scholarly journals Between virus correlations in the outcome of infection across host species: Evidence of virus by host species interactions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Imrie ◽  
Katherine E. Roberts ◽  
Ben Longdon
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions

Composition patterns and network structure of epiphyte–host interactions in Chilean and New Zealand temperate forests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Taylor ◽  
A Saldaña ◽  
G Zotz ◽  
C Kirby ◽  
I Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Temperate Forests ◽  
Null Model ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Host Trees ◽  
Specific Host ◽  
Random Patterns ◽  
Epiphyte Species

Ecological networks are becoming increasingly used as a framework to study epiphyte–host interactions. However, efforts to quantify the properties of epiphyte–host networks have produced inconsistent results. Epiphyte–host interactions in New Zealand and Chilean temperate forests were quantified to test for non-random patterns in nestedness, negative co-occurrences, number of links, and network specialisation. Results showed that three out of five New Zealand networks were significantly more nested than null model expectations, compared with just one out of four Chilean networks. Epiphytes co-occurred more often than null model expectations in one New Zealand network and one in Chile. In all cases, the number of links maintained by each epiphyte and host species was consistent with null model expectations. Lastly, two New Zealand networks and one in southern Chile were significantly less specialised than null model expectations, with all remaining networks returning low specialisation scores. As such, aside from the tendency for greater nestedness in New Zealand networks, most epiphyte species were distributed on their host trees at random. We attribute the result of nestedness in New Zealand to the abundance of large nest epiphytes (Astelia spp. in particular), which may facilitate the sequential colonisation of epiphyte species on developing host trees. The lack of negative co-occurrences suggests that negative species interactions are not an important determinant of species assemblage structure. Low network specialisation scores suggest that epiphytes are selecting for specific host traits, rather than specific host species for colonisation.

scholarly journals Evolution and Diversity of Inherited Spiroplasma Symbionts in Myrmica Ants

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Ballinger ◽  
Logan D. Moore ◽  
Steve J. Perlman
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Bacterial Symbiont ◽  
Evolutionary Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Myrmica Ants ◽  
Microbial Symbionts ◽  
Nutrient Provisioning

ABSTRACT Microbial partners play important roles in the biology and ecology of animals. In insects, maternally transmitted symbionts are especially common and can have host effects ranging from reproductive manipulation to nutrient provisioning and defense against natural enemies. In this study, we report a genus-wide association of Myrmica ants with the inherited bacterial symbiont Spiroplasma . We screen Myrmica ants collected from the wild, including the invasive European fire ant, Myrmica rubra , and find an extraordinarily high prevalence of this symbiont—8 of 9 species, 42 of 43 colonies, and 250 of 276 individual workers harbored Spiroplasma —only one host species was uninfected. In our screens, each host species carried a distinct Spiroplasma strain, and none were infected with more than one strain. All symbionts belong to the citri clade, allied most closely with pathogenic strains of Spiroplasma infecting corn crops and honeybees, and there is strong evidence of host-symbiont persistence across evolutionary time scales. Genome sequencing of two Spiroplasma symbionts revealed candidate genes that may play a part in the symbiosis, a nutrient transporter absent from other Spiroplasma strains, and a ribosome-inactivating protein previously implicated in parasite defense. These results together suggest long-term, likely mutualistic, relationships atypical of Spiroplasma -insect associations with potential significance for broad ecological interactions with Myrmica . IMPORTANCE Animal-associated microbial symbionts can dramatically affect the biology of their hosts. The identification and characterization of these intimate partnerships remain an essential component of describing and predicting species interactions, especially for invasive host species. Ants perform crucial ecological functions as ecosystem engineers, scavengers, and predators, and ants in the genus Myrmica can be aggressive resource competitors and reach high densities in their native and invaded habitats. In this study, a novel symbiosis is identified between Myrmica ants and the facultative bacterial symbiont Spiroplasma . Broad host distribution, high frequencies of infection, and host-symbiont codivergence over evolutionary time scales, an uncommon feature of Spiroplasma associations, suggest an important likely mutualistic interaction. Genome sequencing identified highly divergent gene candidates that may contribute to Spiroplasma 's role as a possible defensive or nutritional partner in Myrmica .

