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Wulff JP, Hickner PV, Watson DW, Denning SS, Belikoff EJ, Scott MJ. Antennal transcriptome analysis reveals sensory receptors potentially associated with host detection in the livestock pest Lucilia cuprina. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:308. [PMID: 39026238 PMCID: PMC11256703 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06391-6] [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: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is the main causative agent of flystrike of sheep in Australia and New Zealand. Female flies lay eggs in an open wound or natural orifice, and the developing larvae eat the host's tissues, a condition called myiasis. To improve our understanding of host-seeking behavior, we quantified gene expression in male and female antennae based on their behavior. METHODS A spatial olfactometer was used to evaluate the olfactory response of L. cuprina mated males and gravid females to fresh or rotting beef. Antennal RNA-Seq analysis was used to identify sensory receptors differentially expressed between groups. RESULTS Lucilia cuprina females were more attracted to rotten compared to fresh beef (> fivefold increase). However, males and some females did not respond to either type of beef. RNA-Seq analysis was performed on antennae dissected from attracted females, non-attracted females and males. Transcripts encoding sensory receptors from 11 gene families were identified above a threshold (≥ 5 transcript per million) including 49 ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs), two ammonium transporters (AMTs), 37 odorant receptors (ORs), 16 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 5 gustatory receptors (GRs), 22 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 9 CD36-sensory neuron membrane proteins (CD36/SNMPs), 4 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 4 myeloid lipid-recognition (ML) and Niemann-Pick C2 disease proteins (ML/NPC2), 2 pickpocket receptors (PPKs) and 3 transient receptor potential channels (TRPs). Differential expression analyses identified sex-biased sensory receptors. CONCLUSIONS We identified sensory receptors that were differentially expressed between the antennae of both sexes and hence may be associated with host detection by female flies. The most promising for future investigations were as follows: an odorant receptor (LcupOR46) which is female-biased in L. cuprina and Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel, 1858; an ABC transporter (ABC G23.1) that was the sole sensory receptor upregulated in the antennae of females attracted to rotting beef compared to non-attracted females; a female-biased ammonia transporter (AMT_Rh50), which was previously associated with ammonium detection in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830. This is the first report suggesting a possible role for ABC transporters in L. cuprina olfaction and potentially in other insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Wulff
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Paul V Hickner
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, 2700 Fredericksburg Road, Kerrville, TX, 78028-9184, USA
| | - David W Watson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Steven S Denning
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Esther J Belikoff
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Maxwell J Scott
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
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McIntyre DB, Dawson BM, Long BM, Barton PS. A review of multi-disciplinary decomposition research and key drivers of variation in decay. Int J Legal Med 2024:10.1007/s00414-024-03222-2. [PMID: 38622312 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03222-2] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The decomposition of animal remains is a multifaceted process, involving ecological, biological, and chemical interactions. While the complexity is acknowledged through concepts like the necrobiome, it's unclear if this complexity is reflected in research. Appreciation of the complexity of decomposition is crucial for identifying sources of variation in estimations of time since death in medico-legal science, as well as building broader ecological knowledge of the decomposition process. To gain insights into the extent of multidisciplinary research in the field of decomposition science, we conducted an examination of peer-reviewed literature on four key drivers of variation: volatile organic compounds, microbes, drugs/toxins, and insects. Among 650 articles, we identified their scientific discipline, driver/s of variation investigated, and year of publication. We found that 19% explored relationships between two drivers, while only 4% investigated interactions between three. None considered all four drivers. Over the past three decades, there has been a steady increase in decomposition research publications, signifying its growing importance. Most research (79%) was linked to forensic science, highlighting opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in decomposition science. Overall, our review underscores the need to incorporate multidisciplinary approaches and theory into contemporary decomposition research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna B McIntyre
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia.
