BACKGROUND: Despite their importance in animal and human health, the epidemiology of species of the Leishmania enriettii complex remains poorly understood, including the identity of their biological vectors. Biting midges of the genus Forcipomyia (Lasiohelea) have been implicated in the transmission of a member of the L. enriettii complex in Australia, but the far larger and more widespread genus Culicoides has not been investigated for the potential to include vectors to date. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Females from colonies of the midges Culicoides nubeculosus Meigen and C. sonorensis Wirth & Jones and the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Nevia (Diptera: Psychodidae) were experimentally infected with two different species of Leishmania, originating from Australia (Leishmania sp. AM-2004) and Brazil (Leishmania enriettii). In addition, the infectivity of L. enriettii infections generated in guinea pigs and golden hamsters for Lu. longipalpis and C. sonorensis was tested by xenodiagnosis. Development of L. enriettii in Lu. longipalpis was relatively poor compared to other Leishmania species in this permissive vector. Culicoides nubeculosus was not susceptible to infection by parasites from the L. enriettii complex. In contrast, C. sonorensis developed late stage infections with colonization of the thoracic midgut and the stomodeal valve. In hamsters, experimental infection with L. enriettii led only to mild symptoms, while in guinea pigs L. enriettii grew aggressively, producing large, ulcerated, tumour-like lesions. A high proportion of C. sonorensis (up to 80%) feeding on the ears and nose of these guinea pigs became infected. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We demonstrate that L. enriettii can develop late stage infections in the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis. This midge was found to be susceptible to L. enriettii to a similar degree as Lutzomyia longipalpis, the vector of Leishmania infantum in South America. Our results support the hypothesis that some biting midges could be natural vectors of the L. enriettii complex because of their vector competence, although not Culicoides sonorensis itself, which is not sympatric, and midges should be assessed in the field while searching for vectors of related Leishmania species including L. martiniquensis and "L. siamensis".

• MeSH
• Ceratopogonidae parazitologie   MeSH
• gastrointestinální trakt parazitologie   MeSH
• hmyz - vektory * MeSH
• křeček rodu Mesocricetus MeSH
• Leishmania enriettii izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• leishmanióza parazitologie   patologie   přenos   MeSH
• morčata MeSH
• Psychodidae parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• morčata MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Monoxenous trypanosomatid Herpetomonas trimorpha sp. nov. was isolated from the digestive tract of the biting midge Culicoides truncorum (Ceratopogonidae, Diptera). This species forms three distinct morphotypes in culture: the microflagellate promastigote, the small promastigote and the long promastigote. The last form is unique for the newly described species. Phylogenetic analyses of SSU rRNA and glycosomal glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase genes showed that H. trimorpha sp. nov. is the closest relative of Herpetomonas ztiplika, another monoxenous trypanosomatid isolated from biting midges. However, morphological and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analyses confirmed that H. trimorpha sp. nov. is distinct from H. ztiplika.

• MeSH
• Ceratopogonidae parazitologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• gastrointestinální trakt parazitologie   MeSH
• glyceraldehyd-3-fosfátdehydrogenasy genetika   MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• protozoální DNA genetika   MeSH
• protozoální proteiny genetika   MeSH
• ribozomální DNA genetika   MeSH
• Trypanosomatina klasifikace   enzymologie   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• glyceraldehyd-3-fosfátdehydrogenasy MeSH
• protozoální DNA MeSH
• protozoální proteiny MeSH
• ribozomální DNA MeSH

