The predatory mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Typhlodromus pyri</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a biocontrol agent of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriophyes pyri</Emphasis> (Acari: Eriophyidae) on pear

The effectiveness of the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri and of an application of Polysulphide-Ca was compared during 2006–2008. The experiment showed differences in infestation levels of pear leaves caused by Eriophyes pyri. The highest percentage of leaves with symptoms was found in untreated control group (⊘ 20.9%); the lowest percentage was found in plots treated with T. pyri (⊘ 3.7%); and a slightly higher percentage was found in plots treated with Polysulphide-Ca (⊘ 8.6%). During 2006–2008 the percentage of leaves with symptoms was approximately the same only in the untreated control plots (from 20.3% to 21.5%). The percentage of leaves with characteristic symptoms in plots treated with T. pyri decreased from 5.5% in 2006 to 4.3% in 2007, and to 1.3% in 2008. On the other hand, the percentage of leaves with symptoms in plots treated with Polysulphide-Ca increased from 5.5% in 2006 to 8.5% in 2007, and to 11.8% in 2008. The intensity of symptoms on infested leaves was also different depending on treatments and years. The average biological activity was 82.4% in plots receiving releases of T. pyri and 58.8% in plots treated with Polysulphide-Ca.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Psithyrus</Emphasis> females do possess wax glands

In behavioural experiments and histological investigations we could demonstrate that the previously widespread generalization that females of the social parasite genus Bombus subgenus Psithyrus do not possess wax glands is not justified. Wax pieces that accumulated on the abdomina of Bombus vestalis, B. sylvestris, and B. bohemicus females which were prevented from self-grooming provided the first evidence for wax production in these species. A histological analysis of epithelial tissues confirmed the existence of epithelial wax glands. Received 17 September 2007; revised 12 March and 2 July 2008; accepted 4 July 2008.     

Amphisexual care in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acutisoma proximum</Emphasis> (Arachnida,Opiliones), a neotropical harvestman with exclusive maternal care

We provide observational and experimental evidence that territorial males of the maternal harvestman Acutisoma proximum temporarily care for clutches that are left unattended by females from their harems. The evolution of paternal care in harvestmen from a territory-based polygynous mating system is discussed. Received 5 August 2008; revised 13 and 29 October 2008; accepted 25 November 2008     

Parasitic anemone infects the invasive ctenophore <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mnemiopsis leidyi</Emphasis> in the North East Atlantic

We report of the first finding of parasitic sea anemone larvae infecting the invasive ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in the North East Atlantic. Parasitic anemone larvae are common in the native habitat of Mnemiopsis, but have not previously been reported from any of the locations where Mnemiopsis has been introduced. General morphology and 18S rRNA sequences support the identification of the larvae as Edwardsiella sp. Excised anemone larvae were reared through metamorphosis and confirmed the identification of the parasite. Both Mnemiopsis and Edwardsiella larvae were monitored weekly during 2007 and 2008 and parasitic larvae were recorded from September to November both years. The highest density was observed in September 2008 when Edwardsiidae larvae reached 2.3 ind m⁻³. In 2008 total density of the parasite occasionally exceeded 40% of the host density and the potential consequences for Mnemiopsis population dynamics are discussed.     

Nestmate recognition by guards of the Asian hive bee <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis cerana</Emphasis>

When a honey bee colony becomes queenless and broodless its only reproductive option is for some of its workers to produce sons before the colony perishes. However, for this to be possible the policing of worker-laid eggs must be curtailed and this provides the opportunity for queenless colonies to be reproductively parasitized by workers from other nests. Such reproductive parasitism is known to occur in Apis florea and A. cerana. Microsatellite analyses of worker samples have demonstrated that the proportion of non-natal workers present in an A. cerana colony declines after a colony is made queenless. This observation suggests that queenless A. cerana colonies may be more vigilant in repelling potentially parasitic non-natal workers than queenright colonies. We compared rates of nestmate and non-nestmate acceptance in both queenright and queenless A. cerana colonies using standard assays and showed that there is no statistical difference between the proportion of non-nestmate workers that are rejected in queenless and queenright colonies. We also show that, contrary to earlier reports, A. cerana guards are able to discriminate nestmate workers from non-nestmates, and that they reject significantly more non-nestmate workers than nestmate workers. Received 25 February 2008; revised 21 May 2008; accepted 25 June 2008.     

