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Three species of the genus Arrenurus Dugès, 1834 are described in detail from China, of which Arrenurus (Arrenurus) ancoralis Zheng & Guo sp. nov. and Arrenurus (Arrenurus) unguiculus Zheng & Guo sp. nov. are new to science, and Arrenurus (Truncaturus) isikliensis Boyaci & Özkan, 2004 is recorded for the first time for the Chinese fauna. Arrenurus (A.) ancoralis can be distinguished by D3 on big humps and each with a small protrusion bearing D3 gland; the petiole is well-developed, the middle part contracted, slightly enlarged posteriorly; the ligulate process extending beyond the posterior margin of the petiole and triangle-shaped. Arrenurus (A.) unguiculus can be distinguished by the ligulate process extending beyond the posterior margin for half of petiole length, and nail-shaped. Arrenurus (A.) isikliensis is recorded for the Chinese fauna for the first time. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the new and the newly recorded species are given in this paper.

Sparsorythus srokai sp. nov. is described from the Veerapandi River, Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India based on nymphs of both sexes. The nymphs of Sparsorythus srokai sp. nov. can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: i) presence of lateral setae in each segment of caudal filaments, ii) dorsal surface of labrum entirely covered with scattered ribbon-like bristles, iii) posterior margin of mesonotum reaching abdominal segment III in both sexes, and iv) left prostheca with several pointed teeth apically. The new species is compared with other Indian species: S. gracilis Sroka & Soldán, 2008, S. sivaramakrishnani Sivaruban, Srinivasan, Barathy, Rosi & Isack, 2021 and S. nanjangudensis Muthukatturaja & Balasubramanian, 2021. The distributional map and key to the genus Sparsorythus in Southern India are also given.

A single specimen of Spotted frillgoby, Bathygobius cyclopterus (Valenciennes, 1837), was collected from a tidal pool on Jeju Island, Korea, in October 2017. The species is characterized by five upper free rays of the pectoral fin, a lower jaw with a mental frenum with a slightly curved posterior margin, and a small flap on the anterior nostril. Mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA revealed that it corresponds to B. cyclopterus than other congeneric species by 100% identity. This species is the third Bathygobius species of the fish fauna of Korea, and the new Korean name proposed for the species is “Eol-lug-mu-nui-mang-dug”.

Xiang Jin, Xiang-Zi Zhang, Cheng-Ri Jin, Yun-Ze Xuan Department of Dentistry, Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yun-Ze XuanDepartment of Dentistry, Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, No. 1327 of Juzi Street, Yanji, Jilin, 133000, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 15526770621Email xuanyunze_dr06@163.comObjective: To analyze the factors related to distal proximal caries of the mandibular second molar (MSM) induced by an impacted mandibular third molar (MTM).Methods: A total 500 panoramic radiographs of patients with impacted MTMs who were treated in the Department of Stomatology of the Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University between October 2017 and October 2019 were selected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted, and the diagnosis of caries in the MSM and the position of the MTM were evaluated.Results: The posterior margin space of the MSM was larger in males (13.5 mm) than females (11.1 mm, P < 0.001) and correlated with the MTM’s impacted depth and eruption degree (P < 0.001). The prevalence of distal proximal caries of the MSM was 37.6%, and a χ2 test showed that age, impacted depth, impacted direction, impacted angle, degree of occurrence, and CEJ distance were correlated with caries in the distal adjacent surface of the MSM (P < 0.001). Logistic multivariate analysis showed that the impacted depth was at position A or B, the impacted direction was mesioangular, and the impacted angle was < 80°. Distal adjacent caries of MSMs were prone to occur when entirely or partially emergent. CEJ distance was not an independent factor for caries. The severity of caries in an MSM’s distal adjacent surface had statistical significance on the impacted depth and impacted angle (P < 0.001).Conclusion: The posterior margin space of the MSM influences the impacted condition of the MTM. Preventive extraction can be considered if the impacted angle is < 80°, especially in the case of a fully or partially emergent MTM at position A or B and mesioangular impacted areas.Keywords: mandibular third molar, dental caries, mandibular second molar, related factors

