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...

Cytogenetic and random amplified polymorphic DNA analyses carried out in the species Leptodactylus podicipinus, L. ocellatus, L. labyrinthicus, and L. fuscus from rural and urban habitats of the northwest region of São Paulo State, Brazil, showed that the karyotypes (2n = 22), constitutive heterochromatin distribution and nucleolus organizer region (NOR) location did not differ between the popu...

Plakobranchus papua Meyers-Muñoz & van der Velde, sp. n. from West Papua (Papua Barat province, Indonesia), is described based on its external morphology, colour pattern, internal anatomy, radula and reproductive system. In a molecular phylogenetic study specimens of this new species were compared with those of ten candidate taxa under the name Plakobranchus ocellatus van Hasselt, 1824. DNA ana...

This paper presents a study on the viability of the use of tissues of the Leptodactylus ocellatus species (Anura Leptodactylidae) as a bioindicator of metal pollution. The study is based on the determination and correlation of the concentrations of manganese, chromium, zinc, nickel, copper and iron in sediments and tissues (skin, muscles and viscera) of the frog Leptodactylus ocellatus collecte...

Envenoming by Echis saw-scaled viper is the leading cause of death and morbidity in Africa due to snake bite. Despite its medical importance, there have been few investigations into the toxin composition of the venom of this viper. Here, we report the cloning of cDNA sequences encoding four groups or isoforms of the haemostasis-disruptive Serine protease proteins (SPs) from the venom glands of ...