A chemotaxonomic study of nine Canarian Sideritis species

Nine taxa of the Sideritis genus, Sideritis argosphacelus var. spicata, Sideritis candicans var. eriocephala,Sideritis discolor, Sideritis kuegleriana, Sideritis lotsyi, Sideritis lotsyi var. mascaensis, Sideritis marmorea, Sideritis soluta and Sideritis tenoi, which are endemic from the Canary Islands, have been chemically studied. The diterpene sicanatriol 7β,18-diacetate was obtained from S.argosphacelus var. spicata, whilst a nor-diterpene, epiadejone, and the 3(2H)-benzofuranone solutin have been found in S. soluta. Another diterpene, sidendrodiol 18-monoacetate, has been isolated from S.argosphacelus var. spicata, for the first time as a natural product. Known sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, sterols, flavones, coumarins and other aromatic derivatives have also been isolated. These studies support the botanical division of the genus into two subgenera, Sideritis and Marrubiastrum, the three sections of the latter subgenus, Cretica, Empedocleopsis and Marrubiastrum, and the elevation of S. argosphacelus var. spicata, S. candicans var. eriocephala and S. lotsyi var. mascaensis to the rank of species.     

DNA barcode ITS2 coupled with high resolution melting (HRM) analysis for taxonomic identification of Sideritis species growing in Greece

Identification of genotypes in Sideritis is complicated owing to the morphological similarity and common occurrence of natural hybridisation within Sideritis species. Species- and genotype-specific DNA markers are very useful for plant identification, breeding and preservation programs. Herein, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of ITS2 barcode region coupled with high resolution melting-curve (HRM) analysis was evaluated for an accurate, rapid and sensitive tool for species identification focusing on seven Sideritis species growing in Greece. The HRM assay developed in this study is a rapid and straightforward method for the identification and discrimination of the investigated Sideritis species. This assay is simple compared to other genotyping methods as it does not require DNA sequencing or post-PCR processing. Therefore, this method offers a new alternative for rapid detection of Sideritis species.     

An HPLC study of flavones from some Spanish Sideritis species

Nine flavone aglycones were identified from the ether extracts of fifteen Sideritis species by means of HPLC techniques.     

Chemotaxonomic contribution to the Sideritis species dilemma on the Balkans

Forty-two samples of Sideritis species (Sideritis scardica, Sideritis raeseri, Sideritis syriaca, Sideritis taurica and Sideritis lanata) from the Balkan Peninsula were evaluated for their polyphenolic profiles in order to establish a correlation between the taxonomy, geographical location and nature and content of phenolic compounds.Eight compounds were detected in all analyzed Sideritis samples: 5-caffeoylquinic acid, lavandulifolioside, verbascoside, isoscutellarein 7-O-allosyl(1→2)glucoside, hypolaetin 7-O-[6‴-O-acetyl]-allosyl(1→2)glucoside, isoscutellarein 7-O-[6‴-O-acetyl]-allosyl(1→2)glucoside, 3′-O-methylhypolaetin 7-O-[6‴-O-acetyl]-allosyl(1→2)glucoside and 4′-O-methylhypolaetin 7-O-[6‴-O-acetyl]-allosyl-(1→2)-[6″-O-acetyl]-glucoside). They present from 50 to 80% of total phenolic content in S. scardica, S. raeseri, S. syriaca and S. taurica and up to 90% in S. lanata and the similarity of their polyphenolic profiles implies that they are systematically very closely related.Based on their polyphenolic patterns, very good differentiation between the samples of S. lanata (sect. Hesiodia) and S. scardica, S. syriaca and S. raeseri (sect. Empedoclia) was observed, that is mainly due to the very high content of 5-cafeoylquinic acid and very low amount of phenylethanoid glycosides and flavonoid glycosides.The obtained results demonstrate considerable degree of similarity between S. scardica, S. raeseri and Bulgarian S. syriaca that give contribution to the dilemma that Bulgarian S. syriaca is very similar to Turkish S. taurica and suggest further verification of its taxonomic status.     

