Subspecies Research Articles

Asclepiadaceae of Maharashtra

Family Asclepiadaceae is represented by 250 genera and ca 3000 species mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is represented by 43 genera and ca 243 species in India, of which, 31 genera, 82 species, 2 subspecies and 7 varieties are known from the State of Maharashtra. The family is well known for endemism, most elaborate complicated flower of all the dicots and contrivances for pollination. Most of the members of the family are restricted in distribution and many of them fall under some IUCN categories of rare plants. Many of the species are not available for taxonomic studies due to rarity of plant materials. Similarly fleshy nature of flowers makes it difficult to study floral structure in dried herbarium specimens. During last decade, deliberate attempts were made to collect asclepiads of Maharashtra and study their characters in fresh and prickled liquid preserved materials. During 10 years intensive survey of asclepiads of Maharashtra, about 63 species of the total 82 species reported for the State have been collected, documented, photographed, studied and reported in the present paper. The genus Ceropegia alone accounts for 24 species and 2 varieties for the state. Photographs of asclepiad flowers are found to be of paramount value in easy identifications than their descriptions. The paper gives an account of Asclepiads of Maharashtra, their distribution and present field status.

On the genus Sunius Stephens, 1829 of Turkey. V. A new micropterous species from central southern Anatolia, with additional records from the western Mediterranean region (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae)

A new species of the genus Sunius Stephens, 1829 is described from the Karaman province of central southern Anatolia: Sunius tauricus sp. n. Additional records of seven species and two subspecies of Sunius from the western Mediterranean region are reported. A total of 38 species are now known from Turkey, 34 of them are endemic.

Subspecies and in vitro drug sensitivity analysis of Mycobacterium intracellular clinical isolates

Subspecies and in vitro drug sensitivity analysis of Mycobacterium intracellular clinical isolates

DNA barcoding of some Pandeidae species (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Anthoathecata)

Using 16S, COI, and ITS DNA sequences, it was possible to link a Norwegian marine hydroid formerly known as Leuckartiara abyssi (G.O. Sars, 1874) to a Neoturris medusa occurring in the same region. Although the Norwegian medusae showed some slight morphological differences to Mediterranean Neoturris pileata, DNA sequence comparisons show that they must be conspecific. A Mediterranean specimen of N. pileata showed less sequence divergences to the Norwegian Neoturris than was found within this latter population. The morphological differences are likely only age- and environmentally related. Leuckartiara abyssi is thus a subjective synonym of Neoturris pileata (Forsskal, 1775). The sequence analyses were embedded in a comparison with other members of the family Pandeidae. Contrary to the case for most other hydrozoans investigated, 16S sequences show very little divergences within the genus Catablema and it is thus not a good barcoding marker for this genus. COI sequences showed about three times greater divergence than 16S within selected pandeid species clades and are more suitable to investigate Catablema species, although also for COI the divergences within this group remain rather small. Catablema nodulosumBigelow, 1913 was found to be most likely conspecific with Catablema vesicarium (A. Agassiz, 1862) and was therefore accepted only as a subspecies of the latter, thus following the opinion of most other prominent taxonomists of the last century. Medusae referred to Catablema multicirratumKishinouye, 1910 originating from either the NE Pacific or the Eurasian sector of the Arctic Sea could belong to two distinct species.The medusa Leuckartiara longicalcar n. spec. is described and illustrated. It occurs along the coast of North America from British Columbia to California and has been confused previously with L. octona (Fleming, 1823).

Four Species of Crambidae (Lepidoptera, Pyraloidea) New to Korea

Four species of Crambidae, Patania brevipennis (Inoue, 1982); Herpetogramma tominagai Yamanaka, 2003; Aethaloessa calidalis (Guenee, 1854); Anania subfumalis (Munroe et Mutuura, 1971), are reported for the first time from Korea. The genus Aethaloessa is new to the Korean fauna. Photos of external and genital features are provided for those species. Subspecies assignment and occurrence status in Korea are discussed for Aethaloessa calidalis and Anania subfumalis.

