Morphology, DNA barcoding and seasonal occurrence of Ergasilus lizae Krøyer, 1863 (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) parasitizing mullets from northwestern Mexico.

Ergasilus lizae Krøyer, 1863 is a parasitic copepod known to infect mullets (Mugilidae) in different parts of the world. It was originally reported from the east coast of North America, but the original description lacks enough detail, making identification with this information difficult. In this study, we provide a redescription of E. lizae found on Mugil curema Valenciennes and M. cephalus Linnaeus, caught in two coastal lagoons of northwestern Mexico during two climatic seasons: warm/rainy and cold/dry. The prevalence of this parasite was higher in the warm season than in the cold season. To facilitate the species identification, new sequences of the barcoding gene (COI mtDNA) of E. lizae were generated and compared against unpublished sequences of E. lizae available in the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). Our results suggest that the sequences of BOLD possibly belong to a species misidentified as E. lizae.

Caligusselenecola sp. nov. (Siphonostomatoida, Caligidae) parasitic on the hairfin lookdown Selenebrevoortii (Gill) from the Gulf of California, Mexico, with some comments on Caritustolii Rangnekar, 1984.

Specimens of a caligid copepod (Siphonostomatoida) were found on the gills of the hairfin lookdown Selenebrevoortii (Gill) (Carangidae) from off Mazatlán, Sinaloa (north-western Mexico). This material represents a new species of Caligus, C.selenecola sp. nov., and is assigned to the diaphanus species group. Within this group, only C.kapuhili Lewis, 1967, C.laticaudus Shiino, 1960, C.macrurus Heller, 1865, and C.selenecola sp. nov., have been described with a reduced outer spine 1 on the second exopodal segment of leg 1. These four species can be readily separated by the relative length of the abdomen, and the presence/absence of a process on the myxal area of the female maxilliped, the sternal furca, the postantennal process, and the spiniform process on the basal antennary segment. A full description of the new species is given with some comments on Caritustolii Rangnekar, 1984.

A new species of Neotropiconyttus Kirkaldy (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in a cacao plantation from the Colombian Napo Province, including a key to species, and taxonomic notes of the genus.

A new species of the genus Neotropiconyttus Kirkaldy, 1909 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae: Harpactorini) is described and illustrated. Neotropiconyttusarmandoi Gamboa & Gil-Santana, sp. nov. represents the first record of the genus for the Province of Napo in Colombia, and the first description of a male individual in the genus. The male specimen representing the new species was collected on a leaf of cacao (Theobromacacao L.-Malvaceae). Its remarkable similarity in external coloration and structure with that of the true bug Monaloniondissimulatum Distant, 1883 (Hemiptera: Miridae) inhabiting cacao agroforestry systems suggests that the new species could be part of a mimetic complex that incorporates phytophagous and predator bugs. Comments and figures of type specimens of Neotropiconyttusalboannulatus (Stål, 1855) and Neotropiconyttusdama (Burmeister, 1838), and a key to the species of the genus are also provided.

Proteomic analysis of Neobenedenia sp. and Rhabdosynochus viridisi (Monogenea, Monopisthocotylea): Insights into potential vaccine targets and diagnostic markers for finfish aquaculture.

