Morphology of Cell Wall Pore Channels in the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euastrum</Emphasis> Ralfs (Desmidiales)

The study of the cell wall structure was performed for ten species of Euastrum: E. ansatum (Ehrenb.) Ralfs, E. bidentatum Näg., E. binale (Turp.) Ehrenb. ex Ralfs, E. dubium Näg., E. elegans (Bréb.) Kütz. ex Ralfs, E. germanicum (Schmidle) W. Krieger, E. oblongum (Grev.) Ralfs ex Ralfs, E. pectinatum Bréb. ex Bréb. in Ralfs, E. validum West et G.S.West, E. verrucosum (Ehrenb.) ex Ralfs. The investigation of the cell wall ultrastructure has established for the first time that the pore canal in 6 of 10 species always has a coiled form to some degree. Three species (E. germanicum, E. pectinatum, and E. verrucosum) have both coiled and straight canals, and E. ansatum has only straight ones. A new type of pores (P7), typical only for representatives of the genus Euastrum, was also noted. In addition, a simple and effective method of preparing desmidium algal cells for investigation with transmission electron microscope has been developed.     

An ultrastructural study of spore wall development and septal pores in species of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pachyphlodes</Emphasis> (Pezizaceae,Pezizales) lineage,with a description of the new species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pachyphlodes annagardnerae</Emphasis>

Pachyphlodes (Pezizaceae) is a genus of truffle-like fungi that is distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. These fungi form ectomycorrhizae primarily with trees in the Fagaceae family, and occasionally with other host plants. The genus Plicariella (= Scabropezia) is phylogenetically inferred as an ally of, or within, the Pachyphlodes lineage. Despite molecular phylogenetic analyses that show the close relationships of species in these two genera, morphological differences in ascomata shape and color, spore ornamentation, and ascus shape are profound. Here, we studied spore wall development to better understand affinities within the Pachyphlodes–Plicariella lineages. Electron microscopy studies indicate that the initial spore wall development is similar across six Pachyphlodes species and a Plicariella species, despite striking differences in mature spore ornamentation among species. Ultrastructural analyses reveal that differences in spore ornamentation among Pachyphlodes species are due to unique developmental events at the final stages of spore wall deposition. Septal pore ultrastructure in Pachyphlodes species is similar to other Pezizaceae that have been studied. Molecular analyses of the five species studied indicate that four of them have not been previously described. The new species Pachyphlodes annagardnerae is here described, and the ultrastructural features of species of Pachyphlodes, Plicariella, and other Pezizales are compared and discussed.     

A new water mite species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Georgella</Emphasis> (Acariformes,Gydryphantidae)

The larva, deutonymph, female, and male of a new water mite species, Georgella samaraensis, are described and illustrated. Larvae of Georgella are similar to larvae of the genus Hydryphantes, differing in the following characters: basal cheliceral segments have no longitudinal ribs, dorso-distal prominences of the pedipalpal tibia are undeveloped, and the excretory pore is partly surrounded by the anal sclerite. The larva known as G. koenikei (Münchberg, 1936) is erroneously treated as a larva of fresh-water Georgella (Hydrachnidia). The morphology of all the active developmental phases of Georgella strongly differs from that in mites of the genus Hydryphantes. Therefore, the generic status of Georgella should be restored.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>-Specific <Emphasis Type="Italic">D17Leh66</Emphasis> DNA Elements in the Family Muridae

Blot-hybridization analysis with the use of the t-specific probe D17Leh66 has been used to study DNA of various representatives of family Muridae. Hamsters from genus Phodopus have no homologs of this probe, whereas African rats from genus Lophuromys have some homologous elements. This indicates that sequence D17Leh66 is ancient and was probably present in the common ancestor of family Muridae.     

