Taxonomic and nomenclatorial revision of the Neotropical genus Phaeoxantha Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

Taxonomic and nomenclatorial revision of the Neotropical tiger beetle genus Phaeoxantha Chaudoir, 1850 (originally Megacephala Latreille, 1802) is presented. Ammosia Westwood, 1852 (with type species Megacephala bifasciata) is confirmed as a junior synonym of Phaeoxantha. The results by Naviaux (2008), who rectified commonly confused taxonomy and nomenclature of Phaeoxantha nocturna (Dejean, 1831) and P. laminata (Perty, 1830) versus P. limata, based on Megacephala limata Perty, 1833 which is an unjustified emendation by Perty (1833) in Perty (18301833), are confirmed the date of the unjustified emendation is newly rectified here. Megacephala laminata Perty, 1830 is confirmed as the type species of Phaeoxantha. Lectotype of Megacephala nocturna Dejean, 1831 is designated here, based on syntypes from the Dejean-Chaudoir collection in MNHN. The genus is subdivided here into two clearly differentiated subgenera: Phaeoxantha (Phaeoxantha) and Phaeoxantha (Euphaeoxantha) subgen. nov. The nominotypical subgenus is represented by Phaeoxantha laminata (Perty, 1830), P. (P.) nocturna (Dejean, 1831), P. (P.) nocturna crassipunctata ssp. nov., P. (P.) paranocturna sp. nov., P. (P.) epipleuralis W. Horn, 1923, P. (P.) tremolerasi (W. Horn, 1909), P. (P.) cruciata (Brull, 1837) and P. (P.) bifasciata (Brull, 1837). The latter, based on Megacephala bifasciata Brull, 1837, was published by Brull in order to rectify the concept of Megacephala aequinoctialis sensu auctorum, (primarily sensu Dejean 1825, 1833, 1836), which has been commonly yet incorrectly treated in literature as Phaeoxantha aequinoctialis aequinoctialis (Dejean, 1825). Although Dejean (1825) clearly characterized the same Megacephala species, his act cannot be interpreted as a valid description under Article 12 of the ICZN (1999), because he explicitly referred to the publications by Linnaeus (1763) and redescription by Fabricius (1775). Therefore, his act must be interpreted as a misidentification and subsequent usage of the name Cicindela aequinoctialis Linnaeus, 1763, which is in fact a bombardier beetle (Brachinini, Carabidae), presently known as Pheropsophus aequinoctialis (Linnaeus, 1763), misidentified by Dejean as Megacephala. In contrast, the name Megacephala bifasciata Brull, 1837 was validly published, supported by a rather appropriate illustration and preserved type specimen, being also in common use to the present day; therefore, the confused name aequinoctialis cannot be preserved and is considered an unavailable name being excluded here from Megacephalini and Cicindelidae. The new subgenus Phaeoxantha (Euphaeoxantha) subgen nov. (type species Megacephala testudinea Klug, 1834) comprises following five species: P. (E.) testudinea (Klug, 1834), P. (E.) klugii (Chaudoir, 1850), P. (E.) bucephala (W. Horn, 1909), P. (E.) wimmeri (Mandl, 1958) and P. (E.) lindemannae (Mandl, 1964). Keys to the two subgenera and to their species, descriptions or differential diagnoses and colour photographs of the habitus and of characters of available type specimens of all species of the genus, as well as the variability and characters of individual populations, are presented and their distribution discussed.

New or rare Madagascar tiger beetles26. A new species of the genus Pogonostoma Klug from northwestern Madagascar and a revised key to the Pogonostoma (P.) srnkai species-group (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

A new species of the genus Pogonostoma Klug, 1835, P. (Pogonostoma) mahimborondrense Moravec Wiesner sp. nov. is described as new to science from the Mahimborondro protected area in Northern Highlands, northwestern Madagascar. By its unique complex of diagnostic characters, the new species is incomparable to any other species within the genus. It is placed here into the Pogonostoma (P.) srnkai species-group (in the concept presented in the monograph of the genus by Moravec 2007). A revised key to species of the species-group is presented in order to supplement the key in the monograph. Habitus and diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated in colour photographs. Maps and photos of the occurrence of the new species in Mahimborondro are also presented.

