Triatoma rubrovaria  is the most important species in epidemiological terms in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, due to its wide geographical distribution in this state, followed by T. carcavalloi  and T. circummaculata . Structural analysis of the ventral region of the head (rostrum and buccula), thorax (stridulatorium sulcus and scutellum), and external female genitalia of adults of T. rubrovaria, T. carcavalloi, and T. circummaculata is described here. Scutellum, head, rostrum, and part of the thorax (prosternum) containing the stridulatory sulcus, in both male and female, and the sixth abdominal segment of the female, containing the external genitalia, were processed for scanning electron microscopy studies as routine. Morphological differences in the analyzed structures for all the three Triatoma species studied were detected under scanning electron microscopy. This study confirms the grouping of the T. rubrovaria, T. carcavalloi, and T. circummaculata in ‘T. rubrovaria subcomplex' by their morphological similarities.In Brazil, Trypanosoma cruzi  , with risk factors strongly associated with low socioeconomic factors, besides being considered a neglected and endemic tropical disease in 21 countries of the Americas. This disease is mainly transmitted through the feces of triatomines. These insects have, as main biological characteristic, hematophagy in all phases of nymph and adult [Chagas disease is a parasitic, systemic, and chronic disease caused by the protozoan Chagas, 909  is the most important species in epidemiological terms in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, due to its wide geographical distribution in this state, followed by Triatoma carcavalloi  and Triatoma circummaculata . These species have wild habits, live in sympatry, and invade the human home frequently, due to changes in environments produced by anthropic activities, as well as the elimination of Triatoma infestans  from the domicile leaving available niche [Currently, the subfamily Triatominae is composed of 154 species –7, whichThe taxonomy of Triatominae is based on the external morphological characters and indicated the importance of the stridulatory sulcus, which varies in the form, length, number, and space of the sulcus , 11. The T. maculata , T. pseudomaculata , and T. arthurneivai , with the evolutionary relation of the first species, in relation to the last ones, being questioned [ T. rubrovaria [In cytogenetic, molecular, and morphometric analyses of the head, including the antennas, thorax, and abdomen, it was demonstrated that it is possible to distinguish completely betweenestioned –15. Isoebrovaria . Study obrovaria .Triatoma  genus presents specific patterns in scutellum, not only in shape and length, but also in the cuticular structure, central depressions, projections, and processes that allow its use in species differentiation [ T. ryckmani Zeledón & Ponce, 1972 [ T. guazu Lent & Wygodzinsky, 1979 [ Triatoma [ Meccus Stål, 1859, species [Laporte, 32 genus ntiation ; shape ace, 1972 ; charactky, 1979  and otheTriatoma  and six  species ; and imp species . T. rubrovaria, T. carcavalloi, and T. circummaculata using SEM, showing clear distinctions in relation to those characters.In the last years, the external genitalia of females have been studied in more detail with the use of SEM. The use of this tool made it possible to characterize several species of the subfamily Triatominae , 25–29. The thirty specimens  were obtained from colonies started with specimens collected in the field and domiciliary of the municipality of Encruzilhada do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) , and maintained at 26°C and 70% RH (relative humidity) at the Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica em Diptera e Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro.For the ultrastructural analysis, we separated the scutellum, the head, the rostrum, and part of the thorax (prosternum) containing the stridulatory sulcus, in both male and female, and the sixth abdominal segment of the female, containing the external genitalia. These structures were washed in distilled water and dehydrated in increasing alcoholic series at the concentrations of 7.5%, 15%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90%, and (3 times for) 100% by immersion for 10 minutes at each concentration.The structures were mounted in aluminium stubs adhered to an adhesive double-sided tape and left in the incubator at 60°C for 2 hours for drying and in a desiccator containing silica gel until metallization. The structures after drying were pulverized with gold and later and the analysis was performed by the Scanning Electron Microscope JEOL 6390LV of the Electron Microscopy Platform, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ.Until the 1960s, the taxonomy of triatomines was used as basic criterion for external and chromatic morphological characters, but during the last decade, SEM has been used as an important tool for Triatominae systematics, justifying the status of cryptic species and their complexes , 30, 31. T. carcavalloi   . In T. rriations . Compari Triatoma revealed important characteristics, especially the form of central depression and the posterior scutellar process [ T. tibiamaculata, T. eratyrusiformis, and T. sherlocki [ T. carcavalloi, T. circummaculata, and T. rubrovaria. Of these three species only one presented the cordiform form, T. circummaculata (which can be used to differentiate it from the ‘T. rubrovaria subcomplex' species) [A morphological analysis of the scutellum of eight species belonging to the genus process . Of all herlocki . In our species) . In addi T. rubrovaria than in T. carcavalloi and T. circummaculata ( T. carcavalloi and T. rubrovaria (Figures  T. circummaculata ( T. carcavalloi presents a triangular shape, which differs from T. circummaculata and T. rubrovaria which are more extended. There is a difference in the length of the VIII gonapophyses of these three species; in T. circummaculata it is much smaller. The lateral expansions of IX sternite are perceptible in all three species and follow the same format as the VIII gonocoxites (In ventral side the line separating the VII sternite and the pair of VIII gonocoxites has greater curvature inmaculata . In the maculata . The basocoxites . Panstrongylus, Rhodnius, and Triatoma as well as the taxonomic identification of 12 species of Rhodnius, whose identification by general external morphology causes doubts [ T. carcavalloi, T. circummaculata, and T. rubrovaria species that live in the same ecotype and are very morphologically similar.The study of the external morphology of females in triatomines was reevaluated, when it verified the relevant taxonomic differences in the genitalia of the females through scanning electron microscopy, which allowed the differentiation of the species of the generas doubts . In this T. rubrovaria, besides the bristles are seen cuticular structures similar to spines (Figures In the three species, the base of VIII gonapophyses shows short and smooth bristles, whereas in the other segments of the genitalia, long and fluted bristles are seen Figures , but onl Figures . T. carcavalloi, T. circummaculata, and T. rubrovaria in the ‘T. rubrovaria subcomplex', conceptualize the morphological differences of these species, and contribute to an earlier diagnosis in the endemic areas of Chagas disease in Rio Grande do Sul.These results reinforce the status of


C. elegans as a model for the question of nutritional science is a controversial topic. The discussion makes clear that C. elegans is its own best model for revealing, via genetic approaches, biological principles of nutritional behavior, and the biochemical function of vitamins. In this case, the model has a discovery function. Worm research serves also in the identification of nutrition-dependent pathways that could be used for novel approaches in human nutritional studies. This heuristic function of the model guides the applied nutrition research in an innovative direction. Since the nutrition and metabolism for the worm and man differ from each other somewhat strongly, results of nutritional studies in C. elegans are not directly applicable to human nutrition. In general, the C. elegans model is primarily appropriate for explaining the causality of general species’ nutritional phenotypes. Experience tells us that the analysis of drastic nutritional phenotypes in C. elegans has the potential to enrich the canon of knowledge of nutritional science.The suitability of  Caenorhabditis elegans is widely used as a model organism for studying specific genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors that affect several adaptive behaviors , nutrient sensing, lipid storage, and aging. Nevertheless, the suitability of C. elegans as a model for the question of nutritional science still remains controversial.The nematode An appropriate model is a simplified version of reality whose essential characteristics match the facts being examined. The fundamental discipline of nutritional science, nutritional biology, has a goal of explaining species general nutrition-dependent phenotypes . As a stThe classical area of nutritional science is the biochemistry of nutrition. Its objective is to deliver the foundation for nutritional physiology. Since the relevant enzymes are evolutionarily preserved, the results of nutritional biochemistry have a general application across species. In comparison to nutritional biology, the degree of epistemic reduction in biochemistry is significantly larger.Great similarities with the biochemistry of nutrition are exhibited by molecular nutrition research, the most modern area of nutritional science. Its purpose is to explain the influence of nutrition on gene expression, transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes.C. elegans model offers a range of genetic methods that are suitable for nutritional science. The available mutants and sources of C. elegans RNA mediated interference (RNAi) are appropriate to identify genes that are important for a certain phenotype induced by a nutritional intervention .The Escherichia coli expressing target-gene double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) permits quick and effective analysis of gene function after post-transcriptional silencing [C. elegans research. From a classical genetic point of view, RNAi knock-down leads to a reduction-of-function of a gene and not