A5021096538- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Study of Mite Species
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Higher Education Governance and Development
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
Texas A&M University
2016-2025
Mitchell Institute
2019-2024
Texas College
2024
Texas A&M University System
2024
Tohoku University
2021
Tokyo Metropolitan University
2021
Suzuki (Japan)
2021
The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery
2021
Hudson Institute
2021
North Carolina State University
2008-2017
Although eusociality evolved independently within several orders of insects, research into the molecular underpinnings transition towards social complexity has been confined primarily to Hymenoptera (for example, ants and bees). Here we sequence genome stage-specific transcriptomes dampwood termite Zootermopsis nevadensis (Blattodea) compare them with similar data for eusocial Hymenoptera, better identify commonalities differences in achieving this significant transition. We show an...
Abstract The bed bug, Cimex lectularius , has re-established itself as a ubiquitous human ectoparasite throughout much of the world during past two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce in addition widespread insecticide resistance. Analyses C. sequenced genome (650 Mb) 14,220 predicted protein-coding genes provide comprehensive representation that are traumatic insemination, reduced chemosensory repertoire related obligate...
The higher classification of termites requires substantial revision as the Neoisoptera, most diverse termite lineage, comprise many paraphyletic and polyphyletic taxa. Here, we produce an updated using genomic-scale analyses. We reconstruct phylogenies under substitution models with ultraconserved elements analyzed concatenated matrices or within multi-species coalescence framework. Our is further supported by analyses controlling for rogue loci taxa, topological tests. show that Neoisoptera...
In eusocial species, the size of superorganism is summed sizes its component individuals. Bergmann's rule, cline decreasing with latitude, applies to colony in ants. Using data from literature and our own collections, we show that tropical ant species are about one-tenth average temperate species. This pattern holds when or genera sample units. Further, this trend shown 17 19 five six subfamilies. rule may arise if seasonal famine favors larger organisms, given their increased energy...
The hallmark of social insects is their caste system: reproduction primarily monopolized by queens, whereas workers specialize in the other tasks required for colony growth and survival. Pheromones produced reining queens have long been believed to be prime factor inhibiting differentiation new reproductive individuals. However, there has very little progress chemical identification such inhibitory pheromones. Here we report a volatile pheromone female neotenics (secondary queens) that acts...
The evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction may involve important tradeoffs because asexual can double an individual's contribution to the gene pool but reduces diversity. Moreover, in social insects genetic diversity among workers be for colony growth survival. We identified a previously unknown termite breeding system which both parthenogenesis are conditionally used. Queens produce their replacements asexually use normal other members. These findings show how eusociality lead...
Abstract Native to eastern Asia, the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki) is recognized as one of 100 worst invasive pests in world, with established populations Japan, Hawaii and southeastern United States. Despite its importance, native source(s) C. introductions their pathway out Asia remain elusive. Using ~22,000 SNPs, we retraced invasion history this species through approximate Bayesian computation assessed consequences on genetic patterns demography. We show...
The origin of the German cockroach,
Abstract Effects of a recent founder event on genetic diversity in wild populations the fire ant Solenopsis invicta were studied, with particular attention given to sex-determining system. Diploid males are far more common relative haploid introduced than native ants, and queens that produce diploid account for significantly larger proportion mated populations. Differences between attributes mating systems (i.e., queen frequency or level inbreeding) can be excluded as factors contributing...
The inadvertent introduction of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta to United States from South America provides opportunity study recent social evolution by comparing organization in native and introduced populations. We report that several important elements multiple-queen nests differ consistently dramatically between ants Argentina States. Colonies contain relatively few queens they are close relatives, whereas colonies high numbers unrelated queens. A corollary these differences is workers...
We describe genetic structure at various scales in native populations of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta using two classes nuclear markers, allozymes and microsatellites, markers mitochondrial genome. Strong was found nest level both monogyne (single queen) polygyne (multiple social forms allozymes. Weak but significant microgeographic detected above not markers. Pronounced DNA (mtDNA) differentiation evident also this form only. These patterns are expected because polygyny ants is...
