bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptation mechanism of a spider mite population to tea plants
Authors: TAKEDA NAOKI , MURAKAMI RYUTARO , YAMAMOTO MASANOBU , SUZUKI TAKESHI
Published: November 2022

In herbivores, adaptation to different plants often occurs during their ecological speciation. Plants have a variety of defensive systems, especially toxic and repellent secondary metabolites, to cope with herbivore attacks, while herbivores often enhance their xenobiotic metabolism for detoxifying the defensive compounds. Once a population acquires the adaptation ability to plant defense, it will occupy the plant as a host. This reduces interaction with other populations even within the same species, causing the population to diverge, and consequently, reproductive isolation occurs. The Kanzawa spider mite (KSM), Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae), is a polyphagous arthropod that causes serious economic damage to agricultural and horticultural crops. KSM is an important pest of tea plants, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze. There are adapted and non-adapted KSM populations to tea plants (adapted and non-adapted KSM). Both populations may have undergone ecological speciation through the interaction with tea plants. However, the mechanism underlying the differences between two KSM populations remains unclarified. The two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae), is closely related to KSM. Based on the highly-annotated TSSM genome sequence, we conducted comparative transcriptome and proteome analyses among adapted and non-adapted KSM, and TSSM on tea plants and the preferable host bean plants. Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes containing catechol dioxygenase, carboxylesterase, ABC transporter, Cathepsin L, and UDP-glycosyltransferase were upregulated in adapted KSM on tea plants. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that pathways related to oxidoreductase activity were particularly enriched in adapted KSM on tea plants. These enzymes should be dealing with catechins which are known as secondary metabolites of tea plants and to be toxic to spider mites. The survival rate in adapted KSM on tea plants was significantly reduced by RNAi targeting the gene encoding a catechol dioxygenase (TkCTD). These results suggest that TkCTD-mediated detoxification is involved in the adaptation of KSM to tea plants.
Molecular gut-content analysis in phytoseiid mites
Authors: HINOMOTO NORIHIDE
Published: November 2022

Molecular gut content analysis has been used widely to elucidate predator-prey interaction both in natural and agricultural ecosystems. The two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), is one of the most important pest species worldwide, mainly due to their acaricide resistance. In greenhouses, commercially available biological control agents (BCAs), such as Phytoseiiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae), have been used. However, in open fields like orchards, conservation biological control (CBC) is desirable rather than augmentation, because natural populations of phytoseiid mites, which can potentially control spider mites, are distributed. There can be several species of phytoseiid mites feeding on spider mites in the same habitat, and therefore it is important to know which species can control spider mites effectively. To this end, Hinomoto (2017) elucidated the effectiveness of molecular gut-content analysis in the predatory mite, N. californicus, and showed that ordinary agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products could not detect any bands, but fluorescent-labeled primers successfully detected the gut contents of phytoseiid mites and confirmed they were derived from spider mite eggs. Furthermore, he also found that newly deposited spider mite eggs (less than 3 hr of oviposition) consumed by the predatory mites could not be detected even if fluorescent-labeled primers were used. To apply this technique in the fields, this should be carefully taken in the consideration, although it is unknown whether old or new eggs of spider mites are preferred. Regardless of this phenomenon, a combination of barcoding of phytoseiid mite species and molecular cut-content analysis will reveal real predator-prey food web in fields.
Characterization and evaluation of extracellular vesicles as anti-tick vaccine candidates
Authors: ROSARIO CHARLUZ M. AROCHO , CHAVEZ ADELA OLIVA , COATES CRAIG , TEEL PETE , THOMAS DONALD , ROGOVSKYY ARTEM S.
Published: November 2022

Among all the agricultural sectors, the livestock industry is the most economically developed and prolific. Livestock production promotes economic stability globally and provides a significant source of protein in meat and milk. Ticks can transmit pathogens such as Anaplasma marginale, the causative agent of Bovine Anaplasmosis, affecting the cattle industry due to mortality, reduction of meat and milk production, and increased costs for treatment and prevention. Bovine Anaplasmosis results in estimated losses of over 300 million USD per year in the U.S. There are no effective treatments since they act as bacteriostatic antimicrobials, arresting bacterial growth, but do not eliminate them. In subclinical levels the infection can persist. Further, the ability of A. marginale to undergo antigenic variation hinders vaccine development. Therefore, alternatives that target transmission and early establishment of the pathogen are needed. Extracellular vesicles are small membrane blebs secreted by eukaryotic cells that act in cell-to-cell communication. These vesicles can be divided into exosomes and microvesicles, depending on their mechanism of biogenesis and secretion. Recent studies, and my preliminary data, have shown that tick extracellular vesicles carry proteomic material that is conserved among different tick species. This proteomic material can be used as a vaccine candidate for the development of anti-tick vaccines. We hypothesize that these vesicles have potential as vaccine candidates for tick control. To test this hypothesis, we will: 1) Characterize the vesicle populations secreted by Dermacentor andersoni, Amblyomma americanum, and Rhipicephalus microplus ticks, 2) Define the best adjuvant-vesicle combination to trigger strong humoral and cellular responses in cattle, and 3) Determine the effectiveness of extracellular vesicle-derived vaccines for the management of tick populations in semi-field conditions. The emergence of acaricidal resistance in tick populations increases the need to develop new alternative control methods. Current vaccines have shown to be protective only against particular tick populations and species, for this reason artificial vesicles containing conserved proteins among different tick species, present a tempting approach that can be mass-produced and commercialized as an anti-tick vaccine protective against different tick species but specially R. microplus. This technology can be applied to other systems and would have a great impact in animal and human health.
Suitable doses screening for mutagenesis in Phytoseiulus persimilis induced by 60Co-γ
Authors: KONG ZIYI , LV JIALE , ZHANG BO , WANG ENDONG , XU XUENONG
Published: November 2022

Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a specialist predator of Tetranychus sp.; however, the lack of resistance to high temperatures and drought may result in the lower biological control efficiency of P. persimilis in the adverse climatic conditions. In breeding programs, 60Co-γ irradiation is commonly used to quickly screen suitable mutants, optimize biological characteristics, and improve resistance. It is expected that 60Co-γ irradiation could be useful in resistance screening in P. persimilis. The purpose of this study is to determine the suitable doses of 60Co-γ with high levels of mutagenesis in P. persimilis. P. persimilis individuals were irradiated using 60Co-γ at 0, 20, 40, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 200, 300, and 400 Gy, with a dose rate of 0.5 Gy/min. The mortality of irradiated individuals was used to estimate the LD50. The fecundity of survived individuals and egg hatch rate were applied to estimate the mutagenesis frequency. The mortality of P. persimilis increased with increasing irradiation dose with a rapid increase between 70 to 95 Gy. When irradiation dose exceeded 100 Gy, almost all P. persimilis died. The LD50 of irradiation dose was ca. 80 Gy. When irradiation doses increased from 70 to 95 Gy, sterility rate increased from 5% to 20%, fecundity decreased from 97% to 80%, and egg hatch rate decreased from 98% to 60%. We suggest that the appropriate irradiation doses of 60Co-γ inducing higher P. persimilis mutagenesis were between 70 Gy and 95 Gy. Results of this study allow future large-scale screening for resistant strains of P. persimilis.
Prediction of potential overwintering areas in China for the Neoseiulus barkeri
Authors: ZHAO JIANQI , XU WENHUAN , WANG WENJIE , SONG XUECHUN , LI SHIJIA , LI YAYING , NIMA YUZHEN , LIU HUAI
Published: November 2022

Predicting the potential distribution area of Neoseiulus barkeri can provide a good understanding of the habitat range of the N. barkeri and assess the possibility of overwintering in the release site (Khadem et al. 2021). The study of the habitat of N. barkeri can be used to determine whether it can overwinter in released areas and to assess its population dynamics (Abdellah et al. 2021).
Congruent co-evolution of the feather mite genus Trouessartia (Acariformes: Trouessartiidae) and endemic Malagasy warblers (Passeriformes: Bernieridae)
Authors: MIRONOV S.V. , KLIMOV P.B. , BLOCK N.L. , OCONNOR B.M.
Published: November 2022

The feather mite genus Trouessartia (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae), with 145 known species, is the second most species-rich genus of feather mites. Species of Trouessartia are mostly associated with passerines (oscines and suboscines), with a few associations with woodpeckers. On hosts, the mites inhabit flight feathers, most commonly occurring on the secondaries and rectrices.
Restoring management practices in Tuscan organic vineyards and impact on soil mesostigmatid mites
Authors: GAGNARLI ELENA , COSTANTINI EDOARDO A. , PRIORI SIMONE , VALBOA GIUSEPPE , PELLEGRINI SERGIO , VIGNOZZI NADIA , AGNELLI ALESSANDRO E. , GOGGIOLI DONATELLA , GUIDI SILVIA , LANDI SILVIA , D’ERRICO GIADA , SIMONI SAURO
Published: November 2022

Soil fauna actively contributes to drive crucial processes of energy and nutrient cycling in agricultural systems, to influence the quality of crops and pest incidence. Soil tillage can be absolutely considered as one of the most influential agricultural manipulations of soil structure and has a profound influence on soil biology and its provision of ecosystem services. Understanding the effects of different tillage intensities is of interest not only to the scientific community but also to farmers, practitioners, policymakers, and agricultural consultants. As the long-term evidence in degraded vineyard soils, EU and FAO highly recommend inter-row practices basing on sustainable managements and good agronomic practices (GAPs) to re-install soil functionality. In this study, we aimed at evaluating effects of different GAP practices that can improve soil recovering on some soil quality indicators, with emphasis to edaphic mesostigmatid mites.
The banana rust mite, Phyllocoptruta musae Keifer (Eriophyidae), an invasive mite in the Caribbean presenting an unusual sexual behavior
Authors: GÓMEZ-MOYA CRISTINA A. , FLECHTMANN CARLOS H. W. , DE MENDONÇA RENATA SANTOS , TAVERAS PARMENIO , LEBRÓN ANDREA O. FELIZ , VILLANUEVA RAÚL T. , NAVIA DENISE
Published: November 2022

The banana rust mite, Phyllocoptruta musae Keifer, 1955 (Eriophyidae), was observed for the first time in the Caribbean in 2020, in Dominican Republic, in the Línea Noroeste region, Valverde and Monte Cristi provinces, infesting Musa acuminata plantations (Gran Enano and Williams hybrids) (Gómez-Moya et al., 2021). This eriophyid mite was described from Queensland, Australia on Musa x paradisiaca L. (Keifer, 1955). In the Eastern Hemisphere, besides Australia P. musae had been reported from China, in the autonomous region of Guangxi Zhuang; on Hainan Island, and in Thailand (Li et al., 2007; Tan et al., 2014; Chandrapatya et al., 2016; Amrine & de Lillo, personnal communication). In Australia infestations were reported causing fruit spotting (Keifer, 1955).
The invasive Lewis spider mite, Eotetranychus lewisi (Acari: Tetranychidae), in Europe—current status and associated risk
Authors: NAVES PEDRO , AUGER PHILIPPE , MIGEON ALAIN , NAVIA DENISE , AGUIAR ANTÓNIO , SANTOS MÁRCIA
Published: November 2022

Invasive pests and pathogens are an undesirable consequence of international trade and travel, and often result in significant ecological and economic impacts. In Europe, the number of spider mites (Tetranychidae) is steadily increasing with the arrival of introduced species, most of which have the status of pests. During the last decades two invasive species have occasionally caused major damage to crops in Europe, namely Tetranychus evansi and Oligonychus perseae.
Resistance management for mites vectoring citrus leprosis in Brazil
Authors: DE ANDRADE DANIEL JÚNIOR , DA ROCHA CLAUDIANE MARTINS
Published: November 2022

Citrus leprosis is the most important viral disease affecting Brazilian citrus orchards. The disease is caused by the cilevirus citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) and transmitted by flat mites Brevipalpus yothersi Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae). Citrus leprosis can reduce yield by causing premature fruit drop, defoliation, and drying of branches of citrus trees.
Impacts of continental invasion of Raoiella indica in the Americas
Authors: RODRIGUES JOSE CARLOS VERLE , OCHOA RONALD , CARRILLO DANIEL
Published: November 2022

The invasion of the Red Palm Mite (RPM), Raoiella indica, in the western hemisphere, is probably the most extensive, fastest, and better-documented plant pest arthropod invasion in recent decades. RPM was initially detected in the Lesser Caribbean Antilles, and it rapidly spread hooping through the islands and reaching continental areas in North, Central and South America.
Eriophyoid mites under the lens of different microscopy techniques
Authors: OCHOA RONALD , DEGIOSA MARCELLO , HAMMOND JOHN , REVYNTHI ALEXANDRA , MOWERY JOSEPH , WELBOURN CAL , CARRILLO DANIEL
Published: November 2022

Eriophyoid mites, also known as bud, gall, or rust mites, impact nearly all crops of economic importance, including food crops, timber, and ornamental plants. Currently, they are divided into three families (Phytoptidae, Eriophyidae and Diptilomiopidae) with an estimated one million species, of which just over 5600 have been described.
Spit it out: extraction of saliva from the lychee erinose mite (Aceria litchi (Keifer) Acari: Eriophyidae)
Authors: DE GIOSA MARCELLO , ATAIDE LIVIA M. S. , OCHOA RONALD , DE LILLO ENRICO , CARRILLO DANIEL , REVYNTHI ALEXANDRA M.
Published: November 2022

The Lychee Erinose Mite (LEM) (Aceria litchii (Keifer)) is a gall-making eriophyid that feeds exclusively on lychee trees (Litchi chinensis Sonnerat), inducing the development of open leaf galls called erinea. Erinea are structures formed of hypertrophic leaf trichomes where LEM seeks refuge, feeds and reproduces.
Water mites (Acariformes, Hydrachnidia) of Siberia: DNA-based species identification for global climate change monitoring programs
Authors: KLIMOV PAVEL B. , STOLBOV VITALY A. , KAZAKOV DENIS V. , FILIMONOVA MARIA O. , SHEYKIN SERGEY D. , TOLSTIKOV ANDREY V.
Published: November 2022

Water mites (Hydrachnidia) are good model organisms for the assessment and long-term monitoring of the biological impacts of natural and human-induced environmental changes in freshwater ecosystems, including those related to global climate change. There are approximately 7,500 species, 485 genera and 56 families. Water mite communities can be affected by pollution and variations in temperature, dissolved oxygen level, conductivity and carbonate concentrations. Due to the complex interactions of water mites with other members of the macroinvertebrate fauna and their habitats, water mite assemblages can rapidly respond to perturbances in the interconnected ecological networks of aquatic communities, and therefore are particularly suitable for early warning systems that monitor water quality. However, monitoring programs using water mites as bioindicators may be impeded by difficulties associated with species identification. Siberia is a crucial region for biodiversity conservation and climatic research by being a major carbon sink due to the large amounts of carbon preserved in permafrost and sequestered by vast boreal forests and peatbogs, and is also a key region for climate change research. There are several reference sites in the Arctic tundra, forest and grassland areas allocated for long-term monitoring of climatically active gases, as well as assessment of the impact of climate change on animal and plant communities.
Unveiling the diet of predatory mites through DNA metabarcoding—can abiotic factors affect prey detectability?
Authors: DE OLIVEIRA ISIS CAROLINA S. , MARTIN JEAN-FRANÇOIS , TIXIER MARIE-STÉPHANE , PAULA DEBORA PIRES , NAVIA DENISE
Published: November 2022

