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Rathore S, Stahl A, Benoit JB, Buschbeck EK. Exploring the molecular makeup of support cells in insect camera eyes. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:702. [PMID: 37993800 PMCID: PMC10664524 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09804-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals typically have either compound eyes, or camera-type eyes, both of which have evolved repeatedly in the animal kingdom. Both eye types include two important kinds of cells: photoreceptor cells, which can be excited by light, and non-neuronal support cells (SupCs), which provide essential support to photoreceptors. At the molecular level deeply conserved genes that relate to the differentiation of photoreceptor cells have fueled a discussion on whether or not a shared evolutionary origin might be considered for this cell type. In contrast, only a handful of studies, primarily on the compound eyes of Drosophila melanogaster, have demonstrated molecular similarities in SupCs. D. melanogaster SupCs (Semper cells and primary pigment cells) are specialized eye glia that share several molecular similarities with certain vertebrate eye glia, including Müller glia. This led us to question if there could be conserved molecular signatures of SupCs, even in functionally different eyes such as the image-forming larval camera eyes of the sunburst diving beetle Thermonectus marmoratus. To investigate this possibility, we used an in-depth comparative whole-tissue transcriptomics approach. Specifically, we dissected the larval principal camera eyes into SupC- and retina-containing regions and generated the respective transcriptomes. Our analysis revealed several common features of SupCs including enrichment of genes that are important for glial function (e.g. gap junction proteins such as innexin 3), glycogen production (glycogenin), and energy metabolism (glutamine synthetase 1 and 2). To evaluate similarities, we compared our transcriptomes with those of fly (Semper cells) and vertebrate (Müller glia) eye glia as well as respective retinas. T. marmoratus SupCs were found to have distinct genetic overlap with both fly and vertebrate eye glia. These results suggest that T. marmoratus SupCs are a form of glia, and like photoreceptors, may be deeply conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubham Rathore
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms (SLCR), National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Aaron Stahl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Elke K Buschbeck
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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2
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Benoit JB, Finch G, Ankrum AL, Niemantsverdriet J, Paul B, Kelley M, Gantz JD, Matter SF, Lee RE, Denlinger DL. Reduced male fertility of an Antarctic mite following extreme heat stress could prompt localized population declines. Cell Stress Chaperones 2023; 28:541-549. [PMID: 37392307 PMCID: PMC10468472 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-023-01359-4] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change is leading to substantial global thermal changes, which are particularly pronounced in polar regions. Therefore, it is important to examine the impact of heat stress on the reproduction of polar terrestrial arthropods, specifically, how brief extreme events may alter survival. We observed that sublethal heat stress reduces male fecundity in an Antarctic mite, yielding females that produced fewer viable eggs. Females and males collected from microhabitats with high temperatures showed a similar reduction in fertility. This impact is temporary, as indicated by recovery of male fecundity following return to cooler, stable conditions. The diminished fecundity is likely due to a drastic reduction in the expression of male-associated factors that occur in tandem with a substantial increase in the expression of heat shock proteins. Cross-mating between mites from different sites confirmed that heat-exposed populations have impaired male fertility. However, the negative impacts are transient as the effect on fertility declines with recovery time under less stressful conditions. Modeling indicated that heat stress is likely to reduce population growth and that short bouts of non-lethal heat stress could have substantial reproductive effects on local populations of Antarctic arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Geoffrey Finch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Andrea L Ankrum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Bidisha Paul
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Melissa Kelley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - J D Gantz
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Department of Biology and Health Science, Hendrix College, Conway, AR, USA
| | - Stephen F Matter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Richard E Lee
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - David L Denlinger
- Departments of Entomology and Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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3
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Rathore S, Stahl A, Benoit JB, Buschbeck EK. Exploring the molecular makeup of support cells in insect camera eyes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.19.549729. [PMID: 37503285 PMCID: PMC10370194 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.19.549729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Animals generally have either compound eyes, which have evolved repeatedly in different invertebrates, or camera eyes, which have evolved many times across the animal kingdom. Both eye types include two important kinds of cells: photoreceptor cells, which can be excited by light, and non-neuronal support cells (SupCs), which provide essential support to photoreceptors. Despite many examples of convergence in eye evolution, similarities in the gross developmental plan and molecular signatures have been discovered, even between phylogenetically distant and functionally different eye types. For this reason, a shared