A5029896388- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution
- Plant and animal studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Coleoptera: Cerambycidae studies
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Medical and Biological Ozone Research
Universitat de les Illes Balears
2015-2024
Institut Català d'Ornitologia
2024
Fundació Universitat-Empresa de les Illes Balears
2021
Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies
2015-2016
Short-sequence fragments (‘DNA barcodes’) used widely for plant identification and inventorying remain to be applied complex biological problems. Host–herbivore interactions are fundamental coevolutionary relationships of a large proportion species on the Earth, but their study is frequently hampered by limited or unreliable host records. Here we demonstrate that DNA barcodes can greatly improve this situation as they (i) provide secure (ii) establish authenticity trophic association. Host...
Abstract The Catalan Initiative for the Earth BioGenome Project (CBP) is an EBP-affiliated project network aimed at sequencing genome of >40 000 eukaryotic species estimated to live in Catalan-speaking territories (Catalan Linguistic Area, CLA). These represent a biodiversity hotspot. While covering less than 1% Europe, they are home about one fourth all known European species. include high proportion endemisms, many which threatened. This trend likely get worse as effects global...
The first updated checklist of Balearic leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) since 1960 is presented here, evincing the presence 118 species. This estimation clearly lower than 141 species reported in only list available to date (Jolivet, 1953), and dissimilarity even more pronounced if we take into account that 22 new have been added during this period. possible explanations for these differences are discussed. main island archipelago holds most (Mallorca, 113 spp.), followed by Menorca (71 Eivissa...
Abstract The recent introductions of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa ( Xf ) into Europe are linked to international plant trade. However, both how and when these entries occurred remains poorly understood. Here, we show almond scorch leaf disease, which affects ~79% trees in Majorca (Spain) was previously attributed fungal pathogens, fact triggered by introduction around 1993 subsequently spread grapevines (Pierceʼs disease). We reconstructed progression disease using broad phylogenetic...
1. The diversity of insects in tropical forests remains poorly known, particular regarding the critical feeding associations herbivores, which are thought to drive species richness these ecosystems. 2. Host records remain elusive and traditionally require labour‐intensive trials. A recent approach analyses plant DNA ingested by herbivorous insects; direct PCR amplification from extracts weevils (Curculionoidea) using chloroplast ( trnL intron) primers was successful 41 115 cases, resulting...
Abstract Cave shrimps from the genera Typhlatya , Stygiocaris and Typhlopatsa (Atyidae) are restricted to specialised coastal subterranean habitats or nearby freshwaters have a highly disconnected distribution (Eastern Pacific, Caribbean, Atlantic, Mediterranean, Madagascar, Australia). The combination of wide limited dispersal potential suggests large-scale process has generated this geographic pattern. Tectonic plates that fragment ancestral ranges (vicariance) often been assumed cause...
In October 2018, two Atelerix algirus hedgehogs were admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) with signs of acute neurological disease. Necropsy detected immature, fully developed nematodes subarachnoid space both hedgehogs, including a gravid female worm. DNA-based molecular tools confirmed nematode as Angiostrongylus cantonensis , an important aetiological agent eosinophilic meningitis humans. So far this zoonotic parasite has not been reported...
Gut microbial communities provide essential functions to their hosts and are known influence both ecology evolution. However, our knowledge of these complex associations is still very limited in reptiles. Here we report the 16S rRNA gene faecal microbiota profiles two lizard species endemic Balearic archipelago (Podarcis lilfordi P. pityusensis), encompassing allopatric range distribution through a noninvasive sampling, as an alternative previous studies that implied killing specimens IUCN...
<ns4:p>We present a genome assembly of <ns4:italic>Tethysbaena scabra</ns4:italic> (Arthropoda; Crustacea; Malacostraca; Eumalacostraca; Peracarida; Thermosbaenacea; Monodellidae), species endemic to Mallorca, Spain. The size is 1.18 gigabases that scaffolded into 17 chromosomes plus mitochondrial 16,5 kilobases in length.</ns4:p>
Abstract The invasive yellow‐legged hornet ( Vespa velutina nigrithorax Buysson, 1905) is a social hymenopteran native to Asia and an species in Europe. This poses significant threat local ecosystems economies across Europe due its predation on wide range of insects, mainly honeybees. Despite presence the European continent for nearly 20 years, there limited information about trophic spectrum. study aims unravel qualitative prey spectrum V. within entomofauna using DNA metabarcoding tools....
A comparison of mitochondrial genomes three species the amphipod Pseudoniphargus revealed occurrence a surprisingly high level gene rearrangement involving protein-coding genes that is rare phenomenon at low taxonomic levels. The mitogenomes also display unique arrangement with respect to either presumed Pancrustacean order or those known for other amphipods. Relative long non-coding sequences appear adjacent putative breakage points involved in rearrangements protein coding genes. Other...
