Ectoparasitism by Eutrombicula alfreddugesi larvae (Acari: Trombiculidae) on Liolaemus tenuis lizard in a Chilean fragmented temperate forest

We compared parasite load (prevalence and mean intensity) of Eutrombicula alfreddugesi larvae on the lizard Liolaemus tenuis sampled during January 2006 and 2007 from the interior and edges of large forest tracts in the coastal Maulino Forest (35 degrees 59'S, 72 degrees 41'W) and from nearby forest fragments (1.5-20 ha). All lizards were parasitized by chiggers regardless of location (prevalence, 100%); however, mean intensity of infestation was significantly lower at forest fragment edges compared with either large forest interiors or forest edges. We attribute differences in mean intensity to differences in microclimate among localities; maximum air temperature was significantly higher and relative humidity significantly lower in fragment edges compared with either large forest tract interior or edges.     

Reinstatement of Ocyroe (Compositae: Astereae)

Nardophyllum armatum, a species from the Puna region of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile is here transferred to genus Ocyroe, which in turn is resurrected from the synonymy under Nardophyllum. Ocyroe is characterized by thorny branches, discoid capitula, naked receptacles, glandular corollas with a globose swelling at the base, and a profuse 3- to 5-seriate pappus. The new combination Ocyroe armata and a lectotype for Dolichogyne armata are here presented.     

Stylostome formation in trombiculid mites (Acariformes: Trombiculidae)

Stylostomes of the trombiculid mite larvae Neotrombicula pomeranzevi (Schluger), Hirsutiella zachvatkini (Schluger), Miyatrombicula esoensis (Sasa and Ogata) and Euschoengastia rotundata (Schluger) (Acariformes: Trombiculidae), formed in the host skin during feeding of the parasites on their natural hosts (voles) were studied histologically and histochemically. A stylostome is a variously shaped tube formed of solidified mite saliva that extends from the mouthparts of the parasite through the epidermis into the dermis of the host, and allows the mite to obtain its liquid food. The first step of stylostome formation is deposition of an eosinophilic cone, to which the larva’s chelicerae are glued. Organization of the stylostome depends on the mite species, and its walls may show weakly expressed longitudinal or transverse stratification. Histochemically, the stylostome is composed of complex glycoprotein with varying tinctorial properties through the width or the length of the stylostome’s walls. Beneath the distal end of the stylostome, irrespectively of its localization either in the epidermis or in the dermis of the host, a feeding cavity is formed as a result of the action of the hydrolytic components of the mite’s saliva forced through the stylostome into the wound. An inflammatory dermal reaction of moderate intensity is evolved during larval feeding and stylostome formation. It is manifested by the infiltration of the foci with neutrophiles, lymphocytes and macrophages and by dilation of capillaries of the terminal vessel bed and filling them by erythrocytes and other blood elements. Around the stylostome, necrosis of the epidermal cells occurs, leucocytes come to the damaged area and fuse with the necrotic epidermal cells, leading to the formation of the large scabs on the surface of the host’s skin. In the case of E. rotundata, single capsules having a terminal opening and containing feeding larva are formed on the abdomen of the hosts. The walls of the capsules are composed of the mite’s saliva flowing upon the surface of the host’s skin. At the bottom of the capsule, a stylostome perforating the epidermis is also present.     

无前恙螨属--新种记述(蜱螨目:恙螨科)

本描述了采自江苏马铁菊头蝠(Rhinolophus ferrum-eguinum)翅上的无前恙螨属一新种,即宜兴无前恙螨[Walchia(Walchia)neeshini Wang et Xia,sp．nov]。模式标本保存于复旦大学上海医学院寄生虫学教研室。     

Stylostome organization in feeding Leptotrombidium larvae (Acariformes: Trombiculidae)

The stylostome of larvae of the trombiculids Leptotrombidium scutellare (Nagayo et al.), Leptotrombidium fletcheri (Womersley et Heaslip) and Leptotrombidium deliense (Walch) was studied experimentally at different time intervals after larval attachment using the histological method. The stylostome of these species has the same organization and belongs to the epidermal combined with the mixed type, developing more in width than in length. Neither transverse nor conspicuous longitudinal layers are present within the stylostome walls, which stain predominantly in red with Azan, also showing longitudinal portions with blue staining. Larvae tend to attach closely to each other and scabs, consisting of the hyperkeratotic epidermal layers fusing with migrating inflammatory cells, develop around the attachment sites. The dermis shows inflammatory foci with dilated capillaries and inflammatory cells inserting in the connective tissue layer underneath the stylostome. The feeding cavity, which is moderately expressed, may be found either in the epidermis or in the dermis. It contains inflammatory cells and their debris in the liquefied host tissues. The stylostome length depends on the character of the attachment site (the thicker epidermis or scab the longer the stylostome), and does not directly correspond to the stages of larval feeding. Nevertheless, at the 48-h time interval, nearly all attached larvae are found to be fully fed and their midgut cells are filled with nutritional globules.     

无前恙螨属二新种(蜱螨目:恙螨科)

本描述了采自江苏黑线姬鼠体上的无前恙螨属二新种,即长盾无前恙螨Walchia(Walchia)longiscuta Xia et Chen,sp．nov．和孟氏无前恙螨Walchia(Walchia)meni Xiaet Chen,sp．nov．。模式标本保存于复旦大学上海医学院寄生虫学教研室。     

Three new species from the subfamily Phyllocoptinae (Acari,Trombidiformes, Eriophyidae) in Iran

Three new eriophyid species (Phyllocoptinae), Shevtchenkella denticulata sp. n., Notallus pestehae sp. n. and Echinacrus ruthenicus sp. n., were described from Eryngium thyrsoideum Boiss. (Apiaceae), Pistacia vera L. (Anacardiaceae) and Lycium ruthenicum Murray (Solanaceae), respectively. All the three new species were collected from southwest of the East Azerbaijan province, Iran in 2011. It is the first record of an eriophyoid mite collected from E. thyrsoideum and L. ruthenicum and the first record of Notallus from Anacardiaceae plant family.     

Reinstatement of the genus Hymenaea (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) in Africa

The monotypic genusTrachylobium [T. verrucosum (Gaertn.) Oliv.] from East Africa and adjacent islands is returned toHymenaea verrucosa Gaertn. on the basis of reevaluation of inflorescence, flower, and fruit characters together with new evidence from seedlings, pollen, leaf venation, chromosome number, and chemistry of the resins.Hymenaea verrucosa appears more similar to an Amazonian and Cuban group of species, which may have been derived from a common African ancestral stock in the Tertiary period, than to another group of species that probably evolved from the evergreen forest species and then radiated into an expanding area of drier habitats during the later Tertiary and dry intervals of the Pleistocene. Originally the genusTrachylobium was distinguished fromHymenaea by a morphological comparison with the probably more recently evolved species. A possible explanation is presented for the disjunct amphi-Atlantic distribution ofH. verrucosa and the neotropical species ofHymenaea.