A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 1. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudapoderites</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Japonodeporaus</Emphasis>

The genus Deporaus from the Russian fauna is revised. Four species (D. pacatus, D. azarovae, D. septentrionalis, and D. hartmanni) of the subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus are found. Keys to the subgenera and to the species of the subgenus Pseudapoderites are given. The genus Deporaus, subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus, and four species are redescribed. The distribution of these species in Russia is discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cantharellus</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amethystini</Emphasis> in Asia

In this contribution on the genus Cantharellus in Asia, C. subvaginatus is described from the Republic of Korea as a close relative to the Chinese C. vaginatus, which is here reported for the first time from India. Both species are here placed in Cantharellus subg. Cantharellus sect. Amethystini, together with the Indian C. pseudoformosus (syn.: C. umbonatus) and the Malayan C. subamethysteus. As such, Asia has suddenly become the continent with the highest diversity for Amethystini. Species delimitation in sect. Amethystini is molecularly supported by a combined phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences obtained for LSU and ITS and additionally suggests the existence of a still undescribed species in North America. Character variability is discussed for all known members of Amethystini, including atypical specimens of the North American C. lewisii that are morphologically more reminiscent of the South Korean C. subvaginatus.     

End of an enigma: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aenigmopteris</Emphasis> belongs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectaria</Emphasis> (Tectariaceae: Polypodiopsida)

The phylogenetic affinities of the fern genus Aenigmopteris have been the subject of considerable disagreement, but until now, no molecular data were available from the genus. Based on the analysis of three chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL, rps16-matK, and trnL-F) we demonstrate that Aenigmopteris dubia (the type species of the genus) and A. elegans are closely related and deeply imbedded in Tectaria. The other three species of genus are morphologically very similar; we therefore transfer all five known species into Tectaria. Detailed morphological comparison further shows that previously proposed diagnostic characters of Aenigmopteris fall within the range of variation of a broadly circumscribed Tectaria.     

Revision of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melamphaes</Emphasis> (Melamphaidae). 5. Oligo-raker species: <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. indicus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. eurous</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. typhlops</Emphasis>

Three oligo-raker species (?19 rakers on the first gill arch) of the genus Melamphaes out of the “M. typhlops” group are considered. The validity of M. indicus Ebeling is restored. This species inhabits equatorial and tropical waters of the Indian Ocean and the western part of the Pacific Ocean. M. eurous sp. n., which is related to M. indicus, is described from equatorial waters of the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. M. typhlops (Lowe) inhabiting the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, from the equatorial zone about to 45° N, is redescribed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Basidiophora delawarensis</Emphasis>, a new downy mildew species infecting cultivated goldenrod (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solidago sphacelata</Emphasis>) in the USA

Species in the genus Basidiophora (Oomycota, Peronosporales) are pathogens causing downy mildew disease on several closely related plant hosts in the family Asteraceae, including the genera Conyza, Erigeron, Solidago, and Symphyotrichum. Despite their widespread occurrence, little is known about the diversity, biology, and economic impact of downy mildew pathogens of ornamental or wild plants in the Asteraceae. In June 2017, Solidago sphacelata plants of the cultivar ‘Golden Fleece’ were found in the state of Delaware, USA, showing typical symptoms of downy mildew disease. Initial morphological observations indicated the specimen belonged to the genus Basidiophora. Phylogenetic analysis of a sequence matrix of the partial cox2 mitochondrial gene using Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods showed that the Basidiophora isolate from S. sphacelata represents an undescribed species that is here described as B. delawarensis. This new species constitutes the third accepted species in the genus Basidiophora and can be distinguished from other Basidiophora species by differences in size of sporangia and sporangiophores and nucleotide sequence divergence. This new species poses a potential threat to its host, warranting close monitoring and the implementation of disease management programs.     

The first complete <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mag</Emphasis> family retrotransposons discovered in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis>

A retrotransposon of the Mag family was found in the Drosophila simulans genome for the first time. We also identified novel transposable elements representing the Mag family in seven Drosophila species. The high similarity between the 3’ and 5’ long terminal repeats in the found copies of transposable elements indicates that their retrotransposition has occurred relatively recently. Thus, the Mag family of retrotransposons is quite common for the genus Drosophila.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cortinarius majestaticus</Emphasis> comb. nov.: phylogenetic evidence for the transfer of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Descolea majestatica</Emphasis> to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cortinarius</Emphasis>

Descolea majestatica is an agaric with features described as intermediate between the genera Descolea Singer and Rozites P. Karst. (≡ Cortinarius). Molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large ribosomal subunit (LSU) and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2) sequences indicates that D. majestatica is nested within the genus Cortinarius, with its closest relative a sequestrate Cortinarius species from Argentina. Taxonomic recombination is made to restore the monophyly of Cortinarius and Descolea.     

<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.     

Chromosomal locations of U2 snDNA clusters in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megaleporinus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leporinus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizodon</Emphasis> (Characiformes: Anostomidae)

The U small nuclear RNA (U snRNA) genes comprise a multigene family and are required for splicing of pre-mRNA. In this paper, we aimed to study the chromosomal location of the U2 snRNA gene in Megaleporinus, Leporinus and Schizodon species, which constitute interesting models for the study of repetitive DNA and genomic evolution in fish once the group comprises species with and without heteromorphic sex chromosomes. The all six species showed 2n?=?54 chromosomes: Megaleporinus elongatus, Megaleporinus macrocephalus, Leporinus striatus, Leporinus friderici, Schizodon borelli and Schizodon isognathus. The U2 snDNA clusters were evident in only one medium-sized submetracentric pair in all analyzed species and this may represent a condition shared by Anostomidae family.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 2. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Roelofsideporaus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis>

The subgenera Roelofsideporaus and Deporaus s. str. of the genus Deporaus with four species (D. affectatus, D. unicolor, D. nidificus, and D. betulae) recorded from the Russian fauna are revised. Keys to the species of the subgenus Roelofsideporaus and to the females of the subgenera Roelofsideporaus and Deporaus s. str. are given. The distribution of D. nidificus in Russia is not confirmed.     