scholarly journals Cross-Species Transmission of Coronaviruses in Humans and  Domestic Mammals, What Are the Ecological Mechanisms Driving Transmission, Spillover,  and Disease Emergence?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Nova
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Disease Emergence ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Rapid Diversification ◽  
Multiple Species

Coronaviruses cause respiratory and digestive diseases in vertebrates. The recent pandemic, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is taking a heavy toll on society and planetary health, and illustrates the threat emerging coronaviruses can pose to the wellbeing of humans and other animals. Coronaviruses are constantly evolving, crossing host species barriers, and expanding their host range. In the last few decades, several novel coronaviruses have emerged in humans and domestic animals. Novel coronaviruses have also been discovered in captive wildlife or wild populations, raising conservation concerns. The evolution and emergence of novel viruses is enabled by frequent cross-species transmission. It is thus crucial to determine emerging coronaviruses’ potential for infecting different host species, and to identify the circumstances under which cross-species transmission occurs in order to mitigate the rate of disease emergence. Here, I review (broadly across several mammalian host species) up-to-date knowledge of host range and circumstances concerning reported cross-species transmission events of emerging coronaviruses in humans and common domestic mammals. All of these coronaviruses had similar host ranges, were closely related (indicative of rapid diversification and spread), and their emergence was likely associated with high-host-density environments facilitating multi-species interactions (e.g., shelters, farms, and markets) and the health or wellbeing of animals as end- and/or intermediate spillover hosts. Further research is needed to identify mechanisms of the cross-species transmission events that have ultimately led to a surge of emerging coronaviruses in multiple species in a relatively short period of time in a world undergoing rapid environmental change.

scholarly journals Cross-Species Transmission of Coronaviruses in Humans and Domestic Mammals, What Are the Ecological Mechanisms Driving Transmission, Spillover, and Disease Emergence?

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Nova
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Disease Emergence ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Rapid Diversification ◽  
Multiple Species

Coronaviruses cause respiratory and digestive diseases in vertebrates. The recent pandemic, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2, is taking a heavy toll on society and planetary health, and illustrates the threat emerging coronaviruses can pose to the well-being of humans and other animals. Coronaviruses are constantly evolving, crossing host species barriers, and expanding their host range. In the last few decades, several novel coronaviruses have emerged in humans and domestic animals. Novel coronaviruses have also been discovered in captive wildlife or wild populations, raising conservation concerns. The evolution and emergence of novel viruses is enabled by frequent cross-species transmission. It is thus crucial to determine emerging coronaviruses' potential for infecting different host species, and to identify the circumstances under which cross-species transmission occurs in order to mitigate the rate of disease emergence. Here, I review (broadly across several mammalian host species) up-to-date knowledge of host range and circumstances concerning reported cross-species transmission events of emerging coronaviruses in humans and common domestic mammals. All of these coronaviruses had similar host ranges, were closely related (indicative of rapid diversification and spread), and their emergence was likely associated with high-host-density environments facilitating multi-species interactions (e.g., shelters, farms, and markets) and the health or well-being of animals as end- and/or intermediate spillover hosts. Further research is needed to identify mechanisms of the cross-species transmission events that have ultimately led to a surge of emerging coronaviruses in multiple species in a relatively short period of time in a world undergoing rapid environmental change.

scholarly journals Xeno-miRNet: a comprehensive database and analytics platform to explore xeno-miRNAs and their potential targets

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannan Fan ◽  
Maria Habib ◽  
Jianguo Xia
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Potential Functions ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Web Based ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
The Web ◽  
Computational Predictions

