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Ayad AS, Benchaabane S, Daas T, Smagghe G, Loucif-Ayad W. Assessment of Efficacy of Algerian Propolis against the Parasitic Mite Varroa destructor and Safety for Honey Bees by Spray Treatment. INSECTS 2024; 15:75. [PMID: 38276824 PMCID: PMC10816108 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic mite and is considered one of the most important causes of honey bee population loss. In the last years, substances of botanical origin have emerged as natural alternatives to diminish the mite population levels. Propolis is a natural product and is used by honey bees for multiple tasks, including protection from pathogens and parasites, and varroacidal activity of propolis extracts has been shown. In this study, we investigated the potential of propolis, collected by native Algerian honey bee subspecies (Apis mellifera intermissa and A. m. sahariensis) in different locations in Algeria and extracted by ultrasound, to control mites of V. destructor and tested the safety for the honey bees. The most important results were that the best propolis extracts at 10% killed 100% of the Varroa mites within 3-4 h in a Petri dish assay. In addition, when we sprayed A. m. intermissa bees infested with Varroa mites with a 10% concentration in a mini-hive setup, we scored a high mite mortality of 85-87% with the best propolis extracts, and importantly, there was no mortality in the bees. Our data demonstrated that propolis extracts in Algeria could be used in honey bee colonies by spraying against Varroa mite infestations, which may develop as an easy method for local beekeepers to control Varroa in their hives. Further research should investigate the mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Sabri Ayad
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria; (A.S.A.); (T.D.)
| | - Samia Benchaabane
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria; (A.S.A.); (T.D.)
| | - Tarek Daas
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria; (A.S.A.); (T.D.)
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wahida Loucif-Ayad
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria; (A.S.A.); (T.D.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
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Guo X, Liang Y, Yi S, Qiu S, Liu M, Ning F, Luo L. Honeycomb, a New Food Resource with Health Care Functions: The Difference of Volatile Compounds found in Apis cerana and A. mellifera Honeycombs. Foods 2022; 11:3204. [PMCID: PMC9601661 DOI: 10.3390/foods11203204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The honeycomb composition is very complex, containing honey, royal jelly, pollen, and propolis, and thus contains a large number of bioactive ingredients, such as polyphenols and flavonoids. In recent years, honeycomb as a new functional food resource has been favored by many bee product companies, but the basic research on honeycomb is lacking. The aim of this study is to reveal the chemical differences between A. cerana honeycombs (ACC) and A. mellifera honeycombs (AMC). In this paper, we studied the volatile organic components (VOCs) of ACC and AMC by solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). A total of 114 VOCs were identified in 10 honeycombs. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the chemical composition of ACC and AMC were different. Additionally, orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed that benzaldehyde, octanal, limonene, ocimene, linalool, α-terpineol, and decanal are the significant VOCs in AMC extracts, which are mainly derived from propolis. OPLS-DA model also identified 2-phenylethanol, phenethyl acetate, isophorone, 4-oxoisophorone, betula, ethyl phenylacetate, ethyl palmitate, and dihydrooxophorone as potential discriminatory markers of ACC, which likely contribute to protecting the hive against microorganisms and keep it clean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiali Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yanlang Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Shengxiang Yi
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Shengrong Qiu
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Mingyan Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Fangjian Ning
- School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
- Correspondence: (F.N.); (L.L.); Tel./Fax: +86-010-68984003 (F.N.); +86-0791-83969519 (L.L.)
| | - Liping Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Correspondence: (F.N.); (L.L.); Tel./Fax: +86-010-68984003 (F.N.); +86-0791-83969519 (L.L.)