Revision of the Orbamia Herbulot, 1966 group of genera with description of two new genera, ten new species, and two new subspecies (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae, Cassymini)

The genus Orbamia Herbulot, 1966 is revised. Two new genera are described: Rabomia Hausmann & Tujuba, gen. nov. (type species: Ectropis ? subaurata Warren, 1899), and Morabia Hausmann & Tujuba, gen. nov. (type species: Morabia politzari Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov.). Ten new species and two new subspecies are described: Rabomia obscurior Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov., from western Africa, Morabia politzari Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov., from Kenya, Morabia brunnea Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov., from Zambia, Orbamia marginata Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov., from Tanzania, Orbamia clarissima Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov., from Kenya, Orbamia clarior Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov., from Kenya, Orbamia obliqua Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov., from Zambia, Orbamia obliqua parva Hausmann & Tujuba, subsp. nov., from South Africa, Orbamia abiyi Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov., from Zambia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Orbamia emanai Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov., from Ethiopia, Orbamia emanai lenzi Hausmann & Tujuba, subsp. nov., from Zambia and Malawi, and Orbamia balensis Hausmann & Tujuba, sp. nov. from Ethiopia. The taxon Lepiodes ocellata Warren, 1897 is raised from synonymy of O. octomaculata (Wallengren, 1872) to species rank (Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda). The taxonomical analysis is based on both morphological and genetic cytochrome oxidase I (COI) data. Adults and male and female genitalia of all species are illustrated.

Taxonomic Revision and Evolutionary Phylogeography of Dusky Langur (Trachypithecus obscurus) in Peninsular Malaysia.

Dusky langur, Trachypithecus obscurus, inhabits tropical rainforests in Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar. Morphologically, five subspecies are distributed in Peninsular Malaysia, but few studies have used genetic data to verify the classification. It is difficult to differentiate subspecies based on morphological characteristics, so this study used molecular data to differentiate subspecies of T. obscurus. The issue was addressed by analyzing 723 and 649 base pairs of the mitochondrial D-loop region and COI, respectively. DNA amplifications were performed using species-specific primer toward 35 individuals representing different populations. Phylogenetic analyses showed that two main clades representing populations in southern and northern Peninsular Malaysia. The results demonstrate that subspecies of T. obscurus in Peninsular Malaysia does not support classification based on the morphology that recognizes five subspecies. Previous study based on morphology that classified the subspecies on Perhentian Island, Terengganu, as T. obscurus styx is not recognized in this study. This subspecies happened to merge with the population in northern Peninsular Malaysia. Trachypithecus o. styx probably inhabited the southern peninsula and, due to the terminal Pleistocene sea level rise, spread to the east coast but could not spread farther because the subspecies was situated on offshore islands during the period. This assumption was supported by the molecular clock, which showed that subspecies on Perhentian Island spread after the Perlis population (T. obscurus flavicauda).

Bacterial flora distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pyogenic liver abscess: a multicenter retrospective study (A report of 897 cases)

Bacterial flora distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pyogenic liver abscess: a multicenter retrospective study (A report of 897 cases)

Analysis on fertility and inheritance of hybrid male sterility of indica rice 9814HS-1

Hybrid rice has generally a yield-increasing heterosis of 10%−15% compared with inbred parents. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has recommended hybrid rice as one of the best choices for solving the food shortage in the developing countries. Male sterility provides a basic genetic tool for hybrid rice breeding. Hybrid male sterility refers to the phenomenon that F1 hybrid from two parents is abnormal or nonfunctional in the development of male organs. A new germplasm source of hybrid male sterility is valuable for establishing a novel system for using heterosis by hybrid breeding of three-way crossing, which helps to develop elite hybrid rice with better comprehensive traits. To date, hybrid male sterility occurs commonly from the crosses between species (e.g. Oryza rufipogon × Oryza sativa ) or subspecies (e.g. indica rice × japonica rice). Nevertheless, it is not clear if the hybrid male sterility could be induced from a cross within a subspecies. Here, we reported firstly the hybrid male sterility resulted from a cross between two indica rice parents, i.e., two WA-type maintainer lines of indica rice T98B and M114B. The InDel marker analysis showed that T98B and M114B had an indica -genotype frequency at 0.94 and 1.00, respectively, indicating both of them belong to indica rice. Field observation showed that 9814HS-1, the F1 hybrid of T98B (as female parent) and M114B (as male parent), was eco-typically male sterile. The pollens of 9814HS-1 were completely aborted, resulting in a seed setting rate at 0.00% when heading after early October at Changsha or before mid-March at Sanya, while both parents T98B and M114B were normally fertile under the same conditions. Interestingly, when T98B and M114B were crossed with eight other indica rice varieties, all of their F1 hybrids were normally fertile with a seed setting rate ranged from 80.35% to 91.87%, implying that the hybrid male sterility of 9814HS-1 is induced from the specific parental incompatibility between T98B and M114B. The restorability test showed that 9814HS-1 could be restored for fertility by all of six representative indica rice lines, with seed setting rates ranged from 85.24% to 93.21% in their F1 hybrids, indicating that the broad spectrum of restorability of 9814HS-1. This male sterility provides a good basis for hybrid breeding of three-way cross. Genetic analysis showed that both of the F1 hybrid and its reciprocal cross from T98B and M114B were male sterile, suggesting the hybrid male sterility was controlled by nuclear genes. The Chi-square test supported that the separation ratio of sterile: Fertile plants in both F2 and BC1F1 populations was confirmed to be 1:3, which we infer that the hybrid male sterility in 9814HS-1 is controlled by two pairs of non-allelic nuclear genes and occurs only when they are in a heterozygous state. This study provides a new perspective for re-recognizing rice reproductive barriers and opens up a new way for the multiple-line hybrid rice breeding.

