Anatomical and phylogenetic investigation of the genera Alabastrina Kobelt, 1904, Siretia Pallary, 1926, and Otala Schumacher, 1817 (Stylommatophora, Helicidae).

This study presents new insights in the anatomy of genital organs of some large helicid gastropods from northern Africa. The genetic analysis with the markers COI, 16S, H3, and 5.8 S rRNA+ITS2 reveales a high support for Alabastrina and Otala as separate evolutionary lineages within the Otalini. The position of Siretia as another separate lineage within the Otalini is discussed. "Tingitanaminetteidecussata" clusters within the O.xanthodon clade and confirms that the genus Tingitana can be synonymised with Otala. The genus Alabastrina differs from all other known genera by possession of a penial appendix. This character state is also found in topotypic A.tistutensis. Examination of the twin penial papilla system in Otala recovers a reduction of the proximal penial papilla in O.punctata. The position of Helixmurcica as a separate subspecies of O.lactea is not supported, and it is here considered to be a synonym of the latter species.

New records of the endemic Sicilian land snail species Marmorana (Murella) muralis (O. F. Müller, 1774) from the north of Tunisia (Pulmonata, Gastropoda).

Marmorana (Murella) muralis is known as an endemic species of Sicily Island, which is introduced in many European countries. Here, M. (M.) muralis is recorded from the north of Tunisia. In order to confirm the identification of samples collected from several localities, shell morphology, details of genital organs and two mitochondrial markers (COI and 16S) were investigated. The results of the molecular study, as well as the morphological and anatomical studies confirm the identification of all Tunisian samples as M. (M.) muralis. The analysis of mitochondrial markers shows a low divergence between Sicilian and Tunisian samples suggesting a recent introduction of M. (M.) muralis to the North of Tunisia. The comparison of morphological characters of M. (M.) muralis with shell characters of Murella nicollei described by Pallary (1926) confirms that the latter should be considered as synonym of M. (M.) muralis.

Résumé Marmorana (Murella) muralis est connue comme une espèce endémique de l'île de Sicile qui est actuellement introduite dans plusieurs pays européens. Dans la présente étude, nous enregistrons, la présence de M. (M.) muralis dans différentes localités du Nord de la Tunisie. Dans le but de valider l'authenticité des spécimens collectés de différentes localités, la morphologie de la coquille, l'anatomie de l'appareil génital ainsi que deux marqueurs mitochondriaux (COI et 16S) ont été analysés. Les résultats de l'étude moléculaire ainsi que ceux de l'étude morphologique et anatomique confirment qu'il s'agit bien de l'espèce Sicilienne M. (M.) muralis. L'analyse des deux marqueurs mitochondriaux montre une faible divergence entre les populations Sicilienne et Tunisienne suggérant ainsi une récente introduction de cette espèce en Tunisie. La comparaison des critères morphologiques de l'espèce M. (M.) muralis avec les critères de la coquille de l'espèce Murella nicollei décrite par Pallary (1926) confirme que cette dernière doit être considérée comme synonyme de l'espèce M. (M.) muralis.

Revision of Massylaea Möllendorff, 1898 (Stylommatophora, Helicidae).

In this paper some helicoid species from eastern Algeria are investigated using a morphological and molecular approach. The investigation of the genital organs of M. massylaea (Morelet, 1851), the type species of the genus Massylaea Möllendorff, 1898, showed the same autapomorphic character states as are considered typical for Eobania P. Hesse, 1913. These findings are fully supported by the genetic analysis using two mitochondrial and three nuclear markers. Thus, the latter genus has to be considered a synonym of the former. Currently, three species are known to comprise the genus, viz. M. massylaea, M. constantina (E. Forbes, 1838), and M. vermiculata (O. F. Müller, 1774). Several nominal taxa from northern Africa are synonymised with one of the species mentioned here under Massylaea. The generic position of the so-called "Massylaea" species from the High Atlas Mountains in southern Morocco remains unresolved.

RésuméDans cet article, certaines espèces d'Helicidae de l'est de l'Algérie sont étudiées par une approche morphologique et moléculaire. L'étude des organes génitaux de M. massylaea (Morelet, 1851), espèce de type du genre Massylaea Möllendorff, 1898, a montré les mêmes caractères autapomorphiques que ceux considérés comme typiques pour Eobania P. Hesse, 1913. Ces résultats sont pleinement soutenus par l'analyse génétique utilisant deux marqueurs mitochondriaux et trois nucléaires. Ainsi, ce dernier genre doit être considéré comme un synonyme de l'ancien. Actuellement, trois espèces sont connues pour comprendre le genre, à savoir M. massylaea, M. constantina (E. Forbes, 1838) et M. vermiculata (O. F. Müller, 1774). Plusieurs taxons nominaux de l'Afrique du Nord sont synonymes avec l'une des espèces mentionnées ici sous Massylaea. La position générique des espèces dites «Massylaea¼ des montagnes du Haut Atlas dans le sud du Maroc reste non résolue.

