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Kumaran N, Raghu S. Can genomic signatures guide the selection of host-specific agents for weed biological control? Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13760. [PMID: 39027688 PMCID: PMC11254579 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological control of weeds involves deliberate introduction of host-specific natural enemies into invaded range to reduce the negative impacts of invasive species. Assessing the specificity is a crucial step, as introduction of generalist natural enemies into a new territory may pose risks to the recipient communities. A mechanistic understanding of host use can provide valuable insights for the selection of specialist natural enemies, bolster confidence in non-target risk assessment and potentially accelerate the host specificity testing process in biological control. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of studies on the genomics of host specialization with a view to examine if genomic signatures can help predict host specificity in insects. Focusing on phytophagous Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera, we compared chemosensory receptors and enzymes between "specialist" (insects with narrow host range) and "generalist" (insects with wide host range) insects. The availability of genomic data for biological control agents (natural enemies of weeds) is limited thus our analyses utilized data from pest insects and model organisms for which genomic data are available. Our findings revealed that specialists generally exhibit a lower number of chemosensory receptors and enzymes compared with their generalist counterparts. This pattern was more prominent in Coleoptera and Diptera relative to Lepidoptera. This information can be used to reject agents with large gene repertoires to potentially accelerate the risk assessment process. Similarly, confirming smaller gene repertoires in specialists could further strengthen the risk evaluation. Despite the distinctive signatures between specialists and generalists, challenges such as finite genomic data for biological control agents, ad hoc comparisons, and fewer comparative studies among congeners limit our ability to use genomic signatures to predict host specificity. A few studies have empirically compared phylogenetically closely related species, enhancing the resolution and the predictive power of genomics signatures thus suggesting the need for more targeted studies comparing congeneric specialists and generalists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagalingam Kumaran
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Health and BiosecurityBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - S. Raghu
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Health and BiosecurityBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
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2
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Lue CH, Abram PK, Hrcek J, Buffington ML, Staniczenko PPA. Metabarcoding and applied ecology with hyperdiverse organisms: Recommendations for biological control research. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:6461-6473. [PMID: 36040418 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Metabarcoding is revolutionizing fundamental research in ecology by enabling large-scale detection of species and producing data that are rich with community context. However, the benefits of metabarcoding have yet to be fully realized in fields of applied ecology, especially those such as classical biological control (CBC) research that involve hyperdiverse taxa. Here, we discuss some of the opportunities that metabarcoding provides CBC and solutions to the main methodological challenges that have limited the integration of metabarcoding in existing CBC workflows. We focus on insect parasitoids, which are popular and effective biological control agents (BCAs) of invasive species and agricultural pests. Accurately identifying native, invasive and BCA species is paramount, since misidentification can undermine control efforts and lead to large negative socio-economic impacts. Unfortunately, most existing publicly accessible genetic databases cannot be used to reliably identify parasitoid species, thereby limiting the accuracy of metabarcoding in CBC research. To address this issue, we argue for the establishment of authoritative genetic databases that link metabarcoding data to taxonomically identified specimens. We further suggest using multiple genetic markers to reduce primer bias and increase taxonomic resolution. We also provide suggestions for biological control-specific metabarcoding workflows intended to track the long-term effectiveness of introduced BCAs. Finally, we use the example of an invasive pest, Drosophila suzukii, in a reflective "what if" thought experiment to explore the potential power of community metabarcoding in CBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hua Lue
- Department of Biology, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Paul K Abram
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agassiz Research and Development Centre, Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jan Hrcek
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Matthew L Buffington
- Systematic Entomology Laboratory, ARS/USDA c/o Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Phillip P A Staniczenko
- Department of Biology, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA
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Walsh GC, Sosa AJ, Mc Kay F, Maestro M, Hill M, Hinz HL, Paynter Q, Pratt PD, Raghu S, Shaw R, Tipping PW, Winston RL. Is Biological Control of Weeds Conservation’s Blind Spot? THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1086/723930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
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High genetic diversity in the landscape suggests frequent seedling recruitment by Euphorbia virgata Waldst. & Kit. (leafy spurge) in the northern U.S.A. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02954-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Zachariades C, Uyi O, Hill MP, Mersie W, Molo R. The benefits to sub-Saharan Africa of the biological control of weeds: already considerable, but could be far greater. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 52:100932. [PMID: 35623582 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is climatically diverse, with many biomes. Many species of invasive alien plants (IAPs) are present, with severe negative impacts that largely remain unquantified. Importation biological weed control (IBWC) has been practiced on the continent since the early 20th century, with some notable successes. Weed biocontrol agents (WBA) (141 species) have been released in 30 countries on 69 weed species, and spread to a further eight countries. South Africa has the most active IBWC program, while several projects are underway in other countries, involving either the release of WBA or monitoring of their spread and impact. However, given the large and increasing footprint of IAPs, and the poor prospects for their successful management using other control methods, we discuss reasons for the relatively low uptake of IBWC in SSA, and suggest ways to increase this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costas Zachariades
- Plant Health and Protection, Agricultural Research Council, PO Box 1055, Hilton 3245, South Africa; School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.
