Evidencia de competencia por explotación entre parasitoides de huevos de Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) en el maíz

Telenomus remus and Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Trichogrammatidae) are known egg parasitoids of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil. Parasitism of trichogrammatid on eggs of S. frugiperda has been relatively common, whereas the occurrence of T. remus in Brazilian crops has rarely been reported. Consequently, literature that gives insights about the interspecific competition among individuals of T. remus and Trichogramma spp. in the field is very scarce. Here we report the simultaneous occurrence of T. remus, Trichogramma pretiosum, and Tr. atopovirilia on eggs of the FAW in maize (Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil). Our findings imply that these three egg parasitoid species were engaged in exploitative competition (indirect interactions in which the depletion of resources by one species prevents the other access to them) toward eggs of S. frugiperda. Moreover, given the emergence of combinations of two and three of these parasitoid species from a single egg mass, our data strongly suggest that T. remus, Tr. pretiosum and Tr. atopovirilia were also engaged in interference competition (direct interactions among adults and/or immature individuals resulting in behavioral changes or even death of individuals). Both exploitative and interference competition may affect the population dynamics of parasitoids, with consequences for the biological control of pests. Hence, the present findings highlight the importance of determining the outcome of competition among T. remus, Tr. pretiosum and Tr. atopovirilia toward eggs of S. frugiperda in laboratory and field studies.Telenomus remus y Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Trichogrammatidae) son parasitoides de huevos del gusano cogollero del maíz (GCM), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) en Brasil. Mientras que los informes sobre el parasitismo de Trichogramma en huevos de S. frugiperda son relativamente comunes, los registros de T. remus en los cultivos brasileños son escasos. En consecuencia, la literatura sobre la competencia entre T. remus y Trichogramma spp. en campo es poca. En este trabajo, se presenta la presencia simultánea de T. remus, Trichogramma pretiosum y Tr. atopovirilia en huevos del GCM en el cultivo de maíz (Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brasil). Los resultados muestran que estas tres especies de parasitoides estuvieron involucradas en competencia exploratoria (interacción indirecta, donde el agotamiento de los recursos por parte de una especie impide que la otra tenga acceso a ellos) por los huevos de S. frugiperda. Sin embargo, teniendo en cuenta que se observó el surgimiento de dos y tres especies de parasitoides de una sola masa de huevos, los resultados sugieren que T. remus, Tr. pretiosum y Tr. atopovirilia también participaron en competencia por interferencia (interacciones directas entre los adultos y/o inmaduros que resultan en cambios en el comportamiento o muerte de los individuos). Ambos tipos de competencia pueden afectar la dinámica poblacional de parasitoides con consecuencias para el control biológico de plagas. Por consiguiente, nuestro trabajo destaca la importancia de investigar la competencia entre T. remus, Tr. pretiosum y Tr. atopovirilia por huevos de S. frugiperda en estudios de laboratorio y campo.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Evidencia de competencia por explotación entre parasitoides de huevos de Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) en el maíz

Telenomus remus and Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Trichogrammatidae) are known egg parasitoids of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil. Parasitism of trichogrammatid on eggs of S. frugiperda has been relatively common, whereas the occurrence of T. remus in Brazilian crops has rarely been reported. Consequently, literature that gives insights about the interspecific competition among individuals of T. remus and Trichogramma spp. in the field is very scarce. Here we report the simultaneous occurrence of T. remus, Trichogramma pretiosum, and Tr. atopovirilia on eggs of the FAW in maize (Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil). Our findings imply that these three egg parasitoid species were engaged in exploitative competition (indirect interactions in which the depletion of resources by one species prevents the other access to them) toward eggs of S. frugiperda. Moreover, given the emergence of combinations of two and three of these parasitoid species from a single egg mass, our data strongly suggest that T. remus, Tr. pretiosum and Tr. atopovirilia were also engaged in interference competition (direct interactions among adults and/or immature individuals resulting in behavioral changes or even death of individuals). Both exploitative and interference competition may affect the population dynamics of parasitoids, with consequences for the biological control of pests. Hence, the present findings highlight the importance of determining the outcome of competition among T. remus, Tr. pretiosum and Tr. atopovirilia toward eggs of S. frugiperda in laboratory and field studies.Telenomus remus y Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Trichogrammatidae) son parasitoides de huevos del gusano cogollero del maíz (GCM), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) en Brasil. Mientras que los informes sobre el parasitismo de Trichogramma en huevos de S. frugiperda son relativamente comunes, los registros de T. remus en los cultivos brasileños son escasos. En consecuencia, la literatura sobre la competencia entre T. remus y Trichogramma spp. en campo es poca. En este trabajo, se presenta la presencia simultánea de T. remus, Trichogramma pretiosum y Tr. atopovirilia en huevos del GCM en el cultivo de maíz (Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brasil). Los resultados muestran que estas tres especies de parasitoides estuvieron involucradas en competencia exploratoria (interacción indirecta, donde el agotamiento de los recursos por parte de una especie impide que la otra tenga acceso a ellos) por los huevos de S. frugiperda. Sin embargo, teniendo en cuenta que se observó el surgimiento de dos y tres especies de parasitoides de una sola masa de huevos, los resultados sugieren que T. remus, Tr. pretiosum y Tr. atopovirilia también participaron en competencia por interferencia (interacciones directas entre los adultos y/o inmaduros que resultan en cambios en el comportamiento o muerte de los individuos). Ambos tipos de competencia pueden afectar la dinámica poblacional de parasitoides con consecuencias para el control biológico de plagas. Por consiguiente, nuestro trabajo destaca la importancia de investigar la competencia entre T. remus, Tr. pretiosum y Tr. atopovirilia por huevos de S. frugiperda en estudios de laboratorio y campo.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Structure of a lectin from Canavalia gladiata seeds: new structural insights for old molecules

