Testing for nematode–granulometry relationships

The majority of studies have advocated that diversity of marine nematodes increases with increasing sediment grain size, although the opposite trend has also been suggested. The controversy is partially caused by not taking into account the effect of density on patterns of diversity and by analyzing datasets from different environments. The present study investigated nematode assemblages from sediments varying from very fine sand (mean grain size of 0.12 mm) to very coarse sand (1 mm) in shallow sublittoral marine environments. Contrary to previous studies, species richness was constant along the granulometric spectrum, despite significant changes in composition. The dominant genera were separated into five groups according to their optimum distribution and there was little overlap between these groups. Concepts from the niche theory explain to some extent the observed patterns. For instance, some of the coexisting genera were from different feeding types

The state of the art of Xyalidae (Nematoda, Monhysterida) with reference to the Brazilian records

In the current study we provide a reviewed list of valid genera and species of Xyalidae, a widespread family of mostly marine free-living nematodes. Comments are added about the historic background and taxonomic situation of the family, all valid genera and, when necessary, diagnostic characters are given. Additionally, information about distribution and geographical location of species recorded along the Brazilian coast is provided. Our review recognized 46 valid genera, 450 valid species and 73 descriptions without enough morphological information for identification (species inquerendae). Nearly 80 % of the species inquerendae belong to Daptonema and Theristus. To avoid homonymies, two Daptonema species were renamed, Daptonema biwaensis (Tsalolikhin, 2002) new name (former Mongolotheristus timoshkini) and Daptonema vietnamensis (Gagarin and Thu, 2008) new name (former D. curvatum sensu Gagarin and Thu, 2008). Cenolaimus sapeloensis is transferred to Xyala sapeloensis comb. nov. Along the Brazilian coast 28 genera and 41 species have been recorded. The species Elzalia floresi, Metadesmolaimus tersus, Paramonohystera stricta, Pseudosteineria scopae, Rhynchonema cemae, R. veronicae, Steineria ericia, S. marcorum, S. pavo, S. tripartita, Theristus acribus, T. flevensis, T. macroflevensis, T. pertenuis, T. stranus, Trichotheristus heterus, T. setosus and Zygonemella striata have the Brazilian coast as the type locality. Among all species, three occurred across three geographic regions, while the large majority was restricted to one. Xyalidae is typically encountered in oceanic sandy beaches, with only the species belonging to Daptonema, Theristus, Trichotheristus and Zygonemella being recorded in estuarine sediments. This observation suggests that the colonization of inland waters occurred multiple times along the evolutionary history

FIGURE 3 in On the taxonomy of Apistobranchus species (Polychaeta: Apistobranchidae) from the Antarctic

FIGURE 3. Apistobranchus glacierae (Martel Inlet). Scanning electron micrographs. Adult (A–H). Juvenile (I). A. Anterior end, ventral view, ciliated prostomium and ventral band, mouth, palps. B. Dorsal view, nuchal organ, only interramal cirri on setiger 1. C. Bottle-shaped notopodium, post-setal lamelae from setiger 4. D. Dorsal view, ciliated interramal cirri and notopodium, anterior neurosetae. E–F. Splintered limbate setae. G. Limbate and capillary setae. H. Dorsal view, post-setal lamelae of setigers 5–8. I. Difference in post-setal lamelae morphology. Abbreviations: anc, anterior neurosetae; cvb, ciliated ventral band; irc, interramal cirri; mth, mouth; neu, neuropodium; ntp, notopodium; nuc, nuchal organ; palp, palp; pros, prostomium; psl, post-setal lamellae. Scales: A, C, I, 100 µm; B, D, G, H, 30 µm; E, F, 10 µm.Published as part of <i>Varella Petti, Mồnica A., Nonato, Edmundo F., Bromberg, Sandra, Gheller, Paula F., Paiva, Paulo Cesar & Corbisier, N., 2007, On the taxonomy of Apistobranchus species (Polychaeta: Apistobranchidae) from the Antarctic, pp. 51-59 in Zootaxa 1440 (1)</i> on page 55, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1440.1.4, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10087931">http://zenodo.org/record/10087931</a&gt

