Effects of IP<Subscript>3</Subscript>R2 Receptor Deletion in the Ischemic Mouse Retina

Glial cells in the diseased nervous system undergo a process known as reactive gliosis. Gliosis of retinal Müller glial cells is characterized by an upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein and frequently by a reduction of inward K⁺ current amplitudes. Purinergic signaling is assumed to be involved in gliotic processes. As previously shown, lack of the nucleotide receptor P2Y₁ leads to an altered regulation of K⁺ currents in Müller cells of the ischemic retina. Here, we asked first whether this effect is mediated by the IP₃ receptor subtype 2 (IP₃R2) known as the major downstream signaling target of P2Y₁ in Müller cells. The second question was whether lack of IP₃R2 affects neuronal survival in the control and ischemic retina. Ischemia was induced in wild type and IP₃R2-deficient (IP ₃ R2 ^?/?) mice by transient elevation of the intraocular pressure. Immunostaining and TUNEL labelling were used to quantify neuronal cell loss. The downregulation of inward K⁺ currents in Müller cells from ischemic IP ₃ R2 ^?/? retinae was less strong than in wild type animals. The reduction of the number of cells in the ganglion cell layer and of calretinin- and calbindin-positive cells 7 days after ischemia was similar in wild type and IP ₃ R2 ^?/? mice. However, IP₃R2 deficiency led to an increased number of TUNEL-positive cells in the outer nuclear layer at 1 day and to an enhanced postischemic loss of photoreceptors 7 days after ischemia. This implies that IP₃R2 is involved in some but not all aspects of signaling in Müller cells after an ischemic insult.     

Revision of the carabid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meroctenus</Emphasis> Gemminger et Harold,with a new status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenodochus</Emphasis> Andrewes (Coleoptera,Carabidae: Harpalini)

Originally described as a monotypical genus with unclear taxonomic position from Sudan, Meroctenus Gemminger et Harold, 1868 is treated as a polytypical genus of the Selenophori genus group with two subgenera: Meroctenus s. str. and Xenodochus Andrewes, 1941, stat. n. (the latter was previously considered a distinct genus). Within Meroctenus, two species are recognized: M. (Meroctenus) crenulatus Chaudoir, 1843 (type species) and M. (M.) mediocris (Andrewes, 1936), comb, n., transferred to Meroctenus s. str. from Xenodochus. A new subspecies M. (M.) crenulatus orientalis subsp. n. is described from Pakistan. Diagnoses of the genus Meroctenus in new interpretation as well as of its two subgenera are discussed, and a taxonomic review of the subgenus Meroctenus s. str. with a key to the species and subspecies is provided. The following synonymy is proposed: Meroctenus Gemminger et Harold, 1868 = Paregaploa Müller, 1947, syn. n.; Meroctenus crenulatus (Chaudoir, 1843) = Egaploa (Paregaploa) conviva Müller, 1947, syn. n. Lectotypes are designated for Ctenomerus crenulatus Chaudoir, 1843 and Xenodus mediocris Andrewes, 1936.     

Some rare desmids (Zygnematophyceae) from Central Europe

The morphology and taxonomy of eight rare desmids (Zygnematophyceae) from Central Europe are studied, i.e. six taxa from Slovakia [Tortitaenia bahusiensis (Nordstedt et Lütkemüller) Coesel, Closterium limneticum Lemmermann var. fallax R??i?ka, Euastrum sublobatum de Brébisson in Ralfs, morpha, Cosmarium simplicius (W. et G.S. West) Grönblad, Pachyphorium canadense (Irénée-Marie) G. H. Tomaszewicz et Hindák, stat. et comb. nova, Staurastrum bloklandiae Coesel et Joosten], one species from Poland (Spirotaenia bacillaris Lütkemüller) and Austria (Cosmarium geminatum Lundell). All desmids taxa are new records for the country of their origin.     

