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Jenő Kontschán - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Phylogenetic analyses of bat-associated bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae: Cimicinae and Cacodminae) indicate two new species close to Cimex lectularius
Parasites & Vectors, 2017Co-Authors: Sándor Hornok, Krisztina Szőke, Sándor A. Boldogh, Attila D. Sándor, Jenő Kontschán, Ali Halajian, Nóra Takács, Tamás Görföl, Péter EstókAbstract:Background Bats are regarded as the primary (ancestral) hosts of bugs of the family Cimicidae. The historically and economically most important species in the family is the common bedbug ( Cimex lectularius ), because of its worldwide occurrence and association with humans. This molecular-phylogenetic study was initiated in order to expand the knowledge on the phylogeny of cimicid bugs of bats, by investigating samples from Hungary, Romania (representing central-eastern Europe) and two further countries (South Africa and Vietnam). Results Altogether 216 cimicid bugs were collected (73 Ci. lectularius , 133 Ci. pipistrelli , nine Cacodmus ignotus and one Ca. sparsilis ). Members of the Cimex lectularius species group were found both in the environment of bats (only Myotis emarginatus , which is a cave/attic-dwelling species) and on three crevice-dwelling bat species (two pipistrelloid bats and M. bechsteinii ). On the other hand, Ci. pipistrelli always occurred off-host (near M. myotis/blythii , which are cave/attic-dwelling species). In addition, two Cacodmus spp. were collected from Pipistrellus hesperidus . The morphological characters of these specimens are illustrated with high resolution pictures. Analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( cox 1) sequences generated from 38 samples indicated relative genetic homogeneity of Ci. pipistrelli , while the Ci. lectularius group had two haplotypes (collected from pipistrelloid bats in Hungary and Vietnam) highly divergent from other members of this species group. These results were confirmed with molecular and phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). Bat-associated bugs morphologically identified as Ca. ignotus and Ca. sparsilis were different in their cox 1, but identical in their ITS2 sequences. Conclusions Molecular evidence is provided here on the existence of two new genotypes, most likely new species, within the Ci. lectularius species group. The relevant specimens (unlike the others) were collected from pipistrelloid bats, therefore the association of Ci. lectularius with different bat host species (pipistrelloid vs myotine bats) should be evaluated further as a possible background factor of this genetic divergence. In addition, Ca. ignotus is reported for the first time in South Africa.
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phylogenetic analyses of bat associated bugs hemiptera Cimicidae cimicinae and cacodminae indicate two new species close to cimex lectularius
Parasites & Vectors, 2017Co-Authors: Sándor Hornok, Krisztina Szőke, Sándor A. Boldogh, Attila D. Sándor, Jenő Kontschán, Ali Halajian, Nóra Takács, Tamás Görföl, Péter EstókAbstract:Bats are regarded as the primary (ancestral) hosts of bugs of the family Cimicidae. The historically and economically most important species in the family is the common bedbug (Cimex lectularius), because of its worldwide occurrence and association with humans. This molecular-phylogenetic study was initiated in order to expand the knowledge on the phylogeny of cimicid bugs of bats, by investigating samples from Hungary, Romania (representing central-eastern Europe) and two further countries (South Africa and Vietnam). Altogether 216 cimicid bugs were collected (73 Ci. lectularius, 133 Ci. pipistrelli, nine Cacodmus ignotus and one Ca. sparsilis). Members of the Cimex lectularius species group were found both in the environment of bats (only Myotis emarginatus, which is a cave/attic-dwelling species) and on three crevice-dwelling bat species (two pipistrelloid bats and M. bechsteinii). On the other hand, Ci. pipistrelli always occurred off-host (near M. myotis/blythii, which are cave/attic-dwelling species). In addition, two Cacodmus spp. were collected from Pipistrellus hesperidus. The morphological characters of these specimens are illustrated with high resolution pictures. Analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) sequences generated from 38 samples indicated relative genetic homogeneity of Ci. pipistrelli, while the Ci. lectularius group had two haplotypes (collected from pipistrelloid bats in Hungary and Vietnam) highly divergent from other members of this species group. These results were confirmed with molecular and phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). Bat-associated bugs morphologically identified as Ca. ignotus and Ca. sparsilis were different in their cox1, but identical in their ITS2 sequences. Molecular evidence is provided here on the existence of two new genotypes, most likely new species, within the Ci. lectularius species group. The relevant specimens (unlike the others) were collected from pipistrelloid bats, therefore the association of Ci. lectularius with different bat host species (pipistrelloid vs myotine bats) should be evaluated further as a possible background factor of this genetic divergence. In addition, Ca. ignotus is reported for the first time in South Africa.
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The Western Conifer Seed Bug (Hemiptera: Coreidae) Has the Potential to Bite Humans.
