scholarly journals Diversity, distribution, and drivers of Polychromophilus infection in Malagasy bats

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercia Rasoanoro ◽  
Steven M. Goodman ◽  
Milijaona Randrianarivelojosia ◽  
Mbola Rakotondratsimba ◽  
Koussay Dellagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Single Individual ◽  
Additional Material ◽  
Maxent Modelling

Abstract Background Numerous studies have been undertaken to advance knowledge of apicomplexan parasites infecting vertebrates, including humans. Of these parasites, the genus Plasmodium has been most extensively studied because of the socio-economic and public health impacts of malaria. In non-human vertebrates, studies on malaria or malaria-like parasite groups have been conducted but information is far from complete. In Madagascar, recent studies on bat blood parasites indicate that three chiropteran families (Miniopteridae, Rhinonycteridae, and Vespertilionidae) are infected by the genus Polychromophilus with pronounced host specificity: Miniopterus spp. (Miniopteridae) harbour Polychromophilus melanipherus and Myotis goudoti (Vespertilionidae) is infected by Polychromophilus murinus. However, most of the individuals analysed in previous studies were sampled on the western and central portions of the island. The aims of this study are (1) to add new information on bat blood parasites in eastern Madagascar, and (2) to highlight biotic and abiotic variables driving prevalence across the island. Methods Fieldworks were undertaken from 2014 to 2016 in four sites in the eastern portion of Madagascar to capture bats and collect biological samples. Morphological and molecular techniques were used to identify the presence of haemosporidian parasites. Further, a MaxEnt modelling was undertaken using data from Polychromophilus melanipherus to identify variables influencing the presence of this parasite Results In total, 222 individual bats belonging to 17 species and seven families were analysed. Polychromophilus infections were identified in two families: Miniopteridae and Vespertilionidae. Molecular data showed that Polychromophilus spp. parasitizing Malagasy bats form a monophyletic group composed of three distinct clades displaying marked host specificity. In addition to P. melanipherus and P. murinus, hosted by Miniopterus spp. and Myotis goudoti, respectively, a novel Polychromophilus lineage was identified from a single individual of Scotophilus robustus. Based on the present study and the literature, different biotic and abiotic factors are shown to influence Polychromophilus infection in bats, which are correlated based on MaxEnt modelling. Conclusions The present study improves current knowledge on Polychromophilus blood parasites infecting Malagasy bats and confirms the existence of a novel Polychromophilus lineage in Scotophilus bats. Additional studies are needed to obtain additional material of this novel lineage to resolve its taxonomic relationship with known members of the genus. Further, the transmission mode of Polychromophilus in bats as well as its potential effect on bat populations should be investigated to complement the results provided by MaxEnt modelling and eventually provide a comprehensive picture of the biology of host-parasite interactions.

scholarly journals Diversity, Distribution, and Drivers of Polychromophilus Infection in Malagasy Bats

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercia Rasoanoro ◽  
Steven M. Goodman ◽  
Milijaona Randrianarivelojosia ◽  
Mbola Rakotondratsimba ◽  
Koussay Dellagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Single Individual ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
New Information ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
Host Parasite

Abstract Background: Numerous studies have been undertaken to improve knowledge on apicomplexan parasites infecting vertebrates, including humans. Of these parasites, the genus Plasmodium has been most extensively studied because of its socio-economic and public health impacts. In non-human vertebrates, studies on malaria or malaria-like groups have been conducted but information is far from complete. On Madagascar, recent studies on bat blood parasites indicate that three families, namely Miniopteridae, Rhinonycteridae, and Vespertilionidae, are infected by the genus Polychromophilus with pronounced host specificity: Miniopterus spp. harbor P. melanipherus, while Myotis goudoti is infected by P. murinus. However, most of the individuals analyzed in these previous studies were sampled on the western and central portions of the island. The aims of this study are 1) to add new information on bat blood parasites in eastern Madagascar and 2) highlight biotic and abiotic variables driving prevalence across the island. Results: In total, 222 individuals belonging to 17 bat species were analyzed. Polychromophilus infections were identified in two families: Miniopteridae and Vespertilionidae. Molecular data showed that Polychromophilus spp. parasitizing Malagasy bats form a monophyletic group composed of three distinct clades displaying marked host specificity. In addition to P. melanipherus and P. murinus, hosted by Miniopterus spp. and Myotis goudoti, respectively, we report a novel Polychromophilus lineage detected from a single individual of S. robustus. Based on the present study and the literature, different biotic and abiotic factors are shown to influence Polychromophilus infection in bats, which is correlated based on MaxEnt modeling. Conclusion: The present study improves our knowledge on Polychromophilus infecting Malagasy bats and highlights the existence of a novel Polychromophilus lineage. Additional studies are needed to get additional representatives of this novel lineage to resolve its taxonomic relationship with known members of the genus. Further, the transmission mode of Polychromophilus in bats as well as its potential effect on bat populations should be investigated to complement the results provided by our modeling and eventually provide a comprehensive picture of the biology of these host-parasite interactions.

scholarly journals Effects of the Environmental Temperature on Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes: A Review

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Reinhold ◽  
Claudio Lazzari ◽  
Chloé Lahondère
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Impact

The temperature of the environment is one of the most important abiotic factors affecting the life of insects. As poikilotherms, their body temperature is not constant, and they rely on various strategies to minimize the risk of thermal stress. They have been thus able to colonize a large spectrum of habitats. Mosquitoes, such as Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, vector many pathogens, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. The spread of these diseases has become a major global health concern, and it is predicted that climate change will affect the mosquitoes’ distribution, which will allow these insects to bring new pathogens to naïve populations. We synthesize here the current knowledge on the impact of temperature on the mosquito flight activity and host-seeking behavior (1); ecology and dispersion (2); as well as its potential effect on the pathogens themselves and how climate can affect the transmission of some of these pathogens (3).

Infection patterns and molecular data reveal host and tissue specificity ofPosthodiplostomumspecies in centrarchid hosts

Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 145 (11) ◽  
pp. 1458-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan C. Boone ◽  
Jeffrey R. Laursen ◽  
Robert E. Colombo ◽  
Scott J. Meiners ◽  
Michael F. Romani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Tissue Specificity ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Ohio River ◽  
White Grub ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Host Life

AbstractPosthodiplostomum minimumutilizes a three-host life cycle with multiple developmental stages. The metacercarial stage, commonly known as ‘white grub’, infects the visceral organs of many freshwater fishes and was historically considered a host generalist due to its limited morphological variation among a wide range of hosts. In this study, infection data and molecular techniques were used to evaluate the host and tissue specificity ofPosthodiplostomummetacercariae in centrarchid fishes. Eleven centrarchid species from three genera were collected from the Illinois portion of the Ohio River drainage and necropsied.Posthodiplostomuminfection levels differed significantly by host age, host genera and infection locality. ThreePosthodiplostomumspp. were identified by DNA sequencing, two of which were relatively common within centrarchid hosts. Both common species were host specialists at the genus level, with one species restricted toMicropterushosts and the other preferentially infectingLepomis. Host specificity is likely dictated by physiological compatibility and deviations fromLepomishost specificity may be related to host hybridization.Posthodiplostomumspecies also differed in their utilization of host tissues. Neither common species displayed strong genetic structure over the scale of this study, likely due to their utilization of bird definitive hosts.

scholarly journals Loose Ends in the Cortinarius Phylogeny: Five New Myxotelamonoid Species Indicate a High Diversity of These Ectomycorrhizal Fungi with South American Nothofagaceae

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 420
Author(s):  
María Eugenia Salgado Salomón ◽  
Carolina Barroetaveña ◽  
Tuula Niskanen ◽  
Kare Liimatainen ◽  
Matthew E. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
South American ◽  
Edible Fungi ◽  
Rdna Its ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
High Diversity

This paper is a contribution to the current knowledge of taxonomy, ecology and distribution of South American Cortinarius (Pers.) Gray. Cortinarius is among the most widely distributed and species-rich basidiomycete genera occurring with South American Nothofagaceae and species are found in many distinct habitats, including shrublands and forests. Due to their ectomycorrhizal role, Cortinarius species are critical for nutrient cycling in forests, especially at higher latitudes. Some species have also been reported as edible fungi with high nutritional quality. Our aim is to unravel the taxonomy of selected Cortinarius belonging to phlegmacioid and myxotelamonioid species based on morphological and molecular data. After widely sampling Cortinarius specimens in Patagonian Nothofagaceae forests and comparing them to reference collections (including holotypes), we propose five new species of Cortinarius in this work. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated rDNA ITS-LSU and RPB1 sequences failed to place these new species into known Cortinarius sections or lineages. These findings highlight our knowledge gaps regarding the fungal diversity of South American Nothofagaceae forests. Due to the high diversity of endemic Patagonian taxa, it is clear that the South American Cortinarius diversity needs to be discovered and described in order to understand the evolutionary history of Cortinarius on a global scale.

scholarly journals The role of biotic forces in driving macroevolution: beyond the Red Queen

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1808) ◽  
pp. 20150186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kjetil L. Voje ◽  
Øistein H. Holen ◽  
Lee Hsiang Liow ◽  
Nils Chr. Stenseth
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Long Term Evolution ◽  
Red Queen Hypothesis ◽  
Red Queen ◽  
Extinction Rates ◽  
Term Evolution

A multitude of hypotheses claim that abiotic factors are the main drivers of macroevolutionary change. By contrast, Van Valen's Red Queen hypothesis is often put forward as the sole representative of the view that biotic forcing is the main evolutionary driver. This imbalance of hypotheses does not reflect our current knowledge: theoretical work demonstrates the plausibility of biotically driven long-term evolution, whereas empirical work suggests a central role for biotic forcing in macroevolution. We call for a more pluralistic view of how biotic forces may drive long-term evolution that is compatible with both phenotypic stasis in the fossil record and with non-constant extinction rates. Promising avenues of research include contrasting predictions from relevant theories within ecology and macroevolution, as well as embracing both abiotic and biotic proxies while modelling long-term evolutionary data. By fitting models describing hypotheses of biotically driven macroevolution to data, we could dissect their predictions and transcend beyond pattern description, possibly narrowing the divide between our current understanding of micro- and macroevolution.

Re-description of the Arctic tardigrade Tenuibiotus voronkovi (Tumanov, 2007 (Eutardigrada; Macrobiotidea), with the first molecular data for the genus

Zootaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4196 (4) ◽  
pp. 498 ◽  
Author(s):  
KRZYSZTOF ZAWIERUCHA ◽  
MAŁGORZATA KOLICKA ◽  
ŁUKASZ KACZMAREK
Keyword(s):  
Original Description ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacers ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Morphological Description ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Additional Material ◽  
Svalbard Archipelago ◽  
5.8S Rdna

Tardigrada is phylum of micrometazoans widely distributed throughout the world, because of old descriptions and insufficient morphometric data, many species currently need revision and re-description. Tenuibiotus voronkovi (Tumanov, 2007) is tardigrade previously only recorded from the Svalbard archipelago. This species’ original description was based on two individuals with destroyed claws on the fourth pair of legs and a lack of complete morphometric data for buccal tube and claws. In this paper, we present a re-description of T. voronkovi, supplementing the original description using the original paratype and additional material from Svalbard: Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya. This species is characterised by two macroplacoids and a microplacoid, claws of Tenuibiotus type, dentate lunules under claw IV, and faint granulation on legs I–III and strong granulation on the legs IV. We include a new morphological description with microphotographs, morphometric, and molecular data (including: mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), internal transcribed spacers (ITS1–5.8S rDNA–ITS2), and nuclear ribosome subunits 28S rRNA and 18S rRNA). These are the first published molecular data for the genus Tenuibiotus Pilato and Lisi, 2011, analysis of which indicated an affiliation of Tenuibiotus to the family Macrobiotidae. We found no differences in body size between individuals from different islands (Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya), but did observe variability in the eggs. After revision of the literature and the published figures, we concluded that Dastych’s (1985) report of T. willardi (Pilato, 1976) from Svalbard, was actually T. voronkovi, which has the greater distribution in Svalbard, and other Arctic locations, than previously believed. 

Molecular phylogeny of Pemphiginae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) inferred from nuclear gene EF-1α sequences

2008 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 499-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.C. Zhang ◽  
G.X. Qiao
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Molecular Phylogeny ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Primary Host ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

AbstractThree traditional tribes of Fordini, Pemphigini and Eriosomatini comprise Pemphiginae, and there are two subtribes in Fordini and Pemphigini, respectively. Most of the species in this subfamily live heteroecious holocyclic lives with distinct primary host specificity. The three tribes of Pemphigini (except Prociphilina), Eriosomatini and Fordini use three families of plants, Salicaceae (Populus), Ulmaceae (Ulums) and Anacardiaceae (Pistacia and Rhus), as primary hosts, respectively, and form galls on them. Therefore, the Pemphigids are well known as gall makers, and their galls can be divided into true galls and pseudo-galls in type. We performed the first molecular phylogenetic study of Pemphiginae based on molecular data (EF-1α sequences). Results show that Pemphiginae is probably not a monophylum, but the monophyly of Fordini is supported robustly. The monophyly of Pemphigini is not supported, and two subtribes in it, Pemphigina and Prociphilina, are suggested to be raised to tribal level, equal with Fordini and Eriosomatini. The molecular phylogenetic analysis does not show definite relationships among the four tribes of Pemphiginae, as in the previous phylogenetic study based on morphology. It seems that the four tribes radiated at nearly the same time and then evolved independently. Based on this, we can speculate that galls originated independently four times in the four tribes, and there is no evidence to support that true galls are preceded by pseudo-galls, as in the case of thrips and willow sawflies.

scholarly journals Chironomus calligraphus Goeldi, 1905 and C. hawaiiensis Grimshaw, 1901 are sibling species

2021 ◽  
pp. 59-63
Author(s):  
Jon Martin
Keyword(s):  
Sibling Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Additional Material ◽  
Cytological Evidence ◽  
Coii Gene ◽  
Geographic Distributions