to a complete loss of gene function. Therefore, the interpretation of RNAi experiments with respect to pleiotropic effects should be considered.RNAi by feeding ilencing .This metilencing ) or to silencing ). The laC. elegans mutants [Through this, the function of a gene is, with respect to a reactive answer, directly examined. This epistatic approach is preferred in order to explain a nutritional phenotype on the level of an organism (a population). In comparison, applying omics technologies, only the transcripts, proteins, and metabolites (whose amounts have changed via a nutrition intervention) can be identified. However, their functional meaning remains unclear and should be explained with the application of mutants or RNAi-treated worms. For this, CRISPR/Cas-9 methods are available which allows the easy production of the desired  mutants .C. elegans, this adaptive behavior was explained by neural networks and central neurotransmitters  [C. elegans avoids novel foodstuff and prefers familiar food sources [C. elegans. Recently, in worm research, the question why hungry males chose procreation when faced with the choice of food vs. a female, has been addressed [sex-over-foods neurons have been shown to be generated in the adult stage via trans-differentiation of glial cells. The phenotypes of the foraging strategies, as well as the neuronal mechanisms, are present in many species. C. elegans is therefore a perfect model for decoding the principles of nutritional behavior. More specifically, the C. elegans model has a discovery function. In addition, the entire neuronal wiring diagram of C. elegans—the connections and circuitry of all the worm’s neurons—is known. It is therefore expected that, with the help of C. elegans, further substantial developments in the explanation of nutritional behavior can be targeted.An important area of nutritional biology is the increased foraging activity that is observable when there is a waning supply of food. In rotonin) , 7. Othe sources . Responsddressed . The resC. elegans, the nematode is not suitable as a model for nutritional geometry. In contrast, D. melanogaster is a proven model for such research [The geometry of nutrition is another central area of nutritional biology . Its theresearch . AccordiC. elegans is not suitable, because of its substantial dificulties in using synthetic media. In comparison, the fly model is well applicable for such studies. Recently, it was shown via D. melanogaster that bromine fulfilled a vital function for the integrity of connective tissue [C. elegans is surprisingly rare. However, a vitamin B12-independent pathway for the degradation of uneven numbered fatty acids was identified in C. elegans [C. elegans is therefore an appropriate model for understanding the biochemical function and regulation of vitamins. This also applies to other biochemical research areas, for example, the identification of nutrient transporters [C. elegans model has a discovery function that can be fulfilled mainly through genetic application. For further biochemical analyses of gene products, C. elegans is rather inappropriate. Meanwhile, heterologous expression systems are more suitable for this purpose. Nevertheless, for an ideal situation, the genetic applications of C. elegans should be combined with those of classical biochemistry.A central question in the biochemistry of nutrition deals with the function of micronutrients. Therefore, an ideal model for the biochemistry of nutrition would deal with enzymes that are important for the nutritional physiology of other species. The biochemical function of vitamins and trace elements, that define their vital necessity, is the central focus of nutritional science. Several essential functions of micronutrients are documented from worm to man. For the functional explanation of trace elements and ultra-trace elements, e tissue . Researc elegans . This alsporters . In the C. elegans studies dealing with the subject of dietary restriction and the effects of secondary plant substances [C. elegans  are conserved at molecular level up to humans. Nevertheless, molecular nutrition research is limited when it comes allocating the identified signaling pathway in a physiological situation in humans. Since the physiological differences between worm and human are rather large. Thus, at the level of nutritionally relevant organs  and hormones , the worm is far from being a suitable model in this context. The signaling pathways identified in C. elegans can serve as approaches for establishing new questions in human nutrition. From this point of view, molecular nutrition research in C. elegans has a heuristic function; means, the model can guide the applied nutrition research in an innovative direction.Molecular nutrition research serves to identify the nutritional relevant signaling pathways. In molecular nutrition research, a model is suitable when a nutritional stimulus  triggers a signaling pathway that is crucial for many species, including humans. In the past years, there has been a plethora of bstances , 16. TheQuestions in the area of human nutrition meet the composition and impact of diets on humans. This biomedically oriented research area aims to explore the prevention and therapeutic potential of nutritional habits, food, and nutrients. A model is suitable for such research when it represents prominent aspects of human nutrition and metabolism.C. elegans is protein-rich, fat-, and carbohydrate-poor. While humans jettison the amino nitrogen of protein metabolism as urea, worms do so in the form of ammonium [C. elegans, for example, with regard to dietary restriction or the modulation of certain macronutrients  relationship is about 80:10:10. In comparison to humans, the nutrition of ammonium . In addiammonium . This mee intake ), are onC. elegans is that of forward genetics. With the use of random mutagenesis, a significant amount of mutants can be produced to be examined with respect to a phenotypic characteristic . The geC. elegans consists mostly of bacteria which grow in laboratories on agar plates. The use of axenic, synthetic, and/or liquid media causes drastic phenotypic changes  in the worm [C. elegans, it is therefore generally important to use bacteria as unique source of food. In consequence, this limits drastically the quantification of food intake, digestion, and energy balance. The possibilitiy of targeted changes in the bacterial food is also rather limited. Because of these methodical limitations, C. elegans is not a suitable model for research in which a clear characterization of nutrition physiology is required. One important exception here is the examination of the functions of vitamins. The use of vitamin-deficient bacteria  inducesC. elegans research is quite limited. Qualitative changes  in the food sources are possible. However, this disadvantage can be, upon closer inspection, an advantage; in C. elegans, studies should be designed and further developed to focus mainly on extreme nutritional phenotypes. Experience teaches us that only such model investigations have the power to enrich the canon of knowledge of nutritional science [Altogether, the possibility for modulation in food in  science .C. elegans model is primarily appropriate for explaining the causality of general species’ nutritional phenotypes. Experience tells us that the analysis of drastic nutritional phenotypes in C. elegans has the potential to enrich the canon of knowledge of nutritional science. In contrast, the use of the C. elegans model for other questions in nutritional science  is rather limited, because the metabolism as well as the nutrient intake differs markedly between worm and man.In conclusion, the


Candida spp., including C. auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast with the potential for nosocomial transmission that has rapidly spread globally. The use of mould-active antifungal prophylaxis in patients with cancer or transplantation has decreased the incidence of invasive fungal disease, but shifted the balance of mould disease in these patients to those from non-fumigatus Aspergillus species, Mucorales, and Scedosporium/Lomentospora spp. The agricultural application of triazole pesticides has driven an emergence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus in environmental and clinical isolates. The widespread use of topical antifungals with corticosteroids in India has resulted in Trichophyton mentagrophytes causing recalcitrant dermatophytosis. New dimorphic fungal pathogens have emerged, including Emergomyces, which cause disseminated mycoses globally, primarily in HIV infected patients, and Blastomyceshelicus and B. percursus, causes of atypical blastomycosis in western parts of North America and in Africa, respectively. In North America, regions of geographic risk for coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and blastomycosis have expanded, possibly related to climate change. In Brazil, zoonotic sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis has emerged as an important disease of felines and people.The landscape of clinical mycology is constantly changing. New therapies for malignant and autoimmune diseases have led to new risk factors for unusual mycoses. Invasive candidiasis is increasingly caused by non-albicans  In clinical mycology, as in other facets of healthcare, the only thing constant is change. Medical advances have improved and prolonged lives, but have also increased the pool of individuals vulnerable to fungal disease; among these, new therapies for old diseases—such as monoclonal antibodies for autoimmune disease and small-molecule inhibitors (e.g. receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors like ibrutinib) for B-cell malignancies—have resulted in reports of atypical and unusually severe fungal infections . At the Aspergillus and Cryptococcus . In. InC. au to date . The imp to date ,23, the  to date , the pro to date ,26, and  to date . Rudramunfection . Despite studies . CollectC. neoformans was a rare cause of human disease. However, the recognition of meningoencephalitis and other infections caused by this opportunistic organism increased in light of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s. Another species, C. gattii, has become an important cause of disease in both immunocompromised and immunocompotent hosts with geographic tropism, notably the Pacific Northwest coast of North America . T. TSporot to 2014  and the  to 2014 . Between to 2014 .


