Endosymbiont infections In influencing communities of beneficial Arachnids in agriculture systems

Lead Research Organisation: University of Nottingham
Department Name: School of Life Sciences

Abstract

Dispersal plays a key role in shaping important biological and ecological processes such as the spatial structure of populations and their response to temporal changes in the environment. We have studied endosymbiont infections in linyphiid spiders from agricultural environments, which are important predators of agricultural pest species. We find that particular endosymbiotic bacteria appear to increase the sensitivity of their spider host to commonly applied commercial insecticides, a factor that may be important in determining the likelihood of infections persisting in agricultural settings. Will we use molecular genetic (next generation sequencing) and behavioural experimental approaches in order to characterise the genomes of endosymbionts infecting beneficial spider species, and study the relationships between endosymbionts, their spider host and sensitivity commercial insecticides. This is necessary in order to manage the pest-controlling function of these beneficial species.

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
BB/M008770/1 30/09/2015 31/03/2024
1644909 Studentship BB/M008770/1 30/09/2015 29/09/2019
 
Description Cascade fund
Amount £1,817 (GBP)
Organisation University of Nottingham 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description IRCA Award
Amount £1,200 (GBP)
Organisation University of Nottingham 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2018 
End 06/2018
 
Description Endosymbionts and Behaviour 
Organisation Masaryk University
Country Czech Republic 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Visiting student to Masaryk University to design and implement a collaborative project.
Collaborator Contribution Expertise and equipment.
Impact No outputs yet
Start Year 2018
 
Description Endosymbionts, insecticides and behaviour 
Organisation Crop Research Institute
Department Division of Crop Protection and Plant Health
Country Czech Republic 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution grant application, molecular services, data analysis
Collaborator Contribution behavioural work, identification, experimental design
Impact | animal behaviour, molecular genetics, host metabolism
Start Year 2017
 
Description On the shoulders of giants: Whip spiders host a diverse mycobiome on their cuticle 
Organisation Macquarie University
Department Department of Biological Sciences
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Molecular biology services provided for a manuscript / writing of manucript
Collaborator Contribution SEM imaging / manuscript writing / similar experiments carried out by colloborators
Impact Understanding of microbe interactions with arthropods.
Start Year 2015
 
Description On the shoulders of giants: Whip spiders host a diverse mycobiome on their cuticle 
Organisation University of Kiel
Department Functional Morphology and Biomechanics
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Molecular biology services provided for a manuscript / writing of manucript
Collaborator Contribution SEM imaging / manuscript writing / similar experiments carried out by colloborators
Impact Understanding of microbe interactions with arthropods.
Start Year 2015
 
Description On the shoulders of giants: Whip spiders host a diverse mycobiome on their cuticle 
Organisation University of Melbourne
Department School of BioScience
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Molecular biology services provided for a manuscript / writing of manucript
Collaborator Contribution SEM imaging / manuscript writing / similar experiments carried out by colloborators
Impact Understanding of microbe interactions with arthropods.
Start Year 2015
 
Description On the shoulders of giants: Whip spiders host a diverse mycobiome on their cuticle 
Organisation University of Vienna
Department Department of Integrative Zoology
Country Austria 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Molecular biology services provided for a manuscript / writing of manucript
Collaborator Contribution SEM imaging / manuscript writing / similar experiments carried out by colloborators
Impact Understanding of microbe interactions with arthropods.
Start Year 2015
 
Description 25 Genome winner 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Interacted with school children via a live chat to convince them that the endangered fen raft spider is worth winning the competition to sequence the genome. Change of attitude towards people and also important for conservation, venom, and material science.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://flourishing25.imascientist.org.uk/2017/12/13/thank-you-from-the-flourishing-zone-winner-fen-...
 
Description ArachNotts 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Creation of a website for the lab https://www.arachnotts.com/. Has led to students, work experience, and media coverage.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018
URL https://www.arachnotts.com/
 
Description BBC Radio Interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Talked on the radio about arachnids. Questions related to opinions and fears.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Open Days/ Tours of the Lab 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact General open days and visits to the lab; including work experience, visits from other universities, school children, companies, and internal staff. Talk about research, overcoming fears and provide some hands-on activities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015,2016,2017,2018
 
Description Pint of Science Event Organiser 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact International Pint of Science Festival; engaging hundreds of people with science at Nottingham and in the local area
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016,2017,2018
 
Description Spider School 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact SpiderLab researchers visited a primary school (they had applied for Royal Society money) to talk about arachnids, show them some organisms and do some techniques which they had learned about in the classroom. School is continuing with this program and using spiders to educate a range of STEM and humanities subjects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-derbyshire-40436916/derbyshire-pupils-experience-uk-s-first-...