- Graduate Research School, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia.
| | - Blake M Dawson
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia
| | - Benjamin M Long
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia
| | - Philip S Barton
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
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Fattorini S, Vitozzi A, Di Biase L, Bergamaschi D. Macroecology of Dung Beetles in Italy. INSECTS 2024; 15:39. [PMID: 38249045 PMCID: PMC10816216 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The Italian fauna includes about 170 species/subspecies of dung beetles, being one of the richest in Europe. We used data on dung beetle distribution in the Italian regions to investigate some macroecological patterns. Specifically, we tested if species richness decreased southward (peninsula effect) or northward (latitudinal gradient). We also considered the effects of area (i.e., the species-area relationship), topographic complexity, and climate in explaining dung beetle richness. Finally, we used multivariate techniques to identify biotic relationships between regions. We found no support for the peninsula effect, whereas scarabaeines followed a latitudinal gradient, thus supporting a possible role of southern areas as Pleistocene refuges for this group of mainly thermophilic beetles. By contrast, aphodiines were more associated with cold and humid climates and do not show a distinct latitudinal pattern. In general, species richness was influenced by area, with the Sardinian fauna being however strongly impoverished because of its isolation. Faunal patterns for mainland regions reflect the influence of current ecological settings and historical factors (Pleistocene glaciations) in determining species distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Fattorini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Alessia Vitozzi
- Department of Statistical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Letizia Di Biase
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Davide Bergamaschi
- Department of Entomology, Forbes 410, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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Perera NN, Barrow RA, Weston PA, Weston LA, Gurr GM. Field evaluation of electrophysiologically-active dung volatiles as chemical lures for trapping of dung beetles. Sci Rep 2024; 14:584. [PMID: 38182629 PMCID: PMC10770360 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50079-3] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Dung beetles are economically important beneficial insects that process dung. To locate this source, they use volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The objectives of the study were to evaluate the attractiveness of ten electrophysiologically-active dung volatiles (phenol, skatole, indole, p-cresol, butanone, butyric acid, eucalyptol, dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide, and toluene) to dung beetles in the field and to investigate how the composition of volatile blends influences efficacy as lures for use in traps. Six combinations of the compounds were compared with field collected cattle dung bait and a negative control, across three seasons. Both dung and synthetic baits captured all exotic dung beetle species present in the study area. A six-compound mix (M1), comprising major dung volatiles, served as an attractive chemical mixture. The addition of dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide (M2) and toluene (M4) enhanced attractancy of M1 for dung beetles, while eucalyptol (M3) decreased the attractancy. The degree of attraction by various dung beetle species to synthetic baits varied, but baits proved to be effective, especially for summer trapping. The trap design used in this study presented a convenient and practical way to sample dung beetle and other associated scarabs from open pastures. The attraction of introduced dung beetle species to synthetic baits is documented here for the first time in Australia. In addition, necrophagous Omorgus sp. is reported here for the first time to be attracted to synthetic baits. They showed a significant attraction to the mixture containing dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide (M2). The current study represents a promising first step towards formulating a synthetic chemical lure for dung beetles, offering a consistent, standardised, and bio-secure trapping method compared to use of naturally occurring dung baits, especially as a multi-species lure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisansala N Perera
- Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
- School of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
| | - Russell A Barrow
- Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
| | - Paul A Weston
- Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
| | - Leslie A Weston
- Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
- School of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
| | - Geoff M Gurr
- Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia.
- School of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia.
