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Biomedical subjects

M G Kleve

Publications and source records attributed to M G Kleve.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Strelkovimermis amphidis n. sp. from chironomid adults emerging from Lake Itasca and Long Lake, Minnesota.

Mermithid nematodes, Strelkovimermis amphidis n. sp., emerged from chironomid imagos from Lake Itasca in Minnesota in the fall of 1996, 1997 and from Long Lake in the fall of 1998. The species is distinguished from the other 11 members of the genus by the long cephalic papillae, absence of an excretory pore, pointed termini in both sexes, large amphids, body diameter decrease at the vulva, long vagina, and the absence of lateral genital papillae. Strelkovimermis amphidis n. sp. is the fifth member of this genus recorded from Lake Itasca. The presence of and nature of the bursal sleeve is suggested as a useful distinguishing characteristic. The ratios involving spicule axis length, diameter of the body at the genital pore, and the length of the tail are also discussed in distinguishing species of Strelkovimermis. An expanded key to the species of Strelkovimermis is included.

Animals↗

Hydromermis contorta (Kohn) and Hydromermis pseudocontorta n. sp. from chironomids of Lake Itasca and Long Lake, Minnesota.

Hydromermis contorta (Kohn) and Hydromermis pseudocontorta n. sp. are described from chironomids in Lake Itasca and Long Lake, Minnesota, respectively. The former was recovered from adult females of Glyptotendipes paripes (Edwards) and the latter from fourth-instar larvae of Chironomus sp. Hydromermis pseudocontorta n. sp. resembles H. contorta in cephalic structures, overall size, and the presence of a restricted trophosome in the female. The terminal mouth, long uterine and vulvar limbs of the vagina, and the strongly chitinized brownish spicule of H. contorta contrast with the subventral mouth, short vaginal limbs, and the light yellow spicule of H. pseudocontorta n. sp. Both nematode species emerge from the host as sexually mature adults and both species give evidence of mating while in the host. The H. contorta described by Welch is designated as a new species, Hydromermis albionis n. sp.

Animals↗

Strelkovimermis arkansensis n. sp. and Hydromermis welchi n. sp. from chironomid imagos.

Strelkovimermis arkansensis n. sp. and Hydromermis welchi n. sp. are described from chironomid adults in Arkansas and Minnesota, respectively. The host of the former is Glyptotendipes paripes (Edwards) and of the latter Polypedilum (Polypedilum) nubeculosum (Meigen). Strelkovimernis arkansensis n. sp. most closely resembles Strelkovimermis buccalis Johnson and Kleve, 1996 and is separated from that species by color in the living worms, thickness of the cuticle, and length of the cephalic papillae. Hydromermis welchi n. sp. is similar to Hydromermis gastroviridis Johnson and Kleve, 1997 and is separated from that species by color in the living worms, structure of the spicule, and number of genital papillae. A variant of H. welchi n. sp. is described. Molting in S. arkansensis was apparently facilitated by having both postparasitic males and females in the same vial.

Animals↗

Visualization of bacterial glycocalyx with a scanning electron microscope.

Using a new technique for scanning electron microscopic preparation, bacterial glycocalyx is seen in its natural, highly hydrated state for the first time. Visual images of the glycocalyx obtained from these preparations are a marked departure from the visual images of glycocalyx obtained previously with conventional scanning electron microscopic analysis. The dominating presence of glycocalyx visualized in its naturally hydrated state gives credence to the role of bacterial glycocalyx as a mechanical barrier to host defenses and antibiotics and supports the role of glycocalyx as a significant factor in bacterial virulence.

Animals↗

Two new species of imagocidal Hydromermis (Nematoda: Mermithidae) from Endochironomus subtendens (Townes) (Diptera: Chironomidae).

Hydromermis viridis n. sp. and Hydromermis gastroviridis n. sp. are described from June and August emerging imagos, respectively, of Endochironomus subtendens (Townes) in Lake Itasca, Clearwater County, Minnesota. The position of the mouth, shape of the posterior end, structure and size of the spicule, absence of an excretory pore, arrangement of male tail musculature, and measurements separate the new species form other species of Hydromermis as well as from one another. The 2 species are placed in the genus Hydromermis though having a rounded tail and only 6 hypodermal cords at midbody. An anomalous double vagina condition is reported in H. viridis.

