@article {pmid38511442,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhang, Y and Ma, WG and Liu, G and Zhou, QL and Guo, J and Cao, W},
title = {[Assessment of the current invasive situation of alien plants in semi-arid area of Northeast China].},
journal = {Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {1},
pages = {73-79},
doi = {10.13287/j.1001-9332.202401.001},
pmid = {38511442},
issn = {1001-9332},
mesh = {Humans ; *Introduced Species ; *Plants ; Europe ; China ; Vegetables ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Alien invasive plants have been found in the semi-arid region of Northeast China for a long time, but the overall invasion situation is rarely reported. In this study, we established a database of alien invasive plants in the semi-arid area of Northeast China through field investigation, specimen collection, research of specimen online information platform and literature. The results showed that there were 34 species of alien invasive plants belonging to 26 genera and 10 families in the semi-arid area of Northeast China, among which the Composite family had the largest number of richness, with 9 genera (34.6%) and 11 species (32.4%). There were 15 species (44.1%) in 11 genera (42.3%) of Legumes, Solanaceae and Gramineae. In all the alien invasive plants, 33 species were herbaceous plants, being overwhelmingly dominant (97.1%). There were both 7 species of countrywide invasive plants with invasive grade 1 and 2, each accounting for 20.6% of the total. The number of species with invasive grade 4 was the largest, 17 species, accounting for 50% of the total. The invasive plants originated in North America and Europe was the most, accounting for 64.7%, while those from South America, Asia and Africa accounted for 35.3%. Totally, 44.1% of all the invasive alien plants were intentionally introduced, while 55.9% were unintentionally introduced. In the semi-arid area of Northeast China, 81.3% of the counties (cities) had the distribution of alien invasive plants, and the invasion situation was very serious.},
}

Humans
*Introduced Species
*Plants
Europe
China
Vegetables
Ecosystem

@article {pmid38509139,
year = {2024},
author = {Vagenas, G and Karachle, PK and Oikonomou, A and Stoumboudi, MT and Zenetos, A},
title = {Decoding the spread of non-indigenous fishes in the Mediterranean Sea.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {6669},
pmid = {38509139},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {MIS: 5049511//National Strategic Reference Framework 2017-2020/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; Mediterranean Sea ; *Fishes ; *Environment ; Indian Ocean ; Introduced Species ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {The ocean is dynamically changing due to the influence of climate processes and human activities. The construction of the Suez Canal in the late nineteenth century opened the Pandora's box by facilitating the dispersal of Red Sea species in the Mediterranean Sea. In this study, we developed an open-source spatio-temporal numerical analysis framework to decodify the complex spread of Mediterranean non-indigenous fish species (NIS) that entered through the Suez Canal. We utilized 772 historical detection records of 130 NIS to disentangle their dynamic spread through space and time. The results indicated that species follow a north-westward trajectory with an average expansion time step of 2.5 years. Additionally, we estimated the overall time for a NIS to reach the Central Mediterranean Sea from the Suez Canal at approximately 22 years. Based on the analysis, more than half of the introduced fishes have been established in less than 10 years. Finally, we proceeded in the cross-validation of our results using actual spread patterns of invasive fishes of the Mediterranean Sea, resulting up to 90% of temporal and spatial agreement. The methodology and the findings presented herein may contribute to management initiatives in highly invaded regions around the globe.},
}

Animals
Humans
Mediterranean Sea
*Fishes
*Environment
Indian Ocean
Introduced Species
Ecosystem

@article {pmid37516913,
year = {2023},
author = {Tungadi, TD and Powell, G and Shaw, B and Fountain, MT},
title = {Factors influencing oviposition behaviour of the invasive pest, Drosophila suzukii, derived from interactions with other Drosophila species: potential applications for control.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {79},
number = {11},
pages = {4132-4139},
pmid = {37516913},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {BB/S005994/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; },
mesh = {Female ; Animals ; *Drosophila ; Oviposition ; Introduced Species ; Reproduction ; *Insecticides ; Larva ; Fruit ; Insect Control ; },
abstract = {Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) or spotted wing Drosophila is a worldwide invasive pest of soft- and stone-fruit production. Female D. suzukii lay their eggs in ripening fruit and the hatched larvae damage fruit from the inside, rendering it unmarketable and causing significant economic loss. Current methods to reduce D. suzukii population in the field primarily rely on chemical insecticides which are not a sustainable long-term solution and increase the risk of resistance developing. Several studies demonstrate that when D. suzukii encounter or coexist with other Drosophila on a food source, this is usually a disadvantage to D. suzukii, leading to reduced oviposition and increased larval mortality. These effects have potential to be exploited from a pest management perspective. In this review we summarise recent research articles focusing on the interspecific interactions between D. suzukii and other Drosophila species aimed at understanding how this drives D. suzukii behaviour. Potential semiochemical and microbiome impacts are postulated as determinants of D. suzukii behaviour. Development of control practices focusing on reducing D. suzukii populations and deterring them from laying eggs by utilising factors that drive their behaviour are discussed. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

Female
Animals
*Drosophila
Oviposition
Introduced Species
Reproduction
*Insecticides
Larva
Fruit
Insect Control

@article {pmid38514244,
year = {2024},
author = {Bonthoux, S and Chollet, S},
title = {Wilding cities for biodiversity and people: a transdisciplinary framework.},
journal = {Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/brv.13076},
pmid = {38514244},
issn = {1469-185X},
abstract = {Accelerating urbanisation and associated lifestyle changes result in loss of biodiversity and diminished wellbeing of people through fewer direct interactions and experiences with nature. In this review, we propose the notion of urban wilding (the promotion of autonomous ecological processes that are independent of historical land-use conditions, with minimal direct human maintenance and planting interventions) and investigate its propensity to improve biodiversity and people-nature connections in cities. Through a large interdisciplinary synthesis, we explore the ecological mechanisms through which urban wilding can promote biodiversity in cities, investigate the attitudes and relations of city dwellers towards urban wild spaces, and discuss the integration of urban wilding into the fabric of cities and its governance. We show that favouring assembly spontaneity by reducing planting interventions, and functional spontaneity by limiting maintenance practices, can promote plant diversity and provide ecological resources for numerous organisms at habitat and city scales. These processes could reverse biotic homogenisation, but further studies are needed to understand the effects of wilding on invasive species and their consequences. From a socio-ecological perspective, the attitudes of city dwellers towards spontaneous vegetation are modulated by successional stages, with grassland and woodland stages preferred, but dense shrubby vegetation stages disliked. Wild spaces can diversify physical interactions with nature, and enrich multi-sensory, affective and cognitive experiences of nature in cities. However, some aspects of wild spaces can cause anxiety, feeling unsafe, and the perception of abandonment. These negative attitudes could be mitigated by subtle design and maintenance interventions. While nature has long been thought of as ornamental and instrumental in cities, urban wilding could help to develop relational and intrinsic values of nature in the fabric of cities. Wildness and its singular aesthetics should be combined with cultural norms, resident uses and urban functions to plan and design urban spatial configurations promoting human-non-human cohabitation. For urban wilding to be socially just and adapted to the needs of residents, its implementation should be backed by inclusive governance opening up discussion forums to residents and urban workers. Scientists can support these changes by collaborating with urban actors to design and experiment with new wild spaces promoting biodiversity and wellbeing of people in cities.},
}

@article {pmid38513869,
year = {2024},
author = {Bell, KL and Campos, M and Hoffmann, BD and Encinas-Viso, F and Hunter, G and Webber, BL},
title = {Environmental DNA methods for biosecurity and invasion biology in terrestrial ecosystems: Progress, pitfalls, and prospects.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {171810},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171810},
pmid = {38513869},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) enables indirect detection of species without the need to directly observe and sample them. For biosecurity and invasion biology, eDNA-based methods are useful to address biological invasions at all phases, from detecting arrivals to confirming eradication of past invasions. We conducted a systematic review of the literature and found that in biosecurity and invasion biology, eDNA has primarily been used to detect new incursions and monitor spread in marine and freshwater ecosystems, with much slower uptake in terrestrial ecosystems, reflecting a broader trend common to usage of eDNA tools. In terrestrial ecosystems, eDNA research has mostly focussed on the use of eDNA metabarcoding to characterise biodiversity, rather than targeting biosecurity threats or non-native populations. We discuss how eDNA-based methods are being applied to terrestrial ecosystems for biosecurity and managing non-native populations at each phase of the invasion continuum: transport, introduction, establishment, and spread; across different management options: containment, control, and eradication; and for detecting the impact of non-native organisms. Finally, we address some of the current technical issues and caveats of eDNA-based methods, particularly for terrestrial ecosystems, and how these might be solved. As eDNA-based methods improve, they will play an increasingly important role in the early detection and adaptive management of biological invasions, and the implementation of effective biosecurity controls.},
}

@article {pmid38512951,
year = {2024},
author = {Fezza, T and Shelly, TE and Fox, A and Beucke, K and Rohrig, E and Aldebron, C and Manoukis, NC},
title = {Less is more: Fewer attract-and-kill sites improve the male annihilation technique against Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae).},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {3},
pages = {e0300866},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0300866},
pmid = {38512951},
issn = {1932-6203},
abstract = {The Male Annihilation Technique (also termed the Male Attraction Technique; "MAT") is often used to eradicate pestiferous tephritid fruit flies, such as Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). MAT involves the application of male-specific attractants combined with an insecticide in spots or stations across an area to reduce the male population to such a low level that suppression or eradication is achieved. Currently, implementations of MAT in California and Florida targeting B. dorsalis utilize the male attractant methyl eugenol (ME) accompanied with a toxicant, such as spinosad, mixed into a waxy, inert emulsion STATIC ME (termed here "SPLAT-MAT-ME"). While highly effective against ME-responding species, such applications are expensive owing largely to the high cost of the carrier matrix and labor for application. Until recently the accepted protocol called for the application of approximately 230 SPLAT-MAT-ME spots per km2; however, findings from Hawaii suggest a lower density may be more effective. The present study adopted the methods of that earlier work and estimated kill rates of released B. dorsalis under varying spot densities in areas of California and Florida that have had recent incursions of this invasive species. Specifically, we directly compared trap captures of sterilized marked B. dorsalis males released in different plots under three experimental SPLAT-MAT-ME densities (50, 110, and 230 per km2) in Huntington Beach, CA; Anaheim, CA; and Sarasota-Bradenton, FL. The plots with a density of 110 sites per km2 had a significantly higher recapture proportion than plots with 50 or 230 sites per km2. This result suggests that large amounts of male attractant may reduce the ability of males to locate the source of the odor, thus lowering kill rates and the effectiveness of eradication efforts. Eradication programs would directly benefit from reduced costs and improved eradication effectiveness by reducing the application density of SPLAT-MAT-ME.},
}

@article {pmid38512221,
year = {2024},
author = {Krueger, CJ and Dai, Z and Zhu, C and Zhang, B},
title = {Heritable CRISPR Mutagenesis of Essential Maternal Effect Genes as a Simple Tool for Sustained Population Suppression of Invasive Species in a Zebrafish Model.},
journal = {Zebrafish},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1089/zeb.2023.0108},
pmid = {38512221},
issn = {1557-8542},
abstract = {Invasive species control is important for ecological and agricultural management. Genetic methods can provide species specificity for population control. We developed heritable maternal effect embryo lethality (HMEL), a novel strategy allowing negative population pressure from HMEL individuals to be transmitted within a population across generations. We demonstrate the HMEL technique in zebrafish through genome-integrated CRISPR/Cas targeted mutagenic disruption of nucleoplasmin 2b (npm2b), a female-specific essential maternal effect gene, causing heritable sex-limited disruption of reproduction. HMEL-induced high-efficiency mutation of npm2b in females suppresses population, while males transmit the HMEL allele across generations. HMEL could be easily modified to target other genes causing sex-specific sterility, or generalized to control invasive fish or other vertebrate species for environmental conservation or agricultural protection.},
}

@article {pmid38503343,
year = {2024},
author = {Ngoepe, N and Merz, A and King, L and Wienhues, G and Kishe, MA and Mwaiko, S and Misra, P and Grosjean, M and Matthews, B and Mustaphi, CC and Heiri, O and Cohen, A and Tinner, W and Muschick, M and Seehausen, O},
title = {Testing alternative hypotheses for the decline of cichlid fish in Lake Victoria using fish tooth time series from sediment cores.},
journal = {Biology letters},
volume = {20},
number = {3},
pages = {20230604},
pmid = {38503343},
issn = {1744-957X},
mesh = {Animals ; Humans ; *Lakes ; *Cichlids ; Time Factors ; Tanzania ; Biodiversity ; Introduced Species ; },
abstract = {Lake Victoria is well known for its high diversity of endemic fish species and provides livelihoods for millions of people. The lake garnered widespread attention during the twentieth century as major environmental and ecological changes modified the fish community with the extinction of approximately 40% of endemic cichlid species by the 1980s. Suggested causal factors include anthropogenic eutrophication, fishing, and introduced non-native species but their relative importance remains unresolved, partly because monitoring data started in the 1970s when changes were already underway. Here, for the first time, we reconstruct two time series, covering the last approximately 200 years, of fish assemblage using fish teeth preserved in lake sediments. Two sediment cores from the Mwanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, were subsampled continuously at an intra-decadal resolution, and teeth were identified to major taxa: Cyprinoidea, Haplochromini, Mochokidae and Oreochromini. None of the fossils could be confidently assigned to non-native Nile perch. Our data show significant decreases in haplochromine and oreochromine cichlid fish abundances that began long before the arrival of Nile perch. Cyprinoids, on the other hand, have generally been increasing. Our study is the first to reconstruct a time series of any fish assemblage in Lake Victoria extending deeper back in time than the past 50 years, helping shed light on the processes underlying Lake Victoria's biodiversity loss.},
}

Animals
Humans
*Lakes
*Cichlids
Time Factors
Tanzania
Biodiversity
Introduced Species

@article {pmid38508924,
year = {2024},
author = {Nuñez, MA and August, T and Bacher, S and Galil, BS and Hulme, PE and Ikeda, T and McGeoch, MA and Ordonez, A and Rahlao, S and Truong, TR and Pauchard, A and Roy, HE and Sankaran, KV and Schwindt, E and Seebens, H and Sheppard, AW and Stoett, P and Vandvik, V and Meyerson, LA},
title = {Including a diverse set of voices to address biological invasions.},
journal = {Trends in ecology & evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tree.2024.02.009},
pmid = {38508924},
issn = {1872-8383},
abstract = {Inclusivity is fundamental to progress in understanding and addressing the global phenomena of biological invasions because inclusivity fosters a breadth of perspectives, knowledge, and solutions. Here, we report on how the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) assessment on invasive alien species (IAS) prioritized inclusivity, the benefits of this approach, and the remaining challenges.},
}

@article {pmid38505669,
year = {2023},
author = {Tercel, MPTG and Cuff, JP and Symondson, WOC and Vaughan, IP},
title = {Non-native ants drive dramatic declines in animal community diversity: A meta-analysis.},
journal = {Insect conservation and diversity},
volume = {16},
number = {6},
pages = {733-744},
pmid = {38505669},
issn = {1752-458X},
abstract = {Non-native ants can cause ecosystem-wide ecological change, and these changes are generally assumed to be negative. Despite this, the evidence base has never been holistically synthesised to quantify whether and to what degree non-native ants impact native species diversity.In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of the effects of ant invasion on animal communities. We extracted data from 46 published articles investigating abundance (156 effect sizes) and richness (53 effect sizes) responses of animal taxa to ant invasion in locations relatively unimpacted by other stressors (e.g. human disturbance, other non-native species) to help isolate the effects of invasion.Overall, local animal diversity declined severely, with species abundance and richness lower by 42.79% and 53.56%, respectively, in areas with non-native ants compared with intact uninvaded sites. We then combined responses of individual animal taxa extracted from an article into a single response to represent the 'community' abundance (40 effect sizes) or richness (28 effect sizes) response to non-native ants represented in each article. Local communities decreased substantially in total abundance (52.67%) and species richness (53.47%) in invaded sites.These results highlight non-native ants as the drivers, rather than passengers, of large net-negative reductions to animal community diversity in relatively undisturbed systems around the world, approximately halving local species abundance and richness in invaded areas. Improved international prevention processes, early detection systems harnessing emerging technologies, and well-designed control measures deployable by conservation practitioners are urgently needed if these effects are to be mitigated, prevented or reversed.},
}

@article {pmid38505180,
year = {2024},
author = {Binama, B and Caroline, M},
title = {Differences in growth and competition between plants of a naturalized and an invasive population of Bunias orientalis.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {e11153},
pmid = {38505180},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {The global shift of species' distributions has led to high numbers of noninvasive naturalized plants and the accumulation of invasive species within ecosystems. Competition between species may influence population dynamics, but little is known about the impacts of competition between conspecifics of naturalized and invasive populations. We investigated several plant traits at initial growth and regrowth following artificial defoliation in intra and interpopulation competition. Therefore, we used plants of Bunias orientalis from one noninvasive naturalized and one invasive population grown alone or in competition of two or three. Plants from the naturalized population were expected to be less competitive than plants from the invasive population, reflecting their differential impact in the introduced range. Independent of status, intrapopulation competition was expected to have less negative impacts on plants than interpopulation competition. Our results show that competition impacted mostly growth- rather than physiology-related traits. The relative magnitude of intra and interpopulation competition differed among plant traits at the first and second harvest. Plants of the invasive population outperformed the naturalized population by allocating relatively more resources to the aboveground biomass and producing more and longer leaves particularly when grown in competition against two plants. Moreover, plants of the invasive population were more competitive, which may influence their successful establishment and range expansion in the introduced range, but growth patterns differed after artificial defoliation. Although evolution of intrapopulation competition in naturalized and invasive ranges may be expected, interpopulation competition seems to adversely impact the performance of the naturalized plant population of B. orientalis studied here. Apart from the status (naturalized vs. invasive), other factors may have had an influence on plant performance. Thus, further research is needed with more naturalized and invasive populations to test the generality of our findings and to isolate the specific mechanisms driving differences in competitiveness.},
}

@article {pmid38505179,
year = {2024},
author = {Van de Weyer, N and Ruscoe, WA and Brown, PR and Henry, S and Robinson, F and Hinds, LA and Oh, KP},
title = {Exploring patterns of female house mouse spatial organisation among outbreaking and stable populations.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {e10843},
pmid = {38505179},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {The size and distribution of home ranges reflect how individuals within a population use, defend, and share space and resources, and may thus be an important predictor of population-level dynamics. Eruptive species, such as the house mouse in Australian grain-growing regions, are an ideal species in which to investigate variations in space use and home range overlap between stable and outbreaking populations. In this study, we use spatially explicit capture-recapture models to explore if space use and home range overlap among female mice could serve as indicators of changes in population density leading into summer. Additionally, we assess the sensitivity of space use and home range estimates to reduced recapture rates. Our analysis did not reveal variations in the spring spatial organisation of female mice based on existing capture-mark-recapture data. However, our study highlights the need to balance monitoring efforts within regions, emphasising the importance of exploring studies that can improve spatial recaptures by optimising trapping efforts. This is particularly important in Australian agricultural systems, where varying farm management practices may drive differences in population dynamics.},
}

@article {pmid38504663,
year = {2024},
author = {Begna, R and Masho, W},
title = {Valuation of livestock population and national feed security to enhance livestock productivity in Ethiopia.},
journal = {Veterinary medicine and science},
volume = {10},
number = {3},
pages = {e1415},
doi = {10.1002/vms3.1415},
pmid = {38504663},
issn = {2053-1095},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Feed is a major input in the livestock industry and covers about 60%-70% of the total cost of producing meat, milk and eggs. Inadequate feed supply in terms of quality and quantity leads to lower production performance in livestock. However, the development of an appropriate livestock production strategy through efficient utilization of existing feed resources could raise the production and per capita consumption of livestock products. Efficiency of feed resource utilization can be measured as the ratio between input to production activities and output (e.g. kg of protein used per unit of meat, milk and eggs produced or hectare of land used per unit of milk produced).

METHODOLOGY: This study was designed with the objective of evaluating the livestock population and national feed security to enhance livestock productivity in Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, data were collected from the websites of the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency from 2007 to 2021, FAO publications and websites, books and journals. The data obtained on different feed resources, livestock population and livestock feed requirement and balance were entered into an MS Excel spread sheet (Excel, 2010) and analysed using the general linear model (PRO GLM) procedure of SAS (2014) and multivariate analysis of covariance.

