Fecundity,spore recruitment and size in Gelidium sesquipedale (Gelidiales,Rhodophyta)

Gelidium sesquipedale fecundity was quantified by counting tetrasporangial sori and cystocarps per meter squared and by estimating the number of spores contained inside them. These were obtained by regression on a size metric of reproductive structures. Tetrasporangial sori length and cystocarp thickness were the best estimators of spore number. To assess spore recruitment, 12 pottery tiles were fixed to the bottom, and the appearance of small fronds was monitored.No clear seasonal pattern of reproduction was found. Tetraspore production peaked in March 1990 with 10.4 × 10⁶ spores m^–2, whereas the carpospore peak was lower, 4.9 × 10⁵ spores m^–2 in July 1989. Recruitment followed tetraspore peaks. The probability of a G. sesquipedale tetraspore making the transition to a recruit was 4.7 × 10^–5. Frond length was significantly related to tetrasporangial sori number, while cystocarp number was only related to frond branching order. Minimum size for reproduction was 6.9 cm for gametophytes and 5.4 cm for tetrasporophytes; very rarely were cystocarpic fronds smaller than 9 cm, while tetrasporic fronds were often longer than 15 cm. Cystocarpic fronds were significantly shorter and had more branches than tetrasporic fronds.     

Sporisorium warambiense sp. nov., a fourth smut fungus on Xerochloa in Australia

Sporisorium warambiense is described and illustrated from the ovaries of Xerochloa laniflora from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The smut fungus is characterized by sori restricted to the ovaries, presence of three simple, stout, narrowing columellae, dark reddish-brown spore balls, dimorphic spores (darker outer spores and lighter inner spores), and the absence of sterile cells. The differences between Sporisorium warambiense and three other smuts that infect Xerochloa (Sporisorium xerofasciculatum, Tilletia xerochloae, and Ustilago xerochloae), as well as comparable Sporisorium species on other grass genera from the tribe Paniceae are discussed. All Xerochloa smuts are endemic to Australia.     

MORPHOLOGY AND LIFE HISTORY OF SCYTOSIPHON LOMENTARIA (SCYTOSIPHONACEAE,PHAEOPHYCEAE) FROM THE AZORES1

Morphological and culture studies of Scytosiphon lomentaria (Lyngbye) Link and Microspongium gelatinosum Reinke (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyceae) were undertaken on material collected on the Island of São Miguel, Azores, where both species were commonly found. Erect thalli of S. lomentaria collected in the field were up to 33 cm long and 2.3 mm wide, tubular, hollow, and commonly constricted at intervals. The plurilocular sporangia were positioned in continuous sori on the thallus surface. Ascocysts were present. In the field, M. gelatinosum formed crustose to slightly pulvinate plants, were spongy in texture, and dark brown to black in color, which were circular or irregularly spreading over several centimeters and firmly attached to the substratum. Sessile unilocular sporangia were located in sori on the crust surface. In culture S. lomentaria plurispores developed into Microspongium‐like crustose prostrate thalli that formed unilocular sporangia. Unispores developed into new erect thalli that formed plurilocular sporangia. Sexual reproduction was not observed. In culture, M. gelatinosum unispores developed into erect thalli identical with S. lomentaria. These results are similar to those reported for other areas and suggest the occurrence in the Azorean plants of a monophasic and heteromorphic life history, involving both entities studied.     

Murdannia nampyana (Commelinaceae) sp. nov. from Kerala,India

Murdannia nampyana sp. nov. (Commelinaceae), collected from a marshy riparian area by the Kadambrayar River, near Bhramapuram Diesel Power Project, Kakkanad, Ernakulam district, Kerala is described. The new species can be distinguished from the similar species M. spirata G.Brückn. by its creeping habit, up to 1.5 m long with no definite base (vs erect, ascending, decumbent habit, with or without definite base), 1.1–2.2 cm wide flower diameter (vs 0.65–0.80 cm), petals 1.1 × 0.5–0.7 cm (vs 0.35–0.40 × 0.25–0.35 cm), 0.6–0.5–0.9 cm long stamen filaments (vs 0.06–0.15 cm), 0.20–0.25 cm long staminode filaments, (vs 0.06–0.15 cm), 2–3 smooth seeds per locule, with ridges and furrows and 1–2 small ventral depression on both side of the linear hilum and dorsal embryotega (vs 3–4 verrucose seeds per locule, with ridges and warts, 1–3 deep ventral pits on both side of elliptic hilum, edges of pits surrounded by warts, brownish powdery material in the testa and semidorsal embryotega).     

