New foliicolous lichens from New Zealand 1

Three species and one genus of theTrichotheliaceae are described as new and illustrated.Polycornum rubrofuscum gen. and sp. nov. is related to the generaPorina andTrichothelium, but differs in having complex horn-like appendages growing from the entire surface of its perithecia, giving them a tomentose appearance.Trichothelium rubellum is characterized by red or brown perithecia and 5–7 white membranaceous setae arranged in a star pattern around the ostiole.Trichothelium nanum is characterized by 3-septate spores, small black perithecia, and white setae.     

New foliicolous lichens from New Zealand 2

Two new species of foliicolous lichens from New Zealand are described and illustrated. The most characteristic trait ofDimerella flava sp. nov. (Gyalectaceae) is its pale yellow tubular pycnidia, which clothe the algal-containing thallus on the upper surface of leaves and sometimes also on thin twigs.Porinula setifera sp. nov. (incertae sedis) is closely related to the type species ofPorinula, P. tanzanica, but differs in having hyaline setae on its perithecia and mostly simple paraphysoids.     

The Trichotheliaceae of Christmas Island,Indian Ocean

Abstract:Twenty-six taxa of Trichotheliaceae are reported from rock, bark and leaves on Christmas Island in the north-eastern Indian Ocean. Trichothelium oceanicum P. M. McCarthy sp. nov., a common foliicolous species, is described.     

Analysis of Kozhowia Vasiljeva & Smirnov, 1969 (Chydoridae,Anomopoda, Branchiopoda), with a description of Parakozhowia n. gen.

The five endemic species of Kozhowia Vasiljeva & Smirnov, 1969 (Branchiopoda: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) are redescribed based on material from Lake Baikal, including types of all species. Two well-defined groups were found. A new genus Parakozhowia n.gen., with one species, P. baicalensis Vasiljeva & Smirnov, 1969 n. comb., is erected. An extended diagnosis for the genus Kozhowia is presented. Parakozhowia n. gen. differs from Kozhowia in (1) antennal formula; (2) proportions of postabdomen; (3) number of setae on exopodite IV; (4) presence of soft setae of endopodite IV; (5) presence of a limb VI, and (6) presence of an inflated rostrum in the adult male of Kozhowia. An improved key for the discrimination of the species is given. Thoracic limbs of all species were given special attention. There are six setae on exopodite IV in Parakozhowia n.gen., as normal for Aloninae, while only four setae and a rudimentary hillock were detected on exopodite IV in the species of Kozhowia. Kozhowia is a true member of the Aloninae, and the closest relative of Parakozhowia and Camptocercus, meaning that the diagnosis of the Aloninae must be amended: the number of setae on exopodite IV in Aloninae may vary from 4 to 6.     

Three new species of the subgenus Neoribates (Neoribates) (Acari,Oribatida, Parakalummidae) from Nepal

Three new parakalummid mites of the subgenus Neoribates (Neoribates), N. (N.) parabulanovae sp. n., N. (N.) paramacrosacculatus sp. n. and N. (N.) pararotundus sp. n., are described from Nepalese soils. Neoribates (Neoribates) parabulanovae sp. n. is morphologically most similar to N. (N.) bulanovae Grishina, 2009, N. (N.) rotundus Aoki, 1982 and N. (N.) setiger Balogh & Mahunka, 1978, however, it differs from N. (N.) bulanovae by the body length, body and leg integument, morphology of bothridial setae, absence of aggenital setae, length of interlamellar setae and location of adanal setae ad₃; from N. (N.) rotundus by the body size, body integument, morphology of bothridial setae and length of interlamellar setae; from N. (N.) setiger by the body size, number of genital setae and absence of aggenital setae. Neoribates (Neoribates) paramacrosacculatus sp. n. is morphologically most similar to N. (N.) macrosacculatus Aoki, 1966, however, it differs from the latter by the body size, body integument, length and morphology of bothridial setae, number of genital setae, absence of lamellar setae and length of interlamellar setae. Neoribates (Neoribates) pararotundus sp. n. is morphologically most similar to N. (N.) rotundus, however, it differs from the latter by the number of notogastral setal alveoli, body integument and length of interlamellar setae.     

Differential Chlorate Inhibition of Chaetomium globosum Germination, Hyphal Growth, and Perithecia Synthesis

Chaetomium globosum Kunze:Fr is a dermatophytic, dematiaceous fungus that is ubiquitous in soils, grows readily on cellulolytic materials, and is commonly found on water-damaged building materials. Chlorate affects nitrogen metabolism in fungi and is used to study compatibility among anamorphic fungi by inducing nit mutants. The effect of chlorate toxicity on C. globosum was investigated by amending a modified malt extract agar (MEA), oat agar, and carboxymethyl cellulose agar (CMC) with various levels of potassium chlorate (KClO₃). C. globosum perithecia production was almost completely inhibited (90–100?%) at low levels of KClO₃ (0.1?mM) in amended MEA. Inhibition of perithecia production was also observed on oat agar and CMC at 1?and 10?mM, respectively. However, hyphal growth in MEA was only inhibited 20?% by 0.1–100?mM KClO₃ concentrations. Hyphal growth was never completely inhibited at the highest levels tested (200?mM). Higher levels of KClO₃ were needed on gypsum board to inhibit perithecia synthesis. In additional experiments, KClO₃ did not inhibit C. globosum, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Penicillum expansum, and airborne fungal spore germination. The various fungal spores were not inhibited by KClO₃ at 1–100?mM levels. These results suggest that C. globosum perithecia synthesis is more sensitive to chlorate toxicity than are hyphal growth and spore germination. This research provides basic information that furthers our understanding about perithecia formation and may help in developing control methods for fungal growth on building materials.     

Four new species of the mite genus Bakerdania (Heterostigmata, Pygmephoridae) from Russia

Four new mite species (Bakerdania palustris, B. taymyrica, B. mycophila, and B. littoralis) from different regions of Russia are described. Bakerdania palustris sp. n. is most similar to B. janetscheki Mahunka, 1970, differing in the presence of adjoining bases of setae ps ₂ and ps ₃ (in B. janetscheki, ps ₃ is separated from ps ₂) and also by shorter smooth setae 2b (in B. janetscheki, setae 2b are serrate and distinctly longer). Bakerdania taymyrica sp. n. is most similar to B. heisseli Mahunka, 1970, differing in the presence of the brush-like setae 1a (that are trichoid and serrate in B. heisseli); shorter setae tc′ on the tibiotarsus I, that are almost half as long as setae pl′ (in B. heisseli, tc′ is much longer, nearly as long as pl′). Bakerdania mycophila sp. n. is most similar to B. racki (Mahunka, 1967), differing in the presence of significantly longer ventral setae and the separate solenidion ω₁ (in B. racki, the latter is fused with the tibiotarsus). Bakerdania littoralis sp. n. is most similar to B. racki, differing from the latter in the shape of setae 1a, 2a, 3a, 3b, 4a that are basally thickened; in the shape of setae ps ₁ (trichoid in B. racki); and in the presence of the non-furcated setae 1b (in B. racki, these setae are bifurcate).     

Hesperentomon yangi sp. n. from Jiangsu Province,Eastern China,with analyses of DNA barcodes (Protura,Acerentomata, Hesperentomidae)

Hesperentomon yangi sp. n. is described from eastern China. Its DNA barcodes are sequenced and compared to the similar species of the genus. Hesperentomon yangi sp. n. is characterized by 12 posterior setae on tergites II–VI, 8 posterior setae on sternites IV–VI (seta Pc absent), absence of seta sd4 on head, absence of seta P2a on tergite VII, 6 and 8 anterior setae on mesosternum and metasternum respectively, and few teeth on comb. It differs from Hesperentomon xiningense Bu & Yin, 2007 and Hesperentomon nanshanensis Bu & Yin, 2007 in the chaetotaxy of mesosternum and metanotum, maxillary gland, length and shape of some sensilla on foretarsus, as well as the body porotaxy. The genetic divergences of DNA barcodes sequences between Hesperentomon yangi sp. n., Hesperentomon xiningense and Hesperentomon nanshanensis are 24.1% on average, which is distinctly higher than the divergences between individuals of the new species (0.5%). Molecular data provide a solid evidence of the new species identified by the morphological characters.     

Chaetoceros sumatranus,a member of Chaetoceros section Coarctati,sect. nov. (Bacillariophyceae)

During different surveys of phytoplankton in the Gulf of California, along the coasts of Baja California, the Gulf of Tehuantepec, and the Mexican Caribbean Sea, new records of diatoms have been made and new species (mainly of the genus Chaetoceros) have been described. This study shows that the planktonic diatom Chaetoceros sumatranus, a rather rare tropical to subtropical taxon, is a typical species of the subgenus Chaetoceros (syn.: Phaeoceros) with robust cells forming chains, thick setae, reduced apertures and small, rounded chloroplasts in cells and setae. Additionally, the species exhibits other singular characteristics, such as heteropolarity of chains, distinct bases of the setae and a pattern of several rimoportulae in every valve of the chain. These features indicate that C. sumatranus is a species closely related to C. coarctatus. Both C. coarctatus and C. sumatranus are considered to be members of the recently proposed section Coarctati (Coarctata), within the subgenus Chaetoceros. The taxonomic relationships of the two species is analyzed, and a formal Latin diagnosis of the section Coarctati is also given.     

Photosynthesis of two moss crusts from the Tengger Desert with contrasting sensitivity to supplementary UV-B radiation

Predicting the effects of increased ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation due to stratospheric ozone depletion on temperate desert ecosystems requires better knowledge of the ecophysiological response of common moss species. The aim of the current work was to determine whether elevated UV-B radiation affected photosynthetic performance and chloroplast ultrastructure of two moss crusts and whether response differences were observed between the crusts. In laboratory experiments, Bryum argenteum and Didymodon vinealis, which show microdistributions and are dominant in soil crusts at the Tengger Desert, Northern China, were subjected to four levels of UV-B radiation of 2.75 (control), 3.08, 3.25, and 3.41 W m^?2 for 10 days, simulating 0, 6, 9, and 12% of stratospheric ozone at the latitude of Shapotou, respectively. The results showed that chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters (i.e., the maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, and photochemical quenching coefficient), pigment contents, soluble protein contents, and the ultrastructure were negatively influenced by elevated UV-B radiation and the degree of detrimental effects significantly increased with the intensity of UV-B radiation. Moreover, results indicated that B. argenteum was probably more sensitive to supplementary UV-B radiation than D. vinealis. Therefore, we propose the use of B. argenteum crusts as a bioindicator of responses to elevated UV-B radiation.     

Allocordyceps baltica gen. et sp. nov. (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), an ancient fungal parasite of an ant in Baltic amber

An ancient fungal parasite of a Camponotus ant (Formicidae: Hymenoptera) in Baltic amber is described as Allocordyceps baltica gen. et sp. nov. (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae). The new genus is characterized by an orange, stalked, cup-shaped ascoma with partially immersed perithecia that emerges from the rectum of the ant, two separate stromata with septate mycelium that emerge from the base of the neck and the abdomen of the ant, respectively, and free-standing putative perithecia bearing putative asci with putative multicellular ascospores fragmented into one-celled partspores. This oldest known fossil fungus of an ant could represent a precursor of the genus Ophiocordyceps, which at present is the only fungal lineage parasitizing ants of the genus Camponotus. The fossil shows unique morphological features that existed in the Hypocreales some 35–55 MYA.     

Ultrastructure of mediodorsal setae in biting midge larvae of the genus Atrichopogon Kieffer with notes on their biological significance (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The ultrastructure of the strong mediodorsal setae in terrestrial stage IV larvae of Atrichopogon (Meloehelea) oedemerarum and A. (M.) meloesugans was examined using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Serrated setae placed on prominent processes are distributed in pairs on all thoracic and abdominal segments. Setae are innervated by a single dendrite and their surface has no pores. The trichogen cell is not retracted from the setal lumen on completion of the hair-forming process but fills the mediodorsal seta also when the larval cuticle is fully sclerotised. Such a phenomenon was previously reported in terrestrial larvae of the genus Forcipomyia. We suggest that the mediodorsal setae described in Atrichopogon are plesiotypic mechanoreceptors for the subfamily Forcipomyiinae. They are preserved in the truly terrestrial larvae of Atrichopogon, but modified to secretory setae in the genus Forcipomyia. Both genera bearing distinct mediodorsal setae have developed functional tracheal gills, unknown in other biting midges.     

