Search

An 88-year old woman was admitted to the emergency room (ER) after a syncope and subsequent head trauma. A complete blood count and imaging studies showed cytopenia and bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, respectively. After three months, the patient returned to ER with dyspnea and a large abdominal effusion. Cytopenia was progressed and protein electrophoresis revealed a monoclonal peak in the beta zone. Immunofixation showed the presence of gamma heavy-chains without associated light-chains. Capillary electrophoresis with immunosubtraction and immunophenotyping by flow cytometry returned the same results. Immunohistochemistry was apparently discordant, describing a monotypic kappa population. An important ascites with low total proteins in the ascitic fluid, a liver with lumpy margins and non-homogeneous structure, elevated GGT, and decreased albumin, suggested ascitogen liver cirrhosis in the context of a rare gamma heavy-chain disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barinas guanenta sp. nov. is described from a cave in Santander, central Andes of Colombia. The new species is recognized by the pedipalps and chelicerae entirely pale yellow and without variegated pattern, the areas I-IV with variegated coloration pattern and the straight stylus of the penis. The monotypic genus Vimina González-Sponga, 1987 is synonymized with Barinas, resulting in Barinas virginis (González-Sponga, 1987) comb. nov. New records of Barinas piragua Ahumada-C. & García, 2020 in La Guajira, Northern Colombia, are given. A key for the species of Barinas is given together with an updated distribution map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus, Netrostylis R.L.Barrett, J.J.Bruhl & K.L.Wilson is described for Australasian species previously known as Tetraria capillaris (F.Muell.) J.M.Black (Cyperaceae tribe Schoeneae). The genus is restricted to southern and eastern Australia, and the North Island of New Zealand. Two new combinations are made: Netrostylis capillaris (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett, J.J.Bruhl & K.L.Wilson and Netrostylis halmaturina (J.M.Black) R.L.Barrett, J.J.Bruhl & K.L.Wilson. Netrostylis is a member of the Lepidosperma Labill. Clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Naupactini (Curculionidae: Entiminae) endemic to Brazil, Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais states, is herein described. It resembles the monotypic genus Hadropus Schoenherr in its general appearance, particularly in the shape of the elytra, and the color of the vestiture, but the results of a cladistics analysis herein conducted suggest that it belongs to the genus Stenocyphus Marshall. This genus ranges in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo, mainly in the Atlantic forest of Brazil, and includes three other species. Stenocyphus costae sp. nov., distinguishes from the remaining species of Stenocyphus by the green iridescent scaly vestiture, having long stiff setae on the two pairs of elytral tubercles; the more slender rostrum; the shorter antennae; the convex disc of the pronotum; and the shorter and broader elytra. This paper includes a cladogram of the Naupactini genera showing the phylogenetic position of the new species, its complete description, photographs of male and female habitus, line drawings of genitalia of both sexes, and a key of the Stenocyphus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoceratobaeus Rajmohana (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was described from India as a monotypic genus. The present paper describes and illustrates the second species N. dwitiyus sp. nov. from West Bengal, India. Morphological affinities with the known species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives Rapid identification of Elizabethkingia species is essential because these species show variations in antibiotic susceptibility and clinical outcomes. Many recent inaccuracies in Elizabethkingia identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) have been noted. Accordingly, in this study, we evaluated the use of MALDI-TOF MS with an amended database to identify isolates of Elizabethkingia anophelis , E. miricola and E. meningoseptica. We then investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility of Elizabethkingia. Methods MALDI-TOF MS spectra were acquired from formic acid extracts overlaid with α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid matrix on target slides in linear positive ion mode for m/z 2000 to 20 000 Da. Spectra were analysed and SuperSpectra were created with SARAMIS premium software. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used as the reference standard for species identification. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed by broth microdilution. Results A total of 103 E. anophelis , 21 E. miricola and 11 E. meningoseptica isolates were used to calculate the average spectra and exclude common peaks. SuperSpectra were added to the SARAMIS taxonomy database; all validation results were correct, even for isolates not included in SuperSpectra. Confirmation by direct colony formation was also performed. Overall, the positive predictive value of SuperSpectra was 100% for all isolates. E. miricola (77%, 17/22) was more susceptible to levofloxacin than E. anophelis (16%, 17/105). Doxycycline and minocycline were effective against all Elizabethkingia species. Conclusions Spectral analysis software identified significant species-specific peaks to create reference masses for efficient and accurate identification of Elizabethkingia species, providing accurate information for clinical treatment of Elizabethkingia infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Lower Jurassic brachiopods are widely known in the External Betic Zone. Their occurrence was so far virtually restricted to the easternmost Subbetic Zone where they underwent a diversity burst and radiation event during the late Sinemurian–early Pliensbachian interval, leading to a bloom in brachiopod diversity from the early Pliensbachian onwards. Taxonomical and paleobiogeographical analyses performed in a newly recorded assemblage from the most offshore areas of the Subbetic Basin (Granada province, Spain) reveals that this diversification event occurred earlier than expected hitherto, probably in the Turneri–Obtusum chronozones, as similarly observed in the most intra-Tethyan basins such as the Northern Calcareous Alps and Transdanubian Ranges, illustrating the recovery of the background conditions for the establishment of diversified brachiopod communities after the end-Triassic extinction event. A new rhynchonellide species, Alebusirhynchia vorosi nov. sp., is formally described among the ten different taxa recorded for the first time in this area. The Mediterranean paleobiogeographical affinities revealed by the brachiopod assemblage emphasizes that the onset of the Mediterranean/Euro-Boreal bioprovinciality and the initial brachiopod diversification in the pre-Pliensbachian Internal Subbetic platform took place earlier in the Sinemurian as well, following the Euro-Boreal monotypic record previously reported in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monotypic lichenised genus Anamylopsora (Baeomycetaceae, Baeomycetales), with its single species A. pulcherrima, is distributed in the arid areas of the Northern Hemisphere, including China. In this paper, we introduce another species new to science, Anamylopsora pruinosa. The new species is characterised by a densely pruinose upper surface, abundantly thick and strong rhizines and terricolous habitat. It is also strongly supported by the phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses based on nrDNA ITS sequences, in which A. pruinosa forms well-supported clade separated from A. pulcherrima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian egg-eater (Elachistodon westermanni) is a monotypic species of the Genus Elachistodon distributed across the Indian sub-continent. In Africa, there are 13 species of egg-eating snakes of the Genus Dasypeltis. These two genera, Elachistodon and Dasypeltis were thought to be closely related due to similar diet specialization, and shared biogeographic history between the Indian sub-continent and the continent of Africa. In our study, we amplified three mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene from E. westermanni and reconstructed molecular phylogeny utilizing published sequences to understand the evolutionary relationships between the African, and the Indian egg-eating snakes. We used morphological characters to reinforce our inferences on phylogenetic relationships. We show that the Indian egg-eater is sister to cat snakes of the Genus Boiga, and it does not share recent ancestry with the African egg-eating snakes. Morphological character states point at similarities between Elachistodon and Dasypeltis only in characters associated with their feeding behaviour. Elachistodon westermanni was similar to the Boiga spp. in several other morphological characters, and we provisionally assign E. westermanni under the genus Boiga. Compilation of records of E. westermanni across the Indian sub-continent over the years revealed a positive “Lazarus” effect. We conclude that, the egg-eating behaviour and the associated morphological characters in the snake genera Dasypeltis and Elachistodon are a result of convergent evolution. Based on the conservation status of E. westermanni, it could serve as a flagship species to conserve important wildlife habitats that are being lost rapidly in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A second species of Silvorchis, until now considered to be a presumably extinct monotypic genus endemic to western Java has been discovered in southern Vietnam. The species, here named as S. vietnamica, is described and illustrated, with data on its distribution, ecology, phenology and estimated conservation status. A key for identification of the two known species of the genus is also provided. The taxonomic affinities and phylogenetic placement of the newly discovered plant are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species in the family Telothelepodidae are divided among four genera, two of which are monotypic, following a recent phylogenetic study of the family based on morphological characters. This division is as follows: the genera Telothelepus and Mesopothelepus are both monotypic; Rhinothelepus has five species, including R. bifurcatum sp. nov., described herein, and Parathelepus has eight species, including P. praecox sp. nov. and P. scutatum sp. nov., both also described herein. We provide definitions and descriptions of these four genera and 15 species of Telothelepodidae, the most diagnostic generic and specific characters are discussed and a key for the identifications of members of all known species in this family is given. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:223AC929-9E0D-4347-A5D0-F104FD205C40 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We document the size diminution series and valve morphology of the diatom Naviculadicta parasemen Lange-Bertalot in Lange-Bertalot & Genkal, described originally from the Yugorsky Peninsula and nearby islands, northwest Siberia. Based on material from the northeastern Arctic, the features of the valve structure, undulate raphe with dilated external proximal raphe ends, organization of the striae, and change in orientation of the striae near the apices suggest a close affinity with the monotypic genus Rexlowea. We effect the transfer of N. parasemen to Rexlowea, making the new combination R. parasemen. Several features of R. navicularis, the generitype, are missing from R. parasemen, including septa and pseudosepta. It may therefore be necessary to emend the description of Rexlowea as additional species are referred to the genus, but we will await discovery of additional species before formal emendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a few families have been recognized in the 320 million year history of cockroaches. The 31st one, represented by monotypic Ol xiai sp. n. from theMyanmar amber is described here. It inhabited lowland forest near the shore. It possesses several unique morphological features including bipectinate antennae, round terminal palpomeres, sophisticated forewing shape with broken R and CuP forming a distinct unsclerotised area and with RS branched to both sides, and a huge foretibial spur. The new genus also displays several putatively apomorphic reductions (short antennae, rudimental femoral terminal spine, short pronotal chaetae, minor arolia, short palps). Synapomorphies with early ant-nest parasites (short antennae, dense pronotal setosity, irregular spacing of wing veins, indication of maculated colouration) suggest an origin from Blattidae or ancestral Mesoblattinidae during the Early Cretaceous. No plesiomorphies are apparent. An attached mite documents a phoresy on males. A syninclusion of a coccoid male is not ecologically informative at the given state of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monotypic genus Oschmarinolepis Spassky and Spasskaja, 1954 (Cestoda, Hymenolepididae) is reviewed. Its validity is confirmed with an updated diagnosis, and its type-species, Oschmarinolepis microcephala (Rudolphi, 1819), is redescribed. The new monotypic genus Paraoschmarinolepis gen n. is erected with Paraoschmarinolepis multiformis (Creplin, 1829) comb. n., as its type-species. The morphology of both type-species, O. microcephala and P. multiformis comb. n. is reviewed on the basis of published data and examination of collection material from Plegadis falcinellus from Ukraine and Ciconia ciconia from Slovakia. We show that some material previously assigned to O. microcephala, belong in fact P. multiformis comb. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most horned dinosaur remains recovered from the Aguja Formation in West Texas are referable to the endemic chasmosaurineAgujaceratops mariscalensis. One specimen, however, differs sufficiently to justify its designation as the holotype of a new species,Agujaceratops mavericussp. nov. This specimen and an isolated postorbital horncore from the same vicinity are stratigraphically the highest found in the Aguja Formation. A well-preserved juvenile specimen exhibits some unique features, and others compatible withA. mavericus, but due to its immature condition cannot be identified with certainty. A parietal referred toA. mariscalensisis the most complete thus far known, and shows that the frill of this taxon is more elaborately ornamented than previously believed, bearing a set of large horn-like spikes at the posterolateral corners. These two species share features of the premaxilla and squamosal, which warrant their inclusion in the same genus. However, characters thought to distinguish the two species vary in a manner similar to that found in other chasmosaurines, where debate persists as to their taxonomic significance. A consensus species concept has yet to be adopted for ceratopsid genera, of which most are monotypic. As a result, the twoAgujaceratopsspecies could be interpreted as arbitrary anagenetic stages in a single lineage, end-members in a spectrum of ontogenetic and sex-associated variation in that lineage, or two sympatric lineages that occupied separate niches in the same range. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1846D524-AC7F-4126-8787-33B26D80CF52 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Calyptophractus retusus (Burmeister, 1863), commonly called the greater fairy armadillo, is a small armadillo in a monotypic genus. It is a poorly known, fossorial species with a reduced eye and ear, fixed carapace and greatly enlarged foreclaws adapted for digging. The species is confined to the Chaco region of northern Argentina, western Paraguay, and southern Bolivia where it is apparently locally distributed in areas with soft, sandy soils. The species is considered “Data Deficient” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tenebrionid tribe Tentyriini (without Epitragini) was known from Madagascar only from three endemic and so far monotypic genera (Nothrocerus Fairmaire, 1891, Rhomaleus Chatanay, 1915, and Paulianesthes Koch, 1962). New collections prove the presence of a second species of Paulianesthes in southwestern Madagascar, being described in the present paper. Paulianesthes fouquei sp. nov. was found by pitfall traps on sandy soil in a small piece of forest with grazing cattle and sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogenetic position of the only known species within the order Spirulida, the Ram’s Horn Squid, Spirula spirula , may be the key to resolving relationships within Decapodiformes (squids and cuttlefishes). Spirula spirula possesses several unique features including an internal calcareous chambered shell unlike the familiar cuttlebone of Sepiidae (cuttlefishes). The shell is reduced to a gladius or absent in other decapod clades. To resolve decapodiform phylogenetic relationships we sequenced the mitochondrial genome of S. spirula and Sepiadarium austrinum and analysed these along with other mitochondrial genomes. Sequence analyses found that S. spirula and Sepiidae, the only two extant phragmocone bearing groups, were not sister taxa. Rather, in most analyses S. spirula was placed within a clade containing Bathyteuthoidea and Oegopsida either as the sister taxon to Bathyteuthoidea + Oegopsida or the sister taxon to Bathyteuthoidea only, depending upon the analysis method. Sepiidae was the sister taxon to a clade containing all remaining decapods. Spirulid mitochondrial gene order was identical to that of Octopodiformes, which we recognize as close to that of