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In a one-year study, a new record of the freshwater thiarid snail, Tarebia granifera, was collected in huge amounts from the River Nile in Qena province, Upper Egypt. Tarebia granifera is a highly invasive species that has spread throughout the tropical world and can displace native gastropods as well as cause damage to water systems by clogging pipes and machinery. The shell is extremely variable in size, shape, and sculpture: obtusely to elongate conical, elevated spire up to 8 – 13 whorls, the ultimate whorl large; coarsely sculptured by elevated ridges in a vertical and spiral direction, causing a pattern of strong and blunt nodules. It was noticed that the apex is always eroded and the umbilicus is closed. Aperture is almost vertical, oval, pointed above, and rounded below. The operculum is corneous, opaque, dark reddish-brown. The type of operculum of the investigated snail is paucispiral with the nucleus placed in the far bottom right corner. Growth lines are coarse and irregular. The soft parts show the typical parts of the gastropod body, which are; the head, foot, and visceral mass. The head and foot of the active snail can be seen protruding out of the shell. The pallial organs are typically like thiarid in both form and position. The mantle is the most important and specialized organ of the Gastropoda, for it not only bears the glands that secrete the shell but it also serves as a base to which the ctenidium, ospharadium, and several excretory and reproductive outlets are attached. The mantle of the present species is a thin, fleshy, cone-shaped cap and hangs over the body. It is appressed closely to the interior of the last half of the last whorl and thus creates an open cavity into which water may enter freely to bathe the gills. The anterior border bears a series of 4– 5 large, projecting, fleshy papillae; the farthest to the left being the largest. The four papillae, the farthest to the left, are bulbous at their basal attachment to the mantle and are pointed at their distal ends, which may be seen projecting well beyond the edge of the shell. While, to the right, there are 6 to 8 progressively smaller papillae that are not bulbous at their base and act as the accessory respiratory systems and as chemoreceptors.

Sexual dimorphism is the condition where individuals of different sex in the same species exhibit different characteristics beyond the differences in their sexual organs. In this study, individuals of a viviparid species Filopaludina martensi from the Kwai Yai River in Kanchanaburi Province (Thailand) were examined for eight shell and operculum characteristics. Sexual differences were observed in size of shell and operculum, with females being larger than males. The results indicated that morphometric analyses are useful to detect subtle differences between sexes in this species.

Olividae are marine gastropods living as predators or scavengers on soft sediments. The complex prey handling behaviour of large predatory species includes the storage of food in a pouch formed temporarily by bending and contraction of the posterior foot. Such metapodial pouches had been observed only in Olividae that lack an operculum, prompting the hypothesis that the folding of the metapodium into a pouch biomechanically required the absence of the operculum. Here we report metapodial pouch formation in an operculate olivid, Callianax biplicata (formerly Olivella biplicata). Since the operculum is too small to close the shell aperture in mature C. biplicata, a protective function seems unlikely. The operculum may rather serve as an exoskeletal point for muscle attachment, but may also represent a ‘vestigial organ’ in the process of evolutionary reduction, or an ontogenetic remnant functional at early life stages but not at maturity. Consequently, our observations refute the notion that only inoperculate olivids can form pouches, but not necessarily the idea that the ability to form a metapodial pouch evolved in parallel with operculum reduction

Morphometry is one of the methods that can be useful in establishing taxon identity. Morphometrics of Pomacea spp in paddy fields of Peninsular Malaysia has not been studied, hence, poorly understood. Morphometric measurement were carried out on shell and operculum characters for six populations of Pomacea spp from paddy fields of peninsula Malaysia to assess ecotype disparity for those characters among the different populations. Results revealed that significant disparity with respect to the assessed characters exists among the populations from different rice ecologies sampled. The highest value for shell length, body whorl height, spire height, aperture length, Aperture width, operculum length and Operculum width were recorded in the Tanjung Karang (Selongor) sampling locality. While the least value for most of these morphometric character were recorded from Tanjung Piandang locality (Perak). It could be concluded that the morphometric characters measured vary independently among the populations measured and is predicted among others factors to be governed by intensity of paddy cultivations rather than geographical gradients. The implications of this finding especially with respect to their management as pest of paddy were discussed.

An update of the geographical distribution of the sabellariid polychaete Sabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus, 1767) within the Mediterranean Sea is provided after checking the known literature. This shallow-water, reef-forming species is first recorded from new sites in southeastern Sicily, both along the Sicily Straits and the Ionian Sea, from where S. alveolata was so far unknown.These new collections also provided material for a detailed description and SEM documentation of morphological features of the operculum and the body.

Camouflaging with crypsis is a known strategy in several invertebrates such as sea urchins, gastropods, crabs, and immature stage of insects. In harvestmen, soil crypsis are used as a defense strategy. The soil particles are attached to their bodies using secretions. Here we investigate this kind of camouflage in the Malagasy endemic genus Ankaratrix. Members of this genus produce a glue layer (= solidifying secretion) covering the cerotegument. This glue layer seems to play an important role in soil crypsis, together with the long tubercles or cuticular apophyses. These long tubercles could help to catch and retain the soil particles bringing stability to the camouflage layer. The specimens are covered by a very thick soil layer, determined by the tubercle sizes, mainly on the dorsal body surface. Only the body parts involved in feeding (chelicerae, pedipalps, feeding apparatus), reproduction (genital operculum), excretion (anal operculum) and sensory functions (leg tarsi) are clean of mud. Legs I exhibit a very long longitudinal row of spiniform apophyses that will be completely covered by soil, forming a kind of wall that protect the chelicerae and pedipalp of the dirt and could be adopted as camouflage strategy in thanatosis or resting periods. During our investigation, we discovered four new species, which are described herein: Ankaratrix maloto sp. nov., Ankaratrix makamba sp. nov., Ankaratrix fisheri sp. nov., Ankaratrix lawrencei sp. nov. Finally, we discuss the sexual dimorphism in pedipalps of the genus Ankaratrix.

