Arrangement Of Spines Research Articles

Two new species of Paratanytarsus (Diptera: Chironomidae) from southeast of Brazil

The adults and immature stages of Paratanytarsus corbii sp. n. and the male adult of Paratanytarsus silentii sp. n. are described and illustrated. P. corbii larvae were collected on sediment and aquatic vegetation of the headwater of the Anhumas Reservoir (Américo Brasiliense, SP) and reared in laboratory to obtain the pupal exuviae and associated adults. The adult males of P. silentii were obtained from Malaise net put over the Córrego do Silêncio located in Parque Estadual do Jaraguá (São Paulo, SP). The shape of the anal point and the absence of anal point crests are the main characteristics that distinguish P. corbii and P. silentii males from the majority species of the genus. The arrangement of spines on tergites III–V separates the pupae of P. corbii from other species. The length of pedicels and the pecten epipharyngis design are diagnostic for the larvae of P. corbii.

Mysids (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the southern Indian Ocean with descriptions of two new species

Three species of mysids belonging to two genera from the southern Indian Ocean (Lat. 31–55°S and Long. 45°E) are reported, of these two species - Siriella brevispina and Euchaetomera spinosa - are recorded as new to science. Siriella brevispina shares characters associated with the Brevicaudataand Thompsonii-groups and is distinguished from related species by the presence of a short telson, the anterior margin of the carapace with a triangular rostral plate, the labrum with a long process on the anterior margin, and the inner margin of the uropodal endopod showing an alternating arrangement of long and short spines. Euchaetomera spinosa is distinguished from the morphologically similar species Euchaetomera zurstrasseni by the absence of an ocular papilla, presence of a distal suture in the antennal scale, and the arrangement of spines on the telson.

New anomalocaridid appendages from the Burgess Shale, Canada

Abstract: The complex history of description of the anomalocaridids has partly been caused by the fragmentary nature of these fossils. Frontal appendages and mouth parts are more readily preserved than whole-body assemblages, so the earliest work on these animals examined these structures in isolation. After several decades of research, these disarticulated elements were assembled together to reconstruct the anomalocaridid body plan, and a total of three Burgess Shale genera, Anomalocaris, Laggania and Hurdia, were described in full. Here we present new frontal appendage material of additional anomalocaridid taxa from the ‘Middle’ Cambrian (Series 3) Burgess Shale Formation in Canada, showing that the diversity of anomalocaridids in this locality is even higher than previously thought. Material includes Amplectobelua stephenensis sp. nov., the first known occurrence of this genus outside of China; Caryosyntrips serratus gen. et sp. nov., which is similar to the Anomalocaris appendage but has a straighter outline and a different arrangement of spines; and an appendage that may be either the Laggania appendage or a third morph of the Hurdia appendage. The new anomalocaridid material is contemporaneous with the previously described taxa Anomalocaris, Laggania, and Hurdia, and the differences in morphology between the frontal appendages may reflect different feeding strategies. The stratigraphically lowest locality, S7 on Mount Stephen, yields material from all anomalocaridid taxa, but the assemblages in the younger quarries on Fossil Ridge are dominated by Anomalocaris and Hurdia only.

Lithodes formosae, a new species of king crab from Taiwan (Crustacea: Decapoda: Lithodidae)

A new species of king crab is described from Taiwan, Lithodes formosae sp. nov. The new species resembles L. longispina Sakai, 1971, from Japan, L. megacantha Macpherson, 1991, from French Polynesia, and L. paulayi Macpherson & Chan, 2008, from Guam, in having long dorsal spines in adults, though it is most similar to L. paulayi. Lithodes formosae is distinguished from the aforementioned species primarily by differing branchial spine arrangement and proportional spine length. Comparison of partial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences from L. formosae sp. nov., L. paulayi and L. longispina supports the specific status of the new species. Six species of Lithodidae are known from Taiwan, of which L. formosae sp. nov. is the first to be described as new from Taiwan.

