On the nomenclature of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colias nastes mongola</Emphasis> Alphéraky, 1897 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colias tamerlana</Emphasis> Staudinger, 1897 (Lepidoptera,Pieridae)

The nomenclatural history of the nominal taxa Colias nastes mongola Alphéraky, 1897 and Colias tamerlana Staudinger, 1897 is considered. The nominal taxon Colias nastes mongola Alphéraky, 1897 was published before the end of June 1897, whereas the nominal taxon Colias tamerlana Staudinger, 1897 was published on July 27, 1897. Consequently, the combination Colias tamerlana mongola Alphéraky, 1897 contradicts Art. 23 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and should not be used. Analysis of collection material and publications of different authors, including the travel notes of H. Leder, allowed us to determine the exact type locality of the nominal taxon Colias nastes mongola Alphéraky, 1897, which is the vicinity of the village of Turan (Tunkin District, Buryatia, the Russian Federation), with the approximate geographic coordinates 51°38′N and 101°39′E.     

Degradation of sulfide by dehaloperoxidase-hemoglobin from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amphitrite ornata</Emphasis>

Dehaloperoxidase-hemoglobin (DHP) is a unique multifunctional enzyme with a globin fold. The enzyme serves as the respiratory hemoglobin for the marine worm Amphitrite ornata and has been shown to catalyze the conversion of highly toxic trihalophenols to dihaloquinones as a detoxification function for the organism. Given the simplicity of the structure of A. ornata, it is entirely possible that DHP may play an even more general role in detoxification of the organism from sulfide commonly found in the coastal estuaries where A. ornata thrives. Comparison of DHP with other sulfide-binding hemoglobins shows that DHP possesses several distal cavity structural properties, such as an aromatic cage and a hydrogen-bond-donor amino acid (His55), that facilitate sulfide binding. Furthermore, a complete reduction of the ferric heme occurs after sulfide exposure under aerobic or anaerobic conditions to yield either the oxy or the deoxy ferrous states of DHP, respectively. Oxidation of sulfide by the heme leads to sulfur products that are less toxic to A. ornata. This proposed new function for DHP relies on the highly flexible distal His55 for deprotonation of the bound hydrogen sulfide, similar to H₂O₂ activation of the peroxidase function, and provides further support for the importance of the flexibility of the distal His55 in this novel globin.     

Density-dependent individual growth of marble trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo marmoratus</Emphasis>) in the Soca and Idrijca river basins,Slovenia

The aim of this field study was to investigate effects of estimated fish- and sea urchin herbivory on the reproductive potential of four species of macroalgae; Halimeda macroloba (Decasine), H. renschii (Hauck), Turbinaria ornata (Turner) and Padina boergesenii (Allender et Kraft). Fish and sea urchin herbivory were calculated based on reported consumption rates for their biomass estimates. We hypothesized that reduced herbivory would increase algal size and the reproductive potential, which may promote algal recruitment and be one of the driving mechanisms behind algal shifts and persistent algae-dominated reefs. Algae were investigated in field sites where the estimated fish- and or sea urchin herbivory differed. Our results suggest that algal fecundity of T. ornata and P. boergesenii are positively correlated to their size. Fecundity of T. ornata was higher and individuals grew larger in areas where estimated fish herbivory was lower. The two species of Halimeda grew larger and had higher fecundity in areas where estimated sea urchin herbivory was lower. P. boergesenii responded ambiguously to patterns in herbivory. Due to species-specific responses to different herbivores, it is difficult to generalize about effects of overfishing on algal fecundity. Handling editor: S. Wellekens     

Behavior,Parasitism, Morphology,and Biochemistry of Criconemella xenoplax and C. ornata on Peach

Host-parasite relationships of Criconemella xenoplax and C. ornata on Nemaguard peach and common bermudagrass were determined in the greenhouse. Criconemella xenoplax reproduced on peach and reduced root volume, height, and dry stem weight after 6 months, compared with the noninfested check. Numbers of C. ornata did not increase on peach or influence peach growth, but they did reduce dry top weight and root volume of common bermudagrass, compared with C. xenoplax. Criconemella xenoplax and C. ornata produced the enzyme β-glucosidase and were capable of metabolizing prunasin, but only C. xenoplax produced β-cyanoalanine synthase to detoxify the cyanide released from prunasin. The apparent inability of C. ornata to detoxify cyanide is one explanation why numbers of this species did not increase on peach. Criconemella xenoplax and C. ornata can be distinguished by using stylet length, vaginal configuration, and shape of the anterior head region.     

