Blastobotrys,Sporothrix and Trichosporiella: generic delimitation,new species,and a Stephanoascus teleomorph

The morphological and physiological characters of the species of Blastobotrys, and of a number of similar species of Sporothrix, Trichosporiella and Candida were studied. Blastobotrys is defined as having mother cells (primary conidia) which form distinct, secondary conidia. Sporothix has non-catenulate conidia, or the conidia are catenulate without marked differentiation of conidia of first and second order. Trichosporiella is delimited from Candida by a stronger coherence between hyphal cells, arthroconidia being absent. Four new Blastobotrys species are described, and two unnamed species; two new combinations are proposed in Trichosporiella. Related species in other genera are briefly discussed. A new Stephanoascus teleomorph is described in two strains originally identified as Sp. fungorum. Two diagnostic keys to the described taxa, using either morphological or physiological characters, are given.     

Carbohydrate patterns and taxonomy of Sporothrix and Blastobotrys

Within the hyphomycete genus Sporothrix Hektoen & Perkins three distinct groups are recognized on the basis of carbohydrate patterns. In the first group, and in Blastobotrys Klopotek, mannose is predominant while xylose and rhamnose are absent; this suggests a relationship with the Ascoideaceae. A second group, comprising anamorphs of Ophiostomataceae, is characterized by the presence of rhamnose. A third group is characterized by the presence of xylose, indicating a basidiomycete affinity. Three sections are erected to accommodate these groups.     

Scopulariopsis murina,a new fungus from self-heated compost

Summary A new species of Scopulariopsis, S. murina Samson and Klopotek, is described. This species is closely related to S. sphaerospora and S. carbonaria, but differs from them in having smaller, cylindrical conidia and chlamydospores. In addition Paecilomyces fuscatus Inagaki is redescribed and the new name Scopulariopsis gracilis Samson is proposed for it.     

Hemiboea guangdongensis comb. & stat. nov., a cryptic species segregated from H. subcapitata (Gesneriaceae) based on morphological and molecular data

The taxonomic problem of cryptic species has long been recognized. Hemiboea subcapitata C. B. Clarke is a widespread and morphologically diverse species including two varieties, H. subcapitata var. subcapitata C. B. Clarke and H. subcapitata var. guangdongensis (Z. Y. Li) Z. Y. Li. However, genetic distance and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS and four plastid DNA sequences (atpB‐rbcL, matK, rbcL, rpS16 intron) revealed that H. subcapitata var. guangdongensis is sister to H. subacaulis, and separated from H. subcapitata var. subcapitata, suggesting that it should be raised to the rank of an independent species as H. guangdongensis (Z. Y. Li) X. Q. Li & X. G. Xiang, comb. & stat. nov. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from H. subacaulis by its calyx 5‐sect from base, segments narrowly oblong‐lanceolate (versus calyx 5‐sect from base or 2‐lipped and adaxial lip 2‐lobed from below middle, segments ovate), peduncle glabrous (versus pubescent), and vermiform sclereids dispersed in leaf mesophyll (versus without sclereids).     

A new terrestrial nematode species (Rhabditida: Cephalobidae) from spitzbergen

Summary A new species of the soil nematode genus Cervidellus Thorne, 1937 sensu Andrássy, 1984, C. spitzbergensis sp. nov. is described from light and scanning electron microscope studies. The new species differs from all other known species of Cervidellus by the shape of the labial probolae (doubly bifurcate and outwardly projecting basal tines), the coarsely annulated cuticle (annules 2–3 m wide), and the prominent lateral field that expands around the phasmid and extends almost to tail terminus. The diagnostic value of longitudinal striations in the cuticle of cephalobids and the status of the genera Cervidellus and Stegelletina Andrássy, 1984 are discussed.     

Glucosylation and Other Biotransformations of T-2 Toxin by Yeasts of the Trichomonascus Clade

Trichothecenes are sesquiterpenoid toxins produced by Fusarium species. Since these mycotoxins are very stable, there is interest in microbial transformations that can remove toxins from contaminated grain or cereal products. Twenty-three yeast species assigned to the Trichomonascus clade (Saccharomycotina, Ascomycota), including four Trichomonascus species and 19 anamorphic species presently classified in Blastobotrys, were tested for their ability to convert the trichothecene T-2 toxin to less-toxic products. These species gave three types of biotransformations: acetylation to 3-acetyl T-2 toxin, glycosylation to T-2 toxin 3-glucoside, and removal of the isovaleryl group to form neosolaniol. Some species gave more than one type of biotransformation. Three Blastobotrys species converted T-2 toxin into T-2 toxin 3-glucoside, a compound that has been identified as a masked mycotoxin in Fusarium-infected grain. This is the first report of a microbial whole-cell method for producing trichothecene glycosides, and the potential large-scale availability of T-2 toxin 3-glucoside will facilitate toxicity testing and development of methods for detection of this compound in agricultural and other products.     

Aquatic nematodes from Ethiopia III

Six species of the genus Eumonhystera, one of which is new to science, are described from bottom samples of Lake Tana and two associated rivers, River Abbay and R. Gelda, Ethiopia. E. geraerti n.sp. can be identified by being the only species in the genus that combines very posteriorly positioned vulva [V% = 68.2 ± 0.7 (67.3–69.3)] with very anteriorly positioned amphids (Amph-ABE/LRW = 0.8). The other five species encountered, E. dispar (Bastian, 1865) Andrássy, 1981, E. filiformis (Bastian, 1865) Andrássy, 1981, E. pseudobulbosa (von Daday, 1896) Andrássy, 1981, E. mwerazii (Meyl, 1957) Andrássy, 1981, and E. vulgaris (de Man, 1880), Andrássy, 1981, are described in detail. The identities of some of the already described populations of E. dispar, E. filiformis and E. vulgaris are questioned and clearer and better ways of defining each of these three species are suggested. A peritrophic-like membrane on the outer side of the brush-border of the intestine of E. mwerazii, a species reported here for the first time out of its type locality, is reported. Also, scanning electronmicrographs of sectioned and entire specimens of E. mwerazii are presented. All species are reported from Ethiopia for the first time.     

STUDIES OF PACIFIC ISLAND PLANTS. XXIX. BLEASDALEA AND RELATED GENERA OF PROTEACEAE

The genus Kermadecia (Proteaceae), originally described as endemic to New Caledonia, has been expanded in recent decades to include three species from the New Hebrides and Fiji. Specialists on the Proteaceae have suggested that the three Melanesian species were generically misplaced, and careful reexamination supports this viewpoint. It is now apparent that a distinct group within the subfamily Grevilleoideae is composed of the genera Euplassa (endemic to South America), Sleumerodendron (a monotypic New Caledonian genus), Gevuina (based on a single South American species but recently expanded to include two other species from Queensland and New Guinea), and the three questionable Melanesian species. A review of this cluster of taxa indicates that Gevuina should again be interpreted as restricted to South America and that the generic name Bleasdalea F. v. Muell. ex Domin should be adopted for a group of five species extending from Queensland and New Guinea to the New Hebrides and Fiji. The relationships of the four genera are discussed and within Bleasdalea four new combinations are proposed: B. bleasdalei (F. v. Muell.), B. ferruginea (A. C. Sm.), B. vitiensis (Turrill), and B. lutea (Guillaumin). Kermadecia, very distinct from the four genera under present consideration, is again interpreted as a New Caledonian endemic.     

Begonia baik and B. padawanensis spp. nov. (Begoniaceae) from sandstone areas in Sarawak,Malaysia

Two new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), B. baik and B. padawanensis, from Sarawak are described and illustrated. Begonia baik, a member of sect. Petermannia, resembles B. conipila, but is distinguishable by having glabrous ovary (vs sparsely hispid) and margins of bracts dentate and glandular hairy (vs entire). Begonia padawanensis (sect. Reichenheimia) is similar to B. andersonii, differing in the leaves being obtriangular‐spatulate (vs orbicular) and having 5 pistillate flower tepals (vs 4). Both new species were discovered in a sandstone area in Padawan, Sarawak.     

Ultrastructure of septa in Blastobotrys and Sporothrix

Transmission electron micrographs of septa in Blastobotrys species invariably showed central micropores. Septa of species of Sporothrix, however, exhibited three types of pores: (a) micropores which were central if single, or scattered; (b) central simple pores with Woronin bodies; (c) dolopores. The results confirm the heterogeneity of the genus Sporothrix.     

Thalassomonhystera traesti n.sp., Eumonhystera andrassyi and three Monhystrella species (Monhysteridae: Nematoda) from Li River, China

A new Thalassomonhystera species, i.e. T. traesti n.sp., and a new subspecies, Monhystrella lepidura chinensis n. subsp., together with Eumonhystera andrassyi (Biró, 1969) Andrássy, 1981, Monhystrella macrura (de Man, 1880) Andrássy, 1981 and Monhystrella iranica Schiemer, 1965 are described from Li River at Guiling, China. Thalassomonhystera traesti n.sp. is characterised by a combination of the following characters: expanded lip region, large and anteriorly situated amphids, prominent inner labial sensilla, and slender spicules and tube-like gubernaculum in males. Monhystrella lepidura chinensis n. subsp. belongs to Monhystrella lepidura (Andrássy, 1963) Andrássy, 1968 but differs from the three hitherto described subspecies in its possession of a pharynx that posteriorly expands into a double bulb. Monhystrella macrura, M. iranica and Eumonhystera andrassyiare reported here for the first time from China.     

Yansacyclops ferrarii,new genus,new species (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from the Amazon Basin,Brazil

Yansacyclops ferrarii, new genus, new species (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) is described from the plankton of Rios Guamá and Acará Grande near Belém, State of Pará, Brazil.     

Two new species ofHalicyclops (Copepoda,Cyclopoida) from the Amazon Basin,Brazil

Two new species ofHalicyclops are described from plankton samples taken in two localities in the Amazon River mouth area, State of Pará, Brazil.Halicyclops lindbergi sp.n. resemblesH. hurlberti andH. clarkei from which it differs by a combination of characters in leg 5, the anal pseudoperculum and the caudal rami. The other new species,H. dussarti, is most morphologically similar toH. pilosus, but they are separated by differences in legs 1 and 5 as well as in the ornamentation of the middle caudal setae.     

Onobrychis dushanbensis sp. nov. endemic to Tajikistan

Onobrychis dushanbensis Ranjbar, Vitek & Karamian, a new Fabaceae species endemic to Tajikistan, is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to Onobrychis Miller subgen. Sisyrosema (Bunge) Grossheim sect. Hymenobrychis DC. It is closely related to O. chorassanica Bunge and O. seravschanica B. Fedtsch., but is easily distinguished by its purple flowers with darker venation (vs yellowish with purple venation), with wings 9–10 mm long (vs wings 4–5 mm long) and bracts 14–15 mm long (vs bracts 4–5 mm long). The relationships between the new and closely related species are discussed.     

Biecheleria tirezensis sp. nov. (Dinophyceae,Suessiales), a new halotolerant dinoflagellate species isolated from the athalassohaline Tirez natural pond in Spain

A new euryhaline and eurythermal dinoflagellate species, Biecheleria tirezensis sp. nov., is described based on samples taken from an extreme environment, the athalassohaline and particularly sulphate-rich Tirez natural pond (Spain). This species is able to survive in salinities from almost fresh water up to 56 and over a 5–25°C temperature range. Thus, the ecological characteristics of this isolate differentiate it from other species of the same genus. Its morphology, as examined by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, shows that the cells are almost spherical, with several series of amphiesmal vesicles. It also has a single elongate amphiesmal vesicle (EAV) observed by SEM and the eyespot has a type E structure, typical of Biecheleria. Spherical and smooth cysts were observed in old cultures. The pigment composition is typical of a peridinin-containing dinoflagellate. Phylogeny inferred from nuclear rDNA SSU, ITS and LSU sequences showed the isolate belongs to the genus Biecheleria, closest to B. cincta and B. brevisulcata. Modelling and analysis of the secondary structure of its ITS2 region, and that of other species of the same genus and some representatives of the most closely related genera, indicated that the isolate represents a new species clearly separated from but related to B. cincta. The criterion of the presence of Compensatory Base Changes (CBCs) in the secondary structure of the ITS2 region as an indicator of species differentiation confirmed this, supporting the establishment of the Tirez pond isolate as a new species of Biecheleria.     

