The Coccidian Genus Calyptospora n. g. and Family Calyptosporidae n. fam. (Apicomplexa), with Members Infecting Primarily Fishes1

Calyptospora n. g. was erected for Eimeria funduli because the sporocyst of that species lacks Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies, has a veil supported by sporopodia, and has an anterior apical opening. A suture may be present, but it does not completely divide the sporocyst into two valves. Because C. funduli has an obligatory invertebrate intermediate host, we established Calyptosporidae n. fam. to accommodate Calyptospora and tentatively to accept Goussia. A new subgenus, Plagula, is erected for species of Goussia with a sporocystic veil not supported by sporopodia. We consider the family more primitive than Eimeriidae, Sarcocystidae, and possibly Lankesterellidae.     

A COMPARISON OF FEEDING MECHANISMS IN MICROPHAGOUS, HERBIVOROUS, INTERTIDAL, PROSOBRANCHS IN RELATION TO RESOURCE PARTITIONING

Several microphagous grazers co-exist on British rocky shores.The nature of the microbial film which is their prime food sourceis outlined. The radula morphology, hardness, and feeding mechanismsof rhipidoglossan trochids (Gibbula, Monodonta) taenioglossanLittorina, and docoglossan Patella have been compared. Docoglossanscan penetrate hard substrates deeply, taenioglossans can onlypenetrate softer substrates, and rhipidoglossans appear to primarilybrush the surface. A preliminary study found some differencesin diet. Whether feeding mechanisms allow partitioning of themicrofloral film and whether this allows continuing co-existenceof intertidal grazers is discussed.     

MUCUS PRODUCTION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ENERGETICS IN PATELLA VULGATA L.

Most energy budgets for marine gastropods lack a measured mucusterm. This is a major omission since mucus is widespread inmolluscan physiological processes. In this paper we outlinemethods for estimating mucus production in the intertidal gastropod,Patella vulgata L. This species uses mucus primarily for adhesionand locomotion. Pedal mucus production rates were measured inaerial environments of 70% relative humidity (RH) and 100% RHand in seawater. Animals in 70% RH did not move, while thosein 100% RH and seawater were mobile. Animals in 100% RH showedthe highest mucus production rate. Those in seawater secretedabout 75% of the mucus produced in 100% RH and those in 70%RH only about 40% of that produced in 100% RH. Significant logarithmicrelationships between mucus production rate and whole dry weightof animal, and mucus production rate and shell length were foundin all cases. The mucus term in the energy budget was calculated as 23% ofingestion both for individuals and for a specific population.This is much higher than the estimate of 4% of Wright &Hartnoll (1981). We have recalculated an energy budget for Patellavulgata to include the substantial mucus term. The recalculatedbudget is structurally different from the original budget. Thissuggests conclusions drawn from budgets not including a measuredmucus term should be regarded with caution. (Received 12 September 1989; accepted 13 December 1989)     

Development of cell surface saccharides on embryonic pancreatic cells

Using a battery of seven lectin-ferritin conjugates as probes for cell surface glycoconjugates, we have studied the pattern of plasmalemmal differentiation of cells in the embryonic rat pancreas from day 15 in utero to the early postpartum stage. Our results indicate that differentiation of plasmalemmal glycoconjugates on acinar, endocrine, and centroacinar cells is temporally correlated with development and is unique for each cell type, as indicated by lectin-ferritin binding. Specifically, (a) expression of adult cell surface saccharide phenotype can be detected on presumptive acinar cells as early as 15 d in utero, as indicated by soybean agglutinin binding, and precedes development of intracellular organelles characteristic of mature acinar cells; (b) maturation of the plasmalemma of acinar cells is reached after intracellular cytodifferentiation is completed, as indicated by appearance of Con A and fucoselectin binding sites only at day 19 of development; conversely, maturation of the endocrine cell plasmalemma is accompanied by "loss" (masking) of ricinus communis II agglutinin receptors; and (c) binding sites for fucose lectins and for soybean agglutinin are absent on endocrine and centroacinar cells at all stages examined. We conclude that acinar, centroacinar, and endocrine cells develop from a common progenitor cell(s) whose plasmalemmal carbohydrate composition resembles most closely that of the adult centroacinar cell. Finally, appearance of acinar lumina beginning at approximately 17 d in utero is accompanied by differenetiation of apical and basolateral plasmalemmal domains of epithelial cells, as indicated by enhanced binding of several lectin-ferritin conjugates to the apical plasmalemmal, a pattern that persists from this stage through adult life.     

Isolation of highly polymorphic microsatellite markers from the intertidal barnacle Chthamalus montagui Southward

This study reports the isolation and characterization of seven highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in Chthamalus montagui (Crustacea, Cirripedia). The loci were isolated from a library constructed from genomic DNA enriched for CA repeats. The markers yielded three to 43 alleles per locus (mean 16.7) in samples averaging 49 individuals. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.08 to 0.58 (mean 0.39). These microsatellite loci will be valuable tools for population genetic studies of this species.     

Age-Specific Mortality During the 1918 Influenza Pandemic: Unravelling the Mystery of High Young Adult Mortality

The worldwide spread of a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in 2009 showed that influenza remains a significant health threat, even for individuals in the prime of life. This paper focuses on the unusually high young adult mortality observed during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. Using historical records from Canada and the U.S., we report a peak of mortality at the exact age of 28 during the pandemic and argue that this increased mortality resulted from an early life exposure to influenza during the previous Russian flu pandemic of 1889–90. We posit that in specific instances, development of immunological memory to an influenza virus strain in early life may lead to a dysregulated immune response to antigenically novel strains encountered in later life, thereby increasing the risk of death. Exposure during critical periods of development could also create holes in the T cell repertoire and impair fetal maturation in general, thereby increasing mortality from infectious diseases later in life. Knowledge of the age-pattern of susceptibility to mortality from influenza could improve crisis management during future influenza pandemics.

“The war is over – and I must go” Egon Schiele, 1890–1918.