scholarly journals The invasive Korean bush mosquito Aedes koreicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany as of 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Hohmeister ◽  
Doreen Werner ◽  
Helge Kampen
Keyword(s):  
Species Identification ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Pcr Primers ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
German Population ◽  
Aedes Koreicus ◽  
Mosquito Collection ◽  
Western Germany ◽  
High Degree

Abstract Background The Korean bush mosquito Aedes koreicus was recently reported to have established a population in western Germany (Wiesbaden) in 2016. The species is difficult to distinguish morphologically from its close relative, the invasive Japanese bush mosquito Ae. japonicus, which is already widely distributed in many parts of Germany, including the area colonised by Ae. koreicus. Genetic confirmation of morphologically identified “Ae. japonicus” collection material, however, had only been done exceptionally before the German Ae. koreicus population became known. Methods Dried archived “Ae. japonicus” specimens both from the municipality of Wiesbaden and from deliberately and randomly selected distribution sites all over Germany were re-examined morphologically and genetically for admixture by Ae. koreicus. Moreover, cemeteries in the greater Wiesbaden area were sampled in 2019 and 2020 to check for Ae. koreicus spread. Korean and Japanese bush mosquitoes submitted to the German citizen science mosquito monitoring scheme “Mueckenatlas” in 2019 and 2020 were also subjected to particularly thorough species identification. The ND4 DNA sequences generated in this study in the context of species identification were phylogenetically compared to respective GenBank entries of Ae. koreicus. As a by-product, several genetic markers were evaluated for their suitability to identify Ae. koreicus. Results Aedes koreicus specimens could be identified in mosquito collection material and submissions from Wiesbaden from 2015 onwards, suggesting establishment to have happened in the same year as Ae. japonicus establishment. Detections of Ae. koreicus from 2019 and 2020 in Wiesbaden indicate a negligible enlargement of the populated area as described for 2018. Two Ae. koreicus specimens were also submitted from the city of Munich, southern Germany, in 2019 but further specimens could not be identified during immediate local inspections. Comparison of ND4 sequences generated in this and other studies demonstrate a high degree of homology, suggesting that this DNA region is not informative enough for clarification of origins and relationships of Ae. koreicus populations. For genetic identification of Ae. koreicus, PCR primers used for classical CO1 barcoding were found to lead to mismatches and produce no or incorrect amplicons. Alternative CO1 primers or a validated ND4 marker should be used instead. Conclusions Aedes koreicus is probably introduced into Germany every now and then but rarely succeeds in becoming established. As with most European populations, the German population is characterised by a limited expansion tendency. Since Ae. koreicus is a potential vector, however, Asian bush mosquitoes found at new places should be examined quite carefully and known distribution areas of Ae. japonicus regularly checked for the presence of Ae. koreicus. Graphical Abstract

DNA barcoding of bats (Chiroptera) from the Colombian northern region

Mammalia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Álvaro J. Benítez ◽  
Dina Ricardo-Caldera ◽  
María Atencia-Pineda ◽  
Jesús Ballesteros-Correa ◽  
Julio Chacón-Pacheco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Molossus Molossus ◽  
Artibeus Lituratus

Abstract Bats are mammals of great ecological and medical importance, which have associations with different pathogenic microorganisms. DNA barcoding is a tool that can expedite species identification using short DNA sequences. In this study, we assess the DNA barcoding methodology in bats from the Colombian Northern region, specifically in the Córdoba department. Cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of nine bat species were typified, and their comparison with other Neotropic samples revealed that this marker is suitable for individual species identification, with ranges of intra-species variation from 0.1 to 0.9%. Bat species clusters are well supported and differentiated, showing average genetic distances ranging from 3% between Artibeus lituratus and Artibeus planirostris, up to 27% between Carollia castanea and Molossus molossus. C. castanea and Glossophaga soricina show geographical structuring in the Neotropic. The findings reported in this study confirm DNA barcoding usefulness for fast species identification of bats in the region.

scholarly journals Nothing in (sponge) biology makes sense – except when based on holotypes

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Erpenbeck ◽  
Merrick Ekins ◽  
Nicole Enghuber ◽  
John N.A. Hooper ◽  
Helmut Lehnert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Reference Material ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Morphological Plasticity ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Reference Sequences ◽  
Species Descriptions ◽  
Preservation History

Sponge species are infamously difficult to identify for non-experts due to their high morphological plasticity and the paucity of informative morphological characters. The use of molecular techniques certainly helps with species identification, but unfortunately it requires prior reference sequences. Holotypes constitute the best reference material for species identification, however their usage in molecular systematics and taxonomy is scarce and frequently not even attempted, mostly due to their antiquity and preservation history. Here we provide case studies in which we demonstrate the importance of using holotype material to answer phylogenetic and taxonomic questions. We also demonstrate the possibility of sequencing DNA fragments out of century-old holotypes. Furthermore we propose the deposition of DNA sequences in conjunction with new species descriptions.

