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BMC Genomics Nov 2022The dung beetle Phelotrupes auratus is a holometabolous insect belonging to the order Coleoptera, and it is widely distributed in Japan. The P. auratus habitat depends...
BACKGROUND
The dung beetle Phelotrupes auratus is a holometabolous insect belonging to the order Coleoptera, and it is widely distributed in Japan. The P. auratus habitat depends on herbivores. P. auratus eats the dung of the herbivores and carries it underground for its young. In this process, herbivore droppings disappear from the ground, not only keeping the ground hygienic but also maintaining good soil conditions for plant growth. In this way, a rich ecosystem is maintained. In recent years, the population of P. auratus has decreased, and the main cause has been the decrease in grazing land. It seems that Japanese dung beetles are mainly dependent on herbivores for nutrient sources. However, the physiological relationship between herbivores and P. auratus has not been well investigated. Here, we investigated the nutritional metabolism system of P. auratus by performing whole gene expression analysis of individuals collected from two areas where the ecosystem is occupied by different herbivores.
RESULTS
We obtained 54,635 transcripts from P. auratus from Nara Park and Cape Toi and identified 2,592 differentially expressed genes in the fat bodies of the Nara Park and Cape Toi groups. We annotated P. auratus transcripts using Homo sapiens and Drosophila melanogaster genes as references; 50.5% of P. auratus transcripts were assigned to H. sapiens genes, and 54.0% of P. auratus transcripts were assigned to D. melanogaster genes. To perform gene set enrichment analysis, we chose H. sapiens genes for P. auratus transcript annotation. Principal component analysis and gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the nutritional metabolism of P. auratus from Cape Toi might differ from that of P. auratus from Nara Park.
CONCLUSION
We analyzed the nutritional metabolism system of P. auratus from Cape Toi and Nara Park and found that the characteristics of the nutritional metabolism process might depend on the plants consumed by the herbivores. Our findings will contribute to elucidating the relationships among habitat plants, herbivores, and dung decomposers and may aid in the maintenance of sustainable land health cycles.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Herbivory; Ecosystem; Drosophila melanogaster; Plants; Feces
PubMed: 36371160
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08982-y -
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology May 2005The introduction of Oryctes virus into outbreak areas of the rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), has been a major success for "classical"... (Review)
Review
The introduction of Oryctes virus into outbreak areas of the rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), has been a major success for "classical" biocontrol with a virus and has led to a dramatic reduction in palm damage in many areas of the Asia/Pacific region. In recent years, however, there have been new reports of high levels of rhinoceros beetle damage to palms. Damage has been especially intense in SE Asia following the introduction of no-burn polices for land clearance and replanting, but outbreaks have also been reported from some Pacific Islands where control seems to have diminished over time. SE Asian studies show that there is considerable genetic variation among endemic Oryctes virus isolates and studies in new island release areas have shown rapid evolution of the virus. The consequences of such genetic variation are in need of further study. Furthermore, the taxonomic position of the virus is unclear, with its removal from the Baculoviridae to an "unassigned' virus, reflecting its novel characteristics. Genomic sequencing could help resolve the taxonomy of the virus and provide a basis for studying strain variation. Oryctes virus has achieved wide success in the past without the benefit of molecular analysis and identification techniques. In order to fully take advantage of this unique pathogen for protection of palms, a renewed, coordinated effort centered on genetic selection and distribution of effective strains is required.
Topics: Animals; Asia, Southeastern; Baculoviridae; Coleoptera; Pacific Islands; Pest Control, Biological; Trees
PubMed: 16039310
DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2005.03.009 -
Genome Biology and Evolution Jul 2021Coleoptera is the most species-rich insect order, yet is currently underrepresented in genomic databases. An assembly was generated for ca. 1.7-Gb genome of the leaf...
Coleoptera is the most species-rich insect order, yet is currently underrepresented in genomic databases. An assembly was generated for ca. 1.7-Gb genome of the leaf beetle Gonioctena quinquepunctata by first assembling long-sequence reads (Oxford Nanopore; ± 27-fold coverage) and subsequently polishing the resulting assembly with short sequence reads (Illumina; ± 85-fold coverage). The unusually large size (most Coleoptera species are associated with a reported size below 1 Gb) was at least partially attributed to the presence of a large fraction of repeated elements (73.8%). The final assembly was characterized by an N50 length of 432 kb and a BUSCO score of 95.5%. The heterozygosity rate was ±0.6%. Automated genome annotation informed by RNA-Seq resulted in 40,568 predicted proteins, which is much larger than the typical range 17,000-23,000 predicted for other Coleoptera. However, no evidence of a genome duplication was detected. This new reference genome will contribute to our understanding of genetic variation in the Coleoptera. Among others, it will also allow exploring reproductive barriers between species, investigating introgression in the nuclear genome, and identifying genes involved in resistance to extreme climate conditions.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Genome; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Nanopores
PubMed: 34115123
DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab134 -
Zootaxa Jun 2021Aphodius coenobita Gravenhorst, 1807 is an almost forgotten name which has never been used as valid after its establishment. Studies of Gravenhorst's life story and his...
Aphodius coenobita Gravenhorst, 1807 is an almost forgotten name which has never been used as valid after its establishment. Studies of Gravenhorst's life story and his relations with contemporary entomologists revealed that at least a part of the original syntype series of this taxon is stored in the "Museum für Naturkunde Berlin" (Germany). Furthermore, it is given evidence that Aphodius stercorosus F.E. Melsheimer, 1844 (currently placed in the genus Blackburneus Schmidt, 1913) is a junior synonym of Gravenhorst's name. In order to stabilise the nomenclature the name A. coenobita is declared to be a nomen oblitum under Article 23.9 of the Code of Zoological Nomenclature. At the same time A. stercorosus is declared a nomen protectum and it is given precedence over the older name. Additionally, one and the same specimen of the syntype series is designated as lectotype for both taxa.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Museums
PubMed: 34186745
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4990.3.6 -
Bulletin of Entomological Research Aug 2022Laboratory tests were carried out in order to examine the population growth of (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) and (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on maize. These...
Laboratory tests were carried out in order to examine the population growth of (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) and (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on maize. These two species were placed either simultaneously or one species was allowed to colonize the kernels 7 days earlier than the other, at two temperatures, 26 and 30 °C for 65 days. Apart from progeny production, grain quality parameters, such as insect-damaged kernels (IDK) and undamaged kernels (NDK), the weight of frass and kernel weight were measured. Our data confirms that temperature plays a key role in the competition of these two species; seems to perform better at the higher temperature (30 °C), regardless of the presence of an additional species. Moreover, the results of the present study demonstrates that outcompetes . produced fewer progeny than in all combinations. Given the outcome of a competition, we hypothesize that most of the kernel damage was due to feeding by . Based on these data, we surmise that has a competitive advantage as an invasive species in new areas with stored maize, even in the presence of .
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Edible Grain; Insecta; Weevils; Zea mays
PubMed: 35521704
DOI: 10.1017/S000748532100105X -
The Science of the Total Environment Dec 2023Anthropogenic contamination from coal-fired power plants and nuclear reactors is a pervasive issue impacting ecosystems across the globe. As a result, it is critical...
Anthropogenic contamination from coal-fired power plants and nuclear reactors is a pervasive issue impacting ecosystems across the globe. As a result, it is critical that studies continue to assess the accumulation and effects of trace elements and radionuclides in a diversity of biota. In particular, bioindicator species are a powerful tool for risk assessment of chemically contaminated habitats. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and auto-gamma counting, we analyzed trace element and radiocesium contaminant concentrations in Scarabaeidae and Silphidae beetles (Order: Coleoptera), important taxa in decomposition and nutrient cycling, at contaminated and reference sites on the Savannah River Site, South Carolina, U.S. Our results revealed variability in trace element concentrations between Scarabaeidae and Silphidae beetles at uncontaminated and contaminated sites. Compared to Scarabaeidae, Silphidae had higher levels of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). Unexpectedly, concentrations of Cr, Cu, and Ni were higher in both taxa at the uncontaminated sites. Scarabaeidae and Silphidae beetles at the coal combustion waste site consistently had high concentrations of arsenic (As), and Scarabaeidae had high concentrations of selenium (Se). Of the 50 beetles analyzed for radiocesium levels, two had elevated radioactivity concentrations, both of which were from a site contaminated with radionuclides. Our results suggest carrion beetles may be particularly sensitive to bioaccumulation of contaminants due to their trophic position and role in decomposition, and thus are useful sentinels of trace element and radionuclide contamination.
Topics: Animals; Trace Elements; Coleoptera; Ecosystem; Coal; Bioaccumulation; Nickel; Chromium; Radioisotopes
PubMed: 37678529
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166821 -
Journal of Photochemistry and... Dec 2021Beetles are the most successful and diversified animal taxa characterized by the possession of an external pair of sclerotized wings (elytra). Managing electromagnetic...
