Biodiversity surveys reveal eight new species of freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) from Yunnan Province, China

Yunnan Province is known to host the highest species diversity of the true freshwater crabs in China; 50 species have been recorded from the province by 2017. In 2004, our team conducted a biodiversity survey of the freshwater crabs in Yunnan Province to determine how well the diversity of crabs in the area has been characterized. We collected a total of 25 species, of which nine species proved to be new to science, and eight of which are described here. These include four species of the genus Indochinamon Yeo & Ng, 2007, two species of the genus Potamiscus Alcock, 1909, and one species each of the genera Pararanguna Dai & Chen, 1985, and Parvuspotamon Dai & Bo, 1994. The new species of Pararanguna and Parvuspotamon represent the second species of respective genera, which are here redefined. Detailed comparisons with morphologically allied species are provided. Photographs of the type specimens of their comparative species which are poorly illustrated in the literature are also provided to allow better understanding of their morphology. This study brings the number of the freshwater crabs of Yunnan Province to 58. Since about 13.8% of the number of species (eight out of 58 species) is increased by surveys conducted within a relatively short period, it is most probable that the species diversity of this group is still understudied in Yunnan Province

Rapid coral mortality following doldrums-like conditions on Iriomote, Japan

Coral bleaching can be induced by many different stressors, however, the most common cause of mass bleaching in the field is higher than average sea surface temperatures (SST). Here, we describe an unusual bleaching event that followed very calm sea conditions combined with higher than average SST. Patterns of mortality differed from typical bleaching in four ways: 1) mortality was very rapid; 2) a different suite of species were most affected; 3) tissue mortality in Acropora spp. was often restricted to the center of the colony; 4) the event occurred early in summer. The two weeks prior to the event included 8 days where the average wind speed was less than 3 ms-1. In addition, SSTs in the weeks preceding and during the event were 1.0-1.5°C higher than the mean for the last 30 years. We hypothesize that this unusual bleaching event was caused by anoxia resulting from a lack of water movement induced by low wind speeds combined with high SST

Two submarine cavernicolous crabs, Atoportunus gustavi Ng & Takeda, 2003, and Neoliomera cerasinus Ng, 2002 (Crustacea : Decapoda : Brachyura : Portunidae and Xanthidae), from Shimojijima Island, Miyako Group, Ryukyu Islands, Japan

宮古諸島下地島の海底洞窟より, モモイロドウクツガザミ (新称) とクラヤミヒラオウギガニが採集されたので報告する. 今回得られたモモイロドウクツガザミは, 先行研究による形態と色彩の記載に多くの点で一致するが, 鉗脚長節内縁に5–6歯を備える (先行研究では6歯), 鉗部可動指の咬合に2–3 歯を備える (先行研究では2 歯), という変異が見られた. また,クラヤミオウギガニにおいては, 体サイズが先行研究の例より1.6–2.3倍大きかった.Two submarine cavernicolous crabs, Atoportunus gustavi Ng & Takeda, 2003, and Neoliomera cerasinus Ng, 2002 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae and Xanthidae), are reported on the basis of the specimens collected at Shimojijima Island, Miyako Group, the southern Ryukyu Islands. Although examined materials of A. gustavi agree well with the previous descriptions in their morphology and coloration in life, two minor intraspecific variations are observed: the inner margin of cheliped merus armed with 5 or 6 prominent teeth (6 teeth in the previous report); and the cutting edge of chelal dactylus with 2–3 teeth (2 teeth in the previous report). The body size of N. cerasinus on hand is much larger (1.6–2.3 times) than those of the previous records

A clinicopathological study of perineural invasion and vascular invasion in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma

The risk factors for recurrence of head and neck cancer are classified as being of high or intermediate risk. Those of intermediate risk include multiple positive nodes without extracapsular nodal spread, perineural/vascular invasion, pT3/T4 primary tumours, and positive level IV/V nodes. However, little evidence is available to validate these intermediate risk factors. We analyzed perineural/vascular invasion in 89 patients who underwent radical surgery for oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma, whose records were reviewed retrospectively. Perineural invasion was found in 27.0% of cases and vascular invasion in 23.6%; both had a strong relationship with histopathological nodal status (P = 0.005). The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival rates of patients with perineural invasion were significantly lower than those of patients without perineural invasion (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). The 5-year DSS of UICC stage I and II cases with perineural/vascular invasion was significantly lower than those without (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively). Perineural invasion and vascular invasion are risk factors for regional metastasis and a poor prognosis. We recommend elective neck dissection when perineural/vascular invasion is found in clinical stage I and II cases. The accumulation of further evidence to consider intermediate risks is required

