Paragnomoxyala papillifera sp. nov.(Nematoda: Monhysterida) from the Bohai Sea,China

A new free-living marine nematode species of the family Xyalidae from Laizhou Bay of the Bohai Sea, China is described and illustrated herein. Paragnomoxyala papillifera sp. nov. is characterized by large funnel-shaped buccal cavity, circular amphidial fovea located posterior to buccal cavity, straight spicules with slightly curved distal end, gubernaculum absent, four papilliform precloacal supplements, tail conico-cylindrical with two ventral embossments in males and having longitudinal rows of cervical setae and subventral caudal setae in males. The new species is easily identified from other two recorded species in the genus by having papilliform precloacal supplements and ventral embossments along conical portion of tail of males. A pictorial key for three species of Paragnomoxyala and comparative table of three species with important characteristics are provided.     

Daptonema parabreviseta sp. nov. (Xyalidae,Nematoda) from the Jiaozhou Bay of the Yellow Sea,China

A new species of free-living marine nematode of the genus Daptonema Cobb, 1920 is described from the sublittoral sediment of the Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao. Daptonema parabreviseta sp. nov. is characterized by having narrowed anterior end; small funnel-shaped buccal cavity; short cephalic setae; spicules with bulbiform proximal end and pointed distal end; gubercunalum tubular shape with a blunt dorsal apophysis. The female genital system presents a spacious postvulval sac. The new species closely resembles Daptonema brevisetosum Thanh & Gagarin, 2009. However, it differs from Daptonema brevisetosum by having relatively narrowed head (10 μm vs 20 μm); spicules with bulbiform proximal end and pointed distal end, not bifurcated at distal end. Female genital system with a spacious postvulval sac (vs absent).

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudolella major</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Axonolaimidae,Nematoda) from the intertidal zone of the East China Sea

A new species of free-living nematode, Pseudolella major sp. nov. is described from the intertidal mudflats of Ximen Island in the East China Sea. Pseudolella major sp. nov. is characterized as follows: body length ~1 300 μm; short cephalic setae, 2–3 μm long; amphidial fovea loop-shaped with elongated ventral branch; ventral branch 50–60 μm long and extending past the base of buccal cavity; buccal cavity cylindrical with arching or spherical base; three heavy outwardly-curving odontia with blunt tips located at anterior of buccal cavity; pharynx short with posterior bulb; ventral gland cell elongate oval-shaped, located posterior to pharyngo-intestinal junction; excretory pore situated at the level of the middle of buccal cavity; tail conical to cylindrical; spicules arched, with double-cephalate proximal end; gubernaculum with a strong dorsal caudal apophysis.     

Two new species of Sellaphora (Bacillariophyta) from a deep oligotrophic plateau lake, Lake Fuxian in subtropical China

We describe two new species of Sellaphora from Lake Fuxian, Yunnan Plateau, China. Based on both light and scanning electron microscopy, these species are described as S. yunnanensis sp. nov. and S. sinensis sp. nov. The primary features of S. yunnanensis are: elliptical to linear-elliptical valves with broadly rounded ends, straight filiform raphe, almost straight central endings and small, slightly expanding central pores, small central area, symmetrical or slightly asymmetrical central nodule. The primary features of S. sinensis are: elliptical valves, obtusely rounded ends, similar raphe and axial area, transapically less expanded central area, larger, elliptical central nodule. We compare these species to those of a similar shape and morphology.     

Two new species of the genusDorylaimopsis Ditlevsen, 1918 (Nematoda: Adenophora,Comesomatidae) from the Bohai Sea,China

Two nematode species of the genusDorylaimopsis (Family Comesometidae) from the Bohai Sea are described.Dorylaimopsis rabalaisi n. sp. similar toD. punctata Ditlevsen, 1918 from which it can be separated by the small size, short and simple spicules without ventral apophyses or joint line.Dorylaimopsis turneri n. sp. differs from the closest speciesDorylaimopsis angelae (Inglis, 1967) by its higher values of de Man ratio ‘a’, much shorter spicules and higher ratio of gubernacular to spicules length. A key to species of the genus based on the key by Jensen (1979) is given. This project was supported by the National Science Foundation, No: 3860804     

Two new free-living marine nematode species of the genus Anoplostoma (Anoplostomatidae) from the mangrove habitats of Xiamen Bay,East China Sea

