A new species of Ingolfiellidae (Peracarida, Amphipoda, Crustacea) from the Azores, Portugal

A new species of Ingolfiellid Amphipod Ingolfiella azorensis n. sp. is described from samples collected in a benthic survey off the Azores archipelago, Portugal. The new species is characterized by the lack of ocular lobes, a four-toothed dactylus on the first and second gnathopods, and having dissimilar claws on the third to seventh pereiopods. Individuals were obtained from shallow subtidal samples of sand. The new findings bring the number of Ingolfiellidae from Macaronesia up to six, equalling almost 20 % of the world’s known species, suggesting this area as a potential evolutionary centre for Ingolfiellidae.     

中国武陵山地区淡水钩虾属一新种(甲壳纲:端足目:钩虾科)

记述了采自湖北省宣恩县长潭河的淡水沟虾1新种,溪水钩虾Gammarus riparius sp.nov.。该种隶属于G.balcanicus-group,其鉴别特征为：第2触角鞭节无鞋形感觉器,4－5腹节背部无刺或刚毛。文中对新种的形态特征和与近似种的区别均有详细的论述,并附有详细的特征图。新种模式标本保存在中国科学院动物研究所。     

中国巢湖大螯蜚属一新种(甲壳纲:端足目:畸钩虾科)

记述了采自安徽巢湖忠庙的端足目畸钩虾科大螯属一新种,巢湖大螯蜚Grandidierella chaohuensis sp.nov.文中详细描述了其形态特征和与近似种的区别,同时附有特征图。模式标本保存于中国科学院动物研究所。     

Epibenthic amphipod abundance and predation efficiency of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus duorarum (Burkenroad, 1939) in habitats with different physical complexity in a tropical estuarine system

Amphipod abundance and biomass were determined in soft-bottom substrates (SBS), monospecific Thalassia testudinum patches and T. testudinum with attached macroalgae (SAV) from Términos Lagoon. Amphipods were absent in SBS, and their density and biomass were higher in SAV (3351 individualsm(-2), 1718 mg AFDWm(-2)) than in T. testudinum (1220 indm(-2), 625 mg AFDWm(-2)). Although macroalgae and seagrasses are recognised as an alternative refuge against predation for amphipods, the high abundance of amphipods in SAV suggests that macroalgae represent a habitat that provides greater food availability. Pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus duorarum (Burkenroad, 1939) consumption rate (Mo) of epibenthic amphipods was experimentally evaluated. Mo intensifies as prey density increases and varied from 0.39 to 2.39 mg AFDWh(-1). Predation efficiency of F. duorarum on epibenthic amphipods was also evaluated in four artificial habitats with different physical complexity: soft-bottom substrates (SBS), small woody debris (SWD), seagrasses with densities of 300 and 1200 shootsm(-2) (S300 and S1200, respectively), macroalgae (MA), and at two prey densities (962 and 2406 indm(-2)). Amphipod consumption rate by F. duorarum varied from 1.20 to 2.07 indh(-1) in S1200 and MA, respectively. Habitat complexity had a significant effect on consumption rate, but prey density did not. Habitat physical complexity and predation efficiency maintained an inverse and a non-linear relationship. Presumably, the decrease in predation efficiency in association with the habitat complexity is due to the differential refuge value of these habitats. However, predation efficiency may also be influenced by either the microhabitat use by amphipods, the shrimp's dependence on seagrasses, or by differences in habitat value caused by the diel behavioural distribution pattern of amphipods and shrimp. Both field and experimental results highlight the importance of evaluating the relative value of tropical estuarine habitats through the study of the relationship between habitat physical complexity and predator-prey interactions. They also emphasise that inherent biological and ethological factors of the predator and prey involved, coupled to spatial and temporal variations in the habitat, should also be considered.     

Seasonal distribution of sympagic amphipods near Chesterfield Inlet, N.W.T., Canada

The seasonal distribution of sympagic amphipods was investigated in the Chesterfield Inlet area of northwestern Hudson Bay (63°30′N). Amphipod abundance was measured by photographic samples and species composition was determined by sweep net samples. Twelve species of amphipods were collected, the most common being Ischyrocerus anguipes, Pontogeneia inermis, Apherusa megalops and Weyprechtia pinguis. The major environmental variable affecting amphipod distribution was water depth. Amphipod abundance was highest near 20 m and near zero past 50 m. The maximum recorded abundance was 1367 m⁻². A minor factor affecting the distribution of amphipods was snow depth, through its modifying effect on light and thereby the growth of ice algae. Amphipods began to inhabit the sea ice shortly after its formation. From the beginning of March, the number of amphipods on the ice increased steadily to about the 3rd week of April, after which numbers declined. This pattern coincided with the seasonal ice algae abundance. Amphipods reduced ice algal biomass over 20-m depth by 63%. No evidence of diurnal changes in abundance was observed. Received: 15 May 1996 / Accepted: 4 November 1996     

