao Pan, Yuan-Ye Zhang, Yihui Zhang, Yingjia Shen
Summary: Our study revealed morphological differences and genetic differentiation among different populations of Kandelia obovata. The central population with abundant genetic diversity and high phenotypic plasticity had a wide plantable range but experienced reduced biomass after being transferred to other latitudes. Suppressed expression of lignin biosynthesis genes revealed by RNA-seq may be responsible for the biomass reduction. Additionally, modification of DNA methylation in MADS-box genes involved in the regulation of flowering time was observed, contributing to the adaptation to new environments.
Article
Anthropology
Jaehee Kim, Michael D. Edge, Amy Goldberg, Noah A. Rosenberg
Summary: In genetic admixture processes, differences in genotype and phenotype between source populations may quickly decrease over time. Analyzing a mechanistic model, it was found that the speed of decoupling between genetic ancestry and phenotype depended on the number of loci influencing the phenotype. Positive assortative mating can slow down the process of dissociation between genetic ancestry and phenotype.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elizabeth A. Hunter, James P. Gibbs, Linda J. Cayot, Washington Tapia, Maud C. Quinzin, Joshua M. Miller, Adalgisa Caccone, Kevin T. Shoemaker
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Kerry Reid, John Carlos Garza, Steven R. Gephard, Adalgisa Caccone, David M. Post, Eric P. Palkovacs
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Nurper Guz, Asli Dageri, Boran Altincicek, Serap Aksoy
Summary: The study characterized three putative heat shock proteins from S. littoralis and analyzed their expression levels in response to various stressors. It was found that these Hsp genes might play significant roles in the response to biotic and abiotic stress, as well as in the regulation of developmental stages.
CELL STRESS & CHAPERONES
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Nathan P. Havill, Brian P. Griffin, Jeremy C. Andersen, Robert G. Foottit, Mathias J. Justesen, Adalgisa Caccone, Vincent D'Amico, Joseph S. Elkinton
Summary: The Adelges (Dreyfusia) piceae species complex was found to be taxonomically unstable, with a total of six species. Through genetic analysis and morphology comparison, researchers have successfully identified two stable species: Ad. nordmannianae and Ad. piceae, while suggesting that other species are hybrids between the two and therefore invalid. This study highlights the importance of accurate species delimitation and the ongoing transition between sexual and asexual reproduction within the Adelgidae family.
SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
M. Chemurot, A. S. Otim, D. Namayanja, H. Onen, C. Angiro, R. Mugume, R. Kajobe, J. Macharia, M. Gikungu, P. P. Abila, P. Kasangaki
Summary: Stingless beekeeping in Uganda is still in its early stages, with four main species identified for honey and propolis production. Addressing training needs will be crucial for the growth of the industry.
AFRICAN ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Konstantinos Kougioumoutzis, Panayiota Kotsakiozi, Efthalia Stathi, Panayiotis Trigas, Aristeidis Parmakelis
Summary: The Mediterranean basin is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot with over 11,000 endemic plants. Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, like Greece, have rich endemic flora but only a small fraction of genetic diversity of threatened Mediterranean endemics has been assessed. Climate change is expected to have a profound impact on the range size of these plants, requiring urgent in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures to preserve these highly threatened and rare endemic species.
Article
Microbiology
Liu Yang, Brian L. Weiss, Adeline E. Williams, Emre Aksoy, Alessandra de Silva Orfano, Jae Hak Son, Yineng Wu, Aurelien Vigneron, Mehmet Karakus, Serap Aksoy
Summary: Tsetse flies are vectors of parasitic African trypanosomes, the causative agents of human and animal African trypanosomoses. Inhibiting tsetse's ability to transmit trypanosomes by strengthening the fly's natural barriers can serve as an alternative approach to reduce disease. The peritrophic matrix (PM) is a chitinous and proteinaceous barrier that lines the insect midgut and inhibits infection with pathogens.
Article
Zoology
Paraskevi Niki Lampri, Christina Bouranta, Canella Radea, Aristeidis Parmakelis
Summary: Crete, with its complex geomorphological history, has the highest number of endemism observed in animal and plant taxa in the Aegean archipelago. A comprehensive study on the distribution of genetic lineages of Bythinella and Pseudamnicola in Crete reveals at least 5 delineated Bythinella spp. and 2 delineated Pseudamnicola spp. The differentiation of Bythinella is attributed to vicariant phenomena over a long period, while Pseudamnicola shows a pattern more consistent with recent isolation-by-distance.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Gioele Tropea, Aristeidis Parmakelis
Summary: In this study, several populations assigned to Euscorpius concinnus and Euscorpius catpathicus niciensis were reevaluated based on phylogenetic, morphological, and geographical factors. Three new species, E. latinus sp. nov., E. stefaniae sp. nov., and E. trejaensis sp. nov., were described, and E. niciensis stet. nov. was elevated to species status. Ecological and biogeographical data were provided for the revised taxa. These taxonomic changes increased the number of species in the subfamily Euscorpiinae to 90. Italy now has 27 scorpion species, with one species in the family Buthidae, one in Belisariidae, and 25 in Euscorpiidae.
Article
Microbiology
Brian L. Weiss, Rita V. M. Rio, Serap Aksoy
Summary: Wigglesworthia glossinidia is an endosymbiont of tsetse flies that is maternally transmitted and plays a crucial role in the physiological adaptations and immune system development of the flies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreas C. Dimitriou, Aglaia Antoniou, Ioannis Alexiou, Nikos Poulakakis, Aristeidis Parmakelis, Spyros Sfenthourakis
Summary: The study found at least six genetically discrete populations on Cyprus, with four being endemic and one widely distributed across Mediterranean countries. It also revealed that the endemic Cypriot populations have the closest evolutionary relationship with those from Israel.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Jingwen Wang, Li Gao, Serap Aksoy
Summary: In this Review, the authors explore the impact of microbiota on vector physiology and competence, provide an overview of the common and unique characteristics of microbiota in major disease vector systems and discuss the potential applications of manipulating vector microbiota for vector control purposes. Vector arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, flies, triatomine bugs and lice, play a role in transmitting various pathogens to mammals, posing a threat to human and animal health. These arthropods harbor symbiotic microorganisms, known as microbiota, which are essential for their development and reproduction. The authors summarize the key features of the symbiotic associations in major vector taxa and discuss the interactions between microbiota and their arthropod hosts, which influence vector metabolism and immune responses relevant for pathogen transmission success. They also highlight the use of symbiotic associations in developing alternative control methods to reduce vector populations and vector competence. The authors conclude by pointing out the remaining knowledge gaps in vector-microbiota interactions, which require further research for both basic understanding and practical applications.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Aikaterini Vourka, Ioannis Karaouzas, Aristeidis Parmakelis
Summary: This review examines the use of molecular methods for the ecological assessment of rivers based on benthic macroinvertebrates. The results show that the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) is more efficient, objective, and non-invasive compared to traditional methods for assessing benthic macroinvertebrate communities. However, due to methodological variations, there is a need for standardization of key steps in the eDNA metabarcoding process.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Canella Radea, Paraskevi Niki Lampri, Konstantinos Bakolitsas, Aristeidis Parmakelis
Summary: Daphniola dione sp. nov., a valvatiform hydrobiid gastropod from Western Greece, is characterized by a unique combination of shell and soft body features, as well as a 7-13% COI sequence divergence compared to congeneric species. The only population of D. dione is found inhabiting a cave spring on Lefkada Island in the Ionian Sea.
ZOOSYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Christopher Angiro, Patrick P'Odyek Abila, Timothy Omara
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2020)