Unidentified Species Research Articles

Potential of Fungal Endophytes Isolated from Pasture Species in Spanish Dehesas to Produce Enzymes under Salt Conditions.

Endophytic fungi have been found to produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes, which are increasingly in demand for their industrial applications. Different by-products from the agrifood industry could be used as fungal growth substrates for the massive production of these enzymes, specifically as a way to revalorize them. However, such by-products often present unfavorable conditions for the microorganism's growth, such as high salt concentrations. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of eleven endophytic fungi-which were isolated from plants growing in a harsh environment, specifically, from the Spanish dehesas-for the purposes of the in vitro production of six enzymes (i.e., amylase, lipase, protease, cellulase, pectinase and laccase) under both standard and salt-amended conditions. Under standard conditions, the studied endophytes produced between two and four of the six enzymes evaluated. In most of the producer fungal species, this enzymatic activity was relatively maintained when NaCl was added to the medium. Among the isolates evaluated, Sarocladium terricola (E025), Acremonium implicatum (E178), Microdiplodia hawaiiensis (E198), and an unidentified species (E586) were the most suitable candidates for the massive production of enzymes by using growth substrates with saline properties (such as those found in the many by-products from the agrifood industry). This study should be considered an initial approach by which to further study the identification of these compounds as well as to develop the optimization of their production by directly using those residues.

First records of marine microturbellarians (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela, Fecampiida and Prolecithophora) from Peru, with the description of a new species

The marine microturbellarian diversity is scarcely known from the Pacific coastline of South America. The coastal margin of Peru is highly influenced by cold-water currents (Humboldt Current System). These cold-water currents play important roles in shaping the marine species diversity in this area. However, there are no previous records of marine microturbellarians for Peru. Here, we describe a new species of Rhabdocoela and report on five other species of marine microturbellarians for this country. Carcharodorhynchus giaae n. sp. (Kalyptorhynchia, Schizorhynchidae), can be identified based on the configuration of the proboscis lips and the male and female genital systems. The male copulatory organ lacks a cirrus, but has a funnel-like, curved stylet with three pairs of spines along it, which distinguishes this species from its congeners. The female system has a vagina with a sclerotized, heavily coiled structure - a feature not mentioned in any known species of the same genus. In addition, we describe noteworthy features for another rhabdocoel, Trigonostomum galapagoense (Dalytyphloplanida, Trigonostomidae). Finally, we provide new records for three rhabdocoel species (Alcha evelinae, Itaipusa divae, Utelga heinckei), one species of Fecampiida (Urastoma cyprinae), and an unidentified species of Prolecithophora.

Assessment of bovine fasciolosis and the analytical test evaluation at Yirgalem municipal abattoir, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to April 2022 to estimate the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis, assess the risk factors, and estimate the direct financial loss due to liver condemnation in cattle slaughtered at Yirgalem municipal abattoir. Furthermore, the comparison of the diagnostic efficiency of fecal and postmortem examination was evaluated. The study was based on both postmortem inspection of the liver for liver fluke infection and coprological examination using the sedimentation technique. Thus, a total of 400 cattle were sampled using systemic random sampling techniques and the prevalence was 27.0% (108/400) and 20.8% (83/400), by postmortem and coprological examination, respectively. The prevalence of F. hepatica, F. gigantica, mixed infections, and unidentified species were 56.5%, 19.4%, 16.7%, and 7.4%, respectively. The difference between age groups was statically significant (p<0.05). Coprological examination revealed the highest prevalence was recorded in the age group of > 7 years old (34%, adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=4.2) followed by 4-6 years old adults (26.8%, AOR=4.2) and in young cattle of <3 years old (6.7%). Prevalence by postmortem examination was 43.0% (AOR=4 0), 27.8% (AOR= 2.4), and 8.3%, for age groups > 7 years old, 4-6 years old adults and in young cattle of <3 years old, respectively. The body condition score result revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) as a greater magnitude of infections were detected in poor body condition animals (AOR=7.7) than in medium and good body condition (p<0.05). Considering the liver examination as a gold standard for diagnosis of fasciolosis, the sensitivity of the sedimentation technique was 76.8%, and the specificity of 100% with a very good agreement (kappa = 0.94) between the two methods. The total financial loss per annum due to the condemnation of infected liver was 945, 999 ETB (18,192.288 USD). Therefore, strategic control and prevention of the snail intermediate host should be implemented. Furthermore, upon diagnosis of fasciolosis, epidemiological information about the disease with suggestive clinical examination should be considered even in the absence of Fasciola eggs during coprological examinations and also other parasitological techniques such as the FLOTAC and FLUKE FINDER methods with high sensitivity and specificity should be employed.

