Current status in production and utilization of dihaploids from somatic hybrids between eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and its wild relatives

The major constrains for practical exploitation of the somatic hybrids between eggplant and its wild relatives have been their sterility and tetraploidy which prevented their incorporation into breeding programs. Here we demonstrate that anther culture was successfully utilized to bring back the ploidy level to the diploid status in tetraploid interspecific hybrids between eggplant and the allied species S. integrifolium and S. aethiopicum gr. gilo. Both the relative species are resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae and to some strains of bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) which are very destructive diseases of eggplant. Dihaploid androgenetic plants were obtained from the somatic hybrids, from the “double somatic hybrid” obtained by sexual cross of the two somatic hybrids [(eggplant + S. aethiopicum) × (eggplant + S. integrifolium)], and from tetraploid backcrossed plants between the somatic hybrid with S. aethiopicum and eggplant. Phenotypical, molecular, biological and biochemical characterization, and also artificial inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum are consistent with a recombination between the genomes of the species involved in the hybridizations. Dihaploids resistant to Fusarium were successfully backcrossed with eggplant. Besides their utility as potential valuable breeding materials, the introgressed lines obtained may be utilized in genetic and molecular studies about the resistance to Fusarium from S. integrifolium and S. aethiopicum gr. gilo.     

Molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses of Oidium heveae, a powdery mildew of rubber tree

Powdery mildew of rubber tree caused by Oidium heveae is an important disease of rubber plantations worldwide. Identification and classification of this fungus is still uncertain because there is no authoritative report of its morphology and no record of its teleomorphic stage. In this study, we compared five specimens of the rubber powdery mildew fungus collected in Malaysia, Thailand, and Brazil based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Morphological results showed that the fungus on rubber tree belongs to Oidium subgen. Pseudoidium. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the large subunit rRNA gene (28S rDNA) were conducted to determine the relationships of the rubber powdery mildew fungus and to link this anamorphic fungus with its allied teleomorph. The results showed that the rDNA sequences of the two specimens from Malaysia were identical to a specimen from Thailand, whereas they differed by three bases from the two Brazilian isolates: one nucleotide position in the ITS2 and two positions in the 28S sequences. The ITS sequences of the two Brazilian isolates were identical to sequences of Erysiphe sp. on Quercus phillyraeoides collected in Japan, although the 28S sequences differed at one base from sequences of this fungus. Phylogenetic trees of both rDNA regions constructed by the distance and parsimony methods showed that the rubber powdery mildew fungus grouped with Erysiphe sp. on Q. phillyraeoides with 100% bootstrap support. Comparisons of the anamorph of two isolates of Erysiphe sp. from Q. phillyraeoides with the rubber mildew did not reveal any obvious differences between the two powdery mildew taxa, which suggests that O. heveae may be an anamorph of Erysiphe sp. on Q. phillyraeoides. Cross-inoculation tests are required to substantiate this conclusion.     

Scorzonera aksekiensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia,Turkey

Scorzonera aksekiensis A. Duran & M. Öztürk sp. nov. from the Akseki district (C3 Antalya province) in Turkey is described and illustrated. The diagnostic morphological characters of similar taxa are discussed. Scorzonera aksekiensis is related to S. semicana DC. from which it mainly differs in its habitus, indumentum, leaves, capitula and achenes. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species are also presented. The geographical distribution of S. aksekiensis and related species is mapped.     

Molecular Systematics of Zopfiella and allied genera: evidence from multi-gene sequence analyses

This study aims to reveal the phylogenetic relationships of Zopfiella and allied genera in the Sordariales. Multiple gene sequences (partial 28 S rDNA, ITS/5.8 S rDNA and partial β-tubulin) were analysed using MP and Bayesian analyses. Analyses of different gene datasets were performed individually and then combined to infer phylogenies. Phylogenetic analyses show that currently recognised Zopfiella species are polyphyletic. Based on sequence analyses and morphology, it appears that Zopfiella should be restricted to species having ascospores with a septum in the dark cell. Our molecular analysis also shows that Zopfiella should be placed in Lasiosphaeriaceae rather than Chaetomiaceae. Cercophora and Podospora are also polyphyletic, which is in agreement with previous studies. Our analyses show that species possessing a Cladorrhinum anamorph are phylogenetically closely related. In addition, there are several strongly supported clades, characterised by species possessing divergent morphological characters. It is difficult to predict which characters are phylogenetically informative for delimiting these clades.     

