Excavata Research Articles

Diversity and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in maize (Zea mays) cropping fields in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Arbuscular Mycorhizal Fungi (AMF) occur naturally in agroecosystems and interact symbiotically with crops, facilitating nutrition. This study aimed at assessing the occurrence, abundance and diversity of AMF communities in the maize cropping system and their relation to soils properties in two agroecological zones in South Kivu, eastern DR Congo. Soil samples were collected from eight sites, with 4 sites in highland at 1400 to 2000 m altitude above sea level (in Katana, Kavumu, Mulamba and Mugogo) and four in the lowland at <1000 m (in Luberizi, Bwegera, Luvungi and Kamaniola). Spores were extracted from the field soils, morphologically identified and counted. AMF spores occurrence, abundances, species richness, and diversity were determined. A total of 38 AMF morphotypes distributed in 11 genera were obtained with the majority being from Gigasporaceae, Acaulosporaceae, and Glomeraceae families. This is the first report on the occurrence of these species in the eastern of DR Congo. Acaulospopra excavata, Acaulospopra bireticulata, Densitscutata erythropa, Funneliformis mosseae and Scutellospora pellucida were ubiquitous in all the agroecologies. Spores densities were higher in the highland with the highest recorded in Mulamba. Soil pH and phosphorus content influenced AMF distribution. The many different ubiquitous species indicate adaptation to a wide range of physicochemical environments and could reduce the cost of AMF inoculants production for the region. Maize agroecosystems are rich in AMF diversity and selection of appropriate fungal species from the Gigasporaceae, Acaulosporaceae and Glomeraceae as biofertilizer could contribute in improving crops production. Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, diversity, occurence, agroecological zones, maize, South Kivu.

3-week repeated dose oral toxicity study of Clausena excavata extract in ICR mice

핑크왐피는 피부병, 말라리아, 복통, 이질 및 장염 치료를 위한 약용 식물로 사용되고 있다. 본 연구의 목적은 핑크왐피의 안전성을 확인하기 위하여, 수컷 ICR 마우스를 이용하여 핑크왐피를 3주 반복 경구 투여하여 최대무독성용량을 평가했다. 핑크왐피를 100, 250, 500, 1000, 및 2000 mg/kg으로 투여한 결과, 모든 시험물질 투여군에서 이상이 관찰되지 않았다. 사망률, 임상 증상, 체중 변화, 혈액 학적 검사 및 혈청 생화학 검사에서 유의적인 차이는 없었고, 경미한 변동은 핑크왐피의 투여로 인한 영향이 아닌 정상 범위 내에서의 변화로 간주 되어진다. 결과적으로, 핑크왐피는 모든 시험물질 투여군에서 독성 영향을 미치지 않았으며, 핑크왐피의 최대무독성용량은 2000 mg/kg 이상으로 간주되었다.

Mites of the families Trachyuropodidae Berlese and Urodiaspididae Trägårdh (Acari: Mesostigmata: Uropodina) from Iran

Herein, two genera, Urodiaspis Berlese and Urojanetia Berlese, and four species, Trachyuropoda hirschmanni Pecina, 1980, Urodiaspis tecta (Kramer, 1876), Urodiaspis pannonica Willmann, 1951 and Urojanetia excavata (Wasmann, 1899), are reported for the first time from Iran. Additionally, Urodiaspis pannonicasimilis Bal and Ozkan, 2009 is considered as junior synonym of U. pannonica , and new morphological data for this species represented.

A taxonomic review of the genus Astrodia (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Asteronychidae)

The genus Astrodia (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Asteronychidae) was revised based on 34 specimens including two syntypes of Asteronyx excavata, two syntypes of Asteronyx plana and two syntypes of Ophiocreas abyssicola. We proposed a transfer of Ophiocreas abyssicola (Euryalidae) to the genus Astrodia. Consequently, Astrodia now includes four species, Astrodia abyssicola, A. excavata, A. plana and A. tenuispina. These four species are all redescribed. A taxonomic key to the species of the genus Astrodia is also provided.