Fine binding specificities to Ascaris suum and Ascaris lumbricoides antigens of the sera from patients of probable visceral larva migrans due to Ascaris suum

Fine binding specificities to Ascaris suum and A. lumbricoides antigens of the sera from patients with probable visceral larva migrans (VLM) due to A. suum infection were examined. Although multiple-dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was found to be useful for the primary screening of patients, identification of the responsible species was sometimes difficult due to extensive cross reactions with other ascarid parasite antigens. Fine resolution to determine the causative pathogen was obtained by a rather classical Ouchterlony's double immunodiffusion test. The difference in the binding of the patients' sera to A. suum and A. lumbricoides antigens was also demonstrated by an inhibition ELISA. The patients' antibodies bound with higher avidity to the A. suum antigen than to the A. lumbricoides and Toxocara canis antigens. Combination of at least two different immunological assay methods is recommended for the diagnosis of VLM due to ascarid parasites.     

Thyroxine as a Mediator of Metamorphosis of Atlantic Halibut, Hippoglossus Hippoglossus

The response of morphological, histological and endocrinological development to exogenous 1-thyroxine (T₄) and to water depth during metamorphosis in Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, was investigated. Exogenous T₄ was given in daily doses of 0.1, 0.05 ppm or a control treatment to halibut larvae at 550 daydegrees (posthatch, premetamorphic) for 14 days. Water depths of 40 cm, 10 cm or 1.5 cm were used to rear halibut larvae from 590 daydegrees for 21 days. Halibut larvae given exogenous T₄ at 0.1 ppm had accelerated eye migration relative to MH in fish given 0.05 ppm and in control fish. Pigmentation was correlated with dosage after 14 days. The volume of thyroid tissue was expressed in a dose-dependent manner and exhibited a size-dependency within each treatment. However, the follicles were atypical with reduced colloid, increased lumen and low epithelial cells even in the control group. The results indicate that T₄ is a mediator in halibut metamorphosis. In the water depth experiment, only cortisol levels of larvae reared in 1.5 cm water were significantly affected after 21 days, but this was not correlated with metamorphic rate. Hormone profiles, morphological changes and size suggest the existence of a window of opportunity for metamorphosis in halibut extending from about 16 mm and tapering off about 21 mm SL. The pooled hormone profiles indicate the commencement of a hormonal cascade similar to that of other flatfishes during metamorphosis. The results indicate that growth, neural and skeletal transformation, and pigmentation are biochemically separate processes in the metamorphosis of Atlantic halibut.     

长木蜂的形态和生物学观察

长木蜂Xylocopa tranquebarorum(Swederus)属于多访花性昆虫。本文报道了长木蜂的形态特征、生活史及幼虫和成虫的行为等生物学特性。该蜂在南京地区1年发生1代,以成虫在巢室内越冬。翌年的3月下旬成虫开始外出活动,主要是筑巢、采集粉蜜、酿贮蜂粮和产卵。6月中旬至7月下旬新一代成虫羽化,新羽化的成虫群集在蜜源植物青桐树上补充营养,并在青桐的附近空中婚飞、交配。室内观察长木蜂的卵期9～11d,平均(9.97±0.76)d;幼虫期19～22d,平均(20.30±1.18)d,预蛹期8～9d,平均(8.53±0.51)d,蛹期19～21d,平均(19.67±0.66)d。雌雄比为2.17∶1。雌蜂酿制蜂粮的盛期在5月上旬,采集蜂粮的最佳时期在5月上中旬。该蜂的卵产在块状的蜂粮上,卵长10.06～13.34mm,腊肠形或香蕉形,略弯曲,两端钝圆,头部略窄与尾部,尾部最宽,重(0.0438±0.0122)g。     

Hymenopteran parasitoids of the ant-eating spider Zodarion styliferum (Simon) (Araneae,Zodariidae)

Calymmochilus dispar Bouček & Andriescu (Hymenoptera, Eupelmidae) and Gelis apterus (Pontoppidan) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) are newly recorded as parasitoids of the ant-eating spider Zodarion styliferum (Simon) (Araneae, Zodariidae). The larvae of both parasitoid species fed on juvenile spiders. The final instar larva and pupa of Calymmochilus dispar and the male of Gelis apterus are described for the first time. Both species represent new distribution records for Portugal. The biology and host associations of the parasitoids are discussed.     

The larva of Rhyacophila ferox Graf, 2006 (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) from the Eastern Alps (Carinthia,Austria)

The hitherto unknown larva of Rhyacophila ferox Graf, 2006, is described and discussed in the context of contemporary Rhyacophilidae keys. In addition, zoogeographical and ecological notes are included.     

