New endothyrids (Foraminifera) from the Upper Visean of the northern Ural Mountains

New endothyrids from the Upper Visean of the western slope of the northern Ural Mountains are described and assigned to the new species Eoendothyranopsis (Ninella) extremus and E. (N.) poststaffelliformis.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Genista</Emphasis> dwarf shrubs as key structures for a Mediterranean grasshopper species on alluvial gravel banks

Natural floodplains belong to the most species-rich ecosystems worldwide. However, over the last decades there has been a strong decrease in the extent of natural floodplains. As a consequence, the biodiversity of these ecosystems has experienced a dramatic decline. In this study, we investigated the habitat and food preferences of the grasshopper species Chorthippus binotatus on gravel banks of a nearly natural river system in the Spanish Pyrenees. The studied plots on the alluvial gravel banks in the Spanish Pyrenees were characterised by strong differences in habitat structure. However, C. binotatus only occurred in sparsely-vegetated sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands. The abundance of the grasshopper species was also strongly related to habitat structure and cover of the main food source and dominant plant species of these open grasslands, the dwarf shrub Genista scorpius. Concerning habitat structure, the grasshopper species preferred habitats with sparse and low-growing vegetation with a high cover of bare ground and gravel/stones. C. binotatus occupies a very narrow ecological niche within the studied floodplain. It requires sparsely-vegetated gravel banks that ensure sufficient oviposition sites and a favourable ambient temperature for optimal development. G. scorpius dwarf shrubs have to be considered as multi-functional key elements in the habitats of C. binotatus. They offer high-quality food, shelter against predators and allow thermoregulation in a hot and dry Mediterranean environment. For the conservation of C. binotatus, we recommend maintaining and restoring both natural floodplain dynamics as well as traditional grazing systems.     

The role of summer precipitation and summer temperature in establishment and growth of dwarf shrub <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula nana</Emphasis> in northeast Siberian tundra

It is widely believed that deciduous tundra-shrub dominance is increasing in the pan-Arctic region, mainly due to rising temperature. We sampled dwarf birch (Betula nana L.) at a northeastern Siberian tundra site and used dendrochronological methods to explore the relationship between climatic variables and local shrub dominance. We found that establishment of shrub ramets was positively related to summer precipitation, which implies that the current high dominance of B. nana at our study site could be related to high summer precipitation in the period from 1960 to 1990. The results confirmed that early summer temperature is most influential to annual growth rates of B. nana. In addition, summer precipitation stimulated shrub growth in years with warm summers, suggesting that B. nana growth may be co-limited by summer moisture supply. The dual controlling role of temperature and summer precipitation on B. nana growth and establishment is important to predict future climate-driven vegetation dynamics in the Arctic tundra.     

The aromatic cytokinin <Emphasis Type="Italic">meta-</Emphasis>topolin promotes in vitro propagation,shoot quality and micrografting in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corylus colurna</Emphasis> L.

The role of 4.1 or 8.2 μM meta-topolin (mT) on shoot multiplication, rooting and ex vitro acclimatization of micropropagated Corylus colurna L., a promising non-suckering rootstock for hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), was examined in comparison to N⁶-benzyladenine (BA), the most used cytokinin in tissue culture of Corylus spp. The influence of 8.2 μM mT and BA on photosynthetic pigments content and antioxidant enzymes activity, catalase (CAT) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD), in regenerated shoots, and on the preparation of the rootstock for micrografting was also evaluated. The highest shoot multiplication was recorded on medium containing 8.2 μM mT and an overall positive effect of mT on growth and quality of micropropagated shoots was found. The highest chlorophyll a content (1.236 mg g^?1 fresh weight, FW) and chlorophyll a/b ratio (2.48), and the lowest total carotenoids content (0.292 mg g^?1 FW) and CAT activity (25.8 μmol min^?1 mg^?1 protein) were detected after 8.2 μM mT application, while no significant differences were found in chlorophyll b content and POD activity between the two cytokinins. The best rhizogenesis response (98% for 4.1 μM and 100% for 8.2 μM mT) and ex vitro acclimatization competence (higher than 78%) were exhibited from shoots multiplied on mT. Furthermore, the multiplication of rootstock on mT allowed obtaining the highest (70%) response of successful micrografting. The present findings provide the first evidence of the successful applicability of mT in C. colurna tissue culture and development of micrografted plantlets.     

