Materials for Chinese Phyllanthoideae

The present paper is part of taxonomic study on Chinese Phyllanthoideae. Included in it are two new varieties, Leptopus esquirolii var. villosus and Drypetes hainanensis var. longistipitata, one new combination, Glochidion triandrum var. siamense, and seven new records in China: Drypetes salicifolia, D. hoaensis. Actephila subsessilis, Glochidion khasicum, G. nubigennum, Bridelia spiosa and B. poilanei. In addition, seventeen taxon names are newly reduced: Liodendron formosanum = Drypetes formosana, Liodendron matsumurae = Drypetes matsumurae, D. longipes = D. indica, Antidesma paxii = A. acidum, A. hiiranense, A. filipes and A. pentandrum var. hiiranense = A. japonicum, A. calvescens = A. montanum, A. microphyllum = A. venosum, Breynia stipitata var. formosana and B. jormosana = B. vitis-idaea, Glochidion zeylanicum var. tomentosum = G. hirsutum, G. rubidulum = G. thomsonii, G. acuminatum = G. triandrum, G. fagifolium and Phyllanthus fagifolius = Glochidion sphaerogynum, Bridelia penangiena = B. insulana, B. henryana = B. tomentosa. All the types are kept in SCBl and PE.     

Phylogenetic revision of the Taenogera Kröber genus-group (Diptera: Therevidae), with descriptions of two new genera

The phylogenetic relationships of the Taenogera genus-group, consisting of nine genera, are examined using cladistic methods. Twenty-one species representing nine genera and one outgroup were compared in a cladistic analysis across 99 states in 44 characters. The genus Taenogera Kröber is revised to contain only T. longa (Schiner), T. nitida (Macquart) and T. notatithorax Mann. Two new genera are described and figured: Actenomeros gen. n., with two species, A. corniculaticaudus sp. n. and A. onyx sp. n.; and Taenogerella gen. n., with four species, Ta. elizabethae sp. n., Ta. platina sp. n., Ta. schlingeri sp. n. and Ta . nigrapicalis (Mann) comb. n. Phylogenetic analysis also supports the removal of Nanexila gracilis (Mann) comb. n. from Taenogera .     

Relationships between host blood factors and proteases in Glossina morsitans subspecies infected with Trypanosoma congolense

Abstract. Host blood effects on Trypanosoma congolense establishment in Glossina morsitans morsitans and Glossina morsitans centralis were investigated using goat, rabbit, cow and rhinoceros blood. Meals containing goat erythrocytes facilitated infection in G. m. morsitans , whereas meals containing goat plasma facilitated infection in G. m. centralis. Goat blood effects were not observed in the presence of complementary rabbit blood components. N-acetyl-glucosamine (a midguMectin inhibitor) increased infection rates in some, but not all, blood manipulations. Cholesterol increased infection rates in G. m. centralis only. Both compounds together added to cow blood produced superinfection in G. m. centralis , but not in G. m. morsitans. Midgut protease levels did not differ 6 days post-infection in flies maintaining infections versus flies clearing infections. Protease levels were weakly correlated with patterns of infection, but only in G. m. morsitans. These results suggest that physiological mechanisms responsible for variation in infection rates are only superficially similar in these closely-related tsetse.     

Selection of Verticillium lecanii Isolates with High Potential for Biocontrol of Cucumber Powdery Mildew by Means of Components Analysis at Different Humidity Regimes

