Ctenophthalmus harputus, a new Spalax flea from Turkey

ABSTRACT. Ctenophthalmus harputus sp.n. is described from the mole rat Spalax ehrenbergi Nehring collected near Elaziǧ city in eastern Turkey. This new flea species is classified in the Ctenophthalmus (Palaeo-ctenophthalmus) fissurus Wagner group. A key is given to the six species of Spalax fleas (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae, Ctenophthalmus spp.) recorded from Turkey.     

方叶栉眼蚤幼虫的形态(英文)

本文首次描述了方叶栉眼蚤Ctenophthalmusquadratus幼虫的形态。它与栉眼蚤属已经描述的田栉眼蚤的鉴别特征是：破卵器前都较长,是后部的1．6－1．8倍,大颚的齿数和肛梳刚毛的数目。     

Composition and seasonal changes of mesostigmatic mites (Acari) and fleas fauna (Siphonaptera) in the nests of Mus spicilegus (Mammalia: Rodentia)

Together 22,119 individuals and 47 species of mesostigmatic mites, and 485 individuals of fleas belonging to 6 species were obtained from 16 winter nests of mound-building mouse, Mus spicilegus. The most abundant mite species were Laelaps algericus (38.2%), Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (20.9%), Proctolaelaps pygmaeus (16.9%) and Alliphis halleri (8.3%). Ctenophthalmus assimilis (87%) was the highly predominant flea, present in all the positive nests. On the basis of trophic and topic relations, mites were assorted into four ecological groups; parasites had the highest abundance (67% of all individuals). The density peak values of individual ecological mite groups differed the during season. The population peak of the predominant mite species L. algericus was in December, predominance of females was registered throughout the study period. The maximum abundance of fleas was reported in January and May.     

Zum auftreten von Kleinsäuger-Flöhen auf ihren wirten in Abhängigkeit von Jahreszeit und Höhenstufen

Zusammenfassung Die jahreszeitlich und höhenabhängigen Veränderungen des Flohbefalls alpiner Kleinsäuger werden dargestellt. Die Daten basieren auf einer in 3 Untersuchungsgebieten Tirols zwischen 1966 und 1969 durchgeführten Untersuchung in verschiedenen Höhenstufen der Alpen (625 Muridae und Soricidae, 1136 Siphonaptera). Durch den Vergleich der Aufsammlungen aus Tallagen und aus der subalpinen-alpinen Stufe sowie aus den verschiedenen Jahreszeiten können für einige Arten (z. B. Doratopsylla dasycnema, Palaeopsylla soricis, Ctenophthalmus orphilus, Amphipsylla sibirica sepifera, Peromyscopsylla bidentata und P. fallax) nähere Einzelheiten über deren Abundanzmaxima gegeben werden. Die Kleinsäuger der subalpinen-alpinen Stufe erwiesen sich als weniger befallen als die der Talregion, in der warmen Jahreszeit war die Flohausbeute reichhaltiger als während der Wintermonate. Die Befallsextensität und-intensität war bei Soriciden erheblich größer als bei den Muriden.

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The flea infestation of small alpine mammals and its dependence on the time of the year and altitude

Summary The infestation of small alpine mammals with fleas during the year and at different altitudes was investigated. The data are based on an investigation carried out between 1966 and 1969 in Tirol (Austria) in different altitudinal zones of the alps, 1136 fleas having been collected from 625 insectivores and rodents. By comparing the collections from the lower and higher regions and from different seasons of the year details of the pattern of distribution can be given for some species of fleas (e.g. for Doratopsylla dasycnema, Palaeopsylla soricis, Ctenophthalmus orphilus, Amphipsylla sibirica sepifera, Peromyscopsylla bidentata, P. fallax). The hosts in the subalpine and alpine zone proved to be less infested by fleas than the mammals of the lower regions, during the warm season the hosts harboured more parasites than during winter. Extensiveness and intensity of infestation were constantly higher in Soricidae than in Muridae.

