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New lagonomegopid spiders are described from Mid-Cretaceous Myanmar (Burmese) amber. Two new genera and species based on single specimens, Scopomegops fax gen. & sp. nov. and Hiatomegops spinalis gen. & sp. nov. are described. Two specimens belonging to Lineaburmops beigeli are further described. Additionally, after re-examining the holotype of Odontomegops titan, a detailed description of its basal ventral abdomen is added here. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to investigate the phylogenetic placement of Lagonomegopidae. A matrix of 79 morphological characters, scored for six lagonomegopid taxa and 26 non-lagonomegopid taxa, was analysed through parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic inference. Our results recover extant Palpimanoidea as a monophyletic group and partly suggest that Lagonomegopidae is the sister-group to extant Palpimanoidea. The external sexual organs, retrolateral tibial apophysis on the male palp and tracheal spiracle in lagonomegopids are discussed.

A new fossil ricinuleid,Curculioides bohemondin. sp., from the Pennsylvanian Energy Shale of Illinois is described from a single specimen. It is the largest ricinuleid species yet described, living or extinct. The Energy Shale represents a new geographic locale for fossil ricinuleids, a sparsely distributed group. The species is distinguished from other members within the genus by the possession of very large (0.09 mm) carapace tubercles at a very low (30 mm-2) density. Statistical analyses are performed on extant and fossil ricinuleids to determine how their tubercles change throughout ontogeny, culminating in the recovery of a new ontogenetically stable diagnostic character: the tubercle coefficient (a measure of the size of the tubercles relative to body size).UUID:http://zoobank.org/aa9f2de5-c49d-4f70-bba5-db12fdee406f.

Despite harboring mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors that promote cancer growth, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells require exogenous cells or signals to survive in culture. We previously reported that myeloid cells, particularly dendritic cells, from the thymic tumor microenvironment support the survival and proliferation of primary mouse T-ALL cells in vitro. Thus, we hypothesized that tumor-associated myeloid cells would support T-ALL in vivo. Consistent with this possibility, in vivo depletion of myeloid cells results in a significant reduction in leukemia burden in multiple organs in 2 distinct mouse models of T-ALL and prolongs survival. The impact of the myeloid compartment on T-ALL growth is not dependent on suppression of antitumor T-cell responses. Instead, myeloid cells provide signals that directly support T-ALL cells. Transcriptional profiling, functional assays, and acute in vivo myeloid-depletion experiments identify activation of IGF1R as a critical component of myeloid-mediated T-ALL growth and survival. We identify several myeloid subsets that have the capacity to directly support survival of T-ALL cells. Consistent with mouse models, myeloid cells derived from human peripheral blood monocytes activate IGF1R and directly support survival of primary patient T-ALL cells in vitro. Furthermore, enriched macrophage gene signatures in published clinical samples correlate with inferior outcomes for pediatric T-ALL patients. Collectively, these data reveal that tumor-associated myeloid cells provide signals critical for T-ALL growth in multiple organs in vivo and implicate tumor-associated myeloid cells and associated signals as potential therapeutic targets.

Funder: Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit award, Rabies is a fatal neurologic disease caused by lyssavirus infection. Bats are important natural reservoir hosts of various lyssaviruses that can be transmitted to people. The epidemiology and pathogenesis of rabies in bats are poorly understood, making it difficult to prevent zoonotic transmission. To further our understanding of lyssavirus pathogenesis in a natural bat host, an experimental model using straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) and Lagos bat virus, an endemic lyssavirus in this species, was developed. To determine the lowest viral dose resulting in 100% productive infection, bats in five groups (four bats per group) were inoculated intramuscularly with one of five doses, ranging from 100.1 to 104.1 median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50). More bats died due to the development of rabies after the middle dose (102.1 TCID50, 4/4 bats) than after lower (101.1, 2/4; 101.1, 2/4) or higher (103.1, 2/4; 104.1, 2/4) doses of virus. In the two highest dose groups, 4/8 bats developed rabies. Of those bats that remained healthy 3/4 bats seroconverted, suggesting that high antigen loads can trigger a strong immune response that abrogates a productive infection. In contrast, in the two lowest dose groups, 3/8 bats developed rabies, 1/8 remained healthy and seroconverted and 4/8 bats remained healthy and did not seroconvert, suggesting these doses are too low to reliably induce infection. The main lesion in all clinically affected bats was meningoencephalitis associated with lyssavirus-positive neurons. Lyssavirus antigen was detected in tongue epithelium (5/11 infected bats) rather than in salivary gland epithelium (0/11), suggesting viral excretion via the tongue. Thus, intramuscular inoculation of 102.1 TCID50 of Lagos bat virus into straw-colored fruit bats is a suitable model for lyssavirus associated bat rabies in a natural reservoir host, and can help with the investigation of lyssavirus infection dynamics in bats.

We reconstructed all cell nuclei in a 3D image of a Drosophila brain acquired by serial section electron microscopy (EM). The total number of nuclei is approximately 133,000, at least 87% of which belong to neurons. Neuronal nuclei vary from several hundred down to roughly 5 cubic micrometers. Glial nuclei can be even smaller. The optic lobes contain more than two times the number of cells than the central brain. Our nuclear reconstruction serves as a spatial map and index to the cells in a Drosophila brain.