Trichome micromorphology of Iranian Stachys (Lamiaceae) with emphasis on its systematic implication

Trichomes of 37 taxa of the genus Stachys and one species of Sideritis (S. montana) were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The indumentum shows considerable variability among different species, but is constant among different populations of one species, and therefore, affords valuable characters in delimitation of sections and species. The characters of taxonomic interest were presence of glandular and non-glandular trichomes, thickness of the cell walls, number of cells (unicellular or multi-cellular), presence of branched (dendroid) trichomes, presence of vermiform trichomes, orientation of trichomes in relation to the epidermal surface, curviness of trichomes, and presence of papillae on trichome surface. Two basic types of trichomes can be distinguished: glandular and non-glandular trichomes. The glandular trichomes can in turn be subdivided into subtypes: stalked, subsessile, or sessile. The stalks of the glandular trichomes can be uni- or multi-cellular. Simple unbranched and branched trichomes constitute two subtypes of non-glandular trichomes. Our data do not provide any support for separation of Sideritis from Stachys. The following evolutionary trends are suggested here for Stachys: vermiform trichomes with stellate base are primitive against vermiform trichomes with tuberculate base, long vermiform trichomes are primitive against the short simple trichomes, appressed trichomes are advanced against spreading ones, and loss of glandular trichomes is advanced against their presence. Overall, trichome micromorphology is more useful in separation of species within sections rather than characterizing large natural groups known as sections, except for few cases.     

The essential oils of some eastern Spain Sideritis

The quantitative composition of the essential oils from 6 different Sideritis species collected in the Mediterranean coast of Spain is reported. Sixty-five components have been identified.     

Polymorphisms for asymmetric reciprocal translocations in two species of the genus Sideritis L. (Lamiaceae)

Meiotic and karyotypic analyses of six populations of two closely related species belonging to the section Eusideritis of the genus Sideritis (five of S. saetabensis and one of S. tragoriganum) (Lamiaceae), revealed polymorphisms for asymmetric reciprocal translocations. Two populations of S. saetabensis (S-046 and S-089) and the population of S. tragoriganum (S-056) contained heterozygotes and standard homozygotes. No homozygotes for the rearrangement (dicentric) were found. The meiotic behavior of the heterozygotes showed great stability of the dicentric chromosomes in both species due to strict control of meiosis at three levels: (1) chiasma formation, (2) multivalent coorientation at metaphase I, (3) dicentric chromatid separation at anaphase II. During mitosis there may also be strict control of dicentric chromatid separation through 100% parallel separation without interlocking. This stable polymorphism for asymmetric reciprocal translocations is a unique phenomenon that seems to be maintained by over-dominance, thus being a special case of linkage disequilibrium. We give two alternative hypotheses to explain the origin of these polymorphisms and discuss their evolutionary significance.     

Secondary metabolites,phytochemical characterization and antioxidant activities of different extracts of Sideritis congesta P.H. Davis et Hub.-Mor.

Sideritis congesta, an endemic plant to Turkey, is extensively consumed as energizing herbal tea and used as a remedy in folk medicine. This study was designed to comparatively evaluate the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potentials of different extracts (methanol, infusion) and fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate, and remaining water) of S. congesta. Antioxidant potentials of the samples were evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging, FRAP, CUPRAC, and total antioxidant capacity tests. Total phenolic, phenolic acid, and flavonoid contents were also evaluated spectrophotometrically. Moreover, presence of twenty-two phenolic metabolites were affirmed by using LC-MS/MS in MRM scan mode and then the quantification of verbascoside, martynoside, and leucoseptoside A was performed by using HPTLC densitometry. EtOAc fraction contained the highest phenolic content and the antioxidant activity, as well as the highest verbascoside and martynoside contents followed by R-H₂O fraction. Phytochemical studies on R-H₂O fraction, yielded seven compounds, including a phenylethanoid glycoside, verbascoside (1), two flavonoids, stachyspinoside (2), isoscutellarein 7-O-(6‴-O-acetyl)-β-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-glucopyranoside (3), a phenolic acid chlorogenic acid (4), an iridoid glycoside ajugoside (5), and a monoterpenoid glucoside mixture betulalbuside A (6) and 1-hydroxylinaloyl 6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7). The molecular structures of the isolated compounds were determined by NMR and MS experiments. This is the first phytochemical study on the polar constituent of S. congesta and the first report of the isolation of compounds 2, 6 and 7 from the genus Sideritis L.     

