Phylogenomics resolves ambiguous relationships within Aciculata (Errantia, Annelida).

Aciculata (Eunicida + Phyllodocida) is among the largest clades of annelids, comprising almost half of the known diversity of all marine annelids. Despite the group's large size and biological importance, most phylogenomic studies on Annelida to date have had a limited sampling of this clade. The phylogenetic placement of many clades within Phyllodocida in particular has remained poorly understood. To resolve the relationships within Aciculata we conducted a large-scale phylogenomic analysis based on 24 transcriptomes (13 new), chosen to represent many family-ranked taxa that have never been included in a broad phylogenomic study. Our sampling also includes several enigmatic taxa with challenging phylogenetic placement, such as Histriobdella, Struwela, Lacydonia, Pilargis and the holopelagic worms Lopadorrhynchus, Travisiopsis and Tomopteris. Our robust phylogeny allows us to name and place some of these problematic clades and has significant implications on the systematics of the group. Within Eunicida we reinstate the names Eunicoidea and Oenonoidea. Within Phyllodocida we delineate Phyllodociformia, Glyceriformia, Nereidiformia, Nephtyiformia and Aphroditiformia. Phyllodociformia now includes: Lacydonia, Typhloscolecidae, Lopadorrhynchidae and Phyllodocidae. Nephtyiformia includes Nephtyidae and Pilargidae. We also broaden the delineation of Glyceriformia to include Sphaerodoridae, Tomopteridae and Glyceroidea (Glyceridae + Goniadidae). Furthermore, our study demonstrates and explores how conflicting, yet highly supported topologies can result from confounding signals in gene trees.

Quantum tunneling and quantum walks as algorithmic resources to solve hard K-SAT instances.

We present a new quantum heuristic algorithm aimed at finding satisfying assignments for hard K-SAT instances using a continuous time quantum walk that explicitly exploits the properties of quantum tunneling. Our algorithm uses a Hamiltonian [Formula: see text] which is specifically constructed to solve a K-SAT instance F. The heuristic algorithm aims at iteratively reducing the Hamming distance between an evolving state [Formula: see text] and a state that represents a satisfying assignment for F. Each iteration consists on the evolution of [Formula: see text] (where j is the iteration number) under [Formula: see text], a measurement that collapses the superposition, a check to see if the post-measurement state satisfies F and in the case it does not, an update to [Formula: see text] for the next iteration. Operator [Formula: see text] describes a continuous time quantum walk over a hypercube graph with potential barriers that makes an evolving state to scatter and mostly follow the shortest tunneling paths with the smaller potentials that lead to a state [Formula: see text] that represents a satisfying assignment for F. The potential barriers in the Hamiltonian [Formula: see text] are constructed through a process that does not require any previous knowledge on the satisfying assignments for the instance F. Due to the topology of [Formula: see text] each iteration is expected to reduce the Hamming distance between each post measurement state and a state [Formula: see text]. If the state [Formula: see text] is not measured after n iterations (the number n of logical variables in the instance F being solved), the algorithm is restarted. Periodic measurements and quantum tunneling also give the possibility of getting out of local minima. Our numerical simulations show a success rate of 0.66 on measuring [Formula: see text] on the first run of the algorithm (i.e., without restarting after n iterations) on thousands of 3-SAT instances of 4, 6, and 10 variables with unique satisfying assignments.

WITHDRAWN: Temperature effects on meristem differentiation and flowering date in tuberose (Agave amica L.).

This article has been withdrawn: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been withdrawn at the request of the editor and publisher. The publisher regrets that an error occurred which led to the premature publication of this paper. This error bears no reflection on the article or its authors. The publisher apologizes to the authors and the readers for this unfortunate error.

Growth and Development of Stevia Cuttings During Propagation with Hormones in Different Months of the Year.

Stevia is an important non-caloric sweetener that has health-beneficial properties. The objective is to evaluate growth, development, and rooting of stevia plants during different seasons of the year using growth hormones. Eight experiments were set up in Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco, Mexico, with three treatments (T): T1, indol-3 butyric acid (IBA) 7.4 mM; T2, alphanaphthylacetamide (ANA) 6.4 mM + IBA 0.3 mM; and T3, control. The variables evaluated were rooted plantlets, plant height, root length, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, root dry weight, leaf area, shoot biomass, total biomass, as well as development and growth indexes. Four samplings were conducted in each experiment. The results show that the most appropriate months for propagating stevia cuttings are February, March, April, May, and July, when 96% to 99% of the cuttings rooted. The hormones had the best results related to production of root development. The control was outstanding only in variables related to production of shoot biomass and not to root development. It is concluded that stevia can be propagated vegetatively using cuttings treated with IBA 7.4 mM or ANA 6.4 mM + IBA 0.3 mM, preferable in the period from February to July, with the exception of June.

