Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Dina Blanchard, 1892 (Hirudinea: Erpobdellidae)

This paper deals with the genus Dina of the Erpobdellidae. A comprehensive comparison of all known species of this genus is given. A lectotype for Dina absoloni Johansson, 1913, is selected. A new species, Dina latestriata n. sp. from Prespa Lake in Greece is described. Data concerning the evolution of Dina are given.     

The genus Amauroascus

Summary The genusAmauroascus, with two species,A. verrucosus andA. niger, is reviewed historically and authentic herbarium material is cited. The characteristics of pure cultures for the two species are given for the first time. Data are given in support of placingAmauroascus in synonymy withArachniotus.     

A technique for measuring xylem hydraulic conductance under high negative pressures

A technique for measuring hydraulic conductances of excised xylem segments exposed to high negative pressures is described. A centrifugal force is used to generate negative pressures (P) in the sample and to create a positive hydrostatic pressure difference (ΔP) between its two ends. ΔP forces water through the sample at a flow rate (F) determined optically during centrifugation. The sample hydraulic conductance k is derived from F and ΔP. The sample vulnerability curve is given by the dependence of k on P. Results for Cedrus atlantica Manetti and Laurus nobilis L. shoots are given. The technique is appropriate for the analysis of xylem refilling under negative pressure.     

Morphological studies on the Anopheles punctulatus Dönitz complex

SYNOPSIS An account is given of the member species of the Anopheles punctulatus Dönitz complex viz. A. punctulatus Dönitz, A. koliensis Owen, and 2 species previously recognised as A. farauti Laveran and which are now designated A. farauti No. 1 and A. farauti No. 2. Many of the eggs of A. farauti No. 1 were distinctive but the eggs of the other 3 species were similar. Keys for the identification of larve, pupae and adults are given.     

MEASUREMENTS AND MOULT OF FIVE SPECIES OF BULBUL FROM MOÇAMBIQUE AND MALAŴI

Summary

Hanmer, D. B., 1978. Measurements and moult of five species of bulbul from Moçambique and Mala?i. Ostrich 49:116-131.

The wing length, weight and moult of five species of bulbul, Blackeyed Pycnonotus barbatus, Sombre Andropadus importunus, Yellowbellied A. flaviventris, Terrestrial Phyllas-trephus terrestris and Yellowspotted Nicator Nicator gularis, are given for two localities in tropical lowland (Mopcia, Moçambique and Nchalo, Mala?i). The characters identifying immatures and the length of time these are retained, are given with reference to skull pneumatization, retrapped birds and the breeding season, for Pycnonotus barbatus, Andropadus intportunus and Phyllastrephus terrestris. Weights are compared with some published for other parts of Africa. The months during which moult occurred are given. Duration and timing of primary moult and its relation to the breeding season, are given for Pycnonotus barbatus, Andropadus importunus and Phyllastrephus terrestris. The age at which immatures moult is given for these three species. Instances of interrupted moult are mentioned.     

New diagnosis for genus Austrothaumalea,and redescription of A. neozealandica (Diptera: Thaumaleidae)

Abstract

A new diagnosis of Austrothaumalea Tonnoir is given. The male and female of A. neozealandica are redescribed, and the larva and pupa are described for the first time.     

A Check-List of the Species of the Genus Leucocytozoon (Apicomplexa,Plasmodiidae)*

SYNOPSIS. A list is given of 67 named species of Leucocytozoon considered valid at present. Another list is given of 1 reptilian and 146 avian hosts of named species of Leucocytozoon. A 3rd list is given of 34 synonyms. Leucocytozoon has been named from about 0.7% of the approximately 8600 species of birds that exist. The following new taxonomic names are included: L. danilewskyi var. hirundinis Sergent & Sergent, 1905 is emended to L. hirundinis; Saurocytozoon tupinambi Lainson & Shaw, 1969 is changed to Leucocytozoon (Saurocytozoon) tupinambi (Lainson & Shaw, 1969).     

A review of the tribe Auletini (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 1. Subtribe Auletobiina

The genus Auletobius in the Russian fauna is revised. Five species (A. egorovi, A. irkutensis, A. puberulus, A. sanguisorbae, and A. submaculatus) belonging to two subgenera are revealed. The distribution of these species in Russia is given. The data on the trophic associations of the species are summarized. Keys to the subtribes of the tribe Auletini, subgenera of the genus Auletobius, and species of the subgenus Auletobius s. str. are given. All the taxa are redescribed.     

Improved tribal delimitation of the subfamily Dictyopharinae and description of new genera and new species (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea, Dictyopharidae)

Ten new genera, five new subgenera, and five new species are described in the family Dictyopharidae. Three generic names are synonymized. A new name is proposed for the generic homonym. Dictyophara kazeruna Dlabola is transferred to the genus Callodictya Melichar. The genus Sinodictya Matsumura, with the type species Sinodictya tukana Matsumura, is redescribed. A new key to the tribes of the subfamily Dictyopharinae is given. The composition and characters of the tribes Taosini and Lappidini are revised. All the genera of the subfamily Dictyopharinae are listed according to their tribal position. New records are given for some interesting species.     

Revision of the species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropsilus</Emphasis> Mik (Diptera,Dolichopodidae) from China

The genus Acropsilus Mik, 1878 is reported from China for the first time. Seven species are described as new to science: Acropsilus guangdongensis sp. n., A. guangxiensis sp. n., A. jinxiuensis sp. n., A. luoxiangensis sp. n., A. yunnanensis sp. n., A. zengchengensis sp. n. and A. zhuae sp. n. A key is given to separate these Chinese species.     

