Developmental models of the carrion beetle Thanatophilus rugosus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Silphidae)

AbstractColeoptera are currently considered a fundamental tool to help solve criminal investigations, allowing forensic entomologists to estimate post-mortem intervals and obtain other ecology-related information. Thanatophilus rugosus (Linnaeus, 1758) is an important necrophagous beetle distributed through most of the Palaearctic region, where it is readily found on human bodies and animal carcasses. In this study, the new thermal summation models for all the developmental stages of Thanatophilus rugosus are provided. Beetles were reared at six different constant and ecologically relevant temperatures (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 °C), and their developmental times were measured. Thermal summation constants were calculated for each developmental stage (egg, three larval instars, post-feeding stage, and pupa).

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Developmental Models of the Forensically Important Carrion Beetle, Thanatophilus sinuatus (Coleoptera: Silphidae)

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjaa255 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Santiago Montoya-Molina ◽

Pavel Jakubec ◽

Jarin Qubaiová ◽

Martin Novák ◽

Hana Šuláková ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Forensic Entomology ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Interval Estimation ◽

Developmental Time ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Developmental Models ◽

Important Group ◽

Sex Influence ◽

Carrion Beetle ◽

Carrion Beetles

Abstract Carrion beetles of genus Thanatophilus (Leach, 1815) are an important group of necrophagous insects, with great potential for forensic entomology in temperate zones of Africa, America, Asia, and Europe. Developmental models for majority of Thanatophilus species remain unknown. In this study, we will provide new thermal summation models for all the developmental stages of Thanatophilus sinuatus (Fabricius, 1775), one of the most abundant and widespread species of the genus. The beetles were bred at seven different constant temperatures, and developmental time was measured for each developmental stage (egg, three larval instars, postfeeding stage, and pupa). Temperature–sex influence was tested, and thermal summation constants were calculated to be used for postmortem interval estimation during criminal investigations.

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Spatio-temporal selection of reference genes in the two congeneric species of Glycyrrhiza

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79298-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yuping Li ◽

Xiaoju Liang ◽

Xuguo Zhou ◽

Yu An ◽

Ming Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Developmental Stage ◽

Reference Genes ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Individual Factors ◽

Congeneric Species ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

The Stability ◽

Different Tissues ◽

Selection Of

AbstractGlycyrrhiza, a genus of perennial medicinal herbs, has been traditionally used to treat human diseases, including respiratory disorders. Functional analysis of genes involved in the synthesis, accumulation, and degradation of bioactive compounds in these medicinal plants requires accurate measurement of their expression profiles. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) is a primary tool, which requires stably expressed reference genes to serve as the internal references to normalize the target gene expression. In this study, the stability of 14 candidate reference genes from the two congeneric species G. uralensis and G. inflata, including ACT, CAC, CYP, DNAJ, DREB, EF1, RAN, TIF1, TUB, UBC2, ABCC2, COPS3, CS, R3HDM2, were evaluated across different tissues and throughout various developmental stages. More importantly, we investigated the impact of interactions between tissue and developmental stage on the performance of candidate reference genes. Four algorithms, including geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and Delta Ct, were used to analyze the expression stability and RefFinder, a comprehensive software, provided the final recommendation. Based on previous research and our preliminary data, we hypothesized that internal references for spatio-temporal gene expression are different from the reference genes suited for individual factors. In G. uralensis, the top three most stable reference genes across different tissues were R3HDM2, CAC and TUB, while CAC, CYP and ABCC2 were most suited for different developmental stages. CAC is the only candidate recommended for both biotic factors, which is reflected in the stability ranking for the spatio (tissue)-temporal (developmental stage) interactions (CAC, R3HDM2 and DNAJ). Similarly, in G. inflata, COPS3, R3HDM2 and DREB were selected for tissues, while RAN, COPS3 and CS were recommended for developmental stages. For the tissue-developmental stage interactions, COPS3, DREB and ABCC2 were the most suited reference genes. In both species, only one of the top three candidates was shared between the individual factors and their interactions, specifically, CAC in G. uralensis and COPS3 in G. inflata, which supports our overarching hypothesis. In summary, spatio-temporal selection of reference genes not only lays the foundation for functional genomics research in Glycyrrhiza, but also facilitates these traditional medicinal herbs to reach/maximize their pharmaceutical potential.

