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A new species of Ampelisca (Crustacea, Amphipoda) is described from samples collected in shallow subtidal fine and very fine sand in the inlet of Baiona (Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula). Ampelisca troncosoi sp. nov. is closely related to A. brachyceras and A. heterodactyla by having a rostrum between antenna 1 pair and one lateral angle at each side of the head. The new species may be distinguished by the following combination of characters: a distally rounded rostrum between the antenna 1 pair, one laterodorsal pair of corneal lenses, antenna 1 longer than antenna 2 peduncle, antenna 2 never reaching half of the body length, epimeral plates with rounded posterodistal angle, a prominent rounded urosomal carina and two rows of minute spines on the outer rami of the uropod 3.

Based on material collected during the BIOICE project off Iceland, four species of polychaetous annelids belonging to the genus Amphicteis Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta: Ampharetidae) were found: Amphicteis gunneri, Amphicteis ninonae, Amphicteis vestis and Amphicteis wesenbergae sp. nov. The differences between A. gunneriand A. ninonae, two species usually confused in the literature, are reviewed. Amphicteis vestis is described from newly collected material and its taxonomy in relation to other ampharetid taxa with modified notopodia is discussed. Amphicteis wesenbergae sp. nov. is described; the new species is characterized by the presence of long, slender and evenly tapered paleae, and long dorsal cirri on thoracic and abdominal neuropodia. Several body characters with high value in Amphicteis taxonomy, particularly the dorsolateral protrusions of abdominal chaetigers called rudimentary notopodia, are reviewed using scanning electron microscopy. A key to species of the genus Amphicteis described or reported in European Boreo-Arctic waters is provided. European Commission; DK-TAF-3118 European Commission; SE-TAF-4599

El conocimiento sobre los Sphaerodoridae (Annelida, Polychaeta) es todavia insuficiente en muchas partes del planeta, incluyendo los fondos del sistema marino profundo de la peninsula Iberica. El estudio de las muestras recogidas entre 100 y 2000 m de profundidad durante varias campanas oceanograficas en el Margen Continental de Galicia (NW peninsula Iberica) entre 2003 y 2009 ha mostrado la presencia de seis especies de poliquetos pertenecientes a la familia Sphaerodoridae. Dos de estas especies son mencionadas por primera vez desde su descripcion original: Sphaerodoropsis sibuetae Desbruyeres, 1980 y S. amoureuxi Aguirrezabalaga & Ceberio, 2005; estos registros extienden la distribucion conocida de ambas especies hacia el Oeste en el Oceano Atlantico. Asimismo, se mencionan todas las especies encontradas aportando datos sobre su distribucion y ecologia, y se incluye una clave con todas las especies conocidas de la peninsula Iberica.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis meningitis was first reported in Cuba in 1981, and it was recently reported in South America. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis patterns from Cuba's and Ecuador's patients with angiostrongyliasis; 8 Ecuadorian patients from two different outbreaks and 28 Cuban patients were studied. Simultaneous blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples were taken. Immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, IgG, and albumin were quantified by radial immunodiffusion. Corresponding Reibergrams were applied. A three-Ig pattern was the most frequent in the two groups, but IgM was presented in all Ecuadorian young mature patients; however, in the Cuban children, only 12 of 28 patients had intrathecal IgM, but about 90% had an IgA and IgG synthesis at time of later puncture. This indicates that, with a larger amount of parasites ingested, clinical symptoms are more severe, and a higher frequency of intrathecal IgM synthesis could be observed. This is discussed as a similarity with the intrathecal IgM synthesis in African trypanosomiasis.

[Sampling studies on the Turkish Mediterranean coast revealed the presence of two species of Leptostraca belonging to the genus Nebalia . These species were identified as N. strausi Risso, 1826 and N. kocatasi Moreira, Kocak & Katagan, 2007. The presence of the two species is reported for the first time from the region; these records therefore further extend the known distribution of these species from the Aegean Sea to the Turkish waters of the Mediterranean Sea. A checklist of all known leptostracans from the Mediterranean Sea is provided. El estudio de muestras procedentes de la costa mediterranea de Turquia ha revelado la presencia de dos especies de Leptostraca pertenecientes al genero Nebalia . Dichas especies han sido identificadas como N. strausi Risso, 1826 y N. kocatasi Moreira, Kocak & Katagan, 2007, constituyendo de este modo la primera cita de ambas especies para dicha region. Estos nuevos registros extienden la distribucion conocida de estas especies desde el mar Egeo a aguas turcas del mar Mediterraneo. Se incluye una lista de todas las especies conocidas de leptostraceos del mar Mediterraneo. , Sampling studies on the Turkish Mediterranean coast revealed the presence of two species of Leptostraca belonging to the genus Nebalia . These species were identified as N. strausi Risso, 1826 and N. kocatasi Moreira, Kocak & Katagan, 2007. The presence of the two species is reported for the first time from the region; these records therefore further extend the known distribution of these species from the Aegean Sea to the Turkish waters of the Mediterranean Sea. A checklist of all known leptostracans from the Mediterranean Sea is provided. El estudio de muestras procedentes de la costa mediterranea de Turquia ha revelado la presencia de dos especies de Leptostraca pertenecientes al genero Nebalia . Dichas especies han sido identificadas como N. strausi Risso, 1826 y N. kocatasi Moreira, Kocak & Katagan, 2007, constituyendo de este modo la primera cita de ambas especies para dicha region. Estos nuevos registros extienden la distribucion conocida de estas especies desde el mar Egeo a aguas turcas del mar Mediterraneo. Se incluye una lista de todas las especies conocidas de leptostraceos del mar Mediterraneo. ]

