Syringophilid mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) associated with the rails (Aves: Rallidae) and a key to the species of the genus Rafapicobia Skoracki, 2011

The fauna of quill mites of the family Syringophilidae Lavoipierre, 1953 (Acari: Prostigmata Cheyletoidea) parasitising birds of the family Rallidae Vigors (Gruiformes) is updated. A new species, Rafapicobia melzeri n. sp. (subfamily Picobiinae), is described from four host species: Rallus aquaticus Linnaeus (type-host) from Germany, Pardirallus sanguinolentus (Swainson) from Chile, Porzana porzana (Linnaeus) from France and P. parva (Scopoli) from Kirghizia. The new species is most similar to R. lepidocolaptesi Skoracki & Solarczyk, 2012 but differs in the absence of agenital plates and the length ratios of setae ag2:g1 and vi:ve:si in females and in the punctate ornament on the hysteronotal and the pygidial shields in males. A key to the species of the genus Rafapicobia is proposed. This is the first record of a representative of the subfamily Picobiinae on gruiform birds. Additionally, new rallid hosts are reported for Charadriphilus ralli Skoracki & Bochkov, 2010 (subfamily Syringophilinae): Gallinula melanops (Vieillot) from Chile, Laterallus melanophaius (Vieillot) from Paraguay, and P. parva (Scopoli) from Kirghizia.     

Mites of the subgenus Neotomobia n. subg. (Acariformes: Myobiidae: Radfordia), parasites of the subfamily Neotominae (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

A new subgenus Neotomobia n. subg. (Acariformes: Myobiidae: Radfordia) is established for species parasitising rodents of the subfamily Neotominae (Rodentia: Cricetidae): Radfordia subuliger Ewing, 1938 (type-species), Radfordia eremici Fain & Bochkov, 2002, Radfordia neotomae Jameson & Whitaker, 1975 and Radfordia hamiltoni Jameson & Whitaker, 1975. Three new species are described: Radfordia peromyscus n. sp. from Peromyscus megalops Merriam from Mexico, Radfordia onychomys n. sp. from Onychomys leucogaster (Wied-Neuwied) from the USA and Radfordia megadontomys n. sp. from Megadontomys thomasi (Merriam) from Mexico.     

Biochemical Characterization of the Oxygenation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids by the Dioxygenase and Hydroperoxide Isomerase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2

We have studied oxygenation of fatty acids by cell extract of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2. Oleic acid ((9Z)-18:1) was transformed to (10S)-hydroperoxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid ((10S)-HPOME) and to (7S,10S)-dihydroxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid (7,10-DiHOME). Experiments under oxygen-18 showed that 7,10-DiHOME contained oxygen from air and was formed sequentially from (10S)-HPOME by isomerization. (10R)-HPOME was not isomerized. The (10S)-dioxygenase and hydroperoxide isomerase activities co-eluted on ion exchange chromatography and on gel filtration with an apparent molecular size of ∼50 kDa. 16:1n-7, 18:2n-6, and 20:1n-11 were also oxygenated to 7,10-dihydroxy fatty acids, and (8Z)-18:1 was oxygenated to 6,9-dihydroxy-(7E)-octadecenoic acid. A series of fatty acids with the double bond positioned closer to ((6Z)-18:1, (5Z,9Z)-18:2) or more distant from the carboxyl group ((11Z)-, (13Z)-, and (15Z)-18:1) were poor substrates. The oxygenation mechanism was studied with [7S-²H]18:1n-9, [7R-²H]18:2n-6, and [8R-²H]18:2n-6 as substrates. The pro-R hydrogen at C-8 was lost in the biosynthesis of (10S)-HPODE, whereas the pro-S hydrogen was lost and the pro-R hydrogen was retained at C-7 during biosynthesis of the 7,10-dihydroxy metabolites. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of P. aeruginosa revealed relatively large amounts of (9E/Z)-16:1 and (11E/Z)-18:1 and only traces of 18:1n-9. We found that (11Z)-18:1 (vaccenic acid) was transformed to (11S,14S)-dihydroxy-(12E)-octadecenoic acid and to a mixture of 11- and 12-HPOME, possibly due to reverse orientation of (11Z)-18:1 at the active site compared with oleic acid. The reaction mechanism of the hydroperoxide isomerase suggests catalytic similarities to cytochrome P450.     

