A new species of Dianthus (Caryophyllaceae) from Mount Erciyes,central Anatolia,Turkey

Dianthus aytachii C.Vural from Mount Erciyes, central Anatolia (Turkey) is described and illustrated. It is considered to be endemic to Mount Erciyes. The morphological differences from the closely related species Dianthus zederbaueri Vierh. are discussed. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) threat category and observations on the ecology of the populations are noted. The pollen and seed morphology of D. aytachii and D. zederbaueri were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The geographical distribution of the new species is mapped. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 55–61.     

Comparison of Cocconeis pseudonotata sp. nov. with two closely related species,C. notata and C. diruptoides,from Posidonia oceanica leaves

Three Cocconeis Ehrenberg species, epiphytic on the leaves of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, were studied by light and electron microscopy. A new species, C. pseudonotata, is described which is closely related to C. notata Petit and C. diruptoides Hustedt. Gross morphology and the presence of a sigmoid raphe and sternum are the characters shared by the three species, whereas the central areas of sternum and raphe-sternum valves, and the stria and areola densities are the main distinctive characters for the species when observed by light microscopy. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations revealed that the fine structure of areolae must be also considered in order to identify the species. Comparison among the three species has been carried out by observations on material from our samples, as well as on the type material of C. diruptoides and cleaned samples from the Hustedt collection. The study also provides new information on the geographical distribution of these species.     

Observations on the Caudal Cilium of the Tomite of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet, 18761,2

Light microscopy of live or silver-impregnated specimens of the fish parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis show that the tomites are elongated and claviform with the anterior end broad. The cytostome, indicated by the presence of the organelle of Lieberkühn, is found in the lower part of the broadened anterior third of the tomite. The tapered posterior end bears a rigid, caudal cilium at its pole. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the caudal cilium and associated structures, including the depression from which the cilium protrudes, circumciliary ring, and raised struts on the ring. From these observations it is concluded that a previously reported “apical filament” found on the tomite is actually the posterior caudal cilium described by Canella & Rocchi-Canella in 1976.     

Marsupium morphology and brooding biology of the Antarctic giant isopod,Glyptonotus antarcticus Eights 1853 (Crustacea,Isopoda, Chaetiliidae)

The marsupium of the Antarctic giant isopod, Glyptonotus antarcticus Eights 1853, has unique characteristics. It deviates in its proportions and construction from the so called Idotea type of brood pouch found in other marine isopod species; some features even remind you of the so called Porcellio type of marsupium which is typical of terrestrial isopods. Details are described by scanning electron microscopy. From our observations and from reviewed data, we suggest that, during the prolonged incubation of brood, adelphophagy contributes to the nourishment of the developing young, and assume that additional nutrition is provided by maternal secretion. These suggestions would partly explain marsupial conditions in G. antarcticus as an adaptation to slow development in an adverse environment. Two species of epizoa, a turbellarian and a fish leech, were found to occur on G. anarcticus in the vicinity of the marsupium.Contribution No. 561 of the Alfred-Wegener-Institute of Polar and Marine Research (AWI Bremerhaven)     

Light and Electron Microscopic Observations on the Intraerythrocytic Development of Babesiosoma stableri (Apicomplexa,Dactylosomatidae) in Frogs from Algonquin Park,Ontario1

ABSTRACT. The intraerythrocytic development and ultrastructure of Babesiosoma stableri Schmittner & McGhee, 1961 are described from Rana catesbeiana and Rana septentrionalis from Algonquin Park, Ontario. Morphometric and chronological observations on B. stableri in an experimentally infected Rana pipiens support the hypothesis that two successive types of merogonic cycles occur within the erythrocytes of infected frogs; the first cycle gives rise to the second and the second cycle produces merozoites destined to become gamonts. Merozoites, meronts, and gamonts are described by light and electron microscopy. Merozoites are typically coccidian and have a trilaminate pellicle with micropores, approximately 40 sub-pellicular microtubules, an apical and posterior polar ring, a conoid with two accessory rings and a pair of intra-conoidal microtubules, three rhoptries and numerous micronemes, and a nucleus with a nucleolus and a paranuclear Golgi body. The gamonts are larger than merogonic stages and are isogamous. They have approximately 55 sub-pellicular microtubules and large stores of amylopectin. These observations indicate that the genus Babesiosoma should be transferred from the Family Haemohormidiidae (Piroplasmida, Piroplasmia) to the Family Dactylosomatidae (Eucoccidiida, Coccidia).     

