Article
Ecology
M. A. K. Sydenham, Z. S. Venter, K. Eldegard, S. R. Moe, M. Steinert, A. Staverlokk, S. Dahle, D. I. J. Skoog, K. A. Hanevik, A. Skrindo, G. M. Rusch
Summary: Enhancing plant diversity can effectively increase wild bee diversity, but its effect depends on site-specific environmental conditions. This study used spatial predictions to identify areas where augmenting plant diversity is most effective and where threatened wild bee species are most likely to occur.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jaya Sravanthi Mokkapati, Agnieszka J. Bednarska, Ryszard Laskowski
Summary: This study examined the physiological and biochemical changes in female adult O. bicornis bees upon continuous oral exposure to three insecticide-based agrochemicals. The results showed that these agrochemicals altered the energetic budget of bees by depriving energy derived from lipids and carbohydrates, but did not affect the activities of specific enzymes.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael C. Orr, Alice C. Hughes, Douglas Chesters, John Pickering, Chao-Dong Zhu, John S. Ascher
Summary: The study shows that publicly accessible records are sparse, especially from developing countries, and are frequently inaccurate, suggesting different biodiversity patterns from checklist data. Global analysis reveals hotspots of species richness that generate a rare bimodal latitudinal richness gradient. Xeric areas, solar radiation, and non-forest plant productivity are among the most important global drivers of bee biodiversity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
D. Susan Willis Chan, Nigel E. Raine
Summary: The study found that soil application of a neonicotinoid pesticide (Imidacloprid) had important sublethal effects on the behavior and reproductive success of ground-nesting bees, while seed-coating with a neonicotinoid (Thiamethoxam) or foliar spraying with Chlorantraniliprole did not have significant impacts on the bees. Results suggest that soil may be a potential route of pesticide exposure for bees, and restrictions on soil-applied insecticides may be necessary to mitigate impacts on ground-nesting solitary bee populations and their crop pollination services.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Cora B. Davies, Thomas S. Davis
Summary: Forest restoration projects that create canopy gaps can promote floral diversity and may provide reservoirs for bee-flower interactions. However, periods of bee activity must match availability of floral nutrition for bees to benefit from these effects.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Sarah Signor, George Yocum, Julia Bowsher
Summary: Diapause is a complex physiological phenomenon that is affected by environmental stress, transposable element expression, and small RNA pathway. Diapause stage and temperature stress have significant effects on transposable element expression in agriculturally important bee species.
JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Johanna Yourstone, Melanie Karlsson, Bjorn K. Klatt, Ola Olsson, Henrik G. Smith
Summary: The study examines how the reproduction of the solitary bee Osmia bicornis is affected by crop and non-crop forage availability, finding that proximity to oilseed rape, trees, and buttercups benefits O. bicornis. Surprisingly, no competition effects were observed from the more mobile bumblebees. This highlights the importance of a high configurational heterogeneity of agricultural landscapes for bee populations in intensified agricultural settings.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Janine Melanie Schwarz, Anina C. Knauer, Matthew J. Allan, Robin R. Dean, Jaboury Ghazoul, Giovanni Tamburini, Dimitry Wintermantel, Alexandra-Maria Klein, Matthias Albrecht
Summary: This study conducted an experiment on the effects of sulfoximine-based pesticides on solitary bees and found that when applied at least five days before crop flowering, the pesticides had minimal negative impact on the reproductive health of the bees.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marzia Rossato, Luca Marcolungo, Luca De Antoni, Giulia Lopatriello, Elisa Bellucci, Gaia Cortinovis, Giulia Frascarelli, Laura Nanni, Elena Bitocchi, Valerio Di Vittori, Leonardo Vincenzi, Filippo Lucchini, Kirstin E. Bett, Larissa Ramsay, David James Konkin, Massimo Delledonne, Roberto Papa
Summary: High-throughput genotyping allows for the analysis of genetic diversity in large populations and genome-wide association studies. In this study, the researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to remove repetitive elements in the lentil genome, thus focusing the sequencing data on coding and regulatory regions. This method significantly increased genotyping accuracy and the number of genotyped bases compared to non-depleted libraries.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Scott William Roy
Summary: In modern biology, research on proximal mechanistic and ultimate evolutionary causes are usually conducted separately by different specialist communities, but they are often interrelated and mutually informative.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tobias Pamminger, Christof Schneider, Raffael Maas, Matthias Bergtold
Summary: The study found that scaling models in bee risk assessment can predict the food requirements of solitary bees in agricultural settings and help protect their food sources. Overall, the model predictions were consistent with measured values in the field, but more data are needed to confirm these results.
