18 research outputs found
Variations in the relative abundance of Wolbachia in the gut of Nasutitermes arborum across life stages and castes
International audienc
The evolution of fungus-growing termites and their mutualistic fungal symbionts
We have estimated phylogenies of fungus-growing termites and their associated mutualistic fungi of the genus Termitomyces using Bayesian analyses of DNA sequences. Our study shows that the symbiosis has a single African origin and that secondary domestication of other fungi or reversal of mutualistic fungi to a free-living state has not occurred. Host switching has been frequent, especially at the lower taxonomic levels, and nests of single termite species can have different symbionts. Data are consistent with horizontal transmission of fungal symbionts in both the ancestral state of the mutualism and most of the extant taxa. Clonal vertical transmission of fungi, previously shown to be common in the genus Microtermes (via females) and in the species Macrotermes bellicosus (via males) [Johnson, R. A., Thomas, R. J., Wood, T. G. & Swift, M. J. (1981) J. Nat. Hist. 15, 751â756], is derived with two independent origins. Despite repeated host switching, statistical tests taking phylogenetic uncertainty into account show a significant congruence between the termite and fungal phylogenies, because mutualistic interactions at higher taxonomic levels show considerable specificity. We identify common characteristics of fungus-farming evolution in termites and ants, which apply despite the major differences between these two insect agricultural systems. We hypothesize that biparental colony founding may have constrained the evolution of vertical symbiont transmission in termites but not in ants where males die after mating
Wesley's parish and the digital age?
The following article was delivered as the annual lecture of the Methodist
Sacramental Fellowship at the 2016 Methodist Conference in London.
Beginning with the original context of John Wesleyâs well-known phrase, âthe
world as my parishâ, this article explores the digital aspects of our global parish
today. Putting the digital age on the agenda of the Churchâs mission is seen as
a similar response to Wesleyâs decision to become âmore vileâ and enter the world
of field preaching. The lecture concludes by offering a fresh approach to
Methodist identity magnified by aspects of digital culture, calling for the creation
of digital Arminianism, digital field preaching, digital creativity and,
ultimately, a digital parish. The article proposes that Methodism embrace a
digital social holiness to spread scriptural holiness throughout the geographic
and digital landscape