Fishes of the King Edward River in the Kimberley region, Western Australia

The King Edward River, in the far north of the Kimberley region of Western Australia drains approximately 10,000 km2 and discharges into the Timor Sea near the town of Kalumburu. This study represents an ichthyological survey of the river’s freshwaters and revealed that the number of freshwater fishes of the King Edward River is higher than has previously been recorded for a Western Australian river. Twenty-six strictly freshwater fish species were recorded, which is three species higher than the much larger Fitzroy River in the southern Kimberley. The study also identified a number of range extensions, including Butler’s Grunter and Shovel-nosed Catfish to the west, and the Slender Gudgeon to the north and east. A possibly undescribed species of glassfish, that differs morphologically from described species in arrangement of head spines, fin rays, as well as relative body measurements, is reported. A considerable proportion of Jenkins’ Grunter, which is widespread throughout the system but essentially restricted to main channel sites, had ‘blubber-lips’. There were significant differences in the prevailing fish fauna of the different reaches of the King Edward River system. Thus fish associations in the upper King Edward River main channel were significantly different to those in the tributaries and the main channel of the Carson River. Similarly, the fauna of the Carson River, which was much more diverse than the King Edward River main channel and tributary sites, was characterised by many species that were not found in other parts of the river. The presence of natural barriers, such as waterfalls or rock bars do not permit upstream migrations of fishes and are considered to be the main factor in limiting the distribution of some species. For example, many species are restricted to the lower sections of the Carson River, and include Bony Bream, Lesser Salmon Catfish, Shovel-nosed Catfish, Black Catfish, False-spined Catfish, Freshwater Longtom, Prince Regent Hardyhead, Mouth Almighty, Barred Grunter and Butler’s Grunter. It is hypothesised that these natural barriers were in place long before many of these latter species colonised the King Edward River. Some species tend to only be found within tributary sites, e.g. Kimberley Mogurnda, while others are most abundant in tributaries rather than main channel sites, e.g. Western Rainbowfish and Spangled Perch. Waterfalls are also seen as limiting the number of migratory marine/estuarine species that enter freshwaters. For example, only three species that require the marine/estuarine environment to complete their life-cycle were captured in the freshwaters of the King Edward River system. This compares to 14 species that utilise the freshwaters of the Fitzroy River.

Collar spine models in the genus Echinostoma (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae)

This paper discusses collar spine arrangements in the genus Echinostoma. All arrangements are of uneven numbers of collar spines on the oral collar. The total number of collar spines in these arrangements ranges from a low 31 to a high 51. There are 11 models of collar spine arrangements in the Echinostoma consisting of spine numbers 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, and 51. Representative species with these collar spine arrangements are given in the article. The number of collar spines in a species is identical in both the larval and adult forms. Reports of even numbered spine counts in the genus Echinostoma are erroneous and probably reflect counts on worms with lost, retracted, or supernumerary spines.

Morphological differences and molecular similarities between Paragonimus bangkokensis and P. harinasutai

Paragonimus bangkokensis and Paragonimus harinasutai were found one after another in the same crab host, Potamon smithianus, in Thailand in 1967 and 1968. Both species were also recently found in China and Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). Those two Paragonimus spp. are distinguishable from each other by morphological features of metacercariae and adults. However, recently, the DNA sequences of second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS2) and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) genes of those two species in Thailand were reported to be highly similar to each other. In the present study, we collected P. bangkokensis in two provinces in Vietnam (the first record in Vietnam) and both P. bangkokensis and P. harinasutai in Lao PDR for the morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses to clarify the mutual relationship between the two species. The results show that P. bangkokensis and P. harinasutai were distinguishable from each other by morphology such as the size of metacercariae and the arrangement of cuticular spines of adult worms. However, the molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS2 and CO1 genes clearly indicate that P. bangkokensis and P. harinasutai make a monophyletic group.

