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Srygley RB, Branson DH. Power Bars: Mormon Crickets Get Immunity Boost from Eating Grasshoppers. INSECTS 2023; 14:868. [PMID: 37999067 PMCID: PMC10672412 DOI: 10.3390/insects14110868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
In addition to feeding on plants, Mormon crickets Anabrus simplex Haldeman, 1852 predate on invertebrates, including one another, which effectively drives their migration. Carnivory derives from lack of dietary protein, with Mormon crickets deprived of protein having less phenoloxidase (PO) available to combat foreign invaders, such as fungal pathogens. Because Mormon crickets commonly occur with grasshoppers that feed on the same plants, we investigated interactions between grasshoppers and Mormon crickets, and hypothesized that if Mormon crickets are predatory on grasshoppers, grasshopper abundance would influence the protein available to Mormon crickets and their immunity. In a field setting, we varied densities of Mormon crickets (0, 10, or 20 per cage) and grasshoppers Melanoplus borealis (0, 15, 30, or 45) in 68 1-m2 cages. After one month, we measured Mormon cricket dietary preferences and PO activity. As predicted, artificial diet consumption shifted away from protein as grasshopper density increased, and immunocompetence, as measured by PO activity, also increased with grasshopper availability. Although nitrogen availability in the vegetation decreased with increasing insect density, predation became an important source of protein for Mormon crickets that enhanced immunity. Grasshoppers can be an important source of dietary protein for Mormon crickets, with prey availability affecting Mormon cricket immunity to diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B. Srygley
- Pest Management Research Unit, Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, 1500 N. Central Ave., Sidney, MT 59270, USA;
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Hoang T, Foquet B, Rana S, Little DW, Woller DA, Sword GA, Song H. Development of RNAi Methods for the Mormon Cricket, Anabrus simplex (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). INSECTS 2022; 13:739. [PMID: 36005364 PMCID: PMC9409436 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mormon crickets are a major rangeland pest in the western United States and are currently managed by targeted applications of non-specific chemical insecticides, which can potentially have negative effects on the environment. In this study, we took the first steps toward developing RNAi methods for Mormon crickets as a potential alternative to traditional broad-spectrum insecticides. To design an effective RNAi-based insecticide, we first generated a de novo transcriptome for the Mormon cricket and developed dsRNAs that could silence the expression of seven housekeeping genes. We then characterized the RNAi efficiencies and time-course of knockdown using these dsRNAs, and assessed their ability to induce mortality. We have demonstrated that it is possible to elicit RNAi responses in the Mormon cricket by injection, but knockdown efficiencies and the time course of RNAi response varied according to target genes and tissue types. We also show that one of the reasons for the poor knockdown efficiencies could be the presence of dsRNA-degrading enzymes in the hemolymph. RNAi silencing is possible in Mormon cricket, but more work needs to be done before it can be effectively used as a population management method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toan Hoang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Bert Foquet
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA
| | - Seema Rana
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Drew W. Little
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Derek A. Woller
- USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology-Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (Phoenix Station), Phoenix, AZ 85040, USA
| | - Gregory A. Sword
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Hojun Song
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Rangel DEN, Bignayan HG, Golez HG, Keyser CA, Evans EW, Roberts DW. Virulence of the insect-pathogenic fungi Metarhizium spp. to Mormon crickets, Anabrus simplex (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 112:1-8. [PMID: 34620258 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485321000663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Mormon cricket (MC), Anabrus simplex Haldeman, 1852 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), has a long and negative history with agriculture in Utah and other western states of the USA. Most A. simplex populations migrate in large groups, and their feeding can cause significant damage to forage plants and cultivated crops. Chemical pesticides are often applied, but some settings (e.g. habitats of threatened and endangered species) call for non-chemical control measures. Studies in Africa, South America, and Australia have assessed certain isolates of Metarhizium acridum as very promising pathogens for Orthoptera: Acrididae (locust) biocontrol. In the current study, two isolates of Metarhizium robertsii, one isolate of Metarhizium brunneum, one isolate of Metarhizium guizhouense, and three isolates of M. acridum were tested for infectivity to MC nymphs and adults of either sex. Based on the speed of mortality, M. robertsii (ARSEF 23 and ARSEF 2575) and M. brunneum (ARSEF 7711) were the most virulent to instars 2 to 5 MC nymphs. M. guizhouense (ARSEF 7847) from Arizona was intermediate and the M. acridum isolates (ARSEF 324, 3341, and 3609) were the slowest killers. ARSEF 2575 was also the most virulent to instar 6 and 7 nymphs and adults of MC. All of the isolates at the conidial concentration of 1 × 107 conidia ml-1 induced approximately 100% mortality by 6 days post application of fungal conidia. In conclusion, isolates ARSEF 23, ARSEF 2575, and ARSEF 7711 acted most rapidly to kill MC under laboratory conditions. The M. acridum isolates, however, have much higher tolerance to heat and UV-B radiation, which may be critical to their successful use in field application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drauzio E N Rangel
