Tag: invasion biology
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Evolutionary insights from the mitochondrial genomes of invasive scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha): large-scale transfer RNA gene truncations and tandem repeat-driven intraspecific gene rearrange
Introduction: A genetic lens on invasive scale insects Invasive scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) pose threats to agriculture and ecosystems worldwide. By examining their mitochondrial genomes, researchers gain insight into evolutionary processes that shape adaptation, reproduction, and dispersal. This article synthesizes recent findings on large-scale transfer RNA (tRNA) gene truncations and tandem-repeat–driven intraspecific rearrangements, revealing how…
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Instagram Clues: How Selfies Help Track Invasive Carpobrotus Flower Patterns
Overview: Social Media as a Tool for Invasive Species Monitoring What happens when a beach selfie becomes a scientific data point? A global team of researchers has shown that Instagram photos and other citizen-science uploads can reveal how Carpobrotus species—better known as ice plants or sour fig—flower across invaded coastal regions. By analyzing more than…