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Sun W, Tang W, Wu Y, He S, Wu X. The Influences of Rainfall Intensity and Timing on the Assemblage of Dung Beetles and the Rate of Dung Removal in an Alpine Meadow. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1496. [PMID: 38132322 PMCID: PMC10741044 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Changes in precipitation patterns, including rainfall intensity and rainfall timing, have been extensively demonstrated to impact biological processes and associated ecosystem functions. However, less attention has been paid to the effects of rainfall intensity and rainfall timing on the assembly of detritivore communities and the decomposition rate of detritus such as animal dung. In a grazed alpine meadow on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, we conducted a manipulative experiment involving two levels of rainfall intensity (heavy rainfall, 1000 mL/5 min; light rainfall, 100 mL/5 min) and five levels of rainfall timing (0, 2, 4, 24, and 48 h after yak dung deposition). The aim was to determine the effects of rainfall intensity, timing, and their interaction on the assemblage of dung beetles and dung removal rate during the early stage (i.e., 96 h after yak dung deposition) of dung decomposition. Light rainfall significantly increased species richness in the treatment of 48 h after dung pats were deposited. Heavy rainfall significantly decreased beetle abundance in both the 0 h and 48 h treatments while light rainfall had no effect on beetle abundance. Dung mass loss was significant lower in the 2 h treatment compared to other treatments regardless of rainfall intensity. The structural equation model further revealed that the species richness of dung beetles and dung mass loss were significantly affected by rainfall timing but not by rainfall intensity. However, no significant relationships were observed between any variables examined. These findings suggest that changes in precipitation patterns can influence both the structure of dung beetles and the rate of dung decomposition but may also decouple their relationship under a certain circumstance. Therefore, it is crucial to pay greater attention to fully understand local variability between the biological processes and ecosystem functions within a global climate change scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xinwei Wu
- Department of Ecology, College of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; (W.S.); (W.T.); (Y.W.); (S.H.)
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Perera NN, Barrow RA, Weston PA, Rolland V, Hands P, Gurusinghe S, Weston LA, Gurr GM. Characterisation of Antennal Sensilla and Electroantennography Responses of the Dung Beetles Bubas bison, Onitis aygulus and Geotrupes spiniger (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) to Dung Volatile Organic Compounds. INSECTS 2023; 14:627. [PMID: 37504633 PMCID: PMC10380661 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Locating sporadically distributed food resources and mate finding are strongly aided by volatile cues for most insects, including dung beetles. However, there is limited information on the olfactory ecology of dung beetles. We conducted a scanning electron microscopy study on the morphology and distribution of the antennal sensilla of three introduced dung beetle species in Australia: Geotrupes spiniger (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae), Bubas bison and Onitis aygulus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Three main morphological types of antennal sensilla were identified: sensilla trichodea (ST), sensilla basiconica (SB) and sensilla chaetica (SCh). Distinct variations of SB distribution were observed in B. bison and G. spiniger and on different lamellar surfaces in both sexes of all three species. Sexual dimorphism in antennal sensilla distribution or their abundance was not evident. To complement the morphological characterisation of sensilla, electroantennography (EAG) was carried out to construct EAG response profiles of the three species to selected dung volatiles. An initial study revealed that antennae of all species were sensitive to a mix of phenol, skatole, indole, p-cresol, butanone and butyric acid, common components of livestock dung headspace. In addition to these six compounds, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, eucalyptol and toluene were tested for antennal activity. All compounds evoked measurable EAG responses, confirming antennal sensitivity. Geotrupes spiniger exhibited significant responses to all the compounds compared to the control, whereas B. bison and O. aygulus only responded to a subset of compounds. A comparison of relative EAG amplitudes revealed highly significant responses to p-cresol in G. spiniger and to skatole in B. bison. Geotrupes spiniger displayed differential responses to all the compounds. Pooled EAG data suggest highly significant differences in responses among the three species and among compounds. Our findings suggest that a blend of volatiles may offer potential for the trapping of dung beetles, thereby avoiding the use of dung baits that are inconvenient, inconsistent and may pose a threat to farm biosecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisansala N Perera
- Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- School of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Russell A Barrow
- Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Paul A Weston
- Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- School of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Vivien Rolland
- CSIRO, Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Philip Hands
- CSIRO, Agriculture and Food, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Saliya Gurusinghe
- Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Leslie A Weston
- Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- School of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Geoff M Gurr
- Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- School of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Leeds Parade, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
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7
