Phylogenetic systematics of the Empis (Coptophlebia) hyalea-group (Insecta: Diptera: Empididae)

Six clades are inferred from a phylogenetic analysis including 42 species belonging to the Empis (Coptophlebia) hyalea‐group. These clades are named as follows: E. (C.) acris, E. (C.) aspina, E. (C.) atratata, E. (C.) hyalea, E. (C.) jacobsoni and E. (C.) nahaeoensis. The presence of two dorsal more or less developed epandrial projections is considered autapomorphic for the E. (C.) hyalea‐group in addition to two characters previously found to support the monophyly of this group (presence of an unsclerotized zone in the middle of labella and epandrium unpaired). Amongst the cladistically analysed species, 24 are newly described [ E. ( C. ) acris , E. ( C. ) aspina , E. ( C. ) cameronensis , E. ( C. ) duplex , E. ( C. ) incurva , E. ( C. ) inferiseta , E. ( C. ) kuaensis , E. ( C. ) lachaisei , E. ( C. ) lamellalta , E. ( C. ) lata , E. ( C. ) loici , E. ( C. ) longiseta , E. ( C. ) mengyangensis , E. ( C. ) menglunensis , E. ( C. ) missai , E. ( C. ) nimbaensis , E. ( C. ) padangensis , E. ( C. ) parvula , E. ( C. ) projecta , E. ( C. ) pseudonahaeoensis , E. ( C. ) submetallica , E. ( C. ) urumae , E. ( C. ) vitisalutatoris and E. ( C. ) woitapensis ], five are reviewed [E. (C.) hyalea Melander, E. (C.) jacobsoni De Meijere, E. (C.) ostentator Melander, E. (C.) sinensis Melander and E. (C.) thiasotes Melander] and 13 were recently described in two previous papers. Two additional species, E. (C.) abbrevinervis De Meijere and E. (C.) multipennata Melander, are also reviewed but not included in the cladistic analysis since they are only known from the female. A lectotype is designated for E. (C.) jacobsoni. A key is provided to the six clades of the E. (C.) hyalea‐group as well as to species of each clade. A catalogue of the E. (C.) hyalea‐group, including 72 species, is given. The taxonomic status of 25 additional species mainly described by Bezzi and Brunetti, from the Oriental and Australasian regions, is discussed. The E. (C.) hyalea‐group is firstly recorded from the Palaearctic Region and Australia. Finally, the distribution and the habitats of the species compared with their phylogeny suggest a possible relationship between the diversification of the group and forest fragmentations during the Quaternary. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 145 , 339–391.     

On the respiratory quotient (RQ) of termites (Insecta: Isoptera)

The respiratory quotient (RQ) at 28 degrees C was determined by Warburg manometry in 23 species of termites from the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve (Cameroon) and three sub-tropical species cultured under laboratory conditions in the U.K. or freshly collected in Australia. The data are tabulated with other recently reported RQs (determined by manometry or GC) and with measured CH(4) emission rates to provide a survey of 29 species covering both lower and higher termites in all major trophic (functional) categories. In all species, except the wood-feeding Coptotermes acinaciformis and the soil-feeding Cubitermes fungifaber, the observed mean values (with manometry corrected for known fluxes of H(2) and CH(4)) were at or well above 1.00. Soil-feeding forms (except C. fungifaber) generally showed a high apparent RQ (not corrected for H(2)), with nine species (out of 13) above 1.20 and six species above 1.30. Well-replicated laboratory experiments with Reticulitermes lucifugus showed that there was a tendency for RQ to fall with time over a 4-h incubation, although remaining greater than 1.00.The observed RQs are consistent with carbohydrate being the principal substrate supporting respiration in all trophic and taxonomic categories, with little or no contribution from the degradation of lignin or other polyaromatic materials. However, in many species (especially soil-feeders), the observed RQ is greater than that expected from known fluxes of O(2), CO(2) and CH(4) on the assumption that carbohydrate is the respiratory substrate. This presupposes that there is a large hydrogen sink (additional to CH(4) production), possibly the emission of H(2) gas, and/or the existence of unresolved digestive mechanisms or electron routings. Uncertainties in the use of manometry with termites are discussed.     

d(CGGTGGT) forms an octameric parallel G-quadruplex via stacking of unusual G(:C):G(:C):G(:C):G(:C) octads

Among non-canonical DNA secondary structures, G-quadruplexes are currently widely studied because of their probable involvement in many pivotal biological roles, and for their potential use in nanotechnology. The overall quadruplex scaffold can exhibit several morphologies through intramolecular or intermolecular organization of G-rich oligodeoxyribonucleic acid strands. In particular, several G-rich strands can form higher order assemblies by multimerization between several G-quadruplex units. Here, we report on the identification of a novel dimerization pathway. Our Nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, UV, gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry studies on the DNA sequence dCGGTGGT demonstrate that this sequence forms an octamer when annealed in presence of K(+) or NH(4)(+) ions, through the 5'-5' stacking of two tetramolecular G-quadruplex subunits via unusual G(:C):G(:C):G(:C):G(:C) octads.     

