Phylogenetic relationships in the Sceloporus variabilis (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) complex based on three molecular markers,continuous characters and geometric morphometric data

The monophyly of the Sceloporus variabilis group is well established with five species and two species complexes, but phylogenetic relationships within species complexes are still uncertain. We studied 278 specimens in 20 terminals to sample all taxa in the “variabilis group,” including three subspecies in the “variabilis complex,” and two outgroups (Sceloporus grammicus and Sceloporus megalepidurus). We assembled an extensive morphological data set with discrete and continuous characters (distances and scale counts), including geometric morphometric data (landmark coordinates of three shapes), and a three‐marker molecular data set as well (ND4, 12S and RAG1). We conducted parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic inferences on these data, including several partitioning and weighting schemes. We suggest elevating three subspecies to full species status. Therefore, we recommend recognition of nine species in the “variabilis group.” First, S. variabilis is sister to Sceloporus teapensis. In turn, Sceloporus cozumelae is sister to Sceloporus olloporus. These four species are a monophyletic group, which is sister to Sceloporus smithi. Finally, Sceloporus marmoratus is sister of the clade of five species. The other species in the “variabilis group” (Sceloporus chrysostictus, Sceloporus couchii and Sceloporus parvus) are a paraphyletic grade at the base of the tree. Our analyses reject the existence of the “variabilis complex.” We conducted a parsimony‐based ancestral reconstruction on body size (snout–vent length), femoral pores and dorsal scales and related morphological changes to geographic distribution of the species. Our phylogenetic hypothesis will allow best designs of comparative studies with species in the “variabilis group,” one of the earliest divergent lineages in the genus.     

Differences in larval emergence chronotypes for sympatric Rhagoletis brncici Frías and Rhagoletis conversa (Bréthes) (Diptera,Tephritidae)

In central Chile, Rhagoletis brncici and R. conversa, can be found in sympatry, associated with the fruit of their native host plants: Solanum tomatillo and S. nigrum (Solanaceae), respectively. Third-stage larvae must emerge from its host in search of pupation sites, and during this period larvae must find an appropriate pupation microhabitat while avoiding predation and adverse abiotic factors. In this study, we explored whether these sympatric species differ in terms of the timing of their larval exit from the host fruit in search of pupation sites. Field-collected fruits from host plants were checked daily for larval emergence, within 24 h, under laboratory conditions, in order to determine the time of the event. We found that these species differed significantly in their diel larval emergence. For R. brncici, most larvae left the host fruit between late evening and past midnight, meanwhile larvae from R. conversa concentrated their peak of emergence near midnight and early morning. We discuss these findings in terms of the ecological and evolutionary implications of the temporal separation of larval emergence regarding the use of pupation sites, abiotic stress and risk of predation for these sympatric species.     

Characteristics and outcomes of advanced melanoma patients with complete response and elective discontinuation of first-line anti-programmed death-1 monotherapy: A real-world multicentre observational cohort study

Anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD1) treatment has significantly improved outcomes of advanced melanoma with a considerable percentage of patients achieving complete response (CR). This real-world study analyzed the feasibility of elective anti-PD1 discontinuation in advanced melanoma patients with CR and evaluated factors related to sustained response. Thirty-five patients with advanced cutaneous or primary unknown melanoma with CR to nivolumab or pembrolizumab from 11 centers were included. Mean age was 66.5 years, and 97.1% had ECOG PS 0–1. 28.6% had ≥3 metastatic sites with 58.8% having M1a-M1b disease; 8.6% had liver and 5.7% had brain metastases. At baseline, 80% had normal LDH, and 85.7% had a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≤3. 74.3% of patients had CR confirmed in PET-CT. Median duration of anti-PD1 was 23.4 months (range 1.3–50.5). 24 months after therapy discontinuation, 91.9% of patients were progression-free. Estimated PFS and OS at 36, 48, and 60 months from the start of anti-PD1 were 94.2%, 89.9%, 84.3%, and 97.1%, 93.3%, 93.3%, respectively. Antibiotics use after anti-PD1 discontinuation increased the odds of progression (OR 16.53 [95% CI 1.7, 226.03]). The study confirms the feasibility of elective anti-PD1 discontinuation in advanced melanoma patients with CR and favorable prognostic factors at baseline.     

