Immunocompetent cells of earthworms, coelomocytes, comprise adherent amoebocytes and granular eleocytes (chloragocytes). Both cell populations can be expelled via dorsal pores of adult earthworms by exposure to an electric current (4.5 V) for 1 min. Analysis by phase contrast/fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated that eleocyte population of several species exhibits a strong au...

BACKGROUND Elimination of hazardous phenolic compounds using laccases has gained attention during recent decades. The present study was designed to evaluate the ability of the purified laccase from Paraconiothyrium variabile (PvL) for elimination of phenol and the endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A. Effect of laccase activity, pH, and temperature on the enzymatic removal of the mentioned...

Phylogenetic analyses were performed on the 17 taxa in the subtribe Brachysternina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Anoplognathini) as a means of resolving classification conflicts and of identifying monophyletic groups. Results demonstrated that the subtribe is monophyletic and is composed of three monophyletic genera: Aulacopalpus Guérin-Méneville (nine species), Brachysternus Guérin-Mén...

Molecular phylogenetic relationships among members of the odonate genus Libellula (Odonata: Anisoptera: Libellulidae) were examined using 735 bp of mitochondrial COI and 416 bp of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences. Considerable debate exists over several relationships within Libellula, as well over the status of two putative genera often placed as subgenera within Libellula: Ladona and Plathemis...

For over 80 years prior to the work of Cholodny (1924, 1926) the twisted ribbons of ferric hydroxide found in iron-bearing waters were described as living organisms of the genera Gallionella and Spirophyllum. These early observations have been conveniently summarized and evaluated by Pringsheim (1949), so that at the present time Spirophyllum may be considered synonymous with Gallionella. It re...

Recent field work and literature records have documented 99 species of lichens and three lichenicolous fungi new to Nebraska. The genera Acrocordia, Bispora, Canomaculina, Catillaria, Cladina, Leproloma, Lichinella, Megaspora, Muellerella, Placynthiella, Polysporina, Pseudevernia, Stigmidium, Strigula, and Vulpicida also represent first reports for the state. These records are summarized here a...