New record of Phyllodiaptomus (Ctenodiaptomus) praedictus sulawensis Alekseev & Vaillant, 2013 (Hexanauplia, Copepoda, Calanoida, Diaptomidae) in the Philippines (Luzon Island)

A study originally intended to update the taxonomy and distribution of calanoid copepods in selected freshwater ecosystems of Central Luzon has led to the discovery of a new record of Phyllodiaptomus Kiefer, 1936 in Candaba Swamp, Pampanga. Since 1979, the only calanoid copepods recorded from this area included Filipinodiaptomus insulanus (Wright S., 1928) and Tropodiaptomus australis Kiefer, 1936. Later studies on calanoid copepods in the region have since been non-existent. Analyses of pertinent key morphological characters revealed that the specimens at hand belonged to Phyllodiaptomus (Ctenodiaptomus) praedictus sulawensis Alekseev & Vaillant, 2013, a freshwater diaptomid calanoid copepod subspecies discovered and known to be endemic only in Indonesia. Provided in this paper are baseline information on the morphological characters of the Philippine members of the subspecies accompanied by line drawings as well as a comparison between the recorded morphological data presented by Alekseev, Haffner, Vaillant & Yusoff (2013) and the current dataset to support the identification of the specimen. The discovery of P. (C.) praedictus sulawensis in the Philippines, which was thought to be endemic in Indonesia, presents a new record of this species in the country and the first such record outside of its country of origin.

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A new record of odd-scaled snake (Serpentes, Xenodermidae) from Vietnam: expanded description of Parafimbrios vietnamensis based on integrative taxonomy

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.1048.66477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1048 ◽

pp. 79-89

Author(s):

Nikolai L. Orlov ◽

Oleg A. Ermakov ◽

Tao Thien Nguyen ◽

Natalia B. Ananjeva

Keyword(s):

Genetic Divergence ◽

New Record ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Integrative Taxonomy ◽

Type Locality ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Snake Species ◽

Male Individual

Based on the combination of molecular and morphological data, we herein report the second known finding of the xenodermid snake species Parafimbrios vietnamensis Ziegler, Ngo, Pham, Nguyen, Le & Nguyen, 2018. The male individual was found in the Yen Bai Province of northwestern Vietnam, more than 200 km from the type locality in Lai Chau Province. Genetic divergence between the newly-collected male and the holotype was low (1.7%), and is in agreement with morphological data that supports that they are conspecific. We give a detailed description of the morphological characters and coloration of the new record and provide an expanded diagnosis of P. vietnamensis. Parafimbrios is a poorly-understood genus, and our recent discovery brings the total number of known specimens of the genus to nine, 1/3 of them having been found in Vietnam (one specimen of P. lao and now two specimens of P. vietnamensis).

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Vorticella and Colacium as epibionts of copepods in Pasig river, Philippines

10.26757/pjsb2020a14008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Algal Blooms ◽

Calanoid Copepod ◽

High Salinity ◽

Total Dissolved Solids ◽

The Philippines ◽

Calanoid Copepods ◽

Manila Bay ◽

Laguna De Bay ◽

The Tropics ◽

Caudal Rami

The chitinous exoskeleton of copepods serves as a scaffold for microepibionts such as protozoa. Although copepods are highly cosmopolitan, their associated epibionts in the tropics are poorly known. This study presents the first account in the Philippines of the ciliate Vorticella on calanoid copepod Arctodiaptomus dorsalis and both Vorticella and the euglenoid Colacium on the cyclopoid copepods Thermocyclops crassus and Mesocyclops microlasius in the Pasig River. Infestation, however, was low at 0.83% (108 out of 13,039) observed copepods from four collection sites in January-May and July-December 2018. Interestingly, Vorticella and Colacium were frequently observed in cyclopoid than on calanoid copepods, predominantly on the urosome, thorax, cephalosome of copepodites and adult stages of copepods. Colacium was also found attached on the antennules, swimming legs, caudal rami and setae. Prevalence of epibionts was site-related; Vorticella being more abundant in waters near Manila Bay (Site 1) where high salinity, conductivity and total dissolved solids were recorded while Colacium was found more near Laguna de Bay (Site 4). Both were abundantly present in September and absent in May, due to increased inflow of seawater from Manila Bay. Nevertheless, overall low infestation resulted in neither significant spatial nor temporal variation of epibiosis in Pasig River, probably due to heavy loadings of wastewater from nearby tributaries, noticeable algal blooms, detachment of epibionts by predations and changes in water chemistry.

