A New Species of Coronilla (Loteae, Fabaceae) from Southeastern Spain: Evidence from Morphological and Molecular Data

Currently, there are nine species classified within the genus Coronilla (Loteae, Fabaceae); however, some populations discovered in the province of Almería, SE Spain, have features that are not present, as a whole, in the other known species. These plants are related to Coronilla juncea and C. minima, although several features of branches, leaves, flowers and seeds (zigzag branches; fleshy, deciduous leaves without hyaline margin; connate reddish stipules; very narrow seeds with fluted foveolae) are usually recognized as belonging to distinct species. To clarify the taxonomic status of these populations, morphological and genetic studies have been performed. The results obtained suggest that their separate classification is appropriate. Accordingly, a new species, Coronilla talaverae, whose currently recorded range is restricted to three populations in southeastern Spain is described here. Regarding its risk of extinction, the IUCN red list criteria have been followed to assess its category, proposing the status EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,v). In addition, an identification key is provided for the species of the genus Coronilla.     

Ecogeographic and genetic evaluation of endemic species in the Maritime Alps: the case of Moehringia lebrunii and M. sedoides (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract

The Maritime Alps are one of the ‘hot spots’ in the Mediterranean basin. This study investigated two endemic plants, Moehringia lebrunii and Moehringia sedoides (Caryophyllaceae) in order to increase knowledge of the vegetation of this region, and to investigate possible conservation strategies. Ecogeographic surveys and molecular analyses were undertaken. Gene diversity, the Shannon index and G_ST were calculated within and among populations of the two species based on ISSR data. The populations of M. lebrunii had a density ranging between 0.04 and 0.86 individual/m² and a rather low inner genetic variability value. According to IUCN Red List Criteria, the current status of M. lebrunii is Endangered [EN B2ab(ii, iv)]. M. sedoides is an endemic of the SW Alps (not exclusive of the Maritime Alps), and is very abundant within the core of the range. Its range of occurrence is smaller than previously reported; nevertheless, the species is not under threat. This taxon showed a population density ranging between 0.03 and 0.58 individual/m². Genetic variability values revealed a high variation among the species. Only peripheral populations seemed to suffer from their segregated position. Thus, M. sedoides is to be considered Critically Endangered [CR B1ab(i, ii, iii, iv) + 2ab(i, ii, iii, iv)] for Italy according to Regional Guidelines.     

Conservation of Dehaasia pugerensis (Lauraceae), a tree endemic to East Java (Indonesia) and last collected in 1940

Dehaasia pugerensis Koord. & Valeton is a threatened Indonesian Lauraceae species. It is an endemic tree known only from Jember Regency in East Java. To enhance the conservation of D. pugerensis, we conducted a population survey in several locations in Jember where the species were previously collected. The objectives were to: i) assess the current population status of D. pugerensis, ii) collect plant materials (seed, seedling, or cutting) to serve as ex situ collections, and iii) update the conservation status of the species according to IUCN Red List Category and Criteria. We only found D. pugerensis in 6 out of 16 locations in Wuluhan and Ambulu District during the survey. We successfully located 560 individuals of the species, of which 194 individuals (34.6%) were in the mature stage. Based on the diameter and height classes, the population of D. pugerensis formed a reverse J-shaped size distribution. We successfully collected 23 seeds and 15 seedlings of the species for ex situ collections. Our findings showed that the current status of D. pugerensis is Critically Endangered (CR) based on criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)and C2a(ii). Under these categories, the species faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Therefore, prompt comprehensive conservation actions are needed to ensure the survival of the species.     

Description of Conticribra tricircularis,a new genus and species of Thalassiosirales,with a discussion on its relationship to other continuous cribra species of Thalassiosira Cleve (Bacillariophyta) and its freshwater origin

A new diatom genus Conticribra is erected to accommodate C. tricircularis, described from a freshwater Pliocene deposit in Trout Creek, Oregon (USA). The genus accommodates species possessing: (i) loculate areolae with (semi-) continuous cribra; (ii) non-plicated valve face; (iii) rimoportula located on the valve mantle, replacing a fultoportula. Conticribra tricircularis has no valve face fultoportulae and can easily be distinguished by its marginal fultoportulae with four satellite pores arranged in three rings. Three species are transferred to the new genus from Thalassiosira sensu lato. Using evidence from the fossil record and recent molecular data, a hypothesis concerning the freshwater origin of Conticribra is discussed.     

