It all started with an email in late August 2022. I wrote to Nina Fatouros at Wageningen University and Research (WUR), to ask her for some images (SEMs) of Pieris brassicae eggs. Over a few brief email exchanges, we discovered that we both shared an interest on insect eggs, and that we could learn from each other's different angles (mine on the evolution of reproductive traits, Nina's on plant-insect interactions). Nina invited me to apply for a Visiting Scientist Fellowship at WUR and then fast forward to 30th January 2023, I found myself on a train crossing the Channel heading for Wageningen, the Netharlands. I spent four intense (and fun) weeks at the Biosystematics Group, WUR. Nina, her PhD student Liana Greenberg, and I, drafted some hypotheses on latitudinal and climatic gradients effects on eggs of populations of Pieris spp. Nina and Liana have collected Pieris napi from across Europe, from Wageningen to Spain. Nina also has two stable populations of Pieris rapae and brassicae, which she has kept in the lab for a number of generations. I then spent several days in the company of Marcel Giesbers, a very knowledgeable SEM technician, to image Pieris eggs using Cryo SEM, which was a lot of fun (oh, and talking of Dutch cheeses with Marcel...). I have learnt a lot about plant-insect interactions (and dusted off my two botany exams taken decades ago), started a collaboration with an amazing colleague, and visited the Netherlands for the first time! I was made to feel at home by every member of the Biosystematics group, and I am indebted to Nina, Klaas, Eric, Liana, Wilma, Marcel, Patrick, Jordy, and everyone else at WUR + WEES for inviting me to give a talk. I really hope to be able to come back soon.
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A couple of weeks back I talked about my new venture as a member of a Special Topics Network on Thermal Fertility Limits. This is a network of researchers interested in delving deeper into the mechanisms behind fertility failure following heat stress. I attended the first of three online meetings of the network and, after so many months at home with little interaction from a research perspective, it was so interesting and refreshing. We discussed a range of ideas around the topic and, as you'd expect, we had more questions than answers. We started off by asking: what do me mean with fertility? Do we intend viable eggs and sperm? Number of hatched young? Clutches of eggs? Then we moved on to thermal stress. Heat stress comes in lots of different forms, which one should we study? Long-term heat stress or short intense bursts? Should we be looking at a constant temperature, steady or sudden increase? If an animal/plant suffers damage, should be looking at irreversible damage or measure time to recovery? Are there sex differences (some initial evidence suggests there are)? Does it matter at what developmental stage heat stress happens? For insects, which undergo metamorphosis, early stages are usually immobile and less likely to be able to buffer damage caused by heat stress. Could this affect the lifespan of the individual post sexual maturity? There seem to be almost endless possibilities for student research! If you are interested please do get in touch to discuss this exciting and timely topic. I will be writing more as the network develops, meanwhile we will stay in touch and meet regularly. |
AuthorGraziella Iossa Archives
August 2023
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