Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Fungal Thyroiditis: An Overview

The authors review the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of fungal thyroiditis cases previously reported in the medical literature. Aspergillus was by far the most common cause of fungal thyroiditis. Immunocompromised patients, such as those with leukemia, lymphoma, autoimmune diseases, and organ-transplant patients on pharmacological immunosuppression were particularly at risk. Fungal thyroiditis was diagnosed at autopsy as part of disseminated infection in a substantial number of patients without clinical manifestations and laboratory evidence of thyroid dysfunction. Local signs and symptoms of infection were indistinguishable from other infectious thyroiditis and included fever, anterior cervical pain, thyroid enlargement sometimes associated with dysphagia and dysphonia, and clinical and laboratory features of transient hyperthyroidism due to the release of thyroid hormone from follicular cell damage, followed by residual hypothyroidism. Antemortem diagnosis of fungal thyroiditis was made by direct microscopy and culture of a fine-needle aspirate, or/and biopsy in most cases. Since most patients with fungal thyroiditis had disseminated fungal infection with delay in diagnosis and treatment, the overall mortality was high.     

Medfly eradication in California:

The impact of malathion-bait sprays (directed against medfly, Ceratitis capitata [Wiedemann]) on an endemic gall midge (Rhopalomyia californica Felt) and its parasitoids was investigated during 1982–83 in the south San Francisco Bay area of northern California. In a heavily sprayed area (Woodside), a population explosion of the midge was detected following 24 applications of malathion bait. The midge population reached levels ca. 90x greater than those observed in an adjacent unsprayed area (Jasper Ridge). In a moderately sprayed area (Portola Valley), the midge population increased as much as 5x that observed in the adjacent unsprayed area (Jasper Ridge), following 12 applications of malathion bait. In laboratory tests, the malathion bait was toxic to both the midge and its parasitoids. The major parasitoids were Torymus koebelei (Huber), Zatropis capitis Burks, Platygaster californica (Ashmead) and Mesopolobus sp. Population increases of the midge following malathion-bait sprays were attributed to destruction of parasitoids and other natural enemies of the midge. If the environmental impact of malathion-bait sprays is related to the number of applications (as suggested in this study), then it would be worthwhile to determine the appropriate bait-spray strategy for a given situation, so as to minimize adverse effects on nontarget species, yet insure suppression or eradication of medfly.

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Résumé L'impact des pièges tratiés au malathion (destinés à Ceratitis capitata Wiedem) sur Rhopalomyia californica Felt et ses parasitoïdes a été examiné en 1982–1983 dans le sud de la zone de la baie de San Francisco en Californie. Dans une zone fortement traitée (Woodside), une explosion de population a été décelée après 24 traitements. La population de R. californica a atteint des niveaux 90 fois supérieurs à ceux observés dans une zone contiguë non traitée (Jasper Ridge). Dans une zone modérément traitée (Portola Valley), avec 12 traitement, la population de R. californica a atteint jusqu'a 5 fois celle de Jasper Ridge. Au laboratoire, le piège à malathion a été toxique tant pour R. californica que pour ses parasitoïdes, dont les principaux étaient: Torymus koebelei (Huber), Zatropis capitis Burks, Platygaster californica(Ashmead) et Mesopolobus sp. L'accroissement de la population de C. capitata après traitement a été attribué à la destruction de parasitoïdes et d'autres ennemis naturels. Si l'effet su l'environnement du traitement est lié au nombre d'interventions (comme le suggère cette étude), alors cela vaudrait la peine de définir une stratégie de traitement appropriée à une situation donnée, de façon à minimiser les effets négatifs sur des espèces non visées, tout en assurant la suppression ou l'éradication de C. capitata.

     

Predation potential of three flatworm species (Platyhelminthes: Turbellaria) on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

We conducted a field survey for flatworms to select species as potential biological control agents against Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens (Diptera, Culicidae) breeding in artificial containers. Laboratory experiments were performed to determine the daily predation rate, differential predation on each mosquito larval instar, selective predation on either A. aegypti or C. pipiens, and predator tolerance to water from artificial containers. Girardia anceps (Tricladida, Paludicola, Dugesiidae), Mesostoma ehrenbergii and Bothromesostoma cf. evelinae (Rhabdocoela, Typhloplanoida, Typhloplanidae) were found in temporary puddles and permanent pools. In the laboratory, they killed between 52% and 100% of immature mosquitoes coexisting in the same habitat. No preference of flatworms for mosquito preys was detected. Predation rate was related to predator size and instar of preys. Girardia anceps and B. evelinae survived after a dry period and when re-flooding occurred, they laid eggs. Tolerance to water from artificial containers was highest in G. anceps and this species could be a suitable predator to reduce mosquito populations from artificial containers using an inoculative approach.     