Taxonomic survey of fossil isocrinids with a list of the species found in the USSR

The taxonomic scheme of the two families of the order Isocrinida (Isocrinidae and Pentacrinidae) is given. The first family is divided at five subfamilies: Balanocrininae, Isocrininae, Metacrininae, Diplocrininae and Isselicrininae. Six genera are included in subfamily Balanocrininae: Balanocrinus (four species found in USSR), Laevigatocrinus (USSR: 3 species), Margocrinus (USSR: 4 species), Percevalicrinus (USSR: 5 species), Singularocrinus nov. gen. (monotypic) and Terocrinus nov. gen. (USSR: 1 species). Five fossil genera are included in subfamily Isocrininae: Chariocrinus (USSR: 1 species), Chladocrinus (USSR: 4 species), Isocrinus (USSR: 6 species), Raymondicrinus nov. gen. (Oligocene of USA : 2 species) and Tyrolecrinus nov. gen. (6 triassic species). Fossil representatives of three genera, namely, Metacrinus (Miocene-Recent), Nielsenicrinus (USSR: 4 species) and Cainocrinus (USSR: 1 species) are noted in subfamily Metacrininae. Five genera are included in subfamily Isselicrininae: Austinocrinus (USSR: 5 species), Buchicrinus (USSR: 5 species), Doreckicrinus (USSR: 1 species?), Isselicrinus (USSR: 4 species) and Praeisselicrinus (USSR: 1 species). Two genera are included in family Pentacrinidae: Pentacrinus (USSR: 1 species) and Seirocrinus (USSR: 4 species). Besides, the localities of 24 isocrinid species, systematic position of which is unknown, are listed (from Triassic upon Cretaceous). Three erroneous attributions to Isocrinida in USSR are pointed out. In the conclusion an outline of the phylogeny of the Isocrinida is discussed. For a majority of the wide-spread species in USSR figures are given.     

Revision of the genus Neometopina (Hemiptera,Fulgoromorpha, Delphacidae) from China

The planthopper genus Neometopina Yang (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Delphacidae: Delphacinae: Delphacini) is revised to include 2 species: Neometopina penghuensis Yang, 1989 (China: Guizhou: Maolan), and Neometopina orientalis (Qin & Zhang) comb. n. (China: Hainan: Bawangling) (transferred from Laminatopina Qin & Zhang). The included species are described and illustrated, and a key to species is provided.     

Characterisation of the interaction of colicin A with its co-receptor TolA

Colicin A enters Escherichia coli cells through interaction with endogenous TolA and TolB proteins. In vitro, binding of the colicin A translocation domain to TolA leads to unfolding of TolA. Through NMR studies of the colicin A translocation domain and polypeptides representing the individual TolA and TolB binding epitopes of colicin A we question if the unfolding of TolA induced by colicin A is likely to be physiologically relevant. The NMR data further reveals that the colicin A binding site on TolA is different from that for colicin N which explains why there is a difference in colicin toxicity for E. coli carrying a TolA-III homologue from Yersina enterocolitica in place of its own TolA-III.

Structured summary

MINT-7888512: TolA (uniprotkb:P19934) and Col-A (uniprotkb:P04480) bind (MI:0407) by nuclear magnetic resonance (MI:0077)MINT-7888526: TolA (uniprotkb:P19934) and TolB (uniprotkb:P0A857) bind (MI:0407) by nuclear magnetic resonance (MI:0077)MINT-7888999: TolA (uniprotkb:P19934), TolB (uniprotkb:P0A855) and Col-A (uniprotkb:P04480) physically interact (MI:0915) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)MINT-7888982: TolA (uniprotkb:P19934), TolB (uniprotkb:P0A855) and Col-A (uniprotkb:P04480) physically interact (MI:0915) by nuclear magnetic resonance (MI:0077)     

Eulophid wasps (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), parasitoids of leaf-mining moths (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae, Nepticulidae, Tischeriidae) on the English oak in the Middle Volga Area