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Pusceddu M, Annoscia D, Floris I, Frizzera D, Zanni V, Angioni A, Satta A, Nazzi F. Honeybees use propolis as a natural pesticide against their major ectoparasite. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20212101. [PMID: 34905714 PMCID: PMC8670950 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Honeybees use propolis collected from plants for coating the inner walls of their nest. This substance is also used as a natural antibiotic against microbial pathogens, similarly to many other animals exploiting natural products for self-medication. We carried out chemical analyses and laboratory bioassays to test if honeybees use propolis for social medication against their major ectoparasite: Varroa destructor. We found that propolis is applied to brood cells where it can affect the reproducing parasites, with a positive effect on honeybees and a potential impact on Varroa population. We conclude that propolis can be regarded as a natural pesticide used by the honeybee to limit a dangerous parasite. These findings significantly enlarge our understanding of behavioural immunity in animals and may have important implications for the management of the most important threat to honeybees worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelina Pusceddu
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Patologia vegetale ed Entomologia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Desiderato Annoscia
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Ignazio Floris
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Patologia vegetale ed Entomologia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Davide Frizzera
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Virginia Zanni
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Alberto Angioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alberto Satta
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Patologia vegetale ed Entomologia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesco Nazzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
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Pusceddu M, Cini A, Alberti S, Salaris E, Theodorou P, Floris I, Satta A. Honey bees increase social distancing when facing the ectoparasite Varroa destructor. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabj1398. [PMID: 34714677 PMCID: PMC8555907 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj1398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Social distancing in response to infectious diseases is a strategy exhibited by human and nonhuman animals to counteract the spread of pathogens and/or parasites. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies are ideal models to study this behavior because of the compartmentalized structure of these societies, evolved under exposure to parasite pressure and the need to ensure efficient functioning. Here, by using a combination of spatial and behavioral approaches, we investigated whether the presence of the ectoparasite mite Varroa destructor induces changes in the social organization of A. mellifera colonies that could reduce the spread of the parasite. Our results demonstrated that honey bees react to the intrusion of V. destructor by modifying space use and social interactions to increase the social distancing between young (nurses) and old (foragers) cohorts of bees. These findings strongly suggest a behavioral strategy not previously reported in honey bees to limit the intracolony parasite transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelina Pusceddu
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, viale Italia 39A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Corresponding author. (M.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Alessandro Cini
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Simona Alberti
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Emanuele Salaris
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, viale Italia 39A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Panagiotis Theodorou
- General Zoology, Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ignazio Floris
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, viale Italia 39A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Alberto Satta
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, viale Italia 39A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Corresponding author. (M.P.); (A.S.)
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Salatino A, Salatino MLF, Negri G. How diverse is the chemistry and plant origin of Brazilian propolis? APIDOLOGIE 2021; 52:1075-1097. [PMID: 34611369 PMCID: PMC8485119 DOI: 10.1007/s13592-021-00889-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Propolis is a honey bee product containing chiefly beeswax and resins originated from plant buds or exudates. Propolis resin exerts a diversity of biological activities, such as antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and defense of the hive against pathogens. Chemical standardization and identification of botanical sources is crucial for characterization of propolis. Types of Brazilian propolis are characteristic of geographical regions and respective biomes, such as savannas (Cerrado), mangroves, dry forest (Caatinga), rain forests (Amazon, Atlantic, and Interior forests), altitudinal fields ("Campos Rupestres"), Pantanal, and Araucaria forests. Despite the wide diversity of Brazilian biomes and flora, relatively few types of Brazilian propolis and corresponding resin plant sources have been reported. Factors accounting for the restricted number of known types of Brazilian propolis and plant sources are tentatively pointed out. Among them, the paper discusses constraints that honey bees must overcome to collect plant exudates, including the characteristics of the lapping-chewing mouthpart of honey bee, which limit their possibilities to cut and chew plant tissues, as well as chemical requirements that plant resins must fulfil, involving antimicrobial activity of its constituents and innocuity to the insects. Although much still needs to be done toward a more comprehensive picture of Brazilian propolis types and corresponding plant origins, the prospects indicate that the actual diversity of plant sources of honey bee propolis will remain relatively low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Salatino
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, SP 05508-090 Brazil
| | - Maria Luiza Faria Salatino
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, SP 05508-090 Brazil
| | - Giuseppina Negri
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, SP 05508-090 Brazil
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Nganso BT, Torto B. The effects of crude propolis, its volatiles and ethanolic extracts on the ecto-parasitic mite, Varroa destructor and health of the African savannah honey bee, Apis mellifera scutellata. Parasitology 2021; 148:696-702. [PMID: 33593461 PMCID: PMC11010221 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Propolis is a hive product composed of biologically active plant resins, and has been shown to enhance individual honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) health. Propolis has also been demonstrated to mitigate, in part, the negative effects caused by the ecto-parasitic mite Varroa destructor and its associated viruses on the health of managed European honey bee colonies. However, its effect on the health status of African honey bees remains largely unknown. Here, we found that the African savannah honey bees, A. m. scutellata in Kenya, deposited approximately two and half-fold more propolis in their colonies during periods of increased than reduced worker brood rearing. This finding suggested that A. m. scutellata may use high quantities of propolis prophylactically to protect their young brood; yet, we observed no significant correlation between the quantity of propolis and the amount of worker brood or mite-infestation level on adult workers. Furthermore, whereas propolis volatiles or propolis placed in direct contact with the mites had no effect on mite survival under laboratory conditions, the ethanolic extract of propolis significantly reduced mite survival when compared with untreated control. These results suggest the presence of mite deterrent compounds in the ethanolic extract of the African honey bee propolis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice T. Nganso