Molecular detection of pathogen DNA in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae): A review

Ticks play an important role in human and veterinary medicine, in particular due to their ability to transmit a wide spectrum of pathogenic micro-organisms of protozoal, rickettsial, bacterial and viral origin. Pathogens in ticks can be identified by conventional methods such as indirect immuno-fluorescence, isolation in cell culture or by using histological staining techniques. However, the advent of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has resulted in tremendous improvements in the specific and sensitive detection of pathogen DNA in ticks. In this paper, literature on DNA extraction methods, PCR protocols, primers and probes, which are in use for the successful detection and identification of pathogens in ticks, are critically reviewed. Some recommendations are also given towards the end of tht review.     

Hexamermis glossinae [Nematoda: Mermithidae] parasitizing tsetse [Diptera: Glossinidae] in Kenya

Glossina pallidipes Austen,G. brevipalpis Newstead andG. austeni Newstead were collected from 5 sites along the south Kenyan coast over a 2 year period. They were dissected and examined for nematodes. Three of the sites yielded tsetse parasitized by juvenile mermithids identified asHexamermis glossinae Poinar et al. Glossina pallidipes andG. brevipalpis are new host records for this parasite, whileG. austeni was captured infrequently and only at a site that failed to yield other parasitized tsetse. Parasite prevalence was low (0.16–0.61 %) and did not differ between male and female hosts. More tsetse than expected by chance harboured nematodes during the long rains season (April–August) than during the short rains (September–November) or dry season (December–March). Early juvenile stages (0.5–2.5 mm long) were recovered mainly from tsetse less than 50 days old, while late juvenile stages (35–85 mm long) were only found in flies older than 30 days. Late stages occurred singly while early ones usually occurred as two or more per host.     

A new type of exterilium larva referable to Leptobrotula (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae: Neobythitinae) from tropical Indo-West Pacific

A new type of exterilium larvae referable to Leptobrotula (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) is described on the basis of two specimens (20.7+mm and ca. 35.4mmSL) collected from the tropical Indo-Pacific. They are characterized, in particular, by several elongated anterior dorsal fin rays supported by the large dorsal pterygiophores and the exterilium gut bearing filamentous appendages along the ventral border. It is suggested from larval evidence that Leptobrotula forms a distinct lineage with Brotulotaenia and Lamprogrammus, which may be placed in an expanded Brotulonaeniinae.     

Bionomics of a polyphagous predator:Orius laevigatus (Het.: Anthocoridae)

The main characteristics of the imaginal and preimaginal development and the reproduction ofOrius laevigatus were studied at 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Temperature greatly influences the developmental and reproductive biology of this species. The lowest developmental threshold is 10,6°C. Reproduction is greatly reduced at 15°C relative to the higher temperatures tested. O. laevigatus is well adapted to relatively high temperature conditions. The best development and reproduction rates are observed between 20 and 30°C with a theoretical optimum at 26°C.

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Résumé Les principales caractéristiques du développement pré-imaginal et imaginal ainsi que la reproduction d'Orius laevigatus sont étudiées à des températures de 15, 20, 25 et 30°C. La température influence considérablement le développement embryonnaire et post-embryoannaire de cette espèce. Le zéro théorique de développement se situe à 10,5°C. Les capacités reproductrices sont fortement perturbées à des températures inférieures à 15°C. Les résultats montrent queO. laevigatus est une espèce adaptée à des conditions thermiques relativement élevées. C'est entre 20 et 30°C, avec un optimum de 26°C, que s'expriment le mieux les capacités de développement et de reproduction de ce prédateur.

     

Development and reproduction of Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Acari: Laelapidae) with fungus gnat larvae (Diptera: Sciaridae), potworms (Oligochaeta: Enchytraeidae) or Sancassania aff. sphaerogaster (Acari: Acaridae) as the sole food source

