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New species of Tygarrup centipedes from Xizang, China (Geophilomorpha, Mecistocephalidae)
No full textPrior to this study, the genus Tygarrup Chamberlin, 1914, is known to contain only two species in Xizang, China. New records derived from multiple collections allow for the distribution ranges of six species to be refined: Tygarrup tridentatus Jiang & Huang, sp. nov., Tygarrup cerrus Jiang & Huang, sp. nov., Tygarrup multiporus Jiang & Huang, sp. nov., and Tygarrup fimbriatus Jiang & Huang, sp. nov. are described as new. Tygarrup muminabadicus Titova, 1965, was first reported in the fauna of Xizang. Tygarrup poriger (Verhoeff, 1942) is rediscovered and redescribed, and Tygarrup nepalensis Shinohara, 1965 is synonymized with T. poriger. Remarks are provided for all encountered species, and a key to all Tygarrup species in China is presented
Effect of pyrrole and xanthine derivatives on the contractility of A. basilaris
No full textOxidative stress plays a key role in the progression of neurodegenerative processes. Based on the etymology of these diseases, another common factor is impaired blood supply, which leads to cerebral ischemia. In the current study, the effects of pyrrole and xanthine derivatives on the contractility of the rat cerebellum A. basilaris were evaluated. To aim this purpose, the A. basilaris was isolated from 10 white rats, and the contractility was elucidated through wire myography. The obtained results demonstrated a good vasodilating dose-dependent effect of compound ethyl 5-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(3-hydrazinyl-3-oxopropyl)-2-methyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylate (12), lowering arterial contractility, while the caffeine derivatives N-(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl)-2-(1,3,7-trimethyl-2,6-dioxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-purin-8-yl-sulfanyl)-acetamide (JTA3) and N-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)-2-(1,3,7-trimethyl-2,6-dioxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-purin-8-ylsulfanyl)-acetamide (JTA5) increases vascular tone, with JTA5 having a transient effect
Atlantic oceanic islands and archipelagos: Physical structures, plant diversity, and affinities of the bryofloras
No full textWe investigated the species richness, endemism, and similarities of the bryofloras on ten islands and archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean. We address the following questions: 1) How many bryophyte taxa are there on each island and archipelago? 2) Do mosses and liverworts share similar patterns of diversity? 3) What are their taxonomic distribution patterns? 4) How many endemic taxa are found on the islands? 5) Is there a high degree of similarity amost these bryofloras? We encountered 1,498 taxa, 408 genera, and 204 families, with the seven families representing 35% of all species. Over 14% of the bryophytes are African elements, 8% have global distributions, ca. 3% are Macaronesia elements, 13% are endemic, and 62% with other distributions. We present a checklist of 1,498 bryophyte taxa, of which 201 are endemic (13%). Bryophyte richness and diversity differ significantly amongst the ten islands and archipelagos, and their low similarities illustrate their high degrees of heterogeneity
The genus Plagiothecium (Plagiotheciaceae) in Europe — current state of knowledge, checklist and key to taxa
No full textThis manuscript presents current knowledge of the taxonomy, variability and distribution of taxa of the genus Plagiothecium in Europe. Currently the genus comprises 31 taxa: 17 species and 14 varieties. In this study I designated 10 lectotypes and proposes six new synonyms for the described taxa, in addition five new nomenclatural combinations: P. denticulatum var. pseudosylvaticum, P. denticulatum var. pungens, P. laetum var. hercinicum, P. succulentum var. cryptarum, and P. sylvaticum var. immersum. Detailed descriptions and distribution data for each taxon, illustrations highlighting key taxonomic features and a diagnostic key are also provided to facilitate the identification of individual taxa
Annotated checklist of arthropod-pathogenic species in the Entomophthoromycotina (Fungi, Zoopagomycota) in North America
No full textThe subphylum Entomophthoromycotina (Phylum Zoopagomycota) includes many arthropod pathogens, some of which are renowned for their abilities to alter host behavior prior to death and cause epizootics that impact host populations. The last checklist of arthropod-pathogenic species in this group was published in 1963 and consisted of 39 species in a single genus. Since then, more species have been named, and their taxonomy has changed extensively. We have constructed an updated checklist for species of Entomophthoromycotina in North America; this checklist includes species in the continental United States, Canada, and Mexico. Data were compiled based on available published literature and metadata available from the ARSEF culture collection, adjusting names based on current taxonomy. In North America, the arthropod-pathogenic Entomophthoromycotina now include 80 species belonging to 14 genera, within two classes, plus one species in a form genus. This checklist provides a current framework for future studies of the biodiversity of this group of fungi
A new species of the genus Ovophis Burger in Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981 (Serpentes, Viperidae) from southern Yunnan, China
No full textA new species of Ovophis is described from Yuanyang Guanyinshan Provincial Nature Reserve in southern Yunnan Province, China. The new species can be distinguished from congeneric species by the following combination of characters: ratio of tail length to total length 0.191–0.206, internasals separated by one or two scales, dorsal scales in 22-21-17 rows, ventrals 146–148, subcaudals 57–64, most subcaudals paired and a few unpaired, third supralabial larger than fourth, white spots on dorsal tail continuous. This study further reveals that the species diversity of Ovophis has been seriously underestimated, and there is still a lot of work to be done on the taxonomy of this genus
Plant biogeography of rock outcrops in South American tropical lowlands
