NeueSilene-Arten (Caryophyllaceae) aus dem Gebiet der Flora Iranica

15 new species are described: Sect.Sclerocalycinae:S. farsistanica, S. stapfii. — Sect.Spergulifoliae:S. paktiensis. — Sect.Auriculatae:S. caroli-henrici, S. daënensis, S. gertraudiae, S. nizvana, S. oligophylla, S. persepolitana, S. pseudaucheriana, S. pseudonurensis, S. renzii, S. salangensis, S. sojakii. — Sect.Brachypodae:S. rasvandica. — All the new species are from Iran with exception ofS. paktiensis andS. parvanica which are from Afghanistan.

Florae Iranicae praecursores 46–60. — Praecursores praecurrentes in Pl. Syst. Evol.142: 239–246 (1983).     

Stromatinia cryptomeriae sp. nov., the teleomorph ofGloeosporidina cryptomeriae causing twig blight of Japanese cedar

A new species,Stromatinia cryptomeriae, is described based on a specimen collected in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. It was found on fallen dead branches and twigs of Japanese cedar,Cryptomeria japonica. The morphology of isolates on potato-dextrose agar (PDA), which were obtained from single ascospores ofS. cryptomeriae, was identical withGloeosporidina cryptomeriae, the causal fungus of Japanese cedar twig blight. In an inoculation test using single ascospore isolates, many minute black spots (sclerotioid bodies; sclerotules) and acervuli ofG. cryptomeriae were formed on the necrotic lesions, which developed into typical symptoms of Japanese cedar twig blight. These results show thatStromatinia cryptomeriae is the teleomorph ofG. cryptomeriae. On PDA, the fungus grew over a range of about 1 to 25°C, with the optimum growth at about 15–20°C.     

Materials for the fungus flora of Japan (49)

Two interesting microfungi are described as new to Japan:Talaromyces galapagensis (anam.Penicillium galapagense), isolated from soil in Shizuoka; andPenicillium megasporum, isolated from marine sludge in Nagasaki. Some observations are recorded, particularly on ascomatal initials ofT. galapagensis, which are similar to those described forTalaromyces flavus.(48): Kaneko, S., Mycoscience 36: 359–360, 1995.     

The phylogenetic relationships ofEeniella nana Smith,Batenburg-van der Vegte et Scheffers based on the partial sequences of 18S and 26S ribosomal RNAs (Candidaceae)

Summary Two strains ofEeniella nana were examined for their partial base sequences of 18S and 26S rRNAs. In the partial base sequences of 18S rRNA (prositions 1451 through 1618, 168 bases) the strains ofE. nana have five, five, four and eleven base differences with those ofDekkera bruxellensis (type species).D. anomala (andBrettanomyces anomalus),D. naardenensis andD. custersiana, respectively. In the 26S rRNA partial base sequencings (positions 1611 through 1835, 225 bases and positions 493 through 622, 130 bases) the base differences were 46, 43, 34 and 40 and the percent similarities were 53–54, 51–54, 56–57 and 51–53, respectively. The sequence data obtained are discussed phylogenetically and taxonomically, especially on retention of the generic nameEeniella.This paper is dedicated to Professor Herman Jan Phaff in honor of his 50 years of active research which still continues.Significance of the coenzyme Q system in the classification of yeasts and yeast-like organisms. Part LVIII. For part LVII, see ref. [20].     

Even more new taxa from South and East Anatolia II

10 new Turkish taxa are described:Arenaria eliasiana, A. sivasica, A. monscragus, A. angustifolioides; Campanula lycica; Scutellaria orientalis subsp.tortumensis; Stachys choruhensis, S. tundjeliensis; Calamintha caroli-henricana; Aristolochia rechingeriana, the latter two species named in honour ofKarl Heinz Rechinger;Allium vuralii. Dedicated to Prof. DrKarl Heinz Rechinger on the occasion of his 80th birthday. For part I see Pl. Syst. Evol.154, 111–128.     

