Ecological analysis of acari recovered from coprolites from archaeological site of northeast Brazil

Coprolite samples of human and animal origin from the excavations performed at the archaeological site of Furna do Estrago, at Brejo da Madre de Deus in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil and sent to the Paleoparasitology Laboratory at Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, were analyzed for mites. After rehydratation and sedimentation of the coprolites, the alimentary contents and the sediments were examined and the mites collected and prepared in definitive whole mounts, using Hoyer's medium. Mites of the following suborders and orders were recovered: suborder Acaridia; order Gamasida; order Ixodida with the familiy Ixodidae (Ixodes sp. and Amblyomma sp. larvae, scutum, idiosoma, gnathosoma); order Oribatida (Aphelacarus sp., Apolohmannia sp., Eophypochthonius sp., Cosmochthonius sp., Pterobates sp., Poronoticae with pteromorphae not auriculate); order Astigmata with the families Atopomelidae (Chirodiscoides caviae), Anoetidae hypopus, Acaridae (Suidasia pontifica), Glycyphagidae (Blomia tropicalis), Pyroglyphidae (Hirstia passericola); order Actinedida with the family Tarsonemidae (Iponemus radiatae). The present work discusses the possibility of the preservation of the mite groups found up to the present day. We also discuss their relationship with the environment and their importance to present populations.     

A new family of astigmatid mites from the lies Crozet, sub-Antarctica; introducing a new concept relating to ontogenetic development of idiosomal setae

Glycacarus combinatus gen . and sp. nov . was collected from the nest of the White chinned petrel ( Procellaria aequinoctialis ) on Possession Island Sub-Antarctica. It can be distinguished from all other members of the Astigmata by the M-shaped prodorsal shield and by the fact that it is made up of a complete mixture of the morphological characters which separate the Glycyphagidae from the Acaridae. In order to maintain the present familial structure within the free-living Astigmata a new family Glycacaridae is proposed. It is suggested that these three families arose from three evolutionary lines which separated from a common ancestor possibly during the Cretaceous period. Ontogenetic development of the body setae is described and a new interpretation of setal homologies relative to different life-cycle stages is discussed, together with a revised nomenclatural system for the idiosomal seta.     

Astigmatid mites (Acari: Sarcoptiformes) of forensic interest

This paper reviews the occurrence of mites of the infraorder Astigmata in situations involving the legal system, particularly in the area of medicocriminal entomology. Species in the families Acaridae, Lardoglyphidae and Histiostomatidae are encountered in stored food products and in vertebrate carrion, including human remains. Some of these species are incidentals, whereas others are obligate necrophages. Phoretic associations between these mites and insects allows for rapid dispersal and colonization of such patchy resources.     

A rearrangement of the family Tethyidae (Porifera Hadromerida) with establishment of new genera and description of two new species

The discovery of new species, a study of the type material of already described species and an analysis of the literature data call for an extensive rearrangement of the Family Tethyidae, whose last revision dates from Burton (1924). The rearrangement proposed here attributes to the Family eight genera: Tethya Lam. (type genus), Burtonitethya gen nov. , Columnitis Schmidt, Halicomeies Topsent, Stellitethya gen. nov., Tectnitethya gen. nov., Tethycometes gen. nov . and Xenospongia Gray. The genus Aaptos is excluded from the Tethyidae. Three of the new genera have been established for species previously attributed to the genus Tethya and two are new: Burtonitethya gemmiformis (Burton & Rao) and Tethycometes sibogae sp. nov . Five species, previously attributed to Tethya , are considered 'incertae sedis'. An analytical key and discussion of the evolution of the family are included.     

Comparison of life-history traits of the two male morphs of the bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini

Two basic male morphs occur in several species of the family Acaridae: heteromorphic fighters, possessing a thickened and sharply terminated third pair of legs, and homeomorphic males with unmodified legs. We compared major life-history traits of the two morphs in the bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini. We found no significant differences in development time or virility, but homeomorphic males lived 23% longer than heteromorphs. We discuss the possibility that the trade-off between longevity and adaptation for fighting maintains genetic variation for the male morph in the studied species.     

Heckerocrinus, a new substitute generic name for fossil crinoid Bockia Hecker 1940 (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) non Reisinger 1924 (Vermes: Turbellaria)

Heckerocrinus nom. nov., a new generic name of fossil Ordovician crinoid, is proposed for preoccupied fossil generic name Bockia Hecker 1940 non Reisinger 1924 [Vermes: Turbellaria??Typhloplanidae-Protoplanellinae]. Illegitimate family name Bockiidae Ubaghs 1972 is replaced with a new valid family name Heckerocrinidae nom. nov.     