RESULTS: The study results revealed that the livestock population had increased from 58.31 million tropical livestock units (TLU) to 81.10 million tropical livestock units (TLU), and the emission of entericCH4 had increased from 2511.08 Gg/year to 3661.74 Gg/year from 2008 to 2021. The study results also showed that the major available feed resources for ruminants are natural pasture and crop residues, which account for 56.83% (87.56 × 10[6]) and 37.37% (57.57 × 10[6]) of total feed production in the country, respectively. The contribution of concentrate and improved cultivated pasture and feed from permanent crops used as feed sources is very insignificant (3.05% and 1.96%, respectively). The estimated quantity of these feed resources was sufficient to meet the livestock feed requirement in the country in terms of dry matter (DM), digestible crude protein (DCP) and MEJ, which estimated about 153.31 × 10[6]  t, 4.56 × 10[6]  t and 1203.97 × 10[9]  MJ DM, DCP and MEJ, respectively. The estimated livestock feed requirements were 134.62 × 10[6] , 4.52 × 10[6] , and 918.83 × 10[9] in DM, DCP and MEJ, respectively. The supply covered about 114.33, 100.04 and 131.33% of the DM, DCP and MEJ total annual feed requirements of livestock in the country. Hence, the current feed surplus obtained on feed requirements of ruminants and equines can support the nutrient requirements of 500 × 10[6] broilers, about 5 × 10[6] bulls, about 50 × 10[6] small ruminants or 3 × 10[6] crossbred lactating dairy cows, yielding 10 L of milk per day.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of study indicated that natural pasture and crop residues cover a major proportion of the annual feed supply in the country. Therefore, proper grazing management, feed conservation practices, improving grazing land vegetation through clearing invasive species, replacing the grazing land with an improved grass and legume mixture, effective collection, conservation and proper utilization of crop residues, and other alternative options such as the use of chemical, physical and biological treatments to improve the nutritive value of fibrous feed should be practiced. More effective extension services and farmer training are also required to increase feed productivity and, hence, human development.},
}

@article {pmid38504599,
year = {2024},
author = {Kirk, DA and Martínez-Lanfranco, JA and Forsyth, DJ and Martin, AE},
title = {Farm management and landscape context shape plant diversity at wetland edges in the Prairie Pothole Region of Canada.},
journal = {Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e2943},
doi = {10.1002/eap.2943},
pmid = {38504599},
issn = {1051-0761},
support = {//Environment and Climate Change Canada/ ; },
abstract = {Evaluating the impacts of farming systems on biodiversity is increasingly important given the need to stem biodiversity loss, decrease fossil fuel dependency, and maintain ecosystem services benefiting farmers. We recorded woody and herbaceous plant species diversity, composition, and abundance in 43 wetland-adjacent prairie remnants beside crop fields managed using conventional, minimum tillage, organic, or perennial cover (wildlife-friendly) land management in the Prairie Pothole Region. We used a hierarchical framework to estimate diversity at regional and local scales (gamma, alpha), and how these are related through species turnover (beta diversity). We tested the expectation that gamma richness/evenness and beta diversity of all plants would be higher in remnants adjacent to perennial cover and organic fields than in conventional and minimum tillage fields. We expected the same findings for plants providing ecosystem services (bee-pollinated species) and disservices (introduced species). We predicted similar relative effects of land management on alpha diversity, but with the expectation that the benefits of organic farming would decrease with increasing grassland in surrounding landscapes. Gamma richness and evenness of all plants were highest for perennial cover, followed by minimum tillage, organic, and conventional sites. Bee-pollinated species followed a similar pattern for richness, but for evenness organic farming came second, after perennial cover sites, followed by minimum tillage and conventional. For introduced species, organic sites had the highest gamma richness and evenness. Grassland amount moderated the effect of land management type on all plants and bee-pollinated plant richness, but not as expected. The richness of organic sites increased with the amount of grassland in the surrounding landscape. Conversely, for conventional sites, richness increased as the amount of grassland in the landscape declined. Our results are consistent with the expectation that adopting wildlife-friendly land management practices can benefit biodiversity at regional and local scales, in particular the use of perennial cover to benefit plant diversity at regional scales. At more local extents, organic farming increased plant richness, but only when sufficient grassland was available in the surrounding landscape; organic farms also had the highest beta diversity for all plants and bee-pollinated plants. Maintaining native cover in agroecosystems, in addition to low-intensity farming practices, could sustain plant biodiversity and facilitate important ecosystem services.},
}

@article {pmid38503866,
year = {2024},
author = {Peller, T and Altermatt, F},
title = {Invasive species drive cross-ecosystem effects worldwide.},
journal = {Nature ecology & evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38503866},
issn = {2397-334X},
support = {10030_197410//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Swiss National Science Foundation)/ ; },
abstract = {Invasive species are pervasive around the world and have profound impacts on the ecosystem they invade. Invasive species, however, can also have impacts beyond the ecosystem they invade by altering the flow of non-living materials (for example, nutrients or chemicals) or movement of organisms across the boundaries of the invaded ecosystem. Cross-ecosystem interactions via spatial flows are ubiquitous in nature, for example, connecting forests and lakes, grasslands and rivers, and coral reefs and the deep ocean. Yet, we have a limited understanding of the cross-ecosystem impacts invasive species have relative to their local effects. By synthesizing emerging evidence, here we demonstrate the cross-ecosystem impacts of invasive species as a ubiquitous phenomenon that influences biodiversity and ecosystem functioning around the world. We identify three primary ways by which invasive species have cross-ecosystem effects: first, by altering the magnitude of spatial flows across ecosystem boundaries; second, by altering the quality of spatial flows; and third, by introducing novel spatial flows. Ultimately, the strong impacts invasive species can drive across ecosystem boundaries suggests the need for a paradigm shift in how we study and manage invasive species around the world, expanding from a local to a cross-ecosystem perspective.},
}

@article {pmid38501943,
year = {2024},
author = {Wiens, JJ and Zelinka, J},
title = {Predict the effects of climate change by studying the effects of climate change.},
journal = {Global change biology},
volume = {30},
number = {3},
pages = {e17244},
doi = {10.1111/gcb.17244},
pmid = {38501943},
issn = {1365-2486},
}

@article {pmid38500298,
year = {2024},
author = {Soto, I and Balzani, P and Carneiro, L and Cuthbert, RN and Macêdo, R and Serhan Tarkan, A and Ahmed, DA and Bang, A and Bacela-Spychalska, K and Bailey, SA and Baudry, T and Ballesteros-Mejia, L and Bortolus, A and Briski, E and Britton, JR and Buřič, M and Camacho-Cervantes, M and Cano-Barbacil, C and Copilaș-Ciocianu, D and Coughlan, NE and Courtois, P and Csabai, Z and Dalu, T and De Santis, V and Dickey, JWE and Dimarco, RD and Falk-Andersson, J and Fernandez, RD and Florencio, M and Franco, ACS and García-Berthou, E and Giannetto, D and Glavendekic, MM and Grabowski, M and Heringer, G and Herrera, I and Huang, W and Kamelamela, KL and Kirichenko, NI and Kouba, A and Kourantidou, M and Kurtul, I and Laufer, G and Lipták, B and Liu, C and López-López, E and Lozano, V and Mammola, S and Marchini, A and Meshkova, V and Milardi, M and Musolin, DL and Nuñez, MA and Oficialdegui, FJ and Patoka, J and Pattison, Z and Pincheira-Donoso, D and Piria, M and Probert, AF and Rasmussen, JJ and Renault, D and Ribeiro, F and Rilov, G and Robinson, TB and Sanchez, AE and Schwindt, E and South, J and Stoett, P and Verreycken, H and Vilizzi, L and Wang, YJ and Watari, Y and Wehi, PM and Weiperth, A and Wiberg-Larsen, P and Yapıcı, S and Yoğurtçuoğlu, B and Zenni, RD and Galil, BS and Dick, JTA and Russell, JC and Ricciardi, A and Simberloff, D and Bradshaw, CJA and Haubrock, PJ},
title = {Taming the terminological tempest in invasion science.},
journal = {Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/brv.13071},
pmid = {38500298},
issn = {1469-185X},
support = {CE170100015//Australian Research Council Centre for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage/ ; ECF-2021-001//Leverhulme Trust/ ; 22-16-00075//Russian Science Foundation/ ; 21-16-00050//Russian Science Foundation/ ; //Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (Capes)/ ; SS02030018//Technology Agency of the Czech Republic/ ; //Indonesian Centre for Research on Bioinvasions/ ; CEEC/0482/2020//FCT/ ; UIDB/ 04292/2020//FCT/ ; UIDP/04292//FCT/ ; LA/P/0069/2020//Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ ; PIP 11220210100507CO//Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas/ ; //Research Council of Norway/ ; MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033//Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities/ ; PID2019-103936GB-C21//European Union/ ; TED2021-129889B-I00//European Union/ ; RED2022-134338-T//European Union/ ; },
abstract = {Standardised terminology in science is important for clarity of interpretation and communication. In invasion science - a dynamic and rapidly evolving discipline - the proliferation of technical terminology has lacked a standardised framework for its development. The result is a convoluted and inconsistent usage of terminology, with various discrepancies in descriptions of damage and interventions. A standardised framework is therefore needed for a clear, universally applicable, and consistent terminology to promote more effective communication across researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers. Inconsistencies in terminology stem from the exponential increase in scientific publications on the patterns and processes of biological invasions authored by experts from various disciplines and countries since the 1990s, as well as publications by legislators and policymakers focusing on practical applications, regulations, and management of resources. Aligning and standardising terminology across stakeholders remains a challenge in invasion science. Here, we review and evaluate the multiple terms used in invasion science (e.g. 'non-native', 'alien', 'invasive' or 'invader', 'exotic', 'non-indigenous', 'naturalised', 'pest') to propose a more simplified and standardised terminology. The streamlined framework we propose and translate into 28 other languages is based on the terms (i) 'non-native', denoting species transported beyond their natural biogeographic range, (ii) 'established non-native', i.e. those non-native species that have established self-sustaining populations in their new location(s) in the wild, and (iii) 'invasive non-native' - populations of established non-native species that have recently spread or are spreading rapidly in their invaded range actively or passively with or without human mediation. We also highlight the importance of conceptualising 'spread' for classifying invasiveness and 'impact' for management. Finally, we propose a protocol for classifying populations based on (i) dispersal mechanism, (ii) species origin, (iii) population status, and (iv) impact. Collectively and without introducing new terminology, the framework that we present aims to facilitate effective communication and collaboration in invasion science and management of non-native species.},
}

@article {pmid38498464,
year = {2024},
author = {Salomé-Díaz, J and Golubov, J and Eguiarte, LE and Búrquez, A},
title = {Difference in Germination Traits between Congeneric Native and Exotic Species May Affect Invasion.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants13040478},
pmid = {38498464},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {697388//Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologias/ ; },
abstract = {Germination traits are components of invasion potential, and comparing seed traits in sympatric native and invasive species can offer insights into the invasion process. We characterized seed germination traits and how they influenced the success of Eragrostis mexicana, a native species, and Eragrostis tenuifolia, an exotic species (Poaceae) in Mexico, in the context of their potential for biological invasion. Seeds from both species were collected from four sites in a natural protected area in Mexico City, and the germination of seeds of different ages was conducted in experiments at different temperatures. E. tenuifolia exhibited higher germination percentages than the native E. mexicana across all treatments. Seed age had differential effects, with older seeds of the native E. mexicana germinating better, while E. tenuifolia performed better with younger seeds. Temperature positively impacted germination for both species, although E. mexicana was limited at lower temperatures. Exotic E. tenuifolia can germinate over a wider temperature range with earlier germination rates, and generate a seed bank lasting several years, which may contribute to naturalization. The importance of germination traits in the context of invasive species establishment underscores the potential role of seed banks in facilitating biological invasions.},
}

@article {pmid38495930,
year = {2024},
author = {Sciandra, C and Amoriello, S and Degli, EI and Nicotera, V and Barbieri, F and Mazza, G and Torrini, G and Roversi, PF and Strangi, A},
title = {First report of Rhabditis (Rhabditella) axei with the invasive palm borer Paysandisia archon.},
journal = {Journal of nematology},
volume = {56},
number = {1},
pages = {20240005},
pmid = {38495930},
issn = {0022-300X},
abstract = {Rhabditis (Rhabditella) axei is a free-living, pseudoparasitic, necromenic, and parasitic nematode, depending on the host. This species feeds mainly on bacteria present in decaying organic matter, soil, and other substrates; however, in its parasitic form, it can colonize some species of snails. Moreover, the presence of R. axei has also been detected in birds and mammals, including humans. In 2021-2023, during monitoring of the palm borer Paysandisia archon in Central Italy, R. axei emerged from dead larvae of this alien invasive moth and was extracted from palm fibres of Trachycarpus fortunei in three independent sites. The nematode was identified by morphological and morphometric analyses. Molecular analyses using SSU and LSU gene fragments were used to confirm the identification and to perform Bayesian reconstruction of the phylogeny. Each sampling site showed a unique haplotype. Concerning the pathogenicity of this nematode against insects, the test performed on Galleria mellonella larvae did not show any entomopathogenic effect. This is the first time that R. axei was found associated with P. archon, and this recurrent association was discussed.},
}

@article {pmid38495311,
year = {2024},
author = {Juhász, A and Nkolokosa, C and Kambewa, E and Jones, S and Cunningham, LJ and Chammudzi, P and Kapira, D and Namacha, G and Lally, D and Kayuni, SA and Makaula, P and Musaya, J and Stothard, JR},
title = {An alien intermediate snail host in Malawi - Orientogalba viridis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1832) - A new concern for schistosomiasis transmission in Africa?.},
journal = {International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife},
volume = {23},
number = {},
pages = {100919},
pmid = {38495311},
issn = {2213-2244},
abstract = {The freshwater amphibious snail Orientogalba viridis commonly occurs in eastern Asia, on certain Pacific islands and more importantly has recently dispersed into Europe. Since this snail is now considered an invasive species, its distribution is of growing parasitological interest as an alien intermediate host for various trematodes, particularly liver flukes. As part of ongoing surveillance for snail-borne diseases in Malawi, a population of O. viridis was first observed in May 2023, alongside an alarming presence of a human schistosome cercaria. This snail population later underwent detailed morphological characterisation with both snail and parasite identities confirmed upon DNA barcoding. This seminal observation triggered more extensive local snail surveys, finding 3 further populations in separated rice paddies, with further field-caught snails (n = 465) screened for infection and a selection used for repeated experimental challenges with miracidia from Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mattheei. Although no field-caught (and experimentally exposed) snail was seen to shed schistosome cercariae, molecular xenomonitoring for schistosomiasis provided tangible evidence of putative transmission potential. Our first report of O. viridis here in Malawi, and more broadly in Africa, flags a need for increased vigilance for this invasive species alongside local clarification(s) of its transmission potential for trematodiases of either medical and/or veterinary importance.},
}

@article {pmid38494654,
year = {2024},
author = {Howell, E and White, A and Lurz, PWW and Boots, M},
title = {Immune interactions and heterogeneity in transmission drives the pathogen-mediated invasion of grey squirrels in the UK.},
journal = {The Journal of animal ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.14074},
pmid = {38494654},
issn = {1365-2656},
support = {BB/V00378X/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; },
abstract = {Mathematical models highlighted the importance of pathogen-mediated invasion, with the replacement of red squirrels by squirrelpox virus (SQPV) carrying grey squirrels in the UK, a well-known example. In this study, we combine new epidemiological models, with a range of infection characteristics, with recent longitudinal field and experimental studies on the SQPV dynamics in red and grey squirrel populations to better infer the mechanistic basis of the disease interaction. A key finding is that a model with either partial immunity or waning immunity and reinfection, where individuals become seropositive on the second exposure to infection, that up to now has been shown in experimental data only, can capture the key aspects of the field study observations. By fitting to SQPV epidemic observations in isolated red squirrel populations, we can infer that SQPV transmission between red squirrels is significantly (4×) higher than the transmission between grey squirrels and as a result our model shows that disease-mediated replacement of red squirrels by greys is considerably more rapid than replacement in the absence of SQPV. Our findings recover the key results of the previous model studies, which highlights the value of simple strategic models that are appropriate when there are limited data, but also emphasise the likely complexity of immune interactions in wildlife disease and how models can help infer disease processes from field data.},
}

@article {pmid38493987,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, S and Li, Y and Jiang, K and Zhou, J and Chen, J and Liang, J and Ndoni, A and Xue, H and Ye, Z and Bu, W},
title = {Identifying a potentially invasive population in the native range of a species: the enlightenment from the phylogeography of the yellow spotted stink bug, Erthesina fullo (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).},
journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108056},
doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108056},
pmid = {38493987},
issn = {1095-9513},
abstract = {The yellow spotted stink bug (YSSB), Erthesina fullo (Thunberg, 1783) is an important Asian pest that has recently successfully invaded Europe and an excellent material for research on the initial stage of biological invasion. Here, we reported the native evolutionary history, recent invasion history, and potential invasion threats of YSSB for the first time based on population genetic methods [using double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD) data and mitochondrial COI and CYTB] and ecological niche modelling. The results showed that four lineages (east, west, southwest, and Hainan Island) were established in the native range with a strong east-west differentiation phylogeographical structure, and the violent climate fluctuation might cause population divergence during the Middle and Upper Pleistocene. In addition, land bridges and monsoon promote dispersal and directional genetic exchanging between island populations and neighboring continental populations. The east lineage (EA) was identified as the source of invasion in Albania. EA had the widest geographical distribution among all other lineages, with a star-like haplotype network with the main haplotype as the core. It also had a rapid population expansion history, indicating that the source lineage might have stronger diffusion ability and adaptability. Our findings provided a significant biological basis for fine tracking of invasive source at the lineage or population level and promote early invasion warning of potential invasive species on a much subtler lineage level.},
}

@article {pmid38493298,
year = {2024},
author = {Elias, SP and Rand, PW and Lubelczyk, CB and McVety, MR and Smith, RP},
title = {Partial trailside Japanese barberry (Ranunculales: Berberidaceae) removal did not reduce the abundance of questing blacklegged ticks (Acari: Ixodidae).},
journal = {Environmental entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ee/nvae012},
pmid = {38493298},
issn = {1938-2936},
support = {//USDA Northeastern IPM Center Project/ ; //IPM Partnership Grants Program/ ; },
abstract = {In a nature reserve in southern Maine, we removed invasive Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii de Candolle) along sections of forested recreational trails that ran through dense barberry infestations. Barberry thickets provide questing substrate and a protective microclimate for blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say), and trail users could brush up against encroaching barberry and acquire ticks. Trailside barberry removal will reduce or eliminate encroaching tick questing substrate and could reduce trailside questing tick abundance by creating a microclimate more hostile to ticks. The same-day cut-and-spray treatment comprised mechanical cutting of barberry clumps (individual plants with numerous ramets) followed immediately by targeted herbicide application to the resulting root crowns. The treatment created trail shoulders to a lateral width of 1-2 m on both sides of 100-m trail sections, with initial treatment in the fall of 2013 and one retreatment in the summer of 2014. Our aim was to remove 90% of barberry clumps to achieve a 50% or better reduction in questing tick abundance on trail shoulders. However, by the fall of 2015, there were only 41% fewer barberry clumps on treated vs. untreated trail sections and there was no reduction in either adults or nymphs. We concluded that our barberry treatment protocol was not sufficiently aggressive since the resulting ecotone habitat on trail shoulders proved suitable for questing I. scapularis. In principle, cutting back barberry along trails should reduce trail user contact with questing deer ticks, but we were unable to demonstrate a reduction in trailside tick abundance.},
}

@article {pmid38493297,
year = {2024},
author = {Copeman, SM and Frank, SD},
title = {Differential feeding on ornamental plants by Duponchelia fovealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larvae.},
journal = {Environmental entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ee/nvae020},
pmid = {38493297},
issn = {1938-2936},
support = {20-070-4005//North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Specialty Crop Block/ ; 2021-70006-35317//USDA NIFA/ ; //North Carolina State University Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology/ ; //Genetics and Genomics Scholars Program/ ; },
abstract = {Duponchelia fovealis (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a polyphagous pest that feeds on a variety of ornamental and crop plants. At least 47 plant families have been identified as hosts for D. fovealis in literature based on empirical data and observations. This list is surely incomplete based on the broad feeding habits of D. fovealis. We sought to expand the list of known D. fovealis host plants and to identify species that may be less preferred or not fed upon by D. fovealis. We used laboratory feeding assays to measure D. fovealis consumption rate of leaf disks from 32 herbaceous plant species and 32 woody species grown outdoors throughout the Southeastern United States, and 24 tropical species typically grown as house plants. These plants were from 65 genera and 36 families. Between the 3 ornamental plant groups, we tested (herbaceous, woody, and tropical) that, after 24 h, plants in the tropical group were the least consumed by D. fovealis. After 24 h, the average proportion of leaf disks eaten by D. fovealis was 0.80 or higher for 5 herbaceous and 12 woody species. Proportions of leaf disks eaten varied at the family and genus level in many cases. Our research can improve integrated pest management of D. fovealis by informing growers that plants may be at more or less risk of infestation and damage by larvae.},
}

@article {pmid38492361,
year = {2024},
author = {Liu, Z and Zhang, J and Ma, X and Wang, M and Jiang, L and Zhang, M and Lu, M and Chang, O and Cao, J and Ke, X and Yi, M},
title = {Aggregation-induced emission of TTCPy-3: A novel approach for eradicating Nocardia seriolae infections in aquatic fishes.},
journal = {Biosensors & bioelectronics},
volume = {254},
number = {},
pages = {116208},
doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2024.116208},
pmid = {38492361},
issn = {1873-4235},
abstract = {Aquatic fishes are threatened by the strong pathogenic bacterium Nocardia seriolae, which challenges the current prevention and treatment approaches. This study introduces luminogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) as an innovative and non-antibiotic therapy for N. seriolae. Specifically, the AIE photosensitizer, TTCPy-3 is employed against N. seriolae. We evaluated the antibacterial activity of TTCPy-3 and investigated the killing mechanism against N. seriolae, emphasizing its ability to aggregate within the bacterium and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). TTCPy-3 could effectively aggregate in N. seriolae, generate ROS, and perform real-time imaging of the bacteria. A bactericidal efficiency of 100% was observed while concentrations exceeding 4 μM in the presence of white light irradiation for 10 min. In vivo, evaluation on zebrafish (Danio rerio) confirmed the superior therapeutic efficacy induced by TTCPy-3 to fight against N. seriolae infections. TTCPy-3 offers a promising strategy for treating nocardiosis of fish, paving the way for alternative treatments beyond traditional antibiotics and potentially addressing antibiotic resistance.},
}

@article {pmid38492267,
year = {2024},
author = {Ibabe, A and Menéndez-Teleña, D and Soto-López, V and Ardura, A and Arias, A and Bartolomé, M and Borrell, YJ and Fernandez, S and Machado-Schiaffino, G and Mateo, JL and Dopico, E and Garcia-Vazquez, E},
title = {New dockside eDNA based protocol to detect the seaweed Asparagopsis armata evaluated by stakeholders.},
journal = {Marine pollution bulletin},
volume = {201},
number = {},
pages = {116259},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116259},
pmid = {38492267},
issn = {1879-3363},
abstract = {Early detection of invasive species is crucial to deal effectively with biological invasions in ports, which are hotspots of species introductions. In this study, a simplified end-time PCR methodology conducted on eDNA from water samples was developed for rapid detection of the invasive seaweed Asparagopsis armata (four hours from water collection to result visualization). It was tested dockside in four international Spanish ports in presence of stakeholders, whose feedback was obtained to explore the real applicability of this biotechnology. Although biological invasions were not a main concern for them, results indicate a unanimous approval of the methodology by the stakeholders, having detected the presence of A. armata in three of the ports. Stakeholders suggested further developments for easier application of the tool and multiple species detection, to be adopted for the control of invasive species in ports.},
}

@article {pmid38492140,
year = {2024},
author = {Han, X and Chen, J and Wu, L and Zhang, G and Fan, X and Yan, T and Zhu, L and Guan, Y and Zhou, L and Hou, T and Xue, X and Li, X and Wang, M and Xing, H and Xiong, X and Wang, Z},
title = {Species distribution modeling combined with environmental DNA analysis to explore distribution of invasive alien mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in China.},
journal = {Environmental science and pollution research international},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38492140},
issn = {1614-7499},
support = {32001196//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {China has become one of the most serious countries suffering from biological invasions in the world. In the context of global climate change, invasive alien species (IAS) are likely to invade a wider area, posing greater ecological and economic threats in China. Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), which is known as one of the 100 most invasive alien species, has distributed widely in southern China and is gradually spreading to the north, causing serious ecological damage and economic losses. However, its distribution in China is still unclear. Hence, there is an urgent need for a more convenient way to detect and monitor the distribution of G. affinis to put forward specific management. Therefore, we detected the distribution of G. affinis in China under current and future climate change by combing Maxent modeling prediction and eDNA verification, which is a more time-saving and reliable method to estimate the distribution of species. The Maxent modeling showed that G. affinis has a broad habitat suitability in China (especially in southern China) and would continue to spread in the future with ongoing climate change. However, eDNA monitoring showed that occurrences can already be detected in regions that Maxent still categorized as unsuitable. Besides temperature, precipitation and human influence were the most important environmental factors affecting the distribution of G. affinis in China. In addition, by environmental DNA analysis, we verified the presence of G. affinis predicted by Maxent in the Qinling Mountains where the presence of G. affinis had not been previously recorded.},
}

@article {pmid38491952,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhou, M and Pan, B and Guan, L and Wang, Y and Xu, K and Wang, S and Tang, B and Li, C},
title = {Comparative transcriptomic and metabolomics analysis of modified atmosphere responses in Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).},
journal = {Journal of insect science (Online)},
volume = {24},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jisesa/ieae015},
pmid = {38491952},
issn = {1536-2442},
support = {31960542//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; [2019] 5605//Academician Workstation of Guiyang University, Guizhou Province/ ; GYU-KY-[2021]//Special Funding of Guiyang Science and Technology Bureau and Guiyang University/ ; (2021)013//Innovation Group Project of Education Department of Guizhou Province/ ; [2022] 5-20//Guiyang Science and Technology Planning Project/ ; [2022-xk]//Discipline and Master's Site Construction Project of Guiyang University by Guiyang City Financial Support Guiyang University/ ; QJJ[2023]024//Program for Natural Science Research in Guizhou Education Department/ ; },
abstract = {Modified atmosphere is effective in controlling Tribolium castaneum Herbst, but it has adaptations. Comprehending the potential mechanism of resistance to T. castaneum in a modified atmosphere will help advance related management methods. This study conducted a comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis to understand the physiological mechanism of T. castaneum in adapting to CO2 stress. Results showed that there were a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in T. castaneum treated with different concentrations of CO2. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed significant enrichment of DEGs mainly in binding, catalytic activity, cell, membrane, membrane part, protein-containing complex, biological regulation, and cellular and metabolic process. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that different treatments had different effects on the metabolic pathways of T. castaneum. DEGs induced by 25% CO2 were involved in arginine and proline metabolism, and 50% air + 50% CO2 treatment affected most kinds of metabolic pathways, mainly the signal transduction pathway, including PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, neurotrophin signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, and thyroid hormone signaling. Ribosome and DNA replication were enriched under high CO2 stress (75% and 95%). The metabolomics revealed that different concentrations of CO2 treatments might inhibit the growth of T. castaneum through acidosis, or they may adapt to anoxic conditions through histamine and N-acetylhistamine. Multiple analyses have shown significant changes in histamine and N-acetylhistamine levels, as well as their associated genes, with increasing CO2 concentration. In conclusion, this study comprehensively revealed the molecular mechanism of T. castaneum responding to CO2 stress and provided the basis for an effectively modified atmosphere in the T. castaneum.},
}

@article {pmid38490407,
year = {2024},
author = {Kurtul, I and Tarkan, AS and Sarı, HM and Haubrock, PJ and Soto, I and Aksu, S and Britton, JR},
title = {Exploring invasiveness and versatility of used microhabitats of the globally invasive Gambusia holbrooki.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {171718},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171718},
pmid = {38490407},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Introductions of non-native species can lead to severe impacts, including the decline of ecosystem function through deleterious impacts on species diversity. The successful establishment of non-native species in new environments is the first barrier a species must overcome, ultimately depending on its ability to either cope with or adapt to local site-specific conditions. Despite the widespread distribution and ecological consequences of many freshwater invaders, site-specific and climatic preferences are often unknown, as in the case of the Eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki, a global invader considered as a pervasive threat to endemic species. Here, we determined the ecological features and preferred site-specific conditions of G. holbrooki in Türkiye, which spans a wide range of diverse biogeographically distinct ecosystems, by surveying populations from 130 localities in 2016 and 2017. Gambusia holbrooki were detected by hand-net in 48 of these sites (19 lotic, 29 lentic). It showed a preference for shallow waters with medium sized rocks, and abundances differed spatially across a latitudinal gradient and was influenced predominantly by variations in pH. The only other factors predicting its presence were low current velocities and gravel substrate, highlighting its ecological versatility in utilising a wide range of microhabitats. Bioclimatic models suggest that G. holbrooki is found in areas with an average annual temperature ranging from 10 to 20 °C, but with temperature not being a limiting factor to its invasion. Gambusia holbrooki shows a preference for xeric freshwater ecosystems and endorheic basins, as well as temperate coastal rivers, temperate upland rivers, temperate floodplain rivers and wetlands, and tropical and subtropical coastal rivers. These results, particularly the wide occurrence with only few limiting factors, emphasise the invasion potential of mosquitofish and should substantiate the need for localised invasive species management and conservation efforts, particularly in smaller or insular areas where mosquitofish and endemic fish species co-exist.},
}

@article {pmid38489098,
year = {2024},
author = {Calleros-González, P and Ibarra-Juarez, A and Lamelas, A and Suárez-Moo, P},
title = {How host species and body part determine the microbial communities of five ambrosia beetle species.},
journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38489098},
issn = {1618-1905},
abstract = {The ambrosia beetles are farming insects that feed mainly on their cultivated fungi, which in some occasions are pathogens from forest and fruit trees. We used a culture-independent approach based on 16S and 18S rRNA gene metabarcoding analysis to investigate the diversity and composition of the bacterial and fungal communities associated with five ambrosia beetle species: four species native to America (Monarthrum dimidiatum, Dryocoetoides capucinus, Euwallacea discretus, Corthylus consimilis) and an introduced species (Xylosandrus morigerus). For the bacterial community, the beetle species hosted a broad diversity with 1,579 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 66 genera, while for the fungal community they hosted 288 ASVs and 39 genera. Some microbial groups dominated the community within a host species or a body part (Wolbachia in the head-thorax of E. discretus; Ambrosiella in the head-thorax and abdomen of X. morigerus). The taxonomic composition and structure of the microbial communities appeared to differ between beetle species; this was supported by beta-diversity analysis, which indicated that bacterial and fungal communities were clustered mainly by host species. This study characterizes for the first time the microbial communities associated with unexplored ambrosia beetle species, as well as the factors that affect the composition and taxonomic diversity per se, contributing to the knowledge of the ambrosia beetle system.},
}

@article {pmid38489086,
year = {2024},
author = {Lu, C and Hao, SD and Ha, PZ and Huang, LB and Dai, LZ and Wang, JW and Wang, L and Zhang, ZY and Ren, ZG and Wang, JZ},
title = {A multiplex direct PCR method for the rapid and accurate discrimination of three species of spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) in fruit orchards in Beijing.},
journal = {Experimental & applied acarology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38489086},
issn = {1572-9702},
support = {KZ201810020026//Beijing Municipal Education Commission Science and Technology Plan/ ; 6182002//the Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation/ ; 31272099//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) are polyphagous pests of economic importance in agriculture, among which the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch has spread widely worldwide as an invasive species, posing a serious threat to fruit tree production in China, including Beijing. The hawthorn spider mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis Zacher, is also a worldwide pest of fruit trees and woody ornamental plants. The cassava mite, Tetranychus truncatus Ehara, is mainly found in Asian countries, including China, Korea and Japan, and mainly affects fruit trees and agricultural crops. These three species of spider mites are widespread and serious fruit tree pests in Beijing. Rapid and accurate identification of spider mites is essential for effective pest and plant quarantine in Beijing orchard fields. The identification of spider mite species is difficult due to their limited morphological characteristics. Although the identification of insect and mite species based on PCR and real-time polymerase chain reaction TaqMan is becoming increasingly common, DNA extraction is difficult, expensive and time-consuming due to the minute size of spider mites. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish a direct multiplex PCR method for the simultaneous identification of three common species of spider mites in orchards, A. viennensis, T. truncatus and T. urticae, to provide technical support for the differentiation of spider mite species and phytosanitary measures in orchards in Beijing. Based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of the two-spotted spider mite and the cassava mite and the 18S gene sequence of the hawthorn spider mite as the amplification target, three pairs of specific primers were designed, and the primer concentrations were optimized to establish a direct multiplex PCR system for the rapid and accurate discrimination of the three spider mites without the need for DNA extraction and purification. The method showed a high sensitivity of 0.047 ng for T. truncatus and T. urticae DNA and 0.0002 ng for A. viennensis. This method eliminates the DNA extraction and sequencing procedures of spider mite samples, offers a possibility for rapid monitoring of multiple spider mites in an integrated microarray laboratory system, reducing the time and cost of leaf mite identification and quarantine monitoring in the field.},
}

@article {pmid38487454,
year = {2023},
author = {De Ruyver, C and Baert, K and Cartuyvels, E and Beernaert, LA and Tuyttens, FA and Leirs, H and Moons, CP},
title = {Assessing animal welfare impact of fourteen control and dispatch methods for house mouse (Mus musculus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and black rat (Rattus rattus).},
journal = {Animal welfare (South Mimms, England)},
volume = {32},
number = {},
pages = {e2},
pmid = {38487454},
issn = {2054-1538},
abstract = {Population control of the house mouse (Mus musculus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and black rat (Rattus rattus) is common practice worldwide. Our objective was to assess the impact on animal welfare of lethal and non-lethal control methods, including three dispatch methods. We used the Sharp and Saunders welfare assessment model with eight experts scoring eleven control methods and three dispatch methods used on the three species. We presumed the methods were performed as prescribed, only taking into account the effect on the target animal (and not, for example, on non-target catches). We did not assess population control efficacy of the methods. Methods considered to induce the least suffering to the target animal were captive-bolt traps, electrocution traps and cervical dislocation, while those with the greatest impact were anticoagulants, cholecalciferol and deprivation. Experts indicated considerable uncertainty regarding their evaluation of certain methods, which emphasises the need for further scientific research. In particular, the impact of hydrogen cyanide, chloralose and aluminium phosphide on animal welfare ought to be investigated. The experts also stressed the need to improve Standard Operating Procedures and to incorporate animal welfare assessments in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The results of our study can help laypeople, professionals, regulatory agencies and legislators making well-informed decisions as to which methods to use when controlling commensal rodents.},
}

@article {pmid38485013,
year = {2024},
author = {Kim, H and Lazurko, A and Linney, G and Maskell, L and Díaz-General, E and Březovská, RJ and Keune, H and Laspidou, C and Malinen, H and Oinonen, S and Raymond, J and Rounsevell, M and Vaňo, S and Venâncio, MD and Viesca-Ramirez, A and Wijesekera, A and Wilson, K and Ziliaskopoulos, K and Harrison, PA},
title = {Understanding the role of biodiversity in the climate, food, water, energy, transport and health nexus in Europe.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {171692},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171692},
pmid = {38485013},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Biodiversity underpins the functioning of ecosystems and the diverse benefits that nature provides to people, yet is being lost at an unprecedented rate. To halt or reverse biodiversity loss, it is critical to understand the complex interdependencies between biodiversity and key drivers and sectors to inform the development of holistic policies and actions. We conducted a literature review on the interlinkages between biodiversity and climate change, food, water, energy, transport and health ("the biodiversity nexus"). Evidence extracted from 194 peer-reviewed articles was analysed to assess how biodiversity is being influenced by and is influencing the other nexus elements. Out of the 354 interlinkages between biodiversity and the other nexus elements, 53 % were negative, 29 % were positive and 18 % contained both positive and negative influences. The majority of studies provide evidence of the negative influence of other nexus elements on biodiversity, highlighting the substantial damage being inflicted on nature from human activities. The main types of negative impacts were land or water use/change, land or water degradation, climate change, and direct species fatalities through collisions with infrastructure. Alternatively, evidence of biodiversity having a negative influence on the other nexus elements was limited to the effects of invasive alien species and vector-borne diseases. Furthermore, a range of studies provided evidence of how biodiversity and the other nexus elements can have positive influences on each other through practices that promote co-benefits. These included biodiversity-friendly management in relevant sectors, protection and restoration of ecosystems and species that provide essential ecosystem services, green and blue infrastructure including nature-based solutions, and sustainable and healthy diets that mitigate climate change. The review highlighted the complexity and context-dependency of interlinkages within the biodiversity nexus, but clearly demonstrates the importance of biodiversity in underpinning resilient ecosystems and human well-being in ensuring a sustainable future for people and the planet.},
}

@article {pmid38483352,
year = {2024},
author = {Boulton, RA and Cahuana, A and Lahuatte, PF and Ramírez, E and Sevilla, C and Causton, CE},
title = {Using modified trapping regimes to understand the behavioral and spatial ecology of Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae).},
journal = {Environmental entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ee/nvae014},
pmid = {38483352},
issn = {1938-2936},
support = {1-68-308//Galapagos Conservancy/ ; 20140045//International Community Foundation/ ; 1-01-106//Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund/ ; },
abstract = {The avian vampire fly Philornis downsi (Dodge & Aitken) (Diptera: Muscidae) is native to continental South America and the Caribbean, but invasive in the Galapagos Archipelago. The larvae of P. downsi feed on the blood and tissues of the nestlings of 75% of the small land bird species that are endemic or native to Galapagos, causing high in-nest mortality and severe population declines in some species. Efficient trapping techniques are vital to safeguarding these birds in the short term as well as for monitoring fly populations, but basic information about the ecology of the fly is still needed to help develop a species-appropriate trapping method. In this study, we used a novel trapping regime with a vertical distribution to make inferences about P. downsi's behavioral and spatial ecology and to optimize trap catch. Our results showed that male and female P. downsi were trapped in greater numbers below the canopy (3.1-7.5 m), lower down than other commonly caught insect species (5.1-11.5 m). Notably, the effect of trap height remained consistent across seasons and different weather conditions. These findings suggest that P. downsi tend to move at heights where their hosts nest (at or below the canopy) and do not spend time above the canopy. This also makes it unlikely that strategies such as hill-topping or aerial swarming are being used to locate mates. As such, trapping and control efforts should be focused below the canopy in forests with similar canopy heights to effectively capture P. downsi and reduce bycatch of other insects.},
}

@article {pmid38480430,
year = {2024},
author = {Knek, M and Smith, SM},
title = {A new widely distributed invasive alien species of Amasa ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini).},
journal = {Zootaxa},
volume = {5403},
number = {3},
pages = {385-390},
doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.5403.3.8},
pmid = {38480430},
issn = {1175-5334},
abstract = {Amasa parviseta Knek & Smith, new species is described from Australia, Brazil, Uruguay, France and Spain. The species is native to Australia and appears to have spread widely in association with introduced Eucalyptus species.},
}

@article {pmid38480230,
year = {2024},
author = {Smith, RJ and Ozawa, H and Nishida, S and Nakai, S},
title = {Non-marine Ostracoda (Crustacea) collected from pet shops and a hobbyists aquaria in Japan, including two new species.},
journal = {Zootaxa},
volume = {5410},
number = {4},
pages = {451-494},
doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.5410.4.1},
pmid = {38480230},
issn = {1175-5334},
abstract = {Samples obtained from pet shops and a hobbyists aquaria in Japan have revealed a diverse non-marine ostracod fauna, consisting of 19 species, all contaminants of aquaria stocked with exotic fish, shrimps and/or aquatic plants. Of these, six are newly recorded for Japan, including two new species, belonging to the genera Pseudostrandesia and Tanycypris. Pseudostrandesia tenebrarum Smith & Ozawa, 2021, previously suspected to be an alien species in Japan, was again found in pet shops in this study. We also report living specimens of Potamocypris acuminata Fuhrmann & Goth, 2011, a species previously only known from Pleistocene deposits of Germany. The six new records for Japan reported herein are likely alien species as evidenced by previous records or congeneric species, with origins in East Asia, South East Asia, and the Americas. Thus, there are now seven ostracod species recognized as probable alien hitchhikers in the Japanese pet trade. This study highlights that the pet trade is a viable route for hitchhiking ostracod species to enter Japan, and such species have the potential to become invasive.},
}

@article {pmid38476706,
year = {2024},
author = {Patel, KK and Austin, C and Warner, K and Pickett, M and Khabiri, A and Mahzounieh, M and Hemmatzadeh, F and Taggart, PL},
title = {The impact of integrating rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (K5) release with pindone baiting on wild rabbit populations.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {e10991},
pmid = {38476706},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Several conventional and recently available tools are available for an integrated control of European rabbits in Australia. We quantified the impact of the release of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus K5 (RHDV K5, hereafter K5) and pindone (2-pivalyl-1,3-indandione) baiting at 13 sites within Cudlee Creek fire scar in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. K5 release was followed by pindone baiting between December 2021 and March 2022; the application of both control methods followed industry best practice. We counted rabbits using spotlights before and after the application of both control methods. Fly samples and livers from dead rabbits were collected to track K5 transmission within and between sites, and to detect the natural circulation of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2). K5 release had minimal impact on rabbit populations, with treated populations increasing by a mean of 65.5% at 14 days post-release and 27.9% at 77 days post-K5 release across all sites, comparable to the changes at control sites. K5 detection in flies up to 77 days post its release, and its detection in rabbit livers, demonstrates that it can survive and transmit in the environment for prolonged periods and that it can lethally infect some rabbits. This limited impact of K5 is consistent with previous studies and may be explained by pre-existing RHDV/RHDV2 immunity in the target populations or the presence of young rabbits with natural innate RHDV immunity. The detection of K5 in flies from control sites demonstrates that it was vectored beyond its release location. A reduction in rabbit counts post-pindone baiting was observed at most treatment sites, with a mean population reduction of 36.6% across all sites. Landholders need to carefully and strategically plan their integrated rabbit control programmes. Not all combinations of controls, even if theoretically logical, achieve meaningful outcomes for rabbit management.},
}

