An Overview of Mites on Grapevine and the Discovery of a new Phytoseiidae Species; Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) spiceae

The common grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is the main species used for wine making, with South Africa being one of the top wine exporting countries. Grapevine is vulnerable to a range of pests, includingmites. We present an overview of phytophagous and predatory mites on grapevine in South Africa anddescribe a new phytoseiid species which was discovered in the winelands region of Wellington, SouthAfrica. Grapevine shoots with leaves were collected over two growing seasons at four farms in Wellington.A nursery, mother block and a commercial vineyard were selected on each farm. The mites were removedwith a mite brushing machine and slide mounted. The Phytoseiidae Database, as well the most recentrelevant literature were used in confirming the new species. Illustrations of the new species were madeusing photographs taken by Zeiss Axioskop TM Research that included a Zen Soft Imaging System. Thenew Typhlodromus species, Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) spiceae sp.n., is set apart from closely relatedspecies by setae Z4 being 0.7 times the length of Z5 and by having a short, saccular and thick-walledspermathecal. This species was found together with one phytophagous mite species (Brevipalpus lewisi)and several predatory mite species (Typhlodromus praeacutus, Typhlodromus saevus, Eusieus addoensis). Akey to identify females of the South African species of Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) is provided

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Checklist of Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) species from plants bearing leaf domatia, from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, with the description of a new species

A new phytoseiids species, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) uhoneae sp.n. is described from plants with domatia. In addition, 8 known phytoseiid species also associated with plants with domatia are discussed. A key to all the South African species of the subgenus Anthoseius is given.The National Research Foundation of South Africahttps://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnah202022-06-14hj2021Plant Production and Soil Scienc

Paragigagnathus iraniensis n. sp. (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Western Iran

International audienceA new species belonging to the family Phytoseiidae, Paragigagnathus iraniensis n. sp., is described and illustrated from specimens collected on almond trees, Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb (Rosaceae), infested with two spotted spider mites (Tetranychidae) in Hamedan region, Iran. An identification key to all known species of the genus Paragigagnathus is provided

Ectoparasite diversity on rodents at de Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape Province

Fleas, lice, mites and ticks were collected from 41 Rhabdomys pumilio and seven Otomys irroratus at De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The aims of the study were firstly to quantify parasite abundance and to record the species richness on the rodents. Secondly to record the parasite species that were shared between R. pumilio and O. irroratus and thirdly to compare the parasite abundance on R. pumilio between localities of varying antelope activity. Each rodent was individually examined under a stereoscopic microscope and its parasites were removed, counted and identified to species level. The parasite species included seven flea, one louse, nine mite and 10 tick species. Three undescribed mite species were also recovered and new locality records were obtained for six flea, two lice, two mite and one tick species. Several flea, mite and tick species were shared between R. pumilio and O. irroratus. Both the mean abundance of the total ectoparasite burdens and the mean tick abundance were significantly higher on R. pumilio individuals that were trapped in habitats preferred and occupied by large antelope species compared to habitats in which antelope were absent or rarely present.Articl