Taxonomic studies on Zingiber (Zingiberaceae) in China IV: Z. pauciflorum sp. nov. from Yunnan

Zingiber pauciflorum L.Bai, ?korni?k., D.Z.Li & N.H.Xia (Zingibereae, Zingiberaceae), a new species from southern Yunnan, China, is described and colour plates are provided. It belongs to Z . sect. Cryptanthium Horan. and is compared with three similar species, namely Z. tenuifolium L.Bai, ?korni?k. & N.H.Xia, Z. smilesianum Craib and Z. yunnanense S.Q.Tong & X.Z.Liu. A colour plate of the most similar species, Z. smilesianum is also provided for comparison.     

Rhaponticoidesaytachii sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia,Turkey

A new species of Rhaponticoides Vaill., Rhaponticoidesaytachii Y. Ba?c?, Do?u & Dinç sp. nov. collected by the authors from south Anatolia, is described and illustrated. The new species is restricted to deprived Quercus forest openness around Dumlugöze‐Sar?veliler (C4 Karaman). Diagnostic morphological characters from R. amplifolia (Boiss. & Heldr.) M.V. Agab. & Greuter are discussed. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species is also presented.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus carbonarius</Emphasis>, a new species of deepwater cardinalfish (Perciformes: Epigonidae) from the Marquesas Islands,with a redefinition of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus oligolepis</Emphasis> group

A new epigonid fish, Epigonus carbonarius, is described on the basis of four specimens (50.8–95.3 mm standard length) collected from off Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas Islands. This species belongs to the Epigonus oligolepis group, redefined in this study. It is distinguished from the three recognized species of the group by the following combination of characters: a small number of total gill rakers (21–23) and pyloric caeca (6), presence of lingual teeth, and absence of teeth from posterior part of vomer. A key to the species in the E. oligolepis group is provided.     

Cytogenetic survey of species of two distinct genera of Iberian nases (Cyprinidae,Leuciscinae) that hybridize extensively in nature. I. Evidence of a similar and conserved chromosome pattern with some few species-specific markers at macro-structural level

Pseudochondrostoma duriense and Pseudochondrostoma polylepis hybridize extensively with Achondrostoma oligolepis in natural populations. In this first survey, karyotypes were comparatively analyzed by C-, AgNOR- and CMA₃-banding procedures in pure (non-introgressed) fish specimens. Leuciscinae pattern was evidenced in the three species: metacentrics and submetacentrics dominance, a big subtelo/acrocentric (marker) chromosome pair and a 2n = 50; small macro-structural differences were observed. Heterochromatin was centromere-associated. Exceptions were found at sm1 and st/a1 long arms and at m1, sm3 and sm6 short arms. The st/a1 band was telomeric in the straight-mouth nases and sub-terminal in A. oligolepis. Multiple NORs of heterochromatic nature were found in sm pairs of the three species. Signals were telomeric except for one pair in A. oligolepis. Two to four structural and two functional NORs were found in P. duriense and P. polylepis, and four to six structural and four functional NORs in A. oligolepis. Species-specific markers will prove useful in hybrid zones’ cytogenetic characterization and for in-depth studies of genome compatibility-related issues in future studies.     

Taxonomic studies on Zingiber (Zingiberaceae) in China VI: Z. leucochilum,a new species with running rhizome from Sichuan

Zingiber leucochilum L.Bai, ?korni?k. & N.H.Xia (Zingibereae, Zingiberaceae), a new species from southeastern Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated with a colour plate. Notes on ecology, distribution and a preliminary IUCN conservation assessment are also provided. The new species is assigned to Z . sect. Cryptanthium Horan. and compared to five morphologically similar species from China which share the characteristic well‐elongated and running rhizome, namely, Z. emeiense Z.Y.Zhu, Z. leptorrhizum D.Fang, Z. pauciflorum L.Bai, ?korni?k., D.Z.Li & N.H.Xia, Z. smilesianum Craib and Z. yunnanense S.Q.Tong & X.Z.Liu. A key to the above six species is provided and their distributions are mapped.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paracobitis nanpanjiangensis,</Emphasis> a new loach (Balitoridae: Nemacheilinae) from Yunnan,China

