Two new species of oribatid mites of Lasiobelba (Acari,Oribatida, Oppiidae) from Nepal,including a key to all species of the genus

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Lasiobelba (Oribatida, Oppiidae), Lasiobelba (Lasiobelba) daamsae sp. n. and Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) nepalica sp. n., are described from eastern Nepal. Lasiobelba (L.) daamsae sp. n. is most similar to L. (L.) remota Aoki, 1959 and L. (L.) gibbosa (Mahunka, 1985), however, it differs from both by the anterior part of pedotecta I specifically curved, rostrum pointed and exobothridial setae not shorter than bothridial setae. Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) nepalica sp. n. is most similar to L. (A.) granulata (Mahunka, 1986), however, it differs from the latter by the larger body size, exobothridial setae longer than rostral setae and bothridial setae not longer than interlamellar setae. An identification key to known species of Lasiobelba is given.     

New records,synonyms and combinations for oriental Sarcophagidae (Diptera), with updated checklists for Cambodia,India, Taiwan,Thailand and Vietnam

Faunistic records of 29 flesh fly species are presented, and the following new country-level records are provided: 12 species (Senotainia albifrons, Eremasiomyia macularis, Asceloctella calicifera, Pseudothyrsocnema caudagalli, Liosarcophaga dux, L. kohla, L. scopariiformis, L. tuberosa, Parasarcophaga misera, Sarcosolomonia harinasutai, S. shinonagai, Seniorwhitea princeps) new to Cambodia, one species (S. shinonagai) new to India, one species (Brachicoma devia) new to Taiwan, two species (Myorhina thinhi, L. tuberosa) new to Thailand, and two species (E. macularis, P. caudagalli) new to Vietnam. Based on critical revision of all published records and on new data presented herein, 215 species of Sarcophagidae are listed from Cambodia (16 species), India (138), Taiwan (63), Thailand (98) and Vietnam (49). One new subjective generic synonym is proposed: Shinonagaella Verves, 1997 = Lehisca Kurahashi and Tan, 2012, syn. nov. Altogether, total of 21 new subjective synonyms and 16 new combinations are proposed.     

Review and redescription of species in the Oecetis avara group,with the description of 15 new species (Trichoptera,Leptoceridae)

The O. avara group of Oecetis is formally defined to include 4 described species, O. avara (Banks), O. disjuncta (Banks), O. elata Denning & Sykora, and O. metlacenis Bueno-Soria, and 15 new species. Oecetis marquesi Bueno-Soria, previously considered a member of the O. avara group, is treated as incertae sedis to species group, but is also redescribed and treated in the current work. New species described here (with their respective distributions) include: O. acciptrina (Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador), O. agosta (Mexico), O. angularis (Guatemala to Ecuador), O. apache (SW USA), O. campana (Ecuador), O. constricta (Mexico to Ecuador, Venezuela, and Trinidad), O. houghtoni (North America), O. maritza (Costa Rica), O. mexicana (Mexico to Ecuador), O. patula (Guatemala, Nicaragua), O. protrusa (Mexico to Ecuador), O. sordida (Mexico, USA, Canada), O. tumida (Costa Rica), O. uncata (Costa Rica), and O. verrucula (Mexico to Costa Rica). A key to the species is also provided.     

Centipede (Chilopoda) richness and diversity in the Bug River valley (Eastern Poland)

