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Journal of the Chinese Medical... Jul 2007Otocephaly is a rare lethal syndrome of microstomia, aglossia, agnathia, and synotia. This male infant was born to a 19-year-old, gravida 1, para 0, woman who received...
Otocephaly is a rare lethal syndrome of microstomia, aglossia, agnathia, and synotia. This male infant was born to a 19-year-old, gravida 1, para 0, woman who received routine prenatal check-up. Polyhydramnios, low-lying ears, and proboscis were noted by sonography at 29 weeks of gestation. Amniocentesis showed a normal karyotype of 46, XY. Premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor were noted at 32 weeks of gestation. A male infant was delivered preterm and died shortly after birth. The infant showed midline proboscis and absence of mandible. The simple, soft ears were extremely low-set and were near the midline of the neck. Otocephaly is regarded as the most severe form of first arch anomalies. Prenatal diagnosis should be dependent on ultrasound analysis. In the face of polyhydramnios, otocephaly is one of the possible fetal anomalies.
Topics: Abnormalities, Multiple; Adult; Ear; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Microstomia; Pregnancy; Syndrome; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 17631468
DOI: 10.1016/S1726-4901(07)70009-6 -
Toxins Feb 2019Most ribbon worms (phylum: Nemertea) are found in marine environments, where they act as predators and scavengers. They are characterized by an eversible proboscis that... (Review)
Review
Most ribbon worms (phylum: Nemertea) are found in marine environments, where they act as predators and scavengers. They are characterized by an eversible proboscis that isused to hunt for prey and thick mucus covering their skin. Both proboscis and epidermal mucus mediate toxicity to predators and preys. Research into the chemical nature of the substances that render toxicity has not been extensive, but it has nevertheless led to the identification of several compounds of potential medicinal use or for application in biotechnology. This review provides a complete account of the current status of research into nemertean toxins.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Invertebrates; Phylogeny; Toxins, Biological
PubMed: 30781381
DOI: 10.3390/toxins11020120 -
BMJ Open Ophthalmology 2021Proboscis lateralis (PL) is a rare congenital malformation of the craniofacial structure with varied clinical associations. None of the studies documented a discrete... (Review)
Review
Proboscis lateralis (PL) is a rare congenital malformation of the craniofacial structure with varied clinical associations. None of the studies documented a discrete review of ophthalmic presentations in PL. The principal aim of the present study is to explore the ophthalmic manifestations of PL. The ancillary goal is to derive a relationship between congenital deformity in PL and various ophthalmic anomalies. Databases were searched in order to obtain articles related to PL. A qualitative systematic analysis of 100 subjects was performed. In PL, eyelid coloboma (32.6%) is the most common ocular feature, followed by hypertelorism (25.3%), iris coloboma (22.4%), lacrimal system abnormality (20.7%), malpositioned eyebrow (14.4%) and retinochoroidal coloboma (12.9%). Sinonasal deformity is the most common systemic abnormality, detected in 87.9% of cases of PL, as compared with central nervous system involvement (56.2%) and other anomalies. The analysis showed a strong significant association between brain abnormalities and hypertelorism (p=0.000) and between brain abnormalities and micro-ophthalmia/anophthalmia (p=0.000). Statistically significant association was noted between cumulative ocular abnormalities and cumulative systemic abnormalities (p=0.001). The present study on PL reviewed the salient features of this rare congenital disorder. The study outcome provides a new aspect to concomitant ocular abnormalities. This study supports the view that other congenital anomalies in cases of PL had significant influence on certain ophthalmic anomalies.
PubMed: 34395913
DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2020-000558 -
Insects Nov 2021The proboscis is an important feeding organ for the glossatan moths, mainly adapted to the flower and non-flower visiting habits. The clover cutworm, Rottemberg, and...
The proboscis is an important feeding organ for the glossatan moths, mainly adapted to the flower and non-flower visiting habits. The clover cutworm, Rottemberg, and the spotted clover moth, (Denis & Schiffermuller), are serious polyphagous pests, attacking numerous vegetables and crops, resulting in huge economic losses. However, the feeding behavior and mechanisms of the adult stage remain unsatisfactorily explored. In this study, the proboscis morphology of and are described in detail using scanning electron microscopy, with the aim of investigating the morphological differences and feeding behavior of these two species. The proboscises of and are similar in morphology and structure and are divided into three zones (Zone 1-3) based on the morphological changes of the dorsal legulae. Three sensillum types are located on the proboscises of both species, sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica, and sensilla styloconica. Significant differences were observed in the length of the proboscis and each zone between these two species, as well as in sensilla size and number. Based on the morphology of the proboscis and associated sensilla, and are potential flower visitors, which was also reinforced by the pollen observed at the proboscis tip. These results will strengthen our understanding of the structure of the proboscis related to the feeding behavior of Noctuidae.
PubMed: 34821792
DOI: 10.3390/insects12110992 -
Journal of Comparative Physiology. A,... Jun 2019Hawkmoths (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) comprise around 1500 species, most of which forage on nectar from flowers in their adult stage, usually while hovering in front of... (Review)
Review
Hawkmoths (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) comprise around 1500 species, most of which forage on nectar from flowers in their adult stage, usually while hovering in front of the flower. The majority of species have a nocturnal lifestyle and are important nocturnal pollinators, but some species have turned to a diurnal lifestyle. Hawkmoths use visual and olfactory cues including CO and humidity to detect and recognise rewarding flowers; they find the nectary in the flowers by means of mechanoreceptors on the proboscis and vision, evaluate it with gustatory receptors on the proboscis, and control their hovering flight position using antennal mechanoreception and vision. Here, we review what is presently known about the sensory organs and sensory-guided behaviour that control feeding behaviour of this fascinating pollinator taxon. We also suggest that more experiments on hawkmoth behaviour in natural settings are needed to fully appreciate their sensory capabilities.