@article {pmid38476700,
year = {2024},
author = {Culley, TM and Bécus, MS and Cameron, GN},
title = {Long-term effects of a tornado: Impacts on woody native vegetation and invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) in an urban forest.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {e10890},
pmid = {38476700},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {As tornados become increasingly common with global climate change, recovery of the woody vegetation in temperate forests is imperative to maintain an intact ecosystem. In many urbanized landscapes, invasive species are also increasing and could interfere with natural recovery from environmental disturbance. We quantified the impact and 17-year recovery from a major tornado in a temperate deciduous forest. We used vegetational surveys in southwestern Ohio at the Harris M. Benedict Nature Preserve, where approximately a third of this site was damaged by a tornado in 1999. Plots were established in the tornado-damaged area and the nearby undisturbed forest to examine forest recovery of trees/saplings, shrubs and vines, and tree seedlings during 2003, 2006, 2010, and 2016/2017. The number of tree saplings, shrubs, and vines increased immediately after the tornado, but then declined by 2010, relative to the undisturbed forest. Forest tree recruitment was lower in tornado-damaged sites with fewer tree seedlings, but more saplings. Tree diversity was also affected by Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash borer) which targeted native ash trees within this time period. Despite an initial increase in shrubs and vines in the damaged area, the diversity and density of shrubs approached equality in both sites by 2016. Most shrubs in both sites were the invasive Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle). In tornado sites, honeysuckle thinned out over time, leaving larger shrubs with greater mean basal diameter compared to the undisturbed forest. Other woody invasive species were also more prevalent in the damaged area, but increased in number in both locations by 2017. The forest has the capability to begin to recover from the initial tornado, but its future composition may differ from its initial trajectory due to invasive species, loss of ash trees, and anthropogenic impacts within the urban landscape.},
}

@article {pmid38475984,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhang, Y and Chang, YW and Wang, YC and Yan, YQ and Du, YZ},
title = {The small heat shock protein Hsp20.8 imparts tolerance to high temperatures in the leafminer fly, Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agtomyzidae).},
journal = {Bulletin of entomological research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-7},
doi = {10.1017/S0007485324000026},
pmid = {38475984},
issn = {1475-2670},
abstract = {As an environmental factor, temperature impacts the distribution of species and influences interspecific competition. The molecular chaperones encoded by small heat shock proteins (sHsps) are essential for rapid, appropriate responses to environmental stress. This study focuses on Hsp20.8, which encodes a temperature-responsive sHsp in Liriomyza trifolii, an insect pest that infests both agricultural and ornamental crops. Hsp20.8 expression was highest at 39℃ in L. trifolii pupae and adults, and expression levels were greater in pupae than in adults. Recombinant Hsp20.8 was expressed in Escherichia coli and conferred a higher survival rate than the empty vector to bacterial cells exposed to heat stress. RNA interference experiments were conducted using L. trifolii adults and prepupae and the knockdown of Hsp20.8 expression increased mortality in L. trifolii during heat stress. The results expand our understanding of sHsp function in Liriomyza spp. and the ongoing adaptation of this pest to climate change. In addition, this study is also important for predicting the distribution of invasive species and proposing new prevention and control strategies based on temperature adaptation.},
}

@article {pmid38475721,
year = {2024},
author = {Cucini, C and Boschi, S and Funari, R and Cardaioli, E and Iannotti, N and Marturano, G and Paoli, F and Bruttini, M and Carapelli, A and Frati, F and Nardi, F},
title = {De novo assembly and annotation of Popillia japonica's genome with initial clues to its potential as an invasive pest.},
journal = {BMC genomics},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {275},
pmid = {38475721},
issn = {1471-2164},
support = {861852//Horizon 2020 Framework Programme/ ; 861852//Horizon 2020 Framework Programme/ ; 861852//Horizon 2020 Framework Programme/ ; CN00000033//Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca/ ; CN00000033//Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca/ ; CN00000033//Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The spread of Popillia japonica in non-native areas (USA, Canada, the Azores islands, Italy and Switzerland) poses a significant threat to agriculture and horticulture, as well as to endemic floral biodiversity, entailing that appropriate control measures must be taken to reduce its density and limit its further spread. In this context, the availability of a high quality genomic sequence for the species is liable to foster basic research on the ecology and evolution of the species, as well as on possible biotechnologically-oriented and genetically-informed control measures.

RESULTS: The genomic sequence presented and described here is an improvement with respect to the available draft sequence in terms of completeness and contiguity, and includes structural and functional annotations. A comparative analysis of gene families of interest, related to the species ecology and potential for polyphagy and adaptability, revealed a contraction of gustatory receptor genes and a paralogous expansion of some subgroups/subfamilies of odorant receptors, ionotropic receptors and cytochrome P450s.

CONCLUSIONS: The new genomic sequence as well as the comparative analyses data may provide a clue to explain the staggering invasive potential of the species and may serve to identify targets for potential biotechnological applications aimed at its control.},
}

@article {pmid38475457,
year = {2024},
author = {Scramoncin, L and Gerdol, R and Brancaleoni, L},
title = {How Effective Is Environmental Protection for Ensuring the Vitality of Wild Orchid Species? A Case Study of a Protected Area in Italy.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants13050610},
pmid = {38475457},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {2021-PON-DM-1062-MW-RIC//European Social Fund (ESF)-National Operational Programme (NOP) on Research and Innovation 2014-2020/ ; },
abstract = {Orchids are among the plants most threatened by anthropic impact and environmental changes. Therefore, all known orchid species are protected in several countries by regional, national and international legislation. Several studies have cast doubts on the effectiveness of legislation to ensure the protection of wild orchids. We assessed the vitality of four orchid populations in a coastal area in Northern Italy, by monitoring the vegetative and reproductive traits of the orchid populations growing both in the protected sites comprising the Natura 2000 network, and in non-protected sites. We also monitored the level of environmental threat to orchid vitality. The early-flowering deceptive species (Ophrys sphegodes and Anacamptis morio) exhibited high vegetative vitality and experienced similar levels of environmental threat in the protected and non-protected areas. However, their reproductive success was strongly jeopardized, probably by a failed pollination that impeded the fruit set. The late-flowering, partially or totally rewarding species (Anacamptis pyramidalis and Anacamptis coriophora) were more strongly impacted by spring mowing and ungulate herbivory and alien species. Only for A. coriophora were the herbivory and alien species invasions lower at the protected vs. non-protected sites, which ensured a higher population vitality at the protected sites. We conclude that the environmental protection in our study area is ineffective for preserving orchids without targeted actions against specific environmental threats.},
}

@article {pmid38474908,
year = {2024},
author = {Hernández-López, R and Travieso-González, CM},
title = {Reptile Identification for Endemic and Invasive Alien Species Using Transfer Learning Approaches.},
journal = {Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {24},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/s24051372},
pmid = {38474908},
issn = {1424-8220},
abstract = {The Canary Islands are considered a hotspot of biodiversity and have high levels of endemicity, including endemic reptile species. Nowadays, some invasive alien species of reptiles are proliferating with no control in different parts of the territory, creating a dangerous situation for the ecosystems of this archipelago. Despite the fact that the regional authorities have initiated actions to try to control the proliferation of invasive species, the problem has not been solved as it depends on sporadic sightings, and it is impossible to determine when these species appear. Since no studies for automatically identifying certain species of reptiles endemic to the Canary Islands have been found in the current state-of-the-art, from the Signals and Communications Department of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University (ULPGC), we consider the possibility of developing a detection system based on automatic species recognition using deep learning (DL) techniques. So this research conducts an initial identification study of some species of interest by implementing different neural network models based on transfer learning approaches. This study concludes with a comparison in which the best performance is achieved by integrating the EfficientNetV2B3 base model, which has a mean Accuracy of 98.75%.},
}

@article {pmid38473084,
year = {2024},
author = {Hu, Z and Su, Y and Zong, W and Niu, N and Zhao, R and Liang, R and Wang, L and Zhang, Y and Zhang, L},
title = {Unveiling the Genetic Secrets of Chinese Indigenous Pigs from Guizhou Province: Diversity, Evolution and Candidate Genes Affecting Pig Coat Color.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {14},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani14050699},
pmid = {38473084},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {2021YFD1200303//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; CARS-35//National Swine Industry Technology System/ ; ASTIP-IAS02//Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program/ ; },
abstract = {The local pig breeds in Guizhou possess exceptional meat quality, robust adaptability, and resilience to harsh feeding conditions, making them ideal for producing high-quality pork. With over 10 local pig breeds in the region, we focused on 7 specific breeds: Baixi pigs (BX), Congjiang Xiang pigs (CJX), Guanling pigs (GL), Jianhe White Xiang pigs (JHBX), Jiangkou Luobo pigs (JKLB), Kele pigs (KL), and Qiandong Hua pigs (QDH). Unfortunately, these breeds face threats such as introduced species and inbreeding, resulting in a decline in population size and numbers. To better protect and utilize these breeds, we employed genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to investigate the population structure, genetic diversity, and selection characteristics of 283 pigs across these seven breeds. Our findings revealed distinct ancestral sources between Chinese and Western pig breeds, as demonstrated by principal component analysis, adjacent tree analysis, and ADMIXTURE analysis. Notably, JHBX exhibited a distant genetic relationship from the other six local pig breeds in Guizhou province, showcasing unique genetic characteristics. While the genetic diversity of the six Chinese native pig populations, excluding JHBX, was generally moderate in Guizhou province, the JHBX population displayed low genetic diversity. Therefore, it is imperative to intensify selection efforts to prevent inbreeding decline in JHBX while further enhancing the protection measures for the other six pig populations. Additionally, we identified candidate genes influencing the size disparity among pigs in Guizhou province through signal selection. Our study outcomes serve as a reference for developing effective conservation and utilization plans for pig breeds in Guizhou province and deepen our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying pig body size.},
}

@article {pmid38476136,
year = {2024},
author = {Galante, H and Czaczkes, TJ},
title = {Invasive ant learning is not affected by seven potential neuroactive chemicals.},
journal = {Current zoology},
volume = {70},
number = {1},
pages = {87-97},
pmid = {38476136},
issn = {1674-5507},
abstract = {Argentine ants Linepithema humile are one of the most damaging invasive alien species worldwide. Enhancing or disrupting cognitive abilities, such as learning, has the potential to improve management efforts, for example by increasing preference for a bait, or improving ants' ability to learn its characteristics or location. Nectar-feeding insects are often the victims of psychoactive manipulation, with plants lacing their nectar with secondary metabolites such as alkaloids and non-protein amino acids which often alter learning, foraging, or recruitment. However, the effect of neuroactive chemicals has seldomly been explored in ants. Here, we test the effects of seven potential neuroactive chemicals-two alkaloids: caffeine and nicotine; two biogenic amines: dopamine and octopamine, and three nonprotein amino acids: β-alanine, GABA and taurine-on the cognitive abilities of invasive L. humile using bifurcation mazes. Our results confirm that these ants are strong associative learners, requiring as little as one experience to develop an association. However, we show no short-term effect of any of the chemicals tested on spatial learning, and in addition no effect of caffeine on short-term olfactory learning. This lack of effect is surprising, given the extensive reports of the tested chemicals affecting learning and foraging in bees. This mismatch could be due to the heavy bias towards bees in the literature, a positive result publication bias, or differences in methodology.},
}

@article {pmid38471556,
year = {2024},
author = {Plata, Á and Züst, T and Bermejo, A and Beitia, FJ and Tena, A},
title = {Exotic predators can sequester and use novel toxins from exotic non-coevolved prey.},
journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences},
volume = {291},
number = {2018},
pages = {20232478},
doi = {10.1098/rspb.2023.2478},
pmid = {38471556},
issn = {1471-2954},
abstract = {Defensive chemicals of prey can be sequestered by some coevolved predators, which take advantage of prey toxins for their own defence. The increase in the number of invasive species in the Anthropocene has resulted in new interactions among non-coevolved predator and prey species. While novelty in chemical defence may provide a benefit for invasive prey against non-coevolved predators, resident predators with the right evolutionary pre-adaptations might benefit from sequestering these novel defences. Here, we chose a well-known system of invasive species to test whether non-coevolved predators can sequester and use toxins from exotic prey. Together with the invasive prickly pear plants, cochineal bugs (Dactylopius spp.) are spreading worldwide from their native range in the Americas. These insects produce carminic acid, a defensive anthraquinone that some specialized predators sequester for their own defence. Using this system, we first determined whether coccinellids that prey on cochineal bugs in the Mediterranean region tolerated, sequestered, and released carminic acid in reflex bleeding. Then, we quantified the deterrent effect of carminic acid against antagonistic ants. Our results demonstrate that the Australian coccinellid Cryptolaemus montrouzieri sequestered carminic acid, a substance absent in its coevolved prey, from exotic cochineal bugs. When attacked, the predator released this substance through reflex bleeding at concentrations that were deterrent against antagonistic ants. These findings reveal that non-coevolved predators can sequester and use novel toxins from exotic prey and highlights the surprising outcomes of novel interactions that arise from species invasions.},
}

@article {pmid38469528,
year = {2023},
author = {Rutledge, CE and Clark, RE},
title = {Temporal and spatial dynamics of the emerald ash borer invasion in Connecticut as shown by the native digging wasp Cerceris fumipennis (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae).},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1179368},
pmid = {38469528},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Detecting and monitoring populations of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) is crucial to successful management of the pest and evaluation of its ecological impacts. However, the beetle's cryptic habit makes accurate monitoring costly and time-consuming. Biosurveillance takes advantage of the foraging effort of a predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae). This native, solitary, ground-nesting hunting wasp hunts adult buprestid beetles to provision its brood cells. By intercepting the hunting wasps, we can learn which species of buprestids are in the surrounding forest. The resulting data provides information on the presence and relative abundance of invasive buprestids like EAB which can supplement other monitoring efforts. In this paper we share results of ten years of biosurveillance surveys of the EAB in Connecticut. Among 112 sites, we observed EAB populations; from first detection, through the population peak and then through to the population crash, matching patterns observed in other regions of the United States. We also observed the spread of the EAB relative abundance as it moved through the state following an invasion front starting in New Haven, Co. The average time from first detection to population crash was nine years. On average, populations peaked three years after first detection, and remained at peak levels for three to four years. Population decline was gradual and took another three to four years. Notably, no evidence of a second introduction to Connecticut was seen with proportional abundance increasing over time after expanding outward from the introduction point. These results corroborate other traditional monitoring efforts in the eastern U.S. and provide independent validation of predicted population dynamics in ash stands.},
}

@article {pmid38469527,
year = {2023},
author = {Otis, GW and Taylor, BA and Mattila, HR},
title = {Corrigendum: Invasion potential of hornets (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespa spp.).},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1253176},
doi = {10.3389/finsc.2023.1253176},
pmid = {38469527},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1145158.].},
}

@article {pmid38469525,
year = {2023},
author = {Straubinger, FB and Venus, TE and Benjamin, EO and Sauer, J},
title = {Private management costs of Popillia japonica: a study of viticulture in Italy.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1176405},
pmid = {38469525},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is classified as a high-priority pest in the European Union and is reported to have caused extensive damage to grapevine leaves in Italy. As there are few studies, which measure the beetle's socio-economic impact, we conduct a first descriptive assessment of grapevine farmers' perception of the beetle's impact and assess the pest's effect on private management costs using a partial budgeting approach. Our sample includes data from 65 producers and 118 vineyard plots. In terms of farmers' perception, we find that farmers anticipate increased management costs and believe a further spread of the beetle will lead to at least moderate yield and quality damages for the majority of plots (58-91%). While farmers do not expect to stop grapevine cultivation for the majority of vineyard plots, affected farmers they believe it is likely to very likely for 29% of plots. We also find that affected farmers rate their vines' resilience higher than unaffected farmers do. Using a partial budgeting approach, we find that a Japanese beetle infestation leads on average to a net income decrease of around €2727 per hectare. This decrease is due to an average increase in labor costs of around €1715. Additionally, an average yield reduction that results in a revenue loss of around €966 and additional control costs of around €47 per infested hectare, further contribute to the net income decrease. Even though the small number of observations does not allow us to make conclusions about the beetle's impact on the Italian viticulture sector as a whole, our findings provide first insights and demonstrate the need for environmentally friendly and effective control products that can replace labor-intensive manual control measures, which are currently applied in Japanese beetle infested vineyards.},
}

@article {pmid38469513,
year = {2023},
author = {Gómez Marco, F and Yanega, D and Ruiz, M and Hoddle, MS},
title = {Proactive classical biological control of Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) in California (U.S.): Host range testing of Anastatus orientalis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae).},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1134889},
pmid = {38469513},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), the spotted lanternfly, native to China, invaded and established in the northeast U.S. in 2014. Since this time, populations have grown and spread rapidly, and invasion bridgeheads have been detected in mid-western states (i.e., Indiana in 2021). This invasive pest presents a significant threat to Californian agriculture. Therefore, a proactive classical biological control program using Anastatus orientalis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), a L. delicatula egg parasitoid native to China, was initiated in anticipation of eventual establishment of L. delicatula in California. In support of this proactive approach, the potential host range of A. orientalis was investigated. Eggs of 34 insect species either native or non-native to the southwestern U.S. were assessed for suitability for parasitism and development of A. orientalis. Of the native species tested, 10, 13, and one were Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, and Mantodea, respectively. Of the non-native species, eight Hemiptera and two Lepidoptera were evaluated. Host range tests conducted in a quarantine facility, exposed individually mated A. orientalis females (Haplotype C) to non-target and target (i.e., L. delicatula) eggs in sequential no-choice and static choice experiments to determine suitability for parasitization and development. Additionally, the sex ratio, fertility, and size of offspring obtained from non-target and target eggs were evaluated. Results of host range testing indicated that A. orientalis is likely polyphagous and can successfully parasitize and develop in host species belonging to at least two different orders (i.e., Hemiptera, Lepidoptera) and seven families (Coreidae, Erebidae, Fulgoridae, Lasiocampidae, Pentatomidae, Saturniidae and Sphingidae). Prospects for use of A. orientalis as a classical biological control agent of L. delicatula in the southwestern U.S. are discussed.},
}

@article {pmid38469507,
year = {2023},
author = {Wilson, T and Looney, C and Tembrock, LR and Dickerson, S and Orr, J and Gilligan, TM and Wildung, M},
title = {Insights into the prey of Vespa mandarinia (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Washington state, obtained from metabarcoding of larval feces.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1134781},
pmid = {38469507},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {The northern giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), was detected for the first time in North America in 2019. Four nests have since been located and removed in northwestern Washington State as part of an extensive survey and eradication program. This recent introduction into North America has prompted new research on the biology and ecology of V. mandarinia to help inform management strategies. In its native range, V. mandarinia is known to prey on a variety of insects including the economically important honey bee species Apis cerana and Apis mellifera. Although A. cerana has developed defense mechanisms against attack by V. mandarinia, A. mellifera have no such defenses and an entire hive can be quickly destroyed by only a few hornets. In North America the hornet has been observed foraging on paper wasps (Polistes dominula) and honey bees, but little else is known about prey use in its novel range. To address this knowledge gap, we employed a DNA metabarcoding approach to characterize species detected in larval feces collected from 3 of the 4 Washington V. mandarinia nests found to date. Sequences were recovered for 56 species across fourteen orders, of which 36 species were likely prey items and 20 were suspected inquilines. The most frequently detected species were other social Hymenoptera, with Dolichovespula maculata, P. dominula, and A. mellifera present in most samples. All of the species detected, except for A. mellifera, represent new prey records for V. mandarinia, with eight families of insects newly associated with giant hornets. These results suggest that V. mandarinia in Washington preys on an assortment of insects similar to those documented in its native range, and that this new invader has readily incorporated novel species into its foraging and diet.},
}

@article {pmid38469505,
year = {2023},
author = {Trotter, RT and Ryan, JK and Chandler, JL and Pfister, S},
title = {Tracking the push towards extinction: combining dispersal and management data to monitor Asian longhorned beetle eradication in the U.S.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1286935},
pmid = {38469505},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Based on the threat posed by the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky), many countries including the United States have adopted policies of eradication. The eradication of infestations that cover hundreds of square kilometers can require multiple visual surveys of millions of individual trees. At these scales, eradication may take several decades and span multiple beetle generations. During this period the infestation of new trees adds spatially-explicit risk to the landscape while surveys and the removal of infested trees reduce it.

METHODS: To track dynamic risk on the landscape we have developed the Asian Longhorned Beetle Hazard Management and Monitoring Tool. The geospatial tool combines data documenting; the locations, levels of infestation, and dates of detection of infested trees; the locations, methods, and timing of survey and host removal activities; and a reconstruction of beetle movement within the infested landscape to generate annual spatial estimates of infestation risk based on the combination of beetle dispersal and survey and host removal activities.

