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PloS One 2022Taenia solium is an important cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide and remains endemic in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Transmission of this parasite is still poorly...
Taenia solium is an important cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide and remains endemic in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Transmission of this parasite is still poorly understood despite the design of infection experiments to improve our knowledge of the disease, with estimates for critical epidemiological parameters, such as the probability of human-to-pig infection after exposure to eggs, still lacking. In this paper, a systematic review was carried out and eight pig infection experiments were analyzed to describe the probability of developing cysts. These experiments included different pathways of inoculation: with ingestion of proglottids, eggs, and beetles that ingested eggs, and direct injection of activated oncospheres into the carotid artery. In these experiments, different infective doses were used, and the numbers of viable and degenerated cysts in the body and brain of each pig were registered. Five alternative dose-response models (exponential, logistic, log-logistic, and exact and approximate beta-Poisson) were assessed for their accuracy in describing the observed probabilities of cyst development as a function of the inoculation dose. Dose-response models were developed separately for the presence of three types of cysts (any, viable only, and cysts in the brain) and considered for each of the four inoculation methods ("Proglottids", "Eggs", "Beetles" and "Carotid"). The exact beta-Poisson model best fit the data for the three types of cysts and all relevant exposure pathways. However, observations for some exposure pathways were too scarce to reliably define a dose-response curve with any model. A wide enough range of doses and sufficient sample sizes was only found for the "Eggs" pathway and a merged "Oral" pathway combining the "Proglottids", "Eggs" and "Beetles" pathways. Estimated parameter values from this model suggest that a low infective dose is sufficient to result in a 50% probability for the development of any cyst or for viable cyst infections. Although this is a preliminary model reliant on a limited dataset, the parameters described in this manuscript should contribute to the design of future experimental infections related to T. solium transmission, as well as the parameterization of simulation models of transmission aimed at informing control.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Cysticercosis; Cysts; Swine; Swine Diseases; Taenia solium
PubMed: 35286329
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264898 -
Mycotoxin Research Nov 2021Novel protein sources for animal feed are needed, and the use of insects as feed ingredient is explored. The insect production sector offers opportunities for a circular... (Review)
Review
Novel protein sources for animal feed are needed, and the use of insects as feed ingredient is explored. The insect production sector offers opportunities for a circular and sustainable approach to feed production by upgrading waste or side streams into high-quality proteins. However, potential food or feed safety issues should be studied in advance. Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin B1, are natural contaminants commonly found in agricultural crops and have proven to be detrimental to the agricultural industry, livestock, and human health. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the published evidence on effects of mycotoxin exposure on insect growth and survival, mycotoxin accumulation within the insect body, and metabolization of various mycotoxins by insects. The review includes 54 scientific articles published in the past 55 years, in total covering 32 insect species. The main findings are the following: (1) Insects of the order Coleoptera show lower mortality after exposure to aflatoxin B1 when compared to Lepidoptera and Diptera; (2) effects of mycotoxins on larval growth and survival are less detrimental in later larval stages; (3) accumulation of mycotoxins was low in most insect species; (4) mycotoxins are metabolized within the insect body, the degree of which depends on the particular mycotoxin and insect species; (5) cytochrome P450s are the main family of enzymes involved in biotransformation of mycotoxins in some insect species. Results of this review support an optimistic outlook for the use of mycotoxin-contaminated waste streams as substrate for insect rearing.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Biotransformation; Food Contamination; Humans; Insecta; Larva; Mycotoxins
PubMed: 34618340
DOI: 10.1007/s12550-021-00441-z -
PeerJ 2018Despite great progress in studies on infection in insects, the knowledge about its relations with beetle species, populations and individuals, and the effects of...
BACKGROUND
Despite great progress in studies on infection in insects, the knowledge about its relations with beetle species, populations and individuals, and the effects of bacteria on these hosts, is still unsatisfactory. In this review we summarize the current state of knowledge about occurrence and interactions with Coleopteran hosts.
