Mitochondrial and microsatellite variation were analyzed in honeybee populations from the Madeira... more Mitochondrial and microsatellite variation were analyzed in honeybee populations from the Madeiran and Azorean archipelagos. The most frequent mitochondrial haplotypes corresponded to the A III subset of the African evolutionary lineage of A. mellifera. Genetic variability of these island populations was analyzed in relation to Canarian and continental (Morocco, Portugal and southern Spain) honeybee populations. Island and continental populations were genetically differentiated. Microsatellite analyses supports (i) the distinctness of the Macaronesian honeybee populations, and (ii) the close relationship between Macaronesian and NW African populations. Recent introgression events due to apicultural practices were detected, possibly changing the genetic structure of locally adapted populations. Apis mellifera / Madeira / Azores / mtDNA / microsatellites / biogeography / population genetics
European subspecies of Apis mellifera L. were first classified by morphometric studies (Ruttner, ... more European subspecies of Apis mellifera L. were first classified by morphometric studies (Ruttner, 1988). They fall into four distinct branches A, M, C and O, that can be traced around the Mediterranean into the Middle East. In the last decade, molecular analyses supplemented morphometrical data in studies about the biogeography and description of the subspecies complex of the honeybee Apis mellifera. The phylogenetic relationships based on molecular data (Cornuet and Garnery, 1991; Garnery
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Reference genes are frequently used as normalizers for expression studies despite not being previ... more Reference genes are frequently used as normalizers for expression studies despite not being previously verified to present suitable stabilities. Considering the interest that tiger beetles have generated in the past years, resulting in a variety of studies, it is crucial to dispose of a validated reference gene panel for expression studies. Nine candidate genes were tested in Cicindela campestris and Calomera littoralis across several conditions and their transcription levels were assessed with geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and ΔC T method algorithms. Results showed high stabilities across sexes, immune challenge and gonad developmental stages for all genes tested, while body parts comparison presented less constant expression values. Only two genes are sufficient to perform a proper normalization for most of the conditions tested, except for the body parts comparison in C. littoralis, which requires the use of at least three reference genes. On the whole, no universal gene is found to be suitable for all situations, but according to the acceptable range of values, NADH, B-t, Vatpase and ArgKin seem to present the most constant expression stability, indicating their suitability as reference genes in most of the conditions. This is the first report evaluating the stability of housekeeping genes in adephagan beetles. Evaluating changes in gene expression has lately been one of the most frequent studies to analyse the effect of physiological responses and therefore the biological differences among populations. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) has recently become the most widely accepted methodology which accurately and with high reproducibility generates expression profiles and allows their interpretation 1-4. Nevertheless, some guidelines must be followed to correctly perform a reliable RT-qPCR analysis 5-8 , being essential the use of an internal control so that any other variation across samples derived from handling or cDNA synthesis can be avoided 3,7-11. The normalization is then carried out by introducing reference genes known to present a constant expression profile after alterations in a specific condition. Many housekeeping genes (HKG) have been incorrectly described and used as reference genes without previously testing their viability due to the assumption that their role in basic cellular processes grants them a complete and suitable stability. However, it has been established that most of these genes can alter their expression under certain conditions 12-16 , thus it is crucial to perform a proper validation to determine the suitability of any candidate reference gene for each specific condition. Several studies validating reference genes have been carried out in the last years, some of them involving insect species. Validation in Bemisia tabaci 17 selected genes for biotic and abiotic conditions. Ponton et al. 18 checked the suitability of references genes in Drosophila melanogaster after an injury, heat stress and different diets, and Koramutla et al. 19 recommended several reference genes in Lipaphis erysimi. Additionally, gene stability was tested in different conditions in two Bombus species 20 , while Lourenço et al. 21 studied the suitability in Apis mellifera. More specifically, reference genes validation has also been carried out in polyphagan beetles. That is the case of Tribolium castaneum 22-24 , for which different ribosomal proteins were found to be the suitable
Saline inland waters are globally threatened habitats harbouring many specialised endemic species... more Saline inland waters are globally threatened habitats harbouring many specialised endemic species, which often have restricted geographic ranges, and occur as highly isolated populations. We studied the genetic variation and phylogeography of Ochthebius glaber Montes and Soler, a rare and endangered water beetle endemic to hypersaline streams in the South and Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. We used a 633 bp fragment of cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene to determine the genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure within this species, and interpret this in the light of the species' conservation requirements. Thirteen populations were sampled across the species' geographic range, and genetic diversity found to be very high, with 37 haplotypes across the 71 specimens examined (p-distance 0.2-7.3%, average 3.1-0.4). Phylogeographic analyses revealed a surprisingly high degree of geographical structure, detectable among populations separated by relatively short geographical distances, with three main groups of haplotypes which have apparently been isolated for significant periods of time. Past fragmentation and contiguous range expansion events were inferred as the main causes of the detected geographical associations of haplotypes. The establishment of independent evolutionary lineages as conservation units is particularly important for species inhabiting saline habitats such as O. glaber, which is endangered by habitat loss across most of its distribution. However, given the natural instability of hypersaline environments, the conservation of a network of populations and potential habitats would be necessary to enable the preservation of the process generating and maintaining the diversity of the species.
