A new lignan and a new alkaloid,and α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds from the grains of Echinochloa utilis Ohwi & Yabuno

A new lignan, utilisin (1), and a new alkaloid, echinoutilin (2), together with eleven known compounds 3–13 were isolated from the grains of Echinochloa utilis Ohwi & Yabuno. Their structures were identified through the analysis of spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of 2 was determined by Mosher’s method. These compounds were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Among them, compounds 2, 3 and 6 exhibited considerable α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 42.1 ± 1.3, 58.9 ± 3.7, and 40.9 ± 1.1 μM, respectively. The results indicate that the grains of E. utilis will be useful in the treatment of diabetes control agents.     

Cryptohelops menaticus – a new genus and species of the tribe Helopini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from the Palaeocene of Menat (France)

A new genus and species, Cryptohelops menaticus gen. et sp. n., are described from the Palaeocene of Menat (France). The new genus belongs to the subtribe Helopina of the tribe Helopini (subfamily Tenebrioninae of Tenebrionidae) based on the coarse and dense punctation of the hypomera, shape of the prosternum and metepisterna, a similar appearance to the native genera Helops and Stenohelops and the structure of the epipleura. The new genus also resembles Raiboscelis and Entomogonus by having the protibiae excised along the base of the inner side. The new genus is the oldest representative of the tribe Helopini. Four species of Helops sensu lato previously described from the Oligocene (H. wetteravicus K. Heyden et L. Heyden, 1865) and Miocene (H. atticus Redtenbacher in Ungern, 1867; H. meissneri Heer, 1847 and H. molassicus Heer, 1883) lack important diagnostic characters and should be regarded as members of the tribe Helopini with uncertain generic attribution.     

The Afrotropical genus Afroaltica Biondi & D’Alessandro (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae): new data and description of a new species from Limpopo (Republic of South Africa)

A second flea-beetle species attributable to the South-African genus Afroaltica Biondi & D’Alessandro 2007, is here described: A. parvula n.sp. External habitus with scanning electronic micrographs and line drawings of some diagnostic morphological characteristics are reported. New localities for A. subaptera Biondi & D’Alessandro 2007, are also provided. Because of these new records, both new diagnostic characters and an update of the distribution of the genus Afroaltica are also supplied.     

Parasite-host relations and new reports of helminths for Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) (Anura: Bufonidae) from Neotropical region

This study aimed to analyze helminth assemblage in Rhinella dorbignyi regarding host gender, size and mass in two sampling sites in southern Brazil, and to report new parasite associations. Anurans (n = 100) were collected in two localities from Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil, from 2017 to 2020. Nineteen taxa (adults and larval forms) belonging to Nematoda, Acanthocephala, Digenea, and Cestoda were found in different infection sites. Cosmocercidae gen. spp., Physaloptera liophis, Catadiscus sp., and Cylindrotaenia americana were the dominant taxa in helminth assemblage. Female anurans showed higher helminth species richness than males considering the total sample (two localities) or one of the two localities. However, prevalence and mean intensity of infection did not show any significant difference between genders. Mean intensity of infection was significantly higher (19.52) in Laranjal locality. Host body size does not influence helminth abundance, as infections did not show significant correlation snout-vent length (SVL) nor body mass (BM) of anurans. The findings reveal anurans of R. dorbignyi may be intermediate, paratenic and definitive host for these parasites. Plagiorchioidea helminths (Digenea), Physaloptera liophis, larvae of Acuariidae and Spiroxys sp. (Nematoda), and cystacanth of Lueheia sp. (Acanthocephala) constitute new records for R. dorbignyi. Additionally, this is the first record of Cylindrotaenia americana larvae in this host species. Resulting information increases the knowledge on biodiversity and parasite-host relations and may help future conservation programs developed in ecosystems in the extreme south of Brazil.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclopertorbitolites</Emphasis>, a new soritid (Foraminifera) from the Lower Eocene of the Eskişehir and Kastamonu regions (Turkey)

