Mites of the genus Neharpyrhynchus Fain (Acariformes, Harpirhynchidae) from Neotropical birds

Three new species of parasitic mites of the genus Neharpyrhynchus Fain (Acariformes, Harpirhynchidae) are described from Neotropical birds: Neharpyrhynchus chlorospingussp. n. from Chlorospingus pileatus (Passeriformes, Emberizidae) from Costa Rica, Neharpyrhynchus mironovisp. n. from Dacnys cayana (Passeriformes, Thraupidae) and Neharpyrhynchus tangarasp. n. from Tangara cayana (Thraupidae) both from Brazil. Neharpyrhynchus trochilinus (Fain) is recorded from 3 new host species of the family Trochilidae (Apodiformes), Panterpe insignis and Eugenes fulgens from Costa Rica, and Amazilia lactea from Brazil. Emended diagnosis of the genus and a key to species are provided; all records of Neharpyrhynchus species are summarized.     

寄生于南海鱼类中的单殖吸虫一新种和一新纪录(吸虫纲: 单殖目)

报道了寄生于中国南海的芝麻斑鱼Epinephelus rhyncholepis(Bleeker)(Serranidae)上的香港拟大杯虫Megalocotyloides hongkongensis sp.nov.和寄生于黑鲷Acanthopagrus schlegeli(Bloch)(Sparidae)上的鲷裸盘虫Anoplodiscus spari(Yamaguti,1958)。前者为新种,隶属于分室科Capsalidae (Barid,1853)、轮足亚科Trochpodinae、拟大杯足属Megalocotyoides;后者为中国新纪录,隶属于裸盘虫科Anoplodiscidae(Tagliani,1912)、裸盘虫属Anoplodiscus。香港拟大杯虫Megalocotyloides hongkongensis sp.nov.具分室科、Trochopodinae亚科的形态特征。虫体背腹扁平,呈长椭圆形,体表光滑无棘。前端腹面有一对前吸器,成对吸盘状结构,通过一头冠在前背面联系,有头腺。眼点2对,位于咽前。后吸器盘状,无柄,分成5隔和周边5个小隔室,中央小室缺;后吸盘边上有肌肉缘,周围有精致的圆齿状边缘膜,边缘小钩14个;中央大钩3对,有肌肉纤维支持着,第1对钩大,远端尖,近端钝,分叉,有明显的肌腱通过大钩的分叉牵拉,第2对钩细长,远端有刺钩,第3对钩尖细,远端钩尖略弯曲,3对中央大钩成直线纵向排列,有肌腱牵引。口开于咽中央,咽肌肉质,发达,呈5瓣状。食道不明显或缺。两肠支前端达咽的水平处,末端终止于后吸器前,呈树枝状分布,末端不汇合。睾刃个并列,椭圆形,前端略尖,位于体中部。输出管在中部吻合形成输精管,呈盘曲长管状,阴茎囊椭圆形,靠近卵巢的右上角,阴茎细长,卷曲在阴茎囊内。阴茎复合体包含有肌肉质的阴茎、射精管、前列腺球和前列腺储藏囊。阴茎囊远端与子宫远端联合形成生殖腔,其生殖孔开口于体左侧的前吸器旁。卵巢圆球形,位于睾丸前,输卵管自卵巢发出后,向前略大成卵模,周围有发达的梅氏腺,子宫粗短,开口于生殖腔。卵黄腺呈滤泡状,自咽水平处随肠支,略呈对称状分布至后吸器前,贮卵黄囊位于卵巢前。阴道富肌肉质,管状,近端膨大形成受精囊,远端窄,开口于共同生殖腔下方。卵呈多面体形,虫卵的一端有一根卷曲的长极丝。鲷裸盘中Anoplodiscus spari(Yamaguti,1958)具裸盘虫科Anoplodiscidae、裸盘虫属Anoplodiscus的形态特征。虫体背腹扁平,体前端有一对假吸盘,开口于体外,后吸器盘状,无钩,不分室。具2对眼点,咽发达。食道不明显或缺。单支肠支不对称地呈树枝状分布,末端终止于后吸器前。睾丸单个,圆球形,位于体中部。具贮精囊,阴茎囊长,管状,具有几丁质支持器,卵巢卵圆形,位于睾丸前,具受精囊和阴道,卵黄腺发达,呈大滤泡状,自交接器水平处随肠支,略呈对称状分布至后吸器前。     