Haramonas viridissp. nov. (Raphidophyceae, Heterokontophyta), a new sand-dwelling raphidophyte from cold temperate waters

A new, marine, sand‐dwelling raphidophyte from Sylt, Germany, Haramonas viridis Horiguchi et Hoppenrath sp. nov. is described. This represents a second species in the previously monotypic genus Haramonas, which was originally described from a sand sample from a mangrove river mouth in tropical Australia, based on the type species, H. dimorpha. This new species from a cold temperate region: (i) possesses a tubular invagi‐nation in the posterior part of the cell; (ii) produces copious amounts of mucilage in culture; (iii) possesses both motile and non‐motile stages in its life cycle; and (iv) has overlapping discoidal chloroplasts, all of which are diagnostic features of the genus Haramonas. Therefore, it is indisputable that this species belongs to this genus. However, the species from Sylt differs from the type species of the genus in: (i) having a larger cell size; (ii) possessing a larger number of chloroplasts; and (iii) being greenish in color. The ultrastructural study revealed that the structure of the tubular invagi‐nation was the same as that of the type species.     

TheSerratia liquefaciens-S. proteamaculans-S. grimesii complex: DNA relatedness

Serratia liquefaciens andS. liquefaciens-like strains belonging to one of seven biotypes (C1ab, C1c, C1d, EB, RB, RQ, and Adc) were characterized by DNA relatedness (S1TCA method). These strains formed three distinct DNA relatedness groups: (i)S. liquefaciens sensu stricto (biotype C1ab); (ii)S. proteamaculans (biotypes C1c, EB, and RB); and (iii)S. grimesii (biotype C1d). Two biotypes were at the borderline of species level: Biotype RQ and biotype Adc were, respectively, related toS proteamaculans andS. grimesii. All of these strains were clearly distinct fromS. plymuthica and the otherSerratia species.     

Guild structures of seed insects in relation to acorn development in two oak species

We investigated patterns of acorn growth in Quercus variabilis Blume and Quercus serrata Thunb., seasonal trends in emergence of seed insects found in the acorns, oviposition periods of the insects and falling periods of insect-infested acorns. In Q. variabilis, two insect guilds were associated with acorn development: (i) the immature acorn feeding (IAF) guild [Curculionidae sp., Poecilips cardamomi (Schaufuss), and Characoma ruficirra (Hampson)]; and (ii) the mature acorn feeding (MAF) guild [Curculio robustus (Roelofs), Curculio sikkimensis (Heller), and Cydia glandicolana (Danilevsky)]. In Q. serrata, there were three guilds: (i) the pistillate flower feeding (PFF) guild (cynipid wasp); (ii) the IAF guild [sap absorption by Mechoris ursulus (Roelofs)]; and (iii) the MAF guild (M. ursulus, C. sikkimensis, Cydia danilevskyi (Kuznetzov), C. glandicolana and Autostichidae sp.). The succession of guilds during acorn development may be a consequence of the use by different species of the limited food resource. The lack of a PFF guild in Q. variabilis that was found in our field site would have a positive effect on IAF guilds in utilizing the acorns.     

Laying the foundations for a new classification of Agaonidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), a multilocus phylogenetic approach

A phylogeny of the Agaonidae (Chalcidoidea) in their restricted sense, pollinators of Ficus species (Moraceae), is estimated using 4182 nucleotides from six genes, obtained from 101 species representing 19 of the 20 recognized genera, and four outgroups. Data analysed by parsimony and Bayesian inference methods demonstrate that Agaonidae are monophyletic and that the previous classification is not supported. Agaonidae are partitioned into four groups: (i) Tetrapus, (ii) Ceratosolen + Kradibia, (iii) some Blastophaga + Wiebesia species, and (iv) all genera associated with monoecious figs and a few Blastophaga and Wiebesia. The latter group is subdivided into subgroups: (i) Pleistodontes, (ii) Blastophaga psenes and neocaledonian Dolichoris, (iii) some Blastophaga and Wiebesia species, and (iv) Platyscapa, all afrotropical genera and all genera associated with section Conosycea. Eleven genera were recovered as monophyletic, six were para‐ or polyphyletic, and two cannot be tested with our data set. Based on our phylogeny we propose a new classification for the Agaonidae. Two new subfamilies are proposed: Tetrapusiinae for the genus Tetrapus, and Kradibiinae for Ceratosolen + Kradibia. Liporrhopalum is synonymized with Kradibia and the subgenus Valisia of Blastophaga is elevated to generic rank. These changes resulted in 36 new combinations. Finally, we discuss the hypothesis of co‐speciation between the pollinators and their host species by comparing the two phylogenies. © The Willi Hennig Society 2009.     