Additions and amendments to the New Zealand Trichoptera

Features of the family Oeconesidae (Tillyard, 1921) are considered with special reference to the recent work of Neboiss (Australian Entomological Magazine 2(4): 79–85). Under Philopotamidae Stephens, 1829, Dolophilodes (Hydrobiosella) mixta n.sp. is described from material hitherto included in: D. (H.) stenocerca (Tillyard, 1924). Pycnocentrodes Tillyard, 1924 (in Sericostomatidae Stephens, 1836) is revised as follows: P. chiltoni Tillyard, 1924 and P. unicolor Wise, 1958 are synonymised with P. aureola (McLachlan, 1868); P. modesta n.sp. is described from material from the northern half of the North Island; and P. aeris Wise, 1958 is confirmed as a distinct species.     

New genera, species, and improved phylogeny of Glissomonadida (Cercozoa)

Glissomonadida is an important cercozoan order of predominantly biflagellate gliding bacterivores found largely in soil and freshwater. Their vast diversity is largely undescribed. We studied 23 mostly newly isolated strains by light microscopy and sequenced their 18S rDNA genes; nine represent new species. For two misidentified ATCC 'Heteromita triangularis' strains, we establish novel gliding genera and species: the sandonid Mollimonas lacrima, the only glissomonad forming anterior and posterior pseudopodia, and Dujardina stenomorpha, a strongly flattened member of the new family Dujardinidae. A new strain from Oxfordshire grassland soil is the first reliably identified isolate of the virtually uniflagellate, smooth-gliding glissomonad genus, AllantionSandon, 1924. Phylogenetic analysis and cytological features reveal Allantion to be a member of Allapsidae. Sandona limna and Bodomorpha prolixa from Lake Baikal and Sandona hexamutans from volcanic Costa Rican soil are described as new species. Fifteen glissomonad strains were from grassland beside Lake Baikal. We describe two as new species of Sandona (S. heptamutans and S. octamutans); the others included strains of Sandona and Allapsa species that have already been described; and three were new species of Sandona and Allapsa but these died before being described. We discuss the ecological and evolutionary significance of these new strains.     

Observations on the mite fauna associated with adult Stomoxys calcitmns in the U.K.

Abstract. Adult females of the blood-sucking muscid Stomoxys calcitrans sampled between June and September 1993 from a cattle farm ( n = 839) and from a pig farm ( n = 542) in North-West England were examined for mites. Twelve species of mites from ten families and three orders were identified as follows. In the Prostigmata, Eryenetes sp., Family Ereynetidae and Pediculaster mesembrinae , Family Pygmephoridae. In the Astigmata, Procalvolia zacheri Family Saproglyphidae, Acarusfarris , Family Acaridae, Bonomoia sphaerocerae and Myianoetus sp., Family Anoetidae. In the Mesostigmata, Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and Macrocheles subbadius Family Macrochelidae, Digamasellus sp., Family Digamasellidae, Halolaelaps sp., Family Halolaelapidae. Prodinychus sp., Family Uropodoidea and Thinoseius sp., Family Eviphididae. Mean infestation rates at the two sites (all mite species) for the entire sampling period were 31.6 ± 13.9% and 19.8 ± 3.6% respectively. 51 % of synbovine flies sampled in July were infested with mites. Mean numbers of flies infested in August at both farms were significantly lower compared to other months. The presence of tritonymphs of Ereynetes sp. on S.calcitrans demonstrates for the first time that this life cycle stage is naturally associated with insects in the field.
All mites were recovered from the ventral thorax and abdomen, and two or more species commonly infested individual flies. Associations of mites with their dipteran hosts are described and discussed.     

Aggressiveness in Two Male Morphs of the Bulb Mite Rhizoglyphus robini

We studied differences in aggressiveness between two male morphs of the bulb mite Rhizoglyphus robini (Acari: Acaridae). Heteromorphic males have a thickened and sharply terminating third pair of legs, whereas homeomorphic males have unmodified legs. In another genus ( Caloglyphus ) of the family Acaridae, modified legs are used during fights to stab (often mortally) other males, but fights have not so far been observed in the genus Rhizoglyphus .
In this study we showed that in Rhizoglyphus robini males fight in a way similar to that previously described for the genus Caloglyphus. The presence of females increased the duration of aggressive interactions and caused earlier initiation, but fights were also observed in the absence of females. Pairs of heteromorphic males spent more time on aggressive interactions than did mixed pairs of heteromorphs and homeomorphs or pairs of homeomorphic males. Although the proportion of pairs involved in aggressive interactions did not differ between these three morph combinations, clasping of the opponent with legs, which is a typical behaviour of killer Caloglyphus males that precedes stabbing, occurred more often between pairs of heteromorphs than between mixed pairs and pairs of homeomorphs. This is consistent with our other finding that mortality attributable to male aggression was only recorded in pairs of males containing at least one heteromorphic male. We conclude that the modified legs of heteromorphic R. robini males function as a weapon in aggressive interactions between males and that, as previously described for the genus Caloglyphus , male morphs differ in aggressiveness.     

