Type Locality Research Articles

Review of the subgenus Lyrothorax of the genus Pterostichus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Western Palaearctic, with descriptions of two new species

Until now, the subgenus Lyrothorax Chaudoir, 1838 (genus Pterostichus Bonelli, 1810) in the Western Palaearctic included only the type species, P. caspius (Ménétriés, 1832), distributed along the southern Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan and Iran and, as an introduced species, in the Czech Republic. Studying rich material, including the types, it was found that under the name P. caspius there is a species complex comprising three closely related species, two of these are described in this paper: P. fritzei sp. n. from Iran (type locality Naharkhoran, Gorgan) and P. vagus sp. n. from Iran, which was also introduced to the Czech Republic (type locality Shaskola, Gorgan). These new species differ clearly from each other, as well as from P. caspius, mainly in the features of the median lobe of the aedeagus and its endophallus. A lectotype of P. caspius is designated to ensure the stability of the nomenclature. An identification key, images of all three species and distribution maps are provided. The occurrence of species of Lyrothorax in the Iranian province of North Khorasan and Turkmenistan is not obvious and requires confirmation.

First record of Oligosarcus itau (Characiformes: Characidae) outside the type locality, and second after the description

Specimens of Oligosarcus itau Mirande, Aguilera & Azpelicueta, 2011 were collected in different environments in the province of Jujuy, expanding the distribution of the species to the San Francisco River basin, a tributary of the Bermejo River. It is the second record of the species (there were only four specimens known to date that correspond to the Type series and one additional specimen) and the first outside the type locality.

Macro- and micromorphology of Carex pauciflora-type fossils (Cyperaceae) from Europe and Siberia reveals unexpected affinity to Carex sect. Cyperoideae

Elongated biconvex Carex fossil fruits are relatively common in fossil assemblages, but they are of much uncertain taxonomic affinity. Three fossil-species have been erected to accommodate the materials from the respective type localities (C. klarae, C. paucifloriformis and C. paucifloroides) and a number of superficially similar-looking fossils were reported from other sites. The formerly proposed affinities mostly pointed to the extant C. pauciflora (subgen. Euthyceras) or Carex sect. Cyperoideae (subgen. Vignea), depending on the authors. But despite the similar superficial resemblance of the fossil remains to these not very closely related sedge taxa, other groups are also possible matches. We used a comparative approach employing stereomicroscope and SEM to analyze the affinities of several Old World “mummified” fossils (ca. 23 to 0.1 Ma) of elongated biconvex fruits. Several samples showed a fair preservation of previously unattested microscopic characters. In particular, one of them allowed us to detect an indirect record of fine silica body morphologies (impressions) on the periclinal walls, which permitted the sound taxonomic placement of the remains from the Miocene of Siberia as a Carex sect. Cyperoideae. In all the other fossils analyzed, the epidermal cell outline and the central position of the main silica body were sufficient to discard assignment to subgen. Euthyceras, despite a purported affinity to C. pauciflora reported in previous literature. In the absence of detailed information on silica bodies, epidermal cell (exocarp) details in fossil specimens do not seem to be determinant for the systematic placement. However, the addition of diagnostic style characters pointed to sect. Cyperoideae as the best match with the available information. Our data support a continued presence of Carex sect. Cyperoideae in the Old World since the Miocene, which candidates Eurasia as a possible place of origin for it, despite DNA-based reconstructions alone proposed North America. This study underlines the importance of detailed taxonomic studies to properly address the identity of fossils and unravel the biogeographic history of plants.