METHODS
An intensive search of the available literature resulted in the selection of 86 publications that describe the relevant details about presence among beetles. These publications were then examined with respect to the distribution and taxonomy of infected hosts and diversity of found in beetles. Sequences of genes () were used for the phylogenetic analyses.
RESULTS
The collected publications revealed that has been confirmed in 204 beetle species and that the estimated average prevalence of this bacteria across beetle species is 38.3% and varies greatly across families and genera (0-88% infected members) and is much lower (c. 13%) in geographic studies. The majority of the examined and infected beetles were from Europe and East Asia. The most intensively studied have been two groups of herbivorous beetles: Curculionidae and Chrysomelidae. Coleoptera harbor belonging to three supergroups: F found in only three species, and A and B found in similar numbers of beetles (including some doubly infected); however the latter two were most prevalent in different families. A total of 59% of species with precise data were found to be totally infected. Single infections were found in 69% of species and others were doubly- or multiply-infected. caused numerous effects on its beetle hosts, including selective sweep with host mtDNA (found in 3% of species), cytoplasmic incompatibility (detected in c. 6% of beetles) and other effects related to reproduction or development (like male-killing, possible parthenogenesis or haplodiploidy induction, and egg development). Phylogenetic reconstructions for genes rejected cospeciation between these bacteria and Coleoptera, with minor exceptions found in some Hydraenidae, Curculionidae and Chrysomelidae. In contrast, horizontal transmission of bacteria has been suspected or proven in numerous cases (e.g., among beetles sharing habitats and/or host plants).
DISCUSSION
The present knowledge about infection across beetle species and populations is very uneven. Even the basic data about infection status in species and frequency of infected species across genera and families is very superficial, as only c. 0.15% of all beetle species have been tested so far. Future studies on diversity in Coleoptera should still be based on the Multi-locus Sequence Typing system, and next-generation sequencing technologies will be important for uncovering relations with host evolution and ecology, as well as with other, co-occurring endosymbiotic bacteria.
PubMed: 29568706
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4471 -
Insects Jun 2022Reitter, 1887 is a monotypic genus of the tenebrionid tribe Blaptini and is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the genus was reviewed using a combination...
Systematic Review of the Genus Nalepa Reitter, 1887 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Blaptinae, Blaptini) from the Tibetan Plateau, with Description of Six New Species and Two Larvae.
Reitter, 1887 is a monotypic genus of the tenebrionid tribe Blaptini and is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the genus was reviewed using a combination of molecular and morphological datasets. Based on the results, six new species were described: , , , , , and In addition, the larvae of Reitter, 1887 and were described and associated with related adults using molecular approaches. This study provides valuable molecular and morphological data for phylogenetic studies.
PubMed: 35886774
DOI: 10.3390/insects13070598 -
ZooKeys 2024Indochinese species of the genus (Coleoptera, Geotrupidae, Bolboceratinae) are reviewed. Three new species, Wang & Li, , Li & Wang, and Li & Wang, , are described...
Indochinese species of the genus (Coleoptera, Geotrupidae, Bolboceratinae) are reviewed. Three new species, Wang & Li, , Li & Wang, and Li & Wang, , are described and illustrated. An annotated checklist and modified key to species of the genus are provided. Information for each species in the checklist includes literature review, synonymy, distribution and type locality.
PubMed: 38389585
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1191.114021 -
Carabid Beetles (Coleoptera) as Indicators of Sustainability in Agroecosystems: A Systematic Review.Sustainability Feb 2023The sustainability of agroecosystems is at risk owing to continuous anthropogenic disturbance. As such, there is a need to evaluate indicator taxa that may be used to...