The recent demonstrations that widespread mid-Palaeozoic Prototaxites and other nematophytes had fungal affinities indicate that terrestrial fungi were important elements in carbon cycling in the Early Devonian. Here, we provide evidence for their participation in the recycling of nutrients by early terrestrial invertebrates. Evidence is in the form of coprolites, both those associated with nematophytes or containing their fragmentary remains. Cylindrical coprolites consistently associated with fungal mats are placed in a new ichnospecies, Bacillafaex myceliorum. Their contents are granular to amorphous, suggestive of complete digestion of the ingested hyphae, with the inference of possession of chitinases in the digestive tracts of the consumers. A further single example comprises a cluster of cylindrical bodies attached to the lower surface of a Nematothallus fragment. Here, homogenisation was less complete, with traces of hyphae remaining. Terrestrial animal fossils have not been found at the locality, but scorpions, pseudoscorpions, Opiliones, mites, centipedes (carnivores) and millipedes, and Collembola (detritivores) have been recorded from the slightly younger Rhynie cherts. Studies of fungivory in extant arthropods have concentrated on Collembola and, to a lesser extent, mites, but their faecal pellets are much smaller than the fossil examples. Millipedes, based on body size and faeces of extant forms, are considered more realistic producers, but little is known about fungal feeding in these animals. Regardless of the affinities of the producers, the diversity in morphology, sizes, aggregations, and composition of nematophyte-containing examples suggests that fungivory was an important component of carbon cycling in early terrestrial ecosystems.

The Fossil-Lagerstätte of Grube Messel, Germany, has produced some of the most spectacular fossils of the Paleogene (Schaal & Ziegler, 1992; Gruber & Micklich, 2007; Selden & Nudds, 2012; Schaal et al., 2018). However, few arachnids have been discovered or described from this World Heritage Site. An araneid spider was reported by Wunderlich (1986). Wedmann (2018) reported that 160 spider specimens were known from Messel although, sadly, few are well preserved. She figured the araneid mentioned by Wunderlich (1986) and a nicely preserved hersiliid (Wedmann, 2018: figs 7.8–7.9, respectively). Wedmann (2018) mentioned six opilionids yet to be described, and figured one (Wedmann, 2018: fig. 7.10). Here, we report a new, well preserved spider, Lutetiana neli gen. et sp. nov., the first to be formally described from the locality, which is placed in the Marronoidea (the Marronoid Clade of Wheeler et al., 2017), and possibly in the family Cybaeidae.

A supposed giant spider, Mongolarachne chaoyangensis Cheng, Liu, Huang, Liu, Li & Li, 2019, from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of China, is here shown, with the aid of fluorescence microscopy, to be a faked fossil spider, with a fossil crayfish as its core. We tentatively place M. chaoyangensis in Cricoidoscelosus aethus Taylor, Schram & Shen, 1999 n. syn..

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor (RGNT) most commonly occurs adjacent to the fourth ventricle and therefore rarely presents with epilepsy. Recent reports describe RGNT occurrence in other anatomical locations with considerable morphologic and genetic overlap with the epilepsy-associated dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET). Examples of RGNT or DNET with anaplastic change are rare, and typically occur in the setting of radiation treatment. We present the case of a 5-year-old girl with seizures, who underwent near total resection of a cystic temporal lobe lesion. Pathology showed morphologic and immunohistochemical features of RGNT, albeit with focally overlapping DNET-like patterns. Resections of residual or recurrent tumor were performed 1 year and 5 years after the initial resection, but no adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy was given. Ten years after the initial resection, surveillance imaging identified new and enhancing nodules, leading to another gross total resection. This specimen showed areas similar to the original tumor, but also high-grade foci with oligodendroglial morphology, increased cellularity, palisading necrosis, microvascular proliferation, and up to 13 mitotic figures per 10 high power fields. Ancillary studies the status by sequencing showed wild-type of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), IDH2, and human histone 3.3 (H3F3A) genes, and BRAF studies were negative for mutation or rearrangement. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed codeletion of 1p and 19q limited to the high-grade regions. By immunohistochemistry there was loss of nuclear alpha-thalassemia mental retardation syndrome, X-linked (ATRX) expression only in the high-grade region. Next-generation sequencing showed an fibroblast growth factor receptor receptor 1 (FGFR1) kinase domain internal tandem duplication in three resection specimens. ATRX mutation in the high-grade tumor was confirmed by sequencing which showed a frameshift mutation (p.R1427fs), while the apparent 1p/19q-codeletion by FISH was due to loss of chromosome arm 1p and only partial loss of 19q. Exceptional features of this case include the temporal lobe location, 1p/19q loss by FISH without true whole-arm codeletion, and anaplastic transformation associated with ATRX mutation without radiation or chemotherapy.

To understand the brain we must relate neurons’ functional responses to the circuit architecture that shapes them. Here, we present a large functional connectomics dataset with dense calcium imaging of a millimeter scale volume. We recorded activity from approximately 75,000 neurons in primary visual cortex (VISp) and three higher visual areas (VISrl, VISal and VISlm) in an awake mouse viewing natural movies and synthetic stimuli. The functional data were co-registered with a volumetric electron microscopy (EM) reconstruction containing more than 200,000 cells and 0.5 billion synapses. Subsequent proofreading of a subset of neurons in this volume yielded reconstructions that include complete dendritic trees as well the local and inter-areal axonal projections that map up to thousands of cell-to-cell connections per neuron. Here, we release this dataset as an open-access resource to the scientific community including a set of tools that facilitate data retrieval and downstream analysis. In accompanying papers we describe our findings using the dataset to provide a comprehensive structural characterization of cortical cell types1–3and the most detailed synaptic level connectivity diagram of a cortical column to date2, uncovering unique cell-type specific inhibitory motifs that can be linked to gene expression data4. Functionally, we identify new computational principles of how information is integrated across visual space5, characterize novel types of neuronal invariances6and bring structure and function together to decipher a general principle that wires excitatory neurons within and across areas7, 8.

