Orthaea (Ericaceae-Vaccinieae): New species and redefinition of the genus

A historical review of Orthaea is provided and the present generic concept is amplified to include Empedoclesia and Lysiclesia . A key to the 31 recognized species is given. Orthaea paniculata, O. glandulifera, O. oedipus , and O. coriacea are described as new. New combinations are Orthaea caudata, O. minor, O. panamensis, O. brachysiphon , and O. stipitata .     

New world monkey pepsinogens A and C, and prochymosins. Purification, characterization of enzymatic properties, cDNA cloning, and molecular evolution

Pepsinogens A and C, and prochymosin were purified from four species of adult New World monkeys, namely, common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus), and capuchin monkey (Cebus apella). The occurrence of prochymosin was quite unique since this zymogen is known to be neonate-specific and, in primates, it has been thought that the prochymosin gene is not functional. No multiple form has been detected for any type of pepsinogen except that two pepsinogen-A isozymogens were identified in capuchin monkey. Pepsins A and C, and chymosin hydrolyzed hemoglobin optimally at pH 2-2.5 with maximal activities of about 20, 30, and 15 units/mg protein. Pepsins A were inhibited in the presence of an equimolar amount of pepstatin, and chymosins and pepsins C needed 5- and 100-fold molar excesses of pepstatin for complete inhibition, respectively. Hydrolysis of insulin B chain occurred first at the Leu15-Tyr16 bond in the case of pepsins A and chymosins, and at either the Leu15-Tyr16 or Tyr16-Leu17 bond in the case of pepsins C. The presence of different types of pepsins might be advantageous to New World monkeys for the efficient digestion of a variety of foods. Molecular cloning of cDNAs for three types of pepsinogens from common marmoset was achieved. A phylogenetic tree of pepsinogens based on the nucleotide sequence showed that common marmoset diverged from the ancestral primate about 40 million years ago.     

Photoprotection, photosynthesis and growth of tropical tree seedlings under near-ambient and strongly reduced solar ultraviolet-B radiation

Seedlings of two late-successional tropical rainforest tree species, Tetragastris panamensis (Engler) O. Kuntze and Calophyllum longifolium (Willd.), were field grown for 3-4 months at an open site near Panama City (9 degrees N), Panama, under plastic films that either transmitted or excluded most solar UV-B radiation. Experiments were designed to test whether leaves developing under bright sunlight with strongly reduced UV-B are capable of acclimating to near-ambient UV-B conditions. Leaves of T. panamensis that developed under near-ambient UV-B contained higher amounts of UV-absorbing substances than leaves of seedlings grown under reduced UV-B. Photosynthetic pigment composition, content of alpha-tocopherol, CO(2) assimilation, potential photosystem II (PSII) efficiency (evaluated by F(v)/F(m) ratios) and growth of T. panamensis and C. longifolium did not differ between seedlings developed under near-ambient and reduced solar UV-B. When seedlings were transferred from the reduced UV-B treatment to the near-ambient UV-B treatment, a pronounced inhibition of photosynthetic capacity was observed initially in both species. UV-B-mediated inhibition of photosynthetic capacity nearly fully recovered within 1 week of the transfer in C. longifolium, whereas in T. panamensis an about 35% reduced capacity of CO(2) uptake was maintained. A marked increase in UV-absorbing substances was observed in foliage of transferred T. panamensis seedlings. Both species exhibited enhanced mid-day photoinhibition of PSII immediately after being transferred from the reduced UV-B to the near-ambient UV-B treatment. This effect was fully reversible within 1d in T. panamensis and within a few days in C. longifolium. The data show that leaves of these tropical tree seedlings, when developing in full-spectrum sunlight, are effectively protected against high solar UV-B radiation. In contrast, leaves developing under conditions of low UV-B lacked sufficient UV protection. They experienced a decline in photosynthetic competence when suddenly exposed to near-ambient UV-B levels, but exhibited pronounced acclimative responses.     

