Taxonomic notes on African Orthotrichaceae 3. New synonymy in Madagascan Macromitrium

Examination of type material of Macromitrium taxa described from Madagascar has unveiled three names to be placed in synonymy. Macromitrium nanothecium var. sublaeve Thér. was found to be conspecific with Macromitrium fimbriatum (P.Beauv.) Schwägr.; Macromitrium ancistrophyllum Cardot is placed in synonymy with M. nanothecium Cardot and Macromitrium semipapillosum Thér. & P.de la Varde is placed in synonymy with Macromitrium calocalyx Müll.Hal. Lectotypification is effected for four taxa within the genus. A range extension is reported for M. nanothecium, which is recorded here as new to Tanzania.     

Taxonomic notes on African Orthotrichaceae I. New synonymy in Macromitrium

New synonymy and distribution records for the genus Macromitrium Brid. in sub-Saharan Africa are presented. Seven names are placed in synonymy, reducing the number of accepted taxa for Macromitrium in sub-Saharan Africa to 33. Macromitrium anomodictyon Cardot was found to be conspecific with M. serpens (Bruch ex Hook. & Grev.) Brid.; M. mauritianum Schwägr. and M. sanctae-mariae Renauld & Cardot are placed in synonymy with M. subtortum (Hook. & Grev.) Schwägr. and M. belangeri Müll.Hal., M. seriatum Paris & Broth., M. bequaertii Thér. & Naveau and M. trollii Dixon in Herz. are all placed in synonymy with M. sulcatum (Hook.) Brid. subsp. sulcatum. The precise lectotypification is implemented for six species within the genus. Macromitrium chloromitrium (Besch.) Wilbraham and M. orthostichum Nees ex Schwägr. are reported new to Tanzania and M. chloromitrium new to continental Africa.     

Three new synonyms of Macromitrium microstomum (Hook. & Grev.) Schwägr. (Bryophyta,Orthotrichaceae), with comments on its morphological variations

Macromitrium filicaule Müll.Hal., M. pacificum var. brevisetum Thér. and M. subnitidum Müll.Hal are placed in synonymy with Macromitrium microstomum (Hook. & Grev.) Schwägr. The morphological variations of M. microstomum branch leaves, perichaetial leaves and capsules are illustrated by digital images.     

New Ecuadorian records of the eyeless banjo catfish Micromyzon akamai (Siluriformes: Aspredinidae) expand the species range and reveal intraspecific morphological variation

Two specimens of Micromyzon akamai, an eyeless and miniaturized species previously known only from the deep channels of the eastern Amazon basin in Brazil, are reported from the Curaray River, a tributary of the Napo River in Ecuador. The new specimens are the first records of Micromyzon in the headwaters of the Amazon River and the first records of M. akamai outside Brazil. External morphological characters and a phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome c oxidase I (coI) gene support the identification of the new specimens as M. akamai. Nevertheless, the new specimens also indicate that some features previously hypothesized to be apomorphic for M. akamai are intraspecifically variable.     

Macromitrium ousiense,a neglected Chinese moss species (Orthotrichaceae,Bryopsida) with new synonym and records

Macromitrium ousiense is a neglected Chinese moss species, differing from other taxa of the genus in its leaves with smooth laminal cells and gymnostomus capsules with hairy calyptrae. We found that M. heterodictyon Dixon is a new synonym of M. ousiense, and Japan is a new distribution record for the species.     

Description of Two New Neotropical Helicopsyche (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae)

Helicopsyche flinti sp.n. and Helicopsyche cochleara sp.n. are described from Brazil and Ecuador. H. cochleara sp.n. has certain affinities with H. planorboides Machado from eastern Brazil. H. flinti sp.n. is related with other Neotropical Helicopsyche.     

Cytological observation on some South Indian species of Macromitrium Brid

Cytological studies were carried out on four South Indian moss taxa. All four taxa, Macromitrium calymperoideum (n=12), M. moorcroftii (n=ll), M. perrottetii (n = 12) and M. sulcatum (n=11+ m) have received cytological attention for the first time. The largest bivalent in the chromosome complement of two taxa, i.e. Macromitrium perrottetii and M. sulcatum was found to be heteromorphic. An anaphase-II bridge (Macromitrium calymperoideum) and telophasic bridge (M. perrottetii) were also observed. A triad was found in Macromitrium sulcatum.     

