Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Floral development in Adonideae (Ranunculaceae)

Floral development and floral phyllotaxis in species of Adonis, Callianthemum, and Trollius (Ranunculaceae) were studied with scanning electron microscopy. The floral organs are initiated in spiral sequence and the flowers have spiral phyllotaxis. The sepal primordia are broad, crescent-shaped, and truncate, but those of petals, stamens, and carpels are rather hemispherical. A relatively long plastochron appears to be present between the last sepal and the first petal as compared with the short and equal plastochrones of all subsequent floral organs. Maturation of the stamens within the androecium appears to be centripetal. The carpels have a short ascidiate zone. Placentation is uniformly lateral, even in Adonis and Callianthemum, which have only one fertile ovule per carpel (versus median in other genera of Ranunculoideae with a single fertile ovule). In Adonis and Callianthemum at the tip of the carpel the ventral slit is gaping and the stigma is broadly exposed, whereas in Trollius the stigma is narrower and more pronouncedly decurrent along the ventral slit. The petals in Callianthemum and Trollius are more conspicuously delayed in development than those in Adonis as compared with sepals and stamens. A short carpel stipe is formed early in Callianthemum but later in Adonis and Trollius. In Trollius farreri (commonly having only five carpels in contrast to other species of Trollius) the carpels form a single (spiral) series. Thus floral development is similar in all three genera and, at a lower level, Adonis and Callianthemum are especially close but have different autapomorphies, which reflects the current classification of the genera.     

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic position of the subclass Astomatia (Ciliophora) based on a sampling of six genera from West African oligochaetes (Glossoscolecidae, Megascolecidae), including description of the new genus Paraclausilocola n. gen

To more confidently assess phylogenetic relationships among astome ciliates, we obtained small subunit (SSU) rRNA sequences from nine species distributed in six genera and three families: Almophrya bivacuolata, Eudrilophrya complanata, Metaracoelophrya sp. 1, Metaracoelophrya sp. 2, Metaracoelophrya intermedia, Metaradiophrya sp., Njinella prolifera, Paraclausilocola constricta n. gen., n. sp., and Paraclausilocola elongata n. sp. The two new species in the proposed new clausilocolid genus Paraclausilocola n. gen. are astomes with no attachment apparatus, two files of contractile vacuoles, and an arc-like anterior suture that has differentiations of thigmotactic ciliature on the anterior ends of the left kineties of the upper surface. Phylogenetic analyses were undertaken using neighbor-joining, Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony. The nine species of astomes formed a strongly supported clade, showing the subclass Astomatia to be monophyletic and a weakly supported sister clade to the scuticociliates. There were two strongly supported clades within the astomes. However, genera assigned to the same family were found in different clades, and genera assigned to the same order were found in both clades. Thus, astome taxa appear to be paraphyletic when morphology is used to assign species to genera.     

卷叶薄齿藓和北美赤藓形态特征及其地理新分布

通过对采自贵州省梵净山和内蒙古赛罕乌拉自然保护区的苔藓植物标本进行鉴定,发现了丛藓科的2个新分布种——卷叶薄齿藓(Leptodontium pungens)和北美赤藓(Syntrichia amphidiacea)。卷叶薄齿藓为中国新记录种,首次在中国贵州省梵净山发现,其主要特征为茎无中轴分化,具透明层,常分布于火山和温带高海拔地区。北美赤藓为内蒙古新分布种,发现于内蒙古赛罕乌拉自然保护区,其主要特征为叶腹面近叶尖处生有大量芽胞,成熟芽胞棕色,多细胞,圆柱状。本研究对卷叶薄齿藓和北美赤藓的形态特征和地理分布进行了具体描述,并提供了图版和分种检索表。     

Opposing interactions between homothorax and Lobe define the ventral eye margin of Drosophila eye

Patterning in multi-cellular organisms involves progressive restriction of cell fates by generation of boundaries to divide an organ primordium into smaller fields. We have employed the Drosophila eye model to understand the genetic circuitry responsible for defining the boundary between the eye and the head cuticle on the ventral margin. The default state of the early eye is ventral and depends on the function of Lobe (L) and the Notch ligand Serrate (Ser). We identified homothorax (hth) as a strong enhancer of the L mutant phenotype of loss of ventral eye. Hth is a MEIS class gene with a highly conserved Meis-Hth (MH) domain and a homeodomain (HD). Hth is known to bind Extradenticle (Exd) via its MH domain for its nuclear translocation. Loss-of-function of hth, a negative regulator of eye, results in ectopic ventral eye enlargements. This phenotype is complementary to the L mutant phenotype of loss-of-ventral eye. However, if L and hth interact during ventral eye development remains unknown. Here we show that (i) L acts antagonistically to hth, (ii) Hth is upregulated in the L mutant background, and (iii) MH domain of Hth is required for its genetic interaction with L, while its homeodomain is not, (iv) in L mutant background ventral eye suppression function of Hth involves novel MH domain-dependent factor(s), and (v) nuclear localization of Exd is not sufficient to mediate the Hth function in the L mutant background. Further, Exd is not a critical rate-limiting factor for the Hth function. Thus, optimum levels of L and Hth are required to define the boundary between the developing eye and head cuticle on the ventral margin.     

IMI与K标本室中生于大戟科植物上链格孢属的种Ⅱ.大戟属,铁苋菜属和守宫木属上的种

本文系作者继大戟属(Euphorbia L.)、守宫木属(Sauropus B1.)和铁苋菜属(Acalypha L.)植物上链格孢属(Alternaria Nees)真菌研究(Zhang, 1995)之后,对生于大戟科(Euphorbiaceae)其它属植物上一些链格孢真菌种级分类单位评鉴结果的后续报道.内容包括:一个新种,巴豆生链格孢(A. croronicola T. Y.Zhang & J. C. David), Macrosporium compactum Cooke:对其模式标本(holotype)进行T订正、巴豆链格孢[A.crotonis kamal,Singh & Kumar]:提出关于新模式(neotype)标本的建议;对蓖麻链格孢[A. ricini(yoshii)Hansford]典型性状作了补充描述.此外,还在大戟科其它一些植物上检查到长极链格孢[A. longissima Deighton et MacGarvie]和细极链格孢[A. tenuissima(Nees ez Fr.) Wiltshire]。     

Molecular phylogeny of Phebalium (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and related genera based on the nrDNA regions ITS 1+2

Parsimony analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS 1 & ITS 2) for 38 taxa sampled from the Phebalium group (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and two outgroups confirm that, with the exception of Phebalium sensu stricto and Rhadinothamnus, six of the currently recognised genera within the group are monophyletic. The data indicate that Phebaliums. str. is paraphyletic with respect to Microcybe, and Rhadinothamnus is paraphyletic with respect to Chorilaena. Rhadinothamnus and Chorilaena together are the sister group to Nematolepis. Drummondita, included as an outgroup taxon, clustered within the ingroup as sister to Muiriantha and related to Asterolasia.The phylogeny suggests that the evolution of major clades within a number of these genera (e.g. Phebalium) relates to vicariance events between eastern and south-western Australia. Leionema is an eastern genus, with the most basal taxon being the morphologically distinct Leionema ellipticum from northern Queensland. Leionema also includes one species from New Zealand, but this species (as with some others) proved difficult to sequence and its phylogenetic position remains unknown. Taxonomic changes at the generic level are recommended.The authors wish to thank Paul G.Wilson, PERTH, for advice and discussion, and Paul Forster, BRI, for collecting and providing material of Leionema ellipticum. The project was supported by a Melbourne University Postgraduate Award (to BM), the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS), Australian Systematic Botany Society and Wolf Den (Australia) Investments.     

