Synthesis and biological evaluation of some newer Indole Derivatives

The indole skeleton is one of the most appealing structures with a wide scope of natural and pharmacological exercises, for example, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer. A progression of new N-Substituted benzyidene 2- (1H-indol-2-yl)benzenamine subordinates (3a-3k) were combined by the response of 2-(o-aminophenyl)indole and fragrant aldehyde within the sight of ethanol with scarcely any drops of acidic corrosive. The response blend was observed by TLC and recrystallized from wanted dissolvable. The structures of these mixes have been affirmed by FTIR, 1HNMR, mass ghastly information, natural investigation. All the combined mixes were assessed for antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activity.the results uncovered that 3g, 3h and 3k display progressively powerful movement against on the two microbes and parasitic species and compound 3h indicated promising inhibitory action against DLA cells which is cancer-causing.

New cases of facultative interspecific brood parasitism in Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)

Many hypotheses try to explain the evolution and possible relations between obligate and facultative brood parasitism in birds. To explore this, a large number of observations and data are needed. Our understanding based on the observations of facultative parasitic species published in the literature is less clear compared to the obligate parasitic species. This communication is about three cases of facultative interspecific brood parasitism. Two nests of Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) parasite by Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) and one nest of Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) parasite by Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus). These observations are significant as long as interspecific brood parasitism was frequently described in Gruiformes (Rallidae) but has rarely observed within Charadriiformes.

A new lichenicolous species of Carbonea (Ascomycota, Lecanoraceae) from northern Sweden

Carbonea is a widely distributed genus of lecideoid fungi, including both lichenized and non-lichenized, often parasitic species. We describe the new, non-lichenized species Carbonea tephromelae, based on material collected in the Swedish part of the Scandes. The new species is characterized by a colourless hypothecium, broadly ellipsoid to globose ascospores, and by growing on the thallus of the common saxicolous lichen Tephromela atra. It is similar to the likewise lichenicolous species C. supersparsa and C. vitellinaria, but is clearly separated from these species by anatomy and in a phylogenetic analysis based on four markers (mrSSU, ITS, RPB1, RPB2). Carbonea tephromelae is apparently specific to T. atra, but the use of host specificity as a character for species delimitation in lichenicolous species of Carbonea needs further evaluation.

The evolution of parasitism from mutualism in wasps pollinating the fig, Ficus microcarpa, in Yunnan Province, China

Theory identifies factors that can undermine the evolutionary stability of mutualisms. However, theory’s relevance to mutualism stability in nature is controversial. Detailed comparative studies of parasitic species that are embedded within otherwise mutualistic taxa (e.g., fig pollinator wasps) can identify factors that potentially promote or undermine mutualism stability. We describe results from behavioral, morphological, phylogenetic, and experimental studies of two functionally distinct, but closely related, Eupristina wasp species associated with the monoecious host fig, Ficus microcarpa, in Yunnan Province, China. One (Eupristina verticillata) is a competent pollinator exhibiting morphologies and behaviors consistent with observed seed production. The other (Eupristina sp.) lacks these traits, and dramatically reduces both female and male reproductive success of its host. Furthermore, observations and experiments indicate that individuals of this parasitic species exhibit greater relative fitness than the pollinators, in both indirect competition (individual wasps in separate fig inflorescences) and direct competition (wasps of both species within the same fig). Moreover, phylogenetic analyses suggest that these two Eupristina species are sister taxa. By the strictest definition, the nonpollinating species represents a “cheater” that has descended from a beneficial pollinating mutualist. In sharp contrast to all 15 existing studies of actively pollinated figs and their wasps, the local F. microcarpa exhibit no evidence for host sanctions that effectively reduce the relative fitness of wasps that do not pollinate. We suggest that the lack of sanctions in the local hosts promotes the loss of specialized morphologies and behaviors crucial for pollination and, thereby, the evolution of cheating.

