Medium-sized Bodies Research Articles

Description of Pauronemoides siddiqii n. gen., n. sp. (Tylenchomorpha, Paurodontidae), a morphological and molecular phylogenetic study

Summary Three populations of Pauronemoides siddiqii n. gen., n. sp. were recovered from three different locations in northwestern and northern Iran from bark and soil samples. The new genus was described and illustrated based upon morphological and molecular characteristics. Pauronemoides n. gen. belongs to the family Paurodontidae and is characterised by the medium-sized body, asymmetrical knobs in stylet base, stem-like extension into intestine, post-vulval uterine sac (PUS) absent or rudimentary, different tail tip shape between sexes, and bursa enveloping tail or reaching to the tail end. The type species, Pauronemoides siddiqii n. gen., n. sp., is mainly characterised by 752-1281 μm body length in females and 660-1085 μm in males, six equally-sized lips, stylet 9-11 μm long with asymmetrical knobs, six incisures in lateral fields forming five bands, three of which (two outers and one central) are wider, and variably lengthened stem-like extension projecting into the intestine. Vulva situated posteriorly (V = 87.7-91.7%), PUS absent. Conical tail with widely rounded end, having a small mucron at tip in females, males with conical tail ending to a narrower tip and bursa enveloping tail completely. The type species of the new genus was compared with all known species of the genera Prothallonema, Paurodontus, Paurodontoides and Paurodontella. Pauronemoides siddiqii n. gen., n. sp. resembles Prothallonema macrocellum and P. mucronatum by having the bulb extension penetrating into the intestine, dimorphism in tail shape of both sexes and bursa enveloping tail, and Paurodontella iranica by tail shape dimorphism between sexes and bursa ending near tail tip. Therefore, the above-mentioned species are transferred to the new genus as Pauronemoides macrocellus n. gen., n. comb. (= Prothallonema macrocellum), P. mucronatus n. gen., n. comb. (= Prothallonema mucronatum) and P. iranicus n. gen., n. comb. (= Paurodontella iranica). In addition to morphological comparisons, molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed using two sequences of small subunit (SSU), and three partial sequences of D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA, and the resulting topologies were discussed.

Description and Molecular Characterization of a New Dorylaimid Nematode, Mesodorylaimus pini n. sp. (Nematoda: Dorylaimidae) from Korea.

Mesodorylaimus pini n. sp., a new species isolated from the bark and cambium layer of a dead black pine tree is characterized herein using integrative taxonomy, considering both morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the 18S- and 28S-rRNA genes. Mesodorylaimus pini n. sp. is characterized by having a medium-sized body 1.50-1.89 mm long; lip region angular and offset by a depression; a relatively long odontostyle (17.0-19.0 μm); vulval opening a transverse slit, positioned slightly posteriorly; pars refringens vaginae with two elongated drop-shaped to spindle-shaped sclerotizations; an intestine-prerectum junction with a long anteriorly directed conical or tongue-like projection; a relatively long female tail (115-187 μm); spicules 48.0-57.0 μm long; and regularly spaced 7-8 ventromedian supplements. It is closest to M. subtilis, especially in having similar body length and number of ventromedian supplements but can be differentiated from M. subtilis by the longer odontostyle, tongue-like projection, and longer spicules. The phylogenies based on the 18S- and 28S-rRNA sequences showed a well-supported sister relation of M. pini n. sp. with M. subtilis, M. japonicus, M. bastiani, M. pseudobastiani, Calcaridorylaimus castaneae, C. heynsi, and other member species of the group.

Description of a new nematode species, Chromadorinacommunis sp. nov. (Nematoda, Chromadoridae), from Changdao Island, China and phylogenetic analysis of Chromadorida based on small subunit rRNA gene sequences.

