Sinularia leptoclados (Ehrenberg, 1834) (Cnidaria,?Octocorallia) re-examined

Sinularia leptoclados (Ehrenberg, 1834) is re-described. Sinularia leptoclados var. gonatodes Kolonko, 1926 is synonymized with Sinularia maxima Verseveldt, 1977. Two new species of Sinularia with digitiform lobules, leptoclados-type surface clubs and unbranched interior spindles, are described. An updated maximum likelihood tree of Sinularia species with leptoclados-type clubs (clade 5C) based on two mitochondrial genes (mtMutS, COI) and a nuclear gene (28S rDNA) is presented.     

微阵列计划(MICROARRAY PROJECT,μAP)

随着人类基因组(测序)计划(HGP)的完成,探明人类全部基因的结构功能及其表达调控已成为后基因组(功能基因组)时代的主要目标,DNA微阵列(又称基因芯片)技术的出现为此提供了光辉的前景。美国国立卫生研究院(NIH)不失时机地提出了微阵列计划(MicroarrayProject),率先运用微阵列技术进行人类功能基因组的研究。目前介绍微阵列制作原理、杂交信号检测原理及微阵列技术应用的文献已有不少,但涉及微阵列技术的实验操作、阵列机和阅读机的结构和性能、阵列图像分析及软件和数据库的设计开发的文献较少。本文分五个部分介绍了微阵列计划的最新的主要成果,分别是:微阵列计划简介、实验操作、阵列机和阅读机的结构和性能、图像分析及数据库设计和开发。     

Nebria brevicollis (Fabricius, 1792) in North America,benign or malign? (Coleoptera,Carabidae, Nebriini)

Nebria brevicollis (Fabricius) is one of the most frequently encountered and widely distributed carabid beetles in Europe. Until recently, the only North American records were based on two single specimens, both from the 1930's in southeastern Canada. In 2008, this species was found at thirteen different sites in five counties in northwestern Oregon. As of the end of 2010, it has been found in thirty-four different sites in ten Oregon counties, with a north-south range of ~150 km and an east-west range of ~90 km. It was also detected in 2010 in southwestern Washington (Vancouver), just north of Portland and the Columbia River.The ecological amplitude of Nebria brevicollis in Oregon rivals that of the most eurytopic native carabid species, e.g., Pterostichus algidus LeConte and Scaphinotus marginatus (Fischer von Waldheim). It has been found in highly degraded heavy industrial sites, agricultural fields, city parks, gardens, second growth woodlands, mature conifer forests, montane rock gardens, and otherwise pristine stands of old growth noble fir, with elevations ranging from essentially sea level to 1,249 meters. Climates at these locales vary from that of the Mediterranean Willamette Valley floor, where snow rarely occurs and summers are hot and dry, to the summit of the Oregon Coast Range, where deep snow may be present from November through April and summers are cool. The carabid communities in which Nebria brevicollis has been found range from those predominantly of fellow exotic species, e.g., at heavily perturbed sites, to those where it is the only exotic species, such as at the Coast Range summit.Nebria brevicollis is clearly an invasive species in that it is not restricted to anthropogenic habitats, is rapidly expanding its North American range, and can be abundant in essentially pristine settings. What is not yet clear is whether it is or will become a damaging species. Although it is already the most abundant carabid species in some settings, based upon pitfall catches, it is unknown whether this represents competitive superiority, trap vulnerability, or utilization of previously untapped or non-limiting resources. Deleterious ecological effects could include not only competition with other predators (including other carabid species) in agricultural and natural settings but also predation upon non-adult stages of threatened and endangered species of butterflies.     