The main aim of the survey was to describe the diversity and richness of Chilopoda in the selected area of the Bug River valley. The study sites were located in two regions differing in the shape of the valley, the presence of thermophilous habitats and the size of riparian forests. Pitfall traps were used as a sampling method. As a result, 444 specimens belonging to 12 centipede species of two orders – Geophilomorpha (four species) and Lithobiomorpha (eight species) were caught. Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847, Pachymerium ferrugineum (C.L.Koch, 1835), Lamyctes (Lamyctes) emarginatus (Newport, 1844) and Lithobius (Monotarsobius) dudichi Loksa, 1947 were the most common and the most numerous species. Of particular note is Lithobius dudichi found in Poland for the first time and previously known based on a single specimen. Two to 10 Chilopoda species were found in each habitat under investigation. The greatest species richness was found in thermophilous thickets (10 species), sandy grasslands (eight), xerothermic grasslands (eight) and mesic meadows (six). The fewest number of species (two) was found in rushes at oxbows and in wet meadows. We found differences in the species composition and the number of Chilopoda between the lower (102 specimens, six species) and the middle (324 specimens, 11 species) section of the river valley. Our results confirm the need to protect xerothermic habitats, unique almost throughout entire Central Europe, which due to their distribution and their small area covered are fairly easily subject to the process of destruction.     

Phylogenic analysis of the genus Leishmania by cytochrome b gene sequencing

In a previous report (Luyo-Acero et al., 2004), we demonstrated that cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene analysis is an effective method for classifying several isolates of the genus Leishmania; hence, we have further applied this method to other Leishmania species in an effort to enhance the accuracy of the procedure and to construct a new phylogenic tree. In this study, a total of 30 Leishmania and Endotrypanum WHO reference strains, clinical isolates from our patients assigned to 28 strains (human and non-human pathogenic species) and two species of the genus Endotrypanum were analyzed. The Cyt b gene in each sample was amplified by PCR, and was then sequenced by several primers, as reported previously. The phylogenic tree was constructed based on the results obtained by the computer software MEGA v3.1 and PAUP* v4.0 Beta. The present phylogenic tree was almost identical to the traditional method of classification proposed by Lainson and Shaw (1987). However, it produces the following suggestions: (1) exclusion of L. (Leishmania) major from the L. (L.) tropica complex; (2) placement of L.tarentolae in the genus Sauroleishmania; (3) L. (L.) hertigi complex and L. (V.) equatorensis close to the genus Endotrypanum; (4) L. (L.) enrietti, defined as L. (L.) mexicana complex, placed in another position; and (5) L. (L.) turanica and L. (L.) arabica are located in an area far from human pathogenic Leishmania strains. Cyt b gene analysis is thus applicable to the analyzing phylogeny of the genus Leishmania and may be useful for separating non-human pathogenic species from human pathogenic species.     

Gene Deletion of 7,8-Linoleate Diol Synthase of the Rice Blast Fungus: STUDIES ON PATHOGENICITY, STEREOCHEMISTRY, AND OXYGENATION MECHANISMS*

Linoleate diol synthases (LDS) are heme enzymes, which oxygenate 18:2n-6 sequentially to (8R)-hydroperoxylinoleic acid ((8R)-HPODE) and to (5S,8R)-dihydroxy-, (7S,8S)-dihydroxy-, or (8R,11S)-dihydroxylinoleic acids (DiHODE). The genome of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, contains two genes with homology to LDS. M. oryzae oxidized 18:2n-6 to (8R)-HPODE and to (7S,8S)-DiHODE, (6S,8R)-DiHODE, and (8R,11S)-HODE. Small amounts of 10-hydroxy-(8E,12Z)-octadecadienoic acid and traces of 5,8-DiHODE were also detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The contribution of the 7,8-LDS gene to M. oryzae pathogenicity was evaluated by replacement of the catalytic domain with hygromycin and green fluorescent protein variant (SGFP) cassettes. This genetically modified strain Δ7,8-LDS infected rice leaves and roots and formed appressoria and conidia as the native fungus. The Δ7,8-LDS mutant had lost the capacity to biosynthesize all the metabolites except small amounts of 8-hydroxylinoleic acid. Studies with stereospecifically deuterated linoleic acids showed that (8R)-HPODE was formed by abstraction of the pro-S hydrogen at C-8 and antarafacial oxygenation, whereas (7S,8S)-DiHODE and (8R,11S)-DiHODE were formed from (8R)-HPODE by suprafacial hydrogen abstraction and oxygenation at C-7 and C-11, respectively. A mac1 suppressor mutant (Δmac1 sum1–99) of M. oryzae, which shows cAMP-independent protein kinase A activity, oxygenated 18:2n-6 to increased amounts of (10R)-HPODE and (5S,8R)-DiHODE. Expression of the 7,8-LDS gene but not of the second homologue was detected in the suppressor mutant. This suggests that PKA-mediated signaling pathway regulates the dioxygenase and hydroperoxide isomerase activities of M. oryzae.     

