Larval Types Research Articles

Drosophila embryonic type II neuroblasts: origin, temporal patterning, and contribution to the adult central complex

Drosophila neuroblasts are an excellent model for investigating how neuronal diversity is generated. Most brain neuroblasts generate a series of ganglion mother cells (GMCs) that each make two neurons (type I lineage), but 16 brain neuroblasts generate a series of intermediate neural progenitors (INPs) that each produce 4-6 GMCs and 8-12 neurons (type II lineage). Thus, type II lineages are similar to primate cortical lineages, and may serve as models for understanding cortical expansion. Yet the origin of type II neuroblasts remains mysterious: do they form in the embryo or larva? If they form in the embryo, do their progeny populate the adult central complex, as do the larval type II neuroblast progeny? Here, we present molecular and clonal data showing that all type II neuroblasts form in the embryo, produce INPs and express known temporal transcription factors. Embryonic type II neuroblasts and INPs undergo quiescence, and produce embryonic-born progeny that contribute to the adult central complex. Our results provide a foundation for investigating the development of the central complex, and tools for characterizing early-born neurons in central complex function.

An additional larval type in the genus Chironomus – the yama-type.

A new larval type in the genus Chironomus is suggested.

First record on the development of the larva of the basally branching nemertean species Carinina ochracea (Palaeonemertea)

Nemertea are a clade of unsegmented, vermiform, mostly marine Spiralia. While it is generally accepted that Nemertea develop via a pelagic larval stage there is considerable uncertainty about its characteristic, ancestral features. The uncertainty is mainly due to highly disparate larval types in the derived clade Neonemertea and the scarce information on the larval types of Palaeonemertea, the basal-most branching clade of Nemertea. To remedy this shortage of data the early larval development of a member of the palaeonemertean genus Carinina, Carinina ochracea, is described for the first time. Congruently to what has been described in other palaeonemertean species the larva of C. ochracea is uniformly ciliated along with an apical tuft of elongated cilia housed in an epidermal depression, the apical pit. A pair of frontal epidermal invaginations present bilaterally of the apical pit has been shown in other palaeonemertean larvae as well. Following gastrulation the blastopore is shifted to the ventral side of the body to become the mouth opening. A pair of simple unbranched nephridia that is situated on both sides of the mouth opening completes the list of structures documented for palaeonemertean larvae. Formation of the anal opening was not observed during this study. The presence of a single pigmented ventral eye was hitherto reported from the larva of Carinoma species only. The presented results complement the record of larval types found in Palaeonemertea and will serve as a reference for subsequent studies on the development of internal structures in palaeonemertean species.

Zooplankton from can Giuoc River in Southern Vietnam

Abstract In this study, the variables of zooplankton and water quality were investigated in the Can Giuoc River, Southern Vietnam. Zooplankton was monitored in April and September 2015 at 5 sampling sites in the river. Some basic water quality parameters were also tested, including pH, total suspended solid (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), inorganic nitrogen (NH4+), dissolved phosphorus (PO43−), and coliform. The zooplankton biodiversity indices were applied for the water quality assessment. The results showed that pH ranged from 6.7 to 7.6 during the monitoring. The TSSs were between 34–117 mg/L. The DO and BOD5 were from 0.6 to 3.8 mg/L and from 6.3 to 13.2 mg/L, respectively. The NH4+ and PO43− concentrations ranged from 0.44 to 3.23 and from 0.08 to 1.85 mg/L, respectively. The coliform number was between 9.3×103–9.3×104 MPN/100 mL. The zooplankton analyses showed that there were 31 species of coelenterates, rotatoria, oligochaetes, cladocerans, copepods, ostracods, mysidacea, and 8 larval types. Thereof, the species of copepods were dominant in the species number. The zooplankton density ranged from 9 500 to 23 600 individuals/m3 with the main dominant species of Moina dubia (Cladocera), Thermocyclops hyalinus, Acartia clausi, Oithona similis (Copepoda), and nauplius copepods. The biodiversity index values during the monitoring were from 1.47 to 1.79 characteristic of mesotrophic conditions of the aquatic environment. Besides, the species richness positively correlated with pH, TSS, DO, BOD5, NH4+, PO43−, and coliform, while the zooplankton densities got a positive correlation with DO, BOD5, NH4+, PO43−, and coliform. The results confirmed the advantage of using zooplankton and its indices for water quality assessment.

