Nolleria pulicis N. Gen., N. Sp. (Microsporida: Chytridiopsidae), a Microsporidian Parasite of the Cat Flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)

A new species of microsporidium, Nolleria pulicis, is described and named here from the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. The genus Nolleria is created and placed within the family Chytridiopsidae. The family is slightly modified to accommodate certain features of intracellular development seen in N. pulicis, which is otherwise very similar to other species in the family Chytridiopsidae. Sporulation is described from ultrastructural analysis of infected midgut epithelial cells of adult C. felis. The term “multiple division by vacuolation” is proposed for describing sporogony as it occurs in this species and certain related species of microsporidia. The probable mode of transmission and apparent absence of merogony are discussed.     

Vegetation of pastoralist campsites within the coastal grassland of central Somalia

Seasonal occupancy of pastoralist campsites where livestock are bedded down at night has created islands of soil fertility within the coastal grassland of central Somalia. Soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium concentrations were greatest at the centre of the campsites and decreased towards the perimeter. The vegetation on the campsites differed from the surrounding grassland, presumably in response to soil fertility and intense grazing. The fast-growing, grazing-tolerant, stoloniferous grass, Cynodon dactylon , and the non-palatable, annual forbs, Cleome tenella and Gisekia pharnaceoides , occupied the centre of the campsites. The campsite perimeters were dominated by the slow-growing, grazing-sensitive, perennial plants Cencrhus ciliaris and Indigofera intricata .

Résumé

L'occupation saisonnière des lieux de campement où le bétail est rentré pendant la nuit a créé des ilots au sol fertile dans la partie côtière de la Somalie centrale. La matière organique du sol, les concentrations en azote, phosphore et potassium, étaient plus élevées au centre du campement et diminuaient vers la périphérie. La végétation à l'intérieur des campements différait de la prairie environnante, résultat sans doute de la fertilité du sol et du pâturage intense. L'herbe à la croissance rapide, résistante au pâturage et stolonifèhe, Cynodon dactylon , et les désagréables et annuelles Cleome tenella et Gisekia pharnaceoides , occupaient le centre des campements. Le périmètre des campements était dominé par les plantes à croissance lente, sensibles au pâturage et perennes, Cenchrus ciliaris et Indigofera intricata .     

The Abundance of Different Peritrich Ciliates on Stone Surfaces in Contrasting Lowland Streams Throughout the Year

ABSTRACT. Pentrich ciliates attached to small stones from the beds of two streams, one large with hard water, the other small with soft water, were enumerated throughout an annual cycle. Throughout the year, Platycola was the dominant peritrich in both streams, except for a brief period during the spring when Vorticella and Carchesium predominated. Vorticella reached peak levels of 89 ciliates cm² of stone surface, and up to 102 Platycola per cm² of stone surface were found. Mean volumes of samples of the main species were calculated, and used to estimate the standing stock biomasses. using a standard value of dry weight per unit volume. Published values of the growth rates of representatives of the main genera were used to estimate production values, which totalled about 6.5 g dry weight of peritrich cytoplasm/m² of stream bed per annum in the large stream (mean annual density = 8.3 peritrichs/cm² of stone surface), and 33 g dry weight/m² of stream bed per annum in the small stream (mean annual density = 47 peritrichs/cm² of stone surface). Food supply, temperature and predation were the primary factors determining peritrich abundance     

DIFFERENTIATION OF A PRIMARY CHEMICALLY INDUCED RAT NEPHROBLASTOMA IN ORGAN CULTURE

The differentiation in organ culture of a rat nephroblastoma is compared with differentiation of normal rat metanephric tissue under the same conditions. The nephroblastoma arose in a 19 week old female Fischer F344 rat given a single intraperitoneal injection of 4.0 μmole methyl(methoxymethy1)nitrosamine (DMN-OMe)/g body weight at one day of age. The tumor consisted almost entirely of spindle cells although a few well-differentiated tubules were scattered throughout the tumor mass. No primitive tubules were seen, but focal aggregates of tumor cells suggestive of nascent epithelial differentiation were frequent. Fragments of the nephroblastoma were cultured on gelfoam sponge in Williams Medium E supplemented with hydrocortisone, insulin, and fetal bovine serum. Within one day extensive tubulogenesis was observed. High mitotic activity resulted in a steady increase in the size of cultured explants over a period of 6 days. By day six, differentiating tubules filled the explant tissue. Cultured fragments were nearly indistinguishable histologically from normal F344 rat fetal kidney explanted to organ culture on day 15 of gestation and grown in vitro for the same period.     

