Model-organism

Guides

Acartia
Acartia is a genus of marine calanoid copepods comprising the majority of species in the family Acartiidae. They are small, planktonic crustaceans found primarily in temperate coastal and estuarine waters worldwide. The genus includes ecologically important species such as A. tonsa, which is among the most abundant and well-studied estuarine copepods globally. Acartia species serve as key intermediaries in aquatic food webs and are increasingly used as model organisms for studying coastal plankton dynamics, thermal ecology, and phylogeographic patterns.
copepod zooplankton calanoid estuarine marine temperate model-organism phytoplankton-grazer diel-vertical-migration resting-eggs diapause harmful-algal-bloom-sensitivity thermal-limits phylogeography
Achroia grisella
Lesser Wax Moth
Achroia grisella, the lesser wax moth, is a pyralid moth and pest of honey bee colonies worldwide. It is smaller and less destructive than the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), primarily infesting weak or abandoned honey bee colonies where larvae feed on beeswax, pollen, honey, and brood cappings. The species has a worldwide distribution in temperate and tropical regions where honey bees are kept, and its spread has been facilitated by human-mediated transport of beekeeping equipment. Adults are small grayish moths with distinctive yellow heads. The species is notable for its unusually simple directional ear, which enables acoustic localization for both predator avoidance and mate finding.
pest honey-bee-parasite wax-moth acoustic-communication directional-hearing beekeeping stored-product-pest model-organism sexual-selection invasive-species
Acyrthosiphon
pea aphids
Acyrthosiphon is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, established by Alexander Mordvilko in 1914. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and includes several economically important agricultural pests. The best-known species, Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid), is a major pest of legume crops and serves as a model organism for studies of insect-bacteria symbiosis, particularly its relationship with the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola.
aphid pest legume-pest model-organism endosymbiosis agricultural-pest virus-vector
Acyrthosiphon pisum
Pea aphid, green dolphin, pea louse, clover louse
Acyrthosiphon pisum, the pea aphid, is a sap-sucking hemipteran and major agricultural pest of legume crops worldwide. It is notable as the first hemimetabolous insect with a fully sequenced genome and serves as a model organism for studying aphid biology, endosymbiosis, polyphenism, and asexual reproduction. The species exhibits complex polyphenism with multiple morphs including winged and wingless parthenogenetic females, sexual males and females, and green or red/pink color morphs. Its survival depends entirely on the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola, which provides essential amino acids lacking in its phloem sap diet.
aphid pest model-organism endosymbiosis parthenogenesis polyphenism legume-pest virus-vector agricultural-pest Buchnera carotenoid-synthesis hemiptera sternorrhyncha
Allonemobius fasciatus
striped ground cricket
Allonemobius fasciatus, the striped ground cricket, is a small ground-dwelling cricket native to North America. It is a model organism in evolutionary biology, particularly for studies of hybridization with its sister species A. socius, reproductive isolation, and life history adaptation. The species exhibits complex diapause strategies including bet-hedging, where females produce offspring with variable developmental phenotypes to spread risk across unpredictable environmental conditions. Populations show altitudinal adaptation in life cycle timing, with photoperiodic regulation of development compensating for shorter growing seasons at higher elevations.
ground-cricket model-organism speciation hybridization diapause bet-hedging altitudinal-adaptation reproductive-isolation photoperiodism
Amphibalanus amphitrite
striped barnacle, purple acorn barnacle, Amphitrite's rock barnacle
Amphibalanus amphitrite is a medium-sized acorn barnacle with distinctive purple or brown vertical stripes. It is a globally distributed marine species native to warm and temperate waters, now recognized as a significant biofouling organism. The species has become a model organism for larval settlement research due to its invasive potential, worldwide distribution, and ease of laboratory culture. Its genome has been sequenced, and extensive neurobiological studies have examined the settlement behavior of its cyprid larvae.
biofouling invasive model-organism hermaphrodite suspension-feeder
Anomopoda
water fleas
Anomopoda is a group of small aquatic crustaceans commonly known as water fleas, classified within Branchiopoda and Diplostraca. The group includes several families of ecological and scientific importance, with some species widely used as model organisms in evolutionary biology, ecology, and toxicology. Anomopods exhibit remarkable reproductive flexibility, alternating between parthenogenetic and sexual reproduction. They occupy diverse freshwater habitats across the globe and serve as critical components of aquatic food webs.
freshwater plankton model-organism parthenogenesis crustacean water-flea
Aphis fabae
black bean aphid, blackfly, bean aphid, beet leaf aphid
Aphis fabae is a small, soft-bodied aphid in the family Aphididae, commonly known as the black bean aphid or blackfly. It is a significant agricultural pest with a broad host range, attacking beans, sugar beet, and numerous other crops. The species exhibits a heteroecious life cycle with host alternation between a woody primary host (Euonymus europaeus, spindle tree) and herbaceous secondary hosts. It reproduces parthenogenetically during the growing season and sexually in autumn, producing overwintering eggs. The aphid is capable of rapid population increase through viviparous reproduction, and winged forms develop seasonally to facilitate migration between host plants.
agricultural-pest aphid Hemiptera host-alternation heteroecy parthenogenesis viviparity virus-vector integrated-pest-management blackfly bean-aphid beet-leaf-aphid model-organism invasive-potential climate-change-response
Arctia plantaginis
wood tiger, wood tiger moth
Arctia plantaginis, commonly known as the wood tiger moth, is a Holarctic moth species in the family Erebidae. Males exhibit striking color polymorphism with yellow or white hindwing morphs, both featuring black banding patterns that function as aposematic warning signals. The species has been extensively studied as a model organism for understanding the evolutionary trade-offs between predator avoidance, sexual selection, immune function, and thermoregulation. Larvae show predator-induced plasticity in warning signal expression, developing more melanized coloration when exposed to predation risk.
aposematism polymorphism predator-induced-plasticity capital-breeding chemical-defense thermoregulation sexual-selection immune-trade-offs model-organism Holarctic
Armadillidium vulgare
common pill-bug, common pill woodlouse, roly-poly, potato bug, doodle bug, carpenter
Armadillidium vulgare is a terrestrial isopod native to Mediterranean Europe that has become one of the most widespread woodlouse species globally through human-mediated dispersal. It is the most extensively studied terrestrial isopod and serves as a model organism for research on mitochondrial genome evolution, desiccation resistance, and conglobation behavior. The species exhibits remarkable morphological plasticity, including numerous color morphs maintained through selective breeding in the pet trade.
