New records of introduced ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Galapagos Islands

Recent collections on Santa Cruz island and review of the Reference Collection of Terrestrial Invertebrates of the Charles Darwin Research Station, found five new records of ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) possibly introduced to the Galapagos Islands: Brachymyrmex heeri, Adelomyrmex myops, Cyphomyrmex rimosus, Pyramica membranifera and Rogeria curvipubens. Four of these are also new records for Ecuador

First inventory of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on Baltra Island, Galapagos

Baltra Island is vulnerable to ant invasions because it is one of the principal ports of entry to the Galapagos archipelago. In spite of this, little was known about its ant fauna. We present 13 new records of ants for Baltra collected during 2005 and 2006: Tapinoma melanocephalum, Camponotus planus, Paratrechina longicornis, Paratrechina sp., Monomorium destructor, M. floricola, Pheidole sp., Solenopsis geminata, S. globularia pacifica, Tetramorium bicarinatum, T. lanuginosum and T. simillimum. In addition to this, we report a new species for Galapagos: Monomorium sp. nr. pharaonis. S. geminata and M. destructor are considered threats to native faun

Contribution to the knowledge of selected land gastropods of Galápagos (Ecuador) (Mollusca, Cycloneritida and Stylommatophora)

La Helicina nesiotica nativa es la primera Helicinidae registrada en la Isla Pinzón, y la Streptostele musaecola no indígena, encontrada en Santa Cruz, es la primera Streptaxidae registrada en el archipiélago de Galápagos. Otras especies exóticas encontradas por primera vez son Cecilioides (Geostilbia) aperta (en Santa Cruz Is.) Y Cecilioides sp. (en Santiago Is.), ambos Ferussacidae. Protoconchs, mandíbulas y rádulas de especies de Helicinidae, Euconulidae y Zonitidae se describen por primera vez; Hyalinia chathamensis se vuelve a clasificar en el género Glyphyalus.The native nesic Helicin is the first Helicinidae recorded on Pinzón Island, and the non-indigenous Streptostele musaecola, found in Santa Cruz, is the first Streptaxidae recorded in the Galapagos archipelago. Other exotic species found for the first time are Cecilioides (Geostilbia) aperta (in Santa Cruz Is.) And Cecilioides sp. (in Santiago Is.), both Ferussacidae. Protoconchs, jaws and radules of species of Helicinidae, Euconulidae and Zonitidae are described for the first time; Hyalinia chathamensis is re-classified into the genus Glyphyalus

First record of the Sclerogibbidae (Hymenoptera) from the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

Las Islas Galápagos son de gran importancia debido a su papel en los albores y la consolidación del modelo de evolución darwiniano (Sulloway 1982); su origen geológicamente reciente y su ubicación oceánica los convierten en un laboratorio natural para el estudio de muchos procesos evolutivos y ecológicos (Schluter 1986, Grant & Grant 2009). Como consecuencia, varios grupos de organismos, como los vertebrados, han sido ampliamente estudiados (De Roy 2009, Steadman 2009); sin embargo, preguntas básicas como la riqueza de las islas requieren más estudio, y aparecen sorpresas continuamente, incluso de los grupos más obvios, como los vertebrados mismos (Gentile & Snell 2009). Los artrópodos son un grupo para el cual el inventario de las islas se ha desarrollado de manera desigual y aún requiere un gran esfuerzo a pesar de las múltiples expediciones realizadas. Según Linsley y Usinger (1966), en ese momento el mejor compendio de estudios entomológicos, desde la visita pionera de Charles Darwin en 1835 hasta 1966, se produjeron alrededor de ocho expediciones individuales y 21 grupales, lo que dio como resultado una lista de 618 especies: 192 coleópteros, 97 lepidópteros y 31 himenópteros. Curiosamente, grandes grupos de himenópteros como Braconidae, Pteromalidae y Encyrtidae no figuran en la lista o se mencionan en publicaciones con menos de cinco especies (Heraty y Herrera 2017). Roque-Álbelo y Landry (2016) enumeraron 311 especies de lepidópteros, y Heraty y Herrera (2017) compilaron un total de 71 himenópteros. Curiosamente, grandes grupos de himenópteros como Braconidae, Pteromalidae y Encyrtidae no figuran en la lista o se mencionan en publicaciones con menos de cinco especies (Heraty y Herrera 2017). Roque-Álbelo y Landry (2016) enumeraron 311 especies de lepidópteros, y Heraty y Herrera (2017) compilaron un total de 71 himenópteros. Curiosamente, grandes grupos de himenópteros como Braconidae, Pteromalidae y Encyrtidae no figuran en la lista o se mencionan en publicaciones con menos de cinco especies (Heraty y Herrera 2017).The Galapagos Islands are of great importance due to their role in the dawn and consolidation of the Darwinian model of evolution (Sulloway 1982); their recent geological origin and oceanic location are recent in a natural laboratory for the study of many evolutionary and ecological processes (Schluter 1986, Grant & Grant 2009). As a consequence, several groups of organisms, such as vertebrates, have been specifically studied (De Roy 2009, Steadman 2009); however, basic questions such as the wealth of the affected islands are more studied, and surprises continually appear, even from the most obvious groups, such as the vertebrates themselves (Gentile & Snell 2009). Arthropods are a group for which the inventory of the islands has been unevenly developed and still require a great effort despite the multiple expeditions carried out. According to Linsley and Usinger (1966), at that time the best compendium of entomological studies, from Charles Darwin's pioneering visit in 1835 to 1966, produced around eight individual and 21 group expeditions, resulting in a list of 618 species: 192 beetles, 97 lepidoptera and 31 hymenoptera. Interestingly, large groups of hymenoptera such as Braconidae, Pteromalidae, and Encyrtidae are not listed or mentioned in publications with fewer than five species (Heraty and Herrera 2017). Roque-Álbelo and Landry (2016) listed 311 species of lepidoptera, and Heraty and Herrera (2017) compiled a total of 71 hymenoptera. Interestingly, large groups of hymenoptera such as Braconidae, Pteromalidae, and Encyrtidae are not listed or mentioned in publications with fewer than five species (Heraty and Herrera 2017). Roque-Álbelo and Landry (2016) listed 311 species of lepidoptera, and Heraty and Herrera (2017) compiled a total of 71 hymenoptera. Interestingly, large groups of hymenoptera such as Braconidae, Pteromalidae, and Encyrtidae are not listed or mentioned in publications with fewer than five species (Heraty and Herrera 2017)

