Properties of the β-d-glucosidase (cellobiase) from the wood-rotting fungus,Coriolus versicolor

Summary Structural and kinetic parameters of the -d-glucosidase (cellobiase, -d-glucoside glucohydrolase) from Coriolus versicolor have been determined. It is a high molecular weight glycoprotein (300,000 d) composed 10% by weight of protein, 90% by weight of carbohydrate in which glucose is the primary hexose sugar. The K_m for 4-nitrophenyl--d-glucopyranoside (4 NPG) and cellobiose are 0.276 and 2.94 mM respectively at pH 4.5 and 40°. d-Glucose is a competitive inhibitor with a K_i of 1.8 mM with 4 NPG as substrate, and at high concentrations, cellobiose exhibits a substrate inhibition effect on the enzyme, so negating attempts to overcome the competitive inhibition of glucose by increasing the concentration of the substrate.     

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.     

Ecological data of Travassosnema travassosi travassosi (Dracunculoidea: Guyanemidae) from the humour of the eyes of Acestrorhynchus lacustris from Tibagi River, Paraná, Brazil

Data obtained between 1990 and 1995 provide, for the first time, ecological information of the parasitic nematode Travassosnema travassosi travassosi Costa, Moreira & Oliveira, 1991 from Acestrorhynchus lacustris (Characiformes: Acestrorhynchidae) collected in the Tibagi River, Sertanópolis, Paraná, Brazil. These nematode occurred with low prevalences (7.7% to 28.6%) and intensities (1 to 3) during almost the whole year. The observation of mature females throughout the year indicate that liberation of larvae can occur during all the year around. This is the first report on the occurrence of T. travassosi travassosi inside the eyes. These nematodes were mostly located in humour of the eyes (87% of cases), being less frequently detected in tissues behind the eyes (13% of cases).     

A new species of Kritskyia (Dactylogyridae,Ancyrocephalinae) parasite of urinary bladder of Prochilodus lineatus (Prochilodontidae,Characiformes) from the Floodplain of the High Paraná river,Brazil

A new species of Kritskyia inhabits the urinary bladder of the "curimba", Prochilodus lineatus in the floodplain of the high Paraná river. The new species resembles others members of Kritskyia in the following features: haptor lacking anchors and with 14 hooks marginal, posterior male copulatory organ non articulated with the accessory piece and vagina a sclerotized tube. However, it differs from the known species mainly by the shape of the copulatory complex. This is the third endoparasitic monogenean species reported from freshwater Neotropical fish.     

Ossification Pattern of Estuarine Dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) Forelimbs,from the Coast of the State of Espírito Santo,Brazil

The estuarine dolphin, Sotalia guianensis, is one of the most abundant cetacean species in Brazil. Determination of age and of aspects associated with the development of this species is significant new studies. Counts of growth layer groups in dentin are used to estimate age of these animals, though other ways to evaluate development are also adopted, like the measurement of total length (TL). This study presents a procedure to evaluate the development of the estuarine dolphin based on the ossification pattern of forelimbs. Thirty-seven estuarine dolphins found in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, were examined. Age was estimated, TL was measured and ossification of epiphyses was examined by radiography. We analyzed results using the Spearman correlation. Inspection of radiographs allowed evaluation of the significance of the correlation between age and development of the proximal (r = 0.9109) and distal (r = 0.9092) radial epiphyses, and of the distal ulnar epiphyses (r = 0.9055). Radiographic analysis of forelimbs proved to be an appropriate method to evaluate physical maturity, and may be a helpful tool to estimate age of these animals in ecological and population studies.     

A Taxonomic Study of the Genus Alebroides Mats, from China(Homoptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae)

The genus Alebroides was established by Matsumura in 1931. As far asthe present authors have learned there are 7 species reported from Chinain previous works. They are listod as follows:     

A new species of Phoenicopsis (Leptostrobales) from the Maastrichtian–Danian of Chukotka,Russia

A new species, Phoenicopsis anadyrensis Nosova, is described based on the leaf morphology and cuticle features from the Maastrichtian–Danian Rarytkin Formation, Chukotka, North-East of Russia. It is characterized by hypostomatic leaves with stomatal bands on the abaxial side, undulate anticlinal epidermal cell walls and papillae on the epidermal cells and on the subsidiary cells of the stomata. The new species is the youngest reliable representative of the genus Phoenicopsis. This record extends the stratigraphic range of Phoenicopsis from its previously known latest records in the early Campanian up to Maastrichtian–Danian. The persistence of the genus Phoenicopsis up to the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary is most likely related with vicinity to mountain floras associated with Late Cretaceous and Paleogene volcanic uplands.     

