Ixodid ticks in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ticks of the Ixodidae family represent an enormous threat to human and animal health. From January to December 2004, a total of 10,050 ixodid ticks were collected from 26 areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina and determined to the species level. Ticks were collected from dogs, sheep, cows, goats, rodents, humans and plants. Ixodes ricinus was the most prevalent species, followed by Dermacentor marginatus marginatus, Rhipicephalus bursa, Hyalomma marginatum marginatum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Haemaphysalis punctata, Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes hexagonus.     

Investigation of Ixodid ticks as vectors of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in central Italy

Babesia caballi and Theileria equi are widely recognized as causative agents of equine pirolasmosis (EP), an acute, sub‐acute, and chronic disease of equines, with relevant economic impact on horse trade worldwide. Although several studies on EP prevalence from central Italy have been published, data on ticks responsible for its transmission are still lacking. In this study, we identified a potential competent vector, investigating main features of its ecology together with EP infection rates. A two‐year sampling of questing ticks was carried out for the first time in Italy in an area known for high EP prevalence in horse sera, detecting the association between Rhipicephalus bursa and causative agents of EP. Most of the positive pools harbored a single infection (91.1%); mixed infections were also detected (8.9%). The infection rate for T. equi slightly decreased among years; B. caballi showed a lower, but increasing, infection rate. Tick phenology, climate variables, and peaks of EP prevalence indicated late May and second half of June as periods with the highest risk of new infections, especially during warm and dry days.     

Ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting humans in Tokat Province of Turkey: species diversity and seasonal activity

Ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are the major vectors of pathogens threatening animal and human health. Tokat Province, Turkey, is a suitable habitat for extended tick activity with its moderate climate and vegetation. In the present study, we surveyed humans visiting health centers to determine the species diversity, geographical distribution, and seasonal activity of ixodid ticks infesting them. Out of 5,999 adult ticks collected from humans from April to September, 2008, 800 ticks were identified to species, while the remaining were identified to genus according to their distinct morphological characteristics. Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma detritum, Rhipicephalus bursa, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, Haemaphysalis punctata, Dermacentor marginatus, and Ixodes laguri were the most prevalent tick species among 24 ixodid tick species infesting humans in the region. One of these tick species, Hyalomma isacii was identified as a new record for the ixodid tick fauna of Turkey. Hyalomma species were the most abundant in summer, while Dermacentor and Ixodes species displayed the lowest frequency. Hyalomma aegyptium infestation was very common on humans in the province. Results indicated that a variety of ixodid tick species infest humans depending on the season in the target area. It is possible that a variety of ixodid tick species may contribute to the spread of tick‐borne diseases such as Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), which is endemic in the region.     

Immunology of the tick-host interaction and the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.

The first experimental vaccination against ticks was carried out 60 years ago. Since then, progress has been slow, although the recent commercial release of a recombinant vaccine against Boophilus microplus is significant. The nature of naturally acquired protective immunity against ticks is poorly understood, particularly in the important, domesticated ruminant hosts. Characterization of the antigens of naturally acquired immunity remains limited, although more has been achieved with 'concealed' antigens. Crucial questions remain about the true impact of tick-induced immunosuppression and the effect of immunity on the transmission of tick-borne diseases, despite some fascinating and important recent results, as discussed here by Peter Willadsen and Frans Jongejan.     

Oligochaetes in southern European groundwater: new records and an overview

This work deals with an overview of the faunal composition and presents a general ecological approach to the groundwater oligochaetes in southern Europe. The species richness is high and similar to that of the superficial waters in the same area. Among the 150 species that we found, about 29 are stygobiont, so the total number of stygobiont species in the area studied has been increased to 58. Ten of these species are tubificids with marine phyletic affinities. A list of the most frequently found species and the relative abundance of the different families and genera collected in the main environments investigated are presented. Although enchytraeids often dominated the fauna, lumbriculids and tubificids exhibit a high level of diversity and comprised the majority of stygobiont and stygophilous taxa found. The discovery of members of the family Parvidrilidae in southern European caves is the first outside of North America. This indicates that the family is widely distributed in the Palearctic region and typical of underground waters. Here, we update the previous evaluation of the knowledge about oligochaetes inhabiting groundwater: 96 species of stygobiont freshwater oligochaetes (sensu stricto) are now known in the world and 81 of them have been recorded from the Palearctic region.     

New locality records for four rare species of vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae) in Turkey

We report new localities and range extensions for four vipers from Turkey. The distribution of Montivipera wagneri is extended substantially southwards into Mu? province, showing that this species is not endemic to the Aras valley as previously stated in the literature. Similarly, an unverified photograph of Montivipera albizona from Erzincan province, at its currently known eastern limit, was confirmed with new material, and its range is extended substantially southwards to the Anamos (Nur) Mountains in Hatay province. Smaller range extensions are reported for Vipera ammodytes transcaucasiana and V. darevskii.     

New species and new records of apodous holothurians (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) from southern Africa

Oestergrenia spatula sp.n. from the south coast of southern Africa and Leptosynapta naiga sp.n. from the east coast are described. The genus Oestergrenia Heding, 1931 is resurrected from synonymy and discussed in detail. Epitornapta knysnaensis Cherbonnier, 1952 is referred to the genus Leptosynapta. Leptosynapta ancoracuta Cherbonnier, 1954 is considered a synonym of L. knysnuensis . In addition, two new records of Euapta godeffroyi (Semper, 1868) and Chiridota rigida Semper, 1868. both from the east coast, are given.     

