Genus Research Articles

New data on the genus Oxytrechus Jeannel, 1927, with description of seven new species from Colombia and Ecuador (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae)

Seven new species of OxytrechusJeannel, 1927 are described: five from Ecuador (O. andersoni Giachino & Allegro n. sp., O. atahualpai Giachino & Allegro n. sp., O. bavierai Giachino & Allegro n. sp., O. fikaceki Giachino & Moret n. sp., and O. sciakyi Giachino & Allegro n. sp.) and two from Colombia (O. floresanus Giachino & Allegro n. sp. and O. ruizianus Giachino & Allegro n. sp.). Oxytrechus equatorianusMateu, 1988 is re-established as a valid species. O. globosusMateu, 1991 and O. convexusMateu, 1991 are redescribed. New distributional data are given for O. balliAllegro, Giachino & Sciaky, 2008, O. belloi Giachino, Allegro & Baviera, 2014, O. llanganatisianusMateu, 1988, O. moretiMateu, 1988, O. onoreiAllegro, Giachino & Sciaky, 2008, O. pierremoretiAllegro, Giachino & Sciaky, 2008 and O. vulcanusMateu, 1988. An identification key is provided for the Oxytrechus species present in the Papallacta-Guamaní area (Ecuador, Pichincha/Napo provinces).

Exposing a primate pathogen

The search for the cause of a lethal chimpanzee disease reveals a poorly understood genus of bacteria with potentially broad pathogenic impact. The search for the cause of a lethal chimpanzee disease reveals a poorly understood genus of bacteria with potentially broad pathogenic impact.

Study on the neuroprotective effects of Genistein on Alzheimer's disease.

Along with the aging of the world population, the incidence rate of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been increasing. At present, AD has become one of the most serious problems faced by modern medicine. Studies have shown that estrogen has a positive effect on AD, but estrogen has the side effect of leading to tumors. Recent in vivo studies have shown that genistein, one of the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), can improve brain function through the blood–brain barrier (BBB), antagonize the toxicity of amyloid β‐protein (Aβ), that is, to inhibit neurotoxicity due to aggregation of beta amyloid protein, and have neuroprotective effects. In addition, the use of Gen can avoid the risk of endometrial cancer and breast cancer caused by estrogen therapy while exerting an estrogen‐like effect, which has some potential for the delay and treatment of AD.

UPPER KIMMERIDGIAN AND TITHONIAN AMMONITES FROM THE TUNISIAN "DORSALE" (NE TUNISIA): UPDATED BIOSTRATIGRAPHY FROM THE JEBEL OUST

In the context of updating biostratigraphic analysis in the Upper Kimmeridgian-lowermost Berriasian from the whole of the Tunisian Dorsale (NE Tunisia), new results obtained from the Jebel Oust reference section are presented. The bed-by-bed-sampling of a rather rich ammonite fauna gathered in the two most favourable profiles in the area allowed to propose, for the first time, a biozonation for Upper Kimmeridgian to Tithonian limestones. Calpionellids relayed or completed ammonite assemblages, and were also useful for biostratigraphy in beds close to the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary. The composition of ammonite assemblages, as well as the known ranges for genera and species, is in accordance with the available information from epioceanic areas in West-Mediterranean Tethys. The recognized biozones fit the standard proposal given by Groupe Francais D'Etude du Jurassique in 1997. Age-interpretation for turbiditic horizons in the Jebel Oust is made for the first time. In spite of some limitations, the biostratigraphic results obtained in Jebel Oust sections provide a valuable tool for potential correlations with poorly known sections in northern Tunisia, as well as with other Tethyan areas.

A new species of the genus Scoliokona Kallies et Arita, 1998 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from Bali, Indonesia with a catalogue of the genus

A new species of the genus Scoliokona Kallies et Arita, 1998 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from Bali, Indonesia with a catalogue of the genus

A new parapithecine (Primates: Anthropoidea) from the early Oligocene of Libya supports parallel evolution of large body size among parapithecids