evolutionary origin has been considered for photoreceptors. In contrast, only a handful of studies, primarily on the compound eyes of Drosophila melanogaster , have demonstrated molecular similarities in SupCs. D. melanogaster SupCs (Semper cells and primary pigment cells) are specialized eye glia that share several molecular similarities with certain vertebrate eye glia, including Müller glia. This led us to speculate whether there are conserved molecular signatures of SupCs, even in functionally different eyes such as the image-forming larval camera eyes of the sunburst diving beetle Thermonectus marmoratus . To investigate this possibility, we used an in-depth comparative whole-tissue transcriptomics approach. Specifically, we dissected the larval principal camera eyes into SupC- and retina-containing regions and generated the respective transcriptomes. Our analysis revealed several conserved features of SupCs including enrichment of genes that are important for glial function (e.g. gap junction proteins such as innexin 3), glycogen production (glycogenin), and energy metabolism (glutamine synthetase 1 and 2). To evaluate the extent of conservation, we compared our transcriptomes with those of fly (Semper cells) and vertebrate (Müller glia) eye glia as well as respective retinas. T. marmoratus SupCs were found to have distinct genetic overlap with both fly and vertebrate eye glia. These results provide molecular evidence for the deep conservation of SupCs in addition to photoreceptor cells, raising essential questions about the evolutionary origin of eye-specific glia in animals.
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Hilker M, Salem H, Fatouros NE. Adaptive Plasticity of Insect Eggs in Response to Environmental Challenges. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 68:451-469. [PMID: 36266253 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120120-100746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Insect eggs are exposed to a plethora of abiotic and biotic threats. Their survival depends on both an innate developmental program and genetically determined protective traits provided by the parents. In addition, there is increasing evidence that (a) parents adjust the egg phenotype to the actual needs, (b) eggs themselves respond to environmental challenges, and (c) egg-associated microbes actively shape the egg phenotype. This review focuses on the phenotypic plasticity of insect eggs and their capability to adjust themselves to their environment. We outline the ways in which the interaction between egg and environment is two-way, with the environment shaping the egg phenotype but also with insect eggs affecting their environment. Specifically, insect eggs affect plant defenses, host biology (in the case of parasitoid eggs), and insect oviposition behavior. We aim to emphasize that the insect egg, although it is a sessile life stage, actively responds to and interacts with its environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Hilker
- Applied Zoology/Animal Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany;
| | - Hassan Salem
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Nina E Fatouros
- Biosystematics Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands;
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Benoit JB, McCluney KE, DeGennaro MJ, Dow JAT. Dehydration Dynamics in Terrestrial Arthropods: From Water Sensing to Trophic Interactions. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 68:129-149. [PMID: 36270273 PMCID: PMC9936378 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120120-091609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Since the transition from water to land, maintaining water balance has been a key challenge for terrestrial arthropods. We explore factors that allow terrestrial arthropods to survive within a variably dry world and how they shape ecological interactions. Detection of water and hydration is critical for maintaining water content. Efficient regulation of internal water content is accomplished by excretory and osmoregulatory systems that balance water intake and loss. Biochemical and physiological responses are necessary as water content declines to prevent and repair the damage that occurs during dehydration. Desiccation avoidance can occur seasonally or daily via a move to more favorable areas. Dehydration and its avoidance have ecological impacts that extend beyond a single species to alter trophic interactions. As climate changes, evolutionary and ecological processes will be critical to species survival during drought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;
| | - Kevin E McCluney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA;
| | - Matthew J DeGennaro
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University and Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Miami, Florida, USA;
| | - Julian A T Dow
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom;
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Hakala SM, Fujioka H, Gapp K, De Gasperin O, Genzoni E, Kilner RM, Koene JM, König B, Linksvayer TA, Meurville MP, Negroni MA, Palejowski H, Wigby S, LeBoeuf AC. Socially transferred materials: why and how to study them. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 38:446-458. [PMID: 36543692 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
When biological material is transferred from one individual's body to another, as in ejaculate, eggs, and milk, secondary donor-produced molecules are often transferred along with the main cargo, and influence the physiology and fitness of the receiver. Both social and solitary animals exhibit such social transfers at certain life stages. The secondary, bioactive, and transfer-supporting components in socially transferred materials have evolved convergently to the point where they are used in applications across taxa and type of transfer. The composition of these materials is typically highly dynamic and context dependent, and their components drive the physiological and behavioral evolution of many taxa. Our establishment of the concept of socially transferred materials unifies this multidisciplinary topic and will benefit both theory and applications.
