The Experts below are selected from a list of 201 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Simon M. Cragg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
laboratory screening of thermo mechanically densified and thermally modified timbers for resistance to the marine borer Limnoria quadripunctata
European Journal of Wood and Wood Products, 2018Co-Authors: Malte Janus, Simon M. Cragg, Linda Meyerveltrup, Christian Brischke, Jörg WehsenerAbstract:Thermo-mechanically densified material of five different wood species (English oak, European ash, European beech, Norway spruce, poplar) was subjected to three different vacuum-heat treatment processes (A 230 °C/20% vacuum; B 230 °C/80% vacuum; C 240 °C/20% vacuum) and tested for its resistance against the marine borer Limnoria quadripunctata by comparing their faecal pellet production rates. The three different treatments caused a notable reduction in the feeding rates of up to 66% indicating significantly increased durability against Limnoria if exposed to marine environment. Neither the treatment temperature nor the application of a higher vacuum affected the faecal pellet production significantly.
-
lignocellulose degradation mechanisms across the tree of life
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Simon M. Cragg, Gregg T Beckham, Neil C Bruce, Timothy D H Bugg, Daniel L Distel, Paul Dupree, Amaia Green Etxabe, Barry Goodell, Jody Jellison, John McgeehanAbstract:Organisms use diverse mechanisms involving multiple complementary enzymes, particularly glycoside hydrolases (GHs), to deconstruct lignocellulose. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) produced by bacteria and fungi facilitate deconstruction as does the Fenton chemistry of brown-rot fungi. Lignin depolymerisation is achieved by white-rot fungi and certain bacteria, using peroxidases and laccases. Meta-omics is now revealing the complexity of prokaryotic degradative activity in lignocellulose-rich environments. Protists from termite guts and some oomycetes produce multiple lignocellulolytic enzymes. Lignocellulose-consuming animals secrete some GHs, but most harbour a diverse enzyme-secreting gut microflora in a mutualism that is particularly complex in termites. Shipworms however, house GH-secreting and LPMO-secreting bacteria separate from the site of digestion and the isopod Limnoria relies on endogenous enzymes alone. The omics revolution is identifying many novel enzymes and paradigms for biomass deconstruction, but more emphasis on function is required, particularly for enzyme cocktails, in which LPMOs may play an important role.
-
the complete mitochondrial genome of Limnoria quadripunctata holthuis isopoda limnoriidae
Mitochondrial DNA, 2015Co-Authors: Rhiannon E Lloyd, Michael E Himmel, Simon Streeter, Peter G Foster, Timothy D J Littlewood, Jim Huntley, Gregg T Beckham, Simon M. CraggAbstract:The complete mitochondrial genome of Limnoria quadripunctata, a marine wood-eating isopod crustacean, was determined from whole genome sequence data. The mitogenome is 16,503 bp in length and contains 39 genes: 13 protein-coding, 2 ribosomal RNA, 22 tRNA, two of which are repeated and a control region. The start codon most commonly used by the Limnoria protein-coding genes is ATN, as is the case in the two other available complete isopod mitogenomes. The gene arrangement differs among these complete isopod mitogenomes, as does the AT-content of H-strand protein-coding genes. The latter observations, coupled with the considerable nucleotide diversity observed between the isopod mitogenomes, support the idea that each isopod species belongs to a distinct lineage as implied by their current placement in separate suborders.
-
Biogeography of Wood-Boring Crustaceans (Isopoda: Limnoriidae) Established in European Coastal Waters
2014Co-Authors: Luisa M. S. Borges, Lucas M. Merckelbach, Simon M. CraggAbstract:Marine wood-borers of the Limnoriidae cause great destruction to wooden structures exposed in the marine environment. In this study we collated occurrence data obtained from field surveys, spanning over a period of 10 years, and from an extensive literature review. We aimed to determine which wood-boring limnoriid species are established in European coastal waters; to map their past and recent distribution in Europe in order to infer species range extension or contraction; to determine species environmental requirements using climatic envelopes. Of the six species of wood-boring Limnoria previously reported occurring in Europe, only Limnoria lignorum, L. quadripunctata and L. tripunctata are established in European coastal waters. L. carinata and L. tuberculata have uncertain established status, whereas L. borealis is not established in European waters. The species with the widest distribution in Europe is Limnoria lignorum, which is also the most tolerant species to a range of salinities. L. quadripunctata and L. tripunctata appear to be stenohaline. However, the present study shows that both L. quadripunctata and L. tripunctata are more widespread in Europe than previous reports suggested. Both species have been found occurring in Europe since they were described, and their increased distribution is probably the results of a range expansion. On the other hand L. lignorum appears to be retreating poleward with ocean warming. In certain areas (e.g. southern England, and southern Portugal), limnoriids appear to be very abundant and their activity is rivalling that of teredinids. Therefore, it is important to monitor the distribution and destructive activity of these organisms in Europe.
