Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Donald James Colgan
Summary: By studying three gastropod taxa in southeastern Australia, it was found that high genetic divergences within these species may have been influenced by previous glacial cycles. These genetic divergences are now widely distributed within their respective species' ranges.
Article
Biophysics
Changjin Liu, Lei Ren, Xinmin Li, Ningke Fan, Junman Chen, Decai Zhang, Wei Yang, Shijia Ding, Wenchun Xu, Xun Min
Summary: A novel self-electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor based on CRISPR/Cas12a and nanoemitters was developed for highly sensitive detection of the COX III gene. The biosensor showed superior analytical performance with a low detection limit and practicality in urine samples.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cheryl Q. E. Lee, Baptiste Kerouanton, Sonia Chothani, Shan Zhang, Ying Chen, Chinmay Kumar Mantri, Daniella Helena Hock, Radiance Lim, Rhea Nadkarni, Vinh Thang Huynh, Daryl Lim, Wei Leong Chew, Franklin L. Zhong, David Arthur Stroud, Sebastian Schafer, Vinay Tergaonkar, Ashley L. St John, Owen J. L. Rackham, Lena Ho
Summary: The study identifies a mito-SEP named MOCCI, which can replace NDUFA4 during inflammation to reduce mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS production, providing cell protection and suppressing immune responses. Additionally, the MOCCI transcript generates miR-147b, which enhances antiviral immune responses.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Maria Sophia Unterkoefler, Alexandra Huck, Katja Silbermayr, Hans-Peter Fuehrer
Summary: A case of autochthonous O. lupi infection in a dog from Austria, confirming the potential zoonotic risk of this emerging canine ocular pathogen.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Itsaret Poungthong, Charuay Sukhsangchan, Xiao-dong Zheng
Summary: A total of 142 samples of bigfin reef squid were collected to study their morphological characteristics and genetic divergence. Two size variants were identified based on body size, number of sucker ring teeth, and radula characteristics. Genetic analysis showed two distinct genetic lineages across the study areas. The morphological analysis revealed the existence of two sub-species of S. lessoniana that could be recognized by differences in their DNA sequences and morphometrics.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Evelina Kaminskiene, Jana Radzijevskaja, Loreta Griciuviene, Michal Stanko, Justina Snegiriovaite, Dalyte Mardosaite-Busaitiene, Algimantas Paulauskas
Summary: This study characterized eight Laelapidae mite species collected from different rodent hosts and geographical regions in Europe using molecular markers. The results provide new molecular data and registered sequences for four mite species. This study contributes to the understanding of the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity among Laelapidae mites.
Article
Zoology
Xinpeng Fan, Shunli Yao, Xiaotian Luo, Tianyao Dong, Yuan Xu, Lingyun Chen, William Bourland, Yan Zhao, Jie Huang
Summary: Modern taxonomic studies of ciliated protozoa require both morphological and molecular data. It is a challenge to differentiate morphologically similar species with few nucleotide differences in commonly used markers. This study documented a new species and analyzed the divergence in COI gene, revealing insights for the taxonomy of hypotrich ciliates.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Esther Lantero, Beatriz Matallanas, M. Dolores Ochando, Carmen Callejas
Summary: This study analyzed over 250 fruit flies from six different Mediterranean countries, providing relevant data on the genetic structure and gene flow of the olive fruit fly. These findings are important for improving integrated pest management strategies.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Bo Liu, Yali Yan, Nan Zhang, Huayang Guo, Baosuo Liu, Jingwen Yang, Kecheng Zhu, Dianchang Zhang
Summary: Species markers can be assessed quickly and accurately using DNA barcoding. In this study, we used DNA barcoding to investigate the parrotfish family Scaridae in Hainan, and found that DNA barcoding can be an effective tool for monitoring, protecting, and managing fisheries, as well as for addressing taxonomic issues.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Aman D. Moudgil, Anil K. Nehra, Sukhdeep Vohra, Sidharath Dev Thakur, Dinesh Sharma
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and genetic population structure of Cysticercus tenuicollis (Taenia hydatigena metacestode) in goats slaughtered in north India. The results showed low genetic diversity of T. hydatigena metacestodes across different regions. The genetic population structure of Indian isolates did not show significant differentiation.