On the identity of species of the huntsman spider genus Thelcticopis Karsch, 1884 (Araneae: Sparassidae: Sparianthinae) from India, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka

The species of the genus Thelcticopis Karsch, 1884 from India, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are reviewed. Stasina nalandica Karsch, 1892 and S. paripes (Karsch, 1879) are re-transferred to the genus Thelcticopis. Thelcticopis ajax Pocock, 1901, T. bicornuta Pocock, 1901, T. birmanica Thorell, 1895 stat. rev., T. hercules Pocock, 1901, T. moolampilliensis Sunil Jose & Sebastian, 2007, T. nalandica (Karsch, 1892) comb. rest., T. paripes (Karsch, 1879) comb. rest., T. picta (Thorell, 1887), T. rufula Pocock, 1901, T. serambiformis Strand, 1907, and T. virescens Pocock, 1901 are diagnosed, redescribed, and/or illustrated based on type and/or freshly collected material, and their current distributional records are mapped. The female of T. virescens is described for the first time. The type locality of Thelcticopis goramensis (Thorell, 1881) is situated in Indonesia, Maluku, not in Malaysia. Thelcticopis bifasciata (Thorell, 1891), and T. fasciata (Thorell, 1897) are proposed as nomina dubia as the holotypes are immature and their identity cannot be fully elucidated. Thelcticopis ancorum Dyal, 1935 and T. telonotata Dyal, 1935 from Lahore, Punjab are considered species incertae sedis, and the subfamily Sparianthinae is most likely not distributed in Pakistan.

A revision of the genus Wrangelia (Wrangeliaceae, Ceramiales) in Bermuda resolves six new species including W. ryancraigii from the mesophotic zone.

Four species of the genus Wrangelia are presently known from the western Atlantic Ocean: W. argus, W. bicuspidata, W. penicillata, and W. gordoniae, with the first three historically being reported from Bermuda. Morphological and molecular barcode (COI-5P) and phylogenetic analyses used in this study (SSU, LSU, rbcL) indicated eight species groupings of Wrangelia in Bermuda, excluding two of the historically recognized species, retaining only W. argus while adding seven new species, of which six are formally described. What had been historically reported as W. penicillata from Bermuda was shown to be distinct from Mediterranean Sea specimens (type locality) and was shown to be a mixture of W. hesperia sp. nov. and W. incrassata sp. nov. Along with these two, three other new species (W. laxa sp. nov., W. ryancraigii sp. nov., and W. secundiramea sp. nov.) have complete rhizoidal cortication tightly covering axial cells of indeterminate axes below the apices, distinguishing them from the two local incompletely corticated congeners W.argus and W. abscondita sp. nov., the latter a morphologically cryptic sister species with W. bicuspidata from the Caribbean Sea. Only one of the new species, W. ryancraigii, has thus far been observed in the mesophotic zone off the Bermuda platform, and it is morphologically cryptic with the euphotic zone's W. laxa.

VDAC in Retinal Health and Disease.

The retina, a tissue of the central nervous system, is vital for vision as its photoreceptors capture light and transform it into electrical signals, which are further processed before they are sent to the brain to be interpreted as images. The retina is unique in that it is continuously exposed to light and has the highest metabolic rate and demand for energy amongst all the tissues in the body. Consequently, the retina is very susceptible to oxidative stress. VDAC, a pore in the outer membrane of mitochondria, shuttles metabolites between mitochondria and the cytosol and normally protects cells from oxidative damage, but when a cell's integrity is greatly compromised it initiates cell death. There are three isoforms of VDAC, and existing evidence indicates that all three are expressed in the retina. However, their precise localization and function in each cell type is unknown. It appears that most retinal cells express substantial amounts of VDAC2 and VDAC3, presumably to protect them from oxidative stress. Photoreceptors express VDAC2, HK2, and PKM2-key proteins in the Warburg pathway that also protect these cells. Consistent with its role in initiating cell death, VDAC is overexpressed in the retinal degenerative diseases retinitis pigmentosa, age related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma. Treatment with antioxidants or inhibiting VDAC oligomerization reduced its expression and improved cell survival. Thus, VDAC may be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of these diseases.

