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The impact of meteorological phenomena on ecosystem communities of karst subterranean estuaries (KSEs) remains unknown. KSEs are characterized by vertically stratified groundwater separated by a halocline and host endemic aquatic cave‐adapted fauna (stygobionts). In October 2015, 8 days of heavy precipitation caused the first recorded mortality event in the KSE. This event was marked by a halocline shift 5 m deeper. The present study aimed to provide insights into resilience of KSEs faunal communities to temporal shifts in temperature and precipitation. Cave water temperature decreased on average 0.0068°C per mm of accumulated precipitation over 4 days, which can add up to, and surpass, the interannual temperature variation in cases of heavy precipitations. Biological surveys (2012–2021) conducted within cave systems El Aerolito and La Quebrada, in Cozumel, indicated that change in community structure was not detected and stygobionts were resilient; however, marine species inhabiting the caves were impacted. Overall, the faunal community at KSEs remains resilient within short‐term meteorological phenomena despite shifts of non‐stygobionts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study revises the taxonomic status of the formerly monotypic Archinomidae, which is nested within paraphyletic Amphinomidae according to recent phylogenetic work. We focused our taxonomic sampling to evaluate the affinities of Notopygos and genera classified as 'fusiform' in body shape, including Archinome and Chloeia. Prior to this study, the phylogenetic placement of Notopygos had not been evaluated. We inferred the phylogenetic relationships of Notopygos within Amphinomidae based on nuclear and mitochondrial markers, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genetic divergences of five Notopygos species, including the newly described Notopygos kekooa sp. n. from the Gulf of California. The phylogenetic and morphological evidence, now including Notopygos species, justified the establishment of two subfamilies within Amphinomidae. In accordance with ICZN Article 36 (Principle of Coordination), both subfamilies are presented as status novus in the nomenclature ranks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few decades, advances in molecular techniques have led to the detection of strong geographic population structure and cryptic speciation in many benthic marine taxa, even those with long-lived pelagic larval stages. Polychaete annelids, in particular, generally show a high degree of population divergence, especially in mitochondrial genes. Rarely have molecular studies confirmed the presence of 'cosmopolitan' species. The amphinomid polychaete Hermodice carunculata was long considered the sole species within its genus, with a reported distribution throughout the Atlantic and adjacent basins. However, recent studies have indicated morphological differences, primarily in the number of branchial filaments, between the East and West Atlantic populations; these differences were invoked to re-instate Hermodice nigrolineata, formerly considered a junior synonym of H. carunculata. We utilized sequence data from two mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S r DNA) markers and one nuclear (internal transcribed spacer) marker to examine the genetic diversity of Hermodice throughout its distribution range in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Guinea. Our analyses revealed generally low genetic divergences among collecting localities and between the East and West Atlantic, although phylogenetic trees based on mitochondrial data indicate the presence of a private lineage in the Mediterranean Sea. A re-evaluation of the number of branchial filaments confirmed differences between East and West Atlantic populations; however, the differences were not diagnostic and did not reflect the observed genetic population structure. Rather, we suspect that the number of branchial filaments is a function of oxygen saturation in the environment. Our results do not support the distinction between H. carunculata in the West Atlantic and H. nigrolineata in the East Atlantic. Instead, they re-affirm the older notion that H. carunculata is a cohesive species with a broad distribution across the Atlantic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borda, E., Kudenov, J.D., Bienhold, C. & Rouse, G.W. (2012). Towards a revised Amphinomidae (Annelida, Amphinomida): description and affinities of a new genus and species from the Nile Deep-sea Fan, Mediterranean Sea. - Zoologica Scripta, 41, 307-325. The discovery of a new amphinomid species from wood falls deployed near cold seeps (1694 m) at the Nile Deep-sea Fan (Mediterranean Sea) highlights the need to revise Amphinomidae to better characterize amphinomid diversity. The phylogenetic affinities of the new amphinomid and 12 other species from nine Amphinomida genera were inferred using data from two nuclear (18S rDNA and 28S rDNA) and two mitochondrial (COI and 16S rDNA) genes. The phylogenetic analyses indicated a close relationship of the new species with other amphinomids associated with temporary pelagic substrata, including Amphinome sensu stricto (emended herein) and Hipponoa. The new species belongs to a distinct lineage and we, here, erect a new genus to accommodate it. Cryptonome gen. n. is