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Helitrons are enriched in lichenized fungi with long generation length and small distribution sizes
No full textMobile genetic elements (MGEs) have the potential to drive genome evolution by introducing mutations and causing structural instability and chromosomal rearrangements, particularly under conditions like environmental or genetic stress. In this study, we generated 18 new long-read reference genomes for lichenized fungi, which form obligate mutualistic symbioses with algae or a cyanobacteria. We used these genomes to investigate the connections between dominant reproductive mode, distribution size, and generation length with the abundance and spatial distribution of MGEs for 28 lichenized fungal reference genomes using a phylogenetic comparative framework. We found that species with smaller distribution sizes and those with longer generation lengths had a higher genomic DNA transposon load, and that their genomes were enriched with Rolling Circle transposons, specifically, which contradicts broad patterns identified in previous studies of MGEs in rare species. Disproportionate distributions of MGEs in rare and range-restricted species may disrupt genomic stability, decrease fitness, and be reflective of species experiencing a greater degree of stress. Also, greater MGE activity may be an important source of novel genetic diversity in isolated populations with limited gene flow. Further research is needed to understand the potential mechanisms driving MGE proliferation in these genomes, and if MGE content is predictive of increased extinction risk in rare species
Manifest domesticity : Tamsen Donner and the concept of home on the California Trail and in crisis
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Mapping West Nile Virus Risk in Spokane: Mosquito Breeding Sites and Blood Meal Analysis
No full textMosquitoes in the genus Culex are the primary vectors of West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne disease responsible for thousands of cases annually in the United States. Infected individuals can develop meningitis, encephalitis, or in severe cases, die from the disease. WNV was first detected in Washington State in 2005, with a rise in reported cases among humans and horses in Spokane County by 2016. In recent years, WNV-positive mosquitoes have been found in parts of Spokane, where they acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds and can transmit it to humans during subsequent blood meals. This study aims to (1) characterize the proportion of Culex mosquitoes feeding on birds, mammals, and humans; (2) assess how host community composition influences mosquito feeding preferences; and (3) assess seasonal shifts in feeding behavior. We will sample mosquitoes from 320 catch basins across four geographic regions in Spokane. At each location, blood-fed adult mosquitoes will be collected using gravid traps. Collected mosquitoes will briefly be stored in a -80C freezer, then analyzed simultaneously using DNA extraction and multiplex PCR to identify blood meal sources. Host availability at each site will be estimated through five minute point counts of birds, mammals, and humans within a 50-meter radius. By linking mosquito blood meal sources to host presence, this research will provide insights into WNV transmission dynamics and help identify periods of elevated human risk. The findings will contribute to more targeted mosquito surveillance and guide public health intervention strategies in the region