Chromosome banding in Amphibia

The somatic and meiotic chromosomes of the South American leptodactylid toads Odontophrynus americanus, Ceratophrys ornata, and C. cranwelli were analysed both with conventional staining and differential banding techniques. The karyotypes of O. americanus were tetraploid; those of C. ornata octaploid. Ceratophrys cranwelli is a diploid species whose karyotype displays great similarities with that of C. ornata. The high frequency of multivalent pairing configurations in the meioses of O. americanus and C. ornata indicate that these animals were of autopolyploid origin. The conventionally stained somatic chromosomes of O. americanus can be arranged into sets of four similar chromosomes (quartets); those of C. ornata, into sets of eight similar chromosomes (octets). The banding patterns revealed heterogeneity within some quartets of O. americanus, dividing each of them into two pairs of homologous chromosomes. In analogy, some octets of C. ornata can be subdivided into two quartets of chromosomes with homologous bands. These structural heterogeneities within the quartets and octets are interpreted as a diploidization of the polyploid karyotypes. Diploidization leads to genomes that are polyploid with respect to the amount of genetic material and diploid with respect to chromosomal characteristics and the level of gene expression. In tetraploid O. americanus, the number of nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) and their DNA content is proportional to the degree of ploidy. In contrast, up to eight NORs have been deleted in the octoploid C. ornata. These NOR losses are discussed as a possible reason for the reduction of genetic activity in polyploid genomes.This paper is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Hans Bauer on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Length–length and length–weight relationships for four endemic Cyprinid species in Küçük Menderes River Basin,Turkey

Length–length and length–weight relationships were studied for four endemic Cyprinid species from the Küçük Menderes River Basin located in the Western Anatolian region of Turkey. Fish were sampled from Tahtal? and Beyda?? reservoirs, Bulgurca, ?a?al and Azmak streams during 2013–2014, using multimesh gillnets in the reservoirs and by electrofishing in the streams. First records of length–weight relationships for Barbus pergamonensis Karaman, 1971, Squalius kosswigi (Karaman, 1972) and Petroleuciscus smyrnaeus (Boulenger, 1896) are reported in addition to three new maximum total lengths for Chondrostoma holmwoodii (Boulenger, 1896), Squalius kosswigi (Karaman, 1972) and Petroleuciscus smyrnaeus (Boulenger, 1896).     

Larvicidal effects of some natural products on the Aedes aegypti mosquito,a vector of dengue fever and Zika virus

Natural products are considered a good choice in the biological control of mosquitoes because they are an effective way to eliminate larvae and prevent an increase in mosquito numbers, while simultaneously not polluting the environment or damaging health. This investigation was designed to study the potential toxicity of three species of algae, Caulerpa racemosa (Weber-van Bosse, 1909), Padina boryana (Thivy, 1966), and Turbinaria ornata (Turner J. Agardh, 1848), on the larvae of Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector of dengue and Zika viruses. Among the studied species, Caulerpa racemosa showed the greatest effectiveness in eradicating A. aegypti larvae with an LC₅₀ = 43.5 ppm, followed by Padina boryana with an LC₅₀ = 51.93 ppm. Both species proved to be excellent candidates as a source of larvicidal agents and could be used commercially in mosquito control programs as eco-friendly biopesticides. The combined activity of different mixtures against mosquito larvae was expressed as the coeffective factor (C.F.). C.F. values showed that the joint activity of insect growth regulator Dudim in combination with Caulerpa racemosa and Padina boryana extracts produced degrees of potentiation effects and degrees of additive effects were obtained with Dudim in combination with Turbinaria ornata extract.     

ONTOGENETIC CHANGES IN BUOYANCY,BREAKING STRENGTH,EXTENSIBILITY, AND REPRODUCTIVE INVESTMENT IN A DRIFTING MACROALGA TURBINARIA ORNATA (PHAEOPHYTA)1

Turbinaria ornata (Turner) J. Agardh is a tropical alga that disperses by detached, reproductively mature floating fronds. Material properties (breaking stress, breaking extension), buoyancy, and the proportion of reproductive tissue per frond were measured for juvenile, adult, and old fronds of T. ornata. Correlations between these factors indicate that as fronds age and become more reproductively mature, the tissue in their stipes (where they break) becomes weaker, more brittle, and the overall buoyancy of the frond increases. Measurement of drag force experienced by fronds from each ontogenetic stage allowed calculation of the environmental stress factor (ESF), which indicates the likelihood of detachment of a frond in the flow environment of its habitat. The ESF for fronds of each ontogenetic stage predicted that reproductively mature fronds (adult and old) break more readily than immature (juvenile) fronds. Increased proportions of reproductively mature fronds in floating rafts following storms compared with the proportion of mature fronds attached to the substratum support the ESF predictions. This combination of ontogenetic changes in material properties, buoyancy, and reproductive maturity in combination with the life history of T. ornata may contribute to the dispersal of this alga throughout French Polynesia.     

Distribution and abundance of a nemertean egg predator ( Carcinonemertes sp.) on a leucosiid crab,Randallia ornata

The purple globe crab, Randallia ornata (Randall, 1839) (Decapoda: Leucosiidae) is a common crustacean found on sandy beaches from Northern California to Baja California, Mexico. An undescribed species of Carcinonemertes, which shares biological features with a partially described worm from Tasmania was recovered from R. ornata. The worm reaches 10 mm in length and secretes a sturdy tube with a distinctive spiral shape. The total prevalence of the worm on R. ornatawas 70% (85% for ovigerous female crabs, 67% for post-ovigerous female crabs, and 45% for male crabs). Intensities reached 32 worms per crab. Adult worms were found in crab egg masses, regressed adults were recovered from under the abdomen of post-ovigerous females, and encysted juveniles were found on the gill lamellae of non-ovigerous female crabs and occasionally from the gill lamellae of male crabs.     

Contrasting reproductive strategies in three deep-sea octocorals from eastern Canada: Primnoa resedaeformis, Keratoisis ornata, and Anthomastus grandiflorus

Various aspects of reproduction were studied in three deep-sea octocorals belonging to the order Alcyonacea that co-occur at bathyal depths on the continental edge and the slope of eastern Canada. The main goals were to expand knowledge of deep-water heterotrophic corals and ascertain whether reproductive strategies could explain the known patterns of occurrence. Anthomastus grandiflorus is a gonochoric species with a female-biased sex ratio that exhibits internal fertilization and brooding of planula larvae. Conversely, Primnoa resedaeformis and Keratoisis ornata rely on broadcast spawning and external fertilization; their sexuality remains undetermined as spermatocysts were not found. In P. resedaeformis, the presence of mixed size classes of oocytes in samples from all months, depths, and locations studied suggests continuous oogenesis or overlapping development of oocyte cohorts, indicative of a gametogenic cycle spanning more than a year. No evidence of periodicity was found in this species, although it could have been masked by the striking bathymetric variation in potential relative fecundity (oocytes polyp⁻¹). The two other octocorals displayed a clear annual breeding pattern. Spawning in K. ornata and larval release in A. grandiflorus occurred in late summer and fall, respectively, possibly in response to environmental factors, as supported by shifts in the reproductive peak of A. grandiflorus across latitudes. The three species are presumed to share a nonfeeding larval mode, and data on their reproductive potential do not present any striking disparities. Published data on bycatches and video surveys in Atlantic Canada indicate that the gonochoric brooder A. grandiflorus is more widely distributed than the two free spawners, P. resedaeformis and K. ornata, which is contrary to common dispersal potential paradigms.     

Analysis of the reproductive structure of the hemipopulation of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cosmocerca ornata</Emphasis> (Dujardin, 1845) (Nematoda: Cosmocercidae) in marsh frogs of different ages

The reproductive structure of the hemipopulation of the Cosmocerca ornata (Dujardin, 1845) in different age groups of the marsh frog has been studied. It is established that the main role in the formation of the reproductive structure of the hemipopulation and maintenance of C. ornata abundance belongs to 2- and 3-year-old amphibians. The dynamics of the age structure of C. ornata hemipopulation during the period of amphibian activity (from May to October) varies in different age groups of marsh frogs. The addition of new generations of C. ornata by amphibians of all ages occurs during the warm period of a year. During the winter period, the reproductive structure of C. ornata hemipopulation in the amphibians of all age groups is characterized by the existence of only mature parasites. The addition of young nematodes to the population of marsh frogs during this period does not occur.     

