Asexual reproduction by leaf fragmentation in Mnium stellare Hedw.

Abstract

Orthotrichum incurvomarginatum, O. armatum and O. oreophilum all belonging to subgenus Phaneroporum section Leiocarpa are described from South Africa. O. incurvomarginatum replaces O. afro-fastigiatum sensu Lewinsky, whereas O. afrofastigiatum C. Müll is regarded as a dubious name. O. armatum is characterized by aristate leaves with recurved margins and emergent to shortly exserted capsules which are ribbed when dry. O. oreophilum has longly exserted smooth capsules with eight exostome teeth and eight endostome segments, both with a coarse ornamentation of papillae and vermicular ridges. O. firmum is reported new to South Africa, O. rupestre new to the kingdom of Lesotho.     

A contribution to the knowledge of longicorn beetles (Coleoptera,Cerambycidae) of the Caucasus: 7. Notes on the distribution of some species

The distribution of 28 species of longicorn beetles in the Caucasus and neighboring territories is discussed with new distributional data reported for some species. The records of Rhagium fasciculatum, Paraclytus sexguttatus, and Anaglyptus arabicus from northern Iran (Elburz Mts.) are considered erroneous. Photographs of old specimens of Phytoecia pontica (a male labeled “Caucasus Leder”) and Ph. wachanrui (a male labeled “Daghestan”) are given; the occurrence of these species in the Caucasus is considered probable. The records of Cortodera flavimana, Pedostrangalia verticenigra and Chlorophorus hircanus from northeastern Azerbaijan are considered erroneous; these species are not known from the Caucasus. The distribution of Brachypteroma ottomanum, Leioderes kollari, Phymatodes glabratus, and Dorcadion equestre still remains to be proved; the known records of B. ottomanum supposedly refer to B. holtzi, and those of L. kollari, to L. tuerki. It is also speculated that the records of Pedostrangalia revestita from Borjomi refer to the closely related P. tokatensis, and the records of Pedostrangalia emmipoda from Sevan and Batumi, to P. kurda.     

A new vertebrate for Europe: the discovery of a range‐restricted relict viper in the western Italian Alps

We describe Vipera walser, a new viper species from the north‐western Italian Alps. Despite an overall morphological resemblance with Vipera berus, the new species is remarkably distinct genetically from both V. berus and other vipers occurring in western Europe and shows closer affinities to species occurring only in the Caucasus. Morphologically, the new species appear to be more similar to V. berus than to its closest relatives occurring in the Caucasus, but can be readily distinguished in most cases by a combination of meristic features as confirmed by discriminant analysis. The extant population shows a very low genetic variability measured with mitochondrial markers, suggesting that the taxon has suffered a serious population reduction/bottleneck in the past. The species is extremely range‐restricted (less than 500 km²) and occurs only in two disjunct sites within the high rainfall valleys of the Alps north of Biella. This new species should be classified as globally ‘endangered’ due to its small and fragmented range, and an inferred population decline. The main near‐future threats to the species are habitat changes associated with reduced grazing, along with persecution and collecting.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tubulideres seminoli</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zelinkaderes brightae</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Kinorhyncha,Cyclorhagida) from Florida

One new kinorhynch genus and species and one new species from the genus Zelinkaderes are described from sandy sediment off Fort Pierce, Florida. The new genus and species, Tubulideres seminoli gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of the first trunk segment consisting of a closed ring, the second segment of a bent tergal plate with a midventral articulation and the following nine segments consisting of a tergal and two sternal plates. Cuspidate spines are not present, but flexible tubules are located on several segments, and in particular concentrated on the ventral side of the second segment. Middorsal spines are present on all trunk segments and are alternatingly offset to a position slightly lateral to the middorsal line. Zelinkaderes brightae nov. sp. is characterized by its spine formula in having middorsal spines on trunk segments 4, 6 and 8–11, lateroventral acicular spines on segment 2, lateral accessory cuspidate spines on segments 2 and 8, ventrolateral cuspidate spines on segments 4–6 and 9, lateroventral acicular spines present on segments 8 and 9, and midterminal, lateral terminal and lateral terminal accessory spines on segment 11. The spine formula of Z. brightae nov. sp. places it in a position in between Z. submersus and a clade consisting of Z. klepali and Z. floridensis. The new findings on Z. brightae nov. sp. have led us to propose an emended diagnosis for the genus.     

