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Insectivorous bats play an essential role as predators in natural ecosystems and contribute to pest control in agricultural landscapes. However, characterizing diets of specific bat species is difficult using conventional methods that cannot capture detailed dietary information. In this study, we used metabarcoding of the cytochrome oxidase I mitochondrial gene to analyze fecal samples of Myotis velifer and provide insight into the seasonal variation of diet from a colony located in the Chihuahuan Desert region of Texas. After filtering sequence reads, we recovered and analyzed 706 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) in the diet of M. velifer. We found 484 taxa (species and genus level) belonging to 11 insect orders in 66 fecal samples collected from March to October 2021. The orders containing the most MOTUs were Diptera (n = 353), Lepidoptera (n = 160), and Blattodea (n = 59). In their diet, we identified important insect crop pests, non-native insects, and substantial consumption of mosquitoes. Dietary composition shifted throughout seasons. Bats captured in summer months consumed the highest diversity of arthropod orders, and those captured in the spring consumed more diet items but were less diverse in arthropod orders. Our results uncovered 2 additional orders consumed by M. velifer , Blattodea and Odonata, that have not been previously described in their diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Species of the carnivorous family Lentibulariaceae exhibit the smallest genomes in flowering plants. We explored the hypothesis that their minute genomes result from the unique mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX) mutation. The mutation may boost mitochondrial efficiency, which is especially useful for suction-bladder traps of Utricularia , but also increase DNA-damaging reactive oxygen species, leading to genome shrinkage through deletion-biased DNA repair. We aimed to explore the impact of this mutation on genome size, providing insights into genetic mutation roles in plant genome evolution under environmental pressures. Methods We compiled and measured genome and mean chromosome sizes for 127 and 67 species, respectively, representing all three genera (Genlisea , Pinguicula and Utricularia) of Lentibulariaceae. We also isolated and analysed COX sequences to detect the mutation. Through phylogenetic regressions and Ornstein–Uhlenbeck models of trait evolution, we assessed the impact of the COX mutation on the genome and chromosome sizes across the family. Results Our findings reveal significant correlations between the COX mutation and smaller genome and chromosome sizes. Specifically, species carrying the ancestral COX sequence exhibited larger genomes and chromosomes than those with the novel mutation. This evidence supports the notion that the COX mutation contributes to genome downsizing, with statistical analyses confirming a directional evolution towards smaller genomes in species harbouring these mutations. Conclusions Our study confirms that the COX mutation in Lentibulariaceae is associated with genome downsizing, probably driven by increased reactive oxygen species production and subsequent DNA damage requiring deletion-biased repair mechanisms. While boosting mitochondrial energy output, this genetic mutation compromises genome integrity and may potentially affect recombination rates, illustrating a complex trade-off between evolutionary advantages and disadvantages. Our results highlight the intricate processes by which genetic mutations and environmental pressures shape genome size evolution in carnivorous plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microscopic members of the genus Urodasys are easily recognizable due to their exceptionally long tail. There are 17 described species within this iconic genus, each distinguished by various sexual organ arrangements and reproduction modalities, including the sole known ovoviviparous gastrotrich species. The remarkable variety in reproductive characteristics has captured the interest of researchers aiming to illuminate its origin and evolution. The recent discovery of a species bearing a novel set of reproductive structures has challenged early hypotheses. However, all the evolutionary scenarios put forward need to be more convincing. To gain deeper insight into the evolutionary history of these iconic animals, we obtained the nucleotide sequence of two nuclear genes and one mitochondrial gene from species' representatives of the four known possible combinations of the reproductive apparatus and reproduction modalities. The multi-gene data matrix was analysed phylogenetically using three approaches. The analyses yielded phylogenetic trees with invariant topology. In all cases, the specimens appear organized in four robustly supported clades and subclades that reflect their reproductive system organization. Our results suggest that the sclerotized stylet evolved inside the copulatory organ before the loss of the left testis and offers a new scenario for the evolutionary history of genus Urodasys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insular biodiversity hotspots of Southeast Asia are remarkable for their biodiverse faunas. With a marine larval phase lasting up to several months, the freshwater fish subfamily Sicydiinae has colonized most islands of these hotspots. However, Sicydiinae diversity is still poorly understood in Southeast Asia. With the objective of estimating intraspecific genetic diversity and inferring past demography, we conducted the molecular inventory of Sicydiinae species in Sundaland and Wallacea using 652 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene, species delimitation methods, and Bayesian Skyline plot reconstructions. In total, 24 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units are delimited among the 603 sequences belonging to 27 species and 5 genera. Two cases of discordance between morphology and mitochondrial sequence are observed, suggesting ongoing speciation and/or introgression in 2 genera. Multiple new occurrences are reported, either for a single biodiversity hotspot or both, some of which correspond to observations of a few individuals far from the range distribution of their conspecifics. Among the 10 species or species groups whose intraspecific diversity was examined, high levels of genetic diversity and past population expansion are revealed by Tajima's D tests and Bayesian Skyline Plot reconstructions. Together, these results indicate that long-distance dispersal is common and suggest that most endemic species originated through founder events followed by population expansion. Patterns of sexual dimorphism and males' coloration among diverging species pairs seem to point to sexual selection as an important mechanism contributing to speciation in the Sicydiinae of Sundaland and Wallacea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Turridae, once considered to encompass the entire diversity of Conoidea, excluding only the cone shells (family Conidae) and the auger shells (family Terebridae), has undergone significant redefinition based on both morphological and molecular data. Prior to this study, it included 15 Recent genera, comprising 209 species. However, a recent comprehensive analysis of an extensive dataset featuring 3,159 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences has unveiled numerous species complexes, new species and previously undiscovered deep lineages. The newly proposed classification of Turridae based on an exon-capture phylogeny recognizes 24 clades, each worthy of genus rank, though only 13 of them had available names. As a result, 11 new genera have been described, namely Thielesyrinx n. gen. Shutogemmula n. gen. Mcleanigemmula n. gen. Pseudogemmula n. gen. Deceptigemmula n. gen. Oliveragemmula n. gen. Powelligemmula n. gen. Kilburnigemmula n. gen. Alisigemmula n. gen. Taylorigemmula n. gen. and Anisogemmula n. gen. With the exception of Thielesyrinx n. gen. species from all of these were previously classified within Gemmula , or Lophiotoma. Notably, some new genera, such as Deceptigemmula n. gen. Kilburnigemmula n. gen. Shutogemmula n. gen. and Taylorigemmula n. gen. cannot be morphologically differentiated, as similar species are found in other genera. Therefore, their distinction relies solely on molecular data. The name Eugemmula is re-instated from the synonymy of Gemmula. Purpuraturris is synonimized with Annulaturris , while Iotyrris with Xenuroturris. In total, we recognize 312 species/primary species hypotheses (PSHs) within the family. Molecular data were obtained for 212 species (among them 15 species complexes comprising in total 45 PSHs), mostly for the first time. A characteristic feature common to the entire family is the position of the relatively narrow anal sinus on the whorl periphery or immediately above it. Radula was examined in representatives of all genera. Although in several cases the radular morphology can aid genus differentiation (e.g. distinguishing Turris from Annulaturris), it is mostly a highly homoplastic structure, with very similar radular types occurring in distantly related genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native to Asia, Euwallacea interjectus (Blandford) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is a destructive and invasive pest of live trees, and now it has been found in the United States and Argentina. In recent years, this pest appeared in high densities in poplar monocultures from Eastern China (Jiangsu and Shanghai) and Argentina and caused significant poplar mortality. However, the origin of the pests related to tree damage and the Fusarium mutualists from some poplar zones in China remained unclear. Here, we provided a broader phylogeographic analysis of E. interjectus based on the mitochondrial gene (cytochrome c oxidase I) to determine the global genetic structure of this species. Five mitochondrial lineages were found in the native area. Populations introduced to the United States were originated from 4 localities. The Argentine population was derived from Japan. The species was observed with strikingly high level of cytochrome c oxidase I intraspecific divergence that exceeded interspecific divergence, but the high intraspecific variation was correlated with geographical locations among the native populations. Two nuclear genes (arginine kinase and carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2–aspartate transcarbamylase–dihydroorotase) were more conservative, and intraspecific differences were lower than interspecific differences. The mitochondrial genetic variation was probably caused by evolution of lineages among geographically isolated populations. But it is immature to infer the existence of cryptic species based on cytochrome c oxidase I differences. All samples collected from poplar populations were indigenous and formed close relationship with a specimen from eastern and southern China. Surprisingly, pests from poplar populations in Jiangsu and Shanghai showed different haplotypes and mutualists. This suggested that the control strategies should consider the genetic and mutualistic diversity of beetles at different poplar localities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study comprehensively explored the ecological roles, behaviors, and adaptive strategies of the enigmatic nocturnal hornet species Vespa binghami du Buysson, 1905 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), in South Korea. Using time-series analysis, we identified the hornet's peak activity to be between 23:00 and 00:00, consistent with its dietary preference for species of the order Lepidoptera as identified through cytochrome c oxidase I metabarcoding. Metabarcoding revealed a specialized diet that predominantly consists of moths belonging to the family Noctuidae, suggesting a co-evolutionary predator-prey relationship. However, our sample size was limited; therefore, this observation should be considered preliminary. Our findings also provide evidence of opportunistic predation on bees, indicating adaptive flexibility in foraging behavior. Spatiotemporal analysis showed that the hornets exhibited peak activity during late summer and that they are mainly found at elevations between 100 m and 400 m. Despite their adaptability, sightings are regionally limited within South Korea. Observations indicated that the hornets prefer nesting in tree cavities, which have architectural features uniquely adapted to their nocturnal lifestyle. Taken together, these findings offer a multidimensional understanding of the nocturnal behaviors, specialized adaptations, and ecological significance of V. binghami. Moreover, they highlight the need for further multidisciplinary research to fully elucidate the role of this hornet in its ecosystem and its potential as a bioindicator of environmental stability and habitat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common grass mantid, Brunneria borealis Scudder, is well known as perhaps the only completely parthenogenetic species among the more than 2,400 named mantid species. An abundant mantid within its broad geographic range, it has long been considered a native North American endemic; however, all other known species in the genus Brunneria (and in its family, Coptopterygidae) are South American. We were able, for the first time, to perform a genetic comparison between B. borealis and a congeneric South American species, B. subaptera. We sequenced a standard segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene for which there is no variation among different populations among localities throughout the range of B. borealis, and compared this sequence with haplotypes from different South American populations of B. subaptera.The single B. borealis haplotype falls within the genetic variation of populations of B. subaptera, suggesting that the North American mantid is really a colonist from this South American species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threatened springsnail subgenus Alzoniella (Navarriella) in the Iberian Peninsula has been suggested to be an old and relict lineage of the family Hydrobiidae. The subgenus is represented by two morphological species, both endemic to the Pyrenees and their southern foothills. We conducted phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene fragments of topotypes and other populations, four molecular species delimitation methods, and morphological examinations to clarify the uncertain systematic position of the subgenus within the family, assess its species diversity, and understand the population genetic structure of the two geographically restricted species. Our phylogenetic results revealed that Alzoniella (Navarriella) is distantly related to all other species of Alzoniella , even belonging to an independent subfamily-level clade, for which we introduce the new genus Navarriella and the new subfamily Navarriellinae subfam. nov. Molecular methods and geometric morphometric analysis of shell shape identified a single species in the new genus. The significant phylogenetic distance from other hydrobiid taxa, narrow distribution, and limited gene flow among its populations (estimated from mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences) highlight Navarriella as an isolated lineage within the family that requires urgent conservation attention. Furthermore, our results cast a new light on the northern Iberian Mountains as a dispersal barrier for ancient spring lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of phylogenetics employs a variety of methods and techniques to study the evolution of life across the planet. Understanding evolutionary relationships is crucial to enriching our understanding of how genes and organisms have evolved throughout time and how they could possibly evolve in the future. Eucopia sculpticauda Faxon, 1893 is a deep-water peracarid in the order Lophogastrida Boas, 1883, which can often be found in high abundances in pelagic trawls. The species can be found along the Mariana Trench, in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, west Atlantic and east Pacific Oceans, and in the Gulf of Mexico and as deep as 7526 m. Recent collections of E. sculpticauda in the Gulf of Mexico have revealed putative cryptic diversity within the species based on both molecular and morphological evidence. Previous studies have documented two different morphotypes of the telson: the terminal part of the pleon (abdomen) and part of the tail fan. In adults, the morphotypes can be distinguished by lateral constrictions in the telson. This evidence, combined with a previous barcoding study, led to the speculation that telson morphology may be a distinguishing character useful to define cryptic diversity within E. sculpticauda. This study presents additional molecular data from the mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, and the large ribosomal subunit (16S), and the nuclear histone 3 gene (H3) to investigate telson morphotypes in relation to evolutionary history within this species. Molecular data identified two strongly supported clades, lending support for potential cryptic diversification within the Gulf of Mexico. Investigations into telson morphology suggest that this character may be informative, but the morphotypes were sometimes ambiguous and additional characters could not be found that discriminate clades. At present, our data suggest early evidence for cryptic diversification within Gulf of Mexico populations, but additional morphological characters and geographic sampling are needed before a new species can be described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echinometra spp. are pantropical echinoids found in benthic marine habitat throughout the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Indo-West Pacific oceanic regions. Currently, morphology and molecular data are sparse for echinoids observed along the northeastern coast of Toco, Trinidad, where they are relatively common. Additionally, accurate species identity for Echinometra spp. remains dynamic at both northernmost and southernmost parts of the Caribbean Sea. Although distribution of sea urchins in the genus Echinometra have extensively been studied throughout the Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific, information on its range of distribution at the edge of the Caribbean Sea is lacking. In this study, the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (mt COI) gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction, then sequenced. Based on successfully obtained gene sequences for 581 base pairs, the echinoid species Echinometra lucunter and Echinometra viridis were identified for black and red color morphotypes from Trinidad (n  = 23) and Key Largo, Florida (n  = 6), respectively. Furthermore, these specimens were genetically identical to species identified in other studies for Puerto Rico, Panamá, Honduras, and Belize. Although morphological variations, such as spine and test color occur throughout Echinometra spp. molecular identification using the barcoding technique confirmed E. lucunter color morphs for the first time in Trinidad. Since the status of E. lucunter populations, specifically at the most northern and southern regions of the Caribbean Sea is dynamic, further studies using gene markers are essential in determining species distribution, in light of current trends in climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a significant global pest, that exhibits 2 discernible