Search Results (27)

The endangered Rhinogobio ventralis, endemic to the upper Yangtze River, is dependent on captive breeding for its conservation. However, this highly stress-sensitive species is exceptionally susceptible to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, leading to severe pathology and high mortality in culture. Elevated salinity holds potential for managing key aquaculture pathogens, including Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Saprolegnia spp. However, its potential unintended ecological consequences remain insufficiently understood. This study evaluated the systemic impacts of 5‰ salinity on the culture environment of the endangered species Rhinogobio ventralis, using integrated 16S/18S rRNA gene sequencing and water quality analysis. The results demonstrated that while salinity treatment effectively reduced the environmental molecular signal of harmful eukaryotes such as Ichthyophthirius and Saprolegnia, it also induced significant ecological shifts: (1) aquatic prokaryotic diversity increased, yet the self-purification capacity of the water was compromised, indicated by elevated dissolved oxygen, nitrate nitrogen, and total nitrogen; (2) in the fish intestinal microbiome, a decline in potentially beneficial taxa (e.g., Exiguobacterium) co-occurred with an enrichment of genera containing potentially pathogenic species (e.g., Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas), collectively suggesting a state of dysbiosis; (3) co-occurrence network analysis revealed that the aquatic microbial community developed greater complexity, while the intestinal network became structurally simplified and more antagonistic. These findings reveal that elevating salinity in freshwater aquaculture systems compromises both host microbiome health and aquatic ecosystem functioning. As such, future aquaculture management should integrate supportive measures like probiotic supplementation to maintain overall system stability. Full article

Eurydema ventralis has recently intensified in Brassica production in Central and Southeastern Europe, increasing the need for alternatives to conventional insecticides. This laboratory study evaluated five locally sourced inert and plant-derived dusts on the mortality and feeding damage of E. ventralis adults and nymphs. The tested materials were diatomaceous earth, zeolite, quartz sand, wood ash of Norway spruce and Ailanthus altissima leaf dust, compared with an untreated control and a lambda-cyhalothrin control. Mortality and feeding damage were recorded over seven days. The insecticide caused complete mortality in both developmental stages. Diatomaceous earth exhibited the highest efficacy among inert dusts, i.e., 78.3% mortality in adults and 55.2% in nymphs, and a feeding damage index of 3.5. Zeolite and wood ash caused moderate mortality (30.4 and 26.1% in adults; 37.9 and 24.1% in nymphs) and feeding indices of 4.5 and 4.5. A. altissima leaf dust caused low mortality (≤14.5%) but reduced feeding damage (3.7), indicating a deterrent or antifeedant effect. Quartz sand showed negligible efficacy. Diatomaceous earth appears most suitable for integration into sustainable Brassica protection, and A. altissima leaf dust may act as a complementary deterrent, though optimized composition and persistence should be further investigated. Full article

As an economically important species endemic to the upper tributaries of Yangtze River in China, long-finned gudgeon fish (Rhinogobio ventralis) has been classified as endangered due to habitat destruction and population decline. In this study, we constructed a chromosome-level genome assembly of R. ventralis by integration of MGI, PacBio and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The final genome assembly was 1015.9 Mb in length (contig N50: 25.91 Mb; scaffold N50: 39.99 Mb), and 97.19% of the haplotypic genome sequences were anchored onto 25 chromosomes. Repetitive elements accounted for 51.00% of the entire genome assembly. A total of 23,220 protein-coding genes were predicted for the assembled genome, of which 99.79% were functionally annotated. Genome evaluation revealed 99.72% completeness for the genome assembly. Through genome-wide prediction of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), we identified and localized 561 putative AMP-containing genes in the R. ventralis genome. These genes were further classified into 185 distinct functional categories based on public databases, with the top ten components of Penetratin (21.74%), Histone (5.70%), E6AP (4.09%), Scolopendin 1 (2.67%), D38 (2.31%), WBp-1 (2.13%), Defensin (2.13%), Claudin 1 (1.96%), Azurocidin (AZU1, 1.78%), and Ubiquitin (1.60%). Our data presented here provide a potential genetic resource for promoting fundamental research and wild population conservation of this endangered fish species. Full article