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Pathak A, Chakraborty S, Oyen K, Rosendale AJ, Benoit JB. Dual assessment of transcriptional and metabolomic responses in the American dog tick following exposure to different pesticides and repellents. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102033. [PMID: 36099731 PMCID: PMC9971363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, is a major pest to humans and animals, serving as a vector to Rickettsia rickettsii, a bacterium responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Francisella tularensis, which is responsible for tularemia. Although several tactics for management have been deployed, very little is known about the molecular response following pesticidal treatments in ticks. In this study, we used a combined approach utilizing transcriptomics and metabolomics to understand the response of the American dog tick to five common pesticides (amitraz, chlorpyrifos, fipronil, permethrin, and propoxur), and analyzed previous experimental data utilizing DEET repellent. Exposure to different chemicals led to significant differential expression of a varying number of transcripts, where 42 were downregulated and only one was upregulated across all treatments. A metabolomic analysis identified significant changes in acetate and aspartate levels following exposure to chlorpyrifos and propoxur, which was attributed to reduced cholinesterase activity. Integrating the metabolomics study with RNA-seq analysis, we found the physiological manifestations of the combined metabolic and transcriptional differences, revealing several novel biomolecular pathways. In particular, we discovered the downregulation of amino sugar metabolism and methylhistidine metabolism after permethrin exposure, as well as an upregulation of glutamate metabolism in amitraz treated samples. Understanding these altered biochemical pathways following pesticide and repellent exposure can help us formulate more effective chemical treatments to reduce the burden of ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atit Pathak
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
| | - Souvik Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
| | - Kennan Oyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
| | - Andrew J Rosendale
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211; Biology Department, Mount St. Joseph University, Cincinnati, OH, 45233
| | - Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211.
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Kim H, Kim HW, Lee JH, Park J, Lee H, Kim S, Shin SC. Gene family expansions in Antarctic winged midge as a strategy for adaptation to cold environments. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18263. [PMID: 36309574 PMCID: PMC9617917 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23268-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Parochlus steinenii is the only flying insect native to Antarctica. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its adaptation to cold environments, we conducted comparative genomic analyses of P. steinenii and closely related lineages. In an analysis of gene family evolution, 68 rapidly evolving gene families, involved in the innate immune system, unfolded protein response, DNA packaging, protein folding, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis were detected. Some gene families were P. steinenii-specific and showed phylogenetic instability. Acyl-CoA delta desaturase and heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70) were representative gene families, showing signatures of positive selection with multiple gene duplication events. Acyl-CoA delta desaturases may play pivotal roles in membrane fluidity, and expanded Hsc70 genes may function as chaperones or thermal sensors in cold environments. These findings suggest that multiple gene family expansions contributed to the adaptation of P. steinenii to cold environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heesoo Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
- Animal and Plant Research Department, Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources (NNIBR), Sangju-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Woo Kim
- Research Unit of Cryogenic Novel Material, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
- Department of Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hyuck Lee
- Research Unit of Cryogenic Novel Material, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
- Department of Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonho Park
- Department of Fine Chemistry, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoungseok Lee
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
- Department of Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghee Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seung Chul Shin
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea.