New or rare Madagascar tiger beetles25. Pogonostoma (Microstenocera) borisbubeniki sp. nov., compared to P. (M.) andreevae Moravec, 2007 and a revised key to the species-group (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

Pogonostoma (Microstenocera) borisbubeniki sp. nov., is described from the Ambohitantely Special Reserve on the north-eastern edge of the Central Highlands, Madagascar. The new species is compared to the externally similar P. (Microstenocera) andreevae Moravec, 2007, and both are treated as members of the P. (Microstenocera) fleutiauxi species-group (as proposed in the monograph of the genus Pogonostoma Klug, 1835 by Moravec 2007). A revised key to species of the species-group is presented to supplement the key in the monograph. Habitus and diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated in colour photographs. Not-yet-published photographs of a male allotype of P. (M.) andreevae and important diagnostic characters of this similar species, including those of one newly caught female, are provided to complete the illustrations published previously in the monograph. The habitat and ecology of the new species with essential maps of disjunct distributions of the two species are also presented.

New or rare Madagascar tiger beetles23. Physodeutera (Toxoma) lokobensis sp. nov., a new species close to Ph. (T.) conturbata Moravec, Ph. (T.) sulcoprothoracica (W. Horn) and Ph. (T.) dubia (Maan), with revised type designation of the latter (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

Physodeutera (Toxoma) lokobensis sp. nov. is described as new to science from the island of Nosy Be, northern Madagascar (phytogeographically Sambirano). The new species is morphologically similar and obviously close to Physodeutera (T.) conturbata Moravec, 2002, Ph. (T.) sulcoprothoracica (W. Horn, 1913), and Ph. (T.) dubia (Maan, 1942). Redescriptions and new illustrations of the type specimens of the three similar species with references to their original descriptions and redescriptions with illustrations in the monograph of the genus Physodeutera Lacordaire, 1842 (Moravec 2002a) are presented. The type designation of Ph. (T.) dubia has been revised to rectify the misinterpreted designation in the monograph. A revised key to the subgenus Toxoma Rivalier, 1967 and essential maps of the distribution are also given.

Taxonomic and nomenclatorial revision within the Neotropical genera of the subtribe Odontocheilina W. Horn in a new sense24. Odontocheila paraexcisipenis sp. nov., a new species of the O. cajennensis species-group (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

A new species of the genus Odontocheila Laporte de Castelnau, 1834 is described from Venezuela as Odontocheila paraexcisipenis sp. nov. It is classified as a further species of the large O. cajennensis species-group and described subsequent to the recently published revision of the genus (Moravec (2018). Illustrations of the habitus, diagnostic characters and variability of the new species and distinguishing characters of similar species are presented in colour photographs. Revised key to species of the O. cajennensis species-group is presented with references to descriptions and illustrations of other species of the species-group in the above-cited taxonomic revision of the genus. An essential map of distribution is also given.

New or rare Madagascar tiger beetles24. Pogonostoma (Microgeniatum) signifemorale sp. nov. with revised key to species of the subgenus Microgeniatum Rivalier (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

Pogonostoma (Microgeniatum) signifemorale sp. nov., based on a male holotype caught recently in the Ankarafantsika National Park (northwestern Madagascar), is described as new to science. The new species is immediately distinguished from other three hitherto known species of the subgenus Microgeniatum Rivalier, 1970, including a somewhat similar P. (Microgeniatum) infimum Rivalier, 1970. Consequently, a revised differential diagnosis and a revised key to species of the subgenus are presented in order to supplement the key and diagnosis in the monograph of the genus Pogonostoma Klug, 1835 by Moravec (2007). The male holotype is illustrated in colour photographs of its habitus and diagnostic characters with references to the illustrations of the other three species of the subgenus in the monograph of the genus (Moravec 2007). The habitat and ecology of the new species, as well as essential maps of known distribution of the subgenus, are also presented.

