Invasive species threaten biodiversity on a global scale. The success of invasions depends on the species' adaptation to the different environmental conditions of new territories. Studies show that invasive insects present evolutionary changes in wing morphology in areas they are introduced to in response to abiotic conditions. In the last decade, the Asian Drosophila nasuta fly invaded and spread widely throughout Brazil. This insect has preferences for conserved environments and is related to the likely reduction in the abundance of native drosophilids in the Atlantic Forest. Ecological niche modelling analyses showed that rainfall and temperature are the main factors which delimit the geographic distribution of this species. Herein, we verified the existence of significant differences in the wing sizes of D. nasuta in Brazil and evaluated the influence of abiotic factors (rainfall and temperature) on the observed patterns. We conducted 11 measurements on the right-side wings of 240 D. nasuta males collected in the Amazon Forest, Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. Statistical analyses revealed the existence of two groups: one with larger wings, which brought together samples from locations with the lowest temperatures; and one with smaller wings, which corresponded to places with a hotter climate. One explanation for this result is the fact that large wings favour greater heat capture by flies in colder climates, increasing their survival chances in these environments. These rapid evolutionary changes in D. nasuta in this first decade of invasion in Brazil reveal the enormous adaptive potential of this species in this megadiverse country.

In 1978, the theory behind helminth parasites having the potential to regulate the abundance of their host populations was formalized based on the understanding that those helminth macroparasites that reduce survival or fecundity of the infected host population would be among the forces limiting unregulated host population growth. Now, 45 years later, a phenomenal breadth of factors that directly or indirectly affect the host–helminth interaction has emerged. Based largely on publications from the past 5 years, this review explores the host–helminth interaction from three lenses: the perspective of the helminth, the host, and the environment. What biotic and abiotic as well as social and intrinsic host factors affect helminths? What are the negative, and positive, implications for host populations and communities? What are the larger-scale implications of the host–helminth dynamic on the environment, and what evidence do we have that human-induced environmental change will modify this dynamic? The overwhelming message is that context is everything. Our understanding of second-, third-, and fourth-level interactions is extremely limited, and we are far from drawing generalizations about the myriad of microbe-helminth-host interactions.Yet the intricate, co-evolved balance and complexity of these interactions may provide a level of resilience in the face of global environmental change. Hopefully, this albeit limited compilation of recent research will spark new interdisciplinary studies, and application of the One Health approach to all helminth systems will generate new and testable conceptual frameworks that encompass our understanding of the host–helminth–environment triad.

The coffee white stem borer, Xylotrechus quadripes Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a major destructive pest of Coffea arabica L. (Gentianales: Rubiaceae), widely planted in many Asian countries, including China. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is a common method for quantitative analysis of gene transcription levels. To obtain accurate and reliable qRT-PCR results, it is necessary to select suitable reference genes to different experimental conditions for normalizing the target gene expression. However, the stability of the expression of reference genes in X. quadripes has rarely been studied. In this study, the expression stability of nine candidate reference genes were investigated under biotic and abiotic conditions for use in qRT-PCR's normalization. By integrating the results of four algorithms of NormFinder, BestKeeper, geNorm, and RefFinder, the optimal reference gene combinations in different experimental conditions were performed as follows: RPL10a and EIF3D were the optimal reference genes for developmental stage samples, EIF4E, RPL10a, and RPS27a for tissue samples, V-ATP and EF1α for the sex samples, EIF3D and V-ATP for temperature treatment, RPS27a and RPL10a for insecticide stress, and RPL10a, RPS27a, and EF1α for all the samples. This study will help to obtain the stable internal reference genes under biotic and abiotic conditions and lay the foundation for in-depth functional research of target genes or genomics on olfactory molecular mechanisms, temperature adaptability, and insecticide resistance in X. quadripes.

