Species differentiation of Sepia officinalis and Sepia hierredda (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) based on morphological and allozyme analyses

Two taxa of commercially exploited cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis and S. hierredda, are compared for the first time on the bases of quantitative morphology and allozyme polymorphisms. Morphometric measurements and meristic counts of selected soft and hard (cuttlebone) body characters, with allozyme electrophoretic analysis are used. Samples were obtained from north-west Iberian Peninsula and Senegalese waters (West Africa). Significant differences in mantle width, arm and hectocotylus length, numbers of rows of reduced suckers on the hectocotylus and in most cuttlebone measurements were found. Canonical discriminant functions of cuttlebone measurements for males and females were calculated. Allozyme electrophoresis for 33 presumptive loci showed low levels of genetic variability and 13 diagnostic loci between the two Sepia taxa. The genetic identities (I) in pairwise comparisons of populations of both taxa were I=0·582–0·596, which are typical values for congeneric species. These congruent morphological and genetic results strongly suggest that S. officinalis and S. hierredda are different species.

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Observation on the breeding biology of Polypedates teraiensis (Dubois, 1987) (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae)

Science Vision ◽

10.33493/scivis.17.01.05 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 25-32

Author(s):

Jacinta Lalchhanhimi ◽

Lalremsanga H.T.

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Sound Production ◽

Reproductive Function ◽

Breeding Biology ◽

Tree Frog ◽

University Campus ◽

Morphometric Measurements ◽

Advertisement Calls ◽

Males And Females

The breeding biology of tree frog, Polypedates teraiensis was studied during the breeding season at Mizoram University Campus. It was found that sound production by male during the breeding season was primarily a reproductive function and advertisement calls attract females to the breeding areas and announce other males that a given territory is occupied. The aim of this study was to provide the detailed information on the breeding behaviour and the advertisement calls of Polypedates teraiensis. The morphometric measurements of the amplecting pairs (males and females) for sexual dimorphism along with clutch sizes were also studied.

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Phosphatidylserine-Gold Nanoparticles (PS-AuNP) Induce Prostate and Breast Cancer Cell Apoptosis

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13071094 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 1094

Author(s):

Allan Radaic ◽

Nam E. Joo ◽

Soo-Hwan Jeong ◽

Seong-II Yoo ◽

Nicholas Kotov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Gold Nanoparticles ◽

Biomedical Applications ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Track Record ◽

Males And Females ◽

Breast And Prostate Cancer ◽

First Time

Prostate and breast cancer are the current leading causes of new cancer cases in males and females, respectively. Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an essential lipid that mediates macrophage efferocytosis and is dysregulated in tumors. Therefore, developing therapies that selectively restore PS may be a potential therapeutic approach for carcinogenesis. Among the nanomedicine strategies for delivering PS, biocompatible gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have an extensive track record in biomedical applications. In this study, we synthesized biomimetic phosphatidylserine-caped gold nanoparticles (PS-AuNPs) and tested their anticancer potential in breast and prostate cancer cells in vitro. We found that both cell lines exhibited changes in cell morphology indicative of apoptosis. After evaluating for histone-associated DNA fragments, a hallmark of apoptosis, we found significant increases in DNA fragmentation upon PS-AuNP treatment compared to the control treatment. These findings demonstrate the use of phosphatidylserine coupled with gold nanoparticles as a potential treatment for prostate and breast cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a phosphatidylserine-capped AuNP has been examined for its therapeutic potential in cancer therapy.

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A review of the Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Sardinia

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2318.1.24 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2318 (1) ◽

pp. 566-588 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

DANIEL WHITMORE

Keyword(s):

Canary Islands ◽

North Africa ◽

Junior Synonym ◽

Arthropod Diversity ◽

Italian Regions ◽

Males And Females ◽

First Time

An account is given of the species of Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 subgenus Heteronychia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 known from the island of Sardinia (Italy). Most of the nearly 1,400 specimens examined were collected in the SW part of the island during 2003–2006 as part of a project investigating the arthropod diversity of the Monti Marganai and Montimannu areas (respectively Carbonia-Iglesias and Medio Campidano provinces). The study resulted in the finding of eight species of Heteronychia, six of which are recorded from Sardinia for the first time. Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) penicillata Villeneuve, 1907, previously mentioned in the literature, is excluded from the fauna of the island. Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) thirionae (Lehrer, 1976) is recorded for the first time from Europe and North Africa (Algeria). One species, Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) gabrielei sp. nov., from various sites in the limestone massif of Marganai, is described as new. Previously unpublished records from other Italian regions and from other countries (Algeria, Canary Islands, Greece) are also given for several species. Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) schnabli Villeneuve, 1911 is recognized as a junior synonym of S. (H.) consanguinea Rondani, 1860 syn. nov. The possible synanthropy of Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) pandellei (Rohdendorf, 1937) is briefly discussed. A key to males and females of all known Sardinian and Corsican species of Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) is provided.

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The Australian species of Aponomma and Amblyomma (Ixodoidea).

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo9530111 ◽

1953 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 111 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

FHS Roberts

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Australian Species ◽

Males And Females ◽

First Time ◽

Species Being

A study has been made of the Australian species of Aponomma and Amblyomma (Ixodoidea). Nine species of Aponomma were determined, namely A. trachysauri, A. hydrosauri, A. auruginans, A. decorosum, A. simplex, A. trimuculatum, A. tachyglossi, A, tropicum, and A. pulchrum, the last three species being new. Two previously described species, namely A. quadratum and A. ecinctum, were recognized among the material available for study. A detailed description given of each species together with essential figures. Keys to the males, females, and nymphs are included. Twelve species of Amblyomma were seen. Species previously described included A. moreliae, A. limbatum, A. albolimbatum, A. triguttatum, A. australiense, and A. papuanu. A. postoculatum and A. helvolum were not recognized among the material available for study. A. papuana is recorded from Australia for the first time. Four new species, namely A. sternne, A. echidnae, A. macropi, and A. moyi, are described. Keys to the males and females are given.

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Review of the Priocnemis hyalinata species-group (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), with description of a new species from China

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4254.5.4 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4254 (5) ◽

pp. 551

Author(s):

VALERY M. LOKTIONOV ◽

ARKADY S. LELEJ ◽

ZAI-FU XU

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Species Group ◽

Oriental Region ◽

Males And Females ◽

First Time ◽

One New Species ◽

A New Species

Eight species in the Priocnemis hyalinata species-group are reviewed. The species-group is recorded from Oriental Region for the first time, and one new species, Priocnemis (Priocnemis) yunnanensis Loktionov, Lelej & Xu, sp. nov. (China: Yunnan) is described and illustrated. The lectotype of Salius (Priocnemis) unicolor Gussakovskij is designated. The distribution of P. (P.) hyalinata (Fabricius), P. (P.) fennica Haupt and P. (P.) unicolor (Gussakovskij) is clarified and enlarged within Russia. Keys to species for males and females are given.

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The effects of a national highway on the Endangered golden-brown mouse lemur Microcebus ravelobensis in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605317001284 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 727-731 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Malcolm S. Ramsay ◽

Andriamahery Razafindrakoto ◽

Shawn M. Lehman

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Mouse Lemur ◽

Population Subdivision ◽

Empirical Testing ◽

Future Studies ◽

North West ◽

Mouse Lemurs ◽

Interior Forest ◽

Males And Females ◽

Dispersal Events

AbstractAlthough roads are often assumed to be barriers to the dispersal of arboreal species, there has been little empirical testing of this assumption. If arboreal animals are unable to cross roads, population subdivision may occur, or resources may become inaccessible. We tested the hypothesis that Route Nationale 4 (RN4), a paved highway, was a barrier to movement and dispersal of the Endangered golden-brown mouse lemur Microcebus ravelobensis in Ankarafantsika National Park, in north-west Madagascar. During June–August 2015 we conducted a capture–mark–recapture study at three sites: two adjacent to RN4 and one within intact forest without a potential barrier. During 2,294 trap nights we captured 120 golden-brown mouse lemurs 1,032 times. In roadside habitats we captured significantly more males than females, whereas the opposite was the case in interior forest habitat. We detected eighteen crossings of highway transects by nine individuals; however, all potential dispersal events involved males. In roadside habitat, movement was significantly inhibited in both males and females. We present some of the first data on the effects of roads on movement patterns in arboreal Malagasy mammals, showing species- and sex-biased effects of roads as dispersal barriers. Our findings indicate that roads may not be complete barriers to dispersal in lemurs. We recommend that conservation managers and scientists examine explicitly the effects of roads and natural arboreal bridges in Madagascar in future studies.

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Notes on protected and threatened plants in Castilla y León (North-West Spain)

Mediterranean Botany ◽

10.5209/mbot.59999 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 213-220

Author(s):

Fermín Del Egido ◽

Patricio Bariego ◽

Alberto Rodríguez ◽

María Santos Vicente

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

New Records ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Geographic Range ◽

Threatened Plants ◽

North West ◽

Castilla Y Leon ◽

Vascular Plant Species ◽

New Findings ◽

First Time

We provide new records and notes on 25 protected and/or threatened vascular plant species in Castilla y León. Some of them illustrate not only new findings but also an interesting expansion of their geographic range. Eight taxa are reported for the first time in some provinces, while eleven of them were two or three times previously reported.

