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Article Reference Parallel phenotypic evolution in a wolf spider radiation on Galápagos.
Within island archipelagos, repeated ecological settings may lead to radiations wherein similar niches are recurrently occupied. Although it has been shown that species with common habitat requirements share particular traits, it remains relatively unexplored to what extent this may lead to the repeated evolution of almost identical phenotypes (phenocopies) and how this correlates with traits subjected to sexual selection. Exploring divergence patterns of ecological and sexual relevant traits within spiders seem promising to enhance our understanding of the relative role of natural and sexual selection. Here, we conduct a detailed morphological analysis on a large set of genital and non-genital traits (morphometrics, colour pattern) within a radiation of the wolf spider genus Hogna Simon, 1885 on Galápagos and interpret these data, taking into account their known phylogenetic relationship. Our results show that recurrent environmental gradients have led to the parallel evolution of almost identical phenotypes, which not only proves that natural selection has driven morphological divergence, but also suggests that a similar genetic or developmental basis most likely underlies this divergence. Among-species variation in genital traits in contrast rather reflects the phylogenetic relationships on Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal. The combination of these data indicate that speciation in this system is driven by the combined effect of ecological mechanisms and allopatric divergence in sexual traits.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Parameter Mapping Sonification of Human Olfactory Thresholds
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023 OA
Article Reference Parasite introduction with an invasive goby in Belgium: double trouble?
Non-indigenous species may have negative impacts on the native fauna in their competition for food and habitat, but they can also introduce non-indigenous parasite species, with sometimes devastating consequences. Cointroduction of parasites should therefore be carefully monitored, but this aspect is mostly overlooked. The round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) and the tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris (Heckel, 1937), both known for their invasiveness, have recently been discovered in Belgium. Here, we morphologically and genetically document the cointroduction of the Ponto-Caspian Gyrodactylus proterorhini Ergens, 1967, originally described on tubenose goby in southern Slovakia. Because of their direct life cycle and extraordinary reproductive capacities, gyrodactylid monogenean parasites can readily invade new areas together with the host. Moreover, G. proterorhini has a wide host range and might therefore represent a threat to other gobiid fishes. The Gyrodactylus parasite found on the Belgian round goby population is probably acquired through secondary infection from local fish, as suggested by molecular phylogenetic analysis.
Located in Library / No RBINS Staff publications
Article Reference ParasiteBlitz: Adaptation of the BioBlitz concept to parasitology
A BioBlitz is a rapid and intensive survey of a specific geographic area that brings together experts and often lay participants to assess biodiversity, typically of macrobiota that are easily observed and identifiable on-site. This concept has become popular across taxonomic fields, attracting interest globally to increase knowledge of local biodiversity. Inspired by the success of the approach, we undertook a ‘ParasiteBlitz’ at an unexplored locality (Stono Preserve, Charleston, South Carolina, USA) to determine its feasibility for parasites, whose assessment of diversity is largely neglected worldwide. We assembled a team of parasitologists with complementary expertise. Over 12 days in April 2023, we intensively screened fishes and aquatic invertebrates for parasites, and sampled sediment and water for environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding from four aquatic habitats: wetland, freshwater pond, brackish impoundment, and tidal creek. We incorporated assistance from non-parasitologists and students. Details on methodologies and results are provided in individual papers in this Special IssueCollection. Traditional methods revealed the presence of ca. 100 species of seven major metazoan parasite taxa and the eDNA survey yielded over 1,100 amplicon sequence variants identified as parasites, most with sequences unmatched in GenBank, and resulting in only a few species identified as named species in the one-year post-Blitz timeframe we imposed upon ourselves for identification. Limitations and challenges of the ParasiteBlitz are discussed, and our results support that this approach can be effective for rapid discovery of the dimensions of parasite assemblages in an understudied environment and contribute to parasitology knowledge.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference Parasites, predators and the Red Queen
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Parasites, predators and the Red Queen
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Parentage analyses suggest female promiscuity and a disadvantage for athletic males in the colourpolymorphic lizard Podarcis melisellensis
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications
Article Reference Paropeas achatinaceum (Pfeiffer, 1846) and other alien Subuline and Opeatine land snails in European greenhouses (Gastropoda, Achatinidae)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference Partecosta milesi sp. nov., a new cryptic species of Terebridae from the SW Indian Ocean, with a revision of South African Gradaterebra species
Partecosta milesi sp. nov. is described as new and compared to its sole morphological congener in the SW Indian Ocean. The South African members of the genus Gradaterebra are revised of which knowledge of the shell morphology remains only peripheral.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Article Reference Partial revision of the genus Dorysthenes (subgenus Paraphrus ) Thomson, 1861 with overall review of the species planicollis (Bates, (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Prioninae, Prionini )
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023 OA