Prebiotic, Antioxidant, and Immunomodulatory Properties of Acidic Exopolysaccharide From Marine Rhodotorula RY1801.

In this study, an extracellular acidic polysaccharide (EAPS) from marine Rhodotorula sp. RY1801 was extracted, and its biological properties were investigated. EAPS is mainly composed of monosaccharides, including mannose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, and fucose, had an average molecular weight of 5.902 × 107 Da. The results indicated that EAPS can promote the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. acidophilus plantarum. EAPS is capable of scavenging both superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals in vitro. The highest scavenging rate of superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals is 29 and 84%, respectively. Using in vivo model, we found that the EAPS can expand the lifespan and increase the disease resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans against Klebsiella pneumoniae infection via the DAF-2/DAF-16 pathway. These results suggested that EAPS from marine Rhodotorula sp. RY1801 could promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and can be used as an antioxidant and immunomodulator, which had considerable potential in the food and health industry.

Subfamily Anischiinae (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) in Early Cretaceous of Northeast China.

Rheanischia new genus, type species Rheanischia brevicornis new species (Eucnemidae, Anischiinae) is described from the Lower Cretaceous of Liaoning, China. The presence of this species in early Cretaceous deposits provides new insight into the evolution of basal lignicolous Eucnemidae clades. Both Anischiinae and Palaeoxeninae species diversified in a world dominated by gymnosperms, before the main radiation of angiosperms. More than 95% of modern eucnemid larvae have a Palaeoxenus-type highly modified head structure, but contrary to the Palaeoxenus larva, they develop in angiosperm wood. Anischiinae utilize angiosperms as well, but their head capsule shows no such modifications. These facts prove that highly specialized morphological features do not offer definite proof of similar way of life in the distant past, nor should non-modified structures be taken as proof for another kind of substrate choice. Eucnemidae have invaded angiosperms with two quite different morphological adaptations. This fact may have implications for the evolution of all clicking elateroids.

Taxonomy of Cyrtomorphus Lacordaire (Coleoptera, Erotylidae, Tritomini) from China.

In this paper, a key to separate the Chinese species of genus Cyrtomorphus Lacordaire is provided for the first time. A new species, Cyrtomorphus rufobrunneus sp. nov., is described and illustrated, and one species, Cyrtomorphus connexus Gorham, 1896 is newly recorded to China.

Isolation, Identification of Carotenoid-Producing Rhodotorula sp. from Marine Environment and Optimization for Carotenoid Production.

Carotenoids are natural pigments found in plants and microorganisms. These important nutrients play significant roles in animal health. In contrast to plant production, the advantages of microbial fermentation of carotenoids are the lower media costs, fast growth rate of microorganisms, and the ease of culture condition control. In this study, a colony of red pigment-producing yeast, Rhodotorula sp. RY1801, was isolated from the sediment of marine environment with the potential to produce carotenoids. Optimization of carotenoid production in Rhodotorula sp. RY1801 was also discussed. The optimum conditions found for carotenoid production were as follows: temperature, 28 °C; pH 5.0; carbon source, 10 g/L glucose, nitrogen source, 10 g/L yeast extract, maximum concentration of 987 µg/L of total carotenoids was obtained. The results of this study show that the isolated yeast strain Rhodotorula sp. RY1801 can potentially be used in future as a promising microorganism for the commercial production of carotenoids.

Taxonomy of Aulacochilus (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Erotylinae) From China, with a Key Based on Adult Characters.

The history of taxonomy of Aulacochilus from China was reviewed. A key based on adult characters to separate the Chinese species of this genus is presented. A map of the collecting sites in China is given. One new species, Aulacochilus xingtaiensis sp. nov., from China is described and illustrated.

Taxonomic study on specimens of the genus Micrencaustes deposited in the Bernice P. Bishop Museum (Coleoptera, Erotylidae).

Specimens of the genus Micrencaustes deposited in Bernice P. Bishop Museum were studied. Two new species Micrencaustes (Mimencaustes) rotundimaculata sp. n. and Micrencaustes (Mimencaustes) serratimaculata sp. n. are described and illustrated. A key to worldwide species of the subgenus Mimencaustes is provided.