The Crato Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of Brazil is well known for an exceptionally preserved terrestrial arthropod fossil assemblage. Spiders are relatively abundant, but few have been formally described. A fossil spider belonging to the family Palpimanidae, araneophageous ground-dwelling spiders with distinctly robust front legs, is preserved with the dorsal side hidden within the rock matrix. For the first time, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to image a fossil spider preserved in a rock matrix, to reveal the dorsal side of this specimen, revealing the eye arrangement, a useful taxonomic character in most spiders, and a deflated abdomen, likely the result of taphonomic processes. The specimen possesses other distinguishing characteristics of Palpimanidae, including an inflated first leg femur, a heavily sclerotized scutum, and a reduced number of spinnerets (2) surrounded by a sclerotized ring. The spider has eight eyes with the lateral pairs extremely close together, a trait suggestive of the subfamily Chediminae. The specimen also possesses an unusual first leg patella with a retrolateral excavation and a thorn-like projection. A new genus is erected, and the spider is named Cretapalpus vittari gen. et sp. nov. A phylogenetic analysis including extant species from each of the subfamilies within Palpimanidae places the fossil at the base of Chediminae + Otiothopinae. This is the earliest reported fossil palpimanid and first chedimine from South America. A fossil chedimine in South America is not surprising because the South American and African plates were still relatively close during the Early Cretaceous.

Rabies is a fatal encephalitis caused by an important group of viruses within the Lyssavirus genus. The prototype virus, rabies virus, is still the most commonly reported lyssavirus and causes approximately 59,000 human fatalities annually. The human and animal burden of the other lyssavirus species is undefined. The original reports for the novel lyssavirus, Kotalahti bat lyssavirus (KBLV), were based on the detection of viral RNA alone. In this report we describe the successful generation of a live recombinant virus, cSN-KBLV, where the full-length genome clone of RABV vaccine strain, SAD-B19, was constructed with the glycoprotein of KBLV. Subsequent in vitro characterisation of cSN-KBLV is described here. In addition, the ability of a human rabies vaccine to confer protective immunity in vivo following challenge with this recombinant virus was assessed. Naïve or vaccinated mice were infected intracerebrally with a dose of 100 focus-forming units/30 µL of cSN-KBLV, all naïve mice and 8% (n = 1/12) of the vaccinated mice succumbed to the challenge, whilst 92% (n = 11/12) of the vaccinated mice survived to the end of the experiment. This report provides strong evidence for cross-neutralisation and cross-protection of cSN-KBLV using purified Vero cell rabies vaccine.

A new fossil spider is described from the early Eocene (Ypresian) Palana Formation (54 to 57 Ma) at the Gurha opencast lignite mine, near Bikaner, western Rajasthan, India. It is the first report of a nonamber fossil spider from India. The fossil is referred to the modern genusNephilaLeach, 1815, but with hesitation because, while its habitus is similar to that genus, it lacks the behavioral synapomorphies that distinguish the genus.

A unique inclusion from Cretaceous (ca. 100 Ma) Burmese amber from Myanmar is described comprising a fossil hard tick (Parasitiformes: Ixodida: Ixodidae) wrapped in spider silk. Fossil ticks are very rare. Those from Burmese amber are the oldest examples of Ixodida recorded so far, and this is also the first time that this specific interaction between ticks and spiders has been documented in the fossil record. Spiders occasionally prey on ticks in modern ecosystems. However, those families which have been recorded catching ticks today lack a convincing Mesozoic fossil record and it is difficult to identify the producer of the fossil silk with any certainty. It is also possible that the tick was not part of the spider's usual prey spectrum, but accidentally entered the web and was subjected to immobilization wrapping as an initial precautionary attack.

A large number of well-preserved chancelloriid scleritomes from the Guanshan biota, early Cambrian of Yunnan, China, are described as a new species,Allonnia tenuisn. sp., and provide solid evidence for the original appearance of these enigmatic animals, based on specimens compacted laterally and top-down. With the assistance of a flexible integument, chancelloriids, especiallyAllonniafrom early and middle Cambrian, may have had the ability to partially or completely expand and contract the body, which might have played an important role in feeding. A new metazoan with single-element spines,Nidelric gaoloufangensisn. sp., is also described. Preservation and affinity are discussed. Detailed comparison of the morphology of the body and spines of this metazoan indicate that it shares many similarities with chancelloriids, of which it may be an unusual form.UUID:http://zoobank.org/2708d95a-1fae-46fc-afea-9707ae97a4d7

Selden, P.A. & Kaulfuss, U., 28 May 2018. Fossil arachnids from the earliest Miocene Foulden Maar Fossil-Lagerstatte, New Zealand. Alcheringa 43, 165–169. ISSN 0311-5518.Fossil Arachnida from New Z...