The study of Diptera at the scene of a crime can provide essential information for the interpreta... more The study of Diptera at the scene of a crime can provide essential information for the interpretation of evidence. Phylogeographic reconstruction could help differentiate haplotypes of a dipteran species in a geographical area, clarifying, for example, the details of a possible relocation of a corpse. In addition, inferring the ancestral areas of distribution helps to understand the current status of the species and its biogeographic history. One of the most important species in forensic entomology is Calliphora vicina Rovineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The aim of this work is to increase our knowledge of this species in the Iberian Peninsula using 464 specimens from Spain and Portugal. These samples were identified using morphological keys and by molecular methods using fragments of the cox1, 16S and ITS2 genes. The phylogeographic history of these populations was inferred from haplotype networks and the reconstruction of ancestral areas of distribution. The molecula...
Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is the most diverse genus in the family Fanniidae (Diptera), with ... more Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is the most diverse genus in the family Fanniidae (Diptera), with 288 species, many of which are include many of sanitary, economic and legal interest. The morphological homogeneity within the genus often makes species determination difficult. The best option for correct identification is to combine molecular and morphological analyses. The variation in the shape of a selection of body characters can be assessed by Geometric Morphometrics using the head as an innovative structure. Sex must be accounted for as a key covariate in this kind of study, since Fannia, as many other Diptera, has a sexually dimorphic head structure, with holoptic males and dicoptic females. Firstly, we analysed a set of Fannia sp. specimens sampled across the Iberian Peninsula (2012-2015), of which Fannia pusio (Wiedemann, 1830) was found to be the most abundant species. Our analyses provide significant morphological information. Fannia pusio exhibits clear intraspecific morphometric variation along an Iberian-wide East-West axis. A similar pattern emerged when comparing a laboratory-bred colony and wild samples.
Fannia pusio(Wiedemann, 1830) is a species belonging to the family Fanniidae, which is of great f... more Fannia pusio(Wiedemann, 1830) is a species belonging to the family Fanniidae, which is of great forensic, sanitary, and veterinary interest. The behavioral peculiarities of this species, depending on the temperature at which it is found, may provide additional information for future research. The application of entomology in the forensic field has focused especially on the early colonizing taxa of corpses that are in the initial stage of decomposition. However, species occurring at more advanced stages can contribute to further knowledge, as is the case withF. pusio. In addition, the species has the ability to colonize buried corpses that are inaccessible to larger dipterans. On the other hand, the sanitary and veterinary interest of this species is due to the performance of females as phoretic hosts ofDermatobia hominiseggs that cause myiasis in both animals and humans. In the current study, the behavior ofF. pusiowas observed at a temperature range of 5°C to 40°C. We found that it...
The Quaternary glaciations affected the evolution and current distribution of taxa in southern Ch... more The Quaternary glaciations affected the evolution and current distribution of taxa in southern Chile, including the emblematic and endemic genus Ceroglossus Solier. This genus of ground beetles has fascinated a great number of entomologists due to their conspicuous colour patterns, but despite this attention their taxonomy has remained controversial, with a large amount of taxa described based on unclear or variable morphological characters. In this work, we carry out a phylogenetic analysis of the 10 described species of Ceroglossus, based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers, and perform a species delimitation analysis using different algorithms, to clarify the backbone of their evolutionary tree and to lay the basis for a comprehensive and integrative taxonomic revision of this genus. Our results show that Ceroglossus is divided in five main lineages, composed of 13 putative phylogenetic species. The five lineages diverged before the Quaternary, while the divergence of the specie...
Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 2019
The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, is one of the most important insect pest species... more The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, is one of the most important insect pest species in the world. It has a high colonization capacity and population variety giving it considerable genetic diversity. Strategies for its control have included the sterile insect technique (SIT) and insect growth regulators (IGRs). Many works have analysed the medfly transcriptome, and along with the medfly genome sequence, the sequences of multiple genes related to sex determination, mating, development, pheromone detection, immunity or stress have been identified. In this work, the medfly CCE/CC128 cell line was used to assess cell growth variation and changes in the expression of genes covering different functions, after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Juvenile Hormone III (JHIII) treatments. No significant effects on cell growth and gene expression were observed in the cells treated with LPS. In the cells treated with JHIII, the results showed no significant effects on cell growth, but an overexpression was found of the Shade gene, one of the Halloween gene members of the cytochrome p450 family, which is involved in development and the synthesis of 20hydroxyecdysone (20E). This work shows preliminary results on the insect cell line in combination with whole genome sequencing which can facilitate studies regarding growth, toxicity, immunity and transcriptome regulations as a response to different compounds and environmental alterations.
A new approach to landscape ecology involves the application of the ecofield hypothesis and the G... more A new approach to landscape ecology involves the application of the ecofield hypothesis and the General Theory of Resources. In this study, we describe the putative eco-field of bark beetles as a spatial configuration with a specific meaningcarrier for every organism-resource interaction. Bark beetles are insects with key roles in matter and energy cycles in coniferous forests, which cause significant changes to forestry landscapes when outbreaks occur. Bark beetles are guided towards host trees by the recognition of semiotic signals using a specific eco-field. These signals mainly comprise a group of scents, which are called the odourtope. Their interactions with other organisms (fungi, bacteria, nematodes, predators, etc.) occur by sharing relevant information from the eco-field networks (representamen networks) in the forest ecosystem. The eco-field networks modulate the expansion of the realized semiotic niche of the bark beetle towards the potential semiotic niche. Moreover, the niche construction process can be initiated by interchanging signals among species living in the same place, where these signals allow the exploitation of the required resources. If different organisms are interdependent on signals in eco-field networks, then this process may result in the establishment of mutualistic relationships. This is an example of how evolutionary processes are initiated by the recognition of signals in a network of ecofields.
Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & molecular biology, Jan 11, 2016
Ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) are post-translational modifiers essential in... more Ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) are post-translational modifiers essential in a variety of cellular processes, including gametogenesis. SUMO-conjugating enzyme (UBC9) and the ubiquitin ribosomal fusion protein UBS27 have been characterised in several model species. However, their expression in coleopteran remains unstudied. In this study, UBC9 and UBS27 genes have been characterised in the tiger beetle Cicindela campestris for the first time. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the Cc-UBC9 gene encoded a 159 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 18.18kDa, and the Cc-UBS27 gene encoded a 156 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 17.71kDa. Selection analyses carried out in several cicindelid species revealed that both genes were affected by purifying selection. Real time quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated that Cc-UBC9 and Cc-UBS27 were expressed in different tissues. The highest expression on both genes was found in the ovary ...
Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 2009
... By contrast, the spec-ies of Passalini tend to have a 'continental distribution&... more ... By contrast, the spec-ies of Passalini tend to have a 'continental distribution' in Amer-ica (Reyes-Castillo 1985), characterized by large distributional areas, mostly in the lowlands, in which populations are well interconnected. Therefore, karyotypic novelties would be elim-...
Silver staining of male meiotic nuclei of six species of the tiger beetle genus Cicindela (tribe ... more Silver staining of male meiotic nuclei of six species of the tiger beetle genus Cicindela (tribe Cicindelini), with multiple sex chromosomes, reveals the presence of active nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) in the sex vesicle. In one species, Cicindela melancholica, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a ribosomal probe showed that rDNA genes are in one of the three X chromosomes and in the Y chromosome. Silver staining and FISH show that the related species Cicindela paludosa with a male XO system, has NORs located in one pair of autosomes. In Megacephala euphratica (tribe Megacephalini) these techniques indicate that NORs are located in three autosomal pairs but not in the single X chromosome of males. In all these species the nucleolus can be seen from the onset of meiosis to the end of the diffuse stage; it disappears from diplotene to the end of meiosis and appears again during the spermatid stage. From these results it is concluded that: (i) the nucleolus does not seem to play a major role in the pairing and association of the multiple sex chromosomes during first meiotic prophase and metaphase; (ii) the occurrence of NORs in the heterosomes of species having multiple sex chromosomes is thought to be an ancestral condition for the genus Cicindela; and (iii) changes of location of NORs from the heterosomes to the autosomes have occurred within species of this genus, at least in species showing extensive karyotypic repatterning.