Stratiolaelaps ( = Hypoaspis) miles (Berlese) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) is a polyphagous soil-dwelling predatory mite that is widely marketed for use in greenhouse production systems to manage populations of dark-winged fungus gnats, Bradysia spp. (Diptera: Sciaridae) and for supplemental control of thrips. The suggestion by Walter and Campbell (2003, Biol. Control 26: 253–269) that North American commercial cultures of S. miles may actually be S. scimitus was confirmed. The development and reproduction at 21–23 °C of S. scimitus provided ad libidum with one of three different prey – the fungus gnat Bradysia aff. coprophila (Lintner), potworms (Enchytraeidae), or Sancassania aff. sphaerogaster (Zachvatkin, 1937) (Acari: Astigmata: Acaridae) – were compared. Developmental duration of the egg and non-feeding larval stages were 2.47 and 1.11 days, respectively; mortalities were 8.3 and 5.5%. Stratiolaelaps scimitus failed to develop beyond the protonymphal stage when provided with S. aff. sphaerogaster alone, although some feeding was observed. Development and reproduction of S. scimitus was successful on both fungus gnat larvae and enchytraeids, with no influence of prey on protonymphal duration (4.70 days) and mortality (8.3%), or on deutonymphal duration (4.61 days) and mortality (6.1%). Adult female S. scimitus feeding on potworms, compared to those feeding on fungus gnat larvae, had a significantly shorter pre-oviposition period (2.69 vs. 4.59 days). However, diet did not influence other adult female developmental or reproductive characteristics (oviposition period, 18.6 days; post-oviposition period, 6.2 days; total adult longevity, 27.3 days; total number of eggs, 26.5). S. scimitus reared on potworms tended (p = 0.06) to have a higher intrinsic rate of increase, a higher finite rate of increase and a shorter doubling time (r _m = 0.142 day⁻¹, λ = 1.153, Dt = 4.85 days) than those reared on fungus gnat larvae (r _m = 0.105 day⁻¹, λ = 1.110, Dt = 6.58 days), but differences in net reproductive rate (R ₀) and generation time (G) were not significant.     

Suitability ofScapteriscus moles crickets [Ort.: Gryllotalpidae] as hosts ofEuphasiopteryx depleta [Dipt.: Tachinidae]

Euphasiopteryx depleta (Wied) flies successfully developed in the mole cricketsScapteriscus borellii Giglio-Tos andScapteriscus vicinus Scudder, as well as in the short-tailed cricket,Anurogryllus sp., after artificially placing larvae under their pronota. Using this technique, no relation was found between the number of larvae placed on each cricket and the resulting number of puparia obtained from the cricket. In all cases, the number of flies emerging from the puparia was small, with females failing to mature reproductively. AsE. depleta has been reared from field collectedScapteriscus spp., the exact reasons for lack of maturation remain unknown.Anurogryllus sp. can be considered a probable alternate host forE. depleta.      

Subgeneric differentiation within Kurzia (Crustacea: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) and a new species from Central America

The genus Kurzia is divided into two subgenera: Kurzia s. str. and Rostrokurzia n. subg. Subgenus Kurzia includes Kurzia (K.) latissima Kurz, 1874, with a palearctic -, Kurzia (K.) polyspina n. sp. with a neotropic - , and Kurzia (K.) cf. media (Birge, 1879) with a nearctic distribution. Rostrokurzia includes Kurzia (R.) longirostris Daday, 1898 (pantropical distribution), and Kurzia (R.) brevilabris Rajapaksa & Fernando, 1986, from subtropical and tropical Asia. Kurzia latissima Kurz, 1874, from Central Europe is redescribed in detail.     

The natural delimitation ofCentaurea (Asteraceae: Cardueae): ITS sequence analysis of theCentaurea jacea group

Taxonomic complexity has hindered partitioning the genusCentaurea into natural subdivisions, even though it has long been recognized as an unwieldy, artificial assemblage. Most of the remaining difficulties center in theCentaurea jacea group, whose taxa share a common advanced type of pollen. Because it comprises half the species of the genusCentaurea, as well as five other disputed genera previously segregated fromCentaurea (Chartolepis, Cheirolepis, Cnicus, Grossheimia andTomanthea), theCentaurea jacea group is a significant taxonomic challenge. Newer molecular approaches are useful for resolving complex relationships because they provide more precise inferences of evolutionary relationships than traditional morphological characters. Sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were analyzed for a comprehensive sample of this group. Results indicated that theCentaurea jacea group is monophyletic and includes the segregated genera, but not two other genera (Oligochaeta andZoegea), whose inclusion in theCentaurea jacea group was doubtful. In addition to pollen morphology, the ITS phylogeny is also supported by karyological evidence and by good correlation with biogeographic distribution of the species. The monophyly of theCentaurea jacea group suggests that a natural delimitation ofCentaurea that minimizes nomenclatural changes is possible, but only if a new type of the genus is designated.     

Colony structure of a bamboo-dwellingTetraponera sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae) from Malaysia

Summary The colony structure of the bamboo-inhabiting SE-Asian pseudomyrmecine antTetraponera sp. PSW-80 nearattenuata F. Smith was investigated at the Ulu Gombak Field Studies Centre, Selangor, West-Malaysia. Based on the dissection of 54 stem internodes from 12 different culms of the large bambooGigantochloa scortechinii Gamble and on the mapping of three colonies, the following demographic characteristics emerge. The colonies are monogynous but highly polydomous (at least up to 36 internodes and up to 9 stems occupied) and very populous for a pseudomyrmecine not involved in an ant-plant mutualism. One completely censused colony had 6953 adult workers and 2079 alates (adults plus pupae). The single queen suppresses gyne development in her own nest and, to a lesser extent, in other nests within the same stem. The overall numerical sex ratio was 0.961 (females:males), the investment sex ratio, 2.931, i.e., almost exactly the 31 ratio expected for a monogynous outbred hymenopteran in which the colony queen also produces all the male offspring. Brood is distributed to all other nest chambers from the queenright chamber. The symbiotic pseudococcids (Kermicus wroughtoni Newstead) are present in all inhabited internodes, with small early instar individuals prevailing numerically by far over the larger stages. The rieht well secluded honeydew supply within the internode and the efficient architectural protection provided by the internode wall (access usually only through a 2 × 3 mm-hole) allowT. sp. PSW-80 to reach an unusually large colony size without being an aggressive and protective plant mutualist like other members of its subfamily with similar demographic features.     

