Early Jurassic gastropods from England

Abstract: Twenty‐five gastropod taxa are reported from the Early Jurassic (Hettangian to Toarcian) of England. Of these, 14 are identified to species level, and the remaining 11 are treated in open nomenclature. One genus (Lensataphrus) and six species are introduced as new. The new species are Lensataphrus tatei, Lensataphrus tenuis, Tricarilda toddi, Cylindrobullina dorsetensis, Cylindrobullina ventricosa and Consobrinella greeni. The following new combinations are introduced: Cassianopsis hebertana (d’Orbigny, 1852) for Neritopsis hebertana; Cryptaulax abscisum (Terquem and Piette, 1868) for Cerithium abscisum; and Cylindrobullina avena (Terquem, 1855) for Striactaeonina avena. Most of the genera and some of the species are also known from Central Europe (Germany and France). Typical vetigastropod genera that are present in England and Central Europe are Colpomphalus, Costataphrus, Ooliticia, Eucycloscala and Eucycloidea. The caenogastropod genera Levipleura and Cryptaulax are present in both regions, as are the heterobranchs Tricarilda and Cylindrobullina. The heterobranch genus Consobrinella is reported from England for the first time. Gastropods seem to follow the diversity trends of other marine invertebrates during the Early Jurassic. They diversify until the Late Pliensbachian but decrease sharply in number around the Pliensbachian–Toarcian boundary. This may reflect both regional anoxia and a global mass extinction event in the Early Toarcian.     

Phylogenetic relationships of epacrids and vaccinioids (Ericaceae s. l.) based onmatK sequence data

Cladistic relationships of epacrids and vaccinioids (Ericaceae) are investigated using nucleotide sequence data from the chloroplast encodedmatK gene. Sequences of 56 taxa were aligned and analyzed using parsimony methods. Results show thatVaccinioideae as currently recognized are not monophyletic. The epacrids are sister to a clade that includes theLyonia group, theGaultheria group, and theVaccinieae. Arbutus andPyrola branch early inEricaceae, before the rhododendroid group.Enkianthus is sister to the remainingEricaceae (includingEpacridaceae).Vaccinieae are strongly supported as monophyletic, butVaccinium andAgapetes are polyphyletic.     

POLYPHYLETIC ORIGIN OF PARALLEL BASAL BODIES IN SWIMMING CELLS OF CHLOROPHYCEAN GREEN ALGAE (CHLOROPHYTA)1

The evolutionary affinities of Heterochlamydomonas Cox and Deason and Dictyochloris Vischer ex Starr were investigated using phylogenetic analyses of a combined data set of 18S and 28S rDNA sequences with those from 38 additional green algae. Previous ultrastructural studies have shown that motile cells of Heterochlamydomonas and Dictyochloris have an unusual flagellar apparatus organization in that the two flagella are of unequal length and the basal bodies are persistently parallel. Because of this similarity these taxa, along with Bracteacoccus Tereg, a third taxon with this same flagellar apparatus arrangement, are hypothesized to be closely related. We show, with maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses, that the parallel basal bodies are not homologous in the three genera. Rather, Heterochlamydomonas is most closely related to Chlamydomonas baca in the clockwise flagellar apparatus clade, and Dictyochloris and Bracteacoccus are nested within the Sphaeropleales, which has the directly opposite flagellar absolute orientation. Surprisingly, Dictyochloris and Bracteacoccus are not supported as closest relatives. These relationships are supported by morphological features such as the presence or absence of a walled motile cell but not by the orientation of the basal bodies. In addition, our data are derived from multiple isolates of each study genera, and the analyses show that Heterochlamydomonas and Dictyochloris are each monophyletic.     

