AbstractCerapachys Smith are keyed. Twelve species are recognized of which 6 are described as new. The species are: Cerapachys aitkenii Forel, Cerapachys aliisp. n., Cerapachys anokhasp. n., Cerapachys besucheti Brown, Cerapachys biroi Forel, Cerapachys indicus Brown, Cerapachys longitarsus (Mayr), Cerapachys nayanasp. n., Cerapachys schoedlisp. n., Cerapachys seemasp. n., Cerapachys sulcinodis Emery and Cerapachys wightisp. n. Geographic distribution and group affinities of the new species are discussed. A revised key to the Indian species is provided. The rare ergatoid queens of Cerapachys nayana, Cerapachys schoedli and Cerapachys seema are reported. Formed in response to selective pressures these ergatoid queens have a significant role in dispersal strategies and contribute much to our understanding of the biology of these ants.The Indianspeciesof the ant genus  Cerapachys includesmainly myrmecophagous ants which raid the nests of other ants for prey .The ant genus for prey . The genfor prey . Cerapacglobally . The triCerapachys in India is currently represented by 6 species  flank to the midpoint of the frontovertextal margin  to the posterior extension of the propodeal lobes = Weber’s length measured from WL  to the dorsal edge of the mesosomaMH IIIAL  software. Later, images were cleaned as per requirement with Adobe Photoshop CS6. Description style and morphological terminology for measurements and indices follow l margin ; HW = Hesal view ; EL = Eye of eye ; SL = Sc condyle ; WL = Weal lobes ; MH = Memesosoma ; PrW = Psal view ; PL1 = Psal view ; PW1 = Psal view ; IIIAL =helcium) ; IIIAW =sal view ; IVAW = sal view ; IVAL = etergite ; CI = Ce Natural History Museum, London, U.K.BMNH Punjabi University Patiala, Ant Collection at Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India.PUACPageBreakhttp://zoobank.org/52540038-860B-4EA4-BA1E-40217FF6D555http://species-id.net/wiki/Cerapachys_alii10°45'N, 76°44'E, 118m a.s.l., 10.x.2011, Winkler method (coll. Shahid A. Akbar); Holotype in PUAC and paratype in BMNH.Holotype and 6 paratypes (worker): India, Kerala, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Measurements (holotype in brackets): HL 0.46-0.51 (0.48); HW 0.37-0.39 (0.38); WL 0.47-0.49 (0.49); MH 0.28-0.31 (0.31); PrW 0.25-0.29 (0.25); PL1 0.16-0.20 (0.17); PW1 0.16-0.19 (0.18); IIIAL 0.20-0.22 (0.22); IIIAW 0.22-0.27 (0.23); SL 0.21-0.22 (0.22); IVAL 0.43-0.49 (0.49); IVAW 0.39-0.41 (0.41). Indices: CI 76-80 (79); SI 56-57 (57); PI 95-105 (105) (n=5).rd of its length.Head. Rectangular, longer than broad, sides converge anteriorly; vertexal margin concave, posterior lateral corners rounded. Parafrontal ridges prominent, raised. Eyes absent. Mandibles dentate; narrow, with strongly incurved apical tooth; anterior clypeal margin entire and projects forward as a low rounded transparent lobe or apron. Lateroclypeal teeth reduced. Antennae 9 segmented; scapes short, clavate, each falling short of posterior margin of head by 1/3Mesosoma. Stout, wider anteriorly; dorsal surface slightly convex, almost flat, the dorsal surface gently rounded along sides without any distinct margin. Declivous face of propodeum with cariniform margins across the top and along lateral margins.Metasoma. Petiole as long as broad, without overhanging dorsolateral margins. Anterior face transverse and posterior face shallowly convex. Subpetiolar process prominent, acute, posteriorly directed; no fenestra present. Postpetiole slightly longer than broad, lateral angles uniformly rounded. Gaster elongate; base of cinctus of first gastral tergite with cross ribs; sting exerted.Sculpture. Mandibles punctured. Head strongly foveate. Mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole with similar prominent foveate sculpture.Vestiture. Body with reduced white pilosity; moderate, decumbent or subdecumbent hairs distributed evenly throughout. Apical funicular segments and legs with small standing hairs.Colour. Dark red with mandibles, antennae and legs castaneous.PageBreakThe species is named in honor of Dr. Salim Ali, renowned Indian Ornithologist.Cerapachys alii can be easily separated from other species known from India. Only eight other known species of Cerapachys are reported to have 9 segmented antennae. These eight species are placed in the typhlus group and include; Cerapachys biroi Forel, 1907; Cerapachys cryptus Mann, 1921; Cerapachys edentatus Forel, 1900; Cerapachys fuscior Mann, 1921; Cerapachys papuanus Emery, 1897; Cerapachys pawa Mann, 1919; Cerapachys pusillus Emery, 1897 and Cerapachys typhlus Roger, 1861. The new species can be easily separated from all of them. Cerapachys cryptus and Cerapachys fuscior are larger species (HW > 0.70 mm) while Cerapachys alii is a smaller species (HW< 0.40 mm). Cerapachys typhlus has the postpetiole more than half as long as the succeeding gastric segment while in Cerapachys alii it is less than half as long as the succeeding gastric segment. Cerapachys papuanus, Cerapachys pawa and Cerapachys pusillus have the anterolateral shoulders of the first gastric segment abruptly rounded, accentuating the medium concavity that receives the postpetiole while in Cerapachys alii theanterolateral shoulders of the first gastric segments as seen from above broadly rounded and gradually widening caudad. Cerapachys biroi and Cerapachys edentatus predominantly have punctuate body sculpture while Cerapachys alii has predominantly foveate body sculpture. Cerapachys alii can also be confused with Cerapachys fragosus Roger, 1862 and Cerapachys coecus Mayr, 1897 which has similar prominent foveate body sculpture, however these two species are characterized by 11 segmented antennae while as Cerapachys alii has 9 segmented antennae.With its 9 segmented antennae Ecology. This subterranean species seems to be of rare occurrence as it was encountered only once during the extensive surveys in the region. The specimens were collected from a leaf litter sample taken from Salim Ali bird Sanctuary. A low-land evergreen forest area, located between the branches of Periyar river. The region is considered as the richest bird habitat on peninsular India.http://zoobank.org/2A8BE8D2-BED1-4DAC-A73F-E9AC2189FE23http://species-id.net/wiki/Cerapachys_anokha9°.30'N, 77°.16'E, 1003m a.s.l., 15.x.2011, hand picking method (coll. Shahid A. Akbar). Holotype in PUAC and paratype in BMNH.Holotype and 3 paratypes (worker): India: Kerala, Periyar tiger reserve, Thanikkudy, Measurements (holotype in brackets): HL 0.69-0.73 (0.72); HW 0.60-0.63 (0.63); EL 0.20-0.22 (0.22); WL 0.72-0.80 (0.80); MH 0.33-0.38 (0.38); PrW 0.42-0.47 (0.47); PL1 0.29-0.33 (0.33); PW1 0.38-0.41 (0.41); IIIAL 0.38-0.45 (0.41); IIIAW 0.44-0.55 (0.52); SL 0.29-0.32 (0.32); IVAL 0.85-0.92 (0.92); IVAW 0.57-0.64 (0.64). Indices: CI 86-87 (87); SI 48-51 (51); PI 124-131 (124) (n=4).PageBreakParafrontal ridges present. Eyes prominent, placed below midline of head. Mandible triangular with acute apices and sharp concave, edentate, masticatory margins; anterior clypeal margin with small apron shaped transparent structure. Lateroclypeal teeth small, blunt and projecting slightly inwards. Antennae 12 segmented; scape short and clavate, reaching up to 1/3rd of posterior margin of head.Head. Rectangular, longer than broad, widest at about mid-length; sides parallel; vertexal margin slightly concave, posterior lateral corners are weakly acute to rounded. Mesosoma. Stout, rectangular in dorsal view; dorsal surface convex, the dorsal surface gently rounded along sides without any distinct margin. Declivous face of propodeum lacking cariniform margins across the top and along sides.Metasoma. Petiole highly convex, broader than long, with traces of reduced dorsolateral margins, anterior and posterior faces continuous with dorsum. Subpetiolar process prominent, wedge like, with apex directed backward; no fenestra present. Postpetiole wider than long, uniformly rounded. Gaster elongate; base of cinctus of first gastral tergite with cross ribs; sting exerted.st gastral, with few cross ribs.Sculpture. Mandibles smooth and shining. Head with few small punctures. Sculpture on dorsal surface of mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole consist of very small, uniform punctures, distributed throughout the surface. Gaster mostly smooth, with few scattered punctures. Cinctus of 1Vestiture. Body covered with decumbent or subdecumbent hairs. Longer hairs are also present on postpetiole and gaster. Head also consists of few long hairs; apical funicular segments and legs with standing hairs.Colour. Black with mandibles, antennae and legs castaneous.The species epithet is Hindi for “unique”, in reference to its unique nature of propodeal declivity.PageBreakCerapachyinae. The new species show interesting variation in the form of the petiole. The petiolar node has the inferior as well as the superior posterolateral angles produced, but not sharply angular. The sides of the petiole could not be considered either immarginate (Cerapachys lineage) or marginate (Phyracaces lineage). This makes the placement of this species somewhat transitional between the two lineages and easily distinguishes it from other reported species of the genus. When using Cerapachys anokha comes close to singaporensis Viehmeyer, 1916. The two species however can be easily separated. Cerapachys singaporensis has the body arrayed with long pale hairs; and copiously pubescent, and the dorsal sides of the petiole strongly marginate, while Cerapachys anokha has only decumbent or subdecumbent body hairs, little pubescence and the dorsolateral sides of petiole are not marginate. Cerapachys anokha could also be confused with Cerapachys nayana which has similar habitat preferences and body colouration; however the two species can be easily separated: Cerapachys nayana has larger eyes (EL 0.24–0.27 mm), the declivous face of the propodeum has cariniform margins across the top, and the petiole has marginate dorsolateral sides; while Cerapachys anokha has smaller eyes (EL 0.20–0.22 mm), the declivous face of its propodeum lacks cariniform margins across the top, and the petiole is without marginate dorsolateral sides.This species is unique in having the declivous face of the propodeum lacking cariniform margins across the top and along the sides, features unique in described workers of the This species seems to be infrequent. It is from the Western Ghats. Four specimens were collected by handpicking from the Thanikkudy region of the Periyar tiger reserve. Which is a primary, undisturbed tropical moist evergreen forest. The area is situated at 1003 meters elevation. It is a shady place with little sunlight penetration.http://zoobank.org/46F8FF78-D753-4BEF-8FCB-7A83D4149E8Dhttp://species-id.net/wiki/Cerapachys_nayana11°5'N, 76°26'E, 897m a.s.l., 25.ix.2011, hand picking. Paratypes: 2 workers and 1 ergatoid queen with same data as holotype; 6 workers and 2 ergatoid queens, India, Karnataka, Gundlupet 11°8'N, 76°68'E, 800m a.s.l., 27.ix.2010, hand picking; 2 workers and 1 ergatoid queen, India, Kerala, Periyar tiger reserve, 9°46'N, 77°14'E, 1005m a.s.l., 10.x.2011, hand picking (coll. Shahid A. Akbar). Holotype in PUAC and paratype in BMNH.Holotype worker: India: Kerala, Silent valley national park, Measurements (holotype in brackets): HL 0.55-0.66 (0.66); HW 0.48-0.51 (0.51); EL 0.24-0.27 (0.25); WL 0.60-0.66 (0.66); MH 0.34-0.37 (0.34); PrW 0.33-0.38 (0.34); PL1 0.20-0.23 (0.23); PW1 0.25-0.29 (0.29); IIIAL 0.30-0.44 (0.44); IIIAW 0.37-0.47 (0.37); SL 0.21-0.27 (0.27); IVAL 0.58-0.61 (0.61); IVAW 0.47-0.52 (0.52). Indices: CI 77-87 (77); SI 44-53 (53); PI 125-126 (126) (n=10).PageBreakth of posterior margin of head.Head. Rectangular, longer than broad, widest at about its midlength; sides parallel, vertexal margin transverse to shallowly concave, posterior lateral corners weakly acute. Parafrontal ridges present but not raised, very low. Eyes large prominent. Mandibles subtriangular; masticatory margin without a row of small denticles. Lateroclypeal teeth small and reduced. Antennae 12 segmented; scapes short, reaching up to 4/5Mesosoma. Moderately stout, rectangular in dorsal view; dorsal surface flattened, bordered laterally by a distinct angle, but no margin. Declivous face of propodeum with cariniform margins across the top and along the lateral margins.Metasoma. Petiole broader than long, with strong overhanging dorsolateral margins. Anterior face concave while posterior face is transverse. Subpetiolar process small with stout acute apex, directed forward, located beneath anterior 1/3rd of the petiole; no fenestra present. Postpetiole sub