Papers by Maurizio Casiraghi
Parasitology, 2001
Infection with the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia is widespread in filarial nematodes. Previous... more Infection with the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia is widespread in filarial nematodes. Previous studies have suggested concordance between the phylogeny of Wolbachia with that of their nematode hosts. However, there is only one published molecular phylogenetic study of filarial species, based on the 5S rRNA gene spacer. The phylogeny proposed by this study is partially incongruent with previous classifications of filarial nematodes, based on morphological characters. Furthermore, both traditional classifications and molecular phylogenies are, in part, inconsistent with the phylogeny of Wolbachia. Here we report mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequences for 11 species of filaria and for another spirurid nematode which was included as an outgroup. In addition, 16S rRNA, wsp and ftsZ gene sequences were generated for the Wolbachia of several filarial species, in order to complete the available data sets and further resolve the phylogeny of Wolbachia in nematodes. We used these data to evaluate whether nematode and Wolbachia phylogenies are concordant. Some of the possible phylogenetic reconstructions based on COI gene were congruent with the phylogeny of Wolbachia and supported the grouping of the rodent filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis with the lymphatic filariae (i.e. Brugia spp. and Wuchereria spp.) and the sister group relationship of Dirofilaria spp. and Onchocerca spp. However, the placement of the Wolbachia-free filaria Acanthocheilonema viteae is ambiguous and dependent on the phylogenetic methods used.
Authorea (Authorea), Mar 30, 2022
The monk seal, the most endangered pinniped worldwide and the only one found in the Mediterranean... more The monk seal, the most endangered pinniped worldwide and the only one found in the Mediterranean, has suffered a drastic decline in the last few decades. Nowadays molecular techniques allow to detect minute amounts of DNA released in the environment (eDNA) by any organism. We present three qPCR-assays targeting the monk seal mitogenome. The assays were soundly tested on an extensive/diversified sample set (n=73), including positive controls from Madeira breeding population and two opportunistic Mediterranean eDNA-sample collections (offshore/coastal) from ongoing projects. Monk seal DNA was detected in 47.2% and 66.7% of the samples collected in the Tyrrhenian from a ferry platform (2018-2019) and in the Pelagie archipelago (2020) respectively, anticipating (up to 2 year) visual observations occurred subsequently in proximity of the sampled areas. In the Tyrrhenian, detection occurrence increased between 2018 and 2019. Monk seal DNA recoveries were commoner in night-time ferry-samples, suggesting nocturnal predatory activity in pelagic waters. The proposed technique provides a non-invasive and yet highly-sensitive tool for defining the monk seal actual range, its recovery rate and pinpoint coastal/offshore localities where prioritizing conservation.
DNA barcoding in ixodid ticks / M. Montagna, E. Ferri, L. Beati, D. Sassera, M. Casiraghi, S. Epi... more DNA barcoding in ixodid ticks / M. Montagna, E. Ferri, L. Beati, D. Sassera, M. Casiraghi, S. Epis, L. Sacchi, C. Genchi, C. Bandi. - In: Parassitologia. - ISSN 0048-2951. - 52(2010), pp. 209-209. ... There are no files associated with this item. ... Items in AIR are protected by ...
Frontiers in Microbiology, Feb 27, 2023
Aquaculture significantly contributes to the growing demand for food worldwide. However, diseases... more Aquaculture significantly contributes to the growing demand for food worldwide. However, diseases associated with intensive aquaculture conditions, especially the skin related syndromes, may have significant implications on fish health and industry. In farmed rainbow trout, red mark syndrome (RMS), which consists of multiple skin lesions, currently lacks recognized aetiological agents, and increased efforts are needed to elucidate the onset of these conditions. Most of the past studies were focused on analyzing skin lesions, but no study focused on water, a medium constantly interacting with fish. Indeed, water tanks are environmental niches colonized by microbial communities, which may be implicated in the onset of the disease. Here, we present the results of water and sediment microbiome analyses performed in an RMS-affected aquaculture facility, bringing new knowledge about the environmental microbiomes harbored under these conditions. On the whole, no significant differences in the bacterial community structure were reported in RMS-affected tanks compared to the RMS-free ones. However, we highlighted significant differences in microbiome composition when analyzing different samples source (i.e., water and sediments). Looking at the finer scale, we measured significant changes in the relative abundances of specific taxa in RMS-affected tanks, especially when analyzing water samples. Our results provide worthwhile insight into a mostly uncharacterized ecological scenario, aiding future studies on the aquaculture built environment for disease prevention and monitoring.
