Pardosa Astrigera Research Articles

The Potential Implications of Sex-Specific Differences in the Intestinal Bacteria of the Overwintering Wolf Spider Pardosa astrigera (Araneae: Lycosidae).

Gut microbiota can promote the resistance of host arthropods to low-temperature stress. Female Pardosa astrigera have a lower anti-freeze compound level and weaker resistance to cold temperatures than the males in winter, which implies that their intestinal bacteria may be different during overwintering. This study primarily compared the intestinal bacterial communities between the two sexes of P. astrigera in a temperate region using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our findings indicated that the Chao1 and Shannon indices of intestinal bacteria in females were significantly higher than those in males, while the Simpson index in females was significantly lower than that in males. The male intestinal bacterial community was characterized by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota at the phylum level and by Pseudomonas and Rhodococcus at the genus level, with total relative abundances of 89.58% and 85.22%, respectively, which were also significantly higher than those in females, whose total relative abundances were 47.49% and 43.68%, respectively. In contrast, the total relative abundances of Bacteroidota and Firmicutes were significantly lower in males (4.26% and 4.75%, respectively) than in females (26.25% and 22.31%, respectively). Noteworthy divergences in bacterial communities were also found through an LEfSe analysis between females and males. Additionally, the results of the PICRUSt2 analysis showed that six out of eleven level-2 pathways related to key metabolic functions were significantly (or marginally significantly) higher in females than males, and five other level-2 pathways were significantly (or marginally significantly) lower in females than males. Our results imply that significant gender differences exist in intestinal bacterial communities of overwintering P. astrigera. We suggest that Pseudomonas versuta (belonging to Proteobacteria) and Rhodococcus erythropolis (belonging to Actinobacteriota) may have the potential to play key roles in overwintering P. astrigera.

In Silico-Based Design of a Hybrid Peptide with Antimicrobial Activity against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using a Spider Toxin Peptide.

The escalating prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses an immediate and grave threat to public health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained significant attention as a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. Animal venom comprises a diverse array of bioactive compounds, which can be a rich source for identifying new functional peptides. In this study, we identified a toxin peptide, Lycotoxin-Pa1a (Lytx-Pa1a), from the transcriptome of the Pardosa astrigera spider venom gland. To enhance its functional properties, we employed an in silico approach to design a novel hybrid peptide, KFH-Pa1a, by predicting antibacterial and cytotoxic functionalities and incorporating the amino-terminal Cu(II)- and Ni(II) (ATCUN)-binding motif. KFH-Pa1a demonstrated markedly superior antimicrobial efficacy against pathogens, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, compared to Lytx-Pa1a. Notably, KFH-Pa1a exerted several distinct mechanisms, including the disruption of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, the generation of intracellular ROS, and the cleavage and inhibition of bacterial DNA. Additionally, the hybrid peptide showed synergistic activity when combined with conventional antibiotics. Our research not only identified a novel toxin peptide from spider venom but demonstrated in silico-based design of hybrid AMP with strong antimicrobial activity that can contribute to combating MDR pathogens, broadening the utilization of biological resources by incorporating computational approaches.

Dietary exposure to Cry1Fa protein can lower microbiome biodiversity and induce shift in symbiotic microbial communities in wolf spider Pardosa astrigera

Dietary exposure to Cry1Fa protein can lower microbiome biodiversity and induce shift in symbiotic microbial communities in wolf spider Pardosa astrigera

Response of the Pardosa astrigera bacterial community to Cry1B protein

While genetically modified (GM) crops bring economic benefits to human beings, their impact on non-target organisms has become an important part of environmental safety assessments. Symbiotic bacteria play an important role in eukaryotic biological functions and can adjust host communities to adapt to new environments. Therefore, this study examined the effects of Cry1B protein on the growth and development of non-target natural enemies of Pardosa astrigera (L. Koch) from the perspective of symbiotic bacteria. Cry1B protein had no significant effect on the health indicators of P. astrigera (adults and 2nd instar spiderlings). 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that Cry1B protein did not change the symbiotic bacteria species composition of P. astrigera, but did reduce the number of OTU and species diversity. In 2nd instar spiderlings, neither the dominant phylum (Proteobacteria) nor the dominant genus (Acinetobacter) changed, but the relative abundance of Corynebacterium-1 decreased significantly; in adult spiders, the dominant bacteria genera of females and males were different. The dominant bacterial genera were Brevibacterium in females and Corynebacterium-1 in males, but Corynebacterium-1 was the dominant bacteria in both females and males feeding on Cry1B. The relative abundance of Wolbachia also increased significantly. In addition, bacteria in other genera varied significantly by sex. KEGG results showed that Cry1B protein only altered the significant enrichment of metabolic pathways in female spiders. In conclusion, the effects of Cry1B protein on symbiotic bacteria vary by growth and development stage and sex.

