A revision of the genus Paronthobium from New Caledonia (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Epilissini)

A revision of the New Caledonian genus Paronthobium Paulian 1984 is presented. Anonthobium Paulian 1984 is synonymized with Paronthobium Paulian 1984 after evaluating the diagnostic characters originally introduced by Paulian to separate them. Upon examination of the type specimens, Onthobium caledonicum Paulian 1935 is separated from O. simplex Fauvel 1903 and restored as valid. Anonthobium moui Paulian 1984 is synonymized with Anonthobium micros Paulian 1984. Fifteen new species are described: P. adio n. sp., P. daghfousi n. sp., P. dierkensi n. sp., P. farino n. sp., P. iac n. sp., P. julieni n. sp., P. memaoya n. sp., P. minutum n. sp., P. nasutum n. sp., P. orientale n. sp., P. peckorum n. sp., P. petchecara n. sp., P. subdentatum n. sp., P. taom n. sp. and P. tchingou n. sp. The genus Paronthobium is now composed of 22 species. Illustrations of parameres and of male protibiae are provided for each species. Distribution maps and a key to species are given.     

Species level taxonomy of the Neotropical hairstreak genus Porthecla (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Eumaeini)

The species level taxonomy of Porthecla is revised. Six previously described species are recognized: P. ravus (Druce 1907); P. barba (Druce 1907); P. dinus (Hewitson 1867); P. porthura (Druce 1907); P. minyia (Hewitson 1867); P. gemma (Druce 1907), and another six new species are proposed: P. forasteira Faynel & Moser n. sp.; P. annette Faynel & Robbins n. sp.; P. johanna Faynel & Robbins n. sp.; P. peruensis Faynel & Moser n. sp.; P. prietoi Faynel & Busby n. sp. and P. willmotti Busby, Faynel & Moser n. sp. For each Porthecla species we present diagnostic characters, images of male and female adults, drawings of male and female genitalia, distribution maps, and notes on habitat and other biological traits. An identification key for males is provided. To stabilize names; lectotypes are designated for Thecla minyia Hewitson 1867, and Thecla gemma Druce 1907. Wing pattern resemblances between Porthecla and other genera are discussed.     

A new genus of the tribe Acratini from the continental Neotropical region (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea,Brentidae)

A group of 10 species belonging to the Neotropical tribe Acratini Alonso-Zarazaga, Lyal, Bartolozzi & Sforzi 1999, is shown to be monophyletic by a phylogenetic analysis based on 48 morphological characters. A new genus, Pertusius n. gen., is described, based on three derived characters of external and genital morphology: venter of prorostrum of males with fine median longitudinal carina, base of elytra with deep pit at the place of insertion on mesonotum, and proximal sclerite of endophallus more or less horseshoe-shaped. Eight species were previously known and, according to former authors, belonged to the genera Acratus Lacordaire 1865 [Pertusius apicalis (Sharp 1895), n. comb., P. errabundus (Kleine 1927), n. comb., P. extrarius (Kleine 1927), n. comb., P. fidus (Kleine 1927), n. comb. and P. telesi (Soares & Meyer 1959), n. comb.] and Proteramocerus Kleine 1921 [Pertusius chalcites (Perty 1832), n. comb., P. filum (Sharp 1895), n. comb., and P. laevis (Germar 1824), n. comb.]. Four new synonymies are proposed: Proteramocerus disparilis Soares & Dias 1971, n. syn. for Acratus apicalis Sharp 1895; Teramocerus laevigatus Boheman 1840, n. syn. for Arrhenodes chalcites Perty 1832; Acratus extraordinarius Kleine 1927, n. syn. for Acratus errabundus Kleine 1927; Proteramocerus diringshofeni Soares & Dias 1971, n. syn. for Acratus filum Sharp 1895. Two new species are described: Pertusius guyanensis n. sp. from French Guiana, and P. mexicanus n. sp. from Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula). Pertusius apicalis is newly cited from Bolivia and Peru, P. chalcites from Argentina and Paraguay, P. extrarius from Ecuador, P. fidus from Peru and P. telesi from Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. An identification key to species of the genus is provided.     

