A new species of <i>Testudinella</i> (Rotifera: Testudinellidae) From Qi’ao Island, Pearl River estuary, China

A new species of rotifer, Testudinella zhujiangensis sp. n. (Rotifera, Monogononta, Testudinellidae), is described from the littoral of an artificial brackish water lake and a mangrove swamp on Qi’ao Island of the Zhujiang/Pearl River estuary, Guangdong Province, south of China. It is closely related to Testudinella obscura ALTHAUS, 1957, but distinguished by its anterior truncated vase-shaped lorica, cross-sectional view, shallow inverted U-shaped foot opening, and small differences in the morphology of the trophi

Identification key to the genera of marine rotifers worldwide

A dichotomous key to rotifers is presented for the 28 Families and 66 Genera that have been reported from saline systems of both marine and inland waters. Information is provided on general identification and papers dealing more particularly with certain Families and Genera. A succinct overview of the species found in saline habitats is given for each genus

Two new species of Dicranophoridae (Rotifera: Monogononta) from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

Two new species of rotifer belonging to the Dicranophoridae, and provisionally placed in the genus Encentrum, are described from littoral psammon from the Ussuriyskiy Bay, Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan, Russia. Encentrum kutikovae sp. nov. is characterized by a long foot consisting of three pseudosegments, cylindrical toes, a hexagonal rami outline, and the right ramus showing an accessory chamber with alula. Encentrum ussuriensis sp. nov. is characterized by unusual stout toes with claw, an oblong-ovate and latero-caudal weakly angular rami outline, the right ramus bearing an alula, and the left one showing an accessory chamber

Diversity and endemism in Rotifera: a review, and <i>Keratella</i> Bory de St Vincent

We confront patterns in the chorology and diversity of freshwater and limnoterrestrial Rotifera with predictions following from the recently revived ubiquity theorem on the distribution of microscopic organisms. Notwithstanding a strong taxonomic impediment and lack of data, both bdelloid and monogonont rotifers appear to conform to the hypothesis&#8217; predictions that local diversity is relatively high compared to global diversity and that cosmopolitism is important. To the contrary, however, a latitudinal diversity gradient is obvious, and endemicity is present, and exhibits diverse patterns. This is illustrated by the case of Keratella rotifers, in which we identify purported relict endemicity hotspots in the east Palaearctic (China) and in temperate and cold regions of the southern hemisphere, and a recent radiation in North America. The apparent paradox may result from an antagonism between rotifer&#8217;s high population sizes and presence of potentially highly efficient propagules, versus pre-emption of habitats and local adaptation by resident populations, specific dispersal ability, and ecological and geographical factors. We conclude that distribution patterns of microscopic organisms, as represented by rotifers, most likely span the whole range of alternatives, from full cosmopolitanism to local endemism, and suggest that studying this diversity is more productive to come to an understanding of their chorology and diversity

Rescue of arterial function by angiotensin-(1-7): towards improvement of endothelial function by drug-eluting stents

Purpose: To explore the hypothesis that stent placement decreases dilator function of various arteries outside the stented segment and that angiotensin(1-7) improves this function, and to assess the contribution of dilator signal compounds. A further objective was to test the hypothesis that on-stent delivery of Ang-(1-7) reduces neointima formation and improves endothelial function. Methods. Abdominal aortic stenting or sham operation was performed in the rat four weeks after stenting and treatment with intravenous saline or Ang-(1-7) infusion (24 ug/kg/h); vasomotor function in isolated thoracic aorta and brachial and iliac artery was measured in organ baths. Furthermore, Ang-(1-7)-eluting stents were designed and placed in rat abdominal aorta. Neointima formation and aortic function were tested after four weeks. Results: Relaxation of the thoracic aorta to metacholine was decreased after stenting compared with shams due to a decrease in nitric oxide-mediated response (67% reduction in maximal NO-dependent response). Ang-(1-7)restored the response mainly through increased prostaglandin- and possibly also endothelial-derived hyperpolarising factor-mediated relaxation. Relaxation in the brachial artery decreased after stenting (maximal response dropped by 50%), whilst contractions to phenylephrine increased. Ang-(1-7) normalised vasomotor function. Iliac artery function remained unaltered after stenting but Ang-(1-7) increased maximal relaxations by 65%. Delivery of Ang-(1-7) by means of a drug-eluting stent improved endothelial function. Conclusion: Stenting differentially affects dilator and contractile function in various arterial beds. Ang-(1-7) both improves dilator function and normalises contractile function. Delivery of protective peptides such as Ang-(1-7) from the stent is a new therapy option that merits further development and exploration