Taxonomic notes on Macromitrium densum (Bryopsida) with a new synonym,M. brevissimum

Macromitrium densum Mitt. (from Nepal) is well differentiated from other Asian congeners by its lingulate and strongly rugose leaves having cucullate, obtuse to retuse apices with a mucro, distinctly bulging upper and median leaf cells, and tuberculate lower and basal cells. Comparisons of the type and other specimens of M. brevissimum Dixon from Thailand with those of M. densum show that they belong to a single species, and hence, that the names are synonyms. By including M. brevissimum, the geographic range of M. densum is considerably expanded to cover Nepal, Thailand to north Peninsular Malaysia and Vietnam. The phenetic relationship between M. densum and other species of Macromitrium is also discussed.     

Snake venomics and antivenomics of Bothrops atrox venoms from Colombia and the Amazon regions of Brazil, Perú and Ecuador suggest the occurrence of geographic variation of venom phenotype by a trend towards paedomorphism

The venom proteomes of Bothrops atrox from Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Perú were characterized using venomic and antivenomic strategies. Our results evidence the existence of two geographically differentiated venom phenotypes. The venom from Colombia comprises at least 26 different proteins belonging to 9 different groups of toxins. PI-metalloproteinases and K49-PLA₂ molecules represent the most abundant toxins. On the other hand, the venoms from Brazilian, Ecuadorian, and Peruvian B. atrox contain predominantly PIII-metalloproteinases. These toxin profiles correlate with the venom phenotypes of adult and juvenile B. asper from Costa Rica, respectively, suggesting that paedomorphism represented a selective trend during the trans-Amazonian southward expansion of B. atrox through the Andean Corridor. The high degree of crossreactivity of a Costa Rican polyvalent (Bothrops asper, Lachesis stenophrys, Crotalus simus) antivenom against B. atrox venoms further evidenced the close evolutionary kinship between B. asper and B. atrox. This antivenom was more efficient immunodepleting proteins from the venoms of B. atrox from Brazil, Ecuador, and Perú than from Colombia. Such behaviour may be rationalized taking into account the lower content of poorly immunogenic toxins, such as PLA₂ molecules and PI-SVMPs in the paedomorphic venoms. The immunological profile of the Costa Rican antivenom strongly suggests the possibility of using this antivenom for the management of snakebites by B. atrox in Colombia and the Amazon regions of Ecuador, Perú and Brazil.     

Taxonomic notes on African Orthotrichaceae 2: Macrocoma – new synonymy and first report of multicellular spores

Type material of two poorly known species of Macromitrium, described from East Africa and Madagascar, was examined and both were found to belong to the genus Macrocoma. Macromitrium megalosporum Thér. & Naveau was found to be morphologically very close to Macrocoma abyssinica (Müll.Hal.) Vitt., with the only significant difference between these taxa being the large multicellular spores of M. megalosporum, which is also the first report of multicellular spores for the genus Macrocoma. This name is here transferred to Macrocoma as Macrocoma abyssinica var. megalospora (Thér. & Naveau) Wilbraham comb. nov. Macrocoma abyssinica var. megalospora is reported new for the Comoros, which is the first record for the species in the East African Islands. Macromitrium adelphinum Cardot in Grandidier was found to be conspecific with Macrocoma tenuis (Hook. & Grev.) Vitt. subsp. tenuis and an appropriate synonymy is proposed. Macrocoma tenuis. subsp. tenuis is also reported here new to the Comoros.     

