Host specificity of Asian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysochus</Emphasis> Chevr. in Dej. (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae) and their potential use for biological control of invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vincetoxicum</Emphasis> species

Three Asian leaf beetles of the genus Chrysochus were investigated as potential biological control agents of Vincetoxicum rossicum and V. nigrum, invasive weeds in northeastern North America. Chrysochus chinensis and Ch. globicollis were collected from a field host in a different genus and subtribe. Preliminary no-choice laboratory tests with Ch. goniostoma showed that its physiological host range is too broad. Based on these data, we are not considering these three species as potential biological control agents of invasive Vincetoxicum species.     

Features of the genetic structure of the earthworms <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aporrectodea</Emphasis> (Superspecies) <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caliginosa</Emphasis> (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) complex in Ukraine

An investigation of the genetic structure of the Aporrectodea caliginosa-A. trapezoids diploidpolyploid complex of earthworms found in the Ukraine is performed by means of biochemical genetic marking with respect to six loci (Aat, Es-1,-2,-3, and-4, and Mdh) and karyotyping. All 646 individuals from 21 samples are analyzed at the biochemical gene level and karyotype samples are obtained from 70 specimens. As a result, diploid amphimictic A. caliginosa individuals (2n = 36), which form panmictic populations, and triploid (2n = 54) A. trapezoides individuals, represented by 19 hypothetical clones discovered in the course of an analysis of 157 specimens, are clearly differentiated. A clear trend towards dominance of the triploid forms in the steppe zone of Ukraine is discovered. Here they represent roughly 70% as against 12% of all A. (superspecies) caliginosa individuals in the northern forest regions. Based on the stated nature of the heterozygosity of the loci studied and the behavior of the chromosomes in meiosis, it may be claimed that the cloned forms are allotriploids, formed as a result of hybridization of a series of related forms, which, judging from the allelic pools, does not include amphimictic species that now inhabit the territory of Ukraine. That is, either the apomictic clones of A. trapezoides lack a local origin and their appearance among the fauna of Ukraine is a consequence of settlement in arid steppe regions that are unfavorable for earthworms or, on the other hand, amphimictic A. caliginosa is an invasive species.     

Development of microsatellite markers for the endangered grassland perennial herb Vincetoxicum atratum (Apocynaceae–Asclepiadoideae)

Eight microsatellite markers were developed for the endangered grassland perennial herb Vincetoxicum atratum. The number of alleles ranged from 4 to 14, and the expected heterozygosities were from 0.575 to 0.933 in a population of V. atratum. Five of the eight loci did not significantly deviated from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. All eight loci were tested for cross-species amplification in five other species of Vincetoxicum in Japan. These microsatellite loci will be useful for conservation genetics of V. atratum and other species of Vincetoxicum.     

Paleogeography of the Ordovician bryozoans of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diplotrypa</Emphasis> Nicholson (Trepostomida)

The stratigraphic and paleogeographic ranges of Ordovician bryozoans of the genus Diplotrypa (Trepostomida: Halloporidae) are analyzed. It is shown that they were then limited in geographic range to the Paleobaltic Basin (the most probable center of origin of the genus Diplotrypa) and to the West Arctic and North American basins. The Silurian bryozoans of this genus were represented by only a few species. In addition, the intercolonial variability of the species Diplotrypa abnormis (Modzalevskaya, 1953) and D. petropolitana (Nicholson, 1879) is studied; Upper Ordovician specimens of these species have been discovered from the Leningrad Region of Russia for the first time. The colonies of these species from the Leningrad Region are compared here with those of Podolia (Western Ukraine) and Vaygach Island (western sector of the Russian Arctic).     

A report on identification of sequence polymorphism in barcode region of six commercially important <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cymbopogon</Emphasis> species

Cymbopogon

is an important member of grass family Poaceae, cultivated for essential oils which have greater medicinal and industrial value. Taxonomic identification of Cymbopogon species is determined mainly by morphological markers, odour of essential oils and concentration of bioactive compounds present in the oil matrices which are highly influenced by environment. Authenticated molecular marker based taxonomical identification is also lacking in the genus; hence effort was made to evaluate potential DNA barcode loci in six commercially important Cymbopogon species for their individual discrimination and authentication at the species level. Four widely used DNA barcoding regions viz., ITS 1 & ITS 2 spacers, matK, psbA-trnH and rbcL were taken for the study. Gene sequences of the same or related genera of the concerned loci were mined from NCBI domain and primers were designed and validated for barcode loci amplification. Out of the four loci studied, sequences from matK and ITS spacer loci revealed 0.46% and 5.64% nucleotide sequence diversity, respectively whereas the other two loci i.e., psbA-trnH and rbcL showed 100% sequence homology. The newly developed primers can be used for barcode loci amplification in the genus Cymbopogon. The identified Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms from the studied sequences may be used as barcodes for the six Cymbopogon species. The information generated can also be utilized for barcode development of the genus by including more number of Cymbopgon species in future.

