Intertidal zonation of prosobranch gastropods: Analysis of densities of four co-existing species

The densities of populations of Nerita atramentosa Reeve, Austrocochlea constricta Lamarck, Bembiciuin nanum (Lamarck), and Cellana tramoserica (Sowerby) were recorded in 0.25 m² quadrats on landward and seaward halves of a sheltered and a moderately exposed rock platform from June 1972 to June 1973. The data have been subjected to variance and multiple regression analysis. Differences between densities of each species on the two shores and in the two areas of each shore are discussed with respect to the regressions on littoral height. Densities of Nerita on the sheltered shore, Austrocochlea and Bembicium on both shores, and Cellana, on the exposed shore, increased with height. The density of Cellana on the sheltered shore decreased as height increased. The density differences in the landward and seaward areas on the two shores were attributable to the effect of height for Nerita and Austrocochlea. Height was the major variable affecting the density of these two species on the sheltered shore. Bembicium and Cellana densities on both shores, and Austrocochlea density on the exposed shore, are not primarily determined by height.On the sheltered shore, Nerita and Cellana increased in density with increasing cover of water in rock pools. On the exposed shore, Bembicium and Cellana became sparser with increasing water cover. Bembicium on both shores increased in density with increasing cover of the alga Peyssonelia, as did Cellana on the exposed shore. Cellana and Austrocochlea tended to increase in density with Nerita on the sheltered shore. Cellana tended to be sparse where Bembicium was dense on the exposed shore. The biological effects of substrata and other species on the densities of each species remain unexplained.Significant time effects were found for variations in the densities of Nerita and Cellana on the sheltered shore and of Austrocochlea and Cellana on the exposed shore. The seasonal change in density of Nerita was parabolic with a minimum in summer, and is consistent with the known period of recruitment of this species. The lack of significant time effects on density of Austrocochlea on the sheltered shore is consistent with the known continuous recruitment of this species. The declining density of Austrocochlea on the moderately exposed shore was found, by size-frequency analysis, to be due to reduced recruitment compared with surrounding shores. The density of Cellana on both shores showed seasonal changes, with a maximum in summer, which is consistent with the known period of recruitment in Cellana. The lack of seasonal changes in density of Bembicium is briefly discussed.This type of multifactor analysis identifies biological interactions affecting variation in density of these species. It also corroborates the results of other ecological investigations and determines the relative importance of a variety of physical and biological factors in the distribution of density of intertidal gastropods.     

Feeding and survival rates of the copepods Euterpina acutifrons Dana and Acartia grani Sars on the dinoflagellates Alexandrium minutum Balech and Gyrodinium corsicum Paulmier and the Chryptophyta Rhodomonas baltica Karsten

Here we studied the feeding performances and survival rates of the copepods Euterpina acutifrons and Acartia grani exposed to cultures of the toxic dinoflagellates Alexandrium minutum and Gyrodinium corsicum and the nontoxic Chryptophyta Rhodomonas baltica. The presence of hemolysins in G. corsicum was also analysed. For both copepod species, high ingestion rates on A. minutum and lower but similar rates on G. corsicum and R. baltica were found. After 120 h, only the E. acutifrons that grazed on G. corsicum or R. baltica showed 100% survival, whereas survival of the copepods that grazed on A. minutum was significantly lower. A. grani was more sensitive to the dinoflagellates, and at 120 h showed survival rates of 70% on G. corsicum and 60% on A. minutum. These results support the hypothesis that the feeding interactions between copepods and toxic dinoflagellates are highly species-specific. Long-term observations indicated that E. acutifrons can graze on G. corsicum without impairing their feeding or growth performances. Both copepod species consumed A. minutum in the short-term, but their long-term impact on this and other toxic marine dinoflagellates would be limited by the toxic effects of these flagellates. We did not find any evidence of haemolytic activity in extracts of G. corsicum. Toxins other than haemolysins may be responsible for the deleterious effects observed on A. grani.     

