Mum In Length Research Articles

Auerbachia bajadi sp. n. (Myxozoa: Auerbachiidae) infecting the gallbladder of orangespotted trevally Carangoides bajad (Teleostei: Carangidae) in the Red Sea

Light microscopic description was presented for a new myxosporean species, Auerbachia bajadi. The parasite was collected from the gallbladder of orangespotted trevally Carangoides bajad (Forsskål, 1775) in Al-Quseir city, Red Sea coast, Egypt. The prevalence was 30/80 (37%) and the infection was reported as an enormous amount of free mature spores floating in the bile. Spores were club-shaped with a broad anterior part and a narrow caudal part. Shell valves were asymmetrical and the larger valve was drawn into a wide caudal projection. The mean spore measurements were 22.7 mum in total length and 9.5 mum in width. Polar capsule was single and elliptical-shaped with five polar filament turns. The polar capsule measured 9.5 mum in length and 4.5 mum in width. The spores were distinctly different from the four recorded species of genus Auerbachia. One of the cited species of this genus was excluded as it was related to genus Coccomyxa than genus Auerbachia. Also, the accurate citation date of this genus was discussed.

A pollen-specific RALF from tomato that regulates pollen tube elongation.

Rapid Alkalinization Factors (RALFs) are plant peptides that rapidly increase the pH of plant suspension cell culture medium and inhibit root growth. A pollen-specific tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) RALF (SlPRALF) has been identified. The SlPRALF gene encodes a preproprotein that appears to be processed and released from the pollen tube as an active peptide. A synthetic SlPRALF peptide based on the putative active peptide did not affect pollen hydration or viability but inhibited the elongation of normal pollen tubes in an in vitro growth system. Inhibitory effects of SlPRALF were detectable at concentrations as low as 10 nm, and complete inhibition was observed at 1 mum peptide. At least 10-fold higher levels of alkSlPRALF, which lacks disulfide bonds, were required to see similar effects. A greater effect of peptide was observed in low-pH-buffered medium. Inhibition of pollen tube elongation was reversible if peptide was removed within 15 min of exposure. Addition of 100 nm SlPRALF to actively growing pollen tubes inhibited further elongation until tubes were 40 to 60 mum in length, after which pollen tubes became resistant to the peptide. The onset of resistance correlated with the timing of the exit of the male germ unit from the pollen grain into the tube. Thus, exogenous SlPRALF acts as a negative regulator of pollen tube elongation within a specific developmental window.

Controlled growth and monitoring of tantalum oxide nanostructures

Nanoporous metal oxide structures produced by the electrochemical anodization of valve metals, such as Zr, Ti, W, Nb, Al, and recently Ta, have attracted increasing interest because of their potential use as catalysts, waveguides, and three-dimensionally arranged Bragg-stack reflectors. Here we demonstrate the formation of either supported nanotubular Ta oxide films or free-standing Ta oxide membranes, produced by controlling the conditions of Ta anodization in organic-free aqueous HF/H(2)SO(4) solutions. The supported oxide nanotubes, which are at least 15 mum in length, are characterized by very good adhesion to the Ta substrate, and extremely smooth and homogeneous walls. It is also reported here, for the first time, that these nanotubular films can be removed as free-standing Ta oxide membranes that are easily transferable to other substrates, making them potentially useful in sensors, optics, and catalysis. We also show that, when the Ta oxide nanotubes detach to form the membranes, they leave behind an ordered array of dimples in the Ta surface, with the dimples having the identical distribution and size as the pores in the previously attached nanotubes. Finally, we demonstrate how the in situ electrochemical response during anodization can be used to determine which of these highly useful Ta surface morphologies (nanotubes vs. dimples) are formed, without the need for post factum microscopic analysis. Knowledge of the meaning of these in situ signals can now serve to accelerate the controlled formation of oxide nanotubes or dimpled surfaces using other combinations of metals and anodization conditions.

