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Henriques Martins CA, Azpiazu C, Bosch J, Burgio G, Dindo ML, Francati S, Sommaggio D, Sgolastra F. Different Sensitivity of Flower-Visiting Diptera to a Neonicotinoid Insecticide: Expanding the Base for a Multiple-Species Risk Assessment Approach. INSECTS 2024; 15:317. [PMID: 38786873 PMCID: PMC11122312 DOI: 10.3390/insects15050317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Insects play an essential role as pollinators of wild flowers and crops. At the same time, pollinators in agricultural environments are commonly exposed to pesticides, compromising their survival and the provision of pollination services. Although pollinators include a wide range of species from several insect orders, information on pesticide sensitivity is mostly restricted to bees. In addition, the disparity of methodological procedures used for different insect groups hinders the comparison of toxicity data between bees and other pollinators. Dipterans are a highly diverse insect order that includes some important pollinators. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the sensitivity of two hoverflies (Sphaerophoria rueppellii, Eristalinus aeneus) and one tachinid fly (Exorista larvarum) to a neonicotinoid insecticide (Confidor®, imidacloprid) following a comparative approach. We adapted the standardized methodology of acute contact exposure in honey bees to build dose-response curves and calculate median lethal doses (LD50) for the three species. The methodology consisted in applying 1 µL of the test solution on the thorax of each insect. Sphaerophoria rueppelli was the most sensitive species (LD50 = 10.23 ng/insect), and E. aeneus (LD50 = 18,176 ng/insect) the least. We then compared our results with those available in the literature for other pollinator species using species sensitivity distribution (SSD). Based on the SSD curve, the 95th percentile of pollinator species would be protected by a safety factor of 100 times the Apis mellifera endpoint. Overall, dipterans were less sensitive to imidacloprid than most bee species. As opposed to most bee species, oviposition and fecundity of many dipteran species can be reliably assessed in the laboratory. We measured the number of eggs laid following exposure to different insecticide doses and assessed the potential trade-off between oviposition and survival through the sublethal sensitivity index (SSI). Exposure to imidacloprid had a significant effect on fecundity, and SSI values indicated that oviposition is a sensitive endpoint for the three dipteran species tested. Future studies should integrate this information related to population dynamics in simulation models for environmental risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Ariana Henriques Martins
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.A.H.M.); (G.B.); (M.L.D.); (S.F.)
| | - Celeste Azpiazu
- CREAF, Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (C.A.); (J.B.)
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Bosch
- CREAF, Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (C.A.); (J.B.)
| | - Giovanni Burgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.A.H.M.); (G.B.); (M.L.D.); (S.F.)
| | - Maria Luisa Dindo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.A.H.M.); (G.B.); (M.L.D.); (S.F.)
| | - Santolo Francati
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.A.H.M.); (G.B.); (M.L.D.); (S.F.)
| | - Daniele Sommaggio
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Sgolastra
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.A.H.M.); (G.B.); (M.L.D.); (S.F.)
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Wildermuth B, Seifert CL, Husemann M, Schuldt A. Metabarcoding reveals that mixed forests mitigate negative effects of non-native trees on canopy arthropod diversity. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2921. [PMID: 37776039 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Averting climate change-induced forest diebacks increasingly relies on tree species planted outside of their natural range and on the addition of non-native tree species to mixed-species forests. However, the consequences of such changes for associated biodiversity remain poorly understood, especially for the forest canopy as a largely understudied forest stratum. Here, we used flight interception traps and a metabarcoding approach to study the taxonomic and functional (trophic guilds) composition and taxon richness of canopy arthropods. We sampled 15 monospecific and mixed stands of native European beech, native Norway spruce-planted outside its natural range-and non-native Douglas fir in northwest Germany. We found that the diversity of arthropods was lower in non-native Douglas fir compared with native beech stands. Taxon richness of herbivores was reduced by both conifer species. Other functional guilds, however, were not affected by stand type. Arthropod composition differed strongly between native broadleaved beech and monospecific coniferous (native spruce or non-native Douglas fir) stands, with less pronounced differences between the native and non-native conifers. Beech-conifer mixtures consistently hosted intermediate arthropod diversity and community composition compared with the respective monospecific stands. Moreover, arthropod diversity had a positive relationship with the number of canopy microhabitats. Our study shows that considering arthropod taxa of multiple functional groups reveals the multifaceted impact of non-native tree species on forest canopy arthropod communities. Contrasting with previous studies that primarily focused on the forest floor, we found that native beech hosts a rich diversity of arthropods, compared with lower diversity and distinct communities in economically attractive, and especially in non-native, conifers with few canopy microhabitats. Broadleaf-conifer mixtures did not perform better than native beech stands, but mitigated the negative effects of conifers, making such mixtures a compromise to foster both forest-associated diversity and economic yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Wildermuth
- Department of Forest Nature Conservation, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carlo L Seifert
- Department of Forest Nature Conservation, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Husemann
- Museum of Nature, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schuldt
- Department of Forest Nature Conservation, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Uesugi R, Konishi-Furihata R, Tabuchi K, Yoshimura H, Shimoda T. Predacious Natural Enemies Associated With Suppression of Onion Thrips, Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in Intercropped Onion-Barley Agroecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 52:183-196. [PMID: 36843392 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvad014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The effects of two possible factors, prevention of pest immigration and enhancement of natural enemies, in suppressing onion thrips, Thrips tabaci L., were estimated in a small-scale experimental system of spring-planted onions intercropped with barley. The population dynamics of the thrips and their potential predatory natural enemies were investigated in four treatments: control (bare ground), insect net barrier, and onion-barley intercropping with or without trimming. We found that intercropping significantly suppressed onion thrips. It is unlikely that this effect was due to the prevention of thrip immigration because they seemed to move over the camouflage and/or physical barriers of the barley and the net barrier surrounding the onions easily. Intercropping with barley significantly increased hoverfly (Syrphidae) larvae numbers on onion leaves, and that of some groups of ground-dwelling predators such as large carnivorous ground beetles (Carabidae), ants (Formicidae), and wolf spiders (Lycosidae). We conclude that the suppression of thrips in this system was associated with the enhancement of hoverfly larvae abundance, mainly Sphaerophoria macrogaster (Thomson) (Syrphidae: Diptera) because they were observed together with thrips on onions and have been reported to predate thrips as well as aphids. Some hoverfly larvae on barley might move to nearby onions to search for new food sources and attack thrips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuji Uesugi
- Tohoku Agricultural Research Center, NARO, 4 Akahira, Shimo-kuriyagawa, Morioka, Iwate, 020-0198, Japan
