Search results for "arthropod"
showing 10 items of 308 documents
Dysfunction of Oskyddad causes Harlequin-type ichthyosis-like defects in Drosophila melanogaster.
2020
Prevention of desiccation is a constant challenge for terrestrial organisms. Land insects have an extracellular coat, the cuticle, that plays a major role in protection against exaggerated water loss. Here, we report that the ABC transporter Oskyddad (Osy)—a human ABCA12 paralog—contributes to the waterproof barrier function of the cuticle in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We show that the reduction or elimination of Osy function provokes rapid desiccation. Osy is also involved in defining the inward barrier against xenobiotics penetration. Consistently, the amounts of cuticular hydrocarbons that are involved in cuticle impermeability decrease markedly when Osy activity is reduced. …
Inducing Cold-Sensitivity in the Frigophilic Fly Drosophila montana by RNAi.
2016
Cold acclimation is a critical physiological adaptation for coping with seasonal cold. By increasing their cold tolerance individuals can remain active for longer at the onset of winter and can recover more quickly from a cold shock. In insects, despite many physiological studies, little is known about the genetic basis of cold acclimation. Recently, transcriptomic analyses in Drosophila virilis and D. montana revealed candidate genes for cold acclimation by identifying genes upregulated during exposure to cold. Here, we test the role of myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (Inos), in cold tolerance in D. montana using an RNAi approach. D. montana has a circumpolar distribution and overwinters…
Two Enhancers Control Transcription of Drosophila muscleblind in the Embryonic Somatic Musculature and in the Central Nervous System
2014
The phylogenetically conserved family of Muscleblind proteins are RNA-binding factors involved in a variety of gene expression processes including alternative splicing regulation, RNA stability and subcellular localization, and miRNA biogenesis, which typically contribute to cell-type specific differentiation. In humans, sequestration of Muscleblind-like proteins MBNL1 and MBNL2 has been implicated in degenerative disorders, particularly expansion diseases such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 and 2. Drosophila muscleblind was previously shown to be expressed in embryonic somatic and visceral muscle subtypes, and in the central nervous system, and to depend on Mef2 for transcriptional activatio…
Segmental Organization of Cephalic Ganglia in Arthropods
2007
Cephalic ganglia in arthropods encompass neuromeres of the supraesophageal ganglion (i.e., the brain) and the subesophageal ganglion. Whereas neuromeres of the subesophageal ganglion are clearly distinguishable, the segmental pattern of the brain is derived and less well understood. In this article, we give an overview of the current state of a long-lasting debate on the segmental organization of the arthropod head and brain, discussing embryonic morphological and molecular data, with a main focus on insects. Embryonic expression data on key developmental genes such as engrailed, orthodenticle, and Hox genes will be summarized to compare the metameric organization of the head (sub- and supr…
Revision of the types of species of Alloxysta described by Cameron and Fergusson (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae) and deposited in the Natural Hi…
2013
Type material of the species of Alloxysta described by Cameron and Fergusson and deposited in the Natural History Museum of London has been revised. Seven species are considered valid: Alloxysta abdera Fergusson, 1986, A. basimacula (Cameron, 1886), A. crassa (Cameron, 1889), A. mullensis (Cameron, 1883), A. piceomaculata (Cameron, 1883), A. pleuralis (Cameron, 1879) and A. semiaperta Fergusson, 1986. A. basimacula, A. crassa, A. maculicollis (Cameron, 1886), A. perplexa (Cameron, 1889) and A. piceomaculata are here removed from synonymy with A. macrophadna (Hartig,1841). A. ruficeps (Cameron, 1883) is removed from synonymy with A. victrix (Westwood, 1833). A. caledonica (Cameron, 1886) and…
Keys to world Charipinae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae)
2019
Eight genera of Charipinae are defined, keyed out, and illustrated. Keys for all charipine species within each valid genus, includingAlloxysta,Apocharips,Dilyta,Phaenoglyphis, andThoreauana, are presented, except forDilapothor,Lobopterocharips, andLytoxysta, which are monotypic. Figures are provided to show the diagnostic morphological features as used in the keys.
Revision of the Holarctic species of Dilyta Förster (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Charipinae) with descriptions of four new species from the eastern Palae…
2011
The genus Dilyta, and the known species of this genus present in the Holarctic, D. subclavata Forster from Europe and D. rathmanae Menke and Evenhuis from USA, are redescribed. Four new species of Dilyta are described from the eastern Palaearctic region: D. aleevae sp. n. from Kazakhstan, D. japonica sp. n. from Japan, and D. longinqua sp. n. and D. sinica sp. n. from China. All six species have an ∩ -shaped carina on the apex of the scutellum; this character differentiates these species from the Afrotropical species, which instead have two small symmetrical and parallel carinae. A key to the species of Dilyta in the Holarctic is provided. Apocharips talitzkii (Belizin) is synonymyzed with …
Charipinae Dalla Torre & Kieffer, 1910 (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Figitidae) from the Mercantour National Park (Alpes-Maritimes, France), with descrip…
2015
ABSTRACT Charipinae Dalla Torre & Kieffer, 1910 material collected during the ATBI of the Mercantour National Park in the Alpes-Maritimes (France) has been studied. Based on the study of 362 specimens, 35 species in four genera have been identified from: 23 Alloxysta Forster, 1869; 10 Phaenoglyphis Forster, 1869; one Apocharips Fergusson, 1986 and one Dilyta Forster, 1869. Of these, 19 species are recorded from France for the first time: Alloxysta abdera Fergusson, 1986; Alloxysta arcuata (Kieffer, 1902); Alloxysta brachycera Hellen, 1963; Alloxysta brevis (Thomson, 1962); Alloxysta fracticornis (Thomson, 1862); Alloxysta mullensis (Cameron, 1883); Alloxysta pilipennis (Hartig, 1840); Allox…
The Anagyrus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) parasitoids of the obscure mealybug Pseudococcus viburni (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Spain, with descriptio…
2021
The presence of three species of the genus Anagyrus Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) parasitizing the obscure mealybug Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in agricultural ecosystems of citrus, persimmon and ornamental plants from Eastern Spain is recorded. Anagyrus aligarhensis Agarwal & Alam is recorded for the first time as parasitoid on this mealybug. Anagyrus fusciventris (Girault) is a new record for Spain. Anagyrus borrianensis sp. nov., reared as a specific primary parasitoid of this mealybug, is described and illustrated. The joint presence of Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) and Anagyrus vladimiri Triapitsyn on citrus crops is confirmed. A key to species o…
Ptiliolum marginatum (Aube, 1850) (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae)– gatunek nowy dla Polski z Białowieskiego Parku Narodowego
2021
We present the first record of Ptiliolum marginatum for Poland. The specimens have been extracted from two nests of the wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix in 2020, during investigations of the invertebrate fauna inhabiting bird nests. The samples were collected in the strictly protected part of the Białowieża National Park, in eastern Poland. We provide general information on the geographical distribution of Ptiliolum marginatum in Europe, the state of knowledge of the genus Ptiliolum in Poland, and further documentation including colour photographs of dorsal and ventral habitus, and characteristic features of hind femora and spermatheca of females.