Molecules,morphology and minute hooded beetles: a phylogenetic study with implications for the evolution and classification of Corylophidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea)

Eight genes (nuclear: 18S, 28S, H3, CAD; mitochondrial: 12S, 16S, COI, COII) and morphology were used to infer the evolutionary history of Corylophidae, some of the smallest free‐living insects. The study included 36 corylophid exemplars, representing approximately 60% of the known generic diversity of the family and 16 cucujoid outgroup taxa. Multiple partitioning strategies, molecular datasets, combined datasets and different taxon sampling regimes using maximum likelihood and mixed‐model Bayesian inference were utilized to analyse these data. Most results were highly concordant across analyses. There was strong agreement across (i) partitioning strategies, (ii) maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of the molecular data, and (iii) Bayesian inference of the molecular data alone and Bayesian inference of the combined morphological and molecular data when all terminal taxa were included. When a strict taxon sampling protocol was employed so that only single generic exemplars were included, deep relationships were affected in the resulting phylogenetic hypotheses. Under such narrow sampling strategies, deep phylogenetic relationships were also sensitive to the choice of generic exemplars. Although it is often challenging to obtain single representatives for many taxa in higher‐level phylogenetic analyses, these results indicate the importance of using denser taxon sampling approaches even at the specific level for genera included in such studies. Molecular data alone support Anamorphinae (Endomychidae) strongly as the sister group of Corylophidae. In combined data analyses, Coccinellidae is recovered as the sister group to Corylophidae. In all analyses, Corylophidae and the subfamily Corylophinae are recovered as monophyletic. The monophyly of Periptyctinae was untested, as only a single species was included. All included corylophine tribes were recovered as monophyletic with the exception of Aenigmaticini; Aenigmaticum Matthews forms the sister group to Orthoperus Stephens and Stanus?lipiński et al. is recovered as the sister group of Sericoderus Stephens. Stanus tasmanicus?lipiński et al. is transferred to a new genus, Pseudostanus Robertson, ?lipiński & McHugh gen.n. incertae sedis. We propose a new tribe, Stanini Robertson, ?lipiński & McHugh trib.n. for Stanus bowesteadi?lipiński et al. and a new concept of Aenigmaticini sensu.n. to include only the nominate genus. Anatomical transitions associated with corylophid miniaturization are highlighted. Key phenotypic modifications and elevated rates of substitution in nuclear rRNA genes are evident in a subgroup of Corylophinae that includes the most diminutive species. Other taxonomic and evolutionary implications are discussed in light of the results.     

Abscisic Acid and Gibberellic Acid Contents in Ripening Barley Seeds

The ABA and GA3 contents were investigated in barley seeds during maturation and after harvest. The highest amount of ABA was found in milk and wax ripeness – 13 ng and 11 ng per seed respectively. The level decreased during the later stages of maturation and during release of dormancy and was 1 ng per seed 6 weeks after harvest. The content of gibberellic acid decreased in a similar way but in an earlier stage of maturation. The determined amounts of GA₃ were: 0.4, 0.1, 0.03 and about 0.05 ng per seed respectively, in milk, wax and full ripeness and after harvest. The results of quantitative determination, obtained with the GLC method, corresponded to the growth effects in the test of the first leaf of oat.     

A new genus and species of hypodermatine bot flies (Diptera: Oestridae)

The bot fly Gruninomyia mira Szpila & Pape, gen.n. , sp.n. is described from Iran, North Khorasan, based on a single adult male and with no larval or host data. The monotypic genus shows a mixture of features otherwise found in either the rodent/lagomorph‐parasitizing oestromyine clade (Oestroderma + Oestromyia) or the artiodactyl‐parasitizing hypodermatine clade (Hypoderma + Pallasiomyia + Pavlovskiata + Przhevalskiana + Strobiloestrus) of subfamily Hypodermatinae. A morphology‐based phylogenetic analysis is marginally in favour of a position of Gruninomyia Szpila & Pape, gen.n. as sister taxon of (Oestroderma + Oestromyia). The COI barcode sequence is provided for the new species, and a phylogenetic analysis based on this marker for Oestridae retrieved from GenBank is in agreement with the conclusions based on morphological data. This published work has been registered in ZooBank: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8F0CBE07‐4E74‐4186‐B690‐2C97D7ED7DA7 .     

Measurement of tumour volume by MRI to evaluate risk of pelvic nodal metastases in early cervical carcinoma patients

BackgroundApart from the FIGO staging system there are several other factors, including tumour volume and lymph node status, which considerably influence local tumour control and survival of cervical carcinoma patients.AimThe study aimed to determine the prognostic value of cervical tumour volume measured on the basis of MRI in terms of pelvic nodal metastases prediction in early cervical carcinoma patients.MethodsThe records of 49 early stage cervical carcinoma patients treated with preoperative brachytherapy and radical hysterectomy were analyzed. All patients underwent diagnostic MRI, which was the basis for tumour volume calculations as well as the evaluation of pelvic lymph nodes status and parametrial invasion. In each case the postoperative pathological diagnosis was obtained. The correlation between the occurrence of nodal metastases and such variables as tumour histology, grade and tumour volume, FIGOMRI stage IIB, and patients' age was evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine correlations between tumour volume and histological pelvic nodal involvement.ResultsA statistically significant correlation between pelvic lymph node involvement and such parameters as tumour volume and parametrial invasion was proven. The probability of lymph node metastasis is 20% for tumour volume of 17 cm³ and increases up to 50% for tumour volume of 40 cm³. An increase of tumour volume by 1 cm³ increased the risk of lymph node disease by 6.2%.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that tumour volume may be considered a predicting factor in early cervical carcinoma patients, since it strongly correlates with pelvic lymph node histological status.     

Is there a cost of reproduction for Marsh Tits Parus palustris in a primeval forest?

We looked for evidence of a cost of reproduction in the Marsh Tit Parus palustris living in the last fragments of primeval temperate forest (Białowieża National Park, eastern Poland). Potential nest-holes were superabundant but the birds had to cope with a diverse set of predators, dangerous both to broods and to parents. Taking advantage of the natural variation in realized reproductive investment that this caused in terms of the loss of nests or mates, we expected to find differences in survival and future fecundity between birds which had lost broods (reduced effort), had reared young (controls) or were either provisioning young single-handed or had laid replacement clutches (increased effort). Despite 13 years of observation, even during seasons with very strenuous conditions, we have failed to demonstrate that the observed range of variation in parental investment caused any demographic cost of reproduction. Incubating females were regularly killed on the nest, which could indicate the existence of a cost operating in the earlier stages of the breeding cycle. Overall, these results suggest that the reproductive rate in Marsh Tits is not controlled proximately by reproductive cost.     

Development of Zn‐related necrosis in tobacco is enhanced by expressing AtHMA4 and depends on the apoplastic Zn levels

AtHMA4 was previously shown to contribute to the control of Zn root‐to‐shoot translocation and tolerance to high Zn. However, heterologous expression of 35S::AtHMA4 in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi) results in enhanced Zn sensitivity. This study provides a better understanding of the development of this Zn‐sensitive phenotype and demonstrates that substantial modifications of Zn homeostasis occur due to AtHMA4 expression. We show that ectopically expressing AtHMA4 in tobacco results in overloading the root and leaf apoplast with Zn. The tissue and cellular distribution of Zn, monitored using Zinpyr‐1, was altered in the AtHMA4‐expressing plants compared with wild type. Increased loading of the leaf apoplast with Zn in AtHMA4 transformants induced necrosis; this appeared at lower levels of Zn supply in the transgenics compared with wild type. This study suggests that Zn concentration may be sensed in the apoplast of leaves, and if concentrations are above a certain threshold then particular groups of cells accumulate Zn and necrosis is initiated. Therefore, this could be considered as a mechanism for protecting the other parts of the photosynthetically active leaf from Zn toxicity.     

Fine structure of the spermatozoon in the mite Parasitus niveus (Mesostigmata,Acari)

The spermatozoa of the mite, Parasitus niveus, are rod-shaped cells possessing a very elongated and zig-zag shaped nucleus. The cytoplasm is filled by so-called “striated bodies” and mitochondria. The plasmalemma forms five complicated structures, called stiff bands. In the peripheral cytoplasm lie flattened canaliculi and flattened cisternae. The morphology of the spermatozoa is compared with that of other mite spermatozoa described in the literature.     

