Exploring myrmecophily based on the phylogenetic interrelationships of Falagonia Sharp, 1883 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) and allied genera

The taxonomy of Lomechusini Fleming has a complex history. Recent studies have shown that this group is polyphyletic; however, little is known about the evolutionary interrelationships among its constituent genera. The goals of the present study are to infer the phylogenetic relationships of Falagonia Sharp and closely related genera; to define the boundaries of those genera based on synapomorphic characters; and to explore the evolution of myrmecophily within the lineage. The phylogenetic analyses are based exclusively on morphological characters of adults. A total of 36 operational taxonomic units were used for the analysis. The best trees were selected based on maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. During the parsimony reconstruction, different weighting strategies were used to recover the most robust phylogenetic hypothesis. Although minor differences were observed in the results of the different analyses, the topologies were consistent throughout. Several groups of genera proposed by Seevers (1965), such as the ‘Tetradonia’ and ‘Ecitopora’ groups, were not recovered. Thus, these may represent nonmonophyletic groups that were based on nonsynapomorphic diagnostic characters. Our analyses consistently recovered the genera Asheidium Santiago‐Jiménez, Delgadoidium Santiago‐Jiménez, Falagonia, Newtonidium Santiago‐Jiménez, Pseudofalagonia Santiago‐Jiménez, Sharpidium Santiago‐Jiménez, Tetradonia Wasmann and Thayeridium Santiago‐Jiménez, forming a monophyletic group that we have called the ‘Asheidium complex’. Falagonia mexicana Sharp shows seven autapomorphies, none of which were used to establish the genus. Based on the phylogenetic results, myrmecophily has evolved independently at least three times within the lineage. This study, based on morphological characters, is one of the first approaches towards gaining an understanding of the phylogenetic relationships within the polyphyletic tribe Lomechusini.     

Depolarization-induced release of glycine and beta-alanine from plasma membrane vesicles derived from rat brain synaptosomes

Glycine and beta-alanine actively loaded into brain synaptic plasma membrane vesicles were released into the external medium by using the classical depolarization agents high K+ and veratridine. This release occurs via a Ca2+-independent process. Measurements of membrane depolarization using tetraphenylphosphonium uptake show a close correlation between changes in the membrane potential and stimulation of the efflux process. Results shown herein and previously reported by our group (Aragón, M.C. and Giménez, C. (1986) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 855, 257-264; Agulló, L., Jiménez, B., Aragón, M.C. and Giménez, C. (1986) Eur. J. Biochem. 159, 611-617), suggest that the glycine and beta-alanine transport systems in synaptic plasma membranes are susceptible of modulation by changes in ionic fluxes and hence in the membrane potential, similar to those occurring during depolarization and repolarization.     

Didymodon vulcanicus J.A.Jiménez,Hedd. & Frank Müll. (Pottiaceae), a new species from tropical Africa

Didymodon vulcanicus J.A.Jiménez, Hedd. & Frank Müll. is described and illustrated as a new species from volcanic regions of tropical Africa. The species is distinguished morphologically by its lanceolate or more rarely ovate-lanceolate leaves that are strongly incurved distally when dry, acute apices, upper and middle laminal cells arranged in longitudinal rows with a low dorsal papilla over the transverse walls which reaches the two immediate cells, basal cells not or hardly differentiated from the medial cells, and the presence of gemmae in the leaf axils. Drawings and light microscope photographs of the main characters are given, and possible confusion with other closely related taxa is discussed.     

Sugarcane shoot formation in an improved temporary immersion system

A new protocol was established for sugarcane cv. C-1051-73 shoot formation in a temporary immersion system. The two-step protocol involves shoot formation in 50 ml of culture medium per explant and 1.0 mg l-1 paclobutrazol for 30 days followed by shoot elongation by exposure to 1.0 mg l-1 gibberellic acid for 15 days. The multiplication rate was doubled in comparison with the conventional micropropagation protocol (Jiménez et al., 1995) and the cost has been reduced by 46%. Three additional sugarcane varieties have been micropropagated according to this new protocol and results are comparable. Temporary immersion-derived plants have also been compared with conventionally propagated plants in sugarcane fields for more than 9 months and their agricultural indicators of performance are similar. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Didymodon caboverdeanus J.A.Jiménez & M.J.Cano (Pottiaceae,Musci), a new species from the Cape Verde archipelago

A new moss species, Didymodon caboverdeanus J.A.Jiménez & M.J.Cano, from the Cape Verde archipelago is described and illustrated. It differs most saliently from other species of Didymodon Hedw. by the combination of the lanceolate leaves with obtuse and often cucullate leaf apices, recurved margins, the yellowish colour in KOH, costa ending below the apex, laminal cells with low papillae over the transverse walls, which reach the two adjacent cells, the presence of gemmae in the leaf axils, and a short and straight peristome.     

