Agaricus section Xanthodermatei: a phylogenetic reconstruction with commentary on taxa

Agaricus section Xanthodermatei comprises a group of species allied to A. xanthodermus and generally characterized by basidiomata having phenolic odors, transiently yellowing discolorations in some parts of the basidiome, Schaeffer's reaction negative, and mild to substantial toxicity. The section has a global distribution, while most included species have distributions restricted to regions of single continents. Using specimens and cultures from Europe, North America, and Hawaii, we analyzed DNA sequences from the ITS1+2 region of the nuclear rDNA to identify and characterize phylogenetically distinct entities and to construct a hypothesis of relationships, both among members of the section and with representative taxa from other sections of the genus. 61 sequences from affiliated taxa, plus 20 from six (or seven) other sections of Agaricus, and one Micropsalliota sequence, were evaluated under distance, maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods. We recognized 21 discrete entities in Xanthodermatei, including 14 established species and 7 new ones, three of which are described elsewhere. Four species from California, New Mexico, and France deserve further study before they are described. Type studies of American taxa are particularly emphasized, and a lectotype is designated for A. californicus. Section Xanthodermatei formed a single clade in most analyses, indicating that the traditional sectional characters noted above are good unifying characters that appear to have arisen only once within Agaricus. Deep divisions within the sequence-derived structure of the section could be interpreted as subsections in Xanthodermatei; however, various considerations led us to refrain from proposing new supraspecific taxa. The nearest neighbors of section Xanthodermatei are putatively in section Duploannulati.     

A revision of the genus Linum in southern Africa

Fourteen native species of Linum are recognized in southern Africa, all of which belong to sect. Linopsis. Four are commonly accepted species; four were described more than a century ago but have not been recognized in recent treatments; six are newly described. Thirteen species are endemic; one ranges as far north as Angola and Tanzania. Among the new species two are heterostylous, the first described for the genus from this region.
The section Linopsis ranges broadly from the Mediterranean region to southern Africa and to both North and South America. The occurrence in the Mediterranean region of species exhibiting such features as heterostyly and chromosome numbers of 2n = 18 or 20, the only diploids known in the section, seems to indicate that in that region are to be found the most primitive species of the section. The close similarity between species of southern Africa and a number of South American and North American species appears to place the southern African species in an intermediate evolutionary position with respect to the Old and New World species of the section.     

Enhancement of plant growth by Zygorrhynchus moelleri

Cucumber, tomato, two flowering annuals and a flowering perennial produced plants of greater weight in soilless compost infested with Zygorrhynchus moelleri than in uninfested compost. In Z. moelleri -infested compost the annuals commenced flowering 4 to 10 days earlier, cucumbers produced mature fruits more rapidly and a greater weight (20%) of fruit was harvested from 15-wk-old tomato plants. Leaves of 11 and 15-wk-old tomato plants grown in infested compost contained more chlorophyll than leaves from plants in uninfested compost. Z. moelleri was isolated from 99% of segments cut from roots of tomato plants grown in infested compost and it suppressed the growth of Trichoderma spp. at the root surface. Propagules of Z. moelleri remained viable in air-dried compost for at least 12 months. In axenic culture, Z. moelleri enhanced lateral root development in tomato and cucumber seedlings.     

Chromosome diversity of South American Oxalis (Oxalidaceae)

Mitotic or meiotic chromosome studies are reported for 39 species or subspecies of Oxalis from South America belonging to 14 sections. Chromosome numbers of 34 of these taxa are reported for the first time. Diploids and polyploids with six different basic chromosome numbers x=5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 are described. Thirteen species of subgenus lhamnoxys were analysed and two new basic chromosome numbers were observed in diploid entities of this subgenus, x = 6 and x=9. The underground stem-bearing entities of Oxalis subgenus Oxalis studied (in sections Articulatae, Jonoxalis and Palmatifoliae) are mostly diploids and polyploids with a basic chromosome number x=7. Five species of section Carnosa are diploids with x = 9. In species of sections Rosea, Ortgieseae, Clematodes and Laxae the basic chromosome numbers x = 6, 7, 8 and 9 were observed. Groups of related species sharing the same chromosome number are discussed with the aim of improving the infrageneric delimitation of the genus. The basic chromosome number x=6 seems to be primitive in the genus and other basic chromosome numbers probably appeared several times in the course of chromosome evolution of Oxalis .     

