Taxonomic status of Choanoscolex lamothei García-Prieto, 1990 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea) using morphological and molecular evidence

The taxonomic status of Choanoscolex lamothei, a proteocephalidean tapeworm described from the catfish Ictalurus meridionalis (= I. furcatus) from Oaxaca, Mexico, was evaluated on the basis of morphological examination of types and freshly collected specimens from the type host and partial sequences of the large subunit (28S) ribosomal DNA. This study revealed that C. lamothei is a species of Megathylacoides (Proteocephalidae: Corallobothriinae) because of the medullary position of the genitalia (entirely cortical in Choanoscolex), the presence of semispherical sphincters on the suckers, a follicular ovary, and the alternating position of the vagina. Megathylacoides lamothei n. comb. differs from congeneric species in lacking an apical organ and in the number (130-208) of testes. Molecular data confirm the position of M. lamothei within Megathylacoides, which contains species parasitizing ictalurid fishes in North America.     

Using museum collections to explore predator–prey relationships in snail-eating beetles (Carabidae: Cychrini)

The vast majority of species interactions in nature go unnoticed because they occur under circumstances unamenable to observation. This is unfortunate, as our understanding of trophic ecology is predicated on our ability to quantify the nature and magnitude of species interactions. Here, we use specimens from museums and private collections to estimate prey breadth and morphological patterns between predator and prey pairs of the malacophagous Cychrini beetles collected alongside their snail prey. We identified each pair, measured a series of morphological traits on each, and tested for relationships between the morphological characteristics of beetles and the snails they were found eating. Of 38 specimen pairs, we identified 12 species of Cychrini beetles from two genera (Scaphinotus and Cychrus) eating 22 species of snail prey from 12 genera and ranging from 1 to 9 species of snail prey per beetle species. We found 29 unique predator–prey species pairs. Irrespective of species identity, we found that female beetles were discovered eating larger snails compared to male beetles. We detected two trends in which larger beetles were found eating snails with relatively larger aperture openings, and beetles with more slender body shapes (longer, thinner mandibles, heads, and pronota) were found eating snails whose shells had relatively smaller aperture openings. This suggests that, even within the carabid tribe Cychrini, variation in the cychrine body form may influence prey availability. This study provides the most comprehensive list to date of predator–prey pairs in this understudied group of beetles and also demonstrates the utility of museum collections for documenting cryptic species interactions.     

Sawadalepis prima n. g., n. sp. (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) from the Schreiber’s bent-winged bat Miniopterus schreibersii Kuhl (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from China

Sawadalepis n. g. is erected for Sawadalepis prima n. sp. in Schreiber’s bent-winged bat Miniopterus schreibersii Kuhl (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from southern China. Diagnostic features of the currently monotypic genus include attributes of the osmoregulatory system and female genital organs. The dorsal osmoregulatory canals are shifted bilaterally towards the margins of proglottides in relation to the ventral canals. The genital pores are unilateral and sinistral. Among female attributes, the copulatory part of the vagina is covered externally by a dense layer of intensely stained cells; the conductive part of the vagina is clearly distinguishable from the seminal receptacle; the uterus has ventral and dorsal diverticula, extending bilaterally beyond the longitudinal osmoregulatory canals; and the eggs are spherical with thick outer coat.     

Lapicque’s 1907 paper: from frogs to integrate-and-fire

Exactly 100 years ago, Louis Lapicque published a paper on the excitability of nerves that is often cited in the context of integrate-and-fire neurons. We discuss Lapicque’s contributions along with a translation of the original publication.     

Distribution and New Sightings of Goeldi’s Monkey (Callimico goeldii) in Amazonian Perú

There is a general consensus on the geographic distributions of many primate species; however, the continuity and validity of species range maps are often inaccurate on a local scale. In the case of rare and cryptic species, census methodology is often insufficiently rigorous or specialized, resulting in probable false negatives. Callimico goeldii is a rare primate, with most of its geographical range purported to lie in Perú. We evaluate the accuracy of its predicted geographic range within Perú with an assessment of mammal surveys over the last 40?yr and the inclusion of new sightings from three sites. We found that of all 340 study sites, only 10.9?% indicate that this species is present, and only 51?% of these sites receive any government protection. The Sierra del Divisor Reserve Zone and the Rodal Tahuamanu Conservation Concession have the highest estimated densities of Callimico goeldii. We suggest using focal follows of sympatric tamarins and vocalization playbacks rather than traditional line transects to improve the likelihood of locating this species. Although the current range maps based on the available data are likely an exaggeration of the species’ true range, the inherent imperfections of standard census methodology when applied to rare and cryptic species can lead to underrepresentative range maps as well. For these reasons, it is clear that the current distribution map for Callimico goeldii is imprecise, and until its distribution is reassessed, its conservation status cannot be confirmed.     

Taxonomic review of genus Diaparsis Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Tersilochinae) from South Korea

Eleven species of the genus Diaparsis, including two unidentified species, are recorded from South Korea. One new species, D. koreana Khalaim, et al., sp. nov., is described, and six species, D. carinifer (Thomson), D. convexa Khalaim, D. egregia Khalaim, D. hyperae Kusigemati, D. jucunda (Holmgren) and D. neoplicator Khalaim, are recorded from this country for the first time. Diaparsis hyperae and D. pulchra are the most abundant species of the genus in the Korean fauna. A key to eleven species of Diaparsis occurring in South Korea is provided.     