Parapithecines are an extinct subfamily of stem anthropoid primates previously known only from the Jebel Qatrani Formation in Egypt. Here, we describe isolated teeth pertaining to Simonsius harujensis sp. nov., a relatively small-bodied parapithecine from strata near Zallah Oasis in the Sirt Basin of central Libya that is estimated to date to ∼31 Ma on the basis of mammalian biostratigraphy. The dental morphology of S. harujensis sp. nov. is generally intermediate between that of the closely related parapithecines Parapithecus fraasi and Simonsius grangeri, highlighting some of the anatomical features distinguishing the latter taxa and providing further support for their generic separation. A phylogenetic analysis using parsimony methods was performed on a character-taxon matrix incorporating data from the new Libyan parapithecine, virtually all other parapithecids and the proteopithecid Proteopithecus sylviae. Results of this analysis suggest that parapithecids comprise a basal clade consisting of three species of Biretia and a more derived clade including Parapithecinae (Parapithecus and Simonsius) and Qatraniinae (Qatrania, Ucayalipithecus, and Apidium). Body mass estimates for parapithecids were calculated on the basis of regression equations generated to predict body mass from the occlusal area of upper and lower cheek teeth in extant anthropoids. The relatively small body mass of S. harujensis sp. nov. and its reconstructed phylogenetic position as the sister group of S. grangeri, which is the largest known parapithecid, support the convergent acquisition of body mass larger than 500 g among multiple clades of early Oligocene African anthropoids. The new Libyan parapithecine augments previously reported evidence supporting a substantial degree of faunal provincialism across northern Africa/Arabia during the early Oligocene.

On the genus Sunius Stephens, 1829 of Turkey. V. A new micropterous species from central southern Anatolia, with additional records from the western Mediterranean region (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae)

A new species of the genus Sunius Stephens, 1829 is described from the Karaman province of central southern Anatolia: Sunius tauricus sp. n. Additional records of seven species and two subspecies of Sunius from the western Mediterranean region are reported. A total of 38 species are now known from Turkey, 34 of them are endemic.

GMO Genetic Elements Thesaurus (GMO-GET): a controlled vocabulary for the consensus designation of introduced or modified genetic elements in genetically modified organisms

BackgroundVarious databases on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) exist, all with their specific focus to facilitate access to information needed for, e. g., the assistance in risk assessment, the development of detection and identification strategies or inspection and control activities. Each database has its unique approach towards the subject. Often these databases use different terminology to describe the GMOs. For adequate GMO addressing and identification and exchange of GMO-related information it is necessary to use commonly agreed upon concepts and terminology.ResultA hierarchically structured controlled vocabulary describing the genetic elements inserted into conventional GMOs, and GMOs developed by the use of gen(om)e-editing is presented: the GMO genetic element thesaurus (GMO-GET). GMO-GET can be used for GMO-related documentation, including GMO-related databases. It has initially been developed on the basis of two GMO databases, i.e. the Biosafety Clearing-House and the EUginius database.ConclusionThe use of GMO-GET will enable consistent and compatible information (harmonisation), also allowing an accurate exchange of information between the different data systems and thereby facilitating their interoperability. GMO-GET can also be used to describe genetic elements that are altered in organisms obtained through current targeted genome-editing techniques.

Traditional and Pharmacological Reports of The Genus Baccaurea. A Review

Traditional and Pharmacological Reports of The Genus Baccaurea. A Review

Actualización taxonómica y avance en el conocimiento de Liolaemus Wiegmann 1834 (Iguania: Liolaemidae) en el Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia

Liolaemus represents the most diverse group of saurians in South America. The species ofthis genus, inhabit different ecosystems characterized by their endemism, whose taxonomicknowledge increased from 1837 to date, mainly in Argentina and Chile, while in the PlurinationalState of Bolivia (Bolivia) the taxonomic and phylogenetic knowledge of the genus began to haverelevance from 2002 to date, properly guiding the real wealth that the country has. However, inBolivia, studies of population density, diet and reproduction began to be reported in the 1980s,studies of potential distribution began in 2007 and those related to thermal ecology began in2015. There is no doubt that taxonomic studies are strengthening the knowledge of the genusin Bolivia, which allows a precise understanding of the areas of endemism, important for biogeographicanalysis or modeling studies of potential distribution of species, thus prioritizingtheir conservation status. The lack of a comparative and taxonomic review of the specimensdeposited in scientific collections and the lack of information in areas where no prospectingwas carried out throughout the distribution of the genus in Bolivia, prolonged for a long timethe description of species that are waiting to be formally reported to the scientific communityand society, and then face studies in different disciplines. This work presents an update of thegenus Liolaemus richness in Bolivia, emphasizing the main works and advances in the lasteighteen years.

Las especies del género Liolaemus (Liolaemidae). Lista de taxones y comentarios sobre los cambios taxonómicos más recientes

Taxonomic lists are important tools for understanding biodiversity and they provide informationat different scales about the species distributed within a region; as such, they allow us tounderstand the identities of the species that compose a given supra-specific taxon. While listsof the species of the genus Liolaemus have been published over the past few decades, providingtaxonomic and systematic information, these lists are now outdated and the number of validspecies within the genus has fluctuated rapidly over time and many taxonomic changes havegone unregistered. Although there are alternative means to consult this information, thesesources have suffered from a number of involuntary errors as well as some arbitrary omissionsor inclusions that have affected the dynamics of species inventories. In this work, we presentthe most complete taxonomic enumeration of the species of Liolaemus to date, including theavailable names for all of the valid and invalid species associated with these taxonomic changes.We recognize a total of 283 valid species in Liolaemus, along with another 65 invalid names.Fifteen taxa are recognized as species inquirenda, eight as nomina dubia, and two as nomina nuda.We hope that the careful review of each case and the exhaustive literature review will make thiswork a primary reference on South America's most speciose lizard genus.