(AGCTG) (AGCTG) (AGCTG) (GGGTG) as the primordial sequence of intergenic spacers: the role in immunoglobulin class switch

The means employed for immunoglobulin heavy chain class switch appears to be no different from that by which meiotic intergenic crossing-overs at accomplished. As with other intergenic spacers, the 5' noncoding sequence of each Ig CH (immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region) gene apparently undergoes unconstrained sequence changes due to randomly sustained base substitutions, deletions, and duplications. Yet, there remains sufficient regional sequence homology between the Ig Cmu 5' noncoding sequence and those of its somatic recombination partners, e.g., Ig C gamma 1, Ig C gamma 2b, Ig C alpha, because each of these 5' noncoding sequences is made of multiple copies in various stages of degeneracy of one primordial 20 base pair-long sequence: (AGCTG) (AGCTG) (AGCTG) (GGGTG).     

Feather mites (Acarina) of the parakeet, Melopsittacus undulatus (Shaw) (Aves: Psittacidae)

The parakeet (or budgerigar) has been transported to many regions of the world. Two species of feather mites, Protolichus lunula (Robin) (Pterolichoidea: Pterolichidae) and Dubininia melopsittaci n. sp. (Analgoidea: Xolalgidae), are specific to this host; from distribution records, these ectoparasites probably have been distributed worldwide with their hosts.     

Efficacy of the parasitoid,Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) against Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) infesting rapeseed-mustard

Efficacy of Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was determined by studying its biological and behavioural attributes on the aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Total developmental duration of the parasitoid was longer in younger instars compared to that in older instars of aphid. Host age negatively affected the oviposition period and fecundity of the ovipositing parasitoid. Survival of the immatures was higher in older than the younger instars of the aphid. Sex ratio for the parasitoid was female-biased. Longevity of female parasitoid was higher while parasitizing aphid nymphs of younger age groups (1–2 days old) compared to that of older age groups (4–5 days old). Parasitoid showed a higher preference towards second instar of M. persicae both in choice and no-choice tests. Results on mutual interference revealed that per capita searching efficiency decreased from 0.91 to 0.07 as parasitoid densities increased from 1 to 8. Logistic regression exhibited a type II functional response for D. rapae. The estimated values of search-efficiency (a) and handling time (T_h) were 0.038 h⁻¹ and 1.59 h, respectively. The maximum parasitization rate was 15.08. This investigation suggests that D. rapae could be an effective candidate for augmentative biological control of M. persicae which infests several plant species of economic importance.     

Biology of Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Cucujidae)

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of six different temperatures on the development of Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) using eggs of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) as hosts. The temperature affected the development of A. lacunatus. The largest values for the progeny (19 mites in T. castaneum and 15 mites in C. ferrugineus) were obtained at about 30 degrees C, as also observed for the net reproductive rate (Ro), which revealed that the A. lacunatus population increased 18 times in T. castaneum and 14 times in C. ferrugineus in a generation. The intrinsic rate of increase (r m) gradually increased with temperature, reaching the maximum value at 35 degrees C in T. castaneum (1,608) and C. ferrugineus (1,289). The generation time was negatively correlated with temperature, ranging from 1,60 to 4,85 days in T. castaneum and from 1,96 to 5,34 days in C. ferrugineus. These results suggest that the mite A. lacunatus may be used in programs of biological control of T. castaneum and C. ferrugineus in the tropics.     

