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Nature Communications Jun 2024Theory predicts that compensatory genetic changes reduce negative indirect effects of selected variants during adaptive evolution, but evidence is scarce. Here, we test...
Theory predicts that compensatory genetic changes reduce negative indirect effects of selected variants during adaptive evolution, but evidence is scarce. Here, we test this in a wild population of Hawaiian crickets using temporal genomics and a high-quality chromosome-level cricket genome. In this population, a mutation, flatwing, silences males and rapidly spread due to an acoustically-orienting parasitoid. Our sampling spanned a social transition during which flatwing fixed and the population went silent. We find long-range linkage disequilibrium around the putative flatwing locus was maintained over time, and hitchhiking genes had functions related to negative flatwing-associated effects. We develop a combinatorial enrichment approach using transcriptome data to test for compensatory, intragenomic coevolution. Temporal changes in genomic selection were distributed genome-wide and functionally associated with the population's transition to silence, particularly behavioural responses to silent environments. Our results demonstrate how 'adaptation begets adaptation'; changes to the sociogenetic environment accompanying rapid trait evolution can generate selection provoking further, compensatory adaptation.
Topics: Animals; Gryllidae; Male; Genomics; Hawaii; Adaptation, Physiological; Linkage Disequilibrium; Genome, Insect; Biological Evolution; Female; Mutation; Selection, Genetic; Evolution, Molecular; Transcriptome
PubMed: 38866741
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49344-4 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024This study investigates immune priming effects associated with granulocytes in crickets through a comprehensive analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis reveals a...
This study investigates immune priming effects associated with granulocytes in crickets through a comprehensive analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis reveals a significant contrast in survival rates, with the heat-killed ()-primed group exhibiting an impressive ~80% survival rate compared to the PBS buffer-primed group with only ~10% survival 60 hours post live infection. Hemocyte analysis underscores elevated hemocyte counts, particularly in granulocytes of the killed -primed group, suggesting a correlation between the heat-killed priming and heightened immune activation. Microscopy techniques further explore granulocyte morphology, unveiling distinctive immune responses in the killed -primed group characterized by prolonged immune activation, heightened granulocyte activity, phagocytosis, and extracellular trap formation, contributing to enhanced survival rates. In particular, after 24 hours of injecting live , most granulocytes in the PBS buffer-primed group exhibited extracellular DNA trap cell death (ETosis), while in the killed -primed group, the majority of granulocytes were observed to maintain highly activated extracellular traps, sustaining the immune response. Gene expression analysis supports these findings, revealing differential regulation of immune-related genes such as antibacterial humoral response, detection of bacterial lipopeptides, and cellular response to bacteria lipopeptides. Additionally, the heat-killed -primed group, the heat-killed -primed group, and the PBS-primed group were re-injected with live 2 and 9 days post priming. Two days later, only the PBS-primed group displayed low survival rates. After injecting live 9 days later, the heat-killed -primed group surprisingly showed a similarly low survival rate, while the heat-killed -primed group exhibited a high survival rate of ~60% after 60 hours, with actively moving and healthy crickets. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into both short-term and long-term immune priming effects in crickets, contributing to our understanding of invertebrate immunity with potential applications in public health.
Topics: Animals; Granulocytes; Gryllidae; Bacillus thuringiensis; Phagocytosis; Hemocytes; Extracellular Traps
PubMed: 38827743
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383498 -
BMC Biology May 2024The female locust is equipped with unique digging tools, namely two pairs of valves-a dorsal and a ventral-utilized for excavating an underground hole in which she lays...
BACKGROUND
The female locust is equipped with unique digging tools, namely two pairs of valves-a dorsal and a ventral-utilized for excavating an underground hole in which she lays her eggs. This apparatus ensures that the eggs are protected from potential predators and provides optimal conditions for successful hatching. The dorsal and the ventral valves are assigned distinct roles in the digging process. Specifically, the ventral valves primarily function as anchors during propagation, while the dorsal valves displace soil and shape the underground tunnel.
RESULTS
In this study, we investigated the noticeable asymmetry and distinct shapes of the valves, using a geometrical model and a finite element method. Our analysis revealed that although the two pairs of valves share morphological similarities, they exhibit different 3D characteristics in terms of absolute size and structure. We introduced a structural characteristic, the skew of the valve cross-section, to quantify the differences between the two pairs of valves. Our findings indicate that these structural variations do not significantly contribute to the valves' load-bearing capabilities under external forces.
CONCLUSIONS
The evolutionary development of the form of the female locust digging valves is more aligned with fitting their respective functions rather than solely responding to biomechanical support needs. By understanding the intricate features of these locust valves, and using our geometrical model, valuable insights can be obtained for creating more efficient and specialized tools for various digging applications.