Paridris Kieffer of the New World (Hymenoptera,Platygastroidea, Platygastridae)

Paridris in the New World is revised (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae). Fifteen species are described, of which 13 are new. Paridris aenea (Ashmead)(Mexico (Tamaulipas) and West Indies south to Bolivia and southern Brazil (Rio de Janeiro state)), Paridris armata Talamas, sp. n. (Venezuela), Paridris convexa Talamas, sp. n. (Costa Rica, Panama), Paridris dnophos Talamas, sp. n. (Mexico (Vera Cruz) south to Bolivia and central Brazil (Goiás)), Paridris gongylos Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (United States: Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina), Paridris gorn Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (United States: Ohio south to Alabama, Georgia), Paridris invicta Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (Brazil: São Paulo), Paridris isabelicae Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (Cuba, Dominican Republic), Paridris lemete Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (Puerto Rico), Paridris minor Talamas, sp. n. (Cuba), Paridris nayakorum Talamas, sp. n. (Costa Rica), Paridris pallipes (Ashmead)(southeastern Canada, United States south to Costa Rica, also Brazil (São Paulo), Paridris psydrax Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay, United States, Venezuela), Paridris saurotos Talamas, sp. n. (Jamaica), Paridris soucouyant Talamas & Masner, sp. n. (Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela). Paridris brevipennis Fouts, Paridris laeviceps (Ashmead), and Paridris nigricornis (Fouts) are treated as junior synonyms of Paridris pallipes; Paridris opaca is transferred to Probaryconus. Lectotypes are designated for Idris aenea Ashmead and Caloteleia aenea Ashmead.     

Revision of the genus Epimesoplecia Zhang, 2007 (Diptera,Nematocera, Protopleciidae) with five new species

The genus Epimesoplecia Zhang, 2007 of Protopleciidae is revised based on five new species, Epimesoplecia plethora sp. n., Epimesoplecia prosoneura sp. n., Epimesoplecia stana sp. n., Epimesoplecia macrostrena sp. n., and Epimesoplecia ambloneura sp. n., described and illustrated from the Jiulongshan Formation of China. These new species, with clearly preserved characters of (1) compound eyes connected in males; (2) antennae, filiform or moniliform, with 16 segments; (3) r-m reaching the middle of the wing; (4) R₄₊₅ ending very close to wing apex; (5) ratio of bRs/dRs ranging from 1.6 to 10.5; (6) M₂ more than 3 times as long as dM₁₊₂; (7) legs thin and long, femur slender, almost equal to tibia; (8) tibial spurs minute; and (9) male genitalia (previously unknown), enable us to emend the diagnosis of Epimesoplecia Zhang, 2007. In addition, all described species of Epimesoplecia are characterized, their features summarized, and a key to Epimesoplecia species is given.     

The synthesis,and study of the β-elimination reaction,of di- and tri-peptides having a 3-O(2-acetamido-3,4,6-trio-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-L-serine residue

2-Acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyra-nosyl chloride was condensed with the N-(benzyloxycarbonyl) derivatives of, respectively, L-seryl-glycine ethyl, L-seryl-L-alanine methyl, L-seryl-L-phenylalanine methyl, and L-seryl-L-aspartic dibenzyl esters to give (3-O-GlcpNAc-CbzN-L-Ser)-GlyOEt (8), (3-O-GlcpNAc-CbzN-L-Ser)-L-AlaOMe (9), (3-O-GlcpNAc-CbzN-L-Ser)-L-PheOMe (10), and (3-O-GlcpNAc-CbzN-L-Ser)-L-Asp(diOBzl) (11), respectively; O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosy-l)-N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-serine methyl ester was deblocked by treatment with hydrobromic acid in glacial acetic acid, followed by triethylamine, to give a glycoamino acid that was condensed with the N-(benzyloxycarbonyl) derivatives of the p-nitrophenyl ester of glycine, L-alanine, and L-proline, respectively, to give CbzNGly-(3-O)-Glcp NAc-L-SerOMe) (17), CbzN-L-Ala-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-SerOMe), and CbzN-L-Pro-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-SerOMe), respectively. Similarly, the glycopeptide resulting from 8 was condensed with the activated esters of glycine, L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, L-proline, and L-serine, respectively, to give CbzNGly-(3-OGlcpNAc-L-Ser)-GlyOEt, CbzN-L-Ala-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-GlyOEt, CbzN-L-Phe-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-GlyOEt, and CbzN-L-Ser-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-GlyOEt, respectively; that from 9, with the p-nitrophenyl esters of glycine¹,L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, L-proline, and L-leucine, respectively, to give CbzNGly-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-AlaOMe, CbzN-L-Ala(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-AlaOMe, CbzN-L-Phe-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L]-AlaOMe, CbzN-L-Pro-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-AlaOMe, and CbzN-L-Leu-(3-O-GlcpNAc- L-Ser)-L-AlaOMe, respectively; that from 10, with the derivatives of glycine, L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, and L-leucine, respectively, to give CbzNGly-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-PheOMe, CbzN-L-Phe-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-PheOMe, CbzN-L-Phe-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-PheOMe, and CbzN-L-Leu-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-PheOMe, respectively; and that from 11, with the derivatives of glycine, L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, L-proline, and L-leucine, respectively, to give CbzNGly-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-Asp(diOBzl), CbzN-L-Ala-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-Asp(diOBzl), CbzN-L-Phe-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-Asp(diOBzl), CbzN-L-Pro-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-Asp(diOBzl), and CbzN-L-Leu-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-Asp-(diOBzl), respectively. O-(2-Acetamido-3,4,5-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-D-gluco-pyranosyl)-N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)- L-asparaginylglycyl-L-serine methyl ester (20) was synthesized by treating the free amine of 17 with the p-nitrophenyl ester of N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-asparagine. 2-Acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbo-nyl)-L-aspart-1-oyl-(glycyl-L-serine methyl ester)-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosylamine (41) was synthesized by the condensation of 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbo-nyl)-L-aspart-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosylamine with glycyl-L-serine methyl ester. Attempts to transfer the 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosyl group from the hydroxyl group of L-serine in 20 to the amido group of L-asparagine, to give 41, were unsuccessful. The β-elimination of some of the glycodi- and glycotri-peptides was studied.     

Phylogeny and host-plant relationships of the Australian?Myrtaceae leafmining moth genus Pectinivalva (Lepidoptera,Nepticulidae), with?new?subgenera and species

The phylogeny of the mainly Australian nepticulid genus Pectinivalva Scoble, 1983 is investigated on the basis of morphology, and a division into three monophyletic subgenera is proposed on the basis of these results. These subgenera (Pectinivalva, Casanovula Hoare, subgen. n. and Menurella Hoare, subgen. n. ) are described and diagnosed, the described species of Pectinivalva are assigned to them, and representative new species are described in each: Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) mystaconota Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Casanovula) brevipalpa Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Casanovula) minotaurus Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Menurella) scotodes Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Menurella) acmenae Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Menurella) xenadelpha Van Nieukerken & Hoare, sp. n., Pectinivalva (Menurella) quintiniae Hoare & Van Nieukerken, sp. n., and Pectinivalva (Menurella) tribulatrix Van Nieukerken & Hoare, sp. n. Pectinivalva (Menurella) quintiniae (from Quintinia verdonii, Paracryphiaceae) is the first known member of the genus with a host-plant not belonging to Myrtaceae. Pectinivalva (Menurella) xenadelpha from Mt Gunung Lumut, Kalimantan, Borneo, is the first pectinivalvine reported from outside Australia. Keys to the subgenera of Nepticulidae known from Australia, based on adults, male and female genitalia, and larvae, are presented. Host-plant relationships of Pectinivalva are discussed with relation to the phylogeny, and a list of known host-plants of Pectinivalva, including hosts of undescribed species, is presented. DNA barcodes are provided for most of the new and several unnamed species.     

