Variation in Discosauriscus austriacus (Makowsky, 1876) from the Lower Permian of the Boskovice Furrow (Czech Republic)

Two genera and four species of discosauriscids, Discosauriscus potamites, D. pulcherrimus, Letoverpeton austriacum and L. moravicum , have previously been described from the Boskovice Furrow in Moravia. These laxa were differentiated primarily on the basis of proportional differences of the skull together with other morphological characters.
Excavations at two localities in the Boskovice Furrow have produced new, relatively abundant, skeletal material. The specimens are preserved three-dimensionally. In order to evaluate the differences in skull proportions, 17 variable characters on 70 skulls were measured. Statistical analysis demonstrates the existence of several morphological trends in the shape of the skull. However, no trend permits the division of this set of specimens into two clearly differentiated groups. The morphological differences used previously to define genera and species seem to be incorrect. Pending the discovery of distinct morphological differences, the Moravian discosauriscids can be considered as belonging to only one taxon: Discosauriscus austriacus (Makowsky, 1876).     

External exoskeletal cavities in Coleoptera and their possible mycangial functions

This paper reviews the occurrence of external exoskeletal cavities in beetles and provides critical reassessment of their possible mycangial function. In most reported cases, the decision to attribute mycangial function to exoskeletal cavities was based solely on the combination of two factors: (i) observation of these cavities on beetle's body; and (ii) knowledge that this particular beetle species uses fungi as a food source. Such reasoning resulted in the assumption, occasionally premature and not supported by other evidence, that exoskeletal pits in the following families may function as mycangia: Rhysodidae, Ptiliidae, Staphylinidae, Hybosoridae, Scarabaeidae, Derodontidae, Ptinidae, Jacobsoniidae, Boganiidae, Cryptophagidae, Endomychidae, Erotylidae, Latridiidae, Nitidulidae, Phloeostichidae, Silvanidae, Sphindidae, Pyrochroidae, Anthribidae, Attelabidae and Curculionidae. We conclude that only two beetle families include species with adequately documented cases of external exoskeletal mycangia: (i) Curculionidae (some Scolytinae and Platypodinae); and (ii) the structurally complex mycangia of Attelabidae ( Euops females). One or more species of Sphindidae, Erotylidae, Silvanidae, and Latridiidae have likely functional mycangia. Exoskeletal pits with uncertain function are additionally reported from the following families: Cupedidae, Ommatidae, Lepiceridae, Carabidae, Histeridae, Hydraenidae, Leiodidae, Elmidae, Artematopodidae, Throscidae, Elateridae, Rhinorhipidae, Biphyllidae, Cerylonidae, Cyclaxyridae, Monotomidae, Mycetophagidae and Zopheridae. We also discuss the transport of fungal spores and conidia by waxy exudates or debris build up on beetle exoskeleton, as well as their passive attachment to the body.     

The nymph of Anisagrion Selys 1876, based on the discovery of A. inornatum (Selys, 1876) in Ecuador (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

The final instar nymph of Anisagrion inornatum is described and illustrated based on five specimens (one reared) from southern Ecuador. It is the first to be discovered for the genus. The nymph of Anisagrion inornatum differs from its closest relative, Apanisagrion lais, by: (1) antenna shorter in relation to head length (ratio 1.35 in An. inornatum vs 1.55 in Ap. lais); (2) fewer palpal and premental setae (5 palpal and 4 or 5 premental setae in An. inornatum vs 6?C8 palpal and 5?C8 premental setae in Ap. lais); (3) venter of S3?CS8 with medial dark stripe. The nymphs were found in a slow shallow seep overgrown with emergent wetland plants.     

The external gills and ornamentation of skull roof bones of the Lower Permian tetrapodDiscosauriscus (Kuhn 1933) with remarks to its ontogeny

Until now, the largest specimens ofDiscosauriscus (and alsoUtegenia andAriekanerpeton- the Lower Permian members of the family Discosauriscidae) have been considered to be adult individuals. The largest specimens ofDiscosauriscus, in which the external gills are still present, had skull lengths of about 22-25 mm. Metamorphosis was believed to have commenced at this size in discosauriscids and specimens with skull lengths of about 50-54 mm were considered to be already adult or senile. New finds ofDiscosauriscus demonstrate the presence of external gills in specimens with skull lengths of up to 32 mm. On the base of this, together with the ornamentation or the skull roof bones and osteological features of new large specimens, it is here concluded that 1)Discosauriscus represents the larval, metamorphic and early juvenile stages of a reptiliomorph tetrapod, the adults of which are yet unknown and 2) two other discosauriscids(Ariekanerpeton andUtegenia) also represent early ontogenetic stages.     

