Molecular phylogenetics, biodiversity and life history evolution of Yponomeutoidea (Lepidoptera: Ditrysia), with a catalog and an overview of the lepidopteran fossils

Yponomeutoidea, one of the earliest-branching superfamilies of advanced (ditrysian) Lepidoptera, comprise about 1,800 species worldwide, including notable pests and models of insect-plant interaction. Yponomeutoids were one of the earliest lepidopteran clades to evolve external feeding and to colonize extensively herbaceous angiosperms. Despite the group's economic importance, and its value for tracing early lepidopteran evolution, the biodiversity and phylogeny of Yponomeutoidea have been relatively little studied. Even the monophyly and composition of the superfamily have been in doubt. In this dissertation, the most detailed molecular phylogeny to date for Yponomeutoidea is presented (Chapter 1). The resulting phylogeny is compared to previous morphological evidence, and its implications for evolutionary trends in yponomeutoid host association and biogeography are explored. As a prerequisite to divergence dating in the Yponomeutoidea, which is necessarily based on outgroup fossils as none are known for yponomeutoids, a general summary and overview of the lepidopteran fossil record (Chapter 2) is provided, based a recent, comprehensive catalog of known fossils. For chapter 2, all known lepidopteran fossils have been catalogued with annotations of their preservation, specimen deposition, fossil localities and ages (Chapter 3). As a contribution toward better characterization of yponomeutoid biodiversity, taxonomic reviews are provided for the New World genera Eucalantica and Atemelia (Chapter 4). The molecular phylogeny estimate (Chapter 1) is based on 8-27 protein coding nuclear genes sequenced in 86 Yponomeutoidea and 53 outgroups. Monophyly for Yponomeutoidea is corroborated. Results from different analyses are highly congruent and relationships within Yponomeutoidea are well supported overall. There is strong support overall for monophyly of families (or major parts thereof) previously recognized on morphological grounds, including Yponomeutidae, Ypsolophidae, Plutellidae, Glyphipterigidae, Argyresthiidae, Attevidae, Praydidae, Heliodinidae, and Bedelliidae. The formerly yponomeutid subfamily Scythropiinae are elevated to family rank (Scythropiidae stat. rev.). Host plant family associations of yponomeutoid subfamilies and families are non-random, but show no trends suggesting parallel phylogenesis, and are less conserved than is mode of feeding (e.g. internal versus external). My analyses reveal previously unrecognized tropical clades in several families, and suggest that previous characterization of yponomeutoids as predominantly Palearctic/ Holarctic was based on insufficient sampling

Revision of the genus Philonome Chambers and its proposed reassignment to the family Tineidae (Lepidoptera, Tineoidea)

International audienceThe New World genus Philonome Chambers, 1874 is revised. This genus comprises twelve species, seven of which are described as new: two species, P. nigrescens sp. n. and P. wielgusi sp. n., from the United States; four species, P. albivittata sp. n., P. curvilineata sp. n., P. kawakitai sp. n., and P. lambdagrapha sp. n., from French Guiana; and one species, P. penerivifera sp. n., from Brazil. Lectotypes are designated for Philonome clemensella Chambers, 1874 and P. rivifera Meyrick, 1915. Partially on evidence of their head morphology and particularly from molecular evidence, the genus Philonome, previously associated with Bucculatricidae or Lyonetiidae, is reassigned to Tineidae. A possible systematic position of Philonome within Tineidae is discussed. Eurynome Chambers, 1875, is synonymized with Argyresthia Hübner, 1825 (Argyresthiidae). Photographs of adults and illustrations of genitalia, when available, are provided for all described species of Philo-nome and two species previously misplaced in Philonome, Argyresthia luteella (Chambers, 1875) and Elachista albella (Chambers, 1877). In addition, DNA barcodes were used for the delimitation of most species

Two New Species of \u3ci\u3eWockia\u3c/i\u3e Heinemann (Lepidoptera: Urodidae) from Coastal Dry-Forests in Western Mexico

Two new species of Wockia Heinemann, 1870 (Lepidoptera: Urodidae), W. chewbacca and W. mexicana, are described from primary dry-forests in western Mexico. A new host record is reported for the genus from larvae of W. chewbacca feeding on leaves of Casearia nitida (L.) Jacq. (Salicaceae). Several shared genitalic features and DNA barcode similarities suggest a congeneric relationship between the two Mexican species but uncertain generic placement within Urodidae. Scanning electron micrographs of the larva and illustrations of the larva and pupa of Wockia chewbacca are provided, along with illustrations of male and female genitalia of both Mexican species. Three unusual features found in the larval stage are documented for W. chewbacca include; a multi-lobed integument, recurved D2 seta on the shield of T1, and a ‘‘hydroid bush’’ consisting of multiple sensilla trichoidea on the apical turret of the antenna. Locality data indicate the existence of Neotropical elements of Wockia and an expanded distributional range for the genus

