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Wang Y, Li X, Zhu C, Yi S, Zhang Y, Hong Z. Plant-derived artificial miRNA effectively reduced the proliferation of aphid (Aphidoidea) through spray-induced gene silencing. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38647144 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are notorious sap-sucking insects that rampantly threaten agricultural production worldwide. Current management against aphids in the field heavily relies on chemical pesticides, which makes economical and eco-friendly methods urgently needed. Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) offers a powerful and precise approach to pest management. However, the high costs and instability of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) regulators applied for downstream RNA interference (RNAi) still limit this strategy. It remains uncertain if RNAi regulators applied in SIGS could extend to small RNA (sRNA), especially miRNA. RESULTS We chose two sRNA sequences, miR-9b and miR-VgR, whose corresponding targets ABCG4 and VgR are both essential for aphid growth and development. The efficacy of these sequences was initially verified by chemically synthetic single-stranded RNA (syn-ssRNA). Through spray treatment, we observed a significantly decreased survival number and increased abnormality rate of green peach aphids fed on the host under laboratory conditions. Based on our previous study, we generated transgenic plants expressing artificial miR-9b (amiR-9b) and miR-VgR (amiR-VgR). Remarkably, plant-derived amiRNA exerted potent and long-lasting inhibitory efficacy with merely one percent concentration of chemical synthetics. Notably, the simultaneous application of amiR-9b and amiR-VgR exhibited superior inhibitory efficacy. CONCLUSION We explored the potential use of sRNA-based biopesticide through SIGS while investigating the dosage requirements. To optimize this strategy, the utilization of plant-derived amiRNA was proposed. The results suggested that attributed to stability and durability, deploying amiRNA in pest management is a potential and promising solution for the field application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuanlin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenghong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shijie Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Saberi E, Mondal M, Paredes-Montero JR, Nawaz K, Brown JK, Qureshi JA. Optimal dsRNA Concentration for RNA Interference in Asian Citrus Psyllid. INSECTS 2024; 15:58. [PMID: 38249064 PMCID: PMC10816725 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a citrus pest and insect vector of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus", the causal agent of citrus greening disease. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) biopesticides that trigger RNA interference (RNAi) offer an alternative to traditional insecticides. Standardized laboratory screening of dsRNA requires establishing the minimal effective concentration(s) that result in effective RNAi "penetrance" and trigger RNAi, resulting in one or more measurable phenotypes, herein, significant gene knockdown and the potential for mortality. In this study, knockdown was evaluated for a range of dsRNA concentrations of three ACP candidate genes, clathrin heavy chain (CHC), vacuolar ATPase subunit A (vATPase-A), and sucrose non-fermenting protein 7 (Snf7). Gene knockdown was quantified for ACP teneral adults and 3rd instar nymphs allowed a 48 h ingestion-access period (IAP) on 10, 50,100, 200, and 500 ng/µL dsRNA dissolved in 20% sucrose followed by a 5-day post-IAP on orange jasmine shoots. Significant gene knockdown (p < 0.05) in ACP third instar nymphs and adults ranged from 12-34% and 18-39%, 5 days post-IAP on dsRNA at 10-500 and 100-500 ng/µL, respectively. The threshold concentration beyond which no significant gene knockdown and adult mortality was observed post-48 h IAP and 10-day IAP, respectively, was determined as 200 ng/µL, a concentration indicative of optimal RNAi penetrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmaeil Saberi
- Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Department of Entomology and Nematology, IFAS, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL 34142, USA;
| | - Mosharrof Mondal
- School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (M.M.); (K.N.)
- RNAissance Ag, LLC, Saint Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Jorge R. Paredes-Montero
- Biology Department, Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI 48710, USA;
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo, Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil EC090112, Ecuador
| | - Kiran Nawaz
- School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (M.M.); (K.N.)
- RNAissance Ag, LLC, Saint Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Judith K. Brown
- School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (M.M.); (K.N.)
| | - Jawwad A. Qureshi
- Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Department of Entomology and Nematology, IFAS, University of Florida, Immokalee, FL 34142, USA;
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Shelby EA, McKinney EC, Cunningham CB, Simmons AM, Moore AJ, Moore PJ. The role of Dnmt1 in oocyte development. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 147:104507. [PMID: 37011857 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a globally important crop pest that is difficult to manage through current commercially available methods. While RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising strategy for managing this pest, effective target genes remain unclear. We suggest DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) as a potential target gene due to its effect on fecundity in females in other taxa of insects. We investigated the role of Dnmt1 in B. tabaci using RNAi and immunohistochemistry to confirm its potential conserved function in insect reproduction, which will define its usefulness as a target gene. Using RNAi to downregulate Dnmt1 in female B. tabaci, we show that Dnmt1 indeed has a conserved role in reproduction, as knockdown interfered with oocyte development. Females in which Dnmt1 was knocked down had greatly reduced fecundity and fertility; this supports Dnmt1 as a suitable target gene for RNAi-mediated pest management of B. tabaci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Shelby
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 120 Cedar Street, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Elizabeth C McKinney
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 120 Cedar Street, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Christopher B Cunningham
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 120 Cedar Street, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Alvin M Simmons
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC 29414, United States
| | - Allen J Moore
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 120 Cedar Street, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Patricia J Moore
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 120 Cedar Street, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
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Mondal M, Carver M, Brown JK. Characteristics of environmental RNAi in potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Triozidae). Front Physiol 2022; 13:931951. [PMID: 36330211 PMCID: PMC9623324 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.931951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has potential to become a major tool for integrated management of insect pests of agricultural crops based on sequence-specificity and low doses of rapidly biodegradable dsRNA. Deploying ‘environmental RNAi’ for control of insect vectors of plant pathogens is of increasing interest for combatting emerging plant diseases. Hemipteran insect vectors, including psyllids, are vascular feeders, making their development difficult to control specifically by targeting with pesticidal chemistries. Psyllids transmit “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” the causal organism of potato zebra chip and tomato vein greening diseases, transmitted, respectively, by the potato or tomato psyllid (PoP). Until now, the optimal effective concentration(s) of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) required for significant gene knockdown and RNAi persistence in PoP have not been determined. The objective of this study was to optimize RNAi in young PoP adults and 3rd instars for screening by oral delivery of dsRNAs. The minimal effective dsRNA concentrations required for robust knockdown and persistence were evaluated by delivering seven concentrations spanning 0.1 ng/μL to 500 ng/μL over post ingestion-access periods (IAP) ranging from 48 h to 12 days. The PoP gene candidates evaluated as targets were vacuolar ATPase subunit A, clathrin heavy chain, and non-fermenting protein 7, which were evaluated for knockdown by qPCR amplification. The minimum and/or the second most effective dsRNA concentration resulting in effective levels of gene knockdown was 100 ng/μL for all three targets. Higher concentrations did not yield further knockdown, indicating potential RISC saturation at the higher doses. Gene silencing post-IAP of 100 ng/μL dsRNA persisted for 3–5 days in adults and nymphs, with the PoP 3rd instar, followed by teneral and mature adults, respectively, exhibiting the most robust RNAi-response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mosharrof Mondal
- School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- RNAissance Ag LLC, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Megan Carver
- School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Judith K. Brown
- School of Plant Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- *Correspondence: Judith K. Brown,
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Niu L, Yan H, Sun Y, Zhang D, Ma W, Lin Y. Nanoparticle facilitated stacked-dsRNA improves suppression of the Lepidoperan pest Chilo suppresallis. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 187:105183. [PMID: 36127045 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, gene knockdown technology using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has been widely used as an environment-friendly pest control strategy, but its instability and limited cellular uptake have limited its overall effect. Studies have shown that the efficiency of single dsRNA can be improved by using various nanomaterials. However, the effect of stacked-dsRNA wrapped by nanomaterial on pests remains unclear. In the present study, both CYP15C1 and C-factor genes were cloned from the midgut of C. suppressalis, and the transcript of C-factor is most highly expressed in heads. Feeding a dsCYP15C1 or dsC-factor - nanomaterial mixture can downregulate the gene expression and significantly increase larval mortality. More importantly, feeding the stacked-dsRNA wrapped by nanomaterial can significantly increase the mortality of C. suppressalis, compared with feeding dsCYP15C1 or dsC-factor - nanomaterial mixture alone. These results showed that CYP15C1 and C-factor could be potential targets for an effective management of C. suppressalis, and we developed a nanoparticle-facilitated stacked-dsRNA strategy in the control of C. suppresallis. Our research provides a theoretical basis for gene function analysis and field pest control, and will promote the application of RNAi technology in the stacked style of pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Niu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Haixia Yan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan, China
| | - Yajie Sun
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Delin Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihua Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan, China; College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yongjun Lin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Wuhan, China
