Trichodina kamchatika Konovalov, Shevlyakov et Krasin, 1970 is redescribed based on specimens obtained from the gills and body surface of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from Nova Scotia and Quebec, Canada and its taxonomic history briefly reviewed. This is the first report of T. kamchatika from North America.
Ascaridoid nematodes referable to Brevimulticaecum heterotis (Petter, Vassiliadès et Marchand, 1979) Khalil, 1984 were recorded from the intestine of the African bonytongue, Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier) (Arapaimidae, Osteoglossiformes), from the Mare Simenti in the Niokolo Koba National Park, East Senegal and from Kosti, Sudan. Their examination using light microscopy and for the first time both environmental scanning electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed some previously unreported morphological features and made possible a detailed redescription of this species. The most important finding is the presence of dentigerous ridges on the inner edges of the lips, which confirms the attribution of this species to Multicaecum Baylis, 1923, where it was originally placed, and not to Brevimulticaecum Mozgovoy in Skryabin, Shikhobalova et Mozgovoy, 1951 where it had subsequently been transferred. A key to Brevimulticaecum and Multicaecum species is provided. Multicaecum heterotis is the first species of the genus to be sequenced. Partial sequences of the small ribosomal subunit (18S) and internal transcribed spacer 2 region (ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) have been analysed and compared with other nematode species.
First descriptions of males of Peltonotellus raniformis (Mulsant & Rey, 1855), P. melichari Horváth, 1897 and Ordalonema faciepilosa Dlabola, 1980 are given. In addition, identification keys to the eight Caliscelidae genera of the Western Palaearctic and to the five Peltonotellus Puton, 1886 species of Europe are presented.
The fauna of Turkey lists the goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) as the only species of the genus Gazella, but older records reported another species of gazelle in Anatolia (either G. dorcas or G. gazella). However, the species status and the distribution of the second gazelle species have never been confirmed, and the species has been regarded as extirpated. We studied the nucleotide differences in a 400 bp region of cytochrome-b gene for Şanlıurfa population and a recently discovered gazelle population in Hatay. A total of 36 sequences were found with 23 variable sites. All individuals from Hatay and the Golan Heights, Israel (G. gazella) revealed an identical monophyletic lineage and the results of phylogenetic analyses suggest that the population in Hatay belongs to G. g. gazella. Şanlıurfa individuals were grouped with Genbank sequences of G. subgutturosa marica, which a recent study has suggested to be a distinct species, G. marica. Our findings have resolved an ongoing debate on the taxonomic status of the Gazella in Turkey and call for the urgent need of improved conservation efforts for the wild gazelles.
The species Beludzhia phylloteliptera Rohdendorf is redescribed from adult males and females as well as all larval instars collected in the United Arab Emirates. The morphology of the first instar larva is strikingly similar to that of Dolichotachina marginella (Wiedemann) and Phylloteles pictipennis Loew, all of which are here documented for the first time. These three generic representatives share several character states, which are probably plesiomorphic relative to the condition observed in other miltogrammine larvae, but the uniquely shaped, slender mouthhook, a cushion- or pad-like lobe behind the maxillary palpus (cheek organ), the antero-ventral segmental prolegs of the first instar larva, and the integumental warts of the third instar larvae, are shared character states not known from any other species of Sarcophagidae. Beludzhia Rohdendorf is therefore placed with Dolichotachina Villeneuve and Phylloteles Loew in the tribe Phyllotelini.
Genetic component represents an important factor in the development of hypertension, which is known to be associated with changes in expression of vascular gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43). The aim of the study was to examine the distribution and expression of Cx43 in the aortic endothelium of adult normotensive Wistar rats (W), borderline hypertensive rats (BHR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Rings of the thoracic aorta were processed for immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis of endothelial Cx43 and for electron microscopy. Both, BHR and SHR exhibited significantly increased blood pressure vs. W (132±2 mm Hg and 185±3 mm Hg vs. 110±2 mm Hg). Reduced Cx43 immunofluorescence was observed in the endothelium of BHR and these alterations were more pronounced in SHR. Western blot analysis showed significant suppression of Cx43 expression in the aorta of both BHR (p<0.05) and SHR (p<0.001) vs. W. Electron microscopy revealed local subcellular alterations of interendothelial connections in BHR including extended tight junctions. These alterations were more frequent and marked in SHR. The results indicate that connexin 43 expression is reduced in the aortic endothelium already in prehypertensive period, which may affect cell-to-cell communication and thus participate in acceleration of hypertensive disease., K. Dlugošová, M. Mitašíková, I. Bernátová, P. Weismann, Ľ. Okruhlicová., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy