Article
Entomology
Christopher J. Holmes, Elliott S. Brown, Dhriti Sharma, Quynh Nguyen, Austin A. Spangler, Atit Pathak, Blaine Payton, Matthew Warden, Ashay J. Shah, Samantha Shaw, Joshua B. Benoit
Summary: In this study, physiological experiments were conducted on two mosquito species to examine the effects of dehydration. The results showed that dehydrated mosquitoes increased bloodfeeding propensity, improved retention, and decreased excretion of bloodmeal. Mosquitoes that took a bloodmeal prior to dehydration exposure also showed increased survival. These dehydration-induced alterations in behavior and survival have significant implications for vectorial capacity, especially in arid periods associated with climate change.
JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Tilahun Adugna, Delensaw Yewhelew, Emana Getu
Summary: The research in Bure district, Ethiopia found that Anopheles mosquitoes had mixed blood feeds, with a preference for human blood for egg development. This suggests the need to strengthen zooprophylaxis as a means of vector control to reduce malaria transmission.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebeca Carballar-Lejarazu, Thai Binh Pham, Vanessa Bottino-Rojas, Adriana Adolfi, Anthony A. James
Summary: Control of mosquito-borne pathogens through genetically-modified vectors is considered a promising tool. CRISPR-based gene drive systems have increased accessibility of transgenic technologies. Evaluation of transgenic mosquito performance in laboratory cage trials provides valuable data for refining strategies for disease prevention.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yuebiao Feng, Yeqing Peng, Xiumei Song, Han Wen, Yanpeng An, Huiru Tang, Jingwen Wang
Summary: This study reveals the control of mosquito tryptophan metabolism, especially the degradation of 3-hydroxykynurenine, by mosquito microbiota, which has important implications for vector competence.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Kyoko Sawabe, Nozomi Imanishi-Kobayashi, Yoshihide Maekawa, Yukiko Higa, Kyeong Soon Kim, Keita Hoshino, Yoshio Tsuda, Toshihiko Hayashi, Naoko Nihei, Kenji Takai, Takeshi Kurihara, Mutsuo Kobayashi
Summary: This study provides an update on the current status and distribution of anopheline mosquitoes in Hokkaido, Japan, based on a 15-year entomological surveillance from 2001 to 2015. A new member of the Anopheles hyrcanus group, An. belenrae, was discovered in eastern Hokkaido in 2004 and has since been consistently found only in this area of Japan. The distribution of anopheline mosquitoes in Hokkaido has shown significant changes from previous surveys, with An. sinensis now being rarely found in the region.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Claudia van den Eynde, Charlotte Sohier, Severine Matthijs, Nick De Regge
Summary: Anopheles plumbeus is a day-active mosquito species found in Belgium, which has shown to feed on humans and pigs. It has been found to be a competent vector for the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), indicating its potential role in the transmission of the virus.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stano Pekar, Martina Martisova, Andrea Spalek Tothova, Charles R. Haddad
Summary: This study objectively measured the resemblance between arthropod mimics and ants, based on traits such as color, shape, size, and behavior. The results showed that mimics were more similar to ants in color and behavior, rather than size and body shape.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Teresa Fernandes Silva-do-Nascimento, Jordi Sanchez-Ribas, Tatiane M. P. Oliveira, Brian Patrick Bourke, Joseli Oliveira-Ferreira, Maria Goreti Rosa-Freitas, Ricardo Lourenco-de-Oliveira, Mariana Marinho-e-Silva, Maycon Sebastiao Alberto Santos Neves, Jan E. Conn, Maria Anice Mureb Sallum
Summary: This study investigated the diversity of Anophelinae mosquitoes in the Yanomami and Pantanal regions in Brazil using different species delimitation approaches. The results identified multiple species and highlighted the need for further research to determine the specific species that transmit Plasmodium spp. in these areas. This research expands our knowledge of Anophelinae species in these regions.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Amit Chattopadhyay, Subarna Ghosh, Pranab Kr Banerjee
Summary: This study highlights the importance of mosquito gut microbiota in the transmission of malaria, and suggests that certain bacteria can inhibit the development of malaria parasites in the mosquito gut. Additionally, the use of specific antibiotics can increase mosquito fecundity and accelerate disease transmission.
BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Brian Bartilol, Donwilliams Omuoyo, Jonathan Karisa, Kelly Ominde, Charles Mbogo, Joseph Mwangangi, Marta Maia, Martin Kibet Rono
Summary: This study investigated the frequency and distribution of TEP1 alleles in wild-caught malaria vectors on the Kenyan coast. The results showed that Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus are predominantly exophilic, with outdoor activities being higher.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Max Scott
Summary: A new study reveals that the femaleless gene plays a crucial role in sexual development and repression of X-chromosome dosage compensation in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, potentially offering a new genetic approach for pest control.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xinglei Cui, Dachuan Dai, Congde Huang, Bilei Wang, Shuting Li, Chengming You, Adrian M. Paterson, George L. W. Perry, Hannah L. Buckley, Josep Padulles Cubino, Sarah V. Wyse, Md Azharul Alam, Shixing Zhou, Lin Xiao, Dongyu Cao, Zhenfeng Xu, Timothy J. Curran
Summary: Plant flammability, determined by various functional traits, is influenced by climatic conditions, especially for species originating from nonfire-prone habitats. Shoot moisture content and leaf size are important factors affecting flammability in these species. However, climatic factors have no significant effect on shoot flammability in species from fire-prone habitats.