Pseudocrossidium perpapillosum (Pottiaceae) a new species from South America

Abstract

Pseudocrossidium perpapillosum M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez is described and illustrated as a new South American species from Argentina and Chile. It differs from other species of Pseudocrossidium R.S.Williams by the costa excurrent in an awn, elliptical in cross-section, with 4–5(6) guide cells, marginal laminal cells differentiated with rounded, thin-walled and papillose cells, paracostal distal cells with 1–2(4) bi- to quadrifurcate, long papillae, and perichaetial leaves differentiated.     

Track analysis and conservation priorities in the cloud forests of Hidalgo,Mexico

Abstract . A track analysis based on the distributional patterns of 967 species of vascular plant taxa (gymnosperms, angiosperms and pteridophytes) was performed to assess conservation priorities for cloud forests in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, ranged in the municipalities of Chapulhuacán, Eloxochitlán, Molocotlán, Pisaflores, Tenango de Doria, Tlahuelompa and Tlanchinol, as well as five floristically equivalent areas in the states of Veracruz (Teocelo and Helechales), Tamaulipas (Gómez Farías), Morelos‐México (Ocuilan) and Oaxaca (Huautla de Jiménez). In order to detect generalized tracks we employed a new parsimony method, where clades (considered equivalent to generalized tracks) are defined forbidding homoplasy and acting like a compatibility algorithm. Several generalized tracks were found connecting these areas. Cloud forests of Chapulhuacán were connected according to three different generalized tracks and thus have a higher value, qualifying as a priority area for the conservation of cloud forests in the state of Hidalgo.     

Fissidens viridulus Wahlenb. and F. minutulus Sull.

Abstract

A new species of Pseudocrossidium R.S.Williams, P. exiguum M.J.Cano &; J.A.Jiménez, is described from South America (Argentina, Brazil and Peru). The species is distinguished morphologically by its lingulate to oblong-ovate leaves, leaf marginal cells not or scarcely differentiated from inner, costa ending below apex or percurrent, and semicircular to elliptical in cross-section with two guide cells, scarcely differentiated perichaetial leaves and peristome of short and straight teeth. Drawings and light microscope photographs of the new species are provided. The principal distinctive characters that separate it from the nearest species of Pseudocrossidium and related genera are discussed.     

The genus Saitobryum (Pottiaceae) revisited

The genus Saitobryum R.H.Zander comprises two species: S. lorentzii (Müll.Hal.) Ochyra distributed in Mexico and the Central Andes and Saitobryum pascoense M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez from the Central Andes of Peru, described here as new. The new species is distinguished from S. lorentzii by its upper and middle laminal cells papillose throughout, border of 2–3 rows of thick-walled and smooth cells, lamina usually with bistratose patches, and occasionally bistratose margins. The diagnostic characters of Saitobryum are re-evaluated and a key to the species of this genus is provided. Both species are described and illustrated. New localities for S. lorentzii and a map showing the complete distribution of this genus are given.     

Interactions between alpha-conotoxin MI and the Torpedo marmorata receptor alpha-delta interface

The muscle-type nicotinic receptor has two distinguishable acetylcholine binding sites at the alpha-gamma and alpha-delta subunit interfaces; alpha-conotoxins can bind them selectively. Moreover, we previously reported that alpha-conotoxin MI can interact with Torpedo californica and Torpedo marmorata receptors showing that conotoxins can also detect receptors from different species of the same genus [L. Cortez, S.G. del Canto, F. Testai, M.B. de Jiménez Bonino, Conotoxin MI inhibits the acetylcholine binding site of the Torpedo marmorata receptor, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 295 (2002) 791-795]. Herein, to identify T. marmorata receptor regions involved in alpha-conotoxin MI binding, a photoactivatable reagent was used and labeled sites were mapped by enzymatic proteolysis, MALDI-TOF-MS and Edman degradation. alpha-Conotoxin MI binding determinants were found and studies revealed a second binding motif at the alpha/delta interface. A proposal for receptor-toxin interaction is discussed based on experimental results and docking studies.     