-
molecular insight into lignocellulose digestion by a marine isopod in the absence of gut microbes
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2010Co-Authors: Andrew J King, Simon M. Cragg, Neil C Bruce, Jo Dymond, Matthew Guille, Dianna J Bowles, Ian A Graham, Simon J McqueenmasonAbstract:The digestion of lignocellulose is attracting attention both in terms of basic research into its metabolism by microorganisms and animals, and also as a means of converting plant biomass into biofuels. Limnoriid wood borers are unusual because, unlike other wood-feeding animals, they do not rely on symbiotic microbes to help digest lignocellulose. The absence of microbes in the digestive tract suggests that limnoriid wood borers produce all the enzymes necessary for lignocellulose digestion themselves. In this study we report that analysis of ESTs from the digestive system of Limnoria quadripunctata reveals a transcriptome dominated by glycosyl hydrolase genes. Indeed, > 20% of all ESTs represent genes encoding putative cellulases, including glycosyl hydrolase family 7 (GH7) cellobiohydrolases. These have not previously been reported in animal genomes, but are key digestive enzymes produced by wood-degrading fungi and symbiotic protists in termite guts. We propose that limnoriid GH7 genes are important for the efficient digestion of lignocellulose in the absence of gut microbes. Hemocyanin transcripts were highly abundant in the hepatopancreas transcriptome. Based on recent studies indicating that these proteins may function as phenoloxidases in isopods, we discuss a possible role for hemocyanins in lignin decomposition.
Takeshi A. Ohsawa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
new species of sargassum boring Limnoria leach 1814 crustacea isopoda limnoriidae from japan
Zootaxa, 2021Co-Authors: Hiroki Yoshino, Yuriko Kambara, Shota Kajiwara, Takeshi A. OhsawaAbstract:A new marine Sargassum-boring species of Limnoria (Limnoriidae) is described on the basis of specimens obtained at Kamogawa-shi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Limnoria aspera sp. nov. shares a reduced mandibular palp to a seta, algal-feeding, and the clavate shaped epipod of the maxilliped with the other species of non-mandibular-palp group. L. aspera sp. nov. differs morphologically from the congeneric species by secondary unguis of pereopods and unique carinae of pleonite 5 and pleotelson. We describe the sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene and the nuclear 28S rDNA gene. L. aspera sp. nov. differs by 14.2–18.0% in p-distance based on COI sequences from other Japanese species, L. furca and L. nagatai.
-
description of new species of algal boring Limnoria crustacea isopoda limnoriidae from japan and redescription of Limnoria segnoides menzies 1957 and l nagatai nunomura 2012
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Hiroki Yoshino, Takeshi A. OhsawaAbstract:Previous research on the mitochondrial COI gene sequences of several populations of Limnoria nagatai Nunomura suggested a cryptic species from the Sea of Japan. A new species of algal-boring limnoriid is here described. Limnoria furca sp. nov. was collected from the holdfasts of Eisenia bicyclis on the Oki Islands and the Sea of Japan coast of Honshu and Kyushu Islands, Japan. L. furca sp. nov. is diagnosed morphologically by lacking a mandibular palp, faint subparallel carinae on the pleotelson, faint Y-shaped carinae on pereonite 5, the bifid lacinia mobilis of right mandible and the shapes of the secondary unguis on the pereopods. Similar species, L. segnoides Menzies, 1957 and L. nagatai Nunomura, 2012, are redescribed on the basis of the holotypes.
-
genetic structure and dispersal patterns in Limnoria nagatai limnoriidae isopoda dwelling in non buoyant kelps eisenia bicyclis and e arborea in japan
PLOS ONE, 2018Co-Authors: Hiroki Yoshino, Futa Yamaji, Takeshi A. OhsawaAbstract:The marine isopod genus Limnoria contains algae-eating species. Previous phylogeographic studies have suggested that Limnoria species feeding on buoyant kelp underwent low genetic differentiation on a large spatial scale because rafting on floating host kelps promotes high levels of gene flow. In this paper, we survey the genetic structure of Limnoria nagatai, which bores into the non-buoyant kelps Eisenia bicyclis and E. arborea. We analyze the mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome oxidase subunit I [COI] gene) and morphological traits of L. nagatai, and the host kelps E. bicyclis and E. arborea from 14 populations along the Japanese archipelago of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. Four major lineages are recognized within L. nagatai: three lineages in the Pacific Ocean, and one lineage in the Sea of Japan which might be a cryptic species. For L. nagatai, we show high genetic differentiation between geographically separated habitats in the Pacific Ocean, while low differentiation is found among continuous host kelps habitats in the Pacific Ocean as well as the Sea of Japan. L. nagatai in E. bicyclis in the Pacific Ocean has experienced large population expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), whereas the lineage in E. bicyclis in the Sea of Japan has not. We suggest that Limnoria feeding on non-buoyant kelps, may attain low genetic differentiation because they might be able to disperse long distance if the habitat of host kelps is continuous. The historical events affecting Limnoria after the LGM may differ between the coasts of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan.
