Hair follicle growth process through several well-organized stages with specific input by several signaling pathways including Wnt/β-catenin and Sonic Hedgehog with GSK3β in this process. As such, this research focus on investigating the efficacy of molecules that are able to inhibit GSK3β action in inducing hair regrowth. Applying computational techniques, three compounds NMN, Resveratrol and EGCG were analyzed for their GSK3β inhibition. It was established that EGCG has the highest values of molecular docking scores and, in the case of the stability criteria such as RMSD and RMSF, presented the most stable dynamic simulation. EGCG has shown considerable TEMPORAL STABILITY with GSK3β in the complex, because over a period of 200 nanoseconds the molecules remained bound through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts. As confirmed by PCA, the largest conformational changes in GSK3β suggest significant inhibitory interaction. Out of all the studied compounds, EGCG turns out to be the most potent GSK3β inhibitor for hair regrowth purposes. The result obtained from the molecular dynamics simulation indicates that EGCG might exert a favorable impact to extract signaling pathways related with hair follicle cycling which is a significant objective. These outcome sets the phase for further experimental testing to discover the potential of EGCG in the treatment of alopecia.
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae), commonly known as the red palm weevil (RPW), is a globally significant pest that threatens economically important palm trees. Its cryptic infestation behavior leads to irreversible damage and eventual host plant death. Current control methods using broad-spectrum insecticides are largely ineffective due to resistance development and their adverse effects on nontarget organisms, necessitating novel strategies. This study integrates proteomics and transcriptomics data to explore the molecular landscape of RPW and identify pathways for targeted pest management. A total of 16,954 transcripts and 983 proteins were identified across three developmental stages (larvae, male adults, and female adults), with a notable decline in protein numbers from larvae to adult. Differential expression analysis revealed 7540 proteins varying significantly between developmental stages. Through subtractive analysis, 218 proteins meeting stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. These proteins underwent pathway enrichment analysis, mapping to 39 enriched pathways (p-value and an FDR of developmental stages. The findings emphasize critical pathways, their enzyme components, and the regulation of these enzymes, offering novel insights for sustainable and targeted pest management solutions.
The Spotted Litter Skink, Sphenomorphus maculatus, initially described by Edward Blyth in 1854, lacks a taxonomic reference point, as the holotype was reported lost by 1868. A preliminary molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed indications of cryptic diversity within S. maculatus across its range in Northeast India. We aimed to pinpoint the precise type locality, concluding that it corresponds to the peripheral forested regions surrounding Guwahati, India. To establish a robust taxonomic foundation for future investigations, we designate a neotype under the provisions of the ICZN Code (Article 75). We also provide a comprehensive redescription of the neotype. This analysis and redescription were based on recently collected specimens from the identified type locality, and approximate areas based on the movements of Col. Jenkins, who was the original collector of the holotype. Genetic data from six loci of the neotype and from the other specimens were deposited in GenBank, contributing valuable information for future reference.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
Paraxenoacria gen. nov., a new genus belonging to the family Peleopodidae is described to accommodate a new species Paraxenoacria spinosa sp. nov. from Bangladesh. This genus is peculiar and clearly distinct from the other genera of this family and others of the related families on the basis of external morphology as well as genitalia features of males such as having downwardly curved digitiform projections in the tegumen and distinct shape of the valva. Additionally, analysis of observations from different citizen science platforms reveals that this newly described genus is distributed throughout South-East Asia up to Malaysia. The biological aspects of this new species are also provided. The genus is tentatively being placed within the subfamily Acriinae due to its close resemblance to the genus Acria Stephens, 1834 pending further comprehensive taxonomic study.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
Based on an orthopteran survey in different parts of western Sabah, a total of 24 species from 16 genera are reported here, i.e., three species from one genus of Elimaeini, 14 species from nine genera of Holochlorini and three species from two genera of Mirolliini. Among them, four species of Holochlora new to science are described from Mount Trus Madi: Holochlora bulbosa Tan, Liu & Ingrisch, sp. nov., Holochlora falcata Tan, Liu & Ingrisch, sp. nov., Holochlora bispinosa Tan, Liu & Ingrisch, sp. nov. and Holochlora cratera Tan, Liu & Ingrisch, sp. nov. One new genus of Holochlorini is described from Mount Trus Madi: Pulchrapsyra cyanea Tan, Liu & Ingrisch, gen. et sp. nov. One species of Deflorita (Separita) new to science from Mount Trus Madi is described: Deflorita (Separita) extensa Tan, Liu & Ingrisch, sp. nov.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
