Characterisation of members of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium incarnatum</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">equiseti</Emphasis> species complex from undisturbed soils in South Africa

The genus Fusarium hosts a large number of economically significant phytopathogens with a global distribution. Surprisingly, only a limited number of studies have tried to identify the natural distribution of members of this genus in undisturbed soils. Members of the Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC) are increasingly associated with plant disease, and human and animal health problems. Recently, an outbreak of kikuyu poisoning of cattle was attributed to the F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex. Thus, it is of importance to identify the natural distribution of members of the FIESC from the environment. The aim of this study was to use the phylogenetic signal within the TEF 1α gene region to characterise 54 F. incarnatum-equiseti isolates obtained from undisturbed soils from the grassland biome of South Africa. These isolates were further compared with members of the FIESC previously associated with kikuyu poisoning of cattle. The phylogenetic analysis indicated a high level of variation within this species complex. Several members were closely related to isolates implicated in the death of cattle from infected kikuyu grass.     

Detection and Genetic Characterization of Bacteria of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas</Emphasis> from Microbial Communities of Lake Baikal

The genus Pseudomonas is one of the most diverse and ecologically important groups of bacteria. Numerous representatives of the genus are found in microbial communities of all natural environments, including those closely associated with plants and animals. This ubiquitous distribution determines a necessity of their physiological and genetic adaptations. Molecular methods revealed that bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas were predominant in ulcerative lesions on the skin of Baikal yellowfin Cottocomephorus grewingkii (Dybowski, 1874). According to ribosomal phylogeny, cultivated Pseudomonas spp. isolated from both ulcerative lesions and the water column of Lake Baikal were grouped into the intrageneric cluster IG P. fluorescens. The topology of the phylogenetic tree based on the gene for outer membrane porin OprF generally coincided with that based on the 16S rRNA genes at the intrageneric level; however, it reflected ecological features of the strains of the genus Pseudomonas at the subgroup level. Screening of pathogenicity determinants detected the oprL, ecfX, fliC, and algD genes in the genomes of Pseudomonas spp. isolated from the ulcerative lesions of fish, whereas oprL and gyrB genes were determined in the strains isolated from the water column.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 1. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudapoderites</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Japonodeporaus</Emphasis>

The genus Deporaus from the Russian fauna is revised. Four species (D. pacatus, D. azarovae, D. septentrionalis, and D. hartmanni) of the subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus are found. Keys to the subgenera and to the species of the subgenus Pseudapoderites are given. The genus Deporaus, subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus, and four species are redescribed. The distribution of these species in Russia is discussed.     

The revision of the validity of genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Huso</Emphasis> (Acipenseridae) based on recent morphological and genetic data with particular reference to the Kaluga <Emphasis Type="Italic">H. dauricus</Emphasis>

The comparative morphological study in different Acipenseriform species demonstrates that there are only two morphological features combining the kaluga and the great sturgeon and separating them from other sturgeons, namely the shape of a mouth and the manner attaching of gill membranes to isthmus in adult specimens; whereas many morphological characters are different in these species. The relations of morphological similarity/distinction among different sturgeon species and polyphyletic origin of genus Huso revealed by both molecular and cytogenetic studies presume the restoration of initial taxonomic states for the great sturgeon and kaluga as members of the same genus Acipenser, namely A. huso and A. dauricus.     

Taxonomic genetics of methylotrophic yeast genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Komagataella</Emphasis>: New biological species <Emphasis Type="Italic">K. kurtzmanii</Emphasis>

Genetic hybridization analysis revealed that industrially important species Komagataella kurtzmanii has reproductive postzygotic isolation from K. pastoris, K. phaffii, K. populi, K. pseudopastoris, and K. ulmi. Therefore, it represents a new biological species of the genus Komagataella. The genetic data are in perfect agreement with the molecular taxonomy of the genus Komagataella.     

A review of species of the subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taeniosticha</Emphasis> Motsch., genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysolina</Emphasis> Motsch. (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae), distributed in the Dzungar Ata Tau and Tien Shan Mt. Ranges,with descriptions of two new species

Species of the subgenus Taeniosticha, genus Chrysolina, from the Dzungar Ala Tau, Northern and Central Tien Shan, are revised. A key to the species and figures of the aedeagus of each species are given. Two new species, Chrysolina klimenkoi sp. n. and Ch. sairannurica sp. n., are described from Southeastern Kazakhstan and Northwestern China. Two new species-groups are distinguished: the Ch. alatavica species-group distributed in the Dzungar Ala Tau and Boro-Khoro Mountain Ranges, and the Ch. tianshanica species-group with its members occurring in the Northern and Central Tien Shan. A scheme of the species distribution is given.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 2. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Roelofsideporaus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis>

The subgenera Roelofsideporaus and Deporaus s. str. of the genus Deporaus with four species (D. affectatus, D. unicolor, D. nidificus, and D. betulae) recorded from the Russian fauna are revised. Keys to the species of the subgenus Roelofsideporaus and to the females of the subgenera Roelofsideporaus and Deporaus s. str. are given. The distribution of D. nidificus in Russia is not confirmed.     

