Inside the Tangled Bank of Arthropods
We unravel the molecular-genetic mechanisms of hybrid dysfunction, herbivory, and endosymbiosis. We use interdisciplinary approaches to study the molecular architecture of these complex traits.
May 2025 Update
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- Written by Nicky Wybouw
Driven by Yuta Ohata, we published our first study of CI strength variation in leaf-mining Liriomyza flies - https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.242137.
We uncovered paternal transmission of Wolbachia genic elements (including Type I and Type V cif operons!) in Liriomyza sativae, collecting strong evidence of horizontal genome transfer. We further established a wLtri transinfection in L. sativae and observed suppression of CI. Our labs are currently testing the hypothesis that host suppression of CI might evolve through horizontal transfer of cif operons into the host nuclear genome.
Also, Felipe Kauai obtained a three-year postdoctoral FWO fellowship and will be joining the Wybouw lab in October!
August 2024 Update
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- Written by Nicky Wybouw
>>> Lennert Beele and Siebe van Wunnik recently started their PhD projects. They will study the mechanisms and community consequences of herbivore-plant interactions. Excited to dissect these interactions both in the molecular lab as in the field!
>>> Happy to announce that I have been selected as an Invitational Fellow of JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science). I will be hosted by Yohsuke Tagami and I will visit several research institutes in Japan, including Shizuoka University.
June 2024 Update
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- Written by Nicky Wybouw
>>> Together with Thomas Parmentier, we published a first chapter in our study of the causes and consequences of granivory in silverfish. CLICK HERE.
We collected silverfish species that interact differently with ants. Our collection of myrmecophilous silverfish included obligate generalists and specialists.
To study their feeding ecologies, we combined stable isotope profiling, feeding assays, phylogenetic reconstruction, and microbiome analyses.
We show that the social interactions of Messor-specialized silverfish shape their trophic niche, suggestive of a granivorous lifestyle. Controlled feeding assays confirm that these silverfish can feed on plant seeds.
We further uncover that these Messor-specialized silverfish carry different bacterial symbionts compared to congeneric silverfish with a broad ant host range.
Here, Weissella bacteria display a remarkable association with a granivorous lifestyle.
>>> Lennert, Tessa, and Kobe recently submitted their master dissertations and are about to defend.
>>> We were visited by Steven Van Belleghem and his group, a first of many mutual lab days!