A new species of the genus Paracobitis, Paracobitis nanpanjiangensis is described from tributaries of the Nanpanjiang River drainage in China. It is distinguished from its congeners, except P. oligolepis and P. wujiangensis, by body scaleless or with rudimentary scales (caudal peduncle with several deeply embedded scales). It can be differentiated from P. wujiangensis by the complete lateral line (vs. incomplete), lower dorsal crest reaching the vertical of origin of anal fin (vs. shorter and higher dorsal crest not reaching the base of anal fin). It is distinguished from P. oligolepis by the following characters: branched dorsal fin with 81/2 (a few 91/2) rays (vs. 91/2), interspaces between bars in front of dorsal fin conspicuously thinner than those behind (vs. vermiform markings), dorsal head without vermiform markings or obscure (vs. clearly vermiform markings on dorsal head), vertebrae 4 + 36–38 (vs. 4 + 39–41).     

Haplodontium zangii X.R.Wang & J.C.Zhao,sp. nov. (Bryaceae,Bryopsida) from Xizang,China

Haplodontium zangii X.R.Wang &; J.C.Zhao, a new moss species from Xizang, China, is described and illustrated. Previously, specimens of H. zangii have been identified as Mielichhoferia himalayana Mitt. However, H. zangii is distinctly different from M. himalayana in having excurrent costae with short awns (vs long denticulate awns), short-pyriform capsules, 0.8–1?mm (vs long-pyriform capsules, 2.5–3?mm), and densely papillose exostome teeth (vs smooth or vertically striped exostome teeth). Haplodontium zangii is similar to H. macrocarpum (Hook.) J.R.Spence, which was traditionally placed in Mielichhoferia Nees &; Hornsch. as M. macrocarpa (Hook.) Bruch &; Schimp. The main differences between H. zangii and H. macrocarpum are in the morphology of the leaves, capsules, guide cells, and stomata. Mielichhoferia himalayana and another Chinese species of Mielichhoferia, M. sinensis Dix., are also transferred to Haplodontium Hampe, a new genus in the bryoflora of China, as H. himalayanum (Mitt.) X.R.Wang &; J.C.Zhao and H. sinensis (Dix.) X.R.Wang &; J.C.Zhao. A morphological comparison and a key to the three species of Haplodontium in China as well as to H. macrocarpum, a species that is likely to be found in China, are provided.     

Silene demirizii sp. nov. and S.marschallii subsp. anamasi subsp. nov. (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey

Two new taxa of Silene L. (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey, Silene demirizii K. Y?ld?z & Ç?rp?c? sp. nov. and Silene marschallii C. A. Meyer subsp. anamasi K. Y?ld?z & Dadand? subsp. nov. are described and illustrated. Their taxonomic positions are discussed and they are compared with allied taxa. The distributions of the new and closely related species are mapped. Pollen grain and seed coat ultrastructure of the new and allied taxa were examined by SEM.     

Curcuma pygmaea sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from Vietnam and notes on two related species C. parviflora and C. thorelii.

Curcuma pygmaea?korni?k. & ?ída f. (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Vietnam, is described and illustrated. Notes on its closest allies in Curcuma subgenus Hitcheniopsis, C. parviflora Wall. and C. thorelii Gagnep., are provided and a lectotype of C. thorelii is designated.     

Curcuma pygmaea sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from Vietnam and notes on two related species C. parviflora and C. thorelii.

Curcuma pygmaea?korni?k. & ?ída f. (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Vietnam, is described and illustrated. Notes on its closest allies in Curcuma subgenus Hitcheniopsis, C. parviflora Wall. and C. thorelii Gagnep., are provided and a lectotype of C. thorelii is designated.     

Klasea serratuloides subsp. karamanica subsp. nov. (Asteraceae), from the central and south Anatolia transition zone,Turkey

A new subspecies, Klasea serratuloides (DC.) Greuter & Wagenitz subsp. karamanica B. Dogan & A. Duran (Asteraceae), is described and illustrated from Anatolia, Turkey. The subspecies grows on stony places in the Ayranc? and Ermenek district (C4 Karaman Province), Ere?li district (C5 Konya province) and Uluk??la (C5 Ni?de province) in the central and south Anatolia transition zone. It is morphologically similar to K. serratuloides subsp. serratuloides. Diagnostic morphological characters from closely similar taxa are discussed and arranged in a key. Ecology and conservation status of the subspecies is also presented. In addition, the geographical distribution of the new subspecies and other related species is mapped. The pollen morphology and achene surface of K. serratuloides subsp. karamanica and K. serratuloides subsp. serratuloides were examined by SEM.     