To identify characteristics for the selection of Verticillium lecanii isolates with high potential for biocontrol of Sphaerotheca fuliginea under glasshouse conditions, an exploratory study was performed on the effect of water limitation on the development of 14 isolates. The conidial germination, growth and sporulation of isolates of V. lecanii were studied in a tritrophic system on cucumber leaves and in a ditrophic system in Petri dishes. Their mycoparasitic ability was studied in S. fuliginea and Cladosporium cladosporioides . All characteristics were clearly affected by humidity. Four isolates showed good biocontrol potential. The performance of isolates on agar had less predictive value than on powdery mildew. The germination of isolates of V. lecanii was lower and the mycelial growth faster on agar than on mildewed leaves under corresponding humidity conditions. The results suggest that conditions in the phyllosphere differed from the set humidity in the surrounding air. A correlation was found between the lysis of C. cladosporioides growing in dual culture on agar with isolates of V. lecanii and the parasitism of powdery mildew on detached, rooted leaves. C. cladosporioides might offer a suitable substrate for testing isolates of V. lecanii for mycoparasitic potential under various environmental conditions. Conidial germination, growth and sporulation had limited predictive value.     

Evaluation of the Palaearctic Eurithia consobrina (Diptera: Tachinidae) as a Potential Biocontrol Agent for Mamestra configurata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Canada

The evaluation of Eurithia consobrina (Meigen) as a candidate for introduction against bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in western Canada included studies of its host range, distribution, synchronization with host, constancy, abundance and life history in Europe. In addition, its diapause induction and its coldhardiness were compared with those of the target host M. configurata and its native tachinid parasitoid, Athrycia cinerea (Coq.). E. consobrina was found to fit criteria for a successful biocontrol agent reasonably well. It also had the potential to fill a largely unoccupied niche in the parasitoid complex of M. configurata. E. consobrina has a facultative diapause of the long-day type, similar to A. cinerea, but is less sensitive to diapause-inducing conditions. E. consobrina is at least as coldhardy as A. cinerea and more coldhardy than M. configurata. Laboratory exposures to temperatures of 0 C for 140 days apparently selected for greater coldhardiness, and later generations survived exposures of 140 days at -15 C without significant mortality. Adult E. consobrina were released at three locations in Manitoba in 1986 and 1987, but establishment has not been confirmed.     

Predation by Halmus chalybeus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on Ceroplastes destructor and C. sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae: Ceroplastinae) Infesting Citrus in Northland, New Zealand

Predation by Halmus chalybeus (steelblue ladybird) on two species of wax scale was studied on citrus orchards in Northland, New Zealand. Field experiments using an exclusion technique of enclosing citrus branches in bags, found that larval and adult H. chalybeus preyed on first and second instars of both Ceroplastes destructor (white wax scale) and C. sinensis (Chinese wax scale), but not third instar C. destructor. Third instar C. sinensis and adults of both species were not tested but are rarely, if ever, attacked by H. chalybeus. The sampling of scale and ladybird populations and field experiments showed that few scales of either species survived past the second instar stage where H. chalybeus was numerous. The feeding rate of H. chalybeus on settled first and second instar scales was estimated inside bagged branches. Adults consumed on average 15.6 C. destructor and 13.3 C. sinensis per day per ladybird, while larvae ate 9.7 C. destructor per day. These feeding rates accounted for the experimental reduction of scale populations. H. chalybeus is a useful natural enemy for the control of C. destructor and C. sinensis when its activity is not disrupted by pesticides.     

Further flavonoid studies onAttalea species and some related cocosoid palms

In a flavonoid survey of direct and hydrolysed leaf extracts of sixteenAttalea, sevenScheelea and fourOrbignya species free tricin, tricin 7-glycosides, tricin 5-glucoside and flavone C-glycosides were the most frequent constituents; present in 100, 89, 70, and 81% of species, respectively. Luteolin, quercetin and isorhamnetin were each found in only 15% of the sample. The present results confirm the findings of a previous survey thatAttalea, Scheelea andOrbignya are chemically heterogeneous with as much variation between species as between genera. Furthermore, threeAttalea species,A. allenii, A. guaranitica andA. victoriana showed some infraspecific variation. On the other hand all three accessions ofA. ferruginea and six ofA. geraensis examined gave identical flavonoid profiles. The results support the view thatA. geraensis andA. guaranitica are closely related but do not support the suggested close relationship based on morphology betweenA. oleifera, A. burretiana andA. piassabossu.     