Objective To identify the most favorable sites that optimize the initial stability and survival rate of orthodontic mini-implants, this study measured hard and soft tissue thicknesses in the median and paramedian regions of the palate using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and determined possible sex- and age-related differences in these thicknesses. Methods The study sample comprised CBCT images of 189 healthy subjects. The sample was divided into four groups according to age. A grid area was set for the measurement of hard and soft tissue thicknesses in the palate. Vertical lines were marked at intervals of 0, 1.5, and 3.0 mm lateral to the midpalatal suture, while horizontal lines were marked at 2-mm intervals up to 24 mm from the posterior margin of the incisive foramen. Measurements were made at 65 points of intersection between the horizontal and vertical lines. Results The palatal hard tissue thickness decreased from the anterior to the posterior region, with a decrease in the medial-to-lateral direction in the middle and posterior regions. While the soft tissue was rather thick around the lateral aspects of the palatal arch, it formed a constant layer that was only 1–2-mm thick throughout the palate. Statistically significant differences were observed according to sex and age. Conclusions The anterolateral palate as well as the midpalatal suture seem to be the most favorable sites for insertion of orthodontic mini-implants. The thickness of the palate differed by age and sex; these differences should be considered while planning the placement of orthodontic mini-implants.

Callogobius albipunctatus sp. nov. and Callogobius dorsomaculatus sp. nov. are described from Japan. Both species are included in the sclateri group, characterized by elongate ctenii on the caudal fin base scales, the female urogenital papilla with two lateral projections, and the presence of cephalic sensory papillae Row 20 (preopercular row). Callogobius albipunctatus is characterized by cephalic sensory papillae Row 16 (transverse mandibular rows) comprising 10 papillae rows and a posteriormost single papilla, connected pelvic fins with a low frenum and concave posterior margin, cephalic sensory canal pores B'D(s)FH', 25–29 longitudinal row scales, 8–10 transverse row scales, and 7–11 predorsal scales, and C. dorsomaculatus by Row 16 comprising 11 papillae rows and a posteriormost single papilla, connected pelvic fins with a concave posterior margin but lacking a frenum, cephalic sensory canal pores B'C(s)D(s)EFH' or B'C(s)D(s)EFGH', 20–26 longitudinal row scales, 7–9 transverse row scales, and 6–10 predorsal scales. The cephalic sensory system in juvenile C. albipunctatus is described. Row 16, which is represented by three patterns within the genus, is redefined.

Thrissina supra sp. nov. is described based on 15 specimens collected from Sindh, Pakistan. The new species is closely related to Thrissina whiteheadi (Wongratana 1983), which is herein redescribed, both species having a relatively long upper jaw with the posterior tip slightly beyond the opercle posterior margin, the snout tip above the eye center level, similar numbers of gill rakers, ventral scutes, and fin rays, and the first supramaxilla absent. However, the former is characterized by higher counts of longitudinal scale rows (45–47 vs. 40–42 in T. whiteheadi), transverse scales (12 or 13 vs. 10 or 11), total gill rakers on the first, second, third, and fourth gill arches [35–39, 33–37, 22–24, and 18–22, respectively vs. 30–34 (rarely 36), 29–32 (34), 19–21 (23), and 15–18 (14, 19), respectively], and branched anal-fin rays [42–45 (rarely 40) vs. 39–42 (43)], a longer snout (3.7–4.1% SL vs. 3.1–3.6%), pelvic fin (9.0–10.4% SL vs. 7.7–9.0%), and mandible (17.3–18.3% SL vs. 15.4–17.2%), a shorter pelvic-fin insertion to anal-fin origin distance (17.0–18.8% SL vs. 19.1–24.2%), and distinct paired dark lines along the dorsum from the occiput to the caudal-fin base (vs. uniformly distributed dorsal melanophores).