Clogauite, PbBi4Te4S3, a new member of the aleksite series

AbstractClogauite, ideally PbBi4Te4S3 is the new n = 1 member of the aleksite series, PbnBi4Te4Sn+2, where n is the homologue number. Clogauite is named from the type locality, the Clogau gold mine, Dolgellau Gold belt, Gwynedd, North Wales, United Kingdom. The mineral and name have been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA2023–062). The aleksite series is an accretional homologous series in which each member is derived from the same 5-atom tetradymite archetype. Clogauite crystallises in the trigonal crystal system (space group: P$\bar{3}$m1, #164). Three distinct polytypes of clogauite are recognised, corresponding to identical chemistry but different layer sequences, expressed as (57), (5559) and (557.559), respectively, in reference to the number of atoms in individual layer sequences. These are clogauite-12H, a = 4.277(4) Å, c = 23.46(14) Å, V = 371.598 Å3 and Z = 1; clogauite-24H, a = 4.278(4) Å, c = 46.88(31) Å, V = 743.053 Å3 and Z = 2; and clogauite-36H, a = 4.278(4) Å, c = 70.36(32) Å, V = 1115.283 Å3 and Z = 3. Clogauite is opaque, with a pale grey colour in reflected light. Reflectance is higher than tetradymite or galena. Bireflectance and anisotropy are strong. Structural data were determined from measurement of atomic-scale HAADF STEM imaging showing the internal arrangement of component atoms and characteristic selected area electron diffraction patterns for each polytype. The structures were then further constrained from ab initio total energy calculations and structure relaxation using density functional theory (DFT) using the measured parameters as input data. The relaxed crystal structure for each polytype was modelled to generate crystallographic information files (cif). STEM and electron diffraction simulations based on the crystallographic information data obtained from the DFT calculations show an excellent match to the empirical measurements.

Remarks on the Costa Rican expeditions of Ridgway and Zeledón in 1905 and 1908, with a focus on three type localities

Remarks on the Costa Rican expeditions of Ridgway and Zeledón in 1905 and 1908, with a focus on three type localities

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of a Chinese population of Rubrioxytricha guamensis Kumar et al., 2018 (Ciliophora: Hypotrichia)

ABSTRACT So far, Rubrioxytricha guamensis Kumar et al. 2018 is known only from the type locality, namely Guam, USA. Recently, another isolate was recorded from a freshwater habitat in China that is 3500 km from the type locality. Its morphology and molecular phylogeny were investigated using live observation, protargol staining and ribosomal gene sequencing methods. The morphology of the present isolate of R. guamensis corresponds well with that of the type population despite a broad range of morphometric data in the Chinese population. Conspecificity of the two populations is supported by 99.9% 18S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that these two populations of R. guamensis group together and cluster within the genus. The present study contributes to understanding the wide distribution of the species and helps to circumscribe the species. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8D742552-78DA-4698-A316-BDAE0D887E92

Taxonomy of the two nominal species of the deep-sea clawed lobsters Nephropsis serrata Macpherson, 1993 and N. hamadai Watabe & Ikeda, 1994 (Decapoda: Astacidea: Nephropidae)

Abstract The deep-sea clawed lobster Nephropsis hamadai Watabe & Ikeda, 1994, described from Japan, has been suspected to be a synonym of Nephropsis serrata Macpherson, 1993, recorded from Australia (type locality) to Taiwan. The availability of recently collected material from Japan referred to N. hamadai allowed detailed morphological and molecular comparisons of topotypic specimens of N. serrata and N. hamadai. Re-examination of the holotype of N. serrata revealed that the major difference proposed for separating N. hamadai from N. serrata was based on an error in the original description of the latter species. As there are very low genetic divergences and no morphological differences between the Australian and Japanese materials referable to N. serrata and N. hamadai, these two names are now confirmed to be synonyms.

MELODY: A prospective non-interventional multicenter cohort study to evaluate different imaging-guided methods for localization of malignant breast lesions (EUBREAST-4/iBRA-NET).