The Lower Eocene sediments in the southwestern Seyitgazi (Eskişehir) region include shallow-water rhythmic deposition of claystones, limestones, clayey limestones, and sandy limestones. The Lower Eocene unit in the northwestern Tosya (Kastamonu) region is composed of shallow-water limestones. Both units contain a new soritid foraminiferal genus, Cyclopertorbitolites (with the type species Cyclopertorbitolites tokerae sp. nov.). Cyclopertorbitolites tokerae gen. et sp. nov. is described in the Middle Ilerdian-Lower Cuisian sediments of Seyitgazi and in the Middle Ilerdian limestones of Tosya in this study. It is characterized by the presence of regular annular chambers with rectangular or subrectangular chamberlets at the juvenile stage and a porcellaneous lamina on either side of the test.     

A new species of Tiddergasilus Marques & Boeger, 2018 (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) from the gills of Astyanax lacustris (Lütken) (Osteichthyes: Characidae) in Brazil

A new parasitic copepod, Tiddergasilus bipartitus n. sp. (Copepoda, Ergasilidae), is described herein based on three adult females found attached to the gills of the yellow-tail lambari Astyanax lacustris (Lütken), sampled in Pardo River, municipality of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Tiddergasilus bipartitus n. sp. was recognized as a new member of the monotypic genus Tiddergasilus Marques & Boeger, 2018 by having: antennule 6-segmented; maxillary basis armed with 2 terminal teeth and ornamented with multiple spinules; second and third leg both with endopod 3-segmented. The new copepod can be distinguished from its congener, Tiddergasilus iheringi (Tidd, 1942), by the morphology of the antennal claw, number of somites/segments in abdomen and fourth leg, and by the ornamentation of the first leg. This report expands the geographic distribution and diversity of fish species parasitized with Tiddergasilus spp. in Brazil. Moreover, it also represents the first report of an ergasilid species in the Pardo River. A list of diagnostic features for the Brazilian species of Ergasilus von Nordmann, 1832 is provided herein, in order to aid comparisons with the species of this complex genus.

     

Description of two new species of Hisonotus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889 (Ostariophysi,Loricariidae) from the rio Paraná-Paraguay basin,Brazil

Two new species of Hisonotus are described from the rio Paraná-Paraguay basin in Brazil. The most remarkable features of the new species are the odontodes forming longitudinally aligned rows (one odontode after the other, but not necessarily forming parallel series) on the head and trunk (vs. odontodes not forming longitudinally aligned rows), a pair of rostral plates at the tip of the snout (vs. a single rostral plate), the functional v-shaped spinelet (vs. spinelet non-functional, square-shaped, or absent). These features suggest close phylogenetic relationships with Hisonotus bockmanni, H. insperatus, H. luteofrenatus and H. piracanjuba. Additionally, both new species are distinguished from their congeners by characters related to head length and depth, orbital diameter, suborbital depth, caudal peduncle depth, pectoral-fin spine length, snout length and counts of teeth. Hisonotus paresi sp. n. further differs from its congeners by having contrasting dark geometric spots on the anterodorsal region of the body, a character lacking in H. oliveirai sp. n. The variation in number and shape of the rostral plate, posterior rostrum plates, infraorbitals and the preopercle in both new species and in H. insperatus are discussed.     

A new species of blunt-headed vine snake (Colubridae, Imantodes) from the Chocó region of Ecuador

We describe a new species of Imantodes from the Chocó region of northwestern Ecuador. The new species differs most significantly from all other congeners in lacking a loreal scale. We analyze the phylogenetic relationships among species of Imantodes based on two mitochondrial genes, and postulate that the new species and Imantodes lentiferus are sister taxa. A key to the species of Imantodes from Ecuador is presented.     

A new species of Polypedilum (Uresipedilum) Oyewo & S?ther, 1998 from Zhejiang Province of Oriental China (Diptera,Chironomidae)

A new species of Polypedilum (Uresipedilum) Oyewo & Sæther, 1998, Polypedilum (Uresipedilum) minimum sp. n. is described as male. A key to adult males of the subgenus from China is presented.     