Ambient Large-Scale Template-Mediated Synthesis of High-Aspect Ratio Single-Crystalline, Chemically Doped Rare-Earth Phosphate Nanowires for Bioimaging

A simple and effective template-mediated protocol has been developed for the large-scale, room-temperature preparation of high-aspect-ratio, single-crystalline Tb-doped CePO(4) nanowires, measuring approximately 12 nm in diameter and over 10 mum in length. Moreover, we also isolated sheaf-like bundles of nanostructures. The synthesis mechanism likely involved a crystal splitting step. The resulting nanowires demonstrated an intense redox-sensitive green photoluminescence, which was exploited, in addition to their inherently high biocompatibility and low toxicity, for potential applications in biological imaging and labeling of cells.

Matrix-Free Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry on Silicon Nanowire Arrays Prepared by Chemical Etching of Crystalline Silicon

This paper reports on the use of silicon nanowires (SiNWs), easily prepared in a single step by chemical etching of crystalline silicon in HF/AgNO(3) aqueous solution, as a highly sensitive substrate for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) analysis. The SiNWs' diameter and length depend on the etchant concentration and dissolution time. Optimized LDI substrate consists of nanowires with an average diameter in the range of 20-100 nm and 2.5 mum in length. The optimized SiNWs' surface morphology coupled to a controlled surface chemistry allowed a significant LDI-MS performance through measurements of a broad range of analytes, including small molecules, peptides, and a bovine serum albumin (BSA) digest. A signal-to-noise ratio of 250 was ascertained for a 10 fmol bradykinin pick, in reflector mode acquisition. Likewise, the sutent, a small tyrosine kinase inhibitor, could be observed down to 10 fmol, as compared to 500 fmol limit detection using the classical matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). We have further investigated the optical properties of the nanowires, and our results suggest that they have a small or no effect on the desorption/ionization (D/I) process. On the contrary, the surface morphology and thermal properties of the silicon nanostructures are found to be the essential features contributing to the D/I performance.

Quantifying Corrosion Growths on Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Media

High media roughness associated with perpendicular recording introduces the phenomenon of widely separated single needle-like corrosion growths after temperature-humidity stress. Previous generation longitudinal recording media demonstrated clusters of corrosion growths around a central media defect, which were detectable by reflected light. However, because of the isolated nature of this new type of corrosion, traditional ellipsometry is no longer effective. As a result, we have developed a method for quantifying scattered isolated corrosion growths on perpendicular recording media disk surfaces, using existing optical surface technology. Our method can detect corrosion densities down to 5000 corrosion sites/mm2, given corrosion size at least 0.3 mum in length and 7 nm in height. The amount of corrosion reveals itself as an increase in laser light scatter across a disk surface referenced to its original prestress scatter. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analysis of the corrosion growths verified that the scatter measurements correlate to physical properties such as density and size of corrosion needles.

Adhaeribacter terreus sp. nov., isolated from forest soil

A bacterial strain, designated DNG6(T), was isolated from forest soil of the Changbai mountains, Heilongjiang province, China. Cells of strain DNG6(T) were Gram-negative, 0.3-0.5 mum in diameter and 1.0-2.0 mum in length, strictly aerobic and produced large amounts of extracellular fibrillar material. Growth occurred at 16-33 degrees C (optimum, 28 degrees C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 0-1 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Strain DNG6(T) contained MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone and iso-C(15 : 0) (40.6 %) and summed feature 4 comprising iso-C(17 : 1) I and/or anteiso-C(17 : 1) B (26.5 %) as the major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 48.1 mol% (T(m)). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the closest relative of strain DNG6(T) was Adhaeribacter aquaticus MBRG1.5(T) with 93.9 % sequence similarity. Based on these results, it is concluded that strain DNG6(T) represents a novel species of the genus Adhaeribacter, for which the name Adhaeribacter terreus is proposed, with strain DNG6(T) (=CGMCC 1.6961(T)=NBRC 104235(T)) as the type strain.

