Do the relationships between hindlimb anatomy and sprint speed variation differ between sexes in Anolis lizards?

The ability of an animal to run fast has important consequences on its survival capacity and overall fitness. Previous studies have documented how variation in the morphology of the limbs is related to variation in locomotor performance. Although these studies have suggested direct relations between sprint speed and hindlimb morphology, few quantitative data exist. Consequently, it remains unclear whether selection acts in limb segment lengths, overall muscle mass or muscle architecture (e.g. muscle fiber length and cross-sectional area). Here, we investigate whether muscle architecture (mass, fiber length and physiological cross-sectional area), hindlimb segment dimensions, or both, explain variation in sprint speed across 14 species of Anolis lizards. Moreover, we test whether similar relationships exist between morphology and performance for both sexes, which may not be the case given the known differences in locomotor behavior and habitat use. Our results show that the main driver of sprint speed is the variation in femur length for both males and females. Our results further show sexual dimorphism in the traits studied and, moreover, show differences in the traits that predict maximal sprint speed in males and females. For example, snout vent length and overall muscle mass are also good predictors of sprint speed in males, whereas no relationships between muscle mass and sprint speed was observed in females. Only a few significant relationships were found between muscle architecture (fiber length, cross-sectional area) and sprint speed in male anoles, suggesting that overall muscles size, rather than muscle architecture, appears to be under selection

Une fosse mésolithique découverte à Leuze-en-Hainaut/Blicquy « Ville d'Anderlecht » (Hainaut) lors de la campagne de fouille 2003

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Efficient compartmentalization in insect bacteriomes protects symbiotic bacteria from host immune system

International audienceMany insects house symbiotic intracellular bacteria (endosymbionts) that provide them with essential nutrients, thus promoting the usage of nutrient-poor habitats. Endosymbiont seclusion within host specialized cells, called bacteriocytes, often organized in a dedicated organ, the bacteriome, is crucial in protecting them from host immune defenses while avoiding chronic host immune activation. Previous evidence obtained in the cereal weevil Sitophilus oryzae has shown that bacteriome immunity is activated against invading pathogens, suggesting endosymbionts might be targeted and impacted by immune effectors during an immune challenge. To pinpoint any molecular determinants associated with such challenges, we conducted a dual transcriptomic analysis of S. oryzae ’s bacteriome subjected to immunogenic peptidoglycan fragments. Results We show that upon immune challenge, the bacteriome actively participates in the innate immune response via induction of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Surprisingly, endosymbionts do not undergo any transcriptomic changes, indicating that this potential threat goes unnoticed. Immunohistochemistry showed that TCT-induced AMPs are located outside the bacteriome, excluding direct contact with the endosymbionts. Conclusions This work demonstrates that endosymbiont protection during an immune challenge is mainly achieved by efficient confinement within bacteriomes, which provides physical separation between host systemic response and endosymbionts

Coordination of host and endosymbiont gene expression governs endosymbiont growth and elimination in the cereal weevil Sitophilus spp.

International audienceBackground: Insects living in nutritionally poor environments often establish long-term relationships with intracellular bacteria that supplement their diets and improve their adaptive and invasive powers. Even though these symbiotic associations have been extensively studied on physiological, ecological, and evolutionary levels, few studies have focused on the molecular dialogue between host and endosymbionts to identify genes and pathways involved in endosymbiosis control and dynamics throughout host development.Results We simultaneously analyzed host and endosymbiont gene expression during the life cycle of the cereal weevil Sitophilus oryzae , from larval stages to adults, with a particular emphasis on emerging adults where the endosymbiont Sodalis pierantonius experiences a contrasted growth-climax-elimination dynamics. We unraveled a constant arms race in which different biological functions are intertwined and coregulated across both partners. These include immunity, metabolism, metal control, apoptosis, and bacterial stress response.Conclusions The study of these tightly regulated functions, which are at the center of symbiotic regulations, provides evidence on how hosts and bacteria finely tune their gene expression and respond to different physiological challenges constrained by insect development in a nutritionally limited ecological niche. Graphical Abstrac

