Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hongxing Xu, Xinhai Ye, Yajun Yang, Yi Yang, Yu H. Sun, Yang Mei, Shijiao Xiong, Kang He, Le Xu, Qi Fang, Fei Li, Gongyin Ye, Zhongxian Lu
Summary: Research has revealed that hundreds of genes in the Telenomus and Trichogramma wasps have evolved at accelerated rates, with 38 genes showing extremely rapid evolutionary rates in these two miniaturized wasps, primarily related to eye and wing development, as well as cell size control. These genes also indicate potential roles in body size regulation, providing genetic basis for their convergent adaptations to miniaturization.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magnus N. Osnes, Lucy van Dorp, Ola B. Brynildsrud, Kristian Alfsnes, Thamarai Schneiders, Kate E. Templeton, Koji Yahara, Francois Balloux, Dominique A. Caugant, Vegard Eldholm
Summary: A study on Neisseria gonorrhoeae multilocus sequence type (ST) 1901 found that this lineage is commonly associated with treatment failure, particularly due to alleles linked to reduced susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs). The genetic diversity of ST-1901 was classified into minor and major clades, both originating in East Asia and dispersing globally in waves, with one clade acquiring a gene that significantly reduces susceptibility to ESCs. Despite declining effective population sizes, the lineage has become a reservoir for clones resistant to ceftriaxone, a key drug for gonorrhea treatment.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin N. Sacks, Kieren J. Mitchell, Cate B. Quinn, Lauren M. Hennelly, Mikkel-Holger S. Sinding, Mark J. Statham, Sophie Preckler-Quisquater, Steven R. Fain, Logan Kistler, Stevi L. Vanderzwan, Julie A. Meachen, Elaine A. Ostrander, Laurent A. F. Frantz
Summary: The study reveals that red wolves had a long history on the American continent, with more complex phylogenetic relationships with coyotes and grey wolves than previously thought. Red wolves have experienced extinction and survival in the past, predating European colonization, humans, and even coyotes in North America.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katharine A. Michie, Stephen J. Harrop, Harry W. Rathbone, Krystyna E. Wilk, Chang Ying Teng, Kerstin Hoef-Emden, Roger G. Hiller, Beverley R. Green, Paul M. G. Curmi
Summary: In addition to the membrane-bound light-harvesting antenna, the cryptophyte algae have a unique antenna system located in the thylakoid lumen. This antenna system consists of alpha beta protomers with different combinations of chromophores. The diversity of the alpha subunit gene family produces a range of antenna proteins with differing spectral properties.
Article
Geography, Physical
Maria Fernanda Torres Jimenez, Graham N. Stone, Adriana Sanchez, James E. Richardson
Summary: The Andean uplift had a significant impact on the diversification of the Azteca ants and Tococa guianensis ant plant, with lineage divergence occurring earlier in the ants than in the plants. This suggests that geographic factors may have played a greater role in species diversification than mutualism in this particular ant-plant association.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Anatoly Krupitsky, Nazar A. Shapoval, Dmitry M. Schepetov, Irina A. Ekimova, Vladimir A. Lukhtanov
Summary: The study examined the taxonomical classification and distribution of the genus Tomares, revealing an African and an Asian lineage with new proposed species names. The origin of Tomares was estimated to be between the early Oligocene and the early Miocene, with differentiation occurring in response to aridification and habitat fragmentation. The Asian lineage of Tomares underwent differentiation in southwest Asia during the late Miocene and Pleistocene periods, coinciding with the evolution of host plants of the genus Astragalus (Fabaceae).
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gen Li, Shao-Lun Zhai, Xia Zhou, Tian-bao Chen, Jia-wei Niu, Yong-sheng Xie, Guang-bin Si, Feng Cong, Rui-ai Chen, Dong-sheng He
Summary: This study analyzed the origin and transmission of Porcine Delta Coronavirus (PDCoV) and identified significant mutation sites. The research suggests that PDCoV might originate in Asia and has the potential for cross-species transmission. The findings are significant for understanding the zoonotic potential of PDCoV and enhancing biosecurity precautions.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nico Neureiter, Peter Ranacher, Rik van Gijn, Balthasar Bickel, Robert Weibel
Summary: Bayesian phylogeography has been used in historical linguistics to reconstruct homelands and expansions of language families, but the reliability of these reconstructions has remained unclear. A simulation study has shown that current phylogeographic methods perform well in reconstructing language expansions, but are not effective in reconstructing migrations. It is proposed to use descriptive statistics to determine whether a language sample fits better with a migration or an expansion scenario.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Virology
Xiaofeng Hu, Xin Wang, Yaqing He, Mingda Hu, Lianqun Jin, Hailong Zhang, Yuan Jin, Boqian Wang, Junjie Yue, Shengnan Liang, Chuanfu Zhang, Kexin Li, Zhixi Peng, Sai Tian, Shaofu Qiu, Hongbin Song, Hongguang Ren
Summary: In this study, 11 classical astrovirus strains were sequenced and analyzed, revealing that these strains belong to HAstV genotype 1, which is the predominant genotype in Shenzhen. Phylogeographic reconstruction suggested that HAstV-1 may have originated from the United States and spread to China and Japan. Recombination analysis identified a recombination-prone region that contributes to genetic diversity.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Camille Moreau, Quentin Jossart, Bruno Danis, Marc Eleaume, Henrik Christiansen, Charlene Guillaumot, Rachel Downey, Thomas Saucede
Summary: The diversity and taxonomy of sea stars in the Southern Ocean need to be revised and explored further, as molecular results indicate recent diversification at the genus and species levels. This supports a scenario of invasion and exchange events between the Southern Ocean and adjacent regions, with clade diversification during periods of rapid environmental changes.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matej Dolinay, Tadeas Necas, Breda M. Zimkus, Andreas Schmitz, Eric B. Fokam, Emily Moriarty Lemmon, Alan R. Lemmon, Vaclav Gvozdik
Summary: Through genomic sequence capture analysis and morphological examination, this study investigated six mtDNA lineages of the Puddle frogs species complex, revealing two divergent evolutionary lineages. The study also revealed the presence of hybridization within the species complex, forming a ladder-like phylogenetic pattern in phylogenomic analyses.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Heidi Maria Nistelberger, Sarah-Louise Tapper, David J. Coates, Shelley L. McArthur, Margaret Byrne
Summary: The study examines the genetic diversity and structure of Banksia sessilis in south-western Western Australia, revealing the relationship between chloroplast DNA lineages and the geographical environment. The research indicates that geological events between the Darling Plateau and the Swan Coastal Plain play a key role in the evolution of this species.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Howard W. I. Gray, Ing Chen, Andre E. Moura, Ada Natoli, Shin Nishida, Shinsuke Tanabe, Gianna Minton, Louisa S. Ponnampalam, Muhammad S. Kiani, Ross Culloch, Mauvis Gore, Anna Sarnblad, Omar Amir, Per Berggren, Tim Collins, Andrew J. Willson, Robert Baldwin, A. Rus Hoelzel
Summary: The study compared two closely related dolphin species with a shared distribution in the Indian Ocean, revealing population structure differences, particularly in the Arabian Sea region. The differentiation between populations in the northern and western Indian Ocean for both genera suggests distinct habitats and the influence of climate cycles on population dynamics.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anderson Fernandes Brito, Lais Ceschini Machado, Rachel J. Oidtman, Marcio Junio Lima Siconelli, Quan Minh Tran, Joseph R. Fauver, Rodrigo Dias de Oliveira Carvalho, Filipe Zimmer Dezordi, Mylena Ribeiro Pereira, Luiza Antunes De Castro-Jorge, Elaine Cristina Manini Minto, Luzia Marcia Romanholi Passos, Chaney C. Kalinich, Mary E. Petrone, Emma Allen, Guido Camargo Espana, Angkana T. Huang, Derek A. T. Cummings, Guy Baele, Rafael Freitas Oliveira Franca, Benedito Antonio Lopes da Fonseca, T. Alex Perkins, Gabriel Luz Wallau, Nathan D. Grubaugh
Summary: The study found that dengue transmission was low in Brazil in 2017-2018 despite suitable conditions, with a decline in susceptibility and outbreaks in 2018-2019 caused by local DENV lineages that circulated cryptically for years before and after the Zika epidemic. This suggests that DENV lineages may circulate at low levels for extended periods before causing major outbreaks when conditions are conducive.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mark J. Henriksen
Summary: Investigations into the origin of intergalactic light (IGL) in close groups of galaxies suggest that groups with visible IGL represent a later evolutionary phase characterized by a higher fraction of ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs) and lower luminosity high mass X-ray binaries (HMXRBs). This indicates a past interaction and merger history within these groups, leading to the removal of stellar material from galaxies into the intergalactic medium, the source of IGL.