Updated phylogeny of Vestimentifera (Siboglinidae, Polychaeta, Annelida) based on mitochondrial genomes, with a new species.

Siboglinid tubeworms are found at chemosynthetic environments worldwide and the Vestimentifera clade is particularly well known for their reliance on chemoautotrophic bacterial symbionts for nutrition. The mitochondrial genomes have been published for nine vestimentiferan species to date. This study provides new complete mitochondrial genomes for ten further Vestimentifera, including the first mitochondrial genomes sequenced for Alaysia spiralis, Arcovestia ivanovi, Lamellibrachia barhami, Lamellibrachia columna, Lamellibrachia donwalshi, and unnamed species of Alaysia and Oasisia. Phylogenetic analyses combining fifteen mitochondrial genes and the nuclear 18S rRNA gene recovered Lamellibrachia as sister to the remaining Vestimentifera and Riftia pachyptila as separate from the other vent-endemic taxa. Implications and auxiliary analyses regarding differing phylogenetic tree topologies, substitution saturation, ancestral state reconstruction, and divergence estimates are also discussed. Additionally, a new species of Alaysia is described from the Manus Basin.

A holistic and comprehensive data approach validates the distribution of the critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius).

Morphological similarities between skates of the genus Dipturus in the north-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean have resulted in longstanding confusion, misidentification and misreporting. Current evidence indicates that the common skate is best explained as two species, the flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) and the common blue skate (D. batis). However, some management and conservation initiatives developed prior to the separation continue to refer to common skate (as 'D. batis'). This taxonomic uncertainty can lead to errors in estimating population viability, distribution range, and impact on fisheries management and conservation status. Here, we demonstrate how a concerted taxonomic approach, using molecular data and a combination of survey, angler and fisheries data, in addition to expert witness statements, can be used to build a higher resolution picture of the current distribution of D. intermedius. Collated data indicate that flapper skate has a more constrained distribution compared to the perceived distribution of the 'common skate', with most observations recorded from Norway and the western and northern seaboards of Ireland and Scotland, with occasional specimens from Portugal and the Azores. Overall, the revised spatial distribution of D. intermedius has significantly reduced the extant range of the species, indicating a possibly fragmented distribution range.

Evidence of egg-laying grounds for critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) off Orkney, UK.

Essential fish habitats (EFHs) are critical for fish life-history events, including spawning, breeding, feeding or growth. This study provides evidence of EFHs for the critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) in the waters around the Orkney Isles, Scotland, based on citizen-science observation data. The habitats of potential egg-laying sites were parametrised as >20 m depth, with boulders or exposed bedrock, in moderate current flow (0.3-2.8 knots) with low sedimentation. This information provides a significant contribution to the understanding of EFHs for flapper skate.

A novel method of microsatellite genotyping-by-sequencing using individual combinatorial barcoding.

This study examines the potential of next-generation sequencing based 'genotyping-by-sequencing' (GBS) of microsatellite loci for rapid and cost-effective genotyping in large-scale population genetic studies. The recovery of individual genotypes from large sequence pools was achieved by PCR-incorporated combinatorial barcoding using universal primers. Three experimental conditions were employed to explore the possibility of using this approach with existing and novel multiplex marker panels and weighted amplicon mixture. The GBS approach was validated against microsatellite data generated by capillary electrophoresis. GBS allows access to the underlying nucleotide sequences that can reveal homoplasy, even in large datasets and facilitates cross laboratory transfer. GBS of microsatellites, using individual combinatorial barcoding, is potentially faster and cheaper than current microsatellite approaches and offers better and more data.

Multiplexing with three-primer PCR for rapid and economical microsatellite validation.

The next generation sequencing revolution has enabled rapid discovery of genetic markers, however, development of fully functioning new markers still requires a long and costly process of marker validation. This study reports a rapid and economical approach for the validation and deployment of polymorphic microsatellite markers obtained from a 454 pyrosequencing library of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, Linnaeus 1758. Primers were designed from raw reads to amplify specific amplicon size ranges, allowing effective PCR multiplexing. Multiplexing was combined with a three-primer PCR approach using four universal tails to label amplicons with separate fluorochromes. A total of 192 primer pairs were tested, resulting in 73 polymorphic markers. Of these, 55 loci were combined in six multiplex panels each containing between six and eleven markers. Variability of the loci was assessed on G. morhua from the Celtic Sea (n = 46) and the Scotian Shelf (n = 46), two locations that have shown genetic differentiation in previous studies. Multilocus F(ST) between the two samples was estimated at 0.067 (P = 0.001). After three loci potentially under selection were excluded, the global F(ST) was estimated at 0.043 (P = 0.001). Our technique combines three-primer and multiplex PCR techniques, allowing simultaneous screening and validation of relatively large numbers of microsatellite loci.

Walker repair of the temporomandibular joint: a retrospective evaluation of 117 patients.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the outcome of a high condylar shave with meniscal repositioning (Walker repair) in patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Changes in incisal opening, pain level, chewing ability, and preoperative TMJ symptoms (tinnitus, vertigo, and crepitus) were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of 202 patients undergoing the Walker repair was completed using a questionnaire. A total of 117 patients responded to the questionnaire. Preoperative and postoperative examination findings, subjective questionnaire results, and panorex radiographs were analyzed. RESULTS: The Walker repair resulted in a statistically significant (P < .001) decrease in pain by an average of 5.6 points on a scale of 0 to 10. The procedure also improved incisal opening by an average of 5.8 mm (P < .001). Improvements of 69% in tinnitus, 72% in vertigo, and 66% in crepitus were documented. Patients evaluated their motion, diet, comfort, and overall improvement; each area was rated as good or excellent by more than 90% of patients. The overall success rate for the Walker repair was 86%. CONCLUSIONS: The Walker repair is an effective surgical treatment for internal derangement that significantly decreases pain level and increases incisal opening. No statistically significant difference in the success rate between unilateral and bilateral procedures was noted.

Lateral pterygoid myotomy with reattachment to the condylar neck: an adjunct to restore function after total joint reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of performing a lateral pterygoid myotomy with reattachment to the condylar stump to restore more normal function after total joint reconstructive surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-four joints were reconstructed in 14 patients with stock Christensen chrome-cobalt prostheses. Patients were separated into 2 groups. Group I consisted of 4 joints without reattached lateral pterygoid muscle (-LPM), and group II consisted of 20 joints with reattachment of the lateral pterygoid muscle to the condylar stump (+LPM). Patients were evaluated at an average of 15 months postoperatively to assess mandibular movement. Group I was compared with group II, and statistical analysis was performed through the use of the Mann-Whitney test. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by using postoperative questionnaires. RESULTS: Group II had an average interincisal opening 7.3 mm greater than Group I (P <.001). Lateral movements averaged 3.86 mm in Group II versus 0.5 mm in Group I (P <.05). Protrusion was 2.83 mm greater in Group II than in Group I (P = 0.53). CONCLUSION: The reattachment of the lateral pterygoid muscle to the condylar stump during total joint reconstructive surgery may provide the patient with greater interincisal opening, lateral excursions, and protrusive movement. The preliminary data from these small, nonrandomized groups are promising for improved function following total joint reconstruction.