Phylogenetic relations of Rhizoplaca Zopf. from Anatolia inferred from ITS sequence data

Like many lichen-forming fungi, species of the genus Rhizoplaca have wide geographical distributions, but studies of their genetic variability are limited. The information about the ITS rDNA sequences of three species of Rhizoplaca from Anatolia was generated and aligned with other species from other countries and also with the data belonging to Lecanora species. The examined species were collected from the volcanic rocks of Mount Erciyes which is located in the middle of Anatolia (Turkey). The sequence data aligned with eight other samples of Rhizoplaca and six different species of Lecanora were obtained from GenBank. The results support the concept maintained by Arup and Grube (2000) that Rhizoplaca may not be a genus separate from Lecanora. According to the phylogenetic tree, Rhizoplaca melanopthalma from Turkey with two different samples of R. melanopthalma from Arizona (AF159929, AF159934) and a sample from Austria formed a group under the same branch. R. peltata and R. chrysoleuca samples from Anatolia located in two other branches of the tree formed sister groups with the samples of the same species from different countries. Although R. peltata remained on the same branch with other samples of the same species from other countries it was placed in a different branch within the group. When the three species from Anatolia were considered alone, it was noticed that Rhizoplaca melanopthalma and Rhizoplaca peltata are phylogenetically closer to each other than Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca; the morphological characteristics also support this result.     

Phylogenetic analysis of lichen-forming fungi Rhizoplaca zopf from China based on ITS data and morphology

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of Rhizoplaca melanophthalma, Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca, Rhizoplaca peltata and Rhizoplaca haydenii is presented based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and morphology. Rhizoplaca species were collected at 3400-3900 m in Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang province, China. Rhizoplaca haydenii is reported for the first time in China. Maximum parsimony (MP) analysis of ITS sequences obtained from Tianshan Mountains samples and GenBank reveals that the evolution relationship of Rhizoplaca melanophthalma and Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca is closer to each other than to Rhizoplaca peltata, and Rhizoplaca haydenii showed closer relatedness to Rhizoplaca melanophthalma. When the four species groups from Tianshan Mountains were analyzed alone through the neighbour-joining (NJ) and minimum evolution method, we obtained the same result. The morphology analysis of Rhizoplaca Zopf which reveals the pruinose discs and apothecial discs of species did not show convincing evidences to prove phylogenetic relationship among Rhizoplaca species In our study, the result further proved that Rhizoplaca should be rejected as a genus separate from Lecanora.     

脐鳞属地衣一个新种(英文)

本文描述了脐鳞属地衣一个新种:褐脐鳞。这个新种类似红脐鳞,但地衣体上表面为灰褐色并且不合松萝酸。本种与泡状脐鳞的区别是不含富马原岛衣酸及地理分布的差异。     

Determination of usnic acid in some Rhizoplaca species from Middle Anatolia and their antimicrobial activities

Three species of lichens, Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca (Sm.) Zopf, Rhizoplaca melanopthalma (DC.) Leuckert & Poelt and Rhizoplaca peltata Ramonds Leuckert, were collected from middle Anatolia, Erciyes Mountain (Kayseri) in Turkey. Their usnic acid amounts were determined by HPLC in acetone extracts. In addition, antimicrobial activities of these extracts were determined against Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218), Enterococcus faecalis (RSKK 508), Proteus mirabilis (Pasteur Ens. 235), Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was shown that, as the usnic acid amount increased, the antimicrobial activities increased too. The usnic acid contents of Rhizoplaca species varied between 0.19-4.0% dry weight.     

中国的平盲蝽属(半翅目;盲蝽科)(英语)

本文报导中国盲蝽科平盲蝽属8种,其中包括一新种.他们是:碎斑平盲蝽Zanchius mosaicus Zhenget Liang,红点平盲蝽Z.tarasovi Kerzhner,绿斑平盲蝽Z.marmoratus Zou,五斑平盲蝽Z.quinquemaculatus Zou,邹氏平盲蝽Z.zoui Zheng et Liu,黄平盲蝽Z.vitellinus Zou,红平盲蝽Z.rubidus Liu et Zheng sp.nov.,台湾平盲蝽Z.apicalis Poppius.模式标本保存在天津南开大学生物系.本属过去所描述的种均为淡色或绿色,没有发现红色种类,该新种红色,可明显区别于本属其他各种.     

