Fossil wood of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula erkovetskiensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Betulaceae) from the Miocene of the Erkovetskii Brown Coal Field,Amur Region,Russia

A new species, Betula erkovetskiensis Blokhina et O.V. Bondarenko (Betulaceae), from the deposits of the Sazanka Formation (upper Middle?Upper Miocene) of the Erkovetskii Brown Coal Field (Amur Region, Russia) is described based on anatomical features of fossil wood. The new species shows some wood anatomical characters of the extant birch subgenus Betula, B. davurica, B. nigra (section Dahuricae), and B. papyrifera (section Betula). Fossil wood of Betula is found in the Amur Region for the first time.     

Fossil Wood of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ulmus priamurica</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Ulmaceae) from the Miocene of the Erkovetskii Brown Coal Field,Amur Region,Russia

A new species, Ulmus priamurica sp. nov. (Ulmaceae), from the deposits of the Sazanka Formation (upper Middle–Upper Miocene) of the Erkovetskii Brown Coal Field (Amur Region, Russia) is described based on anatomical features of fossil wood. The new species shows some wood anatomical characters of the extant elms U. japonica and U. americana. Fossil wood of Ulmus was found in the Amur Region for the first time.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Disperis tomaszii</Emphasis> (Orchidaceae,Orchidoideae), a new species from Cameroon

Disperis tomaszii (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae) from Cameroon is described and illustrated in this study. The new species is morphologically similar to Disperis nitida and Disperis thomensis. Phylogenetic analyses of selected DNA regions (ITS, matK) indicate a possible relationship between the new species and Disperis anthoceros and Disperis dicerochila. The taxonomic affinity between D. tomaszii and the aforementioned species is discussed.     

Fossil wood of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus priamurensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Pinaceae) from the Miocene deposits of the Erkovetskii Brown Coal Field,Amur Region

New species of the pine fossil wood, Pinus priamurensis sp. nov. (Pinaceae) from the Sazanka Formation (upper Middle Miocene–Upper Miocene) of the Erkovetskii Brown Coal Field (Amur Region) is described. The new species shares some wood anatomical features with modern species of the subsection Pinus (section Pinus, subgenus Pinus). This is the first record of fossil wood of Pinus in the Amur Region.     

Systematic and phylogenetic implications of the wood anatomy of six Neotropical genera of Primulaceae

Our main goals were to identify diagnostic characters at the species, genus, and subfamily levels, find anatomical features with potential for future morphological and molecular (combined) phylogenetic analyses, and to reconstruct the evolution of wood anatomical characters in two subfamilies of Primulaceae in a molecular phylogenetic framework. We investigated twenty-seven species from the woody Myrsinoideae (4 genera) and Theophrastoideae (2 genera) using scanning electron, light, and epifluorescence microscopy. Samples were prepared using standard protocols. Based on the wood anatomical characters, we were able to identify synapomorphies and to detect evolutionary trends of interest for the genera and subfamilies. Both subfamilies share the presence of diffuse porosity, simple perforation plates, septate fibres, and scanty paratracheal axial parenchyma. Theophrastoideae species have rays?>?10 cells wide and short (<?350 µm) vessel elements, and Myrsinoideae have breakdown areas in rays and longer vessel elements. Ardisia and Stylogyne have scalariform intervessel pits, Myrsine exhibit breakdown areas in rays, and two Cybianthus species from subgenus Weilgetia have distinguishing features (e.g., scalariform perforation plate in C. nemoralis and the absence of rays in C. densiflorus). Overall, when combining characters, we were able to segregate the Neotropical Primulaceae subfamilies and genera from each other and from the subfamily Maesoideae based on wood anatomy.     

Comparative wood anatomy of the Cupressaceae and correspondence with phylogeny,with special reference to the monotypic taxa

Wood anatomy is one of the tools used for taxonomic classification of species. By combining this tool with molecular phylogeny, the current groupings made in morphological studies can be discussed. This study describes the wood anatomy of the monotypic genera of Cupressaceae and analyses the features that could represent synapomorphies of the principal clades recovered by molecular phylogeny. The wood anatomical study shows the high homogeneity of this family, revealing the presence of common ancestral features that support the union between Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae s.s. and the separation of Sciadopitys. It also supports the group formed by Taxodiaceae in Cupressaceae s.l. No clear division was observed between the callitroid and cupressoid clades. Some wood anatomical differences were observed in the Fitzroya–Diselma–Pilgerodendron and Microbiota–Platycladus–Tetraclinis associations. The wood anatomical features common to the family, such as axial tracheids without helical thickenings, homogeneous rays, cupressoid cross-field pits and the presence of a warty layer, are put forward as possible synapomorphies for Cupressaceae s.l. The clade-specific synapomorphies are taxodioid cross-field pits for taxodioid and sequoioid clades, absence of a well-defined torus in Thuja–Thujopsis and torus extensions in Diselma–Fitzroya–Widdringtonia.     