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Transcriptome analysis identifies differentially expressed genes in the progenies of a cross between two low phytic acid soybean mutants

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-88055-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hangxia Jin ◽

Xiaomin Yu ◽

Qinghua Yang ◽

Xujun Fu ◽

Fengjie Yuan

Keyword(s):

Developmental Stage ◽

Phytic Acid ◽

Differentially Expressed Genes ◽

Transcriptome Analysis ◽

Defense Mechanisms ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Sucrose Metabolism ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Sequencing Analysis ◽

Seed Developmental Stage

AbstractPhytic acid (PA) is a major antinutrient that cannot be digested by monogastric animals, but it can decrease the bioavailability of micronutrients (e.g., Zn and Fe). Lowering the PA content of crop seeds will lead to enhanced nutritional traits. Low-PA mutant crop lines carrying more than one mutated gene (lpa) have lower PA contents than mutants with a single lpa mutant gene. However, little is known about the link between PA pathway intermediates and downstream regulatory activities following the mutation of these genes in soybean. Consequently, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis using an advanced generation recombinant inbred line with low PA levels [2mlpa (mips1/ipk1)] and a sibling line with homozygous non-mutant alleles and normal PA contents [2MWT (MIPS1/IPK1)]. An RNA sequencing analysis of five seed developmental stages revealed 7945 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the 2mlpa and 2MWT seeds. Moreover, 3316 DEGs were associated with 128 metabolic and signal transduction pathways and 4980 DEGs were annotated with 345 Gene Ontology terms related to biological processes. Genes associated with PA metabolism, photosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and defense mechanisms were among the DEGs in 2mlpa. Of these genes, 36 contributed to PA metabolism, including 22 genes possibly mediating the low-PA phenotype of 2mlpa. The expression of most of the genes associated with photosynthesis (81 of 117) was down-regulated in 2mlpa at the late seed developmental stage. In contrast, the expression of three genes involved in sucrose metabolism was up-regulated at the late seed developmental stage, which might explain the high sucrose content of 2mlpa soybeans. Furthermore, 604 genes related to defense mechanisms were differentially expressed between 2mlpa and 2MWT. In this study, we detected a low PA content as well as changes to multiple metabolites in the 2mlpa mutant. These results may help elucidate the regulation of metabolic events in 2mlpa. Many genes involved in PA metabolism may contribute to the substantial decrease in the PA content and the moderate accumulation of InsP3–InsP5 in the 2mlpa mutant. The other regulated genes related to photosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and defense mechanisms may provide additional insights into the nutritional and agronomic performance of 2mlpa seeds.

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Safe-Site Effects on Rhizosphere Bacterial Communities in a High-Altitude Alpine Environment

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/480170 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sonia Ciccazzo ◽

Alfonso Esposito ◽

Eleonora Rolli ◽

Stefan Zerbe ◽

Daniele Daffonchio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Altitude ◽

Developmental Stage ◽

Bacterial Communities ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Gene Diversity ◽

Intergenic Spacer ◽

Intermediate Stage ◽

Plant Colonization ◽

Early Developmental Stage ◽

Rrna Gene

The rhizosphere effect on bacterial communities associated with three floristic communities (RW, FI, and M sites) which differed for the developmental stages was studied in a high-altitude alpine ecosystem. RW site was an early developmental stage, FI was an intermediate stage, M was a later more matured stage. The N and C contents in the soils confirmed a different developmental stage with a kind of gradient from the unvegetated bare soil (BS) site through RW, FI up to M site. The floristic communities were composed of 21 pioneer plants belonging to 14 species. Automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis showed different bacterial genetic structures per each floristic consortium which differed also from the BS site. When plants of the same species occurred within the same site, almost all their bacterial communities clustered together exhibiting a plant species effect. Unifrac significance value (P<0.05) on 16S rRNA gene diversity revealed significant differences (P<0.05) between BS site and the vegetated sites with a weak similarity to the RW site. The intermediate plant colonization stage FI did not differ significantly from the RW and the M vegetated sites. These results pointed out the effect of different floristic communities rhizospheres on their soil bacterial communities.