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Marija Tanaskovic, Pavle Eric, Aleksandra Patenkovic, Katarina Eric, Milica Mihajlovic, Vanja Tanasic, Szilvia Kusza, Andrzej Oleksa, Ljubisa Stanisavljevic, Slobodan Davidovic
Summary: The western honey bee is an ecologically and economically important pollinator species, but it faces challenges due to human interference. To protect genetic diversity, we studied honey bee populations in Serbia and found a relatively homogenous population. However, there are still local differences and the predominance of admixture populations in human-dominated areas.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert Kofler, Viola Nolte, Christian Schlotterer
Summary: The dynamics of transposable element invasions are influenced by multiple factors, and the transposition rate is only one of them. By studying the temperature-dependent activity of the P-element, researchers found that despite differences in transposition rates, the copy numbers of the P-element were very similar at different temperatures. The decrease in insertion rate as the copy number approached a plateau was accompanied by the production of piRNAs. However, fewer P-element insertions were observed in piRNA clusters than expected, indicating that factors other than the trap model influenced the dynamics of TE invasions.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Rachel A. Brant, Michael Arduser, Aimee S. Dunlap
Summary: Urban bee populations have high diversity and abundance. However, there is a lack of research on how bees are able to thrive in cities. This paper reviews the literature on urban bees, focusing on topics that have not been extensively studied but are crucial for understanding their plasticity.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Matej Lexa, Monika Cechova, Son Hoang Nguyen, Pavel Jedlicka, Viktor Tokan, Zdenek Kubat, Roman Hobza, Eduard Kejnovsky
Summary: This article introduces a novel approach to analyze the role of repetitive elements in the 3D organization of genomes. By combining Hi-C data, reference genome data, and tools for repeat analysis, a pipeline was constructed to identify and quantify the contacts between specific repeat families, generating heatmaps and circular diagrams for visualization. Using this pipeline with tomato data, preferential homotypic interactions of ribosomal DNA, centromeric satellites, and some LTR retrotransposon families were revealed.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mark Blaxter, John M. Archibald, Anna K. Childers, Jonathan A. Coddington, Keith A. Crandall, Federica Di Palma, Richard Durbin, Scott V. Edwards, Jennifer A. M. Graves, Kevin J. Hackett, Neil Hall, Erich D. Jarvis, Rebecca N. Johnson, Elinor K. Karlsson, W. John Kress, Shigehiro Kuraku, Mara K. N. Lawniczak, Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, Jose V. Lopez, Nancy A. Moran, Gene E. Robinson, Oliver A. Ryder, Beth Shapiro, Pamela S. Soltis, Tandy Warnow, Guojie Zhang, Harris A. Lewin
Summary: Life on Earth has evolved from simplicity to complexity, with bacteria and archaea excelling in metabolic diversification and eukaryotes displaying morphological innovation. The Earth BioGenome Project proposes sequencing the genomes of all known eukaryotic species to create a digital library of life, which will help address evolutionary and ecological questions and provide insights into speciation, adaptation, and organismal dependencies within ecosystems.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xuemei Li, Rongsheng Gao, Guangji Chen, Alivia Lee Price, Daniel Bilyeli oksnebjerg, Peter Andrew Hosner, Yang Zhou, Guojie Zhang, Shaohong Feng
Summary: Manakins are a family of small birds known for their elaborate courtship displays, non-monogamous mating system, and sexual dimorphism. Genome assemblies of four manakin species were obtained using stLFR technology, providing valuable insights into their evolutionary history and sexual selection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tim Gernat, Tobias Jagla, Beryl M. M. Jones, Martin Middendorf, Gene E. E. Robinson
Summary: Barcode-based tracking combined with convolutional neural networks allows for the identification and monitoring of specific behaviors in animals. This approach achieves higher sensitivity and lower error rates compared to previous methods, as demonstrated in detecting honey bee trophallaxis. Furthermore, it can automatically detect whether a bee donates or receives liquid, and has potential applications in studying other behaviors and social networks among animals.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathaniel S. Pope, Avehi Singh, Anna K. Childers, Karen M. Kapheim, Jay D. Evans, Margarita M. Lopez-Uribe
Summary: The expansion of agriculture has transformed diverse natural environments into agroecosystems dominated by a few crop species, creating potential niches for species that can utilize crop plants. The impact of agricultural intensification on the evolution of crop mutualists like pollinators is poorly understood, but this study combines genomic data and archaeological records to show that the demographic history of a wild pollinator species has been significantly impacted by agricultural expansion in North America.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amro Zayed
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iker Rivas-Gonzalez, Marjolaine Rousselle, Fang Li, Long Zhou, Julien Y. Dutheil, Kasper Munch, Yong Shao, Dongdong Wu, Mikkel H. Schierup, Guojie Zhang
Summary: Incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) was investigated in 29 major ancestral nodes of the primate phylogeny. Up to 64% of the genome was found to be affected by ILS. ILS was used to estimate speciation times and ancestral population sizes, which showed agreement with the fossil record.
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xupeng Bi, Long Zhou, Jin-Jin Zhang, Shaohong Feng, Mei Hu, David N. Cooper, Jiangwei Lin, Jiali Li, Dong-Dong Wu, Guojie Zhang
Summary: Understanding the mechanisms underlying phenotypic innovation is a key goal of comparative genomic studies. By comparing the genomes of 49 primate species, this study identified many novel lineage-specific accelerated regions (LinARs) associated with brain development or disease in humans, and also revealed detailed maps of LinARs in other primate lineages. Functional experimentation showed that gibbon LinARs could be involved in the developmental regulation of their unique limb structures, while some LinARs in the Colobinae were associated with metabolite detoxification, possibly adaptive to their leaf-eating diet. Overall, this study expands our knowledge of the functional roles of LinARs in primate evolution.
Article
Ecology
Beryl M. Jones, Benjamin Rubin, Olga Dudchenko, Callum J. Kingwell, Ian M. Traniello, Z. Yan Wang, Karen M. Kapheim, Eli S. Wyman, Per A. Adastra, Weijie Liu, Lance R. Parsons, S. RaElle Jackson, Katharine Goodwin, Shawn M. Davidson, Matthew J. McBride, Andrew E. Webb, Kennedy S. Omufwoko, Nikki Van Dorp, Mauricio Fernandez Otarola, Melanie Pham, Arina D. Omer, David Weisz, Joshua Schraiber, Fernando Villanea, William T. Wcislo, Robert J. Paxton, Brendan G. Hunt, Erez Lieberman Aiden, Sarah D. Kocher
Summary: By sequencing the genomes of 17 sweat bee species, we have identified genomic signatures of evolutionary trade-offs associated with transitions between social and solitary living. Both young genes and regulatory regions show enrichment for these molecular patterns. We also found loci that provide evidence of positive and relaxed selection linked specifically to the gains and losses of eusociality in sweat bees. Our findings suggest a role of juvenile hormone (JH) in modulating social behavior and demonstrate how alteration of JH-binding proteins facilitated eusocial evolution.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Paul A. O'Brien, Shangjin Tan, Pedro R. Frade, Steven J. Robbins, J. Pamela Engelberts, Sara C. Bell, Inka Vanwonterghem, David J. Miller, Nicole S. Webster, Guojie Zhang, David G. Bourne
Summary: This article investigates the role of the sponge microbiome in supporting host function by providing and recycling essential nutrients. Genomic analysis of three common coral reef sponges reveals the central microbial functions involved in carbohydrate degradation, carbon fixation, nitrogen metabolism, sulphur metabolism, and B-vitamin supplementation. The study also uncovers new microbial taxa that contribute to the health of the sponge host via nutrient exchange.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
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)