Staining Chromosomes in Sections of Germinal Vesicles of Sarcoptid Mites by a Schiff Reagent

Chromosomes of oocytes, especially early prophase I stages, of Acaridae and Anoetidae species are difficult to stain by procedures using hematoxylin, Feulgen and aceto-orcein. Hematoxylin stains are intensely polychromatic in oocytes; the standard Feulgen procedure is negative with chromosomes during diffuse prophase stages. Satisfactory staining can be obtained with a supersensitive Schiff reagent (Tobie, W. C., Ind. Eng. Chem., Anal. Ed., 14: 405—406, 1942) made by reducing basic fuchsin with gaseous SO₂. Routinely prepared paraffin sections of mites fixed in Carnoy's 6:3:1 mixture were hydrolysed 5-8 min in 1 N HCl, washed well, and stained in this reagent: 1-2 hr for prophase oocytes, 10-20 min for condensed chromosomes. A second staining in a 0.5% aqueous solution of toluidine blue 0, adjusted to pH 5.3-5.5 with a citrate buffer, served to darken the original Feulgen stain. Counterstaining with 0.1-0.2% fast green FCF in the last fluid of the dehydrating series enhanced contrast between chromosomes and cytoplasm. This staining technic is also suitable for preparing whole mounts of mites.     

Revision of two species of ?Ulocrinus and a new pelecocrinid crinoid from West Timor

Two cladid crinoid species, ?Ulocrinus indicus Wanner, 1924, and ?Ulocrinus conoideus Wanner, 1937, are reinterpreted as cladid crinoids that do not belong to the cromyocrinids. This justifies Wanner's questioning of the generic assignment. ?Ulocrinus indicus has bifascial radial facets and is considered an advanced intermediate dendrocrinid assigned to the incertae superfamiliae, Katerocrinidae n. fam., Katerocrinus indicus n. gen., n. comb. This extends the range of the bifascial dendrocrinids upward into the Permian. ?Ulocrinus conoideus has trifascial radial facets and is assigned to the superfamily Scytalocrinoidea, incertae familiae, Dochmocrinus conoideus n. gen., n. comb. It re-emphasizes the need for revision of the family Scytalocrinidae. An unnamed, poorly preserved cup is described and considered to be a pelecocrinid crinoid, thus adding to the diversity of the West Timor Permian crinoids.     

Structural elucidation and synthesis of 3-hydroxybenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde from astigmatid mites.

The structure of a novel aromatic compound contained in the unidentified Rhizoglyhus mite (Acaridae: Astigmata) was elucidated, without its isolation, to be 3-hydroxybenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde (tentatively named gamma-acaridial) by a combination of GC/MS and GC/FT-IR together with knowledge of related mite compounds. The structure was confirmed by a 5-step synthesis, starting from methyl 3-hydroxybenzoate, in a 15% overall yield. The compound is widely distributed not only among Astigmata but also among Oribatida, although its biological function is obscure at present.     

Machairodus horribilis Schlosser，1903头骨材料记述

Schlosser于1903年根据不明地点的零散牙齿所创建的Machairodus horribilis种一直没有得到古生物学家们的认同。最近发现了产自山西保德的两个剑齿虎头骨及一件下颌。其中的ml和M.horribilis者在大小和形态上都非常接近,据此把上述新材料归入了M.horribi- lis。在与中国及欧洲已知各种对比后,确信M.horribilis应为一有效种。     

Structural Elucidation and Synthesis of 3-Hydroxybenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde from Astigmatid Mites

The structure of a novel aromatic compound contained in the unidentified Rhizoglyhus mite (Acaridae: Astigmata) was elucidated, without its isolation, to be 3-hydroxybenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde (tentatively named γ-acaridial) by a combination of GC/MS and GC/FT-IR together with knowledge of related mite compounds. The structure was confirmed by a 5-step synthesis, starting from methyl 3-hydroxybenzoate, in a 15% overall yield. The compound is widely distributed not only among Astigmata but also among Oribatida, although its biological function is obscure at present.     