Phylogenetic patterns of ant–fungus associations indicate that farming strategies,not only a superior fungal cultivar,explain the ecological success of leafcutter ants

To elucidate fungicultural specializations contributing to ecological dominance of leafcutter ants, we estimate the phylogeny of fungi cultivated by fungus‐growing (attine) ants, including fungal cultivars from (i) the entire leafcutter range from southern South America to southern North America, (ii) all higher‐attine ant lineages (leafcutting genera Atta, Acromyrmex; nonleafcutting genera Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex) and (iii) all lower‐attine lineages. Higher‐attine fungi form two clades, Clade‐A fungi (Leucocoprinus gongylophorus, formerly Attamyces) previously thought to be cultivated only by leafcutter ants, and a sister clade, Clade‐B fungi, previously thought to be cultivated only by Trachymyrmex and Sericomyrmex ants. Contradicting this traditional view, we find that (i) leafcutter ants are not specialized to cultivate only Clade‐A fungi because some leafcutter species ranging across South America cultivate Clade‐B fungi; (ii) Trachymyrmex ants are not specialized to cultivate only Clade‐B fungi because some Trachymyrmex species cultivate Clade‐A fungi and other Trachymyrmex species cultivate fungi known so far only from lower‐attine ants; (iii) in some locations, single higher‐attine ant species or closely related cryptic species cultivate both Clade‐A and Clade‐B fungi; and (iv) ant–fungus co‐evolution among higher‐attine mutualisms is therefore less specialized than previously thought. Sympatric leafcutter ants can be ecologically dominant when cultivating either Clade‐A or Clade‐B fungi, sustaining with either cultivar‐type huge nests that command large foraging territories; conversely, sympatric Trachymyrmex ants cultivating either Clade‐A or Clade‐B fungi can be locally abundant without achieving the ecological dominance of leafcutter ants. Ecological dominance of leafcutter ants therefore does not depend primarily on specialized fungiculture of L. gongylophorus (Clade‐A), but must derive from ant–fungus synergisms and unique ant adaptations.     

Abundance of inflorescence tissue feeders on three willow species

We report the relative abundance of inflorescence tissue feeders among three willow species (Salix integra, S. miyabeana and S. sachalinensis) with reference to the plant sexes. We found that (i) a total of 270 individuals belonging to six species and two orders were recorded from willow inflorescences; (ii) the abundance of Xanthia caterpillars differed across willow species and sexes; (iii) the abundance of weevil larvae differed across willow species; (iv) Gypsonoma bifasciata abundance was affected by sex and inflorescence size; and (v) Nemophora raddei was collected from a single female S. miyabeana tree. Although nitrogen content of inflorescences is not likely to affect the herbivory pattern of inflorescence tissue feeders, inflorescence size is likely to affect the abundance of Gypsonoma caterpillars.     

Enhancement of sporulation in species of Bipolaris, Curvularia, Drechslera, and Exserohilum by growth on cellulose-containing substrates

Nine species of Bipolaris, Curvularia, Drechslera, and Exserohilum were compared for sporulation on agar media and for enhancement of sporulation by growth on four cellulose-containing substrates (index card, filter paper, cheesecloth, cotton fabric). On two natural and one synthetic agar media, sporulation varied from profuse to nonexistent among three isolates of each species. Growth of all species on cellulose substrates resulted in large and significant increases in sporulation. Growth on index card pieces often provided the greatest increases, but no single substrate was superior for all species, and significant substrate × isolate interactions were observed within species. Overlay of filter paper onto whole colonies in agar plates resulted in 2 to 18-fold increases in sporulation for eight of nine species and production of spores in sufficient quantity for most experimental purposes. Overlay of soil dilution plates with filter paper to promote sporulation of colonies enabled detection of B. spicifera, B. hawaiiensis, C. lunata, and E. rostratum at relatively low population levels (≤1.3 × 10³ colony-forming units per gram of soil) in samples of a naturally infested soil. Results indicate that enhancement of sporulation by growth of species of Bipolaris, Curvularia, Drechslera, and Exserohilum on cellulose substrates may facilitate (i) their identification in culture, (ii) production of spores at relatively high concentrations, and (iii) detection and enumeration of these fungi in soil.     

A new species of the ghost shrimp genus Neocallichirus Sakai, 1988 (Decapoda: Axiidea: Callianassidae) from the southwestern Atlantic

ABSTRACT

A new species of ghost shrimp, Neocallichirus pinheiroi, is described based on specimens collected in subtidal habitats of Saquaira beach, northeastern coast of Brazil. This new species resembles N. lemaitrei Manning, 1993, but differs from it primarily in having a third maxilliped propodus expanded ventrally, and in the case of males, a large subtriangular tooth on the cutting edge of the major cheliped dactylus. Diagnostic features of the new species include: (i) frontal margin of carapace with rounded lateral projections not exceeding rostrum distal margin, (ii) third maxilliped carpus with row of sclerotized setae on median internal surface, (iii) minor cheliped with cutting edge of dactylus microscopically pectinate, (iv) endopod of male second pleopod with appendices interna and masculina. This is the seventh described species of the genus Neocallichirus from the western Atlantic and the fourth report of this genus in Brazil. A key for identification of western Atlantic species belonging to the genus is provided.     

Taxonomic notes on Laurencia brongniartii (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta)

The red alga Laurencia brongniartii J. Agardh (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales) is characterized by: (i) the production of four periaxial cells from each vegetative axial segment; (ii) the presence of two or three corps en cerise per superficial cortical cell and one per trichoblast cell; (iii) the production of a single tetrasporangium-bearing periaxial (fourth) cell per fertile segment; (iv) a tetrasporangial arrangement that is intermediate between perpendicular and parallel types; (v) procarps produced from the last-formed (fifth) periaxial cell of the terminal segment of a two-celled female trichoblast; and (vi) distally positioned spermatangial nuclei, in addition to known features. The production of a single tet-rasporangium-bearing periaxial cell per fertile segment allies this species to Laurencia similis Nam et Saito.     

Evolutionary history of stomach bot flies in the light of mitogenomics

Stomach bot flies (Calyptratae: Oestridae, Gasterophilinae) are obligate endoparasitoids of Proboscidea (i.e. elephants), Rhinocerotidae (i.e. rhinos) and Equidae (i.e. horses and zebras, etc.), with their larvae developing in the digestive tract of hosts with very strong host specificity. They represent an extremely unusual diversity among dipteran, or even insect parasites in general, and therefore provide significant insights into the evolution of parasitism. The phylogeny of stomach bot flies was reconstructed based on extensive mitochondrial genomic data for Cobboldia, Gyrostigma and six of the eight known species of Gasterophilus. The phylogenetic tree, i.e. {Cobboldia, [Gyrostigma, (Gasterophilus pecorum, (Gasterophilus intestinalis, (Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis, Gasterophilus inermis)), (Gasterophilus nasalis, Gasterophilus nigricornis))]}, provides a strong evolutionary reference to infer several biological patterns for the first time for this group: (i) host shifts of stomach bot flies from elephants to rhinoceroses and then from rhinoceroses to equids; (ii) dispersal with their hosts from the Afrotropical region into the Palaearctic and Oriental regions; (iii) oviposition site, originally on the host head, and egg production positively correlated with distance from the mouth; (iv) attachment of third‐instar larva originally in the stomach, with duodenal and large intestinal positions secondarily derived; and (v) guanine and cytosine enrichment of the mitogenome as an adaptation to larval life in the warm environment of the host digestive tract, combined with the need for a high evolutionary rate to cope with the fast evolution of their mammalian hosts.     

Dispersion pattern of the medfly from its geographic centre of origin and genetic relationships of the medfly with two close relatives

We used three different approaches, a phylogenetic analysis, the principal component analysis, and Gabriel Graphs, to study the dispersion of the medfly from its geographic centre of origin. Our analysis was based on 13 enzyme polymorphisms detected electrophoretically in 15 natural populations coming from distinct geographic areas. The results indicate that (i) there is a clear-cut separation of the native African from the introduced populations, (ii) the population from Spain seems to connect the African and the Mediterranean or American populations, and (iii) the Mediterranean populations as well as the American ones comprise two distinct groups of closely related populations.We have also estimated a phylogenetic tree for 3 species of the genus Ceratitis: C. capitata, C. rosa and C. nigra, based on electrophoretic data under the assumption of a molecular clock. The results suggest that C. capitata and C. rosa are more closely related to each other than either is to C. nigra.     