Seasonal Population Dynamics of Selected Plant-Parasitic Nematodes on Four Monocultured Crops

Seasonal fluctuations in field populations of Meloidogyne incognita, Pratylenchus zeae, P. brachyurus, Criconemoides ornatus, Trichodorus christiei, and Helicotylenchus dihystera on monocultured corn, cotton, peanut, and soybean were determined monthly for 4 yr. Population densities of M. incognita were greater in corn and cotton plots than in peanut and soybean plots from July until January. Those of Pratylenchus spp. were greater on corn and soybean than on cotton and peanut during all months except May and June. C. ornatus populations were greater on corn and peanut than on cotton and soybean during all months. C. ornatus on corn and peanut was more numerous in July than in other months. There was no significant increase in populations of T. christiei, except on corn in June. H. dihystera was greater in cotton and soybean plots than in corn and peanut plots from August through December.     

The impact of Dictyota spp. on Halimeda populations of Conch Reef, Florida Keys

Species of the brown alga Dictyota dominate the reef tract in the Florida Keys. In surveys during summer and fall months between 1994 and 2001, Dictyota occupied as much as 70% of the benthos on Conch Reef. Dictyota spp. were found growing epiphytically on Halimeda tuna, Halimeda opuntia, Lobophora variegata, Galaxura sp., fire coral, hard corals, soft corals, bryozoans and a variety of sponges on Conch Reef. From 1994 to 2001, the percent coverage of Halimeda spp. declined from 15% to 3% on the same reef. In Aug. 1999, 2000 and 2001, on average, 56% of two Halimeda species on Conch Reef had >50% of their thalli covered by Dictyota menstrualis and Dictyota pulchella. To address the impact of Dictyota on Halimeda, short-term growth of unepiphytized and heavily epiphytized (>50% Dictyota cover) H. tuna were compared with unepiphytized H. tuna to which a Dictyota mimic was attached. The number of new segments per plant ranged from 1 to 174 over 9 days. Halimeda thalli with >50% Dicytota cover and thalli covered with Dictyota mimic grew significantly slower than unepiphytized thalli. A second short-term experiment addressed the impact of neighboring Dictyota on the growth and metabolism of unepiphytized H. tuna. Augmenting or clearing epilithic Dictyota around but not in contact with H. tuna had no impact on growth or metabolism of H. tuna. Unepiphytized and heavily epiphytized H. tuna were also collected for studies of metabolism. This work indicated that epiphytic Dictyota negatively impacts metabolic rates of H. tuna in part by shading H. tuna thalli. This negative impact was also in part chemically mediated, as exposure to Dictyota-conditioned water elevated respiration rates in the same manner as seen in the metabolic studies of naturally epiphytized H. tuna.     

Temperature-Sensitive Lethal Mutations on Yeast Chromosome I Appear to Define Only a Small Number of Genes

A method was developed for isolating large numbers of mutations on chromosome I of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A strain monosomic for chromosome I (i.e., haploid for chromosome I and diploid for all other chromosomes) was mutagenized with either ethyl methanesulfonate or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N -nitrosoguanidine and screened for temperature-sensitive (Ts^- ) mutants capable of growth on rich, glucose-containing medium at 25° but not at 37°. Recessive mutations induced on chromosome I are expressed, whereas those on the diploid chromosomes are usually not expressed because of the presence of wild-type alleles on the homologous chromosomes. Dominant ts mutations on all chromosomes should also be expressed, but these appeared rarely. — Of the 41 ts mutations analyzed, 32 mapped on chromosome I. These 32 mutations fell into only three complementation groups, which proved to be the previously described genes CDC15, CDC24 and PYK1 (or CDC19). We recovered 16 or 17 independent mutations in CDC15, 12 independent mutations in CDC24 and three independent mutations in PYK1. A fourth gene on chromosome I, MAK16, is known to be capable of giving rise to a ts-lethal allele, but we recovered no mutations in this gene. The remaining nine mutations isolated using the monosomic strain appeared not to map on chromosome I and were apparently expressed in the original mutants because they had become homozygous or hemizygous by mitotic recombination or chromosome loss. — The available information about the size of chromosome I suggests that it should contain approximately 60–100 genes. However, our isolation in the monosomic strain of multiple, independent alleles of just three genes suggests that only a small proportion of the genes on chromosome I is easily mutable to give a Ts^--lethal phenotype. — During these studies, we located CDC24 on chromosome I and determined that it is centromere distal to PYK1 on the left arm of the chromosome.     