Adults of European ant‐like stone beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) Scydmaenus tarsatus Müller & Kunze and Scydmaenus hellwigii (Herbst) prey on soft‐bodied arthropods

Scydmaenine beetles are commonly described as predators specialized in capturing and feeding on armored mites of the order Oribatida, and documented cases of feeding on other live arthropods have not been known. Based on laboratory observations and a broad choice of Acari (armored and soft‐bodied) and other soil arthropods, food preferences and associated behavior of two scydmaenine species are clarified and described. Adults of Scydmaenus tarsatus ignored oribatid and mesostigmatan mites, but readily attacked and fed on a soft‐bodied Rhizoglyphus sp. (Acaridae), and on small springtails, especially on Ceratophysella denticulata (Hypogastruridae). A water drinking behavior was observed for this species, not reported previously in any Staphylinidae. Scydmaenus hellwigii ignored all tested Acari (including Rhizoglyphus) and scavenged on dead neanurine collembolans or freshly cut pieces of large springtails; a long term culture was maintained by feeding beetles with isotomid springtails. Previously reported strict specialization of Scydmaenus as a predator on Oribatida was not confirmed and it is concluded that the studied species feed on live soft‐bodied organisms and scavenge on dead arthropods.     

Advances in the timing of spring cleaning by the honeybee Apis mellifera in Poland

1. The honeybee Apis mellifera is of huge worldwide economic importance in the pollination of crops for human consumption. In recent years, honeybee populations have declined under pressure from diseases and pests. Climate change is increasingly being viewed as an additional threat to honeybees and yet only limited research has been carried out in this area. 2. This paper reports the advance of the first cleansing flight (‘spring cleaning’) of the honeybee in Poznań, Poland, i.e. flights to excrete faeces, over a month in the period 1985–2009. The timing of this flight is advanced not only by higher late winter/spring temperatures but also by higher temperatures in the previous summer and autumn. 3. This earlier activity gives hope that the reported earlier flowering of many native and cultivated species will not cause a pollination synchrony crisis.     

Molecular phylogeny of the Mediterranean species of Philaenus (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Aphrophoridae) using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences

The phylogenies of all eight European species of Philaenus were estimated from cytochrome oxidase subunit I, cytochrome B and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) fragments of DNA using phylogenetic reconstruction methods: maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses. Based on the topologies of all obtained phylogenetic trees, the monophyly of Philaenus is well supported, being congruent with morphological, ecological and chromosomal data. Three phylogenetic lineages were distinguished in the mitochondrial and combined (mtDNA with ITS2) trees. The first lineage is represented by only one species, Philaenus maghresignus, which inhabits Maghreb and southern Spain. Clade A includes three species: P. tarifa (Southern Iberia), P. italosignus (Sicily and Southern Italy) and P. signatus (the Balkans and Middle East). In clade B two subclades were recognized: B1 represented by P. loukasi (Southern Balkans) and P. arslani (Middle East), and B2 comprising P. spumarus (the most widespread Palaearctic species) and P. tesselatus (from Southern Iberia and Maghreb). These clades were also retrieved in trees reconstructed from nuclear sequences. However, four species (P. maghresignus, P. tarifa, P. italosignus and P. signatus) showed unresolved polytomy at the base of the nuclear tree. Clade A together with P. maghresignus clustered with the ‘signatus’ group defined from morphology, and clade B with the ‘spumarius’ group; these might be considered separate subgenera. Genetic distances in mitochondrial DNA between ingroup species ranged from 14.0% between P. signatus and P. spumarius to 2.4% between P. tesselatus and P. spumarius. By contrast, genetic divergence of ITS2 between ingroup species was very low, at most 2.1%. The divergence of Philaenus species is estimated to have occcurred between 7.9 and 0.6 Ma. Possibly three main speciation events occurred: the first at the Miocene/Pliocene boundary (c. 5.5 Ma) for deeper splits; the second between 4.2 and 2.5 Ma in the Pliocene, when pairs of more closely related species diverged; and the most recent during the Pleistocene glaciations, when the separation of P. tesselatus and P. spumarius took place. The species status of all Philaenus species is confirmed except for P. tesselatus.