Beneficial Designs (United States)

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) has devastated insectivorous bat populations, particularly in North America, leading to severe ecological and economic consequences. Despite extensive research, many aspects of the evolutionary history, mitochondrial genome organization, and metabolic adaptations of its etiological agent, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, remain unexplored. Here, we present a multi-scale genomic analysis integrating pangenome reconstruction, phylogenetic inference, Bayesian divergence dating, comparative mitochondrial genomics, and refined functional annotation. Our divergence dating analysis reveals that P. destructans separated from its Antarctic relatives approximately 141 million years ago, before adapting to bat hibernacula in the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, our refined functional annotation significantly expands the known functional landscape of P. destructans, revealing an extensive repertoire of previously uncharacterized proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism and secondary metabolite biosynthesis—key processes that likely contribute to its pathogenic success. By providing new insights into the genomic basis of P. destructans adaptation and pathogenicity, our study refines the evolutionary framework of this fungal pathogen and creates the foundation for future research on WNS mitigation strategies.

We have previously shown a difference between the gut microbiota composition of stunted and non-stunted children in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The current study aimed to perform an intervention with a probiotic, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IS-10506, and its UHT-treated postbiotic compared to placebo in order to accomplish catch-up growth in the stunted children, possibly through modulation of the gut microbiota. Apart from the maltodextrin (placebo), probiotic, and postbiotic in chocolate milk, all groups also received a functional and nutritional biscuit and had access to newly constructed water wells as well as soap to improve hygiene. The results show that independent of treatment, the stunted children had a significantly higher increase in height and zlen (corrected for age) compared with their age- and gender-matched controls but a significantly lower increase in weight. Several potential pathogenic taxa declined in all groups, among which was Escherichia/Shigella (adjusted.p = 6.44 × 10-15), but so did some beneficial taxa, such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia. Faecalibacterium, which was already higher in the stunted children at baseline, increased independent of treatment. Changes in the relative abundance of several taxa of the microbiota correlated with the changes in anthropometric measures. In conclusion, although there was no difference between the interventions, understanding the dynamics and the role of the gut microbiota in this process might allow healthcare providers to develop targeted nutritional strategies aimed at optimizing health outcomes for children at risk of stunting, thereby addressing a critical global health issue.

Bats serve as key ecological reservoirs of diverse microbial communities, including emerging viruses and antibiotic resistance genes. This study investigates the intestinal microbiota of two insectivorous bat species, Nyctalus noctula and Vespertilio murinus, at the Rostov Bat Rehabilitation Center in Southern Russia using whole metagenome shotgun sequencing. We analyzed taxonomic composition, functional pathways, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors. Densoviruses, especially those closely related to Parus major densovirus, were the most dominant viral sequences identified. Metagenome-assembled densovirus genomes showed high sequence similarity with structural variations and clustered phylogenomically with viruses from mealworms and birds, reflecting both dietary origins and the potential for vertebrate infection. Functional profiling revealed microbial pathways associated with cell wall biosynthesis, energy metabolism, and biofilm formation. A total of 510 antibiotic resistance genes, representing 142 unique types, mainly efflux pumps and β-lactamases, were identified. Additionally, 870 virulence factor genes were detected, with a conserved set of iron acquisition systems and stress response regulators across all samples. These findings highlight the ecological complexity of bat-associated microbiota and viromes and suggest that synanthropic bats may contribute to the circulation of insect-associated viruses and antimicrobial resistance in urban settings.

