Regulation of Motor Function and Behavior by Atypical Chemokine Receptor 1

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10519-014-9665-7Atypical Chemokine Receptor 1 (ACKR1), previously known as the Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines, stands out among chemokine receptors for its high selective expression on Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, consistent with the ability of ACKR1 ligands to activate Purkinje cells in vitro. Nevertheless, evidence for ACKR1 regulation of brain function in vivo has been lacking. Here we demonstrate that Ackr1−/− mice have markedly impaired balance and ataxia when placed on a rotating rod and increased tremor when injected with harmaline, a drug that induces whole-body tremor by activating Purkinje cells. Ackr1−/− mice also exhibited impaired exploratory behavior, increased anxiety-like behavior and frequent episodes of marked hypoactivity under low-stress conditions. The behavioral phenotype of Ackr1−/− mice was the opposite of the phenotype occurring in mice with cerebellar degeneration and the defects persisted when Ackr1 was deficient only on non-hematopoietic cells. We conclude that normal motor function and behavior depend in part on negative regulation of Purkinje cell activity by Ackr1

Trichotriuroides boneti gen. n., sp. n. (Zygentoma, Nicoletiidae) and new data on Zygentoma in the collection of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid (Spain)

[EN] In this paper we study several samples of Zygentoma (families Ateluridae, Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae) deposited in the collection of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid (Spain). The studied specimens were collected in Spain, Morocco, Syria and Equatorial Guinea. Several faunistic novelties are emphasized: the male of Grassiella modesta (Silvestri, 1908) is redescribed on the basis of material from Bioko Island (Fernando Poo) and Trichotriuroides boneti gen. n., sp. n., also from Bioko is described and compared with the closest genera of Nicoletiidae.[ES] Se estudian diversas muestras de Zygentoma, pertenecientes a las familias Ateluridae, Lepismatidae y Nicoletiidae. El material estudiado pertenece a la colección del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (Madrid). Los ejemplares provienen de España, Marruecos, Siria y Guinea Ecuatorial. Se amplía el conocimiento de muchas de las especies. Se redescribe el macho de Grassiella modesta (Silvestri, 1908) con material procedente de la isla de Bioko (Fernando Poo). Se describe Trichotriuroides boneti gen. n., sp. n., también de Bioko, y se compara con los géneros de Nicoletiidae más próximos.Peer reviewe

Strategies of the beetle Oochrotus unicolor (Tenebrionidae) thriving in the waste dumps of seed‐harvesting Messor ants (Formicidae)

1. A diverse group of arthropods have adapted to the niches found inside the nests of social insects. Studies mostly focused on very specialised parasites residing in the brood chambers. However, the biology and strategies of symbionts occupying other niches, such as waste dumps, are underexplored. 2. Using a series of complementary experiments, this study demonstrated that the Mediterranean beetle Oochrotus unicolor has adapted to the waste dump niche found in the nests of Messor harvester ants. 3. Laboratory experiments confirmed field observations that the beetle preferentially resided in the refuse pits. Next, it was shown that the beetles readily consumed seeds and flour, whereas other food sources were poorly accepted and ant brood was never even eaten. The beetles did not elicit a strong aggression response in Messor ants, and they could tolerate very high densities of workers without clear costs. The beetles modestly mimicked the nest recognition cues of their Messor host. This imperfect mimicry could promote the adoption of the beetle in the ant colony, in concert with mechanical defence generated by its tank-like body. Isolation of the beetle from its host did not significantly affect the beetle's chemical cuticular profile nor did it provoke elevated ant aggression, indicating that the beetle does not acquire the chemicals passively from its host. 4. This paper discusses the fact that waste dumps in social insect nests are hotspots for arthropod symbionts. It shows that symbionts in this niche may employ behavioural, trophic and chemical strategies that are different from those found in other niches of social insect nests