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The genome sequence of the European robin, Erithacus rubecula Linnaeus 1758 (2021)
Journal Article
Dunn, J. C., Liedvogel, M., Smith, M., Corton, C., Oliver, K., Skelton, J., …Blaxter, M. (2021). The genome sequence of the European robin, Erithacus rubecula Linnaeus 1758. Wellcome Open Research, 6, Article 172. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16988.1

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Erithacus rubecula (the European robin; Chordata; Aves; Passeriformes; Turdidae). The genome sequence is 1.09 gigabases in span. The majority of the assembly is scaffolded into 36 chromosomal pse... Read More about The genome sequence of the European robin, Erithacus rubecula Linnaeus 1758.

Repeated training of homing pigeons reveals age dependent idiosyncrasy and visual landmark use. (2021)
Journal Article
Griffiths, C., Schiffner, I., Price, E., Charnell-Hughes, M., Kishkinev, D., & Holland, R. A. (2021). Repeated training of homing pigeons reveals age dependent idiosyncrasy and visual landmark use. Animal Behaviour, 159-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.05.004

Recent research into the navigational strategies of homing pigeons (Columba livia) inthe familiar area has highlighted the phenomenon of route fidelity – birds formingidiosyncratic flight paths to which they are loyal over multiple releases from the... Read More about Repeated training of homing pigeons reveals age dependent idiosyncrasy and visual landmark use..

A genetically encoded anti-CRISPR protein constrains gene drive spread and prevents population suppression (2021)
Journal Article
Taxiarchi, C., Beaghton, A., Illansinhage Don, N., Kyrou, K., Gribble, M., Shittu, D., …Crisanti, A. (2021). A genetically encoded anti-CRISPR protein constrains gene drive spread and prevents population suppression. Nature communications, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24214-5

CRISPR-based gene drives offer promising means to reduce the burden of pests and vector-borne diseases. These techniques consist of releasing genetically modified organisms carrying CRISPR-Cas nucleases designed to bias their inheritance and rapidly... Read More about A genetically encoded anti-CRISPR protein constrains gene drive spread and prevents population suppression.

Effect of rearing temperature on physiological measures and antioxidant status of broiler chickens fed stevia (Stevia rebaudiana B.) leaf meal and exogenous xylanase (2021)
Journal Article
Pirgozliev, V., Whiting, I. M., Mansbridge, S. C., Enchev, S., Rose, S. P., Kljak, K., …Atanasov, A. G. (2021). Effect of rearing temperature on physiological measures and antioxidant status of broiler chickens fed stevia (Stevia rebaudiana B.) leaf meal and exogenous xylanase. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crbiot.2021.05.005

Background The global climate is warming. Heat stress, as a result of high ambient temperatures, may negatively impact physiology and reduce growth performance of poultry. Stevia is a perennial shrub indigenous to South America where its phytochemica... Read More about Effect of rearing temperature on physiological measures and antioxidant status of broiler chickens fed stevia (Stevia rebaudiana B.) leaf meal and exogenous xylanase.

Improvement of water quality for mass anopheline rearing: evaluation of the impact of ammonia-capturing zeolite on larval development and adult phenotypic quality. (2021)
Journal Article
(2021). Improvement of water quality for mass anopheline rearing: evaluation of the impact of ammonia-capturing zeolite on larval development and adult phenotypic quality. Parasites and Vectors, 268 - ?. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04763-w

BACKGROUND: Malaria vector control approaches that rely on mosquito releases such as the sterile insect technique (SIT) and suppression or replacement strategies relying on genetically modified mosquitoes (GMM) depend on effective mass production of... Read More about Improvement of water quality for mass anopheline rearing: evaluation of the impact of ammonia-capturing zeolite on larval development and adult phenotypic quality..