Pseudoscorpions are an ancient lineage of arachnids but have a scarce fossil record, presumably because these animals are small (2–8 mm in body length) and live in habitats where they do not fossilize easily. This is particularly the case for one of the more basal lineages, the superfamily Chthonioidea, which are common and diverse in leaf litter habitats across the world but have only been described in the fossil record from some specimens in Baltic, Dominican and Chiapas ambers. Here, we describe and illustrate the oldest pseudoscorpion of the superfamily Chthonioidea from the mid-Cretaceous (lowermost Cenomanian, ca. 99 Mya) amber of northern Myanmar and extend the known fossil record of this diverse superfamily from the Eocene into the Cretaceous. Fragments that suggest a diverse pseudoscorpion fauna have been recorded in Myanmar (Burmese) amber but this is only the fourth pseudoscorpion fossil described from this ancient amber type. The single adult female specimen is substantially older than the next oldest fossil chthonioids, which were described from Baltic amber (ca. 44–49 Mya), and displays small but significant differences to other chthonioids, such that we describe a new genus and species, Weygoldtiella plausus gen. et sp. nov. The placement of the trichobothria on the chelal hand suggests it can be attributed to the family Chthoniidae, but important morphological features are obscured in the fossil which obfuscates hypotheses regarding its nearest relatives. The specimen, although imperfectly preserved, has no known Recent relatives in this area or elsewhere in the diverse chthonioid fauna, and may represent an extinct lineage. Overall, this fossil is another example of the diverse arachnid community preserved in Burmese amber that includes lineages that are now extinct here and of considerable biogeographic interest, e.g. ricinuleids, and fauna which is essentially modern, e.g. solifuges.

Maternal care benefits the survival and fitness of offspring, often at a cost to the mother's future reproduction, and has evolved repeatedly throughout the animal kingdom. In extant spider species, this behaviour is very common and has different levels and diverse forms. However, evidence of maternal care in fossil spiders is quite rare. In this study, we describe four Mid-Cretaceous (approx. 99 Ma) amber specimens from northern Myanmar with an adult female, part of an egg sac and some spiderlings of the extinct family Lagonomegopidae preserved, which suggest that adult lagonomegopid females probably built and then guarded egg sacs in their retreats or nests, and the hatched spiderlings may have stayed together with their mother for some time. The new fossils represent early evidence of maternal care in fossil spiders, and enhance our understanding of the evolution of this behaviour.

Fossils from the mid-Cretaceous (c. 99 Ma) Myanmar (Burma) amber include all extant orders of Arachnida, including the earliest representatives of Schizomida, Parasitiformes, and Palpigradi. Schizomids are figured from Burmese amber herein for the first time. The most abundant and diverse arachnid order is the Araneae, with 38 families, 93 genera, and 165 species recorded to date. The araneofauna is dominated by haplogynes and palpimanoids, whilst araneoids are rare and members of the RTA clade absent. The arachnofauna is typical of a tropical rainforest habitat, which concurs with evidence from other Burmese amber biota.

Upon recognition of auto-antigens, thymocytes are negatively selected or diverted to a regulatory T cell (Treg) fate. CCR7 is required for negative selection of auto-reactive thymocytes in the thymic medulla. Here, we describe an unanticipated contribution of CCR7 to intrathymic Treg generation. Ccr7(-/-) mice have increased Treg cellularity because of a hematopoietic but non-T cell autonomous CCR7 function. CCR7 expression by thymic dendritic cells (DCs) promotes survival of mature Sirpα(-) DCs. Thus, CCR7 deficiency results in apoptosis of Sirpα(-) DCs, which is counterbalanced by expansion of immature Sirpα(+) DCs that efficiently induce Treg generation. CCR7 deficiency results in enhanced intrathymic generation of Tregs at the neonatal stage and in lymphopenic adults, when Treg differentiation is critical for establishing self-tolerance. Together, these results reveal a complex function for CCR7 in thymic tolerance induction, where CCR7 not only promotes negative selection but also governs intrathymic Treg generation via non-thymocyte intrinsic mechanisms. ispartof: Cell Reports vol:21 issue:1 pages:168-180 ispartof: location:United States status: published

SUMMARYPassive surveillance for lyssaviruses in UK bats has been ongoing since 1987 and has identified 13 cases of EBLV-2 from a single species;Myotis daubentonii. No other lyssavirus species has been detected. Between 2005 and 2015, 10 656 bats were submitted, representing 18 species, creating a spatially and temporally uneven sample of British bat fauna. Uniquely, three UK cases originate from a roost at Stokesay Castle in Shropshire, England, where daily checks for grounded and dead bats are undertaken and bat carcasses have been submitted for testing since 2007. Twenty per cent of Daubenton's bats submitted from Stokesay Castle since surveillance began, have tested positive for EBLV-2. Phylogenetic analysis reveals geographical clustering of UK viruses. Isolates from Stokesay Castle are more closely related to one another than to viruses from other regions. Daubenton's bats from Stokesay Castle represent a unique opportunity to study a natural population that appears to maintain EBLV-2 infection and may represent endemic infection at this site. Although the risk to public health from EBLV-2 is low, consequences of infection are severe and effective communication on the need for prompt post-exposure prophylaxis for anyone that has been bitten by a bat is essential.

Species richness has long been used as an indicator of ecosystem functioning and health. Global richness is declining, but it is unclear whether sub-global trends differ. Regional trends are especially understudied, with most focused on island regions where richness is strongly impacted by novel colonisations. We addressed this knowledge gap by testing for multi-decade trends in species richness in nine open marine regions around North America (197 region-years) while accounting for imperfect observations and grounding our findings in species-level range dynamics. We found positive richness trends in eight of nine regions, four of which were statistically significant. Species' range sizes generally contracted pre-extinction and expanded post-colonisation, but the ranges of transient species expanded over the long-term, slowly increasing their regional retention and driving increasing richness. These results provide more evidence that sub-global richness trends are stable or increasing, and highlight the utility of range size for understanding richness dynamics.