Taxonomic and phylogenetic placement of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nodulosphaeria</Emphasis>

Nodulosphaeria is a ubiquitous genus that comprises saprobic, endophytic and pathogenic species associated with a wide variety of substrates and has 64 species epithets listed in Index Fungorum. The classification of species in the genus has been a major challenge due to a lack of understanding of the importance of characters used to distinguish taxa, as well as the lack of reference strains. The present study clarifies the phylogenetic placement of the genus and related species, using fresh collections from Italy. Four Nodulosphaeria species are characterized based on multi-loci analyses of ITS, LSU, SSU, TEF and RPB2 sequence datasets. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Nodulosphaeria species group within the family Phaeosphaeriaceae as a distinct genus. The sexual morphs of Nodulosphaeria hirta and N. spectabilis are described and illustrated using modern concepts. Two new Nodulosphaeria species are introduced. The phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of the genus Nodulosphaeria are discussed, but further sampling with fresh collections, reference or ex-type strains and molecular data are needed to obtain a better and natural classification for the genus.     

End of an enigma: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aenigmopteris</Emphasis> belongs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectaria</Emphasis> (Tectariaceae: Polypodiopsida)

The phylogenetic affinities of the fern genus Aenigmopteris have been the subject of considerable disagreement, but until now, no molecular data were available from the genus. Based on the analysis of three chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL, rps16-matK, and trnL-F) we demonstrate that Aenigmopteris dubia (the type species of the genus) and A. elegans are closely related and deeply imbedded in Tectaria. The other three species of genus are morphologically very similar; we therefore transfer all five known species into Tectaria. Detailed morphological comparison further shows that previously proposed diagnostic characters of Aenigmopteris fall within the range of variation of a broadly circumscribed Tectaria.     

Revision of the taxonomic status of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gloeoporus</Emphasis> (Polyporales,Basidiomycota) reveals two new species

Gloeoporus Mont. is characterized by an easily separated gelatinous hymenophore and a continuous hymenium over the pore mouth. Recent molecular taxonomic and phylogenetic research showed that morphological grouping of Gloeoporus is polyphyletic. The lack of comprehensive phylogenetic studies of Gloeoporus exacerbates confusion in determining the taxonomic position of the genus. To delimit the genus Gloeoporus, we performed multi-locus phylogenetic analysis using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), and the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2). The phylogenetic analyses revealed that current delimitation of Gloeoporus is not monophyletic. Gloeoporus s.s. includes mostly clamped species lacking cystidia. Some species of Gloeoporus featuring simple septa and cystidia are proposed to be renamed to Meruliopsis. Two new species of Gloeoporus were also observed and they are named Gloeoporus africanus and Gloeoporus orientalis.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralepidapedon variabile</Emphasis> sp. n. (Trematoda,Lepocreadioidea, Lepidapedidae) and other representatives of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralepidapedon</Emphasis> from Antarctic fish

In the Ross Sea and Amundsen Sea, four representatives of the genus Paralepidapedon—Paralepidapedon cf. dubium Prudhoe et Bray 1973 sensu Sokolov et Gordeev 2013, P. lepidum (Gaevskaya et Rodyuk 1988), Paralepidapedon sp., and P. variabile sp. n.—were found in demersal fishes Muraenolepis marmorata and Macrourus whitsoni. Paralepidapedon variabile sp. n. is described from Muraenolepis marmorata in the Amundsen Sea. Paralepidapedon variabile sp. n. differs from other species of the genus Paralepidapedon by the position of the anterior border of the vitellarium at the level of the anterior edge of the ventral sucker or genital pore and by the highly variable shape of the testes: from roundish with a smooth edge to sinuate–lobate. Paralepidapedon lepidum was found for the first time in the Antarctic.     