Beetles are the most successful and diversified animal taxa characterized by the possession of an external pair of sclerotized wings (elytra). Managing electromagnetic radiations could be one of the functions of the exoskeleton. We studied the spectrophotometric response to ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared radiations of the elytra of seven closely related and sympatric Onthophagus species to examine if the environmental preferences of these species could be associated with the spectrophotometric behaviour of their elytra. Our results indicated that sibling species can drastically differ in their environmental preferences but not in their spectrophotometric responses. However, our results corroborated that there are interspecific differences in the spectrophotometric characteristics of the elytra, which are mainly explained by morphological features. Among the examined morphological variables, darkness seems to be especially relevant as it facilitates the absorbance and obstructs the transmittance of visible and near-infrared radiations.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Ecosystem; Species Specificity; Spectrophotometry
PubMed: 34742032
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2021.112348 -
Microscopy Research and Technique Apr 2014The longicorn beetle Xylotrechus grayii (White, 1855) has been spreading rapidly in China, causing mass mortality of honeysuckle which is economically and medicinally...
The longicorn beetle Xylotrechus grayii (White, 1855) has been spreading rapidly in China, causing mass mortality of honeysuckle which is economically and medicinally important. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of mate and host location and to advance efficient control methods, antennal sensilla features were investigated in both sexes of X. grayii using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The filiform antennae of both sexes consist of scape, pedicel, and nine flagellomeres (f1-9). Five types of sensilla were observed: sensilla chaetica (5 subtypes, SC1-5), sensilla basiconica (4 subtypes, SB1-4), Böhm bristles (Bm), grooved peg sensilla (Gp), and sensilla campaniformia (Ca). SC were most common on the antennae, followed by SB and Bm. No significant sexual differences in the type, amounts, and distribution of antennal sensilla were found except for the distribution of SB clusters and Ca. SB clusters and Ca occurred on f1-8 of male antennae but were absent on those segments in females, suggesting a potential function as receptors for female sex pheromones. The putative functions of other sensilla are discussed based on their characteristics in related species. This study provides an important foundation for further research on sensory mechanisms and control measures of X. grayii.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Antennae; Coleoptera; Female; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Organ Size; Sensilla
PubMed: 24458796
DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22338 -
PeerJ 2024Resource partitioning among tropical bats in agricultural areas of Peninsular Malaysia remains unclear. This study was conducted to evaluate resource partitioning among...
Resource partitioning among tropical bats in agricultural areas of Peninsular Malaysia remains unclear. This study was conducted to evaluate resource partitioning among bats by examining their fecal samples. The main bat species sampled included: , , , , and . Two harp traps were set at different elevations on a hilltop (Gunung Keriang) and two high nets were used in neighboring rice fields at three sites, for three consecutive nights per sampling from April 2021 to February 2022. A total of 301 bats and 1,505 pellets were analyzed using a conventional approach which examined the fecal sample under the microscope. All of the bat species within the study had insects from the order Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera in their diet. Larger bats exhibited a greater variety of prey consumption. Male individuals were observed to be generalists while female individuals were specialists, particularly during pregnancy and lactating reproductive stages. Bat species and insect order had a significant impact on the percentage fragment frequency of the insects consumed. specialized in feeding on Coleoptera and Diptera, fed on Coleoptera, fed on Hemiptera, and fed on Lepidoptera. Future molecular analysis can be carried out to further identify the insect pests consumed by these bats up to species level. These findings enhance our understanding of bats' ecological roles in agricultural landscapes and contribute to conservation and pest management strategies.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Animals; Female; Male; Oryza; Chiroptera; Lactation; Malaysia; Coleoptera; Lepidoptera
PubMed: 38250723
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16657 -
Journal of Insect Science (Online) May 2023In order to improve the rearing of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), nutrients such as shrimp, pollen, honey, and lard were added to the basic...
In order to improve the rearing of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), nutrients such as shrimp, pollen, honey, and lard were added to the basic artificial diet, and the effects of the artificial diet on biological parameters and digestive enzymes were evaluated. The results show that beetles feeding on the supplemented diet exhibited pupation, emergence, fecundity, and hatching rates that were 102.69%, 125.02%, 162.33%, and 119.90% of those supplied with the basic diet, respectively. The addition of shrimp and pollen to the basal diet improved protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and aminopeptidase activity in larvae and female adults. The addition of lard improved lipase activity in female adults, and the addition of honey improved invertase activity in adults of both sexes. This study provides guidance for improving the nutritional benefits of ladybug artificial diets.
Topics: Male; Female; Animals; Coleoptera; Larva; Fertility; Diet
PubMed: 37279520
DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iead022