Hyaline Sheath Research Articles

Cuiambuca gen. nov., a new genus of Sparianthinae spiders (Araneae: Sparassidae) from Brazil

A new genus of Sparianthinae spiders, Cuiambuca gen. nov., is proposed to include the type species, Cuiambuca vacabrava sp. nov. (♂♀), from Paraíba and Sergipe, C. aratangi sp. nov. (♂♀), from Paraíba and Pernambuco, and C. borborema sp. nov. (♀) from Alagoas, all in northeastern Brazil. The genus is remarkable in that it exhibits a partly sclerotized conductor, with a sclerotized base and a distal hyaline sheath, in the male palp, a keyhole-shaped median septum in the female epigyne as well as a gourd-shaped spermathecae and blind ending projection in the vulva. All species are described and illustrated and a distribution map is provided.

A new species of the genus Cheylostigmaeus Willmann (Acari: Trombidiformes: Stigmaeidae) from Turkey

Adult female, male and all immature life stages of Cheylostigmaeus occultatus sp. nov. are described and illustrated from Sansa Gorge and Pülümür Valley in Turkey. The female of the family Stigmaeidae is ordinarily used for identification purposes, but, to the contrary, the identification of species in the genus Cheylostigmaeus is mainly and unusually dependent on the male’s characters. However, the new species described in this paper has been identified from the female due to its distinctive characters: suranal shield is completely tucked under the body, suranal setae are slimmer and without hyaline sheath, subcapitulum is hyalinised distally, setae or2 are thickened, curved and spinulate distally.

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Bindiferia gen. nov. (Dinophyceae), a new marine, sand-dwelling dinoflagellate genus formerly classified within Amphidinium

ABSTRACT As historically described, the genus Amphidinum has long been recognized to be polyphyletic. Amphidinium sensu lato is the most diverse of all marine benthic dinoflagellate genera and after the redefinition of the sensu stricto genus about 100 species remained of unknown generic affiliation. A species similar to the Australian sensu lato species Amphidinium boggayum was discovered in France. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic data supported the description of a new species and the classification of the two closely related species within a new athecate, photosynthetic, benthic genus, named Bindiferia. Cells were dorsoventrally flattened with smaller asymmetric epicone. The cingulum was descending. The sulcus reached the antapex and had an extension onto the epicone. The apical structure complex formed an anticlockwise loop around the apex. A red stigma was located in the anterior part of the epicone, near the apex. Vegetative division occurred in a non-motile stage within a hyaline sheath. Non-motile cells had dorsal hypocone grooves. The two species differed from each other in epicone size, cingulum displacement, nucleus location and surface groove occurrence. The molecular phylogenetic results showed that Bindiferia is a distinct taxon that is only distantly related to Amphidinium sensu stricto. The nearest sister group to Bindiferia could not be reliably determined, but the apical structure complex suggested a close relationship to the genera of the Gymnodinium sensu stricto clade.

Micromelanconis kaihuiae gen. et sp. nov., a new diaporthalean fungus from Chinese chestnut branches in southern China.

Melanconis-like fungi are distributed in several families of Diaporthales, mainly Juglanconidaceae, Melanconidaceae, Melanconiellaceae and Pseudomelanconidaceae. A new Melanconis-like genus of Pseudomelanconidaceae was discovered on branches of Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) in southern China, which was confirmed by both morphology and phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, LSU, tef1a and rpb2 sequences. The new genus Micromelanconis is characterized by two types of conidia from natural substrate and manual media of PDA, respectively. Conidia from Chinese chestnut branches are pale brown, ellipsoid, multiguttulate, aseptate with hyaline sheath. While conidia from PDA plates are pale brown, long dumbbell-shaped, narrow at the middle and wide at both ends, multiguttulate, aseptate, and also with hyaline sheath. All Pseudomelanconidaceae species were only reported on tree branches in China until now. More interesting taxa may be discovered if detailed surveys on tree-inhabiting fungi are carried out in East Asia in the future.