Two new species of oribatid mites of Lasiobelba (Acari,Oribatida, Oppiidae) from Nepal,including a key to all species of the genus

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Lasiobelba (Oribatida, Oppiidae), Lasiobelba (Lasiobelba) daamsae sp. n. and Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) nepalica sp. n., are described from eastern Nepal. Lasiobelba (L.) daamsae sp. n. is most similar to L. (L.) remota Aoki, 1959 and L. (L.) gibbosa (Mahunka, 1985), however, it differs from both by the anterior part of pedotecta I specifically curved, rostrum pointed and exobothridial setae not shorter than bothridial setae. Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) nepalica sp. n. is most similar to L. (A.) granulata (Mahunka, 1986), however, it differs from the latter by the larger body size, exobothridial setae longer than rostral setae and bothridial setae not longer than interlamellar setae. An identification key to known species of Lasiobelba is given.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Foxtosognus rarus</Emphasis> gen. n., sp. n.—A new genus and species of copepods (Copepoda: Calanoida) from the abyssopelagic zone of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench

A female of Foxtosognus rarus gen. n., sp. n., a new genus and species of copepods, is described from the abyss of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. The new genus is placed in the family Arctokonstantinidae, whose diagnosis is emended and supplemented with the following characters: mandibular basis with one to two setae; mandibular endopod one without setae; maxillular distal basal endite plus endopod with two to four setae or without setae. The features that distinguish Foxtosognusgen. n. from other representatives of this family are as follows: mandibular palp with a long endopod segment one, endopod segment two with seven setae, and exopod segment five with two setae; maxillula with distal basal endite lacking setae and separated from endopod bearing three setae; maxillular precoxal arthrite with seven to eight setae and exopod with four setae; maxilliped syncoxa without setae on precoxal endites and endopod of three segments. The genera Sognocalanus and Foxtonia earlier included in the Spinocalanidae are herein transferred to the Arctokonstantinidae.     

小煤炱科子囊壳超微结构研究

用扫描电镜对小煤炱科Meliolaceae的美座附丝壳Appendiculella calotroma(Desm.)Hoehnel和莫勒针壳炱Irenopsis molleriana(Wint.)Stev.的子囊壳进行观察的结果,发现它们的子囊壳都有一个小孔口,孔口周围有2～4层小圆柱形至椭圆形细胞;它们的子囊壳表面细胞呈疣状或乳突状,具纵向沟纹。其中美座附丝壳还有具横条纹的蠕虫状附属物,莫勒针壳炱有光滑的子囊壳刚毛。子囊壳表面孔口的发现为小煤炱目Meliolales的确立提供了直接的证据。     

Evidence suggests that modified setae of the crab spiders Stephanopis spp. fasten debris from the background

Crab spiders (Thomisidae) are known by their ability to change their body colouration via change in epithelial pigments. However, the crab spider genus Stephanopis appears to match the colouration of the bark they are sitting on by having debris attached to its dorsal cuticle. The functional morphology, colouration, and evolution of this phenomenon were investigated in Stephanopis cf. scabra and S. cambridgei. Analysis under the microscope revealed that debris originated from the bark they were sitting on. Using scanning electron microscopy, three different types of setae likely related in the retention of debris were found in S. cf. scabra and one in S. cambridgei. These setae are branched and possess barbs, unlike the more filiform setae found in other crab spider species. In addition, the presence of debris improved the brightness background matching of spiders against the bark, but not hue and chroma matching. Ancestral character state reconstruction suggested that presence of debris evolved two to three times within Thomisidae. The evolution of both masking and colour change among crab spiders indicates that they are under a strong selection to avoid detection.