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P. O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Baldwyn Torto
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P. O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
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Ebiloma GU, Ichoron N, Siheri W, Watson DG, Igoli JO, De Koning HP. The Strong Anti-Kinetoplastid Properties of Bee Propolis: Composition and Identification of the Active Agents and Their Biochemical Targets. Molecules 2020; 25:E5155. [PMID: 33167520 PMCID: PMC7663965 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The kinetoplastids are protozoa characterized by the presence of a distinctive organelle, called the kinetoplast, which contains a large amount of DNA (kinetoplast DNA (kDNA)) inside their single mitochondrion. Kinetoplastids of medical and veterinary importance include Trypanosoma spp. (the causative agents of human and animal African Trypanosomiasis and of Chagas disease) and Leishmania spp. (the causative agents of the various forms of leishmaniasis). These neglected diseases affect millions of people across the globe, but drug treatment is hampered by the challenges of toxicity and drug resistance, among others. Propolis (a natural product made by bees) and compounds isolated from it are now being investigated as novel treatments of kinetoplastid infections. The anti-kinetoplastid efficacy of propolis is probably a consequence of its reported activity against kinetoplastid parasites of bees. This article presents a review of the reported anti-kinetoplastid potential of propolis, highlighting its anti-kinetoplastid activity in vitro and in vivo regardless of geographical origin. The mode of action of propolis depends on the organism it is acting on and includes growth inhibition, immunomodulation, macrophage activation, perturbation of the cell membrane architecture, phospholipid disturbances, and mitochondrial targets. This gives ample scope for further investigations toward the rational development of sustainable anti-kinetoplastid drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin U. Ebiloma
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK;
| | - Nahandoo Ichoron
- Phytochemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 2373, Nigeria; (N.I.) (J.O.I.)
| | - Weam Siheri
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - John O. Igoli
- Phytochemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 2373, Nigeria; (N.I.) (J.O.I.)
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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Mura A, Pusceddu M, Theodorou P, Angioni A, Floris I, Paxton RJ, Satta A. Propolis Consumption Reduces Nosema ceranae Infection of European Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera). INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11020124. [PMID: 32075232 PMCID: PMC7074184 DOI: 10.3390/insects11020124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is a widespread obligate intracellular parasite of the ventriculus of many species of honey bee (Apis), including the Western honey bee Apis mellifera, in which it may lead to colony death. It can be controlled in A. mellifera by feeding the antibiotic fumagillin to a colony, though this product is toxic to humans and its use has now been banned in many countries, so in beekeeping, there exists a need for alternative and safe products effective against N. ceranae. Honeybees produce propolis from resinous substances collected from plants and use it to protect their nest from parasites and pathogens; propolis is thought to decrease the microbial load of the hive. We hypothesized that propolis might also reduce N. ceranae infection of individual bees and that they might consume propolis as a form of self-medication. To test these hypotheses, we evaluated the effects of an ethanolic extract of propolis administered orally on the longevity and spore load of experimentally N. ceranae-infected worker bees and also tested whether infected bees were more attracted to, and consumed a greater proportion of, a diet containing propolis in comparison to uninfected bees. Propolis extracts and ethanol (solvent control) increased the lifespan of N. ceranae-infected bees, but only propolis extract significantly reduced spore load. Our propolis extract primarily contained derivatives of caffeic acid, ferulic acid, ellagic acid and quercetin. Choice, scan sampling and food consumption tests did not reveal any preference of N. ceranae-infected bees for commercial candy containing propolis. Our research supports the hypothesis that propolis represents an effective and safe product to control N. ceranae but worker bees seem not to use it to self-medicate when infected with this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Mura
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Michelina Pusceddu
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Panagiotis Theodorou
- General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.T.); (R.J.P.)
| | - Alberto Angioni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Ignazio Floris
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Robert J. Paxton
- General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.T.); (R.J.P.)
| | - Alberto Satta
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-079229364; Fax: +39-079229329
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de Roode JC, Hunter MD. Self-medication in insects: when altered behaviors of infected insects are a defense instead of a parasite manipulation. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 33:1-6. [PMID: 31358187 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Studies have demonstrated that medication behaviors by insects are much more common than previously thought. Bees, ants, flies, and butterflies can use a wide range of toxic and nutritional compounds to medicate themselves or their genetic kin. Medication occurs either in response to active infection (therapy) or high infection risk (prophylaxis), and can be used to increase resistance or tolerance to infection. While much progress has been made over the last few years, there are also key areas that require in-depth investigation. These include quantifying the costs of medication, especially at the colony level of social insects, and formulating theoretical models that can predict the role of infection risk in driving micro-evolutionary and macro-evolutionary patterns of animal medication behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus C de Roode
- Department of Biology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
| | - Mark D Hunter
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, 1105 N University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
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