PHYLOGENETIC AFFINITIES OF THE SARCINOCHRYSIDALES AND CHRYSOMERIDALES (HETEROKONTA) BASED ON ANALYSES OF MOLECULAR AND COMBINED DATA1

Small-subunit ribosomal RNA nucleotide sequences were inferred for Giraudyopsis stellifera Dangeard (Chrysomeridales), as well as for Pulvinaria sp. and Sarcinochrysis marina Geitler (Sarcinochrysidales,). Phylogenetic analyses of the molecular data indicate that the former is weakly related to the Phaeophyceae/Xanthophyceae clade, whereas the latter two have affinities to the Pelagophyceae, and the Sarcinochrysidales sensu stricto is transferred to this class. A recent study proposed that the Pelagophyceae belongs to a larger assemblage of chromophytic species characterized by reduced flagellar apparatuses. Although the flagellar apparatus characterizing the Sarcinochrysidales is reduced relative to the Chysomeridaels and some other chromophytes, it is the most complicated to be associated with “the reduced flagellar apparatus” lineage. Cladistic analyses of a traditional data set (largely ultrastructural features of the flagellar apparatus) and a combined traditional/molecular data set were used to assess the evolutionary trends of reduction in the flagellar apparatus within the heterokont chromophytes.     

EVOLUTIONARY CONSEQUENCES OF THE LOSS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN CHLAMYDOMONADACEAE: PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF Rrn18 (18S rDNA) IN 13 POLYTOMA STRAINS (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Complete sequences of the Rrn 18 genes were obtained from 13 strains of the nonphotosynthetic algal genus Polytoma. Phylogenetic analyses showed that these strains formed two clades. One clade shows only modest sequence diversity but is represented by strains collected at widely dispersed sites in Europe and America. The other clade consists of a single isolate from the Canary Islands. Both clades lie well within the extended clade that includes all species of Chlamydomonas for which sequence data are available. The two Polytoma clades are separated from each other by several green species, suggesting that the extant nonphotosynthetic Chlamydomonadaceae arose from photosynthetic ancestors at least twice. These results suggest that nonphotosynthetic mutants are capable of establishing lineages that can spread widely but have a higher probability of extinction than their photosynthetic congeners.     

Towards a phylogeny of chitons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) based on combined analysis of five molecular loci

This study represents the first phylogenetic analysis of the molluscan class Polyplacophora using DNA sequence data. We employed DNA from a nuclear protein-coding gene (histone H3), two nuclear ribosomal genes (18S rRNA and the D3 expansion fragment of 28S rRNA), one mitochondrial protein-coding gene (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I), and one mitochondrial ribosomal gene (16S rRNA). A series of analyses were performed on independent and combined data sets. All these analyses were executed using direct optimization with parsimony as the optimality criterion, and analyses were repeated for nine combinations of parameters affecting indel and transversion/transition cost ratios. Maximum likelihood was also explored for the combined molecular data set, also using the direct optimization method, with a model equivalent to GTR + I + Γ that accommodates gaps. The results of all nine parameter sets for the combined parsimony analysis of all molecular data (as well as ribosomal data) and the maximum-likelihood analysis of all molecular data support monophyly of Polyplacophora. The resulting topologies mostly agree with a division of Polyplacophora into two major lineages: Lepidopleuridae and Chitonida (sensu Sirenko 1993). In our analyses the genus Callochiton is positioned as the sister group to Lepidopleuridae, and not as sister group to the remaining Chitonida (sensu Buckland-Nicks & Hodgson 2000), nor as the sister group to the remaining Chitonina (sensu Buckland-Nicks 1995). Chitonida (excluding Callochiton) is monophyletic, but conventional subgroupings of Chitonida are not supported. Acanthochitonina (sensu Sirenko 1993) is paraphyletic, or alternatively monophyletic, and is split into two clades, both with abanal gills only and cupules in the egg hull, but one has simple cupules whereas the other has more strongly hexagonal cupules. Sister to the Acanthochitonina clades is Chitonina, including taxa with adanal gills and a spiny egg hull. Schizochiton, the only genus with adanal gills that has an egg hull with cupules, is the sister-taxon to one of the Acanthochitonina clades plus Chitonina, or alternatively basal to Chitonina. Support values for either position are low, leaving this relationship unsettled. Our results refute several aspects of conventional classifications of chitons that are based primarily on shell characters, reinforcing the idea that chiton classification should be revised using additional characters.     

基于18S rRNA基因序列的直翅目主要类群系统发育关系研究

基于78种直翅目昆虫的18S rRNA基因全序列构建了直翅目各主要类群间的系统发育关系。本研究的结果支持直翅目的单系性,但不支持蝗亚目和螽亚目各自的单系性;直翅目下除蜢总科和蝗总科外各总科的划分多数与Otte系统相一致;蜢总科的单系性得不到支持;蝗总科的剑角蝗科、斑腿蝗科、斑翅蝗科、网翅蝗科和槌角蝗科5科均不是单系群,各物种间的遗传距离差异不大,应合并为一科,即蝗科;本研究支持将Otte系统中蚱总科和螽蟖总科下各亚科级阶元提升为科级阶元;18S rRNA基因全序列可以作为划分科级阶元的工具,当位于同一分支上互成姐妹群的类群间的遗传距离超过1%时,这几个类群属于不同的科;但由于其在进化上的保守性,18S rRNA基因只能用于纲目等高级阶元间关系的研究,而由其获得的总科以下阶元间的关系并不可靠。     

