Morphological and molecular methods were used to describe a new species of Trapania Pruvot-Fol, 1931 from shallow water kelp forests on the north-central coast of Peru. The new species, Trapania huarmeyana sp. nov., is distinguished from other species along the Eastern Pacific by external morphological characters such as its translucent white body with brown stripes and small spots on the dorsum, blotches on the base of the extra-branchial processes, extra rhinophoral processes and gill branches. Internally, T. huarmeyana sp. nov. is distinguishable by several morphological characteristics of the radula, jaws and genital organs. Phylogenetic trees recovered using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analysis of DNA sequences support its distinct status and clarify its relationship to other species from the Eastern Pacific. This new species constitutes the first record of Trapania from the Humboldt Current Ecosystem, contributing to our understanding of the distribution of the genus in the South-eastern Pacific.

While the giant anemone, Relicanthus daphneae, has been described as a characteristic inhabitant of the East Pacific Ocean since 1991, there are relatively few published occurrences worldwide. Here, we present the discovery and molecular verification of R. daphneae along the southern Central Indian Ridge, at the Rodriguez Triple Junction, and along the northern Southeast Indian Ridge within the BGR contract area for the exploration of marine massive sulphide deposits in the Indian Ocean. Individuals were solitary and attached exclusively to basalt hard substrates on the periphery of hydrothermal vent fields, at distances from active vents between 66 and 710 m. We report megafauna observed in close proximity to R. daphneae and, in one case, polychaetes on its tentacles and oral disc. For the first time, the giant anemone was observed capturing prey, a shrimp of the species Rimicaris kairei. Beyond this remark on the diet of these anemones, we also report other behavioural aspects for this species.

A new species of Heligmostrongylus (Nematoda: Heligmonellidae) is described from the small rodents Ototylomys phyllotis (Cricetidae: Tylomyinae) and Heteromys gaumeri (Heteromyidae: Heteromyinae) in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, based on studies of light and scanning electron microscopy, and partial sequences of COI, ITS1 and 28S rRNA. Heligmostrongylus yucatanensis n. sp. is characterized by a synlophe of 13 interrupted ridges (except those forming careen) in both sexes at midbody; males with a ventral cuticle inflation at anterior region of copulatory bursa, rays 9 and 10 long, comparable in length, and rays 9 strongly curved laterally at a right angle crossing ventrally rays 8; and females with a torsion of 180° to left of the posterior extremity. These characteristics were shared with Heligmostrongylus nematodes reported previously from O. phyllotis and Peromyscus yucatanicus (Cricetidae: Neotominae) also in the Yucatan Peninsula. The absence of intraspecific sequence variations in COI, and the low variation in D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA and ITS1 among the specimens obtained from the different hosts provided strong support that the worms found in the three rodent species belong to the same new species. The nine previously known species of Heligmostrongylus have been reported from caviomorph rodents of the families Cuniculidae, Dasyproctidae, Echimyidae, and Erethizontidae from the Neotropics. The occurrence of H. yucatanensis in three phylogenetically distant rodent species suggests that this nematode species could have the ability to expand its host range by colonizing new hosts.

A new Iranian population of Lindseyus costatus is characterized, including morphometrics, microphotographs, and molecular (18S, 28S rDNA) studies. It is compared with previously known populations. The results derived from molecular analyses failed to find close evolutionary relationships with other traditional genera of Belondiridae and Swangeriinae, adding more uncertainties about the internal phylogeny of the family. The taxonomy of Lindseyus is revised, with a new diagnosis, list of species, key to their identification, and a compilation of their main morphometrics.

Mylonchulus laocaiensis sp. n. recorded from Vietnam, is described and illustrated, and its phylogenetic relationship within the Mylonchulidae family and Mononchida order are analysed. The new species is characterized by medium body size (L = 1.0–1.5 mm); buccal cavity goblet shaped, 26–29 × 14–16.5 μm or 1.8 (1.7–1.9) times as long as wide; posterior position of dorsal tooth apex (79%–88% from the base of buccal cavity); a small subventral tooth present on subventral wall; pars refringens vaginae with faint and small (2.5 × 1.7 μm) teardrop-shaped pieces, short pars distalis vaginae; male with short spicules (54–57 μm) with rounded head. The molecular data (18S and 28S rDNA) are provided for the new species.

