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Weluwanarak T, Chaiphongpachara T, Changbunjong T. Evaluation of the wing cell contour to distinguish between Stomoxys bengalensis and Stomoxys sitiens (Diptera: Muscidae) using outline-based morphometrics. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 6:100204. [PMID: 39185326 PMCID: PMC11342272 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
The blood-sucking flies of the genus Stomoxys Geoffroy, 1762 (Diptera: Muscidae) are significant ectoparasites that can cause irritation and transmit pathogens to both animals and humans. Within the genus Stomoxys, two species, Stomoxys bengalensis and Stomoxys sitiens, have similar morphology and coexist in the same habitat. Accurate species identification of these flies is crucial for understanding disease vectors and implementing effective control measures. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of outline-based geometric morphometrics (GM) by analyzing the wing cell contour of the first posterior cell (R5) to distinguish between species and sexes of S. bengalensis and S. sitiens. Our results demonstrate that the outline-based GM method is highly effective in distinguishing between species and sexes of these flies based on contour shape, with accuracy scores ranging from 90.0% to 97.5%. Therefore, outline-based GM emerges as a promising alternative to landmark-based GM or as a supplementary tool in conjunction with traditional morphology-based methods for species identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thekhawet Weluwanarak
- The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram, 75000, Thailand
| | - Tanasak Changbunjong
- The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
- Department of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
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Laojun S, Changbunjong T, Sumruayphol S, Chaiphongpachara T. Outline-based geometric morphometrics: Wing cell differences for mosquito vector classification in the Tanaosri mountain range, Thailand. Acta Trop 2024; 250:107093. [PMID: 38103585 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed taxonomic signals within the wing cells of certain mosquito species. In our study, wing cell differentiation among mosquito vectors from the Tanaosri mountain range in Thailand was evaluated using the outline-based geometric morphometric (GM) approach. Our focus was on four specific wing cells for GM analysis: the wing contour (external cell), the second submarginal cell (internal cell 1), the first posterior cell (internal cell 2), and the third posterior cell (internal cell 3). Before proceeding with the GM approach, the identity of seven mosquito genera and 21 species was confirmed using molecular techniques. Our validated classification tests demonstrated that the performance of mosquito species classification varies according to genus. Notably, three Aedes species exhibited the highest accuracy for both internal cell 2 and internal cell 3, each registering a score of 93.20 %. In the case of two Mansonia species, the wing contour displayed a remarkable accuracy of 98.57 %. Consequently, we suggest the use of the outline-based GM approach, particularly focusing on the wing contour, for differentiating Mansonia annulifera and Mansonia uniformis. In contrast, the highest accuracy for classifying Culex species was found in internal cell 1, at 75.51 %, highlighting the challenges due to similarities in wing cells within this genus. These findings provide a guideline for future applications of the outline-based GM approach, focusing on wing cells, as an alternative method to classify mosquito vector species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedthapong Laojun
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand
| | - Tanasak Changbunjong
- Department of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Suchada Sumruayphol
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand.
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Laojun S, Changbunjong T, Sumruayphol S, Pimsuka S, Chaiphongpachara T. Wing geometric morphometrics and DNA barcoding to distinguish three closely related species of Armigeres mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand. Vet Parasitol 2024; 325:110092. [PMID: 38070383 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Armigeres subalbatus, a mosquito species widely found in Thailand and other Asian countries, serves as a vector for filarial parasites, affecting both humans and animals. However, the surveillance of this vector is complicated because of its morphological similarity to two other species, Armigeres dohami and Armigeres kesseli. To differentiate these morphologically similar species, our study employed both wing geometric morphometrics (GM) and DNA barcoding, offering a comprehensive approach to accurately identify these closely related Armigeres species in Thailand. Our GM analyses based on shape demonstrated significant accuracy in differentiating Armigeres species. Specifically, the outline-based GM method focusing on the 3rd posterior cell exhibited an accuracy rate of 82.61%, closely followed by the landmark-based GM method with 81.54%. Both these GM techniques effectively distinguished Ar. subalbatus from Ar. dohami and Ar. kesseli. Regarding DNA barcoding, our investigation of pairwise intra- and interspecific divergences revealed a "barcoding gap". Furthermore, the results of species confirmation using both species delimitation methods including the automatic barcode gap discovery method (ABGD) and the Multi-rate Poisson tree process (mPTP) were consistent with those of morphological identification, sequence comparisons with the GenBank and Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) databases, and the neighbor-joining tree construction. These consistent results emphasize the efficacy of DNA barcoding in the precise identification of Armigeres species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedthapong Laojun
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand
| | - Tanasak Changbunjong
- Department of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Suchada Sumruayphol
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Siripong Pimsuka
- School of Public Health, Eastern Asia University, Pathumthani 12110, Thailand
| | - Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand.
