Article
Zoology
Andre Nel, Patrick Roques, Herve Duquesne
Summary: The new species Duquesnia gallica from the upper Carboniferous of Northern France shares several putative synapomorphies with three other genera from Germany, USA, and France.
Article
Paleontology
Olivier Bethoux, John M. Anderson
Summary: The systematics of the Triadophlebiomorpha, a group of often large-sized stem-Odonata, primarily from the Triassic period, is reexamined based on new data and material from South Africa. The delimitation of the genera Reisia and Triadotypus is reconsidered, with the latter being recognized as a junior synonym of the former. The study also provides new insights into wing venation homologies in the group and confirms the placement of certain species to the Triadophlebiomorpha. Furthermore, similarities between South African and Australian Triassic insect faunas are emphasized.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dyani Lewis
Summary: New analysis of genomic data from market swabs emphasizes their limitations.
Review
Plant Sciences
Yang Zhao, Mengfan Feng, Dev Paudel, Tofazzal Islam, Aliya Momotaz, Ziliang Luo, Zifan Zhao, Ni Wei, Sicheng Li, Qing Xia, Bowen Kuang, Xiping Yang, Jianping Wang
Summary: Crop domestication began around 10,000-12,000 years ago by selecting traits in wild plant species suitable for human use. Recent advances in genomics have enhanced our understanding of crop domestication processes and mechanisms, supporting crop improvement.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zaid Haddadin, Trinity Pike, Jebin J. Moses, Lisa Poulikakos
Summary: This article discusses the relationship between fiber-affecting diseases and polarized light imaging, focusing on the potential application of colorimetric metasurfaces in disease visualization.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinkang Shen, Haitao Zhang
Summary: In this study, the structures of EBI2 in inactive and active states were determined, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of EBI2 ligand binding and signaling.
Article
Ecology
Marike Palmer, Jonathan K. Covington, En-Min Zhou, Scott C. Thomas, Neeli Habib, Cale O. Seymour, Dengxun Lai, Juliet Johnston, Ameena Hashimi, Jian-Yu Jiao, Alise R. Muok, Lan Liu, Wen-Dong Xian, Xiao-Yang Zhi, Meng-Meng Li, Leslie P. Silva, Benjamin P. Bowen, Katherine Louie, Ariane Briegel, Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Peter K. Weber, Elitza I. Tocheva, Tanja Woyke, Trent R. Northen, Xavier Mayali, Wen-Jun Li, Brian P. Hedlund
Summary: In this study, two motile, thermophilic bacteria belonging to the genus Tepidiforma and class Dehalococcoidia within the phylum Chloroflexota were isolated from hot spring sediments. They exhibited flagellar motility, a peptidoglycan-containing cell envelope, and heterotrophic activity on aromatics and plant-associated compounds, which are unusual traits in cultivated Chloroflexota and Dehalococcoidia. The ancestral character state reconstructions revealed that flagellar motility and peptidoglycan-containing cell envelopes were ancestral within the Dehalococcoidia, but subsequently lost. The evolution of enzymes for degradation of aromatics and plant-associated compounds was predominantly horizontal and complex. These unusual traits and their evolutionary histories raise new questions about the niche expansion of Dehalococcoidia into global oceans.
Article
Plant Sciences
Francesco Mercati, Gabriella De Lorenzis, Antonio Mauceri, Marcello Zerbo, Lucio Brancadoro, Claudio D'Onofrio, Caterina Morcia, Maria Gabriella Barbagallo, Cristina Bignami, Massimo Gardiman, Laura de Palma, Paola Ruffa, Vittorino Novello, Manna Crespan, Francesco Sunseri
Summary: The study utilized a high-quality SNP dataset to analyze the genetic diversity, structure, and migration patterns of Eurasian grape varieties. It revealed distinct histories between Northern and Southern Italian grapevines, with Italian genotypes being distinguishable from other populations for the first time. The findings confirmed a pattern of gene flow from east to west, with Greece acting as a bridge between Western and Eastern Eurasia.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel Frynta, Marketa Janovcova, Iveta Stolhoferova, Sarka Peleskova, Barbora Vobrubova, Petra Frydlova, Hana Skalikova, Petr Sipek, Eva Landova
Summary: The study found that spiders and scorpions, as chelicerates, scored highest in fear and disgust, while beetles and crabs scored highest in beauty. Chelicerates were perceived as a cohesive group distinct from other arthropods such as insects or crabs. Based on these findings, researchers hypothesize that the fear of spiders may be triggered by a generalized fear of chelicerates, with scorpions being the original stimulus signaling danger.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robbie P. Joosten, Jon Agirre
Summary: The study combines AlphaFold models with proteomics results to add functional context to protein structure prediction.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yuan Shi, Yixian Xu, Bo Yang, Shuyu Liu
Summary: The study finds that the conductors in different regions of the North China Craton can be attributed to different tectonic mechanisms, including oceanic subduction, ancient suture zones, and modern craton destruction. In addition, anisotropy is observed in the lower crust and uppermost mantle of the southern part of the North China Plain, with enhanced conductivity along a specific direction, which may be related to magma accumulation caused by Cenozoic asthenosphere upwelling.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chloe Turpin, Olivier Meilhac, Emmanuel Bourdon, Francois Canonne-Hergaux, Philippe Rondeau
Summary: Red blood cells play a crucial role in circulation and their aging process, as well as the phagocytosis by professional and non-professional phagocytes, can contribute to disease progression. Investigating the mechanisms of erythrophagocytosis is vital for understanding pathologies.
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Mariano Soiza-Reilly
Summary: In a recent study, Kitt, Tabuchi, and colleagues discovered a new function of an early-stage transcriptional network in maintaining the adult integrity of serotonergic connectivity. Morphological changes in axons and synapses of serotonin neurons after selectively inactivating the Lmx1b/Pet1 transcriptional networks may provide insights into aging and neurodegenerative processes.
TRENDS IN NEUROSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomonori Azuma, Tomas Panek, Alexander K. Tice, Motoki Kayama, Mayumi Kobayashi, Hideaki Miyashita, Toshinobu Suzaki, Akinori Yabuki, Matthew W. Brown, Ryoma Kamikawa
Summary: This study reveals the close relationship between the eukaryvorous protist Actinophrys sol and Ochrophyta through phylogenomic analysis. The absence of plastid genome and biosynthesis in Actinophrys sol suggests that the last common ancestor of Actinophryidae and Ochrophyta had not fully established a host-plastid partnership. However, gene transfer of algal genes from Ochrophyta to Actinophrys sol has occurred.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaobin Ou, Xiao Wang, Bing Zhao, Yi Zhao, Haiqing Liu, Yuankai Chang, Zhiwei Wang, Wenqi Yang, Xuebin Zhang, Ke Yu
Summary: Through metabolome profiling and transcriptome profiling, we identified that the anti-obesity effect of Polygonatum sibiricum may be related to the accumulation of phloretin, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, which are regulated by genetic pathways. The findings provide insights into the mechanism of action of Polygonatum sibiricum and offer valuable data for future research.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Marie Camier, Antoine Logghe, Andre Nel, Romain Garrouste
Summary: The new species Eochauliops longicornis and previous discoveries in the same amber suggest that the Lygaeoidea were already diverse during the Palaeocene, despite the uncertain and scarce Mesozoic record of this superfamily.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Marie Camier, Antoine Logghe, Andre Nel, Romain Garrouste
Summary: The description of the first fossil Malcidae, Eochauliops longicornis gen. et sp. n., from the amber of Oise (France) suggests that the Lygaeoidea were already diverse during the Palaeocene, despite the uncertain and scarce Mesozoic record of this superfamily.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geology
Valerie Ngo-Muller, Michael S. Engel, Romain Garrouste, Jean-Marc Pouillon, Andr Nel
Summary: A new species of ocydromiine hybotid fly is described and illustrated for the first time from mid-Cretaceous amber in northern Myanmar. Pouillonhybos venator exhibits significant leg modifications likely related to grasping prey, representing early evidence of such specializations in Hybotidae history. The findings provide insight into the evolutionary adaptations of this fly family.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Suzanne Conjard, Romain Garrouste, Sylvie D. D. Gustave, Olivier Gros
Summary: The study illustrates the distribution of semiaquatic bug species in Guadeloupe and reports four new species for the first time. Detailed data on the ecology and distribution of these species in the region of investigation are provided, along with taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antoine Logghe, Andre Nel, Jean-Sebastien Steyer, Valerie Ngo-Muller, Jean-Marc Pouillon, Romain Garrouste
Summary: Full body impressions and resting traces of Hexapoda provide crucial information on behavior and locomotion of trace makers, and help define trophic relationships with other organisms. The discovery of a winged insect fossil suggests plant mimicry and a response to increasing predation pressure, potentially supporting revised estimates for the appearance of phasmatodean-like stick insects. Further exploration of sites with similar preservation may enhance our understanding of early insect evolutionary history.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Andre Nel, Romain Garrouste, Rose Prevec
Summary: This article describes the fossil of Afrozygopteron inexpectatus, indicating that the Protozygoptera were more widely distributed during the Carboniferous/Permian than previously believed.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Andre Nel, Jean-Paul Kundura, Jean-Marc Pouillon, Romain Garrouste, Corentin Jouault