     

Analysis of ectoparasites (chigger mites,gamasid mites,fleas and sucking lice) of the Yunnan red‐backed vole (Eothenomys miletus) sampled throughout its range in southwest China

The Yunnan red‐backed vole Eothenomys miletus (Rodentia: Cricetidae) is an endemic rodent species and reservoir host of zoonoses in southwest China. Based on a large host sample (2463 voles collected from 39 localities between 2001 and 2013), a general analysis of four categories of ectoparasite (fleas, sucking lice, chigger mites and gamasid mites) on E. miletus across its entire range of distribution was made. This analysis identified a total of 71 895 ectoparasites belonging to 320 species (30 species of flea, 9 of sucking louse, 106 of gamasid mite and 175 of chigger mite) with a high prevalence (87%), mean abundance (29.19) and mean intensity (33.69). Of the 18 vector species of zoonoses found on E. miletus, the flea Ctenophthalmus quadratus (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae) and chigger mite Leptotrombidium scutellare (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) were the dominant species; these are the main vectors of zoonoses in China. All of the dominant parasite species showed an aggregated distribution pattern. Male voles harboured more species of parasite than females. Chigger mites represented the most abundant species group on voles and their prevalence was positively correlated with mean abundance (r = 0.73; P < 0.05). As a single rodent species, E. miletus has a high potential to harbour abundant ectoparasites with high species diversity and high rates of infestation. The sex of the vole affects ectoparasite infestation.     

Species composition,abundance, and annual cycles of fleas (Siphonaptera) on bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) in the western part of Vologda Province (Babaevo District)

A total of 383 fleas of 11 species were collected off 428 bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) captured near Babaevo (59°4′N, 35°8′E). Three of the species recorded (Amphipsylla rossica, Doratopsylla dasycnema, and Palaeopsylla soricis) were not typical of these rodents, infesting the latter occasionally from other animals, such as the common vole Microtus arvalis and shrews inhabiting adjacent or the same biotopes. Peromyscopsylla bidentata, infesting the bank vole in most part of its range, was recorded only as a single female. Megabothris turbidus was also very rare, being sporadically recorded from May to October; the examined territory probably lies at the northern boundary of its range. The most abundant species, Ctenophthalmus uncinatus, had two peaks of abundance: in April, when adults emerged from overwintered cocoons, and in July. Then their abundance decreased and the last occasional individuals were recorded till December. The year-round parasite Amalaraeus penicilliger was most abundant in winter. Other species were few in number. Adults of Megabothris rectangulatus were recorded from April to August with two peaks of abundance: in April, when they emerged from overwintered cocoons and in July, when the second generation emerged. The univoltine species Peromyscopsylla silvatica emerged in July–August and parasitized till September. Rhadinopsylla integella was the most abundant in October–December, but occasional specimens were recorded in January. The polyxenous species Hystrichopsylla talpae emerged in late July and occurred till September.     

THE QUANTITATIVE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE MERISTEMATIC CELLS OF XANTHIUM STRUMARIUM DURING THE TRANSITION TO FLOWERING

Ultrastructural changes occurring in the central part of the apical meristem of the SDP Xanthium strumarium, induced to flower by a single 16-hr long night, were quantitatively investigated using stereological methods and compared to the changes previously reported in other species, particularly the LDP Sinapis alba. Changes detected in Xanthium, which are also found in other species, included: increase in cellular, cytoplasmic, cytoplasmic matrix and nucleolar sizes, change in nucleolar structure; increase in mitochondrial number and chondriome size, increase in dictyosome number. These changes are believed to be essential for floral evocation because of their universality. Other changes were specific to Xanthium and not detected in Sinapis. Accordingly, they were thought to be accompanying nonessential events of floral evocation in Xanthium. These changes included an increase in the number of plastid profiles and in plastidome size. The size of the nucleus, chromatin and vacuolar apparatus, as well as the number of vacuolar profiles, did not change in Xanthium, contrary to what was observed in other plants.     

Biosystematic study ofSedum L. SubgenusAizoon (Crassulaceae)

Variation in chromosome number and morphological characters ofSedum aizoon L. var.floribundum Nakai were investigated to analyze, correlations between them. Geographical variation in chromosome number was also examined. Chromosome numbers of 189 individuals from 55 localities were counted as 2n=32, 33, 34, 48, 61, 64, 78, 80, 84, 85, 88, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 and 102. InSedum subgenusAizoon, which has the basic number of X=8, var.floribundum of the speciesaizoon showed a polyploid series from tetraploid to dodecaploid. Tetraploids were found most frequently in this variety. More than two chromosome numbers were found in all the populations with 2n=61 or more. Tetraploids were mainly distributed in the eastern part of Japan, and higher polyploids (higher than hexaploid level except octaploids) were distributed in the western part of Japan. Thirteen morphological characters were examined in 119 individuals belonging to 30 populations. The principal component analysis and the cluster analysis of these characters indicated that populations with similar chromosome numbers were not always morphologically similar. Ten morphotypes can be recognized based on the combination of chromosome number and morphological characters. ThusS. aizoon var.floribundum can be regarded as a polyploid-aneuploid complex.     

Solid-state structure of N-o-, N-m-, and N-p-nitrophenyl-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-xylopyranosylamines

Comprehensive structural analyses were performed for N-o-, N-m-, and N-p-nitrophenyl-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-xylopyranosylamines. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data were collected and revealed that one compound under investigation undergoes temperature-dependent polymorph transitions (crystal structures of three polymorphs were obtained). The number of molecules in the independent part of the crystal unit cells was in agreement with the number of resonances in solid-state ¹³C NMR spectra. Therefore, the compounds exist as single polymorphs at room temperature, as confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction measurements. Significant differences in ¹³C chemical shifts between solution and solid-state NMR for selected carbon atoms confirmed the existence of intra- and/or intermolecular interactions.     

Molecular appraisal of Bunium and some related arid and subarid geophilic Apiaceae–Apioideae taxa of the Ancient Mediterranean

Bunium is unusual in Apiaceae in having a variable cotyledon number and broad infrageneric dysploidy. To test the monophyly of the genus, phylogenetic relationships among 39 Bunium species were investigated with DNA sequence data from nuclear (nrITS) and plastid (psbA‐trnH intergenic spacer) regions. Several other taxa with a similar ecology and geography were also included in the analyses. Our results suggest that Bunium is not monophyletic. Bunium spp. in the eastern part of the study area are more closely related to the Central Asian genera Elaeosticta, Galagania, Hyalolaena, Mogoltavia and Oedibasis than to those in the western part. Our study revealed that molecular, morphological (cotyledon number and width of fruit commissure) and karyological data reveal similar patterns in the taxa studied. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160 , 149–170.     

荒漠草原土壤相对湿度对猪毛蒿表型可塑性的影响

猪毛蒿(Artemisia scoparia)为菊科蒿属草本植物,是一种适应性较强的广幅种。研究荒漠草原不同土壤相对湿度条件下猪毛蒿的表型可塑性,对认识异质生境下猪毛蒿的生存适应策略具有重要的生态学意义。结果表明:株高、茎粗、根长、根重和单株生物量均表现出随土壤相对湿度的增大而增加的趋势,对异质生境具有较强的可塑性,而根冠比则表现出相对的稳定性。植株不同部位生物量大小排序为:上部中部下部,且植株下部显著大于上部生物量(P0.05)。土壤相对湿度40%生境下的头状花序数量和重量显著高于土壤相对湿度30%和30%—40%生境。繁殖器官绝对投入量(lg R)随着个体大小(lg V)的增大呈极显著的增加(P0.001),繁殖阈值介于1.868—2.006 g。随着土壤相对湿度的增加,繁殖分配比例极显著增大(P0.001)。营养器官和繁殖器官生物量、头状花序重量和数量、地下生物量和地上生物量均呈极显著线性正相关关系(P0.001),存在正向权衡。单个头状花序重量并不随个体大小和头状花序数量的增加而发生显著变化(P0.05),且在不同土壤相对湿度和不同部位间均无显著差异(P0.05)。由此可见,猪毛蒿在异质生境下产生的可塑性是其生存繁殖的重要反应机制之一。     

Increasing abundance and diversity in the moth assemblage of east Loch Lomondside,Scotland over a 35 year period