RESULTS: The analyses of three eradication programs highlight similar patterns in risk through time with risk peaking at the time infestations are detected and declining as management activities slow beetle spread and reduce risk through surveys. However, the results also highlight differences in risk reduction among the eradication programs associated with differences in beetle dispersal among infestations and the size of the infested landscape, highlighting the importance of applying local information to structure eradication programs.

DISCUSSION: The Asian Longhorned Beetle Hazard Management and Monitoring Tool provides a quantitative repeatable approach to tracking changes in infestation risk using local beetle behavior and management efforts. In addition to this, the tool may provide a structure to optimize eradication efforts by allowing managers to estimate expected risk reduction based on proposed survey and host removal strategies.},
}

@article {pmid38469500,
year = {2023},
author = {Barker, BS and Coop, L and Duan, JJ and Petrice, TR},
title = {An integrative phenology and climatic suitability model for emerald ash borer.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1239173},
pmid = {38469500},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Decision support models that predict both when and where to expect emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), are needed for the development and implementation of effective management strategies against this major invasive pest of ash (Fraxinus species) in North America and other regions such as Europe. We present a spatialized model of phenology and climatic suitability for EAB for use in the Degree-Days, Risk, and Phenological event mapping (DDRP) platform, which is an open-source decision support tool to help detect, monitor, and manage invasive threats.

METHODS: We evaluated the model using presence records from three geographic regions (China, North America, and Europe) and a phenological dataset consisting primarily of observations from the northeastern and midwestern United States. To demonstrate the model, we produced phenological event maps for a recent year and tested for trends in EAB's phenology and potential distribution over a recent 20-year period.

RESULTS: Overall, the model exhibited strong performance. Presence was correctly estimated for over 99% of presence records and predicted dates of adult phenological events corresponded closely with observed dates, with a mean absolute error of ca. 7 days and low estimates of bias. Climate stresses were insufficient to exclude EAB from areas with native Fraxinus species in North America and Europe; however, extreme weather events, climate warming, and an inability for EAB to complete its life cycle may reduce suitability for some areas. Significant trends toward earlier adult emergence over 20 years occurred in only some areas.

DISCUSSION: Near real-time model forecasts for the conterminous United States are available at two websites to provide end-users with decision-support for surveillance and management of this invasive pest. Forecasts of adult emergence and egg hatch are particularly relevant for surveillance and for managing existing populations with pesticide treatments and parasitoid introductions.},
}

@article {pmid38469478,
year = {2023},
author = {Broadley, HJ and Sipolski, SJ and Pitt, DB and Hoelmer, KA and Wang, XY and Cao, LM and Tewksbury, LA and Hagerty, TJ and Bartlett, CR and Russell, AD and Wu, Y and Davis, SC and Kaser, JM and Elkinton, JS and Gould, JR},
title = {Assessing the host range of Anastatus orientalis, an egg parasitoid of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) using Eastern U.S. non-target species.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1154697},
pmid = {38469478},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), an invasive planthopper discovered in Pennsylvania, U.S. in 2014, has spread to many surrounding states despite quarantines and control efforts, and further spread is anticipated. A classical (importation) biological control program would contribute to the long-term management of L. delicatula in the eastern U.S. In its native range of China, Anastatus orientalis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), an egg parasitoid, causes significant mortality. Anastatus orientalis consists of multiple haplotypes that differ in important biological parameters. To delineate the physiological host range of A. orientalis Haplotype C, we completed no-choice and choice testing. No-choice testing of non-target eggs from 36 insect species spanning six orders and 18 families showed that physiologically this haplotype of A. orientalis can develop in a variety of host species eggs from the families Coreidae, Fulgoridae, Pentatomidae, and Saturniidae. Ten of the 16 species that were attacked in the no-choice tests were also attacked in the choice tests. The production of progeny on non-target egg masses was significantly lower than on the controls (L. delicatula egg masses run simultaneously) in the no-choice and choice tests. For the non-target species that were attacked and resulted in female wasp progeny, these females were able to produce their own progeny at the same rate as control females that were reared from the L. delicatula eggs. Larger host eggs corresponded to an increased female-biased sex ratio of the progeny, suggesting that gravid females select them for fertilized eggs. Results from these studies suggest that A. orientalis Haplotype C prefers to parasitize L. delicatula egg masses but is capable of developing in some non-target species.},
}

@article {pmid38469472,
year = {2023},
author = {Otis, GW and Taylor, BA and Mattila, HR},
title = {Invasion potential of hornets (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespa spp.).},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1145158},
pmid = {38469472},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Hornets are large, predatory wasps that have the potential to alter biotic communities and harm honey bee colonies once established in non-native locations. Mated, diapausing females (gynes) can easily be transported to new habitats, where their behavioral flexibility allows them to found colonies using local food and nest materials. Of the 22 species in the genus Vespa, five species are now naturalized far from their endemic populations and another four have been detected either in nature or during inspections at borders of other countries. By far the most likely pathway of long-distance dispersal is the transport of gynes in transoceanic shipments of goods. Thereafter, natural dispersal of gynes in spring and accidental local transport by humans cause shorter-range expansions and contribute to the invasion process. Propagule pressure of hornets is unquantified, although it is likely low but unrelenting. The success of introduced populations is limited by low propagule size and the consequences of genetic founder effects, including the extinction vortex linked to single-locus, complementary sex determination of most hymenopterans. Invasion success is enhanced by climatic similarity between source locality and introduction site, as well as genetic diversity conferred by polyandry in some species. These and other factors that may have influenced the successful establishment of invasive populations of V. velutina, V. tropica, V. bicolor, V. orientalis, and V. crabro are discussed. The highly publicized detections of V. mandarinia in North America and research into its status provide a real-time example of an unfolding hornet invasion.},
}

@article {pmid38469468,
year = {2023},
author = {Deans, C and Hutchison, W},
title = {The importance of time in nutrient regulation: a case study with spotted-wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1105531},
pmid = {38469468},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The ability of living organisms to acquire the nutrients needed to carry out required physiological functions has important consequences for fitness. However, an organism must not simply meet the requirements for individual nutrients, but must ingest an optimal balance of multiple nutrients. Despite this, animals rarely consume truly balanced resources, and instead commonly feed selectively across multiple unbalanced resources to reach an optimal balance, i.e., intake target. Nutritional research has predominantly focused on the behavioral strategies employed during nutrient regulation, as well as the fitness consequence of failing to meet intake targets, but little work has been done on the temporal aspects of this process. For instance, within what timeframe must organisms reach their intake target before a fitness cost is incurred? Hours, days, weeks?

METHODS: In this study, we investigated how nutrient regulation interval impacts consumption and performance in adult female spotted-wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii). Females were constrained to either a protein- orcarbohydrate-biased diet over different time intervals and at different schedules, while control flies were constrained to one diet for the entire feeding period.

RESULTS: Regulation interval had a significant impact on feeding behavior and consumption. Total consumption was highest on the shorter interval treatments, where diets were alternated more frequently, and declined as the interval period increased. The relative consumption of both diets was statistically-different across intervals and was higher for the carbohydrate-biased diet. Consumption of the protein-biased diet was more variable across intervals and was more strongly impacted by the daily timing of diet switches. Performance data showed that shorter regulation intervals led to longer fly lifespans, a result commonly observed in studies exploring the impacts of diet macronutrient ratio variability on performance.

DISCUSSION: These results show that the temporal aspects of nutrition, such as feeding intervals and the timing of resource availability, can have strong impacts on feeding behavior, nutrient regulation, and fitness. These results provide an insight into how consumers may deal with changes in host phenology, the availability of hosts, and changes in nutrient availability within hosts. Understanding these mechanisms will be important for predicting responses to changes in nutrient cycling and resource availability mediated by natural and anthropogenic habitat modifications, such as global climate change.},
}

@article {pmid38469467,
year = {2023},
author = {Ndaba, A and Munyai, TC and Mbanyana, N and van Noort, S and Janion-Scheepers, C},
title = {Now you see me, now you don't: verifying the absence of alien invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes in South Africa.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1176810},
pmid = {38469467},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Anoplolepis gracilipes is an invasive species that is a major threat to native ecosystems worldwide. It has been listed as one of the top 100 worst invasive species in the world and is well known for its negative impact on native arthropods and some vertebrates. This study aimed to confirm the presence or absence of A. gracilipes in some major South African harbours. We did so by surveying four harbours in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, using pitfall trapping, yellow pan traps, and baiting. In addition, ant collections from Iziko Museums of South Africa (Cape Town, South Africa), University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg campus, South Africa), Iimbovane Outreach Project (Stellenbosch University, South Africa), and AfriBugs CC (Pretoria, South Africa) were examined for specimens of A. gracilipes. The invasive species A. gracilipes was not detected from any of the sampled harbours during this study, nor in the main ant collections in South Africa. The only, and potentially erroneous published record of A. gracilipes in South Africa, is from Durban harbour and subsequent possibly erroneous citizen science observations are from other coastal sites such as Gansbaai, Knysna, Table Bay, and Kalk Bay. This is a positive outcome for conservation authorities as this species is highly invasive and, if introduced, will likely outcompete native fauna and result in ecosystem collapse. Although A. gracilipes was not detected in the samples from this study, early detection and eradication of this species should be prioritised. This can be achieved through existing pest monitoring programs at harbours, and continued border biosecurity measures.},
}

@article {pmid38469344,
year = {2024},
author = {Trujillo, D and Mastrangelo, T and Estevez de Jensen, C and Verle Rodrigues, JC and Lawrie, R and Massey, SE},
title = {Accurate identification of Helicoverpa armigera-Helicoverpa zea hybrids using genome admixture analysis: implications for genomic surveillance.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {4},
number = {},
pages = {1339143},
pmid = {38469344},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Helicoverpa armigera, the cotton bollworm moth, is one of the world's most important crop pests, and is spreading throughout the New World from its original range in the Old World. In Brazil, invasive H. armigera has been reported to hybridize with local populations of Helicoverpa zea. The correct identification of H. armigera-H. zea hybrids is important in understanding the origin, spread and future outlook for New World regions that are affected by outbreaks, given that hybridization can potentially facilitate H. zea pesticide resistance and host plant range via introgression of H. armigera genes. Here, we present a genome admixture analysis of high quality genome sequences generated from two H. armigera-H. zea F1 hybrids generated in two different labs. Our admixture pipeline predicts 48.8% and 48.9% H. armigera for the two F1 hybrids, confirming its accuracy. Genome sequences from five H. zea and one H. armigera that were generated as part of the study show no evidence of hybridization. Interestingly, we show that four H. zea genomes generated from a previous study are predicted to possess a proportion of H. armigera genetic material. Using unsupervised clustering to identify non-hybridized H. armigera and H. zea genomes, 8511 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) were identified. Their relative frequencies are consistent with a minor H. armigera component in the four genomes, however its origin remains to be established. We show that the size and quality of genomic reference datasets are critical for accurate hybridization prediction. Consequently, we discuss potential pitfalls in genome admixture analysis of H. armigera-H. zea hybrids, and suggest measures that will improve such analyses.},
}

@article {pmid38469337,
year = {2024},
author = {Venette, RC and Ambourn, A and Aukema, BH and Jetton, RM and Petrice, TR},
title = {Hosts and impacts of elongate hemlock scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae): A critical review.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {4},
number = {},
pages = {1356036},
pmid = {38469337},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Fiorinia externa Ferris, elongate hemlock scale, was inadvertently introduced to North America from Japan. This insect is particularly problematic on hemlock, Tsuga spp., though it has been reported in association with several other conifers. The evidence that other conifers might be hosts, capable of supporting growing populations of the insect, has not been previously reviewed. Our review confirms that F. externa is an oligophagous pest of members of Pinaceae. Although species of Cupressaceae and Taxaceae have been reported as hosts of F. externa, they seem unable to support population growth of this pest. Evidence of the tree-killing potential of the insect, even on suitable hosts, is remarkably scant. The degree of pest risk posed by F. externa with respect to tree mortality in areas beyond the geographic range of hemlock seems modest, but uncertain.},
}

@article {pmid38469335,
year = {2024},
author = {Ghanem, S and Akülkü, İ and Güzle, K and Khan, Z and Mayack, C},
title = {Regulation of forager honey bee appetite independent of the glucose-insulin signaling pathway.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {4},
number = {},
pages = {1335350},
pmid = {38469335},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: To maintain energetic homeostasis the energetic state of the individual needs to communicate with appetite regulatory mechanisms on a regular basis. Although hunger levels indicated by the energetic state and appetite levels, the desire for food intake, tend to be correlated, and on their own are well studied, how the two cross-talk and regulate one another is less known. Insects, in contrast to vertebrates, tend to have trehalose as the primary sugar found in the hemolymph, which could possibly serve as an alternative monitor of the energetic state in comparison to the glucose-insulin signaling pathway, found in vertebrates.

METHODS: We investigate how manipulating hemolymph sugar levels alter the biogenic amines in the honey bee brain, appetite levels, and insulin like peptide gene expression, across three age classes, to determine how the energetic state of the honey bee might be connected to appetite regulation.

RESULTS: We found that only in the forager bees, with a lowering of hemolymph trehalose levels, there was an increase in octopamine and a decrease in tyramine levels in the honey bee brain that corresponded with increased appetite levels, while there was no significant changes in Insulin Like Peptide-1 or 2 gene expression.

DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that hemolymph trehalose levels aid in regulating appetite levels, in forager bees, via octopamine and tyramine, and this regulation appears to be functioning independent of the glucose insulin signaling pathway. Whether this potentially more direct and rapid appetite regulatory pathway can be generalized to other insects, which also undergo energy demanding activities, remains to be investigated.},
}

@article {pmid38469224,
year = {2024},
author = {Mariottini, P and Smriglio, C and Oliverio, M and Rossi, S and Di Giulio, A},
title = {Checklist of the marine malacofauna of Culuccia Peninsula (NW Sardinia, Italy), with notes on relevant species.},
journal = {Biodiversity data journal},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e115051},
pmid = {38469224},
issn = {1314-2828},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Culuccia is a small peninsula of about 3 km[2] placed in north-western Sardinia (Italy) at the margin of the Maddalena Archipelago. The marine area surrounding this Peninsula is a Special Area of Conservation, included in the European Natura 2000 Ecological Network of protected areas, but until now, no information on biodiversity of this area is available. In 2021, a research project to study both terrestrial and marine biodiversity of Culuccia has started in order to fill this gap of knowledge.

NEW INFORMATION: This work provides the first inventory of the marine malacofauna of the coast of Culuccia. Fifteen sites were sampled seasonally for one-year by using different sampling methods and the present study shows the results from approximately 50 scientific SCUBA and free dive surveys, carried out in all main marine habitats of the studied area. In total, 259 species of molluscs were recorded along the coasts of the Culuccia Peninsula (0-25 m depth), belonging to the classes Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Polyplacophora and Scaphopoda. Amongst the four classes recorded, gastropods were the most represented (66.90%; 173 species), followed by bivalves (28.10%; 73 species), polyplacophorans (4.60%; 12 species) and scapophods (0.40%; 1 species). Notes about distribution, conservation status and ecology for some valuable species are provided, together with images of representative species, consisting mainly of in situ photographs. Additionally, the present investigation recorded the presence of four alien species, whose Mediterranean distribution was extended to north-western Sardinia.},
}

@article {pmid38032050,
year = {2024},
author = {Ameline, A and Denoirjean, T and Casati, M and Dorland, J and Decocq, G},
title = {How generalist insect herbivores respond to alien plants? The case of Aphis fabae-Myzus persicae-Rhododendron ponticum.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {80},
number = {4},
pages = {1795-1801},
doi = {10.1002/ps.7908},
pmid = {38032050},
issn = {1526-4998},
mesh = {Animals ; Herbivory ; *Aphids ; *Rhododendron ; Introduced Species ; Plants ; Insecta ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) predicts that alien plant species are unsuitable hosts for native phytophagous insects. However, the biotic resistance hypothesis (BRH) predicts that generalist herbivores may prefer an alien plant over their common host plant. In this study, we have tested these two hypotheses by comparing the potential colonization of the invasive Pontic rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum L.) versus the common rearing host plants by two generalist aphid species (Aphis fabae and Myzus persicae). We assessed (i) the probing behavior using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique and (ii) survival and fecundity in Petri dishes.

RESULTS: The results showed the inability of A. fabae and Myzus persicae to immediately colonize R. ponticum. Despite their ability to feed on this invasive plant, the two aphid species hardly survived and poorly reproduced.

CONCLUSION: Our results are consistent with the ERH, since R. ponticum appeared as an unsuitable host for native phytophagous insects. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

Animals
Herbivory
*Aphids
*Rhododendron
Introduced Species
Plants
Insecta

@article {pmid38469543,
year = {2023},
author = {Elsensohn, JE and Nixon, LJ and Urban, J and Jones, SK and Leskey, TC},
title = {Survival and development of Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) on common secondary host plants differ by life stage under controlled conditions.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {3},
number = {},
pages = {1134070},
pmid = {38469543},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Host range assessment for emerging invasive insects is a vital step toward fully defining the issues the insect may pose. Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive species that is rapidly expanding its presence in the United States. The primary hosts facilitating this spread are tree of heaven, a plant from SLF's native range, and the economically important winegrape. Black walnut is also implicated as an important and common host plant. This study investigated the survival and development of SLF on diets that included a variety of crop host plants in the presence or absence of tree of heaven. The following plant species, 'Honeycrisp' apple, 'Reliance' peach, silver maple, and tree of heaven were paired with winegrape or black walnut throughout the study. SLF had strong development and high survival on a diet of winegrape alone, and winegrape or black walnut paired with tree of heaven. Survival parameters were reduced with all other plant pairings. In particular, SLF in the winegrape and peach diet treatment did not develop past the third nymphal instar. A second experiment evaluated the survival of early and late instar nymphs and adult SLF life stages on three specialty crops - 'Cascade' hops, muscadine grapes, and kiwifruit over a two-week period. Nymphs survived longer than adults, with survival of first and second instar nymphs on hops not differing from the control tree of heaven treatment. The adult stage survived best on kiwi and muscadine grape. Our results show tree of heaven and winegrape were the only single plant diets evaluated that are sufficient for complete SLF development, while other host plants may require additional host or hosts of sufficient nutritional quality for SLF survival.},
}

@article {pmid38468771,
year = {2022},
author = {Kreitman, D and Keena, MA and Nielsen, AL and Hamilton, G},
title = {The impact of host plant species on instar duration and body weight of nymphal Lycorma delicatula.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {1110480},
pmid = {38468771},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is an invasive species of planthopper that was introduced to North America and is a threat to multiple industries. Nymphs and egg masses were collected to assess each instar's rate of development at a constant temperature of 25°C on the following hosts: Ailanthus altissima (Miller) (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae), Vitis labrusca (L.) (Vitales: Vitaceae), Salix babylonica (L.) (Malpighiales: Salicaceae), Acer rubrum (L.) (Sapindales: Sapindaceae), Celastrus orbiculata (Thunberg) (Celastrales: Celastraceae), Ocimum basilicum (L.) (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and Rosa multiflora (Thunberg) (Rosales: Rosaceae). Host plant species was found to have a significant effect on developmental time for nymphs in the first through third instars, as well as on nymphal survival. Nymphs failed to develop through the second instar on O. basilicum and the third and fourth instars on A. rubrum. Host plant species also had a significant effect on the mean weight of nymphs in the first, second, and fourth instars (but not in the third instar), and on the hind tibia length and forewing width of adult nymphs. This variability in L. delicatula developmental time by host plant species can potentially impact phenology models, which should be updated to reflect these new insights. Rearing practices should also be refined to account for host plant influences on the physiology of L. delicatula.},
}

@article {pmid38468786,
year = {2022},
author = {Rabelo, MM and Dimase, M and Paula-Moraes, SV},
title = {Ecology and management of the invasive land snail Bulimulus bonariensis (Rafinesque, 1833) (Stylommatophora: Bulimulidae) in row crops.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {1056545},
pmid = {38468786},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Solutions for managing the growing populations of the snail Bulimulus bonariensis (Rafinesque, 1833) in row crops, notably peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), are urgently needed in the United States. This species has become a concern to the economy and food security for infesting commercial crops in U.S. southern states. In the present study, sampling, trapping, and management strategies were investigated to support a management program for B. bonariensis in row crops. In addition, the preference of B. bonariensis for species of row crops and weeds, used as a shelter, and snail dispersal capacity were documented. The results indicated that the ideal tools for monitoring and capturing snails are beat cloth and cardboard trap, respectively. Metaldehyde 4% bait produced effective control. Tillage was tested as an alternative cultural management tactic and produced the most promising outcomes in lowering snail populations. According to snail ecological studies, peanut and soybean are the preferred crops used as shelter over cotton and corn. Among eight common winter-growing weeds, the favored non-crop host plants are cutleaf primrose (Oenothera laciniata) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). The snail field population tends to increase as early spring temperatures rise, with more snails becoming trapped in warm, humid conditions but not through heavy precipitation. This study provides ecology information on B. bonariensis and validates tactics to manage this invasive species in row crops, in an IPM approach.},
}

