Ventral Tubercle Research Articles

Description of Chelidura gansuensis sp. nov. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) from Gansu Province, China

A new species of Chelidura Latreille, 1825 (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), Chelidura gansuensis sp. nov., collected from Jiutianshimen Mountain, Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated based on male and female adults. Chelidura gansuensis sp. nov. is characterized by the strongly undulating forceps bearing giant dorsal and ventral tubercles. The morphological comparison is made between the new species and the similar species Chelidura semenovi (Bey-Bienko, 1934). The type localities of Chelidura species from China are clarified. An updated key to Chinese species of Chelidura is also provided.

Characterization and Association of the Missing Ventral Tubercle(s) from the Sixth Cervical Vertebra and Transpositions on the Ventral Surface of the Seventh Cervical Vertebra in Modern Equus ferus caballus.

In recent years, equine complex vertebral malformation (ECVM) has been of concern in the equine community, with studies identifying numerous associative morphological variations. Here, we examine the morphological association between C6 and C7 for dependency in ECVM cases, where the partially absent ventral process of C6 transposes on the ventral surface of C7. A C6 ventral process presents two tubercles, one cranial (CrVT) and one caudal (CVT). In this study, the C6 osseous specimens (n = 85) demonstrated a partial or completely absent CVT (aCVT) graded 1-4 that often extended cranially creating a partially absent cranial ventral tubercle (aCrVT) graded 1-3. In the 85 C6 osseous specimens examined, the corresponding C7s demonstrated either a complete or incomplete transposition of the ventral process from C6 in 44/85, with 30/44 replicating a transverse foramen. A strong statistical dependency existed between C6 grade 4 aCVTs and grades 1-3 aCrVTs and C7 transpositions with replicated transverse foramen. Sidedness was also demonstrated, where a left sided absent C6 associated with transposition on the left ventral surface of C7. This likewise applied to right sidedness and most bilateral cases. These findings might benefit practitioners when radiographing the extent of the ECVM configuration in patients presenting caudal cervical pain.

A new species of Pseudhimalayites (Ammonitina, Aspidoceratoidea) from the Lower Tithonian of the Betic Range, Southern Spain

The Late Jurassic aspidoceratoid genus Pseudhimalayites Spath is scarcely recorded but widely distributed in the Andean basins, the Caribbean region, and in the European Tethys. From Ponti Zone (Lower Tithonian) rocks of the Betic Range in Carchelejo we describe here the new species Pseudhimalayites carchelejensis, based on a macroconch (female) holotype. The corresponding microconch (male), described from the same ammonite assemblage, would belong to the morphogenus Simocosmoceras Spath which groups the microconchs of Pseudhimalayites. P. carchelejensis n. sp. differs from the coeval Pseudhimalayites steinmanni (Haupt) by lacking ventral tubercles in the phragmocone and by bearing umbilical tubercles only from the adult whorl of the phragmocone. These differences illustrate a significant morphologic divergence between the Andean and the Tethyan lineages.