Genetic variability in European <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptestheria dahalacensis</Emphasis> (Rüppel, 1837) (Crustacea,Branchiopoda, Spinicaudata)

The genetic variability of the gonochoric Leptestheria dahalacensis (Rüppel, 1837) was studied through the analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear (microsatellite loci) markers in eight Italian and two Central European populations. Mitochondrial data exhibited a low variability, as only six mitotypes were scored: five in Italy and one for both Central European samples, with a very low number of substitutions. All analysed microsatellite loci were variable, with 3–5 alleles per locus and 1–4 alleles per population. All populations were at the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, with the exceptions of two samples for locus ldAC-16, due to heterozygote excess, and of four populations for locus ldAC-11, probably linked to the presence of null alleles. A substantial population structuring was found between Central European and Italian samples for both utilized markers. This observation may be explained by isolation by distance and/or recent isolation events. On the other hand, the absence of a clear inter-pond variability in Italian sample comparisons may be ascribed to high dispersal ability in the short range. Handling editor: K. Martens     

Metal–metal bonding and aromaticity in [M<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NHCHNH)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> (μ-E)<Subscript>2</Subscript> (E = O,S; M = Nb,Mo, Tc,Ru, Rh)

The nature of M–M bonding and aromaticity of [M₂(NHCHNH)₃]₂(μ-E)₂ (E?=?O, S; M?=?Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh) was investigated using atoms in molecules (AIM) theory, electron localization function (ELF), natural bond orbital (NBO) and molecular orbital analysis. These analyses led to the following main conclusions: in [M₂(NHCHNH)₃]₂(μ-E)₂ (E?=?O, S; M?=?Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh), the Nb–Nb, Ru–Ru, and Rh–Rh bonds belong to “metallic” bonds, whereas Mo–Mo and Tc–Tc drifted toward the “dative” side; all these bonds are partially covalent in character. The Nb–Nb, Mo–Mo, and Tc–Tc bonds are stronger than Ru–Ru and Rh–Rh bonds. The M–M bonds in [M₂(NHCHNH)₃]₂(μ-S)₂ are stronger than those in [M₂(NHCHNH)₃]₂(μ-O)₂ for M?=?Nb, Mo, Tc, and Ru. The NICS(1)_ZZ values show that all of the studied molecules, except [Ru₂(NHCHNH)₃]₂(μ-O)₂, are aromaticity molecules. O-bridged compounds have more aromaticity than S-bridged compounds.

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Graphical Abstract Left Molecular graph, and right electron localization function (ELF) isosurface of [M₂(NHCHNH)₃]₂(μ-E)₂(E?=?O, S; M?=?Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh)

     

Revision of Sternaspis Otto, 1821 (Polychaeta,?Sternaspidae)

To the memory of William Ronald Sendall Sternaspid polychaetes are common and often abundant in soft bottoms in the world oceans. Some authors suggest that only one species should be recognized, whereas others regard a few species as widely distributed in many seas and variable depths from the low intertidal to about 4400 m. There are some problems with species delineation and the distinctive ventro-caudal shield has been disregarded or barely used for identifying species. In order to clarify these issues, the ventral shield is evaluated in specimens from the same locality and its diagnostic potential is confirmed. On this basis, a revision of Sternaspis Otto, 1821 (Polychaeta: Sternaspidae) is presented based upon type materials, or material collected from type localities. The sternaspid body, introvert hooks and shield show three distinct patterns, two genera have seven abdominal segments and tapered introvert hooks, and one genus has eight abdominal segments and spatulate introvert hooks. The ventro-caudal shield has three different patterns: stiff with ribs, and sometimes concentric lines, stiff with feebly-defined ribs but no concentric lines, and soft with firmly adhered sediment particles. Sternaspis is restricted to include species with seven abdominal segments, falcate introvert hooks, and stiff shields, often exhibiting radial ribs, concentric lines or both. Sternaspis includes, besides the type species, Sternaspis thalassemoides Otto, 1821 from the Mediterranean Sea, Sternaspis affinis Stimpson, 1864 from the Northeastern Pacific, Sternaspis africana Augener, 1918, stat. n. from Western Africa, Sternaspis andamanensis sp. n. from the Andaman Sea, Sternaspis costata von Marenzeller, 1879 from Japan, Sternaspis fossor Stimpson, 1853 from the Northwestern Atlantic, Sternaspis islandica Malmgren, 1867 from Iceland, Sternaspis maior Chamberlin, 1919 from the Gulf of California, Sternaspis princeps Selenka, 1885 from New Zealand, Sternaspis rietschi Caullery, 1944 from abyssal depths around Indonesia, Sternaspis scutata (Ranzani, 1817) from the Mediterranean Sea, Sternaspis spinosa Sluiter, 1882 from Indonesia, and Sternaspis thorsoni sp. n. from the Iranian Gulf. Two genera are newly proposed to incorporate the remaining species: Caulleryaspis and Petersenaspis. Caulleryaspis gen. n. is defined by the presence of falcate introvert hooks, seven abdominal segments, and soft shields with sediment particles firmly adhered on them; it includes two species: Caulleryaspis gudmundssoni sp. n. from Iceland and Caulleryaspis laevis (Caullery, 1944) comb. n. from Indonesia. Petersenaspis gen. n. is defined by the presence of spatulate introvert hooks, eight abdominal segments, and stiff shields with poorly defined ribs but no concentric line; it includes Petersenaspis capillata (Nonato, 1966) from Brazil and Petersenaspis palpallatoci sp. n. from the Philippines. Neotypes are proposed for eight species: Sternaspis thalassemoides, Sternaspis affinis, Sternaspis africana, Sternaspis costata, Sternaspis fossor, Sternaspis maior, Sternaspis scutata and Sternaspis spinosa, to stabilize these species-group names, and a lectotype is designated for Sternaspis laevis which is transferred to Caulleryaspis gen. n. The geographic range of most species appears to be much smaller than previously indicated, and for some species additional material in good condition is needed to clarify their distributions. Keys to genera and to all species are also included.     

The genus Myrmarachne (Araneae,Salticidae) in?Flores,Indonesia

Two new species of the genus Myrmarachne are described (Myrmarachne acutidens sp. n., Myrmarachne epigealis sp. n.), and Myrmarachne macrognatha and Myrmarachne melanocephala are redescribed from Flores specimens. The females of Myrmarachne macrognatha are recorded for the first time.     

Correction to: Plastome phylogenomics of Allaeanthus,Broussonetia and Malaisia (Dorstenieae,Moraceae) and the origin of B. × kazinoki

Journal of Plant Research -     

The chalicothere <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metaschizotherium bavaricum</Emphasis> (Perissodactyla,Chalicotheriidae, Schizotheriinae) from the Miocene (MN5) Lagerstätte of Sandelzhausen (Germany): description,comparison, and paleoecological significance

Within the fossil collection from the Sandelzhausen Lagerstätte in the Upper Freshwater Molasse near Mainburg, Germany, are remains of the schizotheriine chalicothere Metaschizotherium bavaricum, von Koenigswald, 1932. This new material includes elements from a large part of the body, and allows the dentition and postcranial skeleton of Metaschizotherium to be described in detail for the first time. At approximately 16 Ma (MN5), M. bavaricum is now the best-known Early and Middle Miocene European schizotheriine and is important for comparative studies. It differs to some degree from earlier Miocene (MN2–MN4) European material attributed to Moropus sp. or Metaschizotherium wetzleri (Kowalewsky, 1873) and to a larger degree from the Late Miocene species Ancylotherium pentelicum (Gaudry and Lartet, 1856). At Sandelzhausen, M. bavaricum apparently lived in a moist forested environment, where it probably fed on leaves, fruit, and seeds. Members of the Chalicotheriinae, such as Anisodon and Chalicotherium, are not found at Sandelzhausen and may not have been present in Europe at this time. M. bavaricum, like other Schizotheriinae, did not have the bizarre gorilla-like proportions of the Chalicotheriinae. Instead, its general body proportions resemble those of contemporary schizotheriine chalicotheres on other continents, for example, Moropus from North America. M. bavaricum is slightly smaller than the type species of Metaschizotherium, M. fraasi von Koenigswald, 1932 (MN6–MN7) and differs from it in small ways that are still being explored as variation within and differences between these species are clarified. The schizotheriine chalicothere from La Grive St.-Alban (France) referred to M. fraasi by von Koenigswald (Palaeontographica, Beitrage zur Naturgeschichte der Vorzeit 8:1–24, 1932) and Viret (Nouvelles Archives Musée d’Histoire Naturelle de Lyon 6:53–81, 1961) should be restudied and referred to a different taxon.     