Two new species of free-living marine nematode from mangrove habitats in Xiamen Bay are identified.Anoplostoma tumidum sp.nov.is characterized by relatively short outer labial setae(0.86–1.00 h.d.),long tail(c 7.2–8.9,c' 8.3–10.5),an instinct swollen distal portion of slender spicule(Sc 94–101 μm),and well developed copulatory bursae without bursal papillae.A.tumidum sp.nov.differs from all valid species of genus Anoplostoma in copulatory apparatus of males with a distinct swollen distal portion of spicule,and a relatively obvious constriction of head.A.paraviviparum sp.nov.is characterized by relatively long outer labial setae(1.11–1.22 h.d.),and tail(c 6.6–8.5,c' 8.6–10.2);elongated spicules with distinct knob-like proximal and pointed distal ends(Sc 46–69 μm);distinct strip-like gubernaculum(length with 11–15μm);well developed copulatory bursae with precloacal papillae and post-cloacal papillae;and a distinct constriction of head.A.paraviviparum sp.nov.is similar to A.viviparum Bastian,1865,but differs in the reproductive mode of female and the constriction of head.     

Paramonohystera weihaiensis sp.nov.(Xyalidae,Nematoda) from the intertidal beach of the Yellow Sea,China

A new species of free-living marine nematode of the genus Paramonohystera was described from the intertidal beach,Weihai.Paramonohystera weihaiensis sp.nov.is characterized by cervical region with a circle of long setae;tail sexual dimorphism,male tail angled dorsally with sharp narrowed of the body at the cloaca,female tail ordinary conico-cylindrical; spicules slender,2.5 abd long; gubemaculum plate,enlarged distal end with two teeth,without apophysis; precloacal supplements absent;Four caudal gland cells obviously extended to tail.The new species differs from the other fourteen known valid congeners by the combination of its characteristics:a circle of long cervical setae,tail sexual dimorphism,spicules slender,2.5 abd long,gubernaculum plate with a distal pair of teeth.     

Hydrogen photoproduction ofA. Variabilis incorporated in a photobioreactor

H₂ photoproduction and nitrogenase activities in two strains ofAnabaena variabilis marked wild type ATCC 29413 and mutant PK84 exposed to thermal stress (temperature higher than the normal incubation temperature of 30°C) were studied. Cultures of both strains collected from any interval of logarithmic growth phase exhibited high H₂ photoproduction and nitrogenase activities when exposed to limited time heat shock during the assay process. In contrast, the algal H₂ photoproduction rate of both strains fluctuated with long term thermal stress caused by increasing the growth temperature from 30°C to 36°C.

The changes of nitrogenase (the key H₂ photobiosynthetic enzyme) activities in the mutant PK84 showed variation tendency similar to that of H₂ photoproduction during exposure to thermal stress, indicating that fluctuation of H₂ photoproduction in the mutant was mainly due to the variation of nitrogenase activities. A temporary maximal H₂ photoproduction in the mutant PK84 (wild type ATCC29413) was observed when cells grew at 36°C for 14 (6) days. However, the responses of nitrogenase activities in the wild type to thermal stress were not completely similar to those in the mutant in spite of similar variations of H₂ photoproduction in both strains. The data obtained in these studies suggested that the activities of other enzymes (in the wild strain) involved in H₂ photoproduction were affected by thermal stress since H₂ photoproduction maximized or dropped to 0 without variation tendency similar to that of nitrogenase activities.

Furthermore, an enhancement of H₂ photoproduction speed of the mutant strain cultured in a 4.4 L laboratory photobioreactor was also observed when it was subjected to short time continuous charge of argon, and temperature rise.

All these results indicated that high temperature plays an important role in the photo-autotrophic H₂ photoproduction, and that long term thermal stress is unfavourable for net H₂ photoproduction in both strains ofA. variabilis though short-time heat shock is conducive to H₂ photoproduction.

     

Chlamydomonas sajao nov. sp. (Chlorophyta,Volvocales)

A new species ofChlamydomonas, namely,C. sajao nov. sp. of the Volvocales, Chlorophyta was isolated from a duckweed growing near a ricefield in the vicinity of Guangzhou, China. This interesting unicellular green alga, similar toC. mexicana from Mexico, secretes quantities of extracellular mucilaginous polysaccharides, and may be employed in improving soil quality. The new species resemblesC. waldenburgensis Moewus in most characteristics but differs in three important features.     