Fast seedling root growth leads to competitive superiority of invasive plants

The competitive superiority of invasive plants plays a key role in the process of plant invasions, enabling invasive plants to overcome the resistance of local plant communities. Fast aboveground growth and high densities lead to the competitive superiority of invasive species in the competition for light. However, little is understood of the role belowground root competition may play in invasion. We conducted an experiment to test the effect of root growth on the performance of an invasive shrub Cassia alata, a naturalized, non-invasive shrub Corchorus capsularis, and a native shrub Desmodium reticulatum. We compared seedling growth of the three species and their competitive ability in situ. The roots of the C. alata seedlings grew much faster than those of C. capsularis and D. reticulatum during the entire growth period although C. alata had shorter shoots than D. reticulatum. Furthermore, C. alata showed an apparent competition advantage compared to the other two species as evidenced by less biomass reduction in intraspecific competition and higher competitive effects in interspecific competition. Our study reveals that fast seedling root growth may be important in explaining the competitive advantages of invasive plants. Future studies should pay more attention to the belowground traits of invasive plants, the trade-off between shoot and root growth, and the role of root competition in affecting the population dynamics of invasive plants and the structures of invaded communities.     

Northernmost Record of the Merck’s Rhinoceros <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis</Emphasis> (Jäger) and Taxonomic Status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coelodonta jacuticus</Emphasis> Russanov (Mammalia,Rhinocerotidae)

A lower jaw of Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis from the Mus Khaya locality on the Yana River in Yakutia is described. This jaw was previously designated as a paratype of Coelodonta jacuticus, but morphological and morphometric analysis has shown that it actually belongs to a typical S. kirchbergensis. Morphometric parameters of the holotype (skull) of C. jacuticus fall within the range of intraspecific variation of C. antiquitatis. The same results of a morphometric study were obtained for the subspecies Coelodonta antiquitatis pristinus and C. a. humilis. This suggests that C. jacuticus, Coelodonta antiquitatis pristinus, and C. a. humilis are invalid taxa which should be regarded as junior synonyms of C. antiquitatis. The find of S. kirchbergensis in northern Yakutia is the northernmost occurrence of this species.     

Genetic diversity and reproductive traits in triploid and tetraploid populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gladiolus tenuis</Emphasis> (Iridaceae)

Most perennial herbaceous plants are able to reproduce vegetatively as well as sexually. Sometimes, such plants may lose the capacity for sexual reproduction. We have studied the case of sterility in triploid populations (2n = 3x = 45) of Gladiolus tenuis M.Bieb. in a considerable part of its area of distribution. Initially, we recorded the presence of a large clone of G. tenuis to the east of the Volga River, as a result of isozyme analysis. We also used AFLP fingerprinting to genotype 55 samples from 10 populations of G. tenuis and one population of the closely related G. imbricutus L. This analysis revealed an extremely low genetic diversity in sterile triploid populations of G. tenuis and a rather high genetic diversity in fertile tetraploid populations (2n = 4x = 60) over most of the area of this species. Genetic distances between fertile and sterile populations of G. tenuis were similar to those between different species of gladioli. It appears that a single sterile genotype has spread vegetatively over 800 km, propagating by daughter corms. The study of the reproductive features of G. tenuis suggests that the cause of sterility may be self-incompatibility between individuals of the clone.     

Field-based artificial crossings indicate partial compatibility of reciprocal crosses between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus mugo</Emphasis> and unexpected chloroplast DNA inheritance

Crossability relationships between Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and mountain dwarf pine (Pinus mugo Turra) was studied, using artificial pollination approach. Partial compatibility of the reciprocal crossings of these species was proved experimentally, validating the idea of a spontaneous formation of their hybrid swarms under natural conditions. The hybrids were validated using organellar DNA markers and nuclear DNA microsatellites. Based on the percentage of filled seeds, the interspecific crossings were less efficient than the intraspecific cross-pollinations of P. sylvestris and P. mugo individuals. Both species were found to intercross readily with individuals of their putative hybrid swarm, P. mugo exhibiting a higher hybridological affinity towards putatively hybrid individuals than P. sylvestris. Validation of the hybrids confirmed the paternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) in the combination P. sylvestris × P. mugo only. Surprisingly, in the reciprocal crossing P. mugo × P. sylvestris, maternal inheritance of cpDNA was revealed. Obtained results offer a new insight into the direction and intensity of gene flow within the hybrid swarms of Scots pine and mountain dwarf pine.     