An EPS@ISEP 2019 Project

This paper provides an overview of the development of a solar dehydrator, a project undertaken by a team of six Erasmus students from different countries during the European Project Semester at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto in the spring of 2019. The main objective of the European Project Semester is to develop teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills through team work and project-based learning. The purpose of the project was to design a sustainable solution to dehydrate and preserve food, build and test the corresponding proof-of-concept prototype, while respecting requirements such as the budget, the use of reusable materials and components or European Union directives. To achieve this goal, the team considered the technological, ethical and deontological, economic and environmental perspectives in the design of the Dryfoo prototype. This paper describes, after a short introduction, the performed research, the development and the testing of the proof-of-concept prototype, as well as the personal outcomes of this learning experience.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The transposable element-rich genome of the cereal pest Sitophilus oryzae.

BACKGROUND: The rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae is one of the most important agricultural pests, causing extensive damage to cereal in fields and to stored grains. S. oryzae has an intracellular symbiotic relationship (endosymbiosis) with the Gram-negative bacterium Sodalis pierantonius and is a valuable model to decipher host-symbiont molecular interactions. RESULTS: We sequenced the Sitophilus oryzae genome using a combination of short and long reads to produce the best assembly for a Curculionidae species to date. We show that S. oryzae has undergone successive bursts of transposable element (TE) amplification, representing 72% of the genome. In addition, we show that many TE families are transcriptionally active, and changes in their expression are associated with insect endosymbiotic state. S. oryzae has undergone a high gene expansion rate, when compared to other beetles. Reconstruction of host-symbiont metabolic networks revealed that, despite its recent association with cereal weevils (30 kyear), S. pierantonius relies on the host for several amino acids and nucleotides to survive and to produce vitamins and essential amino acids required for insect development and cuticle biosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Here we present the genome of an agricultural pest beetle, which may act as a foundation for pest control. In addition, S. oryzae may be a useful model for endosymbiosis, and studying TE evolution and regulation, along with the impact of TEs on eukaryotic genomes

Tempo de uso em pastagens e volume dos macroporos do solo na Amazônia Central

Soil quality under usage through time, and within agroecosystems, is an important aspect in order to improve soil usage sustainability in tropical regions. In this scenario, quantifying the effects of time of usage in pastures under the different soil components (macropores) is important to determine the management planning and reclamation most adequate for such areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the time effect in pastures (4, 5 and 8 years) on macropore volume after ten years of abandonment and nine of reclamation through Capoeira and agroecosystems. Macropore volume was measured in three different depths (0-5; 5-10 and 10-15 cm) in 100 cm3 steel cylinders. Macropore volume dropped significantly with the raise in time usage of the areas as pasture, which in turn makes time usage evident in pastures over macropore volume of soil ≥ 50μ μm, mainly in the first soil layer (0-5 cm), directly affected by animal impact. Therefore, it is suggested that time of soil reclamation should be longer than ten years so that the soil characteristics can be recovered

The transposable element-rich genome of the cereal pest Sitophilus oryzae

International audienceBackground: The rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae is one of the most important agricultural pests, causing extensivedamage to cereal in fields and to stored grains. S. oryzae has an intracellular symbiotic relationship (endosymbiosis)with the Gram-negative bacterium Sodalis pierantonius and is a valuable model to decipher host-symbiontmolecular interactions.Results: We sequenced the Sitophilus oryzae genome using a combination of short and long reads to produce thebest assembly for a Curculionidae species to date. We show that S. oryzae has undergone successive bursts oftransposable element (TE) amplification, representing 72% of the genome. In addition, we show that many TEfamilies are transcriptionally active, and changes in their expression are associated with insect endosymbiotic state.S. oryzae has undergone a high gene expansion rate, when compared to other beetles. Reconstruction of hostsymbiontmetabolic networks revealed that, despite its recent association with cereal weevils (30 kyear), S.pierantonius relies on the host for several amino acids and nucleotides to survive and to produce vitamins andessential amino acids required for insect development and cuticle biosynthesis.Conclusions: Here we present the genome of an agricultural pest beetle, which may act as a foundation for pest control. In addition, S. oryzae may be a useful model for endosymbiosis, and studying TE evolution and regulation, along with the impact of TEs on eukaryotic genomes