Host specificity of the rust Phragmidium violaceurn, a potential biological control agent of European blackberry

The host specificity of the rust fungus Phragmidium violaceum, a potential biological control agent of European blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) was studied by inoculating a mixture of 15 isolates of the rust on 108 plants of importance to the Australasian region. A scale of infection types was developed based on the results of microscopic and macroscopic observations of the reaction of host and non-host plants to the rust. The results showed that P. violaceum has a limited host range in the genus Rubus. The rust was able to reproduce on 17 taxa of Rubus previously unrecorded as hosts, including Australasian species of Rubus subgenera Dalibarda and Lampobatus. All other taxa attacked were species of Rubus subgenus Eubatus and the majority were hybrid cultivars containing European blackberry species.     

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characteristics of Members of the Genus Streptobacillus

The genus Streptobacillus (S.) remained monotypic for almost 90 years until two new species were recently described. The type species, S. moniliformis, is one of the two etiological agents of rat bite fever, an under-diagnosed, worldwide occurring zoonosis. In a polyphasic approach field isolates and reference strains of S. moniliformis, S. hongkongensis, S. felis as well as divergent isolates were characterized by comparison of molecular data (n = 29) and from the majority also by their physiological as well as proteomic properties (n = 22). Based on growth-independent physiological profiling using VITEK2-compact, API ZYM and the Micronaut system fastidious growth-related difficulties could be overcome and streptobacilli could definitively be typed despite generally few differences. While differing in their isolation sites and dates, S. moniliformis isolates were found to possess almost identical spectra in matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization—time of flight mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Spectroscopic methods facilitated differentiation of S. moniliformis, S. hongkongensis and S. felis as well as one divergent isolate. Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene as well as functional genes groEL, recA and gyrB revealed only little intraspecific variability, but generally proved suitable for interspecies discrimination between all three taxa and two groups of divergent isolates.     

Nochascypha jacksonii comb. nov. and N. paraensis comb. nov., additional members of the cyphellaceous genus Nochascypha formerly placed in Maireina

Nochascypha jacksonii and N. paraensis proposed for combination were previously placed in the cyphellaceous genus Maireina. Unlike the typical representatives of the genus Maireina, both taxa have only pale coloured surface hyphae. The morphological and anatomical re-examination of type material has shown both species belong to the genus Nochascypha. Their inclusion extends the former range of Nochascypha species whose surface hyphae are colourless by two distinct members with yellowish surface hyphae. Nochascypha jacksonii and N. paraensis are described and illustrated in detail. An updated key for Nochascypha is presented.     

Protein Similarities in the Genus Tetrahymena and a Description of Tetrahymena leucophrys n. sp.1

The potential utility of protein arrays visualized by SDS-PAGE in taxonomic studies of protozoa has been investigated within the genus Tetrahymena. Matching coefficients have been obtained from one-dimensional separations of cytoskeletal proteins in a study involving 40 strains of Tetrahymena. In separate studies, the method was estimated to be accurate to within 10%, and the limit of intraspecific variation within the genus was estimated at ? 30%. Accordingly, it is suggested that strains showing matching coefficients 0.6 in these preparations probably represent different species. Further tests using strains identified to species by breeding criteria have shown that the 0.6 rule is asymmetric, i.e. although matching coefficients lower than this indicate separate species, values higher than this do not prove identity. Protein comparisons included in the present study indicate that strain Tur, previously identified as a strain of T. vorax, is distinct from all other macrostome-forming species. It is here designated Tetrahymena leucophrys n. sp.     

