Phylogeny of nereidids (Polychaeta, Nereididae) with paragnaths

A phylogenetic analysis was conducted of the Nereidinae — those members of the Nereididae (Polychaeta) with pharyngeal paragnaths. We had two objectives: to test the monophyly of currently accepted genera, subgenera and informal subgeneric groupings within the Nereidinae, and, if warranted, to propose a more natural classification of the Nereidinae. Parsimony analyses were undertaken, including 52 terminal taxa from all genera and informal groupings from the large heterogeneous genera Nereis , Ceratonereis , Neanthes and Perinereis . Analyses of a character set of 52 informative characters yielded more than 10 000 equally parsimonious trees with a length of 176 steps (consistency index [CI] = 0.34, retention index [RI] = 0.66). Reweighting three times resulted in 445 most parsimonious trees with length 54.62 (CI = 0.59, RI = 0.79). Many characters widely used in nereidid systematics were found to exhibit high levels of homoplasy. The most parsimonious trees could not be rooted such that the selected ingroup, 'Nereididae with paragnaths', was monophyletic, causing us to reject the monophyly of the Nereidinae as currently defined. The following genera were well supported by the parsimony analyses and are newly diagnosed: Alitta , Ceratonereis , Pseudonereis , Simplisetia , Solomononereis and Unanereis . Alitta succinea , Pseudonereis cortezi , Pseudonereis noodti and Pseudonereis pseudonoodti are proposed as new combinations. The parsimony analysis supported the monophyly of neither Composetia , Neanthes , Nereis and Perinereis nor of any new groupings of remaining species presently placed in those genera. It is these poorly supported genera that comprise most species of Nereididae.     

Fine needle aspiration at a Regional Head and Neck Clinic: A clinically beneficial and cost-effective service

Background:  Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is an important adjuvant to the diagnosis of a palpable lesion which often permits the complete assessment of patients. The main objective of this study was to determine the clinical benefit of a dedicated FNA service at a tertiary referral Head and Neck Clinic and to assess if such a service is cost effective.
Methods:  All patients attending the Head and Neck Clinic during 2004 were prospectively assessed in this study. Patient records were analysed regarding investigative modalities including FNA, the subsequent cytology result and the requirement for further histopathological investigations. A cost analysis for all investigative procedures was performed.
Results:  A total of 135 patients (36 males) had FNAs performed during the study period. The median age was 51.5 years (range 17–92). Patients presented with lesions of lymph nodes ( n  = 46), thyroid ( n  = 41), salivary, parotid or submandibular glands ( n  = 22) and other cutaneous or cystic lesions ( n  = 26). Cytological grading results were; C1 = 26, C2 = 93, C3 = 8, C4 = 2 and C5 = 6. Patients with lesions C3 or above normally proceeded to further investigations. The overall cost of the FNA per episode in the out-patient clinic was £114 per episode compared to day case open biopsy per patient of £333 and an in-patient stay per patient was £2371. FNA provided sufficient pathological diagnosis to avoid day case surgery in 57 patients (42.2%), and inpatient surgery in 65 patients (48.1%) resulting in a total saving of £158 372 in 2004.
Conclusion:  This study demonstrates the clinical benefit and cost-effectiveness of FNA services in a dedicated Head and Neck clinic.     

The East Usambara tree-hole crab (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae) − a striking example of crustacean adaptation in closed canopy forest, Tanzania

An undescribed species of freshwater crab with a remarkable life history was studied over 2 years in areas of natural forest in the East Usambara Mountains, north-east Tanzania. It was found occupying the water-filled boles (tree holes) of several tree species at altitudes between 150 and 900 m asl, a single tree species Myrianthus holstii accounted for 26% of all trees identified as such. There was no apparent association with other freshwater bodies. The 'tree-hole crab' is largely nocturnal but will also forage by day during periods of heavy rainfall, leaving its tree hole in search of leaf-litter molluscs. Once located it carries pieces of the snail shell back to the tree hole and releases these into the water filled bole which is typically acidic. This releases calcium ions (Ca²⁺) into solution from the snail shell resulting in a more neutral solution (mean pH = 6.6, standard deviation (s) = 0.46, n  = 25). This act provides a source of dissolved calcium for the development of exoskeletons following ecdysis. Significant differences were found between depth ( P  = 0.01) and height ( P  = 0.05) of occupied and unoccupied water-filled tree holes. This is the first record of a crab exhibiting such behaviour in East Africa.     