Temporal and spatial variability of chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> concentration in Lake Taihu using MODIS time-series data

In order to predict the distribution of chlorophyll a synoptically in Lake Taihu from 2006 to 2008, a common empirical algorithm was developed to relate time series chlorophyll a concentrations in the lake to reflectance derived as a function of band 2 MODIS data (r ² = 0.907, n = 145) using time series from 2005. The empirical model was further validated with chlorophyll a data from a 2008 to 2009 dataset, with RMSE < 7.48 μg l⁻¹ and r ² = 0.978. The seasonal and inter-annual variability of the surface chlorophyll a concentration from 2006 to 2008 was then examined using Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis. The results revealed that the first four modes were significant, explaining 54.0% of the total chlorophyll a variance, and indicated that during the summer, algal blooms always occur in the northern bays, Meiliang Bay and Gonghu Bay, while they occur along the southwestern lakeshore during early summer, fall, and even early winter. The inter-annual variance analysis showed that the duration of algal blooms was from April to December of 2007, which was different from the bloom periods in 2006 and 2008. The results of EOF analysis show its potential for long-term integrated lake monitoring, not only in Lake Taihu but also in other large lakes threatened by accelerating eutrophication.     

Parasitism and developmental parameters of the parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diadegma</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">majale</Emphasis> (Gravenhorst) in control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plutella xylostella</Emphasis> (L.) on selected cultivars of canola

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is one of the most economically significant pests of canola, Brassica napus L., in Ardabil region, Iran. Use of host plant resistance integrated with biocontrol agents such as Diadegma majale (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is an essential component of integrated management of P. xylostella. In this study, we investigated the parasitism by D. majale on six selected cultivars of canola under field conditions and preference and performance of the parasitoid on P. xylostella larvae under laboratory conditions. In field experiments, the highest larval density of P. xylostella was observed on Zarfam during 2008 and 2009. Larval densities were not significantly different among Opera, Hyola 401, Okapi, and Option 500 and Elite in 2008, but the lowest larval density was observed on Opera in 2009. No significant differences were observed among the rate of parasitized larvae on tested cultivars in 2008, while in 2009 the parasitism rate was significantly higher on Opera than on Zarfam. In free-choice situations, the percentage of parasitized larvae was significantly highest on Opera (88.7%) and lowest on Zarfam (62.95%). Developmental time from egg to adult, body mass, length of forewings and hindwings, length of hind femur and hind tibia of D. majale females reared on larvae of P. xylostella fed on Opera did not differ from other cultivars. Our results suggest that cultivation of Opera integrated with D. majale could provide effective and sustainable management of P. xylostella in the region.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cambessedesia tiradentensis</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melastomataceae</Emphasis>), a new species from Brazil

Summary  A new and probably endemic species of Cambessedesia DC. is described from campo rupestre vegetation, as part of a floristic survey of Melastomataceae from the S?o José mountain range, Tiradentes District, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Miscellaneous  Accepted for publication April 2008.     

The early life history stages of flying fishes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cypselurus simus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. callopterus</Emphasis> (beloniformes,exocoetidae)

Larval and juvenile developmental stages of two species of flying fishes from the subgenus Poecilocypselurus: Cypselurus simus and C. callopterus are for the first time described in the work. A comparison with C. poecilopterus and other representatives of the subgenus using data published in the literature is done. Published in Russian in Voprosy Ikhtiologii, 2008, Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 404–414. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

A clarification of Pouydebat et al., 2008, evolution of grasping among anthropoids

Several statements by Pouydebat et al. (2008) do not adequately represent views of authors cited, in part because they reflect confusion in the literature about terminology regarding precision gripping. We address these problems, by tracing definitions of precision grips through the literature on manipulative behaviour and identifying the grip that is central to the Pouydebat et al. (2008) study. This allows us to offer a clarification of the statements by Pouydebat et al. (2008) regarding the sequence of appearance of human grip capabilities and possible morphological correlates to these capabilities in extant species.     

An unusual localization of the parasitic copepod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemobaphes diceraus</Emphasis> Wilson, 1917 (Copepoda: Pennellidae) on the walleye pollock <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theragra chalcogramma</Emphasis>

During a study performed in April 2008 in the Pacific waters of the northern Kuril Islands, the parasitic copepod Haemobaphes diceraus was found localized on the isthmus of two specimens of the walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma. In both cases, the parasite directly penetrated the heart, without entering the blood vessels.     

Photosynthetic limitation by CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> diffusion in drought stressed orange leaves on three rootstocks

Photosynthetic limitations under moderate water deficit were evaluated in ‘Valência’ orange trees grafted on three different rootstocks, in pots. Net CO₂ assimilation rate (A _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), and photosystem II (PS II) operating efficiency ( ) in response to changing intercellular CO₂ partial pressure (C _i) were analyzed under controlled conditions. Drought decreased A _N and g _s, whereas remained unchanged. This resulted in a higher ratio between electron transport rate (ETR) and gross CO₂ assimilation rate (A _G). Since the comparison of A _N–C _i gas exchange curves can lead to incorrect conclusions, a normalization of C _i values () of stressed leaves was applied. Then, the relationship established for irrigated trees between the ETR/A _G ratio and C _i was used to estimate the from ETR/A _G ratios measured under water stress. The response of A _N to suggests that the CO₂ diffusional restriction is the main factor that limits photosynthesis in orange leaves under moderate water deficit.     