An SEM study of the haptoral sclerites of the genus Gyrodactylus Nordmann, 1832 (Monogenea) following extraction by digestion and sonication techniques

Techniques for the preparation of haptoral sclerites of Gyrodactylus species for scanning electron microscopy are described. Enzymatic digestion using pepsin allows fresh, frozen and alcohol-fixed material to be examined, but some sclerites, such as the dorsal and ventral bars, are lost. Sonication of fresh and frozen material retained these accessory bars, including the ventral bar membrane, the guard or sickle filament loop on the marginal hooks and even on some occasions ligaments associated with the sclerites. The sclerites of Gyrodactylus spp. from Gasterosteus aculeatus (L.) (three-spined stickleback), Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) (rainbow trout) and Salvelinus alpinus (L.) (charr) are described from SEM observations following the use of these preparation techniques, and the articulation between the hamuli and bars is commented upon.     

First record of resting cysts of the benthic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum leve in a natural reservoir in Gujan‐Mestras,Gironde, France

The resting cysts of the benthic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum leve from a natural reservoir in Gujan‐Mestras (Gironde, France) were described in this study. The incubated urn‐shaped cysts gave rise to cells of P. leve. Morphological observations through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, particularly of the periflagellar platelets, combined with large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences obtained through single‐cell analysis confirm their affinity to the species P. leve. The cysts were characterized by a specific shape and the presence of an anterior plug. This is the first conclusive evidence for fossilizable resting stages within the Prorocentrales, one of the major orders within the Dinophyceae. Palynological treatments show that the cysts and endospores withstand hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids. Micro‐Fourier transform infrared analysis on single specimens suggests that the composition of the endospore is cellulosic and the cyst wall a more robust, noncellulosic β‐glucan. The spectra overall are similar to other published spectra of resting cysts from autotrophic, planktonic dinoflagellates.     

Sexual dimorphism of antennal,tarsal and ovipositor chemosensilla in the African stemborer,Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The number and distribution of chemosensilla located on different organs of Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) males and females are described based on observations using scanning electron microscopy, selective staining with silver nitrate, and gustatory electrophysiological recording. The antennae and the fifth tarsomere of the prothoracic legs of both sexes bear chemosensilla: uniporous chaetica and multiporous trichoidea sensilla. However, there is a sexual dimorphism in the number and size of sensilla on these organs. The distal part of the ovipositor has uniporous gustatory chemosensilla of the chaetica type. The involvement of these sensilla in oviposition site selection by B. fusca is discussed.     

Description of a new species of Nesotriatoma Usinger, 1944 from Cuba and revalidation of synonymy between Nesotriatoma bruneri (Usinger, 1944) and N. flavida (Neiva, 1911) (Hemiptera,Reduviidae, Triatominae)

Nesotriatoma confusa sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) is described based on specimens from Cuba. From one male, one female, and eleven nymphs of a then‐undescribed species of Nesotriatoma collected in Cuba, a colony was formed and its specimens were used to describe N. confusa sp. nov. Characters were observed on the head, thorax, abdomen, female external genitalia, and male genitalia with optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We concluded that N. bruneri (Usinger, 1944 ) was indeed a synonym of N. flavida (Neiva, 1911 ) as previously proposed.     

External morphology of the cycliophoran dwarf male: a comparative study of Symbion pandora and S. americanus

Cycliophora is a recently described phylum to which only two species have been assigned so far, Symbion pandora and S. americanus. The cycliophoran life cycle is complex and alternates between asexual and sexual stages. Although not recognized as an entirely independent free-swimming stage when the phylum was first described, the dwarf male has a remarkably complex bodyplan albeit its very small size (approx. 30–40 μm in length). Aiming to increase the knowledge on the gross morphology of the cycliophoran dwarf male, specimens from S. pandora and S. americanus were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. In both species, anterior and ventral ciliated fields, as well as paired lateral sensorial organs, were identified, thus confirming previous observations. However, new details are described herein such as the penial pouch that encloses the penis. We compare our findings on both Symbion species with the data currently available on other metazoan dwarf males.     

