Taxonomy and phylogeny of the genera Gymnocnemia Schneider, 1845, and Megistopus Rambur, 1842, with remarks on the systematization of the tribe Nemoleontini (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae)

The delineation of antlion genera has often been based on morphological characters not tested in a phylogenetic context, thus seriously impairing the study of systematics of the family Myrmeleontidae. Nebulous generic limits also impede the taxonomy and study of the affinities of closely related species. As a case study, the generic placement of Megistopus mirabilis Hlzel, 1980, was based on a single leg character. To test the position of this species, the reciprocal relationships of the members of the genera Gymnocnemia Schneider, 1845, and Megistopus Rambur, 1842 were investigated, using a morphology-based phylogenetic analysis. This approach demonstrated that M. mirabilis should actually be assigned to the genus Gymnocnemia, as G. mirabilis comb. n. This analysis also supports the subdivision of the tribe Nemoleontini in two subclades based on morphology of male and female genitalia. A new characterisation of these genera is provided, as well as a redescription of the very rare G. mirabilis and the poorly investigated Megistopus lucasi (Navas, 1912). An updated identification key to the members of the genera Gymnocnemia and Megistopus is presented

Eyes in the dark ... Shedding light on the antlion phylogeny and the enigmatic genus Pseudimares Kimmins (Neuropterida: Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)

The systematic position of the antlion Pseudimares Kimmins has been disputed since description of the genus. Pseudimares is one of the most enigmatic and unusual members of Myrmeleontidae and probably of all Neuroptera. The taxon has been usually tied to the antlion subfamily Palparinae, although its phylogenetic affinities have never been thoroughly investigated and the monophyly of the subfamily as a whole has never been corroborated. We reconstruct for the first time the phylogenetic affinities of Pseudimares based on both morphological and molecular genetic data. The widely accepted subfamily level subdivision of antlions (Stilbopteryginae, Palparinae, Myrmeleontinae) is refuted in all our analyses, since Stilbopteryginae in the traditional sense are recovered as deeply nested within Myrmeleontidae forming a monophylum with Palparinae, while Myrmeleontinae are poorly supported by the parsimony analysis. In our morphology-based parsimony analysis, Pseudimares is the sister taxon of Stilbopteryx and Aeropteryx, which makes the traditional Palparinae paraphyletic. This result is further supported by our phylogenetic reconstruction based on molecular data, which found a clade including Pseudimares and Stilbopteryx, which is nested within the traditional Palparinae. The high genetic distances measured among the analysed taxa suggest that these groups quickly diverged in ancient times, although they remained morphologically homogeneous. In conformity with the results of the phylogenetic analyses, we propose a new classification scheme for antlions, one that merges Stilbopteryx and Aeropteryx into an expanded concept of the subfamily Palparinae

Association between congenital toxoplasmosis and preterm birth, low birthweight and small for gestational age birth.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between congenital toxoplasmosis and preterm birth, low birthweight and small for gestational age birth. DESIGN: Multicentre prospective cohort study. SETTING: Ten European centres offering prenatal screening for toxoplasmosis. POPULATION: Deliveries after 23 weeks of gestation in 386 women with singleton pregnancies who seroconverted to toxoplasma infection before 20 weeks of gestation. Deliveries after 36 weeks in 234 women who seroconverted at 20 weeks or later, and tested positive before 37 weeks. METHODS: Comparison of infected and uninfected births, adjusted for parity and country of birth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in gestational age at birth, birthweight and birthweight centile. RESULTS: Infected babies were born or delivered earlier than uninfected babies: the mean difference for seroconverters before 20 weeks was -5.4 days (95% CI: -1.4, -9.4), and at 20 weeks or more, -2.6 days (95% CI: -0.5, -4.7). Congenital infection was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery when seroconversion occurred before 20 weeks (OR 4.71; 95% CI: 2.03, 10.9). No significant differences were detected for birthweight or birthweight centile. CONCLUSION: Babies with congenital toxoplasmosis were born earlier than uninfected babies but the mechanism leading to shorter length of gestation is unknown. Congenital infection could precipitate early delivery or prompt caesarean section or induction of delivery. We found no evidence for a significant association between congenital toxoplasmosis and reduced birthweight or small for gestational age birth

Glacial Refugia in Pathogens: European Genetic Structure of Anther Smut Pathogens on Silene latifolia and Silene dioica

Climate warming is predicted to increase the frequency of invasions by pathogens and to cause the large-scale redistribution of native host species, with dramatic consequences on the health of domesticated and wild populations of plants and animals. The study of historic range shifts in response to climate change, such as during interglacial cycles, can help in the prediction of the routes and dynamics of infectious diseases during the impending ecosystem changes. Here we studied the population structure in Europe of two Microbotryum species causing anther smut disease on the plants Silene latifolia and Silene dioica. Clustering analyses revealed the existence of genetically distinct groups for the pathogen on S. latifolia, providing a clear-cut example of European phylogeography reflecting recolonization from southern refugia after glaciation. The pathogen genetic structure was congruent with the genetic structure of its host species S. latifolia, suggesting dependence of the migration pathway of the anther smut fungus on its host. The fungus, however, appeared to have persisted in more numerous and smaller refugia than its host and to have experienced fewer events of large-scale dispersal. The anther smut pathogen on S. dioica also showed a strong phylogeographic structure that might be related to more northern glacial refugia. Differences in host ecology probably played a role in these differences in the pathogen population structure. Very high selfing rates were inferred in both fungal species, explaining the low levels of admixture between the genetic clusters. The systems studied here indicate that migration patterns caused by climate change can be expected to include pathogen invasions that follow the redistribution of their host species at continental scales, but also that the recolonization by pathogens is not simply a mirror of their hosts, even for obligate biotrophs, and that the ecology of hosts and pathogen mating systems likely affects recolonization patterns

Burrowing specializations in a lacewing larva (Neuroptera: Dilaridae)

Dilaridae are an ancient relict lineage of lacewings, whose life history is poorly known. We investigated the external morphology of the first and second instar larvae of Dilar duelli Asp€ock U. and Asp€ock H., 1995, based on reared and collected specimens by means of scanning electron microscopy. Larvae of Dilar are characterized by straight mandibulo-maxillary stylets, strengthened antennae and palps, absence of stemmata, robust prothoracic legs with asymmetrical pretarsal claws, greatly elongate and cylindrical abdomen, and large pygopods, all of these features appear to be adaptations to fossorial habits, allowing the larvae to move in the soil. Dilar undergoes drastic developmental changes between larval instars, changing from minute, stout first instars to long, slender third instars, characterized by an overly developed abdomen. Larvae of Dilaridae share several morphological and developmental features with Mantispidae and Berothidae, although phylogenetic evidence suggests that these traits arose independently in association with similar life habits

Burrowing specializations in a lacewing larva (Neuroptera: Dilaridae)

Dilaridae are an ancient relict lineage of lacewings, whose life history is poorly known. We investigated the external morphology of the first and second instar larvae of Dilar duelli Aspöck U. and Aspöck H., 1995, based on reared and collected specimens by means of scanning electron microscopy. Larvae of Dilar are characterized by straight mandibulo-maxillary stylets, strengthened antennae and palps, absence of stemmata, robust prothoracic legs with asymmetrical pretarsal claws, greatly elongate and cylindrical abdomen, and large pygopods, all of these features appear to be adaptations to fossorial habits, allowing the larvae to move in the soil. Dilar undergoes drastic developmental changes between larval instars, changing from minute, stout first instars to long, slender third instars, characterized by an overly developed abdomen. Larvae of Dilaridae share several morphological and developmental features with Mantispidae and Berothidae, although phylogenetic evidence suggests that these traits arose independently in association with similar life habits