Skeletons serve as the body’s fundamental structure and perform multiple vital functions, and thus even subtle modifications can lead to functional changes. However, studies on sexual shape dimorphism in the appendicular skeletons of anurans remain scarce, especially for fossorial species. Herein, we investigated the sexual differences in the external morphology and internal skeletal shape of girdles and limbs of fossorial Kaloula rugifera during the breeding season. The results reveal the following: (1) Males exhibit significantly longer forelimbs and hindlimbs, suggesting advantages in male—male competition and amplexus. (2) Males possess more curved and dilated coracoids and broader pubis-ischium regions, which may enhance forelimb contraction efficiency and hindlimb locomotor performance. (3) Males feature a more developed crista ventralis, likely enhancing forelimb flexion for tightly grasping females during mating. In contrast, females display a torsioned femur and robust hindlimb morphology, suggesting adaptations for digging and load-bearing. These findings provide insights into how anurans optimize reproductive fitness and ecological adaptations through morphological specialization. To our knowledge, this study presents the first examination of sexual shape dimorphism in anuran appendicular skeletons utilizing three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. Full article

Eurydema ventralis Kolenati, 1846 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), commonly known as the cabbage stink bug, is an increasingly important pest in Brassicaceae crops across Europe, including Slovenia. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on the taxonomy, biology, distribution, and economic impact of Eurydema ventralis, with a focus on cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) cultivation. Various monitoring and population assessment methods are discussed as foundational tools for implementing integrated pest management (IPM). The focus of this study is on the available control strategies, including chemical, biological, cultural, and mechanical approaches. While synthetic insecticides remain a commonly used option, their environmental impact, potential for resistance development, and non-target effects raise concerns. Increasing research attention is being given to biological control agents, such as egg parasitoids, generalist predators (e.g., Coccinellidae, Carabidae, Nabidae), and entomopathogenic fungi. These agents show considerable promise but are not being fully utilized at present. A further review of cultural practices and mechanical control methods is also undertaken for their role in reducing pest populations. The compatibility of different strategies within an IPM framework is examined in detail. In conclusion, this review identifies existing knowledge gaps and puts forward a number of recommendations for future research directions. The purpose of these recommendations is to support the development of more sustainable and ecological pest management solutions for E. ventralis in cabbage cultivation. Full article

Wildfire activity in the western U.S. has highlighted the importance of effective management to address this growing threat. The Lookout Mountain Thinning and Fuels Reduction Study (LMS) is an operational-scale, long-term study of the effects of forest restoration and fuel reduction treatments in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) and mixed-conifer forests in central Oregon, U.S. The broad objectives of the LMS are to examine the effectiveness and longevity of treatments on wildfire risk and to assess the collateral effects. Treatments include four levels of overstory thinning followed by mastication of the understory vegetation and prescribed burning. Stands were thinned to residual densities of 50, 75, or 100% of the upper management zone (UMZ), which accounts for site differences as reflected by stand density relationships for specific plant communities. A fourth treatment combines the 75 UMZ with small gaps (~0.1 ha) to facilitate regeneration (75 UMZ + Gaps). A fifth treatment comprises an untreated control (UC). We examined the causes and levels of tree mortality that occurred 2–9 years after treatments. A total of 391,292 trees was inventoried, of which 2.3% (9084) died. Higher levels of tree mortality (all causes) occurred on the UC (7.1 ± 1.9%, mean ± SEM) than on the 50 UMZ (0.7 ± 0.1%). Mortality was attributed to several bark beetle species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (4002 trees), unknown factors (2682 trees), wind (1958 trees), suppression (327 trees), snow breakage (61 trees), prescribed fire (19 trees), western gall rust (15 trees), cankers (8 trees), mechanical damage (5 trees), dwarf mistletoe (4 trees), and woodborers (3 trees). Among bark beetles, tree mortality was attributed to western pine beetle (Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte) (1631 trees), fir engraver (Scolytus ventralis LeConte) (1580 trees), mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) (526 trees), engraver beetles (Ips spp.) (169 trees), hemlock engraver (Scolytus tsugae (Swaine)) (77 trees), and Pityogenes spp. (19 trees). Higher levels of bark beetle-caused tree mortality occurred on the UC (2.9 ± 0.7%) than on the 50 UMZ (0.3 ± 0.1%) which, in general, was the relationship observed for individual bark beetle species. Higher levels of tree mortality were attributed to wind on the 100 UMZ (1.0 ± 0.2%) and UC (1.2 ± 1.5%) than on the 50 UMZ (0.2 ± 0.02%) and 75 UMZ (0.4 ± 0.1%). Higher levels of tree mortality were attributed to suppression on the UC (0.5 ± 0.3%) than on the 50 UMZ (0.003 ± 0.002%) and 75 UMZ + Gaps (0.0 ± 0.0%). Significant positive correlations were observed between measures of stand density and levels of tree mortality for most causal agents. Tree size (diameter at 1.37 m) frequently had a significant effect on tree mortality, but relationships varied by causal agent. The forest restoration and fuels reduction treatments implemented on the LMS increased resistance to multiple disturbances. The implications of these and other results to the management of fire-adapted forests are discussed. Full article

