Polypores new to Japan 1. Species ofPolyporus,with a note onP. hartmanni

Polyporus admirabilis, P. dictyopus, P. guianensis, P. pseudobetulinus, P. tubaeformis andP. udus are reported for Japan for the first time.Polyporus tubaeformis had been confused withP. melanopus, but the Japanese collections were conspecific with Norwegian isolates ofP. tubaeformis. A key to allPolyporus species in Japan is provided.Polyporus hartmanni is reported for the first time outside the Australian continent. As the species has a bipolar heterothallism and produces brown rot, its taxonomic relationship withPolyporus s. str. is discussed.The Japanese Science and Technology Agency (STA) is thanked by the authors for financial support.     

Characters of the lateral-line system and their use in taxonomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys,Hippoglossina</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lioglossina</Emphasis> (Paralichthyidae,Pleuronectiformes)

A morphological study of eight species of Paralichthys, two species of Hippoglossina, and Lioglossina tetrophthalma, has revealed head lateral-line canal topography differences of taxonomic value. In species of Paralichthys, segment of the supraorbital canal in nasale of the blind side is connected with other canals and canaliculi are ramified, whereas in species of Hippoglossina this segment is not connected and canaliculi are not ramified. These different character states corroborate the generic distinction between Paralichthys and Hippoglossina. The connection of the supraorbital canal in nasale of the blind side with other canals and ramified canaliculi found in L. tetrophthalma and P. oblongus are against regarding them as Hippoglossina species. It appears necessary to restore the monotypic genus Lioglossina and to place P. oblongus in the genus Paralichthys until new morphological or molecular data are obtained. Paralichthys species vary in the degree of ramification of canaliculi, presence or absence of infraorbital canal segment in the lacrimale of the ocular side and posterior line of CST. Differences in lateral-line canal topography of H. macrops and H. bollmani were not found.     

Microhabitat and morphometric variation in two species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prasiola</Emphasis> (Prasiolales,Chlorophyta) from streams in central Mexico

Prasiolales are characterized by high morphological plasticity. This problem in taxonomic delimitation of the species may be a result of environment heterogeneity. Habitat characteristics and morphological variation of P. mexicana and P. nevadensis, two species of freshwater leaf-like thallus green algae, were investigated in five sites in central México where the morphological traits of these species overlap. Comparisons were made between habitat characteristics among streams and transects with and without Prasiola samples. Although no consistent correlation was found between environmental variables and morphological traits, a significantly wider range of habitat characteristics of current velocity and irradiance and morphometric variation (lamina length, lamina diameter, cell length, surface of the thallus, thickness and number of layers) suggested that P. mexicana was more plastic than P. nevadensis in its physicochemical requirements. Our results suggest that small variation of microhabitat conditions in P. nevadensis (irradiance and current velocity) could explain its very restricted geographic range in streams in central Mexico.     

With eyes wide open: a revision of species within and closely related to the Pocillopora damicornis species complex (Scleractinia; Pocilloporidae) using morphology and genetics

Molecular studies have been instrumental for refining species boundaries in the coral genus Pocillopora and revealing hidden species diversity within the extensively studied global species Pocillopora damicornis. Here we formally revise the taxonomic status of species closely related to and within the P. damicornis species complex, taking into account both genetic evidence and new data on morphometrics, including fine‐scale corallite and coenosteum structure. We found that mitochondrial molecular phylogenies are congruent with groups based on gross‐morphology, therefore reflecting species‐level differentiation. However, high levels of gross morphological plasticity and shared morphological characteristics mask clear separation for some groups. Fine‐scale morphological variation, particularly the shape and type of columella, was useful for differentiating between clades and provides an excellent signature of the evolutionary relationships among genetic lineages. As introgressive hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting complicate the delineation of species within the genus on the basis of a single species concept, the Unified Species Concept may represent a suitable approach in revising Pocillopora taxonomy. Eight species are herein described (P. damicornis, P. acuta, P. aliciae, P. verrucosa, P. meandrina, P. eydouxi, P. cf. brevicornis), including a novel taxon – P ocillopora bairdi sp. nov. (Schmidt‐Roach, this study). Citation synonyms and type materials are presented. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uromyces appendiculatus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">U. vignae</Emphasis> on legumes in Japan

Uromyces appendiculatus, inclusive of three varieties, is distinguished from U. vignae primarily by the position of urediniospore germ pores and putative host specificity. However, opinions concerning these morphological and physiological features as taxonomic characters have varied greatly, and distinction of these species has often been confused. To clarify the taxonomy of these two species, morphological features of urediniospores and teliospores of 225 rust fungus specimens on species of Phaseolus, Vigna, Apios, Lablab, and Dunbaria were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Forty-five specimens were subjected to molecular phylogenetic analyses. As a result, the position of germ pores in urediniospores and the teliospore-wall thickness were considered as good characters to separate three morphological groups. In molecular analyses, the specimens fell into two and three clades based on the nucleotide sequence at D1/D2 domain of LSU rDNA and ITS regions, respectively. One of the D1/D2 clades corresponded to one morphological group whereas another D1/D2 clade included two other morphological groups. In contrast, each of the three ITS clades corresponded to a separate morphological group. Neither morphological groups nor molecular clades were host limited. It is suggested that the three morphological groups that corresponded to three distinct ITS clades constitute distinct species.Contribution no. 186 from the Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba, Japan     

The morphology,taxonomy, and occurrence of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudoprotophyllum</Emphasis> Hollick (Platanaceae) in Late Cretaceous floras of Northern Asia

An extended generic diagnosis of Pseudoprotophyllum is given on the basis of new data from Late Cretaceous floras of Northern Asia. Both peltate and apeltate morphological types are included in the genus. The morphological diversity is described in the type species P. boreale (Dawson) Hollick from the Cenomanian-Turonian of North America and four North Asiatic species: P. minimum I. Lebed. , P. sibiricum I. Lebed., P. hatangaense Abramova, and P. giganteum Sveshn. et Budants. The geographical and stratigraphic analyses show that Pseudoprotophyllum evolved in Northern Asia since the Cenomanian until Campanian and was restricted to the Siberian-Canadian floristic region with a warm-temperate humid climate.     

Patterns of cranial ontogeny in lacertid lizards: morphological and allometric disparity

We explored the ontogenetic dynamics of the morphological and allometric disparity in the cranium shapes of twelve lacertid lizard species. The analysed species (Darevskia praticola, Dinarolacerta mosorensis, Iberolacerta horvathi, Lacerta agilis, L. trilineata, L. viridis, Podarcis erhardii, P. melisellensis, P. muralis, P. sicula, P. taurica and Zootoca vivipara) can be classified into different ecomorphs: terrestrial lizards that inhabit vegetated habitats (habitats with lush or sparse vegetation), saxicolous and shrub‐climbing lizards. We observed that there was an overall increase in the morphological disparity (MD) during the ontogeny of the lacertid lizards. The ventral cranium, which is involved in the mechanics of jaw movement and feeding, showed higher levels of MD, an ontogenetic shift in the morphospace planes and more variable allometric patterns than more conserved dorsal crania. With respect to ecology, the allometric trajectories of the shrub‐climbing species tended to cluster together, whereas the allometric trajectories of the saxicolous species were highly dispersed. Our results indicate that the ontogenetic patterns of morphological and allometric disparity in the lacertid lizards are modified by ecology and functional constraints and that the identical mechanisms that lead to intraspecific morphological variation also produce morphological divergence at higher taxonomic levels.     

Analysis of allozyme variability in three Plantago species and a comparison to morphological variability

Summary The level of electrophoretic variability in three Plantago species, P. major, P. coronopus, and P. lanceolata, was analyzed in relation to their breeding systems and compared with their morphological variability. From each species several populations were analyzed. The outcrossing P. lanceolata had the highest level of electrophoretic variability and the lowest population differentiation. The inbreeding P. major showed the opposite: a low level of electrophoretic variability and a high population differentiation. P. coronopus, with an intermediate breeding system, had an intermediate level of variability and differentiation. In comparing the species, it appeared that P. coronopus and P. major showed good concordance in the distribution of both kinds of variability, each having only a slightly higher morphological than electrophoretic differentiation between populations. P. lanceolata showed a higher morphological than electrophoretic differentiation between populations. A comparison of populations, within species, revealed good concordance of electrophoretic and morphological variability only within P. coronopus, while some populations of the other two species had relatively lower morphological variability compared with electrophoretic variability.Grassland Species Research Group Publication No. 182     

