Diagnosis of Human Visceral Pentastomiasis

Visceral pentastomiasis in humans is caused by the larval stages (nymphs) of the arthropod-related tongue worms Linguatula serrata, Armillifer armillatus, A. moniliformis, A. grandis, and Porocephalus crotali. The majority of cases has been reported from Africa, Malaysia, and the Middle East, where visceral pentastomiasis may be an incidental finding in autopsies, and less often from China and Latin America. In Europe and North America, the disease is only rarely encountered in immigrants and long-term travelers, and the parasitic lesions may be confused with malignancies, leading to a delay in the correct diagnosis. Since clinical symptoms are variable and serological tests are not readily available, the diagnosis often relies on histopathological examinations. This laboratory symposium focuses on the diagnosis of this unusual parasitic disease and presents its risk factors and epidemiology.     

Ocular Pentastomiasis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ocular pentastomiasis is a rare infection caused by the larval stage of pentastomids, an unusual group of crustacean-related parasites. Zoonotic pentastomids have a distinct geographical distribution and utilize reptiles or canids as final hosts. Recently, an increasing number of human abdominal infections have been reported in Africa, where pentastomiasis is an emerging, though severely neglected, tropical disease. Here we describe four ocular infections caused by pentastomids from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Two cases underwent surgery and an Armillifer grandis infection was detected by morphological and molecular approaches. Thus far, 15 other cases of ocular pentastomiasis have been reported worldwide. Twelve cases were caused by Armillifer sp., recorded almost exclusively in Africa, where such infections occur as a consequence of hunting and consuming snakes, their final hosts. Seven further cases were caused by Linguatula serrata, a cosmopolitan pentastomid whose final hosts are usually canids. Intraocular infections caused permanent visual damage in 69% and a total loss of vision in 31% of reported cases. In contrast, ocular adnexal cases had a benign clinical course. Further research is required to estimate the burden, therapeutic options and pathogenesis of this neglected disease.     

宁夏六盘伪黑盲蛛记述(盲蛛目,开气门亚目,硬体盲蛛科)(英文)

记述了分布于中国宁夏回族自治区的伪黑盲蛛属Pseudomelanopa 1新种:六盘伪黑盲蛛P.liupan sp.nov.,此种与本属中的唯一种类台湾伪黑盲蛛P.taiwana相比较,雄蛛的阳茎和雌蛛的纳精囊明显不同;新种步足上的刺明显小于台湾伪黑盲蛛P.taiwana;新种雌蛛眼丘光滑,而台湾伪黑盲蛛P.taiwana眼丘上具1对小钝突;新种雄蛛触肢膝节和胫节光滑,仅在其膝节远端具1尖刺,而台湾伪黑盲蛛P.taiwana雄蛛触肢膝节和胫节背面具小齿.新种模式标本保存于河北大学博物馆.     

Five new species of Stenothemus Bourgeois from Guangxi,China (Coleoptera,Cantharidae)

Five new species of Stenothemus Bourgeois, 1907 from Guangxi, China are described, S. normalis sp. nov., S. flavicans sp. nov., S. nigripennis sp. nov., S. elongaticeps sp. nov. and S. maculaticollis sp. nov.. They are illustrated with habitus photos and aedeagi of males, also abdominal sternites VIII and internal genitalia of females. A key for the identification of the above species is provided.     

Revision of the Neotropical Scleropactidae (Crustacea: Oniscidea)