| | - Ryoko Konishi-Furihata
- Tohoku Agricultural Research Center, NARO, 4 Akahira, Shimo-kuriyagawa, Morioka, Iwate, 020-0198, Japan
| | - Ken Tabuchi
- Tohoku Agricultural Research Center, NARO, 4 Akahira, Shimo-kuriyagawa, Morioka, Iwate, 020-0198, Japan
| | - Hideto Yoshimura
- Tohoku Agricultural Research Center, NARO, 4 Akahira, Shimo-kuriyagawa, Morioka, Iwate, 020-0198, Japan
| | - Takeshi Shimoda
- Tohoku Agricultural Research Center, NARO, 4 Akahira, Shimo-kuriyagawa, Morioka, Iwate, 020-0198, Japan
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Bertucci SE, Dufek MI, Patitucci LD. Sarcosaprophagous Muscid Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Assemblages Along an Anthropized Gradient in the Humid Chaco Ecoregion, Chaco Province, Argentina. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:316-325. [PMID: 36744968 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Deforestation, agriculture, farmyard animal husbandry, and urbanization are known to be the main causes of biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation. The present study evaluated the role of anthropization in modulating Muscidae (Diptera) assemblages in the Humid Chaco ecoregion of Argentina, by testing the biotic homogenization and intermediate disturbance hypotheses. The study focused on natural, rural, and urban habitats in San Lorenzo Department, Chaco Province, where sarcosaprophagous muscid flies were surveyed. A total of 1,343 muscid flies were captured and identified to 7 genera and 24 species and morphospecies. We observed the effect of anthropization on the structuring of the assemblages and the presence of exotic species associated with human activity resulting from biotic homogenization. The highest abundance was recorded in the urban habitat, while the highest species richness and diversity (Shannon-Wienner and Hill's numbers) were found in the rural habitat, supporting the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Several species are classified as indicators of habitat as well as according to their index of synanthropy. Our results provide valuable information about the use of sarcosaprophagous muscids as indicators of disturbance of natural habitats and about possible health risks related to this family of Calyptratae flies previously unsurveyed in northeastern Argentina. This information could be used in the ecological, agronomy, sanitary, and forensic fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Eliana Bertucci
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral (CECOAL-CONICET-UNNE), Provincial Route N°5 KM 2.5, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Matias Ignacio Dufek
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral (CECOAL-CONICET-UNNE), Provincial Route N°5 KM 2.5, Corrientes, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Biología de los Artrópodos, Libertad Street 5470, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Luciano Damián Patitucci
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia" (MACN), Angel Gallardo Street 470, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Sendek A, Baity‐Jesi M, Altermatt F, Bader MK, Liebhold AM, Turner RM, Roques A, Seebens H, Spaak P, Vorburger C, Brockerhoff EG. Fewer non‐native insects in freshwater than in terrestrial habitats across continents. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Sendek
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
- Department of Systems Analysis Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
| | - Marco Baity‐Jesi
- Department of Systems Analysis Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
| | - Florian Altermatt
- Department of Aquatic Ecology Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies University of Zurich Zürich Switzerland
| | - Martin K.‐F. Bader
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
- Department of Forestry and Wood Technology Linnaeus University Växjö Sweden
| | - Andrew M. Liebhold
- USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station Morgantown West Virginia USA
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Praha Czech Republic
| | - Rebecca M. Turner
- Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Institute) Christchurch New Zealand
| | - Alain Roques
- INRAE, UR0633, Zoologie Forestière Orléans France
| | - Hanno Seebens
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre Frankfurt Germany
| | - Piet Spaak
- Department of Aquatic Ecology Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich Zürich Switzerland
| | - Christoph Vorburger
- Department of Aquatic Ecology Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- School of Biological Sciences University of Canterbury Christchurch New Zealand
| | - Eckehard G. Brockerhoff
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
- School of Biological Sciences University of Canterbury Christchurch New Zealand
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Miler K, Scharf I. Behavioral differences between pit-building antlions and wormlions suggest limits to convergent evolution. Integr Zool 2022. [PMID: 35500247 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Antlions and wormlions are distantly related insect taxa, both digging pits in loose soil and ambushing arthropod prey. Their hunting method, which is rare in the animal kingdom, is a clear example of convergent evolution. There is little research directly comparing the 2 pit-building taxa. Using the same experimental platform to investigate how they respond to biotic and abiotic environmental factors enables an examination of their convergence and its limits. We investigated the response of antlions and wormlions to 3 factors common in their daily life: disturbance to the pits, prey arrival, and conspecific competitors. Although both increased the pit size following disturbance, wormlions increased it faster than antlions. Antlions responded to prey faster than wormlions, but wormlions improved their response time over days. The most diverging response was toward conspecifics. Whereas antlions relocated their pits fast in response to increasing conspecific density, wormlions never relocated. We suggest explanations for the behavioral differences between the taxa. Our results imply that despite the similar hunting method of the 2 taxa they may differ greatly in their behavior, which in turn might have consequences for their habitat use and population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Miler
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland.,School of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inon Scharf
- School of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Budiyanti DS, Moeller ME, Thit A. Influence of copper treatment on bioaccumulation, survival, behavior, and fecundity in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster: Toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles differ from dissolved copper. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 92:103852. [PMID: 35307570 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2022.103852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Copper oxide (CuO) NPs are widely used and subsequently released into terrestrial ecosystems. In the present study, bioaccumulation and effects of CuO NPs and dissolved Cu was examined in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster after 7 and 10 days dietary exposure at concentrations ranging between 0.09 and 1.2 mg Cu ml-1 for dissolved Cu and between 0.2 and 11 mg Cu ml-1 for CuO NPs. Both Cu forms were bioaccumulated and affected survival and climbing in flies, but not egg-to-adult development. Dissolved Cu caused higher mortality than CuO NPs (CuO NPs 10-days LC50 was 2 times higher), whereas NPs affected climbing and decreased the number of eggs laid per female, potentially affecting fruit fly population size in terrestrial environments. Thus, the study indicates that CuO NPs might cause effects that are different from dissolved Cu due to differences in the mechanism of uptake or toxicity. Therefore, we need to consider relevant sublethal endpoints when assessing these CuO NPs to ensure that we do not overlook long-term effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwi Sari Budiyanti
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Morten Erik Moeller
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Amalie Thit
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark.
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Convergent evolution of antlions and wormlions: similarities and differences in the behavioural ecology of unrelated trap-building predators. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03106-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Dong WY, Wang B, Wang GR. Morphological and Ultrastructural Characterization of Antennal Sensilla and the Detection of Floral Scent Volatiles in Eupeodes corollae (Diptera: Syrphidae). Front Neuroanat 2022; 15:791900. [PMID: 34975421 PMCID: PMC8716465 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.791900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The olfactory sensing system of the syrphid fly Eupeodes corollae is essential in pollination and prey localization, but little is known about the ultrastructural organization of their olfactory organs. In this study, the morphology, distribution, and ultrastructural organization of antennal sensilla of E. corollae in both sexes were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Neuronal responses of a subtype of sensilla basiconica to floral scent compounds were recorded by single sensillum recording (SSR). Ten morphological types, including Böhm bristles, sensilla chaetica, microtrichiae, sensilla trichodea, sensilla basiconica, sensilla clavate, sensilla coeloconica, sensilla styloconica, sensilla placodea, and sensory pit, were identified. Except for Böhm bristles and sensilla chaetica, which were distributed on the scape and pedicel of E. corollae antennae, innervated sensilla were densely distributed on the flagellum, a vital sensory organ. Further, observing ultrastructural organization showed that the sensilla trichodea, basiconica, and clavate are single-walled with multiple nanoscale pores perforating the cuticle. Sensilla coeloconica are double-walled and have no wall pores, but instead, have longitudinal grooves along with the pegs. Sensilla chaetica, Böhm bristles, and microtrichiae did not have wall pores on the cuticle or sensory cells at the base. The SSR results indicated that neuron B housed in the subtype of sensilla basiconica I (SBI) mainly responded to methyl eugenol and other aromatic compounds. Overall, our results provide valuable information to understand the morphology and ultrastructure of antennal sensilla from E. corollae. These findings are beneficial for the studies of the neuronal function map of olfactory sensilla and for determining evolutionary relationships in Diptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Ying Dong
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gui-Rong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.,Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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10
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Huang J, Miao X, Wang Q, Menzel F, Tang P, Yang D, Wu H, Vogler AP. Metabarcoding reveals massive species diversity of Diptera in a subtropical ecosystem. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8535. [PMID: 35127039 PMCID: PMC8796913 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Diptera is often considered to be the richest insect group due to its great species diversity and broad ecological versatility. However, data on dipteran diversity from subtropical ecosystems have hitherto been scarce, due to the lack of studies conducted at an appropriate large scale. We investigated the diversity and composition of Diptera communities on Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang, China, using DNA metabarcoding technology, and evaluated their dynamic responses to the effects of slope aspect, season, and altitudinal zone. A total of 5,092 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were discovered and tentatively assigned to 72 dipteran families, including 2 family records new for China and 30 family records new for the locality. Cecidomyiidae, Sciaridae, and Phoridae were the predominant families, representing 53.6% of total OTUs, while 52 families include >95% unidentified and presumed undescribed species. We found that the community structure of Diptera was significantly affected by aspect, seasonality (month) and elevation, with richer diversity harbored in north-facing than south-facing slopes, and seasonality a more profound driver of community structure and diversity than elevation. Overall, massive species diversity of Diptera communities was discovered in this subtropical ecosystem of east China. The huge diversity of potentially undescribed species only revealed by metabarcoding now requires more detailed taxonomic study, as a step toward an evolutionary integration that accumulates information on species' geographic ranges, ecological traits, functional roles, and species interactions, and thus places the local communities in the context of the growing knowledge base of global biodiversity and its response to environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Huang
- Department of Forestry ProtectionSchool of Forestry and BiotechnologyZhejiang A&F UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xiaoqian Miao
- Department of Forestry ProtectionSchool of Forestry and BiotechnologyZhejiang A&F UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Qingyun Wang
- Department of Forestry ProtectionSchool of Forestry and BiotechnologyZhejiang A&F UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Frank Menzel
- Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches InstitutMünchebergGermany
| | - Pu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural EntomologyInstitute of Insect SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Ding Yang
- College of Plant ProtectionChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Hong Wu
- Department of Forestry ProtectionSchool of Forestry and BiotechnologyZhejiang A&F UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Alfried P. Vogler
- Department of Life SciencesNatural History MuseumLondonUK
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College LondonAscotUK
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11
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Carvalheiro LG, Bartomeus I, Rollin O, Timóteo S, Tinoco CF. The role of soils on pollination and seed dispersal. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200171. [PMID: 34365822 PMCID: PMC8349634 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing environmental changes are affecting physical, chemical and biological soil components. Evidence of impacts of soil changes on pollinators' and seed dispersers' behaviour, fitness and density is scarce, but growing. Here, we reviewed information on such impacts and on a number of mechanisms that may explain its propagation, taking into account the full range of resources required by the large and diverse number of species of these two important functional groups. We show that while there is substantial evidence on the effects of soil nitrogen enrichment and changes in soil water content on the quality and quantity of floral and fruit resources, little is known on the effects of changes of other soil properties (e.g. soil pH, soil structure, other nutrients). Also, the few studies showing correlations between soil changes and pollinator and seed disperser foraging behaviour or fitness do not clearly identify the mechanisms that explain such correlation. Finally, most studies (including those with nitrogen and water) are local and limited to a small number of species, and it remains unclear how variable such effects are across time and geographical regions, and the strength of interactive effects between soil properties. Increasing research on this topic, taking into consideration how impacts propagate through species interaction networks, will provide essential information to predict impacts of ongoing environmental changes and help guide conservation plans that aim to minimize impacts on ecosystem functioning. This article is part of the theme issue 'The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luísa G. Carvalheiro
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Brasil
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Orianne Rollin