Phylogenetic relationships among Puccinia hemerocallidis, P. funkiae, and P. patriniae (Uredinales) inferred from ITS sequence data

Puccinia hemerocallidis and P. funkiae resemble each other morphologically; however, they are biologically and taxonomically distinct, with telia of the former being restricted to species of Hemerocallis and the latter to Hosta species. However, both fungi share a macrocyclic and heteroecious life cycle with Patrinia villosa as the spermogonial and aecial host. An additional microcyclic rust fungus, P. patriniae, is also known on P. villosa. This microcyclic fungus is similar to the two macrocyclic fungi in its telial structure and teliospore morphology. These similarities in morphology and host relationships suggest the three fungi may also share a close evolutionary relationship. To determine the phylogenetic relationships of the three species, a portion of the nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat encoding the ITS and 5.8S subunit regions was amplified by PCR, sequenced, and analyzed. The resulting phylogenetic trees showed that P. hemerocallidis and P. funkiae share a recent common ancestor and that P. patriniae is closely allied with P. hemerocallidis. The results suggest a possible evolutionary derivation of microcyclic P. patriniae from macrocyclic heteroecious P. hemerocallidis, which fits the evolutionary interpretation of correlated species known as Tranzschel's law.     

Molecular Relationships of the New Guinean Bandicoot Genera Microperoryctes and Echymipera (Marsupialia: Peramelina)

The complete 12S rRNA gene was sequenced for multiple exemplars of the New Guinean bandicoot genera Microperoryctes and Echymipera representing many of the currently recognized subspecies. These two genera are resolved as monophyletic sister taxa but there was no genetic support for the family Peroryctidae proposed by Groves and Flannery (1990). Within Microperoryctes, M. papuensis was sister to M. longicauda. Although there was only weak support for recognition of the subspecies M. l. magnus, our results demonstrate the need for further genetic and morphological studies of variation among populations of Microperoryctes. Haplotype relationships within Echymipera did not reflect current species boundaries. Although E. clara was the most divergent species, no clear separation could be made between E. rufescens and E. kalubu (E. kalubu samples from New Britain were consistently more closely allied with the E. rufescens exemplars collected from north and east of the Central Cordillera than with their congeners). We suggest the need for a major morphological reassessment of New Guinean bandicoot relationships.     

Scorzonera tuzgoluensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae), a new halophytic species from central Anatolia,Turkey

A new halophytic species, Scorzonera tuzgoluensis A. Duran, B. Do?an & S. Makbul sp. nov. (Asteraceae), is described and illustrated from Tuz Lake, central Anatolia, Turkey. The new species grows in salt marshes, is endemic (confined to central Anatolia) and closely related to Scorzonera parviflora Jacq. and S. elata Boiss. The diagnostic morphological characters of these similar taxa are discussed. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species are also presented. The geographic distribution of the new species and related species is mapped.     

银白色葡萄球菌的发现、分布与致病性

银白色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus argenteus)是金黄色葡萄球菌(S. aureus)的近缘新种,于2015年正式被鉴定、命名。在此之前,银白色葡萄球菌一直被认为是金黄色葡萄球菌种内的一个远源支系。该物种绝大多数菌株分离自人体,基因组上含有大量与金黄色葡萄球菌同源的毒力基因,可导致与金黄色葡萄球菌类似的临床感染和食物中毒症状。因为与人类健康相关,银白色葡萄球菌受到了越来越多的关注,目前已在20多个国家被报道。但是由于出现较晚,与金黄色葡萄球菌难以区分,银白色葡萄球菌的全球分布状况、原始生境和传播过程尚不清楚。本文从发现过程、分布、致病性和鉴定方法等方面综述了银白色葡萄球菌的最新研究进展。     

Addition and reexamination of Japanese species belonging to the genus Cercospora and allied genera. IX. Newly recorded species from Japan (4)

Pseudocercospora cyatheae C. Nakash. & S. Inaba on Cyathea sp. as a new species is described. Three species belonging to the genus Cercospora and allied genera are newly added to the mycoflora of Japan. They are Cercospora armoraciae on Armoracia rusticana, Passalora passaloroides on Amorpha fruticosa, and Pseudocercospora nogalesii on Cytisus scoparius.     