Spiders are the most diverse and important terrestrial predators in modern ecosystems. Therefore, fossil spiders are fundamental to understanding past terrestrial ecosystems, especially coevolution with their principal prey, the insects. Being generally soft bodied, spiders have a poor fossil record, but where they do occur, it is in the exceptional circumstance of a Fossil-Lagerstatte. By far the greatest number of fossil spider specimens are found in amber (fossilized tree resin), but earlier than the Cretaceous and outside of amber forest areas, rock-matrix preservation is essential for the spider fossil record. Every taphonomic situation requires a special technique for study. Here, we review imaging techniques in the study of fossil spiders. The earliest depictions of fossil spiders are drawings made with the unaided eye. Light microscopy enabled detailed drawings to be produced and, later, photographs of fossil spiders appeared in the literature. In the 21st century, digital photography has revolutionized image capture and reproduction, and scanning electron microscopy has been applied recently to fossil spiders. The most exciting modern technique, X-ray (including synchrotron source) CT scanning, is now producing extraordinary images of three-dimensional fossil spiders embedded in amber, and the method is also applicable to rock-matrix preservation. We expect to see considerable refinement of these techniques in the future, as well as the possibility of novel ones. Thanks to the excellent preservation of some fossil spiders, and modern techniques available to provide exquisite images of fine morphological details, fossil spiders can now be considered taxonomically (sub)equal to modern forms. Hence, the usual excuse for excluding fossil spiders in phylogenetic and other studies no longer carries as much weight as it once did, and we encourage neontologists to consider the fossil record whenever possible.

Rapid DNA identification is the use of a rugged, field-deployable system to generate short tandem repeat (STR) profiles in law enforcement, military, immigration, and homeland security applications. A performance verification study was conducted on the ANDE Rapid DNA identification system using FlexPlex27, a highly multiplexed, 27 locus assay that generates data for the expanded CODIS core loci and all additional STR loci required for international databasing. The assay contains 23 autosomal loci (D1S1656, D2S1338, D2S441, D3S1358, D5S81, D6S1043, D7S820, D8S1179, D10S1248, D12S391, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11, D22S1045, FGA, CSF1PO, Penta E, TH01, vWA, TPOX, and SE33), three Y-chromosomal loci (DYS391, DYS576, and DYS570), and Amelogenin. Study results demonstrate that the instrument is reliable, reproducible, accurate, robust, and ready for a large scale, comprehensive developmental validation by NDIS-participating laboratories. The additional loci in the FlexPlex assay allow for improved STR profile sharing globally, increase the power of discrimination for identification matches, and improve the effectiveness of kinship analyses. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00414-017-1567-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Several new spider specimens, belonging to the superfamily Palpimanoidea, are described from the Middle–Upper Jurassic Haifanggou Formation (early assemblage of the Yanliao Biota) of Inner Mongolia, China. Two new genera and species, and a new species in the genus Sinaranea Selden, Huang & Ren, 2008, are described. Caestaranea jurassica gen. et sp. nov. is described on the basis of several adult males, typified by boxing-glove shaped pedipalps, as well as females and juveniles. Onychopalpus thomisoides gen. et sp. nov. is the largest palpimanoid known, and its habitus resembles that of a crab spider (Thomisidae) in having large, laterigrade anterior legs with rows of macrosetae on the femora and a squat, rotund opisthosoma. However, the distinctive adult male pedipalp bears a pectinate claw, so the holotype specimen is a subadult male; the other specimens referred to this species are smaller juveniles. Three new specimens of Sinaranea metaxyostraca Selden, Huang & Ren, 2008, including two adult males, are described here, and the new species S. brevicrus sp. nov., which has shorter legs than the type species, is described from an adult male and an adult female. These new palpimanoids substantially increase the diversity of the superfamily in the Middle Jurassic, and the unusual Onychopalpus provides evidence for a different mode of life for these spiders. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D7726F4B-349E-4C2B-960D-371C27A6B77F.

Waptia-like euarthropods existed for rather a long time in the Early Cambrian of eastern Yunnan; well preserved representatives come mainly from three Burgess Shale-type biotas: Chengjiang, Xiaoshiba and Guanshan. Here, we introduce a newly-discovered bivalved euarthropod from the Guanshan biota, the specific identity of which cannot be confirmed due to the absence of soft parts and poor preservation of the specimen, but its general morphology allows it be attributed to Waptia. Two representatives from the Chengjiang and Xiaoshiba biotas are also reconsidered: the preservation mode and length of specimens of Clypecaris pteroidea are variable; Clypecaris serrate has limbs beneath the carapace, which can number up to at least 4 pairs. The fossil sections bearing Waptia-like euarthropods occur over a wide area around Dianchi Lake.

Rapid identification of human remains following mass casualty events is essential to bring closure to family members and friends of the victims. Unfortunately, disaster victim identification, missing persons identification, and forensic casework analysis are often complicated by sample degradation due to exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Following a mass disaster, forensic laboratories may be overwhelmed by the number of dissociated portions that require identification and reassociation or compromised by the event itself. The interval between the disaster and receipt of victim samples at a laboratory is critical in that sample quality deteriorates as the postmortem interval increases. When bodies decompose due to delay in collection, transport, and sample processing, DNA becomes progressively fragmented, adversely impacting identification. We have previously developed a fully automated, field-forward Rapid DNA identification system that produces STR profiles (also referred to as DNA IDs or DNA fingerprints) from buccal and crime scene samples. The system performs all sample processing and data interpretation in less than 2 h. Here, we present results on Rapid DNA identification performed on several tissue types (including buccal, muscle, liver, brain, tooth, and bone) from exposed human bodies placed above ground or stored in a morgue/cooler, two scenarios commonly encountered following mass disasters. We demonstrate that for exposed remains, buccal swabs are the sample of choice for up to 11 days exposure and bone and tooth samples generated excellent DNA IDs for the 1-year duration of the study. For refrigerated remains, all sample types generated excellent DNA IDs for the 3-month testing period. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00414-019-02186-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The lyssavirus genus is a diverse group of viruses all capable of causing an invariably fatal disease known as rabies, most commonly caused by the prototype species rabies virus (RABV). Alongside RABV the lyssavirus genus currently contains 15 other viruses capable of causing rabies. These viruses are broadly categorised into phylogroups according to the predicted level of vaccine protection, with protection from current vaccines and therapeutics afforded against phylogroup I but not II or III. Current evidence suggests that for a protective neutralising antibody response against RABV a neutralising antibody titre of 0.5 IU ml−1 is sufficient. This arbitrary value has been developed and promoted as a serological cut-off based on the reactivity of defined sera with a standardised dose of RABV. Studies using cross protection assays, have suggested that for protection against more divergent members of the genus, even those in phylogroup I, 10-fold or greater than the 0.5 IU ml−1 antibody titres are required. The continued discovery of novel lyssaviruses globally warrants an in-depth assessment of the protective titre required to protect against all the lyssaviruses to inform occupationally high-risk groups (e.g., scientists, bat workers and speleologists). Based on live virus neutralization assays, a minimum of 7 distinct lyssavirus glycoprotein antigens would have to be included in any pan-lyssavirus vaccine. Certainly, representative immunogens from all lyssavirus species characterized in phylogroups II and III are required to stimulate a pan-lyssavirus response.

One new family, six new genera and six new species of laniatorean harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones: Laniatores) from the mid-Cretaceous (Cenomanian, ca. 99 Ma) Burmese amber of Northern Myanmar are described. Ellenbergellus tuberculatus gen. et sp. nov. is the first fossil assignable to the extant family Tithaeidae. Mesokanus oehmkuehnlei gen. et sp. nov. is the first fossil assignable to the newly described family Mesokanidae fam. nov. Biungulus xiai gen. et sp. nov. and Gigantocheles nilsi gen. et sp. nov. are referred to Epedanidae, a family previously recorded in Burmese amber. Protopyramidops nalae gen. et sp. nov. is the first fossil potentially assignable to the extant family Pyramidopidae. Finally, Palaeobeloniscus thilolebi gen. et sp. nov is the first fossil assignable to the extant family Beloniscidae. These records offer new mid-Cretaceous constraints for the origins of four modern families and suggest that the Burmese amber forests hosted a fairly diverse fauna of laniatorean harvestmen which mostly belonged to lineages still present in Southeast Asia today.

Bats are key species for ecological function, but they are also reservoirs of zoonotic agents, such as lyssaviruses that cause rabies. Little is known about the maintenance and transmission of lyssaviruses in bats, although the observation of clinically sick bats, both in experimental studies and wild bats, has at least demonstrated that lyssaviruses are capable of causing clinical disease in bat species. Despite this, extensive surveillance for diseased bats has not yielded lyssaviruses, whilst serological surveys demonstrate that bats must be exposed to lyssavirus without developing clinical disease. We hypothesize that there is endemic circulation of Lagos bat virus (LBV) in the straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) in Ghana, West Africa. To investigate this further, longitudinal blood sampling was undertaken quarterly between 2012 and 2014 on wild E. helvum at two sites in Ghana. Serum samples were collected and tested for LBV-neutralizing antibodies using a modified flourescent antibody virus neutralisation (FAVN) assay (n = 294) and brains from moribund or dead bats were tested for antigen and viral RNA (n = 55). Overall, 44.7% of the 304 bats sampled had LBV-neutralising antibodies. None of the brain samples from bats contained lyssavirus antigen or RNA. Together with the results of an earlier serological study, our findings demonstrate that LBV is endemic and circulates within E. helvum in Ghana even though the detection of viral infection in dead bats was unsuccessful. Confirmation that LBV infection is endemic in E. helvum in Ghana is an important finding and indicates that the potential public health threats from LBV warrant further investigation.

Mass extinctions have altered the trajectory of evolution a number of times over the Phanerozoic. During these periods of biotic upheaval a different selective regime appears to operate, although it is still unclear whether consistent survivorship rules apply across different extinction events. We compare variations in diversity and disparity across the evolutionary history of a major Paleozoic arthropod group, the Eurypterida. Using these data, we explore the group's transition from a successful, dynamic clade to a stagnant persistent lineage, pinpointing the Devonian as the period during which this evolutionary regime shift occurred. The late Devonian biotic crisis is potentially unique among the ‘Big Five’ mass extinctions in exhibiting a drop in speciation rates rather than an increase in extinction. Our study reveals eurypterids show depressed speciation rates throughout the Devonian but no abnormal peaks in extinction. Loss of morphospace occupation is random across all Paleozoic extinction events; however, differential origination during the Devonian results in a migration and subsequent stagnation of occupied morphospace. This shift appears linked to an ecological transition from euryhaline taxa to freshwater species with low morphological diversity alongside a decrease in endemism. These results demonstrate the importance of the Devonian biotic crisis in reshaping Paleozoic ecosystems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

A new genus and species of tetrablemmid spider, Electroblemma bifida n. gen. et sp., is described, from two adult males found in Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) amber of Myanmar. The genus is distinguished by its enormous dorsal carapace projection and highly modified chelicerae. The new genus is referred to the tribe Tetrablemmini within the subfamily Tetrablemminae. The presence of a relatively derived tetrablemmid on the south-east Eurasian continent during the Late Cretaceous suggests that the family was already well diversified in tropical rainforests at this time.

