Three new species of Scolytoplatypus Schaufuss from China, and notes on the movement and functions of the prosternal processes (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Three new species from China (Yunnan), Scolytoplatypus costatus Gebhardt & Beaver, S. geminus Gebhardt & Beaver and S. peniculatus Gebhardt & Beaver, are described and compared with related species of the genus. The male prosternum of Asian Scolytoplatypus species shows species-specific characters, and frequently bears a pair of processes on or close to the anterior margin. We comment here for the first time on the movement of the processes and their likely functions, and survey their occurrence in Asian species of Scolytoplatypus.

Description of three new species of frog–biting midges (Diptera: Corethrellidae) from the Central Brazilian Amazon

Three species of Corethrella Coquillett, 1902 from the state of Amazonas, Brazil are described as new to science based on female adult specimens. Corethrella cabocla Feijó, Belchior, Marialva & Pessoa sp. nov. possesses four large setae on the frons between the ventromedial area of ommatidia, a wide clypeus with 1–4 setae, a wing with the apex of R2 basal to the apex of M2 and with a midlength band, and with the abdomen entirely dark brown. Corethrella ielemdei Feijó, Ramires, Lima & Pessoa sp. nov. possesses an elongated coronal suture, four large setae on the frons between the ventromedial area of ommatidia, a clypeus squarish with 42–43 setae, a wing with the apex of R2 basal to the apex of M1 and with a midlength band and dark scales on the basal and subbasal areas of the anterior margin, legs with dark scales, and with the abdomen entirely dark brown. Corethrella menini Feijó, Picelli, Ríos-Velásquez & Pessoa sp. nov. possesses wings with the apex of R2 basal to the apex of M2 and a midlength band, with darker basal scales along all veins, basal band dark scales on C, Sc, R, M, and Cu and the abdomen entirely dark brown. With the addition of the new species, the numbers of frog-biting midges described in the Amazon basin, Brazil and in Neotropical region are now 31, 49 and 80 species, respectively.

Activation of the WNT-BMP-FGF Regulatory Network Induces the Onset of Cell Death in Anterior Mesodermal Cells to Establish the ANZ

The spatiotemporal control of programmed cell death (PCD) plays a significant role in sculpting the limb. In the early avian limb bud, the anterior necrotic zone (ANZ) and the posterior necrotic zone are two cell death regions associated with digit number reduction. In this study, we evaluated the first events triggered by the FGF, BMP, and WNT signaling interactions to initiate cell death in the anterior margin of the limb to establish the ANZ. This study demonstrates that in a period of two to 8 h after the inhibition of WNT or FGF signaling or the activation of BMP signaling, cell death was induced in the anterior margin of the limb concomitantly with the regulation of Dkk, Fgf8, and Bmp4 expression. Comparing the gene expression profile between the ANZ and the undifferentiated zone at 22HH and 25HH and between the ANZ of 22HH and 25HH stages correlates with functional programs controlled by the regulatory network FGF, BMP, and WNT signaling in the anterior margin of the limb. This work provides novel insights to recognize a negative feedback loop between FGF8, BMP4, and DKK to control the onset of cell death in the anterior margin of the limb to the establishment of the ANZ.

Morphometric Analysis of V2 Segment of Vertebral Artery in Patients with Symptomatic Neck Pain in South Indian Population – A CT Angiography Based Study

Objectives: The morphometric changes in the vertebral artery are essential for various interventions. Inadequate details about it can lead to risk of vertebral artery injury and other complications. This study explains the normal anatomical course of V2 segment of vertebral artery which is more prone for iatrogenic injury. Materials and Method: 25 adult patients with symptomatic neck pain were involved in the study. Various measurements were made from seventh cervical vertebra (C7) to the third cervical vertebra (C3) that included Distance from midline to VA, Distance from medial margin of Longus Colli to VA, Perpendicular distance from anterior margin of transverse process to center of VA, Horizontal distance from anterior tubercle to VA, sagittal and coronal diameter of the transverse foramen and vertebral artery. Result: Distance from midline, Distance from medial margin of Longus Colli, Perpendicular distance from anterior margin of transverse process to center of VA and Horizontal distance from anterior tubercle were increased towards right compared to left side. The sagittal and coronal diameter of the transverse foramen and vertebral artery decreased from C6 to C3 vertebra. Vertebral artery dominance was seen on left side in all cases. Conclusion: Preoperative assessment by computed tomography angiography helps to know the course of the vertebral artery, understand its patterns and assess various abnormalities thereby aids in preventing complications in future surgeries.

A new species of the genus Raphiglossa S.S. Saunders, 1850 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae sensu lato) from Turkmenistan

Raphiglossa rasnitsyni Fateryga, sp. n. is described from Turkmenistan. The new species resembles R. eumenoides S.S. Saunders, 1850 in its body size and proportions of the metasomal tergum 1 but strongly differs from it by having a narrow propodeal concavity which is less wide than the metasomal tergum 1 at base, anterior margin of clypeus deeply emarginated and with a single tooth at center in the female, and male genitalia with reduced parameral spine (gonostylus), digitus lacking posterior process, and robust aedeagus broadened (in lateral view) towards the apex and curved dorsally.

Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae)

Molecular studies using COI and 28S sequence data strongly identify a clade within the Heterolepismatinae distinct from the majority of species so far sequenced. The independence of the clade is supported by several morphological characters including a glabrous anterior margin to the frons, large trapezoidal thoracic sternites, tarsal trichobothria, long, conical parameres which in some species consist of two segments, and the presence of triangular or rounded subrectangular scales on the femora, tibia and clypeus. This clade is described as a new genus Visma n. gen. containing ten new species V. advenum n. sp., V. bingara n. sp., V. brayi n. sp., V. bundjalung n. sp., V. brigalowsum n. sp., V. capricornia n. sp., V. pallidum n. sp., V. powellheueri n. sp., V. tenebrosum n. sp. and V. xanthorrhoea n. sp.. Heterolepisma stilivarians Silvestri, 1908 is redescribed from the holotype and transferred to the new genus. The remaining H. stilivarians type series is found to be different to the holotype and removed from the type series. It is considered possible that H. annectens Silvestri, 1924 may also belong to this genus. Scanning electron microscopy of scale shape and rib-spacing is shown to be a useful tool to separate at least some species of the genus and considered to have greater potential if well preserved material is available.

Petrosal Anatomy of the Paleocene Eutherian Mammal Deltatherium fundaminis (Cope, 1881)

We describe the tympanic anatomy of the petrosal of Deltatherium fundaminis, an enigmatic Paleocene mammal based on cranial specimens recovered from New Mexico, U.S.A. Although the ear region of Deltatherium has previously been described, there has not been a comprehensive, well-illustrated contribution using current anatomical terminology. The dental and cranial anatomy of Deltatherium is a chimera, with morphological similarities to both ‘condylarth’ and ‘cimolestan’ taxa. As such, the phylogenetic relationships of this taxon have remained elusive since its discovery, and it has variably been associated with Arctocyonidae, Pantodonta and Tillodontia. The petrosal of Deltatherium is anteriorly bordered by an open space comprising a contiguous carotid opening and pyriform fenestra. The promontorium features both a small rostral tympanic process and small epitympanic wing but lacks well-marked sulci. A large ventral facing external aperture of the canaliculus cochleae is present and bordered posteriorly by a well-developed caudal tympanic process. The hiatus Fallopii opens on the ventral surface of the petrosal. The tegmen tympani is mediolaterally broad and anteriorly expanded, and its anterior margin is perforated by a foramen for the ramus superior of the stapedial artery. The tympanohyal is small but approximates the caudal tympanic process to nearly enclose the stylomastoid notch. The mastoid is widely exposed on the basicranium and bears an enlarged mastoid process, separate from the paraoccipital process. These new observations provide novel anatomical data corroborating previous hypotheses regarding the plesiomorphic eutherian condition but also reveal subtle differences among Paleocene eutherians that have the potential to help inform the phylogeny of Deltatherium.

MRI-Based Normative Measurement of the Ocular Globe Position in Relation to Inter-Zygomatic Line among Nepalese Subjects

Introduction: Proptosis and enophthalmos are cardinal signs of many orbito-ocular and systemic diseases. The need for an imaging parameter that will aid its early detection is necessary, as visual compromise is a major consequence if they are not diagnosed and managed early. Methodology: This prospective study was performed in a tertiary center. Data were collected over the period of January to April 2021 with total of 300 normal ocular globes. The measurement was done at the level of lens (midglobe section) on T2-weighted axial image. Results: The distance between the anterior margin and inter zygomatic line of the right ocular globe was 16.95 ± 1.48 mm (ranged 14.2 - 20.5 mm) and that of left was 16.86 ± 1.38 mm (ranged 14.2 - 20.3 mm). The position of the globes showed no statistically significant differences among gender groups in our study and the position of the right globe within the orbit was significantly different from that of the left orbit. Conclusion: The position of the globes showed higher values in males than in female. However, a statistically significant difference in globe position was observed between right and left orbits. The distance between the posterior margin of the globe and the inter zygomatic line was found to be lower among the Nepalese population compared with other population.

The cranial anatomy and relationships of Cardiocorax mukulu (Plesiosauria: Elasmosauridae) from Bentiaba, Angola

We report a new specimen of the plesiosaur Cardiocorax mukulu that includes the most complete plesiosaur skull from sub-Saharan Africa. The well-preserved three-dimensional nature of the skull offers rare insight into the cranial anatomy of elasmosaurid plesiosaurians. The new specimen of Cardiocorax mukulu was recovered from Bentiaba, Namibe Province in Angola, approximately three meters above the holotype. The new specimen also includes an atlas-axis complex, seventeen postaxial cervical vertebrae, partial ribs, a femur, and limb elements. It is identified as Cardiocorax mukulu based on an apomorphy shared with the holotype where the cervical neural spine is approximately as long anteroposteriorly as the centrum and exhibits a sinusoidal anterior margin. The new specimen is nearly identical to the holotype and previously referred material in all other aspects. Cardiocorax mukulu is returned in an early-branching or intermediate position in Elasmosauridae in four out of the six of our phylogenetic analyses. Cardiocorax mukulu lacks the elongated cervical vertebrae that is characteristic of the extremely long-necked elasmosaurines, and the broad skull with and a high number of maxillary teeth (28–40) which is characteristic of Aristonectinae. Currently, the most parsimonious explanation concerning elasmosaurid evolutionary relationships, is that Cardiocorax mukulu represents an older lineage of elasmosaurids in the Maastrichtian.

A new genus of Early Jurassic earwigs from England (Dermaptera)

A new genus of archidermapteran earwigs is described for Brevicula teres Tihelka (Dermapteridae) from Sinemurian deposits of the Black Ven Mudstone Member, Charmouth Mudstone Formation, Dorset, United Kingdom. Dacryoderma Engel, new genus, is distinct from Brevicula Whalley in the broadly rounded anterior tegminal border lacking a submedial hump and overall teardrop shape, with the anterior margin tapering gradually in a comparatively straight line to the more acutely rounded apex. The following new combination is established: Dacryoderma teres (Tihelka).