025450   OTTA S K, PRAVEEN P E, RAJ R A, PRIYA M S, AMARNATH C B, BHUVNESWARI T, PANIGRAHI A, RAVICHANDRAN P (Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai- 600 028, Email: subhendu@ciba.res.in) : Pythium insidiosum as a new opportunistic fungal pathogen for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Indian J Geo-Mar Sci 2018, 47(5), 1036-41.

The moribund shrimps were exhibiting yellow discoloration of the cephalothorax, blackening of gills and ulcers in the uropod and telson region. PCR for OIE listed viral pathogens ruled out known viral infections. No bacteria was present in haemolymph however, low level of Vibrios i.e. Vibrio harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus was found both in the water collected from the broodstock tanks and affected tissue region. Histopathological examination of affected tissues revealed presence of highly invasive fungal hyphae both by routine and specific fungal stain. PCR amplification of the ITS region (approximately 900 bp) and sequencing confirmed presence of Pythium insidiosum. Phylogenetic analysis of this isolate placed it among the environmental isolates.

4 illus, 27 ref

025498   EBADOLLAHI A (Mohaghegh Ardabili Univ, Ardabil, Iran, Email: Asgar.ebadollahi@gmail.com) : Fumigant toxicity and repellent effect of seed essential oil of celery against lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica F.. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 146-54.

The lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica F., is one of the most serious stored-products insect pests throughout the world. Application of chemical pesticides for controlling such pests has caused many side-effects such as environmental pollution, toxicity to non-target organisms and human health threats. Accordingly, several studies have been conducted to utilize the lower risk substitutes in the recent years. In the present study, chemical components of the essential oil extracted from seeds of celery (Apium graveolens L.) and its toxic and repellant effects were investigated on R. dominica. Chemical analysis of the essential oil by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) resulted in the identification of 29 compounds, in which αpinene (13.08 %), β-pinene (10.37 %), γ-3-carene (8.96 %), myristicin (35.41 %) and apiol (8.34 %) had a high amount. Celery essential oil has a significant toxicity on the adults of R. dominica. The lethal concentration to kill 50 % insect population (LC₅₀) was estimated as 53.506 (48.131 - 59.670) μl/l after 24 h exposure time. This value decreased to 33.285 (29.636 - 37.137) μl/l with increasing the time to 72 hours. The overall mortality rate is directly related to increasing the essential oil concentrations and exposure times. Investigating the repellency of the sub-lethal concentrations of essential oil displayed that the highest repellent percentage (70 ± 3.54) was attained with a concentration of 47.764 μl/l at 6 h. Due to considerable toxicity and repellency against R. dominica, the essential oil of celery seeds may be pondered as a potential bio-rational agent for management of this pest.

2 illus, 3 tables, 40 ref

025497   NAEEM S, GHONEIM A, ABD-ALLAH G, HASSAN O (Zoology Dep, Damietta Univ, Egypt, Email: am_ghoneim@du.edu.eg) : Testosterone levels and the genetic variation of sex hormone-binding globulin gene of Bubalus bubalis, bulls in Egypt. J Genet 2018, 97(1), 299-305.

Testosterone is the main plasma androgen produced and secreted by male testis. To be bioactive, it binds to sex hormonebinding globulin (SHBG), i.e. the major transporter protein of sex steroids in the blood of mammals and other vertebrate species. Firstly, this study aimed to determine the levels of testosterone in different-age groups of buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) in Egypt, and secondly to screen the genetic polymorphisms in their SHBG gene and to investigate whether these polymorphisms are associated with the level of the circulating serum testosterone. Blood samples were collected from 67 Egyptian buffalo bulls representing four different age-groups and testosterone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. Selected DNA samples from different age-groups were sequenced for the full length of their SHBG gene. A significant increase in the concentration of serum testosterone in buffalo bulls was recorded with the advancement of age from 12/18 to 24/36 months. Based on the number of polymorphisms in SHBG gene, the current study reveals the presence of three bull genotypes, of which one is likely to be associated with low testosterone concentration, while other is likely to be associated with an increased testosterone concentration. Such genetic associations can provide a good tool for the selection of bull genotypes with higher testosterone concentrations, which are indispensible for breeding purposes.

1 illus, 3 tables, 33 ref

025496   MA W, JIANG Y, MENG J, ZHAO H, SONG H, SHEN J (Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi-030 031,China, Email: mwhuachina@163.com) : Expression characterization and localization of the foraging gene in the Chinese bee, Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 47.

In social insects, the foraging gene (for) regulates insect age- and task-based foraging behaviors. We studied the expression and localization of the for gene (Acfor) in Apis cerana cerana workers to explore whether the differential regulation of this gene is associated with the behaviors of nurses and foragers. The expression profiles of Acfor in different tissues and at different ages were examined using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cellular localization in the brain was detected using in situ hybridization. Acfor transcripts in different ages workers showed that Acfor expression was detected in all the heads of 1- to 30-d-old worker bees. Acfor expression reached a peak at 25 d of age, and then declined with increasing age. The results showed that Acfor gene expression in five tissues was respectively significantly higher in foragers than in nurses. In nurses, the relative expression of Acfor was the highest in the antennae. There was a highly significant difference in expression between antennae, legs, and the other three tissues. In foragers, Acfor expression was the highest in the thorax, which was significantly different from all other tissues. In situ hybridization showed that Acfor was highly expressed in the lamina of the optic lobes, in a central column of Kenyon cells in the mushroom bodies of the brain of workers, and in the antennal lobes. This suggested that Acfor expression affects age-related foraging behavior in Apis cerana cerana, and that it may be related to flight activity.

3 illus, 37 ref

025495   HONG M, HWANG D, CHO S (Applied Biology Dep, Kangwon National Univ, Kangwon-do 200–701, South Korea, Email: saeyoullcho@kangwon.ac.k) : Hemocyte morphology and cellular immune response in termite (Reticulitermes speratus). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 46.

Because termites (Reticulitermes speratus) are very small, it is difficult to conduct experiments involving pathogen injection and hemocyte collection. Therefore, to observe hemocyte-mediated immune responses against foreign substances, in vitro hemocyte culture is essential. After collecting about 3 μl of hemolymph, hemocytes were cultured for 7 d, during which the cells maintained full function. Four types of hemocyte were identified, namely, granulocytes, plasmatocytes, oenocytoids, and prohemocytes, among which granulocytes are the main immune hemocytes that fight invasion by foreign substances. Most hemocytes were alive and/or functioning after 7 d of culture, but then either died or lost function.

4 illus, 25 ref

025494   ZHAO J, ZHU F, YAN S (Mechanical Engineering Dep, Tsinghua Univ, Beijing-100 084, China, Email: yansz@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn) : Honeybees prefer to steer on a smooth wall with Tetrapod Gaits. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 45.

Insects are well equipped in walking on complex three-dimensional terrain, allowing them to overcome obstacles or catch prey. However, the gait transition for insects steering on a wall remains unexplored. Here, we find that honeybees adopted a tetrapod gait to change direction when climbing a wall. On the contrary to the common tripod gait, honeybees propel their body forward by synchronously stepping with both middle legs and then both front legs. This process ensures the angle of the central axis of the honeybee to be consistent with the crawling direction. Interestingly, when running in an alternating tripod gait, the central axis of honeybee sways around the center of mass under alternating tripod gait to maintain stability. Experimental results show that tripod, tetrapod, and random gaits result in the amazing consensus harmony on the climbing speed and gait stability, whether climbing on a smooth wall or walking on smooth ground.

4 illus, 23 ref

025493   ZHAO Q, WANG J, WANG M-Q, CAI B, ZHANG H-F, WEI J-F (Entomology Dep, Shanxi Agricultural Univ, Shanxi- 030 801, China, Email: zh_hufang@sohu.com) : Complete mitochondrial genome of Dinorhynchus dybowskyi (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae) and phylogenetic analysis of pentatomomorpha species. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 44.

Dinorhynchus dybowskyi (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae) is used as a biological control agent against various insect pests for its predatory. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species was sequenced using the next-generation sequencing technology. The results showed that the mitogenome is 15,952 bp long, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and a control region. Furthermore, the gene order and orientation of this mitogenome are identical to those of most heteropterans. There are 21 intergenic spacers (of length 1–28 bp) and 13 overlapping regions (of length 1–23 bp) throughout the genome. The control region is 1,291 bp long. The start codon of the PCGs is ATN, except cox1 (TTG), and stop codon is TAA, except nad1 (TAG). The 22 tRNAs exhibit a typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except trnS1, which lacks a dihydrouridine (DHU) arm and trnV, where the DHU arm forms a simple loop. The analyses based on nucleotide sequences of the 13 PCGs by Bayesian Inference and maximum likelihood methods. The results support the monophyly of five superfamilies Aradoidea, Pentatomoidea, Pyrrhocoroidea, Lygaeoidea, and Coreoidea. Within Pentatomoidea, the relationship observed is as follows: (Plataspidae + Urostylididae) + (Pentatomidae + (Acanthosomatidae + (Cydnidae + (Scutelleridae + (Dinidoridae + Tessaratomidae))))), and D. dybowskyi was placed in Pentatomidae and close to Eurydema gebleri.

8 illus, 5 tables, 56 ref

025492   CHEN H, LIU Y, WANG W, OLATUNJI O J, PAN G, OUYANG Z (Jiangsu Univ, China, Email: zhenouyang@ujs.edu.cn) : Proteomic-based approach to the proteins involved in 1-deoxynojirimycin accumulation in silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 42.

1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) is the most abundant poly-hydroxylated alkaloid in the latex of mulberry leaves and it protects mulberry from insect predation. However, silkworms can survive the poisoning effect of DNJ and accumulate DNJ by consumption of the mulberry leaves. In order to determine the molecular mechanism of DNJ accumulation in silkworm, comparative proteomic analysis was employed to evaluate protein expression in two groups of silkworm bodies (the third instar silkworm bodies had the maximum content of DNJ throughout life, and the newly hatched silkworm bodies had no DNJ). Our results indicated some differentially expressed proteins in the third instar silkworm involved in material metabolism, energy metabolism, oxidation-reduction, detoxification, immune, and transport regulation may correspond to the accumulation of DNJ. Furthermore, the expression levels of five selected differentially expressed protein-encoding genes namely heat shock cognate protein (Hsp 70), glutathione S-transferase sigma 1 (GST), serine protease precursor (Ser), hemolymph protein (30K), and thiol peroxiredoxin (TPx) were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR and the accumulation of DNJ was measured by HPLC. Correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of Hsp70 and Ser were negatively correlated to DNJ accumulation with weak correlation, while 30K, GST, and TPx genes had positive correlation with DNJ accumulation. The findings suggested that these three proteins were probably important in the physiological process of DNJ accumulation in silkworm.

3 illus, 2 tables, 32 ref

025491   TAN Y, JIA B, CHI Y-M, HAN H-B, ZHOU X-R, PANG B-P (Inner Mongolian Agricultural Univ, Hohhot-010 019, China, Email: pangbp@imau.edu.cn) : The complete mitochondrial genome of the plant bug Lygus pratensis Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 41.

Lygus pratensis is a phytophagous pest responsible for yield losses in Bt alfalfa and other economic crops in Northwestern China. To better characterize Miridae at the genomic level, the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of L.  pratensis was sequenced and analyzed in this study. The mt genome was amplified via the polymerase chain reaction to generate overlapping fragments. These fragments were then sequenced, spliced, and analyzed to include the examination of nucleotide composition, codon usage, compositional biases, protein-coding genes (PCGs), and RNA secondary structures. Phylogenetic relationships between L.  pratensis and other species in different Heteroptera families were also examined. The mt genome was found to be a typical circular genome with a length of 16,591 bp and a total AT content of 75.1 %, encoded for 13 PCGs, 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (lrRNA and srRNA), and a noncoding control region. The nucleotide composition of the entire mt genome was heavily biased toward A and T. All of the tRNAs were predicted to have classic clover leaf structures, but three of the tRNAs (tRNA^Asn, tRNA^His, tRNA^His) were missing the TΨC loop. The control region (2,017 bp), which was found to be located between 12S and tRNA Ile, contained three tandem repeat elements. Phylogenetic analyses showed that L. pratensis is closely related to the other three examined Lygus bugs, and that it is a sister group to Apolygus and Adelphocoris. This study confirms the usability of the mt genome in phylogenesis studies pertaining to the Lygus genus, within Miridae.

5 illus, 3 tables, 49 ref

025490   HAGLER J R, THOMPSON A L, STEFANEK M A, MACHTLEY S A (1 Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, Email: james.hagler@ars.usda.gov) : Use of body-mounted cameras to enhance data collection: An evaluation of two arthropod sampling techniques. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 40.

A study was conducted that compared the effectiveness of a sweepnet versus a vacuum suction device for collecting arthropods in cotton. The study differs from previous research in that body-mounted action cameras (B-MACs) were used to record the activity of the person conducting the arthropod collections. The videos produced by the B-MACs were then analyzed with behavioral event recording software to quantify various aspects of the sampling process. The sampler’s speed and the number of sampling sweeps or vacuum suctions taken over a fixed distance (12.2 m) of cotton were two of the more significant sampling characteristics quantified for each method. The arthropod counts obtained, combined with the analyses of the videos, enabled us to estimate arthropod sampling efficiency for each technique based on fixed distance, time, and sample unit measurements. Data revealed that the vacuuming was the most precise method for collecting arthropods in the relatively small cotton research plots. However, data also indicates that the sweepnet method would be more efficient for collecting most of the cotton-dwelling arthropod taxa, especially if the sampler could continuously sweep for at least 1 min or ≥80 m (e.g., in larger research plots). The B-MACs are inexpensive and non-cumbersome, the video images generated are outstanding, and they can be archived to provide permanent documentation of a research project. The methods described here could be useful for other types of field-based research to enhance data collection efficiency.

5 illus, 20 ref

025489   TIROESELE B, SKODA S R, HUNT T E, LEE D J, ULLAH M I, MOLINA-OCHOA J, FOSTER J E (USDA-ARS-KBUSLIRL, Kerrville, Email: steve.skoda@ars.usda.gov) : Morphological and genetic analysis of four color morphs of bean leaf beetle. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 39.

Bean leaf beetle (BLB), Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), exhibits considerable color variation but little is known about the underlying genetic structure and gene flow among color phenotypes. Genetic and morphological variation among four color phenotypes—green with spots (G+S), green without spots (G-S), red with spots (R+S) and red without spots (R-S)—were analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and morphometrics, respectively. AFLP generated 175 markers that showed ≥80 % polymorphism. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that genetic variation was greatest within phenotypes (82.6–84.0 %); gene flow among the four phenotypes was relatively high (N_m = 3.82). The dendrogram and STRUCTURE analysis indicated some population divergence of G-S from the other phenotypes. Morphological parameters were similar among phenotypes except that R+S showed significant differences in weight and body-length. Canonical variables 1 and 2, based on average morphometric characters, accounted for 98 % of the total variation; some divergence was indicated between G+S and R+S from each other and from the G-S/R-S BLB color morphs. The pattern of genetic variation indicated potential divergence of G-S and G+S from each other and from R-S and R+S. Although these results indicate that the four different color morphs are not genetically or reproductively isolated, there is some genetic differentiation/structure and morphological dissimilarity suggesting weak/incomplete isolation.

4 illus, 7 tables, 42 ref

025488   ONG S-Q, JAAL Z (Univ Sains Malaysia, Malaysia, Email: songguan26@gmail.com) : Larval age and nutrition affect the susceptibility of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) to temephos. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 38.

Larval age and nutrition significantly affected the insect’s physiology. These influences are important when rearing a population of vectors that is used to monitor the resistance level, in which standardized conditions are crucial for a more harmonized result. Little information has been reported on the effects of larval age and nutrition on the susceptibility of insects to insecticides, and therefore, we studied the effects on the susceptibility of Culex quinquefasciatus Say’s (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae to temephos by comparing the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) after 24 hr between the second and fourth instar larvae and between the larvae that fed on protein-based and carbohydrate-based larval diets. The susceptibility of the larvae was significantly affected by the larval diets, as the larvae that fed on protein-based beef food and milk food demonstrated significantly higher LC₅₀ value compared with the larvae that fed on carbohydrate-based food: lab food and yeast food. The larval diet interacted significantly with the larval age: while the second instar larvae were susceptible to temephos when supplied with carbohydratebased food, the second and fourth instar larvae had no significant effect when supplied with protein-based diets, implying that a protein-rich environment may cause the mosquito to be less susceptible to temephos. This study suggested the importance of standardizing nutrition when rearing a vector population in order to obtain more harmonized dosage–response results in an insecticide resistance monitoring program. Future research could focus on the biochemical mechanism between the nutrition and the enzymatic activities of the vector.

3 tables, 30 ref

025487   FANG Y, WANG J, LUO C, WANG R (Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China, Email: rwang1105@126.com) : Lethal and sublethal effects of clothianidin on the development and reproduction of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MED and MEAM1. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 37.

The Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) cryptic species complex includes important crop pests, and among them, the cryptic species Mediterranean (MED) and Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) cause substantial crop losses in China. The second-generation neonicotinoid clothianidin acts as an agonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the insect nervous system and has both stomach and contact activity. In this study, the toxicity of clothianidin and five other insecticides to MED and MEAM1 was examined. The sublethal effects of clothianidin on the development and reproduction of MED and MEAM1 were also investigated. Among the six insecticides tested, clothianidin showed toxicities to both MED and MEAM1 adults with LC₅₀ values of 5.23 and 5.18 mg/liter, respectively. The sublethal effects of clothianidin were assessed by treating MED and MEAM1 adults with the LC₂₅ of 1.58 and 1.13 mg/liter, respectively. The LC₂₅ treatments accelerated the development of the F₁ generation but reduced survival and fecundity of both species. Our results indicate that clothianidin could be useful for the management of B. tabaci MED and MEAM1.

1 illus, 3 tables, 53 ref

025486   PONCIO S, MONTOYA P, CANCINO J, NAVA D E (Embrapa Clima Temperado, Brazil, Email: dori.edson-nava@embrapa.br) : Best host age of Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae) for multiplication of four native parasitoids from the Americas. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 36.

The success of the mass rearing of parasitoids is directly related to host quality, and it requires selecting the best biological host age to ensure the optimal performance of the parasitoids released into the field. The larval development of the parasitoids Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Odontosema anastrephae Borgmeier (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae) and the pupal development of the parasitoids Coptera haywardi (Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) and Dirhinus sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) on the native host Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in different larvae and pupae ages were investigated under laboratory conditions. Not all parasitoid species developed with the same efficiency in immature individuals of A. obliqua; U. anastrephae and C. haywardi showed the higher parasitism rates. The emergence and parasitism of U. anastrephae were equal using larvae from 5 to 8 d, while C. haywardi reared in 1- to 8-d-old pupae showed higher averages of parasitism. These results suggest that native parasitoids can be used to strengthen the implementation of biological control projects against A. obliqua, a pest of economic importance in South America.

3 illus, 2 tables, 68 ref

025485   SHAMAKHI L, ZIBAEE A, KARIMI-MALATI A, HODA H (Plant Protection Dep, Guilan Univ, Rasht 41635-1314, Iran, Email: arash.zibaee@guilan.ac.ir) : A laboratory study on the modeling of temperature dependent development and antioxidant system of Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 35.

The developmental rates of Chilo suppressalis (Walker; Lepidoptera: Crambidae) were investigated at different constant temperatures of 11, 18, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32, 34, and 36 °C to find out temperature thresholds, thermal requirements and larval antioxidant responses. The time to complete immature stages separately reduced by raising the rearing temperature except for eggs which showed no significant differences at 30–34 °C. Data analysis by traditional and Ikemoto–Takai linear models determined Tmin of 10.0 and 9.92 °C as well as thermal constants of 840.34 and 848.0 DD for the overall immature stages. The models including Analytis, Briere-2, Lactin-2, and Sharpe–Schoolfield–Ikemoto (SSI) calculated Tmin values of 9.15, 9.57, 10.0, and 11.37 °C for overall immature stages while Tfast was found to be 33.8, 33.3, 33.7, and 33.0°C, respectively. Tmax was calculated as 35.12, 34.66, 34.56, 36.84, 34.11, and 35.15 °C for Analytis, Briere-2, Lactin-2, SSI, Logan-6, and Logan-10. Topt using SSI was calculated as 24.42 °C for total developmental time. The larvae exposure to 34 °C in the short-term period demonstrated the highest activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase compared to control (24 °C). Activities of ascorbate peroxidase and glucose-6-phosphate hydrogenase also increased at 34 °C in the short-term period for all preparations. The larvae exposed to 34 °C in short-term period showed the highest amounts of Malondialdehyde and oxidized and reduced thiols (RSSR/RSH) ratio compared to control. These results may be useful to explain potentially ecological performance of C. suppressalis as the major pest of rice in Iran.

5 illus, 3 tables, 47 ref

025484   MCQUEEN E W, MOREHOUSE N I (Biological Sciences Dep, Pittsburgh Univ, Pittsburgh, Email: ewo3@pitt.edu) : Rapid divergence of wing volatile profiles between subspecies of the butterfly Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 33.

Complex signaling traits such as pheromone profiles can play an important role in the early stages of reproductive isolation between populations. These signals can diverge along multiple trait axes, and signal receivers are often sensitive to subtle differences in signal properties. In the Lepidoptera, prior research has highlighted that natural selection can drive rapid chemical signal divergence, for instance via mate recognition to maintain species boundaries. Much less is known about the occurrence of such changes for predominantly sexually selected chemical signals, such as those released by many male lepidopterans. We evaluated the divergence in male and female wing volatile profiles between two recently isolated subspecies of the pierid butterfly Pieris rapae Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Pieridae): P. rapae rapae and P. rapae crucivora. In laboratory settings, these subspecies exhibit strong premating isolation, with females rejecting males of the opposite subspecies despite the fact that males direct equivalent courtship effort toward females of either subspecies. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, we analyzed the volatile chemical profiles of individual males and females of each subspecies. We find that males of each subspecies differ in their wing volatile profiles, including quantitative differences in a male sex pheromone, ferrulactone. In contrast, female wing volatiles profiles have diverged significantly less. These sexspecific patterns suggest that male chemical profiles may play a role in the observed premating isolation between these two subspecies, providing support for future investigations of sexually selected chemical traits in population divergence.

4 illus, 5 tables, 56 ref

025483   GILBERT M J, SAMWAYS M J (Citrus Research International, South Africa, Email: mg@cri.co.za) : Mature larval dispersal and adult emergence of the economically significant pest, Scirtothrips aurantii faure (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in commercial citrus. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 32.

Scirtothrips aurantii Faure (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a major pest of citrus fruit in subtropical southern Africa. Population monitoring is an important aspect of S. aurantii control, but additional information is required on its phenology. Dispersal of mature larvae onto the soil surface from the tree canopy, and emergence of adults, were assessed using dispersal/emergence (D/E) traps in an untreated citrus orchard in South Africa. Overall, 90.7 % of adult Thysanoptera emerging from soil / leaf litter beneath the citrus trees were S. aurantii, of which 35.7 % were males, and 64.3 % were females. Female S. aurantii having survived winter as adults oviposited on the early spring flush. This resulted in the first population peak of larvae dropping to the ground to pupate and adults emerging in spring, September to early October, as the first vegetative flush of the citrus-growing season hardened, and fruit was set as blossoming ended. Initial infestation of young fruit occurred after a build-up of larval numbers on the soft citrus flush late July to early August. The second generation larval and adult peak occurred late November to early December, whether there was new flush or not, as young fruit could support the S. aurantii population. A third peak occurred mid-December to late January, depending on year. Thus, there were three generations of S. aurantii during the period of citrus fruit susceptibility to thrips damage (September–January). After the autumn flush in April, another peak of larvae and adults occurred before the population declined to a minimum from May to July.

3 illus, 2 tables, 32 ref

025482   NEMATI-KALKHORAN M, RAZMJOU J, BORZOUI E, NASERI B (Plant Protection Dep, Mohaghegh Ardabili Univ, Ardabil, Iran, Email: razmjou@uma.ac.ir) : Comparison of life table parameters and digestive physiology of Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) fed on various barley cultivars. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 31.

In this study, the effect of 20 barley cultivars were evaluated on the life table parameters and digestive enzymatic activity of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) under laboratory conditions (28 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5 % RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h). Among barley cultivars tested developmental time of R. dominica immature stages was longest on cultivar Bahman (61.00) and shortest on Mahoor (46.60 d). The lowest realized fecundities were recorded for insects reared on cultivar Bahman (217.60); and the highest ones were observed for insects reared on Sahra (348.05 eggs/female). The net reproductive rate (R₀ ) was significantly affected by various barley cultivars being lowest on cultivar Bahman (53.98) and highest on Mahoor (146.79 offspring/ female). Records for intrinsic rates of increase (r_m) were lowest on cultivar Dasht (0.043) and the highest on Mahoor (0.066 day⁻¹). The highest levels of amylolytic and proteolytic activity were recorded on cultivars Mahoor and EBYT92-10, respectively. By contrast, the insects reared on cultivars Dasht had the lowest levels of α-amylase and general protease activity. Correlation analyses showed that high correlations existed between the immature period, adult longevity, fecundity, and life table parameters on one side and protein content and particle size index on the other. The results of our experiments showed that cultivar Mahoor was a relatively susceptible and cultivars Bahman and Dasht were relatively resistant to R. dominica which could be useful in the development of IPM programs for this pest in store.

3 illus, 5 tables, 50 ref

025481   CORNELIVS M L (Beltsville Agriculture Research Center, Beltsville, Email: mary.cornelius@ars.usda.gov) : Ovipositional preferences of two squash bug species, Anasa tristis and Anasa armigera (Heteroptera: Coreidae), for different cultivars and species of Cucurbitaceae. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 30.

