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Inproceedings Reference Integrative taxonomy of the millipede family Pachybolidae in continental SE Asia
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2017
Article Reference Rapid Speciation in host lineage my lead to adaptive evolution of parasites stress response genes in monopisthocotylan flatworms
Stress responses are key for parasite survival and, thus, also the evolutionary success of these organisms. However, a strong bias in parasite genomic research towards few human pathogens results in a lack of knowledge on evolutionary diversification mechanisms. Comparative studies of closely related and functionally similar lineages are the key for understanding factors driving adaptive evolution of stress responses. To address this knowledge gap, we contrasted evolutionary patterns of several antioxidant, heat shock, osmoregulatory, and behaviour-related genes in two fish parasitic flatworm lineages with varying species and ecological diversity, Cichlidogyrus and Kapentagyrus (Monopisthocotyla). We assembled the sequences of 48 genes related to stress responses in 11 species through an in-silico exon bait capture approach, applied phylogenetic reconstruction and tested for signatures of selection. The study also reports the first foraging (For) gene orthologs in flatworms. Additionally, the absence of cytochrome P450 (Cyp) and kappa (Gstk) and sigma-class glutathione S-transferases (Gsts) in monopisthocotylan flatworms is reported, genes typically considered essential for metazoan life. The results reveal copy number differences in heat shock (Hsp) and oxidative stress genes between the two parasite lineages potentially linked to the diversity of ecological niches occupied by their respective host taxa. Positive selection is detected in genes related to mitochondrial protein import (Hsp) and behaviour (For) in species of Cichlidogyrus infecting a host lineage under adaptive radiation (East African cichlids), suggesting an adaptive link to a putative co-radiation of parasites and hosts. Therefore, the study identifies the first potential molecular function linked to a flatworm radiation.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference Parasite BioBlitz in a protected area: diversity across a forested wetland to tidal creek continuum in South Carolina, USA
The BioBlitz concept has become popular across taxonomic fields, attracting interest globally to increase knowledge of local biodiversity. However, large-scale application of BioBlitz events for parasites has not occurred due to the need for wide taxonomic expertise and in-field sample processing and microscopy. As a team of parasitologists with individual, complementary and methodologically aligned expertise, we adopted the concept of a BioBlitz as a ‘moonshot’-like endeavor and a proof-of-concept in our research field. Over ca. two weeks, we intensively screened fishes and various invertebrate taxa (annelids, crustaceans, snails, bivalves) for parasites, and sampled sediment and water for eDNA from four aquatic habitats: wetland, freshwater pond, brackish impoundment, and tidal creek at Stono Preserve (College of Charleston’s Foundation, South Carolina, USA) to cover ecosystem-level parasite diversity. Morphological and molecular identification of parasites collected revealed the presence of eight major parasite taxa (monogeneans, cestodes, digeneans, nematodes, copepods, myxozoans, flagellates, and leeches), several of which were new host and/or locality records with numerous host-parasite combinations. The finding of species new to science and numerous host-parasite combinations further supports that such short term and intensive surveys improve knowledge of parasite diversity, which is under-studied yet essential for deeper understanding of ecosystems at local and global scales.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Inproceedings Reference Tournai: Classic Locality and Classic Fauna… but What Is New?
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2026
Inproceedings Reference Critical Evalution of Fossil Reports and Biostratigraphical Synthesis of the Ordovician of Belgium
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2026
Inproceedings Reference Three-dimensional ant distribution in rainforests and a method to detect ant mosaics
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Inproceedings Reference How much does a tropical forest elevational gradient contribute to biodiversity? Insights from the ant communities of Mt. Wilhelm.
Mountain slopes are known to promote the diversity and endemism of most taxa. Consequently, turnover of species is expected to be increased along elevational gradients compared to more uniform lowland areas of tropical forests. Mt. Wilhelm, the highest peak of Papua New Guinea, represents one of the last complete altitudinal forest transects with high-levels of biodiversity and pristine forests all along. We studied species diversity and distribution of the Mt. Wilhelm ant communities from 200 m a.s.l. up to tree line at 3700 m a.s.l., using a wide scope of sampling techniques. For the first time, the ants were sampled across different forest strata and at equally spaced elevational bands (500 m a.s.l.) along the complete gradient (257 species in total). The ants occurred up to 2700 m a.s.l. with general decline of their abundance and species richness with altitude, but not in the same way across forest strata. While the species occurrences linearly declined on the ground, they were highest at mid elevations on the vegetation. Species richness peaked at mid altitudes in all strata. Species composition varied both with sampled stratum and elevation, and there was an increase of soil-nesting species sampled on vegetation with increasing altitude. Most species occurred only in one or two elevational sites and there was no difference in the mean elevational range between ground-nesting and arboreal-nesting species. A simple model based on the species accumulation curves suggested that the Mt. Wilhelm ant species richness is two-fold increased, if rarefied to and compared with the same number of individuals as sampled in the lowlands. Our study demonstrates that pristine rainforests of Mt. Wilhelm considerably boost species diversity and endemism, and as such they should be of high conservation priority.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Inproceedings Reference How much does a tropical forest elevational gradient contribute to biodiversity? Insights from the ant communities of Mt. Wilhelm.
Mountain slopes are known to promote the diversity and endemism of most taxa. Consequently, turnover of species is expected to be increased along elevational gradients compared to more uniform lowland areas of tropical forests. Mt. Wilhelm, the highest peak of Papua New Guinea, represents one of the last complete altitudinal forest transects with high-levels of biodiversity and pristine forests all along. We studied species diversity and distribution of the Mt. Wilhelm ant communities from 200 m a.s.l. up to tree line at 3700 m a.s.l., using a wide scope of sampling techniques. For the first time, the ants were sampled across different forest strata and at equally spaced elevational bands (500 m a.s.l.) along the complete gradient (257 species in total). The ants occurred up to 2700 m a.s.l. with general decline of their abundance and species richness with altitude, but not in the same way across forest strata. While the species occurrences linearly declined on the ground, they were highest at mid elevations on the vegetation. Species richness peaked at mid altitudes in all strata. Species composition varied both with sampled stratum and elevation, and there was an increase of soil-nesting species sampled on vegetation with increasing altitude. Most species occurred only in one or two elevational sites and there was no difference in the mean elevational range between ground-nesting and arboreal-nesting species. A simple model based on the species accumulation curves suggested that the Mt. Wilhelm ant species richness is two-fold increased, if rarefied to and compared with the same number of individuals as sampled in the lowlands. Our study demonstrates that pristine rainforests of Mt. Wilhelm considerably boost species diversity and endemism, and as such they should be of high conservation priority.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Inproceedings Reference Exploring the ecology of arboreal ants in a tropical forest
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Inproceedings Reference La estructura de las redes de coocurrencia de hormigas y plantas son similares en el dosel y el sotobosque de una selva húmeda tropical
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019