<Emphasis Type="Italic">Parasitaxus</Emphasis> parasitized: novel infestation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parasitaxus usta</Emphasis> (Podocarpaceae)

The world’s sole ‘parasitic’ gymnosperm Parasitaxus usta (Podocarpaceae) is endemic to the island of Grande Terre, New Caledonia. It is a threatened species because of its limited geographic range and progressing habitat fragmentation. Here, we report a novel scale insect outbreak on a Parasitaxus sub-population from Monts Dzumac in the southern part of Grande Terre. The identity of the scale insect was determined through combining morphological and molecular methods. The field collection of scale insects and their secretions from infested Parasitaxus specimens allowed morphological identification of the superfamily Coccoidea. Subsequent genetic sequencing using CO1 markers allowed phylogenetic placement of the wax scale insects to the genus Ceroplastes (Coccoidea, Coccidae), a widespread pest genus. The identified species, C. pseudoceriferus, has not been previously recorded from New Caledonia. As Parasitaxus is already vulnerable to extinction, this new threat to its long-term survival needs to be monitored. Other New Caledonian endemic plant species are potentially at risk of this new species, although it was not observed on Falcatifolium taxoides, the host of Parasitaxus.     

The endosymbiont <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wolbachia</Emphasis> in Eurasian populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila melanogaster</Emphasis>

The endosymbiotic α-proteobacteria Wolbachia is widely spread among arthropods and Filariidae nematodes. This bacterium is transmitted vertically via a transovarian route. Wolbachia is a cause of several reproductive abnormalities in the host species. We analyzed the isofemale lines created using flies collected from Drosophila melanogaster natural populations for infection with the endosymbiont Wolbachia. Wolbachia were genotyped according to five variable markers: the presence of insertion sequence IS5 in two loci, the copy number of two minisatellite repeats, and an inversion. Overall, 665 isofemale lines isolated from the populations of D. melanogaster from Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Caucasus, Central Asia, Ural, Udmurtia, Altai, West and East Siberia, and Far East in 1974 through 2005 were used in the work. The samples from Ukrainian, Altaian, and Middle Asian populations were largest. The infection rate of D. melanogaster populations from Middle Asia, Altaian, and Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Moldavia, and Belarus) with Wolbachia amounted to 64, 56, and 39%, respectively. The D. melanogaster population from the Caucasus displayed heterogeneity in the genotypes of this cytoplasmic infection. The Wolbachia genotype wMel, detected in all the populations studied, was the most abundant. The genotype wMelCS2 was always present in the populations from Middle Asia and Altai and was among the rare variants in the D. melanogaster populations from the Eastern Europe. Single instances of the Wolbachia genotype wMelCS occurred in a few flies from the Central Asian and Altai populations, but was not found this genotype in the other regions.     

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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diplazium</Emphasis> hybrids involving <Emphasis Type="Italic">D. plantaginifolium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>. <Emphasis Type="Italic">ternatum</Emphasis> from Mexico and Central America

Here we evaluate the origins and relationships of Mexican and Central American Diplazium hybrids derived from crosses involving either D. plantaginifolium or D. ternatum. Based on study of live plants and herbarium specimens, we distinguish D. ×verapax from the similar D. riedelianum and present evidence that the former is a sterile hybrid derived from a cross between D. plantaginifolium and D. werckleanum. We also describe new hybrids, D. ×torresianum and D. ×subternatum from Mexico and northern Central America. Both involve D. ternatum as one parent. Diplazium. cristatum is the other putative parent of D. ×torresianum, and D. plantaginifolium is the second parent of D. ×subternatum. We also designate lectotypes for D. cordovense and D. dissimile.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">SnRK2</Emphasis> Homologs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">GhSnRK2.6</Emphasis> Improved Salt Tolerance in Transgenic Upland Cotton and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis>

SnRK2s are a large family of plant-specific protein kinases, which play important roles in multiple abiotic stress responses in various plant species. But the family in Gossypium has not been well studied. Here, we identified 13, 10, and 13 members of the SnRK2 family from Gossypium raimondii, Gossypium arboreum, and Gossypium hirsutum, respectively, and analyzed the locations of SnRK2 homologs in chromosomes based on genome data of cotton species. Phylogenetic tree analysis of SnRK2 proteins showed that these families were classified into three groups. All SnRK2 genes were comprised of nine exons and eight introns, and the exon distributions and the intron phase of homolog genes among different cotton species were analogous. Moreover, GhSnRK2.6 was overexpressed in Arabidopsis and upland cotton, respectively. Under salt treatment, overexpressed Arabidopsis could maintain higher biomass accumulation than wild-type plants, and GhSnRK2.6 overexpression in cotton exhibited higher germination rate than the control. So, the gene GhSnRK2.6 could be utilized in cotton breeding for salt tolerance.     