Kinorhyncha from the stomach of the shrimp Pleoticus muelleri (Bate, 1888) from Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina

Six kinorhynchs were found in the stomachs of the Argentine red shrimp, Pleoticus mulleri (Bate, 1888) from the Argentine coast of Patagonia. Three new species are described: Condyloderes storchi n. sp., Pycnophyes argentinensis n. sp. and P. neuhausi n. sp. A fourth species, Kinorhynchus anomalus Lang, 1953 was previously known only from the coast of Chile. This is the third known record of kinorhynchs documented as a food source. Condyloderes storchi, n. sp. is the fourth new species in this genus. It is distinguished by its paradorsal cuspidate spines on segments 7 and 9, lateral accessory and ventrolateral spines on segments 3, 6, 7, 10 and 11. P. argentinensis, n. sp. has nearly equal sternal width for segments 3–11 (about 7% of the trunk length), episternal plates with three distinct areas along the anterior margin, mid-sternal plate with even margin, mid-dorsal spinose protrusions along the terminal borders of segments 11 and 12, and lateral terminal spines 176 μm long, about 21% of trunk length. P. neuhausi, n. sp.has a prominent posterior elongation of the tergal plate of segment 3, uneven lateral margins of the mid-sternal plate, a maximum sternal width at segment 3, no mid-dorsal spinose processes and mid-ventral thickenings on segments 10–12.     

Comparative osteology,relationships, and systematics of fish of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zoarces</Emphasis> (Zoarcidae,Perciformes)

Comparative-osteological investigation of all species of the genus Zoarces is made: Z. fedorovi, Z. andriashevi, Z. elongatus, Z. viviparus, Z. americanus, and Z. gillii. In the skeleton of hyoid arch in species of Zoarces, Lycozoarces, and Lycodes, paired bony elements are found, not described previously, identified as parurohyalia which may be synapomorphy of Zoarcidae. Differences between the Zoarces species are revealed by 56 external morphological and osteological characters. Cladistic analysis yielded one tree 135, Ci 0.57, Ri 0.54 long. Cladistic analysis confirms validity of a recently described species Z. fedorovi, which turned out to be the most generalized in the genus Zoarces, as well as the validity of Z. elongatus. The species Z. americanus and Z. gillii occupy a terminal position preventing their isolation to independent genera as was previously supposed, as this would lead to paraphyly of the genus Zoarces.     

Molecular data to elucidate the taxonomy of Seseli sect. Seseli (Apiaceae) in east Mediterranean and southern Europe

The taxonomy of the type section of the genus Seseli is revised based on newly obtained molecular data. The type species of the genus, Seseli tortuosum, is shown to be a polyphyletic taxon and is split into two species: the western Mediterranean S. tortuosum and the eastern Mediterranean S. arenarium. The Turkish endemics S. hartvigii, S. serpentinum and S. andronakii, and the Transcaucasian S. grandivittatum form a complex of closely related species together with S. arenarium. The results of the molecular analysis confirm the specific rank of S. corymbosum, S. phrygium and S. paphlagonicum and the status of S. gummiferum as distinct from either of these three. The latter species is strictly endemic to Crimea and does not occur in Turkey.     

Three new species and a new combination in the genusTorulomyces from soil

Seven isolates ofTorulomyces from Asian and Australian soil samples were studied in comparison with known taxa of the genus and withMonocillium indicum, the type species ofMonocillium. Three new species,Torulomyces parviverrucosus, T. laevis, andT. ovatus, are described, andT. brunneus is described as a new combination. Conidial characteristics, especially their shape and surface structure, are useful taxonomic criteria for distinguishing species ofTorulomyces. Monocillium is considered to be a distinct genus.     

New Species of Spirotrichonympha from Reticulitermes and the Relationships Among Genera in Spirotrichonymphea (Parabasalia)

Spirotrichonymphea is a class of hypermastigote parabasalids defined by their spiral rows of many flagella. They are obligate hindgut symbionts of lower termites. Despite more than 100 yr of morphological and ultrastructural study, the group remains poorly characterised by molecular data and the phylogenetic positions and taxonomic validity of most genera remain in question. The genus Spirotrichonympha has been reported to inhabit several termite genera, including Reticulitermes, Coptotermes, and Hodotermopsis. The type species for this genus, Spirotrichonympha flagellata, was described from Reticulitermes lucifugus but no molecular data are yet available for this species. In this study, three new Spirotrichonympha species are described from three species of Reticulitermes. Their molecular phylogenetic position indicates that the genus is not monophyletic, as Spirotrichonympha species from Coptotermes, Paraneotermes, and Hodotermopsis branch separately. In contrast, the genus Holomastigotoides is monophyletic, as demonstrated using new sequences from Holomastigotoides species. The presence of Holomastigotoides in Prorhinotermes and the distinct phylogenetic positions of Spirotrichonympha from Reticulitermes and Coptotermes are consistent with a previously proposed symbiont fauna replacement in the ancestor of Reticulitermes.     

Molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate paraphyly of the genus Hybomys (Rodentia: Muridae): Taxonomic implications

Widely distributed in Guineo‐Congolian forests, the genus Hybomys is represented by two species complexes (univittatus and trivirgatus), each restricted to one distinct forest block. In the last revision, these two species complexes were considered as distinct subgenera (Hybomys and Typomys). Previous morphological and karyological studies identified an important divergence between these two subgenera and raised the question of their taxonomic status (subgenus or genus). The number of species within this genus is also a matter of discussion: nine forms were described but only six (H. badius, H. basilii, H. lunaris, H. planifrons, H. trivirgatus, and H. univitttatus) are currently recognized as distinct species, the three others (H. pearcei, H. eisentrauti, and H. rufocanus) being considered as synonyms. The monophyly of the genus and its species have never been previously investigated with DNA sequence data. In this study, we combined mitochondrial and nuclear data (for a total of 3,264 nucleotide characters) to test the monophyly of Hybomys and to assess the specific status of H. eisentrauti and H. rufocanus. Our results highlight the paraphyly of the genus: members of the H. univittatus species complex appeared closely related to the genera Stochomys and Dephomys; representatives of H. trivirgatus are the sister clade of the node grouping Stochomys, Dephomys and member of the H. univittatus species complex. Combined with previous morphological findings, our results suggest that Typomys and Hybomys should be considered as two distinct genera. Based on tree topology and genetic distances, we propose to consider H. rufocanus as a valid species, distinct from H. univittaus, and to consider H. badius and H. eisentrauti as junior synonyms of H. rufocanus.     

Systematic review of a new orb‐weaving spider genus (Araneae: Araneidae), with special reference to the Australasian‐Pacific and South‐East Asian fauna

The Australasian‐Pacific and South‐East Asian species of the new orb‐weaving spider genus Plebs with Plebs eburnus (Keyserling, 1886) as type species are revised. Following this study, Plebs includes a total of 22 species of which seven are here described new. Seven species are found in Australia, two in the Pacific region (New Caledonia, Vanuatu), and two in South‐East Asia (Papua New Guinea, The Philippines). Eleven Asian species are transferred to the new genus. Plebs represent comparatively small orb‐weaving spiders of c. 1.2–15.0 mm body length with a slightly elongated abdomen and humeral (shoulder) humps. Males of most species have two to three stout setae on the ventral side of their fourth coxae. Male pedipalps are characterized by the presence of a single macroseta on the patella, the presence of a paramedian apophysis as basal extension of the conductor, and an apical tegular protrusion. The female epigyne has a scape that is generally much longer than wide. It does not have a terminal pocket and is frequently broken off in a number of species. A phylogenetic analysis of 15 species of Plebs (those for which both sexes are known), 13 Australian/Pacific orb‐weaving spider species representing the most commonly collected clades with paramedian apophysis, three species of Nearctic Eriophora Simon, 1864, and Araneus diadematus Clerck, 1758, as outgroup, identified a single synapomorphy of Plebs based on 35 morphological and three behavioural characters: a distinct, inverted U‐shaped light pattern on the ventral side of the abdomen with two additional white spots anterolateral to the spinnerets. This analysis recovered a monophyletic clade of all Asian Plebs, suggesting a single colonization event of the genus that putatively originated in Australia. Most Plebs species appear to be active during the day. They build a regular orb‐web with vertical stabilimentum in grass and low shrubs. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166 , 279–341.     

