Using FAME Analysis to Compare, Differentiate, and Identify Multiple Nematode Species

We have adapted the Sherlock^® Microbial Identification system for identification of plant parasitic nematodes based on their fatty acid profiles. Fatty acid profiles of 12 separate plant parasitic nematode species have been determined using this system. Additionally, separate profiles have been developed for Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne incognita based on their host plant, four species and three races within the Meloidogyne genus, and three life stages of Heterodera glycines. Statistically, 85% of these profiles can be delimited from one another; the specific comparisons between the cyst and vermiform stages of H. glycines, M. hapla and M. arenaria, and M. arenaria and M. javanica cannot be segregated using canonical analysis. By incorporating each of these fatty acid profiles into the Sherlock^® Analysis Software, 20 library entries were created. While there was some similarity among profiles, all entries correctly identified the proper organism to genus, species, race, life stage, and host at greater than 86% accuracy. The remaining 14% were correctly identified to genus, although species and race may not be correct due to the underlying variables of host or life stage. These results are promising and indicate that this library could be used for diagnostics labs to increase response time.     

Review of the Parasa undulata (Cai, 1983) species group with the first conifer-feeding larva for Limacodidae and descriptions of two new species from China and Taiwan (Lepidoptera,Limacodidae)

Although the caterpillars are well-known for the stings and magnificent coloration, the systematics of Limacodidae is historically neglected and chaotic due to the difficulty in matching the larval with adult stages as well as the very conservative and convergent adult morphology. One of the biggest taxonomic problems surrounds a collective group from Southeastern Asia, termed the “green limacodid moths”, which harbours at least 90 species placed in the genus Parasa Walker, 1859 and 14 “subunits”. The P. undulata group was previously composed of 3 species from China and Taiwan, and characterized only by wing pattern. This species group is extensively studied herein with two new species described, i.e. P. viridiflamma sp. n. (Taiwan) and P. minwangi sp. n. (S. China), and discovery of female genitalia of three species, presenting new phylogenetic insights in this potentially paraphyletic genus. In addition, one limacodid larva was found to be feeding exclusively on Picea (Pinaceae) in Taiwan. Its identity, Parasa pygmy Solovyev, 2010 in P. undulata group, is confirmed through matching its COI sequence to the adult. This discovery is also biologically significant because the previous known host breadth of Parasa was of polyphagy on various angiosperm plant families. This case, therefore, represents the first record of conifer-feeding behavior in this family as well as the first of specialized herbivory in the genus. Meanwhile, the background match between Picea leaves and larval coloration is shared with other Picea-feeding insects. This phenomenon is worth of further investigation in the aspect of convergent evolution of crypsis associated with a particular plant.     

Two new species of the genus Pliciloricus (Loricifera, Pliciloricidae) from the Faroe Bank, North Atlantic

Five cruises to the Faroe Bank in the northeast Atlantic revealed a rich loriciferan fauna inhabiting shell gravel to fine carbonate sand. This paper describes two new species of Pliciloricus found at depths of 120-260 m. Currently, only six species of this genus have been described from various localities around the world, but several new species are currently being described. The diagnosis of the genus Pliciloricus is emended to include the two new taxa. The first of the two new species Pliciloricus leocaudatus sp. n. is characterized by having four new kinds of scalids in the second row and an additional row of alternating plates in the eighth row. The second species Pliciloricus shukeri sp. n. is characterized in having a secondary double organ in the third row. The morphology of the two species, including the new structures, has been investigated using LM and scanning electron microscopy. Conclusively, the scalid pattern of the introvert of Pliciloricus has been re-evaluated, due to the finding of the new structures. Additionally, a discussion of the life cycle of the genus Pliciloricus is given, since the postlarval stage is reduced in both new species.     

Pachyseris inattesa sp. n. (Cnidaria,Anthozoa, Scleractinia): a new reef coral species from the Red Sea and its phylogenetic relationships

A new scleractinian coral species, Pachyseris inattesa sp. n., is described from the Red Sea. Despite a superficial resemblance with some species in the agariciid genus Leptoseris with which it has been previously confused, P. inattesa sp. n. has micro-morphological characters typical of the genus Pachyseris. This genus, once part of the Agariciidae, is comprised of five extant species and is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific. It is currently incertae sedis as a result of recent molecular analysis and appears to be closely related to the Euphylliidae. A molecular phylogenetic reconstruction including P. inattesa sp. n., the genus type species P. rugosa, and P. speciosa, all present in the Red Sea, was performed using the mitochondrial intergenic spacer between COI and 16S-rRNA. The results confirm that P. inattesa sp. n. is a monophyletic lineage closely related to the other Pachyseris species examined.     