A new species, Mesolepis arabellae, is described from material recently recovered from the shales of the Scottish Lower Coal Measure Formation. Up until now, three British species of Mesolepis have been named: Mesolepis scalaris Young, Mesolepis wardi Young, and Mesolepis micropterus Traquair. A fourth member of the genus, Mesolepis pustulosa Pruvost from the coalfields of Northern France, was named on scale description alone, though the validity of this taxon is uncertain. The new material described here varies from other Mesolepis species in its caudal peduncle morphology and overall body shape. Micro-computed tomography of the new species reveals the presence of teeth on the premaxilla and dentary and a splint-like fused prearticular and coronoid element, with implications for a possible feeding behaviour of Mesolepis. Additional information on the homogeneous Mesolepis wardi is also presented.

Most studies concerning parasitic infections in European bison have been performed on free-ranging animals: comparatively little is known about the abomasal nematodes of captive wisents, which are widely used in reintroduction programmes. The aim of the study was to determine the infection level and species composition of abomasal nematodes in captive European bison in enclosures (including zoos) and breeding centres compared to free-ranging individuals. It also includes a morphological analysis of the parasites based on figures and measurement data. Altogether, 11 species of nematodes were detected, with both captive and free-ranging animals demonstrating similar species compositions. Among those, 2 species of blood-sucking nematodes were detected, including Ashworthius sidemi and Haemonchus contortus. Interestingly, A. sidemi was found in almost all free-roaming animals, but only in 1 captive European bison. In addition, H. contortus was predominant in captive animals. The morphological identification was confirmed molecularly for 5 nematode species: A. sidemi, H. contortus, Ostertagia kolchida, O. ostertagi and Spiculopteragia boehmi. The identification was performed using small subunit ribosomal rDNA. The study provides the first available set of specular lengths of the gastric nematodes of European bison, and the first molecular data of O. kolchida and S. boehmi derived from the same host species. Our findings may simplify the morphometrical and molecular identification of Trichostrongylidae species infecting European bison, and can be useful in developing new management strategies for populations of this near-threatened species in Europe.

The cyst nematodes, subfamily Heteroderinae, are plant pathogens of worldwide economic significance. A new cyst nematode of the genus Cactodera within the Heteroderinae, Cactodera xinanensis n. sp., was isolated from rhizospheres of crops in the Guizhou and Sichuan provinces of southwest China. The new species was characterized by having the cyst with a length/width = 1.3 ± 0.1 (1.1–1.6), a fenestral diameter of 28.1 ± 4.3 (21.3–38.7) μm, vulval denticles present; second-stage juvenile with stylet 21.5 ± 0.5 (20.3–22.6) μm long, tail 59.4 ± 2.0 (55.9–63.8) μm long and hyaline region 28.7 ± 2.7 (25.0–36.3) μm long, lateral field with four incisures; the eggshell with punctations. The new species can be differentiated from other species of Cactodera by a longer tail and hyaline region of second-stage juveniles. Phylogenetic relationships within populations and species of Cactodera are given based on the analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-rRNA), the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (28S-rRNA) D2-D3 region and the partial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences here. The ITS-rRNA, 28S-rRNA and COI gene sequences clearly differentiated Cactodera xinanensis n. sp. from other species of Cactodera. A key and a morphological identification characteristic table for the species of Cactodera are included in the study.

Adults of the genus Posthodiplostomum, Dubois, 1936 are parasites of fish-eating birds, mainly of the family Ardeidae, and are globally distributed. The genus currently comprises 35 species, although recent molecular evidence has shown that the diversity of the genus is underestimated since several candidate species have been recognized. In the Neotropical region of Mexico, at least 6 Posthodiplostomum lineages have been detected with metacercaria stages recovered from unrelated fish hosts. Here, we obtained adult specimens of Posthodiplostomum from 6 fish-eating birds representing 2 families (Butorides virescens, Ardea herodias, Nycticorax nycticorax, Tigrisoma mexicanum – Ardeidae, and Rynchops niger and Leucophaeus atricilla – Lariidae) from 4 localities in southern Mexico. Specimens were sequenced for 2 nuclear (28S and ITS1–5.8S–ITS2) and 1 mitochondrial (cox1) molecular marker. Phylogenetic analyses allowed us to link metacercariae and adult specimens and recognized a lineage, which was described morphologically. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by its prosoma morphology and body size; this is the first described species in the Neotropical region of Mexico. Additionally, new host and locality records for P. macrocotyle and P. pricei are presented, expanding their geographical distribution range in the Americas.

