Karyotypes of eight species of phytoseiid mites of the genus Amblyseius Berlese (Acarina: Mesostigmata)

Chromosome studies, using the aceto-orcein smear technique, were made on embryonic tissue of eight Amblyseius Berlese species of the family Phytoseiidae. A haploid number of 4 chromosomes and a diploid of 8 were found.     

Mites of family Macrochelidae (Acari: Gamasida) associated with dung beetles in Mt Merapi National Park,Jogyakarta, Java,Indonesia

Fourteen mite species in three genera of the family Macrochelidae were collected from the body surface of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae) in Mt Merapi National Park, Jogyakarta, Indonesia. Of these, three species, Macrocheles turgoensis n. sp., M. pumilus n. sp. and Glyptholaspis merapiensis n. sp., were described as new to science. The remaining 11 species were Glyptholaspis fimicola (Sellnick, 1931), Neopodocinum spinirostris (Berlese, 1910), M. dispar (Berlese, 1910), M. entetiensis Hartini and Takaku, 2005, M. hallidayi Walter and Krantz, 1986, M. jabarensis Hartini and Takaku, 2003, M. merdarius (Berlese, 1889), M. muscaedomesticae (Scopoli, 1772), M. oigru Walter and Krantz, 1986, M. sukaramiensis Takaku, 2001 and M. sp. aff. glaber (Müller, 1860).     

Torulopsis navarrensis sp. nov. A new species of yeast isolated from an acid washed brown soil in the province of Navarra,Spain

A new species of Torulopsis Berlese (4) was recovered in 1973 from an acid washed brown forest soil in the province of Navarra. It could not be identified with any hitherto described species of yeast, but on the basis of its both morphological and physiological characteristics it was assigned to the genus Torulopsis Berlese as representative of a new species for which the name of Torulopsis navarrensis is proposed.     

Description of Metagynella masani sp. n. from Kenya (Acari: Uropodina)

The third African Metagynella Berlese, 1919 species (Metagynella masani sp. n.) is described in this paper. Original drawing and scanning micrographs of the new species are given.     

Speciation and chromosomal evolution of the Palearctic species of chironomids of the genus Sergentia Kieffer (Diptera, Chironomidae): Divergence of the Karyotypes of S. baueri Wülker et al., 1999, S. prima Proviz et al., 1997, S. electa Proviz et al., 1999 and their relationship with the endemic species from Baikal lake

The banding structures of chromosomes of three Palearctic species of chironomids of the genus Sergentia Kieffer, 1922 from the Irkutsk reservoir were comparatively analyzed: S. baueri Wülker et al., 1999 (2n = 8), S. prima Proviz et al., 1997 (2n = 8), and S. electa Proviz et al., 1999 (2n = 6). The S. baueri karyotype was taken as a standard in chromosome mapping. It was established that in contrast to S. baueri and S. prima the S. electa karyotype was formed due to a complex translocation: transfer of chromosome IV in the median part of chromosome III. The sequences of chromosome I bands were found to be completely homologous in all Palearctic species and in S. rara Proviz et al., 1999 (2n = 8) taken as the original species in the group of Baikalian endemics. In both groups, seven homozygous inversions were detected, of which the common one is the inversion in chromosome III. It was assumed on the basis of the results of the karyological analysis that among the Palearctic species S. baueri is most similar to the Baikalian endemics and S. electa is phylogenetically closer to S. prima. Specific features of the chromosome and morphological evolutions of the Sergentia genus species are considered.     

Mites of the familyMacrochelidae as predators of two species of dung-breeding pest flies

Nine species of macrochelid mites [Macrocheles “glaber” (Müller),M. aestivus Halliday,M. mammifer Berlese,M. peniculatus Berlese,M. robustulus (Berlese),M. merdarius (Berlese),M. peregrinus Krantz,M. eurygaster Krantz,Glyptholaspis confusa (Foà) were tested in the laboratory as predators of 2 species of dung-breeding pest flies (Musca vetustissima Walker,Haematobia irritans exigua de Meijere). The mites varied in their ability to attack the 2 fly species at both egg and larval stages. larger mites were generally more effective predators than the smaller species. The level of predation imposed byM. “glaber” onMusca vetustissima also varied with the developmental stage of both predator and prey.      