Organic UV-filters are emergent contaminants continuously released into the aquatic ecosystems. These compounds are persistent showing potential for bioaccumulation. Partial life-cycle tests may underestimate the toxicity of UV-filters especially since these compounds have shown to act as endocrine disruptors. In the present study, the benthic aquatic insect Chironomus riparius was exposed to a gradient of Benzophenone-3 (BP3) concentrations over two generations to assess effects over a full life cycle from the first-instar larvae in the parental (P) generation (emergence, fecundity and fertility) until emergence in the subsequent generation (filial - F1). Recovery from exposure was also assessed after one generational exposure. Our results showed that concentrations of up to 8mg BP3/kg, elicited no effects regarding emergence rate and development time of C. riparius in the P generation. Our results also showed that C. riparius fecundity was not affected by BP3 exposure, but a strong dose-response relationship was observed for fertility with none of the egg ropes hatching at 8mg BP3/kg. Regarding effects observed in the F1 generation, emergence and development time were impaired by continuous exposure to BP3. Moreover, reduced emergence and changes in development time were observed in the F1 generation maintained in control/clean conditions but whose parents were exposed to BP3. Results found in this two-generational study clearly show reproductive effects of BP3 on C. riparius that would not be detected using standard tests. Full life cycle and multigenerational assays are critical to properly evaluate the population level effects of endocrine disrupting compounds such as organic UV-filters.

• Klíčová slova
• Aquatic invertebrates, Full life cycle test, Multigenerational effects, Personal care products,
• MeSH
• benzofenony toxicita   MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu toxicita   MeSH
• Chironomidae růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory toxicita   MeSH
• fertilita účinky léků   MeSH
• larva růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• přípravky chránící proti slunci toxicita   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• benzofenony MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
• endokrinní disruptory MeSH
• oxybenzone MeSH Prohlížeč
• přípravky chránící proti slunci MeSH

Despite the frequent detection of organic ultraviolet-filters (UV-filters) in freshwater sediments, there is a lack of ecotoxicological data undermining a correct risk assessment for these emerging contaminants. The present study assessed the effects of three of the most commonly used UV-filters (benzophenone-3 - BP3; 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor - 4-MBC and octocrylene - OC) on Chironomus riparius life history and biochemical responses. Standard ecotoxicological assays confirmed that all compounds impaired growth of C. riparius larvae and induced developmental effects such as delayed emergence and a reduction of imagoes weight. Concerning the biochemical responses analysed no evidences of oxidative damage in lipids or neurotoxicity (tested assessing acetylcholinesterase activity) were observed for any of the tested compounds. However, 4-MBC exposure induced a decrease in catalase activity and an increase in glutathione-S-transferase activity at 14.13mg/Kg while OC exposure caused an increase in total glutathione levels at 0.23 and 18.23mg/Kg. Exposure to all UV-filters tested, increased energy consumption on C. riparius with significant differences above 1.00mg/Kg for BP3, 0.09mg/Kg for 4-MBC and 2.13mg/Kg for OC. These results suggest that environmental relevant concentrations of UV-filters can cause deleterious effects to aquatic benthic species, such as C. riparius, and call for further research concerning effects of organic UV-filters on natural invertebrate communities and ecosystem functioning.

• Klíčová slova
• Aquatic macroinvertebrates, Biomarkers, Personal care products, Sublethal effects,
• MeSH
• acetylcholinesterasa metabolismus   MeSH
• akryláty toxicita   MeSH
• benzofenony toxicita   MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu toxicita   MeSH
• Chironomidae účinky léků   enzymologie   MeSH
• glutathiontransferasa metabolismus   MeSH
• kafr analogy a deriváty   toxicita   MeSH
• katalasa metabolismus   MeSH
• larva účinky léků   enzymologie   MeSH
• přípravky chránící proti slunci toxicita   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• acetylcholinesterasa MeSH
• akryláty MeSH
• benzofenony MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
• enzacamene MeSH Prohlížeč
• glutathiontransferasa MeSH
• kafr MeSH
• katalasa MeSH
• octocrylene MeSH Prohlížeč
• oxybenzone MeSH Prohlížeč
• přípravky chránící proti slunci MeSH