Navigation by extrapolation of geomagnetic cues in a migratory songbird (2021)
Journal Article
Kishkinev, D., Packmor, F., Zechmeister, T., Winkler, H., Chernetsov, N., Mouritsen, H., & Holland, R. A. (2021). Navigation by extrapolation of geomagnetic cues in a migratory songbird. Current Biology, R330-R332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.01.051

Displacement experiments have demonstrated that experienced migratory birds translocated thousands of kilometers away from their migratory corridor to unfamiliar areas can orient towards and ultimately reach their intended destinations. This implies... Read More about Navigation by extrapolation of geomagnetic cues in a migratory songbird.

Bulk-up synchronization of successive larval cohorts of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii through temperature reduction at early larval stages: effect on emergence rate, body size and mating success. (2021)
Journal Article
(2021). Bulk-up synchronization of successive larval cohorts of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii through temperature reduction at early larval stages: effect on emergence rate, body size and mating success. Malaria Journal, - ?

BACKGROUND: Malaria persists as a huge medical and economic burden. Although the number of cases and death rates have reduced in recent years, novel interventions are a necessity if such gains are to be maintained. Alternative methods to target mosqu... Read More about Bulk-up synchronization of successive larval cohorts of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii through temperature reduction at early larval stages: effect on emergence rate, body size and mating success..

Semiochemicals for thrips and their use in pest management (2021)
Journal Article
Kirk. (2021). Semiochemicals for thrips and their use in pest management. Annual Review of Entomology, 101-119. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-022020-081531

Thrips (Thysanoptera) are small insects that can cause huge problems in agriculture, horticulture and forestry through feeding and the transmission of plant viruses. They produce a rich chemical diversity of pheromones and allomones and also respond... Read More about Semiochemicals for thrips and their use in pest management.

A male-biased sex-distorter gene drive for the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae (2020)
Journal Article
Simoni, A., Hammond, A. M., Beaghton, A. K., Galizi, R., Taxiarchi, C., Kyrou, K., …Crisanti, A. (2020). A male-biased sex-distorter gene drive for the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Nature Biotechnology, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-020-0508-1

Only female insects transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue and Zika; therefore, control methods that bias the sex ratio of insect offspring have long been sought. Genetic elements such as sex-chromosome drives can distort sex ratios to produce uni... Read More about A male-biased sex-distorter gene drive for the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae.

Identification of optimal assisted aspiration conditions of oocytes for use in porcine in vitro maturation: A re-evaluation of the relationship between the cumulus oocyte complex and oocyte quality (2020)
Journal Article
Silvestri, G., Rathje, C. C., Harvey, S. C., Gould, R. L., Walling, G. A., Ellis, P. J. I., …Griffin, D. K. (2021). Identification of optimal assisted aspiration conditions of oocytes for use in porcine in vitro maturation: A re-evaluation of the relationship between the cumulus oocyte complex and oocyte quality. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 7(2), 465-473. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.378

The quality of porcine oocytes for use in IVF is commonly graded according to the number of layers of cumulus cells (CCs) surrounding the oocyte; together these form the cumulus oocyte complex (COC). At least three compact layers of CCs is regarded a... Read More about Identification of optimal assisted aspiration conditions of oocytes for use in porcine in vitro maturation: A re-evaluation of the relationship between the cumulus oocyte complex and oocyte quality.

Vector-Focused Approaches to Curb Malaria Transmission in the Brazilian Amazon: An Overview of Current and Future Challenges and Strategies (2020)
Journal Article
Matos Rocha, E., de Melo Katak, R., Campos de Oliveira, J., da Silva Araujo, M., Cechetto Carlos, B., Galizi, R., …A. Souza-Neto, J. (2020). Vector-Focused Approaches to Curb Malaria Transmission in the Brazilian Amazon: An Overview of Current and Future Challenges and Strategies. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 161. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed5040161

In Brazil, malaria transmission is mostly confined to the Amazon, where substantial progress has been achieved towards disease control in the past decade. Vector control has been historically considered a fundamental part of the main malaria control... Read More about Vector-Focused Approaches to Curb Malaria Transmission in the Brazilian Amazon: An Overview of Current and Future Challenges and Strategies.

Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) is found where few are looking: assessing mosquito diversity and density outside inhabited areas using diverse sampling methods. (2020)
Journal Article
(2020). Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) is found where few are looking: assessing mosquito diversity and density outside inhabited areas using diverse sampling methods. Parasites and Vectors, 516 - ?. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04403-9

BACKGROUND: One of the promising current approaches to curb malaria lies in genetic vector control, the implementation of which will require an improved understanding of the movement of genetic constructs among mosquito populations. To predict potent... Read More about Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) is found where few are looking: assessing mosquito diversity and density outside inhabited areas using diverse sampling methods..

Citizen science and aquatic macroinvertebrates: public engagement for catchment-scale pollution vigilance (2020)
Journal Article
Moolna. (2020). Citizen science and aquatic macroinvertebrates: public engagement for catchment-scale pollution vigilance. Écoscience, https://doi.org/10.1080/11956860.2020.1812922

ABSTRACT The Riverfly Partnership, launched in 2004, is a UK network of organisations and individuals working to protect river habitats and macroinvertebrate communities. The Riverfly Partnership’s Anglers’ Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (ARMI), laun... Read More about Citizen science and aquatic macroinvertebrates: public engagement for catchment-scale pollution vigilance.

The evolution of sexually dimorphic cuticular hydrocarbons in blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). (2020)
Journal Article
Drijfhout. (2020). The evolution of sexually dimorphic cuticular hydrocarbons in blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Journal of Evolutionary Biology, https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.13685

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are organic compounds found on the cuticles of all insects which can act as close-contact pheromones, while also providing a hydrophobic barrier to water loss. Given their widespread importance in sexual behaviour and su... Read More about The evolution of sexually dimorphic cuticular hydrocarbons in blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)..

Major Transitions in Cuticular Hydrocarbon Expression Coincide with Sexual Maturity in a Blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) (2020)
Journal Article
Drijfhout. (2020). Major Transitions in Cuticular Hydrocarbon Expression Coincide with Sexual Maturity in a Blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Journal of Chemical Ecology, 610-618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-020-01194-2

In many animals, there is a prolonged pre-reproductive period prior to sexual maturity. To avoid premature mating attempts, it is common for phenotypic changes to occur during this period that signal the onset of reproductive viability. Among the ins... Read More about Major Transitions in Cuticular Hydrocarbon Expression Coincide with Sexual Maturity in a Blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Spatial Aspects of Gardens Drive Ranging in Urban Foxes (Vulpes vulpes): The Resource Dispersion Hypothesis Revisited. (2020)
Journal Article
(2020). Spatial Aspects of Gardens Drive Ranging in Urban Foxes (Vulpes vulpes): The Resource Dispersion Hypothesis Revisited. Animals, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10071167

Red foxes are a well-established species of urban ecosystems in the UK and worldwide. Understanding the spatial ecology of foxes in urban landscapes is important for enhancement of urban biodiversity and effective disease management. The Resource Dis... Read More about Spatial Aspects of Gardens Drive Ranging in Urban Foxes (Vulpes vulpes): The Resource Dispersion Hypothesis Revisited..

The need for new vector control approaches targeting outdoor biting Anopheline malaria vector communities. (2020)
Journal Article
Sougoufara, S., Ottih, E. C., & Tripet, F. (2020). The need for new vector control approaches targeting outdoor biting Anopheline malaria vector communities. Parasites and Vectors, 13(1), Article 295. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04170-7

Since the implementation of Roll Back Malaria, the widespread use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) is thought to have played a major part in the decrease in mortality and morbidity achieved in malaria-endemic regi... Read More about The need for new vector control approaches targeting outdoor biting Anopheline malaria vector communities..

The need for new vector control approaches targeting outdoor biting Anopheline malaria vector communities. (2020)
Journal Article
(2020). The need for new vector control approaches targeting outdoor biting Anopheline malaria vector communities. Parasites and Vectors, 295 - ?. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04170-7

Since the implementation of Roll Back Malaria, the widespread use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) is thought to have played a major part in the decrease in mortality and morbidity achieved in malaria-endemic regi... Read More about The need for new vector control approaches targeting outdoor biting Anopheline malaria vector communities..