Molecular phylogeny of the Acre clade (Crassulaceae): Dealing with the lack of definitions for Echeveria and Sedum

The phylogenetic relationships within many clades of the Crassulaceae are still uncertain, therefore in this study attention was focused on the “Acre clade”, a group comprised of approximately 526 species in eight genera that include many Asian and Mediterranean species of Sedum and the majority of the American genera (Echeveria, Graptopetalum, Lenophyllum, Pachyphytum, Villadia, and Thompsonella). Parsimony and Bayesian analyses were conducted with 133 species based on nuclear (ETS, ITS) and chloroplast DNA regions (rpS16, matK). Our analyses retrieved four major clades within the Acre clade. Two of these were in a grade and corresponded to Asian species of Sedum, the rest corresponded to a European–Macaronesian group and to an American group. The American group included all taxa that were formerly placed in the Echeverioideae and the majority of the American Sedoideae. Our analyses support the monophyly of three genera – Lenophyllum, Thompsonella, and Pachyphytum; however, the relationships among Echeveria, Sedum and the various segregates of Sedum are largely unresolved. Our analyses represents the first broad phylogenetic framework for Acre clade, but further studies are necessary on the groups poorly represented here, such as the European and Asian species of Sedum and the Central and South American species of Echeveria.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Leucojum and Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae) based on plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal spacer (ITS) DNA sequences and morphology

Phylogenetic analyses of the monocotyledonous genera Leucojum and Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae, Asparagales), using plastid (trnL-F and matK) and largely non-coding nuclear ribosomal (ITS) DNA sequences show the two to be closely related to Lapiedra, Narcissus, Vagaria, Pancratium and Sternbergia. We compare the results obtained with a combined parsimony analysis of these nucleotide sequences with that of a matrix of morphological characters. The sampling included all species of Leucojum and most species of Galanthus (representing all series and subseries of the genus) and used as outgroup the above mentioned genera of Amaryllidaceae shown to be close relatives. The plastid, nuclear and morphological data were analysed independently and in combination, showing that the boundaries between the two genera are not appropriate. Galanthus is monophyletic but embedded in Leucojum. On the basis of chromosome numbers and floral characters Leucojum has been previously divided into four subgenera, which have been accepted as genera by some authors. In our phylogenetic analyses (separate as well as combined), Leucojum species are separated in two primary clades corresponding to L. subgenera Ruminia + Acis and L. Leucojum + Aerosperma. The taxonomic implications of this pattern are discussed, and an alternative classification is proposed. Finally, biogeographic relationships of species of both Leucojum and Galanthus are discussed, emphasising the possible origin of the narrowly distributed taxa of Leucojum relative to the widespread species.     

The Bionomics ofCoptera Haywardi(Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) and Other Pupal Parasitoids of Tephritid Fruit Flies (Diptera)

The endoparasitoidCoptera haywardi(Ogloblin) (Diapriidae) was discovered in Mexico attacking the pupae of the Mexican fruit fly,Anastrepha ludens(Loew). Typically, parasitoids of Diptera Cychlorrhapha pupae develop as ectoparasitoids and are generalists that attack hosts in a number of families. Aspects of the bionomics ofC. haywardiwere compared to those of two chalcidoid ectoparasitoids,Dirhinus himalayanusWestwood andSpalangia geminaBoucek.C. haywardideveloped in three genera of Tephritidae, but not in species of other families. The two species of chalcidoids developed in all the calypterate and acalypterate hosts to which they were exposed. In an olfactometerC. haywardipreferredAnastrepha suspensa(Loew) pupae, while the chalcidoids preferred the pupae ofMusca domestica L.This preference inS. geminawas diminished in insects that had been reared onA. suspensa. C. haywardioviposited in theA. suspensapupae that had been previously parasitized by the braconidDiachasmimorpha longicaudata(Ashmead). However, it completed development only in unparasitized pupae. Mortality of the primary parasitoid due toD. himalayanuswas approximately two-thirds the mortality inflicted on the host fly.S. geminadid not discriminate between parasitized and unparasitized pupae ofA. suspensaand developed in both.C. haywardiappears to have a more restricted host range relative to chalcidoid pupal parasitoids and this may be due to its endoparasitic development.     

A reexamination of North American Satureja s.l. (Lamiaceae) in light of molecular evidence

Satureja s.l. (Lamiaceae) is a large complex (ca. 225 spp.) that is variably treated as comprising from one to as many as 17 genera. The North American representatives are usually assigned toCalamintha, Clinopodium, Micromeria, Piloblephis, orSatureja. A recent chloroplast DNA restriction site analysis indicates that inclusion ofSatureja s.str.,Micromeria, andPiloblephis in the group renders it non-monophyletic. After exclusion of these three genera, a study of morphological variation in the remainder of the complex suggests that it is best treated as three genera, two of which do not occur in North America (Cyclotrichium and “Obtegomeria” [Doroszenko, ined., to be validated else-where]). The third comprises ca. 100 species, 11 of them native to North America north of Mexico. WithSatureja s.str. excluded, the name with priority for the latter genus isClinopodium. The indigenous North American species and their more frequently used synonyms are tabulated. A new combination,Clinopodium chandleri, is made.     

Phylogenetic relationships of graminicolous downy mildews based on cox2 sequence data

Graminicolous downy mildews (GDM) are an understudied, yet economically important, group of plant pathogens, which are one of the major constraints to poaceous crops in the tropics and subtropics. Here we present a first molecular phylogeny based on cox2 sequences comprising all genera of the GDM currently accepted, with both lasting (Graminivora, Poakatesthia, and Viennotia) and evanescent (Peronosclerospora, Sclerophthora, and Sclerospora) sporangiophores. In addition, all other downy mildew genera currently accepted, as well as a representative sample of other oomycete taxa, have been included. It was shown that all genera of the GDM have had a long, independent evolutionary history, and that the delineation between Peronosclerospora and Sclerospora is correct. Sclerophthora was found to be a particularly divergent taxon nested within a paraphyletic Phytophthora, but without support. The results confirm that the placement of Peronosclerospora and Sclerospora in the Saprolegniomycetidae is incorrect. Sclerophthora is not closely related to Pachymetra of the family Verrucalvaceae, and also does not belong to the Saprolegniomycetidae, but shows close affinities to the Peronosporaceae. In addition, all GDM are interspersed throughout the Peronosporaceae s lat., suggesting that a separate family for the Sclerosporaceae might not be justified.     

Genome size in Bulgarian Centaurea s.l. (Asteraceae)

Thirty-nine species and subspecies of the genera Centaurea, Colymbada, Psephellus and Cyanus (all included in Centaurea s.l.) including many rare and endemic taxa of preponderantly Bulgarian distribution have been investigated with Feulgen DNA image densitometry for holoploid and monoploid genome size (C- and Cx-values). Cyanus varies gradually 2.17-fold between 0.74 pg and 1.56 pg (1Cx). In the remaining taxa two major genome size groups are found, which differ about 1.8-fold in Cx-value. Low values occur in Centaurea subgenera Acrolophus, Solstitiaria, Phalolepis (0.77 pg to 0.90 pg, 1Cx) and Jacea (0.95 pg to 1.09 pg, 1Cx), high values in the genera Colymbada (1.65 pg to 1.93 pg, 1Cx) and Psephellus (1.79 pg, 1Cx, in P. marschallianus). Cx-values support a distinction of Colymbada from Centaurea. Genome size variation is discussed with regard to phylogeny, life form (annual versus perennial), polyploidy, chromosome basic numbers, altitude of occurrence and climate, endemism, and rarity.     

Pollen-ovule ratios in some Neotropical Araceae and their putative significance

The correlation between pollen-ovule (P/O) ratio and breeding system has generally been analysed with respect either to pollination efficiency, or in terms of sex allocation theory. Pollen/ovule ratios were measured in nine species of Araceae belonging to two genera with bisexual flowers (Anaphyllopsis, Monstera) and three genera with unisexual flowers (Dieffenbachia, Philodendron, Montrichardia). The family Araceae with its unique inflorescence morphology allows the analysis of variations of the P/O ratio with respect to two basal morpho-functional pollination units: the flower or the inflorescence. We found a relationship between the value of the P/O ratio and the breeding system that is partially different from Cruden's results (1977). Some facultative xenogamous species have a higher P/O than the obligatory xenogamous species. A link was found between the P/O and the type of inflorescence, the floral cycle, and the mode of growth.     

