Termites: An Overview

Khan, Mohammad Zafar; Ahmad, Wasim

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-72110-1_1

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 126 publications

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“…In the case of Blattodea, cockroaches and termites are ecologically important detritivores, especially in the subtropical and tropical regions where they recycle wood and plant matter and represent a major driver of carbon cycles (Bignell, 2019; Ulyshen, 2016). Nevertheless, approximately 10% of termite species are considered severe pest insects where they infect and feed on dry timber in man‐made structures and are very costly to combat worldwide (Khan & Ahmad, 2018; Su & Scheffrahn, 2000). Furthermore, less than 1% of cockroach species are recognised as omnivorous pest insects, when they come into close contact with human habitation (Cochran, 1999), presenting potentially serious health threats (Rosenstreich et al, 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative analysis of adipokinetic hormones and their receptors in Blattodea reveals novel patterns of gene evolution

Jiang,

Marco,

Scheich

et al. 2023

Insect Molecular Biology

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Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) is a neuropeptide produced in the insect corpora cardiaca that plays an essential role in mobilising carbohydrates and lipids from the fat body to the haemolymph. AKH acts by binding to a rhodopsin‐like G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR), the adipokinetic hormone receptor (AKHR). In this study, we tackle AKH ligand and receptor gene evolution as well as the evolutionary origins of AKH gene paralogues from the order Blattodea (termites and cockroaches). Phylogenetic analyses of AKH precursor sequences point to an ancient AKH gene duplication event in the common ancestor of Blaberoidea, yielding a new group of putative decapeptides. In total, 16 different AKH peptides from 90 species were obtained. Two octapeptides and seven putatively novel decapeptides are predicted for the first time. AKH receptor sequences from 18 species, spanning solitary cockroaches and subsocial wood roaches as well as lower and higher termites, were subsequently acquired using classical molecular methods and in silico approaches employing transcriptomic data. Aligned AKHR open reading frames revealed 7 highly conserved transmembrane regions, a typical arrangement for GPCRs. Phylogenetic analyses based on AKHR sequences support accepted relationships among termite, subsocial (Cryptocercus spp.) and solitary cockroach lineages to a large extent, while putative post‐translational modification sites do not greatly differ between solitary and subsocial roaches and social termites. Our study provides important information not only for AKH and AKHR functional research but also for further analyses interested in their development as potential candidates for biorational pest control agents against invasive termites and cockroaches.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative analysis of adipokinetic hormones and their receptors in Blattodea reveals novel patterns of gene evolution

Jiang,

Marco,

Scheich

et al. 2023

Insect Molecular Biology

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“…Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar, 1837) is one of the most damaging subterranean termite pests in both its native and introduced ranges ( Evans, Forschler & Grace, 2013 ). Its populations threaten buildings, trees and shrubs around the world, causing severe economic losses ( Khan & Ahmad, 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The destructive subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) can colonize arid territories

Hernández-Teixidor,

Pérez-Morín,

Pestano

et al. 2024

PeerJ

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Reticulitermes flavipes, one of the most destructive subterranean termite species, has been detected for the first time in an arid territory: Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain). This invasive species was introduced into several countries but never such a dry region. Although there are places with presence of this termite at similar or even higher temperatures, none has annual rainfall (10.1 mm) as low as Lanzarote. On this island it is present in semi-desert, near an affected urban area. Distribution, genetic, climate and host-plant data are evaluated to track and understand its invasion process in the archipelago.

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“…The first is a European moth, capable of devastating forest damage within its introduced North American range (Sharov & Liebhold, 1998). The second is a subterranean termite native to the east of the United States, capable of extensive damage to native forests, buildings and cultural heritages within its introduced European range (Khan & Ahmad, 2018). Global food security now has to mitigate against species such as the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata , introduced to Europe (Grapputo et al, 2005), the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica , introduced to both North America and Europe (Mori et al, 2021), and the globally established whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Oliveira et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards understanding insect species introduction and establishment: A community‐level barcoding approach using island beetles

et al. 2023

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Since Darwin first observed the establishment of exotic or alien species in areas outside their native distribution ranges, leading him to postulate what is now known as Darwin's naturalization conundrum (Darwin, 1859), understanding the drivers of alien species establishment, and in some cases their biological invasion, has become a major area of investigation (Fristoe et al., 2021;Mack et al., 2000;Richardson et al., 2000;Vilà et al., 2011). Darwin's naturalization conundrum proposes two alternative hypotheses that may favour the establishment of non-native species (Figure 1). The first is the preadaptation hypothesis (Figure 1), where alien species that are

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Termites: An Overview

Cited by 13 publications

References 126 publications

Comparative analysis of adipokinetic hormones and their receptors in Blattodea reveals novel patterns of gene evolution

Comparative analysis of adipokinetic hormones and their receptors in Blattodea reveals novel patterns of gene evolution

The destructive subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) can colonize arid territories

Towards understanding insect species introduction and establishment: A community‐level barcoding approach using island beetles

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