Maraenobiotus wellsi sp. nov. (Canthocamptidae) is described based on material collected in mosses in the “páramo” region of the Andean Cordillera of Colombia. The new species is closely related to M. australis Apostolov, 2001 from Tierra de Fuego in Argentina, but can be distiguished by the shape of the caudal rami, the insertion point of its terminal seta IV, and the chaetotaxy of distal segments of legs 3 and 4. We discuss morphological differences with other congeners inhabiting South America (Peru), i.e. M. naticochensis Delachaux, 1917, M. fontinalis Harding, 1955 and M. fontinaloides Löffler, 1960. Major distinguishing features were observed in the chaetotaxy of legs 2 and 3, the morphology and size of the caudal rami, and the ornamentation of the anal operculum. We also discuss morphological characters that distinguish the new species from those living exclusively in mosses, such as M. cuspidatus Štěrba, 1968 and M. canadensis Flössner, 1992, and those reported from mosses and other habitats i.e.. M. vejdovskyi Mrázek, 1893, M. brucei brucei (Richard, 1898), M. zschokkei Kreis, 1920, M. brucei himalayensis Chappuis, 1928b, M. truncatus (Gurney, 1932), M. insignipes elgonensis Chappuis, 1936, M. insignipes nepalensis Löffler, 1968 and M. kinabaluensis Löffler, 1973. A distribution map of American species and an identification key for females are provided.

Background Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags are commonly used to identify individual fish. However, use of PIT tags in commercial aquaculture research is limited by consumer safety concerns. For farmed fish, it is critical that tags do not end up in the final product. One possibility to enable the use of PIT tags in commercial research is to insert tags into a part of the body that will be separated from the trunk during processing. We compare tag loss, mortality rate and welfare scores between Atlantic salmon post-smolts (n = 798) marked with PIT tags either in the operculum musculature or the abdominal cavity (standard practice) before and after mechanical delousing. Results We found that neither condition factor (K) (range 0.60–1.99) nor tagging location significantly affected tag loss (operculum = 6%, intraperitoneal = 8%, z = 1.46, p = 0.14) or mortality (operculum = 2%, intraperitoneal = 2%, z = 0.55, p = 0.58). However, on average, the fish which died weighed 20% less at the time of handling (271 ± 13 g, K = 1.12 ± 0.02) than those which survived (340 ± 3 g, K = 1.14 ± 0.004), and those which lost tags (291 ± 7 g, K = 1.11 ± 0.02) weighed 15% less than those which retained them (340 ± 3 g, K = 1.14 ± 0.004), irrespective of tagging location or handling treatment. Conclusions Fish tagged in the operculum musculature had comparable rates of mortality and tag loss to the current “best practice” standard of intraperitoneal tagging. We show that placement of PIT tags in operculum musculature is a viable alternative to placement in the peritoneal cavity.

Semi-operculum deformity was recorded in a wild specimen of Sahyadria denisonii from Western Ghats, India. Morphological study of a normal and deformed fish revealed semi-operculum malformation. The possible etiologies of opercular deformity are discussed.

In the Flora of southern Africa area, comprising the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, the moss family Sematophyllaceae consists of three genera (Trichosteleum, Donnellia and Sematophyllum) and nine species. Core sematophyllous taxa with collenchymatous exothecial cells, long rostrate operculum, linear leaf cells and differentiated alar cells are included in the family. Meiothecium fuscescens is transferred to Donnellia and a new combination made. Sematophyllum wageri is reduced to synonymy under S. brachycarpum and a lectotype is designated for S. dregei. Each species is described and its distribution mapped.

Three new species of harvestmen are described based on morphology. Taito mayoruna spec. nov. from Jenaro Herrera province, Loreto, Peru is differentiated from other species of Taito Kury & Barros, 2014 by features such as anal operculum armed, and femur IV with two retro-distal spines. Taito curupira spec. nov. from Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil is recognized by an H-shaped color pattern, femur IV curved dorsally and armed with medial prolateral and retrolateral tubercles. A third species herein described, Eulibitia chacuamarei spec. nov., from Trinidad, Casanare, Colombia is distinguished by the absence of a ladder mask and by the presence of blunt tubercles on areas I, III and the posterior margin. Penial morphology is described, and SEM micrographs are included.

The morphological identification of many groups of gastropods is mostly based on shell morphology and genital structures. The value of opercular characters as taxonomic characters has so far been barely studied and evaluated. Here, the opercular characters of river snails (Viviparidae) have been revised systematically for the first time. Based on a morphological study of the opercula of 38 species of 25 viviparid genera, 16 newly defined opercular characters are shown to be useful for genus and species identification. A detailed diagnosis and description of opercular characters for each genus/species is given. One new generic assignment of a viviparid species is proposed based on this study, namely Cipangopaludina nagaensis n. comb.