Comparative embryogenesis of Mecoptera and Lepidoptera with special reference to the abdominal prolegs

The eruciform larvae of holometabolous insects are primarily characterized by bearing a varying number of abdominal prolegs in addition to three pairs of thoracic legs. However, whether the prolegs are evolutionarily homologous among different insect orders is still a disputable issue. We examined the embryonic features and histological structure of the prolegs of the scorpionfly Panorpa byersi Hua and Huang (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) and the Oriental armyworm Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to investigate whether the prolegs are homologous between these two holometabolous insect orders. In the scorpionfly, paired lateral process primordia arise on abdominal segments I–VIII (A1–A8) in line with the thoracic legs in early embryonic stages, but degenerate into triangular protuberances in later stages, and paired medial processes appear along the midventral line before dorsal closure and eventually develop into unjointed, cone‐shaped prolegs. Histological observation showed that the lumina of the prolegs are not continuous with the hemocoel, differing distinctly from that of the basic appendicular plan of thoracic legs. These results suggest that the prolegs are likely secondary outgrowths in Mecoptera. In the armyworm, lateral process primordia appear on A1–A10 in alignment with the thoracic legs in the early embryonic stages, although only the rudiments on A3–A6 and A10 develop into segmented prolegs with the lumina continuous with the hemocoel and others degenerate eventually, suggesting that the prolegs are true segmental appendages serially homologous with the thoracic legs in Lepidoptera. Therefore, we conclude that the larval prolegs are likely not evolutionarily homologous between Mecoptera and Lepidoptera. J. Morphol. 277:585–593, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

剪枝象有效学名的厘清及常见种的鉴别

剪枝象属Cyllorhynchites Voss隶属于齿颚象科Rhynchitidae齿颚象亚科Rhynchitinae齿颚象族Rhynchitini,但其属名在国内外使用较为混乱。此外,该属的常见种类栗实剪枝象Cyllorhynchites cumulatus Voss与橡实剪枝象C.ursulus Roelofs等常被误认为隶属于同族的Mecorhis或Mechoris属。通过查阅相关文献和我国多地所采集的标本,本文旨在厘清剪枝象的有效学名,并对栗实剪枝象和橡实剪枝象的形态和生态特征进行了补充,以便提供更准确的鉴别特征。结果如下:(1)剪枝象属拉丁学名为Cyllorhynchites Voss,而非Mecorhis Billberg或Mechoris。栗实剪枝象与橡实剪枝象的中文学名以寄主命名。(2)栗实剪枝象成虫身体蓝黑色,鞘翅上的白色短柔毛稀疏且行纹明显。幼虫体长6.0-9.0 mm,触角感觉器长矛状;额背面的刚毛仅有2对,标记为fs4,fs5;头盖背面无刚毛;上唇及唇基较窄。分布于黄河以南,主要以栗属植物为寄主。在安徽金寨,栗实剪枝象的羽化期在5月底-6月底,成虫羽化后即可交配、产卵,产卵期和剪枝期在6月-7月上旬。橡实剪枝象成虫身体黑褐色,但足为褐色。鞘翅上的黄色短柔毛较密且行纹不明显。幼虫体长8.0-10.0 mm,触角感觉器长圆锥状;额背面的刚毛仅有1对,标记为fs5;头盖背面的刚毛仅有1对,标记为des5;上唇及唇基较宽。广布中国南北和日本、朝鲜半岛,以栎属和青冈属植物为寄主。在四川都江堰,橡实剪枝象的羽化期在6月-7月。由于橡子尚未发育,其成虫羽化后需经历较长的营养补充期,产卵期和剪枝期在8月中旬-9月底。本研究澄清了过去关于剪枝象属的分类归属,并对两种常见剪枝象的形态和生态特征进行了深入比较,为生产上准确鉴别这些剪枝象种类提供参考。     

Ingestion of Pythium spp. by larvae of the fungus gnat Bradysia impatiens (Diptera:Sciaridae)

Mycelium, oospores and zoospore cysts of Pythium spp. were fed to larvae of the fungus gnat Bradysia impatiens. The fungal structures were all ingested and provided a complete nutritional source for the insect's development from egg to adult. Mycelium seemed the major source of food as only empty fragments were found either in the digestive tract or in larval faeces. Oospores appeared intact and were viable both during passage through the tract and when expelled. Germination of oospores was normal. Most encysted zoospores also survived passage through the gut, although some appeared damaged. After transferring recently-fed larvae to a new food source, oospores were still detected in the digestive tract 48 h later. These results show that the larval stage of B. impatiens may serve as an important vector for Pythium spp.     

The impact of metamorphosis on the cranial osteology of giant salamanders of the genus Dicamptodon

Pacific giant salamanders (Dicamptodon) rank among the largest terrestrial caudates. Their ontogeny produces two distinct morphs—larval‐neotenic and metamorphosed—which differ in many morphological traits. We identified changes that are initiated by metamorphosis (distinguishing transformed from neotenic specimens) and also recognized age‐related changes occurring irrespective of transformation. During metamorphosis, specimens remodel the palate, rearrange the vomerine dentition, expand the maxilla, broaden the cheek, foreshorten the posterior skull table and develop specific serrated suture patterns in the dermal bones. Instead, large larvae grow a robust pterygoid sutured with a fully ossified trapezoidal vomer and a short maxilla. Small larvae are readily distinguished by tooth count, morphology and arrangement from more advanced larvae. Age‐related features, irrespective of metamorphosis, include pedicellate teeth, morphological differentiation of parasphenoid, enlargement of the orbitosphenoid, distal expansion of columella, and loss of coronoid teeth.