Check-List of the Aphidiid-Wasp Subfamily Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera,Aphidiidae) from Russia and Adjacent Countries

A total of 104 species belonging to 15 genera of the subfamily Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera, Aphidiidae) are reported from the former USSR: Aclitus Förster, 1862 (1), Adialytus Förster, 1862 (6), Aphidius Nees, 1802 (39), Chaetopauesia Mackauer, 1967 (1), Diaeretiella Starý, I960 (1), Diaeretellus Starý, I960 (4), Diaeretus Förster, 1862 (1), Lysiphlebia Starý et Schlinger, 1967 (1), Lysiphlebus Förster, 1862 (13), Metaphidius Starý et Sedlag, 1959 (1), Paralipsis Förster, 1862 (2), Pauesia Quilis, 1931 (29), Protaphidius Ashmead, 1862 (3), Pseudaclitus Starý, 1974 (1), and Xenostigmus Smith, 1944 (1). Thirteen species, Aphidius (Aphidius) erysimi Starý, I960, A. (A.) stigmaticus Rakhshani et Tomanovi?, 2011, A. (A.) viaticus Sedlag, 1969, A. (Euaphidius) plocamaphidis Starý, 1973, Diaeretellus palustris Starý, 1971, Lysiphlebus (Phlebus) alpinus Starý, 1971, L. (Ph.) orientalis Starý et Rakhshani, 2010, Pauesia (Pauesia) goidanichi Starý, 1966, P. (P.) jezoensis (Watanabe, 1941), P. (P.) montana Starý, 1966, P. (Paraphidius) konoi (Watanabe, 1941), and P. (Par.) similis Starý, 1966, are recorded from Russia for the first time. The distribution of 32 species already known from Russia is specified.     

Post-release evaluation of non-target effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Torymus sinensis</Emphasis>, the biological control agent of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dryocosmus kuriphilus</Emphasis> in Italy

A post-release study was performed to assess the impact of Torymus sinensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), the biological control agent of Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), on native cynipid gall inducers in Italy. In total, 14,512 non-target galls were collected, corresponding to seven genera: Andricus, Aphelonyx, Biorhiza, Cynips, Diplolepis, Neuroterus, and Synophrus, and 8708 chalcid parasitoids were recorded. The Torymidae family accounted for about 30%, and Bootanomyia (=Megastigmus) dorsalis, Torymus affinis and T. flavipes were the most represented species. A total of 116 T. sinensis emerged from 15 different oak galls, mainly Andricus curvator and A. inflator. In controlled conditions, oviposition was recorded on A. cydoniae, A. grossulariae and A. lucidus, while no mating with native congeneric species occurred. This paper confirms the realised host-range expansion by T. sinensis. Even if it were extremely difficult to evaluate its magnitude, the impact appears minimal, and an occasional feeding with no changes in the distribution or abundance of non-target hosts is expected.     

Materials on the flora of Bacillariophyta in rivers of the white sea basin in the Republic of Karelia

A total of 290 species and varieties of Bacillariophyta including 32 that were new for the flora of Karelia and 18 that were new for the flora of Russia, have been recorded in phytoplankton in nine rivers of the White Sea basin. The genera Aulacoseira, Pinnularia, Eunotia, and Navicula s. l. are the richest in taxonomy. The maximum species diversity was recorded in the Suma (73), Kolezhma (91), and Chirko-Kem (146) rivers. The following species are the most widespread in the rivers that were under study here: A. ambigua, A. subarctica, A. subborealis, {tiA. tenella}, Asterionella formosa, and Tabellaria flocculosa.     

Contribution to the knowledge of Diptera (Insecta) parasitizing on birds

Data on the species composition and biology of Diptera, parasitizing on 11 bird species, including Passer montanus, Passer domesticus, Parus coeruleus, Parus major, Corvus frugilegus, Corvus cornix, Sturnus vulgaris, Emberiza citronella, Jynx torquilla, Anthus trivialis, and Crex crex, are given. Biological features of Protocalliphora azurea, Carnus hemapterus, Coboldia fuscipes, and Ornithomyia avicularia are discussed.     

