Termites of the Genus Cryptotermes Banks (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) from the West Indies

A taxonomic revision of the genus Cryptotermes occurring in the West Indies is given based on recent collections from the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas. Seventeen indigenous and four nonindigenous species are described from external morphology ofthe soldier. The imago caste is also described for all but one species. The indigenous Cryptotermes comprise twelve new species, including C. aequacornis, C. cryptognathus, C. cylindroceps, C. cymatofrons, C. darlingtonae, C.juliani, C. mangoldi, C. nitens, C.parvifrons, C. rotundiceps, C. spathifrons, and C. undulans. Five indigenous species are redescribed, including C. cavifrons Banks, C. chasei Scheffrahn, C. hemicyclius Bacchus, C. pyrodomus Bacchus, and C. rhicnocephalus Bacchus. The imagos of C. pyrodomus and C. rhicnocephalus are described for the first time. The four non-indigenous species are redescribed including C. brevis (Walker), C. domesticus (Haviland), C. dudleyi Banks, and C. havilandi (Sj6stedt). A report of C. domesticus in the West Indies could not be confirmed. Distribution maps and a soldier identification key are included for all Cryptotermes in the West Indies and Florida

Termites of the Genus \u3ci\u3eCryptotermes\u3c/i\u3e Banks (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) from the West Indies

A taxonomic revision of the genus Cryptotermes occurring in the West Indies is given based on recent collections from the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas. Seventeen indigenous and four nonindigenous species are described from external morphology of the soldier. The imago caste is also described for all but one species. The indigenous Cryptotermes comprise twelve new species, including C. aequacornis, C. cryptognathus, C. cylindroceps, C. cymatofrons, C. darlingtonae, C. juliani, C. maizgoldi, C. nitens, C. parvifroizs, C. rotundiceps, C. spathifrons, and C. undulans. Five indigenous species are redescribed, including C. cavifrons Banks, C. chasei Scheffrahn, C. hemicyclius Bacchus, C. pyrodomus Bacchus, and C. rhicnocephalus Bacchus. The imagos of C. pyrodomus and C. rhicnocephalus are described for the first time. The four non-indigenous species are redescribed including C. brevis (Walker), C. domesticus (Haviland), C. dudleyi Banks, and C. havilandi (Sjostedt). A report of C. domesticus in the West Indies could not be confirmed. Distribution maps and a soldier identification key are included for all Cryptotermes in the West Indies and Florida

PIN proteins perform a rate-limiting function in cellular auxin efflux

Intercellular flow of the phytohormone auxin underpins multiple developmental processes in plants. Plant-specific pin-formed ( PIN) proteins and several phosphoglycoprotein (PGP) transporters are crucial factors in auxin transport - related development, yet the molecular function of PINs remains unknown. Here, we show that PINs mediate auxin efflux from mammalian and yeast cells without needing additional plant-specific factors. Conditional gain-of-function alleles and quantitative measurements of auxin accumulation in Arabidopsis and tobacco cultured cells revealed that the action of PINs in auxin efflux is distinct from PGP, rate-limiting, specific to auxins, and sensitive to auxin transport inhibitors. This suggests a direct involvement of PINs in catalyzing cellular auxin efflux

GLOWORM-FL:A simulation model of the effects of climate and climate change on the free-living stages of gastro-intestinal nematode parasites of ruminants

Gastrointestinal nematodes are important parasites of livestock and wildlife worldwide, causing mortality and morbidity, regulating host populations and threatening food security through reduced productivity of ruminant livestock. A significant part of the life-cycle of most GINs is completed outside of the host. GINs are therefore susceptible to changes in climate, and evidence of climate-driven changes in the phenology of GINs and the seasonal incidence of disease already exists. A modelling framework, GLOWORM-FL was developed to predict changes in the seasonal dynamics of the free-living stages of trichostrongylid GINs on pasture as a first step towards evaluating potential mitigation strategies. The general model framework was parameterised and validated for three GIN species that infect a range of ruminants worldwide: Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcincta and Ostertagia ostertagi. The model builds significantly on previous models of GIN population dynamics by incorporating the behaviour of nematodes in response to climate variability, facilitated by recent advances in our understanding of the ecology of GINs. Simulations using historical and predicted future climatic data for a temperate region reveal the potential for an increase in annual infection pressure of H. contortus and T. circumcincta in small ruminants as increasing temperatures accelerate development and remove constraints on the development of H. contortus during the winter months. In contrast, a significant decrease in annual infection pressure is predicted for O. ostertagi in cattle due to accelerated development being offset by rapid mortality at higher temperatures. A similar trade-off is predicted during the summer months for H. contortus and T. circumcincta resulting in complex seasonal dynamics of the availability of infective stages on pasture. These changes could have significant impacts on the seasonal incidence and pathology of infection by GINs. GLOWORM-FL therefore provides an important tool to predict the seasonal risk of transmission of GINs and will aid in the design of climate-driven, risk-based GIN control strategies