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Cladistics : the International Journal... Aug 2021Phylogenetic studies of Aleocharinae rove beetles, arguably one of the least known and the largest insect lineages, are compromised by its enormous taxonomic diversity....
Phylogenetic studies of Aleocharinae rove beetles, arguably one of the least known and the largest insect lineages, are compromised by its enormous taxonomic diversity. DNA, a powerful resource for phylogenetics, is not available for numerous extant aleocharine species. We provide a broad comparative morphological study of Aleocharinae to frame molecular datasets for total-evidence analyses. Using full-body dissections and slide-mounting techniques for light microscopy supplemented by scanning electron microscopy, we constructed a morphological matrix across all major taxa focused on non-inquiline tribes of Aleocharinae and outgroups. Phylogenetic analyses of this matrix concatenated with earlier published DNA loci and including exemplar taxa lacking molecular data, resolved outstanding controversies and, among other novelties, showed that: the Habrocerinae + Trichophyinae clade is sister group to Aleocharinae; Hypocyphtini are sister to the rest of the "higher Aleocharinae"; Taxicerini are sister to Aleocharini; Hoplandriini and Placusini are nested within a polyphyletic Oxypodini; Hoplandriini are sister to Meoticina; and Actocharini are nested within Liparocephalini. For the first time, morphological synapomorphies are identified for some large clades of Aleocharinae. In addition, 1252 high-resolution microphotographs of aleocharine structures are made available online with the entire matrix for future research.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Coleoptera; Phylogeny
PubMed: 34478192
DOI: 10.1111/cla.12444 -
Genomics Mar 2022The subfamily Ototretinae represents an important and unusual lineage of fireflies. Here, we sequenced and annotated three mitogenomes for this subfamily, with two...
The subfamily Ototretinae represents an important and unusual lineage of fireflies. Here, we sequenced and annotated three mitogenomes for this subfamily, with two Stenocladius species and one Drilaster species as representatives. The mitogenome of Stenocladius exhibits a rearranged gene order between trnC and trnW caused by transposition, which is a novel finding in Lampyridae. Meanwhile, a long intergenic space (241 to 376 bp) exists between the two rearranged genes, and some remnants (23 bp) of trnW are present within this non-coding region. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses did not recover the monophyly of Ototretinae, in which Drilaster is shown at a basal lineage in Lampyridae, but Stenocladius seems more related to Luciolinae. Therefore, the gene rearrangement in Stenocladius is presumed to result from independent evolutionary events, suggesting that this genus should be placed in a separate lineage. Nevertheless, more representative mitogenomes from different groups are required to verify the present results.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Fireflies; Gene Rearrangement; Genome, Mitochondrial; Phylogeny
PubMed: 35131472
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110305 -
Journal of Medical Entomology Jan 2021Coleoptera is one of the largest taxon among animals and exhibits diverse eating habits. When associated with decaying corpses, beetles can be of great value in...
Coleoptera is one of the largest taxon among animals and exhibits diverse eating habits. When associated with decaying corpses, beetles can be of great value in estimating the postmortem interval. In order to consolidate a useful database for the forensic field, it is necessary to study the entomological fauna associated with the carcasses in different geographical regions since the diversity of insects varies according to the biogeoclimate zone. Thus, this study aimed to assess the influence of environmental and ecological factors on the composition and succession of beetles associated with pig carcasses exposed in southern Brazil. Collections were carried out during the hot/dry and cold/wet seasons. A total of 415 specimens belonging to 18 Coleoptera families were sampled. The highest total abundance (n = 329) and diversity (n = 44 taxa) were recorded in the cold/wet season, corresponding to approximately 80% of the total sampled from the two seasons. Dermestidae (26.7%) was the family most abundantly sampled. Regarding eating habits, in an increasing order of importance were necrophagous (43.3%), predator (31.6%), and omnivorous (0.05%). In the hot/dry season, there was no faunal succession. In the cold/wet season, the succession was more associated with differences in abundance than to the presence or absence of a specific taxon by decomposition stage. Considering all the factors analyzed in the current study, three species of beetles, Dermestes maculatus DeGeer (Dermestidae), Euspilotus azureus (Sahlberg, 1823) (Histeridae), and Oxelytrum discicolle Brullé, 1840 (Silphidae), could be identified as being of the greatest forensic relevance in this biogeoclimatic zone.