Chromadorinacommunissp. nov. is described from Changdao Island at the confluence of the Yellow and the Bohai seas. The new species is characterized by its medium-sized body; finely striated cuticle with homogeneous punctations; absence of ocelli; buccal cavity with three equal-sized, solid teeth; four cephalic setae; oval amphidial fovea which is positioned between cephalic setae; curved spicules with tapered distal ends; simple, boat-shaped gubernaculums; five or six cup-shaped precloacal supplements; and conical tail with a very short spinneret. A phylogenetic analysis of small subunit rRNA gene sequences using maximum-likelihood and Bayesin inference confirmed the taxonomic position of Chromadorinacommunissp. nov. within Chromadorinae. Tree topology in Chromadorida shows six morphological families clustered into a monophyletic clade and verifies the taxonomic position of the family Neotonchidae based on morphological and molecular analysis.

Medium-Sized Lake Water Quality Parameters Retrieval Using Multispectral UAV Image and Machine Learning Algorithms: A Case Study of the Yuandang Lake, China

Water quality monitoring of medium-sized inland water is important for water environment protection given the large number of small-to-medium size water bodies in China. A case study was conducted on Yuandang Lake in the Yangtze Delta region, with a surface area of 13 km2. This study proposed utilising a multispectral uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) to collect large-scale data and retrieve multiple water quality parameters using machine learning algorithms. An alternate processing method is proposed to process large and repetitive lake surface images for mapping the water quality data to the image. Machine learning regression methods (Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Backpropagation Neural Network, and Convolutional Neural Network) were used to construct separate water quality inversion models for ten water parameters. The results showed that several water quality parameters (CODMn, temperature, pH, DO, and NC) can be retrieved with reasonable accuracy (R2 = 0.77, 0.75, 0.73, 0.67, and 0.64, respectively), although others (NH3-N, BGA, TP, Turbidity, and Chl-a) have a determination coefficient (R2) less than 0.6. This work demonstrated the tremendous potential of employing multispectral data in conjunction with machine learning algorithms to retrieve multiple water quality parameters for monitoring medium-sized bodies of water.

Araeoanasillus leptosomus gen. et sp. nov., (Hemiptera, Cercopoidea, Sinoalidae?), a New Froghopper from Mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber with Evidence of Its Possible Host Plant.

A new genus and species of froghopper, Araeoanasillus leptosomus gen. et sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea, Sinoalidae?), is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new genus possesses the following diagnostic characteristics: slender, medium size body (length, 7.0 mm) with head longer than wide, round eyes; antennae slender with eight antennomeres; pedicel very short, shorter than scape; pronotum with a length/width ratio of 2.4; metatibia with three spines, including one short spine near base and two adjacent, long, thick spines near apex; a single series of 16 thick apical teeth (comb) at metatibial apex; tegmen narrow with a length/width ratio of 3.2; tegmen with coastal area and stigmal cell punctate; CuP meeting base of CuA2; and MP branching at middle of wing. In hind wing, Cu vein forked once. A series of plant trichomes adjacent and attached to the specimen suggests that the froghopper's host plant was a fern.

Description of two new Cryptaphelenchus species from China and Japan

Summary The study aims to provide the morphological and molecular characterisation of two newly discovered Cryptaphelenchus species, namely: C. curvatum n. sp. and C. tumidus n. sp. Morphologically both species are minute nematodes, possess medium-sized stylets with basal knobs laterally directed, and short post-uterine sacs (PUS). Cryptaphelenchus curvatum n. sp. was detected from the local Pinus branch samples and is characterised by having an equal proportion of adult males and females, medium-sized body lengths of females 353 (320-388) μm and males 277 (256-293) μm, lateral fields with four lateral lines, 8-10 μm long stylet, PUS about one vulva body width long and conical posterior body end with a blunt pointed tip. Cryptaphelenchus tumidus n. sp. was detected in a packaging wood sample from Japan and is characterised by having rare male, short body lengths of females 236 (217-270) μm and males 180 μm, obscure lateral fields, stylet 6.8 (6.0-7.5) μm, PUS about half vulva body width long and a slim conical posterior body end with a finely rounded tip. The phylogenetic trees were also constructed based on rRNA gene sequences (D2-D3 segments of the 28S, ITS and 18S) and discussed in detail. Since Cryptaphelenchus species offer multitrophic relationships among their insect vectors and associated microbiota, species recognition and molecular studies of recovered populations will facilitate researchers to determine whether these species might play any ecological roles in insect bionomics or the residing host tree.