At home at least: the taxonomic position of some north African Xerocrassa species (Pulmonata, ).

In order to clarify the systematic position of Helix latastei Letourneux in Letourneux & Bourguignat, 1887, and Helix latasteopsis Letourneux & Bourguignat, 1887, a comprehensive approach using morphological and molecular methods is presented. The investigation of the genital organs of both species showed that they belong to the genus Xerocrassa Monterosato, 1892 with two very small dart sacs and a few tubiform glandulae mucosae. In our phylogenetic analysis using the mitochondrial markers COI, 16S and the nuclear cluster 5.8-ITS2-28S, the results of the anatomical research were confirmed. Thus, the genus Ereminella Pallary, 1919, which is based on H. latastei, becomes a junior synonym of Xerocrassa. A review of the genus-level taxa Xerobarcana Brandt, 1959, and Xeroregima Brandt, 1959, showed that these should also be considered as synonyms of Xerocrassa. A third species, Helix lacertara Bourguignat, 1863 from Algeria was found to be closely related to X. latastei based on its shell morphology. A map showing the distribution of the three species treated is supplied.

RésuméUne étude basée sur des approches morphologiques et moléculaires a été réalisée dans le but de clarifier la position systématique de deux espèces Helix latastei Letourneux 1887 et Helix latasteopsis Letourneux & Bourguignat, 1887. L'examen des organes génitaux a montré des critères typiques du genre Xerocrassa Monterosato, 1892 avec la présence de deux petits "Dart Sac" et des glandes digitiformes à mucus. Les résultats de l'analyse phylogénétique de deux gènes mitochondriaux (COI et 16S) et un gène nucléaire 5.8S-ITS2-28S ont confirmé les résultats de l'étude anatomique. Par conséquent, le genre Ereminella Pallary, 1919, qui a été basé sur Helix latastei est donc un synonyme du genre Xerocrassa. La révision de deux genres Xerobarcana Brandt, 1959 et Xeroregima Brandt, 1959, suggère que ces deux genres sont aussi des synonymes du genre Xerocrassa. L'examen de la coquille de l'espèce Algérienne Helix lacertara Bourguignat, 1863 a montré une forte ressemblance avec X. latastei, ce qui nous a permis, ainsi, de la classer dans le genre Xerocrassa. Une carte montrant la distribution des trois espèces a été fournie.

Angiotensinergic innervation of the kidney: Localization and relationship with catecholaminergic postganglionic and sensory nerve fibers.

We describe an angiotensin (Ang) II-containing innervation of the kidney. Cryosections of rat, pig and human kidneys were investigated for the presence of Ang II-containing nerve fibers using a mouse monoclonal antibody against Ang II (4B3). Co-staining was performed with antibodies against synaptophysin, tyrosine 3-hydroxylase, and dopamine beta-hydroxylase to detect catecholaminergic efferent fibers and against calcitonin gene-related peptide to detect sensory fibers. Tagged secondary antibodies and confocal light or laser scanning microscopy were used for immunofluorescence detection. Ang II-containing nerve fibers were densely present in the renal pelvis, the subepithelial layer of the urothelium, the arterial nervous plexus, and the peritubular interstitium of the cortex and outer medulla. They were infrequent in central veins and the renal capsule and absent within glomeruli and the renal papilla. Ang II-positive fibers represented phenotypic subgroups of catecholaminergic postganglionic or sensory fibers with different morphology and intrarenal distribution compared to their Ang II-negative counterparts. The Ang II-positive postganglionic fibers were thicker, produced typically fusiform varicosities and preferentially innervated the outer medulla and periglomerular arterioles. Ang II-negative sensory fibers were highly varicose, prevailing in the pelvis and scarce in the renal periphery compared to the rarely varicose Ang II-positive fibers. Neurons within renal microganglia displayed angiotensinergic, catecholaminergic, or combined phenotypes. Our results suggest that autonomic fibers may be an independent source of intrarenal Ang II acting as a neuropeptide co-transmitter or neuromodulator. The angiotensinergic renal innervation may play a distinct role in the neuronal control of renal sodium reabsorption, vasomotion and renin secretion.