A Review of the Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Bristletails of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haslundichilis</Emphasis> Wygodz. (Archaeognatha,Machilidae) with Description of a New Species from Daghestan

A review of geographic distribution, phylogenetic relationships, and evolutionary trends of six species of the South Palaearctic genus Haslundichilis Wygodzinsky is performed for the first time. Bristletails of the genus Haslundichilis are common in temperate forest and steppe open landscapes in the foothills and mountains of the East Caucasus, Central Asia, Northwest and East China, and South Korea. The genus originated in the forest landscapes of the West Stenopean (mixed) province wherefrom its representatives spread as far eastwards as South Korea and as far westwards as the mountains of Central Asia and the East Caucasus. The new species Haslundichilis daghestanicasp. n. is the closest to H. afghani, from which it differs in a greater body size, narrower eyes, and more developed sensory fields on the fore femur of the male.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Orientosirenites</Emphasis>, a New Ammonoid Genus (Sirenitidae; Ammonoidea) from the Upper Carnian of the Boreal Realm

The ammonoid family Sirenitidae from the Upper Carnian yakutensis Zone of northern Middle Siberia and Northeastern Asia is revised. A new genus Orientosirenites gen. nov. with the type species O. bytschkovi sp. nov. is established based on the study of the main morphological characters of the shell. The new genus and the species O. bytschkovi are described and the species O. yakutensis (Kiparisova) is redescribed. The new data allow the taxonomic composition and the distribution of the Carnian ammonoids of the Boreal Realm to be updated.     

Revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Protohydnum</Emphasis> (Auriculariales,Basidiomycota)

Three species currently addressed to Protohydnum (Auriculariales) are studied with morphological and DNA methods. The genus Protohydnum is retained for the type species only, P. cartilagineum, recently re-collected in Brazil. The European species, P. piceicola, is not congeneric with P. cartilagineum and, therefore, placed in its own genus, Hyalodon, gen. nov. Another Hyalodon species, H. antui, is described from East Asia. The third member of Protohydnum sensu lato, P. sclerodontium from South-East Asia, is transferred to Elmerina.     

A new species of psammosteiform heterostracan (Agnatha) from the Givetian (Middle Devonian) of the Voronezh Region

A new pycnosteid species, Schizosteus shkurlatensis sp. nov. (Agnatha, Psammosteiformes), from the Staryi Oskol beds (Givetian, Middle Devonian) of the Voronezh Region is described. This is the first species of the genus Schizosteus Obruchev from the Central Devonian Field. The similarity between species of this genus and early species of Psammolepis is discussed.     

A review of species of the subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taeniosticha</Emphasis> Motsch., genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysolina</Emphasis> Motsch. (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae), distributed in the Dzungar Ata Tau and Tien Shan Mt. Ranges,with descriptions of two new species

Species of the subgenus Taeniosticha, genus Chrysolina, from the Dzungar Ala Tau, Northern and Central Tien Shan, are revised. A key to the species and figures of the aedeagus of each species are given. Two new species, Chrysolina klimenkoi sp. n. and Ch. sairannurica sp. n., are described from Southeastern Kazakhstan and Northwestern China. Two new species-groups are distinguished: the Ch. alatavica species-group distributed in the Dzungar Ala Tau and Boro-Khoro Mountain Ranges, and the Ch. tianshanica species-group with its members occurring in the Northern and Central Tien Shan. A scheme of the species distribution is given.     

Morphological and molecular investigations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gagea</Emphasis> (Liliaceae) in southeastern Kazakhstan with special reference to putative altitudinal hybrid zones

The most important center of speciation in the genus Gagea is thought to be in Central Asia. Here, we focus on species diversity in southeastern Kazakhstan (around Almaty, Ili-Alatau range of the Western Tian-Shan mountains). We studied an elevational transect, reaching from lowland steppes to the alpine zone (500–2750 m a. s. l.), and carried out detailed morphological and molecular investigations for populations of Gagea spp. Nine species were identified in different altitudinal zones; one of these (Gagea almaatensis) is described as new to science. We could detect two altitudinal contact zones between closely related species: G. filiformis and G. granulosa (sect. Minimae), and G. almaatensis and G. kuraminica (sect. Gagea). Morphological and molecular investigations (ITS data and cpDNA networks) indicate ongoing hybridization of co-occurring G. filiformis into G. granulosa and putative bidirectional hybridization events between G. almaatensis and G. kuraminica.     