The serratus plane block is an ultrasound-guided anaesthetic technique that aims to provide analgesia to the lateral thoracic wall cranial to the 8th rib. This block can be performed in a superficial (between the latissimus dorsi and the serratus ventralis thoracis (SVT) muscles) or deep plane (between the intercostales externi and the SVT muscles). This study aimed to assess the distribution and nerve staining of a mixture of 0.4 mL kg⁻¹ of methylene blue and iopromide 50:50 performing a deep serratus plane (DSP) block at the level of the 5th rib. We hypothesise that this technique would be feasible and could stain the rami cutanei laterales (RCL) of the intercostales nerves cranial to the 8th rib in cat cadavers. This study was divided into two phases. Phase 1 consisted of an anatomical study of the thoracic wall (2 cadavers). Phase 2 consisted of the ultrasound-guided injection of the aforementioned mixture and the assessment of its distribution by computed tomography and anatomical dissection (12 cadavers). Contrast media spread a median of 5.5 (2.5–7.5) intercostal spaces. The dye stained a median of 3 (0–5) RCL, affecting RCL 2 (17.39%), RCL 3 (57.17%), RCL 4 (78.26%), RCL 5 (91.30%), RCL 6 (78.26%), and RCL 7 (8.70%) within the DSP. Occasionally, the rami dorsales laterales and the thoracicus longus nerve were stained. Based on these findings, the DSP block performed with a volume of 0.4 mL kg⁻¹ of an anaesthetic could provide analgesia in the area innervated from T4 to T6. Full article

Rhinogobio ventralis is a rare fish found in the Yangtze River in China and has significant ecological and economic value. In this study, a bacterial strain (RV-JZ01) was isolated from the livers of diseased R. ventralis. This isolate was identified as Aeromonas veronii based on its morphology, biochemical features and 16S rDNA phylogenetic analysis. The artificial infection of healthy R. ventralis (16 ± 2 cm) with RV-JZ01 resulted in the manifestation of clinical symptoms, in accordance with those of naturally infected fish. The 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀) of RV-JZ01 for R. ventralis was 6.3 × 10⁶ CFU/mL. Histopathological examination revealed various pathological changes in the diseased fish, including intestinal villus swelling and rupture, hepatocyte vacuolization, renal tubular cell nuclear enlargement and pyknosis, and myocardial fiber fracture and atrophy. RV-JZ01 infection significantly reduced the gut flora diversity of R. ventralis, with the relative abundances of Firmicutes and Fusobacteria increasing, and those of the Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes decreasing. The abundance of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus dramatically increased, and the abundance of Clostridium and Escherichia reduced in the intestinal microbiota of R. ventralis infected with RV-JZ01. Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that RV-JZ01 was highly susceptible to 12 antimicrobials, including erythromycin, cefalexin, norfloxacin, furazolidone, sulfonamides, enrofloxacin, doxycycline, piperacillin, florfenicol, gentamicin, and lincomycin. These results contribute to the understanding of pathological alterations in R. ventralis following A. veronii infection, offering valuable data to support the implementation of disease treatment. Full article

This study reports the virome investigation of pollinator species and other floral visitors associated with plants from the south of Bahia: Aphis aurantii, Atrichopogon sp., Dasyhelea sp., Forcipomyia taiwana, and Trigona ventralis hoozana. Studying viruses in insects associated with economically important crops is vital to understand transmission dynamics and manage viral diseases that pose as threats for global food security. Using literature mining and public RNA next-generation sequencing data deposited in the NCBI SRA database, we identified potential vectors associated with Malvaceae plant species and characterized the microbial communities resident in these insects. Bacteria and Eukarya dominated the metagenomic analyses of all taxon groups. We also found sequences showing similarity to elements from several viral families, including Bunyavirales, Chuviridae, Iflaviridae, Narnaviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Totiviridae, and Xinmoviridae. Phylogenetic analyses indicated the existence of at least 16 new viruses distributed among A. aurantii (3), Atrichopogon sp. (4), Dasyhelea sp. (3), and F. taiwana (6). No novel viruses were found for T. ventralis hoozana. For F. taiwana, the available libraries also allowed us to suggest possible vertical transmission, while for A. aurantii we followed the infection profile along the insect development. Our results highlight the importance of studying the virome of insect species associated with crop pollination, as they may play a crucial role in the transmission of viruses to economically important plants, such as those of the genus Theobroma, or they will reduce the pollination process. This information may be valuable in developing strategies to mitigate the spread of viruses and protect the global industry. Full article

