Macrocheles species (Acari: Macrochelidae) associated with human corpses in Europe

The biology of macrochelid mites might offer new venues for the interpretation of the environmental conditions surrounding human death and decomposition. Three human corpses, one from Sweden and two from Spain, have been analysed for the occurrence of Macrochelidae species. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae females were associated with a corpse that was found in a popular beach area of southeast Spain. Their arrival coincides with the occurrence of one of their major carrier species, the filth fly Fannia scalaris, the activity of which peaks during mid-summer. M. glaber specimens were collected from a corpse in a shallow grave in a forest in Sweden at the end of summer, concurrent with the arrival of beetles attracted by odours from the corpse. M. perglaber adults were sampled from a corpse found indoors in the rural surroundings of Granada city, Spain. The phoretic behaviour of this species is similar to that of M. glaber, but being more specific to Scarabaeidae and Geotrupidae dung beetles, most of which favour human faeces. M. muscaedomesticae is known from urban and rural areas and poultry farms; M. glaber from outdoors, particularly the countryside; while M. perglaber from outdoor, rural, and remote, potentially mountainous locations. M. muscaedomesticae and M. perglaber are reported for the first time from the Iberian Peninsula. This is the first record of M. perglaber from human remains

Macrocheles species (Acari: Macrochelidae) associated with human corpses in Europe

The biology of macrochelid mites might offer new venues for the interpretation of the environmental conditions surrounding human death and decomposition. Three human corpses, one from Sweden and two from Spain, have been analysed for the occurrence of Macrochelidae species. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae females were associated with a corpse that was found in a popular beach area of southeast Spain. Their arrival coincides with the occurrence of one of their major carrier species, the filth fly Fannia scalaris, the activity of which peaks during mid-summer. M. glaber specimens were collected from a corpse in a shallow grave in a forest in Sweden at the end of summer, concurrent with the arrival of beetles attracted by odours from the corpse. M. perglaber adults were sampled from a corpse found indoors in the rural surroundings of Granada city, Spain. The phoretic behaviour of this species is similar to that of M. glaber, but being more specific to Scarabaeidae and Geotrupidae dung beetles, most of which favour human faeces. M. muscaedomesticae is known from urban and rural areas and poultry farms; M. glaber from outdoors, particularly the countryside; while M. perglaber from outdoor, rural, and remote, potentially mountainous locations. M. muscaedomesticae and M. perglaber are reported for the first time from the Iberian Peninsula. This is the first record of M. perglaber from human remains

A communal catalogue reveals Earth’s multiscale microbial diversity

Our growing awareness of the microbial world’s importance and diversity contrasts starkly with our limited understanding of its fundamental structure. Despite recent advances in DNA sequencing, a lack of standardized protocols and common analytical frameworks impedes comparisons among studies, hindering the development of global inferences about microbial life on Earth. Here we present a meta-analysis of microbial community samples collected by hundreds of researchers for the Earth Microbiome Project. Coordinated protocols and new analytical methods, particularly the use of exact sequences instead of clustered operational taxonomic units, enable bacterial and archaeal ribosomal RNA gene sequences to be followed across multiple studies and allow us to explore patterns of diversity at an unprecedented scale. The result is both a reference database giving global context to DNA sequence data and a framework for incorporating data from future studies, fostering increasingly complete characterization of Earth’s microbial diversity

A communal catalogue reveals Earth's multiscale microbial diversity

Our growing awareness of the microbial world's importance and diversity contrasts starkly with our limited understanding of its fundamental structure. Despite recent advances in DNA sequencing, a lack of standardized protocols and common analytical frameworks impedes comparisons among studies, hindering the development of global inferences about microbial life on Earth. Here we present a meta-analysis of microbial community samples collected by hundreds of researchers for the Earth Microbiome Project. Coordinated protocols and new analytical methods, particularly the use of exact sequences instead of clustered operational taxonomic units, enable bacterial and archaeal ribosomal RNA gene sequences to be followed across multiple studies and allow us to explore patterns of diversity at an unprecedented scale. The result is both a reference database giving global context to DNA sequence data and a framework for incorporating data from future studies, fostering increasingly complete characterization of Earth's microbial diversity.Peer reviewe

