Remarkable Species Research Articles

Simultaneous Determination of Amino Acids and Biogenic Amines by Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry for Assessing Wine Quality

Biogenic amines (BAs) and free amino acids (AAs) are low-molecular nitrogenous compounds occurring in a wide range of foodstuffs, found in increased amount in different fermented foods, seafood, and wines. This study deals with the development of an analytical method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry with precolumn derivatization with dansyl chloride for the determination of BAs and AAs in musts, wines, and sparkling wines. The resulting compositional profiles have been exploited as potential descriptors of quality and other oenological issues using chemometric methods including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial analysis of least squares-discriminants (PLS-DA). Proline is the most abundant compound, and other remarkable species are lysine, ethanolamine, tyramine, histamine, and putrescine. Fermented samples (wines and sparkling wines) are much richer in both BAs and free AAs than the initial musts. Significant differences have also been noticed in the quality, as the best products display, in general, lower levels. The dissimilarities in the content of the analytes between the two grape varieties studied (pinot noir and xarel·lo) and those dealing with quality aspects have made it possible to establish a tree to classify the samples based on these two features with excellent classification rates.

Iodine-doped single-atom cobalt catalysts with boosted antioxidant enzyme-like activity for colitis therapy

Doping with heteroatoms was performed as an effective strategy for modulating the electronic structure of single metal atom and further enhancing the catalytic activity of single-atom catalysts (SACs). Single-atom cobalt catalysts anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon (CoCN) have achieved considerable attention in biosensors and anti-inflammation therapy. How to further improve the antioxidant activity of CoCN for satisfying their biomedical applications is a hot topic. Here, we synthesized a series of halogen-doped CoCN, obtained CoCNF, CoCNCl, CoCNBr and CoCNI. We found the catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) -like catalytic activities of CoCNCl, CoCNBr and CoCNI significantly increased than that of CoCN. Especially, CoCNI exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity. Finally, we used CoCNI as the remarkable reactive oxygen species (ROS) eliminating material in protecting cellular against oxidase stress in vitro and colitis therapy in vivo. Our work opens a new insight to design SACs with high catalytic activities by halogen doping for ROS-relative disease therapy.

The first species of Nemestrinidae (Diptera) endemic to Madagascar: A remarkable new species of Atriadops Wandolleck, 1897

A new species of Nemestrinidae, Atriadops irwini Barraclough sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Sakaramy in the far north of Madagascar at about the same latitude as the Comoros Islands. The species was collected in lowland tropical forest by Dr Michael Irwin. Atriadops Wandolleck, 1897, is a small genus of Nemestrinidae in the subfamily Trichopisideinae. Six named species are distributed across the Australasian, Oriental, Afrotropical and Neotropical Regions. Atriadops irwini sp. nov. is thus only the seventh species in the genus (the first new species described in almost 70 years) and the second valid species from the Afrotropical Region. This is the first record of Atriadops from Madagascar, where the new species is the only endemic nemestrinid. Nycterimyia capensis Bezzi is the only other nemestrinid recorded from Madagascar, but it also occurs in South Africa (where it was first described) and Kenya. The world fauna of Atriadops is discussed and all known larval host records are listed.

A remarkable new fossil species of Amplectister with peculiar hindleg modifications (Coleoptera: Histeridae): further evidence for myrmecophily in Cretaceous clown beetles

Myrmecophily is a phenomenon of the symbiosis of organisms that depend on various ant (Formicidae) societies. Such interspecies associations are found in several unrelated lineages within the clown beetle family Histeridae. Recent studies have suggested that the origin of myrmecophily can be traced back to mid-Cretaceous based on a few fossil records from Kachin amber from northern Myanmar. Here, we describe a remarkable new species, Amplectister terapoides n. sp., from Kachin amber. This is the second species of the extinct genus Amplectister Caterino and Maddison, which has been found from the same amber deposit and has also been considered to be myrmecophilous. The new species here described has the most heavily modified hindlegs in any fossil histerids or even beetles discovered until now, indicating further evidence for ant colony association. Our discovery demonstrates that significant and diverse morphological adaptations to myrmecophily had already occurred during the Cretaceous.

