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Thyroid hormones play an important role in regulating seasonal adaptations of mammals. Several studies suggested that reduced availability of 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) in the hypothalamus is required for the physiological adaptation to winter in Djungarian hamsters. We have previously shown that T3 is involved in the regulation of daily torpor, but it remains unclear, whether T3 affects torpor by central or peripheral mechanisms. To determine the effect of T3 concentrations within the hypothalamus in regulating daily torpor, we tested the hypothesis that low hypothalamic T3 metabolism would favour torpor and high T3 concentrations would not. In experiment 1 gene expression in torpid hamsters was assessed for transporters carrying thyroid hormones between cerebrospinal fluid and hypothalamic cells and for deiodinases enzymes, activating or inactivating T3 within hypothalamic cells. Gene expression analysis suggests reduced T3 in hypothalamic cells during torpor. In experiment 2, hypothalamic T3 concentrations were altered via microdialysis and torpor behaviour was continuously monitored by implanted body temperature transmitters. Increased T3 concentrations in the hypothalamus reduced expression of torpor as well as torpor bout duration and depth. Subsequent analysis of gene expression in the ependymal layer of the third ventricle showed clear up-regulation of T3 inactivating deiodinase 3 but no changes in several other genes related to photoperiodic adaptations in hamsters. Finally, serum analysis revealed that increased total T3 serum concentrations were not necessary to inhibit torpor expression. Taken together, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that T3 availability within the hypothalamus significantly contributes to the regulation of daily torpor via a central pathway.

Material from Spitsbergen (Norway) collected by Spitzenberger (1996) was reinvestigated. A new genus Arctocypris and a new species Arctocypris. fuhrmanni n. gen. n. sp. are described in the present paper. A key to the genera of the subfamily Eucypridinae is provided. At the moment Arctocypris n. gen. comprises four species: Arctocypris arctica (Olofsson, 1918) comb. nov.; A. dulcifons (Diebel & Pietrzeniuk, 1969) comb. nov.; A. foveata (Delorme, 1968) comb. nov. and Arctocypris fuhrmanni n. gen., n. sp.

Siberian hamsters use spontaneous daily torpor, a state of hypometabolism and hypothermia, to save energy during winter. Multiple neuroendocrine signals set the scene for spontaneous torpor to occur, and several brain areas have been identified as potential sites for torpor regulation. Here, we summarize the known mechanisms of a fascinating physiological state in the Siberian hamster., (©2016 Int. Union Physiol. Sci./Am. Physiol. Soc.)

Thyroid hormones (TH) play a key role in regulation of seasonal as well as acute changes in metabolism. Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) adapt to winter by multiple changes in behaviour and physiology including spontaneous daily torpor, a state of hypometabolism and hypothermia. We investigated effects of systemic TH administration and ablation on the torpor behaviour in Djungarian hamsters adapted to short photoperiod. Hyperthyroidism was induced by giving T4 or T3 and hypothyroidism by giving methimazole (MMI) and sodium perchlorate via drinking water. T3 treatment increased water, food intake and body mass, whereas MMI had the opposite effect. Continuous recording of body temperature revealed that low T3 serum concentrations increased torpor incidence, lowered Tb and duration, whereas high T3 serum concentrations inhibited torpor expression. Gene expression of deiodinases (dio) and uncoupling proteins (ucp) were analysed by qPCR in hypothalamus, brown adipose tissue (BAT) and skeletal muscle. Expression of dio2, the enzyme generating T3 by deiodination of T4, and ucps, involved in thermoregulation, indicated a tissue specific response to treatment. Torpor per se decreased dio2 expression irrespective of treatment or tissue, suggesting low intracellular T3 concentrations during torpor. Down regulation of ucp1 and ucp3 during torpor might be a factor for the inhibition of BAT thermogenesis. Hypothalamic gene expression of neuropeptide Y, propopiomelanocortin and somatostatin, involved in feeding behaviour and energy balance, were not affected by treatment. Taken together our data indicate a strong effect of thyroid hormones on torpor, suggesting that lowered intracellular T3 concentrations in peripheral tissues promote torpor.

