Toxicological Indices of Wistar Rats Fed Formulated Chaw of Telfairia occidentalis Planted on Crude Oil Contaminated and Remediated Soil

Toxicological indices of wistar rats fed formulated chaw of Telfairia occidentalis planted on crude oil contaminated and bioremediated soil was studied. Farmland, measuring 18 m2 was divided into three lots of 4 m2 and 2 m space was allowed between each lot (A, B and C). Two lots were polluted, subjected to 16 weeks of bioremediation and viable seeds of T. occidentalis were planted and grown for 28 days. The harvested vegetable leaves were analyzed. Leaves from natural attenuated soil showed high concentration of both aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with values of 9.34+0.03 mg/kg and 9.18+0.05 mg/kg for C36 and Fluoranthene respectively, while the bioaugmented soil had Lead as the highest heavy metal with a value of 0.10+0.02 g/100g. Four groups, of 9 rats each (totalling 36 rats) of adult males and females, wealing males and females were subsequently sub-grouped into 3 and allowed to acclimatize for a period of 1 week. These animals were fed formulated rat chaw of 50% dry weight of T. occidentalis, from the three lots (control, bioaugmented and natural attenuated soil) for a period of 28 days. Assay of animals’ toxicological index showed elevated concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, urea and creatinine in their sera. A slight increase in serum amylase activity was recorded, while concentrations of their haemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) reduced. The obtained results from these biomarkers were confirmed by the histopathological sections of the animal organs.

First records of three genera, Cyphomella Sæther, 1977, Olecryptotendipes Zorina, 2007 and Robackia Sæther, 1977 of the Harnischia complex from India with description of O. extentus sp. n., O. obtunsus sp. n. and R. aequilongia sp. n. (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Three genera, Cyphomella Sæther, 1977, Olecryptotendipes Zorina, 2007 and Robackia Sæther, 1977, of the Harnischia complex are recorded for the first time from India. Two new species of Olecryptotendipes and one new species of Robackia are described on the basis of adult males. Cyphomella camelus (Kieffer, 1955), described from Afrotropical and Palaearctic regions, is recorded for the first time from India and its description is supplemented. The molecular barcodes of three species, O. obtunsus sp. n., C. camelus and R. aequilongia sp. n., are also provided. Revised world keys to the adult males of the Olecryptotendipes and Robackia are also provided.

Demographic patterns of human antibody levels to Simulium damnosum s.l. saliva in onchocerciasis-endemic areas: An indicator of exposure to vector bites

Background In onchocerciasis endemic areas in Africa, heterogenous biting rates by blackfly vectors on humans are assumed to partially explain age- and sex-dependent infection patterns with Onchocerca volvulus. To underpin these assumptions and further improve predictions made by onchocerciasis transmission models, demographic patterns in antibody responses to salivary antigens of Simulium damnosum s.l. are evaluated as a measure of blackfly exposure. Methodology/Principal findings Recently developed IgG and IgM anti-saliva immunoassays for S. damnosum s.l. were applied to blood samples collected from residents in four onchocerciasis endemic villages in Ghana. Demographic patterns in antibody levels according to village, sex and age were explored by fitting generalized linear models. Antibody levels varied between villages but showed consistent patterns with age and sex. Both IgG and IgM responses declined with increasing age. IgG responses were generally lower in males than in females and exhibited a steeper decline in adult males than in adult females. No sex-specific difference was observed in IgM responses. Conclusions/Significance The decline in age-specific antibody patterns suggested development of immunotolerance or desensitization to blackfly saliva antigen in response to persistent exposure. The variation between sexes, and between adults and youngsters may reflect differences in behaviour influencing cumulative exposure. These measures of antibody acquisition and decay could be incorporated into onchocerciasis transmission models towards informing onchocerciasis control, elimination, and surveillance.

Two new species of Heteroconis Enderlein, 1905 from China (Neuroptera, Coniopterygidae)

Two new species, Heteroconis yunnanensissp. nov. and Heteroconis orbicularissp. nov., are described from China. Both species differ from their congeners in characters of the male genitalia. Heteroconis terminalis (Banks, 1913) is redescribed based on examined Chinese specimens. A key to the adult males of Heteroconis from China is provided.

Tolerance and functional response of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregaor) to starvation stress

The ability to endure starvation is important for predatory mite survival and its effectiveness as biological control agent. We studied the longevity and functional response of the prodator mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregaor) under starvation stress. N. californicus individuals were treated as three groups: the mites were provided with nothing (group I), with fresh bean leaves (group II), and with water (group III) to the larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs, adult males and females. Functional response of N. californicus to Tetranychus urticae Koch eggs was evaluated after starvation for 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Results showed that all life stages of N. californicus in group III had the longest survival time among the three groups. Adult females had the strongest ability to endure starvation with a mean survival time of 8.16 d. Females had the ability to lay eggs, but the number of eggs laid was less than a mean of 1.2 eggs per female in the three starvation groups. N. californicus exhibited a Holling’s Type II functional response at all hunger levels. The handling time (Th) and attack rate (α) of the predator were not significantly different in all hunger levels. Predation rate of starved 0 h to 72 h initially increased and then decreased. The highest predation rate was recorded when the predators were starved for 24 h.