     

Gall midges of the supertribe stomatosematidi (Diptera,Cecidomyiidae) in the Palaearctic region,with descriptions of new taxa from the late Eocene Rovno Amber. 2. The genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Didactylomyia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rovnodidactylomyia</Emphasis> gen. n.

One new genus (Rovnodidactylomyia Fedotova et Perkovsky, gen. n.) and four new species (Didactylomyia dlusskyi sp. n., Rovnodidactylomyia zosimovichi gen. n. et sp. n., R. sidorenkoi sp. n., and R. iconica sp. n.) are described from an amber sample of the late Eocene Period (Rovno District, Ukraine). Two species from a Baltic amber sample of the late Eocene Period, described earlier in the genus Bryocrypta, are attributed to the genus Rovnodidactylomyia (R. girafa (Meunier, 1904) comb. n. and R. capitosa (Meunier, 1904)). The first fossil species of the genus Didactylomyia is described for the first time; two contemporary Palaearctic species are recorded. Keys to the species of the genus Didactylomyia are given.     

Molecular structure of allelic variants of microsatellite loci <Emphasis Type="Italic">Du281</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Du47</Emphasis> in unisexual and bisexual lizard species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Darevskia</Emphasis>

Experimental data on the molecular structure and variability of microsatellite loci in unisexual and bisexual lizard species of the genus Darevskia were analyzed. The allelic variants of Du281 and Du47 were found to differ in the number of monomers, the structure of microsatellite clusters, and point mutations in these clusters and flanking DNA. Interspecific comparison of alleles of these loci revealed both variable regions in the microsatellite clusters and allele-specific evolutionarily conserved nucleotide groups. In general, the results of comparative structural analysis of allelic variants testify to a high genetic similarity of the unisexual and bisexual lizard species studied and reveals the characteristic features of their interspecies variability.     

Modes of colony foundation by females of different morphotypes in the paper wasps (Hymenoptera,Vespidae, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polistes</Emphasis> Latr.)

Paper wasps of the genus Polistes exhibit wide variability both of the color and size of foundresses, and the mode of colony foundation. The colony foundation and social hierarchy were studied in populations of two Palaearctic species, Polistes dominulus (Christ) and P. nimphus (Christ) (April–May 2006, the Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine), and one Neotropical species, P. lanio (F.) (October 2004–January 2005, Trinidad Island). It was shown that foundresses of various color and size morphs tended to found nests in a peculiar way: singly (haplometrosis), by groups (pleometrosis), or occupying several nests simultaneously (polycaly). The relationship between coloration, size, and mode of colony foundation was species-specific. P. dominulus foundresses with a darker clypeus and a paler mesonotum preferred to found nests alone and had a dominant position in pleometrosis. The haplometrotic P. nimphus foundresses more often displayed darker variants of the clypeus and paler variants of the mesonotum than did foundresses from pleometrotic colonies. P. lanio foundresses from pleometrotic colonies differed from those from polycalic colonies in the coloration variability of the scutum, propodeum, and the 2nd metasomal tergite. The dominant and subordinate P. nimphus and P. lanio foundresses differed in the size of head and wings. The possible significance of the subdivision of foundresses into the “generalists” and “specialists” for the variability structuring in the population is considered.     

Microsatellite Variability of Pacific Herring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clupea pallasii</Emphasis> Valenciennes, 1847 from the Sea of Okhotsk and Bering Sea

The genetic variability of ten microsatellite loci was examined in samples of the herring from the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea. All loci were polymorphic; the expected heterozygosity estimates varied in the range of 0.3–94.3% (mean 66.7%). The degree of genetic differentiation of the herring was statistically significant (θ = 1.38%). The level of pairwise genetic differentiation F_ST was–0.002–0.046; R_ST was–0.003–0.166. Genetic differentiation of the herring from the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea correlated with the spatial-geographic structure of the species in the studied range on the basis of F_ST (P = 0.001).     

Species diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudocercospora</Emphasis> from Far East Asia

This study reflects on the monophyly of, and species diversity within, the genus Pseudocercospora in Far East Asia. Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of Pseudocercospora species were based on type specimens and ex-type cultures, which were collected from Japan and Taiwan. A phylogenetic tree was generated from multi-locus DNA sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer regions of the nrDNA cistron (ITS), partial actin (actA), and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), as well as the partial DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2). Based on these results, Pseudocercospora amelanchieris on Amelanchier and Ps. iwakiensis on Ilex were newly described from Japan, and a further 22 types (incl. two neo-, five lecto-, and 15 epitypes), were designated. The genus Pseudocercospora as presently circumscribed was found to be monophyletic, while the secondary barcodes, actA, tef1, and rpb2 were shown to be well suited to delimitate species within the genus.     

