Description of the oöcysts of Eimeria beccari n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Varanus prasinus beccari (Reptilia: Varanidae)

Eimeria beccari n. sp. is described from the faecal contents of Varanus prasinus beccari (Reptilia: Varanidae), originally from the Aru Islands northwest of New Guinea. Oöcysts are cylindroid, 33.7 × 19.1 (29–36 × 18–21) µm, often with one end narrowing; shape index (length/width) 1.76 (1.6–1.9). A micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent but a polar granule is present in most oöcysts. Sporocysts are ellipsoid, 12.0 × 7.7 (11–13.5 × 7–8) µm; shape index 1.56 (1.5–1.7). Stieda and substieda bodies are absent. Sporozoites are elongate, 10.4 × 2.8 (9–12 × 2.5–3) µm, and contain a posterior refractile body.     

Solving the identity of the large Plagiomnium (Musci) from Madeira (Portugal): P. undulatum var. madeirense T. Kop. & C. Sérgio

A new variety of Plagiomnium undulatum (Hedw.) T. Kop. var. madeirense T. Kop. & C. Sérgio is described from Madeira Island. The plants present an aquatic ecology and are characterised by broadly and longly decurrent leaves and by large size of laminal cells. This taxon is illustrated and the specimens studied are mapped.     

Apodopsyllus gabesensis n. sp.: a new species of Paramesochridae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from the Gulf of Gabès (south-eastern Tunisia)

Several specimens belonging to a new species of Apodopsyllus were collected during a study on the diversity of meiobenthic communities in the Gulf of Gabès, a Mediterranean shallow-water bay at the south-eastern coast of Tunisia in July 2005. The new species Apodopsyllus gabesensis n. sp. shares the characteristics of the genus such as the lack of endopods from P2 to P4 and the soft and slightly cuticularized body. Apodopsyllus gabesensis n. sp. belongs to the few known species of Apodopsyllus that are described to have comparably distinct patterns of dorsal and lateral cuticular plates and pores. Besides a typical combination of characters that clearly distinguishes the new species from its congeners, the new species shows the following unique single characters: female P5 with a hitherto unknown combination of shape of the exopodal part and shape and setation of the baseoendopodal lobe with two small stout spines; male P6 with a particular shape, and a distinct armature of the exopodal spines in P2–P4 in the male that are pinnate with very short spinules contrary to the female where spines are smooth. The genus Apodopsyllus contains 26 species with the inclusion of the new species.     

Redescription of Rugopharynx australis (Mönnig, 1926) and the description of R. moennigi n. sp. (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from kangaroos (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) in Australia

Systematic Parasitology - Rugopharynx australis (Mönnig, 1926) (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) is redescribed based on specimens from the type host, Osphranter rufus (Desmarest), together with...     

A review of the biology, ecology and potential use of the common ragworm Hediste diversicolor (O.F. Müller) (Annelida: Polychaeta)

The common ragworm Hediste diversicolor inhabits the shallow marine and brackish waters in the North Temperate Zone of the Atlantic. This infaunal species builds U or Y-shaped burrows in the soft sediments. H. diversicolor is gonochoristic and remains atokous throughout its life. Due to the facility of harvesting of individuals by hand and their maintenance, this species represents a good biological material for experimental studies. In consequence, the common ragworm served as a model for endocrine control of reproduction in Polychaeta and played a fundamental role in the study of immune defence in Polychaeta.Life history characteristics (longevity, spawning season, feeding tactics and growth) and population dynamics (sex ratio, density and biomass) vary greatly according to geographical location of the populations. In addition, inter-population morphological, biochemical and physiological differences have been noticed in individuals from different areas and different environmental conditions in the same areas and could be related to the limited dispersal capacity of the species. H. diversicolor interacts with its environment. The construction of burrows by individuals increases the sediment–water interface. When they ventilate their burrows, individuals verticalize oxic zones into the sediment and promote microbial and meiofaunal growth alongside their burrows. Moreover, the common ragworm is a species of commercial interest because of its use as bait in recreational fishing and as food in aquaculture. In order to alleviate environmental pressure caused by excessive demand over optimal sustainable yield of bait fisheries, intensive aquaculture has been proposed. The common ragworm could be also used as biomonitor of pollution in estuarine ecosystems.     

Analysis of the emergence of the Scarce Chaser Libellula fulva O.F. Müller, 1764 (Odonata: Libellulidae)

The Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) is widespread in Europe and in many regions is relatively common. It is also abundant in the lake districts of western and northern Poland. Although the species frequently occurs in large numbers its biology is poorly known. Emergence of L. fulva was investigated in this study as a contribution to the life history of the species. Studies were carried out in the vicinity of Chojno (52°41′ N, 16°12′ E) on the edge of the Notecka Forest in 2003 and 2004. The stem habitat of the population is a stream with the adjacent swamps. Libellula fulva belongs to the spring species sensu Corbet (1999). The emergence of the studied population lasted 19 days (between 18 May and 5 June) and 31 days (between 13 May and 12 June) in 2003 and 2004, respectively. It was characterised by synchronous and, especially in the first phase, mass emergence. The high synchronisation is reflected in the fact that 50% of the population had emerged by the seventh (in 2003) and the fifth (in 2004) days of the process. This is vital to the imagines, which mature and return to the water body as soon as possible to reproduce. Timing of the end of emergence depends on atmospheric conditions during its duration and the conditions preceding the start of emergence on a given day. In the daily course there is a tendency for emergence to finish as soon as possible. Extension of the emergence is synonymous with increased mortality in the dragonfly population caused by predators.     