the second amphinomid genus established for species from chemosynthetic environments. Cryptonome conclava sp. n. is distinguished morphologically from all previously described rectilinear Amphinomidae by lacking notochaetal hooks, having a reduced caruncle, modified neurochaetae and branchiae on nearly all segments. Taxonomic issues regarding amphinomid species presently assigned to Amphinome and the erroneous placement of related xylophylic taxa in Eurythoe are also outlined. We emend and restrict the five known oceanic flotsam species with stalked heart-shaped caruncles to Amphinome sensu stricto. An additional 15 species previously assigned to Amphinome may belong to other genera (e.g. Linopherus) and are here tentatively considered incertae sedis. Finally, Eurythoe turcica and Eurythoe parvecarunculata are transferred to Cryptonome gen. n. as new combinations. A revised key to a subset of rectilinear amphinomid genera (relevant to this study) is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A scourge of tropical and subtropical jungles, bloodfeeding terrestrial leeches of Haemadipsidae have long confused systematists and defied sensible biogeographic interpretation. The family Haemadipsidae usually includes problematic taxa that neither fit the typical IndoPacific distribution of the group, nor properly match diagnostic characters used to define the family. Historically, four additional families—Xerobdellidae, Diestecostomatidae Mesobdellidae and Nesophilaemonidae—have occasionally been recognized for New World and European representatives, though agreement on the composition of those families has not been consistent. Here, we expand the phylogenetic sampling of non-IndoPacific (among other) genera to include Meso American Diestecostoma species and Nesophilaemon skottsbergii from the Juan Fernandez Archipelago in order to critically assess prior hypotheses in a molecular phylogenetic analysis of arhynchobdellid leeches. The result, based on nuclear 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA and mitochondrial COI indicates that there are two distantly related lineages of bloodfeeding terrestrial leeches. The otherwise monophyletic family Haemadipsidae is found to exclude species of Xerobdella, Mesobdella and Diestecostoma. Xerobdellidae is formally resurrected to accommodate species of those three genera. Morphological characteristics corroborate the distinction of Haemadipsidae and Xerobdellidae on the basis of sexual and nephridial characters. Idiobdella seychellensis belongs in Haemadipsidae notwithstanding its lacking respiratory auricles. Nesophilaemon skottsbergii too is in Haemadipsidae notwithstanding its geographic proximity to the xerobdellid Mesobdella gemmata. The characters used to define haemadipsoid families are reevaluated. Feeding preferences and biogeographic patterns are also examined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A remarkable diversity of life history strategies, geographic distributions, and morphological characters provide a rich substrate for investigating the evolutionary relationships of arhynchobdellid leeches. The phylogenetic relationships, using parsimony analysis, of the order Arhynchobdellida were investigated using nuclear 18S and 28S rDNA, mitochondrial 12S rDNA, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence data, as well as 24 morphological characters. Thirty-nine arhynchobdellid species were selected to represent the seven currently recognized families. Sixteen rhynchobdellid leeches from the families Glossiphoniidae and Piscicolidae were included as outgroup taxa. Analysis of all available data resolved a single most-parsimonious tree. The cladogram conflicted with most of the traditional classification schemes of the Arhynchobdellida. Monophyly of the Erpobdelliformes and Hirudiniformes was supported, whereas the families Haemadipsidae, Haemopidae, and Hirudinidae, as well as the genera Hirudo or Aliolimnatis, were found not to be monophyletic. The results provide insight on the phylogenetic positions for the taxonomically problematic families Americobdellidae and Cylicobdellidae, the genera Semiscolex, Patagoniobdella, and Mesobdella, as well as genera traditionally classified under Hirudinidae. The evolution of dietary and habitat preferences is examined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The relationships, as well as identification of species, within Helobdella (Glossiphoniidae) were explored through phylogenetic analysis and through an overview of the historical systematics of the genus. The phylogeny was determined using morphological data and the mitochondrial gene sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit I. A broad representation of 15 ingroup species was sampled, including 10 individuals from South America. Outgroup taxa included five species of Haementeria . Cladistic analysis of all available data resulted in one most parsimonious tree. Results shed light on genetic divergence of members classified as the same species, including those that are not monophyletic. Historically, external morphological characters have played a significant role in contributing to the confusion in the classification of H. triserialis, H. papillata, H. lineata and H. fusca in North America. Re-evaluation of Verril's Clepsine papillifera var. b and var. d in a phylogenetic context provides a