Phylogenetic relationships,molecular taxonomy,biogeography of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula</Emphasis>, with emphasis on phylogenetic position of Iranian populations

Birch trees inhabiting the high-altitude Hyrcanian forest (the southern shores of the Caspian Sea of Iran and Azerbaijan) are classified in the EN (endangered) category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationship of Iranian populations, molecular taxonomy, and biogeography of the genus Betula in the world have been considered. Four remnant populations of Betula were selected from north and northwestern parts of Iran. The internal ITS and trnH-psbA intergenic spacer regions were sequenced. Based on the trnH-psbA and ITS, Iranian birch and white birch were placed in a clade, but based on trnH-psbA divided into two subclades. Phylogenetic trees based on ITS and trnH-psbA data did not completely support the morphological classification. Network analysis confirms a close relationship of B. pendula with B. platyphylla and B. papyrifera with B. humilis, and B. ermanii were in a group with the other tetraploid species of the subgenus Neurobetula. Divergence time analysis showed that about 75 Ma ago the Betula genus separated from the other genus of Betulaceae and then divided into two main clades in Oligocene. Our divergence analysis supports that two subgenera of Betulenta and Betulaster are the oldest subgenera in the genus Betula and they date back to Eocene. The ancestral reconstruction suggests that ancestors of the genus Betula originated from Southeast Asia.     

A review of the palm genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acrocomia</Emphasis>: Neotropical green gold

The genus Acrocomia, popularly known as macaw palm or macaúba, occurs in savanna areas and open forests of tropical America, with distribution from Central to southern South America. They are important oleaginous palm trees, due to their role in ecosystems and local economies and their potential for biofuel production and vegetable oil. Although the taxonomy of the genus is not resolved because of observed phenotypic diversity in A. aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart., there are several conflicting treatments. Some authors recognize three caulescent spp. occurring in South America: A. aculeata, A. intumescens Drude, and A. totai Mart, although a new one was described recently—Acrocomia corumbaensis. Because some Latin American governments want to expand production of macaw palm in their territory as raw material for agro-energy, several groups have been encouraged to study this genus, focusing on the production of biodiesel, seed germination, phenotypic aspects, and genetic diversity. The goal of this review is to compile key information available in the literature and herbarium data, focusing on South American populations of the genus.     

Flower palate structure of the aquatic bladderworts <Emphasis Type="Italic">Utricularia bremii</Emphasis> Heer and <Emphasis Type="Italic">U. minor</Emphasis> L. from section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Utricularia</Emphasis> (Lentibulariaceae)

There is an enormous diversity in the structure of the flower palate of the carnivorous rootless genus Utricularia. This study aims to examine the structure of the palates in Utricularia bremii Heer and U. minor L of the Utricularia sect. Utricularia, which have a glandular palate type. In both species, the palate has only one type of glandular trichomes. Because of the occurrence of cell wall ingrowths in its glandular cells, any exudation may be transported via eccrinous secretion. It was proposed that the palate trichomes of the examined species act as scent glands and that the palate may play a role as an unguentarium. Both U. bremii and U. minor are of an open flower type. Thus, U. bremii and U. minor flowers can be penetrated by small, weak insects, which then easily have access to their generative structure. Small Hymenoptera (member of families Mymaridae and Braconidae) were observed as flower visitors of the male-sterile species Utricularia bremii.     

Chromosome counts in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chaetogastra</Emphasis> (Melastomataceae,Melastomateae)

Chaetogastra is the largest genus in Melastomateae, with about 165–190 species. The genus was only recently resurrected, based on species that have been traditionally treated in Tibouchina sects. Diotanthera, Pseudopterolepis, Purpurella and Simplicicaules. This article presents 15 chromosome counts for the genus, a review of the available counts and also a discussion of these counts in a systematic context. Although the sampling in the genus is still poor, the data found in the literature and in our research indicate x=9 as the base chromosome number for the genus. We also found that euploidy may be common in Chaetogastra, with diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid species. Basic chromosome numbers also seem to be a taxonomic character that distinguishes Chaetogastra (x=9) from Brachyotum (x=10).     