Immunohistochemical study of vascular endothelial growth factor‑C/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‑3 expression in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma: Correlation with the induction of lymphangiogenesis

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the associations between the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C)/VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) axis and lymphangiogenesis, regional lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological factors in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) using immunohistochemistry. The expression of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and podoplanin was immunohistochemically evaluated in specimens obtained from 65 patients with OTSCC (T1-2, N0) who had undergone radical surgery alone. The associations between the expression of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and podoplanin, and lymphangiogenesis, regional lymph node metastasis and clinocopathological factors were determined by immunohistochemical analysis. VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and combined VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 expression was significantly higher in cases with regional recurrence compared with those without lymph node involvement (P<0.001). As regards lymphangiogenesis, a significant correlation was observed between podoplanin expression and VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and combined VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 expression (P<0.001). Therefore, lymphangiogenesis in the peritumoral stroma was associated with lymph node metastasis. However, podoplanin expression did not exhibit a significant correlation with the progression of lymph node metastasis. The results of the present study suggest that the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 axis may be associated with lymph node metastasis through lymphangiogenesis. Determining the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 expression status may help predict which patients will develop regional recurrence and provide novel targets for therapies to suppress lymph node metastasis in the treatment of OTSCC

A new species of Hexapinus Manning & Holthuis, 1981 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Hexapodidae) from Hatoma Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan

A new species of Hexapinus (Hexapodidae) is described from Hatoma Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Hexapinus patuma, new species, is morphologically close to H. latus Rahayu & Ng, 2014, but can be distinguished by the structures of the carapace and third maxilliped, as well as the degree of setation of ambulatory legs