The genomic landscape of reference genomes of cultivated human gut bacteria

Culture-independent metagenomic studies have revolutionized our understanding of the gut microbiota. However, the lack of full genomes from cultured species is still a limitation for in-depth studies of the gut microbiota. Here we present a substantially expanded version of our Cultivated Genome Reference (CGR), termed CGR2, providing 3324 high-quality draft genomes from isolates selected from a large-scale cultivation of bacterial isolates from fecal samples of healthy Chinese individuals. The CGR2 classifies 527 species (179 previously unidentified species) from 8 phyla, and uncovers a genomic and functional diversity of Collinsella aerofaciens. The CGR2 genomes match 126 metagenome-assembled genomes without cultured representatives in the Unified Human Gastrointestinal Genome (UHGG) collection and harbor 3767 unidentified secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, providing a source of natural compounds with pharmaceutical potentials. We uncover accurate phage–bacterium linkages providing information on the evolutionary characteristics of interaction between bacteriophages and bacteria at the strain level.

Larissimusnigricans sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), a new reared species of a rare neotropical genus recovered through biodiversity inventory in Ecuador.

A new species of the rarely collected neotropical microgastrine braconid wasp genus Larissimus Nixon, represented previously by only a single described species, L.cassander Nixon, was recovered by the Caterpillars and Parasitoids of the Eastern Andes in Ecuador inventory project. Larissimusnigricanssp. nov. was reared from an unidentified species of arctiine Erebidae feeding on the common bamboo species Chusqueascandens Kunth at the Yanayacu Biological Station near Cosanga, Napo Province, Ecuador. The new species is described and diagnosed from L.cassander using both morphological and DNA barcode data.

Tick Populations and Molecular Analysis of Anaplasma Species in Ticks from the Republic of Korea.

The present study was performed to survey the dominant tick populations and molecularly determine the pathogenic agents of anaplasmosis in ticks from Gyeongsang, Republic of Korea. A total of 3825 questing ticks were collected by the flagging method from 12 sites near animal farms in Gyeongsang from March to October 2021. A molecular genomic study was performed with ticks stored in 70% ethanol to detect Anaplasma genes by the previously described method. The monthly incidence of ticks varied by developmental stages, i.e., nymphs, adults, and larvae, and each of their populations peaked in May, March, and October, respectively. The predominant tick species were Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis sp., Haemaphysalis flava, Ixodes nipponensis, and Amblyomma testudinarium in order. To determine the Anaplasma infection rate, collected ticks were pooled into 395 groups. The minimum infection rate (MIR) of Anaplasma was 0.7% (27 pools). That of A. phagocytophilum was highest (23 pools, MIR 0.6%), followed by A. phagocytophilum-like Anaplasma spp. clade B (2 pools, MIR 0.1%), A. bovis (1 pool, MIR 0.1%), and A. capra (1 pool, MIR 0.1%), respectively. In this study, five species of ticks, including unidentified Haemaphysalis species, were collected in 12 survey sites in Gyeongsang, but their prevalence was somewhat different according to the tick species and survey sites. Further, the incidence rate (6.8%) of 4 Anaplasma spp. was not as high in tick pools. However, the results of this study may offer a basis for future epidemiological research and risk assessment of tick-borne diseases.