Studies in the morphology and systematics of berberidaceae

The floral vasculature in three allied genera,Plagiorhegma, Jeffersoria andAchyls is investigated, and the results are compared with those ofEpimedium andVancouveria which are related closely toPlagiorhegma andJeffersonia. The vasculature in the receptacle ofPlagiorhegma andJeffersonia is similar, but that ofAchlys is much simpler. Slightly different trace patterns are observed in the sepals ofPlagiorhegma andJeffersonia. InJeffersonia, the 3-trace condition leaving 2 or 3 gaps is most frequently observed, but inPlagiorhegma traces of a double nature leaving a single gap are more frequent. The traces to the innermost sepals, petals and stamens are usually of a double nature leaving a single gap in both genera. Regular division and fusion are not observed in the receptacular stele. The vascular differentiation between sepals and petals is more advanced inPlagiorhegma andJeffersonia than inEpimedium andVancouveria. InAchlys, the traces are all staminal and single throughout their course. Two parts recognized in the pistils ofPlagiorhegma, Jeffersonia andAchlys are traversed by independent vasculature. The comparisons of pistil morphology including vasculature ofPlagiorhegma, Jeffersonia, Achlys, Epimedium andVancouveria lead to the interpretation that the pistils are based on the same morphological plan. The probable evolutionary trend in pistil is then suggested in these five genera.     

Therps16 intron and the phylogeny of theRubioideae (Rubiaceae)

The phylogeny of the subfamilyRubioideae (Rubiaceae) was estimated from sequence variation in therps16 intron (cpDNA) in 143 ingroup and 5 outgroup taxa. The analysis largely confirms a recent one based onrbcL sequences, but branch support is often much stronger. Three of the traditional subfamilies are supported,Rubioideae, Cinchonoideae s. str., andIxoroideae s. l. while there is no support forAntirheoideae. TheRubioideae are the sister group of all otherRubiaceae and comprise the tribesAnthospermeae, Coccocypseleae, Cruckshanksieae, Coussareeae, Gaertnereae, Hedyotideae, Knoxieae, Morindeae, Ophiorrhizeae, Paederieae, Pauridiantheae, Perameae, Psychotrieae, Rubieae, Spermacoceae, Theligoneae, andUrophylleae. TheHamelieae andHillieae belong to theCinchonoideae. Rachicallis andSiemensia should be transferred from theHedyotideae to theCinchonoideae. ThePauridiantheae, Urophylleae, Ophiorrhizeae, andRaritebe form the basalmost subclade of theRubioideae. The second basalmost clade consists of the generaLasianthus andPerama. The third basalmost clade consists of the tribesCoussareeae, Coccocypseleae andCruckshanksieae, and the generaDeclieuxia andHindsia. The tribesKnoxieae, Anthospermeae, Argostemmateae, Paederieae, Theligoneae, Rubieae, Hedyotideae, andSpermacoceae are members of one clade. TheKnoxieae are monophyletic ifOtiophora, Otomeria, andPentas are included. The tribeAnthospermeae is supported as monophyletic, but its subtribes are not. ThePaederieae, together withTheligonum, form a paraphyletic grade basal to theRubieae. TheHedyotideae, includingSchismatoclada, form a grade at the base of theSpermacoceae. TheGaertnereae are monophyletic and distinct from thePsychotrieae. TheMorindeae are monophyletic and includeDamnacanthus andMitchella. Schradera is the sister group of theMorindeae. ThePsychotrieae are monophyletic when theGaertnereae, Lasianthus, andDeclieuxia are excluded. The recognition of a subtribeHydnophytineae leaves the rest of thePsychotrieae paraphyletic.Psychotria is paraphyletic with respect to all other genera of the tribe. Approximately 50 genera are here classified for the first time based on molecular data.     