woodlouse terrestrial-isopod conglobation detritivore model-organism invasive-species pet-trade mitochondrial-genome desiccation-resistance calcium-carbonate marsupium direct-development nocturnal aggregation thermotaxis thigmotaxis calcareous-soils nitrogen-cycling climate-mitigation
Artemia franciscana
San Francisco brine shrimp
Artemia franciscana is a small crustacean native to hypersaline environments of the Americas, now widely introduced globally for aquaculture. The species exhibits exceptional reproductive plasticity, switching between ovoviviparity (live birth of nauplii) and oviparity (production of dormant cysts) based on environmental conditions. It matures rapidly, reaching reproductive age in under 20 days, and serves as a critical live food source in commercial fish and shellfish farming. The species shows pronounced phenotypic plasticity in response to salinity and temperature stress.
crustacean brine-shrimp aquaculture hypersaline model-organism phenotypic-plasticity cryptobiosis live-feed
Asobara
Asobara is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae containing approximately forty species. The genus is best known as parasitoids of Drosophila larvae, with Asobara tabida serving as a major model organism for studying parasitoid-host interactions and the hologenome concept. Members of this genus lack polydnaviruses, instead employing venom-based strategies to suppress host immune defenses. Several species, including A. tabida and A. japonica, exhibit obligate or facultative associations with Wolbachia endosymbionts that influence reproduction and host-finding behavior.
parasitoid Drosophila-parasitoid Wolbachia model-organism hologenome venom host-parasite-interactions
Balanus nubilus
giant acorn barnacle
Balanus nubilus is the world's largest barnacle species, reaching up to 15 cm in diameter and 30 cm in height. It possesses the largest known muscle fibers of any barnacle, making it historically significant for muscle physiology research. This northeast Pacific species is a filter feeder that attaches to hard substrates including rocks, pier pilings, and other animals at depths up to 90 meters.
marine intertidal filter-feeder model-organism commercially-historically-harvested
Belonocnema treatae
Belonocnema treatae is a cynipid gall wasp species associated with live oaks in the southeastern United States. It exhibits an alternating sexual and asexual generation life cycle, with each generation forming distinct gall types on different parts of the host plant. The species has served as a model organism for studies of speciation and ecological interactions. It was first described by Gustav Leopold Mayr in 1881 based on specimens collected by naturalist Mary Treat in Florida.
gall-wasp cynipid live-oak alternating-generations model-organism speciation-research
Bolitotherus
horned fungus beetle, forked fungus beetle
Bolitotherus is a genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) native to North America. The genus contains at least one well-documented species, Bolitotherus cornutus, commonly known as the forked fungus beetle or horned fungus beetle. All life stages are tightly associated with the fruiting bodies of wood-decaying bracket fungi, particularly species of Ganoderma and Fomes. These beetles have become important model organisms for studying sexual selection, social behavior, and population ecology in wild insect populations. Males possess distinctive thoracic horns used in combat for access to mating territories on fungal brackets.
fungivore sexual-selection model-organism darkling-beetle bracket-fungus horned-beetle territoriality site-fidelity long-lived-insect social-evolution
Bolitotherus cornutus
Forked Fungus Beetle
Bolitotherus cornutus, commonly known as the forked fungus beetle, is a darkling beetle native to eastern North America. Adult males possess prominent forward-curving thoracic horns used in combat with rival males for access to females. The species completes its entire life cycle—egg, larva, pupa, and adult—within or upon the fruiting bodies of wood-decaying bracket fungi, particularly species of Ganoderma and Fomes. It has become a well-studied model organism for research on sexual selection, social evolution, and behavior in natural populations.
fungivore sexual-selection social-behavior model-organism forest-ecology polypore-associate
Bombus impatiens
Common Eastern Bumble Bee, common eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens is a native North American bumble bee and the most commonly encountered bumblebee across much of eastern North America. The species exhibits high adaptability to diverse habitats including agricultural areas, suburbs, and urban environments, which has facilitated its widespread commercial use as a greenhouse pollinator. Colonies are founded annually by solitary queens and can exceed 450 individuals. The species has been introduced beyond its native range through commercial trade and serves as a key model organism for bumble bee research.
bumble-bee pollinator eusocial commercially-reared eastern-North-America model-organism greenhouse-pollinator generalist-forager underground-nester annual-colony-cycle
Branchiopoda
Branchiopods
Branchiopoda is a class of small, primarily freshwater crustaceans unified by the presence of gills on their appendages—giving the group its name from Greek 'bránkhia' (gill) and 'poús' (foot). The class comprises fairy shrimp (Anostraca), tadpole shrimp (Notostraca), clam shrimp (Spinicaudata, Laevicaudata, Cyclestherida), and water fleas (Cladocera/Diplostraca), plus the extinct Devonian Lepidocaris. Most are filter-feeders on plankton and detritus, though notostracans are opportunistic omnivores. Many species inhabit temporary pools and produce desiccation-resistant resting eggs, allowing survival through dry periods.
crustacean freshwater zooplankton filter-feeder temporary-pools parthenogenesis resting-eggs bioindicator aquaculture model-organism
Callosobruchus maculatus
cowpea weevil, cowpea seed beetle, bean beetle
Callosobruchus maculatus is a seed beetle (family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae) commonly known as the cowpea weevil or cowpea seed beetle, despite not being a true weevil. It is a major pest of stored legumes, particularly cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), causing seed losses of 60–100% in infested stores. The species has a cosmopolitan distribution across all continents except Antarctica, having spread globally through human trade of legumes. It exhibits notable sexual dimorphism, with females typically darker and larger than males. The species is widely used as a model organism in evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, and developmental studies due to its rapid generation time, ease of laboratory rearing, and well-characterized life history.
stored-product-pest model-organism legume-pest sexual-dimorphism polymorphism invasive-species biological-control-target
Campoletis
Campoletis is a genus of ichneumonid parasitoid wasps in the subfamily Campopleginae, established by Förster in 1869. Species are cosmopolitan in distribution and function as endoparasitoids of lepidopteran larvae. The genus includes notable species such as C. sonorensis, which has been extensively studied as a model system for host-parasitoid interactions and polydnavirus biology.
parasitoid endoparasitoid polydnavirus biological-control model-organism
Campoletis sonorensis
Campoletis sonorensis is a parasitoid ichneumonid wasp distributed across much of the Americas, including the United States, Brazil, and Chile. It is a generalist endoparasitoid of lepidopteran larvae, with documented hosts including Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera exigua, Helicoverpa species, Chrysodeixis includens, and Heliothis virescens. The species employs sophisticated immune evasion strategies involving a mutualistic polydnavirus (Campoletis sonorensis ichnovirus, CsIV) and ovarian proteins that suppress host hemocyte function and prevent encapsulation. It has been extensively studied as a model system for host-parasitoid interactions, host selection behavior, and biological control potential.
