Platorchestiinae subfam. nov. (Amphipoda, Senticaudata, Talitridae) with the description of three new genera and four new species.

A new subfamily, Platorchestiinae, is established for fifteen genera of talitrid amphipods of which three: Cocorchestia gen. nov.; Demaorchestia gen. nov. and Insularorchestia gen. nov. are new. Four new species are described: Demaorchestia hatakejima sp. nov.; D. mie sp. nov.; D. pseudojoi sp. nov. and Insularorchestia susorum sp. nov..

A new genus and species of sand-hopper, Mauritiorchestia fayetta gen. nov., sp. nov. (Amphipoda, Talitridae) from Mauritius.

A new genus and species, Mauritiorchestia fayetta gen. nov., sp. nov., of talitrid amphipod is described from beaches in Mauritius. Mauritiorchestia differs significantly from the closely related genus Platorchestia in the maxilla 1 palp (absent in Mauritiorchestia, vestigial in Platorchestia) and in the dactylus of gnathopod 1 (simplidactylate in Mauritiorchestia, cuspidactylate in Platorchestia).

A phylogeny and classification of the Talitroidea (Amphipoda, Senticaudata) based on interpretation of morphological synapomorphies and homoplasies.

A morphological cladistic analysis was carried out on talitroid Amphipoda. Each character state was carefully analysed to determine whether it could be most parsimoniously ascribed to a synapomorphy or to a homoplasy. Within the Talitroidea, two new epifamilies, the Protorchestoidae and the Talitroidae, six new families, the Uhlorchestiidae, the Protorchestiidae, the Arcitalitridae, the Brevitalitridae, the Curiotalitridae and the Makawidae and three new subfamilies in the Talitridae, the Talitrinae the Floresorchestiinae and the Pseudorchestoidinae are established. A formal classification is provided to the level of subfamilies. Families and subfamilies are diagnosed.

Carpentaria gen. nov., a new talitrid genus from tropical Australia (Amphipoda, Senticaudata, Talitroidea, Protorchestiidae).

The new talitrid genus Carpentaria gen. nov. is described from tropical Australia. It contains two marsh-hoppers: C. limicola (Haswell, 1880) (comb. nov.) from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef and C. tropicalis sp. nov. from Darwin, Northern Territory and Queensland.

Talitrus saltator (Montagu, 1808), a species complex (Amphipoda, Senticaudata, Talitroidea, Talitridae).

The frequently studied amphipod genus Talitrus Latreille, 1802, long thought to be monotypic is shown here to include three species. Two species had already been recognized as distinct species. Talitrus cloquetii Audouin, 1826 and T. platycheles Guérin, 1832, but both had long been reduced to synonymy with T. saltator. All three species are described and figured and a key is provided for their identification. Because of the extensive literature associated with the name Talitrus saltator (sensu lato) we have attempted to assign published records to their appropriate species.

New genera of Talitridae in the revised Superfamily Talitroidea Bulycheva 1957 (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Senticaudata).

Thirty seven new talitrid genera are described: Albidiator gen. nov.; Amphiatlantica gen. nov.; Asiaorchestia gen. nov.; Bulychevia gen. nov.; Calviator gen. nov.; Canariorchestia gen. nov.; Chevreuxiana gen. nov.; Dallwitzia gen. nov.; Defeo gen. nov.; Dendrorchestia gen. nov.; Derzhavinia gen. nov.; Dracorchestia gen. nov.; Fleuria gen. nov.; Galaporchestia gen. nov.; Hermaniator gen. nov.; Houlia gen. nov.; Hurleyella gen. nov.; Ignamborchestia gen. nov.; Indiorchestia gen. nov.; Insulariator gen. nov.; Kaalorchestia gen. nov.; Kellyduncania gen. nov.; Laniporchestia gen. nov.; Laurenia gen. nov.; Leslieorchestia gen. nov.; Lutruwitiator gen. nov.; Morinoia gen. nov.; Oamaru gen. nov.; Omaiorchestia gen. nov.; Opunorchestia gen. nov.; Pickorchestia gen. nov.; Sinbadorchestia gen. nov.; Snaresorchestia gen. nov.; Speziorchestia gen. nov.; Swaziator gen. nov.; Tasmanella gen. nov.; and Wairua gen. nov. The superfamily Hyaloidea Bulycheva 1957 stat. nov. is established. Caribitroides Bousfield, 1984, Dana Lowry, 2011, Makawe Duncan, 1994, Mexitroides Lindeman, 1990, Parorchestia Stebbing, 1899, Puhuruhuru Duncan, 1994 and Waematau Duncan, 1994 are re-diagnosed and Mexitroides Lindeman, 1990 is raised to generic level. Type material of Tethorchestia antillensis Bousfield, 1984 is illustrated for the first time.

