The ander's organ: a mechanism for anti-predator ultrasound in a relict orthopteran

The use of acoustics in predator evasion is a widely reported phenomenon amongst invertebrate taxa, but the study of ultrasonic anti-predator acoustics is often limited to the prey of bats. Here, we describe the acoustic function and morphology of a unique stridulatory structure in the relict orthopteran Cyphoderris monstrosa (Ensifera, Hagloidea): the Ander's organ. This species is one of just eight remaining members of the family Prophalangopsidae, a group with a fossil record of over 90 extinct species widespread during the Jurassic. We reveal that the sound produced by this organ has the characteristics of a broadband ultrasonic anti-predator defence, with a peak frequency of 58±15.5 kHz and a bandwidth of 50 kHz (at 10 dB below peak). Evidence from sexual dimorphism, knowledge on hearing capabilities and assessment of local predators, suggest the signal likely targets ground-dwelling predators. Additionally, we reveal a previously undescribed series of cavities underneath the organ that likely function as a mechanism for ultrasound amplification. Morphological structures homologous in both appearance and anatomical location to the Ander's organ are observed to varying degrees in 4 of the 7 other extant members of this family, with the remaining 3 yet to be assessed. Therefore, we suggest that such structures may either be more widely present in this ancient family than previously assumed, or have evolved to serve a key function in the long-term survival of these few species, allowing them to outlive their extinct counterparts.

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Anatomical location of Periglischrus iheringi(Acari: Spinturnicidae) associated with the great fruit-eating bat (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612015022 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 361-364 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Juliana Almeida ◽

Nicolau Serra-Freire ◽

Adriano Peracchi

Keyword(s):

Lower Risk ◽

Anatomical Location ◽

Significant Preference ◽

Stable Temperature ◽

The Family ◽

Temperature And Humidity ◽

Artibeus Lituratus

Spinturnicid mites are ectoparasites that infest the wings of bats, and species of the genus Periglischrus Kolenati, 1857 are associated exclusively with bats of the family Phyllostomidae. We tested the hypothesis that a long-term evolutionary association led P. iheringi to choose very specific wing locations to infest the great fruit-eating bats, Artibeus lituratus. Seven anatomical wing regions and the uropatagium from 140 bats were analyzed and a total of 78 parasites were collected. Periglischrus iheringi had a significant preference for the plagiopatagium and dactylopatgium major wing regions (i.e., large, proximal regions) and infestation was directly correlated to area (r=0.9744). However, other factors may also influence mite choice, such as higher and more stable temperature and humidity, vascularization and lower risk of displacement.

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Phasmarhabditis apuliae n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), a new rhabditid nematode from milacid slugs

Nematology ◽

10.1163/15685411-00003017 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 1095-1112 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jiří Nermuť ◽

Vladimír Půža ◽

Zdeněk Mráček

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Parasitic Nematode ◽

Nematode Species ◽

Term Survival ◽

The Family ◽

Tail Tip ◽

The Village ◽

The City

A new nematode species belonging to the family Rhabditidae, genus Phasmarhabditis, was isolated in the city of Bari (strain BAR) and near the village Gravina (strain GRA) in Apulia, Italy, and is described herein as Phasmarhabditis apuliae n. sp. The original hosts were Milax sowerbyi and M. gagates. Females are 2623 (2262-2848) μm long with a long tapering tail. Prominent papilla-like phasmids are present. Males are 2096 (1898-2363) μm long. They have a peloderan bursa with nine pairs of rays arranged as 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 3. Each ray bears a single papilla. A non-paired papilla is located near the ventral appendage anterior to the cloacal aperture. Prominent papilla-like phasmids are situated close to the tail tip. Dauer juveniles have lateral fields formed from two prominent wide ridges and have three incisures. Phasmarhabditis apuliae n. sp. seems to be a facultative mollusc-parasitic nematode that is capable, in a similar manner to P. hermaphrodita, of long-term survival in the saprophytic phase on decaying organic matter. Ecology, morphology and phylogenetic relationships of Phasmarhabditis nematodes are discussed.

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Pteridophyte success and past biota—a palaeobotanist's approach

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Section B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1017/s026972700000840x ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 86 ◽

pp. 423-430

Author(s):

B. A. Thomas

Keyword(s):

Fossil Record ◽

Geological History ◽

Term Survival ◽

Long Term Survival ◽

Amount Of Information ◽

The Past ◽

History Of

SynopsisThe success of plants which lived in the past should be assessed differently from that of living plants as time is an additional important factor. Success may therefore be judged in one period of time or throughout the whole geological history of the plants.Limitations of the fossil record through plant fragmentation, lack of preservation and incomplete preservation severely restrict the amount of information available. However, accepting these problems, there are four major ways in which plants may be judged: long term survival, repeated specialisation, dominance and adaptability. Examples are given of pteridophytes that exhibit success in these four ways.