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT84322-5305, USA
- Universidade Brasil, São Paulo, SP08230-030, Brazil
| | - Helen G Bignayan
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT84322-5305, USA
- Bureau of Plant Industry, National Mango Research and Development Center, Jordan, Guimaras5045, Philippines
| | - Hernani G Golez
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT84322-5305, USA
- Bureau of Plant Industry, National Mango Research and Development Center, Jordan, Guimaras5045, Philippines
| | - Chad A Keyser
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT84322-5305, USA
- AgBiome, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC27709, USA
| | - Edward W Evans
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT84322-5305, USA
| | - Donald W Roberts
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT84322-5305, USA
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Studying genetic population structure to shed light on the demographic explosion of the rare species Barbitistes vicetinus (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250507. [PMID: 33956844 PMCID: PMC8101909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect outbreaks usually involve important ecological and economic consequences for agriculture and forestry. The short-winged bush-cricket Barbitistes vicetinus Galvagni & Fontana, 1993 is a recently described species that was considered rare until ten years ago, when unexpected population outbreaks causing severe defoliations across forests and crops were observed in north-eastern Italy. A genetic approach was used to analyse the origin of outbreak populations. The analysis of two mitochondrial regions (Cytochrome Oxidase I and II and 12S rRNA-Control Region) of 130 samples from the two disjunct ranges (Euganean and Berici Hills) showed high values of haplotype diversity and revealed a high geographical structure among populations of the two ranges. The high genetic variability observed supports the native origin of this species. In addition, results suggest that unexpected outbreaks are not a consequence of a single or few pestiferous haplotypes but rather the source of outbreaks are local populations which have experienced an increase in each area. The recent outbreaks have probably appeared independently of the genetic haplotypes whereas environmental conditions could have affected the outbreak populations. These findings contribute to a growing understanding of the status and evolutionary history of the pest that would be useful for developing and implementing biological control strategies for example by maximizing efforts to locate native natural enemies.
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Understanding the link between sexual selection, sexual conflict and aging using crickets as a model. Exp Gerontol 2015; 71:4-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2015.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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DÍAZ-PÉREZ AJ, SEQUEIRA M, SANTOS-GUERRA A, CATALÁN P. Divergence and biogeography of the recently evolved Macaronesian redFestuca(Gramineae) species inferred from coalescence-based analyses. Mol Ecol 2012; 21:1702-26. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2012.05495.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Srygley RB. Age- and density-dependent prophylaxis in the migratory, cannibalistic Mormon cricket Anabrus simplex (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2012; 41:166-171. [PMID: 22525072 DOI: 10.1603/en11020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
As a result of the increased potential for disease transmission, insects are predicted to show an increased constitutive immunity when crowded. Cannibalistic aggressive interactions further increase the risk of wounding and pathogen transmission in crowds. Nymphal Mormon crickets Anabrus simplex Haldeman were collected in Montana and reared in the laboratory either solitarily or at densities similar to that experienced by Mormon crickets in migratory bands. As teneral adults, solitarily-reared Mormon crickets tended to have greater phenoloxidase activity than those reared in groups. Sampling enzyme activity a second time when the adults were nearing reproductive maturity, group-reared Mormon crickets had elevated levels of prophenoloxidase and encapsulated foreign objects faster than solitarily-reared insects. Rearing density did not have a significant effect on either the darkness of the cuticle or antibacterial activity. This is the first report of age-related responses of adult insect immunity to crowding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B Srygley
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, 1500 N. Central Avenue, Sidney, MT 59270, USA.
