Biologie de Gammarus laticoxalis laticoxalis dans une rivière du Liban

The biology of a population of Gammarus laticoxalis laticoxalis living in a perennial, relatively constant temperature river in Lebanon is studied. Life cycle, fecundity, sex-ratio, body length and demography were followed for almost two years. The reproductive cycle shows no resting period with fecundity being highest during the rainy season as compared to dry summer months.

     

Ostracodes de la Formation de Bhanness,Kimméridgien (Jurassique supérieur) du Liban central : taxonomie,paléoécologie et paléobiogéographie

A microfauna composed of 11 species of ostracodes belonging to 11 genera have been recovered from the Bhanness Formation of Kimmeridgian age, in Central Lebanon. Four species are new and are described herein: Ektyphocythere dahressawanensis nov. sp., Dicrorygma (Orthorygma) libanensis nov. sp., Citrella? elongata nov. sp. and Procytherura inflata nov. sp. From a palaeobiogeographical standpoint, this fauna characterizes the North Gondwana province which differs from the South Gondwana province, particularly by the presence of the genus Schuleridea and the absence of the genus Majungaella.     

Phylogenetic diversity and genome sizes of Astragalus (Fabaceae) in the Lebanon biogeographical crossroad

The Lebanese mountain range is an important zone of plant species richness and endemism where the genus Astragalus constitutes a principal component of plant biodiversity. Most of endemic Astragalus taxa, living in mountains and arid zones of Mounts Lebanon and anti-Lebanon, are characterized by a cushion, spiny vegetative form, named “tragacanthic”, which is a remarkable example of vegetative convergence evolution. Because of determination difficulties, taxonomic uncertainties, and discrepancy in the number of taxa listed according to authors, new data are hardly needed to improve systematics of Astragalus and to investigate the role of the Lebanese mountain range as refugia of biodiversity. Before this study only two values on the genome size of Astragalus were reported in the literature and no previous molecular studies had been carried out on Astragalus genus in Lebanon. We examined the utility of rDNA ITS molecular markers to distinguish Astragalus species of Lebanese mountain range and the variation range of their genome size. The main results revealed a striking diversity in Lebanese Astragalus species with the emphasis of a huge variation of genome sizes, an important inter-specific chromosome polymorphism and the existence of a high phylogenetic diversity. The strict endemic species of the Lebanese mountains are positioned throughout the phylogeny. These results confirm that the Lebanon and anti-Lebanon mounts constitute a third diversity center for Astragalus and that high altitude areas are important refugia of plant biodiversity despite centuries of exploitation by humans.     

Glacial-driven vicariance in the amphipod Gammarus duebeni

We have examined the genetic diversity using mitochondrial COI and ND2 sequence data from 306 specimens of the amphi-Atlantic-distributed amphipod Gammarus duebeni. Marine populations from the Atlantic Ocean, the Baltic and North Sea, as well as freshwater populations from Ireland, Cornwall and Brittany were analysed.G. duebeni is a complex of five allopatric lineages. Freshwater populations result from multiple invasions of marine ancestors, represented by distinct lineages. We interpret the recent distribution of lineages as the outcome of a series of spatio-temporal vicariant events caused by Pleistocene glaciations and sea level changes. The freshwater lineages are therefore regarded as ‘glacial relicts’. Furthermore, inter-specific competition with, for example, Gammarus pulex (which is absent in Ireland and western Brittany) may be another important determinant in the distribution of freshwater G. duebeni. In Ireland and Brittany, three freshwater refugia are suggested. The significantly limited gene flow detected among marine populations is more likely due to inter-specific competition than to salinity. The G. duebeni-complex represents a model system for the study of allopatric speciation accompanied by major habitat shifts. The pattern of spatio-temporal origins of the freshwater entities we describe here provides an excellent system for investigating evolutionary adaptations to the freshwater environment. Our data did not confirm the presently used subspecies classification but are only preliminary in the absence of nuclear genetic analyses.     

Substrate selection and assortative mating in Gammarus pulex L.

We reject the published proposition that assortative mating for size in Gammarus is brought about purely as a result of spatial heterogeneity in substrate particle size. We confirm that, in general, large Gammarus prefer substrates with larger particle size than small Gammarus. However, in artificial streams in the laboratory, in choice experiments Gammarus males and females showed positive assortative mating for size in each of three substrates differing in mean particle size. We propose an explanation for assortative mating based on sexual selection.     