The genus Harpalus, Latreille, 1802, is the largest ground beetle genus of the tribe Harpalini and one of the most diverse genera of Carabidae (more than 400 described species). The definition and taxonomic boundaries of the genus, as well as previously proposed classifications, all based on regional faunas, are briefly reviewed in this paper from a historical perspective. The classification of the genus Harpalus proposed herein is based, for the first time, on a comparative morphological study of the world fauna and covers all the described species. The genus is divided into seventy subgenera combined into nineteen subgroups and ten groups; thirty-six subgenera are newly described: Afroharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus fulvicornis Thunberg, 1806), Hyloharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus laevipes Zetterstedt, 1828), Sinoharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus puetzi Kataev et Wrase, 1997), Macroharpalus subg. n. (type species Erpeinus major Motschulsky, 1850), Meroharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus fulvilabris Mannerheim, 1853), Ameroharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus spadiceus Dejean, 1829), Drymoharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus atratus Latreille, 1804), Caucasoharpalussubg. n. (type species Omaseus aeneipennis Faldermann, 1836), Calathoderussubg. n. (type species Harpalus potanini Tschitschérine, 1906), Isoharpalussubg. n. (type species Carabus serripes Quensel, 1806), Psammoharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus kozlovi Kataev), 1993, Platyharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus ventralis LeConte, 1848), Asioharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus nigrans Morawitz, 1862), Anamblystus subg. n. (type species Carabus latus Linnaeus, 1758), Homaloharpalussubg. n. (type species Carabus tardus Panzer, 1796), Bactroharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus cautus Dejean, 1829), Diaharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus vittatus Gebler, 1833), Mesoharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus gisellae Csiki, 1932), Eremoharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus remboides Solsky, 1874) Oreoharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus famelicus Tschitschérine, 1898), Hypsoharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus arnoldii Kataev, 1988), Anophonus subg. n. (type species Ophonus cyanopterus Tschitschérine, 1897), Haloharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus salinulus Reitter, 1900), Megaharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus stoetznerianus Schauberger, 1932), Aristoharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus ingenuus Tschitschérine, 1898), Cycloharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus pulvinatus Ménétries, 1848), Euryharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus cisteloides Motschulsky, 1844), Brachyharpalussubg. n. (type species Carabus autumnalis Duftschmid, 1812), Hemipangussubg. n. (type species Harpalus klapperichi Jedlička, 1955), Mauriharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus cardoni Antoine, 1922), Caloharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus cupreus Dejean, 1829), Baryharpalussubg. n. (type species Carabus dimidiatus Rossi, 1790), Heteroharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus metallinus Ménétries, 1839), Idioharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus numidicus Bedel, 1893), Pachyharpalussubg. n. (type species Harpalus crates Bates, 1883) and Paraharpalus subg. n. (type species Harpalus oblitus Dejean, 1829). A detailed morphological description of the genus, diagnoses, composition and distribution of all supraspecific taxa with brief biotopic notes are given. Full article

We studied the species diversity and morphometric variations of rotifers from a high-altitude water body, the Llano reservoir, in central Mexico during September 2021 to August 2022. Samples were collected from four stations in the reservoir every month. During the study period we were able to identify 54 monogonont rotifer species of which Polyarthra vulgaris, Lecane closterocerca, Trichocerca porcellus, Lepadella patella and Keratella cochlearis were numerically the most abundant. Depending on the season, the total rotifer density varied from 250 to 2450 ind L⁻¹. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the species of Trichocerca similis, Keratella cochlearis, Mytilina ventralis and Scaridium longicaudum were directly related to temperature. Using rotifer species richness and abundance data, we derived the Shannon diversity index, saprobic index and rotifer trophic state index. Data on the geometric morphometrics showed that Keratella cochlearis was found in two of the three climatic periods of the year (dry and winter), while Lecane closterocerca and Trichocerca porcellus occurred during the three climatic seasons (dry, winter and rainy) and formed three distinct clusters in relation to body size. Full article