Macro-moths caught in a Rothamsted trap, operating from 1968 to 2003 as part of the Rothamsted Insect Survey, were used to investigate the long-term population trends of moth populations on East Loch Lomondside. In total 367 species of macro moth were recorded during this study. Over the 35 years of this study, an increase was recorded in both the overall number of individuals and moth diversity. Mean annual temperature significantly predicted the change in moth diversity but not number of individuals caught. Four of the most consistently abundant species, collectively constituting 27% of the average annual catch, were subjected to more detailed analysis. The three species that emerge during the summer months Eulithis populata (the northern spinach), Hydriomena furcata (july highflier) and Idaea biselata (the small fan-footed wave) became more abundant throughout the study period, (although for the latter species not significantly so). For Eulithis populata and Idaea biselata their emergence time became earlier, over the study period and in Eulithis populata and Hydriomena furcata, the flight duration also became longer. In contrast, the species that emerges as an adult during autumn and winter, Epirrita dilutata (the november moth) did not exhibit a significant change in abundance, emergence date or flight duration in this study. The results suggest that climate change is at least in part, responsible for the observed changes in species dynamics.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">MAX4</Emphasis> gene is involved in the regulation of low inorganic phosphate stress responses in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis>

MAX4 gene has been shown to be involved in the regulation of shoot branching in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). However, little is known about the role of MAX4 gene in low inorganic phosphate (Pi) stress response in Arabidopsis. Here we showed that MAX4 gene is involved in the regulation of low Pi stress response in Arabidopsis. MAX4 gene was repressed by low Pi stress, and the max4 mutants showed lower anthocyanin content and longer primary root length. In addition, max4 mutant plants also displayed altered root architecture such as increased root-to-shoot ratio, lower lateral root number and root hair density compared with wild-type plants under low Pi stress. Higher total Pi contents were detected in shoots and roots of max4 plants than those of wild-type plants when subjected to low Pi stress, which was associated, at least in part, with increase in expression of WRKY75 as well as AtPT1 and AtPT2 genes encoding high-affinity Pi transporters. Taken together, all these results suggest that MAX4 gene mediates low Pi stress response, at least in part, by regulating the expression of WRKY75 as well as AtPT1 and AtPT2 genes.     

Taxonomic status of ribbonfishes of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachypterus</Emphasis> (Trachipteridae) from the northern part of the Pacific Ocean

Morphometric characteristics and distribution of ribbonfishes of the genus Trachypterus from the northern part of the Pacific Ocean are analyzed. T. fukuzakii differs from other species in the lowest number of vertebrae. It is endemic to eastern boundary currents of the Pacific Ocean. Large-sized specimens of T. altivelis and T. ishikawae do not differ in principal meristic characters from T. Trachypterus from other regions of the world ocean. Plastic characters tend to vary in the course of allometric growth. Therefore, only fish of the same size may be used in analysis. Juveniles of T. ishikawae are unknown. In the north-western part of the Pacific Ocean, only juveniles of T. Trachypterus are recorded, while adults of this species are not found in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean. Juveniles of T. altivelis does not significantly differ in all characters from those of T. Trachypterus. Distribution of adults T. altivelis and T. ishikawae demonstrated that they have no clear area: they are indicated for the whole northern part of the Pacific Ocean. Juveniles of T. Trachypterus occur in subtropical and tropical waters of the western and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean. Taking into consideration absence of reliable differences by meristic characters and a common area, we suppose that the northern part of the Pacific Ocean is populated by the widely tropical cosmopolitan species T. Trachypterus (Gmelin, 1789), while T. altivelis Kner, 1859, and T. ishikawae Jordan et Snyder, 1901, are its junior synonyms, as described later.     

The distribution of rotifers (Rotifera) within a single Myriophyllum bed

The research on the spatial distribution of rotifers between the central and border part of the Myriophyllum bed (M. verticillatum) was carried out between 1998 and 1999 in the shallow part (approx. 1 m depth) of Budzyńskie Lake (Wielkopolski National Park, Poland). The comparison of both species composition and the numbers of individuals between both of the examined zones have not revealed statistically significant differences. However, a higher number of rotifer species and their higher densities, as well as increased participation of littoral species were observed in the middle of the vegetation bed. The structure of the dominating species also differed between both areas. Seven rotifer species were found to have significantly greater numbers in the central part of the Myriophyllum bed, while only one species was significantly correlated with the border part of the macrophyte stand. These differences in the behaviour of particular groups of rotifers may be dependent on the structure of their microhabitat and their position in relation to the open water zone. They may also be related to young fish predation in both habitats and better refuge conditions inside the thick macrophyte stand, as well as typical adaptation to littoral or limnetic life.