A histological and ultrastructural study of the cells of the mantle edge of a marine bivalve, Cerastoderma edule

The cells of the mantle edge of Cerastoderma edule are described after light and electron microscopical observations. Histochemical tests for calcium in the mantle edge and digestive gland (Dahl, 1952; McGee-Russell, 1958) and analytical electron microscopy of the mantle edge of C. edule both failed to show calcium. Similar results were obtained for Mytilus edulis and Chlamys opercularis. However, calcium was detected in the digestive gland of the terrestrial gastropod Helix aspersa. The outer secretory fold of the mantle edge is composed of tall columnar cells. These cells have highly convoluted lateral cell membranes with which many mitochondria are closely associated. These features are indicative of an ion pump which could move calcium from the mantle space to the extrapallial cavity (compare with Bubel's findings, 1973b). There are many features of the cells lining the periostracal groove of C. edule that have not been reported previously (e.g. Bubel, 1973b) and which are now discussed. The periostracal sheet arises within a line of basal cells in the fundus of the periostracal groove. Within these cells the periostracum in section has a spiral form. It is suggested that the newly formed periostracum adheres to the microvillous border through secretions produced from the middle fold cells lining the groove. During its passage along the groove the periostracum is gradually thickened by secretions from the outer fold cells.     

Leptosomatides brevicaudatus n. sp. and a Redescription of Leptosomatides marinae Platonova, 1967 (Enoplida: Leptosomatidae)

The free-living marine nematodes Leptosomatides brevicaudatus n. sp. and L. marinae were described and redescribed, respectively, from material collected in the northwest Pacific. Leptosomatides brevicaudatus n. sp. from Simushir Island differs from L. marinae in the ratio c8 (body length divided by tail length measured on the chord) and the length of the spicules. Leptosomatides marinae is redescribed from light microscopy (LM) observations of the type specimens and LM and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of specimens from Hokkaido, Japan. It appears to be impossible to distinguish among some species of Leptosomatides because they are either insufficiently described or known only from females. Secondary sexual characters of males are essential for purposes of identification.     

A new monogenean species,Gyrodactylus ajime n. sp. (Gyrodactylidae), parasitic on Niwaella delicata (Niwa), an endemic loach of Japan

A new gyrodactylid species, Gyrodactylus ajime n. sp., is described from the skin and fins of an endemic and commercially important loach Niwaella delicata (Niwa) (Cypriniformes: Cobitoidea: Cobitidae), from the upper reach of the River Yura in Ashiu, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan with scanning electron microscopy observations and molecular data. This species can be distinguished from congenerics by characteristics of the sickle of the marginal hook: the sickle proper is composed of two straight sections and a curved section; its short point extends beyond the limit of the toe and is directed downwards; and the upper corner of heel angular is slightly raised. There are 31 species and subspecies of native loaches (Cobitoidea) known from Japan, of which 25 are red-listed nationally, and two are commercially important. I reviewed all reports of monogeneans from Japanese loaches, and found that only five fish species have been recorded as hosts of these parasites. This suggests that the parasite fauna of these fishes is poorly described. It is urgent to thoroughly describe the monogenean parasites of loaches in Japan as some of the parasite species may be threatened with co-extinction because their hosts are threatened, and to understand any negative impacts on commercially important fish species.

     

Epipelic diatoms blooming in Isahaya Tidal Flat in the Ariake Sea, Japan, before the drainage following the Isahaya-Bay Reclamation Project

A blooming diatom sample from Isahaya Tidal Flat in the Ariake Sea, south‐west Japan, before the bay was closed and drained following the Isahaya‐Bay Reclamation Project, is taxonomically examined. When the sample was collected on 25 May 1996, the area was a muddy tidal flat. Altogether, 103 diatom species were observed within 1000 counts of frustules. Both the dominant and subdominant diatom species were large raphid species. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that the dominant species was Haslea nipkowii (F.Meister) Poulin et G. Masse, which was originally described as a species of Gymsigma. So far, a report of correctly identified H. nipkowii has been presented only from China, because H. nipkowii sensu Poulin et al. from USA and France probably belongs to the other taxon, Gymsigma pallidum Riznyk. The subdominant species is described as a new species, Nitzschia gyrosigmasp. nov. This new species is similar to Nitzschia sigmoidea under light microscopy, but scanning electron microscopy observation reveals that their fine structures are quite different. Nitzschia granulata var. hyalina is transferred to the genus of Tryblionella and raised to an independent species, Tryblionella hyalina (Amosse) comb. nov.     

Description of Uronema marinum (Ciliophora,Scuticociliatida) from the Antarctica and observations on the nuclear events in conjugation

The morphology is described of a scuticociliate, isolated from a sediment from Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, in the Antarctica. The studies, using light microscopy of silver impregnated specimens and by scanning electron microscopy, permit an assignment to the species, Uronema marinum. The main steps of micronuclear events during conjugation, that appear to be similar to the general plan of Tetrahymena and Paramecium aurelia complex, are shown.