Adaptation of the Spiders to the Environment: the Case of Some Chilean Species
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ARTHROPOD COMMUNITIES and PASSERINE DIET: EFFECTS of SHRUB EXPANSION in WESTERN ALASKA by Molly Tankersley Mcdermott, B.A./B.S
Arthropod communities and passerine diet: effects of shrub expansion in Western Alaska Item Type Thesis Authors McDermott, Molly Tankersley Download date 26/09/2021 06:13:39 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/11122/7893 ARTHROPOD COMMUNITIES AND PASSERINE DIET: EFFECTS OF SHRUB EXPANSION IN WESTERN ALASKA By Molly Tankersley McDermott, B.A./B.S. A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biological Sciences University of Alaska Fairbanks August 2017 APPROVED: Pat Doak, Committee Chair Greg Breed, Committee Member Colleen Handel, Committee Member Christa Mulder, Committee Member Kris Hundertmark, Chair Department o f Biology and Wildlife Paul Layer, Dean College o f Natural Science and Mathematics Michael Castellini, Dean of the Graduate School ABSTRACT Across the Arctic, taller woody shrubs, particularly willow (Salix spp.), birch (Betula spp.), and alder (Alnus spp.), have been expanding rapidly onto tundra. Changes in vegetation structure can alter the physical habitat structure, thermal environment, and food available to arthropods, which play an important role in the structure and functioning of Arctic ecosystems. Not only do they provide key ecosystem services such as pollination and nutrient cycling, they are an essential food source for migratory birds. In this study I examined the relationships between the abundance, diversity, and community composition of arthropods and the height and cover of several shrub species across a tundra-shrub gradient in northwestern Alaska. To characterize nestling diet of common passerines that occupy this gradient, I used next-generation sequencing of fecal matter. Willow cover was strongly and consistently associated with abundance and biomass of arthropods and significant shifts in arthropod community composition and diversity. -
Under the Direction of R. Michael Roe
ABSTRACT DONOHUE, KEVIN VINCENT. Genomics of Tick Reproduction and Development. (Under the direction of R. Michael Roe). The major hemelipoglyco-carrier protein (CP) found throughout the development of male and female adult American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say) was sequenced. DvCP is a single transcript coding for two protein subunits that together contain three motifs—(a) a lipoprotein n-terminal domain that is a common attribute of proteins that bind lipids, carbohydrates and metals, (b) a domain of unknown function characteristic of proteins with several large open beta sheets and (c) a von Willebrand factor type D domain near the carboxy-terminus apparently important for multimerization. These motifs also found in tick vitellogenin are not shared by heme-binding proteins studied thus far in other hematophagous insects. DvCP message was highest in fat body and salivary gland but was also found in midgut and ovary. Expression was initiated by blood feeding in virgin females and not by mating typical of tick vitellogenin (Vg); and the message was found in fed males at levels similar to part fed, virgin females. CP appears to be highly conserved among the Ixodida and shares a common origin with Vg. In the second part of this study, the tick synganglion transcriptome was studied by pyrosequencing to identify neuropeptides that regulate reproduction and development. Here we characterize fourteen putative neuropeptides (allatostatin, insulin-like peptide, ion-transport peptide, sulfakinin, bursicon alpha/beta, eclosion hormone, glycoprotein hormone alpha/beta, corazonin, four orcokinins) and five neuropeptide receptors (gonadotropin receptor, leucokinin-like receptor, sulfakinin receptor, calcitonin receptor, pyrokinin receptor) from the synganglion of female American dog ticks. -
Sexual Selection Research on Spiders: Progress and Biases