Phenology and roosting habits of the Central European grey long-eared bat Plecotus austriacus (Fischer 1829)

The authors monitored five maternity colonies of Plecotus austriacus to obtain data about phenology, roosting, and emergence behaviour. The bats occupied their roosts between April and October, with maximum colony sizes in August. Roosting sites in the attic’s roof ridge and temperatures of 20–25°C were favoured. Also considering the small colony (maximum 59) and cluster sizes (maximum 13 bats), P. austriacus behaved less thermophilic than other attic-dwelling species. During low temperatures, the bats chose small crevice-like roosting sites to compensate for that; during daytime, many bats remained hidden in crevices. Emergence began approximately 30 min after sunset; the bats used multiple, preferably crevice-like openings. P. austriacus left its summer roosts comparatively late; renovation works should, therefore, not start before November. For monitoring purposes, we recommend two to three emergence countings outside the attics in early August during warm weather, alongside two attic inspections 1–2 h before emergence for offspring monitoring.

     

Determination of 3(1)-stereochemistry in synthetic bacteriochlorophyll-d homologues and self-aggregation of their zinc complexes

Zinc complex of methyl 3(1)-octadecyl-bacteriopheophorbide-d was prepared from modification of naturally occurring chlorophyll-a. The 3(1)-epimerically pure samples were obtained by HPLC separation and their stereochemistry including the absolute configuration at the secondary alcoholic 3(1)-position was determined by combination of esterification to methoxy(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetate and NMR spectroscopy (Mosher's method). Both the epimers were monomeric in a polar organic solvent and self-aggregated in a non-polar solvent to give oligomers as well as dimers possessing red-shifted visible absorption bands. Visible spectra of the non-polar organic solutions were dependent upon the 3(1)-chirality and such a diastereoselective control on the self-aggregation led to the formation of self-aggregates with different supramolecular structures.     

Variability of dermal bones and other parameters in the skull of Amia calva

A sample of 84 dried skulls of Amia calva has been examined for variations in dermal bones and other parameters. One specimen was found with a single parietal and another with incomplete division of the parietals. Observations on parietal asymmetry, disposition of sutures, number and disposition of postorbitals, infraorbitals, number of dentary and premaxillary teeth, and tooth row/jaw length relations are quantified. Statistical analysis of five paired characters and dispersion analysis of 12 characters shows that the skull growth is isometric. Given a few measurements on a skull it is possible to predict several others.     

Tripartite genetic subdivisions in the ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus)

We examined cytochrome b sequence variation in 251 ornate shrews (Sorex ornatus) from 20 localities distributed throughout their geographical range. Additionally, vagrant (S. vagrans) and montane (S. monticolus) shrews from four localities were used as outgroups. We found 24 haplotypes in ornate shrews from California (USA) and Baja California (Mexico) that differed by 1-31 substitutions in 392 bp of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence. In a subset of individuals, we sequenced 699 bp of cytochrome b to better resolve the phylogeographic relationships of populations. The ornate shrew is phylogeographically structured into three haplotype clades representing southern, central and northern localities. Analysis of allozyme variation reveals a similar pattern of variation. Several other small California vertebrates have a similar tripartite pattern of genetic subdivision. We suggest that topographic barriers and expansion and contraction of wetland habitats in the central valley during Pleistocene glacial cycles account for these patterns of genetic variation. Remarkably, the northern ornate shrew clade is phylogenetically clustered with another species of shrew suggesting that it may be a unique lowland form of the vagrant shrew that evolved in parallel to their southern California counterparts.     

