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The taxonomic history of the genus Tenuipalpus Donnadieu is discussed and Tenuipalpus caudatus (Dugès) (=Tenuipalpuspalmatus Donnadieu) is redescribed based on specimens from Portugal intercepted at ports of entry in the United States, and references including photographic records of the neotype of T. caudatus. In addition, a proposed new species, Tenuipalpus erbeisp. nov. is described from Costa Rica. Our results show that T. caudatus, T. erbeisp. nov. and another 36 known species of Tenuipalpus share a pair of lateral body projections associated with setae c3, considered a synapomorphy for the newly defined group, Tenuipalpus sensu stricto. We also show that its members share other character states, although these features are found elsewhere in Tenuipalpus and also in Ultratenuipalpus, indicating their origins are within Tenuipalpus. A list of Tenuipalpus sensu stricto species is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the taxonomic history of the genus Colopalpus Pritchard and Baker 1958, and redescribe the female, male and deutonymph of the type species, C. matthyssei (Pritchard and Baker). We provide previously unknown morphological data for C. matthyssei, in addition to complementary information on the morphology of C. nambii (Castro and Feres) obtained using low temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM). Our results show that both C. matthyssei and C. nambii share characters with the genera Tenuipalpus and Brevipalpus. Based on these findings, we propose that Colopalpus be reinstated as a valid genus. We discuss the characters shared by Colopalpus, Tenuipalpus and Brevipalpus, and also provide a list of species that are transferred to the genus Colopalpus. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1A296CBB-4B02-41CD-86E6-1418F5A7F291 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, is the primary vector of Raffaelea lauricola, a symbiotic fungus and the etiologic agent of laurel wilt. This lethal disease has caused severe mortality of redbay (Persea borbonia) and swampbay (P. palustris) trees in the southeastern USA, threatens avocado (P. americana) production in Florida, and has potential to impact additional New World species. To date, all North American hosts of X. glabratus and suscepts of laurel wilt are members of the family Lauraceae. This comparative study combined field tests and laboratory bioassays to evaluate attraction and boring preferences of female X. glabratus using freshly-cut bolts from nine species of Lauraceae: avocado (one cultivar of each botanical race), redbay, swampbay, silkbay (Persea humilis), California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin), camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), and lancewood (Nectandra coriacea). In addition, volatile collections and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) were conducted to quantify terpenoid emissions from test bolts, and electroantennography (EAG) was performed to measure olfactory responses of X. glabratus to terpenoids identified by GC-MS. Significant differences were observed among treatments in both field and laboratory tests. Silkbay and camphor tree attracted the highest numbers of the beetle in the field, and lancewood and spicebush the lowest, whereas boring activity was greatest on silkbay, bay laurel, swampbay, and redbay, and lowest on lancewood, spicebush, and camphor tree. The Guatemalan cultivar of avocado was more attractive than those of the other races, but boring response among the three was equivalent. The results suggest that camphor tree may contain a chemical deterrent to boring, and that different cues are associated with host location and host acceptance. Emissions of α-cubebene, α-copaene, α-humulene, and calamenene were positively correlated with attraction, and EAG analyses confirmed chemoreception of terpenoids by antennal receptors of X. glabratus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The localisation, chemical composition, and morphology of calcium (Ca) oxalate crystals in the leaves and stems of Abelia mosanensis and of A. X grandiflora were analysed using a variable pressure-scanning electron microscope (VP-SEM) equipped with an X-ray diffraction system, a low temperature SEM (LT-SEM), and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Foliar analyses of macro- and micro-elements were performed on the leaves and stems of A. mosanensis. A greater number of Ca oxalate crystals were observed in A. mosanensis than in A. X grandiflora. Three morphologically distinguishable types of crystals were observed: the prismatic crystals found inside the chloroplast, multifaceted star-like spherical and bladed aggregate crystals (druses) inside the vacuoles of the mesophyll cells, and small angular crystals (sand crystals) inside the cuticle. Semi-solid crystals that may drip and accumulate to become a solid Ca oxalate crystal were observed by LT-SEM, which indicated the growth of druses of Ca oxalate crystals. The growth of prismatic crystals and of druses were evident through the formation of crystalline lamellae. Micro-analysis indicated that the crystals were Ca oxalate and contained magnesium in A, mosanensis, or silicon in A. X grandiflora. Abelia stems with low foliar calcium concentrations showed no Ca oxalate crystal formation. This is the first report, to our knowledge, on the presence and possible growth of crystals of different morphologies and chemical compositions in Abelia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gene encoding PAD4 (PHYTOALEXIN-DEFICIENT4) is required in Arabidopsis for expression of several genes involved in the defense response to Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola. AtPAD4 (Arabidopsis thaliana PAD4) encodes a lipase-like protein that plays a regulatory role mediating salicylic acid signaling. Results: We expressed the gene encoding AtPAD4 in soybean roots of composite plants to test the ability of AtPAD4 to deter plant parasitic nematode development. The transformed roots were challenged with two different plant parasitic nematode genera represented by soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines) and root-knot nematode (RKN; Meloidogyne incognita). Expression of AtPAD4 in soybean roots decreased the number of mature SCN females 35 days after inoculation by 68 percent. Similarly, soybean roots expressing AtPAD4 exhibited 77 percent fewer galls when challenged with RKN. Conclusions: Our experiments show that AtPAD4 can be used in an economically important crop, soybean, to provide a measure of resistance to two different genera of nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV) triple gene block 3 (TGB3) protein is involved in viral movement. AltMV TGB3 subcellular localization was previously shown to be distinct from that of Potato virus X (PVX)TGB3, and a chloroplast binding domain identified; veinal necrosis and chloroplast vesiculation were observed in Nicotiana benthamiana when AltMV TGB3 was over-expressed from PVX. Plants with over-expressedTGB3 showed more lethal damage under dark conditions than under light. Yeast-two-hybrid analysis and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) reveal that Arabidopsis thaliana PsbO1 has strong interactions with TGB3; N. benthamiana PsbO (NbPsbO) also showed obvious interaction signals with TGB3 through BiFC. These results demonstrate an important role for TGB3 in virus cell-to-cell movement and virus-host plant interactions. The Photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex protein PsbO interaction with TGB3 is presumed to have a crucial role in symptom development and lethal damage under dark conditions. In order to further examine interactions between AtPsbO1, NbPsbO, and TGB3, and to identify the binding domain(s) in TGB3 protein, BiFC assays were performed between AtPsbO1 or NbPsbO and various mutants of TGB3. Interactions with C-terminally deleted TGB3 were significantly weaker than those with wild-type TGB3, and both N-terminally deleted TGB3 and a TGB3 mutant previously shown to lose chloroplast interactions failed to interact detectably with PsbO in BiFC. To gain additional information about TGB3 interactions in AltMV-susceptible plants, we cloned 12 natural AltMV TGB3 sequence variants into a PVX expression vector to examine differences in symptom development in N. benthamiana. Symptom differences were observed on PVX over-expression, with all AltMV TGB3 variants showing more severe symptoms than the WT PVX control, but without obvious correlation to sequence differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trachymolgus purpureus Fisher & Dowling sp. n. is described from the Ozark highlands of North America. A diversity of imaging techniques are used to illustrate the species including low-temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM), stereomicrography, compound light micrography, and digitally created line drawings. Developmental stages (larva, nymphs, and adult) and morphology are illustrated and discussed, and terminological corrections are suggested. Trachymolgus recki Gomelauri, 1961 is regarded as being described from tritonymphs. A key to Trachymolgus is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetranychus canadensis (McGregor) is redescribed based on type specimens and American non-type specimens. The ontogenetic development of leg chaetotaxy is provided, which is the typical additional pattern for Tetranychus. The variation of pregenital striae and shape of aedeagi are discussed.  Low temperature scanning electron microscopic photos show the supracoxal setae on palpfemur (ep) and leg coxae I (el) are eupathidia; lateral and ventral lips bear modified leaf-like adoral setae (or2 and or3) and the dorsal lips bearing a pair of spine-like dorsal adoral setae (or1); dorsal seta on tibia I (db) is a trichobothrium with a cup-shaped base and broken striae on the inner integument. Confocal scanning shows a thin, long ejaculatory duct and a thicker duct connecting the aedeagus to a cup-shaped seminal vesicle; the aedeagus is hollow where the ejaculatory duct passes through.

In the natural environments microorganisms coexist in communities as biofilms. Since foodborne pathogens have varying abilities to form biofilms, investigation of bacterial interactions in biofilm formation may enhance our understanding of the persistence of these foodborne pathogens in the environment. Thus the objective of this study was to investigate the interactions between Listeria monocytogenes and Ralstonia insidiosa in dual species biofilms. Biofilm development after 24 h was measured using crystal violet in 96-well microtiter plate. Scanning electron microscopy and cell enumeration were employed after growth on stainless steel coupons. When compared with their single species counterparts, the dual species biofilms exhibited a significant increase in biofilm biomass. The number of L. monocytogenes in co-culture biofilms on stainless steel also increased significantly. However, there was no effect on the biofilm formation of L. monocytogenes when cultured with R. insidiosa separated by a semi-permeable membrane-linked compartment or cultured in R. insidiosa cell-free supernatant, indicating that direct cell-cell contact is critical for this interaction., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: All authors declare no conflicts of interest in this paper.

Anne M. Camerik, Wojciech Ł. Magowski, Peter G. Hawkes, Edward A. Ueckermann, Ronald Ochoa, and Gary R. Bauchan (2016) A new species of relatively poorly known genus Zambedania Mahunka, 1972 was found on the baboon spider, Harpactirella overdijki Gallon, 2010 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in South Africa. Besides the abundantly available phoretic females, several males and one larva of this species in the spiders' nests were also collected. Zambedania sekhukhunensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based on the phoretic females, males and larva. Improved diagnosis of the genus and a new key to species are also supplied. The descriptions and illustrations of the male and larva of this species represent the first ones of these stages in the genus Zambedania . Due to their discovery the generic diagnosis has been significantly improved.

The current study was conducted to investigate the immunoenhancing effects of Montanide adjuvants on protein subunit vaccination against avian coccidiosis. Broiler chickens were immunized subcutaneously with a purified Eimeria acervulina recombinant profilin protein, either alone or mixed with one of four adjuvants (ISA 70 VG, ISA 71 VG, ISA 201 VG or ISA 206 VG), and body weight gains, fecal oocyst shedding, and humoral and innate immune responses were evaluated following oral challenge infection with live E. acervulina oocysts. Immunization with profilin plus ISA 70 VG or ISA 71 VG increased body weight gains compared with vaccination with profilin alone. Profilin plus ISA 71 VG also reduced fecal oocyst shedding compared with vaccination in the absence of adjuvant. All adjuvants enhanced profilin serum antibody titers. Increased levels of gene transcripts encoding IL-2, IL-10, IL-17A, and IFN-gamma, but decreased levels of IL-15 mRNAs, were seen in intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes of chickens immunized with profilin plus adjuvants compared with immunization with profilin alone. Finally, increased infiltration of lymphocytes, especially CD8(+) lymphocytes at the site of immunization was observed in birds given profilin plus ISA 71 VG compared with profilin alone. These results demonstrate that vaccination with the E. acervulina profilin subunit vaccine in combination with Montanide adjuvants enhances protective immunity against avian coccidiosis.