Growth and Nanoscale Magnetic Properties of Ferromagnetic Nanowire Encapsulated Inside Carbon Nanotubes

We synthesize ferromagnetic Co nanowire, and Co/Pd multisegment nanowires encapsulated inside multi-walled carbon nanotubes CNTs (MWCNTs) by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the microstructures and elemental analyses of the nanowires. Quantitative magnetization measurements of Co nanowires encapsulated inside MWCNTs were experimentally established by TEM off-axis electron holography at room temperature. The MWCNTs grew up to 100-110 nm in diameter and 1.5-1.7 mum in length. The typical bright-field TEM images revealed both Co nanowire and Co/Pd multisegment nanowires encapsulated inside vertically aligned MWCNTs on the same substrate. The composition of metal encapsulated inside MWCNTs were characterized by EDS. Experimental results revealed that the Co nanowire encapsulated inside MWCNT was always presented as the face-centered-cubic (fcc) Co structure. The component of magnetic induction was then measured to be 1.2 plusmn 0.1 T based on TEM off-axis electron holography results, which is lower than the expected saturation magnetization of fcc Co bulk of 1.7 T. The partial oxidation of the ferromagnetic metal during the process and the magnetization direction may play an important role in the determination of the quality of the remanent states. The ferromagnetic metal nanowires encapsulated inside CNTs demonstrate very high potential in providing the required magnetic properties, low dimensionality, and small volume for future nanoscale devices.

Deferribacter autotrophicus sp. nov., an iron(III)-reducing bacterium from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent

A thermophilic, anaerobic, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium (designated strain SL50(T)) was isolated from a hydrothermal sample collected at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from the deepest of the known World ocean hydrothermal fields, Ashadze field (1 degrees 58' 21'' N 4 degrees 51' 47'' W) at a depth of 4100 m. Cells of strain SL50(T) were motile, straight to bent rods with one polar flagellum, 0.5-0.6 mum in width and 3.0-3.5 mum in length. The temperature range for growth was 25-75 degrees C, with an optimum at 60 degrees C. The pH range for growth was 5.0-7.5, with an optimum at pH 6.5. Growth of strain SL50(T) was observed at NaCl concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 6.0 % (w/v) with an optimum at 2.5 % (w/v). The generation time under optimal growth conditions for strain SL50(T) was 60 min. Strain SL50(T) used molecular hydrogen, acetate, lactate, succinate, pyruvate and complex proteinaceous compounds as electron donors, and Fe(III), Mn(IV), nitrate or elemental sulfur as electron acceptors. The G+C content of the DNA of strain SL50(T) was 28.7 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the closest relative of strain SL50(T) was Deferribacter abyssi JR(T) (95.5 % similarity). On the basis of its physiological properties and phylogenetic analyses, the isolate is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Deferribacter autotrophicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SL50(T) (=DSM 21529(T)=VKPM B-10097(T)). Deferribacter autotrophicus sp. nov. is the first described deep-sea bacterium capable of chemolithoautotrophic growth using molecular hydrogen as an electron donor and ferric iron as electron acceptor and CO(2) as the carbon source.

Self-Catalyzed Epitaxial Growth of Vertical Indium Phosphide Nanowires on Silicon

Vertical indium phosphide nanowires have been grown epitaxially on silicon (111) by metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy. Liquid indium droplets were formed in situ and used to catalyze deposition. For growth at 350 degrees C, about 70% of the wires were vertical, while the remaining ones were distributed in the 3 other <111> directions. The vertical fraction, growth rate, and tapering of the wires increased with temperature and V/III ratio. At 370 degrees C and V/III equal to 200, 100% of the wires were vertical with a density of approximately 1.0 x 10(9) cm(-2) and average dimensions of 3.9 mum in length, 45 nm in base width, and 15 nm in tip width. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the wires were single-crystal zinc blende, although they contained a high density of rotational twins perpendicular to the <111> growth direction. The room temperature photoluminescence spectrum exhibited one peak centered at 912 +/- 10 nm with a FWHM of approximately 60 nm.