Localized hybridization betweenSaxifraga aizoides andS. mutata (Saxifragaceae): Reproductive ecology ofS. ×hausmannii and implications for conservation

The roles of hybridization and of introgression as potential threats to small native populations are current topics of interest both for evolutionary and conservation biologists. Two factors are mainly involved in the threat to natural populations through hybridization: demographic swamping and genetic assimilation. At prealpine locations, twoSaxifraga species with very different growth habits,S. aizoides andS. mutata, form a hybrid,S. ×hausmannii. Investigation of meiosis and crossing experiments revealed regular pairing of the 26 chromosomes and development of viable seeds in the hybrid. Analysis of hybrid indices, GPI allozymes, germination experiments and seed sizes showed an intermediate position ofS. ×hausmannii between its parental species.Saxifraga aizoides andS. mutata were separated by only weak hybridization barriers. Introgression occurred mostly in direction ofS. aizoides, although to a small amount. There is no actual threat to small, prealpine populations ofS. aizoides andS. mutata through interspecific gene flow because hybridization is localized, resulting from different flowering phenologies of the parental species and from the narrow habitat requirements ofS. ×hausmannii, which are similar to those ofS. aizoides. The major threat to local, prealpine populations ofS. aizoides andS. mutata is the loss of landscape dynamics. Both species need open erosion slopes for successful recruitment.     

Revision and reclassification of three Plasmopara species based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic data

Based on the results of morphological and DNA sequence (partial D1–D3/D7–D8 nuLSU and partial nuSSU-ITS1-5.8S rDNA) data, three species of Plasmopara are revised and reclassified. A species of Plasmopara parasitic on Scorzonera, invalidly published several times, is assigned to a new genus and species under Novotelnova scorzonerae. Plasmopara euphrasiae sp. nov. is segregated from P. densa, and P. centaureae-mollis is revised and relegated to synonymy of Bremia centaureae. All taxa are described and illustrated.     

Steinernema scarabaei, an entomopathogenic nematode for control of the European chafer

A new entomopathogenic nematode species, Steinernema scarabaei, was evaluated for efficacy against two white grub species, the European chafer, Rhizotrogus majalis, and the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, in laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials. In laboratory assays, S. scarabaei caused greater mortality than Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. S. scarabaei was highly virulent with an LC₅₀ of 5.5–6.0 and 5.7 infective juveniles (IJs) per third-instar larva in R. majalis and P. japonica, respectively. In a greenhouse trial, S. scarabaei provided greater mortality of R. majalis at all application rates (0.156–1.25 × 10⁹ IJs/ha) than Steinernema glaseri and H. bacteriophora (both at 1.25 × 10⁹ IJs/ha). Combination of imidacloprid and S. scarabaei resulted in an antagonistic interaction. In a fall field trial, S. scarabaei provided 88 and 75% control of R. majalis at 2.5 × 10⁹ and 10⁹ IJs/ha, respectively, and 54% control of P. japonica at 10⁹ IJs/ha; H. bacteriophora had no effect on mortality of either white grub species. In a spring field trial, unusually cool temperatures impeded nematode activity. Against R. majalis, S. scarabaei provided moderate control (56–59%), whereas Heterorhabditis marelatus provided no control. Mortality of P. japonica was moderate (49–66%) in both S. scarabaei and H. marelatus treatments. Overwinter persistence of S. scarabaei activity was demonstrated in a spring assay of soil from fall treated plots in which nematode infection was absent from control plots and present in treated plots.     

Notes onDiphucephala affinis (Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae) associated with flowers ofHibbertia andAcacia in Western Australia

Notes are provided on the association of the beetleDiphucephala affinis (Scarabaeidae) with yellow flowers ofHibbertia hypericoides, H. huegelii (Dilleniaceae),Acacia pulchella, andA. stenoptera (Mimosaceae). Observations were undertaken during September 9–19, 1979 at S. Perth, Western Australia. They indicated thatD. affinis is not a pollinator ofHibbertia as suggested in the literature, but may play a small role in the pollination of someAcacia species.     