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lectins are mainly described as simple carbohydrate-binding proteins. Previous studies have tried to identify other binding sites, which possible recognize plant hormones, secondary metabolites, and isolated amino acid residues. We report the crystal structure of a lectin isolated from <it>Canavalia gladiata </it>seeds (CGL), describing a new binding pocket, which may be related to pathogen resistance activity in ConA-like lectins; a site where a non-protein amino-acid, α-aminobutyric acid (Abu), is bound.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall structure of native CGL and complexed with α-methyl-mannoside and Abu have been refined at 2.3 Å and 2.31 Å resolution, respectively. Analysis of the electron density maps of the CGL structure shows clearly the presence of Abu, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The presence of Abu in a plant lectin structure strongly indicates the ability of lectins on carrying secondary metabolites. Comparison of the amino acids composing the site with other legume lectins revealed that this site is conserved, providing an evidence of the biological relevance of this site. This new action of lectins strengthens their role in defense mechanisms in plants.</p

Expanding tropical forest monitoring into Dry Forests: The DRYFLOR protocol for permanent plots

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordSocietal Impact Statement Understanding of tropical forests has been revolutionized by monitoring in permanent plots. Data from global plot networks have transformed our knowledge of forests’ diversity, function, contribution to global biogeochemical cycles, and sensitivity to climate change. Monitoring has thus far been concentrated in rain forests. Despite increasing appreciation of their threatened status, biodiversity, and importance to the global carbon cycle, monitoring in tropical dry forests is still in its infancy. We provide a protocol for permanent monitoring plots in tropical dry forests. Expanding monitoring into dry biomes is critical for overcoming the linked challenges of climate change, land use change, and the biodiversity crisis.Newton FundNatural Environment Research Council (NERC)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloCYTE

Fusarium: more than a node or a foot-shaped basal cell

Recent publications have argued that there are potentially serious consequences for researchers in recognising distinct genera in the terminal fusarioid clade of the family Nectriaceae. Thus, an alternate hypothesis, namely a very broad concept of the genus Fusarium was proposed. In doing so, however, a significant body of data that supports distinct genera in Nectriaceae based on morphology, biology, and phylogeny is disregarded. A DNA phylogeny based on 19 orthologous protein-coding genes was presented to support a very broad concept of Fusarium at the F1 node in Nectriaceae. Here, we demonstrate that re-analyses of this dataset show that all 19 genes support the F3 node that represents Fusarium sensu stricto as defined by F. sambucinum (sexual morph synonym Gibberella pulicaris). The backbone of the phylogeny is resolved by the concatenated alignment, but only six of the 19 genes fully support the F1 node, representing the broad circumscription of Fusarium. Furthermore, a re-analysis of the concatenated dataset revealed alternate topologies in different phylogenetic algorithms, highlighting the deep divergence and unresolved placement of various Nectriaceae lineages proposed as members of Fusarium. Species of Fusarium s. str. are characterised by Gibberella sexual morphs, asexual morphs with thin- or thick-walled macroconidia that have variously shaped apical and basal cells, and trichothecene mycotoxin production, which separates them from other fusarioid genera. Here we show that the Wollenweber concept of Fusarium presently accounts for 20 segregate genera with clear-cut synapomorphic traits, and that fusarioid macroconidia represent a character that has been gained or lost multiple times throughout Nectriaceae. Thus, the very broad circumscription of Fusarium is blurry and without apparent synapomorphies, and does not include all genera with fusarium-like macroconidia, which are spread throughout Nectriaceae (e.g., Cosmosporella, Macroconia, Microcera). In this study four new genera are introduced, along with 18 new species and 16 new combinations. These names convey information about relationships, morphology, and ecological preference that would otherwise be lost in a broader definition of Fusarium. To assist users to correctly identify fusarioid genera and species, we introduce a new online identification database, Fusarioid-ID, accessible at www.fusarium.org. The database comprises partial sequences from multiple genes commonly used to identify fusarioid taxa (act1, CaM, his3, rpb1, rpb2, tef1, tub2, ITS, and LSU). In this paper, we also present a nomenclator of names that have been introduced in Fusarium up to January 2021 as well as their current status, types, and diagnostic DNA barcode data. In this study, researchers from 46 countries, representing taxonomists, plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, and students, strongly support the application and use of a more precisely delimited Fusarium (= Gibberella) concept to accommodate taxa from the robust monophyletic node F3 on the basis of a well-defined and unique combination of morphological and biochemical features. This F3 node includes, among others, species of the F. fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F. sambucinum species complexes, but not species of Bisifusarium [F. dimerum species complex (SC)], Cyanonectria (F. buxicola SC), Geejayessia (F. staphyleae SC), Neocosmospora (F. solani SC) or Rectifusarium (F. ventricosum SC). The present study represents the first step to generating a new online monograph of Fusarium and allied fusarioid genera (www.fusarium.org)

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in 200 countries and territories: a pooled analysis of 2181 population-based studies with 65 million participants

Summary Background Comparable global data on health and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescents are scarce. We aimed to estimate age trajectories and time trends in mean height and mean body-mass index (BMI), which measures weight gain beyond what is expected from height gain, for school-aged children and adolescents. Methods For this pooled analysis, we used a database of cardiometabolic risk factors collated by the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends from 1985 to 2019 in mean height and mean BMI in 1-year age groups for ages 5–19 years. The model allowed for non-linear changes over time in mean height and mean BMI and for non-linear changes with age of children and adolescents, including periods of rapid growth during adolescence. Findings We pooled data from 2181 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in 65 million participants in 200 countries and territories. In 2019, we estimated a difference of 20 cm or higher in mean height of 19-year-old adolescents between countries with the tallest populations (the Netherlands, Montenegro, Estonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for boys; and the Netherlands, Montenegro, Denmark, and Iceland for girls) and those with the shortest populations (Timor-Leste, Laos, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea for boys; and Guatemala, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Timor-Leste for girls). In the same year, the difference between the highest mean BMI (in Pacific island countries, Kuwait, Bahrain, The Bahamas, Chile, the USA, and New Zealand for both boys and girls and in South Africa for girls) and lowest mean BMI (in India, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia, and Chad for boys and girls; and in Japan and Romania for girls) was approximately 9–10 kg/m2. In some countries, children aged 5 years started with healthier height or BMI than the global median and, in some cases, as healthy as the best performing countries, but they became progressively less healthy compared with their comparators as they grew older by not growing as tall (eg, boys in Austria and Barbados, and girls in Belgium and Puerto Rico) or gaining too much weight for their height (eg, girls and boys in Kuwait, Bahrain, Fiji, Jamaica, and Mexico; and girls in South Africa and New Zealand). In other countries, growing children overtook the height of their comparators (eg, Latvia, Czech Republic, Morocco, and Iran) or curbed their weight gain (eg, Italy, France, and Croatia) in late childhood and adolescence. When changes in both height and BMI were considered, girls in South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and some central Asian countries (eg, Armenia and Azerbaijan), and boys in central and western Europe (eg, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, and Montenegro) had the healthiest changes in anthropometric status over the past 3·5 decades because, compared with children and adolescents in other countries, they had a much larger gain in height than they did in BMI. The unhealthiest changes—gaining too little height, too much weight for their height compared with children in other countries, or both—occurred in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, New Zealand, and the USA for boys and girls; in Malaysia and some Pacific island nations for boys; and in Mexico for girls. Interpretation The height and BMI trajectories over age and time of school-aged children and adolescents are highly variable across countries, which indicates heterogeneous nutritional quality and lifelong health advantages and risks