Reliability of the search for 19 common mutations in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">CFTR</Emphasis> gene in Russian cystic fibrosis patients and the calculated frequency of the disease in Russian Federation

A study of Russian cystic fibrosis (CF) patient DNA was conducted to assess the incidence frequency of 19 mutations, namely CFTRdele2,3(21kb), F508del, I507del, 1677delTA, 2143delT, 2184insA, 394delTT, 3821delT, L138ins, 604insA, 3944delGT, G542X, W1282X, N1303K, R334W, and 3849 + 10kbC > T, S1196X, 621 + 1g > t, and E92K of the CFTR gene. We also sought to determine the estimated CF frequency in Russian Federation. In addition, we determined the total information content of the approach for 19 common mutations registration in the CFTR gene, 84.6%, and the allelic frequencies of the examined mutations: three mutations were observed with a frequency exceeding 5% (F508del, 53.98%, E92K, 6.47%, CFTRdele2,3(21kb), 5.35%); other mutations were observed with frequencies ranging from 0.13 to 3.0%. The CF population carrier frequency was 1 in 38 subjects, while the predicted CF frequency was 1 in 5776 newborns.     

Identification and Pathogenicity of Fungal Pathogens Causing Black Point in Wheat on the North China Plain

Fungi associated with black point were isolated from three highly susceptible wheat genotypes in the North China Plain. The 21 isolates represented 11 fungal genera. The most prevalent genera were Alternaria (isolation frequency of 56.7%), Bipolaris (16.1%), and Fusarium (6.0%). The other eight genera were Curvularia, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Exserohilum, Epicoccum, Nigrospora, Penicillium, and Ulocladium; their isolation frequencies ranged from 0.8 to 4.8%. The pathogenicity of the isolates was individually assessed in the greenhouse by inoculating wheat plants with spore suspensions. Ten of the 21 isolates caused significantly higher incidences of black point than that the controls. These isolates belonged to eight fungal species (A. alternata, B. sorokiniana, B. crotonis, B. cynodontis, C. spicifera, F. equiseti, E. rostratum, and E. sorghinum) based on morphological traits and phylogenetic analysis. The average incidences of black point in the eight fungal species were 32.4, 54.3, 43.0, 41.9, 37.2, 38.8, 50.1, and 34.1%, respectively. B. sorokiniana and A. alternata were determined to be the most important pathogens in the North China Plain based on fungal prevalence and symptom severity. This study is the first to identify E. rostratum as a major pathogen causing black point in wheat.     

Characterization and genome-wide association mapping of resistance to leaf rust,stem rust and stripe rust in a geographically diverse collection of spring wheat landraces

The challenge posed by rapidly changing wheat rust pathogens, both in virulence and in environmental adaptation, calls for the development and application of new techniques to accelerate the process of breeding for durable resistance. To expand the resistance gene pool available for germplasm improvement, a panel of 159 landraces plus old cultivars was evaluated for seedling and adult plant resistance (APR) to over 35 Australian pathotypes of Puccinia triticina, Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, and Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici. Known seedling resistance (SR) genes for leaf rust (Lr2a, Lr3a, Lr13, Lr23, Lr16, and Lr20), stem rust (Sr12, Sr13, Sr23, Sr30, and Sr36), and stripe rust (Yr3, Yr4, Yr5, Yr9, Yr10, Yr17, and Yr27) were postulated. The APR genes identified via field assessments and marker analyses included the pleiotropic genes (Lr34/Yr18/Sr57, Lr46/Yr29/Sr58, Lr67/Yr46/Sr55, and Sr2/Lr27/Yr30), Lr68, Lr74, and uncharacterized APR. A genome-wide association analysis using linear mixed models detected 79 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers significantly associated with rust resistance, which were mapped on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6D, 7A, 7B and 7D. SNPs associated with multiple rust resistances probably indicate the presence of new pleiotropic or closely linked genes. SNPs were mapped on chromosome positions (1AL, 1DS, 2AL, 4AS, 5BS, 6DL, and 7AL) that have not been known to carry APR genes. This study revealed the presence of a range of possibly unidentified effective seedling and APRs among the landraces, which might represent new sources of rust resistance for the ongoing effort to develop improved wheat cultivars.     

