Revision ofVerbesina sect.Pseudomontanoa (Asteraceae)

Verbesina sect.Pseudomontanoa is revised. The last treatment of the group byRobinson & Greenman (1899) recognized 5 species; the present treatment recognizes 12 species, 3 of which (V. breedlovei, V. cronquistii andV. olsenii) are described as new. A key to species, phyletic diagram and distribution maps are provided.     

Syntheses and biological activities of azido ubiquinone derivatives

A general method for the synthesis of azido-ubiquinone derivatives has been developed directly by substituting one hydrogen atom on the benzoquinone ring with an azido group under weakly acidic conditions. The reaction takes several hours and the yield is generally low. The azido-ubiquinone was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography, and identified by NMR, IR and mass spectra. All the synthesized azido-ubiquinone derivatives show partial activity in mediating biological electron transfer in the dark, and show partial or complete inhibition upon photolysis.     

Nemerteans of the Great Barrier Reef 6. Enopla Hoplonemertea (Polystilifera: Reptantia)

Two new genera and species of reptantic polystiliferous hoplonemerteans from the Great Barrier Reef province of Australia are described and illustrated. Urichonemertes pilorhynchus gen. et sp. nov. and Xenonemertes rhamphocephalus gen. et sp. nov. are both placed in the family Drepanophoridae (Polystilifera: Eureptantia: Aequifurcata).     

A New Species of Kudoa (Myxosporidea: Chloromyxidae) from the Spot,Leiostomus xanthurus Lacépède,in Clear Lake,Texas*

SYNOPSIS. Kudoa branchiata sp. n. (Myxosporidea: Chloromyxidae) is described from the gills of the marine sciaenid fish, Leiostomus xanthurus Lacépède, from Clear Lake, Texas. Twelve of the 429 hosts examined from 10 September 1970 to 28 April 1971, were infected. Eight of the 12 infected fish were collected in February and March 1971—a period during which only 13% of the total host sample was taken. The mean total length of infected hosts was 149 mm, with a range of 112–185 mm. The mean number of myxosporidean cysts per infected host was 3.5, with a range of 1–11.     

Population dynamics of Gyrodactylus sp. (Monogenea) infecting the sand goby in the Oslo Fjord, Norway

Prevalence and abundance of Gyrodactylus sp. on the 1993 year-class of sand gobies Pomatoschistus minutus in the Oslo Fjord, Norway, decreased slightly during the cold months, increased as temperature increased in spring, reaching a peak in June, then decreased significantly, corresponding with a decline in the number of hosts from August. Abundance and, especially, prevalence increased again in September, and decreased in late autumn. Death of the most heavily infected hosts, and/or host resistance might be responsible for the decline in parasite numbers on post-spawners in summer. The young of the year (1994 year-class) were probably infected shortly after they commenced benthic life in July, and prevalence and abundance increased significantly throughout late summer and autumn. Parasite abundance on males was significantly higher than on females at the height of the breeding season in June, but significantly lower at the end of the breeding season in July. Two-thirds of the parasites infected the gills, oral cavity and pharynx. The proportion of parasites on the body, head and fins increased on both sexes, but significantly more so on males, during the breeding season of the host, when parasite intensity was highest. Possible routes of transmission of the parasite are discussed.     

Discrepancies between MIC and MLC values of amphotericin B against isolates ofAspergillus species

There is little information addressing the phenomena of discrepancy between minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal lethal concentrations (MLC) values of amphotericin B (AMB) to clinical isolates of fungi. This study assessed in vitro activity of AMB against 70 clinical isolates of aspergilli: 30 strains ofAspergillus fumigatus, 20 strains ofAspergillus flavus and 20 strains ofAspergillus niger. Susceptibility tests were accomplished using a macro broth dilution procedure, with special emphasis on ascertainment of MLCs. AMB exhibited low MIC values against all clinical isolates. While we did not identify any AMB resistant isolates among 70Aspergillus spp. studied as judged by MIC levels, analysis of the data demonstrated a clear discrepancy between the MIC and MLC levels of AMB obtained against clinical isolates ofAspergillus spp. The MLC values of AMB were significantly higher than the MIC values with MIC 50 and MIC 90 of 0.29 and 0.5 µg/ml, respectively, at the second reading time, and MLC 50 and MLC 90 of 2.31 and 9.24 µg/ml, respectively (p<0.001). Additionally, minimal lethal concentrations in 36/70 (51%) of aspergillal isolates studied produced drug concentrations above those which can usually be sustained in patient plasma or tissue.     