Heinrichsia cheilanthoides gen. et sp. nov., a fossil fern in the family Pteridaceae (Polypodiales) from the Cretaceous amber forests of Myanmar

Divergence time estimates suggest that most clades constituting the fern family Pteridaceae (Polypodiales) were in existence by the Early Cretaceous. However, fossil evidence to corroborate this remains exceedingly rare. Burmese amber is an important source of new information on the radiation of derived fern lineages during the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution. This study describes Heinrichsia cheilanthoides gen. et sp. nov., a fern with suggested affinities to Pteridaceae, based on fertile foliage portions preserved in Early Cretaceous (~100 Ma) amber from Myanmar. Heinrichsia cheilanthoides is characterized by a pinnate‐pinnatifid frond that bears apical, marginal sori protected by a pseudoindusium. Sporangia are of the polypod type and contain tetrahedral‐globose, trilete spores with a striate perine. This discovery provides a new calibration point to test and refine molecular clock‐based concepts of the evolutionary history of the Pteridaceae. Heinrichsia cheilanthoides further substantiates the suggestion that the Cretaceous forests of Myanmar were home to a rich fern flora.     

STUDIES ON THE LIFE CYCLE AND TAXONOMY OF LIGNIERA VERRUCOSA

Miller , Charles E. (A. and M. College of Texas, College Station.) Studies on the life cycle and taxonomy of Ligniera verrucosa. Amer. Jour. Bot. 46(10): 725–729. Illus. 1959.—A study of the roots of Veronica persica Poir. and V. hederaefolia L. plants infected with Sorosphaera veronicae Schroeter revealed intracellular cystosori and zoosporangial sori of Ligniera verrucosa. The zoosporangial phase of this species has been heretofore unknown. The plasmodia of L. verrucosa occur in root hairs, and other epidermal and sub-epidermal cells of the roots. Zoosporangial and cystosoral plasmodia are indistinguishable until cleavage has started. It is thought that plasmodia produced during early infection develop into zoosporangia, while those produced later develop into resting spores. Zoospores discharged from zoosporangia may reinfect host cells developing there into zoosporangial or cystosoral plasmodia. No evidence for any sexual process was observed. The spherical zoosporangia making up a single zoosporangial sorus may be interconnected; a single discharge pore may serve to liberate zoospores from different zoosporangia. In the Plasmodiophorales the classical basis for generic distinction has been the arrangement of the resting spores in the sorus. Ligniera, because of the supposedly uncharacteristic nature of its cystosori, has been suggested as a host-variety of Sorosphaera. A comparative study of the cystosori and zoosporangia of Ligniera and Sorosphaera growing in a single host has led to the conclusion that these genera should be considered distinct.     

Halichrysis corallinarius sp. nov. (Rhodymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) from Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea

A new species, Halichrysis corallinarius sp. nov. is described from coral reef habitats in southwest Puerto Rico as well as from Grand Cayman Island. The new species produces strap‐shaped thalli supported above the substrata by abundant peg‐like stipes. The lobed branches are frequently anastomosed with colonies measuring to 4.0 cm broad with individual axes measuring to 7.0 mm across. Algae possess up to five layers of medullary cells with frequent open spaces in the medulla. Tetrasporangia, measure to 19 × 25 μm, and are borne in sori limited to ventral surfaces. Gametophytes are monoecious and hemispherical carposporophytes are produced dorsally, measuring to 900 μm in diameter and 600 μm high.     