-
Species genetic diversity indices and neutrality tests of Limnoria nagatai.
2018Co-Authors: Hiroki Yoshino, Futa Yamaji, Takeshi A. OhsawaAbstract:Species genetic diversity indices and neutrality tests of Limnoria nagatai.
-
Secondary unguis of pereopod 1 of Limnoria sp. and L. nagatai.
2018Co-Authors: Hiroki Yoshino, Futa Yamaji, Takeshi A. OhsawaAbstract:(a, b) Dactylus of pereopod 1 of Limnoria sp. collected in wood from Kominato (a) before and (b) after DNA extraction procedure. (c, d) Dactylus of pereopod 1 of L. nagatai collected in Eisenia bicyclis from (c) Kominato and (d) Shimane. The arrows indicate secondary unguis.
Luisa M. S. Borges - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Biogeography of Wood-Boring Crustaceans (Isopoda: Limnoriidae) Established in European Coastal Waters
2014Co-Authors: Luisa M. S. Borges, Lucas M. Merckelbach, Simon M. CraggAbstract:Marine wood-borers of the Limnoriidae cause great destruction to wooden structures exposed in the marine environment. In this study we collated occurrence data obtained from field surveys, spanning over a period of 10 years, and from an extensive literature review. We aimed to determine which wood-boring limnoriid species are established in European coastal waters; to map their past and recent distribution in Europe in order to infer species range extension or contraction; to determine species environmental requirements using climatic envelopes. Of the six species of wood-boring Limnoria previously reported occurring in Europe, only Limnoria lignorum, L. quadripunctata and L. tripunctata are established in European coastal waters. L. carinata and L. tuberculata have uncertain established status, whereas L. borealis is not established in European waters. The species with the widest distribution in Europe is Limnoria lignorum, which is also the most tolerant species to a range of salinities. L. quadripunctata and L. tripunctata appear to be stenohaline. However, the present study shows that both L. quadripunctata and L. tripunctata are more widespread in Europe than previous reports suggested. Both species have been found occurring in Europe since they were described, and their increased distribution is probably the results of a range expansion. On the other hand L. lignorum appears to be retreating poleward with ocean warming. In certain areas (e.g. southern England, and southern Portugal), limnoriids appear to be very abundant and their activity is rivalling that of teredinids. Therefore, it is important to monitor the distribution and destructive activity of these organisms in Europe.
-
a laboratory assay for measuring feeding and mortality of the marine wood borer Limnoria under forced feeding conditions a basis for a standard test method
International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 2009Co-Authors: Simon M. Cragg, Luisa M. S. Borges, S BuschAbstract:Abstract Quick simple testing methods are needed to evaluate alternative wood materials for marine construction because traditional borer resistant materials are becoming scarce or are no longer permitted due to concerns over environmental emissions of preservatives. Laboratory tests can provide species-specific information on rates of wood biodeterioration by wood borers under optimum conditions, in contrast to field trials where more than one borer species may be present and conditions are variable. The methodology described herein relies on the assumption that faecal pellet production rate in limnoriids must match feeding rate quite closely. Thus, the number of faecal pellets produced by individual specimens of Limnoria quadripunctata, while feeding on a non-durable and non-toxic wood species – Pinus sylvestris sapwood – in different test conditions, was monitored over a period of 15 days. Mortality and moulting were also registered. Several variables likely to affect survival and feeding rates were investigated in order to optimise the test conditions. Temperature and salinity regime affected both survival and feeding rates while moulting cycle affected feeding rates. The optimisation of this test methodology aims to provide the basis for a standard laboratory test with the wood-boring crustacean Limnoria.