ancestral molluscs. The phylogenetic position of Idiosepiidae differed among analysis methods of molecular sequence data. However, gene order analysis resolved a highly supported monophyletic relationship containing Idiosepiidae and Sepiolida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensively sampled reassessment of the molecular phylogeny of the genistoid legumes questions the traditional placement of Haplormosia , an African monotypic genus traditionally classified within tribe Sophoreae close to the Asian-American geographically disjunct genus Ormosia . Plastid matK sequences placed Haplormosia as sister to the American-Australian tribe Brongniartieae. Despite a superficial resemblance between Haplormosia and Ormosia , a re-examination of the morphology of Haplormosia corroborates the new phylogenetic result. The reciprocally monophyletic deep divergence of the Haplormosia stem lineage from the remaining Brongniartieae is dated to ca. 52 Mya, thus supporting a signature of an old single long-distance dispersal during the early Eocene. Conversely, we estimated a relatively recent long-distance dispersal rooted in the Early Miocene for the Australian Brongniartieae clade emerging from within a grade of American Brongniartieae. The Bayesian ancestral area reconstruction revealed the coming and going of neotropical ancestors during the diversification history of the Brongniartieae legumes in Africa and all over the Americas and Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monochoria C. Presl is aquatic flowering plants belonging to Pontederiaceae. It consists of 8 species worldwide, occurring in tropical and subtropical regions. Currently, taxonomic status of Thai Monochoria remains unclear due to its morphological plasticity and different classification viewpoints. Some authors accept three monotypic species i.e. M. hastata, M. elata and M. vaginalis, whereas others recognized infraspecific taxa. To clarify this problem, intensive specimen collections were made throughout Thai floristic regions. Then, 22 quantitative and 23 qualitative characters from 550 specimens were analyzed. Cluster analysis indicated that 550 specimens could be divided into five groups. Similarly, canonical discriminant analysis showed that it comprises of five groups distinguished by lamina width of floral-leaf, petiole length of floral-leaf and flowering stem length. To recapitulate, phenetic data support the segregation into five groups: M. vaginalis and its closely related species, M. elata and its closely related taxon and M. hastata, a monotypic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinugasa is a monotypic genus of the family Melanthiaceae, consisting only of K. japonica, endemic to Japan. It grows in subalpine forests, often along the valleys where snow covers in winter, and is conspicuous by its large white or yellowish white petaloid outer tepals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plagiospora gracilis, a mucilaginous crustose red alga growing on subtidal pebbles on both coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean, forms distinctive tetrasporangia (red algal meiotic structures that release haploid tetraspores), but gametophytes have never been reported. In the absence of gametangia, the taxonomic position of this monotypic genus has always been uncertain; it is currently placed provisionally in Gloiosiphoniaceae (Gigartinales) by comparison with sporophytes of Gloiosiphonia obtained in culture. Dioecious gametophytic crusts of P. gracilis are now reported for the first time, forming gametangia in inconspicuous superficial sori. There is no evidence that fertilization ever occurs in the field although fertile males and females were collected together. In culture, tetraspores grew into tetrasporophytes for three successive generations, by presumed apomictic sporophyte recycling. The life history of P. gracilis may represent a late stage in the loss of sexual reproduction leading to tetraspore-to-tetrasporophyte life histories such as that in Hildenbrandia. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences of rbcL, large subunit (28S) rDNA and coxI (COI-5P) for P. gracilis with other Gigartinales resolved P. gracilis as a distinct lineage in a well-supported clade of the families Sphaerococcaceae, Gloiosiphoniaceae, Endocladiaceae, Nizymeniaceae and Phacelocarpaceae. We here propose the monotypic Plagiosporaceae fam. nov. to accommodate P. gracilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arisaema has a long and complicated taxonomic history regarding its infrageneric classification. In the latest system, 14 sections were recognized, based on an unpublished, tentative phylogenetic analysis; in addition the type species and nomenclatural priority for each section were confirmed. Here, we present an updated, genus-wide phylogenetic analysis, based on four plastid non-coding regions (3 ′trnL- trnF, rpl20-5 ′rps12, psbB- psbH and rpoC2- rps2) for > 150 accessions. The maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses identified eight major clades and one branch with unique sequence variation, although the relationships were unclear due to a polytomy and weak support. In the phylogenetic trees, most of the sections proposed in the latest system were distinct and corresponded to the major clades, but some sections are not monophyletic. On the basis of the phylogenetic relationship: (1) A. schimperianum is treated as a member of section Arisaema, rather than section Tenuipistillata or section Sinarisaema; and (2) section Fimbriata, which was synonymised into section Attenuata in the latest system but is morphologically distinct from the other species, is redefined as a monotypic section. In conclusion, we recognize 15 sections of Arisaema and species-level classifications are discussed in a phylogenetic context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All seven members of the genus Orthobrachia Warren, 1895 are recorded, with description of a new species from Sichuan Province, China and N. Thailand, including O. latifasciata (Moore, 1888) and O. flavidior (Hampson, 1898) from northern India, Nepal and China, O. tenebrosa Yazaki, 1992 from Nepal and India, O. owadai Yazaki, 1992 from India, O. simpliciata Yazaki, 2002 from China, and O. maoershanensis Huang, Xin & Wang, 2003 from South China. A key to the Orthobrachia species is provided, along with a distributional map of all nominal species. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in Hunan Agricultural University (China), South China Agricultural University (China) and Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (Germany). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic concept of Herniosina Roháček, 1983 (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) is revised on the basis of five W. Palaearctic species, thus excluding the E. Nearctic Herniosina voluminosa Marshall, 1987 whose inclusion caused the paraphyly of the genus. Two new species, H. erymantha sp. n. (male only, Greece: Peloponnese) and H. hamata sp. n. (both sexes, Cyprus), are described and illustrated, and the other three species, H. bequaerti (Villeneuve, 1917), H. horrida (Roháček, 1978) and H. pollex Roháček, 1993, are diagnosed with an atlas of their male and female terminalia. The relationships of the redefined genus and of all its species are discussed, and their biology and distribution are reviewed. A new illustrated key to Herniosina species is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cochliomyia Townsend includes several abundant and one of the most broadly distributed, blow flies in the Americas, and is of significant economic and forensic importance. For decades, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) and C. macellaria (Fabricius) have received attention as livestock parasites and primary indicator species in forensic entomology. However, C. minima Shannon and C. aldrichi Del Ponte have only been subject to basic taxonomy and faunistic studies. Here we present the first complete phylogeny of Cochliomyia including numerous specimens per species, collected from 13 localities in the Caribbean. Four genes, the mitochondrial COI and the nuclear EF-1a, 28S rRNA, and ITS2, were analyzed. While we found some differences among gene trees, a concatenated gene matrix recovered a robustly supported monophyletic Cochliomyia with Compsomyiops Townsend as its sister group and recovered the monophyly of C. hominivorax, C. macellaria and C. minima. Our results support a close relationship between C. minima and C. aldrichi. However, we found C. aldrichi containing C. minima, indicating recent speciation, or issues with the taxonomy of the group. We provide basic information on habitat preference, distribution and feeding habits of C. minima and C. aldrichi that will be useful for future forensic studies in the Caribbean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Falsoibidion Pic, 1922 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae, Callidiopini) from Korea is described. Habitus and genitalia of male and female of the new species are illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ptomaphagus (s. str.) chenggongi sp. n. and P. (s. str.) tingtingae sp. n. (Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Cholevinae, Ptomaphagini) are described from Taiwan Island. In addition, a new subjective synonym is proposed, P. (s. str.) yasutoshii Nishikawa, 1993 = P. (s. str.) smetanai Perreau, 1996, syn. n. Relevant morphological characters of the examined Ptomaphagus species are illustrated with colour plates, and their known distributions are mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) belonging to the subgenus Leipopleura of the genus Bioramix Bates, 1879, B. (L.) baqenensis Li & Egorov, sp. n., B. (L.) nyainrongensis Li & Egorov, sp. n., and B. (L.) banbarensis Li & Egorov, sp. n. are described from the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. Additionally, a new identification key is provided to all known Chinese representatives of the subgenus Leipopleura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceratoteleas cornus sp. n. is described from Japan. The male of the genus is described for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trachinocephalus, a formerly monotypic and nearly circumtropical genus of lizardfishes, is split into three valid species. Trachinocephalus gauguini n. sp. is described from the Marquesas Islands and is distinguished from the two other species in the genus by having a shorter snout, a narrower interorbital space, larger eye and modally fewer anal-fin and pectoral-fin rays. The distribution of Trachinocephalus myops (type species) is restricted to the Atlantic Ocean and the name Trachinocephalus trachinus is resurrected for populations from the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Principal component analyses and bivariate plots based on the morphometric data differentiated T. gauguini from the other two species, but a substantial overlap between T. myops and T. trachinus exists. Phylogenetic evidence based on mtDNA COI sequences unambiguously supports the recognition of at least three species in Trachinocephalus, revealing deep divergences between the Atlantic Ocean, Indo-West Pacific Ocean and Marquesas entities. Additional analyses of species delimitations using the generalized mixed Yule coalescent model and the Poisson tree processes model provide a more liberal assessment of species in Trachinocephalus, indicating that many more cryptic species may exist. Finally, a taxonomic key to identify the three species recognized here is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Priodontes maximus (Kerr, 1792), called the giant armadillo, is monotypic and by far the largest extant armadillo. Average adult weight is about 30 kg (in captivity, as high as 80 