Comparison between cervical vertebrae of man and of the domestic animals

Anatomy is the science that studies the form, architecture and structure of living beings, and the modality that explores the morphological differences between species is called comparative anatomy. Among the bone structures that make up the axial skeleton of individuals, the cervical vertebrae stand out, considered odd and irregular bones. Given the relevance of cervical vertebrae, the objective of the present study was to compare such bone elements in humans and domestic animals (dogs, horses and cattle) and, nevertheless, highlight the structural similarities in these different species in terms of quantities, functions and formats in resulting from bone accidents. For this, skeletons and individual anatomical pieces from the Human and Veterinary Anatomy Laboratory of the University of Franca (UNIFRAN - Franca, SP) were used, as well as anatomy books renowned in this area of ​​specialty and scientific articles. The results were presented in a descriptive way. As for quantity, humans have seven cervical vertebrae, just like dogs, horses and cattle. In all species, the cervical vertebrae support the neck, providing movement of the head and protection of the cervical spinal cord. Regarding shape, the first (atlas) and second (axis) cervical vertebrae are atypical in all species. The atlas has an arched body, containing the dorsal and ventral tubercle; furthermore, the transverse process is modified (wing of the atlas) with the alar foramen and lateral vertebral foramen. The caudal articular surface of the atlas (fovea dentis) articulates with the odontoid process of the axis. Cattle do not have a transverse foramen and, in no species, does the spinous process appear in the atlas. The axis had a rod-shaped odontoid process in dogs, concave in cattle and pointed in other species, in addition to an elongated spinous process. The other cervical vertebrae are typical, composed of a vertebral body (with head of the vertebra and vertebral fossa), vertebral arch (participates in the formation of the vertebral foramen), vertebral foramen (houses the spinal cord) and spinous processes (poorly developed), transverse (well developed, containing the transverse foramen) and cranial and caudal articular (flat surfaces). In all species, the seventh cervical vertebra is modified, presenting a long spinous process and reduction or absence of the transverse foramen; furthermore, in horses, the spinous process was detected only in this vertebra. In humans, dogs, horses and cattle, the seventh cervical vertebra has a pair of caudal costal facets for articulation with the first pair of ribs. Given the results obtained, it is accepted that the anatomical morphological similarities and differences between the cervical vertebrae may be related to the functional, evolutionary and postural aspects of the different species studied.

Characterization of the Caudal Ventral Tubercle in the Sixth Cervical Vertebra in Modern Equus ferus caballus.

This study examined the anomalous variations of the ventral process of C6 in modern E. ferus caballus. The aim was to provide an incremental grading protocol measuring the absence of the caudal ventral tubercle (CVT) in this ventral process. The findings revealed the most prevalent absent CVT (aCVT) was left unilateral (n = 35), with bilateral (n = 29) and right unilateral (n = 12). Grading was determined in equal increments of absence 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, with 4/4 representing a complete aCVT in 56/76, with a significance of p = 0.0013. This also applied to bilateral specimens. In those C6 osseous specimens displaying a 4/4 grade aCVT, 41/56 had a partial absence of the caudal aspect of the cranial ventral tubercle (CrVT). Here, grading absent CrVTs (aCrVT) followed similarly to aCVTs, though 4/4 was not observed. The significance between 4/4 grade aCVTs and the presentation of an aCrVT was left p = 0.00001 and right p = 0.00018. In bilateral specimens, C6 morphologically resembled C5, implying a homeotic transformation that limited the attachment sites for the cranial and thoracal longus colli muscle. This potentially diminishes function and caudal cervical stability. Therefore, it is recommended that further studies examine the morphological extent of this equine complex vertebral malformation (ECVM) as well as its interrelationships and genetic code/blueprint.

PECULIARITIES OF THE MASTICATORY APPARATUS OF GUINEA PIGS (Cavia porcellus)

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are rodents that feed on grassy plants, buds and sprouts, with cheek teeth having specialised abrasive surfaces for plant grinding. In analysing the prehension and trituration ways of guinea pigs, many differences concerning mandible conformation, the positioning of cheek teeth and the morphology of the masticatory muscles compared to other rodents were found. Masticatory muscles of guinea pigs are predominant compared to the mimetic muscles which are reduced. Compared to other rodents, in guinea pigs, inside the tendon thickness of the superficial part of the masseter muscle there are two rounded cartilaginous structures such as sesamoids. The dorsal one is larger, measuring about 3–4 mm in diameter having the role of reducing pressure on the tendon when it passes over the mandible ridge. The other is ventrally placed, about 2–3 mm in size and protects the tendon of the superficial part of the masseter muscle when it passes over the ventral tubercle of the mandible.

Morphology of the Ventral Process of the Sixth Cervical Vertebra in Extinct and Extant Equus: Functional Implications.