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Englmeier J, von Hoermann C, Rieker D, Benbow ME, Benjamin C, Fricke U, Ganuza C, Haensel M, Lackner T, Mitesser O, Redlich S, Riebl R, Rojas‐Botero S, Rummler T, Salamon J, Sommer D, Steffan‐Dewenter I, Tobisch C, Uhler J, Uphus L, Zhang J, Müller J. Dung-visiting beetle diversity is mainly affected by land use, while community specialization is driven by climate. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9386. [PMID: 36248674 PMCID: PMC9547384 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9386] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dung beetles are important actors in the self‐regulation of ecosystems by driving nutrient cycling, bioturbation, and pest suppression. Urbanization and the sprawl of agricultural areas, however, destroy natural habitats and may threaten dung beetle diversity. In addition, climate change may cause shifts in geographical distribution and community composition. We used a space‐for‐time approach to test the effects of land use and climate on α‐diversity, local community specialization (H2′) on dung resources, and γ‐diversity of dung‐visiting beetles. For this, we used pitfall traps baited with four different dung types at 115 study sites, distributed over a spatial extent of 300 km × 300 km and 1000 m in elevation. Study sites were established in four local land‐use types: forests, grasslands, arable sites, and settlements, embedded in near‐natural, agricultural, or urban landscapes. Our results show that abundance and species density of dung‐visiting beetles were negatively affected by agricultural land use at both spatial scales, whereas γ‐diversity at the local scale was negatively affected by settlements and on a landscape scale equally by agricultural and urban land use. Increasing precipitation diminished dung‐visiting beetle abundance, and higher temperatures reduced community specialization on dung types and γ‐diversity. These results indicate that intensive land use and high temperatures may cause a loss in dung‐visiting beetle diversity and alter community networks. A decrease in dung‐visiting beetle diversity may disturb decomposition processes at both local and landscape scales and alter ecosystem functioning, which may lead to drastic ecological and economic damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Englmeier
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical BiologyJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgRauhenebrachGermany
| | | | - Daniel Rieker
- Department of Conservation BiologyGoethe University FrankfurtFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Marc Eric Benbow
- AgBioResearch and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Department of EntomologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA,AgBioResearch and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Department of Osteopathic SpecialtiesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Caryl Benjamin
- TUM School of Life Sciences, EcoclimatologyTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Ute Fricke
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Cristina Ganuza
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Maria Haensel
- Professorship of Ecological Services, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER)University of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Tomáš Lackner
- Department of Conservation and ResearchBavarian Forest National ParkGrafenauGermany
| | - Oliver Mitesser
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical BiologyJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgRauhenebrachGermany
| | - Sarah Redlich
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Rebekka Riebl
- Professorship of Ecological Services, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER)University of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Sandra Rojas‐Botero
- Chair of Restoration Ecology, School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Thomas Rummler
- Institute of GeographyUniversity of AugsburgAugsburgGermany
| | - Jörg‐Alfred Salamon
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution & Field Station SchapenUniversity of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannoverGermany
| | - David Sommer
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPraha‐2Czech Republic,Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental SciencesCzech University of Life Sciences PraguePraha‐SuchdolCzech Republic
| | - Ingolf Steffan‐Dewenter
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Cynthia Tobisch
- Chair of Restoration Ecology, School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany,Institute of Ecology and LandscapeWeihenstephan‐Triesdorf University of Applied SciencesFreisingGermany
| | - Johannes Uhler
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical BiologyJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgRauhenebrachGermany
| | - Lars Uphus
- TUM School of Life Sciences, EcoclimatologyTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Jörg Müller
- Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical BiologyJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgRauhenebrachGermany,Department of Conservation and ResearchBavarian Forest National ParkGrafenauGermany
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Urrutia MA, Cortez V, Verdú JR. Links Between Feeding Preferences and Electroantennogram Response Profiles in Dung Beetles: The Importance of Dung Odor Bouquets. J Chem Ecol 2022; 48:690-703. [PMID: 36083414 PMCID: PMC9618527 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-022-01383-1] [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: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The detection of dung odors is a crucial step in the food-searching behavior of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea). Yet, whether certain compounds characteristic of a given dung type contribute to a ‘choosy generalism’ behavior proposed for this taxonomic group is unknown. To address this, we analyzed the chemical composition of three types of dung (cow, horse, and rabbit) and conducted behavioral and electroantennogram (EAG) bioassays on 15 species of dung beetles using 19 volatile organic compounds representing the three dung samples. Chemical analyses revealed substantial qualitative and quantitative differences among dung types. When offered these food options in an olfactometer, 14 species exhibited a feeding preference. Surprisingly, all 19 compounds used in the EAG assays elicited antennal responses, with species displaying different olfactory profiles. The relationship between behavioral preferences and electrophysiological profiles highlighted that species with different food preferences had differences in antennal responses. Moreover, a specific set of EAG-active compounds (nonanal, sabinene, acetophenone, ρ-cresol, 2-heptanone, 1H-indole, and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one) were the strongest drivers in the distinct sensory profiles of the trophic preference groups. Our results point to the importance of the whole bouquet of dung-emanating compounds in driving food-searching behavior, but specific volatiles could aid in determining highly marked trophic preferences in certain species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Urrutia