Population dynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia longispina</Emphasis> (O.F. Müller, 1785) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diaphanosoma brachyurum</Emphasis> (Lievin, 1848) (Crustacea,Cladocera) under stable and graded temperature regimes

Laboratory experiments have been performed to study the effects of different temperature regimes—constant (16.3±0.8, 20.3±0.8, and 24.6±0.7°C) and graded, with temperatures changing at intervals of 4.4 or 8.8°C within the range of 15.1–25.4°C—on the population dynamics of two dominant species of littoral zooplankton, Daphnia longispina and Diaphanosoma brachyurum. The results show that aperiodic stepwise changes in temperature within the ranges of 16.3–20.4, 20.4–25.1, and 16.3–25.1°C, which may take place in water bodies of the temperate zone in the summer period, can exert either stimulating (direct or delayed) or inhibitory effect on the natural development of D. longispina populations. The development of D. brachyurum, a more stenothermic thermophile, is stimulated only by a stable elevated temperature (24.5±0.9°C). All temperature changes within the above range, except for rapid heating from 16.3 to 25.1°C, either inhibit the development of D. brachyurum populations or have no significant effect on them.     

External morphology of the male and female of Sphyrion lumpi (Krøyer,1845) (Copepoda; Siphonostomatoida; Sphyriidae)

Sphyrion lumpi is a sexually dimorphic, parasitic copepod which causes significant losses in fisheries in the North Atlantic. Studies involving both light and scanning electron microscopy revealed important details of the external morphology of both sexes that are discussed in relation to other members of the family Sphyriidae. Conclusions are drawn regarding the life cycle of S. lumpi. The present finding of this parasite on Urophycis tenuis constitutes a new host record.     

Valbro : un nouveau site à vertébrés de l’Oligocène inférieur (MP22) de France (Quercy). I – Contexte géologique ; Mammalia : Rodentia,Hyaenodontida, Carnivora

The locality Valbro (Quercy, France) has yielded a rich fossil vertebrate fauna. Here are presented the geological context, a preliminary faunal list and the systematics of the Rodentia and carnivores, the most abundant taxa of the fauna. The Rodentia are known from 11 taxa: the Theridomyidae Blainvillimys gregarius Schlosser, 1884, Blainvillimys ?gemellus Vianey-Liaud, 1989, Issiodoromys medius (Vianey-Liaud, 1976) and S. cayluxi Schlosser, 1884, the Aplodontidae Plesispermophilus angustidens Filhol, 1882, the Gliridae Butseloglis tenuis (Bahlo, 1975), Butseloglis micio (Misonne, 1957) and Bransatoglis planus (Bahlo, 1975), the Sciuridae Palaeosciurus goti Vianey-Liaud, 1974 and cf. Oligopetes sp., and the Cricetidae Atavocricetodon sp. aff. A. nanus (Pelaez-Campomanes, 1995). Thirteen taxa of carnivores are present at Valbro; among the Hyaenodontida: Hyaenodon leptorhynchus Laizer et Parieu, 1838 and cf. Apterodon sp.; among the Carnivora: a Feliformia gen. et sp. indet., the Nimravidae Nimravus intermedius (Filhol, 1872), Dinailurictis bonali Helbing, 1922 and Nimravidae gen. et sp. indet. (Certainly belonging to one the two already identified species), the Ursida Pachycynodon crassirostris Schlosser, 1888, Pachycynodon sp., Amphicynodon sp. 1 cf. A. typicus (Schlosser, 1888), Amphicynodon ? sp. 2 and Ursida gen. et sp. indet. cf. Pachycynodon boriei (Filhol, 1876), the Mustelida M. olivieri Bonis, 1997, the Carnivora incertae sedis Palaeogale sectoria (Gervais, 1848–1852), the Arctoidea gen. et sp. indet. and Carnivora gen. et sp. indet. (probably representing taxa already identified at lower taxonomic levels). The evolutionary grade of B. gregarius of Valbro compares to that of the species from Mas de Got, La Plante 2 and Cavalé, which supports an MP22 age for Valbro. This datation is further supported by the association of Theridomyinae yielded by the locality (B. gregarius, B. gemellus, I. medius and S. cayluxi), and by the presence of a N. intermedius that well compares the material of the species from Villebramar, La Plante et Mas de Got, of D. bonali, P. sectoria, M. olivieri (species known only from Mas de Got), and by additional evidence from the remaining vertebrates from Valbro, especially the squamates. Despite a limited amount of specimens (341 specimens have been studied), the faunas of rodents and carnivores from Valbro are the most speciose and diverse known for the MP22 level and, for the Carnivora fauna in particular, for the Oligocene of the Old World.     