A new species of the genus Karnyothrips (Thysanoptera,?Phlaeothripidae) from China

Karnyothrips cyathomorphus sp. n. (Phlaeothripidae: Phlaeothripinae) is described as a new apterous species in the genus Karnyothrips Watson 1923, and it represents the fourth species of the genus to be recorded from China. A key to the Chinese species is given.     

A new genus and a new species of Cladorchiidae (Digenea: Dadayiinae) from Podocnemis expansa (Chelonia) of the neotropical region, State of Pará, Brazil

A new species of amphistome digenean from the stomach and intestine of Podocnemis expansa (Pelomedusidae), of the tropical rain forest, from the State of Pará, Brazil, is described and allocated to a new genus ( Oriximinatrema noronhae ). The new species is characterized by the presence of an esophageal bulb, an esophageal extension uncovered by an extension of the pharyngeal sacs, a well-developed cirrus sac, post-bifurcal genital sucker, a ventro-terminal acetabulum with an anterior lip, and medium-sized eggs. This is the first report of a Dadayiinae trematode infecting a reptilian host.     

Morphometrics of herbaceous bamboos of the Raddia brasiliensis complex (Poaceae − Bambusoideae): implications for the taxonomy of the genus and new species from Brazil

Morphometric studies were conducted using 25 quantitative characters in 14 populations of the Raddia brasiliensis complex, occurring from Ceará to Rio de Janeiro States, Brazil, in order to identify how many entities exist in this group and how they can be distinguished morphologically. Results of the discriminant and cluster analyses show that we are dealing with five distinct taxa, four of them here described as new species. A group of populations from northern Espírito Santo and southern Bahia showed high differentiation in relation to other areas. They are here considered as the new species R. megaphylla. Two other distinct populations also showed significant differentiation, described as R. lancifolia and R. stolonifera. Raddia brasiliensis s.s. turned out to be polymorphic and closely related to another new species, R. soderstromii. They present some ecological preferences related to soil and water conditions. These conclusions were supported by genetic data based on allozymes analysis.     

A new species of Glugea Thélohan, 1891 in the red sea bream Pagrus major (Temminck & Schlegel) (Teleostei: Sparidae) from China

A new microsporidian species is described from farmed red sea bream Pagrus major (Temminck & Schlegel) (Teleostei: Sparidae). Large numbers of spherical whitish xenomas were observed throughout the visceral organs of the host. Histological examination showed that the microsporidia caused several xenomas that were embedded in the intestinal muscularis externa or submucosa. Light and transmission electron microscopy examination of the spores also revealed morphological features typical of species of Glugea Thélohan, 1891. This microsporidian parasite has two different types of mature spores: microspores and macrospores. The spores are elongate-ovoid, with a large posterior vacuole. The polaroplast is bi-partite, with anterior and posterior parts comprising densely packed lamellae and loose membranes, respectively, and occupies approximately the anterior half of the spore. The polar filament is anisofilar, with 12–13 coils in a single layer almost touching the posterior spore wall. Comparison of the small subunit rDNA sequences revealed 92.7–98.1% identity with the sequences available from other Glugea spp. from piscine hosts. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the microsporidian species studied clustered within the Glugea clade with strong support. Based on the differences in the morphological characteristics and molecular data, the microsporidian infecting P. major is considered to represent a species new to science, Glugea pagri n. sp.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of Paraleptus chiloscyllii Yin & Zhang, 1983 (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) from the brownbanded bambooshark Chiloscyllium punctatum Müller & Henle (Elasmobranchii: Orectolobiformes)

Paraleptus (Spirurida: Physalopteridae) is a small genus of nematodes, parasitic in fishes, most species of which are inadequately described. Genetic data for these congeners have not been reported. The detailed morphology of P. chiloscyllii was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy, based on newly collected specimens from the brownbanded bambooshark C. punctatum Müller & Henle (Elasmobranchii: Orectolobiformes) in the Taiwan Strait. Some previously unreported morphological features of taxonomic significance were observed, i.e., pseudolabium with two sublateral rows of 6–7 small spines, 7–8 small spines on each lower rim between pseudolabia, deirids not distally bifurcated, vulva with remarkable protruding lip, presence of 1 pair medio-ventral precloacal papillae and 1 pair of discoid protrusions of postcloacal lip in male. The specimens described by González-Solís & Ali's (2015) as P. chiloscyllii from the Arabian carpetshark C. arabicum off Iraq are considered a new species, for which the name P. moraveci n. sp. is proposed. The genetic characterization of the partial small (18S) and large (28S) ribosomal DNA, and the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) of P. chiloscyllii are provided for the first time. There was no intraspecific nucleotide divergence detected in the 18S and 28S regions among different individuals of P. chiloscyllii, but a low level of intraspecific genetic variation was found in the cox1 (0.62–0.92%). The present genetic data is very important for molecular identification, and will be valuable for further invertigantions on the population genetics and phylogeny of this group.     