Despite the importance of predatory mites as biological control agents, the way that generalist species can maintain in agrosystems, the alternative prey they can feed on, the way they choose to eat one prey, or another are poorly known. For some phytoseiid predatory mite species, prey consumption has been characterized by lab tests (Cavalcante et al., 2015, 2017; Juan-Blasco et al., 2012; Oliveira et al., 2007). However, those approaches are sometimes difficult to perform, very time consuming and do not totally reflect interactions occurring in field conditions. New technologies that allow determining the diet of predatory mites in situ are highly desirable to supporting biological control programs. A promising avenue for deciphering the diet of predatory mites is offered by DNA metabarcoding. Although this approach has been used in the study of insects (Hosseini et al., 2008; Kaunisto et al., 2017; Paula et al., 2022), only starts to be applied to microarthropod biological control agents, as predatory mites (Navia et al., 2019). DNA metabarcoding was successfully applied to identify prey species of phytoseiid mites using group-specific primers. However, biotic and abiotic factors can affect the detectability of predatory mite preys through metabarcoding, as previously showed for studies using traditional molecular methods (=PCR Multiplex and Sanger sequencing) (Pérez-Sayas et al., 2015). This information is relevant to understanding the limits of using the methodology, to guide sample collection procedures, and to assure the correct interpretation of the results.
A new interpretation of the functional morphology of Uroactinia sp. (Uropodina: Uroactinidae) using advanced microscopic techniques
Authors: COMBITA-HEREDIA ORLANDO , KLOMPEN HANS , RICO-GUEVARA ALEJANDRO
Published: November 2022

Chelicerae of most Parasitiform mites have retained the same general set of plesiomorphic structures and functions. For mesostigmatid mites this represents grabbing, cutting, piercing and, in the males of some groups, transferring sperm (Di Palma 2009).
Adding dimensions to acarology: synchrotron based micro-CT scan and 3D models to study internal morphology in Mesostigmata
Authors: COMBITA-HEREDIA ORLANDO , KLOMPEN HANS , RICO-GUEVARA ALEJANDRO
Published: November 2022

Synchrotron X-ray microtomography (SR-mCT) is a noninvasive technique that has the potential to reduce our knowledge gap on the internal morphology of mites. This technique allows for the creation of three-dimensional representations of organisms and is particularly relevant to taxonomy, evolution, systematics, ecology, and biodiversity.
Our life companions: the human follicular mite Demodex folliculorum
Authors: PEROTTI M. ALEJANDRA , BRAIG HENK R.
Published: November 2022

We carry them in our skin pores through our entire life, from birth to death.  We offer them shelter and in return, they tidy-up our pores.  We go on with our busy day life and they sleep.  They wake up when we go to sleep and while we are deeply dreaming, they move around, visit other pores and mates, and reproduce.  Despite being our ‘very own’ life companions, until recently, we knew very little about their struggle.
Phylogenetics of Acari and their cousins reshuffled by ultraconserved elements (UCE’s): can beauty emerge from chaos?
Authors: BEAULIEU FRÉDÉRIC , YOUNG MONICA , SCHWARZFELD MARLA , KNEE WAYNE , KLIMOV PAVEL , OCONNOR BARRY , SHAW MATTHEW , SEEMAN OWEN , KLOMPEN HANS , SMITH IAN , CHAPADOS JULIE , EYRES JACKSON , RICHTER ROBIN , DETTMAN JEREMY , LINDQUIST EVERT E.
Published: November 2022

Determining the chelicerate tree of life has been the subject of much research, with deep phylogenetic divergences and high evolutionary rates complicating both morphological and molecular approaches (Noah et al., 2020; Ontano et al., 2021; Sharma et al., 2021; Ballesteros et al., 2022). Within Acari, similar challenges exist—even the basic question of whether Acari is mono- or diphyletic remains unresolved (Pepato & Klimov, 2015; Lozano-Fernandez et al., 2019; Van Dam et al., 2019; Ontano et al., 2021). Several recent molecular studies have attempted to resolve these issues using large multi-gene datasets (Pepato et al., 2022; Klimov et al., 2018), mitochondrial genomes (Ban et al., 2022), and transcriptomes (Lozano-Fernandez et al., 2019). Ultraconserved elements (Faircloth et al., 2012) have recently shown great promise for constructing phylogenies for both deeply- and shallowly-diverged taxa (Zhang et al., 2019), including for Chelicerata (Starrett et al., 2017) and for Arrenuridae within Acari (Shoop, 2019), but have not yet been used across the Acari.
The lifestyle of a spider mite in psyllid galls: only parasitic?
Authors: ITO KATSURA
Published: November 2022

Insect and mite galls provide a secondary habitat for arthropods and are sites driving community diversity. Nevertheless, the role of galls on the lifestyle of mites inhabiting them is scarcely investigated. We previously reported that a population of Eotetranychus asiaticus Ehara colonises leaf galls made by the psyllid Trioza cinnamomi (Boselli) larvae on Japanese cinnamon Cinnamomum yabunikkei H. Ohba (Lauraceae) (Saito et al., 2016).
Diets shape the bacterial communities of three predatory mites in Phytoseiidae
Authors: ZHANG BO , YAN HONG , XU XUENONG
Published: November 2022

Microbial communities can affect host ecology and evolution by host deterministic selection or stochastic processes from diets. Host deterministic selection is generally considered as a strong force in shaping the microbial structures, while host diets basically define the major sources of microbial colonizers.
Biology of Macrocheles merdarius (Berlese) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Macrochelidae)
Authors: DOS ANJOS KARINA ARAÚJO , KATIKI LUCIANA MORITA , DUARTE FERNANDA CALVO , DE AZEVEDO LETÍCIA HENRIQUE , MENDES MÁRCIA CRISTINA
Published: November 2022