A new species of giant petrel, Macronectes tinae sp. nov., is described from the Pliocene deposits of South Taranaki, New Zealand. The holotype is a near complete skull and the paratype a fragmentary left humerus; both come from the Tangahoe Formation, dating from the late Pliocene (Piacenzian or “Waipipian”; age estimated as ca. 3.36–3.06 Ma). The new species of giant petrel is the first fossil Macronectes ever reported. It is morphologically similar to the two present-day Macronectes spp., but it was a smaller bird. The skull is diagnosed by its overall smaller size, a proportionately longer apertura nasi ossea, and potentially by a shorter os supraocciptale. The humerus is diagnosed from both species by a proportionately less deep shaft, a more prominent medial portion of the epicondylus ventralis, and a larger and fusiform fossa medialis brachialis. The Tangahoe Formation is proving to be a remarkable source of marine vertebrate fossils and an important piece of the puzzle in understanding the evolution and biogeography of seabirds. Full article

VPS13D is one of four human homologs of the vacuolar sorting protein 13 gene (VPS13). Biallelic pathogenic variants in the gene are associated with spastic ataxia or spastic paraplegia. Here, we report two patients with intronic pathogenic variants: one patient with early onset severe spastic ataxia and debilitating tremor, which is compound-heterozygous for a canonical (NM_018156.4: c.2237−1G > A) and a non-canonical (NM_018156.4: c.941+3G>A) splice site variant. The second patient carries the same non-canonical splice site variant in the homozygous state and is affected by late-onset spastic paraplegia. We confirmed altered splicing as a result of the intronic variants and demonstrated disturbed mitochondrial integrity. Notably, tremor in the first patient improved significantly by bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the ventralis intermedius (VIM) nucleus of the thalamus. We also conducted a literature review and summarized the phenotypical spectrum of reported VPS13D-related disorders. Our study underscores that looking for mutations outside the canonical splice sites is important not to miss a genetic diagnosis, especially in disorders with a highly heterogeneous presentation without specific red flags. Full article

Compartmental excision consists of the complete resection of an anatomic district in which specific structures act as a barrier to local tumour invasion. It is a well-established procedure in human medicine, while only a few reports are available in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to describe complete muscle resection in 3 dogs affected by different intramuscular sarcomas. The clinical outcome was also reported. Medical records were searched, including preoperative diagnostic findings, compartmental excision, histologic diagnosis, and outcome. Three dogs fit the inclusion criteria, which had a sarcoma confined to a single muscular belly (semitendinosus, biceps, and splenius capitis muscles). Complete excision of the affected muscle was performed in all cases. One dog showed moderate lameness in the immediate postoperative period, resulting from the dorsal lifting of the scapula due to serratus ventralis tenotomy performed to remove the caudal insertion of the splenius capitis muscle. All the dogs recovered fully within one month, experiencing good clinical function. Histopathology showed complete tumour removal with no neoplastic fascial disruption in all cases. Compartmental excision provides effective local tumour control, representing an alternative to limb amputation or more radical excision if adjuvant radiotherapy is not an option for owners. Full article

The present study aimed to analyze and compare the chemical profile and antioxidant capacity of propolis from different bee species and different regions. The chemical profiles of propolis from six stingless bee species (Tetragonula iridipennis, T. laeviceps, Lepidotrigona terminata, L. ventralis, Lisotrigona carpenteri and Homotrigona apicalis) collected from a total of eight locations in Vietnam were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). More than 70 compounds were identified, amongst which phenolic lipids (cardanols, resorcinols and anacardic acids), aromatic acids, triterpenes and xanthones. Taxonomic markers for Mangifera indica (phenolic lipids and cycloartane triterpenes) were detected in propolis from bees of the genera Tetragonula and Lepidotrigona, although in different amounts, whereas propolis from H. apicalis was characterized by triterpenes of the amyrine type, typical of dipterocarp trees. A clear discrimination between both groups was observed by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Propolis from Tetragonula and Lepidotrigona spp. and from Lisotrigona carpenteri, which is rich in xanthones, possesses higher radical scavenging and ferric-reducing capacity than that from H. apicalis. Propolis produced by all six stingless bee species in Vietnam was analyzed for the first time. In addition, this is the first report on L. carpenteri propolis. Full article