Invasive mycoses in patients with hematological malignancies and recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: results of a systematic review, literature review and meta-analysis

Background . Invasive mycoses (IM) are one of the most severe infectious complications in oncohematology. The etiological structure of IM is a rather heterogeneous group of microorganisms and undergoes changes over time. Understanding the IM etiological structure is the basis for choosing an effective IM prevention and treatment strategy. Aim . To conduct a systematic review with a meta-analysis of data on the IM etiological structure in patients of all ages receiving therapy for oncohematological diseases, including patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The analytical hypothesis was the assumption of an increase in caused by rare pathogens IM proportion in the overall IM structure over the past few years. Clinical manifestations, affected organs, risk factors and outcomes were analyzed using the literature review method. Materials and methods . A systematic search was carried out for publications with data on the IM species structure available for analysis until February 10, 2022 in 3 databases (PubMed (Medline), Embase and eLibrary.ru). All IM were divided into 11 groups. The IM species structure was constructed in several patient subgroups in 2 time ranges – in studies before 2010 and after 2010, and they were compared. Results from individual studies were pooled by metaanalysis. Data from selected publications were reviewed to analyze the IM clinical manifestations, risk factors for their development and outcomes. Results . Thirty-four publications were selected using a systematic search. The meta-analysis included 43 cohorts of patients with 2771 samples of IM pathogens. The time period up to 2010 included 16 cohorts with a total number of IM pathogens of 1158 samples; in the time interval after 2010 – 27 cohorts with a total number of IM pathogens of 1613 samples. Analysis of total group showed that the proportion of rare IM among all patients increased from 29 to 39 %. In the subgroup of patients with oncohematological diseases, it increased from 28 to 33 %. For total group of patients, the in‑ crease in rare IM proportion is due to an increase in rare yeasts (from 3.0 to 4.1 %) and a significant increase in the proportion of unidentified species (from 3.2 to 19.8 %). In children, the frequency of rare IM increased from 26 to 28 % among all nosologies. For total children group, the increase in rare IM proportion is due to an increase in mucormycosis (from 1.3 to 1.6 %), rare yeasts (from 4.7 to 7.9 %) and unidentified species (from 4.5 to 12.2 %). In total adult patients group, the frequency of rare IM increased from 24 to 35 %, in adult patients with oncohematological diseases – from 23 to 40 %. For total adult patients group, the increase in rare IM proportion is due to an increase in cryptococcosis (from 1.3 to 2.4 %), hyalohyphomycosis (from 3.4 to 4.8 %), rare yeast (from 1.6 to 1.9 %) and unidentified species (from 1.9 to 16.6 %); for a group of patients with oncohematological diseases – an increase in cryptococcosis (from 1.3 to 2.1 %), rare yeast (from 1.6 to 2.6 %) and unidentified species (from 1.9 to 23.1 %). There is no specific clinical manifestations characteristic of IM, the symptoms are associated with the affected organ. Febrile fever is the only IM systemic clinical manifestation, independent of localization. The lungs were the most common IM localization. The main IM risk factors are prolonged blood cell deficiency, uncontrolled underlying disease, concomitant conditions: comorbidity, diabetes mellitus, mucositis, graft-versus-host disease, infections caused by other pathogens, and a history of IM. IM increases the risk of death, attributable mortality is variable and ranged from 13 to 72 %. The most common cause of death in oncohematological patients with IM is the progression of the underlying disease, in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation – graft-versus-host disease, cardiovascular complications. Conclusion . In IM structure in oncohematological patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, the proportion of rare IM increased markedly, mainly due to an increase in their proportion in adult patients with oncohematological diseases. The increase in rare IM proportion is mainly due to the increase in unidentified species, hyalohyphomycosis, rare yeast and cryptococcosis. Clinical manifestations are due to the localization, the main of which is the lungs. The development of IM increases the risk of death, but attributable mortality is about 50 %.

Chirostyloid and galatheoid squat lobsters (Decapoda: Anomura) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, with three new species

ABSTRACT The squat lobster fauna of the Andaman and Nicobar waters, India is known to be represented by more than 40 species from 19 genera and six families. Seven species, including three new to science, collected from six dedicated surveys of the Fishery Oceanographic Research Vessel Sagar Sampada during 2011–2019 are described. Gastroptychus valdiviae Balss, 1913 is redescribed based on the syntype and the newly collected material. Grimothea krishaha sp. nov. and an unidentified species provisionally assigned to Grimothea Leach, 1820 are reported. These two species of Grimothea differ from known congeners in the spination on the carapace, pleon, antennule, antenna and third maxilliped. Examination of the syntype and newly collected specimen revealed that Munida vigiliarum Alcock, 1901 should be transferred to Leptonida Macpherson and Baba in Machordom et al., 2022. Leptonida vigiliarum comb. nov. is here redescribed. Trapezionida aequispina sp. nov. differs from related species in the spination on the carapace, and in the shape and relative lengths of the second to fourth pereopod dactyli. Trapezionida bharuchai sp. nov. differs from related species in the carapace morphology, the presence of a mesial spine on the antennal peduncle second article, and the armature on pereopods. Leiogalathea sp. does not resemble known congeners in morphological aspects, but because of the poor condition of the unique specimen presently available for study, formal description is deferred in the hope that additional material will be collected. With this report, the number of species reported from the region increases to 47. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A82CE9B3-BF67-4282-97DF-20D37CF02464