Neogene climatic oscillations shape the biogeography and evolutionary history of the Eurasian blindsnake.

Typhlops vermicularis is the only extant scolecophidian representative occurring in Europe. Its main distribution area, the eastern Mediterranean, has a complicated geological and climatic history that has left an imprint on the phylogenies and biogeography of many taxa, especially amphibians and reptiles. Since reptiles are sensitive indicators of palaeogeographical and palaeoclimatic events, we investigated the intraspecific genealogy of T. vermicularis in a phylogeographical framework. A total of 130 specimens were analyzed, while the use of formalin and ethanol as preservatives called for a special treatment of the samples. Partial sequences of two mitochondrial (12S and ND2) and one nuclear (PRLR) marker were targeted and the results of the phylogenetic analyses (NJ, ML and BI) and the parsimony-network revealed the existence of 10 evolutionary significant units within this species. In combination with the results of the dispersal-vicariance analysis, we may conclude that the Eurasian blindsnake has encountered a sequence of extinction events, followed by secondary expansion from refugia. Estimation of divergence times showed that severe climatic changes between significantly wetter and drier conditions in the Late Neogene have played a key role on the evolutionary and biogeographical history of T. vermicularis. Additionally, both markers (mtDNA and nDNA) distinguished a largely-differentiated evolutionary lineage (Jordan and south Syria), which could even be reckoned as a full species. Our study reveals the existence of cryptic evolutionary lineages within T. vermicularis, which calls for further attention both on the protection of intraspecific varieties and the respective geographic areas that hold them.

Mitochondrial DNA reveals the genealogical history of the snake-eyed lizards (Ophisops elegans and O. occidentalis) (Sauria: Lacertidae).

The snake-eyed lizards of the genus Ophisops (Lacertidae) have been through a series of taxonomical revisions, but still their phylogenetic relationships remain uncertain. In the present study we estimate the phylogeographic structure of O. elegans across its distributional range and we evaluate the relationships between O. elegans and the sympatric, in North Africa, species O. occidentalis, using partial mtDNA sequences (16S rRNA, COI, and cyt b). All phylogenetic analyses produced topologically identical trees where extant populations of O. elegans and O. occidentalis were found polyphyletic. Taking into account all the potential causes of polyphyly (introgressive hybridization, incomplete lineage sorting, and imperfect taxonomy) we suggest the inaccurate taxonomy as the most likely explanation for the observed pattern. Our results stress the need for re-evaluation of the current taxonomical status of these species and their subspecies. Furthermore, our biogeographic analyses and the estimated time of divergences suggest a late Miocene diversification within these species, where the present distribution of O. elegans and O. occidentalis was the result of several dispersal and vicariant events, which are associated with climatic oscillations (the late Miocene aridification of Asia and northern Africa) and paleogeographic barriers of late Miocene and Pliocene period.

Leptoconops bezzii (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) parasitizing tortoises Testudo graeca (Testudines: Testudinidae) in mountain ranges of Lebanon and western Syria.

Biting midges of the genus Leptoconops, subgenus Leptoconops (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were repeatedly found parasitizing on spur-thighed tortoises Testudo graeca in western Syria and Lebanon. Collected females were assigned to the species L. bezzii according to their morphological characteristics. Tortoises parasitized by midges were observed throughout the daytime, under mild temperatures, and slight winds, in Mediterranean or stony steppe habitats. Intensity of the infestations ranged from a few specimens up to thousands of midges per tortoise. Midges infested predominantly the tortoises' carapax, finding their approach to the capillaries in the seams between the keratinized scutes. The vector potential of ceratopogonids is discussed.

Noradrenaline synchronizes evoked quantal release at frog neuromuscular junctions.

