Scholarly Works, Entomology

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/10919/24305

Research articles, presentations, and other scholarship

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 462

Treatment of cattle with ivermectin and its effect on dung degradation and larval abundance in a tropical savanna setting
Ruhinda, Miriam; Xia, Kang; Rist, Cassidy; Shija, Gerald; Lyimo, Issa N.; Meza, Felician; Brewster, Carlyle; Chaccour, Carlos; Rabinovich, N. Regina; Schuerch, Roger (Elsevier, 2024-12-12)
When ingested as part of a blood meal, the antiparasitic drug ivermectin kills mosquitoes, making it a candidate for mass drug administration (MDA) in humans and livestock to reduce malaria transmission. When administered to livestock, most ivermectin is excreted unmetabolized in the dung within 5 days post administration. Presence of ivermectin, has been shown to adversely affect dung colonizers and dung degradation in temperate settings; however, those findings may not apply to, tropical environment, where ivermectin MDA against malaria would occur. Here we report results of a randomized field experiment conducted with dung from ivermectin-treated and control cattle to determine the effect of ivermectin on dung degradation in tropical Tanzania. For intact pats, we measured termite colonization, larval numbers and pat wet and dry weights. Pat organic matter was interpolated from a subsample of the pat (10 g wet weight). Additionally, we counted larvae growing in the treated and untreated pats in a semi-field setting. We found that termites colonized ivermectin pats more readily than controls. Despite this, wet weight decreased significantly slower in the ivermectin-treated pats in the first two weeks. As water was lost, sub-sample dry weight increased, and organic matter decreased similarly over time for the treatment and control. Interpolated for whole pats, total organic matter was higher, and larval counts were lower in the ivermectin-treated pats after the first month. Our results demonstrate an effect of ivermectin and its metabolites on dung degradation and fauna in a tropical savanna setting. Because slow dung degradation and low insect abundance negatively impact pastureland, these non-target, environmental effects must be further investigated within the context of real-world implementation of ivermectin MDA in cattle and weighed against the potential benefits for malaria control.
Evaluation of Insecticides to Control Stink Bug and Broad Headed Bug in Edamame, 2021
Sutton, Kemper L.; Wilczek, Daniel; Kuhar, Thomas P.; McIntyre, Kelly; Rideout, Steven L.; Zhang, Bo (Oxford University Press, 2022-06-23)
Identification of Potential Vectors and Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Mosquitoes Collected Before and During the 2022 Outbreak in Rwanda
Nsengimana, Isidore; Hakizimana, Emmanuel; Mupfasoni, Jackie; Hakizimana, Jean Nepomuscene; Chengula, Augustino A.; Kasanga, Christopher J.; Eastwood, Gillian (MDPI, 2025-01-08)
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging mosquito-borne arbovirus of One Health importance that caused two large outbreaks in Rwanda in 2018 and 2022. Information on vector species with a role in RVFV eco-epidemiology in Rwanda is scarce. Here we sought to identify potential mosquito vectors of RVFV in Rwanda, their distribution and abundance, as well as their infection status. Since an outbreak of RVF occurred during the study period, data were obtained both during an interepidemic period and during the 2022 Rwanda RVF outbreak. Five districts of the eastern province of Rwanda were prospected using a combination of unbaited light traps and Biogents (BG Sentinel and Pro) traps baited with an artificial human scent during three periods, namely mid-August to mid-September 2021, December 2021, and April to May 2022. Trapped mosquitoes were morphologically identified and tested for viral evidence using both RT-PCR and virus isolation methods on a Vero cell line. A total of 14,815 adult mosquitoes belonging to five genera and at least 17 species were collected and tested as 765 monospecific pools. Culex quinquefasciatus was the most predominant species representing 72.7% of total counts. Of 527 mosquito pools collected before the 2022 outbreak, a single pool of Cx. quinquefasciatus showed evidence of RVFV RNA. Of 238 pools collected during the outbreak, RVFV was detected molecularly from five pools (two pools of Cx. quinquefasciatus, two pools of Anopheles ziemanni, and one pool of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato), and RVFV was isolated from the two pools of Cx. quinquefasciatus, from Kayonza and Rwamagana districts, respectively. Minimum infection rates (per 1000 mosquitoes) of 0.4 before the outbreak and 0.6–7 during the outbreak were noted. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis indicates that RVFV detected in these mosquitoes is closely related to viral strains that circulated in livestock in Rwanda and in Burundi during the same RVF outbreak in 2022. The findings reveal initial evidence for the incrimination of several mosquito species in the transmission of RVFV in Rwanda and highlight the need for more studies to understand the role of each species in supporting the spread and persistence of RVFV in the country.