In this study, we examined the ventral process of C6 in extinct and extant Equus (sister taxa to Equus ferus caballus only) with the purpose of describing normal morphology and identifying anomalous variations relevant to recent studies describing a congenital malformation in E. ferus caballus. Overall, 83 specimens from 9 museums and 3 research/educational facilities were examined, totalling 71 extinct specimens from 12 species and 12 extant specimens from 5 species. The lateral view revealed that a large convexity exists in the ventral process between the cranial ventral tubercle (CrVT) and the caudal ventral tubercle (CVT) in the earliest ancestor, Hyracotherium grangeri, from 55 mya, which receded throughout the millennia to become a smaller convexity in E. ferus caballus and the sister taxa. The CrVT is visibly shorter and narrower than the CVT, with a constricted section directly ventral to the transverse process, essentially demarcating the CrVT and CVT. No congenital malformations were evident. As the ventral process of C6 is an integral component for muscle attachment in supporting the head/neck during posture and locomotion, this would indicate that the caudal module in the cervical column might be compromised when a partial or complete absence of the CVT is detected via radiographs in modern E. ferus caballus.

Preliminary ontogeny of the giraffe neck.

The giraffe juvenile has different proportions of head to neck from the adult. The head just about doubles in size from the juvenile to adult, whereas the neck increases almost 4.5× (roughly four times) in length. The T1 posterior dorsal vertebral width of the newborn is clearly wider than in the adult where it is narrow. In the okapi, the dorsal vertebral width is narrow in both juvenile and adult. The giraffe neck changes in ontogeny anisometrically. In the okapi the changes are more isometric. The giraffe juvenile vertebrae are shorter and do not have fused the cranial epiphyseal plates. That facilitates anterior elongation-growth. The ventral tubercles are undeveloped. The juvenile T1 is wide caudally unlike the adult. This may be a similarity to a gelocid (Gelocidae) ancestor of the giraffe.

Presence of the European bone-skipper fly Thyreophora cynophila (Panzer, 1798) (Diptera: Piophilidae) larvae in the cerebral cavity of large mammals and report of different insect larvae living inside mammal bones

Summary The iconic fly Thyreophora cynophila has long attracted the interest of entomologists but, despite its re-discovery in Spain and France, its biology is still poorly known. The larvae and puparium have been described in detail but their feeding habits on large carcasses remain largely unknown. Here, we took advantage of a carrion pile containing the remains of wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) as well as of two cow (Bos taurus) carcasses to search for T. cynophila larvae inside the bones and skulls. We document the occurrence of T. cynophila inside the cerebral cavity of dead animals, containing the brain. From the carrion pile, out of seven skulls, T. cynophila larvae could be found in five of them, and identified on the basis of their size, the shape and arrangement of the ventral tubercles, prothoracic spiracle and cephalopharyngeal skeleton. In contrast, no T. cynophila larvae could be found inside the nine bones we inspected. From the cow carcasses, no T. cynophila larvae could be found in the bones but one larva was found inside the cerebral cavity of one cow. In addition, other Diptera and Coleoptera larvae were found inside the bones.

Незавершенная оссификация вентральной дужки атланта у кошек: девять случаев, выявленных с помощью компьютерной томографии

Defects of the ventral arch of the atlas were detected on computed tomography in nine cats aged 3…12 months with signs of upper cervical injury including paina and ataxia. Seven cats have an ambulatory tetraparesis, and two cats have a nonambulatory tetraparesis. The bone defects were consistent with the normal location of the ventral arch growth areas of the atlas. In all observed cats, the pattern of ossification abnormalities was similar — the lateral portion of the arch was completely absent in seven cats on the left and in two cats on the right. The structure of the ventral tubercle was traceable in 8 of 9 cats. Also, in 8 of 9 cases an isolated bone fragment was observed lateral to the dens of the axis, the exact origin of which was not determined. This fragment was observed in 6 cases on the right, in two cases on the left, and only in two cases it corresponded to the side of the undeveloped arch. In 7 out of 9 cats, the dorsal arch was not fused; in 2 cats with complete fusion, the dorsal arch was deformed. An dens fracture was visualized in 3 cases, no hypoplasia of the dens was visualized, and one cat have atlantoaxial subluxation. Seven cats received conservative treatment and 2 cats received surgical treatment. Clinical improvement was observed in all cats. Disorder the ossification of the ventral arch of the atlas should be considered as the differential diagnosis in young cats with suspected atlanto-axial instability and trauma of the cervical spine. The authors were unable to find publications describing this atlas developmental abnormality in cats, so the authors believe that this is the first mention of incomplete ossification of the atlas in cats.

A new record of the genus Sperchon (Acari: Hydrachnidia, Sperchontidae) from Turkey

A new water mite Sperchon (Hispidosperhcon) beckeri Bader and Sepasgosarian, 1984 is recorded for the first time from Elazığ province, Turkey. This species is characterized by the P-2 with long finger-shaped ventral projection and P-4 with well-developed ventral tubercles.

Сontribution to the knowledge of Parabelbella (Acari, Oribatida, Damaeidae):description of two new species from Russia and the U.S.A., redescription of P. inaequipes (Banks, 1947) and a key to known species.

The genus Parabelbella (Oribatida, Damaeidae), with nine known species, is distributed in the Holarctic and Neotropical regions; of these, two new species from the Russian Far East and the U.S.A. are described on the basis of adult specimens. Parabelbella rusfareastensis sp. nov. differs from Parabelbella crenatosetosa Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1967 by the smaller body size, the absence of propodolateral apophysis, direction of notogastral seta c1, and the mutual distance between notogastral setae c. Parabelbella pseudoinaequipes sp. nov. differs from Parabelbella inaequipes (Banks, 1947) by the presence of distinctly barbed notogastral setae la and lm and sparsely barbed setae c1, c2, lp, h3, shorter and thinner dorsal notogastral setae, anterior median ventral tubercle, and by distance between insertions of seta lm-lp. The redescription of P. inaequipes is presented, based on material from the U.S.A. The main morphological traits for this species are summarized. An identification key to known species of Parabelbella is provided.

Spatiodamaeus ziemowiti sp. nov. (Acari: Oribatida: Damaeidae) from Russia

A new species of oribatid mite of the genus Spatiodamaeus (Oribatida: Damaeidae) is described from the Russian Far East. Spatiodamaeus ziemowitisp. nov. differs from all species of the genus by the presence of bothridial setae with attenuate tips, prodorsobasal tubercles La, narrowly phylliform dorsal notogastral setae, and one pair of median ventral tubercles. The generic placement of the new species is discussed.

Two new species of the marine water mite family Pontarachnidae (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from the Gulf of Antalya, Turkey.

Two new species of the marine water mite family Pontarachnidae, i.e., Litarachna enigmatica and L. antalyaensis are described from the Gulf of Antalya, Turkey. Litarachna enigmatica is unique in the postgenital sclerite having a pair of so-called wheel-like acetabula, a character so far found only in the females of Pontarachna. Litarachna antalyaensis is the second known species of the L. duboscqi-species group characterized by the absence of a ventral tubercle on P-2 and presence of a ventral tubercle on P-4, from the Mediterranean Sea. The new species can be separated from the widely distributed L. duboscqi in the glandularium-like structure posterior to the fourth coxal plates not fused with adjoining coxoglandularia 4.

Two new species of Petrobunus from China (Opiliones: Laniatores: Petrobunidae).