Scorzonera tuzgoluensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae), a new halophytic species from central Anatolia,Turkey

A new halophytic species, Scorzonera tuzgoluensis A. Duran, B. Do?an & S. Makbul sp. nov. (Asteraceae), is described and illustrated from Tuz Lake, central Anatolia, Turkey. The new species grows in salt marshes, is endemic (confined to central Anatolia) and closely related to Scorzonera parviflora Jacq. and S. elata Boiss. The diagnostic morphological characters of these similar taxa are discussed. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species are also presented. The geographic distribution of the new species and related species is mapped.     

Jurinea cataonica subsp. mardinensis subsp. nov. (Asteraceae) from southeast Anatolia,Turkey

A new subspecies, Jurinea cataonica Boiss. & Hausskn. subsp. mardinensis B. Do?an & A. Duran (Asteraceae), is described and illustrated from Anatolia, Turkey. The subspecies grows on abandoned fields in the Bakirkiri place (C8 Mardin Province) in southeastern Anatolia. It is morphologically similar to J. cataonica subsp. cataonica. Diagnostic morphological characters between these closely similar taxa are discussed and arranged in a key. Ecology and conservation status of the subspecies is also presented. In addition, the geographical distributions of the new subspecies and other related species are given.     

Simvastatin treatment prevents oxidative damage to DNA in whole blood leukocytes of dyslipidemic type 2 diabetic patients

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased oxidative stress as indicated by elevated levels of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation products. Since reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause damage to biological macromolecules including DNA, this study investigated oxidative damage to DNA using the alkaline (pH > 13) comet assay in peripheral whole blood leukocytes sampled from 15 dyslipidemic T2D patients treated with simvastatin (20 mg/day), 15 dyslipidemic T2D patients not treated with simvastatin, 20 non‐dyslipidemic T2D patients, and 20 healthy individuals (controls). Our results showed a greater DNA migration in terms of damage index (DI) (p < 0.01) in the dyslipidemic T2D patients not treated with statin (DI = 67.70 ± 10.89) when compared to the dyslipidemic T2D patients under statin treatment (DI = 47.56 ± 7.02), non‐dyslipidemic T2D patients (DI = 52.25 ± 9.14), and controls (DI = 13.20 ± 6.40). Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were also increased and total antioxidant reactivity (TAR) and paraoxonase activity (PON1) decreased in non‐dyslipidemic T2D patients and dyslipidemic T2D non‐treated with simvastatin. We also found that DI was inversely correlated with TAR (r = ?0.61, p < 0.05) and PON1 (r = ?0.67, p < 0.01). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between DI and CRP (r = 0.80, p < 0.01). Our results therefore indicate that simvastatin treatment plays a protective role on oxidative damage to DNA in dyslipidemic T2D patients probably reflecting a general decrease in oxidative stress in these patients. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three new basidiomycetous yeasts,Pseudozyma alboarmeniaca sp. nov., Pseudozyma crassa sp. nov. and Pseudozyma siamensis sp. nov. isolated from Thai patients

We previously reported the first isolation of Pseudozyma species from the blood of Thai patients. In this study, three additional new Pseudozyma species were isolated from clinical specimens from Thai patients. The Pseudozyma species showed relatively low sensitivity to azole antifungal agents. The names proposed for these isolates are Pseudozyma alboarmeniaca (DMST 17135^T = JCM 12454^T = CBS 9961^T), Pseudozyma crassa (DMST 17136^T = JCM 12455^T = CBS 9959^T) and Pseudozyma siamensis (DMST 17137^T = JCM 12456^T ?CBS 9960^T), where DMST is Department of Medical Sciences Culture Collection, JCM is Japan Collection of Microorganisms and CBS is Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures.