Megaspores from the Late Permian, Lower Whybrow coal seam, Sydney Basin, Australia

More than 300 megaspore specimens have been recovered from samples from the Late Permian, Lower Whybrow coal seam of the Wittingham Coal Measures of the Sydney Basin. Only two species are recognised: Singhisporites surangei (Singh) Potonié, emend. and a new species of Singhisporites. Species distribution within the seam is controlled by a major fire event, as recognised by coal petrology and mesofossil content: Singhisporites surangei is dominant before the event, but following it, it is subordinate to the new species.

The abundance of megaspores recovered has allowed recognition of the full range of morphologic variation of Singhisporites surangei, which encompasses specimens assigned previously to Singraulispora Pant & Mishra, 1986 and Mammilaespora Pant & Srivastava, 1961; both are regarded as junior synonyms of Singhisporites Potonié, emend. Ultrastructurally, the new species shows affinities with Mesozoic isoetalean megaspores.     

Paralygodium meckertii sp. nov. (Schizaeaceae) from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

More than 50 specimens of permineralized fertile pinnules with abaxially borne sporangia have been discovered in calcareous marine nodules from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) Comox Formation from the Eden Main localities on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Isolated pinnules 1.6–3.0 mm wide × 1.6–2.8 mm long are lobed and abaxially enrolled to form irregular globose structures. Pyriform sporangia 216–300 μm wide × 360–468 μm long occur in two rows on the abaxial surface of pinnule lobes. Sporangia have an apical annulus of 15–18 cells. Spores are tetrahedral and trilete, 33–42 μm in diameter, with straight to concave interradial sides, laesurae extending nearly to the equator, and a psilate exine. Spores are assignable to the sporae dispersae genus Deltoidospora. Fertile pinnules are compared to fossils of Anemia poolensis and two previously described species of Paralygodium, and show closest similarities to P. vancouverensis from the Eocene of British Columbia. The Cretaceous Eden Main specimens differ in number of pinnule lobes and their morphology and are described as a new taxon: P. meckertii sp. nov. This discovery extends the Cretaceous geographic range of Paralygodium from Japan to North America and adds to our knowledge of the diversity of extinct schizaeaceous ferns.     

Laboratory Trials of the Efficacy of the Crown Weevil Mortadelo horridus (Coleoptera: Curculionoidae) for the Biological Control of Slender Thistles Carduus pycnocephalus and C. tenuiflorus in Southwestern Australia

The hypothesis that larval crown weevil (Mortadelo horridus Alonso-Zarazaga and Sanchez-Ruiz) can suppress vegetative growth, seed set and viability in the winter annual slender thistles (Carduus pycnocephalus L. and C. tenuiflorus Curt.) was tested in laboratory gardens. Different densities (eight and 16) of M. horridus larvae and eggs were inoculated onto slender thistle rosettes between one and four times. Controls received no eggs or larvae. Larval feeding destroyed the apical meristems of treated plants, producing multi-crowned rosettes and significant declines in leaf area in both species, irrespective of the number of larvae. Treated thistles bolted at the same time and had a 4-fold increase in stem number compared to controls. The stems of control plants were up to one-third taller and thicker than attacked plants. Relative to controls, the leaves of treated plants had significantly fewer spines, decreased leaf area and decreased leaf perimeter, with less deeply lobed leaf margins. The total number of capitula produced by control and experimental groups was not significantly different, but consideration of fertile capitula only revealed a reduction in fertile capitula production following weevil attack. This was most marked in C. pycnocephalus. Control plants also produced significantly wider capitula. No control plants died, compared to 17 and 26% of the attacked plants of C. pycnocephalus and C. tenuiflorus, respectively. Implications for biocontrol of slender thistles are discussed.     

中国的红索藻属植物

记述了中国产红索藻属Thtorea Bory emend．Necchi的2种2变种,即棘刺红索藻T．hispida(Thorea)Desvaux emend,Sheath,Vis et Cole,棘刺红索藻小孢变种T．hispida var,microspora S．L．Xie et Z．X．Shi,蓝色红索藻T．vio—lacea Bory emend．Sheath,Vis et Cole和蓝色红索藻长毛变种T．violacea var．longipilosa S．L．Xie et Z．X．Shi．其中,蓝色红索藻T．violacea Bor yemend．Sheath,Vis et Cole为中国新记录,棘刺红索藻小孢变种T．hispida var．microspora S．L．Xie et Z．X．Shi和蓝色红索藻长毛变种T．violacea var,longipilosa S．L Xie et Z．X．Shi为新变种。     

The lower cretaceous ferns in the genus Anemia (Schizaeceae), Potomac group of Virginia, and relationships within the genus

Based on characters of the fertile fronds, two species of fossil ferns from the Lower Cretaceous Potomac Group of the U.S.A., originally described as species of Osmunda by Fontaine in 1889, are transferred to the genus Anemia. The two species display primitive characters for that genus. Analysis of these and other characters of Anemia and related species, using parsimony and compatibility programs, suggests possible phylogenetic arrangements and facilitates delimination of three taxonomic units within Anemia that were already distinct during Cretaceous time. The subgenera Coptophyllum and Anemia are shown to be paraphyletic in the suggested phylogenies and the schemes agree with the known stratigraphy of the fossil ferns.     