Transport epithelia maintain the volume, ion concentration and acid-base balance of blood and extracellular fluids. In teleost fish, mitochondrion-rich cells (MRCs) are specialized ionocytes that perform this role. These cells are found in epithelia of the gills and buccal surface of the operculum (the bony structure covering the gills). Proliferation of MRCs in response to changes in water salinity and other environmental stressors is well documented, but the cellular mechanisms underlying MRC proliferation are poorly understood. Recently, regeneration and epithelial cell replacement in the gill filaments was demonstrated in the model vertebrate, zebrafish (Danio rerio), raising the question of whether MRCs are replaced during regrowth of transport epithelia. We chose two anatomical sites where MRCs are found—the gills and the opercular epithelium—to investigate whether MRCs were replaced following surgical resection of these structures. In live imaging experiments, we observed gradual replacement of the branchiostegal valve, an extension of the operculum, in zebrafish over a period of 21 days post-resection (dpr). In regenerating epithelia of both the operculum and gills, we detected MRCs by immunohistochemical localization of the α subunit of plasma membrane Na+/K+-ATPase. In both tissues, MRCs appeared soon after resection, and as early as 1 dpr in the gill filaments. We report regeneration of the operculum and proliferation of MRCs in regenerating tissue in adult zebrafish. These studies may contribute to our understanding of how MRC populations are regulated during the regenerative process, which may occur following exposure to environmental stressors, chemical toxicity or disease.

The cap-shaped shells of Triplicatella are known almost exclusively from small shelly fossil assemblages with articulated specimens showing unequivocally that they represent the operculum of a hyolith. Abundant specimens of Triplicatella opimus from the fine-grained shales of the Chengjiang Lagerstätte of South China with soft-part preservation are documented herein. The soft tissues, including the feeding apparatus and complex digestive system, in T. opimus strongly suggest that Triplicatella was a deposit feeder. The digestive tract of T. opimus consists of two limbs, a spiral loop folded into a chevron-like structure and a slightly recurved to straight anal tube, which are preserved as reddish-black traces enriched in iron. The new anatomical information obtained from T. opimus in the Chengjiang Biota suggests an intermediate stage in the development of the characteristic folded gut of orthothecid hyoliths. The new anatomical information reported here shows that Triplicatella is one of the best-preserved early members of the Orthothecida and promotes our understanding of the general anatomy and evolution of the Hyolitha.

The gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata, Sparidae family) is commonly used for aquaculture. Despite its great economic value, several problems in its cultivation remain. One of the major concerns is the high frequency of morphological abnormalities occurring during the early developmental stages. Partial and/or total lack of operculum is the most frequent anomaly affecting the fish cranial region. The existence of genetic factors that can at least partially determine this defect has been hypothesized. In this work, two DNA pools of highly related fry, one composed of normal-looking (control) fish and the other lacking an operculum (case), were constructed and whole-genome resequencing data produced from the two were compared. The analysis revealed a 1Mb region on chromosome 2 with higher heterozygosity in the lack of operculum DNA pool than in the control DNA pool, consistent with the enrichment, in the first DNA pool, of one or more haplotypes causing or predisposing to the defect together with other normal haplotypes. A window-based FST analysis between the two DNA pools indicated that the same region had the highest divergence score. This region contained 2921 SNVs, 10 of which, with predicted high impacts (three splice donor and seven stop-gained variants), were detected in novel genes that are homologous to calcium-sensing receptor-like genes, probably involved in bone development. Other studies are needed to clarify the genetic mechanisms involved in predisposing fry to this deformity and then to identify associated markers that could be used in breeding programs to reduce the frequency of this defect in the broodstock.

Fossil remains of the pterygotid eurypterid Pterygotus sp. were found in the early 1990s in the Upper Silurian of the Velika Slobidka locality (Podolia, near Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnitskyi Province, Ukraine). The collection studied includes two well-preserved coxae and sternites I–II (including operculum and genital appendage). Judging from the size of the larger coxa, the length of this pterygotid was more than one meter.

Interaction between embryo growth and cytochemical changes in the micropylar endosperm promote the overcoming of dormancy in Cerrado palm seeds. Dormancy in palm seeds is modulated by structural components. However, changes in the structures that are responsible for permitting the conclusion of germination are still poorly understood. This study aimed to identify morphological, anatomical, physiological and cytochemical changes during germination in the micropylar region of seeds of Cerrado palms (Acrocomia aculeata, Attalea vitrivir and Butia capitata) with different levels of dormancy. The role of opercular components, the effect of exogenous GA3, and endo-β-mannanase activity on embryo growth and opercular resistance were evaluated. Changes in protein reserves and in the pectic profile of the cell walls of the micropylar endosperm were investigated using cytochemical techniques. Dormancy is determined by the inability of the embryo to displace the operculum, whose resistance decreases with imbibition, but is not influenced by GA3 or endo-β-mannanase activity. Embryo growth prior to the conclusion of germination is directly related to the displacement of the operculum and is stimulated by GA3 in seeds of A. aculeata and A. vitrivir. Initially, the displacement of the operculum occurs with the separation of cells in the region of weakness of the micropylar endosperm after mobilization of protein reserves. The cell walls in the region of weakness are rich in pectic compounds, the composition of which varies over time. Although the mechanical effect of embryo growth is a determinant in the completion of germination, the remodeling of the pectic profile of the middle lamella and cell walls in the micropylar endosperm can be considered important in its control in palm seed.