Biochemical Characterization of the Oxygenation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids by the Dioxygenase and Hydroperoxide Isomerase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2

We have studied oxygenation of fatty acids by cell extract of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2. Oleic acid ((9Z)-18:1) was transformed to (10S)-hydroperoxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid ((10S)-HPOME) and to (7S,10S)-dihydroxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid (7,10-DiHOME). Experiments under oxygen-18 showed that 7,10-DiHOME contained oxygen from air and was formed sequentially from (10S)-HPOME by isomerization. (10R)-HPOME was not isomerized. The (10S)-dioxygenase and hydroperoxide isomerase activities co-eluted on ion exchange chromatography and on gel filtration with an apparent molecular size of ∼50 kDa. 16:1n-7, 18:2n-6, and 20:1n-11 were also oxygenated to 7,10-dihydroxy fatty acids, and (8Z)-18:1 was oxygenated to 6,9-dihydroxy-(7E)-octadecenoic acid. A series of fatty acids with the double bond positioned closer to ((6Z)-18:1, (5Z,9Z)-18:2) or more distant from the carboxyl group ((11Z)-, (13Z)-, and (15Z)-18:1) were poor substrates. The oxygenation mechanism was studied with [7S-²H]18:1n-9, [7R-²H]18:2n-6, and [8R-²H]18:2n-6 as substrates. The pro-R hydrogen at C-8 was lost in the biosynthesis of (10S)-HPODE, whereas the pro-S hydrogen was lost and the pro-R hydrogen was retained at C-7 during biosynthesis of the 7,10-dihydroxy metabolites. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of P. aeruginosa revealed relatively large amounts of (9E/Z)-16:1 and (11E/Z)-18:1 and only traces of 18:1n-9. We found that (11Z)-18:1 (vaccenic acid) was transformed to (11S,14S)-dihydroxy-(12E)-octadecenoic acid and to a mixture of 11- and 12-HPOME, possibly due to reverse orientation of (11Z)-18:1 at the active site compared with oleic acid. The reaction mechanism of the hydroperoxide isomerase suggests catalytic similarities to cytochrome P450.     

A revision of the Cautires obsoletus species group from Java (Coleoptera,Lycidae)

The Javanese fauna of the species group Cautires obsoletus is revised. Altogether, eight Javanese species were classified in the group; five of them are proposed to be junior subjective synonyms: Cautires fruhstorferi Dudkova & Bocak, 2010, a replacement name of Bulenides lineatus Pic, 1921, Cautires javanicus Bourgeois, 1883, Cautires inhumeralis (Pic, 1921), Cautires nigromaculatus (Pic, 1925), and Cautires pudicus (Kleine, 1931) (all synonymized to Cautires obsoletus Waterhouse, 1879). Three Javanese species are redescribed: Cautires apicalis (Pic, 1925), Cautires obsoletus (Waterhouse, 1878), and Cautires singularithorax (Pic, 1925). Cautires apicalis (Pic, 1925) is removed from the synonymy of Cautires corporaali (Pic, 1921) and reinstated as a valid name. Three new species are proposed: Cautires walteri sp. n., Cautires taoi sp. n., and Cautires sukosarensis sp. n. All species are keyed and principal diagnostic characters are illustrated. The distribution and relationships to Cautires fauna of other Great Sundas islands are briefly discussed.     