Eighteen and 23 specimens of two species of the poorly known anchovies Stolephorus grandis Hata & Motomura, 2021b and Stolephorus waitei Jordan & Seale, 1926 (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae), respectively, are examined. This study presents their detailed morphological characters including fresh colorations along with their precise distributional ranges within the Sahul Shelf coastal region. The "barcode" regions of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were examined in four specimens of S. waitei and one specimen of S. grandis. Both species diverged by 10.6% and > 10.3% mean (uncorrected) genetic distances from each other and from any other species of Stolephorus, respectively. Stolephorus waitei, S. grandis, and Stolephorus nelsoni Wongratana, 1987 form a monophyletic group of species endemic to the Sahul Shelf region. Additionally, the role and evolution of double lines on the dorsum observed in several species of Stolephorus, including S. grandis, are discussed.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
Orthopteran surveys were recently conducted at the Panti Forest Reserve in Johor State of Peninsular Malaysia. Based on new material, three species new to science are described here: Agryllus sori Tan, Muhammad & Gorochov, sp. nov. (Gryllidae: Gryllinae), Malayzacla panti Tan, Muhammad & Gorochov, gen. et sp. nov. (Phalangopsidae: Phalangopsinae) and Parendacustes (Parendacustes) aduncus Tan, Muhammad & Gorochov, sp. nov. (Phalangopsidae: Phalangopsinae). The calling songs of five species are described here for the first time: Agryllus sori Tan, Muhammad & Gorochov, sp. nov., Duolandrevus (Bejorama) firmus tiomani Gorochov, 2016 (Gryllidae: Landrevinae), Malayzacla panti Tan, Muhammad & Gorochov, gen. et sp. nov., Parendacustes (Parendacustes) aduncus Tan, Muhammad & Gorochov, sp. nov. and Trellius (Protrellius) helverseni tioman Gorochov, 2011 (Phalangopsidae: Phaloriinae). New locality records in Panti Forest Reserve for five species are also presented here: Duolandrevus (Bejorama) firmus tiomani Gorochov, 2016, Duolandrevus (Bejorama) parvulus Gorochov, 2016, Brevimunda trilineata Tan, Japir, Chung & Robillard, 2022 (Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae), Zamunda fuscirostris (Chopard, 1969) (Oecanthidae: Podoscirtinae) and Trellius (Protrellius) helverseni tioman Gorochov, 2011.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
New taxonomic and faunistic data for nine species of Paraphloeostiba Steel, 1960 and one species of Xanthonomus Bernhauer, 1926 (X. guineensis Shavrin, 2024) from the eastern Palaearctic, Oriental and Papuan regions are provided. Three new species of Paraphloeostiba are described and illustrated: P. acrolochaoides sp. nov. and P. brevicula sp. nov. from Papua New Guinea, and P. zingiberiphila sp. nov. from Malaysia (Sabah). Four species are recorded for the first time: P. gayndanensis (MacLeay, 1873) from Guangxi Province of China, Laos and Japan (Amami-Ōshima), P. papuana (Cameron, 1931) and P. riedeli Shavrin, 2024 from Papua New Guinea, and P. steeli Shavrin, 2024 from Indonesia (Sulawesi).
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
An integrative taxonomic analysis of the gekkonid lizard genus Hemiphyllodactylus was conducted using molecular, morphological, color pattern, and ecological data on a clade of 19 species, including two new species from karst landscapes in northern Laos and Vietnam. Hemiphyllodactylus houaphanensis sp. nov. (Laos) and H. vanhoensis sp. nov. (Vietnam) are karst-dwelling species whose discovery further emphasizes the unrealized herpetological diversity and site-specific endemism in karst ecosystems across Southeast Asia and the need for increased field work to protect these biodiverse landscapes.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
The final stadium larvae of the following four species of south-east Asian Chlorocyphidae are described and compared: Aristocypha fenestrella (Rambur), Heliocypha biseriata (Selys), Libellago hyalina (Selys) and Sundacypha petiolata (Selys), including both sexes for the latter two species. Excepting one L. hyalina specimen from Brunei, identified by supposition based on habitat, all specimens were identified by comparing and matching the mitochondrial marker COI with that of known adult specimens from Sarawak, Brunei and several localities throughout tropical Asia. The specimens presented close matches with all adults in this gene. An assessment of the efficacy of this method of identification is provided, noting that in some cases close species cannot be separated by bar-code matching and ultimate determination is partially based on known distributions of adults. Some aspects of the relationships among genera revealed by the genetic analyses are also discussed. In addition, an exuvia of Libellago lineata (Burmeister) from northern Thailand, identified by supposition, is partially described for the purpose of comparison with L. hyalina. For the morphological analysis the unique features of chlorocyphid anatomy are discussed, and some new terminology is introduced. Overall, the morphological analysis revealed numerous clear differences between the four species studied, and comparisons with available literature suggest that some of these may be characteristic of their genera. It is also evident that in some cases clear interspecific differences occur within genera. It is however concluded that a generic level larval key for the Oriental region Chlorocyphidae based on morphology may never be attainable, although local generic or even species level keys addressing the fauna of limited geographic areas may be possible in many places, especially as the larvae of more species come to be known and described in detail.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
