A remarkable new species of Salacia (Celastraceae: Salacioideae) from the Western Ghats,India

A new species of Salacia is described from Karnataka and Kerala states of the Western Ghats, India. It is unique within the genus on account of its obliquely dehiscing anthers and 7–10 cm long, prolate to broadly ellipsoid or ovoid, keeled, greenish-yellow 5- to 8-seeded fruit with thin epicarp and dry mesocarp. Salacia megacarpa sp. nov. can be grouped with S. fruticosa Heyne ex M.A.Lawson and S. oblonga Wight & Arn. which are the only other species from the sub-continent which exhibit axillary, ramiflorous, dichotomously branched cymes.     

Pachyteichopora n. g. (Bryoz. Cyclostomata) aus der oberen Kreide

The cyclostome Bryozoan speciesPustulopora verrucosa, described by Roemer 1840, is combined with two other congeneric species within the new genusPachyteichopora (type-speciesP. verrucosa [Roemer]). This new genus characterized by its extremely highly calcified external walls of the erect massive cylindrical and dichotomously branched zoaria possessing maculae. The similarity of its gonozooid to that ofLeiosoecia counts for its provisional attribution to the Fam. Leiosoeciidae Canu & Bassler (1920).P. bugei n. g. n. sp. from the French Coniacian andP. punctata n. g. n. sp. from the Swedish Campanian are described.     

A new species of Eretmophyllum (Ginkgoales) from the Middle Jurassic of Turpan-Hami Basin,Xinjiang, China

A few specimens previously assigned to Eretmophyllum, based on the gross leaf morphology, lack cuticular structures. In this paper, we describe a new species of Eretmophyllum from the Middle Jurassic Xishanyao Formation in the Turpan-Hami Basin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China, based on fossil leaves preserved as compressions, and characterized by paddle shapes with conspicuous petioles, retuse apices, entire margins and two veins dichotomously branched from near the base. Leaf amphistomatic, the cuticles are composed of stomatal and non-stomatal bands. Based on a detailed comparison of the gross morphology and cuticular structures with previously reported fossils, Eretmophyllum hamiensis n. sp. is erected. The presence of Eretmophyllum indicates that Middle Jurassic climate in the Turpan-Hami Basin was likely warm and humid. On the basis of the geological history and geographical distributions of Eretmophyllum, we conclude that the genus probably originated in Europe and migrated from Siberia to northwestern China during the Middle Jurassic.     

PHAEODISCUS,A NEW GENUS OF SCLEROTINIACEAE (INOPERCULATAE: DISCOMYCETES)

Phaeodiscus, a new genus of Sclerotiniaceae, is described with P. rhamnicola Batra as the single species. It is characterized by an ectal excipulum of subhyaline textura prismatica and textura porrecta; dichotomously branched, golden brown, aculeate paraphyses; and golden brown, narrowly ellipsoid, usually biguttulate ascospores. The two guttules fuse at maturity to form a single central guttule. The apothecia arise from pseudosclerotia consisting of numerous interconnected sclerotules. A number of other Sclerotiniaceae related to the new fungus are compared with it.     

The oldest giant lacewings (Neuroptera: Kalligrammatidae) from the Lower Jurassic of Germany

We describe the oldest Kalligrammatidae, two distantly related species of different subfamilies from the Lower Jurassic (lower Toarcian) of Germany: Liassopsychops curvatus Bode, 1953, sit. nov. (Liassopsychopinae n. subfam.) and Ophtalmogramma klopschari n. gen. n. sp. (Kallihemerobiinae). They lived in warm and relatively dry conditions. Subfamily Liassopsychopinae includes the Jurassic genera Liassopsychops and Huiyingogramma, sit. nov., which bear forewings characterized by Sc and RA not fused distally; MP, CuA, CuP, and A1 dichotomously branched; and a well-developed central eye-spot. The forewing of Ophtalmogramma n. gen. is most similar to that of Apochrysogramma Yang et al., 2011. The diversity of early Toarcian kalligrammatids indicates a late Triassic–earliest Jurassic origin of the family. A modified classification of the central eye-spots is proposed based on the presence/absence of four main components, i.e., the central pigmented disc (A), swellings (B), ocules (C), and outer rings (D). The function of the swellings is unclear, but they may have served as pheromone containers.     