The genera Anastatus and Mesocomys (both Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) are important solitary egg endoparasitoids as biological control agents for lepidopterous and hemipterous pests worldwide. Here, we comparatively evaluated the demographic parameters of four important eupelmid egg parasitoids (Anastatus fulloi, A. japonicus, Mesocomys albitarsis and M. trabalae) reared on the factitious host eggs of the Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi, using age-stage two-sex life tables, their population projections as well as egg maturation patterns. Both the age-specific net reproductive rate (lx mx ) and reproductive value (vxj ) increased initially and then gradually decreased with increasing age in all four parasitoid species. Overall, the two Mesocomys species had higher survival rates at stable age-stage distribution, peak reproductive values, and intrinsic rates of increase than the two Anastatus species. Mesocomys albitarsis had the longest longevity while A. japonicus had the longest oviposition days and mean generation time. The two Mesocomys species are thus projected to have faster population increase than the two Anastatus species. Adult females of all four parasitoid species emerged with only a few mature eggs (< 6 eggs) and most of their eggs were matured post-emergence (i.e., strict synovigeny). The estimated 90% of lifetime complement of reproduction (offspring) and realized days were 374 and 32 for A. japonicus, 337 and 22 for M. trabalae, 330 and 19 for M. albitarsis and 147 and 28 for A. fulloi. Our results indicated that the two Mesocomys species have higher control capacity than the two Anastatus species. Provision of adult food for these strictly synovigenic parasitoids would be essential to prolong their lifespan and continuously produce eggs for parasitizing their hosts for mass rearing or augmentative biological control programs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

O ritmo acelerado no qual a tecnologia vem se desenvolvendo abre novas possibilidades dentro das mais distintas áreas de estudo, permitindo a criação de sistemas mais eficientes, tanto nos aspectos científicos quanto industriais. Em paralelo, fatores como o aumento dos índices populacionais elevam as demandas por alimentos e suprimentos ao mesmo tempo que discussões ambientais vêm ganhando cada vez mais força, pressionando para o desenvolvimento de processos que tornem a produção mais sustentável, que conservem o solo e que aumentem os teores de matéria orgânica. Dentro deste escopo a aveia-preta (Avena strigosa) ganha destaque pois, além de seu potencial forrageiro para diversas espécies animais, pode ser utilizada como planta de cobertura, em sistemas de rotação de culturas e sistemas de plantio direto. No entanto, poucos estudos tem atrelado novas tecnologias à aveia-preta, fator que poderia contribuir para aprimorar seus sistemas de cultivo. Em se tratando de novas tecnologias, o imageamento aéreo aparece como uma ferramenta útil, eficiente e muito promissora, capaz de oferecer, através de técnicas computacionais, uma profunda e precisa avaliação das lavouras através de índices vegetativos ou modelos digitais de superfície que podem ser correlacionados, entre outros, com a biomassa e o status de nitrogênio. Ademais, o uso de ferramentas de sensoriamento remoto e técnicas computacionais para estudar o desenvolvimento da aveia-preta poderá contribuir para o aprimoramento dos sistemas de cultivo, bem como fornecer subsídios para aplicação de tecnologias em outras culturas também pouco estudadas. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho apresentou uma metodologia para determinação de altura de plantas e cálculo de índices vegetativos através de sensoriamento remoto e técnicas computacionais, sendo estes aplicados na correlação com biomassa e status de nitrogênio da aveia-preta. Propõe-se o estudo do desenvolvimento da aveia-preta irrigada por efluente tratado de abatedouro por meio de imagens aéreas adquiridas a partir de uma aeronave remotamente pilotada (ARP) para estimativa de biomassa através de modelos digitais de superfície (MDS) e status de nitrogênio a partir de índices vegetativos no espectro do visível (IVVIS). A partir das alturas obtidas por modelos digitais de superfície (HMDS) foi possível determinar modelos de estimativa da altura real da planta, ou altura de referência (HREF). O modelo de regressão entre HMDS e HREF apresentou um valor de R2 de 0,87, demonstrando que os resultados obtidos por imagens se aproximam dos valores reais em campo e podem ser utilizados para determinação de outros fatores, como a biomassa. Os modelos para estimativa de biomassa para a aveia-preta foram desenvolvidos e apresentaram valores de R2 de 0,87 e 0,75 para os anos de 2020 e 2021, respectivamente. Em relação à estimativa de nitrogênio, foi possível obter modelos com valores de R2 de 0,85 e 0,60. Os resultados demonstram que os modelos foram adequados para estimar os valores de biomassa e nitrogênio na cultura da aveia-preta.

