Polyphyly of Asian Tree Toads,Genus Pedostibes Günther, 1876 (Anura: Bufonidae), and the Description of a New Genus from Southeast Asia

The Asian Tree Toad genus Pedostibes, as currently understood, exhibits a conspicuously disjunct distribution, posing several immediate questions relating to the biogeography and taxonomy of this poorly known group. The type species, P. tuberculosus and P. kempi, are known only from India, whereas P. hosii, P. rugosus, and P. everetti are restricted to Southeast Asia. Several studies have shown that these allopatric groups are polyphyletic, with the Indian Pedostibes embedded within a primarily South Asian clade of toads, containing the genera Adenomus, Xanthophryne, and Duttaphrynus. Southeast Asian Pedostibes on the other hand, are nested within a Southeast Asian clade, which is the sister lineage to the Southeast Asian river toad genus Phrynoidis. We demonstrate that Indian and Southeast Asian Pedostibes are not only allopatric and polyphyletic, but also exhibit significant differences in morphology and reproductive mode, indicating that the Southeast Asian species’ are not congeneric with the true Pedostibes of India. As a taxonomic solution, we describe a new genus, Rentapia gen. nov. to accommodate the Southeast Asian species.     

Histoenzymological and biochemical changes in the liver of adult female rats and of youngs born from Madiol-treated pregnant rats

The effect of a 30-day treatment with Madiol was studied on the activity of some enzymes, nucleic acids, protein and glycogen content of the liver of adult female rats and youngs born from mothers treated during pregnancy. Madiol caused a significant increase in SDH and Atp-ase activity, and decreased glycogen and acid phosphatase.     

Seasonal variation in the chemical composition of the bioenergy feedstock Laminaria digitata for thermochemical conversion

To avoid negative impacts on food production, novel non-food biofuel feedstocks need to be identified and utilised. One option is to utilise marine biomass, notably fast-growing, large marine ‘plants’ such as the macroalgal kelps. This paper reports on the changing composition of Laminaria digitata throughout it growth cycle as determined by new technologies. The potential of Laminaria sp. as a feedstock for biofuel production and future biorefining possibilities was assessed through proximate and ultimate analysis, initial pyrolysis rates using thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), metals content and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Samples harvested in March contained the lowest proportion of carbohydrate and the highest ash and alkali metal content, whereas samples harvested in July contained the highest proportions of carbohydrate, lowest alkali metals and ash content. July was therefore considered the most suitable month for harvesting kelp biomass for thermochemical conversion to biofuels.     

The effect of DL-propranolol on γ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity and urinary excretion of porphyrins in allylisopropylacetamide-induced experimental porphyria

Experimental porphyria was induced in rats by allylisopropylacetamide. DL-Propranolol, a β-adrenergic-receptor blocking agent, significantly reduced the elevated urinary excretion of δ-aminolevulinic acid, porphobilinogen and total porphyrins. DL-Propranolol also partially prevented the increased activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthesis in liver homogenates of allylisopropylacetamide-treated rats. It had no effect on the above parameters in normal rats. These findings support the hypothesis that δ-aminolevulinic acid exists in two forms, a constitutive and an inducible one.In order to examine whether the action of the drug was caused by its membrane effect. D-propranolol and quinidine sulphate were used in similar sets of experiments. These drugs had no effect on the abnormal porphyrin metabolism of allylisoprpyl-acetamide-treated rats, indicating that the results obtained with DL-propranolol were not due to its membrane action.