solution. Additionally, the genera Adaetobdella, Acritobdella, Dacnobdella and Gloiobdella created by Ringuelet are returned to Helobdella based on overlapping morphological characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annelid clade Amphinomidae, commonly known as "fireworms," is notorious for causing skin inflammations after physical contact. These injuries are caused by the chaetae of the animals, which are calcified and particularly brittle. The incorporation of calcium carbonate particles and their disintegration cause the chitinous lamellae within a chaeta to break apart and result in a prominent inner cavity. Although the chaetae of Amphinomidae are well studied, data concerning their sister group, Euphrosinidae, are scarce. In this study, we examined the chaetae of two species of Euphrosine for the first time regarding the variety of chaetal types, their ultrastructure, elemental composition, and arrangement. This allows us to get a better understanding of chaetal characteristics in the ground pattern of Amphinomida. We were able to determine bifurcate chaetae as the primary chaetal type in Amphinomida and provide evidence that their aciculae must have evolved secondarily. Calcification is a common feature among amphinomidan chaetae and regarded as autapomorphy of Amphinomida. Finally, a single dorsal formative site in each notopodium and neuropodium, found in Euphrosine foliosa, likely represents the ancestral state in Amphinomida. There is no evidence for venom production or secretory cells associated with the chaetae of Euphrosine, which is in accordance with what was previously observed in Amphinomidae. Our study also complements further studies into chaetal characteristics such as the number and arrangement of formative sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The palaemonid genus Sandyella includes S. tricornuta (Isla María Madre, Mexico), S. mclaughlinae, S. bicornuta, S. quadricornuta and S. sexicornuta (Clipperton Island, France). These species were first described in the genus Chacella based on collections of few individuals and limited to no ecological information. Sandyella was later erected to differentiate Chacella kerstitchi from Chacella tricornuta and Chacella mclaughlinae. The remaining three Chacella species (<3 mm cephalothorax length) were later also moved to Sandyella and distinguished mainly based on variation in the less than three protuberances on the cephalothorax and number of protuberances on the abdomen. Since their description from their type localities, only Sandyella tricornuta has been additionally recorded from Bahía de La Paz, Mexico. Collections done at 13 locations along the Gulf of California (2009–2010) yielded 2,905 specimens including representatives of all Sandyella species as epibionts of 57 black coral colonies Antipathes galapagensis, which prompted a closer taxonomic examination. Based on observations of live and preserved specimens, including type material, population cephalothorax size frequency and mitochondrial COI data, we inferred that all current Sandyella species (a) exhibit three protuberances on the cephalothorax; (b) cephalothorax length and number of protuberances appear to be progressive among species; (c) species exhibit high COI sequence similarity; and d) the five Sandyella species were observed cohabiting the same black coral colony. Therefore, we conclude that the five current Sandyella species are in fact distinct ontogenetic stages of a single species, S. tricornuta, and our results of a morphological Bayesian analysis led us conclude that this species belongs to the genus Sandyella rather than Chacella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aphroditiformia represents one of the most successful radiations of annelids, and is therefore an interesting model to understand morphological and functional evolution. Previous phylogenetic analyses yielded most families as monophyletic but excluded anchialine and interstitial species while failing to recover relationships within Sigalionidae. Here we address these shortcomings through the analysis of four molecular markers and 87 morphological characters sampled across 127 species under the assumptions of parsimony and model‐based methods. Of the 34 newly sequenced taxa, five anchialine and 24 interstitial species were included, with increased representation of Sigalionidae. An additional 28 elusive Sigalionidae taxa were included, represented only by morphological partitions. Molecular and morphological partitions were evaluated under exhaustive sensitivity analyses, testing the effects of alignment algorithms and optimization criteria on tree topologies. Our trees congruently recovered six clades corresponding to the families within Aphroditiformia: Acoetidae, Aphroditidae, Eulepethidae, Iphionidae, Polynoidae and Sigalionidae, respectively. An anchialine polynoid lineage was nested among strictly deep sea species, and interstitial pisionids and pholoids formed two independent clades nested within Sigalionidae. Additionally, Sigalionidae resulted in four clades, defined by combinations of apomorphies, and hereby we propose the subfamilies Pelogeniinae, Pholoinae, Pisioninae, Sthenelanellinae, as well as the provisionally included polyphyletic Sigalioninae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its description from the Galapagos Rift in the mid-1980s, Archinome rosacea has been recorded at hydrothermal vents in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Only recently was a second species described from the Pacific Antarctic Ridge. We inferred the identities and evolutionary relationships of Archinome representatives sampled from across the hydrothermal vent range of the genus, which is now extended to cold methane seeps. Species delimitation using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) recovered up to six lineages, whereas concatenated datasets (COI, 16S, 28S and ITS1) supported only four or five of these as clades. Morphological approaches alone were inconclusive to verify the identities of species owing to the lack of discrete diagnostic characters. We recognize five Archinome species, with three that are new to science. The new species, designated based on molecular evidence alone, include: Archinome levinae n. sp., which occurs at both vents and seeps in the east Pacific, Archinome tethyana n. sp., which inhabits Atlantic vents and Archinome jasoni n. sp., also present in the Atlantic, and whose distribution extends to the Indian and southwest Pacific Oceans. Biogeographic connections between vents and seeps are highlighted, as are potential evolutionary links among populations from vent fields located in the east Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and Atlantic and Indian Oceans; the latter presented for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-locked anchialine blue holes are karstic sinkholes and caves with tidally influenced, vertically stratified water bodies that harbor endemic fauna exhibiting variable troglomorphic features. These habitats represent island-like systems, which can serve to elucidate evolutionary and biogeographic processes at local scales. We investigated whether the ‘continuous spelean corridor’ hypothesis may elucidate the biogeographical distributions of the stygobitic annelid Pelagomacellicephala iliffei (Polynoidae) collected from the Great Bahama and Caicos Banks of the Bahamas Archipelago. Phylogenetic reconstructions were performed using Bayesian Inference on individual and combined datasets of three molecular markers (16S rDNA, COI, 18S rDNA) and species delimitation employed three widely accepted methods in DNA taxonomy, namely GMYC, bPTP, and ABGD. Mantel tests were used to test the effect of geography on genetic structure. Using these analyses, we recovered five independently evolving entities of the focal species across four islands of the Great Bahama Bank including Cat, Eleuthera, Exumas, and Long. Genetic data yielded strong correlations between islands and phylogenetic entities, signifying independent evolutionary histories within anchialine caves across the platform. The island of Eleuthera showed intra-island gene flow and dispersal capabilities between blue holes separated by 115 km, providing evidence of a crevicular spelean corridor within the island. However, no evidence of inter-island dispersal is present in the analyzed system. Consistent with previous biogeographic studies of cave crustaceans, the major barriers shaping the cave biota of the Bahamas Archipelago appears to be the deep trenches and channels separating the Bahamian banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-jawed (duognathous) terrestrial leeches in the Haemadipsidae are major pests across their wide geographic range, represented by numerous endemic species in Australia and across many islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. However, haemadipsid taxonomy, based largely on externally visible characters, remains in conflict with phylogenetic relationships. We capitalize on the power of microcomputed tomography ( μ CT), allowing for the first description of an extant soft-bodied species - Chtonobdella tanae sp. n. - using this technology. Several fixation strategies for soft-bodied invertebrates in μ CT scanning applications are also evaluated. Expanding on prior work, higher taxonomy of duognathous haemadipsids also was evaluated with phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data. Whereas monophyly of duognathous leeches was supported, substantial conflict remained with respect to named genera. Consequently, the genus Chtonobdella was revised to include all duognathous leech species previously distributed in 31, mostly monotypic genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandyella tricornuta (Hendrickx, 1990) is a small (<13 mm total length), obligate and highly specific ectosymbiont of the black coral Antipathes galapagensis Deichmann, 1941 with a remarkable morphology and body coloration that resembles black coral polyps. Sandyella tricornuta population structure was investigated to infer the reproductive periods evidenced with ovigerous females from monthly collection at Espíritu Santo Island (April 2009–March 2010) and along a latitudinal gradient of six islands (24–30° N, July 2009) located along the west coast of the Gulf of California, Mexico. A total of 2,899 S. tricornuta individuals were collected from 70 colonies of A. galapagensis with a mean density of 210 inds./m3 per black coral colony. Sea floor temperature of S. tricornuta / A. galapagensis habitat seasonally ranged between 21 and 30°C. Females constituted > 60% of the entire S. tricornuta population and > 59% of the collected females were ovigerous