Water snails developed a distinct appendage, the operculum, to better protect the body against predators. When the animal is active and crawling, part of the underside of the shell rests on the outer surface of the operculum. We observed the water snails (Pomacea canaliculata) spend ~3 hours per day foraging, and the relative angular velocity between the shell and operculum can reach up to 10 °·s−1, which might inevitably lead to abrasion on the shell and operculum interface. However, by electron microscopy images, we found that the underside of the shell and outer surface of the operculum is not severely worn, which indicates that this animal might have a strategy to reduce wear. We discovered the superimposed rings distributed concentrically on the surface, which can generate micro-grooves for a hydrodynamic lubrication. We theoretically and experimentally revealed the mechanism of drag reduction combing the groove geometry and hydrodynamics. This textured operculum surface might provide a friction coefficient up to 0.012 as a stability-resilience, which protects the structure of the snail’s shell and operculum. This mechanism might open up new paths for studies of micro-anti-wear structures used in liquid media.

Gingival augmentation technique is used to increase the thickness of attached gingiva and arresting the progress of recession. Autogenous epithelialised free gingival graft obtained from palate is a well-established periodontal plastic procedure for root coverage and increasing the width of attached gingiva. This case report shows augmentation of attached gingiva from operculum of erupting third molar as an alternative donor site in marginal tissue recession not extending beyond the mucogingival junction with soft and hard tissue loss interdentally of 31 and 41 in a 20-year-old female.

Pollen grains of 11 taxa of Teucrium from Libya were examined using lightmicroscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to provide better insight on the evaluation of palynological attributes for species characterization of Teucrium with special emphasis on the five Libyan endemic. Two main pollen shapes were documented; subprolate and prolate or perprolate in T. fruticans. The exine sculpture inspected at surface, operculum and pole were mostly verrucate, perforate or scabrate. Teucrium fruticans attained the phenomenon of pollen dimorphism with two distinct shapes and specifics sculpture for each form. The results validated thetaxonomic significance of pollen grains for the discrimination among Teucrium species in Libya.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 24(2): 219–226.

Little information is currently available concerning the mechanisms controlling palm seed germination. We compared the anatomical and physiological aspects of seeds of two neotropical palm species showing different levels of dormancy. The seeds of Attalea vitrivir and Butia capitata were evaluated for the endogenous contents of hormones (ABA, GAs, CKs, BRs, IAA, JA, SA and the ethylene precursor ACC) in their cotyledonary petiole and operculum (structures involved in germination control), the force necessary to displace the operculum, endo-β-mannanase activities, and embryo cell elongation. The analyses were carried out on with intact dry and imbibed seeds as well as with seeds with the operculum mechanically removed, 2, 5 and 10 days after sowing. The germinabilities of the intact seeds of A. vitrivir and B. capitata were 68% and 3%, respectively; the removal of the operculum increased germination to more than 90% in both species. Reductions of ABA and increases in GAs contents coincided with cell elongation, although there is no evidence that hormonal balance and endo-β-mannanase activity are involved in operculum weakening. The ratio between the embryo length and the force required for operculum displacement (EL/OF) was found to be 1.9 times greater in A. vitrivir than in B. capitata, which means that very small elongations in each cell would be sufficient to promote germination, resulting in a lower level of dormancy in the former species. EL/OF and cell growth control are therefore important for defining dormancy level in palm seeds.

A new solifuge species of Gylippinae Roewer 1933, Gylippus (Paragylippus) hakkaricus sp. n., is described and illustrated on the basis of both sexes from Hakkari Province, Southeast Turkey. The flagellum, flagellar setal complex, pedipalp in male and genital operculum in female are discussed and compared with related Gylippus (Paragylippus) species.

Using light and scanning electron microscopy, we studied the pollen morphology of six species (one of which are endemic) of Chinese Pseudostellaria. All species were studied for the first time. Results of this study indicated that pollen grains of Pseudostellaria are spheroidal or spheroidal-polyhedral in shape and small or medium in size and pantoporate. Each pollen grain has 12-16 round pores. These pores are apart from each other by 5.77-7.73 μm and each has 7-13 granules in the operculum region. These features have important taxonomic significance. In addition, their pollen grains have thin exine with microechinate-punctate-perforate surface ornamentation. Pollen features do not support the traditional infrageneric classification of Pseudostellaria into two sections, but support that Pseudostellaria is closely related to other species of the Odontostemma clade.

This work describes the detailed ultrastructural morphology of the phagocyte imprisoning an oyster of Nematopsis (Apicomplexa) found in Crassostrea rhizophorae, in the city of Maceió (AL), Brazil. The highly infected hosts had half-open leaflets with weak, slow retraction of the adductor muscles. Variable number of ellipsoid oocytes, either isolated and or clustered, was found between myofibrils of the adductor muscle. Each oocyst was incarcerated in a parasitophorous vacuole of host uninucleated phagocyte. The oocysts were composed of a dense wall containing a uninucleate vermiform sporozoite. The wall of the fine oocysts was composed of homogeneous electron-lucent material formed by three layers of equal thickness, having a circular orifice-micropyle obstructed by the operculum. The oocysts presented ellipsoid morphology with their wall was surrounded by a complex network of numerous microfibrils. Important details of the taxonomic value were visualized such as the ultrastructural organization of the oocyst wall and the organization of the micropyle and operculum, beyond the microfibrils that protrude from the oocyst wall only observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and that may aid in the identification of the species. However, in order to clarify the systematic position of the species reported of the genus Nematopsis, it is important to proceed with genetic analyses. Resumo Este trabalho descreve a morfologia ultraestrutural detalhada do fagócito encarcerando um oocisto de Nematopsis (Apicomplexa) encontrado em Crassostrea rhizophorae, na cidade de Maceió (AL), Brasil. Os hospedeiros muito infectados apresentavam valvas entreabertas com retração fraca e lenta dos músculos abdutores. Número variável de oócitos de forma elipsoide, isolados e ou agrupados foi encontrado entre as miofibrilas do músculo abdutor. Cada oocisto estava encarcerado num vacúolo parasitóforo do fagócito uninucleado do hospedeiro. Os oocistos eram compostos por uma parede densa contendo um esporozoíto vermiforme uninucleado. A parede dos oocistos finos era composta de material electron-lucente homogêneo formado por três camadas de espessura igual, possuindo um orifício circular - micrópila, obstruída pelo opérculo. Os oocistos apresentavam morfologia elipsoide, sua parede era circundada por uma complexa rede de numerosas microfibrilas. Detalhes de valor taxonômico importantes foram visualizados tais como: a organização ultraestrutural da parede do oocisto e a organização da micrópila e do opérculo, além das microfibrilas que se projetam da parede do oocisto, estrutura apenas observada em microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e que pode auxiliar na identificação da espécie. Contudo, para esclarecer a posição sistemática da maioria das espécies relatadas do gênero Nematopsis é importante prosseguir com as análises genéticas.