Four new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tubeufia</Emphasis> (Tubeufiaceae,Tubeufiales) from Thailand

Tubeufia was named for a sexual morph taxon. However, several asexual morph species have been accommodated in this genus as well. In our study, four new species of Tubeufia, viz. T. filiformis, T. latispora, T. laxispora and T. mackenziei, are described and illustrated. The phylogenetic placement of the new species is confirmed by analysis of combined ITS, LSU and TEF1α sequence data. A key to Tubeufia species is provided and the new species are compared with similar fungal taxa.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Talaromyces heiheensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. mangshanicus</Emphasis>, two new species from China

Two new species, Talaromyces heiheensis from rotten wood and T. mangshanicus isolated from soil, are illustrated and described as new to science in sections Trachyspermi and Talaromyces. The phylogenetic positions of the two new species inferred from the internal transcribed spacer, beta-tubulin, calmodulin and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit regions were carried out. Talaromyces heiheensis is phylogenetically closely related to T. albobiverticillius, T. rubrifaciens, T. solicola and T. erythromellis, and characterised by slow growth on Czapek yeast autolysate agar at 25 °C, orange conidia en masse on malt extract agar at 25 °C, biverticillate and terverticillate conidiophores, acerose phialides and subglobose to ellipsoidal, smooth-walled conidia. Talaromyces mangshanicus is related to T. kendrickii, T. qii and T. thailandensis, and characterised by slow-growing colonies with absent or sparse sporulation on CYA agar at 25 °C, conidia en masse greyish purple, purplish red soluble pigment on yeast extract agar (YES) at 25 °C, biverticillate conidiophores, ampulliform phialides and subglobose to ellipsoidal conidia with echinulate walls. They are distinguished from the known species in culture characteristics on four standard media, microscopic features and sequence data.     

Diversity of root-endophytic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> from Malaysian Borneo

Trichoderma species form endophytic associations with plant roots and may provide a range of benefits to their hosts. However, few studies have systematically examined the diversity of Trichoderma species associated with plant roots in tropical regions. During the evaluation of Trichoderma isolates for use as biocontrol agents, root samples were collected from more than 58 genera in 35 plant families from a range of habitats in Malaysian Borneo. Trichoderma species were isolated from surface-sterilised roots and identified following analysis of partial translation elongation factor-1α (tef1) sequences. Species present included Trichoderma afroharzianum, Trichoderma asperelloides, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma guizhouense, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma strigosum and Trichoderma virens. Trichoderma asperellum/T. asperelloides, Trichoderma harzianum s.l. and T. virens were the most frequently isolated taxa. tef1 sequence data supported the recognition of undescribed species related to the T. harzianum complex. The results suggest that tropical plants may be a useful source of novel root-associated Trichoderma for biotechnological applications.     

Taxonomic composition and species diversity of insect assemblages in grass–shrub cover of peat bogs in Belarus

The species composition and diversity of insect assemblages in the grass–shrub cover has been studied. A total of 374 species from 10 orders have been revealed. Coleoptera, Diptera, Heteroptera, and Auchenorryncha prevailed. Each order was dominated by two to eight species. These species are Cixius similis Kirschbaum, 1868; Neophilaenus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758); Lepyronia coleoptrata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Auchenorryncha); Lygus pratensis (Linnaeus, 1758); Kleidocerys resedae (Panzer, 1797); Stictopleurus crassicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Heteroptera); Lochmaea suturalis (Thomson, 1866); Cyphon padi (Linnaeus, 1758); Plateumaris discolor (Herbst, 1795) (Coleoptera); etc. The assemblages were characterized by low species diversity and distribution of species abundance. The most similar entomocomplexes were those in biotopes dominated by herbs, on the one hand, and dwarf shrubs, on the other. The regression analysis has shown a significant relation between the species richness and diversity of insects and the species composition of plants and their projective cover. The multivariate analysis with various methods (CCA and PCA) demonstrated the influence of these factors on the spatial distribution of certain species and their preferences to particular habitats.     