Fossil wood of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laricioxylon erkovetskiense</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Pinaceae) from the Miocene of the Erkovetskii Brown Coal Field,Amur Region,Russia

A new species, Laricioxylon erkovetskiense sp. nov. (Pinaceae) identified on the basis of anatomical features of fossil wood from the Sazanka Formation (upper Middle Miocene–Upper Miocene) of the Erkovetskii Brown Coal Field (Amur Region) is described. The new species shares some characters with the extant larches Larix cajanderi and L. olgensis.     

First record of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chadronoxylon</Emphasis> fossil wood (Angiospermae,Dicotyledones) from Russia

A new species, Chadronoxylon sakhalinensis sp. nov. (Angiospermae, Dicotyledones), from the Upper Cretaceous of Sakhalin (Russian Far East) is described based on the anatomical characters of fossil wood. The fossil wood of Chadronoxylon is found in Russia for the first time.     

Geographic patterns of genetic variation in nuclear and chloroplast genomes of two related oaks (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus aliena</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q. serrata</Emphasis>) in Japan: implications for seed and seedling transfer

In this study, we assessed geographic patterns of genetic variations in nuclear and chloroplast genomes of two related native oaks in Japan, Quercus aliena and Q. serrata, in order to facilitate development of genetic guidelines for transfer of planting stocks for each species. A total of 12 populations of Q. aliena and 44 populations of Q. serrata were analyzed in this study. Genotyping of nuclear microsatellites in Q. aliena was done with only nine populations (n = 212) due to limited numbers of individuals in two populations, while all 12 populations (n = 89) were used in sequencing chloroplast DNA (cpDNA). In Q. serrata, 43 populations (n = 1032) were genotyped by nuclear microsatellite markers, while cpDNA of 44 populations (n = 350) was sequenced. As anticipated, geographic patterns detected in the variations of Q. aliena’s nuclear genome and its chloroplast haplotype distribution clearly distinguished northern and southern groups of populations. However, those of Q. serrata were inconsistent. The geographic distribution of its chloroplast haplotypes tends to show the predicted differentiation between northern and southern lineages, but geographic signals in the genetic structure of its nuclear microsatellites are weak. Therefore, treating northern and southern regions of Japan as genetically distinct transferrable zones for planting stocks is highly warranted for Q. aliena. For Q. serrata, the strong NE-SW geographic structure of cpDNA should be considered.     

New species and reports of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypoxylon</Emphasis> from Argentina recognized by a polyphasic approach

A preliminary account of Hypoxylon species (Xylariaceae) from the hitherto widely unexplored “Yungas” mountain forests of Northwest Argentina is presented. Two new species are described based on extensive morphological, molecular (ITS region of rDNA, partial β-tubulin gene) and chemotaxonomic data. Hypoxylon spegazzinianum is close to H. erythrostroma, but differs by larger ascospores and a virgariella-like asexual morph. Hypoxylon calileguense resembles H. subgilvum when growing on wood, but can be distinguished by larger ascospores and a fawn to brick stromatal surface colour. Stromata found on bark have affinities to H. pelliculosum, but differ in their stromatal surface colour and conspicuous amyloid apical apparatus. In addition, nine taxa of Hypoxylon are reported for Argentina for the first time, and some details on their asexual state and stromatal secondary metabolites are reported. An updated dichotomous key for Hypoxylon species from Argentina is provided.     

The contribution of foliar micromorphology and anatomy to the circumscription of species within the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chusquea ramosissima</Emphasis> informal group (Poaceae,Bambusoideae, Bambuseae)

Chusquea is a diverse but monophyletic genus of Neotropical woody bamboos from primarily montane forests that comprises four well-supported lineages: subg. Magnifoliae, subg. Platonia, subg. Rettbergia, and the Euchusquea clade (comprising subg. Swallenochloa and subg. Chusquea). However, the relationships among clades or taxa within the Euchusquea clade inferred from molecular data are mostly not congruent with those inferred from morphological evidence, consequently limiting our ability to understand species relationships. In this study we generated foliar micromorphological and anatomical data for the Chusquea ramosissima informal group (Chusquea ramosissima, C. tenella, and C. tenuiglumis), and for the putative new species from Bolivia in this group, in order to test the value of these types of data for defining species and to seek potential synapomorphies for this group. Our results demonstrate that epidermal features, mainly with regard to the stomatal apparatus, proved to be more valuable in distinguishing species than anatomical characters. The presence of horizontally elongated silica cells over the veins and adaxial arm cells with invaginations from the abaxial side was shared by all the studied species but is not unique to this group. The type of trichomes, shape of silica bodies, type of arm cells, and midrib structure may be useful to lesser degree. All four species exhibited intraspecific variation in development of the papillae on the long cells. Support for the recognition of the new species from Bolivia is provided by micromorphological characters. An identification key based on leaf blade features is provided for the four studied species.     