Light and scanning microscopy of two benthic species of Amphidiniopsis (Dinophyceae), Amphidiniopsis hexagona sp. nov. and Amphidiniopsis swedmarkii from Japan

Two species of the genus Amphidiniopsis, a marine armoured, sand‐dwelling dinoflagellate, Amphidiniopsis hexagona Yoshimatsu, Toriumi et Dodge sp. nov. and Amphidiniopsis swedmarkii (Balech) Dodge were collected from Japanese sandy beaches, and their morphologic features were observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Amphidiniopsis hexagona was hexagonal in ventral view and measured 44–59 urn in length and 40–53 urn in width. The plate formula is P_o, 4′, 2a, 7″, 3c, 4s (+ 2 accessory), 5″″, 2″″. This plate arrangement of A. hexagona is essentially the same as those of Amphidiniopsis hirusta and A. swedmarkii, but this new species can be readily distinguished from the latter two species by the following characters: (i) the cell shape; (ii) the presence of an antapical spine; and (iii) the surface ornamentation of thecal plates.     

Plant phenological responses to a long‐term experimental extension of growing season and soil warming in the tussock tundra of Alaska

Climate warming is strongly altering the timing of season initiation and season length in the Arctic. Phenological activities are among the most sensitive plant responses to climate change and have important effects at all levels within the ecosystem. We tested the effects of two experimental treatments, extended growing season via snow removal and extended growing season combined with soil warming, on plant phenology in tussock tundra in Alaska from 1995 through 2003. We specifically monitored the responses of eight species, representing four growth forms: (i) graminoids (Carex bigellowii and Eriophorum vaginatum); (ii) evergreen shrubs (Ledum palustre, Cassiope tetragona, and Vaccinium vitis‐idaea); (iii) deciduous shrubs (Betula nana and Salix pulchra); and (iv) forbs (Polygonum bistorta). Our study answered three questions: (i) Do experimental treatments affect the timing of leaf bud break, flowering, and leaf senescence? (ii) Are responses to treatments species‐specific and growth form‐specific? and (iii) Which environmental factors best predict timing of phenophases? Treatment significantly affected the timing of all three phenophases, although the two experimental treatments did not differ from each other. While phenological events began earlier in the experimental plots relative to the controls, duration of phenophases did not increase. The evergreen shrub, Cassiope tetragona, did not respond to either experimental treatment. While the other species did respond to experimental treatments, the total active period for these species did not increase relative to the control. Air temperature was consistently the best predictor of phenology. Our results imply that some evergreen shrubs (i.e., C. tetragona) will not capitalize on earlier favorable growing conditions, putting them at a competitive disadvantage relative to phenotypically plastic deciduous shrubs. Our findings also suggest that an early onset of the growing season as a result of decreased snow cover will not necessarily result in greater tundra productivity.     

The vertical distribution of pronophiline butterflies (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) along an elevational transect in Monte Zerpa (Cordillera de Mérida, Venezuela) with remarks on their diversity and parapatric distribution

Aim The distribution of neotropical butterflies of the tribe Pronophilini (Lepidoptera, Satyridae) was analysed with the aim of determining (i) the elevational ranges of distribution of each species (ii) the elevational gradient in diversity, and (iii) the existence of parapatric distributions of some closely related species pairs. Location The field study was carried out in the middle and upper section of the valley of the Río Albarregas, a tributary of the Río Chama on the southern slopes of the Serranía de la Culata, in the central part of the Cordillera de Mérida, Venezuela. Methods The material was collected along an elevational transect set on a trail leading from Merida to the Páramo de Los Conejos in the area known as Monte Zerpa. It consisted of a series of 32 collection sites set at every 25 m of altitude and covered an elevation from 2250 m to 3025 m. Results The ranges of Lymanopoda obsoleta, L. albocincta, L. zapatoza, Corades chelonis, C. pannonia, C. medeba, Mygona irmina, Pedaliodes epidipnis, P. japhleta, P. montagna and P. panyasis were all restricted to the lower half of the cloud forest zone and L. diezti, C. pax, P. polla, P. ornata and P. ferratilis were all restricted to the upper part. Two species, Erethris porphyria and Steroma bega, crossed the entire elevational range of the cloud forest zone.The biodiversity, as measured by Shannon’s index, attained a maximum at 2700 m, beyond which it gradually decreased. A parapatric distribution was confirmed for three pairs of closely related species: L. obsoleta and L. diezti, C. chelonis and C. pax and P. montagna and P. ferratilis. Main conclusions The peak in diversity at middle elevations seems to result from the overlapping ranges of species distributed over lower and upper parts of the cloud forest. Correlation of species composition at particular transect sites with elevation showed that increase in elevation was associated with an increase in species composition difference. Post‐mating isolation was suggested as a primary factor responsible for maintaining the parapatric distributions of species occupying the upper and lower zones and preventing their respective distributions from expanding.