Phaeonawawia, a novel chaetosphaeriaceous anamorph from submerged wood in Malaysia

The anamorphic taxon Phaeonawawia diplocladielloidea gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated from wood submerged in a freshwater stream in Malaysia. The fungus is generically distinct in the brown, short-stalked, bulbose or urceolate conidiogenous cells with a terminal pore rimmed with a flared collarette, producing large, dematiaceous, versicoloured, multi-euseptate, tetrahedral, or obpyramidal stauroconidia which bear hyaline filiform appendages at the end of the arms and enclosed by a thick, hyaline sheath. The new fungus is compared with some similar anamorphic fungi. Phylogenetic analyses by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches using the nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode) support the placement of this new fungus in the Chaetosphaeriaceae. The various anamorphic forms of chaetosphaeriaceous fungi are briefly discussed.

Tree inhabiting gnomoniaceous species from China, with Cryphogonomonia gen. nov. proposed.

Species of Gnomoniaceae are commonly associated with leaf spot diseases of a wide range of plant hosts worldwide. During our investigation of fungi associated with tree diseases in China, several gnomoniaceous isolates were recovered from symptomatic branches and leaves on different woody plants in the Fagaceae, Pinaceae, and Salicaceae families. These isolates were studied by applying a polyphasic approach including morphological, cultural data, and phylogenetic analyses of partial ITS, LSU, tef1, rpb2 and tub2 gene sequences. As a result, three species were identified with characters fitting into the family Gnomoniaceae. One of these species is described herein as Cryphognomonia pinigen. et sp. nov., characterized by developed pseudostromata and ascospores with obvious hyaline sheath; Gnomoniopsis xunwuensissp. nov. is illustrated showing sympodially branched conidiophore, oval or fusiform conidia; and one known species, Plagiostoma populinum. The current study improves the understanding of gnomoniaceous species causing diebacks and leaf spot on ecological and economic forest trees.

Prepapillary vascular loop-a new classification.

To analyze the ophthalmic characteristics of congenital prepapillary vascular loop (PVL) and to propose a new morphologic classification dividing the loops into six types. Collaborative multinational multicentre retrospective study of PVL cases. There was a total of 49 cases (61 eyes), 37 unilateral (75.5%) and 12 bilateral (24.5%), 32 arterial type (65.3%) and 18 venous type (36.7%) (one patient had either kind in each eye). The mean number of loops per eye was 2.7 (range, 1-7). The loops were asymptomatic in 42 cases (85.7%). Other findings included: the presence of cilioretinal artery (14 cases), retinal vascular tortuosity (26 cases), amaurosis fugax (1 case), branch retinal artery occlusion (1 case) and vitreous haemorrhage (3 cases). Six morphologic loop types could be discerned based on elevation (flat vs. elevated), shape (figure of 8 or corkscrew with hyaline sheath), number (multiple or single), location (central or peripheral), lumen size (arterial vs. arteriolar) and presence of vascular tortuosity or vitreous traction. PVL are usually asymptomatic and can be divided into six morphologic types with different pathogenesis during early embryogenesis.

Morphology and Phylogenetics of Benthic Prorocentrum Species (Dinophyceae) from Tropical Northwestern Australia.

Approximately 70 species of Prorocentrum are known, of which around 30 species are associated with benthic habitats. Some produce okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin (DTX) and their derivatives, which are involved in diarrhetic shellfish poisoning. In this study, we isolated and characterized Prorocentrum concavum and P. malayense from Broome in north Western Australia using light and scanning electron microscopy as well as molecular sequences of large subunit regions of ribosomal DNA, marking the first record of these species from Australian waters. The morphology of the motile cells of P. malayense was similar to P. concavum in the light microscopy, but differed by the smooth thecal surface, the pore pattern and the production of mucous stalk-like structures and a hyaline sheath around the non-motile cells. P. malayense could also be differentiated from other closely related species, P. leve and P. foraminosum, despite the similarity in thecal surface and pore pattern, by its platelet formula and morphologies. We tested the production of OA and DTXs from both species, but found that they did not produce detectable levels of these toxins in the given culturing conditions. This study aids in establishing more effective monitoring of potential harmful algal taxa in Australian waters for aquaculture and recreational purposes.

Mating Behavior and Reproductive Biology of Emerald Ash Borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Two of Its Native Congeners, the Twolined Chestnut Borer and the Bronze Birch Borer.