Antifungal activity of some marine organisms from India,against food spoilage Aspergillus strains

Crude aqueous methanol extracts obtained from 31 species of various marine organisms (including flora land faunal), were screened for their antifungal activity against food poisoning strains of Aspergillus. Seventeen species exhibited mild (+ =zone of inhibition 1–2 mm) to significant (+++ =zone of inhibition 3–5 mm) activity against one or the other strain under experiment. However, extracts of 12 species were active against all the three strains. Organisms like Salicornia brachiata(obligate halophyte), Sinularia leptocladus(Soft coral), Elysia grandifolia (Mollusks),Gorgonian sp. 2 and Haliclona sp. exhibited significant (inhibition zone of 3–5 mm) antifungal activity against one or the other strains. However,extracts of A. ilicifolius, Amphiroa sp.,Poryphyra sp., Unidentified sponge, Suberites vestigium, Sinularia compressa,Sunularia sp., Sinularia maxima, Subergorgia suberosa, Echinogorgia pseudorassopo and Sabellaria cementifera were mild (inhibition zone of 1–2 mm) to moderate(inhibition zone of 2–3 mm) active against the respective strains. The growth of A. japonicuswas significantly inhibited by the extracts ofS. leptocladus (r = 0.992, p < 0.0001)and E. grandifolia (r = 0.989, p < 0.0001).This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Female reproductive development and pollen tube growth in diploid genotypes of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Solanum cardiophyllum</Emphasis> Lindl.

We have characterized female gametophyte (megagametophyte) development and the kinetics of pollen tube growth in self-pollinated diploid genotypes (2n=2x=24) of Solanum cardiophyllum Lindl. that show normal seed formation. In this species megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis give rise to a female gametophyte of the Polygonum type composed of two synergids, an egg cell, a binucleated central cell and three antipodals; however, asynchronous abnormalities resembling mechanisms that prevail during the formation of second division restitution gametes were observed. In self-pollinated pistils at least 1–2% of germinating pollen tubes were able to reach the megagametophyte 60–84 hours after pollination (hap). Although the egg cell acquired a zygote-like morphology 60–84 hap, division of the primary endosperm nucleus was only observed 84 hap. The analysis of genetic variability in full-sib progeny confirmed that seeds are derived from sexual reproduction. These observations suggest that diploid genotypes of S. cardiophyllum can serve as an ideal system to genetically investigate true seed formation in a tuber-bearing Solanum species.     

Zwei neue Arten der GattungSaponaria (Caryophyllaceae) aus Afghanistan und Pakistan

Saponaria stenopetala sp.n. in Eastern Afghanistan is close toS. pachyphylla Rech. f. andS. subrosularis Rech. f.—The nearest allies ofS. makranica sp.n. from Western Pakistan and Southeastern Iran areS. kermanensis Bornm. andS. floribunda (Kar. & Kir.)Boiss.

Flora Iranicae praecursores 36–37. — Praecursores praecurrentes in Pl. Syst. Evol.139, 313–317 (1982).     

Lagenidium infection in eggs and larvae of mangrove crab (Scylla serrata) produced in Indonesia

A fungal infection occurred in the eggs and larvae of mangrove crab (Scylla serrata) in seed production in Bali, Indonesia. The causative fungus was classified as a member of the genusLagenidium (Oomycetes, Lagenidiales). After comparison of its biological and physiological characteristics with those ofL. callinectes ATCC 24973, a known parasite of various crustaceans, was concluded that the isolate is a new species ofLagenidium, L. thermophilum, because of its rapid and thermotolerant growth and unique discharge process. Fungal growth was observed on PYG agar containing 0–5.0% (w/v) NaCl and 0–2.5% (w/v) KCI. Similar pathogenicity toward the zoeae of swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) was demonstrated.     