Temporal and spatial variability of an invasive toxigenic protist in a North American subtropical reservoir

The toxigenic marine flagellate Prymnesium parvum was first recorded in Lake Texoma, OK-TX, USA, an impoundment of the Red and Washita Rivers, following a massive fish kill in January 2004. Results of a 4.5-year monitoring program, spanning five bloom periods, revealed that Prymnesium abundances in the lake were temporally and spatially variable—densities were higher in winter, near-shore, and in Red River-associated sampling sites; the largest blooms were in Lebanon Pool, a large backwater basin often disconnected from the main reservoir. Prymnesium blooms appeared to have been fueled by high nutrient concentrations, and winter-spring densities were positively correlated with chlorophyll a, conductivity, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and microzooplankton biomass, and negatively correlated with molar total nitrogen:total phosphorus and cladoceran and total crustacean zooplankton biomass. Comparison of Prymnesium densities with hydrological data suggested that Prymnesium blooms in Lebanon Pool were highest when the pool was disconnected from the main reservoir; no bloom occurred in the winter of 2004–2005, the only year since the 2003–2004 invasion in which Lebanon Pool and Lake Texoma were connected during the winter months.     

Sur l'origine du genre Microceratina Swanson, 1980 (Ostracoda, Eucytherurinae) et sa présence téthysienne dès le Jurassique supérieur

The discovery in the uppermost Jurassic of Lebanon of a species of the ostracod genus Microceratina Swanson, 1980 (Eucytherurinae), of which the oldest known species was until now of Maastrichtian age, confirms the Tethyan origin of this genus. Two new species are created: Microceratina bhannesensis nov. sp. from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) of Lebanon, and Microceratina azazoulensis nov. sp. from the Cenomanian of Morocco. The genera Chapmanicytherura Weaver, 1982 and Erratacytheridea Herrig et al., 1997, are considered as probable junior synonyms of Microceratina. An exhaustive bibliographical analysis allowed to identifying several other Cretaceous species susceptible to be assigned to the genus Microceratina.     

Nouvelles observations sur l'anatomie et sur la position systématique d'un poisson téléostéen du Cénomanien du Liban: Pateroperca Woodward

The genus PateropercaWoodward which includes two species, P. libanicaWoodward and P. robusta nov., is described in detail on the basis of acid prepared material from the Cenomanian fish bed of Hadjula (Lebanon). It is demonstrated that Pateroperca does not belong to the Order Ctenothrissiformes contrary to the generally accepted idea. Despite the possession of characters known among Acanthoterygian fishes, it is not possible to show that this genus may be related to the Order Beryciformes and the new family Pateropercidae nov. is left as Ctenosquamata incertae sedis.     

A new chimaeroid fish from the Cretaceous of Lebanon

A new species of chimaeroid, Harriotta lehmani, is described. It differs from Recent species of Harriotta in the shape of the paired rostral cartilages and second dorsal fin. This is the first record of a chimaeroid from the Cretaceous fish-beds of Lebanon, as well as being the first fossil representative of the genus Harriotta.     

On the Monacha species of Lebanon (Gastropoda,Hygromiidae)

In this paper, all seven hitherto known species of the hygromiid genus Monacha from Lebanon are briefly characterised and illustrated, and distribution maps are supplied (Monacha (Monacha) syriaca (Ehrenberg, 1831), Monacha (Monacha) nummus (Ehrenberg, 1831), Monacha (Monacha) obstructa (L. Pfeiffer, 1842), Monacha (Monacha) crispulata (Mousson, 1861), Monacha (Monacha) solitudinis (Bourguignat, 1852), Monacha (Monacha) bari Forcart 1981, and Monacha (Monacha) cf. compingtae (Pallary, 1929)). One species, Monacha (Monacha) bari Forcart, 1981, is recorded for the country for the first time, and its relationship to Monacha (Monacha) compingtae (Pallary, 1929) is discussed. Based on recently collected specimens, the genital organs of a long time ignored species, Helix solitudinis Bourguignat, 1852 could be investigated. It is here re-described as a Monacha species endemic for Lebanon.     

Molecular evidence for further overlooked species within the Gammarus fossarum complex (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

The freshwater amphipod Gammarus fossarum Koch, in Panzer, 1836 is a locally abundant keystone species mainly occuring in European headwaters but also in larger rivers. Genetic studies in the past 25 years have revealed three cryptic species within nominal G. fossarum (types A, B and C). Assignments of specimens to these types were based on allozyme and 16S markers. Today, a fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) is primarily used as a genetic marker for species assignments (‘DNA Barcoding’), yet not a single CO1 sequence of G. fossarum is available in the Barcode of Life Database. We analysed new CO1 and 16S data for German, Hungarian and Croatian G. fossarum specimens and compared them with 16S and CO1 sequences of G. fossarum from GenBank. Thereby, we close the gap between traditional allozyme- and 16S-based species assignments and modern CO1 barcoding. Studying genetic variation in 55 specimens from 29 populations, we identified between 11 and 23 novel and genetically distinct clades using distance- and tree-based methods. Our results suggest that G. fossarum comprises several additional, yet unrecognised, species in particular from the Balkan region. Therefore, a taxonomic revision and biogeographic reconsideration of the G. fossarum complex is urgently needed.     

Life history of the amphipod Gammarus locusta in the Sado estuary (Portugal)

A 2-year study was conducted on the life history of the amphipod Gammarus locusta (L.) in the Sado estuary, which comprised the analysis of distribution, abundance, dynamics and reproduction. Sampling was performed monthly at low tide by collecting the macroalgae within a 0.25-m² area. G. locusta is distributed along the euhaline and polihaline areas of the Sado estuary and it is usually found among macroalgae and under small stones. The lowest and highest population densities were recorded in the first and last quarter of the year, respectively. The density fluctuations were tightly coupled with the algal biomass, particularly Ulva sp. The females are iteroparous and reproduce for the first time when they reach 6-mm total length. Comparatively to other gammaridean amphipods, G. locusta has a high fecundity. Reproduction takes place throughout the year. The population is semi-annual and the reproductive cycle is of the multivoltine type. The sum of these characteristics revealed an adaptive type `r' strategy. These results are in general agreement with the current models of latitudinal variations in gammaridean life histories.     

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Intestinal Protozoan Infections with Cryptosporidium,Giardia, Blastocystis and Dientamoeba among Schoolchildren in Tripoli,Lebanon

BackgroundIntestinal protozoan infections are confirmed as major causes of diarrhea, particularly in children, and represent a significant, but often neglected, threat to public health. No recent data were available in Lebanon concerning the molecular epidemiology of protozoan infections in children, a vulnerable population at high risk of infection.ConclusionsThis is the first study performed in Lebanon reporting the prevalence and the clinical and molecular epidemiological data associated with intestinal protozoan infections among schoolchildren in Tripoli. A high prevalence of protozoan parasites was found, with Blastocystis spp. being the most predominant protozoans. Although only 50% of children reported digestive symptoms, asymptomatic infection was observed, and these children may act as unidentified carriers. This survey provides necessary information for designing prevention and control strategies to reduce the burden of these protozoan infections, especially in children.     

Ingestion and Adsorption of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis by Gammarus lacustris in the Laboratory

Several groups of Gammarus lacustris adults were exposed to solutions containing 0.5 and 5.0 mg of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis per liter for 1- or 24-h periods by using traditional static bioassay exposure procedures. During a postexposure holding period, fecal pellets were removed and plated on tryptic soy agar to determine B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis spore content. The experiments verified that traditional exposure procedures assure ingestion of B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis spores and provided a mean dose estimate of 1,948 spores ingested per test animal with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 891 to 4,296 (1-h exposure, 5.0 mg/liter). It was also found that dose level is highly dependent upon both exposure duration and concentration and that relatively short exposures can result in a relatively long-term retention of spores postexposure (≥30 days). Body burden experiments established that large numbers of spores adsorb to the bodies of test animals during exposure and may in part explain the long-term retention of spores in the test system postexposure. These results imply that in field applications of microbial control agents, toxicologically unaffected but exposed organisms might transport the agent to untreated sites, expanding the effective treatment area and the number of organisms exposed.     

The parasitoid complex [Hym.: Ichneumonoidea] ofToxoptera aurantii [Hom.: Aphidoidea] in the Mediterranean area

The parasitoid complex of the Black Citrus Aphid,Toxoptera aurantii (B.d.F.) in the Mediterranean area has been complemented on the basis of samples collected in South Italy and Lebanon. To the complex presently belong 10 Ichneumonoid species of the generaAphidius Nees,Diaeretiella Staryý,Ephedrus Haliday,Lipolexis Förster,Lysiphlebus Förster,Praon Haliday andTrioxys Haliday. Of these,Aphidius colemani Viereck, in spite of its wide distribution in the Mediterranean region, seems to be restricted to Near East (Israel and Lebanon) asT. aurantii parasitoid. The nearctic speicesLysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) is localized in Spain, South France, Corsica, Central and South Italy, including Sicily. In Italy, this endoparasitoid has heavily interfered with the local dominant congeneric speciesLysiphlebus confusus Tremblay & Eady andLysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall). The possible associative relationships betweenLysiphlebus testaceipes andL. fabarum have been examined in the samples collected in South Italy. The results of the examination suggest that the 2 species are negatively associated with each other, i.e. the abundance of 1 of the 2 species makes it more likely that the other will decrease in numbers. Moreover, the data concerning the relative abundance of both species in the same area indicate that a shift may have occurred in favour ofL. testaceipes between 1977 and 1978. The nearctic parasitoid seems to be able to displace the 2 congeneric species by a competitive biological mechanism which is still in course of investigation.     

Prevalencia de especies de Malassezia asociadas a lesiones de dermatitis seborreica en pacientes de Argentina

BackgroundSeborrheic dermatitis (SD) is considered the second most frequently dermatosis associated with the genus Malassezia but little is the knowledge about the epidemiology of this association.AimsTo determinate the prevalence of Malassezia species associated with SD and to analyse their distribution according to the location of the lesion on the body.MethodsThis study was performed in Resistencia city, located in a subtropical area in northeast Argentina. In this study, 226 skin samples from patients with lesions compatible with SD were studied. Age, gender and body sites lesion were recorded. Strains were identified by PCR-RFLP.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-one positive cultures were obtained. Association of 2 species was detected in 10 cases; therefore, 141 strains were isolated. Malasezzia globosa (43.3%) was the most frequent species isolated, followed by Malasezzia furfur (20.6%), Malasezzia sympodialis (17%) and Malasezzia restricta (16.3%). Three isolates of Malasezzia slooffiae (2.1%) and one of Malasezzia pachydermatis (0.7%) were obtained. Statistical significance (P < 0.05) was found between M. globosa and scalp. Malasezzia restricta was isolated only in head areas.ConclusionsThis study suggests M. globosa is the most related species to SD. The prevalence of other species is different from that reported by other authors. Only M. globosa and M. restricta presented a pattern of relationship with the body sites of the lesions. It is noteworthy is the isolation of the zoophylic species M. pachydermatis. The Malassezia genus ecology and the pathogenic role of its species are still under study. This work is a contribution to this knowledge.     

Different ammonia tolerances may facilitate spatial coexistence of Gammarus roeselii and the strong invader Dikerogammarus villosus

The introduction of invasive species that can replace native species is one of the most critical threats to the biodiversity of aquatic systems. Here we investigated the potential contribution of one factor to the coexistence of the indigenous amphipod Gammarus roeselii and the invasive amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus in the same ecosystem (Lake Constance) within different microhabitats. We quantitatively studied the influence of ambient ammonia concentrations on the distributions of the two amphipod species. We also assessed the ammonia tolerance ranges of both species in laboratory experiments by measuring mortality rate, precopula disruption, egg mortality, and microhabitat choice. The proportion of G. roeselii among the two amphipod species was significantly positively related to the ammonia concentration in the water, which indicated that the distribution of the invasive D. villosus was limited at high ammonia concentrations. Although the mortality rates of the two species did not significantly differ, G. roeselii was more tolerant to ammonia with regard to precopula disruption, egg mortality, and microhabitat choice. The effective ammonia concentrations that led to a significantly reduced direct reproductive success in D. villosus were within the range of the highest field concentrations measured, where only G. roeselii occurred. D. villosus may have a smaller range than the indigenous G. roeselii partially because of its lower tolerance to higher ammonia concentrations, which lead to reduced reproductive success. Beside other habitat parameters differences on ammonia tolerance between the two amphipods might allow their coexistence along a gradient of microhabitats in Lake Constance.     

Initial Data on the Molecular Epidemiology of Cryptosporidiosis in Lebanon

Cryptosporidium spp. represent a major public health problem worldwide and infect the gastrointestinal tract of both immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons. The prevalence of these parasites varies by geographic region, and no data are currently available in Lebanon. To promote an understanding of the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosisin this country, the main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence Cryptosporidium in symptomatic hospitalized patients, and to analyze the genetic diversity of the corresponding isolates. Fecal specimens were collected in four hospitals in North Lebanon from 163 patients (77 males and 86 females, ranging in age from 1 to 88 years, with a mean age of 22 years) presenting gastrointestinal disorders during the period July to December 2013. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection obtained by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and/or nested PCR was 11%, and children <5 years old showed a higher rate of Cryptosporidium spp. The PCR products of the 15 positive samples were successfully sequenced. Among them, 10 isolates (66.7%) were identified as C. hominis, while the remaining 5 (33.3%) were identified as C. parvum. After analysis of the gp60 locus, C. hominis IdA19, a rare subtype, was found to be predominant. Two C. parvum subtypes were found: IIaA15G1R1 and IIaA15G2R1. The molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates is an important step in improving our understanding of the epidemiology and transmission of the infection.     

Two more new species of Aphidura (Hemiptera,Aphididae), and a note on variation in Aphidura bozhkoae Narzikulov

Two new species of Aphidura Hille Ris Lambers, 1956 (Hemiptera, Aphididae, Macrosiphini) are described; Aphidura libanensis sp. n. from Prunus prostrata in Lebanon, and Aphidura corsicensis sp. n. from Cerastium soleirolii in Corsica (France). Studies of Aphidura bozhkoae specimens from different localities have revealed that this species varies in its pattern of dorsal sclerotisation and other morphological characters, within and between populations. An updated key for identifying the world’s species of Aphidura is presented.