First report of the presence of Acartia bispinosa Carl, 1907 (Copepoda,Calanoida) in a semi-enclosed Bay (Sharm El-Maya), northern Red Sea with some notes on its seasonal variation in abundance and body size

The calanoid copepod, Acartia bispinosa Carl, 1907, is reported for the first time in the Red Sea, where it is found to be an important copepod in the mesozooplankton community structure of the Sharm El-Maya Bay. Female and male are fully redescribed and illustrated of as the mouthparts of this species have never previously been described and figured. Acartia bispinosa was collected in the plankton samples throughout the year and showed two peaks of abundance, a pronounced one in April (4234 individuals m^-3), and second smaller peak during November (1784 individuals m^-3). The average total length of females varied between 1.32 and 1.53 mm at the end of June and January respectively. For males, the average total length fluctuated between 1.07 and 1.16 mm at end of June and March respectively. Temperature showed an inverse relationship with the body length (P > 0.001) and seemed to be one of the prime factors affecting the body length of both sexes.     

Prolagus italicus n. sp. (Ochotonidae, Lagomorpha), a new Pliocene species of peninsular Italy

Prolagus italicus n. sp., a new endemic Pliocene species of peninsular Italy, is described here, adding new details to the knowledge of this widespread and long-lasting ochotonid genus. Several dental morphodimensional characters suggest a close relationship between P. italicus and P. sorbinii (evaporitic and postevaporitic Messinian, central Italy). On the other hand, P. italicus shares with other Plio-Pleistocene Prolagus species of continental Europe a large size and some peculiar characters of dental occlusal surface. Actually, an evolutionary trend can be detected in Plio-Pleistocene species of the genus Prolagus. The value of P. italicus in biochronology is quite consistent, as this species seems to mark MN17 in central Italy. Moreover, some morphodimensional differences between P. italicus populations have been identified: this can help to infer relative chronological positions to the fossil sites in which P. italicus is present. Some morphological characters present in one of the two available P. italicus populations are apparently related to ecological more than to evolutionary factors: this may be a starting point for in-depth palaeoecological studies related to the genus Prolagus. The presence of P. italicus in the Italian peninsula may have prevented the entrance of other species of western European affinity.     

Distributional range extension of the seagrass Halophila nipponica into coastal waters off the Korean peninsula

Eight temperate seagrass species (five in the genus Zostera, two in the genus Phyllospadix, and Ruppia maritima) have been previously reported in coastal waters off the Korean peninsula, which lies between 33°N and 43°N. Recently, a species of Halophila, a genus which occurs predominantly in tropical and subtropical areas, has been observed on the southern coast of Korea for the first time. The species was identified as Halophila nipponica. H. nipponica is distributed in warm temperate regions of Japan influenced by the warm Tsushima Current and was previously unknown outside the Japanese archipelago. Thus, we are able to report a range extension into Korea. The Korean Halophila meadow that we observed covered an area of about 2.1 ha, with average shoot density of about 1300 m⁻². We measured morphological features of vegetative and reproductive organs between June and September 2007. Morphological and reproductive features of the Halophila species in Korea were similar to those of the species in Japan. Increased water temperature in the coastal waters of Korea may at least partially account for the persistence of this new population.     

A new species of shrimp of the genus Anachlorocurtis Hayashi, 1975 from the Red Sea,with range extension of A. commensalis Hayashi, 1975 (Crustacea,Decapoda, Pandalidae)

A new species of pandalid shrimp Anachlorocurtis occidentalis sp. n., associated with antipatharian corals, is described and illustrated from the north-eastern Red Sea. This new species is closely related to Anachlorocurtis commensalis Hayashi, 1975, the only other species in the genus, and can be distinguished by the more slender body and appendages; the carapace with 3 large, and one small, subtriangular lobes in the middorsal line; a flattened dorsal outline of the third abdominal segment; the sixth abdominal segment twice as long as fifth one; propodi of the ambulatory pereiopods bearing only a single posterior spinule; and harbouring 3–5 pairs of dorsolateral spines on the telson. A revised generic diagnosis is provided here to accommodate the present new species. The genetic divergence of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) between Anachlorocurtis occidentalis sp. n., and A. commensalis is 15.2–15.4%. Molecular analysis also confirmed a sister position of the genus Anachlorocurtis to Miropandalus. The present records of A. commensalis from Taiwan constitute an extension of the known range of the species.     

