Description of Skermanella parooensis gen. nov., sp. nov. to accommodate Conglomeromonas largomobilis subsp. parooensis following the transfer of Conglomeromonas largomobilis subsp. largomobilis to the genus Azospirillum

As a consequence of the transfer of the type species Conglomeromonas largomobilis subsp. largomobilis to the genus Azospirillum, the name of the genus Conglomeromonas must be changed in accordance with Rule 37a(1) of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria. Consequently, it is proposed that the subspecies Conglomeromonas largomobilis subsp, parooensis be transferred to the genus Skermanella gen, nov. as the type species Skermanella parooensis gen, nov., sp, nov. This taxon belongs to an isolated subline of descent in the Azospirillum branch of the alpha-Proteobacteria. The spelling of the specific epithet of Azospirillum largomobile is corrected to Azospirillum largimobile.

Isolation of a cDNA for an octopamine-like, G-protein coupled receptor from the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus

Octopamine is a biogenic amine neurotransmitter of invertebrates that binds to a G-protein coupled receptor that has seven transmembrane domains. Formamidine pesticides like amitraz are highly specific agonists of the octopamine receptor. Amitraz is used extensively to control the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus, and many other ticks but now there are strains of ticks that are resistant to amitraz. We have isolated a cDNA from the cattle tick, B. miciroplus, that belongs to the biogenic amine family of receptors. The predicted amino acid sequence from this cDNA is most similar to octopamine receptors from insects. The nucleotide sequence of this gene from amitraz-resistant and amitraz-susceptible cattle ticks was identical. Thus, a point mutation/s did not confer resistance to amitraz in the strains we studied. Alternative explanations for resistance to amitraz in B. microplus are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Isolation and characterization of a Clostridium sp with cinnamoyl esterase activity and unusual cell envelope ultrastructure

Microorganisms that hydrolyse the ester linkages between phenolic acids and polysaccharides in plant cell walls are potential sources of enzymes for the degradation of lignocellulosic waste. An anaerobic, mesophilic, spore-forming, xylanolytic bacterium with high hydroxy cinnamic acid esterase activity was isolated from the gut of the grass-eating termite Tumilitermes pastinator. The bacterium was motile and rod-shaped, stained gram-positive, had an eight-layered cell envelope, and.formed endospores. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA indicated that the bacterium is closely related to Clostridium xylanolyticum and is grouped with polysaccharolytic strains of clostridia. A wide range of carbohydrates were fermented, and growth was stimulated by either xylan or cellobiose as substrates. The bacterium hydrolysed and then hydrogenated the hydroxy cinnamic acids (ferulic and p-coumaric acids), which are esterified to arabinoxylan in plant cell walls. Three cytoplasmic enzymes with hydroxy cinnamic acid esterase activity were identified using non-denaturing gel electrophoresis. This bacterium possesses an unusual multilayered cell envelope in which both leaflets of the cytoplasmic membrane, the peptidoglycan layer and the S layer are clearly discernible. The fate of all these components was easily followed throughout the endospore formation process. The peptidoglycan component persisted during the entire morphogenesis. It was seen to enter the septum and to pass with the engulfing membranes to surround the prespore. It eventually expanded to form the cortex, verification for the peptidoglycan origin of the cortex. Sporogenic vesicles, which are derived from the cell wall peptidoglycan, were associated with the engulfment process. Spore coat fragments appeared early, in stage II, though spore coat formation was not complete until after cortex formation.

The genus Deretrema Linton, 1910 (Digenea : Zoogonidae) from southern Great Barrier Reef fishes, with a description of Deretrema woolcockae n. sp.

Two species of Deretrema (Zoogonidae) are reported from labrid fishes from the Great Barrier Reef. D. nahaense Yamaguti, 1942 is recorded from the gall-bladders of the labrids Thalassoma hardwicke (Bennett), T. jansenii (Bleeker), T. lunare (Linnaeus) and T. lutescens (Lay & Bennett). This species is recognised, despite having been formerly synonymised with D. pacificum Yamaguti, 1942. In addition to morphological distinction, D. nahaense appears to have strict host-specificity for the genus Thalassoma. D. woolcockae n.sp. is described from the gall-bladder of Hemigymnus fasciatus (Bloch). The new species is close to D. acutum Pritchard, 1963 and D. plotosi Yamaguti, 1940, but differs slightly in the distribution of the vitelline follicles, the sucker-ratio and the position of the cirrus-sac. In addition, this species also appears to have a distinct host-specificity, being restricted to one labrid species.

