Institute of Entomology

The mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase is a reversible nanomachine that normally produces ATP via oxidative phosphorylation but under stress conditions it can reverse to maintain the mitochondrial membrane potential at the expense of ATP, a process regulated by the conserved inhibitory factor 1 (IF1). We show that ATP synthase reversal also occurs during in vitro-induced differentiation of the unicellular parasite Trypanosoma brucei, partially mirroring events in the tsetse fly. Differentiation of insect forms is marked by increased expression of alternative oxidase and reduced levels of trypanosomal IF1 (TbIF1), changes that may promote ATP synthase reversal. Parasites lacking TbIF1 efficiently progressed to the mammalian-infective form, coinciding with increased ATP synthase reversal, a higher ADP/ATP ratio, elevated phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), enhanced proline-supported respiration, and increased mitochondrial and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast, inducible TbIF1 overexpression diminished these hallmarks and locked parasites in the initial insect stage. Our findings reveal that TbIF1 downregulation enables life cycle progression and underscore a regulatory role for the ATP synthase-IF1 axis.

The identity of Melolontha pexa Zubkov, 1833 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Rhizotrogini) is clarified by the designation of a neotype. Melolontha pexa is transferred to the genus Holochelus Reitter, 1889 as Holochelus (Eriotrogus) pexus (Zubkov, 1833), new combination and proposed a senior subjective synonym of H. (Eriotrogus) aschhabadensis (Nonveiller, 1965) and H. (Holochelus) heptapotamicus Nikolajev, 2009. Although M. pexa Zubkov, 1833 is a primary junior homonym of Melolontha pexa Germar, 1823, its validity must be preserved according to the Article 23.9.5 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (1999) and the case must be brought to the commission for a ruling. The type species of the genus Adoretops Kraatz, 1883 is designated as Demodema bonariensis Bruch, 1909, which was misidentified as Melolontha pexa Zubkov, 1833 in the original designation. This results in Adoretops becoming a new subjective junior synonym of Plectris LePeletier & Audinet-Serville, 1828 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Macrodactylini). The history of the beetle material collected by G.S. Karelin between 1827 and 1836 in the vicinity of the Caspian Sea is summarized and the collaboration of Karelin and Zubkov is discussed.

ABSTRACTDNA extraction with an alkaline buffer system called ‘HotSHOT’ is widely used for barcoding because it is rapid, inexpensive, and voucher preserving, but it remains unclear whether sufficient genomic DNA (gDNA) remains in small vouchers for downstream use in genomics. We here evaluate gDNA quality and quantity before and after HotSHOT treatment of 11 insect families representing six orders. Some specimens were flash frozen immediately after collection, while others were kept for 1 week at tropical temperatures in ethanol to mimic Malaise trap conditions. Encouragingly, we show that gDNA of sufficiently high quality and quantity for genomic sequencing remained in specimens treated with HotSHOT. We also show that DNA integrity was strongly influenced by field storage, with specimens exposed to Malaise trap conditions showing such pronounced degradation that the standard HotSHOT treatment no longer significantly altered DNA quality. For control material, HotSHOT treatments involving longer exposure to high temperature led to smaller fragment lengths, with the effect apparently being influenced by the degree of specimen sclerotization. Our results thus suggest that optimised HotSHOT treatments, together with carefully controlled pre‐extraction storage, preserve voucher gDNA of sufficient quality for downstream genomic analyses with both short‐read and possibly even some long‐read sequencing technologies. We provide protocol selection guidelines that improve voucher gDNA preservation in HotSHOT‐treated samples. This is particularly important for many species which are only known from one or few specimens discovered during barcoding projects.

ImportanceSeptoplasty, turbinoplasty, and septorhinoplasty are common and generally-safe procedures. However, their effects on the olfactory system, despite its anatomical proximity, are not well documented. Given the importance of olfaction for quality of life, evaluating the olfactory impact of these surgeries is warranted.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the olfactory sequelae of nasal surgeries.DesignSystematic review with meta-analysisSetting and ParticipantsA search equation used in PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase identified 7780 articles published since 1990, evaluating the adverse events of nasal surgeries.ExposureThe studies included evaluated adult patients exposed to one of the following nasal surgeries: septoplasty, septorhinoplasty, and/or inferior turbinoplasty.Main outcome measuresOlfactory assessment results and number of patients presenting with preoperative or postoperative hyposmia were extracted, as well as the number of patients presenting with surgery-induced hyposmia.A meta-analysis was conducted to compare different surgical subgroups.ResultsOne hundred and two studies were ultimately included in the analysis, centralizing data from 16,072 patients. Surgery-induced hyposmia was identified in 2.7% of cases, regardless of the surgical intervention performed. Overall, nasal surgeries led to a postoperative improvement in hyposmia scores [3.73 (±1.58) vs 2.39 (±1.45), P < .001] and a reduction in the number of patients with hyposmia [22.2% (945/4254) vs 14.5% (380/2620), P < .001]. The meta-analysis revealed no significant difference between the surgical subgroups.Conclusion and RelevanceThe present systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that nasal surgery may impair olfaction in a non-negligible number of cases and highlight the need for objective and systematic olfactory assessment in nasal surgery studies.

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Cupido alcetas (Provençal Short-tailed Blue; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Lycaenidae). The assembly contains two haplotypes with total lengths of 493.02 megabases and 410.99 megabases. Most of haplotype 1 (99.32%) is scaffolded into 26 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the W, Z 1, and Z 2 sex chromosomes. Haplotype 2 was assembled to scaffold level. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled, with a length of 15.31 kilobases. This work is part of Project Psyche, a collaborative programme generating genomes for European butterflies and moths.

We present a genome assembly from a female specimen of Pyrgus carlinae (Carline Skipper; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Hesperiidae). The assembly contains two haplotypes with total lengths of 808.07 megabases and 554.08 megabases. Most of haplotype 1 (99.18%) is scaffolded into 25 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the W and Z sex chromosomes. Haplotype 2 was assembled to scaffold level. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled, with a length of 15.43 kilobases. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 14 216 protein-coding genes. This work is part of Project Psyche, a collaborative programme generating genomes for European butterflies and moths.

Abstract Endemic species exemplify both the exceptional evolutionary value and extraordinary vulnerability of tropical island biodiversity. Conservationists often face the difficult task of balancing ecosystem stability with species-level protection. To reconcile these objectives of biodiversity management, it is essential to understand how endemic species contribute to ecosystem functioning. In this study, we assessed the taxonomic and functional diversity of birds along an elevational gradient on New Britain, the largest island of the Bismarck archipelago, and the role of endemic species in its rainforest ecosystems. We combined field surveys with abundance-weighed trait data to assess avian functional distinctiveness from the large neighbouring landmass of New Guinea. We found a non-linear decrease of bird diversity with elevation, measured by Shannon index. The proportion of endemic species increased with elevation, from 42 to 55% of total species richness. Compared to mainland New Guinea, New Britain assemblages shifted from invertebrate prey to other food sources, such as nectar or fruits. This shift was more prevalent in higher elevations than in the lowlands, and was facilitated equally by endemic and non-endemic species. Most omnivores and nectarivores were endemic, but frugivores and insectivores were more represented among non-endemics. Endemic birds dominated in the provision of pollination, but often adopted more generalist foraging strategies due to seasonal availability of fruits and nectar. In contrast, seed dispersal and insect control were more represented by non-endemics. Functional distinctiveness of New Britain birds may facilitate a different response to human-induced land use change compared to the New Guinean mainland. As only some ecosystem services are chiefly dependent on endemic species, conservation strategies should focus on preserving avian diversity regardless of endemic status.

The resurgence of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a natural cyclical phenomenon with an inter-epidemic period of 10-15 years. It might be due to the persistence of a silent parasite pool amongst post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and asymptomatic leishmanial infection (ALI). The present study targeted to find out the obstacles for unearthing and proper management of the hidden parasite pool for prevention of the resurgence of VL in erstwhile endemic districts of West Bengal, India. Two strategies were employed to identify the latent parasite reservoirs: follow-up of individuals having a previous history of VL and/or PKDL and limited mass sero-surveillance within a 500-m radius of recently treated VL and PKDL. Diagnosed PKDL and VL cases were treated and ALI were followed up. A total of 95 new PKDL and 70 relapse PKDL were diagnosed during the entire study period; those remained undiagnosed in spite of ongoing case searching methods recommended by the national VL elimination programme. 'Relapse PKDL'-a new challenge for VL elimination has been identified. The incidence of PKDL declined steadily during successive study years. Limited mass survey revealed 17 VL, 2 PKDL and 124 ALI. Most of the ALI sero-reverted during the follow up period and 2 of them converted to disease VL. The present work revealed three major obstacles. First, identification of the occult parasite pool may be resolved by applying the searching methods used in this study. Second, case confirmation of 'relapse PKDL' may be achieved by examining slit skin samples at the local level by existing staff with proper training. Alternative short duration treatment strategy for the treatment of new and relapse PKDL is needed. Third, considering the long inter-epidemic period and observed declining trend of incident PKDL, such surveillance should be continued for 10-15 years for the prolonged post-elimination phase and finally to achieve eradication.