The species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lentaria</Emphasis> (Gomphales,Basidiomycota) from China based on morphological and molecular evidence

Lentaria Corner is a widespread basidiomycetous genus composed of 17 known species. Most members of this genus are lignicolous and play important roles as decomposers in forest ecosystems. Lentaria specimens collected from China were studied using morphological and molecular methods. Five species were recognized, two of which, L. bambusina and L. uncispora, were described as new species. In addition, L. patouillardii was confirmed to be a new record from China. The remaining two species, L. byssiseda and L. surculus, were previously found in China. The two new species were described in detail, illustrated with line drawings and photographs, and compared with similar species. The other three species were redescribed to clarify their morphological characters and distribution patterns. Phylogeny of this genus was analyzed based on internal transcribed spacer sequences. Additionally, a key to Lentaria species in China is provided. Holotypes of the two new species are deposited in the Mycological Herbarium of Hunan Normal University.     

Distribution of representatives of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neoabbottiella</Emphasis> (Rhodophyta: Halymeniales) in the Russian Far Eastern Seas and taxonomic status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. valentinae</Emphasis> N. Klochkova et Pisareva, 2013

The new information on distribution of the red algae Neoabbottiella in the Russian Far East changes the concept of the areal of these algae and their preferred temperatures. A comparison of N. valentinae N. Klochkova et Pisareva with Schizymenia dubyi f. palmata Yamada collected by Y. Yamada from Urup Island and stored with its type and paratypes in the collection of Hokkaido University Museum (Sapporo, Japan) showed their conspecificity. Based on the data, N. valentinae was recognized as a synonym of Schizymenia dubyi f. palmata. Since this form does not possess the main generic feature of the genus Schizymenia and at the same time has well-expressed generic features of Neoabbottiella, the form S. dubyi f. palmata is transferred to this genus with the name N. palmata (Yamada) N. Klochkova et Pisareva.     

A review of the palm genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acrocomia</Emphasis>: Neotropical green gold

The genus Acrocomia, popularly known as macaw palm or macaúba, occurs in savanna areas and open forests of tropical America, with distribution from Central to southern South America. They are important oleaginous palm trees, due to their role in ecosystems and local economies and their potential for biofuel production and vegetable oil. Although the taxonomy of the genus is not resolved because of observed phenotypic diversity in A. aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart., there are several conflicting treatments. Some authors recognize three caulescent spp. occurring in South America: A. aculeata, A. intumescens Drude, and A. totai Mart, although a new one was described recently—Acrocomia corumbaensis. Because some Latin American governments want to expand production of macaw palm in their territory as raw material for agro-energy, several groups have been encouraged to study this genus, focusing on the production of biodiesel, seed germination, phenotypic aspects, and genetic diversity. The goal of this review is to compile key information available in the literature and herbarium data, focusing on South American populations of the genus.     

End of an enigma: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aenigmopteris</Emphasis> belongs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectaria</Emphasis> (Tectariaceae: Polypodiopsida)

The phylogenetic affinities of the fern genus Aenigmopteris have been the subject of considerable disagreement, but until now, no molecular data were available from the genus. Based on the analysis of three chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL, rps16-matK, and trnL-F) we demonstrate that Aenigmopteris dubia (the type species of the genus) and A. elegans are closely related and deeply imbedded in Tectaria. The other three species of genus are morphologically very similar; we therefore transfer all five known species into Tectaria. Detailed morphological comparison further shows that previously proposed diagnostic characters of Aenigmopteris fall within the range of variation of a broadly circumscribed Tectaria.     

