Biatora meiocarpa (Nyl.) Arnold,a misunderstood species

Abstract:Biatora meiocarpa (Nyl.) Arnold (Lecanorales, lichenized Ascomycotina) is described and compared with some of its relatives, particularly B. helvola Körber ex Hellborn (syn. Lecidea helvola), a species with which it has often been confused. Biatora meiocarpa and B. helvola differ in (1) width of the paraphysis tops, (2) hymenium height, (3) apothecium width, (4) gelatinization of the paraphyses, (5) composition of the excipulum (hyphae with ellipsoid or shortly rectangular lumina in B. meiocarpa, narrowly linear lumina in B. helvola), (6) chemistry (1-2 triterpenoids or no substances in B. meiocarpa, gyrophoric acid plus 1-2 triterpenoids in B. helvola), and (7) length and shape of conidia. The variation in the first three characters overlaps but one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that B. meiocarpa and B. helvola differ significantly in each of these characters. Three further characters were subjected to ANOVA: spore length, spore width and length/width ratio of the spores. No statistically significant differences were observed in these characters. Biatora meiocarpa generally occurs on smooth bark of broad-leaved trees and shrubs. It is known from northern Sweden, Finland, and northwestern Russia.     

LECANORA COMPALLENS AND L. SINUOSA,TWO NEW OVERLOOKED CORTICOLOUS LICHEN SPECIES FROM WESTERN EUROPE

Lecanora compallens and L. sinuosa, two corticolous lichens, are described as species new to science on the basis of numerous collections. Lecanora compallens is a sorediate species, known only as sterile. It is probably common in Western Europe, but overlooked because it is very similar to L. expallens. Chemically, the new species is identical with L. strobilina, of which it may represent a sorediate counterpart. Lecanora sinuosa is a new species similar to L. chlarotera and so far only known from a limited area in the Netherlands and Germany, although it may be overlooked elsewhere. Lecanora sinuosa is very close to L. hybocarpa, with which it shares thepulicaris -type epihymenium inspersed with fine crystals but differs markedly by its thick thallus and thick and sinuous apothecium margin.     

New species or interesting records of foliicolous lichens. VIII. Two new taxa from tropical Africa,with a key to sorediate Fellhanera species

Abstract:Two new species belonging to the lichen families Pilocarpaceae andEctolechiaceae are described from tropical Africa: Calopadia lucida sp. nov. (Ectolechiaceae) from Tanzania, being similar to C. puiggarii but differing in the UV fluorescent thallus and the pruinose apothecia, andFellhanera ivoriensis sp. nov. (Pilocarpaceae) from the Ivory Coast, differing from the related F. rhapidophylli by the sorediate thallus and from other sorediate taxa by the combination of pale soralia, dark brown apothecia, and the ellipsoid-bacillar conidia. A key to the nine sorediate species of Fellhanera is provided.     

Two new sorediate species of lichens in the Catillariaceae from the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract:Two new species of lichens are described from the Iberian Peninsula. Halecania giraltiae is the first sorediate saxicolous species known in the genus and has been collected growing on lichens and sometimes directly on rock in localities from northern Portugal to central Spain. Catillaria fungoides, a sorediate, corticolous representative of the C. nigroclavata group, is known from southern Portugal and northern Spain.     

THE DISTRIBUTION,ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATIONAL STATUS OF THE LICHEN GENUS BIATORA IN CENTRAL EUROPE

Abstract: The genus Biatora is still undercollected in many parts of its distributional range. On the basis of recent collections made by the authors and additional herbarium material not studied previously, more detailed statements on the ecology, distribution and conservational status of Biatora species in Central Europe are possible. Distribution maps are provided for B. fallax , B. mendax , B. ocelliformis , B. rufidula , B. sphaeroidiza , and B. vernalis . Biatora species are almost exclusively non-saxicolous and, in general, prefer humid habitats. Many species are chionophilous and extremely shade-tolerant. Three main distributional patterns can be observed: (sub-)arctic-alpine species, sub-oceanic-montane species, and species of montane coniferous or mixed coniferous forests. Biatora efflorescens , B. flavopunctata and B. subduplex are relatively frequent species and are not threatened. Biatora rufidula and B. vacciniicola must be regarded as extinct in Central Europe. The following species are reported for the first time from the respective countries: B. chrysantha from Romania, B. efflorescens from Romania and Ukraine, B. fallax from Austria and Ukraine,B. mendax from the Czech Republic, B. ocelliformis from Romania, and B. sphaeroidiza from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania.     