Personal care products have various organic ultraviolet filters (UV filters) in their composition to increase protection against ultraviolet radiation. Some of these products also contain insect repellents in their formulations. Consequently, these compounds reach freshwater ecosystems, exposing aquatic organisms to a cocktail of anthropogenic contaminants. In this study, the joint effects of two most frequently detected UV filters (Benzophenone - 3 (BP3) and Enzacamene (4-MBC)) and joint effects of BP3 combined with an insect repellent (N, N diethyl-3-methylbenzamide - DEET) were evaluated using life-history traits of the aquatic midge Chironomus riparius such as emergence rate, time to emergence and imagoes body weight. The results showed synergistic effects between BP3 and 4-MBC for C. riparius emergence rate. Regarding the effects of BP3 and DEET mixture, our analysis suggests synergism in the case of males but antagonism in the case of females' time to emergence. Our results imply that the effects of UV filters present in sediments within chemical mixtures are complex and that the evaluation of effects using different life-history traits can yield different patterns of responses. This study demonstrates the importance of assessing the combined effects of pollutants used/found concomitantly in aquatic systems for a more accurate risk assessment, as individual chemical testing can underestimate the toxicity of organic UV filters.

• Klíčová slova
• Aquatic organisms, Combined effects, Linear models, Mixture toxicity, Personal care products, Sunscreens,
• MeSH
• benzofenony toxicita   MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu * toxicita   MeSH
• Chironomidae * MeSH
• diethyltoluamid toxicita   MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• larva MeSH
• přípravky chránící proti slunci toxicita   MeSH
• repelenty proti hmyzu * toxicita   MeSH
• ultrafialové záření MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• benzofenony MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
• diethyltoluamid MeSH
• enzacamene MeSH Prohlížeč
• oxybenzone MeSH Prohlížeč
• přípravky chránící proti slunci MeSH
• repelenty proti hmyzu * MeSH

Herein, we describe the first case of a natural infection of biting midges by a kinetoplastid protozoan. Flagellates from a female Culicoides kibunensis captured in a bird's nest were introduced into culture and characterized by light and electron microscopy. However, because the morphological data were inconclusive, the novel endosymbiont-free trypanosomatid was assigned into Herpetomonas primarily on the basis of the 18S and 5S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences.

• MeSH
• Ceratopogonidae parazitologie   MeSH
• elektronová mikroskopie MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• kinetoplastová DNA chemie   MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• protozoální DNA chemie   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S genetika   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 5S genetika   MeSH
• sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
• Trypanosomatina klasifikace   genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kinetoplastová DNA MeSH
• protozoální DNA MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 5S MeSH

Diapause larvae of Aphidoletes aphidimyza were stored at a temperature of 3 degrees C under continuous darkness for up to 7 months with survival rates above 50%; after storage for 1 year the survival rate dropped to 12%. Diapause was terminated in the majority of individuals within 120 days of chilling under storage conditions. Brief exposure (10-60 s) to the vapor of n-hexane appeared to be a useful alternative to chilling for the termination of diapause. The larvae with terminated diapause required, on average, an additional 31 days at 22 degrees C and long-day conditions in order to reach the adult stage. The 10-90% adult emergence spanned a period of 21.1 days. When the larvae with terminated diapause were exposed to 30 degrees C for 1 week after the end of low temperature storage, the survival rate was not affected, the average "time-to-adult" shortened moderately to 28 days, and the synchrony of adult emergence improved considerably to 10 days. Low temperature storage of nondiapause larvae resulted in a decrease in survival from 98 to 31% during the first 60 days of storage. Nondiapause larvae did not enter diapause during low temperature storage and, as a consequence, the adults emerged relatively rapidly (after 14-15 days) and synchronously (within 2-3 days) after the end of storage. Directions for future research, which might bring further improvement in low temperature storability and synchrony of adult emergence in A. aphidimyza, are proposed.

• MeSH
• biologická kontrola škůdců MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• Diptera * růst a vývoj   patogenita   MeSH
• hexany farmakologie   MeSH
• kryoprezervace metody   MeSH
• larva růst a vývoj   MeSH
• mšice parazitologie   MeSH
• predátorské chování MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• vysoušení MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• hexany MeSH
• n-hexane MeSH Prohlížeč

A population of the gall midge Pumilomyia protrahenda De Stefani, 1919 causing galls on Artemisia arborescens (Asteraceae) was discovered near Palermo (Sicily) in 2008. This species had not been found since 1918. Detailed study of morphological characters of adults, larvae and pupae revealed that Pumilomyia protrahenda belongs to the genus Rhopalomyia Rübsaamen, 1892, tribe Rhopalomyiini. The monotypic genus Pumilomyia De Stefani, 1919 is therefore synonymized under Rhopalomyia Rübsaamen, 1892. Rhopalomyia protrahenda comb. n. is redescribed, with important morphological characters illustrated. Adults have one-segmented palpi, antennae with 12-13 short flagellomeres and long legs with simple tarsal claws. A neotype is designated in the present paper because the type of this species is lost. The host plant has a circum-Mediterranean distribution but the gall midge is currently known only from Sicily, where it completes several generations between January and May.

• Klíčová slova
• Artemisia arborescens, Italy, Rhopalomyia protrahenda, gall midge,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: A gall midge species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) inducing leaf bud galls on Magnolia kobus DC. var. borealis Sarg. (Magnoliaceae) was found in Hokkaido and northern Honshu, Japan. NEW INFORMATION: Based on its morphology, the species is regarded as an undescribed species of the genus Pseudasphondylia Monzen (Cecidomyiinae, Cecidomyiidi, Asphondyliini). The species is herein described as Pseudasphondylia saohimea Matsuda, Elsayed and Tokuda sp. n. The new species is easily distinguishable from its congeners by the number of adult palpal segments and the shape of the male terminalia and larval spatula.

• Klíčová slova
• Asphondyliina, Asphondyliini, gall midge, molecular phylogeny,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Strain CS-1T, a novel facultative anaerobic bacterium, was isolated from the larval gastrointestinal tract of the biting midge, Culicoides sonorensis, a vector of the epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus and the bluetongue virus. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, pleomorphic rods. Optimal growth occurred at pH 7.5 and 37 °C. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 38.3 mol%, estimated by using HPLC. The dominant cellular fatty acids were C14 : 0 (45.9 %) and C16 : 0 (26.6 %). The polar lipid profile comprised glycolipids, diphosphatidylglycerol, phospholipids and phosphoglycolipids. Respiratory quinones were not detected. Strain CS-1T had very low 16S rRNA gene similarity to members of the phylum Firmicutes: Macrococcus canis KM45013T (85 % similarity) and Turicibacter sanguinis MOL361T (88 % similarity). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, rpoB, gyrB genes, and conserved protein sequences of the whole genome revealed that strain CS-1T was related to members of the classes Bacilli and Erysipelotrichia within the phylum Firmicutes. Furthermore, average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization analyses of the whole genome revealed very low sequence similarity to species of Bacilli and Erysipelotrichaceae (Macrococcus canis KM45013T and Turicibacter sp. H121). These results indicate that strain CS-1T belongs to the phylum Firmicutes and represents a new species of a novel genus, family, order and class. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genomic characteristics, we propose the novel taxon Culicoidibacter larvae gen. nov., sp. nov. with the type strain CS-1T (=CCUG 71726T=DSM 106607T) within the hereby new proposed novel family Culicoidibacteraceae fam. nov., new order Culicoidibacaterales ord. nov. and new class Culicoidibacteria classis nov. in the phylum Firmicutes.

• Klíčová slova
• Culicoides, Firmicutes, larvae,
• MeSH
• Ceratopogonidae mikrobiologie   MeSH
• DNA bakterií genetika   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• Firmicutes klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• gastrointestinální trakt mikrobiologie   MeSH
• larva mikrobiologie   MeSH
• mastné kyseliny chemie   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S genetika   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• techniky typizace bakterií MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA bakterií MeSH
• mastné kyseliny MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S MeSH