Anatomical and micromorphological studies on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Teucrium</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isotriodon</Emphasis> (Lamiaceae) in Turkey with a taxonomic note

In this study, the anatomical features of the leaf and stem, besides the nutlet characteristics of some Teucrium sect. Isotriodon (Lamiaceae) taxa in Turkey, T. montbretii Betham subsp. montbretii, T. montbretii subsp. pamphylicum P. H. Davis, T. odontites Boiss. &; Bal., T. cavernarum P. H. Davis, T. antitauricum T. Ekim, along with an isolated population of T. montbretii (T. montbretii subsp.) were investigated. The anatomical studies revealed that the taxa share generally similar anatomical characters, such as thicker upper leaf cuticles and larger upper leaf epidermal cells compared to lower ones and diacytic to anomocytic stomata on the leaves. However, the portion of the mesophyll occupied by palisade parenchyma and the occurrence of mucilage cells in leaf epidermis shows difference among the taxa. Furthermore, the studied taxa have general stem characteristics of the Lamiaceae family, except for having poorly developed collenchyma at the corners. With the amphistomatic leaves and developed sclerenchymatic tissue in the leaf median vein, T. cavernarum is seperated from the other taxa. Trichome types on the vegetative organs and nutlet shape and sculpturing are generally the same or similar in the studied taxa, but trichomes on the nutlets are different among them. Based on nutlet characteristics and some morphological ones, it was revealed that the isolated population of T. montbretii represent a new subspecies, T. monbretii subsp. yildirimlii M.Dinç &; S.Do?u subsp. nov.     

Morphological and molecular taxonomy of novel species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotheciaceae</Emphasis> from freshwater habitats in Yunnan,China

The diversity of lignicolous freshwater fungi of the Greater Mekong Subregion are currently being studied. In this paper, 18 fresh collections of Pleurotheciaceae from submerged wood in freshwater are characterized based on morphological characters and analyses of ITS, LSU, SSU and RPB2 sequence data. Six new species of Pleurotheciella (P. aquatica, P. fusiformis, P. guttulata, P. lunata, P. saprophytica, P. submersa), one new Phaeoisaria species (Ph. aquatica) and one new Pleurothecium species (Pl. aquaticum) are introduced based on their distinct morphology and evidence from molecular phylogeny. Pleurotheciella uniseptata, Phaeoisaria clematidis and Pleurothecium pulneyense are also redescribed and phylogenetic relationships assessed herein, these species are the first records for China.     

A New Species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prolibytherium</Emphasis> (Ruminantia,Mammalia) from Pakistan,and the Functional Implications of an Atypical Atlanto-Occipital Morphology

We describe a new species of Prolibytherium, P. fusus, sp. nov., from the lower Miocene of Pakistan, thus extending the genus to Asia. Prolibytherium is otherwise known only from Libya. This species differs from Prolibytherium magnieri in several basioccipital and atlanto-occipital morphologies. Namely, the posterior basioccipital tuberosities are continuous at the midline and lack the elevated transverse ridge seen in P. magnieri, and the notch formed between the lateral occipital condyles and paraoccipital process is lower. Both species of Prolibytherium have a characteristic ventrally fused occipital condyle at the midline, with a notably fuller circumferential articular surface. Prolibytherium magnieri also has thickened dorsal and ventral arches of the atlas. These specimens also possess a longitudinal groove for the Eustachian tube extending from the alisphenoid canal to the bullae, and a second deep grove isolating the basisphenoid bone from the temporal bone. These, plus several other atlanto-occipital morphologies strengthen the cervical support of the head. This is especially important for Prolibytherium, as the taxon possesses massive aliform cranial appendages. We relate the approximation of the occipital condyles to a convergent state in two giraffids (Giraffokeryx punjabiensis and Schansitherium tafeli), each of which possesses multiple pairs of ossicones, presumably necessitating a strengthened atlanto-occipital joint.     

European <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hodophilus</Emphasis> (Clavariaceae,Agaricales) species with yellow stipe

Phylogenetic reconstruction of Hodophilus species with a yellow colour on the stipe based on nrITS, nrLSU and rpb2 sequences revealed six European species. All these species correspond to the widely accepted European concept of a single species Hodophilus micaceus. Four of these species are described and illustrated. H. micaceus and H. phaeoxanthus are recognised as two separate species and H. albofloccipes as a synonym of the latter. Two species, H. anatinus and H. cambriensis, are described as new. Possible endemism of H. micaceus and H. cambriensis to the British Isles is discussed. All analysed North American samples represent different species to those found in Europe. The North American species Hygrophorus rugulosus is combined in the genus Hodophilus. The preliminary key uses position and development of the yellow colour during maturation as the most important distinguishing character. The presence of the yellow colour is discussed as a possible synapomorphic character.     