@article {pmid38468788,
year = {2022},
author = {Ebbenga, DN and Hanson, AA and Burkness, EC and Hutchison, WD},
title = {A degree-day model for forecasting adult phenology of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in a temperate climate.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {1075807},
pmid = {38468788},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica (Newman), was first detected in the United States in New Jersey in 1916. The beetle gradually spread to the Midwest U.S. region, and was first confirmed in Minnesota in the late 1960's. Popillia japonica has subsequently become a major invasive insect pest in turfgrass and several agricultural crops. As P. japonica continues to spread throughout the U.S., and other countries, it is important to develop efficient ways to monitor adult populations, and where possible, forecast the phenology of adult population dynamics. During 2019-2021, field trials were conducted to develop a degree-day model that can be used to forecast P. japonica adult phenology under Minnesota, and Midwest summer climatic conditions in. We used commercially available traps and lures to monitor adult flight phenology, specifically beetle trap-catch, along with weather data at four locations in Minnesota, to relate ambient field temperatures to population phenology. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), an index of both precision and accuracy, was used to develop a final degree-day model. Model development included evaluation of simple and sine-wave degree-day calculation methods, start dates between 1 Jan. and 1 April, and a range of lower (0-15 °C) and upper (20-37 °C) thresholds. The optimum model was found to be a simple degree-day calculation, using a biofix date of 1 Jan, and lower and upper thresholds of 15 and 21.7 °C, respectively, for predicting 10% beetle trap-catch. The model will aid in future integrated pest management (IPM) and regulatory strategies by providing a tool for prediction of P. japonica adult flight phenology.},
}

@article {pmid38468780,
year = {2022},
author = {Nixon, LJ and Jones, S and Dechaine, AC and Ludwick, D and Hickin, M and Sullivan, L and Elsensohn, JE and Gould, J and Keena, M and Kuhar, T and Pfeiffer, DG and Leskey, TC},
title = {Development of rearing methodology for the invasive Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae).},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {1025193},
pmid = {38468780},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Lycorma delicatula, White (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), spotted lanternfly, is a univoltine, phloem-feeding, polyphagous and invasive insect in the USA. Although a primary host for this species is Ailanthus altissima, tree of heaven, L. delicatula also feeds on a wide range of hosts important to the USA including cultivated grapevines. Due to the need for classical or augmentative biological control programs to reduce impacts of L. delicatula across invaded areas, we developed a laboratory-based rearing protocol for this invasive species. Here, we evaluated the use of A. altissima apical meristems, epicormic shoots, and fresh foliage cut from A. altissima as a food source for rearing newly hatched L. delicatula. On these sources of plant material <20% of L. delicatula developed into adults and no oviposition occurred. However, when young, potted A. altissima trees were used as a food source, >50% of L. delicatula nymphs developed to the adult stage under natural daylengths and temperatures ranging from 20-25°C. The addition of wild grapevine, Vitis riparia, did not increase survivorship or reduce development time. To elicit mating and oviposition, adults were provided with A. altissima logs as an oviposition substrate and maintained under shortened daylengths and reduced nighttime temperatures (12L:12D and 24°C:13°C). This resulted in 2.12 egg masses deposited per female, which was 4× more than when adults were maintained in standard rearing conditions (16L:8D and 25°C). Based on these experiments, we present a protocol for reliably rearing L. delicatula under laboratory and/or greenhouse conditions.},
}

@article {pmid38468784,
year = {2022},
author = {Feltman, NR and Burkness, EC and Ebbenga, DN and Hutchison, WD and Smanski, MJ},
title = {HUGE pipeline to measure temporal genetic variation in Drosophila suzukii populations for genetic biocontrol applications.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {981974},
pmid = {38468784},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Understanding the fine-scale genome sequence diversity that exists within natural populations is important for developing models of species migration, temporal stability, and range expansion. For invasive species, agricultural pests, and disease vectors, sequence diversity at specific loci in the genome can impact the efficacy of next-generation genetic biocontrol strategies. Here we describe a pipeline for haplotype-resolution genetic variant discovery and quantification from thousands of Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii, SWD) isolated at two field sites in the North-Central United States (Minnesota) across two seasons. We observed highly similar single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequencies at each genomic location at each field site and year. This supports the hypotheses that SWD overwinters in Minnesota, is annually populated by the same source populations or a combination of both theories. Also, the stable genetic structure of SWD populations allows for the rational design of genetic biocontrol technologies for population suppression.},
}

@article {pmid38468761,
year = {2022},
author = {Palli, SR},
title = {Molecular genetics solutions to grand challenges in Entomology.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {999165},
pmid = {38468761},
issn = {2673-8600},
}

@article {pmid38468770,
year = {2022},
author = {Madalinska, K and McDougall, R and Nielsen, AL},
title = {Characterizing location of spotted lanternfly egg masses in wooded habitat during early invasion stages.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {964736},
pmid = {38468770},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is an invasive planthopper from Asia that is estimated to have spread 17 km/yr since it's initial detection in Pennsylvania in 2014. Lycorma delicatula is a pest to the agricultural and forestry industries in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, in part due to its highly polyphagous nature. Current detection relies on visual observations, unbaited traps, or eDNA surveillance in its primary hosts, including grape and hardwoods. These approaches narrow the surveillance area by concentrating on known host plants but could be further refined to narrow the search parameters from the 100+ known host plants. Because L. delicatula appears to have a strong population buildup in wooded areas, we evaluated the relationship between egg mass presence and habitat characteristics in wooded habitats adjacent to vineyards in New Jersey at six farms within the first two years of L. delicatula detection. Habitat characteristics included distance from wood edge, and presence of a critical host plant Ailanthus altissima, and presence of Vitis spp. within 4.5 m. We identified a significant relationship between egg mass presence and Vitis spp. with an 88% probability of finding an egg mass close to a wild grapevine, dropping to 9% where grapes were absent. During the early invasion stages when this research was conducted, a two-year delay from initial detection in wooded habitats to nymphal presence in the vineyard was observed.},
}

@article {pmid38468776,
year = {2022},
author = {Islam, MT and Kudla-Williams, C and Kar, S and Londo, JP and Centinari, M and Rosa, C},
title = {Deciphering genome-wide transcriptomic changes in grapevines heavily infested by spotted lanternflies.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {971221},
pmid = {38468776},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {The spotted lanternfly, a newly invasive insect in the U.S. that is a great concern for the grapevine industry, produces damage on its host plants through aggressive feeding, using a piercing and sucking method to feed on the phloem of plants. In the eastern US, adult SLF can invade vineyards through fruit ripening until the end of the growing season; however, it is still unclear how prolonged late-season SLF feeding can affect the health of grapevines, as well as the host responses to this extensive damage. Thus, we have performed a comprehensive genome-wide transcriptome analysis in grapevines heavily infested by the spotted lanternfly, as it occurs in Pennsylvania vineyards, and compared it to other relevant transcriptomes in grapes with different degrees to susceptibility to similar pests. Among a variety of plant responses, we highlight here a subset of relevant biological pathways that distinguish or are common to the spotted lanternfly and other phloem feeders in grapevine. The molecular interaction between spotted lanternfly and the vine begins with activation of signal transduction cascades mediated mainly by protein kinase genes. It also induces the expression of transcription factors in the nucleus, of other signaling molecules like phytohormones and secondary metabolites, and their downstream target genes responsible for defense and physiological functions, such as detoxification and photosynthesis. Grapevine responses furthermore include the activation of genes for cell wall strengthening via biosynthesis of major structural components. With this study, we hope to provide the regulatory network to explain effects that the invasive spotted lanternfly has on grapevine health with the goal to improve its susceptibility.},
}

@article {pmid38468805,
year = {2022},
author = {Liu, H},
title = {Oviposition selection in spotted lanternfly: impact of habitat and substrate on egg mass size and hatchability.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {932433},
pmid = {38468805},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Oviposition strategies adopted by insects (e.g., habitat selection, substrate preference, egg size, clutch size, structure, arrangement, parental care) are critical to the survival and development of their eggs. The impact of habitat and oviposition substrate on spotted lanternfly egg mass size and hatchability was studied in Pennsylvania through laboratory observations and field monitoring in 2019 and 2021. Eggs were arranged in single layers of 1-13 columns (1-18 eggs/column) on surfaces of various types of oviposition substrates, with the longest column(s) in the middle of the egg mass. Egg mass size was positively correlated with column number, with a mean of 26.6-35.1 (0-105) eggs/egg mass for different samples. Significant differences in egg mass size were observed between study sites, with larger egg masses found at Wertz (44.8), Sam Lewis (40.6), Pinnacle (39.1), Marsh Creek (37.9), Susquehannock (34.5), and Memorial Lake (33.3) and smaller egg masses at Nolde Forest (25.0), Gordon (24.4), and Antietam (21.0). Significant differences were also detected between types of oviposition substrates with smaller egg masses found on American hornbeam (22.7). In general, more (31.6%-48.0%) eggs hatched in the field compared with the laboratory (10.0%). Egg hatch success was positively correlated with egg mass size, with the highest rates recorded on American beech, American hophornbeam, black birch, black cherry, black locust, hackberry, Norway maple, red maple, and sweet cherry at Wertz, Marsh Creek, Memorial Lake, and Pinnacle. Potential (positive or negative) impacts of tree-of-heaven density, initial infestation, treatment history, and incubation conditions are discussed.},
}

@article {pmid38468797,
year = {2022},
author = {Gómez-Marco, F and Hoddle, MS},
title = {Effects of Freezing Lycorma delicatula Egg Masses on Nymph Emergence and Parasitization by Anastatus orientalis.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {937129},
pmid = {38468797},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), native to China, was first detected in Pennsylvania, U.S. in 2014. This polyphagous pest can feed on over 70 plant species including agricultural crops, like grapes, that have high economic value. Anastatus orientalis Yang and Choi (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is an egg parasitoid associated with L. delicatula egg masses in China that is being evaluated for possible introduction into the U.S. for classical biological control of L. delicatula. In support of this program, the suitability of frozen L. delicatula eggs for parasitization by A. orientalis was evaluated in a quarantine laboratory. Host egg masses held for four different cold storage periods (5°C for <1, 4, 8 and 11 months) were frozen at -40°C for 1 hour or 24 hours and exposed to female A. orientalis for parasitization for seven days. Following this experimental exposure period, rates of L. delicatula nymph emergence and A. orientalis parasitism were assessed for each of the eight different cold storage treatments. Host acceptance and suitability of frozen L. delicatula eggs by A. orientalis was assessed in terms of percentage parasitism, offspring sex ratio, and hind tibia length of emerged parasitoids. Results indicated that L. delicatula nymphs failed to emerge from eggs that were exposed to -40°C for 1 hour and 24 hours and A. orientalis could successfully parasitize L. delicatula eggs regardless of cold storage and freezing treatment. These results add a new tool for long term maintenance of L. delicatula egg masses and rearing methods for egg parasitoids of this pest. Additionally, it may be possible to field deploy sentinel eggs of L. delicatula frozen at -40°C to survey for resident natural enemy species capable of parasitizing eggs of this pest in advance of anticipated L. delicatula invasions into new areas.},
}

@article {pmid38468766,
year = {2022},
author = {Fernández, MB and Bleidorn, C and Calcaterra, LA},
title = {Wolbachia Infection in Native Populations of the Invasive Tawny Crazy Ant Nylanderia fulva.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {905803},
pmid = {38468766},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Antagonistic interactions can affect population growth and dispersal of an invasive species. Wolbachia are intracellular endosymbiont bacteria that infect arthropod and nematode hosts and are able to manipulate reproduction, which in some cases leads to cocladogenesis. Moreover, the presence of the strictly maternally transferred Wolbachia in a population can indirectly induce selective sweeps on the hosts' mitochondria. Ants have a Wolbachia infection rate of about 34%, which makes phylogenetic studies using mitochondrial markers vulnerable of being confounded by the effect of the endosymbiont. Nylanderia fulva is an invasive ant native to South America, considered a pest in the United States. Its distribution and biology are poorly known in its native range, and the taxonomic identity of this and its closely related species, Nylanderia pubens, has only recently been understood with the aid of molecular phylogenies. Aiming at estimating robust phylogenetic relationships of N. fulva in its native range, we investigated the presence and pattern of Wolbachia infection in populations of N. fulva from Argentina, part of its native range, to account for its possible effect on the host population structure. Using the ftsZ gene, 30 nests of N. fulva and four from sympatric Nylanderia species were screened for the presence of Wolbachia. We sequenced the MLST genes, the highly variable gene wsp, as well as glyQ, a novel target gene for which new primers were designed. Phylogeny of the ants was estimated using mtDNA (COI). We found supergroup A Wolbachia strains infecting 73% of N. fulva nests and two nests of Nylanderia sp. 1. Wolbachia phylogenetic tree inferred with MLST genes is partially congruent with the host phylogeny topology, with the exception of a lineage of strains shared by ants from different N. fulva clades. Furthermore, by comparing with Wolbachia sequences infecting other ants, we found that the strains infecting different N. fulva clades are not monophyletic. Our findings suggest there are three recent independent horizontally transmitted Wolbachia infections in N. fulva, and we found no evidence of influence of Wolbachia in the host mtDNA based phylogeny.},
}

@article {pmid38468793,
year = {2022},
author = {Ebbenga, DN and Burkness, EC and Clark, MD and Hutchison, WD},
title = {Impact of Adult Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Foliar Feeding Injury on Fruit Yield and Quality of a Temperate, Cold-Hardy Wine Grape, 'Frontenac'.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {887659},
pmid = {38468793},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {Popillia japonica (Newman), is a highly polyphagous, invasive species, first recorded in the U.S. in 1916, and detected in Minnesota in the late 1960s. Historically, research on this pest in the Midwest U.S. has focused primarily on ornamental and turf crops, with little attention placed on adult feeding damage to fruit crops. Recently, wine grape producers in the region noted substantial increases in defoliation from P. japonica feeding, confirming concerns for this perennial high value crop. To address these concerns, studies were conducted during the summers of 2020-2021 to understand the impact of P. japonica foliar feeding on the quality and yield of wine grapes. Trials utilized vines of the wine grape variety, 'Frontenac.' In addition to open plots, whole vines were caged within fine mesh netting and infested with P. japonica at 0, 25, 50, and 100 beetles per meter-row of vine. Beetles used for infestations were collected from natural field populations of P. japonica and left to feed until grapes were ready for harvest. During harvest, data collection included leaf samples for obtaining average percent defoliation, cluster weights, and berry subsamples for soluble solid content, pH, titratable acidity, and phenolic compound measurements. Results from these studies demonstrated that as beetle population density and defoliation per m-row increases, at-harvest measurements of quality parameters are significantly and negatively affected (P < 0.05) when compared with uninfested vines. The negative impacts to fruit quality exhibited in these studies will be important in the development of future management strategies for P. japonica in 'Frontenac.'},
}

@article {pmid38468792,
year = {2022},
author = {Brewer, MJ and Elliott, NC and Esquivel, IL and Jacobson, AL and Faris, AM and Szczepaniec, A and Elkins, BH and Gordy, JW and Pekarcik, AJ and Wang, HH and Koralewski, TE and Giles, KL and Jessie, CN and Grant, WE},
title = {Natural Enemies, Mediated by Landscape and Weather Conditions, Shape Response of the Sorghum Agroecosystem of North America to the Invasive Aphid Melanaphis sorghi.},
journal = {Frontiers in insect science},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {830997},
pmid = {38468792},
issn = {2673-8600},
abstract = {The sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.]) agroecosystem of North America provided an opportunity to evaluate agroecosystem response to an invading insect herbivore, Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald) (sorghum aphid) (previously published as Melanaphis sacchari Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) onto a widely planted crop that experiences a range of agro-landscape and weather conditions. Initial sorghum risk assessments after M. sorghi's invasion in the mid-2010s provided forecasts of range expansion and annual migration, which were based on aphid life history, extent of sorghum cultivation and susceptibility to M. sorghi, and weather (aphid-plant-weather [APW] risk scenario). A more comprehensive risk assessment proposed here brings top-down forces of M. sorghi-natural enemy interactions to the forefront as mediated by agro-landscape and weather conditions (aphid-enemy/landscape-weather mediated [AE/LW] risk scenario). A hypothesis of regional differences in aphids and natural enemies and sensitivity to agro-landscape and weather was tested using empirical data of insect, landscape, and weather data across 5 years and four regions (two in the U.S. Great Plains [South GP and North GP], one farther south (South), and one in the southeast U.S. [South E]). Natural enemies were widespread with two parasitoids and four coccinellid species common across regions, but regional variation in M. sorghi and natural enemy abundance was detected. The AE/LW risk scenario accounted for natural enemy abundance and activity that was highest in the South region, functioned well across agro-landscape and weather conditions, and was accompanied by average low M. sorghi abundance (~23 M. sorghi per leaf). Positive correlations of natural enemy-M. sorghi abundance also occurred in the South GP region where M. sorghi abundance was low (~20 M. sorghi per leaf), and selected natural enemy activity appeared to be mediated by landscape composition. Melanaphis sorghi abundance was highest in the South E region (~136 aphids/leaf) where natural enemy activity was low and influenced by weather. The AE/LW risk scenario appeared suited, and essential in the South region, in assessing risk on a regional scale, and sets the stage for further modeling to generate estimates of the degree of influence of natural enemies under varying agro-landscape and weather conditions considered in the AE/LW risk scenario. Broadly, these findings are relevant in understanding agroecosystem resilience and recommending supportive management inputs in response to insect invasions in context of natural enemy activity and varied environmental conditions.},
}

@article {pmid38467363,
year = {2024},
author = {Saqira, S and Chariton, A and Hose, GC},
title = {Multiple stressors unpredictably affect primary producers and decomposition in a model freshwater ecosystem.},
journal = {Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {123680},
doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123680},
pmid = {38467363},
issn = {1873-6424},
abstract = {Freshwater ecosystems are affected by various stressors, such as contamination and exotic species, making them amongst the most imperilled biological systems on the planet. In Australia and elsewhere, copper is one of the most common metal contaminants in freshwater systems and the European carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) is one of the most pervasive and widespread invasive fish species. Copper (Cu) and carp can both directly affect primary production and decomposition, which are critical and interrelated nutrient cycling processes and ecosystem services. The aim of this study was to explore the direct and indirect effects of Cu and carp individually, and together on periphyton cover, chlorophyll a concentration, growth of the macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis L., and the decomposition of leaf litter and cotton strips in a controlled, factorial experiment in outdoor experimental ponds. In isolation, Cu reduced macrophyte growth and organic matter decomposition, while chlorophyll a concentrations and periphyton cover remained unchanged, possibly due to the Low-Cu concentrations in the overlying water. Carp addition alone had a direct negative effect on the biomass of aquatic plants outside protective cages, but also increased plant biomass inside the cages, periphyton cover and chlorophyll a concentrations. Leaf litter was more decomposed in the carp only ponds compared to controls, while there was no significant effect on cotton strip decomposition. Aquatic plants were absent in the Cu + carp ponds caused by the combined effects of Cu toxicity, carp disturbance and the increase in turbidity due to carp bioturbation. Increases in periphyton cover in Low-Cu + carp, while absence in the High-Cu + carp ponds, and differences in the decomposition of surface and buried cotton strips were not as predicted, which highlights the need for such studies to understand the complex interactions among stressors for environmental risk assessment.},
}

@article {pmid38466407,
year = {2024},
author = {TuckerWilliams, E and Lepczyk, CA and Morse, W and Smith, M},
title = {Perceptions of Wild Pig Impact, Management, and Policy in Alabama.},
journal = {Environmental management},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38466407},
issn = {1432-1009},
support = {ALA031-1-15025//United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Grant/ ; ALA031-1-15025//United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Grant/ ; ALA031-1-15025//United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Grant/ ; ALA031-1-15025//United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Grant/ ; },
abstract = {Successful management of invasive species often requires working across public and private landownerships. A prime example of an invasive species that commonly occurs on privately and publicly owned and managed lands is the wild pig (Sus scrofa). Because of the multitude of negative impacts associated with wild pigs, management must occur across both private and public lands to achieve widespread control and sustained success. However, managing wild pigs across property boundaries is challenging as we know very little about differing management practices and landowner perspectives. To address this knowledge gap, we sought to understand wild pig management efforts on privately owned lands, the perceived economic, ecological, and human health impact of wild pigs, and beliefs related to policy. Generally, stakeholders believe wild pigs have negative impacts on wildlife, the economy, and ecological and public health, however less than half of landowners participate in wild pig control. Furthermore, stakeholders believe that the responsibility of managing and paying for damages associated with wild pigs lies with individual landowners. Our findings suggest that increased efficacy of wild pig control and collaboration between private and public landowners is not only possible but also necessary if wild pig population control is to be regionally successful.},
}