Ten new species of the tenebrionid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asidoblaps</Emphasis> fairmaire (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae) from southwestern China

Ten new species of the genus Asidoblaps (tribe Blaptini) are described from China: A. mesa sp. n. (Yunnan), A. physoptera sp. n., A. dentipes sp. n. (Sichuan / Yunnan), A. faceta sp. n., A. edentata sp. n., A. attigua sp. n., A. zhongdiana sp. n. (Yunnan), A. firma sp. n., A. pedinoides sp. n. (Sichuan), A. prasolovi sp. n. (Yunnan). A new combination is established: Asidoblaps elongata (G. Medvedev, 2008), comb. n. = Agnaptoria elongata G. Medvedev, 2008.     

Sociality in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euglossa</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Euglossa</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">viridissima</Emphasis> Friese (Hymenoptera,Apidae, Euglossini)

Euglossa viridissima is an orchid bee that forms both solitary and multiple female nests, making it a suitable species for the study of factors leading to diverse degrees of sociality in Euglossines. We conducted observations in eight reused nests (where a first generation of bees had been produced) kept in artificial boxes from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Five nests were reused (reactivated) by a single female (SFN), two nests reused by a mother and one daughter (MFN1) and one nest reused by the mother and two daughters (MFN2). No single nest was reactivated by unrelated females. The number of foraging trips, their duration and the duration of cell provisioning was not different between SFN and MFN. The overall production of cells per female was not different either between both types of nest. However, in MFN although all females did lay eggs, there was a reproductive skew in favor of the mother (95 and 45% of the brood produced in MFN1 and MFN2 respectively). She showed reproductive control of her daughters through oophagy and displaying threatening behavior when the daughters tried to open a cell where she had laid an egg. Brood losses to parasites (Anthrax sp. (Bom-byliidae) and Hoplostelis bivittata (Megachilidae)) were only found in SFN which possibly reflects and advantage of MFN in this respect. Our results coupled with other studies in Euglossa, reveal that a wide range of social behaviors occur in this genus, from solitary and communal to primitive reproductive division of labor. Multiple factors involving different levels of pressure imposed by food availability and parasites may favor such a diverse range of nesting behaviors. Interestingly, female associations in E. viridissima seem a result of kin selection that is enforced by coercion from mother females on their daughters. More studies are needed to shed light upon the social organization of Euglossa and other Euglossines and on their phylogenetic relationships in order to trace the origins of eusociality in Apidae. Received 12 February 2008; revised 25 June 2008; accepted 17 July 2008.     

Cell wall polysaccharides isolated from the fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neotestudina rosatii</Emphasis>, one of the etiologic agents of mycetoma in man

The alkali-extractable water-soluble polysaccharides F1SS isolated from the cell wall of two isolates of the pathogen Neotestudina rosatii and one of Pseudophaeotrichum sudanense, which is now considered as a synonym of the former, have been studied by methylation analysis, GC–MS and NMR spectroscopy. The three polysaccharides differ mainly in their content in galactofuranose, and have the following idealized repeating unit:      

The dominant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ulva</Emphasis> strain of the 2008 green algal bloom in the Yellow Sea was not detected in the coastal waters of Qingdao in the following winter

The region of Qingdao, China, experienced the world's largest green tide from May to July 2008. More than one million tons of fresh algal biomass of the green alga Ulva prolifera was harvested, while more was suspected to have sunk to the bottom. The original source of this seaweed was suspected to be from the south as revealed by satellite images. The floating biomass drifted with the water current northward and flourished in nearshore waters around Qingdao. However, direct biological evidence for “seed” source is lacking. It is still unclear whether this alga could survive the Qingdao local coastal environment and pose future danger of potential blooming. Systematic and seasonal sampling of waters in the intertidal zone at six collection sites along the Qingdao coast was conducted from December 2008 to April 2009. Forty-eight water samples were analyzed. From these, nine different morphotypes of Ulva were grown in the laboratory under standard temperature and light regimes. Growth of Ulva was observed in all water samples. However, molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that the dominant U. prolifera strain of the 2008 bloom was absent in all the water-derived cultures during the sampling period. These results provide evidence that the dominant bloom-forming alga was unlikely able to survive the coastal waters (the minimal surface water temperature in February is 2°C) in winter conditions in Qingdao, even though all the sampling locations were heavily covered by this alga in June 2008.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Molinia caerulea</Emphasis> responses to N and P fertilisation in a dry heathland ecosystem (NW-Germany)

