Search Results (97)

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a vital cereal and feed crop grown worldwide, but its production is increasingly threatened by barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and aphid infestations in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in northern China. This study explores the transcriptomic and physiological responses of two oat cultivars MN10253 (resistant) and Qingyin 1 (susceptible) to BYDV at 0, 2, 8, 24, and 48 h post-infection. A combination of phytohormone profiling, differential gene expression analysis, and pathway enrichment was employed to identify mechanisms underpinning disease resistance. Comparative time-course transcriptome analysis revealed 9285 and 8904 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in MN10253 and Qingyin 1, respectively. Key pathways such as MAPK signaling, plant–pathogen interaction, and hormone signal transduction were significantly enriched. The resistant cultivar exhibited robust activation of pattern-triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity pathways, marked by upregulation of genes like RPS2, HSP90, and WRKY33, alongside higher expression of salicylic acid (SA)-responsive genes, such as NPR1 and PAL. Conversely, the susceptible cultivar displayed weaker or delayed activation of these defense pathways. Hormonal analysis further demonstrated higher SA accumulation in MN10253 during early infection, correlating with enhanced defense responses. In contrast, Qingyin 1 showed elevated levels of auxin and abscisic acid, which are linked to suppressed immunity. This study underscores the central role of immunity responses and phytohormone pathways in mediating oat resistance to BYDV, highlighting the tradeoff between growth and defense modulated by hormonal crosstalk. These findings advance our understanding of host–pathogen dynamics in oats and provide valuable insights for breeding disease-resistant cultivars. Full article

The colon plays a crucial role in energy metabolism and intestinal health of ruminants during various physiological stages. Plateau ruminants have long been subjected to extreme environments characterized by hypoxia, cold, and nutritional scarcity, which makes their dependence on energy metabolism particularly pronounced. However, existing research on the regulatory effects of dietary energy levels on the colonic function of plateau ruminants is still quite limited. This study involved 60 healthy male Pamir yaks with consistent body conditions, which were randomly divided into three groups: a low-energy diet group (YG, Neg 1.53 MJ/kg), a medium-energy diet group (QG, Neg 2.12 MJ/kg), and a high-energy diet group (RG, Neg 2.69 MJ/kg). Each yak was provided with 5 kg of mixed feed daily over a 170-day feeding trial. The results indicated that a high-energy diet enhanced growth performance in yaks (p < 0.05). However, it also induced local colonic inflammation, decreased levels of immune factors (IgA, IgG, and IL-10), and increased the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Klebsiella and Campylobacter (p < 0.05). Conversely, a medium-energy diet fostered the proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as Bradymonadales, Parabacteroides, and Mogibacterium (p < 0.05), and preserved immune homeostasis. Additionally, multi-omics analysis revealed that the QG group was significantly enriched in key metabolic pathways, including pyruvate metabolism and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism and panto-thenate and CoA biosynthesis pathways, among others (p < 0.05), demonstrating a synergistic regulatory effect among the microbiome, metabolism, and host. In summary, a moderate-energy diet can promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the extreme environment of the plateau. By regulating pathways such as Amino acid, Nucleotide, and Lipid metabolism, it coordinates the expression of key host genes and metabolite levels, effectively balancing immune signals and energy metabolism. This interaction establishes a beneficial microbial-metabolism-host pattern that supports colon health. Full article

The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Galleriinae) represents a ubiquitous apicultural pest that poses significant threats to global beekeeping industries. The larvae damage honeybee colonies by consuming wax combs and tunneling through brood frames, consequently destroying critical hive infrastructure including brood-rearing areas, honey storage cells, and pollen reserves. Larval feeding behavior is critically dependent on chemosensory input for host recognition and food selection. In this study, we conducted a transcriptome analysis of larval heads and bodies in G. mellonella. We identified a total of 25 chemosensory genes: 9 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), 1 chemosensory protein (CSP), 5 odorant receptors (ORs), 4 gustatory receptors (GRs), 4 ionotropic receptors (IRs) and 2 sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). TPM normalization was employed to assess differential expression patterns of chemosensory genes between heads and bodies. Nine putative chemosensory genes were detected as differentially expressed, suggesting their potential functional roles. Subsequently, we quantified expression dynamics via reverse transcription quantitative PCR in major chemosensory tissues (larval heads, adult male and female antennae), revealing adult antennal-biased expression for most chemosensory genes in G. mellonella. Notably, two novel candidates (GmelOBP22 and GmelSNMP3) exhibited particularly high expression in larval heads, suggesting their crucial functional roles in larval development and survival. These findings enhance our understanding of the chemosensory mechanisms in G. mellonella larvae and establish a critical foundation for future functional investigations into its olfactory mechanisms. Full article