Transforming Children’s Attitudes Toward Insects Through In-School Encounters
Miller, Kathleen M.; Beegle, Dana K.; Blevins Wycoff, Stephanie; Frank, Daniel L. (MDPI, 2025-01-17)
Each year, the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech hosts an entomology-themed outreach event known as Hokie BugFest. This on-campus, festival-sized experience aims to educate the public about insects and other arthropods through hands-on activities, games, displays, and live arthropods. In 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hokie BugFest and similar large public events were cancelled. In response, the department launched Hokie BugFest on the Go, which offered smaller-scale, in-person learning opportunities during these closures. Instead of hosting the community on campus, Virginia Tech’s Department of Entomology brought live arthropods, university experts, and the exciting science of entomology directly into schools, fostering small-group, hands-on learning experiences. In 2022, a playful assessment was added to the traveling outreach program to measure changes in student attitudes and perceptions of insects and other arthropods before and after the program. The assessment also gauged students’ favorite arthropods after seeing, and in some cases handling, them live during the program. Assessment results revealed valuable insights into how hands-on, applied learning experiences can shift children’s attitudes toward arthropods. Results showed that even after expressing trepidation and fears, students’ knowledge and comfort levels with insects and other arthropods increased as they interacted and learned throughout the program. These findings underscore the value of using engaging, hands-on, small-group approaches when designing entomology-themed outreach events for young audiences and offer guidance for future programs.
Left-right tympanal size asymmetry in the parasitoid fly Ormia ochracea
Mikel-Stites, Max R.; Marek, Paul E.; Hellier, Madeleine E.; Staples, Anne E. (2024-08-02)
Ormia ochracea is a parasitoid fly notable for its impressive hearing abilities relative to its small size. Here, we use it as a model organism to investigate if minor size differences in paired sensory organs may be beneficial or neutral to an organism's perception abilities. We took high-resolution images of tympanal organs from 21 O. ochracea specimens and found a statistically significant surface area asymmetry (up to 6.88%) between the left and right membranes. Numerical experiments indicated that peak values of key sound localization variables increased with increasing tympanal asymmetry, which may explain features of the limited available physiological data.
Enhancing agricultural sustainability through optimization of the slaughterhouse sludge compost for elimination of parasites and coliforms
Rizwan, Hafiz Muhammad; Naveed, Muhammad; Sajid, Muhammad Sohail; Nazish, Nadia; Younus, Muhammad; Raza, Mohsin; Maqbool, Mahvish; Khalil, Muhammad Hamza; Fouad, Dalia; Ataya, Farid Shokry (Nature Portfolio, 2024-10-14)
For a sustainable ecology, slaughterhouse sludge must be managed effectively in preview of the parasitic or coliforms’ spill over to the community. In order to determine the effectiveness of a customized biological decomposer solution in lowering the parasitic eggs and coliform bacteria, three composting units (Unit 1, Unit 2, and Unit 3) were treated with its different amounts. Over a period of 60 days, pH, temperature, humidity, number of the parasitic eggs per gram (EPG) of faecal material, viability of eggs, and coliform counts were evaluated. By the fifth day of the composting process, pH had significantly (P < 0.05) increased across all the treatments and then decreased gradually. Also on the 5th day, all three units entered the thermophilic range (> 45 °C), which persisted for 20 days for Unit 3 and 15 days for Units 1 and 2. Humidity levels initially increased significantly (P < 0.05) in all three units (Unit 3 = 71%, Unit 2 = 64%, and Unit 1 = 55%) but then gradually decreased. On day 5, no decrease in EPG in Unit 1 was detected; however, a non-significant (P > 0.05) 12.5% decline in EPG in Unit 2 and Unit 3 was recorded. After that, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in EPG was observed in all the three treatments until day 25. By day 5, decreased egg viability was significantly (P < 0.05) recorded in Unit 3 (21.43%); in Unit 1 and Unit 2, the decrease was 6.25% and 14.29%, respectively. Additionally, all units showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in total coliforms, meeting minimum allowable limit in Unit 2 and 3 on day 10 and on day 15 in Unit 1. The most substantial reduction in faecal coliforms was observed in Unit 3 (from 2.6 log₁₀ to 1.3 log₁₀), followed by Unit 2 (from 2.6 log₁₀ to 1.5 log₁₀), and then Unit 1 (from 2.6 log₁₀ to 1.6 log₁₀). The results of this study support recommendation of advanced composting techniques to eradicate or reduce the abundance of pathogens (parasites and coliforms). Hence, we endorse the value of careful composting procedures in environment-friendly abattoir waste management and agricultural practices through creating pathogen-free, eco-friendly fertilizers to promote both agricultural and environmental sustainability.