Molecular phylogenies and mating study data in Polyporus with special emphasis on group “Melanopus” (Basidiomycota)

“Melanopus” is an unranked infrageneric group within Polyporus, a genus comprising wood-decaying homobasidiomycetes. This study compiles new information on the mating systems, phylogeny, and geographic distribution of the group. We report tetrapolar mating systems in “Melanopus,” as well as in the more distantly related Polyporus umbellatus. “Melanopus” is addressed using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequence data, comparing resolving power of several phylogenetic methods and depths of sequence information, including recoded secondary structure data informed by the primary sequence data. The latter, inferred structure of the ITS2 rRNA was insufficient in phylogenetic reconstruction on its own. Intercollection compatibility studies showed Polyporus varius collections from both sides of the Atlantic to be intercompatible, the same was found for Polyporus tubaeformis collections from California and Scotland. Molecular analysis supports P. tubaeformis conspecifity of Scottish and Californian collections with a Norwegian collection. Several other herbarium specimens inaccessible to successful PCR and sequencing were redetermined as P. tubaeformis by morphological characters. This improved on the current knowledge of distribution of the species, tentatively adding Idaho, North Carolina, and Germany’s Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

A molecular map of the apomixis-control locus in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paspalum procurrens</Emphasis> and its comparative analysis with other species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paspalum</Emphasis>

Since apomixis was first mapped in Paspalum, the absence of recombination that characterizes the related locus appeared to be the most difficult bottleneck to overcome for the dissection of the genetic determinants that control this trait. An approach to break the block of recombination was developed in this genus through an among-species comparative mapping strategy. A new apomictic species, P. procurrens (Q4094) was crossed with a sexual plant of P. simplex and their progeny was classified for reproductive mode with the aid of morphological, embryological and genetic analyses. On this progeny, a set of heterologous rice RFLP markers strictly co-segregating in coupling phase with apomixis was identified. These markers were all located on the telomeric region of the long arm of the chromosome 12 of rice. In spite of the lack of recombination exhibited by the apomixis-linked markers in P. procurrens, a comparative mapping analysis among P. simplex, P. malacophyllum, P. notatum and P. procurrens, allowed us to identify a small group of markers co-segregating with apomixis in all these species. These markers bracketed a chromosome region that likely contains all the genetic determinants of apomictic reproduction in Paspalum. The implications of this new inter-specific approach for overcoming the block of recombination to isolate the genetic determinants of apomixis and gain a better comprehension of genome structure of apomictic chromosome region are discussed.     

Three new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Luetzelburgia</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Leguminosae</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Papilionoideae</Emphasis>) from the caatinga of Bahia,Brazil and an identification key to all species of the genus

Three new species of the Brazilian genus Luetzelburgia Harms (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Sophoreae sensu lato (Vataireoid clade)) are described and illustrated under the names Luetzelburgia harleyi D. Cardoso, L. P. Queiroz &; H. C. Lima, L. neurocarpa D. Cardoso, L. P. Queiroz &; H. C. Lima and L. purpurea D. Cardoso, L. P. Queiroz &; H. C. Lima. All three occur in the caatinga vegetation of the State of Bahia, Eastern Brazil. A discussion of the morphological characters distinguishing the new species from their close relatives, as well as an identification key to all known species of Luetzelburgia, are presented.     

Out of Alaska: morphological diversity within the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eurytemora</Emphasis> from its ancestral Alaskan range (Crustacea,Copepoda)

The copepod genus Eurytemora occupies a wide range of habitat types throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with among the broadest salinity ranges of any known copepod. The epicenter of diversity for this genus lies along coastal Alaska, where several species are endemic. Systematic analysis has been difficult, however, because of a tendency toward morphological stasis in this genus, despite large genetic divergences among populations and species. The goals of this study were to (1) analyze patterns of morphological variation and divergence within this genus, focusing on Eurytemora species that occur in North America, and (2) determine patterns of geographic and salinity distribution of Eurytemora species within the ancestral range in Alaska. We applied a comparative multivariate morphological analysis using 16–26 characters from 125 specimens from 20 newly collected sites in Alaska and 15 existing samples predominantly from North America. Results from principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses identified seven distinct morphological species of Eurytemora in North America (E. affinis, E. americana, E. canadensis, E. composita, E. herdmani, E. pacifica, and E. raboti), and identified diagnostic characters that distinguish the species (forming the basis for a new identification key). Several previously named species were regarded as synonyms. The sites we sampled in Alaska were remarkable in the high levels of sympatry of Eurytemora species, to a degree not seen outside of Alaska. Future studies of Eurytemora should shed light on patterns of habitat invasions and physiological evolution within the genus, and yield insights into mechanisms leading to its remarkably broad geographic and habitat range.     