Effect of the rhg1 Gene on Population Development of Heterodera glycines

The effect of the rhg1 gene on equilibrium population densities (E) and reproduction factors (Rf) of Heterodera glycines was studied by comparing the nematode population development on two near-isogenic soybean lines (NIL), differing at the rhg1 locus. The NIL were inoculated with a series of initial egg densities (Pi) in the greenhouse. The relationships between final population densities (Pf = females per plant or eggs per plant) or Rf (final egg density/Pi) on both NIL and Pi were adequately described by quadratic models. The rhg1 gene suppressed Pf and Rf at all Pi of a population of H. glycines race 3 (HG Type 0-); E and maximum Rf were higher on the NIL-S line than on the NIL-R line. After two generations of culture of the race 3 population on the NIL-R line, the population selected by the rhg1 gene (R-eggs) had higher Pf and Rf on the NIL-R line than the population cultured on the NIL-S line (S-eggs) at all Pi. Both R-eggs and S-eggs produced similar egg numbers on the NIL-S line, which was higher than the egg number of either population on the NIL-R line at all Pi. The ratio of E in female numbers on the NIL-R line to E on the NIL-S line increased from 29% for the original race 3 population (S-eggs) to 46% for the rhg1-selected population (R-eggs). Regardless of different egg sources, a trend of increase in the number of eggs per female with the rise of Pi was observed on the NIL-S line. In contrast, female fecundity of both populations declined with the increase of Pi on the NIL-R line. At most inoculum densities, the highest number of eggs per female was observed on the NIL-S line inoculated with the R-eggs, whereas the lowest number of eggs per female was detected on the NIL-R line inoculated with the S-eggs. This study demonstrated that the E and maximum Rf determined by the quadratic models are useful measurements of plant resistance to nematodes.     

A new genus (Copepoda,Harpacticoida, Laophontidae) from Jeju Island of Korea

A survey on the harpacticoid copepods from an intertidal zone in Hyeopjae sandy beach, Jeju Island, Korea, resulted in the discovery of an unusual laophontid, Jejulaophonte hyeopjaeensis sp. n., which cannot be placed in any extant genus within the family. To accommodate the species, a new genus of the family Laophontidae T. Scott, 1905 is proposed and fully described here. The new species is closely related to the lineage of the five primitive genera, Carraroenia McCormack, 2006, Coullia Hamond, 1973, Hemilaophonte Jakubisiak 1933, Psammoplatypus Lee & Huys, 1999, and Robustunguis Fiers, 1992 (the CCHPR-lineage) by the reduced P2 endopod, ovate shape of the female P5 exopod and sexual dimorphism in the P3 endopod. However, it displays discrepancies from the species of the CCHPR-lineage in the presence of an inner seta on P3 and P4 exp-2, four setae on P4 enp-2, and an inner seta on P3 and P4 enp-2 in the female. Furthermore, no other species within the family Laophontidae has three setae on P2 exp-3 and a seta on P2 enp-2 at the same time. The new species has sexual dimorphism in the antennule, genital segmentation and the legs from P2 to P5. The terminal seta on the second endopodal segment of P2 in the male is longer than that in the female. The endopod of P3 is 3-segmented and displays a short inner apophysis on the second segment in the male. The outer setae on the exopod of P3 and P4 are distinctly thicker and stronger in the male than in the female. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) sequencing of the new species has been realized in order to be used in future phylogenetic analysis.     

Fatal attraction: search for a dead-end trap crop for the pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus)

In sustainable pest management, orientation of insect pests can be manipulated by utilizing the relative attractiveness of different host plants. Plants attractive for oviposition but not offering a suitable resource for the development of larvae are called dead-end trap crops. In this study, the number of eggs and larvae and larval survival of Meligethes aeneus (Fab.) in the buds of Brassica napus L., B. rapa L., B. nigra L., B. juncea L., Eruca sativa Mill., Raphanus sativus Pers. and Sinapis alba L. were compared in 2011 and 2012. Overall infestation rate of buds varied from 0 to 71 %; the least attractive plants were S. alba and E. sativa. Egg clutch size per bud was greater on B. nigra and lower on S. alba and E. sativa than on B. napus. Dead larvae were found only in E. sativa and R. sativus buds. Over the two study years, 19 % of larvae on E. sativa and 35 % on R. sativus were dead. In conclusion, M. aeneus preferred to oviposit on Brassica species rather than on cruciferous plants from the other genera. In addition, R. sativus has the features of dead-end trap crop because 35 % of the larvae failed to survive.     

Suppression of pecan and peach pathogens on different substrates using Xenorhabdus bovienii and Photorhabdus luminescens

Prior research indicated the ability of concentrated metabolites from Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus spp. to suppress a variety of peach and pecan diseases in vitro, and on detached pecan leaves or terminals. In the current study, our objectives were to (1) determine if bacterial broths (in addition to concentrated metabolites tested previously) have suppressive ability and (2) determine if metabolites or bacterial broths are active in a soil medium. In laboratory studies, two pathogens of pecan (Fusicladium effusum and Phytophthora cactorum) and one peach pathogen (Armillaria tabescens) were tested for susceptibility to Xenorhabdus bovienii (SN) and Photorhabdus luminescens (VS) bacterial broths or concentrated metabolites on three different substrates. Treatments were applied to lesions of F. effusum on terminals to ascertain any suppressive effect on sporulation, to A. tabescens in soil to determine effect on survival of mycelia, and to lesions caused by P. cactorum on pecan leaf surfaces to assess any reduction in lesion development. Acetone (the metabolite solvent), un-inoculated media (tryptic soy broth) and water were included as controls. The X. bovienii metabolite treatment was as efficacious as a commercial fungicide (fenbuconazole) in reducing sporulation of F. effusum on pecan terminals. The P. luminescens metabolite treatment also caused reduced sporulation relative to water and acetone controls but bacterial broths had no effect. In contrast, all bacterial broth and metabolite treatments suppressed lesion growth caused by P. cactorum (measured on detached leaves maintained on agar). However, in soil, only the P. luminescens metabolite treatment was suppressive to A. tabescens (this is the first report of Photorhabdus or Xenorhabdus toxicity to Armillaria spp.). This study provides a basis for further research on the use of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus metabolites or bacterial broth for suppression of pecan and peach diseases.     

Variability in growth of Deladenus siricidicola on strains of the white rot fungus Amylostereum areolatum

Deladenus siricidicola nematodes are used extensively for biological control of Sirex noctilio in the southern hemisphere. They have one morph that is parasitic on S. noctilio and another that feeds on the white rot fungus Amylostereum areolatum and is used for mass production of the nematode. To examine potential effects of strains of A. areolatum found in North America on D. siricidicola in a biological control program, first we compared the growth of four isolates of A. areolatum on several types of artificial media. We then evaluated the ability of D. siricidicola to survive and increase on five isolates of A. areolatum and found that nematode populations persisted on all five isolates. One of the slowest growing fungal isolates, ScyME, produced the most nematodes when the fungus was given five and ten days of growth prior to nematode inoculation, while the fastest growing fungus, Aussie, never produced the most nematodes. Although nematodes in all treatments produced eggs, D. siricidicola populations were unable to replace themselves when feeding on the fungal isolate SedDF. The differential ability of D. siricidicola to persist on different isolates of A. areolatum found in North America could affect multiple aspects of a biological control program to control S. noctilio.     

Description of a new soft scale insect of the genus Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti (Hemiptera,Coccoidea, Coccidae) from Bogota,Colombia

A new soft scale (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) species, Pulvinaria caballeroramosae Tanaka & Kondo, sp. n., is described from specimens collected on twigs of Ficus soatensis Dugand (Moraceae) in Bogota, Colombia. The new species resembles Pulvinaria drymiswinteri Kondo & Gullan, described from Chile on Drimys winteri J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. (Winteraceae), but differs in the distribution of preopercular pores on the dorsum, the presence of dorsal tubular ducts, dorsal microducts, and reticulation on the anal plates; and in its feeding habits, i.e., Pulvinaria caballeroramosae feeds on the twigs whereas Pulvinaria drymiswinteri feeds on the leaves of its host. A key to the Colombian species of Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti is provided.     

Plant Pathogen-Induced Water-Soaking Promotes Salmonella enterica Growth on Tomato Leaves

