Infection Patterns in an Amphibian Fungal Pathogen in Ohio

Chelsea A. Korfel, Richard M. Lehtinen, Corinne L. Richards-Zawacki, Julia Fregonara, P.
Kelly Williams, Andrew Loudon, Brandon Sheafor, Lauren Charbonneau, Barbara Wolfe,
Thomas E. Hetherington, Tim Krynak10, Gregory J. Lipps, Jr., Erica M. Berent, Nathaniel C.
Newman, Jesse N. Garrett-Larsen. Ohio Biological Survey Notes 10: 13–21, 2021.

Abstract

The pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a leading cause of mortality among amphibians worldwide. To provide a large-scale assessment of Bd in Ohio (USA), we analyzed aggregated data on Bd infection prevalence, microhabitat, and seasonality from across the state. Skin swabs (n = 2,200) were collected from 26 species of amphibians (and one hybrid form) across 22 counties in Ohio between 2006 and 2020. Of these, 20 species tested positive for Bd and at least one positive sample was found in 18 of 22 counties. Overall Bd prevalence among the tested samples was 17.7% (390/2,200). Frogs were infected at a significantly higher frequency (23.3%; 283/1,212) than salamanders (10.7%; 106/988). Amphibians sampled from aquatic microhabitats were infected at a significantly higher frequency (frogs: 24.9%; 237/953; salamanders: 15.0%; 105/706) than those sampled from terrestrial microhabitats (frogs: 17.4%; 45/259; salamanders: 0.4%; 1/282). Seasonal infection frequency differed among species, with some species showing seasonal infection patterns and others not. All skin swabs tested for another emerging fungal pathogen of amphibians (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, n = 186) tested negative. While these data suggest that Bd is widespread in Ohio and has strong taxonomic and microhabitat associations, they also underscore how much work remains to be done, with many species still undersampled (or not sampled at all) for this emerging pathogen.

The long-term impacts of deer herbivory in determining temperate forest stand and canopy structural complexity

Samuel P. Reed, Alejandro A. Royo, Alexander T. Fotis, Kathleen S. Knight, Charles E. Flower, Peter S. Curtis. Journal of Applied Ecology. 2021.

Abstract

Ungulates place immense consumptive pressure on forest vegetation globally, leaving legacies of reduced biodiversity and simplified vegetative structure. However, what remains unresolved is whether browse-induced changes occurring early in succession ultimately manifest themselves in the developed forest canopy. Understanding the development and persistence of these legacies is critical as canopy structure is an important determinant of forest ecosystem functions such as carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat.
We measured how white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus browse during stand initiation affected canopy structure, tree species richness, diversity, stem density, and basal area on Pennsylvania's Allegheny Plateau using a portable canopy LiDAR system. We capitalized on an historic deer enclosure experiment where forests were subjected to four deer densities (4, 8, 15, and 25 deer/km2) for 10 years following stand initiation.
Deer browsing impacts on the forest canopy are apparent nearly four decades since stand initiation. The highest deer density treatment experienced a significant reduction in tree species diversity, density, and basal area with stands becoming dominated by black cherry Prunus serotina. Reductions in overstorey diversity and tree density resulted in a more open canopy with low leaf area and high horizontal leaf variability. Canopies were tallest at the lowest and highest deer densities.
Synthesis and applications. Using a portable canopy LiDAR system and a former deer enclosure experiment, we show that high deer browsing pressure during stand initiation can have a decades-long impact on stand and canopy structure. High deer densities led to stands with lower species diversity and tree density, which resulted in canopies that were taller and less dense. As remote sensing of the canopy becomes more prevalent, considering the legacy of ungulate herbivory on canopy structure may inform both land management and our understanding of ecological function, such as forest carbon sequestration, maintenance of diverse understory communities, and creation of wildlife habitat

Harnessing the NEON data revolution to advance open environmental science with a diverse and data-capable community

R. CHELSEA NAGY, JENNIFER K. BALCH, ERIN K. BISSELL, MEGAN E. CATTAU, NANCY F. GLENN, BENJAMIN S. HALPERN, NAYANI ILANGAKOON, BRIAN JOHNSON, MAXWELL B. JOSEPH, SERGIO MARCONI, CATHERINE O’RIORDAN, JAMES SANOVIA, TYSON L. SWETNAM, WILLIAM R. TRAVIS, LEAH A. WASSER, ELIZABETH WOOLNER, PHOEBE ZARNETSKE, MUJAHID ABDULRAHIM, JOHN ADLER, GRENVILLE BARNES, KRISTINA J. BARTOWITZ, RACHAEL E. BLAKE, SARA P. BOMBACI, JULIEN BRUN, JACOB D. BUCHANAN, K. DANA CHADWICK, MELISSA S. CHAPMAN, STEVEN S. CHONG, Y. ANNY CHUNG, JESSICA R. CORMAN, JANNELLE COURET, ERIKA CRISPO, THOMAS G. DOAK, ALISON DONNELLY, KATHARYN A. DUFFY, KELLY H. DUNNING, SANDRA M. DURAN, JENNIFER W. EDMONDS, DAWSON E. FAIRBANKS, ANDREW J. FELTON, CHRISTOPHER R. FLORIAN, DANIEL GANN, MARTHA GEBHARDT, NATHAN S. GILL, WENDY K. GRAM, JESSICA S. GUO, BRIAN J. HARVEY, KATHERINE R. HAYES, MATTHEW R. HELMUS, ROBERT T. HENSLEY, KELLY L. HONDULA, TAO HUANG, WILEY J. HUNDERTMARK, VIRGINIA IGLESIAS, PIERRE-ANDRE JACINTHE, LARA S. JANSEN, MARTA A. JARZYNA, TIONA M. JOHNSON, KATHERINE D. JONES, MEGAN A. JONES, MICHAEL G. JUST, YOUSSEF O. KADDOURA, AURORA K. KAGAWA-VIVANI, ALEYA KAUSHIK, ADRIENNE B. KELLER, KATELYN B. S. KING, JUSTIN KITZES, MICHAEL J. KOONTZ, PAIGE V. KOUBA, WAI-YIN KWAN, JALENE M. LAMONTAGNE, ELIZABETH A. LARUE, DAIJIANG LI, BONAN LI, YANG LIN, DANIEL LIPTZIN, WILLIAM ALEX LONG, ADAM L. MAHOOD, SAMUEL S. MALLOY, SPARKLE L. MALONE, JOSEPH M. MCGLINCHY, COURTNEY L. MEIER, BRETT A. MELBOURNE, NATHAN MIETKIEWICZ, JEFFERY T. MORISETTE, MOUSSA MOUSTAPHA,CHANCE MUSCARELLA, JOHN MUSINSKY, RANJAN MUTHUKRISHNAN, KUSUM NAITHANI, MERRIE NEELY, KARI NORMAN, STEPHANIE M. PARKER, MARIANA PEREZ ROCHA, LA
IS PETRI, COLETTE A. RAMEY, SYDNE RECORD, MATTHEW W. ROSSI, MICHAEL SANCLEMENTS, VICTORIA M. SCHOLL, ANNA K. SCHWEIGER, BIJAN SEYEDNASROLLAH, DEBJANI SIHI,KATHLEEN R. SMITH,ERIC R. SOKOL, SARAH A. SPAULDING, ANNA I. SPIERS, LISE A. ST. DENIS, ANIKA P. STACCONE, KAITLIN STACK WHITNEY, DIANE M. STANITSKI,EVA STRICKER, THILINA D. SURASINGHE, SARAH K. THOMSEN, PATRISSE M. VASEK, LI XIA. 2021. esa journals Volume 12(12) v Article e03833

