Late Turolian Mesopithecus (Mammalia: Cercopithecidae) from Axios Valley (Macedonia,Greece): earliest presence of M. monspessulanus in Europe

The fossil mammal localities of the Axios Valley (Macedonia, Greece) yielded a rich collection of Mesopithecus remains, which were first described at the beginning of the 1990s. The late Turolian Dytiko localities include several specimens of Mesopithecus, which were originally separated in two size-related forms: the relatively larger-sized M. cf. or aff. pentelicus, and the relatively smaller-sized M. cf. monspessulanus. However, some Dytiko specimens were only partially described, or remained even undescribed because the cranium either was still in connection with the mandible or was markedly deformed. Later, careful cleaning of the materials and their revision based on larger comparative samples indicate that they represent two distinct species: the relatively larger-sized specimens belong to M. pentelicus, while the relatively smaller-sized ones to M. monspessulanus. The Dytiko M. pentelicus has slightly smaller dental dimensions compared to M. pentelicus from Pikermi, indicating a possible trend for size decrease. The Dytiko M. monspessulanus, although close to the typical form of this species, has somewhat larger dimensions. The semi-terrestrial M. pentelicus disappeared at the end of the Miocene, while some of its populations adapted to the wetter and more woody Pliocene habitats, finally giving origin to M. monspessulanus, whose elbow-joint indicates an arboreal lifestyle. M. monspessulanus was widely distributed in Europe, but its remains are very scarce and are all from the Pliocene. Some questionable indications for the presence of M. monspessulanus in the latest Miocene come from some Italian Messinian sites (Gravitelli, Baccinello V3), but this scenario still needs verification. However, even if its presence in some Italian localities was confirmed, the Dytiko M. monspessulanus nonetheless represents the earliest known occurrence of this species in Europe, as the Dytiko fauna is considered as latest Turolian (pre-Messinian, 7.0–6.0 Ma).     

Heterodera longicolla,n. sp. (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) from Buffalo-grass (Buchlo? dactyloides) in Kansas

Heterodera longicolla n. sp., a member of the H. goettingiana group, is described and illustrated from roots of buffalo-grass, Buchloë dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm., in Manhattan, Kansas. This new abullate species, having second-stage larvae with only three lines in the lateral field, is most closely related to H. cyperi Golden, Rau & Cobb, 1962, but differs particularly in having a shorter stylet in larvae, males and females; in possessing only three annules on the head of larvae and males; in having a shorter tail in larvae; and by the presence on cysts of a small anus without a circum-anal pattern.     

Four new species of Rugopharynx Mönnig, 1927 (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) parasitic in the stomachs of macropodid marsupials from Australia

Systematic Parasitology - Four new species of Rugopharynx Mönnig, 1927 are described from macropodid marsupials in Australia, some identified initially using molecular methods. Rugopharynx...     

Cucullanus costaricensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Cucullanidae), a parasite of Bagre pinnimaculatus (Siluriformes: Ariidae) from Río Tempisque, Costa Rica

A new species of nematode, Cucullanus costaricensis n. sp., is described from the Red Sea catfish Bagre pinnimaculatus from Río Tempisque, Costa Rica. The new species is characterized by the following traits: spicules and gubernaculum length (0.48 +/- 0.02 [0.45-0.50] and 0.20 +/- 0.02 [0.18-0.21], respectively); a protruding cloacal region in males, and the arrangement of caudal papillae (1 medial unpaired precloacal papilla and 10 pairs of papillae: 3 precloacals [first pair subventral and anterior to ventral sucker; second and third pairs posterior to ventral sucker; second pair asymmetric and subventral; third pair slightly subventral and closer to cloacal opening], 3 subventral adcloacal pairs [pairs 4-6], and 4 pairs of postcloacal papillae [seventh pair lateral, eighth pair subdorsal, ninth and tenth pairs subventral]); and lateral phasmids between the seventh and eighth pairs of postcloacal papillae. This finding represents the first record for a species of Cucullanus in Central America.     