parasitoid ichneumonid polydnavirus biological-control Heliothis-virescens Spodoptera immune-suppression host-location model-organism agricultural-pest-management CsIV mutualism endoparasitoid Noctuidae cotton behavioral-ecology
Cancer borealis
Jonah crab
Cancer borealis, commonly known as the Jonah crab, is a marine brachyuran crab native to the western Atlantic Ocean. It inhabits waters from Newfoundland to Florida, primarily in rocky marine environments. The species possesses a rounded, rough-edged carapace with small light spots and robust claws with dark brown-black tips. Males reach larger sizes than females, with maximum carapace widths of 222 mm versus approximately 150 mm. The Jonah crab has been extensively studied as a model organism for neurophysiology, particularly for its stomatogastric nervous system, which has contributed to understanding neural circuit function and neuromuscular control.
model-organism neurophysiology stomatogastric-ganglion commercial-fishery rocky-intertidal Atlantic-Ocean decapod crustacean ion-channel-research temperature-adaptation pH-adaptation neural-circuit neuromuscular competition fisheries marine-biology cell-identity transcriptomics potassium-channels K2P-channels muscle-physiology stomatogastric-nervous-system biogenic-amine-receptors GABA-receptors glutamate-receptors acetylcholine-receptors gap-junctions innexins Wnt-signaling obesity-research colon-cancer-research soluble-epoxide-hydrolase sEH-inhibitor omega-3-fatty-acids DHA-metabolites EDPs anti-angiogenic tumor-growth metastasis pain-research inflammatory-disease diabetic-neuropathy cancer-therapy chemotherapy-side-effects debris-stimulated-metastasis cytokine-storm macrophage inflammation-resolution eicosanoid-pathway prostaglandin-receptor EP4-antagonist clinical-trials EicOsis academic-industry-collaboration translational-research fundamental-science insect-metamorphosis caterpillar butterfly green-insecticide blood-pressure fibrosis immunity tissue-growth chronic-pain non-opiate-analgesic companion-animal human-health distinguished-professor National-Academy-of-Sciences National-Academy-of-Inventors UC-Davis Superfund-Program NIH NIEHS RIVER-program biotechnology-training peer-reviewed-publications lipidomics fatty-acid-diols high-fat-diet knockout-mouse pharmacological-inhibition molecular-analyses signaling-pathway mechanistic-studies USDA National-Natural-Science-Foundation-of-China mass-spectrometry compound-development PTUPB COX-2-inhibitor dual-inhibitor surge-protector tumor-recurrence treatment-resistance ovarian-cancer breast-cancer pancreatic-cancer liver-cancer colon-cancer obesity-enhanced-cancer angiogenesis metastasis-prevention tumor-microenvironment positive-feedback-cycle dormancy-escape surgical-tumor-resection peri-chemotherapeutic-management debris-clearance macrophage-derived-storm pro-inflammatory-mediators pro-angiogenic-mediators lipid-autacoid cytokine-mediators resolution-mediators EETs natural-pro-resolving-mediators holistic-modulation upstream-regulation downstream-effects novel-therapeutic drug-candidate Phase-I-clinical-trial Phase-II-clinical-trial home-care cancer-center comprehensive-cancer-center transdisciplinary-research sector-research assistance-network shared-protocols organizational-innovation patient-centered-care multidimensionality psychological-suffering physical-suffering quality-of-life treatment-adherence Karnofsky-performance-score complete-blood-count blood-biochemistry blood-urea-nitrogen activities-of-daily-living independence probiotics multi-strain-probiotics chemotherapy-related-side-effects fatigue nausea weakness proneness-to-infections emerging-alternative-supplements pilot-trial open-access-journal sedation-led-chemotherapy S.L.E.E.P.sleep-during-treatment night-administration bed-allocation specialized-nursing home-visits economic-investment funding-priority cardiovascular-disease healthcare-system research-collaboration excellence-centers scientific-contribution organizational-ideas colleague-oncologists fight-against-cancer curse-metaphor Sleeping-Beauty-metaphor spinning-wheel-metaphor evil-witch-metaphor fairy-godmothers-metaphor patient-narrative doctor-patient-relationship empathy care-extension hospital-adaptation life-derailment disease-integration everyday-life normalization tolerance-improvement overcoming-chances practical-limitations research-idea Research-Ideas-and-Outcomes RIO-Journal feature-story graduate-student UC-Berkeley Sarjeet-Gill UC-Riverside 50-years-research 900-peer-reviewed-papers 17,000-peer-reviewed-papers enzyme-importance-recognition mammalian-biology regulatory-molecules degradation-control biosynthesis-control epoxy-fatty-acid-chemical-mediators blood-pressure-control fibrosis-control immunity-control tissue-growth-control pain-control inflammation-control non-addictive-drug orally-active seed-fund-grants NIH/NINDS-Blueprint-Development-Grant human-clinical-trials 2019-schedule William-Schmidt vice-president-clinical-development large-NIH-grant diabetic-neuropathic-pain Jun-Yan-Liu human-sample-collection Weicang-Wang Jianan-Zhang Jun-Yang Jia-Sun Sung-Hee-Hwang Debin-Wan Yuxin-Wang Wiepeng-Qi Haixia-Yang Yeonhwa-Park Katherine-Sanidad Daeyoung-Kim Zhang-lab University-of-Massachusetts assistant-professor-food-science colonic-inflammation-prevention inflammatory-bowel-disease-prevention colon-cancer-prevention 30-percent-Americans-obese 30-60-percent-higher-colon-cancer-risk third-most-common-cancer second-leading-cause-cancer-death mechanisms-not-well-understood few-effective-strategies sEH-over-expression-obese-mice pharmacological-inhibition-abolishes-obesity-induced-inflammation genetic-deletion-abolishes-obesity-induced-inflammation activation-pro-tumorigenic-pathways essential-enzyme novel-agents Wnt-pathway 90-percent-sporadic-colorectal-cancers activating-mutations obesity-increases-Wnt-activation abolished-by-inhibitors-and-knockout blocked-obesity-induced-colon-inflammation meticulous-job biologically-active-fats blocking-diol-production-blocks-inflammation lipidomics-technique consistent-results signaling-pathway-mechanistic-studies potential-treatment human-clinical-trials-this-year USDA-National-Institute-Food-Agriculture NIH-NIEHS NIEHS-Superfund-Research-Program National-Natural-Science-Foundation-China Zuodong-Zhang postdoctoral-researcher 16-scientists dietary-omega-3-fatty-acids fish-oils tumor-growth-reduction cancer-spread-reduction 580,000-Americans-die-annually cytochrome-P450-epoxygenase-metabolites DHA epoxy-docosapentaenoic-acids blood-supply-blockade tumor-inhibition metastasis-inhibition