Meiotic chromosomes of eight Neotropical species of the genus Chauliognathus occurring in Souther... more Meiotic chromosomes of eight Neotropical species of the genus Chauliognathus occurring in Southern Brazil were analysed from testis cells. The meioformula of all the species was n = 6 + X (with six pairs of autosomes and one X chromosome). This meioformula is also present in C. scriptus plus two other species of other genera of Cantharidae, suggesting an evolutionary tendency towards the compaction of the karyotype starting from the ancestral Polyphagan meioformula n = 9 + Xy(p). The presence of an XO sex chromosome mechanism in all cantharid species studied to date indicates that the reduction of the number of autosomes was probably paralleled by the loss of the small typical Polyphagan yp heterosome. Thus the meioformula n = 6 + X seems to be an apomorphy for Cantharidae and may have evolved soon after the separation of the ancestral cantharid from the other families of Polyphaga.
The phylogenetic relationships of twelve species of Chauliognathus were investigated by studying ... more The phylogenetic relationships of twelve species of Chauliognathus were investigated by studying the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene. A 678 bp fragment of the COI gene was sequenced to test the hypothesis that the Müllerian mimicry species of the "yellow-black" complex make up a monophyletic clade, separated from species with other colour patterns. The data set was analysed by neighbour-joining, maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood procedures. The results support a single origin of the yellow-black colour pattern during the evolution of the genus, with one main clade formed by Chauliognathus lineatus, C. tetrapunctatus, C. riograndensis, C. flavipes, C. octomaculatus, C. fallax, and another one formed by two species, C. expansus and C sp 1, plus an orange-black-coloured species. The nucleotide divergences found between C. sp 3 (black) and the other species studied fall within the level expected for species from different genera. The similarity of colour patterns of the yellow-black species has been considered an example of Müllerian mimicry by conservation of the ancestral state with some minor modifications.
Mitochondrial and microsatellite variation were analyzed in honeybee populations from the Madeira... more Mitochondrial and microsatellite variation were analyzed in honeybee populations from the Madeiran and Azorean archipelagos. The most frequent mitochondrial haplotypes corresponded to the A III subset of the African evolutionary lineage of A. mellifera. Genetic variability of these island populations was analyzed in relation to Canarian and continental (Morocco, Portugal and southern Spain) honeybee populations. Island and continental populations were genetically differentiated. Microsatellite analyses supports (i) the distinctness of the Macaronesian honeybee populations, and (ii) the close relationship between Macaronesian and NW African populations. Recent introgression events due to apicultural practices were detected, possibly changing the genetic structure of locally adapted populations. Apis mellifera / Madeira / Azores / mtDNA / microsatellites / biogeography / population genetics
European subspecies of Apis mellifera L. were first classified by morphometric studies (Ruttner, ... more European subspecies of Apis mellifera L. were first classified by morphometric studies (Ruttner, 1988). They fall into four distinct branches A, M, C and O, that can be traced around the Mediterranean into the Middle East. In the last decade, molecular analyses supplemented morphometrical data in studies about the biogeography and description of the subspecies complex of the honeybee Apis mellifera. The phylogenetic relationships based on molecular data (Cornuet and Garnery, 1991; Garnery
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Reference genes are frequently used as normalizers for expression studies despite not being previ... more Reference genes are frequently used as normalizers for expression studies despite not being previously verified to present suitable stabilities. Considering the interest that tiger beetles have generated in the past years, resulting in a variety of studies, it is crucial to dispose of a validated reference gene panel for expression studies. Nine candidate genes were tested in Cicindela campestris and Calomera littoralis across several conditions and their transcription levels were assessed with geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and ΔC T method algorithms. Results showed high stabilities across sexes, immune challenge and gonad developmental stages for all genes tested, while body parts comparison presented less constant expression values. Only two genes are sufficient to perform a proper normalization for most of the conditions tested, except for the body parts comparison in C. littoralis, which requires the use of at least three reference genes. On the whole, no universal gene is found to be suitable for all situations, but according to the acceptable range of values, NADH, B-t, Vatpase and ArgKin seem to present the most constant expression stability, indicating their suitability as reference genes in most of the conditions. This is the first report evaluating the stability of housekeeping genes in adephagan beetles. Evaluating changes in gene expression has lately been one of the most frequent studies to analyse the effect of physiological responses and therefore the biological differences among populations. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) has recently become the most widely accepted methodology which accurately and with high reproducibility generates expression profiles and allows their interpretation 1-4. Nevertheless, some guidelines must be followed to correctly perform a reliable RT-qPCR analysis 5-8 , being essential the use of an internal control so that any other variation across samples derived from handling or cDNA synthesis can be avoided 3,7-11. The normalization is then carried out by introducing reference genes known to present a constant expression profile after alterations in a specific condition. Many housekeeping genes (HKG) have been incorrectly described and used as reference genes without previously testing their viability due to the assumption that their role in basic cellular processes grants them a complete and suitable stability. However, it has been established that most of these genes can alter their expression under certain conditions 12-16 , thus it is crucial to perform a proper validation to determine the suitability of any candidate reference gene for each specific condition. Several studies validating reference genes have been carried out in the last years, some of them involving insect species. Validation in Bemisia tabaci 17 selected genes for biotic and abiotic conditions. Ponton et al. 18 checked the suitability of references genes in Drosophila melanogaster after an injury, heat stress and different diets, and Koramutla et al. 19 recommended several reference genes in Lipaphis erysimi. Additionally, gene stability was tested in different conditions in two Bombus species 20 , while Lourenço et al. 21 studied the suitability in Apis mellifera. More specifically, reference genes validation has also been carried out in polyphagan beetles. That is the case of Tribolium castaneum 22-24 , for which different ribosomal proteins were found to be the suitable
Saline inland waters are globally threatened habitats harbouring many specialised endemic species... more Saline inland waters are globally threatened habitats harbouring many specialised endemic species, which often have restricted geographic ranges, and occur as highly isolated populations. We studied the genetic variation and phylogeography of Ochthebius glaber Montes and Soler, a rare and endangered water beetle endemic to hypersaline streams in the South and Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. We used a 633 bp fragment of cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene to determine the genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure within this species, and interpret this in the light of the species' conservation requirements. Thirteen populations were sampled across the species' geographic range, and genetic diversity found to be very high, with 37 haplotypes across the 71 specimens examined (p-distance 0.2-7.3%, average 3.1-0.4). Phylogeographic analyses revealed a surprisingly high degree of geographical structure, detectable among populations separated by relatively short geographical distances, with three main groups of haplotypes which have apparently been isolated for significant periods of time. Past fragmentation and contiguous range expansion events were inferred as the main causes of the detected geographical associations of haplotypes. The establishment of independent evolutionary lineages as conservation units is particularly important for species inhabiting saline habitats such as O. glaber, which is endangered by habitat loss across most of its distribution. However, given the natural instability of hypersaline environments, the conservation of a network of populations and potential habitats would be necessary to enable the preservation of the process generating and maintaining the diversity of the species.
The study of Diptera at the scene of a crime can provide essential information for the interpreta... more The study of Diptera at the scene of a crime can provide essential information for the interpretation of evidence. Phylogeographic reconstruction could help differentiate haplotypes of a dipteran species in a geographical area, clarifying, for example, the details of a possible relocation of a corpse. In addition, inferring the ancestral areas of distribution helps to understand the current status of the species and its biogeographic history. One of the most important species in forensic entomology is Calliphora vicina Rovineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The aim of this work is to increase our knowledge of this species in the Iberian Peninsula using 464 specimens from Spain and Portugal. These samples were identified using morphological keys and by molecular methods using fragments of the cox1, 16S and ITS2 genes. The phylogeographic history of these populations was inferred from haplotype networks and the reconstruction of ancestral areas of distribution. The molecula...
Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is the most diverse genus in the family Fanniidae (Diptera), with ... more Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is the most diverse genus in the family Fanniidae (Diptera), with 288 species, many of which are include many of sanitary, economic and legal interest. The morphological homogeneity within the genus often makes species determination difficult. The best option for correct identification is to combine molecular and morphological analyses. The variation in the shape of a selection of body characters can be assessed by Geometric Morphometrics using the head as an innovative structure. Sex must be accounted for as a key covariate in this kind of study, since Fannia, as many other Diptera, has a sexually dimorphic head structure, with holoptic males and dicoptic females. Firstly, we analysed a set of Fannia sp. specimens sampled across the Iberian Peninsula (2012-2015), of which Fannia pusio (Wiedemann, 1830) was found to be the most abundant species. Our analyses provide significant morphological information. Fannia pusio exhibits clear intraspecific morphometric variation along an Iberian-wide East-West axis. A similar pattern emerged when comparing a laboratory-bred colony and wild samples.