The variation in animal coloration patterns has evolved response to different visual strategies for reducing the risk of predation. However, perception by enemies is affected a variety factors, including morphology and habitat. We use diversity Australian chrysomeline leaf beetles explore relationships ecology beetle colour patterns. There impressive pattern within Chrysomelinae, which likely reflect anti-predatory strategies. Our phylogenetic comparative analyses reveal strong selection be...
Abstract The yellow-legged hornet ( Vespa velutina ) is a social Hymenoptera native from Asia and an invasive species in Europe, where it was first detected France 2004. Since then, the has spread across continent invading mainland Spain Mallorca island (Balearic archipelago, Western Mediterranean) 2010 2015, respectively. Yellow-legged hornets cause severe damage to ecosystem by predating over wide variety of pollinators including honeybees. Such threat situation requires development...
Abstract Several outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases have taken place in Europe recent years. In Spain, both active and passive surveillance demonstrated that dengue West Nile viruses are currently circulating, seven autochthonous cases been reported the last 2 yr. The effectiveness vector control programs largely depends on accuracy taxonomic identification species. However, almost completely relies use morphological keys to characterize mosquito fauna. This study investigates congruence...
Biodiversity assessment has been the focus of intense debate and conceptual methodological advances in recent years. The cultural, academic aesthetic impulses to recognise catalogue diversity our surroundings, this case living objects, is furthermore propelled by urgency understanding that we may be responsible for a dramatic reduction biodiversity, comparable magnitude geological mass extinctions. One most important attempt characterise biodiversity incorporating DNA-based characters...
Abstract Ecological niche models have proved to be a powerful tool in assessing invasiveness risk of alien species, allowing the optimization control strategies. Vespa velutina (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) is an invasive species with strong ecological, economical and health impacts Europe after it was first reported France 2004. It detected for time on Mediterranean island (Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain) 2015, where single nest found northwest island. Immediately, plan implemented. In this...
Dietary studies are essential to unravel the functioning of ecosystems and ultimately understand biodiversity. This task, which at first may seem simple, becomes especially complex in those cases omnivorous species with highly variable diets. In this regard, emergence next-generation DNA sequencing methodologies represents a powerful tool address problem. Here we implement high-throughput metabarcoding strategy based on analysis four molecular markers aimed both mitochondrial (animal prey)...
The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) is native to Southeast Asia and an invasive alien species of concern in many countries. More effective management populations V. velutina could be achieved through more widespread intensive monitoring the field, however current methods are labor costly. To address this issue, we have assessed performance optical sensor combined with a machine learning model classify wasps/hornets bees. Our aim use results present work as step towards development...
We assess the occurrence of crypticism and analyse phylogeography a thermosbaenacean crustacean, monodellid Tethysbaena scabra , endemic to Balearic Islands (W Mediterranean). This species occurs only in mixohaline waters coastal wells caves adjacent seashore. have used mitochondrial DNA barcode region its genetic population structure throughout anchialine environment islands. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses showed that those from NW Italian Peninsula form monophyletic assemblage...
The Hyalella species diversity in the high-altitude water bodies of Andean Altiplano is addressed using mitochondrial cox1 sequences and implementing different molecular delimitation criteria. We have recorded presence five major genetic lineages Altiplano, which one seems to be exclusive Lake Titicaca nearby areas, whereas rest occur also other regions South America. Eleven out 36 American entities diagnosed by criteria our study are likely endemic neighbouring bodies. detected a remarkable...
Abstract Species diversification in ancient lakes has enabled essential insights into evolutionary theory as they embody an microcosm compared to continental terrestrial habitats. We have studied the high-altitude amphipods of Andes Altiplano using mitogenomic, nuclear ribosomal and single-copy gene sequences obtained from 36 Hyalella genomic libraries, focusing on species Lake Titicaca other water bodies northern plateau. Results show that early Miocene South American lineages recently...
The molecular systematics of the subterranean amphipod genus Haploginglymus is addressed through phylogenetic analysis three DNA gene fragments (nuclear ribosomal 28S and protein- coding Histone 3, plus mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I). We take advantage description a new species from southern Spain ( geos sp. nov.) to assess singularity this endemic Iberian Peninsula inclusion morphologically aberrant H. morenoi within . Our results corroborate monophyly family Niphargidae but...
This is the first description of a betanodavirus infection in dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus within marine protected areas (MPAs) Balearic Islands. Histopathology techniques were employed to describe neurological lesions infected fish. Abnormal swimming, mortality, and detected all analysed individuals. Virus particles observed by means transmission electron microscopy. Reverse transcription RNA1 RNA2 followed cDNA amplification sequencing allowed viral classification. Phylogenetic...
The taxonomic circumscription of the large and diverse leaf beetle genus Chrysolina Motschulsky is not clear, its discrimination from closely related Oreina Chevrolat has classically been controversial. In addition, subgeneric arrangement species unstable, proposals segregating into new genera have recently suggested. this context, availability a phylogenetic framework would provide basis for stable system, but existing phylogenies are based on few taxa low resolution. present study we...