natural-EDP-stabilization soluble-epoxide-hydrolase-inhibitor pain-control-development hypertension-control-development human-studies-cancer-risk-reduction mechanism-poorly-understood novel-mechanism-provision potent-anti-cancer-effects potent-anti-metastatic-effects current-anti-cancer-drugs angiogenesis-blockade hypertension-side-effects new-mechanism-angiogenesis-blockade blood-vessel-widening reduced-side-effects mice-studies sorafenib-combination efficacy-improvement side-effect-reduction food-science-doctorate University-of-Wisconsin-Madison Lisa-Mahakian Katherine-Ferrara Xiaowen-Hu promise-demonstration epoxides-DHA-strongly-anti-angiogenic epoxides-ARA-mildly-angiogenic tumor-encouragement wound-healing-encouragement opposite-effects-background-lipids humans-as-mice-assumption high-omega-3-low-omega-6-background sorafenib-regorafenib-potentiation Charles-Serhan Harvard-Medical-School omega-3-autacoid-expert Simon-Gelman-Professor Anesthesia-Perioperative-Pain-Medicine full-appreciation-step bioactive-products-DHA-metabolome metabolic-conversion-pivotal vascular-mechanisms cancer-biology vascular-biology translation-to-humans evidence-based-treatments Jonathan-Lindner Oregon-Health-Science-University cardiologist new-drug-strategies nutrition-knowledge diet-influence-susceptibility tumor-progression-rate chemotherapy-response reasonable-recommendations pathway-uncovering tumor-development-influence tumor-growth-influence beneficial-pathways previously-unrecognized-anti-cancer-effect important-lipid-component heart-disease-prevention-diet cancer-prevention-diet new-blood-vessel-growth-suppression tumor-blood-supply-shutdown dramatic-tumor-growth-slowing UC-Davis-Department-Entomology-website co-author-photos Jianjun-Deng Harvard-Medical-School-lead-author 16-member-international-team Dipak-Panigrahy-laboratories Bruce-Hammock-laboratory inflammatory-response-control chemotherapy-treatments pancreatic-cancer-patients liver-cancer-patients decades-old-drug-candidate body's-raging-inflammatory-response deadly-inflammatory-response Proceedings-National-Academy-Sciences PNAS-publication rodent-models two-drug-combination inflammation-reduction debris-from-dying-tumor-cells metastasis-trigger cancer-spread sEH-enzyme-inhibition EP4-prostaglandin-receptor-blocking eicosanoid-pathway-blocking compound-synergy pancreas-cancer-metastasis-prevention liver-cancer-metastasis-prevention debris-clearance-stimulation INV-1120 highly-potent-selective-EP4-antagonist Phase-I-clinical-trial-Texas monotherapy-effect strong-synergy-anti-PD-1 sEH-candidate-synergy gemcitabine-synergy preclinical-animal-models Yongkui-Sun Ionova-Life-Science-chairman biotechnology-company-China basic-biomedical-research-translation novel-therapeutics Hammock-lab-co-lead-author National-Academy-Engineering Merck-research-and-development-team fruitful-academic-industry-collaboration excessive-inflammation lipid-storm human-body-reaction pancreatic-cancer-therapy debris-increase-sEH-EP4-proteins pro-inflammatory-lipid-autacoid pro-angiogenic-lipid-autacoid inflammatory-response-control-importance upstream-cytokine-modulation downstream-cytokine-blocking holistic-eicosanoid-modulation insidious-cancer-characteristics dying-cells-immune-system-training tumor-microenvironment-favorability therapy-combatting effectiveness-rendering double-edged-sword-cancer-therapy inflammatory-immunosuppressive-injury-response dormancy-escape-promotion tumor-recurrence-promotion Victoria-Haak University-Buffalo-first-year-medical-student China-Agricultural-University-researcher compound-synthesis novel-simple-effective-approach inflammation-turning-down cytokine-storm-prevention tumor-resection-consequence natural-pro-resolving-mediator-concentration-increase biological-system-action pro-resolution-mediator-production inflammation-modulation active-resolution-process EicOsis-Human-Health-LLC UC-Davis-based-company inhibitor-human-clinical-trials Texas-trials upstream-action eicosanoid-down-regulation cytokine-storm-down-regulation patient-help-optimism tremendous-clinic-translation-potential Panigrahy-quote 60,430-pancreatic-cancer-diagnoses-annually 31,950-male 28,480-female 48,220-pancreatic-cancer-deaths-annually 25,270-male 22,950-female 42,230-liver-cancer-diagnoses-annually 29,890-male 12,340-female 30,230-liver-cancer-deaths-annually 20,300-male 9,930-female American-Cancer-Society-statistics liver-cancer-incidence-tripling-since-1980 liver-cancer-death-rate-doubling chemotherapy-cancer-risk-elucidation metastasis-prevention-promise recurrence-prevention-promise surgical-tumor-resection-following pre-operative-inflammation-management peri-chemotherapeutic-inflammation-management cancer-recurrence-staving-off significant-translational-science-realization fundamental-science-importance caterpillar-butterfly-question-origin NIH-major-funding NIEHS-Superfund-Research-Program-grant NIH-RIVER-Program-grant National-Institute-Environmental-Health-Sciences Revolutionary-Innovative-Visionary-Environmental-Health-Research Panigrahy-three-grants Credit-Unions-Kids-at-Heart Joe-Andruzzi-Foundation C.J.-Buckley-Pediatric-Brain-Tumor-Fund research-article-screenshot Dipak-Panigrahy-Bruce-Hammock-conference-photo Bitly-link Allison-Gartung Harvard-Medical-School-BIDMC-lead-author 13-member-team Institute-Systems-Biology-Seattle Emory-University-School-Medicine-Atlanta mice-models-testing novel-approach-description therapy-induced-tumor-growth-suppression therapy-induced-recurrence-suppression therapy-generated-debris-tumor-promoting-activity-neutralization critical-prevention debris-mediated-inflammatory-response-protection ovarian-cancer-cells-chemotherapy-killed macrophage-cytokine-surge-induction lipid-mediator-surge-induction optimal-tumor-survival-environment-creation optimal-tumor-growth-environment-creation joint-appointment-confirmation tragic-treatment-paradox cure-treatments-survival-growth-help Sung-Hee-Hwang-chemist PTUPB-compound-development earlier-breast-lung-tumor-blocking-work clinical-evaluation-other-diseases Jun-Yang-mass-spectrometry lipid-mediator-stabilization-demonstration cancer-growth-reduction-demonstration metastasis-reduction-demonstration Dipak-Panigrahy-lead-researcher former-Harvard-physician-full-time-researcher Judah-Folkman-laboratory-angiogenesis-cancer-animal-modeling mother's-chemotherapy-dedication debris-model-basis ovarian-cancer-women-dedication American-Cancer-Society-ovarian-cancer-ranking fifth-cancer-deaths-women 1-in-78-ovarian-cancer-risk 14,000-annual-ovarian-cancer-deaths traditional-cancer-therapy-dilemma cancer-cell-killing-necessity