New species of Triplocania Roesler (Psocodea, ‘Psocoptera’, Ptiloneuridae), from Brazil and Ecuador

Four species of Triplocania, three with M3 simple, based on male specimens and one with forewing M3 forked, based on male and female specimens, are here described and illustrated, namely: Triplocania bravoi sp. n. (Napo: Ecuador), Triplocania erwini sp. n. (Napo: Ecuador), Triplocania trifida sp. n. (Mato Grosso and Rondônia: Brazil) and Triplocania lamasoides sp. n. (Rondônia: Brazil). They differ from all the other species in the genus, in which the males are known, by the hypandrium and phallosome structures. The female is first described for the M3 forked group. The identification key for males of the M3 forked group is updated.     

The emergent macrophyte Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott (Alismatales: Araceae), a rekindled old friend from the Pacific Slope of lower Central America and western Colombia

The genus Montrichardia are among the most remarkable emergent macrophytes in tropical wetlands. It occurs exclusively in the Neotropics and contains two living species, M. linifera (Arruda) Schott and M. arborescens (L.) Schott. Montrichardia linifera has been reported mainly in the Amazon basin (southern Venezuela to Guyana, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru), whereas M. arborescens occurs in Central America (Mexico to Panama), the Lesser Antilles and northern South America. Based on our review of herbarium specimens from Central America and Colombia, as well as field documentation in Panama, we hereby provide the first report of the occurrence of M. linifera in Panama, Central America and western Colombia. Furthermore, this finding represents the first record on the Pacific Slope for this species in the Neotropics. The habitat, ecology, life-form, taxonomic remarks and morphological characteristics of the species are presented, discussed and illustrated. Additionally, a key for the species of the genus Montrichardia is included; we also provide a discussion about the helophyte concept for the genus Montrichardia.     

基于4个叶绿体基因识别蓑藓属(Macromitrium)植物的可行性研究

我国的蓑藓属植物形态变异式样复杂,分类问题多.DNA条形码技术是一种新的物种鉴定技术.本研究以采自浙江、福建、云南、广西、四川等省的蓑藓属(Macromitrium)7个物种及其外类群直叶藓Macrocoma tenue subsp. sullivantii和火藓Schlotheimia grevilleana的38份标本为对象,获得了它们的叶绿体基因trnL、trnG、psbT和rps4序列,基于这些基因的不同组合构建了15棵贝叶斯系统发育树,获得了相应的蓑藓属植物的物种识别率、种内和种间的遗传距离.发现基于trnL-rps4、trnL-trnG-rps4、trnL-psbT-rps4、trnG-psbT-rps4和trnL-trnG-rps4-psbT等5个组合能够较好地识别本研究中蓑藓属植物,均得到了100%的物种识别率.考虑到扩增和测序的成功率和得到的7种蓑藓属植物的系统发育关系,建议将trnL-trnG-psbT组合用于蓑藓属植物的系统发育分析和物种识别的DNA条形码.     

Ticks (Ixodidae) on humans in South America

Twenty eight species of Ixodidae have been found on man in South America (21 Amblyomma, 1 Boophilus, 2 Dermacentor, 2 Haemaphysalis, 1 Ixodes and 1 Rhipicephalus species). Most of them are rarely found on man. However, three species frequently parasitize humans in restricted areas of Argentina (A. neumanni reported from 46 localities), Uruguay (A. triste from 21 sites) and Argentina–Brazil (A. parvum from 27 localities). The most widespread ticks are A. cajennense (134 localities in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela), A. ovale (37 localities in Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela) and A. oblongoguttatum (28 sites in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela). Amblyomma aureolatum (18 localities in Argentina, Brazil, French Guiana and Paraguay), A. cajennense, and A. triste are vectors of rickettsioses to man in South America. A better understanding of the respective roles of these and other tick species in transmitting pathogens to humans will require further local investigations. Amblyomma ticks should be the main subjects of these studies followed by species of Boophilus, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis and Rhipicephalus species. In contrast with North America, Europe and Asia, ticks of the genus Ixodes do not appear to be major players in transmitting diseases to human. Indeed, there is only one record of an Ixodes collected while feeding on man for all South America.     