Production of Metarhizium anisopliae spores using nutrient‐impregnated membranes and its economic analysis

Metarhizium anisopliae spores were produced on nutrient‐impregnated membranes (NIMs). The NIM system involved wetting the membrane with a spore and nutrient suspension, followed by harvesting the spores produced after incubation. The cost efficiency of spore production was assessed for a range of nutrient sources and membrane types. Skim milk powder (20 g l^‐1) was found to be the most cost‐effective nutrient source of the nine nutrients examined. Yield was 5.7 × 10⁶ spores/cm² after 28 days incubation on a paper membrane. Supplementation of the skim milk with either sucrose (2 g l^‐1) or dextrose + KNO₃ maximized yield. Superwipe, an absorbent fibrous material, was the most efficient of 16 membranes tested which ranged from fibreglass mesh to paper and cloth. A series of small pilot plants were built, but the cost efficiency of spore production decreased as the size of the membrane increased from 24 × 24 cm to 270 × 15 cm and up to 100 × 80 cm. Yield on the two smaller pilot plants was over 10⁷spores/cm², but the cost (nutrient and membrane only) of producing 10¹³ spores (standard dose required per hectare) was around $A37 and was found not to be competitive with spore production on grain.     

蹄盖蕨属的分类

德国植物学家Roth 1799年根据瑞典植物学家Linnaeus定名的Polypodium filix-femina L.为模式,建立了蹄盖蕨属Athyrium Roth,得到各国植物学家所承认。但一百多年来,由于本属植物形体变异较大,孢子囊群多种多样,属下分类比较困难,以致造成今日学名上的混乱!     

Reproductive structures of Dictyopteris undulata (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) from Japan

sporophytes, and both male and female gametophytes of Dictyopteris undulata Holmes were collected from the Pacific coast and the Japan Sea coast of Japan. Female gametophytes are reported for the first time in the present study. All reproductive structures are aggregated in sori that form on both sides of the midrib in the upper and the middle parts of a blade. Tetraspor-angia are spherical and project from the cortical layer with a 2–4-celled stalk at the base. They are sometimes divided tetrahedrally to form four spores, but often remain undivided. Oogoniat sori also project from the cortical layer. Each oogonium is ovoid, sometimes borne on a single stalk cell at the base. Antheridial sori appear swollen above the cortex and each antheridium has a basal stalk cell. Fertile female gametophytes and te-trasporophytes are difficult to distinguish from each other in surface view because tetrasporangial and oogonial sori are similar in size and undivided tetrasporangia resemble oogonia. Oogonia are not so closely packed in small groups, unlike in Dictyota species, and they can be distinguished by the cell sizes (i.e. tetrasporangia are bigger in diameter than oogonia).     

Mass production of spores of lactic acid‐producing Rhizopus oryzae NBRC 5384 on agar plate

Mass production of sporangiospores (spores) of Rhizopus oryzae NBRC 5384 (identical to NRRL 395 and ATCC 9363) on potato‐dextrose‐agar medium was studied aiming at starting its L (+)‐lactic acid fermentation directly from spore inoculation. Various parameters including harvest time, sowed spore density, size of agar plate, height of air space, and incubation mode of plate (agar‐on‐bottom or agar‐on‐top) were studied. Ordinarily used shallow Petri dishes were found out to be unsuitable for the full growth of R. oryzae sporangiophores. In a very wide range of the sowed spore density, the smaller it was, the greater the number of the harvested spores was. It was also interesting to find out that R. oryzae grown downward vertically with a deep air space in an agar‐on‐top mode gave larger amount of spores than in an agar‐on‐bottom mode at 30°C for 7‐day cultivation. Scale‐up of the agar plate culture from 26.4 to 292 cm² was studied, resulting in the proportional relationship between the number of the harvested spores/plate and the plate area in the deep Petri dishes. The number of plates of 50 cm in diameter needed for 100 m³ industrial submerged fermentation started directly from 2 × 10⁵ spores/mL inoculum size was estimated as about 6, from which it was inferred that such a fermentation would be feasible. Designing a 50 cm plate and a method of spreading and collecting the spores were suggested. Bioprocess technological significance of the “full‐scale industrial submerged fermentation started directly from spore inoculation omitting pre‐culture” has been discussed. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:876–881, 2013     

Life history and reproductive potential of the agarophyte Gelidium robustum in California