The state of the art of Chromadoridae (Nematoda, Chromadorida): a historical review, diagnoses and comments about valid and dubious genera and a list of valid species

Venekey, Virag, Gheller, Paula F., Kandratavicius, Noelia, Cunha, Beatriz Pereira, Vilas-Boas, Ana Carolina, Fonseca, Gustavo, Maria, Tatiana F. (2019): The state of the art of Chromadoridae (Nematoda, Chromadorida): a historical review, diagnoses and comments about valid and dubious genera and a list of valid species. Zootaxa 4578 (1): 1-67, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4578.1.

Distribution of microphytobenthic biomass in Martel Inlet, King George Island (Antarctica)

The spatial and temporal variation of microphytobenthic biomass in the nearshore zone of Martel Inlet (King George Island, Antarctica) was estimated at several sites and depths (10-60 m), during three summer periods (1996/1997, 1997/1998, 2004/2005). The mean values were inversely related to the bathymetric gradient: higher ones at 10-20 m depth (136.2 +/- A 112.5 mg Chl a m(-2), 261.7 +/- A 455.9 mg Phaeo m(-2)), intermediate at 20-30 m (55.6 +/- A 39.5 mg Chl a m(-2), 108.8 +/- A 73.0 mg Phaeo m(-2)) and lower ones at 40-60 m (22.7 +/- A 23.7 mg Chl a m(-2), 58.3 +/- A 38.9 mg Phaeo m(-2)). There was also a reduction in the Chl a/Phaeo ratio with depth, from 3.2 +/- A 3.2 (10-20 m) to 0.7 +/- A 1.0 (40-60 m), showing a higher contribution of senescent phytoplankton and/or macroalgae debris at the deeper sites and the limited light flux reaching the bottom. Horizontal differences found in the biomass throughout the inlet could not be clearly related to hydrodynamics or proximity to glaciers, but with sediment characteristics. An inter-summer variation was observed: the first summer presented the highest microphytobenthic biomass apparently related to more hydrodynamic conditions, which causes the deposition of allochthonous material.Interministerial Secretary for the Sea Resources (SeCIRM)Interministerial Secretary for the Sea Resources (SeCIRM)Brazilian Ministry of Environment (MMA)Ministério do Meio Ambiente do Brasil (MMA)National Research Council (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR)Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR

Consistent improvement with eculizumab across muscle groups in myasthenia gravis

Objective: To assess whether eculizumab, a terminal complement inhibitor, improves patient- and physician-reported outcomes (evaluated using the myasthenia gravis activities of daily living profile and the quantitative myasthenia gravis scale, respectively) in patients with refractory anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis across four domains, representing ocular, bulbar, respiratory, and limb/gross motor muscle groups. Methods: Patients with refractory anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis were randomized 1:1 to receive either placebo or eculizumab during the REGAIN study (NCT01997229). Patients who completed REGAIN were eligible to continue into the open-label extension trial (NCT02301624) for up to 4 years. The four domain scores of each of the myasthenia gravis activities of daily living profile and the quantitative myasthenia gravis scale recorded throughout REGAIN and through 130 weeks of the open-label extension were analyzed. Results: Of the 125 patients who participated in REGAIN, 117 enrolled in the open-label extension; 61 had received placebo and 56 had received eculizumab during REGAIN. Patients experienced rapid improvements in total scores and all four domain scores of both the myasthenia gravis activities of daily living profile and the quantitative myasthenia gravis scale with eculizumab treatment. These improvements were sustained through 130 weeks of the open-label extension. Interpretation: Eculizumab treatment elicits rapid and sustained improvements in muscle strength across ocular, bulbar, respiratory, and limb/gross motor muscle groups and in associated daily activities in patients with refractory anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis