Molecular phylogeny of Anomalodesmata (Mollusca: Bivalvia) inferred from 18S rRNA sequences

The origin of the anomalodesmatan bivalves and the relationships of the constituent families are far from being settled. Phylogenetic uncertainties result from the morphological heterogeneity of the Anomalodesmata and from parallel/convergent evolution of several character complexes due to similar life habits. Here, we assess these problems with 26 near-complete anomalodesmatan 18S rRNA sequences from 12 out of 15 families and a selection of heteroconch outgroup taxa. The robustly monophyletic Anomalodesmata share insertions in the V2 and V4 expansion regions. Both parsimony and maximum-likelihood analyses confirm their position among the basal heterodonts rooting between Carditidae and Lucinidae or, together with the latter, between Carditidae and the remaining Heterodonta. There is no support for monophyletic Myoida, nor for a close relationship of Anomalodesmata with any myoid taxon. At the base of the Anomalodesmata is an unstable cluster of long-branch species belonging to the Poromyidae, Verticordiidae, Lyonsiellidae and Thraciidae. The remaining Anomalodesmata split consistently but with varying branch support into three major clades: the Cuspidariidae excluding Myonera ; a 'thraciid' clade consisting of (Euciroidae, ( Myonera ( Thracia, Cleidothaerus , Myochamidae))); and a 'lyonsiid' clade with Laternulidae, Pandoridae, diphyletic Lyonsiidae due to a robust clade of Lyonsia norwegica and the clavagellid Brechites vaginiferus . Tests of various alternative topologies showed that all are significantly longer but optimal likelihood trees with monophyletic carnivorous taxa and/or Thraciidae are not significantly less likely. These results differ greatly from previous morphological studies. Palaeontological data and homology decisions for selected characters are evaluated in the light of the molecular trees.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 139 , 229–246.     

Oviposition on host plants by a tropical forest grasshopper (Microtylopteryx hebardi: Acrididae)

Abstract. 1. The tropical forest grasshopper Microtylopteryx hebardi Rehn (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Ommatolampinae) oviposits inside leaves or stems of its host plants. This is the first known instance of oviposition inside living plant tissue (rather than in the ground, on top of leaves, or in detritus) for a tropical forest acridid.
2. In understorey secondary forest at La Selva, Costa Rica, M.hebardi females fed on fifteen species of host plants, but oviposited in only four of these.
3. In laboratory choice tests, females showed selectivity for oviposition host plants similar to that inferred from field observations.
4. Plant volume was a better predictor of the number of eggs laid per stem than variables that indicated leaf or stem characteristics of individual plants.
5. Unlike the ovipositor of acridids laying eggs in the ground, that of M.hebardi is equipped with toothed, sclerotized edges, probably used to bore into plant tissue.
6. Endophytic oviposition in M.hebardi may be related to finding host plants in a habitat that is complex, heterogeneous, and rich in plant species.     

Moulting cycles

Moulting in mammals is a cyclic phenomenon which often occurs in a wave–like pattern. The moult cycle depends upon an inherent rhythm of activity in the hair follicles, which may be modified by systemic factors. In laboratory rodents a number of hormones affect the timing of the moult, as well as affecting the amount of hair produced and the loss of club hairs.
In Microtus agrestis a seasonal moult results in a sparse coat with coarse hairs in summer and a dense coat with fine hairs in winter. The moult appears to be adjusted to the environment by way of the endocrine system, with adrenal and thyroid hormones, as well as sex hormones, involved in the regulation. The importance of such adaptive coat changes are discussed.     

Naegleria lovaniensis tarasca New Subspecies, and the Purepecha Strain, a Morphological Variant of N. I. lovaniensis, Isolated from Natural Thermal Waters in Mexico

Amoebae were isolated from a natural thermal water source in Michoacaan, Mexico, in September 1986. Two 500-ml samples were taken from pools with water at 45°C and 46°C and concentrated at 2,000 g for 15 min. The sediment was seeded on nonnutritive agar plates and incubated at 42°C. The isolates were axenized in bactocasitone-serum medium. The identification of the isolates was based on their morphology, total protein and isoenzyme patterns by agarose isoelectric focusing, serology, fine structure, agglutination with Concanavalin A, sensitivity to trimethoprim, capacity to kill mice, and their cytopathic effect in Vero cells. The results showed several morphophysiological, biochemical and serological differences between the isolates and the type strain Aq/9/1/ 45D of Naegleria lovaniensis. These remarkable differences provide sufficient evidence to consider one of the isolates a new subspecies, and the other one a morphological variant of N. l. lovaniensis, which can be differentiated from other Naegleriae by their morphology, biochemistry, serology and physiology. The authors propose the name tarasca for the subspecies and purepecha for the morphological variant.     

Myxosporidian Parasites from the Fish of the River Lugg

SYNOPSIS. Six different species of Myxosporidia were recorded from fish of the River Lugg. Myxobolus muelleri, M. artus, M. macrocapsularis, Henneguya zschokkei, H. psorospermica and H. oviperda .
Leuciscus cephalus, L. leuciscus and Rutilus rutilus infected with M. muelleri were common; of these 3 hosts, L. cephalus had the highest intensity of infection and the greatest number of infected organs and tissues. M. muelleri was compared from all the different infection sites each month where possible, from the same host ( i.e., L. cephalus ) and from the same site on different hosts (i.e. from the gills of all 3 hosts). No seasonal variation in occurrence, spore shape or size was found for M. muelleri , but spore size varied depending on the host and site of infection.
Tailed and tailless forms of H. zschokkei were found on L. leucicus and H. oviperda on E. lucius . Only tailless H. psorospermica were found.
Variations in spore form and size are discussed in relation to their use as taxonomic characters.     

Accessory Buds in the Genus Rubus with Particular Reference to R. idaeus L.

Accessory (secondary) axillary buds occurred in 21 out of 32Rubus species, including wild raspberry, R. idaeus L. The adaptivevalue of the secondary-bud character is discussed. Disbuddingexperiments on three raspberry cultivars and their inbred derivativesrevealed considerable variability in proportion of secondarylaterals developing and in numbers of flowers per secondarylateral, suggesting the possibility of selection for high secondarycrop potential.     

SOME STUDIES OF THE COLONY COUNT TECHNIQUE FOR SOIL BACTERIA

SUMMARY: A series of co-operative experiments was conducted to compare the bacterial colony counts of soil obtained by workers in different laboratories, using soil extract agar and other media for the determinations.
In the earlier experiments it was not possible to obtain a reasonable degree of reproducibility of results between laboratories even when the plating technique was carefully prescribed. By modification and more rigid standardization of the technique closer agreement was obtained in subsequent experiments. It is suggested that when co-operative investigations are contemplated the participating laboratories should check their technique by the examination of 'control' soils.
No evidence could be obtained to support the suggestion that higher colony counts are obtained by the use of soil extract media containing extract prepared from the same soil as the sample tested. The source appears to be immaterial so long as the soil for extract preparation is not of extreme type and has been well manured and cultivated.