First report of Alexandrium taylori and Alexandrium peruvianum (Dinophyceae) in Malaysia waters

The occurrence of Alexandrium taylori and Alexandrium peruvianum is reported for the first time in Malaysia waters. The Malaysian A. taylori isolates were pyriform in shape with a transdiameter range of 36–40 μm and a cell length range of 33–37 μm. The first apical plate (1′) was pentagonal with two distinctive anterior margins. No direct connection between 1′ and the apical pore complex was observed. The posterior sulcal plate (S.p.) was large, elongated and oblique to the right with anterior projections. The ventral pore (vp) was relatively large and situated at a confluence point of 1′, the second apical (2′) and the fourth apical (4′) plates. Cells of A. peruvianum were slightly anteriorly and posteriorly compressed. S.p. had an irregular pentagonal shape, with the anterior margin divided into 2 portions. 1′ was boomerang-shaped with a large and truncated ventral pore in the middle right margin. The anterior right margin of 1′ was straight. The sixth precingular plate (6″) was wider than long. The anterior sulcal plate (S.a.) was triangular and lacked a left portion extension. In laboratory cultures, both A. taylori and A. peruvianum produced paralytic shellfish toxins, with GTX4 and GTX6 as the predominant toxin, respectively. This is the first report of PSP toxins production for both species as well as the occurrences in Malaysia waters.     

A new subspecies of Tesia olivea (Sylviidae) from Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand

We collected several individuals of the Slaty-bellied Tesia Tesia olivea in the temperate rain forest of the sub-Himalayan region of northeastern Burma/Myanmar in February/March 2004 and March 2006. Subsequent comparison of these with T. olivea from northeastern India and northern Thailand revealed that while our northeastern Burma/Myanmar birds were similar to those from northeastern India, specimens of both populations were distinctly different from T. olivea from Chiang Mai Province of northern Thailand and northern Vietnam. Herein, we designate the latter populations as members of a new subspecies of T. olivea based on analyses of variations in morphometric characters, plumage, song, and mitochondrial (mt)DNA sequence.     

First report of the giant snake Gigantophis (Madtsoiidae) from the Paleocene of Pakistan: Paleobiogeographic implications

We report here the discovery of madtsoiid snake remains from the early Paleocene Khadro Formation (Ranikot Group, Sindh, Southern Pakistan). These specimens consist of vertebrae and are referred to Gigantophis. This is the first report of Gigantophis from outside of Africa. The problem of the generic distinction between Gigantophis and Madtsoia is stressed. The specimens from Pakistan slightly differ from the single species (G. garstini) referred to the genus Gigantophis, but the available material does not allow further considerations and the fossil is referred to as Gigantophis sp. However, Gigantophis sp. from the Khadro Formation is more closely related to G. garstini, that is known only from the middle and late Eocene of northern Africa, than to any other species, thus suggesting dispersal between these two areas during the Paleocene or earlier. These results are consistent with the hypothesis of intermittent dispersals between the Indo-Pakistan Plate and Africa suggested by other fossil evidences.     

Characterization and biological activity of the main flavonoids from Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subspecies cycla)

The molecular components of a phenolic fraction (P2), obtained from liquid chromatography of a Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cycla) extract, were identified using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The primary P2 components were: vitexin-2'O-rhamnoside, its demethylated form 2'-xylosylvitexin, isorhamnetin 3-gentiobioside, and rutin. P2 "in toto" and the single components were characterized for antioxidant capacity, antimitotic activity on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and for toxicity to human lymphocytes and macrophages. P2 inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation (IC(50) value = 9 microg/ml) without inducing apoptosis, showed no toxicity to human lymphocytes and slight toxicity to macrophages. Vitexin-2'O-rhamnoside strongly inhibited DNA synthesis in MCF-7 cells, whereas 2'-xylosylvitexin and isorhamnetin 3-gentiobioside were activators; combinations of activators and inhibitors maintained the over-all inhibitory effect.     

