History of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology

Scientists studying diseases of invertebrates in the USA, Europe, and Asia began to meet at international congresses in the 1950s and early 1960s, and soon recognized that they needed both a society and a journal where their common interests could be discussed and their findings presented. Edward A. Steinhaus played a major role in bringing together scientists from across the globe with common interests in these diseases. As a consequence, the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology (then Journal of Insect Pathology) was initiated in 1959 and Steinhaus became its first editor. Along with Albert Sparks he organized a meeting at Seattle, Washington in 1967 that led to the founding of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology with Steinhaus as its first President. The Society held its first meeting at Ohio State University in 1968, and has continued to meet annually. The Society has instituted a Founder's Lecture series, graduate student awards, and Divisions of Microbial Control, Microsporidia, Bacteriology, Fungi, Viruses, and Nematodes. Members enjoy several social functions at meetings as well as symposia, submitted papers, and poster sessions. The Society for Invertebrate Pathology is a truly international organization which to date has held meetings in 13 countries and 14 US states, usually attended by members from at least 20 countries.     

The Physician and His Practice—1980 to 2000 Sixth Progress Report of the Committee on Role of Medicine in Society

Members of the Committee on the Role of Medicine in Society, together with medical student representatives of the medical schools in California worked for a period of close to two years preparing this Sixth Progress Report. Names of the committee members, ex-officio members, consultants and medical student members who served during the discussions and the drafting of the report are listed on the final page.     

Morphological characters add support for some members of the basal grade of Asteraceae

Recent molecular studies in Asteraceae have divided tribe Mutisieae (sensu Cabrera) into 13 tribes and eight subfamilies. Each of the major clades is well supported but the relationships among them are not always clear. Some of the new taxa are easily characterized by morphological data but others are not, chief among the latter being three subfamilies (Stifftioideae, Wunderlichioideae and Gochnatioideae) and the tribe Hyalideae. To understand evolution in the family it is critical to investigate potential morphological characters that can help to evaluate the basal lineages of the Asteraceae. The data for this study were taken from 52 species in 24 genera representing the basal groups in the family. Many characters were examined but most of the useful ones were from reproductive structures. Several apomorphies supported a few of the clades. For instance, members of subfamily Wunderlichioideae (Hyalideae and Wunderlichieae) share predominantly ten‐ribbed achenes and members of Wunderlichioideae + Stifftioideae share two synapomorphies: 100–150 (200) pappus elements, arranged in (three) four or five series. These apomorphies can be viewed as an indication of a sister‐group relationship between the two subfamilies as the placement of Stifftieae was not well resolved by the molecular data. Members of Wunderlichieae are characterized by having a paleaceous receptacle, style branches that are strongly papillose above and below the bifurcation, and a pappus of scales. Hyalis and Ianthopappus (Hyalideae) share venation type and an apiculate anther appendage but these are also found in Gochnatieae. Other clades have fewer supporting characters. These characters are just a beginning. Cladograms with morphology characters plotted, illustrations and a key to the basal grade of Asteraceae are provided. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Structure and evolution of the plant cation diffusion facilitator family of ion transporters

Background  

Members of the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) family are integral membrane divalent cation transporters that transport metal ions out of the cytoplasm either into the extracellular space or into internal compartments such as the vacuole. The spectrum of cations known to be transported by proteins of the CDF family include Zn, Fe, Co, Cd, and Mn. Members of this family have been identified in prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and archaea, and in sequenced plant genomes. CDF families range in size from nine members in Selaginella moellendorffii to 19 members in Populus trichocarpa. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the CDF family has expanded within plants, but a definitive plant CDF family phylogeny has not been constructed.     