The species of Scleropactidae from America are revised and redescribed. A phylogeny hypothesis based on an analysis of morphological characters is presented. The genera are redefined and the generic placement of several species is corrected. The Neotropical Scleropactidae include Colomboscia , Scleropactes , Circoniscus , Neosanfilippia , Sphaeroniscus , Richardsoniscus , Spherarmadillo , Colomboniscus , Amazoniscus and Protosphaeroniscus . The genus Chileoniscus is excluded from the Scleropactidae. Sphaerobathytropa is excluded from the Scleropactidae and its previous record from Argentina is revealed to be erroneous. Synuropus is revalidated and excluded from the Scleropactidae. The following new genera are introduced: Scleropactoides gen. nov. , Globopactes gen. nov. , Caecopactes gen. nov. , and Troglopactes gen. nov. Thirteen species are described as new: Caecopactes minimus sp. nov. , Colomboscia parva sp. nov. , Globopactes falconensis sp. nov. , Globopactes hispidus sp. nov. , Globopactes meridae sp. nov. , Scleropactes cotopaxii sp. nov. , Scleropactes ecuadoriensis sp. nov. , Scleropactes pululahua sp. nov. , Scleropactoides curvatus sp. nov. , Circoniscus hirsutus sp. nov. , Sphaeroniscus quintus sp. nov. , Spherarmadillo nebulosus sp. nov. , and Chileoniscus armadillidioides sp. nov. Identification keys to all species are provided.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 (Suppl. 1), 1–339.     

Two new species of Neanuridae (Collembola: Poduromorpha) from littoral of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Samples collected in “restinga” areas of two conservation units in Rio de Janeiro state revealed the presence of two new species of Neanuridae family. The first, Pseudachorutes solaris sp. nov., from Parque Estadual da Costa do Sol and from Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, differs from other species for having 34–50 vesicles in the postantennal organ, and the second, Friesea jurubatiba sp. nov. from Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, differs from other species for having 8 clavate chaetae in the abdominal segment VI.     

Genetic variation of Kaempferia (Zingiberaceae) in Thailand based on chloroplast DNA (psbA-trnH and petA-psbJ) sequences

Genetic variation and species authentication of 71 Kaempferia accessions (representing 15 recognized, six new, and four unidentified species) found indigenously in Thailand were examined by determining chloroplast psbA-trnH and partial petA-psbJ spacer sequences. Ten closely related species (Boesenbergia rotunda, Gagnepainia godefroyi, G. thoreliana, Globba substrigosa, Smithatris myanmarensis, S. supraneanae, Scaphochlamys biloba, S. minutiflora, S. rubescens, and Stahlianthus sp) were also included. After sequence alignments, 1010 and 865 bp in length were obtained for the respective chloroplast DNA sequences. Intraspecific sequence variation was not observed in Kaempferia candida, K. angustifolia, K. laotica, K. galanga, K. pardi sp nov., K. bambusetorum sp nov., K. albomaculata sp nov., K. minuta sp nov., Kaempferia sp nov. 1, and G. thoreliana, for which more than one specimen was available. In contrast, intraspecific sequence polymorphisms were observed in various populations of K. fallax, K. filifolia, K. elegans, K. pulchra, K. rotunda, K. marginata, K. parviflora, K. larsenii, K. roscoeana, K. siamensis, and G. godefroyi. A strict consensus tree based on combined psbA-trnH and partial petA-psbJ sequences revealed four major groups of Kaempferia species. We suggest that the genus Kaempferia is a polyphyletic group, as K. candida was distantly related and did not group with other Kaempferia species. Polymorphic sites and indels of psbA-trnH and petA-psbJ can be used as DNA barcodes for species diagnosis of most Kaempferia and outgroup species. Nuclear DNA polymorphism should be examined to determine if there has been interspecific hybridization and chloroplast DNA introgression in these taxa.     

中国台湾尼蝗属三新种及种检索表（直翅目, 蝗总科, 斑腿蝗科, 秃蝗亚科）(英文)

记述了中国台湾尼蝗属 Niitakacris Tinkham, 1936 的3新种。新种阿里山尼蝗 Niitakacris arishanensis sp. nov.后足股节内侧非红色和雄性尾须基部的最大宽度为端部宽度的4倍,可与本属所有已知种相区别。新种夏氏尼蝗 Niitakacris xiai sp. nov.与红胫尼蝗 N. rosaceanum 和台湾尼蝗 Niitakacris taiwanensis sp. nov.近似,不同之处为中胸腹板中隔的长度大于最狭处,前翅不到达腹部第1节背板后缘。新种台湾尼蝗 Niitakacris taiwanensis sp. nov.与红胫尼蝗 N. rosaceanum 近似, 不同之处为复眼较小,纵径为眼下沟长的1.4 倍;两尾片分开;肛上板基部纵沟较短,不到达中部,沟端圆,不尖。列出了尼蝗属全部5个种的检索表。     