Synthesis of the alpha-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->2)-L-Rha trisaccharide isolated from the cell wall hydrolyzate of the green alga, Chlorella vulgaris

The title trisaccharide was synthesized from 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl chloride (10), ethyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-1-thio- (5) and benzyl 3,4-di-O-benzyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (9). The disaccharide 11 obtained from compounds 5 and 10 was used as the glycosyl donor to glycosylate the rhamnopyranoside derivative 9 having free OH-2 using the NIS-AgOTf-mediated glycosylation methodology. Zemplén deacetylation of the trisaccharide 12 resulted in the 6"-OH derivative (13), which was selectively oxidized with CrO3 to the uronic acid derivative 14. The benzyl groups were removed by catalytic hydrogenolysis to furnish the target trisaccharide (1).     

DIET OF GRAY WHALES (ESCHRICHTIUS ROBUSTUS) IN CLAYOQUOT SOUND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

In Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia, gray whales ( Eschrichtius robustus ) forage for pelagic, hyperbenthic, and benthic invertebrates. Prey types were collected near feeding whales and at sites where no whales were observed to ascertain whales' diets and to describe prey populations and distributions. Characteristics of prey that are examined include species composition, density, biomass, and size. Whales foraged for mysids, Holmesimysis sculpta being the most abundant species collected. Whales foraged near concentrated patches of porcelain crab zoeal larvae, composed primarily of Pachycheles rudis , 21 –294 times the average density and biomass normally collected. Amphipod biomass, composed primarily of Ampelisca agassizi and A. careyi , was 160 ± 150 g/m² where whales foraged. Larger amphipods, rather than higher density, resulted in higher amphipod biomass between years. Whales foraged where there was a high proportion (61%) of amphipods > 6 mm in length. Whales initially foraged for amphipods along the 20-m depth contour line; amphipod biomass was best developed and least variable at depths between 16 and 20 m.     

The influence of riparian vegetation on the functional organization of four Hong Kong stream communities

Pontoporeia affinis Lindström predominated profundal macroinvertebrate communities in eutrophic Lake Mälaren. Amphipod densities, at both stations studied, averaged > 50% of overall total macroinvertebrate densities. The life history of P. affinis was two years, with two cohorts distinguished, both exhibiting similar patterns in annual growth. During the sixteen years of this study, amphipod growth seemed to exhibit long-term cyclic fluctuations, with periods of 9–10 yrs. at Görväln and 5–6 yrs. at Grönsöfjärden. Amphipod growth was significantly (negatively) correlated with conspecific density and biomass. The mechanism(s) governing Pontoporeia population oscillations is (are) not clear. It is postulated that changes in food availability, as the result of overgrazing, may adversely affect Pontoporeia recruitment and subsequently be observed in the form of long-term population oscillations as noted in Lake Mälaren.     

Subcellular localization of vitellogenin in crustacean adipocytes by the unlabelled antibody enzyme method

The subepidermal fat body of the Amphipod Crustacean Orchestia gammarellus shows ultrastructural modifications related to vitellogenin synthesis. In the adipocytes of vitellogenic females, the rough endoplasmic reticulum is well developed whereas in those of males and non-vitellogenic females it is almost entirely absent; lipids and glycogen are, on the contrary, less abundant. The unlabelled antibody enzyme method shows the presence of vitellogenin in the dense bodies of the adipocytes of vitellogenic females. Adipocytes of males and non-vitellogenic females are not immunoreactive.     