Diversity of the Schizophoria lineage (Brachiopoda: Orthida) in the Lower and Middle Devonian of Poland and adjacent areas

The nominative subgenus of Schizophoria (Brachiopoda, Orthida) is represented in the Lower and Middle Devonian of Poland and of the western Ukraine by six taxa: late Emsian Schizophoria (S.) interstrialis, late Eifelian S. (S.) schnuri biscissa, early Givetian S. (S.) schnuri schnuri, middle to late Givetian S. (S.) schnuri prohibita ssp.n., middle Givetian S. (S.) parvaepunctata and late Givetian S. (S.) sp.n. (unnamed for lack of sufficient material). Morphotypes referable to S. (S.) schnuri biscissa and to S. (S.) schnuri junkerbergiana co-occur in the same outcrop (not necessarily in the same levels), wherefore the separation of these subspecies may be maintained only if they are considered as chronosubspecies (unverifiable on the studied material) but not as geographic variants (hypothesis falsified by the studied material). A lectotype for S. (S.) interstrialis and a neotype for S. (S.) parvaepunctata are selected. Punctae diameter and density (either an important systematic character according to some authors or devoid of such value according to other ones) were investigated: they show important within-individual and within-sample variation, wherefore they cannot serve to distinguish related species. On the contrary, punctae character combinations are sufficiently constant to help differentiate subgenera or groups of species. In the studied material, three clusters are distinguished on the basis of the punctae characteristics: S. (Pachyschizophoria) and S. (S.) parvaepunctata differ between each other and from all other investigated species of S. (Schizophoria); the latter are indistinguishable on the sole basis of punctae characteristics.     

Reticulate evolution in Ranunculus cantonensis polyploid complex and its allied species

Hybridization is particularly likely to occur in initial and young polyploid complexes, and interspecies hybridization between diverged species usually leads to a complicated reticulate evolution. The Ranunculus cantoniensis complex and its allied species include R. chinensis (2x), R. silerifolius var. silerifolius (2x), R. cantoniensis (4x), R. trigonus (2x), R. shuichengensis (2x), R. diffusus (4x), R. repens (4x), R. vaginatus (5x) and R. sieboldii (6x, 8x). Many morphological intermediates can be found between the members of this complex, and the relationship among members is complicated. By analyzing internal transcribed spacers and nrDNA FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) signals, we unraveled the phylogenetic and genetic constitution of the various taxonomic units of this complex. Haplotypes were highly separated by median-joining network analysis and at least four haplogroups emerged in which there were 11 primary haplotypes; six out of ten taxa shared haplotype 1, suggesting that haplotype 1, a variation of the primary haplotype R. chinensis, served as the pivotal genome in the complex. The pollen characteristics and electrophoretic patterns of R. vaginatus (5x) showed it to be an intermediate between R. diffusus (4x) and R. sieboldii (6x). The distribution of R. vaginatus (5x) was located at the junction of the distributions of R. diffusus (4x) and R. sieboldii (6x). Ranunculus vaginatus (5x) shared haplotypes 7 and 8 with R. diffusus (4x), and haplotypes 8 and 9 with R. sieboldii (6x). This proved that R. vaginatus (5x) emerged from hybridization between R. diffusus (4x) and R. sieboldii (6x). The results of FISH also support a hybrid origin of R. vaginatus (5x). The findings of this study clearly show that there are only eight taxa in this polyploid complex including R. chinensis (2x), R. silerifolius var. silerifolius (2x), R. trigonus (2x), R. silerifolius var. dolicanthus(2x), R. cantoniensis (4x), R. diffusus (2x), R. vaginatus (5x) and R. sieboldii (6x, 8x). These taxa associated with each other by hybridizing with the pivotal genome. Ranunculus cantoniensis (4x) and R. vaginatus (5x) arose from hybridization events between diverged species in the polyploid complex, leading to a complicated reticulate evolution.     