Distribution, mechanisms and evolutionary significance of clonality and polyploidy in weevils

Abstract 1 Genetical mtDNA relationships of 41 taxa of weevils were examined using cladistics. Ingroup taxa belong to Otiorhynchus scaber and O. nodosus and outgroup comparison was made with O. singularis. All three species are minor forest pests. 2 Otiorhynchus scaber specimens are either diploid sexuals or diploid, triploid and tetraploid clones, from two different populations (Slovenia and Austria) that belong to two different evolutionary lineages. Otiorhynchus nodosus specimens are tetraploid clones. Both species show geographical parthenogenesis, as do many other Otiorhynchus species. 3 Mitochondrial data indicate that O. nodosus clones are more closely related to Slovenian sexuals of O. scaber than these are to sexuals from Austria. It also shows that almost all clones of O. scaber collected in one of the two regions where sexuals are found are more closely related to sexuals from the other region. 4 Three different hypotheses that may explain the distribution of O. scaber, mechanisms important for the evolution of the clones and implications of the presence of Wolbachia are discussed. 5 We conclude that parthenogenesis is likely to be linked to hybridization in O. scaber and that hybridization events between ancestors of O. nodosus and O. scaber are the probable cause of the presence of O. nodosus in the ingroup. We also find that polyploid clones are superior colonizers compared to sexuals and diploid clones, in O. scaber. 6 The results suggest that systems where both sexuals and clones exist are more complex than previously suggested. The mapping of genetic variation in clonal complexes and the tracing of clonal origins may be useful in pest management.     

Two new myrmecophytic associations from the Malay Peninsula: Ants of the genusCladomyrma (Formicidae,Camponotinae) as partners ofSaraca thaipingensis (Caesalpiniaceae) andCrypteronia griffithii (Crypteroniaceae)

Summary In Peninsular Malaysia the treesSaraca thaipingensis (Caesalpiniaceae) andCrypteronia griffithii (Crypteroniaceae) are inhabited by ants. In the vicinity of Gombak, near Kuala Lumpur, the hollow internodes of youngSaraca thaipingensis plants are colonized mainly by twoCladomyrma species. In larger trees aCrematogaster sp. is also found.Crypteronia griffithii is inhabited by a third species ofCladomyrma. None of these species is conspecific with any of the threeCladomyrma taxa so far described. The colonies are founded by single mated queens, which have a conspicuous, sphecid wasp-like behaviour when searching for host plants and nest sites. They chew holes into the plant internodes and hollow them out to provide nest sites. Coccids and pseudococcids are cultivated within the internodes. The homopterans are not carried by queens on their nuptial flights. They apparently find their way by themselves into the cavities or are perhaps carried there by the worker ants. TheCladomyrma ants onCrypteronia are not aggressive, in contrast to those onSaraca thaipingensis.The relationship ofCrypteronia with ants seems to be obligatory, whereasSaraca was only partly colonized byCladomyrma. The interaction ofSaraca withCrematogaster sp. is loose and facultative, since theCrematogaster sp. also lives on other three species. Our studies have now revealed fourCladomyrma spp. which are regularly associated with plants. The genus therefore seems to have an entirely myrmecophytic way of life.     

Three new genera of Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) from New Zealand

Abstract

Three new genera—Austroclima, Mauiulus, and Cryophlebia—are established for species of Leptophlebiidae from New Zealand. The following new combinations are included: Austroclima sepia (Phillips) and Cryophlebia aucklandensis (Peters). Atalophlebioides sepia is redescribed as Austroclima sepia and a neotype is designated. Two new species, Austroclima jollyae and Mauiulus luma, are described. All life stages are described, and the relationships of each genus are discussed. Keys are given to male and female imagos, subimagos, and nymphs of each species, and to all New Zealand genera with species previously placed in Atalophlebioides.     