New Earthworm Record from Division Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan Supported by Molecular Markers

Earthworm diversity and ecology in Pakistan is poorly known, especially in the region of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. An earthworm community survey assisted by genetic barcoding detected an unidentified species which could constitute a new record for Pakistan. Morphological study revealed its identity as Perelia kaznakovi. Additionally, Bayesian phylogenetic inference based on five mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers was performed. Results provided a phylogenetic placement of the genus Perelia within Lumbricidae for the first time, indicating a close relationship with Eophila. This approach should be implemented to Perelia arnoldiana and further representatives of the genus in order to understand their biogeography, diversity and evolutionary history.

Cactaceae Inventory of Venezuela: Estimates from Herbarium Collections

Cactaceae-Angiospermae, of American origin, with worldwide naturalized distribution, includes promising species in economics and ecology; being a threatened group, it requires floristic studies that support conservation programs. This study estimates the number of cacti species present in Venezuela, and it contributes to the knowledge of the family in the country by reviewing herbaria specimens. The information came from the herbaria (FLASA, IUTAG, HERZU, HMBLUZ, MER, MY, MYF, PORT and VEN) of the country. It was transcribed into a database and organized by herbaria, genus and species, based on the labels of the exsiccatae and digital photographs of the specimens. In addition, foreign specialists were consulted to resolve doubts about the identity of some taxa. The botanical specimens reviewed totaled 2,293. In Venezuela the family Cactaceae is represented by 26 genera, 63 species, 13 synonymies, six subspecies, one variety and 17 genera with unidentified species, including wild, cultivated and endemic species. Opuntia stood out for its greatest number of species (15), followed by the genera Melocactus (10), Epiphyllum and Cereus (6), Selenicereus, Pilosocereus and Cylindropuntia (4), Hylocereus (3), Rhipsalis, Mammillaria, Pereskia and Leuenbergeria (2). The other genera presented one species. The information generated here can be an input for the design of strategies for conservation, selection, production or other uses of the species of this important botanical group.

Insects associated with crop plants in and out plastic tunles in Salahaldin Governorate

The present study was carried out during December 2011-july 2012 in several areas in salah-aldin governorate to provide information on insect fauna associated with some economic field crops under plastic cover and crops after cover removal .The study also aimed to obtain information about the chemistry of plant –insect relationship .
 A total of 30 insect species from 24 families and 8 orders were collected from the studied crops . more than 30 unidentified insect species in different families and order were also collected from these crops. among collected insects , several insect pests ( ex. Thrips tabaci, Chrysoperla sp, Myzus persicae, Halictus sp, Hypera postica) insect predates ( ex. Orius albidipennis , Sphegigaster orobanchiae) insect pollinators (ex. Anthophora sp, Halictus sp, Andrena sp) and parasitic insects (ex. Aphidius sp ) were reported .
 It was revealed that some insect species occurred on all studied crops (ex. Myzus persicae, Coccinella punctate and Liorhyssys hyolinus) while other insect species were restricted to members of one ( ex. Aphoidius lividus, and Anthophora sp. on eggplant) or two plant families ( ex. Anthicus sp, Chrysocharis sp. And Cryptus sp on cuecrbitaceae and solanceae ) . some insect species were found only on covered plants ( ex. Cryptus sp, Eucera sp. And Tachys lucasi) whereas others were found dominant only on uncovered plants (ex. Orius albidipennis, Aphidius sp and Sphegigaster orobanchiae). However , several insect species were found on both covered and uncovered crops ( ex. Halictus sp, Myzus persicae and Coccinella punctate).