Description and Larval Heteromorphism of Hoplolaimus concaudajuvencus,n. sp. (Nematoda: Hoplolain-lidae)

Hoplolaimus concaudajuvencus n. sp., of the genus Hoplolaimus Daday, 1905, characterized by larval heteromorphism, is described and illustrated as recovered from ryegrass/bermudagrass golf green turf in Florida. Females and males are closely related to H. galeatus (Cobb, 1913) Thorne, 1935, but have longer stylets with more definitely tulip-shaped stylet knobs which anteriorly tend to close upon the stylet shaft more than in H. galeatus. First and second-stage larvae have a conically-pointed tail unlike any known species of the genus. Subsequent stages, including females, have rounded tails essentially similar to other species of the genus and males possess the typical hopolaimid tail and bursa. The first molt was found to occur within the egg.     

Desmaninae (Talpidae, Mammalia) from the Pliocene of Tollo de Chiclana (Guadix Basin, Southern Spain): Considerations on the phylogeny of the genus Archaeodesmana

The fossil Desmaninae (water-moles) from the Pliocene continental deposits of Tollo de Chiclana (Guadix Basin, Southern Spain) are described. A new species, Archaeodesmana elvirae, is defined from the locality of Tollo de Chiclana-1 (upper Ruscinian). This species is characterized by relatively small canines and premolars (except the P4) and large P4 and molars, besides several morphological features. The presence of Archaeodesmana brailloni is reported from the locality of Tollo de Chiclana-1B (uppermost Ruscinian). A small sample assigned to the genus Archaeodesmana is described from the lower Villafranchian site of Tollo de Chiclana-3, which cannot be determined at the specific level. The phylogenetic relationships between the different species of Archaeodesmana are reconsidered in the light of the recent findings, which support the idea of a more complex phylogeny than previously proposed for this genus. The populations from the Guadix Basin, previously assigned to Dibolia dekkersi (= Archaeodesmana getica), are here considered to belong to a different (unnamed) species, which is the ancestor of A. elvirae. On the other hand, the new species A. elvirae is proposed as the ancestor of A. brailloni.     

Cercopithecidae from the Pliocene Chiwondo beds, Malawi-rift

There are a total of 16 fossil cercopithecid specimens, representing at least 10 individuals, from the Chiwondo Beds of northern Malawi. The majority of this material is derived from the Middle Pliocene Unit 3A, but one specimen is from the Early Pliocene Unit 2. This latter specimen is from a papionin of indeterminate genus similar in size to Parapapio ado and Pliopapio alemui. Among the specimens from Unit 3A, two species can be diagnosed: an indeterminate species of Theropithecus, and a species of Parapapio similar in dental size to P. broomi. Neither of the genera from Unit 3A are exclusive to either East Africa or South Africa. Their relative abundances, however, are more similar to Middle Pliocene South African sites where Parapapio is the most common primate genus, and Theropithecus is comparatively rare. This is in contrast to similarly-aged East African sites where Theropithecus is by far the most abundant genus.     

Pollination of the red-hot poker Kniphofia laxiflora (Asphodelaceae) by sunbirds

Most of the species in the large African genus Kniphofia have floral traits that conform to the bird pollination syndrome, however there has been very little empirical work to confirm that birds are effective pollinators of Kniphofia species. From selective exclusion experiments, behavioural observations and pollen load analyses, we identified Amethyst Sunbirds (Chalcomitra amethystina) and Malachite Sunbirds (Nectarinia famosa) as the primary pollinators in two populations of Kniphofia laxiflora, with bees playing a smaller role. Bird visitors obtain moderate volumes (∼ 9 µl) of relatively concentrated (∼ 15%) hexose-rich nectar in the flowers. This species is shown to be genetically self-incompatible, and thus reliant on pollinator visits for seed set. Although mountain pride butterflies (Aeropetes tulbaghia) have been identified as important pollinators of this species at two other populations, they did not occur at the two populations we studied.     

Reassessment of the taxonomic position of Iranocypris typhlops Bruun & Kaiser, 1944 (Actinopterygii,Cyprinidae)

The Iranian cave barb (Iranocypris typhlops Bruun & Kaiser, 1944) is a rare and endemic species of the family Cyprinidae known from a single locality in the Zagros Mountains, western Iran. This species is “Vulnerable” according to the IUCN Red List and is one of the top four threatened freshwater fish species in Iran. Yet, the taxonomic position of I. typhlops is uncertain. We examined phylogenetic relationships of this species with other species of the family Cyprinidae based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Our results show that I. typhlops is monophyletic and is sister taxon of a cluster formed by Garra rufa (Heckel, 1843) and Garra barreimiae (Fowler & Steinitz, 1956) within a clade that includes other species of the genus Garra. Based on previous molecular and morphological studies, as well as our new results, we recommend that I. typhlops should be transferred to the genus Garra Hamilton, 1822.     