The reproductive potential of the tetrasporangial phase of Gelidium robustum was studied for 16 months at two sites off Santa Barbara, California. In all samples tetrasporangial thalli were always more abundant than gametangial ones. Tetratrasporangial sori were present throughout the duration of the study but relative fecundity was highest [300–400 sori g^–1 (w. wt)] in spring/summer samples of consecutive years, as a result of increasing numbers both of tetrasporangial branchlets per plant and of sori per branchlet. On the other hand, laboratory experiments showed that tetraspore release per sorus was highest (150–250 spores sorus^–1 d^–1) in winter. Inferring from these field and laboratory data plants released up to ± 34 000 tetraspores g^–1 (w. wt) d^–1 in the spring/summer of the second study year. Tetraspore germination, under defined culture conditions, also showed a marked seasonality increasing sharply from less than 10% in winter up to almost 60% in spring/summer, thus coinciding with the period of maximal spore output per plant. These results suggest that although relatively high numbers of tetraspores may be released by G. robustum plants all year round these might not always have the potential to germinate and recruit.     

Selaginella aculeatifolia sp. nov. (Selaginellaceae–Lycopodiophyta) from the foothills of Cerro Neblina,Venezuela

In this paper, I describe Selaginella aculeatifolia Valdespino, a new species (probably a local endemic) from lowland forests in the foothills of Cerro de la Neblina in Venezuela, and compare it with morphologically close taxa, provide SEM of stem, leaves and spores, and discuss its conservation status. In addition, I provide a key to species in the Selaginella deltoides group. This species is characterized by its mat‐forming, creeping growth habit, having the upper surface of the lateral leaves hispidulous with short hairs or tooth‐like projections usually found submarginally, marginally and distally near the apices along the basiscopic halves of the laminae, and with conspicuous, straw‐colored midribs, as well as median leaves with conspicuously hyaline margins. These characters indicate an alliance of Selaginella aculeatifolia with a group of South American species: S. deltoides A. Braun, S. brevifolia Baker, and S. sandwithii Alston, here informally referred to as the ‘Selaginella deltoides group’.     

The effect of monoterpenoids on growth of a cellular slime mold,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Polysphondylium pallidum</Emphasis>

A cellular slime mold,Polysphondylium pallidum was isolated from the forest floor of Mountain Muhak. The effect of 11 selected monoterpenoids on the growth ofP. pallidum was studied. We tested four different concentrations (1,0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 μg/μl) for each compound by using a disk volatilization technique. Each compound was treated after germination of spores ofP. pallidum. The growth ofP. pallidum was inhibited by the treatment of the monoterpenoids at all concentrations tested. The microscopic analysis further supported these results. Most of the inhibitory effects of the compounds were represented by changes in the shapes of the fruiting bodies, such as very short sorophores, smaller sized sori and sori without spores. Especially, the monotepenoids changed the shape of whorls of side branches. These results suggested that selected monoterpenoids inhibit the growth ofP. pallidum.     

Memecylon trunciflorum sp. nov. (Melastomataceae–Olisbeoideae) from the Udzungwa Mountains,southern Tanzania

Described and illustrated is Memecylon trunciflorum R. D. Stone, an evidently localized endemic of the Udzungwa Mountains in southern Tanzania. The new species was previously confused with the vegetatively similar but distantly related M. erythranthum Gilg and M. semseii A. Fern. & R. Fern., from which it is distinguished by its anther connectives bearing a dorsal oil‐gland and by its ellipsoid to obovoid fruits (vs anther connective gland absent and fruits globose in M. erythranthum and M. semseii). The new species is placed in M. sect. Magnifoliata R. D. Stone together with M. magnifoliatum A. Fern. & R. Fern., from which it differs by its smaller leaves mostly 9.5–15.0 × 3.5–6.0 cm (vs 18–35 × 8–13 cm), transverse veins 8–18 pairs (vs 25–28 pairs), short‐pedunculate inflorescences with secondary axes well developed (vs peduncles and secondary axes absent), white flowers (vs bluish purple), and smaller fruits mostly 11.5–14.5 × 9–11 mm on longer fruiting pedicels 8.0–13.5 mm (vs fruits 17–20 × 12–14 mm on pedicels 5.0–7.5 mm). Despite its local endemism, Memecylon trunciflorum has been assessed as ‘Least Concern’ according to IUCN criteria, although this assessment is dependent on the continued safeguarding of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park.     