Checklist of the freshwater fishes of Armenia,Azerbaijan and Georgia

We present a critical checklist of freshwater fish species found so far in the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. In total 119 freshwater fishes are recorded. There are 40, 86 and 96 species currently known for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia respectively. From these 119 species, seven are endemic and seven species are alien. From the alien species, only three (Carassius gibelio, Gambusia holbrooki and Pseudorasbora parva) can be considered as widespread and invasive. There are four species (Gasterosteus aculeatus, Gobio artvinicus, Perca fluviatilis and Salmo gegarkuni) that are translocated within the region. Seven species are confirmed or recorded for the first time including G. artvinicus and Oxynoemacheilus veyselorum for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, Capoeta kaput and Rhinogobius lindbergi for Azerbaijan and Georgia, Capoeta razii for Azebaijan, Oxynoemacheilus cemali and Squalius agdamicus for Georgia. In this checklist, Acipenser colchicus is treated as a synonym of Acipenser persicus. Sand smelts of the Black and Caspian Sea basin are identified as Atherina caspia and Clupeonella caspia is treated as a synonym of Clupeonella cultriventris. Coregonus sevanicus is listed as Coregonus sp. until the situation of Sevan whitefish is better understood. Capoeta sevangi and Capoeta ekmekciae are synonyms of Capoeta capoeta. The fish often identified as Capoeta capoeta gracilis from rivers south of the Kura most likely belong to C. razii. The Black and Caspian Sea Rutilus populations are treated as conspecific, therefore R. kutum is a junior synonym of R. frisii. Oxynoemacheilus veyseli is valid as O. veyselorum. We list the alien Rhinogobius species as R. lindbergi, however the name is provisional and needs further confirmation. All Squalius species from the Kura River drainage are identified as S. agdamicus, however in the Aras, it is replaced by S. turcicus. Squalius orientalis is treated as a valid species restricted to the eastern Black Sea basin. The four forms of Lake Sevan trout (Salmo ischchan, S. gegarkuni, S. danilewskii and S. aestivalis) are treated as valid species, two of them (S. ischchan and S. danilewskii) are extinct. Rutilus sojuchbulagi from Azerbaijan is also extinct.     

The Miocene differentiation of old world Pecora (Mammalia)

Dental and horn core/antler morphology is discussed for some representative lower and middle Miocene pecorans in a review of the phylogeny and early zoogeography of the modern Old World families. Giraffes and bovids are more closely related than either is to deer. Andegameryx, Walangania and Teruelia are related to giraffoids plus bovoids together; Amphimoschus and Hispanomeryx are a probable sister group of bovoids; Propalaeoryx is the sister group of the giraffids plus climacoceratids. Procervulus and Lagomeryx may be closer to modern deer than are Stephanocemas and Dicrocerus but all are included in the Cervidae. The horn structure of Palaeomeryx has resemblances to giraffids, but its teeth and postcranial bones are more like cervids and it is placed in the Cervoidea. Pecorans seem to have evolved in Eurasia and there gave rise to deer. By the early Miocene some pecorans had entered Arabo‐Africa where they gave rise to giraffids and probably bovids. The relationships and zoogeography of the early bovids Eotragus, Homoiodorcas and Caprotragoides are likely to be important for later bovid history.     

Comparative floral anatomy and ontogeny in Magnoliaceae

Floral anatomy and ontogeny are described in six species of Magnoliaceae, representing the two subfamilies Liriodendroideae (Liriodendron chinese and L. tulipifera) and Magnolioideae, including species with terminal flowers (Magnolia championi, M. delavayi, M. grandiflora, M. paenetalauma) and axillary flowers (Michelia crassipes). The sequence of initiation of floral organs is from proximal to distal. The three distinct outermost organs are initiated in sequence, but ultimately form a single whorl; thus their ontogeny is consistent with a tepal interpretation. Tepals are initiated in whorls, and the stamens and carpels are spirally arranged, though the androecium shows some intermediacy between a spiral and whorled arrangement. Carpels are entirely free from each other both at primordial stages and maturity. Ventral closure of the style ranges from open in Magnolia species examined to partially closed in Michelia crassipes and completely closed in Liriodendron, resulting in a reduced stigma surface. Thick-walled cells and tannins are present in all species except Michelia crassipes. Oil cells are normally present. Floral structure is relatively homogeneous in this family, although Liriodendron differs from other Magnoliaceae in that the carpels are entirely closed at maturity, resulting in a relatively small stigma, in contrast to the elongate stigma of most species of Magnolia. The flower of Magnolia does not terminate in an organ or organ whorl but achieves determinacy by gradual diminution.     

