Diel oxygen uptake in Chaoborus punctipennis (diptera : culicidae)

Oxygen consumption (µl/ mg dry wt. · hr^–1 corrected to STP) in Chaoborus punctipennis was measured in a Gilson differential respirometer at two-hour intervals during 24-hour periods. Animals were held at controlled conditions similar to those at the time of collection. Respiration was measured under controlled temperatures and natural photoperiod. Measurements were begun about 36 hours after collection.Winter-collected animals showed a lower and more stable respiration than summer and fall-collected animals which did not differ from one another. Respiration increased with temperature becoming quite variable at 30°C where mortality was highest. Animals collected at different seasons and subjected to a variety of temperatures did not show a predictable pattern of respiration during the daily cycle under any condition tested.Since the 36-hour delay in respiration measurements could have dampened a diel cycle, oxygen consumption was determined within an hour of collection and followed for 24 hours. For this experiment animals were collected at six-hour intervals over a 24-hour period. Respiration did not show a predictable pattern of variation during the day-night cycle.This work was supported in part by a grant from Department of Interior, Office of Water Resources Research. All correspondence should be addressed to A.S. Tombes.     

Experimental study of the routes of transmission of Microsporidia in blood-sucking mosquitoes from southwestern Siberia

Experiments were conducted on the artificial infection of larvae of 8 species of bloodsucking mosquitoes (Aedes diantaeus, A. punctor, A. cinereus, A. flavescens, A. aegypti, Culex pipiens, Anopheles messeae, Anopheles atroparvus) with spores of Amblyospora opacita var. sibirica, Parathelohania costatus sp. n., P. obesa, P. anophelis. Negative results were obtained in all experiments.     

Microsporidia of the genus Parahtelohania (Microspora: Amblyosporidae) from blood-sucking mosquitoes of the genus Anopeles (Diptera: Culicidae) from the South of the West Siberia

Five new microsporidian species of the genus Parathelohania have been found in the fat body of blood-sucking mosquitoes collected in various water basins in the South of West Siberia: Parathelohania divulgata sp. n., P. formosa sp. n., P. sibirika sp. n., P. teguldeti sp. n., and P. tomski sp. n. Processes of merogony, sporogony, and ultrastructure of spores was were investigated by means light and electronic microscopy.     

Genetics of glucose phosphate isomerase and phosphoglucomutase in Aedes albopictus (diptera: culicidae)

Summary Glucose phosphate isomerase (E.C. 5.3.1.9) and phosphoglucomutase (E.C. 2.7.5.1) were found to be polymorphic in a laboratory colony of Aedes albopictus. The glucose phosphate isomerase locus is represented by two alleles resulting in three genotypes, while the phosphoglucomutase locus is represented by at least five alleles giving rise to a total of 15 genotypes. The inheritance of these two enzymes is of the Mendelian type with codominant alleles. Present data indicate that these genes are not linked.Of 105 mosquitoes analysed for these two gene-enzyme systems, the frequencies for glucose phosphate isomerase alleles are Gpi ^S=0.68 and Gpi ^F=0.32, while the frequencies for phosphoglucomutase alleles are Pgm ^A=0.16, Pgm ^B=0.11, Pgm ^C=0.19, Pgm ^D=0.30 and Pgm ^F= 0.24. The frequencies of the three glucose phosphate isomerase genotypes are in accord with Hardy-Weinberg expectations (X ₁ ² =2.74). Similarly, the frequencies of the 15 phosphoglucomutase genotypes probably do not differ significantly from Hardy-Weinberg expectations (X ₁₀ ² = 18.45).     

Phenology of malarial mosquitoes (Diptera,Culicidae) and their epidemiological significance in the south of Tomsk Province

Occurrence of malaria among the population of Tomsk Province is overviewed from 1935 till the present time. The results of phenological observations on malarial mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) in the south of Tomsk Province from 2005 to 2014 are analyzed. The timing of crucial events in the mosquito life history is determined, namely, the onset of departure from overwintering sites, emergence of the first preimaginal stages, the flight of the first generation adults, and entry into diapause. The period of potential transmission of malaria in the south of Tomsk Province is calculated retrospectively.     

On the fauna and ecology of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in forest-steppe and steppe regions of Western Siberia

Fauna and ecology of the mosquitoes from the southern forest-steppe (Chany Lake) and the northern steppe (Karasuksky lakes) have been investigated during 2004-2006. Species composition, dominant species, biotopical and seasonal distribution are examined. Detailed data on the biotopical and seasonal distribution, sex ratio and terms of development for the dominant species Coquillettidia richiardii (Ficalbi, 1889) are reported.     