The diversity and natural history of parasites

Parasites are more numerous than non-parasitic species and have evolved in virtually all groups of organisms, such as viruses, prokaryotes (bacteria), protozoa, fungi, nematodes, flatworms, acantocephalans, annelids, crustaceans, and arthropods (crustacea, mites, ticks, insects). These groups have adapted to the parasitic lifestyle in very many ways. Evolution towards parasitism has also followed different routes. Initial steps such as phoresy, followed by later consumption of the transport host, are plausible evolutionary routes. Alternatively, formerly free-living forms have become commensals before evolving parasitism. Complex life cycles with several hosts evolved by scenarios such as upward (adding a new host upwards in the food chain), downward, or lateral incorporation, driven by the advantage of extending growth phases within hosts and increasing fecundity. Examples are digenea; other parasites have added vectors to their life cycle.

Diversité et importance socio-économique des Loranthaceae parasites des plantes ligneuses des Monts Mandara dans la Région de l’Extrême-Nord, Cameroun

Les Loranthaceae constituent des ressources précieuses pour les populations locales africaines. Cependant, peu d’ethnies connaissent l’importance socio-économique des Loranthaceae de par le manque d’études ethnobotaniques sur ces espèces. Afin de contribuer à la valorisation et à la gestion durable des Loranthaceae parasites des plantes ligneuses, une approche associant deux méthodes a été adoptée. L’une, basée sur des relevés de surface et l’autre sur une enquête ethnobotanique relative aux connaissances locales des Loranthaceae dans 9 Arrondissements de la Région de l’Extrême-Nord du Cameroun. Au total, 4 genres (Agelanthus, Globimetula, Phragmanthera et Tapinanthus) et 7 espèces parasites (Agelanthus dodoneifolius, Globimetula braunii, Phragmanthera capitata, Tapinanthus bangwensis, T. belvisii, T. globiferus et T. ophiodes) ont été inventoriés et identifiés dans les Monts Mandara. Il ressort aussi que ces espèces parasites sont utilisées en pharmacopée dans des recettes médicinales et magico-religieuses (45,56%), pour traiter des infertilités (32,70%) et des troubles mentaux (32,36%). Les résultats ont aussi montré que Mangifera indica (35,74%) et Senna singueana (34,41%) sont les hôtes des parasites les plus sollicités. Aussi ont-ils révélé que la commercialisation des Loranthaceae constitue une source de revenu économique et une ressource importante en pharmacopée pour les populations locales des Monts Mandara. Ces résultats pourraient servir de référence pour la recherche de stratégies d’exploitation et de conservation durable de cette diversité végétale.Mots clés : Loranthaceae, Espèces parasites, pharmacopée, Monts Mandara, Cameroun. English Title: Diversity and socio-economic importance of Loranthaceae parasites of woody plants of Mandara Mountains in the Far-North Region, Cameroon Loranthaceae are valuable resources for local African populations. However, few ethnic groups know the socio-economic importance of Loranthaceae due to the lack of ethnobotanical studies on these species. In order to contribute to the enhancement and sustainable management of Loranthaceae parasites of woody plants, an approach combining two methods was adopted. One, based on surface surveys and the other on an ethnobotanical survey relating to local knowledge of Loranthaceae in 9 Subdivisions of the Far North Region of Cameroon. In total, 4 genera (Agelanthus, Globimetula, Phragmanthera and Tapinanthus) and 7 parasitic species (Agelanthus dodoneifolius, Globimetula braunii, Phragmanthera capitata, Tapinanthus bangwensis, T. belvisii, T. globiferus and T. ophiodes) have been inventoried on the Mandara Mountains. It also appears that these parasitic species are used in pharmacopoeia in medicinal and magico-religious recipes (45.56%), to treat infertility (32.70%) and mental disorders (32.36%). The results also showed that Mangifera indica (35.74%) and Senna singueana (34.41%) are the hosts of most solicited parasites. They also revealed that the commercialisation of Loranthaceae constitutes a source of economic income and an important resource in pharmacopoeia for the local populations of the Mandara Mountains. These results could serve as a reference of strategies for the sustainable exploitation and conservation of this plant diversity.Keywords: Loranthaceae, parasitic species, pharmacopoeia, Mandara mountains, Cameroon.