Two new species of Dicoma (Asteraceae) from Somalia and Ethiopia

Two new species of the genus Dicoma, D. popeana from Somalia and D. aethiopica from Ethiopia, both of the section Psilocoma , are described and illustrated. The two species are distinguished from D. anomala and other similar taxa by a morphologic diagnostic key.     

Taxonomic Studies on the Marine Genera Aktedrilus Knöllner and Bacescuella Hrabe' (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae), with Descriptions of Seven New Species

The taxonomy and morphology of Aktedrilus Knöllner, 1935 and Bacescuella Hrabe' 1973 (subfamily Phallodrilinae), both common genera of the marine, littoral meiofauna, were studied on the basis of material from various geographical areas. A. monospermathecus Knöllner, 1935 is redescribed from France and Scotland. A. magnus sp.n., A. hrevis sp.n., A. curvipenis sp.n. and A. floridensis sp.n. are described from Italy, Brazil, France and Florida, respectively. Two very closely related forms are described from the Pacific: A. locyi sp.n. (California) and A. parviprostatus sp.n. (Great Barrier Reef). B. mediterranea sp.n. is described from Italy, and new European records are given forB. arclica Erséus, 1978 andfi. parvithecata Erséus, 1978. Both genera are characterized by having two pairs of prostate glands, well developed penes, and unpaired, mid-dorsal spermatheca (if present). The species of Bacescuella transfer their sperm by means of external spermatophores, structures that are not developed in Aktedrilus. The eight species of Aktedrilus are largely distinguished by means of the morphology of the spermatheca, penes and prostates. The four species of Bacescuella differ principally from each other in the length of the vasa deferentia, and in the morphology of the prostates and copulatory organs. Most Bacescuella species lack spermatheca.     

TWO NEW SPECIES OF TOLYPELLA(CHARACEAE) FROM NORTH AMERICA1,2

Two new species of the genus Tolypella (Characeae)–T. boldii Sawa sp. nov. and T. canadensis Sawa sp. nov.–were discovered in Texas, U.S.A., and Ontario, Canada, respectively. The species are recognized as additional members to the section Acutifolia because of the small and conical branchlet end cell and the oospore with a single basal impression. However, they differ from all the members previously described in the genus by the frequent and unique development of a terminal antheridium at the fertile branchlet node. A new and unexpected chromosome number of n = 8 for the genus was determined in both species, which, renders additional support to the conclusion that they represent a new taxonomic group in the section. The plants are described in detail in order to clarify some important morphological features which have been loosely interpreted by previous workers. Relationships between the new species and other members of the section are analyzed.     

THE TAXONOMIC AND PHYLOGENETIC POSITION OF THE PLESIOSAUROIDEA FROM THE LOWER JURASSIC POSIDONIA SHALE OF SOUTH-WEST GERMANY

Abstract:  The two plesiosauroid species from the Posidonia shale of Holzmaden, ' Plesiosaurus ' guilelmiimperatoris and ' Plesiosaurus ' brachypterygius , do not belong to Plesiosaurus but form new monotypic genera. The new genus Hydrorion is erected for ' P .' brachypterygius , and the genus Seeleyosaurus is re-established for ' P .' guilelmiimperatoris . The recently described species Plesiopterys wildii is regarded as a junior synonym of S. guilelmiimperatoris . A short phylogenetic analysis shows that S. guilelmiimperatoris and Muraenosaurus are basal elasmosaurs. H. brachypterygius , Occitanosaurus tournemirensis from France and Microcleidus homalospondylus from England form a monophyletic clade, which is the sister taxon to the Cretaceous elasmosaurs. A palaeobiogeographical comparison of plesiosaur localities in the Lower Jurassic shows distinct palaeobiogeographical zones for the Toarcian, with different plesiosaur taxa in England, Germany and France.     

Aspergillus ibericus: a new species of section Nigri isolated from grapes

As part of a study on the ochratoxin producing mycoflora of grapes, several Aspergillus strains were isolated and tested for their ochratoxin A (OTA) producing abilities. Aspergillus strains of the section Nigri, which did not produce detectable amounts of OTA but which had a similar morphology to A. carbonarius, were isolated from wine grapes and/or dried vine fruit in Portugal and Spain. These strains, however, have characters that allow morphological distinction from the other species in the section, particularly the conidia size (5-7 microm), which allows separation of the species from the two most common biseriate species in section Nigri: A. carbonarius (7-9 microm) and A. niger and its aggregate species (3-5 microm). The strains are described here as belonging to a new species, named A. ibericus. The validation of this new taxon is supported further by analysis of the ITS-5.8S rDNA and calmodulin gene sequences and by analysis of the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) patterns, which were consistent in separating these strains from other species in the section. A. ibericus strains do not produce OTA therefore they are interesting for biotechnological exploration because many metabolites with commercial value are produced by other species in the section.     