Family Carabidae (Coleoptera) in an Algerian salt wetland: taxonomic diversity, functional traits and effect of environmental drivers on their structure and composition

ABSTRACT This study treated the taxonomic diversity and the functional traits of the carabid beetle communities living at Sebkha Ezzemoul in Northeastern Algeria. The fauna was fortnightly sampled using pitfall traps, set up in two stations at the wetland vicinity, during one year. Alpha diversity was evaluated by calculating non-parametric indices. Moreover, several functional traits of the beetles, such as body size, diet, humidity requirement, wing morphology and chorotypes, were studied. The GLMM test was applied to test the spatiotemporal effect and the effects of the environmental variables on the variation of beetles’ diversity. The CCA was applied to determine how environmental factors influence the functional traits of the carabid community. Catches totalled 173 individuals belonging to 18 species, 14 genera and 9 subfamilies. The most abundant species is Cicindela maura with 51 individuals (29.48%). The collected species were dominated by medium-sized body (55.55%), zoophagous (72.22%), hygrophilous (61.11%) and macropterous species (94.44). Most of them were Mediterranean (77.77%). The use of GLMM showed significant effects of the environmental factors on the Carabidae communities. The CCA demonstrated that mesophilous and zoophagous as well as small- and medium-sized species were positively correlated with the environmental factor except the soil pH.

A new subspecies of the genus Duvalius Delarouzée, 1859 (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechini) from western Serbia, with a key and an annotated catalogue of Serbian Biharotrechus and Duvalius s. str. taxa

Duvalius semecensis tarensisssp. nov. from two subterranean sites situated on Mt. Tara (western Serbia) is described, illustrated and compared with its most related congeners. It is provisionally placed in the subgenus Biharotrechus Bokor, 1922. The new subspecies is characterized by a depigmented, medium-sized body, the presence of reduced eyes, deep and complete frontal furrows, two pairs of discal setae in third elytral striae, as well as by the shape of aedeagus. It inhabits caves on Mt. Tara and is endemic of this mountain. Data on the distribution and bionomy of the new subspecies are given. Its closest relative, Duvalius (Biharotrechus) semecensis semecensis Winkler, 1926, is redescribed and we designated its holotype by monotypy. A key for the identification and an annotated catalogue of Serbian Biharotrechus and Duvalius s. str. taxa are also provided.

A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from southwestern Yunnan, China.

A new species of the Cyrtodactyluschauquangensis species group is described based on four specimens collected from the karst formations of Menglian County, Puer City, Yunnan Province, China. The new species can be separated from all other congeners by having a unique combination of morphological characters: a medium-sized body; ventrolateral folds present with interspersed small tubercles; seven precloacal pores in a continuous series in males, absent in females; enlarged femoral scales and femoral pores absent; two postcloacal tubercles on each side; and one or two rows of enlarged subcaudals. Genetically, the new species most closely related to C.wayakonei and the uncorrected sequence divergences of the ND2 gene and its flanking tRNAs between the new species and investigated congeners range from 7.2% to 18.4%.

Ways to improve governmental regulation of small and medium entrepreneurship using the example of the United States

Since the formation of state institutions and institutions of entrepreneurship, the attention of scientists has been attracted by the question of the influence of these institutions on each other. In the context of globalization of the world economy, the greatest interest has always been aroused by questions about what the state should and should not do, as well as where is the border between society and the state, is there a certain principle that would allow to clearly separate the first from the second and propose their harmonization. In the article, the authors touch upon topical economic problems that have developed in small and medium-sized businesses in the United States, and also consider the features of the application of measures of influence on the country’s economy, taking into account new realities and in connection with the need to improve the interaction of the state with participants in entrepreneurial activity. The authors present a general and comparative analysis of the impact of measures of state support for small and medium-sized businesses on the example of the foreign experience of the United States, considered and analyzed the norms of the legislation in force in the United States, which serves as the basis for organizing and regulating the activities of small and medium-sized businesses, and also analyzed the norms of the legislation in force in the United States. serving as the basis for organizing and regulating the activities of small and medium-sized businesses. In the article, the authors propose adjustments and additions to the model of managing small and medium-sized businesses in the country, taking into account the increasing possibilities of scientific and technological progress, the development and improvement of the general theory of business management and general digitalization of both business processes and public administration. The study allows us to deeply analyze and supplement the theoretical picture of the relationship between participants in small and medium-sized businesses and government bodies that control the operational activities of economic entities, which determines the theoretical and practical significance.

FACTORS OF INFLUENCE ON EMPLOYMENT IN SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESS IN UKRAINE

In small and medium-sized businesses, the vast majority of the entire officially employed able-bodied population of the country is employed.
 The number of employed people, small and medium enterprises, external factors have a significant influence, which depend on measures implemented by state authorities to stimulate the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the country.
 In the scientific literature of different countries there are works based on the study of similar problems by conducting a survey among representatives of small and medium enterprises.
 The imperfection of existing state supportive programs and the development of small and medium-sized businesses necessitates an urgent need to analyze their compliance with modern market conditions.
 The study includes an analysis of the impact of various external factors on the number of employees in the small and medium-sized business.
 A significant number of negative factors of influence on small and medium-sized businesses indicated in the state support and development programs do not really have a significant impact on the efficiency of the activities of such entities.The views of representatives of small and medium-sized businesses and state bodies do not coincide with the main problems of activity.
 In order to increase the number of employed in small and medium-sized businesses, it is proposed to shift the emphasis of state support and development programs to the established key factors of influence.

Habitat suitability and connectivity modeling reveal priority areas for Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) conservation in a complex habitat mosaic

ContextConservation for the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), a federally endangered species in the United States of America, is typically focused on local maternity sites; however, the species is a regional migrant, interacting with the environment at multiple spatial scales. Hierarchical levels of management may be necessary, but we have limited knowledge of landscape-level ecology, distribution, and connectivity of suitable areas in complex landscapes.ObjectivesWe sought to (1) identify factors influencing M. sodalis maternity colony distribution in a mosaic landscape, (2) map suitable maternity habitat, and (3) quantify connectivity importance of patches to direct conservation action.MethodsUsing 3 decades of occurrence data, we tested a priori, hypothesis-driven habitat suitability models. We mapped suitable areas and quantified connectivity importance of habitat patches with probabilistic habitat availability metrics.ResultsFactors improving landscape-scale suitability included limited agriculture, more forest cover, forest edge, proximity to medium-sized water bodies, lower elevations, and limited urban development. Areas closer to hibernacula and rivers were suitable. Binary maps showed that 30% of the study area was suitable for M. sodalis and 29% was important for connectivity. Most suitable patches were important for intra-patch connectivity and far fewer contributed to inter-patch connectivity.ConclusionsWhile simple models may be effective for small, homogenous landscapes, complex models are needed to explain habitat suitability in large, mixed landscapes. Suitability modeling identified factors that made sites attractive as maternity areas. Connectivity analysis improved our understanding of important areas for bats and prioritized areas to target for restoration.

