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The genetic make-up of an individual contributes to the susceptibility and response to viral infection. Although environmental, clinical and social factors have a role in the chance of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of COVID-191,2, host genetics may also be important. Identifying host-specific genetic factors may reveal biological mechanisms of therapeutic relevance and clarify causal relationships of modifiable environmental risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcomes. We formed a global network of researchers to investigate the role of human genetics in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Here we describe the results of three genome-wide association meta-analyses that consist of up to 49,562 patients with COVID-19 from 46 studies across 19 countries. We report 13 genome-wide significant loci that are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe manifestations of COVID-19. Several of these loci correspond to previously documented associations to lung or autoimmune and inflammatory diseases3,4,5,6,7. They also represent potentially actionable mechanisms in response to infection. Mendelian randomization analyses support a causal role for smoking and body-mass index for severe COVID-19 although not for type II diabetes. The identification of novel host genetic factors associated with COVID-19 was made possible by the community of human genetics researchers coming together to prioritize the sharing of data, results, resources and analytical frameworks. This working model of international collaboration underscores what is possible for future genetic discoveries in emerging pandemics, or indeed for any complex human disease.
After obtaining fresh material of Opatrillus puertoricellis from Puerto Rico a comparison was done with a large series of O. armasi. This latter taxon had been previously compared with Marcuzzi's original description, mainly based on his illustration of male genitalia from Jamaica reckoned to be O. puertoricensis. Genitalia from O. p. puertoricensis (from Puerto Rico) and O. armasi, proved to be quite alike. Also morphological characters of the two populations are not very distinct, offering differentiations better considered under sub specific rather than specific level. Therefore, we propose considering O. armasi Garrido and Gutierrez, 1994, as a subspecies associated with O. puertoricensis Marcuzzi, 1977. Based on the differences shown in the male genitalia of O. armasi and O. puertoricensis from Puerto Rico and Jamaica, we consider that the animals from Jamaica are different from Puerto Rico's (O. puertoricensis), and therefore constitute an undescribed species different from 0. puertoricensis.
A revision is provided for the Cuban endemic tenebrionid genus Trimytcmtron. Material of Ardoin's five previously described species (Trimytalltron decui, poeyi, cub anum, viiiai and negrai) is compared with the extensive series of the senior author's collection (O.H.G). Eight new species are herein described and illustrated. Also their genitalia are illustrated, as well as some of the previously described species not illustrated by Ardoin in his original descriptions. Material from several eastern localities assigned to T. decui are not exactly identical, showing some variations at subspecific level. Although these variations are mentioned, they are not described. The same situation applies to populations assigned to the new species described from the northern part of Santa Clara (the cave complex of Caguanes). Genitalia of six of the eight new species are herein illustrated as are those of T. decui and T. poeyi . Photographs of the eight new taxa are also provided; as well as a synoptic table of the principal diagnostic characters of all taxa of the genus.
A new species of an endemic tenebrionid beetle, Opatrinus armasi, is described from the environs of San Antonio de los Banos, Havana Province. The new species is found living syntopically in this area with the more widespread 0. pullus. Comparisons with various populations of this latter species are made. Photographs of the beetles, drawing of pronotum, as well as males genitalia of both species are given.
The blind click-beetles are the larger tenebrionids of Cuba. In our territory there are two species described, Zophbas rugipes Kirsch with a wide distribution in other West Indies, Central and South America, and Z. cubanus Marcuzzi, endemic to Cuba. Other authors had exposed the variability of Z. rugipes. We have compared all the available material from Cuban collections and have reached the conclusion that the diagnostic characters exposed for z. cubanus, based on a small series, are not valid. Therefore, we consider this taxon as an individual variation of Z. rugipes, and synonymize Z. cubanus under Z. rugipes.
Segun Marcuzzi (1984), hay seis especies de Trientoma en Las Antillas, pero olvidó incluir T. wickhami Casey de Las Bahamas. De esas siete especies, sólo una, se encontraba reportada para Cuba, T. varvasi Solier, 1835. Por lo tanto este género era muy poco conocido y con escasos especímenes depositados en colecciones. Gundlach, en su colección actualmente depositada en el Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática de la Academia de Ciencias de Cuba, posee solamente tres ejemplares. Con el numero 1567 tiene a Trientoma sp., pero en realidad este ejemplar coincide con el género Trimytantron descrito por Ardoin en 1977. Con el 1463 a T. varvasi, y con el 1568 a T. convexipennis.
A new endemic species of Eurycotis, E. perezassoi, predominantly found under stones associated with Pinus cubensis, is described from the eastern region of the Island of Cuba. Differences for separation of E. rhodae Gurney and E. lacernata Cabrera, from the new taxon, are given.
El género Loxostethus fue descrito por Triplehorn (1962), describiendo las especies fasciatus y opacifrons para Cuba, jamaicensis para Jamaica, y unicolor para Puerto Rico. Todas fueron halladas en hongos, y si bien no han sido reportadas de la Isla de Santo Domingo no es de extrañar que eventualmente aparezcan. Zayas (1989) describió L. quadrimaculata para Trinidad, Cuba-sin embargo, esta última especie cae dentro de la variación individual de L. fasciatus de acuerdo a la descripción de Triplehorn. Por consiguiente, L. quadrimaculata es sinonimizado bajo Loxostethus fasciatus. Gundlach tiene representado en su colección estos dos taxa bajo el género Cyphiscus Chevrolat, nombres que no han sido publicados bajo la familia Tenebrionidae. Se describe una nueva especie, Loxostethus baracoae de Baracoa, Guantánamo. Comparaciones y notas sobre hábitat y distribución de este género son también dados. Un solo individuo colectado enLa Gran Piedra, Santiago de Cuba, aparenta ser una especie aun por describir.
A new species of Diastolinus, D. burtoni is described for the islands of Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac (Cayman Islands). Local forms are characterized by displaying a conspicuous enlargement of the front tibia, character not found in any Cuban species. However, Diastolirius dentipes (endemic to Grand Cayman) was also collected in Cayo Largo del Sur, Archipelago de Los Canarreos, Cuba. Therefore this species, could no longer be considered endemic to the Cayman Islands. Whether the original dispersion occurred from Cayman Island to Cayo Largo or vice versa, is hard to prove, nevertheless, the distinctive character of the dilatation of the front tibias of Caymanian's animals strongly suggest the former variant.
Two new species of the genus Diastolinus are described for the island of Cuba, D. alfaroi and D. orientalis. After securing and comparing large series from the type localities of Diastolinus macamboensis and D. garciai, as well as from intermediate territories, we suggest, that these two taxa are indistinguishable; therefore we consider D. garciai as a junior synonym of D. macamboensis. In the private collection of the senior author are represented several new, undescribed populations.