The Jurassic to Neogene (Miocene) dinoflagellate cyst genus Sentusidinium has a relatively simple overall morphology. This genus, together with Batiacasphaera, Kallosphaeridium and Pentafidia, comprises the Sentusidinium complex. This is distinct from the superficially similar laterally asymmetrical and subspheroidal/lenticular Cyclonephelium complex. The genus Sentusidinium is an acavate, subcircular, proximate to proximochorate, sexiform gonyaulacacean genus with an apical archaeopyle and typically low relief ornamentation. Since the erection of Sentusidinium in 1978, three similar genera have been established, which we consider to be taxonomic junior synonyms of that genus: Barbatacysta, Escharisphaeridia and Pilosidinium. However, we deem the Early Cretaceous to Miocene genera Batiacasphaera, Kallosphaeridium and Pentafidia are deemed to be separate from Sentusidinium. We refine the definition of the Early Cretaceous to Miocene genus Batiacasphaera to circumscribe cysts with a reticulate to rugulate autophragm and an apical archaeopyle with a free operculum. By contrast, Kallosphaeridium has a ventrally attached apical archaeopyle with five plates that can be interpreted as type (4A1I)@ or type (5A)@; it also has a small operculum relative to the overall cyst diameter. The six accepted Kallosphaeridium species are confined to the Palaeogene. The Australian genus Pentafidia is unusual in appearing to only have five precingular plates; this comprises two species from the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition of Western Australia. Therefore, we emend Sentusidinium to restrict it to acavate, proximate or proximochorate dinoflagellate cysts with an autophragm devoid of, or covered with, highly variable, non-linear ornamentation and a type (tA) apical archaeopyle. Occasionally the elements of ornamentation may be connected, but rarely is a cingulum indicated, and the tabulation is never clearly evident. A kalyptra may be occasionally present. The operculum is free. Following a comprehensive literature review, we accept 17 species in Batiacasphaera. In Kallosphaeridium we accept six species confidently and consider six species to be problematical. We list 38 (34 accepted and four problematical) species of Sentusidinium. Kallosphaeridium? helbyi is here transferred to Cyclonephelium without question. The species Batiacasphaera angularis is occasionally tabulate and hence we transfer it, with question, to Meiourgonyaulax. The Sentusidinium complex is clearly polyphyletic, and all genera considered herein belong to the order Gonyaulacales. Batiacasphaera, Kallosphaeridium and Pentafidia cannot be confidently assigned to a family, whereas Sentusidinium belongs to the Gonyaulacaceae. The number of species within the complex has been reduced from 137 to 68; furthermore, all infraspecific taxa have been eliminated.

Sarraceniais a genus of carnivorous plants characterised by leaves modified into pitchers which lure, trap and digest insects. The aim of this study was to analyse the photochemical efficiency and contents of photosynthetic pigments and phenolic compounds in different pitcher parts – operculum, wing, pitchertube upper part and pitcher-tube lower part of three morphologically differentSarraceniahybrids. The photochemical efficiency of the operculum and the pitcher-tube upper part was lower than that of the pitcher-tube lower part and wing, especially in hybrid B. In all hybrids, the wing had higher amount of chlorophyllathan other pitcher parts. In contrast, a higher amount of phenolic compounds, in particular anthocyanins, was measured in the operculum and the pitcher-tube upper part, parts which are red-coloured and participate in luring and trapping insects. Although there were some differences among the hybrids, the results show that amount of phenolic compounds and photosynthetic pigments as well as photochemical efficiency are related to the function of the pitcher part analysed.

Interspecies, inter-tissue and interspatial dissimilarities of trace metals in particular body parts of Saccostrea cucullata, Thais clavigera and Nerita chameleon from the east coast Johor of Peninsular Malaysia were investigated. Bivalve mollusc S. cucullata evidenced to be a worthy bioindicator for Zn and Cu while the two gastropod molluscs, T. clavigera for Cd and Se, and N. chameleon for Pb, Mn, Fe and Sr. The prominent concentration of metals originate in T. clavigera may be the outcome of biomagnification transfer from the S. cucullata on which they feed while for N. chameleon, it might be resulting from their herbivorous feeding behavior on algae on rocks which they graze. The metal accumulation patterns indicate consistent enrichment of essential metals in soft tissue. Values of operculum to tissue ratio and shell to tissue higher than unity in T. clavigera indicate that operculum had higher affinities for Pb, Mn and Se while shell had higher affinities for Fe, Co and Sr. In N. chameleon, values of OTR and STR higher than unity displayed that operculum and shell had similar higher affinities for Cd, Fe, Co and Sr. Significant interspatial variations (p

Theobaldius(?) tristis is the land operculate snail earlier localized from South Kanara and Tinnevelly i.e. central and Southern Western Ghats according to the previous scientific literature. Occurrence of the T. tristis is reported first time from Kolhapur District, southern Maharashtra and thus includes the distribution into the northern Western Ghats. The observations of the present study are discussed in the lite of distribution of snail in this region, shell and operculum characters of T. tristis.

