A5074691610- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Beetle Biology and Toxicology Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
- Healthcare and Venom Research
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
Lewis & Clark College
2014-2023
The University of Queensland
2012
University of Arizona
2001-2005
Miami University
1992
Abstract Background Arthropods comprise the largest and most diverse phylum on Earth play vital roles in nearly every ecosystem. Their diversity stems part from variations a conserved body plan, resulting recorded adaptive changes genome. Dissection of genomic record sequence change enables broad questions regarding genome evolution to be addressed, even across hyper-diverse taxa within arthropods. Results Using 76 whole sequences representing 21 orders spanning more than 500 million years...
ArachnoServer ( www.arachnoserver.org ) is a manually curated database providing information on the sequence, structure and biological activity of protein toxins from spider venoms. These proteins are interest to wide range biologists due their diverse applications in medicine, neuroscience, pharmacology, drug discovery agriculture. currently manages 1078 sequences, 759 nucleic acid sequences 56 structures. Key features include molecular target ontology designed specifically for venom...
The venom enzyme sphingomyelinase D (SMase D) in the spider family Sicariidae (brown or fiddleback spiders [Loxosceles] and six-eyed sand [Sicarius]) causes dermonecrosis mammals. SMase is a gene with multiple venom-expressed members that vary functional specificity. We analyze molecular evolution of this variation activity among crude venoms using data set represents phylogenetic breadth Loxosceles Sicarius. isolated total 190 nonredundant nucleotide sequences encoding 168 amino acid...
The terrestrial biota of the Caribbean islands includes many lineages, some whose presence on dates back 35–40 million years ago, when land bridges are thought to have linked continents, and others that colonised more recently via dispersal. New World spiny orb-weavers (Micrathena Sundevall, 1833) a diverse group mostly Neotropical spiders. Eight species been described Greater Antilles islands: three widespread five single island endemics. Here, using molecular markers (16S rRNA, ITS-2 COI)...
Abstract Aim We explore the evolutionary history of ogre‐faced spiders ( Deinopis ) from their Early Cretaceous origins to present day. Specifically, we investigate how vicariance and dispersal have shaped distribution patterns this lineage. Within Caribbean, test role GAAR landia, a hypothesized land bridge that connected South America Greater Antilles during Eocene–Oligocene transition (~35–33 Ma), in biogeography . Taxon Araneae: Deinopidae: Location Caribbean islands, with additional...
Venoms of brown spiders in the genus Loxosceles contain phospholipase D enzyme toxins that can cause severe dermonecrosis and even death humans. These cleave substrates sphingomyelin lysophosphatidylcholine mammalian tissues, releasing choline head group. The other products substrate cleavage have previously been reported to be monoester phospholipids, which would result from hydrolysis. Using 31P NMR mass spectrometry we demonstrate recombinant toxins, as well whole venoms diverse species,...
The Caribbean islands harbor rich biodiversity with high levels of single island endemism. Stretches ocean between represent significant barriers to gene-flow. Yet some native species are widespread, indicating dispersal across oceans, even in wingless organisms like spiders. Argiope argentata (Fabricius, 1775) is a large, charismatic, and widespread orb-weaving spider ranging from the United States Argentina well known balloon. Here we explore phylogeography A. as part multi-lineage CarBio...
Spiders from the family Scytodidae have a unique prey capturing technique: they spit zig-zagged silken glue to tether surface. Effectiveness of this sticky mixture is based on combination contraction and adhesion, trapping until spider immobilizes it by envenomation then feeds. We identify components expressed in Scytodes thoracica venom glands using combined transcriptomic proteomic analyses. These include homologues toxic proteins astacin metalloproteases potentially including allergen,...
The Caribbean island biota is characterized by high levels of endemism, the result an interplay between colonization opportunities on islands and effective oceanic barriers among them. A relatively small percentage represented 'widespread species,' presumably taxa for which are ineffective. Few studies have explored in detail genetic structure widespread taxa. cobweb spider Spintharus flavidus Hentz, 1850 (Theridiidae) one two described species unique being widely distributed from northern...
Abstract Motivation: Spiders in the genus Loxosceles, including notoriously toxic brown recluse, cause severe necrotic skin lesions owing to presence of a venom enzyme called sphingomyelinase D (SMaseD). This activity is unknown elsewhere animal kingdom but shared with strains pathogenic Corynebacteria that various illnesses farm animals. The same only distantly related organisms poses an interesting and medically important question molecular evolution. Results: We use superpositions...
The Caribbean Islands are a biodiversity hotspot harboring high levels of endemic biodiversity. In an effort to contribute the characterization invertebrate diversity in region, we present assessment pseudoscorpion (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) and distribution with focus on superfamily Chthonioidea family Olpiidae. We used three markers (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, histone H3 28S rRNA) infer first molecular phylogenies for each lineage identified 32 putative new species need taxonomic...
Abstract Island systems provide excellent arenas to test evolutionary hypotheses pertaining gene flow and diversification of dispersal-limited organisms. Here we focus on an orbweaver spider genus Cyrtognatha (Tetragnathidae) from the Caribbean, with aims reconstruct its history, examine biogeographic history in archipelago, estimate timing route Caribbean colonization. Specifically, if is consistent ancient vicariant scenario (the GAARlandia landbridge hypothesis) or overwater dispersal. We...
Venom has been associated with the ecological success of many groups organisms, most notably reptiles, gastropods, and arachnids. In some cases, diversification directly linked to tailoring venoms for dietary specialization. Spiders in particular are known their diverse wide range predatory behaviors, although there is much learn about scales variation venom composition function. The current study focuses on characteristics different sexes within a species spider. We chose genus Tetragnatha...
Island biogeographers have long sought to elucidate the mechanisms behind biodiversity genesis. The Caribbean presents a unique stage on which analyze diversification process, due geologic diversity among islands and rich biotic with high levels of island endemism. colonization such may reflect heterogeneity through vicariant processes and/ or involve long-distance overwater dispersal. Here, we explore phylogeography proximal mainland spiny orbweavers (Micrathena, Araneae), an American...