Phytochemistry and chemotaxonomy of Sideritis species from the Mediterranean region

The phytochemical content of the Mediterranean species of the Sideritis genus has been reviewed. The components included in this review are monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, sterols, flavones, coumarins and phenylpropanoids. From the chemotaxonomic point of view, we have divided the species from this region into four groups. The first of this is formed by taxa containing triterpenes, but not diterpenes. A second group is constituted by species having bicyclic diterpenes of the labdane type and not diterpenes. The third group is characterized by its content in tetracyclic diterpenes of the ent-kaurene type. A fourth group is composed of plants with tetracyclic diterpenes of the ent-beyer-15-ene and/or ent-atis-13-ene class. In addition, the relations of these Mediterranean species with those of the Macaronesian region have been examined.     

A new species of Scolecobasidium associated with the sooty blotch and flyspeck complex on banana from China

Sooty blotch and flyspeck is caused by a complex of epiphytic fungi on diverse hosts. A fungus morphologically similar to Scolecobasidium humicola was isolated from a banana fruit exhibiting SBFS signs in Hainan, China. ITS and LSU sequences of rDNA corroborated that it was a Scolecobasidium species. The results of LSU rDNA analysis support the interpretation that Ochroconis is synonymous with Scolecobasidium. Five new combinations, S. anomalum, S. calidifluminale, S. gallopavum, S. gamsii, and S. lascauxense, were proposed. A new species, S. musae, was described based on morphological characteristics and sequence comparison with previous species.     

The complete history of salmonid introductions in the Kerguelen Islands, Southern Ocean

Since the early 1950s, several species of salmonids have been introduced more or less successfully in the Kerguelen Islands, a 7,215 km² archipelago located in the Southern Ocean (49°S, 70°E) and previously devoid of any freshwater fish. The aim of this work was to establish a documented chronicle of these events from available archives, to better understand the causes of the colonization failure or success for the different species. The history that emerged from the analysis of the archives appeared much more complex than previously published. Stocks of various origins were used, and numerous attempts were made at different sites involving variable numbers of fish released at different life stages. Between 1951 and 1991, 22 importation attempts took place, involving about 2 million individuals. Of the 8 species introduced (Salmo trutta, S. salar, Oncorhynchus mykiss, O. tshawytscha, O. kisutch, Salvelinus namaycush, S. fontinalis and S. alpinus), only 3 failed to establish local populations (O. mykiss, O. tshawytscha and S. namaycush). Overall, 23 watersheds were stocked. At present, 45 watersheds are colonized by one or several species. S. trutta, S. fontinalis, S. alpinus and O. kisutch were capable of migrating toward new habitats. The brown trout (S. trutta) was the only species to colonize a large number of watersheds (32 in about 10 generations). Its success can be explained by the diversity of origins, the number and importance of introduction and transfer attempts, the diversity of release sites and the peculiarities of its life cycle.     

New findings of spinturnicid mites (Mesostigmata: Gamasina: Spinturnicidae) from the Caucasus

The Caucasus is a large region in Eurasia consisting of four countries: Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Although it is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world, the bat ectoparasite fauna has been poorly studied. To promotionally fill in the gaps regarding bat ectoparasites, we conducted five field surveys on bats and their ectoparasites at nine localities within the region between April 2016 and March 2021. Eight species and subspecies of spinturnicid mites were recorded over the surveys: Eyndhovenia euryalis oudemansi, Spinturnix acuminata acuminata, S. emarginata, S. myoti, S. nobleti, S. plecotina, S. psi, and S. punctata. Among them, three species, Spinturnix emarginata, S. nobleti and S. punctate, are newly recorded from the Caucasus region, and one each of subspecies and species, Eyndhovenia euryalis oudemansi and S. plecotina, are newly recorded from Georgia. In addition, Myotis tschuliensis was recorded as a new host species of S. myoti.     

Experimental investigations on the host range of Sarcocystis podarcicolubris

Lizards experimentally infected with S. podarcicolubris sarcocysts were fed to different species of the family Colubridae. Only species of the genus Coluber proved to be suitable definitive hosts and passed sporocysts in their feces. No sporo- cysts were shed by the species of the genus Elaphe, Coronella and Malpolon that were tested. Fecal sporocysts from different species of the genus Coluber were orally administered to numerous lizards of the genera Lacerta, Podarcis and Algyroides. In all experimental lizards, except the controls, sarcocysts of S. podarcicolubris developed.     