The sciarid fauna of the British Isles (Diptera: Sciaridae), including descriptions of six new species

The results of a revision of the Sciaridae (Diptera: Nematocera) from the British Isles are presented, carried out as a preliminary to the preparation of a new Handbook for the identification of the British and Irish fauna of this family. A total fauna of 263 species is confirmed, including many species new to the British Isles: 111 new to Great Britain and 32 new to Ireland. Epidapus ( Pseudoaptanogyna ) echinatum Mohrig & Kozánek, 1992 , hitherto known only from North Korea, is newly recorded from Europe. Six species are described as new to science: Bradysia austera Menzel & Heller sp. nov. , Bradysia ismayi Menzel sp. nov. , Bradysia nigrispina Menzel sp. nov. , Corynoptera flavosignata Menzel & Heller sp. nov. , Corynoptera uncata Menzel & Smith sp. nov. and Epidapus subgracilis Menzel & Mohrig sp. nov . The following new synonymies are proposed: Leptosciarella nigrosetosa (Freeman, 1990) =  Leptosciarella truncatula Mohrig & Menzel, 1997 ; Sciara nursei Freeman, 1983 =  Sciara ulrichi Menzel & Mohrig, 1998. Many misidentifications in the previous literature are corrected. Details of the collection data and location of specimens examined are provided under each species. The localities from which Sciaridae were collected in the British Isles are documented by modern county and grid references and the habitat indicated where known, to assist in assessing the ecological requirements of each species.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 146 , 1–147.     

Fine-scale genetic population structure in a mobile marine mammal: inshore bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay, Australia

Highly mobile marine species in areas with no obvious geographic barriers are expected to show low levels of genetic differentiation. However, small‐scale variation in habitat may lead to resource polymorphisms and drive local differentiation by adaptive divergence. Using nuclear microsatellite genotyping at 20 loci, and mitochondrial control region sequencing, we investigated fine‐scale population structuring of inshore bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) inhabiting a range of habitats in and around Moreton Bay, Australia. Bayesian structure analysis identified two genetic clusters within Moreton Bay, with evidence of admixture between them (F_ST = 0.05, P = 0.001). There was only weak isolation by distance but one cluster of dolphins was more likely to be found in shallow southern areas and the other in the deeper waters of the central northern bay. In further analysis removing admixed individuals, southern dolphins appeared genetically restricted with lower levels of variation (AR = 3.252, π = 0.003) and high mean relatedness (r = 0.239) between individuals. In contrast, northern dolphins were more diverse (AR = 4.850, π = 0.009) and were mixing with a group of dolphins outside the bay (microsatellite‐based STRUCTURE analysis), which appears to have historically been distinct from the bay dolphins (mtDNA Φ_ST = 0.272, P < 0.001). This study demonstrates the ability of genetic techniques to expose fine‐scale patterns of population structure and explore their origins and mechanisms. A complex variety of inter‐related factors including local habitat variation, differential resource use, social behaviour and learning, and anthropogenic disturbances are likely to have played a role in driving fine‐scale population structure among bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay.     

Review of morphological evidence on the phylogeny of basal Hymenoptera (Insecta), with a discussion of the ordering of characters

In a previous study of the phylogeny of basal Hymenoptera, Vilhelmsen (2001; Zool. J. Linn. Soc . 131 : 393–442) compiled an extensive morphological data matrix for a phylogenetic analysis of basal Hymenoptera, comprising 38 hymenopteran genera. In this study, his characters are revised. This results in a cladogram whose relationships largely agree with those proposed by Vilhelmsen, except that the relationships at the base of the Hymenoptera are unresolved. The revised data matrix is expanded by 17 sawfly and three apocritan taxa. Moreover, 112 new morphological characters from different parts of the larval and adult morphology are also added to the data matrix, including 82 from a recent study of the terminal abdominal segments of male Hymenoptera. The addition of the new characters leads to Xyelidae, again, being the sister-group of all other Hymenoptera. The relationships among the sawfly families as proposed by Vilhelmsen are confirmed, except that the relationships among Syntexis , Siricidae and Xiphydriidae + Vespina are unresolved and that the monophyly of Apocrita is not convincingly supported. A separate analysis is performed which includes all extant genera of Xyelidae. The internal phylogeny of Xyelidae is determined as (( Macroxyela Megaxyela ) Xyelecia ( Xyela Pleroneura )).  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 79 , 209–243.     

A review of ploidy in the genus Prosopis (Leguminosae)

The genus Prosopis contains 44 species of trees and shrubs, the majority of which originate in the Americas. Most species are reported to be diploid, with a somatic chromosome number of 2 n  = 28. There are rare reports of polyploidy, although it is thought that these may represent polysomaty in root tissues. However, flow cytometry has recently indicated that P. juliflora is entirely tetraploid with a somatic chromosome number of 2 n  = 56. In order to clarify the situation, an extensive review of ploidy in Prosopis was undertaken, the first of its kind. The ploidy levels of 124 samples of Prosopis from 21 countries, including both the natural and introduced ranges, were analysed using flow cytometry. In addition, a comprehensive literature review was carried out, examining 305 published ploidy values and covering 32 of the 44 species of Prosopis . Flow cytometry analysis suggests that P. juliflora is the only tetraploid species, with a somatic chromosome number of 2 n  = 4 x  = 56, whilst the remainder of the species analysed are diploid with 2 n  = 2 x  = 28, including the first report for P. articulata (2 n  = 28). A critical review of published ploidy values shows that all species of Prosopis are reported to be entirely diploid, except P. glandulosa , P. juliflora , and P. koelziana , for which both diploid and tetraploid values have been recorded. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 425–438.     

Serum Levels of Leptin As Marker For Patients At High Risk of Gastric Cancer

Background:  Serological screening for gastric cancer (GC) may reduce mortality. However, optimal serum markers for advanced gastric precursor lesions are lacking.
Aim:  To evaluate in a case–control study whether serum leptin levels correlate with intestinal metaplasia (IM) and can serve as a tool to identify patients at high risk for GC.
Materials and Methods:  Cases were patients with a previous diagnosis of IM or dysplasia, controls were patients without such a diagnosis. All patients underwent endoscopy. Fasting serum was collected for the measurement of leptin, pepsinogens I/II, gastrin, and Helicobacter pylori . Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and their area under the curve (AUC) were provided to compare serum leptin levels with other serological markers.
Results:  One hundred nineteen cases and 98 controls were included. In cases, the median leptin levels were 116.6 pg/mL versus 81.9 pg/mL in controls ( p  = .01). After adjustment for age, sex and BMI, leptin levels remained higher in cases than in controls ( p  < .005). In multivariate analysis, male sex ( p  = .002), age (<0.001), low pepsinogen levels ( p  = .004) and high leptin levels ( p  = .04) were independent markers for the presence of IM. In addition, a ROC curve including age, sex and pepsinogen I levels had an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI (0.73–0.85)). Adding serum leptin levels increased the AUC to 0.81 (95% CI (0.75–0.86)).
Conclusions:  High leptin levels are associated with an increased risk of IM. Moreover, serum leptin levels are a significant independent marker for the presence of IM. However, in combination with the serological test for pepsinogen I the additional value of serum leptin levels is rather limited.     

Helicobacter pylori genotyping and sequencing using paraffin-embedded biopsies from residents of colombian areas with contrasting gastric cancer risks

Background:   cagA -positive and vacA s1 and m1 genotypes of Helicobacter pylori are associated with an elevated risk of gastric cancer (GC). We determined these genotypes using paraffin-embedded gastric biopsy specimens harvested from infected individuals and compared genotype distributions in two Colombian populations residing in geographic regions with a high and low incidence of GC.
Methods:   DNA from paraffin-embedded gastric biopsies from 107 adults was amplified using primers specific for cagA , for the cag 'empty site', for the s and m alleles of vacA , and for H. pylori 16S rRNA.
Results:   H. pylori infection was detected by molecular assays in 97 (90.7%) biopsies. Complete genotyping of cagA and vacA was achieved in 94 (96.9%) cases. The presence of cagA was detected in 78 of 97 cases (80.4%); when considered separately, cagA and vacA s regions were not significantly associated with a particular geographic area. The vacA m1 allele and s1m1 genotypes were more common in the area of high risk for GC ( p =  .037 and p  = .044, respectively), while the vacA m2 allele and s2m2 genotypes were more prevalent in the low-risk area. The prevalence of the combination of cagA -positive, vacA s1m1 genotypes was 84.3% and 60.5% for high and low risk areas, respectively ( p =  .011).
Conclusions:  H. pylori cagA and vacA genotyping from paraffin-embedded gastric biopsies permitted reliable typability and discrimination. The more virulent cagA- positive s1m1 strains, as well as vacA m1 genotype, were more prevalent in high risk than in low risk areas, which may contribute to the difference in GC risk between those two regions.     

The association between UGT1A7 polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Background: studies investigating the associations between UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A7 (UGT1A7) gene polymorphisms and various carcinomas risk reported conflicting results. To derive a more precise estimation of the association, we have conducted a meta-analysis. Methods: data were collected from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Medline and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, with the last report up to September 2011. Case–control studies containing available genotype frequencies of UGT1A7 were chose. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to assess the strength of association. Results: a total of 22 separate case–control studies including 3852 cases and 5604 controls based on the search criteria were involved in this meta-analysis. The combined results based on all studies showed that there was a statistically significant link between UGT1A7*3 allele and cancer risk (OR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.14–1.50, P = 0.0001). In the stratified analysis by racial descent, significant increased risk was found in Asian population for UGT1A7*3 allele (OR = 1.41, 95%CI = 1.22–1.63, P < 0.00001). No significant associations were found between the UGT1A7 polymorphism and cancer susceptibility among Caucasians and African-Americans. In the subgroup analysis by cancer types, significant associations were found in UGT1A7*2 allele (OR = 1.23, 95%CI = 1.06–1.43, P = 0.006) and *3 allele (OR = 1.51, 95%CI = 1.11–2.06, P = 0.009) for hepatocellular carcinoma, *3 allele for lung cancer (OR = 1.36, 95%CI = 1.11–1.68, P = 0.004) and for bladder cancer (OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.09–2.07, P = 0.01). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that the UGT1A7*3 allele is a risk factor for cancer among Asians, especially for hepatocellular carcinoma.     

A comparative analysis of genetic diversity in medicinal Chrysanthemum morifolium based on morphology, ISSR and SRAP markers

The diversity and genetic relationship among 29 populations of Chrysanthemum morifolium, one of Chrysanthemum indicum and one of Chrysanthemum nankingense from China were analyzed using morphological traits and molecular markers. Twenty morphological traits were scored as well as 182 ISSR marker-fragments, as amplified by 22 primers [the percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB): 81.87%], and 243 SRAP marker-fragments as generated by 26 primer pairs (PPB: 75.72%). Mantel’s test indicated significant correlation (r = 0.624) of morphological trait and SRAP. By contrast, the morphological trait showed low correlation with ISSR (r = 0.246). Cluster analysis showed groupings of the accessions according to all four methods correlated well with their geographic region of origin, and most populations from the south of China were classified into one cluster and most populations from the north of China were classified into another cluster. Finally, an appropriate strategy for conserving the C. morifolium germplasm was proposed.     

Randomized study comparing endoscopic ultrasound-guided Trucut biopsy and fine needle aspiration with high suction

H. Gerke, M. K. Rizk, A. D. Vanderheyden and C. S. Jensen
Randomized study comparing endoscopic ultrasound-guided Trucut biopsy and fine needle aspiration with high suction
Objectives:  Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided Trucut biopsy (TCB) enables acquisition of tissue cores for histological assessment. Because of the rigid needle and the spring mechanism, tissue acquisition can be difficult from regions that require sharp angulation of the echoendoscope. Fine needle aspiration with high suction (FNAHS) has been proposed as a method to obtain histological tissue cores while affording the flexibility to obtain specimens even with extreme endoscope angulation. The objective was to compare prospectively these two methods in their ability to obtain specimens for histological assessment and in their diagnostic accuracy, including cytological diagnosis when achieved.
Methods:  Eighty lesions in 77 patients were amenable to transoesophageal, transgastric or transrectal biopsy and were randomized to TCB ( n  = 44) or FNAHS ( n  = 36). Each specimen was assessed for adequacy (scoring system where a score of 0 was no material, 1–2 was considered cytological, and 3–5 was considered histological). Follow-up information was obtained to establish a gold standard final diagnosis.
Results:  The median histological scores for FNAHS and TCB were 2 and 5, respectively. Histological cores were obtained in 95.3% of TCB, as opposed to 27.8% in the FNAHS group ( P  < 0.0001). Although the diagnostic accuracy for TCB was greater than that for FNAHS (88.3% and 77.8%, respectively), this was not statistically significant ( P  = 0.24).
Conclusion:  If histological information is required, TCB is superior to FNAHS. The difference in diagnostic accuracy did not reach statistical significance due to low numbers and the fact that FNAHS often enabled a cytological diagnosis.     

Genetic diversity and relationship of endangered plant Magnolia officinalis (Magnoliaceae) assessed with ISSR polymorphisms

Twenty-eight populations of the rare medicinal plant Magnolia officinalis (Magnoliaceae) were sampled across its natural range, and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) markers were used to assess the genetic variation within and among populations. Twelve primer combinations produced a total of 137 unambiguous bands of which 114 (83.2%) were polymorphic. M. officinalis exhibited a relatively low genetic diversity at population level (the percentage of polymorphic loci PPB = 49.8%, Nei’s genetic diversity H = 0.194, Shannon’s information index I = 0.286). However, the genetic diversity at species level was relatively high (PPB = 83.2%; H = 0.342; I = 0.496). The coefficient of gene differentiation (G_ST, 42.8%) and the results of analysis of molecular variance (AMVOA) indicated that genetic differentiation occurred mainly within populations. The estimated gene flow (Nm) from G_ST was 0.669. It indicated that the fragmentation and isolation of populations might result from specific evolutionary history and anthropogenic activity. Genetic drift played a more important role than gene flow in the current population genetic structure of M. officinalis. Conservation strategies for this rare species are proposed based on the genetic data.     

Natural stranding of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus Mitchill, 1815) in Scot's Bay,Bay of Fundy,Nova Scotia,from populations of concern in the United States and Canada

Natural mortality of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) has been determined to be low (M = 0.07). Reported herein is the mortality by beach stranding of 11 Atlantic sturgeon in Scot's Bay, part of the inner Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada on 22 June 2014. Genetic analyses, histological analysis and age determination were performed to determine origin, maturity stage and age of the stranded Atlantic sturgeon. Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA analyses indicated that four of the Atlantic sturgeon (2 males and 2 females) were from the Saint John River, NB population, which was designated as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Seven Atlantic sturgeon (1 male, 5 females, 1 unknown) were from the Kennebec River, Maine population, that was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in the U. S. Ageing of A. oxyrinchus Atlantic sturgeon by pectoral fin spine analysis determined that the mean age of the individuals from the Saint John River (x? = 24.25 years, SD = 5.0) and the Kennebec River (x? = 22.7 years, SD = 3.5) were not significantly different. This is the first report of a stranding event of Atlantic sturgeon, and describes a source of natural mortality affecting populations of concern in both Canada and the U. S.     

Concerted evolution of 18–5.8–26S rDNA repeats in Nicotiana allotetraploids

We review and extend data showing concerted evolution of parental 18–5.8–26S nuclear ribosomal DNA (18–26S rDNA) gene families in three natural Nicotiana allotetraploids ( N. tabacum , N. rustica and N. arentsii , each 2 n  = 4 x  = 48) and one synthetic N. tabacum line (Th37, ♀ N. sylvestris (2 n  = 24) × ♂ N. tomentosiformis (2 n  = 24)). The origin of the gene families was analysed by sequence polymorphisms in the intergenic spacer (IGS) region and the number of chromosomal loci by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). FISH revealed that the number and locations of 18–26S rDNA in the natural allopolyploids was the sum of those found in the diploid progenitors. However, the rDNA restriction patterns showed polymorphisms in the IGS that were not additive, suggesting that parental rDNA clusters were partially ( N. tabacum, N. rustica ) or completely ( N. arentsii ) overwritten by hybrid-specific units. Thus the Nicotiana allotetraploids show evidence of concerted evolution, including both intralocus and interlocus gene conversion. A feral N. tabacum collected in Bolivia had a higher proportion of unconverted parental rDNA units than cultivated tobacco varieties, suggesting either that rDNA homogenization is accelerated by inbreeding or multiple origins of tobacco. There is no evidence for the elimination of N. sylvestris- derived rDNA units in the synthetic Th37 tobacco line as occurred in natural tobacco, although several novel rDNA unit variants were found in most but not all the hybrid plants. Factors that may control the occurrence and extent of rDNA homogenization are discussed for allopolyploids in Nicotiana and other taxa.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 82 , 615–625.     

