4,108 research outputs found
Upregulation of Id1 by Epstein-Barr Virus-encoded LMP1 confers resistance to TGFβ-mediated growth inhibition
No full textBackground
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded LMP1 protein is commonly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). LMP1 is a prime candidate for driving tumourigenesis given its ability to activate multiple signalling pathways and to alter the expression and activity of variety of downstream targets. Resistance to TGFβ-mediated cytostasis is one of the growth transforming effects of LMP1. Of the downstream targets manipulated by LMP1, the induction of Id1 and inactivation of Foxo3a appear particularly relevant to LMP1-mediated effects. Id1, a HLH protein is implicated in cell transformation and plays a role in cell proliferation, whilst Foxo3a, a transcription factor controls cell integrity and homeostasis by regulating apoptosis. The mechanism(s) by which LMP1 induces these effects have not been fully characterised.
Results
In this study, we demonstrate that the ability of LMP1 to induce the phosphorylation and inactivation of Foxo3a is linked to the upregulation of Id1. Furthermore, we show that the induction of Id1 is essential for the transforming function of LMP1 as over-expression of Id1 increases cell proliferation, attenuates TGFβ-SMAD-mediated transcription and renders cells refractory to TGFβ-mediated cytostasis. Id1 silencing in LMP1-expressing epithelial cells abolishes the inhibitory effect of LMP1 on TGFβ-mediated cell growth arrest and reduces the ability of LMP1 to attenuate SMAD transcriptional activity. In response to TGFβ stimulation, LMP1 does not abolish SMAD phosphorylation but inhibits p21 protein expression. In addition, we found the induction of Id1 in LMP1-expressing cells upon stimulation by TGFβ. We provide evidence that LMP1 suppresses the transcriptional repressor ATF3, possibly leading to the TGFβ-induced Id1 upregulation.
Conclusion
The current data provide novel information regarding the mechanisms by which LMP1 suppresses TGFβ-induced cytostasis, highlighting the importance of Id1 in LMP1 mediated cell transformation
Beavers and flood alleviation: Human perspectives from downstream communities
No full textThis is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordData availability statement:
The anonymised Q-Sort data is available at: https://github.com/exeter-creww/Auster-Barr-Brazier_Beavers-and-Flood-Alleviation_Q-Sort-DataNatural flood management (NFM) methods work with natural processes to reduce flood risk, while often providing additional benefits such as water quality improvement or habitat provision. Increasingly, the activity of an animal—beavers—is recognised to potentially provide flow attenuation, along with multiple benefits for the environment and society, but there can also be associated challenges. We use Q-Methodology to elicit and understand human perspectives of beavers and their potential role in flood management among communities living downstream of beavers at three sites in England (Cornwall, Yorkshire and the Forest of Dean). This is the first time a study has focused on downstream communities as the primary stakeholders. We identify diverse perspectives that exhibit a range of value judgements. We suggest a catchment-based approach to beaver management and public engagement may facilitate deeper recognition of contextual perspectives in decision-making and enable knowledge dissemination with communities. Further, we examine the relationship between beavers and other NFM methods through these perspectives. In doing so we identify features that relate to the unique element of relying on the natural behaviour of beavers for flood management, rather than human flood managers being the primary decision-makers.University of ExeterDevon Wildlife TrustPlymouth City CouncilCornwall Wildlife Trus
G2 & G1 plants species of SW Colorado
No full textPresented at the 16th symposium held on September 27, 2019 in Grand Junction, Colorado.2019 G2 species of SW Colorado -- 2019 G1 species of SW Colorado
Araeodontia marginalis Barr 1952
No full textAraeodontia marginalis Barr, 1952 Type locality: Mexico, Samalayuca, Chihuahua. Type depository: American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Material examined: PARATYPE: 1 male: Pine Springs, TX, VII- 12–16 - 1928, W. Benedict; 1 male, 1 female: near San Jose beach, 40 mi SW of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, V- 16–23 - 1961, Howden and Martin. OTHERPublished as part of Burke, Alan F., Leavengood, John M. & Zolnerowich, Gregory, 2015, A checklist of the New World species of Tillinae (Coleoptera: Cleridae), with an illustrated key to genera and new country records, pp. 1-39 in Zootaxa 4059 (1) on page 23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4059.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/23497
BARF1 AS A NEW THERAPEUTIC TARGET FOR EBV-ASSOCIATED MALIGNANCIES.