A metapopulation model for the spread and persistence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in African sedentary mixed crop-livestock systems

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is endemic in several developing countries. Our objective is to evaluate the regional CBPP spread and persistence in a mixed crop-livestock system in Africa. A stochastic compartmental model in metapopulation is used, in which between-herd animal movements and the within-herd infection dynamics are explicitly represented. Hundred herds of varying size are modelled, each sending animals to n other herds (network degree). Animals are susceptible, latent, infectious, chronic carrier or resistant. The role of chronic carriers in CBPP spread being still debated, several chronic periods and infectiousness are tested. A sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the influence on model outputs of these parameters and of pathogen virulence, between-herd movement rate, network degree, and calves recruitment. Model outputs are the probability that individual- and group-level reproductive numbers R₀ and R_* are above one, the metapopulation infection duration, the probability of CBPP endemicity (when CBPP persists over 5 years), and the epidemic size in infected herds and infected animals. The most influential parameters are related to chronic carriers (infectiousness and chronic period), pathogen virulence, and recruitment rate. When assuming no CBPP re-introduction in the region, endemicity is only probable if chronic carriers are assumed infectious for at least 1 year and to shed the pathogen in not too low an amount. It becomes highly probable when assuming high pathogen virulence and high recruitment rate.     

First report of non-mycorrhizal plant mutants (Myc) obtained in pea (Pisum sativum L.) and fababean (Vicia faba L.)

Genetic resistance to vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhiza formation has been obtained in spontaneous or chemically induced mutants of two mycorrhiza-forming species (Pisum sativum L. and Vicia faba L.). The eight mutants, termed myc⁻, are characterized by aborted infections limited to one or two host cells. Expression of the myc⁻ character is associated with that of the nod⁻ character in both legumes, and is likewise under recessive genetic control. Preliminary analysis of the genetic behaviour of the myc⁻ mutants in diallel crosses has shown that at least three genes are involved in VA mycorrhiza infection.     

基于分子证据确认秦岭藤属与驼峰藤属(夹竹桃科)的系统位置

秦岭藤属(Biondia Schltr.)是中国特有属,约13种,驼峰藤属(Merrillanthus Chun&Tsiang)是仅在我国与柬埔寨分布的单种属,目前两个属均被归并到白前属(Vincetoxicum Wolf),由于取样和系统发育分析尚存一些欠缺,因此其系统位置和归属尚需进一步确认。该文使用2个核糖体基因序列片段(ITS、ETS)、5个叶绿体基因序列片段(psbA-trnH、trnG、trnL、trnL-F、trnT-L),以及二者的合并数据,重建娃儿藤亚族(Tylophorinae)(包含属的模式秦岭藤[B.chinensis Schltr.=V.shaanxiense(Schltr.) Meve&Liede]与驼峰藤[M.hainanensis Chun&Tsiang=V.hainanense(Chun&Tsiang) Meve, H. H. Kong&Liede])的系统发育树。结果表明：秦岭藤属与驼峰藤属均包含在白前属中,秦岭藤与青龙藤[B.henryi(Warb.) Tsiang&Li=V.henryi(Warb....     

Ingestive behavior of goats grazing in the Southwestern Argan (Argania spinosa) forest of Morocco

This study, conducted in the southwestern Argan forest of Morocco, aimed to assess goat feeding behaviour and goat diet composition. Overall grazing time averaged 387 min/day and represented on average 70% of total time when the goats were released on pasture. Grazing time was higher during winter months. Bipedal grazing was low and never exceeded 10%. Soil grazing varied according to the period of the year. Aerial grazing increased when herbaceous layer was depleted. Walking activity that accounted for 24% of the presence of goats on pasture, varied with the period of the year. Resting time accounted for less than 39 min contributing less than 6% of the temporal behavior budget. The contribution of all argan to the goat's diet ranged from a minimum of 47% in June to a maximum of 84% in December. Aerial argan leaves contributed continuously to goat diets a proportion from 35% to 68%. Under-tree grazing accounted for 50% during June when herbaceous plants and stubble were available, but less than 15% when they were depleted. Total intake changed with advance in season. Total goat intake reached its lowest level when animals spent large amounts of their time grazing argan trees in response to shortage of feed on the ground. Variation of the intake rate was mainly due to bite size, since rate of biting varied little among months. Goats ingested larger bite size from March through June when argan fruits were available and when diversity of availability was the highest. The goats adaptation capacity in argan forest allows a kid meat production when other ruminants such as sheep probably would not be able to do.     

