Connectivity and climate change drive the global distribution of highly invasive termites

NeoBiota, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 92, P. 281 - 314

Published: April 30, 2024

Termites are amongst the most abundant and ecologically-important groups of insects in tropical forests. However, destructive potential some species amounts to billions dollars damage each year. Despite their economic ecological impacts, only a limited number invasive termite have been studied using distribution modelling no studies taken trade, transport demography variables into account. We used Species Distribution Models (SDMs) investigate 10 highly-invasive termites. Our study includes bioclimatic conditions, land-use patterns, elevation connectivity predictors (i.e. urban areas, human population, accessibility cities private vessels), alongside different climatic socioeconomic change scenarios. The hinges on variables, highlighting significance these latter factors analyses. models demonstrate termites thrive large urbanised connected areas within subtropical regions lesser extent temperate regions. As climate changes urbanisation intensifies, species’ range could expand, particularly under “fossil fuel-driven development” scenario. Furthermore, while may slightly reduced range, they extend presence more increasing risks costs associated with damages. highlight anticipated role growing dynamics facilitating widespread proliferation coming years.

Language: Английский

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Self-cleaning and anti-fogging hierarchical structure arrays inspired by termite wing

Applied Surface Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 616, P. 156484 - 156484

Published: Jan. 19, 2023

Language: Английский

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What Is the Impact of Accidentally Transporting Terrestrial Alien Species? A New Life Cycle Impact Assessment Model

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 8, 2024

Alien species form one of the main threats to global biodiversity. Although Life Cycle Assessment attempts holistically assess environmental impacts products and services across value chains, ecological introduction alien are so far not assessed in Impact Assessment. Here, we developed country-to-country-specific characterization factors, expressed as time-integrated potentially disappeared fraction (PDF; regional global) native terrestrial due introductions per unit goods transported [kg] between two countries. The factors were generated by analyzing data on first records species, distributions, their threat status, well bilateral trade partnerships from 1870–2019. resulting vary over several orders magnitude, indicating that impact greatly varies transportation route trading partner. We showcase applicability relevance for transporting 1 metric ton freight France China, South Africa, Madagascar. results suggest can be more damaging biodiversity climate change during international transport commodities.

Language: Английский

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VespAI: a deep learning-based system for the detection of invasive hornets

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: April 3, 2024

Abstract The invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax is a rapidly proliferating threat to pollinators in Europe and East Asia. To effectively limit its spread, colonies must be detected destroyed early the invasion curve, however current reliance upon visual alerts by public yields low accuracy. Advances deep learning offer potential solution this, but application of such technology remains challenging. Here we present VespAI, an automated system for rapid detection V. . We leverage hardware-assisted AI approach, combining standardised monitoring station with YOLOv5s architecture ResNet backbone, trained on bespoke end-to-end pipeline. This enables detect hornets real-time—achieving mean precision-recall score ≥0.99—and send associated image via compact remote processor. demonstrate successful operation prototype field, confirm suitability large-scale deployment future use cases. As such, VespAI has transform way that are managed, providing robust warning prevent ingressions into new regions.

Language: Английский

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Natural selection on feralization genes contributed to the invasive spread of wild pigs throughout the United States

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(12)

Published: May 15, 2024

Despite a long presence in the contiguous United States (US), distribution of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa × domesticus) has expanded rapidly since 1980s, suggesting more recent evolutionary shift towards greater invasiveness. Contemporary populations represent exoferal hybrid descendants domestic and European boar, with such hybridization expected to enrich genetic diversity increase adaptive potential populations. Our objective was characterize how enrichment through increases invasiveness by identifying signals selection ancestral origins selected loci. study focused on within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which represents population descendent from admixture established feral an introduction boar North America. Accordingly, we genotyped 881 multiple high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. We found 233 markers under putative spread over 79 regions across 16 out 18 autosomes, contained genes involved traits affecting feralization. Among these, were be related skull formation neurogenesis, two genes, TYRP1 TYR, also encoding for crucial melanogenesis enzymes. The most common haplotypes associated among other throughout region, indicating key role putatively selective variants fitness Interestingly, many these absent reference genotypes, feralization adaptation.