The relationship between locomotor behavior and limb morphology in brown (Cebus apella) and weeper (Cebus olivaceus) capuchins

This study is a comparison of locomotor behavior and postcranial form in two species of capuchin monkey, the brown capuchin (Cebus apella), and the weeper capuchin (Cebus olivaceus). Behavioral data from groups of wild C. apella and C. olivaceus in Guyana were collected during the period of December 1999 through November 2000. Postcranial variables including 40 measurements and three indices were taken from 43 adult and subadult specimens of C. apella and 14 adult and subadult specimens of C. olivaceus housed in American museums, as well as two wild-caught adult specimens of C. olivaceus from the Georgetown Zoo in Guyana. The results of this study indicate that these two capuchins exhibit similar patterns of locomotor behavior, but that there are important differences in how they move through their homerange, particularly with respect to quadrupedalism. These differences in behavior are reflected in their postcranial morphology and can be related to differences in foraging strategies. This study provides an example of the importance of using more exclusive categories of quadrupedal behaviors when comparing closely related arboreal quadrupeds, as well as an alternative explanation for some of the postcranial features of C. apella that may relate to foraging postures and foraging strategy rather than traditionally categorized patterns of locomotor behavior.     

Birth seasonality of Cebus apella (Platyrrhini, Cebidae) in Brazilian zoos along a latitudinal gradient

Birth seasonality in wild neotropical primates has been suggested to increase with latitude as a response to a stronger divergence in high-quality food availability across the year, and a higher between-year predictability at higher latitudes related to temporal differences in photoperiod. In captivity, however, monkeys are fed foods of similar quality throughout the year, and this consistency of diet should have a releasing effect on the need for birth seasonality. In this paper, we test whether 1) brown capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) breed seasonally in captivity, and 2) given the consistency of diet in this setting, differences in latitude are reflected in the temporal pattern of birth distribution across the year. Data on the distribution of birth records of C. apella at Brazilian zoos located within three latitudinal zones (Equator perpendicular 8 degrees S, 16 degrees perpendicular 24 degrees S, and 24 degrees perpendicular 32 degrees S) are compared. Captive C. apella showed a birth peak from October to February, despite the consistent provision of food in this setting. In addition, there were no differences in the pattern of birth distribution among the latitudinal zones, which lends no support to the prediction that captive C. apella birth seasonality would increase with latitude. We suggest that if this species is not sensitive to subtle differences in photoperiod, other environmental cues may trigger the onset of reproduction at lower latitudes.     

Metastatic capability of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis and Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis in golden hamsters

The pattern and kinetics of internal dissemination and frequency of cutaneous metastatic lesions resulting from experimental infection of golden hamsters with Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis and Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis were examined. Nineteen strains were evaluated: 16 L. (V.) panamensis isolated from patients and 3 L. (V.) guyanensis, 2 isolated from human cases and 1 WHO reference strain originating from a sandfly vector. Lymphatic dissemination occurred within 3 mo and was observed for 16 of 16 (100%) of L. (V.) panamensis and 3 of 3 (100%) of L. (V.) guyanensis. Parasites were cultured infrequently from liver and spleen: 3 of 125 (2%) L. (V.) panamensis and 1 of 22 (5%) L. (V.) guyanensis. Decreased frequency of isolation from the inoculation site and draining lymph nodes over time was accompanied by increased frequency of isolation from distant lymph nodes. Dilution of triturated tissue samples resulted in an increased efficiency of parasite culture. Both primary lesions and secondary cutaneous metastatic lesions were more severe in hamsters infected with L. (V.) guyanensis than with L. (V.) panamensis. Cutaneous metastatic lesions were produced more frequently by L. (V.) guyanensis, 24 of 46 hamsters (52%), than by L. (V.) panamensis, 28 of 252 hamsters (11%). Individual Leishmania strains displayed distinctive propensities to produce cutaneous metastases, manifested as a reproducible phenotype. Metastatic pathogenicity was independent of the inoculum dose, supporting the dissociation of infectivity and pathogenicity.     

Biodiversity and Biogeography of Chthamalid Barnacles from the North-Eastern Pacific (Crustacea Cirripedia)

The biogeography and ecology of the species of Chthamalus present on the west coast of America are described, using data from 51 localities from Alaska to Panama, together with their zonation on the shore with respect to that of other barnacles. The species present were C. dalli, Pilsbry 1916, C. fissus, Darwin, 1854, C. anisopoma Pilsbry 1916 and four species in the C. panamensis complex. The latter are C. panamensis Pilsbry, 1916, C. hedgecocki, Pitombo & Burton, 2007, C. alani nom. nov. (formerly C. southwardorum Pitombo & Burton, 2007) and C. newmani sp. nov.). These four species were initially separated by enzyme electrophoresis. They could only be partially separated by DNA bar coding but may be separated using morphological characters.     