Two new species of Petrobunus Sharma Giribet, 2011, (Petrobunidae) are described: P. chongqing sp. nov. (♀♂) and P. hebei sp. nov. (♀♂). Petrobunus chongqing sp. nov. is similar to P. spinifer Sharma Giribet, 2011, in having two large spines on the male sternite 7. However, the new species can be distinguished from P. spinifer by the absence of a ventral tubercle on the male femur IV, as well as the presence of three pairs of enlarged tubercles on the lateral margin of area V and free tergites I-II. Petrobunus hebei sp. nov. and P. torosus Sharma Giribet, 2011 closely resemble each other. They are distinguished by the morphology of the ocularium, in that P. torosus has a median tubercle whereas the ocularium of P. hebei sp. nov. is unarmed. The discovery and descriptions of these species greatly expand the known range of the genus Petrobunus.

Morphology of immature stages of blow fly, Lucilia sinensis Aubertin (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a potential species of forensic importance

Lucilia sinensis Aubertin (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a blow fly species of potential forensic importance since adults are attracted to, and colonize, decomposing vertebrate remains. Blow fly larvae associated with human corpses can be useful evidence in forensic investigations; however, their use is dependent in most cases on proper species identification and availability of developmental data. For identification, morphological information on each life stage is traditionally used. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the ultrastructure of eggs, all instars, and puparia, of L. sinensis. The important characteristics used to differentiate L. sinensis from other species are provided. Distinctive features of the eggs are the slight widening median area extending almost the entire length. The last abdominal segment of the first instar bears elongated outer ventral tubercles along the rim of the last abdominal segment. These tubercles, as well as the well developed median and outer dorsal tubercles, are more prominent in the second and third instars. The surface integument of the tubercles is equipped with circular rows of microtrichia. Pairs of inner dorsal tubercle are absent. Each anterior spiracle is comprised of 9–12 papillae arrange in a single row in the second and third instars. As for the third instar, the dorsal spines between the first and second thoracic segments are delicate, narrow, small, and close together (as row or set). The peristigmatic tufts adjacent to the posterior spiracle of the third instar are moderately branches of short, fine hairs, but minute in puparia. In conclusion, the prominent outer ventral tubercle in all instars and puparia is a new diagnostic feature of L. sinensis and helpful in differentiating it from other Lucilia species that are forensically important. The description of immature L. sinensis in this study will be useful for forensic entomologists in countries where this species exists.

Congenital Malformations of the First Sternal Rib

During the dissection and skeletal examination of 151 horses, a congenital malformation (CM) of the first sternal rib that influenced the aperture of the Thoracic inlet was noted in six horses. The presentation of this CM was variable between horses in gross anatomic appearance; notably, an absent first sternal rib, bifid tuberculum costae, bifid sternochondral articulation onto the sternum, flared shaft, normal first sternal rib inserting onto the cranial branch of a bifid sternochondral articulating second sternal rib, straight costal shaft, and an articulating rudimentary tuberculum costae with a ligamentous extension replacing the bony shaft and attaching to a rudimentary sternochondral articulation onto the sternum. Of the 151 horses examined, the CM of the first sternal rib was restricted to 6/60 Thoroughbred horses, and only in those that were affected by either the unilateral or bilateral transposition of the caudal ventral tubercle from C6 onto the ventral surface of C7. The normal anatomic presentation of the thoracic inlet was altered, along with associative musculature including neurological pathways. These CMs are likely to produce clinical and functional ramifications of the thoracic inlet, thoracic limb, and thoracic viscera, with the probability of altering postural and locomotive function as noted in four horses demonstrating the CM.

EX VIVO COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF MORPHOLOGY VARIATIONS IN EQUINE CERVICAL VERTEBRAE.

Diagnostic imaging is one of the pillars in the clinical workup of horses with clinical signs of cervical spinal disease. An improved awareness of morphologic variations in equine cervical vertebrae would be helpful for interpreting findings. The aim of this anatomic study was to describe CT variations in left-right symmetry and morphology of the cervical and cervicothoracic vertebrae in a sample of horses. Postmortem CT examinations of the cervical spine for horses without congenital growth disorders were prospectively and retrospectively recruited. A total of 78 horses (27 foals, 51 mature horses) were evaluated. Twenty-six horses (33.3%) had homologous changes in which a transposition of the caudal part of the transverse process (caudal ventral tubercle) of C6 toward the ventral aspect of the transverse process of C7 was present (n = 10 bilateral, n = 12 unilateral left-sided, n = 4 unilateral right-sided). There was one horse with occipito-atlantal malformation, two horses with rudimentary first ribs bilaterally, and one horse with bilateral transverse processes at Th1, representing homeotic (transitional) vertebral changes. Chi-square tests identified no significant differences in the number of conformational variations between the group of mature horses with or without clinical signs (P = 0.81) or between the group of mature horses and the group of foals (P = 0.72). Findings indicated that, in this sample of horses, the most frequently identified variations were homologous variations (transposition of the caudal part of the transverse process of C6-C7) in the caudal equine cervical vertebral column. Homeotic (transitional) variations at the cervicothoracic vertebral column were less common.

Hesperapis rhodocerata: Behavioral Biology, Egg, and Larval Instars, Including Behavioral and Larval Comparisons withH. larreae(Hymenoptera: Melittidae: Dasypodainae)

ABSTRACT This paper reports on a large nesting site of the ground-nesting solitary bee Hesperapis (Carinapis) rhodocerata (Cockerell) from southern New Mexico first discovered in the late summer of 2010 and active again in late summer 2015. Because the site was visited annually during intervening years without observation of any specimens, the species is believed to sustain a multiyear diapause that is broken in response to rain. It is judged to be univoltine, and females at the site collect pollen from Heterotheca (Asteraceae). Nests are briefly described as are the nest-digging behavior and pollen-transport system of females. The feeding behavior of larvae involves grazing on the surface of the food sphere, thus reducing its diameter. This is accomplished with the aid of paired ventral tubercles on each of the three thoracic and first eight abdominal segments and a single median ventral tubercle on the ninth abdominal segment. The second and last larval instars are described and illustrated. The first i...

Lichenophilous species of Epidamaeus and Spatiodamaeus from high mountains of Mongolia, with remarks on their ontogeny (Acari: Oribatida).

Herein, the description of the adults and immature instars of a newly discovered species, Epidamaeus munkhbayari sp. nov. along with detailed illustrations and data on habitat ecology are provided. Adults of this new species can be easily distinguished form other known species of Epidamaeus by the combination of following characters: two pairs of well-developed prodorsal ridges, the presence of ventral tubercles E2a, Va and Vp, the short, thin interlamellar setae, and the strongly developed tectum of podocephalic fossa. Further, the redescription of adults and morphology of deutonymph of a little known species, Spatiodamaeus cf. fageti Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1957, which is recorded for the first time in Asia, are given. The diagnosis of the latter species is modified and enriched with the characters of deutonymph. Following the descriptions and comparisons, we discuss aspects of the distribution and ecology of both studied species. Comparative characteristics of juveniles of different species belonging to Epidamaeus and Spatiodamaeus are performed, and the extended discussion on the immature morphology of Damaeidae is provided. Based on the comparative analyses, it can be generalized that the juvenile morphologies of not only Epidamaeus and Spatiodamaeus, but also those of other genera of the family are very similar, and hence, they differ from one another only by a few features, such as the body size, length of setiform organs, such as sensilli, interlamellar as well as gastronotic setae, structure and location of gastronotic cornicles. Epidamaeus munkhbayari sp. nov. is currently known only from the type locality; S. fageti is a Palaearctic species, known from Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Both species appear to be sylvicolous, and primarily inhabitants of lichens growing on tree trunks as well as bare rocks. A list of oribatid mites, inhabiting the lichens growing on tree trunks and bare rocks in a high mountain cool temperate forest together with the two species central to this study, is given.