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Timóteo
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carla Faleiro Tinoco
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Brasil
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12
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Barros-Cordeiro KB, Pujol-Luz JR, Báo SN. A Study of the Pupal Development of Five Forensically Important Flies (Diptera: Brachycera). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1643-1653. [PMID: 33822121 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Holometabolous insects undergo complete metamorphosis, and hence, they have different phases of development (egg, larva, pupa, and adult), which occupy distinct ecological niches. The pupae of several fly species are surrounded by the puparium, which is a rigid structure, usually formed by the integument of the last larval instar. The puparium presents unique characteristics distinct from those of the larval and adult phases. During intrapuparial development, it is possible to distinguish at least four fundamental and continuous steps, namely: 1) larval-pupal apolysis, 2) cryptocephalic pupa, 3) phanerocephalic pupa, and 4) pharate adult. The objective of this work was to describe the external morphology of the distinct phase of development for five species that were collected, identified, and raised in the laboratory; intrapuparial development was studied by fixing immature specimens at regular intervals; the morphological analyses were performed with the aid of both light and scanning electron microscopy. Under the conditions established (27 ± 1.0 or 23 ± 1.0°C, 60 ± 10% relative humidity, 12 h of photoperiod), the minimum time for intrapuparial development was: 252 h for Megaselia scalaris (Loew 1966) (Phoridae), 192 h for Piophila casei (Linnaeus 1758) (Piophilidae), Fannia pusio (Wiedemann 1830) (Fanniidae), and Musca domestica (Linnaeus 1758) (Muscidae), and 96 h for Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius 1794) (Calliphoridae). Intrapuparial development has defined steps, and distinct species responded differently to the same environmental conditions. In addition, it is possible to establish a sequential rule without ignoring the specific characteristics of each taxon.
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Affiliation(s)
- K B Barros-Cordeiro
- Laboratório de Diversidade de Insetos do Cerrado, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil, CEP: 70910-900
- Laboratório de Microscopia e Microanálise, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil, CEP: 70910-900, and
| | - J R Pujol-Luz
- Laboratório de Diversidade de Insetos do Cerrado, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil, CEP: 70910-900
| | - S N Báo
- Laboratório de Microscopia e Microanálise, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil, CEP: 70910-900, and
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Feuda R, Goulty M, Zadra N, Gasparetti T, Rosato E, Pisani D, Rizzoli A, Segata N, Ometto L, Stabelli OR. Phylogenomics of Opsin Genes in Diptera Reveals Lineage-Specific Events and Contrasting Evolutionary Dynamics in Anopheles and Drosophila. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6322995. [PMID: 34270718 PMCID: PMC8369074 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Diptera is one of the biggest insect orders and displays a large diversity of visual adaptations. Similarly to other animals, the dipteran visual process is mediated by opsin genes. Although the diversity and function of these genes are well studied in key model species, a comprehensive comparative genomic study across the dipteran phylogeny is missing. Here we mined the genomes of 61 dipteran species, reconstructed the evolutionary affinities of 528 opsin genes, and determined the selective pressure acting in different species. We found that opsins underwent several lineage-specific events, including an independent expansion of Long Wave Sensitive opsins in flies and mosquitoes, and numerous family-specific duplications and losses. Both the Drosophila and the Anopheles complement are derived in comparison with the ancestral dipteran state. Molecular evolutionary studies suggest that gene turnover rate, overall mutation rate, and site-specific selective pressure are higher in Anopheles than in Drosophila. Overall, our findings indicate an extremely variable pattern of opsin evolution in dipterans, showcasing how two similarly aged radiations, Anopheles and Drosophila, are characterized by contrasting dynamics in the evolution of this gene family. These results provide a foundation for future studies on the dipteran visual system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Feuda
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, UK.,Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Matthew Goulty
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Nicola Zadra
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), San Michele all'Adige, Italy.,Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Italy
| | | | - Ezio Rosato
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, UK
| | | | - Annapaola Rizzoli
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | | | - Lino Ometto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Italy
| | - Omar Rota Stabelli
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), San Michele all'Adige, Italy.,Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Italy
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Urban Pit-Building Insects Are Attracted to Walls for Multiple Reasons. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070635. [PMID: 34356490 PMCID: PMC8301029 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Wormlions are small fly larvae that dig pit-traps in loose soil to hunt ants and other prey. Their natural habitat is caves, but they are also abundant in Mediterranean cities below man-made shelters, even in thin layers of soil. They are especially common next to building walls. First, we show that wormlions are indeed closer to walls than expected by chance. Next, we tested several explanations for this observation: the possible effect of soil depth, soil particle size, shade, and prey abundance. We could not find a single explanation for the wormlion’s proximity to walls, and in each site, a different set of explanations held true. The final step was to conduct an experiment. We placed wormlions on clear sand either in the center or next to the wall and observed whether they moved after a day. Those placed in the center moved over longer distances, and we interpret this result to indicate that those adjacent to the wall are more satisfied with their location. Our study provides an example for how animals take advantage of human-made changes in the habitat and prosper in urban habitats. Abstract Whereas most animals find urban habitats to be inferior to natural habitats, some “urban specialist” species thrive there. Wormlions present such an example. Common in Mediterranean cities, they cluster in thin layers of loose soil below man-made shelters. Wormlions are fly larvae that dig pit-traps in loose soil and hunt small arthropods. Our first aim was to determine whether wormlion pits accumulate next to walls. Wormlion pits were indeed closer to walls than expected by chance at most of the study sites. We examined possible factors behind this apparent preference, combining field observations and experiments, laboratory work, and theoretical analysis. We examined the effect of soil depth, particle size, shade, and prey abundance. Each factor provided a partial explanation for the wormlions’ proximity to walls, but none provided an overall explanation. We developed a spatially explicit simulation model, demonstrating under which conditions wall-adjacent positions are favored. Finally, we created artificial microhabitats, and placed wormlions either in the center or next to the wall. The wormlions in the center moved over longer distances than those next to the wall and did so more in the wall’s direction. The abundance of walls may help to explain the success of wormlions in urban habitats.
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Scharf I, Reshef MH, Avidov B, Ovadia O. Evidence for competition and cannibalism in wormlions. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12733. [PMID: 34140585 PMCID: PMC8211784 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92154-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Trap-building predators, such as web-building spiders and pit-building antlions, construct traps to capture their prey. These predators compete over sites that either enable the construction of suitable traps, are prey rich, or simply satisfy their abiotic requirements. We examined the effect of intraspecific competition over suitable space in pit-building wormlions. As expected, the ability of wormlions to select their favorable microhabitats-shaded or deep sand over lit or shallow sand-decreased with increasing density. Favorable microhabitats were populated more frequently by large than by small individuals and the density of individuals in the favorable microhabitat decreased with their increase in body mass. The advantage of large individuals in populating favorable microhabitats is nevertheless not absolute: both size categories constructed smaller pits when competing over a limited space compared to those constructed in isolation. The outcome of competition also depends on the type of habitat: deep sand is more important for large wormlions than small ones, while shade is similarly important for both size classes. Finally, in contrast to previous reports, cannibalism is shown here to be possible in wormlions. Its prevalence however is much lower compared to that documented in other trap-building predators. Our findings show that the advantage of large individuals over small ones should not be taken for granted, as it can depend on the environmental context. We present suggestions for the relative lack of competitive advantage of large wormlion individuals compared to other trap-building predators, which may stem from the absence of obvious weaponry, such as sharp mandibles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inon Scharf
- grid.12136.370000 0004 1937 0546School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - May Hershkovitz Reshef
- grid.12136.370000 0004 1937 0546School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Bar Avidov
- grid.12136.370000 0004 1937 0546School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Ovadia
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Noel G, Bonnet J, Everaerts S, Danel A, Calderan A, de Liedekerke A, de Montpellier d'Annevoie C, Francis F, Serteyn L. Distribution of wild bee (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) and hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) communities within farms undergoing ecological transition. Biodivers Data J 2021; 9:e60665. [PMID: 33519264 PMCID: PMC7819954 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.9.e60665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Havelange (Belgium), two farms are experiencing an ecological transition. We aimed to evaluate the impact of their agricultural activities on insect pollinator communities. This article depicts the situation at the very early stage of the farm transition. This study supports the fact that the maintenance of farm-level natural habitats provides environmental benefits, such as the conservation of two important pollinator communities: wild bees and hoverflies. New information Over two years (2018-2019), by using nets and coloured pan-traps, we collected 6301 bee and hoverfly specimens amongst contrasting habitats within two farmsteads undergoing ecological transition in Havelange (Belgium). We reported 101 bee species and morphospecies from 15 genera within six families and 31 hoverfly species and morphospecies from 18 genera. This list reinforces the national pollinator database by providing new distribution data for extinction-threatened species, such as Andrenaschencki Morawitz 1866, Bombuscampestris (Panzer 1801), Euceralongicornis (L.) and Halictusmaculatus Smith 1848 or for data deficient species, such as A.semilaevis Pérez 1903, A.fulvata (Müller 1766), A.trimmerana (Kirby 1802) and Hylaeusbrevicornis Nylander 1852.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire Noel
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA, Gembloux, Belgium Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA Gembloux Belgium
| | - Julie Bonnet
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA, Gembloux, Belgium Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA Gembloux Belgium
| | - Sylvain Everaerts
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA, Gembloux, Belgium Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA Gembloux Belgium
| | - Anouk Danel
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA, Gembloux, Belgium Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA Gembloux Belgium
| | - Alix Calderan
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA, Gembloux, Belgium Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA Gembloux Belgium
| | - Alexis de Liedekerke
- Ferme de Froidefontaine, Havelange, Belgium Ferme de Froidefontaine Havelange Belgium
| | - Clotilde de Montpellier d'Annevoie
- Department of Geography, Institute Transitions, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium Department of Geography, Institute Transitions, University of Namur Namur Belgium.,Ferme d'Emeville, Havelange, Belgium Ferme d'Emeville Havelange Belgium
| | - Frédéric Francis
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA, Gembloux, Belgium Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA Gembloux Belgium
| | - Laurent Serteyn
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA, Gembloux, Belgium Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - University of Liège, TERRA Gembloux Belgium
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18
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Cook DF, Voss SC, Finch JTD, Rader RC, Cook JM, Spurr CJ. The Role of Flies as Pollinators of Horticultural Crops: An Australian Case Study with Worldwide Relevance. INSECTS 2020; 11:E341. [PMID: 32498457 PMCID: PMC7349676 DOI: 10.3390/insects11060341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Australian horticulture relies heavily on the introduced managed honey bee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae), to pollinate crops. Given the risks associated with reliance upon a single species, it would be prudent to identify other taxa that could be managed to provide crop pollination services. We reviewed the literature relating to the distribution, efficiency and management potential of a number of flies (Diptera) known to visit pollinator-dependent crops in Australia and worldwide. Applying this information, we identified the taxa most suitable to play a greater role as managed pollinators in Australian crops. Of the taxa reviewed, flower visitation by representatives from the dipteran families Calliphoridae, Rhiniidae and Syrphidae was frequently reported in the literature. While data available are limited, there was clear evidence of pollination by these flies in a range of crops. A review of fly morphology, foraging behaviour and physiology revealed considerable potential for their development as managed pollinators, either alone or to augment honey bee services. Considering existing pollination evidence, along with the distribution, morphology, behaviour and life history traits of introduced and endemic species, 11 calliphorid, two rhiniid and seven syrphid species were identified as candidates with high potential for use in Australian managed pollination services. Research directions for the comprehensive assessment of the pollination abilities of the identified taxa to facilitate their development as a pollination service are described. This triage approach to identifying species with high potential to become significant managed pollinators at local or regional levels is clearly widely applicable to other countries and taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F Cook
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia
| | - Sasha C Voss
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Jonathan T D Finch
- Plants Animals and Interactions, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; (J.T.D.F.); (J.M.C.)