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Devlin JJ, Unfried L, Lecheta MC, McCabe EA, Gantz J, Kawarasaki Y, Elnitsky MA, Hotaling S, Michel AP, Convey P, Hayward SAL, Teets NM. Simulated winter warming negatively impacts survival of Antarctica's only endemic insect. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jack J. Devlin
- Department of Entomology University of Kentucky Lexington KY USA
| | - Laura Unfried
- Department of Entomology University of Kentucky Lexington KY USA
| | | | | | - Josiah D. Gantz
- Department of Biology and Health Sciences Hendrix College Conway AR USA
| | - Yuta Kawarasaki
- Department of Biology Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter MN USA
| | | | - Scott Hotaling
- School of Biological Sciences Washington State University Pullman WA USA
| | - Andrew P. Michel
- Department of Entomology The Ohio State University Wooster OH USA
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey Natural Environment Research Council Cambridge UK
- Department of Zoology University of Johannesburg Auckland Park South Africa
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Kozeretska I, Serga S, Kovalenko P, Gorobchyshyn V, Convey P. Belgica antarctica (Diptera: Chironomidae): A natural model organism for extreme environments. INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 29:2-20. [PMID: 33913258 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Belgica antarctica (Diptera: Chironomidae), a brachypterous midge endemic to the maritime Antarctic, was first described in 1900. Over more than a century of study, a vast amount of information has been compiled on the species (3 750 000 Google search results as of January 10, 2021), encompassing its ecology and biology, life cycle and reproduction, polytene chromosomes, physiology, biochemistry and, increasingly, omics. In 2014, B. antarctica's genome was sequenced, further boosting research. Certain developmental stages can be cultured successfully in the laboratory. Taken together, this wealth of information allows the species to be viewed as a natural model organism for studies of adaptation and function in extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna Kozeretska
- National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine, 01601, Taras Shevchenko blv., 16, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Svitlana Serga
- National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine, 01601, Taras Shevchenko blv., 16, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Department General and Medical Genetics, 01601, Volodymyrska str., 64/13, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Pavlo Kovalenko
- State Institution «Institute for Evolutionary Ecology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine», Department of Population Dynamics, 03143, Lebedeva str., 37, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Volodymyr Gorobchyshyn
- State Institution «Institute for Evolutionary Ecology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine», Department of Population Dynamics, 03143, Lebedeva str., 37, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
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Michailova P, Ilkova J, Kovalenko PA, Gorobchyshyn VA, Kozeretska IA, Convey P. External Morphology of Larvae of Belgica antarctica Jacobs, 1900 (Diptera, Chironomidae) Obtained from Two Locations in Maritime Antarctica. INSECTS 2021; 12:792. [PMID: 34564232 PMCID: PMC8469298 DOI: 10.3390/insects12090792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The external morphology of the fourth-instar larva of the Antarctic endemic chironomid midge Belgica antarctica is described. Larvae were collected from Jougla Point (Wiencke Island) and an un-named island close to Enterprise Island, off the coast of the western Antarctic Peninsula. Light microscopy was used to examine and document photographically the structures of the mouthparts (mandible, mentum, premandible, labrum), antennae, pecten epipharyngis, clypeus, frontal apotome and posterior parapods. Measurements of the mouthparts are presented. The data obtained are compared with that available in the literature. A number of differences were identified relating to the size of the larvae, the number of teeth on the mandibles, the number of antennal segments and the length of the antennal blade. Malformations of the mandible and mentum are reported for the first time in this species. Features of larvae of taxonomic value that can be used to determine the species in larval stages are presented. These are of utility in using the larvae to reveal relationships with other species. Larvae are also important in ecological and genotoxicological studies, which require accurate species level identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskeva Michailova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tzar Osvoboditel b., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria; (P.M.); (J.I.)
| | - Julia Ilkova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tzar Osvoboditel b., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria; (P.M.); (J.I.)