Two New Species of \u3ci\u3eWockia\u3c/i\u3e Heinemann (Lepidoptera: Urodidae) from Coastal Dry-Forests in Western Mexico

Two new species of Wockia Heinemann, 1870 (Lepidoptera: Urodidae), W. chewbacca and W. mexicana, are described from primary dry-forests in western Mexico. A new host record is reported for the genus from larvae of W. chewbacca feeding on leaves of Casearia nitida (L.) Jacq. (Salicaceae). Several shared genitalic features and DNA barcode similarities suggest a congeneric relationship between the two Mexican species but uncertain generic placement within Urodidae. Scanning electron micrographs of the larva and illustrations of the larva and pupa of Wockia chewbacca are provided, along with illustrations of male and female genitalia of both Mexican species. Three unusual features found in the larval stage are documented for W. chewbacca include; a multi-lobed integument, recurved D2 seta on the shield of T1, and a ‘‘hydroid bush’’ consisting of multiple sensilla trichoidea on the apical turret of the antenna. Locality data indicate the existence of Neotropical elements of Wockia and an expanded distributional range for the genus

The fossil record and taphonomy of butterflies and moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera): implications for evolutionary diversity and divergence-time estimates

It is conventionally accepted that the lepidopteran fossil record is significantly incomplete when compared to the fossil records of other, very diverse, extant insect orders. Such an assumption, however, has been based on cumulative diversity data rather than using alternative statistical approaches from actual specimen counts. We reviewed documented specimens of the lepidopteran fossil record, currently consisting of 4,593 known specimens that are comprised of 4,262 body fossils and 331 trace fossils. The temporal distribution of the lepidopteran fossil record shows significant bias towards the late Paleocene to middle Eocene time interval. Lepidopteran fossils also record major shifts in preservational style and number of represented localities at the Mesozoic stage and Cenozoic epoch level of temporal resolution. Only 985 of the total known fossil specimens (21.4%) were assigned to 23 of the 40 extant lepidopteran superfamilies. Absolute numbers and proportions of preservation types for identified fossils varied significantly across superfamilies. The secular increase of lepidopteran family-level diversity through geologic time significantly deviates from the general pattern of other hyperdiverse, ordinal-level lineages. Our statistical analyses of the lepidopteran fossil record show extreme biases in preservation type, age, and taxonomic composition. We highlight the scarcity of identified lepidopteran fossils and provide a correspondence between the latest lepidopteran divergence-time estimates and relevant fossil occurrences at the superfamily level. These findings provide caution in interpreting the lepidopteran fossil record through the modeling of evolutionary diversification and in determination of divergence time estimates.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-015-0290-

FUEL PERFORMANCE CODE COSMOS FOR ANALYSIS OF LWR UO2 AND MOX FUEL

The paper briefs a fuel performance code, COSMOS, which can be utilized for an analysis of the thermal behavior and fission gas release of fuel, up to a high burnup. Of particular concern are the models for the fuel thermal conductivity, the fission gas release, and the cladding corrosion and creep in UO2 fuel. In addition, the code was developed so as to consider the inhomogeneity of MOX fuel, which requires restructuring the thermal conductivity and fission gas release models. These improvements enhanced COSMOS's precision for predicting the in-pile behavior of MOX fuel. The COSMOS code also extends its applicability to the instrumented fuel test in a research reactor. The various in-pile test results were analyzed and compared with the code's prediction. The database consists of the UO2 irradiation test up to an ultra-high burnup, power ramp test of MOX fuel, and instrumented MOX fuel test in a research reactor after base irradiation in a commercial reactor. The comparisons demonstrated that the COSMOS code predicted the in-pile behaviors well, such as the fuel temperature, rod internal pressure, fission gas release, and cladding properties of MOX and UO2 fuel. This sufficient accuracy reveals that the COSMOS can be utilized by both fuel vendors for fuel design, and license organizations for an understanding of fuel in-pile behaviors.close

