Dynamics of the range of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia</Emphasis> genus over the territory of Western Siberia and adjacent regions in holocene in connection with climate change on the basis of pollen data

Reconstruction of the dynamics of the range of Artemisia genus was carried out with the help of palynoareological method on the basis of the data of 97 pollen diagrams from the territory of Western Siberia and the Altai-Sayan mountainous region over the millennial time sections since the Late Glacial time till the present time. It was revealed that the maximal spread of the Artemisia steppe communities (probably of the cryoarid pattern) occurred at the territory under examination at 13–10 ka yr BP. After the time point of 9 ka yr BP a fundamental change in landscapes of Western Siberia occurred which resulted in the disintegration of previously continuous Artemisia steppe cover into separate blocks. Since 8 ka yr BP the Artemisia steppe communities of modern appearance occupied the zones of modern steppe and forest-steppe of Western Siberia and Northern Kazakhstan while over the taiga zone the Artemisia plant communities were spread occasionally under the extra zonal conditions and as the pioneering plant groupings on naturally disturbed soils. Since the time point of 4 ka yr BP till the present time the northern boundary of the steppe zone under-went pulsing shifts to the north and back and also broadening and narrowing of isolated insular steppes in Altai-Sayan mountain region took place. At present time we observe an increase in the role of plants of Artemisia genus in the tundra zone of Western Siberia and in the Altai mountains.     

Review of the species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptomastidea</Emphasis> Mercet, 1916 (Hymenoptera,Encyrtidae) of the World,with description of a new species from Montenegro and with separation of a new genus from Turkmenia

The review contains a key to females of the species of the genus Leptomastidea Mercet, 1926 of the World fauna and annotated synopsis of 25 species with data on their distribution, hosts, plants, and use in biological control [for L. abnormis (Girault)]. L. ljubodragi sp. n. is described from Montenegro. A new genus Proleptomastidea gen. n. is erected for Leptanusia enigmatica Trjapitzin, 1971 from Turkmenistan. Leptanusia turkmenica Myartseva, 1978 is transferred to the genus Anagyrus Howard, 1896 and, thus, a new combination, Anagyrus turkmenicus (Myartseva, 1978), comb. n., is formed.     

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.     

A review of the buprestid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cochinchinula</Emphasis> Volk. With description of new taxa from Thailand,and notes on the composition and classification of the tribe Acmaeoderini (Coleoptera,Buprestidae, Polycestinae)

A review of the Oriental genus Cochinchinula Volk. (Coleoptera, Buprestidae, Polycestinae, Acmaeoderini) comprising three species is presented. The new species C. thailandica and C. bilyi spp. n. and the new genus Thaichinula gen. n. (type species T. ohmomoi sp. n.) from Thailand are described. A key to species of the genera Cochinchinula and Thaichinula is provided. The Nearctic genus Paracmaeoderoides Bellamy and Westcott is transferred from the subtribe Nothomorphina to the subtribe Acmaeoderoidina, and the South African genus Richtersveldia Bellamy is transferred from the subtribe Nothomorphina of Acmaeoderini to the tribe Ptosimini. The generic status is restored for another South African genus, Brachmaeodera Volkovitsh and Bellamy. The main evolutionary trends are discussed, and the taxonomic composition and classification of the tribe Acmaeoderini are clarified.     

Chromosome counts in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chaetogastra</Emphasis> (Melastomataceae,Melastomateae)

Chaetogastra is the largest genus in Melastomateae, with about 165–190 species. The genus was only recently resurrected, based on species that have been traditionally treated in Tibouchina sects. Diotanthera, Pseudopterolepis, Purpurella and Simplicicaules. This article presents 15 chromosome counts for the genus, a review of the available counts and also a discussion of these counts in a systematic context. Although the sampling in the genus is still poor, the data found in the literature and in our research indicate x=9 as the base chromosome number for the genus. We also found that euploidy may be common in Chaetogastra, with diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid species. Basic chromosome numbers also seem to be a taxonomic character that distinguishes Chaetogastra (x=9) from Brachyotum (x=10).     

Revision of the carabid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meroctenus</Emphasis> Gemminger et Harold,with a new status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenodochus</Emphasis> Andrewes (Coleoptera,Carabidae: Harpalini)

Originally described as a monotypical genus with unclear taxonomic position from Sudan, Meroctenus Gemminger et Harold, 1868 is treated as a polytypical genus of the Selenophori genus group with two subgenera: Meroctenus s. str. and Xenodochus Andrewes, 1941, stat. n. (the latter was previously considered a distinct genus). Within Meroctenus, two species are recognized: M. (Meroctenus) crenulatus Chaudoir, 1843 (type species) and M. (M.) mediocris (Andrewes, 1936), comb, n., transferred to Meroctenus s. str. from Xenodochus. A new subspecies M. (M.) crenulatus orientalis subsp. n. is described from Pakistan. Diagnoses of the genus Meroctenus in new interpretation as well as of its two subgenera are discussed, and a taxonomic review of the subgenus Meroctenus s. str. with a key to the species and subspecies is provided. The following synonymy is proposed: Meroctenus Gemminger et Harold, 1868 = Paregaploa Müller, 1947, syn. n.; Meroctenus crenulatus (Chaudoir, 1843) = Egaploa (Paregaploa) conviva Müller, 1947, syn. n. Lectotypes are designated for Ctenomerus crenulatus Chaudoir, 1843 and Xenodus mediocris Andrewes, 1936.     

