Typification of three taxa of the genus Festuca L. (Poaceae)

Lectotypifications of Festuca infesta Hack. ex Trab., Festuca maroccana Trab. and Festuca rubra L. subsp. scabrescens Hack. ex Trab. are designated here. The principal diagnostic characters and chorology are also presented for each taxon. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 342–343.     

A new taxonomic treatment of the Festuca ovina L. aggregate (Poaceae) in the British Isles

A new taxonomic treatment of the Festuca ovina L. aggregate (Poaceae) in the British Isles. A wide range of morphological, anatomical and cytological characters was collected and analysed by a variety of methods, some taxometric. As a result nine species are recognized in the British Isles, one (F. glauca Vill.) only as a garden plant and two (F. huonii Auquier and F. armoricana Kerguélen) only in the Channel Isles. Two other species sometimes claimed for the British Isles (F. guestfalica Boenn. ex Reichb. and F. indigesta Boiss.) are excluded for various reasons given. One species (F. ovina L.) is divided into three subspecies: the diploid subsp. ovina (commonest in the north); and the tetraploid subsp. hirtula (Hackel ex Travis) M. Wilkinson (the commonest taxon of the aggregate in the British Isles) and subsp. ophioliticola (Kerguélen) M. Wilkinson (scattered throughout the British Isles, but commonest on chalk and limestone and not restricted to serpentine soils as once thought).     

A new species of Festuca L.from Spain

A new species of Festuca (Festuca rivas-martinezii de la Fuente & Ortúñez) is described from the Sierra de Ayllón, Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos and associated chains (northcentral Spain: provinces of Avila, Guadalajara, Madrid and Segovia. Some morphological, anatomical and cytological characters of the taxon are presented.     

Aucubinartige glucoside als systematische merkmale bei labiaten — I. Lamiastrum

Lamiastrum (Lamium) galeobdolon occurs in Europe with the two diploid taxa subsp. galeobdolon and subsp. flavidum and with one tetraploid taxon, subsp, montanum. The latter is supposed to have had an allopolyploid origin. Chromosome counts demonstrated that subsp, montanum is by far the most common taxon in the Netherlands. Leaves of many plants of several countries of Europe were investigated for aucubin-like glycosides. Subspecies galeobdolon contains harpagide, acetylharpagide and an unknown aucubinoid constituent. Many plants of subsp, montanum contained galiridoside in addition. Galiridoside is also present in small amounts in subsp, flavidum; in this taxon, however, the unknown compound seems to be lacking. It seems likely, in the light of leaf aucubinoids, that subsp, montanum is of allopolyploid origin with the two diploid taxa as parents. The distribution and systematic meaning of iridoid constituents in Labiatae is discussed. Lamiastrum differs from Lamium by accumulating predominantly aucubin-like glycosides of the C-9-aglycon group.     

Novelties in the Festuca valesiaca group (Poaceae) from the central Alps

Due to their ploidy levels, their morphological and anatomical characters and their distribution the central alpine Festuca stricta subsp. bauzanina (2n = 8x = 56) and Festuca ovina var. guinochetii (2n = 10x = 70), both belonging to the Festuca valesiaca group, are raised to the specific level. As a new subspecies Festuca bauzanina subsp. rhaetica is described here. The taxa of the polyploid Festuca valesiaca group are morphologically, anatomically and chorologically characterised and an identification key for these taxa in the central Alps is presented.     

Xylella fastidiosa subspecies: X. fastidiosa subsp. [correction] fastidiosa [correction] subsp. nov., X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex subsp. nov., and X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca subsp. nov

Xylella fastidiosa, a fastidious bacterium causing disease in over 100 plant species, is classified as a single species, although genetic studies support multiple taxons. To determine the taxonomic relatedness among strains of X. fastidiosa, we conducted DNA-DNA relatedness assays and sequenced the 16S-23S intergenic spacer (ITS) region using 26 strains from 10 hosts. Under stringent conditions (Tm -15 degrees C), the DNA relatedness for most X. fastidiosa strains was *70%. However, at high stringency (Tm -8 degrees C), three distinct genotypes (A, B, and C) were revealed. Taxon A included strains from cultivated grape, alfalfa, almond (two), and maple, interrelated by 85% (mean); taxon B included strains from peach, elm, plum, pigeon grape, sycamore, and almond (one), interrelated by 84%; and taxon C included only strains from citrus, interrelated by 87%. The mean reciprocal relatedness between taxons A and B, A and C, and B and C, were 58, 41, and 45%, respectively. ITS results also indicated the same grouping; taxons A and B, A and C, and B and C had identities of 98.7, 97.9, and 99.2%, respectively. Previous and present phenotypic data supports the molecular data. Taxon A strains grow faster on Pierce's disease agar medium whereas B and C strains grow more slowly. Taxon B and C strains are susceptible to penicillin and resistant to carbenicillin whereas A strains are opposite. Each taxon can be differentiated serologically as well as by structural proteins. We propose taxons A, B, and C be named X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa [correction] subsp. nov, subsp. multiplex, subsp. nov., and subsp. pauca, subsp. nov., respectively. The type strains of the subspecies are subsp. fastidiosa [correction] ICPB 50025 (= ATTC 35879T and ICMP 15197), subsp. multiplex ICPB 50039 (= ATTC 35871 and ICMP 15199), and subsp. pauca ICPB 50031 (= ICMP 15198).     

Taxonomical investigations onHelleborus viridis s. l. (Ranunculaceae) in Northern Italy

The taxon commonly namedHelleborus viridis in Lombardy (NW. Italy) differs from both, subsp.viridis and subsp.occidentalis, and is shown to fall within the variation range ofH. odorus subsp.laxus which has been reported so far for NE. Italy only. TrueH. viridis within Italy grows only in the Maritime Alps.     

Reclassification of subspecies of Acidovorax avenae as A. Avenae (Manns 1905) emend., A. cattleyae (Pavarino, 1911) comb. nov., A. citrulli Schaad et al., 1978) comb. nov., and proposal of A. oryzae sp. nov

The bacterium Acidovorax avenae causes disease in a wide range of economically important monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, including corn, rice, watermelon, anthurium, and orchids. Genotypic and phenotypic relatedness among strains of phytopathogenic A. avenae subsp. avenae, A. avenae subsp. citrulli, A. avenae subsp. cattleyae and A. konjaci, as well as all other Acidovorax species, including A. facilis, the type strain of Acidovorax, was determined. The 16s rDNA sequencing confirmed previous studies showing the environmental species to be very distant from the phytopathogenic species. DNA/DNA reassociation assays on the different strains of A. avenae revealed four (A, B, C, and D) distinct genotypes. Taxon A included six A. avenae subsp. avenae strains from corn that had a mean reciprocal similarity of 81%; taxon B included six A. avenae subsp. avenae strains from rice that had a mean reciprocal similarity of 97%; taxon C contained 11 A. avenae subsp. citrulli strains from cucurbits (cantaloupe, watermelon, and pumpkin) that had a mean reciprocal similarity of 88%, and taxon D contained four A. avenae subsp. cattleyae strains from orchids that had a mean similarity of 98%. The mean reciprocal relatedness between taxa A, B, C, and D was less than 70%. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA and the 16S-23S rDNA internally transcribed spacer region, as well as AFLP analysis, revealed the same four taxa. All four were easily differentiated phenotypically from each other and from all other recognized Acidovorax species. Strains of A. avenae did not contain 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid, which was found in all other species. On the basis of these and previous genetic and phenotypic results, we propose an emendation of the species A. avenae. A. avenae subsp. citrulli (C strains) and A. avenae subsp. cattleyae (D strains) should be elevated to species rank as A. citrulli and A. cattleyae, respectively. We further propose a new taxon for the B strains, A. oryzae sp. nov. with FC-143T = ICPB 30003T = ICMP 3960T = ATCC 19882T as the type strain.     