Unveiling the hidden threat: investigating gastrointestinal parasites and their costly impact on slaughtered livestock
Rizwan, Hafiz Muhammad; Zohaib, Hafiz Muhammad; Sajid, Muhammad Sohail; Bin Tahir, Urfa; Kausar, Razia; Nazish, Nadia; Ben Said, Mourad; Anwar, Nimra; Maqbool, Mahvish; Fouad, Dalia; Ataya, Farid Shokry (Brazilian College of Veterinary Parasitology, 2024-10-07)
This study investigated the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in ruminants slaughtered at the abattoir in district Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was determined to be 72.92% based on faecal examination. Among the ruminant species, goats exhibited a significantly higher (P < 0.05) prevalence of parasitic infection (78.63%) compared to cattle, buffalo, and sheep. Additionally, female ruminants showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) prevalence of infection (85.62%) compared to males (65.13%). The intestines (both small and large) of small and large ruminants were found to be significantly more affected, with a prevalence of 39.58% of parasitic infection compared to other examined organs. A total of ten parasitic genera were identified in ruminants, including hydatid cysts. Ruminants with a high burden of parasites (45.74%) significantly outnumbered those with light (23.40%) and moderate (30.85%) burdens. Economically, the estimated annual losses in Pakistan due to organ condemnation with GI parasites were substantial, amounting to Pak. Rs. 405.09/-million (USD = 1,428,760). These findings underscore the significance of GI parasite infections as a major animal health concern and a cause of significant economic losses in the research area.
Prevalence and histopathological analysis of cystic echinococcosis in ruminants of District Narowal, Pakistan: focus on pulmonary involvement
Usman, M.; Rizwan, H. M.; Sajid, M. S.; Kausar, R.; Tahir, U. B.; Abbas, H.; Ateeq, M. K.; Raza, M.; Maqbool, Mahvish; Fouad, D.; Ataya, F. S. (2024-12-20)
A total of 384 animals (sheep, goat, cattle, and buffalo) were examined for the presence of hydatid cysts only in the lungs. The lung tissue samples associated with the hydatid cyst were collected immediately after slaughter, followed by fixation in 10% formalin. The fixed tissue was subjected to paraffin embedding technique. Tissue sections of 5 microns were cut by microtome and stained using Harri’s Haematoxilin and Eosin method. Overall, 13.80% of ruminants were found positive for lung infections with hydatid cyst. Only the sex of ruminants showed significant (P < 0.05) association with the infection of hydatid cyst in lungs. All other variables, such as species of ruminants, age, and months showed non-significant (P > 0.05) association. Pulmonary sections taken from infected animals revealed laminated membranes encased in a region with significant (P < 0.05) cellular infiltration (53.4 ± 7.9 µm2), primarily composed of lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, and occasionally neutrophils, and eosinophils. In addition, significant (P < 0.05) epithelial disruption in the bronchioles (0.94 ± 0.05 µm2) and alveolar septa were also noticed in sections. These histopathological findings lead to the conclusion that pathological changes occur in the tissues surrounding the cyst as well as in areas more distant from the cyst.
