Studies on Plagiochila in Asia,supplements to sections Abietinae,Annotinae, Ciliatae,Contiguae, Cucullatae,Poeltiae, Subtropicae and zonatae

Twenty-seven names are newly placed in synonymy, Plagiochila blepharophora (Nees) Lindenb. var. δ major Schiffn. (= P. sandei Dozy), P.boninensis Inoue (= P. fordiana Steph.), P. cadens Inoue (= P. sciophila Nees), P. cameronensis Inoue (= P. hampeana Gottsche), P. ceramica Inoue (= P. pulvinata Steph.), P. decidua Inoue & Grolle (= P. sciophila Nees), P. didyma Inoue (= P. parvifolia Lindenb.), P. euryphyllon Herzog (= P. sciophila Nees), P. flavovirens Steph. (= P. sciophila Nees), P. fraseri Steph. (= P. teysmannii Sande Lac), P. gedeana Schiffn. (= P. hampeana Gottsche), P. kaernbachii Steph. (= P. sandei Dozy), P. lagunensis Inoue (= P. junghuhniana Sande Lac), P. massalongoana Sande Lac. (= P. junghuhniana Sande Lac), P. minor Horik. (= P. fordiana Steph.), P. nilgherriensis Steph. (= P. semidecurrens (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Lindenb.), P. nubila Steph. (= P. sandei Dozy), P. nymanii Steph. (= P. sandei Dozy), P. orientalis Taylor (= P. sciophila Nees), P. seemannii Mitt. (= P. sandei Dozy), P. sepikensis Inoue (= P. inflata Steph.), P. spinosissima Steph. (= P. semidecurrens (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Lindenb.), P. subplanata Inoue (= P. sciophila Nees), P. trabeculata var. bifida S. Hatt. (= P. fordiana Steph.), P. trochantha Steph. (= P. sciophila Nees), P. tsutomui Inoue (= P. ungarangana Sande Lac), and P. wichurae Steph. (= P. renitens (Nees) Lindenb). Lectotypes are designated for P. junghuhniana, P. semidecurrens, and P. ungarangana. Plagiochila inflata Steph. is reinstated as a species of sect. Annotinae Carl.     

Revision of the Ceratocapsine Renodaeus group: Marinonicoris,Pilophoropsis, Renodaeus,and Zanchisme,with descriptions of four new genera (Heteroptera,Miridae, Orthotylinae)

The Renodaeus group, a monophyletic assemblage of genera within the New World orthotyline tribe Ceratocapsini, comprising eight genera, including four new ones, is defined; and 48 species are treated, including 26 described as new and 12 transferred from Ceratocapsus Reuter as new combinations. Ceratocapsidea gen. n. is described to accommodate the new species Ceratocapsidea bahamaensis sp. n., from the Bahamas; Ceratocapsidea baranowskii sp. n., from Jamaica; Ceratocapsidea dominicanensis sp. n., from the Dominican Republic; Ceratocapsidea rileyi sp. n., from Texas; Ceratocapsidea taeniola sp. n., from Jamaica; Ceratocapsidea texensis sp. n., from Texas; Ceratocapsidea transversa sp. n., from Mexico (Neuvo León); and Ceratocapsidea variabilis sp. n., from Jamaica; and Ceratocapsus balli Knight, comb. n., Ceratocapsus complicatus Knight, comb. n., Ceratocapsidea consimilis Reuter, comb. n., Ceratocapsus fusiformis Van Duzee, comb. n. (as the type species of the genus), Ceratocapsus nigropiceus Reuter, comb. n., and Ceratocapsus rufistigmus Blatchley, comb. n. [and a neotype designated], Ceratocapsus clavicornis Knight, syn. n. and Ceratocapsus divaricatus Knight, syn. n. are treated as junior synonyms of Ceratocapsus fusiformis Van Duzee. The genus Marininocoris Carvalho and the only included species Marinonicoris myrmecoides Carvalho are redescribed. The genus Pilophoropsis Poppius is redescribed and revised, Renodaeus texanus Knight, comb. n. is transferred into it and the three new species Pilophoropsis bejeanae sp. n., from Sonora, Mexico; Pilophoropsis cunealis sp. n., from Oaxaca, Mexico; Pilophoropsis quercicola sp. n., from Arizona, USA, are described. Pilophoropsidea gen. n. is described to accommodate the 12 new species Pilophoropsidea brailovskyi sp. n., from Federal District, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea cuneata sp. n., from Chiapas, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea dimidiata sp. n., from Durango, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea fuscata sp. n., from Durango, Mexico and Arizona and New Mexico, USA; Pilophoropsidea keltoni sp. n., from Durango, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea maxima sp. n., from Durango, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea pueblaensis sp. n., from Puebla, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea schaffneri sp. n., from Neuvo León and San Luis Potosi, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea serrata sp. n., from Michoacan, Mexico; Pilophoropsidea touchetae sp. n., from Mexico (Puebla); Pilophoropsidea truncata sp. n., from Mexico (Guerrero); Pilophoropsidea tuberculata sp. n., from Mexico (Guerrero); and Ceratocapsus barberi Knight, comb. n., Ceratocapsus camelus Knight, comb. n. (as the type species of the genus), and Ceratocapsus fascipennis Knight, comb. n. Pilophoropsita gen. n. is described to accommodate Pilophoropsidea schaffneri sp. n. from Costa Rica and Mexico (Jalisco, Nayarit, Oaxaca). The genus Renodaeus Distant is redescribed and the new species Renodaeus mimeticus sp. n. from Ecuador is described. The genus Zanchisme Kirkaldy is reviewed and the four known species are redescribed. Zanchismeopsidea gen. n. is described to accommodate Zanchismeopsidea diegoi sp. n. from Argentina (Santiago del Estero). Provided are habitus illustrations for certain adults (Pilophoropsidea camelus, Pilophoropsis brachyptera Poppius, Renodaeus mimeticus, and Zanchisme mexicanus Carvalho & Schaffner), male and female (when available) color digital images and figures of male genitalia of all species, electron photomicrographs of diagnostic characters for selected species, and keys to the genera and their included species. The taxa treated in this paper are arranged alphabetically by genus and species.     

Annotated type catalogue of the Megaspiridae,Orthalicidae, and Simpulopsidae (Mollusca,Gastropoda, Orthalicoidea) in the Natural History Museum,London

The type status is described for 65 taxa of the Orthalicoidea, classified within the families Megaspiridae (14), Orthalicidae (30), and Simpulopsidae (20); one taxon is considered a nomen inquirendum. Lectotypes are designated for the following taxa: Helix brephoides d’Orbigny, 1835; Simpulopsis cumingi Pfeiffer, 1861; Bulimulus (Protoglyptus) dejectus Fulton, 1907; Bulimus iris Pfeiffer, 1853. The type status of Bulimus salteri Sowerby III, 1890, and Strophocheilus (Eurytus) subirroratus da Costa, 1898 is now changed to lectotype according Art. 74.6 ICZN. The taxa Bulimus loxostomus Pfeiffer, 1853, Bulimus marmatensis Pfeiffer, 1855, Bulimus meobambensis Pfeiffer, 1855, and Orthalicus powissianus var. niveus Preston 1909 are now figured for the first time. The following taxa are now considered junior subjective synonyms: Bulimus marmatensis Pfeiffer, 1855 = Helix (Cochlogena) citrinovitrea Moricand, 1836; Vermiculatus Breure, 1978 = Bocourtia Rochebrune, 1882. New combinations are: Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) Rochebrune, 1882; Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) aequatoria (Pfeiffer, 1853); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) anthisanensis (Pfeiffer, 1853); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) aquila (Reeve, 1848); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) badia (Sowerby I, 1835); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) bicolor (Sowerby I, 1835); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) caliginosa (Reeve, 1849); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) coagulata (Reeve, 1849); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) cotopaxiensis (Pfeiffer, 1853); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) filaris (Pfeiffer, 1853); Kara indentata (da Costa, 1901); Clathrorthalicus magnificus (Pfeiffer, 1848); Simpulopsis (Eudioptus) marmartensis (Pfeiffer, 1855); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) nucina (Reeve, 1850); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) ochracea (Morelet, 1863); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) peaki (Breure, 1978); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) petiti (Pfeiffer, 1846); Clathrorthalicus phoebus (Pfeiffer, 1863); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) polymorpha (d’Orbigny, 1835); Scholvienia porphyria (Pfeiffer, 1847); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) purpurata (Reeve, 1849); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) quechuarum Crawford, 1939; Quechua salteri (Sowerby III, 1890); Kuschelenia (Bocourtia) subfasciata Pfeiffer, 1853; Clathrorthalicus victor (Pfeiffer, 1854). In an addedum a lectotype is being designated for Bulimulus (Drymaeus) interruptus var. pallidus Preston, 1909. An index is included to all taxa mentioned in this paper and the preceding ones in this series (Breure and Ablett 2011, 2012, 2014).     

Rapid identification of Salmonella enterica serovars, Typhimurium, Choleraesuis, Infantis, Hadar, Enteritidis, Dublin and Gallinarum, by multiplex PCR

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica poses a threat to both human and animal health, with more than 2500 serovars having been reported to date. Salmonella serovars are identified by slide and tube agglutination tests using O and H antigen-specific anti-sera, although this procedure is both labor intensive and time consuming. Establishment of a method for rapid screening of the major Salmonella serovars is therefore required. We have established multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) assays for identification of seven serovars of Salmonella, i.e., Typhimurium, Choleraesuis, Infantis, Hadar, Enteritidis, Dublin and Gallinarum. Three serovar-specific genomic regions (SSGRs) of each serovar were selected using an approach in comparative genomics. The Salmonella-specific invA gene was used to confirm the genetic background of the organisms. The isolates tested were identified as a target serovar when the three selected SSGRs and invA were all positive for amplification. The specificity of each m-PCR assay was investigated using 118 serovars of Salmonella and 12 species of non-Salmonella strains. Although a small number of false-positive results were observed in the m-PCR assays used to identify Typhimurium, Choleraesuis, Enteritidis and Dublin for closely related serovars, false-negative results were not observed in any assays. These assays had sufficient specificity to identify the seven Salmonella serovars, and therefore, have the potential for use as rapid screening methods.     

Review of the millipede genus Eutrichodesmus Silvestri, 1910, in China,with descriptions of new cavernicolous species (Diplopoda,Polydesmida, Haplodesmidae)

The Eutrichodesmus fauna of mainland China, by far the largest genus in the Indo-Australian family Haplodesmidae, is reviewed and shown to encompass 23 species (of a total of 45), all keyed. The following nine new species, all presumed troglobites, are described: Eutrichodesmus triangularis sp. n., from Sichuan, Eutrichodesmus lipsae sp. n., from Guangxi, Eutrichodesmus tenuis sp. n., Eutrichodesmus trontelji sp. n., Eutrichodesmus latellai sp. n., Eutrichodesmus obliteratus sp. n. and Eutrichodesmus troglobius sp. n., all from Guizhou, Eutrichodesmus sketi sp. n., from Hunan, and Eutrichodesmus apicalis sp. n., from Hubei.     

A second species of Cheleion from Johor,Malaysia (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae,Stereomerini)

A new species of the genus Cheleion Vårdal & Forshage, 2010, Cheleion jendeki sp. n., from Johor, Malaysia is described, illustrated and compared with the type species of the genus, Cheleion malayanum Vårdal & Forshage, 2010. Photographs of the two species are presented. The adaptation to inquilinous lifestyle of Cheleion is compared with those in other beetle groups and briefly discussed.     

Fatty acids,Part 45 epoxyoctadecenoates,dihydroxyoctadecenoates, and diepoxyoctadecanoates: Preparation,chromatographic properties,and reaction with boron trifluoride etherate

A series of diunsaturated C₁₈ esters (5c12c, 6c12c, 7c12c, 8c12c, 9c12c, 6c11c, 6c10c, 6c9c, 9c12t, 9t12c, 9t12t, 9c12a, 9a12c, 9t12a, 9a12t) has been converted to their monoepoxides and, except for the enyoates, to their diepoxides. The isomeric epoxyoctadecenoates produced from each dienoate are separated by TLC. Properties examined include TLC of the epoxy esters, GLC of the epoxy esters and of their bistrimethylsilyl and methyl trimethylsilyl ethers, the melting points of the derived dihydroxyoctadecenoates, and the reaction of methyl cis-6,7 cis-9,10- and cis-8,9, cis-12,13-diepoxyoctadecanoates with boron triflouride etherate.A new synthetic route to methyl 11-bromohendec-cis-9-enoate is reported.     

Geometry, thermodynamics, and protein

We derive a new continuous free energy formula for protein folding. We obtain the formula first by adding hydrophobic effect to a classical free energy formula for cavities in water. We then obtain the same formula by geometrically pursuing the structure that fits best the well-known global geometric features of native structures of globular proteins: 1. high density; 2. small surface area; 3. hydrophobic core; 4. forming domains for long polypeptide chains. Conformations of a protein are presented as an all atom CPK model where each atom is a ball B(x_i,r_i). All conformations satisfy generally defined steric conditions. For each conformation P of a globular protein, there is a closed thermodynamic system Ω_P⊃P bounded by the molecular surface M_P. Both methods derive the same free energy aV(P)+bA(P)+cW(P), where a,b,c>0, V(P), A(P), and W(P) are volume of Ω_P, area of M_P, and area of the hydrophobic surface W_P⊂M_P, which quantifies hydrophobic effect.Minimizing W(P) is sufficient to produce statistically significant native like secondary structures and hydrogen bonds in the proteins we simulated.     

Resolution of taxonomic problems in Australian Harpalini,Abacetini, Pterostichini,and Oodini (Coleoptera,Carabidae)

Taxonomic changes are made for several problematic Australian Carabidae in the tribes Harpalini, Abacetini, Pterostichini, and Oodini. Examination of types resulted in the synonymy of Veradia Castelnau, 1867 with Leconomerus Chaudoir, 1850; Nelidus Chaudoir, 1878, Feronista Moore, 1965, and Australomasoreus Baehr, 2007 with Cerabilia Castelnau, 1867; and newly combining Fouquetius variabilis Straneo, 1960 in the genus Pediomorphus Chaudoir, 1878; Australomasoreus monteithi Baehr, 2007 in the genus Cerabilia Castelnau, 1867; and Anatrichis lilliputana W.J. Macleay, 1888 in the genus Nanodiodes Bousquet, 1996. Cuneipectus Sloane, 1907 is placed in Pterostichini Bonelli, 1810, which is a senior synonym of Cuneipectini Sloane, 1907.     

A new species of Ogdoconta Butler (Lepidoptera,Noctuidae, Condicinae,Condicini) from southeastern Arizona,USA

A new species of Ogdoconta Butler (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Condicinae, Condicini) is described from the Patagonia Mountains, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, USA. Ogdoconta margareta sp. n., is related closely to Ogdoconta tacna (Barnes) from Texas. Modifications are proposed to a recently published key to the Ogdoconta species north of Mexico to allow identification of the new species.     

Restriction Maps of Five Autographa californica MNPV Variants, Trichoplusia ni MNPV, and Galleria mellonella MNPV DNAs with Endonucleases SmaI, KpnI, BamHI, SacI, XhoI, and EcoRI

The restriction sites of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) E2 DNA were mapped for the endonucleases SmaI, KpnI, BamHI, SacI, XhoI, and EcoRI. The restriction maps of four other AcMNPV variants, Trichoplusia ni (TnMNPV), and Galleria mellonella (GmMNPV) genomes were determined and compared to the endonuclease cleavage maps of AcMNPV E2 DNA. The viral structural polypeptides of AcMNPV variants S3, E2, S1, M3, and R9 were the same when analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The major structural polypeptides of GmMNPV and TnMNPV had the same pattern in polyacrylamide gels as did AcMNPV structural polypeptides. GmMNPV and TnMNPV had several minor structural protein differences as compared with AcMNPV. AcMNPV variants, TnMNPV, and GmMNPV were distinct but with very similar genomes and protein structures.     

Three new species of Tasmaniosoma Verhoeff, 1936 (Diplopoda,Polydesmida, Dalodesmidae) from northeast Tasmania,Australia

The small-range millipedes Tasmaniosoma anubis sp. n., Tasmaniosoma interfluminum sp. n. and Tasmaniosoma nicolaus sp. n. are described, and the colour of live Tasmaniosoma barbatulum Mesibov, 2010 is documented.     

Halechiniscidae (Heterotardigrada,Arthrotardigrada) of Oura Bay,Okinawajima, Ryukyu Islands,with descriptions of three new species

Marine tardigrades of the family Halechiniscidae (Heterotardigrada: Arthrotardigrada) are reported from Oura Bay, Okinawajima, one of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, including Dipodarctus sp., Florarctus wunai sp. n., Halechiniscus churakaagii sp. n., Halechiniscus yanakaagii sp. n. and Styraconyx sp. The attributes distinguishing Florarctus wunai sp. n. from its congeners is a combination of two characters, the smooth dorsal cuticle and two small projections of the caudal alae caestus. Halechiniscus churakaagii sp. n. is differentiated from its congeners by the combination of two characters, the robust cephalic cirrophores and the scapular processes with flat oval tips, while Halechiniscus yanakaagii sp. n. can be identified by the laterally protruded arched double processes with acute tips situated dorsally at the level of leg I. A list of marine tardigrades reported from the Ryukyu Islands is provided.     

Revision of the genus Heteranassa Smith, 1899 (Lepidoptera,Erebidae, Omopterini)

Heteranassa Smith (Erebidae, Omopterini), native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, includes two recognized species, namely Heteranassa mima (Harvey) and Heteranassa fraterna Smith. These are separated mainly by subtle differences in wing color and pattern, leading to speculation about the validity of the described species. This study examines variation in external and internal morphology across the geographic range of the genus, aiming to clarify species limits, describe morphology, and provide a comprehensive assessment of variation within the genus. Results indicate that Heteranassa fraterna syn. n., is a junior synonym of Heteranassa mima.     

Review of the genera Anelaphinis Kolbe, 1892 and Atrichelaphinis Kraatz, 1898 (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae)

New material collected recently throughout the Afrotropical region has led to a major reassessment of taxa within the genera Anelaphinis Kolbe, 1892, Atrichelaphinis Kraatz, 1898 and other closely related genera. As a result, the name Megalleucosma Antoine, 1989 is here synonymised with Anelaphinis and a lectotype is designated for the type species, Cetonia dominula Harold, 1879. The genus Atrichelaphinis is redefined and a new subgenus, Atrichelaphinis (Eugeaphinis), is proposed for Elaphinis simillima Ancey, 1883, Elaphinis vermiculata Fairmaire, 1894, Niphetophora rhodesiana Péringuey, 1907, Atrichelaphinis deplanata Moser, 1907 (with Anelaphinis kwangensis Burgeon, 1931 as junior synonym) and Anelaphinis sternalis Moser, 1914. Additionally, three new species and one new subspecies are recognised and described in this new subgenus: Atrichelaphinis (Eugeaphinis) bomboesbergica sp. n. from South Africa; Atrichelaphinis (Eugeaphinis) bjornstadi sp. n. from Tanzania; Atrichelaphinis (Eugeaphinis) garnieri sp. n. from south–east Africa (Tanzania, Zimbabwe); and Atrichelaphinis (Eugeaphinis) deplanata minettii ssp. n. from central Africa (Malawi, Mozambique, Congo-Kinshasa, Congo-Brazzaville, South Africa, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe). The genus Atrichelaphinis is compared to its closest relatives and two separate keys are proposed, one for Atrichelaphinis and one for the sub-Saharan genera exhibiting completely or partially fused parameres.     

Occurrence,Diversity, and Host Association of Intestinal Campylobacter,Arcobacter, and Helicobacter in Reptiles

Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter species have been isolated from many vertebrate hosts, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Multiple studies have focused on the prevalence of these Epsilonproteobacteria genera in avian and mammalian species. However, little focus has been given to the presence within reptiles, and their potential zoonotic and pathogenic roles. In this study, occurrence, diversity, and host association of intestinal Epsilonproteobacteria were determined for a large variety of reptiles. From 2011 to 2013, 444 cloacal swabs and fecal samples originating from 417 predominantly captive-held reptiles were screened for Epsilonproteobacteria. Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter genus specific PCRs were performed directly on all samples. All samples were also cultured on selective media and screened for the presence of Epsilonproteobacteria. Using a tiered approach of AFLP, atpA, and 16S rRNA sequencing, 432 Epsilonproteobacteria isolates were characterized at the species level. Based on PCR, Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter were detected in 69.3% of the reptiles; 82.5% of the chelonians, 63.8% of the lizards, and 58.0% of the snakes were positive for one or more of these genera. Epsilonproteobacteria were isolated from 22.1% of the reptiles and were isolated most frequently from chelonians (37.0%), followed by lizards (19.6%) and snakes (3.0%). The most commonly isolated taxa were Arcobacter butzleri, Arcobacter skirrowii, reptile-associated Campylobacter fetus subsp. testudinum, and a putative novel Campylobacter taxon. Furthermore, a clade of seven related putative novel Helicobacter taxa was isolated from lizards and chelonians. This study shows that reptiles carry various intestinal Epsilonproteobacteria taxa, including several putative novel taxa.