On the pea crabs found in the chiton Tonicia chilensis (Frembly, 1827) (Mollusca, Polyplacophora: Chitonidae) identified as "Orthotheres sp." by Melzer Schwabe (2008), and its reassignment to Calyptraeotheres Campos, 1990 (Crustacea: Pinnotheridae).

Crabs of the family Pinnotheridae have been considered a phylogenetically heterogeneous group and taxonomically problematic (Palacios-Theil 2009, 2016; Tsang et al. 2018). The lack of knowledge of sexual dimorphism and morphological variation throughout the life history for many species have complicated its taxonomy and has resulted in errors in its classification (Campos 1989, 1993, 2016). Consequently, if the taxonomy of these symbiotic crabs had been based on juveniles and undeveloped character states, the problems get even more serious (Campos 1989, 1993). Melzer Schwabe (2008) studied three juvenile crabs living in the chiton Tonicia chilensis (Frembly, 1827) (Polyplacophora: Chitonidae) collected in Muelle Dichato, Chile, and they identified them as the putative invasive stage of a species of Orthotheres Sakai, 1969. The crabs are of the typical juvenile pinnotherid form with a masculine habitus, including a suborbicular carapace, large eyes and a slender pleon (= abdomen) with the telson well defined (Ocampo et al. 2017). Unpublished observations on juveniles and adults of several species of pinnotherid crabs by the author, for example, Juxtafabia muliniarum (Rathbun, 1918), Dissodactylus lockingtoni Glassell, 1935, D. xantusi Glassell, 1936, Calyptraeotheres granti (Glassell, 1933), Austinotheres angelicus (Lockington, 1877) and Tumidotheres margarita (Smith, 1870) have revealed that the third maxilliped exhibit little morphological variation through the post-larval stages of development (from juvenile to adult). This appendage, including the partial or total fusion of the ischium and merus (Fig. 1A-G; Fig 2A, C-G), has been considered a valuable feature for distinguishing genera in the family Pinnotheridae (Bürger 1895; Rathbun 1918; Manning 1993; Ahyong Ng 2007; Campos 2009). According to Melzer Schwabe (2008) the ischium and merus of the third maxilliped are completely fused, the carpus is larger than the propodus and the small dactylus is subterminally inserted on the propodus (Fig 1C), and as such the juveniles studied are possibly members of the genus Orthotheres Sakai, 1969. A detailed re-examination of the third maxilliped, chela of pereiopod 1 (cheliped) and pleon, however, has shown otherwise. Campos (1989) discussed the taxonomy of Orthotheres and treated all the species he recognised as belonging to this genus; characterising its members by its diagnostic third maxilliped palp structure. Ng Ho (2014) rediagnosed the genus based on the type species, O. turboe Sakai, 1969, from Japan, and restricted it for three Indo-West Pacific species; commenting that the American species as well as some Indo-West Pacific taxa will need to referred to other genera when a full revision is done. This revision is now in progress by the author, PKL Ng and ST Ahyong. Until the revision is complete, the genus is treated here in the broader sense of Campos (1989) and Geiger Martin (1999).

A new pea crab species of the genus Arcotheres Manning, 1993 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) from India.

A new species of pinnotherid crab, Arcotheres shahi n. sp., is described on the basis of specimens collected during a crustacean survey along the coastal areas of Pamban fishing harbor in the Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu state, east coast of India. The new species resembles A. pernicola (Bürger, 1895), A. winckworthi (Gordon, 1936) and A. rayi Ahyong Ng, 2007, in having the dactyli of the longer fourth pereopod longer than that of fifth pereopod. Arcotheres shahi n. sp. differs from these three known species in the shape of female carapace, frontal region and chela, setal pattern on the dactyli of the fourth and fifth pereopods and relative length of the ambulatory pereiopods.

Application of in Casa Pollination and Embryo Rescue Techniques for Breeding of Agave Species.

Species of the genus Agave are distributed originally in the tropical and subtropical areas of the American continent with about 200 taxa and 136 species, and its center of origin is probably limited to México. These kind of plants usually grow and live in extreme environmental conditions such as heat and drought where their CAM pathway for fixing CO2 allow them to survive in conditions where other plants cannot survive. Although this kind of plants resist harsh environmental conditions, climate change is imposing stronger kinds of stress that diminish their productive potential and in some cases are cause of death. Because of this, genetic improvement becomes a need of fundamental importance in this kind of species. Despite their economic importance, Agave species have received scarce attention with regard to its genetic improvement, probably due to their unique botanical features such as plant architecture, spines, long life span, and monocarpy, among others, which make hybridization a difficult task for the intra- and interspecific gene transfer and creation of genetic variability among many other breeding techniques.The protocol here presented is a combination of a novel hybridization technique and biotechnological tools, and allows the use of several procedures for the genetic improvement of agaves such as pollen selection, clonal selection, and somatic cell selection, among others, since the rescued embryos can be used for micropropagation, for phenotype/genotype selection or the production of cell lineages for diverse genetic improvement purposes.

The Pinnotheridae of the northeastern Pacific (Alaska to Mexico): zoogeographical remarks and new bivalve hosts (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae).

New bivalve host records for four pinnotherid crabs of the Mexican Pacific are reported: Fabia subquadrata Dana, 1851, in Modiolus capax (Conrad, 1837); Opisthopus transversus Rathbun, 1893, in Tivela stultorum (Mawe, 1823); Pinnaxodes gigas (Green, 1992), in Pinna rugosa (Sowerby, 1835), and Panopea generosa Gould, 1850; and Tumidotheres margarita (Smith, 1870), in Nodipecten subnodosus (Sowerby, 1835). The southernmost distribution of F. subquadrata is extended to about 600 km along the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula; the distribution of P. gigas is extended outside the Gulf of California more than 1000 km north to San Quintín, on the west coast of Baja California; and the range of T. margarita is restricted on the west coast of Baja California to Scammon´s Lagoon, Baja California Sur and Playa Kino Viejo, Sonora in the central region of the Gulf of California, Mexico to Panama. Based on the new material, new information on taxonomy, ecology, and life history is provided for each of these species. Pinnotheres nudus Holmes, 1895 is restored as a valid species and is removed from its synonymy with O. transversus. An updated checklist with remarks on zoogeography for the 60 pinnotherid species, included in 23 genera, of the northeastern Pacific region (Alaska to the Mexican tropical Pacific) is given.

Effect of freeze-drying and production process on the chemical composition and fatty acids profile of avocado pulp / Efecto del liofilizado y del proceso de producción en la composición química y el perfil de ácidos grasos de la pulpa de aguacate

Freeze-drying technology is the best dehydration process to preserve shelf-life and allowing avocado to maintain its sensorial and nutritional characteristics. The aim of this work was to determine if the freeze-drying and production condition have an effect on the nutritional quality of the avocado pulp grown in rain-fed and irrigation orchards. Four treatments were applied: non-freeze-dried rain-fed fruits, non-freeze-dried irrigation fruits, freeze-dried rain-fed fruits and freeze-dried irrigation fruits. Results showed that the fruit is made up of 71.4%, 16%, and 12.6% pulp, seed and skin, respectively. The pulp is made up of 71.51%, 19.96%, 2.81%, 0.51% and 1.51% water, lipids, ashes, crude fiber and protein, respectively. Avocado oil is composed by 61%, 18.8%, 11.6% and 7% oleic, palmitic, linoleic, and palmitoleic fatty acids, respectively. The freeze-drying decreased the linoleic acid by 1.43 g/100g. Under rain-fed conditions 4% and 13% less total fat and oleic fatty acid are produced than in irrigation conditions. We conclude that freeze-dried avocado pulp shows slight changes in their nutritional quality.