Two introduced fire ants, Solenopsis invicta and S. richteri, their hybrid were studied using phenotypic markers from gas chromatographic analysis of hydrocarbons venom alkaloids, as well genetic enzyme electrophoresis. Both methods show that extensive gene introgression is occurring over a distance at least 120 km the contact zone between two forms in eastern Mississippi. Genetic analyses suggest population does not depart dramatically panmixia. Also, recombinant genotypes predominate zone,...
Recent research has shown that low genetic variation in individuals can increase susceptibility to infection and group living may exacerbate pathogen transmission. In the eusocial diploid termites, cycles of outbreeding inbreeding characterizing basal species reduce within nestmates during life a colony, but relationship heterogeneity disease resistance is poorly understood. Here we show that, one generation differentially affects survivorship isolated grouped termites ( Zootermopsis...
Abstract Genetic differentiation may exist among sympatric populations of a species due to long‐term associations with alternative hosts (i.e. host‐associated differentiation). While has been documented in several phytophagus insects, there are far fewer cases known animal parasites. The bed bug, Cimex lectularius , wingless insect, represents potential model organism for elucidating the processes involved parasites relatively limited mobility. In conjunction expansion modern humans from...
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) are a resurgent pest worldwide and infestations within the United States increasing at rapid rate. Because of physical psychological discomfort inflicted by their blood feeding habits, allergies secondary infections associated with bites, bed recognized as significant public health problem. Although bug spreading becoming more prevalent, we have poor understanding dispersal patterns sources infestation. To help fill this gap, conducted genetic study 21 from...
The bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), has experienced an extraordinary global resurgence in recent years, the reasons for which remain poorly understood. Once considered a pest of lower socioeconomic classes, bugs are now found extensively across all residential settings, with widespread infestations established multiapartment buildings. Within such buildings, understanding population genetic structure and patterns dispersal may prove critical to development effective...
Significance Understanding the mechanisms that social insects use to communicate their individual status within colony is vital understanding evolution of sociality. This study accomplishes this goal by identifying a royal-recognition pheromone in termites, as well king pheromone. Our behavioral assay defines royal-specific responses for one species which will foster future studies termite behavior. also dates cuticular hydrocarbons royal pheromones rise termites ∼150 million years ago,...
Coptotermes Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is one of the most economically important subterranean termite genera and some species are successful invaders. However, despite its pest status, taxonomic validity many named remains unclear. In this study, we reviewed all within genus investigated evidence supporting each species. Species were systematically scrutinized according to region their original description: Southeast Asia, India, China, Africa, Neotropics, Australia. We estimate...
Wolbachia are cytoplasmically inherited bacteria that induce a variety of effects with fitness consequences on host arthropods, including cytoplasmic incompatibility, parthenogenesis, male-killing and feminization. We report here the presence in native South American populations fire ant Solenopsis invicta, but apparent absence introduced this pest species USA. The strains S. invicta two divergent types (A B), frequency infection varies dramatically between geographical regions social forms...
Temporal and spatial analyses are seldom utilized in the study of colony genetic structure, but they potentially powerful methods which can yield novel insights into mechanisms underlying variation breeding systems. Here we present results a incorporated both these dimensions an examination structure subterranean termites genus Reticulitermes (primarily R. flavipes). Most colonies this species (70%) were simple families apparently headed by outbred primary reproductives, while most remaining...
Termites (Isoptera) comprise a large and important group of eusocial insects, yet, in contrast to the Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps), breeding systems termites remain poorly understood. In this study, I inferred system subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes based on colony population genetic structure as determined from microsatellite mitochondrial DNA markers. were sampled natural wood debris three undisturbed, forested sites central North Carolina. each site, two transects separated...
The haplodiploid sex-determination system of ants gives rise to conflict between queens and workers over colony sex ratios, the female-biased allocation ratios seen in many species suggest that often prevail this conflict. We exchanged male- female-specialist colonies fire ant Solenopsis invicta. These exchanges quickly reversed sex-ratio biases adopting colonies. ratio queen-laid eggs differed strongly findings can force raise male sexuals by limiting number female brood help explain why...