Further records of foliicolous lichens and lichenicolous fungi from Australasia,with an updated checklist for continental Australia

Abstract:Based on collections gathered by H. Streimann and J. A. Elix in Papua New Guinea, Australia (including Tasmania), and Vanuatu, five new foliicolous lichen species are described: Calenia bullatinoides Lücking, Eremothecella cyaneoides Lücking, Fellhanera tasmanica Lücking & Elix,Fellhaneropsis australiana Lücking, and Porina vanuatuensis Lücking. In addition, the following new combinations are proposed: Coenogonium isidiiferum (Lücking) Lücking [Bas.: Dimerella isidiifera Lücking], Coenogonium lisowskii (Vězda) Lücking [Bas.: Dimerella lisowskii Vězda], Coenogonium queenslandicum (Kalb & Vězda) Lücking [Bas.: Dimerella queenslandica Kalb & Vězda], Echinoplaca tetrapla (Zahlbr.) Lücking [Bas.: Gonolecania tetrapla Zahlbr.], and Porina subepiphylla var. australiensis (Lücking & Vězda) Lücking [Bas.: Porina lucida var. australiensis Lücking & Vězda]. Coenogonium piliferum (Vězda) Kalb & Lücking [Bas.: Dimerella pilifera Vězda] is placed into synonymy with Coenogonium epiphyllum Vain. An updated checklist of foliicolous lichens from Australia includes 202 species and excludes five previously reported taxa.     

Comparative studies on the reproductive systems ofCardamine flexuosa,C. impatients,C. scutata,andC. lyrata,cruciferae

The reproductive systems of fourCardamine species were compared.C. flexuosa ssp.flexuosa, a self-pollinated winter annual in fallow paddy fields, produces numerous small seeds.C. flexuosa ssp.fallax, a self-pollinated year-long annual in gardens and roadsides, also produces many small seeds.C. impatiens, a self-pollinated annual in forest margins, similarly produces numerous small seeds.C. scutata is a self-pollinated perennial in ill-drained paddy fields and creeks; its vegetative reproduction is not predominant, and it produces relatively many seeds.C. lyrata, a cross-pollinated perennial with self-incompatibility in ill-drained paddy fields and creeks, produces fewer and heavier seeds, but it does produce many ramets. Moreover, in seed-dispersal mechanisms and germination behavior of fourCardamine species several adaptive characteristics to their habitats are found. These observations on the reproductive systems of fourCardamine species apparently present different characteristics of life-history strategy for each of them.     

Mitochondrial ribosome assembly in Neurospora crassa. Chloramphenicol inhibits the maturation of small ribosomal subunits.

Recent results suggest that, in Neurospora crassa, one small subunit mitochondrial ribosomal protein (S-4a, M_r 52,000) is synthesized intramitochondrially (Lambowitz et al., 1976). We now find that, when wild-type cells are treated with chloramphenicol to block mitochondrial protein synthesis, the maturation of 30 S mitochondrial ribosomal subunits is rapidly inhibited and there is an accumulation of CAP-30 S particles which sediment slightly behind mature small subunits. Electrophoretic analysis suggests that the CAP-30 S particles are deficient in several proteins including S-4a and that they are enriched in a precursor RNA species that is slightly longer than 19 S RNA. Chloramphenicol also appears to inhibit the maturation of 50 S ribosomal subunits, but this effect is much less pronounced. Continued incubation in chloramphenicol leads to a decrease in the proportion of total mitochondrial ribonucleoprotein present as monomers, possibly reflecting the depletion of competent subunits. After long-term (17 h) growth in chloramphenicol, mitochondrial ribosome profiles from wild-type cells show decreased ratios of small to large subunits, a feature which is also characteristic of the poky (mi-1) mutant. Pulse-labeling experiments combined with electrophoretic analysis show that the synthesis of mitochondrial ribosomal RNAs is relatively unaffected by chloramphenicol and that, despite the deficiency of small subunits, 19 S and 25 S RNA are present in normal ratios in whole mitochondria. By contrast, 19 S RNA in poky mitochondria is rapidly degraded leading to a decreased ratio of 19 S to 25 S RNA. The significance of these results with respect to the etiology of the poky mutation is discussed and a model of mitochondrial ribosome assembly that incorporates all available data is presented.     