scholarly journals Benchmarking DNA barcodes: an assessment using available primate sequences

Genome ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 851-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehrdad Hajibabaei ◽  
Gregory AC Singer ◽  
Donal A Hickey
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Efficient Sequence

DNA barcoding has been recently promoted as a method for both assigning specimens to known species and for discovering new and cryptic species. Here we test both the potential and the limitations of DNA barcodes by analysing a group of well-studied organisms—the primates. Our results show that DNA barcodes provide enough information to efficiently identify and delineate primate species, but that they cannot reliably uncover many of the deeper phylogenetic relationships. Our conclusion is that these short DNA sequences do not contain enough information to build reliable molecular phylogenies or define new species, but that they can provide efficient sequence tags for assigning unknown specimens to known species. As such, DNA barcoding provides enormous potential for use in global biodiversity studies.Key words: DNA barcoding, species identification, primate, biodiversity.

Reassessing species boundaries in the Syagrus glaucescens complex (Arecaceae) using leaf anatomy

Botany ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 379-387
Author(s):  
D.H.T. Firmo ◽  
S.A. Santos ◽  
M.E.M.P. Perez ◽  
P. Soffiatti ◽  
B.F. Sant’Anna-Santos
Keyword(s):  
Species Identification ◽  
Leaf Anatomy ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Geographical Isolation ◽  
Species Occurrence ◽  
Species Diagnosis ◽  
High Degree

The Syagrus glaucescens complex comprises three species: Syagrus glaucescens Glaz. ex Becc., Syagrus duartei Glassman, and Syagrus evansiana Noblick. Recently, a new population of S. evansiana that possesses a high degree of endemism was reported in the Serra do Cabral mountain. Here we intend to study the leaf anatomy of the S. glaucescens complex and confirm whether this newly found population (from now on called Syagrus aff. evansiana) belongs to S. evansiana or not. Specimens were collected to investigate their leaf anatomy, which showed distinct differences between S. aff. evansiana and S. evansiana. The midrib anatomy revealed novelties for the S. glauscecens complex, proving useful for species diagnosis. Features such as accessory vascular bundles around the vascular system of the midrib and the number of collateral bundles are diagnostic for species identification. In addition, morphological and anatomical analyses indicated a correlation with the species occurrence. We found greater similarity between S. glaucescens and S. duartei, while S. evansiana and S. aff. evansiana are more alike. Here, we propose a new identification key based only on the leaf anatomy. Despite their morphological similarities, S. aff. evansiana and S. evansiana presented differences in leaf anatomy, which — when associated with their geographical isolation — suggests a fourth taxon in the complex.

Audiological Features and Mitochondrial DNA Sequence in a Large Family Carrying Mitochondrial A1555G Mutation without Use of Aminoglycoside

2005 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuo Matsunaga ◽  
Hiroshi Kumanomido ◽  
Yu-ichi Goto ◽  
Masae Shiroma ◽  
Shin-ichi Usami
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Outer Hair Cells ◽  
Japanese Family ◽  
A1555g Mutation ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Sibling Group

To elucidate the pathophysiological and genetic mechanisms of hearing loss associated with the homoplasmic mitochondrial A1555G mutation in the absence of aminoglycoside exposure, we conducted audiological and genetic analyses on 67 maternally related members of a large Japanese family carrying this mutation. A consistent pattern was evident in the audiograms, with features of sensory presbycusis, cochlear origin at all levels of hearing loss, and a high degree of vulnerability of outer hair cells. That the degree of hearing loss was similar in affected subjects within the same sibling group but differed between sibling groups suggests the involvement of nuclear modifier genes. Total mitochondrial DNA sequences were completely identical among subjects with various levels of hearing loss, and lacked additional pathogenic mutations. For the diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss, the mitochondrial A1555G mutation should be considered when these features are present even in the absence of aminoglycoside exposure.

scholarly journals New PCR Primer Pairs Specific for Cryptococcus neoformans Serotype A or B Prepared on the Basis of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Fingerprint Pattern Analyses

1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Hideo Aoki ◽  
Tamae Imai ◽  
Reiko Tanaka ◽  
Yuzuru Mikami ◽  
Hideaki Taguchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Random Amplified Polymorphic Dna ◽  
Pcr Primers ◽  
Dna Fingerprint ◽  
Serotype A ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
Fingerprint Pattern ◽  
Serotype B ◽  
Pcr Primer

Thirty-three strains of Cryptococcus neoformans were isolated from clinical specimens, including specimens from AIDS patients in Brazil, and were classified into two serotypes; we detected 31 and 2 strains of serotypes A and B, respectively. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprint pattern analyses of these strains of serotypes A and B showed that the patterns were similar for strains of each serotype when three 10-mer primers were used as the RAPD primers. Comparative studies of the fingerprint patterns of the study isolates with those of the reference strains also showed that the RAPD patterns for strains of each serotype were related and that most of the fingerprint bands existed commonly for all strains of each serotype tested. The common RAPD bands (an approximately 700-bp band for serotype A and an approximately 450-bp band for serotype B) were extracted and the DNA sequences were determined. Using this information, we prepared two and one PCR primer pairs which were expected to be specific for C. neoformans serotypes A and B, respectively. Use of each PCR primer combination thus prepared for serotype A or B was 100% successful in identifying the respectiveC. neoformans serotypes, including the 33 clinical isolates tested in the present study. Among these combinations, one for serotype A was found to amplify DNA from C. neoformans serotype B as well as serotype A. Serotype B-specific PCR primer pairs amplified DNA from not only serotype B strains but also from serotype C strains. The usefulness of other serotype-specific PCR primers for clinical C. neoformans isolates is discussed.

scholarly journals An assessment of mosquito collection techniques for xenomonitoring of anopheline-transmitted Lymphatic Filariasis in Ghana

Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 145 (13) ◽  
pp. 1783-1791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Millicent Opoku ◽  
Corrado Minetti ◽  
Worlasi D. Kartey-Attipoe ◽  
Sampson Otoo ◽  
Joseph Otchere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Wuchereria Bancrofti ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Trapping Efficiency ◽  
Mosquito Collection ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Specific Species ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Collection Methods

AbstractMonitoring vectors is relevant to ascertain transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF). This may require the best sampling method that can capture high numbers of specific species to give indication of transmission. Gravid anophelines are good indicators for assessing transmission due to close contact with humans through blood meals. This study compared the efficiency of an Anopheles gravid trap (AGT) with other mosquito collection methods including the box and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention gravid, light, exit and BioGent-sentinel traps, indoor resting collection (IRC) and pyrethrum spray catches across two endemic regions of Ghana. The AGT showed high trapping efficiency by collecting the highest mean number of anophelines per night in the Western (4.6) and Northern (7.3) regions compared with the outdoor collection methods. Additionally, IRC was similarly efficient in the Northern region (8.9) where vectors exhibit a high degree of endophily. AGT also showed good trapping potential for collecting Anopheles melas which is usually difficult to catch with existing methods. Screening of mosquitoes for infection showed a 0.80–3.01% Wuchereria bancrofti and 2.15–3.27% Plasmodium spp. in Anopheles gambiae. The AGT has shown to be appropriate for surveying Anopheles populations and can be useful for xenomonitoring for both LF and malaria.

scholarly journals DNA barcoding unveils the first record of Andrena allosa for Italy and unexpected genetic diversity in Andrena praecox (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-75
Author(s):  
Maurizio Cornalba ◽  
Paolo Biella ◽  
Andrea Galimberti
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Global Change ◽  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
First Record ◽  
Global Distribution ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Genetic Structuring ◽  
Eastern Sector ◽  
Morphological Species

DNA barcoding is well-known to support morphological species identification and it can be helpful for unveiling unexpected populations divergence patterns, especially in the context of the impacts on species posed by global change. In this note, we provided the first Italian record of the alpine mining bee Andrena allosa Warncke, 1975, confirmed with DNA barcoding. In addition, genetic identification of a specimen of Andrena praecox (Scopoli 1753) from western Italy pointed to an unexpected intraspecific genetic structuring at COI DNA barcoding region, with sequences from the Italian and the western sector of its global distribution differing 2.22% (p-dist) from populations of the eastern sector. Given the relevance of these records and of the genetic identity of bee populations from Italy, we argue that implementing molecular surveys in bee monitoring would surely contribute to the conservation of these important pollinators.

Male identification, generic classification and sexual dimorphism of Micronychus pardus (Kazantsev, 2018) comb. nov. (Coleoptera: Lycidae: Calochrominae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4657 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAL MOTYKA
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Large Specimen ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Almost All ◽  
First Time

Almost all net-winged beetles are members of Müllerian complexes and their similarity due to phenotypic coevolution sometimes complicates species identification and generic placement. Therefore, large specimen series, detailed exhaustive examination of morphological characters and molecular data are needed to clarify the taxonomic placement. Using mitochondrial DNA sequences, I investigated the sexual dimorphism and generic placement of the recently described species Calochromus pardus Kazantsev, 2018. I found that the species does not belong in Calochromus Guérin-Méneville, 1833 and all morphological characters and molecular analyses point to its placement in Micronychus Motschulsky, 1861. Therefore, Micronychus pardus (Kazantsev, 2018), comb. nov. is proposed. Additionally, the male is described here for the first time showing the sexual dimorphism in the species. Unlike the females, the males do not superficially resemble members of Xylobanus Waterhouse, 1879 with bright coloured elytral costae and black background, but mimics the sympatrically occurring yellow and black lycids in the genus Cautires Waterhouse, 1879. 

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