In the present study we analysed whether airborne N pollution may constitute one important driver for the encroachment of Molinia caerulea in dry heathland ecosystems. Based on full-factorial field experiments (in 2006 and 2008) and complementary greenhouse experiments (in 2008), we quantified growth responses of Molinia caerulea to N and P fertilisation (50 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, 20 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). Aboveground biomass production of Molinia caerulea was limited by P in 2006, but by N in both experiments in 2008. In the greenhouse experiment, N addition caused a sixfold increase of the biomass of vegetative tillers, and in all experiments the biomass and numbers of flowering tillers showed a significant increase due to fertilisation. Our experiments indicated that growth of Molinia caerulea was primarily limited by N, but in dry heaths the kind of nutrient limitation may be mediated by other factors such as water availability during the vegetative period. Shifts in biomass allocation patterns resulting from N fertilisation showed that Molinia caerulea encroachment in dry heaths is not only attributable to increased leaf biomass, but also due to higher investments in reproductive tissue that allow for increased seed production and thus accelerated encroachment of seedlings in places where the dwarf shrub canopy has been opened after disturbance.     

Grading the commercial optical biosensor literature—Class of 2008: ‘The Mighty Binders’

Optical biosensor technology continues to be the method of choice for label‐free, real‐time interaction analysis. But when it comes to improving the quality of the biosensor literature, education should be fundamental. Of the 1413 articles published in 2008, less than 30% would pass the requirements for high‐school chemistry. To teach by example, we spotlight 10 papers that illustrate how to implement the technology properly. Then we grade every paper published in 2008 on a scale from A to F and outline what features make a biosensor article fabulous, middling or abysmal. To help improve the quality of published data, we focus on a few experimental, analysis and presentation mistakes that are alarmingly common. With the literature as a guide, we want to ensure that no user is left behind. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monogeneans from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus chlorostigma</Emphasis> (Val.) (Perciformes: Serranidae) off New Caledonia,with the description of three new species of diplectanids

Gill monogeneans from the brownspotted grouper Epinephelus chlorostigma (Val.) collected in deep water off the coral barrier reef of New Caledonia, South Pacific, comprise seven species. These include the ancyrocephalid Haliotrema sp., the capsalid Allobenedenia cf. epinepheli Yamaguti, 1968, and five diplectanids, namely Pseudorhabdosynochus epinepheli (Yamaguti, 1938), reported in a previous paper, P. cyanopodus Sigura & Justine, 2008 and P. podocyanus Sigura & Justine, 2008, two species originally described from E. cyanopodus Richardson, P. stigmosus n. sp., P. exoticoides n. sp. and Diplectanum femineum n. sp. P. stigmosus is characterised by a sclerotised vagina with a straight primary canal, large ovoid primary chamber and spherical secondary chamber. P. exoticoides is a highly aberrant species, with a thick-walled male quadriloculate organ and a discoid sclerotised vagina with an exceptional structure. Interestingly, P. exoticoides resembles P. exoticus Sigura & Justine, 2008, a species from E. cyanopodus, and P. stigmosus resembles P. cyanopodus and P. podocyanus, also both from E. cyanopodus, suggesting close relationships between the diplectanid faunae of these two fish species. D. femineum belongs to a group of diplectanids, provisionally classified as ‘Diplectanum’ Diesing, 1858, which all share a small funnel-shaped male copulatory organ. In contrast to other members of this group which have no sclerotised vagina, D. femineum has a sclerotised vagina with the same organisation as those of species of Pseudorhabdosynochus Yamaguti, 1958. This suggests that the species of ‘Diplectanum’ from groupers are closer to Pseudorhabdosynochus than suggested by the structure of the male organs.     

Reassessing the Odontites purpureus group (Orobanchaceae) from south‐east Spain and north‐west Africa

We describe a species of Odontites, O. bolligeri E.Rico, L.Delgado & Herrero, endemic to the south‐eastern Iberian Peninsula and north Africa, from Morocco to Tunisia. This species belongs to the O. purpureus group and corresponds to the taxon that the monographer Markus Bolliger called O. squarrosus subsp. squarrosus. However, according to the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN), this is an invalid name, and hence we propose a new name for these plants here. Drawings of the new species are also supplied. In addition, we compare and discuss the other species of the O. purpureus group, propose a key for them and include a karyological study of the two Iberian species of the group. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 701–708.