Morphology and SSU rDNA-based phylogeny of two Euplotes species from China: E. wuhanensis sp. n. and E. muscicola Kahl, 1932 (Ciliophora,Euplotida)

The living morphology, infraciliature and silverline system of two small Euplotes species, E. wuhanensis sp. n. and E. muscicola Kahl, 1932, isolated from Wuhan, central China, were investigated. Euplotes wuhanensis sp. n. is characterized by a combination of features including small size (40–50 × 25–30 μm), two conspicuously small and eight normal-sized frontoventral cirri, five transverse cirri in two groups, two marginal and two caudal cirri, seven dorsal kineties with about 12 dikinetids in the mid-dorsal row and a double-eurystomus type of dorsal silverline pattern. The Wuhan population of E. muscicola closely resembles previously described populations. The establishments of three subspecies of E. muscicola are not supported. The small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences were determined for both species. We propose that the two sequences under the name of E. muscicola (No. AJ305254, DQ917684 deposited in GenBank) are very likely from misidentified material. Phylogenetic analyses based on these data support the validity of both E. muscicola and E. wuhanensis as distinct species.     

Rediscovery of Multifurca stenophylla (Berk.) T.Lebel, C.W.Dunk & T.W.May comb. nov. (Russulaceae) from Australia

The genus Multifurca is recorded for the first time from Australia. Multifurca stenophylla (Berk.) T.Lebel, C.W.Dunk & T.W.May comb. nov. is described and illustrated, and a lectotype and epitype designated. The species is characterized by the association with Nothofagus and Eucalyptus, the pale yellow, concentrically zoned pileus, abundant acrid white latex which becomes pale yellow then eventually greenish, and the small basidiospores.     

Ossicaulis yunnanensis sp. nov. (Lyophyllaceae,Agaricales) from southwestern China

Ossicaulis is a small genus in the family Lyophyllaceae. Two known species, O. lachnopus, and O. lignatilis, are distributed in north temperate regions. The third taxon, O. yunnanensis sp. nov., is described from the alpine belt of subtropics of southwestern China, and this genus is also reported for the first time from China. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by its whitish basidiomata and very small basidiospores. Molecular analyses from the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) show that the subtropical alpine species is distinct from hitherto known Ossicaulis species and has a close relationship to O. lachnopus.     

Aphelenchoides microstylus n. sp. and Seinura onondagensis n. sp. (Nemata: Aphelenchina) from New York

Aphelenchoides microstylus n. sp. and Seinura onondagensis n. sp., a nematode predator, are described from dead Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Onondaga County, New York. Females of A. microstylus are 370 to 485 µm long. The body is slender and tapers posteriorly to an amucronate, pointed terminus. The head is continuous with the body, and lips bear a stylet guide. Diagnostic characters of females are three incisures in the lateral field, a short stylet (6-7.5 µm) with small basal knobs, a single row of oocytes, and a long postuterine sac (25-50 µm). Males are characterized by small spicules (10-11µm); two pairs of post-anal, subventral papillae; and a single row of spermatocytes. A bursa and gubernaculum are absent. Seinura onondagensis females are characterized by a body of moderate length (475-595 µm), finely annulated cuticle, and a slightly set-off head. Diagnostic characters are four incisures in the lateral field, long stylet without basal knobs (17-22 µm), single row of oocytes, and presence of a postuterine sac (14-38 µm). Males are unknown. The monospecific genus Indaphelenchus is proposed as a synonym of Seinura, and S. siddiqii n. comb. is proposed for the only species, I. siddiqii.     

Meloidogyne microcephala n. sp. (Meloidogynidae), a Root-knot Nematode from Thailand

Meloidogyne microcephala n. sp. is described and illustrated from specimens obtained from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) in Thailand. The female perineal pattern usually has a low dorsal arch, coarse striae, and a series of small cuticular flaps around the tail terminus. The stylet of the female is 14.4 μm long, with large, square to rectangular stylet knobs, The distinctive male head region is narrow, small, and truncate with a low, flattened head cap. The stylet length is 20.6 μm, and the knobs are small, angular, and set off from the shaft. Mean length of second-stage juveniles is 457.5 μm, and stylet length is 9.3 μm. The tail tip in the juveniles is set off from the rest of the tail as a small finger-like projection. M. microcephala reproduces by mitotic parthenogenesis, and has a chromosome number of 2n = 36.     

Eimeria melogale n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in the Javan ferret-badger (Melogale orientalis)

The Javan ferret-badger Melogale orientalis (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Helictidinae) is a small carnivore endemic to Indonesia. In the family Mustelidae, 10 Eimeria, 12 Cystoisopora, one Isospora, and one Hammondia species are known, but no eimeriid coccidia has been yet described in the subfamily Helictinidae (ferret badgers). Coproscopic examination of Javan ferret-badgers imported into the Czech Republic revealed the presence of coccidian oocysts. Sporulated oocysts differ from other Eimeria known in the family Mustelidae by their small size (12.4–16.1 × 10.4–13.4 μm) and ovoidal shape. Morphological data and phylogenetic analyses of 18S rRNA and COI genes indicated a new species of Eimeria found in faecal samples of Javan ferret badgers. The species is described as E. melogale n. sp.     