We studied the mating behavior and reproductive biology of three members of the genus Agrilus: the bronze birch borer, Agrilus anxius Gory; the twolined chestnut borer, Agrilus bilineatus (Weber); and the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire. All three species share a highly stereotyped mating behavior. However, the copulation duration of A. planipennis was 90% longer than that of its two congeners. Female reproductive tracts of the three species were anatomically similar, as were the spermatophores. Within the spermatophores, sperm were single in A. anxius and A. bilineatus, while in A. planipennis, sperm were bundled in groups of approximately 20 in a hyaline sheath. We found that field-caught A. anxius and A. bilineatus had higher rates of female insemination than A. planipennis. In additional studies with A. planipennis and A. anxius, we found that mating duration was related to mating success, and fecundity for A. planipennis, but not for A. anxius. For both A. planipennis and A. anxius, the spermatophore was passed to the female toward the end of the copulatory period. Sperm were found in the spermatheca immediately after copulation ended in A. planipennis and 30 min after copulation ended in A. anxius. We present possible explanations for these differences.

Report of two Mediterranean species of Stephos T. Scott, 1892 (Copepoda: Calanoida) in the North-East Atlantic Ocean (Brittany, France), with a note on the “hyaline sheath” in the genus Stephos

Report of two Mediterranean species of Stephos T. Scott, 1892 (Copepoda: Calanoida) in the North-East Atlantic Ocean (Brittany, France), with a note on the “hyaline sheath” in the genus Stephos

Taxonomic circumscription of melanconis-like fungi causing canker disease in China.

Melanconis-like species comprise latent fungal pathogens with a wide range of woody hosts. Taxonomy of these pathogens is difficult due to their uninformative descriptions and similar asexual morphology. Based on molecular phylogenies, many species of this group were placed in various families of Diaporthales. In this study, eight species of melanconis-like fungi were isolated from Betulaalbosinensis, B.platyphylla (Betulaceae), Cornuscontroversa (Cornaceae), Corylusmandshurica (Betulaceae) and Juglansregia (Juglandaceae) in China. These species were phylogenetically placed in three families of Diaporhthales, i.e. Juglanconisjuglandina, J.oblonga (Juglanconidaceae), Melanconiellabetulicolasp. nov., M.corylinasp. nov. (Melanconiellaceae), Melanconisbetulae, Ms.itoana, Ms.stilbostoma (Melanconidaceae) and one new genus, Sheathospora (Melanconiellaceae). Sheathospora is proposed to accommodate Melanconiellacornuta with conical and discrete pycnidia with aseptate, hyaline, cylindrical to ellipsoidal conidia with distinct hyaline sheath on branches of Cornuscontroversa. Combined analyses of ITS, LSU, CAL, RPB2 and TEF1-α sequence data were used to construct the molecular phylogeny. Additionally, we provided separate phylogenetic trees for three families (Juglanconidaceae, Melanconidaceae and Melanconiellaceae) to show the species distribution of melanconis-like fungi in China.

Classification of planctonema-like algae, including a new genus Planctonemopsis gen. nov., a new species Planctonema gelatinosum sp. nov. and a reinstated genus Psephonema (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta).

Planctonema-like species consist of planktonic green algae and are found throughout the world. Their characteristic morphology, which includes short and slender filaments consisting of side-by-side or distant cylindrical cells enclosed in a fine and hyaline sheath, makes them easily distinguishable. To date, Planctonema lauterbornii was the only taxon accepted for this group. However, descriptions from different materials have revealed notable morphological differences, including the presence/absence of a pyrenoid, a mucilage sheath and an apical thickening of the cell wall. In this study, six strains of Planctonema-like species were identified and successfully cultured in the laboratory. We used a molecular approach to determine their taxonomic relationships and phylogenetic positions. The molecular analysis resolved them to at least three genera. The genus Planctonema was positioned in Trebouxiophyceae as an incertae sedis taxon that is closely related to Oocystaceae and was divided into two species. Planctonema gelatinosum was determined to be a new species with approximately twice the width and a thicker mucilage sheath, which differentiated it from the type species Planctonema lauterbornii. The genus Psephonema was reinstated based on 1.5-2 times length-width ratio than Planctonema and the big difference on the rbcL cpDNA gene marker and an intron insertion in the 18S rDNA. A new genus, Planctonemopsis, which represents the pyrenoid-present strains among the Planctonema-like species, was established. Planctonemopsis was positioned within Oocystaceae as a new clade and is distantly related to the other two genera. Taxonomic diversity was proven by distinctive morphological differences and phylogenetic divergence in the Planctonema-like group identified herein.