The Galician rias are singular and complex estuarine systems of great economic importance. Seagrasses are key elements of the ecosystem and favor the maintenance of high species diversity in benthic communities. Nevertheless, the ecological role of seagrass meadows in the Galician rias has been only partially assessed. Peracarid crustaceans are an important component of soft-bottom faunas and have great importance for the structure of benthic assemblages. In this work, species diversity, patterns of distribution and seasonal fluctuations of peracarids (Crustacea, Peracarida) are studied in estuarine sediments colonized by two species of Zostera (Z. marina and Z. noltii) at the O Grove inlet (Ria de Arousa, Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula). The spatial distribution of peracarid assemblages was characterized by high numerical dominances due to a few species, particularly tanaidaceans. The temporal study at a Z. marina meadow showed a strongly seasonal pattern defined by great fluctuations of the amphipod population, the latter being the dominant group in abundance and number of species. The highest numbers of species and individuals were observed in September, with minimum values in March. Analyses pointed out a high correlation among the granulometric features of the studied bottoms and the faunistic attributes. Nevertheless, the presence of the seagrasses should influence in a major way the hydrodynamic and sedimentary features of the habitat and utterly the spatial and temporal patterns observed in the peracarid assemblage in the O Grove inlet.

Macrobenthic polychaete distributions were studied along the soft-bottoms of the Ensenada de San Simón (Galicia, NW Spain). Results suggest that the distribution and abundance of polychaetes in the inlet were highly dependent on depth, sediment characteristics (grain size, organic matter and calcium carbonate content) and bottom water temperature. In the inner area of the inlet, intertidal bottoms colonised by the seagrasses Zostera marina and Z. noltii were dominated by spionids and capitellids, and showed low species number and diversity. Shallow muddy bottoms of central areas were mostly dominated by ampharetids, terebellids and cirratullids. These families along with paraonids, maldanids and syllids were the most abundant families in the deeper subtidal muddy bottoms at the mouth of the inlet. These sediments also showed the highest number of species, diversity and density of individuals. La distribución de los poliquetos macrobentónicos ha sido estudiada en los fondos blandos de la Ensenada de San Simón (Galicia, NO España). La profundidad, las características del sedimento (granulometría, contenido en materia orgánica y carbonatos) y la temperatura del agua del fondo fueron los principales factores que determinaron la distribución y abundancia de los poliquetos en la ensenada. En la zona más interna, los fondos intermareales colonizados por las fanerógamas Zostera marina y Z. noltii estuvieron dominados numéricamente por espiónidos y capitélidos, y mostraron bajos valores de diversidad y número de especies. Los fondos fangosos someros del área central presentaron una fauna de poliquetos dominada principalmente por anfarétidos, terebélidos y cirratúlidos. Asimismo, estas familias estuvieron presentes en los fondos más profundos de la boca de la ensenada, donde paraónidos, maldánidos y sílidos mostraron una dominancia numérica importante. Los máximos valores de diversidad, número de especies y densidad de individuos se registraron en estos fondos submareales fangosos.

Rationale: Bedside use of Bayes' theorem for estimating probabilities of diseases is cumbersome. An alternative approach based on five categories of powers of tests from ‘useless’ to ‘very strong’ has been proposed. The performance of clinicians using it was assessed. Methods Fifty clinicians attending a course of tropical medicine estimated powers of tests and post-test probabilities using the classical vs. the categorical Bayesian approach. The estimation of post-test probability was assessed for real and dummy diseases in order to avoid the bias of previous knowledge. Accuracy of answers was measured by the difference with reference values obtained from an expert system (Kabisa). Results Clinicians estimated positive likelihood ratios (LRs) a median of −1.07 log10 lower than Kabisa [interquartile range (IQR): −1.47; −0.80] when derived classically and −0.17 (IQR: −0.42; +0.04) when estimated categorically (P

Peracarids (Crustacea: Peracarida) are an important component of soft-sediment faunas and are considered good indicators of quality of water and sediments. Nevertheless, little is known about diversity of peracarid crustaceans on the shallow subtidal sediments of Playa America, a sandy beach in the Ensenada de Baiona (Galicia, NW Spain). Therefore, the peracarid fauna of its shallow subtidal zone was studied in a fine-sand site at 4-m depth from February 1996 to February 1997. Monthly sampling yielded a total of 4753 individuals belonging to 60 species. Amphipods were dominant in number of individuals and species followed by cumaceans. The assemblage showed a stable composition in species through the year and was numerically dominated by a few species, namely the amphipods Siphonoecetes kroyeranus and Microprotopus maculatus and the cumacean Pseudocuma longicorne. These species showed large monthly fluctuations in abundance, with maximal values between summer and autumn.

Peracarid crustaceans inhabit many marine benthic habitats and are good indicators of environmental conditions. There is, however, a lack of information about diversity and distribution of peracarid crustaceans on the shallow subtidal sediments of the Galician rias. In the summer of 1997, 27 subtidal stations were sampled in the Ria de Aldan, a ria on the southern margin of the mouth of the Ria de Pontevedra (Galicia, NW Spain). A total of 16,191 peracarid individuals were collected, comprising 125 species belonging to five orders. Amphipods were dominant in number of species and individuals, followed by isopods and cumaceans. Multivariate analyses of these data indicated that depth and sediment granulometry were major determinants of distribution and composition of peracarid assemblages in the ria.

