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Scholarly Works (2 results)

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UC Riverside Electronic Theses and Dissertations (2024)

Systematics is crucial for uncovering Earth’s biodiversity. With more than 6,800 species, assassin bugs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) showcase diverse life histories and adaptations, from generalist predators like Rhynocoris that are used in pest control to specialists targeting noxious millipedes, termites, ants, and spiders. While some assassin bugs—such as the medically significant kissing bugs, which are more thoroughly investigated as vectors of Chagas disease—are relatively well-studied, many other assassin bugs remain scientifically underexplored.Despite species-level taxonomic revisions, subfamilial classifications within Reduviidae are outdated, resulting in poly- and paraphyletic groupings. Unresolved intergeneric relationships, misidentifications, and a lack of comprehensive phylogenies hinder accurate classifications and the understanding of evolutionary patterns behind unique traits, such as asymmetric genitalia and aposematism. To tackle these challenges, this dissertation focuses on three key objectives: 1. Taxonomic revision: I revise the subfamily Pseudocetherinae (now Pseudocetherini, following Masonick et al. 2024) by conducting a parsimony analysis of morphological characters. This revision produces a new classification that reflects evolutionary relationships, along with re-descriptions and new species descriptions. Identification tools, such as keys, images, and diagnoses, are developed to assist in accurate identification. 2. Phylogenomics: I infer a comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Peiratinae using a combination of Sanger sequencing and hybrid capture, producing the most taxon-rich and character-rich dataset for the group to date. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two major clades within Peiratinae, an Old World and New World clade. The analysis highlights the non-monophyly of genera such as Sirthenea, Rasahus, and Ectomocoris. 3. Evolutionary patterns: I investigate the evolution of asymmetric genitalia and aposematic coloration using a phylogenetic framework. Exploration of these traits using ancestral character state reconstruction elucidates the independent evolution of multiple asymmetric mating structures and unique color patterns. Additionally, using citizen-science data from iNaturalist, I analyze predator-prey interactions to better understand the ecological significance of color patterns in deterring visually acute predators. This dissertation advances our understanding of assassin bug evolution and morphology as the basis for broader biodiversity, behavioral, and ecological research.

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Dermatology Online Journal, Volume 26, Issue 8 (2020)
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare disorder that must be distinguished from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although a minority of patients with KFD develop SLE, most patients have a self-limited disease. Importantly, KFD can have skin manifestations resembling cutaneous lupus. Therefore, the diagnosis of SLE should be predicated on a complete rheumatologic workup and not on the constellation of skin disease and lymphadenitis. Nonetheless, as our exceedingly rare case illustrates, patients who do not initially meet diagnostic criteria for SLE require dermatologic follow-up. We present a young adult woman who had a remote history of KFD and later presented with combined features of discoid lupus and lupus erythematosus panniculitis (LEP). On subsequent rheumatologic workup, she fulfilled criteria for SLE. We discuss the differential diagnosis of both KFD and LEP and emphasize how strong communication among dermatologists and other healthcare providers is essential in the management of patients with KFD.
    Cover page: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease preceded by lupus erythematosus panniculitis: do these findings together herald the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus?Creative Commons 'BY-NC-ND' version 4.0 license
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