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Spirometra Tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) from Carnivorous Mammals in the Serengeti and Selous Ecosystems of Tanzania

Spirometra tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) collected from carnivorous mammals in Tanzania were identified by the DNA sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), and by morphological characteristics. A total of 15 adult worms were collected from stool samples and carcasses of Panthera leo, Panthera pardus, and Crocuta crocuta in the Serengeti and Selous ecosystems of Tanzania. Three Spirometra species: S. theileri, S. ranarum and S. erinaceieuropaei were identified based on morphological features. Partial cox1 sequences (400 bp) of 10 specimens were revealed. Eight specimens showed 99.5% similarity with Spirometra theileri ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"MK955901","term_id":"1796114604","term_text":"MK955901"}}MK955901), 1 specimen showed 99.5% similarity with the Korean S. erinaceieuropaei and 1 specimen had 99.5% similarity with Myanmar S. ranarum. Sequence homology estimates for the ITS1 region of S. theileri were 89.8% with S. erinaceieuropaei, 82.5% with S. decipiens, and 78.3% with S. ranarum; and 94.4% homology was observed between S. decipiens and S. ranarum. Phylogenetic analyses were performed with 4 species of Spirometra and 2 species of Dibothriocephalus (=Diphyllobothrium). By both ML and BI methods, cox1 and ITS1 gave well supported, congruent trees topology of S. erinaceieuropaei and S. theileri with S. decipiens and S. ranarum forming a clade. The Dibothriocephalus species were sisters of each other and collectively forming successive outgroups. Our findings confirmed that 3 Spirometra species (S. theileri, S. ranarum, and S. erinaceieuropaei) are distributed in the Serengeti and Selous ecosystems of Tanzania.     

Cytogenetic studies in six species of Scinax (Anura,Hylidae) clade Scinax ruber from northern and northeastern Brazil

Scinax species are still underrepresented in cytogenetic studies, mainly with respect to populations from northeastern and northern Brazil. In this study, we provide new chromosomal information on Scinax boesemani, S. camposseabrai, S. garbei, S. pachycrus, S. trilineatus and S. x-signatus, all belonging to clade S. ruber. They were collected at two locations in the Caatinga biome (northeastern Brazil) and at one in the Amazon (northern Brazil) biomes. Chromosomes were analyzed by conventional staining, C-banding, Ag-NOR staining, and fluorochrome staining. All species shared a modal diploid value of 2n = 24 and fundamental arm number (FN) of 48. Moreover, both chromosomal size and morphology were similar to other species in this Scinaxclade. C-banding revealed centromeric heterochromatin in all species, along with terminal species-specific C-bands in some species. Active nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) were identified at 11q in most species, except for S. boesemani and S. garbei (Ag-NORs at interstitial region of 8q). Differing from most anurans, GC-rich regions were not restricted to NORs, but also coincident with some centromeric and terminal C-bands. These data contribute to the cytotaxonomy of Scinax by providing chromosomal markers and demonstrating the occurrence of microstructural rearrangements and inversions on chromosomal evolution of Scinax.     

Identification of Carnobacterium Species by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism of the 16S-23S rRNA Gene Intergenic Spacer Region and Species-Specific PCR

The genus Carnobacterium is currently divided into the following eight species: Carnobacterium piscicola, C. divergens, C. gallinarum, C. mobile, C. funditum, C. alterfunditum, C. inhibens, and C. viridans. An identification tool for the rapid differentiation of these eight Carnobacterium species was developed, based on the 16S-23S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) intergenic spacer region (ISR). PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of this 16S-23S rDNA ISR was performed in order to obtain restriction profiles for all of the species. Three PCR amplicons, which were designated small ISR (S-ISR), medium ISR (M-ISR), and large ISR (L-ISR), were obtained for all Carnobacterium species. The L-ISR sequence revealed the presence of two tRNA genes, tRNA^Ala and tRNA^Ile, which were separated by a spacer region that varied from 24 to 38 bp long. This region was variable among the species, allowing the design of species-specific primers. These primers were tested and proved to be species specific. The identification method based on the 16S-23S rDNA ISR, using PCR-RFLP and specific primers, is very suitable for the rapid low-cost identification and discrimination of all of the Carnobacterium species from other phylogenetically related lactic acid bacteria.     