Topics: Animals; Biodiversity; Brazil; Cadaver; Coleoptera; Feeding Behavior; Forensic Entomology; Postmortem Changes; Seasons; Swine
PubMed: 32865202
DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa175 -
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Feb 2023Cucujiformia, the largest taxon in the order Coleoptera, exhibits extraordinary morphological, ecological, and behavioral diversity. This infraorder is currently divided...
Cucujiformia, the largest taxon in the order Coleoptera, exhibits extraordinary morphological, ecological, and behavioral diversity. This infraorder is currently divided into seven superfamilies, but considerably incongruent relationships among superfamilies have been reported by recent phylogenomic studies. Here, we combined the 21 newly sequenced transcriptomes representing six superfamilies with nine previously published cucujiform genomes/transcriptomes to elucidate the phylogeny and evolution of Cucujiformia. The monophyly of each of five superfamilies were consistently supported by all phylogenetic analyses based on the twelve datasets (matrix occupancy, amino acid and nucleotide data) and the two analytical methods (maximum likelihood method and Bayesian inference). Both the amino acid datasets and the RY recoded nucleotide datasets recovered the monophyly of Cucujoidea. Topology test results statistically supported the following robust superfamily-level phylogeny in Cucujiformia: (Coccinelloidea, (Cleroidea, (Tenebrionoidea, (Cucujoidea, (Chrysomeloidea, Curculionoidea))))). Our divergence time analyses recovered a Permian origin of Cucujiformia and a Jurassic-Cretaceous origin of most superfamilies. The diversification of phytophagous beetles that occurred in the Cretaceous can be attributed to its co-evolution with angiosperms, supporting the hypothesis of a Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution.
Topics: Animals; Phylogeny; Transcriptome; Coleoptera; Bayes Theorem; Amino Acids
PubMed: 36539017
DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107679 -
Zootaxa Nov 2023Based on the specimens housed primarily in the University of New Hampshire Insect Collection (UNH) and the Canadian National Collection (CNC), we present here a...
Based on the specimens housed primarily in the University of New Hampshire Insect Collection (UNH) and the Canadian National Collection (CNC), we present here a comprehensive faunal review of aleocharine beetles of the state and provide new distribution and natural history data. We report 252 species from New Hampshire belonging to some 74 genera in 15 tribes; 159 of these constitute new New Hampshire state records (NSR), of which 37 (excluding new species and including 1 New York record) constitute new country distribution records (NCR) for the USA. In addition, we provide 36 new state records for ME, with 5 of these species not yet known from NH, seven new state records for MA, two new state records for PA and VT, and one each for CT, DE, MI, NC, NY (also a NCR), OH, and OK. One new genus, Belladonna Klimaszewski and Chandler is erected, and nine species are described as new to science (alphabetical order): Agaricomorpha hampshirensis Klimaszewski and Chandler, sp. n., Atheta ellisi Klimaszewski and Chandler sp. n, Atheta monroe Klimaszewski and Chandler, sp. n., Atheta struyvei Klimaszewski and Chandler sp. n, Belladonna barryi Klimaszewski and Chandler, sp. n., Belladonna fortieri Klimaszewski and Chandler, sp. n., Colusa smetanai Klimaszewski and Chandler, sp. n., Philhygra pinkhami Klimaszewski and Chandler sp. n., and P. pseudomagniceps Klimaszewski and Chandler, sp. n. Undescribed females of Aleochara daviesi Klimaszewski and Brunke, and Silusa langori Klimaszewski, are described and illustrated. Illustrations of Atheta (Tetropla) tubericauda Bernhauer are provided for the first time, based on a male from New Hampshire. A new combination is proposed for Atheta (Dimetrota) mcalpinei Klimaszewski and Webster.
Topics: Female; Male; Animals; Coleoptera; New Hampshire; Animal Distribution; Canada
PubMed: 38220733
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5364.1.1 -
Genes Aug 2023Tenebrionidae is widely recognized owing to its species diversity and economic importance. Here, we determined the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of three...