Spermatogenesis of Zaprionus indianus and Zaprionus sepsoides (Diptera,Drosophilidae): Cytochemical,structural and ultrastructural characterization

Zaprionus indianus is a drosophilid native to the Afrotropical region that has colonized South America and exhibits a wide geographical distribution. In contrast, Z. sepsoides is restricted to certain African regions. The two species differ in the size of their testes, which are larger in Z. indianus than in Z. sepsoides. To better understand the biology and the degree of differentiation of these species, the current study evaluated spermatogenesis in males of different ages by conventional staining techniques and ultrastructural analysis. Spermatogenesis and the ultrastructure of spermatozoa were similar in the two species, and the diploid number was confirmed to be 2n = 12. A greater number of spermatozoa were observed in young Z. indianus (1–3 days old) compared to Z. sepsoides males, which showed a higher frequency of cells at the early stages of spermatogenesis. The head of the sperm was strongly marked by silver staining, lacto-acetic orcein and the Feulgen reaction; the P.A.S. reaction revealed glycogen granules in the testes of both species. Both species presented similar arrangement of microtubules (9+9+2), two mitochondrial derivatives of different size and 64 spermatozoa per bundle. Such similarity within the genus Zaprionus with other species of Drosophila, indicates that these structures are conserved in the family Drosophilidae. The differences observed the number and frequency of sperm cells in the early stages of spermatogenesis, between the young males of Z. indianus and Z. sepsoides, are features that may interfere with reproductive success and be related to the invasive potential of Z. indianus.     

On the validity of Epeorella Ulmer, 1939 (Ephemeroptera,Heptageniidae) with general considerations on the Heptageniidae of the Sunda Islands

The type material of Epeorella borneonia Ulmer, 1939, the sole species of the genus Epeorella Ulmer, 1939 is reinvestigated and a lectotype (male imago) is designated. Based on several morphological structures, the synonymy with Epeorus Eaton, 1881 (Rhithrogeninae) is rejected. Epeorella stat. prop., known only at the winged stages, belongs to the subfamily Ecdyonurinae, and is a probable endemic of the island of Borneo. The newly erected genus Darthus Webb & McCafferty, 2007, also endemic to Borneo and only known by one species at the nymphal stage, is shown to be a junior subjective synonym of Epeorella. The new combination Epeorella vadora (Webb & McCafferty, 2007) is proposed for the species. The distribution of known heptageniid species from the Sunda Islands is discussed.     

Courtship and mating in the whip spider Phrynichus orientalis Weygoldt, 1998 (Chelicerata: Amblypygi)

Mating behaviour and spermatophore morphology of the south-east Asian whip spider Phrynichus orientalis is described. During courtship there is less bodily contact between mates than in other studied species of the same genus. However, a peculiarity for the species is that the pair often pauses for minutes, sitting front to front without any movement. For spermatophore formation, the male shifts his body under that of the female like in many other species. However, after spermatophore formation, the male lures the female to the spermatophore instead of pulling her as in most other species studied. The spermatophore differs from those of most other species of the genus by the fact that the cushions in front of the sperm masses are replaced by a hard, transparent mass which has the same function as the cushions. Mating behaviour and spermatophore morphology of P. orientalis thus show peculiarities that so far have not been described for other species of the genus. It is not clear whether these characters should be considered plesiomorphic or apomorphic. But it does clearly show that there is more diversity within this genus than expected.     

The genus Cryptopora (Brachiopoda) from the Miocene of France and its history and biogeography

The rhynchonellid brachiopod species Cryptopora lovisati(Dreger, 1911) has been identified in the Middle Miocene sandy deposits of France, and its ontogeny and variability are described. This is the first record of the genus Cryptopora Jeffreys from France, although several species of Cryptopora have been already reported from other regions of Europe. Being known since the Lower Palaeocene, Cryptopora is widely distributed in modern seas, ranging from about 60 m down to over 4000 m, and is represented by six extant and about 12 fossil species. C. lovisati has been interpreted as relatively shallow water species living attached to the sediment by a long pedicle. The affinity between C. lovisati and Recent C. curiosa Cooper is discussed.