Macrocheles is the largest genus in the family Macrochelidae which contains some species that act as biological control agents of pests on crops.
Grand challenges in feather mite biology
Authors: PROCTOR HEATHER C.
Published: November 2022

In the 26 years since Gaud and Atyeo (1996) published their seminal work “Feather Mites of the World”, remarkable progress has been made in increasing the number of described feather mite species and host-mite records. Advances in molecular genetic methods are shedding light on relationships both among higher taxa and within species. Nevertheless, there are aspects of these research areas that need further study, as well as many other important areas of feather mite biology that have been almost unexplored since the works of V.B. Dubinin in the 1950’s (e.g., Dubinin, 1951). In this presentation I outline what I feel are desirable targets for future feather mite studies, some of which will be more challenging to achieve than others.
Effects of factitious prey on the biology and growth rate of the predatory mites Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Authors: TUNG NGUYEN DUC , ANH NGUYEN THI , FANG XIAO-DUAN
Published: November 2022

Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is being used on a commercial scale to control Tetranychus urticae Koch in open fields and greenhouses (Schausberger and Walzer 2001; Sato et al. 2007; Rezaie et al. 2017). To reduce the cost of rearing, phytoseiid mites are often cultured using factitious prey. To find out the most suitable factitious prey species for rearing N. californicus in this study, the development and reproduction of the predatory mite were assessed when fed on four factitious prey species: Carpoglyphus lactis, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Rhizoglyphus robini and the natural prey Tetranychus urticae (control).  The results showed that N. californicus could survival on all prey species, however, their populations could increase when fed on C. lactis, L. destructor, and T. urticae.  The life cycles of N. californicus fed on C. lactis and L. destructor (5.13 and 5.17 days respectively) were significantly shorter than those fed on T. urticae (5.89 days). The total number of eggs per female N. californicus fed on L. destructor was the highest (51.48 eggs/female), intermediate on T. urticae (45.11 eggs/female) and the lowest on C. lactis (38.68 eggs/female). When fed on L. destructor and T. urticae, the sex ratios (% female) in the 2nd generation of N. californicus reached approx. 70%—significantly higher than those predators fed on C. lactis (58.65%). The intrinsic rate of increase of N. californicus fed on L. destructor (0.338) was significantly higher than those females fed on C. lactis (0.304) and T. urticae (0.314). In conclusion, the factitious prey L. destructor is the best food source for mass rearing the predatory mite N. californicus.
Comparison of dispersal behavior in Amblyseius swirskii and Amblydromalus limonicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Authors: YAMADA CHISATO , YAMANAKA SATOSHI , SEKIGUCHI MINORI , HINOMOTO NORIHIDE
Published: November 2022

Thrips and whiteflies are important pests of many agricultural crops around the world. To reduce the use of chemical pesticides, biological control programs have been developed.
Learning behavior of Neoseiulus californicus from astigmatid to spider mites
Authors: ZHU JIA-YUN , XIAO FENG , LIU JIAN-FENG , XIAO RONG
Published: November 2022

Oulenziella bakeri is often used as an alternative prey for the mass rearing of Neoseiulus californicus in China. Long-term alternative prey feeding experience may cause a decline in the predatory capacity of phytoseiid mites toward their target prey. Learning behavior of predatory mites can help them adapt to the changes from preying on thrips to preying on spider mites (Rahmani et al., 2010), but there are few studies on the learning behavior of predatory mites from astigmatid mites to spider mites. Here, we compared the attack latency, prey preference, and functional response of N. californicus toward Tetranychus urticae among the “natural prey strains” (feeding only on T. urticae), “alternative prey strains” (feeding only on O. bakeri), and “learning behavior treatment” (alternative prey strains experienced in attacking but not feeding on T. urticae). The results showed that the attack latency of “alternative prey strain” of N. californicus on T. urticae was significantly longer than that of “natural prey strain” and “learning behavior treatment”. The “alternative prey strain” showed no obvious predatory preference between the protonymphs of T. urticae and O. baker. There were no significant differences in the capture rate and handling time among the three treatments. Our results indicated that the long-term rearing on alternative prey mainly prolonged the attack latency of N. californicus to the target prey and changed its prey preference, while learning behavior could help alternative prey strain of N. californicus to shorten the attack latency and restore its prey preference toward target prey (Zhu et al., 2022).
Mechanical devices for off-host tick surveillance
Authors: THOMAS DONALD B
Published: November 2022

Standard methods for collecting off-host ticks—flags, drags and leggings—expose the investigator to hazards and are typically less efficient for detection of larvae compared to adults. The potential for using mechanical devices such as vacuums and robots was explored. A vacuum device made by reversing the tube on a leaf blower was tested in a pasture known to be infested with cattle fever ticks. For comparison the same pasture was sampled using leggings and by scratch inspection of the infested cattle. Detection of larvae was markedly episodic by both methods reflecting life cycle periodicity. There was a lag of about 3 weeks between detection of larvae in the pasture and adult ticks on the cattle. Over a year of sampling the vacuum collected greater numbers of larval ticks, but the leggings detected clusters of ticks with somewhat greater frequency.
The relationship between Haemaphysalis longicornis and sika deer abundance on Tsushima Islands, Japan
Authors: SUZUKI KEI K. , DOI KANDAI , MORISHIMA KAORI , YAMAGAWA HIROMI , MORI TAIKI , WATARI YUYA , OKABE KIMIKO
Published: November 2022