A synopsis of gall midges associated with conifers,with description of a new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kaltenbachiola</Emphasis> Hedicke (Diptera,Cecidomyiidae: Lasiopterinae) from Yakutia,damaging cones of the Siberian spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea obovata</Emphasis>)

The world fauna comprises 134 species from 52 genera of gall midges associated with plants of the order Pinales (3 families, 16 genera and 74 species); 14 genera are specific to Pinales. The distribution of genera and species of gall midges over host plant taxa is described. The Holarctic genus Kaltenbachiola comprises four species all developing in the spruce (Picea spp.) cones. Earlier, K. strobi (Winnertz), widely distributed in Europe, was the only species known in the Palaearctic. A new species Kaltenbachiola anastasiae sp. n. is described, which damages cones of Picea obovata in Central Yakutia. The phylogenetic relationships of Kaltenbachiola with close genera specific to Pinales are characterized, and an updated diagnosis of the genus with additional morphometric parameters and keys to the pine-specific genera of the tribe Dasineurini and to species of the genus Kaltenbachiola are given. The host associations and specific traits of biology and distribution of Kaltenbachiola species are considered.     

Taxonomic and functional diversity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calogaya</Emphasis> (lichenised Ascomycota) in dry continental Asia

The genus Calogaya (Teloschistaceae, Xanthorioideae) was established to accommodate mainly epilithic lichens with lobate thalli, previously regarded as the “Caloplaca saxicola group.” Data supporting the recognition of this new genus came from European lichens, and although the genus is soundly based, we have found in Asia numerous epiphytic lineages and lineages with reduced, non-lobate thallus in dry continental areas. The taxonomic and functional diversity of Calogaya is distinctly higher in steppe and desert areas of Asia than in the less arid regions of Europe. We sampled 238 specimens, mostly from arid regions of north-western China, Iran, southern Siberia and Turkey. Three nuclear DNA loci were analysed separately and jointly by Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and *BEAST approaches. Delimitations of 28 putative species were tested by BP&P multispecies coalescent model with joint analysis of species delimitation and species-tree estimation. Finally, we recognised 22 taxonomic units: 16 are at species rank, 3 are treated as subspecies and 3 are complexes, treated here as a single entity, but in reality probably including more than one species. Calogaya altynis, C. biatorina subsp. asiatica, C. decipiens subsp. esorediata, C. haloxylonis, C. orientalis, C. xanthoriella and C. xinjiangis are newly described. Caloplaca zoroasteriorum is combined into Calogaya, and Calogaya persica is reduced to a subspecies. The taxonomic status of Calogaya saxicola is unclear, and the name is employed here “sensu lato” for several non-monophyletic epilithic lineages with short-lobed thalli. Calogaya biatorina and C. ferrugineoides are the two other heterogeneous taxonomic units probably including more species.     

Ammonites of Tethyan origin from the Ryazanian of the Russian platform: Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Riasanites</Emphasis> spath

The genus Riasanites, represented in Central Russia by two successive dimorphic species, is revised. R. swistowianus is found in the basal beds of the rjasanensis Zone. Its descendant R. rjasanensis is also found in this zone, but upwards in the section, including the beds with Surites spasskensis and Externiceras solowaticum. The representatives of Riasanites from the Crimea and Northern Caucasus are assigned to two species, R. crassicostatus and R. maikopensis, respectively. It is suggested that Riasanites evolved from Sub-Mediterranean Himalayatidae, which migrated from the Western Tethys via the Polish Passage into the Central Russian Basin, and from there to Mangyshlak, the Northern Caucasus, and the Crimea.     

Multigene phylogeny reveals a new species and novel records and hosts in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ramularia</Emphasis> from Iran

Ramularia is a species-rich genus in the order Capnodiales (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) that includes numerous phytopathogenic taxa, several of which are economically important plant pathogens. In this study, six isolates of Ramularia were recovered from leaf spot symptoms on six herbaceous and woody plants from Guilan, East and West Azarbaijan provinces in the north and northwest of Iran. The isolates were studied by a polyphasic approach involving morphological and cultural data, and multi-gene phylogeny (ITS, TEF1-α, ACT, HIS, RPB2 and GAPDH). The isolates were grouped in three species clades of the R. eucalypti species complex. Of these, R. mali is recorded for the first time in Asia and R. glennii represents a new record for the mycobiota of Iran. Ramularia taleshina on Alnus subcordata is described as a new species. Ramularia taleshina is phylogenetically related to R. mali, but they can be differentiated by morphological and cultural characters as well as molecular data. Acalypha australis, Ficus carica and Platanus sp. are reported as new hosts of R. glennii, and Prunus cerasus and Vitis vinifera as new hosts of R. mali.     