Background: Dental caries arise from a multifactorial interplay between microbial dysbiosis, host immune responses, and enamel degradation visible on radiographs. Deep learning excels in image-based caries detection; however, integrative analyses that combine radiographic, microbiome, and transcriptomic data remain rare because public cohorts are seldom aligned. Objective: To determine whether three independent deep-learning pipelines—radiographic segmentation, microbiome regression, and transcriptome regression—can be reproducible implemented on non-aligned datasets, and to demonstrate the feasibility of estimating microbiome heritability in a matched twin cohort. Methods: (i) A U-Net with ResNet-18 encoder was trained on 100 annotated panoramic radiographs to generate a continuous caries-severity score from a predicted lesion area. (ii) Feed-forward neural networks (FNNs) were trained on supragingival 16S rRNA profiles (81 samples, 750 taxa) and gingival transcriptomes (247 samples, 54,675 probes) using randomly permuted severity scores as synthetic targets to stress-test preprocessing, training, and SHAP-based interpretability. (iii) In 49 monozygotic and 50 dizygotic twin pairs (n = 198), Bray–Curtis dissimilarity quantified microbial heritability, and an FNN was trained to predict recorded TotalCaries counts. Results: The U-Net achieved IoU = 0.564 (95% CI 0.535–0.594), precision = 0.624 (95% CI 0.583–0.667), recall = 0.877 (95% CI 0.827–0.918), and correlated with manual severity scores (r = 0.62, p < 0.01). The synthetic-target FNNs converged consistently but—as intended—showed no predictive power (R² ≈ −0.15 microbiome; −0.18 transcriptome). Twin analysis revealed greater microbiome similarity in monozygotic versus dizygotic pairs (0.475 ± 0.107 vs. 0.557 ± 0.117; p = 0.0005) and a modest correlation between salivary features and caries burden (r = 0.25). Conclusions: Modular deep-learning pipelines remain computationally robust and interpretable on non-aligned datasets; radiographic severity provides a transferable quantitative anchor. Twin-cohort findings confirm heritable patterns in the oral microbiome and outline a pathway toward future clinical translation once patient-matched multi-omics are available. This framework establishes a scalable, reproducible foundation for integrative caries research. Full article

Phytophagous beetles, particularly those within the superfamilies Chrysomeloidea and Curculionoidea, constitute one of the most diverse and ecologically significant groups of insect herbivores. Within this group, the subfamily Bruchinae is especially notable for its close association with leguminous plant seeds. As most Bruchinae species do not feed during the adult stage, the timing and regulation of vitellogenesis remain unclear. Previous studies suggest that vitellogenesis may be triggered by volatile organic compounds emitted by host seeds, which promote juvenile hormone (JH) synthesis. This increase in JH is hypothesized to stimulate vitellogenesis, enhance female attractiveness, and ultimately facilitate fertilization and oviposition. To explore this hypothesis, we investigated the external cues regulating reproductive physiology in the capital breeder Zabrotes subfasciatus. Specifically, we examined the effects of host seeds and male presence on oviposition dynamics, fecundity, ovary activation, and the expression of vitellogenic genes (vg and vgR) throughout adult life. Our results show that females initiate vitellogenesis during the final phases of adult development, enabling oviposition to begin as early as the first day after emergence. Oviposition remains at basal levels throughout adult life unless both host seeds and males are present (p < 0.0001). This oviposition pattern is consistent with ovary activation dynamics, which reveal that vitellogenesis peaks early in the oviposition period and is prolonged by the presence of seeds and males (p < 0.05). Notably, vg and vgR gene expression respond differentially to these cues (p < 0.05). We integrate our findings with previous literature to propose a working model for the regulation of oviposition in the Bruchinae beetle Z. subfasciatus. Full article