Drought, differential mortality and the coexistence of a native and an introduced fish species in a south east Australian intermittent stream

Synopsis The longitudinal distribution ofSalmo trutta andGalaxias olidus, a small salmoniform fish, was mapped over four summers (1985–1988) in the upper reaches of the Lerderderg River, an intermittent stream in central Victoria. Over the four successive summers of the study, the distribution ofS. trutta expanded upstream. Coincident with the expansion ofS. trutta was a contraction in the distribution ofG. olidus upstream. In the summer of 1988, an extended dry spell resulted in high levels ofS. trutta mortality at the upstream limits of their distribution. This suggested that the upstream distribution ofS. trutta could ultimately be constrained by an inability to tolerate prolonged periods of low stream flow and high temperatures that tended to occur in the headwaters of the stream. A study of summer mortality was conducted over three successive summers (1989–1991) at three reaches along the river. The two downstream reaches contained onlyS. trutta, the upstream reach contained bothS. trutta andG. olidus. Salmo trutta mortality was consistently higher at the most upstream reach compared with lower reaches. High levels ofS. trutta mortality at the two downstream reaches were only observed in 1991, a particularly dry year. In contrast,G. olidus survived in scattered small pools throughout the upper reaches of the stream. The results of the study suggest a shifting pattern ofS. trutta andG. olidus distribution determined by the duration of low stream flow periods and summer high temperatures.     

Pleosporales in Japan (5): Pleomassaria, Asteromassaria, and Splanchnonema

Eight species in Pleomassariaceae are described and illustrated. They are Pleomassaria maxima, Pl. swidae, Pl. siparia “type A,” Prosthemium canba, Asteromassaria macroconidica, A. pulchra, Splanchnonema mori, and S. argus. Of these, Pl. swidae on twigs of Swida controversa, Pr. canba on Betula ermanii, and A. macroconidica on twigs of Prunus ×yedoensis and an unknown woody plant are new. Three species, Pl. siparia “type A,” A. pulchra, and S. argus, are reported from Japan for the first time. A new combination, S. mori (≡ Massaria mori), is proposed.     

Molecular phylogeny of onygenalean fungi based on small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences

Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide data from small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences (ca. 1685 bp.) was performed on 19 taxa of the Onygenales and three related mitosporic fungi. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by the neighbor-joining method with the sequence data of related taxa obtained from DNA databases. The species in the Onygenales form two clusters and seven subclusters, and the tree topology reflects the traditional classification by Currah (1985) with some exceptions. The Myxotrichaceae is placed in the different lineage, separate from other plectomycetous taxa and among the Leotiales and the Erysiphales. Furthermore, two separate lineages in the Myxotrichaceae were found. Tree topology suggested the Onygenaceae is polyphyletic and composed of three subgroups; 1) most members of Onygenaceae, 2)Spiromastix warcupii, and 3) pathogenic dimorphic fungi classified inAjellomyces.     

Phonotaxis in femaleOrmia ochracea (Diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of field crickets

Gravid females of Ormia ochracealocate their hosts by homing on their hosts' calling songs. At Gainesville, Florida, O. ochraceafemales were attracted in greatest numbers to broadcast sounds that simulated the calling song of Gryllus rubens.Other candidate hosts and the attractiveness of their songs relative to the simultaneous song of G. rubenswere G. fultoni(9%), G. integer(4%), G. firmus(3%), Orocharis luteolira(1%), Scapteriscus borellii(1%), and S. vicinus(0%). The response of female O. ochraceato simulated G. rubenssongs that have different pulse rates changes with temperature in parallel with temperature-induced changes in the pulse rate of natural songs. Speaker stations 16 m apart in an apparently uniform environment produced strikingly different fly counts (e.g., 852 and 2163). The song of G. rubensat 21 °C approximates a continuous sequence of 4.6-kHz pulses at a rate of 45 s ^–1 and with a duty cycle of 50%. When two of these parameters were held constant and the third systematically varied in steps of 0.4kHz, 10s ^–1,and 10–20%, maximum attraction occurred at 4.4 kHz, 45 s ^–1,and 20–80%. Omitting as many as half the pulses in a rubenssimulation (e.g., 1, 2, 4, or 16 pulses followed by an equivalent silence, and repeat) did not significantly reduce the counts of O. ochracea,proving that chirping (producing pulses in brief groups) is no safeguard from call-seeking O. ochracea.Phase shifting of pulses in successive chirps sometimes decreased fly counts. When songs were first broadcast, flies came within seconds. Flies that landed at sound often stayed for minutes, even when the sound was turned off.     