Identifying novel antimicrobial peptides from venom gland of spider Pardosa astrigera by deep multi-task learning.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show promises as valuable compounds for developing therapeutic agents to control the worldwide health threat posed by the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Animal venom can be a useful source for screening AMPs due to its various bioactive components. Here, the deep learning model was developed to predict species-specific antimicrobial activity. To overcome the data deficiency, a multi-task learning method was implemented, achieving F1 scores of 0.818, 0.696, 0.814, 0.787, and 0.719 for Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively. Peptides PA-Full and PA-Win were identified from the model using different inputs of full and partial sequences, broadening the application of transcriptome data of the spider Pardosa astrigera. Two peptides exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against all five strains along with cytocompatibility. Our approach enables excavating AMPs with high potency, which can be expanded into the fields of biology to address data insufficiency.

Divergence in gut bacterial community between females and males in the wolf spider Pardosa astrigera

Sex is one of the important factors affecting gut microbiota. As key predators in agroforestry ecosystem, many spider species show dramatically different activity habits and nutritional requirements between females and males. However, how sex affects gut microbiota of spiders remains unclear. Here, we compared the composition and diversity of gut bacteria between female and male Pardosa astrigera based on bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results showed that the richness of bacterial microbiota in female spiders was significantly lower than in male spiders (p < .05). Besides, β‐diversity showed a significant difference between female and male spiders (p = .0270). The relative abundance of Actinobacteriota and Rhodococcus (belongs to Actinobacteriota) was significantly higher in female than in male spiders (p < .05), whereas the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Acinetobacter (belongs to Proteobacteria) and Ruminococcus and Fusicatenibacter (all belong to Firmicutes) was significantly higher in male than in female spiders (p < .05). The results also showed that amino acid and lipid metabolisms were significantly higher in female than in male spiders (p < .05), whereas glycan biosynthesis and metabolism were significantly higher in male than in female spiders (p < .05). Our results imply that sexual variation is a crucial factor in shaping gut bacterial community in P. astrigera spiders, while the distinct differences of bacterial composition are mainly due to their different nutritional and energy requirements.

Population dynamics, hunting nature on insect pests and existence of symbiotic bacterial microbes among leading transgenic cotton spiders

• Population of spiders and species richness in Bt cotton were high in August. • Maximum abundance was of Hylyphantes graminicola and Neoscona theisi . • Seven guilds of spiders were recorded with diverse nature of hunting crop’s pests. • Topmost symbiotic bacterial genus was Wolbachia in spiders. • In grouping and similarity, noticed 5 microbial sets among 4 groups of spiders. The genetically modified cotton holding Bt proteins, is noxious to bollworms larvae but very little is known about its impact on population of non-target spiders within the field. Studies conducted with the aim to identify spiders along with their abundance, prevalence pattern, preying habit on insect pests in Bt cotton (L280, Cry2Ab4) and commonness of symbiotic bacteria in these spiders. Spiders collections were made via vial tapping/jarring, from May to end of October (2018). In total, 13,342 spiders were recorded during the entire cropping season. Least relative abundance was in May (0.28%), highest in August (30.39%) while ahead decline was observed, reached to 12% in October. The 27 species were verified, least richness was in May (3 species), high in August (19 species), later in the end, reduced to 7 species. High abundance was of Hylyphantes graminicola (68.56%) and Neoscona theisi (19.98%). Existence of H. graminicola and Pardosa astrigera observed during the whole cropping season. Presence of seven guilds among spiders had a diverse nature of hunting insect pests and on number of species existed in the crop, maximum was from direct hunting habit. Composition and community structure of microbiota varied as of spider species. Proteobacteria was the most abundant bacterial phylum and topmost genus was Wolbachia in observed spiders. Five groups of bacteria distinguished across 4 clusters of spiders depending on core community of symbiotic bacterial genera. This effort is an initial step to get knowhow about spiders in Bt cotton, which will facilitate future research studies concerning spiders.

Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Novel Peptide Toxin from the Spider Pardosa astrigera.