Phylogenetic relationships of the anoplocephaline cestodes of Australasian marsupials and resurrection of the genus Wallabicestus Schmidt, 1975

A phylogenetic analysis was carried out on rDNA of 45 species of anoplocephaline cestodes from marsupial hosts. The exclusively Australasian genera Progamotaenia Nybelin, 1917, Triplotaenia Boas, 1902, Paramoniezia Maplestone & Southwell, 1923 and Phascolotaenia Beveridge, 1976 formed a monophyletic clade, and the previously suggested relationship between the Australasian species of the cosmopolitan genus Bertiella Stiles & Hassall, 1902 and species of Progamotaenia was supported. A low degree of phyletic co-evolution was detected within endemic Australasian clades. Colonisation rather than co-speciation appeared to be the principal means of diversification within the Australasian anoplocephaline radiation. The clade of bile duct-inhabiting Progamotaenia species emphasises the role of microhabitat rather than host species as a driver of speciation. Triplotaenia undosa Beveridge, 1976 described from a wide variety of macropodid hosts was found to be polyphyletic and a proposition was made to resurrect Wallabicestus Schmidt, 1975, with W. ewersi Schmidt, 1975 as the type-species and including W. ualabati (Beveridge, 2009) n. comb. [previously Progamotaenia ualabati Beveridge, 2009].     

Validity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scorpaena jacksoniensis</Emphasis> and a redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. cardinalis</Emphasis>, a senior synonym of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. cookii</Emphasis> (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)

The Scorpaena cardinalis complex, including S. cardinalis, S. jacksoniensis and S. orgila, is defined. The genus Ruboralga (type species: S. jacksoniensis) is regarded as a junior synonym of Scorpaena. Scorpaena jacksoniensis Steindachner 1866, previously treated as a junior synonym of Scorpaena cardinalis Solander and Richardson 1842, is regarded here as a valid species. Scorpaena cookii Günther 1874, previously treated as a valid species, is regarded here as a junior synonym of S. cardinalis. Thus, recent recognition of the two Australasian scorpionfishes, i.e., S. cardinalis and S. cookii, are re-identified in this study as S. jacksoniensis and S. cardinalis, respectively. Scorpaena plebeia Solander 1842 is regarded as a junior synonym of S. cardinalis. Scorpaena jacksoniensis is distributed along the east coast of Australia from southern Queensland to eastern Victoria, whereas S. cardinalis occurs around northern New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands and offshore islands of the Tasman Sea. A neotype is designated for S. cardinalis. Morphological changes with growth in the two species are described in detail.     

A monograph of the betel nut palms (Areca: Arecaceae) of East Malesia

The palm genus Areca is widespread in tropical Asia and includes the economically important betel nut palm, A. catechu. The genus has three centres of high species diversity: the Sunda Region, the Philippines and East Malesia (to the east of Wallace's line). The taxonomy of the genus in East Malesia has been neglected. Prior to this study, 19 species were accepted for this area, all but one endemic, but their limits and differences were not understood. Here, we provide a taxonomic monograph of East Malesian Areca spp., based on an extensive study of the genus in herbaria and in the field. We recognize six species of Areca in East Malesia, including the widespread cultivated A. catechu. Five wild species are accepted, namely A. macrocalyx, A. mandacanii, A. novohibernica, A. oxycarpa and A. vestiaria. We place 12 of the previously accepted species into synonymy, and provide additional new synonymy in A. catechu. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168 , 147–173.     

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the Prenolepis genus‐group of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract. We investigated the phylogeny and taxonomy of the Prenolepis genus‐group, a clade of ants we define within the subfamily Formicinae comprising the genera Euprenolepis, Nylanderia, gen. rev. , Paraparatrechina, gen. rev. & stat. nov. , Paratrechina, Prenolepis and Pseudolasius. We inferred a phylogeny of the Prenolepis genus‐group using DNA sequence data from five genes (CAD, EF1αF1, EF1αF2, wingless and COI) sampled from 50 taxa. Based on the results of this phylogeny the taxonomy of the Prenolepis genus‐group was re‐examined. Paratrechina (broad sense) species segregated into three distinct, robust clades. Paratrechina longicornis represents a distinct lineage, a result consistent with morphological evidence; because this is the type species for the genus, Paratrechina is redefined as a monotypic genus. Two formerly synonymized subgenera, Nylanderia and Paraparatrechina, are raised to generic status in order to provide names for the other two clades. The majority of taxa formerly placed in Paratrechina, 133 species and subspecies, are transferred to Nylanderia, and 28 species and subspecies are transferred to Paraparatrechina. In addition, two species are transferred from Pseudolasius to Paraparatrechina and one species of Pseudolasius is transferred to Nylanderia. A morphological diagnosis for the worker caste of all six genera is provided, with a discussion of the morphological characters used to define each genus. Two genera, Prenolepis and Pseudolasius, were not recovered as monophyletic by the molecular data, and the implications of this result are discussed. A worker‐based key to the genera of the Prenolepis genus‐group is provided.     

