Description and Morphogenesis of a Chinese Population of Bakuella granulifera Foissner, Agatha and Berger, 2002 (Ciliophora, Hypotricha)

Antifertility effects of EP-1 (quinestrol and levonorgestrel) on Pacific rats (Rattus exulans)

Pest rodents pose a serious threat to island biodiversity. Fertility control could be an alternative approach to control the impact of rodents on these islands. In this study, we examined the antifertility effects of EP-1 baits containing quinestrol (E) and levonorgestrel (P) using a dose of 50 ppm E and P at three different ratios (E:P ratio = 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1) on Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) in the Xisha Islands, Hainan, China. Compared to the control group, all animals in EP-1 treatment groups showed significantly decreased food intake and body weight. In treated males, there were obvious abnormalities in testis structure and a significant decrease of relative seminal vesicle weight, but no significant effect on relative uterine and ovarian weights (g kg-1 body weight), or ovarian structure in females. Adding 8% sucrose to the original 50-ppm baits (E:P ratio = 1:1) significantly increased bait palatability for males and females. This dose induced uterine edema and abnormalities of ovarian structure in females but had no significant negative effect on the relative testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicle weights (g kg-1 body weight) or sperm density in males. In summary, 50-ppm EP-1 (1:1) baits have the potential to disrupt the fertility of females, and 8% sucrose addition to the EP-1 baits (E:P ratio = 1:1) could improve bait palatability. This dose disrupted the testis structure in males. Future studies are needed to improve bait acceptance and assess the antifertility effects of EP-1 (1:1) on Pacific rats in captive breeding trials and under field conditions.

Redescription of Bakuella (Bakuella) marina Agamaliev and Alekperov, 1976 (Protozoa, Hypotrichia), With Notes on Its Morphology, Morphogenesis, and Molecular Phylogeny

Because the original description of Bakuella (Bakuella) marina, type of the genus, is only based on protargol-impregnated specimens, one of the important living features, namely, the presence/absence of cortical granules, remains unknown so far. In the present work, a detailed investigation of a Chinese population of B. (Bakuella) marina is carried out using the integrated approaches, and the live morphology, ontogenesis, and molecular information of B. (Bakuella) marina are presented for the first time. The infraciliature of this population corresponds perfectly with that of the original description. The in vivo observation indicates that B. (Bakuella) marina possesses colorless cortical granules. The most prominent morphogenetic feature of B. (Bakuella) marina is that the parental adoral zone of membranelles is completely replaced by the newly formed one of the proters. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on a small subunit ribosomal gene (SSU rDNA) shows that five Bakuella species are clustered with the species from other six Urostylid genera, namely, Anteholosticha, Apobakuella, Diaxonella, Holosticha, Neobakuella, and Urostyla. The monophyletic probabilities of the family Bakuellidae, genus Bakuella, subgenus B. (Bakuella), and subgenus B. (Pseudobakuella) are rejected by the approximately unbiased test. This study further shows that the family Bakuellidae, genus Bakuella, and subgenus B. (Bakuella) are all nonmonophyletic groups. In order to establish a reasonable classification system, information on molecular and morphogenesis of more Bakuellids and its related species is urgently needed.