Data on the parasitoid eulophid complexes reared from 6 species of leaf mining moths damaging the oak in the Middle Volga Area are reported. The reared eulophids belong to three subfamilies: Eulophinae (8 species from 6 genera): Cirrospilus diallus Walker, C. viticola (Rondani), Euplectrus liparidis Ferrière, Hyssopus geniculatus (Hartig), Sympiesis gordius (Walker), Pnigalio rotundiventris (Erdös), P. soemius (Walker), Rhicnopelte crassicornis (Nees); Entedoninae (11 species from 4 genera): Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker), Ch. prodice (Walker), Ch. pubens Delucchi, Ch. submutica Graham, Closterocerus formosus Westwood, Neochrysocharis aratus (Walker), Pediobius cassidae Erdös, P. flaviscapus (Thomson), P. metallicus (Nees), P. pyrgo Walker; and Tetrastichinae (3 species from 3 genera): Aprostocetus sp., Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees), and Sigmophora brevicornis (Panzer). The most abundant of the moth parasitoids are M. frontalis and Ch. laomedon, while Tischeria ekebladella has the greatest number of parasitoids. The ectoparasitoids/endoparasitoids ratio in the number of species is 2: 1, and in the number of individuals reared, 1.76: 1. Thus, the host density is regulated primarily by the ectoparasitoids.     

New grylloblattids of the family Lemmatophoridae (Insecta: Grylloblattida) from the Permian of Russia

New grylloblattids of the family Lemmatophoridae (Insecta: Grylloblattida), Artinska sojanensis sp. nov., Sylvaprisca colorata sp. nov., and Uraloprisca lisca gen. et sp. nov., from the Soyana locality (Lower Kazanian, Arkhangelsk Region) and Paraprisca solikamskensis sp. nov. from the Tyul’kino locality (Ufimian, Perm Region) are described. Two species are transferred from the genus Paraprisca to Uraloprisca gen. nov.: Uraloprisca uralica (G. Zalessky, 1952), comb. nov. and Uraloprisca causaria (Novokshonov, 2000), comb. nov. (both from the Kungurian of the Perm Region). The evolution of the family is discussed.     

Fellodistomidae and Zoogonidae (Digenea) of deep-sea fishes of the NW Atlantic Ocean

The following species are described from fishes in deep-waters of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean: Fellodistomidae: Steringophorus furciger from Antimora rostrata, Coryphaenoides (Lionurus) carapinus, Lycenchelys paxillus, L. verrillii and Lycodes atlanticus; S. blackeri from Xenodermichthys copei, S. haedrichi n. sp. from Porogadus milesi, characterised by its lobate testes, sucker-ratio and long vitelline fields Megenteron crassum from Dicrolene intronigra; Zoogonidae: Brachyenteron rissoanum n. sp. from Polyacanthonotus rissoanus, characterised by the ovary position, the saccular seminal vesicle, the marginal genital pore and egg-size; Koiea notacanthi n. g., n. sp. from Notacanthus (?) chemnitzi, characterised by the Y-shaped excretory vesicle and the posteriorly placed testes.     

Description of Idiomarina insulisalsae sp. nov., isolated from the soil of a sea salt evaporation pond,proposal to transfer the species of the genus Pseudidiomarina to the genus Idiomarina and emended description of the genus Idiomarina

A halophilic, aerobic Gram-negative bacterium, designated strain CVS-6^T, was isolated from a sea salt evaporation pond on the Island of Sal in the Cape Verde Archipelago. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed a clear affiliation of the organism with members of the family Idiomarinaceae. Sequence similarities between CVS-6^T and the type strains of the species of the genera Pseudidiomarina and Idiomarina ranged from 93.7% to 96.9%. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8). The major cellular fatty acids were 15:0 iso (21.8%), 17:0 iso (12.5%), 17:1 iso ω9c (10.7%), and 16:1 ω7c (10.6%). The DNA G+C content was 51.6 mol%. The species represented by strain CVS-6^T could be distinguished from the species of the genera Pseudidiomarina and Idiomarina; however, it was not possible to distinguish both genera from each other using the phenotypic or chemotaxonomic characteristics examined. Consequently, we propose that the species classified in the genus Pseudidiomarina should be transferred to the genus Idiomarina. We also propose that, on the basis of physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain CVS-6^T (=LMG 23123=CIP 108836) represents a new species which we name Idiomarina insulisalsae.     

