Body Color Research Articles

Pedigree tracing to determine the origins of the modern Palomino Horse Breeders of America stock-type horse

Registration numbers for the Palomino Horse Breeders of America (PHBA) have risen with the assistance of new registration guidelines. These changes in guidelines allowed for registration of any horse with a palomino body color, including those with unknown pedigrees. While this promoted registry growth, documenting the breed's orgins from those known pedigrees making up the breed's foundation is important with the introduction of unknown pedigrees. This can be accomplished using pedigree tracing, which is of particular value for color registries as the study of coat color patterns is plagued with misunderstandings due to pedigrees with inaccurate color designations. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop an understanding of the historical origins of the modern PHBA stock-type horse through pedigree tracing. Horses (n = 460) were randomly sampled from published entries from 10 years (2012-2022) of the PHBA World Show Championship Horse Show. The All-Breed Database was utilized to obtain documentation of extended pedigrees that included uninterrupted generation-to-generation inheritance patterns of a cream dilution allele-influenced coat color. Pedigrees were traced back to the earliest recorded relative. We observed six foundation sires contributed to the modern PHBA stock-type horse with the majority (58%) tracing back to a sire named Old Fred. Two identified sires, Yellow Jacket (4%) and Cotton Eyed Joe (3%), have conflicts concerning color designation. While these results assist in documenting the breed's origins, genetic testing is required to accurately identify the cream dilution allele within the horses registered to ensure a phenotype-based solely on the cream dilution allele.

Can Consumers Judge the Freshness of Fish from Visual Cues? A Case Study of Japanese Consumers

In contemporary markets, fish are frequently wrapped in cling film, necessitating consumers’ reliance on visual cues to assess freshness. This study explores whether common Japanese consumers can accurately discern fish freshness based solely on visual information. We conducted an online experiment with 529 randomly selected participants in Japan by asking them to select the freshest fish from photographs of horse mackerel with varying freshness levels. In order to elucidate the mechanism of freshness detection, we conducted principal component analysis on the quantified body color and shape data. Additionally, we measured physical characteristics such as lipid contents, gloss, length, and weight of the fish. This study examines the correlation between these visual cues and consumers’ judgments, revealing the accuracy of visual indicators used by consumers in daily assessments of fish freshness. These findings suggest that a portion of Japanese consumers can correctly identify the freshness of fish based on appearance. They primarily rely on the brightness of the fish’s eyes and specific color combinations of the body to judge freshness, with the shape of the fish having less impact. Comparing the selection frequency between high- and low-accuracy participants, we observed that a low accuracy in freshness detection was not solely due to a lack of sensitivity to signals from photographs, but may also result from a misinterpretation of these signals by consumers.

Taxonomic revision of the South American subgenus Augochloropsis (Glyptobasia) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Halictinae)

Augochloropsis (Glyptobasia) Moure, a small Neotropical subgenus, is revised, with the description of a new species, Augochloropsis aenea sp. nov., from Puno, southern Peru. Augochloropsis (Glyptobasia) comprised the two nominal species, A. bertonii (Schrottky) with a bluish-violet body coloration and A. chloera (Moure) with a bright green body coloration, both species have coarse integumental punctures and an unusual propodeal structure. We interpret these striking color differences, as a case of color polymorphism within a single species. Therefore, Moure’s taxon is placed as a junior synonym of A. bertonii. An identification key for the species and a distribution map are also provided.

