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Drosophila Quinaria Species Group
The ''Drosophila quinaria'' species group is a speciose lineage of mushroom-feeding flies studied for their specialist ecology, their parasites, population genetics, and the evolution of immune systems. Quinaria species are part of the Drosophila subgenus. Mushroom-feeding ecology Quinaria group species are commonly found on wild mushrooms, and can metabolize toxic compounds in ''Amanita'' mushrooms, such as ibotenic acid and alpha-amanitin. Mushroom sites also host a number of natural enemies. For instance, as a consequence of their mushroom-feeding ecology, Quinaria species are frequently infected by nematodes of the genus '' Howardula''. Some Quinaria species are more or less susceptible to nematode parasitization, though the immunological reasons remain unclear. One possibility to explain this variance is differences in defensive bacterial symbionts. However another could be natural resource use, as most eukaryotes are unable to withstand the toxins in ''Amanita'' mushroo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Drosophila Guttifera
''Drosophila guttifera'' is a species of vinegar fly in the Drosophila quinaria species group. Like many quinaria group species, ''D. guttifera'' feeds on rotting mushrooms. In 2015, the genome of ''Drosophila guttifera'' was sequenced by the laboratory of Sean B. Carroll providing an answer on how different wing patterns emerge in this species, relying on genetic switches called enhancers that drive the polka-dot pattern on the wings of ''D. guttifera''. These enhancers are cis-regulatory elements ''Cis''-regulatory elements (CREs) or ''Cis''-regulatory modules (CRMs) are regions of non-coding DNA which regulate the transcription of neighboring genes. CREs are vital components of genetic regulatory networks, which in turn control morphogen ..., which can promote new wing patterns by modifying gene expression, rather than the actual protein being expressed. Further reading * Description of background on ''D. guttifera'' use in genetic studies in the Drosophila quinaria ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Drosophila Innubila
''Drosophila innubila'' is a species of vinegar fly restricted to high-elevation woodlands in the mountains of the southern USA and Mexico, which it likely colonized during the last glacial period. ''Drosophila innubila'' is a kind of mushroom-breeding Drosophila, and member of the Drosophila quinaria species group. ''Drosophila innubila'' is best known for its association with a strain of male-killing ''Wolbachia'' bacteria. These bacteria are parasitic, as they drain resources from the host and cause half the infected female's eggs to abort. However ''Wolbachia'' may offer benefits to the fly's fitness in certain circumstances. The ''D. innubila'' genome was sequenced in 2019. Symbiosis ''Drosophila innubila'' is stably infected by a strain of male-killing ''Wolbachia'' bacteria. The association between ''Drosophila innubila'' and ''Wolbachia'' can vary greatly within local populations. However, their relationship is very consistent across the overall ''Drosophila innubila'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Drosophila Suboccidentalis
''Drosophila'' () is a genus of flies, belonging to the family Drosophilidae, whose members are often called "small fruit flies" or (less frequently) pomace flies, vinegar flies, or wine flies, a reference to the characteristic of many species to linger around overripe or rotting fruit. They should not be confused with the Tephritidae, a related family, which are also called fruit flies (sometimes referred to as "true fruit flies"); tephritids feed primarily on unripe or ripe fruit, with many species being regarded as destructive agricultural pests, especially the Mediterranean fruit fly. One species of ''Drosophila'' in particular, ''D. melanogaster'', has been heavily used in research in genetics and is a common model organism in developmental biology. The terms "fruit fly" and "''Drosophila''" are often used synonymously with ''D. melanogaster'' in modern biological literature. The entire genus, however, contains more than 1,500 species and is very diverse in appearance, beha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Howardula
''Howardula'' is a genus of nematode that infests the larvae of mushroom-feeding flies, beetles, and other insects. Various ''Howardula'' species and strains infest mushroom-feeding Drosophila, including ''Howardula aoronymphium'' and '' Howardula neocosmis''. '' Howardula husseyi'' can infest the mushroom phorid ''Megaselia halterata''. Life cycle The life cycle of ''Howardula'' nematodes begins inside the host fly, where infective juvenile nematodes are released by either the fly anus or ovipositor onto mushrooms. There, the juvenile nematodes mature and mate. Mated females will then pierce the cuticle of a fly larva using a specialized stylet, and enter the fly hemolymph (insect blood) where the nematode resides. Over the course of the fly host's metamorphosis, the female nematode matures into an adult stage called the motherworm. After the adult fly emerges from its pupa, the motherworm begins releasing juvenile nematodes directly into the hemocoel, renewing the cycle. Other ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Amanita
The genus ''Amanita'' contains about 600 species of agarics, including some of the most toxic known mushrooms found worldwide, as well as some well-regarded edible species. This genus is responsible for approximately 95% of the fatalities resulting from mushroom poisoning, with the death cap accounting for about 50% on its own. The most potent toxin present in these mushrooms is α-Amanitin. The genus also contains many edible mushrooms, but mycologists discourage mushroom hunters, other than experts, from selecting any of these for human consumption. Nonetheless, in some cultures, the larger local edible species of ''Amanita'' are mainstays of the markets in the local growing season. Samples of this are ''Amanita zambiana'' and other fleshy species in central Africa, ''Amanita basii, A. basii'' and similar species in Mexico, ''Amanita caesarea, A. caesarea'' and the "Blusher" ''Amanita rubescens'' in Europe, and ''Amanita chepangiana, A. chepangiana'' in South-East Asia. Other s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