Abstract

It is a critical time to reflect on the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) science to date as well as envision what research can be done right now with NEON (and other) data and what training is needed to enable a diverse user community. NEON became fully operational in May 2019 and has pivoted from planning and construction to operation and maintenance. In this overview, the history of and foundational thinking around NEON are discussed. A framework of open science is described with a discussion of how NEON can be situated as part of a larger data constellation—across existing networks and different suites of ecological measurements and sensors. Next, a synthesis of early NEON science, based on >100 existing publications, funded proposal efforts, and emergent science at the very first NEON Science Summit (hosted by Earth Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder in October 2019) is provided. Key questions that the ecology community will address with NEON data in the next 10 yr are outlined, from understanding drivers of biodiversity across spatial and temporal scales to defining complex feedback mechanisms in human–environmental systems. Last, the essential elements needed to engage and support a diverse and inclusive NEON user community are highlighted: training resources and tools that are openly available, funding for broad community engagement initiatives, and a mechanism to share and advertise those opportunities. NEON users require both the skills to work with NEON data and the ecological or environmental science domain knowledge to understand and interpret them. This paper synthesizes early directions in the community’s use of NEON data, and opportunities for the next 10 yr of NEON operations in emergent science themes, open science best practices, education and training, and community building.

Male fire ant neurotransmitter precursors trigger reproductive development in females after mating

Robert K. Vander Meer, Satya P. Chinta, Tappey H. Jones, Erin E. O’Reilly & Rachelle M. M. Adams. Communications Biology volume 4, Article number: 1400 (2021) 

Abstract

Social insect queens have evolved mechanisms to prevent competition from their sexual daughters. For Solenopsis invicta, the fire ant, queens have evolved a primer pheromone that retards reproductive development in their winged reproductive daughters. If these daughters are removed from the influence of the queen, it takes about a week to start reproductive development; however, it starts almost immediately after mating. This dichotomy has been unsuccessfully investigated for several decades. Here we show that male fire ants produce tyramides, derivatives of the biogenic amine tyramine, in their reproductive system. Males transfer tyramides to winged females during mating, where the now newly mated queens enzymatically convert tyramides to tyramine. Tyramine floods the hemolymph, rapidly activating physiological processes associated with reproductive development. Tyramides have been found only in the large Myrmicinae ant sub-family (6,800 species), We suggest that the complex inhibition/disinhibition of reproductive development described here will be applicable to other members of this ant sub-family.

Identifying traits that enable lizard adaptation to different habitats

Flavia M. Lanna, Guarino R. Colli, Frank T. Burbrink, Bryan C. Carstens. 2021. Journal of Biogeography. Volume 49, Issue 1, p. 104-116

Abstract

Aim
Species adapt differently to contrasting environments, such as open habitats with sparse vegetation and forested habitats with dense forest cover. We investigated colonization patterns in the open and forested environments in the diagonal of open formations and surrounding rain forests (i.e. Amazonia and Atlantic Forest) in Brazil, tested whether the diversification rates were affected by the environmental conditions and identified traits that enabled species to persist in those environments.

Location
South America, Brazil.

Taxon
Squamata, Lizards.

Methods
We used phylogenetic information and the current distribution of species in open and forested habitats to estimate ancestral ranges and identify range shifts relative to the current habitats. To evaluate whether these environments influenced species diversification, we tested 12 models using a Hidden Geographic State Speciation and Extinction analysis. Finally, we combined phylogenetic relatedness and species traits in a machine learning framework to identify the traits permitting adaptation in those contrasting environments.

Results
We identified 41 total transitions between open and forested habitats, of which 80% were from the forested habitats to the open habitats. Widely distributed species had higher speciation, turnover, extinction, and extinction fraction rates than species in forested or open habitats, but had also the lower net diversification rate. Mean body temperature, microhabitat, female snout–vent length and diet were identified as putative traits that enabled adaptation to different environments, and phylogenetic relatedness was an important predictor of species occurrence.

Main conclusions
Transitions from forested to open habitats are most common, highlighting the importance of habitat shift in current patterns of biodiversity. The combination of phylogenetic reconstruction of ancestral distributions and the machine learning framework enables us to integrate organismal trait data, environmental data and evolutionary history in a manner that could be applied on a global scale.

Revision of the Australian genus Alfredella Masner & Huggert (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae, Sceliotrachelinae)

Zachary Lahey, Elijah Talamas, Lubomír Masner, Norman F. Johnson. 2021. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 87: 87-113.

