Search

Research projects from the MEC (Spain), PID2019-110243 GB-I00/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 MINECO-FEDER, “Evaluación de la distribución y daños de Dryocosmus kuriphilus, plaga del castaño, en el noroeste ibérico: biología, fenología y control natural por parasitoides nativos” (AGL2016-76262-R); and “Encomienda de Gestión from MAPAMA to Agencia Estatal CSIC”, 16MNES003 to JLN-A and JFG., Background: a common strategy to limit the negative impact of biological invasions is biological control through the release of specialized alien natural enemies. However, biological control plans are not without risks, which include parasitism of native hosts and hybridization with related native species, particularly those that are potential natural enemies of the invasive species. Here, we evaluate these potential risks resulting from the introduction of the parasitoid wasp Torymus sinensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) in Europe to control the invasive Asian chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae). Results: we found that, under laboratory conditions, the physiological host range of T. sinensis includes several native non-target species of Cynipidae, with oviposition observed on the galls of 8 of the 11 species tested. However, physiological host range of T. sinensis appears to be limited under field conditions, as we observed only one parasitized gall of Andricus curvator in the field. Regarding hybridization, inter-species mating between T. sinensis and its phylogenetically closest native Torymus species was not observed in the laboratory. Moreover, discordance between nuclear (ITS2) and mitochondrial (coxI) data does not support the presence of genetic introgression, suggesting that hybridization between T. sinensis and native Torymus species does not occur. In addition, we cite and discuss the unexpected presence of one individual of the related alien species Torymus beneficus in Spain. Conclusion: our results suggest that T. sinensis may negatively impact several non-target species, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of the extent of such undesired behaviour and its effects on the native fauna., Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Fac. de Ciencias Biológicas, TRUE, pub

[Background]: A common strategy to limit the negative impact of biological invasions is biological control through the release of specialized alien natural enemies. However, biological control plans are not without risks, which include parasitism of native hosts and hybridization with related native species, particularly those that are potential natural enemies of the invasive species. Here, we evaluate these potential risks resulting from the introduction of the parasitoid wasp Torymus sinensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) in Europe to control the invasive Asian chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)., [Results]: We found that, under laboratory conditions, the physiological host range of T. sinensis includes several native non-target species of Cynipidae, with oviposition observed on the galls of 8 of the 11 species tested. However, physiological host range of T. sinensis appears to be limited under field conditions, as we observed only one parasitized gall of Andricus curvator in the field. Regarding hybridization, inter-species mating between T. sinensis and its phylogenetically closest native Torymus species was not observed in the laboratory. Moreover, discordance between nuclear (ITS2) and mitochondrial (coxI) data does not support the presence of genetic introgression, suggesting that hybridization between T. sinensis and native Torymus species does not occur. In addition, we cite and discuss the unexpected presence of one individual of the related alien species Torymus beneficus in Spain., [Conclusion]: Our results suggest that T. sinensis may negatively impact several non-target species, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of the extent of such undesired behaviour and its effects on the native fauna.

The incomplete knowledge of the species distribution ranges represents a serious barrier for many areas of study in Biology that goes from Systematics to conservation of Biodiversity. One of the most important available resources to deal with the lack of geographic information are scientific collections. Epicauta with more than 366 species described is one of the most speciose lineages within Meloidae. Almost 73% of its diversity occurs in America. In Venezuela, the tenth richest country in biodiversity of the world, only nine species of Epicauta have been recorded and most of them are known from one or two localities. The revision of the specimens of Epicauta held at the entomological collection of the Museo del Instituto de Zoología Agrícola “Francisco Fernandez Yépez” (MIZA) of the Universidad Central de Venezuela at Maracay, with additional data from other American and European collections allowed us to improve significantly the knowledge of the geographic distribution of the Venezuelan taxa. Besides, the morphological study of the specimens resulted in the addition of some species not previously recorded in Venezuela, the description of a new species, and the redescription of the almost unknown and forgotten species E. subvittata (Erichson 1848).

