Project description:To comprehend the drivers underlying venom variation in ants, we selected 15 Neotropical species and recorded a range of traits, including ecology, morphology, and venom bioactivity. Principal component analysis of both morphological and venom bioactivity traits revealed that stinging ants display two functional strategies. Additionally, phylogenetic comparative analysis indicated that venom function (predatory, defensive, or both) and mandible morphology significantly correlate with venom bioactivity and amount, while pain-inducing activity trades off with insect paralysis. Further analysis of the venom biochemistry of the 15 species revealed switches between cytotoxic and neurotoxic venom compositions in some species. This study highlights the fact that ant venoms are not homogenous, and for some species, there are major shifts in venom composition associated with the diversification of venom ecological functions.
2024-10-16 | PXD050348 | Pride
Project description:Complete mitochondrial genome of Gynaikothrips ficorum (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)
| PRJNA721109 | ENA
Project description:Complete mitochondrial genome of Elaphrothrips spiniceps (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)
| PRJNA908245 | ENA
Project description:The complete mitochondrial genome of Bolothrips icarus (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)
Project description:Paleoproteomics is the proteomics analysis of ancient proteins, which may be better preserved than DNA in fossil inclusions and particularly in amber fossilized tree resin. However, only yeast proteins have been previously suggested as identified by paleoproteomics analysis conducted in fossil amber. In this study, we developed and applied a paleoproteomics approach to study fossil arthropod inclusions in five Burmese (also known as Burmite and Kachin) amber (Cretaceous, ca. 99 mya) pieces. The results of morphological analysis supported the first report of fossil scavenger mite (Holothyrida, Neothyridae) together with co-inclusions of putative lacewing larva (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) and thrip Frankliniella sp. (Thysanoptera, Thripidae), the identification of Cornupalpatum sp. (Ixodidae), and two mites Prostigmata (Acari, Trombidiformes, Tetranychidae). A control amber fragment derived from the piece with mite-lacewing-thrip co-inclusions was included in the analysis. The paleoproteomics analysis was conducted by Mass Spectrometry (MS) and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry by searching results from all fossil amber pieces against a compile database containing all sequences from Acari, Insecta and Enterobacterales taxonomies in Uniprot together with contaminants database supplemented with human keratins and bovine trypsin. Identified proteins were selected for analysis based on those identified by MS with more than two peptides per protein and at least one peptide with 1% FDR. Paleoproteomics identified protein orthologs present in fossil amber inclusions of ca. 99 mya in arthropods and other organisms. These results provide a paleoproteomics approach to complement morphological studies in amber inclusions.