Fannia pusio(Wiedemann, 1830) is a species belonging to the family Fanniidae, which is of great f... more Fannia pusio(Wiedemann, 1830) is a species belonging to the family Fanniidae, which is of great forensic, sanitary, and veterinary interest. The behavioral peculiarities of this species, depending on the temperature at which it is found, may provide additional information for future research. The application of entomology in the forensic field has focused especially on the early colonizing taxa of corpses that are in the initial stage of decomposition. However, species occurring at more advanced stages can contribute to further knowledge, as is the case withF. pusio. In addition, the species has the ability to colonize buried corpses that are inaccessible to larger dipterans. On the other hand, the sanitary and veterinary interest of this species is due to the performance of females as phoretic hosts ofDermatobia hominiseggs that cause myiasis in both animals and humans. In the current study, the behavior ofF. pusiowas observed at a temperature range of 5°C to 40°C. We found that it...
The Quaternary glaciations affected the evolution and current distribution of taxa in southern Ch... more The Quaternary glaciations affected the evolution and current distribution of taxa in southern Chile, including the emblematic and endemic genus Ceroglossus Solier. This genus of ground beetles has fascinated a great number of entomologists due to their conspicuous colour patterns, but despite this attention their taxonomy has remained controversial, with a large amount of taxa described based on unclear or variable morphological characters. In this work, we carry out a phylogenetic analysis of the 10 described species of Ceroglossus, based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers, and perform a species delimitation analysis using different algorithms, to clarify the backbone of their evolutionary tree and to lay the basis for a comprehensive and integrative taxonomic revision of this genus. Our results show that Ceroglossus is divided in five main lineages, composed of 13 putative phylogenetic species. The five lineages diverged before the Quaternary, while the divergence of the specie...
Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 2019
The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, is one of the most important insect pest species... more The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, is one of the most important insect pest species in the world. It has a high colonization capacity and population variety giving it considerable genetic diversity. Strategies for its control have included the sterile insect technique (SIT) and insect growth regulators (IGRs). Many works have analysed the medfly transcriptome, and along with the medfly genome sequence, the sequences of multiple genes related to sex determination, mating, development, pheromone detection, immunity or stress have been identified. In this work, the medfly CCE/CC128 cell line was used to assess cell growth variation and changes in the expression of genes covering different functions, after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Juvenile Hormone III (JHIII) treatments. No significant effects on cell growth and gene expression were observed in the cells treated with LPS. In the cells treated with JHIII, the results showed no significant effects on cell growth, but an overexpression was found of the Shade gene, one of the Halloween gene members of the cytochrome p450 family, which is involved in development and the synthesis of 20hydroxyecdysone (20E). This work shows preliminary results on the insect cell line in combination with whole genome sequencing which can facilitate studies regarding growth, toxicity, immunity and transcriptome regulations as a response to different compounds and environmental alterations.
A new approach to landscape ecology involves the application of the ecofield hypothesis and the G... more A new approach to landscape ecology involves the application of the ecofield hypothesis and the General Theory of Resources. In this study, we describe the putative eco-field of bark beetles as a spatial configuration with a specific meaningcarrier for every organism-resource interaction. Bark beetles are insects with key roles in matter and energy cycles in coniferous forests, which cause significant changes to forestry landscapes when outbreaks occur. Bark beetles are guided towards host trees by the recognition of semiotic signals using a specific eco-field. These signals mainly comprise a group of scents, which are called the odourtope. Their interactions with other organisms (fungi, bacteria, nematodes, predators, etc.) occur by sharing relevant information from the eco-field networks (representamen networks) in the forest ecosystem. The eco-field networks modulate the expansion of the realized semiotic niche of the bark beetle towards the potential semiotic niche. Moreover, the niche construction process can be initiated by interchanging signals among species living in the same place, where these signals allow the exploitation of the required resources. If different organisms are interdependent on signals in eco-field networks, then this process may result in the establishment of mutualistic relationships. This is an example of how evolutionary processes are initiated by the recognition of signals in a network of ecofields.
Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & molecular biology, Jan 11, 2016
Ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) are post-translational modifiers essential in... more Ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) are post-translational modifiers essential in a variety of cellular processes, including gametogenesis. SUMO-conjugating enzyme (UBC9) and the ubiquitin ribosomal fusion protein UBS27 have been characterised in several model species. However, their expression in coleopteran remains unstudied. In this study, UBC9 and UBS27 genes have been characterised in the tiger beetle Cicindela campestris for the first time. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the Cc-UBC9 gene encoded a 159 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 18.18kDa, and the Cc-UBS27 gene encoded a 156 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 17.71kDa. Selection analyses carried out in several cicindelid species revealed that both genes were affected by purifying selection. Real time quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated that Cc-UBC9 and Cc-UBS27 were expressed in different tissues. The highest expression on both genes was found in the ovary ...
Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 2009
... By contrast, the spec-ies of Passalini tend to have a 'continental distribution&... more ... By contrast, the spec-ies of Passalini tend to have a 'continental distribution' in Amer-ica (Reyes-Castillo 1985), characterized by large distributional areas, mostly in the lowlands, in which populations are well interconnected. Therefore, karyotypic novelties would be elim-...
Silver staining of male meiotic nuclei of six species of the tiger beetle genus Cicindela (tribe ... more Silver staining of male meiotic nuclei of six species of the tiger beetle genus Cicindela (tribe Cicindelini), with multiple sex chromosomes, reveals the presence of active nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) in the sex vesicle. In one species, Cicindela melancholica, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a ribosomal probe showed that rDNA genes are in one of the three X chromosomes and in the Y chromosome. Silver staining and FISH show that the related species Cicindela paludosa with a male XO system, has NORs located in one pair of autosomes. In Megacephala euphratica (tribe Megacephalini) these techniques indicate that NORs are located in three autosomal pairs but not in the single X chromosome of males. In all these species the nucleolus can be seen from the onset of meiosis to the end of the diffuse stage; it disappears from diplotene to the end of meiosis and appears again during the spermatid stage. From these results it is concluded that: (i) the nucleolus does not seem to play a major role in the pairing and association of the multiple sex chromosomes during first meiotic prophase and metaphase; (ii) the occurrence of NORs in the heterosomes of species having multiple sex chromosomes is thought to be an ancestral condition for the genus Cicindela; and (iii) changes of location of NORs from the heterosomes to the autosomes have occurred within species of this genus, at least in species showing extensive karyotypic repatterning.
Meiotic chromosomes of eight Neotropical species of the genus Chauliognathus occurring in Souther... more Meiotic chromosomes of eight Neotropical species of the genus Chauliognathus occurring in Southern Brazil were analysed from testis cells. The meioformula of all the species was n = 6 + X (with six pairs of autosomes and one X chromosome). This meioformula is also present in C. scriptus plus two other species of other genera of Cantharidae, suggesting an evolutionary tendency towards the compaction of the karyotype starting from the ancestral Polyphagan meioformula n = 9 + Xy(p). The presence of an XO sex chromosome mechanism in all cantharid species studied to date indicates that the reduction of the number of autosomes was probably paralleled by the loss of the small typical Polyphagan yp heterosome. Thus the meioformula n = 6 + X seems to be an apomorphy for Cantharidae and may have evolved soon after the separation of the ancestral cantharid from the other families of Polyphaga.
The phylogenetic relationships of twelve species of Chauliognathus were investigated by studying ... more The phylogenetic relationships of twelve species of Chauliognathus were investigated by studying the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene. A 678 bp fragment of the COI gene was sequenced to test the hypothesis that the Müllerian mimicry species of the "yellow-black" complex make up a monophyletic clade, separated from species with other colour patterns. The data set was analysed by neighbour-joining, maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood procedures. The results support a single origin of the yellow-black colour pattern during the evolution of the genus, with one main clade formed by Chauliognathus lineatus, C. tetrapunctatus, C. riograndensis, C. flavipes, C. octomaculatus, C. fallax, and another one formed by two species, C. expansus and C sp 1, plus an orange-black-coloured species. The nucleotide divergences found between C. sp 3 (black) and the other species studied fall within the level expected for species from different genera. The similarity of colour patterns of the yellow-black species has been considered an example of Müllerian mimicry by conservation of the ancestral state with some minor modifications.
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