OBJECTIVE To determine how many more patients would be treated when lowering the treatment threshold for tuberculous meningitis. METHODS From 1989 to 2004 findings of patients with symptoms lasting more than 1 week and inflammatory changes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected. Several models of latent class analysis were tested. Cumulative numbers of cases were plotted against different cut-offs for post-test probability. RESULTS In a cohort of 232 patients the prevalence of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) was estimated at 79.8% (95% CI. 67,0-88,1); probabilities above 80% were reached in 73% of patients. Lowering this threshold from 80% to 20% would add 14% more patients to be treated, for a total of 87%. A further lowering of the threshold to 5% would imply 5% more patients to be treated, bringing the cumulative number to 92%. The difference of lowering the threshold from 80% to 5% was 19%. CONCLUSION In this setting, at least 75% of patients showing suggestive symptoms for more than a week and CSF changes very probably had TBM. The number of patients that should be treated does not increase linearly when lowering the threshold.

Peracarida are an important component of soft sediment faunas and are considered good indicators of the quality of water and sediments. Nevertheless, little is known about the diversity and distribution of peracarid crustaceans on the shallow subtidal sediments of the Galician Rias (N.W. Spain), and about the Ensenada de Baiona in particular. Therefore, the peracarid fauna of this inlet was studied at 21 subtidal sites in December 1995. Sampling yielded 5749 individuals belonging to 91 different taxa. The number of species was particularly high when compared to values recorded from similar geographical areas. Amphipods were dominant in numbers of individuals and species. By means of multivariate analyses, several assemblages were determined whose species composition was related to the distribution of sediments in the inlet. Los Peracarida constituyen un componente importante de la fauna en fondos blandos marinos y son considerados un buen indicador de la calidad del agua y los sedimentos. Sin embargo, existe poca informacion sobre la diversidad y distribucion de los crustaceos peracaridos en los sedimentos submareales de las Rias de Galicia en general, y en particular de la Ensenada de Baiona (N.W. Espana). Debido a ello, la fauna de peracaridos de esta ensenada fue estudiada en 21 estaciones de muestreo submareales en Diciembre de 1995. Se obtuvieron 5749 individuos pertenecientes a 91 taxones diferentes. El numero de especies total fue particularmente alto en comparacion a los referidos de otras areas geograficas similares. Los anfipodos constituyeron el grupo dominante en numero de individuos y de especies. Los analisis multivariante permitieron distinguir varias asociaciones de peracaridos coincidentes a grandes rasgos con la distribucion de los sedimentos en la ensenada.

The marine macrofauna of the shallow sandy bottom of Isla del Coco, Costa Rica (5°32′N-87°04′W) was assessed in April 2010. Comparisons of richness, density and diversity between levels of exposure to ocean influence were carried out. During this study 15,407 specimens with a mean density of 1826 ind m− 2 were found between 3–75 m depth. The specimens were distributed in 267 taxa (29% new additions) with a mean of 55 ± 14 expected taxa m− 2. The values of density, richness and diversity were higher at the exposed coast, whereas they decreased at inner bays due to the influence of freshwater input. These estimates were compared with 40 studies in the Tropical Pacific Ocean (TPO). Taxa and density previously reported from the TPO were dependent on the area and depth range studied. Additionally, these parameters varied according to the sampling gear used. For example, higher densities were reported by using corers or boxcorers. The Shannon-Wiener index was most effective in identifying sediment and geographical patterns of variation along the TPO. Differences in these diversity parameters were also found between islands and mainland studies. Moreover, richness and density values from Isla del Coco were higher than the same parameters reported in studies using grabs in the TPO. At Isla del Coco annelids were dominant in terms of relative abundance (49.6%), followed by crustaceans (10.1%), mollusks (2.8%), and others faunal groups (37.5%). The faunistic composition at Isla del Coco differed when compared to the rest of localities of TPO due to the higher contribution of miscellaneous groups. In conclusion, the comparison with previous studies in the TPO indicate that islands like Isla del Coco have high numbers of taxa and diversity than those of the mainland, but lower density. However, this value is influenced by the sampling methodology. The taxa accumulation curve at Isla del Coco did not reach the asymptote, suggesting that an intensive sampling, especially at deep waters, would increase the number of taxa. Consejo Nacional De Rectores/[CIMAR N°808-B0-164]/CONARE/Costa Rica Consejo Nacional De Rectores/[CIMAR N°808-B0-654]/CONARE/Costa Rica European Social Fund/[]/ESF/Bélgica Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment Program/[]/INCITE/España UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR)

Nebalia kocatasi sp. nov. (Crustacea: Leptostraca) is described from specimens collected off the coast of Turkey (Aegean Sea). The new species differs from the other known species of the genus in having a rostrum about 2.4 times as long as wide, the antennular scale is twice as long as wide, the third article of the antennule has up to four short distal spines, the third article of the antenna has three robust spines on the external lateral face, the two distalmost being the longest, the endopod of the second maxila is composed of two sub-equal articles, the exopod of the second maxilla is as long as the first article of the endopod, pleonites 6–7 have pointed denticles along the posterior dorsal borders, the protopod of pleopod 4 has 2–3 serrations along the posterior border and the terminal seta of the caudal furca is about twice the length of rami. This is the second leptostracan species reported to date from the eastern Mediterranean.

A new species of Synelmis (Annelida: Polychaeta: Pilargidae), Synelmis urgorrii sp. nov., is described from the continental slope off north-western Spain. The new species is characterized by having antennae, peristomial cirri and parapodial cirri cirriform, lateral antennae located in the proximal third of the prostomium, notospines starting on chaetigers 7–11, well-developed neuropodial lobe and asymmetrical furcate chaetae, those of anterior chaetigers distinctly spinulated.