Language: Английский

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Soil organic matter is essential for colony growth in subterranean termites

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Oct. 28, 2021

Abstract Intrinsic dinitrogen (N 2 ) fixation by diazotrophic bacteria in termite hindguts has been considered an important pathway for nitrogen acquisition termites. However, studies that supported this claim focused on measuring instant N rates and failed to address their relationship with colony growth reproduction over time. We here argue not all wood-feeding termites rely symbiotic growth. The present study looks at dietary a subterranean (Rhinotermitidae, Coptotermes ). Young colonies reared wood nitrogen-rich organic soil developed faster, compared those inorganic sand. More critically, further development was arrested if access removed. In addition, no difference of relative nitrogenase expression found when comparing the between two conditions. therefore propose (Rhinotermitidae) is longer restricted metabolically expensive intrinsic fixation, as may primarily be trophic rather than symbiotic. Such reliance Rhinotermitidae microbial decomposition activity optimal also have had critical mechanistic role initial emergence Termitidae.

Language: Английский

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Extensive human‐mediated jump dispersal within and across the native and introduced ranges of the invasive termite Reticulitermes flavipes

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 30(16), P. 3948 - 3964

Published: June 18, 2021

Abstract As native ranges are often geographically structured, invasive species originating from a single source population only carry fraction of the genetic diversity present in their range. The invasion process is thus associated with drastic loss resulting founder event. However, brought to range may vary under different histories, increasing size propagule, number reintroduction events, and/or total represented by various populations multiple‐introduction scenario. In this study, we generated SNP data set for termite Reticulitermes flavipes 23 eastern United States and six introduced throughout world. Using analyses approximate Bayesian computation random forest, investigated its worldwide history. We found complex pathway multiple events out bridgehead introductions France. Our suggest that extensive long‐distance jump dispersal appears common both species, probably through human transportation. Overall, our results show similar introduction into range, admixture prior can potentially favour success later transferred

Language: Английский

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Coordination of movement via complementary interactions of leaders and followers in termite mating pairs

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 288(1954), P. 20210998 - 20210998

Published: July 13, 2021

In collective animal motion, coordination is often achieved by feedback between leaders and followers. For stable coordination, a leader's signals follower's responses are hypothesized to be attuned each other. However, their roles difficult disentangle in species with highly coordinated movements, hiding potential diversity of behavioural mechanisms for behaviour. Here, we show that two Coptotermes termite achieve similar level via distinct sets complementary leader–follower interactions. Even though C. gestroi females produce less pheromone than formosanus , tandem runs both were stable. Heterospecific pairs males also stable, but not those males. We attributed this the males' adaptation conspecific females; have unique capacity follow small amounts pheromone, while reject as unsuitable competitive over large pheromone. An information-theoretic analysis supported conclusion detecting information flow from female male only tandems. Our study highlights cryptic interspecific variation movement source novelty evolution social

Language: Английский

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Reconstructing the complex colonisation histories of lizards across Mediterranean archipelagos

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 51(2), P. 157 - 172

Published: Oct. 10, 2023

Abstract Aim The Mediterranean Basin is a global biodiversity hotspot and has one of the longest histories human–biota interactions. Islands host large fraction diversity endemism, but relative importance natural versus human‐mediated colonisation processes in shaping distribution genetic structure island fauna remains poorly understood. Here, we combine population genomics, demographic models palaeoshoreline reconstructions to establish island‐colonisation dynamics wall lizards archipelagos. Location Four archipelagos Italy Croatia. Taxon lizard Podarcis siculus. Methods We used ddRAD sequencing genotype 140 from 23 mainland populations. Analyses admixture site frequency spectra were reconstruct structure, history variation gene flow through time. Genomic results integrated with palaeogeographical compared archaeological evidence human presence on these islands. Results Although many populations this species are assumed be non‐native, find that islands colonised long before any known settlements (230,000–12,000 years ago). This most likely occurred land bridges during glacial marine regression or by over‐sea rafting. On other hand, distant continent often recently, some estimated times match historical records arrival. also determine long‐established generally show lower proximate populations, contrary recently must have experienced higher rates post‐colonisation flow. Main Conclusion Our approach provides us power accurately quantify origin, timing mode colonisation. framework helps clarify biogeographical evolutionary important implications for conservation management biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Invasive termites and their growing global impact as major urban pests

Current Opinion in Insect Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 101368 - 101368

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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