Semen coagulum liquefaction, sperm activation and cryopreservation of capuchin monkey (Cebus apella) semen in coconut water solution (CWS) and TES-TRIS

The objectives of the present study were to test the effect of coconut water solution and TES-TRIS on the seminal coagulum liquefaction, sperm activation in fresh diluted semen, and on the cryopreservation of semen from capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Semen was collected from six males by electro-ejaculation, diluted in TES-TRIS or coconut water solution (CWS), and incubated at 35°C until the coagulated fraction of the semen was completely liquefied. In the experiment I, after liquefaction, samples were diluted in TES-TRIS or CWS, plus 6 and 10mM/mL of caffeine. Sperm motility and vigor were evaluated during 5h. For experiment II, after liquefaction, semen samples were extended in TES-TRIS (3.5% glycerol in the final solution) or CWS (2.5% glycerol in the final solution), cryopreserved and stored in liquid nitrogen for 1 week. The seminal coagulum was liquefied in (mean±SDM) 4.5±1.7 and 2.8±1.1h in TES-TRIS and CWS, respectively. Sperm were motile in TES-TRIS and CWS for 5.0±1.4 and 1.0±0.5h, respectively. The mean motility in this period was 38±22% (TES-TRIS) and 22.0±16.0 (CWS). Motility increased after caffeine addition only in samples diluted in CWS containing 6mM (22.5±16.0) or 10mM (28.0±19.0) caffeine. Post-thaw live sperm percentage was 26.2% in TES-TRIS and 13.2% in CWS. For cryopreservation of semen from C. apella TES-TRIS (3.5% glycerol) was more appropriate than CWS (2.5% glycerol). CWS+caffeine potentially increase sperm motility and may be useful in artificial insemination of fresh diluted semen.     

Cebus apella (Primata: Cebidae) as a new host for Fonsecalges johnjadini (Acari: Psoroptidae, Cebalginae) with a description of anatomopathological aspects

Mites collected from the auditory canal of Cebus apella (capuchin monkey), family Cebidae, were identified as Fonsecalges johnjadini (Psoroptidae, Cebalginae). It is the first record of this parasite from this monkey. This paper emphasizes the importance of clinical and anatomopathological examinations for parasitic diagnosis in wild animals.     

Microstructure de CladochonusMcCoy, 1847(Tabulata,Carbonifère)

The microstructure of two species of Cladochonusfrom Algerian Carboniferous, C. crassus (McCoy) and C. cf. tenuicollisMcCoy, has been studied by ultra-thin sections. Their walls consist of: 1. an external fibrous layer, 2. a median layer of undulating lamellae, 3. an internal zone of slender, elongated elements to which the name of «grundulae is given here. New data bring complements to the generic diagnosis of Cladochonus s. str. Some Permian cladochonid forms show different microstructures and should, therefore, be shifted to new generic units.     

Vector competence of some Neotropical sandflies for the Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis complex

Abstract. To evaluate the vector competence of some Lutzomyia spp. (Diptera: Psychodidae) for Leishmania (Viannia) spp. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosoma-tidae), experimental infections of anthropophilic sandflies from the Colombian Pacific coast were performed, through membrane feeding and xenodiagnosis on hamsters infected with Le.(V.)braziliensis or Le.(V.)panamensis. Wild-caught or F, generation females of Lutzomyia gomezi, Lu.hartmanni, Lu.panamensis and Lu. trapidoi were allowed to feed on hamster lesions and then maintained at 26^oC and >80% r.h. on a sugar-water diet until dissection on the fifth day post-infection (p.i.).
Despite similar infection rates (range 37–44%) in both Lu.gomezi and Lu.trapidoi , infections were heavier (>100 parasites) in the latter species. Infections of Lu.trapidoi with Le.braziliensis ( n = 21) and Le.panamensis (n = 27) showed parasite migration toward the foregut, with promastigote colonization of the stomodeal valve and appearance of infective forms. In contrast, infections of Lu.gomezi with Le. braziliensis (n = 10) and Le.panamensis (n = 5) were light (<50 parasites) and usually restricted to the pylorus. In Lu.hartmanni , only a few promastigotes were found in the pylorus and midgut of 3/8 specimens infected with Le.braziliensis , and no Le.panamensis developed (n = 19). By day 5 p.i., promastigote colonization of the hind- and midgut by Le.panamensis was observed in 2/4 Lu.panamensis but not Le.braziliensis (n = 3).
It was concluded that Lu.trapidoi is a more efficient vector than Lu.gomezi for both Le.braziliensis and Le.panamensis , and that Lu.hartmanni and Lu.panamensis are of minor importance for Leishmania transmission in this endemic area.     