Revision of the subgenus Orthoscymnus Canepari of Scymnus Kugelann (Coleoptera,Coccinellidae), with descriptions of four new species

The subgenus Orthoscymnus Canepari, 1997 of Scymnus Kugelann, 1794 is herein revised. Seven species of the Orthoscymnus fauna are recognized, of which four species, Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) jilongicus sp. n., Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) paradoxus sp. n., Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) crispatus sp. n. and Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) duomaculatus sp. n., are described as new to science. Scymnus (Orthoscymnus) rhododendri Canepari is recorded from China for the first time. Scymnus (Pullus) robustibasalis Yu is transferred to the subgenus Orthoscymnus (comb. n.). All species are diagnosed, described and illustrated, and distributions are provided for each species. A key to the species is included.     

Toxicities of 26 pesticides against 10 biological control species

To determine selective effectiveness for specific pesticides on biological control species we evaluated the contact toxicity of 16 insecticides, 2 acaricides, 3 fungicides, and 5 biopesticides. Targeted species included 3 predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, and Neoseiulus californicus McGregor), 5 hymenopteran parasitoids (Diglyphus isaea Walker, Aphidius colemani Viereck, Encarsia formosa Gahan, Eretmocerus eremicus Rose and Zolnerowich and E. mundus Mercet), and 2 hemipteran predators (Orius laevigatus Fieber and Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter) in laboratory condition. In addition, residual toxicity was evaluated on P. persimilis, E. formosa, and O. laevigatus. For contact toxicity, five insecticides (spinetoram, spinosad, lepimectin, chlorfenapyr, and dinotefuran + spinetoram) showed high toxicity to predatory mites. Most pesticides tested were highly toxic to all hymenopteran species except for D. isaea which showed low susceptibility to 11 pesticides. Bistrifluron + flubendiamide and B. valismortis were less toxic to A. colemani, and only B. valismortis was safe to both E. mundus and E. eremicus. Insect growth regulators (methoxyfenozide and bistrifluron), chlorantraniliprole, and bistrifuron + flubendiamide were not toxic to hemipteran predators. Fungicides and biopesticides were safe to hemipteran predators except for two biopesticides (B. subtilis and P. fluorescens). Most pesticides had low residual toxicity to P. persimilis, with the exception of chlorfenapyr whose toxicity persisted over 7 days. One insecticide (cyantraniliprole), 2 acaricides (spiromesifen and fenpyroximate), 1 fungicide (metrafenone), and 4 biopesticides (B. subtilis, P. polymyxa, P. fluorescens, and B. valismortis) showed a much lower residual toxicity to E. formosa. Eight insecticides, 2 acaricides, 3 fungicides, and 5 biopesticides showed low residual toxicity to O. laevigatus.     

Serosurveillance of Scrub Typhus in Small Mammals Collected from Military Training Sites near the DMZ, Northern Gyeonggi-do, Korea, and Analysis of the Relative Abundance of Chiggers from Mammals Examined

Comprehensive quarterly serosurveillance on scrub typhus in small mammals collected from military training sites located near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), northern Gyeonggi-do (Province), ROK was conducted to determine the potential rodent-borne and associated ectoparasite disease risks to military personnel. A total of 1,196 rodents and insectivores representing 8 species, Apodemus agrarius (87.3%, n = 1,044), Mus musculus (5.4%, n = 65), Crocidura lasiura (3.3%, n = 40), Microtus fortis (2.6%, n = 31), Micromys minutus (0.3%, n = 4), Tscherskia triton (0.3%, n = 4), Rattus norvegicus (0.3%, n = 4), and Myodes regulus (0.3%, n = 4) were assayed for the presence of antibodies to Orientia tsutsugamushi. O. tsutsugamushi antibodies were detected in 6 of 8 species and seroprevalence determined; A. agrarius (45.6%), M. musculus (23.1%), M. fortis (48.4%), M. minutus (50.0%), T. triton (50.0%), and R. norvegicus (25.0%). A total of 31,184 chigger mites collected from 508 rodents and insectivores were slide-mounted and 10 species belonging to 4 genera were identified. Leptotrombidium pallidum (53.4%) was the most frequently collected, followed by L. palpale (15.7%), Neotrombicula tamiyai (14.3%), L. orientale (10.7%), L. zetum (3.1%), Walchia fragilis (2.1%), and L. gemiticulum (0.8%), while the remaining 3 species, L. subintermedium, N. gardellai, and Euschoengastia koreaensis were rarely observed (prevalence < 10%). In contrast to previous surveys, higher chigger indices of the primary scrub typhus vectors, L. pallidum (165.4), L. orientale (45.0), and L. palpale (21.4), were observed during the spring season.     