Dear Editor-in-ChiefStrongyloides stercoralis, a soil-transmitted helminth, is one of the most important gastrointestinal parasites. Due to its complex life cycle, particularly endogenous autoinfection, this parasite is able to develop into its host, which leads to the persistence of chronic infection for several decades or results in hyperinfection. It is also found in other mammals including dogs, considered as a zoonotic infection  gene and the whole genome sequence of individual and dogs . Moreoveand dogs .S. stercoralis genotypes and the zoonotic transmission of this parasite to humans in Iran. The aim of the present study was the molecular typing of a S. stercoralis isolated from a patient with gastrointestinal manifestations from Babol, northern Iran.To the best of our knowledge, there is no documented data on S. stercoralis rhabditiform larvae using the agar plate technique . The sequences were analyzed with Chromas (v.2.6.4) software and compared with the reference sequence in GenBank database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/). A multiple sequence alignment was generated using the ClustalW alignment tool of the MEGA v.6. The maximum likelihood method and 1000 bootstrap replicates were used to perform phylogenetic analysis  was observed between the partial sequence of the Cox1 genes obtained in our work and the key reference sequences deposited in GenBank from Myanmar . Substitution mutation of thymine (T) to cytosine (C) in positions 5785, 5791, 5819 and 6145, T to adenine (A) in position 6259, A to guanine (G) in positions 5834, 5873, 5929, 6058, 6148 and 6262, G to A in positions 5884 and 6305, C to T in position 5818, 6203, 6298 and 6314, were seen. Besides, a G was inserted at position 6302. Two out of 18 point mutations were non-synonymous, which occurred in positions 5834 and 5873 (A to G) causing valine to substitute isoleucine. The position of these point mutations and the insertion of the guanine are shown in type 1&2 . This seS. stercoralis from Iran. Further genotype study of S. stercoralis isolates to better understand the phylogenetic relationships among S. stercoralis isolate, and also to evaluate the potential of zoonotic transmission is recommended.In conclusion, based on our best information, this is a new haplotype of


Yponomeuta evonymella), which has moved from its native host plant, bird cherry (Prunus padus), to a new, widely distributed plant that is invasive in Europe, black cherry (P. serotina). We attempted to verify the reasons behind this host change in the context of the enemy-free space hypothesis by focusing on parasitoids attacking larval Y. evonymella on one of three host plant variants: The primary host, P. padus; initially P. padus and later P. serotina (P. padus/P. serotina); or the new host, P. serotina. This experiment investigated if changing the host plant could be beneficial to Y. evonymella in terms of escaping from harmful parasitoids and improving survival rate. We identified nine species of parasitoids that attack larval Y. evonymella, and we found that the number of parasitoid species showed a downward trend from the primary host plant to the P. padus/P. serotina combination to the new host plant alone. We observed a significant difference among variants in relation to the percentage of cocoons killed by specific parasitoids, but no effects of non-specific parasitoids or other factors. Total mortality did not significantly differ (ca. 37%) among larval rearing variants. Changing the host plant caused differences in the structure of the parasitoid complex of Y. evonymella but did not improve its survival rate. This study does not indicate that the host expansion of Y. evonymella is associated with the enemy-free space hypothesis; we therefore discuss alternative scenarios that may be more likely.Recently in Poland, cases of host expansion have frequently been observed in the typically monophagous bird-cherry ermine moth ( Plants and the herbivores that feed on their tissues and sap have coevolved, creating a relationship wherein plants produce new defences and herbivores attempt to mitigate those defences to further feed on the plants. Generalists, which include polyphagous and oligophagous insects, feed on a wide range of hosts because they are not specialised to feed on a particular range of plants, whereas specialists are insects that are monophagous. When choosing their host, monophagous insects search for the best food quality and the best environment in terms of the survival of their offspring (see preference-performance hypothesis). An insect’s choice of host plant depends not only on the insect’s food preferences but also on its ability to use the host . The situation therefore depends on the chemical composition of the new host plant as well as the availability of the host species in the insect’s habitat ,2,3. UndYponomeuta evonymella (L.) , which feeds on the European bird cherry (Prunus padus L.) and, recently, also on the non-native, invasive black cherry (P. serotina Ehrh.). Y. evonymella is a moth native to the temperate zone in Europe, Siberia, India, and China. In Europe, it is the most common lepidopteran species that feeds on P. padus leaves [Y. evonymella, when considering mass and survival of insects, concentrations of defensive compounds, and the toughness of leaves [P. serotina shrubs when they were in close proximity to branches of P. padus [P. padus (where they hatch) onto P. serotina during the early stages of larval development is often due to extensive defoliation of P. padus shrubs. Recently, we have observed more and more Y. evonymella egg clusters being oviposited on the stems of P. serotina [In this study, we focused on the bird-cherry ermine moth s leaves ,19,20,21f leaves . Larvae P. padus . Larval serotina . Prunus L., play a key role in the species composition of the understory [P. padus and the closely related P. serotina. Bird cherry is a species native to Europe which has a wide geographic range that extends from the southern to the northern limits of the continent [In European forests, plant species of the family Rosaceae, including the genus derstory . Particuontinent ,26. In continent . Both spontinent ; howeverP. padus, which begin to appear very early (earlier than P. serotina leaves), are heavily attacked by herbivores. This shrub is a suitable source of food for 28 herbivorous insect species, four of which are considered to be host specific [Gonioctena quinquepunctata (F.), Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), and Y. evonymella, attack P. padus every year and in great abundance, causing meaningful damage by consuming half of the total amount of a shrub’s leaves or even causing total defoliation [Y. evonymella individuals increases, and, every twenty years, gradations appear [Y. evonymella are substantially reduced by natural enemies, such as bird predators and parasitoids. Historically in Europe, 34 parasitoids and 15 predators of Y. evonymella have been reported [Yponomeuta provides information concerning 60 species [Y. evonymella in Europe are Ageniaspis fuscicollis Dalman , and Diadegma armillata Grav. , whereas in Korea the most important parasitoid species are D. armillata, Herpestomus brunnicornis Grav. , and Zenillia dolosa Meig.  [The leaves of specific . The mosoliation ,28. Evers appear . Populatreported . A recen species . The maihinidae) .Y. evonymella in light of its recently discovered colonisation of a new host plant. The aim of this study was to determine if larval stage-specific parasitism is the main reason for the observed change of host plant exhibited by Y. evonymella. Employing an experiment based on three variants of larval feeding—on the primary host P. padus, partly on P. padus and later on P. serotina (P. padus/P. serotina), or on the new host P. serotina—we attempted to explain this larval behaviour by posing a question: Is the observed host expansion of Y. evonymella associated with the enemy-free space hypothesis—does Y. evonymella feed on P. serotina to avoid parasitoids? In this study, we investigated the parasitoid complex of Y. evonymella (L.) , which primarily feeds on bird cherry P. padus L. [P. serotina Ehrh. [This study was carried out on a herbivorous insect, the bird-cherry ermine moth padus L.  but is lna Ehrh. . During Y. evonymella was studied in Poland in 2014 in Kobylepole Forest . The research was carried out on two species of undergrowth shrubs: Black cherry  and bird cherry . Our previous field investigations conducted in Kobylepole Forest were indicative of the abundant presence of both species of Prunus in the forest’s undergrowth layer. Both investigated understory shrubs grow in mid-fertile soil under the canopy of coniferous forests and mixed forests consisting of various tree species (mainly Pinus sylvestris L. mixed with Quercus robur L.). In the late summer of 2013, 24 typical shrubs (12 of P. padus and 12 of P. serotina) growing in temperate shade  were randomly chosen so that their canopy dimensions, ages, and heights (3–5 m) were similar. Larval stage-specific parasitism of Y. evonymella in this field experiment, we used larvae in the L1 stage of development (before their emergence from under the domed refuges covering egg batches), which we collected in the autumn of 2013, because searching for larvae was simpler in the leafless period. Twenty-four shoots (10–15 cm) with egg batches collected from shrubs of P. padus growing in Kobylepole Forest were overwintered in external controlled conditions by placing the shoots vertically in a pot filled with sand and covering them with a plastic net that guaranteed good ventilation and protection from insectivorous birds. In the spring, the collected shoots containing egg batches were attached randomly with coated wire to places on shrubs of P. padus or P. serotina where eggs are usually laid , at the time when larvae of this species begin to feed (mid-April 2014). Moreover, during a field inventory process held in Kobylepole Forest (beginning of May 2014), we marked 12 places where we noticed that larval Y. evonymella that had originally been grazing on P. padus had spontaneously moved to shrubs of P. serotina in their close vicinity. In summary, we created three different variants of larval rearing: On the primary host P. padus, initially on P. padus and later on P. serotina (P. padus/P. serotina), and on the new host P. serotina alone.To identify and estimate the number of natural parasitoids of Y. evonymella individuals but also the emergence of parasitoids. Moths that had just emerged were removed the same day, sex was determined, and further tests—irrelevant to the current study—were conducted. The parasitoids that emerged were kept for further identification. We also determined that there were a number of cocoons from which moths did not emerge because of other factors .When the first larvae began to pupate (beginning of June), the pupae and individual larvae of the last stadium (5th instar) were collected and moved to the laboratory. Shoots with aggregates of pupae were cut out of the shrubs and placed separately in one-litre plastic containers. Larvae that did not manage to pupate in the field had access to leaves of the proper shrub species. The vast majority pupated within 24 h, although some larvae did not pupate in the entire time of the experiment, which is a peculiar defence mechanism of this species, as some larvae entwine their cocoons with those of the colony to the end of their life in an effort to protect themselves. As the containers were filled with collected material, we placed them in a room with stable temperature and light conditions . Every container was checked daily to observe and record not only the emergence of mature forms of Y. evonymella, these pupae were moved to another separate vessel to avoid accidental infection of healthy pupae. Similarly, when polyembrionic A. fuscicollis was observed, pupae with visible marks showing emergence of this parasitoid were taken out of the container, but they were not included in this study because they are egg parasitoids. When we observed that Dipteran larvae emerged from pupal p < 0.05). The average total parasitism was calculated by adding the percentage of parasitism of each parasitoid. A standard deviation (SD) was given for each mean value. All calculations were performed using JMP Pro 13.0 software .The percentage of parasitism of each parasitoid species was calculated by dividing the number of individual pupae killed by the parasitoid by the number of pupae collected for the host variant in nature. The average parasitism of each parasitoid species was calculated by averaging the percentage of parasitism of each parasitoid species for each host-plant variant. The total mortality was obtained by adding the percentage of parasitism of each parasitoid species to the percentage of pupae killed by other factors. To evaluate the importance of each parasitoid, we identified significant differences in percentage of parasitism using the Kruskal–Wallis Test and Dunn’s Test   and Baryscapus evonymellae (Bché.) , as well as six taxa from the family Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera), including Agrypon anxium (Wesm.), D. armillata (Grav.), H. brunnicornis (Grav.), Itoplectis maculator (F.), Lissonota sp. Grav., Dirophanes invisor (Thunb.), and Pimpla turionellae L.The structure of the onymella . The maiP. padus than when they fed on P. serotina. There was a downward trend in the number of parasitoid species present, from the primary host plant variant of larval rearing (P. padus) to the partial variant (P. padus/P. serotina) to the new plant (P. serotina). All nine parasitoid species found were present in samples reared on P. padus, seven were present when larvae were reared partly on P. padus and P. serotina, and five were present when larvae were reared on P. serotina alone. The total mortality for each larval rearing variant, however, was not significantly different, with ca. 37% mortality among larvae feeding on P. padus, 32% among those on the P. padus/P. serotina variant and 38% among those on the P. serotina variant . On larvae reared first on P. padus and then P. serotina, B. evonymellae and P. turionellae were absent. In turn, in larval samples reared only on P. serotina, B. aurulenta, H. brunnicornis, I. maculator, and D. invisor were absent. Bactromyia aurulenta and B. evonymellae were the most abundant general parasitoid on both larvae raised on only P. padus and those raised on a mix of P. padus/P. serotina, whereas in the case of larvae raised on P. serotina alone, the most common parasitoid was A. anxium  and mortality due to other non-studied factors  for each larval rearing variant were not significantly different (Yponomeuta Latreille (including mono- and oligophagous) and another group of non-specific parasitoid species (polyphagous). The specific parasitoid group included B. evonymellae and H. brunnicornis. All other parasitic species found were placed in the non-specific group. A closer look at the results  was lower than the percentage killed in the P. padus alone and the P. padus/P. serotina variants (both “a”). Furthermore, there were no differences among variants regarding the percentage of cocoons killed by non-specific parasitoids or other factors or regarding the number of non-parasitised cocoons. The total percentages of parasite-caused mortality (χifferent . Based o results  showed aY. evonymella), and the composition of the moth’s parasitoid complex, depending on the larval–host plant variant. We were searching for an explanation of a phenomenon that has been observed in nature over the past ten years: Y. evonymella more and more frequently utilising a new plant, P. serotina [Y. evonymella hatches and feeds on P. padus, but it often also moves to the shoots of P. serotina shrubs, where it may then feed and pupate. A recent study confirmed that Y. evonymella egg clusters are also observed on the stems of P. serotina [Y. evonymella in terms of reduced larval stage-specific parasitism. Thus, our study does not support our prediction that larval Y. evonymella feed on P. serotina solely to avoid parasitoids and predators. In a broader sense, the observed host expansion of Y. evonymella does not appear to be associated with the enemy-free space hypothesis [Y. evonymella is simply the expansion of its food base.In our study, we investigated the connections among a host plant, the monophagous bird-cherry ermine moth . Because feeding on P. serotina does not affect the duration of larval development [As insects are strongly dependent on their preferred food ,33, feedd cherry . Taking defences ,16. It cng hosts . As the elopment , there ielopment ,36. Takielopment ,37, althY. evonymella does not appear to be related to an attempt to escape from parasites, which makes alternative scenarios more likely. In situations where the optimal host is a rare species or there is heavy competition for food, the cost of feeding on the optimal host may be large enough for an insect to promote the strategy of increasing the number of potential host plants through the use of new species [Y. evonymella may also restrain inter- and intraspecific competition [Prunus serotine, in its European range of occurrence (in contrast to P. padus), is attacked by a smaller number of herbivorous species, as evidenced by a lower level of damage to its leaves [P. padus (where they hatch) onto P. serotina during the early stages of larval development is often observed due to extensive defoliation of P. padus shrubs. This presents an opportunity for the moth population to avoid starvation and competition with other folivorous species. Utilising P. serotina may also be beneficial for Y. evonymella as an opportunity to improve geographical and ecological expansion, as it is known that a wider diet allows herbivores to broaden their range [P. serotina, invasive black cherry is a widespread species [P. padus is an increasingly rare species and is much more demanding in terms of soil humidity and nutrient requirements [P. serotina, in comparison to the more outcompeted main host plant P. padus, provides an alternative food source in the case of the total defoliation or disappearance of the primary host plant.Based on the literature, the impact of alien plants on insects and their host selection preferences is well known, as can be evidenced by the large number of publications in this field ,41,42,43petition . Prunus s leaves . Larval ir range , and somir range . In the  species . Simultairements . In summYponomeuta evonymella is a species with a large range of occurrence (from Europe to East Asia), and its parasitoid complex appears to differ among geographic regions. Observations in Scandinavia have reported that Yponomeuta populations display regular cycles of intensification in occurrence, with strong gradations [Y. evonymella was in a transitional period between outbreaks, as indicated by the observed total larval parasitism (ca. 37%). The nine identified species of parasitoids found attacking our studied population of Y. evonymella represent ca. 15% of all species currently known to attack Y. evonymella [adations . The coladations . The traadations  and appradations . The resonymella . P. padus alone or on a mix of P. padus and P. serotina, the most important species of parasitoid are B. aurulenta and B. evonymellae. In contrast, when larvae fed on only P. serotina, the most common general parasitoid was A. anxium. Our study showed that, when rearing larvae on Agrypon anxium  is a polyphagous larval/pupal parasitoid. In the past, it did not have a meaningful influence on the population of Y. evonymella in Poland [P. serotina (more than 15-fold higher than in the P. padus variant). The possible reason for such a high percentage of parasitism in this variant is puzzling. As A. anxium is a polyphagous species, and many other species of herbivorous insects have adapted to grazing on the leaves of the alien P. serotina [A. anxium is the main specialist parasitoid of any of these insect species.n Poland  and indun Poland . In the serotina ,52,53, iHerpestomus brunnicornis is an endophagous parasitoid of Yponomeuta species, attacking mainly fifth instar, prepupal, or pupal hosts [Y. malinellus Zell. [Herpestomus brunnicornis is widely distributed in Europe and causes low levels of parasitism in Y. evonymella [P. padus alone and those feeding on P. padus/P. serotina, but it was absent in larvae feeding on P. serotina alone. In a study [H. brunnicornis caused relatively high parasitism (6.8%) of pupal Y. evonymella, but it only caused 0.3% of parasitism in larvae. al hosts , althougus Zell. . Herpestonymella . In the  a study  conducteBaryscapus evonymellae (syn. Tetrastichus evonymellae) is distributed in Nearctic and Palearctic regions. It