New Spirorbidae (Polychaeta: Sedentaria) from the East Pacific, Adantic, Indian and Southern Oceans

Spirorbis bifurcatus, Spirorbis rothlisbergi, Spirorbis spatulatus, Pileolaria lateralis, Pileolaria marginals, Pileolaria spinifer, Pileolaria tiarata and Pileolaria potswaldi are described from California, Spirorbis strigatus from Madeira, Pileolaria dakarensis from W. Africa, Pileolaria (Duplicaria) zibrowii from Madagascar, Pileolaria alata and Pileolaria (Nidularia) nidica from Curacao, Pileolaria (Nidularia) palliata from S. Africa, Pileolaria (Jugaria) atlantica from north of the Azores, Romanchella bicava from Amsterdam Island, Romanchella pustulata from Chile and Helicosiphon platyspira from Marion Island. Of the new subgenera, Jugaria is proposed for forms having compound opercula (as in Pileolaria granulata L. and most Sinistrella species) and Nidularia for those with opercula that do not completely protect the embryos.
Some of the Californian forms have probably resulted from sympatric speciation in both the genera concerned. The morphology and zoogeography of spirorbids suggest division into the subfamilies Spirorbinae, Circeinae, Pileolariinae, Januinae, Romanchellinae and Paralaeospirinae.     

东方人类血吸虫及其螺蛳宿主交互感染的研究

以我国安徽及菲律宾莱特岛的日本血吸虫、湄公血吸虫、马来西亚类似日本血吸虫以及中华血吸虫交互感染其螺蛳宿主。结果表明日本血吸虫及钉螺与湄公血吸虫、马来西亚类似日本血吸虫及其螺蛳宿主亲缘关系较疏远。而湄公血吸虫与马来西亚类似日本血吸虫及其螺蛳宿主有较近的亲缘关系。交互感染结果为马来西亚类似日本血吸虫及钙河罗氏螺的分类问题提供了新的依据。     

Description of a new species of Haemogamasus (Mesostigmata, Laelapidae, Haemogamasinae) from Chubut, Río Negro and Neuquén Provinces, Argentina

A new species of Haemogamasus mites is described from Chubut, Neuquén and Río Negro Provinces, Argentina. It was collected primarily from rodents of the genus Abrothrix (65 of 77 collections): Abrothrix longipilis (63), Abrothrix olivaceus olivaceus (1) and Abrothrix olivaceus xanthorhinus (1). Additional collections were made from Geoxus valdivianus (5) and Loxdomtomys micropus (5). Possibly incidental or contaminate collections were recorded from Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (1) and Dromiciops gliroides (1). Most collections came from Río Negro Province (36), with 22 from Neuquén and 19 from Chubut. An identification key is provided to distinguish ♀s of this new species from ♀s of species from the western hemisphere, based on morphological characters.     

Effect of sire breed on carcass characteristics and meat and fat quality of heavy pigs reared outdoor and intended for dry-cured meat production

A trial was conducted to study the effect of sire line (Duroc (DU) and Pietrain (PI)) on carcass, meat and fat quality of pigs reared outdoor and destined to dry-cured meat production. No differences between sire genotypes were detected in carcass fat thickness (P > 0.10) but carcasses from DU-sired pigs were longer (P < 0.05) and tended to have a higher yield of trimmed shoulders (P = 0.07) and hams (P = 0.06) than carcasses from PI-sired pigs. Loins from DU-sired genotype showed higher (P < 0.05) L* value and lower (P < 0.01) a* value than loins from PI-sired genotype. Pork from DU-sired offspring tended to have higher (P = 0.09) intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage and lower (P < 0.05) moisture proportion than meat from PI-sired offspring. Also, loins from DU-sired pigs had lower (P < 0.001) thawing losses than loins from PI-sired pigs. The subcutaneous fat from the DU-sired line tended to show lower (P = 0.08) percentage of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) than that from the PI-sire line, mostly due to the higher proportion of C18:2 (P = 0.09) and C20:3 (P < 0.01). However, no effect of crossbreed was detected on the total proportion of saturated, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs) or PUFAs of IMF (P > 0.10). We conclude that both sire lines can be used successfully under outdoor conditions but DU boars are more adequate than PI boars for the production of heavy pigs intended for the dry-cured meat industry.     

