<Emphasis Type="Italic">Syndesmis</Emphasis> François, 1886 (Rhabdocoela: Umagillidae): a revisitation,with a synopsis and an identification key to species,and new molecular evidence for ascertaining the phylogeny of the group

Syndesmis François, 1886 is a genus of umagillid turbellarians comprising species which are typically endosymbionts of echinoids, i.e. sea urchins. This group is likely key in addressing the issue of transition between a free-living and a parasitic mode of life in the Platyhelminthes. Accordingly, its phylogeny should be considered for detailed analysis, namely by addressing molecular evidence for its different species. At the present time, a revisitation of Syndesmis is required and fully justified by the following lines of argument: (i) the body of knowledge on Syndesmis is large, but the information is scattered through many different works in the literature; (ii) for about 60 years, it was a common practice to assign the umagillids isolated from sea urchins as a single species, i.e. the type-species, Syndesmis echinorum François, 1886, which was later split into several species on morphological grounds; and (iii) the type-species - for which no molecular information is available - was redescribed and new species were described in recent years but the generic diagnosis of Syndesmis was not emended accordingly. The present state of art additionally justifies the necessity of (i) an updated synopsis of species and (ii) an identification key to the 26 species described from different hosts and geographical locations. All these aspects define the aims of the present study. It is proposed that S. antillarum is attributed to Stunkard & Corliss (1951) and not to Powers (1936).     

Detection of symbionts and virus in the whitefly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), vector of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus</Emphasis> in Central India

Legume crops in Central India, the main soybean production area of the country, may suffer from yellow mosaic disease caused by the Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV). MYMIV is transmitted by the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), which is a species complex composed of various genetic groups. This vector species harbors different endosymbionts among regional strains and among individuals. To elucidate fundamental aspects of this virus vector in the state of Madhya Pradesh, the infection status of the symbionts and the virus in whiteflies was studied. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) survey of the whiteflies collected in Madhya Pradesh found four secondary endosymbionts, Arsenophonus, Hemipteriphilus, Wolbachia, and Cardinium, in addition to the primary endosymbiont Portiera. Arsenophonus and Hemipteriphilus were highly infected but the infection rates of Wolbachia and Cardinium were low. MYMIV was detected in whitefly populations collected from various host plants in Madhya Pradesh. The whitefly populations belonged to the Asia I and II genetic groups; several different Asia II populations were also distributed. Specific relations were not observed among symbiont infection status, virus infection, and the whitefly genetic groups in the populations of Madhya Pradesh, though Cardinium was highly detected in the Asia II-1 group. New primers, which can be used for PCR template validation and for discriminating two phylogenetically close endosymbionts, were designed.     

The potential of azooxanthellate poriferan hosts to assess the fundamental and realized <Emphasis Type="Italic">Symbiodinium</Emphasis> niche: evaluating a novel method to initiate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Symbiodinium</Emphasis> associations

On coral reefs, Symbiodinium spp. are found in most cnidarian species, but reside in only a small number of sponge species. Of the sponges that do harbor Symbiodinium, most are found in the family Clionaidae, which represents a minor fraction of the poriferan diversity on a reef. Our goal was to determine whether Symbiodinium can be taken up by sponge hosts that do not typically harbor these algal symbionts, and then to follow the fate of any Symbiodinium that enter the intracellular space. We used the filter-feeding capacity of sponges to initiate intracellular interactions between sponge-specialist clade G Symbiodinium and six sponge species that do not associate with Symbiodinium. Using a pulse-chase experimental design, we determined that all of the species we examined captured Symbiodinium, and undamaged intracellular algae were found up to 1 h after inoculation. In a longer-term experiment, Symbiodinium populations in Amphimedon erina persisted in sponge cells for at least 5 d post-inoculation. While no evidence of digestion was detected, the population decreased exponentially after inoculation. We contrast these data with the characteristics of symbiont acquisition and establishment in Cliona varians, which normally harbors Symbiodinium. Explants from experimentally derived aposymbiotic sponges were placed in the field where they acquired Symbiodinium from ambient sources (i.e., we did not inoculate them as in the pulse-chase experiments). We began to detect Symbiodinium cells in C. varians after 12 d, and the algal population increased exponentially until densities approached those typically found in this host (after ~128 d). We discuss the implications of this work in light of growing interest in the evolution of specificity between hosts and symbionts, and the fundamental and realized niche of Symbiodinium.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Metarhizium bibionidarum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. purpureogenum</Emphasis>: new species from Japan

Two new species of Metarhizium, M. bibionidarum and M. purpureogenum are described from Japan. Metarhizium bibionidarum is the phylogenetic sister species of M. pemphigi and a member of the M. flavoviride species complex. It is distinguished morphologically from M. pemphigi by its larger conidia. The species is based on a collection of an infected March fly larva (Diptera: Bibionidae) but is also known to occur on fruit beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) encountered in France. Metarhizium purpureogenum was isolated from soil by plating and insect baiting methods and represents a unique phylogenetic lineage placed outside the M. anisopliae and M. flavoviride species complexes. Three isolates of M. purpureogenum excreted a distinctive red-purple pigment into agar medium when co-cultured with M. robertsii or Aspergillus oryzae.     

