Molecular phylogeny of pectinase genes <Emphasis Type="Italic">PGU</Emphasis> in the yeast genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces</Emphasis>

Using yeast genome databases and literature data, phylogenetic analysis of pectinase PGU genes from 112 Saccharomyces strains assigned to the biological species S. arboricola, S. bayanus (var. uvarum), S. cariocanus, S. cerevisiae, S. kudriavzevii, S. mikatae, S. paradoxus, and the hybrid taxon S. pastorianus (syn. S. carlsbergensis) was carried out. A superfamily of divergent PGU genes was found. Natural interspecies transfer of the PGU gene both from S. cerevisiae to S. bayanus and from S. paradoxus to S. cerevisiae may, however, occur. Within the Saccharomyces species, identity of the PGU nucleotide sequences was 98.8–100% for S. cerevisiae, 86.1–95.7% for S. bayanus (var. uvarum), 94–98.3% for S. kudriavzevii, and 96.8–100% for S. paradoxus/S. cariocanus. For the first time, a family of polymeric PGU1b, PGU2b, PGU3b and PGU4b genes is documented for the yeast S. bayanus var. uvarum, a variety important for winemaking.     

Mangrove root: adaptations and ecological importance

Key message

This review gives a comprehensive overview of adaptations of mangrove root system to the adverse environmental conditions and summarizes the ecological importance of mangrove root to the ecosystem.

Abstract

In plants, the first line of defense against abiotic stress is in their roots. If the soil surrounding the plant root is healthy and biologically diverse, the plant will have a higher chance to survive in stressful conditions. Different plant species have unique adaptations when exposed to a variety of abiotic stress conditions. None of the responses are identical, even though plants have become adapted to the exact same environment. Mangrove plants have developed complex morphological, anatomical, physiological, and molecular adaptations allowing survival and success in their high-stress habitat. This review briefly depicts adaptive strategies of mangrove roots with respect to anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and also the major advances recently made at the genetic and genomic levels. Results drawn from the different studies on mangrove roots have further indicated that specific patterns of gene expression might contribute to adaptive evolution of mangroves under high salinity. We also review crucial ecological contributions provided by mangrove root communities to the ecosystem including marine fauna.

     

Welfare of Apes in Captive Environments: Comments On,and By,a Specific Group of Apes

Accurately determining the proper captive environment for apes requires adequately assessing the psychological similarities between apes and humans. Scientists currently believe apes lack mental complexity (Millikan, 2006 Millikan, R. G. 2006. “Styles of rationality”. In Rational animals?, Edited by: Hurley, S. and Nudds, M. 117–126. Oxford, , England: Oxford University Press.. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]), raising questions concerning the evolution of human culture from ape-like societies (Tomasello, 1999 Tomasello, M. 1999. The cultural origins of human cognition, Cambridge, , MA: Harvard University Press..  [Google Scholar]). A long-term cultural study with bonobos suggests less intellectual divergence from humans than currently postulated (Savage-Rumbaugh, 2005 Savage-Rumbaugh, E. S. 2005. “Individual differences in language competencies in apes resulting from unique rearing conditions imposed by different first epistemologies”. In Symbol use and symbolic representation, Edited by: Namy, L. L. 199–219. Mahwah, , NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc..  [Google Scholar]). Because humans view apes as mentally limited, some current captive environments may appear idyllic while offering only an illusion of appropriate care, derived from a simplistic view of what apes are, rather than what they might be. This perception of apes determines their handling, which determines their mental development, which perpetuates the prevailing perception. Only breaking this cycle will allow the current perception of apes to change. Their usual captive environment limits any demonstration of culture. However, the bonobo study reveals what ape culture can become, which should affect future welfare considerations for at least those species genetically close to humans (bonobos and chimpanzees). Development of a languaged bonobo culture allows these nonhuman animals to provide their own responses regarding adequate ape welfare.     