THE MEASUREMENTS OF INTERVERTEBRAL FORAMINAL AREA AND ANGULATION OF CERVICAL VERTEBRA BEFORE AND AFTER ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY

Aim: There are two main problems after cervical discectomy without using bone graft or methalic instruments; angulation and foraminal stenosis. We evaluated these problems which occur after cervical discectomy. Methods: We viewed the control magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 13 patients who had been operated with simple anterior cervical discectomy, regarding the fact that at least one year had passed after operation. We measured the right and left side foraminal areas on the sagittal section of MRI. We also studied how the foraminal areas were affected from the postoperative angulation on the cervical vertebra. Results: In cases, where the intervertebral disc space had narrowed after the anterior cervical discectomy and where there was no appearance of forward angulation, the right and left side measurements revealed significant decrease (P≤0.05) (Wilcoxon) for the measurement of foraminal areas (patients 1-8). Clinically, all 8 cases had root irritation findings. Besides this situation, in the cases who had 100 or more forward angulation after the operation, there were significant increase (P≤0.05) (Wilcoxon) for the measurement of foraminal areas (patients 9-13). Clinically, these patients had muscular tension type headaches. Conclusion: It is well known that cervical spine arrangement is destroyed due to angulation and this causes chronic neck pains in the postoperative period. Despite this chronic pains, angulation is still a benefitial development for the patient because of the enlargement of the foraminal area. Although angulation is not an acceptable situtation for the arrangement of the spine, it may be preferable result when prognosis is concerned.

Distinguishing the cross‐β spine arrangements in amyloid fibrils using FRET analysis

The recently published microcrystal structures of amyloid fibrils from small peptides greatly enhanced our understanding of the atomic-level structure of the amyloid fibril. However, only a few amyloid fibrils can form microcrystals. The dansyl-tryptophan fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) pair was shown to be able to detect the inter-peptide arrangement of the Transthyretin (105-115) amyloid fibril. In this study, we combined the known microcrystal structures with the corresponding FRET efficiencies to build a model for amyloid fibril structure classification. We found that fibrils with an antiparallel structural arrangement gave the largest FRET signal, those with a parallel arrangement gave the lowest FRET signal, and those with a mixed arrangement gave a moderate FRET signal. This confirms that the amyloid fibril structure patterns can be classified based on the FRET efficiency.

The genera Parotoplana Meixner, 1938 and Parotoplanella Ax, 1956 (Platyhelminthes: Proseriata) in southern Spain

Collecting in southern Spain yielded five species of Parotoplana and one species of Parotoplanella (Proseriata: Otoplanidae). Four species of Paratoplana proved to be new to science. Parotoplana cucullata sp. n. is distinguished by the shape of the lateral spines in the copulatory organ and in the presence of a “glandular organ” around the distal portion of the female duct. Parotoplana fretigaditani sp. n. is similar to P. procerostyla Ax, 1956 in the general arrangement of spines, but their fine morphology is distinctive. Parotoplana varispinosa sp. n. differs from P. capitata Ax, 1956 in the shape and number of spines. Parotoplana mastigophora sp. n. has a unique morphology of the stylet, and the spines of the girdle markedly differ in size and shape. The karyotype of P. cucullata sp. n. (n = 6) is described. In addition, Parotoplana primitiva and Parotoplanella heterorhabditica, previously known from the Atlantic coast of France and north‐west Mediterranean, respectively, were found. The high proportion of new species demonstrates the present poor state of knowledge of interstial meiofauna.

REDESCRIPTION OF ASCOCOTYLE (ASCOCOTYLE) FELIPPEI TRAVASSOS, 1928 (DIGENEA: HETEROPHIYDAE) WITH NEW SYNONYMIES

The heterophyid trematode Ascocotyle (Ascocotyle) felippei Travassos, 1928, is redescribed and new data on its life cycle are provided, based on types and metacercariae found in the heart bulb and gills of naturally infected guppies, Poecilia vivipara (new fish intermediate host), from a coastal lagoon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Examination of the type and all voucher specimens of A. (A.) felippei collected by Travassos in the type host and locality in Brazil has shown that they possess only 32 (16 + 16) circumoral spines, rather than 36 (18 + 18) spines as previously reported. Based on the identical number and arrangement of circumoral spines, shape of the body, the presence of a long preoral lobe and posterior muscular prolongation of the oral sucker, short and wide ceca, a simple gonotyl lacking refractile bodies, and the site of infection of metacercariae (predominantly heart bulb), A. (A.) puertoricensis Price, 1932 and A. (A.) tenuicollis Price, 1935, are proposed as new synonyms of A. (A.) felippei.

