scholarly journals A bright idea—metabarcoding arthropods from light fixtures

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11841
Author(s):  
Vasco Elbrecht ◽  
Angie Lindner ◽  
Laura Manerus ◽  
Dirk Steinke
Keyword(s):  
Specimen Size ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Residential Homes ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Arthropod Diversity ◽  
Ground Floor ◽  
Full Diversity

Arthropod communities in buildings have not been extensively studied, although humans have always shared their homes with them. In this study we explored if arthropod DNA can be retrieved and metabarcoded from indoor environments through the collection of dead specimens in light fixtures to better understand what shapes arthropod diversity in our homes. Insects were collected from 45 light fixtures at the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG, Guelph, Canada), and by community scientists at 12 different residential homes in Southern Ontario. The CBG ground floor of the CBG showed the greatest arthropod diversity, especially in light fixtures that were continuously illuminated. The community scientist samples varied strongly by light fixture type, lightbulb used, time passed since lamp was last cleaned, and specimen size. In all cases, the majority of OTUs was not shared between samples even within the same building. This study demonstrates that light fixtures might be a useful resource to determine arthropod diversity in our homes, but individual samples are likely not representative of the full diversity.

scholarly journals Comparison of arthropod communities between high and low input maize farms in Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. del-Val ◽  
E. Ramírez ◽  
M. Astier
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Arthropod Diversity ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Arthropod Predators ◽  
Animal Communities

Abstract Background Animal communities are vulnerable to agricultural practices. Intensive farming considerably reduces overall arthropod diversity, but not necessarily pest abundance. Natural control of herbivores in agroecosystems is accomplished by predators and parasitoids, but in intensified agricultural regimes, the chemical control used to reduce pest abundances also affects pests’ natural enemies. To achieve more sustainable agriculture, there is a need to better understand the susceptibility of predators to conventional management. Methods In order to quantify the arthropod diversity associated with different schemes of agricultural management of maize, we evaluated agricultural fields under two contrasting management regimens in Michoacán, México during the spring–summer cycle of 2011. Arthropod communities were evaluated in plots with conventional high-input versus low-input agriculture in two sites—one rainfed and one with irrigation. The experimental units consisted of twelve 1 ha agricultural plots. To sample arthropods, we used 9 pitfall traps per agricultural plot. Results During the sampling period, we detected a total of 14,315 arthropods belonging to 12 Orders and 253 morphospecies. Arthropod community composition was significantly different between the sites, and in the rain-fed site, we also found differences between management practices. Predators, particularly ants, were more abundant in low-input sites. Herbivory levels were similar in all fields, with an average of 18% of leaf area lost per plant. Conclusions Our results suggest that conventional farming is not reducing herbivore abundances or damage inflicted to plants, but is affecting arthropod predators. We discuss repercussions for sustainable agriculture.

scholarly journals Nanoparticle Behaviour in an Urban Street Canyon at Different Heights and Implications on Indoor Respiratory Doses

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manigrasso ◽  
Protano ◽  
Vitali ◽  
Avino
Keyword(s):  
Street Canyon ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Total Daily Dose ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Ground Floor ◽  
Urban Street ◽  
Indoor Aerosol

The amount of outdoor particles that indoor environments receive depends on the particle infiltration factors (Fin), peculiar of each environment, and on the outdoor aerosol concentrations and size distributions. The respiratory doses received, while residing indoor, will change accordingly. This study aims to ascertain to what extent such doses are affected by the vertical distance from the traffic sources. Particle number size distributions have been simultaneously measured at street level and at about 20 m height in a street canyon in downtown Rome. The same Fin have been adopted to estimate indoor aerosol concentrations, due to the infiltration of outdoor particles and then the relevant daily respiratory doses. Aerosol concentrations at ground floor were more than double than at 20 m height and richer in ultrafine particles. Thus, although aerosol infiltration efficiency was on average higher at 20 m height than at ground floor, particles more abundantly infiltrated at ground level. On a daily basis, this involved a 2.5-fold higher dose at ground level than at 20 m height. At both levels, such doses were greater than those estimated over the period of activity of some indoor aerosol sources; therefore, they represent an important contribution to the total daily dose.

Diversity and Distribution of Riparian Arthropods in the Drawdown Zone of China’s Three Gorges Reservoir

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 1340-1348
Author(s):  
Kehong Wang ◽  
Xingzhong Yuan ◽  
Guanxiong Zhang ◽  
Shuangshuang Liu ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Three Gorges Reservoir ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Three Gorges ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Human Disturbances ◽  
Arthropod Diversity ◽  
Flood Duration ◽  
Drawdown Zone