Intertidal seawalls support different assemblages and fewer species than do natural habitats. One explanation for these patterns may be the lack of some microhabitats on seawalls. Preliminary observations suggested that some features of sandstone seawalls, such as the presence of crevices among blocks, may provide chitons with an important habitat. To test the hypothesis that numbers of the chiton, Sypharochiton pelliserpentis, would be greater in crevices than on exposed surfaces of seawalls, sampling was done on sandstone seawalls in Sydney Harbour. S. pelliserpentis were more abundant in crevices among blocks than on exposed surfaces. Experimental manipulations transplanting chitons to exposed surfaces showed that they were found in greater numbers in crevices where those were available than on exposed surfaces. Chitons transplanted to blocks where crevices had been filled tended to move to non-filled crevices on other blocks. The design of seawalls could easily be improved to offer a better habitat for survival and maintenance of species such as chitons by incorporating crevices and similar features. In an increasingly urbanized world, understanding how to improve the value as habitat of man-made structures will be essential for conserving biodiversity.

Purpose. The diagnosis of tuberculosis remains controversial between clinicians and public health officers. Public health officials fear to treat too many patients; clinicians fear that truly diseased will be denied treatment. We wondered whether an analysis of the treatment threshold could help making the often intuitive decision to treat smear-negative cases more evidence based. Methods. Eighteen clinicians and 10 public health specialists were asked for an intuitive estimate of their treatment threshold for tuberculosis and of key determinant factors for this threshold: the magnitude and subjective weight of mortality and morbidity due to both the disease and the treatment and risk and cost of the latter. With these factors, the authors calculated treatment thresholds and compared them to the intuitive thresholds of the interviewees. A prescriptive threshold was calculated based on literature data, omitting cost and subjective factors. Results. The median overall intuitive treatment threshold was 52.5%, the calculated 11.9%, and the prescriptive 2.7%. For 2 factors, public health officers provided significantly lower values than clinicians: cost of treatment (median = $20 v. $300; U = 2.5; P = 0.0002); cost of life (median = $500 v. $5000; U = 17.5; P = 0.009). Conclusion. These results suggest that clinicians and public health officers estimate wrongly the threshold even when using their own subjective estimate of influencing factors. Omitting treatment cost and subjective weight of provoked harm can result in a very low threshold. Sound training in threshold principles and providing tools to correctly assess data might help in making better decisions in tuberculosis in developing countries.

[Nebalia straus Risso, 1827 (Phyllocarida, Leptostraca) is reported for the first time from the Cypriot coast and Levantine Sea. Specimens were collected at two sampling stations at depths between 0 and 5 m on northern Cyprus in July 1998. Morphological features of these specimens and information about the distribution of N. straus are provided. Nebalia straus Risso, 1827 (Phyllocarida, Leptostraca) est signalee pour la premiere fois de la cote chypriote et de la mer du Levant. Les specimens ont ete collectes dans deux stations d'echantillonnages a des profondeurs de 0 a 5 m au nord de Chypre en juillet 1998. Les caracteristiques morphologiques de ces specimens et des informations sur la repartition de N. straus sont fournies., Nebalia straus Risso, 1827 (Phyllocarida, Leptostraca) is reported for the first time from the Cypriot coast and Levantine Sea. Specimens were collected at two sampling stations at depths between 0 and 5 m on northern Cyprus in July 1998. Morphological features of these specimens and information about the distribution of N. straus are provided. Nebalia straus Risso, 1827 (Phyllocarida, Leptostraca) est signalee pour la premiere fois de la cote chypriote et de la mer du Levant. Les specimens ont ete collectes dans deux stations d'echantillonnages a des profondeurs de 0 a 5 m au nord de Chypre en juillet 1998. Les caracteristiques morphologiques de ces specimens et des informations sur la repartition de N. straus sont fournies.]

From the study of the material collected during the Polychaete Workshop held in Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef, Australia) in August 2013, six species belonging to the genus Armandia (Polychaeta, Opheliidae) are newly described. Armandia bifida n. sp. is characterised by the bifid shape of the prechaetal lobe in CH1-CH3, A. dolio n. sp. by the barrel-shaped anal (=pygidial) tube (=funnel), A. filibranchia n. sp. by the extremely long and thin branchiae, A. laminosa n. sp. by the foliose shape and large size of the prechaetal lobe in CH1-CH3, A. paraintermedia n. sp. by the squared-shaped anal tube and size and shape of anal cirri, and A. tubulata n. sp. by the tubular shape of the anal tube. All species are fully described and illustrated, and compared with similar species. Several body characters of taxonomic relevance (e.g., anal tube and parapodia shape) are studied based on SEM micrographs. A key of the Armandia species hitherto described or reported in South-East Asia and Australasia is provided based on features of the anal tube.

Study of the Oweniidae specimens (Annelida; Polychaeta) from Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef, Australia) stored at the Australian Museum, Sydney and newly collected in August 2013 revealed the presence of three species, namely Galathowenia quelis Capa et al., 2012 and two new species belonging to the genus Owenia Delle Chiaje, 1844. Owenia dichotoma n. sp. is characterised by a very short branchial crown of about 1/3 of thoracic length which bears short, dichotomously-branched tentacles provided with the major division close to the base of the crown. Owenia picta n. sp. is characterised by a long branchial crown of about 4/5 of thoracic length provided with no major divisions, ventral pigmentation on thorax and the presence of deep ventro-lateral groove on the first thoracic chaetiger. A key of Owenia species hitherto described or reported in South East Asia and Australasia regions is provided based on characters of the branchial crown.

A new species of the genus Orbiniella Day, 1954 (Polychaeta: Orbiniidae), collected during the BIOICE programme on sedimentary bottoms off Iceland, is described. Orbiniella petersenae sp. nov. is a shelf and slope species (107 to 1,915 m) chiefly characterized by having notopodial postchaetal papilla from first chaetiger, long crenulated capillary chaetae and several acicular chaetae on each parapodial rami, and pygidium with four lobes. External micromorphology and gross internal anatomy were studied using, respectively, SEM and micro-CT; this is the first time these techniques are used for any species in this genus. A key to all species of this genus worldwide is provided.

Increasing urban development in coastal areas is leading to reduction and fragmentation of natural habitats and a proliferation of artificial structures, such as seawalls. These new structures provide a novel habitat for several organisms, but recent studies have shown differences between the composition of populations in assemblages inhabiting them and those present on natural rocky shores. Preliminary observations also suggested that populations of limpets may differ in size and reproductive output between seawalls and natural rocky shores in Sydney Harbour (Australia). To test hypotheses about the influence of artificial habitat on populations of marine invertebrates, we examined the densities, size and reproductive output of the pulmonate limpet Siphonaria denticulata at midshore intertidal levels on several seawalls and natural rocky shores in Sydney Harbour. Populations on seawalls were mainly composed of juveniles and small adults; large adults were generally found only on rocky shores. There were also significantly fewer and smaller egg masses on seawalls. Experimental manipulations suggested that differences in reproductive output are related to the maximal size that adults attain in each habitat. Populations on seawalls make a smaller contribution to the total reproductive output in any given area, and, thus, it can be predicted that replacement of natural habitats with seawalls may have negative effects on the maintenance of local populations. Populations of organisms living in different habitats in similar densities may show important differences in biological performance. Thus, differences in reproductive output between habitats, even at the same densities, will potentially influence dynamics of populations of limpets.

Two benthic mollusc assemblages of the continental shelf on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, a tropical one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and another, temperate, in Galicia, Spain were investigated, with a view to finding common environmental descriptors which would explain, on a macro-scale, why these assemblages are there. Both of the assemblages concerned show approximately the same species richness, about 150 taxa each. The molluscan fauna of both regions live on sandy sediments. The Galician assemblages are at about 2-12 m depth, while those in Rio de Janeiro are at about 10-40 m depth. Malacological assemblages were defined through Cluster Analysis and Multiple Discriminant Analysis of the environmental data showed that each assemblage has its own environmental space. These assemblages have no species in common, but show the same phenological characters associated with each sedimentological facies. The same set of environmental variables (median sediment grain size, skewness, kurtosis, sorting, fine and medium sand fractions and depth) were selected as controlling these assemblages, suggesting that they play their role as general environmental descriptors.Duas associações de moluscos bênticos litorais foram estudadas em ambos os lados do oceano Atlântico, uma tropical no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, e outra temperada na Galicia, Espanha, procurando-se por descritores ambientais comuns, a ambas, que pudessem explicar, em macro escala, o porquê de essas associações estarem onde estão. As duas associações apresentam, aproximadamente, a mesma riqueza de espécies, cerca de 150 táxons cada uma. Ambas as faunas malacológicas habitam sedimentos arenosos em profundidades variando entre 2-12 m, na Galicia, e 10-40 m, no Rio de Janeiro. As associações malacológicas foram definidas através de Análise de Grupamento e caracterizadas ambientalmente com a aplicação da Análise Discriminante Múltipla realizada sobre os dados abióticos. Não existem espécies em comum entre as associações estudadas; contudo estes táxons apresentam caracteres fenológicos similares em função de habitarem as mesmas fácies sedimentológicas. Um mesmo conjunto de variáveis ambientais (tamanho médio do grão do sedimento, assimetria, curtose, grau de selecionamento, frações de areias fina e média e a profundidade) foram identificadas por condicionarem a presença dessas associações, sugerindo que possam ter um papel relevante como descritores ambientais gerais.

A new species of sphaerodorid (Polychaeta: Sphaerodoridae), Sphaerodoropsisgarciaalvarezi sp. nov., is described from specimens collected on sandy bottoms off the Galician coast (Spain, north-east Atlantic). This species is characterized by having two pairs of digitiform lateral antennae, 13 dorsal macrotubercles per segment in mid-body setigers arranged in two transverse rows, five dorsal microtubercles per segment arranged in five longitudinal rows, six ventral papillae per segment arranged in six longitudinal rows, digitiform presetal lobes and ventral cirri, and composite setae with spinulation on blade and distal end of shaft. Complementary observations to original descriptions are also provided for closely related species Sphaerodoropsis bisphaeroserialis and Sphaerodoropsisarctowskyensis upon examination of type series.

Two new species of Leptostraca (Crustacea, Malacostraca) belonging to the genus Sarsinebalia are described from shallow waters off Galicia (northwest Spain). The new species differ from S. typhlops, the only known member of the genus, mainly in having ommatidia externally visible and pigmented eyes, as well as a second maxilla bearing an exopod that is longer than the first article of the endopod. The validity of Sarsinebalia is discussed in the light of the new species described.