Acoustic indices respond to specific marine mammal vocalizations and sources of anthropogenic noise

Using passive acoustic methods for biodiversity conservation and effective ecosystem monitoring is hindered by laborious, human-mediated processes of accurately identifying biologic and anthropogenic sounds within large datasets. Soundscape ecology provides a potential means of addressing this need through the use of automated acoustic-based biodiversity indices, which show promise in representing biodiversity in terrestrial environments. However, the direct relationship between specific underwater sounds and acoustic index measurements are largely unexplored. Using passive acoustic data collected from three broadband hydrophones within the Ocean Observatories Initiative’s cabled arrays in the Pacific northwest, we identified periods of vocalizing marine mammals and sources of anthropogenic noise. Automated calculations of seven acoustic indices were compared across biologic and anthropogenic sound type and call parameters. Although several index measurements did not vary significantly, the Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI) measurements increased in response to echolocation clicks from sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and burst pulses originating from unidentified delphinid species. Measurements of the Bioacoustic Index (BI) decreased dramatically in response to sperm whale echolocation clicks, a more obvious trend when loud clicks were parsed from moderate and quiet clicks. Correlations coefficient and confidence interval values between ACI and BI measurements and call characteristics from sperm whales indicate a moderate to strong relationship, which was not found in correlations with delphinid calls. A generalized linear mixed-effect model indicated multiple species and sound types contribute significantly to the variation of several index measurements. Noise generated by passing ships consistently resulted in decreased values for the Normalized Difference Soundscape Index (NDSI) and Total Entropy (H) as compared to quiet periods and periods with vocalizing marine mammals. These findings provide information on the relationship between several acoustic indices and specific underwater sounds produced by marine mammals and anthropogenic sources. This ground-truthing endeavor expands the understanding of acoustic indices and their potential use as a tool for conservation and ecosystem health management purposes.

Platyhelminth fauna of the Island of Sylt: a meta-analysis of distributional patterns and description of 19 new species

Over the past 70 years, numerous authors studied the platyhelminth fauna near the island of Sylt in the eastern North Sea, each with a specific focus on varying aspects of ecology, morphology or systematics, and most of them dealing with a single habitat type. These data are combined with new data to get a comprehensive view of species richness, the distribution of individual species across tidal levels and sediment types and the resulting communities. So far, 398 platyhelminth species have been recorded around Sylt island, plus a still growing number of unidentified or undescribed species, in particular from subtidal waters. The distribution over habitat types (as defined by sediment types and tidal level) is described for the known species. Neighbouring habitat types overlap in species composition, and faunal composition changes continuously over environmental gradients. The number of species recorded per habitat type mirrors the sampling intensity and varied between some 20 species in poorly studied habitats and 150 in the well-studied intertidal sand flats. Corrected for variations in sampling intensity, platyhelminth species richness showed no significant differences between sediment types and only moderate variation over tidal levels. On a larger spatial scale, three faunal assemblages can be differentiated: the supratidal harbours brackish-water species (mesohaline in the upper and polyhaline in the lower supratidal), the intertidal polyhaline-marine species with a wide tolerance of variations in physical factors and the subtidal marine (± stenohaline) species. With respect to sediment type, mud and sand dwellers are well separated in the supra- and subtidal belt but less in the intertidal. Provided these rules are general, I conclude platyhelminth species richness in a given section of coastline mainly depends on the ranges of environmental factors covered. Nineteen new species encountered during this study are described.

COVID – 19 Infection: Origin, epidemiology, and clinical features of human coronavirus

Background: With the onset and spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), a new public health disaster threatened the world. In December 2019, the virus was suggested to have originated from bats and had been transmitted to humans via unidentified intermediary species in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. There have been about 469, 212, 705 confirmed cases across the globe with about 6, 077, 255 reported deaths as of 03/18/2022. Infection is contracted by inhaling droplets or touching infected surfaces and introducing pick-up viruses to the nose, mouth, and eyes. The coronavirus incubation time is currently believed to be between two and fourteen days after exposure, and the infection can cause the severity of illness, including the death of the patient. Methods: The study employed a narrative review method to investigate literature and establish the current status of coronavirus and the most effective measures in curbing its infection rate and management of infected persons. Results: The study revealed that Vitamin C, hydroxychloroquine, antibiotics, and antivirals such as remdesivir and sotrovimab are treatment remedies used in proven instances. At home, adequate ventilation and sunlight are suggested to facilitate the reduction in exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Other prevention strategies include rooms, surfaces, and equipment with regular decontamination preferably with sodium hypochlorite, Individuals are encouraged to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: Various measures outlined in this study have proven to decrease the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Ghana, with the global consequences of this new disease still being explored.