Biol. Rev. (2005), 80, pp. 363–385. f Cambridge Philosophical Society 363 doi:10.1017/S1464793104006700 Printed in the United Kingdom Sexual selection research on spiders: progress and biases Bernhard A. Huber* Zoological Research Institute and Museum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany (Received 7 June 2004; revised 25 November 2004; accepted 29 November 2004) ABSTRACT The renaissance of interest in sexual selection during the last decades has fuelled an extraordinary increase of scientific papers on the subject in spiders. Research has focused both on the process of sexual selection itself, for example on the signals and various modalities involved, and on the patterns, that is the outcome of mate choice and competition depending on certain parameters. Sexual selection has most clearly been demonstrated in cases involving visual and acoustical signals but most spiders are myopic and mute, relying rather on vibrations, chemical and tactile stimuli. This review argues that research has been biased towards modalities that are relatively easily accessible to the human observer. Circumstantial and comparative evidence indicates that sexual selection working via substrate-borne vibrations and tactile as well as chemical stimuli may be common and widespread in spiders. Pattern-oriented research has focused on several phenomena for which spiders offer excellent model objects, like sexual size dimorphism, nuptial feeding, sexual cannibalism, and sperm competition. The accumulating evidence argues for a highly complex set of explanations for seemingly uniform patterns like size dimorphism and sexual cannibalism. Sexual selection appears involved as well as natural selection and mechanisms that are adaptive in other contexts only. Sperm competition has resulted in a plethora of morpho- logical and behavioural adaptations, and simplistic models like those linking reproductive morphology with behaviour and sperm priority patterns in a straightforward way are being replaced by complex models involving an array of parameters. -
Highlights in the Knowledge of Brown Spider Toxins
Chaves-Moreira et al. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases (2017) 23:6 DOI 10.1186/s40409-017-0097-8 REVIEW Open Access Highlights in the knowledge of brown spider toxins Daniele Chaves-Moreira1, Andrea Senff-Ribeiro1, Ana Carolina Martins Wille1,2, Luiza Helena Gremski1, Olga Meiri Chaim1 and Silvio Sanches Veiga1* Abstract Brown spiders are venomous arthropods that use their venom for predation and defense. In humans, bites of these animals provoke injuries including dermonecrosis with gravitational spread of lesions, hematological abnormalities and impaired renal function. The signs and symptoms observed following a brown spider bite are called loxoscelism. Brown spider venom is a complex mixture of toxins enriched in low molecular mass proteins (4–40 kDa). Characterization of the venom confirmed the presence of three highly expressed protein classes: phospholipases D, metalloproteases (astacins) and insecticidal peptides (knottins). Recently, toxins with low levels of expression have also been found in Loxosceles venom, such as serine proteases, protease inhibitors (serpins), hyaluronidases, allergen-like toxins and histamine-releasing factors. The toxin belonging to the phospholipase-D family (also known as the dermonecrotic toxin) is the most studied class of brown spider toxins. This class of toxins single-handedly can induce inflammatory response, dermonecrosis, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia and renal failure. The functional role of the hyaluronidase toxin as a spreading factor in loxoscelism has also been demonstrated. However, the biological characterization of other toxins remains unclear and the mechanism by which Loxosceles toxins exert their noxious effects is yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this review is to provide an insight into brown spider venom toxins and toxicology, including a description of historical data already available in the literature. -
Norsk Lovtidend