A new species of leptostracan (Crustacea: Phyllocarida: Leptostraca) belonging to the genus Nebalia, N. troncosoi sp. nov., is described from specimens collected off the Galician coast (Iberian Peninsula, north-east Atlantic). The new species is relatively common in sandy bottoms. It is characterized by having a long rostrum, an eye with small distal lobes, an antennular flagellum with up to seven articles, the exopod of the second maxilla longer than the first article of the endopod, and acute denticles along the posterior dorsal border of pleonites 6–7.

A new species of Sphaerodoridium Lützen, 1961 (Polychaeta: Sphaerodoridae) collected off Iceland during the BIOICE programme is described. Sphaerodoridium guerritai sp. nov. is mostly present in waters around the northern half of Iceland, and seems to be common in soft bottoms at depths of 49-1253 m. It is mainly characterized by having macrotubercles which are provided with a long stalk which bears 1-3 small papillae; this seems an unique feature in Sphaerodoridium and the closely related genus Clavodorum Hartman and Fauchald, 1971. Furthermore, the new species is also characterized by having one transversal row of 11-12 dorsal macrotubercles per chaetiger in midbody; 10-16 spherical papillae in front of each row of macrotubercles, somewhat arranged in a dorsal zig-zag; 10-18 ventral papillae per chaetiger arranged following a non-random pattern: two transversal rows on parapodial areas and one on interparapodial area, of usually 4, 6 and 5 papillae respectively. Short paired tubular structures with distal opening were found on the ventrum of most chaetigers and are interpreted as nephridial papillae and nephridiopores, respectively. Females show special ventral structures between chaetigers 9-10 which may represent genital openings as suggested for other sphaerodorids; males do not show any apparent copulatory structures. A comprehensive table comparing some diagnostic features regarding macrotubercles and body papillae of all known species of Sphaerodoridium and Clavodorum is provided.

Objectives To evaluate the effect of ivermectin mass drug administration on strongyloidiasis and other soil transmitted helminthiases. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of data collected in Esmeraldas (Ecuador) during surveys conducted in areas where ivermectin was annually administered to the entire population for the control of onchocerciasis. Data from 5 surveys, conducted between 1990 (before the start of the distribution of ivermectin) and 2013 (six years after the interruption of the intervention) were analyzed. The surveys also comprised areas where ivermectin was not distributed because onchocerciasis was not endemic. Different laboratory techniques were used in the different surveys (direct fecal smear, formol-ether concentration, IFAT and IVD ELISA for Strongyloides stercoralis). Results In the areas where ivermectin was distributed the strongyloidiasis prevalence fell from 6.8% in 1990 to zero in 1996 and 1999. In 2013 prevalence in children was zero with stool examination and 1.3% with serology, in adult 0.7% and 2.7%. In areas not covered by ivermectin distribution the prevalence was 23.5% and 16.1% in 1996 and 1999, respectively. In 2013 the prevalence was 0.6% with fecal exam and 9.3% with serology in children and 2.3% and 17.9% in adults. Regarding other soil transmitted helminthiases: in areas where ivermectin was distributed the prevalence of T. trichiura was significantly reduced, while A. lumbricoides and hookworms were seemingly unaffected. Conclusions Periodic mass distribution of ivermectin had a significant impact on the prevalence of strongyloidiasis, less on trichuriasis and apparently no effect on ascariasis and hookworm infections., Author Summary Strongyloides stercoralis (Ss) is a soil-transmitted helminth (STH) that is not yet targeted by control programs, although it is highly prevalent in many areas of the world and may cause severe consequences, in particular to immunosuppressed patients, with a high fatality rate. Unfortunately, albendazole, the drug most commonly used for the control of the other STH (hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura) has little effect on Ss. The drug of choice, ivermectin, has been extensively used in mass drug administration (MDA) for the filarial worms Onchocerca volvulus and Wuchereria bancrofti. In the province of Esmeraldas, in Ecuador, we studied Ss (and other STH) prevalence from 1990 (prior to MDA initiation) to 2013 (6 years after MDA cessation) in rural communities where MDA was regularly executed for onchocerciasis compared with neighboring communities where ivermectin was not distributed because onchocerciasis was not present. Ss prevalence remained high over the years in the areas with no MDA, while in those with MDA prevalence fell to zero, and remained very low 6 years after MDA cessation. A less important effect was observed for T. trichiura. Adding ivermectin to MDA programs for STH would importantly contribute to the control of Ss infection.

An epidemiologic field study was conducted in the village of Borbòn in Esmeraldas province in northern Ecuador to compare different parasitologic methods in the diagnosis of infection with the Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar complex. The results of two stool antigen detection assays (the Prospect Entamoeba histolytica microplate assay and the E. histolytica II assay) were compared with isoenzyme characterization of the amebic isolates. Nearly all (176 of 178, 98.9%) subjects were positive for intestinal parasites on direct microscopic examination, and cysts and/or vegetative forms morphologically consistent with the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex were recorded in 48 of 178 cases (27%). Culture in Robinson's medium was positive for amebic stocks in 89 (50%) of the 178 samples tested. Of the 37 isolates successfully stabilized, cloned, and characterized by zymodeme analysis, seven (18.9%) showed isoenzyme patterns of E. histolytica, whereas 26 (70.3%) showed patterns of E. dispar. The remaining four strains were identified as Entamoeba coli (three isolates; 8.1%) and Dientamoeba fragilis (one strain; 2.7%).The immunochromatographic tests showed different degrees of sensitivity and specificity when compared with isoenzyme characterization as the reference technique. The microplate assay, which does not discriminate between E. histolytica and E.dispar, showed a sensitivity of 54.5% and a specificity of 94% for both these amebic species. In contrast, the second-generation E. histolytica II test had a sensitivity of 14.3% and a specificity of 98.4% for E. histolytica sensu stricto. Our survey clearly demonstrated that more specific and sensitive diagnostic tests, such as stool antigen detection assays and isoenzyme analysis, are needed to establish the actual worldwide distribution of E. histolytica and E. dispar.