Taxonomic revisions in the Microstromatales: two new yeast species,two new genera,and validation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jaminaea</Emphasis> and two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sympodiomycopsis</Emphasis> species

Environmental sampling yielded two yeast species belonging to Microstromatales (Exobasidiomycetes, Ustilaginomycotina). The first species was collected from a leaf phylloplane infected by the rust fungus Coleosporium plumeriae, and represents a new species in the genus Jaminaea, for which the name Jaminaea rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The second species was isolated from air on 50% glucose media and is most similar to Microstroma phylloplanum. However, our phylogenetic analyses reveal that species currently placed in Microstroma are not monophyletic, and M. phylloplanum, M. juglandis and M. albiziae are not related to the type species of this genus, M. album. Thus, Pseudomicrostroma gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate the following species: P. glucosiphilum sp. nov., P. phylloplanum comb. nov. and P. juglandis comb. nov. We also propose Parajaminaea gen. nov. to accommodate P. albizii comb. nov. and P. phylloscopi sp. nov. based on phylogenetic analyses that show these are not congeneric with Jaminaea or Microstroma. In addition, we validate the genus Jaminaea, its respective species and two species of Sympodiomycopsis and provide a new combination, Microstroma bacarum comb. nov., for the anamorphic yeast Rhodotorula bacarum. Our results illustrate non-monophyly of Quambalariaceae and Microstromataceae as currently circumscribed. Taxonomy of Microstroma and the Microstromataceae is reviewed and discussed. Finally, analyses of all available small subunit rDNA sequences for Jaminaea species show that J. angkorensis is the only known species that possess a group I intron in this locus, once considered a potential feature indicating the basal placement of this genus in Microstromatales.     

Hidden diversity in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Antrodia malicola</Emphasis> group (Polyporales,Basidiomycota)

Taxonomy of the Antrodia malicola group is revised based on DNA, morphological, ecological, and geographic data. This species complex is not related to Antrodia s. str. but constitutes its own lineage within the large Fomitopsis – Daedalea clade. The A. malicola group includes five species. Antrodia malicola s. str. is distributed in North America and East Asia, and a few records of this species are reported from Azores and Africa. Its European counterpart is A. kuzyana, comb. nova, with wider pores. Infraspecific variability of A. malicola and possible gene flow between it and A. kuzyana in East Asia are detected based on tef1 sequence data. Antrodia cyclopis, sp. nova, is described as a large-spored relative of A. malicola from New Guinea. Antrodia minuta is reported here from several European countries and Siberia, and its morphological characters and host preferences are discussed. Its close relative is A. tuvensis, sp. nova, from Central Siberia, an unusual member of the group with sparse, flexuous skeletal hyphae.     

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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pattersoniomyces tillandsiae</Emphasis> gen. et comb. nov.: linking sexual and asexual morphs of the only known smut fungus associated with Bromeliaceae

The enigmatic species Ustilago tillandsiae is the only known smut fungus associated with Bromeliaceae. Its generic position is evaluated by morphological, physiological, and molecular phylogenetic analyses using large subunit rDNA sequences. Phylogenetic analyses resolved U. tillandsiae as a member of the Ustilaginales in a sister relationship to the lineage containing Tranzscheliella species. However, U. tillandsiae differs from Tranzscheliella species by the development of sori in flowers, a different structure of sori and a different type of spore ornamentation. Consequently, a new genus Pattersoniomyces is described to accommodate U. tillandsiae. The new combination Pattersoniomyces tillandsiae is substantiated. In the sexual stage (teleomorph), this species infects bromeliads: Tillandsia flabellata, Tillandsia leiboldiana, and Tillandsia sp. in Central America between southern Mexico and Costa Rica. The yeast stage (anamorph) of P. tillandsiae was found associated with the phylloplane of Canistrum improcerum and in water tanks (phytotelmata) of Vriesea minarum, two bromeliads occurring in northeast and southeast Brazil, respectively. The link between the teleomorph and anamorphic strains is supported by identical sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rDNA. Pattersoniomyces represents the tenth endemic smut genus to the Americas, but the only one that occurs in both North and South America, being a truly neotropical genus. The host plant families of Ustilaginales are extended to the Bromeliaceae. As far as we know, Pattersoniomyces represents the single event of a host jump from Cyperaceae or Poaceae to Bromeliaceae, apparently without further species radiation on multiple bromeliad species and genera growing in South America.     