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt; family: Myristicaceae) is an important tree spice of great export value due to the presence of secondary metabolites with scope in health, wellness and cosmetic industries. Its dioecious in nature due to which it is propagated by budding and grafting which requires specialised skill and as a result authentic planting material production is very expensive. Based on the constant demand from farmers and stakeholders for a suitable, fast and easy technique for determining the authenticity of nutmeg varieties, an attempt was made to develop morphological and molecular markers for the identification of three commercial varieties that are in high demand in India; viz. IISR Vishwashree, IISR Keralashree, Sindhushree and a monoecious nutmeg (MN) accession, along with their biochemical profiles. Among the various morphological characters as per distinctiveness, uniformity and stability guidelines, the varieties showed distinctness mainly in leaf shape, shape of female flowers, fruit shape and seed shape. Out of 35 ISSR primers screened, six primers viz., IS 02, ISSR 12, ISSR 05, ISSR 14, ISSR 01 and UBC 834 generated clear, unique reproducible polymorphic bands capable of distinguishing the varieties. Among the varieties analysed, MN was found to be superior in terms of seed butter and essential oil in nut, mace and leaves. IISR Vishwashree was on par with MN in nut essential oil content. IISR Keralashree was superior in terms of oleoresin in nuts and mace. The morphological and molecular markers identified may be used for effective checking of authenticity of planting materials of commercially grown nutmeg varieties.

Using archival data from 106 children with and without DLD who spoke two dialects of English, we examined the independent contributions of vocabulary, morphological ability, phonological short term memory (pSTM), and verbal working memory (WM) to exact sentence recall, ungrammatical repetition, and incorrect tense production. For exact repetitions on simpler sentences, performance of the DLD group was predicted by morphological ability, pSTM and WM, while that of the TD group was predicted by vocabulary and sometimes pSTM. On complex sentences, performance of the DLD group was predicted by morphological ability, and the TD group was predicted by pSTM and WM. For ungrammatical repetitions and incorrect tense, morphological ability was a factor for both groups, with WM also affecting the DLD group for ungrammatical production. Thus, sentence recall taxes multiple resources, with more and different factors being taxed at lower levels of complexity for children with DLD than those without.

Monomorphemic words have been found to influence category formation, as they encode one general category and thus activate it more than other related categories in the same lexical network. On the other hand, multimorphemic words can encode multiple categories from the same network by the multiple forms they combine. Superordinate categories are encoded by sub-lexical forms (e.g., affixes), while the entire words encode lower categories in the hierarchical structure. In the present study, we asked whether sub-lexical forms influence the learning of the meaning encoded by the entire word they underlie. We used Semitic-like words where sub-lexical forms (syllabic patterns) encode superordinate categories of manner-of-motion, and the entire words encode lower-level categories (moving characters). In our main experiment, a word-learning test showed that a shared syllabic pattern had a negative effect on the learning of the moving characters encoded by the entire word. This effect was revealed mainly in dimensions related to the superordinate category encoded by the pattern. The effect and its direction are beyond the expectations of enhanced category representations suggested in previous literature. We conclude that the effect of word-form is beyond the specific category they encode and can have different directions at different hierarchical levels.

The genus Tanqua Blanchard, 1904, infests reptiles, particularly those inhabiting aquatic environments. This study examined a population of rainbow water snakes, Enhydris enhydris (Schneider, 1799), collected from southern Thailand. Adult nematodes consistent with Tanqua were found in the stomach. Various morphometric, meristic and qualitative morphological variables, including size, ratios, distances, cephalic appearance, the number of caudal papillae and other features, serve to distinguish the specimens from other species within the genus. In particular, Tanqua anomala and Tanqua diadema, which closely resemble our Tanqua specimens, can be differentiated by key diagnostic characteristics such as a retractable head, the distance from the anterior end to the cervical sac, the relative positions of caudal papillae and excretory pore, and the length of the uterus. Molecular analysis (COI and 18s rRNA genes) confirmed its status as a species of Tanqua, genetically distinct from Tanqua tiara, and matching the genetic sequence found in larvae of Tanqua sp. from a snakehead fish species from Bangladesh. Tanqua siamensis sp. nov. is described, supported by morphological traits, microscopic illustrations and genetic information. This study reports the first evidence of a caudal papillary pair in females. This species causes significant lesions on the stomach wall of the snake host, raising possible issues for snakes held in captivity regarding food hygiene and parasite protection.