Craniological differentiation between European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris), African wildcats (F. s. lybica) and Asian wildcats (F. s. ornata): implications for their evolution and conservation

Intraspecific diversification of the wildcat (Felis silvestris), including the European wildcat (F. s. silvestris), the Asian wildcat (F. s. ornata) and the African wildcat (F. s. lybica), was examined based on 39 cranial morphology variables. The samples of free‐ranging cats originated from Britain, Europe, Central Asia and southern Africa, consisting of both nominal wildcat specimens (referred to henceforth as ‘wildcats’) and nominal non‐wildcat specimens (‘non‐wildcats’) based on museum labels. The skull morphology of ‘wildcats’ from Britain and Europe is clearly different from that of ‘wildcats’ of Central Asia and southern Africa. The latter are characterized especially by their proportionately larger cheek teeth. On the basis of principal component, discriminant function and canonical variate analyses, the skull morphology of British ‘non‐wildcats’ is less distinct than is that of British ‘wildcats’ from the skull morphologies of ‘wildcats’ of Central Asia and southern Africa. On the other hand, the skull morphology of southern African ‘non‐wildcats’ is as distinct from those of ‘wildcats’ of Britain and Europe as is that of southern African ‘wildcats’. We suggest that the evolution of the modern wildcat probably consisted of at least three different distribution expansions punctuated by two differentiation events: the exodus from Europe during the late Pleistocene, coinciding with the emergence of the steppe wildcat lineage (phenotype of Asian–African wildcat), followed by its rapid range expansion in the Old World. The second differentiation event was the emergence of the domestic cat followed by its subsequent colonization of the entire world with human assistance. Considering the recent evolutionary history of, and morphological divergence in, the wildcat, preventing hybridization between the European wildcat and the domestic cat is a high conservation priority. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 83 , 47–63.     

Preliminary study of the in vitro antiproliferative effect of a hydroethanolic extract from the subtropical seaweed Turbinaria ornata (Turner) J. Agardh on a human non-small-cell bronchopulmonary carcinoma line (NSCLC-N6)

An unusual sulfated fucan-like polysaccharidecontaining aminosugar constituent was isolated fromthe brown Fucales, Turbinaria ornata. Itsantiproliferative effect on asynchronous cells of ahuman non-small-cell bronchopulmonary carcinoma line(NSCLC-N6) was studied in vitro. The kinetics ofcell growth further to the continuous exposure ofcells to T. ornata extract was investigated andthe changes in the cell cycle were observed usingflow-cytometry. Cell growth appeared to be inhibitedin the G1 phase. Altogether our observations suggesta triggering of the terminal differentiation ofcancerous cells by this fucan-like polysaccharide.     

Amphitrite ornata, a Marine Worm, Contains Two Dehaloperoxidase Genes

Amphitrite ornata, a terebellid polychaete, inhabits marine environments that are contaminated by biogenically produced halometabolites. These halogenated organic compounds are toxic and quite diverse. To survive in this environment, A. ornata produces a novel dehaloperoxidase (DHP I) that detoxifies haloaromatic compounds. In this study we identified and characterized two dehaloperoxidase genes, designated dhpA and dhpB, from an A. ornata complementary DNA library. The deduced amino acid sequences (DHP A and DHP B) of the two dhp genes both contain 137 amino acid residues, but they differ at 5 amino acid positions. Allelic variation was observed for both genes as well. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism assays of genomic DNA from 19 in individuals showed that each individual contains both the dhpA and the dhpB genes. Therefore, the two types of DHP are encoded by separate genes and are not alleles of a single gene. Furthermore, DHP A and DHP B may have different substrate specificities since they have amino acid differences in the active site. Accepted January 16, 2001.     

Ontogenetic Variation in Blade Toughness May Contribute to the Spread of Turbinaria ornata Across the South Pacific

Coral reefs are shifting from coral to algal-dominated ecosystems worldwide. Recently, Turbinaria ornata, a marine alga native to coral reefs of the South Pacific, has spread in both range and habitat usage. Given dense stands of T. ornata can function as an alternative stable state on coral reefs, it is imperative to understand the factors that underlie its success. We tested the hypothesis that T. ornata demonstrates ontogenetic variation in allocation to anti-herbivore defense, specifically that blade toughness varied nonlinearly with thallus size. We quantified the relationship between T. ornata blade toughness and thallus size for individual thalli within algal stands (N = 345) on seven fringing reefs along the north shore of Moorea, French Polynesia. We found that blade toughness was greatest at intermediate sizes that typically form canopies, with overall reduced toughness in both smaller individuals that refuge within the understory and older reproductive individuals that ultimately detach and form floating rafts. We posit this variation in blade toughness reduces herbivory on the thalli that are most exposed to herbivores and may facilitate reproduction in dispersing stages, both of which may aid the proliferation of T. ornata.