Aroid scarabs in the genus Peltonotus Burmeister (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae): key to species and new distributional data

The southeast Asian scarab beetle genus Peltonotus Burmeister (Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae, Cyclocephalini) is reviewed. New country records for Peltonotus morio Burmeister (Myanmar and Vietnam), Peltonotus nasutus Arrow (southern China and Cambodia), and Peltonotus favonius Jameson and Wada (Myanmar) are reported, including a new record in the Palearctic/Sino-Japanese biogeographic region. The first female specimen of Peltonotus favonius is described. Biological associations with aroid inflorescences are reviewed, and human consumption of Peltonotus beetles is reported. A key to all species, paralectotype designations for Peltonotus nasutus, diagnoses, and distributions using dynamic mapping tools are included.     

Weed macaques: The evolutionary implications of macaque feeding ecology

Patterns of feeding ecology among the living macaques conform poorly with recognized phyletic distinctions within the genus because there is an important ecological division which cross-cuts phyletic groupings. This division, between weed species and non-weed species, is based on the differing abilities of macaques to tolerate and even prosper in close association with human settlements. Based on available information about their ecology in the wild, we tentatively assign macaque species to these two categories. Finally, we consider the implications of our argument for scenarios of the initial spread of the macaques.     

Value of routine follow up of women treated for early carcinoma of the breast.

The value of routine follow up of women treated for early breast cancer by mastectomy with or without postoperative radiotherapy was assessed retrospectively. Over eight years 546 patients made 6863 clinic visits, during which 192 first relapses were detected. Ninety three relapses were detected at scheduled (routine) visits and 99 at unscheduled (interval) visits. First relapses within the treated area or in the contralateral breast were detected significantly more commonly at routine visits than were first metastatic relapses (66/89 (74%) compared with 27/103 (26%)). Patients whose local relapse was detected at a routine visit had a significantly better survival than those whose local relapse was detected at an interval visit. A relapse that was potentially curable (local or in the contralateral breast) was detected at 66 (1%) of 6764 routine visits, but only 26 (39%) of these patients remained free of disease. It is concluded that the intensity of follow up of such patients could be reduced without any adverse effect on prognosis but with appreciable financial and other benefits.     

Dust and ammonia in horse stalls with different ventilation rates and bedding

Airborne particles and ammonia were monitored in horse stalls managed under four conditions. Two ventilation rates, high (27 air changes per h) and low (5 air changes per h) and two bedding types, paper and straw, were employed. At both ventilation rates, the number of airborne particles generated while the stalls were mucked out was higher with straw than with paper. Particles were more efficiently cleared at the higher ventilation rate in both the straw and paper stalls. Ammonia measurements reflected an accumulation over time. In the stalls with low ventilation, ammonia levels were significantly higher than in those stalls with high ventilation regardless of bedding type. Management decisions and their relationships to respiratory disorders are discussed.     

Electrophoretic karyotypes of the elm tree pathogen Ophiostoma ulmi (sensu lato)

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis using OFAGE, TAFE, and CHEF systems has been used to more fully characterize karyotypic variation within the two closely related fungal species of Ophiostoma ulmi sensu lato. Twelve wild-type and laboratory strains, representing the less agressive species O. ulmi and both of the biotypes of the more aggressive species O. novo-ulmi were studied and their karyotypes determined. Depending on the strain, a minimum of four to a minimum of eight chromosomal DNA bands were present that fall into three distinct size classes, with one exception. Strain CESSI6K (O. novo-ulmi, North American aggressive subgroup) contains a unique chromosomal DNA band which comigrated near a Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome of 0.95 Mb. This unique band was the smallest O. ulmi s. l. chromosomal DNA observed. Seven of the twelve strains shared a common chromosomal DNA banding pattern, whereas each of the other five had a unique karyotype. There was no correlation between chromosome profile and species, as some O. novo-ulmi and O. ulmi strains shared common electrophoretic karyotypes.     