Multiple calcareous worm-like boring casts occur on the inner surface of the calcitic external layer of the bivalve Leptodesma sp. from the Kaugatuma Formation (lower Přidoli, Upper Silurian) of Saaremaa Island, Estonia. Most of the boring casts are oriented with their apertures towards the posterior margin of Leptodesma sp. The worm-like casts were originally borings in the aragonitic layer of the valve. The borings were filled with sediment and the aragonitic layer of the bivalve later dissolved. The orientation of the borings indicates that they were likely made during the life of Leptodesma. The boring worms likely used the feeding currents of the bivalve to capture suspended nutrients, so they may have been kleptoparasites. Based on the morphology of borings in Leptodesma, they likely housed some type of filter-feeding polychaete annelid.

The nymph ofCloeodes dantasp. nov. is described from male and female nymphs collected from highland streams in the Caribbean Slope of the Costa Rica Central Volcanic Mountain Range. Adults are unknown. In addition,C. excogitatusandC. redactusare recorded for the first time in the country.Cloeodes dantasp. nov.can be differentiated from all described species by the predominantly brownish coloration on females and a similar coloration on males but with segments VII–IX light yellow and light brown, with no conspicuous marks or patterns; abundant scale-bases throughout most parts of the body; hindwings pads absent; the presence of three spines in the corners of the posterior margin of sternum III, and the posterior margin of tergum III with 28–30 spines on each side of the middle line (spine with a base width up to 0.5× spine length).

This study introduces expanded application of the endoscopic transcanal approach with anterior petrosectomy (ETAP) in reaching the petroclival region, which was compared through a quantitative analysis to the middle fossa transpetrosal-transtentorial approach (Kawase approach). Anatomical dissections were performed in five cadaveric heads. For each head, the ETAP was performed on one side with a detailed description of each step, while the Kawase approach was performed on the contralateral side. Quantitative measurements of the exposed area over the ventrolateral surface of the brainstem, and of the angles of attack to the posterior margin of the trigeminal nerve root entry zone (CN V-REZ) and porus acusticus internus (PAI) were obtained for statistical comparison. The ETAP provided significantly larger exposure over the ventrolateral surface of the pons (93.03 ± 21.87 mm2) than did the Kawase approach (34.57 ± 11.78 mm2). In contrast to the ETAP, the Kawase approach afforded greater angles of attack to the CN V-REZ and PAI in the vertical and horizontal planes. The ETAP is a feasible and minimally invasive procedure for accessing the petroclival region. In comparison to the Kawase approach, the ETAP allows for fully anterior petrosectomy and larger exposure over the ventrolateral surface of the brainstem without passing through the cranial nerves or requiring traction of the temporal lobe.

A new snailfish, Paraliparis flammeus, is described on the basis of 18 specimens collected off the Pacific coast of Tohoku District, northern Japan at depths of 422–890 m. The new species is distinguished from 28 species of Paraliparis described from the North Pacific by the following combination of characters: mouth oblique; uppermost pectoral-fin base below horizontal through posterior margin of maxillary; 60–63 vertebrae, 54–58 dorsal-fin rays, 50 or 51 anal-fin rays, six principal caudal-fin rays, and 17–20 pectoral-fin rays. A maximum likelihood tree based on 106 COI gene sequences (492 bp) of Paraliparis recovered a monophyletic group comprising P. flammeus, Paraliparis cephalus, and Paraliparis dipterus. Paraliparis cephalus is similar to P. flammeus in having an oblique mouth, but it has four caudal-fin rays (vs six rays) and the uppermost pectoral-fin base above a horizontal through the maxillary posterior margin. Paraliparis dipterus differs from P. flammeus in having a horizontal mouth, 12–14 pectoral-fin rays, and lacking pyloric caeca (present in P. flammeus). Paraliparis flammeus is most similar to the eastern North Pacific Paraliparis mento in having an oblique mouth and the uppermost pectoral-fin base below a horizontal through the posterior margin of the maxillary. However, P. flammeus differs from P. mento in having six caudal-fin rays (vs five rays) and greater preanal length (29.9–35.3% SL vs 26.7–28.5% SL). A poorly known species, Paraliparis mandibularis, previously known from only two specimens collected from Tosa Bay, southern Japan, is redescribed based on the holotype and seven newly collected specimens. It is also similar to the new species but has 27–30 pectoral-fin rays and a shorter pectoral-fin lower lobe (13.8–15.9% SL in P. mandibularis vs 16.7–23.4% SL in P. flammeus).