The effects of human tear electrolytes on the viability and hydrogel colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of the inorganic electrolytes present in human tear film on the viability and colonization of bacteria to hydrogels. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were used in these experiments. A D-value test was performed to investigate any bacteriostatic effect by measuring the reduction of viable test microorganisms over time when exposed to the inorganic electrolyte solution. No D-value was calculable for S. aureus in electrolyte solution whereas a D-value of 8.1 h was obtained for P. aeruginosa in electrolyte solution. The D-value data indicate that staphylococci have a greater survivability potential in a hypertonic environment than do pseudomonads. Bacterial adhesion to high water, ionic hydrogels was studied using the Modified Robbins Device (MRD). The data for P. aeruginosa recovered from the lenses showed an 82% decrease in bacterial counts in electrolyte solution as compared to bacteria incubated in control solution. In contrast there were slight increases in S. aureus counts recovered from the lenses. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 25, 17–19. Received 12 August 1999/ Accepted in revised form 05 January 2000     

A contribution to the taxonomy of Piptadenia (Mimosaceae) in South America

Four new species ofPiptadenia are described:P. anolidurus (from Amazonian Ecuador, Peru and Brazil),P. buchtienii (from trans-Andean Bolivia),P. cuzcoënsis (from southern Peru), andP. imatacae (from Venezuelan Guayana); andP. adiantoides var.peruviana J. F. Macbr. is raised in rank toP. peruviana. In relation toP. imatacae the transfer ofP. uaupensis Benth. andP. floribunda Kleinhoonte toAdenopodia Presl is shown to be ill-advised. The affinities of each new species are discussed and critical characters are illustrated.Mimosa tessmanii Harms is newly synonymized withP. uaupensis.

     

Benzo[a]pyrene removal by Marasmiellus troyanus in soil microcosms

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbon that enters the environment as an incomplete combustion production of fossil fuels. Several species of filamentous fungi are capable of biotransforming and/or mineralizing B[a]P in liquid cultures, however there has been less success in soil habitats. In this study, the litter rot fungus Marasmiellus troyanus was encapsulated in alginate and delivered to B[a]P-spiked soil microcosms (100 μg B[a]P/g soil) for 1, 2 and 6 weeks, with and without a fertilizer solution. After 2 weeks, 32.5% of B[a]P was recovered from soil microcosms treated with M. troyanus compared to 55–70% for controls. After 6 weeks, controls demonstrated an average percent recovery of B[a]P of 54% while M. troyanus-inoculated samples gave an average percent recovery of 11%. Similar bioaugmentation of contaminated habitats with appropriately formulated fungi has potential for practical bioremediation in soil environments. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 25, 116–119.     

Phylogenetic relationships of species in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudoroegneria</Emphasis> (Poaceae: Triticeae) and related genera inferred from nuclear rDNA ITS (internal transcribed spacer) sequences

To evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of species in Pseudoroegneria and related genera, the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were analyzed for eighteen Pseudoroegneria (St), two Elytrigia (E ^e St), two Douglasdeweya (StP), three Lophopyrum (E ^e and E ^b ), three Agropyron (P), two Hordeum (H), two Australopyrum (W) and two Psathyrostachys (Ns) accessions. The main results were: (i) Pseudoroegneria gracillima, P. stipifolia, P. cognata and P. strigosa (2x) were in one clade, while P. libanotica, P. tauri and P. spicata (2x) were in the other clade, indicating there are the differentiations of St genome among diploid Pseudoroegneria species; (ii) P. geniculata ssp. scythica, P. geniculata ssp. pruinifera, Elytriga caespitosa and Et. caespitosa ssp. nodosa formed the E ^e St clade with 6-bp indel in ITS1 regions; and (iii) Douglasdeweya wangii, D. deweyi, Agropyron cristatum and A. puberulum comprised the P clade. It is unreasonable to treat P. geniculata ssp. scythica and P. geniculata ssp. pruinifera as the subspecies of P. geniculata, and they should be transferred to a new genus Trichopyrum, which consists of species with E ^e St genomes. It is also suggested that one of the diploid donor of D. wangii and D. deweyi is derived from Agropyron species, and it is reasonable to treat tetraploid species with StP genomes into Douglasdeweya.     