First record of the Sclerogibbidae (Hymenoptera) from the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

Las Islas Galápagos son de gran importancia debido a su papel en los albores y la consolidación del modelo de evolución darwiniano (Sulloway 1982); su origen geológicamente reciente y su ubicación oceánica los convierten en un laboratorio natural para el estudio de muchos procesos evolutivos y ecológicos (Schluter 1986, Grant & Grant 2009). Como consecuencia, varios grupos de organismos, como los vertebrados, han sido ampliamente estudiados (De Roy 2009, Steadman 2009); sin embargo, preguntas básicas como la riqueza de las islas requieren más estudio, y aparecen sorpresas continuamente, incluso de los grupos más obvios, como los vertebrados mismos (Gentile & Snell 2009). Los artrópodos son un grupo para el cual el inventario de las islas se ha desarrollado de manera desigual y aún requiere un gran esfuerzo a pesar de las múltiples expediciones realizadas. Según Linsley y Usinger (1966), en ese momento el mejor compendio de estudios entomológicos, desde la visita pionera de Charles Darwin en 1835 hasta 1966, se produjeron alrededor de ocho expediciones individuales y 21 grupales, lo que dio como resultado una lista de 618 especies: 192 coleópteros, 97 lepidópteros y 31 himenópteros. Curiosamente, grandes grupos de himenópteros como Braconidae, Pteromalidae y Encyrtidae no figuran en la lista o se mencionan en publicaciones con menos de cinco especies (Heraty y Herrera 2017). Roque-Álbelo y Landry (2016) enumeraron 311 especies de lepidópteros, y Heraty y Herrera (2017) compilaron un total de 71 himenópteros. Curiosamente, grandes grupos de himenópteros como Braconidae, Pteromalidae y Encyrtidae no figuran en la lista o se mencionan en publicaciones con menos de cinco especies (Heraty y Herrera 2017). Roque-Álbelo y Landry (2016) enumeraron 311 especies de lepidópteros, y Heraty y Herrera (2017) compilaron un total de 71 himenópteros. Curiosamente, grandes grupos de himenópteros como Braconidae, Pteromalidae y Encyrtidae no figuran en la lista o se mencionan en publicaciones con menos de cinco especies (Heraty y Herrera 2017).The Galapagos Islands are of great importance due to their role in the dawn and consolidation of the Darwinian model of evolution (Sulloway 1982); their recent geological origin and oceanic location are recent in a natural laboratory for the study of many evolutionary and ecological processes (Schluter 1986, Grant & Grant 2009). As a consequence, several groups of organisms, such as vertebrates, have been specifically studied (De Roy 2009, Steadman 2009); however, basic questions such as the wealth of the affected islands are more studied, and surprises continually appear, even from the most obvious groups, such as the vertebrates themselves (Gentile & Snell 2009). Arthropods are a group for which the inventory of the islands has been unevenly developed and still require a great effort despite the multiple expeditions carried out. According to Linsley and Usinger (1966), at that time the best compendium of entomological studies, from Charles Darwin's pioneering visit in 1835 to 1966, produced around eight individual and 21 group expeditions, resulting in a list of 618 species: 192 beetles, 97 lepidoptera and 31 hymenoptera. Interestingly, large groups of hymenoptera such as Braconidae, Pteromalidae, and Encyrtidae are not listed or mentioned in publications with fewer than five species (Heraty and Herrera 2017). Roque-Álbelo and Landry (2016) listed 311 species of lepidoptera, and Heraty and Herrera (2017) compiled a total of 71 hymenoptera. Interestingly, large groups of hymenoptera such as Braconidae, Pteromalidae, and Encyrtidae are not listed or mentioned in publications with fewer than five species (Heraty and Herrera 2017). Roque-Álbelo and Landry (2016) listed 311 species of lepidoptera, and Heraty and Herrera (2017) compiled a total of 71 hymenoptera. Interestingly, large groups of hymenoptera such as Braconidae, Pteromalidae, and Encyrtidae are not listed or mentioned in publications with fewer than five species (Heraty and Herrera 2017)