The phenological patterns exhibited by different organisms are known as adaptive responses to the cyclical environmental conditions. However, only a limited number of researches explore which factors are responsible for these phenological patterns in pest species. In the current study, abundance patterns were studied in the phenology of three Spodoptera Guenée, 1852 species, along the 29° latitudinal gradient in South America. The goal was to test whether widely distributed and abundant crop pest species would exhibit different phenological responses to seasonal meteorological variables and host plant availability. To test this, 13 light traps were set up in Brazil to collect adult Spodoptera samples at the time of the new moon, every month, from June 2015 to May 2016. The time of occurrence and intensity of the phenology were determined for each species, employing circular statistics. Both metrics revealed significant variations among the different species, as well as the factors associated with them. Latitude was found to affect the period of occurrence in Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker, 1858) and Spodoptera albula (Walker, 1857), whereas in Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) its effect was evident only in the intensity of its phenology. Further, both meteorological variables and host plant availability in the sampling sites produced predictive models to account for the phenological patterns expressed. These findings suggest that different species of Spodoptera exhibit different adaptive strategies in their life cycles in response to environmental conditions, thus necessitating specific management practices regarding their seasonal population fluctuation.

To develop management strategies for the mango seed weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae), we surveyed infestation levels of the pest in three agroecological zones of Benin and determined the influences of abiotic factors on mango infestation levels and population dynamics in mango orchards at IITA-Benin from 2009 to 2011. We collected immature and mature fruits from the canopy and fallen fruits from under the canopy from three randomly selected trees per cultivar, per orchard. Samples were examined to determine the number of the mango seed weevil eggs to adults during the rainy seasons of three years of the study. Our results show that the highest abundance of both the weevil and its eggs was from March to May of each year. In the first year of sampling, the cultivar Eldon was more infested than the other two cultivars, while during the second and third years, the cultivar Alphonse was most infested. The occurrence of the weevil was almost nil in the hot agroecological zones, while for the mango cultivars of IITA-Benin the percentage of infested fruit increased or decreased according to the studied variables, such as temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity. We found that the period from March to May with low temperatures and high rainfall was favourable to the population increase of mango seed weevils. We discuss possible implications of our findings for the management of the pest.

The alien invasive vines black and pale swallowwort are currently spreading across eastern North America, invading parklands, old fields, restored forest sites, and other natural areas. These plants spread by wind-borne seed and can form dense stands where they become established. Although their current geographic ranges overlap, there is little known overlap locally. Preliminary observations and anecdotal information have associated black swallowwort with low-pH inceptisols and pale swallowwort with high-pH alfisols. We conducted a common garden field experiment repeated over two years and a growth chamber germination experiment to assess whether seedling emergence and performance of these two swallowworts are affected by soil type and/or soil pH. Soil pH was artificially modified. In the common garden experiment, plants of both species grown on the Onondaga County soil type (an alfisol) produced a smaller root mass than on the Orange County soil (an inceptisol). Also, in one of two years more seedlings emerged and plants produced more follicles on the Onondaga County soil. Soil pH did not affect seedling emergence, although plants grown on low pH soils had a smaller root dry mass compared with plants grown on higher pH soils. Soil pH effects on stem length, stem dry mass, and follicle production were inconsistent among years. Species differences were also evident, with more pale swallowwort seedlings emerging than black swallowwort seedlings, whereas black swallowwort plants mostly had greater biomass and fecundity than pale swallowwort plants. In the growth chamber experiment, final percentage seed germination was greater on the Onondaga County soil than on the Orange County soil. The germination speed index as well as the probability to reach 50% germination for black swallowwort was higher on the Onondaga County soil than the Orange County soil, but only at lower pH levels. The germination speed index of pale swallowwort on the Orange County soil was higher than black swallowwort at low, but not high, pH levels. In contrast, black swallowwort had a higher probability of reaching 50% germination than pale swallowwort on the Orange County soil at higher pH levels. Contrary to our expectations, interactions between the two swallowwort species with their associated soil type or with their presumably preferred soil pH were weak, contradictory, or non-existent in both experiments. This suggests that these two species can colonize and grow well in a relatively wide range of soil pH conditions. From a management perspective, our results suggest that the current range and local overlap of these two species will continue to increase and that early detection rapid response (EDRR) programs should be established in susceptible regions not yet colonized by these two invasive vines.