Tenebrionidae is widely recognized owing to its species diversity and economic importance. Here, we determined the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of three Tenebrionidae species (, , and ) and performed a comparative mitogenomic analysis to characterize the evolutionary characteristics of the family. The tenebrionid mitogenomes were highly conserved with respect to genome size, gene arrangement, base composition, and codon usage. All protein-coding genes evolved under purifying selection. The largest non-coding region (i.e., control region) showed several unusual features, including several conserved repetitive fragments (e.g., A+T-rich regions, G+C-rich regions, Poly-T tracts, TATA repeat units, and longer repetitive fragments) and tRNA-like structures. These tRNA-like structures can bind to the appropriate anticodon to form a cloverleaf structure, although base-pairing is not complete. We summarized the quantity, types, and conservation of tRNA-like sequences and performed functional and evolutionary analyses of tRNA-like sequences with various anticodons. Phylogenetic analyses based on three mitogenomic datasets and two tree inference methods largely supported the monophyly of each of the three subfamilies (Stenochiinae, Pimeliinae, and Lagriinae), whereas both Tenebrioninae and Diaperinae were consistently recovered as polyphyletic. We obtained a tenebrionid mitogenomic phylogeny: (Lagriinae, (Pimeliinae, ((Tenebrioninae + Diaperinae), Stenochiinae))). Our results provide insights into the evolution and function of tRNA-like sequences in tenebrionid mitogenomes and contribute to our general understanding of the evolution of Tenebrionidae.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Phylogeny; RNA, Transfer; Codon Usage; Gene Order
PubMed: 37761878
DOI: 10.3390/genes14091738 -
Archives of Virology Apr 2022The ladybird beetle Cheilomenes sexmaculata (family Coccinellidae, order Coleoptera) is a common insect predator of agricultural pests. In this study, the full genome...
The ladybird beetle Cheilomenes sexmaculata (family Coccinellidae, order Coleoptera) is a common insect predator of agricultural pests. In this study, the full genome sequence of a novel picorna-like virus, tentatively named "Cheilomenes sexmaculata picorna-like virus 1" (CSPLV1), was identified in C. sexmaculata. The full-length sequence of CSPLV1 is 11,384 nucleotides (nt) in length (excluding the polyA tail), with one predicted open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein of 3727 amino acids, a 13-nt 5' untranslated region (UTR), and a 187-nt 3' UTR. The ORF of CSPLV1 consists of four distinct domains, including an RNA virus helicase domain (nt 3029-3319), a peptidase domain (nt 5555-6121), an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain (nt 7154-8101), and a picorna-like coat protein domain (nt 8606-9283). Phylogenetic analysis based on the conserved RdRP sequence showed that CSPLV1, together with Wuhan house centipede virus 3, Hypera postica associated virus 1, and Diabrotica undecimpunctata virus 1, forms an unclassified group that is closely related to members of the family Solinviviridae. To the best of our knowledge, CSPLV1 is the first picorna-like virus discovered in C. sexmaculata.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Coleoptera; Genome, Viral; Open Reading Frames; Phylogeny; RNA, Viral
PubMed: 35257228
DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05400-2 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Oct 2022Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) provides an evolutionary shortcut for recipient organisms to gain novel functions. Although reports of HGT in higher eukaryotes are...
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) provides an evolutionary shortcut for recipient organisms to gain novel functions. Although reports of HGT in higher eukaryotes are rapidly accumulating, in most cases the evolutionary trajectory, metabolic integration, and ecological relevance of acquired genes remain unclear. Plant cell wall degradation by HGT-derived enzymes is widespread in herbivorous insect lineages. Pectin is an abundant polysaccharide in the walls of growing parts of plants. We investigated the significance of horizontally acquired pectin-digesting polygalacturonases (PGs) of the leaf beetle . Using a CRISPR/Cas9-guided gene knockout approach, we generated a triple knockout and a quadruple PG-null mutant in order to investigate the enzymatic, biological, and ecological effects. We found that pectin-digestion 1) is exclusively linked to the horizontally acquired PGs from fungi, 2) became fixed in the host genome by gene duplication leading to functional redundancy, 3) compensates for nutrient-poor diet by making the nutritious cell contents more accessible, and 4) facilitates the beetles development and survival. Our analysis highlights the selective advantage PGs provide to herbivorous insects and demonstrate the impact of HGT on the evolutionary success of leaf-feeding beetles, major contributors to species diversity.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Gene Knockout Techniques; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Pectins; Phylogeny; Plants; Polygalacturonase
PubMed: 36161953
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2205857119 -
The ISME Journal Jan 2024Many insects feeding on nutritionally challenging diets like plant sap, leaves, or wood engage in ancient associations with bacterial symbionts that supplement limiting...