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in McCoy cells inoculated with Chlamydia trachomatis.

Interactions between Chlamydia trachomatis, host cells, and the immune system are believed to involve lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We used immunogold techniques to study the distribution of chlamydial LPS in cultured cells infected with C. trachomatis LGV-L1. McCoy cells inoculated with C. trachomatis were cultured and then fixed and embedded in situ with acrylic resins. Sections were immunolabeled with a protein A-gold method using antisera to the genus-specific, periodate-sensitive epitope on chlamydial LPS. Pre-embedding immunogold labeling on permeabilized cells was also done. By post-embedding methods, labeling for LPS was equally abundant over the outer membranes of elementary (EB) and reticulate bodies (RB). By post-embedding labeling, the sub-surface side of the EB outer membrane was more heavily labeled than the surface side. By pre-embedding labeling, LPS was found to be less abundant on the surface of EBs than RBs. Labeling for LPS was found over apparent lysosomes in McCoy cells and over electron-dense blebs on or near the surface of the plasma membranes of McCoy cells. These results indicate that the concentration of LPS in chlamydial membranes is constant during development but that with development its location changes from being mostly cell-surface to sub-surface. These results show that the post-embedding immunogold technique can be a useful approach for the cell culture-based study of chlamydial LPS.     

Cytogenetic variability within and across populations of Cebus apella in Argentina

Two geographically separated populations of Cebus apella are found in Argentina. We have found important differences in the phenotypic characteristics of these populations, despite marked karyotypic similarity. Two well-distinguished phenotypes were established. Individuals from the northwest of Argentina are phenotypically similar to the Paraguayan populations and are recognized as C. apella paraguayanus. This subspecies is also found in the northeast of Argentina. Other specimens from the northeast are more similar phenotypically to the Brazilian subspecies C. apella nigritus and C. apella libidinosus and are designated as C. apella vellerosus. The two subspecies C. apella paraguayanus and C. apella vellerosus share the same diploid number of chromosomes (2n = 54). Cytogenetic comparisons using G-, Q- and R-banding techniques and C-banding methods with the chromosomes carrying large heterochromatic blocks (No. 3, 5, 11, 12, 13, 19) showed differences between the subspecies. The presence of different polymorphisms and even of heteromorphisms in the same chromosomic pair across geographically isolated populations of the same subspecies is illustrated with Argentinian and Paraguayan specimens.     

Investigation of marmoset hybrids (Cebuella pygmaea x Callithrix jacchus) and related Callitrichinae (Platyrrhini) by cross-species chromosome painting and comparative genomic hybridization

We report on the cytogenetics of twin offspring from an interspecies cross in marmosets (Callitrichinae, Platyrrhini), resulting from a pairing between a female Common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus, 2n = 46) and a male Pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea, 2n = 44). We analyzed their karyotypes by multi-directional chromosome painting employing human, Saguinus oedipus and Lagothrix lagothricha chromosome-specific probes. Both hybrid individuals had a karyotype with a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 45. As a complementary tool, interspecies comparative genomic hybridization (iCGH) was performed in order to screen for genomic imbalances between the hybrids and their parental species, and between Callithrix argentata and S. oedipus, respectively. These genomic imbalances were confined to centromeric and telomeric heterochromatin, while euchromatic chromosome regions appeared balanced in all species investigated. When comparing marmosets and tamarins, sequence divergence of centromeric heterochromatin was already clearly noticeable. In the C. argentata and C. pygmaea genomes numerous subtelomeric regions were affected by amplification of different repetitive sequences. Cross-species FISH with a microdissection-derived C. pygmaea repetitive probe revealed species specificity of this repetitive sequence at the molecular cytogenetic level of resolution.     

Susceptibility of spiny rats (Proechimys semispinosus) to Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi

The role of Proechimys semispinosus as reservoir of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis on the Colombian Pacific coast was experimentally evaluated. The susceptibility to L. chagasi also was assessed to determine the utility of this rodent as a model for studying reservoir characteristics in the laboratory. Wild-caught animals were screened for natural trypanosomatid infections, and negative individuals were inoculated intradermally (ID) in the snout or feet with 10(7) promastigotes of L. panamensis. L. chagasi was inoculated intracardially (10(7) promastigotes) or ID in the ear (10(8) promastigotes). PCR-hybridization showed that 15% of 33 spiny rats were naturally infected with L. Viannia sp. Animals experimentally infected with L. panamensis developed non-ulcerated lesions that disappeared by the 7th week post-infection (p.i.) and became more resistant upon reinfection. Infectivity to sand flies was low ((1/2)0-(1/4)8 infected/fed flies) and transient, and both culture and PCR-hybridization showed that L. panamensis was cleared by the 13th week p.i. Animals inoculated with L. chagasi became subclinically infected and were non-infective to sand flies. Transient infectivity to vectors of spiny rats infected with L. panamensis, combined with population characteristics, e.g., abundance, exploitation of degraded habitats and high reproductive rates, could make them epidemiologically suitable reservoirs.     