Molecular phylogeny of the “salty” Liolaemus species (Reptilia: Squamata): anomalus group, endemic of the Argentina Monte Desert

In Argentina, the Monte ecoregion extends for more than 2,000 km from NW Argentina to borealPatagonia, and includes many salt-pans and barren flatlands colonized by the monophyleticLiolaemus anomalus group that includes seven species. Some of their external morphologicalcharacteristics and behaviors are very unusual for the genus, and this has led to a complextaxonomic history. The group is very poorly known except for a recent paper with descriptionsof three species and morphological-based phylogenetic hypotheses. Of the four recognizedspecies, two are threatened and one is vulnerable, and while the conservation status of thethree recently described species is unknown, they are suspected to also be under some degreeof threat. We reviewed all georeferenced localities known to produce a distribution map, andsequenced two mitochondrial and four nuclear genes, for representatives of all species. Weinferred a time-calibrated species tree showing that the evolutionary history of this clade occurredentirely during the Pleistocene, with most of the divergences very recent. The climaticand geomorphological changes driving this divergence started during the Great PatagonianGlaciation, initially separating the two northwestern-most distributed species (L. pipanaco +L. pseudoanomalus) from the rest. Given the very recent evolutionary history of the group andtheir unique and conserved morphology, incongruent topologies among datasets are expected; adetailed genome-wide dataset will be needed to fully assess and resolve their speciation history.

Redescription of Liolaemus robertmertensi, Hellmich 1964 (Iguania: Liolaemidae) with description of a new species

We redescribe Liolaemus robertmertensi and describe a new species of Liolaemus, the secondmost speciose lizard genus. These species belong to the L. robertmertensi group of the subgenusLiolaemus sensu stricto. In recent years, some newly identified populations were assignedto Liolaemus robertmertensi. We applied an integrative approach using morphological andphylogenetic evidence to determine the relationships among these populations and found oneto belong to a new species described here. We performed statistical analyses to differentiate L.robertmertensi and the new species from other species of the alticolor-bibronii group. The newspecies shows a set of character states that allows it to be distinguished from L. robertmertensiand from all other species of Liolaemus. Despite the description of this new species, the taxonomicstatus of many populations still remain unknown.

Primer registro de Liolaemus chungara Quinteros et al., 2014 y Liolaemus pleopholis Laurent, 1998 para Perú (Reptilia, Liolaemidae)

Two new species of lizards of the genus Liolaemus are presented for Peru, L. chungara and L. pleopholis.Both species were previously described for northern Chile, relatively close to the borderwith Peru. The range of distribution for L. chungara is extended by around 100 kilometers andfor L. pleopholis by around 170 kilometers. Both species were collected in high Andean environments,and their morphological characteristics agree with those of the species assigned here.

Quantitative relationship between modern surface pollen and plant community at quadrat scale.

Establishing a precise relationship between modern vegetation and surface pollen is the basis and key to quantitatively reconstruct paleovegetation and paleoclimate based on pollen records. The record of plant community plots has been less considered in the statistical analysis of modern vegetation and surface pollen, which limits the quantitative estimation of its precise relationship. In this study, the quantitative relationships of compositions and quantities between modern surface pollen and plant community were analyzed, based on the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, through the analysis of 33 surface soil samples and corresponding vegetation plots from forest, meadow steppe, typical steppe and desert steppe on the Northeast China Transect. Results showed that, in a single plot, the relationships between vegetation and pollen in compositions and quantities were different across all families and genera, dominant and common families and genera, and less common and rare families and genera, respectively, due to the differences in pollen dispersal and pollen productivity. There were significant differences among different vegetation types. The compositions of meadow steppe differed greatly, while all families and genera, dominant and common families and genera differed greatly in the quantitative relationship in forest. Less common and rare families and genera differed greatly in the compositions in meadow steppe. The vegetation-pollen relationship of different families and genera was basically the same in terms of composition and quantities. According to the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, pollen taxa could be divided into three types: over-representative, under-representative and representative types. This dissimilarity index represented both the species composition and quantity relationship between vegetation and pollen both at quadrat scale and at specie level, which could be used as an indicator to quantitatively describe the modern vegetation-pollen relationship.