The behavioral response of amphipods harboring Corynosoma constrictum (Acanthocephala) to various components of light

Many studies have shown that photic behavior of amphipods is subject to parasitic manipulation. However, all these investigations have focused on but one property of light (i.e., intensity). This study investigated the possibility that variable wavelength sensitivity, as a potentially important component of amphipod ecology, is subject to parasitic manipulation. The photic behavior of freshwater amphipods Hyalella azteca, infected with the duck acanthocephalan Corynosoma constrictum, was tested. The phototactic responses of infected and uninfected amphipods to various wavelengths in the visible spectrum were compared, and to delineate the effects of intensity and wavelength on behavior, the preferences of amphipods for environments characterized by various combinations of light intensity and wavelength were determined. Response to blue light (400-450 nm) was little affected by infection. Amphipod response to higher red region wavelengths (600-700 nm) was altered by infection. Infected amphipods were significantly less responsive to green region light (500-550 nm), which could lead to increased wandering throughout the water column, thereby facilitating increased parasite transmission through increased predation risk. This study reinforces the subtlety with which parasites can alter their host's behavior, presumably resulting in an increased probability of being transmitted from the intermediate host to a definitive host.     

Spiracanthus bovichthys n. gen. n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Arhythmacanthidae), a parasite of littoral fishes of the central south coast of Chile

A new acanthocephalan species, Spiracanthus bovichthys n. gen. n. sp., is described. Samples were taken from 26 marine fish species between 23 and 53 degrees S of Chile. The parasite was found in the intestine of 6 species and only between 36 and 40 degrees S, especially in those fish that prey on small crustaceans in the upper and sublittoral zone. The parasite was found in Bovichthys chilensis (Reagan). Auchenionchus variolosus (Valenciennes), Calliclinus genigutattus (Valenciennes), Sindoscopus australis (Fowler and Bean), Myxodes cristatus Valenciennes, and Gobiesox marmoratus (Jenyns). However, only the first species is a suitable host for the parasite as evidenced by the presence of mature females. This acanthocephalan belongs to Arhythmacanthidae, but it does not correspond to any genus described. Spiracanthus bovichthys is different in the number and spiralled distribution of its hooks in the proboscis. In the short proboscis, 3 groups of hooks are distinguished according to size, summing up to 150-190 hooks. The group of largest hooks are found in the apical part of the proboscis, and there are 10 diagonal rows of small hooks from the prebasal to basal proboscis. Its trunk is covered partially by small spines. Amphipod and isopods were the prey items shared among the host fish species and are the best candidates to be the intermediate hosts of S. bovichthys.     

Late turolian Mesopithecus (mammalia, primates, Colobinae) from Italy

This paper reports on new finds and re-discovered old collections of the latest Miocene colobine Mesopithecus from Italian localities. New finds are reported from the Baccinello V3 faunal assemblage and from the Monticino gypsum quarry (Brisighella) and newly rediscovered teeth from the Casino basin are herein described. The latter two samples are attributed to the species Mesopithecus pentelicus, while the allocation of the Baccinello V3 sample is unclear and for the moment is attributed to Mesopithecus sp. indet. A fourth Italian locality that yielded Mesopithecus remains is Gravitelli. Unfortunately the latter specimens are lost, and from the literature it is impossible to furnish an accurate specific attribution. The taxonomic allocation of latest Miocene Mesopithecus species is briefly discussed.     

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of some novel 17-isoxazoles in the estrone series

Regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of different aryl nitrile oxides to mestranol were carried out to furnish novel steroidal 17α-isoxazoles in good to excellent yields. Copper(I) was found to be an efficient catalyst, accelerating the intermolecular ring-closures and leading exclusively to 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles. The yields of the cycloadducts, however, were influenced by the substituents on the aromatic moiety of the 1,3-dipoles. Moreover, dehydration of the primary products resulted in the corresponding Δ(16,17)exo-heterocyclic derivatives. All the synthesized compounds were subjected to in vitro pharmacological studies of their antiproliferative effects relative to three human malignant cell lines (HeLa, MCF7 and A2780).     

A convenient synthesis of (2R,8R)-8-methyl-2-decanol and its 2S epimer,the parent alcohols of rootworm pheromones

A highly stereospecific synthesis of the title compound (2R,8R)-8-methyl-2-decanol (I) has been devised via 16 simple steps. The required chirons (5 and 11) were prepared from easily accessible templates viz. (R)-methyl citronel-late and (S)-glutamic acid. This on Grignard coupling furnished the ketal (12) which was converted to the desired epoxide (14) and subsequently reduced to furnish the alcohol (2R,8R)-I. Its corresponding (2S)-epimer was prepared by total stereoselective inversion of its C-2 center. The title compounds are the parent alcohols of the pheromone components of the female rootworms.     