A new atherinid fish, Doboatherina palauensis, is described based on the holotype and 31 paratypes, 36–51 mm in standard length, collected from the marine lakes and outer lagoon in Mecherchar Island, Republic of Palau. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners by a short, blunt ascending process of the premaxilla (height about twice maximum width), premaxilla with a single lateral process, posterior upper margin of dentary with a small process, palatine toothed, no crenulation along posterior margin of lateral and predorsal scales, smaller eye (diameter 9.2–11% of standard length), 37–39 midlateral scales, 38–41 total vertebrae, narrower midlateral band (about 1/2 width of midlateral scale, its upper and lower margins not reaching to upper and lower margins of midlateral scale row at the level of anal-fin origin, respectively). The new species resembles Doboatherina aetholepis (Kimura, Iwatsuki and Yoshino 2002), Doboatherina bleekeri (Gunther 1861), Doboatherina valenciennei (Bleeker 1854) and Doboatherina woodwardi (Jordan and Starks 1901) in sharing a comparatively slender body in the genus Doboatherina. The former is distinguishable from D. aetholepis by having only a short spatular outgrowth on posterior margin of predorsal and/or interdorsal scales or almost lacking the outgrowth (vs. a long spatular outgrowth on posterior margin of most predorsal and interdorsal scales in D. aetholepis) and narrower midlateral band (lower margin not reaching to lower margin of midlateral scale row vs. reaching), from D. bleekeri and D. valenciennei by lacking crenulated lateral and predorsal scales (vs. having crenulated lateral and/or predorsal scales) and a single lateral process on premaxilla (vs. two processes), and from D. woodwardi by having lower ascending process (height about twice maximum width vs. three times) and a single lateral process on premaxilla (vs. two processes). Doboatherina bleekeri has more numerous total vertebrae (42–47) than D. palauensis (38–41).

Purpose Retinoschisis (RS), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and combined RS retinal detachment (RSRD) may resemble clinically and pose a diagnostic challenge. This study investigates the role of the fundus autofluorescence (AF) in differentiating RS, RRD and RSRD. Methods Fundus AF changes of 34 eyes diagnosed with RRD, 30 eyes with RS and 12 eyes with RSRD were retrospectively analysed. Ultra-widefield AF (UW-AF) image intensities obtained with the Optomap 200Tx were interpreted as hypo-, hyper- and isoautofluorescent or a mixed pattern with hypo- and hyperautofluorescence over and at the posterior margin (PM) of RRD, RS and RSRD. Results All RS eyes revealed isoautofluorescence over the area of RS, and nine eyes (30%) showed hypoautofluorescent PM. Among RRD, acute (≤2 weeks) and chronic (>2 weeks) RRD demonstrated distinct AF characteristics. Sixty-two per cent of RRD eyes had acute RRD. From those, 16 eyes (76%) demonstrated hypoautofluorescence over the detached area and 19 (90%) eyes with hyperautofluorescent PM. Sixty-two per cent of chronic RRD eyes demonstrated isoautofluorecence over the detached area. Eight RSRD eyes (67%) revealed hyperautofluorescence in the detached area. The positive predictive value (PPV) for hypoautofluorescence over the area of subretinal fluid (SRF) in RRD was 95%. The PPV for hyperautofluorescence over the area of SRF in RSRD was 100% and for isoautofluorescence for schitic area in RSRD and RS was 76%. Conclusion The UW-AF can be a useful non-invasive adjuvant tool to distinguish between RRD, RS and RSRD. Hypo- or hyperautofluorescence over the area of interest and hyperautofluorescent PM indicates the presence of SRF.