Nr. 7 Side 1067–1285 NORSK LOVTIDEND Avd. I Lover og sentrale forskrifter mv. Nr. 7 Utgitt 30. juli 2015 Innhold Side Lover og ikrafttredelser. Delegering av myndighet 2015 Juni 19. Ikrafts. av lov 19. juni 2015 nr. 60 om endringer i helsepersonelloven og helsetilsynsloven (spesialistutdanningen m.m.) (Nr. 674) ................................................................1079................................ Juni 19. Ikrafts. av lov 19. juni 2015 nr. 77 om endringar i lov om Enhetsregisteret m.m. (registrering av sameigarar m.m.) (Nr. 675) ................................................................................................1079 ..................... Juni 19. Deleg. av Kongens myndighet til Helse- og omsorgsdepartementet for fastsettelse av forskrift for å gi helselover og -forskrifter hel eller delvis anvendelse på Svalbard og Jan Mayen (Nr. 676) ................................................................................................................................1080............................... Juni 19. Ikrafts. av lov 19. juni 2015 nr. 59 om endringer i helsepersonelloven mv. (vilkår for autorisasjon) (Nr. 678) ................................................................................................................................1084 ..................... Juni 19. Ikrafts. av lov 13. mars 2015 nr. 12 om endringer i stiftelsesloven (stiftelsesklagenemnd) (Nr. 679) ................................................................................................................................................................1084 -
Comparative Analyses of Venoms from American and African Sicarius Spiders That Differ in Sphingomyelinase D Activity
This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier’s archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright Author's personal copy Toxicon 55 (2010) 1274–1282 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Toxicon journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/toxicon Comparative analyses of venoms from American and African Sicarius spiders that differ in sphingomyelinase D activity Pamela A. Zobel-Thropp*, Melissa R. Bodner 1, Greta J. Binford Department of Biology, Lewis and Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland, OR 97219, USA article info abstract Article history: Spider venoms are cocktails of toxic proteins and peptides, whose composition varies at Received 27 August 2009 many levels. Understanding patterns of variation in chemistry and bioactivity is funda- Received in revised form 14 January 2010 mental for understanding factors influencing variation. The venom toxin sphingomyeli- Accepted 27 January 2010 nase D (SMase D) in sicariid spider venom (Loxosceles and Sicarius) causes dermonecrotic Available online 8 February 2010 lesions in mammals. Multiple forms of venom-expressed genes with homology to SMase D are expressed in venoms of both genera. -
Spiders (Araneae) of Churchill, Manitoba: DNA Barcodes And
Blagoev et al. BMC Ecology 2013, 13:44 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6785/13/44 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Spiders (Araneae) of Churchill, Manitoba: DNA barcodes and morphology reveal high species diversity and new Canadian records Gergin A Blagoev1*, Nadya I Nikolova1, Crystal N Sobel1, Paul DN Hebert1,2 and Sarah J Adamowicz1,2 Abstract Background: Arctic ecosystems, especially those near transition zones, are expected to be strongly impacted by climate change. Because it is positioned on the ecotone between tundra and boreal forest, the Churchill area is a strategic locality for the analysis of shifts in faunal composition. This fact has motivated the effort to develop a comprehensive biodiversity inventory for the Churchill region by coupling DNA barcoding with morphological studies. The present study represents one element of this effort; it focuses on analysis of the spider fauna at Churchill. Results: 198 species were detected among 2704 spiders analyzed, tripling the count for the Churchill region. Estimates of overall diversity suggest that another 10–20 species await detection. Most species displayed little intraspecific sequence variation (maximum <1%) in the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, but four species showed considerably higher values (maximum = 4.1-6.2%), suggesting cryptic species. All recognized species possessed a distinct haplotype array at COI with nearest-neighbour interspecific distances averaging 8.57%. Three species new to Canada were detected: Robertus lyrifer (Theridiidae), Baryphyma trifrons (Linyphiidae), and Satilatlas monticola (Linyphiidae). The first two species may represent human-mediated introductions linked to the port in Churchill, but the other species represents a range extension from the USA. -