New species of the buprestid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphenoptera</Emphasis> Dejean, 1833 (Coleoptera,Buprestidae) from the Ethiopian Region

Sphenoptera (Tropeopeltis) barclayi sp. n. from RSA, S. (T.) kubani sp. n. from Kenya, S. (T.) makarovi sp. n. from Somalia and S. (Archideudora) karagyanae sp. n. from Tanzania are described. The name S. sansibarica Harold, 1878, nom. resurr. is resurrected, and the replacement name S. haroldi Jakovlev, 1902, syn. n. is placed to synonyms. Lectotypes of S. atomarioides Obenberger, 1926, S. capigena Obenberger, 1926, S. helena Obenberger, 1926, S. kimberleyensis Obenberger, 1926, S. nectariphila Obenberger, 1926, S. perpusilla Obenberger, 1926, S. semiusta Obenberger, 1926, S. steineili Obenberger, 1926, S. stichai Obenberger, 1926, S. maderi Obenberger, 1926, S. monstrosa Abeille de Perrin, 1907, S. sansibarica Harold, 1878, S. arrowi Obenberger, 1926, S. deudoroides Obenberger, 1926, S. sebakwensis Obenberger, 1926, S. promontorii Obenberger, 1926, S. zambesiensis Obenberger, 1926, and S. gillmani Obenberger, 1926 are designated.     

Molecular characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">NBS</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">LRR</Emphasis> genes in the soybean <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rsv3</Emphasis> locus reveals several divergent alleles that likely confer resistance to the soybean mosaic virus

Key message

The divergence patterns of NBS – LRR genes in soybean Rsv3 locus were deciphered and several divergent alleles ( NBS_C, NBS_D and Columbia NBS_E ) were identified as the likely functional candidates of Rsv3.

Abstract

The soybean Rsv3 locus, which confers resistance to the soybean mosaic virus (SMV), has been previously mapped to a region containing five nucleotide binding site–leucine-rich repeats (NBS–LRR) genes (referred to as nbs_A–E) in Williams 82. In resistant cultivars, however, the number of NBS–LRR genes in this region and their divergence from susceptible alleles remain unclear. In the present study, we constructed and screened a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library for an Rsv3-possessing cultivar, Zaoshu 18. Sequencing two positive BAC inserts on the Rsv3 locus revealed that Zaoshu 18 possesses the same gene content and order as Williams 82, but two of the NBS–LRR genes, NBS_C and NBS_D, exhibit distinct features that were not observed in the Williams 82 alleles. Obtaining these NBS-LRR genes from eight additional cultivars demonstrated that the NBS_A–D genes diverged into two different alleles: the nbs_A–D alleles were associated with the rsv3-type cultivars, whereas the NBS_A–D alleles were associated with the Rsv3-possessing cultivars. For the NBS_E gene, the cultivar Columbia possesses an allele (NBS_E) that differed from that in Zaoshu 18 and rsv3-type cultivars (nbs_E). Exchanged fragments were further detected on alleles of the NBS_C–E genes, suggesting that recombination is a major force responsible for allele divergence. Also, the LRR domains of the NBS_C–E genes exhibited extremely strong signals of positive selection. Overall, the divergence patterns of the NBS–LRR genes in Rsv3 locus elucidated by this study indicate that not only NBS_C but also NBS_D and Columbia NBS_E are likely functional alleles that confer resistance to SMV.

     

New and little-known crickets of the subfamily Phalangopsinae (Orthoptera,Gryllidae). 11. The genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parendacustes</Emphasis> (Part 2)

Discussions concerning the composition of the genus Parendacustes Chop., in particular, its subgenus Minizacla Gor., are continued. Eleven new taxa of this subgenus are described: P. trusmadi sp. n., P. mulu sp. n., P. brevispina sp. n., P. modispina sp. n., P. longispina sp. n., P. forficula sabah subsp. n., P. doloduo sp. n., P. buton sp. n., P. pallescens sp. n., P. kendari sp. n., and P. lindu sp. n. New data on P. makassari Gor. are also provided.     

