A MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF NORTH AMERICAN PLEUROCERIDAE (GASTROPODA: CERITHIOIDEA) BASED ON MITOCHONDRIAL 16S rDNA SEQUENCES

The Pleuroceridae Fischer, 1885, is one of three freshwatergastropod families currently recognized in the superfamily CerithioideaFérussac, 1819 (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda Cox, 1960).Despite considerable literature justifying various proposedgeneric names of North American pleurocerids, no study has beenconducted examining phylogenetic relationships of the recognizedgenera. In an effort to expand our understanding of evolutionaryrelationships of North American pleurocerid genrea, we examineda large portion of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene among 32extant North American taxa. Multiple sequence alignment of theamplified region for our taxa resulted in a matrix consistingof 900 nucleotides including insertions and deletions. Basedon analysis of nucleotide substitution patterns, we employedtwo approaches in our phylogenetic analysis: (1) all substitutionsreceived equal weighting and (2) transversions were weighted2X and 4X transitions to compensate for transition saturationamong distantly related taxa. The molecular phylogeny basedon the mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences supports the monophylyof Pleurocera Rafinesque, 1819, Elimia H. & A. Adams, 1854,and Juga H. & A. Adams, 1854, but depicts the genera LithasiaHaldeman, 1840, and Leptoxis Rafinesque, 1819, as polyphyletic.The genus Pleurocera is sister to Elimia, which in turn is sisterto a paraphyletic assemblage including representatives of Leptoxis,Lithasia, and the monotypic genus Io Lea, 1831. Juga, a genusrestricted to west of the North American continental divideis the basal-most clade and is sister to all the aforementionedgenera found east of the continental divide. (Received 26 January 1999; accepted 14 October 1999)     

Analysis of segment number and enzyme variation in a centipede reveals a cryptic species, Geophilus easoni sp. nov., and raises questions about speciation

Geophilomorph centipedes provide an unusual opportunity to examine patterns of variation in segment number within extant species. (Most other arthropod species are invariant in this respect.) Recent work on several geophilomorph species has revealed latitudinal clines in segment number, but has generally not called into question the identities of the species themselves. However, analysis of a unique pattern of variation in British populations of Geophilus carpophagus Leach, coupled with other morphological and enzyme data, reveals a cryptic species, Geophilus easoni sp. nov. This species has not yet been detected on the European mainland. Four distinct hypotheses are advanced regarding the speciation event through which G. easoni arose and the phylogeographic processes that resulted in the present distributions of the two species in Britain. Further study will be necessary to test these hypotheses. In any event, G. carpophagus and G. easoni provide something that has until now been absent: a case study of the genetic differences between closely-related geophilomorph species.     

Characterization of microsatellite loci in polyploid Lavatera assurgentiflora ssp. assurgentiflora and ssp. glabra (Malvaceae)

Lavatera assurgentiflora (Malvaceae) is one of four species of the genus Lavatera native to California and Baja California. Two geographically defined subspecies are recognized: L. a. assurgentiflora on the northern islands and L. a. glabra on the southern islands. We isolated nine polymorphic microsatellite loci that amplify in both subspecies of L. assurgentiflora. Substantial levels of polymorphism were observed at many of the loci. Four loci exhibited more than 10 alleles, polymorphism information content ranged from 0.4 to 0.8, and up to six alleles were found in some individuals, supporting reports that these taxa are hexaploid. All loci also amplified in Lavatera lindsayi from Guadalupe Island, and we anticipate that they will cross‐amplify in other California Lavatera species as well.     

Effects of Radiotransmitter Necklaces on Behaviors of Adult Male Western Burrowing Owls

Abstract: We studied the behavioral effects of necklace-style radiotransmitters on breeding male western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in 2 areas of northwestern Texas, USA, in 2004 and 2005. We tested the hypothesis that transmittered owls would spend time interacting with their necklaces and as a result spend less time in vigilance and resting activities than would nontransmittered owls. Nontransmittered owls (n = 6) spent significantly more time being vigilant (P = 0.007) than did transmittered owls (n = 3) in 2004, who spent significant amounts of time interacting with their necklaces. In 2005, behaviors of transmittered owls (n = 8) were significantly different (P < 0.001) from control individuals (n = 4), but behaviors did not vary consistently by treatment period (prenecklace vs. necklace vs. postnecklace periods). Behavioral activity budgets varied considerably among individuals. Although the owls spent a significant amount of time interacting with their necklaces, they appeared to habituate to the presence of the transmitters within a relatively short period (<1week), and necklaces did not affect survivorship or fitness in the short-term.     

