Pygmy moths (Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae) from Baltic Amber (Eocene)

Pygmy moths (Nepticulidae, Lepidoptera) from Eocene Baltic amber are described with five new specimens, representing the only specimens beyond one described before. Some of the findings differ from Stigmellites baltica Kozlov in species and sex. They are formally described as new species Bohemannia butzmanni and B. aschaueri. Phylogenetic and paleoecological aspects of Nepticulidae from Baltic amber are discussed.Fünf neue Arten von Zwergminiermotten (Nepticulidae, Lepidoptera) werden aus Baltischem Bernstein (Eozän) beschrieben; zusammen mit einer bereits früher beschriebenen Form (Stigmellites baltica Kozlov) stellen sie die einzig bekannten Fossilien dieser Tiergruppe dar. Da einige der hier beschriebenen Fossilien sich von S. baltica deutlich unterscheiden, werden sie als neue Arten, Bohemannia butzmanni und B. aschaueri, beschrieben. Phylogenetische und paläoökologische Aspekte der Nepticulidae im Baltischen Bernstein werden diskutiert

Bucculatrix rycki – the first fossil adult Ribbed Cocoon Maker Moth (Bucculatricidae, Lepidoptera)

An adult of a Ribbed Cocoon Maker Moth (Bucculatricidae) from Eocene Baltic amber is described as a new species (Bucculatrix rycki). This is the first description of a fossil adult of this microlepidopteran family, but previous evidence for this family comes from typical leaf mines in fossil leaves that provide evidence dating to the Upper Cretaceous. The minimal geological age for this adult specimen is here confirmed to be at least upper Eoceneand likely middle Eocene based on stratigraphic evidence. A putative host-plant range of the fossil taxon is proposed, based on host-plant records of extant species of the genus in association with paleobotanical data from Baltic amber.Ein fossiler Zwergwickler (Bucculatricidae) wird als neue Art Bucculatrix rycki aus dem Eozän des Baltischen Bernsteins beschrieben. Es scheint die erste Beschreibung eines fossilen Adulten dieser Familie von Mikrolepidopteren zu sein, aber es gibt Nachweise dieser Familie durch ihre typischen Minen in fossilen Blättern, die bis in die obere Kreide zurückreichen. Das minimale geologische Alter durch direkten Nachweis eines Imagos wird also mindestens für das obere Eozän und, nach stratigraphischen Daten, wahrscheinlich auch für das mittlere Eozän bestätigt. Ein mögliches Wirtspflanzenspektrum des fossilen Taxons wird diskutiert, basierend auf Wirtspflanzenspektren rezenter Arten im Vergleich zu paläobotanischen Daten für den Baltischen Bernstein

Pupal exuvia of an adelid case-bearing moth (Lepidoptera) from Bitterfeld Amber (Eocene)

A pupal exuvia of an adelid case-bearing caterpillar is described from Eocene Bitterfeld amber. The dumpbell-shaped case differs from the more abundant conical cases of bagworms (Psychidae), and is typical of either Longhorn Moths (Adelidae) or Clothes Moths (Tineidae). Based on the large antennal scape and elongate flagellomers of the pupal antennas the fossil is tentatively affiliated to Adelidae. This discovery represents the first record of a fossil pupa of this type from amber. The fossil indicates that the site of Bitterfeld/Baltic amber formation was the natural habitat of these case-bearing caterpillars, and also the site where they finally pupated and hatched.Eine Puppen-Exuvie einer Sack-tragenden Adeliden-Raupe aus dem Eozänen Bitterfelder Bernstein wird beschrieben. Die hantelförmigen Säcke unterscheiden sich von den häufiger vorkommenden konischen Säcken der Sackträger (Psychidae) und sind typisch sowohl für Langhornmotten (Adelidae) als auch Echte Motten (Tineidae). Basierend auf dem großen Antennenschaft und gestreckten Flagellomeren wird der Fund eher den Adelidae zugeordnet. Dies ist die erste Beschreibung einer solchen Puppe in Bernstein. Der Fund unterstreicht, dass derartige Sack-tragenden Raupen am Bildungsort des Bitterfeld bzw. Baltischen Bernsteins lebten und sich dann auch dort verpuppten und schlüpften

Fossil water lily fruits with seeds Nymphaea subgenus Lotos, from the Oligocene of Armissan/Narbonne (France)