ATG3-dependent autophagy mediates mitochondrial homeostasis in pluripotency acquirement and maintenance

Pluripotent stem cells, including induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cells (ESCs), have less developed mitochondria than somatic cells and, therefore, rely more heavily on glycolysis for energy production.^1-3 Zhang J, Nuebel E, Daley GQ, Koehler CM, Teitell MA. Metabolic regulation in pluripotent stem cells during reprogramming and self-renewal. Cell Stem Cell 2012; 11:589-95; PMID:23122286; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2012.10.005 Vessoni AT, Muotri AR, Okamoto OK. Autophagy in stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Stem Cells Dev 2012; 21:513-20; PMID:22066548; http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/scd.2011.0526 Suhr ST, Chang EA, Tjong J, Alcasid N, Perkins GA, Goissis MD, Ellisman MH, Perez GI, Cibelli JB. Mitochondrial rejuvenation after induced pluripotency. PLoS One 2010; 5:e14095; PMID:21124794; http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0014095  However, how mitochondrial homeostasis matches the demands of nuclear reprogramming and regulates pluripotency in ESCs is largely unknown. Here, we identified ATG3-dependent autophagy as an executor for both mitochondrial remodeling during somatic cell reprogramming and mitochondrial homeostasis regulation in ESCs. Dysfunctional autophagy by Atg3 deletion inhibited mitochondrial removal during pluripotency induction, resulting in decreased reprogramming efficiency and accumulation of abnormal mitochondria in established iPSCs. In Atg3 null mouse ESCs, accumulation of aberrant mitochondria was accompanied by enhanced ROS generation, defective ATP production and attenuated pluripotency gene expression, leading to abnormal self-renewal and differentiation. These defects were rescued by reacquisition of wild-type but not lipidation-deficient Atg3 expression. Taken together, our findings highlight a critical role of ATG3-dependent autophagy for mitochondrial homeostasis regulation in both pluripotency acquirement and maintenance.     

ALGAL RESPONSE TO NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT IN FORESTED OLIGOTROPHIC STREAM1

Nutrient input in streams alters the density and species composition of attached algal communities in open systems. However, in forested streams, the light reaching the streambed (rather than the local nutrient levels) may limit the growth of these communities. A nutrient‐enrichment experiment in a forested oligotrophic stream was performed to test the hypothesis that nutrient addition has only minor effects on the community composition of attached algae and cyanobacteria under light limitation. Moderate nutrient addition consisted of increasing basal phosphorus (P) concentrations 3‐fold and basal nitrogen (N) concentrations 2‐fold. Two upstream control reaches were compared to a downstream reach before and after nutrient addition. Nutrients were added continuously to the downstream reach for 1 year. Algal biofilms growing on ceramic tiles were sampled and identified for more than a year before nutrient addition to 12 months after. Diatoms were the most abundant taxonomic group in the three stream reaches. Nutrient enrichment caused significant variations in the composition of the diatom community. While some taxa showed significant decreases (e.g., Achnanthes minutissima, Gomphonema angustum), increases for other taxa (such as Rhoicosphenia abbreviata and Amphora ovalis) were detected in the enriched reach (for taxonomic authors, see Table 2 ). Epiphytic and adnate taxa of large size were enhanced, particularly during periods of favorable growth conditions (spring). Nutrients also caused a change in the algal chl a, which increased from 0.5–5.8 to 2.1–10.7 μg chl · cm^?2. Our results indicate that in oligotrophic forested streams, long‐term nutrient addition has significant effects on the algal biomass and community composition, which are detectable despite the low light availability caused by the tree canopy. Low light availability moderates but does not detain the long‐term tendency toward a nutrient‐tolerant community. Furthermore, the effects of nutrient addition on the algal community occur in spite of seasonal variations in light, water flow, and water chemical characteristics, which may confound the observations.

Table 2. Percent abundances of the most frequent taxa in three reaches of the Fuirosos stream. U1 and U2 untreated; E, enriched both in the periods before (bef) and after (aft) the enrichment of the E reach. Acronyms identifying the taxa are indicated.

Purification and characteristics of a novel bacteriocin produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterococcus faecalis</Emphasis> L11 isolated from Chinese traditional fermented cucumber

Objective

To purify and characterize a novel bacteriocin with broad inhibitory spectrum produced by an isolate of Enterococcus faecalis from Chinese fermented cucumber.

Results

E. faecalis L11 produced a bacteriocin with antimicrobial activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The amino acid sequence of the purified bacteriocin, enterocin L11, was assayed by Edman degradation method. It differs from other class II bacteriocins and exhibited a broad antimicrobial activity against not only Gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis, S. aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Sarcina flava, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, but also some Gram-negative bacteria including Salmonella typhimurium, E. coli and Shigella flexneri. Enterocin L11 retained 91 % of its activity after holding at 121 °C for 30 min. It was also resistant to acids and alkalis.

Conclusions

Enterocin L11 is a novel broad-spectrum Class II bacteriocin produced by E. faecalis L11, and may have potential as a food biopreservative.

     

Buried Tracks: Ichnological Applications of High-Frequency Georadar

Recognition and sampling of traces in unconsolidated sands present a major challenge for ichnologists. This can be partially remedied through the application of high-resolution geophysical techniques, such as ground-penetrating radar (GPR or georadar), which uses electromagnetic impulse for continuous imaging of shallow subsurface. It addition to geological applications, GPR imaging has been used in several studies focused on animal traces as related to conservation of endangered fossorial species (Kinlaw et al., 2007 Kinlaw, A. E., Conyers, L. B. and Zajac, W. 2007. Use of ground penetrating radar to image burrows of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Herpetological Review, 38: 50–56.  [Google Scholar]; Martin et al., 2011 Martin, A. J., Skaggs, S. A., Vance, R. K. and Greco, V. 2011. Ground-penetrating radar investigation of gopher-tortoise burrows: Refining the characterization of modern vertebrate burrows and associated commensal traces. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 43: 381 [Google Scholar]), slope and levee stability (Nichol et al., 2003 Nichol, D., Lenham, J. W. and Reynolds, J. M. 2003. Application of ground-penetrating radar to investigate the effects of badger setts on slope stability at St. Asaph Bypass, North Wales. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 36: 143–153.  [Google Scholar]; Di Prinzio et al., 2010 Di Prinzio, M, Bittelli, M., Castellarin, A. and Pisa, P. R. 2010. Application of GPR to the monitoring of river embankments. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 7: 53–61.  [Google Scholar]), and mapping of fossil tracks (Matthews et al., 2006 Matthews, N. A., Noble, T. A. and Breithaupt, B. H. 2006. “The application of photogrammetry, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to fossil resource management”. In Fossils from Federal Lands, Edited by: Lucas, S. G., Spielmann, J. A., Hester, P. M., Kenworthy, J. P. and Santucci, V. L. Vol. 34, 119–131. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin.  [Google Scholar]; Aucoin and Hasbargen, 2010 Aucoin, C. D. and Hasbargen, L. 2010. Using GPR, GPS and close-range photography to map and characterize dinosaur tracks in the Connecticut River valley. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 42: 276 [Google Scholar]) and tracking surfaces (Webb, 2007 Webb, S. 2007. Further research of the Willandra Lakes fossil footprint site, southeastern Australia. Journal of Human Evolution, 52: 711–715. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Few efforts have been dedicated specifically to characterizing burrow and track characteristics (Stott, 1996 Stott, P. 1996. Ground-penetrating radar: a technique for investigating the burrow structure of fossorial vertebrates. Wildlife Research, 22: 519–530.  [Google Scholar]; Sensors & Software Inc., 2010 [compilation on geophysical projects related to animal burrows]; Buynevich and Hasiotis, 2011; Buynevich et al., 2011; Martin et al., 2011) and most of the above studies are published in journals not routinely accessed by ichnologists.     

Reducing GWAS Complexity

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed numerous genomic 'hits' associated with complex phenotypes. In most cases these hits, along with surrogate genetic variation as measure by numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are in linkage disequilibrium, are not in coding genes making assignment of functionality or causality intractable. Here we propose that fine-mapping along with the matching of risk SNPs at chromatin biofeatures lessen this complexity by reducing the number of candidate functional/causal SNPs. For example, we show here that only on average 2 SNPs per prostate cancer risk locus are likely candidates for functionality/causality; we further propose that this manageable number should be taken forward in mechanistic studies. The candidate SNPs can be looked up for each prostate cancer risk region in 2 recent publications in 2015^1,2 Han Y, Hazelett DJ, Wiklund F, Schumacher FR, Stram DO, Berndt SI, Wang Z, Rand KA, Hoover RN, Machiela MJ, et al. Integration of Multiethnic Fine-mapping and Genomic Annotation to Prioritize Candidate Functional SNPs at Prostate Cancer Susceptibility Regions. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24(19):5603–18. Amin Al Olama A, Dadaev T, Hazelett DJ, Li Q, Leongamornlert D, Saunders EJ, Stephens S, Cieza-Borrella C, Whitmore I, Benlloch Garcia S, et al. Multiple novel prostate cancer susceptibility signals identified by fine-mapping of known risk loci among Europeans. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24(19):5589–602.  from our groups.     

Mutations in <Emphasis Type="Italic">CsPID</Emphasis> encoding a Ser/Thr protein kinase are responsible for round leaf shape in cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis> L.)

Key message

Two round-leaf mutants, rl-1 and rl-2, were identified from EMS-induced mutagenesis. High throughput sequencing and map-based cloning suggested CsPID encoding a Ser/Thr protein kinase as the most possible candidate for rl-1. Rl-2 was allelic to Rl-1.

Abstract

Leaf shape is an important plant architecture trait that is affected by plant hormones, especially auxin. In Arabidopsis, PINOID (PID), a regulator for the auxin polar transporter PIN (PIN-FORMED) affects leaf shape formation, but this function of PID in crop plants has not been well studied. From an EMS mutagenesis population, we identified two round-leaf (rl) mutants, C356 and C949. Segregation analysis suggested that both mutations were controlled by single recessive genes, rl-1 and rl-2, respectively. With map-based cloning, we show that CsPID as the candidate gene of rl-1; a non-synonymous SNP in the second exon of CsPID resulted in an amino acid substitution and the round leaf phenotype. As compared in the wild type plant, CsPID had significantly lower expression in the root, leaf and female flowers in C356, which may result in the less developed roots, round leaves and abnormal female flowers, respectively in the rl-1 mutant. Among the three copies of PID genes, CsPID, CsPID2 and CSPID2L (CsPID2-like) in the cucumber genome, CsPID was the only one with significantly differential expression in adult leaves between WT and C356 suggesting CsPID plays a main role in leaf shape formation. The rl-2 mutation in C949 was also cloned, which was due to another SNP in a nearby location of rl-1 in the same CsPID gene. The two round leaf mutants and the work presented herein provide a good foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms of CsPID in cucumber leaf development.

     

Design and synthesis of 3-(azol-1-yl)phenylpropanes as microbicidal spermicides for prophylactic contraception

We designed a series of 25 3-(azol-1-yl)phenylpropanes which yielded 10 compounds (3, 4, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 21, 23, 26) that irreversibly immobilized 100% human sperm at 1% (w/v) concentration in 60 s; 12 compounds (8, 9, 15, 16, 19-21, 23-25, 27, 28) that showed potent microbicidal activity at 12.5-50 μg/mL against Trichomonas vaginalis; and 17 compounds (3-11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30) that exhibited potent anticandida activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5-50 μg/mL. Almost all the compounds exhibited high level of safety towards normal vaginal flora (Lactobacillus) and human cervical (HeLa) cells in comparison to the marketed spermicide nonoxynol-9 (N-9). All the biological activities were evaluated in vitro. Two compounds (4, 8) with good safety profile exhibited multiple (spermicidal, antitrichomonas and anticandida) activities, warranting further lead optimization for furnishing a prophylactic vaginal contraceptive.     

Studies in the taxonomy of the Polypores II

The following genera are redefined:Albatrellus S. F. Gray,Heterobasidion Bref.,Haploporus Bond. et Sing. ex Sing.,Fomitopsis P. Karst. andRigidoporus Murrill two new subgenera are described:Polyporus subgen.Dendropolyporus Pouz. (type:Polyporus umbellatus) andRigidoporus subgen.Neooxyporus Pouz. (type:Polyporus latemarginatus); the genusOxyporus (Bourd. etGalz.)Donk is classified as a subgenus of the genusRigidoporus,Murrill and the generaBjerkandera P. Karst. andLeptoporus quél. are classified as subgenera of the genusTyromyces P. Karst. The new subfamilyAlbatrelloideae Pouz. (genera:Albatrellus andGrifola) is described and 14 new specific combinations are made. The new genusIrpicodon Pouz. (type:Irpex pendulus) is proposed.     