Onosma maculata sp. nov. (Boraginaceae) from Iran

Onosma maculata Ranjbar & Almasi, a new Boraginaceae species endemic to Iran, is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to Onosma sect. Onosma subsect. Onosma. It is closely related to O. nervosa Riedl, but is easily distinguished by its spotted stem and peduncle (vs no spots), leaves 14–23 cm long (vs leaves 4–12 cm long), pedicel 5–15 mm long (vs pedicel 3–5 mm long), higher density of hairs, and glabrous nutlet (vs villous). Moreover, meiotic chromosome number and behavior were studied in two populations of the new species and it was found to be diploid with 2n = 2x = 16.     

Thielavia heterothallica spec. nov., die perfekte Form von Chrysosporium thermophilum

Thielavia heterothallica spec. nov. is described as a heterothallic, thermophilic fungus with spherical, black, non-ostiolatecleistothecia; ellipsoidal, evanescent asci which contain eight one-celled ellipsoidal ascospores, darkening to deep brown to black, with one germ pore. The conidial state is Chrysosporium thermophilum (Apinis) von Klopotek.

     

Cycle évolutif de Bucephalus anguillae Spakulová, Macko,Berrilli & Dezfuli, 2002 (Digenea,Bucephalidae) parasite de Anguilla anguilla (L.)

The species of Bucephalus from the eel Anguilla anguilla of the north-eastern Tunisian lagoons was identified as B. anguillae which was recently described by pakulová et al. (2002) from the Adriatic coast of Italy. In order to confirm that this eel digenean is distinct from B. polymorphus von Baer, 1827 present in other freshwater fishes, we investigated the life-cycle of this species. Surveys in the wild and experimental studies have shown that the life-cycle of B. anguillae is completed in brackish environments, with the lamellibranch Abra tenuis as the first intermediate host and the cyprinodontid fish Aphanius fasciatus as the second intermediate host. This life-cycle differs from that of B. polymorphus and can be considered as an additional argument for the distinction of these two morphologically similar species.     

Serological Distinctness of Bromus pseudosecalinus P. SMITH sp. nov.

Immunoelectrophoretic studies of the seed proteins of material provisionally referred to B. secalinus var. or f. hirsutus have revealed that it is serologically distinct from B. secalinus. The plant has many of the characters of B. secalinus fitting that species to life as a contaminant of cereal fields, but the floret and seed sizes are much smaller, and the sheaths are normally hairy. In Britain the plant appears to contaminate small-seeded pasture grasses which are sown on roadsides. The chromosome number of this plant is 2n = 14, unlike typical B. secalinus which has 2n = 28. The plant seems to be introduced in Britain, but its native distribution is not known. In view of its distinctive morphology and its serological difference from B. secalinus and other bromes, it is proposed to name it as a new species: Bromus pseudosecalinus P. SMITH sp. nov.     

Saussurea balangshanensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae), from the Hengduan Mountains region,SW China

Saussurea balangshanensis, based on populations from Balang Mountain in the Hengduan Mountains region, SW China, is described and illustrated as a new species of Asteraceae. It can be distinguished from other species in Saussurea by its concolorous leaves, swollen and hollow upper stems, articulate hairs and stipitate glandular hairs, laciniate margins of uppermost stem leaves, numerous and sessile capitula, and narrow involucre. Based on nucleotide sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), phylogenetic analyses also support the recognition of these populations as representing a new species. The new species is known only from a single location in Balang Mountain, at elevations of 4500–4700 m. Its habitat can be easily disturbed or destroyed by a tourist arterial highway and the over grazing. We propose that the species should be listed as Critically Endangered based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Categories and Criteria B2a.