inflammation-stimulation-inevitability tumor-regrowth-stimulation tumor-progression-stimulation debris-induced-tumor-progression-overcoming-paramount treatment-resistant-tumor-recurrence-prevention major-therapy-failure-reason potential-solution-definition common-problem-definition potential-clinic-translation Primo-Lara-Jr.UC-Davis-Comprehensive-Cancer-Center-director associate-director-Translational-Research Center-involvement-pleasure basic-research-clinic-translation-hope NSAIDs-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs aspirin-ibuprofen pain-reduction fever-reduction severe-side-effects stomach-bleeding brain-bleeding cardiovascular-toxicity kidney-toxicity debris-clearing-enhancement-absence PTUPB-translation-exploration combination-current-cancer-therapies chemotherapy-combination radiation-combination immunotherapy-combination surgery-combination debris-generation-direct-indirect clinical-study-consistency-investigation next-step Jun-Yan-Liu-human-sample-collection omega3-fish-oil-combination-papers COX-inhibitor-combination-papers tumor-growth-blocking-papers metastasis-blocking-papers cancer-growth-mediator-regulation-papers young-graduate-student-UC-Berkeley caterpillar-butterfly-study Anise-swallowtail-caterpillar-Papilio-zelicaon-photo Anise-swallowtail-Papilio-zelicaon-photo Kathy-Keatley-Garvey-photos feature-story-reference John-Hafernik San-Francisco-State-University-professor 2008-discovery honey-bee-aberrant-behavior orderly-species foraging-behavior-patterns brood-care-patterns worker-bee-communication-paradigm food-source-location-communication food-source-quality-communication California-bee-observation disoriented-behavior uncoordinated-movement night-flying un-beelike-behaviors parasitic-fly-larval-infestation Apocephalus-borealis humpbacked-fly Phorid-fly-humpbacked-appearance coffin-fly-species carrion-breeding earth-burrowing meter-depth leaky-coffin-entry cadaver-food-search ant-parasitization-species ant-head-migration brain-consumption decapitation-outcome head-ground-development Vermont-2013-discovery zombiefication-act female-fly-egg-injection worker-bee-body-cavity maggot-hatching tissue-consumption unusual-behavior-causation night-hive-abandonment worker-bee-loss-disturbance Colony-Collapse-Disorder-CCD beekeeper-national-surveys September-2006-March-2007-hive-loss 32-percent-hive-loss 2007-2008-similar-period 36-percent-colony-loss zombie-phorid-fly-threat-seriousness CCD-cause-incomplete-understanding culprit-identification-progress Varroa-mite-introduction-late-1980s bee-industry-decimation mite-infestation larvae-blood-sucking pupae-blood-sucking adult-blood-sucking male-bee-targeting bee-weakening disease-predisposition virus-transfer acute-bee-paralysis-virus deformed-wing-virus primary-stress-agents pesticide-encounter pollen-source-suboptimality physiological-stress-imposition fungicide-implication-recent-publication bee-health-decline-contribution Varroa-mite-combat-pesticide-accumulation beeswax-accumulation nectar-pollen-residue-encounter comb-product-accumulation honey-accumulation immune-system-weakening disease-predisposition-increase Nosema-single-celled-gut-parasite worker-bee-dysentery brood-tending-reduction queen-tending-reduction queen-shortened-life queen-reduced-egg-laying CCD-incidence-decline-recent-years commercial-beekeeper-hive-loss 30-percent-exceeding cold-winter-concern debilitating-parasite-addition native-United-States-distribution coast-to-coast-border-to-border-existence native-bumble-bee-parasitization paper-wasp-parasitization honey-bee-attack-expansion-possibility crop-pollination-importance native-plant-pollination-importance bluebonnet-pollination Core-Runckel-Ivers-Quock-Siapno-et-al.-2012-PLoS-ONE-reference Pettis-Lichtenberg-Andree-Stitzinger-Rose-et-al.-2013-PLoS-ONE-reference ARS-USDA-honey-bee-CCD-website de-novo-transcriptome-assembly central-nervous-system-tissue 42,766-contigs gene-identification-curation-comparison 34-ion-channel-types 17-biogenic-amine-receptors 5-GABA-receptors 28-major-transmitter-receptor-subtypes 6-gap-junction-proteins neuronal-molecular-profile-strengths-limitations cell-type-classification ion-channel-gene-expression-product mRNA-abundance-patterns individual-cell-type-properties correlated-mRNA-expression-pattern-generation correlated-mRNA-expression-pattern-maintenance temperature-pH-dependent-potassium-currents stomatogastric-stomach-muscles warming-hyperpolarization 10-mV-per-10°C excitatory-junctional-potential-reduction excitatory-junctional-current-reduction optimal-pH-range-6.7-8.8 abnormal-activity-outside-window voltage-clamp-analysis gastric-muscle-gm5b temperature-sensitive-potassium-conductance pH-sensitive-potassium-conductance potassium-equilibrium-potential-reversal TEA-insensitivity barium-insensitivity RT-qPCR-detection two-putative-K2P-channel-genes CbKCNK1 CbKCNK2 K2P-channel-contribution temperature-dependent-modulation pH-dependent-modulation muscle-excitability-modulation behavioral-ecology-dissertation interspecific-competitive-interactions-focus title-abstract-metadata-limitation full-dissertation-inaccessibility rocky-habitats-title-inference explicit-biological-details-absence iNaturalist-3502-observations Wikipedia-summary-utilization rounded-rough-edged-carapace small-light-spots robust-claws dark-brown-black-tips male-222-mm-maximum female-150-mm-rare-exceedance Catalogue-of-Life-acceptance Stimpson-1859-authorship GBIF-Western-Atlantic-Ocean-presence DSpace-repository-landing-page HTML-metadata-abstract-field no-accessible-Cancer-borealis-biology-content no-biological-evidence-extractable PMCID-13019607 PMCID-12632486 DOI-10.1016/j.isci.2026.115244 DOI-10.1101/2025.10.06.680680 DOI-10.32469/10355/69970 DOI-10.23860/diss-3167 New-England-Atlantic-Ocean-explicit-habitat marine-environment-explicit water-temperature-variation-explicit pH-fluctuation-explicit depth-dependent-pH temperature-dependent-pH tidal-cycle-pH stomach-muscle-food-grinding stomach-teeth-movement pylorus-food-filtering stomatogastric-neuromuscular-system-function-maintenance environmental-temperature-fluctuation-tolerance environmental-pH-fluctuation-tolerance no-distribution-information-provided no-diet-information-provided no-life-cycle-information-provided no-reproduction-information-provided no-ecosystem-role-information-provided host-associations-inapplicable free-living-species competition-with-Homarus-americanus-explicit competition-with-Cancer-irroratus-explicit rocky-habitats-explicit Western-Atlantic-Ocean-explicit Newfoundland-to-Florida-explicit neurophysiology-model-organism-explicit stomatogastric-nervous-system-explicit neural-circuit-function-explicit neuromuscular-control-explicit ion-channel-function-explicit temperature-effects-explicit pH-effects-explicit mechanisms-neuronal-cell-identity-explicit commercial-fishery-explicit recreational-fishery-explicit Cancer-irroratus-similar-taxon-reason-explicit Homarus-americanus-similar-taxon-reason-explicit rocky-habitat-sharing-explicit competitive-interaction-explicit different-family-explicit neural-research-importance fisheries-importance conservative-factual-approach null-return-for-unsupported-fields no-inference-from-higher-taxa no-repetition-across-fields unique-non-overlapping-content no-vague-generalizations no-fabrication cautious-language-where-necessary clear-direct-sentences no-fluff no-filler no-taxonomy-repetition-in-prose no-overly-technical-jargon concrete-statements-preference completeness-medium-assessment partial-reliable-data no-inferred-content factual-correctness-priority clarity-priority usefulness-priority schema-strict-matching no-extra-fields no-external-commentary JSON-output-only
Ceratina calcarata
Spurred Ceratina
Ceratina calcarata is a small carpenter bee native to eastern North America, ranging from Georgia to Ontario and east to Nova Scotia. It exhibits facultative subsocial behavior, with mothers providing extended care to offspring and producing a distinctive worker-like "dwarf eldest daughter" that forages for siblings. This species has become an important model organism for studying the evolutionary origins of social behavior, being the first subsocial bee species to have its genome published.
pollinator subsocial model-organism native-bee stem-nesting agricultural-ecology social-evolution
Chrysomela aeneicollis
Willow Leaf Beetle
Chrysomela aeneicollis is a willow leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae that has served as an important model organism for studies of natural selection, climate adaptation, and conservation genomics. Populations in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California have been studied intensively since 1984 to understand how montane insects respond to thermal variation, reduced oxygen availability, and environmental change. The species sequesters salicin from host willows to produce defensive salicylaldehyde secretions, though these are ineffective against specialist predators. It is included in the California Conservation Genomics Project due to its documented population structure and genetic variation along environmental gradients.
model-organism conservation-genomics climate-change montane-insect willow-herbivore chemical-defense local-adaptation thermal-adaptation California-Conservation-Genomics-Project natural-selection
Cladocera
water fleas
Cladocera is a suborder of small crustaceans commonly known as water fleas, ranging from 0.2–6 mm in size. They are found in freshwater environments worldwide, including rivers, lakes, swamps, and temporary pools, with some species inhabiting brackish water, groundwater, and even leaf axils or caves. These organisms play a central role in freshwater food webs as filter-feeders that consume phytoplankton, bacteria, and organic particles, while serving as essential prey for fish fry and predatory insect larvae. Their sensitivity to environmental changes makes them valuable bioindicators for water quality assessment.
zooplankton freshwater-ecology bioindicator filter-feeder parthenogenesis resting-eggs water-quality model-organism Branchiopoda Daphnia food-web paleolimnology aquatic-microcrustacean
Cloeon dipterum
Pond Olive
Cloeon dipterum is a small mayfly species with a Holarctic distribution, widespread across Europe, Asia, and North America. It is the most common mayfly in ponds of the British Isles, occurring in approximately 40% of all ponds and 70% in southern regions. The species is notable for being the only ovoviviparous mayfly in Europe: females retain eggs internally for 10–14 days after mating, and nymphs hatch immediately upon contact with water. Males possess distinctive turbinate eyes—dorsal "turban-shaped" superposition eyes that aid in locating females during mating swarms. The species has been established as a laboratory model for studying insect evolution, development, and ecotoxicology.
ovoviviparous lentic EPT-indicator model-organism turbinate-eyes Holarctic anoxia-tolerant
Coelopa frigida
seaweed fly, kelp fly
Coelopa frigida is a seaweed fly and the most widely distributed species in its genus, found on temperate Northern Hemisphere shorelines with stranded algae. Adults are 5–6 mm with dark brown to black bodies, lighter legs, and large translucent wings. The species exhibits a chromosomal inversion polymorphism (αβ system) that generates two distinct size morphs with different developmental rates and life-history strategies. It has become a model organism for studying sexual selection, particularly female choice and sexual conflict, and for investigating the genetic basis of local adaptation through chromosomal inversions.
seaweed-fly kelp-fly sexual-selection chromosomal-inversion local-adaptation wrackbed-specialist model-organism climate-change-response
Cotesia congregata
Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp
Cotesia congregata is a gregarious endoparasitoid wasp and a model organism in insect physiology research. Females oviposit eggs into caterpillar hosts, primarily tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata), simultaneously injecting a symbiotic polydnavirus (CcBV) and venom. The virus suppresses host immune defenses and disrupts development, allowing wasp larvae to complete their growth inside the living host. Mature larvae emerge through the host cuticle and spin white silk cocoons on the exterior surface. The wasp exhibits post-emergence learning of host plant cues, with a critical learning window of 0–4 hours after adult emergence.
parasitoid polydnavirus biological-control model-organism gregarious endoparasitoid host-manipulation bracovirus Manduca hornworm
Cydia
Cydia is a large genus of tortrix moths in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae, and tribe Grapholitini. The genus includes numerous economically significant agricultural pests, most notably the codling moth (C. pomonella), a global pest of apple and pear orchards, and the plum fruit moth (C. funebrana). Species in this genus are characterized by their fruit-feeding larval habits, with many mining into or boring through fruits of cultivated trees. The genus name was adopted for the iOS software platform Cydia, referencing the codling moth's association with apples.