Development of the Nervous System of Carinina ochracea (Palaeonemer-tea, Nemertea).

The various clades of Lophotrochozoa possess highly disparate adult morphologies. Most of them, including Nemertea (ribbon worms), are postulated to develop via a pelagic larva of the trochophora type, which is regarded as plesiomorphic in Lophotrochozoa. With respect to the nervous system, the trochophora larva displays a set of stereotypic features, including an apical organ and trochal neurites, both of which are lost at the onset of metamorphosis. In the investigated larvae of Nemertea, the nervous system is somewhat divergent from the postulated hypothetical trochophore-like pattern. Moreover, no detailed data is available for the “hidden” trochophore larva, the hypothetical ancestral larval type of palaeonemertean species. Therefore, the development of the nervous system in the larva of Carinina ochracea, a basally branching palaeonemertean species, was studied by means of immunofluorescence and confocal laserscanning microscopy. Like in the other investigated nemertean larvae, the prospective adult central nervous system in C. ochracea develops in an anterior to posterior direction, as an anterior brain with paired longitudinal nerve cords. Thus, development of the adult nervous system in Nemertea is largely congruent with currently accepted hypotheses of nervous system development in Spiralia. In early development, transitory apical, serotonin-like immunoreactive flask-shaped cells are initially present, but the trochal neurites that have been considered as pivotal to lophotrochozoan development, are absent. In the light of the above stated hypothesis, trochal neurites have to be interpreted as reduced in Nemertea. On the other hand, due to the unsettled systematic status of Palaeonemertea, more comparative data are desirable to answer the remaining questions regarding the evolution of nervous system development in Nemertea.

Effects of a commonly used glyphosate-based herbicide formulation on early developmental stages of two anuran species.

Environmental contamination, especially due to the increasing use of pesticides, is suggested to be one out of six main reasons for the global amphibian decline. Adverse effects of glyphosate-based herbicides on amphibians have been already discussed in several studies with different conclusions, especially regarding sublethal effects at environmentally relevant concentrations. Therefore, we studied the acute toxic effects (mortality, growth, and morphological changes) of the commonly used glyphosate-based herbicide formulation Roundup® UltraMax on early aquatic developmental stages of two anuran species with different larval types (obligate vs. facultative filtrating suspension feeders), the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) and the Mediterranean painted frog (Discoglossus pictus). While X. laevis is an established anuran model organism in amphibian toxicological studies, we aim to establish D. pictus as another model for species with facultative filtrating larvae. A special focus of the present study lies on malformations in X. laevis embryos, which were investigated using histological preparations. In general, embryos and larvae of X. laevis reacted more sensitive concerning lethal effects compared to early developmental stages of D. pictus. It was suggested, that especially the different morphology of their filter apparatus and the higher volume of water pumped through the buccopharynx of X. laevis larvae lead to higher exposure to the formulation. The test substance induced similar lethal effects in D. pictus larvae as it does in the teleost standard test organism used in pesticide approval, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), whereas embryos of both species are apparently more tolerant and, conversely, X. laevis larvae about two times more sensitive. In both species, early larvae always reacted significantly more sensitive than embryos. Exposure to the test substance increased malformation rates in embryos of both species in a concentration-dependent manner, but not at environmentally relevant concentrations. However, the assumed field safety, based on calculated surface water concentrations of the active ingredient (glyphosate), should be validated with realistic field data and buffer strips have to be urgently regarded to any aquatic amphibian habitat.