A Two-Port Single-Mode Fiber–Silicon Wire Waveguide Coupler Module Using Spot-Size Converters

In this paper, the performance of a two-port single-mode fiber-silicon wire waveguide coupler module which utilizes an identical spot-size converter (SSC) at the input and output ports is reported. Each of the silicon (Si)-based SSCs comprised cascaded horizontal linear and vertical nonlinear up-tapers measured 300 and 200 mum in length, respectively, in a common silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The structural parameters of the tapers were designed for compactness and relaxed tolerance to fabrication errors. The total length of the two-port coupler module was 1000 mum plus the variable length of the wire waveguide connecting the two SSCs. The mode-field diameter (MFD) of the Si-wire waveguide, 0.32 times 0.46 mum <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> , was transformed to the diameter of 2.8 times 8.0 mum <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> at the wavelength of 1.55 mum (corresponding to an area expansion of about 150 times) and vice versa by the SSCs with a net transmission loss of 4.1 dB/port. The field-mismatch loss between the SSC and the single-mode fiber with the MFD of 5.2 mum was 2.1 dB/port.

Hyperproduction of chitinase influences crystal toxin synthesis and sporulation of Bacillus thuringiensis

Bacillus thuringiensis HD-73 was transformed with the endochitinase gene chiA74 under the control of a strong promoter (pcytA) and a 5' mRNA stabilizing (STAB-SD) sequence (HD-73-pEBchiA74). Expression levels were compared with those observed from the wild type strain (HD-73) and the recombinant HD-73 strain expressing chiA74 under the control of its native promoter (HD-73-pEHchiA74). The chitinolytic activity of HD-73-pEBchiA74 was markedly elevated, being ~58- and 362-fold higher than, respectively, HD-73-pEHchiA74 and parental HD-73, representing the highest levels of chitinase expression in recombinant B. thuringiensis reported to date. Parasporal crystals measured under transmission electron microscopy showed that HD-73 produced crystals of 1.235 (+/-0.214) and 1.356 (+/-0.247) mum in length when the bacterium was grown in respectively, NBS and NBS with glucose. Otherwise, HD-73-pEBchiA74 synthesized crystals of 1.250 (+/-0.222) and 1.139 (+/-0.202) mum in length when cultivated in NBS and NBS with glucose, respectively, values that showed a diminution of ~10 and 20% compared with crystals produced by HD-73-pEHchiA74 grown under the same conditions. Comparison of viable spore counts per ml showed that HD-73-pEBchiA74 produced fewest viable spores (1.5 x 10(9), 1.3 x 10(9)), compared to HD-73-pEHchiA74 (4.9 x 10(9), 5.3 x 10(9)) and HD-73 (6.8 x 10(9), 8.8 x 10(9)) when grown in NBS and NBS supplemented with glucose, respectively. No change in cellular protease activity was observed despite the overproduction of the chitinase.

Electron Transport in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on ZnO Nanotubes: Evidence for Highly Efficient Charge Collection and Exceptionally Rapid Dynamics

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on ordered arrays of polycrystalline ZnO nanotubes, 64 mum in length, are shown to exhibit efficient electron collection over the entire photoanode array length. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, open-circuit photovoltage decay analysis, and incident-photon-to-current efficiency spectra are used to quantify charge transport and lifetimes. Despite the relatively thick photoanode, the charge extraction time is found to be faster than observed in traditional TiO(2) nanoparticle photoanodes. If the extraction dynamics are interpreted as diffusive, effective electron diffusion coefficients of up to 0.4 cm(2) s(-1) are obtained, making these pseudo-1D photoanodes the fastest reported for an operating DSC to date. Rapid electron collection is of practical significance because it should enable alternative redox shuttles, which display relatively fast electron-interception dynamics, to be employed without significant loss of photocurrent.

Sporolactobacillus vineae sp. nov., a spore-forming lactic acid bacterium isolated from vineyard soil