Insects are the most speciose group of animals, but the phylogenetic relationships of many major lineages remain unresolved. We inferred the phylogeny of insects from 1478 protein-coding genes. Phylogenomic analyses of nucleotide and amino acid sequences, with site-specific nucleotide or domain-specific amino acid substitution models, produced statistically robust and congruent results resolving previously controversial phylogenetic relations hips. We dated the origin of insects to the Early Ordovician [~479 million years ago (Ma)], of insect flight to the Early Devonian (~406 Ma), of major extant lineages to the Mississippian (~345 Ma), and the major diversification of holometabolous insects to the Early Cretaceous. Our phylogenomic study provides a comprehensive reliable scaffold for future comparative analyses of evolutionary innovations among insects., (Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science.)

The megophryid frogs Leptobrachella brevicrus, Leptolalax dringi and Megophrys dringi are species exclusively known  from highly localised areas in isolated mountain ranges on Borneo. The tadpoles and adults in this study were collected at the shared type locality for the three species in Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo). The species identities of larvae were determined via comparison to syntopic adults using DNA barcoding techniques based on partial 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene sequences. The genetic data supported the status of the three taxa as valid species. Descriptions of colouration in life and after preservation, external morphological features, morphometric measurements and ecological notes in comparison to congeneric species are supplied. The tadpoles of L. brevicrus and L. dringi show similar adaptations to a fossorial lifestyle. These include an elongated, vermiform body, a relatively long tail and small eyes. Both were found in the gravel beds of a small mountain stream. In contrast, the larvae of M. dringi are adapted to occupying and feeding at the surface of pools within the stream.

Nine species of the family Diastylidae, two species of the family Bodotriidae and one species of the family Pseudocumatidae are present in the Diva II and Ifremer collections. Two new species were recognized and described herein. However, one of the new species has to remain in open nomenclature due to its young developmental stage. The new species are Makrokylindrus (Makrokylindrus) abyssalis, and M. (Adiastylis) sp.1. The distribution range is enlarged based on the new findings for seven species.

A new species of stream toad of the genus Ansonia is described from Gunung Murud, Pulong Tau National Park, of northern Sarawak, Malaysia, Borneo. Ansonia vidua, sp. nov., is morphologically distinguished from its Bornean congeners by the following combination of characters: medium size (SVL of adult females 33.5-34.4 mm); body uniformly black-brown in life; absence of a visible pattern on dorsum or limbs; presence of two low interorbital ridges; shagreened skin on dorsum, sides and upper surfaces of the limbs with numerous homogeneously small, rounded warts; first finger shorter than second; reduced webbing between the toes and an absence of a sharp tarsal ridge. Uncorrected genetic distances between related taxa of > 4.3% in 16S rRNA gene support its status as a hitherto undescribed species.

A new brightly-coloured (olive and red) species of microhylid frog of the genus Calluella Stoliczka 1872 is described from the upper elevations of Gunung Penrissen and the Matang Range, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo). Calluella capsa, new species, is diagnosable in showing the following combination of characters: SVL up to 36.0 mm; dorsum weakly granular; a faint dermal fold across forehead; toe tips obtuse; webbing on toes basal; lateral fringes on toes present; outer metatarsal tubercle present; and dorsum greyish-olive, with red spots; half of venter bright red, the rest with large white and dark areas. The new species is the eighth species of Calluella to be described, and the fourth known from Borneo. A preliminary phylogeny of Calluella and its relatives is presented, and the new taxon compared with congeners from Malaysia and other parts of south-east Asia.

Chalarostylis is a deep-sea genus close to Hemilamprops but easily distinguished from the latter mainly by its robust first pereopod. However, this appendage is frequently broken off at the anterior margin of the basis, making the identification of the species of the genus difficult. Regarding Hemilamprops brenkei, both the adult male holotype and the additional specimens herein reported from the Weddell Sea and the Guinea, Argentine and Brazilian Basins exhibit a huge first pereopod. Thus, this species is transferred to Chalarostylis and its description completed. Two other species until now in Hemilamprops, H. canadensis and H. longisetae are also transferred to Chalarostylis. In addition, an unknown species of Chalarostylis from the Bay of Biscay for which no name is given is briefly described. The diagnosis of this genus is emended.