TPS623 Background: In the last decades, the proportion of breast cancer patients receiving breast-conserving surgery has increased, reaching 70-80% in developed countries. In case of non-palpable lesions, surgical excision requires some form of breast localization. While wire-guided localization has long been considered gold standard, it carries several limitations, including logistical difficulties, the potential for displacement and patient discomfort, and re-excision rates reaching 21%. Other techniques (radioactive seed or radio-occult lesion localization, intraoperative ultrasound, magnetic, radiofrequency, and radar localization) have been developed with the aim of overcoming these disadvantages. However, comparative data on the rates of successful lesion removal, negative margins, and re-operations are limited. In most studies, the patient perspective, addressing e.g. discomfort and pain, has not been evaluated. The aim of MELODY (Methods for Localization of Different Types of Breast Lesions) is to evaluate different imaging-guided localization methods with regard to oncological safety, patient-reported outcomes, and surgeon and radiologist satisfaction. Methods: The EUBREAST and the iBRA-NET have initiated the MELODY study to assess breast localization techniques and devices from several perspectives (NCT05559411, http://eubreast.org/melody ). MELODY is a prospective intergroup cohort study which enrolls female and male patients. planned for breast-conserving surgery with imaging-guided localization for invasive breast cancer or DCIS. Multiple or bilateral lesions and neoadjuvant chemotherapy are allowed. Primary outcomes are: 1) Intended target lesion and/or marker removal and 2) Negative resection margin rates. Secondary outcomes are, among others: rates of second surgery and secondary mastectomy, Resection Ratio (defined as actual resection volume divided by the calculated optimum specimen volume), duration of surgery, marker dislocation rates, rates of marker placement or localization failure, patient-reported outcomes, rates of “lost markers”, radiologist and surgeon satisfaction, and health economic evaluation of the different techniques. Target accrual: 7,416 patients. The study will be conducted in 30 countries. Clinical trial information: NCT05559411 .

A taxonomic revision of Arnot’s Chat Myrmecocichla arnotti (family Muscicapidae)

Arnot’s Chat Myrmecocichla arnotti in the family Muscicapidae is largely confined to the woodlands of the Zambezian biome of south-central Africa. This work assesses its taxonomic status, including comments on the so-called Ruaha Chat M. [a.] collaris (also named M. [a.] leucolaema). Based on an analysis of morphology, behaviour and molecular data, we recommend that M. arnotti be considered a single species with two subspecies: M. a. arnotti (including shelleyi, leucolaema and collaris) and M. a. harterti. A restricted type locality is proposed for Saxicola shelleyi Sharpe, 1877: Ngwesi (21°03′ S, 27°50′ E), southwestern Zimbabwe.

The Hydrochidae (Coleoptera) of Morocco with a redescription of Hydrochus cf. obtusicollis Fairmaire, 1877

A checklist of water beetles of the family Hydrochidae from Morocco is presented. The study compiles data gathered from a deep literature review and field surveys at 397 freshwater localities between 1985 and 2023. The checklist also contains information concerning type localities and detailed distributions for the eight species found. We include a detailed redescription of Hydrochus cf. obtusicollis Fairmaire, 1877, currently listed as a synonym of H. flavipennis Küster, 1852, but clearly representing a different species. In addition, a key, based largely on male genitalia, is presented for Moroccan species. This work is the first detailed study of the family Hydrochidae in Morocco, which can provide a basis for future progress in the knowledge of Moroccan aquatic Coleoptera, an insect group of great ecological interest.

Sonerila konkanensis Resmi & Nampy (Melastomataceae) – an addition to the flora of Karnataka, India

The present communication reports the Sonerila konkanensis Resmi & Nampy (Melastomataceae) plant species is an addition to Karnataka flora, collected from the forest of Shivamogga District, Karnataka, India. It is an endemic species, described from Goa, and hitherto known only from the type locality.