Model based integrative analyses supports the recognition of a new species of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group from Phuket Island, Thailand. Cyrtodactylus thalang sp. nov. is most closely related to the sister species C. brevipalmatus from the Thai-Malay Peninsula and C. cf. brevipalmatus from Langkawi Island, Kedah State, Peninsular Malaysia. Based on the mitochondrial gene ND2, C. thalang sp. nov. bears an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 14.7% and 15.1% from C. cf. brevipalmatus and C. brevipalmatus, respectively, significantly different (p<0.05) mean values of meristic and morphometric characters, and discrete categorical morphological differences. A multiple factor analysis morphospatially statistically placed C. thalang sp. nov. well outside all other species of the brevipalmatus group. The BAYAREALIKE model of a BioGeoBEARS analysis indicated the origin of the brevipalmatus group was in western Indochina with subsequent south to north speciation along the Tenasserim Mountains followed by a west to east invasion of northern Thailand, Laos, and northwestern Vietnam northeast of the Chao Phraya Basin and north of the Khorat Plateau.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
Recent fieldwork in eastern Sabah led to the discovery of new little-known crickets from the subfamily Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera, Grylloidea). Three new species are described: Tembelingiola biaculeata sp. nov. and Tembelingiola kabili sp. nov. from Sepilok; Pteroplistes silam sp. nov. from Mount Silam. Previously, the calling song of only one species of Pteroplistinae was known. Here, the calling songs of the three new species, as well as that of Pteroplistes lagrecai Gorochov, 2004, are also described for the first time. Therefore, distinctive calling songs for five species and three genera of Pteroplistinae are presently known.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
Specimens representing three genera of Phaloriinae-Borneloria Gorochov, 2018, Phaloria (Papuloria) Gorochov, 1996 and Trellius (Zatrellius) Gorochov, 1999-were collected from Peninsular and East Malaysia and examined here. We report a new locality record for Borneloria moorei (Chopard, 1940) in Johor, Peninsular Malaysia, the first record of this genus in Malay Peninsula. From Sandakan, East Malaysia, we discovered a new species of Trellius (Zatrellius) and describe here: Trellius (Zatrellius) puntung sp. nov. We also recorded the previously unknown calling songs of Phaloria (Papuloria) tristis Gorochov, 2014 and Trellius (Zatrellius) puntung sp. nov. and describe them here.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
The gekkonid lizard Cyrtodactylus intermedius was formerly considered to be a single widespread species in hilly areas across eastern Thailand through southern Vietnam but has recently been partitioned into a complex of 12 nominal species across its range. A population belonging to the C. intermedius group was recently found in an isolated limestone karst block in Kampot Province in southwestern Cambodia, part of which lies within the recently designated Phnom Preah Kuhear Loung Natural Heritage Site. Comparisons of morphometric, meristic, qualitative morphological and color pattern data, as well as a molecular analysis using the mitochondrial ND2 gene, revealed that this population differs from all other named members of the C. intermedius group, and so is described here as a new species. The karst-dwelling C. regicavernicolus sp. nov. was recovered as the sister species to C. laangensis, the most geographically proximate member of the complex and one that is also restricted to a small limestone karst habitat.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
The present study identified a new barnacle species from Malaysian waters, Chthamalus ngankeeae sp. nov., on morphological and molecular grounds. Chthamalus ngankeeae sp. nov. is an intertidal species that is abundant on high shores, above the oyster zone. Chthamalus ngankeeae sp. nov. has two morphotypes, based on shell colour. Brown morphs have brown shells with pale brown ridges and look similar to Microeuraphia withersi (Pilsbry, 1916). Chthamalus ngankeeae sp. nov. has four teeth on the mandible, while M. withersi has but three. White morphs of C. ngankeeae sp. nov. possess white shells with gray ridges. The white morph of C. ngankeeae sp. nov. is similar to C. moro Pilsbry, 1916, but a major morphological difference includes a more prominent articular ridge on the scutum of C. ngankeeae sp. nov. compared to C. moro. Molecular analyses of sequence divergence in the COI and NaK genes of C. ngankeeae sp. nov. with other chthamalids showed that it forms an individual monophyletic group and does not belong to any of the cryptic lineages of C. moro, supporting its designation as a new species.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
We here report on freshwater cave crabs of the families Potamidae and Gecarcinucidae in East Kalimantan, Sarawak, Indonesia in Borneo. A new genus and species of potamid crab, Ngan mayla, is described from Lubang Gedung Cave in the Merabu Karst. With its bullet-shaped eyes, Ngan mayla gen. et sp. nov. is totally blind and also displays the characters associated with an obligate cave-dwelling life, namely that it is dolichopod and fully depigmented. The closest genus and species is Cerberusa caeca Holthuis, 1979, from northern Sarawak. Highly modified, Ngan mayla gen. et sp. nov. proves to be among the most troglobitic of the known subterranean potamids, of which there were currently only seven in the Old World, with only four simultaneously being completely blind, entirely depigmented and dolichopod (Cerberusa caeca Holthuis, 1979, Diyutamon cereum Huang, Shih & Ng, 2017 and Phasmon typhlops Huang, Ahyong & Shih, 2020, to which must be added today Ngan mayla gen. et sp. nov.). Ngan mayla gen. et sp. nov. is easily distinguished from other potamid genera by its chelipeds bearing numerous acute teeth, spines (some horn-tipped) and short simple setae or spine-like setae on all articles. Two young female crabs collected in 2010 at the same area (Merabu Karst) but from a different cave, the Lubang Tebot Cave, could not be identified to specific level: an Isolapotamon sp., and a gecarcinucid with very long legs, pale colouration and slightly modified but black-pigmented eyes, close to Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969, could possibly belong to a new genus. Some information on New World troglobitic crabs is provided.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
The Phong Nha-Ke Bang (PNKB National Park in the Central Highlands of Vietnam is a bastion for the protection and conservation of Vietnam's natural heritage. Thus, the discovery of yet another new species of Cyrtodactylus, C. hangvaensis sp. nov., within the PNKB continues to underscore the parks ever-growing importance. Cyrtodactylus hangvaensis sp. nov. is a karst dwelling species of the angularis group that based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis, is most closely related to C. roesleri from the PNKB and C. sommerladi from karstic areas in nearby Laos. Cyrtodactylus hangvaensis sp. nov. occupies a unique position in morphospace where it is well separated from closely related species and other species within the PNKB. It is potentially diagnosable from all other members of the angularis by having a unique combination of morphological and color pattern characters and bearing an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 9.5%-25.5%.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
In the first comprehensive taxonomic study of the tanaidacean fauna of Singapore, a total of 23 species belonging to two suborders, three superfamilies, 13 families and 22 genera were identified from approximately 2,400 specimens, including 11 species that are possibly new to science. This material was collected from various localities in Singapore waters, from the intertidal zone to subtidal habitats up to 91 m in depth. Many species exhibited a narrow bathymetric distribution and strong affiliation to certain habitats or microhabitats such as mudflats, coral reefs, and barnacle shells on rocky shores. The Singapore Strait yielded 20 tanaidacean species, almost thrice the number of species (7) present in the Johor Straits. Three species were confined to the brackish waters in the inner parts of the Johor Straits and Sungei Pandan. Furthermore, a total of 153 tanaidacean species has now been recorded from Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. The presence of the family Numbakullidae in this region is also documented for the first time.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
The species of the genus Thelcticopis Karsch, 1884 from India, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are reviewed. Stasina nalandica Karsch, 1892 and S. paripes (Karsch, 1879) are re-transferred to the genus Thelcticopis. Thelcticopis ajax Pocock, 1901, T. bicornuta Pocock, 1901, T. birmanica Thorell, 1895 stat. rev., T. hercules Pocock, 1901, T. moolampilliensis Sunil Jose & Sebastian, 2007, T. nalandica (Karsch, 1892) comb. rest., T. paripes (Karsch, 1879) comb. rest., T. picta (Thorell, 1887), T. rufula Pocock, 1901, T. serambiformis Strand, 1907, and T. virescens Pocock, 1901 are diagnosed, redescribed, and/or illustrated based on type and/or freshly collected material, and their current distributional records are mapped. The female of T. virescens is described for the first time. The type locality of Thelcticopis goramensis (Thorell, 1881) is situated in Indonesia, Maluku, not in Malaysia. Thelcticopis bifasciata (Thorell, 1891), and T. fasciata (Thorell, 1897) are proposed as nomina dubia as the holotypes are immature and their identity cannot be fully elucidated. Thelcticopis ancorum Dyal, 1935 and T. telonotata Dyal, 1935 from Lahore, Punjab are considered species incertae sedis, and the subfamily Sparianthinae is most likely not distributed in Pakistan.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development
During recent years, many taxa of water fleas (Crustacea: Cladocera) with wide distribution ranges were revised and finally accepted as groups of cryptic species. Here we provide a redescription of Ilyocryptus raridentatus Smirnov, 1989 (Anomopoda: Ilyocryptidae). Our study clearly confirms that I. raridentatus belongs to the sarsi-group based on incomplete moulting, absence of dorsal keel, structure of antennule, thoracic limb I and postabdomen. The species is widely distributed in Australia and East Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Central China, Japan, South Korea) and penetrates north to the Far East of Russia. A morphological variability among different populations of I. raridentatus does not exceed an intrapopulational level. I. raridentatus seems to be a relatively rare species with a benthic lifestyle similar to its congeners.
Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development