A new Dicranocentrus species (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from China with a key to all species in the genus from Asia

A new species, Dicranocentrus wangi, is described from Guangdong, South China. The new species is most similar to the Philippine species D. luzonensis Mari Mutt, 1985 and the Singapore species D. simplex Yosii, 1959 in the arrangement of dental spines, but differs from them in the number of dental spines and in other characters. A key to Asian species of Dicranocentrus is provided.

Family Linoproductidae Stehli, (Brachiopoda) from the Upper Moscovian of the Middle Carboniferous of the Moscow Region

Species from the family Linoproductidae sensu str. from the Podolskian-Myachkovian deposits of the Moscow Region are revised and redescribed. The peculiarities of the arrangement of spines on the ventral valve are used as a basis for a new taxonomic structure. A new genus Linipalus, which appeared in the Podolskian time and was widespread in the Late Carboniferous and Early Permian, is established. Three new species of the genus Linispinus Lazarev, 2006, and one new species of the genus Linipalus gen. nov. are described.

Maotianshan-Shale nemathelminths — Morphology, biology, and the phylogeny of Nemathelminthes

We investigated individual-rich nemathelminth species from the Lower Cambrian Maotianshan-Shale (Chengjiang) biota comprising Chengjiang, Haikou and Shankou faunas near Kunming, southern China, with regard to morphology, life habits and their possible role in the early marine shallow-water ecosystems. Their body shapes can be grouped into four sets: long, worm-shaped forms, sac-like forms and tubiform forms with a conically tapering, stiff trunk, and forms with a body consisting of a grape-shaped anterior part and a similarly shaped trunk with cuticular plates along the long axis of the body. This latter shape matches the loricate trunk of extant larval priapulids and larval and adult loriciferans, both members of the scalidophoran Nemathelminthes. All Cambrian taxa share several features with the Scalidophora, comprising Loricifera, Priapulida and Kinorhyncha, such as the pharynx lined with internally curved spines and the frontal body region, introvert, which is similarly armed with hook-like spines. Living scalidophorans use their introvert for locomotion and the pharynx to swallow prey, which is assumed to be the case for the fossil forms too. Their inwardly curved pharyngeal spines prevent prey from escaping, while the introvert spines, the so-called scalids, may serve to anchor the body to the surface when pulling it forward. The living forms can withdraw their pharynx and introvert deeply into the body, which can be demonstrated only for the pharynx in the Lower Cambrian forms. Details of the arrangement and number of pharynx and introvert spines are considered useful features for a systematic positioning for the Lower Cambrian taxa. The structures themselves might have evolved, however, earlier than in the scalidophoran ground pattern and probably characterised already the stem species of cycloneuralian nemathelminths because of the presence of similar features in both taxa of the Nematoida, the nematomorphs (in the larvae) and the nematodes (circum-oral sensilla). Introverts with rings of six scalids in Nematoida opposite to rings of multiples of four or five in Scalidophora indicate a possible position of the fossil taxa close to the Scalidophora. We argue that the loricate Cambrian taxa (the fourth set) are derivatives of the stem lineage of the Loricifera. This implies that minute size, slight bilateralisation, a specific piercing apparatus developed along the evolutionary path of these animals toward life in the interstitial, characterise the crown group. Reconstructing the life habits of the fossil taxa, it seems to us that the forms investigated by us were most likely epi- or inbenthic, living in muddy sedimentary environments. A vertical burrowing into the sediment does not seem very likely, while a predatory life is plausible also for the Cambrian nemathelminths. We furthermore discuss the significance of these fossils with regard to the systematic status of the Nemathelminthes.