females, suggesting active reproduction throughout the year and along the latitudinal gradient investigated. Sandyella tricornuta population density and sex ratio was similar throughout the year indicating a seasonally stable population size. Total abundance of S. tricornuta was density independent of black coral colony size and weight indicating that S. tricornuta depends on A. galapagensis , but the black coral colony can grow and develop without S. tricornuta characteristic of a commensalism ectosymbiotic association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico is a carbonate platform well-known for extensive karst networks of densely stratified aquifer ecosystems. This aquifer supports diverse anchialine fauna, including species of the globally distributed anchialine shrimp genus Typhlatya (Atyidae). Four species (T. campecheae, T. pearsei, T. dzilamensis and T. mitchelli) are endemic to the Peninsula, of which three are federally listed in Mexico. This first integrative evaluation (i.e., molecular, morphological, broad geographic and type locality sampling, and environmental data) of Yucatán Typhlatya reveals considerable species identity conflict in prior phylogenetic assessments, broad species ranges, syntopy within cave systems and five genetic lineages (of which two are new to science). Despite sampling from the type locality of endangered T. campecheae, specimens (and molecular data) were indistinguishable from vulnerable T. pearsei. Ancestral/divergence reconstructions support convergent evolution of a low-salinity ancestor for a post-Paleogene arc Yucatán + Cuba Typhlatya clade within the anchialine Atyidae clade. A secondary adaptation for the coastal-restricted euryhaline (2–37 psu), Typhlatya dzilamensis (unknown conservation status) was identified, while remaining species lineages were low-salinity (< 5 psu) adapted and found within the meteoric lens of inland and coastal caves. This study demonstrates the need for integrative/interdisciplinary approaches when conducting biodiversity assessments in complex and poorly studied aquifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Prior studies report in various mammalian species that a neutral flavour can become strongly preferred after being associated with a positive consequence of its consumption. Two experiments were performed to study flavour preferences conditioned by a protein source in weaned pigs. In experiment 1, pigs were trained to drink (30min/day) one flavour (CS+) mixed into a 2% protein solution (Soybean Protein Concentrate; SPC or Porcine Digestible Peptides; PDP) and another flavour (CS−) mixed into water during 6 alternate sessions. The pigs in the SPC and PDP groups consumed more CS+ than CS− in the two-choice tests with both flavours presented in water (552 vs. 409mL, 571 vs. 414mL, respectively). In the last choice SPC and PDP animals preferred the CS+ over the CS− when both flavours were present in feed rather than water (650 vs. 536g and 678 vs. 513g, respectively). No differences were observed between the conditioning effects of the two proteins. In experiment 2, pigs were trained (30min/day) with a garlic flavour (CS) mixed with 4% PDP in sessions 1, 3, 5 and 7 unflavoured tap water in sessions 2, 4, 6 and 8 (Conditioned group) or with garlic flavour in water in sessions 1, 3, 5 and 7 and 4% PDP without added flavour in sessions 2, 4, 6 and 8 (control group). In subsequent choice tests conditioned pigs consumed more PDP+Garlic than PDP in Tests 1 (550mL vs. 372ml, P<0.05) and 3 (763mL vs. 503mL, P<0.05). In addition, pigs in the Conditioned group made significantly more first contacts (FC, number of piglets at a pan during the first 15s) with the PDP+Garlic solution than PDP solution in Tests 1 and 2 but not in Test 3. In contrast, the control group did not differ in their intakes of or first contacts to the two PDP solutions. The present results indicate that piglets can acquire preferences for a cue flavour added to protein products (PDP and SCP). The conditioned flavour preference also enhanced the attraction to the palatable protein (PDP) when the flavour and protein were combined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Zenopontonia soror (Nobili, 1904) (Caridea: Palaemonidae) is a shrimp symbiont of several sea star species that exhibits homochromy with distinct mimetic coloration according to host species. To date, populations of Z. soror have been studied extensively in the Indo-Pacific and Gulf of Panama; however, those present in the Gulf of California (Mexico) have not been evaluated. Here we conduct the first evaluation of the diversity of chromotypes present in Z. soror populations in Bahía de La Paz (Baja California Sur, Mexico), and experimentally tested how long shrimp take to archieve mimicry post sea star switch. We hypothesized that Z. soror individuals rapidly change coloration (minutes to few hours) throughout their ontogeny to mimic the coloration of host species to decrease risk of predation. This hypothesis was tested by translocating Z. soror individuals to a different sea star species with different coloration and background in the field and under laboratory conditions for three consecutive days. At least 18 chromotypes of Z. soror were identified among 386 observed specimens based on the RGB color system; and colors were independent of body size. Each chromotype holds different relative abundance in the population. Coloration was not distinctive of each individual, while color intensity increased along ontogeny development from semi-transparent (juveniles) to solid coloration (adult phase). Dynamic contraction or dispersion of the chromatophores (pigment migration) caused changes in coloration to resemble coloration of the basibiont sea star. Full mimicry of new host was achieved within 36 h in field and laboratory conditions. Zenopontonia soror individuals were observed to mimic the white spines of the sea star host Acanthaster solaris by exhibiting a white dorsal band, while others selected color-concealing hosts to stay cryptic for a short time. We conclude that Z. soror dynamically shifts coloration as an adaptation to match the symbiont shrimp–sea star host coloration to minimize or prevent predation, but individuals are vulnerable to be detected by visual predators during the color transition (<36 h period). The combined use of the Hogben and Slome index and the RGB color system from digital images provide the most precise method to assign intensity and color in epibiont-host organisms to understand the complex process of homochromy. • Zenopontonia soror has least 18 chromotypes changing independently of body size. • Each chromotype holds distinct relative abundance in the population. • Color intensity increased to ontogenetic development from transparent (juveniles) to solid coloration (adults). • Dynamic contraction or dispersion of the chromatophores cause change in coloration to resemble coloration of the basibiont. • Full homocromy of new host was achieved within 36 h in field and laboratory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the course of surveys for freshwater amphibians/reptiles in the Coastal Plain of southeastern Georgia and northern Florida, we documented parasitism of the Amphiuma means (Two-toed Amphiuma) by the leech Macrobdella ditetra (Family Macrobdellidae). We observed this leech on Two-toed Amphiumas at 4 different wetland sites, with 1–3 individual M. ditetra present on 6 of 16 (37.5%) Two-toed Amphiumas captured via aquatic trapping. Leeches were not found on Siren lacertina (Greater Siren; n = 10), a second large, eel-like salamander inhabiting some of the same wetlands. We did not document Philobdella floridana, a second macrobdellid leech species often found syntopically with M. ditetra, feeding on the Two-toed Amphiuma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indirect methods for conducting faunal inventories present great promise, and genomic inventories derived from environmental sources (eDNA) are improving. Invertebrate ingested DNA (iDNA) from terrestrial leeches in the family Haemadipsidae has shown potential for surveying vertebrates and biodiversity monitoring in protected areas. Here we present an initial, and critical, evaluation of the limitations and biases of current iDNA protocols for biodiversity monitoring using both standard and NGS barcoding approaches. Key findings include the need for taxon relevant multi-locus markers and reference databases. In particular, the limitations of available reference databases have profound potential to mislead and bias eDNA and iDNA results if not critically interpreted. Nevertheless, there is great potential for recovery of amplifiable DNA from gut contents of invertebrate museum specimens which may reveal both temporal patterns and cryptic diversity in protected areas with increased efficiency. Our analyses of ingested DNA (iDNA) from both freshly stored and previously collected (legacy) samples of terrestrial leeches successfully identified vertebrates from Myanmar, Australia and Madagascar and indicate the potential to characterize microbial communities, pathogen diversity and interactions at low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Academy of Neurology and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently issued practice parameters for women with epilepsy. These parameters suggest optimal care practices. To assess knowledge of the issues covered in the parameters and to facilitate educational efforts to promote best care, the Epilepsy Foundation conducted a survey of healthcare professionals likely to provide care to women with epilepsy. The survey sampled 3535 healthcare professionals across a wide range of specialties. Most respondents did not know the specific effects of estrogen and progesterone on the seizure threshold, were not aware of menstrual-associated seizure patterns, and could not identify which antiepileptic drugs interfere with oral contraceptives. The majority of respondents did not know that women with epilepsy have higher rates of infertility, reproductive endocrine disorders, and sexual dysfunction. Most respondents did not know the frequency of birth defects in children born to women with epilepsy. Providers seeing the largest number of persons with epilepsy were more likely to have correct answers. By specialty, neurologists provided the highest number of correct responses, followed (in descending order) by endocrinologists, obstetricians/gynecologists, internal medicine physicians, family practice physicians, and pediatricians. These results suggest that women with epilepsy are not receiving adequate counseling and that care practices may not conform to those recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]