This study aimed to analyze the effect of tannery wastewater exposure of Padang Panjang, Indonesia, on the level of oxygen consumption (OC) and the operculum movement of the Mahseer fish (Tor tambra CV). Mahseer is an endemic fish in the BatangAnai River in West Sumatra Province. The study is started by determining the acute toxicity value of LC50-96h using a static method within 96 hours of observation. Based on the results of the Probit Method, the LC50-96h amount of mahseer was 15.41%. Furthermore, variations in the wastewater concentration were 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of the LC50-96h value. Observations were carried out for 30 days in triplicate. Based on OC value, the concentration of 10%, 20% and 30% has decreased by 0.13 mg O2/g.hours; 0.18 mg O2/g.hours, and 0.27 mg O2/g.hours consecutively otherwise in control, treatment increased by 0.05 mg O2/g. While the operculum movement, the concentration of 10%, 20%, and 30% have increased by 90 times/minute, 108 times/minute, and 116 times/minute, respectively. In control, treatment has risen by 44 times/minute. OC’s correlation value and mahseer’s operculum movement ranged from 0.94 to 0.97, which means the correlation was reliable. The significance value obtained p

Age was estimated for the Pacific flatnose Antimora microlepis using the operculum, vertebrae, otoliths, scales and pectoral finrays. Otoliths and vertebrae were the only structures that produced recognizable marks considered to be annuli. Annuli counts from these two structures were similar producing ages ranging from 5 to 35 years. These two hard structures may be useful to estimate the age of other deep-sea fishes.

The soft tissue covering the partially erupted tooth named as operculum and when this tissue become inflamed called as operculitis. Inflammation of partially erupted wisdom tooth, beneath the operculum commonly referred as pericoronitis. Acute pericoronitis presents with unbearable severe pain, fever and most of the time extraction of wisdom tooth is the only treatment for the patient. The incidences of pericoronitis are increasing year by year. The pathogenic bacterial strains causing pericoronitis are mainly anaerobic and belong to various species. The present case of pericoronitis was found in 34-year-old female Indian and major bacterial pathogen found was Streptococcus mutans. This pathogen was found susceptible against broad spectrum antibiotics and eradicated by empirical antibiotic treatment.

Multicellular keratinous tubercles in the form of breeding tubercles (BTs) under a perplex variety of other terms have long been known in the Ichthyology write-ups. These tubercles in fish are most often found on the head, rostral cap or snout, around the eyes, operculum, on the rays of the pectoral fins, pelvic fins, and even they are arranged in fine patterns on scales usually be confused with unicellular and multicellular non-BTs as there is no much variation in the appearance of BTs and non-BTs morphology. Variety of non-BTs have different purposes like minute tubercles may even used for observations of larval development in some fish and most commonly the tubercles which are non-breeding help to understand the functional significance in relation to mechanical protection, friction and adhesion.

Premise of research. Family relationships in the monocot order Liliales have been revised recently, so that the order now consists of 10 families of geophytes and climbers, with unusually diverse pollen morphology. Corsiaceae are sometimes placed as sister to all other Liliales, probably allied with Campynemataceae. Relationships of the wild card family Petermanniaceae are unresolved. The remaining seven families are arranged in three clades.Methodology. We use SEM and TEM to describe the pollen of representatives of all 10 families of Liliales in order to investigate pollen character evolution.Pivotal results. Liliales pollen is unusually diverse in size (10–

Circumscription of Scouleria species in Russia is revised basing on the molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphological study. Scouleria rschewinii is found to have mainly western distribution in the lower course of Yenissey River in Krasnoyarsk Territory, Vilyui River and upper course of Lena River in Yakutia, and Vitim River in Irkutsk Province, but with few disjunct localities in Kolyma and Omoloj Rivers in NE Yakutia and Anadyr River in Chukotka. Scouleria pulcherrima is more frequent and occurs from Taimyr to Chukotka and from Baikal Lake area to the Amur River region. The traditionally used characters for differentiation of taxa are overlapping, while DNA sequence data (nuclear ITS and chloroplastic rpl32-trnL) and additional morphological characters (cell wall shining in polarized light, degree of peristome reduction, pattern of columella adjoing to operculum) appear to be fairly stable.

Fil: Abreliano, Fernanda Natalia. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Fil: Zaracho, Víctor Hugo. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Fil: Sandoval, María Teresa. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Although the external larval morphology of many species of Microhylidae has been characterized, ontogenetic studies in the family are scarce and partial. In the present study, we describe the development of the oral funnel, external gills, external nares, operculum, spiracle, and adhesive organs of Elachistocleis bicolor with the aim to contribute to future ontogenetic, evolutionary, and phylogenetic studies. The development of E. bicolor is similar to that of other species with free-swimming tadpoles as Microhyla ornata, Dermatonotus muelleri and Uperodon globulosus. The ontogeny of the oral apparatus shows only the early stages of the pattern most common in anurans. After the invagination of the stomodeum, the anterior and posterior labia are defined, but the keratinized structures are not formed. The conical adhesive glands are similar to those of Physalaemus and Dendropsophus tadpoles, but in E. bicolor, these develop in contact with the posterior labium. The external nares remain closed during most of the larval phase. During ontogeny, the external gills are simultaneously covered by a transverse operculum fold, which later advances towards the posteromedial ventral region, forming the spiracle, while in Type IV larvae the operculum folds close from right to left, covering the right gill first. The distinct larval characters of Microhylidae appear between the last embryonic stages and the first larval stages. Therefore, the consideration of these stages can be of great value in future studies of anuran development in phylogenetic and evolutionary contexts. Ontogenetic studies in microhylid tadpoles are fundamental to identify heterochronic processes, to interpret the variability of larval structures, and to establish or reinforce hypotheses about the origin of larval structures.

Summary A new nematode species, Philometroides khalili n. sp. (Philometridae), is described from female specimens recovered from the operculum of the freshwater cyprinid fish Labeo rosae Steindachner (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes) caught in the Bubi River, Zimbabwe. Based on light and scanning electron microscopical examination, the new species mainly differs from the only other African congeneric species P. africanus Moravec et Van As, 2001 in the body shape (filiform), length of gravid female (56 - 71 mm), in possessing a large oesophageal gland with a conspicuously large cell nucleus and in the shape (transversely oval), size (up to 33 - 36 μm high) and distribution of cuticular bosses. From other congeners it differs by a combination of morphological and biometrical features

The development of the ovule, fruit and seed of Xyris spp. was studied to assess the embryological characteristics of potential taxonomic usefulness. All of the studied species have (1) orthotropous, bitegmic and tenuinucellate ovules, with a micropyle formed by both the endostoma and exostoma; (2) a cuticle in the ovules and seeds between the nucellus/endosperm and the inner integument and between the inner and outer integuments; (3) helobial, starchy endosperm; (4) a reduced, campanulate and undifferentiated embryo; (5) a seed coat formed by a tanniferous endotegmen, endotesta with thick-walled cells and exotesta with thin-walled cells; and (6) a micropylar operculum formed from inner and outer integuments. The pericarp is composed of a mesocarp with cells containing starch grains and an endocarp and exocarp formed by cells with U-shaped thickened walls. The studied species differ in the embryo sac development, which can be of the Polygonum or Allium type, and in the pericarp, which can have larger cells in either endocarp or exocarp. The Allium-type embryo sac development was observed only in Xyris spp. within Xyridaceae. Xyris also differs from the other genera of Xyridaceae by the presence of orthotropous ovules and a seed coat formed by endotegmen, endotesta and exotesta, in agreement with the division of the family into Xyridoideae and Abolbodoideae. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 177, 619–628.

— The distribution and systematic position of Kindbergia Ochyra in China is reevaluated. The phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear marker (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and chloroplastic markers (rpl16, trnG, and trnL-F) show that the alleged species of “Kindbergia” in China and Himalayas form a maximally supported clade (1.00 PP and 100 MPBS), which is closely related to the clade of Brachythecium Schimp., Eurhynchiadelphus Ignatov et Huttunen, and Myuroclada Besch., whereas the other Kindbergia specimens from Africa, America, Europe, Japan and the Southern Hemisphere form a monophyletic group, which is sister to Scleropodium Schimp. The specimens of Chinese species of “Kindbergia” are found, both molecularly and morphologically, to be identical with the Himalayan K. dumosa (Mitt.) Ignatov et Huttunen, and differ from Kindbergia specimens from other regions in the world in the shape of proximal branch leaves, operculum shape and capsule orientation. A new monotypic genus Pseudokindbergia M. Li, Y.F. Wang, Ig...

Several stages of a haplosporidan parasite, including spores, were detected infecting three out of four specimens of the Pen Shell Pinna nobilis from the coast of Alicante (Western Mediterranean). A mortality event initiated few weeks before the sampling. The infection was systemic in the connective tissue, with free uni-nucleate stages and early plasmodia, whereas sporulation process took place in the digestive tubules disrupting them. Morphological details, by light and transmission electron microscopy, and PCR amplification confirmed that the parasite belongs to the haplosporidan group. Spores were pleomorphic, usually elongated ovoid, with round to elongated haplosporosomes-like in the sporoplasma. The operculum was situated in the apical zone of the wall, with an external lid, and the nucleus tended to be eccentric in the basal zone. Spore ornamentation was not observed. The single uninfected specimen appeared to be healthy. This is the first report of a haplosporidan parasite infecting a member of the Superfamily Pinnoidea and this is the first histopathological study of a mortality event in the endangered and protected P. nobilis.