Paternal contributors in recurrent pregnancy loss: Cues from comparative proteome profiling of seminal extracellular vesicles

Recent evidence entail paternal factors as plausible contributors in spontaneous recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Seminal extracellular vesicles secreted from cells of male reproductive tract carry regulatory proteins and RNAs. They are proposed to regulate sperm maturation and function while their fusion to endometrial stromal cells helps in decidualization. Nevertheless, the mechanism(s) involved in these processes are poorly understood. This study aims at elucidating the molecular basis of paternal contribution by comparative proteomics (label‐free LC‐MS/MS) of isolated seminal extracellular vesicles from fertile men and partners of patients with RPL (n = 21 per group). Bioinformatics analysis revealed the identified differentially expressed proteins to be involved in DNA replication, recombination and repair, gene expression, cellular assembly and organization, cell death, and survival. Major disease pathways affected were identified as developmental, hereditary, and immunological disorders. Of the three identified hub genes regulating the above disease pathways, two (HNRNPC and HNRNPU) are overexpressed while RUVBL1 is underexpressed along with over expression of HIST1H1C, DDX1, surmising defective chromatin packaging, and histone removal in spermatozoa resulting in improper expression in paternal genes thereby leading to abnormal embryo development. Besides, alteration in GSTP1 expression points oxidative predominance in RPL group. Differential expression of C3, C4a/C4b, CFB, and GDF 15 may be involved in altered maternal immune response to paternal antigens resulting in impaired decidualization.     

Oxidation of substituted benzyl alcohols to carboxylic acids by Nocardia corallina B-276

Whole cells of Nocardia corallina B-276, oxidized 21 substituted benzyl alcohols, at 1 mM scale, to carboxylic acids at 28-30°C, giving yields of products from 5 to 77%.     

Molecular and morphometric systematics of Diapterus (Perciformes,Gerreidae)

The fish belonging to Gerreidae are common representatives of the coastal ichthyofauna of the tropics and subtropics of the world. The genus Diapterus has a neotropical distribution and currently includes four species: two in the Atlantic Ocean [Irish mojarra D. auratus Ranzani 1842 and rhombic mojarra D. rhombeus (Cuvier 1829)] and two in the Pacific Ocean [short‐beaked mojarra D. brevirostris (Sauvage 1879) and golden mojarra D. aureolus (Jordan & Gilbert 1882)]. This genus has uncertain taxonomy based on the remarkable and dissimilar morphology of D. aureolus. We evaluated the taxonomy and phylogeny of Diapterus with statistical (canonical discriminant analysis) and phylogenetic analyses (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) of geometric morphometric data (relative warps) and molecular data (12Sr RNA, 16Sr RNA, COI and RAG1 sequences). Our results indicate that the genus Diapterus as we currently conceive it is a polyphyletic group: [(Gerres cinereus – Eucinostomus spp. (D. aureolus – (Eugerres spp. (D. auratus – (D. brevirostris – D. rhombeus)))))]. Therefore, a taxonomic rearrangement is needed. To preserve the monophyly of the group, our proposal is to remove D. aureolus and place it in a new monotypic genus. A neotype is designated for D. aureolus as well as an artificial identification key for the genera and the species treated in this article.     

Historical relationships of the Mexican cloud forests: a preliminary vicariance model applying Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity to vascular plant taxa

Mexican cloud forests, situated between 600 and 3000 m of elevation, exhibit a remarkable high biotic diversity. They follow a fragmented pattern, similar to that of an archipelago, that makes them suitable to vicariance modelling. A Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE) was applied to the presence/absence of 1267 species of vascular plants (gymnosperms, angiosperms, and pteridophytes) from twenty-four patches of Mexican cloud forests, in order to postulate a preliminary hypothesis of relationships. The single cladogram obtained grouped the twenty-four cloud forests into five clades. These results indicate that the Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre del Sur, and Serranías Meridionales floristic provinces do not represent natural units. A preliminary vicariance model is presented to explain the sequence of fragmentation of the Mexican cloud forests.