Reclassification of the Genus Chitinotylenchus (Micoletzky, 1922) and a Redescription of C. paragracilis (Micoletzky, 1922) (Nematoda: Tylenchoidea)

The holotype of Chitinotylenchus paragracilis (Micoletzky, 1922) is redescribed and illustrated. Chitinotylenchus is proposed as a synonym of Ditylenchus Filipjev, 1936 and C. paragracilis as Ditylenchus paragracilis (Micoletzky, 1922) new comb. The four other species in the genus Chitinotylenchus are considered species inquirendae.     

Rhantus fengi sp. n. from Xizang, China, and notes on Laccoporus nigritulus (Gschwendtner) (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae)

Rhantus fengisp. n. from Mount Sejila, Xizang, China is described and illustrated. Laccoporus nigritulus (Gschwendtner, 1936) is redescribed and illustrated; Laccoporus viator Balfour-Browne, 1939, syn. n. is established as its junior subjective synonym.     

Revision of the European species of the genus Trachelipus Budde-Lund, 1908 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

The European species of Trachelipus Budde-Lund, 1908 are revised. The generic diagnosis is extended. The species T. aegaeus (Verhoeff, 1907), T. arcuatus (Budde-Lund, 1885), T. ater (Budde-Lund, 1896), T. camerani (Tua, 1900), T. dijfkilis (Radu, 1950), T. nodulosus (C. L. Koch, 1838), T. palustris (Strouhal, 1936), T. rathkii (Brandt, 1833), T. ratzeburgii (Brandt, 1833), T. razzautii (Arcangeli, 1913), T. rhinoceros (Budde-Lund, 1885), T. squamuliger (Verhoeff, 1907), T. trilobatus (Stein, 1859), (77 troglobius Tabacaru & Boghean, 1989) and 7T vespertilio (Budde-Lund, 1896) are recognized as valid. Except for T. troglobius , redesriptions, figures and distribution maps are given. A key to species is provided. Nineteen names are new synonyms of the above mentioned ones; nine names become nomina dubia.     

A miR-1207-5p binding site polymorphism abolishes regulation of HBEGF and is associated with disease severity in CFHR5 nephropathy

Heparin binding epidermal growth factor (HBEGF) is expressed in podocytes and was shown to play a role in glomerular physiology. MicroRNA binding sites on the 3'UTR of HBEGF were predicted using miRWalk algorithm and followed by DNA sequencing in 103 patients diagnosed with mild or severe glomerulopathy. A single nucleotide polymorphism, miRSNP C1936T (rs13385), was identified at the 3'UTR of HBEGF that corresponds to the second base of the hsa-miR-1207-5p seed region. When AB8/13 undifferentiated podocytes were transfected with miRNA mimics of hsa-miR-1207-5p, the HBEGF protein levels were reduced by about 50%. A DNA fragment containing the miRSNP allele-1936C was cloned into the pMIR-Report Luciferase vector and co-transfected with miRNA mimics of hsa-miR-1207-5p into AB8/13 podocytes. In agreement with western blot data, this resulted in reduced luciferase expression demonstrating the ability of hsa-miR-1207-5p to directly regulate HBEGF expression. On the contrary, in the presence of the miRSNP 1936T allele, this regulation was abolished. Collectively, these results demonstrate that variant 1936T of this miRSNP prevents hsa-miR-1207-5p from down-regulating HBEGF in podocytes. We hypothesized that this variant has a functional role as a genetic modifier. To this end, we showed that in a cohort of 78 patients diagnosed with CFHR5 nephropathy (also known as C3-glomerulopathy), inheritance of miRSNP 1936T allele was significantly increased in the group demonstrating progression to chronic renal failure on long follow-up. No similar association was detected in a cohort of patients with thin basement membrane nephropathy. This is the first report associating a miRSNP as genetic modifier to a monogenic renal disorder.