Contribution to the phylogeny and a new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coccodiella</Emphasis> (Phyllachorales)

Coccodiella is a genus of plant-parasitic species in the family Phyllachoraceae (Phyllachorales, Ascomycota), i.e., tropical tar spot fungi. Members of the genus Coccodiella are tropical in distribution and are host-specific, growing on plant species belonging to nine host plant families. Most of the known species occur on various genera and species of the Melastomataceae in tropical America. In this study, we describe the new species C. calatheae from Panama, growing on Calathea crotalifera (Marantaceae). We obtained ITS, nrLSU, and nrSSU sequence data from this new species and from other freshly collected specimens of five species of Coccodiella on members of Melastomataceae from Ecuador and Panama. Phylogenetic analyses allowed us to confirm the placement of Coccodiella within Phyllachoraceae, as well as the monophyly of the genus. The phylogeny of representative species within the family Phyllachoraceae, including Coccodiella spp., graminicolous species of Phyllachora and taxa with erumpent to superficial stroma from several host families, suggests that the genus Phyllachora might be polyphyletic. Furthermore, tar spot fungi with superficial or erumpent perithecia seem to be restricted to the family Phyllachoraceae, independently of the host plant. We also discuss the biodiversity and host-plant patterns of species of Coccodiella worldwide.     

New and little-known taxa of the family Cixiidae (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea)

Six new genera and eight new species are described from South and Central Americas, South Africa, and Southeastern Asia. Illustrations of the male genitalia of the type species of the genera Duiliopsis Bergevin and Perindus Emeljanov are given. The generic name Duiliopsis is synonymized with Duilius Stål. The synonymy of the generic name Hemitropis Fieber with Duilius is supported.     

The origin and taxonomic position of the Crimean endemic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrodiaetus pjushtchi</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera,Lycaenidae) based on the data on karyology,ecology, and molecular phylogenetics

The geographic ranges, karyotypes, ecological preferences, and mitochondrial DNA polymorphism were analyzed to reveal the origin and taxonomic position of Agrodiaetus pljushtchi and related species of A. damone species group. According to the data obtained, the common ancestor of these species originated in Asia Minor in Late Pliocene, 1.2–1.8 million years ago. In Early Pleistocene (0.8–1.2 million years ago), a representative of this group migrated into the Crimea and gave rise to A. pljushtchi. Another branch originated from the common ancestor, which migrated into Central Asia and Siberia and gave rise to a variety of partly sympatric taxa. Recently, representatives of the Central Asian — Siberian lineage occupied Eastern Europe and approached the area of A. pljushtchi but did not overlap with it. The karyotype n = 67 is an apomorphy of the A. damone species complex. However, this karyotype is not species-specific and cannot be used to differentiate taxa within the complex. The similarity of karyotypes is thus not sufficient to consider A. pljushtchi and A. damone as conspecific taxa. The natural history data support the isolated position of A. pljushtchi, and phylogenetic analysis shows that A. pljushtchi and A. damone are not closely related.     

Ammonites of Tethyan Origin in the Ryazanian Stage of the Russian Platform: Genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Transcaspiites</Emphasis> Luppov and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Karasyazites</Emphasis> gen. nov.

This paper presents the results of the study of ammonites of the family Himalayitidae from the Surites spasskensis Zone of the Ryazanian Stage of Central Russia. The new taxa Transcaspiites tscheffkini sp. nov., T. transitionis sp. nov., and Karasyazites gen. nov., with the type species Subalpinites bajarunasi Luppov, are described. The hypothesis that Transcaspiites Luppov originated from the genus Riasanites Spath is proposed. The analysis of the taxonomic composition of ammonites allows the Neocosmoceras–Septaliphoria semenovi regional zone of Mangyshlak to be correlated with the Spasskensis zone of the standard scale of the Ryazanian Stage.