Distribution and habitats of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phengaris</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Maculinea</Emphasis>) butterflies and population ecology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phengaris</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">teleius</Emphasis> in China

Many species of the butterfly genus Phengaris are regarded as endangered in many parts of their distribution. Several species are also widely distributed across northern China. Due to land use change and overgrazing, their habitats are declining and many patches have been lost. This paper investigates the distribution and habitats of the Chinese Phengaris species (of the subgenus Maculinea). Shrub-grassland near forests seem the most frequent habitat for Phengaris, while flat open grasslands are mostly over-grazed and thus survival for Phengaris butterflies there seems difficult. Throughout Europe, P. teleius is an endangered species, while there is still no information on its status in China. To improve the knowledge on the population ecology of P. teleius, its population structure, adult behaviour and movement were studied through mark–release–recapture methods in the Qinling Mountains of Taibai County. Eight grassland patches which were potentially suitable were found in the area in 2013. In total, 480 individuals (274 females) were marked, resulting in an overall recapture rate of 16 %. The average daily population size was 44 butterflies (±23 SD) during the adult flight period. Sixty-seven percent of the females and 38 % of the males moved less than 50 m, and 17 % of recaptured females and 38 % of males moved more than 200 m. The mean movement distance was 107 ± 177 m for males and 182 ± 122 m for females. The majority of the recaptures (86 %) were made within the patches, only a few individuals (14 %) moved between patches. Due to human disturbance and destruction, all of the eight potentially suitable patches are becoming smaller and increasingly isolated, thus these populations of P. teleius may face an increasing risk of extinction, which may well be a tip of the iceberg of habitat loss and fragmentation of P. teleius in Taibai County and possibly beyond. Hence we hope our initial study of P. teleius could have positive impacts on the conservation of Phengaris butterflies in China.     

Conservation status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prodontria</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) species in New Zealand

The genus Prodontria (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), which comprises 16 described species, is an endemic southern New Zealand genus occupying lowland and coastal habitats, inter-montane basins and alpine environments. Many of the species have a limited distribution and face potential threats from habitat change and predation. The only species to be formally protected is P. lewisii Broun, commonly known as the Cromwell Chafer, which is now restricted to a 81-ha reserve in Central Otago. One undescribed lowland species might be extinct as a result of habitat modification. The current status of Prodontria species, the known distribution of species and potential threats are discussed.     

Geographical variation of skull characters in pikas (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ochotona</Emphasis>, Lagomorpha) of the<Emphasis Type="Italic">alpina-hyperborea</Emphasis> group

A multivariate analysis of 11 skull measurements, along with evaluation of the shape of maxill-premaxill suture at palatine foramina, was carried out in pikas of thealpina-hyperborea group. The study provided rational for recognition of three distinct species in this group:Ochotona alpina (Pallas, 1773),O. hyperborea (Pallas, 1811), andO. turuchanensis Naumov, 1934.O. turuchanensis is a species from central Siberia differing fromO. hyperborea in the chromosome number and type of palatine foramina and fromO. alpina in size of the skull. This species is allopatric withO. alpina and partly sympatric withO. hyperborea. The subspeciessvatoshi is reportedly allocated toO. hyperborea. The taxonomic status ofmantchurica (now allocated tohyperborea) and scorodumovi (treated at present as an isolated subspecies of O. alpina) needs careful investigation.     

A record of the Far Eastern crane fly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tipula</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Platytipula</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">moiwana</Emphasis> (Diptera,Tipulidae) in Moscow

The crane fly Tipula (Platytipula) moiwana (Matsumura, 1916) occurs in the southern Russian Far East, including Sakhalin Island and the Kuril Islands, in Japan (Hokkaido), and in northeastern China. Recently this species was found in Moscow. The reason for the appearance of this species in Moscow is unknown.     

Vegetation of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hydrochari-Lemnete</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potametea</Emphasis> classes in the Danube-Tisza-Danube hydrosystem (Serbia)