TCONS_00025035-miR-101-UROS is potentially involved in the regulation of heme synthesis pathway and influences mantle melanin deposition by targeting porphyrin in Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum)

Shell color is an important economic trait and one of the target traits in breeding and production. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) refers to RNA molecules transcribed from the genome and do not encoding proteins, which can regulate the expression of target genes after transcription and participate in the regulation of many important traits, such as the formation of shell color and body color. In this study, we detected the porphyrins in the shells of three Manila clams with different shell colors, explored the expression pattern and function of Uroporphyrinogen III synthetase (UROS) in the shell color pigmentation of Ruditapes philippinarum, and found that it might be involved in the synthesis of porphyrins and potentially in the synthesis of melanin. The results showed that the expression levels of heme synthesis-related genes such as UROS, Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD), Ferrochelatase (FECH), Hephaestin (HEPH), and pigment synthesis-related genes (Peroxidasin PXDN) in the positive group were significantly reduced compared with the control group after injection of UROS dsRNA, indicating that UROS plays a crucial role in the porphyrin synthesis pathway. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy and melanin extraction experiments also proved that it might participate in the synthesis of melanin. We further explored and verified the relationship between TCONS_00025035-miR-101-UROS and identified the changes in the expression level of UROS through RNA interference and injection of miR-101 antagomir, respectively. Our results imply that miR-101 antagonists affect the expression of UROS. Furthermore, dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments confirmed the relationship between TCON_00025035, miR-101, and UROS. The regulatory relationship between TCONS_00025035 and miR-101 is negative, and the regulatory relationship between miR-101 and UROS is also negative. In summary, we verified the function of UROS through RNA interference, qPCR, in situ hybridization, and melanin content detection. We speculated that there was a negative relationship between miR-101 and UROS, and there was also a negative relationship between TCONS_00025035 and miR-101. TCONS_00025035 might regulate UROS through the regulation of miR-101, and UROS might also regulate other pigmentation-related genes and affect the formation of pigments, thereby influencing porphyrin and melanin formation in Manila clam.

Structural basis of selective beta-carotene binding by a soluble protein

β-carotene (BCR) is the most abundant carotenoid, a colorant, antioxidant, and provitamin A. The extreme hydrophobicity of this hydrocarbon requires special mechanisms for distribution in aqueous media, including water-soluble carotenoproteins. However, all known carotenoproteins prefer oxygenated carotenoids and bind BCR inefficiently. Here, we present the crystal structure of the BCR-binding protein (BBP) from gregarious male locusts, which is responsible for their vivid yellow body coloration, in complex with its natural ligand, BCR. BBP forms an antiparallel tubular homodimer with α/β-wrap folded monomers, each forming a hydrophobic 47Å long, coaxial tunnel that opens outward and is occupied by one s-cisC6-C7, all-trans BCR molecule. In the BCR absence, BBP accepts a range of xanthophylls, with reduced efficiency depending on the position and number of oxygen atoms, but rejects lycopene. The structure captures a pigment complex with a Takeout 1 protein and inspires potential applications of BBP as a BCR solubilizer.

Neotropical dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) as key organisms for promoting community-based ecotourism in a Brazilian Amazon conservation area

Incorporating insects into ecotourism activities increases awareness of their importance in ecosystems. However, the inclusion of this group in ecotourism activities is still rare. In this context, we identified the perception of indigenous and non-indigenous leaders and residents about the potential of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) as key organisms for promoting community-based ecotourism (CBET) in the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve, Brazilian Amazon. We designed a semi-structured questionnaire and conducted interviews with 415 indigenous and non-indigenous residents (222 women and 193 men) from 73 communities and villages. When shown images of dragonflies (Anisoptera and Zygoptera), 98.55 % of respondents recognized them, predominantly identifying them as “jacinas” (55.11 %). Respondents noted differences between Anisoptera and Zygoptera based on body color and size, identified them as part of the insect group (45.78 %), and associated their habitat with forests and jungles (57.34 %). Most participants (96.38 %) indicated that current ecotourism activities do not include information about invertebrates, emphasizing the need for greater understanding of their biology and ecological significance (44.64 %), and management (29.16 %). They stated that seeing (99.52 %) and observing (99.04 %) dragonflies could attract tourists due to their striking appearance (57.10 %) and beautiful (39.03 %). Most respondents recognized the importance of dragonflies for the environment (99.52 %), culture (63.13 %), and economy (55.66 %), acknowledging their potential to generate income through tourism. Additionally, 89.88 % expressed a desire to participate in the development of ecotourism activities involving Odonata. The results reflect the enormous potential of dragonflies to be included as key organisms in the development of CBET, allowing for environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation, cultural appreciation, and income generation for local communities. Furthermore, the study highlights the need to implement educational and training programs on Odonata, along with the development and funding of public policies to ensure the success and sustainability of such initiatives.

The research of nicotinamide and β-arbutin on reducing melanin content in the skin of leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus)

Body color is an important economic characteristic of leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus). In this study, we tried to make the red color more visible on the skin by reducing the melanin level, and aimed to investigate the possible mechanism of nicotinamide and β-arbutin on reducing melanin content in the skin of P. leopardus. 0.5 % nicotinamide or 0.5 % β-arbutin was added to the basal feed formulation to feed P. leopardus for 60 days. After nicotinamide or β-arbutin added feeding, the time for P. leopardus to maintain uniform body color was significantly longer. The melanin content in the skin of P. leopardus was significantly reduced, and the number of melanin particles was reduced. In skin, the enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) decreased, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased. The mRNA expression of TYR, Sox10 and Mitf related to melanin synthesis and proliferation and differentiation decreased. The apoptosis-related gene Bax was upregulated, the Bcl-2 gene was down-regulated, and Bax/Bcl-2 > 1. The content of tyrosinase decreased and the content of melanin metabolizing enzyme increased, and the effect of nicotinamide was more obvious than that of β-arbutin. In summary, nicotinamide or β-arbutin added feeding increased the oxidative stress and the apoptosis level of the skin, increased the metabolism of melanin, decreased the synthesis and differentiation of melanin, thus reduced the content of melanin and the number of melanin particles in the skin. This study provided a new basis for the body color regulation of cultured P. leopardus.

Identification and functional characterization of the chitinase and chitinase-like gene family in Myzus persicae (Sulzer) during molting.

The crucial role of insect chitinase in molting, pupation, and emergence renders it a promising target for pest control strategies. Despite the extensive investigation of chitinase genes in various pests, there is still a lack of systematic identification and functional analysis related to aphid chitinase. We systematically identified a total of nine chitinase/chitinase-like genes and one ENGase gene, which included eight Cht genes, one IDGF gene, and one ENGase gene. Through phylogenetic analysis, the chitinase proteins were classified into nine distinct groups (I, II, III, V, VI, VIII, X, other, and ENGase). The expression profile revealed that the epidermis exhibited relatively high expression levels for three chitinase genes: MpCht5, MpCht7, and MpCht10. Furthermore, transcriptional levels of nine chitinase genes were up-regulated following treatment with 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) hormone. Silencing MpCht3, MpCht5, MpCht7, MpCht10, and MpCht11-2 via RNA interference (RNAi) during the molting stage resulted in nymph shrinking, hindering normal molting and leading to death. Additionally, it was observed that silencing of MpIDGF induced the body color of the aphids to change from reddish brown to colorless after molting, culminating in eventual mortality. Our findings suggest that chitinase/chitinase-like genes play a crucial role in the molting process of Myzus persicae. Utilizing RNAi technology, we aimed to elucidate the precise function of MpCht genes in the molting mechanism of M. persicae, this discovery establishes a significant theoretical foundation for future research on aphid control, with chitinase as the target. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Distinct food-web transfers of 137Cs to fish in river and lake ecosystems: A case study focusing on masu salmon in the Fukushima evacuation zone

This study was conducted to elucidate the spatial and size variations, and food-web transfer of 137Cs in freshwater fish in the upper reaches of the Ukedo River system, a highly contaminated river system flowing through the Fukushima evacuation zone. Fish collection and environmental surveys were conducted in the summer of 2020 at five forest rivers and at the Ogaki Dam reservoir (an artificial lake) with different air dose rates (mean 0.20–3.32 μSv/h). From the river sites, two salmonid species (masu salmon and white-spotted charr) were sampled, with masu salmon generally exhibiting higher 137Cs concentrations, ranging widely (10.6 Bq/kg-wet to 13.0 kBq/kg-wet) depending on the fish size (size effect) and site. The 137Cs concentrations in masu salmon were explained by the air dose rates, 137Cs concentrations in water, sediments (excluding the lake site), and primary producers, with site-specific variations. In the rivers, masu salmon (fluvial type with parr marks) mainly fed on terrestrial insects with higher 137Cs concentrations compared with those of aquatic insects, indicating that 137Cs was transferred mainly to fish through the allochthonous forest food-web during summer. In the lake, masu salmon (lake-run type with larger size and silvery body coloration) mainly preyed on smaller fish with lower 137Cs concentrations, demonstrating that 137Cs is transferred to fish through the autochthonous lake food-web with biomagnification. Differences in 137Cs concentrations among masu salmon (mean 441 Bq/kg-wet) and other fish species (mean 74.8 Bq/kg-wet to 2.35 kBq/kg-wet) were also found in the lake. The distinct 137Cs transfers to river and lake fish were supported by stable isotope analysis: δ15N and δ13C values enriched stepwisely through the food-webs were, respectively, higher and lower in the lake. Our results obtained using multiple approaches clearly revealed the distinct food-web transfer of 137Cs in river and lake ecosystems. These findings can contribute to prediction of radioactive contamination in freshwater fish in the Fukushima evacuation zone.

Melitapanda, a new species of Melitidae (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from Japan.

A new intertidal species of the melitid amphipod, Melitapanda, from the Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, is identified and described. Melitapanda sp. nov. differs from the similar M.koreana and M.nagatai by its black-and-white body color, well-developed anterodistal projection of the male gnathopod 1 propodus, and telson armature. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear 28S rRNA and mitochondrial COI genes support that M.panda sp. nov. is closely related to M.koreana and M.nagatai.

A 20‐Year Review of Inorganic Photochromic Materials: Design Consideration, Synthesis Methods, Classifications, Optical Properties, Mechanism Models, and Emerging Applications

AbstractInorganic photochromic materials (i.e., in‐PCMs) are developed as a research hot point in the lighting field due to their excellent optical characteristics, impressive body color modulation, etc. The aim of this work is to make a review on the developments of multi‐metals in‐PCMs (i.e., min‐PCMs) in the past 20 years. The review is structured based on the reversible coloration, crystal hosts, doped ions, PC properties, and mechanism of min‐PCMs and their applications. The synthesis methods of min‐PCMs are reviewed first and then the min‐PCMs are classified according to the types of the doped ions (i.e., single rare‐earth (i.e., RE) ion, multi RE ions, non‐RE ions, and/or the coupled arrangement of these ions). Meanwhile, the min‐PCMs co‐doped with RE and non‐RE ions, together with RE‐ and/or non‐RE‐doped and co‐doped dual crystal matrix, are also disclosed. In the 4th section, we underline the PC mechanisms and show the perspectives on how to produce the PC and obtain the related min‐PCMs. After that, diverse emerging applications of min‐PCMs are summarized, which include optical storage, anti‐counterfeiting, bio‐imaging, light detection, temperature sensing, photocatalysis, and smart windows. In the end, we conclude this review and forecast the promising opportunities and potential challenges of min‐PCMs in the future.

Molecular phylogenetics uncovers two new species in the genus Phyllobates (Anura, Dendrobatidae): the terrible frog gets two new sisters.

True poison-dart frogs (Phyllobates, Dendrobatidae) evolved the ability to secrete batrachotoxins, the most powerful alkaloids known to date. The genus comprises five species whose systematics, at first glance, appeared clear. The most derived clade would include two Colombian species (P.terribilis and P.bicolor) with the highest toxicity, the largest body size, and predominantly yellow body colouration. The other three species (P.aurotaenia, P.vittatus, and P.lugubris) are less toxic on average, have smaller size, and are predominantly black with bright dorsolateral stripes. Recent research has revealed the existence of two major lineages among the three Colombian species. The northern lineage appears to result from a complex evolutionary history, including perhaps introgression among yellow and black taxa. The southern lineage instead revealed the existence of new clades closely related to P.terribilis, black and yellow, that arguably deserve their recognition as new species. Here, available evidence is combined to support the erection of southern populations of P.aurotaenia as a new highly toxic species, sister to P.terribilis, and much closer to it than to any other yellow or black-bodied species, Phyllobatessamperi sp. nov. Their common ancestor is sister to an additional yellow species, which we also describe here as Phyllobatesbezosi sp. nov. Both new species can be externally diagnosed using colouration. Our previous and current analyses also suggest the existence of additional taxa and corroborate multiple transitions in colouration across these hypertoxic taxa.

Influence of geographic isolation and the environment on gene flow among phenotypically diverse lizards.

Lizards in the genus Anolis comprise hundreds of species that display a wide range of phenotypic variation closely related to their environment. One example is the Guadeloupean anole (Anolis marmoratus ssp.) that display extreme phenotypic variation, primarily in adult male color and pattern, with twelve described subspecies on the archipelago. Here we examine the relationship between phenotypic and genetic divergence among five subspecies on the two main islands and test the role of geographic isolation and the environment in reducing gene flow. We also examined two offshore island populations to assess the impact of complete geographic isolation on gene flow. We analyzed color phenotypes by measuring spectral reflectance and genomic diversity using SNPs. Genetic divergence was correlated with dorsolateral head and body color phenotypes, and slope and geographic distance were nearly equivalent at explaining this divergence. There was minimal genome-wide divergence at neutral loci among phenotypically disparate subspecies on the two main islands and their differentiation is consistent with a model of divergence with gene flow. Our spatial visualization of gene flow showed an impact of environmental features consistent with a hypothesis of ecologically driven divergence. Nonetheless, subspecies on the two main islands remain interconnected by substantial gene flow and their phenotypic variation is likely maintained at selection-gene flow equilibrium by divergent selection at loci associated with their color phenotypes. Greater isolation, such as inhabiting a remote island, may be required for reducing gene flow. Our findings highlight the role of the environment, adaptation, and geographic isolation on gene flow.

Specific gut microbiome's role in skin pigmentation: insights from SCARB1 mutants in Oujiang colour common carp.

Beyond the pivotal roles of the gut microbiome in initiating physiological processes and modulating genetic factors, a query persists: Can a single gene mutation alter the abundance of the gut microbiome community? Not only this, but the intricate impact of gut microbiome composition on skin pigmentation has been largely unexplored. Based on these premises, our study examines the abundance of lipase-producing gut microbes about differential gene expression associated with bile acid synthesis and lipid metabolism-related blood metabolites in red (whole wild) and white (whole white wild and SCARB1-/- mutant) Oujiang colour common carp. Following the disruption of the SCARB1 gene in the resulting mutant fish with white body colour (SCARB1-/-), there is a notable decrease in the abundance of gut microbiomes (Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Serratia) associated with lipase production. This reduction parallels the downregulation seen in wild-type white body colour fish (WW), as contrasting to the wild-type red body colour fish (WR). Meanwhile, in SCARB1-/- fish, there was a downregulation noted not only at the genetic and metabolic levels but also a decrease in lipase-producing bacteria. This consistency with WW contrasts significantly with WR. Similarly, genes involved in the bile acid synthesis pathway, along with blood metabolites related to lipid metabolism, exhibited downregulation in SCARB1-/- fish. The SCARB1 knockout gene blockage led to significant alterations in the gut microbiome, potentially influencing the observed reduction in carotenoid-associated skin pigmentation. Our study emphasizes that skin pigmentation is not only impacted by genetic factors but also by the gut microbiome. Meanwhile, the gut microbiome's adaptability can be rapidly shaped and may be driven by specific single-gene variations.