is an important endoparasitoid of Yponomeuta spp. [D. armillata . We observed a greater share of this species in relation to total parasitism, as well as a downward trend—although insignificant—in parasitism when the food plant shifted from the original to the new host.n Europe ,57, althn Europe . In relan Europe , the levItoplectis maculator (syn. Ichneumonid maculator) is a polyphagous endoparasitoid that typically attacks different small members of Lepidoptera , Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera [P. serotina. Diptera . It is d Diptera . In the Lissonota are oligophagous, koinobiont endoparasitoids of larval Lepidopterans [Lissonota species occurs in the Old World, where the taxonomy of this genus has been comparatively better studied [All species in the genus opterans . These p studied .Dirophanes invisor  is a polyphagous species distributed widely in Europe [n Europe ,63. Pimpla turionellae (syn. Ichneumon turionella) is a polyphagous endoparasitoid, as well as a facultative hyperparasitoid [Y. malinellus, Tortrix viridana L.) and occurs in the Palearctic. rasitoid ,59,63. IB. aurulenta is a polyphagous, larval parasitoid that attacks many species in the genus Yponomeuta, but it has also been recorded on 19 other species [B. aurulenta caused low parasitism (averaging 1%) in larval Y. evonymella on P. padus [P. padus alone (ca. 6.9%) and on a mix of P. padus/P. serotina (ca. 12%) was meaningful; however, in the P. serotina alone variant, the effect was absent. The tachinid  species . In a KoP. padus , and, inP. padus . In our Y. evonymella parasitoids (nine species) observed in this study may be caused by the relatively small research area in an urban impact zone, as well as the fact that individuals were collected in a commercial forest stand with a simplified species structure of trees and shrubs. Despite this limitation, we believe that we correctly selected our research area because it is one of the places where this natural ecological process of host plant change from P. padus to P. serotina was first observed in Y. evonymella, and relatively long ago [The great impact of a specific site on the level of parasitism and the species composition of parasitoids is well known . The lowlong ago ,27.Y. evonymella outbreaks are characterised by approximately 50% parasitisation of the population in Central Europe [Furthermore, in one of the three years of previous experiments , we founl Europe  and apprl Europe , and ourY. evonymellus. We made a decision to collect all the necessary egg batches from P. padus at the stage before the winter diapause, into which the L1 larvae enter. The search for egg batches on P. padus is much simpler because there are one hundred times more eggs on its branches than on those of P. serotina. In the pilot study, we were able to find only three egg batches , which was too small a sample size. With this study, we faced a classic trade off: We could perform an experiment by collecting egg batches from P. padus, but we had to remain aware that we would then not be able to understand the variability among all stages of development . Thus, when polyembrionic A. fuscicollis was observed, pupae with visible marks showing emergence of this parasitoid were taken out of the container, and they were not included in this study .Finally, we would like to note that we were aware that it would be very difficult to perform an experiment to additionally capture the seasonal phenology and stage-specific parasitism of Y. evonymella but did not improve its survival rate. This study indicates that the host expansion exhibited by Y. evonymella is not associated with the enemy-free space hypothesis. We identified nine species of parasitoids that attack larval Y. evonymella and found that the number of parasitoid species trended downwards from the primary host plant to the P. padus/P. serotina combination to the new host plant alone. We observed a significant difference among variants only in relation to the percentage of cocoons killed by specific parasitoids, but no effects of non-specific parasitoids or other factors were observed. Total mortality did not significantly differ (ca. 37%) among larval rearing variants. In summary, changing the host plant caused differences in the structure of the parasitoid complex of


The functioning of attention is complex, a primordial function in several cognitive processes and of great interest to neuropsychology. The Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A) is a continuous computerized performance test that evaluates some attention components such as response time to a stimulus and errors due to inattention and impulsivity.1) To evaluate the applicability of T.O.V.A in Brazilian adults; 2) To analyze the differences in performance between genders, age ranges, and levels of education; 3) To examine the association between T.O.V.A variables and other attention and cognitive screening tests.The T.O.V.A was applied to 63 healthy adults (24 to 78 years of age) who also underwent the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Digit Span and Digit Symbol  and the Trail Making Test.the T.O.V.A was little influenced by age or education, but was influenced by gender. The correlations between some T.O.V.A variables and the Digit Symbol and Trail Making test were weak , but significant (p<0.05). There was no correlation with the Digit Span test.The T.O.V.A showed good applicability and proved adequate for evaluating attentional processes in adults. In most models, attention is portrayed as a complex system that allows the individual to filter relevant and irrelevant information, maintain and process mental representations, and monitor and modulate responses to stimuli. Attention, therefore, usually refers to a multifactorial set of processes that goes beyond the simple ability to encode information. Attention includes several processes, such as sensory selection , response selection , and attentional capacity .,Continuous Performance Tests  such as the Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A)Frequently, the Digit Span,The T.O.V.A is a 21-minute computerized test in which a simple geometric stimulus is used to measure the response to visual stimuli. It can be used in serial evaluations and assists in the detection of attention disorders. The test involves the presentation of two distinct situations: the display of a target stimulus , upon which the individual must press the microswitch, and the presence of a different stimulus  for which the subject must not press the microswitch. Being computerized battery, it offers advantages such as ease of application and handling, less influence of the examiner, automatic generation of report with results, and accuracy in recording of reaction time (±1 millisecond).This test can also be used to monitor the response to drug treatment because it has negligible test-retest effects.,Additionally, the test is expected to be little influenced by education because the instructions and stimuli involved in the test are simple. The test has been mainly used as a clinical outcome variable for interventions aimed at reducing symptoms in ADHDNo studies conducted in Brazil on the T.O.V.A were found. Thus, the objectives of the present study were: 1) to evaluate the applicability of the T.O.V.A in Brazilian adults without chronic diseases; 2) to investigate whether the T.O.V.A scores vary between the sexes, age groups and education; and 3) to investigate the association between the scores generated by the T.O.V.A and other attention tests.The sample consisted of 63 adults with a mean age of 52.05 (±14.43) years and a mean educational level of 13.13 (±4) years. Participants were individuals included in the CHEST-BR study,The test starts with a three-minute training phase,commission error and considered a measure of impulsiveness.,The participant is not informed about the structure of the test and usually does not know that the test consists of two parts: during the first half of the test lasting 10 minutes), the target appears in 22.5% of the trials. During the second half (same length of time), the target appears in 77.5% of the trials. The increasing frequency of the target implies that the examinee must respond more quickly. When the subject does not respond to the target, this response is called an error of omission and is a measure of inattention; and when the examinee responds to a non-target, the response is called a  minutes,prime, and an attentional performance score. The measures are outlined below:In addition to the primary variables, the T.O.V.A generates secondary variables that include variability in response time (consistency), response time, the D-Omission Errors: considered a measure of inattention. The subject does not respond to the predetermined target; that is, the subject fails to press the T.O.V.A microswitch when the target is displayed. The omission score is calculated as the ratio between the number of correct responses to the target and the subtraction of the actual number of targets displayed from the number of anticipatory responses to the targets.Commission Errors: considered a measure of impulsivity or behavioral disinhibition. The subject is unable to inhibit the response and incorrectly responds to a non-target stimulus, pressing the button when a non-target is displayed. The commission score is calculated as the ratio between the number of incorrect responses to the non-targets and the subtraction of the actual number of non-targets presented from the number of anticipatory responses made to non-target stimuli.Response time variability: a measure of time differences for correct responses given by the subject, denoting the consistency in the speed of correct responses. The faster the subject, the lower the variability.Response time: the average time a subject takes to respond correctly to a target by pressing the microswitch from the moment the target is presented. The response time score is the average of the response times (correct responses), calculated as the sum of all times divided by the number of correct responses to the target, expressed in milliseconds (ms) for each quartile, half and total time of the test.D-prime: a response sensitivity score that reflects the ratio between the rate of correct responses and the rate of “false alarm”. It is considered a measure of decrease in performance over time, that is, the rate of decline of performance throughout the task. This measure is derived from the Signal Detection Theory and helps to distinguish individuals without impairment from those diagnosed with attention disorders.Attentional Performance Index: the result of the comparison of the performances of the studied subjects on the T.O.V.A versus an American sample identified as having ADHD. Positive indices are suggestive of no attention impairment. The formula used to derive the score is as follows: response time in z score  + D-prime in z score  + variability in response time in z score . In subjects with ADHD, the index is expected to be negative, although not specific to this disorder because attentional impairments may be present in various conditions.The T.O.V.A has some criteria invalidating the test run: response time or variability equal to zero in any quartile of the test, interruption of the test by the examinee, excessive anticipatory responses and 100% omission/commission errors in any quartile of the test. More information is available on the www.tovatest.com.