To clarify the characteristic features of the meniscal root attachments, meniscofemoral ligaments (MFLs), and related osseous landmarks on three-dimensional images using computed tomography. Twenty-eight non-paired, formalin-fixed human cadaveric knees were evaluated in this study. The meniscal root attachments were identified and marked. Three-dimensional images were obtained after applying a contrast agent to the entire meniscal surfaces and MFLs, then the morphology of the meniscal root attachments and MFLs, and their positional relationships with osseous landmarks, were analyzed. Parsons’ knob divided the medial meniscal anterior root attachment and lateral meniscal anterior root attachment on the anterior portion of the tibial plateau. The medial meniscal posterior root attachment was near the medial intercondylar tubercle. The lateral meniscal posterior root attachment (LMPRA) was closer to the lateral intercondylar tubercle. Both root attachments were near the posterior intercondylar fossa. The positional relationships between the meniscal root attachments and related osseous landmarks were consistent in all specimens. The MFLs originated from the lateral meniscus posterior horn, and the anterior MFL was closer to the LMPRA than the posterior MFL. The posterior MFL originated at approximately the midpoint between the LMPRA and the most posterior margin of the lateral meniscus. This study showed that the relationships between the characteristic features of the meniscal root attachments, MFLs, and related osseous landmarks were consistent. The clinical relevance of this study is that it improved understanding of the anatomy of the meniscal root attachments and MFLs.

A new species of goatfish, Parupeneus williamsi, is described on the basis of 12 specimens (43.9–234.3 mm in standard length) collected from the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. The species closely resembles Parupeneus multifasciatus (Quoy and Gaimard 1825) in sharing white to yellowish barbels, its tips usually extending beyond the posterior margin of the preopercle, two or three blackish vertical bands (including indistinct bands) on the trunk, and a blackish saddle on the upper caudal peduncle. However, the new species is distinguished from P. multifasciatus by having all of the bands and saddle very indistinct, dense melanophores uniformly distributed on the anal-fin membranes (preserved specimens), upper jaw slightly slender and shorter in specimens larger than 50 mm SL, and slightly longer second anal-fin soft ray. The morphological differences between the two species are supported by a previously published molecular analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences. Although P. multifasciatus is widely distributed in the eastern Indian and Pacific oceans, P. williamsi is endemic to the Marquesas Islands.

Thrissina belvedere sp. nov. is described from 14 specimens collected in Ha Long Bay, northern Vietnam. The new species is closely related to Thrissina chefuensis (Gunther 1874) (redescribed herein), both species having a short upper jaw with the posterior tip slightly shortened to the posterior margin of the preopercle, an indistinct black blotch on the nape (but not on the dorsum just before the dorsal-fin origin), and similar numbers of scutes on the ventral edge of the body. However, the former is characterized by higher total gill-raker counts on the first, second, third, and fourth gill arches, and the third gill arch posterior face (59–66, 53–59, 33–37, 25–29, 7–10 respectively vs. 50–57, 44–52, 29–35, 23–27, and 5–8 in T. chefuensis), fewer branched anal-fin rays [24–27 vs. 24–30 (usually 27–29)], a deeper body (body depth 25.6–27.9% SL vs. 21.9–26.0%, the distance between the dorsal and anal fin origins 29.6–31.7% SL vs. 26.1–30.2%, and the caudal-peduncle depth 10.5–11.7% SL vs. 8.8–10.6%).