Development of SCoT-Based SCAR Marker for Rapid Authentication of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxus Media</Emphasis>

Taxus media is an important species in the family Taxaceae with high medicinal and commercial value. Overexploitation and illegal trade have led T. media to a severe threat of extinction. In addition, T. media and other Taxus species have similar morphological traits and are easily misidentified, particularly during the seedling stage. The purpose of this study is to develop a species-specific marker for T. media. Through a screening of 36 start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism primers, among 15 individuals of 4 Taxus species (T. media, T. chinensis, T. cuspidate and T. fuana), a clear species-specific DNA fragment (amplified by primer SCoT3) for T. media was identified. After isolation and sequencing, a DNA sequence with 530 bp was obtained. Based on this DNA fragment, a primer pair for the sequence-characterized amplified region marker was designed and named MHSF/MHSR. PCR analysis with primer pair MHSF/MHSR revealed a clear amplified band for all individuals of T. media but not for T. chinensis, T. cuspidate and T. fuana. Therefore, this marker can be used as a quick, efficient and reliable tool to identify T. media among other related Taxus species. The results of this study will lay an important foundation for the protection and management of T. media as a natural resource.     

New palaearctic species of the subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Telenomus</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera,Scelionidae, Telenominae), having the mesoscutum with parapsidal furrows

Five new species of the genus Telenomus, subgenus Telenomus [Telenomus (T.) decoratus Kononova, sp. n., T. (T.) erectus Kononova, sp. n., T. (T.) notus Kononova, sp. n., T. (T.) clarus Kononova, sp. n., and T. (T.) gratus Kononova, sp. n.], collected from the Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Russia (Kunashir Island), are described for the first time. T. (T.) decoratus differs from the species with the mesoscutum bearing parapsidal furrows in the oblong tergite II with alveolate sculpture. T. (T.) erectus is closely related to T. (T.) lachesis Kozlov et Kononova and can be distinguished by the longer thorax and abdominal tergite I with longitudinal rugae. T. (T.) notus differs from the similar T. (T.) erectus in the sculpture and shape of the abdomen and coloration of the legs. T. (T.) clarus differs from T. (T.) lineolatus Kozlov in the sculpture of the frontal depression: granulate in T. (T.) clarus and smooth and lustrous in T. (T.) lineolatus. T. (T.) gratus is similar to T. (T.) atropos; its specific features are the head much wider than long and the smooth and lustrous tergite I.     

Spatial patterns of shrub encroachment in neighbouring grassland communities in the Pyrenees: floristic composition heterogeneity drives shrub proliferation rates

We studied the role of floristic composition and associational resistance in shrub dynamics by comparing spatial patterns of shrub cover after prescribed burning in neighbouring grassland communities with different palatability. The study focused on the shrub Cytisus balansae ssp. europaeus (G. López and Jarvis) Muñoz Garmendia. Seven two-dimensional transects (20 × 0.5 m) were established to monitor shrub cover for at least 10 years after prescribed burning. Shrub cover and spatial patterns were assessed in each transect. Floristic similarity between transects and Cytisus associations with different species were estimated. Over an entire transect, shrub cover and shrub scale of pattern and patch size were lowest in the unpalatable Festuca eskia grasslands and highest in F. paniculata grasslands. At short distances, we found negative associations between Cytisus and most of the grasses, except for F. nigrescens and Agrostis capillaris, which showed positive associations with Cytisus. Thus, the effects of associational resistance on shrub encroachment were not as marked as expected, F. eskia grasslands showing the lowest shrub encroachment rates after fire. By contrast, Cytisus was positively associated with the most palatable grasses in the site, namely F. nigrescens and A. capillaris. We conclude that differences in floristic composition drive shrub encroachment rates in these spatially heterogeneous communities.     