1. Noradrenaline (NA) increases synaptic efficacy at the frog neuromuscular junction. To test the hypothesis that one of the actions of NA is to shorten the period over which evoked quanta are released, we measured the latencies of focally recorded uniquantal endplate currents (EPCs). 2. NA shortened the release period for evoked quantal release. The interval between the time when responses with minimal delay appeared and the point at which 90 % of all latencies had occurred was shortened in the presence of 1 x 10-5 M NA by about 35 % at 20 C and by about 45 % at 8 C. Inhibitor and agonist experiments showed that NA acts on a beta-adrenoreceptor. 3. The better synchronization of release significantly increased the size of reconstructed multi- quantal EPCs. This suggests that NA facilitates synaptic transmission by making the release of quanta more synchronous. 4. The synchronizing action of NA might potentiate neuromuscular transmission during nerve regeneration, transmitter exhaustion and other extreme physiological states where the quantal content is reduced, such as survival in cold and hibernation.

3-D characterization of ganglion cells of the terminal nerve plexus of rat atrioventricular junction.

Three-dimensional (3-D) morphology of neurons of the terminal nerve plexus of the atrioventricular junction was examined in a scanning electron microscope. Distributions of different cell types encountered as well as their relations to different structures of the atrioventricular specialized tissue were also studied. Most neurons were found disseminated in a thin connective tissue layer separating different segments of the atrioventricular conductive tissue from the interventricular septum. Sometimes, they formed small pluricellular ganglia (up to 5 neurons) but, frequently, they occurred isolated in the terminal ramifications of the intramural nerve plexus of specialized tissue. Some intranodal neurons could also be identified. According to their 3-D morphology, nerve cells of the perinodal ganglionated plexus could be divided into three categories: (1) Large unipolar neurons were scattered throughout the atrioventricular junction. Their long and thin axonal projections were often directed towards the interventricular septum. (2) Large pseudounipolar or bipolar neurons were located at a few specific loci, namely all along the bundle of His and its bifurcation into the right and left bundle branches. Frequently, they occurred solitary and immersed amongst strands of surrounding muscle cells. Only occasional synaptic impacts could be identified on the surface of neuronal bodies of these bipolar neurons. On the other hand, their dendritic varicosities were richly innervated. Due to their irregular shape, intimate association with muscular elements and their topographical superposition with occasional spindle-like structures, these nerve cells recall prospective sensory neurons involved in integration of mechanical and neural stimuli to the heart. (3) Small multipolar interneurons could be identified in the retronodal ganglion and within right and left bundle branches. The present description of morphological heterogeneity of intramural nerve cells agrees with recent morphological and functional classifications of autonomic neurons and supports the idea that, at the level of the atrioventricular junction, a self-governed neuronal network may be operating.

Palmitate oxidation by the mitochondria from volume-overloaded rat hearts.

In this work, an attempt was made to identify the reasons of impaired long-chain fatty acid utilization that was previously described in volume-overloaded rat hearts. The most significant data are the following: (1) The slowing down of long-chain fatty acid oxidation in severely hypertrophied hearts cannot be related to a feedback inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I from an excessive stimulation of glucose oxidation since, because of decreased tissue levels of L-carnitine, glucose oxidation also declines in volume-overloaded hearts. (2) While, in control hearts, the estimated intracellular concentrations of free carnitine are in the range of the respective Km of mitochondrial CPT I, a kinetic limitation of this enzyme could occur in hypertrophied hearts due to a 40% decrease in free carnitine. (3) The impaired palmitate oxidation persists upon the isolation of the mitochondria from these hearts even in presence of saturating concentrations of L-carnitine. In contrast, the rates of the conversion of both palmitoyl-CoA and palmitoylcarnitine into acetyl-CoA are unchanged. (4) The kinetic analyses of palmitoyl-CoA synthase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I reactions do not reveal any differences between the two mitochondrial populations studied. On the other hand, the conversion of palmitate into palmitoylcarnitine proves to be substrate inhibited already at physiological concentrations of exogenous palmitate. The data presented in this work demonstrate that, during the development of severe cardiac hypertrophy, a fragilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane may occur. The functional integrity of this membrane seems to be further deteriorated by increasing concentrations of free fatty acids which gives rise to an impaired cooperation between palmitoyl-CoA synthase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I. In intact myocardium, the utilization of the in situ generated palmitoyl-CoA can be further slowed down by decreased intracellular concentrations of free carnitine.