Lost and Found: Piwi and Argonaute Pathways in Flatworms

Platyhelminthes comprise one of the major phyla of invertebrate animals, inhabiting a wide range of ecosystems, and one of the most successful in adapting to parasitic life. Small non-coding RNAs have been implicated in regulating complex developmental transitions in model parasitic species. Notably, parasitic flatworms have lost Piwi RNA pathways but gained a novel Argonaute gene. Herein, we analyzed, contrasted and compared the conservation of small RNA pathways among several free-living species (a paraphyletic group traditionally known as ‘turbellarians’) and parasitic species (organized in the monophyletic clade Neodermata) to disentangle possible adaptations during the transition to parasitism. Our findings showed that complete miRNA and RNAi pathways are present in all analyzed free-living flatworms. Remarkably, whilst all ‘turbellarians’ have Piwi proteins, these were lost in parasitic Neodermantans. Moreover, two clusters of Piwi class Argonaute genes are present in all ‘turbellarians’. Interestingly, we identified a divergent Piwi class Argonaute in free living flatworms exclusively, which we named ‘Fliwi’. In addition, other key proteins of the Piwi pathways were conserved in ‘turbellarians’, while none of them were detected in Neodermatans. Besides Piwi and the canonical Argonaute proteins, a flatworm-specific class of Argonautes (FL-Ago) was identified in the analyzed species confirming its ancestrallity to all Platyhelminthes. Remarkably, this clade was expanded in parasitic Neodermatans, but not in free-living species. These phyla-specific Argonautes showed lower sequence conservation compared to other Argonaute proteins, suggesting that they might have been subjected to high evolutionary rates. However, key residues involved in the interaction with the small RNA and mRNA cleavage in the canonical Argonautes were more conserved in the FL-Agos than in the Piwi Argonautes. Whether this is related to specialized functions and adaptations to parasitism in Neodermatans remains unclear. In conclusion, differences detected in gene conservation, sequence and structure of the Argonaute family suggest tentative biological and evolutionary diversifications that are unique to Platyhelminthes. The remarkable divergencies in the small RNA pathways between free-living and parasitic flatworms indicate that they may have been involved in the adaptation to parasitism of Neodermatans.

High and specific diversity of protists in the deep-sea basins dominated by diplonemids, kinetoplastids, ciliates and foraminiferans

Heterotrophic protists (unicellular eukaryotes) form a major link from bacteria and algae to higher trophic levels in the sunlit ocean. Their role on the deep seafloor, however, is only fragmentarily understood, despite their potential key function for global carbon cycling. Using the approach of combined DNA metabarcoding and cultivation-based surveys of 11 deep-sea regions, we show that protist communities, mostly overlooked in current deep-sea foodweb models, are highly specific, locally diverse and have little overlap to pelagic communities. Besides traditionally considered foraminiferans, tiny protists including diplonemids, kinetoplastids and ciliates were genetically highly diverse considerably exceeding the diversity of metazoans. Deep-sea protists, including many parasitic species, represent thus one of the most diverse biodiversity compartments of the Earth system, forming an essential link to metazoans.

Broomrape Species Parasitizing Odontarrhena lesbiaca (Brassicaceae) Individuals Act as Nickel Hyperaccumulators

The elemental defense hypothesis supports that metal hyperaccumulation in plant tissues serves as a mechanism underpinning plant resistance to herbivores and pathogens. In this study, we investigate the interaction between Odontarrhena lesbiaca and broomrape parasitic species, in the light of the defense hypothesis of metal hyperaccumulation. Plant and soil samples collected from three serpentine sites in Lesbos, Greece were analyzed for Ni concentrations. Phelipanche nowackiana and Phelipanche nana were found to infect O. lesbiaca. In both species, Ni concentration decreased gradually from tubercles to shoots and flowers. Specimens of both species with shoot nickel concentrations above 1000 mg.kg−1 were found, showing that they act as nickel hyperaccumulators. Low values of parasite to O. lesbiaca leaf or soil nickel quotients were observed. Orobanche pubescens growing on a serpentine habitat but not in association with O. lesbiaca had very low Ni concentrations in its tissues analogous to excluder plants growing on serpentine soils. Infected O. lesbiaca individuals showed lower leaf nickel concentrations relative to the non-infected ones. Elevated leaf nickel concentration of O. lesbiaca individuals did not prevent parasitic plants to attack them and to hyperaccumulate metals to their tissues, contrary to predictions of the elemental defense hypothesis.