Avoidance and escape responses of the sub-antarctic limpet Nacella edgari (Powell) (Mollusca: Gastropoda) to the sea star Anasterias perrieri (Smith) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)

Summary The sub-antarctic limpet Nacella edgari (Powell) (Patellidae) has avoidance and escape responses to the sea star Anasterias perrieri (Smith) (Asteriidae) in a kelp forest and in the laboratory. Nacella edgari was preyed upon in the field by A. perrieri, but frequency of capture was low, suggesting the effectiveness of defensive behaviors. Both avoidance and escape responses by the limpet consisted of extension and waving of the pallial tentacles, mushrooming and rotation of the shell and flight. However, escape responses were characterized by greatly intensified rotation of the shell through a horizontal plane. This study extends the evaluation of defensive responses in gastropods to a species which occurs in the southern Indian Ocean.     

Sensilla on the aedeagus of the ground beetle Carabus (Ohomopterus) arrowianus arrowianus (Breuning) (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Sensilla on the aedeagus of the ground beetle Carabus (Ohomopterus) arrowianus arrowianus (Breuning) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. On the aedeagus, a total of six types of sensillum were confirmed: five basiconic and one coeloconic. The external features and distributional patterns of the sensilla are described.     

Solution structure of an LNA hybridized to DNA: NMR study of the d(CT(L)GCT(L)T(L)CT(L)GC):d(GCAGAAGCAG) duplex containing four locked nucleotides

We have used two-dimensional (1)H NMR spectroscopy at 750 MHz to determine a high-resolution solution structure of an oligonucleotide containing restricted nucleotides with a 2'-O, 4'-C-methylene bridge (LNA) hybridized to the complementary DNA strand. The LNA:DNA duplex examined contained four thymidine LNA modifications (T(L), d(C1T(L)2G3C4T(L)5T(L)6C7T(L)8G9C10):d( G11C12A13G14A15A16G17C 18A19G20). A total relaxation matrix approach was used to obtain interproton distance bounds from NOESY cross-peak intensities. These distance bounds were used as restraints in molecular dynamics (rMD) calculations. Forty final structures were generated for the duplex from A-form and B-form DNA starting structures. The root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) of the coordinates for the 40 structures of the complex was 0.6 A. The sugar puckerings are averaged values of a dynamic interchange between N- and S-type conformation except in case of the locked nucleotides that were found to be fixed in the C3'-endo conformation. Among the other nucleotides in the modified strand, the furanose ring of C7 and G9 is predominantly in the N-type conformation whereas that of G3 is in a mixed conformation. The furanose rings of the nucleotides in the unmodified complementary strand are almost exclusively in the S-type conformation. Due to these different conformations of the sugars in the two strands, there is a structural strain between the A-type modified strand and the B-type unmodified complementary strand. This strain is relaxed by decreasing the value of rise and compensating with tip, buckle, and propeller twist. The values of twist vary along the strand but for a majority of the base pairs a value even lower than that of A-DNA is observed. The average twist over the sequence is 32+/-1 degrees. On the basis of the structure, we conclude that the high stability of LNA:DNA duplexes is caused by a local change of the phosphate backbone geometry that favors a higher degree of stacking.     

Ultrastructure of the intracellular melanization of Brugia malayi (Buckley) (Nematoda : Filarioidea) in the thoracic muscles of Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Say) (Diptera : Culicidae)

Ultrastructural details of the melanization of the filarial parasite Brugia malayi (Nematoda : Filarioidea) in the thoracic muscle cell of selected susceptible and refractory strains of Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Diptera : Culicidae) were examined. In both susceptible and refractory strains, following infection of the muscle cells, there is a dissolution of the sarcoplasmic cytoskeletal matrix surrounding the myofibrils, causing the myofibrils and mitochondria to drift apart and lose their regular spacing. This is coupled with a reorganization of the cytoplasm near the normally developing intracellular larva. Masses of vesicles and vesiculated cytoplasmic bodies accumulate near the larva. Eventually, these form a dense layer of cytoplasm around the parasite. Fine grains of melanin begin to appear in this dense cytoplasmic layer, increasing gradually until a nearly complete capsule of melanin surrounds the larva. The time course of melanization was found to be quite variable among and even within mosquitoes. Strains of A. quadrimaculatus selected to be refractory or susceptible to B. malayi, were found to vary substantially in the frequency of intracellular melanization, but not in the mechanism.     