The ocular morphology of the southern hemisphere lamprey Geotria australis gray with special reference to optical specialisations and the characterisation and phylogeny of photoreceptor types

This paper describes the ocular morphology of young adults of the southern hemisphere lamprey Geotria australis, the sole representative of the Geotriidae, and makes comparisons with those of holarctic lampreys (Petromyzontidae). As previously reported for the holarctic lamprey Ichthyomyzon unicuspis [Collin and Fritzsch, 1993], the lens of G. australis is non-spherical and possesses a cone-shaped posterior that may be capable of mediating variable focus. The avascular retina of G. australis is well differentiated, containing three retinal ganglion cell populations, three layers of horizontal cells and three photoreceptor types, in contrast to petromyzontids that contain only two photoreceptor types (short and long), G. australis possesses one rod-like (R1) and two cone-like (C1 and C2) photoreceptors. Although the rodlike receptor in G. australis may be homologous with the short receptors of holarctic lampreys, the two cone-like receptors have morphological characteristics that differ markedly from those of the long receptors of their holarctic counterparts. The features which distinguish the two cone-like receptors from those of the long receptor type in holarctic lampreys are the characteristics of the mitochondria and the presence of large amounts of two different types of stored secretory material in the endoplasmic reticulum of the myoid (refractile bodies). The endoplasmic reticulum of each receptor type has a different shape and staining profile and is polymorphic, each showing a continuum of distension. It is proposed that the presence of two cone-like photoreceptors with different characteristics would increase the spectral range of G. australis and thus be of value during the parasitic phase, when this lamprey lives in the surface marine waters. The irideal flap, present in G. australis but not petromyzontids, would assist in reducing intraocular flare during life in surface waters. The results of this study, which are discussed in the context of the proposed evolution of lampreys, emphasise that it is important to take into account the characteristics of the eyes of southern hemisphere lampreys when making generalizations about the eyes of lampreys as a whole.

A review of the Arhythmacanthidae (Acanthocephala) with a description of Heterosentis hirsutus n. sp. from Cnidoglanis macrocephala (Plotosidae) in Australia

Heterosentis hirsutus n. sp. is described from Cnidoglanis macrocephalo (Siluriformes: Plotosidae) from the Swan Estuary, Western Australia. It is distinguished by having 14 longitudinal rows of 6-7 hooks per row on the proboscis, a trunk armed anteriorly and posteriorly (=genital spines) with minute spines and lemnisci that may extend to the poster;or margin of the proboscis receptacle The new species also has prominent fragmented nuclei in its trunk well. New information is given for Heterosentis plotosi Yamoguti, 1935 from Plotosus lineatus (Siluriformes: Plotosidae) and H. poraplagusiarum (Nickol, 1972) Amin, 1985 from Paraplogusia guttata (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidoe), both from Queensland. A key to the species of Heterosentis Van Cleave, 1931 is provided. The Arhythmacanthidae subfamilies are reviewed: there is little utility in the recognition of these taxa because of the small number of genera involved and the validity/ of the characters on which they ore based is in doubt, particularly whether trunk spines are present or absent. Only Acanthocephaloides Meyer, 1932, Breizocanthus Golvon, 1969, Euzetocanthus Golvan & Houin, 1964, Heterosentis, Hypoechinorhynchus Yamaguti, 1939 and Paracanthocepholoides Golvan, 1969 of the Arhythmacanthidae are considered valid. A key to these genera is provided. The monotypic genus Neocanthocepholoides Cable & Quick, 1954 is considered a new synonym of Acanthocephaloides thus creating Acanthocephaloides spinicaudatus (Cable & Quick, 1954) n. comb. Arhythmocanthus Yamaguti, 1935 is maintained as a synonym of Heterosentis because the distinction between two and three hook types is made equivocal when the transition between the opical and subapical hooks is gradual.

Hypoechinorhynchus robustus sp n. from Notolabrus parilus (Labridae) from Western Australia with a discussion on the validity of the hypoechinorhynchidae (Acanthocephala : Palaeacanthocephala)

Hypoechinorhynchus robustus sp. n. is described from Notolabrus parilus (Richardson) (Labridae) from Pt Peron, Western Australia. It has a proboscis with 30 hooks arranged in ten longitudinal rows: 5 rows of a small apical spine, a large anterior hook and a small posterior spine, 5 rows of a large anterior hook, a middle spine and a posterior spine. The new species is distinguished from other species of the genus by having a set of 5 small apical spines anterior to the large hooks on the proboscis, by having lemnisci that barely extend beyond the proboscis receptacle and testes which are more adjacent than tandem. H. robustus also has robust trunk spines anteriorly. Re-examination of Hypoechinorhynchus alaeopis Yamaguti, 1939 (type species) revealed trunk spines that had been overlooked previously. The Hypoechinorhynchidae is made a junior synonym of Arhythmacanthidae because there is considerable overlap between the two family diagnoses, particularly in that both families have a proboscis armature that changes abruptly from small basal spines to large apical (or subapical if present) hooks. The genus Hypoechinorhynchus is placed in the subfamily Arhythmacanthinae because it has trunk spines and a spherical proboscis with few hooks (relative to other arhythmacanthid genera). It is also proposed that Heterosentis magellanicus (Szidat, 1950) be returned to the genus Hypoechinorhynchus since it was transferred to Heterosentis primarily because it had trunk spines. The other hypoechinorhynchid genus contained only Bolborhynchoides exiguus (Achmerov et Dombrowskaja-Achmerova, 1941) Achmerov, 1959 and is relegated to incertae sedis.

The status of the genera Hysterolecithoides Yamaguti, 1934, Neotheletrum Gibson & Bray, 1979 and Machidatrema Leon-Regagnon, 1998 (Digenea : Hemiuroidea), including a description of M. leonae n. sp from Australian waters

A diagnosis is given for the lecithasterid genus Hysterolecithoides Yamaguti, 1934, which is now found to have two to six (possibly seven) vitelline masses. The species H. frontilatus (Manter, 1969) is returned to the genus, having been considered a member of the bunocotylid genus Neotheletrum by recent authors. It is redescribed from Siganus nebulosus, Moreton Bay, and S. doliatus, Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia, with emphasis on the presence of Juel's organ, a uterine seminal receptacle and the blind sac associated with the genital atrium. It differs from its congeners in the trajectory of the pars prostatica which recurves dorsally to the sinus-sac. Oligolecithoides Shen, 1982 is synonymised with Hysterolecithoides and O. trilobatus Shen, 1982 is synomised with H. epinepheli Yamaguti, 1934. Machidatrema Leon-Regagnon, 1998 is diagnosed, and found to be close to Hysterolecithoides, but differs in the lack of a blind-sac projecting from the dorsal genital atrium, by its tandem testes, the coiling of the uterus between the testes and the ovary, and the ventral excretory pore. M. leonae n. sp. is described from Siganus fuscescens, S. lineatus, S. doliatus, S. corallinus, S. vulpinus and Scarus globiceps at Heron Island, Queensland. It differs from its closest congener, M. akeh, in the muscular and tegumental flap over the genital pore and details of the terminal genitalia. M. chilostoma (Machida, 1980) and M. kyphosi (Yamaguti, 1970) are redescribed from Kyphosus vaigiensis from Heron Island. Neotheletrum Gibson & Bray, 1979 is diagnosed: it differs from Hysterolecithoides in its confluent excretory arms, blind seminal receptacle (no Juel's organ) and uniformly tripartite vitellarium. A cladistic analysis suggests that M. chilostoma and M. kyphosi are not best accommodated in Machidatrema, that Machidatrema (sensu stricto) is monophyletic and that Hysterolecithoides is paraphyletic. Hysterolecithoides and Machidatrema are considered hysterolecithine lecithasterids, whilst Neotheletrum is retained as an opisthadenine bunocotylid.

Both beta(2)- and beta(1)-adrenergic receptors mediate hastened relaxation and phosphorylation of phospholamban and troponin I in ventricular myocardium of fallot infants, consistent with selective coupling of beta(2)-adrenergic receptors to G(s)-protein

Background-In adult human heart, both beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors mediate hastening of relaxation; however, it is unknown whether this also occurs in infant heart. We compared the effects of stimulation of beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors on relaxation and phosphorylation of phospholamban and troponin I in ventricle obtained from infants with tetralogy of Fallot. Methods and Results-Myocardium dissected from the right ventricular outflow tract of 27 infants (age range 2-1/2 to 35 months) with tetralogy of Fallot was set up to contract 60 times per minute. Selective stimulation of beta(1)-adrenergic receptors with (-)-norepinephrine (NE) and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors with (-)-epinephrine (EPI) evoked phosphorylation of phospholamban (at serine-16 and threonine-17) and troponin I and caused concentration-dependent increases in contractile force (-log EC50 [mol/L] NE 5.5+/-0.1, n=12; -EPI 5.6+/-0.1, n=13 patients), hastening of the time to reach peak force (-log EC50 [mol/L] NE 5.8+/--0.2; EPI 5.8+/-0.2) and 50% relaxation (-log EC50 [mol/L] NE 5.7+/-0.2: EPI 5.8+/-0.1), Ventricular membranes from Fallot infants, labeled with (-)-[I-125]-cyanopindolol, revealed a greater percentage of beta(1)- (71%) than beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (29%). Binding of (-)-epinephrine to beta(2)-receptors underwent greater GTP shifts than binding of (-)-norepinephrine to beta(1)-receptors. Conclusions-Despite their low density, beta(2)-adrenergic receptors are nearly as effective as beta(1)-adrenergic receptors of infant Fallot ventricle in enhancing contraction, relaxation, and phosphorylation of phospholamban and troponin I, consistent with selective coupling to G(s)-protein.

Species of Trifoliovarium Yamaguti, 1940 (Digenea : Lecithasteridae) from Australian waters, with a description of T-draconis n. sp and a cladistic study of the subfamily Trifoliovariinae Yamaguti, 1958

Three species of Trifoliovarium are described from marine fishes from Moreton Bay, Queensland: T. triacanthi (Parukhin, 1964) n. comb. (syns Hysterolecitha triacanthi Parukhin, 1964; T. triacanthi Bilqees, 1973; T. triacanthusi Gupta & Ahmad, 1976) from Tripodichthys angustifrons; T. ovarilobulus (Wang, 1989) n. comb. (syn. Hysterolecithia[sic]ovarilobulus) from Paramonacanthus japonicus and Pelates quadrilineatus; and T. draconis n. sp. from Callionymus sublaevis and C. belcheri. A list of the species of the subfamily Trifoliovariinae is given along with a key. A cladistic study of the subfamily based on 23 characters is presented, the results of which indicate the monophyly of the genus Assitrema and the paraphyly of Trifoliovarium.

Venusicola inusitatus gen. n., sp n. (Digenea, Acanthocolpidae) from the Venus tuskfish Choerodon venustus (De Vis) from the southern Great Barrier Reef

The new acanthocolpid genus Venusicola is erected for V. inusitatus sp, n. from the marine tuskfish Choerodon venustus from Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef. This genus is unique in the family in having a greatly elongated ventral sucker with lateral apertural lips and a pavement of blunt spines lining the aperture.

Discorhabdin R: A new antibacterial Pyrroloiminoquinone from two latrunculiid marine sponges, Latrunculia sp and Negombata sp.

Two sponge's belonging to the family Latrunculiidae (Negombata and Latrunculia sp.) collected during scientific trawling operations in Prydz Bay, Antarctica, and by scuba off Port Campbell, Victoria, have yielded a new antibacterial pyrroloiminoquinone, discorhabdin R (2). The structure was assigned as 2 on the basis of detailed, spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the known co-metabolite discorhabdin B (3).

The isolation and synthesis of novel nematocidal dithiocyanates from an Australian marine sponge, Oceanapia sp.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the EtOH extract of an Oceanapia sp. collected off the northern Rottnest Shelf, Australia, has yielded three novel dithiocyanates, thiocyanatins A (1), B (2a), and C (2b). The structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis and confirmed by total synthesis. In addition to featuring an unprecedented dithiocyanate functionality, thiocyanatins possess an unusual 1,16-difunctionalized n-hexadecane carbon skeleton and are revealed as a hitherto unknown class of nematocidal agents

Phoriospongin A and B: Two new nematocidal depsipeptides from the Australian marine sponges Phoriospongia sp and Callyspongia bilamellata

Bioassay-directed fractionation of two southern Australian sponges, Phoriospongia sp. and Callyspongia bilamellata, yielded two new nematocidal depsipeptides, identified as phoriospongins A (1) and B (2). The structures of the phoriospongins were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the previously reported sponge depsipeptide cyclolithistide A (3), as well as ESIMS and HPLC analysis of acid hydrolysates. It is noteworthy that the unique and yet structurally related metabolites 1-3 are found in sponges spanning three taxonomic orders, Poescilosclerida, Haplosclerida, and Lithistida.

Equilibrating isomers: Bromoindoles and a seco-xanthine encountered during a study of nematocides from the southern Australian marine sponge Hymeniacidon sp.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of a Hymeniacidon sp. yielded as nematocidal agents the equilibrating E/Z bromoindole ethyl esters 1 and 2 and corresponding methyl esters 3 and 4. Also isolated for the first time as a natural product was an equilibrating mixture of seco-xanthine formamides, attributed the trivial name hymeniacidin (5). The structure for 5 was assigned on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and total synthesis.