Based on specimens from a historical collection from the classical Oligocene locality Armissan (Southern France) fossil fruits of Nymphaeaceae are described that can be affiliated to the Nymphaeaceae genus Nymphaea subgenus Lotos with confidence. Such findings were first described in 1865 by Saporta from Armissan as an extinct genus, Anoectomeria. However, in the absence of preserved seeds, and due to a misinterpretation of the organisation of the fruits, the fossils could only be affiliated to Nymphaeaceae in general. The identification of the historical specimens with preserved seeds allows a new interpretation of such fossils and, hence their identification as fruits of the subgenus Lotos. Especially the characteristical mode of fruit dehiscence, which leads to typical stigmatic discs in extant as well as in fossil specimens, confirms this affiliation. In this study, the flowers/fruits described by Saporta (rhizome, leaves and isolated seeds were also included in his taxa) are revised to Nymphaea (subgenus Lotos) brongniartii. Comparable Paleogene fossils from other localities are also discussed. Based on N. (L.) brongniartii the minimal geological age of the subgenus Lotos can be determined as Late Oligocene. By interpretation of the comparable Paleogene fossils as belonging to subgenus Lotos the minimal geological age of this taxon would even be Middle Eocene. The Late Oligocene minimal geological age of Lotos is in agreement with phylogenetic trees based on molecular data and allows a better calibration of molecular phylogenetic trees of Nymphaeaceae.Nach Exemplaren einer historischen Aufsammlung von der klassischen Oligozän-Fundstelle Armissan (Südfrankreich) werden fossile Nymphaeaceen-Früchte mit Samen beschrieben, die eindeutig der rezenten Nymphaeaceen Gattung Nymphaea Untergattung Lotos zuzuordnen sind. Derartige Funde wurden zuerst 1865 von Saporta ebenfalls von Armissan als Anoectomeria brongniartii, A. nana und A. media beschrieben, und konnten aber wegen des Fehlens von Samen und der Fehldeutung des Fruchtaufbaus nur dieser Kunstgattung und allgemein den Nymphaeaceae zugeordnet werden. Die Auffindung der historischen Exemplare, die anders als die von Saporta beschriebenen, Samen aufweisen und die damit mögliche Neuinterpretation dieser fossilen Früchte erlaubt eine eindeutige Zuordnung zur Untergattung Lotos. Besonders die sehr charakteristische Fruchtdehiszenz, die rezent wie fossil zu isolierten Scheiben aus verwachsenen Griffelnarben führt, erlaubt nur diese Zuordnung. Die Blüten bzw. Früchte der Saporta-Taxa (Rhizome, Blätter und isolierte Samen wurden von ihm auch jeweils in die Taxa mit einbezogen) werden hier zu Nymphaea (subgenus Lotos) brongniartii revidiert. Vergleichbare paläogene Funde von anderen Lokalitäten werden diskutiert. Mit Nymphaea (Lotos) brongniartii kann das minimale geologische Alter der Untergattung Lotos als Oberoligozän bestimmt werden. Mit der Zuordnung vergleichbarer paläogener Funde zu Lotos wäre das minimale geologische Alter sogar Mitteleozän. Das Oberoligozäne minimale geologische Alter von Lotos ist mit den aus molekularen Daten erstellten Stammbäumen vereinbar und ermöglicht eine bessere Kalibrierung molekularer Stammbäume der Nymphaeaceae

Bucculatrix rycki – the first fossil adult Ribbed Cocoon Maker Moth (Bucculatricidae, Lepidoptera)

An adult of a Ribbed Cocoon Maker Moth (Bucculatricidae) from Eocene Baltic amber is described as a new species (Bucculatrix rycki). This is the first description of a fossil adult of this microlepidopteran family, but previous evidence for this family comes from typical leaf mines in fossil leaves that provide evidence dating to the Upper Cretaceous. The minimal geological age for this adult specimen is here confirmed to be at least upper Eoceneand likely middle Eocene based on stratigraphic evidence. A putative host-plant range of the fossil taxon is proposed, based on host-plant records of extant species of the genus in association with paleobotanical data from Baltic amber.Ein fossiler Zwergwickler (Bucculatricidae) wird als neue Art Bucculatrix rycki aus dem Eozän des Baltischen Bernsteins beschrieben. Es scheint die erste Beschreibung eines fossilen Adulten dieser Familie von Mikrolepidopteren zu sein, aber es gibt Nachweise dieser Familie durch ihre typischen Minen in fossilen Blättern, die bis in die obere Kreide zurückreichen. Das minimale geologische Alter durch direkten Nachweis eines Imagos wird also mindestens für das obere Eozän und, nach stratigraphischen Daten, wahrscheinlich auch für das mittlere Eozän bestätigt. Ein mögliches Wirtspflanzenspektrum des fossilen Taxons wird diskutiert, basierend auf Wirtspflanzenspektren rezenter Arten im Vergleich zu paläobotanischen Daten für den Baltischen Bernstein

Permian ginkgophyte fossils from the Dolomites resemble extant O-ha-tsuki aberrant leaf-like fructifications of Ginkgo biloba L

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Structural elucidation and analysis of fructifications of plants is fundamental for understanding their evolution. In case of <it>Ginkgo biloba</it>, attention was drawn by Fujii in 1896 to aberrant fructifications of <it>Ginkgo biloba </it>whose seeds are attached to leaves, called <it>O-ha-tsuki </it>in Japan. This well-known phenomenon was now interpreted by Fujii as being homologous to ancestral sporophylls. The common fructification of <it>Ginkgo biloba </it>consists of 1-2 (rarely more) ovules on a dichotomously divided stalk, the ovules on top of short stalklets, with collars supporting the ovules. There is essentially no disagreement that either the whole stalk with its stalklets, collars and ovules is homologous to a sporophyll, or, alternatively, just one stalklet, collar and ovule each correspond to a sporophyll. For the transition of an ancestral sporophyll resembling extant <it>O-ha-tsuki </it>aberrant leaves into the common fructification with stalklet/collar/ovule, evolutionary reduction of the leaf lamina of such ancestral sporophylls has to be assumed. Furthermore, such ancestral sporophylls would be expected in the fossil record of ginkgophytes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From the Upper Permian of the Bletterbach gorge (Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy) ginkgophyte leaves of the genus <it>Sphenobaiera </it>were discovered. Among several specimens, one shows putatively attached seeds, while other specimens, depending on their state of preservation, show seeds in positions strongly suggesting such attachment. Morphology and results of a cuticular analysis are in agreement with an affiliation of the fossil to the ginkgophytes and the cuticle of the seed is comparable to that of Triassic and Jurassic ones and to those of extant <it>Ginkgo biloba</it>. The <it>Sphenobaiera </it>leaves with putatively attached seeds closely resemble seed-bearing <it>O-ha-tsuki </it>leaves of extant <it>Ginkgo biloba</it>. This leads to the hypothesis that, at least for some groups of ginkgophytes represented by extant <it>Ginkgo biloba</it>, such sporophylls represent the ancestral state of fructifications.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Some evidence is provided for the existence of ancestral laminar ginkgophyte sporophylls. Homology of the newly found fossil ginkgophyte fructifications with the aberrant <it>O-ha-tsuki </it>fructifications of <it>Ginkgo biloba </it>is proposed. This would support the interpretation of the apical part of the common <it>Ginkgo biloba </it>fructification (stalklet/collar/ovule) as a sporophyll with reduced leaf lamina.</p

RNA-Mediated Gene Silencing Signals Are Not Graft Transmissible from the Rootstock to the Scion in Greenhouse-Grown Apple Plants Malus sp.

RNA silencing describes the sequence specific degradation of RNA targets. Silencing is a non-cell autonomous event that is graft transmissible in different plant species. The present study is the first report on systemic acquired dsRNA-mediated gene silencing of transgenic and endogenous gene sequences in a woody plant like apple. Transgenic apple plants overexpressing a hairpin gene construct of the gusA reporter gene were produced. These plants were used as rootstocks and grafted with scions of the gusA overexpressing transgenic apple clone T355. After grafting, we observed a reduction of the gusA gene expression in T355 scions in vitro, but not in T355 scions grown in the greenhouse. Similar results were obtained after silencing of the endogenous Mdans gene in apple that is responsible for anthocyanin biosynthesis. Subsequently, we performed grafting experiments with Mdans silenced rootstocks and red leaf scions of TNR31-35 in order to evaluate graft transmitted silencing of the endogenous Mdans. The results obtained suggested a graft transmission of silencing signals in in vitro shoots. In contrast, no graft transmission of dsRNA-mediated gene silencing signals was detectable in greenhouse-grown plants and in plants grown in an insect protection tent

Genetic predisposition to in situ and invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

Invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC) accounts for 10-15% of all invasive breast carcinomas. It is generally ER positive (ER+) and often associated with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Genome-wide association studies have identified more than 70 common polymorphisms that predispose to breast cancer, but these studies included predominantly ductal (IDC) carcinomas. To identify novel common polymorphisms that predispose to ILC and LCIS, we pooled data from 6,023 cases (5,622 ILC, 401 pure LCIS) and 34,271 controls from 36 studies genotyped using the iCOGS chip. Six novel SNPs most strongly associated with ILC/LCIS in the pooled analysis were genotyped in a further 516 lobular cases (482 ILC, 36 LCIS) and 1,467 controls. These analyses identified a lobular-specific SNP at 7q34 (rs11977670, OR (95%CI) for ILC = 1.13 (1.09-1.18), P = 6.0 × 10(-10); P-het for ILC vs IDC ER+ tumors = 1.8 × 10(-4)). Of the 75 known breast cancer polymorphisms that were genotyped, 56 were associated with ILC and 15 with LCIS at P<0.05. Two SNPs showed significantly stronger associations for ILC than LCIS (rs2981579/10q26/FGFR2, P-het = 0.04 and rs889312/5q11/MAP3K1, P-het = 0.03); and two showed stronger associations for LCIS than ILC (rs6678914/1q32/LGR6, P-het = 0.001 and rs1752911/6q14, P-het = 0.04). In addition, seven of the 75 known loci showed significant differences between ER+ tumors with IDC and ILC histology, three of these showing stronger associations for ILC (rs11249433/1p11, rs2981579/10q26/FGFR2 and rs10995190/10q21/ZNF365) and four associated only with IDC (5p12/rs10941679; rs2588809/14q24/RAD51L1, rs6472903/8q21 and rs1550623/2q31/CDCA7). In conclusion, we have identified one novel lobular breast cancer specific predisposition polymorphism at 7q34, and shown for the first time that common breast cancer polymorphisms predispose to LCIS. We have shown that many of the ER+ breast cancer predisposition loci also predispose to ILC, although there is some heterogeneity between ER+ lobular and ER+ IDC tumors. These data provide evidence for overlapping, but distinct etiological pathways within ER+ breast cancer between morphological subtypes