This paper provides a comprehensive review of sessile benthic invertebrate biodiversity across three interconnected marine areas in Western Australia’s Gascoyne and southern Pilbara regions: Ningaloo Reef (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the nearby Muiron Islands to its north, and Exmouth Gulf to its east. The study aims to identify taxonomic and spatial knowledge gaps and establish a baseline biodiversity record for the broader region. We collated specimen-based records from seven Australian museums and supplemented them with data from the Atlas of Living Australia, iNaturalist, and a Web of Science literature review. In total, we report 827 verified species of sessile benthic invertebrates in shallow waters (less than 30 m depth) across the Gascoyne and southern Pilbara regions from 4578 records. Ningaloo Reef exhibits the highest diversity, hosting 587 species, including 239 scleractinian corals and 124 sponges. Exmouth Gulf is home to a diverse and unique assemblage of at least 295 species, including 165 species of putative turbid water specialists or regionally restricted species which are not found at Ningaloo Reef or the Muiron Islands. Notably, all three sea pen species identified in this review are recorded exclusively from Exmouth Gulf. The Gulf also hosts a distinctive community of filter-feeding invertebrates, including 125 sponges, 27 tunicates, and 18 anemones that are not found in neighboring regions. The Muiron Islands, although under sampled, host 22 species of sponges, 14 octocorals, and 5 tunicates that have not so far been found at Ningaloo Reef or Exmouth Gulf, highlighting the uniqueness of the islands’ marine invertebrate fauna. The southern sector of Ningaloo Reef is under sampled, and there are gaps in the state faunal collections for many groups, including anemones, corallimorphs, zoanthids, cerianthids, and hydrozoans. Further targeted taxonomic research on existing museum collections is crucial, as only 18% of specimen records have been verified, and 41% of the verified records are only identified to morphospecies. This limits our understanding of regional diversity and distribution patterns but provides ample opportunity for further taxonomic study. Expanding monitoring programs to include Exmouth Gulf and the Muiron Islands, along with unique habitats such as the King Reef artificial reef, and conducting additional biodiversity, demographic, and ecosystem health research is essential to assess the cumulative impacts of climate change and other environmental stressors on the unique and culturally significant marine ecosystems of this region. Full article

Obligate symbionts often exhibit some degree of co-speciation with their hosts. One prominent example is the symbiosis between termites and their wood-feeding hindgut protists. This symbiosis is mutually obligate, vertically inherited by anal feeding, and it predates the emergence of termites from their cockroach ancestors. Termites and their symbiotic protists might therefore be expected to have congruent phylogenies, but symbiont loss, transfer, and independent diversification can impact the coevolutionary history to varying degrees. Here, we have characterized the symbiotic protist communities of eight Neoisoptera species from three families in order to gauge the phylogenetic congruence between each lineage of protists and their hosts. Using microscopy and 18S rRNA gene sequencing of individually isolated protist cells, we identified protists belonging to the Parabasalia genera Pseudotrichonympha, Holomastigotoides, Cononympha, and Cthulhu. Pseudotrichonympha were present in all of the investigated termites, with a strong pattern of codiversification with hosts, consistent with previous studies. The phylogeny of Holomastigotoides indicates several instances of diversification that occurred independently of the hosts’ diversification, along with lineage-specific symbiont loss. Cononympha occurs only in Heterotermitidae and Psammotermes. Surprisingly, the small flagellate Cthulhu is widespread and exhibits cophylogeny with its hosts. This study demonstrates that different symbiont lineages can show different coevolutionary patterns, even within the same host. Full article

The avian intestinal microbiota is a vital interface for host/environment interactions, playing a pivotal role in nutrient metabolism, immune regulation, and ecological adaptation. In the Yellow River Delta region, common cranes and white cranes coexist in mixed flocks. During the winter, when food resources are scarce, studying their gut microbiota can effectively reveal the feeding patterns of these two crane species, thereby providing valuable data for crane conservation efforts. This study systematically investigated and compared the intestinal microbiota structures of white cranes (Grus leucogeranus) and common cranes (Grus grus) inhabiting the Yellow River Delta region. The results demonstrated that the predominant phyla of the intestinal microbiota in white and common cranes are Firmicutes and Proteobacteria at the phylum level; Catellicoccus and Lactobacillus were the predominant genera in the crane species. LEfse was used to analyze the differential flora of the intestinal bacterial communities of white cranes and common cranes and to detect the marker species with significant differences between the groups. Based on the COG database, a preliminary functional prediction of the intestinal microbiota was conducted, and 16 metabolic pathways relating to the COG pathway were obtained. In general, although both types of cranes belong to the Grus genus and are distributed in the same area, there are significant differences in the composition and functional characteristics of their intestinal microbiota due to the differences in their feeding composition. Full article