Perennial weeds constitute a serious problem in Greek cotton-growing areas, as they strongly competing against the crop and downgrade the final product. Monitoring weeds at a regional scale and relating their occurrence with abiotic factors will assist in the control of these species. Purple nutsedge, field bindweed, bermudagrass, and johnsongrass were studied in cotton crops for three consecutive growing seasons (2007 through 2009) in a large area of central Greece. Weed densities and uniformities per sampling site were assessed in relation to soil and climatic data. Abundance index (AI), which is highly dependent on abiotic factors, was also estimated, and revealed purple nutsedge to the most persistent and damaging species among the recorded weeds. Field bindweed showed the highest correlation with soil properties and especially with clay content. Furthermore, correlation analysis was used over the sampling years in order to assess the stability of weed occurrence in the sampling sites. Purple nutsedge, field bindweed, and bermudagrass proved to be stable in location and intensity. The weed density spatial distribution was evaluated by using local indicators of spatial autocorrelation (LISA) statistics, and was mapped by ordinary kriging and co-kriging interpolation methods. Only 1 to 3 spatial outliers were identified in each 1 of the 3 yr. Between the two interpolation methods co-kriging delivered better results for field bindweed and purple nutsedge, indicating that soil data could improve the estimation of weed occurrence. These co-kriging interpolated weed maps would be a very useful tool for decision makers in taking appropriate weed control measures.

Determination of critical threshold for induction and termination of diapause (hibernation) are important for better understanding the bio-ecology and population dynamics of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) under varying climatic conditions. We studied initiation and termination of hibernation under five temperature and photoperiod regimes viz., 27°C + 12L:12D, 22°C + 11.5L:12.5D, 18°C + 11L:13D, 14°C + 10.5L:13.5D and 10°C + 10L:14D under fixed and ramping treatments, and the observations were recorded on various phenological and developmental characteristics at weekly intervals. Present studies revealed that the induction of hibernation in C. partellus larvae takes from 46 to 56 days depending upon temperature and photoperiod conditions. Induction of hibernation varied from 7.9 to 18.3% across treatment conditions, indicating that not all C. partellus larvae undergo diapause under prevailing environmental conditions. Weight, length and head capsule width of diapausing larvae were found significantly lower than the non-diapausing larvae. The non-diapausing C. partellus larvae required a thermal threshold of 1068 degree-days under ambient conditions, while in case of hibernating larvae it varied significantly across treatment conditions. Diapausing larvae underwent up to five supernumerary moults, wherein highest percentage of diapausing larvae (35.7%) exhibited two supernumerary moults. The developmental time of diapausing larvae varied from 94.9 to 160.4 days across treatments. A population loss of 17.2–28.3% was recorded in C. partellus due to hibernation, which has implications for population buildup of post-hibernation first brood and management strategies.

The ichthyofauna of the River Minho tidal freshwater wetlands (TFWs) was studied in a semi-enclosed area, between June 2007 and May 2010, to determine temporal patterns of abundance, biomass and species composition. Fish catches, standardized by the number of fyke nets and by the fishing effort, were analysed and related to river flow, water temperature and precipitation. In total, 21 fish species were identified including six non-indigenous species (NIS) which represented 15% of the total captures (yet 43% of the biomass). Regarding ecological guilds, 82% were freshwater species (61% of the biomass) which included all NIS, whereas 13% of the catches were catadromous species (31% biomass) corresponding to eels. Only 4% were estuarine species (1% biomass) and together marine estuarine opportunists and anadromous species accomplished 1% (2 and 6% biomass, respectively). The fish assemblage showed seasonal patterns with a clear distinction between autumn/winter and spring/summer periods. Significant differences in abundance and biomass were also detected between autumn/winter of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009, i.e., inter-annual variations, with the latter period with lower catches yet higher dominance of NIS. Besides, higher water temperature had a significant negative effect on the observed number of species, but a positive effect on the abundance and biomass of NIS. More attention has to be given to TFWs and their role in structuring fish assemblages, because this information is vital for a sound management, conservation and restoration of estuarine areas.