kg). Its carapace extends about halfway down its sides, making it impossible to curl up tightly. It is dark brown to black dorsally, with a broad light band around the lower part of its carapace. It primarily digs to escape, enhanced by its 20-cm, sickle-shaped nail on its 3rd forefingers. P. maximus is widely distributed in South America but nowhere abundant. It is affected by habitat loss and fragmentation, agriculture, hunting, collection for museum specimens, and illegal animal trafficking. P. maximus is listed as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Danube crested newt Triturus dobrogicus has been proposed to comprise two subspecies: T. d. dobrogicus and T. d. macrosoma. Uncertainty exists in the literature over their distribution and diagnosability. We conduct a multilocus phylogeographical survey and review published data to determine whether a two taxon treatment is warranted. Newly produced and published nuclear DNA data suggest intraspecific variation in the Pannonian Plain part of the range, but with extensive genetic admixture, whereas mitochondrial DNA data shows a lack of geographical structuring in T. dobrogicus altogether. None of the studied morphological characters suggest the presence of two geographical groups in T. dobrogicus unequivocally. Although Danube Delta newts do have relatively short bodies compared to the remainder of the range (the Pannonian and Lower Danube Plains and the Dnepr Delta), we argue that this finding can be explained by phenotypic plasticity - particularly in light of the incongruent evolutionary scenario suggested by genetic data. We conclude that the total body of evidence does not support the two subspecies hypothesis and recommend that T. dobrogicus is treated as a monotypic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the interactions between the species Candida albicans , Candida krusei and Candida glabrata in monotypic and mixed biofilm models formed in vitro as well as the relative expression of the ALS1 , ALS3 , HWP1 , BCR1 , EFG1 , TEC1 , SAP5 , PLB2 and LIP9 genes. Material and methods Mixed ( C. albicans / C. krusei and C. albicans/C. glabrata ) and monotypic biofilms were cultured for 0, 12 and 24 h. Gene expression was analyzed in the same biofilm model in which the number of CFU/mL was counted. Results The C. albicans CFU/mL values were lower at the 12 and 24 h time points in the mixed biofilms compared with the monotypic biofilms, and decreases of 56.23% and 64.4% in C. albicans were observed when this species was associated with C. glabrata and C. krusei , respectively. In the presence of C. krusei , the expression of the ALS3 , HWP1 , BCR1 , EFG1 and TEC1 genes of C. albicans was completely inhibited, indicating both transcriptome and the phenotypic antagonism between these two species, but genes related to the secretion of enzymes were stimulated. In the presence of C. glabrata , C. albicans showed a similar gene expression profile to that obtained in association with C. krusei , though it was altered to a lesser degree. Conclusion We conclude that C. krusei and C. glabrata may alter or inhibit the mechanisms involved in the in vitro adherence and formation of C. albicans biofilms, influencing the pathogenicity of this species and suggesting a competitive interaction with C. krusei and C. glabrata in biofilm formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic status and phylogenetic placement of the monotypic genus Trichoneuron is studied using DNA sequences of three plastid-coding genes. Trichoneuron was originally assigned to Thelypteridaceae but has been considered to be a synonym of Lastreopsis in recent treatments. In this study, the proposed relationship of Trichoneuron to Lastreopsis was tested using a comprehensive taxa sampling of Dryopteridaceae. Our results strongly support the recognition of Trichoneuron as a distinct genus belonging to Dryopteridaceae. Trichoneuron does not group together with Lastreopsis. Instead the genus was found to be sister to the Neotropical genus Polystichopsis. This sister relationship is supported by the occurrence of long pluricellular hairs attached to the rachis of both genera. The morphological distinction of Trichoneuron from Lastreopsis is backed by the structure of the adaxial groove of rachis-costa junction and the hairs at abaxial side of leaf axes. The Polystichopsis- Trichoneuron clade was found to form the sister clade to an entirely Neotropical clade comprising Polybotrya and its relatives. The new subfamily Polybotryoideae is introduced based on the presented observations. In turn, the newly recovered sister relationship between Polystichopsis and Trichoneuron provides evidence for geographic disjunctions involving the Caribbean islands and the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to Toxurini and Pyrgotini, two monotypic tribes are described in the subfamily Pyrgotinae: Prodalmanniini, originally named and established by Aczél (1956) without detailed description or justification, and Toxopyrgotini trib. n. The type species of the type genera are redescribed and illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new bufonid amphibian, belonging to a new monotypic genus, is described from the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, Republic of India, based on unique external morphological and skeletal characters which are compared with those of known Oriental and other relevant bufonid genera. Blythophryne gen. n. is distinguished from other bufonid genera by its small adult size (mean SVL 24.02 mm), the presence of six presacral vertebrae, an absence of coccygeal expansions, presence of an elongated pair of parotoid glands, expanded discs at digit tips and phytotelmonous tadpoles that lack oral denticles. The taxonomic and phylogenetic position of the new taxon (that we named as Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n.) was ascertained by comparing its 12S