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.     

Gall midges of the supertribe stomatosematidi (Diptera,Cecidomyiidae) in the Palaearctic region,with descriptions of new taxa from the late Eocene Rovno Amber. 2. The genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Didactylomyia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rovnodidactylomyia</Emphasis> gen. n.

One new genus (Rovnodidactylomyia Fedotova et Perkovsky, gen. n.) and four new species (Didactylomyia dlusskyi sp. n., Rovnodidactylomyia zosimovichi gen. n. et sp. n., R. sidorenkoi sp. n., and R. iconica sp. n.) are described from an amber sample of the late Eocene Period (Rovno District, Ukraine). Two species from a Baltic amber sample of the late Eocene Period, described earlier in the genus Bryocrypta, are attributed to the genus Rovnodidactylomyia (R. girafa (Meunier, 1904) comb. n. and R. capitosa (Meunier, 1904)). The first fossil species of the genus Didactylomyia is described for the first time; two contemporary Palaearctic species are recorded. Keys to the species of the genus Didactylomyia are given.     

Description of Four New Species of Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthaegilips</Emphasis> Ashmead, 1897 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Anacharitinae) from Colombia

There are four new species of the Neotropical Anacharitinae genus Acanthaegilips Ashmead, 1897: A. boyacensis sp. n., A. curvis sp. n., A. timidus sp. n., and A. truncatus sp. n. The diagnostic characters of this new species and data about their morphological variability and similarities with other Acantahegilips species are discussed. An updated key of genus Acanthaegilips is included.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Origanum</Emphasis> spp.: an update of their chemical and biological profiles

The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of most recent studies about potential pharmaceutical applications of plants belonging to Origanum genus. Oregano is one of the most famous and economically important culinary herbs in the world. The genus Origanum includes more than 70 species mainly distributed around the Mediterranean region. The vernacular name “oregano” is attributed to a vast number of species. O. vulgare L. is the most variable species of the genus and the most commonly known as oregano in most countries. Today, it is generally accepted that oregano is a characteristic flavour produced by a number of plant species that yield carvacrol-rich essential oils. The genus Origanum is characterised by a large morphological and chemical diversity. Because of their several biological activities, such as antimicrobial, expectorant, antispasmodic and carminative, Origanum species have been used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases. The botany and chemotaxonomy of the species are thoroughly reported, along with chemical constituents. The in vitro and in vivo effects of Origanum extracts are presented and discussed.     

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.     

Fire tolerance of a resprouting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia</Emphasis> (Asteraceae) shrub

In North America, most Artemisia (Asteraceae) shrub species lack the ability to resprout after disturbances that remove aboveground biomass. We studied the response of one of the few resprouting Artemisia shrubs, Artemisia filifolia (sand sagebrush), to the effects of prescribed fires. We collected data on A. filifolia density and structural characteristics (height, canopy area, and canopy volume) in an A. filifolia shrubland in the southern Great Plains of North America. Our study sites included areas that had not been treated with prescribed fire, areas that had been treated with only one prescribed fire within the previous 5 years, and areas that had been treated with two prescribed fires within the previous 10 years. Our data were collected at time periods ranging from ½ to 5 years after the prescribed fires. Density of A. filifolia was not affected by one or two fires. Structural characteristics, although initially altered by prescribed fire, recovered to levels characteristic of unburned areas in 3–4 years after those fires. In contrast to most non-sprouting North American Artemisia shrub species, our research suggested that the resprouting A. filifolia is highly tolerant to the effects of fire.     

Contribution to the phylogeny and a new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coccodiella</Emphasis> (Phyllachorales)

Coccodiella is a genus of plant-parasitic species in the family Phyllachoraceae (Phyllachorales, Ascomycota), i.e., tropical tar spot fungi. Members of the genus Coccodiella are tropical in distribution and are host-specific, growing on plant species belonging to nine host plant families. Most of the known species occur on various genera and species of the Melastomataceae in tropical America. In this study, we describe the new species C. calatheae from Panama, growing on Calathea crotalifera (Marantaceae). We obtained ITS, nrLSU, and nrSSU sequence data from this new species and from other freshly collected specimens of five species of Coccodiella on members of Melastomataceae from Ecuador and Panama. Phylogenetic analyses allowed us to confirm the placement of Coccodiella within Phyllachoraceae, as well as the monophyly of the genus. The phylogeny of representative species within the family Phyllachoraceae, including Coccodiella spp., graminicolous species of Phyllachora and taxa with erumpent to superficial stroma from several host families, suggests that the genus Phyllachora might be polyphyletic. Furthermore, tar spot fungi with superficial or erumpent perithecia seem to be restricted to the family Phyllachoraceae, independently of the host plant. We also discuss the biodiversity and host-plant patterns of species of Coccodiella worldwide.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Basidiophora delawarensis</Emphasis>, a new downy mildew species infecting cultivated goldenrod (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solidago sphacelata</Emphasis>) in the USA