A new genus and species of oribatid mite, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cretaceobodes martinezae</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov., from the lower cretaceous amber of San Just (Teruel Province,Spain) (Acariformes,Oribatida, Otocepheidae)

A new fossil genus and species of oribatid mite, Cretaceobodes martinezae gen. et sp. nov., belonging to the family Otocepheidae is described. The new species is preserved in a piece of amber from the San Just outcrop (Teruel Province, Spain), which is believed to be Albian in age. The new genus is compared with the extant genus Carabocepheus Berlese, 1910 and its relationships with the superfamilies Otocepheoidea and Carabodoidea are discussed. Carabocepheidae is regarded as a junior synonym of Otocepheidae. Ranking Carabocepheus lounsbury latior Balogh et Mahunka, 1966 as a separate species is proposed.     

Karyotypes and sex determination of ten species of phytoseiid mites (acarina: Mesostigmata)

The chromosomal picture was studied on early cleayage divisiona of 10 phytoseiid mites, using the aceto-orcein smear technique. Eggs of 9 species have either a haploid (4) or a diploid (8) number of chromosomes:Amblyseius rubini Swirski & Amitai,A. swirskii Athias,A. hibisci Chant,A. ohilenensis (Dosse),A. largoensis (Muma),Typhlodromus athiasae Porath and SwirskiT. rhenanus (Oud.) sensu latiore,Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias, andI phiseius degeneraus (Berlese).Typhlodromus oceidentalis Nesbitt has 3 and 6 chromosomes. In sections and smears of post embryonic stages belonging to mites representative of the four genera, a haploid number was found in males, whereas in females somatic cells contained 2n and ovaries n as well as 2n. Thus it is shown that sex is determined by the haplo-diploid (arrhenotokous) mechanism. Males differ from females in the structure of the interphase nuclei belonging to the central nervous system. Contribution from The Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research (NUIA.) Bet Dagan, Israel, 1968 Series, No. 1331-E.     

Postfledging parental care and unexpected foraging behaviour of juvenile Sooty Terns Onychoprion fuscata in the southern Mozambique Channel

The Berlese funnel method, and its variations, is commonly used for the extraction of arthropods from various substrates such as nest material. However, little is known about its effectivity in extracting ectoparasites from penguin nests. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a modified Berlese funnel method in extracting ectoparasites from African Penguin Spheniscus demersus nests and to determine differences in extraction capacity across parasite taxa and life stages. African Penguin nests (n = 278) were sampled at five penguin colonies along the south-west coast of South Africa in 2017. Nest samples were subjected to a modified Berlese funnel method with naphthalene as a repellent. Thereafter, all remaining ectoparasites were removed by hand sorting. Ectoparasite abundance was positively correlated between the two extraction methods (Spearman’s r = 0.73–0.89). Compared to total counts, flea (combined life stages and larvae) and total ectoparasite abundance and prevalence were significantly lower with the modified Berlese funnel method. In addition, adult flea and tick prevalence (but not abundance) was significantly lower with the modified Berlese funnel method compared with total counts. The modified Berlese funnel method fails as a quantitative method and can only provide a crude indication of the incidence of ectoparasites in penguin nests.     

