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Simple Summary: Urban cockroaches raise health concerns due to their association with pathogens. However, their microbial associates can enhance their physiological and reproductive functions. This article details the bacterial community associated with the oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis Linnaeus, 1758 (Blattodea: Blattidae) using metabarcoding for the first time. We analyze bacterial communities on the exoskeleton and within the gut of this cosmopolitan pest. Specimens were collected from the urban area of Santiago, Chile. DNA extraction and metabarcoding were performed for analysis. Our findings reveal a variety of bacterial lineages, including mutualistic symbionts and pathogenic strains. We examined the metabolic functions of these bacterial communities and their implications for B. orientalis as a pathogen reservoir and vector of zoonosis. Lastly, we consider how the microbial diversity in cockroaches might facilitate their adaptation to human-altered environments. Pest cockroaches share urban habitats with us; their prevalence in urban areas prompts concerns regarding their effect on human health, as synanthropic cockroaches often host pathogenic microorganisms. Nonetheless, microbial associates in these insects can also be related to their biology, contributing to their physiological homeostasis and reproductive success. In this article, we present in detail, for the first time, the bacterial community associated with the oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis, one of the world's five most prominent pest cockroaches. We report the composition of the communities of bacteria found over the exoskeleton and inside the gut of this global pest. We collected B. orientalis in Santiago, Chile's capital city, and the urban nucleus in this country. We conducted DNA extractions and metabarcoding analysis. We found diverse bacterial lineages, including mutualist symbiotic strains, and microorganisms considered pathogenic to humans. We also analyzed the metabolic functions of the bacterial communities identified and discussed the role of B. orientalis as a reservoir and vector of pathogens in urban areas. We discuss to what extent the diversity of functions of the microbial community associated with cockroaches may contribute to emergent properties enabling these insects to inhabit human-modified habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the importance of using scientific binomial nomenclature for bees and argues against relying solely on vernacular or common names. The authors provide five reasons for the significance of scientific names in promoting bee literacy and facilitating consistent communication across languages and cultures. They also discuss the role of citizen science in collecting field data and improving scientific knowledge about bee species. While acknowledging the limitations of citizen science projects and the challenges of using vernacular names, the article emphasizes the continued use of scientific names in environmental education and citizen science initiatives. Additionally, the text discusses the use of vernacular names and common names in the taxonomy of mayflies, stoneflies, and webspinners. It explains that vernacular names can be misleading and vary across languages and regions, making them less accurate in reflecting the ecology and taxonomy of species. The text highlights the importance of scientific binomial nomenclature in providing a stable and universal naming system for organisms. It concludes by acknowledging the challenges of language barriers and emphasizing the need for transparency and regulation in the naming process. Lastly, the article focuses on the classification and identification of wild bee species, comparing the use of vernacular names versus scientific names. The authors argue that while vernacular names can be useful for outreach and cultural awareness, scientific names are crucial for conservation efforts and scientific communication across borders and cultures. They caution against relying exclusively on vernacular names, as it can lead to confusion, misidentification, and the dismissal of scientific taxonomy. The authors advocate for a collaborative [Extracted from the article]

In a recent commentary, Nespolo (2003) makes reference to his personal experience as exattendant to the course of evolution imparted by Dr. Humberto Maturana and Dr. Jorge Mpodozis at the Facultad de Ciencias of the Universidad de Chile to construct a negative criticism of Chilean undergraduate teaching of evolution. As ex-attendants of the mentioned course of evolution we have had an experience that is directly comparable to that of Dr. Nespolo. Here we wish to point out our opinion regarding this course, which is markedly different. First, it is a caricature to state that in this course natural selection is taught as being wrong. A serious and critical revision of natural selection, the synthetic theory, and evolutionary ecology is a fundamental part of the course. These and other topics are presented by researchers from those fields, such as Drs. Germán Manríquez and Rodrigo Medel. The scientific contributions of both researchers receive positive comments in Nespolo (2003).