RAPD and microsatellite transferability studies in selected species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosopis</Emphasis> (section Algarobia) with emphasis on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosopis juliflora</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. pallida</Emphasis>

The genus Prosopis (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae), comprises 44 species widely distributed in arid and semi-arid zones. Prosopis pallida (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Kunth and P. juliflora (Sw.) DC. are the two species that are truly tropical apart from P. africana, which is native to tropical Africa (Pasiecznik et al. 2004), and they have been introduced widely beyond their native ranges. However, taxonomic confusion within the genus has hampered exploitation and better management of the species. The present study focusses primarily on evaluating the genetic relationship between Prosopis species from the section Algarobia, containing most species of economic importance, though P. tamarugo from section Strombocarpa is also included for comparison. In total, 12 Prosopis species and a putative P. pallida × P. chilensis hybrid were assessed for their genetic relationships based on RAPD markers and microsatellite transferability. The results show that P. pallida and P. juliflora are not closely related despite some morphological similarity. Evidence also agrees with previous studies which suggest that the grouping of series in section Algarobia is artificial.     

Pallenopsis patagonica (Hoek, 1881) – a species complex revealed by morphology and DNA barcoding,with description of a new species of Pallenopsis Wilson, 1881

Pallenopsis patagonica (Hoek, 1881) is one of the most taxonomically problematic and variable pycnogonid species, and is distributed around the southern South American coast, and the Subantarctic and Antarctic areas. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of 47 Pallenopsis specimens, including 39 morphologically identified as P. patagonica, five Pallenopsis pilosa (Hoek, 1881), one Pallenopsis macneilli Clark, 1963, one Pallenopsis buphtalmus Pushkin, 1993, and one Pallenopsis latefrontalis Pushkin, 1993. Furthermore, we studied morphological differences between the different COI lineages using light and scanning electron microscopy, including also material from Loman's and Hedgpeth's classical collections, as well as Hoek's type material of P. patagonica from 1881. The molecular results unambiguously reveal that P. patagonica is a complex of several divergent clades, which also includes P. macneilli, P. buphtalmus, and P. latefrontalis. Based on the material available, two major clades could be identified, namely a ‘Falkland’ clade, to which we assign the nominal P. patagonica, and a ‘Chilean’ clade, which is distinct from the ‘Falkland’ clade. We describe the ‘Chilean’ clade as new species, P allenopsis yepayekae sp. nov. Weis, 2013. All molecular results are confirmed by specific morphological characteristics that are discussed in detail and compared with Pallenopsis species closely related to the P. patagonica complex. Our results reveal that P. patagonica is a species‐rich complex that is in need for a thorough taxonomic revision, using both morphological and genetic approaches. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

Terpenes as Useful Markers in Differentiation of Natural Populations of Relict Pines Pinus heldreichii,P. nigra,and P. peuce

Comparative analysis of terpene diversity and differentiation of relict pines Pinus heldreichii, P. nigra, and P. peuce from the central Balkans was performed at the population level. Multivariate statistical analyses showed that the composition of needle terpenes reflects clear divergence among the pine species from different subgenera: P. peuce (subgenus Strobus) vs. P. nigra and P. heldreichii (subgenus Pinus). In addition, despite the described morphological similarities and the fact that P. nigra and P. heldreichii may spontaneously hybridize, our results indicated differentiation of their populations naturally growing in the same area. In accordance with recently proposed concept of ‘flavonic evolution’ in the genus Pinus, we assumed that the terpene profile of soft pine P. peuce, defined by high amounts of six monoterpenes, is more basal than those of hard pines P. nigra and P. heldreichii, which were characterized by high content levels of mainly sesquiterpenes. In order to establish precise positions of P. heldreichii, P. nigra and P. peuce within the taxonomic and phylogenetic tree, as well as develop suitable conservation strategies and future breeding efforts, it is necessary to perform additional morphological, biochemical, and genetic studies.