Paleoenvironmental controls on the morphology and abundance of the coccolith Watznaueria britannica (Late Jurassic,southern Germany)

The coccolithophore species Watznaueria britannica is dominant in Middle-Upper Jurassic calcareous nannofossil assemblages and presents morphological variation, including different coccolith size, shape and length of the central area and of the bridge. Six morphotypes can be recognized in the polarizing light microscope. The aim of this work is to better understand the morphological variability of W. britannica and determine if this variability is controlled by paleoecological factors. In order to investigate the potential paleoecological controls on W. britannica morphology and abundance, we carried out a biometric study on a restricted temporal interval: the Late Oxfordian, in the Swabian Alb (southern Germany), characterized by increasing carbonate production linked to climatic changes. The Balingen–Tieringen section, where previous works on sedimentology, nannofossil assemblage composition, and δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C analyses were performed, was selected for this study. The variations in morphology and abundances of W. britannica were studied on 40 samples of the Balingen–Tieringen section, presenting variable lithologies and calcium carbonate contents. For each level, seven biometric parameters (coccolith length, width and ellipticity, central area length, width and ellipticity and central area proportion with respect to the coccolith) were measured or calculated on digitally captured images of the first 100 W. britannica coccoliths observed in the light microscope. The relationships between the different biometric variables were described using bivariate and Principal Component Analyses. Biometric parameters and Principal Component factors extracted from nannofossil assemblages as well as other paleoenvironmental proxies, were investigated using regression, and their stratigraphic trends were compared. Principal component analysis of the six biometric variables (3938 measurements) on W. britannica coccoliths shows a reduced morphological variability compared to a significant size gradient. An allometric trend recognized on the total placolith and on the central area within the W. britannica assemblages suggests that the different morphotypes may represent intra-specific variability rather than different species. The general trend through Late Oxfordian shows an increase in size of W. britannica coccoliths, mainly driven by an increase in the contribution of the large morphotypes. Increasing placolith size is associated with drier and warmer climatic conditions during the latest Oxfordian.     

FELLHANERA VIRIDISOREDIATA,A NEW SOREDIATE SPECIES FROM SHELTERED TREES AND SHRUBS IN WESTERN EUROPE

Fellhanera viridisorediataAptroot, Brand & Spier, a corticolous sorediate species commonly found sterile, is described from fertile material onJuglans glabrain the Netherlands. It was also found with apothecia on, for example, twigs ofVaccinium myrtillus,Lonicera, and other trees. It seems to be common and rapidly spreading in sheltered habitats in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, also occasionally on wood, roofs, granite and brick. It is close to otherFellhaneraspecies, especiallyF. seroexpectataandF. viridis, but it differs in the paler soredia, smaller, 1-septate and constricted ascospores and the presence of roccellic acid.     

A STUDY ON THE GENETIC VARIABILITY OF BIATORA HELVOLAUSING RAPD MARKERS

Abstract:Biatora helvola is a corticolous crustose lichen occurring in boreal and montane spruce and spruce-fir-beech forests. After the last glaciation, spruce reinvaded Europe from three refugia situated in the Carpathians, southeastern parts of the Alps and the Ural Mts., resulting in a slightly disjunct distribution. Our aim was to find out whether the glacial fragmentation of the distributional area of spruce is reflected by genetic differences in a typical spruce-forest lichen. Collections of Biatora helvola from Scandinavia and various parts of Central Europe were investigated using RAPD analysis. Algal free periclinal sections of the apothecia were obtained using a freezing microtome and transferred directly into PCR tubes. Six different RAPD primers were used. The data were analysed using PAUP*. It was shown that genetic differences between samples of B. helvola reflect the glacial disjunction of spruce in Europe.     