The high diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lotus corniculatus</Emphasis> endosymbionts in soils of northwest Spain

The diversity of rhizobia that establish symbiosis with Lotus corniculatus has scarcely been studied. Several species of Mesorhizobium are endosymbionts of this legume, including Mesorhizobium loti, the type species of this genus. We analysed the genetic diversity of strains nodulating Lotus corniculatus in Northwest Spain and ten different RAPD patterns were identified among 22 isolates. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that the isolated strains belong to four divergent phylogenetic groups within the genus Mesorhizobium. These phylogenetic groups are widely distributed worldwide and the strains nodulate L. corniculatus in several countries of Europe, America and Asia. Three of the groups include the currently described Mesorhizobium species M. loti, M. erdmanii and M. jarvisii which are L. corniculatus endosymbionts. An analysis of the recA and atpD genes showed that our strains belong to several clusters, one of them very closely related to M. jarvisii and the remanining ones phylogenetically divergent from all currently described Mesorhizobium species. Some of these clusters include L. corniculatus nodulating strains isolated in Europe, America and Asia, although the recA and atpD genes have been sequenced in only a few L. corniculatus endosymbionts. The results of this study revealed great phylogenetic diversity of strains nodulating L. corniculatus, allowing us to predict that even more diversity will be discovered as further ecosystems are investigated.     

Morphological variation in pollen grains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mucuna</Emphasis> (Leguminosae): new biogeographic and evolutionary patterns

Mucuna comprises 105 species with an overall pantropical distribution and is divided into three subgenera: M. subg. Mucuna, M. subg. Stizolobium and M. subg. Macrocarpa. Although phylogenetic studies have supported the occurrence of three main clades, evolutionary relationships among them are not fully resolved. The objective of this study was to examine pollen grain morphology from representatives of all three subgenera and map these onto the phylogenetic trees generated by analysis of other characters. Pollen grain surface, form, size, and aperture number were compared. A Bayesian inference tree using matK sequences was constructed. The results indicate that the representatives of M. subg. Macrocarpa have the smallest pollen grains in the genus (a synapomorphic character here identified for this subgenus) and that species of subgenus Mucuna (those with umbelliform inflorescences) have the largest pollen grains. Additional morphological diversity of the pollen grain surface was noted: reticulate and/or micro-reticulate (in all three subgenera), perforate, gemmate or verrucose (only in M. subg. Mucuna). For all studied taxa, the pollen grains are triaperturate, except for two species of M. subg. Mucuna, which have tetraperturate pollen. The phylogenetic tree obtained using the matK marker resolved M. subg. Stizolobium as the earliest diverging lineage in Mucuna. Based on this phylogeny, a reticulate ornamentation pattern of the pollen surface may represent the ancestral state for the genus, while the larger pollen size and the foraminate, gemmate, and verrucose ornamentations are derived characteristics within the genus. These putative derived ornamentations have been observed only in neotropical species.     

Taxonomic genetics of methylotrophic yeast genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Komagataella</Emphasis>: New biological species <Emphasis Type="Italic">K. kurtzmanii</Emphasis>

Genetic hybridization analysis revealed that industrially important species Komagataella kurtzmanii has reproductive postzygotic isolation from K. pastoris, K. phaffii, K. populi, K. pseudopastoris, and K. ulmi. Therefore, it represents a new biological species of the genus Komagataella. The genetic data are in perfect agreement with the molecular taxonomy of the genus Komagataella.     

A review of species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diaphorus</Emphasis> (Diptera,Dolichopodidae) in the Palaearctic Region

The history of studying the genus Diaphorus is described. Seventeen species have been studied. A key to species of the genus Diaphorus of the Palaearctic fauna, including 37 species, and a catalogue of the Palaearctic species with synonyms are given. Diaphorus oldenbergi Parent, 1925 is regarded as a synonym of the species D. nigrotibia Strobl, 1893 (syn. n.). The new species Diaphorus sublautus sp. n. from Azerbaijan is described. Lectotypes of D. dolichocercus Stackelberg, D. parenti Stackelberg, D. ussuriensis Stackelberg, and D. varifrons Becker are designated.