Decalcification at the Mantle-Shell Interface in Molluscs

Decalcification at the mantle-shell interface in Mercenariatnercenaria was studied through the changes in the chemicalcomposition of the extrapallial fluid, and by the measurementof Ca⁴⁵-deposition and solution. Measurements of O₂-tensiondemonstrated that the clam was anaerobic soon after the valveswere closed. Measurements of calcium, carbon dioxide, and hydrogenion concentration showed that all of these components of theextrapallial fluid increase with increasing time of closure.These measurements, and measurements of calcium and succinicacid in the tissues and fluids of the clam, indicated thatsuccinicacid produced by the anaerobic metabolism of the clam was neutralizedby the dissolution of previously deposited shell.     

Winter Distribution,Movements, and Annual Survival of Radiomarked Vancouver Canada Geese in Southeast Alaska

ABSTRACT Management of Pacific Flyway Canada geese (Branta canadensis) requires information on winter distribution of different populations. Recoveries of tarsus bands from Vancouver Canada geese (B. canadensis fulva) marked in southeast Alaska, USA, ≥4 decades ago suggested that ≥83% of the population was non-migratory and that annual adult survival was high (Ŝ = 0.836). However, recovery distribution of tarsus bands was potentially biased due to geographic differences in harvest intensity in the Pacific Flyway. Also, winter distribution of Vancouver Canada geese could have shifted since the 1960s, as has occurred for some other populations of Canada geese. Because winter distribution and annual survival of this population had not recently been evaluated, we surgically implanted very high frequency radiotransmitters in 166 adult female Canada geese in southeast Alaska. We captured Vancouver Canada geese during molt at 2 sites where adults with goslings were present (breeding areas) and 2 sites where we observed nonbreeding birds only. During winter radiotracking flights in southeast Alaska, we detected 98% of 85 females marked at breeding areas and 83% of 70 females marked at nonbreeding sites, excluding 11 females that died prior to the onset of winter radiotracking. We detected no radiomarked females in coastal British Columbia, or western Washington and Oregon, USA. Most (70%) females moved ≤30 km between November and March. Our model-averaged estimate of annual survival (Ŝ = 0.844, SE = 0.050) was similar to the estimate of annual survival of geese marked from 1956 to 1960. Likely <2% of Vancouver Canada geese that nest in southeast Alaska migrate to winter areas in Oregon or Washington where they could intermix with Canada geese from other populations in the Pacific Flyway. Because annual survival of adult Vancouver Canada geese was high and showed evidence of long-term consistency, managers should examine how reproductive success and recruitment may affect the population.     

Combined Review: Architectural Anthropology and Minaret Building and Apprenticeship in Yemen

Architectural Anthropology. Mari-José Amerlinck, ed. Westport, CT: Bergin and Garvey, 2001. 232 pp.
Minaret Building and Apprenticeship in Yemen. Trevor H. J. Marchand. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon Press, 2001. 304 pp.     

Chytridiomycosis Widespread in Anurans of Northeastern United States

ABSTRACT An emerging disease of amphibians caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been associated with morbidity, mortality, and extinction of species. Typically, researchers have detected B. dendrobatidis only when examining amphibians for causes of mortalities; few data exist on infection rates where mortalities are lacking. During May-September 2000–2002 we obtained amphibian specimens killed by vehicles and others collected at remote off-road sites throughout Maine, USA, and from federal lands in 5 states in the Northeast. We detected infected specimens, mostly green frogs (Rana clamitans), at 5 of 7 national wildlife refuges, a federal waterfowl production area, and Acadia National Park. Seven of 9 species, including all Ranidae species, were infected throughout Maine; rates ranged from 14.6% in American toads (Bufo americanus) to 25.7% in northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens). We did not detect any infections in 50 eastern gray tree frogs (Hyla versicolor) or 21 spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer). Species that hibernate in terrestrial habitats seem to have lower rates of infection than species that hibernate in aquatic habitats. Infections peaked in spring and autumn and were associated with air temperatures optimal for B. dendrobatidis growth. The relatively high infection rates among species without documented die-offs suggest that either losses have occurred undetected, that the fungus is endemic and species have attained a level of resistance to infections becoming lethal, or that climatic conditions of the Northeast have a role in preventing infections from being lethal. Data on prevalence and distribution of this chytrid fungus in the Northeast may be useful in modeling its origins and predicting long-term ecosystem effects involving anurans.