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Canadian Stroke Network Vascular Cognitive Impairment Harmonization Standards,Each subject completed the T.O.V.A, along with the following tests: Digit Span and Digit Symbol - subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults,The local ethics committee approved the protocol, and all participants agreed by signing the Informed Consent Form (ICF).The clinical evaluation with ergometric test, echocardiogram and application of the neuropsychological battery lasted about 150 minutes and was performed at the INCOR. Cardiologists were responsible for the clinical evaluation. The neuropsychological battery lasted about 90 minutes and was applied by neuropsychologists. Although the T.O.V.A was self-administered, the examiner remained present for any unforeseen events.The sample was divided between men and women to assess whether there were gender differences in the T.O.V.A variables. Two age groups were then created to differentiate young/middle-aged adults from elderly subjects (<60 years and ≥60 years), and two educational levels . The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the differences between age and education groups, given none of the variables had a normal distribution, as tested with the Shapiro-Wilks test. Additionally, Spearman correlations were performed to evaluate the association between T.O.V.A variables and the other attention and global cognition tests. R software version 3.4.3 was used for statistical analyses. Statistical significance was set at 5%.Men and women differed in age and education; men were younger (p=0.025) and higher educated (p=0.034). On the subanalysis of the Attentional Performance Index, 36.5% of the individuals had a negative result on this variable .A difference between the sexes was observed on the T.O.V.A for the variables Response Time and Omission Errors (p<0.05) .There were no significant differences on the T.O.V.A in relation to the educational levels (p>0.05) .The analyses indicated significant, although weak, correlations  between the General Attention Index and age; between Total Response Time Variability and scores on the Trail Making Test part A and Digit Symbol; and between Total Commission Errors and scores on the Trail Making Test part B and Digit Symbol .The objective of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of the T.O.V.A in Brazilian adults without chronic diseases and to examine their scores on variables such as sex, age group and education. The association between the scores generated by the T.O.V.A and other attention tests was also examined. The results indicated that, on most variables, the T.O.V.A was little influenced by age or education. For some specific measures (Response Time and Omission Errors), there were significant differences between the sexes.In the original T.O.V.A standardization study,,In a review on continuous performance tasks,The authors of the T.O.V.A affirm that the test is slightly influenced by education.The Attentional Performance Index reflects the comparative performance of the subject relative to an American clinical sample with ADHD, where positive indices are suggestive of no attention impairment. A proportion (36.5%) of the present sample had a negative Attentional Performance Index. The criterion adopted to define our population as healthy was the absence of chronic diseases (such as hypertension and diabetes). However, conditions associated with attentional impairments such as traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, medication, learning disorders and sleep disorders,,Consistent with previous studies,There was an association of the variable Commission Errors with the Digit Symbol test and the Trail Making Test Part B . Both attentional tests and commission errors are tasks requiring flexibility and inhibitory control.However, no significant correlations were observed on the Digits Span test, a traditional test that evaluates attentional amplitude and cognitive flexibility, even on separate analysis of forward and backward order or total score . In summary, the correlation analyses suggest that the T.O.V.A and Digit Span test assess different aspects of attention; the T.O.V.A has a greater contribution of alertness than other aspects related to the Digit Span test, such as operational memory.In conclusion, the T.O.V.A showed good applicability and was adequate for evaluating attentional processes in adults. Because this is a computerized test, it offers advantages such as precision of the measures evaluated, number of variables generated, and automation of results. Furthermore, the test proved to be little influenced by education or age.The study had limitations related to the small size of the sample and the fact that a specific instrument to track attention complaints was not applied. However, the Attention Performance Index suggested that a percentage of the participants may present attentional changes according to the T.O.V.A. Future studies should be performed with more comprehensive samples that allow generalizality to other populations.


The Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation Award in Behavioral and Social Gerontology recognizes outstanding early-career contributions in behavioral and social gerontology. The lecture will be given by the 2018 Baltes Award recipient, Frank Infurna, PhD, of Arizona State University. This session will also include the presentation of the 2019 Baltes Award. The 2019 Baltes Award recipient is Allison Bielak, PhD, of Colorado State University. Supported by the Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation.


Engraulis japonicus was the most abundant species of all teleost fishes. The E. japonicus was captured in every season and contributed the most to the abundance of ichthyoplankton, which was greater than that of previous years. This result may be due to the periodic fluctuations of E. japonicus or from the displacement of spawning grounds offshore for environmental reasons. The diversity indices of the assemblage were significantly different among seasons, with the number and abundance of the species peaking in the spring, while richness, evenness and diversity indices peaked in the autumn. The species richness of the ichthyoplankton varied from 0.74 to 1.62, the Pielou evenness index varied from 0.10 to 0.49 and the Shannon–Wiener index varied from 0.19 to 1.04. The results of CCA analysis showed that the major factors affecting the ichthyoplankton assemblage differed throughout the seasons. Chla was the key factor affecting the ichthyoplankton in 2012. These seasonal and inter-annual variations likely resulted from migrations associated with fish spawning as well as the environment. Compared with data from previous studies, the relationship between the assemblage structure of ichthyoplankton and corresponding environmental variables have undergone a decline.Seasonal variations of the ichthyoplankton assemblage and its relationship with the environment were analyzed based on four seasonal surveys during 2012. Historical data was collected to be compared with results from previous years in order to indicate the seasonal and inter-annual variation of the ichthyoplankton assemblage in the Yangtze Estuary and the adjacent waters. A total of 3,688 individuals belonging to 5 orders, 9 families, and 15 species were collected. No samples were collected in the winter cruise. In 2012, all samples were separated into four ecotypes, which is comparable with the historical data from previous years. The  The Yangtze Estuary is a transitional region between freshwater and the sea, which is in an advantageous geographical location with a distinct ecological environment. Profiting from the freshwater runoff of the Yangtze River, the Taiwan Warm Current, the East China Sea Coastal Current, and the Yellow Sea Coast Current, the Yangtze River has become an excellent spawning and nursing ground for an array of economic fish species and a crucial fishery ground in China . HoweverThe spatial and temporal variation of ichthyoplankton assemblages has been widely studied in the field of marine ecology such as . With beA total of 40 sampling stations were located at the Yangtze Estuary and its adjacent waters  . SamplesAt the laboratory, fish eggs and larvae were counted and sorted to the lowest possible taxonomic level at each station according to the morphological characteristics found in the literature . These wThe abundance of ichthyoplankton was standardized and expressed as the total number of individual fish eggs and larvae per 10 min-trawling (ind/trawl). The dominant species were determined using the Index of Relative Importance (IRI) developed by N∗100% and F∗100% are the relative abundance and frequency of occurrence, respectively. The IRI of the dominant species should be greater than 100.D), Shannon-Wiener index , and Pielou’s evenness (J′) were calculated for each station. Related equations were as follows .The homoscedasticity was measured with the method Levene’s test, after which a one-way ANOVA was performed to assess the difference in abundance, biomass, species richness, and biodiversity index among four cruises. When a significant difference was detected, the Duncan’s test was applied for multiple comparisons. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was applied to analyze the correlation between environmental factors and the distribution pattern of ichthyoplankton assemblages. To eliminate the effects of a few dominant species, numerous zeros in the species data, and a highly variable value in environmental data, all data matrix were transformed by log(http://www.canoco5.com/).All maps were drawn with Surfer 8.0 and statistical analyses were performed with PRIMER 5.0 , SPSS 16.0  and CANOCO 4.5  for feeding as they hit adulthood then returns to estuary or coastal waters for spawning and breeding includes The greatest number of species were collected in the spring, including 3 brackish water species, 4 coastal species, and 3 marine species.This was followed by autumn with 9 species collected, including 4 brackish water species, 2 coastal species, and 3 marine species, The least number of species were caught in the summer, including 1 fresh water species, 1 marine species, 3 brackish water species, and 3 coastal species. In the summer, ichthyoplankton assemblages were dominated by brackish water and coastal species, while coastal species and brackish water species were dominant in the spring and autumn months, respectively.E. japonicus, C. mystus, A. commersoni, A. bleekeri, and C. spinosus were widespread species, which were captured in all four seasons.Conversely, 7 species  were captured only in single season; S. japonicus, L. polyactis and M. monodactylus were only collected in the spring, P. engraulis was only collected in the summer, and S. acua, H. sajori, T. japonicus were only captured in the autumn. The distribution pattern of ichthyoplankton assemblages varied with seasonal changes due to the ecological habits of the species as well as their tendencies toward differing seasonal compositions.E. japonicus and C. nasus were the dominant species which contributed the most (98.63%) to the total abundance, followed by E. japonicus which occupied 93.80% in the spring, as indicated in E. japonicus occupied the greatest proportion of the abundance in the spring and autumn. The characteristics and composition of the dominant species and the variation in the degree of dominance showed a distinct difference during three investigations, which indicated the seasonal variations in the ichthyoplankton assemblage structure.The Index of Relative Importance (IRI) was used to discuss the dominant species. Species with an index greater than 1,000 and a range from 100 to 1,000 were considered a dominant species and common species, respectively. These factors combined indicated the important species. A clear variation occurred in the composition of the dominant species in every season . E. japoThe spatial distribution of the ichthyoplankton abundance in the Yangtze Estuary in 2012 showed significant seasonal variation , with thE. japonicus, followed by A. bleekeri, C. mystus, C. spinosus, and L. polyactis. In total, 366 individuals were recorded in the summer, including 120 fish eggs and 246 larvae, which were primarily distributed in the river channel and the southern and eastern portions of the study areas. E. japonicus had the greatest number of larvae, followed by P. engraulis and C. mystus, which shared a similar distribution range. Only 76 larvae were collected in the autumn, and no fish eggs; these were mainly distributed in the river channel and the southern portion of the study areas, with the C. nasus as the majority, followed by E. japonicus, A. bleekeri, A.commersoni, and H. sajori.A total of 2,604 individuals were captured in the spring, including 317 fish eggs and 2,287 larvae. Larvae were widespread, with the exception of the river channel and the northern locations of the investigation areas. The most widely distributed species was F = 4.601, P = 0.0095 < 0.01).The statistical result of Levene’s test  indicated that the difference of homoscedasticity of the index is not significant. We then used the One-way ANOVA test for further analysis. The One-way ANOVA test revealed that a significant difference occurred among three diversity indexes during four seasons . Furthermore, H′ and J′ between spring and summer as well as J′ between summer and winter also occurred with a significant difference. However, no significant difference was detected for D between spring and summer  as well as for D  and H′  between summer and autumn.According to the results, autumn presented the highest diversity indexes while spring presented with the lowest . FurtherP < 0.05). As shown in the diagram, the first axis was strongly correlated with Chla, SPM, TP, COD, DO, and the remaining environmental factors displayed a higher correlation with axis 2 than axis 1. SPM, Chla, TP, and temperature exerted a positive effect on the first axis.In addition, depth showed a positive correlation and TN showed a negative correlation with the second axis, respectively. The CCA ordination plot of sampling stations  and the second axis  of the CCA plot explained 14.4% of “species data” variation and 65.6% of variation in “species-environment relation”. The species-environment correlation coefficients of these two axes were 0.832 and 0.621, respectively. The Monte-Carlo test  indicatestations  revealedE. japonicus showed a strong relationship with dissolved oxygen and was less affected by the remaining factors, while S. japonicus was mainly affected by TP, which indicated that the distribution pattern of different species belonging to the same ecotype may be affected by different environmental factors. L. polyactis and A.commersoni also revealed a significant positive correlation with dissolved oxygen and were mainly distributed in the region of higher dissolved oxygen content. C. spinosus showed a distinct distribution pattern positively associated with the higher value of Chla, SPM, and temperature. The distribution pattern of C. nasus was positively correlated with deeper and higher concentration of nutrients areas.As shown in the CCA ordination plot of ichthyoplankton species , the corH. sajori (hesa), A. bleekeri (Albl), M. monodactylus (Mimo), and S. acua (syca) had a positive correlation with pH and salinity but A. bleekeri had lower demand for pH and salinity than the other three species.Species such as The ichthyoplankton assemblages in estuaries are complex both in species composition and distribution. Studies show that the organization of ichthyoplankton in estuarine systems is influenced by the interactive effects of a multitude of biotic and abiotic processes. Biological factors include the location, timing and manner of spawning, larval life history, larval behavior, rates of predation, and feeding . PhysicaP. engrauli was collected. This phenomenon indicated that the composition and numbers of fresh water species have been experiencing a significant decline due to the impact of anthropogenic activity and a change in the natural environment. In the last decades, many scholars have reported the community structure and biodiversity of ichthyoplankton assemblages and their relationship with environmental factors. The study of E. japonicus, which was the commonly identified member of the ichthyoplankton assemblages (E. japonicus resources have declined dramatically based on the comparison in May of 1999, 2001, 2004, and 2007 (E. japonicus resources in every season of 2012 was increasing, which was not consistent with the previous results. E. japonicus resources had relatively steady fluctuations in quantity as a result of climate and environment changes, which were mainly caused by water circulation and fluctuations in temperature. Although Watanabe did not point out the duration of the fluctuation, this conclusion was also supported by the investigation results in this study.The abundance of ichthyoplankton assemblage in this study was highly concentrated on the dominant species, emblages . E. japoand 2007 , and Mayand 2007 . NeverthBased on the results of this study and the comparison with the results of other scholars, the community structure of ichthyoplankton assemblages in the Yangtze Estuary have fluctuated greatly over a short period of time .This phenomenon is related to the use of coastal water in different months by dominant species for breeding and feeding . HoweverA. bleekeri, C. mystus, and E. japonicus were the dominant species in the spring, E. japonicus, C. mystus, and S. elongata were the dominant species in the summer, and H. prognathous, E. japonicus and C. stigmatias were the dominant species in the autumn. As for 2012: E. japonicus was the dominant species in the spring, E. japonicus and C. nasus were the dominant species in the summer, and A. bleekeri was the dominant species in the autumn.In this study, the biodiversity indexes in each season showed significant difference, but all the indexes were relatively low . The invE. japonicus in the spring, accounting for 93.80% of the total abundance, the diversity indexes in the spring was less than summer and autumn.Most of the marine fish’s spawning season occurred in the spring and summer, which brings the abundance of ichthyoplankton assemblages to their maximum point in this period . In thisThe seasonal variation of biodiversity in the estuary is mainly dependent upon the selection of reproductive areas by grown fish  as well Distribution pattern of ichthyoplankton assemblages in the estuary were affected by both abiotic factors and environmental factors . In geneAcross the four surveys conducted in 2012, 3,688 individuals of 15 species were collected. We found that significant seasonal differences occurred in the species number and abundance of ichthyoplankton assemblages in the Yangtze Estuary with low biodiversity. Chla was the key environmental factor affecting the assemblage structure of ichthyoplankton in 2012, which was different than the results of previous research.With the rapid development of industrialization, urbanization, and marine fishery, ichthyoplankton resources are declining significantly, which may strengthen the trend toward the simplification of fishery resources in the Yangtze Estuary. Protection of fishery resources and continuous tracking and monitoring are imperative in the Yangtze Estuary.10.7717/peerj.6482/supp-1Supplemental Information 1Click here for additional data file.10.7717/peerj.6482/supp-2Supplemental Information 2Click here for additional data file.10.7717/peerj.6482/supp-3Supplemental Information 3Click here for additional data file.


