Parataenidium,a new taenidium‐like ichnogenus from the carboniferous of Ireland

The new ichnogenus Parataenidium is erected for backfilled tubular trace fossils that can appear superficially similar to Taenidium, but are divided horizontally into two distinct levels. Two ichnospecies are recognised: Parataenidium mullaghmorensis isp. nov. and Parataenidium moniliformis (Tate 1859). The latter ichnospecies is transferred from Eione Tate 1859, which is a junior homonym of Eione Rafinesque 1814, and therefore unavailable for Tate's ichnotaxon. The ichnogenus is an important component of late Paleozoic shallow‐water siliciclastic sediments, and can be considered as a “guide”; indicator for the Carboniferous.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Teichichnus zigzag</Emphasis> Frey and Bromley, 1985: a probable echiuran or holothurian burrow from the Jurassic offshore Norway

Arcuate to V-shaped spreiten burrows are common in marginal-marine Jurassic deposits from offshore Norway and are described in detail from well-core material. Well-preserved specimens show a tripartite architecture with convex-down stacked laminae (retrusive) in the lower part, convex-up stacked laminae (protrusive) in the upper part of the burrow, and a passively filled terminal causative burrow in between. A large funnel-shaped structure and/or a homogeneous area can also occur in the upper part of the burrow. Based on their morphology and features, these burrows can be assigned to the ichnogenus Teichichnus Seilacher, 1955, although they appear to be more developed and complete than hitherto described Teichichnus ichnospecies. Similar burrows were described as Teichichnus zigzag Frey and Bromley, 1985. The overall morphology and details of the burrows, in comparison with modern analogues and neoichnological experiments, suggest echiurans (spoon worms) or holothurians (sea cucumbers) with a combined suspension- and deposit-feeding behaviour as potential producers.     

Clinical infection in house rats (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rattus rattus</Emphasis>) caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptobacillus notomytis</Emphasis>

Rat bite fever is an under-reported, under-diagnosed emerging zoonosis with worldwide distribution. Besides Spirillum minus, Streptobacillus moniliformis is the major causative microorganism although it usually colonises rats without any clinical signs. A group of house rats (Rattus rattus) kept in a zoo exhibition for educational purposes suffered from neurological signs including disorientation, torticollis, stall walking, ataxia and death. Gross pathological and histo-pathological examinations of the investigated rats revealed high-grade otitis interna et media, from which Streptobacillus notomytis was isolated in pure culture or as the predominant microorganism. This case series underlines a previously expressed hypothesis that R. rattus might be naturally colonised with S. notomytis, whereas the traditional rat bite fever organism, S. moniliformis, might be restricted to the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus). However, the general paucity of Streptobacillus isolates, especially from their respective animal hosts, precludes definitive proof of these host tropisms. This is the first report of S. notomytis detection outside Asia and Australia and the first evidence for its role as a facultative pathogen in house rats.     

Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eckhardites</Emphasis> Mitta (Cardioceratidae,Ammonoidea) from the Lower Callovian of the subboreal Jurassic

The genus Eckhardites Mitta 1999, with the type species Macrocephalites pavlowi Smorodina, 1928 is discussed and its diagnosis and assignment to the family Cardioceratidae are substantiated. Eckhardites is compared to the genus Macrocephalites Zittel (family Sphaeroceratidae), to which some workers presently assign the type species of Eckhardites. Three species of Eckhardites are recorded from the basal Callovian elatmae Zone of the Russian Platform, one of which (E. menzeli (Mönnig)) was originally described from the synchronous beds in Germany. A new species E. dietli sp. nov. is described.     