It was asked whether variations in hemocyte counts in a mussel can be explained by mechanisms known to govern the leukocyte number in vertebrates. Hemolymph of 25 freshly collected Mytilus edulis contained (4.2±1.75)×10(6)cells/mL including basophilic and eosinophilic granulocytes and 6.6±5.5% hyalinocytes (15 animals). After 12 or 30days under optimal laboratory conditions, hemocytes in circulation decreased to less than 1×10(6)/mL, the lowest number observed being 5×10(5)cells/mL. Within 2min of a stressful stimulus, cell numbers doubled or increased by a factor of 3 or 4. After stressing mussels by keeping them out of water for 1h, cell counts were as high as 1.2×10(7)cells/mL. The quick rate of increase in cell counts is not due to hemocyte proliferation. In mussels, returned to optimal water conditions, cell numbers dropped following an exponential decay curve (y=5.6865·(0.9936(X)). Not all hemocyte types decreased in number to the same extent. After a strong decrease in the total cell count induced by injection of LPS, the remaining hemocyte population contained a larger percentage of basophils. This indicated the disappearance of eosinophilic cells from the circulation. Stress situations caused their return. Hemocytopenia or stress-induced hemocytosis in M. edulis, both in conjunction with changes in the percentage of granulocytes present, resembles margination/demargination processes in mammals where the concentration of circulating leukocyte subsets depends on the expression of adhesive receptor-ligand molecules on the surface of specific leukocyte types and vascular endothelial cells. In Mytilus edulis, variations in the concentration of distinct cell groups excluded heart activity to explain cell fluctuations. Furthermore, in this mussel, where hemocyte proliferation is not the reason for rapid hemocytosis, cell divisions were nevertheless demonstrated; they seem to be important in maintaining hemocyte homeostasis as 10-20% of cells in circulation possess the capacity to proliferate. They belong to the group of basophilic granulocytes., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

External and internal features of the head of adults of Merope tuber were examined and described in detail. The results were compared to conditions found in other members of Mecoptera and other antliophoran lineages. A list of characters of different body parts and life stages is presented. The parsimony analysis and a recent evaluation of thoracic features suggest a basal placement of Merope within monophyletic Pistillifera. The monophyly of Mecoptera was not supported by our data set. Nannochoristidae (Nannomecoptera) was placed as sistertaxon of a clade comprising Diptera and Siphonaptera. Cephalic features supporting this group are modifications of the mouthparts linked to feeding on liquid substrates. Considering recent results of extensive morphological and molecular investigations we consider this placement of Nannochoristidae and the implied mecopteran paraphyly as a possible artefact. Potential cephalic autapomorphies of Mecoptera are the presence of a tooth-like projection of the gena and a prepharyngeal tube, the absence of M. frontolabralis, and the origin of M. tentoriooralis on the middle region of the anterior tentorial arm. Despite of the conspicuous morphological differences between Caurinus and the other boreid genera the family forms a well supported clade. A sistergroup relationship between Boreidae and Pistillifera is confirmed. A unique synapomorphy is the presence of specialized dilator muscles of the salivary duct. The reconstruction of the relationships of the pistilliferan taxa is strongly impeded by a serious lack of morphological data. However, a group comprising Eomeropidae, Choristidae, Apteropanorpidae, Panorpidae and Panorpodidae is supported in our analyses. Further well documented anatomical data are needed for a reliable reconstruction of mecopteran relationships. The collecting and morphological study of larvae should also have high priority. Inherent problems are extreme secondary modifications of cephalic features of Caurinus and Nannochorista., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The mud worm genus Marenzelleria is highly invasive and is therefore studied intensively. In recently invaded habitats, sympatric populations of the sibling species Marenzelleria viridis and Marenzelleria neglecta are found. In these secondary contact zones, hybridization occurs frequently, revealing incomplete reproductive isolation between these recently diverged species. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometric methods were applied for a comparative analysis of these species and their F(1)-hybrids. Nineteen proteins were identified by cross-species identification strategies. A low degree of interindividual variability within either species allowed characterizing qualitative species-specific differences in 2-DE spot patterns as well as in peptide maps. Species-specific peptides were found in tryptic digests of various proteins, such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, troponin C, gelsolin-like protein, and peroxiredoxin-1. F(1)-hybrids of M. viridis and M. neglecta showed additivity of protein spot patterns, and the presence of both parental traits was confirmed by mass spectrometric data. This study is one of few dealing with global protein expression in polychaetes and is the first proteomic description of natural F(1)-hybrids in polychaetes. It furthermore indicates the feasibility of proteomic methods for analyses of speciation in Marenzelleria siblings as well as of hybridization events in secondary contact zones in general.