Comparative dehydrogenase activity during the ontogenesis of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti L. (diptera:culicidae)

• 1.1. α-GPDH in most active in adults, LDH in third instar larvae, and MDH in third instar larvac.
• 2.2. During pre-pupal growth, LDH is the most active enzyme, followed by MDH and α-GPDH; while during post-pupal growth, MDH is most active followed by α-GPDH and LDH.
• 3.3. Increased enzyme activity is in response to changing physiological and physical environments, and is due to temporal activation of new gene loci indicated by the production of new α-GPDH and MDH isozymes. LDH activity is probably controlled by the temporal action of regulatory gene(s).
• 4.4. Dehydrogenase activity profiles during ontogenesis are probably species-specific.

     

The feather mite (Astigmata) fauna of some passerine birds (Passeriformes) in the south of Western Siberia

Feather mites (Astigmata) are specialized parasites living on the plumage and skin of birds. The paper presents data on infestation of some passerines (Passeriformes) by feather mites in the south of Western Siberia (Omsk and Tyumen Provinces). We found 24 species of feather mites belonging to the families Analgidae, Dermoglyphidae, Pteronyssidae, Trouessartiidae, and Proctophyllodidae on 16 bird species. Among them, 19 species are common parasites of the passerine birds examined; five species were detected on atypical hosts. Ten mite species were recorded for the first time on the passerine species examined. Analysis of the distribution of abundant and common mite species on their hosts has demonstrated that the majority of the bird parasites possess a specific distribution pattern in the host plumage with preference for certain feather types. We have also obtained new data on host associations of several mite species.     

Parasite fauna of the water vole (Arvicola terrestris) and its nests in the south of Western Siberia

Fauna of parasitic and free-living arthropods associated the water vole Arvicola terestris and its nests in various landscape zones and subzones of the south of Western Siberia has been studied. Total abundance of gamasid mites and ticks (Gamasoidea, Ixodidae), fleas and nidicolous arthropods in nests is high, and the set of nidicolous and parasite species is quite diverse, but everywhere the parasite fauna is characterized by a small amount of species reaching a high abundance: Laelaps muris on the voles, Haemogamasus ambulans in nests, Ixodes apronophorus and Megpbotris walkeri both on the voles and nests. Parasitic arthropods living on the voles or in their nests are characterized by higher and stables indices of infection, while these parameters for free-living arthropods were variable. The list of mesostigmatic mites parasitizing the water vole and its nests in the south of Western Siberia (Adamovich, Krylov, 2001) has been considerably supplemented. In total, the fauna of parsitiform mites (Acari: Mesostigmata and Ixodiddes) and fleas (Siphonaptera) associated with the water vole in the south of Western Siberia is represented by 97 arthropod species of 19 families, including 74 species of mesostigmatic mites (Gamasoidea), 6 species of ticks (Ixodidae) and 17 species of fleas.     

Pankovaia semitubulata gen. et sp. n. (Microsporidia: Tuzetiidae) from nymphs of mayflies Cloeon dipterum L. (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) in Western Siberia

The ultrastructure of a new microsporidian, Pankovaia semitubulata gen. et sp. n. (Microsporidia: Tuzetiidae), from the fat body of Cloeon dipterum (L.) (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) is described. The species is monokaryotic throughout the life cycle, developing in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm. Sporogonial plasmodium divides into 2-8 sporoblasts. Each sporoblast, then spore, is enclosed in an individual sporophorous vesicle. Fixed and stained spores of the type species P. semitubulata are 3.4 x 1.9microm in size. The polaroplast is bipartite (lamellar and vesicular). The polar filament is isofilar, possessing 6 coils in one row. The following features distinguish the genus Pankovaia from other monokaryotic genera of Tuzetiidae: (a) exospore is composed of multiple irregularly laid tubules with a lengthwise opening, referred to as "semitubules"; (b) episporontal space of sporophorous vesicle (SPV) is devoid of secretory formations; (c) SPV envelope is represented by a thin fragile membrane.     

Rotaliida (Foraminifera) from the Upper Cretaceous of Western Siberia

Paleontological Journal - The distribution of the foraminifera of the order Rotaliida in the Upper Cretaceous reference sections of Western Siberia is analyzed. The narrow stratigraphic range of...     

Molecular characterization and taxonomy of a new species of Caudosporidae (Microsporidia) from black flies (diptera: simuliidae) with host-derived relationships of the North American caudosporids

A new species of microsporidium, Caudospora palustris (Microsporidia: Caudosporidae), is described from 3 species of black flies (Cnephia ornithophilia and diploid and triploid cytospecies of Stegopterna mutata), bringing to 7 the total species of caudosporids recorded from North America. This new species of caudosporid is recorded from swamp streams of the Coastal Plain from New Jersey to Georgia, with single records from the New Jersey mountains and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Densities of patently infected larvae (up to 10,600/m2) and spore production (nearly 8x10(11)/m2) are the greatest recorded for any microsporidium of black flies. The ultrastructure of this new species is presented, along with the first molecular characterization for a microsporidium of black flies. The phylogenetic position of black fly microsporidia within the phylum Microsporidia is presented; however, the analysis does not support the inclusion of C. palustris in any clade. Key features of all North American caudosporids are provided, and possible evolutionary trajectories are proposed based on optimization of caudosporid species on the phylogeny of their 22 known host species, including 16 that represent new host species records.     