Invasive species threaten the productivity and stability of natural and managed ecosystems. Predicting the spread of invaders, which can aid in early mitigation efforts, is a major challenge, especially in the face of climate change. While ecological niche models are effective tools to assess habitat suitability for invaders, such models have rarely been created for invasive pest species with rapidly expanding ranges. Here, we leveraged a national monitoring effort from 543 sites over 3 years to assess factors mediating the occurrence and abundance of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB, Halyomorpha halys), an invasive insect pest that has readily established throughout much of the United States. We used maximum entropy models to estimate the suitable habitat of BMSB under several climate scenarios, and generalized boosted models to assess environmental factors that regulated BMSB abundance. Our models captured BMSB distribution and abundance with high accuracy, and predicted a 70% increase in suitable habitat under future climate scenarios. However, environmental factors that mediated the geographical distribution of BMSB were different from those driving abundance. While BMSB occurrence was most affected by winter precipitation and proximity to populated areas, BMSB abundance was influenced most strongly by evapotranspiration and solar photoperiod. Our results suggest that linking models of establishment (occurrence) and population dynamics (abundance) offers a more effective way to forecast the spread and impact of BMSB and other invasive species than simply occurrence-based models, allowing for targeted mitigation efforts. Implications of distribution shifts under climate change are discussed. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) also known as spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), is a pest native to Southeast Asia. In the last few decades, the pest has expanded its range to affect all major European and American fruit production regions. SWD is a highly adaptive insect that is able to disperse, survive, and flourish under a range of environmental conditions. Infestation by SWD generates both direct and indirect economic impacts through yield losses, shorter shelf life of infested fruit, and increased production costs. Fresh markets, frozen berries, and fruit export programs have been impacted by the pest due to zero tolerance for fruit infestation. As SWD control programs rely heavily on insecticides, exceedance of maximum residue levels (MRLs) has also resulted in crop rejections. The economic impact of SWD has been particularly severe for organic operations, mainly due to the limited availability of effective insecticides. Integrated pest management (IPM) of SWD could significantly reduce chemical inputs but would require substantial changes to horticultural management practices. This review evaluates the most promising methods studied as part of an IPM strategy against SWD across the world. For each of the considered techniques, the effectiveness, impact, sustainability, and stage of development are discussed.

Introduction: Cardamom, also known as Elettaria cardamomum, a venerated perennial herb like the "Queen of Spices" belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. She holds various pharmacological activities due to its phytochemicals it contains such as; phenols, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, sterols. Methods: The study included the determination of the chemical composition of Elettaria cardamomum ethanolic extract (EEC) by HPLC/UV and evaluated their antimicrobial potential against ten pathogenic reference strains using two complementary techniques: the method of diffusion from solid discs and the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Results: The results obtained from chemical identification of the EEC showed the presence of polyphenolic acids (rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, etc.) and many flavonoids (kaempferol, chrysin, galangin, pinocembrine, quercetin, etc.). The results of the antimicrobial effect showed that the extract reacted positively on almost all the microbial strains tested. The EEC extract significantly inhibited the growth of microbial strains, with a broader antimicrobial spectrum with extensive action with inhibitory zones between 8 and 33 mm in diameter. Thus, this extract revealed a dose-dependent antimicrobial activity on these microbial strains used. However, the inhibitory potential of the cardamom extract was variable compared to their MIC ranging from 6.25 to 12.5 mg of dry extract/mL. Therefore, the strains least susceptible to EEC are Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Conclusion: This activity is due to the phenolic compounds produced by the EEC extract. This extract can be used for the development of plant medicines against microbial infections and fungal infestations.

Cerambycid and buprestid woodborers are important invasive forest pests. Parasitoids play a unique role in reducing woodborer populations because of their specific adaptations regarding host concealment. We reviewed parasitoid guilds of cerambycid and buprestid woodborers to characterize their life-history traits and macroecological patterns of host use. The parasitoid guilds shift from more specialist endoparasitoids to more generalist ectoparasitoids following the hosts’ ontogeny and the increased concealment of host feeding niche. Larval ectoparasitoids dominate the guilds, and many of them locate hosts through substrate vibration from living hosts, rendering attacked (paralyzed) hosts undetectable by other parasitoids and consequently leading to a rarity of multiparasitism. These characteristics promote novel associations between exotic woodborers and extant larval parasitoids, leading to coexistence and synergistic regulation of host populations by different parasitoids. We provide case studies to propose a framework of optimal use of co-evolved and novel associations for complementary suppression of invasive woodborer populations. We also discuss potential non-target impacts for the use of generalist parasitoids in biological control of invasive cerambycid and buprestid woodborers.