红脐鳞地衣基因组文库的构建(英文)

地衣是真菌和一种或多种光合微生物形成的稳定的共生联合体 ,既是先锋生物 ,又是敏感生物。环境的变化及生境的片断化 ,使得许多地衣种类处于濒危状态。保护珍稀濒危地衣物种的方法包括地衣体的移植 ,地衣中菌藻的分离培养及基因组文库的构建等。本研究用改进的CTAB方法提取基因组总DNA ,以Lamb daGEM 11为载体 ,构建了红脐鳞 (Rhizoplacachrysoleuca)的基因组文库 ,文库中同时含有该地衣共生菌与共生藻的DNA。该文库包含 8.5× 10 5个重组子 ,插入片段的平均大小为 19kb。文库的容量约为红脐鳞单倍体基因组的 10 0倍。该基因组文库的构建为保护稀有与濒危地衣物种提供了一个新的途径 ,并可进一步开展有关地衣的分子操作研究 ,如地衣冰核蛋白的异源表达等。     

GENUS ZANCHIUS DISTANT (HEMIPTERA: MIRIDAE) OF CHINA

Abstract  This paper lists the known species of Zanchius from China and describes a Lew species, Zanchius rubidus Liu et Zheng found from Mount Wuling, Hebei Province, China. Type specimens are deposited in the Nankai University, Tianjin.     

红脐鳞种群界定的综合研究

对于以表面色泽与化学成分为根据从红脐鳞种内分出褐脐鳞作为另一独立种的综合性状进行了比较研究。该研究是以干标本及活菌培养的形态学、化学及分子数据为基础进行的。研究结果并不支持褐脐鳞作为独立种级单位的存在,而被作为红脐鳞种下的化学型予以订正。     

Characterization of biological ice nuclei from a lichen.

Biological ice nuclei (active at approximately -4 degrees C) were extracted from cells of the lichen Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca by sonication. Sensitivity to proteases, guanidine hydrochloride, and urea showed these nuclei to be proteinaceous. The nuclei were relatively heat stable, active from pH 1.5 to 12, and active without lipids, thereby demonstrating significant differences from bacterial ice nuclei.     

A redescription of Macrostylophora borneensis (Jordan, 1926) (Siphonaptera-Ceratophyllidae-Ceratophyllinae), a flea of the Malaysian sub-region and description of an allied species

This note redescribes M. borneensis and describes M. traubi n. sp. based on the known specimens from the two sampling localities (holotype from Mount Murud and further recorded from Mount Kinabalu by Traub). The clearly allied, but clearly distinct species for the two localities, were recorded.     

Resolution of natural groups using iterative assignment tests: an example from two species of Australian native rats (Rattus)

Sympatric individuals of Rattus fuscipes and Rattus leucopus, two Australian native rats from the tropical wet forests of north Queensland, are difficult to distinguish morphologically and are often confused in the field. When we started a study on fine-scale movements of these species, using microsatellite markers, we found that the species as identified in the field did not form coherent genetic groups. In this study, we examined the potential of an iterative process of genetic assignment to separate specimens from distinct (e.g. species, populations) natural groups. Five loci with extensive overlap in allele distributions between species were used for the iterative process. Samples were randomly distributed into two starting groups of equal size and then subjected to the test. At each iteration, misassigned samples switched groups, and the output groups from a given round of assignment formed the input groups for the next round. All samples were assigned correctly on the 10th iteration, in which two genetic groups were clearly separated. Mitochondrial DNA sequences were obtained from samples from each genetic group identified by assignment, together with those of museum voucher specimens, to assess which species corresponded to which genetic group. The iterative procedure was also used to resolve groups within species, adequately separating the genetically identified R. leucopus from our two sampling sites. These results show that the iterative assignment process can correctly differentiate samples into their appropriate natural groups when diagnostic genetic markers are not available, which allowed us to resolve accurately the two R. leucopus and R. fuscipes species. Our approach provides an analytical tool that may be applicable to a broad variety of situations where genetic groups need to be resolved.     

Chemical profiling of Ocimum americanum using external flavonoids

A HPLC survey was undertaken of the external flavonoids in 111 herbarium specimens of Ocimum americanum L. (O. canum Sims), which were largely collected from their natural habitats throughout Africa and Asia. The purpose of this study was to establish the flavonoid profiles of this species over the full range of its geographic distribution in order to use these for authentication purposes. Six different external flavonoid chemotypes were found. The major chemotype, present in circa 80% of the specimens of both var. americanum and var. pilosum collected throughout the distribution area of the species, was characterised by very high levels of nevadensin, slightly lower levels of salvigenin and much lower levels of up to 15 other external flavones. Of the remaining five chemotypes, two were found in var. americanum and three in var. pilosum. All specimens belonging to these chemotypes were collected in South or East Africa and represented by only a few specimens. These samples contained much smaller levels of flavones than present in the major chemotype of O. americanum and all lacked nevadensin. Xanthomicrol, a compound absent from the main chemotype, was the dominant flavone in two of the minor chemotypes. The external flavonoid profiles found in the six chemotypes of O. americanum were compared with those of O. x citriodorum (11 herbarium specimens studied) and seven other closely related species of Ocimum. The main nevadensin/salvigenin pattern present in O. americanum was also found in O. x citriodorum, O. basilicum and some specimens of O. minimum, but there were strong quantitative differences in external flavonoids among these taxa. The other chemotypes of O. americanum showed some similarities in their external flavone profiles to those found in the closely related East African species O. fischeri, O. forskolei, O. kenyense and O. kilimandscharicum, which occur in the same geographic areas. This suggests that the uncommon chemotypes of O. americanum may have originated by an exchange of genes with other Ocimum species, e.g. by introgressive hybridisation. Despite some similarities in profiles, chemical differences were also found among the species, so that it should be possible to authenticate a large proportion of leaf samples of O. americanum on the basis of external flavonoid profiles.     

Phenetic and phylogenetic analysis of Reinhardtia (Palmae)

Principal component analysis and cluster analysis of morphometric data divide specimens of Reinhardtia into six groups, corresponding to the six species recognized in the most recent revisions. Discriminant analysis classifies specimens into these six species with 100% success. Five species occur in lowland to montane moist forests in Central America, from Mexico to Panama, and just reach Colombia; one species occurs in montane moist forests in Hispaniola. Three species have large stems and are rare, patchily distributed, and seldom collected. The other three species have small stems, are common and frequently collected, but also patchily distributed. One species of small plants, R. gracilis, exhibits considerable variability. Within this species, seven distinct groups can be recognized, although sample size is limited. Among species, there is a phyletic decrease in size of plants, from the basal species with large stems to derived species with small stems. For leaves and inflorescences there is also an associated decrease in size, but one species does not follow this trend. In this species, R. latisecta, there is evidence of a large ontogenetic change in leaf development. Phyletic decrease in size corresponds to a latitudinal and elevational gradient suggesting speciation has taken place from north to south and from high to low elevation. However, this pattern is obscured disjunct distributions in some species.     

中国脐鳞属地衣的初步研究

在泛北极地区迄今已知的脐鳞属地衣共有三种:中国有记录的两种。本文报道了四种,其中之一为新种,另一种为中国新记录。此外,有一改级新组合。     

The blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Bioko (Republic of Equatorial Guinea) and the Gulf of Guinea with a description of the larvae of the 'Pomeroy' form of Simulium cervicornutum

Abstract.  Like many other organisms, Simuliidae often show a high degree of endemism on oceanic islands, and the Gulf of Guinea, including its islands, is a region of general biogeographical interest in view of the uniqueness of its flora and fauna. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the Simuliidae in the region, and is the first faunistic record of blackflies from Bioko. Simuliidae (larvae, pupae and neonate adults) were collected from Bioko and from around Mount Cameroon and compared with previous findings from Mount Cameroon, Príncipe and São Tomé. Twenty-seven species are known from the region. Twenty-five species have been recorded around Mount Cameroon, eight species on Bioko, three species on São Tomé and one species on Príncipe. Two taxonomic 'forms' (one on Bioko alone, and one on both Bioko and around Mount Cameroon) and one species (found only on São Tomé) are endemic to the region. A study of the variation in the morphology of Simulium cervicornutum revealed two morphotypes, one from Bioko and around Mount Cameroon and the other from the rest of Africa. The speciation and biogeography of the Simuliidae in the Gulf of Guinea are discussed.     