重庆楼梯草属一新组和三新种

描述了自重庆市江津区四面山发现的荨麻科楼梯草属的一新组和三新种：（1）雌伞楼梯草组Sect.Gynosciadion具一新种,雌伞楼梯草Elatostema femineocymosum,其特征为雌花序为3~4回分枝的聚伞花序,无花序托和总苞,根据这些特征可与楼梯草属的其他组相区别;（2）圆微叶楼梯草E.gyronanophyllum,与对叶楼梯草E.sinense H.Schr ter近缘,区别特征为此新种的叶较小,具较少二级脉,退化叶圆形或近圆形,雌总苞具12枚三角形苞片,雌花具2花被片,柱头扁球形;（3）正宇楼梯草E.zhengyuanum,与四面山楼梯草E.simianshanicum W.T.Wang近缘,区别特征在于新种的茎无毛,有时为营养茎,其叶片、钟乳体和托叶均较小,雌总苞的苞片呈倒披针状长圆形,在背面无鸡冠状突起。     

Natural occurrence of Gibberella fujikuroi and its potential for control of the woolly aphid Ceratovacuna lanigera (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Indian sugarcane plantations

Studies were conducted to determine the natural occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi and their potential for utilisation in biological control of the woolly aphid (Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner) in Indian sugarcane plantations. A fungus Gibberella fujikuroi (Sawada) Wr. (Synonym: Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg, Synonym: Fusarium moniliforme (Sheld.) emend. Snyd. and Hans.) was found to be a promising biocontrol agent. It was further characterised and its field performance was studied. Reductions of aphid populations up to 60% were observed when the fungus was applied as two sprays at a week interval in the field.     

Effect of host egg viability on reproduction and development of Trichogramma cacoeciae and T. principium (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

A combination of a sterile insect technique, resulting in infertile eggs, and of an egg parasitoid, should provide better control of codling moth than either alone. Non-choice laboratory experiments were conducted with infertile and fertile codling moth eggs to evaluate the potential parasitism and reproduction of Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal and T. principium Sug. et Sor. The tendency of T. cacoeciae females to attack infertile eggs was similar to that for fertile eggs, whereas T. principium showed a greater preference for infertile eggs than fertile eggs. The fertility status of the host did not affect the number of eggs that were parasitized but fewer F₁ progeny emerged from infertile eggs when parasitized than from fertile eggs. When T. cacoeciae and T. principium parasitized infertile host eggs their mean developmental time was prolonged but the viability and quality of parasitoid progeny was not influenced by the fertility status of the host eggs. The study demonstrates the compatibility of use of T. cacoeciae and T. principium in an integrated program employing the sterile insect technique for codling moth management.     

Sphenophyllum miravallis Vetter and Bowmanites cupulatus sp.n. from the “Illinger Flözzone” (“Heusweiler Schichten”, Lower Stephanian, Saar Basin, German Federal Republic)

This paper deals with a detailed study of Sphenophyllum miravallis Vetter, a member of the “Sphenophyllum thonii group”. New material from the Reisbach colliery, working the “Illinger Flözzone” of the “Heusweiler Schichten” (Lower Stephanian, Saar Basin, German Federal Republic), is described morphologically and anatomically, and the species is discussed. The new material enlarges the known range of variability of the normal aspect of the foliage, i.e. the foliage of the thinner branches. Thicker stems with their aberrant polymorphous foliage, and cellular details, are described for the first time. An emended diagnosis is given. Comparisons with other species are made.

The new species Bowmanites cupulatus is introduced to accommodate fructufications most probably belonging to Sphenophyllum miravallis.

S. crenulatum Knight ex Wagner is considered to be a heterotypic synonym of S. miravallis, the latter name having priority.     