Topics: Animals; Feeding Behavior; Moths
PubMed: 30880349
DOI: 10.1007/s00359-019-01328-2 -
Journal of Morphology Nov 2022The morphology of the proboscis and associated feeding organs was studied in several nectar-feeding hawk moths, as well as a specialized honey-feeder and two supposedly...
The morphology of the proboscis and associated feeding organs was studied in several nectar-feeding hawk moths, as well as a specialized honey-feeder and two supposedly nonfeeding species. The proboscis lengths ranged from a few millimeters to more than 200 mm. Despite the variation in proboscis length and feeding strategy, the principle external and internal composition of the galeae, the stipes pump, and the suction pump were similar across all species. The morphology of the smooth and slender proboscis is highly conserved among all lineages of nectar-feeding Sphingidae. Remarkably, they share a typical arrangement of the sensilla at the tip. The number and length of sensilla styloconica are independent from proboscis length. A unique proboscis morphology was found in the honey-feeding species Acherontia atropos. Here, the distinctly pointed apex displays a large subterminal opening of the food canal, and thus characterizes a novel type of piercing proboscis in Lepidoptera. In the probably nonfeeding species, the rudimentary galeae are not interlocked and the apex lacks sensilla styloconica; galeal muscles, however, are present. All studied species demonstrate an identical anatomy of the stipes, and suction pump, regardless of proboscis length and diet. Even supposedly nonfeeding Sphingidae possess all organs of the feeding apparatus, suggesting that their proboscis rudiments might still be functional. The morphometric analyses indicate significant positive correlations between galea lumen volume and stipes muscle volume as well as the volume of the food canal and the muscular volume of the suction pump. Size correlations of these functionally connected organs reflect morphological fine-tuning in the evolution of proboscis length and function.
Topics: Animals; Plant Nectar; Hawks; Butterflies; Sensilla; Moths; Feeding Behavior
PubMed: 36059242
DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21510 -
Integrative and Comparative Biology Aug 2015Predatory flatworms belonging to the taxon Kalyptorhynchia are characterized by an anterior muscular proboscis that they use to seize prey. In many cases, the proboscis... (Review)
Review
Predatory flatworms belonging to the taxon Kalyptorhynchia are characterized by an anterior muscular proboscis that they use to seize prey. In many cases, the proboscis is armed with hooks, derived either from the extracellular matrix that surrounds the muscles or from intracellular deposits in the epithelium covering the proboscis. Glands associated with the proboscis reportedly are venomous; however, there are few direct tests of this hypothesis. This article reviews the structure and current knowledge of the function of the proboscis in the Kalyptorhynchia, points to areas in which the current understanding of phylogenetic relationships within this taxon is incongruent with our hypothesis of how the proboscis evolved, and addresses areas in need of further research, especially as regards functional morphology and biomechanics.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Biomechanical Phenomena; Phylogeny; Platyhelminths; Predatory Behavior
PubMed: 26002347
DOI: 10.1093/icb/icv056 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Apr 2008Ecdysozoa is a clade composed of eight phyla: the arthropods, tardigrades and onychophorans that share segmentation and appendages and the nematodes, nematomorphs,... (Review)
Review
Ecdysozoa is a clade composed of eight phyla: the arthropods, tardigrades and onychophorans that share segmentation and appendages and the nematodes, nematomorphs, priapulids, kinorhynchs and loriciferans, which are worms with an anterior proboscis or introvert. Ecdysozoa contains the vast majority of animal species and there is a great diversity of body plans among both living and fossil members. The monophyly of the clade has been called into question by some workers based on analyses of whole genome datasets. We review the evidence that now conclusively supports the unique origin of these phyla. Relationships within Ecdysozoa are also controversial and we discuss the molecular and morphological evidence for a number of monophyletic groups within this superphylum.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Body Patterning; Invertebrates; Models, Biological; Phylogeny
PubMed: 18192181
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2007.2243 -
Biology Nov 2022flies use their proboscis to taste and distinguish edible compounds from toxic compounds. With their proboscis, flies can detect sex pheromones at a close distance or...
flies use their proboscis to taste and distinguish edible compounds from toxic compounds. With their proboscis, flies can detect sex pheromones at a close distance or by contact. Most of the known proteins associated with probosci's detection belong to gustatory receptor families. To extend our knowledge of the proboscis-taste proteins involved in chemo-detection, we used a proteomic approach to identify soluble proteins from Drosophila females and males. This investigation, performed with hundreds of dissected proboscises, was initiated by the chromatographic separation of tryptic peptides, followed by tandem mass spectrometry, allowing for femtomole detection sensitivity. We found 586 proteins, including enzymes, that are involved in intermediary metabolism and proteins dedicated to various functions, such as nucleic acid metabolism, ion transport, immunity, digestion, and organ development. Among 60 proteins potentially involved in chemosensory detection, we identified two odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), i.e., OBP56d (which showed much higher expression in females than in males) and OBP19d. Because OBP56d was also reported to be more highly expressed in the antennae of females, this protein can be involved in the detection of both volatile and contact male pheromone(s). Our proteomic study paves the way to better understand the complex role of Drosophila proboscis in the chemical detection of food and pheromonal compounds.
PubMed: 36421401
DOI: 10.3390/biology11111687