The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become an immediate threat to public health. Antimicrobial peptides are attracting attention as a new source of antibiotics due to their ability to prevent drug-resistances with fewer side effects. Spider venom is composed of various bioactive substances with multiple functionalities such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Here, RNA sequencing was conducted on the venom gland of the spider Pardosa astrigera, and a potential toxin peptide with antibacterial properties was selected via homology and in silico analysis. A novel toxin, Lycotoxin-Pa4a, inhibited both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria by disrupting the outer and bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. Moreover, the peptide downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators while upregulating the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine by inactivating mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophage cell line. In this research, we identified a novel peptide toxin, Lycotoxin-pa4a, with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting its potential for the development of a new antibiotics, as well as offering insights into the utilization of biological resources.

Complete mitogenomes of two non-orb-weaving spiders, Pardosa astrigera and Agelena labyrinthica

We performed high-throughput sequencing on the complete mitogenomes of two non-orb-weaving spiders, Pardosa astrigera (wolf spiders; Lycosidae) and Agelena labyrinthica (funnel weaver; Agelenidae). The two mitogenomes contain 14,520 bp and 14,772 bp, and a GC content of 22.5% and 25.5%, respectively. The two mitogenomes contain 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, and one control region. Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated 13 PCGs revealed the clear classification of the two families, based on the data of this study.

Taking insight into the gut microbiota of three spider species: No characteristic symbiont was found corresponding to the special feeding style of spiders.

Microorganisms in insect guts have been recognized as having a great impact on their hosts' nutrition, health, and behavior. Spiders are important natural enemies of pests, and the composition of the gut microbiota of spiders remains unclear. Will the bacterial taxa in spiders be same as the bacterial taxa in insects, and what are the potential functions of the gut bacteria in spiders? To gain insight into the composition of the gut bacteria in spiders and their potential function, we collected three spider species, Pardosa laura, Pardosa astrigera, and Nurscia albofasciata, in the field, and high‐throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3 and V4 regions was used to investigate the diversity of gut microbiota across the three spider species. A total of 23 phyla and 150 families were identified in these three spider species. The dominant bacterial phylum across all samples was Proteobacteria. Burkholderia, Ralstonia, Ochrobactrum, Providencia, Acinetobacter, Proteus, and Rhodoplanes were the dominant genera in the guts of the three spider species. The relative abundances of Wolbachia and Rickettsiella detected in N. albofasciata were significantly higher than those in the other two spider species. The relative abundance of Thermus, Amycolatopsis, Lactococcus, Acinetobacter Microbacterium, and Koribacter detected in spider gut was different among the three spider species. Biomolecular interaction networks indicated that the microbiota in the guts had complex interactions. The results of this study also suggested that at the genus level, some of the gut bacteria taxa in the three spider species were the same as the bacteria in insect guts.

Experimental evidence for the genetic benefits of female mate choice in the monandrous wolf spider Pardosa astrigera

Material and/or genetic benefits are hypothesized to be the main drivers of female mate choice. Research on female mate choice has mainly focused on polyandrous species and has seldom considered monandrous species. Given the absence of postcopulatory mate choice in monandrous females, we predicted that precopulatory mate choice is important for monandrous species. Using the wolf spider Pardosa astrigera as a model monandrous species, we compared mating, reproductive output and offspring fitness between females with preferred mates (mates that were accepted on the first exposure) and females with nonpreferred mates (mates that were rejected on the first exposure but were induced to mate on the second exposure). Our results showed that the mating duration, latency to egg laying and to egg hatching, fecundity and egg hatching rate did not differ significantly between females with preferred versus nonpreferred mates. In contrast, female and male development time was significantly shorter and female carapace width was significantly greater for offspring of females with preferred versus nonpreferred mates. In addition, survival from egg hatching to maturity was twice as high for offspring of females with preferred mates. These results indicate that female mate choice by the monandrous P. astrigera provides genetic rather than material benefits.

Seasonal variations in body melanism and size of the wolf spider Pardosa astrigera (Araneae: Lycosidae).

Variations in species morphology and life‐history traits strongly correlate with geographic and climatic characteristics. Most studies on morphological variations in animals focus on ectotherms distributed on a large geographic scale across latitudinal and/or altitudinal gradient. However, the morphological variations of spiders living in the same habitats across different seasons have not been reported. In this study, we used the wolf spider, Pardosa astrigera, as a model to determine seasonal differences in adult body size, melanism, fecundity, and egg diameter both in the overwintering and the first generation for 2010 and 2016. The results showed that in 2010, both females and males of the overwintering generation were significantly darker than the first generation. Moreover, the overwintering females were markedly larger and produced more and bigger eggs than the first generation in both 2010 and 2016. Considering the overwintering P. astrigera experiencing low temperature and/or desiccation stress, these results suggest that substantially darker and larger body of the overwintering generation is adaptive to adverse conditions.

Inbreeding produces trade-offs between maternal fecundity and offspring survival in a monandrous spider

Offspring born to related parents often have lower fitness than those born to unrelated parents, a phenomenon termed inbreeding depression. While many species have been shown to rely on pre- and/or postcopulatory mate choice to avoid inbreeding, such research has focused largely on polyandrous rather than monandrous species. The absence of postcopulatory mate choice in monandrous species suggests that precopulatory mate choice should play a more important role in inbreeding avoidance. We used a monandrous wolf spider, Pardosa astrigera , as a model system to investigate whether (1) male spiders respond differently to sibling and nonsibling females; (2) female spiders respond differently to sibling versus nonsibling males; and (3) inbreeding affects females and their offspring. Male courtship behaviour was similar for sibling and nonsibling females; although females were less likely to mate with siblings, over half did mate successfully with them. Sibling-mated females produced fewer offspring from the first egg sac and fewer total offspring, but inbred offspring survived longer in a range of environments than their outbred counterparts. This suggests that the fitness costs of reduced fecundity in sibling-mated females may be offset by higher offspring survivorship. Our results highlight the importance of considering both parent and offspring fitness when addressing the costs of inbreeding, and are the first to document the impact of inbreeding on sexual behaviour and reproductive fitness in a monandrous spider.

同种雄性竞争对手的存在对星豹蛛雄蛛求偶和交配行为的影响

同种雄性竞争对手的存在对星豹蛛雄蛛求偶和交配行为的影响

The responses of a funnel-web weaving spider,Agelena labyrinthica, to elevated CO2concentration

The effects of elevated CO2 concentration on the growth and development of the funnel-web weaving spider Agelena labyrinthica (Clerck) (Araneae: Agelenidae) were studied in climate chambers with low (370 μl l−1) or high (750 μl l−1) CO2 concentration. Seventh-instar A. labyrinthica cultured under each of these CO2 concentrations were randomly selected to determine nutrient composition (total protein, total amino acid, and free fatty acid) and digestive or detoxification enzymes activity (peroxidase, amylase, and superoxide dismutase) using test kits. When reared under high CO2 concentration, total development of A. labyrinthica was significantly faster. Carapace length and width and body weight did not differ between CO2 concentrations, nor the levels of protein and total amino acids in seventh-instar A. labyrinthica. However, free fatty acid levels were significantly lower under high CO2 concentration. Specific activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in seventh-instar A. labyrinthica did not differ between CO2 concentrations. The specific activity of amylase under high CO2 concentration was higher than that of the low CO2 group. The effects of elevated CO2 on A. labyrinthica varied from those on the wandering spider Pardosa astrigera L Koch, as found in an earlier study. Apparently, elevated CO2 has a species-specific impact on spiders.

Transgenic Cabbage Expressing Cry1Ac1 Does Not Affect the Survival and Growth of the Wolf Spider, Pardosa astrigera L. Koch (Araneae: Lycosidae).

Both herbivores that consume transgenic crops and their predators can be exposed to insecticidal proteins expressed in those crops. We conducted a tritrophic bioassay to evaluate the ecotoxicological impacts that Bt cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) expressing Cry1Ac1 protein might have on the wolf spider (Pardosa astrigera), a non-target generalist predator. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays indicated that protein levels were 4.61 ng g-1 dry weight in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) fed with the transgenic cabbage and 1.86 ng g-1 dry weight in the wolf spiders that preyed upon them. We also compared the life history traits of spiders collected from Bt versus non-Bt cabbage and found no significant differences in their growth, survival, and developmental rates. Because Bt cabbage did not affect the growth of fruit flies, we conclude that any indirect effects that this crop had on the wolf spider were probably not mediated by prey quality. Therefore, exposure to Cry1Ac1 protein when feeding upon prey containing that substance from transgenic cabbage has only a negligible influence on those non-target predatory spiders.