Local adaptations of larvae of the butterfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pieris napi</Emphasis> to physical and physiological traits of two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabis</Emphasis> plants (Cruciferae)

Herbivorous insects are expected to adapt to the defensive traits of local host plants. Using two closely related plants, we showed that herbivorous insects of the same species vary their adaptations according to the different traits of each of their local host plants. The leaves of the cruciferous plant Arabis flagellosa are tougher and more difficult to digest for larvae of the butterfly Pieris napi than are A. gemmifera leaves. When given A. flagellosa leaves, hatchlings from A. flagellosa fed on and ingested the leaves faster than those from A. gemmifera. Although the C/N ratios of both Arabis plants were very similar, A. gemmifera leaves were of lower intrinsic quality for larval development and were more difficult to convert to biomass than were A. flagellosa leaves. However, when A. gemmifera leaves were given, P. napi larvae originating from A. gemmifera had higher survival rates and shorter development times than did larvae originating from A. flagellosa. In addition, larvae from A. gemmifera were better able to convert leaves than were larvae from A. flagellosa. These results suggest that A. flagellosa leaves are more physically but less physiologically defended, whereas the reverse is true of A. gemmifera, and suggest that P. napi larvae adapt to the defensive traits of local host plants.     

Notes on some poorly known species of the genus Neocheyletiella Baker, 1949 (Acari,Cheyletidae) with a key to the genus

Summary The genus Neocheyletiella Baker, 1949 is redefined and the following species are redescribed and figures given for the first time: N. media Fain, 1972; N. avicola Fain, 1972; N. amandavae Fain, 1972; N. pittae Fain, 1972; N. siva Fain, 1972. N. oudemansi Volgin, 1969 is placed in the synonymy of N. microrhynchus (Berlese & Trouessart, 1889). N. heteropalpus (Megnin, 1878) is presumed to belong to the genus Apodicheles Fain, 1979 although the type material of that species is probably lost. A new nomenclature for the idiosomal chaetotaxy is proposed for the males of Neocheyletiella spp. and of Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans. A key is given to the females and males of the species of genus Neocheyletiella. ac]19800106     

The New World species of the water-beetle genus Notomicrus (Noteridae)*

Eight species of Notomicrus Sharp are recognized and described or partially redescribed with figures of dorsal outlines and external male genitalia: brevicomis Sharp, gracilipes Sharp, huttoni sp.n., malkini sp.n., nanulus (LeConte), reticulatus Zimmermann, sharpi Balfour-Browne, traili Sharp. A key for identification is given, but the main reliance for recognition of the species is on the external male genitalia. New distribution records are given for all species.     

The taxonomic status of Cerambyx dux Faldermann and C. miles Bonelli (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

An account is given of the morphological differences between Cerambyx dux and C.miles. A key is given to the five species now included in the genus, and the relationship of synonymous forms is discussed. The egg, larva and pupa of C.dux are redescribed.     

MINQUE and ANOVA Estimator for One-way Classification - a Risk Comparison

For the one-way classification in unbalanced case MINQUEstimator for components of variance are given in a more explicit form than it is done in the paper from C. R. RAO (1971). By means of the risk functions we compare MINQUE and ANOVA estimator. For given n_j-patterns angular ranges in the positive quadrant are given where MINQUE is better than ANOVA estimator. A special n_j-pattern and one parameter δ₀ is found for which MINQUE is uniformly better than ANOVA. Limit values are given for MINQUE for δ₀ = ∞ and δ₀ = 0 and their relations to the ANOVA estimator are considered. The coincidence between MINQUE and ANOVA for balanced case is verified. Extensive numerical studies for real data are carried out which stimulated the search for a fixpoint δ as a point for which the distance to the initial parameter δ₀ is as small as possible.     

Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania mexicana in Free‐Ranging Howler Monkeys in Southeastern Mexico

Natural infection of wild mammals by protozoa parasites is quite common in nature. For Neotropical Primates different infections of parasites that are etiological agent of disease in human have been identified. In particular, infections by Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania sp., have been reported for some New World primate species, but there are no reports of infection with these parasites in any primate species in Mexico. A serological study was conducted on two howler monkey species (Alouatta pigra and A. palliata) from the Mexican states of Campeche and Tabasco. A total of 55 serum samples (20 samples from A. pigra, 20 samples from A. palliata, and 15 samples from semifree ranging A. palliata of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz as negative controls) were analyzed for the detection of immunoglobulin G antibodies against T. cruzi and Leishmania mexicana through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test, indirect immunofluorescence assay and Western blot. The overall prevalence of antibodies in howler monkeys was 17.5% for T. cruzi and 30% for L. mexicana. Our results also indicate that A. pigra is more susceptible to develop leishmaniasis than A. palliata. Finally, the finding of positive serology in these primates should be given serious consideration for public health, given the potential role of these primate species as wild reservoirs for these diseases and the increasing contact of monkeys with human populations due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Am. J. Primatol. 75:161‐169, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Genetics of the peroxidase isoenzymes in Petunia

Summary The structural gene prxE, coding for a slow cathodic peroxidase in Petunia, has been located to chromosome II, linked to F1. The presence of two mobility alleles in Petunia hybrida can be ascribed to its hybrid descent. Some properties of peroxidase e are mentioned. A gene prxJ is postulated for a still slower cathodic band. The gene Rp1, regulating the onset of expression of the allele prxB2, has been located on chromosome VII (gene order Rp1-prxF-An4). A synopsis of the isoperoxidases and the corresponding genes is given.