The impacts of environmental warming on Odonata: a review

Climate change brings with it unprecedented rates of increase in environmental temperature, which will have major consequences for the earth's flora and fauna. The Odonata represent a taxon that has many strong links to this abiotic factor due to its tropical evolutionary history and adaptations to temperate climates. Temperature is known to affect odonate physiology including life-history traits such as developmental rate, phenology and seasonal regulation as well as immune function and the production of pigment for thermoregulation. A range of behaviours are likely to be affected which will, in turn, influence other parts of the aquatic ecosystem, primarily through trophic interactions. Temperature may influence changes in geographical distributions, through a shifting of species' fundamental niches, changes in the distribution of suitable habitat and variation in the dispersal ability of species. Finally, such a rapid change in the environment results in a strong selective pressure towards adaptation to cope and the inevitable loss of some populations and, potentially, species. Where data are lacking for odonates, studies on other invertebrate groups will be considered. Finally, directions for research are suggested, particularly laboratory studies that investigate underlying causes of climate-driven macroecological patterns

Introduction to fungal physiology

This chapter describes some basic aspects of fungal cell physiology, focusing primarily on nutrition, growth, metabolism in unicellular yeasts and filamentous fungi, and cell death. It considers the most common growth forms, the filamentous fungi and unicellular yeasts. Fungal growth involves transport and assimilation of nutrients, followed by their integration into cellular components, followed by biomass increase and eventual cell division or septation. The physiology of vegetative reproduction and its control in fungi has been most widely studied in two model eukaryotes, the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. An understanding of the death of fungal cells is important from a fundamental viewpoint because fungi, especially yeasts, represent valuable model systems for the study of cellular aging and apoptosis (programed cell death). Recycling and redeployment of cellular material also helps drive the apical growth of filamentous fungi and the mycelium explores and extends through the environment

Unravelling the Thermoregulatory Behaviour of Mosquitoes and Biting Midges: Exploring the Impact of Pathogens, Selection, and Acclimation

In this thesis I demonstrate distinct thermal preferences in mosquitoes and biting midges across various environments, challenging previous assumptions. This preference is not just shown in adult mosquitoes but also in larvae, where light has a significant influence on microhabitat selection. Additionally, thermal preferences change based on selection and rearing temperatures. In the context of infections, mosquitoes alter their thermal preferences, preferring warmer or cooler temperatures depending on the pathogen. These adaptations reflect complex interactions between vectors and pathogens, impacting disease transmission dynamics. In summation, this research advances our knowledge of mosquito and biting midge behaviour, offering critical insights into their thermal preferences, adaptive responses, and implications for disease transmission. These findings are instrumental in guiding future strategies for the control of vector-borne diseases and underscore the need for continued research in the face of evolving environmental challenges. Ultimately, this work contributes to our collective efforts to combat insect-borne diseases and protect public health

MANAGING DEATH IN TERMITES

Death of individuals from the same species represents potential risks from disease, predation or competition for animals. Diverse responses associated with death have evolved ranging from simply avoiding or being attracted to the corpses in solitary animals to complicated undertaking behavioral repertoire in eusocial insects. A systematic review in chapter 1 suggested cannibalism is an ancestral and widespread death-related behavior in all non-human animals. Termites are suggested to switch their undertaking behavioral responses from cannibalism to burial based on interactions between chemicals associated with death to balance risks and benefits associated with decomposition. In eusocial animals like termites with caste differences, conspecific death from different castes or different causes might deliver different types of risks to living members. However, whether termites are capable of distinguishing differences in conspecific death and responding accordingly remains unknown. In chapters 2 and 3, the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, was found to manage corpses from different castes or causes differentially based on both qualitative and quantitative differences in their chemical profiles. R. flavipes workers cannot distinguish dead individuals caused by termiticides apart from those killed by naturally occurring abiotic factors. Death by biotic factors accelerated the release of late death cues and the deployment of burial behavior in nestmate workers. Corpses of all castes were carried inside the nest and cannibalized when the postmortem time wasbehaviors, such as walling-off and movement of the corpse before burial were observed for 50% of soldier corpses. Postmortem chemical profiles showed that the early death cues, 3-octanone and 3-octanol, in worker corpses were significantly higher than in soldier corpses, while they were undetectable in nymphal corpses. In addition, we confirmed the existence of 3-octanol and 3-octanone in the head, thorax, abdomen, and hemolymph. Higher concentrations of early death cues were detected in the head and thorax than in the abdomen, suggesting the possible location of synthesis. Ultra-low temperature did not affect the amount or concentration across body parts, suggesting the synthesis of early death cues occurs prior to death. Our findings suggest termites equipped with delicate risk assessments on different types of conspecific death based on chemical signatures: cannibalism was the prior strategy dealing with freshly killed corpses to recycle nutrients and remove potential risks from pathogens or pesticides, whereas burial would happen when risks from disease or competition/intrusion overcome benefits associated with nutrition recycle. This study provides insights into the understanding of mechanisms of chemical-based “death recognition” in non-human animals, providing potential opportunities for further evolutionary studies of death-related behaviors

