Selection Signal Analysis Reveals Hainan Yellow Cattle Are Being Selectively Bred for Heat Tolerance.

Hainan yellow cattle are indigenous Zebu cattle from southern China known for their tolerance of heat and strong resistance to disease. Generations of adaptation to the tropical environment of southern China and decades of artificial breeding have left identifiable selection signals in their genomic makeup. However, information on the selection signatures of Hainan yellow cattle is scarce.

Neuropeptide hormone bursicon mediates female reproduction in the whitefly, (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).

Bursicon, a neuropeptide hormone comprising two subunits-bursicon (burs) and partner of burs (pburs), belongs to the cystine-knot protein family. Bursicon heterodimers and homodimers bind to the lucine-rich G-protein coupled receptor (LGR) encoded by s to regulate multiple physiological processes in arthropods. Notably, these processes encompass the regulation of female reproduction, a recent revelation in .

Unexpected worker mating and colony-founding in a superorganism.

The emergence of caste-differentiated colonies, which have been defined as 'superorganisms', in ants, bees, and wasps represents a major transition in evolution. Lifetime mating commitment by queens, pre-imaginal caste determination and lifetime unmatedness of workers are key features of these animal societies. Workers in superorganismal species like honey bees and many ants have consequently lost, or retain only vestigial spermathecal structures.

Functional analysis of a NPC1 gene from the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).

Niemann-Pick C (NPC) disease is a neurodegenerative disorder related to cellular sterol trafficking and mutation of NPC1 gene is the main cause for this disease. The function of NPC1 have been reported in a few insects but rarely studied in hemipterans. In the present study, we investigate the function of NPC1 in a hemipteran pest, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci.

Divergence and convergence of gut microbiomes of wild insect pollinators.

Pollination services provided by wild insect pollinators are critical to natural ecosystems and crops around the world. There is an increasing appreciation that the gut microbiota of these insects influences their health and consequently their services. However, pollinator gut microbiota studies have focused on well-described social bees, but rarely include other, more phylogenetically divergent insect pollinators.

Identification and functional analysis of isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase genes in the whiteflies Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).

The juvenile hormone (JH) plays a vital role in the regulation of a number of physiological processes, including development, reproduction, and ovarian maturation. Isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase (IPPI) is a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of JH. In this study, we identified an isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase protein from Bemisia tabaci and named it BtabIPPI.

A Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor BtabHNF4 Mediates Desiccation Tolerance and Fecundity in Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4) is essential for glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism in insects. However, little is known about the role of HNF4 in whiteflies. In the present study, we identified a hepatocyte nuclear factor protein from Bemsia tabaci (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and named it BtabHNF4.

Differential Viral Distribution Patterns in Reproductive Tissues of and Drones.

Honeybee drones are male bees that mate with virgin queens during the mating flight, consequently transferring their genes to offspring. Therefore, the health of drones affects the overall fitness of the offspring and ultimately the survivability of the colony. Honeybee viruses are considered to be a major threat to the health of honeybees.

Using the combined gene approach and multiple analytical methods to improve the phylogeny and classification of (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in China.

Bumble bees are vital to our agro-ecological system, with approximately 250 species reported around the world in the single genus . However, the health of bumble bees is threatened by multiple factors: habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use, and disease caused by pathogens and parasites. It is therefore vitally important to have a fully developed phylogeny for bumble bee species as part of our conservation efforts.

Dynamic Changes of Gut Microbial Communities of Bumble Bee Queens through Important Life Stages.

Bumble bees are important pollinators in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Their social colonies are founded by individual queens, which, as the predominant reproductive females of colonies, contribute to colony function through worker production and fitness through male and new queen production. Therefore, queen health is paramount, but even though there has been an increasing emphasis on the role of gut microbiota for animal health, there is limited information on the gut microbial dynamics of bumble bee queens.