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Cyperus entrerianus Boeckeler, a new record from Vietnam

ACADEMIA JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY ◽

10.15625/2615-9023/v42n3.13747 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Phan Thi Thanh Nha ◽

Dang Le Anh Tuan

Keyword(s):

South America ◽

New Record ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Morphological Description ◽

Alien Plant ◽

Invasive Alien Plant ◽

Line Drawings

Cyperus entrerianus Boeckeler, an invasive alien plant from South America, is newly recorded from Vietnam. A morphological description, color illustrations, line drawings and distinguishable morphological characters of C. entrerianus from C. surinamensis and C. luzulae were provided, additionally and short notes, and habitat of the species were also given.

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A Preliminary Assessment on the Herpetofaunal Diversity of the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL), Batangas Philippines

10.26757/pjsb.2017a11006 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Endemic Species ◽

The Philippines ◽

Ecological Community ◽

Preliminary Assessment ◽

Taal Volcano ◽

Reptile Species ◽

Frog Species ◽

Increasing Trend ◽

Baseline Information ◽

Study Sites

The Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL) encompasses a prehistoric volcano caldera that caters to many documented endemic species. Although regarded as a unique area with the potential to house a diverse ecological community, biodiversity research in TVPL is still found wanting. The present paper aims to provide baseline information and increase research interests on the herpetofaunal diversity of TVPL, in light of its many undocumented terrestrial faunal species. Twelve study sites within the municipalities of Tanauan, Mataasnakahoy, and Balete were visited during survey trips from May to November 2015. A combination of transect and opportunistic sampling techniques were utilized, with morphometric data and sexual maturity recorded for each specimen collected. This preliminary survey provided 24 newly documented species of amphibians and reptiles occurring within TVPL. A total 10 frog species (from families Bufonidae, Ceratobatrachidae, Microhylidae, Dicroglossidae, Ranidae, and Rhacophoridae) and 14 reptile species (from families Agamidae, Gekkonidae, Scincidae, Varanidae, Acrochordidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, and Tryonychidae) were documented. Of the reptiles recorded, 3 are endemic species and widespread throughout the Philippines: Gekko mindorensis, Hydrosaurus pustulatus, and Draco spilopterus. Also recorded were the Philippine endemic frogs Kaloula picta and Limnonectes woodworthi along with the Luzon endemics Platymantis mimulus and Varanus marmoratus. The species-effort curve of amphibians showed a distinct plateau whereas the species-effort curve of reptiles has shown an increasing trend suggesting that additional sampling efforts should be done in the area to further increase knowledge of the TVPL herpetofaunal diversity.

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Cultivation of New Emerging Agro-Nutritional Crop of Quinoa at Madinat al-Hikmah Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

The Open Plant Science Journal ◽

10.2174/1874294701710010070 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 70-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Muhammad Afzal Rizvi ◽

Syed Abid Ali ◽

Iqra Munir ◽

Kousar Yasmeen ◽

Rubina Abid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arid Zone ◽

Good Health ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Low Concentrations ◽

Sindh Province ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Elemental Accumulation ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Good Agreement

Aim: Quinoa is a popular source of protein, minerals and alternative to traditional grains. The objective of this study is to introduce the Quinoa in the semi-arid zone of Sindh province of Pakistan. Method: A variety of NARC-9 from the agricultural Punjab province was cultivated and subjected to analyze the growth, morphological characters of the varieties obtained, saponin, protein and the elemental composition viz. Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Na, Pb, and Zn. Result: The result demonstrated the optimum growth and no disease were found in the experimental area. At least three major varieties of quinoa were obtained. Seed morphological data of these three quinoa cultivars were collected. The average saponin levels were quite reasonable. Overall proteins band pattern revealed very high polymorphism in quinoa cultivars and the results were also in good agreement with earlier studies. Conclusion: All quinoa cultivars of Madinat al-Hikmah showed high concentrations of albumin than globulin concentrations (i.e. 48-52% and 24-27%, respectively) as compared to control seeds from market that had similar concentrations of the two fractions i.e. 35.58% and 37.68%, respectively. Likewise, low concentrations of prolamin 14-16% and glutelin 11-12% compared to control seeds 13% rank our crop much better quality than the imported one in the market. The trend of elemental accumulation was followed as K >Na >Fe >Zn >Cu >Pb >Cd, while for comparison it was Na >K >Zn >Fe >Cu >Pb >Cd >Pb for wheat grown under similar conditions. Traditional grains together make a major contribution to the total nutritional element intake of the average Pakistani citizen through diet, not only because of large amounts consumed, but also in part by suitable levels of their proteins and elemental up take for good health. Thus the successful cultivation of quinoa in the semi-arid zone of Sindh will certainly prove beneficial.

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Tardigrades of Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve with description of four new species from Sweden

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-83627-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Edoardo Massa ◽

Roberto Guidetti ◽

Michele Cesari ◽

Lorena Rebecchi ◽

K. Ingemar Jönsson

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Laser Scanning ◽

New Records ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Sem Analysis ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Confocal Laser ◽

Biological Value

AbstractKristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve [KVBR] is a UNESCO designated area of Sweden possessing high biological value. Although several studies on tardigrades inhabiting Sweden have been performed, the KVBR area has been neglected. The current study investigates the tardigrade fauna of five areas of the biosphere reserve and includes 34 samples of different substrates analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. In total, 33 species of tardigrades were found in the samples, including 22 new records for the Skåne region, 15 new records for Sweden, and four species new to science. Mesobiotus emiliae sp. nov., Xerobiotus gretae sp. nov., Itaquascon magnussoni sp. nov., and Thulinius gustavi sp. nov. were described with an integrative approach (when possible) using morphological characters (light, electron scanning, and confocal laser scanning microscopies) and molecular markers (ITS2, 18S, 28S, cox1). A new protocol to increase morphological data was developed recovering mounted specimens within old slides for SEM analysis. Emended diagnoses for the genus Itaquascon and the transfer of Platicrista itaquasconoide to the genus Meplitumen are proposed. This study enriches the knowledge of the tardigrade biodiversity both within the KVBR and in Sweden and contributes to the rapidly increasing number of tardigrade species reported worldwide. The 33 species identified in the KVBR area represents 28% of all water bear species found in Sweden so far. The restricted study areas and limited number of samples collected suggests that the KVBR is very rich of tardigrades.

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Disentangling relationships among eastern Mediterranean Cymbalaria including description of a novel species from the southern Peloponnese (Greece)

Plant Systematics and Evolution ◽

10.1007/s00606-020-01730-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 307 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Pau Carnicero ◽

Núria Garcia-Jacas ◽

Llorenç Sáez ◽

Theophanis Constantinidis ◽

Mercè Galbany-Casals

Keyword(s):

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Long Distance ◽

Aegean Islands ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic

AbstractThe eastern Mediterranean basin hosts a remarkably high plant diversity. Historical connections between currently isolated areas across the Aegean region and long-distance dispersal events have been invoked to explain current distribution patterns of species. According to most recent treatments, at least two Cymbalaria species occur in this area, Cymbalaria microcalyx and C. longipes. The former comprises several intraspecific taxa, treated at different ranks by different authors based on morphological data, evidencing the need of a taxonomic revision. Additionally, some populations of C. microcalyx show exclusive morphological characters that do not match any described taxon. Here, we aim to shed light on the systematics of eastern Mediterranean Cymbalaria and to propose a classification informed by various sources of evidence. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using ITS, 3’ETS, ndhF and rpl32-trnL sequences and estimated the ploidy level of some taxa performing relative genome size measures. Molecular data combined with morphology support the division of traditionally delimited C. microcalyx into C. acutiloba, C. microcalyx and C. minor, corresponding to well-delimited nrDNA lineages. Furthermore, we propose to combine C. microcalyx subsp. paradoxa at the species level. A group of specimens previously thought to belong to Cymbalaria microcalyx constitute a well-defined phylogenetic and morphological entity and are described here as a new species, Cymbalaria spetae. Cymbalaria longipes is non-monophyletic, but characterized by being glabrous and diploid, unlike other eastern species. The nrDNA data suggest at least two dispersals from the mainland to the Aegean Islands, potentially facilitated by marine regressions.