El examen de dos ejemplares de Terebellidae depositados en el Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, procedentes de las Islas Chafarinas ha revelado su pertenencia a la especie Phisidia oculata (Langerhans, 1881). Este es el primer registro de la especie tras su descripción original, por lo que se realiza una descripción de los mismos, indicando las principales características morfológicas que permiten su reconocimiento frente a otras especies cogenéricas y a otros géneros próximos, incluyendo una tabla sinóptica con las principales características de las especies del género Phisidia.

The study of benthic samples collected in Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef, Australia) has yielded five additional new species of the genus Armandia (Annelida, Opheliidae). Armandia buccina n. sp. is distinguished by the peculiar buccin-shape of the anal tube, A. casuarina n. sp. by having elongated prechaetal lobe in chaetigers 1–2 and one pair of basal anal papillae provided in turn with small papillae, A. mariacapae n. sp. by the elongated, triangular tip of the prechaetal lobe in all chaetigers, A. opisthoculata n. sp. by having two large pigmented spots at both sides of the unpaired anal cirrus, and A. parva n. sp. has a conspicuous short prostomium that is distally truncated. All species are described and illustrated, and an updated key to all Armandia species from South-East Asia and Australasia is also provided.

Pisione parapari n. sp. is described from shallow waters off North-West Spain. This new species and P. Remota (Southern, 1914) are the only representatives of the genus and family reported from Iberian waters. P. Parapari is characterised by the presence of several (1–4) non-succesive male copulatory organs, and by having slightly elongated dorsal cirri in chaetiger 2, an undivided neuropodial lobe, parapodia provided with long-bladed compound chaetae, and smooth palps.

The family Longosomatidae Hartman, 1944 (Annelida: Polychaeta) is newly reported for Icelandic waters. The diversity, taxonomy and ecology of this poorly-known monogeneric family are reviewed based on material collected during the BIOICE project. Two species of the genus Heterospio are recorded and redescribed: Heterospio longissima Ehlers, 1874 sensu Hartman (1965) and Heterospio reducta Laubier, Picard and Ramos, 1972–73. Several body structures of high taxonomic relevance in the genus are reviewed and discussed.

Based on material collected during the BIOICE project off Iceland, the taxonomy and distribution of seventeen species (11 genera) of polychaetous annelids belonging to the family Ampharetidae (Annelida; Polychaeta) is reviewed. Eleven of these species were previously reported in the area or nearby areas: Amage auricula, Anobothrus gracilis, Glyp-hanostomum pallescens, Grubianella klugei, Lysippe fragilis, L. labiata, L. sexcirrata, L. vanelli, Samythella elongata, Sosane bathyalis and S. wireni. Five species, Amage benhami, Melinnampharete eoa, Noanelia hartmanae, Ymerana pteropoda and Zatsepinia rittichae, either never or only once reported after original description, are redescribed or discussed. A potentially new species, Amage sp., is described but not named because only one specimen is present. Several body characters of high taxonomic relevance in Ampha-retidae are reviewed using SEM. The distribution of each species off Iceland is provided.

The British Medical Research Council (BMRC) staging has been extensively used to evaluate the disease severity and establish the approximate prognosis of tuberculous meningitis.This study aimed at analyzing the predictive accuracy for mortality and neurological sequelae of a set of clinical features, laboratory tests and imaging.We compared the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) staging with a new scoring proposal to predict the prognosis of patients with Central Nervous System Tuberculosis. Data from Ecuador was collected. A score was built using a Spiegelhalter and Knill-Jones method and compared with BMRC staging with a ROC curve.A total of 213/310 patients (68.7%) were in BMRC stage II or III. Fifty-seven patients died (18.3%) and 101 (32.5%) survived with sequelae. The associated predictors were consciousness impairment (p = 0.010), motor deficit (p = 0.003), cisternal effacement (p = 0.006) and infarcts (p = 0.015). The new score based on these predictors yielded a larger area under the curve of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.70-0.82), but not significantly different from the BMRC (0.72: 95% CI: 0.65-0.77).This modern score is easy to apply and could be a sound predictor of poor prognosis. However, the availability of modern tests did not improve the ability to predict a bad outcome.

Based on specimens collected during several sampling programmes along the Iranian coast, Persian Gulf, a new species of the genus Terebellides (Polychaeta, Trichobranchidae) is herein described as Terebellides persiae spec. nov. The new species is primarily characterised by the presence of a large dorsal thoracic hump in larger specimens and ciliated papillae on the branchial lamellae. The new species is compared with other taxa belonging to Terebellides described or reported with any of both characters. SEM and micro-CT have been used to study T. persiae spec. nov. and provide several new details on external characters and internal organs, respectively. A key for the identification of the species of Terebellides with dorsal hump is provided.