中国西南地区6种植物的核型研究及其系统学意义

采用植物细胞学研究方法对主要采自中国西南地区横断山的6种植物:扁核木(Prinsepia utilis)、小叶金露梅(Potentilla parvifolia)、峨眉繁缕(Stellaria omeiensis)、金铁锁(Psammosilene tunicoides)、山卷耳(Cerastium pusillum)和独尾草(Eremurus chinensis)进行染色体数目和核型研究。研究表明:(1)6个种的核型公式和不对称性如下:扁核木2n=2x=30=1M+20m+9sm,2A;小叶金露梅2n=2x=28=21m+7sm,2B;峨眉繁缕2n=8x=72=1M+71m,1B;金铁锁在同居群下有倍性变化,2n=2x=14=14m,1A和2n=4x=28=28m,1A;山卷耳2n=2x=24=24m(2sat),1A;独尾草2n=2x=14=2m+2sm+8st+2t,4B。(2)讨论了染色体资料在这些物种分类和系统上的意义,支持扁核木为李亚科下的扁核木属;位于委陵菜属木本系的小叶金露梅主要以二倍体和四倍体为主,而草本系的委陵菜属植物多为多倍体。(3)该研究首次报道峨眉繁缕为八倍体,是繁缕属发现的最高倍性的物种;对比金铁锁属与蝇子草属的染色体研究发现,金铁锁属可能是由它们的共同祖先通过非整倍化产生;该研究首次发现山卷耳存在染色体数目2n=24的情况,且有1对随体;独尾草的研究进一步证明该物种可能为二型核。     

6种野生草莓的核型分析

以五叶草莓等6种野生草莓为试材,采用常规压片法对其进行了核型分析。结果表明,6种野生草莓的核型公式分别为:五叶草莓2n=2x=14=12m+2sm、黄毛草莓2n=2x=14=8m+6sm、绿色草莓2n=2x=14=10m+2sm+2st、东北草莓2n=2x=14=8m+6sm、森林草莓2n=2x=14=6m+8sm、西南草莓2n=4x=28=16m+12sm,6种野生草莓的核型类型均为"2A"型。供试6种野生草莓的进化顺序可能为:五叶草莓、绿色草莓、东北草莓、黄毛草莓、西南草莓、森林草莓。     

The karyotypes of Dugesia species from Spain (Turbellaria,Tricladida)

Some species of Planarians, new to Spain, are recorded. Dugesia polychroa, D. sicula, D. iberica and D. gonocephala s. 1. have been investigated karyologically. The former possesses a diploid complement characteristic of the biotype A (2n = 8); the second is diploid with 2n = 18; diploidy and triploidy were found in sexual populations of D. iberica with n = 8. Triploidy occurred in all the asexual strains of the D. gonocephala group with a basic number of either 8 or 9. In this latter case B-chromosomes were occasionally found.     

Chromosome studies on mosses from Austria,Czechoslovakia and other parts of Central Europe

Summary Reports are made on chromosomes in forty-six species from sixteen families of mosses. The plants were collected from all Austrian provinces, except the Tyrol and Vorarlberg, from Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, Bavaria, and also from Hungary and Italy. In addition to number or numbers of chromosomes reported for each species, observations are made on chromosome morphology, staining characteristics and behavior in meiosis or mitosis. The lowest numbers yet found are reported forDicranum fuscescens, n=8, andTimmia bavarica, n=8+1 m. For the latter species the study was made from mitotic configurations, and offers evidence that m-chromosomes may be normal members of the gametophytic set. These investigations reveal for the first time m-chromosomes inDicranoweisia cirrata, Pottia lanceolata, Timmia bavarica, Orthotrichum pumilum, Homalothecium lutescens, Brachythecium velutinum, Rhyncostegium murale, Rhyncostegiella pumila, andHypnum cupressiforme. Although the generaBartramia andPlagiopus previously have been characterized by different numbers of chromosomes, n=8 and n=7 respectively, plants ofPlagiopus oederi from Carinthia and Moravia were found, however, to have n=8. One species,Isopterygium seligeri, and one variety,Orthotrichum anomalum var.saxatile, have not been studied previously.Grateful acknowledgement is made to (1) the United States National Science Foundation for partial support of this investigation by a grant of research funds (NSF GB 6725) to Duke University, and (2) the Botanisches Institut der Universität Wien for laboratory space, equipment and use of the herbarium and library.     

In vitro propagation and cytology of wild yams,Dioscorea abyssinica Hoch. and D. mangenotiana Miège

Two wild yams of West Africa, Dioscorea abyssinica Hoch, and D. mangenotiana Miège were micropropagated from nodal cultures. Both species produced 4–5 nodes per each node cultured. The size of nodal cuttings was critical, segments shorter than 0.5 cm being less suitable for micropropagation. The number of nodes produced was constant even after 5 cycles of subculture; however, D. abyssinica continuous subculture decreased propagation efficiency, resulting in a reduced number of reculturable nodes at each cycle. In D. mangenotiana, the decrease in multiplication efficiency affected both the number of total and reculturable nodes. Large-sized microtubers were induced on nodal segments maintained under 8-h daylength in both species. In D. abyssinica, however, microtubers were induced on media containing 20, 40, 60 and 80 g l^-1 sucrose, whereas in D. mangenotiana only 40 and 60 g l^-1 sucrose favoured tuberization. Cytological studies confirmed that the chromosome number of D. abyssinica was 2n=40, although a high incidence of cytochimerism and cells with 2n=38 were observed in root meristems. In D. mangenotiana clones, the chromosome number was 2n=40, as against 2n=72 and 2n=80 reported in literature. This species also displayed karyological stability.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - PPF photosynthetic photon flux     

Ascospores in the type species of the genus Torulopsis

It has been found that the type species, T. colliculosa, of the form genus Torulopsis constitutes a perfect state forming ascospores. It is proposed that the same “Torulopsis Lodder et Kreger-Van Rij” based on a new type, be conserved against the earlier homonym “Torulopsis Berlese” which is based on the type T. rosea.     

Karyotype studies in seven species of cyprinidae

The present report embodies karyotype studies of seven Indian cyprinids. Of these, the karyotypes of five species possess chromosomes all of which are acrocentric. These areLabeo calbasu (Ham.) 2n=54,Puntius sophore (Ham.),P. conchonius Ham.,P. stigma (Ham.) 2n=50 andChela bacaila (Ham.) 2n=52. The karyotype ofCrossocheilus latius punjabensis Mukerji has 48 chromosomes, 12 of which are metacentric (2n=12m+36r's). InAmblypharyngodon mola (Ham.), 52 chromosomes form the diploid set which include 8 metacentrics. In none of the seven species morphologically distinguishable sex chromosomes were found.Literature on cyprinid karyotypes has been reviewed in order to understand in how far the cytological characters are in agreement with the classification based on morphological studies. The validity ofMatthey's notion of nombre fondamental to establish kinship between cytologically known cyprinid species has also been discussed.     

Free-living nematodes of the Tra Ly River in the Red River mouth,Vietnam

In samples of the Tra Ly River in the Red River mouth (Northern Vietnam), 46 species of free-living nematodes have been found, five of which are new to science. The species dominant in abundance were Ptycholaimellus adocius Dashchenko et Belogurov, 1984; Dichrocuadora affinis Gagarin et Nguyen Vu Thanh, 2011; and Tripyloides minor sp.n. The species composition of nematodes is listed and the new species Tripyloides minor sp. n. is described and illustrated. The nematode described and illustrated by Riemann (1970) from watercourses of Colombia as Tripyloides amazonicus (Gerlach, 1957) is recognized as a valid species (Tripyloides riemanni nom.n).     

Bemerkungen zur Karyologie und Systematik einiger Sippen der Gattung Vicia L

Continuing the earlier investigations of Vicia species, karyologically not examined hithero, the following taxa of th genus have been described:

• 1 Chromosome numbers reported for the first time–V. Meyeri Boiss. (2n = 14), V. pubescens (DC.) Link (2n = 14), V. graminea SM (2n = 14), V. ramuliflora (MAXIM .) OHWI (2n = 28), V. semiglabra RUPR . ex BOISS . ssp. caucasica (EKVTIM .) RADZHI (2n = 10), V. semenovii (RGL . et HERD .) FEDTSCH . (2n = 12), V. costata LDB (2n = 12), V. hajastana GROSSH . (2n = 10).
• 2 Re-investigations – V. tenuissima (M. BIEB .) SCHINZ et THELL . (2n = 14), V. benghalensis L. (2n = 14), V. lathyroides L. (2n = 12).

Brief cytological and systematical remarks are given for all the species mentioned above. Discrepancies in the literature are especially discussed (V. benghalensis, V. peregrina, V. lathyroides). Our data support the uniformity of the subgen. Ervum in regard to chromosome number (2n = 14) and primitivity of the karyotype. The finding of an advanced karyotype with 10 chromosomes (V. semiglabra) within the subgen. Cracca has been recorded for the first time. In this group a new polyploid taxon (V. ramuliflora) has been found too. The known polyploid representatives of the genus are summarized, all of which belong to perennial species of the subgen. Cracca. Most of the taxa are characterized by obviously distinct karyotypes, that is partly ture for chromosome sizes too (conspicuously long: V. hajastana, V peregrina; conspicuously shrt: V. ramuliflora, V. lathyrodies). This striking karyological differentiation seems to refer not only to the Old world species but also to the New world ones, of which V. graminea (and a strain named „V. selloi”︁) has been examined for the first time. In general the chromosome number and structure (besides the traditional morphological characters) have been proved as extremely valuable for taxonomical considerations within the genus. This is a common situation in many other plant groups too. We therefore think of further cytotaxonomical studies as especially suitable for explaning the evolution and the evolutionary mechanisms within the genus.     

Genetic divergence in Northamerican freshwater planarians of the Dugesia dorotocephala group (Turbellaria, Tricladida, Paludicola)

The genetic differentiation between the members of the Dugesia (Girardia) dorotocephala group was analyzed by means of multilocus electrophoresis, and comared to that of another planarian secies, D. tahitiensis, also belonging to the subgenus Girardia. The species examined were: D. dorotocephala s.s (2n = 16), D. arizonensis (2n = 8), D. jenkinsae (2n = 8), and the above mentioned D. tahitiensis (2n = 16). The former three species inhabit North America, and show different proportion of fissiparous and sexual individuals; the latter species inhabits Polynesia and is fully asexual. A total of 11 enzyme loci were genetically analyzed: Mdh-1, Mdh-2, Zdh-1, Idh-2, G3pdh, Got-1, Ck, Pgm-2, Ada, Mpi, and Gpi. Low values of observed mean heterozygosity per locus (Ho) were found in the populations studied, ranging from 0 to 0.18 (average 0.08. In asexual populations (except that of D. tahitiensis) fixed heterozygosity was observered in all the individuals for 1 or 2 loci. The genetic divergence between the species examined is very high, with many loci showing discriminating alleles in different taxa (Nei's genetic distance varies from 0.871 to 1.759). The populations of D. dorotocehala s.s., on the contrary, appear to be genetically quite homogenous average D= 0.019), and the genetic distance values are apparently unrelated to their geographic location and to their way of reproduction. The genetic distance between D. tahitiensis, a species not included in the D. dorotocephala group and D. dorotocephala s.s. is 1.314 and hence similar to the D value between two members of;he dorotocephala group: D. dorotocephala and D. jenkinsae (D = 1.303). The genetic relationships among the populations studied were established by UPGMA cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling. The descendence of the North American species with 2n = 8 from a dorotocephala-like ancestor with 2n = 16 is considered. It is suggested that the latter, as well as a tahitiensis-like line, also having 2n = 16, have originated from a common ancestor by geographic isolation.