Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Phlebotomus papatasi is a proven vector of Leishmania major which is one of the causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World. Although it has a wide geographical range, its population structure is not yet well understood. In an effort to better understand the population dynamics of this vector, we developed a panel of di‐ and trinucleotide microsatellite markers, using a magnetic bead hybridization enrichment protocol. These microsatellite loci showed three to seven alleles with an expected heterozygosity range between 0.702 and 0.876. The level of polymorphisms found in this study suggests that these microsatellite loci can be used for population analysis of P. papatasi.     

Molecular systematics and phylogeny of the ‘Marbled Whites' (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae,Satyrinae, Melanargia Meigen)

Abstract. We investigated genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships amongst all known species of Palaearctic butterflies of the genus Melanargia using sequence information from three genes [mitochondrial cox1 barcode region (658 bp), ribosomal 16S rRNA (c. 518 bp), and nuclear wg (404 bp)]. Results show a lack of DNA divergence among several poorly characterized taxa, as well as deep divergences within and between others. We corroborated the molecular information with morphological and genitalic characters as well as with geographic data. We revise the taxonomy of Melanargia, and propose a new systematic scheme for the group. We revive some previous synonymies (M. lucasi meadwaldoi stat. rev. , M. ines fathme stat. rev. , M. ines jahandiezi stat. rev. , M. meridionalis tapaishanensis stat. rev. ), revise the status of some subspecies into species (M. transcaspica stat. nov. , M. lucida stat. nov. , M. wiskotti stat. nov. ) and of several species into subspecies of other taxa (M. evartianae sadjadii stat. nov. , M. larissa hylata stat. nov. , M. larissa grumi stat. nov. , M. larissa syriaca stat. nov. , M. larissa titea stat. nov. , M. lugens montana stat. nov. , M. epimede ganymedes stat. nov. ), revise the status of subspecies and transfer them to other species (M. larissa lorestanensis stat. nov. , M. larissa iranica stat. nov. , M. larissa karabagi stat. rev. , M. larissa kocaki stat. nov. , M. transcaspica eberti stat. nov. ), and propose new synonymies (M. larissa titea = M. titea standfussi syn. nov. = M. titea titania syn. nov. , M. leda leda = M. leda yunnana syn. nov. , M. lugens lugens = M. lugens ahyoui syn. nov. , M. lugens hengshanensis = M. lugens hoenei syn. nov. , M. halimede halimede = M. halimede gratiani syn. nov. , M. asiatica asiatica = M. asiatica dejeani syn. nov. , = M. asiatica elisa syn. nov. , = M. asiatica sigberti syn. nov. ).     

Habitat variation,mutualism and predation shape the spatio‐temporal dynamics of tansy aphids

1. Spatially distributed resources can lead to the formation of metapopulations, where individual subpopulations are often small and can experience frequent local extinction events followed by recolonisation. An example of terrestrial metapopulations are specialised phytophagous insects on their patchily distributed host plants. 2. The present study investigated the population dynamics of a specialised aphid (Metopeurum fuscoviride) on its patchily distributed host plant (Tanacetum vulgare) and associated community of mutualistic ants and predators in a small‐scale field site. Furthermore, aphid habitat differences (plant size, C/N ratio, location and surrounding vegetation) were quantified, and seasonal timing and precipitation were considered. 3. Seasonal timing and precipitation both had effects on aphid colonisation, extinction events and aphid colony persistence. Towards the end of the season, and after higher precipitation, aphid colonisation events decreased and extinction events increased. Plant size and location as well as aphid within‐field dispersal determined the spatio‐temporal distribution of aphid colonies. 4. Mutualistic ants (Lasius niger and Myrmica rubra) increased the chance of establishment of aphid colonies. However, when M. rubra was tending, aphid colony persistence was reduced. Aphid persistence and extinction were dependent on aphid abundance, as a higher colony size reduced the probability of extinction by predation. 5. The results emphasise the importance of dispersal limitation, population growth and the presence of mutualists when studying the spatio‐temporal dynamics of tansy aphids, particularly in a small‐scale field site.     

Oral Fertilization in a Mouthbrooding Cichlid Fish

It has been hypothesized that in maternal mouthbrooding cichlids the conspicuous markings on the male's anal fin function as “egg-dummies” by fooling the female into snapping at them, thereby inhaling sperm and assuring fertilization of the eggs in the mouth. I show experimentally in Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor, an East African maternal mouthbrooder, that indeed oral fertilization takes place. Nevertheless, external fertilization plays a significant role, too.     