Morphology of the spermatozoon in two sympatric species of Fissurella Bruguière, 1789 (Mollusca: Vetigastropoda) from Southern Chile

Summary

Light and electron microscopy were used to analyze the morphology and ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Fissurella nigra and Fissurella picta, two sympatric species of keyhole limpets from the southern Chilean coast. The spermatozoa of both species are of the aquasperm type, typical of species with external fertilization. Each species had its own distinctive spermatic morphology, particularly in relation to size. Proceeding from anterior to posterior, the spermatozoa of both species each consists of an elongated head with a conical acrosome having a deep subacrosomal space and truncated conical nucleus, followed by a midpiece containing five mitochondria associated in a compact ring around the proximal and distal centrioles, and, at the end, a flagellum. The spermatozoon head of F. nigra is almost twice as long as that of F. picta. This difference constitutes the first morphological evidence that the size of the spermatozoon could represent a candidate for the maintenance of reproductive isolation between these two sympatric species.     

A new species of the genusEudorylaimus Andrássy, 1959 (Nematoda: Qudsianematidae) from East Antarctica

 Eudorylaimus shirasei sp. nov. is described as the seventh member of the genus in the Antarctic region. The specimens were found among green algae collected near the Molodezhnaya Station of Russia, and in moss from Cape Ryugu on the Prince Olav Coast, East Antarctica. This species resembles E. similis (de Man, 1876), E. coniceps Loof, 1975 and E. imitatoris Gagarin, 1982, but differs from them in the shape of the tail and some other characteristics on the lip region, odontostyle, spicules and precloacal supplements. It is also similar to three species known from females, E. eremitus (Thorne, 1939), E. jurassicus (Altherr, 1953) and E. altherri Tjepkema et al., 1971, but differs in the features of the body length, lip region, amphids, odontostyle and vulva. The present species has multinucleate intestinal cells, which have not been so far reported in Eudorylaimus. It is possible that the multinucleation of intestinal cells has been overlooked in the previously known species of the genus. Received: 11 April 1995/Accepted: 19 June 1995     

A new species of Glugea Thélohan, 1891 in the red sea bream Pagrus major (Temminck & Schlegel) (Teleostei: Sparidae) from China

A new microsporidian species is described from farmed red sea bream Pagrus major (Temminck & Schlegel) (Teleostei: Sparidae). Large numbers of spherical whitish xenomas were observed throughout the visceral organs of the host. Histological examination showed that the microsporidia caused several xenomas that were embedded in the intestinal muscularis externa or submucosa. Light and transmission electron microscopy examination of the spores also revealed morphological features typical of species of Glugea Thélohan, 1891. This microsporidian parasite has two different types of mature spores: microspores and macrospores. The spores are elongate-ovoid, with a large posterior vacuole. The polaroplast is bi-partite, with anterior and posterior parts comprising densely packed lamellae and loose membranes, respectively, and occupies approximately the anterior half of the spore. The polar filament is anisofilar, with 12–13 coils in a single layer almost touching the posterior spore wall. Comparison of the small subunit rDNA sequences revealed 92.7–98.1% identity with the sequences available from other Glugea spp. from piscine hosts. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the microsporidian species studied clustered within the Glugea clade with strong support. Based on the differences in the morphological characteristics and molecular data, the microsporidian infecting P. major is considered to represent a species new to science, Glugea pagri n. sp.     

Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) chetumalensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Camallanidae) from the Mayan sea catfish,Ariopsis assimilis,off the Caribbean coast of México

Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) chetumalensis n. sp. is described from the stomach and intestine of the Mayan sea catfish Ariopsis assimilis (Günther, 1864), from the Bay of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, México. It is characterized by bifurcate deirids; males have 3 pairs of preanal papillae, 6 pairs of postanal papillae, 2 pairs of transverse elongate adanal papillae surrounding the cloacal aperture, wide caudal alae, spicules of unequal length, and a gubernaculum, and females have a rounded tail bearing a digit-like process terminating in 2 spines. This is the seventh Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) species reported from fishes in Mexico and the first one recorded in sea catfishes of the Ariidae.     