Abstract Riparian zones are interesting habitats as they are important transitional zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, but highly threatened by human disturbances. They support a high arthropod diversity as they experience periodic flooding disturbance and sharp environmental gradients. Their associated arthropod fauna are of high conservation value. Nevertheless, their arthropod diversity remains largely unknown, and its distribution pattern along elevational gradients is poorly understood. Few data are available on the effects of flood regimes and other factors in determining riparian arthropod communities. In this study, we investigated the diversity and distribution of riparian arthropods along an elevational gradient and determined the major factors structuring the arthropod communities in the drawdown zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China. Significant compositional and structural changes of riparian arthropod communities were observed along the test elevational gradient. The abundance and richness of riparian arthropods increased with elevation. The relative abundance of predators decreased with elevation, whereas the saprovores and omnivores showed an upward trend along the elevational gradient. Redundancy analysis showed that there were significant interactions between the flood regimes, plant communities, and soil conditions. Among these environmental factors studied, flood duration was the main factor in structuring the riparian arthropod communities. Conservation and restoration strategies should consider flood duration in the operation of large reservoirs because riparian arthropods are particularly sensitive to flood regimes.

Unique arthropod communities on different host-plant genotypes results in greater arthropod diversity

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon M. Ferrier ◽  
Randy K. Bangert ◽  
Erika I. Hersch-Green ◽  
Joseph K. Bailey ◽  
Gery J. Allan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Arthropod Diversity

scholarly journals The effect of pasture management on fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), abundance and the relationship to arthropod community diversity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan B. Schmid ◽  
Jonathan G. Lundgren
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Solenopsis Invicta ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Fire Ant ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ant ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Arthropod Diversity

AbstractThe red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is one of the most prolific invasive species to the Southeastern U.S. These invaders preferentially colonize highly disturbed land and grassland habitat. Management of livestock in pasture systems can have a profound impact on the level of disturbance in grassland habitats, and we hypothesized that pasture management would have a significant effect on S. invicta abundance in the Southeastern U.S., and arthropod diversity would negatively correlate with this invasive species. We studied the effects that pasture management systems (based on stocking density, rotation frequency, and insecticide application rates) have on fire ant mound abundance and arthropod diversity for the soil, foliar, and dung communities. S. invicta mounds were quantified and mound areas were documented along transect lines in six pastures. Soil and foliar arthropod communities were collected along the same transect lines, and dung communities sampled from pats within the pasture system. Pastures managed under adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) practices had 3.35× more S. invicta mounds and 4.64× more mound area than their conventionally managed counterparts. However, arthropod diversity did not correlate with S. invicta abundance for any of the three arthropod communities sampled. This study shows pasture management can have a significant impact on S. invicta mound abundance, but arthropod communities in AMP managed pastures did not suffer decreased diversity from increased abundance of S. invicta. Additionally, this study demonstrates that this invasive species does not necessarily contribute to diversity decline, at least under AMP pasture systems.

scholarly journals RISK ASSESSMENT FOR RADON EXPOSURE IN VARIOUS INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 185 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Lung Cancer Risk ◽  
School Buildings ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Radon Progeny ◽  
Outdoor Air ◽  
Residential Homes ◽  
Radon Exposure ◽  
Using Data ◽  
At Home

Abstract Using data from a number of radon surveys, it was assessed that on average, radon progeny concentrations in Canadian homes are about three times higher than in school buildings, 4.7 times higher than in public buildings and indoor workplaces, and 12 times higher than in outdoor air. Canadian statistics show that most Canadians spend ~70% of their time indoors at home, 20% indoors away from home and 10% in outdoors. Due to relatively higher radon concentration in residential homes and longer time spent indoors at home, the exposure at home contributes to 90% of the radon-induced lung-cancer risk.

scholarly journals Fine-scale substrate heterogeneity does not affect arthropod communities on green roofs

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bracha Y. Schindler ◽  
Amiel Vasl ◽  
Leon Blaustein ◽  
David Gurevich ◽  
Gyongyver J. Kadas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Development Theory ◽  
Arthropod Community ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Arthropod Diversity ◽  
Substrate Properties ◽  
Substrate Heterogeneity

Green roofs, which are roofs with growing substrate and vegetation, can provide habitat for arthropods in cities. Maintaining a diversity of arthropods in an urban environment can enhance the functions they fill, such as pest control and soil development. Theory suggests that the creation of a heterogeneous environment on green roofs would enhance arthropod diversity. Several studies have examined how arthropod diversity can be enhanced on green roofs, and particularly whether substrate properties affect the arthropod community, but a gap remains in identifying the effect of substrate heterogeneity within a green roof on the arthropod community. In this paper, it is hypothesized that creating heterogeneity in the substrate would directly affect the diversity and abundance of some arthropod taxa, and indirectly increase arthropod diversity through increased plant diversity. These hypotheses were tested using green roof plots in four treatments of substrate heterogeneity: (1) homogeneous dispersion; (2) mineral heterogeneity—with increased tuff concentration in subplots; (3) organic heterogeneity—with decreased compost concentrations in subplots; (4) both mineral and organic heterogeneity. Each of the four treatments was replicated twice on each of three roofs (six replicates per treatment) in a Mediterranean region. There was no effect of substrate heterogeneity on arthropod diversity, abundance, or community composition, but there were differences in arthropod communities among roofs. This suggests that the location of a green roof, which can differ in local climatic conditions, can have a strong effect on the composition of the arthropod community. Thus, arthropod diversity may be promoted by building green roofs in a variety of locations throughout a city, even if the roof construction is similar on all roofs.