Mathematical modeling of soil carbon turnover in natural Podocarpus forest and Eucalyptus plantation in Ethiopia using compound specific δ13C analysis

Forest soils exhibit huge potential in storing carbon, but may also release large amounts of it if they undergo major changes in land use and environmental conditions. Biogeochemical processes controlling accumulation and release of soil organic carbon (SOC) are not yet sufficiently understood. We investigate the dynamics of SOC depending on its chemical composition below a natural forest (Podocarpus falcatus dominated) and a plantation (Eucalyptus saligna) growing on Nitisols in southern Ethiopia. Soils at the study‐site show a huge shift to less negative δ¹³C values at a depth of 20–30 cm, indicating a change from C4 savanna to C3 forest during the late Holocene. Total organic carbon (TOC), black carbon (BC), and sugars from microbial (rhamnose, fucose) and plant origin (xylose, arabinose) are subjected to compound‐specific stable isotope analysis. Turnover characteristics are calculated using a numerical advection–diffusion–decomposition model. Our measurements show significant differences in carbon storage (P<0.05) for both sites (Podocarpus 23.5 ± 3.2 kg SOC m^?3; Eucalyptus 18.6 ± 2.7 kg SOC m^?3). These differences can be explained with an initial loss of 15–26% of TOC about 50 years ago, induced by clearing the natural forest. After canopy closure, the carbon input below Eucalyptus is 15–34% less than below natural forest. At present, mean residence times (MRTs) of the investigated compounds do not differ between both stands. Sugars show the shortest MRTs in the topsoil with 2–7 years (xylose) and 5–13 years (arabinose) and have been affected the most by clear‐cutting. TOC and BC show MRTs of 13–25 years and 20–34 years, respectively. Old C4 carbon below 20 cm has merely been affected by the land use change. Contrary to expectation, our study does not indicate a pronounced recalcitrance of BC.     

Host preferences in host‐seeking and blood‐fed mosquitoes in Switzerland

The avian zoonotic agent for West Nile virus (WNV) can cause neuroinvasive disease in horses and humans and is expanding its range in Europe. Analyses of the risk for transmission to these hosts in non‐endemic areas are necessary. Host preferences of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), the main vectors of WNV, were determined in Switzerland using animal‐baited trap (horse, chickens) experiments at a natural and a periurban site. This was undertaken on four occasions during May–September 2014. In addition, the hosts of 505 blood‐fed mosquitoes collected in a zoo and in the field were determined. Mosquito data obtained in the animal bait experiments were corrected for host weight and body surface area and by Kleiber's scaling factor. Collections of 11–14 different mosquito species were achieved with these approaches. Statistically significant host preferences were identified in three species in both approaches. The other species showed opportunistic feeding behaviours to varying extents. Specifically, the invasive species Hulecoeteomyia japonica (= Aedes japonicus) was identified for the first time as feeding on avians in nature. Abundance data, spatiotemporal activity and laboratory vector competence for WNV suggested that, in addition to the main WNV vector Culex pipiens, H. japonica and Aedimorphus vexans (= Aedes vexans) are the most likely candidate bridge vectors for WNV transmission in Switzerland.     

Projected changes in elevational distribution and flight performance of montane Neotropical hummingbirds in response to climate change

The hovering flight of hummingbirds is one of the most energetically demanding forms of animal locomotion and is influenced by both atmospheric oxygen availability and air density. Montane Neotropical hummingbirds are expected to shift altitudinally upwards in response to climate change to track their ancestral climatic regime, which is predicted to influence their flight performance. In this study, we use the climate envelope approach to estimate upward elevational shifts for five Andean hummingbird species under two climate change scenarios. We then use field‐based data on hummingbird flight mechanics to estimate the resulting impact of climate change on aerodynamic performance in hovering flight. Our results show that in addition to significant habitat loss and fragmentation, projected upwards elevational shifts vary between 300 and 700 m, depending on climate change scenario and original mean elevation of the target species. Biomechanical analysis indicates that such upwards elevational shifts would yield a～2–5° increase in wing stroke amplitude with no substantial effect on wingbeat frequency. Overall, the physiological impact of elevational shifts of <1000 m in response to climate change is likely to be small relative to other factors such as habitat loss, changes in floristic composition, and increased interspecific competition.     

Hidden Wolbachia diversity in field populations of the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (Diptera, Tephritidae)

The European cherry fruit fly Rhagoletis cerasi has been a field model for cytoplasmic incompatibility since the mid 1970s. Two Wolbachia strains were detected in this tephritid species and w Cer2 was described as the CI inducing agent dividing European populations into two unidirectional incompatible groups, i.e. southern females produce viable offspring with northern males, whereas the reciprocal cross results in incompatibility. We detected three new Wolbachia strains by sequencing a multitude of plasmids derived from Wolbachia surface protein gene ( wsp ) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Strain-specific primers were developed allowing individual diagnosis without need for cloning. Hybridization of specific PCR products with a wsp oligonucleotide enhanced the detection limit significantly and revealed the presence of low-titre infections in some strains, in different ontogenetic stages and in adults of different age. We then performed a survey of strain prevalence and infection frequency in eight European regions. w Cer1 was fixed in all populations, whereas w Cer2 was detected only in the South. w Cer3 frequency was the lowest without a clear distribution pattern. The abundance of w Cer4 was homogenous across Europe. Like w Cer2, w Cer5 showed significant differences in spatial distribution. Our new findings of previously undetected and recombinant Wolbachia strains in R. cerasi reveal a major caveat to the research community not to overlook hidden Wolbachia diversity in field populations. Low-titres and geographical variability in Wolbachia diversity are expected to influence the outcome of Wolbachia population dynamics and Wolbachia- based insect population control and may create invasion barriers for expanding and artificially introduced Wolbachia strains.