Acmaeopleura parvula Stimpson 1858

&lt;i&gt;Acmaeopleura parvula&lt;/i&gt; Stimpson, 1858 &lt;p&gt;(Figs. 1 d, 2d, 3&ndash;5)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Acmaeopleura parvula&lt;/i&gt; Stimpson, 1858: 105; 1907: 130, pl. 11, fig. 4; Bouvier 1906: 483; Balss 1922: 153; Shen 1932: figs. 99; 101; Sakai 1939: 662, pl. 75, fig. 4; Kamita 1941: 187, fig. 106; Miyake 1962: 130; Sakai 1965: 195, pl. 91, fig. 5; Kim 1973: 462, 647, fig. 199, pl. 91, fig. 152a&ndash;d; Sakai 1976: 643, pl. 220, fig. 2; Miyake 1983: 182, pl. 61-5; Kim &amp; Jang 1987: 543; Fukui &lt;i&gt;et al&lt;/i&gt;. 1989: 229, figs. 17, 18; Itani 2000: 69; Yamamoto &lt;i&gt;et al&lt;/i&gt;. 2005: 12; Ng &lt;i&gt;et al&lt;/i&gt;. 2008: 227; Machida &lt;i&gt;et al&lt;/i&gt;. 2009: 567, pl. 2(A); Takeda &lt;i&gt;et al&lt;/i&gt;. 2011: 70, fig. 35(152); Wada 2012: 74, fig. 4(4).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Material examined.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Acmaeopleura parvula&lt;/i&gt; Stimpson, 1858. Neotype: RUMF-ZC-2939, male, 6.9 &times; 8.5 mm, mouth of Oura River, Minami-Satsuma City, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan, coll. R. Maenosono, 2 Jan. 2014. Others. CBM ZC 6033, 4 males, 7.9 &times; 9.9&ndash;10.2 &times; 13.4 mm, 1 ovig. female, 9.0 &times; 11.6 mm, Aburatsubo, Misaki, Miura Peninsula, Japan, coll. T. Komai, 15 Mar. 2001&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Description.&lt;/b&gt; Carapace subovate (Figs. 3 a, 4a) distinctly wider than long, CW 1.21&ndash;1.31 CL (mean 1.25, n = 6). Dorsal surface convex longitudinally, region poorly defined, H-shaped gastric groove discernible, covered with short, black setae near lateral margins, sidewall of posterolateral regions. Front sloping anteroventrally, frontal margin slightly convex medially in anterior view, frontal width 0.28&ndash;0.31 CW (mean 0.30, n = 6). Orbital margins entire, lined with low granules, external orbital angle weakly produced anteriorly. Infraorbital margin ending mesially with triangular, inner orbital tooth, tooth, lateral angle of front leaving wide gape between them. Male suborbital crest (Fig. 3 b) consists of 1 long continuous protuberance with 3 high, thick convexities on approximately middle, lateral quarter, lateral end, middle largest, lateral end smallest, lateral convexity sometime slightly apart from main protuberance; female suborbital crest (Fig. 4 c) continuous throughout, lined with minute granules, diminishing in size laterally. Posterior margin of pterygostomial region (anterior to Milne Edwards openings) granular. Milne Edwards openings distinct. Lateral margins of carapace entire, weakly cristate anteriorly; anterolateral margins convex; posterolateral margin straight, convergent posteriorly.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Epistome posterior margin produced medially, lined with granules.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Eyes oval, almost filling orbit (Fig. 4 c). Antennule with relatively high basal segment. Antenna entering orbit, with relatively short flagellum.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Thoracic sternum wide. Male thoracic sternites 2, 3 with wide, shallow depression medially (Figs. 1 d, 3b); female with shallower depression, anterior sternal plate of portion not covered by telson, when abdomen closed, densely covered with soft setae (Fig. 4 b, c). Lateral end of sternite 2 widely, weakly produced anteriorly, projection fitting concavity of third maxilliped ischium when folded (Figs. 1 d, 3b, 4c, 5a). Sternites 3, 4 indiscernible. Male sternoabdominal cavity moderately wide; cavity, telson reaching distal third level of cheliped bases. Simple, small granule for locking mechanism present on distal third on sternite 5. Penis sternal. Female sternoabdominal cavity not reaching suture 2/3. Vulvae apart from each other, placed posterior to base of third maxilliped ischium, adjacent to suture 5/6 on sternite 6, very short, wide sternal cover developed from posterolateral corner; operculum present.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Third maxilliped (Figs. 1 d, 3b, 4c, 5a) rectangular, leaving median hiatus when closed. Ischium as long as merus; ischium, merus each as long as its width, border between ischium, merus horizontal. Ischium with broad, shallow concavity on proximal margin medially, mesial margin slightly dentate, outer surface rimmed on mesial third. Merus lateral margin almost straight, mesial half of anterior margin concave, carpus attached to concave margin, outer surface rimmed over mesial third. Propodus attached to distal end of carpus, dactylus developed from subdistal portion of outer surface of propodus (Fig. 2 d); carpus longest, dactylus shortest; carpus, propodus trigonal-pyramid in cross-section, propodus thicker than carpus, dactylus flat, linguiform, distal end of dactylus slightly short of proximomesial corner of merus (reaching to approximately proximal quarter of mesial margin of merus) when folded (Figs. 1 d, 3b, 4c, 5a); long setae present on distoanterior margin of propodus, distal end of dactylus (Fig. 2 d); distal end of long setae reaching thoracic suture 2/3. Exopod with long flagellum, reaching distal end of carpus, with long setae on tip.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Male chelipeds subequal (Fig. 3 a). Merus triangular in cross-section, upper, lower-lateral, proximal portion of lower-mesial margins lined with granules, distal portion of lower-mesial margin chitinous, cristate; outer surface scattered with black short setae, lower-mesial margin with a few black, stiff, long setae. Carpus with punctate upper surface, mesial margin weakly granular, no distinct inner tooth. Chela swollen (Fig. 3 a, c), almost smooth except for sparsely punctate upper half of outer surface, slightly granular upper proximal margin, cluster of large granules on middle of inner surface; distinct tuft of setae on proximal third of occlusal margins of both fingers. Female chelipeds almost symmetrical (Fig. 4 a); chelae smaller than those of male, more densely covered with soft setae than those of male, especially on outer surface of chela.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ambulatory legs moderately stout, P3 longest; no marginal spine or tooth. Meri longest among segments, with convex anterior, posterior margins; anterior, posterior, distal margins distinctly covered with short setae. Carpus covered with 1 or 2 wide rows of setae on upper surface, setae denser along outer margin. Propodus with reticulated setal pattern on upper surface, setae denser along outer margin. Dactylus with slightly incurved distal spine, with 3 setal rows on outer surface.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Male abdomen moderately wide (Fig. 5 b). First, second somites short, second, third widest, lateral margins of third to proximal two-thirds of sixth somites gradually convergent distally, third to sixth somites with sutures visible but functionally fused. Telson as long as sixth somite.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;G1 (Fig. 5 c, d) stout, straight, distally setose, with distal chitinous short beak. G2 (Fig. 5 e) short, opening on distal end.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Remarks.&lt;/b&gt; See remarks of the genus.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Naruse, Tohru, 2015, Description of a new genus and a new species of gaeticine crab (Crustacea: Brachyura: Varunidae) from the Ryukyu Islands, and a review of Acmaeopleura Stimpson, 1858, and Sestrostoma Davie &amp; N. K. Ng, 2007, pp. 211-228 in Zootaxa 3925 (2)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 218-221, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.2.4, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/234649"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/234649&lt;/a&gt