长白落叶松过氧化氢酶LoCAT1基因克隆及表达分析

为了解长白落叶松过氧化氢酶(CAT)基因的相关信息,探究该基因在长白落叶松不同组织中及不同逆境胁迫下的表达特性,本研究根据长白落叶松转录组数据库中获得的CAT1基因全长序列设计引物,克隆得到长白落叶松CAT1基因,命名为LoCAT1。该基因完整的开放阅读框(ORF)长度为954bp,共编码317个氨基酸。系统进化树分析结果显示,LoCAT1基因与北美云杉、银杏等CAT基因亲缘关系较近。利用实时定量RT-PCR技术分析了LoCAT1基因在长白落叶松中的组织表达特异性和应对非生物胁迫的表达模式。结果表明:LoCAT1基因在长白落叶松的根、茎、叶中均有表达,其中在茎部表达量最低,在叶中相对表达量最高。在非生物胁迫下,LoCAT1基因在长白落叶松根、茎、叶中的表达均发生了变化,但表达模式不同。在NaCl处理后,根和茎中LoCAT1基因均表现为下调表达,在12h时表达量最低,而叶中LoCAT1基因表达在24h明显受抑制,随后被上调表达,胁迫96h时表达量最高。PEG6000处理后,根和茎中LoCAT1基因的表达在胁迫早期被明显抑制,随后被上调表达。而叶中LoCAT1基因的表达在所有时间点均表现为上调表达。本研究推测长白落叶松LoCAT1基因可能参与了植物响应逆境胁迫的应答。     

The systematics of the radula-less gastropod Clathromangelia (Caenogastropoda, Conoidea)

On the basis of foregut anatomy and embryonic/larval shell morphology, the radula-less conoidean gastropod genus Clathromangelia Monterosato, 1884 is transferred to the subfamily Daphnellinae (family Turridae). The Lower Pliocene to Recent species arc reviewed. The type species is Pleurotoma granum Philippi, 1844, Recent from Sicily. C. quadrillum Dujardin, 1837 a fossil species described from the Miocene (and ranging to the Lower Pliocene) is here considered a distinct species, with planktotrophic larval development. Clathromangelia strigillata Pallary, 1904 from the Gulf of Gabè (Tunisia) is figured and redescribed. Clathromangelia loiselieri Oberling, 1970 (lectotype here selected) is a senior synonym of C. fehrae (emend. pro C. fehri ) Aartsen & Zenetou, 1987. Three new species are described and figured from the Italian Pliocene: C. tavianii sp. n., C. elvirae sp. n. and C. marinae sp. n.     

Falsocalcifolium nov. gen. and revision of the tribe Calcifolieae (Mississippian, incertae sedis algae)

A new genus, Falsocalcifolium is described. The type species is F. punctatum (Maslov) emend. The genus is placed in the tribe Calcifolieae Shuysky emend. of the family Calcifoliaceae Termier, Termier and Vachard nomen translat. Consequently, the generic make-up of the tribe is emended, and is now considered to be composed of Frustulata Saltovskaya emend., Falsocalcifolium nov. gen., and Calcifolium Shvetsov and Birina emend. Evolution within the tribe is shown by the progressive development of more petaloid morphologies and changes in the number and relationships of the internal structures called filaments (interpreted here as the emplacements containing endosymbiotic cyanobacteria). This evolution is also related to palaeoecological factors. The representatives of the tribe are considered excellent biostratigraphic markers in several western Tethyan regions (e.g. Great Britain, Ireland, southern France, southern Spain), where they are widely represented, but their geographical distribution in other basins seems to be incomplete, and thus their use in biostratigraphic correlation is at the moment limited.     

Korallipteris,a new genus for Mesozoic Gleichenia-like fern fronds

A new morphogenus, Korallipteris, is proposed to accommodate fertile or sterile fern fronds possessing essentially Gleichenia-like morphology (e.g., pinnate fronds with small pecopteroid pinnules) but lacking diagnostic features that allow their classification at fern family-level. The aim is thus, to solve an old nomenclatural problem that involves the use of illegitimate genera, such as Gleichenites Goeppert and Microphyllopteris Arber. Several species of Gleichenites described from the Mesozoic of Argentina and Chile, and Microphyllopteris unisora Cantrill and Nagalingum from Antarctica are here reassigned to Korallipteris gen. nov. The proposal of Nagalingum and Cantrill to preserve Gleicheniaceaephyllum Crabtree emend. Nagalingum and Cantrill for true Gleicheniaceous ferns, diagnosed by having an arrested laminar bud, is here accepted.     