Journal of medical entomology, 2017Co-Authors: Sándor Hornok, Jenő KontschánAbstract:Among true bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera), only hematophagous species (families Reduviidae, Cimicidae) have high veterinary and medical significance. In addition, several predatory and plant-feeding bug species, which also have piercing-sucking mouthparts, are known to occasionally bite humans. The majority of such examples are known from the New World. Here, we report the first case concerning the human-biting potential of the western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann (Hemiptera: Coreidae). This is a phytophagous bug species, which has become widespread in North America, and has also been introduced into Europe where it shows a rapidly expanding geographical range.
Sándor Hornok - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Phylogenetic analyses of bat-associated bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae: Cimicinae and Cacodminae) indicate two new species close to Cimex lectularius
Parasites & Vectors, 2017Co-Authors: Sándor Hornok, Krisztina Szőke, Sándor A. Boldogh, Attila D. Sándor, Jenő Kontschán, Ali Halajian, Nóra Takács, Tamás Görföl, Péter EstókAbstract:Background Bats are regarded as the primary (ancestral) hosts of bugs of the family Cimicidae. The historically and economically most important species in the family is the common bedbug ( Cimex lectularius ), because of its worldwide occurrence and association with humans. This molecular-phylogenetic study was initiated in order to expand the knowledge on the phylogeny of cimicid bugs of bats, by investigating samples from Hungary, Romania (representing central-eastern Europe) and two further countries (South Africa and Vietnam). Results Altogether 216 cimicid bugs were collected (73 Ci. lectularius , 133 Ci. pipistrelli , nine Cacodmus ignotus and one Ca. sparsilis ). Members of the Cimex lectularius species group were found both in the environment of bats (only Myotis emarginatus , which is a cave/attic-dwelling species) and on three crevice-dwelling bat species (two pipistrelloid bats and M. bechsteinii ). On the other hand, Ci. pipistrelli always occurred off-host (near M. myotis/blythii , which are cave/attic-dwelling species). In addition, two Cacodmus spp. were collected from Pipistrellus hesperidus . The morphological characters of these specimens are illustrated with high resolution pictures. Analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( cox 1) sequences generated from 38 samples indicated relative genetic homogeneity of Ci. pipistrelli , while the Ci. lectularius group had two haplotypes (collected from pipistrelloid bats in Hungary and Vietnam) highly divergent from other members of this species group. These results were confirmed with molecular and phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). Bat-associated bugs morphologically identified as Ca. ignotus and Ca. sparsilis were different in their cox 1, but identical in their ITS2 sequences. Conclusions Molecular evidence is provided here on the existence of two new genotypes, most likely new species, within the Ci. lectularius species group. The relevant specimens (unlike the others) were collected from pipistrelloid bats, therefore the association of Ci. lectularius with different bat host species (pipistrelloid vs myotine bats) should be evaluated further as a possible background factor of this genetic divergence. In addition, Ca. ignotus is reported for the first time in South Africa.
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phylogenetic analyses of bat associated bugs hemiptera Cimicidae cimicinae and cacodminae indicate two new species close to cimex lectularius
Parasites & Vectors, 2017Co-Authors: Sándor Hornok, Krisztina Szőke, Sándor A. Boldogh, Attila D. Sándor, Jenő Kontschán, Ali Halajian, Nóra Takács, Tamás Görföl, Péter EstókAbstract:Bats are regarded as the primary (ancestral) hosts of bugs of the family Cimicidae. The historically and economically most important species in the family is the common bedbug (Cimex lectularius), because of its worldwide occurrence and association with humans. This molecular-phylogenetic study was initiated in order to expand the knowledge on the phylogeny of cimicid bugs of bats, by investigating samples from Hungary, Romania (representing central-eastern Europe) and two further countries (South Africa and Vietnam). Altogether 216 cimicid bugs were collected (73 Ci. lectularius, 133 Ci. pipistrelli, nine Cacodmus ignotus and one Ca. sparsilis). Members of the Cimex lectularius species group were found both in the environment of bats (only Myotis emarginatus, which is a cave/attic-dwelling species) and on three crevice-dwelling bat species (two pipistrelloid bats and M. bechsteinii). On the other hand, Ci. pipistrelli always occurred off-host (near M. myotis/blythii, which are cave/attic-dwelling species). In addition, two Cacodmus spp. were collected from Pipistrellus hesperidus. The morphological characters of these specimens are illustrated with high resolution pictures. Analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) sequences generated from 38 samples indicated relative genetic homogeneity of Ci. pipistrelli, while the Ci. lectularius group had two haplotypes (collected from pipistrelloid bats in Hungary and Vietnam) highly divergent from other members of this species group. These results were confirmed with molecular and phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). Bat-associated bugs morphologically identified as Ca. ignotus and Ca. sparsilis were different in their cox1, but identical in their ITS2 sequences. Molecular evidence is provided here on the existence of two new genotypes, most likely new species, within the Ci. lectularius species group. The relevant specimens (unlike the others) were collected from pipistrelloid bats, therefore the association of Ci. lectularius with different bat host species (pipistrelloid vs myotine bats) should be evaluated further as a possible background factor of this genetic divergence. In addition, Ca. ignotus is reported for the first time in South Africa.