and 16S partial genes with those of Oriental and other relevant bufonid lineages. Resulting molecular phylogeny supports the erection of a novel monotypic genus for this lineage from the Andaman Islands of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lampronycteris is a monotypic genus distributed throughout the Neotropical region. Brazil presents the largest number of reports of L. brachyotis, most of which occur within Amazonia, with only limited records in Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. The present report provides an updated distribution of L. brachyotis in these three biomes, including the first records for the states of Rondônia and Goiás and additional records in the states of Mato Grosso, Pará and São Paulo. We highlight that mesic areas in open formations such as Cerrado might support relictual populations of L. brachyotis, highlighting the importance of these areas for bat diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new and three known oleanane-type saponins have been isolated from the methanolic extract of Phryna ortegioides , a monotypic and endemic taxon of Caryophyllaceae. The structures of the new compounds were determined as gypsogenic acid 28- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→2)- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→6)- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl ester ( 1 ), 3- O -α- l -arabinofuranosyl-gypsogenic acid 28- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→3)- O -[β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→6)]- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl ester ( 2 ), 3- O -α- l -arabinofuranosyl-gypsogenic acid 28- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→3)- O -[β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→2)- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→6)- O -]-β- d -glucopyranosyl ester ( 3 ), 3- O -α- l -arabinofuranosyl-16α-hydroxyolean-12-en-23,28-dioic acid-28- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→3)- O -[β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→2)- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→6)]- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl ester ( 4 ). Their structures were established by a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques, and mass spectrometry. Noteworthy, none of isolated compounds possesses as aglycone moiety gypsogenin, considered a marker of Caryophyllaceae family. The cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against three cancer cell lines including A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma), A375 (human melanoma) and DeFew (human B lymphoma) cells. Only compound 6 showed a weak activity against A375 and DeFew cell lines with IC 50 values of 77 and 52 μM, respectively. None of the other tested compounds, in a range of concentrations between 12.5 and 100 μM, caused a significant reduction of the cell number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The riodinid Rhetus belphegor (Westwood) (n. comb., previously in the genus Nirodia) is a critically endangered butterfly confined to the 'campos rupestres'; a high-altitude rocky outcrop vegetation from southeast Brazil. The aim of this study is to unveil its biology and evaluate its systematic position. Based on museum data and public contribution of data (in the context of citizen science), R. belphegor is restricted to the 'Espinhaço Mountain Chain', and occurs exclusively above 1000 m. Adults were found resting upside down on rock walls. Females searched for host plants during the hottest hours of the day, depositing 1-2 eggs on leaves of the herbaceous subshrub Microstachys serrulata (Euphorbiaceae). The non-myrmecophilous larvae developed through six instars and the developmental time from egg to adult was ~50 days. Larvae are covered with abundant setae. Morphology of immature stages and molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that Nirodia is part of Rhetus, justifying the generic change. Our data supports that Nirodia is the only species in its clade associated with high mountains, in contrast to its lowland congeners. The description of the immature biology and clarification on its systematic position are essential steps for the establishment of better and more effective conservation efforts for this magnificent Brazilian butterfly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monotypic genus Indiscelio Veenakumari, Popovici and Talamas was published in the Journal of Asia Pacific Entomology in 2018. Because this journal at that time was electronic-only, but the authors were not aware about this aspect, they did not register the paper in Zoobank and the Zoobank LSID was not included in the paper. As a consequence, the scientific names Indiscelio and Indiscelio aulon (the type species of the genus Indiscelio) are unavailable. The aim of this paper is to provide a concise description of these taxa in order to comply with the ICZN, making them available names. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C7B0D089-5DEF-4535-B530-624082AB54B7 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, monotypic genus of the interstitial marine cyclopoid copepod family Cyclopinidae G.O. Sars, 1913 is described from male and female specimens collected at Laguna de Términos, a large coastal lagoon system in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Mexiclopina campechana gen. et sp. n. cannot be adequately placed in any extant genus within the family. It differs from other cyclopinid genera in having a unique combination of characters including: 1) absence of modified brush-like seta on the mandibular exopod; 2) maxillule exopod with stout setal elements and brush-like setae absent; 3) basis of mandible with one seta; 4) presence of a modified seta on endopod of fourth leg; 5) fifth leg exopod unsegmented, armed with three elements in the female and five in the male; 6) intercoxal sclerite of first swimming leg with two medial spiniform processes on distal margin. The new genus is monotypic and appears to be most closely related to Cyclopina Claus, 1863 and Heptnerina Ivanenko & Defaye, 2004; the new species was compared with species of Cyclopina and it resembles C. americana Herbst, 1982 and C. caissara Lotufo, 1994. This is the second record of a species of Cyclopinidae in Mexico and the first in the Gulf of Mexico; the number of cyclopinid species recorded from the Americas is now 13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the effects of storage time and pretreatment on seed germination of Fokienia hodginsii. Lower mean germination was observed in seeds stored for 2 years (6.41 ± 1.23 seeds/replicate) compared with those stored for 1 year (8.52 ± 1.06 seeds/replicate). Seeds collected from a southern location had statistically higher mean germination (9.67 ± 1.28 seeds/replicate) than those collected from a northern location (7.99 ± 1.36 seeds/replicate). Higher mean T50 was observed in seeds stored for 2 years (37.02 ± 4.43 days) compared with those stored for 1 year (30.69 ± 5.06 days). Mean germination of untreated fresh seeds was 9.97 ± 1.34 seeds/replicate and that of treated fresh seeds in 60°C water was 12.95 ± 1.24 seeds/replicate. Fresh seeds treated with 50°C and 70°C water had a significantly lower mean germination compared with untreated seeds and seeds treated in 60°C water. Mean T50 was lowest in seeds treated with 60°C water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three monophyletic branches are strongly supported in a phylogenetic analysis of the Teloschistaceae based on combined data sets of internal transcribed spacer and large subunit nrDNA and 12S small subunit mtDNA sequences. These are described as new monotypic genera: Jasonhuria S. Y. Kondr., L. Lőkös et S. -O. Oh, Loekoesia S. Y. Kondr., S. -O. Oh et J. -S. Hur and Olegblumia S. Y. Kondr., L. Lőkös et J. -S. Hur. Three new combinations for the type species of these genera are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the breeding records of the bird species Paddyfield Warbler (Acrocephalus agricola) in Turkey. The study analyzed the DNA obtained from the samples of blood from the birds and amplified the mitochondrial b gene for the warblers' phylogeny reconstruction. Results show that the taxon of the warblers' subspecies is monotypic.

Little is known about the biology of the monotypic genus Cornuvesica ( Microascales ), apart from that isolates are notoriously difficult to culture on artificial media. A recent collection of material resembling this genus from freshly made wounds on Gmelina arborea in Indonesia, provided an opportunity to reconsider all available material of Cornuvesica falcata , type species of the genus. In addition to morphological comparisons, multigene phylogenetic analyses were made using sequences of the SSU, ITS, LSU and TEF-1α genes. Our results showed that the holotype of Cor. falcata from pine in Canada differed from all other material previously considered to represent this species and also from the new Indonesian collections. The collections considered represented three additional species that we describe here as new. Three New Zealand isolates and an isolate from UK were respectively described as Cor. acuminata and Cor. crypta , while the Indonesian isolates were described as Cor. magnispora . Phylogenies based on the SSU and LSU data sets showed that Cornuvesica spp. do not belong in the Ceratocystidaceae as previously suggested, but represent a distinct lineage in the Microascales that has yet to be named. Results showed that culture filtrates from other fungi or ferric chloride markedly stimulated the growth of Cor. magnispora . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematic position of the monotypic genus Ekimia H.Duman & M.F.Watson (Apiaceae), a narrow endemic to Turkey, was evaluated on the basis of morphological data and nrDNA ITS sequences. Ekimia bornmuelleri (Hub.-Mor. & Reese) H.Duman & M.F.Watson was initially described in Prangos Lindl. Due to the unique fruit morphology uncommon for this genus it was later shifted to an independent genus. In the Bayesian and most parsimonious trees, E. bornmuelleri is sister to Laserpitium petrophilum Boiss. & Heldr and Laserpitium glaucum Post within the Daucinae clade. This result is consistent with its morphology: the presence of the primary and secondary ribs of E. bornmuelleri fruits brings the species closer to Laserpitium rather than Prangos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monotypic genus Auxenochlorella with its type species A. protothecoides is so far only known from specific habitats such as the sap of several tree species. Several varieties were described according to physiological performances in culture on different organic substrates. However, two strains designated as Auxenochlorella were isolated from other habitats (an endosymbiont of Hydra viridis and an aquatic strain from an acidic volcano stream). We studied those isolates and compared them with six strains of Auxenochlorella belonging to different varieties. The integrative approach used in this study revealed that all strains showed similar morphology but differed in their SSU and ITS rDNA sequences. The Hydra endosymbiont formed a sister taxon to A. protothecoides, which included the varieties protothecoides, galactophila, and communis. The variety acidicola is not closely related to Auxenochlorella and represented its own lineage within the Trebouxiophyceae. In view of these results, we propose a new species of Auxenochlorella, A. symbiontica, for the Hydra symbiont, and a new genus Pumiliosphaera, with its type species, P. acidophila, for acidophilic strain. These results are supported by several compensatory base changes in the conserved region of ITS-2 and ITS-2 DNA barcodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]