First record of the genus Eriopisella Chevreux, 1920 (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Senticaudata, Eriopisidae) from Australia, with the description of a new species, Eriopisella moretoni sp. nov.

The genus Eriopisella is recorded for the first time from Australia. Material from Moreton Bay, Queensland, proved to be an undescribed species and is here fully described and figured under the name E. moretoni sp. nov. An identification key to the nine known world species of Eriopisella is provided.

A Phylogeny and Classification of the Amphipoda with the establishment of the new order Ingolfiellida (Crustacea: Peracarida).

A classification is proposed for the order Amphipoda. The Amphipoda includes six suborders, the Pseudingolfiellidea, Hyperiidea, Colomastigidea, Hyperiopsidea, Senticaudata (described in a previous contribution (Lowry & Myers 2013)) and Amphilochidea. The suborder Ingolfiellidea is raised to order status. A cladistic tree, based on morphology, is presented illustrating the relationships of the Amphipoda at parvorder level. A tree for the families of the Physomatidira and Physocephalatidira, a tree for the Maxillipiidira, Oedicerotidira, Eusiridira and Amphilochidira and a tree for the Synopiidira, Haustoriidira and Lysianassidira, are provided. Families are listed together with their included genera. New families are diagnosed.

Clinical and immunological characteristics of 150 systemic lupus erythematosus patients in Jamaica: a comparative analysis.

Background Epidemiological studies in systemic lupus erythematosus have been reported in the literature in many countries and ethnic groups. Although systemic lupus erythematosus in Jamaica has been described in the past, there has not been a detailed evaluation of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in urban Jamaica, a largely Afro-Caribbean population. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical features, particularly disease activity, damage index and immunological features, of 150 systemic lupus erythematosus subjects. Methods 150 adult patients (≥18 years) followed in rheumatology clinic at a tertiary rheumatology hospital centre (one of two of the major public referral centres in Jamaica) and the private rheumatology offices in urban Jamaica who fulfilled Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria were included. Data were collected by detailed clinical interview and examination and laboratory investigations. Hence demographics, SLICC criteria, immunological profile, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and SLICC/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) damage index (SDI) were documented. Results Of the 150 patients, 145 (96.7%) were female and five (3.3%) were male. The mean age at systemic lupus erythematosus onset was 33.2 ± 10.9. Mean disease duration was 11.3 ± 8.6 years. The most prevalent clinical SLICC criteria were musculoskeletal, with 141 (94%) of subjects experiencing arthralgia/arthritis, followed by mucocutaneous manifestations of alopecia 103 (68.7%) and malar rash 46 (30.7%), discoid rash 45 (30%) and photosensitivity 40 (26.7%). Lupus nephritis (biopsy proven) occurred in 42 (28%) subjects and 25 (16.7%) met SLICC diagnostic criteria with only positive antinuclear antibodies/dsDNA antibodies and lupus nephritis on renal biopsy. The most common laboratory SLICC criteria were positive antinuclear antibodies 136 (90.7%) followed by anti-dsDNA antibodies 95 (63.3%) and low complement (C3) levels 38 (25.3%). Twenty-seven (18%) met SLICC diagnostic criteria with only positive antinuclear antibodies/anti-dsDNA antibodies and lupus nephritis on renal biopsy. Mean SLEDAI score was 6.9 ± 5.1 with a range of 0-32. Organ damage occurred in 129 (86%) patients; mean SDI was 2.4 ± 1.8, with a range of 0-9. Conclusion These results are similar to the clinical manifestations reported in other Afro-Caribbean populations; however, distinct differences exist with respect to organ involvement and damage, particularly with respect to renal involvement, which appears to be reduced in our participants.

Amphipoda (Crustacea) from Palau, Micronesia: Families Maeridae and Melitidae.

Seven species of senticaudate amphipods belonging to the families Maeridae and Melitidae are recorded from Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and are figured. Three species are new to science and are fully described and figured.

Zaramillidae, a new amphipod family from the subantarctic Kerguelen Islands (Amphipoda, Senticaudata, Gammaroidea, Zaramillidae fam. nov.).

A new senticaudate amphipod family, Zaramillidae is described from the subantarctic Kerguelen Islands, based on the genus Zaramilla Stebbing, 1888. It is placed in the gammaridiran amphipods.

Amphipoda (Crustacea) from Palau, Micronesia: families Melphidippidae, Oedicerotidae, Photidae, Pleustidae, Podoceridae, Stenothoidae, Synopiidae and Talitridae.

Eleven species belonging to the families Melphidippidae, Oedicerotidae, Photidae, Pleustidae, Podoceridae, Stenothoidae, Synopiidae and Talitridae are recorded from Palau, Micronesia. Eight species are figured. One species is new to science and is described and figured. One species was previously known only from Australia, one only from Madagascar and one only from Fiji.