New species of the pleasing lacewing genus Dilar Rambur, 1838 (Neuroptera,Dilaridae) from the Hengduan Mountains,southwestern China

The genus Dilar Rambur, 1838 (Neuroptera, Dilaridae) is the most species-rich genus of the family Dilaridae and is diverse in China, previously with 32 described species. Here we report two new species of Dilar from the southern part of the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan, southwestern China, namely Dilar muliensis sp. nov. and Dilar punctulosus sp. nov. A revised key to species of Dilar from China is provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:27EC214B-6587-4E38-BDAC-295F7389ABF3.     

Two new species of the genus Endelus Deyrolle, 1864 from China (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

The genus Endelus Deyrolle, 1864 belongs to the subfamily Agrilinae, tribe Aphanisticini. Two new species, E. (E.) violaceithorax sp. n. from Hainan Island and E. (E.) wangi sp. n. from Guangxi and Yunnan, are herein described and illustrated. A key to separate species of the subgenus Endelus Deyrolle, 1864 from China is provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CF144204-86FB-401D-AF75-B740CCD020DC.     

New Grylloblattids of the family Megakhosaridae (Insecta: Grylloblattida) from the Permian of Russia

New Megakhosaridae (Insecta: Grylloblattida) are described from the Permian of Russia: Ivakhosara pectinimedia gen. et sp. nov., Megakhosarina intricata sp. nov. and M. minuscula sp. nov. from the Lower Kazanian of Soyana (Arkhangelsk Region), M. magna sp. nov. from the Urzhumian of Chepanikha (Udmurtia), Kargalokhosara terraefossa gen. et sp. nov. from the Urzhumian of Kargala (Orenburg Region), and Alekhosara reticulata gen. et sp. nov. from the Severodvinian of Novo-Aleksandrovka (Orenburg Region).     

Some variations in the composition of suberin from the cork layers of higher plants

The monomeric composition of the suberins from 16 species of higher plants was determined by chromatographic methods following depolymerization of the isolated extractive-free cork layers with sodium methoxide-methanol. 1-Alkanols (mainly C₁₈C₂₈), alkanoic (mainly C₁₆C₃₀), α,ω-alkanedioic (mainly C₁₆C24), ω-hydroxyalkanoic (mainly C₁₆C₂₁), dihydroxyhexadecanoic (mainly 10,16-dihydroxy- and 16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic), monohydroxyepoxyalkanoic (9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic), trihydroxyalkanoic (9,10, 18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic), epoxyalkanedioic (9,10-epoxyoctadecane-1,18-dioic) and dihydroxyalkanedioic (9,10-dihydroxyoctadecane-1 18-dioic) acids were detected in all species. The suberins differed from one another mainly in the relative proportions of these monomer classes and in the homologue content of their 1-alkanol, alkanoic, α,ω-alkanedioic and ω-hydroxyalkanoic acid fractions. C₁₈ epoxy and vic-diol monomers were major components (32–59%) of half of the suberins examined (Quercus robur, Q. ilex, Q. suber, Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa, Betula pendula, Acer griseum, Fraxinus excelsior) where as ω-hydroxyalkanoic and α,ω-alkanedioic acids predominated in those that contained smaller quantities of such polar C₁₈ monomers (Acer pseudoplatanus, Ribes nigrum, Euonymus alatus, Populus tremula, Solanum tuberosum, Sambucus nigra, Laburnum anagyroides, Cupressus leylandii). All species, however, contained substantial amounts (14–55 %) of ω-hydroxyalkanoic acids, the most common homologues being 18:1 (9) and 22: 0. The dominant α,ω-alkanedioic acid homologues were 16: 0 and 18: 1 (9) whereas 22: 0, 24: 0 and 26: 0, and 20: 0, 22: 0 and 24: 0 were usually the principal homologues in the 1-alkanol and alkanoic acid fractions, respectively. The most diagnostic feature of the suberins examined was the presence of monomers greater than C₁₈ in chain length; most of the C₁₆ and C₁₈ monomers identified in the suberins also occur in plant cutins emphasizing the close chemical similarity between the two anatomical groups of lipid biopolymer.     

