An economically important species of Citharus linguatula was investigated in the Sea Marmara (Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey). Length-weight relationships, growth parameters, reproductive time, and first sexual maturity length were determined. A total 236 individuals analyzed, weight varied from 7.5 to 26.5 cm TL (17.11±3.62 cm) 2.67 180.81 g (44.07±1.84 g), respectively. The length-weight relat...

The Notch pathway is an essential regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation during development. Its involvement in insect oogenesis has been examined in insect species with meroistic ovaries, and it is known to play a fundamental role in cell fate decisions and the induction of the mitosis-to-endocycle switch in follicular cells (FCs). This work reports the functions of the main compo...

Praying mantis is one of the most efficient predators in insect world, which has a pair of powerful tools, two sharp and strong forelegs. Its femur and tibia are both armed with a double row of strong spines along their posterior edges which can firmly grasp the prey, when the femur and tibia fold on each other in capturing. These spines are so sharp that they can easily and quickly cut into th...

Linguatula serrata is a tongue-shaped parasite that infects carnivores or insectivorous reptile as final host and herbivores as intermediate ones. During necropsy of a 1.5-year-old female stray cat, a few white and fine nodules were observed on the diaphragmatic lobes of the lung. In histopathological examination, the nodules contained a turned spinosum parasite with cuticular spines and in par...

A three-member family from Tehran referred with variety of nasopharyngeal symptoms including sneezing, coughing and nasal discharge following consumption of barbecued liver (Kabab).  Thirteen worm-like nymphs of Linguatula serrata were separated from larynx, nose and gum of these patients. The adult parasites live in the nose and paranasal sinuses of dogs and other carnivores.  Although this in...

Cryptotaenia japonica Hassk., a native species of Eastern Asia, is reported for the first time flora Colombia. This taxon easily recognized by its ternate leaves, rhombic leaflets, leaf margins irregularly serrate, cymose inflorescences, irregular rays and pedicels, white petals, cylindric stylopodium, erect stiles, oblong fruits with five ribs. To date, this has been recorded only in one local...