On the importance of g(0) for estimating bird population densities with standard distance-sampling: implications from a telemetry study and a literature review

Raw count data are often used to estimate bird population densities. However, such data do not consider detection probability. As an alternative, methods that model detection probability such as distance-sampling have been proposed. However, standard distance-sampling provides reliable estimates for absolute density only when the underlying assumptions are met. One of the most critical of these assumptions is that animals on a transect line or at an observation point have to be detected with certainty (the g (0) = 1 assumption). We radiotagged nine Orphean Warblers Sylvia hortensis and estimated their short-distance detection probability. Birds were radio-located in 264 cases in single bushes or trees. Their visual detection probability after a 5-min search was only 0.58 (sd = ±0.14, range = 0.38–0.80), although the observer knew the bird's location. Furthermore, we carried out a literature review to assess how the g (0) = 1 assumption is handled in practice. None of the 28 standard distance-sampling papers reviewed contained an estimation of g (0). In 57% of the papers, the g (0) = 1 assumption was not even mentioned. Nevertheless, none of the authors declared their estimates as being relative. Our empirical data show that the g (0) = 1 assumption would be severely violated for a foliage-gleaning bird species at a desert stopover site outside the breeding season. The literature review revealed that the testing of the g (0) = 1 assumption is largely ignored in practice. We strongly suggest that more attention should be paid to the testing of this key assumption, because results may not be reliable when it is violated. If it is not possible to test the g (0) = 1 assumption or g (0) is less than 1, alternative methods should be used. Another possibility is to estimate detection probability by the means of radiotagged individuals.     

Cucumber mosaic virus, a model for RNA virus evolution

Taxonomic relationships: Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is the type member of the Cucumovirus genus, in the family Bromoviridae . Additional members of the genus are Peanut stunt virus (PSV) and Tomato aspermy virus (TAV). The RNAs 3 of all members of the genus can be exchanged and still yield a viable virus, while the RNAs 1 and 2 can only be exchanged within a species.
Physical properties: The virus particles are about 29 nm in diameter, and are composed of 180 subunits (T = 3 icosahedral symmetry). The particles sediment with an s value of approximately 98. The virions contain 18% RNA, and are highly labile, relying on RNA–protein interactions for their integrity. The three genomic RNAs, designated RNA 1 (3.3 kb in length), RNA 2 (3.0 kb) and RNA 3 (2.2 kb) are packaged in individual particles; a subgenomic RNA, RNA 4 (1.0 kb), is packaged with the genomic RNA 3, making all the particles roughly equivalent in composition. In some strains an additional subgenomic RNA, RNA 4A is also encapsidated at low levels. The genomic RNAs are single stranded, plus sense RNAs with 5' cap structures, and 3' conserved regions that can be folded into tRNA-like structures.
Satellite RNAs: CMV can harbour molecular parasites known as satellite RNAs (satRNAs) that can dramatically alter the symptom phenotype induced by the virus. The CMV satRNAs do not encode any proteins but rely on the RNA for their biological activity.
Hosts: CMV infects over 1000 species of hosts, including members of 85 plant families, making it the broadest host range virus known. The virus is transmitted from host to host by aphid vectors, in a nonpersistent manner.
Useful web sites: http://mmtsb.scripps.edu/viper/1f15.html (structure); http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ICTVdb/ICTVdB/10040001.htm (general information)     

Simultaneous analysis of basal Hymenoptera (Insecta): introducing robust-choice sensitivity analysis

Molecular characters are analysed on their own and in combination with morphological data to examine the phylogenetic relationships of the basal lineages of Hymenoptera ('Symphyta'). This study covers 47 sawfly genera and nine apocritan families and includes molecular sequences from five genes − 12S, 16S, 18S and 28S ribosomal genes and cytochrome oxidase 1 − as well as 343 morphological characters. A robust-choice sensitivity analysis is performed with the data. First, the simultaneous analysis is repeated three times, each time employing a different step matrix for weighting the transformations of the molecular characters. Then, the results of all three simultaneous analyses are summarized in a strict consensus in order to avoid basing the conclusions on a narrow set of assumptions. This methodology is discussed in the paper. The relationships among superfamilies largely confirm previous hypotheses, being (Xyeloidea (Tenthredinoidea s.l. (Pamphilioidea (Cephoidea (Siricoidea (Xiphydrioidea (Orussoidea Apocrita))))))), where Siricoidea is understood as Siricidae+Anaxyelidae. However, the relationships within Tenthredinoidea s.s. proposed here are novel: ({Argidae Pergidae}[ Athalia {(Diprionidae Cimbicidae) Tenthredinidae minus Athalia }]).  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London . Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 79, 245–275.