“Missing” protists: a molecular prospective

Molecular ecology methods based on 18S rRNA amplification and sequencing have revealed an astounding diversity of microbial eukaryotes in every environment sampled so far. This is certainly true of new species and genera, as essentially every new survey discovers a wealth of novel diversity at this level. This is almost certain for taxa that are higher in taxonomic hierarchy, as many molecular surveys reported novel clades within established protistan phyla, with some of these clades repeatedly confirmed by subsequent studies. It may also be that the molecular approaches discovered several lineages of the highest taxonomic order, but this claim has not been vigorously verified as yet. Overall, the field of protistan diversity remains in its infancy. The true scale of this diversity is unknown, and so are the distribution of this diversity, its patterns, spatial and temporal dynamics, and ecological role. The sampled diversity appears to be just the tip of the iceberg, and this offers outstanding opportunities for microbial discovery for the purposes of both basic and applied research. Special Issue: Protist diversity and geographic distribution. Guest editor: W. Foissner.     

New phagotrophic euglenoid species (new genus Decastava; Scytomonas saepesedens; Entosiphon oblongum), Hsp90 introns,and putative euglenoid Hsp90 pre-mRNA insertional editing

We describe three new phagotrophic euglenoid species by light microscopy and 18S rDNA and Hsp90 sequencing: Scytomonas saepesedens; Decastava edaphica; Entosiphon oblongum. We studied Scytomonas and Decastava ultrastructure. Scytomonas saepesedens feeds when sessile with actively beating cilium, and has five pellicular strips with flush joints and Calycimonas-like microtubule-supported cytopharynx. Decastava, sister to Keelungia forming new clade Decastavida on 18S rDNA trees, has 10 broad strips with cusp-like joints, not bifurcate ridges like Ploeotia and Serpenomonas (phylogenetically and cytologically distinct genera), and Serpenomonas-like feeding apparatus (8–9 unreinforced microtubule pairs loop from dorsal jaw support to cytostome). Hsp90 and 18S rDNA trees group Scytomonas with Petalomonas and show Entosiphon as the earliest euglenoid branch. Basal euglenoids have rigid longitudinal strips; derived clade Spirocuta has spiral often slideable strips. Decastava Hsp90 genes have introns. Decastava/Entosiphon Hsp90 frameshifts imply insertional RNA editing. Petalomonas is too heterogeneous in pellicle structure for one genus; we retain Scytomonas (sometimes lumped with it) and segregate four former Petalomonas as new genus Biundula with pellicle cross section showing 2–8 smooth undulations and typified by Biundula (=Petalomonas) sphagnophila comb. n. Our taxon-rich site-heterogeneous rDNA trees confirm that Heteronema is excessively heterogeneous; therefore we establish new genus Teloprocta for Heteronema scaphurum.     

薯蓣属根状茎组基于3个cpDNA序列的分子系统研究

Seventeen species, one subspecies and one variety of Dioscorea sect. Stenophora Uline were investigated for their phylogenetic relationships based on a sequence analysis of chloroplast matK and rbcL genes and trnL-F intergenic spacer by maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods. The results showed that (a) sect. Stenophora was a strongly supported monophyletic group; (b) D. rockii, D. membranacea, D. banzhuana, and D. simulans formed a moderately supported monophyletic group, and D. prazeri was weakly supported to be sister to this group; (c) D. althaeoides and D. nipponica ssp. nipponica formed a moderately supported clade, and D. nipponica ssp. rosthornii was not a member of this clade; (d) D. zingiberensis and D. sinoparviflora showed a moderate to strong sister relationship; and (e) D. collettii var. hypoglauca and D. collettii var. collettii were sister to each other, but with only weak support.     

Relationship of the genusCordyceps and related genera, based on parsimony and spectral analysis of partial 18S and 28S ribosomal gene sequences

A molecular phylogenetic study of selected species of three sub-genera of the genusCordyceps was undertaken, along with representatives of the generaAkanthomyces, Aschersonia, Gibellula, Hymenostilbe, Hypocrella, Nomuraea andTorrubiella, to examine their inter-relationship. Phylogenetic analyses of the data indicated that the Clavicipitaceae form a monophyletic group within the Hypocreales, while the monophyly ofCordyceps was not supported. Four clades were identified:Cor. militaris/Cor. pseudomilitaris; Cor. iranginesis/Cor. sphecocephala; Cor. intermedia/Cor. capitata; andCor. cylindrica/Nom. atypicola. The sub-genusNeocordyceps was shown to be monophyletic while the sub-generaEucordyceps andOphiocordyceps do not form monophyletic groups. The genusHypocrella appeared monophyletic, and radiated after the formation of the generaCordyceps, andTorrubiella. Akanthomyces arachnophilus andGi. pulchra, anamorphs ofTorrubiella species, formed a distinct clade that was separate from one formed by the scale insect pathogens,To. luteorostrata andPaecilomyces cinnamomeus, suggesting that this genus may be polyphyletic.     

苔藓动物18S rRNA基因的分子系统发生初探

本文对我国沿海较为常见的8种唇口目苔藓动物的18SrRNA基因进行了PCR扩增和序列测定。结合已知的其它苔藓动物（包括内肛动物和外肛动物）以及腕足动物和帚虫的相应序列,运用分子系统学方法,研究苔藓动物门的系统发生关系,结果表明,外肛动物和内肛动物构成苔藓动物分子系统树中的二大平行支;本文测定的大室膜孔苔虫与Giribet等测定的膜孔苔虫在系统树中的位置间隔较远。结果也支持外肛动物包含被唇纲和裸唇纲两大类群的形态划分,而关于裸唇纲特别是唇口目内部的系统发生关系。分子数据的分析结果和形态分类之间的分歧有待于进一步研究。