In recent years, the serpentine leaf miner Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) has become a major pest of cotton (Gossypium spp.) in India, with high levels of incidence observed at the seedling stage, particularly in transgenic Bt cotton. We monitored the severity of infestation and damage by L. trifolii to transgenic and non-transgenic genotypes of Gossypium arboreum L. and G. hirsutum L. between 2002 and 2007. Overall, significantly lower L. trifolii damage occurred in G. arboreum varieties than in G. hirsutum varieties and hybrids. Among the G. hirsutum genotypes, damage was significantly lower in varieties than in hybrids. However, no significant differences in damage were observed between Bt and non-Bt cotton hybrids. Abiotic factors had a major influence on the severity of damage; there was a significant and negative association of L. trifolii damage with open pan evaporation (E), maximum temperature, solar radiation and sunshine, and a significant and positive association with relative humidity and rainfall (RF). Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that 99% of the variation in L. trifolii damage was accounted for by RF, open pan E and relative humidity.

Disentangling local and historical factors that determine species diversity patterns at multiple spatial scales is fundamental to elucidating processes that govern ecological communities. Here we investigated how environmental correlates may influence diversity at local and regional scales. Primarily utilizing published species lists, amphibian and reptile alpha and beta diversity were assessed at 17 well-surveyed sites distributed among ecoregions throughout Costa Rica. The degree to which regional species diversity patterns were related to environmental variables and geographic distance was determined using Canonical Correspondence Analysis and Mantel tests. Amphibian alpha diversity was highest in lowland Pacific sites (mean = 43.3 species) and lowest at the high elevation site (9 species). Reptile alpha diversity values were high for both lowland Atlantic (mean = 69.5 species) and lowland Pacific (mean = 67 species) sites and lowest for the high elevation site (8 species). We found high species turnover between local sites and ecoregions, demonstrating the importance of beta diversity in the determination of regional diversity. For both amphibians and reptiles, beta diversity was highest between the high-elevation site and all others, and lowest among lowland sites within the same ecoregion. The effect of geographic distance on beta diversity was minor. Ecologically significant climatic variables related to rain, temperature, sunshine and insolation were found to be important determinants of local and regional diversity for both amphibians and reptiles in Costa Rica.

Research vessel survey data collected by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the southern Gulf of St Lawrence (1971–2002) and Cabot Strait (1994–1997) were analysed to determine if Enchelyopus cimbrius the fourbeard rockling, distributed itself with larger individuals occurring in deeper water. A positive size–depth relationship was first observed for the European plaice, Pleuronectes platessa in the North Sea and has been reported for other fish. Positive relationships were found between the total length of E. cimbrius and depths where it occurred in this study. However, the biological relationship was not significant since the linear regression slopes were very weak, explaining less than approximately five per cent of the variance observed. Data were analysed further to determine the water depth, temperature and salinity ranges where the fourbeard rockling was most abundant. Enchelyopus cimbrius occurred throughout the depth-ranges sampled with highest catches occurring at 25–50 m (southern Gulf of St Lawrence) and deeper than 200 m (southern Gulf of St Lawrence and Cabot Strait). Low catches at intermediate depths (~50–100 m) in the southern Gulf of St Lawrence may have been due to the lack of suitable mud substrate and colder bottom temperatures in the Magdalen Shallows, a large central region of the southern Gulf. Enchelyopus cimbrius was mostly caught at relatively narrow temperature and salinity ranges of 4–6°C and 34–34.9 ppt in both regions, and only occurred in areas with a mud substratum, predominantly in the eastern Northumberland Strait, Baie des Chaleurs and in the deeper water of the Cape Breton Trough, Laurentian Channel and Cabot Strait. Enchelyopus cimbrius was caught throughout the day and night, contradicting a previous study that characterized it as being nocturnal in shallow coastal waters off Newfoundland.