Species in the genus Basidiophora (Oomycota, Peronosporales) are pathogens causing downy mildew disease on several closely related plant hosts in the family Asteraceae, including the genera Conyza, Erigeron, Solidago, and Symphyotrichum. Despite their widespread occurrence, little is known about the diversity, biology, and economic impact of downy mildew pathogens of ornamental or wild plants in the Asteraceae. In June 2017, Solidago sphacelata plants of the cultivar ‘Golden Fleece’ were found in the state of Delaware, USA, showing typical symptoms of downy mildew disease. Initial morphological observations indicated the specimen belonged to the genus Basidiophora. Phylogenetic analysis of a sequence matrix of the partial cox2 mitochondrial gene using Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods showed that the Basidiophora isolate from S. sphacelata represents an undescribed species that is here described as B. delawarensis. This new species constitutes the third accepted species in the genus Basidiophora and can be distinguished from other Basidiophora species by differences in size of sporangia and sporangiophores and nucleotide sequence divergence. This new species poses a potential threat to its host, warranting close monitoring and the implementation of disease management programs.     

Relationships between the gall-midge genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trotteria</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verbasciola</Emphasis> (Diptera,Cecidomyiidae), with description of new species from the Middle Volga River Area

Gall midges of the genera Trotteria and Verbasciola of the supertribe Lasiopteridi are inquilines. The widespread genus Trotteria includes 28 species developing in galls of 30 species of gall midges; 24 species develop in galls of Asphondyliidi. Gall midges-hosts and inquilines were found on 57 plant species of 17 families. The Palaearctic genus Verbasciola comprises three species that have been recorded in galls of three gall-midge species damaging three plant species. Seven new species are described, Trotteria coronillacola, T. perkovskii, T. cytisiphila, T. kalininae, T. jigulensis, Schizomyia samaralukensis, and Verbasciola volgensis. The diagnoses of the genera were corrected. Trotteria spinosa Kovalev is restored from the synonyms of T. umbelliferarum Kieffer. Data on the distribution of all the species examined and their associations with host gall midges and taxonomic groups of plants are given.     

A novel methanotroph in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Methylomonas</Emphasis> that contains a distinct clade of soluble methane monooxygenase

Aerobic methane oxidation is a key process in the global carbon cycle that acts as a major sink of methane. In this study, we describe a novel methanotroph designated EMGL16-1 that was isolated from a freshwater lake using the floating filter culture technique. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, the isolate was found to be closely related to the genus Methylomonas in the family Methylococcaceae of the class Gammaproteobacteria with 94.2–97.4% 16S rRNA gene similarity to Methylomonas type strains. Comparison of chemotaxonomic and physiological properties further suggested that strain EMGL16-1 was taxonomically distinct from other species in the genus Methylomonas. The isolate was versatile in utilizing nitrogen sources such as molecular nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, urea, and ammonium. The genes coding for subunit of the particulate form methane monooxygenase (pmoA), soluble methane monooxygenase (mmoX), and methanol dehydrogenase (mxaF) were detected in strain EMGL16-1. Phylogenetic analysis of mmoX indicated that mmoX of strain EMGL16-1 is distinct from those of other strains in the genus Methylomonas. This isolate probably represents a novel species in the genus. Our study provides new insights into the diversity of species in the genus Methylomonas and their environmental adaptations.     

Taxonomic and phylogenetic placement of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nodulosphaeria</Emphasis>

Nodulosphaeria is a ubiquitous genus that comprises saprobic, endophytic and pathogenic species associated with a wide variety of substrates and has 64 species epithets listed in Index Fungorum. The classification of species in the genus has been a major challenge due to a lack of understanding of the importance of characters used to distinguish taxa, as well as the lack of reference strains. The present study clarifies the phylogenetic placement of the genus and related species, using fresh collections from Italy. Four Nodulosphaeria species are characterized based on multi-loci analyses of ITS, LSU, SSU, TEF and RPB2 sequence datasets. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Nodulosphaeria species group within the family Phaeosphaeriaceae as a distinct genus. The sexual morphs of Nodulosphaeria hirta and N. spectabilis are described and illustrated using modern concepts. Two new Nodulosphaeria species are introduced. The phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of the genus Nodulosphaeria are discussed, but further sampling with fresh collections, reference or ex-type strains and molecular data are needed to obtain a better and natural classification for the genus.