strains, corn strain (CS) and rice strain (RS). After initial detection in the eastern hemisphere in 2016, the dominant strain was identified as RS based only on cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene from limited samples from various countries, including Thailand. This study aimed to assess strain and haplotype variation in the S. frugiperda populations in Thailand using both mitochondrial COI and nuclear triosephosphate isomerase (Tpi) genes. Analyses of COI sequences (n  = 105) revealed 2 predominant haplotypes, COI CSh4 (82.86%) and COI RSh1 (17.14%), and the analyses of Tpi sequences (n  = 99) revealed 6 haplotypes, with Tpi Ca1a (53.53%) being the most prevalent. Of the 98 caterpillar samples, the majority exhibited true CS (83.67%) for both genes. Meanwhile, interstrain hybrids, indicated by gene discordance, accounted for the minority (16.33%). Interestingly, despite the initial dominance of RS during the 2018 outbreak, the current study identified CS as the prevalent strain across all localities in Thailand. These findings suggested a shift in S. frugiperda dynamics in Thailand that was possibly influenced by factors, such as competitive exclusion principle, pesticide usage in rice cultivation, and preferences for corn over rice. Our study suggests a need to reexamine the previous reports of rice-strain dominance in various countries in the eastern hemisphere after the initial invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of Uroteuthis squid from the Indo-Pacific region. The main aim was to increase sample coverage from northern and eastern Australian waters to resolve the identity and distribution of Uroteuthis species taken by local fisheries. Two mitochondrial regions, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA), were sequenced from 220 new specimens and analysed with a further 51 sequences from GenBank to create a combined phylogeny for the genus. Three nuclear regions, 18S ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA), 28S ribosomal DNA (28S rDNA) and rhodopsin, were also sequenced from representatives of each species. Based on the mitochondrial phylogeny plus distance and tree-based delimitation models, a COI species barcode gap of 4–5% is proposed for discriminating Uroteuthis species. Applying this gap partitioned many described species into species complexes; for example, U. duvaucelii, U. noctiluca and U. edulis resolved into 10 species. Although more conserved, mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences differentiated all new species clades, whereas none of the nuclear markers resolved the closest species. Results confirm that neither U. chinensis nor U. edulis occurs in Australian waters. Five undescribed species are identified from northern and eastern Australia, of which four are consistent with earlier allozyme studies (and two align with existing DNA sequences). One is a new southeastern, deeper shelf species differentiated in this study, along with a sixth undescribed species from Indonesian waters. Results of the molecular analysis are now being used to inform complementary morphometric analyses for new species descriptions, and genetic stock structure assessments of these important fisheries resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent metagenomic studies have identified numerous lineages of hydrogen-dependent, obligately methyl-reducing methanogens. Yet, only a few representatives have been isolated in pure culture. Here, we describe six new species with this capability in the family Methanosarcinaceae (order Methanosarcinales), which makes up a substantial fraction of the methanogenic community in arthropod guts. Phylogenomic analysis placed the isolates from cockroach hindguts into the genus Methanimicrococcus (M. hacksteinii, M. hongohii , and M. stummii) and the isolates from millipede hindguts into a new genus, Methanolapillus (M. africanus, M. millepedarum , and M. ohkumae). Members of this intestinal clade, which includes also uncultured representatives from termites and vertebrates, have substantially smaller genomes (1.6–2.2 Mbp) than other Methanosarcinales. Genome reduction was accompanied by the loss of the upper part of the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway, several energy-converting membrane complexes (Fpo, Ech, and Rnf), and various biosynthetic pathways. However, genes involved in the protection against reactive oxygen species (catalase and superoxide reductase) were conserved in all genomes, including cytochrome bd (CydAB), a high-affinity terminal oxidase that may confer the capacity for microaerobic respiration. Since host-associated Methanosarcinales are nested within omnivorous lineages, we conclude that the specialization on methyl groups is an adaptation to the intestinal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), is an invasive pest causing significant ecological and economic damage to certain hemlock tree (Tsuga (Endlicher) Carrière, Pinales:Pinaceae) species. In response to this invasive threat, biological control strategies have been implemented, introducing natural predators such as Laricobius nigrinus Fender (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) and, more recently, Laricobius osakensis Montgomery and Shiyake (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), as specialist predators against A. tsugae. However, the genetic and morphological similarities between L. osakensis and both L. nigrinus and the native beetle, Laricobius rubidus LeConte (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), pose challenges in their identification. Effective monitoring of released predators is integral to evaluating the success of biological control measures. Environmental DNA (eDNA) holds potential for various detection applications, including species monitoring. In this study, we developed specific primers and probes targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene sequences, achieving high specificity despite their 95% sequence similarity. With an optimal annealing temperature of 60 °C, our tools effectively differentiated L. osakensis from the other 2 beetles and demonstrated eDNA detection sensitivity down to 2 copies/µl. This research underscores the potential of precise molecular tools for advancing biological control and biodiversity assessment against invasive threats like A. tsugae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological species identification is the traditional way to identify species. More recently, biodiversity studies have depended on DNA barcoding for species identification. Mismatches between morphological and genetic species identification caused by voucher specimen misidentifications lead to ambiguous species identification. We used barnacles of the genera Amphibalanus and Balanus to investigate this issue. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of the Barcoding of Life database and determine the true species affinity of three inconsistent barnacle barcode index numbers using an integrative taxonomic approach. To this end, we re-identified barcoded voucher specimens, or we identified specimens based on a dichotomous key that we barcoded subsequently. We found that 75% of Barcoding of Life clades representing genetic species showed inconsistent species assignments. One clade (BOLD: AAG0069), containing mostly unidentified Balanus sp. individuals, was morphologically and genetically Balanus balanus (Linneaus, 1758); a second clade (BOLD: AAB1410), containing specimens mostly identified as B. balanus , turned out to be morphologically and genetically Balanus crenatus Bruguière, 1789; and a third clade (BOLD: AAE2482), containing different species of Amphibalanus , was Amphibalanus improvisus (Darwin, 1854). This study showed that morphological species identification and taxonomic expertise can resolve the widespread misidentification in barcoding data. To prevent this problem in the future, morphological taxonomy and molecular species identification need to interact more closely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last decade, the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii , has spread from eastern Asia to the Americas, Europe, and Africa. This fly attacks many species of cultivated and wild fruits with soft, thin skins, where its serrated ovipositor allows it to lay eggs in undamaged fruit. Parasitoids from the native range of D. suzukii may provide sustainable management of this polyphagous pest. Among these parasitoids, host-specificity testing has revealed a lineage of Ganaspis near brasiliensis , referred to in this paper as G1, that appears to be a cryptic species more host-specific to D. suzukii than other parasitoids. Differentiation among cryptic species is critical for introduction and subsequent evaluation of their impact on D. suzukii. Here, we present results on divergence in genomic sequences and architecture and reproductive isolation between lineages of Ganaspis near brasiliensis that appear to be cryptic species. We studied five populations, two from China, two from Japan, and one from Canada, identified as the G1 vs G3 lineages based on differences in cytochrome oxidase l sequences. We assembled and annotated the genomes of these populations and analyzed divergences in sequence and genome architecture between them. We also report results from crosses to test reproductive compatibility between the G3 lineage from China and the G1 lineage from Japan. The combined results on sequence divergence, differences in genome architectures, ortholog divergence, reproductive incompatibility, differences in host ranges and microhabitat preferences, and differences in morphology show that these lineages are different species. Thus, the decision to evaluate the lineages separately and only import and introduce the more host-specific lineage to North America and Europe was appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metacephalus Delong and Martinson, 1973 includes leafhopper species from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador (new record), Guyana, French Guiana (new record), Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. In the present revisionary study, we describe seven new species of Metacephalus , propose one species synonymy (M. cinctus as junior synonym of M. facetus), and provide new country records for species, considerably expanding knowledge about species distributions. The study also provides redescriptions and photographs of diagnostic characters for 12 previously described valid species and an identification key to all 21 species of Metacephalus. Molecular phylogenies of Metacephalus species are hypothesized based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of 1,387 bp of mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16S rDNA and nuclear histone H3. Results of the molecular phylogeny generated herein provided a base for understanding character homologies when presenting morphological diagnoses of Metacephalus species and exposed a high level of convergent characters in color pattern and male genitalia morphology usually used in morphological taxonomy of this group of leafhoppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subfamily Molytinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), being the second largest group within the family Curculionidae, exhibits a diverse range of hosts and poses a serious threat to agricultural and forestry industries. We used 1,290 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) barcodes to assess the efficiency of COI barcodes in species differentiation and uncover cryptic species diversity within weevils of Molytinae. The average Kimura 2-parameter distances within species, genus, and subfamily were 2.90%, 11.0%, and 22.26%, respectively, indicating significant genetic differentiation at both levels. Moreover, there exists a considerable degree of overlap between intraspecific (0%–27.50%) and interspecific genetic distances (GDs; 0%–39.30%). The application of Automatic barcode gap discovery, Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning, Barcode Index Number, Poisson Tree Processes (PTP), Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP), and jMOTU resulted in the identification of 279, 275, 494, 322, 320, and 279 molecular operational taxonomic units, respectively. The integration of 6 methods successfully delimited species of Molytinae in 86.6% of all examined morphospecies, surpassing a threshold value of 3% GD (73.0%). A total of 28 morphospecies exhibiting significant intraspecific divergences were assigned to multiple MOTUs, respectively, suggesting the presence of cryptic diversity or population divergence. The identification of cryptic species within certain morphological species in this study necessitates further investigation through comprehensive taxonomic practices in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tephritis angustipennis (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Campiglossa loewiana (Diptera: Tephritidae) are phytophagous pests in China. Their damage has significantly impacted the collection and cultivation of germplasm resources of native Asteraceae plants. However, the genetic characteristics and structure of their population are unclear. This study focused on the highly damaging species of T. angustipennis and C. loewiana collected from the three-river source region (TRSR). We amplified the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (mt COI) gene sequences of these pests collected from this area and compared them with COI sequences from GenBank. We also analyzed their genetic diversity and structure. In T. angustipennis , 5 haplotypes were identified from 5 geographic locations; the genetic differentiation between France population FRPY (from Nylandia, Uusimaa) and China populations GLJZ (from Dehe Longwa Village, Maqin County), GLDR (from Zhique Village, Dari County), and GLMQ (from Rijin Village, Maqin County) was the strongest. GLJZ exhibited strong genetic differentiation from GLDR and GLMQ, with relatively low gene flow. For C. loewiana , 11 haplotypes were identified from 5 geographic locations; the genetic differentiation between the Chinese population GLMQ-YY (from Yangyu Forest Farm, Maqin County) and Finnish population FDNL (from Nylandia, Uusimaa) was the strongest, with relatively low gene flow, possibly due to geographical barriers in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau. Only 1 haplotype was identified across GLDR, GLMQ, and GLBM. High gene flow between distant locations indicates that human activities or wind dispersal may facilitate the dispersal of fruit flies and across different geographic. Geostatistical analysis suggested a recent population expansion of these 2 species in TRSR. Our findings provide technical references for identifying pests in the TRSR region and theoretical support for managing resistance, monitoring pest occurrences, analyzing environmental adaptability, and formulating biological control strategies for Tephritidae pests on Asteraceae plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the evolutionary patterns of two forest-dwelling endemic terrestrial snails (Gittenedouardia spadicea and Maizania wahlbergi) in the Maputaland–Pondoland–Albany biodiversity hotspot in South Africa to examine the degree of phylogeographical congruence between the two species. Phylogenetic relationships and divergence time estimations within each species were inferred using the combined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence dataset for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and large subunit ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA). In addition, the rapidly evolving COI datasets were used to infer intraspecific genetic structure and population differentiation within both species. Phylogeographical concordance factor (PCF) analysis was used to statistically estimate the degree of congruence between the two species at localities where both species were sampled. Phylogenetically, G. spadicea exhibited two clades that diverged during the Plio/Pleistocene, while M. wahlbergi formed a single shallow clade that showed Pleistocene divergence. The haplotype networks for the COI locus demonstrated evidence of geographical and genetic isolation within both species. PCF analysis demonstrated partial phylogeographical concordance, suggesting that the two species may have been affected by similar ancient climatic events. Traits other than poor dispersal capabilities and limited gene flow may also influence how a species responds to fluctuating climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iriomote Island is a small continental island hosting approximately 40 rivers characterized by short, steep-gradient streams and small waterfalls. We examined the population genetic structure and diversity of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium shokitai Fujino & Baba, 1973 (Palaemonidae) using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence. Specimens were collected from 19 sites along ten rivers on the island, covering the known geographic distribution of the species. Haplotype and nucleotide diversities were very low within each river on the island. Nearly all haplotypes were exclusive to a given river, confirming distinct population structures among rivers at a small geographical scale. Slight genetic differentiation was discerned between the upper and lower sites of waterfalls in only the Yuchin River. Phylogenetic tree reconstruction, haplotype network, and principle coordinate analysis classified five clades roughly correspond to geographical groups in the western, southern, central, and northern regions of the island. Extreme caution should therefore be taken when translocating individuals to other rivers to avoid introducing genetic disturbance, even during conservation and mitigation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specimens of freshwater crabs (Potamonautes MacLeay, 1838) collected from mountainous regions in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa could not be assigned to species level and possibly represented novel lineages. The phylogenetic placement of these two potential novel lineages were investigated with the use of DNA sequence data from three mitochondrial loci (cytochrome oxidase c subunit one - COI, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA) and one nuclear locus (histone 3 (H3)), using a maximum likelihood and Bayesian Inference approach incorporating all Potamonautes species described from southern Africa. In addition, a divergence time estimation was undertaken on the tree topology to determine the timing of cladogenesis. Morphometric analyses were also conducted on the two undescribed lineages and co-distributed, phylogenetically closely-related species (P. flavusjo Daniels, Phiri & Bayliss, 2014 and P. mariepskoppie Daniels, Barnes, Marais & Gouws, 2021) using discriminant function analyses of carapace and pereiopod variables. Phylogenetic results revealed that the two novel species are sister groups and related to a clade of endemic subtropical species present in north-eastern South Africa, while the divergence time estimation indicates Mio/Pliocene cladogenesis. The morphometric results corroborate the phylogenetic distinction between the two novel lineages and co-distributed sister species. Potamonautes wolkbergi n. sp. and P. aurantius n. sp. are described and compared with other congeneric South African taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Parapyxidognathus Ward, 1941 are distributed across tropical Indo-West Pacific to temperate downstream rivers and in estuaries. The genus previously included only one species, Parapyxidognathus deianira (De Man, 1888). We examined specimens from Parapyxidognathus and its closely related genus, Pyxidognathus A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 from the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, focusing on their morphological characters. The results also support the reclassification of Pyxidognathus fluviatilis Alcock, 1900 into Parapyxidognathus , as well as the establishment of two new species from the western Pacific, Pa. tshiansue sp. nov. and Pa. ongia sp. nov. The identity of the species is supported by evidence from mitochondrial 16S rDNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) genes. There are now four species in Parapyxidognathus distinguishable by the characters of the anterolateral teeth of the carapace, the pleon, and the first gonopods of the male, and the female vulvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

My research interest has so far been focused on metabolisms related to the "membrane" of microorganisms, such as the respiratory chain, membrane proteins, sugar uptake, membrane stress and cell lysis, and fermentation. These basic metabolisms are important for the growth and survival of cell, and their knowledge can be used for efficient production of useful materials. Notable achievements in research on metabolisms are elucidation of the structure and function of membrane-bound glucose dehydrogenase as a primary enzyme in the respiratory chain, elucidation of ingenious expression regulation of several operons or by divergent promoters, elucidation of stress-induced programed-cell lysis and its requirement for survival during a long-term stationary phase, elucidation of molecular mechanism of survival at a critical high temperature, elucidation of thermal adaptation and its limit, isolation of thermotolerant fermenting yeast strains, and development of high-temperature fermentation and green energy production technologies. These achievements are described together in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new genus in the nudibranch family Discodorididae, Avaldesia n. gen. is established for Avaldesia albomacula (Chan & Gosliner, 2007) and Avaldesia tahala (Chan & Gosliner, 2007), originally assigned to the genus Thordisa Bergh, 1877, and a new species, Avaldesia tamatoa n. sp. described here from the central Pacific. To establish species relationships within Avaldesia , as well as the placement of Avaldesia within Discodorididae, we utilized four molecular markers (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S rRNA, histone H3 and 28S rRNA) in our Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses. Four species delimitation methods were complemented by morphological dissections and scanning electron microscopy. Our results reveal a clear separation between Avaldesia and Thordisa and suggest that Avaldesia is more closely related to the genera Hoplodoris Bergh, 1880 and Asteronotus Ehrenberg, 1831. The most characteristic features of Avaldesia include a radula with increasing denticulation towards the fimbriate outermost laterals and a reproductive system with a lobate vestibular gland, occasional hollow vestibular spine and a penis armed with one or more penial spines. All species of Avaldesia are found in shallow water (5–10 m depth) on rocky reefs, sandy sediments and algal fields with distributions across the Indo-Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thaisella chocolata is a marine gastropod (family Muricidae) occurring from northern Peru to central Chile. It is of economic importance in these countries, where hundreds of tons are caught every year. In combination with El Niño–Southern Oscillation events, fishing activity has led to the collapse of Chilean populations, raising concerns about the state of Peruvian populations. The aim of this study is to assess the demography, genetic diversity and connectivity of T. chocolata along the Peruvian coast. This would provide important insights into the resilience of this species to anthropogenic disturbance. In this study, four locations along the coast of Peru were investigated for the first time. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained from 116 individuals and four microsatellites from 95 individuals. Both COI (combined with 156 publicly available sequences) and microsatellite data revealed very low genetic differentiation, despite a few significant φ ST and F ST values between population pairs. The most likely gene flow model (MIGRATE-N) is panmixia between all locations, with gene flow occurring equally northwards and southwards. This pattern may be related to the surface currents along the Peruvian coastline combined with the high pelagic larval duration of T. chocolata. Hyperdiversity was found for the COI marker (π syn > 5%). Microsatellite loci were also polymorphic, with a mean diversity of 12.69 alleles per locus per population. No recent population bottleneck was observed (microsatellite data), while at least one past demographic expansion was suggested (COI data). Given the high genetic diversity and connectivity, T. chocolata is expected to show high evolutionary resilience and can be considered as one management unit in terms of fisheries management. However, further studies, on, for example, the characterization of effective population size (using numerous nuclear loci), are required to confirm this hypothesis. In addition, precautionary fisheries measures should be maintained, given the recent collapse of T. chocolata stocks in Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We had previously revised the systematics of four species of Macrobrachium Spence Bate, 1868 from the Pacific coast of Mexico, including the Baja California Peninsula (BCP): M. americanum Spence Bate, 1868 , M. digueti (Bouvier, 1895), M. hobbsi Nates & Villalobos in Villalobos Hiriart & Nates Rodríguez, 1990 , and M. occidentale Holthuis, 1950. Genetic analyses of the mitochondrial markers 16S ribosomal RNA (16S) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) of individuals of these morphological species from BCP have shown that, even facing the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortés) as an apparent marine ecological barrier, they are conspecific to their respective genetic lineages (species) found from the Pacific slope of mainland Mexico. We discuss the systematics of the fifth species of Macrobrachium from the Mexican Pacific slope, M. tenellum (Smith, 1871) to test the hypothesis that individuals of the putative M. tenellum from BCP belong to the same species from the Pacific slope of mainland Mexico. We revised the morphological characters of taxonomic importance using material obtained in the field and voucher material deposited in Mexican scientific collections, and performed molecular genetic analyses with newly generated fragments of the mitochondrial markers 16S and COI. We conclude, as in our previous studies on Macrobrachium species of the region, that the examined specimens of the putative M. tenellum from BCP belong to the same species found on the Pacific slope of mainland Mexico, and that oceanic dispersal is responsible for the distribution of the species of Macrobrachium in the peninsula rather than by vicariant events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is the main vector of Citrus Huanglongbing, the most damaging citrus disease, causing significant financial losses in the citrus industry. Global warming has expanded the habitat of this pest, allowing it to continue its northward migration to China. Population genetic information of ACP is fundamentally essential for species management. This study investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese ACP using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene by dataset comprised 721 sequences from 27 geographic sites in China. Low haplotype diversity (0.323 ± 0.022) and low nucleotide diversity (0.00071 ± 0.00007) were observed in the entire population, which may indicate recent founder events. Twenty-three haplotypes were identified and clustered into 2 haplogroups: haplogroup I and haplogroup II. Haplogroup II included only 2 unique haplotypes, which occurred exclusively in the Southwest China ACP population. Genetic differentiation analyses were also indicative of Southwest China population was significantly differentiated from the remaining populations. Demographic history analysis showed that ACP population in China has experienced demographic expansion. Our results provided a better understanding of the genetic distribution patterns and structures of ACP populations in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish, being a crucial component of aquatic ecosystems, holds significant importance from both economic and ecological perspectives. However, the identification of fish at the species level remains challenging, and there is a lack of a taxonomically complete and comprehensive reference sequence database for fish. Therefore, we developed CoSFISH, an online fish database. Currently, the database contains 21 535 cytochrome oxidase I sequences and 1074 18S rRNA sequences of 21 589 species, belonging to 8 classes and 90 orders. We additionally incorporate online analysis tools to aid users in comparing, aligning and analyzing sequences, as well as designing primers. Users can upload their own data for analysis, in addition to using the data stored in the database directly. CoSFISH offers an extensive fish database and incorporates online analysis tools, making it a valuable resource for the study of fish diversity, phylogenetics and biological evolution. Database URL: http://210.22.121.250:8888/CoSFISH/home/indexPage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yield improvements in cell factories can potentially be obtained by fine-tuning the regulatory mechanisms for gene candidates. In pursuit of such candidates, we performed RNA-sequencing of two α-amylase producing Bacillus strains and predict hundreds of putative novel non-coding transcribed regions. Surprisingly, we found among hundreds of non-coding and structured RNA candidates that non-coding genomic regions are proportionally undergoing the highest changes in expression during fermentation. Since these classes of RNA are also understudied, we targeted the corresponding genomic regions with CRIPSRi knockdown to test for any potential impact on the yield. From differentially expression analysis, we selected 53 non-coding candidates. Although CRISPRi knockdowns target both the sense and the antisense strand, the CRISPRi experiment cannot link causes for yield changes to the sense or antisense disruption. Nevertheless, we observed on several instances with strong changes in enzyme yield. The knockdown targeting the genomic region for a putative antisense RNA of the 3′ UTR of the skfA-skfH operon led to a 21% increase in yield. In contrast, the knockdown targeting the genomic regions of putative antisense RNAs of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (ctaD) , the sigma factor sigH , and the uncharacterized gene yhfT decreased yields by 31 to 43%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snapping shrimps of the genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 exhibit remarkable diversity, with over 300 described species. The genus is well-known for its prevalence of species complexes, necessitating the need of new tools to facilitate species discrimination. Traditional taxonomic methods in Alpheus have primarily relied on the examination of morphological traits or comparative morphometric measurements, with an emphasis on variation in the major chela and rostro-orbital region. We applied an integrated approach that combines molecular genetics and geometric morphometrics to investigate the A. gracilipes Stimpson, 1860 species complex. We additionally applied geometric morphometric techniques to study the major chela and the rostrum across different species, and used three mitochondrial genes (12S, COI, and 16S) to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships of this complex. Our results demonstrate the first application of geometric morphometric techniques to Alpheus snapping shrimps, and highlight the significance of the major chela and rostrum as taxonomically informative traits. Furthermore, we use DNA barcodes and geometric morphometric techniques to the A. gracilipes species complex to reveal two previously unidentified cryptic species. We present the first phylogenetic reconstruction of this species complex, with new localities and expanded distribution ranges reported for many species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood, 1837) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an important arthropod pest of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) throughout American continents. However, the historical events associated with its dispersion are poorly understood. In this study, we employed a phylogeographic approach to investigate the origin and demographic history of P. guildinii in Brazil. We analyzed the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and Cytb gene sequences of P. guildinii individuals collected in Brazil's 5 soybean production macro-regions and cross-referenced this information with sequences available in public databases. Our findings support an older Caribbean basin establishment for the current genealogical strains of P. guildinii , with subsequent dispersion to Brazil around 0.97 Mya. No secondary dispersion of this species from the Caribbean region to soybean areas in Brazil was identified. The Brazilian populations of P. guildinii are genetically structured across the country's soybean macro-regions and show strong signals of continuous demographic and spatial expansion in Brazil, which may be accelerated by the soybean cropping landscape in the country. The populations from the northern region (MR5) are older than the Central and South populations. The signs of demographic expansion indicate that P. guildinii populations are increasing their effective size in soybean regions, which could reflect its importance as a soybean pest in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe) is economically important pest in East Asia including Korea, Japan, and China where they infest wooden structures in urban areas. Previously, it has been reported that R. speratus consists of 5 subspecies, R. speratus kyushuensis Morimoto, R. speratus speratus Kolbe, R. speratus leptolabralis Morimoto, R. speratus okinawanus Morimoto, R. speratus yaeyamanus Morimoto, while only R. speratus kyushuensis was recorded in Korea in the past. However, it remains elusive if different subspecies of R. speratus other than R. speratus kyushuensis are present in Korea. In this study, we report the first record of R. speratus speratus from Korea, which was verified using soldier morphology and molecular characteristics obtained from a mitochondrial gene. R. speratus speratus Kolbe, 1885 (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) are found in several provinces, mainly southern regions in Korea, whereas R. speratus kyushuensis are distributed throughout the country. Our morphological comparison showed that R. speratus speratus can be distinguishable from R. speratus kyushuensis by the ratio of the posterior postmentum width to length. In the molecular comparison, R. speratus speratus revealed genetic differences of 3.06% (range 2.60–4.10%) from R. speratus kyushuensis using cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subterranean termites in the genus Reticulitermes Holmgren 1913 are among the most economically important wood-destroying pests in the western United States. Yet, there remains uncertainty regarding the taxonomy and biology of the species in this genus. The 2 species described as having distributions in this region are the western subterranean termite, Reticulitermes hesperus Banks, and the arid land subterranean termite, Reticulitermes tibialis Banks. Taxonomic studies utilizing cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles, agonistic behavior, flight phenology, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) suggested that R. hesperus is a species complex comprised of 2 or more sympatric, yet reproductively isolated species. To further delineate these taxa, we examined multiple genes from samples of Reticulitermes collected in the western United States. Alates collected after recent spring and fall mating flights, as well as previously collected workers, were subjected to CHC phenotyping and DNA sequence analyses that targeted mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII), mitochondrial 16S rRNA, and nuclear Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 and 2 (ITS1 and 2). Phylogenetic analyses conducted also included published sequences of other putative western Reticulitermes species. Results suggest that at least 5 species of Reticulitermes may be present in California and that Reticulitermes in Arizona consistently group into multiple clades, including samples previously identified as R. tibialis in a sister clade. These analyses further support the species status of qualitatively different CHC phenotypes and that alates swarming in spring vs. fall are reproductively isolated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaffooted bug, Leptoglossus clypealis Heidemann, is a seed-feeding economic pest of crops including almonds and pistachios. The historical distribution of L. clypealis has been considered to be West of the Mississippi in the United States. L. clypealis was recently found in sorghum in the Coastal Bend of Texas, representing a new host record and new collection locality. This study investigated the genetic diversity of L. clypealis museum voucher samples from the Western United States (i.e. Texas, California, and Idaho) collected from 1994 to 2019, including the L. clypealis samples from the Coastal Bend. Eleven new sequences were obtained. Sample sequences were compared with public sequences of L. clypealis from the Western United States. The mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase 1 (mtDNA COI) barcode gene region revealed differences among and within the collection regions. Texas, Idaho, and California all had samples with unique genotypes, and the combined dataset had a haplotype diversity of 1.0. The Texas specimens recently collected in the Coastal Bend did not match genotypes from California or Idaho, and it is unlikely they were recently introduced. Overall, L. clypealis from Texas, Idaho, and California have a high level of genetic diversity, and the 3 regions appear to be within the native range of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the potential anti-aging properties of melatonin, a neurohormone with antioxidant and DNA repair functions. While melatonin is synthesized in the pineal gland, it can also be produced by various cells, including those in human skin. Research suggests that high-dose melatonin may improve skin biomarkers associated with aging, but clinical evidence on its effectiveness in halting skin aging is limited. The article concludes that while topical melatonin applied over time may show promise in combating skin aging, immediate results are unlikely, and further research is needed to confirm its efficacy. [Extracted from the article]