Tick-borne diseases such as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) are of concern as new issues in public health and conservation medicine.  The SFTS virus especially is a fatal infection for feline animals. The emergence of STFS has been reported in China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. Tsushima Islands, located between Kyushu Island of Japan and South Korea, are known as the habitat of the endangered Tsushima leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus). The Ministry of the Environment of Japan reported the first case of SFTS infection in the free-ranging Tsushima leopard cat in 2022. Here, we report our investigation of the tick fauna on Tsushima Islands and its comparison with the abundance of Tsushima sika deer (Cervus nippon pulchellus). The flagging method was used at five collection sites on Tsushima islands in May 2022. We collected 131 ticks of three species, Haemaphysalis longicornis (127 individuals), H. formosensis (3) and Amblyomma testudinarium (1), among which H. longicornis was the dominant species. The abundance of H. longicornis increased with increased Deer Impact Score, which represents relative deer density based on five deer signs (bark stripping on Cryptomeria japonica or Chamaecyparis obtusa trees, browsing marks on the understory vegetation, deer fecal pellets, deer tracks, and deer trails). This study indicated that deer abundance may be an important factor in determining H. longicornis abundance. Notably, H. longicornis is known to serve as vector for several tick-borne pathogens, including SFTS virus. The relationships between ticks and wildlife hosts are expected to provide essential information from the perspectives of vector control, disease risk prediction, and conservation of rare species.
Establishment of the Tick Biobank and its application to vector biology research
Authors: UMEMIYA-SHIRAFUJI RIKA , SATO NARIKO , YOKOYAMA NAOAKI , XUAN XUENAN , SUZUKI HIROSHI
Published: November 2022

In the past decades, omics data including genomes, transcriptomes, and proteomes of ticks of medical and veterinary importance have become available worldwide as web-based resources. Additionally, laboratory colonies and cell lines of these ticks have been established and now become essential tools for the research advancement of ticks and tick-borne diseases.
Multi-omics analysis shed light on the mechanisms of tick reproductive inhibition by antibiotics
Authors: ZHANG YAN-KAI , LI SI-SI , ZHANG XIAO-YU , CHEN KAI-LI , YANG CHEN , LIU JING-ZE
Published: November 2022

Ticks are vector pests and their biology and control are of worldwide concern. Microbiota play an important role in tick physiology, and antibiotic treatments are mostly used to explore the interactions between ticks and symbiotic microorganisms. In addition to altering the host microbial community, antibiotics also exhibit toxic effects on the host. In the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, the engorged female ticks showed reproductive disruption after microinjection of tetracycline, as evidenced by prolonged oviposition time, reduced reproductive efficiency and hatchability, and abnormal oocyte development.
Whartonia pachywhartoni Vercammen-Grandjean, 1966 (Acari: Trombidiformes: Leeuwenhoekiidae): lost types in the USNM
Authors: BASSINI-SILVA R. , JACINAVICIUS F.C. , WELBOURN C. , OCHOA R. , BARROS-BATTESTI D.M.
Published: November 2022

The family Leeuwenhoekiidae (Acari: Trombidiformes) has a worldwide distribution, and in Brazil it is represented by twelve species in six genera. Of these species, Whartonia pachywhartoni Vercammen-Grandjean was described from specimens parasitizing the little big-eared bat, Micronycteris megalotis and later reported from Seba’s short-tailed bat, Carollia perspicillata (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), both from Minas Gerais State.
THE NEOTROPICAL SPECIES OF SMALL CARPENTER BEES OF THE SUBGENUS CERATINA (ZADONTOMERUS) ASHMEAD, 1899 (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE)
Authors: FLÓREZ-GÓMEZ NATHALIA , AYALA RICARDO , HINOJOSA-DÍAZ ISMAEL , MORRONE JUAN J.
Published: November 2022

The Neotropical species of the subgenus Ceratina (Zadontomerus) Ashmead are revised. We recognize seven new species, giving a total of 10 species for the region: Ceratina (Zadontomerus) capitosa Smith, C. (Z.) ignara Cresson, C. (Z.) nautlana Cockerell, C. (Z.) kopili new species, C. (Z.) basaltica new species, C. sapphira new species, C. (Z.) indigovirens new species, C. (Z.) rehanae new species, C. (Z.) raquelitae new species, and C. (Z.) tepetlana new species. We propose the following synonymies: C. abdominalis Smith, C. tehuacana Strand, and C. parignara Cockerell under C. (Z.) ignara; and C. bakeri Smith and C. nigriventris Friese under C. (Z.) nautlana. Also, we describe the previously unknown male of C. capitosa, and provide a key to the species, diagnoses, descriptions and illustrations of the new species.
6 Coda
Authors: Cobussen Marcel
Published: November 2022

The notions of soundwalking, aural ecology, and soundmarks are discussed in this chapter, alongside the recording of sounds and how it interacts with these sounds. There is a conclusion of the author’s objectives – that one develops a (re)sensitization to one’s acoustic environment, so that one can see how they evoke a sense of time, space, distance, direction, and motion – as well as how they affect one’s behavior, mood, (inter)actions, and wellbeing. It is further emphasized that listening is not an activity that only living beings are capable of – “the vibrational force of sound means that it acts upon entities regardless of whether those entities are consciously listening to it or not” (Gallagher et al.).
Can a Machine Learning–Enabled Numerical Model Help Extend Effective Forecast Range through Consistently Trained Subgrid-Scale Models?
Authors: Qu Yongquan , Shi Xiaoming
Published: November 2022