Abstract

The genus Alfredella Masner & Huggert is revised. Alfredella tasmanica Masner & Huggert is redescribed, Al. teres (Buhl), comb. nov. is transferred to Alfredella from Amitus Haldeman, and Al. auriel Lahey, sp. nov. (New South Wales, Tasmania) and Al. mephisto Lahey, sp. nov. (Western Australia) are described as new. The genus Masnerium Polaszek, syn. nov. is treated as a junior synonym of Amitus, and its type species, M. wellsae Polaszek, is transferred to Amitus as Am. wellsae (Polaszek), comb. nov. The relationship
between Alfredella and morphologically similar genera is discussed, and a key is provided to distinguish between Aleyroctonus Masner & Huggert, Alfredella, and Amitus.

Revision of Phoenoteleia Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae, Scelioninae)

Zachary Lahey, Luciana Musetti, Lubomír Masner, Norman F. Johnson. 2021. Advances in the Systematics of Platygastroidea III. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 87: 575–611.

Abstract

The genus Phoenoteleia Kieffer is revised. Phoenoteleia canalis Dodd, P. rufa Kieffer, and P. rufescens (Kieffer) are redescribed, P. fusca (Kieffer) is transferred to Dicroscelio Kieffer as Dicroscelio fuscus (Kieffer), comb. nov., and six species are described as new: P. buka Lahey, sp. nov. (Fiji), P. gunnelsi Lahey, sp. nov. (Indonesia), P. halua Lahey, sp. nov. (Indonesia), P. kaca Lahey, sp. nov. (Indonesia), P. kuboa Lahey, sp. nov. (Fiji), and P. sanma Lahey, sp. nov. (Vanuatu). The difficulty in associating male and female specimens is discussed. A key is provided to differentiate between the species of Phoenoteleia and the putative closely related genera Mallateleia Dodd and Oxyteleia Kieffer.

Identification and expression of odorant binding proteins in the egg-parasitoid Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae, Telenominae)

Kendall King, Megan E. Meuti, Norman F. Johnson. 2021. Advances in the Systematics of Platygastroidea III. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 87: 251–266. 

Abstract

Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) is an egg-parasitoid of the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (Linneaus) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae). Many behaviors associated with female T. basalis host-finding and acceptance are mediated by chemosensory pathways, for which olfactory, gustatory and ionotropic receptors have been previously identified. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are small, globular proteins, one of the functions of which is the transport of odorant ligands through the aqueous lymph of chemosensory sensilla to these receptors. We identified 18 classical OBP sequences in
the T. basalis genome and transcriptomes sharing an average 26.8% pairwise identity. Gene tree analyses suggest very limited lineage-specific expansion and identify potential orthologs among other scelionids and Hymenoptera. Transcriptome mapping and qPCR comparison of expression levels in antennae and bodies of both sexes determine that at least five TbOBPs are preferentially expressed in the female antennae. These are, therefore, prime candidates for further study to determine their role in detecting hostproduced semiochemicals.

Reevaluating the Species Status of the Southern Ghost Pipe, Monotropa brittonii (Ericaceae)

Ashley R. Keesling; Michael B. Broe; John V. Freudenstein. 2021. Systematic Botany.

Abstract

Relationships among members of Ericaceae subfamily Monotropoideae have been difficult to resolve due to reduction and convergent evolution in these parasitic plants. All species in this subfamily are fully mycoheterotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients by parasitizing fungi rather than through photosynthesis. Here, we examine relationships and host specificity in one of the most widespread species in this subfamily, Monotropa uniflora. We use several lines of evidence to investigate whether there is support for recognizing a segregate, M. brittonii, as distinct. Based on molecular and morphological analysis of Monotropa collected throughout its range in the United States, we find two distinct lineages, one of which corresponds morphologically and geographically to Small’s M. brittonii. We identified several morphological characters that differ between the two species. We also observed a high degree of fungal host specificity in M. brittonii, which appears to parasitize almost exclusively Lactifluus subgenus Lactariopsis section Albati. Additionally, M. brittonii was primarily collected from Florida scrub, which are xeric, shrub-dominated habitats that differ substantially from the mesic forests where M. uniflora typically occurs. Based on these molecular, morphological, and ecological differences, we support recognition of M. brittonii as distinct from M. uniflora.