Genetic analysis of purple adenine (ad-3) mutants induced by methyl methanesulfonate in Neurospora crassa

The mutagenicity of methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) was studied in a genetically marked two-component heterokaryon of Neurospora crassa. Types of genetic alterations detectable in this system are (I) point mutations in the ad-3A and ad-3B loci; (2) multilocus (chromosome) deletions in the ad-3 region, and (3) recessive lethal mutations in the whole genome. Study of the inactivation kinetics of the heterokaryotic and homokaryotic conidial fractions has made it possible to distinguish between nuclear and cytoplasmic inactivation.Forward mutations in the ad-3 region induced by MMS in the heterokaryotic fraction of conidia were obtained by a direct method with the following results: (I) The overall ad-3 forward mutation frequency increases in proportion to the 1.91 power of the concentration of MMS. (2) The forward mutation frequency of point mutations at the ad-3A and ad-3B loci increases in proportion to the 1.68 power of the concentration. (3) The forward mutation frequency of chromosome deletions in the ad-3 region increases more than exponentially with increasing concentrations of MMS. (4) After treatment for 300 min with 20 mM MMS, 15.5% of the ad-3 mutations are multilocus deletions. Tests for genotype and allelic complementation of the point mutations showed that (I) the ratio between ad-3B and ad-3A mutants was 1.75, (2) 52.1% of the ad-3B mutants showed allelic complementation, with 39.2% non-polarized and 12.9% polarized complementation patterns and 47.9% noncomplementing mutants, and (3) both the ratio between point mutations in the ad-3A and ad-3B loci and the spectrum of complementation patterns among the ad-3B mutants were independent of MMS concentration.     

On the composition of talassobathyal ichthyofauna and commercial productivity of Mozambique Seamount (the Indian Ocean)

Ichthyofauna of the Mozambique Seamount of the Indian Ocean, judging from the results of YugNIRO from the 1970s to the 1980s numbers about 130 species of bathyal and bathyal-pelagic fish that belong to 44 families. Most species belong to the families Macrouridae (16), Alepocephalidae (14), Ophidiidae (13), Squalidae (8), and Gempylidae (6). Among them, the greatest numbers and prospects of commercial importance, as over other seamounts, have about ten species: Centroscymnus coelolepis (Somniosidae), Etmopterus granulosus (Etmopteridae), Diastobranchus capensis and Synaphobranchus oregoni (Synaphobranchuidae), Alepocephalus australis, A. productus, and Rouleina attrita (Alepocephalidae), Cetonurus globiceps (Macrouridae), and Allocyttus verrucosus (Oreosomatidae); to the number of potential items of fishery one can also assign Hydrolagus africanus (Chimaeridae), Chlamydoselachus anguinus (Chlamydoselachidae), Apristurus indicus (Scyliorhinidae), Halosaurospis microchir (Halosauridae), Bathytyphlops marionae (Ipnopidae), Coelorhinchus acanthiger, and Coryphaenoides striatura (Macrouridae), Antimora rostrata (Moridae), Lamprogrammus niger and Selachophidium guentheri (Ophidiidae), and Holostethus atlanticus (Trachichthyidae). Pelagic deep-water fish (Gonostomatidae, Sternoptychidae, Myctophidae, etc.) apparently do not form aggregations having a commercial importance.