Topics: Animals; Female; Grasshoppers; Biomechanical Phenomena; Finite Element Analysis
PubMed: 38822347
DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01930-0 -
ELife May 2024To navigate their environment, insects need to keep track of their orientation. Previous work has shown that insects encode their head direction as a sinusoidal activity...
To navigate their environment, insects need to keep track of their orientation. Previous work has shown that insects encode their head direction as a sinusoidal activity pattern around a ring of neurons arranged in an eight-column structure. However, it is unclear whether this sinusoidal encoding of head direction is just an evolutionary coincidence or if it offers a particular functional advantage. To address this question, we establish the basic mathematical requirements for direction encoding and show that it can be performed by many circuits, all with different activity patterns. Among these activity patterns, we prove that the sinusoidal one is the most noise-resilient, but only when coupled with a sinusoidal connectivity pattern between the encoding neurons. We compare this predicted optimal connectivity pattern with anatomical data from the head direction circuits of the locust and the fruit fly, finding that our theory agrees with experimental evidence. Furthermore, we demonstrate that our predicted circuit can emerge using Hebbian plasticity, implying that the neural connectivity does not need to be explicitly encoded in the genetic program of the insect but rather can emerge during development. Finally, we illustrate that in our theory, the consistent presence of the eight-column organisation of head direction circuits across multiple insect species is not a chance artefact but instead can be explained by basic evolutionary principles.
Topics: Animals; Head; Grasshoppers; Neurons; Insecta; Models, Neurological; Drosophila melanogaster
PubMed: 38814703
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.91533 -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... Jul 2024In Western societies, reducing red meat consumption gained prominence due to health, environmental, and animal welfare considerations. We estimated the public health...
In Western societies, reducing red meat consumption gained prominence due to health, environmental, and animal welfare considerations. We estimated the public health impact of substituting beef with house cricket (Acheta domesticus) in European diets (Denmark, France, and Greece) using the risk-benefit assessment (RBA) methodology, building upon the EFSA-funded NovRBA project. The overall health impact of substituting beef patties with insect powder-containing patties was found to be impacted by the amount of cricket powder incorporated in the patties. While using high amounts of cricket powder in meat substitutes may be safe, it does not inherently offer a healthier dietary option compared to beef. Adjustment of cricket powder levels is needed to yield a positive overall health impact. The main driver of the outcome is sodium, naturally present in substantial amounts in crickets. Moreover, the way that cricket powder is hydrated before being used for the production of patties (ratio of powder to water), influences the results. Our study highlighted that any consideration for dietary substitution should be multidimensional, considering nutritional, microbiological and toxicological aspects, and that the design of new food products in the framework of dietary shifts should consider both health risks and benefits associated with the food.
Topics: Animals; Risk Assessment; Gryllidae; Humans; Public Health; Red Meat; Cattle; Meat Products
PubMed: 38797314
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114764 -
Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Insects, renowned for their abundant and renewable biomass, stand at the forefront of biomimicry-inspired research and offer promising alternatives for chitin and... (Review)
Review
Insects, renowned for their abundant and renewable biomass, stand at the forefront of biomimicry-inspired research and offer promising alternatives for chitin and chitosan production considering mounting environmental concerns and the inherent limitations of conventional sources. This comprehensive review provides a meticulous exploration of the current state of insect-derived chitin and chitosan, focusing on their sources, production methods, characterization, physical and chemical properties, and emerging biomedical applications. Abundant insect sources of chitin and chitosan, from the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Dictyoptera, Odonata, and Ephemeroptera orders, were comprehensively summarized. A variety of characterization techniques, including spectroscopy, chromatography, and microscopy, were used to reveal their physical and chemical properties like molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, and crystallinity, laying a solid foundation for their wide application, especially for the biomimetic design process. The examination of insect-derived chitin and chitosan extends into a wide realm of biomedical applications, highlighting their unique advantages in wound healing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and antimicrobial therapies. Their intrinsic biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties position them as promising candidates for innovative solutions in diverse medical interventions.
PubMed: 38786507
DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9050297 -
Biodiversity Data Journal 2024The InBIO Barcoding Initiative (IBI) Orthoptera dataset contains records of 420 specimens covering all the eleven Orthoptera families occurring in Portugal. Specimens...
BACKGROUND
The InBIO Barcoding Initiative (IBI) Orthoptera dataset contains records of 420 specimens covering all the eleven Orthoptera families occurring in Portugal. Specimens were collected in continental Portugal from 2005 to 2021 and were morphologically identified to species level by taxonomists. A total of 119 species were identified corresponding to about 77% of all the orthopteran species known from continental Portugal.