Incidentally Detected Situs Ambiguous in Adults

Situs ambiguous is rare congenital anomaly in adults. In 2 adult patients who admitted for different cardiac problems, situs ambiguous with polysplenia was detected. A 42-year-old male admitted for radio frequent catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, and he had left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC), hepatic segment of IVC interruption with hemiazygos continuation, multiple spleens and intestinal malrotation. And in a 52-year-old female case who was hospitalized due to infective endocarditis after implanting pacemaker for sick sinus syndrome, multiple spleens, left-sided stomach, bilateral liver with midline gallbladder, and left-sided IVC were found. Those findings were consistent with situs ambiguous with polysplenia, but their features were distinctive

Priors and Posteriors in Bayesian Timing of Divergence Analyses : The Age of Butterflies Revisited

The need for robust estimates of times of divergence is essential for downstream analyses, yet assessing this robustness is still rare. We generated a time-calibrated genus-level phylogeny of butterflies (Papilionoidea), including 994 taxa, up to 10 gene fragments and an unprecedented set of 12 fossils and 10 host-plant node calibration points. We compared marginal priors and posterior distributions to assess the relative importance of the former on the latter. This approach revealed a strong influence of the set of priors on the root age but for most calibrated nodes posterior distributions shifted from the marginal prior, indicating significant information in the molecular data set. Using a very conservative approach we estimated an origin of butterflies at 107.6 Ma, approximately equivalent to the latest Early Cretaceous, with a credibility interval ranging from 89.5 Ma (mid Late Cretaceous) to 129.5 Ma (mid Early Cretaceous). In addition, we tested the effects of changing fossil calibration priors, tree prior, different sets of calibrations and different sampling fractions but our estimate remained robust to these alternative assumptions. With 994 genera, this tree provides a comprehensive source of secondary calibrations for studies on butterflies.Peer reviewe

Surgical Outcomes after Total Colectomy with Ileorectal Anastomosis in Patients with Medically Intractable Slow Transit Constipation

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of a total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis in patients with slow transit constipation. Methods: A retrospective review of 37 consecutive patients with slow transit constipation who underwent a total colectomy between 1994 and 2008 was undertaken. Preoperative and postoperative Wexner’s constipation scores were collected and used to evaluate the outcomes after surgical treatment. Also patients ’ postoperative satisfaction scores were collected using a 4-point scale. Results: The 37 patients consisted of 31 women and 6 men, with a median age of 41 years (range, 17 to 71 years). Pre- and post-operative Wexner’s scores were collected from 33 patients (89.1%), and the mean preoperative Wexner’s score was 19.3 (range, 11 to 24), which decreased to an average post-operative score of 2.3 (range, 0 to 8). Neither intraoperative complications nor postoperative mortalities were noted. Five patients (13.5%) had early postoperative complications, and the most common complication was postoperative ileus (10.8%). Seven patients (18.9%) had late postoperative complications, and postoperative ileus (10.8%) was also the most common. Twenty seven of 33 patients were satisfied with their surgical outcome (81.8%). Conclusion: A total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis might be an effective surgical procedure with acceptable morbidity to treat medically intractable slow transit constipation

Clinical features and outcomes of gastric variceal bleeding: retrospective Korean multicenter data

Background/AimsWhile gastric variceal bleeding (GVB) is not as prevalent as esophageal variceal bleeding, it is reportedly more serious, with high failure rates of the initial hemostasis (>30%), and has a worse prognosis than esophageal variceal bleeding. However, there is limited information regarding hemostasis and the prognosis for GVB. The aim of this study was to determine retrospectively the clinical outcomes of GVB in a multicenter study in Korea.MethodsThe data of 1,308 episodes of GVB (males:females=1062:246, age=55.0±11.0 years, mean±SD) were collected from 24 referral hospital centers in South Korea between March 2003 and December 2008. The rates of initial hemostasis failure, rebleeding, and mortality within 5 days and 6 weeks of the index bleed were evaluated.ResultsThe initial hemostasis failed in 6.1% of the patients, and this was associated with the Child-Pugh score [odds ratio (OR)=1.619; P<0.001] and the treatment modality: endoscopic variceal ligation, endoscopic variceal obturation, and balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration vs. endoscopic sclerotherapy, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and balloon tamponade (OR=0.221, P<0.001). Rebleeding developed in 11.5% of the patients, and was significantly associated with Child-Pugh score (OR=1.159, P<0.001) and treatment modality (OR=0.619, P=0.026). The GVB-associated mortality was 10.3%; mortality in these cases was associated with Child-Pugh score (OR=1.795, P<0.001) and the treatment modality for the initial hemostasis (OR=0.467, P=0.001).ConclusionsThe clinical outcome for GVB was better for the present cohort than in previous reports. Initial hemostasis failure, rebleeding, and mortality due to GVB were universally associated with the severity of liver cirrhosis