Redescription of Skrjabinodon medinae (García-Calvente, 1948) (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the cloaca of Podarcis pityusensis (Bosca, 1883) (Sauria: Lacertidae) of the Balearic Islands (Spain)

Pharyngodon medinae García-Calvente, 1948 (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) is redescribed from Podarcis pityusensis (Bosca, 1883) (Sauria: Lacertidae) of the Balearic Islands (Spain) and confirmed as a member of the genus Skrjabinodon Inglis, 1968. A systematic review of S. medinae and closely related species is also given. Parathelandros canariensis is referred to Skrjabinodon as a new combination and Parathelandros Magzoub et al., 1980 is dismissed as a junior homonym of Parathelandros Baylis, 1930.     

Redescription of Rugopharynx australis (Mönnig, 1926) and the description of R. moennigi n. sp. (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from kangaroos (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) in Australia

Systematic Parasitology - Rugopharynx australis (Mönnig, 1926) (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) is redescribed based on specimens from the type host, Osphranter rufus (Desmarest), together with...     

First record of Macaca mulatta (Cercopithecidae: Papionini) from the Taedong River Basin,the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

The macaque fossils, including mandible fragments, were discovered for the first time from the Taedong River Basin around Pyongyang (TRBP) (the Chongphadae Cave, Hwangju County; the Taehung Cave, Sangwon County; the Maeri Cave, Sungho County), the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which represent the first recognized occurrences of fossil M. mulatta in DPRK. Although the only available skull specimens are the mandible including the teeth, the materials display some mandibular and dental feature combinations that might belong to the known species of Macaca mulatta. This discovery indicates that TRBP may be the richest area of Macacina fossils and an evolutionary center for macaques in DPRK. Radiometric dating of the Chongphadae Cave sediment Layer 12 and Layer 13 yielded 34770–27800 and 24980–21340 cal yr BP respectively.     

Rugose corals from the upper Viséan (Carboniferous) of the Jerada Massif (NE Morocco): taxonomy,biostratigraphy, facies and palaeobiogeography

The Viséan succession of the Jerada Massif contains a relatively diverse rugose coral fauna, which comprises 12 genera. Only two of these (Siphonodendron and Lithostrotion) are reported to include more than one species. Most taxa show distinctive facies dependencies. Small solitary corals are found in shaly environments of the Oued Es-Sassi Formation. On the northern flank a coral patch reef formed on an oolitic shoal in the Koudiat Es-Senn Formation. Its core mainly consists of Lithostrotion vorticale colonies, whereas in its surroundings literally hundreds of specimens of Siphonophyllia samsonensis occur. Associated with these dominant taxa occur colonial and further large solitary taxa (Palaeosmilia, Dibunophyllum). Tizraia and Pareynia are restricted to microbial-dominated buildup facies. Their presence might be strongly controlled by the development of this buildup type, because further occurrences in Algeria, Morocco, and Belgium are all in the same facies. The coral fauna at Jerada is a typical Late Viséan assemblage for the Western European Province. The Eastern Moroccan Meseta may be an important pathway within the province for the connection between the Central Saharan basins and NW Europe. The biostratigraphic ages of the coral fauna partly contradict ages based on carbonate microfossils; the coral ages are slightly older and typical Brigantian coral taxa are absent.     