The Lepocreadiidae (Digenea) of fishes from the north-east Atlantic: Profundivermis intercalarius n. g., n. sp. from the marine fish Coryphaenoides (Nematonurus) armatus (Hector) (Macrouridae) from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain

A new genus and species, Profundivermis intercalarius, is described from the deep-sea fish Coryphaenoides (Nematonurus) armatus from 4,850 m deep on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, NE Atlantic. The genus is characterized by an inter-testicular ovary and is the only member of the subfamily Lepidapedinae to show this feature. The relationships of the members of the subfamily are analysed phylogenetically. Members of the subfamily are often found in deep-sea gadiforms.     

Implications of molecular characters for the phylogeny of the Microbotryaceae (Basidiomycota: Urediniomycetes)

Background  

Anther smuts of the basidiomycetous genus Microbotryum on Caryophyllaceae are important model organisms for many biological disciplines. Members of Microbotryum are most commonly found parasitizing the anthers of host plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, however they can also be found on the anthers of members of the Dipsacaceae, Lamiaceae, Lentibulariaceae, and Portulacaceae. Additionally, some members of Microbotryum can be found infecting other organs of mainly Polygonaceae hosts. Based on ITS nrDNA sequences of members of almost all genera in Microbotryaceae, this study aims to resolve the phylogeny of the anther smuts and their relationship to the other members of the family of plant parasites. A multiple analysis strategy was used to correct for the effects of different equally possible ITS sequence alignments on the phylogenetic outcome, which appears to have been neglected in previous studies.     

Towards a revision of the genus Parastenocaris Kessler, 1913: establishment of Simplicaris gen. nov. from groundwaters in central Italy and review of the P. brevipes-group (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Parastenocarididae)

A new genus Simplicaris (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Parastenocarididae) is established to accommodate two species collected from deep groundwater in Italy, S. lethaea sp. nov. and S. veneris (Cottarelli & Maiolini, 1980) comb. nov. Parastenocaris hippuris Hertzog, 1938 and P. aedes Hertzog, 1938 are ranked as incertae sedis within the genus. Members display complete absence of leg 5 in both sexes and an unusual elongation of the first exopodal segments of legs 1–4, in which exp-1 is distinctly longer than exp-2 or -3, or as long as exp-2 and -3 combined. As the systematic status of the family Parastenocarididae and of the type genus Parastenocaris is still in flux, a list of phylogenetically informative characters is proposed, along with a discussion of their various states in representative members of the family. The genus Parastenocaris sensu stricto is redefined to comprise only the brevipes -group. The remaining members of the genus are considered Parastenocaris sensu lato pending a thorough revision of the family.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 417−436.     

Social Learning of a Novel Foraging Skill by White-throated Magpie-jays (Calocitta formosa,Corvidae): a Field Experiment

The cooperatively breeding white-throated magpie-jay (Calocitta formosa) uses a variety of foraging tactics to find, harvest, and process food. Members of territorial groups forage together and may gain information about how to acquire food by observing each other. A field experiment was performed to determine whether a novel skill, door opening to gain access to food, was more rapidly acquired by members of groups in which a trained individual performed the skill. A higher proportion of jays in groups with behavioural ‘models’ (trained birds that opened doors in the presence of group members) acquired the door-opening skill than those groups without models. Young birds acquired the behaviour more frequently than older individuals. Aggressive behaviour at feeders may have affected the spread of the behaviour by reducing the likelihood that individuals performed the behaviour in the presence of other group members but may also have encouraged subordinate individuals to attempt door opening rather than ‘scrounge’.     

Cardiac Parasympathetic Activity Is Increased by Weight Loss in Healthy Obese Women