Mayfly emergence along an oligotrophic Dinaric karst hydrosystem: spatial and temporal patterns,and species–environment relationship

Mayfly emergence was studied in the Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia) monthly over a 2-year period in four habitats (springs, streams, mountainous rivers, tufa barriers) using monthly collections of emergence traps. A total of 12 mayfly taxa were recorded. Almost half of the collected specimens belonged to the genus Baetis Leach, 1815, which was recorded at every site, but we were unable to distinguish between two included species (B. rhodani and B. cf. nubecularis). Other abundant species were Centroptilum luteolum (Müller, 1776), Alainites muticus (Linnaeus, 1758), Habrophlebia lauta Eaton 1884, Paraleptophlebia submarginata (Stephens, 1835), Serratella ignita (Poda, 1761), Ephemera danica Müller, 1764 and Rhithrogena braaschi Jacob, 1974. The mayfly assemblages at all sites were dominated by species typical of the rhithral zone, but there was a shift in species composition along a longitudinal gradient (from 720 to 390 m a.s.l.) from dominance of eucrenal–epirhithral to metarhithral–hyporhithral elements and finally to appearance of metapotamal and littoral elements. Two environmental factors, maximum water temperature and mean pH, had the highest influence on the mayfly assemblages. Emergence mainly occurred between March and November and was related to the elevated water temperature. Emergence patterns of some species were in accordance with their typical Central European emergence patterns (e.g. S. ignita, H. lauta) while some others showed certain discrepancies (e.g. longer emergence period in Rh. braaschi and P. submarginata, one generation emergence in A. muticus and variable emergence patterns between the sites and between the two studied years in C. luteolum). The current study provides a significant contribution to the knowledge of mayfly ecology in karst freshwater habitats which forms a basis for further investigation and monitoring of mayflies in this area.     

New or Little-Known Beetle Species (Coleoptera) of the Families Histeridae and Scarabaeidae in the Faunas of Ciscaucasia,Western and Southeastern Kazakhstan

New data are presented on the distribution of Histeridae and Scarabaeidae in Russia and Kazakhstan. Three species, Pholioxenus schatzmayri J. Müller, 1910, Mendidaphodius linearis (Reiche et Saulcy, 1856), and Onthophagus ponticus Harold, 1883, are recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time, and one species, Atholus scutellaris (Erichson, 1834), is new to the fauna of Russia. The distribution ranges are refined for Microsaprinus therondianus (Dahlgren, 1973), Hypocacculus biskrensis (Marseul, 1876), Paravolvulus refector (Reitter, 1904), Hister megalonyx Reichardt, 1922, Bodilus longipennis (Rakovi?, 1984), Protaetia cyanescens jacobsoni (Kiseritzky, 1910), and Valgus hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758). All these species are distributed mainly in the four zoogeographical regions: Hesperian, European, Saharo-Gobian (Sethian), and Scythian.     

Oviposition and development of larvae in the water mite Hydrachna cruenta (Acariformes,Hydrachnidae)

Oviposition and the development of larvae in Hydrachna cruenta Müller 1769 was studied using methods of light and scanning electron microscopy. Some features of similarity in the reproductive behavior and development of larvae were noted between H. cruenta and terrestrial trombiculid mites: spermatophore fertilization, the presence of one eggshell, tolerance to short-term egg drying, and formation of the stylostome. The life of H. cruenta larvae in water during the search for a host may be regarded as an adaptation of this species to a new habitat.     