Loxosceles Laeta
Parasitología Artículo Original Desarrollo de cohortes y parámetros poblacionales de la araña del rincón Loxosceles laeta Mauricio Canals y Rigoberto Solís Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Development and population parameters of cohorts of the Chilean Chile. Facultad de Medicina, recluse spider Loxosceles laeta Departamento de Medicina (Oriente) (MC). Background: Despite the abundant eco-epidemiological knowledge of the Chilean reclusive spider, Loxosceles Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y laeta, which causes all forms of loxoscelism in Chile, the main characteristics of this species its stages of develop- Silvoagropecuarias, Departamento ment remains poorly known especially in the medical area. Objective: In this study we address these issues with de Ciencias Biológicas Animales the goal of providing clear images of the development of this species and for the first time on population projec- (RS). tions as well as the relationship between mature and immature instars, useful data for the control and prevention Recibido: 5 de marzo de 2014 of accidental bites. Results: We found that L. laeta is an r-selected species, with R0 = 2.1, a generation time of Aceptado: 17 de julio de 2014 G = 2.1 years, with a concentration of the reproductive value of females between the first and second year of life. We determined the average sizes and development times of all instars. The first vary between 2.3 mm at birth and Correspondencia a: about 13 mm at adulthood. The total development time was about 1 year. Discussion: The population projection Mauricio Canals Lamabarri [email protected] by Leslie matrix suggested great capacity for growth and dispersal with clear seasonal population fluctuations associated with reproduction. -
Distribution of Spiders in Coastal Grey Dunes
kaft_def 7/8/04 11:22 AM Pagina 1 SPATIAL PATTERNS AND EVOLUTIONARY D ISTRIBUTION OF SPIDERS IN COASTAL GREY DUNES Distribution of spiders in coastal grey dunes SPATIAL PATTERNS AND EVOLUTIONARY- ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF DISPERSAL - ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF DISPERSAL Dries Bonte Dispersal is crucial in structuring species distribution, population structure and species ranges at large geographical scales or within local patchily distributed populations. The knowledge of dispersal evolution, motivation, its effect on metapopulation dynamics and species distribution at multiple scales is poorly understood and many questions remain unsolved or require empirical verification. In this thesis we contribute to the knowledge of dispersal, by studying both ecological and evolutionary aspects of spider dispersal in fragmented grey dunes. Studies were performed at the individual, population and assemblage level and indicate that behavioural traits narrowly linked to dispersal, con- siderably show [adaptive] variation in function of habitat quality and geometry. Dispersal also determines spider distribution patterns and metapopulation dynamics. Consequently, our results stress the need to integrate knowledge on behavioural ecology within the study of ecological landscapes. / Promotor: Prof. Dr. Eckhart Kuijken [Ghent University & Institute of Nature Dries Bonte Conservation] Co-promotor: Prf. Dr. Jean-Pierre Maelfait [Ghent University & Institute of Nature Conservation] and Prof. Dr. Luc lens [Ghent University] Date of public defence: 6 February 2004 [Ghent University] Universiteit Gent Faculteit Wetenschappen Academiejaar 2003-2004 Distribution of spiders in coastal grey dunes: spatial patterns and evolutionary-ecological importance of dispersal Verspreiding van spinnen in grijze kustduinen: ruimtelijke patronen en evolutionair-ecologisch belang van dispersie door Dries Bonte Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor [Ph.D.] in Sciences Proefschrift voorgedragen tot het bekomen van de graad van Doctor in de Wetenschappen Promotor: Prof. -
Arthropod Envenomation
