Distinct research opportunities in arthropod communication and immune ecology

我们将研究3种模式系统，为节肢动物交流和免疫生态学提供特别有趣的研究机会，如下：(1)蜘蛛的性信息素是否介导性内和性间交流？性信息素是织网蜘蛛沟通的主要方式，但迄今为止只发现了9种信息素，而且它们都是在性交流的背景下起作用的。然而，信息素被认为在许多情况下发挥着重要作用，包括诚实或不诚实的信号，求爱行为，配偶选择和栖息地选择。我们将以假黑寡妇蜘蛛（Steatoda grossa）为研究对象，研究其信息素的来源及其在性内和性间交流中的作用。具体而言，我们将验证以下假设：(1)雌性接触性信息素成分来自其丝腺；(2)雌虫根据自己的繁殖状态，调节网内pH值，促进（或不）网内接触信息素成分的水解，从而促进（或不）引诱性信息素成分的释放；(3)饥饿状态和年龄都会影响雌虫产生信息素的数量；(4)面对配偶竞争的雌虫会根据其所经历的网数密度调整其网结构和信息素的释放。我们将使用复杂的HPLC-MS-MS和NMR光谱来鉴定和定量信息素成分。我们将跟踪女性的网络pH值操作与pH计调整为微观测量。(2)蚂蚁是否会根据环境调整它们的信号系统？昆虫的信息素混合通常是“刚性的”，同种之间的变化很小。然而，在蚂蚁等群居昆虫中，它们可能需要“调节”。例如，觅食和守巢的蚂蚁遇到不同类型的痛苦，需要“呼叫”许多或少数巢穴同伴来帮助。通过对西方木蚁（Camponotus modoc）的研究，我们将验证一种假设，即痛苦的工蚁——具体而言——在严重的痛苦事件中调节它们的招募信息素的组成，同时产生振动信号。我们将利用气相色谱- ead和气相色谱-质谱分析招募“叫声”的化学成分，并用激光多普勒振动仪记录振动信号。(3)在臭虫免疫途径中有哪些抗菌药物？臭虫在其唾液、消化道和血淋巴中携带致病病原体，但与其他食血节肢动物不同，臭虫不携带这些病原体。我们将测试臭虫产生肽的假设-结合-表达抗多种病原体的抗菌活性。冷提取蛋白/肽电泳后，我们将对凝胶进行琼脂覆盖试验，以确定表达抗菌活性的蛋白/肽带。将对这些条带进行测序以进行鉴定。

We will study 3 modal systems that offer particularly intriguing research opportunities in arthropod communication and immune ecology, as follows: (1) Do sex pheromones of spiders mediate both intra- and inter-sexual communication? Sex pheromones are a primary modality of communication in web-building spiders but only nine pheromones have been identified thus far, and all function in the context of sexual communication. Yet, pheromones are thought to play major roles in many contexts, including honest or dishonest signaling, courtship behavior, mate choice, and habitat selection. Working with the false black widow spider, Steatoda grossa, we will study the source of its pheromones and their roles in both intra- and inter-sexual communication. Specifically, we will test the hypotheses that: (1) contact sex pheromone components of females originate from their silk glands; (2) females, in accordance with their reproductive status, manipulate their webs' pH to facilitate (or not) the hydrolysis of web-borne contact pheromone components and thereby the release (or not) of attractant pheromone components; (3) both starvation status and age of females affect the amount of pheromone they (can) produce; and (4) females facing mate competition adjust their web architecture and its pheromone release in relation to the number-density of webs they experience in a micro-location. We will identify and quantify pheromone components using sophisticated HPLC-MS-MS and NMR spectroscopy. We will track the females' web pH manipulations with a pH meter adjusted for micro measurements. (2) Do ants context-specifically adjust their signaling system? Pheromone blends of insects are typically "rigid" with minimal variation between conspecifics. In social insects such as ants, however, they may need to be "adjustable". Foraging and nest-guarding ants, e.g., encounter different types of distress that require "calls" for many or few nest mates to help. Working with the Western carpenter ant, Camponotus modoc, we will test the hypothesis that distressed worker ants - context-specifically - modulate the composition of their recruitment pheromone and concurrently produce vibratory signals during severe incidences of distress. We will analyze the chemical composition of recruitment "calls" by GC-EAD and GC-MS, and record vibratory signals with a laser Doppler vibrometer. (3) What are the antimicrobial agents in bed bug immune pathways? Bed bugs harbor disease-causing pathogens in their saliva, alimentary tract and hemolymph but unlike other hematophagous arthropods do not vector these pathogens. We will test the hypothesis that bed bugs produce peptides which - in combination - express antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of pathogens. After electrophoresis of cold-extracted proteins/peptides, we will subject gels to agar overlay assays to determine the protein/peptide bands that express antimicrobial activity. These bands will be sequenced for identification.