The transmission success of free-living larval stages of endohelminths is generally modulated by a variety of abiotic and biotic environmental factors. Whereas the role of abiotic factors (including anthropogenic pollutants) has been in focus in numerous studies and summarized in reviews, the role of biotic factors has received much less attention. Here, we review the existing body of literature from the fields of parasitology and ecology and recognize 6 different types of biotic factors with the potential to alter larval transmission processes. We found that experimental studies generally indicate strong effects of biotic factors, and the latter emerge as potentially important, underestimated determinants in the transmission ecology of free-living endohelminth stages. This implies that biodiversity, in general, should have significant effects on parasite transmission and population dynamics. These effects are likely to interact with natural abiotic factors and anthropogenic pollutants. Investigating the interplay of abiotic and biotic factors will not only be crucial for a thorough understanding of parasite transmission processes, but will also be a prerequisite to anticipate the effects of climate and other global changes on helminth parasites and their host communities.

Oviposition site selection in insects is essential in terms of low egg mortality, high offspring survival and therefore a high reproductive output. Although oviposition height could be a crucial factor for the fitness of overwintering eggs, it has rarely been investigated. In this study the oviposition height of a polyphagous leaf beetle, Galeruca tanaceti Linnaeus in different habitats and at different times of the season was examined and its effect on egg clutch mortality was recorded. The leaf beetle occurs as an occasional pest on several agricultural plants. It deposits its eggs within herbaceous vegetation in autumn. Eggs are exposed to numerous biotic and abiotic mortality factors summarized as egg parasitism and winter mortality. Oviposition height of the leaf beetle was not uniform, but changed significantly with the structure of the habitat and during the season. Mean oviposition height per site (70.2±4.9 cm) was significantly higher than mean vegetation height (28.4±2.4 cm). Height of plants with egg clutches attached and oviposition height were significantly positively correlated. The results suggest that females try to oviposit as high as possible in the vegetation and on the plants selected. In accordance with this, the probability of egg parasitism and of winter egg clutch mortality significantly declined with increasing oviposition height. A preference of G. tanaceti for oviposition sites high up in the vegetation might therefore have evolved due to selection pressures by parasitoids and winter mortality.

We studied activity patterns and habitat use by insectivorous bats in Comoé National Park, Ivory Coast. Bat foraging activity was quantified along five transects representing three different habitat types using acoustic monitoring and captures with mist nets and harp traps. Aerial insect abundance was assessed using a light trap; in addition shrub and tree arthropods were sampled. Bat activity was significantly and positively related to insect availability and ambient temperature, whereas increased visibility of the moon had a negative influence on flight activity. Together, these factors best explained both total bat activity and activity of bats hunting in open space and edge habitats. The interaction between temperature and light intensity was the best predictor of activity by species foraging in obstacle-rich forest habitats, however, the regression model had a low predictive value. Overall, a large proportion (c. 50%) of the variation in bat activity appeared to be a consequence of transect- and/or habitat-specific influences. We found a significant non-linear relationship between the activity of QCF (quasi-constant frequency) and FM–QCF (frequency modulated – quasi-constant frequency) bats and the phase of the moon, with lowest levels of activity occurring near full moon. We interpret this lunar-phobic behaviour as a reflection of a higher predation risk during moonlit periods. For FM (steep frequency modulated) and CF (constant frequency) bats, no significant correlation was found, although there was a trend suggesting that these bats at least were not negatively affected by bright moonlight. Foraging activity of bats was positively correlated with the abundance of atympanate moths; however, no such correlation was found for tympanate moths.