Control of oxidative metabolism in volume-overloaded rat hearts: effect of propionyl-L-carnitine.

The objective of the present work was the assessment of metabolic events responsible for the improvement of hemodynamic function of volume-overloaded hearts from rats receiving propionyl-L-carnitine. A severe cardiac hypertrophy was induced in 2-mo-old rats by surgical opening of an aortocaval communication. Three months later, during in vitro perfusions with 1.2 mM palmitate, 11 mM glucose, and 10 IU/l insulin, the mechanical performance and overall energy turnover (myocardial O2 consumption) of hypertrophied rat hearts were significantly decreased under conditions of moderate and high workloads. These changes in cardiac energetics paralleled the decrease in total tissue carnitine content and alterations in exogenous palmitate oxidation. The oxidative utilization of glucose was also slightly depressed in volume-overloaded hearts while steady-state glycolysis rates increased, especially in hearts subjected to high mechanical loads. This slowing of metabolic pathways involved in acetyl-CoA generation resulted in decreased NADH availability and in an apparent substrate limitation of oxidative phosphorylation suggested by a failure of cytosolic unbound ADP to drive respiration. Long-term administration of propionyl-L-carnitine normalized the degree of reduction of mitochondrial pyridine nucleotides and improved the kinetics of mitochondrial ATP production in volume-overloaded hearts. The resulting acceleration of energy turnover was essentially related to improved oxidative utilization of glucose, but steady-state palmitate oxidation rates also increased in severely hypertrophied hearts. This concomitant acceleration of glucose and palmitate oxidation may be related to the particular experimental conditions (high exogenous palmitate concentrations, elevated workloads) used in this study. We assume that the increase in intracellular carnitine, together with a stimulation of acetyl-CoA demands related to high workloads, creates conditions that are compatible with the simultaneous relief of pyruvate dehydrogenase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I. The resulting increase in the rate of steady-state ATP production improves, in turn, the mechanical activity of volume-overloaded hearts.

A resistance of head lice (Pediculus capitis) to permethrin in Czech Republic.

An outbreak of pediculosis at primary schools was recorded in the Czech Republic in 1992. Almost 20% of children in some schools were infested. This outbreak can be attributed to the resistance of head lice to permethrin, which has not been mentioned in literature yet. The resistance factors established in three towns range between 2 and 385 and between 5 and 557 for LC50 and LC90 values, respectively. This resistance has developed after exclusive use of pyrethroids lotion and shampoo in the Czech Republic since 1978, and it was accompanied by a cross-resistance to d-phenothrin and bioalethrin. But the susceptibility of head lice to malathion and pirimiphos-methyl in 1992 was very similar to that found in 1981. The lotion containing 0.3% of malathion (Diffusil H92 M) has been fully effective against the resistant lice. When introduced into the practice, it quickly reduced the infestation of children in primary schools. The other lotion and shampoo containing 0.3% and 0.7% of pirimiphos-methyl respectively were found to be effective as well.

Control of oxidative metabolism in volume-overloaded rat hearts: effects of different lipid substrates.