Survey for the presence of ascaridoid larvae in the cinnamon flounder Pseudorhombus cinnamoneus (Temminck & Schlegel) (Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae)

The cinnamon flounder Pseudorhombus cinnamoneus is a frequently consumed marine fish in China. However, the occurrence of ascaridoid larvae in P. cinnamoneus remains unclear. In the present study, a total of 85 P. cinnamoneus caught from the Yellow Sea (off Shidao, 36°52′57″N, 122°26′42″E) in 2011, which is located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula, was investigated for ascaridoid larval infection. Four ascaridoid larval types, including Anisakis type I of Berland (1961), Hysterothylacium type of Smith (1983), Hysterothylacium type HL of Guo et al. (2014) and Raphidascaris type of Zhao et al. (2016), were detected in this important food fish. These larval types were identified as Anisakis pegreffii, Hysterothylacium aduncum, H. sinense and Raphidascaris lophii, respectively, using PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) analysis and sequencing of the ITS region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The third-stage larvae of H. sinense are reported from Chinese waters for the first time. The prevalence of H. sinense was 100% and represents the predominant species of the ascaridoid larvae found in P. cinnamoneus. The prevalences of A. pegreffii and H. aduncum were 44.7% and 81.2%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequences were performed to elucidate the genetic relationships of these ascaridoid nematodes. The present study increases the knowledge and distribution of ascaridoid larvae in this area of Yellow Sea. The high prevalence of ascaridoid larvae in P. cinnamoneus shows that an assessment needs to be undertaken to assess the risk these parasites may pose to public health.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 regulation of proliferation and differentiation of Xenopus laevis myogenic cells in vitro.

To understand the mechanism of muscle remodeling during Xenopus laevis metamorphosis, we examined the in vitro effect of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) on growth and differentiation of three different-fate myogenic cell populations: tadpole tail, tadpole dorsal, and young adult leg muscle. IGF-1 promoted growth and differentiation of both tail and leg myogenic cells only under conditions where these cells could proliferate. Inhibition of cell proliferation by DNA synthesis inhibitor cytosine arabinoside completely canceled the IGF-1's cell differentiation promotion, suggesting the possibility that IGF-1's differentiation-promotion effect is an indirect effect via IGF-1's cell proliferation promotion. IGF-1 promoted differentiation dose dependently with maximum effect at 100-500ng/ml. RT-PCR analysis revealed the upregulation (11-fold) of ifg1 mRNA expression in developing limbs, suggesting that IGF-1 plays a role in promoting muscle differentiation during limb development. The combined effect of triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and IGF-1 was also examined. In adult leg cells, IGF-1 promoted growth and differentiation irrespective of the presence of T3. In larval tail cells, cell count was 76% lower in the presence of T3, and IGF-1 did not promote proliferation and differentiation in T3-containing medium. In larval dorsal cells, cell count was also lower in the presence of T3, but IGF-1 enhanced proliferation and differentiation in T3-containing medium. This result is likely due to the presence among dorsal cells of both adult and larval types (1:1). Thus, IGF-1 affects only adult-type myogenic cells in the presence of T3 and helps accelerate dorsal muscle remodeling during metamorphosis.

Morphometric and molecular descriptions of three new species of Hysterothylacium (Nematoda: Raphidascarididae) from Australian marine fish.

Three new species of Hysterothylacium Ward & Magath, 1917, including H. australe, H. kajikiae and H. brucei, from Australian marine fish are described and illustrated by light microscopy followed by genetic characterization of their first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2, respectively). This is the first study reporting ITS sequence data for adult Hysterothylacium spp. in Australia, which provides an insight into the identification of some of the Hysterothylacium larval types. Alignment of ITS sequences of these species with Hysterothylacium larval types previously reported in Australia showed that fourth-stage Hysterothylacium larval type XI from Seriola lalandi and third-stage Hysterothylacium larval type X from Sphyraene novae-hollandiae are identical with ITS sequences of H. australe, suggesting that these fish are natural intermediate/paratenic hosts of H. australe.

Morphology and molecular characterization hold hands: clarifying the taxonomy of Hysterothylacium (Nematoda: Anisakidae) larval forms.

During the last decade, many morphotypes of larval forms of Hysterothylacium have been proposed; however, their boundaries are taxonomically unclear. We compare newly collected material with data available for Hysterothylacium larvae, based on genetics and morphology, in order to evaluate their relationships and simplify their classification. The previously described Hysterothylacium larval type IV, type V, and type X were found in several marine fishes from Brazil. A new Hysterothylacium larval type XV, parasitic in Elops saurus from State of Sergipe, north-eastern Brazil, was proposed based on its genetic singularity and the presence of numerous spines throughout the body. Based upon phylogenetic reconstruction using the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) ITS2 sequences along with morphological traits, the following third stage larvae were considered valid (synonyms are inside parenthesis) type III (= types VII and VIII), type V (= types VI, XII, and XIII), and type X (= type XIV). Despite the lack of molecular data, Hysterothylacium larval type II is considered as synonym of type I because of their identical morphology. The morphometry of Hysterothylacium third stage larvae proved to be weak as a diagnostic tool due to its high rates of variation. Phylogenetic reconstruction using the concatenated sequences of rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and the mitochondrion DNA (mtDNA) cox2 revealed that the sampled Hysterothylacium larval types V may represent three different species and H. deardorffovestreetorum may represent two different taxa. Furthermore, H. deardorffovestreetorum is considered species inquirenda due to its problematic description and diagnosis which are based only on larvae. A key to Hysterothylacium larvae from marine fishes is provided.

How functional traits of estuarine macrobenthic assemblages respond to metal contamination?

The effects of metal contamination on estuarine macrobenthic communities were investigated using the Biological Traits Analysis (BTA). The study was carried out in the Tagus estuary (western Portugal). Samples of macrobenthic communities and associated environmental variables were taken in four surveys (September 2012, and February, May and October 2013) across the contamination gradient from three main zones: a slightly contaminated, a moderately contaminated and a highly contaminated zone. Functional traits for the most abundant species were assigned using seven categories based on “Feeding mode”, “Life span”, “Body size”, “Motility”, “Position in sediments”, “Larval type” and “AMBI ecological group”. To investigate whether the macroinvertebrate community structure was associated with the environmental parameters and biological traits an integrative multivariate analysis, combining the RLQ analysis and the fourth-corner method, was applied. Within this analysis, human-induced estuarine variables (metals) were rendered independent from natural ones (sediment fine particles) through partial correlations. Following this approach, it was possible to decouple the effects of two typically highly correlated environmental descriptors with different origins. Overall, the study identified significant relationships between sediment environmental descriptors and the functional traits of macrobenthic communities. Further, RLQ/Fourth-corner combined analysis successfully isolated the traits and corresponding species that were most correlated with the measured concentration of trace metals in sediments, supporting the knowledge that benthic organisms exhibit distinct responses to different levels of disturbance. A shift in species dominance occurred along the contamination gradient with epifaunal tolerant species with very small size, long life span, and crawling motility dominating the highest contaminated area. This area was also related with surface deposit-feeder species. The most representative species associated with this area was the gastropod Peringia ulvae. Less contaminated sites revealed large-sized specimens, carnivores and swimmers, mainly represented by the polychaete Nephtys hombergii. This finding is consistent with other studies addressing different kinds of disturbance, where a shift in dominance from carnivore/predators, long-lived and large animals to the predominance of small-size, short-lived and deposit-feeders has been observed across increasing gradients of disturbance. Our results reinforce the importance of macrobenthic functional traits analysis to assess human disturbances driven impacts in multi-stressed estuarine ecosystems. By analysing the environmental variables with different origins independently, we were able to draw conclusions about the effects of human pressures (metals) on macrobenthic traits. Such distinction can be particularly useful to isolate different environmental descriptors and assess their effects on functional diversity, making the current approach promising in evaluation the ecological effects of anthropogenic stressors in estuarine areas.

Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) benefit from a cultivation of the bioenergy crop Silphium perfoliatumL. (Asteraceae) depending on larval feeding type, landscape composition and crop management

Abstract An increasing production of annual bioenergy crops such as maize has led to regional land‐use changes, causing further shortages of already scarce floral resources for pollinators. Diversification of energy crop production with flowering crops is discussed as a mitigation strategy. The perennial Silphium perfoliatum, characterized by a flowering period between July and September, represents a promising candidate crop. The present study aimed to investigate the management and landscape conditions under which a cultivation of S. perfoliatum could be an effective measure for pollinator conservation. In this context, hoverflies served as suitable indicators as a result of the different feeding behaviours of adults (floral resources) and larvae (mostly zoophagous or microphagous). We compared abundance and species richness of adult hoverflies in 15 flowering S. perfoliatum fields in Germany with that in neighbouring habitats (maize fields, ditches/brooks and forest edges) and tested whether the landscape composition influenced local abundance and species richness in S. perfoliatum fields depending on larval feeding type. Only microphagous hoverflies were more abundant in S. perfoliatum fields than in neighbouring habitats, primarily in mid‐September. This might be explained by the different activity periods and adaptations to flower traits of the two hoverfly groups. Although the abundance of zoophagous hoverflies was positively influenced by a higher crop diversity, the abundance and species richness of microphagous hoverflies responded positively to higher proportions of semi‐natural habitats in the surroundings. Silphium perfoliatum can support certain hoverfly groups when it is harvested late to ensure a flower supply through to September and when semi‐natural habitats are maintained in agricultural landscapes.

A Genetic Mosaic Screen Reveals Ecdysone-Responsive Genes Regulating Drosophila Oogenesis.

Multiple aspects of Drosophila oogenesis, including germline stem cell activity, germ cell differentiation, and follicle survival, are regulated by the steroid hormone ecdysone. While the transcriptional targets of ecdysone signaling during development have been studied extensively, targets in the ovary remain largely unknown. Early studies of salivary gland polytene chromosomes led to a model in which ecdysone stimulates a hierarchical transcriptional cascade, wherein a core group of ecdysone-sensitive transcription factors induce tissue-specific responses by activating secondary branches of transcriptional targets. More recently, genome-wide approaches have identified hundreds of putative ecdysone-responsive targets. Determining whether these putative targets represent bona fide targets in vivo, however, requires that they be tested via traditional mutant analysis in a cell-type specific fashion. To investigate the molecular mechanisms whereby ecdysone signaling regulates oogenesis, we used genetic mosaic analysis to screen putative ecdysone-responsive genes for novel roles in the control of the earliest steps of oogenesis. We identified a cohort of genes required for stem cell maintenance, stem and progenitor cell proliferation, and follicle encapsulation, growth, and survival. These genes encode transcription factors, chromatin modulators, and factors required for RNA transport, stability, and ribosome biogenesis, suggesting that ecdysone might control a wide range of molecular processes during oogenesis. Our results suggest that, although ecdysone target genes are known to have cell type-specific roles, many ecdysone response genes that control larval or pupal cell types at developmental transitions are used reiteratively in the adult ovary. These results provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms by which ecdysone signaling controls oogenesis, laying new ground for future studies.