Clarification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lyomyces sambuci</Emphasis> complex with the descriptions of four new species

Four species of Lyomyces (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) are described as new for science, based on collections from Réunion Island (L. allantosporus and L. mascarensis), southeast Brazil (L.organensis), and Taiwan (L. orientalis). All four species belong to the L. sambuci complex and grow on dead wood. Basidiomata photographs and line drawings of microstructures are provided for each species. The specific status of the new taxa was confirmed by ITS and 28S phylogenetical analyses. The concept of L. sambuci s. str. is discussed. Molecular data reveal one additional cryptic species from Europe, morphologically identical with L. sambuci s. str.     

Two new lineages of aquatic ascomycetes: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atractospora</Emphasis> gen. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubellisphaeria</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov., and a sexual morph of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrmecridium montsegurinum</Emphasis> sp. nov.

Two new genera, Atractospora and Rubellisphaeria, are described for perithecial ascomycetes occurring on decaying wood submerged in freshwater habitats. Their relationships with other morphologically similar fungi were investigated utilising four nuclear ribosomal and protein-coding loci. They are nested together with members of five orders and families and numerous genera incertae sedis in the Sordariomycetidae in a clade supported by Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Their closest relative is Lentomitella. Atractospora includes species characterised by dark, immersed to semi-immersed beaked ascomata lying horizontally to the host, stipitate asci with a pronounced non-amyloid apical annulus and hyaline, fusiform, septate, thick-walled ascospores with smooth or ornamented wall. Three novel species are introduced (A. decumbens, A. reticulata and A. verruculosa). A new combination for Aquaticola ellipsoidea is proposed in Atractospora based on molecular data and morphological characters. Rubellisphaeria, with a new species R. abscondita, is distinct by subhyaline to reddish brown, immersed ascomata with a lateral neck, short-stipitate asci and ellipsoidal smooth ascospores with a delayed formation of a middle septum. The sexual morph of the dematiaceous hyphomycete genus Myrmecridium was encountered for the first time on decaying wood submerged in a stream. It is nested in a strongly supported monophyletic clade of the Myrmecridiales. The novel species M. montsegurinum is described; it possesses papillate ascomata immersed beneath a clypeus with subhyaline to weakly pigmented ascomatal wall, long-stipitate asci with a non-amyloid apical annulus and three-septate, hyaline, ellipsoidal, delicately verruculose ascospores. A morphology-based key is provided to facilitate identification of species of Atractospora.     

Revision of the shield-bug genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Holcostethus</Emphasis> Fieber and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peribalus</Emphasis> Mulsant et Rey (Heteroptera,Pentatomidae) of the Palaearctic Region

A complex of the heteropteran genera centering around Peribalus Mulsant et Rey and Holcostethus Fieber is considered. The genus Dryadocoris Kirkaldy reveals no relationship with the above genera and is believed to represent a separate clade of the family Pentatomidae. The genera Peribalus and Holcostethus are revised. The former includes three subgenera: Peribalus s. str. with two species, Asioperibalus subgen. n. (type species Cimex inclusus Dohrn) with six species, and Tianocoris subgen. n. (type species Holcostethus manifestus Kiritshenko) with two species. Holcostethus embraces two subgenera: Holcostethus s. str. and the monotypic Enigmocoris subgen. n. (type species H. fissiceps Horváth). Two new species are described: Peribalus tianshanicus sp. n. from the Tien Shan Mts. and P. przewalskii sp. n. from the northern part of China (Huan He River). P. capitatus Jakovlev and P. vernalis (Wolff) are downgraded to subspecies of P. strictus (F.). P. ovatus Jakovlev is synonymized with P. inclusus (Dohrn). Two new monotypic genera related to the revised complex of genera are established, Paraholcostethus gen. n. (type species Peribalus breviceps Horváth) and Himalayastethus gen. n. (type species H. pilosus sp. n. from Kashmir). A key to, and morphometric characters for all the taxa considered are provided. The key characters, including both male and female genitalia, are illustrated, and distributional maps are given.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diatrypella tectonae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peroneutypa mackenziei</Emphasis> spp. nov. (Diatrypaceae) from northern Thailand

Two novel species of Diatrypaceae, Diatrypella tectonae and Peroneutypa mackenziei, were collected from dead wood in northern Thailand. The new species are introduced in this paper, with evidence from morphology and phylogenetic analyses. The new taxa are described, illustrated and compared with related taxa. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS and partial β-tubulin (β-tub) sequence data support their natural placements in the genera Diatrypella and Peroneutypa as new species.