The species composition and ecological features of pea crabs of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinnixa</Emphasis> White, 1846 (Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) in Peter the Great Bay,the Sea of Japan

This paper provides an overview of pea crabs of the genus Pinnixa White, 1846 (Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) that occur along the Russian coast of the Sea of Japan. Three species of the genus have been recorded for this area: P. tumida Stimpson, 1858, P. rathbuni Sakai, 1934, as well as P. banzu Komai, Nishi & Taru, 2014, which is the first record for the fauna of Russia. All species clearly differ ecologically: P. tumida was found in Posyet Bay in the intestine of the burrowing holothurian Paracaudina chilensis (Müller, 1850); P. rathbuni, in burrows of the echiuroid Urechis unicinctus (von Drasche, 1881); and P. banzu, in tubes of the polychaete Chaetopterus cautus Marenzeller, 1879. The paper also provides a definitive key to Pinnixa species and data on the size, behavior, symbionts, and parasites of P. rathbuni and P. banzu.     

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.     

Review of the Western Palaearctic ichneumon-flies of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhorus</Emphasis> Förster, 1869 (Hymenoptera,Ichneumonidae: Ctenopelmatinae). Part IV. The species with the reddish metasoma and black face (Addendum)

Seven new species of the ichneumon-fly genus Rhorus Förster, 1869 are described for the Western Palaearctic Region based on the material from Zoologische Sammlung des Bayerischen Staates, München (Germany): Rhorus amauronemati sp. n., Rh. auberti sp. n., Rh. blennocampae sp. n., Rh. dineurae sp. n., Rh. hinzi sp. n., Rh. idari sp. n., and Rh. montanus sp. n. A key to the new and closely related species is given to supplement that published in the third part of the revision (Kasparyan, 2015). The other 25 species of the genus Rhorus from the collection of the München Museum is given; some of the species are recorded for the first time for France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Moldova, and Armenia.     

Chromosome number variability in central european members of the<Emphasis Type="Italic">Festuca ovina</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">F. pallens</Emphasis> groups (sect.<Emphasis Type="Italic">Festuca</Emphasis>)

Chromosome numbers for 98 plants ofF. pallens, 19 ofF. psammophila, F. belensis andF. vaginata, and 44 ofF. ovina (originating from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia and Latvia) are given. In addition to theF. ovina andF. pallens groups, chromosome counts for the following taxa are also reported:F. alpestris (2n=14) reported for the first time in this work,F. amethystina subsp.amethystina (2n=28),F. brevipila (2n=42),F. cinerea (2n=28),F. rupicola subsp.rupicola (2n=42) andF. versicolor subsp.versicolor (2n=14).InF. pallens, two ploidy levels (2n=2x=14+0-1B, 2n=4x=28+0-1B) as well as two natural triploid plants (2n=21+0-1B), were found. In addition to the fourF. pallens types that have been distinguished in Austria, one new tetraploid type (F. pallens “scabrifolia”) from the Czech Republic and Germany is reported and its taxonomy is discussed. The distributions of the Oberösterreich-Niederösterreich and Pannonisches-HügellandF. pallens types outside of Austria are documented.Only the diploid chromosome number (2n=14) was found inF. psammophila andF. vaginata. Chromosome numbers forF. psammophila subsp.muellerstollii andF. belensis (both 2n=14) were determined here for the first time. Two ploidy levels, 2n=14+0-5B corresponding toF. ovina subsp.ovina and 2n=28 corresponding toF. ovina subsp.guestphalica andF. cf.duernsteinensis were confirmed inF. ovina. Differences in chromosome structure (simple and multiple secondary constrictions) betweenF. pallens as opposed toF. psammophila andF. vaginata are discussed. A complete survey of published chromosome counts for Central European species from theF. ovina andF. pallens groups is included.     

Uncertainty of using habitat fidelity in biomonitoring based on benthic diatoms - the Raška River case study

Epilithic diatoms are frequently recommended for river biomonitoring, while much less emphasis is placed on epiphytic communities. This study considers use of epiphytic and epilithic diatom communities from the Ra?ka River in biomonitoring. A total of 212 diatom taxa were recorded in both communities. Dominant diatoms were Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kützing) Czarnecki, A. affine (Grunow) Czarnecki, A. subatomus (Hustedt) Lange-Bertalot, Amphora pediculus (Kützing) Grunow, Diatoma vulgaris Bory, Gomphonema tergestinum (Grunow) Fricke, Cocconeis placentula var. lineata (Ehrenberg) Van Heurck, Melosira varians Agardh and Navicula tripunctata (Müller) Bory. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to detect the relationships between diatoms, some environmental factors and sampling sites. Diatoms of the epiphytic community showed a clearly grouping in relation to the sampling sites as compared with diatoms of the epilithic community. Species common to both communities showed a similar correlation with some environmental variables (BOD, pH, NH₄⁺, TP, NO₃^? and conductivity), with three exceptions (Diatoma vulgaris, Cymbella compacta, and Encyonema silesiacum). Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed correlation between selected environmental variables and diatom indices calculated using OMNIDIA 6.2 software (TDI, IPS, CEE, GENRE, TID, SID, SHE and IDSE/5). Diatoms of the epiphytic community are more clearly clustered in relation to the sampling sites as compared with diatoms of the epilithic community. According to our results there is still “place” in biomonitoring for epiphytic community. The present study highlights the necessity of sampling both epiphytic and epilithic communities because substrate specificity could play important role in biomonitoring.     

Contrasting predation pressure of different ground beetles on slugs and their eggs

Slugs such as Deroceras reticulatum Müller (Pulmonata: Agriolimacidae) cause crop losses in temperate regions worldwide. Numerous species of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) feed on slugs, but possible interactive effects are poorly known. Here, we compared predation pressure on slug eggs and slug immatures among Abax parallelepipedus Piller and Mitterpacher, Pterostichus niger Schaller, and Pterostichus melanarius Illiger. The latter was most effective against slug eggs but least effective against immature slugs compared to the other species, demonstrating some specificity of ground beetle predation on life stages. Slug egg predation of P. niger in combination with both other species was synergistic, with up to twice as many eggs consumed as for single species treatments. The effect of species combinations on immature slugs showed no differences from expectations based on single species treatments. Our results indicate that combinations of ground beetle species are favourable for the suppression of slugs in early life stages.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrocheles</Emphasis> species (Acari: Macrochelidae) associated with human corpses in Europe

The biology of macrochelid mites might offer new venues for the interpretation of the environmental conditions surrounding human death and decomposition. Three human corpses, one from Sweden and two from Spain, have been analysed for the occurrence of Macrochelidae species. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli) females were associated with a corpse that was found in a popular beach area of southeast Spain. Their arrival coincides with the occurrence of one of their major carrier species, the filth fly Fannia scalaris, the activity of which peaks during mid-summer. Macrocheles glaber (Müller) specimens were collected from a corpse in a shallow grave in a forest in Sweden at the end of summer, concurrent with the arrival of beetles attracted by odours from the corpse. Macrocheles perglaber Filipponi and Pegazzano adults were sampled from a corpse found indoors in the rural surroundings of Granada city, south Spain. The phoretic behaviour of this species is similar to that of M. glaber, but it is more specific to Scarabaeidae and Geotrupidae dung beetles, most of which favour human faeces. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae is known from urban and rural areas and poultry farms, M. glaber from outdoors, particularly the countryside, whereas M. perglaber is known from outdoor, rural, and remote, potentially mountainous locations. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and M. perglaber are reported for the first time from the Iberian Peninsula. This is the first record of M. perglaber from human remains.     

Aquatic insects of the Neman River and its tributaries

The aquatic insects of the Neman River and its tributaries were studied. 178 species belonging to 9 orders were found: Collembola—2 species, Ephemeroptera—33, Odonata—16, Plecoptera—10, Heteroptera—20, Coleoptera—39, Megaloptera—2, Trichoptera—54, and Lepidoptera—2 species. Two species of aquatic insects new for the Belarusian fauna were found, Pomatinus substriatus (Ph. Müller, 1806) (Coleoptera) and Brachycercus europaeus Kluge, 1991 (Ephemeroptera).     

