A new surface gliding species of Chironomidae: An independent invasion of marine environments and its evolutionary implications

Insects have invaded marine habitats only rarely and secondarily. Recently, we discovered a flightless dipteran species skating rapidly on the surface of seawater ponds at the Pacific coast of eastern China. Morphological analyses initially suggested an isolated position of the non‐biting midge, suggesting the erection of a new genus within Chironomini (Diptera: Chironomidae). However, an analysis of molecular data revealed that the marine species is in fact nested within the species‐rich genus Dicrotendipes. The apparent conflict between molecular and morphological data can be easily explained. It is likely that the new species has evolved a series of autapomorphic adaptations. These traits clearly distinguish the taxon from other species of the genus but do not justify the erection of a new supraspecific taxon, which would render Dicrotendipes paraphyletic. The switch to marine environments was likely a trigger for various morphological modifications resulting from increased selective pressure. Molecular data suggest that the potential speciation event occurred around 19–29 Ma, linked with a migration from freshwater to seawater ponds along the Pacific Ocean. Considering the results of our analysis, we place the flightless marine skater in the genus Dicrotendipes. All life stages of Dicrotendipes sinicus Qi & Lin sp. n. are described and illustrated, associated with larvae obtained by rearing or confirmed through association with DNA barcodes. The biology and ecology of the species are outlined based on collection data and in situ observations. Evolutionary patterns linked with repeated invasions of marine habitats are discussed.     

Trichoderma mienum sp. nov., isolated from mushroom farms in Japan

During an investigation of Hypocrea/Trichoderma species inhabiting mushroom bedlogs, we found five strains of an undescribed species from a culture collection. These were analyzed using a combined approach, including morphology of holomorph, cultural studies, and phylogenetic analyses of the rRNA gene cluster of the internal transcribed spacer region, translation elongation factor 1-α, and RNA polymerase subunit II gene sequences. Distinctive morphological characters include stromata with green ascospores produced on potato dextrose agar medium, and Gliocladium-like to irregularly Verticillium-like conidiophores. In phylogenetic analyses, this species belongs to the Semiorbis clade, but its morphological characteristics do not match the other members of this clade. Based on morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses, we describe this as a new species, Trichoderma mienum, representing its Hypocrea teleomorph and Trichoderma anamorph.     

Annotated checklist of the leech species diversity in the Maloe More Strait of Lake Baikal,Russia

In this paper, the very first checklist of the freshwater leeches of Maloe More Strait, a special part of Lake Baikal, is presented. It includes 14 free-living and parasitic species, of which four species belong to endemic Baikal genera – two species from Baicalobdella and one species each from Baicaloclepsis and Codonobdella. The checklist highlights six potentially new morphological species recorded for the first time in the area. The exact systematic position is stated for all leech species. Each species from the list is provided with information on taxonomic synonymy, data on its geographic distribution, and ecological characteristics. New species records are additionally provided with brief morphological characteristics and photos of their external morphology.     

Integrating a Numerical Taxonomic Method and Molecular Phylogeny for Species Delimitation of Melampsora Species (Melampsoraceae,Pucciniales) on Willows in China

The species in genus Melampsora are the causal agents of leaf rust diseases on willows in natural habitats and plantations. However, the classification and recognition of species diversity are challenging because morphological characteristics are scant and morphological variation in Melampsora on willows has not been thoroughly evaluated. Thus, the taxonomy of Melampsora species on willows remains confused, especially in China where 31 species were reported based on either European or Japanese taxonomic systems. To clarify the species boundaries of Melampsora species on willows in China, we tested two approaches for species delimitation inferred from morphological and molecular variations. Morphological species boundaries were determined based on numerical taxonomic analyses of morphological characteristics in the uredinial and telial stages by cluster analysis and one-way analysis of variance. Phylogenetic species boundaries were delineated based on the generalized mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC) model analysis of the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) regions including the 5.8S and D1/D2 regions of the large nuclear subunit of the ribosomal RNA gene. Numerical taxonomic analyses of 14 morphological characteristics recognized in the uredinial-telial stages revealed 22 morphological species, whereas the GMYC results recovered 29 phylogenetic species. In total, 17 morphological species were in concordance with the phylogenetic species and 5 morphological species were in concordance with 12 phylogenetic species. Both the morphological and molecular data supported 14 morphological characteristics, including 5 newly recognized characteristics and 9 traditionally emphasized characteristics, as effective for the differentiation of Melampsora species on willows in China. Based on the concordance and discordance of the two species delimitation approaches, we concluded that integrative taxonomy by using both morphological and molecular variations was an effective approach for delimitating Melampsora species on willows in China.     