果胶杆菌(Pectobacterium aroidearum) WNH的筛选及其汉麻生物脱胶效果

【背景】麻类生物脱胶与化学法脱胶相比具有环保优势。【目的】获得用于汉麻生物脱胶的高效果胶酶菌株。【方法】使用以果胶为唯一碳源的培养基,采用平板稀释法进行菌株筛选,通过生理生化实验和16s rRNA基因序列比对鉴定目标菌株。采用单因素试验优化产酶条件,并验证该条件下汉麻生物脱胶效果。【结果】获得一株具备高活性果胶的酶菌株,归类为果胶杆菌(Pectobacterium aroidearum) WNH。在培养温度27 °C、转速160 r/min、接种量10%、初始pH 7.0的条件下培养16 h后,果胶杆菌WNH的粗酶液果胶酶活力达155.03 U/mL。按上述条件对汉麻韧皮进行二次脱胶处理,处理后脱胶率为27.18%,较对照组提高了6.93%。【结论】果胶杆菌WNH具备汉麻生物脱胶的潜力。     

Nutrient turnover studies in alpine ecosystems

Summary The nutrient relations of five treeless plant communities on acid soils above siliceous rock of the Central Alps are investigated. Three of these communities, situated on Mt. Patscherkofel, are dominated by dwarf shrubs of the Ericaceae family: Loiseleurietum (P 1, 2175 m NN), Loiseleuria heath (P 2, 2000 m NN), and Vaccinium heath (P 3, 1980 m NN). The other two are bound to higher elevations (2500 m NN, at Timmelsjoch): Caricetum curvulae (T 1), forming the mats, and Salicetum herbaceae (T 2), covering the snow-beds.Phytomass productivity decreases with increasing altitude in the sequence P 3-P 2, P 1-T 1-T 2.Compared with the turf communities of the Northern Calcareous Alps, nitrogen reserves and experimental net-mineralization of the soils (0–15 cm) are extremely low in P 1, P 2, and P 3 (<0.5 g N/m² mineralized per GS¹). The fluctuation of N in the living above-ground phytomass during the GS is also low (about 1.6 g/m² in P 1 and P 2; 2.2 g/m² in P 3, although it exceeds the values of net mineralization. Additional uptake through mycorrhizal fungi or activation of mineralizing microbes in the rhizosphere by exudation is assumed.The P- and K-reserves are extremely small in the humic soils of P 2 and P 3, but somewhat higher in the more mineral soil of P 1. Mean lactatesoluble P of the three sites is low (0.3 g/m² or less) whereas K_lact (2.7–3.3 g/m²) is higher than the lowest level found in some turf communities, e.g. Caricetum firmae. The amounts of P in the phytomass are in the range of those of the turf communities and agree with the gradation in the mean P_lact values (P 1 and P 3>P 2). There are, however, almost no discernible fluctuations of P in the phytomass, and the K-fluctuations are far below the mean K_lact level.The Timmelsjoch communities generally have higher N/C-, P/C-, and K/C-ratios in the soils compared with those of Mt. Patscherkofel, although the N-reserves (g/m²) and the K-reserves (of T 1 only) are lower. The P_lact values are higher than those from Mt. Patscherkofel and also exceed those of the calcareous turf communities. K_lact is low in T 1 whereas in T 2 it is in the range of P 1, P 2, and P 3. Compared with T 1, T 2 has distinctly higher amounts of the three nutrients in the soils and a higher net mineralization of N, as well as higher values in the phytomass components and in the fluctuation of the latter.In conclusion, a general view is given (Fig. 9) of the most important nutrient parameters of the communities represented in this series, including some others of lower altitudes.     

Compositae of the Guayana Highland—XIII. New combinations in Conyza (Astereae), Praxelis (Eupatorieae), and Riencourtia (Heliantheae) based on names proposed by L.C.M. Richard

The new combinations Conyza laevigata (Astereae), Praxelis diffusa (Eupatorieae), and Riencourtia pedunculosa (Heliantheae) are made. Conyza laevigata includes C. apurensis; Praxelis diffusa includes P. pauciflora and the type of the genus, P. villosa; and Riencourtia pedunculosa includes R. glomerata and R. spiculifera, the type of the genus. Lectotypes are designated for names of five species described by Richard. The current names of other species of Compositae described by Richard in 1792 are given, including the reduction of Eupatorium incisum to Chromolaena odorata. Labeling errors are discussed, and the type of Erigeron laevigatus is taken to be from the West Indies. Riencourtia is newly documented for Bolivia and Panama.     

Grassflies of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polyodaspis</Emphasis> Duda (Diptera,Chloropidae) in the fauna of southeast Asia

Over 200 specimens of Polyodaspis from Vietnam and Thailand (project TIGER) were studied. Variations in the color of the body and, especially, of the setae and setulae of the head, scutellum, and abdomen are demonstrated. The following new synonymy is established: Polyodaspis ruficornis (Macquart, 1835) = P. ruficornis var. tarsalis Frey, 1923, syn. n.; = P. flavipila Duda, 1934, syn. n.; = P. endogena de Meijere, 1938, syn. n.; = P. flavisetosa Nartshuk, 1991, syn. n.; = P. similis Nartshuk, 1991, syn. n.     

Review of subtribe Pterellina Rohdendorf, 1967 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Middle East with descriptions of twelve new species

Summary

Based on a revision of large recent collections housed at the Natural History Museum (London), Tel Aviv University and in the private collection of Yu. Verves and L. Khrokalo (Kyiv, Ukraine), new distributional data and an updated list with comments of 28 species of Middle Eastern Sarcophagidae of the subtribe Pterellina are presented. Seventeen of them are recorded for Israel, 11 for Egypt, four for Iran, two each for the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and one each for Jordan and the UAE. No data are known for the territories of Bahrain, Cyprus, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria and Yemen. Twelve species new to science are described, including nine from Israel (Chaetapodacra montana n. sp., Eremasiomyia bicolor n. sp., E. deserta n. sp., E. fuscata n. sp., Protomiltogramma bidentata n. sp., P. serrata n. sp., Pterella hermonica n. sp., P. indigens n. sp., P. zefatica n. sp.), two from Egypt (Chaetapodacra griseola n. sp., Eremasiomyia alba n. sp.) and one from Saudi Arabia (Protomiltogramma arabica n. sp.). The male of Eremasiomyia nigra Rohdendorf, 1935 is described for the first time. One new combination of specific name is proposed ? Protomiltogramma immunita (Villeneuve, 1923), n. comb. Original keys for the identification of genera and species are proposed. An annotated list of all world genera and species and compiled data on larval habits of Pterellina are included.     

Inhibitory effects of isatin Mannich bases on carbonic anhydrases,acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase

The effects of isatin Mannich bases incorporating (1-[piperidin-1-yl (P1)/morpholin-4-yl (P2)/N-methylpiperazin-1-yl (P3)]methyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione) moieties against human (h) carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoenzymes hCA I and hCA II, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes were evaluated. P1–P3 demonstrated impressive inhibition profiles against AChE and BChE and also inhibited both CAs at nanomolar level. These inhibitory effects were more powerful in all cases than the reference compounds used for all these enzymes. This study suggests that isatin Mannich bases P1–P3 are good candidate compounds especially for the development of new cholinesterase inhibitors since they were 2.2–5.9 times better inhibitors than clinically used drug Tacrine.     

Stochastic prey-predator relationships: A random differential equation approach

A stochastic model describing two interacting populations is considered. The model involves a random differential equation of the form dX/dt=A(t)X+Y(t) where the random matrixA and vectorY represent the interactions and growth rates respectively andX is a (random) vector the components of which are the logarithms of the population's sizes. An expression for the solution of the above equation is obtained whence its statistical properties can be determined. Alternatively, a method based on Liouville's theorem is used to obtain the probability distribution of the solution. Application of both methods to simple cases indicates that the random solution is asymptotically stable in the mean even when the solution to the associated deterministic equation is not, viz. in the absence of self interactions.     