Detection of (1, 3)-β-d-glucan in bronchoalveolar lavage and serum samples collected from immunocompromised hosts

The incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFI) has increased in recent years, especially among immunocompromised hosts (ICH). In 2003, the Fungitell^® assay received FDA clearance for the presumptive diagnosis of IFI using serum and detects (1-3)-β-d-glucan, which is a major cell wall component of certain fungi (e.g., Candida, Aspergillus, and Pneumocystis). The goal of the current study was to assess the performance of the assay on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and serum to identify IFI in ICH. Patients were classified as having proven, probable, possible, or no IFI according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) guidelines. Among 109 patients for whom the results of Fungitell were compared to the EORTC/MSG criteria, Fungitell showed a low positive predictive value for the identification of IFI from both BAL (20.0 %) and serum (26.7 %). However, the negative predictive value of Fungitell was significantly higher for both sample types (BAL, 83.0 %; serum, 84.8 %). Interestingly, the results of Fungitell were positive in BAL and serum in 7/8 (87.5 %) patients diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) by real-time, non-nested PCR. These data indicate that the Fungitell assay has a low positive predictive value for the diagnosis of IFI in ICH, regardless of the specimen type that is tested. However, testing of serum samples by Fungitell may permit a rapid and noninvasive initial screening approach in patients with presumed PcP.     

Distribution pattern of the Snake-eyed Lizard,Ophisops elegans Ménétriés, 1832 (Squamata: Lacertidae), in Iran

Ophisops elegans, a common lizard with a wide distribution range in Iran, was selected to investigate the influence of environmental factors on its distribution pattern. Based on a distribution model developed with the software Maxent for O. elegans, the most important factors influencing the distribution pattern were found to be high winter precipitation, intermediate levels of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and intermediate levels of sunshine. It seems that overall plant cover and competition with Mesalina watsonana are the main factors which influence the distribution pattern of O. elegans in the central Iranian Plateau.     

Quelques nouvelles espèces du genre Benthimermis Petter, 1980 (Benthimermithidae: Nematoda) du Sud de l'Océan Indien

Summary Some new species of Benthimermis Petter, 1980 (Benthimermithidae, Nematoda) from the South Indian Ocean. Six new species of Benthimermis collected from the shallows of the Crozet-Prince Edward ridge (South Indian Ocean) are described. Benthimermis australis n.sp. is the first species in the genus of which both male and female are known; the male differs from previously described males in lacking cervical alae as well as a cuticular ring-like thickening around the amphids; the female is characterized by a rounded tail with a thick mucron and with a cuticular thickening at its end. Benthimermis crozetensis n.sp., of which only the male is known, resembles B. breviptera in the form of the cervical alae and reproductive system, but is distinguished by the length of the cervical alae and tail, and the diameter of the anterior vas deferens. The following four species are known only by their females: B. hureaui n.sp. is distinguished by a short conical tail; B. edouardensis n.sp. is distinguished by a tail with a long terminal spike bearing refringment granules; B. marionensis n.sp. and B. arnaudi n.sp. are characterized by a short round tail without a cuticular thickening at its end and are distinguished from one another by the length of the ovaries. These species are the first in the Benthimermithidae which have been found in relatively shallow sediments (between 90 and 980 m). Keys to males and females of the genus Benthimermis are given. ac]19820408

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Quelques nouvelles espèces du genre Benthimermis Petter, 1980 (Benthimermithidae: Nematoda) du Sud de l'Océan Indien

     

Identifying prehistoric collected wild plants: A case study from late bronze age settlements in the french alps (Grésine, Bourget Lake, Savoie)

The late Bronze Age lakeshore settlements of Grésine (French Alps) have yielded archaeobotanical evidence of 14 cultivated and 153 wild plants. Some of the wild taxa may have been collected, but many are probably here by chance. Three criteria are used as evidence for human transport and manipulation of wild plant remains: number of items, fragmentation, and carbonization. Relations between these criteria and known ethnobotanical properties of the identified plants are statistically analyzed. Results display good evidence of the gathering of edible wild fruits and seeds. Other gathering practices are not documented. Edible fruits and seeds seem to have been gathered mainly from ruderal spring weed communities and, possibly, from forest clearances and hedge communities. Fragmentation appears to be less of a discriminating factor than number of plant remains and carbonization.