- Research Institute CIBIO (Centro Iberoamericano de la Bioaffiliationersidad) Science Park, University of Alicante, E-03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - Vieyle Cortez
- Research Institute CIBIO (Centro Iberoamericano de la Bioaffiliationersidad) Science Park, University of Alicante, E-03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - José R Verdú
- Research Institute CIBIO (Centro Iberoamericano de la Bioaffiliationersidad) Science Park, University of Alicante, E-03690, Alicante, Spain.
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von Hoermann C, Weithmann S, Sikorski J, Nevo O, Szpila K, Grzywacz A, Grunwald JE, Reckel F, Overmann J, Steiger S, Ayasse M. Linking bacteria, volatiles and insects on carrion: the role of temporal and spatial factors regulating inter-kingdom communication via volatiles. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220555. [PMID: 36061525 PMCID: PMC9428529 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Multi-kingdom community complexity and the chemically mediated dynamics between bacteria and insects have recently received increased attention in carrion research. However, the strength of these inter-kingdom interactions and the factors that regulate them are poorly studied. We used 75 piglet cadavers across three forest regions to survey the relationship between three actors (epinecrotic bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and flies) during the first 4 days of decomposition and the factors that regulate this interdependence. The results showed a dynamic bacterial change during decomposition (temperature-time index) and across the forest management gradient, but not between regions. Similarly, VOC emission was dynamic across a temperature-time index and the forest management gradient but did not differ between regions. However, fly occurrence was dynamic across both space and time. The strong interdependence between the three actors was mainly regulated by the temperature-time index and the study regions, thereby revealing regulation at temporal and spatial scales. Additionally, the actor interdependence was stable across a gradient of forest management intensity. By combining different actors of decomposition, we have expanded our knowledge of the holistic mechanisms regulating carrion community dynamics and inter-kingdom interactions, an important precondition for better describing food web dynamics and entire ecosystem functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian von Hoermann
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, Grafenau, Germany
| | - Sandra Weithmann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Sikorski
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Diversity Research, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Omer Nevo
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Szpila
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Andrzej Grzywacz
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Jan-Eric Grunwald
- Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, SG 204, Microtraces/Biology, 80636 Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Reckel
- Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, SG 204, Microtraces/Biology, 80636 Munich, Germany
| | - Jörg Overmann
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Diversity Research, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sandra Steiger
- Department of Evolutionary Animal Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Contrasting Volatilomes of Livestock Dung Drive Preference of the Dung Beetle Bubas bison (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134152. [PMID: 35807397 PMCID: PMC9268081 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Volatile cues can play a significant role in the location and discrimination of food resources by insects. Dung beetles have been reported to discriminate among dung types produced by different species, thereby exhibiting behavioral preferences. However, the role of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in dung localization and preference remains largely unexplored in dung beetles. Here we performed several studies: firstly, cage olfactometer bioassays were performed to evaluate the behavioral responses of Bubas bison (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) to VOCs emanating from fresh horse, sheep, and cattle dung; secondly, concurrent volatilome analysis was performed to characterize volatilomes of these dung types. Bubas bison adults exhibited greater attraction to horse dung and less attraction to cattle dung, and they preferred dung from horses fed a pasture-based diet over dung from those fed lucerne hay. Volatilomes of the corresponding dung samples from each livestock species contained a diverse group of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, phenols, and sulfurous compounds, but the composition and abundance of annotated VOCs varied with dung type and livestock diet. The volatilome of horse dung was the most chemically diverse. Results from a third study evaluating electroantennogram response and supplementary olfactometry provided strong evidence that indole, butyric acid, butanone, p-cresol, skatole, and phenol, as well as toluene, are involved in the attraction of B. bison to dung, with a mixture of these components significantly more attractive than individual constituents.