Arthropod Envenomation Michael R. Loomis, DVM, MA, DACZM North Carolina Zoological Park Hymenoptera Envenomation Order Hymenoptera Family Vespidae- wasps Family Formicidae- ants Familt Mutillidae- velvet ants Family Apidae- bees • Stinger is a modified ovipositor Bee and Wasp Venom Components • Proteins, peptides and • Apitoxin – 52% Melitten (potent anti- amines inflammatory agent that – Phospholipase increases production of cortisol) – Histamine – 10-12% Phospholipase A2 – Bradykinin – 2-5% Aldolapin (blocks – cyclooxygenase) Acetylcholine – 1-3% Hyuronidase – Dopamine – 0.5-2% Histamine – Seratonin – 1-2% Dopamine and noradrenaline – Mast cell degranulating – 2% Protease-inhibitors peptide – Apamine increases cortisol – Mastoparan production, mild neurotoxin Ant Venom Components • Fire ants- 95% alkaloid (Unique among ants) • Most other ants, similar to bee and wasp venom • Harvester ant venom contains a hemolysin Venom Toxicity Family Common Name LD 50 (mg/kg) Apidae Honey bee 2.8 Mutillidae Velvet ant 71.0 Vespidae Paper wasp 2.4 Vespidae Yellowjacket 3.5 Formicidae Harvester ant 0.66 Formicidae Maricopa Harvester ant 0.12 Morbidity and Mortality Bees and Wasps • In US, 9.3 million ant • 17-56% produce local stings and 1 million reactions stings of other • Hymenoptera/year 1-2% produce generalized reactions • More deaths/year than any other type of • 5% seek medical care envenomation • 30-120 deaths from • Most deaths are the wasp and bee result of Anaphylaxis stings/year Local Reactions • Pain • Edema which may extend 10 cm from -
Taxonomical Revision & Cladistic Analysis of Avicularia
Caroline Sayuri Fukushima Taxonomical revision & cladistic analysis of Avicularia Lamarck 1818 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aviculariinae). Thesis presented at the Institute of Biosciences of the University of Sao Paulo, to obtain the title of Doctor of Science in the field of Zoology. Adviser (a): Paulo Nogueira-Neto Corrected version Sao Paulo 2011 (the original version is available at the Biosciences Institute at USP) Fukushima, Caroline Sayuri Taxonomical revision & cladistic analysis of Avicularia Lamarck 1818 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aviculariinae). 230 Pages Thesis (Ph.D.) - Institute of Biosciences, University of Sao Paulo. Department of Zoology. 1. Avicularia 2. Theraphosidae 3. Araneae I. University of Sao Paulo. Institute of Biosciences. Department of Zoology. Abstract The genus Avicularia Lamarck 1818 contains the oldest mygalomorph species described. It’s taxonomical history is very complex and for the first time it has been revised. A cladistic analysis with 70 characters and 43 taxa were done. The preferred cladogram was obtained using the computer program Pee Wee and concavity 6. The subfamily Aviculariinae contains the genera Stromatopelma, Heteroscodra, Psalmopoeus, Tapinauchenius, Ephebopus, Pachistopelma, Iridopelma, Avicularia, Genus 1 and Gen. nov. 1, Gen. nov. 2, Gen. nov. 3 and Gen. nov.4. Aviculariinae is monophyletic, sharing the presence of spatulated scopulae on tarsi and metatarsi, juveniles with a central longitudinal stripe connected with lateral stripes on dorsal abdomen and arboreal habit. The synapomorphy of Avicularia is the presence of a moderately developed protuberance on tegulum. The genus is constituted by 14 species: A. avicularia (type species), A. juruensis, A. purpurea, A. taunayi, A. variegata status nov., A. velutina, A. rufa, A. aymara, Avicularia sp. -
The Andean Tarantulas Euathlus Ausserer, 1875, Paraphysa Simon
This article was downloaded by: [Fernando Pérez-Miles] On: 05 May 2014, At: 07:07 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Journal of Natural History Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnah20 The Andean tarantulas Euathlus Ausserer, 1875, Paraphysa Simon, 1892 and Phrixotrichus Simon, 1889 (Araneae: Theraphosidae): phylogenetic analysis, genera redefinition and new species descriptions Carlos Perafána & Fernando Pérez-Milesa a Universidad de La República, Facultad de Ciencias, Sección Entomología, Iguá 4225, Montevideo, Uruguay Published online: 01 May 2014. To cite this article: Carlos Perafán & Fernando Pérez-Miles (2014): The Andean tarantulas Euathlus Ausserer, 1875, Paraphysa Simon, 1892 and Phrixotrichus Simon, 1889 (Araneae: Theraphosidae): phylogenetic analysis, genera redefinition and new species descriptions, Journal of Natural History, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2014.902142 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2014.902142 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information.