Root-associated bacteria influencing mycelial growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tricholoma matsutake</Emphasis> (pine mushroom)

Tricholoma matsutake is an ectomycorrhizal fungus usually associated with Pinus densiflora in South Korea. Fruiting bodies (mushrooms) of T. matsutake are economically important due to their attractive aroma; yet, T. matsutake is uncultivatable and its habitat is rapidly being eradicated due to global climate change. Root-associated bacteria can influence the growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi that co-exist in the host rhizosphere and distinctive bacterial communities are associated with T. matsutake. In this study, we investigated how these bacterial communities affect T. matsutake growth by isolating bacteria from the roots of P. densiflora colonized by ectomycorrhizae of T. matsutake and co-culturing rootassociated bacteria with T. matsutake isolates. Thirteen species of bacteria (27 isolates) were found in pine roots, all belonging to the orders Bacillales or Burkholderiales. Two species in the genus Paenibacillus promoted the growth of T. matsutake in glucose poor conditions, likely using soluble metabolites. In contrast, other bacteria suppressed the growth of T. matsutake using both soluble and volatile metabolites. Antifungal activity was more frequent in glucose poor conditions. In general, pine rhizospheres harbored many bacteria that had a negative impact on T. matsutake growth and the few Paenibacillus species that promoted T. matsutake growth. Paenibacillus species, therefore, may represent a promising resource toward successful cultivation of T. matsutake.     

Investigating species boundaries using DNA and morphology in the mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tyrophagus curvipenis</Emphasis> (Acari: Acaridae), an emerging invasive pest,with a molecular phylogeny of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tyrophagus</Emphasis>

Mites of the genus Tyrophagus (Acari: Acaridae) are among the most widespread and common mites, inhabiting diverse natural and anthropogenic habitats. Some species are pests of agricultural products and stored food and/or live in house dust, causing allergies to humans. We sequenced 1.2 kb of the mitochondrial COI gene for 38 individuals belonging to seven species of Tyrophagus, including T. curvipenis, T. putrescentiae, T. fanetzhangorum, T. longior, T. perniciosus, and T. cf. similis. Molecular phylogenetic analyses (1) recovered two major clades corresponding to the presence or absence of eyespots, and (2) separated all included morphological species. Tyrophagus curvipenis and T. putrescentiae had the lowest between-species genetic distances (range, mean?±?SD): 14.20–16.30, 15.17?±?0.40 (K2P). The highest within-species variation was found in T. putrescentiae 0.00–4.33, 1.78?±?1.44 (K2P). In this species, we recovered two distinct groups; however, no geographical or ecological dissimilarities were observed between them. Based on our analyses, we document important morphological differences between T. curvipenis and T. putrescentiae. For the first time, we record the occurrence of T. curvipenis in the New World and suggest that it may be an emerging pest as it is currently spreading in agricultural produce.     

Molecular taxonomy and morphological characterization reveal new species and new host records of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Torula</Emphasis> species (Torulaceae,Pleosporales)

Four new species and two new host records of Torula (Torulaceae, Pleosporales) are described and illustrated from herbaceous litter collected in Italy and Thailand. The new species possess colony, conidiophore and conidial characteristics that fit within the generic concept of Torula. Detailed morphological observations clearly demarcate four of these from extant species and are hence described as new (Torula chiangmaiensis sp. nov., Torula pluriseptata sp. nov., Torula chromolaenae sp. nov., Torula mackenziei sp. nov.). Details of asexual morphs are described, and justifications for establishing these new species are provided. The nuclear are sequenced ribosomal RNA genes as well as protein coding genes to infer phylogenetic relationships and discuss phylogenetic affinities with morphologically similar species. Our morphological distinction is further supported by phylogenetic discrimination. In particular, phylogenies depict a close relationship of Torula chiangmaiensis and T. pluriseptata to T. hollandica, while T. chromolaenae and T. mackenziei constitute an independent phylogenetic lineage basal to T. herbarum and T. ficus. Torula ficus and T. masonii are also described and their phylogeny investigated as new host records from Bidens pilosa and Iris germanica, respectively.