In humans and other vertebrates, mental or physical stressors may trigger a variety of symptoms generally referred to as the fight/flight response (Cannon 1929). The processes also include variability of the heart frequency as well as leukocytosis. We monitored both body responses in disturbed hibernating vineyard snails, H. pomatia, to obtain information on the stress sensitivity of these "sleeping" invertebrates. The first mild stressor, a 100 meter transport of hibernating snails from the cold room to the laboratory, caused cardiac arrhythmia in the animals. This reaction could have been provoked by mechanical disturbances and/or by raising the body temperature to room temperature. But a change in the ambient temperature did not trigger an abnormal heart rhythm. Different from this observation, we recorded instant heart rate changes in response to knocking on the shell and a very irregular heartbeat occurred when a hole was punched in the shell. With a short time delay upon damaging the shell, a large increase in the number of circulating cells also occurred. This was not observed after knocking on the shell or when snails were adapted to different temperatures for each 48 h. Thus, hibernating snails sense environmental variations which cause an immediate change of the heart frequency and an elevated stimulus level initiates in addition leukocytosis which occurs at a post-stimulus latency. This disparity could indicate the activity of two different stress regulation pathways. Furthermore, the assays demonstrate an increasing linear relation between rising temperature and frequency of heart pulsations (y=1.01x-2.1); but the results do not indicate a correlation between heartbeat frequency and the number of cells in circulation. Consequently, neither temperature nor heart frequency seems to influence the number of circulating cells in hibernating H. pomatia., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We present the largest morphological character set ever compiled for Holometabola. This was made possible through an optimized acquisition of data. Based on our analyses and recently published hypotheses based on molecular data, we discuss higher-level phylogeny and evolutionary changes. We comment on the information content of different character systems and discuss the role of morphology in the age of phylogenomics. Microcomputer tomography in combination with other techniques proved highly efficient for acquiring and documenting morphological data. Detailed anatomical information (356 characters) is now available for 30 representatives of all holometabolan orders. A combination of traditional and novel techniques complemented each other and rapidly provided reliable data. In addition, our approach facilitates documenting the anatomy of model organisms. Our results show little congruence with studies based on rRNA, but confirm most clades retrieved in a recent study based on nuclear genes: Holometabola excluding Hymenoptera, Coleopterida (= Strepsiptera + Coleoptera), Neuropterida excl. Neuroptera, and Mecoptera. Mecopterida (= Antliophora + Amphiesmenoptera) was retrieved only in Bayesian analyses. All orders except Megaloptera are monophyletic. Problems in the analyses are caused by taxa with numerous autapomorphies and/or inapplicable character states due to the loss of major structures (such as wings). Different factors have contributed to the evolutionary success of various holometabolan lineages. It is likely that good flying performance, the ability to occupy different habitats as larvae and adults, parasitism, liquid feeding, and co-evolution with flowering plants have played important roles. We argue that even in the "age of phylogenomics", comparative morphology will still play a vital role. In addition, morphology is essential for reconstructing major evolutionary transformations at the phenotypic level, for testing evolutionary scenarios, and for placing fossil taxa. © The Willi Hennig Society 2010., (© The Willi Hennig Society 2010.)