Molecular and morphological characterisation of Trichodorus species (Nematoda: Trichodoridae), with description of T. pseudoaequalis n. sp. from California and other states of the USA

Summary During surveys for stubby root nematodes in the natural vegetation of California, Oregon and Washington, USA, three known species, viz., Trichodorus californicus, T. intermedius and T. obscurus were recovered together with ten unidentified Trichodorus species. The three known and one new species were studied using an integrated approach. Trichodorus pseudoaequalis n. sp. is characterised by a medium-sized body about 800 μm long on average, male with two ventromedian cervical papillae anterior to secretory-excretory pore and three precloacal supplements all located anterior to the retracted spicules; spicules 39 μm long (average), slightly ventrally curved, more so in head region and blade with slight indentation mid-way and striation more pronounced in posterior half. Females possess a rather short (average 33% of corresponding body diam.) pear-shaped vagina with small vaginal sclerotised pieces (ca 1.5 μm long), rounded triangular in shape, obliquely orientated and close together; one pair of sublateral body pores anterior (about four vulval body diam.) to vulva and one pair of post-advulvar sublateral body pores. Trichodorus pseudoaequalis n. sp. differs from the most similar species, T. aequalis, in male characters like general spicule shape and ornamentation and in the position of the dorsal pharyngeal gland nucleus in both sexes (at same level of posterior ventrosublateral pair vs clearly separated). The phylogenetic relationships of the recovered species were reconstructed using the ITS2 rRNA and the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA gene sequences.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Coslenchus persicus n. sp. (Nematoda: Tylenchidae) from Iran

Summary A new species of Coslenchus from north-western Iran is illustrated and described using morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Coslenchus persicus n. sp. is characterised by a medium-sized body of 694-810 μm, often 18 (seldom 20-22) longitudinal ridges excluding lateral field, head with four distinct annuli, stylet 9.6-10.8 μm long, pharyngeal basal bulb large and cylindrical, spermatheca offset and ovate, without sperm, vulval flaps extending for two annuli, 5-7 μm in length, tail striated with finely to bluntly rounded tip, 110-153 μm long and without males. The new species comes close to C. assamensis, C. diversus, C. japonicus, C. leiocephalus, C. maritus, C. multigyrus, C. paramaritus, C. pastor, and C. polonicus, but can be distinguished from all by differences in body length, stylet length and shape of basal bulb, post-vulval uterine sac, tail and certain morphometric data. Molecular data are provided for the characterisation of the new species using ribosomal genes (18S and 28S rRNA). In the 18S rRNA tree, the new species was placed in a clade including one isolate of Coslenchus sp. from Iran. In the reconstructed 28S rRNA phylogenetic tree, C. persicus n. sp. clustered with other known Coslenchus species.

Systematic position of the genus Atetylenchus Khan, 1973 (Nematoda: Tylenchidae) with description of two new species

Summary Two new and one known species of Atetylenchus recovered from Dezful, Khuzestan Province, south-western Iran, are illustrated and described using morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Atetylenchus dezfuliensis n. sp. is characterised by medium-sized body 700-998 μm long, stylet 10.0-11.5 μm long, characteristic tail shape, first tapering regularly but then cylindrical to slightly clavate and 90-136 μm long, phasmids located at one-third anterior part of tail and short spicules 18.7 μm long. Atetylenchus longilabiatus n. sp. is characterised by small-sized body 593-720 μm long, prominent lip region, stylet 9.5-12.5 μm long, conical tail with hook-shaped terminus and 42-63 μm long, phasmids located near mid-tail and short spicules 17.5 μm long. Atetylenchus cf. graminus is characterised by small-sized body 643-787 μm long, stylet 10.7-11.7 μm long, vulva located at 51.7-55.1% of the body length, and conical tail with finely rounded end and 63-69 μm long. Molecular data are provided for the characterisation of this genus from these two new and one known species using ribosomal genes (18S and 28S rRNA). This genus is molecularly separated from Psilenchus, but closely related in both genes. These molecular markers showed different phylogenies for both genera; partial 18S showed their relationship with Tylenchidae, while 28S rRNA showed their relationship with Merliniidae. A key to the genus is provided for species identification.

Description of a new species of Music frogs (Anura, Ranidae, Nidirana) from Mt Dayao, southern China.