Interaction between H2-producing and non-H2-producing cellulolytic bacteria from the human colon

The cellulose-degrading species recently isolated from the human colon showed diverse ability to degrade and ferment cellulose. In the present study, the nature of the inter-relation existing between one H(2)-producing cellulolytic isolate (Ruminococcus sp. nov.) and one non-H(2)-producing cellulose-degrading species (Bacteroides sp. nov.) was investigated in vitro. Coculture experiments revealed synergism in cellulose degradation between these two cellulolytic species. An increase in total bacterial population was measured in the coculture, Bacteroides sp. being the predominant organism. As a result, a large decrease in H(2) production from cellulose fermentation was observed. Predominance of Bacteroides sp. might thus contribute to limit gas produced from fibre fermentation in the gut.     

HYBODONT SHARKS OF THE ENGLISH BATHONIAN AND CALLOVIAN (MIDDLE JURASSIC)

Abstract:  Recent bulk sampling and study of museum collections has revealed a high diversity of hybodont sharks from the English Bathonian, with 15 species being recognised. In addition, study of dental and skeletal material from the English Callovian has allowed the diagnosis of a new genus and species, Planohybodus peterboroughensis gen. et sp. nov., allowing the Bathonian species Hybodus grossiconus Agassiz to be referred to Planohybodus . Two additional new genera, Secarodus and Frangerodus , are erected for the Bathonian taxa Hybodus polyprion Agassiz and Strophodus lingualis Woodward, respectively. Egertonodus duffini sp. nov. is described and the diagnosis of Egertonodus based on dental material is discussed. The previously unrecorded Hybodus sp., Parvodus sp., and Lonchidion sp. are recognised but left in open nomenclature. Asteracanthus medius (Owen) is recorded in the British Bathonian for the first time, and the status of Bathonian nominal species of Asteracanthus are assessed. Bathonian hybodonts showed great diversity in trophic ecology and many of the species are specific to particular palaeoenvironments.     

A new genus and five new species of Metasarcinae from Peru (Arachnida, Opiliones, Gonyleptidae)

An emended diagnosis for Metasarcinae is given. The genera Cajarnarca Roewer, 1952 (Phalangodidae Tricommatinae), Chacoikeontus Roewer, 1929 and Tschaidicancha Roewer, 1957 (both Gonyleptidae Prostygninae) are transferred to the subfamily. The new genus Incasarcus is described for five new species of the Peruvian Department of Cusco. The five new species Incasarcus dianae sp. nov., Incasarcus pictus sp. nov., Incasarcus argenteus sp. nov., Incasarcus viracocha sp. nov. and Incasarcus ochoai sp. nov. axe described and illustrated. A key to the species of Incasarcus is given and their distribution is illustrated on a map.     

Thelohanellus njinei sp nov and T lagdoensis sp nov, Myxosporidia (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) parasites of Schilbeidae and Citharinidae fishes in Cameroon (central Africa)

The study of Myxosporidia infecting Schilbe mystus (Linné, 1758) (Schilbeidae) and Citharinus citharus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809) (Citharinidae) from the Sanaga and Bénoué basins revealed the presence of two new species of the genus Thelohanellus kudo, 1993. These species are Thelohanellus njinei sp. nov. and Thelohanellus lagdoensis sp. nov., found in the gut of Schilbe mystus and Citharinus citharus respectively. New data are also given on the diagnosis of Thelohanellus citharini, a species previously described in Chad.     

Rhopalophthalmus constrictus sp. nov. and Australomysis reubeni sp. nov. (Crustacea-Mysidacea) from south-west Australian waters

Two new species of mysids are described. Rhopalophthalmus constrictussp. nov. is unique in having a well-produced triangular rostralplate, pleural plates on the anterior five abdominal somitesand prominent constriction at the distal end of the telson.Australomysis reubeni sp. nov. is distinguished by its rostrum,telson, fourth male pleopod and modified setae on the carpopropodalsegment.     

