A5020416154- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Plant and animal studies
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Forensic and Genetic Research
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Entomological Studies and Ecology
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution
Stellenbosch University
2015-2024
University of York
2022
Centro Médico ABC
2018
Universidade do Porto
2005-2016
IPO Porto
2005-2015
The quest for a universal and efficient method of identifying species has been longstanding challenge in biology. Here, we show that accurate identification all domains life can be accomplished by multiplex analysis variable-length sequences containing multiple insertion/deletion variants. new method, called SPInDel, is able to discriminate 93.3% eukaryotic from 18 taxonomic groups. We also demonstrate the prokaryotic viral with numeric profiles fragment lengths generally straightforward. A...
Dogs were present in pre-Columbian America, presumably brought by early human migrants from Asia. Studies of free-ranging village/street dogs have indicated almost total replacement these original European dogs, but the extent to which Arctic, North and South American breeds are descendants population remains be assessed. Using a comprehensive phylogeographic analysis, we traced origin mitochondrial DNA lineages for Inuit, Eskimo Greenland Alaskan Malamute, Chihuahua, xoloitzcuintli perro...
Abstract Huanglongbing (HLB) is a serious disease of Citrus sp. worldwide. In Africa and the Mascarene Islands, similar known as African citrus greening (ACG) associated with bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter africanus (Laf). recent years, asiaticus (Las) severe HLB has been reported in Ethiopia. Thus, we aimed to identify species affecting citrus, vectors Eastern their ecological distribution. We assessed presence generic symptomatic leaf samples by quantitative PCR. Subsequently, sequenced...
The pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is one of the greatest threats to coniferous forests worldwide, causing severe ecological damage and economic loss. biology B. xylophilus similar that its closest relative, mucronatus, as both species share food resources insect vectors, have very morphological characteristics, although little pathogenicity conifers has been associated with mucronatus. Using nuclear mitochondrial DNA markers, we show mucronatus form distinct phylogenetic...
A novel method is presented here as an analytical tool for food control and authentication of dairy products manufactured from the milk cow, sheep, goat, buffalo. The based on multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) species-specific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) targets followed by fragment size analysis capillary electrophoresis. includes (a) simultaneous detection four species, (b) internal extraction PCR, (c) mtDNA a target (d) amplicons <200 bp, (e) flexibility in electrophoresis method....
Abstract Aim To quantify current and predict future distribution of the citrus greening pathogens “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus ” (Las) in Africa africanus (Laf) globally. Location Africa. Methods Three species models (MaxEnt, BIOCLIM Boosted Regression Trees) were used to potential Las Africa, global Laf, using long‐term bioclimatic variables. Two climate change scenarios (moderate extreme) employed determine how alterations may affect Presence data from reports Las, as well new...
Abstract Goat is believed to be the first true livestock domesticated and, apart from its historical importance, keeps playing an essential economic role in very diverse human societies. We have analysed female gene pool of all Portuguese autochthonous breeds (Bravia, Serrana, Charnequeira, Serpentina and Algarvia) through mtDNA HVI sequencing 288 unrelated animals sampled throughout country. All proved extremely (average haplotype diversity 0.977), contrast with peripheral geographic...
Abstract A single multiplex PCR assay capable of simultaneously amplifying nine canine‐specific autosomal STR markers (FH3210, FH3241, FH2004, FH2658, FH4012, REN214L11, FH2010, FH2361 and the newly described C38) was developed for individual identification parentage testing in domestic dogs. In order to increase genotyping efficiency, amplicon sizes were optimized a 90–350 bp range, with fluorescently labelled primers use Applied Biosystems, Inc., platforms. The performance this new system...
Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, also known as the Asian citrus psyllid, is a pest of for its transmission Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Ca. L. asiaticus), causal bacterium Huanglongbing. The African triozid Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) has been putative vector africanus africanus) which causes greening disease, until recent detection D. on continent. Following reports in Kenya and Tanzania, we surveyed plants to establish presence/absence Ethiopia citrus-growing...
The deleterious effect of a mutation can be reverted by second-site interacting residue. This is an epistatic compensatory process explaining why mutations that are in some species tolerated phylogenetically related lineages, rendering evident those are, all means, only the species-specific context. Although extensive and refined theoretical framework on evolution does exist, supporting evidence remains limited, especially for protein models. In this current study, we focused molecular...
The phylogeography of wild boars (WB) and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) has contributed important insights into where when domestication occurred. geographic distribution two core haplotypes (E1a E1c) the main European phylogenetic clade suggests that Central Europe was an early centre, although complexity pattern does not exclude possibility multiple events occurred in different regions. To investigate relationships among WB pig breeds Iberia, a fragment mitochondrial DNA control region from...
This study reports the methodology used to search, select and characterize STR loci on canine X chromosome using publicly available genome resources following current guidelines for human non-human forensic testing. After several rounds of selection, 12 X-STR markers were optimized simultaneous co-amplification in a single PCR, genetic profiles determined sample 103 unrelated dogs. Mendelian inheritance was verified mutation rates assessed family groups. Alleles that varied size sequenced...
Abstract Background The picture of dog mtDNA diversity, as obtained from geographically wide samplings but a small number individuals per region or breed, has revealed weak geographic correlation and high degree haplotype sharing between very distant breeds. We aimed at more detailed through extensive sampling (n = 143) four Portuguese autochthonous breeds – Castro Laboreiro Dog, Serra da Estrela Mountain Sheepdog Azores Cattle Dog-and comparatively reanalysing published worldwide data....
The olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi, 1790) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is the most important pest of trees globally, causing losses that, in absence control measures, can exceed 90% crop.In Mediterranean basin, where overwhelming majority production concentrated (~ 98%), organophosphate insecticides (OPs) have been main tool for B. last four decades, leading to development resistance these compounds.Mutations Ace gene, which codes acetylcholinesterase, target enzyme OPs and other...
Wild and cultivated olives harbor share a diversity of insects, some which are considered agricultural pests, such as the olive fruit fly. The assemblage olive-associated parasitoids seed wasps is rich specialized in sub-Saharan Africa, with native species possibly coevolving their hosts. Although historical entomological surveys reported on wasp Western Cape Province South no comprehensive study has been performed region molecular era. In this study, dual approach combining morphological...
Madagascar was one of the last major land masses to be inhabited by humans. It initially colonized Austronesian speaking Indonesians 1500-2000 years ago, but subsequent migration from Africa has resulted in approximately equal genetic contributions Indonesia and Africa, material culture mainly African influences. The dog, along with pig chicken, part Neolithic culture, furthermore only domestic animal accompany humans every continent ancient times. To illuminate Madagascan cultural origins...