NEW INFORMATION
DNA barcodes of 54 taxa were made public for the first time at the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). Furthermore, the submitted sequences were found to cluster in 129 BINs (Barcode Index Numbers), 35 of which were new additions to the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). All specimens have their DNA barcodes publicly accessible through BOLD online database. is recorded for the first time for continental Portugal. This dataset greatly increases the knowledge on the DNA barcodes and distribution of Orthoptera from Portugal. All DNA extractions and most specimens are deposited in the IBI collection at CIBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources.
PubMed: 38784157
DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e118010 -
Nature Communications May 2024Parental experiences can affect the phenotypic plasticity of offspring. In locusts, the population density that adults experience regulates the number and hatching...
Parental experiences can affect the phenotypic plasticity of offspring. In locusts, the population density that adults experience regulates the number and hatching synchrony of their eggs, contributing to locust outbreaks. However, the pathway of signal transmission from parents to offspring remains unclear. Here, we find that transcription factor Forkhead box protein N1 (FOXN1) responds to high population density and activates the polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (Ptbp1) in locusts. FOXN1-PTBP1 serves as an upstream regulator of miR-276, a miRNA to control egg-hatching synchrony. PTBP1 boosts the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of pre-miR-276 in a "CU motif"-dependent manner, by collaborating with the primary exportin protein exportin 5 (XPO5). Enhanced nuclear export of pre-miR-276 elevates miR-276 expression in terminal oocytes, where FOXN1 activates Ptbp1 and leads to egg-hatching synchrony in response to high population density. Additionally, PTBP1-prompted nuclear export of pre-miR-276 is conserved in insects, implying a ubiquitous mechanism to mediate transgenerational effects.
Topics: Animals; MicroRNAs; Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein; Grasshoppers; Female; Forkhead Transcription Factors; Ovum; Insect Proteins; Cell Nucleus; Oocytes
PubMed: 38773155
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48658-7 -
Nature Communications May 2024Neural circuits with specific structures and diverse neuronal firing features are the foundation for supporting intelligent tasks in biology and are regarded as the...
Neural circuits with specific structures and diverse neuronal firing features are the foundation for supporting intelligent tasks in biology and are regarded as the driver for catalyzing next-generation artificial intelligence. Emulating neural circuits in hardware underpins engineering highly efficient neuromorphic chips, however, implementing a firing features-driven functional neural circuit is still an open question. In this work, inspired by avoidance neural circuits of crickets, we construct a spiking feature-driven sensorimotor control neural circuit consisting of three memristive Hodgkin-Huxley neurons. The ascending neurons exhibit mixed tonic spiking and bursting features, which are used for encoding sensing input. Additionally, we innovatively introduce a selective communication scheme in biology to decode mixed firing features using two descending neurons. We proceed to integrate such a neural circuit with a robot for avoidance control and achieve lower latency than conventional platforms. These results provide a foundation for implementing real brain-like systems driven by firing features with memristive neurons and put constructing high-order intelligent machines on the agenda.
Topics: Robotics; Neurons; Animals; Neural Networks, Computer; Action Potentials; Models, Neurological; Gryllidae; Nerve Net; Artificial Intelligence; Avoidance Learning
PubMed: 38773067
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48399-7 -
Ecology and Evolution May 2024The expansion of forest cover and intensification of agriculture represent the main threats to the bush cricket , currently listed as Vulnerable globally by the IUCN and...
The expansion of forest cover and intensification of agriculture represent the main threats to the bush cricket , currently listed as Vulnerable globally by the IUCN and included in Annex IV of the European Union Habitats Directive. Gathering information on its ecology and population size is challenging due to its low abundance and localized distribution. Additionally, the elusive and cryptic behavior of this species reduces the likelihood of its detection, potentially resulting in population underestimations. Thus, in this study, we aimed to (1) estimate population size in relation to environmental variables and prey availability and (2) predict abundance of in our study area for future monitoring in nearby territories. We found that the population of in our study area consists of 197 (±115) individuals with a detection probability of 21.01% (±11.09). Detection probability of further decreases on windy days. Moreover, we found that the investigated population of occupies suboptimal areas, as highlighted not only by the predicted abundances but also by the association between and other subfamilies of orthoptera that are ecologically very distant from our target species and mostly linked to mesophilic biotopes. Most of the individuals we observed are concentrated in small clearings completely within wooded matrices and therefore isolated from each other. Based on our results, it is possible that forest expansion toward open meadows represents the main threat to this population, transforming the clearings and xeric meadows (to which is linked) into small and fragmented patches that are suboptimal and insufficient to host viable populations.
PubMed: 38770125
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11381