The endemic North American praying mantid, Brunneria borealis Scudder (1896), is obligatorily parthenogenic and wingless. The species is both geographically widespread, distributed over an essentially continuous pericoastal range of more than 2,400 km from eastern Texas to central North Carolina, and abundant in early-stage successional old fields. We used mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) analysis to examine the genetic similarities among specimens of this insect and collected from 7 states along this range of distribution. We found no variations in the mitochondrial COI gene, which suggests that this wide geographic distribution of the species is surprisingly recent. We hypothesize that its obligatory parthenogenic status may be an accident of colonization of North America by a single facultative parthenogenic female, and the subsequent distribution was most likely achieved by inadvertent human transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high desert regions of eastern California within the Great Basin are vast areas of shrub-dominated habitat heavily impacted by invasive exotic grasses and forbs. Trapping efforts within these areas provided distributional information about various surface-active arthropod taxa. Two groups with high species diversity and abundance encountered at our sites were the coleopteran families Carabidae and Tenebrionidae. Here, we report trapping of 45 species of carabids and 46 species of tenebrionids, along with mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequence data for 65 of these 92 species. These results build upon existing distributional information regarding these families in California and further refine our knowledge of the biodiversity of the understudied Great Basin provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poecilosclerida is the largest and the most diverse order in the class Demospongiae and one of the least studied in the tropical Pacific Ocean. In this study, two new species and two new faunistic records of Coelosphaeridae are described from the Mexican Pacific Ocean. Celtodoryx chichiltik sp. nov. and Lissodendoryx (Anomodoryx) incrustans sp. nov. also constitute the first records of the monotypic genus Celtodoryx and the subgenus Anomodoryx from the Eastern Pacific Region. In addition, the re-description of Lissodendoryx (Waldoschmittia) hawaiiana and Lissodendoryx (Lissodendoryx) albemarlensis with new regional records are included. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA and 28S rDNA (C1–D2 domains) were sequenced, and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the two loci revealed that Coelosphaeridae is not monophyletic. In the 28S tree topology, neither Lissodendoryx nor Celtodoryx are monophyletic, and sequences of the two genera are members of two distinct clades containing sequences of other Poecilosclerida species. 28S sequences of L. (W.) hawaiiana show high similarities between specimens from the Mexican Pacific and a specimen from Hawaii (type locality), suggesting a wide distribution range of this sponge species in the Pacific Ocean. COI topology shows that the majority of Lissodendoryx (including our sequences) were grouped within the same molecular clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isopods of the genus Janiralata Menzies, 1951 (Asellota: Janiridae) are known from shallow and deep waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species are free-living, but some are symbiotic on the surface of other benthic invertebrates. We obtained from three beam- and four otter-trawl hauls 18 Janiralata asellote specimens from the bathyal zone off the Pacific coasts of Tohoku, northeastern Japan. Partial nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene (505 bp) were determined for 16 of the 18 collected specimens. Non-significant genetic differences (< 0.8%) indicated that the individuals were conspecifics. Morphological analysis indicated that all the specimens belonged to a single species, Janiralata plana sp. nov. based on the unique morphology of the anterolateral and distolateral projections on the head and pleotelson, surface and lateral margins of the body, antennula article 1, and of the male pleopod 1. Six of the 18 collected specimens were found attached to the surface of an unidentified sea anemone (Hormathiidae), ten to the solasterid starfish Crossaster borealis Fisher, 1906 and two were obtained from the bottom sediment. Three COI haplotypes of the new species were shared by individuals from two neighboring sites, which suggests that genetic isolation occurs on a relatively narrow horizontal scale, although the bathymetric distribution range was rather wide. We describe a case study of the geographic and bathymetric distributions of an asellote species with low dispersal ability and its genetically differentiated populations. Such approach could help elucidate the diversity and distribution of deep-sea organisms and their diversification processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flea beetles (Alticini) represent one of the most diverse groups within the family Chrysomelidae and are associated with more than 100 different plant families. Conspicuously, only 10 genera account for about a quarter of flea beetle diversity, whereas about 380 genera each comprise less than 10 species, indicating different rates of diversification within the Alticini. Here, we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of 608 species in 101 Alticini genera using mitogenomes and cytochrome oxidase I, and applied several frameworks of clade-specific diversification rate analyses. Increased diversification rates were consistently detected in the cosmopolitan genera Altica Goffroy, Longitarsus Berthold, and Phyllotreta Chevrolat, and in neotropical taxa of the subtribe Oedionychina. In addition, we tested whether the evolution of specialized interactions with plants of the order Brassicales influenced the diversification of Phyllotreta and Psylliodes Berthold flea beetles. Specialization on Brassicales was only associated with increased diversification rates in Phyllotreta but not in Psylliodes. Our results indicate that host associations per se do not explain different diversification rates and lay the groundwork for investigating the evolutionary drivers of rapid radiations in Alticini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terminal electron acceptor of most aerobic respiratory chains, cytochrome c oxidase (COX), has been highly conserved throughout evolution, from aerobic prokaryotes to complex eukaryotes. Oxygen metabolism in parasitic helminths differs significantly from that of most aerobic eukaryotes, as these organisms can switch between aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms throughout their life cycles. Early studies suggested a lack of COX activity in certain parasitic helminths, and the role of COX in helminth mitochondria remains unclear. To determine whether a functional COX is widely present in helminths, we analyzed the phylogenetic distribution of oxygen metabolism systems across 155 helminth genomes, investigating three distinct sets of protein-coding genes involved in different aspects of oxygen metabolism: COX and its assembly factors, peroxisomes, and the most abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS)-metabolizing proteins. While glycolytic and citric acid cycle enzymes are highly conserved in helminthic species, we observed an apparent widespread absence of essential COX genes across 52% of helminth species investigated. While the most common proteins involved in the defense against ROS are highly maintained across virtually all lineages, we also observed an apparent absence of essential peroxisomal protein-coding genes in 42% of species investigated. Our results suggest that a subset of parasitic helminths utilize oxygen differently from related, nonparasitic species such as Caenorhabditis elegans , with significant differences in their mitochondrial electron transport chains and peroxisomes. The identification of substantive differences between parasite and host metabolism offers a new avenue for the development of anthelmintic agents that could target these divergent pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The salinity and humidity barriers divide biodiversity and strongly influence the distribution of organisms. Crossing them opens the possibility for organisms to colonize new niches and diversify, but requires profound physiological adaptations and is supposed to happen rarely in evolutionary history. We tested the relative importance of each ecological barrier by building the phylogeny, based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene (COI) sequences, of a group of microorganisms common in freshwater and soils, the Arcellidae (Arcellinida; Amoebozoa). We explored the biodiversity of this family in the sediments of athalassohaline water bodies (i.e. of fluctuating salinity that have non-marine origins). We found three new aquatic species, which represent, to the best of our knowledge, the first reports of Arcellinida in these salt-impacted ecosystems, plus a fourth terrestrial one in bryophytes. Culturing experiments performed on Arcella euryhalina sp. nov. showed similar growth curves in pure freshwater and under 20 g/L salinity, and long-term survival at 50 g/L, displaying a halotolerant biology. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all three new athalassohaline species represent independent transition events through the salinity barrier by freshwater ancestor, in contrast to the terrestrial species, which are monophyletic and represent a unique ecological transition from freshwater to soil environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) is a worldwide invasive species that causes huge economic loss and environmental damage in many countries. Traditional morphological characteristics make it hard to identify scolytines due to their tiny size. Besides, the intercepted insect samples are incomplete, and the limitation of insect (larvae and pupae) morphology makes morphological identification more difficult. The majority of the damage is caused by adults and fungi that serve as nutrition for their larvae. They destroy plant trunks, branches, and twigs, affecting plant transport tissues in both weak and healthy plants. An accurate, efficient, and economical molecular identification technique for X. compactus not restricted by professional taxonomic knowledge is necessary. In the present study, a molecular identification tool based on the mitochondrial DNA gene, cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) was developed. A species-specific COI (SS-COI) PCR assay was designed to identify X. compactus regardless of the developmental stage. Twelve scolytines commonly found in eastern China, namely Xylosandrus compactus, X. crassiusculus, X. discolor, X. germanus, X. borealis, X. amputates, X. eupatorii, X. mancus, Xyleborinus saxesenii, Euwallacea interjectus, E. fornicatus, and Acanthotomicus suncei, were included in the study. Additionally, specimens of X. compactus from 17 different areas in China, as well as a specimen collected from the United Stated, were also analyzed. Results demonstrated the accuracy and high efficiency of the assay, regardless of the developmental stage or the type of specimen. These features provide a good application prospect for fundamental departments and can be used to prevent the harmful consequences of the spread of X. compactus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spotted-wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is an economically important pest of small fruits worldwide. Currently, the timing of management strategies relies on detection of adult flies captured in baited monitoring traps; however, identifying D. suzukii in trap catch based on morphology can be challenging for growers. DNA-based diagnostic methods such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) have the potential to improve D. suzukii detection. This study evaluated a LAMP assay as a diagnostic tool to discriminate between D. suzukii and closely related drosophilid species found commonly in monitoring traps in the Midwestern United States. Targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene, we found the LAMP assay accurately detected D. suzukii with as little as 0.1 ng/µl of DNA at 63 °C for 50 min. Under these optimal incubation conditions, D. suzukii could be discriminated from D. affinis and D. simulans consistently, when specimens collected from liquid monitoring traps were tested independently. Compared to other DNA-based diagnostic tools for D. suzukii, LAMP offers unique benefits: DNA extraction is not required, testing occurs at one temperature in less than 1 h, and positive results are visible as a colorimetric change from pink to yellow. The LAMP assay for D. suzukii can reduce reliance on morphological identification, enhance the adoption of monitoring tools, and improve accuracy of detection. Further optimization can be conducted to evaluate the accuracy and sensitivity of results when a mixture of DNA from both D. suzukii and congener flies are tested in a single LAMP reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental aspect of symbiotic relationships is host specificity, ranging from extreme specialists associated with only a single host species to generalists associated with many different species. Although symbionts with limited dispersal capabilities are expected to be host specialists, some are able to associate with multiple hosts. Understanding the micro- and macro-evolutionary causes of variations in host specificity is often hindered by sampling biases and the limited power of traditional evolutionary markers. Here, we studied feather mites to address the barriers associated with estimates of host specificity for dispersal-limited symbionts. We sampled feather mites (Proctophyllodidae) from a nearly comprehensive set of North American breeding warblers (Parulidae) to study mite phylogenetic relationships and host–symbiont codiversification. We used pooled-sequencing (Pool-Seq) and short-read Illumina technology to interpret results derived from a traditional barcoding gene (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) versus 11 protein-coding mitochondrial genes using concatenated and multispecies coalescent approaches. Despite the statistically significant congruence between mite and host phylogenies, mite–host specificity varies widely, and host switching is common regardless of the genetic marker resolution (i.e. barcode vs. multilocus). However, the multilocus approach was more effective than the single barcode in detecting the presence of a heterogeneous Pool-Seq sample. These results suggest that presumed symbiont dispersal capabilities are not always strong indicators of host specificity or of historical host–symbiont coevolutionary events. A comprehensive sampling at fine phylogenetic scales may help to better elucidate the microevolutionary filters that impact macroevolutionary processes regulating symbioses, particularly for dispersal-limited symbionts. [Codiversification; cophylogenetics; feather mites; host switching; pooled sequencing; species delineation; symbiosis, warblers.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting range expansion dynamics is an important goal of both fundamental and applied research in conservation and global change biology. However, this is challenging if ecological and evolutionary processes occur on the same time scale. Using the freshwater ciliate Paramecium caudatum , we combined experimental evolution and mathematical modeling to assess the predictability of evolutionary change during range expansions. In the experiment, we followed ecological dynamics and trait evolution in independently replicated microcosm populations in range core and front treatments, where episodes of natural dispersal alternated with periods of population growth. These eco-evolutionary conditions were recreated in a predictive mathematical model, parametrized with dispersal and growth data of the 20 founder strains in the experiment. We found that short-term evolution was driven by selection for increased dispersal in the front treatment and general selection for higher growth rates in all treatments. There was a good quantitative match between predicted and observed trait changes. Phenotypic divergence was further mirrored by genetic divergence between range core and front treatments. In each treatment, we found the repeated fixation of the same cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) marker genotype, carried by strains that also were the most likely winners in our model. Long-term evolution in the experimental range front lines resulted in the emergence of a dispersal syndrome, namely a competition—colonization trade-off. Altogether, both model and experiment highlight the potential importance of dispersal evolution as a driver of range expansions. Thus, evolution at range fronts may follow predictable trajectories, at least for simple scenarios, and predicting these dynamics may be possible from knowledge of few key parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the complete mitochondrial genome of Tzotzilthelphusa villarosalensis Villalobos & Álvarez, 2013 , a freshwater crab from Mexico. This is the first mitochondrial genome reported for the superfamily Pseudothelphusoidea. We performed a de novo assembly from genome skimming reads. The mitochondrial genome of T. villarosalensis has a length of 17,203 bp and its gene topology is similar to other freshwater and marine families, e.g. the position of the cytochrome oxidase complex subunits and ATA synthetase, even the order of nad3 , nad5 , nad4 , nad4L , nad6 , and cytb. By contrast, the order and organization of genes like the 16S, 12S, and nad1 are different depending on the phylogenetic group with which they are compared. The phylogenetic analyses placed T. villarosalensis as a sister group of all freshwater crabs reported until now and as part of the subsection Heterotremata. This complete mitochondrial genome could be a reference for further genomic studies of the family Pseudothelphusidae and other primary freshwater crabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda was first found in China in 2018. In other countries, FAW has evolved corn and rice strain biotypes. It is not possible to identify these strains based on morphology. In addition, FAW is very similar in appearance to several other common pests. These situations bring great challenges to the population management of FAW. In this study, we developed a rapid identification method based on PCR-RFLP to distinguish the two FAW strains and the FAW from other lepidopteran pests. A 697 bp mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) was cloned and sequenced from FAW, Spodoptera litura , Spodoptera exigua , and Mythimna separata. The COI fragments of these species revealed unique digestion patterns created by three enzymes (Tail, AlWN I, and BstY II). Thus, these four species can be distinguished from each other. The enzyme Ban I recognized a unique SNP site on a 638 bp triosephosphate isomerase (Tpi) fragment of the corn strain FAW. The Tpi fragment of the corn strain was cut into two bands. However, the rice strain could not be digested. Using this method, all 28 FAW samples collected from different host plants and locations in China were identified as the corn strain. This suggests that the rice strain has not yet invaded China. This method allows discrimination of FAW from other Lepidopteran pests and distinguishes the two FAW host strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]