On the identities of Neotropical Stegana species (Diptera, Drosophilidae). I. Redescription of Stegana magnifica Hendel, 1913 and Stegana fumipennis (Enderlein, 1922)

Abstract Two conspicuous Steganinae species, Stegana (Steganina) magnifica Hendel, 1913 from Amazonian Peru and Stegana (Ceratostylus) fumipennis (Enderlein, 1922) from southern Brazil, are redescribed based on holotypes, and their identities are clarified. Both species are exclusive to the Neotropical Region and the first, with a body length of about 5.5 mm, is the largest species of Stegana described so far in this region, while the latter displays a peculiar antenna bearing an unusual, forward-projected, comma-shaped flagellomere 1. The photomicrographs of the habitus and terminalia of each specimen are also provided.

Biochemical Assessment of the Effects of Aqueous Stem Bark Extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus on Wistar Strain Rats.

Aqueous stem bark extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus was phytochemically screened indicating the presence of alkaloids, tannins, anthraquinones, saponins and phenols. Antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract using Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae as test organisms showed varying zones of inhibition with 10 mm zone of inhibition exhibited by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of extract were 16 μg/ml and 32 μg/ml respectively. Treatment of experimental animals with the aqueous stem bark extract for a period of six weeks and subsequent assessment of its effect biochemically revealed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were significantly higher than normal suggesting certain degree of liver injury. Glucose, cholesterol, total and direct bilirubin as well as total protein levels were significantly higher than normal values with respect to animals treated with 500mg/kg body weight suggesting a dose dependent effect of the extract on the animals. Urea and creatinine levels were slightly lower than normal. Overall, the result of this study showed that the effect of the extract was more pronounced on the liver than the kidney as depicted by the photomicrographs.