Iron (III) reduction: A novel activity of the human NAD(P)H:oxidoreductase

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1; EC 1.6.99.2) catalyzes a two-electron transfer involved in the protection of cells from reactive oxygen species. These reactive oxygen species are often generated by the one-electron reduction of quinones or quinone analogs. We report here on the previously unreported Fe(III) reduction activity of human NQO1. Under steady state conditions with Fe(III) citrate, the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Km(app)) was approximately 0.3 nM and the apparent maximum velocity (Vmax(app)) was 16 U mg(-1). Substrate inhibition was observed above 5 nM. NADH was the electron donor, Km(app)= 340 microM and Vmax(app) = 46 Umg(-1). FAD was also a cofactor with a Km(app) of 3.1 microM and Vmax(app) of 89 U mg(-1). The turnover number for NADH oxidation was 25 s(-1). Possible physiological roles of the Fe(III) reduction by this enzyme are discussed.     

Effect of the pupal age of Calliphora erythrocephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on the reproductive biology of Melittobia acasta (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae)

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the effect of the pupal age of Calliphora erythrocephala (Meigen) on the reproductive biology (in terms of number, size, developmental time and longevity of progeny) of the parasitoid Melittobia acasta Walker. Melittobia acasta females of uniform size were given five C. erythrocephala pupae from one of four experimental age groups: 17–24 h, 24–48 h, 48–72 h and 72–96 h, for parasitization. The mean number of progeny produced from the experimental age groups for a 24 h period were 2, 7.6, 15.6 and 13.6, respectively. The parasitoids preferred hosts that were 48–72 h old. There were no significant differences in the mean development time (18.2 days) and size of progeny (mean head width = 0.38 ± 0.01 mm) produced from the experimental host age groups. The longevity of progeny from the four host age groups varied (range: 4–39 days), with those from the 48–72 h group living longest (mean = 25 days). The F₁ females from the 48–72 h group were reproductively more successful than those from the other groups, producing a mean F₂ progeny of 912 individuals when compared with 867, 801 and 757 individuals from the 24–48 h, 72–96 h and 17–24 h age groups, respectively. These findings make significant contributions to our knowledge of the breeding and utilization of this parasitoid for the biological control of dipteran flies in pigsties and poultry houses.     

Nestmate recognition of the stingless beeTrigona (Tetragonula) minangkabau (Apidae: Meliponinae)

Nestmate recognition was studied in the Southeast Asian stingless beeTrigona (Tetragonula) minangkabau, a species in which worker oviposition has not been observed in queenright or queenless colonies. When conspecific non-nestmate foragers from queenright and queenless colonies were introduced to the observed colony, they were all rejected by guards. Foragers of a different species (Trigona (Tetragonisca) angustula) were also completely rejected. However, conspecific non-nestmate callows were accepted as often as were nestmate callows, although guards recognized the difference. Accepted non-nestmate callows exchanged food with guards equally as much as nestmate callows did.     

Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) lanfrediae sp. nov. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from the fish Satanoperca jurupari (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae)

Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) lanfrediae sp. nov. is described from the intestine of the freshwater fish Satanoperca jurupari (Heckel) (Cichlidae) from the Guamá River, state of Pará, Brazil. The prevalence in fish (n = 59) was 27% with intensity of one-124 (mean 16) nematodes per fish. The new species is characterized mainly by the markedly larger size of ventricular appendix in relation to the oesophagus, presence of short male caudal alae, 14-16 subventral pairs of preanal papillae and six pairs of postanal papillae.     

Ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Psammotettix striatus (Linnaeus) and Exitianus nanus (Distant) (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae)

Previous studies of insect spermatozoa indicate that these specialized cells have undergone significant morphological evolution and exhibit traits useful for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships. Although leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) are among the largest and most economically important insect families, few comparative studies of their spermatozoa have been published. Here, the ultrastructure of mature spermatozoa of two leafhoppers Psammotettix striatus (Linnaeus) and Exitianus nanus (Distant), representing two different tribes of the largest leafhopper subfamily, Deltocephalinae, was examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The shape and ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the two species are very similar to those of other Cicadellidae as well as other Auchenorrhyncha, comprising a conical acrosome invaginated to form a subacrosomal space, a filiform homogeneously condensed nucleus, a lamellate centriolar adjunct connecting the nucleus with the mid-piece/flagellum, a long flagellum with a 9 + 9 + 2 axoneme pattern and two symmetrical mitochondrial derivatives with an orderly array of peripheral cristae, and two drop-shaped accessory bodies. They may be distinguished by the size of the sperm, and the shape of the nucleus, accessory bodies, and paracrystalline region of mitochondrial derivatives. The fine morphology and ultrastructure of spermatozoon in P. striatus and E. nanus are illustrated, along with a brief discussion of the implications for classification and phylogenetic analyses of the subfamily.     