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The Western Conifer Seed Bug (Hemiptera: Coreidae) Has the Potential to Bite Humans.
Journal of medical entomology, 2017Co-Authors: Sándor Hornok, Jenő KontschánAbstract:Among true bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera), only hematophagous species (families Reduviidae, Cimicidae) have high veterinary and medical significance. In addition, several predatory and plant-feeding bug species, which also have piercing-sucking mouthparts, are known to occasionally bite humans. The majority of such examples are known from the New World. Here, we report the first case concerning the human-biting potential of the western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann (Hemiptera: Coreidae). This is a phytophagous bug species, which has become widespread in North America, and has also been introduced into Europe where it shows a rapidly expanding geographical range.
Jason L Rasgon - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Geographic distribution of Wolbachia infections in Cimex lectularius (Heteroptera: Cimicidae).
Journal of medical entomology, 2006Co-Authors: Joyce M Sakamoto, Jason L RasgonAbstract:Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria have been previously shown to infect laboratory colonies of the human bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Heteroptera: Cimicidae), but little information exists regarding the extent of infection in natural populations. We assayed C. lectularius populations from five North American regions (California, Connecticut, Florida, New York, and Toronto, Canada) and one African region (Macha, Zambia) for Wolbachia infection by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Wolbachia infections were prevalent in all populations assayed (83-100%). There were no significant differences in infection frequency between geographic regions, between sexes, or between life stages (adult versus nymph). The potential utility of Wolbachia for alternative bed bug control strategies is discussed.
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wolbachia infections in the Cimicidae museum specimens as an untapped resource for endosymbiont surveys
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2006Co-Authors: Joyce M Sakamoto, Julie Feinstein, Jason L RasgonAbstract:Wolbachia spp. are obligate maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria that infect diverse arthropods and filarial nematodes. Previous microscopic and molecular studies have identified Wolbachia in several bed bug species (Cimicidae), but little is known about how widespread Wolbachia infections are among the Cimicidae. Because cimicids of non-medical importance are not commonly collected, we hypothesized that preserved museum specimens could be assayed for Wolbachia infections. For the screening of museum specimens, we designed a set of primers that specifically amplify small diagnostic fragments (130 to 240 bp) of the Wolbachia 16S rRNA gene. Using these and other previously published primers, we screened 39 cimicid species (spanning 16 genera and all 6 recognized subfamilies) and 2 species of the sister family Polyctenidae for Wolbachia infections using museum and wild-caught material. Amplified fragments were sequenced to confirm that our primers were amplifying Wolbachia DNA. We identified 10 infections, 8 of which were previously undescribed. Infections in the F supergroup were common in the subfamily Cimicinae, while infections in the A supergroup were identified in the subfamilies Afrocimicinae and Haematosiphoninae. Even though specimens were degraded, we detected infections in over 23% of cimicid species. Our results indicate that Wolbachia infections may be common among cimicids and that archived museum material is a useful untapped resource for invertebrate endosymbiont surveys. The new screening primers listed in this report will be useful for other researchers conducting Wolbachia surveys with specimens with less-than-optimum DNA quality.
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phylogenetic characterization of wolbachia symbionts infecting cimex lectularius l and oeciacus vicarius horvath hemiptera Cimicidae
Journal of Medical Entomology, 2004Co-Authors: Jason L Rasgon, Thomas W ScottAbstract:Wolbachia symbionts are obligate intracellular bacteria that cause host reproductive alterations in many arthropods and filarial nematodes. We identified Wolbachia symbionts in the cliff swallow bug (Oeciacus vicarious Horvath) and the human bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing using Wolbachia-specific 16S rDNA and FtsZ primers. Phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony algorithms indicated, with strong support, that (1) Wolbachia infections in these two cimicid hosts form a monophyletic group, and (2) the Wolbachia strains detected belong to the F clade, previously associated with termites, weevils, and filarial nematodes.
