2022
Temporal Monitoring of the Floreana Island Galapagos Giant Tortoise Captive Breeding Program
Gray R, Fusco N, Miller J, Tapia W, Mariani C, Caccone A, Jensen E. Temporal Monitoring of the Floreana Island Galapagos Giant Tortoise Captive Breeding Program. Integrative And Comparative Biology 2022, 62: 1864-1871. PMID: 35906184, DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac129.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsConservation of Natural ResourcesFemaleGenetic VariationGenomeMaleMicrosatellite RepeatsTurtlesConceptsCaptive breeding programsBreeding programsEffective population sizeGalapagos giant tortoisesCaptive breedingGenetic diversityGenetic trackingReproductive outputSpecies restorationGiant tortoisesConservation managersBreeding outcomesMicrosatellite markersGenetic analysisMore foundersBreeding cyclePopulation sizeBreeding facilitiesTortoisesValue of hybridsParentageOffspringGenomeHybridsBreeding
2021
Four times out of Europe: Serial invasions of the winter moth, Operophtera brumata, to North America
Andersen J, Havill N, Caccone A, Elkinton J. Four times out of Europe: Serial invasions of the winter moth, Operophtera brumata, to North America. Molecular Ecology 2021, 30: 3439-3452. PMID: 34033202, DOI: 10.1111/mec.15983.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWinter mothNortheastern United StatesNorth AmericaInvasive winter mothNon-native speciesPopulation genetic dataAmount of diversityInvasion successSerial invasionInvaded regionsWidespread defoliationGenetic bottleneckBayesian assignmentOperophtera brumataMicrosatellite lociApproximate Bayesian computation methodsIndependent introductionsNorthern FennoscandiaCentral EuropeGenetic dataHybridization eventsBritish ColumbiaGeographic originNova ScotiaAmericaA machine-learning approach to map landscape connectivity in Aedes aegypti with genetic and environmental data
Pless E, Saarman NP, Powell JR, Caccone A, Amatulli G. A machine-learning approach to map landscape connectivity in Aedes aegypti with genetic and environmental data. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2021, 118: e2003201118. PMID: 33619083, PMCID: PMC7936321, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2003201118.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
Phylogeography and population structure of the tsetse fly Glossina pallidipes in Kenya and the Serengeti ecosystem
Bateta R, Saarman NP, Okeyo WA, Dion K, Johnson T, Mireji PO, Okoth S, Malele I, Murilla G, Aksoy S, Caccone A. Phylogeography and population structure of the tsetse fly Glossina pallidipes in Kenya and the Serengeti ecosystem. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2020, 14: e0007855. PMID: 32092056, PMCID: PMC7058365, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007855.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2019
Complex interplay of evolutionary forces shaping population genomic structure of invasive Aedes albopictus in southern Europe
Pichler V, Kotsakiozi P, Caputo B, Serini P, Caccone A, della Torre A. Complex interplay of evolutionary forces shaping population genomic structure of invasive Aedes albopictus in southern Europe. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2019, 13: e0007554. PMID: 31437154, PMCID: PMC6705758, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007554.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDouble digest Restriction-site Associated DNAHistorical contextMultiple independent invasionsSouth East AsiaRestriction-site Associated DNAPopulation genomic structureInvasive Aedes albopictusInvasion historyWorldwide expansionSouthern EuropeFirst countryHistoryAnimal invasionsItalyEuropeAlbaniaSuccessful historyRecent invasionMigration patternsHuman arbovirusesComplex interplayMultiple geographic locationsIndependent invasionsColonistsInvasive range
2018
Genetic Differentiation of Glossina pallidipes Tsetse Flies in Southern Kenya.
Okeyo WA, Saarman NP, Bateta R, Dion K, Mengual M, Mireji PO, Ouma C, Okoth S, Murilla G, Aksoy S, Caccone A. Genetic Differentiation of Glossina pallidipes Tsetse Flies in Southern Kenya. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2018, 99: 945-953. PMID: 30105964, PMCID: PMC6159567, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0154.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenetic differentiationPopulation dynamicsDispersal patternsTsetse fliesLow genetic diversityGreater genetic differentiationEvidence of admixtureWestern clusterEastern clusterRecent anthropogenic influencesAnimal African trypanosomiasisGenetic connectivityWestern relativesGenetic diversityMicrosatellite lociPopulation structureGenotypic dataWidespread signalDisease vectorsMajor vectorVector control effortsGreat Rift ValleyDemographic parametersFliesVector control programsGenome-Wide Assessment of Diversity and Divergence Among Extant Galapagos Giant Tortoise Species
Miller J, Quinzin M, Edwards D, Eaton D, Jensen E, Russello M, Gibbs J, Tapia W, Rueda D, Caccone A. Genome-Wide Assessment of Diversity and Divergence Among Extant Galapagos Giant Tortoise Species. Journal Of Heredity 2018, 109: 611-619. PMID: 29986032, DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esy031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsDNA, MitochondrialGenetic SpeciationGenetic VariationGenomeMicrosatellite RepeatsPolymorphism, Single NucleotideTurtlesConceptsGiant tortoise speciesMitochondrial DNA sequencesSingle nucleotide polymorphismsTortoise speciesGenetic diversityMicrosatellite lociDNA sequencesGenotypic dataMicrosatellite genotypic dataNuclear microsatellite lociGenome-wide markersEstimates of diversityGenome-wide assessmentGalapagos giant tortoisesSpecies radiationEvolutionary geneticsSignificant unitsMitochondrial DNAPopulation structureSpecies conservationGenetic lineagesGiant tortoisesPopulation delineationTortoise populationsDNA sequencingTemporal Mitogenomics of the Galapagos Giant Tortoise from Pinzón Reveals Potential Biases in Population Genetic Inference
Jensen E, Miller J, Edwards D, Garrick R, Tapia W, Caccone A, Russello M. Temporal Mitogenomics of the Galapagos Giant Tortoise from Pinzón Reveals Potential Biases in Population Genetic Inference. Journal Of Heredity 2018, 109: 631-640. PMID: 29659893, DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esy016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchUncovering Genomic Regions Associated with Trypanosoma Infections in Wild Populations of the Tsetse Fly Glossina fuscipes
Gloria-Soria A, Dunn WA, Yu X, Vigneron A, Lee KY, Li M, Weiss BL, Zhao H, Aksoy S, Caccone A. Uncovering Genomic Regions Associated with Trypanosoma Infections in Wild Populations of the Tsetse Fly Glossina fuscipes. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics 2018, 8: 887-897. PMID: 29343494, PMCID: PMC5844309, DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.300493.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenomic resourcesRelated speciesCandidate genesNonmodel organismsTranscript librariesFunctional genomicsTranscriptome assemblyFunctional annotationWild populationsPhysiological traitsGenomic regionsDNA regulationMost speciesRNAseq experimentsGenetic basisLaboratory coloniesGenesFunctional studiesPolymorphic sitesSpeciesTrypanosome infection statusGenomeNew assemblyTrypanosoma infectionFliesGenetic Pedigree Analysis of the Pilot Breeding Program for the Rediscovered Galapagos Giant Tortoise from Floreana Island
Miller J, Quinzin M, Scheibe E, Ciofi C, Villalva F, Tapia W, Caccone A. Genetic Pedigree Analysis of the Pilot Breeding Program for the Rediscovered Galapagos Giant Tortoise from Floreana Island. Journal Of Heredity 2018, 109: 620-630. PMID: 29490038, DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esy010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsReproductive skewGalapagos giant tortoisesBreeding programsFloreana IslandGiant tortoisesAssortative matingSelf-sustaining wild populationsGenetic pedigree analysisMajority of progenyCaptive breeding programsSmall breeding groupsOrigin of individualsPedigree analysisLarge breeding programsFounding individualsWild populationsAllelic diversityGenetic diversityExtinct tortoisesGenetic variationGenetic analysisC. nigerPopulation sizeRelated individualsBreeding groups
2017
Temporal genetic differentiation in Glossina pallidipes tsetse fly populations in Kenya
Okeyo WA, Saarman NP, Mengual M, Dion K, Bateta R, Mireji PO, Okoth S, Ouma JO, Ouma C, Ochieng J, Murilla G, Aksoy S, Caccone A. Temporal genetic differentiation in Glossina pallidipes tsetse fly populations in Kenya. Parasites & Vectors 2017, 10: 471. PMID: 29017572, PMCID: PMC5635580, DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2415-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTemporal genetic differentiationGenetic diversityGenetic differentiationGenetic bottleneckGenetic variationNational ParkTemporal genetic variationExtensive control measuresAnimal African trypanosomiasisAllelic richnessPairwise FSTGenetic driftNe estimatesHabitat alterationPopulation geneticsTemporal differentiationMicrosatellite markersRuma National ParkClosest sampling sitesG. pallidipesMajor vectorTsetse fliesVector populationsDifferentiationDiversityIdentification of Genetically Important Individuals of the Rediscovered Floreana Galápagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis elephantopus) Provides Founders for Species Restoration Program
Miller J, Quinzin M, Poulakakis N, Gibbs J, Beheregaray L, Garrick R, Russello M, Ciofi C, Edwards D, Hunter E, Tapia W, Rueda D, Carrión J, Valdivieso A, Caccone A. Identification of Genetically Important Individuals of the Rediscovered Floreana Galápagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis elephantopus) Provides Founders for Species Restoration Program. Scientific Reports 2017, 7: 11471. PMID: 28904401, PMCID: PMC5597637, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11516-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBreedingCluster AnalysisDNA, MitochondrialFounder EffectGenetic VariationGenotypeHumansMicrosatellite RepeatsTurtlesConceptsGiant tortoisesGalápagos giant tortoisesHuman-driven environmental changesCaptive breeding programsCaptive breeding centerSpecies restoration programsHigh ancestryFloreana IslandSpecies todayIsland ecosystemsBreeding programsGalápagos IslandsGenetic analysisBreeding CenterEnvironmental changesRestoration programsTortoisesSpeciesEcosystemsDistinctive morphologyAncestryUnprecedented rateIslandsTranslocationUnique opportunityMultiple evolutionary origins of Trypanosoma evansi in Kenya
Kamidi CM, Saarman NP, Dion K, Mireji PO, Ouma C, Murilla G, Aksoy S, Schnaufer A, Caccone A. Multiple evolutionary origins of Trypanosoma evansi in Kenya. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2017, 11: e0005895. PMID: 28880965, PMCID: PMC5605091, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005895.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsT. brucei strainsDifferent genetic backgroundsEvolutionary originGenetic diversityBrucei strainsMultiple evolutionary originsGenetic backgroundTsetse fly vectorT. evansiLethal human diseaseIndependent originsPolymorphic microsatellitesT. bruceiEvansi isolatesGenetic unitsHuman diseasesObligate linkBruceiEvansi strainsT. brucei bruceiTsetse fliesFly vectorsFliesDiversityBrucei bruceiGenomic insights into the ancient spread of Lyme disease across North America
Walter KS, Carpi G, Caccone A, Diuk-Wasser MA. Genomic insights into the ancient spread of Lyme disease across North America. Nature Ecology & Evolution 2017, 1: 1569-1576. PMID: 29185509, PMCID: PMC6431794, DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0282-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsArachnid VectorsBorrelia burgdorferiCanadaEvolution, MolecularGenetic VariationGenome, BacterialIxodesLyme DiseaseUnited StatesConceptsHistory of spreadEvolutionary historyNorth AmericaLyme disease epidemicLast Glacial MaximumAncient spreadLyme disease bacteriaComplex evolutionary historyPast centuryGlacial MaximumHistoryGenomic insightsEvolutionary changeAmericaUndocumented levelB. burgdorferi s.Large collectionSensu strictoBurgdorferi s.Vector-borne diseasesSouthern CanadaLand use changeBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoCenturyDisease bacteriaGenetic diversity of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes along the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania and Kenya: implications for management
Manangwa O, Nkwengulila G, Ouma JO, Mramba F, Malele I, Dion K, Sistrom M, Khan F, Aksoy S, Caccone A. Genetic diversity of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes along the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania and Kenya: implications for management. Parasites & Vectors 2017, 10: 268. PMID: 28558831, PMCID: PMC5450392, DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2201-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsGenetic VariationInsect VectorsKenyaLakesMicrosatellite RepeatsTanzaniaTsetse FliesGenetic diversity and population structure of the tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae) in Northern Uganda: Implications for vector control
Opiro R, Saarman NP, Echodu R, Opiyo EA, Dion K, Halyard A, Dunn AW, Aksoy S, Caccone A. Genetic diversity and population structure of the tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae) in Northern Uganda: Implications for vector control. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2017, 11: e0005485. PMID: 28453513, PMCID: PMC5425221, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005485.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnimal African trypanosomiasisGenetic clustersEffective population size estimatesLake KyogaRecent population bottleneckMitochondrial DNA markersDistinct genetic clustersPolymorphic microsatellite lociNile drainagePopulation size estimatesGenetic structurePopulation bottlenecksMain haplogroupsGenetic diversityMicrosatellite lociGenetic assignmentDNA markersPopulation structureMtDNA analysisGenetic admixtureSampling sitesGenetic unitsMost populationsTrypanosoma parasitesHuman African trypanosomiasis
2016
Babesia microti from humans and ticks hold a genomic signature of strong population structure in the United States
Carpi G, Walter KS, Mamoun CB, Krause PJ, Kitchen A, Lepore TJ, Dwivedi A, Cornillot E, Caccone A, Diuk-Wasser MA. Babesia microti from humans and ticks hold a genomic signature of strong population structure in the United States. BMC Genomics 2016, 17: 888. PMID: 27821055, PMCID: PMC5100190, DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3225-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStrong population structurePopulation structureGenome-wide diversityDifferentiated genetic clustersRecent population expansionB. microti samplesTick-borne apicomplexan parasiteB. microtiNortheastern USAGene flowEvolutionary originApicomplexan parasitesApicoplast genomeGenetic clustersGenomic variationPopulation expansionGeographic rangeRange expansionGenomic signaturesCurrent diversityHuman-derived samplesInfectious phenotypeTick vectorCapture strategyDiversityVectors as Epidemiological Sentinels: Patterns of Within-Tick Borrelia burgdorferi Diversity
Walter KS, Carpi G, Evans BR, Caccone A, Diuk-Wasser MA. Vectors as Epidemiological Sentinels: Patterns of Within-Tick Borrelia burgdorferi Diversity. PLOS Pathogens 2016, 12: e1005759. PMID: 27414806, PMCID: PMC4944968, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005759.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPathogen diversityPositive selectionVertebrate hostsHost pathogen diversityLyme disease bacteriaNatural transmission cycleNatural populationsPathogen evolutionGenomic variationHost diversityMajority of ticksHost processesDiverse inoculumUndocumented levelEvolutionary processesTick diversityDisease vectorsMixed strain infectionsImmune complementIndividual ticksDiversityEpidemiological sentinelsTick vectorTransmission cycleHostPatterns of Genome-Wide Variation in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Tsetse Flies from Uganda
Gloria-Soria A, Dunn WA, Telleria EL, Evans BR, Okedi L, Echodu R, Warren WC, Montague MJ, Aksoy S, Caccone A. Patterns of Genome-Wide Variation in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Tsetse Flies from Uganda. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics 2016, 6: 1573-1584. PMID: 27172181, PMCID: PMC4889654, DOI: 10.1534/g3.116.027235.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsChromosome MappingDNA, MitochondrialGene-Environment InteractionGenes, InsectGenetic LinkageGenetic VariationGenetics, PopulationGenome, InsectGenome-Wide Association StudyGenomicsGenotypeGeographyHigh-Throughput Nucleotide SequencingLinkage DisequilibriumMicrosatellite RepeatsPolymorphism, Single NucleotideSelection, GeneticTsetse FliesUgandaConceptsSingle nucleotide polymorphismsLinkage disequilibriumExtent of LDLocal environmental adaptationGenome-wide variationDetection of lociOverall linkage disequilibriumInsect vectorsDifferent environmental conditionsWhole-genome sequencingPopulation genomicsStrong selectionAssociation analysisEnvironmental adaptationGenomic patternsPopulation dynamicsSignificant genetic associationUninfected fliesDisease transmissionSequence technologyAssociation studiesEnvironmental conditionsTsetse fliesHuman African trypanosomiasisRelevant phenotypesEvidence of temporal stability in allelic and mitochondrial haplotype diversity in populations of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae) in northern Uganda
Opiro R, Saarman NP, Echodu R, Opiyo EA, Dion K, Halyard A, Aksoy S, Caccone A. Evidence of temporal stability in allelic and mitochondrial haplotype diversity in populations of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae) in northern Uganda. Parasites & Vectors 2016, 9: 258. PMID: 27141947, PMCID: PMC4855780, DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1522-5.Peer-Reviewed Original Research