Short-Term In Vitro Culture and Molecular Analysis of the Microsporidian, Enterocytozoon bieneusi

ABSTRACT. The microsporidium, Enterocytozoon bieneusi , causes a severe, debilitating, chronic diarrhea in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Specific diagnosis of intestinal microsporidiosis, especially due to Enterocytozoon , is difficult and there is no known therapy that can completely eradicate this parasite. Preliminary studies indicate that a short term (about 6 months) in vitro culture of this parasite yielding low numbers of spores, may be established by inoculating human lung fibroblasts and/or monkey kidney cell cultures with duodenal aspirates and or biopsy from infected patients. The cultures may subsequently be used for the isolation and molecular analysis of parasite DNA.     

Benthic macroinvertebrate community structure, function and production with respect to habitat type, reach and drainage basin in the southern Appalachians (U.S.A.)

1. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled for 1 year to assess functional and taxonomic differences in invertebrate biomass and production with respect to habitat types, reaches and catchments in Wine Spring Basin, western North Carolina. Quantitative samples were collected from depositional, cobble-riffle and bedrock outcrop habitats at four stream reaches (two headwater sites, one second order, and one third order). Other measures included physical parameters, periphyton and organic matter standing crops. Invertebrate data from the Wine Spring catchment were also compared with data from another catchment (Ball Creek) within the same region. 2. The three habitat types had different current velocities and mean substratum particle sizes; both measures were greatest in bedrock outcrop habitats and lowest in depositional habitats. Organic matter standing crops, invertebrate functional group productivity and biomass also differed significantly with respect to habitat type. Cobble-riffle areas had the lowest standing crops of organic matter, invertebrate productivity and biomass. 3. Both invertebrate communities and organic matter standing crops differed significantly between the two headwater reaches. First- to third-order reaches differed in taxonomic composition at the genus level, yet had similar relative functional group productivity and biomass. 4. Annual mean invertebrate biomass and secondary production were greater in the Wine Spring Basin than in Ball Creek. Sites in both the Wine Spring and Ball Creek catchments, however, exhibited similar functional group distributions per habitat type. 5. Local geomorphology and related physical parameters influenced the structure of invertebrate functional group composition, and the distribution of organic matter standing crops. Furthermore, comparison of community structure in Wine Spring with that in Ball Creek suggested that taxonomic composition was more related to catchment-specific parameters (e.g. thermal regime, evolutionary history) than stream size.     

New species and new records of recently described species of the coral genus Acropora (Scleractinia: Astrocoeniina: Acroporidae) from Indonesia

Six new species of the coral genus Acropora arc described from Indonesia. These include a species which is remarkable for tubercular cocnostcal structures similar to those of the confamilial genus Montipora. The new species include three regional endemics (A. togianensis and A. batunai from central east Sulawesi and A. derawanensis from east Kalimantan), one species with broad distribution across the southern island chains (A. sukarnoi) and two species which occur throughout most of the Indonesian archipelago (A. Indonesia and A. hoeksemai). A further two species described from Western Australia and Papua New Guinea in 1994 (A. turaki and A. jacquelineae respectively) are recorded from Indonesia for the first time, as common members of an unusual assemblage type in the Togian Islands. The range of another species described from Lombok in 1994 (A. suharsonoi) is extended into Bali. With A. desalwii, A. lokani and A. indiana , this brings to 12 the number of Acropora species newly recorded as being endemic to the Indonesian archipelago or to Indonesia and one adjoining region (either the Indian Ocean or the western Pacific).     

Gram-Chromotrope: a New Technique that Enhances Detection of Microsporidial Spores in Clinical Samples

We have developed a new staining procedure that combines the traditional Gram staining for bacteria and the Weber's chromotrope staining method, the standard technique for the detection of microsporidia spores in clinical Specimens. This “Gram-chromotrope” staining technique enhances the staining characteristics of microsporidia spores and facilitates the easy detection and differentiation of spores from other microorganisms that are found in clinical specimens, especially stool samples. This new technique is fast, reliable, and simple to perform, and can be easily adapted for use in clinical laboratories.