Objective: We studied the effect of weight reduction on cardiac parasympathetic activity (PSA) in obese women. We also studied the relationship between the changes of PSA, resting energy expenditure (REE), and major cardiovascular risk factors. Research Methods and Procedures: Changes of cardiac vagal tone, an index of PSA, REE, and major cardiovascular risk factors, were measured in 52 healthy obese women after a 6‐month weight reduction. Ten of the women were remeasured at 12 and 24 months. Cardiac vagal tone was assessed by a vagal tone monitor and REE by indirect calorimeter. Results: Cardiac vagal tone increased significantly (p = 0.046), averaging a 9.5% weight loss in 6 months. The vagal tone increased further with weight loss during the following 6 months, and thereafter, it declined with weight regain. The increase of cardiac vagal tone correlated significantly with decreases of body weight, fat mass, waist circumference, serum insulin, and heart rate. REE adjusted for fat‐free mass and age did not change with weight loss and was not related to cardiac vagal tone at any time‐point. Discussion: Cardiac PSA activity increases with weight loss in obese women. This increase may not be maintained long‐term if body weight is regained. The rise of cardiac PSA is correlated with decreases of body fat mass, abdominal fat, serum insulin, and heart rate. Cardiac PSA is not related to REE.     

Antisense Downregulation of the Apoptosis-related Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL Proteins: A New Approach to Cancer Therapy

Members of the bcl-2 family genes are thought to be central regulators of apoptosis. Overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins, such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, contributes not only to the development of cancer but also to its resistance against a wide variety of anticancer agents. Thus, downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL can potentially be used to improve therapeutic approaches to advanced cancer. The use of antisense biotechnology to downregulate antiapoptotic bcl family members in diverse cancers in vitro and in vivo is reviewed. The effects and potential limitations of antisense strategies are also discussed in the context of a critical view of recent research in the field.     

Patterns of morphological variation amongst semifossorial shrews in the highlands of Guatemala,with the description of a new species (Mammalia,Soricomorpha, Soricidae)

Members of the Cryptotis goldmani group of small‐eared shrews (Mammalia, Soricomorpha, Soricidae) represent a clade within the genus that is characterized by modifications of the forelimb that include broadened forefeet, elongated and broadened foreclaws, and massive humeri with enlarged processes. These modifications are consistent with greater adaptation to their semifossorial habits than other members of the genus. The species in this group occur discontinuously in temperate highlands from southern Tamaulipas, Mexico, to Honduras. In Guatemala, there are three species: the relatively widespread Cryptotis goodwini and two species (Cryptotis lacertosus, Cryptotis mam) endemic to highland forests in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes of western Guatemala. Ongoing studies focusing on the relationships of variation in cranial and postcranial skeletal morphology have revealed a fourth species from remnant cloud forest in the Sierra de Yalijux, central Guatemala. In this paper, I describe this new species and characterize its morphology relative to other species in the C. goldmani group and to other species of Cryptotis in Guatemala. In addition, I summarize available details of its habitat and ecology. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 1267–1288.     

The Species and Size Composition of Tropical Freshwater Zooplankton with Special Reference to the Oriental Region (South East Asia)

A contrast between temperate and tropical Cladocera, Copepoda and Rotifera zooplankton fauna shows a markedly different size composition and species diversity. There are fewer species, and these are generally smaller in the tropics than in either the North or South Temperate Zones. Larger species of the genera Daphnia and Simocephalus are relatively rare in the tropics, while members of Eurycerus and Saycia are absent. Members of the families Holopedidae, Leptodoridae and Polyphemidae increase in abundance toward the temperate regions. Two small cyclopoid copepods are common in tropical zooplankton, while many of the common larger species of other regions are absent or very rare. The chief rotifer components are Keratella tropica and species of Brachionus.     

Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Agathemera (Insecta: Phasmatodea) inferred from the genes 16S,COI and H3

We present a phylogenetic analysis that includes all known species of Agathemera, using as outgroup four species of the genera Heteronemia, Spinonemia, Monticomorpha, and Anisomorpha. Phylogenetic inference was based on three genes, 16S, COI (mitochondrial markers) and H3 (nuclear marker), based on the maximum‐parsimony, maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Our results show that the genus Agathemera is monophyletic; six of its eight species showed phylogenetic support, while the group A. claraziana + A. millepunctata was not resolved. The resulting topology shows two major clades, the first with A. maculafulgens, A. luteola, A. crassa, A. millepunctata, and A. claraziana, and the second including A. grylloidea, A. mesoauriculae, and A. elegans. Species of the first clade have large mesonotal processes and are found mainly east of the Andes, except for A. crassa. Members of the second clade have small or absent mesonotal processes and are distributed mainly to the west of the Andes. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 165 , 63–72.     