The parasitic wasp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Baryscapus crassicornis</Emphasis> (Erdös) (Hymenoptera,Eulophidae) developing in larvae of the weevil genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larinus</Emphasis> germar (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

Baryscapus crassicornis (Erdös) was reared from the last instar larvae of three species of Curculionidae: Larinus idoneus Gyllenhal, developing in the inflorescences of Jurinea cyanoides (L.), L. turbinatus (Gyllenhal), developing in Cirsium arvense (L.) in Russia (Ul’yanovsk Province), and L. latus (Herbst), developing in Onopordum acanthium L. and O. leptolepis DC. (Asteraceae) in Iran. Data on the parasitoid and its hosts biology, variation of morphological characters, and diagnostic notes are provided. The 3rd instar larva and the pupa of B. crassicornis are described for the first time.     

Nuclear targeting with cell-specific multifunctional tricarbonyl M(I) (M is Re, <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc) complexes: synthesis,characterization, and cell studies

Abstract  

Auger-emitting radionuclides such as ^99mTc have been the focus of recent studies aiming at finding more selective therapeutic approaches. To explore the potential usefulness of ^99mTc as an Auger emitter, we have synthesized and biologically evaluated novel multifunctional structures comprising (1) a pyrazolyl-diamine framework bearing a set of donor atoms to stabilize the [M(CO)₃]⁺ (M is Re, ^99mTc) core; (2) a DNA intercalating moiety of the acridine orange type to ensure close proximity of the radionuclide to DNA and to follow the internalization and subcellular trafficking of the compounds by confocal fluorescence microscopy; and (3) a bombesin (BBN) analogue of the type X-BBN[7-14] (where X is SGS, GGG) to provide specificity towards cells expressing the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPr). Of the evaluated ^99mTc complexes, Tc ³ containing the GGG-BBN[7-14] peptide showed the highest cellular internalization in GRPr-positive PC3 human prostate tumor cells, presenting a remarkably high nuclear uptake in the same cell line. Live-cell confocal imaging microscopy studies with the congener Re complex, Re ³ , showed a considerable accumulation of fluorescence in the nucleus, with kinetics of uptake similar to that exhibited by Tc ³ . Together, these data show that the acridine orange intercalator and the metal fragment are colocalized in the nucleus, which indicates that they remain connected despite the lysosomal degradation of Tc ³ /Re ³ . These compounds are the first examples of ^99mTc bioconjugates that combine specific cell targeting with nuclear internalization, a crucial issue to explore use of ^99mTc in Auger therapy.     

