New data on crinoid assemblages from the oldest sedimentary rocks of the Polish Outer Carpathians (Jurassic-Cretaceous)

Crinoids (Crinoidea) preserved in the so-called Cieszyn Beds (Tithonian-Hauterivian; southern Poland) are relatively numerous, especially in some levels, but not highly diversified. They are absent in the Lower Cieszyn Shale (Tithonian) and the Upper Cieszyn Shale (Valanginian-Hauterivian). The Lower Cieszyn Limestone (Tithonian) yielded crinoid remains classified as Isocrinus cf. amblyscalaris (Thurmann) and Isocrinida indet. In the Upper Cieszyn Limestone (Berriasian) crinoids are much more numerous and diversified. The following taxa are recorded: Isocrinus? annulatus (Roemer), Balanocrinus subteres (Münster), B. cf. smithi Hess and Gale, and Hemicrinus sp. The presence of specimens resembling Isocrinus amblyscalaris (Thurmann) in the Tithonian strata is surprising since the last occurrence of this taxon was reported from the Kimmeridgian. The Lower Cieszyn Limestone crinoidal assemblage is dominated by isocrinids (Isocrinida). This probably reflects the much shallower sedimentary environment of these sediments compared to that of the Upper Cieszyn Limestone, where excepting isocrinids, hemicrinids (Hemicrinidae, Cyrtocrinida) typical for deep marine environments were found. It is consistent with the analytical results from the foraminiferal assemblages, among which the benthic forms known from shelfal and paralic epicontinental environments first dominated, and then were supplanted by deep-sea taxa at the turn of the Jurassic and Cretaceous.     

Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) sea lilies (Crinoidea) from central Poland (Łódź Depression)

Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) limestones of central Poland (southern border of the ?ód? Depression) are in places extremely rich in crinoid remains. These latter are represented by very well preserved columnals/pluri-columnals, isolated brachials and cirrals/pluri-cirrals, assignable to the following species: Isocrinus amblyscalaris (Thurmann, in Thurmann and Éttalon), Isocrinus cf. pendulus (von Meyer), Balanocrinus brachiospina Hess, Balanocrinus pentagonalis (Goldfuss), Balanocrinus subteres (Münster, in Goldfuss), Balanocrinus sp., and Millericrinida indet. The commonest species, Balanocrinus brachiospina, is recorded for the first time from Poland. Critical revision of Polish occurrence of balanocrinids is provided. It is suggested that some of the previous balanocrinid finds from Poland assigned to Balanocrinus subteres should be now addressed as B. brachiospina. Furthermore, it is probable that the Callovian B. hessi Salamon and Zatoń should be synonymized with B. pentagonalis. Crinoid material at hand is also associated with asteroid and echinoid remains. Among this material, a complete test of Pleurodiadema nudum Cotteau is illustrated for the first time from Poland. Taphonomic observations of echinoderms from the Kimmeridgian limestones of the ?ód? Depression suggest that they did not undergo a long post-mortem transport. The high degree of disarticulation, however, supports their prolonged post-mortem seafloor exposure.     

Cyrtocrinids (Cyrtocrinida,Crinoidea) and other associated crinoids from the Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)–Cretaceous (Berriasian–Barremian) of the Carpathian Foredeep basement (western Ukraine)

Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian) and Cretaceous (Berriasian–Barremian) strata of the Ukrainian part of the Carpathian Foredeep basement are rich, at least locally, in crinoid remains. Crinoids belonging to cyrtocrinids (Cyrtocrinida) are represented by whole cups, isolated remains of disarticulated cups, brachial plates and columnals. They are assigned to the following taxa: Cyrtocrinida indet., Eugeniacrinites cf. cariophilites (von Schlotheim), Lonchocrinus sp., Phyllocrinus stellaris Zaręczny, Ascidicrinus pentagonus (Jaekel), Gammarocrinites sp., Psalidocrinus armatus (Zittel), Psalidocrinus sp., and Hemibrachiocrinidae gen. indet. Cyrtocrinids are associated with other stalked (isocrinids, Isocrinida and millericrinids, Millericrinida) and stemless (saccocomids, Roveacrinida) crinoids. Columnals, pluricolumnals, brachial plates, and cirrals of isocrinids are assigned to Balanocrinus sp., Isocrinina fam. et subfam. indet., and columnals of millericrinids to Millericrinida indet. Free-living roveacrinids are assigned to Saccocoma sp. and Crassicoma sp. Knowledge on Jurassic and Cretaceous crinoids formerly described from Ukraine is discussed. Although majority of crinoids described herein seems to be allochthonous, autochthonous forms were also found with certainty in some intervals. These include some cyrtocrinids, which dominate in shallow-water environments of the Ukrainian Carpathian Foredeep basement. Isocrinids are also common in this shallow marine environment, whereas sessile saccocomids are assigned to low-energy, mud-supported bottom, open marine, outer-platform/upper slope, and relatively deep environments.     