Holaspina (syn. Parholaspulus) persicum, a new species of Parholospididae from Iran (Acari: Mesostigmata)

National audienceA new species (Holaspina persicum sp. nov.) in the genus Holaspina (syn. Parholaspulus) is described from Tehran region (Iran). Distribution of the genus is discussed.Une nouvelle espèce du genre Holaspina (syn. Parholaspulus) de la région de Téhéran (Iran) est décrite. La distribution du genre est discutée

Iranian Macrochelids: II : Short description of four new species , what about the genus Macrocheles?

National audienc

Holaspina (Syn. Parholaspulus ) persicum: a new species of Parholaspidae from Iran (Acari : Mesostigmata)

National audienc

Pesticide Use in Market Gardening and Perceived Risk of Consumers Exposed to Pesticide Residues

Pesticides are commonly applied in market gardening to improve productivity and pest control. Pesticide residues could be persistent in vegetables and generate a potential health hazard for consumers. This study has been carried out in Tunisia to assess the perceived risk of consumers exposed to pesticide residues remaining in vegetables. Two surveys with different questionnaires were conducted among 30 market gardeners and 50 households located in the Djebeniana delegation (Sfax governorate, Tunisia) in order to analyze the phytosanitary practices of farmers on the one hand, and to better understand the attitude related to vegetable consumption and awareness on pesticide residues, on the other hand. The results revealed that various phytosanitary products have been used by market gardeners (43 commercial products containing 39 different active substances (AS)). Among these AS, abamectin and methomyl are considered as highly hazardous according the WHO classification. According to the behavior of pesticides in plants, more than half of the AS. (54%) are systemic and can be absorbed by the plant and moved around in its tissues. Furthermore, the majority of the surveyed farmers had never undergone agricultural training, which is a real handicap with respect to good phytosanitary practices. After applying pesticides, the pre-harvest interval was regularly not respected by almost half of the interviewed market gardeners. In addition, the study showed that all consumers washed their vegetables before consumption, but more than half of the respondents (54%) wash their vegetables for less than a minute (simply passing them under running water). In the light of these results, it appears that consumers may be exposed to pesticide residues from vegetables on the Tunisian market, with potential effects on their&nbsp;health.</p

Investigation of bio-insecticidal activity of two aromatic essential oils against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

Excessive application of synthetic insecticides damages not only the environment and agriculture, but also affects the human health. In this study we investigated greener methods to control an insect pest of stored products. We focalized our work on the characterization and study of the biological activity of Thymus algeriensis Boiss. and Reut (1852) and Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. et Link (1809) essential oils against Tribolium castaneum Herbest (1797). The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation, analysed by GC/MS and screened for their insecticidal activity against T. castaneum using fumigation [1], topical application [2], repulsion [3], and feeding tests [4] at the doses of 1, 10 and 20%. The chemical analysis of the essential oils of these two species showed a qualitative and quantitative similarity. Indeed, they were both particularly rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (T. capitatus 85.1% and T. algeriensis 74.0%). The investigation of the bio-insecticidal activity of the essential oils by topical application showed that T. capitatus essential oil was more toxic against adults and nymphs (respectively 61% and 100% at the dose of 10%) than T. algeriensis. However, T. algeriensis was characterized by a higher repulsive activity (Class V at all the doses) and without any fumigant toxicity against T. castaneum adults. The study of the nutritional indices highlights a phagostimulant effect for T. capitatus and T. algeriensis oils. Even if quite similar, these different modes of action can be attributed to the different qualiquantitative composition of these two essential oils. More investigations, in particular about the mechanism of action, are needed in the aim of their possible future agronomic use in insect control to protect the environment and the living beings from insect pests

Pesticide residues in vegetables and perception of risk for consumers

72nd International symposium on crop&nbsp;protection</p