Variations in Kinetic Properties of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylases among Plants

Studies of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase from taxonomically diverse plants show that the enzyme from C(3) and crassulacean acid metabolism pathway species exhibits lower K(m)(CO(2)) values (12-25 micromolar) than does that from C(4) species (28-34 micromolar). RuBP carboxylase from aquatic angiosperms, an aquatic bryophyte, fresh water and marine algae has yielded consistently high K(m)(CO(2)) values (30-70 micromolar), similar in range to that of the enzyme from C(4) terrestrial plants. This variation in K(m)(CO(2)) is discussed in relation to the correlation between the existence of CO(2)-concentrating mechanisms for photosynthesis and the affinity of the enzyme for CO(2). The K(m)(RuBP) of the enzyme from various sources ranges from 10 to 136 micromolar; mean +/- sd = 36 +/- 20 micromolar. This variation in K(m)(RuBP) does not correlate with different photosynthetic pathways, but shows taxonomic patterns. Among the dicotyledons, the enzyme from crassinucellate species exhibits lower K(m)(RuBP) (18 +/- 4 micromolar) than does that from tenuinucellate species (25 +/- 7 micromolar). Among the Poaceae, RuBP carboxylase from Triticeae, chloridoids, andropogonoids, Microlaena, and Tetrarrhena has yielded lower K(m)(RuBP) values (29 +/- 11 micromolar) than has that from other members of the grass family (46 +/- 10 micromolar).     

肾小球疾病儿童体内游离氨基酸含量的研究

为了研究小儿肾小球病变时体内游离氨基酸的代谢变化,采用丹酰氯聚酰胺薄层分析法研究了原发性肾病综合症（ＩＮＳ）８例、急性肾小球肾炎（ＡＧＮ）１２例、过敏性紫癜肾炎（ＡＰＮ）７例与正常对照组２９例的血清及红细胞内游离氨基酸含量的变化。结果表明：（１）此三种肾小球疾病,血清中苯丙氨酸（Ｐｈｅ）、脯氨酸（Ｐｒｏ）、色氨酸（Ｔａｐ）、赖氨酸（Ｌｙｓ）、甘氨酸（Ｇｌｙ）明显高于正常,导致酪／苯丙（Ｔｙｒ／Ｐｈｅ）、缬／甘（Ｖａｌ／Ｇｌｙ）等分子比降低,提示肾功能受损。（２）血清支链氨基酸（ＢＣＡＡ）的含量在ＩＮＳ中低于正常组（ｔ＝３．４８;Ｐ＜０．０１）,而在ＡＧＮ、ＡＰＮ中却高于正常组（ｔ分别为２．３３,２．３９,Ｐ＜０．０５）。（３）红细胞中丝氨酸（Ｓｒｅ）、苯丙氨酸（Ｐｈｅ）、色氨酸（Ｔｒｐ）、胱氨酸＋半胱氨酸（Ｃｙｓ）、天冬氨酸（Ａｓｐ）、谷氨酸（Ｇｌｕ）的含量ＡＰＮ组高于ＩＮＳ及ＡＧＮ,提示ＡＰＮ患儿中肾功能损害没有ＩＮＳ及ＡＧＮ严重。     

New species of the Rhinonyssid mites (Gamasina: Rhinonyssidae) from birds of Russia and neighboring countries

Four new species of the nasal mite family Rhinonyssidae collected in different regions of the former USSR are described: Neonyssus (Otocorinyssus) alaudae sp. n. from Alauda arvensis L. (Alaudidae, Passeriformes) from Turkmenistan; Rhinonyssus clangulae sp. n. from Clangula hyemalis (L.) (Anatidae, Anseriformes) from Yakutia; R. marilae sp. n. from Aythya marilae L. (Anatidae, Anseriformes) from the Russian Far East; Locustellonyssus sibiricus sp. n. from Locustella certhiola (Pall.) (Sylviidae, Passeriformes) from Siberia.     

Larval Anisakid Infections in Marine Fish from Three Sea Areas of the Republic of Korea

The present study was performed to determine the infection status of anisakid larvae in marine fish collected from 3 sea areas of the Republic of Korea. Total 86 marine fish (8 species) collected from the East Sea (Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do), 171 fish (10 species) from the South Sea (Sacheon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do), and 92 fish (7 species) from the Yellow Sea (Incheon Metropolitan City) were examined by both naked eyes and artificial digestion method. Among the total of 349 fish examined, 213 (61.0%) were infected with 8 species of anisakid larvae, i.e., Anisakis simplex, 6 types of Contracaecum spp., and Raphidascaris sp., and the mean larval density was 13.8 per infected fish. Anisakid larvae were detected in 45 fish (52.3%) from the East Sea, 131 fish (76.6%) from the South Sea, and 37 fish (40.2%) from the Yellow Sea. The average numbers of larvae detected were 4.0, 16.6, and 15.9, respectively. Anisakis simplex larvae were detected in 149 fish (42.7%), and the mean larval density was 9.0 per infected fish. They were found in 26 fish (30.2%) collected from the East Sea, 96 fish (56.1%) from the South Sea, and 27 fish (29.3%) from the Yellow Sea. The average numbers of larvae detected were 2.9, 10.3, and 10.5, respectively. Conclusively, the present study suggests that the infection rate and density of anisakid larvae are more or less higher in the fish from the South Sea than those from the East Sea or the Yellow Sea.     

红火蚁的巢间相容性

在室内条件下通过将红火蚁Solenopsis invicta Buren异巢不同品级的个体置于同一容器中,对红火蚁的巢间相容性进行研究。结果表明,蚁后与异巢幼蚁共处时,异巢幼蚁的羽化率为33.3%,与对照处理的38.3%(蚁后与同巢幼蚁共处)无显著差异。工蚁与异巢幼蚁共处时,异巢幼蚁的羽化率为53.7%,与对照处理的72.2%(工蚁与同巢幼蚁共处)无显著差异。蚁后与异巢工蚁共处时,异巢蚁后的存活率为45%,与对照处理的61.7%(工蚁与同巢蚁后共处)无显著差异。有翅繁殖雌蚁与异巢工蚁共处时,异巢工蚁的存活率为86.7%与对照处理的99.4%(工蚁与同巢有翅繁殖雌蚁共处)存在显著差异;异巢有翅雌蚁的存活率为22.2%,与对照处理的88.9%(工蚁与同巢有翅繁殖雌蚁共处)存在显著差异。由此可见,同区域内红火蚁异巢各品级间存在一定程度的相容性,并巢行为有可能发生。     

Nuclear transfer in cattle using in vivo-derived vs. in vitro-produced donor embryos: Effect of developmental stage

To determine the best developmental stage of donor embryos for yielding the highest number of clones per embryo, we compared the efficiencies of nuclear transfer when using blastomeres from morulae or morulae at cavitation, or when using inner-cell-mass cells of blastocysts as nuclear donors. This comparison was done both on in vivo-derived and in vitro-produced donor embryos. In experiment 1, with in vivo-derived donor embryos, nuclei from morulae at cavitation supported the development of nuclear transfer embryos to the blastocyst stage (36%) at a rate similar to that of nuclei from morulae (27%), blastomeres from morulae at cavitation being superior (P < 0.05) to inner-cell-mass cells from blastocysts (21%). The number of blastocysts per donor embryo was significantly (P < 0.05) higher when using nuclei from morulae at cavitation (15.7 ± 4.1) rather than nuclei from morulae (9.8 ± 5.5) or blastocysts (6.3 ± 3.3). With in vitro-produced donor embryos (experiment 2), nuclei from morulae yielded slightly more blastocysts (32%) than nuclei from morulae at cavitation (29%), both stages being superior to nuclei from blastocysts (15% development to the blastocyst stage). Morulae at cavitation yielded a higher number of cloned blastocysts per donor embryo (11.5 ± 5.9) than did morulae (9.3 ± 3.2) and blastocysts (3.3 ± 1.4). Transfer of cloned embryos originating from in vivo-derived morulae, morulae at cavitation, and blastocysts resulted in four pregnancies (10%), three pregnancies (7%), and one (17%) pregnancy on day 45. The corresponding numbers of calves born were 3 (4%), 3 (7%), and 0, respectively. After transfer of blastocysts derived from in vitro nuclear donor morulae (n = 16) and morulae at cavitation (n = 7), two (20%) and two (50%) recipients, respectively, were pregnant on day 45. However, transfer of seven cloned embryos from in vitro donor blastocysts to three recipients did not result in a pregnancy. Using in vitro-produced donor embryos, calves were only obtained from morula-stage donors (13%). Our results indicate that the developmental stage of donor embryos affects the efficiency of nuclear transfer, with morulae at cavitation yielding a high number of cloned blastocysts. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Thermostable Pyrococcus furiosus DNA ligase catalyzes the synthesis of (di)nucleoside polyphosphates

