Several populations of Peridinium lomnickii were examined by SEM and serial section TEM. Comparison with typical Peridinium, Peridiniopsis, Palatinus and Scrippsiella species revealed significant structural differences, congruent with phylogenetic hypotheses derived from partial LSU rDNA sequences. Chimonodinium gen. nov. is described as a new genus of peridinioids, characterized by the Kofoidian plate formula Po, cp, x, 4′, 3a, 7′′, 6c, 5s, 5′′′, 2′′′′, the absence of pyrenoids, the presence of a microtubular basket with four or five overlapping rows of microtubules associated with a small peduncle, a pusular system with well-defined pusular tubes connected to the flagellar canals, and the production of non-calcareous cysts. Serial section examination of Scrippsiella trochoidea, here taken to represent typical Scrippsiella characters, revealed no peduncle and no associated microtubular strands. The molecular phylogeny placed C. lomnickii comb. nov. as a sister group to a clade composed of Thoracosphaera and the pfiesteriaceans. Whereas the lack of information on fine structure of the swimming stage of Thoracosphaera leaves its affinities unexplained, C. lomnickii shares with the pfiesteriaceans the presence of a microtubular basket and the unusual connection between two plates on the left side of the sulcus, involving extra-cytoplasmic fibres.

The annual meetings of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) and the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA), to be held in New Orleans in June, will also feature a single track event sponsored by Louisiana State University. The track is called "Polysubstance Use: From Bench to Communities," and will be held June 19‐20. CPDD will be June 14‐18; RSA June 21‐25. Registration for this event will be free, and all attending CPDD or RSA are invited to register for this event.

A new freshwater epiphytic Prorocentrum species, Prorocentrum rivalis, from the temperate region of the Haute-Vienne, France, is described. This species is the third freshwater species identified among approximately 60 marine Prorocentrum species. This new species is described using scanning electron microscope and phylogenetic analyses by a polyphasic approach (LSU rRNA sequences combined with 9 morphological characters). The phylogenetic analysis attests that P. rivalis is close to other planktonic freshwater species and the freshwater Prorocentrum clade is evolutionarily derived from an epiphytic freshwater prorocentroid ancestor. The unique marine species in the freshwater clade results from an ecophysiological reversion. P. rivalis differs from other epiphytic taxa by its rarity, its temperate distribution and its ecophysiological needs. The phylogeny confirms also that all planktonic Prorocentrum species are evolutionarily derived from epiphytic/benthic ancestors.

LSU freshman running back Trey Holly has been linked to a shooting near his hometown in Louisiana, and he turned himself into police on Thursday. Holly faces an attempted second-degree murder charge and two other felony charges, according to the Union Parish Sheriff's Office. LSU released a... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Last month, it was announced that LSU student-athletes would be the subject of an upcoming NIL-related documentary series from Amazon Prime Video. Entitled The Money Game, the project followed LSU athletics behind-the-scenes during the 2023-24 season, featuring looks at stars such as gymnast Olivia... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LSU's gymnastics team is breaking out its best leotards for this Saturday's NCAA Championship Final. On Saturday afternoon, LSU revealed that it'll be wearing its white leotards for the championship. LSU's alternate leotards have a pretty awesome nickname, "Ice Queen." These... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]