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New and rare lichens and allied fungi from Arkhangelsk region, North-West Russia

Folia Cryptogamica Estonica ◽

10.12697/fce.2020.57.10 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 57 ◽

pp. 85-100

Author(s):

Viktoria Tarasova ◽

Liudmila Konoreva ◽

Mikhail Zhurbenko ◽

Tatiana Pystina ◽

Sergei Chesnokov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

European Part ◽

North West ◽

Red Data Book ◽

Arkhangelsk Region ◽

European Part Of Russia ◽

Data Book ◽

The Russian Federation ◽

First Time

Thirty-one lichen-forming fungi, 12 lichenicolous fungi, and 5 non-lichenized fungi are reported as new for Arkhangelsk Region; 7 species are new for its mainland area. Micarea fallax is reported for the first time for Russia; M. laeta and M. pusilla are new for the European part of Russia. The second finding of Nicropuncta rugulosa for Russia is recorded; microconidia are first observed in this species. The records of ten species which have been included in the new edition of the Red Data Book of the Arkhangelsk Region (2020) are presented. Nephromopsis laureri from the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation (2008) and Leptogium rivulare from the IUCN Red List are reported for the first time for Arkhangelsk Region.

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Experimental infection of sheep with visna/maedi virus via the conjunctival space

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.2008/000133-0 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 89 (6) ◽

pp. 1329-1337 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Heide Niesalla ◽

Tom N. McNeilly ◽

Margaret Ross ◽

Susan M. Rhind ◽

Gordon D. Harkiss

Keyword(s):

Post Infection ◽

Mononuclear Cells ◽

Mediastinal Lymph Node ◽

Ocular Tissue ◽

Ocular Infection ◽

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽

Ocular Tissues ◽

Virus Dose ◽

Low Levels ◽

First Time

Experiments were performed to determine whether visna/maedi virus (VMV), a small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV), could infect sheep via ocular tissues. The EV1 strain of VMV was administered into the conjunctival space of uninfected sheep, and the animals monitored for the presence of provirus DNA and anti-VMV antibodies in blood. The results showed that provirus DNA appeared in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of all animals within a few weeks of receiving either 106 TCID50 or 103 TCID50 of VMV. Of the animals receiving the higher dose of virus via the conjunctival space, two seroconverted by 7 and 10 weeks post-infection, one seroconverted 8 months post-infection, and one had not seroconverted by 15 months post-infection. With the lower virus dose, the animals infected via the trachea seroconverted by 4 and 14 weeks, respectively. After ocular infection with this dose, one animal showed a transitory seroconversion with low levels of antibody, peaking at 2 weeks post-administration. The remaining three of the animals infected via the eyes did not seroconvert over a period of 13 months. At post-mortem, evidence for the presence of proviral DNA was obtained from ocular tissue, lungs or mediastinal lymph node in both groups of animals. Histological analysis of lung tissue from animals receiving the lower dose of virus showed the presence of early inflammatory lesions. The results thus show for the first time that transmission of VMV can occur via ocular tissues, suggesting that the conjunctival space may be an additional route of natural transmission.

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A new Palaearctic species of the subgenus Lunatipula (Diptera, Tipulidae) from the West Caucasus with a survey of the caucasica species group

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.1048.67564 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1048 ◽

pp. 145-175

Author(s):

Vladimir I. Lantsov ◽

Valentin E. Pilipenko

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Parallel Evolution ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Species Group ◽

Palaearctic Species ◽

The West ◽

The Caucasus ◽

Males And Females ◽

First Time ◽

Two Populations

The caucasica species group in the subgenus Lunatipula is redefined and now consists of five species native to the Caucasus. Tipula (L.) eleniyasp. nov. is described as new to science, and variations in the male terminalia in two populations are noted. Two subspecies (quadridentataquadridentata and quadridentatapaupera) are elevated to species rank. Detailed photo’s complement the descriptions of all five species (caucasica, eleniya, paupera, quadridentata, talyshensis), and data on ecology and distribution patterns are included as well as identification keys to males and females. Tipula caucasica is recorded from the West Caucasus and Tipula quadridentata is recorded from Dagestan (Russia) for the first time. Parallel evolution is traced in the male terminalia of the new species and in several non caucasica species group of Palaearctic Lunatipula.

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