Three Phages One Host: Isolation and Characterization of Pantoea agglomerans Phages from a Grasshopper Specimen.

The bacterial genus Pantoea comprises species found in a variety of different environmental sources. Pantoea spp. are often recovered from plant material and are capable of both benefitting the plants and acting like phytopathogens. Some species of Pantoea (including P. agglomerans) are considered opportunistic human pathogens capable of causing various infections in immunocompromised subjects. In this study, a strain of P. agglomerans (identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing) was isolated from a dead specimen of an unidentified Latvian grasshopper species. The retrieved strain of P. agglomerans was then used as a host for the potential retrieval of phages from the same source material. After rounds of plaque purification and propagation, three high-titer lysates corresponding to putatively distinct phages were acquired. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that one of the phages was a myophage with an unusual morphology, while the two others were typical podophages. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed for each of these isolated phages. Genome de novo assembly and subsequent functional annotation confirmed that three different strictly lytic phages were isolated. Elaborate genomic characterization of the acquired phages was performed to elucidate their place within the so-far-uncovered phage diversity.

Geography and elevation as drivers of cloacal microbiome assemblages of a passerine bird distributed across Sulawesi, Indonesia

BackgroundEmpirical field studies allow us to view how ecological and environmental processes shape the biodiversity of our planet, but collecting samples in situ creates inherent challenges. The majority of empirical vertebrate gut microbiome research compares multiple host species against abiotic and biotic factors, increasing the potential for confounding environmental variables. To minimize these confounding factors, we focus on a single species of passerine bird found throughout the geologically complex island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. We assessed the effects of two environmental factors, geographic Areas of Endemism (AOEs) and elevation, as well as host sex on the gut microbiota assemblages of the Sulawesi Babbler, Pellorneum celebense, from three different mountains across the island. Using cloacal swabs, high-throughput-amplicon sequencing, and multiple statistical models, we identified the core microbiome and determined the signal of these three factors on microbial composition.ResultsThe five most prevalent bacterial phyla within the gut microbiome of P. celebense were Proteobacteria (32.6%), Actinobacteria (25.2%), Firmicutes (22.1%), Bacteroidetes (8.7%), and Plantomycetes (2.6%). These results are similar to those identified in prior studies of passeriform microbiomes. Overall, microbiota diversity decreased as elevation increased, irrespective of sex or AOE. A single ASV of Clostridium was enriched in higher elevation samples, while lower elevation samples were enriched with the genera Perlucidibaca (Family Moraxellaceae), Lachnoclostridium (Family Lachnospiraceae), and an unidentified species in the Family Pseudonocardiaceae.ConclusionsWhile the core microbiota families recovered here are consistent with other passerine studies, the decreases in diversity as elevation increases has only been seen in non-avian hosts. Additionally, the increased abundance of Clostridium at high elevations suggests a potential microbial response to lower oxygen levels. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating multiple statistical models and abiotic factors such as elevation in empirical microbiome research, and is the first to describe an avian gut microbiome from the island of Sulawesi.

New Records of Wood- and Bark-Inhabiting Nematodes from Woody Plants with a Description of Bursaphelenchus zvyagintsevi sp. n. (Aphelenchoididae: Parasitaphelenchinae) from Russia.