trapezoidal, wider behind with the posterolateral angles uniformly rounded. Gaster elongate; base of cinctus of first gastral tergite with cross ribs; sting exerted.st gastral segment smooth and shining.Sculpture. Mandibles smooth and shining. Head with small punctures, spaced wider than their diameter, dorsum of head also with faint rugae in between the punctures. Similar sculpture on dorsal surface of mesosoma and petiole. Small continuous punctures produce a matt like appearance on the dorsum of the postpetiole. Gaster with similar matt-like appearance but less prominent. Cinctus of 1Vestiture. Body covered with moderate decumbent or subdecumbent hairs most prominent on postpetiole and gaster, head devoid of such hairs, only a few along sides; apical funicular segments with standing hairs.PageBreakColour. Black with mandibles, antennae and legs castaneous.HL 0.66-0.77; HW 0.55-0.60; EL 0.22-0.24; WL 0.79-0.82; MH 0.36-0.41; PrW 0.44-0.47; PL1 0.24-0.27; PW1 0.44-0.47; IIIAL 0.44-0.47; IIIAW 0.51-0.55; SL 0.18-0.22; IVAL 0.58-0.63; IVAW; 0.60-0.66. Indices: CI 77-83; SI 33-37; PI 174-183 (n=3).Like the workers of the same colony, but larger, with thicker body, especially mesosoma and gaster. Ocelli present on vertex, prominent. The pilosity is much more prominent compared to workers. Distinction between ergatoid queens and worker is vague, with size variation of workers very high.There is a considerable amount of size variation between individual specimens, the smaller workers are lighter in body colouration compared with larger specimens; the body sculpture and pilosity also differs between individuals.The species epithet is Sanskrit for “eyes”, in reference to the large eye size of the species.PageBreakCerapachys anokha from which it is separated by the combination of characters given in the diagnosis of the latter species. Cerapachys nayana is compared with Cerapachys longitarsus which also has marginate dorsolateral sides to the petiole; however, the two species can be easily separated. Cerapachys longitarsus has characteristic bicolouration, with the head brown, trunk red or brown, petiole and postpetiole light to dark reddish and the gaster brown or black, while Cerapachys nayana is uniformly black coloured with mandibles, antennae and legs castaneous. The new species also resembles the Philippines, Cerapachys luzuriagae  but can be easily separated from it. Cerapachys nayana is coloured black with the petiole broader than long, and with concave anterior and transverse posterior faces, the postpetiole with dense punctures and without dentition; while Cerapachys luzuriagae is reddish brown with the petiole as long as broad, with convex anterior and truncate posterior faces; postpetiole without dense punctures, and mandibles with prominent dentition.With themarginate dorsolateral sides of its petiole, this species is easily distinguished from other Indian species of its genus. The new species sharesmost characters with This species is widely distributed in the Western Ghats. It was collected from non-forested and forest habitats from small bushes, and foraging over dry soil surfaces.http://zoobank.org/38E7EC5E-E9F2-4FCC-B467-10E9208AA155http://species-id.net/wiki/Cerapachys_schoedli11°5'N, 76°26'E, 897m a.s.l., 25.ix.2011, Winkler. Paratypes: 13 workers and 3 ergatoid queens, same data as holotype; 2 workers, India, Kerala, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, 10°45'N, 76°44'E, 118m a.s.l., 6.xi.2011, Winkler; 10 workers, India, Kerala, Periyar tiger reserve, Manalar, 9°35'N, 77°18'E, 1630m a.s.l., 27.x.2011, hand picking (coll. Shahid A. Akbar). Holotype in PUAC and paratype in BMNH.Holotype worker: India. Kerala, Silent valley national park, Measurements (holotype in brackets): HL 0.64-0.68 (0.68); HW 0.44-0.46 (0.46); EL 0.07-0.11 (0.11); WL 0.62-0.69 (0.69); MH 0.41-0.48 (0.48); PrW 0.31-0.35 (0.35); PL1 0.24-0.27 (0.27); PW1 0.28-0.31 (0.31); IIIAL 0.28-0.32 (0.32); IIIAW 0.39-0.41 (0.41); SL 0.31-0.33 (0.33); IVAL 0.70-0.74 (0.74); IVAW 0.58-0.60 (0.60). Indices: CI 67-69 (67); SI 70-72 (72); PI 114-116 (114) (n=11).rd of its length.Head, rectangular, longer than broad; sides parallel; vertexal border transverse. Posterior lateral corners acute. Parafrontal ridges present, raised. Eyes medium sized, almost circular. Mandibles subtriangular; masticatory margins without a row of small denticles. Lateroclypeal teeth small. Antennae 12 segmented; scapes short, each falling short of posterior margin of head by 1/3Mesosoma. stout, humped in profile view; dorsal surface convex, continuous with sides, no lateral margins. Declivous face of propodeum with cariniform margins across the top and along the lateral margins.Metasoma. Petiole broader than long, and gently rounded towards the sides. Anterior and posterior faces transverse. Subpetiolar process stout, fenestra present. Postpetiole almost rectangular, wider behind, with the posterolateral angles not tuberculate but uniformly rounded. Gaster elongate; base of cinctus of first gastral tergite with cross ribs; sting exerted.Sculpture. Mandibles with small punctures. Head smooth and shining with some punctures. Mesosoma mostly smooth and shining with some punctures along the sides. Petiole, postpetiole and gaster with continuous punctures.PageBreakVestiture. Body covered with moderate, decumbent or subdecumbent hairs, most prominent on gaster; apical funicular segments and legs also with standing hairs.Colour. Bright yellowish orange to dark red.PageBreakHL 0.80-0.84; HW 0.59-0.63; EL 0.14-0.16; WL 0.88-0.92; MH 0.51-0.55; PrW 0.49-0.53; SL 0.41-0.43; PL1 0.29-0.31; PW1 0.38-0.41; IIIAL 0.44-0.50; IIIAW 0.57-0.59; IVAL 0.88-0.90; IVAW 0.86-0.88. Indices: CI 73-75; SI 68-69; PI 131-132 (n=3).Like the workers of the same colony, but larger, with more stout body, especially the mesosoma and gaster. Ocelli absent on vertex. Distinction between ergatoid queens and worker is vague, with size variation of workers very high.The species is named in the honor of the late Dr. Stefan Schödl.Cerapachys schoedli sharesmost characters with Cerapachys seema, from which it can be easily distinguished by the combination of characters given in the diagnosis of the latter species. The new species can also be compared with Cerapachys luteoviger Brown, 1975 which also has small punctures on the cephalic dorsum, with diameter lesser than the average distance separating them. However, the peculiar petiolar node  and rounded head shape of Cerapachys luteoviger easily separates it from Cerapachys schoedli, which has the petiolar node broader than long and the posterior lateral corners of the head acute.This species is aberrant in many characters, with the cephalic dorsum bearing small punctures with average diameter lesser than the average distance separating them, a highly shinning body and reduced body sculpture, which separates it from other reported Indian species. This species seems to be common in the Western Ghats; it was collected in non-forest as well as forest habitats in leaf litter and on dry soil surfaces.http://zoobank.org/AE131489-5514-422C-BE6E-5BDBCCA2F111http://species-id.net/wiki/Cerapachys_seema9°35'N, 77°18'E, 1630m a.s.l., 24.x.2011, hand picking. Paratypes: 4 workers, 3 ergatoid queens and 1 gyne, same data as holotype (coll. Shahid A. Akbar). Holotype in PUAC and paratype in BMNH.Holotype worker: India. Kerala, Periyar tiger reserve, Manalar, Measurements (holotype in brackets): HL 0.72-0.74 (0.74); HW 0.52-0.56 (0.56); EL 0.07-0.19 (0.19); WL 0.77-0.82 (0.77); MH 0.38-0.45 (0.45); PrW 0.37-0.40 (0.38); PL1 0.23-0.29 (0.26); PW1 0.36-0.41 (0.41); IIIAL 0.41-0.46 (0.41); IIIAW 0.51-0.54 (0.51); SL 0.33-0.41 (0.41); IVAL 0.70-0.74 (0.74); IVAW 0.62-0.69 (0.63). Indices: CI 72-75 (75); SI 63-73 (73); PI 141-157 (157) (n=9).rd the distance to the posterior margin of head.Head, longer than broad; sides converging posteriorly; vertexal margin transverse. Posterior lateral corners weakly acute. Parafrontal ridges prominent, raised. Eyes small. Mandibles subtriangular; masticatory margins deflexed and downcurved, with a row of small denticles. Lateroclypeal teeth prominent. Antennae 12 segmented; scapes clavate, reaching up to 2/3PageBreakMesosoma moderately stout, rectangular in dorsal view; dorsal surface flattened and gently rounded towards the sides. Declivous face of propodeum with cariniform margins across the top and along its lateral margins.PageBreakrd of the petiole; fenestra present. Postpetiole broader than long with posterolateral angles uniformly rounded. Gaster elongate; base of cinctus of first gastral tergite with cross ribs; sting exerted.Metasoma, Petiole broader than long, lacking dorsolateral margins. Anterior and posterior faces transverse. Subpetiolar process well developed, located below the anterior 1/3st gastral segment with prominent transverse ribs.Sculpture. Mandibles smooth with few punctures. Head with prominent punctures, spaced more widely than their diameter. Similar sculpture on dorsal surface of mesosoma. Petiole and postpetiole with larger punctures, forming a rugae-like surface on the dorsum. Gaster with similar sculpture to mesosoma. Cinctus of 1Vestiture. Whole body covered with dense decumbent or subdecumbent yellowish hairs, sides of head and mesosoma with fewer hairs; apical funicular segments and legs with standing hairs.Colour. Dark brownish black with mandibles, antennae and legs castaneous.HL 0.73-0.82; HW 0.55-0.60; EL 0.14-0.18; WL 0.81-0.86; PL1 0.27-0.29; MH 0.36-0.41; PrW 0.41-0.44; PW1 0.36-0.39; IIIAL 0.44-0.50; IIIAW 0.51-0.53; SL 0.39-0.42; IVAL 0.75-0.76; IVAW 0.72-0.77. Indices: CI 73-75; SI 70-71; PI 133-134 (n=3).Like the workers of the same colony, but larger, with a more stout body, especially the mesosoma and gaster. Ocelli present on vertex, prominent. The pilosity is much more prominent when compared with the workers. Distinction between ergatoid queens and workers is vague with size variation of workers very high.PageBreakHL 0.77; HW 0.55; EL 0.08; WL 0.93; MH 0.44; PrW 0.41; PL1 0.27; PW1 0.36; IIIAL 0.38; IIIAW 0.49; SL 0.38; IVAL 0.76; IVAW 0.73. Indices: CI 71; SI 69; PI 133 (n=1).Resembles the worker, with modifications expected for caste and the following differences; three prominent ocelli present on vertex, thicker body with heavy pilosity and prominent sculpture.The species epithet is Hindi for border, in reference to its type locality, Manalar, a place which marks border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.Cerapachys schoedli. However the two species can be easily separated. Cerapachys seema has dull body colouration, sculpture much more prominent and course, pilosity denser, eyes not breaking the lateral margins of head and head almost oval, with anterior and posterior sections of the sides converging, while Cerapachys schoedli is brightly coloured, its sculpture and pilosity are reduced, its eyes break the lateral margins of the head and the head is rectangular with parallel sides.Thespecies is characterized by the punctures on the dorsum of the head being relatively small, separated, with their diameter smaller than the average distance separating them. The new species sharesmost characters with Manalar, part of Periyar tiger reserve, the type locality of this species is a fascinating green hill station (with plenty of leaf litter) surrounded on all sides by the tea gardens of Tamil Nadu. This species was found nesting beneath the marker stone on the border which separates Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is presumed that the nest was in its initial stages of establishment as there were hardly any galleries and underground chambers. A single queen, 3 ergatoid queens and 7 workers were collected. This species seems uncommon in the Western Ghats range, since it was not encountered again from any other locality.http://zoobank.org/EB5CD657-F22C-4E1B-8352-995242B9531Dhttp://species-id.net/wiki/Cerapachys_wighti11°5'N, 76°26'E, 897m a.s.l., 25.ix.2011, Winkler (coll. Shahid A. Akbar). Holotype in PUAC and paratype in BMNH.Holotype and paratype worker: India. Kerala, Silent valley national park, Measurements (holotype in brackets): HL (0.69)-0.71; HW (0.58)-0.59; EL (0.05); SL (0.38)-0.40; WL (0.66)-0.70; MH (0.43)-0.47; PrW (0.33)-0.35; PL1 (0.28)-0.29; PW1 (0.32)-0.33; IIIAL (0.41)-0.44; IIIAW (0.47)-0.49; IVAL (0.71)-0.72; IVAW (0.66)-0.68 Indices: CI 83-(84); SI (65)-67; PI 113-(114).Head rectangular, longer than broad; sides rounding posteriorly, vertexal margin transverse, posterior lateral corners gently rounded, weakly acute. Parafrontal ridges raised, prominent. Eyes reduced. Mandibles