| | - Romina C Rader
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Madgewick Drive, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia;
| | - James M Cook
- Plants Animals and Interactions, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; (J.T.D.F.); (J.M.C.)
| | - Cameron J Spurr
- SeedPurity Pty Ltd., 2 Derwent Avenue, Margate, Tasmania 7054, Australia;
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Dunn L, Lequerica M, Reid CR, Latty T. Dual ecosystem services of syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae): pollinators and biological control agents. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:1973-1979. [PMID: 32115861 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
With increasing worldwide pressure on bee pollinator populations and an increase in insecticide resistance amongst pest insects, there is a growing need for diversification of pollinator and pest control systems. Syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) contribute ecosystem services to agroecosystems through their supporting roles as crop pollinators and predators of pests. Adult syrphids are important pollinators with high floral visitation rates and pollen carrying capacity, while predatory syrphid larvae are natural biological control agents, reducing aphid populations in both field and laboratory conditions. The present challenge is to determine whether syrphid flies have the potential for application as pollinators and in integrated pest management schemes as biological control agents. Currently, there are gaps in research that are hindering the use of syrphids as dual service providers. Such gaps include a lack of knowledge of syrphid floral preferences, the role and viability of adult syrphids as pollinators in natural and agro-ecological pollinator networks, and the predatory efficiency of larvae in field and glasshouse conditions. By reviewing relevant literature, we demonstrate syrphid flies have the potential to be used as pollinators and biological control agents. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucinda Dunn
- Sydney Institute of Agriculture, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Manuel Lequerica
- Integrative Ecology Lab, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chris R Reid
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Australia
| | - Tanya Latty
- Sydney Institute of Agriculture, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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20
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Jin J, Agwa AJ, Szanto TG, Csóti A, Panyi G, Schroeder CI, Walker AA, King GF. Weaponisation 'on the fly': Convergent recruitment of knottin and defensin peptide scaffolds into the venom of predatory assassin flies. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 118:103310. [PMID: 31870846 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Many arthropod venom peptides have potential as bioinsecticides, drug leads, and pharmacological tools due to their specific neuromodulatory functions. Assassin flies (Asilidae) are a family of predaceous dipterans that produce a unique and complex peptide-rich venom for killing insect prey and deterring predators. However, very little is known about the structure and function of their venom peptides. We therefore used an E. coli periplasmic expression system to express four disulfide-rich peptides that we previously reported to exist in venom of the giant assassin fly Dolopus genitalis. After purification, each recombinant peptide eluted from a C18 column at a position closely matching its natural counterpart, strongly suggesting adoption of the native tertiary fold. Injection of purified recombinant peptides into blowflies (Lucilia cuprina) and crickets (Acheta domestica) revealed that two of the four recombinant peptides, named rDg3b and rDg12, inhibited escape behaviour in a manner that was rapid in onset (<1 min) and reversible. Homonuclear NMR solution structures revealed that rDg3b and rDg12 adopt cystine-stabilised α/ß defensin and inhibitor cystine knot folds, respectively. Although the closest known homologues of rDg3b at the level of primary structure are dipteran antimicrobial peptides such as sapecin and lucifensin, a DALI search showed that the tertiary structure of rDg3b most closely resembles the KV11.1-specific α-potassium channel toxin CnErg1 from venom of the scorpion Centruroides noxius. This is mainly due to the deletion of a large, unstructured loop between the first and second cysteine residues present in Dg3b homologues from non-asiloid, but not existing in asiloid, species. Patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments revealed that rDg3b shifts the voltage-dependence of KV11.1 channel activation to more depolarised potentials, but has no effect on KV1.3, KV2.1, KV10.1, KCa1.1, or the Drosophila Shaker channel. Although rDg12 shares the inhibitor cystine knot structure of many gating modifier toxins, rDg12 did not affect any of these KV channel subtypes. Our results demonstrate that multiple disulfide-rich peptide scaffolds have been convergently recruited into asilid and other animal venoms, and they provide insight into the molecular evolution accompanying their weaponisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Jin
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Akello J Agwa
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Tibor G Szanto
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Agota Csóti
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Christina I Schroeder
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Rhodén C, Wahlberg E. The phylogeny of Empis and Rhamphomyia (Diptera, Empididae) investigated using UCEs including an over 150 years old museum specimen. EVOLUTIONARY SYSTEMATICS 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.4.49537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The genera Empis Linneus, 1758 and Rhamphomyia Meigen, 1822 (Empidoidea, Empididae Latreille, 1809) are two large genera of flies commonly named dagger flies. They are widely distributed in the world with most species described from the Palearctic Region. Empis comprises about 810 described species and Rhamphomyia comprises about 610 described species, together they represent one third of the known species diversity in Empididae. Two recent studies on the phylogeny of the two genera using Sanger sequencing on a few genetic markers, did not support monophyly of them. In this study high throughput sequencing of target enriched molecular data of ultraconserved elements or UCEs was used to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of included representatives of the genera. This method has proven useful on old and dry museum specimens with high amounts of degraded DNA, which was also tested herein. For this purpose, a commercially synthesized bait kit has previously been developed for Diptera which this study was the first one to test. Three out of nine old and dry museum specimens were successfully sequenced, one with an age of at least 154 years. Higher DNA concentration yielded a greater number of reads. Analyses conducted in the study confirmed that both Empis and Rhamphomyia are non-monophyletic.