No full textStudies of rock outcrops in tropical South America have increased in recent years, but they have often been restricted to individual countries, single biomes or single disciplines (e.g. through a floristic, functional or genetic lens), limiting their generality. We review the current state of knowledge on the geological and floristic diversity of rock outcrops in tropical South America to identify knowledge gaps and generate testable hypotheses for future research into the biogeography and evolution of their plant communities. We find that the diversity of lowland rock outcrop vegetation is disparately documented and we know less about the evolutionary and biogeographic history of these island-like systems. Based on geological and edaphic factors, we classify South American rock outcrops into four main groups: granite/gneiss, quartzite/metamorphosed sandstone, limestone and ironstone. We hypothesise that these lithologies influence the floristic and evolutionary lineage composition of outcrop floras. However, elevation also plays a role through creating microclimatic conditions and by influencing the degree of insularity from the surrounding vegetation. Our literature review suggests that these lithologies support different floras, but confirming this requires further floristic surveys across the full geological diversity of outcrops. We suggest a research framework to: (i) improve knowledge of outcrop floras and how they relate to floras of surrounding biomes; (ii) investigate the relative roles of niche conservatism and evolution using floristic and phylogenetic approaches; and (iii) assess how outcrop species cope with living in naturally fragmented habitats through analysis of recruitment and gene flow using population genetics. Understanding the biogeography of rock outcrop floras can help provide information for conservation planning and decisions. Highlights Rock outcrops are in urgent need of study because they possess a distinctive and highly specialised flora that is threatened by climate and land-use changes. There is a need to increase the number of studies in some Latin American countries (e.g. Bolivia, Paraguay, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname) and lithologies (e.g. limestone). We suggest that the major determinant of floristic composition on rock outcrops is lithology and outline how this can be tested using community-level floristic data. Inferring the phylogenetic relationships of the species endemic to rock outcrops and establishing the environments where their closest relatives occur will be a powerful approach to address questions of niche evolution and niche conservatism in the historical assembly of outcrop floras. Population genetic approaches focusing on plant species that occur both in outcrop habitats and the surrounding vegetation will elucidate their connectivity and, therefore, how insular and vulnerable these environments are
Three new species of Dicephalospora (Leotiomycetes, Helotiales) from Northern Thailand and Southwestern China
No full textDicephalospora is a discomycetous genus belonging to the family Helotiaceae (Helotiales). The genus currently comprises 19 species. Among them, 17 species have been reported from Asia, of which 14 were reported from China. During a survey of Leotiomycetes, we collected six specimens of Dicephalospora species from southwest China and northern Thailand. The samples were examined based on the phylogenetic analyses of LSU and ITS sequence data, along with morphological characterization, and our results demarcate three new Dicephalospora species, viz., D. tengyueica, D. maetaengica and D. menghaica. Dicephalospora tengyueica sp. nov. formed a distinct clade closely related to D. rufocornea, D. irregularis and D. sagerae, whereas D. maetaengica sp. nov. clustered closer to D. menghaica sp. nov. with 100% ML and 1.00 BIPP statistical support. All three species have similar apothecia sizes but differ in their coloration. Dicephalospora tengyueica has aseptate ascospores, while D. menghaica and D. maetaengica have 7-septate ascospores. The paraphyses in D. menghaica are branched, while they are unbranched in the other two species. An updated key to the known species of Dicephalospora is also provided
On Cytheridella whitmani sp. nov. (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, USA), with a reappraisal of the taxonomy of the genus
No full textCytheridella whitmani Martens, sp. nov. is described from lakes on Cape Cod (MA, USA). The species differs from its congeners mainly by the shape of the female carapace and by the morphology of the hemipenis, especially of the distal lobe and the copulatory process. The literature on the genus is reviewed and the synonymy of the fossil Cytheridella boldii Purper, 1974 with the type species C. ilosvayi Daday, 1905, both described from South America, is confirmed. The status of Cytheridella americana (Furtos, 1936) is reverted to that of “uncertain species”. Beside the type species and the new species, the genus currently includes only three further species from Africa: C. monodi Klie, 1936, C. damasi Klie, 1944 (with synonym C. chariessa Rome, 1977), and C. tepida Victor, 1987. The morphology of the new species is discussed in comparison with the congeneric species, especially regarding the valve ornamentation, the structure and function of the third thoracopod, the hemipenis and the caudal ramus. It is suggested that C. whitmani is a recent invasive species in the lakes of the Cape Cod peninsula. Its occurrence at northern latitudes is unexpected, as its congeneric species are consistently (sub-) tropical
First confirmed record of Catharus ustulatus (Nuttall, 1840), Swainson’s Thrush (Passeriformes, Turdidae), in Paraguay
No full textCatharus ustulatus (Nuttall, 1840) (Swainson’s Thrush), a long-distance migratory songbird, spends its nonbreeding period primarily in northwestern South America and has been listed hypothetically in Paraguay. Here, we provide the first confirmed record of the species in Paraguay, documented by photographs. This find extends the known range of C. ustulatus into the Dry Chaco ecoregion, with potential implications for understanding this species’ nonbreeding distribution and habitat use