Performance of selected insecticides against mealybugs, 2022
Chalise, Pragya; Pfeiffer, Douglas G. (Oxford University Press, 2024-09-23)
Additions to the millipede family Caseyidae Verhoeff, 1909. III. Proposal of the new subfamily Ochrogrammatinae, new records of Vasingtona irritans (Chamberlin, 1910), established species of Ochrogramma Gardener and Shelley, 1989, a new species of Ochrogramma from Washington state, USA (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Striariidea), and observations on spermatozoa and spermatophores
Shear, William A.; Marek, Paul E. (2024-12-20)
The genera Ochrogramma Gardner and Shelley, 1989 and Vasingtona Chamberlin, 1941 (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Striariidea: Caseyidae) are assigned to the Ochrogrammatinae Shear and Marek, new subfamily. The new subfamily is diagnosed by the broad ventral lamina of the mandibular stipes and extremely long gonapophyses (found in males), the peculiar, elaborately branched processes of the gonopods, and other characters. New records and new SEM illustrations are provided for the species Vasingtona irritans (Chamberlin, 1910), Ochrogramma bentona (Chamberlin, 1952) and Ochrogramma haigi Gardner and Shelley, 1989. The range of O. bentona is extended north from the Columbia River to the Puget Sound region. We describe Ochrogramma skamania Shear and Marek, new species, which is the second species of its genus from north of the Columbia River. We also document for the first time spermatophore material on the coxae of legpair 10, the gonopods and the female vulvae, and thus provide evidence that a spermatophore is formed in the coxal glands of legpair 10, picked up by the gonopods and thence transferred to the female receptacles. The spermatozoa of Nematophora, heretofore undescribed, appear to be subglobular, about 14.0–14.5 μm in diameter, nonmotile and embedded in a secretion.
The Chemistry of the Defensive Secretions of Three Species of Millipedes in the Genus Brachycybe
Banks, Paige; Funkhouser, Emma M.; Macias, Angie M.; Lovett, Brian; Meador, Shelby; Hatch, Arden; Garraffo, H. Martin; Cartwright, Kaitie C.; Kasson, Matt T.; Marek, Paul E.; Jones, Tappey H.; Mevers, Emily (Springer, 2024-06-10)
Millipedes have long been known to produce a diverse array of chemical defense agents that deter predation. These compounds, or their precursors, are stored in high concentration within glands (ozadenes) and are released upon disturbance. The subterclass Colobognatha contains four orders of millipedes, all of which are known to produce terpenoid alkaloids—spare the Siphonophorida that produce terpenes. Although these compounds represent some of the most structurally-intriguing millipede-derived natural products, they are the least studied class of millipede defensive secretions. Here, we describe the chemistry of millipede defensive secretions from three species of Brachycybe: Brachycybe producta, Brachycybe petasata, and Brachycybe rosea. Chemical investigations using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, chemical synthesis, and 2D NMR led to the identification of five alkaloids, three of which are new to the literature. All identified compounds are monoterpene alkaloids with the new compounds representing indolizidine (i.e. hydrogosodesmine) and quinolizidine alkaloids (i.e. homogosodesmine and homo-hydrogosodesmine). The chemical diversity of these compounds tracks the known species phylogeny of this genus, rather than the geographical proximity of the species. The indolizidines and quinolizidines are produced by non-sympatric sister species, B. producta and B. petasata, while deoxybuzonamine is produced by another set of non-sympatric sister species, B. rosea and Brachycybe lecontii. The fidelity between the chemical diversity and phylogeny strongly suggests that millipedes generate these complex defensive agents de novo and begins to provide insights into the evolution of their biochemical pathways.
Neuromodulating Alkaloids from Millipede Defensive Secretions
Menegatti, Carla; Wood, Jared S.; Banks, Paige; Knott, Kenneth; Briganti, Jonathan S.; Briganti, Anthony J.; McNally, Samuel V. G.; Marek, Paul E.; Brown, Anne M.; Jones, Tappey H.; Williamson, R. Thomas; Mevers, Emily (American Chemical Society, 2024)
Millipedes have long been known to produce structurally diverse chemical defenses, including hydrogen cyanide, terpenoid alkaloids, and oxidized aromatics. Although the hydrogen cyanide and oxidized aromatic producing millipedes have been well studied, less than 10% of the terpenoid alkaloid producers have been chemically investigated. Several previous studies have shown that alkaloids disorient predators, but their biochemical target is currently unknown. Herein, we investigated the defensive secretions of a colobognath millipede, Ischnocybe plicata, and elucidated the constitution, absolute configuration, and conformation of four new highly oxidized terpenoid alkaloids, termed ischnocybines, using a range of analytical techniques. The ischnocybines are actively secreted from the defensive glands and were shown to disorient ants, a likely common predator. Evaluation of the ischnocybines in a panel of neuroreceptors revealed that ischnocybine A possesses potent (Ki 13.6 nM) and selective (100-fold) binding affinity for sigma-1, an orphan neuroreceptor, over sigma-2. These molecules represent the most complex alkaloids to be discovered from millipedes and provide the first potential insights into a biochemical target responsible for their defensive properties.
Success takes time: History and current status of biological control of purple loosestrife in the United States
Endriss, Stacy B.; Nuzzo, Victoria; Blossey, Bernd (2022)
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria, Lythraceae) is a long-lived forb that has negatively affected North American wetlands for decades. Following the introduction of purple loosestrife from Eurasia in the early 1800s, populations gradually spread across North America, eventually leading to the decline of many native birds, plants, and amphibians. Land managers recognized the widespread ecological harm caused by purple loosestrife and called for sustainable control methods, realizing that traditional methods such as chemical treatments had failed to produce desirable outcomes. In response, research to assess biological control options for purple loosestrife began in 1986 in Europe. This biological control program represented one of the first times a plant was targeted for biological control because of its harm to flora and fauna rather than because of its negative impacts to agriculture. This work led to the release of four host-specific insects: two leaf-feeding beetles (Galerucella calmariensis and Galerucella pusilla; both Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and a root-feeding weevil (Hylobius transversovittatus; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in 1992, followed in 1994 by a flower-feeding weevil (Nanophyes marmoratus; Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The Galerucella leaf-feeding beetles now appear to be widely established and abundant. Data on the abundance and distribution of the root-feeding and flowering-feeding weevils remain sparse. The effect of these insects may vary from site to site, but in many regions across North America, such as the Pacific Northwest, the Great Lakes Region, and the Northeast, biological control of purple loosestrife is now highly effective and economical. For example, long-term data collected from New York document that these insects reduce the density, height, and flower production of purple loosestrife, which in turn allows an increase in native plant diversity. This is the ultimate goal of weed management. Many biological control success stories are anecdotal, and purple loosestrife is one of the first examples for which we have strong evidence that control of invasive plants by insects can result in native plant recovery.
Identifying Integrated Pest Management Resource Needs Among Virginia Master Gardeners
Frank, Daniel; Blevins, Stephanie (Oxford University Press, 2024-07-20)
Two survey questionnaires distributed to Master Gardener (MG) volunteers in Virginia provide valuable insights into their awareness, understanding, and utilization of integrated pest management (IPM). Survey responses reveal a varied level of familiarity with IPM, with a notable percentage of respondents lacking knowledge of the term and differing perceptions of its focus on non-chemical or chemical pest control methods. While respondents generally recommended IPM solutions more than half the time, factors limiting their decision to do so included comfort level, limited understanding or knowledge, lack of training, lack of client interest, and lack of resources. The survey results highlight an agreement among respondents regarding the adequacy of state Cooperative Extension Service materials in addressing IPM. Pest management guides, websites, and fact sheets were the IPM resources most frequently used and perceived as effective. Respondents expressed a preference for fact sheets as the top resource material to enhance public training programs, followed by other multimedia content. Moreover, the survey results provide insights into the specific pest-related needs of Virginia MGs, revealing their priorities in terms of arthropod, vertebrate pest, plant disease, and weed resource topics. Overall, the data from the surveys offers a comprehensive understanding of MG perspectives on IPM, identifying areas for program improvement and providing guidance for the development of targeted resources to enhance MG knowledge and facilitate more effective public outreach.
New state records of Aculops ailanthi (Lin, Jin, and Kuang) (Acariformes: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae), in USA; a pest or biological control agent of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle?
Bielski, Jason; Pfeiffer, Douglas G.; Ochoa, Ron; Brown, Alexander; Ulsamer, Andrew (Entomological Society of Washington, 2024-08-22)
We report the first detections of Aculops ailanthi Lin, Jin, and Kuang (1997) (Acariformes: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) from Montgomery County, Virginia, and Wayne County, Michigan, USA; the fourth and fifth states to report this non-gall forming rust mite on Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle. We initially became aware of the pest in Virginia due to severe symptomology on greenhouse-cultivated Ai. altissima. In Michigan, similar observations from a field survey led to the mites' discovery. We tentatively identified the pest as an eriophyid mite of unknown species. Samples from both states were sent to USDA-ARS for identification and, using scanning electron microscopy, confirmed the species as A. ailanthi based on the morphological features. Moreover, we describe the impacts that high populations of A. ailanthi can have on Ai. altissima in greenhouse settings and potential use as a biological control agent. Field observations from Michigan are encouraging that A. ailanthi can affect Ai. altissima outside of greenhouse settings.
From ecological menace to roadside attraction: 28 years of evidence support successful biocontrol of purple loosestrife
Blossey, Bernd; Nuzzo, Victoria; Endriss, Stacy B. (Wiley, 2024-12-03)
Introduction and spread of non-native plants provide ecologists and evolutionary biologists with abundant scientific opportunities. However, land managers charged with preventing ecological impacts face financial and logistical challenges to reduce threats by introduced species. The available toolbox (chemical, mechanical, or biological) is also rather limited. Failure to permanently suppress introduced species by mechanical and chemical treatments may result in biocontrol programs using host-specific insect herbivores. Regardless of the chosen method, long-term assessment of management outcomes on both the target species and associated biota should be an essential component of management programs. However, data to assess whether management results in desirable outcomes beyond short-term reductions of the target plant are limited. Here, we use implementation of a biocontrol program targeting a widespread wetland invader, Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife), in North America to track outcomes on the target plant over more than two decades in New York State. After extensive testing, two leaf-feeding beetles (Galerucella calmariensis and Galerucella pusilla; hereafter “Galerucella”), a root-feeding weevil (Hylobius transversovittatus) and a flower-feeding weevil (Nanophyes marmoratus), were approved for field releases. We used a standardized monitoring protocol to record insect abundance and L. salicaria stem densities and heights in 1-m2 permanent quadrats at 33 different wetlands and followed sites for up to 28 years. As part of this long-term monitoring, in 20 of these wetlands, we established a factorial experiment releasing either no insects (control), only root feeders, only leaf beetles, or root and leaf feeders. We documented reduced L. salicaria occupancy and stem densities following insect releases over time, irrespective of site-specific differences in starting plant communities or L. salicaria abundance. We could not complete our factorial experiment because dispersal of leaf beetles to root-feeder-only and control sites within 5 years invalidated our experimental controls. Our data show that it took time for significant changes to occur, and short-term studies may provide misleading results, as L. salicaria stem densities initially increased before significantly decreasing. Several decades after insect releases, prerelease predictions of significant purple loosestrife declines have been confirmed.
Online toolkits for collaborative and inclusive global research in urban evolutionary ecology
Savage, Amy M.; Willmott, Meredith J.; Moreno-Garcia, Pablo; Jagiello, Zuzanna; Li, Daijiang; Malesis, Anna; Miles, Lindsay S.; Roman-Palacios, Cristian; Salazar-Valenzuela, David; Verrelli, Brian C.; Winchell, Kristin M.; Alberti, Marina; Bonilla-Bedoya, Santiago; Carlen, Elizabeth; Falvey, Cleo; Johnson, Lauren; Martin, Ella; Kuzyo, Hanna; Marzluff, John; Munshi-South, Jason; Phifer-Rixey, Megan; Stadnicki, Ignacy; Szulkin, Marta; Zhou, Yuyu; Gotanda, Kiyoko M. (Wiley, 2024-06-25)
Urban evolutionary ecology is inherently interdisciplinary. Moreover, it is a field with global significance. However, bringing researchers and resources together across fields and countries is challenging. Therefore, an online collaborative research hub, where common methods and best practices are shared among scientists from diverse geographic, ethnic, and career backgrounds would make research focused on urban evolutionary ecology more inclusive. Here, we describe a freely available online research hub for toolkits that facilitate global research in urban evolutionary ecology. We provide rationales and descriptions of toolkits for: (1) decolonizing urban evolutionary ecology; (2) identifying and fostering international collaborative partnerships; (3) common methods and freely-available datasets for trait mapping across cities; (4) common methods and freely-available datasets for cross-city evolutionary ecology experiments; and (5) best practices and freely available resources for public outreach and communication of research findings in urban evolutionary ecology. We outline how the toolkits can be accessed, archived, and modified over time in order to sustain long-term global research that will advance our understanding of urban evolutionary ecology.
Genomic Epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever Virus Involved in the 2018 and 2022 Outbreaks in Livestock in Rwanda
Nsengimana, Isidore; Juma, John; Roesel, Kristina; Gasana, Methode N.; Ndayisenga, Fabrice; Muvunyi, Claude M.; Hakizimana, Emmanuel; Hakizimana, Jean N.; Eastwood, Gillian; Chengula, Augustino A.; Bett, Bernard; Kasanga, Christopher J.; Oyola, Samuel O. (MDPI, 2024-07-17)
Rift Valley fever (RVF), a mosquito-borne transboundary zoonosis, was first confirmed in Rwanda’s livestock in 2012 and since then sporadic cases have been reported almost every year. In 2018, the country experienced its first large outbreak, which was followed by a second one in 2022. To determine the circulating virus lineages and their ancestral origin, two genome sequences from the 2018 outbreak, and thirty-six, forty-one, and thirty-eight sequences of small (S), medium (M), and large (L) genome segments, respectively, from the 2022 outbreak were generated. All of the samples from the 2022 outbreak were collected from slaughterhouses. Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian-based phylogenetic analyses were performed. The findings showed that RVF viruses belonging to a single lineage, C, were circulating during the two outbreaks, and shared a recent common ancestor with RVF viruses isolated in Uganda between 2016 and 2019, and were also linked to the 2006/2007 largest East Africa RVF outbreak reported in Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia. Alongside the wild-type viruses, genetic evidence of the RVFV Clone 13 vaccine strain was found in slaughterhouse animals, demonstrating a possible occupational risk of exposure with unknown outcome for people working in meat-related industry. These results provide additional evidence of the ongoing wide spread of RVFV lineage C in Africa and emphasize the need for an effective national and international One Health-based collaborative approach in responding to RVF emergencies.
Hybridization between Aedes aegypti and Aedes mascarensis mosquitoes leads to disruption of male sex determination
Liang, Jiangtao; Kang, Lin; Michalak, Pawel; Sharakhov, Igor V. (Springer Nature, 2024-07-22)
Understanding the sex determination pathway and its disruptions in mosquitoes is critical for the effective control of disease vectors through genetic manipulations based on sex separation. When male hybrids of Aedes aegypti females and Ae. mascarensis males are backcrossed to Ae. aegypti females, a portion of the backcross progeny manifests as males with abnormal sexual differentiation. We discovered a significant correlation between pupal abnormalities and the feminization of subsequent adults exemplified by the relative abundance of ovarian and testicular tissues. All intersex individuals were genetic males as they expressed a male determining factor, Nix. Further, our analysis of the sex-specific splicing of doublesex and fruitless transcripts demonstrated the presence of both male and female splice variants indicating that sex determination is disrupted. A comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed similar expression levels of most female-associated genes in reproductive organs and carcasses between intersexual males and normal females. Moreover, intersexes had largely normal gene expression in testes but significant gene downregulation in male accessory glands when compared with normal males. We conclude that evolving hybrid incompatibilities between Ae. aegypti and Ae. mascarensis involve disruption of sex determination and are accompanied by changes in gene expression associated with sexual differentiation.
A naturally derived biomaterial formulation for improved menstrual care
Bataglioli, Rogerio Aparecido; Kaur, Harsimran; Muller, John; Geddes, Elizabeth; Champine, Carrie; Hsu, Bryan B. (Cell Press, 2024-07-10)
Adequately managing menstruation is an important factor in the overall quality of life for women. With a growing discussion of the global need for its improvement, it is clear that better management of menstruation can positively influence social, educational, and professional outcomes. Herein, we describe a biopolymer-based formulation that gels blood in a mechanism alternative to coagulation. We first tested several biopolymer mixtures with blood and quantified increases in viscosity, finding that high-molecular-weight alginate in combination with glycerol could rapidly absorb and gel blood. We then demonstrated that this powder could be deployed both as a traditional menstrual pad filler and as an additive to menstrual cups to reduce leakage and spillage, respectively. Finally, we include an antimicrobial polymer to impair the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium associated with toxic shock syndrome. Collectively, our work describes a biodegradable formulation derived from renewable resources that can improve menstrual care.

Browse

Recent Submissions