New Distribution Data on Darkling Beetles of the Tribe Platyscelidini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

New information on the distribution of 60 taxa (species and subspecies) of Platyscelidini is provided. Oodescelis ketmeniana is first recorded from China. The distribution of Oodescelis pilosa and Bioramix szetschuana has been clarified. Photos of 7 species are published for the first time.

Controle e prevenção de pulgas em cães e gatos: análise das ações dos tutores

As pulgas são insetos achatados lateralmente, sem asas, pertencentes ao Filo Arthropoda, à classe Insecta e à ordem Siphonaptera. Na medicina veterinária, as pulgas são habitualmente encontradas em cães e gatos, porém, elas também vivem em uma variedade de outros animais domésticos e pequenos selvagens. A subespécie predominante que parasita cães e gatos é a Ctenocephalides felis felis, conhecida como pulga do gato, causando no animal ação irritativa e inflamatória, além de transmitir patógenos, onde estas causam perturbação e estresse aos animais, provocados pelas suas picadas e movimentos. A pesquisa foi realizada com tutores de animais de estimação, residentes em duas avenidas do Setor Pestana, em Guaraí Tocantins. A coleta de dados foi realizada através de questionários aplicados a todos os tutores de animais e continha seis perguntas fechadas de múltiplas escolhas. Acerca do questionário sobre o método de prevenção e controle de pulgas nos animais, foi constatado que 54% dos responsáveis utilizam medicamentos oriundos de farmácias. Com isso, conclui-se que prevalece o número de donos de animais que tem consciência dos danos a saúde que as pulgas podem causar a seus animais bem como o impacto econômico.

Comparison and rapid prediction of lignocellulose and organic elements of a wide variety of rice straw based on near infrared spectroscopy

Rice straw is a major kind of biomass that can be utilized as lignocellulosic materials and renewable energy. Rapid prediction of the lignocellulose (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) and organic elements (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur) of rice straw would help to decipher its growth mechanisms and thereby improve its sustainable usages. In this study, 364 rice straw samples featuring different rice subspecies (japonica and indica), growing seasons (early-, middle-, and late-season), and growing environments (irrigated and rainfed) were collected, the differences among which were examined by multivariate analysis of variance. Statistic results showed that the cellulose content exhibited significant differences among different growing seasons at a significant level (p < 0.01), and the contents of cellulose and nitrogen had significant differences between different growing environments (p < 0.01). Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) models for predicting the lignocellulosic and organic elements were developed based on two algorithms including partial least squares (PLS) and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling-partial least squares (CARS-PLS). Modeling results showed that most CARS-PLS models are of higher accuracy than the PLS models, possibly because the CARS-PLS models selected optimal combinations of wavenumbers, which might have enhanced the signal of chemical bonds and thereby improved the predictive efficiency. As a major contributor to the applications of rice straw, the nitrogen content was predicted precisely by the CARS-PLS model. Generally, the CARS-PLS models efficiently quantified the lignocellulose and organic elements of a wide variety of rice straw. The acceptable accuracy of the models allowed their practical applications. Keywords: rice straw, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy models, rapid prediction, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling, partial least-squares, lignocellulose DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191202.4374 Citation: Diallo A A, Yang Z L, Shen G H, Ge J Y, Li Z C, Han L J. Comparison and rapid prediction of lignocellulose and organic elements of a wide variety of rice straw based on near infrared spectroscopy. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(2): 166–172.

Mercury contamination in Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) in coastal Washington, 2001–2016

Mercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring widespread and persistent contaminant globally, and its organic form is highly toxic to living organisms and is known to impact humans and wildlife. Our primary goal was to use feathers to establish a contemporary baseline of total Hg contamination levels in Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) that occur on the outer coast of Washington. We document concentrations of total Hg in feathers of 151 peregrines primarily captured on beaches from 2001 to 2016. Peregrines were captured throughout the year, with breeding and natal areas of most individuals undetermined. The bulk of our samples consisted of fourth secondary (s4) feathers, but we include fourth primary and undertail covert feathers for comparison. All s4 feather samples contained detectable concentrations of total Hg (range = 0.7–69.83 µg/g), with mean concentrations in hatch-year (HY) feathers (mean = 6.05 µg/g) significantly lower than in second-year (mean = 22.55 pg/g) and after-second-year (mean = 24.48 µg/g) feathers. We captured 23 individuals more than once to track total Hg concentrations over time (up to 12 years between first and last capture), detecting an increasing trend through their third year before stabilizing in subsequent years. All individuals first captured while in HY plumage and later recaptured (n = 20) exhibited an increased concentration of total Hg in later years (mean maximum difference over time = 25.39 µg/g). Our 16-year study illustrates widespread contamination of total Hg in peregrines captured in coastal Washington, with evidence of bioaccumulation within individuals and between age classes. Encouragingly, peregrines in HY plumage sampled during the final third of our study period exhibited a significantly lower mean total Hg concentration than the first two-thirds of our study. We detected greater total Hg concentrations in coastal Washington peregrines than in nearly all known published studies involving peregrines of various subspecies in North America and Europe, although additional research is needed to establish toxic effects levels in this species.

Promyialges italicus sp. nov. (Astigmata: Epidermoptidae) with redescriptions of mites of the families Epidermoptidae and Cheyletidae (Prostigmata) associated with Pseudolynchia canariensis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from Iran and Italy

Pseudolynchia canariensis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) is a parasite of pigeons but also a host for hyperparasitic mites living on the same avian hosts. Four species and subspecies of mites found on this louse fly, Myialges anchora , Promyialges italicus sp. nov. , Promyialges lophortyx (Astigmata: Epidermoptidae), and Ornithocheyletia hallae hallae (Prostigmata: Cheyletidae), are described or redescribed. One new species of feather mites is described from Tuscany, Pisa, Italy, from Pseudolynchia canariensis (Mcquart, 1840) from Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789). This is the first report of the genera Myialges and Ornithocheyletia for the Iranian fauna, while the subspecies Ornithocheyletia hallae hallae represents a new report for Asia. Specimens of O. hallae from populations in Italy and in Iran differ morphologically. According to these findings, we recognized two subspecies, Ornithocheyletia hallae hallae and O. hallae similis .

Molecular insights of mitochondrial 16S rDNA genes of the native honey bees subspecies Apis mellifera carnica and Apis mellifera jementica (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Saudi Arabia

The honey bee Apis mellifera is of major importance for the world’s agriculture and is also suitable for environmental monitoring. It includes several recognized subspecies distinguished by using morphological and morphometric variants. Here, 200 adult worker Apis mellifera honey bees were collected from Hail region, Saudi Arabia. Mitochondrial 16S rDNA was conducted to detect molecular polymorphism among honey bee A. mellifera subspecies. The amplified and sequenced gene regions of mtDNA revealed the presence of two different subspecies of Apis mellifera carnica (gb| MH939276.1) and Apis mellifera jementica (gb| MH939277.1). The sequences were compared with each other and with others retrieved from the GenBank demonstrating a high degree of similarity (up to 72%). The NJ tree indicated that all Apis species are clustered together in one clade in addition to the genetically origin of Apis species within family Apidae as a paraphyletic group within the African lineage.

Abincol® (Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02, Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDD01), an oral nutraceutical, pragmatic use in patients with chronic intestinal disorders.

Chronic intestinal disorders (CID), including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and diverticular disease (DD), are diseases that relapse episodes. There is evidence that patients with CID have intestinal dysbiosis, so probiotics may counterbalance the impaired microbiota. Therefore, the current survey evaluated the efficacy and safety of Abincol®,an oral nutraceuticalcontaining a probiotic mixture with Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (1 billion of living cells), Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02 (800 millions of living cells), and Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDD01 (200 millions of living cells), in 3,460 outpatients (1,660 males and 1,800 females, mean age 55 years) with chronic intestinal disorders. Patients took 1 stick/daily for 8 weeks. Abincol® significantly diminished the presence and the severity of intestinal symptoms and improved stool form. In conclusion, the current survey suggests that Abincol® may be considered an effective and safe therapeutic option in the management of patients with chronic intestinal disorders. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDD01) in patients undergoing bowel preparation.

