Articles: Department of Biological Sciences: Recent submissions
Now showing items 101-120 of 285
-
Coevolutionary fine-tuning: evidence for genetic tracking between a specialist wasp parasitoid and its aphid host in a dual metapopulation interaction
(2012-09)In the interaction between two ecologically-associated species, the population structure of one species may affect the population structure of the other. Here, we examine the population structures of the aphid Metopeurum ... -
Microsatellites from Lysiphlebus hirticornis Mackauer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a specialist primary parasitoid attacking the specialist tansy aphid, Metopeurum fuscoviride Stroyan (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
(2008-10)Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the specialist aphid parasitoid, Lysiphlebus hirticornis. In addition, two published loci from closely related Lysiphlebus species were also used. Allelic diversity ... -
Mating Strategies in Solitary Aphid Parasitoids: Effect of Patch Residence Time and Ant Attendance
(2011-06)Mate finding and dispersal from the natal patch in parasitoid Hymenoptera are influenced by the availability of host resources and interactions with other organisms. We compared the mating behavior of three solitary aphid ... -
Spatial population dynamics of a specialist aphid parasitoid, Lysiphlebus hirticornis Mackauer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): evidence for philopatry and restricted dispersal
(2010-01)Within insect communities, the population ecology of organisms representing higher trophic levels, for example, hymenopterous parasitoids, may be influenced by the structure of their insect hosts. Using microsatellite ... -
Effects of pea aphid secondary endosymbionts on aphid resistance and development of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi: a correlative study
(2010-05)In order to reduce parasite-induced mortality, hosts may be involved in mutualistic interactions in which the partner contributes to resistance against the parasite. The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Hemiptera: ... -
Temporal genetic structuring of a specialist parasitoid, Lysiphlebus hirticornis Mackauer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) attacking a specialist aphid on tansy
(2010-11)In insect species characterized by inbreeding, limited dispersal, and a metapopulation structure, high genetic differentiation and reduced genetic diversity within local populations are expected. Using the model ... -
Field Abundance Patterns and Odor-Mediated Host Choice by Clover Seed Weevils, Apion fulvipes and Apion trifolii (Coleoptera: Apionidae)
(2015-02)The clover seed weevils Apion fulvipes Geoffroy, 1785 and Apion trifolii L., 1768 (Coleoptera: Apionidae) cause major losses to seed production of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense ... -
The 'Cake on the plate' syndrome ... and how specialist tansy aphids avoid extinction by hungry predators and parasitoids: insights from the use of polymorphic microsatellite markers
(2016-07)It was initially shown from 12.2 m high suction trap aerial density data and later confirmed using polymorphic molecular markers (initially allozymes, later high resolution DNA markers, especially microsatellites), that ... -
Bacteria and Archaea diversity within the hot springs of Lake Magadi and Little Magadi in Kenya
(2016-07)Background: Lake Magadi and little Magadi are hypersaline, alkaline lakes situated in the southern part of Kenyan Rift Valley. Solutes are supplied mainly by a series of alkaline hot springs with temperatures as high as ... -
Isolation and characterization of some gut microbial symbionts from fungus-cultivating termites (Macrotermes and Odontotermes spp.)
(2016-07)Microbiota of termites is crucial for nitrogen cycle activities and degradation of recalcitrant components of plant biomass that influence soil structure and carbon mineralization in tropical and subtropical regions. The ... -
Food algae for Lesser Flamingos: a stocktaking
(Springer, 2016-07)Lesser Flamingo, the flagship species of saline wetlands of Africa and India, is a specialised feeder subsisting on microscopic cyanobacteria and algae. To establish the relationship between flamingo occurrence and food ... -
Plant parasitic nematode assemblages associated with sweet potato in Kenya and their relationship with environmental variables
(Springer, 2016-11)Sweet potato is one of the most important staple food crops consumed in Kenya and throughout Africa but yields are greatly reduced by plant parasitic nematodes (PPN). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence ... -
A survey of root knot nematodes and resistance to Meloidogyne incognita in sweet potato varieties from Kenyan fields
(Elsevier, 2016-11)The root knot nematode, Meloidogyne is one of the most economically damaging plant parasitic nematode groups, and are widely distributed in Kenyan agro-ecosystems. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity of ... -
Genetic Transformation of Sweet Potato for Improved Tolerance to Stress: A Review
(2016-10)The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) is a major staple food in many parts of the world. Sweet potato leaves and tubers are consumed as food and livestock feed. Biotic and abiotic stresses affect yield leading to a ... -
Genetic Improvement of African Maize towards Drought Tolerance: A Review
(IISTE, 2016)Africa supports a population of over 1 billion people with over half of them depending on maize for food and feed either directly or indirectly. Maize in Africa is affected by many stresses, both biotic and abiotic ... -
Molecular diversity of plankton in a tropical crater lake switching from hyposaline to subsaline conditions: Lake Oloidien, Kenya
(Springer, 2016-09)Salinity in the climate sensitive tropical endorheic crater lake Oloidien (Great African Rift Valley, Kenya) decreased from hyposaline to subsaline conditions during the period 2010–2015. The change in salinity was ... -
Stay at home aphids: comparative spatial and seasonal metapopulation structure and dynamics of two specialist tansy aphid species studied using microsatellite markers
(The Linnean Society of London, 2011-06)Two tansy-feeding aphids, Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria (MA) and Metopeurum fuscoviride (ME), were studied at a small spatial scale in and around Jena (< 80 km2) using polymorphic microsatellite markers. Both species were ... -
Coevolutionary fine-tuning: evidence for genetic tracking between a specialist wasp parasitoid and its aphid host in a dual metapopulation interaction
(Cambridge University Press, 2012-04)In the interaction between two ecologically-associated species, the population structure of one species may affect the population structure of the other. Here, we examine the population structures of the aphid Metopeurum ... -
Microsatellites from Lysiphlebus hirticornis Mackauer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a specialist primary parasitoid attacking the specialist tansy aphid, Metopeurum fuscoviride Stroyan (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2009-04)Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the specialist aphid parasitoid, Lysiphlebus hirticornis. In addition, two published loci from closely related Lysiphlebus species were also used. Allelic diversity ... -
The 'Cake on the plate' syndrome ... and how specialist tansy aphids avoid extinction by hungry predators and parasitoids: insights from the use of polymorphic microsatellite markers
(2008)It was initially shown from 12.2 m high suction trap aerial density data and later confirmed using polymorphic molecular markers (initially allozymes, later high resolution DNA markers, especially microsatellites), that ...