Niñeces migrantes en el Centro Histórico de Puebla. Estrategias para la integración social

La investigación pretende visibilizar la migración mazateca que llega al Centro Histórico de la ciudad de Puebla (México) y que se establece principalmente en vecindades de barrios vulnerables del sector norponiente, como el barrio del Refugio. Son familias numerosas, con más de cinco hijos, que desarrollan su vida en el entorno de una ciudad antigua, que viven en un solo cuarto, dentro de inmuebles deteriorados, que ocupan los patios y los sanitarios colectivos. Se enfrentan a situaciones donde los menores son excluidos por otros niños y adolescentes del barrio debido a su origen, idioma y rasgos físicos. Ante esta problemática, un grupo de profesores y alumnos de la Facultad de Arquitectura (BUAP) y el grupo Re Genera Espacio (RGE), desarrollan estrategias de integración mediante la mejora del espacio público, con acciones que incluyen la construcción de mobiliario, la limpieza y mantenimiento de áreas de uso común, la construcción de un huerto comunitario, realizando actividades lúdicas, como talleres artísticos (dibujo, pintura, maquetas) y funciones de cine.

Annotated Catalogue of the Superfamily Dascilloidea (Coleoptera: Elateriformia) of Iran

The fauna of Iranian Dascillidae and Rhipiceridae (Coleoptera: Dascilloidea) is summarized in this paper. In total, 6 species of Dascillidae from 2 genera, Dascillus Latreille, 1797 (1 species) and KarumiaEscalera, 1913 (5 species), and 2 species of Rhipiceridae from the genus Arrhaphipterus Schaum, 1862 are listed.The lectotype of K. estaphilinoidesEscalera, 1913 is to be considered the holotype.

Genus Stathmopoda Herrich-Schäffer, 1853 (Lepidoptera: Stathmopodidae) from China: Descriptions of ten new species.

Ten new species of the genus Stathmopoda are described: S. basirotata sp. nov., S. bicoloriptera sp. nov., S. bucera sp. nov., S. hamulata sp. nov., S. ochricolorata sp. nov., S. octacantha sp. nov., S. pyriformis sp. nov., S. rhombica sp. nov., S. tetracantha sp. nov. and S. tristriata sp. nov. Also, three species: S. citrinella Sinev, 1995, S. orbiculata Meyrick, 1913 and S. tecticochlea Terada, 2016 are newly recorded for China. Images of both adults and genitalia for the species are provided, along with a map showing the distribution of them in China.

Withania somnifera: Diversity and phylogeny - An overview

The diversity and phylogenetic relationships within Solanaceae are interesting. Withania, despite being an important genus of the family, has not found proper attention for such studies and even species delimitation within the genus is debatable. Different authors at different points of times classified Withania somnifera into different morphological forms and split it into two different species. Similarly, there are various uncertainties about phylogenetic relationships below the family level in Solanaceae and Withania . In the present study, morphological and molecular data have been used to overview the diversity and phylogeny of Withania, particularly W. somnifera . The morphological studies, RAPD, ISSR, cytochrome P450 sequence, derived primers, SSR analogues, and ITS sequence data support that the species has a lot of polymorphism bifurcated into two well-demarcated varieties. However, there is no conclusive support for dividing the species into more than two forms or splitting the species into two different species, rbc L gene sequence data supports a close relationship of the genus with Physalis and associated genera.

DNA barcoding of some Pandeidae species (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Anthoathecata)

Using 16S, COI, and ITS DNA sequences, it was possible to link a Norwegian marine hydroid formerly known as Leuckartiara abyssi (G.O. Sars, 1874) to a Neoturris medusa occurring in the same region. Although the Norwegian medusae showed some slight morphological differences to Mediterranean Neoturris pileata, DNA sequence comparisons show that they must be conspecific. A Mediterranean specimen of N. pileata showed less sequence divergences to the Norwegian Neoturris than was found within this latter population. The morphological differences are likely only age- and environmentally related. Leuckartiara abyssi is thus a subjective synonym of Neoturris pileata (Forsskal, 1775). The sequence analyses were embedded in a comparison with other members of the family Pandeidae. Contrary to the case for most other hydrozoans investigated, 16S sequences show very little divergences within the genus Catablema and it is thus not a good barcoding marker for this genus. COI sequences showed about three times greater divergence than 16S within selected pandeid species clades and are more suitable to investigate Catablema species, although also for COI the divergences within this group remain rather small. Catablema nodulosumBigelow, 1913 was found to be most likely conspecific with Catablema vesicarium (A. Agassiz, 1862) and was therefore accepted only as a subspecies of the latter, thus following the opinion of most other prominent taxonomists of the last century. Medusae referred to Catablema multicirratumKishinouye, 1910 originating from either the NE Pacific or the Eurasian sector of the Arctic Sea could belong to two distinct species.The medusa Leuckartiara longicalcar n. spec. is described and illustrated. It occurs along the coast of North America from British Columbia to California and has been confused previously with L. octona (Fleming, 1823).