Three new species of the genus Oligobregma (Polychaeta, Scalibregmatidae) from the Scotia and Weddell Seas (Antarctica)

Three new species of the scalibregmatid genus Oligobregma Kudenov & Blake, 1978 are described from Antarctic waters. The species are best distinguished by the number and arrangement of acicular spines in anterior notopodia. While Oligobregma pseudocollare sp. nov., bears two rows of spines in the first two notopodia, spines are arranged in single rows in Oligobregma blakei sp. nov. In Oligobregma quadrispinosa sp. nov., the first four chaetigers are armed with acicular spines. The species were collected from depths between 753 and 4069 m in the Scotia and Weddell Seas. A comparison with further species of Oligobregma known from Southern Oceans is given.

Three new species of the genus Oligobregma (Polychaeta, Scalibregmatidae) from the Scotia and Weddell Seas (Antarctica)

Three new species of the scalibregmatid genus Oligobregma Kudenov & Blake, 1978 are described from Antarctic waters. The species are best distinguished by the number and arrangement of acicular spines in anterior notopodia. While Oligobregma pseudocollare sp. nov., bears two rows of spines in the first two notopodia, spines are arranged in single rows in Oligobregma blakei sp. nov. In Oligobregma quadrispinosa sp. nov., the first four chaetigers are armed with acicular spines. The species were collected from depths between 753 and 4069 m in the Scotia and Weddell Seas. A comparison with further species of Oligobregma known from Southern Oceans is given.

A NEW SPECIES OF DICRANOCENTRUS (COLLEMBOLA: ENTOMOBRYIDAE) FROM CHINA

A new species, Dicranocentrus chenae, from Guangxi, South China is described. The new species is most similar in the arrangement of dental spines to D. cubensis Mari Mutt, 1979 from Cuba and D. gapudi Mari Mutt, 1985 from the Philippines, but differs from them in the number of internal teeth in the ungues. A table of the main characteristics of Asian species is provided.

REDESCRIPTION OF TRICHURIS LAEVITESTIS (NEMATODA: TRICHURIDAE) FROM AKODON AZARAE AND SCAPTEROMYS AQUATICUS (SIGMODONTINAE: CRICETIDAE) IN BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA

Trichuris spp. have a cosmopolitan distribution; the species are typically identified by features related to the reproductive system. Trichuris laevitestis was described on the basis of specimens collected from rodents captured in Punta Lara, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Here, T. laevitestis is redescribed considering new and relevant morphological features of diagnostic importance such as arrangement of spines on the spicular sheath, spicule length, length and shape of proximal cloacal tube, paracloacal papillae, features of the vulva, and ratios between different features. Akodon azarae and Scapteromys aquaticus specimens captured in the Rio de la Plata and Paraná Guazú River, and at Cerro de la Gloria, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, were examined. The bacillary band of T. laevitestis is described, and several morphological details of this species are illustrated and recorded by scanning electron microscopy for the first time. The redescription of T. laevitestis confirms its identity as a valid species. In addition, the present study extends the geographical distribution of the species.

A new species of Afromysis (Crustacea: Mysida) from southern Oman

Afromysis kensleyi, a new species of mysid, was collected from the surf zone bordering sandy beaches in central and southern Oman. It is readily distinguished from six other described Afromysis species by a combination of the form of the eyestalks (two-times long as broad), the absence of reflexed finger-like processes on the dorsal side of the carapace, and the form and arrangement of spines on the telson. Lateral spines on the telson are arranged as a series of four spines near the base and about fifteen spines on the posterior half that become progressively longer and more robust posteriorly. The apex of each lobe on the telson is armed with four spines.

A Revision of the Genus Parastilomysis (Mysida: Mysidae), with Descriptions of Three New Species and Establishment of a New Genus for P. Secunda

Abstract Three new species of Parastilomysis, P. paucispina, P. prominula, and P. separata, are described from Japanese waters. Parastilomysis paucispina is different from the other species of the genus by the smaller body size and the uropodal endopod with the inner margin armed with fewer spines, P. prominula by two small protuberances on the mid-dorsal line of the carapace, and P. separata by the arrangement of spines on the lateral margin of the telson. Parastilomysis secunda is revised taxonomically, and a new genus, Hyperstilomysis, is proposed for the accommodation of this species.