Nutritional symbionts of a putative vector, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xyleborus bispinatus</Emphasis>, of the laurel wilt pathogen of avocado, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Raffaelea lauricola</Emphasis>

Ambrosia beetles subsist on fungal symbionts that they carry to, and cultivate in, their natal galleries. These symbionts are usually saprobes, but some are phytopathogens. Very few ambrosial symbioses have been studied closely, and little is known about roles that phytopathogenic symbionts play in the life cycles of these beetles. One of the latter symbionts, Raffaelea lauricola, causes laurel wilt of avocado, Persea americana, but its original ambrosia beetle partner, Xyleborus glabratus, plays an uncertain role in this pathosystem. We examined the response of a putative, alternative vector of R. lauricola, Xyleborus bispinatus, to artificial diets of R. lauricola and other ambrosia fungi. Newly eclosed, unfertilized females of X. bispinatus were reared in no-choice assays on one of five different symbionts or no symbiont. Xyleborus bispinatus developed successfully on R. lauricola, R. arxii, R. subalba and R. subfusca, all of which had been previously recovered from field-collected females of X. bispinatus. However, no development was observed in the absence of a symbiont or on another symbiont, Ambrosiella roeperi, recovered from another ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus. In the no-choice assays, mycangia of foundress females of X. bispinatus harbored significant colony-forming units of, and natal galleries that they produced were colonized with, the respective Raffaelea symbionts; with each of these fungi, reproduction, fecundity and survival of the beetle were positively impacted. However, no fungus was recovered from, and reproduction did not occur on, the A. roeperi and no symbiont diets. These results highlight the flexible nature of the ambrosial symbiosis, which for X. bispinatus includes a fungus with which it has no evolutionary history. Although the “primary” symbiont of the neotropical X. bispinatus is unclear, it is not the Asian R. lauricola.     

Microstructural characterization of the body key scale morphology in six Iranian endemic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphanius</Emphasis> species (Cyprinodontidae): Their taxonomic and evolutionary significance

The microstructural characteristics of the body key scales were described for six Iranian endemic Aphanius Nardo, 1827 species. Among them, five species genetically belong to the “Iranian inland and inland-related Aphanius species, IIRAS” group, while A. ginaonis (Holly, 1929) belongs to the “brackish water species” group. General scale shape in the studied Aphanius species was cycloid with the exception of A. ginaonis, which has cycloid scales with few spinous-like structures present in the posterior edge of the scales. Considering phylogenetic relationships of the studied taxa, the most likely explanation for presence of the spinous scales in Aphanius species is the primary existence of these scales in this group. In addition, among the IIRAS group, the most different lepidont was recognized in scales of the A. isfahanensis Hrbek, Keivany and Coad, 2006 (pointed), which is similar to lepidonts in the A. ginaonis. The scales of these species are polygonal with similar typology. The similarity in lepidont morphology between A. ginaonis and A. isfahanensis can explained by (i) the primary existence of the rounded lepidont in this group, and (ii) since A. ginaonis and A. isfahanensis belong to two separate phylogenetic lineages, therefore, similarity in their lepidont morphology could be results of convergent evolution.     

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.     

Incipient speciation in a neotropical Gesneriaceae: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Columnea kucyniakii</Emphasis> is nested within <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. strigosa</Emphasis>

Speciation is an ongoing process. Many recognized species are fully divergent from each other and their ancestors, whereas others are in earlier stages in the diversification process. Such incipient speciation may create patterns when one or a few populations are phenotypically distinct, but lack genomic level coalescence from each other or from their ancestral species. As a result, such progenitor-derivative species pairs are likely to lack reciprocal monophyly or generate paraphyletic ancestral species. Here we examine phylogenetic patterns in the Columnea strigosa (Gesneriaceae) complex to evaluate whether populations that have been named C. kucyniakii are reciprocally monophyletic with C. strigosa, its presumed ancestral species. Molecular phylogenetic results do not support reciprocal monophyly of the two species, implying that incipient speciation is occurring within the C. strigosa complex. We hereby recommend that C. kucyniakii be recognized at the specific rank despite the fact that it creates a paraphyletic C. strigosa. These findings bear importance in taxonomic decisions about paraphyletic taxa and recognizing evolutionary and morphologically distinct lineages.     