Expression of small RNAs by Bacillus sp. strain PS3 and B. subtilis cells during sporulation

A small RNA sequence identified in an rRNA-tRNA cluster from the thermophilic Bacillus sp. strain PS3 was examined. An oligonucleotide probe specific for the RNA bound to multiple restriction fragments in Bacillus sp. strain PS3 DNA, thus several copies of this sequence occur in its genome. Similar findings were observed using DNA from B. subtilis, B. stearothermophilus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae and Thermus thermophilus. This sequence apparently is widespread in the eubacteria. Northern analysis of RNA from sporulating Bacillus sp. strain PS3 and B. subtilis cells revealed RNA species homologous to the probe in both bacteria. Expression of the small RNA in B. subtilis depended on σ^H.     

Veluticeps microspora sp. nov. and V. ambigua new to Asia with a preliminary phylogenetic study on the genus

Veluticeps microspora sp. nov. and V. ambigua new to Asia are described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular characters. V. microspora was collected from Yunnan Province, southwestern China, and is characterized by its special anatomical structure (without tomentum, cutis, and subiculum), simple septate hyphae, and small basidiospores. V. ambigua was collected from Jilin Province, northeastern China, and is reported in Asia for the first time. The molecular phylogeny of Veluticeps was preliminarily studied based on the analysis of ITS sequences from 18 species of Gloeophyllales. Two distinct clades of Veluticeps were formed in the phylogenetic tree. While V. microspora and V. ambigua clustered together to form a strongly supported clade, V. abietina, V. fimbriata, and V. berkeleyi grouped with Chaetodermella luna to form another clade.     

Migration of lymphoblasts to the small intestine. II. Divergent migration of mesenteric and peripheral immunoblasts to sites of inflammation in the mouse.

A comparison has been made of the in vivo migration of ¹²⁵IUdR-labeled mesenteric blast cells (MLN) and peripheral T-blasts (stimulated by oxazolone, OX-PLN) to inflamed tissue in the mouse. Three sites were studied, the normal small intestine, the inflamed small intestine of mice infected with the nematode Trichinella spiralis, and ear skin inflamed by oxazolone. The results show that the ability of T-lymphoblasts to extravasate into these sites is determined, to a large extent, by their tissue of origin. Thus, OX-PLN failed to migrate to the gut of normal recipients but moved readily into the inflamed skin. In contrast, T-blasts separated from MLN accumulated well in the gut but were not found in the skin. Incubation of OX-PLN with IgA or MLN failed to alter their characteristic in vivo distribution. Although OX-PLN failed to migrate to the normal gut, they accumulated significantly in the parasitized small intestine. In the presence of inflamed skin, the migration of OX-PLN to the parasitized gut can be inhibited or abrogated.     

石蝴蝶属一新种——黄斑石蝴蝶

描述了苦苣苔科（Gesneriaceae）石蝴蝶属(Petrocosmea Oliv.)一新种——黄斑石蝴蝶(P.xanthomaculata G.Q.Gou et X.Y.Wang)。新种与贵州石蝴蝶（P.cavaleriei Lévl.）相近,但叶多数,20～40枚,叶基心形,花冠白色,在裂片之间具明显黄色斑纹,苞片小,长约1 mm,花柱除上部外密被开展的白色长柔毛而不同。     

Conspicuous epiphytic growth of an interspecific hybrid Neotyphodium sp. endophyte on distorted host inflorescences

Selected Neotyphodium sp. endophytes are now commonly used to enhance pasture persistence and livestock productivity, with seed of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue cultivars with these selected endophytes being commercially available. In a large population of perennial ryegrass plants infected with a Neotyphodium sp. endophyte that was being grown for seed production a small percentage of inflorescences were distorted and covered with a conspicuous white mycelial growth. Within individual plants only a small number of inflorescences were affected and the amount of distortion differed between affected inflorescences. This Neotyphodium sp. is an interspecific hybrid of Epichloë typhina and Neotyphodium. lolii and like nearly all other Neotyphodium spp is symptomless in host grasses. The fungus isolated from distorted inflorescences had colonies that were identical to those isolated from symptomless inflorescences and these were characteristic of this Neotyphodium sp. This is the first report of distorted inflorescences covered with epiphytic hyphal growth on host grasses infected with an interspecific hybrid Neotyphodium sp.