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Elimination of micronuclear specific DNA sequences early in anlagen development

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.5.1.93-98.1985 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 93-98

Author(s):

C F Brunk ◽

R K Conover

Keyword(s):

Developmental Stage ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽

Southern Analysis ◽

Limited Sequence

After conjugation in Tetrahymena thermophila, the old macronuclei degenerate, and new macronuclei (anlagen) develop. During anlagen development a number of DNA sequences found in the micronuclear genome (micronuclear limited sequences) are eliminated from the anlagen. A cloned copy of a repetitive micronuclear limited sequence has been used to determine the developmental stage at which micronuclear limited sequences are eliminated. DNAs from anlagen of various developmental stages were examined by Southern analysis. It was found that micronuclear limited sequences are present in 4C anlagen and essentially absent in 8C and 16C anlagen. The precipitous loss of these sequences in the 8C anlagen rules out under-replication as the mechanism for the loss and suggests that these sequences are specifically degraded early during anlagen development.

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Association between floral bud size and developmental stage in soybean microspores

Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology ◽

10.1590/s1516-89132003000400004 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 515-520 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Mozart da Silva Lauxen ◽

Eliane Kaltchuk- Santos ◽

Ching -yeh Hu ◽

Sidia Maria Callegari- Jacques ◽

Maria Helena Bodanese-Zanettini

Keyword(s):

Developmental Stage ◽

Anther Culture ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Size Group ◽

Soybean Cultivars ◽

Advanced Stages ◽

Bud Size ◽

Microspore Stage ◽

Floral Bud

This study was carried out to establish the association between floral bud size and the corresponding microspore developmental stages for Brazilian soybean cultivars. Microspore developmental stage distributions were examined in young buds from cv Década, IAS5 and RS7. The data indicated that for a given bud-size group, the microspores of different cultivars were at different developmental stages, with cv RS7 and Década distributed at the youngest and cv IAS5 at the most advanced stages. Microspore stages distribution were also compared among the ten anthers of the same bud of the above cultivars. The ten anthers from a given bud were clearly distributed at different developmental stages. Caution should be exercised when adopting the standard anther culture practice of using the microspore stage of one anther to represent the entire bud.

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Plant Developmental Stage Drives the Differentiation in Ecological Role of Plant Bacterial and Fungal Microbiomes

10.21203/rs.3.rs-241147/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chao Xiong ◽

Brajesh K. Singh ◽

Ji-Zheng He ◽

Yan-Lai Han ◽

Pei-Pei Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Developmental Stage ◽

Plant Development ◽

Late Stage ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Early Stage ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Microbial Interactions ◽