A metagenomic assessment of the bacteria associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lucilia sericata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lucilia cuprina</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diptera: Calliphoridae</Emphasis>)

Lucilia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a blow fly genus of forensic, medical, veterinary, and agricultural importance. This genus is also famous because of its beneficial uses in maggot debridement therapy (MDT). Although the genus is of considerable economic importance, our knowledge about microbes associated with these flies and how these bacteria are horizontally and trans-generationally transmitted is limited. In this study, we characterized bacteria associated with different life stages of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) and in the salivary gland of L. sericata by using 16S rDNA 454 pyrosequencing. Bacteria associated with the salivary gland of L. sericata were also characterized using light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results from this study suggest that the majority of bacteria associated with these flies belong to phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes, and most bacteria are maintained intragenerationally, with a considerable degree of turnover from generation to generation. In both species, second-generation eggs exhibited the highest bacterial phylum diversity (20 % genetic distance) than other life stages. The Lucilia sister species shared the majority of their classified genera. Of the shared bacterial genera, Providencia, Ignatzschineria, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Vagococcus, Morganella, and Myroides were present at relatively high abundances. Lactobacillus, Proteus, Diaphorobacter, and Morganella were the dominant bacterial genera associated with a survey of the salivary gland of L. sericata. TEM analysis showed a sparse distribution of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in the salivary gland of L. sericata. There was more evidence for horizontal transmission of bacteria than there was for trans-generational inheritance. Several pathogenic genera were either amplified or reduced by the larval feeding on decomposing liver as a resource. Overall, this study provides information on bacterial communities associated with different life stages of Lucilia and their horizontal and trans-generational transmission, which may help in the development of better vector-borne disease management and MDT methods.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Parasitaxus</Emphasis> parasitized: novel infestation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parasitaxus usta</Emphasis> (Podocarpaceae)

The world’s sole ‘parasitic’ gymnosperm Parasitaxus usta (Podocarpaceae) is endemic to the island of Grande Terre, New Caledonia. It is a threatened species because of its limited geographic range and progressing habitat fragmentation. Here, we report a novel scale insect outbreak on a Parasitaxus sub-population from Monts Dzumac in the southern part of Grande Terre. The identity of the scale insect was determined through combining morphological and molecular methods. The field collection of scale insects and their secretions from infested Parasitaxus specimens allowed morphological identification of the superfamily Coccoidea. Subsequent genetic sequencing using CO1 markers allowed phylogenetic placement of the wax scale insects to the genus Ceroplastes (Coccoidea, Coccidae), a widespread pest genus. The identified species, C. pseudoceriferus, has not been previously recorded from New Caledonia. As Parasitaxus is already vulnerable to extinction, this new threat to its long-term survival needs to be monitored. Other New Caledonian endemic plant species are potentially at risk of this new species, although it was not observed on Falcatifolium taxoides, the host of Parasitaxus.     

The genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusariella</Emphasis>

The genus Fusariella, typified by F. atrovirens, is characterised by semi- to macronematous, mononematous conidiophores, with cylindrical, subulate or lageniform phialidic conidiogenous cells that produce catenate, septate, curved to straight, subhyaline to brown conidia. During a survey of hyaline-spored hyphomycetes from karst areas in Thailand, we collected a new species of Fusariella with curved conidia and introduce it in this paper as Fusariella curvata sp. nov. In addition, all hitherto described species of Fusariella are reviewed. The result of phylogenetic analyses, based on combined SSU, LSU, TEF and RPB2 sequence data, indicates that the genus belongs in the family Bionectriaceae (Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes).     

Revision of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melamphaes</Emphasis> (Melamphaidae): 7. oligo-raker species: <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. danae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. pumilis</Emphasis>

Two species, M. danae Ebeling and M. pumilis Ebeling, belonging to the species group “M. simus” are described in the final part of the revision of oligo-raker species of the genus Melamphaes (Melamphaidae) (≤19 gill rakers on the first gill arch). The species M. danae is distributed in the Indian and Pacific oceans between 30° N and 30° S. In the Pacific Ocean, it is known up to 112° W. The species M. pumilis is distributed in the North Atlantic between 17° and 45° N, and the main catches have been conducted in the western part of the ocean. In the eastern part of the ocean, the catches are registered up to 28° W. A key for the identification of 21 oligo-raker species of the genus Melamphaes is presented.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Subsessila turbinata</Emphasis> gen. et. sp. nov. (Beltraniaceae), a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beltrania</Emphasis>-like fungus from Thailand

A new monotypic Beltrania-like genus, Subsessila, with its type species S. turbinata, is described, illustrated and compared with similar genera. The new genus is introduced in the family Beltraniaceae based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological characters. Subsessila can be easily distinguished from other Beltrania-like genera by dark setae arising from radially lobed basal cells, mostly lacking macronematous conidiophores. Conidiogenous cells are ampulliform or doliiform and produce turbinate to clavate conidia with rostrate proximal end and rounded distal end. Evidence for establishment of the new genus is provided based on morphological comparison and DNA sequence data analyses.