Although Spies et al.’s (2002) thorough analysis of a small sample of the then available specimens of Chironomus calligraphus Goeldi,1905 suggested two distinctly different haplotypes in the mitochondrial COII gene, the corresponding morphological and cytological evidence kept the authors from concluding that there were two species involved. Further obstacles were unusual aspects of the molecular data and the occurrence of both these haplotypes in samples from the Brazilian type locality by Fittkau (1965) from which he had fixed a neotype. This neotype is slide mounted and can no longer yield molecular data. The present author’s analysis of additional material, including the available BARCODE sequences, has confirmed the existence of two forms, perhaps consistent with those found in the COII analysis, and with largely overlapping geographic distributions. One of these forms occurs in Hawaii where it is morphologically indistinguishable from C. hawaiiensis Grimshaw, 1901. It is recommended to apply this name, which takes nomenclatural precedence to the form found in Hawaii, and the name C. calligraphus to the form found to be more common in Fittkau’s type-locality samples.

scholarly journals Molecular diagnosis and biochemical studies of tick-borne diseases (anaplasmosis and babesiosis) in Aberdeen Angus Cattle in New Valley, Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1884-1891
Author(s):  
Nani Nasreldin ◽  
Rania M. Ewida ◽  
Hatem Hamdon ◽  
Yasser F. Elnaker
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Babesia Bovis ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Infected Female ◽  
Angus Cattle ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Female Cattle

Background and Aim: Anaplasmosis and babesiosis are tick-borne diseases that threaten livestock production with subsequent considerable economic losses. This study was conducted to diagnose Anaplasma and Babesia infection using molecular techniques in imported Aberdeen Angus cattle imported from Uruguay to El-Kharga Oasis in New Valley, Egypt, and to investigate the effects of disease on some serum biochemical and oxidative stress parameters. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 31 cattle, 21 diseased and ten apparently normal, of varying ages and sex. The blood was used for the preparation of blood smears, polymerase chain reaction assay, and separation of serum for biochemical investigation. The experimental production farm at the Faculty of Agriculture, New Valley University, was infested with ticks and variable clinical manifestations during the period from December 2017 to March 2018. One calf died of a suspected blood parasite infection. Results: The blood film examination revealed infection by blood parasites in 21 samples. Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bovis were identified in 12 and 14 samples, respectively. A total of 14 samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to make these identifications. Biochemical parameters showed significantly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin (T. Bil), and urea in blood from parasite-infected female cattle and male calves compared with controls. Increased serum total protein, globulin, and creatinine were recorded only in infected female cattle. The blood glucose level was significantly decreased in infected female cattle and male calves compared with controls. Furthermore, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio was significantly reduced in the infected female cattle. Oxidative stress profiles of infected animals showed a significant increase in serum nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, and both total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione (GSH) were significantly reduced in comparison with control animals. Conclusion: The incidence of A. marginale and B. bovis infection is high in imported Aberdeen Angus cattle in New Valley Province. PCR methods provide a short-term assessment of disease. An extensive epidemiological survey, employing serology together with molecular genetic methods, monitoring of abundance and distribution of tick vectors, availability of vaccination programs, and tracking of animal transport is also needed for control of blood parasites.

scholarly journals DNA Methylation Profiling for Diagnosing Undifferentiated Sarcoma with Capicua Transcriptional Receptor (CIC) Alterations

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelina Miele ◽  
Rita De Vito ◽  
Andrea Ciolfi ◽  
Lucia Pedace ◽  
Ida Russo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Abdominal Wall ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Soft Tissue Sarcomas ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Round Cell ◽  
Undifferentiated Sarcoma ◽  
Dna Methylation Profiling ◽  
Methylation Profiling

Undifferentiated soft tissue sarcomas are a group of diagnostically challenging tumors in the pediatric population. Molecular techniques are instrumental for the categorization and differential diagnosis of these tumors. A subgroup of recently identified soft tissue sarcomas with undifferentiated round cell morphology was characterized by Capicua transcriptional receptor (CIC) rearrangements. Recently, an array-based DNA methylation analysis of undifferentiated tumors with small blue round cell histology was shown to provide a highly robust and reproducible approach for precisely classifying this diagnostically challenging group of tumors. We describe the case of an undifferentiated sarcoma of the abdominal wall in a 12-year-old girl. The patient presented with a voluminous mass of the abdominal wall, and multiple micro-nodules in the right lung. The tumor was unclassifiable with current immunohistochemical and molecular approaches. However, DNA methylation profiling allowed us to classify this neoplasia as small blue round cell tumor with CIC alterations. The patient was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by complete surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. After 22 months, the patient is disease-free and in good clinical condition. To put our experience in context, we conducted a literature review, analyzing current knowledge and state-of-the-art diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical management of CIC rearranged sarcomas. Our findings further support the use of DNA methylation profiling as an important tool to improve diagnosis of non-Ewing small round cell tumors.

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