中鲤亚属的分支系统学分析

基于外部形态特征和内部骨骼特征对鲤科鲤属中鲤亚属进行了分支系统学分析,内群包括中鲤亚属的全部5种和鲤亚属的2种鱼类,外群采用乌原鲤。在鲤属鱼类和外群间共有48个性状存在变化。系统发育分析采用PAUP^*软件的Parsimony和Bootstrap两种方式的Branch-and-Bound算法,排除不能极化的特征和特有离征之后,还有28个特征可用,由这28个特征可得到唯一的系统树,树长69,一致性系数0.7246,排除无用特征的一致性系数0.6122,保留系数0.6346。由5种中鲤组成的中鲤亚属明显不构成一个单系群。结果表明：中鲤亚属是一个复系群,该类元应该被撤销。     

Evolution of the planthoppers (Insecta: Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea)

The planthopper superfamily Fulgoroidea (Insecta: Hemiptera) comprises approximately 20 described insect families, depending on which classification is followed. Multiple competing hypotheses of fulgoroid phylogeny have been published, based on either morphological character coding or DNA sequence data; however, those hypotheses disagree in several key aspects regarding the evolution of planthoppers. The current paper seeks to test these hypotheses, including the Asche (Asche, M. 1987. Preliminary thoughts on the phylogeny of Fulgoromorpha (Homoptera Auchenorrhyncha). In: Proceedings of the 6th Auchenorrhyncha Meeting, Turin, Italy, 7-11 September, 1987, pp. 47-53.) hypothesis of a trend in ovipositor structure, which may be correlated with planthopper feeding ecology. Presented here are phylogenetic reconstructions of Fulgoroidea based on analysis of DNA nucleotide sequence data from four loci (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, Histone 3, and Wingless) sequenced from 83 exemplar taxa representing 18 planthopper families and outgroups. Data sets were analyzed separately and in various combinations under the maximum parsimony criterion, and the total combined dataset was analyzed via both maximum parsimony and partitioned Bayesian criteria; results of the combined analyses were concordant across reconstruction paradigms. Relationships recovered suggest several major planthopper lineages, including: (1) Delphacidae+Cixiidae; (2) Kinnaridae+Meenoplidae; (3) Fulgoridae+Dictyopharidae; (4) Lophopidae+Eurybrachidae (possibly+Flatidae); (5) Ricaniidae+Caliscelidae (possibly+Tropiduchidae). Results also suggest the placement of Achilixiidae outside of Cixiidae and of Tettigometridae as one of the more recently diversified lineages within Fulgoroidea. The resulting phylogeny supports Asche's (1987) hypothesis of a functional trend in ovipositor structure across families.     

Effect of temperature on the development and viability of Gryon gallardoi (Brethes) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitizing Spartocera dentiventris (Berg) (Hemiptera: Coreidae) eggs.

The development and viability of Gryon gallardoi (Brethes) (Hym.: Scelionidae) in Spartocera dentiventris (Berg) (Hem.: Coreidae) eggs were studied under four temperatures: 15, 20, 25, and 30 +/- 1 degree C, with a 12-h photophase. No parasitoid developed at 15 degrees C. Otherwise, viability reached 98.8% without varying significantly over the temperature range tested. The duration of development for males and females was inversely proportional to the temperature increase, varying respectively from 46.2 +/- 0.13 and 47.1 +/- 0.11 days (20 degrees C) to 13.3 +/- 0.07 and 13.4 +/- 0.06 days (30 degrees C). Males developed faster than females. The values estimated for the lowest thermic thresholds of development and the thermic constants were 15.5 degrees C and 185.19 DD for males and 15.6 degrees C and 192.31 DD for females, respectively. Given the average weather conditions in Porto Alegre, RS (30 degrees 01' S and 51 degrees 13' W), Brazil, G. gallardoi could annually produce 8.54 and 8.07 generations of males and females, respectively. The low rates of parasitism observed in the field during the first generation of its host may be due to the small number of G. gallardoi generations in this period.     

Species in the genus Rhytidelasma Gaud (Acarina: Pterolichidae) from the Green Conure,Aratinga holochlora (Sclater) (Aves: Psittacidae)

Three species in the genus Rhytidelasma Gaud (Pterolichoidea: Pterolichidae) are known from the Green Conure, Aratinga holochlora (Sclater): R. cornigera n. sp., R. urophila n. sp. and R. mesomexicana Atyeo et al. The new species are described, and the microhabitat(s) for each species discussed.