| | - Pavlo A. Kovalenko
- State Institution Institute for Evolutionary Ecology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 37 Lebedeva Str., 03143 Kyiv, Ukraine;
| | - Volodymyr A. Gorobchyshyn
- State Institution Institute for Evolutionary Ecology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 37 Lebedeva Str., 03143 Kyiv, Ukraine;
| | - Iryna A. Kozeretska
- National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine, 16 Taras Shevchenko b., 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine;
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK;
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
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12
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Ajayi OM, Gantz JD, Finch G, Lee RE, Denlinger DL, Benoit JB. Rapid stress hardening in the Antarctic midge improves male fertility by increasing courtship success and preventing decline of accessory gland proteins following cold exposure. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:271037. [PMID: 34297110 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Rapid hardening is a process that quickly improves an animal's performance following exposure to potentially damaging stress. In this study of the Antarctic midge, Belgica antarctica (Diptera, Chironomidae), we examined how rapid hardening in response to dehydration (RDH) or cold (RCH) improves male pre- and post-copulatory function when the insects are subsequently subjected to a damaging cold exposure. Neither RDH nor RCH improved survival in response to lethal cold stress, but male activity and mating success following sublethal cold exposure were enhanced. Egg viability decreased following direct exposure of the mating males to sublethal cold but improved following RCH and RDH. Sublethal cold exposure reduced the expression of four accessory gland proteins, while expression remained high in males exposed to RCH. Though rapid hardening may be cryptic in males, this study shows that it can be revealed by pre- and post-copulatory interactions with females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun M Ajayi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - J D Gantz
- Department of Biology and Health Science, Hendrix College, Conway, AR 72032, USA
| | - Geoffrey Finch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Richard E Lee
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - David L Denlinger
- Departments of Entomology and Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
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Gakii C, Bwana BK, Mugambi GG, Mukoya E, Mireji PO, Rimiru R. In silico-driven analysis of the Glossina morsitans morsitans antennae transcriptome in response to repellent or attractant compounds. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11691. [PMID: 34249514 PMCID: PMC8255069 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-throughput sequencing generates large volumes of biological data that must be interpreted to make meaningful inference on the biological function. Problems arise due to the large number of characteristics p (dimensions) that describe each record [n] in the database. Feature selection using a subset of variables extracted from the large datasets is one of the approaches towards solving this problem. METHODOLOGY In this study we analyzed the transcriptome of Glossina morsitans morsitans (Tsetsefly) antennae after exposure to either a repellant (δ-nonalactone) or an attractant (ε-nonalactone). We identified 308 genes that were upregulated or downregulated due to exposure to a repellant (δ-nonalactone) or an attractant (ε-nonalactone) respectively. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was used to cluster the genes into 12 modules and filter unconnected genes. Discretized and association rule mining was used to find association between genes thereby predicting the putative function of unannotated genes. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Among the significantly expressed chemosensory genes (FDR < 0.05) in response to Ɛ-nonalactone were gustatory receptors (GrIA and Gr28b), ionotrophic receptors (Ir41a and Ir75a), odorant binding proteins (Obp99b, Obp99d, Obp59a and Obp28a) and the odorant receptor (Or67d). Several non-chemosensory genes with no assigned function in the NCBI database were co-expressed with the chemosensory genes. Exposure to a repellent (δ-nonalactone) did not show any significant change between the treatment and control samples. We generated a coexpression network with 276 edges and 130 nodes. Genes CAH3, Ahcy, Ir64a, Or67c, Ir8a and Or67a had node degree values above 11 and therefore could be regarded as the top hub genes in the network. Association rule mining showed a relation between various genes based on their appearance in the same itemsets as consequent and antecedent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Consolata Gakii
- Department of Mathematics, Computing and Information Technology, University of Embu, Embu, Eastern, Kenya
- School of Computing and Information Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Grace Gathoni Mugambi
- School of Computing and Information Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Esther Mukoya
- School of Computing and Information Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Paul O. Mireji
- Biotechnology Research Center, Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization, Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Richard Rimiru
- School of Computing and Information Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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