Seven sesquiterpene lactones from Inula britannica var. chinensis

Four known sesquiterpene lactones, tomentosin, ivalin, 4-epi-isoinuviscolide and gaillardin, together with three new lactones, inuchinenolides A, B and C, were identified in the whole plant of Inula britannica var. chinensis.     

Genetic relationships between Bidens forbesii and six species in the Hawaiian and the Marquesas Islands

A crossing program was carried out between the Kauai endemicB. forbesii and six other Polynesian species, five of which are Hawaiian and one Marquesan. All crosses produced vigorous F₁ hybrids, portraying a strong genetic relationship betweenB. forbesii and the other species. The results indicate a close systematic relationship among the Polynesian species ofBidens placed by Sherff in sect.Campylotheca and strengthen the argument that this group dispersed from North America to the Hawaiian Islands, then from Hawaii to the Marquesas Islands.     

LECANORA BARKMANEANAA NEW NITROPHILOUS SOREDIATE CORTICOLOUS LICHEN FROM THE NETHERLANDS

Lecanora barkmaneana, a sorediate corticolous lichen belonging to theLecanora subfuscagroup, is described as a species new to science on the basis of numerous sterile collections. It is known so far as only from the Netherlands, where it often grows on roadside trees. it seems to be spreading rapidly at nutrient-rich sites.     

Neue acetylenverbindungen aus Leucanthemum-arten und revision der struktur eines germacranolids

The investigation of three Leucanthemum species afforded, in addition to known compounds, two new C₁₇-acetylenes, a new isovalerate, two phenolic acetylenes, a C₁₂-isobutylamide and a new farnesol derivative. Chrysanthemum ferulaceum contains deacetyllaurenobiolide (spiciformin) which is identical with a lactone from Inula britannica previously assumed to be a cis, cis-germacranolide.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lecanora flavoleprosa</Emphasis> (Lecanoraceae,lichenized Ascomycota) found in the Carpathians

The recently described, terricolous and corticolous, sorediate lichen Lecanora flavoleprosa (belonging to the L. symmicta group) is for the first time recorded from the Carpathians. So far, this rare European species has only been reported from a few localities in the Austrian and Swiss Alps, and Fennoscandia (Norway and Sweden). In this paper several records from the Polish and Slovak Tatra Mts are presented, most of them found recently, but a few also discovered during revision of old material collected by Z. Tobolewski. The ecology and chemistry of the taxon, and differences from related sorediate Lecanora species are briefly discussed.     

TWO NEW SOREDIATE TAXA OFPELTIGERA

Examination of specimens ofPeltigera didactyla, from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America revealed that this sorediate species includes three entities that can be separated on morphological characters. A new species,P. lambinonii, is described from East Africa, and a new combinationP. didactylavar.extenuata, is proposed to accommodate morphs from mesic forest habitats in Asia, Europe and North America. Despite this taxonomic reduction,P. didactylavar.didactylaremains a ubiquitous taxon. The former two taxa often produce methyl gyrophorate, which can co-occur with traces of gyrophoric acid. These tridepsides were only rarely detected in var.didactyla; their occasional presence seems to be best explained by hybridization. The taxonomic and ecological significance of these substances is discussed.     

A remarkable new species in the lichen genusPlacopsis from Papua New Guinea (lichenized ascomycetes,Agyriaceae)

Placopsis auriculata Lumbsch & Kashiwadani is described from Papua New Guinea. This new species is characterized by the presence of campylidia-like helmet-shaped soralia and the presence of the gyrophoric acid chemosyndrome. Hiascic acid is reported for the first time from theAgyriaceae. The distinction of that species from other sorediate species ofPlacopsis is briefly discussed.     

