Précisions sur la structure et la microstructure deRoemeria bohemica Počta 1902, espèce-type du genreRoemeripora Kraicz 1934 (Tabulata,Dévonien inférieur de Bohême)

The speciesRoemeria bohemica Po?ta has been revised on the basis of its original material and of topotypical specimens: its characters are in general consistent with those ofCalamopora infundibulifera Goldfuss 1829, type species of the genusRoemeria Milne-Edwards & Haime 1851.Roemeria bohemica is characterized by the numerous complex tabulae and the strong development of septal spines. These characters are considered by us of only specific importance and the genusRoemeripora Kraicz 1934, based onR. bohemica, is thus considered as a junior synonym ofRoemeria. An exhaustive list of the Devonian species attributed toRoemeria or toRoemeripora is given.     

The genusSaccharomyces (Meyen) Reess

The authors submit a taxonomic evaluation of an intermediate group of strains between the speciesSaccharomyces carlsbergensis Hansen andSaccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen. The material consisted of atypical strains of “bottom” brewer’s yeasts and the synonymous strainsSaccharomyces monacensis Hansen andSaccharomyces mandshuricus Saito. It was found that there were two different serological types in the speciesSaccharomyces carlsbergensis, one of which was characterized by the presence of antigen “C” and was typical for this species, while the other possessed antigen “M” and was grouped roundSaccharomyces monacensis. This second serological type merges with a group of strains which gives only one third fermentation of raffinose, so that it is actually an intermediate betweenSaccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen andSaccharomyces carlsbergensis Hansen and indicates the course of progressive development from the former species to the latter. No close similarity was found betweenSaccharomyces mandshuricus Saito and some of the strains of the transitional group or typical representatives of the two main species, and the authors therefore consider that there is some obscurity as to its synonymity withSaccharomyces carlsbergensis.     

Beiträge zur Ökologie vonPuccinellia capillaris auf Helgoland

Puccinellia capillaris (Liljebl.) Jansen has been investigated at various localities around the island Helgoland (North Sea) from 1968 onwards. Ecological studies at 68 locations including an analysis of soil factors and various hydrographical parameters revealed thatP. capillaris is a species composed of three variants of the Puccinellietum retroflexae (Almquist) Beeftink. The typical variant occurs fragmentarily some dm above the mid-tide level; the variant associated withGlaux maritima is frequent at a higher level with increasing salinity; the variant associated withCoronopus squamatus is found in wet places with decreasing salinity. The association is rendered unstable due to erosion by wind, sand and water. Culture experiments with oversanding of plants indicate thatP. capillaris is a cespitose type of grass. As a result of increasing sand levels, the plants can lengthen their stems to the soil surface. This explains the sand-gathering and sand-fixation effects observed. Such behaviour suggests the possibility of using this plant for preservation of sandy-stony-soil habitats along the sea-shore.     

Zur Nomenklatur der Gattungen Porochara Mädler 1955 (syn. Musacchiella Feist & Grambast-Fessard 1984) undFeistiella n. gen. (Charophyta)

The basal plate of the genusPorochara MäDLER 1955 (Porocharaceae, Charophyta) was proved to be divided into two parts by examining its type species. ThusMusacchiella Feist & Grambast-Fessard 1984 is a younger synonym ofPorochara. The genusFeistiella n. gen. is established for those species with undivided basal plates and it is described with the type speciesFeistiella bijuescensis n. sp. Six other species are attributed to this new genus. The relation between a fan shaped internal structure of the spiral cells and a brackish environment is discussed.     

New internally structured decapod microcoprolites from Germany (Late Triassic/Early Miocene), Southern Spain (Early/Middle Jurassic) and Portugal (Late Jurassic): Taxonomy, palaeoecology and evolutionary implications

Fossil faecal pellets with internal structures are described from non-marine environments for the first time. In the Late Triassic Lehrberg Beds (Middle Keuper, Carnian) of Germany, the oldest stratigraphic record of the form genusHelicerina Brönnimann &Masse,Helicerina keuperina Seegis n. sp., occurs.Favreina kalankyra Ebli from the Norian Hauptdolomit Formation is also attributed to this genus. Another new speciesof Helicerina, H. ruttei Schweigert n. sp., is described from the Early Miocene calcareous freshwater tufas of Southern Germany. It is attributed to the brachyuran freshwater crabProballaya quenstedti (Zittel) which occurs abundantly at the same locality. Hence, the coprolite genusHelicerina is the product of brachyuran decapods or their Triassic ancestors, and not of anomuran decapods as thought before. From younger Early to Middle Jurassic pelagic ferrugineous limestones of the Subbetic area (Southern Spain), the new speciesFavreina belandoi Fels n. sp. is described besidesHelicerina siciliana Senowbari-Daryan, Schäfer &Catalano, and the better known speciesPalaxius salataensis Brönnimann, Cros &Zaninetti. The number of canals withinFavreina belandoi varies but is clearly correlated with different ontogenetic stages of the same producer. From the Late Jurassic of Portugal, the new speciesPetalina hexalunulata Leinfelder n. gen. n. sp. is reported. It co-occurs withFavreina prusensis (Paréjas). The new genusPetalina is distinct fromFavreina by its hemispherical cross sections of the canals. In Portugal, both species are restricted to intrajurassic marine karstic fissures of the reefal Ota Limestone.     