The nassariids from the Gulf of Gabès revisited (Neogastropoda,Nassariidae)

Since the latter half of the nineteenth century, marine biologists have recognized that many molluscs living in the Gulf of Gabès, on the southern coast of Tunisia, exhibit a number of morphological characters that set them apart from the ‘typical form or variety’ that occurs in the rest of their Mediterranean distribution area. In the family Nassariidae, local forms (varieties or subspecies) were recognized as early as 1882, but none of these is currently recognized as having taxonomical significance. We have revisited the species-level systematics of the family using an integrative approach, based on morphological, geographic and molecular evidence (COI and 28S). Besides Tritia gibbosula (not sampled by us), we delimitated seven species, three with a broad range: Tritia neritea (probably introduced), T. mutabilis (but with considerable genetic structure between localities), and T. corniculum; and four not previously recognized as valid, and which may be considered Gulf of Gabès endemics: T. lanceolata, T. tenuicosta, T. pallaryana sp. nov. and T. djerbaensis sp. nov. Also, Tritia elongata is recognized as a valid species in the T. corniculum complex, with a distribution outside the Gulf of Gabès. It is remarkable that all have paucispiral protoconchs indicating non-planktotrophic larval development.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:069F3B3B-66E8-4C07-A974-3023924426EB     

A new species of Fuziidae (Insecta, Blattida) from the Inner Mongolia, China

A new species attributed to the genus Parvifuzia Guo & Ren, 2011, Parvifuzia peregrinasp. n., is described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou Village, Inner Mongolia, China. This new species, with apex of wing almost reaching the end of the abdomen and forewing venation with 30-32 veins at margin, broadens the diversity of Parvifuzia. This new species, with strongly curved cerci, could tightly clasp female and complete copulation more efficiently, same as other members of the family Fuziidae.     

A new peirosaurid (Crocodilyformes) from the Late Cretaceous (Turonian–Coniacian) of Patagonia,Argentina

Peirosauridae is composed of mid- to large-sized terrestrial mesoeucrododylian crocodyliforms distributed throughout Gondwanan landmasses. Here we describe a new peirosaurid that comes from the upper levels of the Portezuelo Formation (Turonian–Coniacian, Upper Cretaceous) from Loma de la Lata, Neuquén Province, Argentina. This specimen consists of some associated bones belonging to a single individual. In order to facilitate comparisons, we recognise two different peirosaurid morphotypes based on skull shape: broad- and narrow-snouted taxa. The new taxon may be related to broad-snouted taxa, especially Gasparinisuchus peirosauroides. The new taxon here reported has strong heterodont dentition when compared with other peirosaurids. As in related forms, the fourth dentary tooth is caniniform, very large, acute and transversely compressed (much more than other peirosaurids), and the anterior dentary teeth have less globular, sharp serrated crowns. Large interalveolar spaces are present between both mandibular and maxillary teeth, a trait only observed on the new taxon. With this addition, we elevate the number of Patagonian peirosaurids to four. Moreover, it represents together with Lomasuchus palpebrosus the second peirosaurid species described for the Portezuelo Formation.     

Comparative cytogenetic studies of Curimatidae (Pisces, Characiformes) from the middle Paraná River (Argentina)

Almost all species of the Curimatidae family have a stable karyotype, with a diploid number of 54 metacentric (M) and submetacentric (SM) chromosomes, and one sole nucleolus organizer pair. This family has considerable specific diversity in Argentinean fluvial basins; however, no cytogenetic data are available. Eight species from the Paraná River (Argentina): Cyphocharax voga, C. spilotus, C. platanus, Steindachnerina brevipinna, S. conspersa, Curimatella dorsalis, Psectrogaster curviventris, and Potamorhina squamoralevis were analyzed cytogenetically. Chromosome preparations were obtained from direct samples and through cell culture, and they were processed for conventional, C- and nucleolar organizer region-banding. Six of the species exhibited the standard family karyotype, with 2n = 54 M-SM and fundamental number of chromosomes (FN) = 108, as well as variations in the chromosome formula, and in heterochromatic and nucleolar organizer regions. Though nucleolar organizer regions were located on only one chromosome pair, they varied in both carrier chromosomes and pairs involved. On the other hand, C. platanus showed a complement of 2n = 58 M-SM and subtelocentric with FN = 116, and P. squamoralevis presented 2n = 102, with some M-SM and a large number of acrocentric chromosomes. Even though the karyotype macrostructure appears to be conserved, the speciation process within the family has been accompanied by micro-structural rearrangements, as evidenced by pattern diversity in the heterochromatin and nucleolar organizer regions. Some changes in chromosome macrostructure have also occurred in this group, primarily in C. platanus and P. squamoralevis, in which there have been centric dissociations and inversions.     

First record of the genus Phradis Förster (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Tersilochinae) from the Neotropical Region

One new species of the genus Phradis, Phradis peruvianussp. n., from the mountainous part of Peruvian Amazonia, is described and illustrated. This is the first record of the genus from South America and the Neotropical region.     

Phylogenetic Relationships of the Triassic Archaeosemionotus Deecke (Halecomorphi,Ionoscopiformes) from the ‘Perledo Fauna’

The lagerstätten in the Monte San Giorgio have provided excellent fossils representing one of the most important windows to the marine life during the Triassic. Among these fossils, fishes are abundant and extraordinarily well preserved. Most of these fishes represent extinct lineages and were difficult to understand and classify during the early years after discovery. These difficulties usually led to a mixture of species under the same taxonomic name. This is the case of fishes referred to the genus Archaeosemionotus. The name bearing type of A. connectens, the type species of this genus, represents a basal halecomorph, but most other fishes referred to this genus represent basal ginglymodians. Therefore, we conducted this study to clarify the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships of A. connectens, which is a member of the family Furidae (Halecomorphi, Ionoscopiformes) representing the second cladistically supported evidence of ionoscopiforms in the Triassic and it is thus one of the two oldest reliable records of this group. Ionoscopiforms have a long stratigraphic range, though their fossil record is rather patchy. In our analysis, the sister taxon of Archaeosemionotus is Robustichthys from the Anisian of China, and they together form a clade with Furo, which is known from several localities ranging from the Early to the Late Jurassic. Other ionoscopiforms are so far known from the Kimmeridgian to the Albian and it is thus evident that recent efforts have concentrated on the later history of the group (Late Jurassic to Cretaceous). The phylogenetic relationships obtained for the Ionoscopiformes do not show a clear palaeobiogeographic pattern, but give important new insights into the origin, divergence date and early history of this clade.     

Revision of the rhinoceros remains (Rhinocerotidae,Mammalia) from the late Pliocene of Etouaires (Auvergne,France) and the morphological distinction between the postcranial bones of Stephanorhinus elatus and S. etruscus

This work revises the rhinoceros remains from the well-known early Villafranchian locality of Étouaires (Auvergne, France), which have been collected on multiple occasions since the late 18th century. The species Stephanorhinus elatus and S. etruscus are present, both represented mainly by postcranial elements. To identify them, a detailed preliminary analysis of the morphological differences between the postcranial skeletons of the two species has been undertaken, using the material from Vialette (Haute-Loire, early Villafranchian) and Senèze (Haute-Loire, early late Villafranchian) as comparison for S. elatus and S. etruscus respectively, plus some specimens of S. etruscus from Upper Valdarno (Tuscany, middle Villafranchian). These localities have been chosen because they all yielded only one of the two species. The morphological distinction between the two species is not easy, since the interspecific variability often overlaps and includes polymorphic characters. However, a few diagnostic characters are described, and intra-specific variability has been investigated as much as possible with the fossil material under investigation.     

Revision of the lectotype ofFavreina salevensis (Paréjas) (Crustacea,Decapoda) and description of favreine form-species from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of Scotland,Portugal, Yougoslavia and Pakistan

The lectotype ofFavreina salevensis (Paréjas) is re-examined and illustrated and the following new favreine form-species proposed:Favreina guinchoensis from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal,Favreina njegosensis andFavreina dinarica from the Neocomian of the Dinarids, andFavreina eiggensis from the Bathonian of the Inner Hebrides, Scotland.Favreina murciensis Cuvillier, Bassoulet & Fourcade is recorded from the Jurassic of Pakistan.     

Growth of the Pacific jack Caranx caninus (Pisces: Carangidae) from the coast of Colima, México

The Pacific jack Caranx caninus is a common species fished by artisanal fishermen off the coast of Colima, México. During 2002, monthly samples of morphometric data and otoliths were taken to determine age and growth. Seven age groups were identified. The highest growth, 14.4 cm, takes place during the first year of life. During the second year, C caninus grows 11.76 cm; the third year 9.61 cm; the fourth 7.85 cm; the fifth 6.41 cm and sixth year 5.24 cm. The constants of von Bertalanffy's growth equation were: L(infinity) = 83.26 cm, W(infinity) = 18.138 g, K = 0.202, t(0) = -0.283 and A(0.95) = 15 years. Growth curves of other species of the same genus were calculated in order to compare them with the one obtained in the present work. The gonadosomatic index presented higher values during November and May. The periods of more intensive feeding are from August to February.