Population genetic structure of the Staphylococcus intermedius group: insights into agr diversification and the emergence of methicillin-resistant strains

The population genetic structure of the animal pathogen Staphylococcus intermedius is poorly understood. We carried out a multilocus sequence phylogenetic analysis of isolates from broad host and geographic origins to investigate inter- and intraspecies diversity. We found that isolates phenotypically identified as S. intermedius are differentiated into three closely related species, S. intermedius, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, and Staphylococcus delphini. S. pseudintermedius, not S. intermedius, is the common cause of canine pyoderma and occasionally causes zoonotic infections of humans. Over 60 extant STs were identified among the S. pseudintermedius isolates examined, including several that were distributed on different continents. As the agr quorum-sensing system of staphylococci is thought to have evolved along lines of speciation within the genus, we examined the allelic variation of agrD, which encodes the autoinducing peptide (AIP). Four AIP variants were encoded by S. pseudintermedius isolates, and identical AIP variants were shared among the three species, suggesting that a common quorum-sensing capacity has been conserved in spite of species differentiation in largely distinct ecological niches. A lack of clonal association of agr alleles suggests that assortive recombination may have contributed to the distribution of agr diversity. Finally, we discovered that the recent emergence of methicillin-resistant strains was due to multiple acquisitions of the mecA gene by different S. pseudintermedius clones found on different continents. Taken together, these data have resolved the population genetic structure of the S. intermedius group, resulting in new insights into its ancient and recent evolution.     

Karyological relationships among some South American species of Solanum (Solanaceae) based on fluorochrome banding and nuclear DNA amount

Fluorescent chromosome banding and measurements of nuclear DNA content by image cytometry of Feulgen-stained cells were performed in one sample each of eight diploid (2n?=?24) species of Solanum: S.?endoadenium, S.?argentinum, S.?pseudocapsicum, S.?atropurpureum, S.?elaeagnifolium, S.?sisymbriifolium, S.?chenopodioides, and S.?palustre. The species studied could be distinguished by heterochromatin amount, banding patterns, and genome size. They exhibited only GC-rich heterochromatin and showed a comparatively low heterochromatin amount (expressed as percentage of haplotype karyotype length), ranging from 2.10 in S.?argentinum to 8.37 in S.?chenopodioides. Genome size displayed significant variation between species, with 1C-values ranging from 0.75?pg (735?Mbp) in S.?palustre to 1.79?pg (1,754?Mbp) in S.?sisymbriifolium. No significant correlation between genome size and heterochromatin amount was observed, but intrachromosomal asymmetry index (A ₁) was negative and significantly correlated with heterochromatin amount. DNA content was positively and significantly correlated with karyotype length. DNA C-value distribution in the genus as well as karyotype affinities and relationships between species are discussed in relation to different infrageneric classifications of Solanum.     

Evolutionary genetics of the endemic Schizorathicine (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) fishes of Lake Rara,Nepal

The three endemic species of Schizothorax from Lake Rara, Nepal comprise a putative cyprinid species flock. Mitochondrial DNA sequences were compared for specimens of the endemic species S. raraensis, S. macrophthalmus, and S. nepalensis, and specimens of S. richardsonii and S. progastus from the Karnali River, Koshi River, and Kali Gandaki River drainages. An analysis of molecular variance demonstrated that S. nepalensis is genetically distinct from a group composed of S. raraensis and S. macrophthalmus. Phylogenetic analyses based on parsimony failed to corroborate or conclusively reject a hypothesis of monophyly for the three endemic species of Schizothorax from Lake Rara. The mtDNA haplotypes of S. richardsonii and S. progastus from the Karnali River drainage were not significantly differentiated from one another, but pairwise comparisons of haplotypes from the Lake Rara basin, Karnali River drainage, Koshi River drainage, and Kali Gandaki River drainage were significantly differentiated from one another.     

Pregnane steroids from the South China Sea gorgonian coral Subergorgia suberosa

Chemical investigation on gorgonian coral Subergorgia suberosa collected from the South China Sea led to the isolation and identification of eight 17-acetyl pregnane steroids (1–8), of which 1, 6 and 7 were obtained for the first time from this species, as well as from the genus Subergorgia. Compounds 1 and 7 are new natural products. Compared with other species in the genus Subergorgia, pregnane steroids with 17-acetyl group (1–8) were only achieved from S. suberosa, suggesting that the 17-acetyl pregnane steroids might be characteristic constituents of S. suberosa, and may be useful as chemotaxonomic markers for the species S. suberosa.