Organization of the lamina ganglionaris of the optic lobe of the butterfly Pararge aegeria (Linné) (Lepidoptera : Satyridae)

The present work reports on a neuroanatomical study of the butterfly Pararge aegeria (Lepidoptera : Satyridae) focusing on the lamina ganglionaris underlying two different regions of the retina of the compound eye: the dorsal rim area and the large dorsal region. No differences between both lamina regions, concerning the structure of the cartridges and the morphology of the identified neurons, could be detected. After passing the basement membrane, the visual cell axons are organized in retinotopic bundles (pseudocartridges), in which the axons of the 9 visual cells (V1 and 5, D2, 4, 6, 8, H3 and 7, B9) are arranged in the same way as in the retina. In the pseudocartridge there are no synaptic contacts. Before entering the lamina cartridge, the bundles rotate 90 °. The cartridges are joined by the fibres of 4 monopolar cells (L1, L2, L3 and L4), which could be identified and located inside the lamina cartridges in serial EM-sections. Golgi impregnations revealed the morphology of these fibres. Thus, the regional specialization of the retina (dorsal rim area and large dorsal region) does not seem to be reflected at the level of the first visual neuropil. Additionally, the cartridges of both lamina regions were investigated qualitatively for synaptic contacts among fibres. In addition to monadic chemical synapses and multiple contact synapses with presynaptic ribbons, cell contacts are also facilitated by invaginations and bridges. These cellular interactions and their functional implications are discussed.     

Description of the oöcysts of Eimeria whitakeri n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from least shrews,Cryptotis parva (Insectivora: Soricidae)

Oöcysts of Eimeria whitakeri n. sp. are described from the faeces of the least shrew, Cryptotis parva (Insectivora: Soricidae), from Texas, USA. The oöcysts are spherical to subspherical, 17.4 × 16.4 (15–19 × 13–18.5) μm, with a bi-layered wall; their shape-index (length/width) is 1.1 (1.0–1.2). A micropyle and oöcyst residuum are absent, but a large polar granule is present. The sporocysts are ovoidal, 11.2 × 7.5 (9.5–12 × 6.5–8) μm, with Stieda and substieda bodies; their shape-index is 1.5 (1.4–1.6). The sporozoites each possess both anterior and posterior refractile bodies.     

The Afromontane Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) of the Rwenzori (Uganda–D. R. Congo): taxonomy,ecology and biogeography

The timely characterization of high-altitude freshwater habitats allows an assessment of the diversity of its biota and provides the basis for monitoring community change. In this study, we investigate the Cladocera fauna of 29 water bodies (pools, freshwater lakes, and surrounding swamps sampled at various occasions between 2005 and 2009) in the Rwenzori Mountains (Uganda, D. R. Congo), which are part of the East African Sky Island Complex. All sites except one are located above 3700 m altitude. We include notes on the morphology, taxonomy, distribution, and ecology of each recorded taxon and describe a new species of the Alona rustica-group (Alona sphagnophila n.sp.; Chydoridae). We found 11 species of which seven are restricted to Lake Mahoma, the lowest lake in our study area (2990 m) (Alona affinis barbata, A. intermedia, Alonella exisa, Alonella nana, Daphnia cf. obtusa, Pleuroxus aduncus) and/or Lake Bujuku (Daphnia cf. curvirostris, P. aduncus) (3900 m). Two taxa (Ilyocryptus cf. gouldeni, A. sphagnophila n.sp.) are restricted to Carex/Sphagnum bogs surrounding lakes in the afroalpine zone. Pigmented populations of Chydorus cf. sphaericus occur in all the sites. It is the only cladoceran species surviving the extreme alpine and nival conditions in the Rwenzori. The species is joined by A. guttata at locations at lower altitudes (ca. 3000–4000 m), present in about half of the sites. The Rwenzori Cladocera fauna is characterized by a strong extratropical temperate component and a low level of speciation/endemism. Harboring an impoverished boreal cladoceran community, Lake Mahoma is given closer attention. At 2990 m, the lake is a cold-temperate aquatic island in the tropics and may function as a stepping stone for Palaearctic taxa. We introduce a new term for high-altitude, cold-water habitats in the tropics, which act as climatic islands for extratropical freshwater faunas, Löffler Islands, in honor of Dr Heinz Löffler. In comparison to surveys in 1961, we list five new records in Lake Mahoma, which could indicate cladoceran community changes over the past few decades at ca. 3000 m in the Rwenzori. Since the species distributions correlate to temperature and catchment properties of the lakes, the Rwenzori cladoceran fauna can be expected as sensitive indicators for local changes.     