Data are presented on a bat assemblage captured among 10 water holes in Colorado over 5 years. The assemblage consists of Myotis ciliolabrum, M. evotis, M. lucifugus, M. thysanodes, M. volans, Eptesicus fuscus, Lasiurus cinereus, Lasionycteris noctivagans and Corynorhinus townsendii. Results show that reproductive females and juveniles are captured in higher frequencies at water holes containing higher water hardness and that water hardness correlates highly significantly with dissolved calcium content. Also presented are laboratory test data on the stomach volume of Eptesicus fuscus that provide a model for understanding the effect of dissolved calcium content in water as a significant resource. These data indicate that water holes provide supplemental sources of calcium for bats not provided by diet.

We analysed spatial and temporal patterns of condition factor (CF) of sprat (Sprattus sprattus) between 1986 and 2000 in different areas of the Baltic proper. Results showed a moderate increase in CF between 1986 and 1989. Afterwards, an abrupt decrease in CF, between 22% and 29%, occurred in all the areas of the Baltic proper. However, from 1998 and onwards, CF increased compared to the previous years. Weight-at-age and CF of Baltic herring showed a similar pattern in the same period. Several factors affecting variability of sprat CF were evaluated. Data showed that sprat CF was density-dependent and possibly related to the pelagic fish abundance and individual food intake. Temperature did not influence sprat CF while salinity seemed to affect variability of sprat CF in the northern Baltic proper. Changes in salinity levels may shape pelagic fish growth rates both indirectly changing the zooplankton community structure and abundance and/or directly via fish physiology and metabolisms.

A la suite des travaux réalisés sur le lac eutrophe d'Aydat, dans lequel une partie de la communauté planctonique quitte la pleineeau (copépodites 4 de Cyclops vicinus et larves IV de Chaoborus flavicans), nous avons étudié la faune benthique en relationavec les variables abiotiques.Des séries de prélèvements ont été effectuées en 5 stations réparties de la zone sub-littorale (- 4 m) à la zone centrale (-14 m)du lac, avec une fréquence mensuelle ou bi-mensuelle de juillet 94 à août 95. Les échantillons ont été prélevés en triplicats aumoyen d'une benne Ekman. Contrairement aux variations progressives de température et d'oxygène, la granulométrie n'est passignificativement différente d'une station à l'autre.La faune sub-benthique utilise les sédiments selon deux stratégies. Les résultats antérieurs ont montré qu'après avoir accumulédes réserves, les copépodites 4 de Cyclops vicinus s'enfouissent en été dans les sédiments anoxiques et nous avons observé leurémergence lors du brassage automnal. En période estivale, il est connu que les larves IV de Chaoborus flavicans occupent alternativementles eaux oxygénées et les sédiments anoxiques ; le fait qu'elles ne supportent pas un milieu désoxygéné en permanenceest illustré par leur enfouissement massif, dès que se produit la réoxygénation des eaux profondes. En hiver ces larves demeurentdans les sédiments, jusqu'au printemps suivant quand l'anoxie s'installe à nouveau. Les dates de sortie des sédiments deces organismes sont fonction de la réoxygénation et de l'augmentation de température de leur environnement.

Ce travail visait une exploration des populations piscicoles installées dans six bras morts de la Garonne entre Toulouseet la confluence de la Gimone. L'adaptation de la méthode d'Echantillonnage Ponctuel d'Abondance (E.P.A.) par pêcheélectrique d'une part, et l'utilisation de filets monofilament de fond et de surface, d'autre part, ont permis d'établirles indices écologiques et les associations d'espèces. Les profils de distribution des espèces ont été mis en relation avec les caractéristiques de milieu relevées en parallèle. Les résultats font apparaître un peuplement piscicole diversifié et différent selon les bras morts et ce d'autant plus qu'il existe une communication importante à l'aval avec le fleuve. Larépartition spatiale des espèces principales présente deux groupements différents. Dans les bras morts, les zones profondes sur substrat de graviers favorisent les gardons, brèmes, ablettes, rotengles et black-bass. Les bordures à faible pente, peu profondes et colonisées par la végétation aquatique accueillent les espèces benthophages et d'autres carnassiers (perches et perche-soleil).