探讨种间传粉在杜鹃花属自然杂交物种形成中的作用

自然杂交是物种形成的一个途径, 在植物进化中起着重要的作用。自然杂交主要通过种间的基因交流, 花粉传递则是基因交流的主要途径。马缨花(Rhododendron delavayi)、大白花杜鹃(R. decorum)、迷人杜鹃(R. agastum)和露珠杜鹃(R. irroratum)是在云南广泛分布的杜鹃花种类, 马缨花与大白花杜鹃形态上区别明显, 而它们的可能杂交种迷人杜鹃和露珠杜鹃在形态上基本介于二者之间。本文对这4种杜鹃花的开花物候和访花昆虫的种类进行了观察,并进行了其繁育系统和种子萌发的实验。我们发现马缨花的花期从3月初至5月底, 迷人杜鹃与露珠杜鹃花期基本一致, 为3月初至4月初, 二者同大白花杜鹃基本不存在花期重叠, 大白花杜鹃的花期为4月中旬至5月底。4种杜鹃花的开花期不同年份稍有变化, 其单花开花周期都在一周以上。4种杜鹃花的传粉昆虫虽然种类和数量上有所不同, 但都以膜翅目和双翅目昆虫为主, 中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)是其共有的传粉昆虫。繁育系统研究发现, 除露珠杜鹃外, 其余3种自花不育, 而种间杂交不存在任何生殖障碍, 可以产生萌发率很高的种子。通过分析4种杜鹃花开花物候重叠、共有传粉昆虫及种间杂交可育等现象, 探讨了传粉昆虫和异花授粉的机制在自然杂交物种形成中的作用及杂交种的适应能力。     

Is the Scotia Sea a centre of Antarctic marine diversification? Some evidence of cryptic speciation in the circum-Antarctic bivalve <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lissarca notorcadensis</Emphasis> (Arcoidea: Philobryidae)

The bivalve Lissarca notorcadensis is one of the most abundant species in Antarctic waters and has colonised the entire Antarctic shelf and Scotia Sea Islands. Its brooding reproduction, low dispersal capabilities and epizoic lifestyle predict limited gene flow between geographically isolated populations. Relationships between specimens from seven regions in the Southern Ocean and outgroups were assessed with nuclear 28S rDNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) genes. The 28S dataset indicate that while Lissarca appears to be a monophyletic genus, there is polyphyly between the Limopsidae and Philobryidae. Thirteen CO1 haplotypes were found, mostly unique to the sample regions, and two distinct lineages were distinguished. Specimens from the Weddell and Ross Sea form one lineage while individuals from the banks and islands of the Scotia Sea form the other. Within each lineage, further vicariance was observed forming six regionally isolated groups. Our results provide initial evidence for reproductively isolated populations of L. notorcadensis. The islands of the Scotia Sea appear to act as centres of speciation in the Southern Ocean.     

Nest architecture and genetic differentiation in a species complex of Australian stingless bees

We investigated the taxonomic significance of nest shape and its putative role in speciation in Trigona (Heterotrigona) carbonaria and T. (H.) hockingsi, two sibling species of stingless bee species from eastern Australia. These species are primarily distinguished by their nest architecture, as in all other respects they are nearly identical. We genotyped 130 colonies from six locations in Queensland at 13 microsatellite loci together with 106 additional colonies from six other Indo-Pacific Trigona species. Whether they were present in allopatry or in sympatry, colonies that displayed the T. carbonaria or the T. hockingsi nest architecture could be unambiguously differentiated at the genetic level. However, T. hockingsi colonies were classifiable into two highly differentiated paraphyletic and geographically separate populations, one in northern and one in southern Queensland. These two populations probably belong to two distinct species, T. hockingsi and T. davenporti nov. sp. Our results suggest that nest architecture characters are relevant but not sufficient criteria to identify species in this group. Consequently, modifications of nest architecture are probably not of prime importance in the speciation process of Australian stingless bees, although nest architecture differences probably result from relatively simple mechanisms. The rare interspecific hybrid colonies detected did not display a nest with an intermediate form between T. hockingsi and T. carbonaria.     

Genetic differentiation and reproductive isolation in a Cyprinodon fish species flock from Laguna Chichancanab, Mexico

The Cyprinodon species flock from Laguna Chichancanab, aged 8000 years, provides another potential case of sympatric speciation. The flock consists of seven morphologically distinct species, each within partially different trophic niches, and a group of specimens which cannot unequivocally be assigned to one of these species. Genetic analyses, based on mtDNA and five microsatellite loci, revealed significant genetic differentiation of one species, C. maya, from other members of the species flock, providing strong evidence for reproductive isolation. For the remaining members of the flock significant genetic structuring was detected, with some evidence of gene flow with the most abundant species C. beltrani. These analyses suggest that speciation proceeds with ongoing hybridisation, and further suggest that the morphologically unidentifiable specimens found in the lake are probably hybrids. I propose that in the Cyprinodon species flock besides disruptive selection sexual selection plays an important part in achieving and maintaining reproductive isolation.