Floating-leaved macrophyte (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trapa japonica</Emphasis>) drastically changes seasonal dynamics of a temperate lake ecosystem

Water chestnut (genus Trapa) is an annual floating-leaved macrophyte that produces dense beds known to drastically modify freshwater ecosystems. Although Trapa displays a distinct phenology that should alter the innate seasonal dynamics of ecosystems, the seasonality of these effects has rarely been investigated. Therefore, we examined seasonal changes in physicochemical conditions and assemblages of zoobenthos and zooplankton, and whether these changes were correlated with the rise and decline of dense beds of Trapa japonica in Lake Mikata, a temperate shallow lake in central Japan. Our results suggested that the formation of dense Trapa beds during summer resulted in hypoxia, which significantly decreased the abundance of Chironomidae and Oligochaeta in the benthic community, as well as that of Calanoida among zooplankton. When dense Trapa beds formed, we also detected growth of other taxa that were resistant to hypoxia, including Cladocera, Cyclopoida, Ostracoda, and Nematoda. Chlorophyll a concentration declined across the lake during summer, when dense Trapa beds formed. The decline in Trapa beds from autumn to spring resulted in increased dissolved oxygen concentration, chlorophyll a concentration, and invertebrate abundance (Chironomidae, Oligochaeta and Calanoida), as well as a decrease in taxa utilizing the dense Trapa beds. Our results suggest that the phenology of dense Trapa beds can drastically change the seasonal dynamics of physicochemical conditions and the lower components of the food web in a shallow lake ecosystem.     

Ammonites of Tethyan origin from the Ryazanian of the Russian platform: Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Riasanites</Emphasis> spath

The genus Riasanites, represented in Central Russia by two successive dimorphic species, is revised. R. swistowianus is found in the basal beds of the rjasanensis Zone. Its descendant R. rjasanensis is also found in this zone, but upwards in the section, including the beds with Surites spasskensis and Externiceras solowaticum. The representatives of Riasanites from the Crimea and Northern Caucasus are assigned to two species, R. crassicostatus and R. maikopensis, respectively. It is suggested that Riasanites evolved from Sub-Mediterranean Himalayatidae, which migrated from the Western Tethys via the Polish Passage into the Central Russian Basin, and from there to Mangyshlak, the Northern Caucasus, and the Crimea.     

Taxonomic revisions in the Microstromatales: two new yeast species,two new genera,and validation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jaminaea</Emphasis> and two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sympodiomycopsis</Emphasis> species

Environmental sampling yielded two yeast species belonging to Microstromatales (Exobasidiomycetes, Ustilaginomycotina). The first species was collected from a leaf phylloplane infected by the rust fungus Coleosporium plumeriae, and represents a new species in the genus Jaminaea, for which the name Jaminaea rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The second species was isolated from air on 50% glucose media and is most similar to Microstroma phylloplanum. However, our phylogenetic analyses reveal that species currently placed in Microstroma are not monophyletic, and M. phylloplanum, M. juglandis and M. albiziae are not related to the type species of this genus, M. album. Thus, Pseudomicrostroma gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate the following species: P. glucosiphilum sp. nov., P. phylloplanum comb. nov. and P. juglandis comb. nov. We also propose Parajaminaea gen. nov. to accommodate P. albizii comb. nov. and P. phylloscopi sp. nov. based on phylogenetic analyses that show these are not congeneric with Jaminaea or Microstroma. In addition, we validate the genus Jaminaea, its respective species and two species of Sympodiomycopsis and provide a new combination, Microstroma bacarum comb. nov., for the anamorphic yeast Rhodotorula bacarum. Our results illustrate non-monophyly of Quambalariaceae and Microstromataceae as currently circumscribed. Taxonomy of Microstroma and the Microstromataceae is reviewed and discussed. Finally, analyses of all available small subunit rDNA sequences for Jaminaea species show that J. angkorensis is the only known species that possess a group I intron in this locus, once considered a potential feature indicating the basal placement of this genus in Microstromatales.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrocystis integrifolia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lessonia trabeculata</Emphasis> (Laminariales; Phaeophyceae) kelp habitat structures and associated macrobenthic community off northern Chile

Macrocystis integrifolia and Lessonia trabeculata form vast kelp beds providing a three-dimensional habitat for a diverse invertebrate and fish fauna off northern Chile. Habitat modifications caused by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are likely to alter the inhabiting communities. The aim of this study was to reveal relationships between distinct habitat structures of a M. integrifolia kelp bed, a dense L. trabeculata kelp bed and L. trabeculata patches colonizing a barren ground, and the associated dominant macrobenthic key species. Seasonally 15 sampling units (10 m² each) of any of the three habitats were monitored by SCUBA divers, which counted sporophytes and macroinvertebrates living between the latter. Furthermore, samples of plants were analysed in the laboratory to measure the morphological variables: total plant length, maximal holdfast diameter, stipe number, number of dichotomies per stipe, frond width and total drained wet mass. Multivariate analysis showed that the L. trabeculata kelp bed is denser, with a higher number of dichotomies per stipe, whereas sporophytes of M. integrifolia are longer with more stipes and wider fronds. Sporophytes of L. trabeculata patchily present on barren ground are shorter and have more stipes compared with those in the dense L. trabeculata kelp bed. Thus, the habitats provide different three-dimensional structures. The associated macrobenthic communities show a variable degree of overlapping; however, key faunal assemblages were distinguished for each habitat. Our study provides evidence that habitat diversity drives species diversity, the more homogeneous, monospecifically composed kelp bed habitats show comparatively low diversity, mainly caused by the dominance of the ascidian P. chilensis and T. tridentata in the M. integrifolia bed, and the mussel A. ater only present in the L. trabeculata bed. Species richness and diversity is highest in the heterogeneous habitat where L. trabeculata patches interrupt the barren ground. Our study revealed morphological differences between M. integrifolia and L. trabeculata kelp beds reflected in stipe number, plant length, dichotomies per stipe, and wet mass, which influence the composition of the associated characteristic fauna and its functional relations i.e. T. niger and T. tridentata.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acuminatispora palmarum</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov. from mangrove habitats

Fungi play a vital role as decomposers in mangrove ecosystems. A new ascomycete species, Acuminatispora palmarum, inhabiting decayed petioles and rachides of palms in mangrove habitats, is introduced in this paper based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Phylogenetic relationships of related taxa were inferred from combined LSU, SSU, TEF1α, and RPB2 sequence data, and the analyses indicate that A. palmarum could be recognized as a distinct group in Pleosporales, but its familial placement needs to be further resolved. The morphological characters of this new taxon are also different from other members in Pleosporales by its deeply immersed ascomata, long pedicellate asci, and biseriate to triseriate, 1-(rarely 3) septate, brown, fusiform ascospores with acute or narrowly pointed ending cells. Acuminatispora gen. nov. (Pleosporales, incertae sedis) is therefore established to accommodate the new taxon A. palmarum. Furthermore, phylogenetic relationships of Acrocordiopsis and Caryospora are discussed with a consideration of morphological observations.     

Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes concerning <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ormopteris</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pellaea</Emphasis> (Pteridaceae) in Brazil

We typify and clarify the nomenclature and identity of three species originally described in the fern genus Pellaea. We find Pellaea bongardiana to be illegitimate and recognize it as a synonym of Ormopteris riedelii (= P. riedelii). We also consider Pellaea brasiliensis to be a synonym of O. riedelii. The phylogenetic position of Pellaea flavescens, recently combined in Ormopteris (as O. flavescens), is discussed, and a key to all species of Ormopteris in Brazil is provided.     

The species composition and ecological features of pea crabs of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinnixa</Emphasis> White, 1846 (Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) in Peter the Great Bay,the Sea of Japan

This paper provides an overview of pea crabs of the genus Pinnixa White, 1846 (Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) that occur along the Russian coast of the Sea of Japan. Three species of the genus have been recorded for this area: P. tumida Stimpson, 1858, P. rathbuni Sakai, 1934, as well as P. banzu Komai, Nishi & Taru, 2014, which is the first record for the fauna of Russia. All species clearly differ ecologically: P. tumida was found in Posyet Bay in the intestine of the burrowing holothurian Paracaudina chilensis (Müller, 1850); P. rathbuni, in burrows of the echiuroid Urechis unicinctus (von Drasche, 1881); and P. banzu, in tubes of the polychaete Chaetopterus cautus Marenzeller, 1879. The paper also provides a definitive key to Pinnixa species and data on the size, behavior, symbionts, and parasites of P. rathbuni and P. banzu.     

Field survey and resin casting of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gymnogobius macrognathos</Emphasis> spawning nests in the Tatara River,Fukuoka Prefecture,Japan

We investigated the spawning nests of Gymnogobius macrognathos on a tidal flat in the Tatara River, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Digging uncovered 19 spawning nests. The number of eggs and the standard length of the guarding male were positively correlated. Nine spawning nests were examined using in situ resin casting. All casts had structures characteristic of callianassid shrimp burrows and were most likely those of Nihonotrypaea japonica. Spawning nests had significantly greater average diameters than shrimp burrow openings and may have been widened by G. macrognathos.     

Distribution of sediment bacterial and archaeal communities in plateau freshwater lakes

Both Bacteria and Archaea might be involved in various biogeochemical processes in lacustrine sediment ecosystems. However, the factors governing the intra-lake distribution of sediment bacterial and archaeal communities in various freshwater lakes remain unclear. The present study investigated the sediment bacterial and archaeal communities in 13 freshwater lakes on the Yunnan Plateau. Quantitative PCR assay showed a large variation in bacterial and archaeal abundances. Illumina MiSeq sequencing illustrated high bacterial and archaeal diversities. Bacterial abundance was regulated by sediment total organic carbon and total nitrogen, and water depth, while nitrate nitrogen was an important determinant of bacterial diversity. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chlorobi, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospirae, Planctomycetes, and Verrucomicrobia were the major components of sediment bacterial communities. Proteobacteria was the largest phylum, but its major classes and their proportions varied greatly among different lakes, affected by sediment nitrate nitrogen. In addition, both Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota were important members in sediment archaeal communities, while unclassified Archaea usually showed the dominance.     

A revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphaeria pilosa</Emphasis> Pers. and re-evaluation of the Trichosphaeriales

Sphaeria pilosa, the basionym of the type of Trichosphaeria, T. pilosa, was insufficiently described by Persoon. The current interpretation of T. pilosa comes from Fuckel and is based on his own material published in the exsiccatal series Fungi Rhen. Exs. no. 946. The examination of the type and other authentic material of S. pilosa and T. pilosa revealed several different fungi. Fresh material of T. pilosa is not available and Fuckel’s historical specimens have never been sampled for DNA. In order to reconcile Persoon’s concept of S. pilosa with Fuckel’s concept of T. pilosa, we designate a neotype in our study. The species is a unitunicate ascomycete characterized by perithecial ascomata, persistent paraphyses, and cylindrical short-stipitate asci without visible apical annulus containing eight hyaline, ellipsoidal ascospores. The genus Trichosphaeria includes 87 described species and the Trichosphaeriales with the single family Trichosphaeriaceae recently accommodate 17 genera of apparently diverse phylogenetic affinity. Although the relationship of Trichosphaeria with other members of the Sordariomycetes is unknown, the family and order based on it are widely used to label incertae sedis clades inferred in phylogenetic analyses. Based on these findings, the Trichosphaeriales are re-evaluated and their use in phylogenetic studies is recommended to be abandoned until recognition of T. pilosa by molecular data.     

Comparative Burrow Architectures of Resident Fiddler Crabs (Ocypodidae) in Indian Sundarban Mangroves to Assess Their Suitability as Bioturbating Agents

Excavation of burrows by fiddler crabs (genus Uca) is an important component in mangrove ecosystem functioning. This bioturbation activity can be measured by analysing the burrow architecture of these crabs. The aim of the present study is to describe and evaluate inter specific differences in the burrow morphologies of four species of fiddler crabs (Uca rosea, Uca triangularis, Uca dussumieri and Uca vocans) using polyester resin casts of the burrows. For each of the species, sex and carapace width (CW; mm) were determined for all the individuals. Three burrow morphological characters viz. burrow diameter (BD; mm), total burrow depth (TBD; mm) and burrow volume (BV; cm³) were considered during the study. Density of each species throughout the year was also assessed. For all the species BD and BV were higher in case of males compared to the females and they showed significant positive correlation with the CW of the burrow inhabitants. The amount of sediment excavated by each crab was evaluated in terms of BV. Among all the studied species, U. rosea was established as the most potent bioturbative candidate in the studied mangrove due to their greater density and moderate ability to excavate burrow.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pattersoniomyces tillandsiae</Emphasis> gen. et comb. nov.: linking sexual and asexual morphs of the only known smut fungus associated with Bromeliaceae

The enigmatic species Ustilago tillandsiae is the only known smut fungus associated with Bromeliaceae. Its generic position is evaluated by morphological, physiological, and molecular phylogenetic analyses using large subunit rDNA sequences. Phylogenetic analyses resolved U. tillandsiae as a member of the Ustilaginales in a sister relationship to the lineage containing Tranzscheliella species. However, U. tillandsiae differs from Tranzscheliella species by the development of sori in flowers, a different structure of sori and a different type of spore ornamentation. Consequently, a new genus Pattersoniomyces is described to accommodate U. tillandsiae. The new combination Pattersoniomyces tillandsiae is substantiated. In the sexual stage (teleomorph), this species infects bromeliads: Tillandsia flabellata, Tillandsia leiboldiana, and Tillandsia sp. in Central America between southern Mexico and Costa Rica. The yeast stage (anamorph) of P. tillandsiae was found associated with the phylloplane of Canistrum improcerum and in water tanks (phytotelmata) of Vriesea minarum, two bromeliads occurring in northeast and southeast Brazil, respectively. The link between the teleomorph and anamorphic strains is supported by identical sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rDNA. Pattersoniomyces represents the tenth endemic smut genus to the Americas, but the only one that occurs in both North and South America, being a truly neotropical genus. The host plant families of Ustilaginales are extended to the Bromeliaceae. As far as we know, Pattersoniomyces represents the single event of a host jump from Cyperaceae or Poaceae to Bromeliaceae, apparently without further species radiation on multiple bromeliad species and genera growing in South America.     

Spatial distribution of algae in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis</Emphasis> bed in Amursky Bay (Sea of Japan)

Horizontal and vertical distribution of algae in Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis beds was studied in the area of Mt. Stolovaya in Amursky Bay, Sea of Japan. Thirty-four species of macroalgae (2 species of Chlorophyta, 26 Rhodophyta, and 6 Ochrophyta) were found in the area of study. Two fields of the unattached alga Ahnfeltia were located opposite Mt. Stolovaya; they differed in area, macrophyte stock, number and biomass of attendant species, hydrochemical and light conditions. A monodominant Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis community formed in the southern field and a bidominant community of Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis + Ahnfeltiopsis flabelliformis developed in the northern field. It is suggested that the horizontal distribution of common macrophyte species in the Ahnfeltia beds at Mt. Stolovaya is conditioned by the amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reaching the surface of the algal bed. Differences in tolerance of Ahnfeltia and attendant species to shadowing and in light conditions across the alga stratum define the vertical distribution of algae within the bed. Chondrus armatus and Ptilota filicina were found mainly in the upper layer of the algal bed. A. tobuchiensis, A. flabelliformis, Chaetomorpha linum, and Coccotylus orientalis extended across the entire thickness of the bed.