subtriangular; masticatory margin without a row of small denticles. Lateroclypeal teeth reduced. Antennae 12 segmented; scapes short, clavate.PageBreakMesosoma stout, compact, rectangular in dorsal view; dorsal surface slightly convex, the sides gently rounded without any distinct margin. Declivous face of propodeum with the upper sides margined.Petiole broader than long, without strong overhanging dorsolateral margins. Anterior and posterior faces transverse. Subpetiolar process stout with hook like ventral margin; no fenestra present. Postpetiole sub trapezoidal, wider behind, posterolateral angles uniformly rounded. Gaster elongate; base of cinctus of first gastral tergite with cross ribs; sting exerted.st gastral with cross ribs.Sculpture. Mandibles punctured. Punctures on dorsum of head large, crowded, their diameter as large, or larger than, the average distance separating them. Mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole similarly sculptured. Gaster with smaller sized punctures compared with head, mesosoma and metasoma. Cinctus of 1Vestiture. Body with reduced pilosity; moderate decumbent or subdecumbent hairs. Mostly prominent on postpetiole and gaster. Apical funicular segments and legs with standing hairs.Colour. Dark reddish brown with mandibles, antennae and legs lighterThe species is named after botanist Robert Wight, who historically explored the area in 1847.Cerapachys wighti shares most characters with Cerapachys indicus, which also has large crowded punctures on cephalic dorsum. However the two species can be easily separated. Cerapachys wighti is smaller in size (HW 0.59 mm), has lighter body colouration and reduced eyes (EL 0.05 mm), while Cerapachys indicus is larger in size (HW 0.77 mm), with darker body colouration and large eyes (EL 0.24 mm).The new species can easily be separated from most of the Indian species on the basis of the large crowded punctureson its cephalic dorsum, with diameter as large, or larger than, the average distance separating them. PageBreakThe species seems to be of rare occurrence as it was encountered only once during the extensive surveys conducted in the area. It was collected from a litter sample taken near the Kuntipuzha river, which drains the entire length of the silent valley national park. With a pesticide free catchment area the region is rich in soil biota and ideal for cryptic ant species.Cerapachys from India. 12 species are recognized of which 6 are described as new. Partly for convenience the 12 Indian species are placed into arbitrary groups. Group I species with 12 segmented antennae viz., Cerapachys sulcinodis, Cerapachys anokha, Cerapachys schoedli, Cerapachys seema, Cerapachys indicus, Cerapachys aitkenii, Cerapachys wighti, Cerapachys longitarsus and Cerapachys nayana. Of the 9 species given above the first four i.e., Cerapachys sulcinodis, Cerapachys anokha, Cerapachys schoedli and Cerapachys seema, have the punctures on the dorsum of the head relatively small, separated, with their diameter smaller than the average distance separating them. Among these Cerapachys anokha, with the declivous face of the propodeum lacking cariniform margins, and Cerapachys sulcinodis, with the dorsal surface of the petiolar node with a smooth, median area are distinct species in the group. Cerapachys schoedli and Cerapachys seema are easily separated. Cerapachys seema has dull body colouration, sculpture much more prominent and coarse, pilosity denser and head almost oval, with the anterior and posterior sections of its sides converging, while Cerapachys schoedli is brightly coloured, with sculpture and pilosity reduced and the head rectangular with parallel sides. The next 3 species i.e., Cerapachys indicus, Cerapachys aitkenii and Cerapachys wighti, have the punctures on the dorsum of the head large, their diameter greater than the average distance separating them. Among these Cerapachys wighti has the smallest size (HW 0.59 mm) and relatively reduced eyes (EL 0.05 mm) wereas Cerapachys aitkenii and Cerapachys indicus are easily separated from each other on the basis of body sculpture and colouration. Cerapachys aitkenii has characteristic bicolouration and its body sculpture is foveate, wereas Cerapachys indicus is mostly piceous with bluish iridescent sheen and reduced sculpture. The remaining 2 species i.e., Cerapachys longitarsus and Cerapachys nayana are members of ‘Phyracaces lineage’ and easily recognized, with strong overhanging dorsolateral margins to the petiole. The two species are separated from each other on the basis of body colouration. Cerapachys longitarsus has characteristic bicolouration with head brown, trunk red or brown, petiole and postpetiole light to dark reddish and gaster brown or black, while Cerapachys nayana is uniformly black in colour, with mandibles, antennae and legs castaneous. Group II species have antennae with less than 12 segments viz., Cerapachys biroi, Cerapachys alii and Cerapachys besucheti. Among these Cerapachys besucheti has 11 segmented antennae while Cerapachys biroi and Cerapachys alii have 9 segmented antennae. Cerapachys biroi is characterized by its opaque body with closely spaced piligerous punctures, while Cerapachys alii has prominent foveate body sculpture.Herewe present a review of genus PageBreakCerapachys . Here we present ergatoid queens of three more species - Cerapachys nayana, Cerapachys schoedli and Cerapachys seema. In evaluating morphometric data of the three castes of Cerapachys seema i.e. worker, ergatoid queens and queen castes ) are excluded from this paper. The two species can be easily separates from other reported Indian species. Cerapachys browni shares mostaffinitieswith Cerapachys aitkenii but with black colour (unicolorous), rugo-reticulate sculpture and strongly constricted cintus of gaster. Cerapachys costatus with remarkable costate sculpture, which is not reported in any other Indian species.Two unpublished new species (PageBreak


AbstractThrasorinae are revised and Mikeius is transferred to Mikeiinae Paretas-Martínez & Pujade-Villar, subfam. n., and Mikeius clavatus Pujade-Villar & Restrepo-Ortiz, sp. n., is described. Two new genera of Thrasorinae are erected: Cicatrix Paretas-Martínez, gen. n., including Cicatrix pilosiscutum(Girault), comb. n. from Amblynotus, Cicatrix schauffi (Buffington), comb. n. from Mikeius, and Cicatrix neumannoides Paretas-Martínez & Restrepo-Ortiz, sp. n.; and Palmiriella Pujade-Villar & Paretas-Martínez, gen. n., including Palmiriella neumanni (Buffington), comb. n. from Mikeius, Thrasorus rieki Paretas-Martínez & Pujade-Villar, sp. n., is also described. A phylogenetic analysis of 176 morphological and biological characters, including all these new taxa and all genera previously included in Thrasorinae, was conducted. All subfamilies were recovered as monophyletic, with the following relationships: Parnipinae (Euceroptrinae (Mikeiinae (Plectocynipinae (Thrasorinae)))). A worldwide key to the subfamilies of Figitidae is provided that includes the new subfamily, as well as a key to genera Thrasorinae.The Australian  Figitidae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) are parasitoids of the larvae of other insects, principally cyclorraphous Diptera  on various trees and bushes. They are parasitoids of the gall inducers or other hymenopteran inhabitants in the galls with which they are associated , Mikeius Buffington , Myrtopsen Rübsaamen (eleven species: two Holarctic and nine Nearctic), and Scutimica Ros-Farré . Thrasorinae are characterized by the circumtorular impression  and the Queensland Museum (QM), as well as the type material of all species included in Mikeius Buffington, new questions arose regarding the taxonomy of Thrasorinae. First, an undescribed species of Mikeius was discovered (described herein); second, two species originally described in Mikeius were determined to render the genus polyphyletic, and new generic assignments are required; and third, phylogenetic analyses determined that the inclusion of Mikeius within Thrasorinae renders the subfamily paraphyletic with respect to Plectocynipinae. In response to these discoveries, Mikeiinae is described as a new subfamily to accommodate Mikeius, and species previously described in Mikeius are moved into other genera. In two cases, no current genus concept could accommodate these species, and the two new genera Cicatrix, gen. n., and Palmiriella, gen. n., are herein described. The goal of this study is to bring clarity to the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of these unusual groups of figitid wasps.Following the examination of many undetermined specimens of List of RepositoriesQueensland Museum, Brisbane, Australia (C. Burwell).QMAustralian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canberra, Australia .ANICPageBreakSpecimen illustration and observation. Environmental scanning electron micrographs (ESEM) were obtained at Barcelona University with the FEI Quanta 200 ESEM without any coating at 15 KV. Additional ESEM images were obtained either with a Hitachi TM3000 E-SEM, or an Amray 1810 SEM under a vacuum, using a lanthanum hexaboride electron source (LaB6) at 10 Kv, both housed at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Images were edited using Adobe CS4 Software . The terminology for morphological structures comes from Phylogenetic analysis. Twenty-two taxa were included in the phylogenetic analysis , so as to capture the morphological diversity of each genus. Parnips nigripes  was chosen as an out-group based on Parnips nigripes as the reference taxon, followed by 1000 bootstrap replicates, each replicate employing 100 TBR swapping replications.analysis , represeParetas-Martínez & Pujade-Villarsubfam. n.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9A0F4DEB-C4CE-44E2-BAAC-D86A88DC25CEhttp://species-id.net/wiki/MikeiinaeMikeius Buffington, 2008.Thrasorinae by the absence of a circumtorular impression  that induce galls on species of Acacia (Fabaceae)and Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae), although most of these host records await verification through isolated rearing .Associated with Australia.Mikeius Buffington, 2008.Pujade-Villar & Restrepo-Ortizsp. n.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:8D74319A-2A25-48A6-B857-80E6ABB2BE9Chttp://species-id.net/wiki/Mikeius_clavatusMikeius in having the antenna strongly clavate with the six terminal segments 1.5 times wider than previous segments  with the following specific characters.Length. Female 2.8 - 3 mm. Male unknown.Coloration. Head and mesosoma black, antenna yellowish, except scape, brown, metasoma pale brown. Legs pale yellow, except coxae, brown.Antenna. : 4(4): 5(3): 3(3): 3(3): 3(3.5): 4(5): 5(6): 5(6): 6(5): 5(6): 5(6): 7(4). Placoid sensillae from F7 to terminal segment.Antenna.  Female. PageBreakPageBreakMesosoma. Mesoscutum slightly striate. Notauli complete of uniform width. Antero-admedian lines weak. Median mesoscutal line very short. Scutellar foveae round to subquadrate, not delimited posteriorly. Mesopleural furrow absent.Forewing. Radial cell 2.4 times longer than wide.Metasoma. Base of T3 with an almost complete hairy ring.Mikeius clavatus P-V & R-O” (red label). PARATYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following labels: “W sidPageBreake Cobungra Hill 20km WbyN, Omeo Vic. 27 Feb. 1980, I.D. Naumann J. C. Cardale” (white label), “ex alcohol collection” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label), “Paratype Mikeius clavatus P-V & R-O” (red label).HOLOTYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following label data: “AUSTRALIA: Vict. Mt. Donna Buang, 1200m 11–17.i. 80, Eucalyptus-Nothofagus forest, A. Newton, M. Thayer” (white label), “flight intercept window/trough trap” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label), “Holotype Unknown.Victoria, Australia.The specific name refers to the strongly clavate antenna.Kovalev, 1994http://species-id.net/wiki/ThrasorinaeThrasorus Weld, 1944.Euceroptrinae by the absence of an areolet in the forewing and the absence of a lateral pronotal carina. Additional characters that distinguish Thrasorinae from other Figitidae can be found in the key to subfamilies below.Distinguished from other figitids by the presence of a circumtorular impression , 9A, B ; furtherThrasorus, In the redescription of Unknown.Australia, South America and North America.Cicatrix, gen. n.; Myrtopsen Rübsaamen, 1908; Palmiriella, gen. n., Scutimica Ros-Farré, 2007; Thrasorus Weld, 1944.Paretas-Martínezgen. n.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F831C129-F846-4A87-A668-524A2EA64E19http://species-id.net/wiki/CicatrixCicatrix pilosiscutum (Girault), comb. n.Cicatrix neumannoides, sp. n., Cicatrix pilosiscutum (Girault), Cicatrix shauffi (Buffington), comb. n.Cicatrix, gen. n., is distinguished from Myrtopsen, Palmiriella, gen. n., and Scutimica by having T3 and T4 as separate sclerites  as well as Cicatrix neumannoides, sp. n., and Cicatrix schauffi (Buffington), comb. n.(Girault)comb. n.http://species-id.net/wiki/Cicatrix_pilosiscutumAmblynotus pilosiscutum Girault, 1929Melanips pilosiscutum (Girault) Weld, 1952Cicatrix neumannoides and Cicatrix schauffi by having female antenna with 11 flagellomeres ), much stronger carinae crossing the entire face .Length. Female 4.4 mm. Male unknown.As in generic description (see above) with the following specific characters: PageBreakColoration. Completely light brown except mesosoma, which is dorsally dark.Head. : 5(3): 10(3): 9(2.5): 8.5(2.5): 8(3): 8(3): 8(3): 7(3): 5(3): 5(3): 4.5(3): 7.5(3). Placoid sensillae absent on basal half of F1 to F4, scarce on dorsal half; abundant from F5 to F11.Mesosoma. Median mesoscutal impression absent. Scutellar foveae subtriangular.Amblynotus pilosiscutum ♀, Type Girault” , “Xyalophoroides pilosiscutum (Gir), E. F. Riek det 1953” , QM Reg. No. T99348” (yellow label), “Cicatrix pilosiscutum P-M det-2009” (white label).HOLOTYPE ♀ (QM) with the following labels: “25. 10. 23, National Pk., Q. H. Hacker.” (white label), “HOLOTYPE” (pink label), “Unknown.Australia. Label data suggest the single specimen was taken in Royal National Park in Sydney.(Buffington)comb. n.http://species-id.net/wiki/Cicatrix_schauffiMikeius schauffi Buffington, 2008.Cicatrix neumannoides, sp. n., in having female antenna with 10 flagellomeres , but differs from Cicatrix neumannoides sp. n. by having a long median mesoscutal impression and subtriangular scutellar foveae  with the following specific characters: Coloration. Completely light brown.Head. : 4(3): 5(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4.2(3.1): 4.2(3.1): 4.3(3.3): 5.2(3.3): 4.6(3.3): 3.5(3.3): 6(4). Placoid sensillae present from F4, abundant from F6 through terminal segment.Antenna.  Female. Mesosoma.  with the following label data: “23.36S 133.35E 32 km WNW of Alice Springs, NT 8 Oct. 1978 J:C: Cardale” (white label), “ex alcohol collection” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label). “HOLOTYPE, Mikeiusschauffi, Buffington” (red label), “Cicatrix schauffi P-M det-2009” (white label).PageBreakUnknownCentral Australia.Thrasorinae, not in Mikeiinae. We transfer this species to Cicatrix gen. n., because it possesses all the diagnostic characters of that genus.The circumtorular impression present in this species indicates that it belongs in Paretas-Martínez & Restrepo-Ortizsp. n.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:1A6D286B-94AF-43F8-945B-D9AF124EEC57http://species-id.net/wiki/Cicatrix_neumannoidesCicatrix schauffi, comb. n., having female antenna with 10 flagellomeres and a face with horizontal strigae only on the lateral areas , but differs from Cicatrix schauffi comb. n. by having short median mesoscutal impression and rounded scutellar foveae (Similar to r foveae .As in generic description (see above) with the following specific characters.Length. Female: 2.9 to 3.0 mm. Male unknown.Coloration. Shiny chestnut, scutum darker in center.Head. Frons and face with piliferous punctures; face with a few carinae from internal margin of eye reaching center of face.Antenna. Female. 10 flagellomeres, antennal formula: 6(2): 4(2.8): 6(2.5): 4.1(2.8): 4.1(2.8): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4.8(3.1): 3.8(3.3): 3.5(3.3): 5.6(4). Placoid sensillae starting from F4, F4 to F6 are scarce, abundant from F7-F10.Mesosoma. , “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label), “Mikeius neumanni Det. M. L. Cicatrix neumannoides P-M & R-O” (red label)”. PARATYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following labels: “Crowea St. For. nr Pemberton W.A. Nov.-Dec. 1978 S.J. Curry Malaise trap open forest” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label), “Paratype Cicatrix neumannoides P-M & R-O” (red label)”.HOLOTYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following labels: “AUSTRALIA: NSW Peak Hill Range, Braidwood, Cooma Road, At top of pass. 30 December 1994. A. Sundholm & R de keyzer. On Acacia.Unknown; label data suggests an association with New South Wales and Western Australia, Australia.Mikeius neumanni in the collection at ANIC, he used only one specimen in his description of the taxon, designating it as the holotype. The species neumanni (based on PageBreakthe holotype) is transferred to Palmiriella, gen. n., below, and the second specimen, in addition to another specimen discovered in ANIC, belongs to Cicatrix.Although Pujade-Villar & Paretas-Martínezgen. n.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:5F540007-4494-49BF-A619-F0A54F5CE41Ehttp://species-id.net/wiki/PalmiriellaPalmiriella neumanni (Buffington), comb. n., by present designation and monotypy.Palmiriella, gen. n., can be distinguished from other thrasorines by having the face smooth, without any sculpturing   , 4F. Addcutimica , with miyrtopsen ); from Tsoscutum  comb. n.http://species-id.net/wiki/Palmiriella_neumanniMikeius neumanni Buffington, 2008.Length. Female 3.2 mm. Male unknown.PageBreakColoration. Head and mesosoma black, antennae yellowish except scape, brown, metasoma medium brown. Legs light yellow except tibia and metatarsi, brown.Head : 4(4): 4(3): 4.5(3): 4.5(3): 4.5(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 3(3): 3(3): 3(3): 5(4). Placoid sensillae from F7 to terminal segment.Antenna . Female.Mesosoma , “Palmiriella neumanni P-V & P-M det-2009” (white label).HOLOTYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following labels: “Mt Nebo, S. E. Qld, 24. Xi. 1970, S. R. Monteith” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label). “HOLOTYPE, Unknown.Queensland, Australia.Weld, 1944Thrasorus pilosus Weld, 1944.Thrasorus pilosus Weld, Thrasorus rieki, sp. n., Thrasorus schmitdae Buffington.Paretas-Martínez & Pujade-Villarsp. n.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:BCD3677F-EA0D-4D37-B62B-F093CEDF7B02http://species-id.net/wiki/Thrasorus_riekiThrasorus by having small scutellar foveae not clearly defined in posterior margin . PARATYPES: 4 ♂ and 1 ♀ (on the same pinned card as the holotype) with the same data as the holotype, “Paratype Thrasorus rieki P-M & P-V det-2009” (red label); 1 ♂ and 5 ♀ (ANIC)  with the following labels: “Out of Acacia galls ???? 19.1.16 QLD” (handwritten below the label with the insects), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label), “Paratype Thrasorus rieki P-M & P-V det-2009” (red label); 1 ♀ (QM) with the following labels: “Amblynotus berlesei ♀ Girault types” (white label handwritten), PageBreak“HOLOTYPE” (pink label), “Thrasorus berlesei (Gir) EF Riek det 1953” (white label handwritten), “QM reg. No. T99347” (yellow label), “Paratype Thrasorus rieki P-M & P-V det-2009” (red label).HOLOTYPE ♀  with the following labels: “Out of large galls on mullee acacia On 18–1-16” (handwritten below the label with the insects), “Thrasorus berlesei (Grlt) Riek det” , “sp 7 (berlesei) det ML Buffington 2006” (white label), “Holotype Acacia galls (based on label data).PageBreakUnknown host on Australia, Queensland.Cynipoidea.Named after E.F. Riek, who worked before us on Australian Amblynotus berlesei’ by Girault. In ANIC, there are six specimens on one large card with a determination label placed by Riek, stating that taxon is ‘Thrasorus berlesei (Grlt)’. But as nomen nudum after Thrasorus rieki, sp. n., mixed with Chalcidoidea specimens.In the QM, there is one specimen labelled as ‘Thrasorinae: the circumtorular impression . The portion of the plate that is reduced is the posterior part of the pronotal plate, or the portion of the plate dorsal to the submedial pronotal depressions. The arrow in Palmiriella , and T3-T4 fused into a syntergum . The primary difference between Thrasorus and Cicatrix is the sculpturing of the mesoscutum. Though the sculpturing on the mesoscutum can be variable in other groups of Figitidae, in the ‘pool’ of genera treated in this paper, mesoscutal sculpture is useful and unique character. Thrasorus is the only genus, not only among Thrasorinae but also among all the genera previously included in this subfamily , that aside from notauli, lacks sculpturing of any kind  in the mesoscutum; we believe that this character is enough to justify the separation of Thrasorus from Cicatrix and the other thrasorines.The morphology of the metasoma is a very important character and is frequently used in all Palmiriella from Scutimica and Myrtopsen are detailed in the diagnosis of the genus (see above). The combination of the smooth face , shape of syntergum T3-T4, shape of scutellum, shape of pronotum, and absence of sculpturing on pronotum, distinguish Palmiriella from Scutimica and Myrtopsen. The differences between Scutimica and Myrtopsen have already been remarked and discussed in The characters that differentiate Parnipinae (Euceroptrinae (Mikeiinae (Plectocynipinae (Thrasorinae)))). It is clear that Mikeius renders the Thrasorinae paraphyletic, supporting the description of Mikeiinae, and that Cicatrix and Palmiriella are distinct clades. Erecting a new subfamily for a single genus is not desirable, but the only alternative to this while respecting the clades recovered in the phylogenetic analysis would be grouping together Mikeius, Palmiriella, Thrasorus, Cicatrix, Scutimica, Myrtopsen, Plectocynips and Pegascynips in a single subfamily; we feel this grouping is undesirable from the standpoint of predictability, since these genera contain species possessing markedly different biological and morphological attributes, and still would lack a single common diagnostic character for all of them. As currently defined, each of the subfamilies recognized here has its own diagnostic character: long metatibial spur for Plectocynipinae, circumtorular impression for Thrasorinae and two carinae in median area of pronotum not forming a projected pronotal plate for Mikeiinae.PageBreakThe results of the phylogenetic analysis are summarized in Thrasorinae from Australia are one of the most poorly known groups of figitids. More field data and specimens would help to clarify the status of this group and some taxa described here. However, there is no single researcher in Australia dedicated to the study of Cynipoidea, and workers on Figitidae wanting to study the systematics PageBreakof this group must rely on ‘rare’ specimens coming from non-target collections while pursuing the sampling of other groups. The study we present here has been done with all the thrasorines and Mikeius that have been collected, curated, and deposited in museums worldwide.PageBreakThe


Over the last decade implementation of targeted therapy has improved the functional ability in JIA-children. Also, the attitude towards participation of JIA-children in sport has become less restrictive with growing evidence of the benefits of physical activity on e.g. disease, fitness and quality of life.To explore the habits in gym classes and sport in 10-16 year-old JIA-children compared to gender- and age-matched healthy controls.68 JIA-children , age 12.74 (±1.70) years, disease duration 5.72 (±4.17) years, and 118 healthy controls , age 12.36 (±1.74) years, answered questionnaires on sport and exercise habits and functional ability (CHAQ38). For JIA: VAS-pain, Patient- and Physician-GA were noted.Mean CHAQ38 scores for JIA: 0.1896 (±0.2025), controls: 0.0359 (±0.0799) indicated only minimal functional impairment in both groups. Pain assessments correlated well to CHAQ38 scores in JIA .No significant differences were found between sport-active JIA-children and controls concerning type and number of sport activities or amount of time spent in sport. Significantly more JIA-children were not sport-active (38% (26/68) vs. 25% (29/118)), mainly due to joint pain (12/26) and getting short of breath/side-stitches (9/26).Significantly fewer JIA-children participated fully in gym (p<0.01) and reported pain (91% (62/68)) and difficulties with certain activities (p<0.01). Strategies mainly used when pain; a short break (81%), changing activity (58%), continuing despite pain (37%).JIA-children still participate less in sport activities and are more challenged in gym classes than healthy peers, despite close-to-normal functional ability. However, sport-active JIA-children do not differ significantly from sport-active healthy peers.


Levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) increase following CABG and predict post-operative outcomes. Release kinetics of BNP, Troponin-I (TnI) and CKMB after valve replacement are not well characterized.We assessed levels of these biomarkers 24 hours prior and 6,24, 48 hrs, 1 month following mitral/aortic valve replacement in 50 patients .Mean baseline BNP, TnI and CK-MB levels were 304.01 pg/ml, 0.03 ng/ml and 0.99 ng/ml. BNP initially decreased within 6 hours of surgery, and peaked at 24 hours; TnI and CKMB showed an early rise, with declining trends by 24 hrs. Peak BNP levels occurred in 90% patients by 24-48 hrs, while for TnI and CKMB this occurred in only 15-30%.Mean delta (peak-baseline) BNP, TnI, CKMB was 660.1pg/ml, 8.1ng/ml and 32.3ng/ml.At 1 month, levels of all biomarkers were not significantly different from baseline. Patients with higher baseline BNP more commonly had atrial fibrillation , higher right ventricular systolic pressure ,higher Euroscore II,longer inotrope duration , ventilator support time , longer ICU  and hospital stay . Inotrope duration>42 hrs, ventilation time>29 hrs and ICU stay>4 days was seen in 42%vs19%, 30%vs9% and 33%vs14% respectively in patients with baseline BNP >/< 200 pg/ml. Only baseline BNP was a significant predictor of inotrope duration (p=0.01) and ventilation time (p=0.02). Only 24 hour post-operative BNP and delta BNP were predictors of inotrope duration>42 hrs, ventilation time>29 hrs and ICU stay>4 days.Release kinetics of cardiac biomarkers following valve surgery are significantly different from each other. Of all the biomarkers, only BNP levels had an association with post-operative inotrope duration, ventilation time and ICU stay in patients undergoing valve replacement.


Cell volume can be calculated as 1-DMF%*LV mass.In severe aortic stenosis (AS), hemodynamics and conventional indices do not fully explain symptoms, prognosis or treatment response. We hypothesize that diffuse myocardial fibrosis (DMF) is a key missing factor in AS. This can now be accurately measured non-invasively using equilibrium contrast CMR (EQ-CMR)  involvin(m)/DMF% (continuous variable or severity tertiles), or cell volume.63 severe AS patients with planned valve replacement underwent baseline and follow up EQ-CMR. Twenty normal controls were included. Baseline and follow-up assessment included NYHA, ECG, echocardiography , BNP and six minute walk test (6MWT). Follow up was at 6-months . EQ-CMR results were expressed as Vd(m):0.27±0.04 vs 0.24±0.04; DMF:17% vs 11%, p = 0.003) with a wide range (Vd(m):0.20-0.39; DMF:4-42%). Breathless patients had more DMF (NYHA class III/IV vs I/II: Vd(m):0.32±0.03 vs 0.26±0.04; DMF:15% vs 27%, p<0.001). DMF correlated with 6MWT  and aortic valve area . DMF only correlated with EF in patients with LV impairment . Severe DMF patients had worse diastolic function (p=0.029). In a multivariate analysis of all parameters classically associated with 6MWT distance, the only independent predictor was DMF (p=0.04). On univariate analysis there was a weak correlation with BNP and age.AS patients had more fibrosis than controls . However, only patients with severe fibrosis improved their exercise capacity (p=0.03). LVH regression  was shown to be cellular  rather than fibrosis (36g vs 34g p=0.572) resolution, figure In this first clinical EQ-CMR study of severe AS, DMF is higher when there is LV impairment, diastolic dysfunction and more severe stenosis. DMF is the single best predictor of pre-op exercise capacity and post-op improvement. EQ-CMR shows that at 6-month post valve replacement LVH regression is predominantly reduced cell rather than fibrosis volume. EQ-CMR for the non-invasive measurement of DMF appears to be a significant cardiological advance.


One of the causes of septic mortality is a low cardiac output secondary to preload failure. Same patients demonstrate preload failure after aggressive volume replacement .t criteria.Ultrasound impulse-wave Doppler evaluation of transmitral flow: VmaxE, VmaxA, ejection time E,A; DT E wave, IVRT of LV. Ultrasound evaluation of end-diastolic and end-systolic LV volume, stroke volume  on Teichholz L. EDLVP = 1.06 + 15.15 × VTI peakA/VTI peakE. Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) = EDLVP - diastolic BP. We evaluate these parameters in 34 patients (age 28.1 ± 8.0 months) with septic shock (SS) diagnosed according to Consensus 2002. Control (C) - 44 healthy children (age 40.7 ± 8.5 months). Statistical analyses with The increase of VmaxA and decrease of VmaxE in patients of SS are demonstrated. IVRT and DT are less than in control group. We evaluated a decrease in E/A proportion. EDLVP in patients was more, and CPP lower, than in controls. See Table Pediatric SS accompanied with LV diastolic dysfunction, which decreases the effectiveness of volume restoration therapy, reduces preload and cardiac output.


AbstractTetramorium tortuosum species group members encountered in the Afrotropical region, which we have placed in its own subgroup: the Tetramorium capillosum species complex. We re-describe the two previously known species Tetramorium capillosum Bolton and Tetramorium tabarum Bolton, and describe the new species Tetramorium hecatesp. n. The geographic distribution of the three species appears to be restricted to the equatorial rainforests of Central Africa. We provide a diagnosis of the Tetramorium capillosum species complex, an illustrated identification key to species level, and worker-based species descriptions, which include diagnoses, discussions, high-quality montage images, and distribution maps. Furthermore, we discuss biogeography and composition of the globally distributed Tetramorium tortuosum group.In this study we revise the taxonomy of the  Tetramorium Mayr represents one of the most species-rich ant genera, a group that is also widely distributed throughout most zoogeographical regions. However, in terms of species and species group numbers, the main diversity of the genus is found in the Afrotropical and Malagasy regions, from where around 220 Afrotropical and 84 Malagasy species are currently known , London, U.K.CASC California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.MCZ Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.MHNG Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de la Ville de Genève, Geneva, SwitzerlandNHMB Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, SwitzerlandTetramorium capillosum and Tetramorium tabarum, together with a small amount of non-type specimens, are found in BMNH and MHNG.The material examined in this study is located in the collections of BMNH, CASC, and MCZ. More than 95% of the specimens examined belong to CASC and were sampled during ant inventories carried out in Central Africa from 1998 to 2001 . All images presented are available online and can be seen on AntWeb (http://www.antweb.org). The measurements were taken with a Leica MZ 12.5 equipped with an orthogonal pair of micrometers at a magnification of 100×, rarely 80×. Measurements and indices are presented as minimum and maximum values with arithmetic means in parentheses. In addition, all measurements are expressed in mm to two decimal places. The measurements and indices used in this study are the same as in All new type material and all imaged specimens can be uniquely identified with specimen-level codes affixed to each pin (e.g. CASENT0078328). In the presented descriptions we list all of the available specimen-level codes for the whole type series. It should be Head length (HL): maximum distance from the mid-point of the anterior clypeal margin to the mid-point of the posterior margin of head, measured in full-face view. Impressions on anterior clypeal margin and posterior head margin reduce head length.Head width (HW): width of head directly behind the eyes measured in full-face view.Scape length (SL): maximum scape length excluding basal condyle and neck.Eye length (EL): maximum diameter of compound eye measured in oblique lateral view.Pronotal width (PW): maximum width of pronotum measured in dorsal view.Weber’s length (WL): diagonal length of mesosoma in lateral view from the postero-ventral margin of propodeal lobe to the anterior-most point of pronotal slope, excluding the neck.Propodeal spine length (PSL): the tip of the measured spine, its base, and the centre of the propodeal concavity between the spines must all be in focus. Using a dual-axis micrometer the spine length is measured from the tip of the spine to a virtual point at its base where the spine axis meets orthogonally with a line leading to the median point of the concavity.Petiolar node height (PTH): maximum height of petiolar node measured in lateral view from the highest (median) point of the node to the ventral outline. The measuring line is placed at an orthogonal angle to the ventral outline of the node.Petiolar node length (PTL): maximum length of the dorsal face of the petiolar node from the anterodorsal to the posterodorsal angle, measured in dorsal view excluding the peduncle.Petiolar node width (PTW): maximum width of dorsal face of petiolar node measured in dorsal view.Postpetiole height (PPH): maximum height of the postpetiole measured in lateral view from the highest (median) point of the node to the ventral outline. The measuring line is placed at an orthogonal angle to the ventral outline of the node.Postpetiole length (PPL): maximum length of postpetiole measured in dorsal view.Postpetiole width (PPW): maximum width of postpetiole measured in dorsal view.Ocular index (OI): EL / HW * 100Cephalic index (CI): HW / HL * 100Scape index (SI): SL / HW * 100Propodeal spine index (PSLI): PSL / HL * 100PageBreakPetiolar node index (PeNI): PTW / PW * 100Lateral petiole index (LPeI): PTL / PTH * 100Dorsal petiole index (DPeI): PTW / PTL * 100Postpetiolar node index (PpNI): PPW / PW * 100Lateral postpetiole index (LPpI): PPL / PPH * 100Dorsal postpetiole index (DPpI): PPW / PPL * 100Postpetiole index (PPI): PPW / PTW * 100Tetramorium ; anterior clypeal margin usually entire without median notch; frontal carinae very well developed and usually reaching posterior head margin; antennal scrobe present, weakly to very well developed; propodeal spines medium-sized to long, elongate-triangular to spinose; propodeal lobes short, triangular to elongate-triangular; petiolar node in profile nodiform, in profile as high as long to 1.3 times higher than long (LPeI 78 - 100), in dorsal view always longer than wide (DPeI 80 - 93); postpetiole sub-globular to moderately anteroposteriorly compressed; mandibular sculpture variable; cephalic sculpturation distinct, between frontal carinae longitudinally rugose to reticulate-rugose; mesosoma predominantly longitudinally rugose; petiolar node weakly to distinctly rugose, postpetiole ranging from unsculptured to longitudinally rugose; gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shiny; all dorsal surfaces of body with abundant, long, standing hairs; first gastral tergite without pubescence, and pilosity never short, dense, and appressed; sting appendage spatulate.Taxonomic notesPageBreakTetramorium tortuosum group are unlikely to be misidentified with species from the other three groups having 11-segmented antennae. The 26 species of the Tetramorium weitzeckeri group all have a squamiform or high nodiform petiolar node, which is always significantly wider than long. This node shape strongly contrasts with the shape observed in the Tetramorium tortuosum group since all three members have a nodiform node which is much longer than wide. The second species group, the Tetramorium angulinode group, is morphologically closer to the Tetramorium tortuosum group since both groups share a nodiform petiolar node. However, they can be clearly separated by the pilosity/pubescence patterns on the first gastral tergite. In the Tetramorium tortuosum group pubescence is absent and pilosity is long and mainly erect, whereas in the Tetramorium angulinode group pubescence and pilosity are usually present, dense, appressed to decumbent, and often pointed towards a longitudinal midline of the tergite. The synonymisation of Triglyphothrix under Tetramorium , and it seems appropriate to evaluate whether the Afrotropical species fit into one of these groups or deserve their own species complex. Based on the definitions of the complexes, the Afrotropical species cannot be members of the Tetramorium jedi, Tetramorium noeli, or Tetramorium smaug complexes due to a lack of sculpture on the forecoxae and the first gastral tergite. This would argue for placement in the Tetramorium andrei complex. Two reasons prevented us from doing so however. First, there is a difference in the development of the anterior clypeal margin, which is strongly medially impressed in the Malagasy Tetramorium andrei complex while the Afrotropical species treated in this study usually have an entire margin . The second reason not to place the African species into a Malagasy complex is the current uncertainty about whether the Tetramorium tortuosum group as a whole is a natural group of closely related species, an issue discussed below. Consequently, we propose to place Tetramorium capillosum, Tetramorium hecate, and Tetramorium tabarum in their own complex, the Tetramorium capillosum species complex.Biogeographic notes on the groupPageBreakTetramorium tortuosum group have a moderately restricted distribution range since they are only known from Equatorial rainforests in the Central African countries of Gabon, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Uganda. Given all of the known African localities, the distribution of Tetramorium capillosum and Tetramorium tabarum appears fairly disjunctive. Most localities are located in the west of the distribution range in Gabon, Cameroon, and western parts of the Central African Republic, but few localities are found much further east in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and northwestern Uganda. This represents a great gap between these two groups of localities. However, we think that this lack of occurrence records is very likely due to a sampling artefact since ant sampling has been relatively fragmentary in sub-Saharan Africa. The westernmost known distribution limit is the eastern coast of the Gulf of Guinea and the easternmost known locality appears to be the Budongo Forest in northwestern Uganda. It is unlikely that they occur further east, which is supported by an inventory of the myrmecofauna of the Kakamega Forest in Western Kenya , Tetramorium philippwagneri Hita Garcia, Fischer and Peters, and Tetramorium pinnipilum Bolton, are fairly successful, common, and relatively abundant species found in many equatorial rainforests. Also, the Tetramorium weitzeckeri group, with the exception of Tetramorium humbloti Forel that has invaded the Malagasy region, is restricted in distribution to the Afrotropical region. This fact indicates that it represents a relatively young and successful development within the Afrotropical Tetramorium fauna, supporting Tetramorium weitzeckeri group, there are many more Afrotropical species groups with 12-segmented antennae that perform well in rainforests, such as the Tetramorium bicarinatum, Tetramorium camerunense, and Tetramorium flabellum groups. This very strong competition in most modern-day rainforests might well explain the depauperate Tetramorium tortuosum fauna encountered in Africa. The species-rich Malagasy group fauna does not face the same competition by other genus members within their size and niche ranges, and with 22 species seems to have undergone a fairly successful radiation, mostly in the rainforests of eastern Madagascar  [MCZ] [examined]. Paratypes, seven pinned workers with same data as holotype  [examined].Holotype, pinned worker, GABON, Makokou, Non-type material. CAMEROON: Mbalmayo, XI.1993 (PageBreakN. Storck); Ndupe, 20.XII.1989 (A. Dejean); Sud, Bondé Forest, N’kolo village, 27.5 km 155° SSE Elogbatindi, 3.2217N, 10.2467E, 40 m, rainforest, 12.IV.2000 (B.L. Fisher); Sud, Campo Reserve, 2°36'N, 9°56'E, 40 m, 25.X.1991 (D.M. Olson); Sud, P.N. Campo, 43.3 km 108°ESE Campo, 2.2825N, 10.2062E, 290 m, rainforest, 7.IV.2000 (B.L. Fisher); Sud, Res. de Faune de Campo, Massif des Mamelles, 15.1 km 84°E Ébodjé, 2.59417N, 9.9595E, 180 m, rainforest, 4.IV.2000 (B.L. Fisher); CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Prefecture Sangha-Mbaéré, Réserve Spéciale de Forêt Dense de Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326°NW Bayanga, 3.005N, 16.1933E, 420 m, rainforest, 10.–17.V.2001 (B.L. Fisher); Prefecture Sangha-Mbaéré, Parc National Dzanga-Ndoki, Mabéa Bai, 21.4 km 53°NE Bayanga, 3.0333N, 16.41E, 510 m, rainforest, 1.–7.V.2001 (B.L. Fisher); DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Epulu, 1.3833N, 28.5833E, 750 m, rainforest, 1.XI.1995 (S.D. Torti); GABON: La Makande, Foret de Abeilles, I.-II.1999 (S. Lewis); Makokou, rainforest, X.1972 (I. Lieberburg); Ogooue-Maritime, Aire d’Exploit. Rationnelle de Faune des Monts Doudou, 24.3 km 307°NW Doussala, 2.2264N, 10.4097E, 375 m, rainforest, 6.-9.III.2000 (B.L. Fisher); Ogooue-Maritime, Aire d’Exploit. Rationnelle de Faune des Monts Doudou, 25.2 km 304°NW Doussala, 2.2275S, 10.3945E, 640 m, rainforest, 14.III.2000 (B.L. Fisher); Ogooue-Maritime, Reserve des Monts Doudou, 25.2 km 304°NW Doussala, 2.2272S, 10.3945E, 630 m, coastal lowland rainforest, 13.-20.III.2000 (S. van Noort); Ogooue-Maritime, Reserve de la Moukalaba-Dougoua, 12.2 km 305°NW Doussala, 2.3167S, 10.5333E, 110 m, rainforest, 24.II.2000 (B.L. Fisher); Ogooue-Maritime, Reserve de la Moukalaba-Dougoua, 10.8 km 214°SW Doussala, 2.4227S, 10.5453E, 110 m, rainforest, 29.II.2000 (B.L. Fisher); Ogooue-Maritime, Reserve de la Moukalaba-Dougoua, 12.2 km 305°NW Doussala, 2.2833S, 10.4972E, 110 m, coastal lowland rainforest, 24.II.–3.III.2000 (S. van Noort); Woleu-Ntem, 31.3 km 108°ESE Minvoul, 2.08N, 12.4067E, 600 m, rainforest, 7.II.1998 (B.L. Fisher); UGANDA: Bunyoro District, Budongo Forest FS, 1.7264N, 31.5524E, 1081 m, 8.VII.2009 (W. Freund & T. Klug).Tetramorium capillosum from the remainder of the species group: eyes of moderate size (OI 23 - 25); antennal scapes moderately long (SI 80 - 83); petiolar node nodiform with anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins relatively rounded, posterodorsal margin situated higher than anterodorsal margin, dorsum convex; mandibles strongly longitudinally rugose; petiole and postpetiole usually with weak sculpture; whole body uniformly very dark brown to black.The following character combination clearly distinguishes (N=12). HL 0.79 - 0.89 (0.84); HW 0.76 - 0.84 (0.79); SL 0.62 - 0.69 (0.65); EL 0.18 - 0.21 (0.19); PH 0.41 - 0.51 (0.46); PW 0.60 - 0.68 (0.65); WL 1.02 - 1.19 (1.12); PSL 0.26 - 0.38 (0.30); PTL 0.31 - 0.37 (0.34); PTH 0.34 - 0.41 (0.37); PTW 0.28 - 0.33 (0.31); PPL 0.28 - 0.33 (0.30); PPH 0.37 - 0.43 (0.40); PPW 0.37 - 0.44 (0.41); CI 94 - 96 (95); SI 80 - 83 (82); OI 23 - 25 (24); DMI 55 - 62 (58); LMI 39 - 43 (41); PSLI 31 - 43 (35); PeNI 45 - 49 (47); LPeI 89 - 100 (94); DPeI 86 - 94 (89); PpNI 61 - 66 (63); LPpI 70 - 78 (75); DPpI 130 - 139 (135); PPI 127 - 138 (134).PageBreakPageBreak (DPeI 86 - 94). Postpetiole in profile relatively high and moderately anteroposteriorly compressed, approximately 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than long (LPpI 70 - 78); in dorsal view around 1.3 to 1.4 times wider than long (DPpI 130 - 139). Postpetiole in profile thinner and higher than petiolar node, in dorsal view approximately 1.3 to 1.4 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 127 - 138). Mandibles strongly longitudinally rugose; clypeus longitudinally rugulose, usually with three to five rugulae, median rugula better developed; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae irregularly longitudinally rugose to reticulate rugose, posteriorly towards posterior head margin fully reticulate-rugose, anteriorly towards posterior clypeal margin more regularly longitudinally rugose; scrobal area unsculptured, smooth, and shining; lateral and ventral head longitudinally rugose to reticulate-rugose. Mesosoma laterally and dorsally strongly irregularly longitudinally rugose. Forecoxae unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Both waist segments with strong sculpture, mainly longitudinally rugose. Gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Ground sculpture generally faint to absent everywhere on body. Whole body with abundant, very long, and fine standing hairs; first gastral tergite without appressed pubescence. Anterior edges of antennal scapes with suberect to erect hairs. Body of uniform very dark brown to black colour.Head longer than wide (CI 94 - 96); posterior head margin moderately concave. Anterior clypeal margin entire and convex. Frontal carinae strongly developed, approaching or ending at posterior head margin. Antennal scrobes narrow but very well-developed with clearly defined margins all around. Antennal scapes moderately long, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 80 - 83). Eyes of moderate size (OI 23 - 25). Mesosomal outline in profile weakly convex, moderately marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma; promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent; mesosoma comparatively stout and high (LMI 39 - 43). Propodeal spines relatively long to very long, spinose, and acute (PSLI 31 - 43); propodeal lobes short, triangular to elongate-triangular, and usually acute. Petiolar node in profile rectangular nodiform, approximately as high as long to weakly higher than long (LPeI 89 - 100), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, posterodorsal margin situated higher than anterodorsal, anterodorsal and posterodorsal angles relatively rounded, petiolar dorsum convex; node in dorsal view approximately 1.1 times longer than wide Tetramorium capillosum is found throughout Gabon, southern Cameroon, eastern Central African Republic, and then much further east in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and northwestern Uganda  either bicoloured or of uniform brown colour, whereas Tetramorium capillosum is noticeably larger  and of a very dark brown to black colour. However, both body size and colouration are often variable within the genus Tetramorium. Tetramorium capillosum also differs from Tetramorium hecate in antennal scape length, eye size, and petiolar node shape. In Tetramorium capillosum the antennal scapes are moderately long (SI 80 - 83), eyes are of moderate size (OI 24 - 25), and the petiolar node has anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins that are relatively rounded, with the posterodorsal margin situated higher than the anterodorsal. In contrast, Tetramorium hecate scapes are relatively short (SI 73 - 77), eyes are relatively large (OI 27 - 31), and the petiolar node is rectangular nodiform with anterodorsal and posterodorsal angles sharply defined and at about the same height. Furthermore, Tetramorium tabarum significantly varies from Tetramorium capillosum in eye size, propodeal spine length, and sculpture on mandibles and postpetiole. Tetramorium tabarum has much larger eyes (OI 27 - 31), much shorter spines (PSLI 22 - 25), and the mandibles and the postpetiole are unsculptured, whereas Tetramorium capillosum has smaller eyes (OI 24 - 25), much longer spines (PSLI 31 - 43), and conspicuously sculptured mandibles and postpetiole.Within the African Tetramorium capillosum remains morphologically remarkably stable without noticeable intraspecific variation.It should be noted that despite a relatively broad distribution range from the Gulf of Guinea to northwest Uganda, Hita Garcia & Fishersp. n.