Plant pathogen infection is a critical factor for the persistence of Salmonella enterica on plants. We investigated the mechanisms responsible for the persistence of S. enterica on diseased tomato plants by using four diverse bacterial spot Xanthomonas species that differ in disease severities. Xanthomonas euvesicatoria and X. gardneri infection fostered S. enterica growth, while X. perforans infection did not induce growth but supported the persistence of S. enterica. X. vesicatoria-infected leaves harbored S. enterica populations similar to those on healthy leaves. Growth of S. enterica was associated with extensive water-soaking and necrosis in X. euvesicatoria- and X. gardneri-infected plants. The contribution of water-soaking to the growth of S. enterica was corroborated by an increased growth of populations on water-saturated leaves in the absence of a plant pathogen. S. enterica aggregates were observed with bacterial spot lesions caused by either X. euvesicatoria or X. vesicatoria; however, more S. enterica aggregates formed on X. euvesicatoria-infected leaves as a result of larger lesion sizes per leaf area and extensive water-soaking. Sparsely distributed lesions caused by X. vesicatoria infection do not support the overall growth of S. enterica or aggregates in areas without lesions or water-soaking; S. enterica was observed as single cells and not aggregates. Thus, pathogen-induced water-soaking and necrosis allow S. enterica to replicate and proliferate on tomato leaves. The finding that the pathogen-induced virulence phenotype affects the fate of S. enterica populations in diseased plants suggests that targeting of plant pathogen disease is important in controlling S. enterica populations on plants.     

Virulence of Hymenoscyphus albidus and H. fraxineus on Fraxinus excelsior and F. pennsylvanica

European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is currently battling an onslaught of ash dieback, a disease emerging in the greater part of its native area, brought about by the introduction of the ascomycete Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (= Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus). The closely-related fungus Hymenoscyphus albidus, which is indigenous to Europe, is non-pathogenic when in contact with F. excelsior, but could pose a potential risk to exotic Fraxinus species. The North American green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is planted widely throughout Europe and regenerates naturally within this environment but little is known about the susceptibility of this species to ash dieback. We performed wound inoculations with both fungi (nine strains of H. fraxineus and three strains of H. albidus) on rachises and stems of F. excelsior and F. pennsylvanica under field conditions in Southern Poland. Necrosis formation was evaluated after two months on the rachises and after 12 months on the stems. After inoculation of H. albidus, only small lesions (of up to 1.3 cm in length) developed on the F. excelsior and F. pennsylvanica rachises, but with no significant distinction from the controls. Hymenoscyphus albidus did not cause necrotic lesions on the stems of either Fraxinus species. In contrast, H. fraxineus induced necroses on all inoculated rachises of both ash species with mean lengths of 8.4 cm (F. excelsior) and 1.9 cm (F. pennsylvanica). Necroses also developed on all of the inoculated F. excelsior stems (mean length 18.0 cm), whereas on F. pennsylvanica such lesions only occurred on about 5% of the stems (mean length 1.9 cm). The differences between strains were negligible. No necroses were observed on the control plants. Reisolations of H. albidus were only successful in around 8–11% of the cases, while H. fraxineus was reisolated from 50–70% of the inoculated organs showing necrotic lesions. None of the Hymenoscyphus species were isolated from the control plants. Our data confirm H. fraxineus’ high virulence with regards to F. excelsior and demonstrate a low virulence in relation to F. pennsylvanica under field conditions in Poland. Hymenoscyphus albidus did not express any perceivable pathogenicity on both host species.     

Foliar pathogens of Populus angustifolia are consistent with a hypothesis of Beringian migration into North America

Populus angustifolia, the narrowleaf cottonwood, is considered one of two native species of Populus section Tacamahaca restricted to western North America. Efforts to construct a definitive phylogeny of Populus spp. are complicated by ancient hybridization, but some phylogenetic analyses suggest P. angustifolia is more closely related to Asian congeners than to Populus trichocarpa, the other species of Populus section Tacamahaca in western North America. Because hosts and their obligate symbionts can display parallel phylogeographic patterns, we evaluated the possibility of a Beringian migration into North America by an Asian ancestor of P. angustifolia by determining the distributions, host preferences, and, in some cases, closest phylogenetic relatives of fungal leaf pathogens of P. angustifolia. Phyllactinia populi, a common foliar pathogen on Populus spp. in Asia but unknown on P. trichocarpa, was found on P. angustifolia in multiple sites. Mycosphaerella angustifoliorum, also unknown on P. trichocarpa, was commonly collected on P. angustifolia. Conversely, many common foliar pathogens of P. trichocarpa in western North America were not found on P. angustifolia; only Melampsora×columbiana and Drepanopeziza populi were common to both Populus species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that M. angustifoliorum was not part of the diversification of Mycosphaerella on Populus that includes all other Mycosphaerella species on Populus in North America: Mycosphaerella populicola, Mycosphaerella populorum, M. sp. 1, and M. sp. 2. The latter two undescribed species represent a newly discovered diversification of M. populorum in western North America. Overall, the leaf pathogen community of P. angustifolia is consistent with a Beringian migration into North America by the ancestor of P. angustifolia.     