Lepadichthys coccinotaenia Regan 1921 (Gobiesocidae: Diademichthyinae) is redescribed on the basis of 60 specimens, including the holotype, and a new species of Lepadichthys, previously misidentified as L. coccinotaenia, described from Japan. Lepadichthys trishula sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of characters: 10–12 (modally 11) dorsal-fin rays; 9–11 (10) anal-fin rays; 23–26 (23) pectoral-fin rays; upper end of gill membrane level with base of 8th to 10th (usually 10th) pectoral-fin ray in lateral view; 6–8 (7) gill rakers on each arch; 32 or 33 (32) vertebrae; snout somewhat short and slender, its length and depth 7.4–9.4 (mean 8.4) and 4.0–6.5 (5.1) % SL, respectively; upper jaw not sharply pointed or projected, its length 5.5–7.7 (6.5) % SL; side of lower-jaw teeth with hook-like tips; head depth 7.2–10.4 (8.5) % SL; disc size moderate, its length 14.0–18.2 (16.8) % SL; dorsal and anal fins with weak membranous connections to caudal fin; head sensory canal pores well developed, including 2 nasal, lacrimal and postorbital, and 3 preopercular pores; and three narrow white stripes from snout to vertical through posterior margin of disc, including two lateral and one on the dorsal midline. The new species is currently known only from Japan, whereas L. coccinotaenia occurs only in the southwestern Indian Ocean.

BackgroundThe resection of advanced maxillary sinus cancers can be challenging due to the anatomical proximity to surrounding critical anatomical structures. Transnasal endoscopy can effectively aid the delineation of the posterior margin of resection. Implementation with 3D-rendered surgical navigation with virtual endoscopy (3D-SNVE) may represent a step forward. This study aimed to demonstrate and quantify the benefits of this technology.Material and MethodFour maxillary tumor models with critical posterior extension were created in four artificial skulls (Sawbones®). Images were acquired with cone-beam computed tomography and the tumor and carotid were contoured. Eight head and neck surgeons were recruited for the simulations. Surgeons delineated the posterior margin of resection through a transnasal approach and avoided the carotid while establishing an adequate resection margin with respect to tumor extirpation. Three simulations were performed: 1) unguided: based on a pre-simulation study of cross-sectional imaging; 2) tumor-guided: guided by real-time tool tracking with 3D tumor and carotid rendering; 3) carotid-guided: tumor-guided with a 2-mm alert cloud surrounding the carotid. Distances of the planes from the carotid and tumor were classified as follows and the points of the plane were classified accordingly: “red”: through the carotid artery; “orange”: 2 mm from the carotid and within the tumor or 2 mm from the carotid and 5–10 mm from the tumor; and “blue”: >2 mm from the carotid and >10 mm from the tumor. The three techniques (unguided, tumor-guided, and carotid-guided) were compared.Results3D-SNVE for the transnasal delineation of the posterior margin in maxillary tumor models significantly improved the rate of margin-negative clearance around the tumor and reduced damage to the carotid artery. “Green” cuts occurred in 52.4% in the unguided setting versus 62.1% and 64.9% in the tumor- and carotid-guided settings, respectively (p < 0.0001). “Red” cuts occurred 6.7% of the time in the unguided setting versus 0.9% and 1.0% in the tumor- and carotid-guided settings, respectively (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThis preclinical study has demonstrated that 3D-SNVE provides a substantial improvement of the posterior margin delineation in terms of safety and oncological adequacy. Translation into the clinical setting, with a meticulous assessment of the oncological outcomes, will be the proposed next step.

A new species of Platybaetis viz., P. selvai sp. nov. is described herein based on larval collections from Tangon stream in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in Eastern region of Indian Himalaya. It can be differentiated by the following combination of characters: (i) posterior margin of abdominal segments I–X with rounded ‘U’ shaped spines; (ii) anterolateral margin of gills I–VII with minute setae; (iii) claw with 7–8 denticles; (iv) paracercus composed of 10–11 segments; (v) hindwing pads reduced, small. Brief ecological notes are appended.