A new species of Aberrapex Jensen, 2001 (Cestoda: Lecanicephalidea) from Taeniura lymma (Forsskål) (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from off Sabah, Malaysia

A new lecanicephalidean species of Aberrapex Jensen, 2001 is described from the blue-spotted fantail ray Taeniura lymma (Forsskål) collected off the eastern coast of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. This is the first record of a lecanicephalidean tapeworm from the island of Borneo and the first record of Aberrapex from this host species. A. manjajiae n. sp. is easily distinguished from its two congeners, A. senticosus Jensen, 2001 and A. arrhynchum (Brooks, Mayes & Thorson, 1981) Jensen, 2001, based on its overall smaller size (928–1,971 vs 1,485–6,333 and up to 3,350μm long, respectively) and fewer testes (10–19 vs 20–40 and 18–25, respectively). In addition, A. manjajiae n. sp. is readily distinguished from A. senticosus based on a more anteriorly positioned genital pore (76–85 vs 52–72% of proglottid length from posterior end) and its distal bothridial microthrix pattern. A. manjajiae n. sp. can be further distinguished from A. arrhynchum based on its smaller scolex (82–101 × 119–164 vs 177–186 × 233–326μm). The host distribution of Aberrapex is expanded from the Myliobatidae to include the Dasyatidae.     

Metabolic and respiratory status of cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii)

“Cold-stunning” of sea turtles has been reported as a naturally occurring stressor for many years; however, the physiologic status of cold-stunned turtles has only been partially described. This study investigated initial and convalescent venous blood gas, acid-base, and critical plasma biochemical data for 26 naturally cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) from Cape Cod, MA, USA. Samples were analyzed for pH, pCO₂, pO₂, bicarbonate, plasma osmolality, sodium, potassium, chloride, ionized calcium, ionized magnesium, glucose, lactate, and blood urea nitrogen using a clinical point-of-care analyzer. Data were corrected for the patient’s body temperature using both species-specific and more general correction methods. In general, venous blood gas, acid-base, and plasma biochemical data obtained for surviving cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were consistent with previously documented data for sea turtles exposed to a wide range of temperatures and physiologic stressors. Data indicated that turtles were initially affected by metabolic and respiratory acidosis. Initial pH-corrected ionized calcium concentrations were lower than convalescent concentrations, and initial pH-corrected ionized magnesium concentrations were higher than convalescent concentrations.     

A new species of Astragalus (Fabaceae) from Tennessee’s Central Basin

Astragalus bibullatus Barneby & Bridges, a relative ofA. crassicarpus Nutt. vicariant in cedar glades of central Tennessee, is described and illustrated, and its restricted habitat and associated species are discussed.     

Taxonomic composition and distribution of soft-walled monothalamid foraminifera in the area of Zernov’s Phyllophora Field (NW Black Sea)

We studied assemblages of soft-walled, single-chambered foraminifera (monothalamids) at eight stations in the area of Zernov's Phyllophora Field (ZPF) on the NW continental shelf of the Black Sea. This work is based on samples collected during Cruise 70 of the RV Professor Vodyanitsky and provides the first analysis of the taxonomic composition of monothalamids from this region. These delicate, poorly known foraminifera were found at all stations in the studied area. They were represented by nine forms that are identified to species or genus level as well as 14 undescribed species, nine of which are found in the Black Sea for the first time. Four species, Psammophaga sp., Vellaria pellucida, Goodayia rostellata and Krymia fusiformis, were most abundant, with Psammophaga sp. being the dominant species overall. Previous studies have suggested a link between members of this genus and eutrophication. There are a number of taxonomic parallels between these ZPF assemblages and those from the Adriatic Sea, e.g. the occurrence of the genera Goodayia, Psammophaga and Vellaria, although it is possible that some other taxa are endemic to the Black Sea.     

A Non-transgenic Mouse Model (icv-STZ Mouse) of Alzheimer’s Disease: Similarities to and Differences from the Transgenic Model (3xTg-AD Mouse)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be divided into sporadic AD (SAD) and familial AD (FAD). Most AD cases are sporadic and result from multiple etiologic factors, including environmental, genetic, and metabolic factors, whereas FAD is caused by mutations in the presenilins or amyloid-β (Aβ) precursor protein (APP) genes. A commonly used animal model for AD is the 3xTg-AD transgenic mouse model, which harbors mutated presenilin 1, APP, and tau genes and thus represents a model of FAD. There is an unmet need in the field to characterize animal models representing different AD mechanisms, so that potential drugs for SAD can be evaluated preclinically in these animal models. A mouse model generated by intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of streptozocin (STZ), the icv-STZ mouse, shows many aspects of SAD. In this study, we compared the non-cognitive and cognitive behaviors as well as biochemical and immunohistochemical alterations between the icv-STZ mouse and the 3xTg-AD mouse. We found that both mouse models showed increased exploratory activity as well as impaired learning and spatial memory. Both models also demonstrated neuroinflammation, altered synaptic proteins and insulin/IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) signaling, and increased hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain. The most prominent brain abnormality in the icv-STZ mouse was neuroinflammation, and in the 3xTg-AD mouse it was elevation of hyperphosphorylated tau. These observations demonstrate the behavioral and neuropathological similarities and differences between the icv-STZ mouse and the 3xTg-AD mouse models and will help guide future studies using these two mouse models for the development of AD drugs.