Description,morphometric characterization and distribution pattern of Paradiopatra multibranchiata,a new onuphid (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the tropical eastern Pacific

Paradiopatra multibranchiata, an onuphid found commonly in shelf sediments of the tropical eastern Pacific, is described here. It belongs to the group of Paradiopatra species characterized by the presence of branchiae on the most anterior parapodia (chaetigers 2–3), with at least seven filaments when fully developed. The new species closely resembles P. parva, also distributed in the eastern Pacific but in temperate habitats. It can be distinguished from the latter by the presence rather than the absence of eyes, and because it bears the highest number of branchial filaments (up to 37) observed in any Paradiopatra species known so far (14–18 filaments at most). The taxonomic status of the new species is supported by comparative morphometric and multivariate analyses, which also allowed us to verify its differences with P. parva. The branchial development was the most useful character to determine the relationships between the specimens of P. multibranchiata sp. nov., while its separation from P. parva (Wilks’ lambda?=?0.060, P?<?0.0001) was weighted most heavily by the number of filaments at chaetigers 2 and 10, and the length of the median antenna. An anatomical examination with methylene blue stain and with scanning electron microscopy was carried out to illustrate the ventral glandular pad staining pattern and the features of their cuticular pores.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:194636C6-A032-4B1F-B0B8-1D494C344623     

The social feather duster worm Bispira brunnea (Polychaeta: Sabellidae): aggregations,morphology and reproduction

The fan worm Bispira brunnea is one of the most attractive sabellid polychaetes from Caribbean coral reef areas and it is exploited for ornamental purposes. An understanding of the structure of its aggregations, morphology and reproductive biology will provide information required to facilitate artificial propagation of this species. Ten aggregations were collected in October 2013, February and March 2014 in the Majahual reef lagoon, Mexican Caribbean. Whole aggregations were examined under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and the histology of oogenesis was determined. Aggregations were composed of 24–56 individuals and included juveniles and adults. The adults (5–20?mm) did not display any noticeable form of sexual dimorphism. In B. brunnea both sexual (hermaphroditism or gonochorism) and asexual reproduction occurred at the same time within the population: 92.71% reproduced sexually and 52% by architomy. The buds produced by architomy were inside the parental tube, at three regenerative stages. The sex ratio was 36.75% males, 33.11% females, 22.84% hermaphrodites and 7.28% unknown (gametes not seen). Gametes were distributed in the last thoracic segments and throughout the abdomen. Oogenesis was extra-ovarian, development followed four discrete stages and the oocytes were small and asynchronous (60.97 μm in diameter). Sperm morphology was adapted to external fertilization in the water column. Sequential (protandrous) hermaphroditism is suggested to occur in B. brunnea. The pyramidellid ectosymbiont mollusc Odostomia (Eulimastoma) caniculatum is recorded here for the first time as being associated with a sabellid worm.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the family Telothelepodidae Nogueira,Fitzhugh & Hutchings, 2013 (Annelida: Terebelliformia)

Members of the 12 known species of the family Telothelepodidae, plus individuals of three additional undescribed species, were examined to infer phylogenetic relationships within the family and evaluate the status of genera. The outgroups include members of three species of Polycirridae and three of Thelepodidae. Members of 21 species, including both in- and outgroups, were coded for 47 subjects (‘characters’) and 109 characters sensu stricto (subject-predicate relations or ‘states’). The results, based on 15 minimum-length trees, each 103 steps long, suggest that telothelepodids should be divided into four genera, according to the morphology of the lower lip, presence or absence of eyespots, and visibility of segment 1. By necessity two of these genera are monotypic and plesiomorphic to two monophyletic genera; the latter two genera with five and eight species, respectively. Telothelepus, Parathelepus and Rhinothelepus are redefined, and the new genus Mesopothelepus gen. nov. is erected, all to accommodate the phylogenetic hypotheses presented. The problem of properly defining monotypic supraspecific taxon names as representative of phylogenetic hypotheses is discussed in relation to the inherent limitations of Article 13.1.1 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8C05DBD2-8226-4738-BF4A-E623A97ACB75     

Cloning and chromosomal localization of the human BARX2 homeobox protein gene

The human BARX2 gene encodes a homeodomain-containing protein of 254 amino acids, which binds optimally to the DNA consensus sequence YYTAATGRTTTTY. BARX2 is highly expressed in adult salivary gland and is expressed at lower levels in other tissues, including mammary gland, kidney, and placenta. The BARX2 gene consists of four exons, and is located on human chromosome 11q25. This chromosomal location is within the minimal deletion region for Jacobsen syndrome, a syndrome including craniosynostosis and other developmental abnormalities. This chromosomal location, along with the reported expression of murine barx2 in craniofacial development, suggests that BARX2 may be causally involved in the craniofacial abnormalities in Jacobsen syndrome.     

Cloning and chromosomal localization of the human BARX2 homeobox protein gene

The human BARX2 gene encodes a homeodomain-containing protein of 254 amino acids, which binds optimally to the DNA consensus sequence YYTAATGRTTTTY. BARX2 is highly expressed in adult salivary gland and is expressed at lower levels in other tissues, including mammary gland, kidney, and placenta. The BARX2 gene consists of four exons, and is located on human chromosome 11q25. This chromosomal location is within the minimal deletion region for Jacobsen syndrome, a syndrome including craniosynostosis and other developmental abnormalities. This chromosomal location, along with the reported expression of murine barx2 in craniofacial development, suggests that BARX2 may be causally involved in the craniofacial abnormalities in Jacobsen syndrome.