Comparing morphology and cranial osteology in two divergent clades of dice snakes from continental Europe (Squamata: Natricidae: Natrix tessellata)

Abstract The Western Palearctic harbours a diverse snake fauna, including numerous endemic species and yet unnamed clades, identified through molecular analyses. However, morphological characteristics of these clades, even of common species, often remain relatively unexplored. In this study, we provide an examination of the morphology and cranial anatomy of the semi-aquatic snake species Natrix tessellata (Laurenti, 1768), with a focus on populations of the so-called ‘Europe’ and ‘Greece’ clades. Utilising both museum collections and field data, we first morphologically examined 541 individuals of N. tessellata, categorising them according to previously established clades and lineages that resulted in relatively low morphometric and meristic variation across the species’ range. When assessing the 448 specimens from the ‘Europe’ and the ‘Greece’ clades separately, we similarly observed little variation in meristic characteristics. On the other hand, individuals of the ‘Greece’ clade displayed smaller and more slender body and head proportions compared to those of the ‘Europe’ clade and the pigmentation of the labial scales is distinctively paler in the ‘Greece’ clade, whereas the overall body colouration remains largely similar between the two. Our osteological analysis of 47 N. tessellata skulls also indicated slight differences in the frontoparietal portion of the braincase between the ‘Europe’ and the ‘Greece’ clades, warranting further examination with a larger dataset and extending to other skull components. These findings hold significance for ongoing enquiries into the species’ biogeography, morphology and ecological adaptations. In summary, the integration of morphological and osteological data with genetic information offers a promising avenue for potential taxonomic revisions of N. tessellata in the future.

Phenotypic Plasticity in Locusts: Trade-Off Between Migration and Reproduction.

Locusts exhibit phenotypic plasticity in response to population density changes, with distinct phenotypes in the solitary and gregarious phases. In the past decade, many studies have revealed the molecular mechanisms underlying phase changes, which include the change of body coloration, pheromones, behavior, flight, fecundity, immunity, and aging. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms related to these phenotypic differences has expanded in breadth and depth with the decoding of the locust genome, involving transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and epigenetic regulation. Large-scale regulation networks composed of genes and noncoding RNAs reflect the systematic modifications of the locust phase transition in response to environmental changes. Gene manipulation techniques have verified the functions of specific genes and related pathways in phase changes. This review highlights the latest advances in studies of locust phase changes and suggests that the divergence of energy and metabolism allocation in gregarious and solitary locusts is an adaptive strategy for long-distance migration and local reproduction, respectively. Finally, we propose future research directions and discuss emerging questions in the area of phenotypic plasticity of locusts.

Dynamic changes in pigmentation-related gene expression during morphogenesis in Plectropomus leopardus revealed by comparative transcriptome analysis

Plectropomus leopardus is a valuable marine aquaculture fish, prized by consumers for its high nutritional value and gorgeous appearance. The economic significance of this species is largely influenced by its body color, prompting researchers to become increasingly interested in understanding the mechanisms behind its color formation. However, previous studies have mainly focused on the molecular mechanisms of body color formation during the adult stage of this species. In this study, it was observed that the body color of P. leopardus undergoes four distinct stages during early morphogenesis: transparent (PT), red (PR), red with spots (PRS), and brown with spots (PBS). The L*a*b* values of skin at each stage differ significantly. The number and distribution of erythrophores and melanophores play a crucial role in determining the body colors of P. leopardus. Transcriptome analysis of the skin at these stages revealed multiple differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and signaling pathways related to pigmentation. These pigmentation-related DEGs can be categorized into carotenoid metabolism-related genes (e.g., scarb1, ldlr, plin2, apod, ttc39b, etc), melanin synthesis-related genes (e.g., tyr, tyrp1, dct, pmel, slc7a11, etc), and genes related to pigment cell development (pnp, ednrb, csf1r1, sox10, bnc2). GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that processes like melanin synthesis (e.g., wnt signal pathway, melanogenesis, tyrosine metabolism, etc.), lipid metabolism (e.g., cholesterol metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, etc.), and pigment cell development (e.g., pigment cell differentiation, cell development, etc.) are likely involved in the body color formation in P. leopardus. Finally, we proposed a hypothesis regarding carotenoid metabolism in erythrophores and melanin synthesis in melanophores of P. leopardus skin, drawing from existing research reports and transcriptome data. Overall, this study provides a new perspective on the molecular regulatory mechanisms of body color formation in P. leopardus, laying a theoretical foundation for molecular-assisted breeding of body color traits in this species.

Gryllotalpa chrysea sp. nov., a new species of Mole Cricket (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae: Gryllotalpinae) from China

A new species, Gryllotalpa chrysea sp. nov., distributed in Sichuan and Guangdong provinces of China is described. The body of the new species is small and easily distinguished from other species in the genus by its coloration of black body and golden forewings. Here, we describe and illustrate this new taxon, and provide description and illustration of the genitalia features of Gryllotalpa orientalis Burmeister, 1838 and Gryllotalpa cycloptera Ma & Zhang, 2011.

Nutritional Evaluation of Eri Silkworm Pupa Strains: Addressing Entomophobia and Promoting Entomophagy

Samia ricini widely known as Eri silkworm is a commonly reared lepidopteran throughout the year. Six different strains of Eri silkworm are present, named according to their body pattern and color - greenish blue zebra (GBZ), greenish blue spotted (GBS), greenish blue plain (GBP), yellow zebra (YZ), yellow spotted (YS) and yellow plain (YP). Apart from being reared mostly for Eri silk, this lepidopteran insect is also considered as a popular delicacy among the tribes of Northeast India, along with it being moderately famous among the locals too. The proximate analysis of the lyophilized samples was carried out as per AOAC (2015) guidelines and mineral analysis was carried out in atomic absorption spectroscopy. Among the six different strains, YS contained highest moisture (7.82 gm) and crude fiber content (18.8 gm), whereas, YZ showed highest amount of total ash (4.32 gm) and crude fat content (22 gm). Furthermore, carbohydrate content was seen to be highest in GBS (14.41 gm). Hence, this study is aimed to unveil the nutritional worth of the six distinct pupa strains of Eri silkworm in an effort to dispel entomophobia, and promote entomophagy owing to the nutritional benefit it offers.

Multi-scale transformer network for super-resolution of visible and thermal air images

Reference image-based Super-Resolution (RefSR) is introduced to improve the quality of a Low-resolution (LR) input image by leveraging the additional information provided by a High-Resolution (HR) reference image (Ref). While existing RefSR methods focus on thermal or visible flows separately, they often struggle to enhance the resolution of small objects such as Mini/Micro UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) due to the resolution disparities between the input and reference images. To cope with these challenges when dealing with UAV early detection in context of video surveillance, we propose ThermoVisSR, a multiscale texture transformer for enhancing the Super-Resolution (SR) of visible and thermal images of Mini/Micro UAVs. Our approach tries to reconstruct the fine details of these objects while preserving their approximation (the body form and color of the different scene objects) already contained in the LR image. Hence, our model is divided up into two streams dealing separately with approximation and detail reconstruction. In the first one, we introduce a Convolution Neural Network (CNN) fusion backbone to extract the Low-Frequency (LF) approximation from the original LR image pairs. In the second one and to extract the details from the Ref image, our approach involves blending features from both visible and thermal sources to make the most of what each offer. Subsequently, we introduce the High-Frequency Texture Transformer (HFTT) across various resolutions of the merged features to ensure an accurate correspondence matching and significant transfer of High-Frequency (HF) patches from Ref to LR images. Moreover, to adapt the injection to the different bands well, we incorporate the separable software decoder (SSD) into the HFTT allowing to capture channel-specific details during the reconstruction phase. We validated our approach using a newly created dataset of Air images of Mini/Micro UAVs. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model consistently outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches on both qualitative and quantitative assessments.