Geometric morphometric methods are powerful tools to discriminate between closely related ostracods taxa as well as to study the relationship between their morphological variations, taxonomy and paleoecology. In this study, valve outline analysis allows the discrimination between the non-marine ostracod C. silvestrii and R. whatleyi juveniles, pointing out differences in the posterior valve area and surface ornamentation. Modern female specimens of C. silvestrii from 23 sites located in a spatial transect (41 to 51 °S) exhibited extensive morphological variability, on the basis of which three morphotypes (acuminated, transitional, subtruncated) were determined. Multivariate analyses showed that acuminated and transitional shapes are not arranged in groups but the subtruncated morphotype, previously described as E. cecryphalium, seems to be associated with low water conductivity (372 µS cm-1), dominant cold (5 oC) and windy (8.6 m s-1) climatic conditions. The fossil cluster which included nine cores spanning the last 15.6 kyr, only covered acuminated and transitional shapes, which may indicate that these lineages might be older than the subtruncated morphotype. In addition, morphological differences between reproduction modes suggested that parthenogenetic females exhibit de posterior margin more acuminate than sexual females. These results set the ground for more precise ecological and paleoenvironmental studies in Patagonia., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo

A new perchlet, Plectranthias ryukyuensis, is described on the basis of four specimens (41.2–61.6 mm standard length: SL) from the Okinawa Islands, Japan. Plectranthias ryukyuensis can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: X, 15 or 16 dorsal-fin rays; 14 pectoral-fin rays, all unbranched; lateral line complete, with 29 or 30 pored scales; 3 scale rows above lateral line; 5 or 6 diagonal rows of large scales on cheek between eye and corner of preopercle; preopercle with two antrorse spines on ventral margin, 20–29 serrae on posterior margin; margins of subopercle and interopercle with a few serrae (weak in large individuals); minute flaps at tips of first to ninth dorsal-fin spines; caudal fin shallowly emarginate, with some ray branches distinctively elongated past fin margin; fourth dorsal-fin spine longest, its length 110.6–128.6% that of third spine; body pinkish-white with two longitudinal rows of irregular orange-red blotches on upper half of lateral surface when fresh (rows close together in smaller than ca. 50 mm SL), blotches interconnecting anteriorly on upper and lower rows, and posterior half of lower row; four faint orange-red vertical bands below lateral line on posterior half of body and two distinct yellow blotches on cheek in fresh specimens; body uniformly yellowish-brown with two longitudinal rows of irregular dark blotches on upper half of lateral surface in preserved specimens (faint in small specimens). A key to the Japanese species of Plectranthias is given.

Se describe una especie nueva perteneciente al género Epimeria de material colectado durante la expedición del B/I John Elliott Pillsbury en las aguas profundas del Golfo de Panamá. Esta nueva especie puede ser distinguida de las otras especies del género por la combinación de los siguientes caracteres: rostro largo, alcanza la mitad del artejo 2 de la antena 1; ojos ausentes; coxopodito 4 con margen anterovental casi recto dirigido hacia abajo; coxopodito 5 con esquina posteroventral puntiaguda extendiéndose hasta el pleonito 2; pleonitos 5?7 con dientes mediodorsales agudos dirigidos hacia atrás; margen posterior del telson, liso. Este es el primer registro de un representante de la familia Epimeriidae para el Golfo de Panamá.

Aim The aim of this study was to detect clinical factors predictive of loss of visual acuity after treatment in order to develop a predictive model to help identify patients at risk of visual loss. Patients and methods This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) with 106Ru plaque for primary uveal melanoma. A predictive nomogram for visual acuity loss at 3 years from treatment was developed. Results A total of 152 patients were selected for the study. The actuarial probability of conservation of 20/40 vision or better was 0.74 at 1 year, 0.59 at 3 years, and 0.54 at 5 years after treatment. Factors positively correlated with loss of visual acuity included: age at start of treatment (p=0.004) and longitudinal basal diameter (p=0.057), while distance of the posterior margin of the tumor from the foveola was inversely correlated (p=0.0007). Conclusion We identified risk factors affecting visual function and developed a predictive model and decision support tool (AVATAR nomogram).