A contribution to the knowledge of the longicorn beetles (Coleoptera,Cerambycidae) of the Caucasus: 6. Notes on the distribution of some species with new data of their biology

The distribution of 18 longicorn-beetle species of the Caucasus Isthmus and adjacent regions is discussed. New records of some species are given enlarging their known distribution area in the Caucasus (in some cases, even beyond its limits). The modern knowledge of the distribution of Chlorophorus herbstii, Leptorhabdium caucasicum, and Brachyta caucasica does not confirm occurrence of the first species in the Caucasus and the others, in northern Iran. Stenocorus meridianus occurs only in the northernmost plains of the Ciscaucasia, bordering on Rostov Province. New data on the biology of two little known Caucasian species are given.     

On the fauna of bristletails of the genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Petrobius</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trigoniophthalmus</Emphasis> (Thysanura,Machilidae) from the Caucasus

Five new species, Petrobius caucasicus sp. n., Trigoniophthalmus presimplex sp. n., T. divnogorski sp. n., T. kislovodski sp. n., and T. adigei sp. n. (Machilidae), are described from the Caucasus. A key to all the known species of the genus Trigoniophthalmus is given. Two subgenera (Trigoniophthalmus s. str., Trigoniocellus subgen. n.) in the genus Trigoniophthalmus are described. 2 + 2 retractile vesicles are present on abdominal segments II–IV in the species of Trigoniocellus subgen. n. and on II–V abdominal segments in Trigoniophthalmus s. str. Analysis of the evolution and phylogenetic relations between the species of the genus Trigoniophthalmus is performed for the first time. The formation of bristletails of the genus Trigoniophthalmus appears to occur in the Caucasian mountain province of the European area, from where they penetrated to the Central European mixed province and the Mediterranean subarea. Among the described species of the genus, T. kislovodski is distinguished by the greatest number of plesiomorphic states of morphological characters.     

Egg capsules and larval development of Nassarius burchardi (Philippi, 1849) and Nassarius jonasii Dunker, 1846 and comparisons with other Nassariidae (Caenogastropoda)

Adult Nassarius burchardi and N. jonasii were maintained in a laboratory, allowed to spawn and their early life stages described. N. burchardi veligers hatched from bulliform, oval capsules and N. jonasii veligers hatched from circular capsules with axial ridges. The capsules are compared with those described for other Nassariidae. All eggs developed within the capsules and hatching occurred within six to eight days in the laboratory. The planktotrophic veligers developed in four to five weeks before settling and metamorphosing. The veligers of both species were of comparable size and morphology and spent similar times developing as other Nassarius species from temperate waters. The two species differ in protoconch microsculpture.     

The first record of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isurichthys</Emphasis> (Perciformes,Ariommatidae) in the Lower Oligocene of the Northern Caucasus

An ariommatid fish, Isurichthys breviusculus sp. nov. (Perciformes), from the Lower Maikopian (Lower Oligocene) of the northern Caucasus (Apsheronsk District) is described based on an almost complete skeleton. This is the first record of the Oligocene genus Isurichthys in the Caucasus. Direct evidence of the presence of a toothed pharyngeal sac in the oesophagus of Isurichthys is obtained for the first time. Of two known species of Isurichthys, the new species is closer to I. roumanus Baciu et Bannikov, 2004 from the Oligocene of Romania. The fossil record of Stromateoidei sensu stricto is reviewed.     

A new genus and species of oribatid mites <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scarabacarus longisensillus</Emphasis> gen. et sp. n. (Acariformes,Liacaridae) from the Caucasus

A new genus and species, Scarabacarus longisensillus gen. et sp. n., of the family Liacaridae are described from the Caucasus (Azerbaijan and Abkhazia): The new genus Scarabacarus is characterized by the highly convex body, straight anterior margin of the notogaster, narrow fusiform sensilla, the lamellae situated on the lateral margins of the prodorsum, the absence of interlamellar and notogastral setae (besides one posterior pair), presence of four pairs of genital setae, and tridactylous leg tarsi.     

Phylogeny and reclassification of the Caucasigenini radiation from the Caucasus region (Gastropoda,Hygromiidae)

The Caucasigenini is an endemic radiation of hygromiid land snails from the Caucasus region. A phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters of the genitalia and the shell showed that the morphological characters are insufficient for resolving the relationships within the Caucasigenini. Convergences of the few parsimony informative characters in other groups of the Hygromiidae demonstrate that these characters are not reliable indicators of phylogenetic relationships. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences of cox1, 16S rDNA, 5.8S rDNA, ITS2 and 28S rDNA revealed several well‐supported groups. The relationships among these groups could not be resolved. It is likely that these groups originated in a rapid radiation during the uplift of the Caucasus. Based on the molecular phylogeny, we propose a new classification of the species of the Caucasigenini and establish a new genus, Lazicana gen. n.     

Color Differential Staining of Nor-Associated Heterochromatic Segments Using Acridine Orange

A new staining technique has been evaluated for detecting heterochromatic segments accompanying nucleolus organizing regions (NORs). This technique essentially consists of C-banding followed by acridine orange staining. When the technique was applied to five species of plants, the NOR-associated heterochromatic segments (NOR H-segments) were differentiated from other segments of the chromosomes as regions emitting yellowish green fluorescence. An incubation of at least 30 min in hot 2 × SSC was required to make the NOR H-segments emit yellowish green fluorescence in Nothoicordum fragrans. Fluorescence on other heterocnromatic segments varied from reddish orange to bright yellow; euchromatic segments emitted orange or yellowish orange fluorescence. The technique permits identification of NOR H-segments throughout mitosis based on the characteristic fluorescent color.     

Gagea bohemica (Liliaceae), a highly variable monotypic species within Gagea sect. Didymobulbos

Abstract

Gagea bohemica s.l. (Liliaceae) consists of two morphologically extreme forms (saxatilis and bohemica) which depending on the varying opinions of the authors are considered as separate species, subspecies or as a single variable species. In this study, morphological (form and length of perianth segments, pilosity of pedicles and peduncles) and molecular data (cpDNA trnL–trnF IGS) of 55 samples corresponding to 43 populations from Western Europe to the Mediterranean area and eastern Caucasus were investigated. G. bohemica (Zauschn.) Schult. & Schult. f. represents a highly variable monotypic species from both morphological and karyological (2n = 24, 36, 48, 60, 72) aspects. Based on the molecular and morphological data presented here, a differentiation between specific and infraspecific taxa is not possible. We hypothesize that the morphological variability of this species is largely influenced by different site conditions and ploidy level.     

帕米尔木灵藓和细齿木灵藓（木灵藓科）的形态特征及其在中国的新分布

该文报道了采自新疆的木灵藓属中国2个新记录种——帕米尔木灵藓(Orthotrichum pamiricum)和细齿木灵藓(O.scanicum)。帕米尔木灵藓的识别特征为:叶尖钝,气孔隐型,多着生于孢蒴下部,外齿层齿片8对,干燥时蒴齿背曲,内齿层蒴条16,上部内曲;细齿木灵藓的识别特征为:叶尖部具细齿,气孔半隐型,蒴帽具分散的透明毛,内齿层和外齿层均16片,具8条黄色细沟,干燥时中部以上具沟。对这2种藓类的形态特征、生境和地理分布及与其相似种的形态学进行了比较分析,并绘制了每种的形态结构墨线图。木灵藓属植物在中国的新分布记录进一步表明,新疆地区富含生物多样性,并与中亚植物区系存在密切关系。     