Monogeneans are parasitic flatworms that represent a significant threat to the aquaculture industry. Species like Neobenedenia melleni (Capsalidae) and Rhabdosynochus viridisi (Diplectanidae) have been identified as causing diseases in farmed fish. In the past years, molecular research on monogeneans of the subclass Monopisthocotylea has focused on the generation of genomic and transcriptomic information and the identification in silico of some protein families of veterinary interest. Proteomic analysis has been suggested as a powerful tool to investigate proteins in parasites and identify potential targets for vaccine development and diagnosis. To date, the proteomic dataset for monogeneans has been restricted to a species of the subclass Polyopisthocotylea, while in monopisthocotyleans there is no proteomic data. In this study, we present the first proteomic data on two monopisthocotylean species, Neobenedenia sp. and R. viridisi, obtained from three distinct sample types: tissue, excretory-secretory products (ESPs), and eggs. A total of 1691 and 1846 expressed proteins were identified in Neobenedenia sp. and R. viridisi, respectively. The actin family was the largest protein family, followed by the tubulin family and the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family. We focused mainly on ESPs because they are important to modulate the host immune system. We identified proteins of the actin, tubulin, HSP70 and HSP90 families in both tissue and ESPs, which have been recognized for their antigenic activities in parasitic flatworms. Furthermore, our study uncovered the presence of proteins within ESPs, such as annexin, calcium-binding protein, fructose bisphosphate aldolase, glutamate dehydrogenase, myoferlin, and paramyosin, that are targets for immunodiagnostic and vaccine development and hold paramount relevance in veterinary medicine. This study expands our knowledge of monogeneans and identified proteins that, in other platyhelminths are potential targets for vaccines and drug discovery.

Low similarity between parasite communities of ten sympatric carangid species.

Host phylogeny and ecological convergence are two factors thought to influence the structure of parasite communities. The aims of this study were to determine the diversity of metazoan parasites of 10 sympatric fish species of the family Carangidae from the southeastern Gulf of California, and to analyze their similarity at infracommunity and component community levels, in order to determine if the host species, particularly those congeneric with similar ecological characteristics, exhibit similar assemblages of parasites. In total, 874 fish specimens were examined and 40 parasite species were identified. The component community was composed by 21 parasite species in Caranx caninus, 20 in C. caballus, 11 in C. vinctus, five in Chloroscombrus orqueta, four in Carangoides otrynter, seven in Hemicaranx leucurus, eight in Selene brevoortii, 14 in S. peruviana, and 11 in Trachinotus rhodopus. The metazoan parasite communities of C. vinctus, Ch. orqueta, H. leucurus, and S. brevoortii are reported here for the first time. The parasite communities of the remaining six carangid species have been reported from regions other than the Gulf of California. All fish species differed significantly regarding the diversity of their parasite infracommunities. This possibly is due to different patterns of habitat use among fish species, and because of the differential host specificity among parasite taxa. Nonetheless, when the analysis was restricted to common parasite species, some fish showed similar parasite infracommunities, particularly congeners of the genus Selene as well as C. caballus and C. vinctus. The component communities of species of Selene were highly similar (>65%), but the three species of Caranx were not. This result supports the hypothesis that congeneric fish species with similar ecological filters harbor similar parasite communities. However, the difference observed between C. caninus and C. caballus suggests that these species, despite being evolutionary and ecologically related, have different physiological or immunological characteristics (compatibility filters) that may result in different parasite communities.

Exploring Evolutionary Relationships within Neodermata Using Putative Orthologous Groups of Proteins, with Emphasis on Peptidases.

The phylogenetic relationships within Neodermata were examined based on putative orthologous groups of proteins (OGPs) from 11 species of Monogenea, Trematoda, and Cestoda. The dataset included OGPs from BUSCO and OMA. Additionally, peptidases were identified and evaluated as phylogenetic markers. Phylogenies were inferred using the maximum likelihood method. A network analysis and a hierarchical grouping analysis of the principal components (HCPC) of orthologous groups of peptidases were performed. The phylogenetic analyses showed the monopisthocotylean monogeneans as the sister-group of cestodes, and the polyopisthocotylean monogeneans as the sister-group of trematodes. However, the sister-group relationship between Monopisthocotylea and Cestoda was not statistically well supported. The network analysis and HCPC also showed a cluster formed by polyopisthocotyleans and trematodes. The present study supports the non-monophyly of Monogenea. An analysis of mutation rates indicated that secreted peptidases and inhibitors, and those with multiple copies, are under positive selection pressure, which could explain the expansion of some families such as C01, C19, I02, and S01. Whilst not definitive, our study presents another point of view in the discussion of the evolution of Neodermata, and we hope that our data drive further discussion and debate on this intriguing topic.

Lepeophtheirus mondacola sp. nov. (Copepoda; Caligidae) parasitic on the shortjaw leatherjacket Oligoplites refulgens (Teleostei; Carangidae) in the Gulf of California, Mexico.

A new species of parasitic copepod, Lepeophtheirus mondacola sp. nov. (Siphonostomatoida; Caligidae), is described based on female and male specimens obtained from the shortjaw leatherjacket Oligoplites refulgens (Actinopterygii; Perciformes; Carangidae), captured in the southeastern Gulf of California off northwestern Mexico. The new species can be separated from its congeners by a combination of characters that includes: adult female with a subquadrate genital complex bearing slightly protruded posterolateral corners, two indistinct somites on the abdomen which, when combined together, is about two times longer than wide, a caudal ramus that is twice as long as it is wide, a postantennal process comprising a stout base and short claw, a dentiform process of the maxillule with two unequal tines, a maxilliped with a stout protopod and subchela, a sternal furca with a pair of bifurcated tines, a leg 3 exopod composed of 2 segments, five setae on the distal endopodal segment of leg 3 and a leg 4 exopod composed of three segments and armed with one long and two short apical spines on the distal exopodal segment; adult male with a suborbicular genital complex, an abdomen composed of one short and one long, indistinctly separated somites, a caudal ramus that is twice as long as it is wide, a stout postantennal process, a small triangular process at the base of the inner tine of the maxillulary dentiform process and a 3-segmented exopod on leg 4. Lepeophtheirus mondacola sp. nov. represents the first record of a species of Lepeophtheirus from a member of Oligoplites and the second caligid species reported from O. refulgens.

Redescription of Lernaeenicus longiventris Wilson, 1917 (Copepoda: Pennellidae) Parasitic on the Pacific Crevalle Jack Caranx caninus (Carangidae) Through Morphological and Molecular Analyses.

PURPOSE: The present study deals with a redescription of the copepod Lernaeenicus longiventris Wilson, 1917 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Pennellidae) found on the Pacific crevalle jack Caranx caninus Günther, using morphological and molecular analyses. METHODS: Fish were collected off Mazatlán Port (23° 12' N, 106° 26' W), in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico (southeastern Gulf of California). The copepods were morphologically analyzed by light microscopy. Sequences of the COI mtDNA gene were generated for the first time for this species. These sequences were compared to COI sequences from six species of Lernaeenicus available in GenBank. RESULTS: The specimens of the present study exhibited a cephalosome without apparent lateral processes, which were originally described for L. longiventris. No remarkable differences were observed with previous descriptions regarding appendages and body proportions. The phylogenetic tree based on COI sequences showed that L. longiventris was closer to L. radiatus although with low bootstrap values support in ML tree, both species formed a sister clade of L. sprattae. CONCLUSIONS: Lernaeenicus longiventris is the unique species of the genus in the Mexican Pacific and the Gulf of California, and also the unique species of Lernaeenicus infecting C. caninus. Molecular data of L. longiventris from host and locality type are required to avoid misidentification of this species.

A taxonomic synopsis of the Eccritotarsini (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae) of Colombia.

Eccritotarsini (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae) is a group of predominantly phytophagous true bugs, with 650 known species described in 112 genera worldwide. It is the most specious tribe within the subfamily, which is distributed primarily in the Neotropics. Previous studies of Eccritotarsini in Colombia recorded 13 genera and 30 species. In this work, utilizing material from five Colombian and two Brazilian insect collections, we examined 700 specimens representing species of the tribe from Colombia. Our study confirmed all previous records of genera and 20 out of 30 previous species for the country and include new records of 10 genera and 8 species. Moreover, we provide taxonomic keys, relevant diagnoses, and illustrations for adults. Additionally, we offer names of both related and host plant species, and the geographic distribution for each species.