Segmented assimilation and socio-economic integration of Chinese immigrant children in the USA

Research on the new second generation has paid much attention to testing one of the hypotheses posed by segmented assimilation theory – downward assimilation into America's underclass – and has neglected to examine other possible outcomes. In this paper, I address a much understudied pathway – assimilation by way of the ethnic community – based on a case study of Chinese immigrant children in the USA. I show that the children of Chinese immigrants have made inroads into mainstream America through educational achievement, not only because of the strong value their parents put on education but also because resources generated in the ethnic community help actualize that value. The Chinese American experience suggests that, in order to advance to the rank of middle-class Americans, immigrant parents have chosen the ethnic way to facilitate children's social mobility and achieved success. Paradoxically, ‘assimilated’ children have also relied on ethnicity for empowerment to fight negative stereotyping of the racialized other.     

Examination of type material of two species of Litomosoides (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae), parasites from bats; taxonomic consequences

Type material of Litomosoides hamletti Sandground, 1934 from Glossophaga soricina soricina in Brazil and L. penai Jiménez-Quirós & Arroyo, 1960 from Carollia perspicillata azteca in Costa Rica, was examined. The morphology of the spicules shows that these species belong to the carinii group. Their synonymy with L. guiterasi Pérez Vigueras, 1934, from Artibeus jamaicensis yucatanicus in Cuba, does not appear justified because they are distinct in several characters (body length, width of female, size and shape of buccal cavity and capsule, shape of right spicule). L. hamletti is a valid species; L. penai is closely related to it and is considered to be a sub-species, L. hamletti penai Jiménez-Quirós & Arroyo, 1960. The material recovered from Glossophaga spp., previously assigned to L. guiterasi by several authors, is identified as L. h. hamletti. L. guiterasi appears to be closely related to L. chandleri Esslinger, 1973; L. chitwoodi n. sp. (= Litomosoides sp. Chitwood, 1938) seems close to these species; all three are parasites of Artibeus spp.     

Genetic diversity and population structure in the endangered giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis

We assessed levels of genetic diversity and investigated patterns of population structure in three remnant populations of the endangered giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, using microsatellite loci. All populations displayed moderate to low levels of heterozygosity and allelic richness (H _O 0.56–0.57, A _R 4.00–5.15) and effective population sizes were low (N _E 10.8–54) although only the Iténez population exhibited the signature of a genetic bottleneck. Population structure analyses revealed a pattern in which the populations of the Upper Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo drainages comprised partially differentiated segments of a northern South American metapopulation, whereas the population of the Iténez appeared isolated. The observed patterns are congruent with previous mitochondrial DNA analysis which suggested the Iténez and northern South American groups constitute two evolutionary significant units. The results presented here should be considered in planning future policies aiming to manage the recovery of the giant otter across its range.     

From reactionary modernization to endogenous development: the revolution in hydroelectricity in Venezuela

For much of the twentieth century, Venezuela was regarded as one of the developing nations destined to take its place among the affluent societies of the world. The spectacular infrastructure projects sponsored by the Venezuelan government and funded with revenue from the petroleum industry were taken as evidence of progress and the impending arrival of modernity. Showcasing the technical prowess of the Venezuelan state, these projects captured the national imagination and won consent for elites by calling forth aspirations for total societal transformation. In this article, I explore the re-construction of hegemonic consent as part of one such project—a hydroelectric dam in the state of Barinas—and the survival of a vision of progress through the built environment, even after the social-economic crisis of the late twentieth century. Drawing on fieldwork in areas near the formerly incomplete project site, I account for what, at first glance, seem to be drastic shifts in local political allegiances and incongruous support for the military dictatorship of Marcos Pérez Jiménez (1948-1958) and the Bolivarian Government of Hugo Chávez. Suggesting that a high modernist vision of development is a pivot for hegemonic consent, I argue that the completion of this dam after a long hiatus has won the support of a caste of state workers and that the backing of these workers is crucial to the preservation of organized political power.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of basal cell adenoma of the salivary gland: a cytohistological correlation study of 35 cases