Intraluminal gestation, as it occurs in viviparous goodeids, allows a wide diversity of embryo-maternal metabolic exchanges. The branchial placenta occurs in embryos developing in intraluminal gestation when ovarian folds enter through the operculum, into the branchial chamber. The maternal ovarian folds may extend to the embryonic pharyngeal cavity. A branchial placenta has been observed in few viviparous teleosts, and there are not previous histological analyses. This study analysis the histological structure in the goodeid Ilyodon whitei. The moterno ovarian folds extend through the embryonic operculum and reach near the gills, occupying part of the branchial chamber. These folds extend also into the pharyngeal cavity. In some regions, the epithelia of the ovarian folds and embryo were in apposition, developing a placental structure in which, maternal and embryonic capillaries lie in close proximity. The maternal epithelium has desquamated cells which may enter through the branchial chamber to the pharyngeal cavity and the alimentary tract. The complex processes that occur in the ovaries of viviparous teleosts, and its diverse adaptations for viviparity, as the presence of branchial placenta, are relevant in the study of the evolution of vertebrate viviparity. J. Morphol. 275:1406–1417, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Significant amounts of opercular bones from Cyprinus carpio, used to manufacture circular pearls for adornments, were found from the Romanian Eneolithic, associated with the Gumelnita culture. The origins of this raw material are local: the carp was an important food resource for the communities located close to the River Danube. An experimental program was undertaken to obtain replicas of pearls of C. carpio, to compare with the archaeological pieces, in order to identify an a chain of manufacture resulting in the finished pieces. The study of the adornments represents an inexhaustible source of reflection because, through them we can identify aspects of the human groups' symbolical behaviour, and socio-economical aspects of these communities' evolution. In this case they suggest that the aquatic world, with its resources, had an important position in the spiritual life of these communities.

Regeneration of lost or damaged appendages is a widespread and ecologically important ability in the animal kingdom, and also of great significance to developing regenerative medicine. The operculum of serpulid polychaetes is one among the many diverse appendages found in the lophotrochozoan superphylum, a clade hitherto understudied with respect to the mechanisms of appendage regeneration. In this study, we establish the normal time course of opercular regeneration in the serpulid Pomatoceros lamarckii and describe cell proliferation patterns in the regenerating opercular filament. The P. lamarckii operculum regenerates through a rapid and consistent series of morphogenetic events. Based on 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling and anti-phosphohistone H3 immunohistochemistry, opercular regeneration appears to be a mixture of an early morphallactic stage, and a later phase characterized by widespread proliferative activity within the opercular filament. Tracking residual pigmentation suggests that the distal part of the stump gives rise to the most distal structures of the operculum via morphallactic remodeling, whereas more proximal structures are derived from the proximal stump. Our work underscores the diversity of regenerative strategies employed by animals and introduces P. lamarckii as an emerging model of appendage regeneration. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 322B: 257–268, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A new species of Haplosporidium Caullery & Mesnil, 1899 parasitising the pulmonate gastropod Siphonaria lessonii Blainville in Patagonia, Argentina, is described based on morphological (scanning and transmission electron microscopy) and sequence (small subunit ribosomal RNA gene) data. Different stages of sporulation were observed as infections disseminated in the digestive gland. Haplosporidium patagon n. sp. is characterised by oval orslightly subquadrate spores with an operculum that is ornamented with numerous short digitiform projections of regular height, perpendicular to and covering its outer surface. The operculum diameter is slightly larger than the apical diameter of the spore. Neither the immature nor mature spores showed any kind of projections of the exosporoplasm or of the spore wall. Regarding phylogenetic affinities, the new species was recovered as sister to an undescribed species of Haplosporidium Caullery & Mesnil, 1899 from the polychaete family Syllidae Grube from Japanese waters. The morphological characters (ornamentation of the operculum, spore wall structure, shape and size of spores, and the lack of spore wall projections) corroborate it as an as yet undescribed species of Haplosporidium and the first for the phylum in marine gastropods of South America. Siphonaria lessonii is the only known host to date. Fil: Ituarte, Cristian Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina Fil: Bagnato, Estefanía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Siddall, Mark. American Museum Of Natural History; Estados Unidos Fil: Cremonte, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina

The morphological features of pollen grains collected from the broad-leaved and cylindrical-leaved Portulaca species of the Hawaiian Islands were investigated. The variation in size and surface pattern were examined using scanning electron microscopy and statistical analysis. Pollens of the Portulaca were apolar grains of monads exhibiting apertures, colpi, and relatively thin echini. Of particular interest was the differing size of pollen grains among the species studied. Pollens of the broad-leaved Portulaca were considerable in size with a length of about , while the cylindrical-leaved Portulaca tended to have smaller pollen grains ranging from 50~65 in diameter. The smallest pollens were found in cultivar 2 having an average of . The pollen was intectate, and the exine surface appeared granulous, having sculptured elements of spinules and puncta. Two types of puncta were discerned; one forming an operculum, and the other, a simple perforation. Numerous spinules and small puncta were found throughout the cylindrical-leaved Portulaca. In the present study, morphological features of pollen grains from ten Hawaiian Portulaca species, including endemic and unknown taxa, revealed the aforementioned pattern of variation. This paper aim to provide morphological information that could be of phylogenetic value within the Hawaiian Portulaca.

The evolution of the apertural type in the ANITA-grade family Nymphaeaceae, despite the importance of pollen characters for both palaeobotanical and neobotanical investigations, has not been yet totally understood. To elucidate some unclear aspects regarding the homologies of the apertural condition in basal and core Nymphaeaceae, we examined the pollen grains from five species of this family. We offer for the first time some evidence about the presence of a proper operculum in the pollen grain of Nuphar and for the ring-like status of the aperture of Nymphaea caerulea and Victoria cruziana. Our findings clarify and reinforce the hypothesis of an opercular origin of the distal part of the pollen grain in the core Nymphaeaceae and support the paraphyly of the genus Nymphaea as emerged from recent molecular studies. The diversity and specialisation of this 'basal' family is underlined even by its pollen characters. © 2013 Copyright Collegium Palynologicum Scandinavicum.