Melansporellaceae: a novel family of Diaporthales (Ascomycota)

Melansporellaceae fam. nov. is introduced to accommodate a genus of diaporthalean fungi that is a phytopathogen causing walnut canker disease in China. The family is typified by Melansporella gen. nov. It can be distinguished from other diaporthalean families based on its irregularly uniseriate ascospores, and ovoid, brown conidia with a hyaline sheath and surface structures. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Melansporella juglandium sp. nov. forms a monophyletic group within Diaporthales (MP/ML/BI=100/96/1) and is a new diaporthalean clade, based on molecular data of ITS and LSU gene regions. Thus, a new family is proposed to accommodate this taxon.

A new species of marine Dactylospora and its phylogenetic affinities within the Eurotiomycetes, Ascomycota

Abstract An apparently undescribed lignicolous Dactylospora species was collected on a rocky shore in northern Taiwan. The ascomatal morphology of this fungus is similar to other marine Dactylospora species, whereas the unique feature of the new fungus is a distinct perispore forming an ascospore appendage, which comprises a thick and hyaline sheath connected at the septum that opens at both ends. Dactylospora vrijmoediae is described and illustrated as new to science. On the basis of a phylogenetic analysis of the partial 18S and 28S rRNA and RPB2 genes, D. vrijmoediae occurs with other marine species, D. haliotrepha, D. mangrovei, and the terrestrial Sclerococcum sphaerale in an unnamed clade within the Eurotiomycetes, Ascomycota. The marine Dactylospora species are distantly placed and are separated from the terrestrial Dactylospora species included in the analysis (D. lobariella, D. imperfecta).

Nephrogenic Adenoma of the Ureter

Nephrogenic adenoma (NA) is an uncommon benign lesion of the urothelial tract. The diagnostic features that are useful in the recognition of this benign entity are: the characteristic mixture of various architectural patterns, associated stromal edema and inflammation, hyaline sheath around tubules, and lack of mitotic activity. Although NA appears with hematuria or obstruction, frequently found incidentally in endoscopy or imaging modalities.

Complete genome sequence of Haliscomenobacter hydrossis type strain (O).

Haliscomenobacter hydrossis van Veen et al. 1973 is the type species of the genus Haliscomenobacter, which belongs to order "Sphingobacteriales". The species is of interest because of its isolated phylogenetic location in the tree of life, especially the so far genomically uncharted part of it, and because the organism grows in a thin, hardly visible hyaline sheath. Members of the species were isolated from fresh water of lakes and from ditch water. The genome of H. hydrossis is the first completed genome sequence reported from a member of the family "Saprospiraceae". The 8,771,651 bp long genome with its three plasmids of 92 kbp, 144 kbp and 164 kbp length contains 6,848 protein-coding and 60 RNA genes, and is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.

Henneguya torpedo sp. nov. (Myxozoa), a parasite from the nervous system of the Amazonian teleost Brachyhypopomus pinnicaudatus (Hypopomidae)

A new species of Myxosporea, Henneguya torpedo sp. nov., is described from the brain and spinal cord of the Amazonian teleostean fish Brachyhypopomus pinnicaudatus collected from the Peixe Boi River, State of Park, Brazil. The spores were surrounded by a thick hyaline sheath that is homogeneous and electron translucent and consists of 2 layers of different densities. The total spore length is 48.62 +/- 0.51 microm (mean +/- SE), the ellipsoidal spore body length is 28.53 +/- 0.36 microm, the body width is 7.25 +/- 0.31 microm and the body thickness is 3.06 +/- 0.26 microm. Each of the 2 equal-sized valves presented a tapering tail (19.64 +/- 0.44 microm in length). The 2 equal-sized thin and smooth valves surrounded 2 equal-sized and elongated ellipsoidal polar capsules (6.41 +/- 0.26 x 1.84 +/- 0.19 microm) that contained 5 to 6 (rarely 7) polar filament coils. The binucleated sporoplasm contained numerous spherical sporoplasmosomes (-260 x -280 nm) with a laterally eccentric-dense structure containing a half-crescent section. The sporoplasmosomes are surrounded by a hyaline homogenous sheath. Based on the data obtained by light and electron microscopy and on the host specificity, the spores differed from the previously described Henneguya spp., mainly in the presence of a sheath surrounding the spores, the spore shape and size and the number and arrangement of the polar filament coils. Therefore, from this description we propose the establishment of a new species, which we have named Henneguya torpedo sp. nov.