Amphibians and reptiles from a protected area in western Brazilian Amazonia (Reserva Extrativista do Baixo Juruá)

Sampling gaps across the logistically challenging and extremely biodiverse Amazonia largely hamper our understanding of broad-scale amphibian and reptile diversity patterns in this ecosystem. The Juruá River basin, a southwestern tributary of the Amazon River, is one of these undersampled areas, with only punctual information documented for these vertebrates that are spatially or temporally biased. This is especially the case for the lower-middle courses of the Juruá River, which also has comparatively less protected areas than its upper course. In order to fill some biodiversity knowledge gaps associated with amphibians and reptiles in this river basin, we combined results of our field expeditions carried out in 1992, 2005-2007, and 2018 to the Reserva Extrativista (Extractive Reserve) do Baixo Juruá, a Brazilian protected area in the right bank of the lower Juruá River. Amphibians and reptiles were sampled using four complementary methods: active surveys, pitfall traps, funnel traps, and trammel nets. We identified species or updated their taxonomic status with a reanalysis of the external morphology of the preserved material in the light of novel taxonomic literature (more than 1,500 specimens) and employment of DNA barcoding analyses for some newly collected specimens with contentious taxonomic status. Our combined sampling evidenced 149 species of amphibians and reptiles occurring in this protected area (72 amphibians, 68 squamates, six chelonians, and three crocodilians). Recorded species highlight the value of the lower Juruá River region as harboring quite diverse assemblages for these vertebrates, with species typical of the western and southwestern Amazonia sub-regions. Remarkable species records are presented, as well as accounts on species with lower taxonomic resolution. Furthermore, we discuss the biogeographic affinities of recorded assemblages based on the species geographic range and preferred habitats, and the value of this protected area to preserve the regional biological diversity.

Plastomes of limestone karst gesneriad genera Petrocodon and Primulina, and the comparative plastid phylogenomics of Gesneriaceae

Petrocodon and Primulina are two characteristic genera of Gesneriaceae that exhibit remarkable species and floral diversity, and high endemism across the Sino-Vietnamese Limestone Karsts. To better understand the evolution of limestone gesneriad plastomes, we report nine complete plastomes of seven Primulina and two Petrocodon which have never been assembled before. The newly generated plastomes range from 152,323 to 153,786 bp in size and display a typical quadripartite structure. To further explore the plastome evolution across Gesneriaceae, we assembled five additional plastomes from public reads data and incorporated 38 complete Gesneriaceae plastomes available online into comparative and phylogenomic analyses. The comparison of 52 Gesneriaceae plastomes reveals that not only Primulina and Petrocodon but all gesneriad genera analyzed are highly conserved in genome size, genome structure, gene contents, IR boundary configurations, and codon usage bias. Additionally, sliding window analyses were implemented across alignments of Primulina and Petrocodon for identifying highly variable regions, providing informative markers for future studies. Meanwhile, the SSRs and long repeats of Gesneriaceae plastomes were characterized, serving as useful data in studying population and repetitive sequence evolutions. The results of plastome phylogenetics represent a preliminary but highly resolved maternal backbone genealogy of Primulina and the Old World subtribes of Gesneriaceae.

Predictive factors for flea occurrence in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from semi-arid Mediterranean environments.

The role of red fox as host for a wide range of parasites, particularly fleas and other arthropods causing vector-borne diseases, in combination with its capability to adapt to anthropized environments, makes this wild canid an epidemiologically remarkable species at the wildlife-domestic-human interface, especially in the present time of rise of emerging and re-emerging diseases. This study evaluated the prevalence and parasite intensity of fleas in 88 foxes from Murcia Region (Southeastern Spain) and determined the geographic distribution of areas with the highest potential risk of flea presence. Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides felis, Spilopsyllus cuniculi and Nosopsyllus fasciatus were identified. The overall prevalence was 76.13%. This is the first time that N. fasciatus has been reported in foxes from Murcia Region. The predictive model established a certain pattern to determine the areas with the highest risk of acquiring fleas. Positive correlation of daily potential evapotranspiration (ET0 ) in winter and the opposite effect occurring for ET0 in summer were obtained, as well as positive correlations for mean daily temperature (Tmean ) in summer and mean precipitation (Pmean ) in winter and summer. The model was also found positively correlated in the forest habitat ecotone areas and the anthropized areas.