Amphibians (Lissamphibia) are characterized by a bi-phasic life-cycle that comprises an aquatic larval stage and metamorphosis to the adult. The ancestral aquatic feeding behavior of amphibian larvae is suction feeding. The negative pressure that is needed for ingestion of prey is created by depression of the hyobranchial apparatus as a result of hyobranchial muscle action. Understanding the homologies of hyobranchial muscles in amphibian larvae is a crucial step in understanding the evolution of this important character complex. However, the literature mostly focuses on the adult musculature and terms used for hyal and ventral branchial muscles in different amphibians often do not reflect homologies across lissamphibian orders. Here we describe the hyal and ventral branchial musculature in larvae of caecilians (Gymnophiona) and salamanders (Caudata), including juveniles of two permanently aquatic salamander species. Based on previous alternative terminology schemes, we propose a terminology for the hyal and ventral branchial muscles that reflects the homologies of muscles and that is suited for studies on hyobranchial muscle evolution in amphibians. We present a discussion of the hyal and ventral branchial muscles in larvae of the most recent common ancestor of amphibians (i.e. the ground plan of Lissamphibia). Based on our terminology, the hyal and ventral branchial musculature of caecilians and salamanders comprises the following muscles: m. depressor mandibulae, m. depressor mandibulae posterior, m. hyomandibularis, m. branchiohyoideus externus, m. interhyoideus, m. interhyoideus posterior, m. subarcualis rectus I, m. subarcualis obliquus II, m. subarcualis obliquus III, m. subarcualis rectus II-IV, and m. transversus ventralis IV. Except for the m. branchiohyoideus externus, all muscles considered herein can be assigned to the ground plan of the Lissamphibia with certainty. The m. branchiohyoideus externus is either apomorphic for the Batrachia (frogs + salamanders) or salamander larvae depending on whether or not a homologous muscle is present in frog tadpoles., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Characters of the thorax of 30 representatives of all endopterygote orders and four hemimetabolous outgroup taxa were examined. In total, 126 characters potentially useful for phylogenetic reconstruction are discussed and presented as a data matrix. The thoracic features were analysed with different approaches combined with an additional large set of morphological data. Endopterygota were confirmed as monophyletic and new morphological autapomorphies of the group are suggested. The highly controversial Strepsiptera are not placed as sistergroup of Diptera (Halteria-concept) but consistently as sistergroup of Coleoptera. This clade was mainly supported by characters associated with posteromotorism. The traditionally proposed relationship of Neuropterida + Coleoptera was not confirmed. Hymenoptera was placed as sistergroup of all remaining orders in parsimony analyses. The inclusion of Strepsiptera + Coleoptera in Mecopterida in parsimony analyses is probably artificial and potential thoracic autapomorphies of Mecopterida in the traditional sense are suggested. Mecopterida are confirmed as a clade in Bayesian analyses. Amphiesmenoptera and Antliophora are well supported. The paraphyly of Mecoptera is due to a clade comprising Nannochoristidae and Siphonaptera + Diptera. The phylogenetic reconstruction using characters of the thorax is impeded by functional constraints, parallel losses, a general trend to reinforce the skeleton and to simplify the muscular apparatus, and also by different specializations occurring in potential outgroup taxa. The addition of a large additional morphological data set only partly compensated for these problems. It is apparent that the inclusion of more outgroup and ingroup taxa is required, notably presumably basal representatives of Mecoptera, Trichoptera, and Diptera. This may reduce the effect of an artificial attraction of branches caused by homoplasy, notably character losses occurring within different lineages.© The Willi Hennig Society 2010., (© The Willi Hennig Society 2010.)

Cave fish provide a model system for exploring the genetic basis of regressive evolution. A proposal that regressive evolution (for example, eye loss) may result from pleiotropy, by selection on constructive traits (for example, improved taste) has received considerable recent interest as it contradicts the theory that regressive evolution results from neutral evolution. In this study, these theories are reviewed by placing the classical and molecular genetic studies of cave fish in a common framework. Sequence data and the wide range of intermediate sized eyes in hybrids between surface and cave fish suggest that currently there is no strong evidence supporting the notion that structural eye genes have been afflicted by destructive mutations. The hedgehog genes, which are suggested to reduce the primordial eye cup size in cavefish by expanded expression, are also not mutated. The as yet unidentified 'eye genes' revealed by crossing experiments seem primarily responsible for eye regression and determine eye development through hedgehog. Hybrids between different eye-reduced cave populations developing large 'back to surface eyes' support this. In such eyes, hh expression is restored by complementary restitution because of the recombination of 'eye genes', which were subjected to different destructive mutations in separately evolving cave fish populations. All regressive and constructive cave fish traits can be considered to result from genetic modules, each showing a comparable pattern of expression. The constructive and regressive modules are shown to inherit independently from each other, which does not support the view that eye regression is a spin off effect of the improvement of beneficial traits through pleiotropy.

This study focused on soluble and surface-bound aminopeptidase (AP) in hemocytes from Mytilus edulis and on the identification of the enzyme-producing blood cells. The cell extract hydrolyzed alanine p-nitroanilide (Ala-pNA) with an optimum between pH 6.4 and 7.0. Following native gradient PAGE of extract, alanyl methoxy-naphthylamide (AMNA) was converted by one band with an estimated molecular weight of 375kDa; it included at least ten putative AP-isozymes with isoelectric points between pH 4.5 and 5.8. In addition to this soluble form, electron microscopy revealed simultaneous conversion of AMNA on the surface of blood cells. Individual mussels expressed AP-molecules in 23-39% of their hemocytes. These cells were shown to represent eosinophilic granulocytes.