Summary: A new genus and species of Caloneurodea, Lodevogramma pumilia gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated from the Salagou Formation in France. A new family, Lodevogrammatidae fam. nov., is created to accommodate this species due to its unique wing venation. The new species differs from others in the same order, and its discovery adds to the diversity of Caloneurodea in the Salagou Formation. A comparison with Megasecoptera suggests a possible decline in both groups, possibly influenced by floral changes, in a pattern similar to Permian tetrapods.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Andre Nel, Romain Garrouste, Mustafa Kaya, Alexis Licht, Stephane Legal, Pauline Coster
Summary: Aeshna caseneuvensis sp. nov., the second oldest representative of the genus Aeshna, is described and figured from the lowermost Oligocene of Luberon in southeastern France. Its occurrence, along with the oldest species from the uppermost Eocene of Colorado in USA, in distant areas within a time interval of less than five million years strongly suggests that the genus might be even older.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Andre Nel, Jean-Paul Kundura, Jean-Marc Pouillon, Romain Garrouste, Corentin Jouault
Summary: This article describes Lodevoisadia coheni as a new genus and species of Grylloblattodea found in the middle Permian of France. While it shares most characteristics with the Tunguskapteridae family, it is currently difficult to assign this species to a specific family without phylogenetic analysis and clear delineation of grylloblattodean families.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TAXONOMY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Romain Jattiot, Vincent Trincal, Romain Garrouste, Andre Nel
Summary: A new species of fossil naucorid, Ilyocoris andancensis sp. nov., is described based on three compressed mummies found in a diatom paleolake in 'La Montagne d'Andance' (Ardeche, France). This species differs from other extant and fossil representatives of the genus in terms of the coloration pattern of the abdomen and pronotum. The systematic positions of other fossil taxa previously considered as Naucoridae are discussed.
Article
Entomology
Andre Nel, Mei-Cai Wei, Geng-Yun Niu, Romain Garrouste, Corentin Jouault
Summary: A new genus and species of diprionid fossil is described, providing support for its placement in the subfamily Monocteninae based on morphology and wing venation. Another diprionid species from the same stratigraphic level also belongs to the Monocteninae. The classification of the Eocene-Lower Oligocene genus Eodiprion needs revision. These findings demonstrate the presence and diversification of the two diprionid subfamilies during the Eocene-Oligocene.
Article
Entomology
Mathieu Boderau, Valerie Ngo-Muller, Andre Nel, Romain Garrouste
Summary: Myanmarvelia pankowskiorum is a new species of aquatic bug in the family Mesoveliidae, discovered in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, marking the first occurrence of the family in this time period. Its exact position within the family is still uncertain, although several morphological characteristics confirm its placement in the Mesoveliidae. The fossil record for this family is rare, ranging from the late Jurassic to the Miocene.
Article
Entomology
Andre Nel, Romain Garrouste, Michael S. Engel
Summary: Eornithoica grimaldii gen. et sp. nov., the earliest known Pupipara, was discovered in the lower Eocene of the Green River Formation. This fossil, dating back to around 52 Ma, suggests that epizooic ectoparasitic flies may have originated during the Paleocene or late Cretaceous, preceding the first bats. E. grimaldii likely parasitized birds or terrestrial mammals, exhibiting plesiomorphic characteristics. This study highlights the significance of examining fossil insects under UV light for obtaining new information.
Article
Paleontology
Valerie Ngo-Muller, Romain Garrouste, Thomas Schubnel, Jean-Marc Pouillon, Vigo Christophersen, Arne Christophersen, Andre Nel
Summary: The new species of ponerine ant, Anochetus miosumatrensis, described in the text, is believed to belong to the existing Sumatran species group, living in warm humid forests and trapped in dipterocarpacean resin during nuptial flight. This marks the first record of the genus in the Indomalaya biogeographic region.
COMPTES RENDUS PALEVOL
(2021)
Article
Paleontology
Gunter Bechly, Romain Garrouste, Arvid Aase, Jered A. Karr, Lance Grande, Andre Nel
Summary: This study describes new families, genera, and species of fossil damselflies from the USA, confirming warm depositional environments and supporting the hypothesis of Palaeogene terrestrial interchange. Genera from zygopteran Dysagrionidae are known from Europe and North America.
PAPERS IN PALAEONTOLOGY
(2021)