Dear editor, We welcome the publication of Medow and Lucey in the December issue, describing a qualitative approach to Bayes' theorem.1 Especially because the authors provide a new impulse to the development of clinician-friendly strategies for teaching clinical decision-making skills. However, the approach proposed by the authors is not new. We reported a didactic model based on a visual representation of Bayesian logic on a logarithmic scale 8 years ago in peer-reviewed journals.2,–,4 Our logical frame is also categorical and …

Özet: Dünyanın bir çok bölgesinde leptostrakanlar üzerine veriler hala yetersizdir. Son yıllarda doğu Akdeniz’de birkaç Nebalia Leach, 1814 türü rapor edilmiştir ancak 100 m den daha derin sulardan herhangi bir kayıt bulunmamaktadır. Doğu Akdenizde, Gökçeada’da 680 ve 820 m derinliklerden elde edilen çalışma örnekleri Nebalia abyssicola Fage, 1929’nın varlığını göstermiştir. Bu tür çalışma bölgesi için yeni kayıttır ve ender kayıtlarından biridir. Bireyler önceki tanımlamalara dayalı olarak tanımlanmış ve şekillleri çizilmiştir. Aynı zamanda doğu Akdeniz’de bilinen bütün leptostrakanlar için bir tayin anahtarı oluşturulmuştur., Data on deep sea leptostracans (Crustacea: Phyllocarida: Leptostraca) are still scarce in many parts of the world. in the last few years, several species of Nebalia Leach, 1814, have been reported from the eastern Mediterranean; however, there have been no reports from waters deeper than 100 m. Samples collected recently from Gökçeada, Turkey—at depths of 680-820 m in the Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean—included Nebalia abyssicola Fage, 1929. This is the first record for the study area and one of the few known records of this species. Specimens are described and figured to complement previous descriptions. A key for all known leptostracans from the eastern Mediterranean is also provided.

El Primer Congreso Iberico de Sistematica Animal es un foro para la presentacion, intercambio y discusion de resultados Cientificos. El simposio cuenta con conferencias (a cargo de expositores invitados), exposiciones orales y sesiones de posters, referentes a varias areas tematicas.

Two new species of Sphaerodoropsis Hartman & Fauchald, 1971 (Polychaeta: Sphaerodoridae), collected during the BIOICE programme on sedimentary bottoms off Iceland, are described. Sphaerodoropsis gudmunduri sp. nov. is a shelf species (1000 m) and may be distinguished mostly by having up to 13 dorsal macrotubercles arranged in two transverse rows (6–7 macrotubercles, respectively) defining a zig-zag pattern (‘group 3’) and 7 dorsal papillae per chaetiger, up to 8–10 ventral papillae per chaetiger arranged in a non-random pattern and parapodia which bear one digitiform prechaetal lobe, one antero-lateral papilla and compound unidentate chaetae with blades with thin spinulation along their cutting edge. Both species show sexual dimorphism characterized by different arrangements of modified ventral cirri and/or special ventral structures in some mid-body chaetigers; a brief discussion about the presence of these structures on sphaerodorids and their possible importance on the systematics of the family is provided.

The diversity, taxonomy and distribution of the Opheliidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) in Icelandic waters is reviewed based on material collected during the BIOICE project. Nine opheliid species are recorded from Iceland; of these, three were previously reported in the area (Ophelia limacina, Ophelina cylindricaudata and O. acuminata), four are new for Icelandic waters (Ammotrypanella cf. arctica, Ophelina abranchiata, O. helgolandica and Tachytrypane jeffreisii), and two are new to science. Ophelina basicirra sp. nov. is distinguished by having a narrow anal tube with one short proximal anal cirrus in ventral position. Ophelina bowitzi sp. nov. is characterized by the small size of its anterior branchiae, which become larger in the middle and posterior body regions, and by an upwardly bent anal tube that is wide at the base and narrowing distally. The genera Euzonus, Armandia and Polyophthalmus are not represented in the BIOICE samples. The distribution of each species off Iceland is presented; one species is restricted to shallow waters of northwestern fjords, three species are found south of the GIF Ridge, and five species are circumicelandic. Several body characters with taxonomic relevance in some species are reviewed based on SEM images. Furthermore, as a first step towards a future revision of the genus Ophelina Orsted 1843 in North Atlantic waters, the status of each species originally described or subsequently reported from the area is commented on, and a key to the currently valid species is presented. Ophelina longicephala Hartmann-Schroder, 1977, formerly a subspecies of O. delapidans (Kinberg, 1866), is raised to species status.

The examination of polychaete collections obtained during the Spanish Bentart 2006expedition to the Bellingshausen Sea (Antarctica) revealed the presence of several sphaerodorid species. In this work, species belonging to the genera Sphaerodorum Örsted, 1843, Ephesiella Chamberlin, 1919, Clavodorum Hartman and Fauchald, 1971 and Sphaerephesia Fauchald, 1972 are reported including two new species belonging to Sphaerodorum and Sphaerephesia, respectively. A specimen identified as Ephesiella sp. might also represent a new species but, due to its poor state of preservation, a formal description is not possible yet. Furthermore, Sphaerodoropsis polypapillata Hartmann-Schröder and Rosenfeldt, 1988 is transferred to the genus Clavodorum Hartman and Fauchald, 1971 after examination of the type series and specimens obtained from the Bellingshausen Sea. Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología; REN 2001-1074/ANT Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología; CGL2004-01856

In this work, we report for the first time the presence of the amphipod Perioculodes aequimanus from the north-east Atlantic. Specimens were collected in Zostera meadows located in the O grove inlet (north-western Iberian Peninsula), where the species is well established and is one of the numerically dominant peracarid species. Some morphological differences were found in comparison to Mediterranean individuals but those are regarded as due to intraspecific variation. This species can be distinguished from other Atlantic species according to the features of the propodus of the first gnathopod, the first coxa, the pereiopod 7 basis and the antennal peduncle.