Color differential staining of NOR-associated heterochromatic segments using acridine orange

A new staining technique has been evaluated for detecting heterochromatic segments accompanying nucleolus organizing regions (NORs). This technique essentially consists of C-banding followed by acridine orange staining. When the technique was applied to five species of plants, the NOR-associated heterochromatic segments (NOR H-segments) were differentiated from other segments of the chromosomes as regions emitting yellowish green fluorescence. An incubation of at least 30 min in hot 2 x SSC was required to make the NOR H-segments emit yellowish green fluorescence in Nothoscordum fragrans. Fluorescence on other heterochromatic segments varied from reddish orange to bright yellow; euchromatic segments emitted orange or yellowish orange fluorescence. The technique permits identification of NOR H-segments throughout mitosis based on the characteristic fluorescent color.     

New and interesting species ofEmericella from Chinese soil

Emericella miyajii, a new species isolated from Chinese soil, is described and illustrated. It is characterized by pale orange to brownish orange colonies on malt extract agar, subglobose to broadly elliptical ascospores with defective four equatorial crests and smooth convex walls, and with anAspergillus anamorph.Emericella undulata is also described as an uncommon species from Chinese soil.     

Morphology of Baerietta hickmani n. sp. (Cestoda, Nematotaeniidae) from Australian scincid lizards

Baerietta hickmani was described from Lampropholis challengeri, L. delicata, L. guichenoti, L. mustelina and Nannoscincus maccoyi (Reptilia: Scincidae) from Australia. Diagnostic features included hyperapolysis, mature segments longer than wide, gonads tandem and seminal receptacle present. The genus Baerietta was emended to include diagnostic features of B. hickmani and to extend the host range to included both amphibians and reptiles. Other morphological features of the new species included tandem paruterine capsules, allometric growth of segments and the investiture of paruterine capsules by numerous elongate calcareous corpuscles.     

Caucasus Mountains divide postulated postglacial colonization routes in the white‐breasted hedgehog,Erinaceus concolor

For many European species, the mountains of the Alps and the Pyrenees have acted as significant barriers to northwards colonization from southern glacial refugia. To the east, the Caucasus Mountains would seem to have been a similar barrier to the white‐breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor). A deep divergence among hedgehog mitochondrial sequences to the north and south of the Caucasus Mountains suggests two colonization routes, originating from separate refugial regions and divided by this mountain barrier. From a Balkan refugium, hedgehogs have colonized northwards into Russia and to the northern foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. The origins of hedgehogs colonizing the southern parts of the Caucasus are not entirely clear, although fossil and climatic data suggest a glacial refugium on the southern shores of the Black Sea. Divergence within the southern group indicates a long‐standing fragmentation within such a refugium or the presence of further cryptic refugia in Turkey and the Near East. The Caucasus barrier would seem to have been an important factor in structuring the late Pleistocene distribution of species.     

Aristolochia zebrina sp. nov. (Aristolochiaceae) from southeastern Brazil

Aristolochia zebrina is described, illustrated and discussed in comparison with the two most similar species, A. papillaris Mast. and A. tamnifolia (Klotzsch) Duch. The new species is distinguished from its relatives mainly by the ellipsoid utricle, the narrowly ovate, revolute, and efimbriate floral limb with dark purple longitudinal stripes inside, and the glabrous and smooth capsules, which are broadly cylindrical. So far, the new species has only been found in ‘restingas’ (sandy soils) and wet tropical Tabuleiro forests in northern Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil.     

Crocus demirizianus sp. nov. from northwestern Turkey

A new species, Crocus demirizianus O. Erol & L. Can is described and illustrated from northwestern Turkey. Crocus demirizianus was found in the Çanakkale province, near the district of Çan, and is undoubtedly related to the Crocus biflorus complex. However, the species differs from its relatives by typically sagittate anthers, and flowers without prominent stripes on outer segments. Diagnostic morphological characters are discussed and high resolution images are presented.