Plagiochila britannica,a new species in the British Isles

Abstract

Plagiochila britannica is described as a new species. It differs from P. porelloides and P. asplenioides in many characters, especially its often more narrowly oval leaves with a more variable, often truncate to bilobed apex and larger cells, its wider antical stem cells and its diploid chromosome number. Differences from P. arctica var intermedia include its more variable leaf apex, generally more dentate leaves often with longer teeth, the greater maximum size of its leaf cells and its wider antical stem cells. Male and female inflorescences and sporophytes are known in P. britannica, which favours base-rich substrata and has been found in Wales, N. England, Scotland and N. Ireland. A key to the nine species of Plagiochila in the British Isles is included.     

Representational difference analysis identifies a strain-specific LPS biosynthesis locus in Bordetella spp.

Bordetella pertussis and B. bronchiseptica are genetically very closely related but differ significantly in their virulence properties. Using Representational Difference Analysis (RDA), 11 DNA fragments specific for B. pertussis Tohama I or B. bronchiseptica BB7865 were identified. All B. bronchiseptica BB7865-derived fragments also hybridized with chromosomal DNA from B. parapertussis but not from the B. pertussis strains Tohama I and W28, underlining the close phylogenetic relationship between B. bronchiseptica and B. parapertussis. The B. pertussis type strain BP18323 is a special case, as it contains DNA sequences characteristic for both B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica. As demonstrated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, several of the BB7865-derived fragments are present on a single 30-kb XbaI fragment. Based on the sequences of putative coding regions, four of these fragments may code for proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism or transport. In agreement with this notion, a mutant for one of these loci synthesizes a significantly altered lipopolysaccharide that lacks the O-specific side chains. The analysis of the corresponding genomic region in various Bordetella species showed that this locus is present in B. bronchiseptica and B. parapertussis but not in B. pertussis. This confirms that the RDA approach has identified a novel strain-specific LPS biosynthesis locus which accounts for the differences between the LPS structures elaborated by different Bordetella species.     

Ossicaulis yunnanensis sp. nov. (Lyophyllaceae,Agaricales) from southwestern China

Ossicaulis is a small genus in the family Lyophyllaceae. Two known species, O. lachnopus, and O. lignatilis, are distributed in north temperate regions. The third taxon, O. yunnanensis sp. nov., is described from the alpine belt of subtropics of southwestern China, and this genus is also reported for the first time from China. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by its whitish basidiomata and very small basidiospores. Molecular analyses from the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) show that the subtropical alpine species is distinct from hitherto known Ossicaulis species and has a close relationship to O. lachnopus.     

Deepsea herrings (Bathyclupeidae) of the northwestern Pacific ocean

Deepsea herrings of the northwestern Pacific (waters of Japan and Taiwan) are revised. Three species are recognized in this area, and two of them described as new: B. gracilis Fowler, 1938, B. japanotaiwana sp. n., and B. nikparini sp. n. B. japanotaiwana was previously mistakenly identified as the western Atlantic species B. argentea; actually it is especially similar to B. malayana, from which it differs in the bicolor oral cavity and in some meristic characters. B. nikparini is especially close to the Caribbean species B. schroederi, from which it differs in a greater number of developed gill rakers and smaller number of rays in the anal fin.     

Metarhizium aciculare sp. nov. for euvesperins A and B producing Metarhizium strains

We have already found some Metarhizium isolates produce euvesperins A and B, which were circumventors of arbekacin resistance in MRSA. These isolates were obtained from soil samples collected from the Izu islands and Kannami town, Sizuoka, Japan. Using a combination of micro-morphological characteristics and multigene (SSU, LSU, TEF) phylogenics, the isolates were identified as a previously underscribed species of Metarhizium. Phylogenetically, the species is close to M. carneum but it is distinguished morphologically from M. carneum by size and the surface structure of conidia.