Perisphinctes orbignyi n. sp. and accompanying perisphinctid assemblage from the Lower Oxfordian (Cordatum Zone,Cordatum Subzone) in southern Poland (Zalas,Krakow region)

The paper presents preliminary characteristics of a new perisphinctid assemblage from the Lower Oxfordian section of Zalas near Krakow, regarded as the classic one for southern Poland. The assemblage is derived from strata of the Cordatum Subzone, Cordatum Zone. Two major groups of perisphinctids are differentiated. The assemblage appears similar to those described by Neumann from Cetechowitz 〚12〛, Bourseau from ‘Terres noires’ of de Beauvoisin in France 〚2〛, and Gygi from Switzerland 〚9〛. It fills very well a gap in our knowledge of this fauna from upper parts of the Lower Oxfordian and further studies should make it possible to propose and define a new biostratigraphic unit. A new ammonite species Perisphinctes (Arisphinctes?) orbignyi n. sp. is described. Its name is given to commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of Alcide d’Orbigny and his contribution to the developments of stratigraphy of the Mesozoic, especially Jurassic strata.     

A revision of Clematis sect. Aspidanthera s.l. （ Ranunculaceae ）

对毛茛科铁线莲属Clematis L.的单性铁线莲组sect. Aspidanthera Spach s.l.进行了全面修订,确定此组共含72种和15变种,这些种被归类于6个亚组中,其中包括首次描述的1系、5种和2变种,以及做出的2新等级.对单性铁线莲组的分类学简史和地理分布做了介绍.写出了组、亚组、系的形态特征和地理分布,分亚组检索表及各亚组的分种检索表;以及各种植物的形态描述、地理分布、生长环境等,并附有多幅插图.在研究了此组全部种类的标本之后,观察到此组几个重要形态特征的演化趋势(1)萼片在数目上由4枚演变到8枚,在开展方向上由平展到直上展,在形状上由长圆形到狭条形,在长度上由比雄蕊稍长到2-4倍长于雄蕊,其卷叠式由镊合状到次生的覆瓦状;(2)花药药隔顶端由不具突起到具短或长的突起;(3)雌花退化雄蕊的数目由多数到定数、少数,以至完全消失;(4)花序自当年生枝的叶腋发生演变到与数叶同自老枝的一腋芽中发出.根据上述演化趋势推断本组各亚组间的亲缘关系如下subsect. Dioicae (34种,广布于北美洲和南美洲)的花构造(萼片4,镊合状排列,平展,通常呈长圆形,稍长于雄蕊或近等长,外面边缘被短绒毛;雄蕊花药呈长圆形,药隔顶端无突起;雌花具多数退化雄蕊;花序自当年生枝的叶腋发出)与具两性花的威灵仙组欧洲铁线莲亚组sect. Clematis subsect. Clematis 的花极为相似,区别主要在于本亚组的花为单性,由此判断subsect. Dioicae可能是单性铁线莲组sect. Aspidanthera的原始群,源出于欧洲铁线莲亚组.本组的第二亚组subsect. Lasianthae(2种,分布于北美西南部)与subsect. Dioicae 在亲缘关系上极为相近,区别只在于其花序或具花当年生枝与数叶一同由老枝的一个腋芽中发出,此亚组当是从subsect. Dioicae衍生出的一个小群.第三亚组subsect. Microphyllae(7种,特产澳大利亚)也与subsect. Dioicae相近缘,但此亚组的萼片变狭长,多呈条形或狭条形,常2-4倍长于多少变短的雄蕊,雌花的退化雄蕊数目变少,16-2枚,根据这些进化特征,推测此亚组也源出于subsect. Dioicae.第四亚组subsect. Aristatae (16种,分布于澳大利亚、新几内亚及邻近岛屿)与subsect. Microphyllae 在亲缘关系上相近,但本亚组的花药药隔顶端具短或长的突起而不同,根据此进化特征,推测本亚组系由后者演化而出.第五亚组subsect. Hexapetalae (11种,特产新西兰)的花构造与分布于澳大利亚的subsect. Microphyllae相似,但其萼片为覆瓦状排列,外面边缘不被短绒毛,在多数种多于4枚,为5-8枚而不同.据Godley 的研究,本亚组中的C. afoliata的花有4枚萼片,排成2轮,每轮的2枚萼片均为近镊合状排列;另外,在C. paniculata花的6枚萼片中,4枚为覆瓦状排列,其他2枚有时内向镊合状排列.从上述情况可见此亚组的萼片覆瓦状卷叠式可能是由镊合状卷叠式演变而来的一种次生现象,并由此推测,此亚组可能与subsect. Microphyllae相同,也源自美洲的subsect.Dioicae.最后一个亚组subsect. Insidiosae(2种,特产马达加斯加)的雌花萼片直上展,退化雄蕊完全消失,具有这些进化特征,当是单性铁线莲组的进化群,可能源出自具定数或少数退化雄蕊的subsect. Microphyllae.     