AbstractPolyonyxsocialissp. n. from the South China Sea of Vietnam is described. The new species was collected in a previous study that compared the vertebrate and invertebrate symbiont communities living in the tubes of two syntopic species of the polychaete genus Chaetopterus. Polyonyxsocialissp. n. inhabits the tubes of the smaller polychaete species as a heterosexual pair, and frequently shares the cavity of the host’s tube with a larger porcellanid, P.heok, also present as a male-female pair, and with a species of trinchesiid nudibranch. Less frequently, the new species shares its host with a heterosexual pair of a larger species of pinnotherid crab. Polyonyxsocialissp. n. belongs to the P.sinensis group, a world-wide distributed morphological line within the heterogeneous genus Polyonyx. Most species in this group are obligate commensals of chaetopterid polychaetes. The crabs have a transversally cylindrical habitus, which enables them to move laterally along the worm tubes with ease. Polyonyxsocialissp. n. is a relatively small species that lives attached to the inner walls of the polychaete tube. The small size and flattened chelipeds and walking legs of the new species confers it an advantage to cohabiting the same worm tube with larger decapod species occupying most of the tube’s cavity. Polyonyx Stimpson is a diverse and heterogeneous taxon containing more than 30 species worldwide, most of which distributed in the Indo-West Pacific (IWP)  considered the P.denticulatus group as the new genus Aliaporcellana, which was later redefined by The porcellanid genus iculatus , P.dentiPolyonyxsinensis group, which is worldwide distributed, though most of the species in this group have an Indo-West Pacific (IWP) distribution. According to this author this group contains species with a “pronounced tendency towards commensalism”. Indeed, most species in this morphological line are commensal  and D Martin , and has been deposited in the Naturmuseum Senckenberg (SMF), Frankfurt a.M., Germany. Colour photographs were provided by T Britayev, and are included in the description. Measurements of carapace length and width (in mm) of type individuals follow collection information.Material of Taxon classificationAnimaliaDecapodaPorcellanidaehttp://zoobank.org/C8712225-9D4B-40AA-87CA-0B6FCDB3174AHolotype: female, SMF 52400, South China Sea, south coast of Vietnam, Nhatrang Bay, Tre Island, Dam Bay, 6–8 m, silty sand, hand collection from tube of Chaetopterus sp. No 66, cohabiting with a pair of pinnotherid Tetrias sp., coll. Britayev and Martin, 15.04. 2016; 4.0 mm x 4.3 mm  the narrower carapace, with the rostrum being less transverse, 2) the extremely extended and forwardly directed lobes on merus and carpus of the chelipeds, 3) the wide and flattened merus of the walking legs, and 4) the extremely fine and transparent fringes of setae on the chelipeds.The new species is morphologically similar and probably systematically close to us tubes . The newCurrently known only from the Vietnamese coast of the South China Sea.Polyonyxsocialis sp. n. inhabits as a heterosexual pair the tubes of one of two syntopic species of Chaetopterus, which according to P.heok and of the tergipedid nudibranch Phestilla sp. In one case Polyonyxsocialis sp. n. shared its host with a male-female pair of the pinnotherid crab Tetrias sp. Interestingly, P.socialis sp. n. was not found in the tubes of the larger polychaete Chaetopteruscf.appendiculatus Grube, 1874, which is ecologically close to the porcellanid’s host. The inhabitants of the larger polychaete were either the porcellanid Eulenaioscometes  and the polynoid polychaete Ophthalmonoepettiboneae Petersen & Britayev, 1997, or the carapid fish Onuxodonfowleri (P.socialis sp. n. in the smaller and not the larger polychaete species may be explained by the crab’s host specificity, or by a lower tolerance of Chaetopteruscf.appendiculatus and its commensal inhabitants to sharing the space inside the tube.nfowleri . The preP.socialis sp. n. are distinctive characters within Polyonyx, even when comparing the species with the morphologically closest P.boucheti and P.utinomii, and to all other tube-dwelling species of the genus. These characters are most likely adaptations to living tightly attached to the walls of the worm tube without being perceived as an obstacle for the larger crabs inhabiting the same tube. The new species is therefore morphologically adapted to cohabiting with a heterosexual pair of a congeneric larger crab, what is quite exceptional. The West Atlantic representative of the P.sinensis group, P.gibbesi Haig, 1956 inhabits the polychaete host Chaetopterusvariopedatus (Pinnixachaetopterana Stimpson, 1860, which also inhabits the polychaete tube as a heterosexual pair (The extremely broadened chelipeds and walking legs of opedatus  as a malopedatus , and verual pair . Studiesual pair  revealedual pair . The casPolyonyxsocialis sp. n. and P.heok comprise the first pair of porcellanid crabs observed to share the same host.


Polygonum is the largest genus of Polygonaceae and 5 species are reported in Tunisia. In order to characterized flower, seed, and fruit development in Polygonum, flower and fruit of Polygonium equisetiforme (var. graecum and peyerinhoffi), P. aviculare and P. maritimum, collected from Tunisia, were examined. Flowers are composed of five oblong tepals. P. equisetiforme and P. aviculare have whitish-pink distylous flowers with dimorphism of style, filament and anther height, pollen diameter and stigma size. In contrast, P. maritimum shows white homostylous flowers. The floral vasculature showed that the tepals are inserted in one whorl and their traces arise independently in 3+2 manner. The eight stamens are arranged in a 5+3 manner and the staminal bundles arise independently in the two whorls. The epidermis and endothecium cells width were higher in P. maritimum and the lowest endothecium width was observed in P. aviculare. Polygonum aviculare and P. equisetiforme showed circular pollen with shallow colpi and trilobite pollen shape with deep colpi, while P. maritimum rarely showed shallow colpi. The ovule is anatropous with basal placentation in P. equisetiforme and P. aviculare and apical placentation in P. maritimum. The young seed coat was formed by an endotesta with thick-walled cells, a mesotesta and exotesta with thin-walled cells and a tegmen composed of radially elongated cells. The fruits of the studied species are trigonous with ovate-lanceolate shape. In P. aviculare, the exocarp is thicker compared to the two other species, in P. equisetiforme, the mature exocarp consists of smaller rectangular cells with narrow cavities, and in P. maritimum showed a thinner exocarpIn conclusion, P. equisetiforme and P. aviculare are a typically distylous species from the morphological point of view and we discussed the significance of heterostyly in Polygonaceae. From this first morpho-anatomical study of Polygonum species in North Africa, we can conclude mainly that there is no significant difference between P. equisetiforme var. graecum and var. peyerinhoffi supporting a taxonomic grouping of these two varieties. Polygonaceae are a large and cosmopolitan family of herbs, shrubs, climbers or trees which comprise approximately 30 to 49 genera and about 750 species , these thin-walled invaginations of the outer periclinal walls of exocarp cells, possibly ease absorption of water for germination and might serve for penetration of water to the inside of cells. [Polygonum species .The achene sizes of the studied species are between 1.9–4.05 mm (length) and 1.46–2.98 mm (width). e Greene . Achene e Greene . When thathogens . The funcies 60. , these tPolygonum equisetiforme and P. aviculare are a typically distylous species from the morphological point of view. Long and short morphs differ in stigma height and width, filament length and stamen height, and pollen grain size. P. maritimum is homostylous. The tepal vascularization is ensured by a single main vein in P. maritimum and by. one main vein and two secondary veins in the other species. In the mature anther, the epidermis and endothecium cells width were higher in P. maritimum than in P. aviculare. The detailed anatomy of the seed and achene anatomy clarified the close resemblance of these Polygonum species. Our investigation provides the first floral vasculature study of P. equisetiforme showing that the tepals traces usually arise independently. The eight stamens are arranged in 5+3 manner and the staminal bundle arises independently.P. equisetiforme, so it seems that it is not a question of two separate varieties but a simple adaptation to the climatic conditions. Indeed, P. equisetiforme var. peyerinhoffi has a creeping port that makes it easier to absorb the maximum amount of moisture and to reduce the contact with the open air to minimize transpiration, which is consistent with [The results of this anatomical study showed that there is no significant difference between the two varieties of ent with  systemat