Nephrogenic adenoma: report of a case and review of morphologic mimics.

Abstract Nephrogenic adenoma, also referred to as nephrogenic metaplasia, is an uncommon benign lesion of the urothelial tract, characterized by a circumscribed proliferation of tubules, cysts, and papillae lined by cells with low cuboidal to columnar epithelium. The diagnostic features that are useful in the recognition of this benign entity are the characteristic mixture of various architectural patterns, associated stromal edema and inflammation, hyaline sheath around tubules, eosinophilic colloidlike secretion within tubules, and lack of mitotic activity. Nephrogenic adenoma can be a significant diagnostic pitfall as certain histologic features, such as the presence of enlarged nuclei with prominent nucleoli, degenerative nuclear atypia, tiny tubules with blue mucin simulating signet ring cells, and focal invasion into superficial muscle, when taken out of context, can mimic malignancy. Herein, I report a case of nephrogenic adenoma with some worrisome histologic features and review the diagnostic cri...

Nephrogenic Adenoma: Report of a Case and Review of Morphologic Mimics

Nephrogenic adenoma, also referred to as nephrogenic metaplasia, is an uncommon benign lesion of the urothelial tract, characterized by a circumscribed proliferation of tubules, cysts, and papillae lined by cells with low cuboidal to columnar epithelium. The diagnostic features that are useful in the recognition of this benign entity are the characteristic mixture of various architectural patterns, associated stromal edema and inflammation, hyaline sheath around tubules, eosinophilic colloidlike secretion within tubules, and lack of mitotic activity. Nephrogenic adenoma can be a significant diagnostic pitfall as certain histologic features, such as the presence of enlarged nuclei with prominent nucleoli, degenerative nuclear atypia, tiny tubules with blue mucin simulating signet ring cells, and focal invasion into superficial muscle, when taken out of context, can mimic malignancy. Herein, I report a case of nephrogenic adenoma with some worrisome histologic features and review the diagnostic criteria as well as pertinent morphologic malignant mimics of nephrogenic adenoma.

Microfilaria in cytology smears from upper arm swelling

Sir, Filariasis is endemic in tropical countries such as India, China, Indonesia, parts of Asia and Africa.[1] The adult filarial worms reside in the lymphatic system from where the gravid female releases large number of microfilaria which may pass through the thoracic duct and pulmonary capillaries into the peripheral blood, and occasionally, microfilaraemia may be found in the infected patient. Microfilaria have been reported in variable locations like epididymis,[2] thyroid,[3] breast[4] and in variable specimens like bronchial washings, urine[5] and ovarian fluids.[6] Many of the cases reported have been incidental findings on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) examination. Microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti are identified morphologically by the presence of hyaline sheath, length of cephalic space and presence of nuclei from head to tail, with tip free from the nuclei. It is common to find microfilaria in axillary lymph nodes;[7] however, to find them in a cystic swelling in the upper arm is very rare. We present an interesting case of an 18-year-old boy who presented with a cystic swelling on the medial aspect of the upper arm of 1 week duration, and was referred to the pathology department for FNAC. The swelling measured 2.5 × 1.0 cm and FNAC yielded straw colored fluid, Giemsa stained smears prepared from which showed numerous microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti in a clear background [Figure 1]. On further investigation, eosinophilia and microfilaraemia were found in the peripheral blood film. Prompt therapy was started which led to the resolution of the infection. Figure 1 FNAC smear shows microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti (tail tip free of nuclei) in a clear background (Giemsa, ×400) In conclusion, we emphasize the importance to consider filariasis in differential diagnosis in unusual cystic swellings, especially in endemic countries.