Article
Entomology
Tse-Yu Chen, Chelsea T. Smartt, Dongyoung Shin
Summary: Pyrethroids, commonly used insecticides against mosquitoes, face worldwide resistance that threatens mosquito control. Resistance is linked to mutations in the voltage gated sodium channel gene. A study on a permethrin-resistant Aedes aegypti population revealed higher permethrin resistance levels and increased threat of disease transmission. The population showed longer survival and higher dissemination rates for dengue virus, impacting vectorial capacity and warranting global concern.
Article
Biology
Andrew D. Cronin, Judith A. H. Smit, Matias Munoz, Armand Poirier, Peter A. Moran, Paul Jerem, Wouter Halfwerk
Summary: Urbanisation can influence mating opportunities and selection pressures on sexual traits. Studies show differences between urban and non-urban populations in terms of sexual traits and factors associated with urbanisation. However, there is limited understanding of the drivers of urban sexual selection and whether changes in traits are adaptive or short-term ecological responses. Urbanisation provides a unique opportunity to study sexual selection, but an integrative approach combining experimental and observational work is needed.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Agata Izabela Kalita, Eric Marois, Magdalena Kozielska, Franz J. Weissing, Etienne Jaouen, Martin M. Moeckel, Frank Ruehle, Falk Butter, M. Felicia Basilicata, Claudia Isabelle Keller Valsecchi
Summary: The discovery of the sex chromosome activation (SOA) gene as a master regulator of dosage compensation (DC) in Anopheles mosquitoes sheds light on the evolutionary steps leading to the establishment of a chromosome-specific fine-tuning mechanism. The male isoform of the SOA gene encodes a DNA-binding protein that binds the promoters of active X chromosomal genes and expressing it induces DC in female cells. Male mosquitoes lacking SOA or female mosquitoes expressing the male isoform exhibit X chromosome misregulation and developmental delay.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alex Makunin, Petra Korlevic, Naomi Park, Scott Goodwin, Robert M. Waterhouse, Katharina von Wyschetzki, Christopher G. Jacob, Robert Davies, Dominic Kwiatkowski, Brandyce St Laurent, Diego Ayala, Mara K. N. Lawniczak
Summary: The study developed a multilocus amplicon sequencing approach that can simultaneously identify mosquito species and detect the presence of malaria parasites. The method was shown to be effective in determining species identity and resolving population structure, and is characterized by its quick, inexpensive, high-throughput, and accurate nature.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Livio Ruzzante, Romain Feron, Maarten J. M. F. Reijnders, Antonin Thiebaut, Robert M. Waterhouse
Summary: The study explores the roles of constraints in shaping evolutionary outcomes in the contexts of developmental biology, population genetics, and comparative genomics. It suggests that gene roles in immune responses limit the range of possible evolutionary scenarios they exhibit.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giulia Zancolli, Maarten Reijnders, Robert M. Waterhouse, Marc Robinson-Rechavi
Summary: Animals have evolved specialized organs and anatomical structures to produce and release potent bioactive molecules, known as venoms, for the purpose of subduing prey or predators. A comparative analysis of venom gland transcriptomes from 20 venomous species reveals a strong convergence in gene expression profiles, indicating that different animals have independently adopted similar molecular mechanisms to perform the same function. The study also highlights the presence of stress response mechanisms in venom glands to cope with toxin production, as well as regulatory networks for epithelial development and maintenance.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Bret M. Boyd, Nam-Phuong Nguyen, Julie M. Allen, Robert M. Waterhouse, Kyle B. Vo, Andrew D. Sweet, Dale H. Clayton, Sarah E. Bush, Michael D. Shapiro, Kevin P. Johnson
Summary: This study reveals that long-distance dispersal by dove hosts plays a central role in parasite diversification, as it provides new ecological opportunities for the parasites. Furthermore, it shows that cospeciation is the dominant mode of parasite speciation, rather than host-switching.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Giulio Formenti, Kathrin Theissinger, Carlos Fernandes, Iliana Bista, Aureliano Bombarely, Christoph Bleidorn, Claudio Ciofi, Angelica Crottini, Jose A. Godoy, Jacob Hoglund, Joanna Malukiewicz, Alice Mouton, Rebekah A. Oomen, Sadye Paez, Per J. Palsboll, Christophe Pampoulie, Maria J. Ruiz-Lopez, Hannes Svardal, Constantina Theofanopoulou, Jan de Vries, Ann-Marie Waldvogel, Guojie Zhang, Camila J. Mazzoni, Erich D. Jarvis, Miklos Balint