Crinoids from the Ouarsenis Massif (Algeria) fill the Lower Cretaceous (Berriasian and Valanginian) gap of northern Africa

The Ouarsenis Massif belongs to the Algerian Tell domain, which is considered as the eastern part of the Maghrebian Tethys former margin. The Berriasian-Valanginian Oued Fodda Formation outcropping in the Kef Aïn El Hadjela section, at the foot of the great peak of the Ouarsenis Massif, is composed of marls and laminated and bioturbated limestone alternations. The marl facies reveals diverse microfauna, including crinoids. These latter are represented by: Isocrinida [isocrinids Balanocrinus cf. gillieroni (de Loriol), Percevalicrinus aldingeri Klikushin, Isocrinus? lissajouxi (de Loriol)], Cyrtocrinida [cyrtocrinids (Phyllocrinus sp., Hemibrachiocrinus sp.)], and Roveacrinida gen. indet. sp. indet. [roveacrinids]. All these, with exception of roveacrinids and phyllocrinids, are noted for the first time from Algeria and African continent (southern margin of Tethys in the Maghreb). Knowledge on Cretaceous crinoids formerly described from Algeria is presented. It is also shown that crinoid assemblage and associated invertebrates are typical for relatively shallow, distal depositional setting situated below storm wave base.     

New marine mammal faunas (Cetacea and Sirenia) and sea level change in the Samlat Formation,Upper Eocene,near Ad-Dakhla in southwestern Morocco

The Samlat Formation is well exposed in coastal sections bordering the Atlantic Ocean south of Ad-Dakhla in southwestern Morocco. Here some 22 m of rhythmically-bedded, chert-rich, marine siltstones and marls are overlain by 1–1.5 m of vertebrate-bearing microconglomeratic sandstone, another 4–8 m of rhythmically-bedded siltstone and marl, and finally a second 3–6 m unit of vertebrate-bearing muddy sandstone. The microconglomeratic and muddy sandstones represent low sea stands in what is otherwise a deeper water sequence. Cetacean skeletons are rare but cetacean vertebrae are common in the lower sandstone (bed B1), where many show the effects of reworking. The cetaceans in bed B1represent a minimum of five species, from smallest to largest: cf. Saghacetus sp., cf. Stromerius sp., Dorudon atrox, cf. Dorudon sp., and Basilosaurus isis. Bed B1 yields rib fragments that may represent sirenians, but sirenians, if present, are rare. The only identifiable cetacean found in the upper sandstone (bed B2) is Basilosaurus sp. Dugongid sirenians identified as cf. Eosiren sp. are the most common mammal in bed B2. We interpret co-occurrence of the typically Early Priabonian species Dorudon atrox and Basilosaurus isis with smaller species more like Middle Priabonian genera Saghacetus osiris and Stromerius nidensis to indicate that bed B1 was deposited during low sea stand Pr-2 between the Early and Middle Priabonian (between the early and middle Late Eocene). Bed B2 is separated from B1 by an interval of deeper water sediment accumulation. Bed B2 could represent a later phase of Pr-2 or a subsequent Priabonian low sea stand (possibly Pr-3).     

Selection of antimalarial drug resistance after intermittent preventive treatment of infants and children (IPTi/c) in Senegal

