The sea slug Plakobranchus ocellatus (Sacoglossa, Gastropoda) retains photosynthetically active chloroplasts from ingested algae (functional kleptoplasts) in the epithelial cells of its digestive gland for up to 10 months. While its feeding behavior has not been observed in natural habitats, two hypotheses have been proposed: 1) adult P. ocellatus uses kleptoplasts to obtain photosynthates and ...

Among vertebrate animals, only the mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus) was known to self-fertilize. Here, we use microsatellite analyses to document a high selfing rate (97%) in a related nominal species, Kryptolebias ocellatus, which likewise is androdioecious (populations consist of males and hermaphrodites). In contrast, we find no evidence of self-fertilization in Kryptolebias caudom...

Snake bites in rural Nigeria are commonly treated with plant extracts. We have studied the ability of one such traditionally used plant (Parkia biglobosa; [Jacq.] Benth., Mimosaceae) to reduce the effects of two snake venoms (Naja nigricollis, and Echis ocellatus) in several experimental models. A water-methanol extract of P. biglobosa stem bark significantly (p<0.001) protected the chick biven...

This study documents unexpectedly low levels of intra and interpopulation genetic diversity in Kryptolebias ocellatus, an androdioecious and predominantly self-fertilizing killifish from south-eastern Brazil. This finding generally is inconsistent with the established opinion that the K. ocellatus and K. marmoratus clade originated in this geographic region and later dispersed northward into th...

We have investigated the expressions and distributions of leucine-enkephalin (Leu-enk), delta (δ), mu (μ), kappa (κ) opioid receptors immunoreactivities in respiratory, circulatory, excretory reproductive systems Octopus, Octopus ocellatus, by comparative immunohistochemical method enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that δ receptor Leu-enk were both detected branchia,...

Fifty-eight white-necked ravens (Corvus cryptoleucus) were examined for ectoparasites. Brueelia afzali and Philopterus ocellatus osborni were the most abundant mallophagans while Colpocephalum fregili and Myrsidea interruptus were the least common. The white-necked raven is listed as a new host for P. ocellatus osborni. Host sexual selection is indicated by statistical treatment of data obtaine...