No full textWhile Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (EBV-CTLs) have been used successfully for the prophylaxis and treatment of the highly immunogenic post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, the clinical experience for other EBV-associated malignancies, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma and undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), is limited and the results obtained so far indicate that EBV-CTLs are less effective in these settings. Decreased CTL efficacy most likely reflects immune evasion strategies by tumor cells, including down-regulation of immunodominant EBV proteins and the weak immunogenicity of the viral proteins expressed. One of the possible approaches to overcome these limitations is the identification of additional immunogenic viral proteins expressed by tumor cells that may serve as tumor-associated antigens to be targeted by improved CTL induction and expansion protocols. We have recently demonstrated that NPC patients show strong spontaneous CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses specific for the EBV-encoded oncogenic protein BARF1. We also showed that BARF1 provides immunogenic HLA-A*0201-restricted epitopes, suggesting that exploitation of the immunogenic features of this viral antigen may help improve the current immunotherapeutic strategies for EBV-associated malignancies. On these grounds, we characterized more extensively the immunogenic properties of BARF1 with the final goal to develop improved protocols of adoptive immunotherapy based on the use of EBV-CTLs enriched in BARF1-specific effectors. In particular, we identified and validated additional BARF1 CTL epitopes presented in the context of common HLA class I alleles. These results strictly correlate to those deriving from a high-resolution HLA genotyping of a large series of NPC, giving a precise estimate of the immunogenicity of BARF1 in relation to the HLA class I profile of Italian NPC patients. To fully exploit the immunologic properties of BARF1, we are also developing and characterizing BARF1-specific monoclonal antibodies that may be of both diagnostic and therapeutic usefulness in these clinical settings. In future perspective, the proposed research may provide a strong rationale for the clinical application of improved adoptive immunotherapy protocols for the treatment of EBV-associated malignancies, particularly the less immunogenic forms, such as NPC and, possibly, Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Beyond behaviour change: social practice theory and the search for sustainable mobility
No full textThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the link in this record.This draft chapter/article has been published by Edward Elgar Publishing in Putting Sustainability into Practice
Applications and Advances in Research on Sustainable Consumption. Edited by Emily Huddart Kennedy, Maurie J. Cohen, and Naomi Krogman. Published in 2015 http://www.e-elgar.com/shop/putting-sustainability-into-practic
Regional variation of Guillain-Barr\ue9 syndrome
No full text\ua9 2018 The Author(s).Guillain-Barr\ue9 syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder regarding the clinical presentation, electrophysiological subtype and outcome. Previous single country reports indicate that Guillain-Barr\ue9 syndrome may differ among regions, but no systematic comparative studies have been conducted. Comparative studies are required to identify factors determining disease susceptibility, variation and prognosis, and to improve diagnostic criteria. The International Guillain-Barr\ue9 Syndrome Outcome Study is a prospective, observational cohort study including all patients within the diagnostic spectrum, aiming to describe the heterogeneity of Guillain-Barr\ue9 syndrome worldwide. The current study was based on the first 1000 inclusions with a follow-up of at least 1 year and confirmed the variation in clinical presentation, course and outcome between patients. The full clinical spectrum of Guillain-Barr\ue9 syndrome was observed in patients from all countries participating in the International Guillain-Barr\ue9 Syndrome Outcome Study, but the frequency of variants differed between regions. We compared three regions based on geography, income and previous reports of Guillain-Barr\ue9 syndrome subtypes: Europe/Americas\u27, Asia\u27 (without Bangladesh), and Bangladesh\u27. We excluded 75 (8%) patients because of alternative diagnoses, protocol violations, or missing data. The predominant clinical variant was sensorimotor in Europe/Americas (n = 387/562, 69%) and Asia (n = 27/63, 43%), and pure motor in Bangladesh (n = 74/107, 69%). Miller Fisher syndrome and Miller Fisher-Guillain-Barr\ue9 overlap syndrome were more common in Asia (n = 14/63, 22%) than in the other two regions (Europe/Americas: n = 64/562, 11%; Bangladesh: n = 1/107, 1%) (P < 0.001). The predominant electrophysiological subtype was demyelinating in all regions (Europe/Americas: n = 312/573, 55%; Asia: n = 29/65, 45%; Bangladesh: n = 38/94, 40%). The axonal subtype occurred more often in Bangladesh (n = 34/94, 36%) than in Europe/Americas (n = 33/573, 6%) and other Asian countries (n = 4/65, 6%) (P < 0.001). In all regions, patients with the axonal subtype were younger, had fewer sensory deficits, and showed a trend towards poorer recovery compared to patients with the demyelinating subtype. The proportion of patients able to walk unaided after 1 year varied between Asia (n = 31/34, 91%), Europe/Americas (n = 334/404, 83%) and Bangladesh (n = 67/97, 69%) (P = 0.003). A similar variation was seen for mortality, being higher in Bangladesh (n = 19/114, 17%) than in Europe/Americas (n = 23/486, 5%) and Asia (n = 1/45, 2%) (P < 0.001). This study showed that factors related to geography have a major influence on clinical phenotype, disease severity, electrophysiological subtype, and outcome of Guillain-Barr\ue9 syndrome
Personal mobility and climate change
No full textThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this record.Changing personal mobility behaviour in response to climate change represents a major challenge for social scientists and practitioners given the embedded nature of mobility in daily life. Attempts to understand, govern and promote more sustainable mobility have tended to focus on individual decision making and incremental shifts in behaviour, such as reduced car use and increased walking, cycling and public transport use. Indeed, these are progressively being woven into narratives of ‘smart’ travel and the use of technology to enhance individual decision making. In this review I respond to these developments by arguing that researchers and practitioners need to re-frame their understanding of personal mobility to consider how travel can also be understood as an embedded form of practice, intimately connected to historic, economic and cultural influences. In so doing I propose that researchers need to focus their attention on two major challenges that constitute underpinning obstacles for promoting long-term shifts in personal mobility: the ways in which cities are governed, designed and regulated to promote hyper-mobility rather than dwelling; and the formidable problem of reducing personal carbon emissions from a growing international tourism industry. In addressing these two challenges, I argue for a new intellectual agenda that places personal wellbeing at the centre of efforts to promote shifts towards low carbon mobility practices. Such (radical) shifts include reducing the demand for travel, an emphasis on dwelling, the promotion of ‘active’ travel and ‘slow tourism’. In short, I ask why we travel so much; and why we don’t travel well
Parygrus maya Barr and Shepard 2020, new species
No full textParygrus maya Barr and Shepard, new species (Figs 1, 4, 12, 13) http://zoobank.org/ DCFAFCB8-D6F7-4454-95DA-54A02957EF03 Type material. Holotype male. MEXICO. “ MEXICO: Quintana Roo / Isla de Cozumel, W side / 4.5km S Chankanaab NP / 12-X-1997 coll. C.B. Barr // shallow roadside / ditch/wet grassy area // HOLOTYPE / Parygrus maya / Barr & Shepard” [red label, handwritten] (UNAM). Paratypes (78; 43 M, 35 F). BELIZE (17 M, 13 F). BELIZE: Cayo / Dist., Mile 66 / Western Hwy., W.D. Hasse / VII-5-1969 [?] // Property of Florida / State Collection of / Arthropods (1 F, FSCA); BELIZE: Cayo Dist / Belmopan airport / 8.VIII.1993 / at blacklights // William D. / Shepard, leg. (1 M, EMEC); BELIZE: Cayo Dist. / Las Cuevas Field / Station, Millionario / Camp, Tapir Pond / 30-VI-2019, D.L.Post // 16.75275, -89.00840 / elevation 605 m (1 M, 2 F, EMEC); BELIZE: Stann Cr. Dist. / Bocawina – Pond / near Silk Grass Creek / 07-VIII-2017, D. L. Post (10 M, 7 F, EMEC; 1 M, 1 F, FSCA; 1 M, 1 F, NHMUK; 1 M, 1 F, USNM); BELIZE: Toledo District: Hickatee / Cottages, 2.6 km W of Punta Gorda / on Ex-Serviceman Rd. 15-21.vi.2008 / 16°05′40′′N 88°49′57.9′′W 10m, ex: / mercury vapor lamp, F.G. Andrews (2 M, CSCA). COSTA RICA (2 M, 7 F). La Pacifica, 4 Km / N.W. Canas, Costa / Rica, Guanacaste / Prov., VIII-26-71 / P.A.Opler, collr. // U. V. light trap (1 F, EMEC); COSTA RICA: Guanacaste / 8 km NW Filadelfia / 16 VI 2003 280′ / Roadside pool // William D. / Shepard, leg. (1F, EMEC); C.R., Heredia, La / Selva Biol.Sta. 2 Km. / S.Pt.Viejo:VI-3-5-84 / Riley, Rider & LeDoux (1 M, LSAM); C.R., Heredia / 1 Km S. Pt. Viejo / VI-4-5-84: E.Riley / D.Rider & D.LeDoux (3 F, LSAM); COSTA RICA: Heredia / Pr: La Selva Biol.Sta. / 3 km S Pto. Viejo / 10°2′6N 84°01′W // 20. v. 1990 / H.A. Hespenheide (1 F, EMEC); COSTA RICA: Heredia / Est. Biol. La Selva / 03 July 2001 / CL & SL Staines / Taken / at light (1 M, EMEC); COSTA RICA: Heredia / La Selva Biol. St. / 14-15-I-2005 / HG-vapor lights / A.E.Z.Short, leg. (1F, EMEC). GUATEMALA (2 M, 1 F). GUATEMALA: Dept. Iza- / bal, Quirigua Ruins, / near Los Amates, 61m / 4-IX-1976 / Edward S. Ross / Cal. Acad. Sci. Coll. (1M, CASC); GUATAMALA [GUATEMALA]: Izabel [Izabal] / Ruinas Quirigua / VII-5-1977 / E.M.Fisher coll. (1M, CSCA); GUATEMALA: Peten: / Ruinas Tikal / 245m. 7/10 July 77 / E.M. & J.L.Fisher (1 F, CASC). MEXICO (15 M, 14 F). MEXICO: Quintana Roo / 17km NW Felipe / Carrillo Puerto / 17-VI-1990 / coll. M.C. Thomas (1 M, FSCA); MEX: Quintana Roo / 20 Km. N. Felipe Car- / rillo Puerto: VI- / 12-14-83: E.Riley (1 M, 1 F, LSAM); MEXICO: Quintana Roo / Isla de Cozumel, SW side / 2 mi. W Cedral, 6-X-1993 / C.B.Barr & W.D.Shepard // shallow roadside / ditch/wet grassy area (2 M, 2 F, EMEC); MEX- ICO: Quintana Roo / Isla de Cozumel, SW side / 2 mi. W Cedral, 8-X-1993 / C.B.Barr & W.D.Shepard // shallow roadside / ditch/wet grassy area (1 M, 1 F, EMEC); MEXICO: Quintana Roo / Isla de Cozumel, E end / Cross Island Rd., 7-X-1993 / C.B.Barr & W.D.Shepard // shallow / roadside pond (1 F, EMEC); MEXICO: Quintana Roo / Isla de Cozumel, W side / 4.5km S Chankanaab NP / 11-X-1997 coll. C.B. Barr // shallow roadside / ditch/wet grassy area (2 F, EMEC); MEXICO: Quintana Roo / Isla de Cozumel, W side / 4.5km S Chankanaab NP / 12-X-1997 coll. C.B. Barr // shallow roadside / ditch/wet grassy area (3 M, 2 F, EMEC; 1 M, 1 F, UNAM); MEXICO: Quintana Roo / Isla de Cozumel, W side / 4.4km S Chankanaab NP / 13-X-1997 coll. C.B. Barr // shallow roadside / ditch/wet grassy area (4 M, 2 F, EMEC; 3 M, 1 F, UNAM); MEXICO: Veracruz / Experiment Sta. / Cotaxtla / 24.VI.1958 / In light trap (1 F, CASC). NICARAGUA (1 M). NICARAGUA: Granada Prov., Domitila Reserva / Silvestre Privada ESE / Nandaime, elev. 400’ / 11°42.5′N, 85°57.2′W // 9-VI-2005, C.B. Barr / C.S. Chaboo & W.D. / Shepard, collected at / blacklight near river (1 M, EMEC). PANAMA (6 M). PANAMA: Canal Zone / Fort Kobbe: 9 June 1976 / coll: E. G. Riley / black light trap (2 M, UMC); PANAMA: Prov. Coclé / 5 rd. km S of Anton / nr. Los Pantones, BL/MV / 29-VIII-2006, C.B.Barr // 08°21.342′ N / 80°16.515′ W / elevation 59 ft. (1M, EMEC); PANAMA: Coclé / 5 km S Anton / 29 VIII 06 59′ / Black & MV lights // Doug / Post, leg. (3 M, EMEC; 1M, STRI). All paratypes also have the following final label: PARATYPE / Parygrus maya / Barr & Shepard [yellow label, printed]. Diagnosis. The male genitalia of Parygrus maya n. sp. (Fig. 13) are distinctive (among species for which the genitalia are known), although they are somewhat similar to those of P. erichsoni (Fig. 7) in that they bear a subapical tooth on each paramere. In the latter species, however, the penis is longer, nearly reaches the paramere teeth, while in P. maya n. sp. the penis does not closely approach the teeth. Externally they are also dissimilar as follows: Parygrus maya n. sp. is covered in setae that are moderately long, fine, yellow, and semi-erect on the dorsum; and the pronotum is usually almost as wide at apex as base. Parygrus erichsoni has setae that are longer, coarse, dark, and erect on the dorsum; and the pronotum is wider at base than apex. Description. Holotype male. Cuticle dark brown, legs, antennae and mouthparts lighter; elongate, subcylindrical; length 4.35 mm (pronotum + elytra), width 1.60 mm; body covered with erect and semi-erect, long, golden setae and much shorter, recumbent setae (Fig. 12). Head dark brown; punctuation fine, dense, punctures separated by about 1x puncture diameter; setae moderately long; vertex with shallow median depression; frons raised and protruding forward between antennal bases, anterior margin arcuate, distance between antennal bases less than length of antennomere 1. Antenna with antennomeres 1 and 2 light brown, setose, antennomeres 3–11 yellow, densely setose; antennomere 1 nearly as long as antennomere 2; antennomere 2 covering antennomeres 3–5. Clypeus densely setose, coarsely punctate, barely emarginate. Maxillary palpus with terminal palpomere elongate, subcylindrical, weakly curved. Labrum emarginate, densely setose, border fringed with long setae. Labial palpus with terminal palpomere subrectangular, slightly flattened; length about 2/3 that of terminal maxillary palpomere. Pronotum dark brown; weakly convex, disc slightly flattened at center; length 1.00 mm, width 1.25 mm, widest at middle. Anterior margin straight except at strongly acute, depressed, anterolateral angles; lateral margins nearly parallel, weakly sinuate at lateral angles, narrowly margined, fringed with erect setae; posterolateral angles acute, explanate; posterior border trisinuate. Disc punctuation fine, slightly coarser than on head, punctures separated by slightly less than 1x puncture diameter; setae moderately long. Scutellum: dark brown; subcircular; anterior margin weakly arcuate between two anterolateral notches; disc weakly convex; punctation very fine. Elytron dark brown, length 3.40 mm, width 0.80 mm, convex, narrowest at basal 1/3, widest at apical 1/3. Humeral angle rounded; lateral margin widened and shallowly sulcate at basal 1/3, entire length narrowly margined; apex acute. Disc strongly punctate and striate with deep, closely spaced punctures distinct from near base to apex, intervals weakly convex; setae shorter than on pronotum, semi-erect and recumbent, uniformly distributed. Hind wing: macropterous. Legs. Profemur red-brown, covered with fine, evenly spaced punctures and long, recumbent golden setae; protibia red-brown, mostly bare and shiny, dorsal surface with sparse, very long setae, ventral surface with dense row of short, stiff setae, deflexed and slightly swollen at apical 1/2, ventral apex with ventral granulate carina and narrow spines; protarsus yellow-brown, shiny, dorsal surface with sparse, very long setae, ventral surface with row of short, erect setae, protarsomeres 4 and 5 each with a few much-longer dorsal setae. Mesofemur similar to profemur; mesotibia red-brown, ventral setae much longer than those of protibia; mesotarsus similar to protarsus except ventral setae much longer, weakly arcuate at apical 1/2 with spinose ventral apex. Metafemur, and metatarsus similar to those of mesoleg, metatibia straight with spines at ventral apex. Venter red-brown; heavily setose; finely to coarsely punctate. Prosternum with anterior border narrowly margined; prosternal process wide between procoxae, parallel-sided with thick margins; process with median longitudinal carina, bordered laterally by shallow sulci, terminating in an elongate protuberance near apex. Metaventrite with intercoxal process margined and depressed; posterior disc weakly depressed at junction of sulcate metakatepisternal suture and