贵州蓑藓属一新种

ＴｈｅｒｅａｒｅｓｐｅｃｉｅｓｏｆＭａｃｒｏｍｉｔｒｉｕｍｉｎＧｕｉｚｈｏｕｐｒｏｖｉｎｃｅＣｈｉｎａ .Ａｍｏｎｇｔｈｅｍ ,2ｓｐｅｃｉｅｓａｒｅｅｎ ｄｅｍｉｃｓｐｅｃｉｅｓ ,Ｍ .ｃａｖａｌｅｒｉｅｒＣａｒｄ＆Ｔｈｅｒ .ａｎｄＭ .ｆｏｒｔｕｎａｔｉｉＣａｒｄ＆Ｔｈｅｒ .Ｄｕｒｉｎｇａｒｅｃｅｎｔｒｅ -ｅｘａｍｉｎａｔｉｏｎｏｆｓｏｍｅＭａｃｒｏｍｉｔｒｉｕｍｓｐｅｃｉｍｅｎｓｆｒｏｍｔｈｉｓｒｅｇｉｏｎ .ＡｔａｘｏｎｃｌｏｓｅｌｙｒｅｌａｔｅｄｔｏｓｐｅｃｉｅｓｏｆｔｈｅＭ .ｆｅｒｒｉｅｉＣａｒ…     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laboulbenia</Emphasis> parasitic on tiger beetles

Laboulbenia phaeoxanthae sp. nov. (Ascomycota: Laboulbeniales) parasitic on the tiger beetle Phaeoxantha aequinoctialis bifasciata (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) from Brazil is described. The new species seems to be closely related to Laboulbenia pheropsophi, but can be distinguished from the latter by the much more slender and elongate habit, and by the different structure of the appendages. The new species is only the second Laboulbeniales species reported on tiger beetles. The widespread Laboulbenia variabilis was previously recorded on Tetracha fulgida from Ecuador.     

Using macroclimatic models to estimate the distribution ranges of taxonomically challenging taxa,an example with Macromitrium cavaleriei Cardot & Thér. (Orthotrichaceae)

An expanded taxonomic study of the narrowly understood Macromitrium cavaleriei Cardot & Thér. identified four new synonyms, M. cancellatum Y.X.Xiong, M. giraldii var. acrophylloides Müll.Hal., M. handelii Broth. and M. rigbyanum Dixon. With the discovery of the new synonyms, the range of M. cavaleriei is extended to India, Nepal, South Korea and Vietnam. To determine the potential distribution range of the species, we described its macroclimatic niche from its extant distribution with the maximum entropy algorithm modelling program (Maxent), contrasting the impact of different geographic backgrounds on the models. We found that the potential range of the species included central, southern, southwestern China to northern Vietnam, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal and India, and northwards to Japan and the Korean Peninsula. This estimation of the potential distribution range is largely confirmed by the herbarium specimens. The predicted climate suitability for M. cavaleriei is higher in the areas where the annual temperature range is about 26°C and precipitation during the warmest quarter, wettest quarter and month, and driest month are 500–600 mm, 500 mm, 200–210 mm, and 50 mm, respectively.     

Occurrence of ochratoxin A and ochratoxigenic mycoflora in corn and corn based foods and feeds in some South American countries

Cereals and cereal- derived products constitute the base of human and animal feeding in South American countries. This review attempts to give an overview of the ochratoxin A (OTA) occurrence and potential sources of OTA contamination in those products. The environmental conditions as humidity and temperature in the colonization of the substrates by Aspergillus section Nigri isolated from corn kernels were also discussed. The available information on the ochratoxigenic mycoflora and OTA presence in corn, corn based food and feed is limited. Only few surveys have been carried out in Argentina, Ecuador and Brazil; which showed that Aspergillus niger aggregate and A. ochraceus species would be the main source of OTA. It’s possible to emphasize that, the species A. carbonarius has not been isolated from these substrates and Penicillium verrucosum was isolated only from pig feeds of Argentinean samples in low percentage. Studies about the ecophysiology of ochratoxigenic fungi and OTA occurrence are in progress in Latin America to reduce the impact of this toxin in the food chain. Carina E. Magnoli, Stella M. Chiacchiera, Ana M. Dalcero—Members of the Research Career Andrea L. Astoreca—Fellowship of CONICET