Effect of Human Disturbance on Bird Telomere Length: An Experimental Approach

Human recreational activities increase worldwide in space and frequency leading to higher rates of encounter between humans and wild animals. Because wildlife often perceive humans as predators, this increase in human disturbance may have negative consequences for the individuals and also for the viability of populations. Up to now, experiments on the effects of human disturbance on wildlife have mainly focused on individual behavioral and stress-physiological reactions, on breeding success, and on survival. However, the effects on other physiological parameters and trans-generational effects remain poorly understood. We used a low-intensity experimental disturbance in the field to explore the impacts of human disturbance on telomere length in great tit (Parus major) populations and found a clear effect of disturbance on telomere length. Adult males, but not females, in disturbed plots showed shorter telomere lengths when compared to control plot. Moreover, variation in telomere length of adult great tits was reflected in the next generation, as we found a positive correlation between telomere length of the chicks and of their fathers. Given that telomere length has been linked to animal lifespan, our study highlights that activities considered to be of little concern (i.e., low levels of disturbance) can have a long-lasting impact on the physiology and survival of wild animals and their next generation.

Third-party vocal intervention in the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus)

Vocal intervention is a triadic social interaction, where a third party responds vocally to a conflict between group members, minimizing the costs of aggression in response to the intervention. Because there is little information on vocal third-party intervention in nonhuman mammals, we investigated whether adult male proboscis monkeys use the bray vocalization as a vocal third-party intervention signal to intervene in intragroup conflicts. First, we audio-recorded 1,811 vocalizations from 17 free-ranging proboscis monkey groups in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, analyzing 378 vocal responses of the adult male to agonistic vocal exchanges (shrieks) of group members. Second, we video- and audio-recorded five habituated groups in the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary investigating the context of these vocalizations and the conflict dyads evoking vocal support. We found that adult males of one-male/multifemale groups mainly uttered bray vocalizations, whereas females, immatures, and infants uttered shrieks in intragroup conflicts or in response to other animal species. The adult male uttered significantly more often brays after agonistic shrieks than expected based on the overall occurrence of brays. Brays ended 65% of agonistic conflicts, which were accompanied by vocalizations of the conflict partners and occurred more often after conflicts between females than between offspring. This suggests that the bray functions as a vocal third-party intervention signal for intragroup conflict resolution. We suggest that living in the high canopies of the tropical rainforest might restrict direct access to conflict partners and prevent physical intervention, favoring the evolution of the bray as a third-party vocal intervention signal.

Orthohantavirus infection in two rodent species that inhabit wetlands in the central-east region of Argentina

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by orthohantaviruses associated to rodents of the Cricetidae family, Sigmodontinae subfamily, in the American continent. Previous research carried out in central-east region of Argentina, recorded potential orthohantavirus host rodents in diverse environments, but infected rodents were particularly present on Paraná wetlands islands. The aims of this research were (1) to determine the orthohantavirus host in the rodent community focused on islands of Paraná River Delta, an endemic zone of HPS, (2) to identify temporal and spatial factors associated with orthohantavirus prevalence variations, (3) to compare the individual characteristics of seropositive and seronegative rodents and, (4) to explore the association between orthohantavirus seroprevalence and rodent community characteristics in the Paraná River Delta, central-east region of Argentina. Capture of small rodents was done between August 2014 and May 2018 on seven islands located in central-east region of Argentina. In this HPS endemic zone, 14.9% of Oligoryzomys flavescens and 1.5% of Oxymycterus rufus of the sampled rodents had antibodies against orthohantavirus. The individuals that were more likely to become seropositive were the reproductively active adult males. Even though O. flavescens inhabit all islands, the seropositive individuals were only present in two of these, suggesting spatial heterogeneity in the viral distribution. We found that two months later of periods with low temperature, seroprevalence increased probably due to a higher proportion of adults in the population. Additionally, higher seroprevalence was associated with greater diversity of the rodent assemblage. This association could support the idea that a rescue effect or amplification of the prevalence of orthohantavirus would be taking place by means of secondary host as O. rufus, a novelty for this species and for the region. This finding may be significant if one takes into account that O. rufus was the second most abundant species in the area of islands studied and is one of the most abundant species on the islands and riparian sectors of the study zone. In conclusion, the relative risk of HPS could be high on wetlands of Paraná River Delta in the central-east region of Argentina where several favourable factors for the transmission of orthohantavirus are combined, such as the presence of several host species, two of them numerically dominant, high percentages of infection and a high degree of occupational exposure of the human population due to rural activities, the most frequently associated nationwide with HPS.

Asymmetry of the male internal reproductive organs in Mantophasmatodea

Background Asymmetries are a widespread phenomenon in otherwise bilaterally symmetric organisms, and investigation of asymmetric structures can help us gather insights into fundamental evolutionary processes such as the selection for morphological novelties caused by behavioural changes. In insects, asymmetric genitalia have evolved in almost every order, and usually it’s the sclerotized parts and most conspicuous male phallic organs that are known to exhibit asymmetries. While external copulatory organs in insects have often been subject to investigations concerning asymmetries and the evolution thereof, internal reproductive structures have received far less attention. Here we describe the internal and external male genitalia in three species of Austrophasmatidae, Mantophasmatodea, using μ-CT imaging and light microscopy. Mantophasmatodea is the most recently discovered insect order, and with 21 species described to date, it is among the smallest insect orders currently known. Results We confirm that male heelwalkers exhibit asymmetries in the external genitalia and associated structures, represented by asymmetric phallic lobes and cerci. Moreover, we found an extreme asymmetry within the internal male genitalia: in all adult males investigated (N = 5), the seminal vesicle, a dilatation of the vas deferens, was only developed on the right side of the male while missing on the left side. Conclusion The false-male-above mating position exhibited by Mantophasmatodea and especially the long copulation duration of ca. 3 days might select for this unusual absence asymmetry of the left seminal vesicle. If this holds true for all heelwalker species, this absence asymmetry constitutes another autapomorphy for Austrophasmatidae or even the insect order Mantophasmatodea.