Ants of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fallomyrma</Emphasis> Dlussky et Radchenko (Hymenoptera,Formicidae, Myrmicinae) from Late Eocene European Ambers

The extinct monotypic ant genus Fallomyrma was described by Dlussky and Radchenko in 2006 based on workers from Late Eocene Rovno (Ukraine), Scandinavian (Denmark), and Bitterfeld (Germany) ambers. Three new Fallomyrma species from the Rovno amber are here described based on workers: F. anodonta sp. nov., F. marginata sp. nov., and F. robusta sp. nov. A key to all known species of this genus is compiled. The quantity ratios (of the numbers of species and specimens) of Fallomyrma and other amber Myrmicinae genera are considered. The opinion of the autochthonous origin of the Rovno amber is confirmed.     

A redescription of the gobiid fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taenioides purpurascens</Emphasis> (Gobiidae: Amblyopinae) with comments on,and a key to,species in the genus

The Indo-West Pacific gobiid genus Taenioides Lacépède is further defined and one of the constituent species of the genus, T. purpurascens (De Vis 1884), is redescribed. Taenioides purpurascens is known only from the southeast coast of Australia and is compared to other species in the genus: T. anguillaris, distributed from India northeastward to China, and Japan, and southward to Australia; T. gracilis, distributed along the east coast of Africa and Madagascar to India, northeastward to Japan and southward to Australia; T. kentalleni, known only from Saudi Arabia and Japan; and T. snyderi, known only from southern Japan. Taenioides purpurascens is unique within the genus in having: the fewest dorsal-fin elements (41?44 vs. 48?72); the fewest anal-fin elements (34?38 vs. 41?65); the fewest vertebrae (27 vs. 28?45); and a 2-4-2 arrangement of the barbels on the ventral surface of the head (vs. 2-2-2, 2-3-2, or 2-4-2-2). In morphometric comparisons with these other species, T. purpurascens is shown to have the shortest and deepest body. A key to these species is provided.     

Description of Four New Species of Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthaegilips</Emphasis> Ashmead, 1897 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Anacharitinae) from Colombia

There are four new species of the Neotropical Anacharitinae genus Acanthaegilips Ashmead, 1897: A. boyacensis sp. n., A. curvis sp. n., A. timidus sp. n., and A. truncatus sp. n. The diagnostic characters of this new species and data about their morphological variability and similarities with other Acantahegilips species are discussed. An updated key of genus Acanthaegilips is included.     

Genetic structure of populations and natural hybridization between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dactylorhiza salina</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">D. incarnata</Emphasis> (Orchidaceae)

The results of studying the polymorphism and genetic structure of populations of D. salina and D. incarnata growing in Zabaykalsky krai and Buryatia are represented according to the data of allozyme analysis of eight genetic loci (PGI, NADHD, SKDH, GDH, PGM, DIA, ADH, and IDH). The specificity of the allelic structure of loci SKDH, PGM, and IDH is established, for which D. salina and D. incarnata reliably differ from each other. It is shown that interspecies introgressive hybrid complexes with different genetic structures were formed in Transbaikalia. Places of mass growth of D. incarnata were observed to have single plants of D. salina, the interspecies hybrids of the first and subsequent generations. Places of mass growth of D. salina were observed to contain only the hybrids that are not hybrids of the first generation. They were heterozygous not for three loci with differentiating alleles of both parents, SKDH, PGM, and IDH, but for only one of them. The degree of genetic differentiation among five populations of D. salina was on average 7.5% and that of D. incarnata was 7.1%, which in accordance with Wright’s estimation relates to mean values. The average value of FST for all studied populations of the two related species of the genus Dactylorhiza was 0.478, indicating a very high degree of genetic differentiation between D. salina and D. incarnata growing in Transbaikalia. The greatest differences between the species are for the allelic structure of loci SKDH, PGM, and IDH (FST was equal to 0.705, 0.976, and 0.762, respectively). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that populations of D. salina and D. incarnata in the zone where their ranges in Zabaykalsky krai and Buryatya overlap have essential differences both for the variation of alleles frequencies of eight loci (71%, d.f. = 9) and for the variability of genotypes (61%, d.f. = 9). Despite the fact that D. salina and D. incarnata explicitly share a gene flow as a result of interspecies hybridization, the genetic differentiation of populations of these related species remains at a high level.     

Genetic and phenotypic characterizations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenorhabdus</Emphasis> species (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae) isolated from steinernematid nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) in Japan

The bacterial species of the genus Xenorhabdus in the family Enterobacteriaceae have a mutualistic association with steinernematid entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), which have been used as biological control agents against soil insect pests. In this study we present the genetic and phenotypic characterizations of the Xenorhabdus species isolated from steinernematid nematodes in Japan. The 18 Japanese Xenorhabdus isolates were classified into five bacterial species based on 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequences: Xenorhabdus bovienii, Xenorhabdus hominickii, Xenorhabdus indica, Xenorhabdus ishibashii, and Xenorhabdus japonica. There was no genetic variation between the 16S RNA sequences among the three X. ishibashii isolates, 0–0.1% variation among the five X. hominickii isolates, and 0–0.5% among the eight X. bovienii isolates. Phenotypic characterization demonstrated that representative isolates of the five bacterial species shared common characteristics of the genus Xenorhabdus, and only X. hominickii isolates produced indole. Symbiotic association and co-speciation of Xenorhabdus bacteria with Steinernema nematodes from Japan are discussed.     

Development and characterization of twelve microsatellite markers for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porphyra linearis</Emphasis> Greville

The genus Porphyra (and its sister genus Pyropia) contains important red algal species that are cultivated and/or harvested for human consumption, sustaining a billion-dollar aquaculture industry. A vast amount of research has been focused on species of this genus, including studies on genetics and genomics among other areas. Twelve novel microsatellite markers were developed here for Porphyra linearis. Markers were characterized using 32 individuals collected from four natural populations of P. linearis with total heterozygosity varying from 0.098 to 0.916. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 18. All markers showed cross amplification with Porphyra umbilicalis and/or Porphyra dioica. These polymorphic microsatellite markers are useful for investigating population genetic diversity and differentiation in P. linearis and may become useful for other genetic research on the reproductive biology of this important species.     

Genetic differentiation among natural populations of the lizard complex <Emphasis Type="Italic">Darevskia raddei</Emphasis> as inferred from genome microsatellite marking

The article presents the genetic parameters of the populations of lizards of the Darevskia raddei complex (D. raddei nairensis and D. raddei raddei) and the populations of D. valentini calculated on the basis of the analysis of variability of 50 allelic variants of the three nuclear genome microsatellite-containing loci of 83 individuals. It was demonstrated that the F_st genetic distances between the populations of D. raddei nairensis and D. raddei raddei were not statistically significantly different from the F_st genetic distances between the populations of different species, D. raddei and D. valentini. At the same time, these distances were statistically significantly higher than the F_st distances between the populations belonging to one species within the genus Darevskia. These data suggest deep divergence between the populations of D. raddei raddei and D. raddei nairensis of the D. raddei complex and there arises the question on considering them as separate species.     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Copidosoma</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) from Israel

A new species of the genus Copidosoma from Israel is described. The female of Copidosoma trjapitzini is similar to those of C. scutellare, C. agrotis, and C. cuproviride. All the four species possess a similar mesosomal sculpture, coarse on the mesoscutum and more or less striate on the scutellum, and the solid clava obliquely truncate at apex. C. trjapitzini differs from C. agrotis in the larger size and from C. cuproviride, in the black head and mesosoma. The type material is deposited in the collection of the Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology (Ukraine, Kiev); two paratypes, at the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg).     

Development of 21 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the black-banded sea krait, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laticauda semifasciata</Emphasis> (Elapidae: Laticaudinae), and cross-species amplification for two other congeneric species

The genus Laticauda (Reptilia: Elapidae), commonly known as sea kraits, is venomous marine amphibious snakes distributed throughout the south and southeast Asian islands and mostly found in coastal waters. To facilitate genetic studies, we have developed microsatellite loci for L. semifasciata using the 454 GS-FLX pyrosequencing technique. A total of 65,680 sequences containing a minimum of five repeat motifs were identified from 451,659 reads. Among 80 loci containing more than nine repeat units, 34 primer sets (42.5%) produced strong PCR products, of which 21 were polymorphic among 36 samples of L. semifasciata. All loci exhibited high genetic variability, with an average of 7.38 alleles per locus, and the mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.73 and 0.76, respectively. The cross-species amplification of these loci in two laticaudine species, L. colubrina and L. laticaudata, revealed a high transferability (78.6%) and polymorphism (59.5%) of the loci. Our work demonstrated the utility of next-generation 454 sequencing as the rapid and cost-effective method for development of microsatellite markers. The high level of polymorphism in these microsatellite loci will be useful for the detection of population subdivision and the study of migration, gene flow, relatedness and philopatry of L. semifasciata and other laticaudine species.