Calospatha subsumed in Calamus (Arecaceae: Calamoideae)

Summary  Based on previously published phylogenetic research, the genus Calospatha Becc. (Calamoideae) is placed in synonymy within Calamus L. The new combination, Calamus calospathus (Ridl.) W. J. Baker & J. Dransf. is made.     

Rickettsial Agents from Parasitic Dermanyssoidea (Acari: Mesostigmata)

Mites are often overlooked as vectors of pathogens, but have been shown to harbor and transmit rickettsial agents such as Rickettsia akari and Orientia tsutsugamushi. We screened DNA extracts from 27 mites representing 25 species of dermanyssoids for rickettsial agents such as Anaplasma, Bartonella, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia by PCR amplification and sequencing. DNA from Anaplasma spp., a novel Bartonella sp., Spiroplasma sp., Wolbachia sp., and an unclassified Rickettsiales were detected in mites. These could represent mite-borne bacterial agents, bacterial DNA from blood meals, or novel endosymbionts of mites.     

Hectorella: A member of the betalain-suborderChenopodiineae of the orderCentrospermae

Roots ofHectorella caespitosa Hook. f. were induced to produce a red pigment which was shown to be a betalain and not an anthocyanin. These data indicate thatHectorella belongs to theChenopodiineae, the betalain suborder of theCentrospermae, and excludes alignment with the anthocyanin family theCaryophyllaceae.     

Primitive Defence: The MiAMP1 Antimicrobial Peptide Family

The founder of the MiAMP1 protein family was originally isolated from Macadamia integrifolia and had antimicrobial activity in vitro. MiAMP1 was the first plant protein with a structure containing a βγ-crystallin precursor fold, a structural superfamily associated with antimicrobial proteins in other kingdoms. In recent times, expanding plant genomics information has revealed that genes encoding homologues of MiAMP1 are conserved across the plant kingdom from lycophytes, gymnosperms to early angiosperms (e.g. Amborella, Papaver) and some monocots (e.g. Zantedeschia, Zea, Sorghum). Many studies of plant–pathogen interactions in gymnosperms have demonstrated a potential role for MiAMP1 family members in defence against fungal pathogens. This commentary describes the discovery and diversity of this protein family and considers current evidence supporting, and future opportunities for substantiating, a role in defence in primitive plants, and why this role may have diminished in higher plants.     

First Stage Zoeas of Quadrella Dana, 1851 [Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Xanthoidea: Trapeziidae] and their Affinities with those of Tetralia Dana, 1851, and Trapezia Latreille, 1828

The first stages zoeas of Quadrella maculosa Alcock, 1898, Q. serenei Galil, 1986, Tetralia rubridactyla Garth, 1971, and Trapezia richtersi Galil & Lewinsohn, 1983, are described and illustrated. Setal differences between the Quadrella zoeas are not recorded, but they can be separated on the spinulation of the dorsal spine (present in Q. maculosa absent in Q. serenei). The first stage zoea of Q. maculosa is compared with that of Tetralia rubridactyla and Trapezia richtersi. But although Quadrella and Tetralia appear superficially similar in that both have two pairs of lateral carapace spines (vs. one pair in Trapezia), other observations imply that Tetralia zoeas may have closer affinities with Trapezia rather than with Quadrella. However, this appears to contradict recent phylogentic relationships based on adult morphology.     

Parasitism in diversified agroecosystems: Phenology ofTrichogramma minutum [Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae]

Parasitism ofOstrinia nubilalis egg masses byTrichogramma minutum was observed in maize-bare ground monocultures and polycultures of maize/bean/squash and maize/clover. Parasitism rates were 1.9 times higher in monocultures than in polycultures; seasonal phenology of parasitism, however, was similar in both. Parasitism first occurred during the late whorl/early tassel stage of maize; peak parasitism occurred during the mid to late tassel stage, and then dropped off rapidly. We speculate that direct predation of egg masses, and ammensal preemptive competition for egg masses byColeomegilla maculata may have contributed to the decline in parasitism rates in both monocultures and polycultures during the latter part of the season.