The oldest laniatorean harvestman, Petrobunoides sharmai gen. et sp. nov. (Opiliones: Laniatores) is described, from the Upper Cretaceous (lowermost Cenomanian) amber of Myanmar. This is the first fossil Laniatores recovered from Southeast Asia, which is placed in the extant family Epedanidae. It is also the first fossil known within the superfamily Epedanoidea; a relatively derived clade of Laniatores restricted to Southeast Asia today. At ca. 99 Ma, this new amber inclusion is substantially older than the previous oldest record of a member of Laniatores from Baltic amber (ca. 44–49 Ma); however, given the Palaeozoic age of Laniatores implied by molecular data, the new record from Burmese amber is probably still too young for constraining or calibrating the date of cladogenesis for total group Laniatores. Nevertheless, it provides a much better constraint for Epedanoidea, adding the first useful laniatorean fossil to provide an internal calibration point for a clade of Grassatores.

Bats in the EU have been associated with several zoonotic viral pathogens of significance to both human and animal health. Virus discovery continues to expand the existing understating of virus classification, and the increased interest in bats globally as reservoirs or carriers of zoonotic agents has fuelled the continued detection and characterisation of new lyssaviruses and other viral zoonoses. Although the transmission of lyssaviruses from bat species to humans or terrestrial species appears rare, interest in these viruses remains, through their ability to cause the invariably fatal encephalitis—rabies. The association of bats with other viral zoonoses is also of great interest. Much of the EU is free of terrestrial rabies, but several bat species harbor lyssaviruses that remain a risk to human and animal health. Whilst the rabies virus is the main cause of rabies globally, novel related viruses continue to be discovered, predominantly in bat populations, that are of interest purely through their classification within the lyssavirus genus alongside the rabies virus. Although the rabies virus is principally transmitted from the bite of infected dogs, these related lyssaviruses are primarily transmitted to humans and terrestrial carnivores by bats. Even though reports of zoonotic viruses from bats within the EU are rare, to protect human and animal health, it is important characterise novel bat viruses for several reasons, namely: (i) to investigate the mechanisms for the maintenance, potential routes of transmission, and resulting clinical signs, if any, in their natural hosts; (ii) to investigate the ability of existing vaccines, where available, to protect against these viruses; (iii) to evaluate the potential for spill over and onward transmission of viral pathogens in novel terrestrial hosts. This review is an update on the current situation regarding zoonotic virus discovery within bats in the EU, and provides details of potential future mechanisms to control the threat from these deadly pathogens.

In some marine ecosystems, overharvesting marine predators has triggered major changes in trophic structure and ecosystem function. However, harvest levels that are deemed sustainable for one species may still lead to unexpected impacts elsewhere in the ecosystem. For example, by imposing an additional source of mortality, even sustainable harvesting can lead to a reduction in the number of large individuals within a population, and this truncation in size structure is typically more severe when the largest, most valuable size classes are targeted. Often small and large individuals within a species differ in important ways, including in what they consume, so a loss in predator-prey interactions could occur even without changes in overall predator biomass. Here we explore whether a truncation in predator size structure alone can reduce or functionally eliminate linkages between predator and prey. For this outcome to occur, a predator’s diet must change as it grows in size. We examined evidence for changes in diets with size among predators in three large marine ecosystems, and used a size-structured population dynamics model to evaluate the extent to which otherwise sustainable fishing results in disproportionate reductions in predation. Modelling suggests that diet shifts occurring late in life history (diet mid-point >45% of the maximum size) led to losses in predation that were more severe than would have been expected from losses in predator biomass. Further, the form of the fishery selectivity was less important than the degree of reduction in biomass within each size class relative to the timing of diet shifts. Empirical diet information demonstrates that piscivores vary widely in their onset to piscivory, and this may buffer the potential impacts of truncation in size structure. However, over half of the piscivores had diet shifts toward specific fish taxa at sizes at or above that which would lead to disproportionate reductions in prey consumption. Information about when and how diets change with predator size could identify ecosystems where harvest may lead to unexpected losses in predator-prey interactions.

The first asellote isopod from the fossil record is described here as Fornicaris calligarisi Wilson and Selden, n. gen. and sp. The two specimens, both probably males, showing dorsal morphology, come from loose material of the Dolomia di Forni Formation in the bed of the Tagliamento River below the town of Forni di Sotto, Udine Province, Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region, northeastern Italy. The Dolomia di Forni Formation is Triassic (Norian) in age, and the fossils date from approximately 210-215 Ma. Characters such as narrow, elongate eye stalks, tiny uropods, and enlarged first pereionite (found in terminal males) place the fossil within the Paramunnidae. Parsimony analysis using TNT placed the fossil within the Austrosignum-Munnogonium species complex. The robust pereiopods with hooked tips, elongate and robust carpus and propodus of pereiopod I, axial compression of the pereion, and the large size of the fossils (>2× related extant taxa) are features particular to the fossil genus and species.