Summary: Progress in genome sequencing has enabled the generation of large-scale reference genomes, representing global biodiversity. These genomes provide unique insights into genomic diversity and architecture, allowing comprehensive analyses in population and functional genomics, and are expected to revolutionize conservation genomics.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Varvara Lukyanchikova, Miroslav Nuriddinov, Polina Belokopytova, Alena Taskina, Jiangtao Liang, Maarten J. M. F. Reijnders, Livio Ruzzante, Romain Feron, Robert M. Waterhouse, Yang Wu, Chunhong Mao, Zhijian Tu, Igor Sharakhov, Veniamin Fishman
Summary: This study comprehensively profiles the genome organizations of five Anopheles mosquito species and demonstrates the influence of chromatin architecture at different levels. The study reveals the conservation of chromatin architecture over millions of years and the causal relationship between gene density and chromatin structure.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Maarten J. M. F. Reijnders, Robert M. Waterhouse
Summary: This article introduces a consensus-based gene function annotation method, which utilizes machine learning models to provide accurate and comprehensive annotations by evaluating the consistency and conflicts among different algorithms.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Romain Feron, Robert M. Waterhouse
Summary: Improvements in reference genome generation for insects and across the tree of life are expanding the concept and utility of model organisms, supporting emerging genome-enabled model systems. However, quality controls are necessary to ensure the reliability of data.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Hamadoun Toure, Lee Ann Galindo, Marion Lagune, Simon Glatigny, Robert M. Waterhouse, Isabelle Guenal, Jean-Louis Herrmann, Sebastien Szuplewski, Fabienne Girard-Misguich
Summary: During the progression and exacerbation of mycobacterial infection, the smooth (S) form of M. abscessus transitions into the rough (R) form, which is lethal. The S form demonstrates the ability to resist the host's immune response and multiply within the host.
Article
Microbiology
Kelsey L. L. Adams, Emily K. K. Selland, Bailey C. C. Willett, John W. W. Carew, Charles Vidoudez, Naresh Singh, Flaminia Catteruccia
Summary: Insecticide resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes is influenced by selective pressure from insecticide usage, which can affect the ability of mosquitoes to host and transmit a Plasmodium infection. A study with resistant and susceptible mosquitoes showed that resistance can increase the intensity and growth rate of P. falciparum infection. The increase in infection intensity was not associated with specific resistance mechanisms, but may be influenced by a lipid transporter called lipophorin.
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Camila J. Mazzoni, Claudio Ciofi, Robert M. Waterhouse
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Kathrin Theissinger, Carlos Fernandes, Giulio Formenti, Iliana Bista, Paul R. Berg, Christoph Bleidorn, Aureliano Bombarely, Angelica Crottini, Guido R. Gallo, Jose A. Godoy, Sissel Jentoft, Joanna Malukiewicz, Alice Mouton, Rebekah A. Oomen, Sadye Paez, Per J. Palsboll, Christophe Pampoulie, Maria J. Ruiz-Lopez, Simona Secomandi, Hannes Svardal, Constantina Theofanopoulou, Jan de Vries, Ann-Marie Waldvogel, Guojie Zhang, Erich D. Jarvis, Miklos Balint, Claudio Ciofi, Robert M. Waterhouse, Camila J. Mazzoni, Jacob Hoglund
Summary: The availability of public genomic resources can greatly assist biodiversity assessment, conservation, and restoration efforts. Reference genomes play a key role in facilitating biodiversity research and conservation. Integrating the use of reference genomes as a best practice in conservation genomics is essential.
TRENDS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Camila J. Mazzoni, Claudio Ciofi, Robert M. Waterhouse
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yancan Li, Jun Yao, Huiling Sang, Quangui Wang, Long Su, Xiaomeng Zhao, Zhenyu Xia, Feiran Wang, Kai Wang, Delong Lou, Guizhi Wang, Robert M. Waterhouse, Huihua Wang, Shudong Luo, Cheng Sun
Summary: In this study, a pan-genome approach was applied to map and explore genetic variations in populations of the Asian honeybee (Apis cerana). The research found that 31.32% of genes in the pan-genome were variable across populations, providing a broad gene pool for environmental adaptation. Structural variations were found to be closely associated with transposable elements, rather than single nucleotide polymorphisms. Additionally, a novel ecological group of A. cerana was identified using structural variations. The study also identified 44 structural variations likely to be associated with environmental adaptation. One of these structural variations, a deletion in the Atpalpha gene, was found to promote cold adaptation by altering gene expression.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Romain Feron, Robert M. Waterhouse
Summary: This study presents an automated analysis workflow that surveys and assesses the completeness of genome assemblies from the phylum Arthropoda at the NCBI, and compiles the results into an interactively browsable resource. By using this resource, taxonomic coverage and assembly quality can be examined, and results from different datasets can be compared.
