New synonym and new Japanese record of the ant genus Ponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

A new synonym in the ant genus Ponera , and a new species-record from Japan are reported following faunal surveys of Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Morphological comparison of type specimens with material collected on Yakushima and mainland Kyushu and Honshu reveals that Ponera yakushimensis Tanaka is a junior synonym of Ponera scabra Wheeler. Analysis of intraspecific variation in P. scabra is reported. Morphological comparison reveals that a recent putative distribution record of P. scabra from Yakushima was based on a misidentification of Ponera alisana Terayama. This is the first Japanese record of P. alisana , which was originally described from Taiwan. Geographic variation between the P. alisana types and specimens collected on Yakushima is discussed. A revised key to Japanese Ponera species is presented.     

A key for the identification of the known larval stages of the Mediterranean Brachyura

Summary

Based on the accounts by various authors, an identification key has been constructed for the planktonic zoeae of the 70 species of Mediterranean Brachyura whose larvae are known. The key is based on primary (spines of the carapace, exopodite of the antenna, spines of telson forks) as well as secondary (setation of mouthparts, processes and spines on abdominal somites) morphological characteristics. It allows the identification of the zoeae of 64 species plus those of Liocarcinus genus (six species).     

Paradiaptomus peninsularis, P. hameri and P. warreni, three new species of Paradiaptomus (Calanoida: Diaptomidae) from South Africa

Three new species of Paradiaptomus from southern Africa are described, Paradiaptomus peninsularis, P. hameri and P. warreni. Paradiaptomus peninsularis occurs in temporary blackwater pools on the peninsula of the Western Cape province, P. hameri in saline pools in the Western Cape province and P. warreni in mountain tarns in the Drakensberg Range in Kwazulu Natal and Lesotho. The genus Paradiaptomus was first established by Sars (1895) for Paradiaptomus lamellatus. There are five described species of Paradiaptomus endemic to Africa ( lamellatus, schultzei, similis, natalensis and rex) and P. greeni from India and Sri Lanka. The three new species have highly-weighted morphological characters which set them apart from each other and from any of the described species of Paradiaptomus.     

Population density and age structure of the freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera, in two Iberian rivers

1. The European freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera (Bivalvia: Unionoida), is one of the most threatened mussels. The Iberian populations of this species are considered peripheral because their distinct characters such as growth rate and longevity, and require development of effective conservation strategies. 2. We assessed population density and age structure of pearl mussels in two Galician rivers (Eo and Masma in north‐west Spain). Four sampling sites were selected in each river to cover stretches of 100 m. The mean density of mussels in each of these sampling transects was estimated using the adaptive sampling technique, given that mussels occur at low densities and are highly aggregated in these rivers. 3. Age structure was inferred for each population using length–age keys. The empty shells encountered during sampling were used to determine the length of the specimens at different ages (years), together with length‐at‐age data from shells previously analysed for computing growth rates from the same rivers. Water samples from both rivers were analysed for typical physicochemical parameters. 4. Mean densities were very variable, even within the same river (from 0.27 to 6.55 m^?2 in the River Eo and from 0.98 to 2.38 m^?2 in the River Masma). Individuals in the 0‐ to 5‐year age class were scarce in both rivers. 5. Margaritifera margaritifera showed a preference for the strip of river bed within 1.5 m from the river bank and avoided sites at greater distances. The species also showed a preference for sites with more than 80% tree cover and avoided sites with <50% cover. 6. Iberian populations exhibit the highest growth rate, together with the lowest maximum age and maximum length known for M. margaritifera. Detailed knowledge about these peripheral Iberian populations will contribute to developing strategies for conservation and management of this endangered species.     

Ordered Biochemical Program of Gene Expression in Cancer Cells

Our introduction of the molecular correlation concept and the key enzyme concept and the use of biologically meaningful tumor models and control systems resulted in the discovery of an ordered pattern of enzymic and metabolic imbalance and the elucidation of the linkage with transformation and progression. We showed that the biochemical and enzymic pattern of alterations was the result of a reprogramming of gene expression that was both quantitative and qualitative and was characteristic to neoplasia, since no similar pattern of imbalance was observed in any of the control normal, regenerating, or differentiating tissues. Important aspects of gene logic were identified. These include demonstration of operation of reciprocal control of activities of opposing key enzymes and antagonistic pathways of synthesis and catabolism in pyrimidine, purine, ornithine, and carbohydrate metabolism and recently in signal transduction. The extent of increase in the activities of key enzymes of pyrimidine and purine biosynthesis related to the absolute activity of the enzymes in resting liver. The qualitative alterations in gene expression included the isozyme shift of key regulatory enzymes. We identified a segment of gene expression that is essential for neoplasia. We pointed out the selective advantages that reprogramming of gene expression confers to cancer cells. Understanding these alterations in the enzymology and biochemistry of cancer cells made it possible to identify potentially sensitive targets for anticancer chemotherapy. In recent clinical studies we targeted the increased IMP dehydrogenase activity in leukemic blast cells by an inhibitor drug, tiazofurin, and achieved 77% responses, including complete remissions.     

Pungentus porosus n.sp. (Nematoda:Dorylaimoidea) from Canada with a Key to the Species of Pungentus

Pungentus porosus n. sp. is described and illustrated. The differential characters are a short odontostyle of 6-8 μm or slightly less than one head width, vulva at 44-50%, goblet-shaped amphids, presence of a prevulval uterine sac, and a hemispherical tail with a variable number of pores. Pungenlus sublatum, P. vesiculosus, P. orthocephalus, P. granosus, and P. parvus sensu Eroshenko are considered to be incertae sedis. A key is provided to the 21 valid species of Pungentus. The following species are new Canadian records: P. angulosus, P. clavatus, P. engradinensis, P. marietani, P. microdentatus, P. monohystera, P. obscurus, P. parvus, P. pungens and P. silvestris.