Article
Environmental Sciences
Pindaro Diaz-Jaimes, Natalia J. Bayona-Vasquez, Elena Escatel-Luna, Manuel Uribe-Alcocer, Carlo Pecoraro, Douglas H. Adams, Bryan S. Frazier, Travis C. Glenn, Massimiliano Babbucci
Summary: Sharks, particularly bonnethead sharks, are a conservation priority due to heavy exploitation and population declines. The genetic population structure of bonnethead sharks in the western North Atlantic shows clear regional differences, indicating limited gene flow and independent evolutionary histories among populations. Management strategies should consider these genetic disparities to ensure long-term productivity and resilience of the species in both US and Mexican waters.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Swarnali Louha, Richard J. Meinersmann, Travis C. Glenn
Summary: By conducting whole-genome multi-locus sequence typing on 180 heterogeneous Listeria monocytogenes strains, this study found that approximately 99% of genes in the genome exhibit significant non-random associations, with 27 loci considered as potential hot spots for horizontal gene transfer. The patterns of linkage disequilibrium suggest limited exchange of foreign genetic material in the L. monocytogenes genome, which can be utilized as a tool for identifying new recombinant strains.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna M. McKee, Paul M. Bradley, David Shelley, Shea McCarthy, Marirosa Molina
Summary: Recreational waters in Congaree National Park, which has a population of feral swine, were studied for fecal contamination using microbial source tracking (MST). The swine MST marker was most frequently detected and was associated with high concentrations of culturable E. coli, potentially exceeding the beach action value set by the U.S. EPA. Detection of the pathogenic marker (stx2) did not show a strong association with any specific MST markers, and the health risk from exposure to non-human fecal contamination remains unclear.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Elizabeth A. Ashley, Andrew K. Davis, Vanessa K. Terrell, Connor Lake, Cady Carden, Lauren Head, Rebacca Choe, John C. Maerz
Summary: High salinity significantly reduces hatchling growth, with hatchlings in 20 ppt and 35 ppt salinities exhibiting appetite suppression and saltwater avoidance. Elevated H:L ratios among hatchlings in 20 and 35 ppt salinities indicate a corticosterone-driven stress response to sustained high-salinity exposure. Spatiotemporal variation in habitat salinity and freshwater accessibility influences hatchling growth and distribution, potentially impacting terrapin demography and abundance.
Article
Agronomy
Timothy Fahey, Patrick Bohlen, Ted R. Feldpausch, Melany Fisk, Marc Goebel, Peter M. Groffman, John Maerz, Joseph Yavitt
Summary: The study successfully tracked and quantified the transport and fate of tree carbon in forest soils, finding that earthworms promoted C incorporation into soil aggregates and the soil food web was more enriched in label from roots than aboveground plant litter. Rapid fine root decay was observed (k = 0.9 yr(-1)), and although labeled wood was almost completely decayed, little C-13 was recovered in soil (0.33%).
Article
Zoology
Andrew M. Durso, Troy J. Kieran, Travis C. Glenn, Stephen J. Mullin
Summary: Wild animal diet studies can utilize methods such as gut content analysis, stable isotopes, and fecal environmental DNA. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and combining them can provide a more comprehensive understanding.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liberty A. Moore, John W. Finger, David L. Haskins, Ruth M. Elsey, Steven B. Castleberry, Travis C. Glenn, Charles H. Jagoe, I. Lehr Brisbin
Summary: Total mercury concentrations in alligators living in a coastal marsh in southern Louisiana were measured. Mercury was found in all body organs and tissue compartments. The results suggest that consumption of alligator meat from this region may have little public health concern. However, continuous and recent sampling is needed to ensure consumer safety.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sandip De, Sarah. B. B. Kingan, Chrysoula Kitsou, Daniel. M. M. Portik, Shelby. D. D. Foor, Julia. C. C. Frederick, Vipin. S. S. Rana, Nicole. S. S. Paulat, David. A. A. Ray, Yan Wang, Travis. C. C. Glenn, Utpal Pal
Summary: This study presents the assembly of a high-quality genome of Ixodes scapularis by sequencing two haplotypes within one individual. The genome includes new protein-coding genes and various RNA species, providing critical genetic resources and biological insights for tick research and interventions against tick-transmitted infections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia C. Frederick, Alec T. Thompson, Prisha Sharma, Guha Dharmarajan, Isobel Ronai, Risa Pesapane, Ryan C. Smith, Kellee D. Sundstrom, Jean I. Tsao, Holly C. Tuten, Michael J. Yabsley, Travis C. Glenn
Summary: The blacklegged tick is a vector of Lyme disease and its genetic variation is associated with its vectorial capacity. Through studying genome-wide markers of 353 blacklegged tick samples, differences in genetic variation among different geographic regions were found, especially in populations from the Northeast and Upper Midwest, where Lyme disease is most common. The study also identified 10 variable DNA sites that contribute the most to population differentiation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fern Spaulding, Jessica F. McLaughlin, Rebecca G. Cheek, Kevin G. McCracken, Travis C. Glenn, Kevin Winker
Summary: This study examines the divergence and speciation processes in a clade of ducks and reveals the uncertain relationships and species limits within the green-winged teal complex. By analyzing mitochondrial and genome-wide nuclear DNA, the researchers determined the phylogenetic relationships and gene flow among different lineages. The results showed that while nuclear DNA suggests three subspecies and a close relative from South America, the mitochondrial genomes revealed a different phylogeny. The study highlights the power of ultraconserved elements in studying systematics and population genomics in cases with uncertain relationships and species limits.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Alexandra Ostezan, Elizabeth M. Prenger, Luciana Rosso, Bo Zhang, Robert M. Stupar, Travis Glenn, M. A. Rouf Mian, Zenglu Li
Summary: Sucrose content in soybean seeds is associated with a deletion on chromosome 16 caused by fast neutron irradiation. This mutation will contribute to understanding the genetic control of soybean seed sucrose content.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jose M. C. Ribeiro, Natalia J. Bayona-Vasquez, Khemraj Budachetri, Deepak Kumar, Julia Catherine Frederick, Faizan Tahir, Brant C. Faircloth, Travis C. Glenn, Shahid Karim
Summary: The Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum, is a tick species found in the Southeastern states of the USA, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to Mexico and other Central and South American countries. This tick is a vector for Rickettsia parkeri and Hepatozoon americanum. A draft genome of A. maculatum was generated, revealing 237,921 protein-coding genes and providing insights into its basic biology.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Todd W. Pierson, Kenneth H. Kozak, Travis C. Glenn, Benjamin M. Fitzpatrick
Summary: This study reveals that the taxonomic challenge of the two-lined salamander species complex can be explained by the influence of river drainage reorganization, indicating a complex reticulate evolutionary history.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Fern Spaulding, Jessica F. McLaughlin, Travis C. Glenn, Kevin Winker
Summary: This study investigates the migration patterns and transmission risks of avian influenza (AI) in waterbirds between Eurasia and North America. The researchers estimated the rates of movement between different species based on long-term evolutionary averages of gene flow and compared them with the importance of these species in the diet of Alaskans to evaluate their relative risks to humans.
Review
Water Resources
Anna M. McKee, Marcella A. Cruz
Summary: Fecal indicator bacteria have been used to monitor waterborne pathogens, but may not accurately predict health outcomes. Alternative indicators like viral fecal indicators may better approximate pathogen levels. New technologies such as metabarcoding and biosensors could enhance pathogen detection sensitivity and accuracy.
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE WATER IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
(2021)