Many insects feeding on nutritionally challenging diets like plant sap, leaves, or wood engage in ancient associations with bacterial symbionts that supplement limiting nutrients or produce digestive or detoxifying enzymes. However, the distribution, function, and evolutionary dynamics of microbial symbionts in insects exploiting other plant tissues or relying on a predacious diet remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the evolutionary history and function of the intracellular gamma-proteobacterial symbiont "Candidatus Dasytiphilus stammeri" in soft-winged flower beetles (Coleoptera, Melyridae, Dasytinae) that transition from saprophagy or carnivory to palynivory (pollen-feeding) between larval and adult stage. Reconstructing the distribution of the symbiont within the Dasytinae phylogeny unraveled not only a long-term coevolution, originating from a single acquisition event with subsequent host-symbiont codiversification, but also several independent symbiont losses. The analysis of 20 different symbiont genomes revealed that their genomes are severely eroded. However, the universally retained shikimate pathway indicates that the core metabolic contribution to their hosts is the provisioning of tyrosine for cuticle sclerotization and melanization. Despite the high degree of similarity in gene content and order across symbiont strains, the capacity to synthesize additional essential amino acids and vitamins and to recycle urea is retained in some but not all symbionts, suggesting ecological differences among host lineages. This report of tyrosine-provisioning symbionts in insects with saprophagous or carnivorous larvae and pollen-feeding adults expands our understanding of tyrosine supplementation as an important symbiont-provided benefit across a broad range of insects with diverse feeding ecologies.
Topics: Animals; Symbiosis; Coleoptera; Phylogeny; Tyrosine; Pollen; Gammaproteobacteria; Biological Evolution; Genome, Bacterial; Larva
PubMed: 38861456
DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae080 -
Archives of Virology Jan 2021The leaf beetle Aulacophora lewisii (family Chrysomelidae, order Coleoptera) is a common insect pest of cucurbitaceous vegetables. In this study, the complete genome...
The leaf beetle Aulacophora lewisii (family Chrysomelidae, order Coleoptera) is a common insect pest of cucurbitaceous vegetables. In this study, the complete genome sequence of a novel virus from a single leaf beetle was determined using metagenomic sequencing and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. A homology search and phylogenetic analysis suggested that the new virus belongs to the genus Iflavirus, family Iflaviridae, and it was tentatively named "Aulacophora lewisii iflavirus 1" (ALIV1). ALIV1 has a single positive-stranded RNA genome of 9655 nucleotides in length (excluding the polyA tail) that is predicted to encode typical conserved domains of iflaviruses, including two picornavirus-like capsid protein domains, a helicase domain, and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain. Sequence comparisons showed that the full genome sequence of ALIV1 is most similar to that of Brevicoryne brassicae picorna-like virus, with 42.4% sequence identity, and it shares 60% sequence identity in the coat protein region with its closest homolog, Watson virus. The average coverage of the ALIV1 sequence was approximately 5000X, suggesting that it might actively replicate in the host. Phylogenetic analysis based on deduced amino acid sequences suggested that ALIV1 is closely related to Dinocampus coccinellae paralysis virus. To the best of our knowledge, ALIV1 is the first virus discovered in A. lewisii and is also the first iflavirus identified in a member of the genus Aulacophora.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; Capsid Proteins; Coleoptera; Genome, Viral; Hemiptera; Metagenomics; Open Reading Frames; Phylogeny; Picornaviridae; RNA Viruses; RNA, Viral; Sequence Analysis; Viral Proteins; Whole Genome Sequencing
PubMed: 33108486
DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04859-1