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Laojun S, Changbunjong T, Sumruayphol S, Chaiphongpachara T. Molecular and morphometric differentiation of secondary filariasis vector Coquillettidia mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023:105452. [PMID: 37257802 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Coquillettidia mosquitoes are important nuisance-biting pests and a vector of brugian filariasis in Thailand. However, comprehensive information about these mosquitoes remains unavailable such as molecular and morphometric differences among species. The lack of vector knowledge on Coquillettidia species could affect future disease control. This study aims to investigate differences in molecular variations based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and wing geometric traits of three Coquillettidia species, namely Cq. crassipes, Cq. nigrosignata, and Cq. ochracea in Thailand. The results of molecular analyses revealed the differences among three Coquillettidia species. The genetic difference measure based on the Kimura two-parameter model among three Coquillettidia species showed low intraspecific distances (0%-3.05%) and large interspecific distances (10.10%-12.41%). The values of intra- and inter-genetic differences of three Coquillettidia species did not overlap which showed the existence of a barcoding gap indicating the efficiency of the identification based on the COI gene. As with molecular analysis, the landmark-based geometric morphometrics approach based on wing shape analysis indicated three distinct species groups which were supported by the high total performance score of cross-validated classification (97.16%). These results provide the first evidence of taxonomic signal based on molecular and wing geometric differences to support species identification and biological variations of Coquillettidia mosquitoes in Thailand for understanding these rare vector mosquitoes in depth and leading to effective further mosquito control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedthapong Laojun
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Ra-jabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand
| | - Tanasak Changbunjong
- Department of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Suchada Sumruayphol
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Ra-jabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand.
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Saiwichai T, Laojun S, Chaiphongpachara T, Sumruayphol S. Species Identification of the Major Japanese Encephalitis Vectors within the Culex vishnui Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand Using Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding. INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14020131. [PMID: 36835700 PMCID: PMC9964587 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, which spreads globally, particularly in 24 countries of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region. In Thailand, the primary vectors of JE are Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, and Cx. vishnui of the Cx. vishnui subgroup. The morphologies of three mosquito species are extremely similar, making identification challenging. Thus, geometric morphometrics (GM) and DNA barcoding were applied for species identification. The results of cross-validation reclassification revealed that the GM technique based on wing shape analysis had relatively high potential for distinguishing Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, and Cx. vishnui (total performance = 88.34% of correctly assigned individuals). While the DNA barcoding yielded excellent results in identifying these Culex species based on the DNA barcode gap (average intraspecific genetic distance = 0.78% ± 0.39% and average interspecific genetic distance = 6.14% ± 0.79%). However, in the absence of the required facilities for DNA barcoding, GM techniques can be employed in conjunction with morphological methods to enhance the reliability of species identification. Based on the results of this study, our approach can help guide efforts to identify members of the Cx. vishnui subgroup, which will be useful for the effective vector control of JE in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tawee Saiwichai
- Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Sedthapong Laojun
- Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Science, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand
| | - Suchada Sumruayphol
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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Laojun S, Changbunjong T, Chaiphongpachara T. Evaluation of Modern Techniques for Species Identification of Lutzia Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand: Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding. INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14010078. [PMID: 36662006 PMCID: PMC9862489 DOI: 10.3390/insects14010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
There are four species of Lutzia mosquitoes in Thailand, including Lutzia chiangmaiensis, Lt. fuscana, Lt. halifaxii, and Lt. vorax. The accurate species identification of adult Lutzia mosquitoes based on morphological features requires many body parts, including the abdominal terga and wing. However, species identification is difficult in the case of damaged specimens when some of their morphological character is missing due to transit or gathering in the field. Thus, we evaluated the efficacy of the landmark-based geometric morphometric (GM) approach for the discrimination of Lutzia species in Thailand. In addition, DNA barcoding was also used in parallel with the GM approach to identify the species. Larvae of Lutzia were collected, raised into adults, and identified based on their morphological characteristics. The validated reclassification test results clearly demonstrated that wing shape resulted in a high level of success in identification (correct identifications ranged from 92.50% to 100%); however, based on the DNA barcoding analyses, our results showed that it was poorly effective in identifying Lt. fuscana and Lt. halifaxii based on an overlap between the intraspecific and interspecific divergence. Moreover, our survey results provide updates on the distribution of Lt. chiangmaiensis and Lt. vorax in Thailand. This research will help medical entomologists more efficiently identify mosquitoes in the genus Lutzia, resulting in more effective mosquito control and surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedthapong Laojun
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand
| | - Tanasak Changbunjong
- Department of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
- The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand
- Correspondence:
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Geometric morphometric and molecular techniques for discriminating among three cryptic species of the Anopheles barbirostris complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11261. [PMID: 36339998 PMCID: PMC9634016 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Anopheles members of the Barbirostris complex are important vectors of malaria in Thailand. However, they are morphologically indistinguishable because they are closely related species. In this study, wing geometric morphometrics (GM) and DNA barcoding based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene were applied to differentiate cryptic species of the Barbirostris complex in Thailand. Three cryptic species of the Barbirostris complex, Anopheles dissidens (19.44%), Anopheles saeungae (24.54%), and Anopheles wejchoochotei (56.02%) were initially identified using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay. DNA barcoding analyses showed low intraspecific distances (range, 0.27%–0.63%) and high interspecific distances (range, 1.92%–3.68%), consistent with the phylogenetic analyses that showed clear species groups. While wing size and shape analyses based on landmark-based GM indicated differences between three species (p < 0.05). The cross-validated reclassification revealed that the overall efficacy of wing size analysis for species identification of the Barbirostris complex was less than the wing shape analysis (56.43% vs. 74.29% total performance). Therefore, this study's results are guidelines for applying modern techniques to identify members within the Barbirostris complex, which are still difficult to distinguish by morphology-based identification and contribute to further appropriate malaria control. DNA barcoding based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene is the most reliable identification tool for the Anopheles barbirostris complex. Analysis of wing size and shape of Anopheles dissidens, An. saeungae and An. wejchoochotei based on geometric morphometrics revealed differences between species (p < 0.05). The efficacy of wing shape analysis for species identification of the Barbirostris complex was moderate levels of performance (74.29% accuracy score).
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Samung Y, Chaiphongpachara T, Ruangsittichai J, Sriwichai P, Phayakkaphon A, Jaitrong W, Dujardin JP, Sumruayphol S. Species Discrimination of Three Odontomachus (Formicidae: Ponerinae) Species in Thailand Using Outline Morphometrics. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13030287. [PMID: 35323585 PMCID: PMC8955869 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Determination of species in the ant genus Odontomachus, which is a venomous group of ants, may require the use of highly trained entomologists. In Thailand, three species are very similar and difficult to distinguish: O. monticola, O. rixosus, and O. simillimus. In such a situation, a complementary technique not requiring highly specialized entomological knowledge is welcome. The geometric morphometric approach has proven to be this sort of tool, especially powerful for morphologically close or even cryptic species. In its most recent development, the geometric method uses the relative position of some anatomical landmarks. However, in worker ants these landmarks are few in number and can be difficult to assess without dissection. Here, therefore, we use the outline-based approach, an alternative geometric technique that has not yet been tested in ants. We show that the simple outline of the head contains a strong taxonomic signal, much stronger than the one obtained from the pronotum shape. The outline technique therefore represents a promising approach to aid in the determination of ant species. Abstract All members of the ant genus Odontomachus Latreille, 1804 are venomous ants. Four species in this genus have been identified from Thailand: Odontomachus latidens Mayr, 1867; O. monticola Emery, 1892; O. rixosus Smith, 1757; and O. simillimus Smith, 1758. The three latter species are available and have been used for an outline morphometric study. They display similar morphology, which makes their distinction very difficult except for highly qualified individuals. A total of 80 worker specimens were studied, exploring the contour shapes of their head and pronotum as possible taxonomic characters. The size of each body part was estimated determining the contour perimeter, the values for which were largely overlapping between O. rixosus and O. simillimus; most O. monticola specimens exhibited a significantly larger size. In contrast to the size, each contour shape of the head or pronotum established O. rixosus as the most distinct species. An exploratory data analysis disclosed the higher taxonomic signal of the head contour relative to the pronotum one. The scores obtained for validated reclassification were much better for the head (99%) than for the pronotum (82%). This study supports outline morphometrics of the head as a promising approach to contribute to the morphological identification of ant species, at least for monomorphic workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudthana Samung
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.S.); (J.R.); (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
- Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Science, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand;
| | - Jiraporn Ruangsittichai
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.S.); (J.R.); (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Patchara Sriwichai
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.S.); (J.R.); (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Anon Phayakkaphon
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.S.); (J.R.); (P.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Weeyawat Jaitrong
- Office of Natural Science Research, National Science Museum, Technopolis, Khlong 5, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand;
| | - Jean-Pierre Dujardin
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, F-34398 Montpellier, France
- Correspondence: (J.-P.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Suchada Sumruayphol
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (Y.S.); (J.R.); (P.S.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence: (J.-P.D.); (S.S.)
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