-
laboratory screening of tropical hardwoods for natural resistance to the marine borer Limnoria quadripunctata the role of leachable and non leachable factors
Holzforschung, 2008Co-Authors: Luisa M. S. Borges, Simon M. Cragg, Julien Bergot, Ben Shayler, John Williams, Gervais SawyerAbstract:The marine borer Limnoria ingests essential wood components including the extractives the wood contains. Some extractives may confer borer resistance on certain timbers. Feeding by Limnoria correlates with the rate of production of faecal pellets. The faecal pellet production rate and mortality on over 40 test timbers and non-resistant Pinus sylvestris sapwood was measured over 15 days. By placing animals in leachate from wood and with wood in flowing seawater, the effects of leachingresistant and water-soluble compounds were measured. Some previously untested timbers affected Limnoria as strongly as timbers reputed for durability in marine construction. Wood of Minquartia guianensis, Nectandra rubra and Bruguiera gymnorhiza caused high mortality, and pellet production on them was less than 10% of production on P. sylvestris. Suppressed feeding rates, but with no heavy mortality, were observed on known durable species such as Chlorocardium rodiei, Dicorynia guianensis, Lophira alata and Nauclea trillesii, but also on Cynometra ananta, Distemonanthus benthamianus, Enterolobium schomburgkii, Goupia glabra, Hymenaea courabil, Mammea africana, Shorea sp. and Sacoglottis guianensis. Leachate from B. gymnorhiza, G. glabra, H. coubaril, N. rubra and Shorea sp. caused high mortality. These short-term bioassays thus detected clear differences between wood species in their resistance to Limnoria that matched findings from long-term marine trials, while indicating new species worthy of detailed testing.
-
a laboratory assessment of the natural durability of the lesser utilised species corynanthe pachyceras welw and glyphaea brevis sprengel monachino against the marine wood borer Limnoria quadripunctata holthius
International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 2006Co-Authors: K Rosenbusch, Simon M. Cragg, Luisa M. S. Borges, A O Rapp, A. J. PitmanAbstract:Resistance of Corynanthe pachyceras Welw. and stained and unstained Glyphaea brevis (Sprengel) Monachino sapwood and heartwood to the crustacean wood borer Limnoria quadripunctata Holthius was assessed by measuring faecal pellet production and mortality following feeding over 2 weeks in the laboratory. Greatest resistance to feeding was seen in C. pachyceras sapwood and heartwood, with average daily production of 4.7 and 6.8 faecal pellets, respectively. Significantly more faecal pellets were produced by Limnoria tunnelling G. brevis, i.e. 23.3–37.3 pellets day−1. There was no significant difference in pellet production between Limnoria feeding on stained versus unstained G. brevis. Greatest mortalities occurred in Limnoria feeding on stained G. brevis, suggesting that the stain is harmful on ingestion, and that the toxic components are not leached from the wood. Lower mortality was observed in C. pachyceras, but lowest mortality and greatest faecal pellet production were observed in reference Pinus sylvestris L. sapwood.
A. J. Pitman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
the resistance of wood modified with linear chain carboxylic acid anhydrides to attack by the marine wood borer Limnoria quadripunctata holthius
International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 2008Co-Authors: Antonios N Papadopoulos, Simon M. Cragg, P Duquesnoy, A. J. PitmanAbstract:Resistance of pine wood modified with linear chain carboxylic acid anhydrides to the crustacean wood borer Limnoria quadripunctata was assessed by measuring the faecal pellet production and mortality following feeding over 3 weeks in the laboratory. By varying the reaction time, various levels of modifications were obtained. The results indicated that feeding is slowed by chemical modification at these levels of modification. There was no significant reduction in feeding above 24.1% WPG (weight percent gain due to modification) suggesting that modification to WPGs greater than this (lid not confer additional protection. The type of anhydride employed has little influence on feeding. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
-
a laboratory assessment of the natural durability of the lesser utilised species corynanthe pachyceras welw and glyphaea brevis sprengel monachino against the marine wood borer Limnoria quadripunctata holthius
International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 2006Co-Authors: K Rosenbusch, Simon M. Cragg, Luisa M. S. Borges, A O Rapp, A. J. PitmanAbstract:Resistance of Corynanthe pachyceras Welw. and stained and unstained Glyphaea brevis (Sprengel) Monachino sapwood and heartwood to the crustacean wood borer Limnoria quadripunctata Holthius was assessed by measuring faecal pellet production and mortality following feeding over 2 weeks in the laboratory. Greatest resistance to feeding was seen in C. pachyceras sapwood and heartwood, with average daily production of 4.7 and 6.8 faecal pellets, respectively. Significantly more faecal pellets were produced by Limnoria tunnelling G. brevis, i.e. 23.3–37.3 pellets day−1. There was no significant difference in pellet production between Limnoria feeding on stained versus unstained G. brevis. Greatest mortalities occurred in Limnoria feeding on stained G. brevis, suggesting that the stain is harmful on ingestion, and that the toxic components are not leached from the wood. Lower mortality was observed in C. pachyceras, but lowest mortality and greatest faecal pellet production were observed in reference Pinus sylvestris L. sapwood.