The ovipositional preferences of two squash bug species, Anasa tristis (DeGeer) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) and Anasa armigera Say (Heteroptera: Coreidae), were evaluated in paired choice tests of different species and cultivars of plants in the family Cucurbitaceae. Females of A. tristis preferred to oviposit on the cultivar from which they were reared over three other cultivars of the same species. However, females did not show any ovipositional preference for different cultivars when they had no previous exposure to either cultivar. Females of A. tristis were equally likely to oviposit on Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, and Cucurbita moschata but were significantly more likely to oviposit on C. pepo than on cucumber and watermelon. Females of A. armigera were equally likely to oviposit on C. pepo or cucumber, regardless of the species they were reared on. When A. armigera was reared on C. pepo, females were more likely to oviposit on C. maxima than on cucumber and less likely to oviposit on C. moschata than on cucumber.

5 illus, 1 table, 31 ref

025480   PARYS K A, LUTTRELL R G, SNODGRASS G L, PORTILLA M R (USDA ARS Southern Insect Management Research Unit, Stoneville, MS, Email: katherine.parys@ars.usda.gov) : Patterns of tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in the lower Mississippi delta for 2008-2015: Linkage to pyrethroid use and cotton insect management. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 29.

Populations of tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), from the Lower Mississippi Delta regions of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi were evaluated from 2008 through 2015 for susceptibility to pyrethroid insecticides using a diagnostic-dose assay with permethrin. Resulting data add to the compilation of pyrethroid susceptibility data carefully tracked in this pest since 1994 and provide continuing evidence of high frequencies of pyrethroid resistance in field populations of the tarnished plant bug. Resistance levels are variable, and some populations remain susceptible suggesting practical value in the continued use of the diagnostic-dose assays prior to pyrethroid treatments. Recent studies with dose–response models suggest that levels of pyrethroid resistance in some populations may still be evolving, with some populations requiring higher doses to reach levels of control comparable to those observed 10 yr ago. Concerns for frequent use of multiple classes of insecticides and possible selection for tarnished plant bugs with metabolic resistance mechanisms capable of detoxifying available insecticide chemistries warrant continued efforts to manage resistance in this important crop pest. Associations among measured pyrethroid resistance levels, published data on annual use of pyrethroid insecticides, and annual estimates of cotton insect losses and control costs were explored and summarized for the 8 yr of this investigation. Mortality of tarnished plant bugs at the diagnostic-dose of permethrin was negatively correlated with kilograms of pyrethroids applied per acre of harvested cropland.

3 illus, 6 tables, 44 ref

025479   ZHAO Y, REN G, CHENG Z, HUANG G, LI J (Agricultural Univ of Hebei, Hebei-071 001, P. R. China, Email: lijing1976416514@163.com) : Taxonomy of Aulacochilus (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Erotylinae) from China, With a key based on adult characters. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 27.

The history of taxonomy of Aulacochilus from China was reviewed. A key based on adult characters to separate the Chinese species of this genus is presented. A map of the collecting sites in China is given. One new species, Aulacochilus xingtaiensis sp. nov., from China is described and illustrated.

13 illus, 17 ref

025478   WANG F, CHAMBI C, LI Z, HUANG C, MA Y, LI C, TIAN X, SANGIJA F, NTAMBO M S, KANKONDA O M, HAFEEZ S, ANWAR T, SHARIF R (Yangtze Univ, Jingzhou-434 025, China, Email: xiaohait@sina.com) : Influence of supplemental protein on the life expectancy and reproduction of the Chinese citrus fruit fly, Bactrocera minax (Enderlein) (Tetradacus minax) (Diptera: Tephritidae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 25.

Bactrocera minax (Enderlein) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a major citrus pest in China, whose artificial rearing technology of the adult is not well documented to date. In this study, we tried to determine if supplementing proteins to the adult diet could result in the enhancement of some fitness parameters of B. minax. Four feeds with varying protein source were provided as F0 (water), F1 (sucrose), F2 (sucrose + yeast), and F3 (sucrose + peptone). F0 and F1 being the control, F2 and F3 were protein food types. The results showed that adults fed by F2 and F3 lived longer with 40.1 d and 32.8 d, respectively, had reduced death rates (death peaks were delayed for 5.6 d and 4.1 d, respectively), increased mating frequencies (8.1 and 5.3 per females, 4.7 and 7.3 per males, respectively), and longer mating durations (with 42 d and 34 d). In addition, females recorded an increased adult ovary development, more egg load (with 94.8 and 77.3 brood eggs per ovary) and to greater oviposition rates of 63.2 eggs/female and 19.3 eggs/female. Based on our results, protein supplements enhanced B. minax survival, mating, and fecundity. This study does not only provide basic knowledge to implement artificial rearing of B. minax, but also deepens our understanding on its physiology that could be used to enhance the management of the pest.

4 illus, 5 tables, 56 ref

025477   SHEN D, WANG L, JI J, LIU Q, AN C (Entomology Dep, China Agricultural Univ, Beijing-100 193, P.R. China, Email: anchunju@cau.edu.cn) : Identification and characterization of C-type lectins in Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 24.

C-type lectins (CTLs) are a large family of calcium-dependent carbohydrate-binding proteins. They function primarily in cell adhesion and immunity by recognizing various glycoconjugates. We identified 14 transcripts encoding proteins with one or two CTL domains from the transcriptome from Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée; Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Among them, five (OfCTL-S1 through S5) only contain one CTL domain, the remaining nine (OfIML-1 through 9) have two tandem CTL domains. Five CTL-Ss and six OfIMLs have a signal peptide are likely extracellular while another two OfIMLs might be cytoplasmic. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that OfCTL-Ss had 1:1 orthologs in Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera species, but OfIMLs only clustered with immulectins (IMLs) from Lepidopteran. Structural modeling revealed that the 22 CTL domains adopt a similar double-loop fold consisting of β-sheets and α-helices. The key residues for calcium-dependent or independent binding of specific carbohydrates by CTL domains were predicted with homology modeling. Expression profiles assay showed distinct expression pattern of 14 CTLs: the expression and induction were related to the developmental stages and infected microorganisms. Overall, our work including the gene identification, sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, structural modeling, and expression profile assay would provide a valuable basis for the further functional studies of O. furnacalis CTLs.

5 illus, 2 tables, 50 ref

025476   WU H, JIANG F-Z, GUO J-X, YI J-Q, LIU J-B, CAO Y-S, LAI X-S, ZHANG G-R (Sun Yat-Sen Univ, China, Email: zhanggr@mail.sysu.edu.cn) : Molecular characterization and expression of vitellogenin and vitellogenin receptor of Thitarodes pui (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), An insect on the Tibetan plateau. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 23.

Vitellogenin (Vg) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) play important roles in the vitellogenesis of insects. In this study, we cloned and characterized the two corresponding genes (TpVg and TpVgR) in an economically important insect, Thitarodes pui (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), from the Tibetan plateau. The full length of TpVg is 5566 bp with a 5373 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 1,790 amino acids. Sequence alignment revealed that TpVg has three conserved domains: a Vitellogenin_N domain, a DUF1943 domain, and a von Willebrand factor type D domain (VWD). The full length of TpVgR is 5732 bp, with a 5397 bp ORF encoding 1798 amino acids. BLASTP showed that TpVgR belongs to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene superfamily. Structural analysis revealed that TpVgR has a group of four structural domains: a ligand-binding domain (LBD), an epidermal growth factor (EGF)–precursor homology domain, a transmembrane (TM) domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. In addition, TpVgR has four cysteine-rich LDL repeats in the first ligand-binding site and seven in the second. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the expression levels of TpVg and TpVgR are much higher in later pupa than in either the larval or adult stage, implying that the synthesis and uptake of Vg in T. pui occurs in the later pupal stage. These results will help us to understand the molecular mechanism of the reproductive capacity and will provide new insight into the mass rearing and utilization of T. pui.

5 illus, 38 ref

025475   LIU Y-Q, CHEN D-B, LIU H-H, HU H-L, BIAN H-X, ZHANG R-S, YANG R S, JIANG X F, SHI S L (Shenyang Agricultural Univ, Shenyang-110 866, China, Email: shishenglin@126.com) : The complete mitochondrial genome of the longhorn beetle Dorysthenes paradoxus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Prionini) and the implication for the phylogenetic relationships of the Cerambycidae species. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 21.