Two crocodilian anterior cranium parts from Takut Khon Village sand pit, Chaloem Phrakiat District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, are presently described. Their morphology indicates that the specimens belong to a single species based on the presence of several similar characters such as a hole for the reception of the first dentary tooth at the anterior edge of the premaxillary bone; anterior tip of nasal elongate and projecting into the posterior margin of the external nares; wavy suture line between the posterior part of the nasal with the anterior margin of prefrontal and frontal processes. The cranium morphology is extremely close to Crocodylus siamensis Schneider, 1801 (Siamese crocodile) and conforming the existence of C. siamensis from the Middle Pleistocene in Thailand.

This work deals the systematic and paleobiologic studies on malacostraca siluro-devonian in two outcrops of the Manacapuru Formation, located at Belo Monte site, Para state, Amazonas Basin. Were identified the taxa Paranebalidae indet. A and Paranebalidae indet. B, phyllocarids, as well as Stenasellidae indet. isopod. During the siluro-devonian times these malacostraceans were very rich and diverse, cosmopolitan, lived in all marine regions and common elements of the benthic life. The specimens had robust and articulated carapaces with fragmentation and abrasion low grades that suggest low energy during the burial and less time of permanence in the taphonomic active zone. The pleopods and uropod articulated in Stenasellidae indet. and the exopodit and pleonite articulated with the pleopod in Paraneballidae indet. B suggest stronger articulations or fast burial and catastrophic death of these elements of biocoenosis. The isolated exopodite of Paraneballidae indet. A reveals weaker articulations among the others epipodites and exopodites, as well as short distance transport before the final burial, due the preservation of delicate spines of posterior margin and therefore considered as an element of thanatocoenosis. The pattern of the fossiliferous record may be related to siliciclastic sediments in the rocks of Manacapuru Formation, which does not lead to accumulation of animals with poorly mineralized body.

The fragment of the skull cap of placoderm Livnolepis heckeri (Luksevics) from the Bilovo Formation (Famennian, Upper Devonian) near the Bilovo Village of Tver Region has been described. The character of the passage of sensory grooves on its external surface is unusual as for this species as for all other bothriolepidids. The oblique cephalic pit-line (or central sensory) groove normally passes from the nuchal on the lateral bones. The left branch of the obhque cephalic pit-line groove on the studied specimen runs from the nuchal onto the paranuchal and only then on the lat­eral. The right branch of this pit-line groove reaches the posterolateral margin of the nuchal, passes along the suture between the nuchal and paranuchal and then transfers into the lateral bone. The branches of the obhque cephalic pit-line groove are subparallel to the posterior margin of the nuchal bone in the Bilovo specimen. The pit-line grooves, which run parallel and subparallel to the posterior margin of the nuchal and anteriorly to the supratemporal (supraoccipital) cross-commissural pit-lines, were earlier determined in some bothriolepidids {Bothriolepis cellulosa (Pander), B. paradoxa (Agassiz) and others) as the middle grooves but not the obhque cephalic. The paranuchalswith the obhque cephalic pit-line grooves were earlier unknown. The unusual character of the passage of the sensory lines is refered to the individual variability in the exoskeleton of L. heckeri. Types of the bothriolepidid exoskeletal variability have been briefly considered. The passage of the pit-line grooves on the external surface of the bothriolepidid and asterolepidid skull roofs has been discussed.

A New species of sand bees, Andrena bakrajoensis sp. nov. was described from Iraq. This species differs from closely related species A. vetula Lepeletier, 1841 by, the body and metanotum are brown-reddish colors; anterior and posterior margin of labrum strongly of convex; mandibles without dentition. The important taxonomic characters have been described and illustrated.