B. Vicandi, J.A. Jiménez‐Heffernan, P. López‐Ferrer, P. González‐Peramato, M. Patrón and J.M. Viguer
Fine needle aspiration cytology of basal cell adenoma of the salivary gland: a cytohistological correlation study of 35 cases Objective: In order to evaluate the possibility of a specific cytological recognition of basal cell adenoma (BCA) we reviewed our experience with 35 histologically proven cases. Few series describing cytological features of BCA are available and diagnostic cytological criteria are not well established. Methods: This study was based on 41 cytology samples from 35 patients with BCA. Thirty‐five aspiration procedures were performed pre‐operatively and six on tumour recurrence. Nineteen of the 35 patients were men and 16 women. The mean age at diagnosis was 55 years old (range 24–92). The series includes one non‐representative case. Except for one tumour located in the upper lip, all of them involved the parotid gland. Results: Aspirates were cellular, showing groups with dense, homogeneous metachromatic stroma and single cells. Relevant features were the trident‐like configuration of groups, intimate relationship between neoplastic cells and stroma and cellular polymorphism. In approximately half of the cases a precise diagnosis was given. Most of the remaining tumours were diagnosed as benign but they were difficult to differentiate from pleomorphic adenoma. Regarding malignancy, there were two misdiagnoses of acinic cell carcinoma, due to high epithelial cellularity along with scarcity of stroma, and one case was considered to be suspicious of malignancy. Conclusion: BCA shows characteristic cytological features that allow a precise diagnosis. The main differential diagnosis is epithelial‐rich pleomorphic adenoma, while acinic cell carcinoma is a potential false positive.     

Single amino acid substitutions in kappa-conotoxin PVIIA disrupt interaction with the shaker K+ channel

kappa-Conotoxin PVIIA (kappa-PVIIA), a 27-amino acid peptide with three disulfide cross-links, isolated from the venom of Conus purpurascens, is the first conopeptide shown to inhibit the Shaker K(+) channel (Terlau, H., Shon, K., Grilley, M., Stocker, M., Stühmer, W., and Olivera, B. M. (1996) Nature 381, 148-151). Recently, two groups independently determined the solution structure for kappa-PVIIA using NMR; although the structures reported were similar, two mutually exclusive models for the interaction of the peptide with the Shaker channel were proposed. We carried out a structure/function analysis of kappa-PVIIA, with alanine substitutions for all amino acids postulated to be key residues by both groups. Our data are consistent with the critical dyad model developed by Ménez and co-workers (Dauplais, M., Lecoq, A., Song, J. , Cotton, J., Jamin, N., Gilquin, B., Roumestand, C., Vita, C., de Medeiros, C., Rowan, E. G., Harvey, A. L., and Ménez, A. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 4802-4809) for polypeptide antagonists of K(+) channels. In the case of kappa-PVIIA, Lys(7) and Phe(9) are essential for activity as predicted by Savarin et al. (Savarin, P., Guenneugues, M., Gilquin, B., Lamthanh, H., Gasparini, S., Zinn-Justin, S., and Ménez, A. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 5407-5416); these workers also correctly predicted an important role for Lys(25). Thus, although kappa-conotoxin PVIIA has no obvious sequence homology to polypeptide toxins from other venomous animals that interact with voltage-gated K(+) channels, there may be convergent functional features in diverse K(+) channel polypeptide antagonists.     

Dolomitic vegetation of South Spain

Large areas of rather sandy dolomites are to be found in the Betic ranges. In these soils appears a very specialized xerophilous vegetation with a high percentage of endemic species. These communities, grouped into a particular order, Convolvuletalia boissieri, are fully reviewed here and consist of the following syntaxa: ROSMARINETEA Br. Bl. 1947 em. Rivas et al. 1991

CONVOLVULETALIA BOISSIERI Rivas Martínez, Pérez Raya & Molero Mesa in Pérez Raya 1987 (syn. Pterocephaletalia spathulati Rivas Martínez, Pérez Raya & Molero Mesa in Rivas Martínez, A. Molina & G. Navarro 1988).