Neue Sutnerien-Funde aus Ostafrika Ihre Bedeutung für Taxonomie und Phylogenie der Gattung

New Sutneriids from Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Djibouti and Tanzania) are described and their phylogenetic relations discussed; one species is new, three are mentioned first time from Eastern Africa. During the taxonomic studies it became evident that a revision of the old european speciesS. cyclodorsata andS. eumela should be included as those species have been interpreted in different ways since the last century. Therefore it was inevitable to restudy the types and further material. Forms not belonging to these species as defined by the types have been described asS. hoelderi andS. lorioli nom. nov.     

Differential Immune Responses to Segniliparus rotundus and Segniliparus rugosus Infection and Analysis of Their Comparative Virulence Profiles

Two closely related bacterial species, Segniliparus rotundus and Segniliparus rugosus, have emerged as important human pathogens, but little is known about the immune responses they elicit or their comparative pathophysiologies. To determine the virulence and immune responses of the two species, we compared their abilities to grow in phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells. Both species maintained non-replicating states within A549 epithelial cells. S. rugosus persisted longer and multiplied more rapidly inside murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), induced more pro-inflammatory cytokines, and induced higher levels of macrophage necrosis. Activation of BMDMs by both species was mediated by toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), followed by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways, indicating a critical role for TLR2 in Segniliparus-induced macrophage activation. S. rugosus triggered faster and stronger activation of MAPK signaling and IκB degradation, indicating that S. rugosus induces more pro-inflammatory cytokines than S. rotundus. Multifocal granulomatous inflammations in the liver and lung were observed in mice infected with S. rugosus, but S. rotundus was rapidly cleared from all organs tested within 15 days post-infection. Furthermore, S. rugosus induced faster infiltration of innate immune cells such as neutrophils and macrophages to the lung than S. rotundus. Our results suggest that S. rugosus is more virulent and induces a stronger immune response than S. rotundus.     

Differential learning and memory by co-occurring ant species

Foragers of the antsMessor pergandei andPogonomyrmex rugosus experience differing levels of variability in the distribution of seeds they harvest due to species-specific differences in foraging behavior.Messor pergandei foragers experience more variable seed distributions and densities, learn to recognize a novel seed faster but forget this information faster thanP. rugosus, which experiences more constant seed distributions even in the same habitat. Rate of learning to recognize a novel seed species was negatively associated with measures of seed species diversity for both ants.Messor pergandei foragers respond to variation in seed density by varying number of seeds handled per seed harvested, whileP. rugosus foragers do not. Memory of a novel seed exceeds forager longevity, due perhaps to use of seed caches as a type of information center.     

Studies in Pacific Rubiaceae: VI-VIII

These studies deal with HawaiianHedyotis andGouldia, and withCoprosma in Juan Fernández. The speciesCoprosma oliveri is described as new, as isGouldia terminalis (Hook. & Arn.) Hillebr. var.pubistipula, and three forms ofHedyotis acuminata (Cham. & Schlecht.) Steud.     

A new subgenus ofEpoligosita [Hym.: Trichogrammatidae] and egg parasite ofTingiae [Het.] from Southern India

SubgenusEpoligositina nov. of the genusEpoligosita with a type speciesEpoligosita (Epoligositina) duliniae sp. nov., a new record as egg parasite of the morinda Tingid,Dulinius conchatus Dist. has been described and illustrated.     

A new species of Psilostrophe (Compositae) from Mexico

Psilostrophe mexicana is described as new and compared with the closely related speciesP. gnaphalodes. Chromosome numbers forP. mexicana are reported asn = 32, a tetraploid number. This new species is the seventh and only polyploid species in the genus.     

Desmoceras (Pseudouhligella) intrapunctatum n. sp. (Ammonoidea) aus dem Unter-Albium von NW-Madagaskar mit Ritzstreifen

The new ammonoid speciesDesmoceras (Pseudouhligella) intrapunctatum (DesmoceratoideaZittel, 1895) is described and figured from the dark glauconitic marls of the Lower Albian of Ambatolafia (Mahajanga Basin of northwestern Madagascar). On the molds of its body chamber a well developed system of dotted lines is visible originally described from Palaeozoic ammonoids and nautiloids (= ?Ritzstreifen“Sandberger & Sandberger 1850 sensuTozer 1972). These internal shell structures have been originated by small ridges of the inner prismatic layer as the result of an incomplete mineralization. “Ritzstreifen” could not have observed in any other ammonoid species accompanied withDesmoceras (Pseudouhligella) intrapunctatum, despite of the same excellent aragonitic shell preservation. Therefore, this unique character is interpreted as taxonomically significant on species level.     