A new species of the genus Himertosoma from the Ryukyus,Japan, with a key to species from the Palaearctic and Oriental Regions (Hymenoptera,?Ichneumonidae,Banchinae)

A new species of the genus Himertosoma Schmiedeknecht, Himertosoma kuslitzkii sp. n., was discovered in Amamioshima Island, the Ryukyus. This new species resembles two Oriental species, Himertosoma philippense Chandra & Gupta and Himertosoma townesi Chandra & Gupta, in the colour pattern of the head and metasoma, number of flagellomeres, and the relatively slender first metasomal tergite, but can easily be distinguished from them by the nearly evenly punctate propodeum, different length/width ratio of the first metasomal tergite, different length of the ovipositor sheath, tricoloured mesosoma, and the whitish band along the posterior margin of the second and following metasomal tergites. A key to the Palaearctic and Oriental species of Himertosoma is also provided.     

The anatomy of the solute Girvanicystis batheri (?Chordata) from the Upper Ordovician of Scotland and a new species of Girvanicystis from the Upper Ordovician of South Wales

Detailed anatomical study of the solute Girvanicystis batheri from the Girvan starfish bed (Ashgill) has enabled the oral partition, hydropore, gonopore and the possible opening of a branchial slit to be identified. The distal part of the alimentary tract and the stomach were located in the posterior part of the head. Structures preserved as steinkernen are interpreted as a brain and left cranial nerve. The gross anatomy of G. batheri supports the hypothesis that it was a suspension feeder. Girvanicystis batheri is characterized by large plates on the dorsal surface of the head, 20 rings of the feeding arm and a nodular median plate on the ventral surface of the head. A new species of Girvanicystis, G. casteri , is described from the Sholeshook limestone (Ashgill) of South Wales. Girvanicystis casteri is distinguished from G. batheri in that the former has narrower head, a longer feeding arm and a spine on the median plate of the ventral surface of the head. Girvanicystis batheri has characters in common with the cornute Ceratocystis perneri , namely large plates of the skeleton of the head, right and left marginal flanges, opposite dorsal fore tail plates and alternate ventral fore tail plates, which suggest that G. batheri may also be a stem chordate.     

Two new labdane diterpenoids and one new β-lactam from the aerial parts of Roylea cinerea

Two new labdane diterpenoids cinereanoid C (1), cinereanoid D (2), a new β-lactam, cinerealactam E (3) as well as six known flavonoid glycosides (4–9) were isolated from the aerial parts of Roylea cinerea (Lamiaceae). The structures of (1–9) were all determined by MS, IR and NMR spectroscopy. The structure of cinereanoid D (2) was further proven by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Six known flavonoid glycosides (4–9) were also isolated for the first time from this plant. 2, 5, 6 and 7 were found to significantly inhibit the ATP binding of a tumour growth-promoting heat shock protein, Hsp90.     

Five new species and three new females of the genus Endotricha Zeller from China (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae, Pyralinae)

Five new species of the genus Endotricha Zeller are described from China: Endotricha dentiprocessasp. n., Endotricha unicolorsp. n., Endotricha shafferisp. n., Endotricha convexasp. n. and Endotricha whalleyisp. n. Females of three species are described for the first time: Endotricha hoenei Whalley, 1963, Endotricha luteogrisalis Hampson, 1896 and Endotricha simipunicea Wang & Li, 2005. Photographs of the adults and both male and female genitalia are provided.