Senegal has since 2003 used sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) of malaria in risk groups. However, the large-scale IPT strategy may result in increasing drug resistance. Our study investigated the possible impact of SP-IPT given to infants and children on the prevalence of SP-resistant haplotypes in the Plasmodium falciparum genes Pfdhfr and Pfdhps, comparing sites with and without IPTi/c. P. falciparum positives samples (n = 352) were collected from children under 5 years of age during two cross-sectional surveys in 2010 and 2011 in three health districts (two on IPTi/c and one without IPTi/c intervention) located in the southern part of Senegal. The prevalence of SP-resistance-related haplotypes in Pfdhfr and Pfdhps was determined by nested PCR followed by sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP)–ELISA. The prevalence of the Pfdhfr double mutant haplotypes (CNRN and CICN) was stable between years at < 10% in the control group (P = 0.69), while it rose significantly in the IPTi/c group from 2% in 2010 to 20% in 2011 (P = 0.008). The prevalence of the Pfdhfr triple mutant haplotype (CIRN) increased in both groups, but only significantly in the IPTi/c group from 41% to 65% in 2011 (P = 0.005). Conversely, the Pfdhps 437G mutation decreased in both groups from 44.6% to 28.6% (P = 0.07) and from 66.7% to 47.5% (P = 0.02) between 2010 and 2011 in the control and the IPTi/c groups, respectively. Combined with Pfdhfr, there was a weak trend for decreasing prevalence of quadruple mutants (triple Pfdhfr + Pfdhps 437G) in both groups (P = 0.15 and P = 0.34). During the two cross-sectional surveys, some significant changes were observed in the SP-resistance-related genes. However, since these changes were observed in the two groups, the IPTi/c strategy does only seem to have limited impact on resistance development and other factors as well. However, continuous monitoring will be needed, due to the up-scaling of the IPTi/c strategy in Senegal according to WHO recommendations.     

AhpC (alkyl hydroperoxide reductase) from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 protects Escherichia coli from multiple abiotic stresses

Alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC) is known to detoxify peroxides and reactive sulfur species (RSS). However, the relationship between its expression and combating of abiotic stresses is still not clear. To investigate this relationship, the genes encoding the alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (ahpC) from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 were introduced into E. coli using pGEX-5X-2 vector and their possible functions against heat, salt, carbofuron, cadmium, copper and UV-B were analyzed. The transformed E. coli cells registered significantly increase in growth than the control cells under temperature (47 °C), NaCl (6% w/v), carbofuron (0.025 mg ml^?1), CdCl₂ (4 mM), CuCl₂ (1 mM), and UV-B (10 min) exposure. Enhanced expression of ahpC gene as measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR under aforementioned stresses at different time points demonstrated its role in offering tolerance against multiple abiotic stresses.     

A new genus of praeaulacid wasp (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea) from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber (Myanmar)

The diversity of praeaulacid wasps in Kachin amber is relatively poorly documented. Here, a new genus and species of praeaulacid wasp are described and illustrated from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber as Archeogastrinus kachinensis gen. et sp. nov., and placed in the subfamily Praeaulacinae. This new genus is distinguishable from the other Praeaulacidae because of its particular tibial spurs formula 1-2-2; its forewings with a long and thin pterostigma, a 1-M longer than 1-Rs, a 1-Rs longer than its distance to pterostigma, a crossvein 2r-rs aligned (or nearly) with 2rs-m and originating near the middle of pterostigma, a 2rs-m present, a cell 3rm long, a 1cu-a postfurcal to 1-M, a vein 2-M distinct; its hind wings cu-a reaching Cu distad M + Cu fork; and its metasoma with a first segment petiole-like (i.e., long and thin) and ventrally inflated in its distal half. The position of the genus Mesevania is briefly discussed, as well as the validity of the genus Paleosyncrasis, both described from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber.     

Flavonoids from carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) and their antifungal activity

A flavonoid glycoside, kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1 → 2)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1 → 2)-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), along with two known C- and O-flavonoid glycosides (2 and 3, respectively), were isolated from carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus). The structures of the isolated compounds have been elucidated unambiguously by UV, MS, and a series of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. The isolated compounds and other flavonoid glycoside analogues exhibited antifungal activity against different Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi pathotypes.     

First record of non-marine ostracods from the Paleogene “hamadian deposits” of Méridja area,west of Bechar (southwestern Algeria)