@article {pmid38465701,
year = {2024},
author = {Dufresnes, C and Monod-Broca, B and Bellati, A and Canestrelli, D and Ambu, J and Wielstra, B and Dubey, S and Crochet, PA and Denoël, M and Jablonski, D},
title = {Piecing the barcoding puzzle of Palearctic water frogs (Pelophylax) sheds light on amphibian biogeography and global invasions.},
journal = {Global change biology},
volume = {30},
number = {3},
pages = {e17180},
doi = {10.1111/gcb.17180},
pmid = {38465701},
issn = {1365-2486},
support = {3211101356//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; T.0070.19//Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique-FNRS/ ; },
abstract = {Palearctic water frogs (genus Pelophylax) are an outstanding model in ecology and evolution, being widespread, speciose, either threatened or threatening to other species through biological invasions, and capable of siring hybrid offspring that escape the rules of sexual reproduction. Despite half a century of genetic research and hundreds of publications, the diversity, systematics and biogeography of Pelophylax still remain highly confusing, in no small part due to a lack of correspondence between studies. To provide a comprehensive overview, we gathered >13,000 sequences of barcoding genes from >1700 native and introduced localities and built multigene mitochondrial (~17 kb) and nuclear (~10 kb) phylogenies. We mapped all currently recognized taxa and their phylogeographic lineages (>40) to get a grasp on taxonomic issues, cyto-nuclear discordances, the genetic makeup of hybridogenetic hybrids, and the origins of introduced populations. Competing hypotheses for the molecular calibration were evaluated through plausibility tests, implementing a new approach relying on predictions from the anuran speciation continuum. Based on our timetree, we propose a new biogeographic paradigm for the Palearctic since the Paleogene, notably by attributing a prominent role to the dynamics of the Paratethys, a vast paleo-sea that extended over most of Europe. Furthermore, our results show that distinct marsh frog lineages from Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Near East, and Central Asia (P. ridibundus ssp.) are naturally capable of inducing hybridogenesis with pool frogs (P. lessonae). We identified 14 alien lineages (mostly of P. ridibundus) over ~20 areas of invasions, especially in Western Europe, with genetic signatures disproportionally pointing to the Balkans and Anatolia as the regions of origins, in line with exporting records of the frog leg industry and the stocks of pet sellers. Pelophylax thus emerges as one of the most invasive amphibians worldwide, and deserves much higher conservation concern than currently given by the authorities fighting biological invasions.},
}

@article {pmid38402976,
year = {2024},
author = {He, F and Sun, J and Wan, JSH and Nawaz, M and Javed, Q and Pan, L and Khattak, WA and Bo, Y and Xiang, Y and Ren, G and Lin, X and Du, D},
title = {Microplastics and cadmium affect invasion success by altering complementarity and selection effects in native community.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {921},
number = {},
pages = {171135},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171135},
pmid = {38402976},
issn = {1879-1026},
mesh = {*Cadmium/toxicity ; Microplastics ; Plastics ; Ecosystem ; Biodiversity ; Plants ; *Environmental Pollutants ; Introduced Species ; },
abstract = {The diversity-invasibility hypothesis predicts that native plant communities with high biodiversity should be more resistant to invasion than low biodiversity communities. However, observational studies have found that there is often a positive relationship between native community diversity and invasibility. Pollutants were not tested for their potential to cause this positive relationship. Here, we established native communities with three levels of diversity (1, 2 and 4 species) and introduced an invasive plant [Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G. L. Nesom] to test the effects of different pollutant treatments (i.e., unpolluted control, microplastics (MPs) alone, cadmium (Cd) alone, and their combination) on the relationship between native community diversity and community invasibility. Our results indicate that different MPs and Cd treatments altered the invasibility of native communities, but this effect may depend on the type of pollutant. MPs single treatment reduced invasion success, and the degree of reduction increased with increasing native community diversity (Diversity 2: - 14.1 %; Diversity 4: - 63.1 %). Cd single treatment increased the aboveground biomass of invasive plants (+ 40.2 %) and invasion success. The presence of MPs inhibited the contribution of Cd to invasion success. Furthermore, we found that the complementarity and selection effects of the native community were negatively correlated with invasion success, and their relative contributions to invasion success also depended on the pollutant type. We found new evidence of how pollutants affect the relationship between native community diversity and habitat invasibility, which provides new perspectives for understanding and managing biological invasions in the context of environmental pollution. This may contribute to promoting the conservation of biodiversity, especially in ecologically sensitive and polluted areas.},
}

*Cadmium/toxicity
Microplastics
Plastics
Ecosystem
Biodiversity
Plants
*Environmental Pollutants
Introduced Species

@article {pmid38458676,
year = {2024},
author = {Takeda, K and Shimizu, K and Sato, M and Katayama, M and Nakayama, SMM and Tanaka, K and Ikenaka, Y and Hashimoto, T and Minato, R and Oyamada, Y and Tanaka, KD and Kimura, G and Tanikawa, T and Kato, K and Kusakabe, T and Ishizuka, M and Kamata, R},
title = {Sensitivity assessment of diphacinone by pharmacokinetic analysis in invasive black rats in the Bonin (Ogasawara) Archipelago, Japan.},
journal = {Pesticide biochemistry and physiology},
volume = {199},
number = {},
pages = {105767},
doi = {10.1016/j.pestbp.2023.105767},
pmid = {38458676},
issn = {1095-9939},
abstract = {The Bonin Archipelago is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Natural Heritage Site in Japan with a unique ecosystem; however, the invasive rodents preying on endemic species have been a significant concern. The anticoagulant rodenticide, diphacinone, sprayed by the Ministry of the Environment, has succeeded; however, its repeated use leads to rodenticide resistance. This study evaluated the sensitivity by in vivo pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) analysis and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling to diphacinone in black rats (Rattus rattus) captured on the Bonin Archipelago in February 2022. The Bonin rats exhibited prolonged coagulation time after diphacinone administration. They recovered earlier than susceptible black rats, indicating that Bonin rats were less susceptible, though there were no genetic mutations in Vkorc1, the target enzyme of diphacinone. After the administration of diphacinone, hepatic expression levels of Fsp1, identified as the vitamin K reductase, was decreased, however, the Bonin rats exhibited the most minor suppression. The PK analysis showed that the excretion capacity of the Bonin rats was lower than that of the resistant black rats. In the PBPK modeling, the resistant black rats showed higher clearance than the Bonin and susceptible black rats due to high hepatic metabolic capacity. The Bonin rats demonstrated slow absorption and relatively low clearance. This study highlighted the reduced rodenticide-sensitive tendency of wild black rats in the Bonin Archipelago at an in vivo phenotype level. At the same time, they do not have known rodenticide resistance mechanisms, such as hepatic metabolic enhancement or Vkorc1 mutations. It is crucial to monitor the biological levels to evaluate rodenticide sensitivity accurately.},
}

@article {pmid38457456,
year = {2024},
author = {Aguirre, M and Logarzo, G and Triapitsyn, S and Diaz-Soltero, H and Hight, S and Bruzzone, OA},
title = {Effect of egg production dynamics on the functional response of two parasitoids.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {3},
pages = {e0283916},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0283916},
pmid = {38457456},
issn = {1932-6203},
abstract = {Functional response describes the number of hosts attacked by a parasitoid in relation to host densities and plays an important role by connecting behavioral-level processes with community-level processes. Most functional response studies were carried out using simple experimental designs where the insects were confined to a plain and small arena with different host densities during a fixed period of time. With these designs, other factors that might affect the functional response of parasitoids were not analyzed, such as fecundity, age, and experience. We proposed a series of latent-variables Markovian models that comprised an integrated approach of functional response and egg production models to estimate the realized lifetime reproductive success of parasitoids. As a case study, we used the parasitoids Anagyrus cachamai and A. lapachosus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), two candidate agents for neoclassical biocontrol of the Puerto Rican cactus pest mealybug, Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). The tested species were assessed according to their physiology and prior experience. We estimated the number of mature eggs after emergence, egg production on the first day, egg production rate, the proportion of eggs resorbed, egg resorption threshold, and egg storage capacity. Anagyrus cachamai and A. lapachosus both presented a type III functional response. However, the two parasitoids behaved differently; for A. cachamai, the number of parasitized hosts decreased with female age and depended on the number of mature eggs that were available for oviposition, whereas A. lapachosus host parasitism increased with female age and was modulated by its daily egg load and previous experience. The methodology presented may have large applicability in pest control, invasive species management, and conservation biology, as it has the potential to increase our understanding of the reproductive biology of a wide variety of species, ultimately leading to improved management strategies.},
}

@article {pmid38457426,
year = {2024},
author = {Escobar Camacho, D and Barragán, KS and Guayasamin, JM and Gavilanes, G and Encalada, AC},
title = {New records of native and introduced fish species in a river basin of Western Ecuador, the Chocó-Darien Ecoregion, using DNA barcoding.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {3},
pages = {e0298970},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0298970},
pmid = {38457426},
issn = {1932-6203},
abstract = {DNA barcoding, based on mitochondrial markers, is widely applied in species identification and biodiversity studies. The aim of this study was to establish a barcoding reference database of fishes inhabiting the Cube River from Western Ecuador in the Chocó-Darien Global Ecoregion (CGE), a threatened ecoregion with high diversity and endemism, and evaluate the applicability of using barcoding for the identification of fish species. Barcode sequences were obtained from seven orders, 17 families, 23 genera and 26 species, which were validated through phylogenetic analysis, morphological measurements, and literature review. Our results showed that 43% of fish species in this region are endemic, confirmed the presence of known species in the area, and included the addition of three new records of native (Hoplias microlepis, Rhamdia guatemalensis and Sicydium salvini) and an introduced species (Xiphophorus maculatus) to Ecuador. In addition, eight species were barcoded for the first time. Species identification based on barcoding and morphology showed discrepancy with species lists from previous studies in the CGE, suggesting that the current baseline of western fishes of Ecuador is still incomplete. Because this study analyzed fishes from a relatively small basin (165 km2), more molecular-based studies focusing on fish are needed to achieve a robust sequence reference library of species inhabiting Western Ecuador. The new sequences of this study will be useful for future comparisons and biodiversity monitoring, supporting the application of barcoding tools for studying fish diversity in genetically unexplored regions and to develop well-informed conservation programs.},
}

@article {pmid38454541,
year = {2024},
author = {Carlassara, M and Khorramnejad, A and Oker, H and Bahrami, R and Lozada-Chávez, AN and Mancini, MV and Quaranta, S and Body, MJA and Lahondère, C and Bonizzoni, M},
title = {Population-specific responses to developmental temperature in the arboviral vector Aedes albopictus: Implications for climate change.},
journal = {Global change biology},
volume = {30},
number = {3},
pages = {e17226},
doi = {10.1111/gcb.17226},
pmid = {38454541},
issn = {1365-2486},
support = {//2022J45MLL/ ; PE00000007//NextGeneration EU-MUR PNRR Extended Partnership/ ; },
abstract = {The increase of environmental temperature due to current global warming is not only favouring the expansion of the distribution range of many insect species, but it is also changing their phenology. Insect phenology is tightly linked to developmental timing, which is regulated by environmental temperatures. However, the degree to which the effects of developmental temperatures extend across developmental stages and their inter-stage relationships have not been thoroughly quantified in mosquitoes. Here, we used the mosquito Aedes albopictus, which is an aggressive invasive species and an arboviral vector, to study how developmental temperature influences fitness across developmental stages, thermal traits, energy reserves, transcriptome and Wolbachia prevalence in laboratory-reared populations originally collected from either temperate or tropical regions. We show that hatchability, larval and pupal viability and developmental speed are strongly influenced by temperature, and these effects extend to wing length, body mass, longevity and content of water, protein and lipids in adults in a population-specific manner. On the contrary, neither adult thermal preference nor heat resistance significantly change with temperature. Wolbachia density was generally lower in adult mosquitoes reared at 18°C than at other tested temperatures, and transcriptome analysis showed enrichment for functions linked to stress responses (i.e. cuticle proteins and chitin, cytochrome p450 and heat shock proteins) in mosquitoes reared at both 18 and 32°C. Our data showed an overall reduced vector fitness performance when mosquitoes were reared at 32°C, and the absence of isomorphy in the relationship between developmental stages and temperature in the laboratory population deriving from larvae collected in northern Italy. Altogether, these results have important implications for reliable model projections of the invasion potentials of Ae. albopictus and its epidemiological impact.},
}

@article {pmid38449332,
year = {2024},
author = {Rohner, PT and Jones, JA and Moczek, AP},
title = {Plasticity, symbionts and niche construction interact in shaping dung beetle development and evolution.},
journal = {The Journal of experimental biology},
volume = {227},
number = {Suppl_1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1242/jeb.245976},
pmid = {38449332},
issn = {1477-9145},
support = {P400PB_199257/SNSF_/Swiss National Science Foundation/Switzerland ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Coleoptera/genetics ; Introduced Species ; *Life History Traits ; Phenotype ; },
abstract = {Developmental plasticity is an important product of evolutionary processes, allowing organisms to maintain high fitness in the face of environmental perturbations. Once evolved, plasticity also has the potential to influence subsequent evolutionary outcomes, for example, by shaping phenotypic variation visible to selection and facilitating the emergence of novel trait variants. Furthermore, organisms may not just respond to environmental conditions through plasticity but may also actively modify the abiotic and (sym)biotic environments to which they themselves respond, causing plasticity to interact in complex ways with niche construction. Here, we explore developmental mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of plasticity in horned dung beetles. First, we discuss how post-invasion evolution of plasticity in an introduced Onthophagus species facilitated rapid range expansion and concurrent local adaptation of life history and morphology to novel climatic conditions. Second, we discuss how, in addition to plastically responding to variation in nutritional conditions, dung beetles engage in behaviors that modify the environment that they themselves respond to during later development. We document that these environment-modifying behaviors mask heritable variation for life history traits within populations, thereby shielding genetic variants from selection. Such cryptic genetic variation may be released and become selectable when these behaviors are compromised. Together, this work documents the complex interactions between plasticity, symbionts and niche construction, and highlights the usefulness of an integrative Eco-Evo-Devo framework to study the varied mechanisms and consequences of plasticity in development and evolution.},
}

Animals
*Coleoptera/genetics
Introduced Species
*Life History Traits
Phenotype

@article {pmid38447369,
year = {2024},
author = {Nawaz, M and Sun, J and Bo, Y and He, F and Shabbir, S and Hassan, MU and Pan, L and Ahmad, P and Sonne, C and Du, D},
title = {Cadmium induced defense enhance the invasive potential of Wedelia trilobata under herbivore infestation.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {469},
number = {},
pages = {133931},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133931},
pmid = {38447369},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Cadmium (Cd) pollution is on the rise due to rapid urbanization, which emphasize the potential adverse effects on plant biodiversity and human health. Wedelia as a dominant invasive species, is tested for its tolerance to Cd-toxicity and herbivore infestation. We investigate defense mechanism system of invasive Wedelia trilobata and its native congener Wedelia chinensis against the Cd-pollution and Spodoptera litura infestation. We found that Cd-toxicity significantly increase hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyl ions (O2[•]) in W. chinensis 20.61%, 4.78% and 15.68% in leave and 27.44%, 25.52% and 30.88% in root, respectively. The photosynthetic pigments (Chla, Chla and Caro) and chlorophyll florescence (Fo and Fv/Fm) declined by (60.23%, 58.48% and 51.96%), and (73.29% and 55.75%) respectively in W. chinensis and (44.76%, 44.24% and 44.30%), and (54.66% and 45.36%) in W. trilobata under Cd treatment and S. litura. Invasive W. trilobata had higher enzymatic antioxidant SOD 126.9/71.64%, POD 97.24/94.92%, CAT 53.99/25.62% and APX 82.79/50.19%, and nonenzymatic antioxidant ASA 10.47/16.87%, DHA 15.07/27.88%, GSH 15.91/10.03% and GSSG 13.56/17.93% activity in leaf/root, respectively. Overall, W. trilobata accumulate higher Cd content 55.41%, 50.61% and 13.95% in root, shoot and leaf tissues respectively, than its native congener W. chinensis. While, nutrient profile of W. chinensis reveals less uptake of Fe, Cu and Zn than W. trilobata. W. trilobata showed efficient alleviation of oxidative damage through upregulating the genes related to key defense such as SOD, POD, CAT, APX, GR, PROL, FLV, ABA and JAZ, and metal transporter in leaves, shoot and root tissues, respectively. Conclusively, W. trilobata efficiently employed Cd-triggered defense for successful invasion, even under S. litura infestation, in Cd-contaminated soil.},
}

@article {pmid38440083,
year = {2024},
author = {Holdgrafer, JP and Mason, DS and Coleman, TS and Lashley, MA},
title = {Food resource richness increases seed disperser visitations and seed rain richness.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {e11093},
pmid = {38440083},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Within the context of global change, seed dispersal research often focuses on changes in disperser communities (i.e., seed dispersers, such as birds, in an area) resulting from habitat fragmentation. This approach may not be completely illustrative due to certain seed disperser communities being more robust to fragmentation. Additionally, this top-down approach overlooks how changing food resources on landscapes impacts resource tracking and, subsequently, seed dispersal. We hypothesized resource tracking may promote diffuse plant-animal dispersal mutualisms if resource richness is positively linked to disperser and seed rain richness. We predicted increasing food resource richness attracts more visits and species of avian dispersers, resulting in higher counts and greater species richness of seeds deposited at sites (i.e., seed rain). We tested this mechanism in two replicated field experiments using a model system with bird feeders positioned above seed traps. In the first experiment, we demonstrated resource presence skews seed rain. In the second experiment, we explored how species richness of food resources (0, 4, 8, or 12 species) affected the species richness and visitation of avian seed dispersers at feeders and in subsequent seed rain. Collectively, we observed a positive relationship between available food resources and seed rain, likely mediated by resource tracking behavior of avian dispersers. Our findings underscore a potential key mechanism that may facilitate ecological diversity, whereby accumulating species richness in the plant community attracts a more diverse seed disperser community and indirectly promotes more species in seed rain. Importantly, the resource tracking mechanism driving this potential positive feedback loop may also result in negative ecosystem effects if global change diminishes resource availability through homogenization processes, such as invasive species colonization. Future research should explore the bottom-up effects of global change on food resources and seed disperser behavior to complement the literature on changing disperser communities.},
}

@article {pmid38437901,
year = {2024},
author = {Neokye, EO and Wang, X and Thakur, KK and Quijon, P and Nawaz, RA and Basheer, S},
title = {Climate change impacts on oyster aquaculture - Part I: Identification of key factors.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {118561},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2024.118561},
pmid = {38437901},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {Oysters are enriched with high-quality protein and are widely known for their exquisite taste. The production of oysters plays an important role in the local economies of coastal communities in many countries, including Atlantic Canada, because of their high economic value. However, because of the changing climatic conditions in recent years, oyster aquaculture faces potentially negative impacts, such as increasing water acidification, warming water temperature, high salinity, invasive species, algal blooms, and other environmental factors. Although a few isolated effects of climate change on oyster aquaculture have been reported in recent years, it is not well understood how climate change will affect oyster aquaculture from a systematic perspective. In the first part of this study, we present a systematic review of the impacts of climate change and some key environmental factors affecting oyster production on a global scale. The study also identifies knowledge gaps and challenges. In addition, we present key research directions that will facilitate future investigations.},
}

@article {pmid38439081,
year = {2024},
author = {Cosme, LV and Corley, M and Johnson, T and Severson, DW and Yan, G and Wang, X and Beebe, N and Maynard, A and Bonizzoni, M and Khorramnejad, A and Martins, AJ and Lima, JBP and Munstermann, LE and Surendran, SN and Chen, CH and Maringer, K and Wahid, I and Mukherjee, S and Xu, J and Fontaine, MC and Estallo, EL and Stein, M and Livdahl, T and Scaraffia, PY and Carter, BH and Mogi, M and Tuno, N and Mains, JW and Medley, KA and Bowles, DE and Gill, RJ and Eritja, R and González-Obando, R and Trang, HTT and Boyer, S and Abunyewa, AM and Hackett, K and Wu, T and Nguyễn, J and Shen, J and Zhao, H and Crawford, JE and Armbruster, P and Caccone, A},
title = {A genotyping array for the globally invasive vector mosquito, Aedes albopictus.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {106},
pmid = {38439081},
issn = {1756-3305},
support = {RO1A13409/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Although whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is the preferred genotyping method for most genomic analyses, limitations are often experienced when studying genomes characterized by a high percentage of repetitive elements, high linkage, and recombination deserts. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), for example, has a genome comprising up to 72% repetitive elements, and therefore we set out to develop a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip to be more cost-effective. Aedes albopictus is an invasive species originating from Southeast Asia that has recently spread around the world and is a vector for many human diseases. Developing an accessible genotyping platform is essential in advancing biological control methods and understanding the population dynamics of this pest species, with significant implications for public health.