DNA ligase from the hyperthermophilic marine archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu DNA ligase) synthesizes adenosine 5'-tetraphosphate (p4A) and dinucleoside polyphosphates by displacement of the adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) from the Pfu DNA ligase-AMP (E-AMP) complex with tripolyphosphate (P3), nucleoside triphosphates (NTP), or nucleoside diphosphates (NDP). The experiments were performed in the presence of 1-2 microM [alpha-32P]ATP and millimolar concentrations of NTP or NDP. Relative rates of synthesis (%) of the following adenosine(5')tetraphospho(5')nucleosides (Ap4N) were observed: Ap4guanosine (Ap4G) (from GTP, 100); Ap4deoxythymidine (Ap4dT) (from dTTP, 95); Ap4xanthosine (Ap4X) (from XTP, 94); Ap4deoxycytidine (Ap4dC) (from dCTP, 64); Ap4cytidine (Ap4C) (from CTP, 60); Ap4deoxyguanosine (Ap4dG) (from dGTP, 58); Ap4uridine (Ap4U) (from UTP, <3). The relative rate of synthesis (%) of adenosine(5')triphospho(5')nucleosides (Ap3N) were: Ap3guanosine (Ap3G) (from GDP, 100); Ap3xanthosine (Ap3X) (from XDP, 110); Ap3cytidine (Ap3C) (from CDP, 42); Ap3adenosine (Ap3A) (from ADP, <1). In general, the rate of synthesis of Ap4N was double that of the corresponding Ap3N. The enzyme presented optimum activity at a pH value of 7.2-7.5, in the presence of 4 mM Mg2+, and at 70 degrees C. The apparent Km values for ATP and GTP in the synthesis of Ap4G were about 0.001 and 0.4mM, respectively, lower values than those described for other DNA or RNA ligases. Pfu DNA ligase is used in the ligase chain reaction (LCR) and some of the reactions here reported [in particular the synthesis of Ap4adenosine (Ap4A)] could take place during the course of that reaction.     

Changes in plasma concentrations of insulin-like peptide 3 and testosterone from birth to pubertal age in beef bulls

The objectives were to: (1) develop an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) or relaxin-like factor (RLF) in bovine plasma; (2) investigate changes of plasma INSL3 concentrations from birth to pubertal age of beef bulls; and (3) compare changes in plasma concentrations of INSL3, testosterone, and LH. Plasma samples were collected from beef bull calves (n = 15) at birth (0 d) and at 28, 56, and 84 d after birth. Furthermore, in beef bulls around pubertal age (n = 26; age range 3 to 22 mo), plasma samples were collected at 1 to 4 mo intervals. Plasma INSL3 concentrations increased (P < 0.05) from 0 to 28, 28 to 56, and from 56 to 84 d of age. Plasma testosterone concentrations increased (P < 0.001) from 0 to 28 d, and from 28 to 56 d, but did not change from 56 to 84 d. For bulls around pubertal age, plasma INSL3 concentrations did not change from the prepubertal phase (3 to 6 mo) to the early pubertal phase (6 to 12 mo), but increased (P < 0.05) from the early to late pubertal phases (12 to 18 mo), and from the late pubertal to postpubertal phases (18 to 22 mo). Plasma testosterone concentrations increased from the prepubertal to early pubertal phases (P < 0.001), but did not change thereafter. Plasma LH concentrations did not change from 0 d to 84 d, but decreased (P < 0.001) from prepubertal to early pubertal phase, with no significant change thereafter. Plasma INSL3 concentrations increased during the first 3 mo of life and throughout the pubertal age in beef bulls. There were similar dynamic patterns for INSL3 and testosterone during the first 3 mo of life, but patterns subsequently diverged in bulls around pubertal ages.     