Megapanorpa,a new genus with a single anal horn in males from Oriental China (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

A new genus of Panorpidae, Megapanorpa gen. nov. , is erected for five new species, Megapanorpa grandis sp. nov. (type species), M. absens sp. nov. , M. gaokaii sp. nov. , M. jiangorum sp. nov. and M. wanghongjiani sp. nov. This genus is similar to Cerapanorpa Gao et al., 2016 in a single anal horn on the sixth tergum of male, but can be differentiated from the latter by the following characters: the seventh abdominal segment of male is constricted and stalk‐like at base, the subgenital plate of female with a pair of lateral plates, and the medigynium of female with a concealed axis. Keys to genera of Panorpidae and species of Megapanorpa gen. nov. are presented. The morphology and function of anal horns in different genera and species have been discussed.     

异畸螽属的评述及印度-马来亚地区的新种描述(直翅目:螽斯总科:蛩螽科)

本文对异畸螽属Alloteratura Hebard,1922进行了分类学上的评述,对该属的属征和新征进行了讨论,并首次记述了该属雄性外生殖器的结构;为八个采自菲律宾和马来半岛的已知种增补了新的特征;描述了七个采自新几内亚、菲律宾、马来半岛、泰国和中国的新种:多刺异畸螽Alloteratura multispina Jin, sp. nov.,角板异畸螽Alloteratura angulata Jin, sp. nov., 宽须异畸螽Alloteratura Plauta Jin, sp. nov., 缘须异畸螽Alloteratura lamella Jin, sp. nov., 柱须异畸螽Alloteratura cylindracauda Jin, sp. nov., 泰国异畸螽Alloteratura saimensis Jin, sp. nov., 西藏异畸螽Alloteratura tibetensis Jin, sp. nov.。     

New beetle species of the genus Lasiosyne (Coleoptera, Lasiosynidae) from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous of Russia and Mongolia

Six new species of the genus Lasiosyne Tan et al., 2007, the type genus of the family Lasiosynidae Kirejtshuk et al., 2010, are described from Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous deposits of Mongolia and East Siberia: L. shartegiensis sp. nov., L. insculpta sp. nov., L. longitarsa sp. nov., L. cataphracta sp. nov., L. punctata sp. nov., and L. decora sp. nov. A modified diagnosis of the genus is proposed.     

REMARKS ON THE GENUS ALLOTERATURA HEBARD AND NEW SPECIES FROM INDO-MALAYAN REGIONS (ORTHOPTERA: TETTIGONIOIDEA: MECONEMATIDAE)

Abstract The autapomorphic and diagnostic characters of the genus Alloteratura Hebard 1922, are discussed and confirmed. The structure of male genitalia is revealed for the first time. New data are added to eight known species from Philippines and Malay Peninsula. Seven new species from New Guinea, Philippines, Malay Peninsula, Thailand and China are described. They are A. multispina Jin, sp. nov.; A. angulata Jin, sp. nov.; A. plauta Jin, sp. nov.; A. lamella Jin, sp. nov. ( A. cylindracauda Jin, sp. nov.; A. saimemsis Jin, sp. nov. and A. tibetensis Jin, sp. nov. Remarks are also made on the distribution pattern of the genus.     

Description of three novel Lagenidium (Oomycota) species causing infection in mammals

BackgroundRecent molecular phylogenetic analysis of Lagenidium strains recovered from subcutaneous lesions in cats, dogs, and a human with lagenidiosis resolved into four clades; one of them was Lagenidium giganteum, but three others were novel.AimsDue to the recent increase in L. giganteum infections from mammals, we studied 21 Lagenidium strains isolated from dogs and a human available in our collection.MethodsMolecular phylogenetic studies and phenotypic characteristics were used to characterize the strains.ResultsWe report the finding of three novel species, herein designated as Lagenidium ajelloi, sp. nov., Lagenidium albertoi sp. nov, and Lagenidium vilelae sp. nov. Their morphological and growth features are also presented.ConclusionsOur study revealed the presence of three novel Lagenidium species infecting mammals.