metathoracic discrimen. Abdomen with some setae longer than on rest of body except legs; ventrite 1 with triangular intercoxal process weakly depressed between metacoxae, thickly margined laterally; ventrites 2–4 of equal length, finely and evenly punctate at center of disc, coarser laterally, aligned with faint, transverse strigae; ventrite 5 longest, disc coarsely punctate, covered with long setae prominent at margins. Genitalia. Aedeagus stout (Fig. 13). Phallobase about 1.5x longer than parameres and a little wider than paramere bases together. Parameres each blade-like, inner surface concave; in dorsal view each with an inward-facing tooth just before apex; teeth overlap with apices not contacting, producing an apical notch; in lateral view each paramere wide, curved ventrally, ventral surface broadly arcuate, dorsal surface sinuate, paramere tip acute. Penis about 2/3 length of parameres, in dorsal view wider at midlength than paramere at midlength; elongate-oval, dorsum strongly longitudinally carinate, apex pointed. Intraspecific variation. Other than size and sexually dimorphic characters, there is very little discernable difference among individuals. There is about 1 mm variation in length among specimens of the same sex, and females are slightly larger than males: males 4.10–4.95 mm long (n=22); females 4.30–5.45 mm long (n=16). Males have deflexed protibiae, each with a granulate carina on the ventral apex; females have protibiae arcuate and lack carinae. In both males and females there is slight variation between individuals in respect to the shape of the pronotal lateral margins, the scutellar shape, and the degree of prosternal process sculpturing. Some specimens are much paler in color and are likely teneral. Geographic distribution. Southern Mexico through Central America (Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) (Fig. 4). Etymology. This new species is named in honor of the Maya, the indigenous people of northwestern Mesoamerica who inhabit part of the area where this species occurs. Habitat and behavior. At the type locality and two other collection sites on the Isla de Cozumel, Mexico, P. maya n. sp. was found in shallow water in roadside ditches and small ponds with a primary substrate of limestone bedrock. The most productive collecting site was mostly shaded, with cool water and abundant emergent vegetation (Fig. 1). The beetles occurred together with Pelonomus on the submerged stems of emergent plants and could be seen beneath the water surface encased in silvery bubbles of air. One of the beetles captured in a net was released to observe its behavior: It initially floated atop the water for a few seconds, then struggled to break through the surface film in order to submerge itself. After doing so, it crawled upside-down beneath the film until it encountered and grasped the submerged portion of a grass stem. In Panama we collected P. maya n. sp. at black and mercury vapor lights adjacent to a drainage ditch and rice fields. All but one of our collections of P. maya n. sp. have been in conjunction with collections of Pelonomus. Both genera are semiaquatic and appear to share the same types of lentic habitats.Published as part of Barr, Cheryl B. & Shepard, William D., 2020, Hiding in plain sight: rediscovery and review of Parygrus Erichson, 1847, with description of five new species from the Neotropics (Coleoptera: Byrrhoidea Dryopidae), pp. 99-128 in Zootaxa 4755 (1) on pages 111-114, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4755.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/372426
Enoclerus vernalis Barr & Rifkind, new species
No full textEnoclerus vernalis Barr & Rifkind, new species (Fig. 1) Type specimens. Holotype ♂: U.S.A., California, [Los Angeles County], Neenach, V-15-1926; label reads: "Pres. by J. O. Martin Collector. " Holotype deposited in CASC. Paratypes: 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, same data as holotype; 4 ♀♀ from type locality, V-17-1928, E. G. Linsley, collector. CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles County: 1 ♀, Mojave Desert, Llano, IV-13-1954, Wm. R. Lower, collector; 1 ♀, Mojave Desert, Llano, IV-4-1953, A. Ebeling, collector; 1 ♂, Palmdale, VI-1958, R. C. Willis, coll.; 1 ♀, Pearblossom, 4 May, 1975, David. E. Bixler; 1 ♀, 2 mi. S of Littlerock, May 18, 1988, G. Snelling, coll.; 1 ♂, Juniper Hills, May 6, 1973, S. Vesos, on Joshua; 1 female, Juniper Hills, VI-I-1975, A. V. Evans; 1 ♀, 1.5 mi SW Littlerock, 22 May, 1975, Adriean J. Mayor, collected on Yucca whipplei; 1 ♀, 17 mi. E. Gorman, IV-16-1962, G. W. Frankie, collector; 1 specimen, sex unknown, Valyermo, V-1-1968, J. Powell, collector; 1 ♀, Theo. Payne W. S., 20 May, 1976, P. H. Sullivan, coll.; Inyo County: 1 ♂, Argus Mts., V-22-1937; 1 specimen, sex unknown, Grapevine Canyon, Saline Valley, 5000', IV-20-1985, D. Giuiliani, anti-freeze pit trap; Kern County: 5 ♂♂, 5 ♀, 2 sex undetermined, Short Cyn., 7 mi. NW Inyokern, IV-13-1954, J. W. MacSwain, collector; 1 ♂, Red Rock Cyn. State Park, Red Cliffs Natural Preserve, 400 m, May 5, 1991, J. Rifkind, coll., 1 ♂, Indian Wells Canyon, 3750', IV-17-1962 (c-3711), collection of N. L. Rumpp; 1 ♂, Laurel Mt, El Paso Mts, 4500', 14 May, 1960, D. L. Tiemann, collector; 1 ♀, 1 sex unknown, 3 mi. NW Indian Wells, IV-12-1954, J. M. Linsley, coll., 1 ♀, 6.5 mi. NW Inyokern, IV-13-1954, J. W. MacSwain, collector; Tulare County: 1 ♀, Kane Brak Brid. [probably " Canebrake "] ♀ Hwy. 178, on flower, 1 June, 1973, Lon Kincannon; San Bernardino County: 1 male, Cajon Pass, V-19-1937, coll. and pres. by E. Guedet; 1 ♂ from Victoryville [sic], VI-6, J. N. Knull collection. Paratypes are deposited in CASC, EMEC, FMNH, UCR, LACM, CSCA, JNRC, WFBC, and WOPC. Diagnosis. Distinguishable from its congeners by its unique elytral color pattern, and sub-lustrous elytral integument. It is most similar, and probably closest phyletically, to Enoclerus zonatus, and E. spinolae, but is disjunct both geographically and phenologically from these species (see Discussion below). Description (Holotype). Length: 9.0 mm. Color: black to reddish black; mouthparts, antennae, bases of femora, tarsomeres, in whole or in part, reddish brown; elytra (Fig. 1) with an irregular latitudinal antemedian red band, widest laterally, complete to lateral margins, slightly narrowed at suture posteriorly, somewhat extended along suture anteriorly; elytral apices broadly red; epipleuron reddish; abdomen uniformly red. Head: antennae robust, club compact, antennomere 11 sinuate internally, as long as antennomeres 9 & 10 taken together; front feebly bi-impressed, rugulose; cranium finely, densely punctate, sparsely set with fine, pale, suberect setae and fewer longer, erect, robust black setae. Pronotum: broader than long (5:4); narrower than elytra at base; sides arcuate; anterior margin broadly, shallowly emarginate; transverse impression distinct, broadly "V" shaped; disk broadly subflattened; surface finely, irregularly punctate and transversely rugulose, moderately vested with erect, pale and infuscate setae of varying lengths. Elytra: robust (ratio of length to maximum width approximately 3:2), widest posterior to middle; anterior margin bisinuate; humeri pronounced; subbasal tumescences feebly indicated; disk broadly subflattened; surface feebly shining, finely and densely but shallowly punctate and indistinctly roughened, covered moderately but inconspicuously with short, suberect black setae, interspersed with fewer, longer erect black setae; epipleural fold broad, subexplanate posteriorly; posthumeral margin broadly deflexed dorsally behind middle; apical slope shallow; apices dehiscent. Metasternum: convex; surface shining, rugulose, feebly punctate. Abdomen: shining; surface shallowly roughened, with scattered punctures, sparsely vested with fine, pale setae; visible sternite 5 with hind margin broadly, shallowly emarginate, sternite 6 subtruncate, tergite 6 with lateral margins convergent, hind angles rounded, and apex shallowly, sinuately emarginate; abdominal apex without setal daggers. Legs: robust; all tarsi well developed. Variation. Size ranges from 7.5 mm to 11.0 mm. In the female, abdominal tergite and sternite six are conjointly