A remarkable new species of Davilla Vand. (Dilleniaceae, Dolicocarpoideae) from the Brazilian Savanna supported by morphological and anatomical data

Davilla pygmaea, a new species endemic to the Brazilian Savanna, is described, illustrated and its systematic position is discussed here. The new species is closely related to D. elliptica and D. grandiflora, from which it differs by characters such as a decumbent habit, the shape of its leaf blades, the inflorescence architecture, the size and numbers of flowers, the size of the internal and external sepals during flowering and fruiting, the androecium with 126-131 stamens, and the presence and type of trichomes on vegetative organs. Anatomical characters such as the number of vascular bundles in the petiole and midrib, shape of the midrib in cross section, the margins of the leaf blades, the presence and arrangement of the fibers associated with small-caliber vascular bundles, and the presence of a fiber sheath extension in studied species also differentiate them. Histochemical tests demonstrated that alkaloids, acidic lipids, and phenolic compounds present in the leaf tissues of the new species and D. grandiflora, its closest congener, may have potential medicinal properties. In addition, the new species has its distribution mapped, its flowering and fruiting seasons delimited, and would likely be considered Critically Endangered (CR), as we have found only two populations. A key to identify Davilla species known to Goiás State, Brazil, is provided.

Discovery of a new scale worm (Annelida: Polynoidae) with presumed deep-sea affinities from an anchialine cave in the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean)

Abstract A remarkable new genus and species of scale worm (Annelida: Polynoidae) was found on the bottom sediments of an anchialine cave on the island of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean). Specimens reach up to 2 cm long, lack eyes and body pigmentation except for a few scattered minute speckles and show enlarged parapodia and sensorial appendages. A red brain is visible through the translucent tegument. Morphological features resemble those of Eulagiscinae, currently comprising eight species in three genera. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences are not conclusive on the position of the new taxon but affinity to Eulagiscinae is not ruled out, particularly when taxa with missing data or non-homologous insertion sites are excluded from the analyses. Pollentia perezi gen. & sp. nov. is characterized by a unique set of morphological features: 13 pairs of dorsal elytra; a single type of notochaetae (stout, with spinous rows and pointed tip); and two types of neurochaetae (superior flattened, spinous with tridentate tip; inferior shorter and thinner, lanceolate and pectinate). Some characteristics, such as the long parapodial appendages and swimming habits, are shared with other cave scale worms. However, the new taxon is not closely related to the other two known cave-dwelling polynoids.

Vascular plants of Punta Ballena: dataset for conservation of an endangered hotspot from Uruguay

Punta Ballena is the coastal southern tip of the Sierra de la Ballena, a shear zone of two tectonic plates, located at the beginning of the oceanic coast of Uruguay. Coastal rocky points are especially relevant because of their high plant richness, moreover their vegetation is endangered mainly due to the high tourist – urbanistic development of the coast. This study aimed to determine the list of vascular plants occurring on Punta Ballena coastal rocky point and identify its vegetation communities. Also, to identify endemic species, threatened and of interest for conservation species; and to analyze the species historically documented for the site. Punta Ballena stands out for its remarkable species richness with 427 species, dominated by Asteraceae (82), Poaceae (82) and Fabaceae (26). Five vegetation types were found in the natural area, which allows the combination of species with different adaptations. The site supports five vulnerable species and one endangered species (IUCN), 33 priority species for conservation, two local endemisms and numerous national (13) and regional (45) endemisms. Regarding historical collections, to date Punta Ballena has suffered a loss of 14% of its species, this is likely a direct consequence of the recent urban development. From these historically documented species, we consider five of them to be locally extinct. Due to these overwhelming results, we consider the site a diversity hotspot on the Uruguayan coast. It becomes urgent to generate conservation plans that allow the maintenance of the flora and vegetation communities that are still preserved in the area.

Two remarkable new species of the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 from China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

Two remarkable new species of the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 are described: Barsine qinxiae S.-Y. Huang Volynkin sp. n. from Zhejiang, Eastern China, and B. jingkuni S.-Y. Huang Volynkin sp. n. from Sichuan, Western China. The diagnostic comparison is made with Barsine roseata (Walker, 1864), B. hoenei (Reich, 1937) and B. pardalis (Mell, 1922). The lectotype for Miltochrista hoenei Reich, 1937 is designated. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated.

Three remarkable Bryophyte species new to Turkey and South–west Asia

Three remarkable Bryophyte species new to Turkey and South–west Asia

A new species of Polyneura Westwood, 1842 from Yunnan, China (Hemiptera, Cicadidae, Cicadinae).

The tribe Polyneurini Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadinae) is a small tribe which includes four genera and 18 species, distributing in eastern Palaearctic and Oriental Regions. Most of them, four genera and 16 species, are known from China. A remarkable new species of cicada, Polyneuraguoliangi sp. n. (Hemiptera, Cicadidae, Cicadinae), is described and illustrated from Yunnan, southwest China. The diagnostic characters of the new species are compared with allied species or genera.

Two new genera and species of Synanthedonini from the Nimba Mountains, Liberia, West Africa (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae).

In this study, two remarkable species and genera of African Synanthedonini are described from the Nimba Mountains, Liberia: Nimbamina blei gen. sp. nov., maybe related to Tipulamima Holland, 1893, and Chlorosphecia bele gen. sp. nov., related to the genera Lepidopoda Hampson, 1900, Macrotarsipodes Le Cerf, 1916 and Macrotarsipus Hampson, [1893]. These species represent the third report of Sesiidae from Liberia. Exceptionally remarkable is Nimbamina blei gen. sp. nov., that has extremely long and slender body and legs and is currently the only known member of the family whose antennae are covered with extremely long scales on the dorsal surface.

A remarkable new species of the genus Hydaticus from Madagascar, with an identification key for Malagasy species of the genus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Dytiscinae)

Summary Hydaticus (Prodaticus) mangamanga n. sp. is described from a single sampling site in the south-eastern part of Madagascar Central Highlands, near Ranomafana. The new species is unique among the known species of the genus Hydaticus in that the last visible abdominal ventrite is strongly modified and differentiated between sexes, and is also quite unusual in paramere configuration. Analysis of partial CO1 sequences revealed that H. mangamanga belongs to the leander-group and is genetically close to the Malagasy region endemic H. inconspicuus Régimbart, 1895 stat. rev. with only around 1.5% of sequence divergence, providing the first instance of a sister-group relationship between two Hydaticus species endemic from the Malagasy region. However, morphologically these two species differ considerably. They are illustrated (habitus, structures, male genitalia) and compared in detail. Collecting circumstances for H. mangamanga are described and a map of its known distribution is provided. A lectotype is designated for H. inconspicuus; this name is re-established as valid for this species, and the name H. kolbei Branden, 1885 used in the recent literature is considered of doubtful identity. An identification key is provided for all Hydaticus (Prodaticus) species known from Madagascar, with accompanying illustrations of median lobes of aedeagus in lateral view.

Sea cucumber as a therapeutic aquatic resource for human health

Sea cucumbers are worm-like, leathery bodied, benthic, marine organisms with a branched gonad. There are over 900 species, and these organisms are capable of changing their mechanical state, regenerating their small appendages, and digestive tract. Additionally, sea cucumbers possess both commercial and therapeutical value. Furthermore, it is thought that the metabolites these organisms possess may give rise to their therapeutical value. The use of sea cucumbers in therapy can be traced back to the Ming dynasty, where they were eaten for their tonic properties against constipation, hypertension, and rheumatism. A plethora of studies have been conducted, whereby different metabolites were extracted from sea cucumbers and tested for different therapeutic properties. Herein, we review and discuss the anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-coagulant, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of the sea cucumber by assessing literature on PubMed and Google Scholar. Furthermore, the genome and epigenome of these remarkable species is discussed. With the immense data supporting the therapeutic properties of sea cucumbers, further studies are warranted, in order to develop novel and innovative therapeutic compounds for the benefit of human health from these fascinating marine organisms.

Matamatas Chelus spp. (Testudines, Chelidae) have a remarkable evolutionary history of sex chromosomes with a long-term stable XY microchromosome system