Investigations into the evolutionary history of the polyploid complexAntennaria neodioica (Asteraceae: Inuleae)

TheAntennaria neodioica polyploid agamic complex is a polymorphic species occurring across North America mainly north of the terminal margin of the Wisconsin glacier. This taxonomically difficult group has recently been treated as consisting of the four subspeciesA. neodioica subsp.canadensis, subsp.howellii, subsp.neodioica, and subsp.petaloidea. TheA. neodioica agamic complex has been considered of hybrid origin with several sexual diploid species constituting its parentage. Crosses were made among five sexual diploid species ofAntennaria, morphologically similar toA. neodioica s.l., in an attempt to discover its origins. Representative specimens of the five diploid species,A. neodioica s. l., and the synthetic interspecific F₁ hybrids were subjected to various analyses including PCA, cluster (UPGMA), and discriminant analyses. Results suggest that theA. neodioica complex is of multiple hybrid origin involving the four diploid speciesA. neglecta, A. plantaginifolia, A. racemosa, andA. virginica. BecauseA. neodioica is the result of diverse origin it is more desirable to consider the agamic complex as a separate, distinct species from its sexual diploid relatives. Several morphological characters in the diploid species were determined to be polygenically inherited.Investigations into the Evolutionary History of the Polyploid Complexes inAntennaria (Asteraceae: Inuleae). I.     

The phylogeny ofActaea (Ranunculaceae): A biogeographical approach

Phylogenetic analyses of the genusActaea were performed using morphological, ecological and biogeographical characters. Using solely morphological characters, the relationships of the three identified species-groups remain uncertain. Close biogeographical examination and comparison of the areas with ecological peculiarities as well as climate data gave important insight into the phylogeny ofActaea and the whole tribe. Consequently, the obtained biogeographical data were used for phylogenetic reconstructions. Both, from the point of view of morphological and biogeographical data,A. pachypoda andA. asiatica are the most ancestral species. They grow on the east sides of the continents, mainly in broad-leaved forests. In West Eurasia the apomorphicA. spicata andA. acuminata occur under similar climatic and ecological conditions, but these species are adapted to another climate rhythm. The most advanced species (A. erythrocarpa, A. rubra) are to be found in the boreal forests where they are widely distributed. This biogeographical approach revealed that the evolution of the species led to a gradual widening and shifting of their ecological constitutions.     

The genus Rhaponticoides Vaill. (Asteraceae) in Turkey: a new species and first key

Turkish representatives of the genus Rhaponticoides Vaill. are examined. A key and distribution map of Rhaponticoides species occurring in Turkey are provided for the first time. R. hierroi Ö. Eren sp. nov., from Bakacak pass in the Western Taurus range, SW Anatolia, allied to R. mykalea (Hub.-Mor.) M. V. Agab. &; Greuter is described as a species new to science and illustrated. Its habitat conditions and conservation status are considered. Pollen micrographs of R. hierroi and R. mykalea are presented using scanning electron microscopy.     

The structure, reproduction and taxonomy of Vidalia and Osmundaria (Rhodophyta, Rhodomelaceae)

Comprises species occurring mostly in subtidal habitats in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate areas of the world. An analysis of the type species, V. spiralis (Sonder) Lamouroux ex J. Agardh, a species from Australia, establishes basic characters for distinguishing species in the genus. These characters are (1) branching patterns of thalli, (2) flat blades that may be spiralled on their axis, (3) width of the blade, (4) primary or secondary derivation of sterile and fertile branchlets and (5) position of sterile and fertile branchlets on the thalli. Application of the latter two characters provides an important basic method for separation of species into three major groups. Osmundaria , a genus known only in southern Australia, was studied in relation to Vidalia , and its separation from the Vidalia assemblage is not accepted. Species of Vidalia therefore are transferred to the older genus name, Osmundaria. Two new species, Osmundaria papenfussii and Osmundaria oliveae are described from Natal. Confusion in the usage of the epithet, Vidalia fimbriala Brown ex Turner has been clarified, and Vidalia gregaria Falkenberg, described as an epiphyte on Osmundaria pro/ifera Lamouroux, is revealed to be young branches of the host, Osmundaria prolifera.     