A new species of Music frogs, Nidiranayaoicasp. nov. is described based on a series of adult male specimens collected from Mt Dayao, Guangxi, southern China, providing valuable new information on the phylogeny, bioacoustics, and biogeography of related species within the genus Nidirana. The new species forms the sister taxon to N.daunchina from western China and together the sister taxon to N.chapaensis from northern Vietnam. Nidiranayaoicasp. nov. can be distinguished from all known congeners by a significant genetic divergence in the mitochondrial 16S and CO1 genes, the advertisement call containing 1–3 rapidly repeated regular notes, and the combination of morphological characteristics including a medium-sized body with SVL 40.4–45.9 mm in adult males; lateroventral grooves on every digit, not meeting at the tip of disk; tibio-tarsal articulation reaching the nostril; the presence of a pair of subgular vocal sacs in males; and one single developed nuptial pad on dorsal surface of first finger in males.

A new species of Conocybe (Bolbitaceae) from Punjab, Pakistan

Conocybe punjabensis sp. nov., a species belonging to the saprobic family Bolbitaceae, is illustrated and described from Pakistan based on morphology and molecular evidence. The species can be distinguished on the basis of medium-sized fruiting bodies, a pileus with a dark brown central disc, a fibrillose stipe, forked lamellae near pileus margin, ellipsoid angular basidiospores with an apical germ pore, cheilocystidia and pleurocystidia varying from catenulate, lecythiform to clavate, and lecythiform caulocystidia. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ribosomal ITS region also supports the recognition of this new species in Conocybe. Detailed descriptions, photographs, illustrations and comparison with allied taxa are given.

Two New Species of the Genus Coomansinema Ahmad and Jairajpuri, 1989 (Nematoda: Dorylaimida) with a Key to its Species.

SummaryTwo new species of the genus Coomansinema Ahmad and Jairajpuri, 1989 are described and illustrated. C. japonicum n. sp. is characterized by having medium size body (L= 1.40 – 1.45 mm); lip region truncate with completely amalgamated lips; amphideal fovea goblet – shaped; 16 – 20 μm long odontostyle; 23 – 25 μm long odontophore; comparatively anterior position of the second pair of pharyngeal glands; amphidelphic female genital system; longitudinal vulva; males with 48 – 54 μm long spicules; 7 – 8 spaced ventromedian supplements and tail long filiform in female and short conoid in male. C. longicaudatum n. sp. is characterized by having medium size body (L= 1.1 – 1.3 mm); lip region truncate, continuous with completely amalgamated lips; amphideal fovea cup – shaped; 16 – 17 μm long odontostyle; 19 – 20 μm long odontophore; comparatively anterior position of the second pair of pharyngeal glands; amphidelphic female genital system; transverse vulva, intestinal – prerectum junction with a tongue – like structure and 210 – 269 μm long filiform tail. A key to its seven valid species is provided.

A New Megophrys Kuhl and Van Hasselt (Amphibia: Megophryidae) from southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia

Megophrys lancip sp. nov., from the Bukit Barisan mountain range of southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia, is described on the basis of molecular and morphological evidence. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and the Philippines by having a medium-sized body, snout with an extremely pointed rostral appendage, a medium-sized triangular eyelid appendage, a dorsolateral fold extending from just behind the eye to the groin, vomerine teeth, vocal slits, nuptial pads on the dorsomedial surface of the first and second fingers in males, and in lacking a Y, X, or H-shaped fold on the dorsum. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to M. montana, but it has a longer rostral appendage, shorter eyelid appendages, and less developed toe webbing. We also evaluate the taxonomic status of M. parallela and comment on the occurrence of M. aceras in Sumatra.

Description of Loffienema dhanoriensis gen. n., sp. n. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) from Jammu and Kashmir State, India.

A new genus, Loffienema dhanoriensis gen. n., sp. n. is described and illustrated from soil mixed with mature compost of Biodiversity Park, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah (BGSB) University, Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is characterized by medium-sized body, slightly offset labial region, weakly developed, isoglottoid stegostom, amphidelphic reproductive system, slender and separate spicules, spathulate gubernaculum and reduced bursa with eight pairs of bursal rays. Its relationship and distinguishing features with other closely related genera are discussed.