The development of machine learning (ML) techniques enables data-driven parameterizations, which have been investigated in many recent studies. Some investigations suggest that a priori-trained ML models exhibit satisfying accuracy during training but poor performance when coupled to dynamical cores and tested. Here we use the evolution of the barotropic vorticity equation (BVE) with periodically reinforced shear instability as a prototype problem to develop and evaluate a model-consistent training strategy, which employs a numerical solver supporting automatic differentiation and includes the solver in the loss function for training ML-based subgrid-scale (SGS) turbulence models. This approach enables the interaction between the dynamical core and the ML-based parameterization during the model training phase. The BVE model was run at low, high, and ultrahigh (truth) resolutions. Our training dataset contains only a short period of coarsened high-resolution simulations. However, given initial conditions long after the training dataset time, the trained SGS model can still significantly increase the effective lead time of the BVE model running at the low resolution by up to 50% relative to the BVE simulation without an SGS model. We also tested using a covariance matrix to normalize the loss function and found it can notably boost the performance of the ML parameterization. The SGS model’s performance is further improved by conducting transfer learning using a limited number of discontinuous observations, increasing the forecast lead-time improvement to 73%. This study demonstrates a potential pathway to using machine learning to enhance the prediction skills of our climate and weather models.

Significance Statement

Numerical weather prediction is performed at limited resolution for computational feasibility, and the schemes to estimate unresolved processes are called parameterization. We propose a strategy to develop better deep learning–based parameterization in which an automatic differentiable numerical solver is employed as the dynamic core and interacts with the parameterization scheme during its training. Such a numerical solver enables consistent deep learning, because the parameterization is trained with a direct target of making the numerical model (dynamic core and parameterization together) forecast match observations as much as possible. We demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of such a strategy using a surrogate model and advocate that such machine learning–enabled numerical models provide a promising pathway to developing next-generation weather forecast and climate models.
Refreezing of Partially Melted Hydrometeors: Polarimetric Radar Observations and Microphysical Model Simulations
Authors: Tobin Dana M. , Kumjian Matthew R. , Oue Mariko , Kollias Pavlos
Published: November 2022

The discovery of a polarimetric radar signature indicative of hydrometeor refreezing has shown promise in its utility to identify periods of ice pellet production. Uniquely characterized well below the melting layer by locally enhanced values of differential reflectivity (ZDR) within a layer of decreasing radar reflectivity factor at horizontal polarization (ZH), the signature has been documented in cases where hydrometeors were completely melted prior to refreezing. However, polarimetric radar features associated with the refreezing of partially melted hydrometeors have not been examined as rigorously in either an observational or microphysical modeling framework. Here, polarimetric radar data—including vertically pointing Doppler spectral data from the Ka-band Scanning Polarimetric Radar (KASPR)—are analyzed for an ice pellets and rain mixture event where the ice pellets formed via the refreezing of partially melted hydrometeors. Observations show that no such distinct localized ZDR enhancement is present, and that values instead decrease directly beneath enhanced values associated with melting. A simplified, explicit bin microphysical model is then developed to simulate the refreezing of partially melted hydrometeors, and coupled to a polarimetric radar forward operator to examine the impacts of such refreezing on simulated radar variables. Simulated vertical profiles of polarimetric radar variables and Doppler spectra have similar features to observations, and confirm that a ZDR enhancement is not produced. This suggests the possibility of two distinct polarimetric features of hydrometeor refreezing: ones associated with refreezing of completely melted hydrometeors, and those associated with refreezing of partially melted hydrometeors.

Significance Statement

There exist two pathways for the formation of ice pellets: refreezing of fully melted hydrometeors, and refreezing of partially melted hydrometeors. A polarimetric radar signature indicative of fully melted hydrometeor refreezing has been extensively documented in the past, yet no study has documented the refreezing of partially melted hydrometeors. Here, observations and idealized modeling simulations are presented to show different polarimetric radar features associated with partially melted hydrometeor refreezing. The distinction in polarimetric features may be beneficial to identifying layers of supercooled liquid drops within transitional winter storms.
Ocean Model Response to Stochastically Perturbed Momentum Fluxes
Authors: O’Kane Terence J. , Fiedler Russell , Collier Mark A. , Kitsios Vassili
Published: November 2022