| | - Osariyekemwen Uyi
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Nigeria; Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 2360 Rainwater Rd., Tifton, GA 31793, USA
| | - Martin P Hill
- Centre for Biological Control, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
| | - Wondimagegnehu Mersie
- Agricultural Research, Virginia State University, Box 9061, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA
| | - Richard Molo
- Biocontrol Unit, National Agricultural Research Laboratories, PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda
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López-Núñez FA, Marchante E, Heleno R, Duarte LN, Palhas J, Impson F, Freitas H, Marchante H. Establishment, spread and early impacts of the first biocontrol agent against an invasive plant in continental Europe. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 290:112545. [PMID: 33892237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Classical biocontrol is key for the successful management of invasive alien plants; yet, it is still relatively new in Europe. Although post-release monitoring is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of a biocontrol agent, it is often neglected. This study reports the detailed post-release monitoring of the first biocontrol agent intentionally introduced against an invasive plant in continental Europe. The Australian bud-galling wasp Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae (Frogatt) is used to control the invasive Acacia longifolia (Andr.) Willd., with a long history of success in South Africa. This biocontrol agent was first released in Europe in 2015 at several sites along the Portuguese coast. We monitored the establishment, spread and early impacts of T. acaciaelongifoliae on target-plants in Portugal, across 61 sites, from 2015 to 2020. Initial release of adults emerging from galls imported from South Africa and the subsequent releases from galls established in Portugal (2018 onwards) was compared, assessing the implications of the hemisphere shift. The impacts on the reproductive output and vegetative growth of A. longifolia were evaluated in more detail at three sites. From 2015 to 2019, 3567 T. acaciaelongifoliae were released at 61 sites, with establishment confirmed at 36 sites by 2020. The transfer of the wasp from the southern hemisphere limited its initial establishment, but increased rates of establishment followed with synchronization of its life cycle with northern hemisphere conditions. Therefore, after an initial moderate establishment, T. acaciaelongifoliae adapted to the northern hemisphere conditions and experienced an exponential growth (from 66 galls by 2016, to 24000 galls by 2018). Galled A. longifolia branches produced significantly fewer pods (-84.1%), seeds (-95.2%) and secondary branches (-33.3%) and had fewer phyllodes but increased growth of the main branch compared to ungalled branches. Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae successfully established in the northern hemisphere, despite the initial phenological mismatch and adverse weather conditions. To achieve this, it had to establish and synchronize its life cycle with the phenology of its host-plant, after which it developed exponentially and began to show significant impacts on the reproductive output of A. longifolia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Alejandro López-Núñez
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Elizabete Marchante
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ruben Heleno
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Liliana Neto Duarte
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra. Bencanta, 3045-601, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jael Palhas
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra. Bencanta, 3045-601, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fiona Impson
- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa; Agricultural Research Council, Plant Health and Protection, Private Bag X5017, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa
| | - Helena Freitas
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Hélia Marchante
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra. Bencanta, 3045-601, Coimbra, Portugal