Occurrence of ascaridoid nematodes in selected edible fish from the Persian Gulf and description of Hysterothylacium larval type XV and Hysterothylacium persicum n. sp. (Nematoda: Raphidascarididae)

Despite several reports on the presence of the potentially zoonotic nematodes among edible fishes in the Persian Gulf, there is still no study on the specific identification of these parasites or their genetic characterisation. In the present study, a total of 600 fish belonging to five popular species of fish in the region, including Otolithes ruber, Psettodes erumei, Saurida tumbil, Scomberomorus commerson and Sphyraena jello were examined for infection with nematode parasites. Detailed microscopy of nematodes found in the present study followed by characterisation of the first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2, respectively) showed that they belong to five distinct taxa that could be potentially zoonotic. Anisakis type I was found in four species of fish, had identical ITS sequences as Anisakis typica previously reported in Australian waters and was different from those reported in the Nearctic. Hysterothylacium type VI in the present study was morphologically similar to those previously described from Australasian waters and ITS sequences were identical among Australian specimens and those found in the present study. Another Hysterothylacium larval type was also found in the present study which had identical ITS sequences and similar morphology to those previously reported and identified as H. amoyense in China Sea. Since no ITS sequence data from a well identified adult H. amoyense with an identifiable museum voucher number is yet available and due to some other issues discussed in the article we suggest assignment of this larval type from the China Sea and the Persian Gulf to H. amoyense is doubtful until future studies on a well identified male specimen of H. amoyense or other species reveals the specific identity of this larval type. We propose to refer to this larval type as Hysterothylacium larval type XV. In the present study we also describe a new species, Hysterothylacium persicum and discuss how to differentiate it from closely related species. We also found some adult females with distinct morphology and ITS sequence but due to lack of male specimens they have been referred as Hysterothylacium sp. in this paper. They had the same ITS sequence data as Hysterothylacium larval type VI. This study shows the presence of a relatively broad diversity of potentially zoonotic nematodes in edible fish of the Persian Gulf. Therefore educational campaigns for public and local health practitioners are suggested to protect consumers from becoming infected with these parasites.

A synthesis of genetic connectivity in deep-sea fauna and implications for marine reserve design.

With anthropogenic impacts rapidly advancing into deeper waters, there is growing interest in establishing deep-sea marine protected areas (MPAs) or reserves. Reserve design depends on estimates of connectivity and scales of dispersal for the taxa of interest. Deep-sea taxa are hypothesized to disperse greater distances than shallow-water taxa, which implies that reserves would need to be larger in size and networks could be more widely spaced; however, this paradigm has not been tested. We compiled population genetic studies of deep-sea fauna and estimated dispersal distances for 51 studies using a method based on isolation-by-distance slopes. Estimates of dispersal distance ranged from 0.24km to 2028km with a geometric mean of 33.2km and differed in relation to taxonomic and life-history factors as well as several study parameters. Dispersal distances were generally greater for fishes than invertebrates with the Mollusca being the least dispersive sampled phylum. Species that are pelagic as adults were more dispersive than those with sessile or sedentary lifestyles. Benthic species from soft-substrate habitats were generally less dispersive than species from hard substrate, demersal or pelagic habitats. As expected, species with pelagic and/or feeding (planktotrophic) larvae were more dispersive than other larval types. Many of these comparisons were confounded by taxonomic or other life-history differences (e.g. fishes being more dispersive than invertebrates) making any simple interpretation difficult. Our results provide the first rough estimate of the range of dispersal distances in the deep sea and allow comparisons to shallow-water assemblages. Overall, dispersal distances were greater for deeper taxa, although the differences were not large (0.3-0.6 orders of magnitude between means), and imbalanced sampling of shallow and deep taxa complicates any simple interpretation. Our analyses suggest the scales of dispersal and connectivity for reserve design in the deep sea might be comparable to or slightly larger than those in shallow water. Deep-sea reserve design will need to consider the enormous variety of taxa, life histories, hydrodynamics, spatial configuration of habitats and patterns of species distributions. The many caveats of our analyses provide a strong impetus for substantial future efforts to assess connectivity of deep-sea species from a variety of habitats, taxonomic groups and depth zones.

Occurrence of Terranova larval types (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Australian marine fish with comments on their specific identities.

Pseudoterranovosis is a well-known human disease caused by anisakid larvae belonging to the genus Pseudoterranova. Human infection occurs after consuming infected fish. Hence the presence of Pseudoterranova larvae in the flesh of the fish can cause serious losses and problems for the seafood, fishing and fisheries industries. The accurate identification of Pseudoterranova larvae in fish is important, but challenging because the larval stages of a number of different genera, including Pseudoterranova, Terranova and Pulchrascaris, look similar and cannot be differentiated from each other using morphological criteria, hence they are all referred to as Terranova larval type. Given that Terranova larval types in seafood are not necessarily Pseudoterranova and may not be dangerous, the aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Terranova larval types in Australian marine fish and to determine their specific identity. A total of 137 fish belonging to 45 species were examined. Terranova larval types were found in 13 species, some of which were popular edible fish in Australia. The sequences of the first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2 respectively) of the Terranova larvae in the present study showed a high degree of similarity suggesting that they all belong to the same species. Due to the lack of a comparable sequence data of a well identified adult in the GenBank database the specific identity of Terranova larval type in the present study remains unknown. The sequence of the ITS regions of the Terranova larval type in the present study and those of Pseudoterranova spp. available in GenBank are significantly different, suggesting that larvae found in the present study do not belong to the genus Pseudoterranova, which is zoonotic. This study does not rule out the presence of Pseudoterranova larvae in Australian fish as Pseudoterranova decipiens E has been reported in adult form from seals in Antarctica and it is known that they have seasonal presence in Australian southern coasts. The genetic distinction of Terranova larval type in the present study from Pseudoterranova spp. along with the presence of more species of elasmobranchs in Australian waters (definitive hosts of Terranova spp. and Pulchrascaris spp.) than seals (definitive hosts of Pseudoterranova spp.) suggest that Terranova larval type in the present study belong to either genus Terranova or Pulchrascaris, which are not known to cause disease in humans. The present study provides essential information that could be helpful to identify Australian Terranova larval types in future studies. Examination and characterisation of further specimens, especially adults of Terranova and Pulchrascaris, is necessary to fully elucidate the identity of these larvae.

The ontogeny of choanocyte chambers during metamorphosis in the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica.

BackgroundThe aquiferous body plan of poriferans revolves around internal chambers comprised of choanocytes, a cell type structurally similar to choanoflagellates. These choanocyte chambers perform a range of physiological and developmental functions, including the capture of food and the generation of stem cells. Despite the increasing interest for choanocytes as sponge stem cells, there is limited knowledge on the development of choanocyte chambers. Using a combination of cell lineage tracing, antibody staining and EdU labeling, here we examine the development of choanocytes and the chambers they comprise during metamorphosis in the marine demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica.ResultsLineage-tracing experiments show that larval epithelial cells transform into mesenchymal pluripotent stem cells, resembling archeocytes, within 24 h of initiating metamorphosis. By 36 h, some of these labeled archeocyte-like cells have differentiated into choanocytes that will form the first postlarval choanocyte chambers. Non-labeled cells also contribute to these primary choanocyte chambers, consistent with these chambers being a chimera of multiple transdifferentiated larval cell types and not the proliferation of a single choanocyte precursor. Moreover, cell proliferation assays demonstrate that, following the initial formation of choanocyte chambers, chambers grow at least partially by the proliferation of choanocytes within the chamber, although recruitment of individual cells into established chambers also appears to occur. EdU labeling of postlarvae and juveniles reveals that choanocyte chambers are the primary location of cell proliferation during metamorphosis.ConclusionOur results show that multiple larval cell lineages typically contribute to formation of individual choanocyte chambers at metamorphosis, contrary to previous reports in other species that show sponge choanocyte chambers form clonally. Choanocytes in postlarval and juvenile A. queenslandica chambers can also divide, with choanocyte chambers being the primary location of cell proliferation. Interestingly, the level of cell proliferation varies greatly between chambers and appears to be contingent on the size, location and developmental state of the chamber. Small chambers on the periphery of the body tend to possess more dividing cells. As choanocytes can also dedifferentiate into archeocyte-like cells, cell proliferation in chambers may not only contribute to chamber growth and self-renewal but also increase the number of pluripotent archeocytes.