Recent studies of various stochastic forcing and subgrid-scale parameterization schemes applied to climate and atmospheric models have revealed a diversity of model responses. These responses include degeneracy in the response to different forcings and compensating model errors. While stochastic parameterization of the ocean eddies is an active area, this has mainly involved idealized models with fewer studies employing ocean general circulation models. Here we examine the sensitivity of a low-resolution climate model to stochastic forcing of the momentum fluxes restricted to regions of the three-dimensional ocean where an eddy-resolving ocean model configuration has high variability. We consider the changes in the modeled energetics of low-resolution simulations in response to increased stochastic forcing. We find that as forcing amplitudes are increased there is enhanced conversion of transient to seasonal potential energy. Additionally, there is a systematic redistribution from seasonal to small-scale transient kinetic energy. Our approach has zero mean noise such that the total kinetic energy spectra remain largely unchanged even as small-scale eddy kinetic energy is increased in the targeted regions. However, we also show that strong stochastic forcing, particularly when applied in the tropics, can induce substantial changes to the ocean steady state that are undesirable. These changes include overly strong vertical mixing leading to unrealistic increases in ocean heat content and latitudinally dependent changes to sea level. We show that judicious selection of the magnitude and spatial extent of the stochastic forcing is required for desirable results. Our results point to the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of ocean model responses to stochastic parameterizations.
Two Distinct Phases of North Atlantic Eastern Subpolar Gyre and Warming Hole Evolution under Global Warming
Authors: Ghosh Rohit , Putrasahan Dian , Manzini Elisa , Lohmann Katja , Keil Paul , Hand Ralf , Bader Jürgen , Matei Daniela , Jungclaus Johann H.
Published: November 2022

The North Atlantic subpolar gyre (SPG) plays a crucial role in determining the regional ocean surface temperature (SST), which has profound implications on the surrounding continental and coastal climate. Here, we analyze the Max Planck Institute-Grand Ensemble global warming experiments and show that the SPG can evolve in two distinct phases under continuous global warming. In the first phase, as the global mean surface temperature approaches 2-K warming, the eastern SPG intensifies in combination with a weakening Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), accompanied by a cooling of subpolar North Atlantic SST, known as the warming hole. The associated oceanic fingerprint matches with the observations over the last 15 years, where an intensification and cooling of the eastern SPG is related to salinity reduction at the eastern side of the SPG. However, for further warming beyond 2 K, in spite of a continuous decline in the AMOC, a northward shift of the mean zonal wind extends the subtropical gyre northward with an associated disruption of the eastern SPG intensification, resulting in the cessation of the warming hole. Therefore, a shift from the initially dominating oceanic drivers to the atmospheric driver results into a two-phase evolution of the North Atlantic Ocean SPG circulation and the associated SST under continuous global warming.
The long-term impacts of the Canterbury earthquakes on the mental health of the Christchurch Health and Development Study cohort
Authors: Beaglehole Ben , Boden Joseph M , Bell Caroline , Mulder Roger T , Dhakal Bhubaneswor , Horwood L John
Published: November 2022

Objective:

Long-term studies following disasters are rare. It is important to quantify long-term effects of disasters to determine impacts on populations over time. We therefore aim to report the long-term associations between exposure to the Canterbury earthquakes and common mental disorders, taking into account potential confounding factors.

Methods:

The Christchurch Health and Development Study is a 40-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of New Zealand children (635 males and 630 females). The Christchurch Health and Development Study includes 884 participants with data on earthquake exposure and mental health outcomes at ages 34 and 40 years. Rates of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) disorders were measured categorically and using an expanded definition that included sub-syndromal symptoms. The current impact of the earthquakes is reported using 12-month prevalence data 7 years after the earthquakes. The cumulative impact of the earthquakes over the 7 years since onset is also reported.

Results:

There was a linear trend towards increasing rates of disorder with increasing exposure to the earthquakes. After adjusting for covariates, the 12-month prevalence of anxiety disorder symptoms was significantly increased ( p = 0.003). The earthquakes were also associated with cumulative increases in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder ( p < 0.001), anxiety disorder ( p = 0.016), nicotine dependence ( p = 0.012), and the total number of disorders ( p = 0.039).

Conclusion:

The Canterbury earthquakes were associated with persistent increases in Anxiety Disorder symptoms 7 years after their onset. The earthquakes were also associated with cumulative increases in symptoms of common psychiatric disorders. The magnitude of these effects is small, may no longer be clinically significant and has decreased over time.
Scalar implicatures in adult L2 learners: A self-paced reading study
Authors: Cho Jacee
Published: November 2022

Using self-paced reading, the present study compared native English and adult L1-Korean–L2-English speakers’ processing behaviors during online comprehension of underinformative scalar sentences and non-scalar sentences like Some/All elephants have trunks and ears. Results indicate that native speakers showed online sensitivity (i.e. slower reading) to underinformative scalar sentences relative to non-scalar sentences, but second language (L2) speakers did not. These results are interpreted in support of the Relevance Theory claim that scalar implicature generation is modulated by contextual and individual factors, in particular by the language condition, that is, whether sentences are presented in L1-English versus L2-English.
Drug purchases prior to conception and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Laine Merja K. , Kautiainen Hannu , Gissler Mika , Pennanen Pirjo , Eriksson Johan G.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Some drugs have adverse effects on glucose metabolism, but it is unknown whether prescription drugs used prior to conception influence the future risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Our study evaluated whether the purchase of prescription drugs 6 months prior to conception was associated with the occurrence of GDM.

Methods

This cohort study enrolled women with a Finnish background who delivered between 2009 and 2015 in the city of Vantaa, Finland (N = 10,455). Data on maternal characteristics and prescription drug purchases were obtained from national health registers. The use of a unique personal identification number enabled us to combine the register data on an individual level.

Results

Six months prior to conception, women who had pregnancies complicated by GDM purchased more prescription drugs than women without GDM (1.38 ± 2.04 vs. 1.11 ± 1.80). The GDM risk was higher in women with higher numbers of prescription purchases and those with more than three deliveries.

Conclusions

Multiparous women who purchase several prescription drugs should be given personalized counseling to prevent GDM.