Cynanchum and the Cynanchinae (Apocynaceae – Asclepiadoideae): a molecular, anatomical and latex triterpenoid study

The phylogeny of the genus Cynanchum s. str. is studied using cpDNA spacers and ITS. Morphological, anatomical and latex triterpenoid data are interpreted in light of the molecular results, and discrepancies are discussed. Vegetative characters are better indicators of relationship than floral characters, especially corona characters. The monophyly of all Malagasy species and, nested within the latter, of all stem-succulent taxa is ascertained and the genera Folotsia, Karimbolea, Platykeleba and Sarcostemma are subsumed under Cynanchum. One African species, C. galgalense, is excluded from Cynanchum.     

The Genus Rhyacophila Pictet (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) in Vietnam

Currently, 20 species of the genus Rhyacophila are known from Vietnam. Of these, 17 species are distributed among eight species groups, with three species unassigned. Examination of material collected by personnel of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada has revealed six new species and five new records of Rhyacophila from Vietnam, distributed among six species groups, four of which are new to Vietnam. Newly described species include: Rhyacophila smithi, Rh. curriei, Rh. laocai, Rh. meyi, Rh. olahi, and Rh. fernandi. Rhyacophila bidens Kimmins, Rh. inaequalis Denning and Schmid, Rh. lhabu Schmid, Rh. malayana Banks, and Rh. rhombica Martynov are recorded from Vietnam for the first time. The females of four species, Rh. bidens, Rh. immaculata Mey, Rh. malayana Banks, and Rh. tamdaona Oláh, are described for the first time. All 31 species of Rhyacophila now known from Vietnam are included in this work, organized by branch and species group.     

Toxicity of venom of Asobara and Leptopilina species to Drosophila species

The Drosophila parasitoid Asobara japonica Belokobylskij (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) has highly toxic venom that kills host larvae if its injection is not followed by an injection of lateral oviduct components along with egg‐laying. In the present study, the venoms of seven other Drosophila parasitoids (Asobara rossica, Asobara rufescens, Asobara pleuralis, Leptopilina heterotoma, Leptopilina japonica, Leptopilina ryukyuensis, and Leptopilina victoriae) are tested against three kinds of Drosophila species (i.e. Drosophila species that are suitable as host for focal parasitoids, those that are resistant to the parasitoids, and a cosmopolitan species, Drosophila simulans). Venoms of the three Asobara species are not toxic to any of Drosophila species, whereas those of the four Leptopilina species are toxic to some Drosophila species. The toxicity of venom varies among Leptopilina species, and the susceptibility to venom also varies among host Drosophila species. Furthermore, toxicity and paralytic effects of venom are not correlated. Because the toxicity of venom is not adaptive for parasitoids, it may be an inevitable side effect of some components that play an essential role in parasitism.     

中国桑科植物属的空间分布及多样性

该研究以FRPS《中国植物志》全文电子版网站、中国在线植物志(eFlora)网站和国家标本资源共享平台(NSII)网站收录的全部中国桑科植物数据为基础,以部分省的植物志以及正式发表的论文为补充,查找每一个桑科植物的具体分布地点(精确到县一级),并采用地理信息系统技术,以县为空间数据的基本单元,以桑科12属的植物为研究对象,制作属的空间分布图,计算空间相似性系数,分析桑科植物各属的空间多样性及其差异。结果表明:(1)中国桑科植物中桑属的分布最广,橙桑属的分布最狭窄。(2)橙桑属与其他属的空间分布相似性系数均较低(0~0.0444),其中橙桑属与见血封喉属和牛筋藤属的相似性系数均为0,表明橙桑属与其他属的分布几乎没有重叠区;榕属与构属和柘属的空间分布相似性系数分别为0.7394和0.6795,表明这3属的空间分布有较多的重叠区;见血封喉属的分布范围较广,从热带到亚热带地区均有。(3)中国桑科植物属的多样化中心(保护区域)集中在热带和亚热带地区,其中波罗蜜属和葎草属的多样化中心均在云南,鹊肾树属的多样化中心在海南,柘属的多样化中心从热带、南亚热带扩大至中亚热带地区;榕属在中国有98个种,多样化中心分布在甘肃东南部、贵州东北部、云南南部、广西西南部、台湾南部和海南西部;桑属(11个种)的多样化中心分布在重庆南部、湖北南部、湖南西北部、贵州中南部、云南东部和广西西部。研究认为,中国桑科植物属的多样化中心各有特点,基于县的空间分布及多样性研究结果能够具体确定中国桑科植物属的最小保护区域;且该研究结果支持贵州地区是桑属植物的分化中心和过渡中心。     