     

Diploid-tetraploid relationship among old-world members of the fish family Cyprinidae

Evidence suggesting that the goldfish and the carp of the family Cyprinidae are tetraploid species in relation to other members of the same family were presented. The two barb species, Barbus tetrazona and Barbus jasciatus, were chosen as representatives of diploid members of the family Cyprinidae. These barbs had the diploid chromosome number of 50 and 52 and the DNA value 20–22% that of placental mammals, while the goldfish (Carassius auratus) and the carp (Cyprinus carpio) had the diploid chromosome number of about 104 and the DNA value 50–52% that of placental mammals.Supported in part by a grant (CA-05138) from the National Cancer Institute, U.S.Public Health Service, and in part by a research fund established in honor of General James H. Doolittle at Duarte, and by the British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research at Northwood. Contribution No. 11-67, Department of Biology, City of Hope Medical Center. Dr. Junichi Muramoto is a fellow of the Institute for Advanced Learning of the City of Hope Medical Center.     

Main characteristics of the boundary layer macrofauna in the English Channel

Four hundred and thirty two suprabenthic hauls with a modified Macer-GIROQ sledge were taken over the period 1988–1996. Fifteen sites within the English Channel were sampled from the Roscoff and Plymouth waters to the Dover Strait, including the Bay of Morlaix, Bay of Saint Brieuc, the Bay of Seine and the Seine Estuary. The main characteristics of the Benthic Boundary Layer (BBL) macrofauna in the English Channel were elucidated from these data. BBL macrofauna was found over the whole water column sampled (10–150 m). Firstly, the number of species collected was very high (up to 116 species for five hauls) except in the Seine estuary. Numerically, mysids were the dominant group of organisms collected with the sledge, followed by amphipods, cumaceans, isopods and decapods. Abundance and biomass of the fauna were very high in the Seine estuary, especially in the mesohaline and oligohaline zones (maximum >216000 ind. 100 m^-3; >200 g AFDW 100 m^-3) where the specialised mysids Neomysis integer and Mesopodopsis slabberi occurred in very high abundance. At other sites, the abundance and biomass were moderate (100–10000 ind. 100 m^-3; 15–2000 mg AFDW 100 m^-3). Abundance reached its maximum when mysids or swarms of amphipods of the genus Apherusa were collected, and during the reproduction of the amphipods of the genus Ampelisca, as in June in the Bay of Morlaix. The number of species, abundance and biomass showed seasonal changes in all sites with, in general, lowest values in winter or spring, and highest values in autumn. For the open sea sites, two main geographical gradients were identified: i) in spring, a higher number of species in the western part of the Channel compared with the eastern part of the Channel and, in autumn, a higher number of species in the eastern part of the Channel compared with the western part, and ii) an increasing density gradient from west to east at spring and a decreasing gradient from west to east during the autumn. The suprabenthic fauna of the Channel can be considered as a unique community including three kinds of species: (i) good swimmer species which were common at all the time and all sites: e.g. Anchialina agilis, Gastrosaccus spp., Haplostylus spp. and Apherusa spp., (ii) species present at all sites only at night: e.g. Atylus vedlomensis, Megaluropus agilis, Melphipidella macra, Orchomenella nana, Pseudocuma longicornis, Schistomysis ornata and Synchelidium maculatum, and iii) species collected at one or a limited number of sites only at night: e.g. Ampelisca spp. at Pierre Noire and Diastylis spp. at site F. The Seine estuary supports a typical suprabenthic estuarine community. Elements of the suprabenthic fauna also showed significant daily rhythms which took several forms depending on the species under consideration.     

