Article
Zoology
Nicolas A. Hazzi, Gustavo Hormiga
Summary: The study revalidated the species Phoneutria depilata, known for being one of the most venomous spiders in the world, and confirmed its relationship with P. boliviensis as sister species. Species distribution models indicated lowland tropical rain forest ecosystems as the most suitable habitat for these spiders. The research highlighted the importance of citizen science platforms in improving species distribution knowledge and identified risk areas of accidental bites, particularly for the species P. depilata.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Michael Landis, Erika J. Edwards, Michael J. Donoghue
Summary: The spatial distribution of biomes has changed considerably over time, affecting the opportunities for evolutionary lineages to shift between different biomes. A phylogenetic biome shift model was developed to study how lineages shift between biomes and regions, with results suggesting a warm temperate or tropical origin for a specific plant genus. The model highlights the importance of considering dynamic geographical opportunities in inferring ancestral biomes compatible with Earth's history.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu-Feng Hsu, Zong-Yu Shen, Hang -Chi Huang, Chih-Wei Huang, Chen-Chih Lu
Summary: This study employed multiple species delimitation methods to study the taxonomic status between two butterfly species, S. l. lilaea and S. formosanus, in Taiwan. It also investigated the ecological interaction between the two species using niche modeling. The results revealed that they can be recognized as two distinct species, and the conservation issues related to the rapid expansion of the introduced species were discussed.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paula Escuer, Joan C. Hinojosa, Carla Minguet-Parramona, Helena Romo, Miguel L. Munguira, Javier Olivares, Vlad Dinca, Gerard Talavera, Roger Vila
Summary: This study clarifies the taxonomic status and conservation status of the Spanish Greenish Black-tip butterfly (Euchloe bazae) using phylogenetic inference and niche modeling. The results indicate that this highly specialized species has a restricted distribution range and may require rapid range shifts for survival. Considering its fragile populations and numerous threats, it is recommended to classify it as "Endangered".
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yang Rujing, Gong Xiang, Hu Xiaokang, Hu Yawen, Feng Jianmeng
Summary: The study compared the potential range sizes and niche dynamics of wheat and its wild progenitors, showing that wheat cultivation has a stronger effect on range and niche expansion compared to natural niche evolution. Wheat and its wild progenitors occupied different niche positions, and wheat did not conserve the niches inherited from its wild progenitors, indicating a significant induced niche shift by cultivation. Global niche shifts induced by crop cultivation may require further attention, as cultivation may have a stronger effect on niche shifts compared to most plant invasions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jorge Assis, Filipe Alberto, Erasmo C. Macaya, Nelson Castilho Coelho, Sylvain Faugeron, Gareth A. Pearson, Lydia Ladah, Daniel C. Reed, Peter Raimondi, Andres Mansilla, Paul Brickle, Giuseppe C. Zuccarello, Ester A. Serrao
Summary: This study aims to bridge the gap in understanding the impact of past climate-driven range shifts on intraspecific biodiversity in marine environments. By comparing genetic diversity and population structure with species distribution modeling, the researchers found that the global distribution of the giant kelp is indeed influenced by past climate changes. They also highlighted the importance of regional genetic groups in the conservation of giant kelp forests.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Lara M. Wootton, Felix Forest, G. Anthony Verboom
Summary: This study demonstrates how the use of two independent genomic data sets allows for the accurate delimitation of species in the grass genus Ehrharta. By combining sequence capture data and SNP data, the researchers were able to construct a comprehensive phylogenetic tree and detect patterns of gene pool sharing, which provided strong support for the identified species boundaries. This highlights the importance of utilizing multiple, independent genomic data sets in species delimitation studies.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zdenka Lososova, Jan Divisek, Milan Chytry, Lars Gotzenberger, Jakub Tesitel, Ladislav Mucina
Summary: The study reveals that the phylogenetic structure of European vegetation types varies, with late-successional habitats showing phylogenetic overdispersion and early successional and disturbed habitats showing phylogenetic clustering. The phylogenetic similarity between vegetation types is higher within broad categories of vegetation types and biomes.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ran Zhang, Zhaochen Zhang, Kankan Shang, Mingshui Zhao, Jiaxin Kong, Xin Wang, Yuzhuo Wang, Houjuan Song, Oukai Zhang, Xuan Lv, Jian Zhang
Summary: Taxonomic alpha diversity generally increased along elevation, while distance-decay trends of taxonomic and phylogenetic similarity were observed with increased elevational distances. Topographical and microclimatic variables were found to be main drivers of diversity patterns and phylogenetic structure, with deterministic processes mediated by local species abundance imprinting on plant community composition along the elevational gradient.
JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Victor de Brito, Ricardo Betancur-R, Michael D. Burns, Thaddaeus J. Buser, Kevin W. Conway, Joao Pedro Fontenelle, Matthew A. Kolmann, W. Tyler McCraney, Christine E. Thacker, Devin D. Bloom
Summary: Evolutionary transitions between marine and freshwater ecosystems have occurred repeatedly in fish phylogenetic history. The theory of ecological opportunity predicts that lineages colonizing species-poor regions will have greater potential for phenotypic diversification. Our analysis of nine major fish clades crossing the marine/freshwater boundary found that transitions between habitats did not drive body size evolution and there were limited differences in body size between marine and freshwater lineages.
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Bruno Le Ru, Noemie M-C Hevin, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Boaz K. Musyoka, Michel Sezonlin, Desmond Conlong, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Rose Ndemah, Philippe Le Gall, Domingos Cugala, Casper Nyamukondiwa, Beatrice Pallangyo, Mohamedi Njaku, Muluken Goftishu, Yoseph Assefa, Gregoire Bani, Richard Molo, Gilson Chipapika, George Ong'amo, Anne-Laure Clamens, Jerome Barbut, Gael J. Kergoat
Summary: This study evaluates and characterizes 31 species within the genus Sesamia Guenee, 1852. The species are grouped based on genitalic characters, resulting in the identification of several subgroups and the description of new species. Molecular analyses support the phylogenetic relationships and species status of the studied species, demonstrating their monophyly and distinctiveness.
ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Rodrigo S. Bergamin, Guilherme D. S. Seger, Marcos B. Carlucci, Martin Molz, Ricardo S. P. Mello, Rafael Martins, Joao A. Jarenkow, Paulo Brack, Sandra C. Muller, Leandro D. S. Duarte
Summary: The study found a decrease in phylogenetic diversity along the elevation gradient, from lowlands towards highlands. The representativeness of families Myrtaceae and Lauraceae increased with elevation, while most families decreased in species richness and were replaced by temperate families. Most tropical lineages are restricted to lower elevations, but Myrtaceae and Lauraceae may have evolved tolerance to colder temperatures during glacial cycles.
Article
Zoology
M. A. Kolmann, F. P. L. Marques, J. C. Weaver, M. N. Dean, J. P. Fontenelle, N. R. Lovejoy
Summary: The study revealed the dietary specialization and ecological niche changes in the evolutionary history of the Neotropical freshwater river rays, suggesting that competition is unlikely to have limited their invasion and diversification in South America.