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Marini F, Weyl P, Vidović B, Petanović R, Littlefield J, Simoni S, de Lillo E, Cristofaro M, Smith L. Eriophyid Mites in Classical Biological Control of Weeds: Progress and Challenges. INSECTS 2021; 12:513. [PMID: 34206023 PMCID: PMC8226519 DOI: 10.3390/insects12060513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A classical biological control agent is an exotic host-specific natural enemy, which is intentionally introduced to obtain long-term control of an alien invasive species. Among the arthropods considered for this role, eriophyid mites are likely to possess the main attributes required: host specificity, efficacy, and long-lasting effects. However, so far, only a few species have been approved for release. Due to their microscopic size and the general lack of knowledge regarding their biology and behavior, working with eriophyids is particularly challenging. Furthermore, mites disperse in wind, and little is known about biotic and abiotic constraints to their population growth. All these aspects pose challenges that, if not properly dealt with, can make it particularly difficult to evaluate eriophyids as prospective biological control agents and jeopardize the general success of control programs. We identified some of the critical aspects of working with eriophyids in classical biological control of weeds and focused on how they have been or may be addressed. In particular, we analyzed the importance of accurate mite identification, the difficulties faced in the evaluation of their host specificity, risk assessment of nontarget species, their impact on the weed, and the final steps of mite release and post-release monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Marini
- Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency (BBCA), via Angelo Signorelli 105, 00123 Rome, Italy;
| | - Philip Weyl
- CABI, Rue des Grillons 1, 2800 Delémont, Switzerland;
| | - Biljana Vidović
- Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.V.); (R.P.)
| | - Radmila Petanović
- Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.V.); (R.P.)
- Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Knez Mihailova 35, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jeffrey Littlefield
- Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA;
| | - Sauro Simoni
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, via di Lanciola 12a, 50125 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Enrico de Lillo
- Department of Plant, Soil and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Massimo Cristofaro
- Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency (BBCA), via Angelo Signorelli 105, 00123 Rome, Italy;
- ENEA Casaccia, SSPT-BIOAG-PROBIO, via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Lincoln Smith
- USDA-ARS Western Regional Research Center, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA;
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Hoffmann JH, Moran VC, Zimmermann HG, Impson FAC. Biocontrol of a prickly pear cactus in South Africa: Reinterpreting the analogous, renowned case in Australia. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- John H. Hoffmann
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Cape Town Rondebosch South Africa
| | - Vincent C. Moran
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Cape Town Rondebosch South Africa
| | | | - Fiona A. C. Impson
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Cape Town Rondebosch South Africa
- Agricultural Research Council‐Plant Health and Protection Stellenbosch South Africa
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Biological Control of Salvinia molesta (D.S. Mitchell) Drives Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12050204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell (Salviniaceae) is a damaging free-floating invasive alien macrophyte native to South America. The biological control programme against S. molesta by the weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands (Erirhinidae) has been successful in controlling S. molesta infestations in the introduced range, however, there is some debate as to how biological control success is measured. This study measured the response of epilithic algae and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in a S. molesta-dominated state and subsequently where the weed had been cleared by biological control, as a proxy for ecosystem recovery in a before–after control–impact mesocosm experiment. The restored treatment (S. molesta and C. salviniae) demonstrated epilithic algae and aquatic macroinvertebrate recovery during the “after” biological control phase, defined as similar to the control treatment. Comparatively, the impacted treatment (100% S. molesta) showed a drastic decline in biodiversity and shifts in community assemblages. We conclude that the biological control effort by C. salviniae facilitated biodiversity recovery of the impacted treatment. Furthermore, epilithic algae and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities were reliable biological indicators for measuring ecological impacts of invasion and ecosystem recovery following biological control, and thus represent potential tools for evaluating biological control success and ecological restoration.
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