[EN] Brine shrimps (Artemia) have undergone geographic range and demographic expansions as a result of their interaction with humans since the beginning of salt harvesting. This interaction has favoured the expansion of some species but compromising the survival of others. Mediterranean native populations of Artemia salina from coastal salterns and lagoons are facing the presence and expansion of the introduced and invasive American species Artemia monica (=A. franciscana). However, this species could not be the only threat. Parthenogenetic populations of the Asian species A. urmiana and A. sinica are widespread along the Mediterranean and other areas of the world. In this work, with the use of large cox1 and mitogenomic datasets, phylogenetic and phylogeographic inferences, and a time calibrated tree, we confrmed the Asian origin and recent arrival of the current Western Mediterranean parthenogenetic populations of Artemia. In addition, the replacement of Iberian populations of A. salina by Asiatic parthenogenetic populations lead us to recognize parthenogens as invasive. Current salterns development and commercial importance of Artemia make human mediated introduction probable. These results demonstrate again the impact that changing human interests have on population expansion or decline of species adapted to anthropogenic habitats. Artemia salina decline makes urgent the implementation of conservation measures such as its use in fsh farming and salt production or its inoculation in inland salterns., [ES] Las artemias (Artemia) han experimentado expansiones demográficas y cambios en sus áreas de distribución como resultado de su interacción con los humanos desde los inicios de la producción de sal. Esta interacción ha favorecido la expansión de algunas especies, pero comprometido la supervivencia de otras. Las poblaciones nativas mediterráneas de Artemia salina de las salinas y lagunas costeras se enfrentan a la presencia y expansión de la especie americana Artemia monica (=A. franciscana), introducida e invasora. Sin embargo, esta especie podría no ser la única amenaza. Las poblaciones asiáticas partenogenéticas de las especies A. urmiana y A. sinica están repartidas tanto en el Mediterráneo como en otras áreas del mundo. En este trabajo, confirmamos el origen asiático y la llegada reciente de las poblaciones partenogenéticas que se encuentran actualmente en el Mediterráneo occidental, a través del uso de inferencias filogenéticas y filogeográficas y un árbol calibrado, obtenidos a partir de un amplio conjunto de datos mitogenómicos y del marcador cox1. Además, el reemplazo de poblaciones ibéricas de A. salina por poblaciones partenogenéticas asiáticas, nos lleva a reconocerlas como invasoras. El desarrollo actual de las salinas y la importancia comercial de Artemia hacen probable su introducción antrópica. Estos resultados demuestran de nuevo el impacto que los intereses cambiantes de los seres humanos provocan en la expansión o declive de especies adaptadas a hábitats modificados por el hombre. El declive de Artemia salina hace urgente la implementación de medidas de conservación tales como favorecer su uso en las piscifactorías y durante la producción de sal, o su inoculación en las salinas de interior.

The host range of parasitoids varies greatly among species: Some only parasitize one to a few hosts (specialists), while others parasitize multiple species or a va-riety of host types (generalists). The direction of most host range shifts in parasi-toid groups, that is from generalist to specialist or, alternatively, from specialist to generalist, is unknown. To explore the origin of host range shifts, we studied a clade within the genus Torymus(Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) that includes both generalist and specialist parasitoids of Cynipidae (Hymenoptera). We ana-lysed the phylogenetic relationships of the species of Torymuson the basis of two gene fragments (cox1and ITS2) of 246 specimens and performed an ancestral state reconstruction of the specialist/generalist trait. Our results revealed the fol-lowing: (a) The ancestral state of this group of Torymusis specialist, with the generalist state evolving through a loss of specialization. (b) The species Torymus cyaneusand Torymus flavipesboth have a strong genetic structure, suggesting the existence of different biological identities. (c) There has been a host plant shift in the lineage(s) leading to Torymus rubiand Torymus bedeguarisfrom galls on Quercusto those on Rosaceae. (d) The alien species Torymus sinensisand the native European species Torymus notatusare phylogenetically closely related. (e) Speciation within Torymuswas likely associated with the diversification of their cynipid hosts, which itself was driven by the dramatic changes in climate and vegetation that occurred during the Miocene.

The “Iberobathynella group”, or Iberobathynellini tribe, is a complex of six genera consisting of 33 nominal species and several cryptic species with an amphiatlantic distribution (in Europe, North Africa and North America). A modern systematic revision of this group of subterranean crustaceans is presented here. A phylogenetic and biogeographic study using morphological and molecular data (mitocondrial coi and nuclear 18S) was carried out and allowed to a) re-evaluate the taxonomic status and validity of previously erected subtribes, genera and subgenera that show congruence in the data; b) assess whether the identified mitochondrial lineages represent cryptic species; c) provide a plausible phylogenetic hypothesis for the relationships within Iberobathynellini and with the other two genera of the family Parabathynellidae that inhabit North America and Europe (Montanabathynella and Parabathynella, respectively); d) propose a plausible temporal and historical framework (paleobiogeographic scenario) for the diversification and evolution of the Iberobathynellini tribe based on the current distribution of morphotypes and their estimated times of divergence. Our results show that in parabathynellids, molecular and morphological divergences are not always congruent. Subtribe and subgenus are invalid categories so they must be eliminated. Paraiberobathynella genus needs to be revisited. The molecular dating results support the early divergence of the Iberobathynellini Tribe (Upper Cretaceous, around 78 Mya) and the vicariance by plate tectonics as main factor to explain the amphi-Atlantic distribution shown by this ancient subterranean crustacean group. Since there are species morphologically very similar to I. magna and I. imuniensis, but genetically different, we can ensure the existence of at least three cryptic species. Texanobathynella is undoubtedly a valid genus distinct from Iberobathynella. Montanabathynella and Parabathynella are two well-differentiated genera c