Labiatae Novae Iranicae

Four new species are described:Lavandula sublepidota, from S. Iran (related toL. coronopifolia),Phlomis pachyphylla from S. Iran, Prov. Fars (nearPh. polioxantha),Satureia isophylla from N. Iran, Prov. Mazanderan (close toS. mutica andS. intermedia), andThymbra neurophylla from Iraqi Kurdistan (distinct forth species of the genus).

Florae Iranicae praecursores 1–4.     

Xenocylindrocladium guianense andX. subverticillatum, two new species of hyphomycetes from plant debris in the tropics

Two new species of hyphomycetes,Xenocylindrocladium guianense andX. subverticillatum, are described from plant debris collected in French Guiana and Singapore, respectively. The genusXenocylindrocladium has thus far been known from one species,X. serpens, which was described from plant debris collected in Ecuador. The two new taxa are compared with and distinguished fromX. serpens based on morphology, cultural characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data of the 5.8S rDNA with flanking ITS1 and ITS2 regions and the 5′ end of the β-tubulin gene. These species are also compared with other closely related hypocrealean taxa. Present collection data suggest that species ofXenocylindrocladium could be restricted to the tropics.     

Evaluation of plastic composite-supports for enhanced ethanol production in biofilm reactors

Biofilms are a natural form of cell immobilization that result from microbial attachment to solid supports. Biofilm reactors with polypropylene composite-supports containing up to 25% (w/w) of various agricultural materials (corn hulls, cellulose, oat hulls, soybean hulls or starch) and nutrients (soybean flour or zein) were used for ethanol production. Pure cultures ofZymomonas mobilis, ATCC 31821 orSaccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 24859 and mixed cultures with either of these ethanol-producing microorganisms and the biofilm-formingStreptomyces viridosporus T7A ATCC 39115 were evaluated. An ethanol productivity of 374g L^–1 h^–1 (44% yield) was obtained on polypropylene composite-supports of soybean hull-zein-polypropylene by usingZ. mobilis, whereas mixed-culture fermentations withS. viridosporus resulted in ethanol productivity of 147.5 g L^–1 h^–1 when polypropylene composite-supports of corn starch-soybean flour were used. WithS. cerevisiae, maximum productivity of 40 g L^–1 h^–1 (47% yield) was obtained on polypropylene composite-supports of soybean hull-soybean flour, whereas mixed-culture fermentation withS. viridosporus resulted in ethanol productivity of 190g L^–1 h^–1 (35% yield) when polypropylene composite-supports of oat hull-polypropylene were used. The maximum productivities obtained without supports (suspension culture) were 124 g L^–1 h^–1 and 5 g L^–1 h^–1 withZ. mobilis andS. cerevisiae, respectively. Therefore, forZ. mobilis andS. cerevisiae, ethanol productivities in biofilm fermentations were three- and eight-fold higher than suspension culture fermentations, respectively. Biofilm formation on the chips was detected by weight change and Gram staining of the support material at the end of the fermentation. The ethanol production rate and concentrations were consistently greater in biofilm reactors than in suspension cultures.This is Journal Paper No. J-16356 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 3253