The role of hydroperiod and fluctuating temperature on disease dynamics: A disease ecology approach to understanding Yosemite toad declines

Environmental factors can alter host-pathogen interactions. Temperature and water availability are critical environmental factors that affect disease susceptibility in amphibian hosts due to amphibian thermal biology. Temperature and water can also alter prevalence and virulence of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), because Bd requires moisture and temperatures between 2-27°C to replicate. Understanding disease dynamics under fluctuating temperatures and changes in water availability is important because climate change is likely to affect these environmental factors across local and landscape scales with potential implications for disease. Investigating the effects of environment on disease outcomes for imperiled species may inform conservation and recovery efforts. To better understand the effects of reduced water availability and fluctuating temperature on disease, I examined (1) the effects of larval development under drought conditions on disease susceptibility post-metamorphosis in Yosemite toads; and (2) the effects of daily fluctuating temperatures on Bd growth and reproduction rate in vitro

A review of the biology and management of horseshoe crabs, with emphasis on Florida populations

In Florida, some horseshoe crabs are fished for eel bait, but they are fished principally by the marine-life industry, which collects the animals live for resale as aquarium, research, or educational specimens. The regulations for the horseshoe crab fisheries are developed by each state in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Horseshoe Crab Management Plan. This report was written to provide information on the biology, stock status, and management of horseshoe crabs and the implications relevant to the request for an increased bag limit by harvesters in the marine-life industry

House Dust Mites: Ecology, Biology, Prevalence, Epidemiology and Elimination

House dust mites burrow cheerfully into our clothing, pillowcases, carpets, mats and furniture, and feed on human dead skin cells by breaking them into small particles for ingestion. Dust mites are most common in asthma allergens, and some people have a simple dust allergy, but others have an additional condition called atopic dermatitis, often stated to as eczema by reacting to mites with hideous itching and redness. The most common type of dust mites are Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes (American house dust mite) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Trouessart (European house dust mite) of family Pyroglyphidae (Acari), which have been associated with dermatological and respiratory allergies in humans such as eczema and asthma. A typical house dust mite measures 0.2–0.3 mm and the body of mite has a striated cuticle. A mated female house dust mite can live up to 70 days and lays 60–100 eggs in the last 5 weeks of life, and an average life cycle is 65–100 days. In a 10-week life span, dust mite produces about 2000 fecal particles and an even larger number of partially digested enzyme-covered dust particles. They feed on skin flakes from animals, including humans and on some mold. Notably, mite’s gut contains potent digestive enzymes peptidase 1 that persist in their feces and are major inducers of allergic reactions, but its exoskeleton can also contribute this. Allergy testing by a physician can determine respiratory or dermatological symptoms to undergo allergen immunotherapy, by exposing to dust mite extracts for “training” immune system not to overreact. The epidemiologic data on the occurrence of house dust mites convincingly associates with an increased indoor air humidity by increased occurrence of mites. The most effective way to prevent or minimize exposure to dust mites in our homes is thorough cleaning, use of high-efficiency particulate air filters and pest management. There are a number of things that can be done to get rid of dust mites, for instance, using a dehumidifier and washing bedding in hot water. Additionally, it is a noble practice to encase bedding, mattress and pillows in impermeable covers that prevent dust mites from taking up residence in beds. Owing to their everywhere presence, diversity, and wide distribution, mite species can be used as valid and reliable pieces of evidence for resolving of forensic cases