Article
Entomology
Alexandre Levi-Mourao, Pilar Munoz, Pedro Cerda-Bennasser, Roberto Meseguer, Xavier Pons
Summary: The alfalfa weevil is a major pest of alfalfa crops, and parasitoid wasps of the genus Bathyplectes offer a potential biological control strategy. We developed a PCR method that is more sensitive than conventional rearing for detecting and identifying the target parasitoids.
Article
Microbiology
Luis Solorzano Alava, Cesar Bedoya Pilozo, Hilda Hernandez Alvarez, Lazara Rojas Rivera, Misladys Rodriguez Ortega, Jorge Fraga Nodarse, Leandro de Mattos Pereira, Raquel de Oliveira Simoes, Roberto do Val Vilela
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Ecuador. The analysis revealed that all A. cantonensis isolates from different provinces in Ecuador were genetically identical and clustered with isolates from the USA and Asia. This suggests that the invasion of A. cantonensis in Ecuador may have occurred recently and originated from Asia through the USA. Further research should include samples from neighboring countries.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tran Thi Huyen Lam, Quang Minh Dinh, Van Thi Bich Truong, Ngon Trong Truong, Nam Sy Tran, Ton Huu Duc Nguyen
Summary: This study analyzed the genetic relationships and identification of Butis fish species using mitochondrial gene sequences and morphology. The results suggest that B. humeralis is a distinct species from B. butis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Magoga, Diego Fontaneto, Matteo Montagna
Summary: This study tested the efficiency of various single-marker species delimitation methods on leaf beetles and found that factors such as number of haplotypes, geographic distance, difficulty in species identification, and taxonomic rank can affect efficiency. Distance-based methods outperformed phylogenetic tree methods, and a higher number of haplotypes per species had a negative effect on delimitation efficiency. The presence of species that are difficult to identify also significantly decreased the efficiency of delimitation methods.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Romana Iftikhar, Amalendu Ghosh, Hanu R. Pappu
Summary: This study investigated the genetic variation and evolutionary parameters of Thrips tabaci populations in the United States. The results revealed high genetic diversity and structure of the onion thrips, which is a significant pest that causes severe damage and acts as a vector of plant viruses.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Leighton J. Thomas, Marin Milotic, Felix Vaux, Robert Poulin
Summary: This study evaluates the use of eDNA metabarcoding to detect the presence of all species of nematode and platyhelminth parasites in two New Zealand lakes. The results showed that the yield of platyhelminth DNA was generally higher than nematode DNA, which may be due to the larger biomass or free-swimming life stages of platyhelminths. However, not all expected parasite families were detected through traditional methods, indicating the need for more sequencing data to harness eDNA for monitoring and characterizing parasite biodiversity.
Article
Parasitology
Jean-Francois Doherty, Robert Poulin
Summary: Host manipulation by parasites can affect host behavior and energy flow in food webs. This study found that higher numbers of hairworm cysts in caddisfly larvae correlated with a faster transition from water to land. The presence of dormant hairworms appears to impact the development of aquatic hosts, potentially accelerating their transition.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Christian Selbach, Kim N. Mouritsen, Robert Poulin, Bernd Sures, Nico J. Smit
Summary: The One Health framework emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment but often overlooks the significance of aquatic parasites in understanding these interconnections, particularly in the context of environmental changes.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Antoine Filion, Jean-Francois Doherty, Robert Poulin
Summary: To better understand disease emergence patterns, it is important to integrate phylogenetic information in disease ecology. However, the integration of phylogenetic information is still lacking and potential solutions to this problem are highlighted.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Daniela de Angeli Dutra, Alan Fecchio, Erika Martins Braga, Robert Poulin
Summary: This study analyzed whether migratory behavior affects the coevolutionary congruence between avian hemoparasites and hosts. The results showed that migratory behavior neither weakens nor strengthens this coevolutionary congruence, suggesting that other avian host traits are more influential in generating phylogenetic congruence in this host-parasite system.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antoine Filion, Lucas Deschamps, Chris N. Niebuhr, Robert Poulin
Summary: Anthropogenic changes can have significant impacts on wild populations and contribute to the emergence of diseases, such as avian malaria, which threaten native bird species in New Zealand. Understanding the cascading effects of human modifications on fragile species is crucial for conservation efforts.