Diet-Dependent Shifts in the Bacterial Population of the Rumen Revealed with Real-Time PCR

A set of PCR primers was designed and validated for specific detection and quantification of Prevotella ruminicola, Prevotella albensis, Prevotella bryantii, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Selenomonas ruminantium-Mitsuokella multiacida, Streptococcus bovis, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Ruminobacter amylophilus, Eubacterium ruminantium, Treponema bryantii, Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens, and Anaerovibrio lipolytica. By using these primers and the real-time PCR technique, the corresponding species in the rumens of cows for which the diet was switched from hay to grain were quantitatively monitored. The dynamics of two fibrolytic bacteria, F. succinogenes and R. flavefaciens, were in agreement with those of earlier, culture-based experiments. The quantity of F. succinogenes DNA, predominant in animals on the hay diet, fell 20-fold on the third day of the switch to a grain diet and further declined on day 28, with a 57-fold reduction in DNA. The R. flavefaciens DNA concentration on day 3 declined to approximately 10% of its initial value in animals on the hay diet and remained at this level on day 28. During the transition period (day 3), the quantities of two ruminal prevotella DNAs increased considerably: that of P. ruminicola increased 7-fold and that of P. bryantii increased 263-fold. On day 28, the quantity of P. ruminicola DNA decreased 3-fold, while P. bryantii DNA was still elevated 10-fold in comparison with the level found in animals on the initial hay diet. The DNA specific for another xylanolytic bacterium, E. ruminantium, dropped 14-fold during the diet switch and was maintained at this level on day 28. The concentration of a rumen spirochete, T. bryantii, decreased less profoundly and stabilized with a sevenfold decline by day 28. The variations in A. lipolytica DNA were not statistically significant. After an initial slight increase in S. dextrinosolvens DNA on day 3, this DNA was not detected at the end of the experiment. S. bovis DNA displayed a 67-fold increase during the transition period on day 3. However, on day 28, it actually declined in comparison with the level in animals on the hay ration. The amount of S. ruminantium-M. multiacida DNA also increased eightfold following the diet switch, but stabilized with only a twofold increase on day 28. The real-time PCR technique also uncovered differential amplification of rumen bacterial templates with the set of universal bacterial primers. This observation may explain why some predominant rumen bacteria have not been detected in PCR-generated 16S ribosomal DNA libraries.     

Floral anatomy of the Lecointea clade (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Swartzieae sensu lato)

Flower and inflorescence anatomy and morphology of Exostyles, Harleyodendron, Holocalyx, Lecointea, and Zollernia (Leguminosae, Lecointea clade) were studied. Features common to all genera but otherwise rare within the Leguminosae include: (1) the presence of phenolic compounds in the epidermal cells of the anthers and subepidermal cells of the bracteoles, sepals, petals, and ovaries (absent in Holocalyx balansae); (2) simple trichomes on the adaxial base of the bracteoles and on the surface of the calyx and ovaries; and (3) tapetum persisting until the androspores are formed. Other notable anatomical features are: (1) colleters on the adaxial bases of the bracts and bracteoles of Holocalyx balansae and Zollernia ilicifolia; (2) trichomes on the anthers of Harleyodendron unifoliolatum, Holocalyx balansae, Lecointea hatschbachii, Zollernia ilicifolia and Z. magnifica; (3) osmophores on the petals of Exostyles godoyensis; (4) asynchronous pollen development in the anthers of Holocalyx balansae and Zollernia magnifica; and (5) vascular bundles surrounded by lignified fibers in Harleyodendron unifoliolatum. These anatomical characters are discussed according to their possible phylogenetic implications.     