METHODS: We designed a SNP chip for Ae. albopictus (Aealbo chip) based on approximately 2.7 million SNPs identified using WGS data from 819 worldwide samples. We validated the chip using laboratory single-pair crosses, comparing technical replicates, and comparing genotypes of samples genotyped by WGS and the SNP chip. We then used the chip for a population genomic analysis of 237 samples from 28 sites in the native range to evaluate its usefulness in describing patterns of genomic variation and tracing the origins of invasions.

RESULTS: Probes on the Aealbo chip targeted 175,396 SNPs in coding and non-coding regions across all three chromosomes, with a density of 102 SNPs per 1 Mb window, and at least one SNP in each of the 17,461 protein-coding genes. Overall, 70% of the probes captured the genetic variation. Segregation analysis found that 98% of the SNPs followed expectations of single-copy Mendelian genes. Comparisons with WGS indicated that sites with genotype disagreements were mostly heterozygotes at loci with WGS read depth < 20, while there was near complete agreement with WGS read depths > 20, indicating that the chip more accurately detects heterozygotes than low-coverage WGS. Sample sizes did not affect the accuracy of the SNP chip genotype calls. Ancestry analyses identified four to five genetic clusters in the native range with various levels of admixture.

CONCLUSIONS: The Aealbo chip is highly accurate, is concordant with genotypes from WGS with high sequence coverage, and may be more accurate than low-coverage WGS.},
}

@article {pmid38437713,
year = {2024},
author = {Cooke, SJ and Piczak, ML and Singh, NJ and Åkesson, S and Ford, AT and Chowdhury, S and Mitchell, GW and Norris, DR and Hardesty-Moore, M and McCauley, D and Hammerschlag, N and Tucker, MA and Horns, JJ and Reisinger, RR and Kubelka, V and Lennox, RJ},
title = {Animal migration in the Anthropocene: threats and mitigation options.},
journal = {Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/brv.13066},
pmid = {38437713},
issn = {1469-185X},
support = {//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; //Canada Foundation for Innovation/ ; 31-2307692M_Kubelka//Czech Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Animal migration has fascinated scientists and the public alike for centuries, yet migratory animals are facing diverse threats that could lead to their demise. The Anthropocene is characterised by the reality that humans are the dominant force on Earth, having manifold negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystem function. Considerable research focus has been given to assessing anthropogenic impacts on the numerical abundance of species/populations, whereas relatively less attention has been devoted to animal migration. However, there are clear linkages, for example, where human-driven impacts on migration behaviour can lead to population/species declines or even extinction. Here, we explore anthropogenic threats to migratory animals (in all domains - aquatic, terrestrial, and aerial) using International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Threat Taxonomy classifications. We reveal the diverse threats (e.g. human development, disease, invasive species, climate change, exploitation, pollution) that impact migratory wildlife in varied ways spanning taxa, life stages and type of impact (e.g. from direct mortality to changes in behaviour, health, and physiology). Notably, these threats often interact in complex and unpredictable ways to the detriment of wildlife, further complicating management. Fortunately, we are beginning to identify strategies for conserving and managing migratory animals in the Anthropocene. We provide a set of strategies that, if embraced, have the potential to ensure that migratory animals, and the important ecological functions sustained by migration, persist.},
}

@article {pmid38435985,
year = {2024},
author = {Hernández-Teixidor, D and Pérez-Morín, A and Pestano, J and Mora, D and Fajardo, S},
title = {The destructive subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) can colonize arid territories.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e16936},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.16936},
pmid = {38435985},
issn = {2167-8359},
abstract = {Reticulitermes flavipes, one of the most destructive subterranean termite species, has been detected for the first time in an arid territory: Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain). This invasive species was introduced into several countries but never such a dry region. Although there are places with presence of this termite at similar or even higher temperatures, none has annual rainfall (10.1 mm) as low as Lanzarote. On this island it is present in semi-desert, near an affected urban area. Distribution, genetic, climate and host-plant data are evaluated to track and understand its invasion process in the archipelago.},
}

@article {pmid38435005,
year = {2024},
author = {Cheung, K and Amos, TG and Shine, R and DeVore, JL and Ducatez, S and Edwards, RJ and Rollins, LA},
title = {Whole-mitogenome analysis unveils previously undescribed genetic diversity in cane toads across their invasion trajectory.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {e11115},
doi = {10.1002/ece3.11115},
pmid = {38435005},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Invasive species offer insights into rapid adaptation to novel environments. The iconic cane toad (Rhinella marina) is an excellent model for studying rapid adaptation during invasion. Previous research using the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 3 (ND3) gene in Hawai'ian and Australian invasive populations found a single haplotype, indicating an extreme genetic bottleneck following introduction. Nuclear genetic diversity also exhibited reductions across the genome in these two populations. Here, we investigated the mitochondrial genomics of cane toads across this invasion trajectory. We created the first reference mitochondrial genome for this species using long-read sequence data. We combined whole-genome resequencing data of 15 toads with published transcriptomic data of 125 individuals to construct nearly complete mitochondrial genomes from the native (French Guiana) and introduced (Hawai'i and Australia) ranges for population genomic analyses. In agreement with previous investigations of these populations, we identified genetic bottlenecks in both Hawai'ian and Australian introduced populations, alongside evidence of population expansion in the invasive ranges. Although mitochondrial genetic diversity in introduced populations was reduced, our results revealed that it had been underestimated: we identified 45 mitochondrial haplotypes in Hawai'ian and Australian samples, none of which were found in the native range. Additionally, we identified two distinct groups of haplotypes from the native range, separated by a minimum of 110 base pairs (0.6%). These findings enhance our understanding of how invasion has shaped the genetic landscape of this species.},
}

@article {pmid38435001,
year = {2024},
author = {Wang, L and He, K and Hui, C and Ratkowsky, DA and Yao, W and Lian, M and Wang, J and Shi, P},
title = {Comparison of four performance models in quantifying the inequality of leaf and fruit size distribution.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {e11072},
doi = {10.1002/ece3.11072},
pmid = {38435001},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {The inequality in leaf and fruit size distribution per plant can be quantified using the Gini index, which is linked to the Lorenz curve depicting the cumulative proportion of leaf (or fruit) size against the cumulative proportion of the number of leaves (or fruits). Prior researches have predominantly employed empirical models-specifically the original performance equation (PE-1) and its generalized counterpart (GPE-1)-to fit rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curves. Notably, another potential performance equation (PE-2), capable of generating similar curves to PE-1, has been overlooked and not systematically compared with PE-1 and GPE-1. Furthermore, PE-2 has been extended into a generalized version (GPE-2). In the present study, we conducted a comparative analysis of these four performance equations, evaluating their applicability in describing Lorenz curves related to plant organ (leaf and fruit) size. Leaf area was measured on 240 culms of dwarf bamboo (Shibataea chinensis Nakai), and fruit volume was measured on 31 field muskmelon plants (Cucumis melo L. var. agrestis Naud.). Across both datasets, the root-mean-square errors of all four performance models were consistently smaller than 0.05. Paired t-tests indicated that GPE-1 exhibited the lowest root-mean-square error and Akaike information criterion value among the four performance equations. However, PE-2 gave the best close-to-linear behavior based on relative curvature measures. This study presents a valuable tool for assessing the inequality of plant organ size distribution.},
}

@article {pmid38434306,
year = {2024},
author = {Baek, S and Kim, MJ and Seo, BY and Kim, KH and Park, CG and Cho, J and Park, HH},
title = {Phenology model development for Neodryinus typhlocybae: Evaluation of phenological synchrony with its host, Metcalfa pruinosa.},
journal = {Heliyon},
volume = {10},
number = {5},
pages = {e26825},
doi = {10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26825},
pmid = {38434306},
issn = {2405-8440},
abstract = {The invasive species Metcalfa pruinosa has inflicted significant economic losses in various European and Asian regions. To combat this pest, the parasitoid wasp Neodryinus typhlocybae has been effectively introduced in Europe. Despite its success, research on the field occurrence patterns of N. typhlocybae, particularly its phenology, remains scarce. This study aims to develop a degree-day model for predicting the adult emergence of N. typhlocybae from overwintering cocoons and to assess the phenological synchrony between N. typhlocybae adults and the nymphal stages of M. pruinosa in Korea. In this study, we estimated the thermal parameters of N. typhlocybae under field temperatures and six constant temperatures (13.92, 17.71, 18.53, 20.53, 22.78, and 24.03 °C) conditions. The lower developmental temperature was estimated using the values of the coefficient of variation for the cumulative degree days of emerged individual adults. The estimated lower developmental threshold temperature was 12.3 °C. With this developmental threshold, a degree-day model was developed, and this model well-predicted emergence in field conditions. By simulating this developed model with the actual occurrence of the nymphal stages of its host, M. pruinosa, adult wasp emergence was estimated to be 1.5 weeks later than the first instar nymph of the host but faster than other nymphal stages of M. pruinosa. Thus, the findings in this study would be helpful in determining the possibility of establishing N. typhlocybae and improving the management efficiency of M. pruinosa.},
}

@article {pmid38434263,
year = {2024},
author = {Mashamaite, CV and Phiri, EE and Mandizvidza, TC and Mothapo, PN and Pieterse, PJ and Albien, AJ},
title = {Assessing a potential conflict associated with the production of Moringa oleifera in the Limpopo Province of South Africa: A systems thinking approach.},
journal = {Heliyon},
volume = {10},
number = {5},
pages = {e26906},
doi = {10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26906},
pmid = {38434263},
issn = {2405-8440},
abstract = {The increased movement of humans throughout the world allowed the transportation of several species, such as Moringa oleifera Lam. (moringa), into biomes far away from their native habitation. Native to India, moringa is a versatile, drought-tolerant, and fast-growing tree that is easily adaptable to wide-ranging tropical and sub-tropical conditions around the world. It is used in cosmetics, as food and medicine for humans, livestock feed, crop biostimulant, and green manure. Even though moringa is an alien species to South Africa, its production is increasing, and its numerous uses are recognised by communities. Moringa forms part of a highly complex (social, ecological, and economic) system. This is because it is on the Species Under Surveillance for Possible Eradication or Containment Targets (SUSPECT) list under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA) of South Africa. Listing species that are regarded as beneficial to communities on national regulations can cause conflicts and uncertainties among various stakeholders (i.e., environmental policymakers, farmers, rural communities, and government bodies). In this paper, a systems thinking approach was applied to address complex and conflicting issues linked to the production and overall status (economic, ecological, legal, and social) of moringa in South Africa. The Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) was developed to present a broad insight into the complexity of moringa in South Africa and assist in underscoring the feedback mechanisms within the system. Moreover, the CLD indicated that the position of moringa within the country comprised a variety of interdependent variables of government policies, environment, and society, which are interconnected into a multifaceted system. The potential conflict dimensions and types associated with allocating moringa an impact category within the South African context were identified, and this may serve as a useful tool for facilitating engagements and decision-making processes among stakeholders in resolving the status of moringa in South Africa.},
}

@article {pmid38434106,
year = {2024},
author = {Navarro, D and Drula, E and Chaduli, D and Cazenave, R and Ahrendt, S and Wang, J and Lipzen, A and Daum, C and Barry, K and Grigoriev, IV and Favel, A and Rosso, MN and Martin, F},
title = {Draft genome sequencing and assembly of Favolaschia claudopus CIRM-BRFM 2984 isolated from oak limbs.},
journal = {Journal of genomics},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {44-46},
doi = {10.7150/jgen.92255},
pmid = {38434106},
issn = {1839-9940},
abstract = {Favolaschia claudopus, a wood-inhabiting basidiomycete of the Mycenaceae family, is considered an invasive species that has recently spread from Oceania to Europe. The CIRM-BRFM 2984 strain of this fungus was originally isolated from a basidiome collected from the fallen limb of a decayed oak tree in Southwest France. The genome sequence of this strain shared characteristics with other Mycenaceae species, including a large genome size and enriched content of protein-coding genes. The genome sequence provided here will facilitate further investigation on the factors that contribute to the successful global dissemination of F. claudopus.},
}

@article {pmid38433966,
year = {2024},
author = {Glamuzina, B and Vilizzi, L and Piria, M and Žuljević, A and Cetinić, AB and Pešić, A and Dragičević, B and Lipej, L and Pećarević, M and Bartulović, V and Grđan, S and Cvitković, I and Dobroslavić, T and Fortič, A and Glamuzina, L and Mavrič, B and Tomanić, J and Despalatović, M and Trkov, D and Šćepanović, MB and Vidović, Z and Simonović, P and Matić-Skoko, S and Tutman, P},
title = {Global warming scenarios for the Eastern Adriatic Sea indicate a higher risk of invasiveness of non-native marine organisms relative to current climate conditions.},
journal = {Marine life science & technology},
volume = {6},
number = {1},
pages = {143-154},
doi = {10.1007/s42995-023-00196-9},
pmid = {38433966},
issn = {2662-1746},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Globally, marine bioinvasions threaten marine ecosystem structure and function, with the Mediterranean Sea being one of the most affected regions. Such invasions are expected to increase due to climate change. We conducted a risk screening of marine organisms (37 fishes, 38 invertebrates, and 9 plants), both extant and 'horizon' (i.e., not present in the area but likely to enter it). Based on expert knowledge for the Eastern Adriatic Sea coasts of Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro, screenings were conducted under both current and predicted climate conditions indicating with an increase in sea surface temperature and salinity of the Adriatic Sea together with changes in precipitation regime. Our aims were to: (1) identify non-native extant and horizon marine species that may pose threats to native biodiversity and (2) evaluate the risk of invasiveness of the selected species under current and predicted climate conditions. Of the 84 species screened, there was an increase in those ranked as 'high risk' from 33 (39.3%) under current climate conditions and to 47 (56.0%) under global warming scenarios. For those ranked as 'very high' risk, the increase was from 6 (7.1%) to 21 (25.0%). Amongst the screened species, the already established high-risk species Pacific oyster Magallana gigas and Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus represent a threat to ecosystem services. Given the under-representation of marine species in the current European Union List, the species we have ranked as high to very high risk should be included.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-023-00196-9.},
}

@article {pmid38430432,
year = {2024},
author = {Lonare, N and Patil, G and Waghmare, S and Bhor, R and Hardikar, H and Tembe, S},
title = {DNA Barcoding of Invasive Terrestrial Plant Species in India.},
journal = {Molecular biotechnology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38430432},
issn = {1559-0305},
abstract = {Invasive plants are known to cause biodiversity loss and pose a major risk to human health and environment. Identification of invasive plants and distinguishing them from native species has been relied on morphological examination. Stringent requirement of floral characters and decreasing number of expert taxonomists are making conventional morphology-based identification system tedious and resource-intensive. DNA barcoding may help in quick identification of invasive species if distinct sequence divergence pattern at various taxonomic levels is observed. The present work evaluates the utility of four molecular markers; rbcL, matK, their combination (rbcL + matK), and psbA-trnH for identification of 37 invasive plant species from India and also in distinguishing them from 97 native species. A psbA-trnH locus was found to be of restricted utility in this work as it was represented by the members of a single family. A hierarchical increase in K2P mean divergence across different taxonomic levels was found to be the maximum for matK alone followed by rbcL + matK and rbcL alone, respectively. NJ clustering analysis, however, confirmed the suitability of combined locus (rbcL + matK) over individual rbcL and matK as the DNA barcode. RbcL showed the lowest resolution power among the three markers studied. MatK exhibited much better performance compared to rbcL alone in identifying most of the species accurately although it failed to show monophyly of genus Dinebra. Two families; Asteraceae and Poaceae, remained polyphyletic in the trees constructed by all three markers. Combined locus (rbcL + matK) was found to be the most suitable marker as it raised the resolution power of both the markers and could identify more than 90% of genera correctly. Phylogenetic tree constructed by Maximum-Parsimony method using combined locus as a molecular marker exhibited the best resolution, thus, supporting the significance of two-locus combination of rbcL + matK for barcoding invasive plant species from India. Present study contributes to the global barcode data of invasive plant species by adding fifty-one new sequences to it. Effective barcoding of additional number of native as well as invasive plant species from India is possible using this dual locus if it is combined with one or more new molecular plastid markers. Expansion of barcode database with a focus on barcode performance optimisation to improve discrimination ability at species level can be undertaken in future.},
}

@article {pmid38429543,
year = {2024},
author = {Dudliv, I and Kvach, Y and Tkachenko, MY and Nazaruk, K and Ondračková, M},
title = {Comparative Analysis of Parasite Load on Recently Established Invasive Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Actinopterygii: Centrarchidae) in Europe.},
journal = {Acta parasitologica},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38429543},
issn = {1896-1851},
support = {20-29111S//Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy/ ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: The aim of this study was the comparative analysis of the parasite communities of new populations of invasive pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) in western Ukraine with pumpkinseed from Czechia, where populations have rapidly expanded over the last two decades.

METHODS: Sampling took place at three localities in the western part of Ukraine (i.e. Dobrotvir Reservoir (Vistula basin), Burshtyn Reservoir (Dniester basin), Mynai Pond (Danube basin)) and four in Czechia (i.e. Oxbow D2, Heršpický Pond (Danube basin), and Kolín oxbow and Římov Reservoir (Elbe basin).

RESULTS: In total, 11 parasite taxa were recorded in Ukraine and 17 in Czechia. Four species were co-introduced from North America with their host, i.e. the myxosporean Myxobolus dechtiari, the monogeneans Onchocleidus dispar and Onchocleidus similis, and metacercariae of a trematode Posthodiplostomum centrarchi. High dominance indices were related to a high abundance of co-introduced parasites, i.e. O. similis in Mynai pond and P. centrarchi in Dobrotvir Reservoir. Overall abundance of acquired parasites was generally low.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that parasite communities in recently established pumpkinseed populations in the western part of Ukraine and Czechia are less diverse than those established in Europe for decades. The generally low parasite load in these new populations may play an important role in their ability to successfully establish and create strong populations by providing a competitive advantage over local species.},
}

@article {pmid38429361,
year = {2024},
author = {Bakacsy, L and Szepesi, Á},
title = {A case study on the early stage of Pinus nigra invasion and its impact on species composition and pattern in Pannonic sand grassland.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {5125},
pmid = {38429361},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {6474//University of Szeged Open Access Fund/ ; },
abstract = {Alien woody species are successful invaders, frequently used for afforestation in regions like semi-arid lands. Shrubs and trees create important microhabitats in arid areas. Understorey vegetation in these habitats has unique species composition and coexistence. However, the impact of solitary woody species on understorey vegetation is less understood. This study evaluated the effect of native (Juniperus communis) and invasive solitary conifers (Pinus nigra) on surrounding vegetation, where individuals were relatively isolated (referred to as solitary conifers). The field study conducted in Pannonic dry sand grassland in 2018 recorded plant and lichen species presence around six selected solitary conifers. Composition and pattern of understorey vegetation were assessed using 26 m belt transects with 520 units of 5 cm × 5 cm contiguous microquadrats. Compositional diversity (CD) and the number of realized species combinations (NRC) were calculated from the circular transects. Results showed native conifer J. communis created more complex, organized microhabitats compared to alien P. nigra. CD and NRC values were significantly higher under native conifers than invasive ones (p = 0.045 and p = 0.026, respectively). Native species also had more species with a homogeneous pattern than the alien species. Alien conifers negatively affected understorey vegetation composition and pattern: some species exhibited significant gaps and clusters of occurrences along the transects under P. nigra. Based on our study, the removal of invasive woody species is necessary to sustain habitat diversity.},
}

@article {pmid38426584,
year = {2024},
author = {Cheng, C and Liu, Z and Zhang, Q and Tian, X and Ju, R and Li, B and van Kleunen, M and Chase, JM and Wu, J},
title = {Genotype diversity enhances invasion resistance of native plants via soil biotic feedbacks.},
journal = {Ecology letters},
volume = {27},
number = {3},
pages = {e14384},
doi = {10.1111/ele.14384},
pmid = {38426584},
issn = {1461-0248},
support = {2022YFC2601100//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 32030067//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 41871035//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; FZT 118//German Research Foundation/ ; 202548816//German Research Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Although native species diversity is frequently reported to enhance invasion resistance, within-species diversity of native plants can also moderate invasions. While the positive diversity-invasion resistance relationship is often attributed to competition, indirect effects mediated through plant-soil feedbacks can also influence the relationship. We manipulated the genotypic diversity of an endemic species, Scirpus mariqueter, and evaluated the effects of abiotic versus biotic feedbacks on the performance of a global invader, Spartina alterniflora. We found that invader performance on live soils decreased non-additively with genotypic diversity of the native plant that trained the soils, but this reversed when soils were sterilized to eliminate feedbacks through soil biota. The influence of soil biota on the feedback was primarily associated with increased levels of microbial biomass and fungal diversity in soils trained by multiple-genotype populations. Our findings highlight the importance of plant-soil feedbacks mediating the positive relationship between genotypic diversity and invasion resistance.},
}