A5089849518- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Botanical Research and Applications
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
University of Bologna
2019-2025
University of Milan
2022-2023
Universitat de Lleida
2016
Plants generate energy flows through natural food webs, driven by competition for resources among organisms, which are part of a complex network multitrophic interactions. Here, we demonstrate that the interaction between tomato plants and phytophagous insect is hidden interplay their respective microbiotas. Tomato colonized soil fungus Trichoderma afroharzianum , beneficial microorganism widely used in agriculture as biocontrol agent, negatively affects development survival lepidopteran...
A genomic database of all Earth's eukaryotic species could contribute to many scientific discoveries; however, only a tiny fraction have information available. In 2018, scientists across the world united under Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), aiming produce high-quality reference genomes containing ~1.5 million recognized species. As European node EBP, Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) sought implement new decentralised, equitable and inclusive model for producing genomes. For this, ERGA launched...
DNA metabarcoding is a widespread approach for the molecular identification of organisms. While associated wet-lab and data processing procedures are well established highly efficient, reference databases taxonomic assignment can be implemented to improve accuracy identifications. Insects among organisms which DNA-based most commonly used; yet, DNA-metabarcoding database specifically curated their species using software requiring local lacking. Here, we present COins, 5' region cytochrome c...
Abstract The concept that complex ancestral traits can never be recovered after their loss is still widely accepted, despite phylogenetic and molecular approaches suggest instances where phenotypes may have been lost throughout the evolutionary history of a clade subsequently reverted back in derived lineages. One first most notable examples such process wing evolution phasmids; this polyneopteran order insects, which comprises stick leaf has played central role initiating long-standing...
A global genome database of all Earth's species diversity could be a treasure trove scientific discoveries. However, regardless the major advances in sequencing technologies, only tiny fraction have genomic information available. To contribute to more complete planetary database, scientists and institutions across world united under Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), which plans sequence assemble high-quality reference genomes for ~1.5 million recognized eukaryotic through stepwise phased...
Abstract Thousands of eukaryotes transcriptomes have been generated, mainly to investigate nuclear genes expression, and the amount available data is constantly increasing. A neglected but promising use this large assemble organelle genomes. To assess reliability approach, we attempted reconstruct complete mitochondrial genomes from RNA-Seq experiments Reticulitermes termite species, for which conspecific mitogenomes are available. We successfully assembled molecules, although a few gaps...
After the loss of a trait, theory predicts that molecular machinery underlying its phenotypic expression should decay. Yet, empirical evidence is contrasting. Here, we test hypotheses (i) ground plan lost trait could persist due to pleiotropic effects on other traits and (ii) gene co-expression network architecture constrain individual expression. Our testing has been Bacillus stick insect species complex, which contains close relatives are either bisexual or parthenogenetic. identification...
Abstract Halyomorpha halys is an invasive pest affecting a wide range of crops in many regions the world. Rapid and cost‐effective methods to reconstruct its invasion routes are crucial for implementing strategies prevent further spread. The mitochondrial markers COI COII pseudogene ΔybgF primary symbiont “ Candidatus Pantoea carbekii” have been analyzed track spread H. . However, these do not provide sufficient resolution fully elucidate routes. Here, individuals from native populations...
The crustacean class Branchiopoda includes fairy shrimps, clam tadpole and water fleas. Branchiopods, which are well known for their great variety of reproductive strategies, date back to the Cambrian extant taxa can be mainly found in freshwater habitats, also including ephemeral ponds. Mitochondrial genomes notostracan Lepidurus apus lubbocki (Italy), L. arcticus (Iceland) Triops cancriformis (an Italian a Spanish population) here characterized first time analyzed together with available...
Abstract Among Metazoa, bivalves have the highest lifespan disparity, ranging from 1 to 500+ years, making them an exceptional testing ground understand mechanisms underlying aging and evolution of extended longevity. Nevertheless, comparative molecular has been overlooked approach in this instance. Here, we leveraged transcriptomic resources spanning 30 bivalve species unravel signatures convergent four long-lived species: Margaritifera margaritifera, Elliptio complanata, Lampsilis...
This analysis presents five genome assemblies of four Notostraca taxa. origin dates to the Permian/Upper Devonian and extant forms show a striking morphological similarity fossil The comparison sequenced genomes with other Branchiopoda shows that, despite stasis, share dynamic evolution high turnover for gene families' expansion/contraction transposable elements content comparable branchiopods. While substitutions rate appears similar or lower in branchiopods, subset genes faster...
Termites (Insecta, Blattodea, Termitoidae) are a widespread and diverse group of eusocial insects known for their ability to digest wood matter. Herein, we report the draft genome subterranean termite Reticulitermes lucifugus, an economically important species among most studied taxa with respect organization mating system. The final assembly (~813 Mb) covered up 88% estimated size and, in agreement Asexual Queen Succession Mating System, it was found completely homozygous. We predicted...
Hox and ParaHox genes (HPHGs) are key developmental that pattern regional identity along the anterior–posterior body axis of most animals. Here, we identified HPHGs in tadpole shrimps (Pancrustacea, Branchiopoda, Notostraca), an iconic example so-called “living fossils” performed a comparative genomics analysis cluster among major branchiopod lineages. Notostraca possess entire complement, seems to be split into two different subclusters, although were not able support this finding with...
Inferring the selective forces that orthologous genes underwent across different lineages can help us understand evolutionary processes have shaped their extant diversity and phenotypes they underlie. The most widespread metric to estimate selection regimes of coding genes-across sites phylogenies-is ratio nonsynonymous synonymous substitutions (d
A bstract The concept that complex ancestral traits can never be re-acquired after their loss has grown popular since its initial formulation and it’s often referred to as Dollo’s law. Nonetheless, several macroevolutionary evidences - along with molecular ones suggest instances where phenotypes could have been lost throughout a clade evolutionary history subsequently reverted former state in derived lineages. One of the first most notable rejection law is represented by wing evolution...
Abstract The Phasmida genus Candovia comprises nine traditionally recognized species, all endemic to Australia. In this study, diversity is explored through molecular species-delimitation analyses using the COIFol gene fragment and phylogenetic inferences leveraging seven additional mitochondrial nuclear loci. Molecular results were integrated with morphological observations, leading us confirm already described species delineation of several new taxa Paracandovia. New from various parts...
Abstract The evolution of automixis – i.e., meiotic parthenogenesis requires several features, including ploidy restoration after meiosis and maintenance fertility. Characterizing the relative contribution novel versus pre-existing genes similarities in their expression sequence is fundamental to understand reproductive novelties. Here we identify gonads-biased two Bacillus automictic stick-insects compare profile with a bisexual congeneric species. parthenogens restore through different...
Abstract Inferring the selective forces that different ortholog genes underwent across lineages can make us understand evolutionary processes which shaped their extant diversity. The more widespread metric to estimate coding sequences selection regimes sites and species phylogeny is ratio of nonsynonymous synonymous substitutions (dN/dS, also known as ω ). Nowadays, modern sequencing technologies large amount already available sequence data allow retrieval thousands orthology groups numbers...