High-resolution mapping reveals linkage between genes in common bean cultivar Ouro Negro conferring resistance to the rust,anthracnose, and angular leaf spot diseases

Key message

Co-segregation analysis and high-throughput genotyping using SNP, SSR, and KASP markers demonstrated genetic linkage between Ur-14 and Co-3 ⁴ /Phg-3 loci conferring resistance to the rust, anthracnose and angular leaf spot diseases of common bean.

Abstract

Rust, anthracnose, and angular leaf spot are major diseases of common bean in the Americas and Africa. The cultivar Ouro Negro has the Ur-14 gene that confers broad spectrum resistance to rust and the gene cluster Co-3 ⁴ /Phg-3 containing two tightly linked genes conferring resistance to anthracnose and angular leaf spot, respectively. We used co-segregation analysis and high-throughput genotyping of 179 F_2:3 families from the Rudá (susceptible) × Ouro Negro (resistant) cross-phenotyped separately with races of the rust and anthracnose pathogens. The results confirmed that Ur-14 and Co-3 ⁴ /Phg-3 cluster in Ouro Negro conferred resistance to rust and anthracnose, respectively, and that Ur-14 and the Co-3 ⁴ /Phg-3 cluster were closely linked. Genotyping the F_2:3 families, first with 5398 SNPs on the Illumina BeadChip BARCBEAN6K_3 and with 15 SSR, and eight KASP markers, specifically designed for the candidate region containing Ur-14 and Co-3 ⁴ /Phg-3, permitted the creation of a high-resolution genetic linkage map which revealed that Ur-14 was positioned at 2.2 cM from Co-3 ⁴ /Phg-3 on the short arm of chromosome Pv04 of the common bean genome. Five flanking SSR markers were tightly linked at 0.1 and 0.2 cM from Ur-14, and two flanking KASP markers were tightly linked at 0.1 and 0.3 cM from Co-3 ⁴ /Phg-3. Many other SSR, SNP, and KASP markers were also linked to these genes. These markers will be useful for the development of common bean cultivars combining the important Ur-14 and Co-3 ⁴ /Phg-3 genes conferring resistance to three of the most destructive diseases of common bean.

     

New species of the buprestid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Endelus</Emphasis> Deyrolle (Coleoptera,Buprestidae) from China,India, and Laos

Endelus (Kubaniellus) indicus sp. n. from India, E. (K.) lao sp. n. and E. (K.) khnzoriani sp. n. from Laos, E. (s. str.) sausai sp. n. from China, and E. (s. str.) dembickyi sp. n. from India are described, the two latter species are included in the Endelus bicarinatus Théry, 1932 species-group recently established by the author. E. collinus Obenberger, 1922 is included in this group; lectotype of this species is designated. Keys to species of the subgenus Kubaniellus and of the E. collinus group are provided. E. (K.) kareni Kalashian is for the first time recorded for Shaanxi Prov., E. pacholatkoi Kalashian, E. smaragdinus Desc. et Vill., and E collinus Obenb., for Laos (the latter species, also for Myanmar).     

New taxa and combinations in Malvastrum A. Gray (Malvaceae: Malveae)

The genusMalvastrum A. Gray is interpreted to include 22 taxa in 14 species. Seven taxa are here described as new, namely:M. americanum var.stellatum,M. tomentosum subsp.pautense,M. bicuspidatum subsp.campanulatum,M. bicuspidatum subsp.oaxacanum, M. bicuspidatum subsp.tumidum var.tumidum, M. bicuspidatum subsp.tumidum var.glabrum, andM. coromandelianum subsp.fryxellii. In addition, two new combinations are proposed, namely:M. tomentosum andM. coromandelianum subsp.capitato-spicatum.