Mortierella thereuopodae,a new species with verticillate large sporangiophores,inhabiting fecal pellets of Scutigeromorpha

A new species, Mortierella thereuopodae, is described for a fungus sporulating on fecal pellets of the centipede Thereuopoda clunifera (Chilopoda). The species produces large cymosely to verticillately branched sporangiophores on well-developed rhizoids with the formation of chlamydospore clusters.     

Poly(a)+ rna during vegetative development ofacetabularia peniculus

Summary In the juvenile stage, the diploid giant-celled green algae Acetabularia spp. are differentiated into an upright stalk and an irregularly branched rhizoid. Early amputation and grafting experiments as well as biochemical and molecular analyses have shown that mRNA (as poly(A)⁺ RNA) is continuously supplied from the primary nucleus in the rhizoid and accumulates in the stalk apex. In the present study, localization of poly(A)⁺ RNA in the juvenile stage of theAcetabularia peniculus was investigated by fluorescent in situ hybridization using oligo(dT) as a probe. The signal was localized in the apical cytoplasm and, in addition, multiple longitudinal striations throughout the stalk and rhizoid cytoplasm. A large portion of the poly(A)⁺ RNA striations exhibited structural polarity, broadened at one end and gradually thinned toward the other end. Some of the striations in the rhizoid cytoplasm were continuous with a zone of signal in the area of the perinuclear rim. The poly(A)⁺ RNA striations were associated with thick bands of longitudinal actin bundles which run through the entire length of the stalk. Cytochalasin D caused fragmentation of the actin bundles and irregular distribution of the fluorescent signal. We suggest that the poly(A)⁺ RNA striations constitute a hitherto unknown form of packaged mRNA that is transported over large distances along the actin cytoskeleton to be stored and expressed in the growing apex.     

The relationship between changes in cell wall composition and the establishment of polarity in Fucus embryos

Changes in the appearance and location of fucoidin in the cell walls of Fucus embryos were related to embryo development. Fucoidin was not present in the cell wall until 10–14 hr after fertilization, when the embryos began to incorporate fucoidin preferentially into a localized area of the wall. At this time the site of rhizoid initiation was determined; that is, the embryos had undergone axis commitment. Germination of the single-celled embryo occurred between 12 and 16 hr, after fertilization, with all cell walls from germinated embryos showing fucoidin localization at the rhizoid end of the cell. The percentage of embryos with localized fucoidin at the time of axis fixation equaled the percentage of embryos that subsequently germinated. Culturing the embryos in sea water plus 0.8 M sucrose prevented the outgrowth of the rhizoid, but not the localization of fucoidin in the wall or axis commitment. Cycloheximide, nitroprusside, cytochalasin B, sulfate-free sea water, high levels of Ca²⁺, and a breakdown product of TIBA all prevented rhizoid growth and the specific localization of fucoidin. In addition, axis commitment could not be demonstrated in the presence of these inhibitors. DTNB, PCMBS, TIBA, HgCl₂, Mg²⁺ were ineffective as reversible inhibitors of rhizoid initiation. The authors propose that the fixation of axis commitment is accompanied by localized changes in the cell wall involving the incorporation of fucoidin as a structural component of the wall.     

Morphological,Molecular, and Differential-Host Characterization of Meloidogyne floridensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae), a Root-Knot Nematode Parasitizing Peach in Florida

A root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne floridensis n. sp., is described and illustrated from peach originally collected from Gainesville, Florida. This new species resembles M. incognita, M. christiei, M. graminicola, and M. hispanica, but with LM and SEM observations it differs from these species either by the body length, shape of head, tail and tail terminus of second-stage juveniles, body length and shape of spicules in males, and its distinctive female perineal pattern. This pattern has a high to narrowly rounded arch with coarsely broken and network-like striae in and around anal area, faint lateral lines interrupting transverse striae, a sunken vulva and anus, and large distinct phasmids. Molecular data from ribosomal IGS illustrate that M. floridensis n. sp. is different from the mitotic species M. arenaria, M. incognita, and M. javanica. Data from RAPDs confirm it and suggest that this new species lies in an intermediate phylogenetic position between the previous species and the meiotic species M. hapla, M. fallax, and M. chitwoodi. Differential host tests based on annual crops and on Prunus accessions are reported.     