During intensive aquaculture of Eriocheir sinensis (E. sinensis), wastewater containing feed additives, heavy metals, and antibiotics can cause water eutrophication and lead to the accumulation of complex pollutants in sediments. In this study, heavy metals and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were analyzed for their distribution and accumulation patterns via ICP-OES and qPCR, and their correlations with bacterial communities in sediments from E. sinensis ponds were evaluated using co-occurrence network and redundancy analysis. Our results demonstrated that aquaculture activities significantly elevated the concentrations of heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd) and Manganese (Mn) in the sediments, and Cd was identified as the dominant factor contributing to the increase in the potential ecological risk index (RI). The abundance of ARGs significantly increased, with sulfonamide resistance genes (sul1, sul2), β-lactam resistance genes (blaTEM), and integron-associated genes (intl1) showing the highest levels. Correlation and redundancy analyses showed that most ARGs were positively correlated with and linked to Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Dechloromonas as potential hosts. Positive correlations were generally observed among heavy metals, suggesting a common source, namely aquaculture wastewater, and some showed positive associations with Acidobacteria. This study provides a theoretical basis for further understanding the distribution, accumulation patterns, and coupling relationships of heavy metals and ARGs, as well as their relation and effects on bacterial communities in the sediment of E. sinensis ponds. Full article

Microecological preparations (MPs), encompassing probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics, are microbial feed supplements that enhance host health through gut microbiota modulation. Unlike the narrow definition of probiotics (viable microorganisms), MPs constitute a broader category including non-viable microbial derivatives and selectively fermented substrates. Their application in aquaculture significantly reduces antibiotic dependence. Given the industry’s intensification challenges, while meeting global protein demands, high-density aquaculture elevates disease risks, driving prophylactic antibiotic overuse. This practice accelerates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development, compromising treatment efficacy and causing residual antibiotics in aquatic products. Such residues violate international food safety standards, triggering trade disputes. As sustainable alternatives, MPs operate through multiple mechanisms: the competitive exclusion of pathogens, immune stimulation, and nutrient absorption enhancement. This review examines the patterns of antibiotic abuse and the emergence of AMR in carp aquaculture, evaluates MP-based mitigation strategies from the perspective of antibiotic alternatives, and analyzes the advantages, disadvantages, and application progress of MPs. Based on existing evidence, we propose targeted research priorities for MP optimization, advocating for scientifically guided implementation in commercial cyprinid aquaculture. Full article

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a serious invasive pest of the family Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) that poses a significant threat to global crop production, with poaceae crops being particularly affected. Previous studies have indicated that, as a voracious insect, the fall armyworm possesses the potential for food source diversification. However, to date, limited research has been conducted on whether plants other than maize (Zea mays L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) can serve as potential food resources for the pest. In Yunnan Province, China, the distribution ranges of the fall armyworm and Ficus plants show a significant degree of overlap. Ficus species, including the widely distributed Ficus microcarpa L. f., commonly grow within or near cornfields. Our previous field studies have documented instances of fall armyworms in cornfields exhibiting feeding behavior on F. microcarpa. In this study, maize and F. microcarpa were selected as food resources for fall armyworms to compare larval feeding preferences, development time, survival rate, and reproductive capacity. The results demonstrated that when both maize and F. microcarpa were available simultaneously, fall armyworm larvae consumed both plant species. Further analysis revealed that larvae feeding on F. microcarpa exhibited a significantly longer developmental period from the third stage to pupation (14.08 ± 0.44 d) compared to those feeding on maize (9.21 ± 0.14 d). Moreover, the pupae size, pupae weight, and egg count were reduced by approximately 10%, 30%, and 30%, respectively, in larvae that fed on F. microcarpa. Despite these physiological challenges, our research findings indicated that, despite F. microcarpa not being the primary food source for fall armyworms under natural conditions, fall armyworms feeding on F. microcarpa were still capable of completing the life cycle from the third instar to the second generation when relying solely on F. microcarpa. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen the observation and monitoring of fall armyworm populations feeding on F. microcarpa and implement targeted control strategies according to specific circumstances, thereby preventing F. microcarpa from acting as a potential host. Full article

Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of arboviral diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika, posing significant global health and economic challenges. The effective control of this mosquito species requires understanding its seasonality, feeding behavior, and ecological dynamics. Modern molecular techniques, such as amplicon metagenomic sequencing, provide insights into vector–host interactions and feeding patterns. This study investigated the temporal variation of Ae. aegypti abundance and its blood meal sources in coastal and western Kenya over 16 months. A total of 64,360 mosquitoes were collected, with Ae. aegypti comprising 10.9% (7035/64,360). Coastal sites had a higher proportion (64.7%) of Ae. aegypti than western Kenya. Seasonal variation in abundance was observed, with peaks during the long rainy season and decline during the dry season. Blood meal analysis identified 15 vertebrate hosts, with humans being the primary source (86.6–95.9%). Other hosts included domestic animals such as turkey, sheep, cow, goat, and chicken. These findings highlight the role of rainfall in arboviral disease transmission and Ae. aegypti’s strong preference for human hosts. Additionally, this study demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of group testing for identifying blood meal sources, with implications for public health interventions. Full article

Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) influence soil fertility, plant growth, tolerance to abiotic stress, resistance to herbivorous insects, and plant interactions with other organisms. While the effects of PGPR on plant growth, fruit yield, and induced defense responses have been extensively studied, the consistent positive outcomes have fueled rapid expansion in this research field. To evaluate PGPR impacts on plant growth and interactions with phytophagous insects, we conducted a systematic meta-analysis using publications from electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, Web of Science) that reported PGPR effects on plants and insects. Effects were categorized by plant family, PGPR genus, insect feeding guild, and insect–host specialization. Our analysis revealed that PGPR generally enhanced plant growth across most plant families; however, the magnitude and direction of these effects varied significantly among PGPR genera, indicating genus-specific interactions with host plants. When assessing PGPR-mediated reductions in phytophagous insects, we found that Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, and Bacillus exhibited the weakest negative effects on insect populations. PGPR significantly reduced both monophagous and polyphagous insects, with the most pronounced negative impacts on sucking insects (e.g., aphids, whiteflies). This study highlights critical patterns in PGPR-mediated plant growth promotion across taxa and the related differential effects on phytophagous insect activity. These insights advance our understanding of PGPR applications in agroecological production systems, particularly for integrated pest management and sustainable crop productivity. Full article

Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) feeds on the young tissues of plants, causing wilting and deformity of leaves as well as damage to flowers and fruits, thereby seriously affecting plant yield. Due to its small size and difficulty of control, the species is one of the most important pests in the legume family. To clarify the occurrence and damage pattern of M. usitatus on field crops, a study was conducted using eight different crops as experimental materials, and an age-stage, two-sex life table was constructed. The population density of M. usitatus was the highest on cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.), followed by green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Vigna cylindrica (Vigna unguiculata subsp. cylindrica (L.) Verdc.) in terms of net reproductive rate and the intrinsic rate of increase. In terms of reproductive capacity, cowpeas and V. cylindrica were more suitable for M. usitatus growth and reproduction, followed by green beans. M. usitatus could develop into adults on courgettes (Cucurbita pepo L.), wax gourds (Benincasa hispida Thunb. Cogn.), Momordica charantia (Momordica charantia L.), and soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) but had difficulty reproducing on those plants. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was the least suitable for the survival of M. usitatus. Population parameter analysis showed that the cowpea was the most suitable host plant for M. usitatus, followed by green beans and V. cylindrica. M. usitatus had difficulty reproducing on courgette, wax gourd, M. charantia, and soybeans, and feeding on cucumbers inhibited M. usitatus development and reproduction. Full article

In northwest China, changes in cultivation patterns and the scarcity of preferred hosts have forced Helicoverpa armigera to feed on the marginal host walnut (Juglans regia). However, the mechanisms allowing this adaptation remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the behavioral, physiological, and molecular mechanisms underlying the local adaptation of this pest to walnut fruits. The green husk and shell generally contained higher levels of phytochemicals than the kernel. Bioassays revealed that the phytochemical-rich green husk and shell were less preferred, reduced larval fitness and growth, and elevated the activity of detoxification enzymes compared to the nutrient-rich kernel, which were further supported by a larger number of upregulated detoxification genes in insects fed green husks or shells based on transcriptome sequencing. Together, these data suggest that P450 genes (LOC110371778) may be crucial to H. armigera adaptation to the phytochemicals of walnuts. Our findings provide significant insight into the adaptation of H. armigera to walnut, an alternative host of lower quality. Meanwhile, our study provides a theoretical basis for managing resistance to H. armigera larvae in walnut trees and is instrumental in developing comprehensive integrated pest management strategies for this pest in walnut orchards and other agricultural systems. Full article