Wood- and bark-inhabiting parasitic nematodes are of great economic importance. Nematodes can cause wilt diseases in conifers and deciduous trees. In 2014-2022, during nematology surveys conducted in different regions of Russia and Belarus, adults and dauer juveniles of nematodes were collected from wood, bark and beetle vectors. Using traditional morphological taxonomic characters integrated with molecular criteria, we identified in the studied samples the following nematode species: Aphelenchoides heidelbergi, Bursaphelenchus eremus, B. fraudulentus, B. michalskii, B. mucronatus, B. willibaldi, Deladenus posteroporus, Diplogasteroides nix and Laimaphelenchus hyrcanus, several unidentified species: Aphelenchoides sp.1 and sp.2, Cryptaphelenchus sp.1, sp.2 and sp.3, Laimaphelenchus sp.1, Micoletzkya sp.1, Parasitaphelenchus sp.1, Parasitorhabditis sp.1, three unidentified tylenchid nematodes and a new species, Bursaphelenchus zvyagintsevi sp.n. Morphological descriptions and molecular characterization are provided for B. zvyagintsevi sp. n. belonging to the Abietinus group and B. michalskii belonging to the Eggersi group. Findings of Aphelenchoides heidelbergi, Bursaphelenchus eremus, B. michalskii, Deladenus posteroporus, Diplogasteroides nix and Laimaphelenchus hyrcanus are new records for Russia. Phylogenetic positions of studied species were reconstructed using D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The data obtained in this study may help to detect the refugia of opportunistic plant pests and find possible native biocontrol nematode agents of insect vectors causing diseases.

Nest predators of Chinese Grouse (Tetrastes sewerzowi) at Lianhuashan, Gansu, China

Predation is the most important cause of nest failure in the Chinese Grouse (Tetrastes sewerzowi). However, no studies have been conducted to document the nest predators responsible for nest predation events. During 2012–2016, we monitored 17 nests using infrared video cameras to identify nest predators of Chinese Grouse. Six nests were preyed upon during the incubation period. We successfully identified the predators responsible for 5 depredated nests: Asian badger (Meles leucurus), hog badger (Arctonyx collaris), and Blue Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon auritum). The Asian badger was responsible for 3 of these nest predation events. We recorded Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus) and an unidentified rodent species attempting to prey upon grouse eggs, but none of them were successful.

Flea parasitism in wild mammals in the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil.

Fleas are eurixenous ectoparasites that can parasitize different species of warm-blooded animals, including humans, with the possibility of causing irritation and blood spoliation. They are vectors responsible for the transmission of numerous pathogens and have a wide geographical distribution, more frequently in warm regions. Domestic animals (dogs and cats) are preferred hosts, but parasitism can also occur in wild hosts, with a greater variety of parasitic species and strong interaction between these siphonapters and their hosts. During the period from January 2021 to June 2023, flea specimens were collected from wild animals coming from the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, São Paulo. Some of these animals were animals from the zoo's own stock, which were diagnosed with parasitism during routine examinations and others were rescued from the natural environment and sent to the zoo. The flea specimens collected were packed in alcohol 700 GL and sent for microscopic diagnosis. Four groups were diagnosed at the specific level: Ctenocephalides felis, Rhopalopsyllus lutzi, R. lugrubis and Tunga penetrans, and two groups as unidentified species, belonging to the genera Rhopalopsyllus and Polygenis. The parasitized animals were all mammals, belonging to eleven different species, distributed in the Orders Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, Rodentia and Cingulata. Studies on the parasitofauna of wild animals contribute to a greater knowledge about the distribution of parasitic agents and their relationships with the host species.

O papel da diversidade genética de Capsicum spp. na conservação da espécie: Caracterização qualitativa e quantitativa

ABSTRACT Peppers need to be characterized for the in situ conservation of species that might be important for breeding purposes. In this study, we characterized the diversity of 23 pepper genotypes through eight qualitative and 12 quantitative descriptors. The pepper samples were collected from the city of Manaus and in the municipalities of Rio Preto da Eva and Iranduba in the state of Amazonas. We performed descriptive analysis, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) and used the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) to analyze the data. The differences between the genotypes for all descriptors evaluated were significant. Among the genotypes collected, four pepper species were identified, including Capsicum chinense (14 genotypes), Capsicum frutescens (two genotypes), Capsicum baccatum (one genotype), and Capsicum annuum (four genotypes), and two other genotypes were obtained with unidentified species. The PCA and UPGMA clustering methods could be used to efficiently differentiate between the genotypes by applying quantitative and qualitative descriptors of fruits and seeds. These methods helped to identify different genotypes (G1 and G15) and separate them into distinct groups associated with the distribution of species based on quantitative data only. Overall, our findings suggested that the genetic variability in Capsicum available in the State of Amazonas might be useful in breeding programs.