Comparative Genomics of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Reveals a Strict Monophyletic Bifidobacterial Taxon

Strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis are extensively exploited by the food industry as health-promoting bacteria, although the genetic variability of members belonging to this taxon has so far not received much scientific attention. In this article, we describe the complete genetic makeup of the B. animalis subsp. lactis Bl12 genome and discuss the genetic relatedness of this strain with other sequenced strains belonging to this taxon. Moreover, a detailed comparative genomic analysis of B. animalis subsp. lactis genomes was performed, which revealed a closely related and isogenic nature of all currently available B. animalis subsp. lactis strains, thus strongly suggesting a closed pan-genome structure of this bacterial group.     

Morphological analysis,chorology and ecology of Juniperus navicularis Gand. in the Iberian Peninsula

Juniperus navicularis is an endemic taxon of Iberian Peninsula that develops on paleodunes of coastal ecosystems and whose distribution range is not well defined. In this paper, we present the results of the morphological analysis in populations attributed to J. navicularis of southern Spain. In order to assess the similarity between Portuguese and Spanish populations, the Mann–Whitney U test was performed, the same test was also applied between this taxon and Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus. In order to distinguish this species from other taxa of the Juniperus oxycedrus group (subsp. oxycedrus, subsp. badia, subsp. macrocarpa) in the southwestern Mediterranean region, a principal component analysis has been carried out. New data about the chorology and ecology of Spanish populations considered as a priority habitat in the Habitat Directive as well as number of individuals and conservation status are provided.     

A new Delphinium subsp. firom Formentera (Balearic Islands)

A new subspecies, Delphinium pentagynum subsp. formsnteranum N. Torres, L. Sáez, Rosselló & C. Blanché, is described from the island of Formentera (pytiusic Islands, Balearic archipelago). The new plant differs typical D. pentagynum by the narrower sepals and smaller size of the corolla, spur, and follicles. Both D. pentagynum subsp. pentagynum and D. pentagynum subsp. formenteranum have 2n= 16 chromosomes and share similar karyotypes. The new taxon is regarded as a schizoendemic and dry island vicariant of Iberian and North African populations of D. pentagynum subsp. pentagynum which probably evolved under insular isolation. After revision of its conservation status, it should be considered as critically endangered (CR) following the IUCN criteria.     

Complete genome sequence of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLC1

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLC1 is a probiotic bacterium that is widely exploited by food industries as the active ingredient of various functional foods. Here we report the complete genome sequence of B. animalis subsp. lactis BLC1, which is expected to provide insights into the biology of this health-promoting microorganism and improve our understanding of its phylogenetic relatedness with other members of the B. animalis subsp. lactis taxon.     

Genome sequence of the ethanol-producing Zymomonas mobilis subsp. pomaceae lectotype strain ATCC 29192

Zymomonas mobilis is an alphaproteobacterium studied for bioethanol production. Different strains of this organism have been hitherto sequenced; they all belong to the Z. mobilis subsp. mobilis taxon. Here we report the finished and annotated genome sequence of strain ATCC 29192, a cider-spoiling agent isolated in the United Kingdom. ATCC 29192 is the lectotype of the second-best-characterized subspecies of Z. mobilis, Z. mobilis subsp. pomaceae. The nucleotide sequence of ATCC 29192 deviates from that of Z. mobilis subsp. mobilis representatives, which justifies its distinct taxonomic positioning and proves particularly useful for comparative and functional genomic analyses.     

A survey of the genus Festuca L. (Poaceae) in Italy. Festuca gamisansii Kerguélen subsp. aethaliae,subsp. nova

ABSTRACT

Festuca gamisansii subsp. aethaliae, endemic to the Isle of Elba (Tuscan Archipelago) is described. The morphological, anatomical, karyological, ecological and chorological characteristics of the species are given. The main characteristics distinguishing F. gamisansii subsp. aethaliae from F. gamisansii subsp. gamisansii occurring in Corsica are also summarized.     

Abelmoschus enbeepeegearense sp. nov. (Malvaceae), an endemic species of okra from Western Ghats,India

Abelmoschus enbeepeegearense J. John et al. is a new species occurring at low elevations in the Western Ghats of India, comprising Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The taxon is morphologically allied to A. moschatus subsp. moschatus, A. moschatus subsp. tuberosus and A. crinitus, but easily distinguishable by virtue of its orthotropic branching, 3–5‐angled leaves, glandular hairy plant body with whitish waxy secretions, glandular non‐setose epiclayx segmens which is more than eight in number and ovate hirsute fruits with a short mucro at the apex. It can be crossed with all three taxa with varying degree of success, but the hybrids are sterile. The material belonging to it was earlier identified as and placed under A. moschatus Medik. The taxon is described and illustrated with notes on its phenology, ecology and distribution. In additions, a key to all Abelmoschus taxa occurring in India is provided.     

Reclassification of Aeromonas hydrophila subsp. dhakensis Huys et al. 2002 and Aeromonas aquariorum Martínez-Murcia et al. 2008 as Aeromonas dhakensis sp. nov. comb nov. and emendation of the species Aeromonas hydrophila

Previous studies indicate that Aeromonas aquariorum and Aeromonas hydrophila subsp. dhakensis are the same taxon and suggest that they should be synonymized. Using a polyphasic approach, the phenotypic and phylogenetic relationship of A. aquariorum with the 3 defined A. hydrophila subspecies (i.e. dhakensis, hydrophila, ranae) was investigated. Phylogenetic trees derived from the 16S rRNA, rpoD or gyrB genes and a multilocus phylogenetic analysis (with the concatenated sequences of gyrB, rpoD, recA, dnaJ and gyrA) confirmed that both A. aquariorum and A. hydrophila subsp. dhakensis are a unique taxon, different from the other A. hydrophila subspecies, corroborating the phenotypic and DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) results. A formal synonymization of A. aquariorum and A. hydrophila subsp. dhakensis and a reclassification of both as Aeromonas dhakensis sp. nov. comb nov. is therefore proposed.     

The acidophilous taxa of thefestuca varia group in the alps: New studies on taxonomy and phytosociology

The acidophilous taxa of theFestuca varia group appearing in the Alps (F. varia Haenke s.str.,F. scabriculmis (Hack.)K. Richt. subsp.scabriculmis, F. scabriculmis subsp.luedii Markgr.-Dann., andF. acuminata Gaudin) have been investigated with regard to their taxonomy, phytosociology and ecology. Morphometrical analyses of the different taxa confirm that the division of the species group is justified. Moreover three varieties ofFestuca varia s.str. can clearly be distinguished. Apart from the already knownF. varia var.varia and var.handel-mazzettii Krajina a newF. varia var.winnebachensis Wallossek etMarkgr.-Dann. is described. The ploidy levels of 30 samples from all taxa have been determined by means of flow cytometry.Festuca acuminata is diploid (2n=14), although this taxon occurs in ecologically different habitats within an altitudinal range between 200 and 3100 m.Festuca varia var.varia is tetraploid whereas the other varieties occur in hexaploid populations, which can be associated with inter- or post-glacial migration stages. Hexaploidy was also determined for both subspecies ofF. scabriculmis. The phylogenesis of these taxa by allopolyploidy seems possible, as they show a morphologically intermediate position betweenF. acuminata and the basiphilousF. quadriflora Honck. The spatial distribution and separation of the taxa is shown by means of precise area maps. As a result of a numerical classification of 534 relevés, the Alpine variegated fescue grasslands can be subdivided into six independent phytosociological associations of theFestucion variae: the East AlpinePulsatillo albae-Festucetum variae, Gentianello anisodontae-Festucetum variae ass. nov. andSeslerio-Festucetum variae ass. nov. as well as the West AlpineFestucetum scabriculmis, Euphorbio cyparissiae-Festucetum luedii ass. nov. andFestuco scabriculmis-Potentilletum valderiae. The mixture of basiphilous and acidophilous species in theSeslerio-Festucetum variae can be explained by soil heterogeneity with acid and alkaline conditions alternating within a very small space.Festuca acuminata can rather be regarded as a rock plant as it preferably occurs in associations of the allianceAndrosacion multiflorae.