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Jeremy Gauthier, Helene Boulain, Joke J. F. A. van Vugt, Lyam Baudry, Emma Persyn, Jean-Marc Aury, Benjamin Noel, Anthony Bretaudeau, Fabrice Legeai, Sven Warris, Mohamed A. Chebbi, Geraldine Dubreuil, Bernard Duvic, Natacha Kremer, Philippe Gayral, Karine Musset, Thibaut Josse, Diane Bigot, Christophe Bressac, Sebastien Moreau, Georges Periquet, Myriam Harry, Nicolas Montagne, Isabelle Boulogne, Mahnaz Sabeti-Azad, Martine Maibeche, Thomas Chertemps, Frederique Hilliou, David Siaussat, Joelle Amselem, Isabelle Luyten, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Karine Labadie, Bruna Lais Merlin, Valerie Barbe, Jetske G. de Boer, Martial Marbouty, Fernando Luis Consoli, Stephane Dupas, Aurelie Hua-Van, Gaelle Le Goff, Annie Bezier, Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly, James B. Whitfield, Louise E. M. Vet, Hans M. Smid, Laure Kaiser, Romain Koszul, Elisabeth Huguet, Elisabeth A. Herniou, Jean-Michel Drezen
Summary: Endogenous viruses make up a significant portion of eukaryote genomes and provide new functions, although the evolution of large DNA viruses integrated into genomes that benefit their host remains unknown. A study on parasitoid wasps reveals that bracovirus genes have colonized all ten chromosomes, with these gene clusters being established over 53 million years ago and showing remarkable stability in genomic structures constrained by evolution. Transcriptional analysis shows temporal synchronization of viral gene expression without immune gene induction, suggesting a lack of conflict between ancient symbiotic partners.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Jeremy Cours, Laurent Larrieu, Carlos Lopez-Vaamonde, Joerg Mueller, Guillem Parmain, Simon Thorn, Christophe Bouget
Summary: The study showed that forest dieback and salvage logging had significant impacts on forest habitat conditions and saproxylic beetle communities. While dieback increased deadwood resources, it did not lead to an increase in total abundance or species richness. Salvage logging in spruce forests greatly reduced the density of large snags and logs, causing stronger contrasts in environmental effects compared to silver fir forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Irene Villalta, Romain Ledet, Mathilde Baude, David Genoud, Christophe Bouget, Maxime Cornillon, Sebastien Moreau, Beatrice Courtial, Carlos Lopez-Vaamonde
Summary: The decline of wild bees poses risks to important ecosystem services like pollination. Effective insect monitoring requires mass-trapping methods and accurate identifications, with DNA barcoding proving as a reliable tool for identifying the majority of wild bee species.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Carlos Lopez-Vaamonde, Natalia Kirichenko, Alain Cama, Camiel Doorenweerd, H. Charles J. Godfray, Antoine Guiguet, Stanislav Gomboc, Peter Huemer, Jean-Francois Landry, Ales Lastuvka, Zdenek Lastuvka, Kyung Min Lee, David C. Lees, Marko Mutanen, Erik J. van Nieukerken, Andreas H. Segerer, Paolo Triberti, Christian Wieser, Rodolphe Rougerie
Summary: Gracillariidae is the most species-rich leaf-mining moth family with over 2,000 described species worldwide. In this study, DNA barcodes were used for identification and species discovery in European gracillariids, showing high congruence between morphology and barcodes, and successful species discrimination based on the Barcode Index Number system for 93% of species.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ingrid Zanella-Saenz, Elisabeth A. Herniou, Jorge E. Ibarra, Ilse Alejandra Huerta-Arredondo, Ma Cristina Del Rincon-Castro
Summary: Fall armyworm (FAW) is an economically important agricultural pest. This study evaluated six baculovirus strains isolated from infected FAW larvae and found differences in their virulence. In addition, in vitro and genomic analyses were conducted to further understand their potential as biological control agents.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Zoraima Neto, Pedro A. Martinez, Sarah C. Hill, Domingos Jandondo, Julien Theze, Marinela Mirandela, Renato Santana Aguiar, Joilson Xavier, Cruz dos Santos Sebastiao, Ana Luisa Micolo Candido, Filipa Vaz, Gisel Reyes Castro, Joana Paula Paixao, Nicholas J. Loman, Philippe Lemey, Oliver G. Pybus, Jocelyne Vasconcelos, Nuno Rodrigues Faria, Joana de Morais
Summary: The study in Angola revealed predominantly urban transmission of DENV2, as well as co-circulation of DENV2 with DENV1 and CHIKV. Several RT-PCR confirmed severe dengue cases were reported in the country.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Alexandra Cerqueira de Araujo, Elisabeth Huguet, Elisabeth A. Herniou, Jean-Michel Drezen, Thibaut Josse
Summary: The piRNA system controls transposable element mobility and possibly plays a role in antiviral response in insects. Current studies indicate that this antiviral response is mainly found in mosquitoes.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jeremy Cours, Lucas Sire, Sylvie Ladet, Hilaire Martin, Guillem Parmain, Laurent Larrieu, Carl Moliard, Carlos Lopez-Vaamonde, Christophe Bouget
Summary: The study found that forest dieback benefits the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of saproxylic beetle assemblages at both local and landscape scales. Increased landscape-scale dieback also leads to functional specialization of beetle assemblages, favoring species related to large and well-decayed deadwood.
Article
Virology
Robert D. Pienaar, Clement Gilbert, Carole Belliardo, Salvador Herrero, Elisabeth A. Herniou
Summary: This study using bioinformatic approaches discovered viruses specifically associated with black soldier flies (BSFs), including endogenous viral elements (EVEs) and a new exogenous totivirus named hermetia illucens totivirus 1 (HiTV1). This research fills the knowledge gap regarding viruses in BSFs and provides insights into their past and present interactions with viral families.
Article
Entomology
Jurij Rekelj, Zeljko Predovnik, Peter Huemer, Carlos Lopez-Vaamonde
Summary: This study revises the subgenus Brevantennia species in Slovenia, including confirming and synonymizing species, and excluding a species from the checklist of Slovenian Lepidoptera fauna.
NOTA LEPIDOPTEROLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sarah C. Hill, Sarah Francois, Julien Theze, Adrian L. Smith, Peter Simmonds, Christopher M. Perrins, Lia van der Hoek, Oliver G. Pybus
Summary: Wildlife carries pathogens that can harm human or livestock health and are the source of most emerging infectious diseases. Changes in wildlife population age-structures and age-stratified behaviors can alter the level of pathogen detection within a species and the risk of spillover to other species. By using a metagenomic approach, this study characterized viral and prokaryotic carriage in a healthy wild bird population and identified novel virus species and the core prokaryotic microbiome. The findings suggest that perturbations in wildlife population age-structures could impact the circulation dynamics and spillover risk of microbes, potentially including pathogens.
Article
Ecology
Marina Querejeta, Vincent Herve, Elfie Perdereau, Lorene Marchal, Elisabeth A. Herniou, Stephane Boyer, David Giron
Summary: This study explored the differences in bacterial diversity during the four developmental stages of the black soldier fly (BSF) using a metabarcoding approach. The results showed significant changes in bacterial community composition and species richness along the BSF life cycle, and identified nine prevalent core microbiota. The study also inferred 27 potential metabolic pathways differentially used among the BSF life cycle. This research provides a better understanding of metabolic processes during BSF development and their implications for bio-waste processing.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arthur Fauviau, Mathilde Baude, Nicolas Bazin, William Fiordaliso, Alessandro Fisogni, Laura Fortel, Joseph Garrigue, Benoit Geslin, Jeremie Goulnik, Laurent Guilbaud, Nina Hautekeete, Charlene Heiniger, Michael Kuhlmann, Olivier Lambert, Dominique Langlois, Violette Le Feon, Carlos Lopez Vaamonde, Gregory Maillet, Francois Massol, Nadia Michel, Alice Michelot-Antalik, Denis Michez, Hugues Mouret, Yves Piquot, Simon G. Potts, Stuart Roberts, Lise Ropars, Lucie Schurr, Colin Van Reeth, Irene Villalta, Vincent Zaninotto, Isabelle Dajoz, Mickael Henry
Summary: Urban expansion has negative impacts on the diversity of wild bees, but some wild bee species can thrive in cities.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Marina Escalera-Zamudio, Sergei L. Kosakovsky Pond, Natalia Martinez de la Vina, Bernardo Gutierrez, Rhys P. D. Inward, Julien Theze, Lucy van Dorp, Hugo G. Castelan-Sanchez, Thomas A. Bowden, Oliver G. Pybus, Ruben J. G. Hulswit
Summary: Comparing the evolution of distantly related viruses can provide insights into common adaptive processes related to shared ecological niches. Phylogenetic approaches, coupled with other molecular evolution tools, can help identify mutations informative on adaptation, although the structural contextualization of these to functional sites of proteins may help gain insight into their biological properties.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Julien Theze, Chloe Ambroset, Severine Barry, Sebastien Masseglia, Adelie Colin, Agnes Tricot, Florence Tardy, Xavier Bailly
Summary: This study used a genome-wide phylodynamic approach to explore the epidemic dynamics of Mycoplasma bovis in France. The results revealed that the M. bovis st2 population in France consists of two lineages that emerged from independent introductions of international strains. The second lineage gradually replaced the first one and became predominant. Non-synonymous mutations in lineage-associated genes were also identified, which may facilitate the development of new surveillance molecular markers.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2023)