The sustainability of agroecosystems is at risk owing to continuous anthropogenic disturbance. As such, there is a need to evaluate indicator taxa that may be used to monitor the health of agricultural management systems. Carabid beetles are ubiquitous and functionally crucial in agroecosystems while at the same time are sensitive to the changes caused by management practices. Their quick response to anthropogenic disturbances has been proposed as a practical and realistic tool for monitoring the sustainability of agricultural practices. However, there is still disagreement about carabids as possible indicators of agroecosystem sustainability. We conducted a systematic review of the responses of carabid beetles to agricultural systems in different biogeographical areas. We examined whether these beetles could serve as potential indicators of agroecosystem sustainability. The ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus were used to search for papers published from 2000-2019. In total, we included 69 studies indicating the use of carabids to monitor the impact of management practices in agroecosystems. Most studies were conducted in European countries (n = 37), while Southern Africa and East Asia countries were significantly under-represented (n = 10). Carabid beetle response to agroecosystems varied between management practices, with biodiversity indices (n = 41: positive 60%, negative 19%, and neutral 19%) being the most measured response variable, followed by functional diversity (n = 28: positive 67%, negative 25%, and neutral 7%). Overall, our findings highlight the need for more research in underdeveloped countries, to investigate the potential of overlooked carabids and include response variables measuring functional diversity in assessing the sustainability of agricultural management. This will assist policy makers and land managers in making active and informed decisions about agroecological disturbances and management.
PubMed: 37680852
DOI: 10.3390/su15053936 -
ZooKeys 2022The Luciolinae genus Fu, Ballantyne & Lambkin, 2012 is reviewed. Phylogenetic relationships based on DNA barcoding sequences from 42 fireflies and 2 outgroup species...
The Luciolinae genus Fu, Ballantyne & Lambkin, 2012 is reviewed. Phylogenetic relationships based on DNA barcoding sequences from 42 fireflies and 2 outgroup species are reconstructed. The dataset included three main Lampyridae subfamilies: Luciolinae, Photurinae and Lampyrinae, and was recovered within Luciolinae. A new species, Zhu & Zhen , is described from the wetland of Lishui, Zhejiang, China. is sister species to from Sichuan, which is supported by morphological characters and a phylogeny based on DNA barcoding sequences. The two species are separated geographically as shown on the distribution map. A key to species of using males is provided.
PubMed: 36762232
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1113.79721 -
Nutrients Sep 2020Edible insects are an important protein rich natural resource that can contribute to resilient food security. Edible insects not only play an important role in...
Edible insects are an important protein rich natural resource that can contribute to resilient food security. Edible insects not only play an important role in traditional diets, but are also an excellent source of protein in traditional dishes in Africa. We systematically searched Web-of-Science and Google Scholar from year 2000-2019 for studies on the consumption of insects and their nutritional composition in Africa, resulting in 98 eligible papers, listing 212 edible insect species from eight orders. These insects were rich in protein, fats, and fibre. The highest protein content was reported for Lepidoptera (range: 20-80%). Coleoptera had the highest carbohydrate content (7-54%), while Lepidoptera had the highest fat content (10-50%). Considering the excellent source of nutrition, and potential socio-economic benefits, from edible insects, they can contribute strongly to improved food security, and rural development in developing countries. In addition, edible insects can be used as a sustainable food source to combat food shortages in the future, for example, providing resilience during times of drought or other climate stressors.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Edible Insects; Humans; Nutritive Value
PubMed: 32933038
DOI: 10.3390/nu12092786 -
Systematic review of the firefly genus Scissicauda (Coleoptera, Lampyridae, Amydetinae) from Brazil.ZooKeys 2016The Amydetinae genus Scissicauda McDermott, 1964 is reviewed and redescribed. We describe Scissicauda balena sp. n. from Brazil as new, and provide illustrations of the...
The Amydetinae genus Scissicauda McDermott, 1964 is reviewed and redescribed. We describe Scissicauda balena sp. n. from Brazil as new, and provide illustrations of the structural features and a key to species of both sexes.
PubMed: 27006595
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.558.6040