Distribution of fire ants Solenopsis geminata and Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Galapagos Islands

The Little Fire Ant Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) and the Tropical Fire Ant Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius) are considered two of the most serious threats to the terrestrial fauna of Galapagos, yet little is known about their distribution in the archipelago. Specimens at the Charles Darwin Research Station and literature were reviewed and distribution maps compiled for both species. W. auropunctata is currently recorded on nine islands and six islets and S. geminata is recorded on seven islands and six islets. New locations were registered, including the first record of W. auropunctata on Española and North Seymour islands, and of S. geminata on Fernandina Island. We recommend further survey, especially in sensitive areas, in order to plan management of these species

Gizzard contents of the Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani in Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani was introduced to the Galapagos archipelago in the 1960s, since when its population has grown significantly. We studied the dietary items in the gizzards of 56 anis sampled on the island of Santa Cruz. We confirmed that the diet of C. ani consists primarily of invertebrates and plant material, including native species and non-native invasives. The second most abundant seed in the anis’ diet was that of the highly invasive plant, Rubus niveus. Our findings suggest that C. ani poses a threat to the Galapagos ecosystem by dispersing seeds of non-native plants and by competing with other insectivorous species on the islands. Furthermore, the discovery of a Darwin’s Finch nestling in the gizzard of one C. ani establishes direct predation by this species on native birds

Distribution and habitat preferences of Galápagos ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Presentamos la primera revisión exhaustiva de los taxones de hormigas del archipiélago de Galápagos. La revisión se basa en datos recopilados durante búsquedas bibliográficas, encuestas de campo y la revisión de especímenes de museos, e incluye información sobre la distribución, hábitat y ecología de 47 especies. Se supone que al menos nueve de estas especies son nativas o endémicas de las islas y al menos 32 especies se han introducido a través de vías asociadas a los humanos. Se desconoce el estado de las seis especies restantes. La información compilada en este estudio nos permitirá comprender mejor el papel ecológico de las especies indígenas y su potencial como indicadores de la salud del ecosistema. La información de referencia sobre la distribución de hormigas introducidas será indispensable para evaluar el impacto y la propagación dentro del archipiélago.We present the first comprehensive review of the ant taxa of the Galápagos archipelago. The review is based on data gathered during literature searches, field surveys, and the revision ofmuseum specimens, and includes information on the distribution, habitat, and ecology of 47 species. At least nine of these species are assumed to be native or endemic to the islands and at least 32 species have been introduced through human-associated pathways. The status of the remaining six species is unknown. The information compiled in this study will allow us to better understand the ecological role of indigenous species and their potential as indicators of ecosystem health. Baseline information on the distribution of introduced ants will be indispensable for assessing impact and spread within the archipelago

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Imbalanced Lignin Biosynthesis Promotes the Sexual Reproduction of Homothallic Oomycete Pathogens

Lignin is incorporated into plant cell walls to maintain plant architecture and to ensure long-distance water transport. Lignin composition affects the industrial value of plant material for forage, wood and paper production, and biofuel technologies. Industrial demands have resulted in an increase in the use of genetic engineering to modify lignified plant cell wall composition. However, the interaction of the resulting plants with the environment must be analyzed carefully to ensure that there are no undesirable side effects of lignin modification. We show here that Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with impaired 5-hydroxyguaiacyl O-methyltransferase (known as caffeate O-methyltransferase; COMT) function were more susceptible to various bacterial and fungal pathogens. Unexpectedly, asexual sporulation of the downy mildew pathogen, Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, was impaired on these mutants. Enhanced resistance to downy mildew was not correlated with increased plant defense responses in comt1 mutants but coincided with a higher frequency of oomycete sexual reproduction within mutant tissues. Comt1 mutants but not wild-type Arabidopsis accumulated soluble 2-O-5-hydroxyferuloyl-l-malate. The compound weakened mycelium vigor and promoted sexual oomycete reproduction when applied to a homothallic oomycete in vitro. These findings suggested that the accumulation of 2-O-5-hydroxyferuloyl-l-malate accounted for the observed comt1 mutant phenotypes during the interaction with H. arabidopsidis. Taken together, our study shows that an artificial downregulation of COMT can drastically alter the interaction of a plant with the biotic environment