Dyspessa peri (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), a new species of Cossidae from Afghanistan

Dyspessa peri sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) is described from Sarobi in Central Afghanistan. The new species is closely related to D. tristis A. Bang-Haas, 1912, and is distinguished by peculiarities of the wing pattern and structure of the male genitalia.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D58AAAC5-90F2-4D06-9DB2-C4D3CDE36265     

Development of a diagnostic system for detection of specific antibodies and antigens against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) is a single‐stranded RNA virus that causes severe respiratory disease in humans with a high fatality rate. Binding of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) glycoprotein to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 is the critical step in MERS‐CoV infection of a host cell. No vaccines or clinically applicable treatments are currently available for MERS‐CoV. Therefore, rapid diagnosis is important for improving patient outcomes through prompt treatment and protection against viral outbreaks. In this study, the aim was to establish two ELISA systems for detecting antigens and antibodies against MERS‐CoV. Using a recombinant full‐length S protein, an indirect ELISA was developed and found to detect MERS‐CoV‐specific antibodies in animal sera and sera of patient with MERS. Moreover, MAbs were induced with the recombinant S protein and RBD and used for sandwich ELISA to detect the MERS‐CoV S protein. Neither ELISA system exhibited significant intra‐assay or inter‐assay variation, indicating good reproducibility. Moreover, the inter‐day precision and sensitivity were adequate for use as a diagnostic kit. Thus, these ELISAs can be used clinically to diagnose MERS‐CoV.

     

Ostropella luxurians sp. nov. from the Russian Far East

Ostropella luxurians sp. nov. collected in the Russian Far East is described and illustrated.     

The Dream Will Tell: Militant Muslim Dreaming in the Context of Traditional and Contemporary Islamic Dream Theory and Practice.

Al-Qaeda and Taliban leadership and membership appear to have been motivated, inspired, and guided by certain dreams. Their understanding of dreams seems to draw at least partly on traditional and contemporary Islamic dream theories. If this hypothesis is correct, then there is a need for the urgent study of Islamic Jihadist political/religious conversion and guidance dreams across the Middle East. The dream-as experienced, reported, and interpreted-is now a significant aspect of the global conflict between Al-Qaeda and its associates versus the core value system of Western civilization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The East Usambara tree-hole crab (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae) − a striking example of crustacean adaptation in closed canopy forest, Tanzania

An undescribed species of freshwater crab with a remarkable life history was studied over 2 years in areas of natural forest in the East Usambara Mountains, north-east Tanzania. It was found occupying the water-filled boles (tree holes) of several tree species at altitudes between 150 and 900 m asl, a single tree species Myrianthus holstii accounted for 26% of all trees identified as such. There was no apparent association with other freshwater bodies. The 'tree-hole crab' is largely nocturnal but will also forage by day during periods of heavy rainfall, leaving its tree hole in search of leaf-litter molluscs. Once located it carries pieces of the snail shell back to the tree hole and releases these into the water filled bole which is typically acidic. This releases calcium ions (Ca²⁺) into solution from the snail shell resulting in a more neutral solution (mean pH = 6.6, standard deviation (s) = 0.46, n  = 25). This act provides a source of dissolved calcium for the development of exoskeletons following ecdysis. Significant differences were found between depth ( P  = 0.01) and height ( P  = 0.05) of occupied and unoccupied water-filled tree holes. This is the first record of a crab exhibiting such behaviour in East Africa.     

Changes in large herbivore populations across large areas of Tanzania

We collated aerial census data collected during the late 1980s to early 2000s for large herbivore populations in eight large census zones in Tanzania. Of the ungulate populations that showed significant changes in densities at the start versus end of this decade, most declined; very few populations increased significantly. Thomson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle, hartebeest, reedbuck, roan antelope, sable antelope, warthog and zebra, for example, declined in over 50% of the zones where they were surveyed. Interestingly, small‐bodied species fared particularly poorly in many census zones, whereas elephant and giraffe generally fared well across the country. Most populations of all herbivores declined in some portions of the country (e.g. Burigi‐Biharamulo, Katavi, Greater Ruaha and Tarangire census zones). These surveys suggest that, even in a country renowned for its protected areas and conservation commitment, some large herbivore populations need more conservation attention in order to remain stable.     

The East Indian Diaspora in Costa Rica: Inbreeding Avoidance, Marriage Patterns, and Cultural Survival

Anthropologists have long been interested in the survival of Indian cultural traits in the New World. In this article, we present results of an ongoing project with a Costa Rican community that descends from East Indian indentured servants. We focus on the group's marriage patterns and how these patterns might have helped keep the community as a cohesive ethnic group. We investigate the group's level of inbreeding by computing the inbreeding coefficient using two different methods. We show that the community has been successful at keeping its inbreeding low, despite its small size, by allowing marriage with nonmembers of the community. We propose that unless consanguineous marriages are allowed virtually all of the community's marriages will be with noncommunity members. Absorption into tourism, as well as the community's staunch avoidance of consanguineous marriages and virtually universal marriage with noncommunity members, will likely contribute to their disappearance as a viable ethnic group.