Cladogenesis and replacement in the fossil record of Microsyopidae (?Primates) from the southern Bighorn Basin,Wyoming

The early Eocene of the southern Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, is notable for its nearly continuous record of mammalian fossils. Microsyopinae (?Primates) is one of several lineages that shows evidence of evolutionary change associated with an interval referred to as Biohorizon A. Arctodontomys wilsoni is replaced by a larger species, Arctodontomys nuptus, during the biohorizon interval in what is likely an immigration/emigration or immigration/local extinction event. The latter is then superseded by Microsyops angustidens after the end of the Biohorizon A interval. Although this pattern has been understood for some time, denser sampling has led to the identification of a specimen intermediate in morphology between A. nuptus and M. angustidens, located stratigraphically as the latter is appearing. Because specimens of A. nuptus have been recovered approximately 60 m above the appearance of M. angustidens, it is clear that A. nuptus did not suffer pseudoextinction. Instead, evidence suggests that M. angustidens branched off from a population of A. nuptus, but the latter species persisted. This represents possible evidence of cladogenesis, which has rarely been directly documented in the fossil record. The improved understanding of both evolutionary transitions with better sampling highlights the problem of interpreting gaps in the fossil record as punctuations.     

Mentzelia canyonensis (Loasaceae), a new species endemic to the Grand Canyon, Arizona, U.S.A.

We describe Mentzelia canyonensis, a new species endemic to the Grand Canyon. Based on floral and fruit forms, shoot system architecture, and phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA, we infer that M. canyonensis belongs to the ‘subshrubby’ clade of Mentzelia section Bartonia, which includes the morphologically similar M. hualapaiensis, M. oreophila, M. puberula, and M. tiehmii. The new species is most similar to M. hualapaiensis, which is also known only from the Grand Canyon. These two species share leaf shape, subshrubby habits, corolla color, and fruit shape, although they differ in staminode presence and especially in leaf and corolla size. Principal component analyses of variation among floral and vegetative traits demonstrates that M. canyonensis and M. hualapaiensis share highly overlapping floral character space, but M. canyonensis occupies unique vegetative character space compared to similar species. A dichotomous key is provided to assist with identification of, and differentiation among, species of Mentzelia section Bartonia that occur in the Grand Canyon region.     

DEVELOPMENTAL STUDY OF BRANCHED RHIZOPHORES IN THREE SELAGINELLA SPECIES

A morphogenetic investigation was made of the rhizophore of three large-sized tropical Selaginella species. The rhizophores of Selaginella delicatula, S. caudata, and S. plana arise exogenously at the points of branching of the main stems. In S. delicatula they are initiated at the junction of the second youngest branching. The rhizophore apical meristem has a tetrahedral apical cell and is capless. The rhizophores are usually three or four times dichotomously branched in S. delicatula and S. plana and four or five times in S. caudata. In S. delicatula, dichotomous branching of the rhizophore involves formation of two new apical cells subsequent to loss of an original apical cell. A pair of roots is formed endogenously from inner cells below the dermal layer at the apex of ultimate rhizophore branches. The finding that the rhizophore is an autonomously branched, leafless, and capless axis leads us to argue that Selaginella rhizophores, like lepidodendrid rhizomorphs, are fundamental axial organs that coordinate with the stem and root.     

Nothia aphylla : les clones étaient parmi les premières plantes terrestres !

Nothia aphylla was one of the main plant component in the Early Devonian terrestrial environment of Rhynie (Scotland). The small-sized, herbaceous plant shows a dense, rhizomatous system from which extend dichotomously branched, erected axes. These stems are covered by protuberances, each bearing a single stomatal apparatus. They were clearly chlorophyllous as evidenced by the anatomical structures. Sporangia are arranged laterally and terminally, and characterize the sporophytic stage of the growth cycle of Nothia aphylla. Nothia aphylla also shows a vegetative multiplication, which consists of identical units derived from the branches. Each vegetative unit is constituted by a rhizome that bears rhizoids, whereas its other extremity ends by the aerial stem. This clone can give birth to a population of genetically identical individuals by simple scission between the mother and daughter units. This asexual strategy favours a quick colonisation, but does not allow for long-term maintenance in the environment. It is known amongst several plants coeval to Nothia (e.g. Aglaophyton, Horneophyton, etc.), but also in the modern vegetation. From one hand, it always remains associated to the sexual reproduction in order to optimise the survival of the species. From the other hand, this association is not always sufficient to avoid the disappearance of the poorly competitive species face to new, more efficient forms, as was the fate of Nothia aphylla.     