Ribosomal RNA Sequencing of Members of the Crypthecodinium cohnii (Dinophyceae) Species Complex; Comparison with Soluble Enzyme Studies

ABSTRACT. Sixty-five members of the Ctypthecodinium cohnii species complex were analyzed for sequence differences within the D2 region of the 23S ribosomal RNA molecule. On the basis of 46 sequence differences the strains fell into 19 distinct ribosets (strains of identical sequence), some with many members. Members of four of the seven major sibling species (widespread breeding groups) were each found within single ribosets. Members of three other major sibling species were each, however, divided into two ribosets by a single sequence difference correlated with geographic separation and with previously reported electrophoretic polymorphisms of soluble enzymes within the sibling species. In addition to members of major sibling species, some ribosets include many minor sibling species (each represented by only one strain). Of 38 minor sibling species, 22 shared sequence with a major sibling species. Of these 22, 14 were identical in soluble enzymes to their related major sibling species or differed by only one of three enzymes. Other minor sibling species appear to have diverged extensively from any others in both rRNA sequence and electrophoretic profile. As a group, major sibling species differ markedly in the number of minor sibling species associated with them, suggesting differences in frequency of sexually isolating events in their past histories. These findings are discussed in the context of the previously proposed model of sympatric speciation.     

Characterization,phylogeny, alternative splicing and expression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sox30</Emphasis> gene

Background  

Members of the Sox gene family isolated from both vertebrates and invertebrates have been proved to participate in a wide variety of developmental processes, including sex determination and differentiation. Among these members, Sox30 had been considered to exist only in mammals since its discovery, and its exact function remains unclear.     

Endogenous Gibberellins in Aeginetia indica,a Parasitic Plant,and Its Host,Miscanthus sinensis

Endogenous gibberellins in a parasitic plant, Aeginetia indica L., and its host, Miscanthus sinensis Andress (eulalia) were analyzed. Gibberellins of the early-non-hydroxylation pathway and their putative metabolites were identified as the major endogenous gibberellins from both types of A. indica parasitizing M. sinensis and parasitizing Oryza sativa L. (rice). Members of both the early-non- and early-13-hydroxylation pathways were detected in the host M. sinensis. Since the early-13-hydroxylation pathway has been reported to be the major pathway operating in vegetative tissues of O. sativa, these results suggest that A. indica can biosynthesize gibberellins independent of its hosts.     

傅氏凤尾蕨复合群的分子系统学研究

杂交和多倍化是蕨类植物物种形成的主要机制,往往导致多倍体复合群的出现。同一复合群的成员在形态上具有明显的连续性与过渡性,复合群内部往往存在复杂的亲缘关系,给分类带来很大困难。傅氏凤尾蕨复合群是凤尾蕨属中分类学问题最为突出的复合群之一,成员间仅以植株的高度、羽片的大小、裂片间隙的大小、裂片先端的形状或孢子囊群的长短等细小的特征相区别。为确定该复合群某些成员的分类学位置,并理清成员间的亲缘关系,该研究选取了3个叶绿体DNA片段atp B、mat K和trn L-F构建傅氏凤尾蕨复合群的系统发育树,并结合孢粉学证据,探讨该复合群成员间的亲缘关系。结果表明:百越凤尾蕨和傅氏凤尾蕨的关系最为密切,建议把百越凤尾蕨归并到傅氏凤尾蕨中;硕大凤尾蕨与傅氏凤尾蕨的关系较远,但其孢子形态与傅氏凤尾蕨有一定重叠,两者的亲缘关系待深入研究;线裂凤尾蕨是一独立的种,与该复合群其它成员明显不同;隆林凤尾蕨都较早分化出来,单独作为一支,但其孢子形态多变,暗示其可能是杂种起源。