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1068. Large-Scale Migration and the Changing Viral Hepatitis Prevalences in North America: A modeling approach

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1254 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S563-S563

Author(s):

Kenneth A Valles ◽

Lewis R Roberts

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Viral Hepatitis ◽

Large Scale ◽

Country Of Origin ◽

Human Movement ◽

High Volume ◽

The United States ◽

The Philippines ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Treatment Programs

Abstract Background Infection by hepatitis B and C viruses causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The WHO’s ambition to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030 requires strategies specific to the dynamic disease profiles each nation faces. Large-scale human movement from high-prevalence nations to the United States and Canada have altered the disease landscape, likely warranting adjustments to present elimination approaches. However, the nature and magnitude of the new disease burden remains unknown. This study aims to generate a modeled estimate of recent HBV and HCV prevalence changes to the United States and Canada due to migration. Methods Total migrant populations from 2010-2019 were obtained from United Nations Migrant Stock database. Country-of-origin HBV and HCV prevalences were obtained for the select 40 country-of-origin nations from the Polaris Observatory and systematic reviews. A standard pivot table was used to evaluate the disease contribution from and to each nation. Disease progression estimates were generated using the American Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines and outcome data. Results Between 2010 and 2019, 7,676,937 documented migrants arrived in US and Canada from the selected high-volume nations. Primary migrant source regions were East Asia and Latin America. Combined, an estimated 878,995 migrants were HBV positive, and 226,428 HCV positive. The majority of both migrants (6,477,506) and new viral hepatitis cases (HBV=840,315 and HCV=215,359) were found in the United States. The largest source of HBV cases stemmed from the Philippines, and HCV cases from El Salvador. Conclusion Massive human movement has significantly changed HBV and HCV disease burdens in both the US and Canada over the past decade and the long-term outcomes of cirrhosis and HCC are also expected to increase. These increases are likely to disproportionally impact individuals of the migrant and refugee communities and screening and treatment programs must be strategically adjusted in order to reduce morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenses. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Phylogenetic relationships between the genera Aphidius and Lysaphidus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) with description of Aphidius iranicus sp. nov.

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/n06-007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 139 (3) ◽

pp. 297-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Željko Tomanović ◽

Ehsan Rakhshani ◽

Petr Starý ◽

Nickolas G. Kavallieratos ◽

Ljubiša Ž. Stanisavljević ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Taxonomic Position ◽

Parsimony Analysis ◽

Parasitoid Species ◽

Consensus Tree ◽

Artemisia Absinthium ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Line Drawings ◽

Generic Status

AbstractWe analyzed the phylogenetic relationships between eight Aphidius Nees and six Lysaphidus Smith species on the basis of 12 morphological characters by parsimony analysis. The consensus tree does not support the generic status of Lysaphidus. Aphidius iranicus, sp. nov., associated with Titanosiphon bellicosum Nevsky on Artemisia absinthium L. from Iran, is described. The new parasitoid species is described and illustrated by line drawings, and its diagnostic characters are discussed. The taxonomic position of the subgenus Tremblayia Tizado and Núñez-Pérez is also considered. Tremblayia and Lysaphidus are newly classified as synonyms of Aphidius. The following new or revised combinations are proposed: Aphidius adelocarinus Smith, comb. rev., A. ramythirus Smith, comb. rev., A. rosaphidis Smith, comb. rev., A. viaticus (Sedlag), comb. nov., A. arvensis (Starý), comb. nov., and A. erysimi (Starý), comb. nov.

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