中国短翅天牛属一新记录亚种记述（鞘翅目：天牛科：天牛亚科）

记述了中国短翅天牛属1新记录亚种,即柴田短翅天牛Glaphyra shibatai shibatai(Hayashi,1961)。柴田短翅天牛描述:体长8.1 mm宽2.0 mm。身体呈亮黑色。腿节亮棕黑色,后足腿节基部至中部浅黄色。鞘翅中部近中缝处有1对半透明深黄褐色区域。前胸长约1.23倍于宽,最宽广的部位在收缩之前,前足基节窝后方关闭。鞘翅基部宽约与前胸背板长相等,鞘翅长为鞘翅基部宽度的1.20倍,肩角略呈圆形,两侧向端部逐渐收缩,表面具有细而稀疏的小刻点,翅缝在基部3/5处分裂,缝角圆形。前胸腹板具有粗糙的刻点。后胸腹板具有细刻点。腹部刻点比后胸腹板更浅,更细。后足第1跗节1.50倍于2、3节之和。     

Differentiation between the two subspecies of Atherosperma moschatum Labill. (Atherospermataceae) from their leaf oils

The leaf oils of both subspecies of Atherosperma moschatum have been investigated to determine if there were any chemical differences between the two subspecies. While both subspecies of A. moschatum contained methyl eugenol (55–87%), safrole (5–20%) and linalool (1–6%), camphor (5–10%) was found to be only in the oils of A. moschatum subsp. moschatum and to be either absent or, at most, less than 0.5% in the oils of A. moschatum subsp. integrifolium. There was also a range of monoterpene hydrocarbons and 1,8-cineole, all in the range of 0.1–5%, that were present in subspecies moschatum but virtually absent in subspecies integrifolium.     

A new species of Fomitiporia (Hymenochaetaceae, Basidiomycota) from China based on morphological and molecular characters

Fomitiporia punicata sp. nov., collected from Shaanxi Province, northern China, and so far exclusively on Punica granatum (Punicaceae), is described and illustrated, and its preliminary phylogenetic relationships are inferred based on sequence data from the ribosomal ITS-5.8S regions. Fomitiporia punicata belongs to the F. robusta–F. punctata complex, but is characterized by an effused–reflexed to pileate basidioma with triquetrous to ungulate pilei, pale yellowish brown to cinnamon brown pore surface, moderately thick-walled skeletal hyphae in the context, which are partly collapsed on drying, lack of setae, presence of fusoid to subulate cystidioles, and growth on Punica. It also forms a distinct clade within Fomitiporia, and is related to some species from the temperate or Mediterranean zone of the northern hemisphere. An identification key to the species of Fomitiporia recorded in China is provided. Fomitiporia tibetica is transferred to Pseudoinonotus.     

Comprehensive report on the prevalence of root-knot nematodes in the Poonch division of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,Pakistan

The present study documents the root-knot nematodes (RKN) fauna of the Poonch division in Azad Jammu and Kashmir infecting vegetables. An overall prevalence of 40% of RKN was recorded. Of the four districts investigated, maximum prevalence was recorded in district Poonch with 59%, followed by Sudhnuti with 58%. The lowest prevalence of RKN was found in districts Bagh (29%) and Haveli (33%). Out of 15 vegetables investigated, RKN was found on five crops. The highest prevalence of 37.8% was recorded on okra, followed by 31.3% on cucumber and 17.5% on tomato. RKN was less prevalent on eggplant (8.3%) and beans (7.7%). Three RKN species, that is Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne arenaria, were found infecting the hosts. M. javanica was found to be the most prevalent followed by M. incognita and M. arenaria. This trend was found in all the districts. Overall prevalence of M. javanica as sole population was 9% and that of M. incognita was 2%. Meloidogyne arenaria was not found in any of the fields as sole population. The prevalence of M. incognita with M. javanica or M. arenaria as mixed populations was 8% and 5%, respectively, and that of M. javanica with M. arenaria was 4%. Similarly, all the three species prevailed as mixed populations in 12% of the fields in the division. The severity of RKN infections, measured as galling index, was found to be variable within each infected field (GI 2–9). Identification of RKN species was based on the morphology of perineal patterns and confirmed by molecular SCAR and CO1 makers based identification. In conclusion, RKN were distributed in the Poonch division and M. javanica was predominant. Cucumber, okra, tomato and eggplant were severely attacked by these nematodes warranting the adoption of stringent control strategies for their management.     

中国新记录属沟额野螟属Prorasea Grote一新种记述（鳞翅目：草螟科）

报道草螟科中国1新记录属：沟额野螟属P Grote, 1878,并描述采自内蒙古的该属1新种：弓沟额野螟Prorasea arcilinearis sp. nov.,提供了新种的成虫、翅脉及雄性外生殖器特征图。