Andrius Petrašiūnas

Dr. Andrius Petrašiūnas

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

20Years (2007-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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19 September 2014 in ZooKeys
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JSJukka Salmela
Jukka Salmela
APAndrius Petrašiūnas
Andrius Petrašiūnas
A checklist of the infraorder Tipulomorpha: families Trichoceridae, Pediciidae, Limoniidae, Cylindrotomidae and Tipulidae (Diptera) recorded from Finland.

30 July 2024 in Insects
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JTJurga Turčinavičienė
Jurga Turčinavičienė
Rasa BernotieneRasa Bernotiene
Rasa Bernotiene
APAndrius Petrašiūnas
Andrius Petrašiūnas
Trypanosomatids from the Tabanidae family have not been studied in Lithuania in any detail. In this study, a nested PCR amplifying the DNA fragment coding the SSU rRNA was used to determine the Trypanosoma spp. prevalence and diversity in the Tabanidae family collected in Lithuania in 2018–2019. In total, 101 Tabanidae individuals were investigated from six areas in Lithuania, and 14 different species were identified. The overall positivity of Trypanosoma spp. DNA in tabanids was 50.5% (51/101). Tabanus maculicornis was the most abundant species and yielded the highest prevalence of trypanosomatids (84.62%, 22/26), while Hybomitra nitidifrons showed a high prevalence as well, reaching 77.8% (14/18). In flies of some species (Hybomitra lapponica and Hybomitra lurida), Trypanosoma was detected for the first time. Nine different haplotypes were detected as being distributed in different tabanid species. Analysis showed that most sequences obtained during our study were identical or extremely close to two major T. theileri subclades: TthI and TthII. Our data analysis suggests the presence of different Trypanosoma genotypes in the same tabanid species, meaning that different lineages of Trypanosoma could be more related to the vertebrate host and not the fly species. This is the first study of trypanosomatid parasites in tabanids from Lithuania, and our results are valuable in providing data on the diversity of these parasites in different Tabanidae species.

10 November 2023 in Environmental Research
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SKSeunghyun Kang
Seunghyun Kang
SKSanghee Kim
Sanghee Kim
KPKye Chung Park
Kye Chung Park
APAndrius Petrašiūnas
Andrius Petrašiūnas
HSHyung Chul Shin
Hyung Chul Shin
JKJi Hee Kim
Ji Hee Kim
Native biodiversity and ecosystems of Antarctica safeguarded from biological invasion face recent threats from non-native species, accelerated by increasing human activities and climate changes. Over two decades ago, the winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis, was first detected on King George Island. It has now successfully colonized several research stations across King George Island. To understand the origin, genetic diversity, and population structure of this Holarctic species, we conducted mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence analysis across both its native and invasive ranges. In parallel, we performed microsatellite loci analysis within the invasive ranges, utilizing 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Furthermore, we compared body sizes among adult males and females collected from three different locations of King George Island. Our COI sequence analysis exhibited two different lineages present on King George Island. Lineage I was linked to Arctic Svalbard and Polish cave populations and Lineage II was related to Canadian Terra Nova National Park populations, implying multiple origins. Microsatellite analysis further exhibited high levels of genetic diversity and significant levels of genetic differentiation among invasive populations. Body sizes of adult T. maculipennis were significantly different among invasive populations but were not attributed to genetics. This significant genetic diversity likely facilitated the rapid colonization and establishment of T. maculipennis on King George Island, contributing to their successful invasion. Molecular analysis results revealed a substantial amount of genetic variation within invasive populations, which can serve as management units for invasive species control. Furthermore, the genetic markers we developed in the study will be invaluable tools for tracking impending invasion events and the travel routes of new individuals. Taken together, these findings illustrate the highly invasive and adaptable characteristics of T. maculipennis. Therefore, immediate action is necessary to mitigate their ongoing invasion and facilitate their eradication.

15 May 2009 in Zootaxa
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APAndrius Petrašiūnas
Andrius Petrašiūnas
Subgenus Saltrichocera was established for the inclusion of the species of Trichocera with simple gonostyles and gonocoxites, separated and highly arched bridge, and large aedeagal complex (Krzeminska, 2002). As the newly described species possesses all these features, it is therefore assigned to the subgenus Saltrichocera.

21 January 2016 in Biodiversity Data Journal
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APAndrius Petrašiūnas
Andrius Petrašiūnas
GKGunnar Mikalsen Kvifte
Gunnar Mikalsen Kvifte
The Trichoceridae are a small family distributed mainly in the Holarctic Region, most of which are associated with cold seasons and even snow. From the Iberian peninsula, 5 species have been recorded; however only a single previous occurence record exists from the Balearic islands. In this paper we present new records of two species from Mallorca, of which Trichocera (Saltrichocera) saltator (Harris, 1776) has not previously been recorded from the Balearic islands. Trichocera (Saltrichocera) annulata Meigen, 1818 is recorded for the first time from Mallorca. We furthermore discuss the species' distributions within the Mediterranean region and report new morphological data for the Mallorca island form of T. saltator.

16 September 2011 in Zootaxa
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APAndrius Petrašiūnas
Andrius Petrašiūnas
SPSigitas Podenas
Sigitas Podenas
The family of winter flies Trichoceridae is newly recorded for Mongolia. Four species, Trichocera (Metatrichocera) gigantea (Dahl), T. (M.) mackenziei (Dahl), T. (Saltrichocera) regelationis (Linnaeus) and T. (Trichocera) hiemalis (De Geer) are first recorded in Mongolia from sampling during 1996, 2003–2006, 2008. A new species, Trichocera (Saltrichocera) chuluuta, is described from specimens collected during the fieldwork of the Mongolian Aquatic Insect Survey Project in western and north-central Mongolia.