Xeno-miRNAs are microRNAs originating from exogenous species detected in host biofluids. A growing number of studies have suggested that many of these xeno-miRNAs may be involved in cross-species interactions and manipulations. To date, hundreds of xeno-miRNAs have been reported in different hosts at various abundance levels. Based on computational predictions, many more miRNAs could be potentially transferred to human circulation system. There is a clear need for bioinformatics resources and tools dedicated to xeno-miRNA annotations and their potential functions. To address this need, we have systematically curated xeno-miRNAs from multiple sources, performed target predictions using well-established algorithms, and developed a user-friendly web-based tool—Xeno-miRNet—to allow researchers to search and explore xeno-miRNAs and their potential targets within different host species. Xeno-miRNet currently contains 1,702 (including both detected and predicted) xeno-miRNAs from 54 species and 98,053 potential gene targets in six hosts. The web application is freely available at http://xeno.mirnet.ca.

scholarly journals Cross-Species Transmission of Coronaviruses in Humans and  Domestic Mammals, What Are the Ecological Mechanisms Driving Transmission, Spillover,  and Disease Emergence?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Nova
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Disease Emergence ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Rapid Diversification ◽  
Multiple Species

Coronaviruses cause respiratory and digestive diseases in vertebrates. The recent pandemic, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is taking a heavy toll on society and planetary health, and illustrates the threat emerging coronaviruses can pose to the wellbeing of humans and other animals. Coronaviruses are constantly evolving, crossing host species barriers, and expanding their host range. In the last few decades, several novel coronaviruses have emerged in humans and domestic animals. Novel coronaviruses have also been discovered in captive wildlife or wild populations, raising conservation concerns. The evolution and emergence of novel viruses is enabled by frequent cross-species transmission. It is thus crucial to determine emerging coronaviruses’ potential for infecting different host species, and to identify the circumstances under which cross-species transmission occurs in order to mitigate rate of disease emergence. Here, I review (broadly across several mammalian host species) up-to-date knowledge of host range and circumstances concerning reported cross-species transmission events of emerging coronaviruses in humans and common domestic mammals. All of these coronaviruses had similar host ranges, were closely related (indicative of rapid diversification and spread), and their emergence was likely associated with high-host-density environments facilitating multi-species interactions (e.g., shelters, farms, markets) and the health or wellbeing of animals as end- and/or intermediate spillover hosts. Further research is needed to identify mechanisms of the cross-species transmission events that have ultimately led to a surge of emerging coronaviruses in multiple species in a relatively short period of time in a world undergoing rapid environmental change.

scholarly journals Cross-Species Transmission of Emerging Coronaviruses in Humans and Domestic Mammals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Nova
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Rapid Diversification ◽  
Multiple Species

Coronaviruses cause respiratory and digestive diseases in vertebrates. The recent pandemic, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is taking a heavy toll on society and planetary health, and illustrates the threat emerging coronaviruses can pose to the well-being of humans and other animals. Coronaviruses are constantly evolving, crossing host species barriers, and expanding their host range. In the last few decades, several novel coronaviruses have emerged in humans and domestic animals. Novel coronaviruses have also been discovered in captive wildlife or wild populations, raising conservation concerns. The evolution and emergence of novel viruses is enabled by frequent cross-species transmission. It is thus crucial to determine emerging coronaviruses’ potential for infecting different host species, and to identify the circumstances under which cross-species transmission occurs in order to mitigate the rate of disease emergence. Here, I review (broadly across several mammalian host species) up-to-date knowledge of host range and circumstances concerning reported cross-species transmission events of emerging coronaviruses in humans and common domestic mammals. All of these coronaviruses had similar host ranges, were closely related (indicative of rapid diversification and spread), and their emergence was likely associated with high-host-density environments facilitating multi-species interactions (e.g., shelters, farms, markets) and the health or well-being of animals as end- and/or intermediate spillover hosts. Further research is needed to identify mechanisms of the cross-species transmission events that have ultimately led to a surge of emerging coronaviruses in multiple species in a relatively short period of time in a world undergoing rapid environmental change.

scholarly journals Genetic variation changes the interactions between the parasitic plant-ecosystem engineer Rhinanthus and its hosts

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1569) ◽  
pp. 1380-1388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer K. Rowntree ◽  
Duncan D. Cameron ◽  
Richard F. Preziosi
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Ecosystem Engineer ◽  
Level Structure ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Parasitic Plant ◽  
Host Genotype ◽  
Essential Components