The longhorn beetle Dorysthenes paradoxus (Faldermann, 1833) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is not only a serious agricultural pest but also a traditionally edible insect in China. However, no genetic information on this species has been acquired. In the present study, we report the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Do. paradoxus, as the first complete mitogenome of Prioninae. The circular mitogenome of 15,922 bp encodes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and it contains an A+T-rich region. This mitogenome exhibits the lowest A+T content (71.13 %) but harbors the largest AT skew (0.116) among the completely sequenced Cerambycidae species. Eleven of the 13 PCGs have a typical ATN start codon, whereas COI and ND1 are tentatively designated by AAT and TTG, respectively. Only 4 of the 13 PCGs harbor a complete termination codon, and the remaining 9 possess incomplete termination codons (T or TA). Apart from tRNASer(AGN), the other 21 tRNAs can fold into a typical clover-leaf secondary structures. The Do. paradoxus A+T-rich region contains two poly-T stretches and a tandem repeat that comprises two 47-bp-long copies. Both Bayesian inference and Maximum likelihood analyses confirmed the subfamily ranks of Cerambycidae ([Prioninae + Cerambycinae] + Lamiinae) and the close relationship between Philinae and Prioninae/Cerambycinae. However, the data did not support the monophyly of Prioninae and Cerambycinae. The mitogenome presented here provides basic genetic information for this economically important species.

3 illus, 3 tables, 37 ref

025474   PORTILLA M, GRODOITZ M (Agriculture Dep, Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, Email: maribel.portilla@ars.usda.gov) : Abridged life tables for Cephalonomia stephanoderis and Prorops nasuta (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) parasitoids of Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) reared on artificial diet. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 20.

Biological aspects and demographic parameters of Cephalonomia stephanoderis Betrem (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) and Prorops nasuta Waterston (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) parasitoids of the coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) were investigated using diet-reared CBB hosts. Developmental time from eggs to adults, oviposition, and postoviposition period were comparable for both parasitoids. However, P. nasuta had a considerably longer preoviposition and longevity period averaging 17.3 and 63.1 d, respectively. The reproductive rate for C. stephanoderis was 46.1 daughters per female with a mean generation time of 47.4 d, whereas P. nasuta had a reproductive rate of 18.3 daughters per female in a mean time of 58.6 d. Oviposition behavior was also different with C. stephanoderis typically ovipositing on CBB prepupae and pupae, while P. nasuta preferred prepupae and second-instar CBB larvae. An abridged cohort life table for both parasitoids was constructed for growth rates estimations.

3 illus, 5 tables, 38 ref

025473   SILVA D, SALAMANCA J, KYEYCZENKO-ROTH V, AIBORN H T, RODRIGUEZ-SAONA C (Rutgers Univ, Chatsworth, Email: crodriguez@aesop.rutgers.edu) : Comparison of trap types, placement, and colors for monitoring Anthonomus musculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults in highbush blueberries. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(2), 19.

The cranberry weevil, Anthonomus musculus Say (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a key (univoltine) pest of highbush blueberries in the northeast United States. To date, however, no trapping system has been developed to successfully monitor this pest. In 2012–2014, studies were conducted in commercial highbush blueberry farms in New Jersey to 1) evaluate the efficacy of various commercially available traps, designed for other weevil species (e.g., pepper weevil, plum curculio, boll weevil, red palm weevil, and black vine weevil), in capturing A. musculus adults; 2) test whether the relative location of traps within the blueberry canopy affects adult captures and 3) determine the effects of different colored (yellow, white, green, red, blue, brown, and black) sticky traps on weevil captures. For a comparison with existing techniques, we also monitored the number of overwintered adult weevils on blueberry bushes using beat sheet sampling. Of all traps and colors tested, the most A. musculus adults were caught on yellow sticky traps and more adults were captured when these traps were placed at the bottom half of the blueberry canopy, i.e., 0.5–1.0 m above ground. Most weevils were caught on colored traps late in the season (i.e., during bloom), which corresponds mostly to the second (summer) adult generation. Thus, number of overwintered adults caught on traps did not correlate with those on bushes. Although our study identified traps that can be used to capture A. musculus adults, these traps alone (i.e., without semiochemicals) have so far limited applicability for monitoring overwintered adult weevils in highbush blueberries.

6 illus, 3 tables, 42 ref

025472   MOHAMMAD S S, ABDUL-RAZZAQ M S, AL-JEBORRY M M (Babylon Univ, Iraq) : Study of phylogeny groups of Escherichia coli bacteria isolated from women vagina. Plant Arch 2018, 18(1), 616-20.

Detection of phylogeny group of Escherichia coli isolated from vagina of women suffered from vaginitis infection. In this study, collection about 130 vaginal swabs were obtained from women suffering from vaginitis infection with age (18-40 years) . Samples swab were cultured on culture media such as MacConkey and EMB agar for diagnosis, also used molecular method for identification phylogeny groups. Molecular identification based on PCR products were detected by electrophoresis by using 1 % agarose for 45mints with 70 volt and by using 100 bp marker ladder for determine size of amplification PCR products. In this study from 130 swabs isolated only 20(14.8 %) isolates diagnosis E.coli bacteria after culture on diagnosis culture media while by depending on molecular detection appear 14 (70 %) isolates belonging to groups B₂ Escherichia coli, 5(25 %) isolates belong to group A and 1 (5 %) belong to group B₁ bacterial type while no appear any isolates belong to group D bacterial type.

3 illus, 2 tables, 22 ref

025471   SENOUCL H, BOUNACEUR F (Biology Dep, University Ibn Khaldoun, Algeria, Email: ha-senouci@outlook.fr) : Contribution to the study of diversity and abundance of Odonates in some wet biotopes in Tiaret region, Algeria. Plant Arch 2018, 18(1), 556-60.

Dragonflies and damselflies are beautiful colored insects, representing the order of Odonata, they are amphibiotic, predatory insects and considered as an important link in the functioning and dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. This research was realised by systematic monitoring during three successive months from April to Jun 2014 in the hydrographic system of Tiaret-Algeria. Sampling was carried from 09 stations in order to explore the species richness and diversity of Tiaret’s Odonata, which never has been explored before. A first list of 11 species has been established: 08 species of damselflies (sub order Zygoptera) belonging to 04 Families: Lestidae, Platcnimydae, Calopterigidae and Coanagronidaes and 03 species of dragonflies (sub order Anisoptera) belonging to 03 families: Ashenidae, Libelliludea and Gomphidaes.

3 illus, 3 tables, 33 ref

025455   PRAJAPATI D, BARELIYA P K, SINGH R P, YADAV R R, KUMAR P (Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior) : Effect of seed size and seed coat colour on orientational and ovipositional preference, development and survival of pulse beetle. Plant Arch 2018, 18(1), 207-10.

The adult orientation and egg deposition on the varieties of different seed coat colour under free choice condition showed significant effect of seed coat colour on orientation and oviposition by the pulse beetle. Varieties of dark brown in colour were less preferred for orientation and oviposition, followed by the varieties of brown in colour. Whereas, light yellow seeded varieties were most preferred by the beetle. There were no relationship between seed coated colour and survival of the beetle. The number of adults oriented on the varieties of different seed size was ranged 7.4 to 8.3 adults with no significant differences between them.

3 tables, 15 ref

025449   HASSAN J, AHANGAR M A (Zoology Dep, Sri Pratap Coll, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir) : Population dynamics of Tylenchus arcuates, Siddiqi, 1963 on some crops of Kashmir and its morphological redescription. Int J Multidiscip Res Dev 2018, 5(3), 113-5.

On evaluating the density fluctuations of a wide spread phytonematode species Tylenchus arcuates, Siddiqi, 1963, it was found with varied statistical parameters on some commercially important crops in Kashmir valley. On Crocus sativus the nematode was met with 86.6 % of absolute frequency, 16.7 % of relative prominence value and 87.6 % of mean intensity. In contrast the respective figures met on chillies were 80 %, 21 % and 63 %. The population was found to vary morphologically in the values of spear length and V.

1 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

025448   PANDURANGA G S, SHARMA K, SHARMA R K (Entomology Dep, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi-110 012, Email: kirtisharma2@yahoo.com) : Evaluation of liquid artificial larval diets for mass rearing of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coq.). Indian J Biochem Biophys 2018, 55(2), 125-31.

As a step towards increase production efficiency and quality over the storage, handling, and waste challenges of bulking agents in traditionally based ‘solid’ diets, a liquid diet with synthetic sponge cloths has been developed for mass rearing of Melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coq.) under laboratory condition. Several quantities of Brewer’s yeast (8.62, 11.51, 14.38 and 17.25 %), and sugar (4.47, 5.96, 7.45 and 8.94 %) were tested in liquid larval medium with or without wheat germ oil (WGO). The diets were assessed in terms of pupal yield (%), larval duration (days), pupal weight (gm), percent of adult emergence, active fliers, sex ratio, fecundity, and fertility. Among the different diets tested, larval rearing of B. cucurbitae on a liquid diet (LD-I) with 14.2g of brewer’s yeast, 7.35 g of sugar and wheat germ oil found most suitable. This diet resulted in significantly higher pupal weight with maximum adult emergence (81.00 %) and fliers (85.58 %). The addition of wheat germ oil to liquid diet increase fertility by 39 % and egg hatching by 15 %, over the control diet. The diet supplemented with linolenic acid (LD-II) resulted in the 68.85 % pupal recovery with 78.33 % adult emergence and 81.68 % fliers. Although, pupal recovery and weight increased with the increase of brewer’s yeast but resulted in the low adult emergence and poor fliers. In the present study, the quality parameters of melon fly reared in LD-I was found close to the recommended pre-irradiation standards of FAO/IAEA/USDA for sterilization of male flies.

2 illus, 2 tables, 36 ref

025447   HALDAR A, DAS M, CHATTERJEE R, DEY T K, DHAR P, CHAKRABARTI J (Zoology Dep, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Govt Coll, Siliguri- 734010, West Bengal, Email: janachakrabarti@gmail.com) : Functional properties of protein hydrolysates from fresh water mussel Lamellidens marginalis (Lam.). Indian J Biochem Biophys 2018, 55(2), 105-13.

Bioactive peptides from dietary proteins are used as nutraceuticals. An objective of the present investigation is to produce enzymatically hydrolysed bioactive peptides from the freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis (Lam.), an unconventional low cost protein source, using commercial food grade proteases such as alcalase® 2.4 L and pepsin. Functional characteristics which include protein solubility at different pH, emulsifying, foaming, fat absorption, water holding capacities and antioxidant activity of protein hydrolysates and isolates were evaluated for their utilisation in different food products. The mussel protein hydrolysates showed improved functional properties as evident from emulsifying and foaming capacities. Protein Solubility increased significantly at pH 7 in both hydrolysates of different time fractions. The antioxidative property as well as the free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing the antioxidant power of ultrafiltered (<3 kDa) hydrolysates at different concentrations demonstrated that pepsin has maximum efficacy. Biochemical analyses reveal that hydrolysates can be commercialized as a source of potential antioxidative nutraceuticals. Administration of such bioactive peptides in optimum doses may help to mitigate health ailments. Moreover, the therapeutic potential of bioactive peptides from L. marginalis has not yet been explored so much for translational research/applications. This scenario has prompted us to evaluate the potential of bioactive peptides from Lamellidens marginalis for nutraceutical therapy.

6 illus, 2 tables, 34 ref

025446   SETH E, KAUSHAL S, AHSAN A U, SHARMA V L, CHOPRA M (Zoology Dep, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh- 160 014, Email: zoologymani03@gmail.com) : Neuroprotective effects of Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa against cadmium toxicity by reducing oxidative stress and maintaining the histoarchitecture of neural tissue in BALB/c mice. Indian J Biochem Biophys 2018, 55(2), 95-104.

Herbal plants have various biological and pharmacological activities and are used as chemotherapeutic agents. Aegle marmelos (Lin.) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antigenotoxic properties due to its active phytoconstituents like marmenol, marmin, marmelosin, aegelin, marmelin etc. The present study investigates the protective potential of leaf extract of A. marmelos against cadmium-induced oxidative stress and histopathological manifestations involved in the neuronal tissue of BALB/c mice. Mice were given prophylactic and therapeutic treatments (pre and post) of two different doses (250 and 500 weight, i.p. for 5 mg/kg body weight) of A. marmelos to evaluate its protective efficacy against days) induced neurotoxicity by estimating various biochemical and histopathological CdSO parameters. 4 (5 mg/kg body Sub- lethal cadmium exposure caused a significant elevation in levels of lipid peroxidation, a noticeable decrease in enzymatic antioxidants (Catalase, Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione reductase, Glutathione –S-transferase) and non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione) antioxidants and marked structural alterations in neural tissue. A. marmelos pretreatment significantly (P≤ 0.01) reversed increased lipid peroxidation and attenuated the decreased enzymatic (P≤ 0.05) and non-enzymatic antioxidant markers (P≤ 0.05). Furthermore, pretreatment of A. marmelos also protected the histoarchitecture of neuronal tissue. Out of all the treatments, pretreatment was found to be more effective as compared to post-treatment, evidently seen in all biochemical assay (P≤ 0.05, two-way ANOVA). Taken together, these results indicate that Aegle marmelos could be used as a potential prophylactic agent for combating adverse effects of cadmium in neural tissue.

7 illus, 2 tables, 45 ref

025452   KAUR N, SINGLA N (Zoology Dep, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana- 141 004, Email: navdeepkaur@pau.edu) : Burrow structure of rodents in different crop fields of Punjab. Environ Ecol 2018, 36(2), 381-6.

The structure of eleven burrows of three different species of rodents i.e. the Indian gerbil, Tatera indica, the soft furred field rat, Millardia meltada and the lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis was studied in rice, wheat and pea crop fields of Punjab during the years 2013 to 2015. There was found variation in different burrow parameters such as the number of burrow openings, diameter of the openings, depth of burrow, total number of tunnels, total length of the tunnels, number of dead ends, turns and brood and food chambers among different rodent species as well as burrows of same species. However, in all the three species, the hoarded material found in the brood and food chambers greatly depended on the kind of surrounding crop and the nests were found at certain depths in the ground.

1 illus, 2 tables, 8 ref

025445   NEMATZADEH K, AHMADIFARAD N, SAMADI N, AGH N, GHADERPOUR S (Fisheries Dep, Urmia Univ, Urmia, Iran, Email: n.ahmadifard@urmia.ac.ir) : The effects of zinc-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth and mineral composition of marine rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis. Int J Aquat Biol 2018, 6(2), 88- 94.

Rotifers are important zooplankton in commercial finfish hatcheries. However, due to the limited variety of food available, zinc content of cultured rotifers in artificial environments may not meet the requirements of fish larval. It has been reported that direct addition of soluble zinc to culture media was not effective on the zinc content of rotifer. Thus, in this study, the effect of zinc-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated on the growth and mineral composition of rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis. Four different food treatments, including (1) yeast without enrichment (control), (2) yeast containing 21.23 mg g ^-1 of zinc, (3) yeast containing 56.25 mg g^-1 of zinc, and (4) yeast containing 132.93 mg g^-1 of zinc, were used to produce rotifer for a period of 10 days. Afterwards, specific growth rate (SGR), the total number of rotifers, total eggs attached to rotifers, and the total number of eggs were measured. Finally, the mineral composition of rotifer in different treatments was analyzed. The findings revealed that yeast enriched with 56.25 mg g^-1 of zinc significantly improved the growth of rotifers. The maximum number of rotifers (274 ind ml^-1), total eggs attached to rotifers (29.3 number ml^-1), and the total number of eggs (36 number ml^-1) were found in the third treatment. The highest zinc content was observed in the fourth treatment (about 822.5 μg g^-1 of rotifers). The maximum values of Fe (13.84 μg g^-1 of rotifers) and Mn (15.22 μg g^-1 of rotifer) were related to the treatment 4 and control, respectively. However, the amount of Cu did not significantly differ among the treatments. In conclusion, this study found that zinc-enriched yeast improved the growth, reproduction, and body composition of B. plicatilis.

1 illus, 4 tables, 26 ref

025444   YOUSEFI S, HOSEINIFAR S H (Fisheries Dep, Gorgan Univ of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resource, Gorgan, Iran, Email: yousefisamira72@gmail.com) : Protective effects of prebiotic in zebrafish, Danio rerio, under experimental exposure to Chlorpyrifos. Int J Aquat Biol 2018, 6(2), 49-54.

The current study estimated the immunotoxicological effects of the herbicide chlorpyrifos at sub-lethal concentration and the potential ameliorative effects of galactooligosaccharide (GOS) in Danio rerio. Fish was sampled after a 56-days feeding with GOS and then exposed to 15 mg/l chlorpyrifos for 7-days to assess the non-specific immune responses (total protein, immunoglobulin and ALP activity). The results revealed that feeding zebrafish with 1 % dietary GOS increased total protein levels (P <0.05), but no significant effect was noticed between groups fed 0.5 and 2 % GOS and control (P >0.05). There were significant difference between total immunoglobulin levels 1 % and control group (P <0.05). Furthermore, in case of ALP activity no significant alteration was noticed between GOS fed fish and control (P >0.05). The present findings revealed that dietary supplementation with GOS could be useful for modulation of the immunity in response to chlorpyrifos exposure, thereby presenting a promising feed additive in aquaculture.

3 illus, 40 ref

024517   LIU Y, HU C-H, WANG C-Y, XIONG Y, LI Z-K, XIAO C (Yunnan Agricultural Univ, Kunming- 650 201, P. R. China, Email: x.chun@163.com) : Occurrence of parthenogenesis in potato tuber moth. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(1), 14.