The relationship between intracellular energy parameters and myocardial O2 consumption (VO2) was studied in control and volume-overloaded hearts perfused with different lipid substrates and over a range of left ventricular work loads. In control hearts, a unique linear relationship between log of cytosolic [ATP]/[ADPf].[Pi] (where [ADPf] is concentration of free ADP) and myocardial VO2 was observed between low and high work loads for both fatty acids studied. In volume-overloaded hearts perfused in the presence of exogenous palmitate, the slope of the relationship between log [ATP]/[ADPf].[Pi] and myocardial VO2 was considerably depressed. It would seem that, under these conditions, much of the thermodynamic control of respiratory chain function has been lost. When myocardial VO2 was expressed as a function of cytosolic ADPf, the cytosolic ADPf was not regulatory. This may be related to a substrate limitation of the respiratory chain, as suggested by an excessive oxidation of pyridine nucleotides. When octanoate, instead of palmitate, was used, most of the above limitation of the respiration disappeared. With this substrate, the reduction of mitochondrial pyridine nucleotides in volume-overloaded hearts was similar to that in controls, and the linear relationship between log [ATP]/[ADPf].[Pi] and myocardial VO2 reappeared over the range of work loads studied. The above failure of cytosolic phosphate potential and ADPf to drive respiration when mitochondrial NADH is low fits well with the integrated model of kinetic regulation, as proposed by recent nuclear magnetic resonance studies. our results also indicate that, even at high respiratory rates, free-energy change of ATP synthesis of volume-overloaded hearts can be protected by use of an appropriate substrate. This, in turn, prevents contractile failure.

Assessment of the cardiostimulant action of propionyl-L-carnitine on chronically volume-overloaded rat hearts.

Chronic volume overload was induced in young rats of Wistar strain by surgical opening of the aorto-caval fistula. Three months later, during in vitro perfusion with exogenous palmitate, left ventricular function and energy turnover (QO2) of hypertrophied hearts were severely depressed. This seemed to be related to impaired long-chain fatty acid utilization, as reflected by decreased 14CO2 production from U-14C-palmitate and decreased tissue levels of L-carnitine. Another group of rats exposed to chronic volume overload was pretreated for 2 weeks before sacrifice with propionyl-L-carnitine (250 mg/kg/day), and the hearts were perfused with 1.2 mM palmitate and 10 mM propionyl-L-carnitine. In this group, both mechanical performance and the oxygen consumption rate were quite comparable to those of untreated controls. On the other hand, tissue levels of L-carnitine were only slightly increased, and the rate of 14CO2 production from U-14C-palmitate was insignificantly improved. This suggests that propionyl-L-carnitine administration promotes the mechanical performance of normoxic volume-overloaded hearts via a mechanism other than improved palmitate utilization. The possibility that propionyl moieties themselves replenish with mitochondrial intermediates of the tricarboxylic cycle (malate, acetyl-CoA) is not excluded.

Fatty acid oxidation and mechanical performance of volume-overloaded rat hearts.

Chronic volume overload was induced in 2-mo-old rats by surgical opening of the aortocaval fistula. Rats were killed 3 mo later and their hearts were atrially perfused. During the perfusions with 1.2 mM palmitate, mechanical performance of volume-overloaded hearts was significantly decreased both under conditions of a moderate work load and, mainly, after the clamp of the aortic outflow line. Respective O2 consumption rates as well as the rates of 14CO2 production from [U-14C]palmitate were decreased to the same extent. When 2.4 mM octanoate was used as the exogenous substrate, both the O2 consumption rates and the rates of CO2 production of volume-overloaded hearts became comparable to those of control hearts perfused with same substrate. Mechanical activity of volume-overloaded hearts returned to control values and remained stable during the entire perfusion period tested. Total tissue L-carnitine was decreased by approximately 30% in volume-overloaded hearts, which may suggest that palmitate oxidation has been limited at the level of carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase. However, our polarographic studies of the respiratory activity of isolated mitochondria indicated that the palmitoylcarnitine translocation proceeds normally. On the other hand, state 3 respiration of the mitochondria from volume-overloaded hearts supplemented with either palmitate or palmitate and L-carnitine was significantly lower than that of control ones. This may suggest that an alteration of the enzymes involved in long-chain fatty acid activation and/or long-chain fatty acyl transfer to L-carnitine has developed under conditions of chronic mechanical overloading of the heart.