First records of the brown marmorated stink bug <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halyomorpha halys</Emphasis> (Stål, 1855) (Heteroptera,Pentatomidae) in Russia,Abkhazia, and Georgia

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) is recorded for the first time from Russia (Khosta and Adler districts of the city of Sochi), Abkhazia (Pitsunda), and Georgia (Khobi Municipality). Outbreaks of H. halys populations were detected in all of these regions in October 2016. More than a hundred specimens congregated for overwintering were collected in Sochi during two days. According to the personal communications of the local people, the species appeared in Sochi not later than in 2013, and in Georgia not later than in 2015. It must have been brought to Sochi from Europe (from Italy) with planting material of ornamental plants for landscaping the XXII Olympic Winter Games. Thereafter it spread to Abkhazia and Georgia. Additional steps to identification of H. halys are provided for the keys to the true bugs of the European part of the former USSR (Kerzhner and Jaczewski, 1964).     

Somatic musculature of rotifers <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asplanchna girodi</Emphasis> Guerne, 1888 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichotria pocillum</Emphasis> (Müller, 1776) (Rotifera,Pseudotrrocha, Ploima): Comparative aspect

Comparative study of somatic musculature in illoricate rotifer Asplanchina girodi Guerne, 1888 and loricate Trichotria pocillum (Müller, 1776) has been carried out by the method of phalloidin fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Similar layering of muscles is revealed, while significant differences are observed in other aspects. Postcoronal transverse muscle of A. girodi and the dorsal portion of the anterior circular muscle of T. pocillum serve as attachment sites for the refractor muscles. All retractors are formed by smooth muscles or striated muscles, except the lateral retractors of A. girodi, which are formed by the most powerful oblique muscles. In A. girodi there are three pairs of retractors, ten longitudinal muscles, and five circular muscles, with a thick muscular plexus connecting them. In T. pocillum there are four pairs of retractors, five transverse muscles, strong foot retractors, and an arched structure of the head region (new for rotifers). Eight pairs of dorsoventral muscles, as identified in T. pocillum, are completely absent in A. girodi.     

Evolution of mixed-linkage (1 -> 3, 1 -> 4)-β-D-glucan (MLG) and xyloglucan in Equisetum (horsetails) and other monilophytes

Background and Aims

Horsetails (Equisetopsida) diverged from other extant eusporangiate monilophytes in the Upper Palaeozoic. They are the only monilophytes known to contain the hemicellulose mixed-linkage (1 → 3, 1 → 4)-β-d-glucan (MLG), whereas all land plants possess xyloglucan. It has been reported that changes in cell-wall chemistry often accompanied major evolutionary steps. We explored changes in hemicelluloses occurring during Equisetum evolution.

Methods

Hemicellulose from numerous monilophytes was treated with lichenase and xyloglucan endoglucanase. Lichenase digests MLG to di-, tri- and tetrasaccharide repeat-units, resolvable by thin-layer chromatography.

Key Results

Among monilophytes, MLG was confined to horsetails. Our analyses support a basal trichotomy of extant horsetails: MLG was more abundant in subgenus Equisetum than in subgenus Hippochaete, and uniquely the sister group E. bogotense yielded almost solely the tetrasaccharide repeat-unit (G4G4G3G). Other species also gave the disaccharide, whereas the trisaccharide was consistently very scarce. Tetrasaccharide : disaccharide ratios varied interspecifically, but with no consistent difference between subgenera. Xyloglucan was scarce in Psilotum and subgenus Equisetum, but abundant in subgenus Hippochaete and in the eusporangiate ferns Marattia and Angiopteris; leptosporangiate ferns varied widely. All monilophytes shared a core pattern of xyloglucan repeat-units, major XEG products co-chromatographing on thin-layer chromatography with non-fucosylated hepta-, octa- and nonasaccharides and fucose-containing nona- and decasaccharides.

Conclusions

G4G4G3G is the ancestral repeat-unit of horsetail MLG. Horsetail evolution was accompanied by quantitative and qualitative modification of MLG; variation within subgenus Hippochaete suggests that the structure and biosynthesis of MLG is evolutionarily plastic. Xyloglucan quantity correlates negatively with abundance of other hemicelluloses; but qualitatively, all monilophyte xyloglucans conform to a core pattern of repeat-unit sizes.