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity and/or structure homologues (DASH) and their substrates in cancer

Post-translational modification of proteins is an important regulatory event. Numerous biologically active peptides that play an essential role in cancerogenesis contain an evolutionary conserved proline residue as a proteolytic-processing regulatory element. Proline-specific proteases could therefore be viewed as important "check-points". Limited proteolysis of such peptides may lead to quantitative but, importantly, due to the change of receptor preference, also qualitative changes of their signaling potential.Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV, EC 3.4.14.5, identical with CD26) was for many years believed to be a unique cell membrane protease cleaving X-Pro dipeptides from the N-terminal end of peptides and proteins. Subsequently, a number of other molecules were discovered, exhibiting various degree of structural homology and DPP-IV-like enzyme activity, capable of cleaving similar set of substrates. These comprise for example, seprase, fibroblast activation protein alpha, DPP6, DPP8, DPP9, attractin, N-acetylated-alpha-linked-acidic dipeptidases I, II and L, quiescent cell proline dipeptidase, thymus-specific serine protease and DPP IV-beta. It is tempting to speculate their potential participation on DPP-IV biological function(s). Disrupted expression and enzymatic activity of "DPP-IV activity and/or structure homologues" (DASH) might corrupt the message carried by their substrates, promoting abnormal cell behavior. Consequently, modulation of particular enzyme activity using e.g. DASH inhibitors, specific antibodies or DASH expression modification may be an attractive therapeutic concept in cancer treatment. This review summarizes recent information on the interactions between DASH members and their substrates with respect to their possible role in cancer biology.     

Eleven microsatellite loci in the sociobiologically enigmatic ant Lasius austriacus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

We describe the isolation and characterization of 11 microsatellite loci in the sociobiologically enigmatic ant Lasius austriacus. The polymerase chain reaction primers were tested on a population in East Austria. The number of alleles ranged from four to 19 and the observed heterozygosity from 0.200 to 0.900. Cross‐species amplification tests were performed, with some loci polymorphic in all species tested, for the closely related invasive species Lasius neglectus, three further Lasius species, another formicine, Formica polyctena, and the invasive myrmicine species Tetramorium tsushimae.     

Six new non-native ants (Formicidae) in the Canary Islands and their possible impacts

Biological invasions are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss, especially on oceanic islands. Ants are among the most damaging pests in the world. After systematic sampling of more than 1,000 localities in the Canary Islands, six new exotic ant species are reported for the first time: Pheidole bilimeki (Myrmicinae), Pheidole navigans (Myrmicinae), Strumigenys membranifera (Myrmicinae), Brachymyrmex cordemoyi (Formicinae), Tapinoma darioi (Dolichoderinae) and Technomyrmex pallipes (Dolichoderinae). Moreover, another two recently reported species have been genetically confirmed. Morphological and genetic data were analysed to confirm the identity of the new records. For each species, information regarding identification, distribution, global invasive records and possible impacts is given. The arrival of these species may endanger local biodiversity.     

前列腺癌中TMPRSS2-ETS基因融合及机制研究进展

超过50%的前列腺癌中存在跨膜丝氨酸蛋白酶2(TMPRSS2)和E26(ETS)转录因子间的基因融合,其中TMPRSS2-ERG最为常见。TMPRSS2-ERG基因融合造成的ERG过表达参与了前列腺的癌变。雄激素受体结合和遗传毒性胁迫共同诱导了染色体的靠近和TMPRSS2-ETS的基因融合。TMPRSS2-ERG基因融合可作为前列腺癌诊断的一种生物标志物,并可通过病人尿液检测来实现。文章对TMPRSS2-ETS基因融合的特征、融合及致癌及临床应用进行了综述。     

De novo biosynthesis of enkephalins and their homologues in the human placenta

Fresh trophoblastic preparations of two human placentae delivered at term were pulse labelled for 30, 120 and 240 min with tritiated L-tyrosine. After deproteinizing and defatting, the peptide extracts were first concentrated through reversible hydrophobic binding on octadecasilyl-silica particles, prior to further resolution by repetetive high-performance liquid chromatography. Four peptides were isolated and purified to radioactive homogeneity, namely Met-enkephalin, Leu-enkephalin, (Arg⁶)-Leu-enkephalin, and (Arg⁶, Arg⁷)-Leu-enkephalin. Their presence and identity were further confirmed by substractive Edman degradation and by radioimmunoassay. No detectable amounts of radioactive Dynorphin could be trapped, however. Under the incubation conditions used, reference tritiated Leu-enkephalin had a biological half-life of circa 9.5 min.