The biology ofSclerotinia sclerotiorum,S. trifoliorum,andS. minor with emphasis on specific nomenclature

The separation ofSclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, 5.trifoliorum Erikss., andS. minor Jagger into three distinct species has been based on traditional morphological and physiological criteria such as gross cultural characteristics, sclerotial size, ascus and ascospore dimensions, time of apothecial development in the field, and host association. However, these characteristics tend to be variable and some workers have concluded that the three fungi should be included in one species, 5.sclerotiorum. Recently, new data have been published on morphological, cultural, physiological, ontogenetic, enzyme pattern, mycelial interaction, and cytological characteristics of isolates ofSclerotinia spp. This information supplements, but does not replace, that available from more traditional taxonomic methods and helps to resolve the controversy on the taxonomy and nomenclature of these fungi. This article reviews the relevant literature on the biology of 5.sclerotiorum, S. trifoliorum, and 5.minor, with particular emphasis given to those differences between them that could be of significance regarding their specific nomenclature. After an introduction, mycelia, microconidia, sclerotia, apothecia, infection, control, and taxonomy and nomenclature are discussed. The authors conclude thatS. sclerotiorum, S. trifoliorum, andS. minor are distinct species. The characteristics used to distinguish between them are summarized in table form.     

Colletotrichum gigasporum sp. nov., a new species of Colletotrichum producing long straight conidia

A new species of Colletotrichum was described, based on morphology and phylogeny. The fungus was isolated in Madagascar from healthy leaves of Centella asiatica, in Mexico from wild native of Stylosanthes guianensis and in Colombia from Coffea arabica. The fungus differed from the currently related species in the genus by its longer and wider size of conidia. In potato dextrose agar medium supplemented with sterilized leaf powder of Ce. asiatica, the fungus produced fertile perithecia containing asci and unusual long ascospores measuring up to 90 μm. In addition to these morphological characteristics, the maximum parsimony analysis of the ITS region and β-tubulin gene placed the fungus in a distinct clade far from the currently valid Colletotrichum species. Based on the morphological and molecular characterization, Colletotrichum gigasporum sp. nov. was proposed as a new species in the genus Colletotrichum Corda.     

Characterization of Euplotes lynni nov. spec., E. indica nov. spec. and description of E. aediculatus and E. woodruffi (Ciliophora,Euplotidae) using an integrative approach

Four species belonging to the genus Euplotes have been investigated, namely: E. lynni nov. spec., E. indica nov. spec., E. aediculatus, and E. woodruffi. All populations are from India and were investigated using morphological and molecular markers. The phylogenetic relationships were inferred from small subunit ribosomal rRNA gene (SSU rRNA), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Predicted secondary structure models for two new species using the hypervariable region of the SSU rRNA gene and ITS2 region support the distinctness of both species. Morphological characters were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and genetic variations were studied in-depth to analyze the relatedness of the two new species with their congeners. An integrative approach combining morphological features, molecular analysis, and ecological characteristics was carried out to understand the phylogenetic position of the reported species within the different clades of the genus Euplotes.     

A detailed study ofCrocus speciosus and its allyC. pulchellus (Iridaceae)

Crocus speciosus is a widely distributed autumn-flowering species showing considerable variation in its morphological characters. Three subspecies are recognised, two of which are endemic to small areas of Turkey. The third, subsp.speciosus, occurs in a much wider area and contains a number of different cytotypes.C. pulchellus is a distinct but closely related species. The morphological relationships between the species and subspecies are discussed and a key to the taxa is provided. Cytological data are given and a distribution map of the cytotypes is provided. A detailed study of the leaf anatomy is presented.     

Antrodiella chinensis sp. nov., a Chinese representative of the Antrodiella americana complex

A new wood-decaying polypore, Antrodiella chinensis, is described and illustrated from China based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of rDNA ITS sequences. The new species belongs to the Antrodiella americana complex, and is characterized by an annual habit, resupinate basidiocarps, cream to straw coloured pore surface with larger and regular pores, and oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores. Discriminating characteristics between the new species and the closely related species in the complex are discussed.     

Morphological and molecular reinvestigation of acanthoecid species III. – Kalathoeca cupula (Leadbeater, 1972) gen. et comb. nov. (=Stephanoeca cupula (Leadbeater) Thomsen, 1988)

Based on a further re-examination of loricate choanoflagellate species with detailed morphological (SEM/TEM) and molecular data of the SSU and LSU rRNA, the present study aims to give new insights for Stephanoeca cupula. In contrast to the original allocation within the family of tectiform reproducing species, morphological and molecular data of S. cupula sensu Leadbeater, 1972 points towards an affiliation within the nudiform reproducing family. Based on these new data, we here erect the nudiform genus Kalathoeca with its type species K. cupula gen. et comb. nov. Our data challenges morphological species assignments, as K. cupula shares its morphological lorica characteristics with tectiform reproducing species of Stephanoeca sensu stricto. Kalathoeca cupula is an interesting candidate for further investigating and understanding the evolutionary relationship of tectiform and nudiform reproducing species.Stephanoeca cupula sensu Thomsen, 1988 has been morphologically re-examined based on the renewed understanding of the morphological variability associated with S. cupula sensu Leadbeater, 1972 (=K. cupula), allowing us now to distribute the different morphological forms investigated within K. cupula and Pseudostephanoeca quasicupula.     

Morphological and phylogenetic studies of Cytospora (Valsaceae,Diaporthales) isolates from Chinese scholar tree,with description of a new species

Cytospora species are the most serious and widespread pathogens associated with canker disease on multiple plants. In this study, three species, i.e., Cytospora sophoricola, C. chrysosperma, and C. sophorae, which were isolated from Sophora in China, are described and illustrated based on their morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. Cytospora sophoricola was distinguished clearly by its larger disc, multiple ostioles, cystic and multiple locules, and specific cultural characteristics, i.e., protruding fruiting bodies. Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis showed that it did not cluster with any known species of Cytospora, so it is described as a new species. Cytospora sophorae is a previously reported species from Sophora, which is redescribed based on new isolates and additional observations. Another species was identified as C. chrysosperma, which is reported for the first time on Sophora, so Papilionaceae is shown to be a new host family for C. chrysosperma. The morphological affinities of these species with related taxa are discussed, while the phylogenetic relationships of these species with other fungus in the genus Cytospora were elucidated based on their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA region sequences.     

10 种茶藨子属植物导管分子形态特征及其生态适应性比较研究简

利用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微电镜,以10种茶藨子属植物为研究材料,观察了其导管分子的形态结构。结果显示：（1）所研究的茶藨子属植物导管分子穿孔板为梯状穿孔板,且穿孔板上横隔分布的数量不同,端壁倾斜角度种间变化不大;（2）导管分子纹孔式样为互列式或兼有互列式和对列式,纹孔形状种间存在差异;（3）有的种类导管分子内壁有螺纹加厚或网状凸起。研究表明,不同生境下的茶藨子属植物导管形态与其生态适应性之间有较强的相关性,表现为湿生环境的物种导管较短,直径较宽;旱生环境的物种导管较长,直径较小;中生环境的居中。本文分析了茶藨子属植物导管分子形态特征的生态适应性。     

Which Morphological Characteristics Are Most Influenced by the Host Matrix in Downy Mildews? A Case Study in Pseudoperonospora cubensis

Before the advent of molecular phylogenetics, species concepts in the downy mildews, an economically important group of obligate biotrophic oomycete pathogens, have mostly been based upon host range and morphology. While molecular phylogenetic studies have confirmed a narrow host range for many downy mildew species, others, like Pseudoperonospora cubensis affect even different genera. Although often morphological differences were found for new, phylogenetically distinct species, uncertainty prevails regarding their host ranges, especially regarding related plants that have been reported as downy mildew hosts, but were not included in the phylogenetic studies. In these cases, the basis for deciding if the divergence in some morphological characters can be deemed sufficient for designation as separate species is uncertain, as observed morphological divergence could be due to different host matrices colonised. The broad host range of P. cubensis (ca. 60 host species) renders this pathogen an ideal model organism for the investigation of morphological variations in relation to the host matrix and to evaluate which characteristics are best indicators for conspecificity or distinctiveness. On the basis of twelve morphological characterisitcs and a set of twelve cucurbits from five different Cucurbitaceae tribes, including the two species, Cyclanthera pedata and Thladiantha dubia, hitherto not reported as hosts of P. cubensis, a significant influence of the host matrix on pathogen morphology was found. Given the high intraspecific variation of some characteristics, also their plasticity has to be taken into account. The implications for morphological species determination and the confidence limits of morphological characteristics are discussed. For species delimitations in Pseudoperonospora it is shown that the ratio of the height of the first ramification to the sporangiophore length, ratio of the longer to the shorter ultimate branchlet, and especially the length and width of sporangia, as well as, with some reservations, their ratio, are the most suitable characteristics for species delimitation.