A new non-marine ostracod fauna from the Paleogene “hamadian deposits” outcropping west of Bechar (southwestern Algeria) has been recovered from lacustrine to fluvial deposits of the Oued Méridja section and fluvial deposits on the southern edge of the Hamada de Méridja section. Recently, these sections have been dated as late Thanetian – early Ypresian (latest Paleocene to earliest Eocene) and Ypresian – earliest Lutetian (early to earliest middle Eocene), respectively, based on charophytes. The associated ostracod fauna recovered consists of relatively mostly moderately to badly preserved specimens and comprises 14 taxa, none of which could be identified to species level in view of its poor state of preservation; we have nevertheless been able to identify and describe the following taxa: Herpetocypris sp., Cyprinotus? sp., Heterocypris? sp. 1 and sp. 2, Cypris? sp., Ilyocypris sp., Cytheroidea indet. sp. 1 and sp. 2, Limnocytheridae indet. sp. 1, Cypridoidea indet. sp. 1, Cyprididae indet. sp. 1, and Ostracoda indet. sp. 1, 2 and 3. Only Heterocypris sp. 1 occurs in both sections. Although the fauna can as yet not be related to the few other contemporaneous faunas reported from the wider palaeogeographic area, it adds important new information to our poor knowledge on Eocene non-marine ostracods in North Africa and southern Europe. The Méridja sections and area are promising regarding the discovery of more, better preserved material and further studies, and one main limitation to the correlation of the fauna is the hitherto insufficient taxonomic knowledge on many faunal elements of Eocene non-marine ostracods to which our section contributes considerably.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of Thelohanellus macrovacuolaris n. sp. (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) infecting the palate in the mouth of common carp Cyprinus carpio L. in China

Thelohanellus macrovacuolaris n. sp. is described during a survey on myxozoan diversity of common carp Cyprinus carpio L. in China. It is characterized by the presence of round or ellipsoidal plasmodium in the palate in the mouth of host. Mature spores were pyriform in frontal view, lemon shaped in lateral view, measuring 21.6 ± 0.9 (19.3–23.8) long, 12.5 ± 0.7 (10.3–13.6) wide, and 10.2 ± 0.4 (9.8–11.8) thick. Most spores were surrounded by the membrane sheath. Single polar capsule was round with an apophysis at its top end presented close to apex of spore, measuring 9.1 ± 0.6 (8.0–10.0) in length, 8.6 ± 0.5 (7.8–9.6) in width. Polar filaments coiled, with 7 to 8 turns. A large, round iodinophilous vacuole was present, with 5.8–7.5 in diameter. The present species is morphologically distinct from all other Thelohanellus species. The BLAST search indicated that the newly obtained small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssrRNA) gene sequence of T. macrovacuolaris n. sp. did not match any available sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetically, T. macrovacuolaris n. sp. was placed sister to Thelohanellus wangi in the Thelohanellus clade. Both morphology and ssrRNA gene sequence data revealed that the present parasite is a new species of genus Thelohanellus.     

Serotonin transporter protein (SERT) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) binding activity of montanine and coccinine from three species of Haemanthus L. (Amaryllidaceae)

The alkaloid rich extracts from an acid/base extraction of bulb material of Haemanthus coccineus L., H. montanus Baker and H. sanguineus Jacq. revealed that two montanine type Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, montanine (1) and coccinine (2) were the major alkaloid constituents. Together these two alkaloids constituted 88, 91 and 98% of the total alkaloid extract from each species respectively. GC–MS analysis revealed that H. coccineus and H. sanguineus had a relative abundance of coccinine (74 and 91% respectively) to montanine (14 and 7% respectively); whereas H. montanus had 20% coccinine and 71% montanine. The three extracts and two isolated alkaloids were evaluated for binding to the serotonin transporter protein (SERT) in vitro. Affinity to SERT was highest in H. coccineus (IC₅₀ = 2.0 ± 1.1 μg/ml) followed by H. montanus (IC₅₀ = 6.8 ± 1.0 μg/ml) and H. sanguineus (IC₅₀ = 28.7 ± 1.1 μg/ml). Montanine (IC₅₀ = 121.3 ± 3.6 μM or 36.56 ± 1.14 μg/ml; K_i = 66.01 μM) was more active than coccinine (IC₅₀ = 196.3 ± 3.8 μM or 59.15 ± 1.08 μg/ml; K_i = 106.8 μM), both of which were less active than the total alkaloid extracts of each species investigated. The possible synergistic effects of two coccinine/montanine mixtures (80:20 and 20:80) were investigated, however the mixtures gave similar activities as the pure compounds and did not show any increase in activity or activity similar to the total alkaloid extracts. Thus the considerably higher activity observed in the total alkaloid extracts is not correlated to the relative proportions of coccinine and montanine in the extracts and thus are likely to be due to more potent unidentified minor constituents. Both alkaloids exhibited low binding affinity to P-glycoprotein (P-gp) as demonstrated by low inhibition of calcein-AM efflux in the MDCK-MDR1 cell line. This indicates that P-gp efflux will not be limiting for blood–brain-barrier passage of the alkaloids.     

Primates and Plesiadapiformes from Cos (Eocene; Quercy,France)

A new fauna has been collected from a fissure filling named Cos in the Quercy region, southwestern France. It includes four primate species and a plesiadapiform. The cercamoniine adapiform Protoadapis andrei Godinot and Vidalenc, nov. sp., is represented by material that adds to our knowledge of the genus Protoadapis for the upper canine, upper molars and other morphological details. It appears more primitive than P. brachyrhynchus from the Old Quercy Collections. The other cercamoniine Pronycticebus cosensis Godinot and Vidalenc, nov. sp., offers insight on intraspecific variations and other details of the genus. Both species suggest a bushy evolution within these genera. Two teeth document the presence of a third cercamoniine, Anchomomys sp. indet. The new microchoerid Quercyloris eloisae Godinot and Vidalenc, nov. gen., nov. sp., has very primitive characters and seems to document a primitive member of the Pseudoloris clade. A poorly documented paromomyid plesiadapiform is distinct enough to be named Arcius moniquae Godinot and Vidalenc, nov. sp. It represents the first discovery of a plesiadapiform in the Quercy fossil record and makes a link with paromomyids surviving until the late Lutetian European Mammal Paleogene MP 13 reference level. The primates indicate a broad age interval between MP 10 (late Ypresian) and MP 12 (mid-Lutetian). The identification of the same species of Pronycticebus and of the new genus in the Vielase fauna suggests more precisely the MP 10–MP 11 (late Ypresian–early Lutetian) time interval.     

Effects of temperature,salinity and their interaction on growth of Japanese Gambierdiscus spp. (Dinophyceae)

Marine toxic dinoflagellates of the genus Gambierdiscus are the causative agents of ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), a seafood poisoning that is widespread in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions of the world. In the main island of Japan, distributions of Gambierdiscus australes, Gambierdiscus scabrosus and two phylotypes of Gambierdiscus spp. type 2 and type 3, have been reported. To discuss the bloom dynamics of these Japanese species/phylotypes of Gambierdiscus, first we tested six culture media to optimize growth conditions and then clarified the effects of temperature and salinity and temperature–salinity interactions on growth. All strains of the species/phylotypes tested showed the highest cell yields when they were cultivated in IMK/2 medium. G. australes, G. scabrosus and Gambierdiscus sp. type 2 grew in the range 17.5–30 °C, whereas Gambierdiscus sp. type 3 grew in 15–25 °C. The semi-optimal temperature ranges (≥80% of the maximal growth rate) of the former three species/phylotypes were 19–28 °C, 24–31 °C and 21–28 °C, respectively, whereas that of the latter phylotype was 22–25 °C. Hence, Gambierdiscus sp. type 3 may be adapted to relatively lower water temperatures of ≤25 °C. In contrast, G. australes, G. scabrosus and Gambierdiscus sp. type 2 presumably possess adaptability to relatively high water temperatures. The optimal temperature for G. scabrosus was 30 °C, whereas the optimal temperature for the others was 25 °C. G. australes and Gambierdiscus sp. type 3 grew in a salinity range of 25–40 whereas G. scabrosus and Gambierdiscus sp. type 2 grew in salinity 20–40. Furthermore, the semi-optimal salinity range of G. australes, G. scabrosus, Gambierdiscus spp. type 2 and type 3 were salinity 27–38, 24–36, 22–36 and 29–37, respectively. Among the species/phylotypes, G. scabrosus and Gambierdiscus sp. type 2 grew even at salinity 20 where the others did not grow, thus possessing adaptability to low salinity waters. Our results clearly demonstrate that the optimal and tolerable temperature–salinity conditions differ among Japanese Gambierdiscus species/phylotypes. Considering these results, temperature–salinity interactions may play an important role in bloom dynamics and the distribution of the Gambierdiscus species/phylotypes in Japanese coastal waters.     