The genus Chelus, commonly known as Matamata is one of the most emblematic and remarkable species among the Neotropical chelids. It is an Amazonian species with an extensive distribution throughout Negro/Orinoco and Amazonas River basins. Currently, two species are formally recognized: Chelus orinocensis and Chelus fimbriata and although it is still classified as "Least Concern" in the IUCN, the Matamatas are very appreciated and illegally sold in the international pet trade. Regardless, little is known regarding many aspects of its natural history. Chromosomal features for Chelus, for instance, are meagre and practically restricted to the description of the diploid number (2n = 50) for Chelus fimbriata, and its sex determining strategies are yet to be fully investigated. Here, we examined the karyotype of Chelus fimbriata and the newly described Chelus orinocensis, applying an extensive conventional and molecular cytogenetic approach. This allowed us to identify a genetic sex determining mechanism with a micro XY sex chromosome system in both species, a system that was likely present in their most common recent ancestor Chelus colombiana. Furthermore, the XY system found in Chelus orinocensis and Chelus fimbriata, as seen in other chelid species, recruited several repeat motifs, possibly prior to the split of South America and Australasian lineages, indicating that such system indeed dates back to the earliest lineages of Chelid species.

Gut microbiome-immune system interaction in reptiles.

Reptiles are ectothermic amniotes in a world dominated by endotherms. Reptiles originated more than 300million years ago and they often dwell in polluted environments which may expose them to pathogenic micro-organisms, radiation and/or heavy metals. Reptiles also possess greater longevity and may live much longer than similar-sized land mammals, for example, turtles, tortoises, crocodiles and tuatara are long-lived reptiles living up to 100years or more. Many recent studies have emphasized the pivotal role of the gut microbiome on its host; thus, we postulated that reptilian gut microbiome and/or its metabolites and the interplay with their robust immune system may contribute to their longevity and overall hardiness. Herein, we discuss the composition of the reptilian gut microbiome, immune system-gut microbiome cross-talk, antimicrobial peptides, reptilian resistance to infectious diseases and cancer, ageing, as well the current knowledge of the genome and epigenome of these remarkable species. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that microbial gut flora of reptiles such as crocodiles, tortoises, water monitor lizard and python exhibit remarkable anticancer and antibacterial properties, as well as comprise novel gut bacterial metabolites and antimicrobial peptides. The underlying mechanisms between the gut microbiome and the immune system may hold clues to developing new therapies overall for health, and possible extrapolation to exploit the ancient defence systems of reptiles for Homo sapiens benefit.

Chrysopogon densipaniculatus (Poaceae: Andropogoneae): a new species from India

Chrysopogon densipaniculatus, a remarkable new species has been described and illustrated from Korba district of Chhattisgarh, India. The species is allied to C. serrulatus but may be distinguished by the dense panicle inflorescence, glandular peduncle, upper lemma and palea of the pedicelled spikelet bi-dentate to tridentate, the latter of which is reduced a minute scale. Detailed morphological description, distribution, habitat and ecology, illustration of floral parts and colour photographs, IUCN conservation status and relevant taxonomic notes of the species are provided. A key for the identification of Chrysopogon species in India is also given to facilitate the proper identification.

Cascade-activatable NO release based on GSH-detonated "nanobomb" for multi-pathways cancer therapy.

Therapeutic approaches of combining conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT) with other adjuvant treatments to sensitize PDT represent an appealing strategy. Herein, a novel synergetic “nanobomb” strategy based on glutathione (GSH)-responsive biodegradation was proposed to effectively destroy tumors expeditiously and accurately. This “nanobomb” was rationally constructed via the simultaneous encapsulation of methylene blue (MB) and l-arginine (L-Arg) into polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified mesoporous organosilicon nanoparticles (MON). The resulting L-Arg/MB@MP initially exhibited prolonged blood circulation, improved bioavailability, and enhanced tumor accumulation in mice after tail vein injection according to the pharmacokinetic investigations, before the nanoparticles were entirely excreted. Under laser irradiation, L-Arg/MB@MP produced remarkable reactive oxygen species (ROS) directly for PDT therapy, while a portion of ROS may oxidize L-Arg to generate nitric oxide (NO) not only for gas therapy (GT) but also serve as a biological messenger to regulate vasodilation to alleviate the tumor hypoxia. Subsequently, the rapidly released NO was further oxidized to reactive nitrogen species, which together with ROS promote immunogenic cell death by inducing G2/M cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells, and eventually resulting in enhanced anti-tumor immune responses. Moreover, the GSH depletion in tumor tissues induced by L-Arg/MB@MP biodegradation can cooperate with GT to amplify the therapeutic effect of PDT. These results demonstrate that this “nanobomb” provides new ideas for clinical translation to treat tumor patients in terms of synergistic PDT-GT nanotherapy in hypoxic-solid tumors.