Genomic clones of a wild-type allele and a transposable element-induced mutant allele of the sucrose synthase gene of Zea mays L

In an attempt to isolate the transposable genetic element Ds from Zea mays L., we cloned DNA fragments hybridizing to a cDNA clone derived from the sucrose synthase gene in a λ vector (λ::Zm Sh). The fragments cloned from wild-type and from the Ds-induced mutant sh-m5933 (λ::Zm sh-m5933) share a segment 6 kb long while a contiguous segment of 15 kb of λ::Zm sh-m5933 (mutant-derived DNA) does not hybridize to the DNA segment cloned from the wild-type. Restriction maps are given, and the junction point between the two DNA segments in the mutant clone was determined. Hybridization of DNA fragments, present in the wild-type DNA of λ::Zm Sh, but not in the mutant clone, λ::Zm sh-m5933, to genomic DNA of sh-m5933 showed that no part of this DNA is deleted. It cannot be said whether the DNA found in the mutant, but not in the wild-type clone, has been brought there by Ds insertion or by another Ds-dependent DNA rearrangement. The mutant-derived DNA was hybridized to genomic DNA of various maize lines digested by several restriction endonucleases. Approximately 40 bands were detected. The mutant-derived DNA contains two pairs of inverted repeats several hundred nucleotide pairs long, one of which is located at the junction to wild-type-derived DNA.     

A new polystomatid (Monogenea,Polystomatidae) from the mouth of the North American freshwater turtle Pseudemys nelsoni

Based on material collected from Pseudemys nelsoni (Reptilia: Chelonia: Emydidae) during a parasite survey of the herpetofauna around Gainesville, Florida, USA, Polystomoides nelsoni sp. n. is described as a new polystome species. This parasite was found in the oral and pharyngeal region of the host. In a sample of nine Pseudemys nelsoni, three specimens were found to release polystome eggs. One turtle was euthanized and dissected and found to be infected in the oral region with 19 specimens belonging to an as-yet-unknown Polystomoides. This is only the fifth Polystomoides recorded from the Nearctic realm. This species is distinguished from known species by a combination of characteristics including marginal hooklet morphology, body length and haptor dimensions.     

NLS-mediated NPC functions of the nucleoporin Pom121

RanGTP mediates nuclear import and mitotic spindle assembly by dissociating import receptors from nuclear localization signal (NLS) bearing proteins. We investigated the interplay between import receptors and the transmembrane nucleoporin Pom121. We found that Pom121 interacts with importin α/β and a group of nucleoporins in an NLS-dependent manner. In vivo, replacement of Pom121 with an NLS mutant version resulted in defective nuclear transport, induction of aberrant cytoplasmic membrane stacks and decreased cell viability. We propose that the NLS sites of Pom121 affect its function in NPC assembly both by influencing nucleoporin interactions and pore membrane structure.

Structured summary

MINT-7951230: pom121 (uniprotkb:Q5EWX9) physically interacts (MI:0914) with nup155 (uniprotkb:O75694), Nup133 (uniprotkb:Q8WUM0) and Importin beta (uniprotkb:Q14974) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7951210: pom121 (uniprotkb:Q5EWX9) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Importin alpha (uniprotkb:P52170) and Importin beta (uniprotkb:P52297) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7951183: pom121 (uniprotkb:Q5EWX9) physically interacts (MI:0914) with nup155 (uniprotkb:Q7ZWL0), nup160 (uniprotkb:P83722), nup205 (uniprotkb:Q642R6), nup93 (uniprotkb:Q7ZX96), Importin beta (uniprotkb:P52297) and nup62 (uniprotkb:Q91349) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7951416: pom121 (uniprotkb:Q5EWX9) physically interacts (MI:0914) with nup155 (uniprotkb:Q7ZWL0), nup93 (uniprotkb:Q7ZX96) and Importin beta (uniprotkb:P52297) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7951276: pom121 (uniprotkb:Q5EWX9) physically interacts (MI:0914) with nup155 (uniprotkb:Q7ZWL0), nup205 (uniprotkb:Q642R6), nup93 (uniprotkb:Q7ZX96), Importin beta (uniprotkb:P52297) and nup62 (uniprotkb:Q91349) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7951306, MINT-7951362: pom121 (uniprotkb:Q5EWX9) physically interacts (MI:0914) with nup155 (uniprotkb:Q7ZWL0), nup160 (uniprotkb:P83722), nup93 (uniprotkb:Q7ZX96), Importin beta (uniprotkb:P52297) and nup62 (uniprotkb:Q91349) by pull down (MI:0096)