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The dung beetle primarily feeds on the feces of herbivorous animals and play a crucial role in ecological processes like material cycles and soil improvement. This study aims to explore the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota of Catharsius molossus (a renowned dung beetle originating from China and introduced to multiple countries for its ecological value) and exploring whether these gut microbes are transmitted vertically across generations. Using 16S rRNA and ITS rRNA gene sequencing techniques, we described the diversity and composition of gut microbes in C. molossus from different localities and different developmental stages (Egg, young larvae and old larvae). We discovered that the diversity of gut microbiota of dung beetles varied obviously among different geographical localities and different developmental stages, and we also discussed the potential influencing factors. Interestingly, the microbial community structure within the brood balls is more similar to male dung beetle than to that of females, which is consistent with the observation that the brood ball is constructed by the male dung beetle, with the female laying egg in it at the final step. This unique breeding method facilitates offspring in inheriting microbial communities from both the mother and the father. Initially, the larvae's gut microbiota closely mirrors that of the parental gift in these brood balls. As larvae grow, significant changes occur in their gut microbiota, including an increase in symbiotic bacteria like Lactococcus and Enterococcus. Analysis of the gut bacteria of adult dung beetles across various localities and different developmental stages identified nine core genera in adults, contributing to 67.80% of the total microbial abundance, and 11 core genera in beetles at different developmental stages, accounting for 49.13% of the total. Notably, seven genera were common between these two core groups. Our results suggest that Parental gifts can play a role in the vertical transmission of microbes, and the abundance of probiotics increases with larval development, supporting the hypothesis that "larval feeding behavior occurs in two stages: larvae first feed on parental gifts to acquire necessary microbes, then enrich symbiotic microbiota through consuming their own feces." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background DC-SIGNR (also called CD209L) has been extensively studied on its role in host genetic predisposition to viral infection. In particular, variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) of the neck-region of DC-SIGNR is highly polymorphic and the polymorphism has been investigated for genetic predisposition to various infectious diseases, though conflicting results had been reported. As infection is a major cause of human death and a mechanism of natural selection, we hypothesized that VNTR polymorphism of DC-SIGNR might have an effect on human life span. Methods Here we collected 361 peri-centenarian individuals (age ≥94 for female and age ≥90 for male) and 342 geographically matched controls (age 22-53, mean 35.0 ± 12.0) from Han Chinese. The VNTR polymorphism of the neck region was determined by PCR and genotype was called by separating the PCR products in agarose gel. Results A total of 11 genotypes and 5 alleles were found in our population. The genotype distribution, allele frequencies and homozygote proportion did not show a significant difference between peri-centenarian and control group. As gender differences in lifespan are ubiquitously observed throughout the animal kingdom, we then stratified the samples by gender. There was more 6/7 genotypes in female peri-centenarian group than that in female control group, at a marginal level of significance (5.56 vs. 1.28%, p = 0.041). The difference was not significant after correction by Bonferroni method. It suggests a possible differential effect of DC-SIGNR VNTR genotypes between sexes. Further studies are warranted to confirm our preliminary findings and investigate the mechanisms of the underlying functions. Conclusions Our study indicated that there was absence of association between the neck region polymorphism of DC-SIGNR and longevity in Han Chinese population. But the question of whether the DC-SIGNR could affect longevity in a gender-specific pattern remains open.

Abstract: The use of edible insects has a long history in China, where they have been consumed for more than 2000 years. In general, the level of acceptance is high for the consumption of insects in China. Many studies on edible insects have been conducted in the last 20 years, and the scope of the research includes the culture of entomophagy and the identification, nutritional value, farming and breeding of edible insects, in addition to food production and safety. Currently, 324 species of insects from 11 orders are documented that are either edible or associated with entomophagy in China, which include the common edible species, some less commonly consumed species and some medicinal insects. However, only approximately 10 to 20 types of insects are regularly consumed. The nutritional values for 174 species are available in China, including edible, feed and medicinal species. Although the nutritional values vary among species, all the insects examined contain protein, fat, vitamins and minerals at levels that meet human nutritional requirements. Edible insects were, and continue to be, consumed by different ethnic groups in many parts of China. People directly consume insects or food products made from insects. The processing of products from insect protein powder, oil and chitin, and the development of healthcare foods has been studied in China. People also consume insects indirectly by eating livestock that were fed insects, which may be a more acceptable pathway to use insects in human diets. Although limited, the data on the food safety of insects indicate that insects are safe for food or feed. Incidences of allergic reactions after consuming silkworm pupae, cicadas and crickets have been reported in China. Insect farming is a unique breeding industry in rural China and is a source of income for local people. Insects are reared and bred for human food, medicine and animal feed using two approaches in China: the insects are either fully domesticated and reared completely in captivity or are partially raised in captivity, and the insect habitat is manipulated to increase production. Depending on the type of relationship the insect has with humans, plants and the environment, different farming strategies are used. The social and scientific communities must work together to promote the use of insects as food and feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blaps rhynchopetera is a species of folk medicinal beetle that has been used for a long time in Southwest China. The complete mitogenome of the beetle (GenBank accession number MK854717) is 16,149 bp in size, including 13 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs genes, and a noncoding D-loop region. The D-loop of 1255 bp length is located between rRNA-S and tRNAIle. The overall base composition of B. rhynchopetera is 41.58% for A, 10.31% for G, 31.77% for T, and 16.34% for C, with a high AT bias of 73.35%. The present data could contribute to detailed phylogeographic analysis of this valuable medicinal insect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black-bellied hornet (Vespa basalis) is one of the most dangerous social wasps. In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of V. basalis (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) has been sequenced (GenBank accession number MK440075). The mitogenome, 16,735 bp, includes 13 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs genes, and a noncoding D-loop region. The D-loop of 807 bp length is located between rRNA-S and tRNATyr. The overall base composition of V. basalis is 41.82% for A, 12.09% for C, 40.53% for T, and 5.57% for G, with a high AT bias of 82.35%. The present data could contribute to detailed phylogeographic analysis of this dangerous wasp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epophthalmia elegans is one of edible aquatic insects in Southwest China. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome E. elegans (Odonata, Corduliidae) was determined. The mitogenome is 15,719 bp in size (GenBank accession number MK522522), including 13 protein-coding (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs genes, and a noncoding D-loop region. The overall base composition of E. elegans mitogenome is 40.40% for A, 15.09% for C, 33.18 for T, and 11.33% for G, with a high AT bias of 73.58%. This mitogenome data can contribute to our understanding of the phylogeny and evolution of E. elegans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of Vespula flaviceps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) has been sequenced. The mitogenome, 17,489 bp, includes 13 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs genes and a noncoding D-loop region. The D-loop of 1302 bp length is located between rRNA-S and tRNATyr. The overall base composition of V. flaviceps is 39.34% for A, 13.62% for C, 40.99% for T, and 6.05% for G, with a high AT bias of 80.33%. This mitogenome data might be useful for further phylogeography analyses and other related studies in Hymenoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]