Amphipoda (Crustacea) from the Chagos Archipelago.

Thirteen species of amphipods are recorded from the Chagos archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Of these, six species are new to science. A further four families (and four species) are represented, but were too incomplete to identify.

Amphipoda (crustacea) from Palau, Micronesia: families Dexaminidae, Eusiridae, Hyalidae, Ischyroceridae, Leucothoidae and Lysianassidae.

Thirteen species of amphipod in the families Dexaminidae (1), Eusiridae (1), Hyalidae (1), Ischyroceridae (1), Leucothoidae (8) and Lysianassidae (1) are recorded from Palau in Micronesia. Of these, Ventojassa palauensis sp. nov., Leucothoe beobeldabensis sp.nov., L. pseudepidemos sp. nov., L. serratissima sp. nov., L. tumida sp. nov., L. whiteae sp. nov and Paranamixis dentidactylus sp. nov. are new to science and are described and figured.

A phylogeny and classification of the Senticaudata subord. nov. Crustacea: Amphipoda).

The Amphipoda includes a large clade defined by the presence of a previously unrecognised synapomorphy, apical robust setae on the rami of uropods 1-2. We term this clade the Senticaudata subord. nov. (Latin: sentis = thorn). It includes almost all freshwater species as well as a number of marine benthic taxa, formerly part of the 'Gammaridea'. The phylog-eny of the senticaudates was determined by cladistic analysis of morphological characters and character states. Within the suborder Senticaudata there are six infraorders: Carangoliopsida, Talitrida, Hadziida, Corophiida, Bogidiellida and Gam-marida. A classification is provided and all the senticaudate families are diagnosed. We introduce for the first time in am-phipod classification, the level parvorder between infraorder and superfamily. Four new families are described: Kairosidae; Eriopisidae; Nuuanuidae and Kergueleniolidae.

New species of Floresorchestia from Micronesia living in unusual habitats (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae).

The first freshwater talitrid, Floresorchestia pohnpei sp. nov., is described from the island of Pohnpei, Micronesia. Floresorchestia palau sp. nov. is described from supralittoral and shallow-water marine habitats in Palau, Micronesia.

Identification by subtractive suppression hybridization of bacteria-induced genes expressed in Manduca sexta fat body.

Insect immune processes are mediated by programs of differential gene expression. To understand the molecular regulation of the immune response in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, the relevant subset of differentially expressed genes of interest must be identified, cloned and studied in detail. In this study, suppression subtractive hybridization, a PCR-based method for cDNA subtraction was performed to identify mRNAs from fat body of immunized larvae that are not present (or present at a low level) in control larvae. A subtracted cDNA library enriched in immune-inducible genes was constructed. Northern blot analysis of a sample of clones from our subtracted library indicated that >90% of the clones randomly selected from the subtracted library are immune inducible. Sequence analysis of 238 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) revealed that 120 ESTs, representing 54 distinct genes or gene families, had sequences identical or similar to previously characterized genes, some of which have been confirmed to be involved in innate immunity. These ESTs were categorized into seven groups, including pattern recognition proteins, serine proteinases and their inhibitors, and antimicrobial proteins. 112 ESTs, about 47.5% of the library, showed no significant similarity to any known genes. The sequences identified in this M. sexta library reflect our knowledge of insect immune strategies and may facilitate better understanding of insect immune responses.

Blood lead levels and free red blood cell protoporphyrin as measure of lead exposure in mute swans.

The use of blood lead levels in assessing lead exposure in mute swans, Cygnus olor (Gmelin) is investigated. 823 blood samples were taken from 456 uniquely ringed mute swans at a coarse-fish angling site over a period of 24 months. Blood lead values in individual swans monitored over several weeks were shown to conform to a recently reported kinetic model for blood lead values in birds. The highest median lead levels for flock birds were recorded in the winter and spring and the lowest during the summer moulting period. The use of Free Red Blood Cell Protoporphyrin for detecting lead exposure was examined. Whole blood lead detected 44% (n = 357) with elevated lead, while free red blood cell protoporphyrin detected 34.50%. In a large number of cases levels of protoporphyrin were above the normal level, while the corresponding lead levels were low. The value of both methods and the need to correct each value for haemoglobin is discussed.

Biochemical and haematological values for mute swans (Cygnus olor): effects of acute lead poisoning.

Reference levels of some biochemical and haematological variables were determined for mute swans (Cygnus olor Gmelin). Immaturity was identified as a factor which broadened the references ranges. Blood variables of six acutely lead-poisoned swans were determined and compared with the reference distribution. Protoporphyrin IX, cholesterol and two serum enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate amino-transferase, were increased; concentrations of haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration indicated hypochromic anaemia in birds with acute lead poisoning. The interpretation and diagnostic value of reference values is discussed.