Jurassic lacewings (Insecta: Neuroptera) of Western Siberia

A lacewing assemblage from the Middle Jurassic of the West Siberian Kubekovo locality, the only know Jurassic lacewing fauna of Russia, is discussed. One new genus and two new species of Osmylidae from Kubekovo, Kubekius multiramosus gen. et sp. nov. and Epiosmylus longus sp. nov. are described. Thaumatomerobius mirabilis Ponomarenko, 1985 is transferred to the family Saucrosmylidae, which has only been recorded in the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou.     

Systenostrema alba Larsson 1988 (Microsporidia, Thelohaniidae) in the Dragonfly Aeshna viridis (Odonata, Aeshnidae) from South Siberia: morphology and molecular characterization

An octospore microsporidium was found in the nymphs of Aeshna viridis, collected in intermittent streams near Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia in 2003. Spores were uninucleate and measured 6.1+/-0.07 x 3.0+/-0.04 microm on fresh smears. The polar filament was anisofilar having 10-11 anterior coils (thicker filament diam.) and 10-11 posterior (thinner filament diam.) coils. Sporophorous vesicles were persistent and measured 12.3+/-0.23 x 11.9+/-0.20 microm. The infection was restricted to the adipose tissue and caused the formation of whitish "cysts" containing mature octospores. Based on ultrastructural similarity we consider this Siberian isolate to be Systenostrema alba, a species described from Aeshna grandis collected in Sweden (Larsson 1988). Maximum likelihood, neighbor joining, and maximum parsimony analyses of the small subunit rDNA all placed Systenostrema alba (Accession no. AY953292) as the sister taxon to a clade consisting of Thelohania solenopsae, Tubulinosema ratisbonensis, and Tubulinosema acridophagus.     

Six new species of microsporidia of the genus Amblyospora (Microspora: Amblyosporidae) from blood sucking mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from the west Siberia

Microsporidia of the genus Amblyospora parasiting the adipose body of mosquito larvae of the genus Aedes and Culex has been studied with both light and electron microscopy. Six new species of microsporidia are described based on ultrastructural characteristics of spores and sporogony stages. Amblyospora flavescens sp. n. Mature spores are egg-shaped. The spore wall with three layers, about 165 nm. Exospore is two-membranous. Subexospore is absent. Endospore is electron-translucent. Polaroplast consists of three parts: lamellar, large vesicular, lamellar. The anisofilar polar filament with 10--11 coils (3 1/2 + 2 1/2 + 4-5). Fixed spores are 6.3 +/- 0.1 x 4.24 +/- 0.1 microm. Amblyospora kolarovi sp. n. Mature spores are egg-shaped. The spore wall with three layers, about 265-315 nm. Exospore shapes tucks on the surface of spore. It is two-membranous. Subexospore is quagge, structural. Endospore is electron-translucent. Polaroplast consists of two parts: lamellar and large vesicular. The anisofilar polar filament with 11-13 coils (3 + 8-10). Fixed spores are 5.4-5.6 x 3.5-4.2 microm. Amblyospora orbiculata sp. n. Mature spores are widely egg-shaped. On a back pole there is a small concavity. The spore wall with three layers, about 155 nm. Exospore is shapes tucks on a surface of spore. It is two-membranous. Subexospore is absent. Endospore is electron-translucent. Polaroplast consists of three parts: lamellar, vesicular, lamellar. Polar filament is anisofilar, with 11 1/2 coils (4 1/2 + 1 + 6). Fixed spores are 6.3 +/- 0.1 x x 4.0 +/- 0.1 microm. Amblyospora rugosa sp. n. Mature spores are egg-shaped. On a back pole there is a small concavity. The spore wall with three layers, about 225 nm. Exospore is shapes tucks on a surface of spore. It is two-membranous. Subexospore is quaggy, structural. Endospore is electron-translucent. Polaroplast lamellate. Polar filament is anisofilar, with 17 1/2 coils (3 1/2 + 1 + 13). Fixed spores are 5.3 +/- 0.1 x 3.7 +/- 0.1 microm. Amblyospora undata sp. n. Mature spores are egg-shaped. The spore wall is three-layered, about 220 nm. Exospore is shapes tucks on a surface of spore. It is two-membranous. Subexospore is quaggy, structural. Endospore is electron-translucent. Polaroplast lamellate. The anisofilar polar filament with 8 coils (3 + 5). Fixed spores are 5.0 +/- 0.1 x 3.0 +/- 0.1 microm. Amblyospora urski sp. n. Mature spores have widely oval form. The back pole is concave. The spore wall with three layers, about 280 nm. Exospore is shapes tucks on a surface of spore. It is two-membranous. Subexospore is quaggy, structural. Endospore is electron-translucent. Polaroplast lamellate. Polar filament is anisofilar, with 6 coils (2 + 4). Fixed spores are 4.4 +/- 0.1 x 2.9 +/- 0.1 microm.