Chloroplast DNA diversity among wild and cultivated members of Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae)

Summary Cladistic analysis of 86 chloroplast DNA restriction-site mutations among 30 samples representing 15 species of Cucurbita indicates that annual species of the genus are derived from perennials. The Malabar Gourd, C. ficifolia, is placed as a basal, sister taxon relative to other domesticated species and allied wild-types. The pattern of variation supports three species groups as monophyletic: (1) C. fraterna, C. pepo, and C. texana, (2) C. lundelliana, C. martinezii, C. mixta, C. moschata and C. sororia, and (3) C. foetidissima and C. pedatifolia. Domesticated samples representing subspecies of C. pepo are divided into two concordant groups, one of which is allied to wild-types referable to C. texana and C. fraterna. The data failed to resolve relationships among cultivars of C. moschata and C. mixta and their association to the wild C. sororia. The South American domesticate, C. maxima, and its companion weed, C. andreana, show close affinity and alliance to C. equadorensis.     

Phylogeny and biogeography of Anthopleura in the North Atlantic Ocean

Two species of Anthopleura, A. ballii and A. thallia, co-occur in Northern Europe with Bunodosoma biscayensis, a species closely allied to Anthopleura. The historical factors underlying their distribution are here investigated as part of a preliminary phylogenetic analysis of morphological data. Based on this analysis, Bunodosoma is nested within Anthopleura, and B. biscayensis is more closely related to members of Anthopleura than to other members of Bunodosoma. Because B. biscayensis also has adhesive verrucae, rather than non-adhesive, rounded vesicles, it is transferred to Anthopleura.The tree consists of two major clades, each of which includes species from the Atlantic and the Pacific. The tree shows geographic structure: one clade includes species found only in the Northern Hemisphere, and the other includes widespread species and species found only in the Southern Hemisphere. Although all of the European species of Anthopleura are part of the Northern Hemisphere clade, none are one another’s closest relative.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Chalara and allied species inferred from ribosomal DNA sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of Chalara and allied taxa are studied based on ribosomal DAN sequences. Partial 28S rDNA and 18S rDNA regions from 26 strains were sequenced in this study. These and related sequences from GenBank were analyzed using parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Most of the Chalara species clustered in a strongly supported monophyletic lineage representing Helotiales. However, a few Chalara species appeared closely related to Xylariales. The phylogenetic significance of morphological characters observed in Chalara species are evaluated based on our sequence analyses. Conidial septation, conidial width and conidiophore pigmentation are thought to be indicative in understanding their evolutionary relationships. Sterile setae, which traditionally have been used to delimitate Chaetochalara from Chalara, are phylogenetically insignificant.     

Scorzonera ahmet‐duranii sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from southwest Anatolia,and its phylogenetic position

Scorzonera ahmet‐duranii S. Makbul & Coskuncelebi sp. nov. (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated as a new species endemic to Turkey. It is morphologically similar to S. semicana DC., but differs by its rootstock, deeply undulating basal leaves and glabrous achenes. Additionally, the size and micro‐morphological properties of achenes and some anatomical traits of the leaf and stem are helpful in distinguishing these closely related taxa. A phylogenetic analysis based on nrDNA ITS sequence data showed that S. semicana is the sister species of the new taxon presented in this study.     

Evolutionary implications of a rRNA-based phylogeny of Harpellales

The Harpellales (Trichomycetes) are endosymbiotic microfungi, mostly unculturable and predominantly associated with larval aquatic insects worldwide. Molecular phylogenies including ‘gut fungi’ have included at most only four axenic isolates of the 38 genera of Harpellales. Cladistic analyses were used to infer the phylogeny of the Harpellales using partial 18S or 28S nu-rRNA sequences generated for 16 genera of Harpellales, with 64 of 72 sequences generated from unculturable samples. Both analyses placed Orphella outside an otherwise monophyletic group of Harpellales, more closely allied to the Kickxellales. The current classification recognizing two families is not corroborated and continued use of the family Legeriomycetaceae may not be supportable. The largest genera of Harpellales, Smittium and Stachylina, were polyphyletic and the 28S rRNA sequences separate Smittium culisetae from the remainder of its genus. The cladograms did not support the consistent mapping of important morphological taxonomic characters, including trichospore shape and zygospore type or appendage numbers for both. This study demonstrates the use of microscopic thalli from host guts for molecular phylogenies and suggests the need for more data from the remaining Harpellales, especially with the future inclusion of protein-coding genes.     

Saussurea baoxingensis sp. nov. (Compositae,Cardueae) from Sichuan,China

Saussurea baoxingensis Y. S. Chen (Compositae, Cardueae), a new species of snow lotus from the Sichuan province, China is described and illustrated. It belongs to subgenus Amphilaena and is allied to S. muliensis. Morphological characteristics that distinguish the new species from S. muliensis are presented and discussed.     

