Data from: Key molecular processes of the diapause to post‐diapause quiescence transition in the alfalfa leafcutting bee Megachile rotundata identified by comparative transcriptome analysis

Insect diapause (dormancy) synchronizes an insect's life cycle to seasonal changes in the abiotic and biotic resources required for development and reproduction. Transcription analysis of diapause to post‐diapause quiescent transition in the alfalfa leafcutting bee Megachile rotundata Fabricius identifies 643 post‐diapause up‐regulated gene transcripts and 242 post‐diapause down‐regulated transcripts. The log2 fold change in gene expression levels ranges from −5 to 7. Transcripts from several pivotal diapause‐related processes, including chromatin remodelling, cellular signalling pathways, microRNA processing, anaerobic glycolysis, cell cycle arrest and neuroendocrine control, are identified as being differentially expressed during the diapause to post‐diapause transition. In conjunction with studies from other insect species, the data indicate that there are several common mechanisms of diapause control and maintenance.

Genomics and Genetics

Data from: The Majority of Genotypes of the Virulence Gene inlA Are Intact among Natural Watershed Isolates of Listeria monocytogenes from the Central California Coast

Internalin A is an essential virulence gene involved in the uptake of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes into host cells. It is intact in clinical strains and often truncated due to Premature Stop Codons (PMSCs) in isolates from processed foods and processing facilities. Less information is known about environmental isolates. We sequenced the inlA alleles and did Multi Locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) on 112 L. monocytogenes isolates from a 3-year period from naturally contaminated watersheds near a leafy green growing area in Central California.

Genomics and Genetics

Data from: Geography of Genetic Structure in Barley Wild Relative Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum in Jordan

Informed collecting, conservation, monitoring and utilization of genetic diversity requires knowledge of the distribution and structure of the variation occurring in a species. Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum (K. Koch) Thell., a primary wild relative of barley, is an important source of genetic diversity for barley improvement and co-occurs with the domesticate within the center of origin. We studied the current distribution of genetic diversity and population structure in H. vulgare subsp. spontaneum in Jordan and investigated whether it is correlated with either spatial or climatic variation inferred from publically available climate layers commonly used in conservation and ecogeographical studies. The genetic structure of 32 populations collected in 2012 was analyzed with 37 SSRs. Three distinct genetic clusters were identified. Populations were characterized by admixture and high allelic richness, and genetic diversity was concentrated in the northern part of the study area. Genetic structure, spatial location and climate were not correlated. This may point out a limitation in using large scale climatic data layers to predict genetic diversity, especially as it is applied to regional genetic resources collections in H. vulgare subsp. spontaneum.

Genomics and Genetics

Data from: Metabolic Coevolution in the Bacterial Symbiosis of Whiteflies and Related Plant Sap-Feeding Insects

Genomic decay is a common feature of intracellular bacteria that have entered into symbiosis with plant sap-feeding insects. This study of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci and two bacteria (Portiera aleyrodidarum and Hamiltonella defensa) cohoused in each host cell investigated whether the decay of Portiera metabolism genes is complemented by host and Hamiltonella genes, and compared the metabolic traits of the whitefly symbiosis with other sap-feeding insects (aphids, psyllids, and mealybugs).

Genomics and Genetics

Data from: Condition‐dependent co‐regulation of genomic clusters of virulence factors in the grapevine trunk pathogen Neofusicoccum parvum

The capability of the ascomycete Neofusicoccum parvum to colonize woody tissue, combined with the secretion of phytotoxic compounds, is thought to underlie its pathogenicity and virulence. The repertoire of virulence factors and their transcriptional dynamics as the fungus feeds on different substrates and colonizes the woody stem are described and a highly contiguous genome is assembled and annotated using single‐molecule real‐time DNA sequencing.

Genomics and Genetics

Data from: Generation and analysis of blueberry transcriptome sequences from leaves, developing fruit, and flower buds from cold acclimation through deacclimation

There has been increased consumption of blueberries in recent years fueled in part because of their many recognized health benefits. Blueberry fruit is very high in anthocyanins, which have been linked to improved night vision, prevention of macular degeneration, anti-cancer activity, and reduced risk of heart disease. Very few genomic resources have been available for blueberry, however. Further development of genomic resources like expressed sequence tags (ESTs), molecular markers, and genetic linkage maps could lead to more rapid genetic improvement. Marker-assisted selection could be used to combine traits for climatic adaptation with fruit and nutritional quality traits.

Genomics and Genetics

Data from: Characterization of Adult Transcriptomes from the Omnivorous Lady Beetle Coleomegilla maculata Fed Pollen or Insect Egg Diet

Expressed genes from two individual sibling specimens of Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). One individual was fed only insect eggs as an adult, and one was fed only pollen as an adult. Two sequenced samples, total RNA from a single individual adult specimen of Coleomegilla maculata, a beneficial lady beetle common in agroecosystems and native to North America. One sample was an adult fed only insect eggs (carnivore diet) and one sample was an adult fed only pollen (plant-based diet); insects were reared from the same egg mass (siblings), fed identical diet while in larval stage.

Orussus abietinus mitochondrial genome assembly

The Baylor College of Medicine has sequenced and annotated the Orussus abietinus genome as part of the i5k pilot project. This dataset represents a targeted assembly and annotation of the mitochondrial genome.

insects 5000 program

Athalia rosae mitochondrial genome assembly

The Baylor College of Medicine has sequenced and annotated the Athalia rosae genome as part of the i5k pilot project. This dataset represents a separate targeted assembly of the mitochondrial genome.

insects 5000 program