铁线莲属单性铁线莲组修订

对毛茛科铁线莲属Clematis L.的单性铁线莲组sect. Aspidanthera Spach s.l.进行了全面修订,确定此组共含72种和15变种,这些被归类于6个亚组中,其中包括首次描述的1系、5种和2变种,以及做出的2新等级。对单性铁线莲组的分类学简史和地理分布做了介绍。写出了组、亚组、系的形态特征和地理分布,分亚组检索表及各亚组的分种检索表;以及各种植物的形态描述、地理分布、生长环境等,并附有多幅插图。在研究了此组全部种类的标本之后,观察到此组几个重要形态特征的演化趋势：(1)萼片在数目上由     

Phylogeny and taxonomy of Halimeda incrassata,including descriptions of H. kanaloana and H. heteromorpha spp. nov. (Bryopsidales,Chlorophyta)

The tropical green algal genus Halimeda is one of the best studied examples of pseudo-cryptic diversity within the algae. Previous molecular and morphometric studies revealed that within Halimeda section Rhipsalis, Halimeda incrassata included three pseudo-cryptic entities and that the morphological boundaries between H. incrassata and Halimeda melanesica were ill-defined. In this paper, the taxonomy of H. incrassata is revised: two pseudo-cryptic entities are described as new species, Halimeda kanaloana and Halimed heteromorpha, while H. incrassata is redefined to encompass a single, monophyletic entity. Similarities and differences between the three species and H. melanesica are discussed. Monophyly of H. heteromorpha, which was questioned in a former study, is reinvestigated using sets of 32 ITS1–ITS2 and 21 plastid rps3 sequences and various alignment and inference methods. The phylogenetic relationships within Halimeda section Rhipsalis are inferred from nuclear 18S–ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 and concatenated plastid sequences (tufA & rpl5–rps8–infA) and interpreted in a biogeographic context.     

Taxonomic study of Astragalus sect Erioceras (Fabaceae) in Iran Additional notes and key to the species

A key to and new findings on the Astragalus sect. Erioceras, are given for the 10 species of this section, which occur within the area covered by the flora of Iran. One species, Astragalus neo-sytinii , is described as a new species. A. sympileicarpus is reported as a new record for the flora of Iran. A. viridis is transferred from A. sect. Erioceras to sect. Xiphidium Sect. Acantherioceras is reduced to the level of subsection. The differences between that section and closely related sections are discussed.     

SCHIZOPTERID BUGS (INSECTA: HETEROPTERA) IN MID-CRETACEOUS AMBERS FROM FRANCE and MYANMAR (BURMA)

Abstract:  Bugs of two new genera and species are described as Buzinia couillardi and Tanaia burmitica . They are preserved in mid-Cretaceous amber from south-west France and northern Myanmar (Burma), respectively ( c . 100 Ma). These are the first formally described fossils of the heteropteran family Schizopteridae. Both belong to the subfamily Hypselosomatinae and are very similar to the extant genus Hypselosoma Reuter, providing evidence for the antiquity and morphological stability of this small bug family and the infraorder Dipsocoromorpha. Given the putative ecology of the fossils, a discussion is provided on the French and Burmese amber forest ecosystems. The geological setting of La Buzinie, a new amber deposit in south-west France that yielded the two specimens of Buzinia couillardi , is outlined.