Aquatic vegetation of Hydrochari-Lemnetea and Potametea classes in the Danube-Tisza-Danube hydrosystem (Hs DTD) was studied in 2009–2012, by applying the standard Braun-Blanquet method. The canal network vegetation comprises 14 associations, with Trapetum natantis and Ceratophylletum demersi being the most widely distributed. Hs DTD is also a habitat for several important endangered species, which serve as edificators of the following phytocenoses: Nymphaeetum albae, Nymphaeetum albo-luteae, Nymphoidetum peltatae, Trapetum natantis, Lemno-Spirodeletum, Salvinio-Spirodeletum polyrrhizae, Lemno-Utricularietum vulgaris, Potametum nodosi, Myriophyllo-Potametum and Najadetum marinae. In the studied vegetation, we also found an invasive phytocenosis Elodeetum canadensis that did not have an expanding tendency, and Ceratophyllo demersi-Vallisnerietum spiralis that had this tendency, which made monitoring its stands necessary. Physico-chemical analyses of water, conducted at localities in which the studied phytocenoses thrive, revealed that the development and distribution of most phytocenoses is closely linked with specific habitat conditions. Among the studied parameters, the most significant for the phytocenoses differentiation were: pH, alkalinity, COD-MnO₄, BOD₅, NO ₃ ^? , NO ₂ ^? , PO ₄ ^3? and the concentration of total phosphorus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sr33</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sr35</Emphasis> gene homolog identification in genomes of cereals related to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops tauschii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum monococcum</Emphasis>

Using bioinformatics analysis, the homologs of genes Sr33 and Sr35 were identified in the genomes of Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare, and Triticum urartu. It is known that these genes confer resistance to highly virulent wheat stem rust races (Ug99). To identify amino acid sites important for this resistance, the found homologs were compared with the Sr33 and Sr35 protein sequences. It was found that sequences S5DMA6 and E9P785 are the closest homologs of protein RGAle, a Sr33 gene product, and sequences M7YFA9 (CNL-C) and F2E9R2 are homologs of protein CNL9, a Sr35 gene product. It is assumed that the homologs of genes Sr33 and Sr35, which were obtained from the wild relatives of wheat and barley, can confer resistance to various forms of stem rust and can be used in the future breeding programs aimed at improvement of national wheat varieties.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quinua</Emphasis> and Relatives (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium</Emphasis> sect.<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium</Emphasis> subsect.<Emphasis Type="Italic">Celluloid</Emphasis>)

Traditionally viewed as an Andean grain crop,Chenopodium quinoa Willd. includes domesticated populations that are not Andean, and Andean populations that are not domesticated. Comparative analysis of leaf morphology and allozyme frequencies have demonstrated that Andean populations, both domesticated(quinua) and free-living(ajara), represent an exceptionally homogeneous unit that is well differentiated from allied domesticates of coastal Chile(quingua) and freeliving populations of the Argentine lowlands(C. hircinum). This pattern of relationships indicates that Andean populations represent a monophyletic crop/weed system that has possibly developed through cyclic differentiation (natural vs. human selection) and introgressive hybridization. Relative levels of variation suggest that this complex originated in the southern Andes, possibly from wild types allied withC. hircinum, with subsequent dispersal north to Colombia and south to the Chilean coast. Coastal populations were apparently isolated from post-dispersal differentiation and homogenization that occurred in the Andes. Other data point toward a center of origin in the northern Andes with secondary centers of genetic diversity subsequently developing in the southern Andes and the plains of Argentina. Comparative linkage of South American taxa, all tetraploid, with North American tetraploids of the subsection will eventually clarify this problem. While the possibility of a direct phyletic connection betweenC. quinoa and the Mexican domesticate(C. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae,) cannot be excluded, available evidence indicates that the latter represents an autonomous lineage that is associated with the basal tetraploid, C. b. subsp.berlandieri, through var.sinuatum, whereas South American taxa show possible affinities to either var. zschackei or var.berlandieri. An extinct domesticate of eastern North America,C. b. subsp.jonesianum, represents either another instance of independent domestication, possibly from subsp. b. var.zschackei, or a northeastern outlier of subsp.nuttalliae.     

Taxonomic position of Afghan vole (Subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Blanfordimys</Emphasis>) by the sequence of the mitochondrial <Emphasis Type="Italic">cytb</Emphasis> gene

It is rather difficult to construct a system of gray voles of the tribe Microtini by a set of morphological and karyological characters because form generation is mosaic at these organization levels. The sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was used to study the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic position of the Central Asian subgenus Blanfordimys. Afghan vole Microtus (Blanfordimys) afghanus and Bucharian vole M. (Blanfordimys) bucharensis clustered with Pamir vole M. (Neodon) juldaschi, which is conventionally assigned to another subgenus. The last two species proved to be significantly closer to each other than either of them was to M. (Blanfordimys) afghanus, which disagrees with the monophyletic origin accepted for Blanfordimys. The genetic distances between the species of the subgenus Blanfordmys and M. juldaschi were comparable with the distances between the sister subgenera Microtus s. str. and Sumeriomys or Pallasiinus and Alexandromys and with the basal divergence of supraspecific clades in the subgenus Terricola. It was assumed that a special Central Asian group of species exists within the tribe Microtini and includes species of the subgenus Blanfordimys and M. juldaschi and that the subgenera Neodon and Blanfordimys should be revised.     