Teleomorph-anamorph relationships and reclassification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cordyceps cuboidea</Emphasis> and its allied species

Based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny, we reclassified Cordyceps cuboidea and allied species C. alboperitheciata, C. prolifica, and Ophiocordyceps ryogamiensis. We investigated their teleomorph-anamorph relationships and revealed that these four species have Hirsutella-like anamorphs with morphological differences between them. By analyzing their molecular phylogeny, inferred from DNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) D1/D2 region of rDNA, they were separated into four close-knit clades. Although C. prolifica and O. ryogamiensis formed their own clades, isolates of C. cuboidea separated into two clades, i.e., a true C. cuboidea clade and one resembling a new species, the O. paracuboidea clade. The latter two species are distinguished by the fruiting region of the stroma. In addition, C. alboperitheciata is regarded as a synonym of C. cuboidea. From the morphology, teleomorph-anamorph relationships, and molecular phylogeny, we concluded these species should be assigned to the genus Ophiocordyceps.     

Isolation mechanisms between two sympatric Sophronitis (Orchidaceae) species endemic to Northeastern Brazil

Sophronitis sincorana and S. pfisteri (Orchidaceae) are endemic to the campo rupestre vegetation, northeastern Brazil, occurring sympatrically and flowering synchronously. In this work we studied the reproductive biology of both species and investigated reproductive barriers between them. Both species are partially self-compatible, pollinator dependent, and are pollinated by males and worker bees of Bombus brevivillus. Pollinaria are deposited on the anterior portion of the mesonotum of these insects in S. pfisteri, and on the scutellum in S. sincorana. The flowers of both species are deceptive, as they have a dry cuniculus. Morphological differences in the labellum and the gynostemium impede inter-specific pollination of S. pfisteri with pollen from S. sincorana. Very low fruiting results from inter-specific crosses of S. sincorana with pollen from S. pfisteri. Although viable seeds can be produced from experimental inter-specific crosses, no natural hybrids were found. Species integrity appears to be maintained by additive unidirectional reproductive barriers between them.     

Selective enrichment,isolation and molecular detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salinibacter</Emphasis> and related extremely halophilic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacteria</Emphasis> from hypersaline environments

Salinibacter is a genus of red, extremely halophilic Bacteria. Thus far the genus is represented by a single species, Salinibacter ruber, strains of which have been isolated from saltern crystallizer ponds in Spain and on the Balearic Islands. Both with respect to its growth conditions and its physiology, Salinibacter resembles the halophilic Archaea of the order Halobacteriales. We have designed selective enrichment and isolation techniques to obtain Salinibacter and related red extremely halophilic Bacteria from different hypersaline environments, based on their resistance to anisomycin and bacitracin, two antibiotics that are potent inhibitors of the halophilic Archaea. Using direct plating on media containing bacitracin, we found Salinibacter-like organisms in numbers between 1.4×10³ and 1.4×10⁶ml⁻¹ in brines collected from the crystallizer ponds of the salterns in Eilat, Israel, being equivalent to 1.8–18% of the total colony counts obtained on identical media without bacitracin. A number of strains from Eilat were subjected to a preliminary characterization, and they proved similar to the type strain of S. ruber. We also report here the isolation and molecular detection of Salinibacter-like organisms from an evaporite crust on the bottom of salt pools at the Badwater site in Death Valley, CA. These isolates and environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences differ in a number of properties from S. ruber, and they may represent a new species of Salinibacter or a new related genus. Guest Editor: John M. Melack Saline Waters and their Biota     

Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis (Acari: Ixodidae) from Zambia: a molecular reassessment of their species status and identification

The closely related species Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis co-occur in a wide area in Zambia. In this area, specimens of both species have been collected on the same individual host at the same time. In addition, specimens that are morphologically intermediate between R. appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis have been found in this area. These observations cast some doubt on the species status of R. appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis. Because the two taxa have varied influences on the epidemiology of East Coast fever (ECF), a cattle disease for which they act as vectors, it is essential that their taxonomic status is clarified and their identification is accurate. Therefore a phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of the ITS2 and a fragment of the mitochondrial 12S rDNA was performed to reassess the specific status of both taxa. This revealed two well supported clades coinciding with R. appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis as two separate species. In order to facilitate species identification a PCR-RFLP diagnostic assay was developed based on BauI digestion of the ITS2 gene. This assay produced clear diagnostic banding patterns for the two species and is applicable over a wide range of both species’ distribution. Nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper are available in the GenBank™ under the accession numbers DQ849203–DQ849274.