A Mechanistic Analysis of Self-thinning in Terms of the Carbon Balance of Trees

The self-thinning behavior of a monoculture forest is examinedfrom a mechanistic viewpoint, in terms of the carbon balanceof trees at the stand level. Two approaches are described: thefirst is based on simple assumptions concerning the balancebetween growth, photosynthesis and respiration; the second usesthe process-based I.T.E. EDINBURGH FOREST model, extended toinclude tree birth and death, to examined the assumptions ofthe first approach at a more mechanistic level and to interpretthe observed variation in the responses to shading and soilfertility in terms of a single model. The first approach leads to a power law relation m n ^-1/y betweenmean biomass per tree (m) and the number of trees per unit groundarea (n), where y is the exponent characterising the rate atwhich respiration (r) scales with biomass (i.e. r m^y). Forvalues of y less than 1, m and n are predicted to increase anddecrease, respectively, as powers of time (t) such that thebiomass per unit ground area (M) increases linearly with t forany value of y. When y equals 1, m and n vary exponentiallywith t and M remains constant. When r is assumed to be proportional to stem cambium surfacearea, the value of y is shown to lie in the range 0·5to 1 depending on the rate of stem taper. This leads to slopeson a log m vs. log n self-thinning plot in range -1 to -2 andtypically around -1·5 for rates of taper based on mechanicalrequirements. For the second approach, the I.T.E. EDINBURGH FOREST model,a previously published mechanistic model of plantation growthat the stand level (Thornley, 1991), is extended to naturalstands by introducing average stem birth and death rates thatare functions of the carbon and nitrogen substrate status oftrees. Growth of even-aged and mixed-age forest over about 500years is simulated under a variety of environmental and physiologicalconditions. In general, the forest model predicts a curved log m vs. logn thinning line, but has a reasonably well-defined linear sectionunder most conditions. The slope of the linear portion flattensas the rate at which cambium surface area scales with structuralbiomass increases, in qualitative agreement with the analyticalprediction of the first approach. Quantitative differences betweenthe two approaches are interpreted in terms of the process representedin the forest model. In general, the height of the thinningline increases with irradiance, but is relatively insensitiveto soil nitrogen, with no change in slope in either case. However,at very low irradiance or soil nitrogen levels, the slope flattenscontinuously and the entire thinning line becomes markedly non-linear.Even-aged stands and mixed-age stands have different thinningslopes.Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press Self-thinning, carbon balance, mechanistic model, forest growth, respiration     

Mapping and monitoring tick (Acari,Ixodida) distribution,seasonality, and host associations in the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2020

Tick-borne disease risk is intrinsically linked to the distribution of tick vector species. To assess risk and anticipate disease emergence, an understanding of tick distribution, host associations, and seasonality is needed. This can be achieved, to some extent, using passive surveillance supported by engagement with the public, animal health, and public health experts. The Tick Surveillance Scheme (TSS) collects data and maps tick distribution across the United Kingdom (UK). Between 2017 and 2020, 3720 tick records were received and 39 tick species were detected. Most records were acquired in the UK, with a subset associated with recent overseas travel. The dominant UK acquired species was Ixodes ricinus (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Linnaeus), the main vector of Lyme borreliosis. Records peaked during May and June, highlighting a key risk period for tick bites. Other key UK species were detected, including Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Fabricius) and Haemaphysalis punctata (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Canestrini & Fanzago) as well as several rarer species that may present novel tick-borne disease risk to humans and other animals. Updated tick distribution maps highlight areas in the UK where tick exposure has occurred. There is evidence of increasing human tick exposure over time, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, but seasonal patterns remain unchanged.     

Inhibition of cell division initiation by an imbalance in the ratio of FtsA to FtsZ.

Elevated levels of FtsA protein block cell division at a very early stage, similar to that caused by inhibition of the action of FtsZ. In contrast, overexpression of FtsA and FtsZ together does not block division. A specific ratio of FtsA to FtsZ protein, therefore, is required for cell division.