Two spore-forming, facultatively anaerobic, lactic acid bacteria, strains SL153(T) and SL1153, were isolated from vineyard soil in Korea. Cells of both strains were slightly curved, Gram-positive, motile rods that measured between 1 and 4 mum in length and were approximately 0.5 mum in diameter. Strains SL153(T) and SL1153 fermented glucose, fructose, mannose and sorbitol, but were negative for nitrate reduction, catalase and oxidase. The predominant cellular fatty acids of the two isolates were iso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(15 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0). meso-Diaminopimelic acid, glucose, mannose and galactose were determined in their whole-cell hydrolysates. 16S rRNA gene sequences from the two strains were almost identical (99.9 %) and they could be placed in the genus Sporolactobacillus according to phylogenetic analysis. The species most closely related to SL153(T) were Sporolactobacillus inulinus and Sporolactobacillus terrae with 16S rRNA gene similarities of 95.7 and 95.5 %, respectively, with the type strains. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain SL153(T) and the type strains of S. inulinus, S. terrae and Sporolactobacillus kofuensis were 18.5, 18.0 and 17.0 %, respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic (16S rRNA gene), chemotaxonomic and phenotypic evidence given in this study, it is proposed that strains SL153(T) and SL1153 should be assigned to the genus Sporolactobacillus as representatives of the novel species Sporolactobacillus vineae sp. nov. The type strain is SL153(T) (=KCTC 5376(T)=JCM 14637(T)).

Longidorus kheirii n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from Iran

Longidorus kheirii n. sp., a parthenogenetic species, was found in soil samples collected from the rhizosphere of Rosa sp. growing in a natural mountainous region close to Maragheh city, northwestern Iran. It is characterised by having a long body (6.7-9 mm), a 19.5-23 mum wide head continuous with the body contour, a truncate and slightly concave lip region with convex sides between the anterior end and the guide-ring, an odontostyle 113-130 mum long, an odontophore 69-97.5 mum long, a body width of 90.5-117.5 mum at the mid-body, a long, wide oesophageal bulb (149.5-193.5 x 39.5-48 mum), a tail length of 47-72 mum, a male with 11 ventromedian supplements and spicules of 85 mum in length, and four juvenile stages. The ribosomal 18S rDNA gene of L. kheirii n. sp., L. leptocephalus Hooper, 1961, L. profundorum Hooper, 1966 L. euonymus Mali & Hooper, 1973 and two unidentified species listed as Longidorus sp. 1 and Longidorus sp. 2, all recovered from northwestern Iran in the same survey, and the ITS1 of L. kheirii n. sp. and Longidorus sp. 1 were sequenced in order to investigate the phylogenetic relationships with other previously sequenced Longidorus species.

Subdigital Setae of Narrow‐Toed Geckos, Including a Eublepharid (Aeluroscalabotes felinus)

Subdigital adhesive setae have previously been documented in all legged gecko families except the Eublepharidae. I present evidence that members of Aeluroscalabotes felinus, the only arboreal eublepharids, possess subdigital setae up to 9 mum in length. This discovery suggests that the conditions leading to adhesive setae were probably present in the ancestors of all geckos, rather than arising multiple times within Gekkota. The digits and setae of Aeluroscalabotes resemble those of other climbing, bent-toed geckos. I describe the setal morphology of the following bent-toed species: Cyrtodactylus peguensis, Gonatodes albogularis, and Pristurus rupestris. The presence of subdigital setae is highly correlated with an arboreal lifestyle across geckos and other lizards such as anoles and skinks. Although relatively simple in form, these setae likely confer additional traction that significantly benefits climbing species. Further developmental and biomechanical studies comparing these species with more agile climbers like the Tokay will improve our understanding of the evolutionary processes leading to adhesive setae, and consequently inform engineers attempting to fabricate effective artificial gecko setae.

Microeukaryote Diversity in a Marine Methanol-Fed Fluidized Denitrification System

The marine methanol-fed fluidized denitrification system operated by the Montreal Biodome includes carriers on which a denitrifying biofilm has developed. Previous observations showed a high abundance of microeukaryotes living in and around the biofilm. These eukaryotes may influence the system's denitrification efficiency. The composition of the microeukaryote population was determined. Microscopic observations showed at least 20 different morphologies that included large numbers of ciliates. Molecular analyses of an 18S ribosomal RNA (rDNA) gene library revealed 31 different phylotypes. Alveolobiontes were the most abundant phylotypes and made up 75% of the 159 screened clones. Other eukaryotic groups, including Stramenopiles, Fungi, Amoebozoa, and nematodes, were also present. From 18S rDNA specific sequences, one of the Amoebozoa-affiliated phylotypes was visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization. It had a rod-like irregular shape and measured less than 5 mum in length. We determined the impact of protozoans on the denitrifying activity. In a laboratory-scale batch culture assays, the denitrifying biofilm was treated with cycloheximide and nystatin that eliminated the protozoans. No difference in the denitrification rate was found. However, planktonic bacteria were more abundant in the treated culture medium.

Out-of-Plane Microtube Arrays for Biomedical Sensors Using Vapor-Liquid-Solid Growth Method

This paper reports on a novel technique for realizing submicron and micron diameter SiO2 tubes on a Si substrate for biomedical applications such as, for example, patch clamps. The tube arrays have been successfully fabricated on Si substrates using a selective vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth method combined with MEMS techniques. The size of the tubes is typically between 0.2 mum and 2 mum in diameter and from 8 mum to 40 mum in length. The dimensions are controlled by the diameter of a Au pattern and the VLS growth time. The tubes were coated with parylene, a biocompatible material, which makes them stronger. The diameter is such that the array can be used in biomedical applications where insertion of the tubes into tissue is minimally invasive. Water flow experiments through the tubes were carried out successfully without the tubes breaking.

Linear Dichroism of Zn(II)−Tetrapyridylporphine Aggregates Formed at the Toluene/Water Interface

The apparent circular dichroism (CD) and the linear dichroism (LD) spectra of the aggregates of achiral zinc(II)-5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine (ZnTPyP), formed at the toluene/water interface in a centrifugal liquid membrane (CLM) cell, were investigated by comparison with the microscopic CD and LD spectra of a single interfacial aggregate of ZnTPyP about 100 mum in length, measured by a microscope-spectropolarimeter. The interfacial ZnTPyP aggregate showed two types of flat trapezoidal shapes, one had a seedlike core at an edge (type I) and another a needlelike core at an edge (type II). The microscopic CD and LD spectra were observed by varying the angle between the parallel axis of the trapezoidal aggregate and the perpendicular axis of a polarized light for LD. The plot of the CD intensity against the LD intensity for a single aggregate, observed at a given wavelength, showed a rotated elliptical shape with a long axis through the origin, when the orientation angle was changed. From these results, it was concluded that the apparent CD spectra observed by the CLM-CD method were mainly due to the large linear dichroism of the aggregate. Both type I and type II structures showed two transition dipole moments, parallel and perpendicular to the long axis of the structure, but suggesting a more developed J-aggregate in type II structure. AFM measurements showed that the interfacial ZnTPyP aggregate had a multilayer structure, in which the unit monolayer thickness was 1.58 +/- 0.23 nm. Finally, the orientation angle of the interfacial aggregate in the CLM cell was estimated as 41 degrees -44 degrees to the rotating axis of the cell.

A new acuariid nematode, Syncuaria mackoi n. sp. (Spirurida), from Ciconia nigra (L.) (Ciconiiformes: Ciconiidae) in Europe

Syncuaria mackoi n. sp. is described, based on light and scanning electron microscopy, from the stomach of the black stork Ciconia nigra in Bulgaria. The new species is characterised by: body length 7.18-8.30 mm (males) and 10.13-11.40 mm (females); cordons anastomosing about the level of the middle of the muscular oesophagus and consisting of delicate cuticular plates; bifurcate deirids 7-9 mum long; lateral longitudinal cuticular band-like swellings; nine pairs of pedunculate caudal papillae, i.e. four precloacal and five postcloacal, the latter forming two groups (2 + 3); sixth pair of postcloacal papillae sessile; left spicule 854-907 mum long; right spicule 138-154 mum in length, with a curved distal end resembling a horn and a short lateral projection at some distance from its tip; and vagina vera provided with an anteriorly-directed blind appendix. The specimens identified as S. ciconiae (Gil'bert, 1927) by Macko (1964) from C. nigra in Slovakia are considered as belonging to S. mackoi. A pair of small cupolae situated dorsally and ventrally between bases of cordons of the new species is described for the first time in this genus; they are recognised as homologous to the pair of spines in the same position previously described in S. diacantha Petter, 1961 and S. plegadisi Digiani, 1999.