Hiroki Yoshino - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
new species of sargassum boring Limnoria leach 1814 crustacea isopoda limnoriidae from japan
Zootaxa, 2021Co-Authors: Hiroki Yoshino, Yuriko Kambara, Shota Kajiwara, Takeshi A. OhsawaAbstract:A new marine Sargassum-boring species of Limnoria (Limnoriidae) is described on the basis of specimens obtained at Kamogawa-shi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Limnoria aspera sp. nov. shares a reduced mandibular palp to a seta, algal-feeding, and the clavate shaped epipod of the maxilliped with the other species of non-mandibular-palp group. L. aspera sp. nov. differs morphologically from the congeneric species by secondary unguis of pereopods and unique carinae of pleonite 5 and pleotelson. We describe the sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene and the nuclear 28S rDNA gene. L. aspera sp. nov. differs by 14.2–18.0% in p-distance based on COI sequences from other Japanese species, L. furca and L. nagatai.
-
description of new species of algal boring Limnoria crustacea isopoda limnoriidae from japan and redescription of Limnoria segnoides menzies 1957 and l nagatai nunomura 2012
Zootaxa, 2019Co-Authors: Hiroki Yoshino, Takeshi A. OhsawaAbstract:Previous research on the mitochondrial COI gene sequences of several populations of Limnoria nagatai Nunomura suggested a cryptic species from the Sea of Japan. A new species of algal-boring limnoriid is here described. Limnoria furca sp. nov. was collected from the holdfasts of Eisenia bicyclis on the Oki Islands and the Sea of Japan coast of Honshu and Kyushu Islands, Japan. L. furca sp. nov. is diagnosed morphologically by lacking a mandibular palp, faint subparallel carinae on the pleotelson, faint Y-shaped carinae on pereonite 5, the bifid lacinia mobilis of right mandible and the shapes of the secondary unguis on the pereopods. Similar species, L. segnoides Menzies, 1957 and L. nagatai Nunomura, 2012, are redescribed on the basis of the holotypes.
-
genetic structure and dispersal patterns in Limnoria nagatai limnoriidae isopoda dwelling in non buoyant kelps eisenia bicyclis and e arborea in japan
PLOS ONE, 2018Co-Authors: Hiroki Yoshino, Futa Yamaji, Takeshi A. OhsawaAbstract:The marine isopod genus Limnoria contains algae-eating species. Previous phylogeographic studies have suggested that Limnoria species feeding on buoyant kelp underwent low genetic differentiation on a large spatial scale because rafting on floating host kelps promotes high levels of gene flow. In this paper, we survey the genetic structure of Limnoria nagatai, which bores into the non-buoyant kelps Eisenia bicyclis and E. arborea. We analyze the mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome oxidase subunit I [COI] gene) and morphological traits of L. nagatai, and the host kelps E. bicyclis and E. arborea from 14 populations along the Japanese archipelago of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. Four major lineages are recognized within L. nagatai: three lineages in the Pacific Ocean, and one lineage in the Sea of Japan which might be a cryptic species. For L. nagatai, we show high genetic differentiation between geographically separated habitats in the Pacific Ocean, while low differentiation is found among continuous host kelps habitats in the Pacific Ocean as well as the Sea of Japan. L. nagatai in E. bicyclis in the Pacific Ocean has experienced large population expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), whereas the lineage in E. bicyclis in the Sea of Japan has not. We suggest that Limnoria feeding on non-buoyant kelps, may attain low genetic differentiation because they might be able to disperse long distance if the habitat of host kelps is continuous. The historical events affecting Limnoria after the LGM may differ between the coasts of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan.
-
Species genetic diversity indices and neutrality tests of Limnoria nagatai.
2018Co-Authors: Hiroki Yoshino, Futa Yamaji, Takeshi A. OhsawaAbstract:Species genetic diversity indices and neutrality tests of Limnoria nagatai.
-
Secondary unguis of pereopod 1 of Limnoria sp. and L. nagatai.
2018Co-Authors: Hiroki Yoshino, Futa Yamaji, Takeshi A. OhsawaAbstract:(a, b) Dactylus of pereopod 1 of Limnoria sp. collected in wood from Kominato (a) before and (b) after DNA extraction procedure. (c, d) Dactylus of pereopod 1 of L. nagatai collected in Eisenia bicyclis from (c) Kominato and (d) Shimane. The arrows indicate secondary unguis.