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Jain RG, Fletcher SJ, Manzie N, Robinson KE, Li P, Lu E, Brosnan CA, Xu ZP, Mitter N. Foliar application of clay-delivered RNA interference for whitefly control. NATURE PLANTS 2022; 8:535-548. [PMID: 35577960 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-022-01152-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a phloem-feeding global agricultural pest belonging to the order Hemiptera. Foliar application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) represents an attractive avenue for pest control; however, limited uptake and phloem availability of the dsRNA has restricted the development of RNA interference (RNAi)-based biopesticides against sap-sucking insects. Following high-throughput single and combinational target gene identification for additive effects, we report here that foliar application of dsRNA loaded onto layered double hydroxide (LDH), termed BioClay, can effectively disrupt multiple whitefly developmental stages in planta. Adjuvants were shown to enhance uptake and movement of foliar-applied dsRNA to vascular bundles and into the whitefly. Notably, delivering the dsRNA as a BioClay spray instead of as naked dsRNA improved protection against immature insect stages, demonstrating the platform's potential to extend the benefits offered by RNA insecticides towards complete life cycle control of whitefly and potentially other pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh G Jain
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stephen J Fletcher
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Narelle Manzie
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karl E Robinson
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peng Li
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Elvin Lu
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher A Brosnan
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zhi Ping Xu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Neena Mitter
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Horticultural Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
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7
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Tamayo B, Kercher K, Vosburg C, Massimino C, Jernigan MR, Hasan DL, Harper D, Mathew A, Adkins S, Shippy T, Hosmani PS, Flores-Gonzalez M, Panitz N, Mueller LA, Hunter WB, Benoit JB, Brown SJ, D’Elia T, Saha S. Annotation of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and trehaloneogenesis pathways provide insight into carbohydrate metabolism in the Asian citrus psyllid. GIGABYTE 2022; 2022:gigabyte41. [PMID: 36824510 PMCID: PMC9933520 DOI: 10.46471/gigabyte.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Citrus greening disease is caused by the pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus and transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. No curative treatment or significant prevention mechanism exists for this disease, which causes economic losses from reduced citrus production. A high-quality genome of D. citri is being manually annotated to provide accurate gene models to identify novel control targets and increase understanding of this pest. Here, we annotated 25 D. citri genes involved in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, and seven in trehaloneogenesis. Comparative analysis showed that glycolysis genes in D. citri are highly conserved but copy numbers vary. Analysis of expression levels revealed upregulation of several enzymes in the glycolysis pathway in the thorax, consistent with the primary use of glucose by thoracic flight muscles. Manually annotating these core metabolic pathways provides accurate genomic foundation for developing gene-targeting therapeutics to control D. citri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blessy Tamayo
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA
| | - Kyle Kercher
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA
| | - Chad Vosburg
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Anuja Mathew
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA
| | - Samuel Adkins
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA
| | - Teresa Shippy
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Wayne B. Hunter
- US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), US Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA
| | - Joshua B. Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Susan J. Brown
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Tom D’Elia
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA
| | - Surya Saha
- Boyce Thompson InstituteIthaca, NY 14853, USA,Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA, Corresponding author. E-mail:
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Grace R, Massimino C, Shippy TD, Tank W, Hosmani PS, Flores-Gonzalez M, Mueller LA, Hunter WB, Benoit JB, Brown SJ, D’Elia T, Saha S. Genomic identification, annotation, and comparative analysis of Vacuolar-type ATP synthase subunits in Diaphorina citri. GIGABYTE 2022; 2022:gigabyte39. [PMID: 36824519 PMCID: PMC9933544 DOI: 10.46471/gigabyte.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The hemipteran insect Diaphorina citri, or Asian citrus psyllid, is a vector for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacterium causing citrus greening disease, or Huanglongbing (HLB). Millions of citrus trees have been destroyed, and every grove in Florida, USA, has been directly affected by this disease. In eukaryotes, vacuolar-type ATP synthase (V-ATPase) is an abundant heterodimeric enzyme that serves the cell with essential compartment acidification through the active processes that transport protons across the membrane. Fifteen putative V-ATPase genes in the D. citri genome were manually curated. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that D. citri V-ATPase subunits share domains and motifs with other insects, including the V-ATPase-A superfamily domain. Phylogenetic analysis separates D. citri V-ATPase subunits into expected clades with orthologous sequences. Annotation of the D. citri genome is a critical step towards developing directed pest management strategies to reduce the spread of HLB throughout the citrus industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Grace
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | | | - Teresa D. Shippy
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Will Tank
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | | | | | | | - Wayne B. Hunter
- USDA-ARS, US Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA
| | - Joshua B. Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Susan J. Brown
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Tom D’Elia
- Indian River State College, Fort Pierce, FL 34981, USA
| | - Surya Saha
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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