New genera and species of paramphistomes (Digenea: Paramphistomoidea: Cladorchiidae) parasitic in fishes from the Amazon basin in Peru

Two new genera and three new species of paramphistomoid digeneans are described in the family Cladorchiidae Fischoeder, 1901 from doradid, heptapterid, pimelodid and pseudopimelodid fishes in the Amazon River in Peru. Goeldamphistomum amazonum n. g., n. sp. (type-species) from Goeldiella eques (Müller & Troschel) (type-host) and Tenellus trimaculatus (Boulenger), and Goeldamphistomum peruanum n. g., n. sp. from Duopalatinus peruanus Eigenmann & Allen (type-host), Calophysus macropterus (Lichtenstein) and Microglanis sp. are placed in the Dadayiinae Fukui, 1929. Both species have an accessory acetabular sucker, which distinguishes the genus from all taxa previously reported from South American freshwater fishes. They differ from each other primarily in that G. amazonum has a prebifurcal genital pore and oblique, separated testes, the levels of which rarely overlap longitudinally, whereas G. peruanum has a postbifurcal genital pore and testes directly to obliquely tandem. Iquitostrema papillatum n. g., n. sp. (Kalitrematinae Travassos, 1933) from the intestine of Hassar orestis (Steindachner) differs from other members of the subfamily in the combination of a massive acetabulum with a papillate luminal surface and symmetrical testes which overlie the caeca close to the caecal arch. These are the first records of paramphistomes from the five host species studied here.     

Review of five species of cyclocoelids (Digenea: Cyclocoelidae) from aquatic birds in Mexico with notes on their interspecific variation

Based on a morphological approach, five species of cyclocoelids (Digenea: Cyclocoelidae) are revised based on material from birds in Mexico. The species studied are: Cyclocoelum cf. leidyi Harrah, 1922 from the black-necked stilt Himantopus mexicanus Müller (Recurvirostridae); Cyclocoelum mutabile (Zeder, 1800) from the northern jacana Jacana spinosa L. (Jacanidae) and the willet Tringa semipalmata Gmelin (Scolopacidae); Cyclocoelum pseudomicrostomum Harrah, 1922 from the American coot Fulica americana Gmelin (Rallidae); Selfcoelum lamothei Blend & Dronen, 2008, from the long-billed curlew Numenius americanus Bechstein (Scolopacidae); and Neohaematotrephus arayae Zamparo, Brooks, Causey & Rodriguez, 2003 from J. spinosa. New morphological data, illustrations and measurements are presented for these trematodes. Three species, insufficiently described, i.e. C. cf. leidyi, C. mutabile and C. pseudomicrostomum, are redescribed in detail. Our results indicate morphological variation in some important features used in the diagnosis of Cyclocoelum Brandes, 1892 (i.e. the presence or absence of oral sucker, the position of the genital pore relative to the pharynx, and the posterior extension of the uterus) and Selfcoelum Dronen, Gardner & Jiménez, 2006 (i.e. anterior extension of vitelline follicles). Finally, this study provides the first molecular data for the large subunit of the ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA) gene for N. arayae.     

A new water mite species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Georgella</Emphasis> (Acariformes,Gydryphantidae)

The larva, deutonymph, female, and male of a new water mite species, Georgella samaraensis, are described and illustrated. Larvae of Georgella are similar to larvae of the genus Hydryphantes, differing in the following characters: basal cheliceral segments have no longitudinal ribs, dorso-distal prominences of the pedipalpal tibia are undeveloped, and the excretory pore is partly surrounded by the anal sclerite. The larva known as G. koenikei (Münchberg, 1936) is erroneously treated as a larva of fresh-water Georgella (Hydrachnidia). The morphology of all the active developmental phases of Georgella strongly differs from that in mites of the genus Hydryphantes. Therefore, the generic status of Georgella should be restored.