Manifestaciones craneofaciales en pacientes con osteodistrofia renal / Craneofacial manifestaciones in patients with renal osteodystrophy

Introducción: La osteodistrofia renal es una osteopatía metabólica difusa, relacionada con la insuficiencia renal crónica, que incluye diversas patologías en el sistema musculoesquelético. Se produce en respuesta a trastornos metabólicos generados por cambios electrolíticos, la inflamación crónica y la alteración hormonal. Estas variaciones modifican el proceso de remodelación ósea. Las manifestaciones clínicas incluyen alteración en el parénquima y estroma óseo, y van desde lesiones expansivas, produciendo deformidad, hasta fracturas patológicas del hueso. Objetivo: Relacionar las manifestaciones clínicas, imagenológicas e histológicas en el componente óseo cráneo facial para el diagnóstico de la osteodistrofia renal. Presentación de caso: Se presentan dos casos clínicos de pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica e hiperparatiroidismo secundario de base, con múltiples masas en maxilares que causan asimetría facial y alteración funcional. Las imágenes tomográficas revelan alteración en la morfología ósea cortical y trabecular. Ambos individuos evidenciaron alteraciones en niveles de hormona paratiroidea, fosfatasa alcalina, fósforo y calcio sérico. La histopatología comprobó tejido fibroóseo con hueso neoformado y gran vascularización, con células multinucleadas tipo osteoclastos sin presencia de hemosiderina. Pacientes manejados de forma interdisciplinaria entre medicina interna, endocrinología y cirugía maxilofacial. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica avanzada presentan alteración de la estructura y del metabolismo óseo y mineral. Tal situación puede comprometer el complejo óseo craneofacial. Los casos graves de osteodistrofia renal se caracterizan por una marcada expansión de los maxilares, que genera asimetría y rasgos de leontiasis. Las imágenes tomográficas asociadas a osteodistrofia renal presentan óseos trabeculares con expansión de cortical, que evidencia el recambio óseo inmaduro presente. La histopatología no es específica y puede ser similar a los casos de displasia ósea craneofacial. Ante lo anteriormente planteado es fundamental relacionar estos hallazgos con la clínica para definir un diagnóstico adecuado(AU)

(AU)Introduction: Renal osteodystrophy is a diffuse metabolic osteopathy, related to chronic renal failure, which includes various pathologies in the musculoskeletal system. It occurs in response to metabolic disorders generated by electrolyte changes, chronic inflammation and hormonal alteration. These variations modify the process of bone remodeling. Clinical manifestations include alteration in the parenchyma and bone stroma, and range from expansive lesions, producing deformity, to pathological fractures of the bone. Objective: Relate the clinical, imaging and histological manifestations in the skull-facial bone component for the diagnosis of renal osteodystrophy. Case Presentation: Two clinical cases of patients with chronic kidney disease and secondary underlying hyperparathyroidism are presented, with multiple masses in the jaws that cause facial asymmetry and functional alteration. Tomographic images reveal alteration in cortical and trabecular bone morphology. Both individuals showed alterations in levels of parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus and serum calcium. Histopathology verified fibro-bone tissue with neoformed bone and great vascularization, with multinucleated osteoclast-like cells without the presence of hemosiderin. Patients were attended in an interdisciplinary way between internal medicine, endocrinology and maxillofacial surgery. Conclusions: Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease present alteration of the structure and bone and mineral metabolism. Such a situation can compromise the craniofacial bone complex. Severe cases of renal osteodystrophy are characterized by a marked expansion of the jaws, which generates asymmetry and traits of leonthiasis. The tomographic images associated with renal osteodystrophy present trabecular bones with cortical expansion, which evidences the immature bone turnover present. Histopathology is not specific and may be similar to cases of craniofacial bone dysplasia. Given the above, it is essential to relate these findings to the clinic to define an adequate diagnosis(AU)

cDNA Characterization and Expression of Selenium-Dependent CqGPx3 Isoforms in the Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus under High Temperature and Hypoxia.

Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) is the only extracellular selenoprotein (Sel) that enzymatically reduces H2O2 to H2O and O2. Two GPx3 (CqGPx3) cDNAs were characterized from crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus. The nerve cord CqGPx3a isoform encodes for a preprotein containing an N-terminal signal peptide of 32 amino acid residues, with the mature Sel region of 192 residues and a dispensable phosphorylation domain of 36 residues. In contrast, the pereiopods CqGPx3b codes for a precursor protein with 19 residues in the N-terminal signal peptide, then the mature 184 amino acid residues protein and finally a Pro-rich peptide of 42 residues. CqGPx3 are expressed in cerebral ganglia, pereiopods and nerve cord. CqGPx3a is expressed mainly in cerebral ganglia, antennulae and nerve cord, while CqGPx3b was detected mainly in pereiopods. CqGPx3a expression increases with high temperature and hypoxia; meanwhile, CqGPx3b is not affected. We report the presence and differential expression of GPx3 isoforms in crustacean tissues in normal conditions and under stress for high temperature and hypoxia. The two isoforms are tissue specific and condition specific, which could indicate an important role of CqGPx3a in the central nervous system and CqGPx3b in exposed tissues, both involved in different responses to environmental stressors.

Frequency and polarization emission properties of a photon-pair source based on a photonic crystal fiber.

In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a photon-pair source with correlations in the frequency and polarization degrees of freedom. We base our source on the spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) process in a photonic crystal fiber. We show theoretically that the two-photon state is the coherent superposition of up to six distinct SFWM processes, each corresponding to a distinct combination of polarizations for the four waves involved and giving rise to an energy-conserving pair of peaks. Our experimental measurements, both in terms of single and coincidence counts, confirm the presence of these pairs of peaks, while we also present related numerical simulations with excellent experiment-theory agreement. We explicitly show how the pump frequency and polarization may be used to effectively control the signal-idler photon-pair properties, defining which of the six processes can participate in the overall two-photon state and at which optical frequencies. We analyze the signal-idler correlations in frequency and polarization, and in terms of fiber characterization, we input the SFWM-peak experimental data into a genetic algorithm which successfully predicts the values of the parameters that characterize the fiber cross section, as well as predict the particular SFWM process associated with a given pair of peaks. We believe our work will help advance the exploitation of photon-pair correlations in the frequency and polarization degrees of freedom.

Can Rubber Crop Systems Recover Termite Diversity in Previously Degraded Pastures in the Colombian Amazon Region?

Livestock production extension in Amazon has caused deforestation and soil degradation, with negative consequences on diversity and environmental services. Recently, rubber crops have been established in deteriorated soils of the Colombian Amazon as an option to restore hectares of unproductive degraded pastures. Bioindicator insects, such as termites, have been used to assess soil quality and fertility restoration. This study evaluated differences in termite abundance, species richness, and community composition in three different rubber crop systems as an indirect way of evaluating soil diversity restoring. Three rubber crop systems were sampled: clonal fields (rubber monocultures with different rubber clones), traditional commercial rubber plantations (rubber monocultures with just one rubber clone), and mixed plantations (rubber fields intercropped with copoazú fruit trees). Additionally, pastures in use for livestock production and natural forest relicts were compared to rubber crop systems, to serve as reference habitats. Termites were sampled using a 105-m transect method. Alpha diversity and beta diversity were estimated and compared between rubber crops and reference habitats. A total of 80 termite species belonging to two families were collected. Mixed plantations and pastures presented the lowest diversity rates. Species richness in rubber crop systems was 39% higher than that in pastures and included 72% of the termite species found in natural forests. Indicator species analysis associated soil-feeding termites with less diverse habitats and wood-feeding termites with high diverse habitats. Our results demonstrate that termite recovery will depend on the farming system selected and the agricultural practices implemented in the field, with some rubber crop systems, like commercial rubber plantations and clonal fields, recovering termite diversity better than others, such as mixed plantations.

Molecular detection of equine infectious anemia virus in clinically normal, seronegative horses in an endemic area of Mexico.

Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a highly infectious disease in members of the Equidae family, caused by equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). The disease severity ranges from subclinical to acute or chronic, and causes significant economic losses in the equine industry worldwide. Serologic tests for detection of EIAV infection have some concerns given the prolonged seroconversion time. Therefore, molecular methods are needed to improve surveillance programs for this disease. We attempted detection of EIAV in 6 clinical and 42 non-clinical horses in Nuevo Leon State, Mexico, using the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test for antibody detection, and nested and hemi-nested PCR for detection of proviral DNA. We found that 6 of 6, 5 of 6, and 6 of 6 clinical horses were positive by AGID, nested PCR, and hemi-nested PCR, respectively, whereas 0 of 42, 1 of 42, and 9 of 42 non-clinical horses were positive by these tests, respectively. BLAST analysis of the 203-bp 5'-LTR/tat segment of PCR product revealed 83-93% identity with EIAV isolates in GenBank and reference strains from other countries. By phylogenetic analysis, our Mexican samples were grouped in a different clade than other sequences reported worldwide, indicating that the LRT/tat region represents an important target for the detection of non-clinical horses.

The Heck reaction of allylic alcohols catalysed by an N-heterocyclic carbene-Pd(ii) complex and toxicity of the ligand precursor for the marine benthic copepod Amphiascoides atopus.

The palladium-catalysed reaction of aryl halides and allylic alcohols is an attractive method for obtaining α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones, which represent key intermediates in organic synthesis. In this context, a 1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (aNHC)-based palladium(ii) complex formed in situ has been found to be a selective catalyst for the syntheses of building blocks from the corresponding aryl halides and allylic alcohols, with yields ranging from 50% to 90%. The lack of toxic effects of the ligand precursor (1,2,3-triazolium salt) of the palladium(ii) complex for the harpacticoid copepod Amphiascoides atopus allowed us to contrast the efficiency of the catalytic system with the potential impact of the principal waste chemical in global aquatic ecosystems, which has not been previously addressed.

Descripción de una nueva especie de Anastrepha grupo curvicauda (Diptera: Tephritidae) / Description of a new species of the Anastrepha curvicauda species group (Diptera: Tephritidae)

RESUMEN Las moscas del género Anastrepha, se consideran plagas de gran importancia económica, no solo por el daño directo que causan a la producción de fruta sino, también, por las restricciones de cuarentena impuestas a los países exportadores de fruta. Por lo tanto, preparar descripciones y generar herramientas de identificación taxonómica, que permitan un reconocimiento adecuado y oportuno de las especies de importancia agrícola, es una actividad básica para la sanidad de las plantas en los países productores y exportadores de frutas. En este trabajo, se describe e ilustra Anastrepha ligiae, una nueva especie del grupo Anastrepha curvicauda, capturada con trampas McPhail, en los municipios de Albán y Anolaima (Cundinamarca) y Vélez (Santander), Colombia y criados en la fruta de la papayuela Vasconcellea pubescens A. DC. (Caricaceae). V. pubescens, se registra por primera vez como una planta hospedante para el género Anastrepha.

ABSTRACT Fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha are considered pests of great economic importance because they do not only cause direct damage to the fruit production, but also due to the quarantine restrictions imposed to fruit exporting countries. Therefore, preparing descriptions and generating taxonomic identification tools that allow an appropriate and accurate recognition of the species of agricultural importance are basic plant health activities in the fruit producing and exporting countries. In this work, we describe and illustrate Anastrepha ligiae, a new species of the Anastrepha curvicauda group captured with McPhail traps in the municipalities of Albán and Anolaima (Cundinamarca) and Vélez (Santander), Colombia, and reared from papaya fruit Vasconcellea pubescens A. DC. (Caricaceae). V. pubescens is the first time recorded as a host plant of the genus Anastrepha.

Molecular Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Monogenean Parasites: Lessons from Caenorhabditis elegans.

The mechanisms of action of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in monogenean parasites of the genus Cichlidogyrus were investigated through a microarray hybridization approach using genomic information from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The effects of two concentrations of AgNPs were explored, low (6 µg/L Ag) and high (36 µg/L Ag). Microarray analysis revealed that both concentrations of AgNPs activated similar biological processes, although by different mechanisms. Expression profiles included genes involved in detoxification, neurotoxicity, modulation of cell signaling, reproduction, embryonic development, and tegument organization as the main biological processes dysregulated by AgNPs. Two important processes (DNA damage and cell death) were mostly activated in parasites exposed to the lower concentration of AgNPs. To our knowledge, this is the first study providing information on the sub-cellular and molecular effects of exposure to AgNPs in metazoan parasites of fish.