Seasonality and lunar periodicity in the sexual reproduction of the coral-killing sponge, Terpios hoshinota

Sexual reproduction of the cyanobacteriosponge, Terpios hoshinota, was studied at Lyudao (Green Island), Taiwan, from 2011 to 2013 through histological examinations, electron microscopy, and in situ observations of larval release. Histological examinations identified five reproductive structures: oocytes, sperm cysts, cell masses, early-stage embryos, and mature embryos. These reproductive structures were often observed in the same specimens, indicating that T. hoshinota is a hermaphroditic brooder. No cyanobacteria were seen in the gametes, and transmission of symbiotic cyanobacteria from parental tissues to larvae likely occurred during embryogenesis. The cell mass, a loose aggregate of numerous symbiotic cyanobacteria and maternal sponge cells, appeared to be eventually incorporated and constitutes the inner part of pre-hatching larvae, suggesting that the larval type is pseudoblastula instead of parenchymella as previously suggested. A clear lunar periodicity was seen in the reproductive cycle; larvae were released mostly around the full moon and occasionally around the new moon. Reproductive activity declined during months with low temperatures (January–April). The larvae were characterized by negative buoyancy and limited mobility, suggesting a larval dispersal distance on a scale of meters under calm weather. However, long-distance dispersal of larvae could still be possible through occasional strong currents during bad weather, such as typhoons, if the larvae survived during the dispersal period by accessing extra energy from the symbiotic cyanobacteria through their photosynthates and/or consuming the cyanobacteria as a source of nutrients. This study showed that T. hoshinota has high fecundity, with a monthly release of numerous larvae over a long reproductive season. This high fecundity, along with local larval dispersal and rapid post-settlement growth, enables rapid population expansion of T. hoshinota.

Extreme morphologies of mantis shrimp larvae

Larvae of stomatopods (mantis shrimps) are generally categorized into four larval types: antizoea, pseudozoea (both representing early larval stages), alima and erichthus (the latter two representing later larval stages). These categories, however, do not reflect the existing morphological diversity of stomatopod larvae, which is largely unstudied. We describe here four previously unknown larval types with extreme morphologies. All specimens were found in the collections of the Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen and were collected during the Danish Dana Expedition round the world 1928-30. These new larval types all represent erichthus-type larvae, especially differing in their shield morphologies. The shield morphology ranges from almost spherical to rather disc-like, with sometimes extremely elongated spines, but only a general systematic assignment of the larvae was possible. Further investigations of these larvae are crucial to understand their life habits and ecological impact, especially as stomatopod and other crustacean larvae might have a much more important position in the marine ecosystems than their corresponding adults.

A Qualitative Evidence of the Breeding Sites of Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) in and Around Kassala Town, Eastern Sudan.

Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) is considered the most efficient malaria vector in eastern Sudan. This study aims to characterize the breeding sites of An. arabiensis throughout the year in and around Kassala town, eastern Sudan. Diverse larval habitat types were visited and characterized based on the habitat type and chemical composition. Mosquito larvae were found in many diverse habitats. During the rainy season, rain pools and water bodies created by the seasonal Gash River serve as the main breeding sites. In the dry season, irrigation canals, seepage from water pipes, neglected wells, artificial containers, and man-made ditches serve as the main breeding sites. Breeding water showed a pH of 7.9 and a low concentration of the total dissolved salts. The results of this study may be considered in planning and implementing larval control programs in the area.