The Remipedia are enigmatic crustaceans from anchialine cave systems, first described only 30 years ago, whose phylogenetic affinities are as yet unresolved. Here we report the sequence of hemocyanin from Speleonectes tulumensis Yager, 1987 (Remipedia, Speleonectidae). This is the first proof of the presence of this type of respiratory protein in a crustacean taxon other than Malacostraca. Speleonectes tulumensis hemocyanin consists of multiple distinct (at least three) subunits (StuHc1-3; Hc, hemocyanin). Surprisingly, the sequences are most similar to hexapod hemocyanins. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the S. tulumensis hemocyanin subunits StuHc1 and StuHc3 associate with the type 1 hexapod hemocyanin subunits, whereas StuHc2 associates with the type 2 subunits of hexapods. Together, remipede and hexapod hemocyanins are in the sister-group position to the hemocyanins of malacostracan crustaceans. Hemocyanins provide no indication of a close relationship of Myriapoda and Hexapoda but support Pancrustacea (Crustacea + Hexapoda). Our results also suggest that Crustacea are paraphyletic and that Hexapoda may have evolved from a Remipedia-like ancestor. Thus, Remipedia occupy a key position for the understanding of the evolution of hexapods, which are and have been one of the world's most speciose lineage of animals.

The present study employed light and electron microscopic methods to investigate the ontogenetic origin of the olfactory organ in bichirs (Cladistia: Polypteridae) and explore its evolution among osteichthyans. In former studies we demonstrated that in teleosts a subepidermal layer gives rise to the olfactory placode which in turn builds all types of olfactory cells (basal, receptor, supporting, ciliated non-sensory cells). In contrast, the olfactory placodes in sturgeons (Chondrostei: Acipenseridae) as well as in the clawed frog Xenopus laevis (Anura: Pipidae) originate from two different layers. Receptor neurons derive from cells of the subepidermal (sensory) layer and supporting cells from epidermal cells. As sturgeons and amphibians in some characters show a more primitive condition than teleosts, we extended our study to Polypterus to allow for an approach at the basic osteichthyan pattern. In Polypterus, an internal lumen occurs in early ontogenetic stages surrounded by the epithelium of the olfactory placode. Two different populations of supporting cells follow one another: a primary population derives from the subepidermal layer. Later supporting cells develop from epidermal cells by transdifferentiation. The primary opening of the internal lumen to the exterior develops by invagination from the epidermal surface and simultaneously by a counter-directed process of cell dissociation and fragmentation inside the olfactory placode. Our results indicate the following features to be plesiomorphic actinopterygian character states: The primary olfactory pit (prospective olfactory cavity) is formed by invagination of the epidermal and the subepidermal layer (as in Acipenser and Xenopus). The incurrent and excurrent nostrils derive from a single primary opening which elongates and is then separated by an epidermal bridge into the two external openings (as in Acipenser and many teleosts). The olfactory epithelium derives from an epidermal and a subepidermal layer (as in Acipenser and Xenopus). Apomorphic (derived actinopterygian) features are: (1) an internal lumen as primordium of the future olfactory chamber; (2) a subepidermal layer gives rise to the olfactory epithelium and its constituents (Polypterus and teleosts). As to the origin of the olfactory supporting cells in Polypterus we assume a combination of plesiomorphic and apomorphic characters. We conclude that Acipenser and Xenopus exhibit the most widely distributed features among basal osteognathostomes and thus ancestral character states in the development of the olfactory organs., (Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Parasites from Flensburg fjord, northern German Baltic coast, were investigated under regard of the component, guild, and supra community level. At least, 28 host species of the guilds snails, planktonic and benthic crustaceans, and fish (exclusively small-sized species) were infected by 53 parasite species (28 autogenic and 19 allogenic ones, six of uncertain status). The sampling location was a shallow water with muddy sand bottom and rich vegetation, which is influenced by brackish conditions and strong eutrophication. The density of hosts was high but corresponds to values from other locations in the western Baltic. Prevalence and parasite density was low in snails and planktonic copepods but moderate in benthic crustaceans and often high in the fish guild due to the peculiarities of the single parasite species. Diversity of parasites was high in snails and most crustaceans on the component level, but mostly low in fish. In contrast, only snails attained high diversity on the guild level. Species identity of parasites in mud snail hosts (three Hydrobia spp.) was high, and therefore, they can substitute each other, whereas fish hosts present predominantly their own parasite fauna. At least, 17 developmental cycles of helminths were pursued in the guilds. The supra community is decisively influenced by the host species richness which render possible the diversity of guild communities. The characteristics of the parasite supra community from Flensburg fjord are marked by a random agglomeration of helminth species and their larval stages and some species of other parasite groups.