Isolation and molecular characterization of the fungal endophytic microbiome from conventionally and organically grown avocado trees in South Florida

Fungal endophytes are the most ubiquitous and highly diverse microorganisms that inhabit the interior of healthy plants. They are important in plant ecology and offer untapped potential to improve plant health and productivity in agroecosystems. The endophytic assemblage of avocado is poorly understood; therefore, surveys of fungal endophytes of Persea americana Mill. (Avocado) in South Florida organic and conventional orchards were conducted. A total of 17 endophytic fungal species were recovered from healthy avocado terminal branches. Endophytic fungal species were identified by rDNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, using UNITE Species Hypotheses to reliably assign a taxon name, and determined as belonging to the genera Alternaria, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Corynespora, Diaporthe, Lasiodiplodia, Neofusicoccum, Neopestalotiopsis, Phyllosticta, and Strelitziana. Endophyte community assemblage differed between organic and conventional agroecosystems. This is the first report of Alternaria eichhorniae, Cladosporium tenuissimum, Corynespora cassiicola, Colletotrichum alatae, Diaporthe fraxini-angustifoliae, Lasiodiplodia gonubiensis, Neofusicoccum algeriense, Neofusicoccum andinum, Neopestalotiopsis foedans, Phyllosticta capitalensis, and Strelitziana africana as endophytes of avocado. Evaluation using pathogenicity tests on avocado leaves and terminal branches showed that endophytic fungal isolates did not cause disease symptoms.     

Taxonomic hierarchy of the phylum <Emphasis Type="Italic">Firmicutes</Emphasis> and novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Firmicutes</Emphasis> species originated from various environments in Korea

This study assessed the taxonomic hierarchy of the phylum Firmicutes as well as elucidated the isolation and classification states of novel Firmicutes species isolated from Korean territory. The hierarchical classification system of the phylum Firmicutes has been developed since 1872 when the genus Bacillus was first reported and has been generally adopted since 2001. However, this taxonomic hierarchy is still being modified. Until Feb. 2017, the phylum Firmicutes consisted of seven classes (Bacilli, Clostridia, Erysipelotrichia, Limnochordia, Negativicutes, Thermolithobacteria, and Tissierellia), 13 orders, 45 families, and 421 genera. Firmicutes species isolated from various environments in Korea have been reported from 2000, and 187 species have been approved as of Feb. 2017. All Firmicutes species were affiliated with three classes (Bacilli, Clostridia, and Erysipelotrichia), four orders (Bacillales, Lactobacillales, Clostridiales, and Erysipelotrichales), 17 families, and 54 genera. A total of 173 species belong to the class Bacilli, of which 151 species were affiliated with the order Bacillales and the remaining 22 species with the order Lactobacillales. Twelve species belonging to the class Clostridia were affiliated within only one order, Clostridiales. The most abundant family was Bacillaceae (67 species), followed by the family Paenibacillaceae (56 species). Thirteen novel genera were created using isolates from the Korean environment. A number of Firmicutes species were isolated from natural environments in Korean territory. In addition, a considerable number of species were isolated from artificial resources such as fermented foods. Most Firmicutes species, belonging to the families Bacillaceae, Planococcaceae, and Staphylococcaceae, isolated from Korean fermented foods and solar salterns were halophilic or halotolerant. Firmicutes species were isolated from the whole territory of Korea, especially large numbers from Provinces Gyeonggi, Chungnam, and Daejeon.     

Effect of gamma radiation on the expression of mRNA growth factors in glycerol cryopreserved human amniotic membrane

Human amniotic membrane (HAM) due to its high biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, anti-microbial, anti-viral properties as well as the presence of growth factors has been used in various clinical applications. The growth factors play an important role in wound healing. The current study aimed to explore the effect of 15 kGy gamma radiation dose on selected growth factors and receptors mRNA present in HAM. Eight growth factors, namely, EGF, HGF, KGF, TGF-α, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3 and bFGF and two growth factor receptors, HGFR and KGFR were evaluated in this study. The total RNA was extracted and converted to complimentary DNA using commercial kits. Subsequently, the mRNA expressions of these growth factors were evaluated using real-time PCR and the results were statistically analyzed using REST-MCS software. This study confirmed the presence of these mRNA growth factors and receptors in fresh, glycerol cryopreserved and irradiated glycerol cryopreserved HAM. In glycerol cryopreserved HAM, the results showed up-regulation of HGF and bFGF and down-regulation of EGF, HGFR, KGF, KGFR, TGF-α, TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 relative to the fresh HAM which acted as the control, whereas in irradiated glycerol cryopreserved HAM, the results showed up-regulation of EGF, HGF, KGF, KGFR, TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 and down-regulation of HGFR, TGF-α and bFGF relative to the glycerol cryopreserved HAM which acted as the control. However, these mRNA expressions did not show any statistical significant difference compared to the control groups. This study concluded that a dose of 15 kGy of gamma radiation did not affect the mRNA expression for the growth factors’ and receptors’ in the glycerol cryopreserved HAM.