Larvae of scarab beetles of the subfamily Trichiinae (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae) from the Russian Far East

Previously unknown larvae of three species (Osmoderma davidis Fairmaire, Gnorimus subopacus Motschulsky, and Lasiotrichius succinctus (Pallas)) of the subfamily Trichiinae are described and illustrated. Original keys to larvae of the subfamilies Trichiinae, Cetoniinae, and Valgiinae and to the genera of the subfamily Trichiinae of the Russian fauna are compiled. The larva of Osmoderma davidis differs from that of O. barnabita Motschulsky in the shape of the frontal sutures and chaetotaxy of the frontal triangle and clypeus. The larvae of Gnorimus subopacus differ from those of G. nobilis (L.) and G. octopunctatus (F.) in the position of symmetrical rows of setae on the anal sternite. The larvae of representatives of the genus Lasiotrichius Reitter, described for the first time, differ from those of all the other genera of the subfamily Trichiinae in the smooth head capsule and in the absence of tubercles on the labrum. These larvae differ from those of the genus Trichius in the completely pale brown basal membrane at the antennae (the membrane of Trichius bears black stripe).     

Bases and spaces: resources on the web for accessing the draft human genome - II - After publication of the draft

The volume of human genome sequence and the variety of web-based tools to access it continue to grow at an impressive rate, but a working knowledge of certain key resources can be sufficient to get the most from your genome. This article provides an update to Genome Biology 2000, 1(4):reviews2001.1-2001.5.     

Growth of Azotobacter chroococcum strains on different substrates]

Azotobacter chroococcum 34, actively growing on alpha-ketoglutaric acid, and Azotobacter chroococcum B and KL, which almost do not assimilate this acid, can grow on the majority of substrates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and on glucose, with and without nitrogen. The rate of assimilation of alpha-ketoglutaric acid is several times higher in the cells cultivated in the presence of this acid than in the cells grown on other substrates. This difference seems to involve the mechanism of transport of alpha-ketoglutaric acid into the cell.     

Monitoring of Microbial Degraders in Manned Space Stations

Samples of microorganisms from the surface of constructions of Mir Space Station (Mir SS) were taken and examined after 13 years of operation. The following microorganisms were isolated and identified: 12 fungal species belonging to the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Aureobasidium; 3 yeast species belonging to the genera Debaryomyces, Candida, and Rhodotorula; and 4 bacterial species belonging to the genera Bacillus, Myxococcus, and Rhodococcus. The predominant species in all samples was Penicillium chrisogenum. It was shown that the fungi isolated could damage polymers and induce corrosion of aluminum-magnesium alloys. We commenced a study of microbial degraders on constructions of the Russian section of the International Space Station (RS ISS). Twenty-six species of fungi, bacteria, yeasts, and actinomycetes, known as active biodegraders, were identified in three sample sets taken at intervals. We founded a collection of microorganisms surviving throughout space flights. This collection can be used to test spacecraft production materials, in order to determine their resistance to biodegradation.__________Translated from Prikladnaya Biokhimiya i Mikrobiologiya, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2005, pp. 435–443.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Alekhova, Aleksandrova, Novozhilova, Lysak, Zagustina, Bezborodov.