agricultural-pest tortricid fruit-borer pheromone integrated-pest-management model-organism
Daphnia
water fleas, water-fleas
Daphnia is a genus of small planktonic crustaceans (0.2–6.0 mm) in the order Anomopoda, commonly called water fleas due to their saltatory swimming style. The genus comprises over 200 species distributed across diverse freshwater habitats worldwide. Daphnia exhibits cyclical parthenogenesis, alternating between asexual and sexual reproduction, and serves as a keystone organism in freshwater food webs. Several species, particularly D. magna and D. pulex, are extensively used as model organisms in ecology, toxicology, and evolutionary biology research.
crustacean plankton freshwater model-organism filter-feeder parthenogenesis water-flea toxicology invasive-species indicator-species
Daphnia galeata
water flea
Daphnia galeata is a small planktonic crustacean inhabiting freshwater lakes across the Northern Hemisphere. The species exhibits pronounced phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental conditions, particularly food availability and predation risk. Two subspecies are recognized: D. g. galeata in the Old World and D. g. mendotae in North America, with hybrid populations occurring in the lower Great Lakes. It serves as a key model organism for studying predator-induced defenses and life-history evolution in aquatic systems.
cladocera zooplankton phenotypic-plasticity predator-induced-defenses life-history-evolution freshwater-ecology model-organism filter-feeder hybridization transcriptomics
Daphniidae
water fleas
Daphniidae is a family of small freshwater crustaceans in the order Anomopoda, commonly known as water fleas. The family contains approximately 121 species across five genera: Ceriodaphnia, Daphnia, Megafenestra, Scapholeberis, and Simocephalus. Daphniidae species are important model organisms in ecology, toxicology, and evolutionary biology, particularly the genus Daphnia. Many species have been accidentally introduced to regions outside their native ranges through human activity.
Cladocera freshwater filter-feeder model-organism zooplankton toxicity-testing invasive-potential
Deloyala guttata
Mottled Tortoise Beetle
Deloyala guttata, the mottled tortoise beetle, is a tortoise beetle in the family Chrysomelidae distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species exhibits local adaptation to particular host plants, with performance tradeoffs observed when feeding on alternative hosts. Larvae construct defensive shields from exuviae and frass carried on the abdomen to protect against predators. Adults display variable golden iridescent coloration.
model-organism herbivore specialist defense-behavior local-adaptation host-race Convolvulaceae
Dicosmoecus
October Caddisflies
Dicosmoecus is a genus of caddisflies in the family Limnephilidae, commonly known as October Caddisflies. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed across western North America, from California and Oregon through British Columbia to the Rocky Mountains. Species such as D. gilvipes and D. atripes are among the most intensively studied North American caddisflies due to their large larval size, synchronous autumn emergence, and importance in freshwater ecosystem research and fly-fishing culture.
caddisfly Trichoptera Limnephilidae freshwater stream grazer autumn-emergence western-North-America model-organism fly-fishing
Diplolepis
gall wasps, rose gall wasps
Diplolepis is a genus of gall-inducing wasps in the family Diplolepididae, most commonly associated with roses (Rosa spp.). These small wasps are notable for inducing complex, often conspicuous galls on their host plants through chemical manipulation of plant tissues. The genus includes both sexual and parthenogenetic species, with some like D. rosae reproducing primarily by thelytokous parthenogenesis. Diplolepis species exhibit intricate life cycles involving alternation between sexual and agamic generations, and their galls support diverse communities of parasitoids and inquilines.
gall-wasps Cynipidae Diplolepididae Rosa parthenogenesis thelytoky bedeguar plant-galls parasitoids inquilines Holarctic rose-pests induced-plant-structures alternation-of-generations agamic-generation sexual-generation ovipositor chemical-ecology nutrient-regulation Wolbachia genomic-rearrangement model-organism
Diplostraca
water fleas, clam shrimps
Diplostraca is a superorder of small branchiopod crustaceans encompassing over 1,000 described species, commonly known as water fleas and clam shrimps. Members range from 0.2 to 6.0 mm in length (with Leptodora reaching 18 mm), and are characterized by a folded bivalved carapace covering an unsegmented-appearing body. The group exhibits cyclical parthenogenesis, alternating between asexual and sexual reproduction to produce dormant eggs. While predominantly freshwater, eight species have colonized marine environments—the only branchiopods to do so.
Branchiopoda freshwater zooplankton parthenogenesis invasive-species model-organism fossil Jurassic Carboniferous
Diptera
Flies, True Flies
Diptera is one of the largest insect orders, containing an estimated 1,000,000 species including house flies, mosquitoes, robber flies, and crane flies. The name derives from Greek 'di-' (two) and 'pteron' (wing), referring to the single functional pair of wings—the hindwings have evolved into halteres, small knobbed structures that function as gyroscopic organs for flight stabilization. This wing modification distinguishes Diptera from all other winged insects and enables their characteristic agile flight. The order exhibits extraordinary diversity in form, size (1-50+ mm), and ecological roles, with species occupying nearly every terrestrial and freshwater habitat.
insect fly true-flies holometabolous halteres vector pollinator decomposer predator model-organism
Drosophila
small fruit flies, pomace flies, vinegar flies, wine flies
Drosophila is a genus of small flies in the family Drosophilidae containing over 1,500 described species. The genus exhibits exceptional diversity in appearance, behavior, and breeding habitat, with species ranging from 2–4 mm to larger than a house fly. Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most extensively studied model organisms in genetics and developmental biology. The genus is distinguished from true fruit flies (Tephritidae) by morphology and ecology. Hawaiian Drosophila represent a major adaptive radiation with over 800 species.
model-organism genetics vinegar-fly Hawaiian-radiation pest decomposer
Drosophila guttifera
Drosophila guttifera is a species of vinegar fly in the Drosophila quinaria species group, notable for its distinctive polka-dotted wing pigmentation pattern. The species feeds on rotting mushrooms and has become an important model organism for studying the genetic mechanisms underlying complex morphological pattern formation. Its genome was sequenced in 2015, revealing how cis-regulatory enhancers drive wing pattern development. Research has demonstrated that the wing spot pattern shows thermal plasticity and is regulated by the wingless morphogen, while the yellow and tan genes are co-expressed to produce the abdominal and wing melanin spot patterns.
model-organism developmental-biology wing-pattern thermal-plasticity mushroom-feeder quinaria-group enhancer-evolution pigmentation-genetics
Drosophila melanogaster
vinegar fly, lesser fruit fly, pomace fly, banana fly
Drosophila melanogaster is a small dipteran fly native to sub-Saharan Africa that has become cosmopolitan through human association. The species is attracted to rotting fruit and fermenting beverages, earning it the common name 'vinegar fly'—a more accurate descriptor than 'fruit fly,' which properly refers to tephritid pests that damage intact fruit. Since 1901, D. melanogaster has served as the premier model organism for genetic research, contributing to fundamental discoveries in heredity, development, neurobiology, and circadian rhythms. Six Nobel Prizes have been awarded for research using this species. Its utility stems from a rapid 10-day generation time, high fecundity, simple genetics with only four chromosome pairs, and extensive genetic tools.
