Host phylogeny, geographic overlap, and roost sharing shape parasite communities in European bats

How multitrophic relationships between wildlife communities and their ectoparasitic vectors interact to shape the diversity of vector-borne microorganisms is poorly understood. Nested levels of dependence among microbes, vectors, and vertebrate hosts may have complicated effects on both microbial community assembly and evolution. We examined Bartonella sequences from European bats and their ectoparasites with a combination of network analysis, Bayesian phylogenetics, tip-association and cophylogeny tests, and linear regression to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape parasite communities. We detected seven batectoparasite-Bartonella communities that can be differentiated based on bat families and roosting patterns. Tips of the Bartonella tree were significantly clustered by host taxonomy and geography. We also found significant evidence of evolutionary congruence between bat host and Bartonella phylogenies, indicating that bacterial species have evolved to infect related bat species. Exploring these ecological and evolutionary associations further, we found that sharing of Bartonella species among bat hosts was strongly associated with host phylogenetic distance and roost sharing and less strongly with geographic range overlap. Ectoparasite sharing between hosts was strongly predicted by host phylogenetic distance, roost sharing, and geographic overlap but had no additive effect on Bartonella sharing. Finally, historical Bartonella host-switching was more frequent for closely related bats after accounting for sampling bias among bat species. This study helps to disentangle the complex ecology and evolution of Bartonella bacteria in bat species and their arthropod vectors. Our work provides insight into the important mechanisms that partition parasite communities among hosts, particularly the effect of host phylogeny and roost sharing, and could help to elucidate the evolutionary patterns of other diverse vector-borne microorganisms

Host Phylogeny, Geographic Overlap, and Roost Sharing Shape Parasite Communities in European Bats

How multitrophic relationships between wildlife communities and their ectoparasitic vectors interact to shape the diversity of vector-borne microorganisms is poorly understood. Nested levels of dependence among microbes, vectors, and vertebrate hosts may have complicated effects on both microbial community assembly and evolution. We examined Bartonella sequences from European bats and their ectoparasites with a combination of network analysis, Bayesian phylogenetics, tip-association and cophylogeny tests, and linear regression to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape parasite communities. We detected seven bat–ectoparasite–Bartonella communities that can be differentiated based on bat families and roosting patterns. Tips of the Bartonella tree were significantly clustered by host taxonomy and geography. We also found significant evidence of evolutionary congruence between bat host and Bartonella phylogenies, indicating that bacterial species have evolved to infect related bat species. Exploring these ecological and evolutionary associations further, we found that sharing of Bartonella species among bat hosts was strongly associated with host phylogenetic distance and roost sharing and less strongly with geographic range overlap. Ectoparasite sharing between hosts was strongly predicted by host phylogenetic distance, roost sharing, and geographic overlap but had no additive effect on Bartonella sharing. Finally, historical Bartonella host-switching was more frequent for closely related bats after accounting for sampling bias among bat species. This study helps to disentangle the complex ecology and evolution of Bartonella bacteria in bat species and their arthropod vectors. Our work provides insight into the important mechanisms that partition parasite communities among hosts, particularly the effect of host phylogeny and roost sharing, and could help to elucidate the evolutionary patterns of other diverse vector-borne microorganisms

Conservation by trans-border cooperation: population genetic structure and diversity of geoffroy’s bat (Myotis emarginatus) at its north-western european range edge