A review of the genus Strophidon (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae), with description of a new species

Strophidon McClelland is a muraenid genus with characteristic appearance of a very elongated body, a large mouth cleft and anteriorly placed eyes. The nomenclature and taxonomic history of species within Strophidon are contentious and its members are easily misidentified. In the present study, species of the genus Strophidon are revised based on morphological and molecular data, and five species are considered valid, including S. dawydoffi Prokofiev, S. dorsalis (Seale), S. sathete (Hamilton), S. ui Tanaka and a new species, S. tetraporus. Strophidon tetraporus sp. nov. is described based on 15 specimens from Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam with the unique characteristic of the constant presence of the fourth infraorbital pore among species of Strophidon. The intraspecific variation of vertebral formula within S. dorsalis is discussed based on molecular data. Muraena macrurus Bleeker and Thyrsoidea longissima Kaup are synonyms of S. sathete that can be distinguished from the most similar congener S. ui by a longer tail, smaller eyes and more inner maxillary and inner dentary teeth. A key to identify species of Strophidon is provided. The distribution and maximum size of each species are also re-evaluated.     

Lactic acid bacteria in fermented foods in Thailand

Traditional fermented foods (fish, meat and vegetable products), produced by many different processes, are eaten in many parts of Thailand. Lactic acid bacteria are responsible for the souring and ripening of these foods. Homofermentative strains of Lactobacillus pentosus, L. plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus are dominant in foods with low salt concentrations whereas P. halophilus strains are present in foods containing high salt. Strains of Lactobacillus sake, other Lactobacillus spp., P. acidilactici and P. urinaeequi are frequently found. Heterofermentative strains of L. brevis, L. confusus, L. fermentum, L. vaccinostercus, other Lactobacillus spp., and of Leuconostoc spp. are distributed as minor bacteria and strains of Staphylococcus, Enterococcus and Halobacterium are occasionally isolated.S. Tanasupawat is with the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; K. Komagata is with the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Sakuragaoka 1-1-1, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156, Japan.     

Metabolomic analyses of the haemolymph of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri,the vector of huanglongbing

The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is currently threatening the citrus industry by transmitting the causative agent Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) of huanglongbing. Multiplication of CLas in haemolymph of D. citri indicates that it contains the necessary nutrients for CLas. Although many studies examine D. citri, the haemolymph composition of this dangerous pest remains to be investigated. In the present study, the haemolymph of D. citri is collected using a nanolitre syringe after the removal of one of its forelegs. The haemolymph is either derivatized with methyl chloroformate (MCF) or trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatizing reagent and analyzed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Nineteen amino acids, two organic acids and seven fatty acids are detected in the haemolymph after MCF derivatization. More metabolites are detected after TMS derivatization. Sugars are the most abundant metabolites in the haemolymph. Glucose and fructose are the main monosaccharides. Trehalose and sucrose are the major disaccharides. Furthermore, three inositol isomers (myo‐inositol, scyllo‐inositol and chiro‐inositol) are detected in the haemolymph. Organic acids are found in low amounts, whereas phosphoric acid is found at a higher concentration. Twenty‐four nucleotides and sugar nucleotides, including ATP, ADP and AMP, are detected using high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography. Adenine nucleotides are the most abundant nucleotides followed by uridine and guanosine. The adenylate energy charge for the haemolymph is 0.77. Our results show that many metabolites found in the citrus phloem sap are also found in the haemolymph of D. citri.