DISCOVERY OF A FERTILE PELAGOPHYCUS×MACROCYSTIS(PHAEOPHYTA) PUTATIVE HYBRID AND SUBSEQUENT PRODUCTION OF F2 SPOROPHYTES IN THE LABORATORY1

A fertile putative hybrid of Pelagophycus porra (Lem.)Setch. × Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) was discovered in Big Fisherman Cove, Santa Catalina Island, California, in March 1986. The plant possessed a single, solid primary stipe that bifurcated into two secondary stipes, each with a hooked-shaped pneumatocyst. A total of 15 blades, 14 with sori, were produced on two to three dichotomies above and below each pneumatocyst. Gametophyte development of spores released from sori and the resulting early sporophtes (2–3 mm) were typical of Laminariales. Gametophytes appeared within a day of spore germination, 500-cell stage sporophytts within 3–4 weeks, and 2–3 mm sporophytes within 5–6 weeks. The cultures expired before branching patterns could be determined.     

Cyclone‐based spore trapping,quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and high resolution melting analysis for monitoring airborne inoculum of Magnaporthe oryzae

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating diseases in rice worldwide. We aimed to develop an integrated approach for convenient collection, quantification and characterisation of M. oryzae spores (airborne inoculum) in the field. We developed an easy‐to‐use cyclone‐based spore trap (the AirSampler) and a standard procedure for handling a small amount of airborne spores. Using a specific primer pair or a probe designed for the single‐copy gene mif23, SYBR Green and TaqMan assays could quantify 10 and 4 copy numbers, respectively, of M. oryzae DNA. During 2012 and 2013, the AirSampler and SYBR Green quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction were used to monitor temporal dynamics of M. oryzae spores in nursery fields of rice showing symptoms of blast disease. During four cropping seasons, the new techniques could detect M. oryzae spores before the appearance of rice blast symptoms. The amount of spores was low in the early season, then increased, with high fluctuations during the mid‐season and decreased to low levels at the heading stage in the late season. To improve the handling and storage of spore samples, we tested the effect of different treatments on the preservation of spore DNA. DNA loss was reduced with samples protected from ultraviolet B radiation, suspended in CTAB buffer, kept at room temperature or 4°C and used for DNA extraction in 2 weeks. Finally, we demonstrated that the high resolution melting analysis could be used for rapid determination of A, D, A + D and C alleles of the avirulence gene pex31 (Avr‐Pik/kp/km) in M. oryzae.     

ECOTYPIC VARIATION IN PHYLLOPHORA PSEUDOCERANOIDES (RHODOPHYTA) ENSURES WINTER REPRODUCTION THROUGHOUT ITS GEOGRAPHIC RANGE1

Responses to temperature and daylength were determined in laboratory culture for isolates of the red alga Phyllophora pseudoceranoides (Gmelin) Newroth et A.R.A. Taylor from Nova Scotia, Iceland, Roscoff (France), and Helgoland (Germany). All isolates grew from 3° to 25° C and survived from -2° or 0° C to 27° C but not 30° C. Reproductive requirements differed between life history phases and isolates. Isolates from Helgoland and Roscoff formed sporangial sori at 3°-20° C, tetraspores at 3°-12° C, and procarps at 10°-20° C, irrespective of daylength. Spermatangia developed at 10°-23° C but only in long days. As the other European isolates, the isolate from Iceland formed tetrasporangia at 3°-12° C, but it had an additional requirement for short days. The Nova Scotian isolate formed sori at 10°-20° C and sporulated at 10°-18° C. When grown plants were transferred from noninductive to inductive conditions, sori were formed after 4 months and tetraspores developed and were shed (1-)3 months later. Procarps formed 1(-3) months after transfer. The phenology of P. pseudoceranoides was studied at Helgoland and Roscoff, where similar seasonal patterns were observed. Plants were perennial, forming new blades from October to June, which degenerated between August and February. In June, reproductive structures (sori, spermatangia, and procarps) started to appear on the new blades. From October to April, mature cystocarps were found. Mature tetrasporangia were observed only in February. The life history of P. pseudoceranoides is regulated by temperature and daylength. Differential effects on the different life history phases all serve to confine the production of spores (both carpospores and tetraspores) to the winter season. Differences in response between isolates from different geographic regions bring about the same effect: spores are shed only in winter. The nature of the geographic boundaries of P. pseudoceranoides is discussed.