Diversity and Persistence of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Their Effect on Nursery-Inoculated Pinus pinaster in a Post-fire Plantation in Northern Portugal

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) play an important role in forest ecosystems, often mitigating stress factors and increasing seedling performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a nursery inoculation on Pinus pinaster growth and on the fungal communities established when reforesting burned areas. Inoculated P. pinaster saplings showed 1.5-fold higher stem height than the non-inoculated controls after a 5 year growth period, suggesting that fungal inoculation could potentiate tree growth in the field. Ordination analysis revealed the presence of different ECMF communities on both plots. Among the nursery-inoculated fungi, Laccaria sp., Rhizopogon sp., Suillus bovinus and Pisolithus sp. were detected on inoculated Pinus saplings on both sampling periods, indicating that they persisted after field establishment. Other fungi were also detected in the inoculated plants. Phialocephala sp. was found on the first assessment, while Terfezia sp. was detected on both sampling periods. Laccaria sp. and Rhizopogon sp. were identified in the control saplings, belonging however to different species than those found in the inoculated plot. Inocybe sp., Thelephora sp. and Paxillus involutus were present on both sampling periods in the non-inoculated plots. The results suggest that ECMF inoculation at nursery stage can benefit plant growth after transplantation to a post-fire site and that the inoculated fungi can persist in the field. This approach has great potential as a biotechnological tool to aid in the reforestation of burned areas.     

Notes on some plant-inhabiting fungi collected from the Nansei Islands (2)

In this paper, four fungi collected in Nansei Islands are reported. One is Strasseria garciniae, which must be transferred to the genus Phyllosticta. This fungus was collected in Okinawa Main Island and Iriomote Island. The other three fungi are newly added to the Japanese fungal flora. Phyllosticta ghaesembillae on Codiaeum variegatum and Cercospora asplenii on Asplenium antiquum were collected in Yoron Island. The last one, Coniella australiensis on Eucalyptus robusta was collected in Okinawa Main Island. Their morphology and symptoms on the host plant are described, with some mycological notes.     

Sporophyte and gametophyte development of Platycerium coronarium (Koenig) Desv. and P. grande (Fee) C. Presl. (Polypodiaceae) through in vitro propagation

The sporophyte and gametophyte development of Platycerium coronarium and P. grande were compared through ex situ propagation using in vitro culture technique and under greenhouse and field conditions.The morphology of the sporophyte and gametophyte, type of spore germination and prothallial development of P. coronarium and P. grande were documented. Gametophytes of P. coronarium and P. grande were cultured in vitro using different media. The gametophytes were then transferred and potted in sterile chopped Cyathea spp. (anonotong) roots and garden soil for sporophyte formation. Sporophytes (plantlets) of the two Platycerium species were attached on the slabs of anonotong and on branches and trunks of Swietenia macrophylla (mahogany) under greenhouse and field conditions.Sporophyte morphology of P. coronarium and P. grande varies but not their gametophyte morphology. P. coronarium and P. grande exhibited rapid spore germination and gametophyte development in both spore culture medium and Knudson C culture medium containing 2% glucose. Gametophytes of P. coronarium and P. grande transferred to potting medium produced more number of sporophytes while the gametophytes inside the culture media did not produce sporophytes. Sporophytes of P. grande attached on mahogany branches produced more number of leaves with bigger leaf area than those attached on anonotong slabs. Likewise, sporophytes of P. coronarium attached on mahogany branches and anonotong slabs did not develop new leaves during two weeks monitoring and are still in a period of adjustment to its environment. Sporophytes of P. grande grown or attached on the trunk of mahogany trees in the field and under shaded environment favored their growth.     

Hesperentomon yangi sp. n. from Jiangsu Province,Eastern China,with analyses of DNA barcodes (Protura,Acerentomata, Hesperentomidae)

Hesperentomon yangi sp. n. is described from eastern China. Its DNA barcodes are sequenced and compared to the similar species of the genus. Hesperentomon yangi sp. n. is characterized by 12 posterior setae on tergites II–VI, 8 posterior setae on sternites IV–VI (seta Pc absent), absence of seta sd4 on head, absence of seta P2a on tergite VII, 6 and 8 anterior setae on mesosternum and metasternum respectively, and few teeth on comb. It differs from Hesperentomon xiningense Bu & Yin, 2007 and Hesperentomon nanshanensis Bu & Yin, 2007 in the chaetotaxy of mesosternum and metanotum, maxillary gland, length and shape of some sensilla on foretarsus, as well as the body porotaxy. The genetic divergences of DNA barcodes sequences between Hesperentomon yangi sp. n., Hesperentomon xiningense and Hesperentomon nanshanensis are 24.1% on average, which is distinctly higher than the divergences between individuals of the new species (0.5%). Molecular data provide a solid evidence of the new species identified by the morphological characters.