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:BEEEF558-1DDA-40AB-8D79-597684B38033http://species-id.net/wiki/Tetramorium_hecateHolotype, pinned worker, GABON, Province Estuaire, F.C. Mondah, 21 km 331°NNW Libreville, 0°34.6'N, 9°20.1'E, 10 m, littoral rainforest, sifted litter , collection code BLF01742, 24.II.1998 (B.L. Fisher) [unique specimen identifier CASENT0248334] [CASC]. Paratypes, 16 pinned workers with same data as holotype .2°36'N, 9°56'E, 40 m, 25.X.1991 (D.M. Olson); Mbalmayo, XI.1993 (N. Storck); Nkoemvon, 16.III.1980 (D. Jackson); Sud, P.N. Campo, 43.3 km 108°ESE Campo, 2.2825N, 10.2062E, 290 m, rainforest, 7.IV.2000 (B.L. Fisher); Sud, Res. de Faune de Campo, 2.16 km 106°ESE Ébodjé, 2.5678N, 9.8443E, 10 m, littoral rainforest, 9.IV.2000 (B.L. Fisher); Sud, Res. de Faune de Campo, Massif des Mamelles, 15.1 km 84°E Ébodjé, 2.5942N, 9.9595E, 180 m, rainforest, 4.IV.2000 (B.L. Fisher); Sud-Ouest, Bimbia Forest, 7.4 km 119°ESE Limbe, 3.9818N, 9.2625E, 40 m, rainforest, 14.IV.2000 (B.L. Fisher); GABON: Province Estuaire, Mondah Forest, near Libreville, 3.XII.1987 (J. Noyes); Province Estuaire, F.C. Mondah, 21 km 331°NNW Libreville, 0°34.6'N, 9°20.1'E, 10 m, littoral rainforest, 24.II.1998 (B.L. Fisher).CAMEROON: Campo Reserve, Tetramorium hecate differs from the other species of the group by the following character combination: antennal scapes relatively short (SI 73 - 77); eyes large (OI 27 - 31); petiolar node rectangular nodiform with anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins strongly angulate and situated at about the same height; mandibles unsculptured, smooth, and shining; petiole and postpetiole usually with weak sculpture; body colouration ranging from uniformly brown to head, mesosoma, waist segments yellowish to bright orange contrasting with very dark brown to black gaster.(N=12). HL 0.58 - 0.67 (0.63); HW 0.54 - 0.64 (0.60); SL 0.41 - 0.49 (0.45); EL 0.15 - 0.20 (0.17); PH 0.28 - 0.36 (0.33); PW 0.42 - 0.52 (0.47); WL 0.69 - 0.83 (0.77); PSL 0.12 - 0.26 (0.20); PTL 0.20 - 0.26 (0.24); PTH PageBreak0.22 - 0.27 (0.25); PTW 0.17 - 0.22 (0.20); PPL 0.19 - 0.22 (0.21); PPH 0.22 - 0.28 (0.25); PPW 0.24 - 0.29 (0.27); CI 93 - 96 (94); SI 73 - 77 (76); OI 27 - 31 (28); DMI 58 - 63 (61); LMI 41 - 44 (42); PSLI 21 - 38 (32); PeNI 39 - 46 (43); LPeI 89 - 100 (94); DPeI 81 - 89 (84); PpNI 55 - 62 (57); LPpI 80 - 91 (86); DPpI 120 - 130 (126); PPI 129 - 142 (135).PageBreakwaist segments laterally weakly, irregularly rugulose/rugose, dorsally mostly unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Postpetiole and gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Ground sculpture generally faint to absent everywhere on body. Whole body with PageBreakabundant, long, and fine standing hairs; first gastral tergite without appressed pubescence. Anterior edges of antennal scapes with suberect to erect hairs. Body colouration relatively variable, ranging from bicoloured with head, mesosoma, legs, and waist segments yellowish to bright orange contrasting with very dark brown to black gaster to whole body uniformly brown.Head longer than wide (CI 93 - 96); posterior head margin weakly concave. Anterior clypeal margin usually entire and convex, sometimes with very small median notch only visible under higher magnifications. Frontal carinae strongly developed, approaching or ending at posterior head margin. Antennal scrobes well developed, moderately shallow, and with clearly defined margins all around. Antennal scapes relatively short, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 73 - 77). Eyes large (OI 27 - 31). Mesosomal outline in profile weakly convex, moderately marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma; promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent; mesosoma comparatively stout and high (LMI 41 - 44). Propodeal spines usually long to very long (PSLI 30 - 38), elongate-triangular to spinose, and acute, rarely spines reduced, short, elongate-triangular, and acute (PSLI 20 - 21); propodeal lobes short, triangular to elongate-triangular, and acute. Petiolar node in profile rectangular nodiform, approximately as high as long to weakly higher than long (LPeI 89 - 100), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins situated at about the same height, anterodorsal and posterodorsal angles well-developed and rectangular, petiolar dorsum flat; node in dorsal view around 1.1 to 1.2 times longer than wide (DPeI 81 - 89). Postpetiole in profile globular to subglobular, approximately 1.1 to 1.2 times higher than long (LPpI 80 - 91); in dorsal view around 1.2 to 1.3 times wider than long (DPpI 120 - 130). Postpetiole in profile appearing less voluminous than petiolar node, in dorsal view approximately 1.3 to 1.4 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 129 - 142). Mandibles unsculptured, smooth, and shining; clypeus longitudinally rugulose, usually with three distinct rugulae, median rugula better developed than remainder, rugulae often with cross-meshes; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae irregularly longitudinally rugose to reticulate rugose, posteriorly towards posterior head margin well reticulate-rugose, anteriorly towards posterior clypeal margin more regularly longitudinally rugose ; scrobal area mostly unsculptured; lateral and ventral head longitudinally rugose to reticulate-rugose. Mesosoma laterally irregularly rugose, dorsally distinctly longitudinally rugose. Forecoxae unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Both Tetramorium hecate. The species epithet is a nominative noun in apposition, and thus invariant.The name of the new species is inspired by the ancient Latin and Greek goddess “Hecate” or “Hekate”, also known as the “triple Hecate” or “three-faced Hecate”, and refers to the morphological variation in colouration and propodeal spine length observed in Tetramorium hecate is forest leaf litter.The new species is currently only known from Cameroon and Gabon . All locTetramorium hecate is unlikely to be misidentified with the other two species of the group. The most obvious difference between Tetramorium hecate and Tetramorium capillosum and Tetramorium tabarum is the shape of the petiolar node. In the latter two the node is nodiform with relatively rounded anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins, and, in addition, the posterodorsal margin is situated noticeably higher than the anterodorsal margin. In contrast, the node of Tetramorium hecate is nodiform, with clearly rectangular anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins, situated at about the same height. The second-most important character is antennal scape length. Tetramorium hecate has the shortest scapes of the three species (SI 73 - 77), strongly contrasting with the longer scapes of the other two species (SI 80 - 86). Furthermore, Tetramorium hecate is also a much smaller species with much larger eyes and very different colouration than Tetramorium capillosum (see description of the latter for more details). The very well developed antennal scrobes with clearly defined margins all around also separate Tetramorium hecate from Tetramorium tabarum since the scrobes of the latter are shallow and without posterior and ventral margins.PageBreakTetramorium hecate to consist of three potential new species: a strongly bicoloured one with long propodeal spines  [MCZ] [examined].Holotype, pinned worker, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, Epulu, 4.I.1949 (A. Dejean); Sud-Ouest, Bimbia Forest, 7.4 km 119°ESE Limbe, 3.9818N, 9.2625E, 40 m, rainforest, 14.IV.2000 (B.L. Fisher); CENTRALAFRICANREPUBLIC: Prefecture Sangha-Mbaéré, Réserve Spéciale de Forêt Dense de Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326°NW Bayanga, 3.005N, 16.1933E, 420 m, rainforest, 10.–17.V.2001 (B.L. Fisher); Prefecture Sangha-Mbaéré, Parc National Dzanga-Ndoki, 37.9 km 169°S Lidjombo, 2.3707N, 16.1725E, 360 m, rainforest, 20.–28.V.2001 (B.L. Fisher); GABON: Woleu-Ntem, 31.3 km 108°ESE Minvoul, 2.08N, 12.4067E, 600 m, rainforest, 17.II.1998 (B.L. Fisher).CAMEROON: Mvini, 21.XII.1988 ; eyes large (OI 27 - 31); petiolar node nodiform with anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins relatively rounded, posterodorsal margin situated higher than anterodorsal margin, dorsum convex; mandibles unsculptured, smooth, and shining; petiole with very weak sculpture and postpetiole completely unsculptured; head, mesosoma, waist segments yellowish to bright orange, gaster very dark brown to black.(N=10). HL 0.61 - 0.66 (0.63); HW 0.55 - 0.60 (0.57); SL 0.47 - 0.52 (0.49); EL 0.16 - 0.18 (0.17); PH 0.30 - 0.34 (0.32); PW 0.43 - 0.46 (0.44); WL 0.75 - 0.82 (0.79); PSL 0.14 - 0.16 (0.15); PTL 0.20 - 0.22 (0.20); PTH 0.24 - 0.27 (0.25); PTW 0.16 - 0.18 (0.17); PPL 0.19 - 0.21 (0.20); PPH 0.23 - 0.27 (0.25); PPW 0.24 - 0.27 (0.26); CI 90 - 92 (91); SI 84 - 86 (85); OI 27 - 31 (29); DMI 55 - 58 (56); LMI 38 - 43 (41); PSLI 22 - 25 (23); PeNI 37 - 39 (38); LPeI 78 - 82 (81); DPeI 80 - 85 (82); PpNI 56 - 59 (58); LPpI 79 - 85 (82); DPpI 124 - 130 (127); PPI 147 - 156 (152).PageBreakabsent; mesosoma comparatively stout and high (LMI 38 - 43). Propodeal spines relatively short to medium-sized, elongate-triangular to spinose, and acute (PSLI 22 - 25); propodeal lobes short, triangular to elongate-triangular, and acute. Petiolar node in PageBreakprofile rectangular nodiform, approximately 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than long (LPeI 78 - 82), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, posterodorsal margin situated higher than anterodorsal, anterodorsal and posterodorsal angles relatively rounded, petiolar dorsum convex; node in dorsal view approximately 1.2 times longer than wide (DPeI 80 - 85). Postpetiole in profile subglobular and moderately anteroposteriorly compressed, approximately 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than long (LPpI 79 - 85); in dorsal view around 1.2 to 1.3 times wider than long (DPpI 124 - 130). Postpetiole in profile appearing less voluminous than petiolar node, in dorsal view approximately 1.5 to 1.6 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 147 - 156). Mandibles unsculptured, smooth, and shining; clypeus longitudinally rugulose, usually with three rugulae, median rugula better developed; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae with five to eight longitudinal rugae, most rugae running unbroken from posterior clypeal margin to posterior head margin, few rugae interrupted, but none with cross-meshes; scrobal area mostly unsculptured; lateral and ventral head longitudinally rugose to reticulate-rugose. Mesosoma laterally irregularly rugose, dorsally distinctly longitudinally rugose. Forecoxae unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Petiolar node laterally weakly to moderately longitudinally rugose. Postpetiole and gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Ground sculpture generally faint to absent everywhere on body. Whole body with abundant, long, and fine standing hairs; first gastral tergite without appressed pubescence. Anterior edges of antennal scapes with suberect to erect hairs. Head, mesosoma, legs, and waist segments yellowish to bright orange, contrasting with very dark brown to black gaster.Head significantly longer than wide (CI 90 - 92); posterior head margin moderately concave. Anterior clypeal margin entire and convex. Frontal carinae strongly developed, approaching or ending at posterior head margin. Antennal scrobes developed, but shallow and without clearly defined posterior and ventral margins. Antennal scapes moderately long, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 84 - 86). Eyes large (OI 27 - 31). Mesosomal outline in profile weakly convex, moderately marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma; promesonotal suture and metanotal groove Tetramorium tabarum is known to occur in northern Gabon, western Cameroon close to the Gulf of Guinea, the southwest of the Central African Republic, and from the type locality in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo , propodeal spine length (PSLI 22 - 25 vs. PSLI 31 - 43), and sculpture on mandibles and postpetiole, which is present and conspicuous in Tetramorium capillosum while absent in Tetramorium tabarum. The latter is also much smaller (WL 0.75 - 0.82) and bicoloured with a dark brown to black gaster contrasting with the remaining yellowish to orange body, which contrasts with the larger size (WL 1.02 - 1.19) and the uniformly very dark brown to black colouration of Tetramorium capillosum. Despite being often also bicoloured and within the same morphometric range, Tetramorium hecate is unlikely to be confused with Tetramorium tabarum. The antennal scapes are significantly longer in Tetramorium tabarum (SI 84 - 86) than in Tetramorium hecate (SI 73 - 77). More importantly, the petiolar node of Tetramorium tabarum has relatively rounded anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins with the posterodorsal margin situated higher than the anterodorsal, and the dorsum is convex, whereas in Tetramorium hecate the anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins are sharply defined and at about the same height. The varying development of the antennal scrobes is another difference. Tetramorium hecate possesses very well-developed scrobes with margins all around while the scrobes of Tetramorium tabarum are shallow without clear posterior and ventral margins.As already pointed out in the above descriptions of the other two species, Tetramorium tabarum is relatively limited, but it seems that intraspecific variation is very low.The material currently available for


Litopenaeus vannamei, and investigated their potential roles in WSSV replication using dsRNA-mediated gene silencing. Lvcaspase2-5 have the typical domain structure of caspase family proteins, with the conserved consensus motifs p20 and p10. Lvcaspase2 and Lvcaspase5 were highly expressed in muscle, while Lvcaspase3 was highly expressed in hemocytes and Lvcaspase4 was mainly expressed in intestine. Lvcaspase2-5 could also be upregulated by WSSV infection, and they showed different patterns in various tissues. When overexpressed in Drosophila S2 cells, Lvcaspase2-5 showed different cellular localizations. Using dsRNA-medicated gene silencing, the expression of Lvcaspase2, Lvcaspase3, and Lvcaspase5 were effectively knocked down. In Lvcaspase2-, Lvcaspase3- or Lvcaspase5-silenced L. vannamei, expression of WSSV VP28 gene was significantly enhanced, suggesting protective roles for Lvcaspase2, Lvcaspase3 and Lvcaspase5 in the host defense against WSSV infection. Apoptosis plays an important role in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) pathogenesis, and caspases are central players in apoptosis. Here, we cloned four novel caspases (Lvcaspase2-5) from the Pacific white shrimp  Apoptosis plays a protective role in eliminating harmful cells and in the host response to viral infections ,2. When Interference with apoptosis by inhibiting the proteolytic activity of cysteine aspartic acid proteases (caspases) prolongs the life of virus-infected cells, resulting in enhanced viral replication and viral persistence . CaspasePenaeus monodon (Pm) caspase, inhibiting Pm caspase activity in vivo and in vitro . Lv. LvMjcasd 48 hpi . We alsospase2-3 . PmcaspaFigure S1A), Lvcaspase3 (D), Lvcaspase4 (B) and Lvcaspase5 (C) from L. vannamei.Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of Lvcaspase2 ( The nucleotide (upper row) and deduced amino acid (lower row) sequences of Lvcaspase2-5 are shown. The initiation codon (ATG) and stop codon  are shown in bold. The caspase family p20 and p10 domains in Lvcaspase2-5 are shaded. (TIF)Click here for additional data file.Figure S2Domain architectures of shrimp caspases.The full-length protein sequences of shrimp caspases were subjected to the simple modular architecture research tool  to generate domain structures. The p20 and p10 domain are indicated as elliptical boxes, and the prodomain upstream of the p20 domain is indicated as a line. The initiator caspases have a long prodomain (> 90 amino acids) containing specific protein-protein interaction motifs that are necessary for their activation, whereas the effector caspases usually have a short prodomain of only 20-30 residues [residues .(TIF)Click here for additional data file.Figure S3A phylogenetic tree of Lvcaspase2-5 with other caspase family proteins.The full-length amino acid sequences of caspase family proteins from typical organisms were aligned using the ClustalX2.0 program . The rooted tree was then constructed by the “neighbor-joining” method and was bootstrapped 1,000 times using MEGA 4.0 software (http://www.megasoftware.net/index.html). The numbers at the nodes indicate bootstrap values. Lvcaspase2-5 are boxed in blue lines. Lvcasp1, L. vannamei caspase1 (Accession no. ABK88280); Lvcasp2, L. vannamei caspase2 (Accession no. KC660102); Lvcasp3, L. vannamei caspase3 (Accession no. KC660103); Lvcasp4, L. vannamei caspase4 (Accession no. KC660105); Lvcasp5, L. vannamei caspase5 (Accession no. KC660104); Pmcasp1, Penaeus monodon caspase1 (Accession no. AEW91437); Mjcasp3, Marsupenaeus japonicus caspase3 (Accession no. ABK62771); Pmcasp2, Penaeus monodon caspase2 (Accession no. ABO38430); Hscasp1, Homo sapiens caspase1 (Accession no. NP_001214); Mmcasp1, Mus musculus caspase1 (Accession no. NP_033937); Hscasp2, H. sapiens caspase2 (Accession no. AAH02427); Mmcasp2, M. musculus caspase2 (Accession no. NP_031636); Hscasp3, H. sapiens caspase3 (Accession no. NP_116786); Mmcasp3, M. musculus caspase3 (Accession no. NP_033940); Hscasp4, H. sapiens caspase4 (Accession no. NP_001216); Hscasp5, H. sapiens caspase5 (Accession no. NP_001129584); Hscasp6, H. sapiens caspase6 (Accession no. NP_001217); Hscasp7, H. sapiens caspase7 (Accession no. NP_001253987); Mmcasp7, M. musculus caspase7 (Accession no. NP_031637); Hscasp8, H. sapiens caspase8 (Accession no. NP_001073594); Hscas9, H. sapiens caspase9 (Accession no. NP_127463); Hscasp10, H. sapiens caspase10 (Accession no. AAD28403); Hscasp14, H. sapiens caspase14 (Accession no. NP_036246); DmIce, Drosophila melanogaster Ice (Accession no. NP_524551); Dmcasp1, D. melanogaster caspase1 (Accession no. AAB58237); Dmdream, D. melanogaster dream (Accession no. NP_610193); Dmdeath, D. melanogaster death executioner caspase (Accession no. NP_477462); DmNedd2, D. melanogaster Nedd2 (Accession no. NP_524017); Drcasp1, D. rerio caspase1 (Accession no. NP_571580); Drcasp2, D. rerio caspase2 (Accession no. NP_001036160); Drcasp3, D. rerio caspase3 (Accession no. NP_571952); Drcasp6, Danio rerio caspase6 (Accession no. NP_001018333); Drcasp7, D. rerio caspase7 (Accession no. NP_001018443); Drcasp7-2, D. rerio caspase7 like (Accession no. XP_002667104); Drcasp8, D. rerio caspase8 (Accession no. NP_571585); Drcasp9, D. rerio caspase9 (Accession no. NP_001007405); Ggcasp1, Gallus gallus caspase1 (Accession no. XP_003642432); Ggcasp2, G. gallus caspase2 (Accession no. NP_001161173); Ggcasp3, G. gallus caspase3 (Accession no. NP_990056); Ggcasp6, G. gallus caspase6 (Accession no. NP_990057); Ggcasp7, G. gallus caspase7 (Accession no. XP_421764); Ggcasp8, G. gallus caspase8 (Accession no. NP_989923); Ggcasp9, G. gallus caspase9 (Accession no. XP_424580); Ggcasp10, G. gallus caspase10 (Accession no. XP_421936); Ggcasp18, G. gallus caspase18 (Accession no. NP_001038154); Xlcasp1, X. laevis caspase1 (Accession no. NP_001081223); Xlcasp2, X. laevis caspase2 (Accession no. NP_001081404); Xlcasp3, Xenopus laevis caspase3 (Accession no. NP_001081225); Xlcasp7, X. laevis caspase7 (Accession no. NP_001081408); Xlcasp6, X. laevis caspase6 (Accession no. NP_001081406); Xlcasp8, X. laevis caspase8 (Accession no. NP_001079034); Xlcasp9, X. laevis caspase9 (Accession no. NP_001079035); Xlcasp10, X. laevis caspase10 (Accession no. NP_001081410); CeCED3, Caenorhabditis elegans CED3 (Accession no. NP_001255708); CeCSP1, C. elegans CSP1 (Accession no. NP_001022452); CeCSP2, C. elegans CSP2 (Accession no. NP_001023575).(TIF)Click here for additional data file.


S/GSK1349572, a next-generation HIV-1 integrase inhibitor, has previously demonstrated potent antiviral activity in Phase 2a with once-daily, unboosted dosing. SPRING-1 is an ongoing dose-ranging study designed to select a dose to for Phase 3 evaluation.SPRING-1 is a Phase 2b, multicentre, partially-blinded study in therapy-naïve adults, randomized 1:1:1:1 to 10mg, 25mg or 50mg of S/GSK1349572 or efavirenz(EFV) 600mg once-daily with either co-formulated TDF/FTC or ABC/3TC.205 subjects received study drug: 86% male, 20% non-white, 26%>100,000c/mL HIV-1 RNA, 67% TDF/FTC. Plasma HIV-1 RNA declined rapidly across all S/GSK1349572 doses with no differences in NRTI subgroups. Three protocol-defined virologic failures occurred, 1 on EFV (<1log10 decline by Week 4), and 2 on S/GSK1349572 (Week 4 and 24 rebound >400c/mL with no INI mutation detected). No dose-related clinical or laboratory toxicities were observed. More drug-related AEs of moderate-or-higher intensity were reported on EFV (20%) than S/GSK1349572 (6%) arms; none occurred in more than 1 S/GSK1349572 subject. The most frequent category of such events reported by subjects receiving EFV and S/GSK1349572 were gastrointestinal ; other frequent events on EFV were psychiatric (6%) and rash (4%) disorders. No SAE was considered related to S/GSK1349572. Six subjects (2: S/GSK1349572 and 4: EFV) withdrew due to AEs. Mean change from baseline in LDL cholesterol was +0.023mmol/L among S/GSK1349572 subjects and +0.468mmol/L among EFV subjects. S/GSK1349572 demonstrated low pharmacokinetic variability and drug exposure increased with dose. Table 1S/GSK1349572 administered once-daily without a PK booster was well tolerated with potent antiviral activity at all doses explored in SPRING-1. The greater CD4+ cell increases on S/GSK1349572 merit further observation and confirmation.


Dear Editor,Escherichia coli O157 and Shigella dysenteriae, in children (E. coli serotypes (i.e. O104:H4). Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) a closely related syndrome occurs more frequently in adults with more prominent neurological disorders (The hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious disorder of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure that is frequently associated with Shiga toxins produced in enteric infections by isorders . Both ofisorders . Most pa i.e. O10:H4. ThroE. coli but the strain was not specified. Ultrasound examinations showed right and left kidney dimensions were 91 and 100 mm with bilateral multiple cysts. Intravenous antibiotic therapy with ciprofloxacin and imipenem was started. Patient’s general condition significantly improved and fever subsided. Platelet count dropped to 88000/µL at the third day of treatment and then dropped to 7000/µL at the sixth day of antibiotic therapy. The following laboratory data were detected; serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH): 1150 IU/L, hemoglobin: 7.5 mg/dL, WBC: 11000/µL, reticulocyte count: 4 (0.2-2/per high power field), total serum bilirubin: 2.3 mg/dL, direct billirubin; 0.5 mg/dL and serum creatinine rose to 6.2 mg/dL, D-dimer test was negative, serum ADAMTS 13 activity was 47%. Pipheral blood smear was positive for fragmented RBC (schistocyte). With the primary diagnosis of TMA, plasma exchange with fresh frozen plasma was started (1.5 L/d). After four days, platelet count rose to 105000/µL, LDH dropped to 580 U/L, and serum creatinine level returned to 4.0 mg/dL. During all those therapeutic periods, intensive antibiotic therapy was also continued in parallel with plasma exchange.A 65-year old woman was admitted to our nephrology unit with malaise, fever and left flank pain. Her oral temperature was 39°C, pulse rate was 100 per minute, and blood pressure was 120/70 mmHg. Initial laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis 31000/µL, serum creatinin: 4.7 mg/dL, hemoglobin: 9.4 mg/dL, MCV: 88 fL (80-99), MCH: 27 pg (27-31), MCHC: 31 (32-36), cholesterol: 124 mg/dL, triglyceride: 232 mg/dL, platelet count: 246000/µL, serum calcium: 8.6 mg/dL, serum phosphor: 6.3 mg/dL, i-PTH: 768 pg/mL, plasma Na: 142 meq/L, plasma k: 4.9 meq/L, AST: 11 (0-31 IU/L), ALT: 10 (0-41 IU/L), alkaline phosphatase: 326 (64-306 U/L), serum iron: 26 (40-165 µg/dL), TIBC: 247 (250-450 IU/L), and serum ferritin was 180 . Urinalysis showed numerous white and red blood cells (RBC), without any dysmorphic RBC. Serum protein electrophoresis result was negative for paraproteinemia. Blood culture was positive for E. coli bacteremia. However this should not discourage the administration of appropriate antimicrobial agents in this situation, as it may lead to death (Antibiotic therapy could increase the risk of full-blown HUS in children with STEC enteric infection . We obseto death . We foun