Notes on the type, synonyms, and other specimens of the balansioid fungus, Nigrocornus scleroticus

The type, and other specimens of the balansioid fungus, Nigrocornus scleroticus, its synonyms, and similar fungi studied during extensive research on the taxonomy and biology of the fungus, are described. Two hypocrealean fungi found parasitising the ascostromata of N. scleroticus are also discussed.

Higher-level language deficits resulting from left primary cerebellar lesions

Background: Contemporary neuropsychological studies suggest that cerebellar lesions may impact upon higher-level cognitive functioning via mechanisms of crossed cerebello-cerebral diaschisis. Accordingly, right cerebellar lesions have been previously associated with linguistic impairments such as reduced word fluency and agrammatic output. Recently, however, neuroimaging investigations have also identified ipsilateral cerebral hypoperfusion as a consequence of cerebellar lesions, implicating a potential role for the left cerebellum in the mediation of language processes. Aims: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of left cerebellar lesions of vascular origin, on general as well as high-level language skills. Methods & Procedures: Linguistic profiles were compiled for five individuals with left primary cerebellar lesions utilising a comprehensive language test battery. Individual scores relevant to each subtest were compared to a group of non-neurologically impaired controls. The criterion for anomalous performance was established as greater than or equal to 1.5 SD below the mean of the control group. Outcomes & Results: The findings of this research suggest that higher-level language deficits may result from left primary cerebellar lesions. All participants demonstrated deficits on measures of word fluency, sentence construction within a set context, producing word definitions, and producing multiple definitions for the same word. Deficits were also noted for several participants on measures of understanding figurative language, forming word associations, identifying and correcting semantic absurdities, and producing synonyms and antonyms. Conclusions: The results presented challenge the notion of a lateralised linguistic cerebellum, supporting a potential role for the left as well as right cerebellar hemispheres in the regulation of language processes, presumably via cerebellar-basal ganglia/thalamo-cortical pathways.

Chrysomya chloropyga (Wiedemann, 1818) and C-putoria (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera : Calliphoridae) are two different species

The blowflies Chrysomya chloropyga (Wiedemann,1818) and Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of veterinary and medical importance are taxonomically revised and formally reestablished as two different species. Characters in the adult morphology by which they can be distinguished, including characters in the genitalia, are described. The form with a darkened anterior margin of the wing, 'f. tacniata Bigot' sensu Zumpt 1956, is treated as a variant of C. putoria. In order to preserve stability of nomenclature, lectotypes are designated for both nominal species, fixing their identity in accordance with current usage. Somomyia cuprinitens Rondani, 1873, and Somomyia taeniata Bigot, 1877, (= C. chloropyga 'f. taeniata Bigot' of Zumpt) are considered new synonyms of C. putoria.