Phylogeny and classification of phylum Cercozoa (Protozoa)

The protozoan phylum Cercozoa embraces numerous ancestrally biciliate zooflagellates, euglyphid and other filose testate amoebae, chlorarachnean algae, phytomyxean plant parasites (e.g. Plasmodiophora, Phagomyxa), the animal-parasitic Ascetosporea, and Gromia. We report 18S rRNA sequences of 27 culturable zooflagellates, many previously of unknown taxonomic position. Phylogenetic analysis shows that all belong to Cercozoa. We revise cercozoan classification in the light of our analysis and ultrastructure, adopting two subphyla: Filosa subphyl. nov. a clade comprising Monadofilosa and Reticulofilosa, ranked as superclasses, ancestrally having the same very rare base-pair substitution as all opisthokonts; and subphylum Endomyxa emend. comprising classes Phytomyxea (Plasmodiophorida, Phagomyxida), Ascetosporea (Haplosporidia, Paramyxida, Claustrosporida ord. nov.) and Gromiidea cl. nov., which did not. Monadofilosa comprise Sarcomonadea, zooflagellates with a propensity to glide on their posterior cilium and/or generate filopodia (e.g. Metopion;Cercomonas; Heteromitidae – Heteromita, Bodomorpha, Proleptomonas and Allantion) and two new classes: Imbricatea (with silica scales: Euglyphida; Thaumatomonadida, including Allas, Thaumatomastix) and Thecofilosea (Cryomonadida; Tectofilosida ord. nov. – non-scaly filose amoebae, e.g. Pseudodifflugia). Reticulofilosa comprise classes Chlorarachnea, Spongomonadea and Proteomyxidea (e.g. Massisteria, Gymnophrys, a Dimorpha-like protozoan). Cercozoa, now with nine classes and 17 orders (four new), will probably include many, possibly most, other filose and reticulose amoebae and zooflagellates not yet assigned to phyla.     

New species and records of tree ferns (Cyatheaceae, Pteridophyta) from the northern Andes

Four new species of Cyatheaceae from Ecuador are described: Alsophila conantiana Lehnert, Cyathea brucei Lehnert, C. moranii Lehnert, and C. sylvatica Lehnert. Range extensions are documented for Alsophila esmeraldensis R.C. Moran and Cyathea macrocarpa (C. Presl) Domin.

For full article, see Electronic Supplement at: http://www.senckenberg.de/odes/06-13.htm     

Chondrostereum purpureum and Fusarium tumidum independently reduce regrowth in gorse (Ulex europaeus)

An experiment was conducted in two gorse populations (Ulex europaeus) in which Chondrostereum purpureum was applied each month as mycelial-agar cultures to the wounds of decapitated stems of previously untreated gorse plants to determine its potential as a mycoherbicide. Summer-autumn (Feb-May) or late winter-early spring (Aug-Sept) applications were effective in both populations, halving stem stump survival (from an average of 56 to 29%). Another experiment in the same gorse populations evaluated the combined effects of C. purpureum applied in May to decapitated stems, and Fusarium tumidum applied as spores in an invert emulsion to regenerative shoots 5-6 months later. There was no evidence of synergism between the two fungi; each pathogen independently reduced the density of regenerative shoots on the decapitated stems by 39-63% averaged over the 12 months following their respective applications. It is concluded that both pathogens have potential as mycoherbicides for gorse regenerating after stem decapitation.     

The latest Tremadocian messaoudensis-trifidum acritarch assemblage from the upper part of the Lierneux Member (Salm Group, Stavelot Inlier, Belgium)

The acritarch assemblage occurring in the upper part of the Lierneux Member (Jalhay Formation, Salm Group, Stavelot Inlier, Belgium) has recently been attributed to the messaoudensis-trifidum microflora and dated as latest Tremadocian. It contains most of the characteristic species of the English Lake District sub-assemblage 3 except for the two galeate species Cymatiogalea deunfii and C. messaoudensis. The reinvestigation of all available material has established a very diverse association of over 40 species. It shows a great potential from both stratigraphic and palaeogeographic points of view. A formal Stelliferidium trifidum–Veryhachium lairdii Biozone defined by the appearance of 11 species is proposed. Athabascaella playfordii has been observed in all samples. Previously known only from areas of low to intermediate latitudes, the species is shown for the first time to occur also at higher latitudes. Most of the identified species, including Dactylofusa velifera, Kladothecidium eligmosum and Palaiosphaeridium kamax are illustrated. Some are briefly described. The synonymy between Priscogalea chevronensis and Stelliferidium trifidum is confirmed.     

Olencira praegustator (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae) parasitic on Brevoortia species (Pisces, Clupeidae) from the southeastern coasts of North America: review and re-description

The cymothoid isopod Olencira praegustator (Latrobe, 1802), the sole species of the genus Olencira Leach, 1818, has been the subject of several previous studies, but has remained incompletely described. This species is re-described and figured from the Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus (Latrobe, 1802), the type host from the estuarine systems of the South Carolina coast, USA. The general morphology, mouthparts and appendages of the female, male and other stages of its lifecycle are described.

The geographical distribution and hosts recorded for O. praegustator are reviewed. Biological data are summarized and discussed. Areas that need additional studies include the infection process and the effect of the parasite on its host.