在基因家族背景下对四种植物中DGAT2的鉴定和序列分析

二酰甘油酰基转移酶2(Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2,DGAT2)是植物中三羧酸甘油酯(TAG)合成途径的限速酶,其编码基因属于酰基转移酶基因超家族。本研究依托植物全基因组数据库Phytozome,通过BLAST搜索获得了蓖麻(Ricinus communis L.)、拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana Heynh.)、毛果杨(Populus tricho-carpa Torr.A.Gray.)和木薯(Manihot esculenta Crantz.)4种双子叶植物酰基转移酶基因超家族所编码的73条多肽序列,并从中鉴定出5条DGAT2序列。理化性质和跨膜结构域分析表明,5条DGAT2序列均为疏水性跨膜蛋白,其中木薯DGAT2为一次跨膜蛋白且在叶绿体膜中大量分布,这与其他植物的DGAT2序列存在差异;木薯DGAT2蛋白在进化过程中发生了功能分化且可能与木薯的抗逆作用有关。     

Study of the Rotatoria‐Fauna of the Littoral of the Rio Branco,South of Boa Vista,Northern Brazil

From a study of the permanent shallow water in the savanna near Boa Vista, Brazil, a littoral sample was brought back by Dr. G.‐O. Brandorff ; Ahrensburg, which he gave me to examine. The analysis of the material, about 50 ml, showed 149 identifiable species as well as some preservative artifacts. Six species were hitherto unknown to that area. They were identified as the following: Cephalodella brandorffi nov. sp., Dicranophorus difflugarium (Penard , 1924), Eothinia triphea (Harring and Myers , 1924), Lecane bulla papillosa nov. ssp., Macrochaetus paggiensae nov. sp., Notommata falcinella (Harring and Myers , 1922), and Habrotrocha pusilla pusilla (Bryce , 1893).     

北方常见农业土地利用方式对土壤螨群落结构的影响

土壤螨群落与土壤健康状况密切相关,农业土地利用方式会影响土壤螨的生存环境,进而影响螨的群落分布。在北方传统农业区研究了小麦玉米常规轮作农田,1年温室蔬菜大棚、4年温室蔬菜大棚和4年露天菜地下土壤主要理化指标和螨群落结构。研究结果表明露天菜地和温室大棚的利用方式均会提高土壤碱解氮和有机质含量,同时温室大棚的长期利用会增加土壤有效磷含量。螨群落分析显示常规农田中甲螨亚目为优势类群;常规农田转变为温室大棚后,由于施肥造成土壤营养物质含量增加,以及人类对土壤扰动程度的提高,无气门亚目取代甲螨亚目成为温室内螨优势类群。但随着温室年限的延长,螨多样性和粉螨科丰度都要有所下降,这可能是磷累积和强扰动效应的共同后果。常规农田转变为露天菜地后,加强的人类扰动也会降低甲螨亚目丰度,但与温室螨群落相比,4个亚目分布要相对均匀。温室在3种土地利用类型中对土壤螨的负面影响最为明显,从土壤功能的自我维持和修复方面来讲是十分不利的,温室内土壤生物多样性的保护尤其值得人们关注和重视。     

A revision of the Chinese Gasteruptiidae (Hymenoptera,Evanioidea)

The Chinese fauna of the family Gasteruptiidae is revised, keyed and fully illustrated for the first time. Only one genus of this family, Gasteruption Latreille, 1796, is recorded from China. In total 28 valid species of the genus Gasteruption are recognized. Six species are new to science (Gasteruption angulatum sp. n., Gasteruption assectoides sp. n., Gasteruption coloratum sp. n., Gasteruption latitibia sp. n., Gasteruption sinepunctatum sp. n. and Gasteruption strigosum sp. n.) and eight species are reported new for China (Gasteruption bimaculatum Pasteels, 1958, Gasteruption birmanense Pasteels, 1958, Gasteruption dimidiatum Semenov, 1892, Gasteruption formilis Alekseev, 1995, Gasteruption subhamatum Pasteels, 1958, Gasteruption tonkinense Pasteels, 1958, Gasteruption tournieri Schletterer, 1885, Gasteruption transversiceps Pasteels, 1958). Three new synonyms are proposed: Gasteruption curiosum Pasteels, 1958, of Gasteruption amoyense Pasteels, 1958; Gasteruption sinense var. minus Kieffer, 1924, with Gasteruption japonicum Cameron, 1888,and Gasteruption sinense Kieffer, 1924, of Gasteruption sinarum Kieffer, 1911. Lectotypes are designated for Gasteruption corniculigerum Enderlein, 1913, Gasteruption sinense Kieffer, 1924, and Gasteruption transversiceps Pasteels, 1958. Gasteruption bihamatum Kieffer, 1911, previously reported from South China, is a South American species.