Caecilians (Lissamphibia: Gymnophiona) are unique among vertebrates in having two sets of jaw-closing muscles, one on either side of the jaw joint. Using data from high-resolution X-ray radiation computed tomography scans, we modelled the effect of these two muscle groups (mm. levatores mandibulae and m. interhyoideus posterior) on bite force over a range of gape angles, employing a simplified lever arm mechanism that takes into account muscle cross-sectional area and fibre angle. Measurements of lever arm lengths, muscle fibre orientations and physiological cross-sectional area of cranial muscles were available from three caecilian species: Ichthyophis cf. kohtaoensis; Siphonops annulatus; and Typhlonectes natans. The maximal gape of caecilians is restricted by a critical gape angle above which the mm. levatores mandibulae will open the jaw and destabilize the mandibular joint. The presence of destabilizing forces in the caecilian jaw mechanism may be compensated for by a mandibular joint in that the fossa is wrapped around the condyle to resist dislocation. The caecilian skull is streptostylic; the quadrate-squamosal complex moves with respect to the rest of the skull. This increases the leverage of the jaw-closing muscles. We also demonstrate that the unusual jaw joint requires streptostyly because there is a dorsolateral movement of the quadrate-squamosal complex when the jaw closes. The combination of the two jaw-closing systems results in high bite forces over a wide range of gape angles, an important advantage for generalist feeders such as caecilians. The relative sizes and leverage mechanics of the two closing systems allow one to exert more force when the other has a poor mechanical advantage. This effect is seen in all three species we examined. In the aquatic T. natans, with its less well-roofed skull, there is a larger contribution of the mm. levatores mandibulae to total bite force than in the terrestrial I. cf. kohtaoensis and S. annulatus.

In the brackish Baltic Sea, the species richness and diversity of parasite communities of three- (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and nine-spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius) were investigated. The studies regarded four localities at the Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg coasts, northern Germany, where salinities were between 10 and 18 per thousand. Species richness was relatively high, attaining 15 parasite species in G. aculeatus and 16 in P. pungitius, which are only surpassed by former investigations that lasted a year or more. An analysis of parasite species identity revealed clear differences in diverse localities referring to different supracommunities. The infracommunity comprised maximally of eight species in G. aculeatus and seven in P. pungitius, which corresponds to former investigations. The mean value of infracommunity with 5.3 parasites is the highest value ever found in small-sized fish. An infracommunity index revealed that the digenean Podocotyle atomon and Magnibursatus caudofilamentosa and the copepod Thersitina gasterostei were the most abundant parasites. The relationship of component community to mean infracommunity can judge about the threshold level, which allows parasite to settle successfully. An important factor to form parasite communities is the season of their appearance, which depends also on their reproduction and on the presence of intermediate hosts. In addition, the choice of prey (for passive infection) and quality of habitats (for active infection) influences the constitution of the parasite communities. The diversity values of parasites were low in all hosts, which is due to the brackish milieu and by different levels of eutrophication, which both create extreme environments. These do not mirror in every case the biodiversity of the respective habitats. The parasite community was in a level of early heterotrophic succession where low diversity is combined with high population density, which is characteristic for extreme environments. Therefore, intraspecific competition dominates and niches are wide. Under this aspect and regard of the actually valid definition that niches are dynamic systems between organisms and environment, the theory of vacant niches of some authors can be rejected.

Activity patterns and time budgets of bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) were studied in a free-ranging population in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda from August 2000 to January 2002. We investigated differences in activity patterns in relation to daytime, season, sun radiation, moonlight, age and sex. Bushbuck were found to show peak activities around sunrise and at dawn. No difference in the mean activity rates was found between the dry and wet season. Daytime activity was not predicted by differences in sun radiation, nor was nighttime activity predicted by the presence or absence of moonlight. We found the activity of adult territorial males to be strongly positively correlated with that of females, whereas the activity of young-adult non-territorial males was not significantly correlated with the activity of females. This suggests that young-adult males shift their peak activity to phases when adult territorial males are less active.

The bizarre larvae of Leptobrachella mjobergi are fossorial and live in the gravel beds of small streams. These tadpoles are vermiform in body shape. Here we present details on their skeleton and musculature, particularly of the head. The entire cranium and its associated musculature are reconstructed in three dimensions from serial histological sections. The hyobranchial apparatus is highly reduced. The head of the L. mjobergi larva is more mobile than in other anuran species. This mobility can largely be ascribed to the exclusion of the notochord from the cranial base and an articulation of the foramen magnum floor with the atlas of the tadpole. The articulation is unique among anuran species, but design parallels can be drawn to salamanders and the articulation between atlas and axis in mammals. In L. mjobergi, the atlas forms an anterior dens that articulates with the basal plate in an accessory, third occipital articular face. The muscle arrangements deviate from the patterns found in other tadpoles: For instance, epaxial and ventral trunk muscles reach far forward onto the skull. The post-cranial skeleton of L. mjobergi is considerably longer than that of other anurans: it comprises a total of 35 vertebrae, including more than 20 post-sacral perichordal centra. Despite a number of features in cranial and axial morphology of L. mjobergi, which appear to be adaptations to its fossorial mode of life, the species clearly shares other features with its megophryid and pelobatid relatives.

The parasite communities of three goby species from the marine North and the brackish Baltic Sea were compared. The samples of summer 1992/93 from Helgoland, Lubeck and Kiel Bight comprised a parasite spectrum of 4-5 in Pomatoschistus microps, 2-3 in P. pictus or 3-8 parasite species in Gobiusculus flavescens. The highest numbers were found in Kiel Bight whereas those of Helgoland and Lubeck Bight differed between 3 and 7, respectively. In comparing the species identity of the studied localities the value was intermediate in P. microps, low in P. pictus and zero in G. flavescens. Values of prevalence and abundance were clearly lower in Helgoland than in Baltic localities. The prey of Helgoland goby populations comprised meio- and macrobenthos in P. microps, predominantly macrobenthos but also meiobenthos and some plankton in P. pictus, and predominantly plankton and some benthos in G. flavescens. Former studies (Zander in J Zool Syst Evol Res 32:220 1994) revealed a greater variability of prey choice in the Baltic. The greater parasite richness in the Baltic compared with that of Helgoland, may lie on better adaptations of genuine brackish components, lower defence mechanisms of hosts as a consequence of lower salinity, and greater variability in habitat choice. The effect of several filters on the colonisation of parasites in hosts is submitted here in a model.

The chrysomelid leaf beetles Longitarsus jacobaeae, Oreina cacaliae, and O. speciosissima sequester pyrrolizidine alkaloids from their asteracean host plants and store them as nontoxic N-oxides. Previous analyses showed that Longitarsus is able to N-oxidize protoxic tertiary PAs, but did not resolve in which form N-oxides are taken up. For Oreina, beetles seem able to directly transmit the polar PA N-oxides from the gut into the hemolymph and prevent any reduction of them in the gut yielding protoxic free bases. Here, we confirm the predicted direct uptake of PAs as N-oxides by Oreina, and elucidate the situation for Longitarsus by applying double-labeled [14C]senecionine [18O]N-oxide as tracer. The beetles were fed with the tracer and subsequently senecionine N-oxide was recovered from the defensive secretions (Oreina) and beetle extracts (Longitarsus), purified by HPLC, and submitted to ESI-MS, GC-MS, and analysis of the specific radioactivity. The 18O-label is retained without any loss in the labeled senecionine N-oxide recovered from the two Oreina species. Analysis of the Longitarsus experiment was complicated by a contamination of the HPLC-purified senecionine N-oxide with a second compound, identified as a dihydrosenecionine N-oxide by high-resolution CID analysis. The dihydrosenecionine N-oxide, probably the 15,20-dihydro derivative, constitutes a major idiosyncratic senecionine metabolite present in the beetle. The recovered senecionine N-oxide retained 74% 18O-label. The remaining 25% is mostly due to loss of 18O by reduction and subsequent re-N-oxidation. The experiments confirm for both beetle genera a direct uptake of the polar nontoxic PA N-oxides, which requires specific membrane carriers. Accumulation of detrimental free base PA is prevented by glucosylation (Oreina) or N-oxidation (Longitarsus).