The fossil record of early deuterostome history largely depends on soft-bodied material that is generally rare and often of controversial status. Banffiids and vetulicystids exemplify these problems. From the Cambrian (Series 3) of Utah, we describe specimens of Banffia episoma n. sp. (from the Spence Shale) and Thylacocercus ignota n. gen. n. sp. (from the Wheeler Formation). The new species of Banffia Walcott, 1911 shows significant differences to the type species (B. constricta Walcott, 1911) from the Cambrian (Series 3, Stage 5) Burgess Shale, notably in possessing a prominent posterior unit but diminished anterior section. Not only does this point to a greater diversity of form among the banffiids, but also B. episoma indicates that the diagnostic median constriction and crossover of either side of the body are unlikely to be the result of taphonomic twisting but are original features. Comparisons extend also to the Cambrian (Series 2) Heteromorphus Luo and Hu in Luo et al., 1999 and, collectively, these observations support an assignment of the banffiids to the vetulicolians. The new taxon T. ignota represents the first discovery of a vetulicystid from beyond China and also significantly extends its stratigraphic range from Series 2 Cambrian into Series 3 Cambrian. Despite overall similarities in bodyplan, T. ignota differs from other vetulicystids in a number of respects, notably the possession of an anterior zone with broad tentacle-like structures. This new discovery is consistent with the vetulicystids representing stem-group ambulacrarians.

Two new specimens of the xiphosuran Kasibelinurus yueya Lamsdell, Xue & Selden, 2013 are described, from the same horizon and locality as the type. The new specimens are conspecific with the type, but show ventral morphology, which considerably alters interpretation of the species. It can no longer be referred to Kasibelinurus Pickett, 1993, and a new genus, Houia n. gen., is erected. Houia shows a unique combination of xiphosurid and chasmataspidid/eurypterid characteristics such as lack of opisthosomal pleura and possession of a large, ventral metastomal plate. Phylogenetic analysis of all the major chelicerate orders suggests that Houia branched from the main euchelicerate lineage prior to the divergence of the three constituent clades of the Dekatriata Lamsdell, 2013 (Eurypterida, Arachnida, Chasmataspidida). Together with bunodids and pseudoniscids, Houia provides evidence for basal dekatriatans persisting into the middle Palaeozoic alongside eurypterids and arachnids and that the morphological diversity of these basal forms was greater than previously thought.

The monophyly of the order Proetida, the only trilobite group to survive the end-Devonian mass extinction, has been regularly questioned since its erection almost three decades ago. Through analysis of a novel phylogenetic data set comprising 114 characters coded for 55 taxa, including both traditional members of the Proetida along with a number of other trilobite groups, the monophyly of proetide trilobites is rigorously tested for the first time. Proetida is shown to be monophyletic, united by the initial compound eye formation in early protaspids occurring at the lateral margin rather than the anterior margin, and the form of the protaspid glabella being tapering with a pre-glabellar field. A number of adult characters, including the possession of a quadrate or shield-shaped hypostome with angular posterior margins, the hypostome median body being divided by a deep groove that entirely traverses the median body, the presence of an enlarged thoracic spine on the sixth tergite and a tergite count of between 7 and 10, also define the basal node. Hystricurid and dimeropygoid trilobites are shown to resolve at the base of the group, while the remaining proetide taxa are divided between large proetoid and aulacopleuroid clades. Some taxa previously allied with Aulacopleuroidea, such as rorringtoniids and scharyiids, are retrieved as basal members of the Proetoidea.

Cambrian strata of the Laurentian craton contain numerous examples of Burgess Shale–type faunas. Although displaying a more or less concentric distribution around the cratonal margin, most faunal occurrences are in present-day western North America, extending from the Northwest Territories to California. Nevertheless, the soft-bodied and lightly skeletalized fossils in most of these Lagerstätten are highly sporadic. Here, we extend knowledge of such Middle Cambrian occurrences in Utah with reports of four taxa. An arthropod from the Marjum Formation,Dytikosicula desmataegen. et sp. nov., is a putative megacheiran. It is most similar toDicranocaris guntherorum, best known from the younger Wheeler Formation, but differs primarily in the arrangement of pleurae and overall size. Along with a specimen of ?Yohoiasp, a new species ofYohoia,Y. utahanasp. nov., is described. It differs from the type and only known species,Y. tenuis, principally in its larger size and shorter exopods; it is the first description of this genus from outside the Burgess Shale. A new species of a stem-group lophotrochozoan from the Spence Shale,Wiwaxia herkasp. nov., possesses a palisade of dorso-lateral spines that are more robust and numerous than the type species ofWiwaxia,W. corrugata. Another notable taxon isEldonia ludwigifrom the Marjum Formation, which is interpreted as a primitive ambulacrarian (assigned to the cambroernids) and a new specimen of the ?cnidarianCambrorhytiumfrom the Wheeler Shale is illustrated.

Archaeometa nephilina Pocock, 1911 from the Late Carboniferous (Bashkirian/Moscovian: Duckmantian, c.315 Ma) Coal Measures of Coseley in the English West Midlands was originally interpreted as an araneomorph spider (Arachnida: Araneae). It is, in fact, a harvestman (Arachnida: Opiliones), albeit one with an unusual, long-bodied morphology. Another Coseley fossil, Arachnometa tuberculata Petrunkevitch, 1949, was also interpreted as an araneomorph spider, but it is not well preserved, and is regarded as Opiliones incertae sedis. Interestingly, the Archaeometa Pocock, 1911 body plan, here also revealed through computed microtomography (µCT), has morphological parallels with some modern laniatorid harvestmen in the family Assammidae. However, the Coal Measures fossils do not preserve unequivocal laniatorid apomorphies, and so are referred to an uncertain position within Phalangida (transferred herein from Araneae). The Archaeometa specimens are further examples of Carboniferous Opiliones, which were originall...