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Tao J, Chen M, Zong SX, Luo YQ. Genetic structure in the seabuckthorn carpenter moth (Holcocerus hippophaecolus) in China: the role of outbreak events, geographical and host factors. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30544. [PMID: 22291983 PMCID: PMC3265495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding factors responsible for structuring genetic diversity is of fundamental importance in evolutionary biology. The seabuckthorn carpenter moth (Holcocerus hippophaecolus Hua) is a native species throughout the north of China and is considered the main threat to seabuckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L. We assessed the influence of outbreaks, environmental factors and host species in shaping the genetic variation and structure of H. hippophaecolus by using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) markers. We rejected the hypothesis that outbreak-associated genetic divergence exist, as evidenced by genetic clusters containing a combination of populations from historical outbreak areas, as well as non-outbreak areas. Although a small number of markers (4 of 933 loci) were identified as candidates under selection in response to population densities. H. hippophaecolus also did not follow an isolation-by-distance pattern. We rejected the hypothesis that outbreak and drought events were driving the genetic structure of H. hippophaecolus. Rather, the genetic structure appears to be influenced by various confounding bio-geographical factors. There were detectable genetic differences between H. hippophaecolus occupying different host trees from within the same geographic location. Host-associated genetic divergence should be confirmed by further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Tao
- Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Chen
- Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Xiang Zong
- Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - You-Qing Luo
- Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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ROBSON LJ, GWYNNE DT. Measuring sexual selection on females in sex-role-reversed Mormon crickets (Anabrus simplex, Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). J Evol Biol 2010; 23:1528-37. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.02021.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Chapuis MP, Lecoq M, Michalakis Y, Loiseau A, Sword GA, Piry S, Estoup A. Do outbreaks affect genetic population structure? A worldwide survey inLocusta migratoria, a pest plagued by microsatellite null alleles. Mol Ecol 2008; 17:3640-53. [PMID: 18643881 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2008.03869.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M-P Chapuis
- Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre de Biologie et Gestion des Populations, INRA/IRD/Cirad/Montpellier SupAgro, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Campus international de Baillarguet, Montferrier-sur-Lez cedex, France.
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Bailey NW, Gwynne DT, Ritchie MG. Dispersal differences predict population genetic structure in Mormon crickets. Mol Ecol 2008; 16:2079-89. [PMID: 17498233 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2007.03265.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Research investigating the geographical context of speciation has primarily focused on abiotic factors such as the role of Pleistocene glacial cycles, or geotectonic events. Few study systems allow a direct comparison of how biological differences, such as dispersal behaviour, affect population genetic structure of organisms that were subdivided during the Pleistocene. Mormon crickets exist in solitary and gregarious 'phases', which broadly correspond with an east-west mtDNA division across the Rocky Mountains. Gregarious individuals form bands that can move up to 2 km daily. This study assessed whether population genetic structure results mainly from deep Pleistocene vicariance or if we can also detect more recent genetic patterns due to phase and dispersal differences superimposed on the older, deeper divisions. We found that separation in refugia was a more important influence on genetic divergence than phase, with the Rockies acting as a barrier that separated Mormon cricket populations into eastern and western refugia during Pleistocene glacial cycles. However, patterns of isolation by distance differ between eastern and western clades for both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, with greater divergence within the eastern, solitary clade. An mtDNA haplotype mismatch distribution is compatible with historical population expansion in the western clade but not in the eastern clade. A persistent (and possibly sex-biased) difference in dispersal ability has most likely influenced the greater population genetic structure seen in the eastern clade, emphasizing the importance of the interaction of Quaternary climate fluctuations and geography with biotic factors in producing the patterns of genetic subdivision observed today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan W Bailey
