Article
Ecology
Ramon Massana, Aurelie Labarre, David Lopez-Escardo, Aleix Obiol, Francois Bucchini, Thomas Hackl, Matthias G. Fischer, Klaas Vandepoele, Denis V. Tikhonenkov, Filip Husnik, Patrick J. Keeling
Summary: Phagocytosis is a fundamental process in marine ecosystems, but studies on the genes underlying this process in free-living phagocytizing protists are still scarce. Recent reanalysis revealed the widespread presence of Cafeteria burkhardae in global oceans, leading to a transcriptomics study to identify key genes. The study found distinct gene expression profiles between exponential and stationary phases, including highly expressed phagocytosis genes like peptidases and proton pumps.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanying Liao, Pedro Henrique Campello-Nunes, Leandro Gammuto, Tiago Abreu Viana, Roberto de Oliveira Marchesini, Thiago da Silva Paiva, Inacio Domingos da Silva-Neto, Letizia Modeo, Giulio Petroni
Summary: The study characterizes the loricate peritrich Thuricola similis and its evolutionary position within Oligohymenophorea subclasses through mitogenome sequencing and phylogenomic analysis. It reveals the evolutionary relationships among Oligohymenophorea subclasses, with T. similis branching basally to other subclasses, and provides insights into the phylogeny of little-known ciliated species.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tengyue Zhang, Chen Shao, Tengteng Zhang, Weibo Song, Peter Vd'acny, Saleh A. Al-Farraj, Yurui Wang
Summary: In this study, the relationships within the genus Trachelostyla were investigated using morphological data, molecular phylogenetic analysis, and ITS2 secondary structures. The results revealed a new species and two undescribed species, and confirmed the monophyly of the genus Trachelostyla through multigene phylogeny. Molecular data were found to be more suitable for defining Trachelostyla species than morphological characters.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zihui Zhang, Hunter N. N. Hines, Hongbo Pan, Jiamei Jiang
Summary: This study reports on two species of ciliated protists from the East China Sea, providing detailed descriptions of their morphology, infraciliature, and gene sequences, as well as investigating the physiological changes in one of the species. The research improves the overall understanding of this group and provides a key to identify valid species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Karel Simek, Indranil Mukherjee, Jiri Nedoma, Caio Cesar Pires Paula, Jitka Jezberova, Dagmara Sirova, Jaroslav Vrba
Summary: The study found that aplastidic cryptophytes and ciliates are major protistan bacterivores in hypertrophic freshwater lakes, with HNF contributing more to total protist-induced bacterial mortality rates. During summer phytoplankton blooms, Kinetoplastea also play an important role in consuming bacteria.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Daniele R. Parizotto, Gabriel A. R. Melo
Summary: Anthidiini is a large, diverse, and widely distributed tribe of megachiline bees. Recent morphological and molecular analyses have identified five major monophyletic groups within the tribe and revised the classification by assigning subtribe status to these lineages. Furthermore, a new subtribe and genus have been proposed to better reflect the phylogenetic relationships.
REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE ENTOMOLOGIA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marina Petsana, Ahmed F. Roumia, Pantelis G. Bagos, Haralabia Boleti, Georgia G. Braliou
Summary: The aim of this study was to retrieve the entire spectrum of Kinetoplastea protein sequences containing the PX module, predict their structures, and identify evolutionary conserved and unique traits. A new Kinetoplastea_PX pHMM was constructed using a combination of protein IDs from two searches. The study identified the unique PX-Pkinase domain architecture in Trypanosoma spp. and suggests the potential use of Kinetoplastea PX-proteins as targets for anti-parasitic drug design.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Rodrigo Barbosa Goncalves
Summary: This study focuses on reviewing the classification of the Sphecodini genus, with a particular emphasis on Neotropical groups. The research proposes the establishment of Austrosphecodes Michener as a separate genus, and describes a new genus, Melissocleptis gen. nov., to classify the majority of Neotropical species.
REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE ENTOMOLOGIA
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Scott J. Fitzgerald
Summary: Four new Neotropical species of Plecia Wiedemann are described in this study, along with a redesription of one species and the first description of its male. Based on discussions of different species-groups, three groups are outlined.
Article
Zoology
Robert W. Sites
Summary: This study presents the first molecular-based phylogeny for a family of the true bug infraorder Nepomorpha, providing insights into the relationships among its constituent taxa. The results reveal Naucoridae to be a monophyletic group, but identify Cheirochelinae, Naucorinae, and certain genera as polyphyletic. Additionally, two distinct subfamily-level clades were recovered from Naucorinae, and the organization of Laccocorinae was revised to include four tribe-level groups.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Alexandre Pires Marceniuk, Claudio Oliveira, Carl J. Ferraris
Summary: This study presents a new classification of the catfish family Ariidae based on a total-evidence hypothesis. The classification incorporates data from both morphological and molecular characters, involving 249 morphological and 5603 molecular characters from 131 species. The proposed classification identifies named taxa that are supported by maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference analyses.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Xing Ji, Yi-Fei Sun, Dong-Mei Wu, Neng Gao, Bao-Kai Cui
Summary: In this study, phylogenetic analyses were conducted on Perenniporia species and related genera using DNA sequences of multiple loci. It was found that the genus Perenniporia is polyphyletic. Based on morphology and phylogeny, 15 new genera were proposed, 2 new species were described, and 37 new combinations were proposed. Illustrated descriptions of the new species were provided, along with identification keys to Perenniporia and its related genera.
Article
Ecology
Chantelle Hooper, Georgia M. Ward, Rachel Foster, Ilze Skujina, Joseph E. Ironside, Cedric Berney, David Bass
Summary: This study discusses the challenges of delimiting species in protists, including parasites, due to the lack of a universally appropriate basis. The authors demonstrate a method to generate the full rRNA array of parasitic protists and determine regions most discriminatory for species differentiation. Phylogenetic analyses of the rRNA regions successfully separated closely related parasite species and identified potential regions for improved diagnostic PCR assays.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Itziar Arnelas, Ernesto Perez-Collazos, Josefa Lopez-Martinez, Juan Antonio Devesa, Pilar Catalan
Summary: This study examines the systematic value of carpological traits in the taxonomically complex genus Valerianella. The results show that these traits are useful in classifying the genus at higher taxonomic ranks, but not at the species level for certain species pairs. Genetic data support the taxonomic classification at the sectional level, but reveal admixture for some species pairs. The study also describes a new section within the genus to accommodate a highly divergent species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julian Faivovich, Paulo D. P. Pinheiro, Mariana L. Lyra, Martin O. Pereyra, Diego Baldo, Arturo Munoz, Steffen Reichle, Reuber A. Brandao, Ariovaldo A. Giaretta, Maria Tereza C. Thome, Juan C. Chaparro, Delio Baeta, Ronaldo Libardi Widholzer, Jorge Baldo, Edgar Lehr, Ward C. Wheeler, Paulo C. A. Garcia, Celio F. B. Haddad
Summary: This paper presents a phylogenetic analysis of the Boana pulchella Group, revealing various clades and redefining relationships within the group. New synonyms are identified for several species, enhancing the understanding of the group's taxonomy and evolutionary history.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huoqing Zheng, Shuai Wang, Yuqi Wu, Shengmei Zou, Vincent Dietemann, Peter Neumann, Yanping Chen, Hongmei Li-Byarlay, Christian Pirk, Jay Evans, Fuliang Hu, Ye Feng
Summary: This study investigated the host shift of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor from Eastern honey bees to Western honey bees. The researchers identified genetic differences between the mites on different hosts and found significant differences in gene expression during the reproduction process. Genes associated with oogenesis were found to be key genetic determinants of the mite's success on the new host.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Entomology
H. Siviter, A. Fisher, B. Baer, M. J. F. Brown, I. F. Camargo, J. Cole, Y. Le Conte, B. Dorin, J. D. Evans, W. Farina, J. Fine, L. R. Fischer, M. P. D. Garratt, T. C. Giannini, T. Giray, H. Li-Byarlay, M. M. Lopez-Uribe, J. C. Nieh, K. Przybyla, N. E. Raine, A. M. Ray, G. Singh, M. Spivak, K. Traynor, K. M. Kapheim, J. F. Harrison
Summary: Global declines in pollinators pose a threat to food production and natural ecosystems, with complex drivers including pesticide use, habitat loss, pathogen proliferation from commercial beekeeping, and climate change. Addressing and reversing these declines will require a multidisciplinary approach and international cooperation.