Four new species and additional records of Domene and Lathrobium from the Dayao Mountains,southern China

Material of the paederine genera Domene Fauvel, 1873 and Lathrobium Gravenhorst, 1802 from the Dayao Mountains, southern China, is examined. Eight species are identified, three of them described previously and five undescribed. Four species are described and illustrated for the first time: Domene hei Peng & Li, sp. n., Lathrobium jinxiuense Peng & Li, sp. n., Lathrobium kuan Peng & Li, sp. n. and Lathrobium leii Peng & Li, sp. n. One probably undescribed species of Lathrobium remains unnamed.     

Ixodid ticks of Pavlodar Province and their participation in the circulation of tularemia infection

Investigations carried out in Pavlodar Province have shown that 7 species of ixodid ticks, Ixodes crenulatus, I. lividus, I. persulcatus, I. laguri laguri, Dermacentor marginatus, D. reticulatus, Haemaphysalis concinna, and one brought species, Hyalomma asiaticum, parasitize domestic animals and wild mammals. Maximum activity of pasture ticks of the genus Dermacentor falls on the end of April--beginning of May, that of H. concinna on the beginning of June. The growth in the abundance of pasture ticks, recorded during the last years, is favoured by the increase in the cattle live stock, its seasonal movements and pasture area reduction. Natural nidi of tularemia become more active. Since 1977 221 cultures of tularemia agent have been isolatid from pasture ticks. H. concinna takes the most active part in the infection circulation.     

中国南方地区暗色丝孢真菌三个新记录种（英文）

本文介绍暗色丝孢菌的3个新记录种,Exochalara guadalcanalensis、Monilochaetes regenerans、Catenularia piceae。对以上3个种进行详细的观察以及形态特征描述和图解。标本均保存于山东农业大学植物病理标本馆(HSAUP)。     

异极衣纲一新种和四中国新记录分类单元

异极衣纲Lichinomycetes仅含异极衣目Lichinales,异极衣目内含3科：球蜂窝衣科Gloeoheppiaceae、异极衣科Lichinaceae和盾衣科Peltulaceae。本文基于表型特征对中国异极衣纲地衣分类研究发现新种1个：近叉指盾链衣Digitothyrea subdivergens,中国新记录属1个：指盾链衣属Digitothyrea,中国新记录种3个：白棋盘蜂窝衣Heppia solorinoides、朝氏盾链衣Thyrea asahinae和吉拉氏盾链衣Thyrea girardii,与形态相似种进行了比较和讨论。本研究不仅为中国地衣志的编研积累资料,同时为开展利用地衣结皮实施“沙漠生物地毯工程”储备资源信息。     

柔膜菌目一个新种和三个中国新记录种（英文）

报道了柔膜菌目1个新种——镰孢状胶被盘菌Crocicreas fusarioides和3个中国新记录种——迪氏膜盘菌Hymenoscyphus dearnessii、韩国膜盘菌H.koreanus和叶轴生粒毛盘菌Lachnum rachidicola。提供了各个种的特征描述和图示,以及韩国膜盘菌和叶轴生粒毛盘菌的DNA序列数据。     

A new species and new records of Cercophora from Argentina

Three species of Cercophora were found during a survey of the biodiversity of microfungi in northwest Argentina. Cercophora argentina possesses a unique combination of morphological characters and is described as a new species, while C. costaricensis and C. solaris are reported as new records for Argentina. Other species of Cercophora known from this region include C. natalita and C. coprogena, which is fully illustrated for the first time and determined herein to be a synonym of C. californica. All other species are described and illustrated.     

A new species of Pulvinaria (Homoptera: Coccidae) and a new locality record of Pulvinaria neocellulosa

A new soft scale insect of the tribe Pulvinariini, Pulvinaria hakonensis sp. nov., is described from Japan based on several adult females. The lectotype of Pulvinaria neocellulosa Takahashi, 1940 is designated and the species is redescribed and recorded from Japan for the first time.     

Biotrophic fungi from Kenya: Ten new species and some new records of Meliolaceae

As part of a research programme studying the diversity of fungi associated with rare plants in Kenya, nine new species of Meliola and one of Cryptomeliola associated with seven plant families are described and illustrated. They include Meliola craterispermi, M. dendroseta, M. fragrans, M. kakamegensis, M. longiappressoriata, M. muhakae, M. phaeomaculans, M. taitensis, M. trilepisii and C. Natans. Host families include Araliaceae, Ebenaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Loganiaceae, Melastomataceae, Menispermaceae, Moraceae and Rubiaceae. New records for Kenya include Meliola ambigua, M. artabotrydis, M. carissae, M. clerodendri, M. impatientis, M. pycnostachydis, M. phytolaccae and M. polytricha.     

细基格孢属一新种和两个中国新记录种

A new species and two new Chinese records in the genus Ulocladium from soil are reported. New species is Ulocladium leve, and the new records are U. alternariae and U. consortiale. Latin diagnosis of the new species is presented. Holotype specimen (dried culture) of the new species and dried cultures of two new records are deposited in the Herbarium of Shandong Agricultural University: Plant Pathology (HSAUP).