Seasonal fluctuations in offspring body size in the wolf spider, Pardosa astrigera (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Seasonal fluctuations in body sizes of mother spiders, spiderlings, and clutch size in the wolf spider, Pardosa astrigera (L. Koch) (Araneae: Lycosidae), were investigated. Cephalothorax and abdomen widths were measured in females with egg sacs collected in Tsu, Mie Prefecture, from May 2009 to October 2013. Spiderlings that emerged from the egg sacs were counted and those widths measured. In addition, abdomen–cephalothorax size ratio, which could be correlated with seasonal adaptation of spiderlings, was calculated. Means for cephalothorax size of mothers and offspring tended to decrease from March to October. Mean cephalothorax and abdomen sizes of the spiderlings in March, April, May, and October were significantly larger than in July and August. Abdomen–cephalothorax size ratios in March, April, May, and June were significantly larger than in July and August. Environmental temperature in Tsu increases steadily from March to August and drops toward October. Significant negative correlations were detected between temperature and cephalothorax and abdomen widths of spiderlings. These results suggest that body size and abdomen–cephalothorax size ratio of spiderlings change seasonally, and environmental temperature would affect body size. Furthermore, considering that body size would put a limit on the available prey, food conditions could also be an influence.

Silk-mediated male courtship effort in the monandrous wolf spider Pardosa astrigera (Araneae: Lycosidae)

In nature, male wolf spiders may encounter silk of conspecific females, males, and/or both. It is generally accepted that males are able to discriminate maturity, sex, and mating status through silk-mediated chemical information of females. However, whether males can discriminate silk by chemical cues among virgin females of different post-maturation ages and between female silk with and without previously being occupied by other males remains largely unexplored. Given that female sexual receptivity increases in post-maturation, males are predicted to prefer old over young virgin females, and are able to discriminate silk of females which have and have not been previously being occupied by other males. In this study, we used the monandrous wolf spider, Pardosa astrigera, to test this prediction experimentally. When males were exposed to the silk of virgin females of different post-maturation ages (1-, 3-, and 6-day-old females), we found no significant differences in male courtship latency and courtship intensity to female silk across the different ages. However, males displayed significantly higher courtship intensity to the silk of females without being previously occupied by other males than to the silk of females with being previously occupied by other males. When males were directly exposed to virgin females, significantly higher courtship intensity was detected in males in response to 6-day-old females compared with 1-day-old ones. Thus, our results suggest that P. astrigera males can discriminate females using chemical cues from silk that has been previously occupied by other males and to older females with higher sexual receptivity, whereas they invest less to silk cues from virgin females regardless of their post-maturation ages.

Landscape pattern affects species composition and abundance of ground-dwelling predator

Commercial wheat farms were studied in Yinchuan Plain of Northwest China to assess the effects of two agro-farming systems on ground-dwelling predators. Pitfall trap methods were employed to investigate ground-dwelling predators during a four-year study from 2009 to 2012. Results showed that 9 species of ground-dwelling predators (Calosma maderae, Chlaenius pallipes, Dolichus halensis, Scarites terricola, Pterostichus gebleri, Harpalus crates, Pardosa astrigera, Erigonidium graminicolum, and Erigone prominens) dominated in the total 49 species captured. The structurally complex landscape (CL) supported significantly higher species diversity of ground-dwelling predators than that in structurally simple landscape (SL). Furthermore, there were also significant differences in population density and richness of ground-dwelling predators between CL and SL system. Finally, an inventory of ground-dwelling predators associated with different agricultural management systems was developed based on experimental collection, and it will serve as the basis for the sustainable pest management in Northwest China.

Impact of elevated CO2on growth, development, and reproduction of the wolf spider,Pardosa astrigera(Araneae: Lycosidae)

Abstract The effects of elevated CO2 concentration on spiders were studied using third-instar spiderlings of the wolf spider Pardosa astrigera L. Koch 1878 in CO2 climate chambers with two different concentrations of CO2 (low, 370 ppm and high, 750 ppm). The food intake and total developmental period of spiderlings reared at high CO2 concentration increased significantly, and the body length and weight of adult spiders decreased compared to those in the low-CO2 group. The oviposition rate of female P. astrigera and the hatching rate of eggs did not differ between the high- and low-CO2 groups, but the number of egg sacs and the total number of eggs produced by females from the high-CO2 group decreased. These results suggest that elevated CO2 concentrations are harmful to the growth, development, and reproduction of P. astrigera.