Understanding the Biosynthetic Changes that Give Origin to the Distinctive Flavor of Sotol: Microbial Identification and Analysis of the Volatile Metabolites Profiles During Sotol (Dasylirion sp.) Must Fermentation.

In northern Mexico, the distilled spirit sotol with a denomination of origin is made from species of Dasylirion. The configuration of the volatile metabolites produced during the spontaneous fermentation of Dasylirion sp. must is insufficiently understood. In this study, the aim was to investigate the composition of the microbial consortia, describe the variation of volatile metabolites, and relate such profiles with their particular flavor attributes during the fermentation of sotol (Dasylirion sp.) must. Ascomycota was the phylum of most strains identified with 75% of total abundance. The genus of fermenting yeasts constituted of 101 Pichia strains and 13 Saccharomyces strains. A total of 57 volatile metabolites were identified and grouped into ten classes. The first stage of fermentation was composed of diesel, green, fruity, and cheesy attributes due to butyl 2-methylpropanoate, octan-1-ol, ethyl octanoate, and butanal, respectively, followed by a variation to pungent and sweet descriptors due to 3-methylbutan-1-ol and butyl 2-methylpropanoate. The final stage was described by floral, ethereal-winey, and vinegar attributes related to ethyl ethanimidate, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, and 2-hydroxyacetic acid. Our results improve the knowledge of the variations of volatile metabolites during the fermentation of sotol must and their contribution to its distinctive flavor.

The Efficacy of Geraniol and ß-Citronellol against Freshwater and Marine Monogeneans.

Monogeneans are parasitic flatworms that may be a threat for finfish aquaculture. In this study, the anthelmintic activity of two terpenes, geraniol and ß-citronellol, was tested in vitro against ancyrocephalin and diplectanid monogeneans. Experiments were performed in both water and a culture medium. We observed that monogeneans in culture medium may be more tolerant to treatments compared with bioassays performed only in water. Concentrations of 300 mg/L of both compounds were required to kill 100% of monogeneans at 1 h postexposure. The toxicity of ß-citronellol to fish was not evaluated. However, geraniol at 300 mg/L and 150 mg/L killed juvenile Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and White Snook Centropomus viridis, respectively, after a few minutes. Therefore, the present work suggests that other alternatives should be studied for use against monogeneans in aquaculture.

Acusicola margulisae n. sp. (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) from freshwater fishes in a Nicaraguan crater lake based on morphological and molecular evidence.

The ergasilid copepod Acusicola margulisae n. sp. is described based on material from three species of cichlid, Amphilophus citrinellus (Günther), Parachromis managuensis (Günther), and Oreochromis sp., and from the poecilid Poecilia mexicana (Steindachner), in the crater Lake Asososca León, Nicaragua. This constitutes the 15th species described in the genus Acusicola Cressey, 1970. The new species differs from all its congeners by the relatively longer first endopodal segment of leg 1, and the size and number of setae on second endopodal segment of leg 1. We provide the first gene sequence for a species of Acusicola. To examine the intraspecific genetic variation of the new species collected from different host species, sequences of the mitochondrial barcode region cox1 were generated. In addition, partial regions of the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA genes were sequenced and used to infer the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Acusicola within the family Ergasilidae Burmeister, 1835. The phylogenetic trees yielded the isolates of Acusicola margulisae n. sp. as a reciprocally monophyletic lineage, and as the sister taxa of five genera of ergasilid copepods. The genus Ergasilus von Nordmann, 1832 was recovered as a paraphyletic group. These analyses indicate that phylogenetic relationships are not yet well resolved and more representative species and genera of the family are required to provide a robust classification of this highly diverse group of copepods.