MicroMega, 2019
Che noi, da animali quali siamo, ci interessiamo particolarmente alla comparsa e all’evoluzione d... more Che noi, da animali quali siamo, ci interessiamo particolarmente alla comparsa e all’evoluzione del mondo pluricellulare e del tutto ovvio. Del resto e una storia affascinante, che non ha affatto pero l’aspetto di una lineare ‘marcia trionfale’ dagli unicellulari a noi, bensi quello di un percorso tortuoso, fatto di molti tentativi ed errori. Le ultime evidenze ci portano a pensare che la pluricellularita sia comparsa indipendentemente addirittura da 16 a 22 volte nella storia evolutiva degli eucarioti. Non eravamo dunque previsti, ma questo nulla toglie al fascino delle ‘infinite forme bellissime e meravigliose’ che l’evoluzione ha prodotto negli ultimi quattro miliardi di anni.
Nature, Apr 1, 2000
An unresolved issue in cortical development concerns the relative contributions of intrinsic and ... more An unresolved issue in cortical development concerns the relative contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to the functional speci®cation of different cortical areas 1±4. Ferrets in which retinal projections are redirected neonatally to the auditory thalamus 5
Food Research International, Apr 1, 2011
The objective of the present work is to evaluate the efficacy of a DNA barcoding approach as a to... more The objective of the present work is to evaluate the efficacy of a DNA barcoding approach as a tool for the recognition of commercial kitchen spices belonging to the Lamiaceae family that are usually sold as enhancers of food flavor. A total of 64 spices samples, encompassing six different genera (i.e. Mentha, Ocimum, Origanum, Salvia, Thymus and Rosmarinus) were processed with a classical DNA barcoding approach by amplifying and sequencing four candidate barcode regions (rpoB, rbcL, matK and trnH-psbA) with universal primers. Results suggest that the non-coding trnH-psbA intergenic spacer is the most suitable marker for molecular spices identification followed by matK, with interspecific genetic distance values ranging between about 0% to 7% and 0% to 5%, respectively. Both markers were almost invariably able to distinguish spices species from closest taxa with the exclusion of samples belonging to the genus Oregano. Moreover, in a context of food traceability the two markers are useful to identify commercial processed spice species (sold as dried plant material). We also evaluated the potential benefits of a multilocus barcode approach over a singlemarker and although the most suitable combination was the matK + trhH-psbA, the observed genetic distances values were very similar to the discriminatory performance of the trnH-psbA. Finally, this preliminary work provide clear evidences that the efficacy of a DNA barcoding approach to the recognition of commercial spices is biased by the occurrence of taxonomic criticisms as well as traces of hybridization events within the family Lamiaceae. For this reason, to better define a more practical and standardized DNA barcoding tool for spices traceability, the building of a dedicated aromatic plants database in which all species and cultivars are described (both morphologically and molecularly) is strongly required.
Food Research International, 2010
In food safety and traceability, consumers are more and more demanding about composition and prov... more In food safety and traceability, consumers are more and more demanding about composition and provenance of processed seafood products. In the trade of many species, manufacturing alterations usually bring to the loss of any morphological diagnostic features of the species, enhancing the possibility of fraudulent substitutions and incorrect product labeling. In this study, we used a DNA barcoding approach to identify species substitutions cases in shark slices sold in Italy under the vernacular name of ''palombo" (that is referred to the triakiids Mustelus mustelus and Mustelus asterias for the Italian regulation). We produced the coxI barcode sequence (550 bp long) for all the analysed specimens, and we compared them with reference sequences from different databases (GenBank and BOLD), using two bioinformatic identification methods, one of them developed in our laboratory. Results showed a high amount of commercial frauds rising the 80% of analysed ''palombo" slices and highlighting a relevant economical impact for consumers.