In the European Union, all bat species are strictly protected and member states must ensure their conservation. However, if populations are genetically structured, conservation units that correspond to whole countries may be too large, putting small populations with specific conservation requirements at risk. Geoffroy’s bat (Myotis emarginatus) has undergone well-documented declines at its north-western European range edge between the 1960 and 1990s and is considered to be negatively affected by habitat fragmentation. Here we analysed the species’ genetic population structure and diversity to identify subpopulations with reduced genetic diversity and to scientifically inform conservation management. We generated 811 microsatellite-based genetic profiles obtained from 42 European nursery colonies and analysed a total of 932 sequences of the hypervariable region II of the mitochondrial control region sampled from across Europe. While two geographically widespread genetic populations were inferred to be present in north-western Europe, both nuclear and mitochondrial genetic diversity were lowest in the areas that had experienced a decline during the last century. A microsatellite-based analysis of demographic history did not permit, however, to unequivocally link that reduced genetic diversity to the population contraction event. Given the large geographic extent of the genetic populations, preserving the connectivity of mating sites requires concerted conservation efforts across multiple political jurisdictions. Genetic monitoring ought to be done on a regular basis to ensure that large-scale connectivity is maintained and further loss of genetic diversity is prevented

Design rule limitations due to hot carrier degradation of NMOS transistor under DC stress

The aim of this paper will be the assessment of design limitation due to degradation induced by hot-electrons on NMOS transistors under DC stress. Simulation will be used to assess the most relevant electrical parameter regarding the speed degradation of the product after 25 years AC. Based on DC stress results, an AC Safe Operating Area (SOA) can be defined by limiting the frequency, the fanout (which induces the rise time) and the operating voltage Vd. In order to qualify at Vd<sub>nom</sub> +10%, limitations have to be taken into account in the Design Rule Manual to achieve the product reliability target

Cтандартізованний екстракт хмелю в полегшенні симптомів менопаузи

Интерес к применению фитоэстрогенов при ведении пациентов с климактерическими жалобами с каждым годом возрастает. Фитоэстрогены – это преимущественно нестероидные полифенольные соединения растительного происхождения, функционально имитирующие деятельность человеческого эстрогена и 17β-эстрадиола. К наиболее насыщенным источникам фитоэстрогенов относят сою и красный клевер (изофлавоны), семена льна (лигнаны) и хмель (пренилфлавоноиды) (Cos et al., 2003)

Fluorescein-enhanced autofluorescence thoracoscopy in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax and normal subjects

Rationale: The exact site(s) and pathophysiology of air leakage in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) are unknown. In one patient with PSP, fluorescein-enhanced autofluorescence thoracoscopy (FEAT) has shown areas of parenchymal abnormality unnoticed during white light thoracoscopy (WILT). Objectives: To prospectively perform and compare WILT and FEAT in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax and in normal subjects. Methods: One-time FEAT and WILT inspection with systematic mapping of semiquantified lesions in 12 consecutive patients with PSP was compared with one-time FEAT and WILT during sequential bilateral thoracoscopy in 17 control subjects. Results: WILT abnormalities (anthracosis, cobblestone malformation, and blebs/bullae) were more prevalent in PSP. FEAT, however, showed high-grade lesions in PSP only, which often were present at areas that were normal, or that only showed anthracosis at WILT. When blebs/bullae were present, bleb-associated FEAT abnormalities were only present in two. Actual fluorescein leakage was seen in two patients with PSP. Conclusions: Lungs in patients with PSP show significantly more abnormalities at WILT when compared with normal subjects. High-grade FEAT lesions were exclusively present in PSP, and predominantly at lung zones that appeared normal at white light inspection. These findings suggest that significant parenchymal abnormalities are not limited to lesions visible during WILT, such as blebs and bullae

eurobats

Files from McKee et al (2019) Front Ecol Evol - Host phylogeny, geographic overlap, and roost sharing shape parasite communities in European bats Shape files for bat geographic ranges are available from IUCN at https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/spatial-data-download. Additional large files available by request ([email protected]): 'mammterr.RData' 'TERRESTRIAL_MAMMALS.shp' '2_Eurobats_strict_IBD-SAMP.trees.txt

Uncultured Bartonella sp. clone 264BB citrate synthase (gltA) gene, partial cds

Uncultured Bartonella sp. clones citrate synthase (gltA) gene, partial cds. Clones 264BB through 5SB