Disease Suppression ◽

Fungal Communities ◽

Ecological Role

Abstract BackgroundPlants live with diverse microbial communities which profoundly affect multiple facets of host performance such as nutrition acquisition, disease suppression and productivity, but if and how host development impacts the assembly, functions and microbial interactions of crop microbiomes are poorly understood. Here we examined both bacterial and fungal communities across soils (rhizosphere and bulk soil), plant epiphytic and endophytic niches (phylloplane, rhizoplane, leaf and root endosphere), and plastic leaf of fake plant (representing environment-originating microbes) at three developmental stages of maize at two contrasting sites, and further explored the potential function of phylloplane microbiomes based on metagenomics.ResultsOur results suggested that plant developmental stage had a much stronger influence on the microbial diversity, composition and interkingdom networks in plant compartment niches than in soils, with the strongest effect in the phylloplane. Air (represented by fake plants) was an important source of phylloplane microbiomes which were co-shaped by both plant development and seasonal environmental factors. Further, we demonstrated that bacterial and fungal communities in plant compartment niches exhibited contrasting response to host developmental stages, with higher alpha diversity and stronger deterministic assembly within bacterial microbiomes at the early stage but a similar pattern within mycobiomes at the late stage. Moreover, we found that bacterial taxa played a more important role in microbial interkingdom network and crop yield prediction at the early stage, while fungal taxa did so at the late stage. Metagenomic analyses further indicated that phylloplane microbiomes possessed higher functional diversity and functional genes involved in nutrient provision and disease resistance at the early stage than the late stage. ConclusionsOur results suggest that host developmental stage profoundly influences plant microbiome assembly and functions, and the bacterial and fungal microbiomes take a differentiated ecological role at different plant development stages. This study provides empirical evidence for host exerting strong effect on plant microbiomes by deterministic selection to meet the physiological requirement of plant developmental stages. These findings have implications for the development of future tools to manipulate microbiome for sustainable increase in primary productivity.

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2 CORRELATION BETWEEN OXYGEN RESPIRATION RATES AND MORPHOLOGY, SEX, DIAMETER AND DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE OF SINGLE BOVINE IVP-EMBRYOS

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv17n2ab2 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 151 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A.S. Lopes ◽

N. Ramsing ◽

L.H. Larsen ◽

M. Räty ◽

J. Peippo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Developmental Stage ◽

Respiration Rate ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Glass Tube ◽

Outer Diameter ◽

Bovine Embryos ◽

Embryo Viability ◽

Concentration Gradients ◽

Cell Stage ◽

Respiration Rates

A simple, non-invasive, rapid and sensitive oxygen microsensor system was developed to investigate correlations between oxygen respiration rates of individual bovine embryos and their morphology, sex, diameter and developmental stage. Bovine IVP-embryos (n = 78; Holm et al. Theriogenology 52, 683–700) were analysed around the 8-cell stage (Day 3; n = 18) and at various blastocyst stages (Day 7; n = 60). Each embryo was morphologically evaluated, its outer diameter measured and was then loaded into a glass tube (i.d. 0.68 mm, length 3 mm). After 1 h, oxygen concentration gradients generated by the embryo’s respiration were measured over app. 8 min with an oxygen microelectrode (www.unisense.com). Five embryos were measured in one round together with an empty tube as control. The procedure was repeated twice for each embryo with app. 1 h interval. Individual respiration rates in nL O2/embryo/h (nL/h) were calculated from these gradients. The measurements were performed at 38.5°C under constant flow of humidified 5% CO2 in air (app. 19% O2). After this, 64 embryos (14 Day 3; 50 Day 7) were lysed for sex diagnosis by PCR. Values are given as mean ± SD. The sensitivity of the oxygen measurement system was high (controls: 0.034 ± 0.035 nL/h, n = 15) and its repeatability from 1st to 2nd measurement was 99.7 ± 9.8% (n = 71). The average embryo respiration rate was 0.39 ± 0.05 nLl/h on Day 3 (n = 18) and 1.31 ± 0.52 nLl/h on Day 7 (n = 60). For Day 7 embryos, the respiration rates varied according to their morphological quality, being 1.87 ± 0.46a (n = 18), 1.17 ± 0.32b (n = 23), 0.95 ± 0.27b,c (n = 14) and 0.72 ± 0.24c (n = 4) nL/h for quality 1, 2, 3, and 4 embryos, respectively (Proc Mixed,a,b,c: P < 0.05; values with different superscripts differ significantly). The sex ratio (male:female) was 9:5 (Day 3) and 32:18 (Day 7), and on Day 7 this ratio varied between qualities: 11:2, 12:8, 8:4, and 1:3 for quality 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The average respiration rate on day 3 was the same for males and females, as it was on day 7 (1.22 ± 0.43 nL/h (females) and 1.31 ± 0.58 nL/h (males), P > 0.05). There was a correlation between embryo diameter and respiration rate (r2 = 0.65, n = 74), which was even stronger for Day 7 male embryos (r2 = 0.72, n = 32). In conclusion, a highly reliable, repeatable and sensitive system was established for measuring respiration rates in single bovine embryos, even at early developmental stages. The respiration rate was lower on day 3 compared to Day 7 embryos, and it was correlated with the morphological embryo quality on Day 7. Oxygen consumption could be a valuable supplementary indicator of embryo viability, especially in difficult evaluations (e.g. quality 2 and 3 after IVP). It remains to be demonstrated if such measurements can also reveal quality differences already at Day 3, which would be of interest in, e.g. the human field. ASL is supported by FCT, Portugal.