First report of Lutevula hortensia (Distant) (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) from India

An emesine bug, Lutevula hortensia (Distant), is recorded from India for the first time; type locality of this species is Sri Lanka and it was recently collected from Vellore, Tamil Nadu, in southern India. This is a rediscovery of the species after more than 50 years. Digital images of the species are presented along with comments on recent classification of Emesinae.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of methicillin and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from human clinical samples in Kerman hospitals, Iran

Today, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates are widely spread in both communities and hospitals, causing high morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the emergence of vancomycin resistance among MRSA isolates has been perceived as a formidable threat to therapeutic management. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the frequency and antibiotic susceptibility of MRSA and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) strains in Kerman hospitals in Iran. A total of 455 human clinical samples were collected from Kerman hospitals. The samples were examined for the presence of S. aureus and the isolates were tested for their susceptibility to antibiotics by disk diffusion method. MRSA and VRSA isolates were detected by a combination of phenotypic and genotypic methods. Sixty-five coagulase-positive S. aureus strains were isolated, and the higher isolation rate was from wound samples (47.7%) compared with blood (18.5%), respiratory tract secretions (10.8%), urine (10.8%), body fluids (9.2%), abscess (1.5%), and cerebrospinal fluids (1.5%). The isolates exhibited high resistance toward tetracycline (69.2%). Thirty-four isolates (52.3%) were categorized as MRSA (phenotypically resistant to cefoxitin). mecA gene was amplified in 97.1% of MRSA strains. Moreover, only one MRSA strain was resistant to vancomycin (MIC=128), and this isolate carried the vanA gene. The frequency of MRSA was not significantly associated with gender, age, sample type, and sampling locality (p>0.05). Given the alarming rate of resistance among MRSA isolates, monitoring of antibiotic resistance should be performed to reduce treatment failure in patients with staphylococcal infections. Although vancomycin remains a drug of choice for MRSA, our study suggests that its efficacy may be limited by resistance development.

Recollection of an Endemic Plant, <I>Ficus cupulata</I> Haines from Type Locality (Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve)

Recollection of an Endemic Plant, <I>Ficus cupulata</I> Haines from Type Locality (Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve)

Description of the female of Heteragrion lencionii Vilela, Farias & Santos, 2021 (Odonata: Heteragrionidae), from Northeastern Brazil, with some ecological notes

Group A of the genus Heteragrion Selys, 1862 comprises 34 species, of which 19 have complete descriptions of females. The aim of this study was to describe the female Heteragrion lencionii Vilela, Farias & Santos, 2021 based on three specimens collected at the Federal Institute of Sergipe (Brazil, Sergipe, São Cristóvão, -10.9198, -37.1862, 30 m asl, A.B.S. Farias leg., UFS), including mating specimens. Here, we provide a detailed diagnosis and illustrations of the female, and compare it with its closest congeners. Heteragrion lencionii female is distinguished from others by the shape of the intersternite, shape of the posterior lobe of the prothorax, and coloration of the head. The distribution extensions are relevant because the species has not been recorded from the type locality since its original description.

Type Locality of Clematis <I>Hedysarifolia</I> A.P. Dc.

European collectors in the past have had difficulties in transcribing clearly and consistently oriental names and plant collecting localities. Further, wrong rendering of manuscript annotations on herbarium sheets, possible bad. proof correction prior to publication, and sometimes a poor geographic sense, have singly or together, led to the ascribing of wrong localities of occurrence to some plant species, resulting in distorted distribution data. Clematis hedysarifola A.P. DC. is discussed as an example, and the type locality of this species is now concluded to be in the Western Ghats, 1 degree south of Bombay, at Dasgam.

Two new species of Metapocyrtus Heller from Mindanao Island, Philippines (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae, Pachyrhynchini)

Two new species of Metapocyrtus Heller from Mindanao Islands are described and illustrated: Metapocyrtus hamiguitan sp. nov., and Metapocyrtus mranaw sp. nov. Metapocyrtus hamiguitan sp. nov. is named after its type locality, Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, while Metapocyrtus mranaw sp. nov. is named after the Mranaw (o) tribe of Lanao. Notes on the taxonomy of the novel species are also presented in this paper.