subtruncate or conjointly rounded posteriorly, with a slight notch at apex. Integument color ranges from black to reddish black. Size and shape of the antemedian and apical elytral fasciae are variable, so that in some specimens, the reddish areas are more extensive than the black. Even in these cases, however, the black postmedian band is never incomplete internally for more than the width of the elytral suture. Two specimens from Lower Covington Flat, Joshua Tree National Park, collected in late May and early June, are problematical in this regard. Though taken in the Mojave Desert of California within the presumed flight period of this species, they exhibit a facies much more like that of E. spinolae from Arizona, with shining, somewhat more convex elytra, bearing reduced, internally interrupted postmedian black markings. At least one other broadly distributed member of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan desert clerid fauna (i.e. Aulicus edwardsii (Horn 1880)) has outlier populations in and near Joshua Tree National Park (Mojave and Colorado Desert), and the present case may prove to be similar. In light of our uncertainty about the identification of the Covington Flat specimens, we have chosen not to include them in the type series of the new species. Discussion. Enoclerus vernalis belongs to a group of similarly large, robust, black and red patterned Enoclerus species that are associated with various Yucca (Agavaceae) species in the American West and Mexico. The most widespread species, E. spinolae, is known from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Utah and Kansas in the United States, as well as the northern Mexican states of Chihuahua, Durango and Sonora. It is characterized by its red elytral base, with black humeral maculae; its postmedian black elytral markings are often reduced to small spots and are only rarely complete at the suture. This species flies from late May through August, and appears to be most common in middle to late summer, at least in Arizona. It is usually seen running or flying about blooming yucca, where it is conspicuous against the cream-colored flowers and green stalks of the plant. Enoclerus zonatus is distinguishable by its broadly darkened elytral base, with the postmedian elytral black marking in the shape of a transverse band. It has a more southerly distribution, and occurs in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Zacatecas and Hidalgo, where it has been taken in July and August. A third species, E. agave Barr (1976: 19), known only from Chiapas in extreme southern Mexico, is readily identifiable by its black elytral posterior third. In comparison with the aforementioned species, E. vernalis is the only member of this group to commonly have more of its elytral surface black than red. Its flight period is primarily middle to late spring (with most records in April and May, and an occasional early June capture), and its distribution is restricted to the northern and western part of the Mojavean biogeographical province of California, where it seems to be associated with the Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia Engelmann 1871). Foster & Barr (1972: 124) recorded the larvae of E. spinolae (as E. abdominalis (Chevrolat 1835: 52)) feeding upon the larvae of a weevil, Peltophorus polymitus Boheman 1845, which were boring in the stalks of Yucca thompsoniana Trelease in Texas. Based on this and other observations and collecting data, it seems likely that various Yucca species serve as the preferred, or perhaps even obligate, microhabitat for the larvae and adults of all Enoclerus species in this group. Etymology. The specific epithet "vernalis" refers to the spring flight period of the new species. Distribution. Northern and western Mojave Desert of California.Published as part of Barr, William F. & Rifkind, Jacques, 2009, Two new and one resurrected species of Enoclerus Gahan (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae) from the western United States, pp. 57-62 in Zootaxa 2168 on pages 58-6
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