云南省玉龙鼠疫疫源地野外鼠形动物寄生蚤丰盛度影响因素分析

【目的】分析云南省玉龙鼠疫疫源地野外鼠形动物寄生蚤丰盛度的影响因素。【方法】选取云南省玉龙鼠疫疫源地3个海拔区域,按4个季节进行野外捕鼠,捕获的鼠形动物用梳检法收集体表寄生蚤并在显微镜下分类鉴定。通过实际测量和实地观察相结合的方式收集潜在影响鼠形动物寄生蚤丰盛度的因素包括鼠形动物特征变量指标(如种类、年龄、性别、体长、体重)、环境和气象因子(如海拔、季节)等数据。采用EpiData 3.02软件建立数据库,在R软件下使用跨栏负二项分布回归分析鼠形动物寄生蚤丰盛度的影响因素。【结果】从捕获的884只鼠形动物中检获寄生蚤9种484头,以特新蚤指名亚种、方叶栉眼蚤、无值大锥蚤、云南栉眼蚤为主(86.16%)。回归分析显示： 2 700-3 000 m和3 000 m以上海拔鼠形动物染蚤概率较2 400-2 700 m分别增加1.27和3.72倍;湿度高于70%时,鼠形动物染蚤概率较湿度≤70%时减少41%;与齐氏姬鼠的染蚤概率相比,中华姬鼠的染蚤概率降低50%,大绒鼠的染蚤概率增加79%;体长超过104 mm的鼠形动物染蚤概率较体长≤104 mm的鼠形动物染蚤概率增加76%;气温高于15℃时,鼠形动物染蚤数量较温度≤15℃时降低67%;成年鼠形动物的染蚤数量较未成年鼠形动物的染蚤数量增加2.25倍;与春季相比,夏季的染蚤数量增加2.00倍,秋季的染蚤概率减少48%,冬季的染蚤概率和染蚤数量分别增加1.44和1.06倍。【结论】玉龙鼠疫疫源地野外鼠形动物寄生蚤以特新蚤指名亚种、方叶栉眼蚤、无值大锥蚤、云南栉眼蚤为优势蚤种。鼠形动物寄生蚤丰盛度与海拔、季节、气温、湿度等环境气象因子及鼠形动物种类、体长、年龄等鼠形动物特征变量密切相关。     

Hybridization among species of Veronica subg. Pseudolysimachium in the Altai detected by SRAP markers

Members of Veronica subg. Pseudolysimachium are widely known and cultivated for their large and dense ornamental inflorescences. Their success as cultivated plants stems in part to the cross‐compatibility of members of the subgenus and in part to their wide ecological amplitude ranging from species growing in wetlands to those of semi‐deserts. Due to large morphological variation and the presence of intermediate forms growing in sympatry of their putative parents, hybridization between the species is believed to be frequent. The Russian Altai is a center of diversity for the subgenus and many hybrid taxa have been described from there based on morphology. Here, we test these hybrid hypotheses using dominant SRAP markers. The method relies on primers anchored in open reading frames and amplifying intronic regions, which are scored as fragment length polymorphisms. Using seven primer pairs, we analyzed 63 loci without missing data. Our data support a close relationship of V. × grisea, V. × schmakovii and V. taigischensis with V. longifolia while the influence from the other suggested parents V. incana, V. porphyriana and V. pinnata was weak (at most). Similarly, V. × sessiliflora shows strong genetic similarity with V. porphyriana but only slight influence from V. pinnata. Overall, the methodology worked reliably and provided a large number of variable polymorphisms. The lack of support for the hybrid hypotheses may be due to the relatively low number of loci analysed and/or possible backcrossing with one of the parents.     

关于我国公立医院经济效率的探讨

目的 分析我国公立医院的经济效率。方法 以总服务人次数为产出指标,以卫生技术人员数和政府投入金额为投入指标,分别使用柯布道格拉斯生产函数中的指数及相关系数代表技术效率与配置效率。结果 全国的整体技术效率为1.206,配置效率为1.659,东、中、西部分别为1.168、1.685,0.986、0.866,1.001、1.867。结论 整体技术效率高于各地区的技术效率,东、中、西部对比分析发现效率差异与经济发达程度关系不大。