Mortierella sugadairana,a new homothallic species related to the firstly described heterothallic species in the genus

A new species, Mortierella sugadairana, is described for a fungus forming homothallic zygospores with a club-shaped macrosuspensor and a microsuspensor originating from the macrosuspensor. The species was isolated from cool regions in Japan and morphologically and phylogenetically close to a heterothallic species M. parvispora, which is the first species reported as a heterothallic species in the genus. Mycelial growth of the species was limited at 30 °C, whereas two isolates of M. parvispora can grow. This may indicate that the species and M. parvispora adapted to different climates from a common ancestor involving differentiation of the manner of reproduction.     

RcRR1, a Rosa canina Type-A Response Regulator Gene,Is Involved in Cytokinin-Modulated Rhizoid Organogenesis

In vitro, a new protocol of plant regeneration in rose was achieved via protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) induced from the root-like organs named rhizoids that developed from leaf explants. The development of rhizoids is a critical stage for efficient regeneration, which is triggered by exogenous auxin. However, the role of cytokinin in the control of organogenesis in rose is as yet uncharacterized. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of cytokinin-modulated rhizoid formation in Rosa canina. Here, we found that cytokinin is a key regulator in the formation of rhizoids. Treatment with cytokinin reduced callus activity and significantly inhibited rhizoid formation in Rosa canina. We further isolated the full-length cDNA of a type-A response regulator gene of cytokinin signaling, RcRR1, from which the deduced amino acid sequence contained the conserved DDK motif. Gene expression analysis revealed that RcRR1 was differentially expressed during rhizoid formation and its expression level was rapidly up-regulated by cytokinin. In addition, the functionality of RcRR1 was tested in Arabidopsis. RcRR1 was found to be localized to the nucleus in GFP-RcRR1 transgenic plants and overexpression of RcRR1 resulted in increased primary root length and lateral root density. More importantly, RcRR1 overexpression transgenic plants also showed reduced sensitivity to cytokinin during root growth; auxin distribution and the expression of auxin efflux carriers PIN genes were altered in RcRR1 overexpression plants. Taken together, these results demonstrate that RcRR1 is a functional type-A response regulator which is involved in cytokinin-regulated rhizoid formation in Rosa canina.     

Speciation on a local geographic scale: the evolution of a rare rock outcrop specialist in Mimulus

Speciation can occur on both large and small geographical scales. In plants, local speciation, where small populations split off from a large-ranged progenitor species, is thought to be the dominant mode, yet there are still few examples to verify speciation has occurred in this manner. A recently described morphological species in the yellow monkey flowers, Mimulus filicifolius, is an excellent candidate for local speciation because of its highly restricted geographical range. Mimulus filicifolius was formerly identified as a population of M. laciniatus due to similar lobed leaf morphology and rocky outcrop habitat. To investigate whether M. filicifolius is genetically divergent and reproductively isolated from M. laciniatus, we examined patterns of genetic diversity in ten nuclear and eight microsatellite loci, and hybrid fertility in M. filicifolius and its purported close relatives: M. laciniatus, M. guttatus and M. nasutus. We found that M. filicifolius is genetically divergent from the other species and strongly reproductively isolated from M. laciniatus. We conclude that M. filicifolius is an independent rock outcrop specialist despite being morphologically and ecologically similar to M. laciniatus, and that its small geographical range nested within other wide-ranging members of the M. guttatus species complex is consistent with local speciation.     

Morphological and ITS rDNA-based phylogenetic identification of two new species in Tinctoporellus

Two new poroid wood-inhabiting basidiomycetes, Tinctoporellus bubalinus and T. hinnuleus, are described and illustrated based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of rDNA ITS sequences. Tinctoporellus bubalinus is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiocarps, white to buff coloured pore surface and thin- to slightly thick-walled, richly branched and contorted dendrohyphidia. Tinctoporellus hinnuleus is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiocarps, cinnamon, clay-buff to fawn pore surface, thin-walled, richly branched and contorted brown dendrohyphidia. Discriminating characters between the new species and the closely related species are discussed. A key to accepted species in Tinctoporellus is provided.     

马齿苋叉梗孢一中国新记录

<正>Dichotomophthora was erected by Mehrlich & Fitzpatrick in 1935. Its distinctive characteristics are regularly dichotomously branched or lobed at the apex of conidiophores and brown,