Ecology and Evolution, Jul 1, 2023
Urbanization and the expansion of human activities foster radical ecosystem changes with cascadin... more Urbanization and the expansion of human activities foster radical ecosystem changes with cascading effects also involving host-pathogen interactions. Urban pollinator insects face several stressors related to landscape and local scale features such as green habitat loss, fragmentation, and availability reduction of floral resources with unpredictable effects on parasite transmission. Furthermore, beekeeping may contribute to the spread of parasites to wild pollinators by increasing the number of parasite hosts. Here we used DNA-based diagnostics tools to evaluate how the occurrence of parasites, namely microsporidians (Nosema spp.), trypanosomatids (Crithidia spp.) and neogregarines (Apicystis bombi), is shaped by the above-mentioned stressors in two bumblebee species (i.e, Bombus terrestris and B. pascuorum). Infection rates of the two species were different and generally higher in B. terrestris. Moreover, they showed different responses towards the same ecological variables, possibly due to differences in body size and foraging habits supposed to affect their susceptibility to parasite infection. The probability of infection was found to be reduced in B. pascuorum by green habitat fragmentation, while increased along with floral resource availability. Unexpectedly, B. terrestris had a lower parasite richness nearby apiaries probably because parasites are prone to be transmitted among the most abundant species. Our finding supports the need to design proper conservation measures based on species-specific knowledge, as suggested by the variation in the parasite occurrence of the two species. Moreover, conservation policies aiming at safeguarding pollinators through flower planting should consider the indirect effects of these measures for parasite transmission together with pollinator biodiversity issues.
EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste eBooks, 2010
DNA barcoding is a molecular-based identification system, recently introduced in the scientific c... more DNA barcoding is a molecular-based identification system, recently introduced in the scientific community. The method is not completely new to science, but the real innovation is not in the discrimination system itself: DNA barcoding can be considered as the core of an integrated taxonomic system, where bioinformatics plays a key role. Time is now ripe for a real collaboration of all the different forces working in taxonomy, towards a "next generation systematics".
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Jan 2, 2022
As human activities on our planet persist, causing widespread and irreversible environmental degr... more As human activities on our planet persist, causing widespread and irreversible environmental degradation, the need to biomonitor ecosystems has never been more pressing. These circumstances have required a renewal in monitoring techniques, encouraged by necessity to develop more rapid and accurate tools which will support timely observations of ecosystem structure and function. The World Exposition (from now 'EXPO2015') hosted in Milan from May to October 2015 was a global event that could be categorized as a mega-event, which can be defined as an acute environmental stressor, possibly generating biodiversity alteration and disturbance. During the six months of EXPO2015, exhibitors from more than 135 countries and 22 million visitors insisted on a 1.1 million square meters area. Faced with such a massive event, we explore the .
Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2017
Combining genetic, morphological and geographical data, we re-evaluate Sciurus meridionalis , Luc... more Combining genetic, morphological and geographical data, we re-evaluate Sciurus meridionalis , Lucifero 1907 as a tree squirrel species. The species, previously considered a subspecies of the Eurasian red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris , is endemic to South Italy with a disjunct distribution with respect to S. vulgaris . The new species has a typical, monomorphic coat colour characterized by a white ventral fur and a very dark-brown to blackish fur on the back, sides and tail. Specimens of S. meridionalis have a larger hind foot length and weigh about 35% more than live-caught S. vulgaris from northern Italy. S. meridionalis is larger than S. vulgaris specimens from three other regions in Italy for mandible length, skull width and skull (condylobasal) length, and principal component scores indicate significant shape differences of specimens from the Calabria population ( S. meridionalis ) compared to all other specimens ( S. vulgaris ). These morphological differences are further support...
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Papers by Maurizio Casiraghi