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Bashir MA, Saeed S, Sajjad A, Khan KA, Ghramh HA, Shehzad MA, Mubarak H, Mirza N, Mahpara S, Rehmani MIA, Ansari MJ. Insect pollinator diversity in four forested ecosystems of southern Punjab, Pakistan. Saudi J Biol Sci 2019; 26:1835-1842. [PMID: 31762665 PMCID: PMC6864159 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated pollinator assemblage diversity and richness in four forested ecosystems of southern Punjab, Pakistan, with different landscape types. Pirowal is situated in the plains of irrigated Punjab, Lal Suhanra is part of a sandy desert ecosystem, Ghazi Ghat is part of the Indus River delta, and Fort Munro is located in dry hilly mountains. A yearlong survey of pollinator populations was carried out in these four forested ecosystems from January to December of 2010. Fortnightly hand netting was performed for collecting flower-visiting insects whereas, pan traps of three colors (white, blue, and yellow) were deployed for collecting the data. A total of 8,812 individuals from two orders (Lepidoptera and Diptera) were observed, including 22 families and 154 species. Bees were the most abundant, with 4,502 individuals, and the most species-rich taxa, with 70 species in five families, followed by flies having 2,509 individuals and 51species in 10 families. Wasps were the least abundant with 1,801 individuals and 33 species in seven families. The assemblage structure of pollinator communities as visualized through rank abundance curves showed that there were many species with low abundance and only a few species with a much higher abundance. The most abundant species among the bees, in order, were Nomia sp.3, Megachile bicolor, and Colletes sp.3; among flies, Syrphus sp.2, Calliphoridae sp.1, and Empididae sp.4; and among wasps, Tiphiidae sp.1, Myzininae sp.2, and Scelionidae sp.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Amjad Bashir
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, 32200 Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Shafqat Saeed
- Department of Entomology, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Asif Sajjad
- Department of Entomology, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Ali Khan
- Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, P.O. Box 9004, Saudi Arabia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Hamed Ali Ghramh
- Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, P.O. Box 9004, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha 61413, P.O. Box 9004, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Hussani Mubarak
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, 32200 Punjab, Pakistan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China
| | - Nosheen Mirza
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan
| | - Shahzadi Mahpara
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, 32200 Punjab, Pakistan
| | | | - Mohammad Javed Ansari
- Bee Research Chair, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Botany, Hindu College Moradabad, 244001, India
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Effects of purified or plant-produced Cry proteins on Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) larvae. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11172. [PMID: 28894124 PMCID: PMC5593937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10801-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Although genetically engineered crops producing insecticidal Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are grown worldwide, few studies cover effects of Bt crops or Cry proteins on dipteran species in an agricultural context. We tested the toxicity of six purified Cry proteins and of Bt cotton and Bt maize tissue on Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) as a surrogate for decomposing Diptera. ELISA confirmed the presence of Cry proteins in plant material, artificial diet, and fly larvae, and concentrations were estimated. Median concentrations in emerging adult flies were below the limit of detection. Bioactivity of purified Cry proteins in the diet was confirmed by sensitive species assays using Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Purified Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1B, Cry1C, Cry1F, or Cry2Aa, or leaf material from stacked Bt cotton (Bollgard II producing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab) or Bt maize (SmartStax producing Cry1A.105, Cry1Fa2, Cry2Ab2, Cry3Bb1, Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1) had no consistent effects on D. melanogaster survival, developmental time, adult body mass or morphometrics. However, D. melanogaster showed longer developmental time and smaller wing size when fed with cotton leaves from plants infested with H. virescens caterpillars compared to flies fed with leaves from uninfested plants, while no such effects were obvious for maize.
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Haller S, Meissle M, Romeis J. Establishing a system with Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) to assess the non-target effects of gut-active insecticidal compounds. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2016; 25:1794-1804. [PMID: 27796688 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-016-1722-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Potentially adverse effects on ecosystem functioning by the planting of insect-resistant, genetically engineered plants or by the direct application of insecticidal compounds are carefully evaluated in pre-market risk assessments. To date, few studies have assessed the potential risks of genetically engineered crops or insecticidal compounds on the survival and fitness of dipteran species, despite their important contribution to ecosystem services such as decomposition in agricultural systems. Therefore, we propose that Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Drosophilidae) be used as a surrogate species for the order Diptera and for the functional guild of soil arthropod decomposers in pre-market risk assessments. We developed two assays to assess the toxicity of gut-active insecticidal compounds to D. melanogaster. One assay uses groups of fly larvae, and the other uses individuals. Cryolite, a mineral pesticide, proved to be an adequate positive control. The effects of cryolite on D. melanogaster larvae were comparable between the two assays. Statistical power analyses were used to define the number of replications required to identify different effect sizes between control and treatment groups. Finally, avidin, E-64, GNA, and SBTI were used as test compounds to validate the individual-based assay; only avidin adversely affected D. melanogaster. These results indicate that both D. melanogaster assays will be useful for early tier risk assessment concerning the effects of orally active compounds on non-target dipterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Haller
- Agroscope, Institute for Sustainability Sciences ISS, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, 8046, Switzerland.
| | - Michael Meissle
- Agroscope, Institute for Sustainability Sciences ISS, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, 8046, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Romeis
- Agroscope, Institute for Sustainability Sciences ISS, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, 8046, Switzerland.