Diptera as vectors of mycobacterial infections in cattle and pigs

Mycobacteria were isolated from 14 (4.5%) of 314 samples, containing 7791 adult Diptera, which were collected in the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1997-2000. These flies were collected from three cattle herds with paratuberculosis, two pig herds with mycobacterial infections and one farm that kept both cattle and pigs and that did not have problems of mycobacterial infections. Mycobacterium intracellulare was isolated from Eristalis tenax Linnaeus (Diptera: Syrphidae) captured from a pig herd. Mycobacterium avium ssp. avium (serotype 8) was isolated from flies of the genera Drosophila Fallen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and Musca Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae) originating from a pig herd. Mycobacterium spp. were isolated from Musca spp. and Mycobacterium fortuitum was isolated from dung flies of the genus Scatophaga Meigen (Diptera: Scatophagidae), Musca spp. and Stomoxys calcitrans Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae) captured in the same herd. Mycobacterium scrofulaceum was isolated from S. calcitrans from the farm with both cattle and pigs. Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis was isolated from Scatophaga spp. collected from pastures grazed by one of the cattle herds and from Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Lucilia caesar Linnaeus (Diptera: Calliphoridae) captured in a slaughterhouse, where cattle infected with paratuberculosis were slaughtered. Mycobacterium phlei was isolated from flies of the genus Lucilia captured at a waste bin. These data indicate that mycobacteria may be spread by adult flies that have been in contact with material contaminated with these pathogens.     

A combined method for determining inhibition type, kinetic parameters, and inhibition coefficients for aerobic cometabolism of 1,1,1-trichloroethane by a butane-grown mixed culture.

A combined method for determining inhibition type, kinetic parameters, and inhibition coefficients is developed and presented. The method was validated by applying it to data obtained from batch kinetics of the aerobic cometabolism of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) by a butane-grown mixed culture. The maximum degradation rates (k(max)) and half-saturation coefficients (K(s)) were independently determined in single compound tests, and compared with those obtained from inhibition tests. The inhibition type was determined using direct linear plots at various substrate and inhibitor concentrations. Kinetic parameters (k(max) and K(s)) and inhibition coefficients (K(ic) and K(iu)) were determined by nonlinear least squares regression (NLSR) fits of the inhibition model determined from the direct linear plots. Initial guesses of the kinetic parameters for NLSR were determined from linearized inhibition equations that were derived from the correlations between apparent maximum degradation rates (k(app)(max)) and/or the apparent half-saturation coefficient (K(app)(s)) and the k(max), K(s), and inhibitor concentration (I(L)) for each inhibition equation. Two different inhibition types were indicated from the direct linear plots: competitive inhibition of 1,1,1-TCA on butane degradation, and mixed inhibition of 1,1,1-TCA transformation by butane. Good agreement was achieved between independently measured k(max) and K(s) values and those obtained from both NLSR and the linearized inhibition equations. The initial guesses of all the kinetic parameters determined from linear plots were in the range of the values estimated from NLSR analysis. Overall the results show that use of the direct linear plot method to identify the inhibition type, coupled with initial guesses from linearized plots for NLSR analysis, results in an accurate method for determining inhibition types and coefficients. Detailed studies with pure cultures and purified enzymes are needed to further demonstrate the utility of this method.     

16S rRNA gene-based analysis of mucosa-associated bacterial community and phylogeny in the chicken gastrointestinal tracts: from crops to ceca

Mucosa-associated microbiota from different regions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of adult broilers was studied by analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. The microbiota mainly comprised Gram-positive bacteria along the GI tract. Fifty-one operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (from 98 clones) were detected in the ceca, as compared with 13 OTUs (from 49 clones) in the crops, 11 OTUs (from 51 clones) in the gizzard, 14 OTUs (from 52 clones) in the duodenum, 12 OTUs (from 50 clones) in the jejunum and nine OTUs (from 50 clones) in the ileum. Ceca were dominantly occupied by clostridia-related sequences (40%) with other abundant sequences being related to Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (14%), Escherichia coli (11%), lactobacilli (7%) and Ruminococcus (6%). Lactobacilli were predominant in the upper GI tract and had the highest diversity in the crop. Both Lactobacillus aviarius and Lactobacillus salivarius were the predominant species among lactobacilli. Candidatus division Arthromitus was also abundant in the jejunum and ileum.     

Comparison of two β-glucosidases for the enzymatic synthesis of β-(1-6)-β-(1-3)-gluco-oligosaccharides

A domain of epiglucan was synthesized by beta-glucosidases. Two beta-glucosidases, an extracellular beta-glucosidase derived from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum grown on xylose, and a commercial lyophilized preparation of beta-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger, were used to synthesize gluco-oligosaccharides from cellobiose and, specially, beta-(1-6) branched beta-(1-3) gluco-oligosaccharides, corresponding to the structure of epiglucan. Gentiobiose, cellotriose, cellotetraose, beta-Glc-(1-3)-beta-Glc-(1-4)-Glc, beta-Glc-(1-6)-beta-Glc-(1-4)-Glc and beta-Glc-(1-6)-beta-Glc-(1-3)-Glc were synthesized from cellobiose by both enzymes. The latter compound was preferentially synthesized by the beta-glycosidase from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Under the best conditions, only 7 g l(-1) of beta-Glc-(1-6)-beta-Glc-(1-3)-Glc was synthesized by the beta-glycosidase from Aspergillus niger compared to 20 g l(-1) synthesized with beta-glycosidase from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.     

Profilicollis botulus (Van Cleave, 1916) from diving ducks and shore crabs of British Columbia

Adults of Profilicollis botulus were found in 6 species of diving ducks in British Columbia including 3 new hosts: common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula (L.); Barrow's goldeneye, B. islandica (Gmelin); and greater scaup, Aythya marila (L.). The identification of the species was verified by the examination of co-types and specimens from eider ducks, Somateria mollissima (L.), from Scotland and oldsquaw, Clangula hyemalis (L.), from New Brunswick. Cystacanths from the hairy shore crab, Hemigrapsus oregonensis (Dana), were similar in morphology to those from Carcinus maenas (L.) from Scotland.     

Filamentous Fungi Associated with Bivalve Mollusks from Polluted Biotopes of Ussuriiskii Bay,Sea of Japan

We have studied for the first time the taxonomic composition of filamentous fungi associated with the bivalve mollusks Crenomytilus grayanus (Bunker, 1853) and Modiolus modiolus (Linnaeus, 1758), collected in polluted biotopes of Ussuriiskii Bay (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan). One hundred fifty-five strains of higher fungi were isolated, and 35 species of filamentous fungi were identified. Out of these, 28 species were anamorphous fungi of the genera Aspergillus (12), Penicillium (10), Acremonium (1), Alternaria (1), Aureobasidium (1), and Cladosporium (3) (Deuteromycota), and 7 were species of the genera Chaetomium (6) and Myxotrichum (1) (Ascomycota). Twenty-four species of filamentous fungi were isolated from the internal organs of C. grayanus: 8 from the muscles, 8 from the hepatopancreas, 6 from the female gonads, 4 from the mantle, 3 from the kidneys and male gonads, and 1 from the gills. Twenty-one species of filamentous fungi were isolated from the internal organs of Modiolus modiolus: 10 from the muscles, 6 from the hepatopancreas, 5 from the female gonads, 3 from the kidneys, 3 from the mantle, and 1 from the gills. The bulk of the isolated species of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Chaetomium were pathogenic and toxigenic fungi.