Phylogeny of the Celastreae (Celastraceae) and the relationships of Catha edulis (qat) inferred from morphological characters and nuclear and plastid genes

The phylogeny of Celastraceae tribe Celastreae, which includes about 350 species of trees and shrubs in 15 genera, was inferred in a simultaneous analysis of morphological characters together with nuclear (ITS and 26S rDNA) and plastid (matK, trnL-F) genes. A strong correlation was found between the geography of the species sampled and their inferred relationships. Species of Maytenus and Gymnosporia from different regions were resolved as polyphyletic groups. Maytenus was resolved in three lineages (New World, African, and Austral-Pacific), while Gymnosporia was resolved in two lineages (New World and Old World). Putterlickia was resolved as nested within the Old World Gymnosporia. Catha edulis (qat, khat) was resolved as sister to the clade of Allocassine, Cassine, Lauridia, and Maurocenia. Gymnosporia cassinoides, which is reportedly chewed as a stimulant in the Canary Islands, was resolved as a derived member of Gymnosporia and is more closely related to Lydenburgia and Putterlickia than it is to Catha. Therefore, all eight of these genera are candidates for containing cathinone- and/or cathine-related alkaloids.     

基于分子与形态证据的桃色无心菜(石竹科)分类地位探讨

广义无心菜属(Arenaria L.s.l.)是石竹科(Caryophyllaceae)中分类较为困难的大属之一,基于分子系统学研究结果该属目前已被拆分为多属.基于形态学证据,桃色无心菜(Arenaria melandryoides Edgew.)被置于无心菜属齿瓣亚属[subg.Odontostemma(G.Don)...     

Ericandersonia sagamia, a new genus and species of deep-water eelpouts (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) from Japan

A new genus and species of deep-water zoarcid fish, Ericandersonia sagamia, is described on the basis of four specimens collected from Sagami Bay, Japan, at depths of 880–930 m. This species is placed in the subfamily Gymnelinae and is distinguished from all genera of gymnelines by the following characters: pseudosubmental crest present; frontals partially fused dorsally; parietals meeting in midline; pelvic fins absent; ventral ramus of posttemporal weak; postorbital head pores 5; pectoral-fin rays 14. The phylogenetic analysis (based on 42 morphological characters) indicates that its position is outside the highly modified (= advanced) genera Seleniolycus, Melanostigma, Puzanovia, Nalbantichthys, Opaeophacus, and Andriashevia.     

Evolution of the monocot gynoecium: evidence from comparative morphology and development in Tofieldia, Japonolirion, Petrosavia and Narthecium

We present new comparative morphological and developmental data on gynoecia of three genera of early-divergent monocots: Tofieldia (Tofieldiaceae, Alismatales), Petrosavia and Japonolirion (Petrosaviaceae, Petrosaviales) and one lilioid monocot: Narthecium (Nartheciaceae, Dioscoreales). Our data show significant differences between the genera examined, and are congruent with the splitting of former Nartheciaceae sensu Tamura (1998) into families Tofieldiaceae, Petrosaviaceae NB-cosistent with later and Nartheciacae (APG II 2003). Our investigation confirms the presence of at least partial carpel fusion in all taxa examined. Previous data indicating apocarpy in Japonolirion, some Petrosavia and Tofieldia could be due to late postgenital carpel fusion in these plants. Syncarpy also characterises other early-divergent monocot lineages such as Acoraceae and Araceae. It is most parsimonious to regard syncarpy as a primitive condition for monocots, but an alternative scenario suggests that apocarpy is plesiomorphic among monocots, involving multiple origins of syncarpy. The latter hypothesis is supported by significant differences between gynoecia of early-divergent monocots, including different modes of carpel fusion.