Descriptions of Two New Species of Chronogaster Cobb, 1913 from India

Two new species of Chronogaster in India were described and illustrated, based on light and scanning electron microscopy. Chronogaster neotypica n. sp. collected from a sewage slurry was characterized by a medium-sized body, a ventral tail mucro without additional spines, absence of longitudinal incisures in lateral fields, and by the presence of crystalloids in the body. Diagnostic for C. spinicauda n. sp. collected from soil around roots of mango were a medium-sized body, a tail mucro with 10 spines, and absence of lateral lines and crystalloids. Males were not found.     

Natural levels of fungal infections in grasshoppers in Northern Benin

The infection of grasshoppers by naturally occurring, entomopathogenic fungi was monitored at two sites in Malanville, northern Benin, Africa. Grasshoppers were collected and recorded from the sites between June and December 1992 and all of them, barring the first instars, were incubated in ventilated cages. At the first site, 1343 individuals of 35 grasshopper species were incubated, and at the second site, 857 individuals of 36 grasshopper species were incubated. Three hyphomycete fungi (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes), Metarhizium flavoviride Gams and Rozsypal, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin and Sorosporella sp. were found infecting grasshoppers. The average incidence of M. flavoviride infection was 2.9% and 1.8% at the two sites for all host species. M. flavoviride sporulated on most grasshopper cadavers within 10 days of collection. B. bassiana and Sorosporella sp. were only collected from one and five grasshopper individuals respectively. A significant difference was noted in the time to death of small grasshopper species infected with M. flavoviride compared to larger species. At one site, M. flavoviride infection was positively correlated with rainfall during the 10‐day period in which samples were taken.     

中国食蚜蝇科—新属新种(英文)

本文记述了中国食蚜蝇科Syrphidae、管蚜蝇亚科Eristalinae、管蚜蝇族Eristalini的一新属:艳管蚜蝇属Pseudomeromacrus gen.nov.和新种 刺茎艳管蚜蝇Pseudomeromacrus setipenitus Li,sp.nov.模式标本保存于华南农业大学植保系昆虫标本室。     

PROROCENTRUM BELIZEANUM,PROROCENTRUM ELEGANS,AND PROROCENTRUM CARIBBAEUM,THREE NEW BENTHIC SPECIES (DINOPHYCEAE) FROM A MANGROVE ISLAND,TWIN CAYS,BELIZE1

Three new benthic dinoflagellate species, Prorocentrum belizeanum, Prorocentrum elegans, and Prorocentrum caribbaeum, from mangrove floating detritus are described from scanning electron micrographs. Species were identified based on shape, size, surface micromorphology, ornamentation of thecal plates, and architecture of the periflagellar area and intercalary band. Cells of P. belizeanum are round to slightly oval with a cell size of 55–60 μm long and 50–55 μm wide. Areolae are round and numerous (853–1024 per valve) and range from 0.66 to 0.83 μm in size. The periflagellar area of P. belizeanum is a broad V-shaped depression; it accommodates a flagellar and an auxiliary pore and a flared, curved apical collar. The intercalary band of P. belizeanum is horizontally striated. Prorocentrum elegans is a small species 15–20 μm long and 10–14 μm wide, with an ovate cell shape. The thecal surface is smooth. Two sizes of valve pores were recognized: large, round pores (20–22 per valve) arranged in a distinct pattern and smaller pores situated in an array along the intercalary band. The periflagellar area is V-shaped; it accommodates an uneven sized flagellar pore, an auxiliary pore, and an angled protuberant flagellar plate. The intercalary band is transversely striated. It is a bloom-forming species. Prorocentrum caribbaeum cells are heart-shaped with a rounded anterior end and a pointed posterior end. Cells range from 40 to 45 μm long and 30 to 35 μm wide. Thecal surface has two different-sized pores: large, round pores (145–203 per valve) arranged perpendicularly from the posterior margins, and small, round pores unevenly distributed on the thecal surface. The periflagellar area is ornate. It is V-shaped with a curved apical collar located next to the auxiliary pore; a smaller protuberant apical plate is adjacent to the flagellar pore. The intercalary band is transversely striated and sinuous. Cells are active swimmers.