Article
Biology
Robert Poulin, Cameron McDougall, Bronwen Presswell
Summary: This study investigated the naming trends of nearly 2900 new species of parasitic helminths described in the past two decades. The findings suggest that the likelihood of new species being given names that convey information about them or not depends on the higher taxonomic group to which the parasite or its host belongs. Furthermore, there is a consistent gender bias among species named after eminent scientists, with male scientists being immortalized more frequently than female scientists. The study also reveals an increasing tendency to name new species after family members or close friends.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jerusha Bennett, Robert Poulin, Bronwen Presswell
Summary: Parasitic helminths with complex life cycles require multiple hosts, and we have limited knowledge about invertebrate hosts compared to vertebrates. In New Zealand, less than 1% of marine invertebrates have records of parasite infections, indicating a lack of understanding about invertebrate parasites in marine ecosystems. This study provides a comprehensive parasite-host checklist, including data from the literature and newly discovered infections in New Zealand.
INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Robert Poulin, Fatima Jorge, Priscila M. Salloum
Summary: Alterations in host phenotype induced by metazoan parasites are influenced by the composition of symbiotic microbial communities living within individual parasites. Microbiome composition variation among individual parasites can explain the variation in the extent of alterations to host phenotype. Two approaches are proposed to further understand the impact of microbiome composition on host-parasite interactions.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Robert Poulin, Cameron McDougall
Summary: Treating host-parasite associations as bipartite interaction networks provides insights into structural patterns and possible causes in fish-parasite communities. Network analysis revealed that tropical fish-parasite networks are more stable than temperate networks. At the species level, different transmission modes do not affect the centrality of parasite species within the networks, but certain taxa, such as branchiurans, acanthocephalans, and larval trematodes, have higher centrality values and may play a key role in network cohesion.
Article
Parasitology
Robert Poulin, Daniela de Angeli Dutra, Bronwen Presswell
Summary: The study found that there was no significant temporal change in the length of specific names for parasitic helminth species described in the past two decades, with an average length of just over 9 letters. Acanthocephalan species were found to have longer specific names compared to other helminth taxa. Although most species had shorter specific names than genus names, there was no clear relationship between the lengths of the two.
SYSTEMATIC PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Anson Koehler, Ian Beveridge, David M. Spratt
Summary: This study presents the genetic relationships of Breinlia specimens from Australian marsupials using molecular markers and compares them with morphological determinations. The results support the validity of most morpho-species and provide insights into the phylogeny of the genus in Australian mammals. The recent discovery of Breinlia annulipapillata in a human eye classifies this parasite genus as an emerging infectious parasitic disease.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tanapan Sukee, Ian Beveridge, Anson V. Koehler, Ross S. Hall, Robin B. Gasser, Abdul Jabbar
Summary: Parasitic strongyloid nematodes found in the gastrointestinal tracts of Australasian marsupials are a diverse group of mammalian parasites. This study used mitochondrial protein sequence datasets to determine the phylogenetic relationships of the Cloacininae and Phascolostrongylinae subfamilies within the Chabertiidae family. The findings supported the recognition of the Cloacinidae family as a monophyletic group within the Strongyloidea, but also revealed the split of the Phascolostrongylinae subfamily into two groups based on host families. This study provides molecular evidence for the classification and origin of marsupial strongyloid nematodes.
Article
Microbiology
Lucas G. Huggins, Vito Colella, Ushani Atapattu, Anson Koehler, Rebecca J. Traub
Summary: This study utilized nanopore sequencing technology to accurately detect a wide range of important canine vector-borne bacteria (VBB) from canine blood, providing a sensitive and simultaneous detection method for various VBB species. This new method has the potential to revolutionize disease diagnostics in multiple contexts.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Mehrab E. Hossain, Karina J. Kennedy, Heather L. Wilson, David Spratt, Anson Koehler, Robin B. Gasser, Jan Slapeta, Carolyn A. Hawkins, Hari Priya Bandi, Sanjaya N. Senanayake
Summary: This article describes a case of human neural larva migrans caused by the ascarid Ophidascaris robertsi in Australia. Australian carpet pythons are the definitive hosts for this worm. The diagnosis was made after a live nematode was removed from the brain of a 64-year-old woman who had been immunosuppressed for a hypereosinophilic syndrome diagnosed 12 months earlier.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