- Department of Biology, 3357 Spieth Hall, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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Stevens LE, Polhemus JT, Durfee RS, Olson CA. LARGE MIXED-SPECIES DISPERSAL FLIGHTS OF PREDATORY AND SCAVENGING AQUATIC HETEROPTERA AND COLEOPTERA, NORTHERN ARIZONA, USA. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2007. [DOI: 10.3398/1527-0904(2007)67[587:lmdfop]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Fenn JD, Cameron SL, Whiting MF. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Mormon cricket (Anabrus simplex: Tettigoniidae: Orthoptera) and an analysis of control region variability. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2007; 16:239-52. [PMID: 17316330 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2006.00721.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The Anabrus simplex is a swarming plague orthopteran found in western North America. The genome is 15 766 bp in length and genome organization follows the ancestral insect gene arrangement. atp6 lacked any readily identifiable stop codon. Examination of mRNA secondary structure for this gene suggested a stem/loop-mediated mRNA post-transcriptional processing to liberate a mature atp6 mRNA with a complete stop codon produced by polyadenylation. Comparison of similar protein with protein gene boundaries in other insect species reveal a general mechanism for mRNA excision and provide further supporting evidence for post-transcriptional mRNA processing in mitochondrial genomes. The A + T-rich region, or control region, was sequenced for 55 A. simplex individuals from 12 different populations. Variance studies between these individuals show that the A + T-rich region contains significant phylogenetic signal to be used in population studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Fenn
- Department of Integrative Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
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Bailey NW, Gwynne DT, Bailey WV, Ritchie MG. Multiple differences in calling songs and other traits between solitary and gregarious Mormon crickets from allopatric mtDNA clades. BMC Evol Biol 2007; 7:5. [PMID: 17241474 PMCID: PMC1790887 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-7-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2006] [Accepted: 01/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In acoustic species, traits such as male calling song are likely to diverge quickly between allopatric populations due to sexual selection, and divergence in parameters such as carrier frequency, chirp structure, and other important song characters can influence sexual isolation. Here we make use of two forms of Mormon crickets to examine differences in a broad suite of traits that have the potential to influence speciation via sexual isolation. Mormon crickets in "gregarious" populations aggregate into dense migratory bands, and females are the sexually competitive sex (sex-role reversal). There is also a non-outbreak "solitary" form. These two forms are largely but not perfectly correlated with a significant mtDNA subdivision within the species that is thought to have arisen in allopatry. Combined information about multiple, independently evolving traits, such as morphology and structural and behavioural differences in calling song, provides greater resolution of the overall differences between these allopatric populations, and allows us to assess their stage of divergence. We test two predictions, first that the forms differ in song and second that gregarious males are more reluctant to sing than solitary males due to sex role reversal. We also tested for a difference in the relationship between the size of the forewing resonator, the mirror, and carrier frequency, as most models of sound production in crickets indicate that mirror size should predict carrier frequency. RESULTS Multivariate analyses showed that solitary and gregarious individuals from different populations representing the two mtDNA clades had almost non-overlapping distributions based on multiple song and morphological measurements. Carrier frequency differed between the two, and gregarious males were more reluctant to sing overall. Mirror size predicted carrier frequency; however, the relationship between mirror size and surface area varied between solitary and gregarious forms, suggesting that factors above and beyond mirror size contribute to carrier frequency. CONCLUSION The two clades of Mormon crickets differ in a broad suite of independent traits that probably justify subspecies status (the two can successfully mate so may not be reproductively isolated). However, our results emphasize the importance of carefully distinguishing the ultimate causation of differences between traits used to delineate species or subspecies boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan W Bailey
- Department of Biology, Spieth Hall, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Darryl T Gwynne
- Biology Department, University of Toronto at Missisauga, Missisauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - William V Bailey
- School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9TH, UK
| | - Michael G Ritchie
- School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9TH, UK
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