Einencrinaster- vorkommen (ophiuroidea) aus dem unterdevon der eifel

The speciesEncrinaster uedersdorfensis n. sp. is described from the lower Emsian beds of the Stadtfeld group. The slender species, closely related toE. arnoldi (SchÖndorf), is investigated along with the evolution of the entire genus. The way of life comparable to recent Ophiuroidea led to individual-rich populations in characteristic biocenoses. Preservation in isotopic allochthonous assemblages is attributed to transport by storm beds.     

The comparative biology of the pupal endoparasitoidPsychophagus omnivorus (Hym.:Pteromalidae) on three candidate lepidopteran hosts

Laboratory trials designed to investigate the biology of the gregarious endoparasitoidPsychophagus omnivorus (Hym.:Pteromolidae) on pupae of the pest speciesChrysodeixis chalcites, Spodoptera exigua orLacanobia oleracea (Lep.:Noctuidae) reveal that each of these candidate hosts can be used as oviposition sites. In all cases, wasp fecundity is high and generation is rapid. A minimum of 10 daughters is produced by eachP. omnivorus female every 3.5 weeks. Patterns of host attack and the distribution of wasp brood size vary according to the identity of the available host.Chrysodeixis chalcites andL. oleracea pupae are attacked at a moderate rate, but individual hosts support large broods. By contrast, individualS. exigua hosts sustain smaller broods, but these hosts are parasitised at a higher rate. WhenP. omnivorus encountersC. chalcites orL. oleracea, most host-attacks occur within the first 10 days of her adult lifespan. However, whenP. omnivorus is presented withS. exigua the oviposition period is prolonged until the fifth week of host-exposure. These differences between the oviposition strategies adopted byP. omnivorus against each host type have implications for its use as a biocontrol agent.     

Soil texture as an influence on the distribution of the desert seed-harvester ants Pogonomyrmex rugosus and Messor pergandei

Summary Pogonomyrmex rugosus and Messor pergandei are ecologically similar species of desert seed-harvester ants that coexist in numerous areas throughout the Sonoran and Mohave Deserts. However, these two species also commonly segregate along physical gradients, with each species predominating in areas that differ in soil texture and/or topographic relief. Along gradients that included bajada and alluvial flat habitats, P. rugosus occurred alone in coarse-textured soils near mountains, while M. pergandei occurred alone in finer-textured soils further away. Conversely, along a vegetation gradient that included creosote bush and saltbush habitats, P. rugosus occurred alone in finer-textured soils than those occupied by either M. pergandei alone or both species in coexistence. However, in both situations clay content was significantly higher in areas occupied by P. rugosus alone, and at the latter site clay content was correlated with relative abundance of each species. Moreover, local distribution pattern of these two species may be related to the effects of clay on water retention, with retention being highest in areas occupied by P. rugosus alone. Differences in reproductive ecology may also affect these patterns as P. rugosus reproductive flights follow summer monsoon rains, while those of M. pergandei occur during the milder winter and spring.     

A new subgenus ofLathromeromyia [Hym.: Trichogrammatidae] an egg parasite ofTingidae [Het.] from India

SubgenusLathromeromina nov. of the genusLathromeromyia with a type speciesLathromeromyia (Lathromeromina) tingiphaga sp. nov. has been described and illustrated. Four species of Tingid hosts and their host plants are recorded.     

Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) sea lilies (Crinoidea) from central Poland (Łódź Depression)

Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) limestones of central Poland (southern border of the ?ód? Depression) are in places extremely rich in crinoid remains. These latter are represented by very well preserved columnals/pluri-columnals, isolated brachials and cirrals/pluri-cirrals, assignable to the following species: Isocrinus amblyscalaris (Thurmann, in Thurmann and Éttalon), Isocrinus cf. pendulus (von Meyer), Balanocrinus brachiospina Hess, Balanocrinus pentagonalis (Goldfuss), Balanocrinus subteres (Münster, in Goldfuss), Balanocrinus sp., and Millericrinida indet. The commonest species, Balanocrinus brachiospina, is recorded for the first time from Poland. Critical revision of Polish occurrence of balanocrinids is provided. It is suggested that some of the previous balanocrinid finds from Poland assigned to Balanocrinus subteres should be now addressed as B. brachiospina. Furthermore, it is probable that the Callovian B. hessi Salamon and Zatoń should be synonymized with B. pentagonalis. Crinoid material at hand is also associated with asteroid and echinoid remains. Among this material, a complete test of Pleurodiadema nudum Cotteau is illustrated for the first time from Poland. Taphonomic observations of echinoderms from the Kimmeridgian limestones of the ?ód? Depression suggest that they did not undergo a long post-mortem transport. The high degree of disarticulation, however, supports their prolonged post-mortem seafloor exposure.