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Vasconcelos SD, Salgado RL, Barbosa TM, Souza JRB. Diptera of Medico-Legal Importance Associated With Pig Carrion in a Tropical Dry Forest. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 53:1131-1139. [PMID: 27330102 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The diversity of necrophagous Diptera is largely unknown in seasonally dry tropical forests, despite their medical, veterinary, and forensic relevance. We performed a study in the dry Caatinga forest exclusive to Brazil in order to assess the diversity and temporal pattern of Diptera species using pig carcasses as substrates. Adults were collected daily until complete skeletonization. We collected 17,142 adults from 18 families, 10 of which comprise species with known necrophagous habits. The most abundant families were Calliphoridae (47.3% of specimens), Sarcophagidae (20.8%), and Muscidae (15.5%), whereas Sarcophagidae stood out in terms of richness with 21 species. The native Cochliomyia macellaria (F.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and the invasive Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedmann) (Calliphoridae) were the dominant species. A total of 18 species reached the carcass during the first 48 h postdeath. The bloated and active decay stages had the highest richness and abundance of dipterans. From a forensic standpoint, C. macellaria and C. albiceps are likely to aid in establishing postmortem interval due to their early arrival and high abundance on the carcass. Despite harsh environmental conditions, the Caatinga harbors a rich assemblage of dipterans that play a key role in carrion decomposition. Their medico-veterinary importance is strengthened by the poor local sanitary conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Vasconcelos
- Insects of Forensic Importance Research Group, Department of Zoology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 50.670-420, Recife - PE, Brazil (; ; ; )
| | - R L Salgado
- Insects of Forensic Importance Research Group, Department of Zoology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 50.670-420, Recife - PE, Brazil (; ; ; )
| | - T M Barbosa
- Insects of Forensic Importance Research Group, Department of Zoology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 50.670-420, Recife - PE, Brazil (; ; ; )
| | - J R B Souza
- Insects of Forensic Importance Research Group, Department of Zoology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 50.670-420, Recife - PE, Brazil (; ; ; )
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26
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Saeed S, Naqqash MN, Jaleel W, Saeed Q, Ghouri F. The effect of blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on the size and weight of mangos (Mangifera indica L.). PeerJ 2016; 4:e2076. [PMID: 27441107 PMCID: PMC4941737 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pollination has a great effect on the yield of fruit trees. Blow flies are considered as an effective pollinator compared to hand pollination in fruit orchards. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of different pollination methods in mango orchards. METHODOLOGY The impact of pollination on quantity and quality of mango yield by blow flies was estimated by using three treatments, i.e., open pollinated trees, trees were covered by a net in the presence of blow flies for pollination, and trees were covered with a net but without insects. RESULTS The maximum number of flowers was recorded in irregular types of inflorescence, i.e., 434.80 flowers/inflorescence. Fruit setting (bud) was higher in open pollinated mango trees (i.e. 37.00/inflorescence) than enclosed pollination by blow flies (i.e. 22.34/inflorescence). The size of the mango fruit was the highest (5.06 mm) in open pollinated tree than those pollinated by blow flies (3.93 mm) and followed by without any pollinator (3.18 mm) at marble stage. We found that the maximum weight of mango fruit (201.19 g) was in open pollinated trees. DISCUSSION The results demonstrated that blow flies can be used as effective mango pollinators along with other flies and bees. The blow flies have shown a positive impact on the quality and quantity of mango. This study will be helpful in future and also applicable at farm level to use blow flies as pollinators that are cheap and easy to rear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafqat Saeed
- Department of Entomology, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Nadir Naqqash
- Department of Plant Production and Technologies, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Niğde University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Nidge, Turkey
| | - Waqar Jaleel
- College of Agriculture, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qamar Saeed
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Fozia Ghouri
- College of Agriculture, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhang Q, Zhang J, Feng Y, Zhang H, Wang B. An endoparasitoid Cretaceous fly and the evolution of parasitoidism. Naturwissenschaften 2015; 103:2. [PMID: 26715353 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-015-1327-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Parasitoidism is a key innovation in insect evolution, and parasitoid insects, nowadays, play a significant role in structuring ecological communities. Despite their diversity and ecological impact, little is known about the early evolution and ecology of parasitoid insects, especially parasitoid true flies (Diptera). Here, we describe a bizarre fly, Zhenia xiai gen. et sp. nov., from Late Cretaceous Burmese amber (about 99 million years old) that represents the latest occurrence of the family Eremochaetidae. Z. xiai is an endoparasitoid insect as evidenced by a highly developed, hypodermic-like ovipositor formed by abdominal tergites VIII + IX that was used for injecting eggs into hosts and enlarged tridactylous claws supposedly for clasping hosts. Our results suggest that eremochaetids are among the earliest definite records of parasitoid insects. Our findings reveal an unexpected morphological specialization of flies and broaden our understanding of the evolution and diversity of ancient parasitoid insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China.,College of Palaeontology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, 110034, China
| | - Yitao Feng
- , Nanjiao Bieshu 394, Shanghai, 201108, China
| | - Haichun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Ssymank A, Kearns CA, Pape T, Thompson FC. Pollinating Flies (Diptera): A major contribution to plant diversity and agricultural production. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1080/14888386.2008.9712892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Winterton SL, Wiegmann BM, Schlinger EI. Phylogeny and Bayesian divergence time estimations of small-headed flies (Diptera: Acroceridae) using multiple molecular markers. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2007; 43:808-32. [PMID: 17196837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2006] [Revised: 07/19/2006] [Accepted: 08/13/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The first formal analysis of phylogenetic relationships among small-headed flies (Acroceridae) is presented based on DNA sequence data from two ribosomal (16S and 28S) and two protein-encoding genes: carbomoylphosphate synthase (CPS) domain of CAD (i.e., rudimentary locus) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI). DNA sequences from 40 species in 22 genera of Acroceridae (representing all three subfamilies) were compared with outgroup exemplars from Nemestrinidae, Stratiomyidae, Tabanidae, and Xylophagidae. Parsimony and Bayesian simultaneous analyses of the full data set recover a well-resolved and strongly supported hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships for major lineages within the family. Molecular evidence supports the monophyly of traditionally recognised subfamilies Philopotinae and Panopinae, but Acrocerinae are polyphyletic. Panopinae, sometimes considered "primitive" based on morphology and host-use, are always placed in a more derived position in the current study. Furthermore, these data support emerging morphological evidence that the type genus Acrocera Meigen, and its sister genus Sphaerops, are atypical acrocerids, comprising a sister lineage to all other Acroceridae. Based on the phylogeny generated in the simultaneous analysis, historical divergence times were estimated using Bayesian methodology constrained with fossil data. These estimates indicate Acroceridae likely evolved during the late Triassic but did not diversify greatly until the Cretaceous.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Carbamoyl-Phosphate Synthase (Ammonia)/genetics
- Diptera/classification
- Diptera/genetics
- Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics
- Evolution, Molecular
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- Phylogeny
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/chemistry
- RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/genetics
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun L Winterton
- Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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