Article
Entomology
Evan C. Palmer-Young, Rosemary Malfi, Yujun Zhou, Bryanna Joyce, Hannah Whitehead, Jennifer Van Wyk, Kathy Baylis, Kyle Grubbs, Dawn L. Boncristiani, Jay D. Evans, Rebecca E. Irwin, Lynn S. Adler
Summary: Landscapes can play a role in parasite control in wild and agricultural animals. Honey bees are threatened by parasites and the viruses they carry, and current control methods often harm bees. This study found that landscapes with sunflower crops and pollen supplementation can reduce Varroa mite infestation in honey bees. This suggests the potential for using sunflower plantings or pollen supplements to counteract honey bee losses globally.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yi Zhang, Andrew Liu, Shao Kang Huang, Jay D. Evans, Steve C. Cook, Evan Palmer-Young, Miguel Corona, Mohamed Alburaki, Ge Liu, Ri Chou Han, Wen Feng Li, Yue Hao, Ji Lian Li, Todd M. Gilligan, Allan H. Smith-Pardo, Olubukola Banmeke, Francisco J. Posada-Florez, Ya Hui Gao, Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman, Hui Chun Xie, Alex M. Sadzewicz, Michele Hamilton, Yan Ping Chen
Summary: Honey bees are important for pollination and carbon dioxide removal, but their population has been declining. This study reveals that winter colony losses are mainly due to weakened immune function leading to disease infections. Activation of the SIRT1 gene expression improves bee physiology and extends lifespan.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2023)
Correction
Entomology
H. Siviter, A. Fisher, B. Baer, M. J. F. Brown, I. F. Camargo, J. Cole, Y. Le Conte, B. Dorin, J. D. Evans, W. Farina, J. Fine, L. R. Fischer, M. P. D. Garratt, T. C. Giannini, T. Giray, H. Li-Byarlay, M. M. Lopez-Uribe, J. C. Nieh, K. Przybyla, N. E. Raine, A. M. Ray, G. Singh, M. Spivak, K. Traynor, K. M. Kapheim, J. F. Harrison
Article
Entomology
James P. Strange, Amber D. Tripodi, Craig Huntzinger, Joyce Knoblett, Ellen Klinger, James D. Herndon, Hoang Q. Vuong, Quinn S. McFrederick, Rebecca E. Irwin, Jay D. Evans, Jonathan J. Giacomini, Robert Ward, Lynn S. Adler
Summary: Pollen is an essential component of bee diets, but there is currently no artificial diet or economical method for large-scale pollen collection from flowers. The provenance of honey bee-collected pollen is often unknown and may cross international borders. This study tested three sterilization methods and found that ethylene oxide fumigation had the highest sterilizing properties under commercial conditions while maintaining palatability and supporting bee development.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(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)
Article
Entomology
Haftom Gebremedhn, David Claeys Bouuaert, Michel Asperges, Bezabeh Amssalu, Lina De Smet, Dirk C. de Graaf
Summary: Globally, honey bees face challenges such as mites and viruses, resulting in significant losses. African honey bees are believed to be more resilient to these stressors. This study investigated molecular markers associated with this resilience, finding that better olfactory sensing and a functioning antiviral RNAi system may contribute to African bees' resilience to mites and viruses.