model-organism genetics cosmopolitan vinegar-fly laboratory-animal
Drosophilidae
Vinegar flies, Pomace flies, Fruit flies
Drosophilidae is a diverse, cosmopolitan family of small flies commonly known as vinegar or pomace flies, though often mislabeled 'fruit flies.' The family contains over 4,000 species across 75 genera, with Drosophila melanogaster serving as one of the most important model organisms in genetics, development, and behavioral research. Most species are associated with decomposing organic matter, particularly fermenting fruits and vegetables, though some have evolved specialized relationships with flowers, fungi, or living plant tissue.
model-organism decomposer vinegar-fly genetics-research nuisance-pest agricultural-pest
Enallagma civile
Familiar Bluet
Enallagma civile, commonly known as the familiar bluet, is a narrowwinged damselfly native to much of the United States and southern Canada. This species is a habitat generalist and predatory insect that has been extensively studied as a model organism for understanding climate change effects on aquatic invertebrates. Research indicates that rising water temperatures significantly impact its development, survival, and adult body size, with temperatures above 38°C causing substantial mortality. The species produces multiple generations per year and serves as host to various parasites including Arrenurus water mites and gregarine protozoans.
damselfly climate-change-indicator wetland-species generalist predator North-America model-organism parasite-host
Enchenopa binotata
Two-marked Treehopper Complex, twomarked treehopper
Enchenopa binotata is a species complex of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, currently recognized as comprising multiple cryptic species that have diverged through host plant specialization. The complex occurs primarily in eastern North America with some records in Central America. Members are morphologically similar but reproductively isolated through assortative mating based on host plant-associated vibrational communication signals. This system is a classic model for studying sympatric speciation via host shifts.
treehopper vibrational-communication sympatric-speciation host-plant-specialization cryptic-species model-organism
Epiblema scudderiana
goldenrod gall moth
Epiblema scudderiana, commonly known as the goldenrod gall moth, is a tortricid moth whose larvae form elliptical galls on goldenrod stems. The species is freeze-avoiding, surviving winter through deep supercooling of body fluids and accumulation of glycerol as a cryoprotectant. Larvae overwinter in diapause within silk-lined galls, exhibiting dramatic metabolic suppression and epigenetic regulation of gene expression during cold stress. This moth has been extensively studied as a model for insect cold hardiness physiology, contrasting with the freeze-tolerant strategy of the sympatric gall fly Eurosta solidaginis.
gall-former freeze-avoiding cryoprotectant diapause goldenrod cold-hardiness epigenetics metabolic-suppression model-organism
Eucoilini
Eucoilini is a tribe of small parasitoid wasps within the family Figitidae. Members are known primarily for their association with Drosophila fruit flies as hosts. The tribe contains genera such as Ganaspis and Leptopilina, which have been extensively studied in behavioral ecology and host-parasitoid interactions. These wasps are characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive larval development inside host puparia.
parasitoid Drosophila-parasitoid biological-control model-organism Hymenoptera
Eulimnadia
clam shrimp
Eulimnadia is a genus of small freshwater branchiopods commonly known as clam shrimp. The genus is notable for its rare androdioecious mating system, where populations consist of males and hermaphrodites but lack pure females. This reproductive strategy has persisted for an estimated 24–180 million years across multiple speciation events, making it one of the most stable examples of androdioecy known in animals. Species are distinguished primarily by the morphology of their resting eggs (cysts), which show distinctive sculpturing patterns. The genus contains approximately 13–25 described species with a cosmopolitan distribution across every continent except Antarctica.
branchiopod clam-shrimp temporary-pool androdioecy resting-egg cyst sex-chromosome-evolution model-organism freshwater-crustacean ephemeral-wetland
Euscelidius variegatus
leafhopper
Euscelidius variegatus is a multivoltine, polyphagous leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, widespread across Europe and North America. It serves as a natural vector of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' (chrysanthemum yellows strain) and as a laboratory vector for Flavescence dorée phytoplasma and the X-disease phytoplasma affecting cherry production. The species has become a model organism for studying phytoplasma-vector interactions due to its ease of laboratory rearing compared to natural vectors like Scaphoideus titanus. Development from egg to adult occurs in approximately 35 days under controlled conditions, with adult longevity averaging 52 days.
leafhopper phytoplasma-vector agricultural-pest model-organism endosymbiont bacteriophage iflavirus multivoltine Cicadellidae Deltocephalinae viticulture cherry-production vector-competence holobiont proteomics
Faxonius virilis
Northern Crayfish, Virile Crayfish
Orconectes virilis is a medium-sized freshwater crayfish native to North America, widely distributed across Canada and the northern United States. The species is notable for its well-documented behavioral ecology, including complex social hierarchies, territorial home range behavior, and sophisticated predator avoidance mechanisms. It has been extensively studied as a model organism for agonistic behavior, chemical communication, and escape response mechanics. The species is currently expanding its range westward into Alberta and shows adaptability to varying environmental conditions, though acidification poses reproductive challenges.
crayfish freshwater decapod behavioral-ecology chemical-communication agonistic-behavior model-organism North-America range-expansion acidification-sensitivity
Folsomia candida
Folsomia candida is a small, unpigmented, eyeless springtail species that has become one of the most widely used model organisms in soil ecotoxicology. Native to soil environments but now distributed globally through human-mediated dispersal, this parthenogenetic species reproduces without males and can be easily maintained in laboratory cultures on simple diets. It has been employed for over 40 years as a standard test organism for assessing pesticide and pollutant effects on non-target soil invertebrates, and has also served as a model for studying cold tolerance, circadian rhythms, decomposition processes, and soil fungal interactions.
springtail collembola soil-microarthropod model-organism ecotoxicology parthenogenetic bioindicator tramp-species
Formicidae
Ants
Formicidae is a diverse family of eusocial insects comprising an estimated 12,500–22,000 described species globally, with approximately 14,000 species formally classified. Ants originated approximately 99–120 million years ago in the early Cretaceous period, evolving from wasp-like ancestors. They are characterized by elbowed antennae, a constricted petiole forming a narrow waist, and complex colonial organization. Ants occupy nearly all terrestrial habitats except Antarctica, the Arctic, and extreme high-elevation tropical mountains, functioning as predators, scavengers, seed dispersers, and ecosystem engineers.
eusocial Hymenoptera ecosystem-engineer invasive-species model-organism pheromone-communication caste-system complete-metamorphosis