Michael T. Siva-jothy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Bedbugs Evolved before Their Bat Hosts and Did Not Co-speciate with Ancient Humans
Current biology : CB, 2019Co-Authors: Steffen Roth, Michael T. Siva-jothy, Ondřej Balvín, Osvaldo Di Iorio, Petr Benda, Omar Calva, Eduardo I. Faúndez, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan, Mary Mcfadzen, Margie P. LehnertAbstract:Summary All 100+ bedbug species (Cimicidae) are obligate blood-sucking parasites [ 1 , 2 ]. In general, blood sucking (hematophagy) is thought to have evolved in generalist feeders adventitiously taking blood meals [ 3 , 4 ], but those cimicid taxa currently considered ancestral are putative host specialists [ 1 , 5 ]. Bats are believed to be the ancestral hosts of cimicids [ 1 ], but a cimicid fossil [ 6 ] predates the oldest known bat fossil [ 7 ] by >30 million years (Ma). The bedbugs that parasitize humans [ 1 , 8 ] are host generalists, so their evolution from specialist ancestors is incompatible with the “resource efficiency” hypothesis and only partially consistent with the “oscillation” hypothesis [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Because quantifying host shift frequencies of hematophagous specialists and generalists may help to predict host associations when vertebrate ranges expand by climate change [ 17 ], livestock, and pet trade in general and because of the previously proposed role of human pre-history in parasite speciation [ 18 , 19 , 20 ], we constructed a fossil-dated, molecular phylogeny of the Cimicidae. This phylogeny places ancestral Cimicidae to 115 mya as hematophagous specialists with lineages that later frequently populated bat and bird lineages. We also found that the clades, including the two major current urban pests, Cimex lectularius and C. hemipterus, separated 47 mya, rejecting the notion that the evolutionary trajectories of Homo caused their divergence [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Video Abstract Download : Download video (72MB)
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Biology of the Bed Bugs (Cimicidae)
Annual Review of Entomology, 2007Co-Authors: Klaus Reinhardt, Michael T. Siva-jothyAbstract:The cimicids, or bed bugs, belong to a highly specialized hematophagous taxon that parasitizes primarily humans, birds, and bats. Their best-known member is the bed bug, Cimex lectularius. This group demonstrates some bizarre but evolutionarily important biology. All members of the family Cimicidae show traumatic insemination and a suite of female adaptations to this male trait. Cimicids therefore constitute an ideal model system for examining the extreme causes and consequences of sexual selection. Our dual goal in re-examining the extensive literature on this group is to identify issues relevant to pest control, such as dispersal ecology and the recent global spread, and to understand the selective forces that have shaped the unique aspects of this insect's biology.
Joyce M Sakamoto - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Geographic distribution of Wolbachia infections in Cimex lectularius (Heteroptera: Cimicidae).
Journal of medical entomology, 2006Co-Authors: Joyce M Sakamoto, Jason L RasgonAbstract:Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria have been previously shown to infect laboratory colonies of the human bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Heteroptera: Cimicidae), but little information exists regarding the extent of infection in natural populations. We assayed C. lectularius populations from five North American regions (California, Connecticut, Florida, New York, and Toronto, Canada) and one African region (Macha, Zambia) for Wolbachia infection by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Wolbachia infections were prevalent in all populations assayed (83-100%). There were no significant differences in infection frequency between geographic regions, between sexes, or between life stages (adult versus nymph). The potential utility of Wolbachia for alternative bed bug control strategies is discussed.
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wolbachia infections in the Cimicidae museum specimens as an untapped resource for endosymbiont surveys
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2006Co-Authors: Joyce M Sakamoto, Julie Feinstein, Jason L RasgonAbstract:Wolbachia spp. are obligate maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria that infect diverse arthropods and filarial nematodes. Previous microscopic and molecular studies have identified Wolbachia in several bed bug species (Cimicidae), but little is known about how widespread Wolbachia infections are among the Cimicidae. Because cimicids of non-medical importance are not commonly collected, we hypothesized that preserved museum specimens could be assayed for Wolbachia infections. For the screening of museum specimens, we designed a set of primers that specifically amplify small diagnostic fragments (130 to 240 bp) of the Wolbachia 16S rRNA gene. Using these and other previously published primers, we screened 39 cimicid species (spanning 16 genera and all 6 recognized subfamilies) and 2 species of the sister family Polyctenidae for Wolbachia infections using museum and wild-caught material. Amplified fragments were sequenced to confirm that our primers were amplifying Wolbachia DNA. We identified 10 infections, 8 of which were previously undescribed. Infections in the F supergroup were common in the subfamily Cimicinae, while infections in the A supergroup were identified in the subfamilies Afrocimicinae and Haematosiphoninae. Even though specimens were degraded, we detected infections in over 23% of cimicid species. Our results indicate that Wolbachia infections may be common among cimicids and that archived museum material is a useful untapped resource for invertebrate endosymbiont surveys. The new screening primers listed in this report will be useful for other researchers conducting Wolbachia surveys with specimens with less-than-optimum DNA quality.