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The predatory impacts of invasive European wasps on flies are facilitated by carcasses with open wounds. FOOD WEBS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2022.e00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Weithmann S, von Hoermann C, Degasperi G, Brandt K, Steiger S, Ayasse M. Temporal variability of the rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) community on small vertebrate carrion and its potential use for forensic entomology. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 323:110792. [PMID: 33895634 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) are one of the most important colonizers of vertebrate cadavers. We have previously investigated carrion-associated rove beetle communities across various forests and demonstrated that the study regions are the main drivers of the local rove beetle species pool that is, in turn, able to colonize a carcass. Nevertheless, little is known about their temporal variation in community composition during the decomposition process. The aim of our study has been to analyze the temporal changes of the composition of the rove beetle community and to identify new, potentially useful candidate species for forensic entomological evaluations. We determined 80 rove beetle species that were attracted to 60 piglet cadavers across various forest stands in Germany. Both the abundance and the community composition changed over the decomposition process, independently of the species-specific geographical variation across study regions. In the region Schorfheide-Chorin, species from the genus Philonthus proved to be a suitable group for future forensic entomological investigations. They appeared in markedly high numbers at piglet cadavers from the bloated stage until the advanced decay stage. For the study region Schwäbische Alb, we newly describe the species Omalium septentrionis as a member of the carrion-associated rove beetle fauna. Based on the geographical variation in rove beetle community compositions, we have filtered out several species that might contribute to advances in postmortem interval estimations or other applied fields in forensic entomological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Weithmann
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany.
| | - Christian von Hoermann
- Department of Conservation and Research, Bavarian Forest National Park, 94481 Grafenau, Germany.
| | - Gregor Degasperi
- Department for Ecology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Katharina Brandt
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany.
| | - Sandra Steiger
- Department of Evolutionary Animal Ecology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany.
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Sladecek FXJ, Dötterl S, Schäffler I, Segar ST, Konvicka M. Succession of Dung-Inhabiting Beetles and Flies Reflects the Succession of Dung-Emitted Volatile Compounds. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:433-443. [PMID: 33830431 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01266-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chemical cues, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are often essential for insects to locate food. Relative to the volume of studies on the role of VOCs in insect-plant relationships, the role of VOCs emitted by dung and carrion in mediating the behavior of insect decomposers is understudied. Such relationships may provide a mechanistic understanding of the temporal axis of community assembly processes in decomposing insect communities. We focused on the temporal succession of volatiles released by cow dung pats and the potential influence on dung-inhabiting insects. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry we identified and quantified VOCs released from dung 1-h, and 1, 2 3, 5, and 7 d-old. We then related changes in VOCs to successional patterns of dung-inhabiting beetles and flies. We detected 54 VOCs which could be assigned to two successional groups, with chemical turnover in dung changing around day 2. The early successional group consisted primarily of aliphatic alcohols and phenols, and the late one of aliphatic esters, nitrogen- and sulfur-bearing compounds. Flies were predominately associated with the early successional group, mainly with 1-butanol. Beetles were associated predominately with the late-successional group, mainly with dimethyl trisulfide. This association between insect and chemical successional patterns supports the idea that habitat filtering drives the community assembly of dung-inhabiting insects on an aging resource. Moreover, the affinity of both insect groups to specific VOC groups provides a mechanistic explanation for the predictability of successional patterns found in dung-inhabiting insect communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frantisek Xaver Jiri Sladecek
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. .,Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Stefan Dötterl
- Department of Biosciences, Plant Ecology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Irmgard Schäffler
- Department of Biosciences, Plant Ecology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Martin Konvicka
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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