Parthenogenesis, a natural form of asexual reproduction produced from unfertilized eggs, occurs in many insects in Hemiptera and Hymenoptera, but very rarely in Lepidoptera. The current study aimed to test the larval density dependent occurrence of parthenogenesis in potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller; Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) under laboratory conditions. More than 10 % of females out of 25 tested females that developed from the high larval density treatment at 45 larvae per tuber were capable to reproduce asexually. Both male and female offspring were produced parthenogenetically. The sexually reproductive offspring of a laboratory parthenogenetic population had a lower egg hatch rate, shorter larval stage, and shorter male life span when compared with the non-parthenogenetic population. This suggests that the sexually reproductive offspring of parthenogenetic population have a decreased overall fitness compared to the sexually reproductive offspring of non-parthenogenetic population.

2 illus, 2 tables, 36 ref

024516   BONG L-J, NEOH K-B, YOSHIMORA T (Kyoto Univ, Kyoto- 611 0011, Email: bongleejin@yahoo.com) : Developmental irregularity and abnormal Elytra formation in the oriental wood borer induced by physical disturbance. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(1), 12.

Teratological deformity in arthropods may arise spontaneously or be induced by chemicals, mutagens, diseases, and physical disturbance. Coleopterans are known to be sensitive to physical disturbance, but detailed studies of how physical disturbance affects the juvenile development and causes deformities are limited. In this study, larval oriental wood borers Heterobostrychus aequalis (Waterhouse) in three weight categories (2 to <10 mg, 10 to <26 mg, and 26 to 36 mg) were used to examine the development of immature beetles when exposed to daily physical disturbance (i.e., handling). Morphological changes induced in the immature and adult stages were observed for disturbed individuals. Handled larvae were highly susceptible to physical disturbance, as none of them survived to the end of the experiment, regardless of their initial weight group. Unhandled larvae molted twice before turning into pupae, whereas handled larvae took longer to develop and underwent irregular molting. Handled larvae also exhibited various levels of morphological abnormality in the pupal stage; in particular, the elytra were deformed, the abdomen and head capsule were broader than normal. It is speculated that the irregularity and deformity observed in the handled larvae might be due to hormone alteration resulting from physical disturbance. In addition, the extensively exposed abdominal parts of deformed beetles might have increased the risk of dehydration and disease attack, which would have resulted in premature mortality.

5 illus, 3 tables, 25 ref

024515   SALAZAR M-O L, PLANAS-SITJA I, SEMPO G, DENEUBOURG J-L (Univ libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium, Email: michelolaurentsalazar@gmail.com) : Individual thigmotactic preference affects the fleeing behavior of the American cockroach (Blattodea: Blattidae). J Insect Sci 2018, 18(1), 9.

Positive thigmotactic behavior is associated with the ability to hide from predators and is important to explain aggregation and collective patterns in various animals. For example, this behavior has been observed in woodlice, domiciliary cockroaches, ants, and fish. Lately, research on different species is focused on the importance of animal personality for ecological and evolutionary processes, individual fitness and group cohesion. In fact, it is generally expected to find some degree of interindividual consistent differences for a behavior, unless specific circumstances, like predator attacks, hide the presence of personalities. In this research, we analyzed the individual thigmotactic preference of domiciliary cockroaches (Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattodea: Blattidae)) and how it affected the fleeing behavior of isolated individuals inside a shelter after receiving a light stimulus. We notably highlight how isolated individuals show different consistent preferences regarding their position in the shelter, which is due to the individual thigmotaxis level, before the fleeing behavior. During the fleeing itself, cockroaches nearer to the wall, and therefore with more positive thigmotaxis, showed slower reaction lantencies to the stimulus. We propose that thigmotaxis homogenizes the interindividual differences among individuals and is important to explain the individual and collective fleeing behavior.

4 illus, 2 tables, 57 ref

024514   ADEMOKOYA B, BALUSU R, RAY C, MOTTERN J, FADAMIRO H (Entomology and Plant Pathology Dep, Auburn Univ, Auburn, Email: fadamhy@auburn.edu) : The first record of Ooencyrtus nezarae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) on Kudzu bug (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in North America. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(1), 8.

The kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Heteroptera: Plataspidae), is an invasive insect pest introduced from Asia in 2009 that poses a threat to soybeans (Glycine max [L.] Merr. [Fabales: Fabaceae]) and other legume crops in the United States. Initially discovered in Georgia, M. cribraria rapidly expanded across the southeast until 2014 when a significant decline in its population was observed across many locations. This notable decline in M. cribraria populations is attributed to the emergence of new parasitoids and pathogens in its new invasive range. So far, only a single egg parasitoid, Paratelenomus saccharalis (Dodd) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae), is known to parasitize the eggs of M. cribraria in the United States. Here, we report a new egg parasitoid of M. cribraria identified as Ooencyrtus nezarae Ishii, 1928 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), recovered from egg masses of M. cribraria collected from soybean in Alabama. O. nezarae is reported to parasitize eggs from a variety of heteropteran families and has been observed parasitizing M. cribraria in China. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of O. nezaraein North America. The potentials of O. nezarae for biological control of M. cribraria in the United States and the direction of future studies are discussed.

3 illus, 2 tables, 53 ref

024513   HU Y, CHEN X, YANG P (Nanjing Forestry Univ, Nanjing- 210 037, Email: cafcxm@139.com) : Protein profile analysis of Ericerus pela (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) egg. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(1), 6.

The transformation from embryo to first instar nymph is an essential process in the insect life cycle. In order to characterize protein expression in the Ericerus pela Chavannes (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) egg, high-throughput proteomics and bioinformatics methods were used. A total of 678 peptides were identified and assigned to 358 protein groups. The proteins exhibited a wide range of molecular weight (3.50–495.12 kDa) and isoelectric points (3.50–13.1). Gene Ontology annotation showed that the majority of proteins were associated with cellular processes, metabolic processes, and response to stimulus processes. The predominant molecular functions of E. pela egg proteins included binding, catalytic activity, transporter activity, and structural molecule activity. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes annotations identified 137 pathways, and most proteins were assigned to metabolism events, including many enzymes participating in energy metabolism, protein folding, sorting, and degradation. The processes and functions of the identified proteins were closely related to the physiological status of egg and embryo development. We conclude that some identified proteins are related to important egg biological characteristics, and regard them as the target proteins for future study.

6 illus, 1 table, 39 ref

024512   SHEPHERD W P, SULLIVAN B T (Southern Research Station, Louisiana- 71360, Email: williamshepherd@fs.fed.us) : Spatial displacement of a lure component can reduce catches of two nontarget species during spring monitoring of Southern Pine Beetle. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(1), 3.

Local outbreak risk for the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is forecast with a trapping survey conducted every spring throughout the southeastern United States. Traps baited with pine odors and components of the D. frontalis aggregation pheromone are used to obtain abundance estimates of both this species and its clerid predator Thanasimus dubius (F.) (Coleoptera: Cleridae); these data are entered into a predictive model that estimates outbreak risk. An attractant synergist for D. frontalis, endo-brevicomin, has recently been included in the survey lure, but it can have the unintended effect of attracting nontarget species Hylesinus pruinosus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and Enoclerus nigripes (Say) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) which, due to their sometimes large numbers and general similarity in appearance to the target species, could complicate sorting and counting of trap catches. Analysis of bycatch data from a previously-published, 31-mo trapping study in Mississippi indicated that displacement of the endo-brevicomin releaser 6 m from the trap largely eliminated catches of the nontarget species H. pruinosus and E. nigripes while not reducing catches of the target species D. frontalis and T. dubius. Our analysis demonstrates that interspecific differences in spatial responses to attractive semiochemicals can be used to improve insect trap selectivity. Both nontarget beetle species were captured in highest numbers during late winter/early spring, coinciding with the D. frontalis survey.

1 illus, 1 table, 24 ref

024511   LOUDIT S M B, BOULLIS A, VERHEGGEN F, FRANCIC F (Liege Univ, Gembloux, Belgium, Email: sbayendiloudit@gmail.com) : Identification of the alarm pheromone of cowpea Aphid and comparison with two other Aphididae species. J Insect Sci 2018, 18(1), 1.

In response to a predator attack, many Aphidinae species release an alarm pheromone, which induces dispersal behavior in other individuals within the colony. The major component of this pheromone is the sesquiterpene (E)-β-farnesene (Eβf), but variations occur between aphid species. In the present work, we collected, identified, and quantified the alarm pheromone of Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), before quantifying the escape behavior induced in the neighboring individuals. We compared the semiochemistry and associated behavior of alarm signaling with two other aphid species: Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Eβf was the only volatile found for each species. M. persicae produces a higher quantity of Eβf (8.39 ± 1.19 ng per individual) than A. craccivora (6.02 ± 0.82 ng per individual) and A. fabae (2.04 ± 0.33 ng per individual). Following exposure to natural doses of synthetic Eβf (50 ng and 500 ng), A. craccivora respond more strongly than the two other Aphidinae species with 78 % of the individuals initiated alarm behavior for 500 ng of Eβf.

