Evolution and phylogeny of the scarab subtribe Anisopliina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Anomalini)

Abstract.  The subtribe Anisopliina (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Anomalini) is associated with grasses, and its species are distributed in the Palaearctic, Oriental, Ethiopian, Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographical regions. Phylogenetic analysis of adult morphological characters was conducted to examine the monophyly and classification of the group, as well as to examine characters associated with grass pollinivory and graminivory. We review the biology, phylogeny and classification of the Anisopliina and provide an overview of each genus. The analysis of ninety-one morphological characters using parsimony does not support the monophyly of the subtribe Anisopliina. Instead, the results provide support for a group referred to here as the anisopliine clade, a circum-Mediterranean group, forming an internal clade within the well-supported tribe Anomalini. Sister group relationships are discussed, possibly being associated with a New World anomaline taxon. Character states associated with grass herbivory, including mouthpart and leg characters, are discussed based on the phylogenetic analysis. Within the Anomalini, an evolutionary shift from generalized leaf feeding to grass associations and grass pollen feeding is supported.     

Larval morphology enhances phylogenetic reconstruction in Cetoniidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) and allows the interpretation of the evolution of larval feeding habits

Abstract.  The Cetoniidae, the showiest of scarabs, comprises some 3900 species in 515 genera, distributed worldwide except for subpolar areas and some offshore New Zealand islands. Parsimony analysis of 76 larval and adult characters and 42 terminal taxa supports the monophyly of Cetoniidae (sensu Krikken, 1984 ), but not of the traditionally considered subfamilies Cetoniinae and Trichiinae (sensu Krikken, 1984 ). In the study taxon, larval characters are shown to be more informative than those of adults for deeper phylogeny. The evolution of some larval characters (head and legs) in relation to feeding habits is discussed on the basis of phylogenetic analysis. The results show an evolutionary shift from wood associations to a higher ecological plasticity that allows the larvae to feed on wide sources of organic matter (including compost, dung, gopher burrows, packrat middens, ant debris piles, etc.).     

Development of a Rapid Detection Procedure for Ctyptosporidium, Using In Vitro Cell Culture Combined with PCR

A detection, viability, and infectivity assay was developed for Cryptosporidiurn parvum. Oocysts or excysted sporozoites were inoculated onto monolayers of CaCo-2 cells grown on chamber slides. C. parvum infection was monitored by three methods: a) application of a fluorescein-labeled anti-sporozoite antibody; b) PCR of a heat-shock protein gene fragment; and c) detection of mRNA from the heat-shock protein gene by RT-PCR.