Synthesis of (±)-11-deoxy-15-ethynyl prostaglandins

This article describes the preparation of (±)-11-deoxy-15-ethynyl prostaglandins ( & ). The key step involves a conjugate addition of the substituted 1-lithio-1-oct-1-ene ( ) to the cyclopentenone ( & ) to furnish 11-deoxy-prostaglandin skeleton in a simple fashion. Of particular interest in this synthesis is the preparation of alkyl side chain ( ) which was achieved in an efficient three-step synthesis starting from the readily available β-iodo vinyl ketone ( ).     

Exploitation of sediment bacterial carbon by juveniles of the amphipod Monoporeia affinis

1. Carbon budget parameters were measured for young-of-the-year Monoporeia affinis in a combined field and laboratory (microcosm) study, designed to quantify the role of sediment bacteria as a carbon source for juvenile amphipods. Special emphasis was placed on the stimulative effects of amphipod activity (foraging, feeding, bioturbation) on sediment bacterial production and abundance by including the carbon thus generated in carbon budget calculations. 2. Amphipod production was clearly higher at lower densities, suggesting strong intraspecific interactions. Negative production was recorded at amphipod densities of 10000 and 20000 ind. m^?2. Negative production was not accompanied by a decrease in amphipod total lipid content, however, probably due to the lack of easily mobilized lipids in juvenile amphipods. Amphipod respiration rate was 0.45 μg O₂ ind.^?1 h^?1, or O.15 μg C ind.^?1 h^?1. Sediment bacterial carbon content averaged 1.31 and 0.90 mg g^?1 DW under field and laboratory conditions, respectively. 3. Bacterial carbon was not quantitatively important for Monoporeia. Due to higher bacterial abundance and production in natural, stratified sediment, assimilation of bacterial carbon was highest for the field population, providing 6.3% of the amphipods' carbon requirement. In microcosm populations, bacterial carbon accounted for between 1.7 and 5.2% of overall amphipod carbon demand, increasing with amphipod density and bioturbation. 4. Ingestion rate, rather than the quantity of bacterial carbon in the sediment, was found to limit absorption of bacterial carbon from the sediment.     

Gammaridean and caprellidean fauna from Brazil

This review of Brazilian Amphipod works is arranged in a chronological list and points out the significant works for each one of the four arbitrary periods. Besides that, this paper deals with the distribution of 83 species of Brazilian Gammaridea and Caprellidea in relation to bathymetry, substrate, latitude and thermal region.     

The Total Chemical Synthesis of Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1)

The affinity-based N^α-amino protecting group tetrabenzo [a,c,g,i]fluorenyl-17-methoxycarbonyl (Tbfmoc) has been utilized as a hydrophobic probe to allow the simple, quick and highly effective isolation of a 76 residue cysteine-containing protein (MCP-1). The base-labile Tbfmoc group can be removed under very mild conditions, which preserve the thiol-con taining protein in the reduced state. Oxidative folding was then used to furnish the biologically active β-chemokine MCP-1.     

Evaluation of the impact of functional diversification on Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, and Pinaceae alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes

The plant alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) have been intensively studied in the last years in terms of phylogeny and they have been widely used as a molecular marker. However, almost no information about their three-dimensional structure is available. Several studies point to functional diversification of the ADH, with evidence of its importance, in different organisms, in the ethanol, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and bile acid metabolism. Computational results demonstrated that in plants these enzymes are submitted to a functional diversification process, which is reinforced by experimental studies indicating distinct enzymatic functions as well as recruitment of specific genes in different tissues. The main objective of this article is to establish a correlation between the functional diversification occurring in the plant alcohol dehydrogenase family and the three-dimensional structures predicted for 17 ADH belonging to Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, and Pinaceae botanical families. Volume, molecular weight and surface areas are not markedly different among them. Important electrostatic and pI differences were observed with the residues responsible for some of them identified, corroborating the function diversification hypothesis. These data furnish important background information for future specific structure-function and evolutionary investigations.     

Macrobenthos composition,abundance and biomass in the Arctic Ocean along a transect between Svalbard and the Makarov Basin

Macrofauna has been sampled at 30 stations, at water depths of 1018–4478 m, along a transect extending between Northern Svalbard and the Makarov Basin, as a basis for understanding aspects of the benthic ecology of the Arctic Ocean. Species numbers, abundances and biomasses were extremely low, and generally varied between 0 to 11/0.02 m², 0 to 850 individuals/m², and 0 to 82.65 g/m², respectively. A total of 42 species was found. The Amphipod Jassa marmorata was the most common species. Both numbers and biomasses of suspension-feeding species increased towards the Lomonosov Ridge, probably due to lateral transport of organic material by deep currents along the ridge.