Andryalion agardhii Rivas Martínez 1961

Andryalo agardhii-Convolvuletum boissieri Quézel 1953 nom. inv. convolvuletosum boissieri centaureetosum bombycinae subass. nova centaureetosum funkii subass. nova Hippocrepido eriocarpae-Pterocephaletum spathulati (Quézel 1953) Rivas Goday & Mayor 1966 em. Mota & Valle 1992 Arenario delaguardiae-Centaureetum bombycinae ass. nova Galio batici-Thymetum granatensis Mota & Valle 1992 Helianthemo frigiduli-Pterocephaletum spathulatae Martínez Parras & Peinado 1987 Scorzonero albicantis-Pterocephaletum spathulatae Martínez Parras & Peinado 1987 Com. de Jasione crispa subsp. segurensis Thymo granatensis-Arenarietum tomentosae Mota & Valle 1991 arenarietosum tomentosae pterocephaletosum-spathulatae Mota & Valle 1992 Com. of Brassica almeriensis and Pterocephalus spathulatus     

The content of nitrogen and free amino acids in the spurs of annually and biennial bearing apple trees and the problem of their relation to flower-bud initiation

Plodono?e měly v?dy vy??í obsah celkového dusíku a v?dy vy??í pomérný i absolutní obsah rozpustného organického dusýku ne? nové prir?stky plodonos? na stromech s plody i bez plodu a nez novy plodovy obrost na stromech s plody. Tento vyssí obsah celkového i rozpustného dusiku je piedevsim vlastností orgánu a nema nie spolecného se zakládáním květnieh pupenu. Nové pfirustky plodonos? na stromech s plody neměly nikdy pr?kazně vyssí obsah rozpustného dusiku nez nové prir?stky plodonos? a nové prir?stky plodového obrostu na stromech bez plodu. U vsech sledovanych odrud jabloně byl zjistěn stejny kvalitativni obrazee volnych aminokyselin a amid? a v odpovídajících osních cástech take obdobny pomér volnych aminokyselin a amid?. Největsi mnozství volnych amino-kyselin a amidu - obzvláste asparaginu a argininu-bylo zjistěno v plodonosích. V plodonosíeh byl arginin akumulován ve velké mífe mnohem dííve nez v novych prir?stcich plodonos? a nez v novych pfir?stcich plodového obrostu. K akumulaci argininu a asparaginu v plodonosích docházelo i pri nedostateeném zásobení dusíkem, v novych pfir?stcich plodonos? byl vsak jejich obsah pii nedostatku dusiku velmi nizky. V plodonosích s plody byl také dosti zvyseny obsah glutaminu a v nekterych pfípadech i threoninu. Glutamová kyselina, glutamin a někdy také threonin byly zastoupeny о песо vice v mladsích osách nez v osách starsích, jiz zdievnatělych. Z vysledkú uvedenych v teto práci lze uzavrít, ze mezi obsahem a poměrem rozpustného a nerozpustného dusiku v plodovém obrostu jabloní na jedné strane a zakládáním květnieh pupenu na druhé strane není zádny zrejmy vztah. Mezi obsahem volnych aminokyselin a amid? v sledovanych osních cástech jabloně a zakládáním květnieh pupenu nebyl rovněz zjistěn zádny zrejmy vztah.     

Cytometric analysis of oral scrapings of patients with oral lichen planus

A. Acha‐Sagredo, Y. Jiménez, J. V. Bagán, M. A. Echebarria‐Goicouria and J. M. Aguirre‐Utric analysis of oral scrapings of patients with oral lichen planus Objective: Aneuploidy has been associated with malignant and premalignant oral lesions. In the past few years, its application in oral precancerous lesions and its prognostic meaning have been controversial issues. The aim of our study was to characterize alterations in DNA content by automated DNA image cytometry in oral scrapings of patients with oral lichen planus. Methods: Cytological samples from 40 patients clinicopathologically diagnosed with oral lichen planus were analysed by DNA image cytometry. Results: All the cases were classified as diploid, showing a predominant population of cells with normal DNA content (DNA index, 0.85–1.15). Atrophic/erosive lesions showed a higher percentage of tetraploid cells when compared with reticular/papular lesions but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.09). Conclusions: Aneuploidy does not seem a common event in oral lichen planus lesions. However, we consider that the use of DNA image cytometry of oral scrapings may be an easy and helpful methodology in the follow‐up of patients with these lesions.