Species divergence in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Iris</Emphasis> series <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lacteae</Emphasis> (Iridaceae) in Russia and adjacent countries based on chloroplast DNA sequence data

In Russia, the species of the genus Iris L., series Lacteae Doronkin, the taxonomic structure of which still remains controversial, are found in the south of Siberia and the Russian Far East, as well as in other regions of Asia. Sequence analysis of three chloroplast DNA regions (rps4, trnL–trnF, and trnS–trnG) shows that, in Russia and adjacent countries, there are two genetically and geographically isolated Lacteae species. I. oxypetala Bunge grows in the south of the Russian Far East, and I. lactea Pall. grows in Siberia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. Genetic differentiation between the populations of I. lactea is extremely low and statistically insignificant (the fixation index Φ_ST = 0.057, P > 0.05), pointing to the unity of the gene pool and the absence of other Lacteae species in this area.     

Revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis> species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penstemon</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccanthera</Emphasis> subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis>

A revision of Penstemon sect. Saccanthera subsect. Serrulati includes a new species (P. salmonensis), a new variety (P. triphyllus var. infernalis), and the elevation of a subspecies to species (P. curtiflorus), bringing the total number of species to eight, which are keyed and described, complete with nomenclature and type citations.     

On some <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rarecostites</Emphasis> (Parkinsoniidae,Ammonoidea) from the Upper Bajocian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parkinsoni</Emphasis> zone of the Northern Caucasus

The ammonites of the genus Rarecostites (subfamily Parkinsoniinae) are studied from the lower part of the Upper Bajocian Parkinsonia parkinsoni Zone of the Kyafar River (Bolshoi Zelenchuk River Basin, Karachai-Cherkessia, Russia). The locality contains numerous microconch shells of R. subarietis (Wetzel). We follow de Grossouvre (1919) in considering the names R. acris (Wetzel) and R. arietis (Wetzel) to be subjective synonyms of R. subarietis and, thus, the standard Acris should be replaced by the Subarietis Subzone. The lower part of the section also contains numerous microconchs of R. sherstyukovi sp. nov. and, less commonly, macroconchs of R. kyafarensis sp. nov. The phylogeny of Rarecostites species is reconstructed; the above species are described and figured and the sherstyukovi and subarietis faunal horizons are established.     

Distributional and ecophysiological study on the Antarctic lichens species pair <Emphasis Type="Italic">Usnea antarctica</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">Usnea aurantiaco</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">atra</Emphasis>

The factors that control lichen distribution in Antarctica are still not well understood, and in this investigation we focused on the distribution, local and continental, and gas exchange of a species pair, closely related lichens with differing reproductive strategies, Usnea aurantiaco-atra (fertile) and Usnea antarctica (sterile, sorediate). The local distributions of these species were recorded along an altitudinal gradient of nearly 300 m at South Bay, Livingston Island, and microclimate was also recorded over 1 year. The photosynthetic responses to temperature, light and thallus water content were determined under controlled conditions in the laboratory. The species were almost identical in their photosynthetic profiles. Locally, on Livingston Island, U. antarctica was confined to low altitude sites which were warmer and drier, whilst U. aurantiaco-atra was present at all altitudes. This contrasts with its distribution across Antarctica where U. antarctica grows 9° latitude further south than U. aurantiaco-atra. Temperature appears not to be the main controller of distribution in these species, but dryness of habitat, which will influence length of activity periods, may be important.     

Phylogenetic assessment and taxonomic revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mariannaea</Emphasis>

Four new species of Mariannaea were described in this paper, namely M. chlamydospora, M. cinerea, M. fusiformis, and M. lignicola. Mariannaea chlamydospora is characterized by its cream-colored, zonate colonies on PDA, smooth conidiophores, fusiform conidia, and abundant chlamydospores. Mariannaea cinerea forms grey colonies and ellipsoidal to subglobose conidia. Mariannaea fusiformis forms purple colonies and fusiform to subglobose conidia. Mariannaea lignicola has brown conidiophores and broad hyphae. The molecular phylogeny was inferred using ITS, LSU, and TUB-2 loci. The type species of Mariannaea (M. elegans) is epitypified. The variety M. elegans var. punicea is raised to species rank. Mariannaea clavispora is excluded from Mariannaea because of its cylindrical phialides, straight conidial chains and deviating phylogenetic affinity. Mariannaea nipponica did not fit well the generic concept of Mariannaea based on their morphological characters, and its generic placement remains uncertain. A key to the currently accepted 15 species of Mariannaea is provided.