Animals↗

Strelkovimermis acuticauda n. sp. and Strelkovimermis buccalis n. sp. (Nematoda:Mermithidae) from adult chironomids (Diptera:Chironomidae) from Lake Itasca, Minnesota.

Specimens of 2 mermithid species were obtained from adults of undetermined species of chironomids emerging from Lake Itasca (Clearwater County), Minnesota. Both species have the characteristics of species in the genus Strelkovimermis. The new species are distinguishable from one another and from the 8 currently accepted species in the genus by their small size, shape of the posterior end, length of the buccal funnel, length of the cephalic papillae, location of the mouth, and morphology of the spicule region and vagina. Strelkovimrmis acuticauda n. sp. is unique in possessing an acute posterior end, an auxiliary protractor muscle, and a relatively long vagina, whereas Strelkovimermis buccalis n. sp. is distinguishable from other Strelkovimermis species by its thick cuticle and exceptionally long buccal funnel. The significance of the tail muscles is emphasized as a taxonomic feature to be used in describing future species of Strelkovimermis. A key to the 10 species of Strelkovimermis is provided.

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Fine structure of the unistellate sperm of the shrimp, Sicyonia ingentis (Natantia).

Sperm of the prawn Sicyonia ingentis were studied cytochemically and ultrastructurally. Striking cytological differences were noted between these natantian sperm and previously studied reptantian sperm. In general, the S. ingentis sperm are composed of a spherical main body that is partially encompassed by a morphologically diverse cap region, from which extends a single appendage or spike. The main body houses an uncondensed, Feulgen-positive nuclear region that is partially surrounded by a cytoplasmic band. A single layer of small, 600 A, vesicles lines the periphery of the cytoplasmic band. Large membranous vesicles extend from the inner surface of the cytoplasmic band into the nuclear region. The nucleus is separated from the cap or acrosomal complex by a dense plate and a highly organized crystalline lattice, which is composed of geometric squares that are approximately 350 A in dimension. The cap region also contains convoluted membrane pouches; a central granular core; spherical bodies; an electron-dense, saucer-shaped plate; and a large anterior granule. The convoluted membrane pouches and anterior granule are periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive. The anterior granule also demonstrates RNAase-stable red fluorescence with acridine orange staining. A spiralled spike, approximately 6 micron long, extends from the anterior end of the cap. The cap and spike are bound by a double membrane, which results from the fusion of the plasma membrane and the convoluted pouch membrane. The sperm's acrosome is thought to be composed of the two PAS-positive cap components and the spike.

Acrosome↗

Association of actin with sperm centrioles: isolation of centriolar complexes and immunofluorescent localization of actin.

The centrioles of cnidarian sperm associate with striated specializations (pericentriolar processes) during spermiogenesis. Three functions have been proposed for the role of these structures: (a) an anchoring mechanism for the sperm flagellum, (b) a signal-transmitting mechanism for communication between sperm head and tal, and (c) a contractile mechanism involved in motor function of the sperm flagellum. To investigate these proposed functions, we developed a technique for the isolation and purification of Hydractinia sperm distal centriles with attached pericentriolar processes. SDS polyacrylamide electrophoretic profiles of whole sperm and pericentriolar process proteins revealed a prominent protein that comigrates with rabbit and penaeid shrimp muscle actin. To label and localize actin in hydroid spem, we produced in rabbits a highly specific antiserum to invertebrate actin that cross-reacts with both invertebrate and vertebrate muscle and nonmuscle actin. Immunofluorescent double antibody labeling of hydroid sperm with antiactin has demonstrated the presence of actin in the pericentriolar process region of the sperm. In earlier reports, it has been proposed that pericentriolar processes, if contractile, could alter the mid-piece asymmetry of hydroid sperm, facilitating the directional motility that these cells demonstrate in respone to egg-released chemoattractants. The present results support this hypothesis.

Actins↗

Hamster sperm cross react with antiactin.

Hamster sperm extracts contain a polypeptide which comigrates with muscle action on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. On double diffusion precipitation plates, sperm extracts form a single precipitin band with an antibody to muscle actin (antiactin) and show a reaction of identity with muscle actin. Indirect immunofluorescent microscopy revealed that antiactin binds along the concave margin and equatorial segment in the acrosomal region, in the connecting piece of the neck, and in the principal piece of the tail. These results are evidence that hamster sperm contain actin. The possible significance of these observations in fertilization is considered.

Actins↗