Distribution maps

Abstract

There are two groups of Pellia peroxidase isozyme phenotypes, one composed of P. epiphylla, P. neesiana and P. borealis, the other of P. endiviifolia from Europe, P. endiviifolia from Japan and P. megaspora. The phenotypes within the second group differ supporting the suggestion that there are three taxa present.     

The Phytophthora diseases of stone fruit trees in Greece

Phytophthora collar and crown rots are serious soilborne diseases which for a long time have caused considerable losses in stone fruit orchards in Greece. A number of Phytophthora species are notorious for being the cause of crown and root rots in Greek stone trees, including P. cactorum, P. citricola, P. cryptogea, P. drechsleri, P. nicotianae, P. citrophthora, P. syringae and P. megasperma. The most important Phytophthora species is P. cactorum, while P. syringae and P. citrophthora may be locally significant. The economic consequences from death of peach trees and yield losses caused by this disease in Imathia County are serious.     

Three new species of Philocorydoras Suriano, 1986 (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) infecting the gills of callichthyids (Actinopterygii: Callichthyidae) from the Peruvian Amazonia

During a research on gill ectoparasites of callichthyids fishes from the Peruvian Amazonia, the following monogenoideans were found: Philocorydoras peruensis n. sp. from Corydoras splendens (Castelnau); Philocorydoras multiradiatus n. sp. and Philocorydoras jumboi n. sp. from Brochis multiradiatus (Orcés, V.). All new species described herein are mainly differentiated from their congeners based on the morphology of the copulatory complex. In P. peruensis n. sp. the cirrus is “J”-like shaped tube slightly tilted to one side, while in P. jumboi n. sp. is “J”-like shaped tube in a straight position and in P. multiradiatus n. sp. the cirrus is an arced tube with inflated base and distally narrow. Brochis (Orcés, V.) represents a new genus hosting species of Philocorydoras. All new species presented in this work represent the first species of Philocorydoras reported for Peru.

     

Rubiacearum Americanarum Magna Hama Pars XIX. New species of Palicourea (Psychotrieae) from Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela

Eight new South American species ofPalicourea are described and illustrated:P. crystallina from north-central Peru differs fromP. loxensis from Ecuador, also described herein, by its longer calyx limbs, 1.2–2.5 mm long, with the lobes often unequal in length;P. cutucuana from southern Ecuador differs fromP. angustifolia in its broader leaves and inflorescences and larger corollas;P. gelsemiiflora of northern Peru is distinguished by its pedicels 11–20 mm long, calyx limbs 7–11 mm long, relatively large yellow corollas with tubes 32–33 mm long, relatively large fruits 12–13 mm long, and pyrenes with an unusual spongy wall;P. gemmiflora of southern Ecuador and northern Peru differs fromP. subtomentosa by its longer corollas with horn-like projections on the abaxial surfaces of the lobes;P. lemoniana of southwestern Venezuela differs fromP. nitidella by its corolla tubes 17–18 mm long with the lobes pubescent abaxially and fromP. grandiflora by its secondary leaf veins only 7–10 pairs and corollas externally with lanose trichomes to 0.5 mm long;P. loxensis of southern Ecuador differs fromP. garciae by its densely reticulated secondary and tertiary leaf venation, membranaceous stipules, and sessile rather than pedicellate flowers;P. otongaensis of north-central Ecuador differs fromP. holmgrenii by its longer corollas with well developed horn-like appendages borne on the abaxial surfaces of the lobes; andP. smithiana of central Peru differs fromP. lobbii by its laminar stipules with obtuse to rounded lobes only 0.5–1 mm long, yellow corollas, and pyrenes that are ridged dorsally.     

Two new species of Physalis (Solanaceae) endemic to Jalisco, Mexico

Two new species ofPhysalis, both endemic to Jalisco, Mexico, are described and illustrated:P. longiloba andP. tamayoi.

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Resumen  Se describen e ilustran dos nuevas especies dePhysalis endémicas de Jalisco, México:P. longiloba y.P. tamayoi.