scholarly journals Bacterial and Chemical Contamination Associated Carpet Dust in the Holy Mosque, Makkah Al-Mukarramah

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-90
Author(s):  
Bassam Husain Mashat Bassam Husain Mashat
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Components ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Chemical Contamination ◽  
Vacuum Cleaner ◽  
Ground Floor ◽  
Chemical Pollutants ◽  
The Common ◽  
Surface Covering ◽  
Bacterial Concentrations

Carpets are widely used as surface covering in the holy mosque (Almasjed Alharam) settings, and they are prone to contamination with infectious agents and chemical components. This study aims to evaluate the concentrations of bacteria and chemical pollutants associated carpet dust in the holy mosque, as well as bacterial concentrations in the air state. The dust samples were collected from eighty carpets during month of Ramadan 2011, using a cord portable vacuum cleaner. Airborne bacteria were collected using Airport MD8 gelatin filter sampler. Bacterial concentrations varied depending on location of carpets inside the mosque, with no significant differences between locations (P?0.05). The highest mean bacterial concentrations associated dust (256.42x106 CFU/m2) and in the air state (1.12x105 CFU/m3) were found at the ground floor of 1st expansion location. The highest re-suspension factor (RF) was found at the ground floor of 1st expansion, and the lowest at ground floor of 2nd expansion. Bacillus (25%), Pseudomonas (13%) and Micrococcus (12%) were the dominated bacterial genera. Chloride and ammonium concentrations associated dust were higher at the basement and the ground floor locations. The results did not indicate the presence of any apparent seriousness of the current situation of the carpets in the holy mosque. The data can be treated as a first step in determining the acceptable levels for microorganisms associated carpets in the common indoor environments.

scholarly journals Nanoparticle Behaviour in An Urban Street Canyon at Different Heights and Implications on Indoor Respiratory Doses

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Manigrasso ◽  
Carmela Protano ◽  
Matteo Vitali ◽  
Pasquale Avino
Keyword(s):  
Street Canyon ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Total Daily Dose ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Ground Floor ◽  
Urban Street ◽  
Indoor Aerosol

The amount of outdoor particles that indoor environments receive depends on the particle infiltration factors (Fin), peculiar of each environment, and on the outdoor aerosol concentrations and size distributions. The respiratory doses received, while residing indoor, will change accordingly. This study aims to ascertain to what extent such doses are affected by the vertical distance from the traffic sources. Particle number size distributions have been simultaneously measured at street level and at about 20 m height in a street canyon in downtown Rome. The same Fin have been adopted to estimate indoor aerosol concentrations, due to the infiltration of outdoor particles and then the relevant daily respiratory doses. Aerosol concentrations at ground floor were more than double than at 20 m height and richer in ultrafine particles. Thus, although aerosol infiltration efficiency was on average higher at 20 m height than at ground floor, particles more abundantly infiltrated at ground level. On a daily basis, this involved a 2.5-fold higher dose at ground level than at 20 m height. At both levels, such doses were greater than those estimated over the period of activity of some indoor aerosol sources, therefore they represent an important contribution to the total daily dose.

scholarly journals The shrub Ephedra californica facilitates arthropod communities along a regional desert climatic gradient

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Braun ◽  
Michael Westphal ◽  
Christopher J. Lortie
Keyword(s):  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Arid Ecosystems ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Arthropod Community ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Arthropod Diversity ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Arthropod Abundance

AbstractArthropods underpin arid community dynamics and provide many key ecosystem services. In arid ecosystems, the key habitat components that influence arthropod community structure are relatively understudied. Ephedra californica is a common and widespread shrub with established positive effects on plant and vertebrate animal communities within the drylands of Southern California. The capacity for these positive effects to further support arthropod communities has not been examined. We tested the hypothesis that the physical structure and cover vegetation enhances key measures of arthropod community assembly at nine Californian desert sites that comprise an extensive regional aridity gradient. We contrasted the effects of shrub canopies with ground-covering vegetation on structuring ground-active arthropod communities by surveying ground-active arthropods with pitfall traps and collecting vegetation on the soil surface in the form of residual dry matter (RDM). We collected a total of 5868 individual arthropod specimens for a total of 184 morphospecies. Arthropod abundance and morphospecies richness and RDM biomass and cover were significantly greater beneath the canopy of E. californica throughout the region. Total biomass of RDM did not significantly influence arthropod communities, but cover of RDM on the soil surface negatively influenced arthropod abundance. Neither climatic aridity nor downscaled evaporative stress estimates were significant mediators of the arthropodvegetation association patterns. Vegetation thus likely has direct and indirect physical effects on arthropod communities. These canopy versus soil surface vegetation differences will refine sampling of fine-scale patterns of arthropod diversity in drylands. Regional land managers can support arthropod diversity by maintaining populations of foundation shrub species such as E. californica.

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