1 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

024510   QUEZADA-CASASOLA A, MARTÍNEZ-ARMENDÁRIZ K E, ITZA- ORTIZ M F, ESCÁRCEGA-ÁVILA A M, PÉREZ-EGUÍA E, FILIPIAK Y, LAROCCA C, CARRERA-CHÁVEZ J M (Ciencias Veterinarias Dep, Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez Univ, México, Email: jose.carrera@uacj.mx) : Effect of presence of corpora lutea on cumulus expansion of in vitro matured bovine oocytes elected by trypan blue and brilliant cresyl blue tests. J Appl Anim Res 2018, 46(1), 967-72.

Trypan Blue (TB) and Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) are used to select and determine viability and competence of oocytes, however, the effects of corpora luteaon cumulus expansion duringin vitromaturation are still undetermined. Cumulus-oocytes complexes (COCs) from ovaries with ipsilateral (ICL), contralateral (CCL) and without corpora luteain either ovary (OCL) were selected by visual examination, TB and BCB staining, and maturedin vitro to evaluate cumulus expansion. The overall percentage of visually selected COCs was similar in ICL, CCL and OCL (P> 0.05). Proportions of live and mature COCs were similar in all groups (P>0.05). The overall percentage of BCB+ COCs was 70.1 %. BCB+ ICL COCs had less cumulus expansion (60.5 %) than BCB+ CCL and OCL COCs (75.7 and 71.4 %, respectively; P< 0.01). BCB−ICL COCs had lesscumulus expansion (20.0 %) than BCB−CCL and OCL (39.7 and 46.1 %; P< 0.01). BCB+ CCL and OCL COCs showed the highest cumulus expansion index (P< 0.01). Presence of corpus luteum in the ovary affects negatively cumulus cells expansion. TB and BCB staining facilitate the selection of oocytes with higher degrees of cumulus expansion.

2 tables, 49 ref

024509   MANAFI M (Animal Science Dep, Malayer Univ, Iran, Email: manafim@malayeru.ac.ir) : Toxicity of aflatoxin B1 on laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). J Appl Anim Res 2018, 46(1), 953-9.

This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a herbal mycotoxin binder to overcome the adverse effects of 1.5 mg/kg of aflatoxin fed to laying quails. Results showed that addition of aflatoxin altered the performance indices of quails in terms of feed intake, FCR, egg production, and egg weight. Intestinal morphology of quails was also manipulated by inclusion of aflatoxin into the diet. The immunity of quails fed aflatoxin declined significantly. However, it could increase the population of harmful bacteria collected from the ileum of quails. The results of this study established that using herbal mycotoxin binder could bypass these adverse effects significantly and can be used in laying quails as a suitable binder when mycotoxin is present in their feed.

5 tables, 56 ref

024508   OYEAGU C E, UDEH F U, UZOCHUKWU I E, OSITA C O, UGWU S O C, AGUGOM O H (Animal Science Dep, Nigeria Univ, Nigeria, Email: oyelion@gmail.com) : Effect of dietary Centrosema pubescens leaf meal on growth and reproductive traits of Archachatina marginata snails. J Appl Anim Res 2018, 46(1), 947-52.

This study was conducted to determine the effect on growth and reproductive performance of supplementing dried Centrosema pubescens leaf meal to Archachatina marginata snails. A total of 80 growing, medium-sized A. marginata snails were used. Twenty snails were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental diets as T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄ containing 0 %, 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % dietary inclusion levels of dried C. pubescens leaves, respectively. Each diet constituted a treatment and each treatment was replicated four times with five snails per replicate. Results showed that snails under T₄ had the highest (P< .05) final body weight, average weight gain, and daily weight gain (346.89, 47.60, and 0.85 g, respectively) with the best feed conversion to meat rate of 2.12. The weekly feed intake and average body weight gain revealed the superiority of dietary T₄ in supporting the growth of snails more efficiently than other dietary treatments (T₁, T₂, and T₃) used in this study. The number of eggs laid, percentage fertility, and hatchability were highest (P< .05) for snails fed dietary T₄ with the least (P< .05) embryo mortality of 2.22 %. Archachatina marginatasnails fed 15 % dietary inclusion of dried C.pubescensleaves (T₄) were the best in growth and reproductive performance.

2 illus, 5 tables, 54 ref

024507   SHAIB H, BARBOUR E (American Univ of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon, Email: hs45@aub.edu.lb) : Characterization of a canarypox virus from an outbreak among canaries (Serinus canaria domesticus) in Lebanon. J Appl Anim Res 2018, 46(1), 932-7.

A canarypox outbreak resulted in the death of about 50 % of canaries (Serinus canaria domesticus) in several breeding farms in Lebanon. Infected birds showed thickened eye lid and skin scab-like lesions at the beak, foot and caudal regions and died 5–6 days post disease symptoms onset. Out of seven sick birds that were autopsied for gross pathology evaluation, one bird demonstrated turbid air sacs with absence of any lesions in the trachea, oesophagus, liver and lung. Histopathological examination showed hyperplasia, heterophils infiltration and Bollinger body formation in the skin of five out of the seven autopsied canaries. Hyperplasia and infiltration of heterophils were also observed in the air sacs of one bird. PCR analysis of specimens taken from the skin and feet, targeting the fpv167 gene of the canarypox virus, was positive for all of the analyzed canaries. PCR analysis also revealed that two birds had concurrent infection with Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Sequencing and alignment of the amplified fpv167 gene of the canarypox showed 100 % similarity with the Iranian canary pox isolate IR/H913/14. Smuggling of pet birds through the borders should be strictly controlled and biosecurity measures must be adequately applied to control the circulation of the two identified pathogens.

6 illus, 2 tables, 25 ref

024506   SINGH P B, SHRESTHA B B, THAPA A, SAUD P, JIANG Z (Chinese Academy of Science Univ, People’s Republic of China, Email: jiangzg@ioz.ac.cn) : Selection of latrine sites by Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster) in Neshyang valley, Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. J Appl Anim Res 2018, 46(1), 920-6.

Musk deer is threatened by poaching for musk pod and habitat fragmentation. The species is endangered within its distribution range including Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Mongolia, China, Korea and Russia. In Nepal, the deer is confined to protected areas throughout the Himalaya. It is a solitary and shy forest dweller with a crepuscular activity pattern. It prefers and repeatedly uses one or more specific defecation sites. Such behaviour is believed to function in chemical communication among individuals. This study was conducted in Neshyang valley in the Annapurna Conservation Area, and aims to evaluate how musk deer selects the latrine site in its habitat taking into account both biotic and abiotic factors. In order to achieve this aim, we laid out a total of 23 transects of 500 m length throughout the study area. Within each transect, 20 m × 20 m nested structured quadrats were located at an interval of 100 m. We found that musk deer preferred to use latrine sites in fir forest while they avoid both blue pine forest and open areas. Furthermore, distance from water sources and mixed forests have a crucial role in selecting latrine sites by musk deer.

6 illus, 2 tables, 43 ref

024505   SPINELLA G, VALENTINI S, PITTI L, CARRILLO J M, RUBIO M, SOPENA J, SANTANA A, VILAR J M (Animal Pathology Dep, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Univ, Spain, Email: jose.vilar@ulpgc.es) : Ultrasonographic evaluation of cross-sectional area of tarsal ligaments in Standardbred Trotter horses. J Appl Anim Res 2018, 46(1), 915-9.

Ultrasound evaluations of the cross-sectional area (CSA) in the tarsal region of Standardbred Trotter Horses (STH) have been previously reported for tendons but not for ligaments. The objective of this study was to identify normal ultrasonographic CSAs in the tarsal ligaments of STH. Transverse echographic scans of ligaments at five tarsal levels from proximal to distal direction were recorded in 25 healthy STH. All images were recorded, and the CSA measurements (mean ± SD) were determined. The widest structure resulted in the long plantar ligament (LPL) at distal portion of the astragalus, and the smallest was the long medial collateral ligament (LMCL) at the medial malleolus of the tibia. Long collateral ligaments (LCL) increased their CSA at the level of their distal insertions, while LPL reached the maximum CSA in the middle of its length. Although this report was limited due to its retrospective design, it is the opinion of the authors that the normal CSAs investigated in this paper could function as a reference guide when tarsal pathological conditions are suspected in STH.

6 illus, 1 table, 32 ref