La tecnología de liofilización es el mejor proceso de deshidratación para mantener mayor vida de anaquel y conservar las propiedades nutricionales y sensoriales de la pulpa del aguacate. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si el liofilizado y condición de producción tienen un efecto sobre la calidad nutrimental de la pulpa de aguacate cultivado en huertas de riego y temporal. Se aplicaron 4 tratamientos: frutos de temporal no liofilizado, frutos de riego no liofilizado, frutos liofilizados de temporal y frutos liofilizados de riego. Los resultados muestran que el fruto está compuesto por 71.39, 16 y 12.6% de pulpa, hueso y cascara respectivamente. La pulpa está compuesta por 71.51, 19.96, 2.81, 0.51 y 1.5 % de humedad, lípidos, cenizas, fibra cruda y proteína, respectivamente. El aceite del aguacate está constituido de 61. 18.8, 11.6 y 7% de ácidos grasos oleico, palmítico, linoléico y palmitoleico, respectivamente. El liofilizado disminuyó 1.43 g/100 g de ácido linoléico. Bajo condiciones de temporal se produce 4 y 13% menos grasa total y ácido graso oleico que en condiciones de riego. Se concluye que la pulpa del aguacate liofilizada presenta ligeros cambios en su calidad nutrimental.

Pinnotheres orcutti Rathbun, 1918, a new Eastern Tropical Pacific species of Tumidotheres Campos, 1989 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae).

The lack of a protuberance in the basal antennal article in the holotype of Pinnotheres orcutti Rathbun, 1918, allows its removal from Pinnotheres Bosc, 1802 [type species, P. pisumn (Linnaeus, 1767)]. The species is instead included in Tumidotheres Campos, 1989, because of the presence of a thick, tumid and firm carapace, and its surface covered with a short, dense, and deciduous tomentum; the third maxilliped having a propodus larger than the carpus; and the presence of a subspatulate dactylus of the third maxilliped medially inserted into a notch on the ventral margin of the propodus. Tumidotheres orcutti new combination can be separated from its sole Pacific Ocean congener, T. margarita Smith, 1870, by its unique dentition on the inner margin of the cheliped pollex, which is armed with a blunt proximal lobe and a row of small teeth, the two distal teeth being conspicuously the largest. In contrast, the pollex dentition of T. margarita consists of very small teeth, all similar in size.

Remarks on the sexual dimorphism and taxonomy of Fabia Dana, 1851 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae).

A study of the holotype of Pinnotheres hemphilli Rathbun, 1918, revealed it is an early post-hard female, not a male, of Fabia Dana, 1851. The morphology of Pinnotheres emiliai Melo, 1971 (based on a male specimen) and Fabia insularis Melo, 1971 (based on a female specimen) confirm earlier hypothesis that they belong to a sexually dimorphic species that should be known as F. emiliai (Melo, 1971). The redescription of the holotype of Fabia felderi Gore, 1986, supports its generic assignment and its relationship with F. emiliai. The implication of sexual dimorphism and intersexes in the taxonomy of Fabia is discussed.

Diversity and ecological remarks of ectocommensals and ectoparasites (Annelida, Crustacea, Mollusca) of echinoids (Echinoidea: Mellitidae) in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico.

The diversity of symbiotic invertebrates on intertidal and shallow water echinoids of the northwestern Gulf of California was studied. Five ectosymbionts were found: three pinnotherid crabs, Dissodactylus lockingtoni Glassell (1935), Dissodactylus nitidus Smith (1870), and Dissodactylus xanthusi Glassell (1936); one eulimid gastropod, Turveria encopendema Berry (1956); and one polychaete, Struwela sp. We discovered seasonal fluctuation in D. nitidus Smith (1870) and D. xanthusi Glassell (1936), which result in these species being undetectable during the winter season when the temperature in the head of the Gulf of California drops to 14-18 degrees C; the rest of the species are permanent residents in this area. An updated list of all external macrosymbionts of echinoids of the Mexican Pacific is presented.

Characterization of mandarin (citrus spp): using morphological and afpl markers

Se evaluaron 63 cultivares de mandarina (Citrus spp.) provenientes de la colección del Campo Citrícola Experimental Francisco Villa, Tamaulipas, México, usando marcadores morfológicos y AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism). Se usaron 20 caracteres cuantitativos y 10 cualitativos de hojas, flores y frutos. Las mejores combinaciones de iniciadores AFLP fueron la Mse +CAG más Eco +ACA, y Mse +CAA más Eco +AGG, dando un total de 109 bandas con un 86 por ciento de polimorfismo. Tanto los marcadores morfológicos como los moleculares mostraron un alto grado de variación entre los individuos analizados, lo que indica una importante fuente de diversidad genética que puede ser utilizada en futuros programas de mejoramiento genético. Aunque la comparación de los datos morfológicos y moleculares usando la prueba de Mantel no mostró una correlación significativa (r= 0.31), ambas técnicas parecen ser complementarias para la caracterización de mandarinas