Three fish blood flukes (Aporocotylidae Odhner, 1912) infect mullets (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae): Cardicola mugilis Yamaguti, 1970 and Plethorchis acanthus Martin, 1975 infect striped mullet, Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 in the Central Pacific Ocean (Hawaiian Islands) and Brisbane River (Australia), respectively; Cardicola brasiliensis Knoff & Amato, 1992 infects Lebranche mullet, Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836 from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (Brazil). White mullets were cast-netted from the mouth of Deer River, a coastal saltmarsh of Mobile Bay, in the north-central Gulf of Mexico and examined for blood fluke infections. Specimens of Mugilitrema labowskiae Warren & Bullard n. gen., n. sp. were found infecting the endocardial surface and inter-trabecular spaces of the atrium, ventricle, and bulbous arteriosus. The new genus and species differ from all other aporocotylids by having the combination of two post-caecal testes, a uterus with straight ascending and descending portions, and a common genital pore. The 28S analysis recovered the new species and P. acanthus as sister taxa and Aporocotylidae as monophyletic. Carditis associated with intense infections comprised endocardial hyperplasia, resulting in a thickened cardiac endothelium. Probable dead or deteriorating eggs in the myocardium were encapsulated by granulomas composed of epithelioid histiocytes. Live eggs infected the afferent artery of gill filaments and were associated with varied hyperplasia of the overlying epithelium and haemorrhaging from the afferent artery in high-intensity infections. The new species is the first aporocotylid infecting a mullet from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean and only the second description of demonstrable endocarditis attributed to an adult fish blood fluke infection.

The Cladonia cervicornis group comprises lichen-forming fungi characterized by having scyphi with central proliferations. It includes c. 20 species globally. The taxonomy of this group is poorly resolved, with many species not thoroughly disentangled. The focus of this study is the European species in the C. cervicornis group. In order to estimate the phylogenetic relationships of these species, six loci were used: ITS rDNA, IGS rDNA, RPB1, RPB2, ef1α and cox1. Species delimitation methods (ASAP, PTP and GMYC) were used to infer the species boundaries based on four loci, ITS rDNA, IGS rDNA, cox1 and RPB2. A morphological analysis based on multivariate methods was performed to assess the importance of phenotypic differences among the lineages. The phylogenetic reconstructions placed the species of this group in the subclade Cladonia. Five lineages were recovered, corresponding to C. cervicornis, C. macrophyllodes, C. pulvinata, C. verticillata and a new lineage that we describe here, C. teuvoana. Our analyses revealed that Cladonia cineracea, C. stricta and C. trassii are polyphyletic.

The change of the properties of chrysotile after ball milling in organic liquids (aromatics, alcohols, silicone oils) or water was studied by gas adsorption, electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, zeta potential measurements, and chemical analysis. Grinding in low viscosity organic solvents leads initially to a rapid defiberization of the asbestos bundles and to a fragmentation of the isolated fibrils. Finally, amorphization and agglomeration occur causing a drastic decrease of the specific surface area of the ground material. Grinding in water brings about a defiberization, but much more slowly than in organic solvents. Moreover, prolonged grinding in water does not significantly alter the structure of chrysotile. The efficiencies of the organic solvents, considered as grinding aids that induce fracture of the fibrils, are related to the environmental stress cracking of brittle solids (Rehbinder theory). Hence, the pertinent properties of the organic liquids are their viscosity and their cohesion energy (solubility parameter). Solvents chemisorbed on the surface of the ground chrysotile reduce the surface energy of the fracture surface and prevent aggregation. Water does not react according to Rehbinder's theory, but appears to form a protective layer around the fibrils. This hypothesis was verified by dry grinding defiberized asbestos (rapid amorphization) or by disturbing the stability of the water coating by coadsorbing alcohol on the solid surface. Alternatively, the resistance of the fibrils to fracture may be explained by Westwood's theory that grinding in water is equivalent to grinding in an alkali medium, wherein the surface charge of the chrysotile becomes negligible, and the mechanical stability of the fiber reaches a maximum.

As shown by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, halloysite in three rhyolitic tephras occurs as squat and elongate ellipsoids. Both morphologies are presumed to result from a similar lattice building mechanism. The squat ellipsoids form from allophane; the elongate ellipsoids form from feldspars. The squat ellipsoids do not possess flattened faces or spaces between books of layers at field moisture levels. Outgrowths from the squat ellipsoids are possibly due to inclusions of allophane, glass, ferrihydrite, or feldspar crystallites. Possible spiral growth of halloysite, giving curved surfaces, may be due to a continuous distribution of crystal dislocations.