Chemosensory Proteins (CSPs) in the Cotton Bollworm Helicoverpa armigera

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are a family of small, soluble proteins that play a crucial role in transporting odorant and pheromone molecules in the insect chemosensory system. Recent studies reveal that they also function in development, nutrient metabolism and insecticide resistance. In-depth and systematic characterization of previously unknown CSPs will be valuable to investigate more detailed functionalities of this protein family. Here, we identified 27 CSP genes from the genome and transcriptome sequences of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner). The expression patterns of these genes were studied by using transcriptomic data obtained from different tissues and stages. The results demonstrate that H. armigera CSP genes are not only highly expressed in chemosensory tissues, such as antennae, mouthparts, and tarsi, but also in the salivary glands, cuticle epidermis, and hind gut. HarmCSP6 and 22 were selected as candidate CSPs for expression in Escherichia coli and purification. A new method was developed that significantly increased the HarmCSP6 and 22 expression levels as soluble recombinant proteins for purification. This study advances our understanding of insect CSPs and provides a new approach to highly express recombinant CSPs in E. coli.

Ruminal and Fecal Bacteriome of Dairy Calves Fed Different Levels and Sources of NDF

A starter concentrate containing different levels and sources of NDF can modify the gastrointestinal bacteriome. This study evaluated 18 Holstein calves housed in un-bedded suspended individual cages, fed one of three treatments: 22NDF: a conventional starter containing 22% NDF (n = 7); 31NDF: a starter with 31% NDF, replacing part of the corn by soybean hull (n = 6); and 22Hay: diet 22NDF plus coast-cross hay ad libitum (n = 5). All animals received 4 L of milk replacer daily, weaned at 8th week of age, and housed in wood shelters until week 10. To evaluate the bacteriome, the bacterial community of ruminal fluid and fecal samples was determined by sequencing V3 and V4 region amplicons of the 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial diversity in rumen was not affected by diet or age. The phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidota, and Prevotella’ genus were the most abundant in ruminal fluid and fecal samples. In feces, the α-diversity indices were higher for 22Hay. All indices were significantly affected by age. We believe that the ruminal bacteriome was affected by basal diet components, but not affected by NDF levels or sources. The supply of hay was effective in modifying the fecal bacteriome of dairy calves due to hind gut fermentation.

Digestive Adaptations of Both the Fore- and Hind-gut in a Temperate Colobine Monkey

Background: In mammal herbivores, the digestion of fiber usually occurs predominantly in either the foregut or in the hindgut. However, how both gut regions function synergistically in the digestion of fiber and other nutrients has rarely been reported in wild mammals. This requires an integrative study of host anatomy, physiology and gut microbiome. Colobine monkeys (Colobinae) are folivorous, with fiber fermentation primarily occurring in the foregut, with residual fermentation in the hindgut. For the few colobine species that live in temperate regions obtaining energy from fiber during winter is critical but the mechanisms enabling this remain unclear. Results: We studied microbial and morphological digestive adaptations of golden snub-nosed monkeys (GSMs), Rhinopithecus roxellana, a temperate forest colobine from central China. We tested for synergistic foregut and hindgut fiber digestion in a species that experiences high thermal energy demands while restricted to a fibrous, low-energy winter diet. We found that the GSM’s colon has a significantly greater volume than that of other foregut fermenting colobines, and both gut regions of GSMs are dominated by microbial taxa producing enzymes to enable active digestion of complex carbohydrates. The microbiomes of the fore- and hindgut differed significantly in composition and abundance. Although the expression of microbial gene functions for fiber digestion were higher in the foregut than in the hindgut, our microbiome analysis in conjunction with that for morphology, enzyme activity and fiber-protein digestion, suggests complementary fiber and protein metabolism in both gut regions. Conclusions: Our results support that both the GSM fore- and hindgut facilitate fiber digestion, with an enlarged colon consistent as an adaptation to accommodate high throughput of fiber-rich food during winter.

Digestive And Tracheal System of Menopon Gallinae (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) Infesting Poultry Bird (Gallus Gallus Domesticus)

The digestive and tracheal system of a poultry shaft louse, Menopon gallinae (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) has been studied in greater details. Alimentary canal of louse was dissected out along with crop under stereozoom binocular microscope. Entire alimentary canal of M. gallinae was found more or less straight and has three basic parts (fore-gut, mid-gut and hind-gut) while crop-teeth was present in the crop. The posterior end of crop contains 20-30 well developed crop-teeth arranged in a single arced plate, in comb-like fashion. Mid-gut was found as simple tube and contributes nearly one half of the total length, while the hind-gut was marked by the opening of Malpighian tubules in alimentary canal. The heart of M. gallinae is of simplest kind, one chambered bulbous structure having three pairs of laterally placed ostia and supported by four pairs of alary muscles. In the tracheal system there were seven pairs of spiracles occurred on the terga of M. gallinae. The first pair of spiracle was found located close to legs while remaining six abdominal spiracles occur from segment 3rd to 8th. The degree of tracheation of various visceral organs has also been noted.

Revision of Severianoia (Schwenk, 1926) Travassos, 1929 (Nematoda: Oxyuridomorpha) with proposal of S. pachyiuli n. sp. from millipedes of the Western Caucasus

Summary Severianoia pachyiuli n. sp. is described from the hind gut of Pachyiulus krivolutskyi (Diplopoda: Julidae) from the Republic of Adygea, Russian Federation. Females of the new species can be distinguished from those of S. magna by a smaller body and egg size; S. glomericola by smaller eggs and S. dubia by the organisation of the genital tract. Females of S. pachyiuli n. sp. are morphologically close to females of S. severianoi, but in described species males have significantly smaller body and spicule size. Severianoia pachyiuli n. sp. mostly resembles S. glomeridis by the general morphology in both sexes but differs in the position of the vulva, which is in a more posterior position to mid-body level in the described species. The description is supplemented with SEM and/or light microscope images of adults, juveniles and mature eggs. The phylogeny of the species is inferred from 18S and 28S rDNA. The taxonomic position of other representatives of Severianoia is discussed and Cephalobellus tipulae linstowi is regarded as a junior synonym of S. glomeridis.

A new species of Travassosinema (Oxyuridomorpha: Travassosinematidae) from an Indian millipede, Trigoniulus corallinus (Gervais)

Travassosinema bengalensis n. sp. is described from the hind gut of the spirobolid millipede, Trigoniulus corallinus (Gervais) from West Bengal, India. Females of the new species differ from the only known Indian species, T. travassosi Rao, 1958 by several characters namely tail length, length of oesophagous, size of egg, extension of umbraculum etc. It is very similar to other three species of Travassosinema, T. travassosi, T. thyropygi Hunt, 1996 and T. claudiae Morffe & Hasegawa, 2017 as all of them lack lateral alae and body contraction posterior to vulva. Except T. claudiae, it differs from all other species from millipedes by longest tail length (60% SL) and differs from T. claudiae by shorter oesophagous length and location of vulva.A new method for presentation of morphometric data (in percentage to standard length) in nematode is suggested.On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, it is suggested that umbraculum bearing genera, Indiana, Pulchrocephala should be excluded from the family Travassosinematidae.

Host-Microbiota Interactions in Ileum and Caecum of Pigs Divergent in Feed Efficiency Contribute to Nutrient Utilization

The composition of the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the digestion and utilization of nutrients and for gut health. Low-fiber diets stimulate digestion and absorption processes, predominantly in the upper region of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby increasing the conversion of feed into body weight. As a consequence, the chemical composition of digesta after duodenal and jejunal absorption processes and passage has a limited complexity affecting colonization and molecular profiles of enterocytes in the hind gut. To decipher ileal and caecal microbial ecosystems and host transcriptional profiles that are beneficial for effective use of the remaining nutrients, pigs differing in feeding efficiency were studied. Biological functions that were consistently enriched at both the gene and microbiota levels comprise immunity-related processes, which ensure the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the differential abundance of certain genera, including Rothia, Subdoligranulu, Leeia and Cellulosilyticum, reflects the establishment of a microbial profile that supports the digestion of endogenously indigestible dietary components in highly feed-efficient pigs. Overall, the results indicate the potential to promote these beneficial functions and further improve feed efficiency through manipulation of dietary and probiotic strategies.

Isolation and In Vitro Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Some Local Brewed Drinks, Rotten Fruits, Pig Hindgut and their Characterization

The aim of this study was to screen, isolate and characterize Lactic acid bacteria from brewed drinks, certain rotten fruits and hindguts of pigs, using biochemical and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods and to compare them with patented probiotics. Briefly, 200 ml each of Local brews kunu zaki, nono and burukutu were purchased separately from five different points and later pooled to form one liter each. Near rotten pineapples (17) and oranges (3) were purchased, and segments of the hindgut (cecum, colon and rectum) of six slaughtered pigs were collected. Bacteria growths were identified according to their morphological and biochemical characteristics. An in vitro fermentation of four grains, namely: sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) yellow and red varieties, Millet ( Pennisetum americanum ) and Maize ( Zae mays ) were later performed using the isolated Lactobacillus bacteria from the local brews, fruits and pig hindgut and compared with the patented bacteria. This process was repeated with 0.01ml of an over - night culture of MRS broth concentration containin g one of the two 10 5 and 10 7 Cfu/ml Lab isolate from local drinks, fruits and pig hindgut isolates. Selected fermenters from pig hindgut and burukutu successfully decreased pH of Millet, Maize and Sorghum from 6 to 3.80 and from 6 to 3.92 respectively henc e can be used as fermenters. Molecular confirmation of Lactobacillus species in pig hind gut and burukutu using direct PCR method and the amplification of the genomic DNA showed that the genus level of Lactobacillus was the same for all the isolates and th e homology analysis inferred from the 16S RNA sequence clearly verified that all the strains were Lactobacillus species. L. casei and L. acidiphilus were identified as species type from burukutu . But none from pig hind gut. Therefore it was concluded that Millet, Maize and Sorghum can be effectively used as components of fermented pig diets and that local brewed drink; burukutu and pig hind gut content are good sources of Lactobacillus bacteria f or fermentation of feed for feeding pigs.