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We analyzed the transcriptomes of Romalea microptera grasshoppers after 8 years of artificial selection for either long or short thoraces. Evolution proceeded rapidly during the experiment, with a 13.3% increase and a 32.2% decrease in mean pronotum lengths (sexes combined) in the up- and down-selected colonies, respectively, after only 11 generations. At least 16 additional traits also diverged between the two colonies during the selection experiment. Transcriptomic analysis identified 693 differentially expressed genes, with 386 upregulated and 307 downregulated (55.7% vs. 44.3%), including cellular process, metabolic process, binding, general function prediction only, and signal transduction mechanisms. Many of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are known to influence animal body size.
Shuang Li; Dong-Nan Cui; Hidayat Ullah; Jun Chen; Shao-Fang Liu; Douglas W. Whitman; Ze-Hua Zhang; Xiong-Bing Tu. Transcriptomic Analysis Following Artificial Selection for Grasshopper Size. Insects 2020, 11, 176 .
AMA StyleShuang Li, Dong-Nan Cui, Hidayat Ullah, Jun Chen, Shao-Fang Liu, Douglas W. Whitman, Ze-Hua Zhang, Xiong-Bing Tu. Transcriptomic Analysis Following Artificial Selection for Grasshopper Size. Insects. 2020; 11 (3):176.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShuang Li; Dong-Nan Cui; Hidayat Ullah; Jun Chen; Shao-Fang Liu; Douglas W. Whitman; Ze-Hua Zhang; Xiong-Bing Tu. 2020. "Transcriptomic Analysis Following Artificial Selection for Grasshopper Size." Insects 11, no. 3: 176.
Cantharidin (CTD) is a toxic monoterpene produced by blister beetles (Fam. Meloidae) as a chemical defense against predators. Although CTD is highly poisonous to many predator species, some have evolved the ability to feed on poisonous Meloidae, or otherwise beneficially use blister beetles. Great Bustards, Otis tarda, eat CTD-containing Berberomeloe majalis blister beetles, and it has been hypothesized that beetle consumption by these birds reduces parasite load (a case of self-medication). We examined this hypothesis by testing diverse organisms against CTD and extracts of B. majalis hemolymph and bodies. Our results show that all three preparations (CTD and extracts of B. majalis) were toxic to a protozoan (Trichomonas vaginalis), a nematode (Meloidogyne javanica), two insects (Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi) and a tick (Hyalomma lusitanicum). This not only supports the anti-parasitic hypothesis for beetle consumption, but suggests potential new roles for CTD, under certain conditions.
Douglas W. Whitman; Maria Fe Andrés; Rafael A. Martínez-Díaz; Alexandra Ibáñez-Escribano; A. Sonia Olmeda; Azucena González-Coloma; Martínez- Díaz; Ibáñez- Escribano; González- Coloma. Antiparasitic Properties of Cantharidin and the Blister Beetle Berberomeloe majalis (Coleoptera: Meloidae). Toxins 2019, 11, 234 .
AMA StyleDouglas W. Whitman, Maria Fe Andrés, Rafael A. Martínez-Díaz, Alexandra Ibáñez-Escribano, A. Sonia Olmeda, Azucena González-Coloma, Martínez- Díaz, Ibáñez- Escribano, González- Coloma. Antiparasitic Properties of Cantharidin and the Blister Beetle Berberomeloe majalis (Coleoptera: Meloidae). Toxins. 2019; 11 (4):234.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDouglas W. Whitman; Maria Fe Andrés; Rafael A. Martínez-Díaz; Alexandra Ibáñez-Escribano; A. Sonia Olmeda; Azucena González-Coloma; Martínez- Díaz; Ibáñez- Escribano; González- Coloma. 2019. "Antiparasitic Properties of Cantharidin and the Blister Beetle Berberomeloe majalis (Coleoptera: Meloidae)." Toxins 11, no. 4: 234.
The Apicomplexa are a diverse group of obligate protozoan parasites infesting a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate hosts including humans. These parasites are notoriously difficult to control and many species continue to evolve resistance to commercial antibiotics. In this study, we sought to find an effective chemotherapeutic treatment against arthropod gregarines (Apicomplexa), and to identify candidate compounds for testing against other groups of protozoan parasites.
Shajahan Johny; Amber Merisko; Douglas W Whitman. Efficacy of eleven antimicrobials against a gregarine parasite (Apicomplexa: Protozoa). Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials 2007, 6, 15 -15.
AMA StyleShajahan Johny, Amber Merisko, Douglas W Whitman. Efficacy of eleven antimicrobials against a gregarine parasite (Apicomplexa: Protozoa). Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials. 2007; 6 (1):15-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShajahan Johny; Amber Merisko; Douglas W Whitman. 2007. "Efficacy of eleven antimicrobials against a gregarine parasite (Apicomplexa: Protozoa)." Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials 6, no. 1: 15-15.