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Infection of Acanthamoeba polyphagawith Simkania negevensis and S. negevensis Survival within Amoebal Cysts

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.67.10.4789-4795.2001 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 67 (10) ◽

pp. 4789-4795 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

Simona Kahane ◽

Bella Dvoskin ◽

Mazit Mathias ◽

Maureen G. Friedman

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Inclusion Bodies ◽

Respiratory Illness ◽

Developmental Cycle ◽

Term Survival ◽

Adverse Conditions ◽

The Family ◽

Simkania Negevensis ◽

First Time

ABSTRACT Simkania negevensis, a novel microorganism belonging to the family Simkaniaceae in the orderChlamydiales, has an intracellular developmental cycle during which two morphological entities, elementary bodies (EB) and reticulate bodies (RB), are seen by electron microscopy. Rates of seropositivity to the organism are high in certain population groups, and S. negevensis has been associated with respiratory illness in humans. This study reports for the first time the ability ofS. negevensis to survive and grow insideAcanthamoeba polyphaga in addition to its known ability to grow in cell cultures of human or simian origin. Infectivity ofS. negevensis and growth in amoebae were monitored by immunoperoxidase assays. Long-term persistence and exponential growth of S. negevensis in amoebal trophozoites were demonstrated by infectivity assays and by electron microscopy. EB and dividing RB of S. negevensis were observed within inclusion bodies inside A. polyphaga. When S. negevensis-infected A. polyphaga amoebae were exposed to adverse conditions resulting in encystation of the amoebae, several possible outcomes were observed: cysts containing both normal amoebic cytoplasm and S. negevensis; cysts in whichS. negevensis cells were relegated to the space between cyst walls; and cysts containing S. negevensis, but apparently lacking amoebal cytoplasm. S. negevensiswithin dried amoebal cysts was capable of long-term survival. The possibility that amoebae may have a role in natural transmission ofS. negevensis needs to be investigated.

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Repeated ex situ Spawning in Two Highly Disease Susceptible Corals in the Family Meandrinidae

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.669976 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Keri L. O’Neil ◽

Rachel M. Serafin ◽

Joshua T. Patterson ◽

Jamie R. K. Craggs

Keyword(s):

Ex Situ ◽

Tissue Loss ◽

Coral Tissue ◽

Population Declines ◽

Genetic Rescue ◽

Term Survival ◽

Artificial Lighting ◽

The Family ◽

In The Wild

Members of the family Meandrinidae are highly susceptible to stony coral tissue loss disease, resulting in population reductions up to 88% in both Dendrogyra cylindrus and Meandrina meandrites along the Florida Reef Tract. Reductions in abundance on this scale leave these species susceptible to limitations in sexual reproduction and natural recovery without intervention. In response to the ongoing outbreak of the disease across the Caribbean, a variety of genetic rescue projects have been implemented to bring disease susceptible species into ex situ culture and preserve living genetic diversity. In this study, corals being held in a long-term ex situ genetic bank were maintained using artificial lighting and temperature cues programmed to mimic natural cycles in Key Largo, FL, United States. Synchronized broadcast spawning events in both species were documented in aquaria over two annual spawning cycles in 2019 and 2020. Timing of gamete release relative to the perceived date and sunset was highly synchronized with wild observations. Up to 21 unique D. cylindrus genotypes collected from reef locations spanning over 230 km contributed gametes to the larval pool. The majority of these parental colonies are no longer alive in the wild. Repeatable and predictable ex situ spawning events such as these will become an essential tool for managed breeding and assisted fertilization in species suffering from severe population declines. These annual events have the potential to produce thousands of genetically diverse offspring for restoration efforts and offer future hope for the long-term survival of these threatened species.

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Caspases and apoptosis

Essays in Biochemistry ◽

10.1042/bse0380009 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 9-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 121

Author(s):

Guy S Salvesen

Keyword(s):

Cysteine Proteases ◽

Signalling Pathways ◽

Term Survival ◽

Mature Adult ◽

Intracellular Signalling Pathways ◽

Adult Cell ◽

Caspase Family ◽

Cell Fragments ◽

Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

The ability of metazoan cells to undergo programmed cell death is vital to both the precise development and long-term survival of the mature adult. Cell deaths that result from engagement of this programme end in apoptosis, the ordered dismantling of the cell that results in its 'silent' demise, in which packaged cell fragments are removed by phagocytosis. This co-ordinated demise is mediated by members of a family of cysteine proteases known as caspases, whose activation follows characteristic apoptotic stimuli, and whose substrates include many proteins, the limited cleavage of which causes the characteristic morphology of apoptosis. In vertebrates, a subset of caspases has evolved to participate in the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and thus members of the caspase family participate in one of two very distinct intracellular signalling pathways.

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