Otolith development in larval and juvenile Schizothorax davidi: ontogeny and growth increment characteristics

Laboratory-reared Schizothorax davidi larvae and juveniles were examined to assess the formation and characteristics of David’s schizothoracin otoliths.Otolith development was observed and their formation period was verifi ed by monitoring larvae and juveniles of knownage.The results revealed that lapilli and sagittae developed before hatching,and the first otolith increment was identified at 2 days post hatching in both.The shape of lapilli was relatively stable during development compared with that of sagittae;however,growth of four sagittae and lapilli areas was consistent,but the posterior area grew faster than the anterior area and the ventral surface grew faster than the dorsal surface.Similarly,the sum length of the radius of the anterior and posterior areas on sagittae and lapilli were linearly and binomially related to total fish length,respectively.Moreover,daily deposition rates were validated by monitoring knownage larvae and juveniles.The increase in lapilli width was 1.88±0.080 0μm at the ninth increment,which reached a maximum and the decreased gradually toward the otolith edge,whereas that of sagittae increased more slowly.These results illustrate the developmental biology of S.davidi,which will aid in population conservation and fish stock management.     

Morphology and SSU rDNA sequence analysis of two hypotrichous ciliates (Protozoa,Ciliophora, Hypotrichia) including the new species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metaurostylopsis parastruederkypkeae</Emphasis> n. sp.

The morphology and phylogeny of two hypotrichous ciliates, Metaurostylopsis parastruederkypkeae n. sp. and Neourostylopsis flavicana (Wang et al., 2011) Chen et al., 2013 were investigated based on morphology, infraciliature and the small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA) sequence. The new species, M. parastruederkypkeae n. sp. was identified according to its characteristics: body shape ellipsoidal, size about (165–200) × (45–60) μm in vivo, cell color reddish; two types of cortical granules including wheat grain-like and yellow-greenish larger ones along the marginal cirri rows and dorsal kineties and dot-like and reddish smaller ones, grouped around marginal cirri on ventral side and arranged in short lines on dorsal side; 26–41 adoral membranelles; three frontal and one parabuccal, five to seven frontoterminal, one buccal, and three to six transverse cirri; seven to thirteen midventral pairs; five to nine unpaired ventral cirri, five to seven left and three to five right marginal rows; and three complete dorsal kineties. Phylogenetic analysis based on SSU rDNA sequences showed that both Metaurostylopsis and Neourostylopsis are monophyletic. As the internal relationship between and within both genera are not clear, further studies on the species in these two genera are necessary. The key characteristics of all known twelve Metaurostylopsis-Apourostylopsis-Neourostylopsis species complex were updated.     

Eualus heterodactylus sp. nov., a new hippolytid shrimp from Chinese coast of the Yellow Sea （Crustacea,Decapoda, Caridea）

A new species from the caridean family Hippolytidae, Eualus heterodactylus sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on the specimens collected from Chinese coast of the Yellow Sea. The new species is a part of an informal species group characterized by the possession of epipods on the anterior three pairs of pereopods, and is distinguished from other species of this group by the dactyli of the third to fifth pereopods possessing distinctly stair-like flexor margins in males.     

Two New Species of Free-Living Marine Nematodes of the Desmodoridae from Mangrove Wetlands of Xiamen Bay,China

Mangroves are unique in their biodiversity,but studies on their meiobenthic biodiversity in China are scarce.Despite the importance of mangroves,little work has been done on the classification of nematodes in mangrove wetlands.Fujian Province is the most northern point of China’s natural mangrove distribution,and it is also one of the provinces with the earliest constructed mangrove forest.In this paper,two new free-living marine nematode species of Desmodoridae from the Xiamen mangrove wetlands in China are described.Metachromadora xiamenensis sp.nov.is characterized by a cylindrical body,and smooth head capsule set off from the rest of the body.The cuticle is finely annulated and thickened at the midbody.Lateral ridges run from the posterior end of the pharynx to the middle of the tail.The amphid foveae is loop shaped and opens at the top with a double contour amphidial,pharynx with bipartite cuticularized internal cavity.There are 18 tubular precloacal supplements and tail with three small protuberances.Molgolaimus euryformis sp.nov.is characterized by a relatively short and plump body with finely annulated cuticle,which is particularly obvious in the tail.The head is small and wide with intensive striates.The inner and outer labial sensilla are indistinct with short spicules and ventral apophysis,a gubernaculum with a block-shaped hook,a swollen conical-cylindrical tail and an absence of precloacal supplements.     

Expression profiles of sex-related genes in gonads of genetic male Takifugu rubripes after 17β-estradiol immersion

Estradiol treatment during early life stages of tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes induces feminization in genetic males. However, the ovaries in genetic males may revert to testes once estradiol treatment is halted.Therefore studies should investigate molecular mechanisms underlying ovary-to-testis recovery in genetic males after treatment. In the present study, tiger puffer were exposed to 10, and 100 μg/L 17 p-estradiol(E_2)from 15 to 100 days post-hatching(dph), then gonad phenotypes and expression profiles of six sex-related genes(cyp19a,foxl2, dmrtl, amh, sox9a, and sox9b) were characterized after the exposure. Results showed that both 10 and 100 μg/L E_2 induced ovarian development in genetic males at 100 dph. However, all ovaries induced by 10 μg/L E_2 first developed into intersexual gonads and subsequently reverted to testes after the exposure. As for treatment of 100 pg/L E_2, while the rest of the ovaries maintained morphological stability,percentages of intersexual gonads reached 38%-57%, and none were reverted to testes. Increased mRNA levels of cyp19 a,foxl2 and sox9b and decreased mRNA levels of dmrtl, amh, and sox9a were observed during the ovarian development in genetic males. While contrary gene expression profiles were detected during ovary-to-testis transformation. The mRNA levels of all the six genes were increased during the development of intersexual gonads. These results indicated that up-regulation of dmrtl, amh and sox9a is associated with initial ovary-to-intersexual transformation, and suppression of foxl2, cypl9a and sox9b is essential for complete ovary-to-testis recovery in genetic males. This research will help to trace the molecular processes underlying gonadal transformation in teleosts.     

Secondary metabolites of cyanobacteriaNostoc sp.

Cyanobacteria attracted much attention recently because of their secondary metabolites with potent biological activities and unusual structures. This paper reviews some recent studies on the isolation, structural, elucidation and biological activities of the bioactive compounds from cyanobacteriaNostoc species.

     

Proteocephalus sinocyclocheili n. sp. (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) in a fishSinocyclocheilus grahami tingi Fang from Yunnan, China

A new species ofProteocephalus from the fishSinocyclocheilus grahami tingi, a subspecies endemic to Fuxian Lake in Southwest China,is described. This is the first report of cestode from this host. The new species differs fromP. exiguus, P. Longicollis, P. parasiluri andP. torulosus, the only other species ofProteocephalus currently reported from China, by lacking an apical sucker, fromP. exiguus by having 45–108 rather than 24–54 testes per proglottis, and a maximum of 15 rather than 28 uterine diverticula; fromP.longicollis by having an average of 45–108 rather than 75–115 testes per proglottis and testes being in a single layer instead of 2 layers; and fromP. torulosus by having 45–108 instead of 150 testes per proglottis and testes being in 3–4 layers; and fromP. parasiluri by having 45–108 rather than 180 testes per proglottis. It resemblesP. percae, P. pollanicola, andP. thymalli in number of testes and uterine diverticula, but differs by lacking an apical sucker.Proteocephalus thymalli, like the new species, has a vagina that opens dorsally to the cirrus sac, butP. thymalli slao has postovarian testes, which the new species lacks. The possible significance of parasitological examinations of the other two subspecies ofS. grahami in two lakes close to Fuxian Lake is discussed in relation to host speciation and coevolution of the host-parasite system.     

A new species of Lataxiena Jousseaume, 1883 (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from the East and South China Seas

A new muricid gastropod species,L ataxiena lutescena sp. nov.,is described and illustrated. The new species was recognized during reidentification of the Muricidae collection in the Marine Biological Museum,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Qingdao. The specimens of the new species were collected from the East and South China Seas off Fujian,Guangdong,and Hainan Provinces. Lataxiena lutescena sp. nov. is similar to Lataxiena blosvillei(Deshayes,1832) in general shape,but can be distinguished from the latter by the shell sculpture and radular characteristics. Lataxiena lutescena sp. nov. also resembles Lataxiena bombayana(Melvill,1893),but differs from that species in the shell shape and anal notches and in lacking short spines on the shell.