A classification of Danaus butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) based upon data from morphology and DNA

Classification of the cosmopolitan butterfly genus Danaus (Nymphalidae: Danainae) is revised at subgeneric, specific and subspecific levels, combining for the first time mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence information with morphological data. Tree topologies based on the nuclear genome (allozymes, pheromone components, the morphology of all life history stages and nuclear DNA sequences), on the one hand, and mitochondrial DNA, on the other, are incongruent and challenge the current taxonomy of the genus. Although earlier classifications, based on adult morphology alone, are, in general, well supported by an analysis of total evidence, the mitochondrial phylogeny shows that the species D. chrysippus and its subgenus Anosia are deeply paraphyletic. Subspecies dorippus of D. chrysippus is the basal clade of the genus and is reinstated as the species D. dorippus. The former species D. plexaure is demoted to a subspecies of D. eresimus. The specific status of D. erippus, as distinct from D. plexippus, is tentatively supported. On the strength of the new data, division of the monophyletic genus Danaus s.l. into three subgenera Danaus s.s., Salatura and Anosia is unsustainable and is abandoned. Of the 15 terminal clades (taxa) of Danaus s.l. included in the study, 11 are species that broadly conform to the biological species concept. (The West Indian species D. cleophile, missing from our analysis, is the twelfth species). The remaining terminal clades are subspecies of D. chrysippus comb. nov. and D. dorippus stat. rev. Two sympatric Neotropical species, D. eresimus and D. gilippus, are morphologically distinct and sexually isolated but have nearly identical mitochondrial genomes. In contrast, two partially sympatric Palaeotropical species, D. chrysippus and D. dorippus, are cryptic species that share structural morphology and hybridize but have highly differentiated mitochondrial genomes. D. dorippus is polymorphic for two anciently diverged haplotypes and its history has possibly involved recombinational speciation and/or hybridism. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 144 , 191?212.     

Solitary terminal cells of Aphanizomenon gracile (Cyanobacteria,Nostocales) can divide and renew trichomes

An attempt was made to find evidence that morphologically distinct terminal cells of filamentous cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon gracile strain CCALA 8 are capable of dividing and forming trichomes. Based on our current knowledge, the division of morphologically diversified terminal cells is possible in nostocalean cyanobacteria. However, this process has been observed only in a few species. Terminal cells of A. gracile differ morphologically from other vegetative cells of a trichome, as they are not hyaline and can sometimes be found as solitary cells in cultures. Hence, it was reasonable for us to suspect that these cells are capable of dividing and forming trichomes. We observed terminal cells under a light and transmission electron microscope. Microscopic observations revealed that the septum formed in both solitary terminal cells and in terminal cells attached to trichomes. Our study is the first to demonstrate division and renewal of trichomes in terminal cells of A. gracile. Previously, such mode of reproduction was described only for another nostocalean cyanobacterium Raphidiopsis mediterranea. Moreover, our findings further emphasize the variability among members that belong to the genus Aphanizomenon , in which a type species (A. flos‐aquae) has hyaline cells incapable of dividing and renewing trichomes, while A. gracile can additionally propagate by solitary terminal cells division. This additional feature distinguishing A. gracile from typical species of Aphanizomenon, such as A. flos‐aquae, might be valuable for resolving taxonomic position of the species considering ambiguous genetic relationship between A. gracile and A. flos‐aquae.