Article
Biology
Evan C. Palmer-Young, Eugene V. Ryabov, Lindsey M. Markowitz, Dawn L. Boncristiani, Kyle Grubbs, Asha Pawar, Raymond Peterson, Jay D. Evans
Summary: The temperature dependence of infection reflects changes in performance of parasites and hosts. High temperatures often mitigate infection by favoring heat-tolerant hosts over heat-sensitive parasites. Honey bees exhibit endothermic thermoregulation-rare among insects-that can favor resistance to parasites. The temperature dependence of pupal infection matched that of pupal development, falling only near pupae's upper thermal limits. Deformed Wing Virus best infects honey bee pupae at temperatures optimal for pupal development-not for viral enzymes-suggesting host facilitation of virus replication, and tradeoffs between infection resistance and bee survival.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Kaitlin R. Deutsch, Jason R. Graham, Humberto F. Boncristiani, Tomas Bustamante, Ashley N. Mortensen, Daniel R. Schmehl, Ashlyn E. Wedde, Dawn L. Lopez, Jay D. Evans, James D. Ellis
Summary: Pollinators have experienced significant declines in the past decade, partly due to emerging infectious diseases. Previous studies primarily focused on pathogens in honey bees, but recent research has shown that these pathogens also infect other pollinators and negatively impact their health. This study surveyed honey bees, native bees, and wasps for 13 honey bee-associated pathogens and found that at least one honey bee-associated pathogen was present in 53% of native bee and wasp samples. The most commonly detected pathogens were the microsporidian Nosema ceranae, the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius, and the viruses deformed wing virus and black queen cell virus.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marie Van Espen, James H. Williams, Fatima Alves, Yung Hung, Dirk C. de Graaf, Wim Verbeke
Summary: This study aims to assess the impacts of climate change on the European beekeeping sector and whether beekeepers have had to adapt their practices accordingly. The results show regional disparities in perceived impacts, with Southern European beekeepers expressing more negative outlooks. Factors such as professionalism, years in beekeeping, floral resources availability, environment, and local policy measures were found to distinguish heavily impacted beekeepers from others.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Virology
Eugene V. Ryabov, Anthony J. Nearman, Ashrafun Nessa, Kyle Grubbs, Benjamin Sallmann, Rachel Fahey, Mikayla E. Wilson, Karen D. Rennich, Nathalie Steinhauer, Anne Marie Fauvel, Yanping Chen, Jay D. Evans, Dennis Vanengelsdorp
Summary: A novel RNA virus, AmSV1, was identified in honey bees from an apiary with high rates of unexplained colony losses. This virus causes systemic infection in worker bees and has been present since at least 2010. Diagnostic methods and distribution information of AmSV1 will be used to investigate its connection to honey bee colony losses.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Miriam H. H. Richards, Jay D. D. Evans, Francisco J. J. Posada-Florez
Summary: Insect sociobiology examines why and how certain species of insects transitioned from solitary lifestyles to living in social groups. The study focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of cooperation and group living in insects, particularly eusocial insects like honeybees, ants, and termites, which live in large colonies with a queen and numerous workers.
JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Steven C. Cook, Eugene V. Ryabov, Christian Becker, Curtis W. Rogers, Francisco Posada-Florez, Jay D. Evans, Yan Ping Chen
Summary: In this study, researchers found that cold plasma ionized hydrogen peroxide (iHP) can effectively inactivate deformed wing virus (DWV) in honey bees, reducing its infectivity and incidence. Compared to other viral inactivation methods, iHP treatment is simpler and safer. Treating DWV-contaminated hive substrates with iHP, even with honey bees present, may be an effective way to reduce the impact of DWV infection on honey bees.
FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Qiang Huang, Sheina B. Sim, Scott M. Geib, Anna Childers, Junfeng Liu, Xiuxiu Wei, Wensu Han, Francisco Posada-Florez, Allen Z. Xue, Zheng Li, Jay D. Evans
Summary: In this study, the chromosome-level genome assembly of the small hive beetle (SHB) was completed for the first time. The features of SHB sex chromosomes and the asymmetry of the primary sex ratio were analyzed using this annotated assembly. The genome-enabled insights are critical for understanding the successful traits of SHB and determining the causes of observed sex ratio asymmetries.
