Troublesome Bed Bugs Have Hassled Humans for Over 60 Millennia
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In a study published in Biology Letters on May 28, researchers explored the historical relationship between humans and bed bugs, shedding light on their evolutionary paths and the impact of urban expansion on their relationship.
Bed bugs, a pest species that feed on human blood, have a history dating back at least 60,000 years. According to the study, the human-associated lineage of bed bugs may have originated from a few intrepid bugs that hopped off a bat and clung to a Neanderthal walking out of a cave. These bugs then decided to explore what tasty morsels our bipedal ancestors could provide, while the other lineage remained with bats. The decision to stay with hominids turned out to be profitable, as they have thrived ever since. In contrast, the bat-living bed bug population has seen a decline since the Last Glacial Maximum, or ice age, around 20,000 years ago.
The study compared the whole genomes of two genetically distinct lineages of bed bugs, the human-associated lineage, and the bat-feeding lineage. The comparison showed that the human-associated lineage followed a similar movement pattern as humans, suggesting it may be the first true urban pest.
The decrease in bed bug populations during the Last Glacial Maximum is consistent with a decline in both human and bat populations. However, the human-associated lineage rebounded while the bat-associated lineage did not. This rebound can be linked to the early establishment of large human settlements that expanded into cities such as Mesopotamia around 12,000 years ago.
Understanding the historical and evolutionary relationship between humans and bed bugs can provide insights into the spread of pests and diseases as urban populations increase. The team is interested in further studying the evolutionary changes in the human-associated lineage compared to the bat-associated lineage.
This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between bed bugs and humans, highlighting the adaptability of pest species to urban environments and their evolution into persistent pest species.
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- This study, published in Biology Letters, offers fascinating insights into the history of bed bugs, demonstrating how their adaptation to urban environments and association with humans has led to their persistence as a medical-condition.
- The findings from this research underscore the importance of continued study in the field of science, particularly in health-and-wellness, to better understand the evolutionary paths of pest species like bed bugs and to devise effective strategies for their control.