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Vertical distribution of Paracalanus crassirostris (Copepoda, Calanoidea): analysis by the general linear model

Boletim do Instituto Oceanográfico ◽

10.1590/s0373-55241979000200008 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 65-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ana Milstein

Keyword(s):

Vertical Distribution ◽

Developmental Stage ◽

Linear Model ◽

Fine Particles ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

General Linear Model ◽

General Linear ◽

Tide Height ◽

Recorded Data ◽

The Vertical Distribution

The vertical distribution of each developmental stage of Paracalanus crassirostris was studied in a shallow water station at Ubatuba, SP, Brazil (23º30'S-45º07'W). Samples were collected monthly at the surface, 2m and near bottom levels . Salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, tide height, light penetration arid solar radiation were also recorded. Data were analysed by the general linear model. It showed that the amount of individuals at any developmental stage is affected diversely by hour, depth, hour-depth interaction and environmental factors throughout the year and that these effects are stronger in summer. All developmental stages were spread in the water column showing no regular vertical migrations. On the other hand, the number of organisms caught in a particular hour seemed to dependmore on the tide than on the animals behaviour. The results of the present paper showed, as observed by some other authors, the lack of vertical migration of a coastal copepod which is a grazer of fine particles throughout its life.

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Forensic entomology research and application in southern Africa: A scoping review

South African Journal of Science ◽

10.17159/sajs.2020/6065 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 116 (5/6) ◽

Author(s):

Danisile Tembe ◽

Samson Mukaratirwa

Keyword(s):

Southern Africa ◽

Forensic Entomology ◽

Criminal Investigation ◽

Current Status ◽

Post Mortem ◽

Future Studies ◽

Post Mortem Interval ◽

Criminal Investigations ◽

Arthropod Species ◽

Abundance And Diversity

The use of forensic entomology is well established in the northern hemisphere, but is still emerging in the southern hemisphere, where most of the current research is not explicitly undertaken in the context of forensics. In this review, we provide an update on the current status of forensic entomology research and its application in relation to estimation of post-mortem interval in various criminal investigations ranging from murder cases, cases of human neglect and the poaching of wildlife in southern Africa, among other issues. A literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and EBSCOhost databases. The studies reviewed were focused on arthropod diversity during different stages of carcass decomposition, effect of seasons on the abundance and diversity of carrion feeding arthropod species during carcass decomposition, and diurnal and nocturnal oviposition of forensically important insect species during carcass decomposition. It was further observed that arthropod species that established on a decomposing carcass are potentially useful in the estimation of post-mortem interval and determining clues in cases of criminal investigations. The review confirmed the paucity of research in forensic entomology, and its application in southern Africa. Future studies on the research and application of forensic entomology in various criminal investigation scenarios – such as murder cases, human neglect, and wildlife poaching in southern Africa – are therefore needed. Significance: • Forensic entomology research and its application is lagging in southern Africa. • There is seasonal variation in the arthropod species used for estimation of post-mortem intervals in southern Africa. • Identification of arthropod species diversity in the region has potential for application in forensic investigations.

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