Bowel preparation (BP) for colonoscopy induces significantly changes in gut microbiota and elicit intestinal symptoms. Impaired microbiota causes an intestinal dysbiosis. Consequently, probiotics may counterbalance the disturbed microbiota after BP. The current survey evaluated the efficacy and safety of Abincol®,an oral nutraceuticalcontaining a probiotic mixture with Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (1 billion of living cells), Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02 (800 millions of living cells), and Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDD01 (200 millions of living cells), in 2,979 outpatients (1,579 males and 1,400 females, mean age 56 years) undergoing BP. Patients took 1 stick/daily for 4 weeks after colonoscopy. Abincol® significantly diminished the presence and the severity of intestinal symptoms and improved stool form. In conclusion, the current survey suggests that Abincol® may be considered an effective and safe therapeutic option in the management of patients undergoing BP. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Post-surgical intestinal dysbiosis: use of an innovative mixture (Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02, Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDD01).

Abdominal surgery represents a high risk for hospital-acquired infections and complication that may compromise the surgery outcome. Patients with recent abdominal surgery have an intestinal dysbiosis. There is evidence that probiotics may counterbalance the impaired microbiota. Therefore, the current survey evaluated the efficacy and safety of Abincol®,an oral nutraceuticalcontaining a probiotic mixture with Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (1 billion of living cells), Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02 (800 millions of living cells), and Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDD01 (200 millions of living cells), in 612 outpatients (344 males and 268 females, mean age 58 years) undergoing digestive surgery. Patients took 1 stick/daily for 8 weeks. Abincol® significantly diminished the presence and the severity of intestinal symptoms and improved stool form. In conclusion, the current survey suggests that Abincol® may be considered an effective and safe therapeutic option in the management of patients undergoing digestivesurgery. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Genetic and radiographic insights into the only known mounted specimen of Kangaroo Island Emu

The Natural History Museum of Geneva holds a mounted specimen of a dwarf emu, which is believed to be the only preserved skin of the extinct Kangaroo Island Emu, Dromaius baudinianus. We obtained new radiographs that show the absence of remaining bones in the preparation, confirming previous statements found in the museum's archives. Moreover, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of this specimen and we compared it to all available emu sequences. The mitogenome of the specimen held in Geneva is very close to that of Common Emus Dromaius novaehollandiae. Overall, the genetic results on insular emus support a shallow divergence between the mainland population and the – now extinct – populations from King Island, Kangaroo Island and Tasmania. Based on these results, we agree with previous molecular studies that the insular emu taxa should be treated as three different subspecies of the Common Emu.

Directional preferences of Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) (Linnaeus, 1758) subspecies migrating through Kızılırmak Delta in spring

Motacilla flava (Sari kuyruksallayan) taksonlarinin yonelim davranislarini belirlemek amaciyla Kizilirmak Deltasi’nda 2004 - 2006 yillari arasinda ilkbahar gocu sirasinda oriyantasyon kafesi deneyleri yapildi. Kizilirmak Deltasi’nda, Sari kuyruksallayanlarin ilkbahar gocu mart ayi sonunda baslar, nisan ayi ortasinda en yuksek seviyesine ulasir ve mayis ayi ortalarina dogru gorece azalir. 2004 – 2006 yillari arasinda bes alttur (M. f. beema, M. f. feldegg, M. f. flava, M. f. melanogrisea, M. f. thunbergi) ve iki hibride (M. f. superciliaris and M. f. dombrowskii) Busse kafesleri ile 369 oriyantasyon deneyi yapildi. Oriyantasyon deneyleri ve halkalama calismalari sonuclarina gore M. flava taksonuna ait bireyler, ilkbahar gocu sirasinda buyuk bir goc bariyeri olan Karadeniz’i asmadan once Kizilirmak Deltasi’nda karisik suruler halinde konaklamakta ve alani dinlenme ve beslenme icin kullanmaktadir. Oriyantasyon deneylerinden elde edilen sonuclara gore M. flava’ya ait altturler, kuzeye yonelmislerdir. M. flava’nin agirlikli goc yonu, kuzeybati (KB) ve kuzeydogu (KD) olarak tespit edilmistir. M. flava taksonlari, Karadeniz’i asmadan once degil de, Karadeniz’i gectikten sonra ureme alanlarina dogru yonelmektedirler.