Sciadicleithrum juruparii n. sp. (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) from the gills of Satanoperca jurupari (Heckel) (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae) in the Guamá River, Amazon Delta, Brazil

Sciadicleithrum juruparii n. sp. is described from the gills of the Neotropical cichlid fish Satanoperca jurupari (Heckel) caught in the Guamá River, in the delta of the Amazon River, at Belém, Pará State, Brazil. Diagnostic characters of the new species are a basally articulated male copulatory organ with clockwise coils and an accessory piece; a ventral bar with a median process; similar hooklets; vagina in the form of a sclerotised tube; and a sinistral vaginal aperture with a sclerotised papilla lying in a small surface depression. It is the only species of Sciadicleithrum Kritsky, Thatcher & Boeger, 1989 with a medial projection on the ventral bar.     

Method of fixing the heterotic effect—implementation on plants (on the hundredth anniversary of the birth of V.A. Strunnikov)

The article is devoted to the 100th anniversary of the outstanding world-renown Russian scientist Vladimir Alexandrovich Strunnikov, Academician, Professor, Head of Group of Developmental Cytology and Sex Regulation at Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology and Head of genetic studies on silkworms in a number of sericulture institutes in CIS. Laureate of the State Prize of the USSR (1981), Hero of Socialist Labor (1990), awarded the I.I. Mechnikov Gold Medal, Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1981), founder of the theory explaining the origin of heterosis. One of his most significant achievements is the “Methods of Fixing the Heterosis Effect,” which makes it possible to abandon the production of hybrid seed and increase the yield of many crops by 20–50%. Fixing the gene complexes that determine the heterosis effect will become the “springboard” that will allow obtaining even more productive heterotic hybrids on the basis of new-generation varieties. The efficiency of this method in plant objects at the organismal and molecular levels was shown in the All-Russia Research Institute of Rice. A modification of this method reducing its laboriousness and increasing its efficiency was developed.     

Triloculotrema japanicae n. g., n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the olfactory sacs of the Japanese topeshark Hemitriakis japanica (Müller & Henle, 1839) (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae)

Triloculotrema japanicae n. g., n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae: Merizocotylinae) is described. The parasite inhabits the olfactory sacs of the Japanese topeshark Hemitriakis japanica (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae), and possesses a distinctive haptor with only three loculi. Some comments are made on the evolution of monocotylid monogeneans.     

Description of Aprostocetus anoplophorae n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a new egg parasitoid of the invasive pest Anoplophora chinensis (Förster) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Aprostocetus anoplophorae n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is supposed to play a role as an egg parasitoid of the invasive pest, the Citrus Longhorned Beetle, Anoplophora chinensis (Förster). The studies of its morphology, and rDNA sequence data, strongly indicate that this taxon differs greatly from all described Aprostocetus species, and is new to science. This species is described and illustrated. Both its systematic placement and origin are discussed.     

To the knowledge of the fauna of Microlepidoptera (Lepidoptera) of the “Curonian Spit” National Park. II

A list of 243 Microlepidoptera species found in the territory of the Curonian Spit (both in its Russian and Lithuanian parts), in addition to that in the first part of the present publication (Sinev and Shapoval, 2013), is given: Gelechiidae (33), Tortricidae (138), and Crambidae (72 species). 142 species have been collected in the territory of the “Kurshskaya Kosa” National Park, including 49 species new to the Curonian Spit, 30 species new to Kaliningrad Province and 3 species (Scrobipalpa obsoletella, Scrobipalpa pauperella, and Catoptria osthelderi) new to the fauna of Russia.     

Neotropical Monogenoidea. 54. Proposal of Aetheolabes n. g. (Dactylogyrinea: Diplectanidae), with the description of A. goeldiensis n. sp. from the gills of ‘pescada’ Plagioscion sp. (Teleostei: Sciaenidae) in Brazil

Aetheolabes goeldiensis n. g., n. sp. (Diplectanidae) is described from the gills of ‘pescada’ Plagioscion sp. (Sciaenidae) collected from the Baía de Marajó, about 30 km north of Belém, Pará, Brazil. The monotypic Aetheolabes n. g. is characterised, in part, by its type-species having the haptor and haptoral sclerites modified as a clasp for attachment to the gill tissue of its host, the copulatory complex situated far posterior to the intestinal bifurcation near the mid-length of the trunk, the vaginal pore apparently within the genital atrium, the tegument lacking scales, anchors atypical for diplectanids, and by lacking peduncular spines and squamodiscs. A. goeldiensis n. sp. closely resembles Diplectanum umbrinum Tripathi, 1957 from India and China by the haptoral sclerites forming a clasp, but differs from it primarily by the orientation of the reproductive organs and absence of squamodiscs.