Within-species genetic variation is a potent factor influencing between-species interactions and community-level structure. Species of the hemi-parasitic plant genus Rhinanthus act as ecosystem engineers, significantly altering above- and below-ground community structure in grasslands. Here, we show the importance of genotypic variation within a single host species (barley— Hordeum vulgare ), and population-level variation among two species of parasite ( Rhinanthus minor and Rhinanthus angustifolius ) on the outcome of parasite infection for both partners. We measured host fitness (number of seeds) and calculated parasite virulence as the difference in seed set between infected and uninfected hosts (the inverse of host tolerance). Virulence was determined by genetic variation within the host species and among the parasite species, but R. angustifolius was consistently more virulent than R. minor . The most tolerant host had the lowest inherent fitness and did not gain a fitness advantage over other infected hosts. We measured parasite size as a proxy for transmission ability (ability to infect further hosts) and host resistance. Parasite size depended on the specific combination of host genotype, parasite species and parasite population, and no species was consistently larger. We demonstrate that the outcome of infection by Rhinanthus depends not only on the host species, but also on the underlying genetics of both host and parasite. Thus, genetic variations within host and parasite are probably essential components of the ecosystem-altering effects of Rhinanthus .

Two sympatric root hemiparasitic Pedicularis species differ in host dependency and selectivity under phosphorus limitation

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai-Rong Li ◽  
F. Andrew Smith ◽  
Sally E. Smith ◽  
Kai-Yun Guan
Keyword(s):  
Intraspecific Competition ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Phosphorus Limitation ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Root Shoot Ratio ◽  
Host Parasite

Parasitic biology of Pedicularis L. (Orobanchaceae) has been underinvestigated despite its wide distribution and potential ecological significance. To better understand the parasitic aspects of the root hemiparasites, host–parasite interactions were investigated with two sympatric Pedicularis species, Pedicularis rex C. B. Clarke and Pedicularis tricolor Hand.-Mazz., at two developmental stages. Plant DW, shoot phosphorus (P) content, root : shoot ratio and number of haustoria were measured in Pedicularis grown with either a host plant or a plant of its own species in pot experiments. In addition, effects of parasitism and intraspecific competition on growth and biomass allocation in four host species belonging to three major functional groups (grasses, legumes and forbs) were investigated. The two Pedicularis species showed obvious host preference, but preferred different host species. Interactions between Pedicularis and their hosts depended on both species identity and developmental stages of the partners. Overall, P. rex showed much weaker host dependency and less damage to hosts than P. tricolor. Interspecific variations were observed among different host species in their responses to intraspecific competition and parasitism. We concluded that different Pedicularis-host pairs showed different interaction patterns. Sympatric Pedicularis may have differential influence on plant community structure and productivity.

scholarly journals Xeno-miRNet: a comprehensive database and analytics platform to explore xeno-miRNAs and their potential targets

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannan Fan ◽  
Maria Habib ◽  
Jianguo Xia
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Potential Functions ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Web Based ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
The Web ◽  
Computational Predictions

Xeno-miRNAs are microRNAs originating from exogenous species detected in host biofluids. A growing number of studies have suggested that many of these xeno-miRNAs may be involved in cross-species interactions by targeting host mRNAs. To date, hundreds of xeno-miRNAs have been reported in different hosts at various abundance levels. Many more miRNAs could be potentially transferred to human circulation system based on computational predictions. There is a clear need for bioinformatics resources and tools dedicated to xeno-miRNA annotations and their potential functions. To address this need, we have systematically curated xeno-miRNAs from multiple sources, performed target predictions using well-established algorithms, and developed a user-friendly web-based tool - Xeno-miRNet to allow researchers to search and explore xeno-miRNAs and their potential targets within different host species. Xeno-miRNet currently contains 1,702 (including both detected and predicted) xeno-miRNAs from 54 species and 98,053 potential gene targets in six hosts. The web application is freely available at http://xeno.mirnet.ca .

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