Characterization,genetic diversity,phylogenetic relationships,and expression of the aluminum tolerance <Emphasis Type="Italic">MATE1</Emphasis> gene in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale</Emphasis> species

Aluminum (Al) is the main limiting factor for crop production in acidic soils. Efflux of organic acids is one of the mechanisms that determine Al-tolerance, and an Al-activated citrate transporter (multidrug and toxic compound extrusion) MATE1 gene is involved in different species. The contribution of the rye MATE1 gene (ScMATE1) depends on the rye (Secale cereale L.) cultivars and the crosses analyzed; there is no information about different rye species. The cDNA sequences, phylogenetic relationships, Al-tolerance, citrate exudation, and expression of the ScMATE1 gene were analyzed in several cultivars and wild species/subspecies of the Secale genus. Genotypes highly tolerant to Al were found within this genus. For the first time, sequences of the cDNA of the ScMATE1 gene were isolated and characterized in wild ryes. At least two copies of this gene were found likely to be related to Al-tolerance. The sequence comparison of 13 exons of ScMATE1 revealed variability between species, but also inter- and intra-cultivars. Variations were found in the Al-induced expression of ScMATE1 gene, as well as its contribution to Al-tolerance. The pattern of citrate exudation was inducible in most of the species/subspecies studied and constitutive in few. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that ScMATE1 is orthologue of two genes (HvMATE1 and TaMATE1) involved in the Al stress response in barley and wheat, respectively, but not orthologue of SbMATE, implicated in Al-tolerance in sorghum. ScMATE1 is involved in the response to Al stress in ryes, but its contribution to Al-tolerance is complex, and like in other species, there are tolerant and sensitive alleles in the different cultivars and species studied.     

The high diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lotus corniculatus</Emphasis> endosymbionts in soils of northwest Spain

The diversity of rhizobia that establish symbiosis with Lotus corniculatus has scarcely been studied. Several species of Mesorhizobium are endosymbionts of this legume, including Mesorhizobium loti, the type species of this genus. We analysed the genetic diversity of strains nodulating Lotus corniculatus in Northwest Spain and ten different RAPD patterns were identified among 22 isolates. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that the isolated strains belong to four divergent phylogenetic groups within the genus Mesorhizobium. These phylogenetic groups are widely distributed worldwide and the strains nodulate L. corniculatus in several countries of Europe, America and Asia. Three of the groups include the currently described Mesorhizobium species M. loti, M. erdmanii and M. jarvisii which are L. corniculatus endosymbionts. An analysis of the recA and atpD genes showed that our strains belong to several clusters, one of them very closely related to M. jarvisii and the remanining ones phylogenetically divergent from all currently described Mesorhizobium species. Some of these clusters include L. corniculatus nodulating strains isolated in Europe, America and Asia, although the recA and atpD genes have been sequenced in only a few L. corniculatus endosymbionts. The results of this study revealed great phylogenetic diversity of strains nodulating L. corniculatus, allowing us to predict that even more diversity will be discovered as further ecosystems are investigated.     

Revision of the taxonomic status of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gloeoporus</Emphasis> (Polyporales,Basidiomycota) reveals two new species

Gloeoporus Mont. is characterized by an easily separated gelatinous hymenophore and a continuous hymenium over the pore mouth. Recent molecular taxonomic and phylogenetic research showed that morphological grouping of Gloeoporus is polyphyletic. The lack of comprehensive phylogenetic studies of Gloeoporus exacerbates confusion in determining the taxonomic position of the genus. To delimit the genus Gloeoporus, we performed multi-locus phylogenetic analysis using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), and the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2). The phylogenetic analyses revealed that current delimitation of Gloeoporus is not monophyletic. Gloeoporus s.s. includes mostly clamped species lacking cystidia. Some species of Gloeoporus featuring simple septa and cystidia are proposed to be renamed to Meruliopsis. Two new species of Gloeoporus were also observed and they are named Gloeoporus africanus and Gloeoporus orientalis.     

Analysis of chloroplast <Emphasis Type="Italic">rpS16</Emphasis> intron sequences in Lemnaceae

Chloroplast rpS16 gene intron sequences were determined and characterized for twenty-five Lemnaceae accessions representing nine duckweed species. For each Lemnaceae species nucleotide substitutions and for Lemna minor, Lemna aequinoctialis, Wolffia arrhiza different indels were detected. Most of indels were found for Wolffia arrhiza and Lemna aequinoctialis. The analyses of intraspecific polymorphism resulted in identification of several gaplotypes in Lemna gibba and Lemna trisulca. Lemnaceae phylogenetic relationship based on rpS16 intron variability data has revealed significant differences between Lemna aequinoctialis and other Lemna species. Genetic distance values corroborated competence of Landoltia punctata separations from Spirodela into an independent generic taxon. The acceptability of rpS16 intron sequences for phylogenetic studies in Lemnaceae was shown.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Compsaster formosus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">Worthen &; Miller</Emphasis> (Asteroidea; Echinodermata): A Carboniferous homeomorph of the post-Paleozoic Asteriidae

All adequately known post-Paleozoic asteroids are either assignable to surviving families or closely related families whereas no Paleozoic species assignable to a surviving order has been recognized. The Mississippian speciesCompsaster formosus is similar enough to various Recent taxa in overall form as well as in the form and arrangement of body wall ossicles to raise the issue of affinities: IsC. formosus nested within a phylogenetic branch hitherto known only from post-Paleozoic strata or is it only homeomorphic?The nature of the ambulacral system is critical to interpretation of echinoderms, and post-Paleozoic asteroids share three fundamental ambulacral characters or character suites: dorsal podial pores, staggered positioning of ambulacrals and adambulacrals, and complex articular structures between these two ossicular types.Calliasterella americana, a Carboniferous asteroid, shares the three ambulacral features, although it is distinctive from post-Paleozoic asteroids in other ways.Compsaster formosus exhibits at least two of the three ambulacral characters, although presence of staggering has not been finally established. LikeC. americana, C. formosus differs from post-Paleozoic species in details of ambulacral anatomy as well as aspects of ventral body surface ossicular arrangement. Although approaching crown-group organization,C. formosus nevertheless represents a branch basal to the crown group.Because asteroids are generalists, understanding of life habits ofCompsaster is sketchy in spite of morphological similarities between it and younger genera.Compsaster probably was epifaunal and its overall form is strongly reminiscent of that of Recent predatory asteriids but it is also similar to small-particle feeding echinasterids.     

Phylogenetic analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plectosphaerella</Emphasis> species based on multi-locus DNA sequences and description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. sinensis</Emphasis> sp. nov.

Species in Plectosphaerella are well known as pathogens of several plant species causing fruit, root and collar rot and collapse. In an investigation of endophytic fungi associated with cucurbit plants in China, we isolated 77 strains belonging to the genus Plectosphaerella. To identify the isolated strains, we collected the type or reference strains of all currently accepted species in Plectosphaerella except P. oratosquillae and conducted a phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial 28S rDNA sequences showed that all species in Plectosphaerella were located in one clade of Plectosphaerellaceae. Based on multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of the ITS, CaM, EF1, TUB and morphological characteristics, all species in Plectosphaerella were well separated. Three endophytic strains from stems of Cucurbita moschata, Citrullus lanatus and Cucumis melo from North China were assigned to a new species described as P. sinensis in this paper. The new species differs morphologically from other Plectosphaerella species by irregular chlamydospores, and the dimensions of phialides and conidia. The other endophytic strains from several cucurbit plants were identified as P. cucumerina.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Calcarisporium xylariicola</Emphasis> sp. nov. and introduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calcarisporiaceae</Emphasis> fam. nov. in Hypocreales

During a survey of fungicolous fungi, a novel taxon from the surface of stroma of an unidentified Xylaria species was collected. Phylogenetic analyses showed that this taxon clustered with Calcarisporium sp. and C. arbuscula isolates, but was resolved as a distinct species. A detailed morphological examination coupled with phylogenetic analysis indicated that the taxon represented a new species. Calcarisporium xylariicola sp. nov. is thus introduced. The new taxon is characterized by short conidiophores with swollen bases and less length/width ratio of conidia that distinguish it from other Calcarisporium species. Calcarisporium is presently placed in Hypocreales genera, incertae sedis genus. Species in the genus are largely fungicolous, or occasionally caulicolous or foliicolous, and have hyaline, erect, verticillate conidiophores and sympodial, polyblastic conidiation. A phylogenetic analysis of combined SSU, ITS, LSU, TEF and RPB2 sequence data from Calcarisporium species and other taxa in Hypocreales indicate that Calcarisporium is a distinct lineage from other families. Therefore, a new family, Calcarisporiaceae, in Hypocreales is introduced.