Biological Control of Thrips on Ornamental Crops: Interactions Between the Predatory Mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on Cyclamen

Difficulties in controlling outbreaks of Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, have obstructed the widespread adoption of biological control in many ornamental crops. The efficacy of the predatory mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris, in controlling F. occidentalis on two cultivars of cyclamen was tested in glasshouse experiments. The establishment and development of F. occidentalis populations was compared in three treatment introductions of N. cucumeris (50, 200 and 350 mites m -2 per week) and an untreated control. F. occidentalis were sampled in the flowers over eight weeks and counted into different life stages. No differences were observed between the two cultivars. All treatments with the predator resulted in a decline in numbers of F. occidentalis compared to the untreated control. Although the proportion of first instar F. occidentalis was similar in all treatments, the level of control varied with the number of N. cucumeris introduced. Lower populations of F. occidentalis, combined with a more rapid decline in their numbers, were observed at the 200 and 350 mites m -2 rates. Numbers of F. occidentalis remained low in the 350 N. cucumeris m -2 rate and the proportion of second instar F. occidentalis in the samples was consistently lower than in the other treatments. Trap counts of adult F. occidentalis were strongly correlated with the numbers of both adult and total F. occidentalis in flower samples. High inoculative releases of N. cucumeris early in the flowering cycle followed by frequent low introductions of predators should provide a strong basis for preventative control of F. occidentalis and other thrips species on cyclamen.     

L’Homme fossile d’Asselar (actuel Mali). Étude critique,mise en perspective historique et nouvelles interprétations

During the well known Augiéras-Draper mission which took place in 1927 and 1928 between Dakar and Alger through the Sahara desert, T. Monod and V. Besnard discovered a human skeleton near the military post of Asselar in French Sudan (current Mali). Back in France, the fossil was given to the Institut de Paléontologie Humaine where M. Boule and H. Vallois were in charge of its study. This work was then published in 1932. After this first exhaustive study, Asselar man was barely used in anthropological studies, with the exception of O. Dutour's works in the 90's. The goal of this study is to understand why, despite some prestige, this fossil didn’t have the importance he was fated with its geographical and chronological position. Publications of the first third of the twentieth century, archives about this discovery and the skeleton it-self are in the center of this new analysis. Results show that because of the lack of specification about its unearthing and its dating, Asselar fossil is hardly usable in an anthropological perspective. It although shows that Boule et Vallois limited the study of this fossil to a discussion about the Grimaldi “race”, designation not use anymore. This race was created in 1906 by R. Verneau and the discussion of the relation between Asselar man and Grimaldi race was a virulent debate at this time. Finally, the study of Asselar skeleton with archeo-anthropological principles gave the opportunity to demonstrate, for the first time, a sepulchral context. This rehabilitation of Asselar fossil gives new perspectives which would be investigate with new approaches in dating, genetics, 3D imaging… and will fully contribute to discussions about North Africa peopling.     

Seasonal and between-sex differences in the diet of Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix

Capsule Dietary differences between sexes and seasons reflected diversity in plant availability and habitat preferences.

Aims To analyse Black Grouse diet through the identification of plant and invertebrate material found in the crop.

Methods Crops were dissected and the content categorized into plant species and components (i.e. leaf, stem, flower, fruit and seed). Multivariate analysis was used to test for seasonal, sex- or location-related differences in the diet.

Results Plant fragments accounted for 98% of the diet and included 53 plant species or taxa. Invertebrates made up the remaining 2%. Diet varied significantly between seasons and sexes. Both sexes ate more ericaceous shrubs in autumn and winter, with females eating more than males. The plant parts eaten varied seasonally. In summer, fruits, flowers and seeds were favoured over leaves, which dominated in winter.

Conclusions With few trees, birds were reliant upon Heather in autumn and winter.     

EVOLUTION OF MACROCYSTIS SPP. (PHAEOPHYCEAE) AS DETERMINED BY ITS1 AND ITS2 SEQUENCES1,

Macrocystis (Lessoniaceae) displays an antitropical distribution, occurring in temperate subtidal regions along western North America in the northern hemisphere and throughout the southern hemisphere. We used the noncoding rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) to examine relatedness among (1) Macrocystis and several genera of Laminariales, (2) four species of Macrocystis ( M. integrifolia Bory from the northern hemisphere, M. angustifolia Bory and M. laevis Hay from the southern hemisphere, and M. pyrifera [L.] C. Ag. from both hemispheres), and (3) multiple clones of several individuals. Of the taxa included in our phylogenetic analysis, the elk kelp, Pelagophycus porra (Lem.) Setch., was the sister taxon to Macrocystis spp. Macrocystis individuals from the southern hemisphere (representing three species) formed a strongly to moderately supported clade, respectively, when the ITS1 and ITS2 sequences were analyzed separately. No distinction was detected between the two species in the northern hemisphere. Thus, Macrocystis may be a monospecific genus ( M. pyrifera ). A northern-hemisphere-to-southern-hemisphere pattern of dispersal was inferred, because northern-hemisphere individuals were more diverse and displayed paraphyletic clades, whereas southern-hemisphere individuals were less diverse and formed a monophyletic clade. High intraindividual variation in ITS1 sequences was observed in one individual from Santa Catalina Island (CA), suggesting very recent and rapid mixing of genotypes from areas to the north and Baja California (Mexico) or introgressive hybridization with Pelagophycus.     

Seed morphology and anatomy in someAnnonaceae

Twelve species ofAnnonaceae, namelyAncana sp.,A. stenopetala, Annona cherimola, A. montana, A. muricata, A. squamosa, Bocagea sp.,Bocageopsis canescens, two species ofUnonopsis, Xylopia aromatica, andX. emarginata, were investigated with respect to the morphology and anatomy of the seed. They show the basic structural pattern characteristic of annonaceous seeds: perichalaza, fibrous mesotesta, and rumination developed by both integuments. However, several differential characters, some of them never previously described, were found: All taxa exhibit an additional endotestal mechanical layer which forms the micropylar plug except inAncana. InAncana the plug is built by the inner integument. Aril, sarcotesta and pits on the seed surface are present in some taxa and show different origin and structure. Special anatomical adaptations possibly functioning during germination are described. The results obtained from the investigated taxa are discussed and compared with published data on seed structure inAnnonaceae.     

Beetle pollination of peacock moraeas (Iridaceae) in South Africa

The peacock moraeas are South African geophytes withIris-like flowers that are characterized by broad outer tepals with iridescent spots. Three of the seven species were studied and found to be exclusively visited and pollinated by beetles. The primary pollinators were hopliine (Scarabaeidae) beetles in the generaPeritrichia, Monochelus, Anisonyx andAnisochelus. These beetles visit flowers for nectar, pollen and mating.Peritrichia rufotibialis was the primary pollinator ofMoraea villosa, P. abdominalis was the primary pollinator ofM. tulbaghensis, whileMonochelus sp. nov. was the primary pollinator of the third species,M. neopavonia. High levels of fruit set attest to the effectiveness of these beetles as pollinators. Average fruit set ranged from 83.5 ± 34.8% (M. villosa) to 97.2 ± 11.6% (M. tulbaghensis). Average seed set in the various populations was more variable, but was also quite high, ranging from 77.3 ± 40.8 (M. villosa) to 342.2 ± 115.0 (M. neopavonia) seeds per capsule. Although hopliine beetles are abundant and diverse in southern Africa and commonly visit flowers, this is the first well-documented report of pollination by these beetles.