ITS rDNA sequence comparisons resolve phylogenetic relationships in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orostachys</Emphasis> subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Appendiculatae</Emphasis> (Crassulaceae)

Orostachys (Crassulaceae) is a small genus of succulent plants having a predominantly East Asian distribution. Recent DNA sequence comparisons revealed polyphyletic nature of the genus and found distant relationship between its infrageneric taxa. Here we present the first molecular phylogeny of Orostachys subsection Appendiculatae based on a large number of ITS rDNA sequences representing most currently recognized members of the subsection and utilizing secondary structure information. Ribosomal spacer was a highly informative marker and provided a phylogenetic signal sufficient to resolve relationships at different scales, from affinities between species to a fine geographic structure in broadly sampled species. It was also conservative enough to allow unambiguous alignment and construction of consensus secondary structure models for ITS1 and ITS2. These models displayed a number of molecular synapomorphies defining most lineages established in our analyses. We revealed a major split in the subsection placing three species, O. spinosa, O. japonica and O. chanetii, into a strongly supported clade to the exclusion of O. thyrsiflora. Phenotypically distinct monotypic genus Meterostachys was also resolved as a part of the subsection’s clade and showed affinity to O. thyrsiflora. Our data suggested that morphology-based species concept for O. thyrsiflora requires reassessment.     

Taxonomic revisions in the Microstromatales: two new yeast species,two new genera,and validation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jaminaea</Emphasis> and two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sympodiomycopsis</Emphasis> species

Environmental sampling yielded two yeast species belonging to Microstromatales (Exobasidiomycetes, Ustilaginomycotina). The first species was collected from a leaf phylloplane infected by the rust fungus Coleosporium plumeriae, and represents a new species in the genus Jaminaea, for which the name Jaminaea rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The second species was isolated from air on 50% glucose media and is most similar to Microstroma phylloplanum. However, our phylogenetic analyses reveal that species currently placed in Microstroma are not monophyletic, and M. phylloplanum, M. juglandis and M. albiziae are not related to the type species of this genus, M. album. Thus, Pseudomicrostroma gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate the following species: P. glucosiphilum sp. nov., P. phylloplanum comb. nov. and P. juglandis comb. nov. We also propose Parajaminaea gen. nov. to accommodate P. albizii comb. nov. and P. phylloscopi sp. nov. based on phylogenetic analyses that show these are not congeneric with Jaminaea or Microstroma. In addition, we validate the genus Jaminaea, its respective species and two species of Sympodiomycopsis and provide a new combination, Microstroma bacarum comb. nov., for the anamorphic yeast Rhodotorula bacarum. Our results illustrate non-monophyly of Quambalariaceae and Microstromataceae as currently circumscribed. Taxonomy of Microstroma and the Microstromataceae is reviewed and discussed. Finally, analyses of all available small subunit rDNA sequences for Jaminaea species show that J. angkorensis is the only known species that possess a group I intron in this locus, once considered a potential feature indicating the basal placement of this genus in Microstromatales.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cantharellus</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amethystini</Emphasis> in Asia

In this contribution on the genus Cantharellus in Asia, C. subvaginatus is described from the Republic of Korea as a close relative to the Chinese C. vaginatus, which is here reported for the first time from India. Both species are here placed in Cantharellus subg. Cantharellus sect. Amethystini, together with the Indian C. pseudoformosus (syn.: C. umbonatus) and the Malayan C. subamethysteus. As such, Asia has suddenly become the continent with the highest diversity for Amethystini. Species delimitation in sect. Amethystini is molecularly supported by a combined phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences obtained for LSU and ITS and additionally suggests the existence of a still undescribed species in North America. Character variability is discussed for all known members of Amethystini, including atypical specimens of the North American C. lewisii that are morphologically more reminiscent of the South Korean C. subvaginatus.     

Structural Diversity and State of Knowledge of Flavonoids of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scutellaria</Emphasis> L. Genus

The review presents the results of scientometric analysis of data on the level of study and chemical diversity of flavonoids of the Scutellaria L. genus species of the world’s flora. Flavonoid composition in 63 species of skullcap is reported, together with the data on distribution in plants, structure, and sources of 301 flavonoids belonging to the groups of flavones, flavanones, flavanonols, flavonols, chalcones, isoflavones, flavolignans, and bioflavonoids. The greatest number of flavonoids was shown to be isolated from plants of S. indica, S. baicalensis, S. barbata, S. amoena, S. prostrata, S. galericulata, S. discolor, S. ramosissima, and S. supina. Scientometric studies indicate the constantly growing interest in the study of species of the Scutellaria L. genus by scientists of various branches of science, including phytochemists, biologists, and pharmacologists. Information provided in the review can be used to address issues of chemosystematics of plants of the Scutellaria L. genus.     

Neogene phasianids (Aves: Phasianidae) of Central Asia: 1. Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tologuica</Emphasis> gen. nov.

A new genus, Tologuica, with two species (T. aurorae sp. nov. and T. karhui sp. nov.), from the Middle Miocene of the Sharga locality (western Mongolia) is described. The new genus shares some characters with the extinct genera Palaeocryptonyx, Palaeortyx, and Plioperdix and with extant Coturnix. The foot structure suggests that Tologuica resembled in ecology the European genus Palaeortyx and was probably adapted to an arboreal mode of life, in contrast to the terrestrial Coturnix and Plioperdix.     

Comparative analysis of complete chloroplast genome sequences of two subtropical trees, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoebe sheareri</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoebe omeiensis</Emphasis> (Lauraceae)

Phoebe is an economically important genus from the family Lauraceae. It is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia, but systematics of the genus is unclear, and currently there is no species-level phylogeny. Here, we determined the complete chloroplast genome sequences of two species with long-range PCR and next genome sequencing technologies, and identified mutation sites and highly variable regions. These highly variable sites were used to reconstruct the phylogeny. The plastomes of Phoebe sheareri and P. omeiensis were 152, 876, and 152, 855 bp, respectively. Comparative genomic analysis indicated that there are 222 mutation sites including 146 substitutions, 73 indels, and 3 microinversions in both plastomes. Fifty-six single-nucleotide changes were identified in gene-coding regions, and 45 microsatellite sites were found for use in species identification. Fourteen divergence hotspots of 38 variable regions were located. Phylogeny was reconstructed using a Bayesian and maximum likelihood approach for 12 Phoebe species and other five related Lauraceae based on 15 of the highly variable regions including accD-psaI, atpB-rbcL, ndhC-trnV, ndhF-rpl32, petA-psbJ, psaA, psbA-trnH, rbcL, rps8-rpl14, rps16-trnQ, rpl32-trnL, trnC-petN, trnL-trnF, trnS-trnG, and ycf1 indicated that variability in the chloroplast regions proposed as variable is enough to detect divergence events among 12 taxa of Phoebe, and that maybe also useful to help to elucidate further relationships among other taxa of the genus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paulogramma hydarnis</Emphasis> (n. comb.) (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae): Distribution,Systematic Position,and Conservation Status of a Rare and Endangered Butterfly

The nymphalid Paulogramma hydarnis (Godart) (n. comb., previously in the genus Callicore) is an endangered butterfly present in a few montane sites in the Atlantic Forest in the Southeastern Brazil. The precise systematic position of P. hydarnis was previously unknown. Based on molecular data, we find that it is sister to Paulogramma pygas (Godart) (n. comb., also previously in Callicore), a common and widespread species in the Neotropics. In addition, we find that Callicore is not monophyletic and that “Callicore” hydarnis (along with other species) is more related to the genus Paulogramma, and should thus be placed in that genus. The genus Paulogramma is now composed by the following species: Paulogramma pyracmon (Godart), Paulogramma eunomia (Hewitson) n. comb., Paulogramma hydarnis (Godart) n. comb., Paulogramma hystaspes (Fabricius) n. comb., Paulogramma pygas (Godart) n. comb., and Paulogramma tolima (Hewitson, 1852) n. comb. Museum specimens and field data report P. hydarnis in four sites in Southeastern Brazil. Recently, P. hydarnis was recorded for the first time at Parque Nacional do Caparaó, states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, expanding its distribution about 200 km northward of the previously known limit. Although regularly recorded in some sites, most records are historic, before the 1960s, and the current conservation situation of this species is delicate, deserving attention.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicocollum</Emphasis>, a new clavicipitalean genus pathogenic to scale insects (Hemiptera) in Thailand

A new genus pathogenic to scale insects (Coccidae, Hemiptera), Helicocollum, is described from Thailand. It includes the three species, H. chanthaburiensis, H. krabiensis and H. surathaniensis. Phylogenetic inferences on the basis of partial sequences of the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal DNA, translation elongation factor 1-α and RNA polymerase II subunit 1 place the new genus in the Clavicipitaceae, although morphological features of the phialides resemble Hirsutella in the Ophiocordycipitaceae. Within the Clavicipitaceae, Helicocollum is closely related to Aschersonia, Moelleriella, Regiocrella, and Samuelsia, all known as pathogens of scale insects. Helicocollum differs from other scale insect pathogens in having phialides with helical necks and synnematous or sporodochial conidiomata, but pycnidia. Morphological characteristics are evaluated and compared with other asexual morphs producing twisted, undulated phialidic necks or occurring on scale insects.