Robust evidence for bats as reservoir hosts is lacking in most African virus studies: a review and call to optimize sampling and conserve bats
We present data from 162 papers (of 1322) with original findings on (1) numbers and species of bats sampled across bat families and the continent, (2) how bats were selected for study inclusion, (3) if bats were terminally sampled, (4) what types of ecological data, if any, were recorded and (5) which viruses were detected and with what methodology. We propose a scheme for evaluating presumed virus-host relationships by evidence type and quality, using the contrasting available evidence for Orthoebolavirus versus Orthomarburgvirus as an example. We review the wording in abstracts and discussions of all 162 papers, identify...
Source: Biology Letters - November 15, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Natalie Weber Martina Nagy Wanda Markotter Juliane Schaer S ébastien J Puechmaille Jack Sutton Liliana M D ávalos Marie-Claire Dusabe Imran Ejotre M Brock Fenton Mirjam Kn örnschild Adri à López-Baucells Rodrigo A Medellin Markus Metz Samira Mubareka Source Type: research
< em > Formica fusca < /em > ants use aphid supplemented foods to alleviate effects during the acute phase of a fungal infection
Biol Lett. 2023 Nov;19(11):20230415. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0415. Epub 2023 Nov 15.ABSTRACTThe modulation of nutritional intake by animals to combat pathogens is a behaviour that is receiving increasing attention. Ant studies using isolated compounds or nutrients in artificial diets have revealed a lot of the dynamics of the behaviour, but natural sources of medicine are yet to be confirmed. Here we explored whether Formica fusca ants exposed to a fungal pathogen can use an artificial diet containing foods spiked with different concentrations of crushed aphids for a medicinal benefit. We show that pathogen exposed colonies...
Source: Biology Letters - November 15, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Jason Rissanen Dana ë Nyckees Torsten Will Heikki Helanter ä Dalial Freitak Source Type: research
Exaggerated mandibles are correlated with enhanced foraging efficacy in male Auckland tree w ētā
Biol Lett. 2023 Nov;19(11):20230207. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0207. Epub 2023 Nov 15.ABSTRACTSexual selection has driven the evolution of weaponry for males to fight rivals to gain access to females. Although weapons are predicted to increase males' reproductive success, they are also expected to incur costs and may impair functional activities, including foraging. Using feeding assays, we tested whether the enlarged mandibles of Auckland tree wētā (Hemideina thoracica) impact feeding activity (the total volume of biomass consumed, bite rate, and number of foraging visits) and foraging behaviour (time spent moving, feeding...
Source: Biology Letters - November 15, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Bridgette Farnworth Samuel Purdie Priscilla M Wehi Christina J Painting Source Type: research
Microbiome and photoperiod interactively determine thermal sensitivity of polar and temperate diatoms
Biol Lett. 2023 Nov;19(11):20230151. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0151. Epub 2023 Nov 15.ABSTRACTThe effect of temperature on ectothermic organisms in the context of climate change has long been considered in isolation (i.e. as a single driver). This is challenged by observations demonstrating that temperature-dependent growth is correlated to further factors. However, little is known how the chronobiological history of an organism reflected in its adaptation to re-occurring cyclic patterns in its environment (e.g. annual range of photoperiods in its habitat) and biotic interactions with its microbiome, contribute to shaping its...
Source: Biology Letters - November 15, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Jakob K Giesler Tilmann Harder Sylke Wohlrab Source Type: research
Robust evidence for bats as reservoir hosts is lacking in most African virus studies: a review and call to optimize sampling and conserve bats
We present data from 162 papers (of 1322) with original findings on (1) numbers and species of bats sampled across bat families and the continent, (2) how bats were selected for study inclusion, (3) if bats were terminally sampled, (4) what types of ecological data, if any, were recorded and (5) which viruses were detected and with what methodology. We propose a scheme for evaluating presumed virus-host relationships by evidence type and quality, using the contrasting available evidence for Orthoebolavirus versus Orthomarburgvirus as an example. We review the wording in abstracts and discussions of all 162 papers, identify...
Source: Biology Letters - November 15, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: Natalie Weber Martina Nagy Wanda Markotter Juliane Schaer S ébastien J Puechmaille Jack Sutton Liliana M D ávalos Marie-Claire Dusabe Imran Ejotre M Brock Fenton Mirjam Kn örnschild Adri à López-Baucells Rodrigo A Medellin Markus Metz Samira Mubareka Source Type: research