Shear effects on suspended marine sponge cells

Fractions of viable cells, apoptotic and irreversibly damaged cells, dead whole cells and cell fragments were measured by flow cytometry during the production of freely suspended primary cells from explants of the marine sponge Axinella damicornis. The explants were disintegrated using the well-known Müller protocol [W.E.G. Müller, M. Wiens, R. Batel, R. Steffen, R. Borojevic, M.R. Custodio, Establishment of a primary cell culture from a sponge: primmorphs from Suberites domuncula, Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 178 (1999) 205–219]. Supplementation of the standard Ca²⁺- and Mg²⁺-free artificial seawater of the Müller protocol, with the shear protectant Pluronic F68 (0.1%, w/v) greatly reduced the cell damage and enhanced the recovery of viable cells at each of the four stages of the protocol. Agitation of cells on an orbital shaker at 75 rpm essentially killed all the viable cells within 2.5 h, but no loss of viability occurred at a higher agitation speed of 100 rpm for up to 6 h when the cells were supplemented with Pluronic F68. This time-dependent loss in viability could be significantly reduced by processing at 3 °C instead of the normal 17 °C. A four-step mechanistic model was shown to describe the kinetics of cell death and fragmentation within ±10% of the measured values. The damage to cells was modeled as a web of first-order processes that did not depend on cell–cell interactions. The forces in the agitated fluid killed the viable cells by impact, which was not accompanied by cell rupture (i.e. the cell was left dead, but intact).     

A new strategy for strain improvement of Aurantiochytrium sp. based on heavy-ions mutagenesis and synergistic effects of cold stress and inhibitors of enoyl-ACP reductase

Developing a strain with high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) yield and stable fermenting-performance is an imperative way to improve DHA production using Aurantiochytrium sp., a microorganism with two fatty acid synthesis pathways: polyketide synthase (PKS) pathway and Type I fatty acid synthase (FAS) pathway. This study investigated the growth and metabolism response of Aurantiochytrium sp. CGMCC 6208 to two inhibitors of enoyl-ACP reductase of Type II FAS pathway (isoniazid and triclosan), and proposed a method of screening high DHA yield Aurantiochytrium sp. strains with heavy ion mutagenesis and pre-selection by synergistic usage of cold stress (4 °C) and FAS inhibitors (triclosan and isoniazid). Results showed that (1) isoniazid and triclosan have positive effects on improving DHA level of cells; (2) mutants from irradiation dosage of 120 Gy yielded more DHA compared with cells from 40 Gy, 80 Gy treatment and wild type; (3) DHA contents of mutants pre-selected by inhibitors of enoyl-ACP reductase of Type II FAS pathway (isoniazid and triclosan)at 4 °C, were significantly higher than that of wild type; (4) compared to the wild type, the DHA productivity and yield of a mutant (T-99) obtained from Aurantiochytrium sp. CGMCC 6208 by the proposed method increased by 50% from 0.18 to 0.27 g/Lh and 30% from 21 to 27 g/L, respectively. In conclusion, this study developed a feasible method to screen Aurantiochytrium sp. with high DHA yield by a combination of heavy-ion mutagenesis and mutant-preselection by FAS inhibitors and cold stress.     

Male and female Popillia quadriguttata (Fabricius) and Protaetia brevitarsis (Lewis) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) response to Japanese beetle floral and pheromone lures

Popillia quadriguttata (Fabricius), and Protaetia brevitarsis (Lewis) adults were captured with Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, sex attractant and floral lures at Changchun, China during July–August 2012. The floral lure (phenethyl propionate:eugenol:geraniol, 3:7:3) was attractive to male and female P. quadriguttata (AV: 1.2 ± 0.9; 1.1 ± 0.3; total: 2.3 ± 0.8), and was similar in attraction to the combination of the sex attractant (SA) [(R, Z)-5-(1-decenyl) dihydro-2(3H)-furanone] plus the floral lure for male (1.60 ± 0.2), female (1.30 ± 1.1) and total captures (2.9 ± 3.0). However, the SA alone captured only males in much higher numbers than when combined with the floral lure (10.0 ± 6.4). In a separate earlier test, the greatest number of P. quadriguttata males (12.5 ± 3.0), female (12.2 ± 1.5) and total captures (24.7 ± 2.5) was in yellow, laboratory-made, bottle traps. The floral lure also attracted female Pro. brevitarsis (10.0 ± 3.4), while the SA attracted only few male beetles (1.0 ± 0.2). The combination SA + floral lure captured similar females (11.0 ± 2.0) and total (14.2 ± 2.2) Pro. brevitarsis as the floral lure alone. Two butterflies, Colias erate poliographus (Motschulsky) and Pieris rapae (Linnaeus), were also attracted to the floral lure. These studies indicate a potential for replacing pesticides by using the Japanese beetle lures for monitoring and control of several insects in China, and that they would be useful in monitoring and eradication of two potential scarab pests, P. quadriguttata and Pro. brevitaris, in the United States and Europe.     

Trichobilharzia mergi sp. nov. (Trematoda: Digenea: Schistosomatidae), a visceral schistosome of Mergus serrator (L.) (Aves: Anatidae)

Parasitological investigations on red-breasted mergansers (Mergus serrator L.) in Iceland revealed digenean flukes of the family Schistosomatidae. Adult worms were detected in blood vessels of the large intestine and eggs were deposited in the mucosa and surrounded by granulomatous reactions. Traditional morphological methods showed that the flukes have very slender filiform bodies, males are equipped with a short gynaecophoric canal and both suckers and spatulate ends are present on each sex. Among characteristics of the flukes which render them morphologically distinct from other Trichobilharzia species are: i) males—well developed vesicula seminalis (v.s.) consisting of a short v.s. externa and a significantly longer (approx. 3 times) v.s. interna, unusually well developed genital papilla and localization of the first testis a relatively long distance posterior to the gynaecophoric canal; ii) eggs—small and elongated with slightly rounded poles and a short terminal spine. DNA taxonomic techniques confirmed that a new species had been identified, Trichobilharzia mergi sp. n. The sequence data were deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers JX456151 to JX456172. Comparison of the results with our previously published data on characterization of DNA of cercariae isolated from freshwater lymnaeid snails showed that larval development of T. mergi is associated with Radix balthica L. (=Radix peregra Müller, 1774; = Radix ovata Draparnaud, 1805).     

Synthesis and antioxidant evaluation of (S,S)- and (R,R)-secoisolariciresinol diglucosides (SDGs)

Secoisolariciresinol diglucosides (SDGs) (S,S)-SDG-1 (major isomer in flaxseed) and (R,R)-SDG-2 (minor isomer in flaxseed) were synthesized from vanillin via secoisolariciresinol (6) and glucosyl donor 7 through a concise route that involved chromatographic separation of diastereomeric diglucoside derivatives (S,S)-8 and (R,R)-9. Synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 exhibited potent antioxidant properties (EC₅₀ = 292.17 ± 27.71 μM and 331.94 ± 21.21 μM, respectively), which compared well with that of natural (S,S)-SDG-1 (EC₅₀ = 275.24 ± 13.15 μM). These values are significantly lower than those of ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ = 1129.32 ± 88.79 μM) and α-tocopherol (EC₅₀ = 944.62 ± 148.00 μM). Compounds (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 also demonstrated powerful scavenging activities against hydroxyl [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: 3.68 ± 0.27; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.09 ± 0.16; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: 1.96 ± 0.27], peroxyl [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.55 ± 0.11; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.20 ± 0.10; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: 3.03 ± 0.04] and DPPH [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: EC₅₀ = 83.94 ± 2.80 μM; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: EC₅₀ = 157.54 ± 21.30 μM; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: EC₅₀ = 123.63 ± 8.67 μM] radicals. These results confirm previous studies with naturally occurring (S,S)-SDG-1 and establish both (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 as potent antioxidants and free radical scavengers for potential in vivo use.     

Deep-water brachiopod assemblage from the Middle Miocene of Kralice nad Oslavou,Moravia, southeastern Czech Republic

Eight brachiopod species, i.e. Novocrania sp., Cryptopora lovisati (Dreger, 1911), “Terebratula” sp., Megathiris detruncata (Gmelin, 1791), Argyrotheca cuneata (Risso, 1826), Joania cordata (Risso, 1826), Megerlia truncata (Linnaeus, 1767), and Platidia anomioides (Scacchi and Philippi, 1844), have been identified in the Middle Miocene deposits of Kralice nad Oslavou, Moravia, Czech Republic. The species C. lovisati and P. anomioides dominate the studied assemblage, while others are very rare. Novocrania, C. lovisati and M. truncata are reported for the first time from the Moravian part of the Carpathian Foredeep. In species composition, the assemblage from Kralice resembles other Middle Miocene Paratehyan assemblages, interpreted as shallow water, but the dominance of C. lovisati and P. anomioides makes it clearly different, indicating an environment deeper than 100 m.