<Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum atractylodicola</Emphasis> sp. nov.: the anthracnose pathogen of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atractylodes chinensis</Emphasis> in China

A new anthracnose disease of Atractylodes chinensis was observed in Liaoning province in China. The causal agent was isolated from diseased leaves. Based on morphology and ITS sequence data, it was identified as a Colletotrichum species belonging to the C. destructivum species complex. A multi-locus DNA sequence analysis (ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, ACT, TUB2) revealed that the fungus represents a new species that is described here as C. atractylodicola sp. nov. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that the isolated species is the causal agent of the observed anthracnose symptoms on A. chinensis leaves.     

Three new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyphodontia</Emphasis> s.l. (Basidiomycota) with poroid or raduloid hymenophore

Three species of Hyphodontia (Schizoporaceae) with poroid or raduloid hymenial surface are described as new to science. Hyphodontia chinensis sp. nov. was found in southwest and northeast China, having raduloid hymenophore, ventricose to subulate cystidia, and slightly thickened-walled, ellipsoid basidiospores; H. reticulata sp. nov. was found in central Japan and northern Taiwan, having poroid hymenophore, projecting peg-like structures, and encrusted cystidia; H. subtropica sp. nov. was collected from China (Yunnan province) and northern Vietnam, having poroid hymenophore, slightly apically swollen cystidioles, and pseudodimitic hyphal system. Both maximum parsimony and Bayesian methods were used to construct the phylogenetic trees based on ITS (internal transcribed spacer) sequences. The independent status of each proposed new species is based on morphological study, further confirmed by ITS-based phylogenetic analysis. The recently presented H. dimitica is found to be conspecific with H. nongravis, based on morphological and molecular evidences.     

Two novel species representing a new clade and cluster of Phytophthora

Phytophthora stricta sp. nov. and Phytophthora macilentosa sp. nov. are described based on morphological, physiological and molecular characters in this study. Phytophthora stricta represents a previously unknown clade in the rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogeny. Phytophthora macilentosa, along with nine other species, consistently forms a high temperature-tolerant cluster within ITS clade 9. These observations are supported by the sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene. Both species are heterothallic and all examined isolates are A1 mating type. Phytophthora stricta produces nonpapillate and slightly caducous sporangia. This species is named after its characteristic constrictions on sporangiophores. Phytophthora macilentosa produces nonpapillate and noncaducous sporangia, which are mostly elongated obpyriform with a high length to breadth ratio. Both species were recovered from irrigation water of an ornamental plant nursery in Mississippi, USA and P. stricta was also recovered from stream water in Virginia, USA.     

Middle Permian Ostracods from Tak Fa Limestone, Phetchabun Province, Central Thailand

This paper presents the first Permian ostracod fauna discovered in Thailand. The ostracods are recovered from the Tak Fa Limestone (Middle Permian) in Phetchabun province, central Thailand. The ostracods belong to eight genera and 15 species. Four species are newly described: Sargentina phetchabunensis nov. sp., Geffenina bungsamphanensis nov. sp., Reviya subsompongensis nov. sp. and Bairdia takfaensis nov. sp. The ostracod assemblages characterize a shallow marine, near shore environment at the time of deposition. Except for one species, which shows palaeobiogeographical links between Central Thailand and South China, all the other species are endemic.     

Polyphasic characterization of Plectosphaerella oligotrophica,a new oligotrophic species from China

Oligotrophic fungi can grow on carbon-free media. Most of the currently known oligotrophic fungi were reported from soil. Plectosphaerella oligotrophica sp. nov. was recently isolated from soil in China using a low carbon medium. The new species is morphologically characterized by pale yellow colonies on PDA, phialidic conidiogenous cells, and hyaline, ellipsoidal and 0–1-septate conidia. Phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences confirmed the placement of P. oligotrophica as a new species in the genus Plectosphaerella. The new species is compared to the morphologically and phylogenetically closely related species. Beta-tubulin fragments from the new species were also sequenced and deposited in GenBank. A key to the currently accepted species of the genus is provided.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kondoa gutianensis</Emphasis> f.a. sp. nov., a novel ballistoconidium-forming yeast species isolated from plant leaves

Two strains, GT-165^T and GT-261, isolated from plant leaves collected from Gutian Mountain in Zhejiang province in China were identified as a novel species of the genus Kondoa by the sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit of rRNA (LSU rRNA) and the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), complemented by physiological tests. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of ITS, D1/D2 and RPB2 showed that the closest known relatives of the new species are three undescribed Kondoa species and Kondoa thailandica. The ITS and D1/D2 sequences of the new species differ from the closely related species by 11–22% and 2–9%, respectively. The name Kondoa gutianensis f.a. sp. nov. (MB 820648, holotype = CGMCC 2.5703^T; isotype: CBS 14811^T = CGMCC 2.5703^T) is proposed to accommodate the new taxon.     

Ostracodes de la Formation de Bhanness,Kimméridgien (Jurassique supérieur) du Liban central : taxonomie,paléoécologie et paléobiogéographie

A microfauna composed of 11 species of ostracodes belonging to 11 genera have been recovered from the Bhanness Formation of Kimmeridgian age, in Central Lebanon. Four species are new and are described herein: Ektyphocythere dahressawanensis nov. sp., Dicrorygma (Orthorygma) libanensis nov. sp., Citrella? elongata nov. sp. and Procytherura inflata nov. sp. From a palaeobiogeographical standpoint, this fauna characterizes the North Gondwana province which differs from the South Gondwana province, particularly by the presence of the genus Schuleridea and the absence of the genus Majungaella.     

Strobilomyces echinocephalus sp. nov. (Boletales) from south-western China, and a key to the genus Strobilomyces worldwide

Strobilomyces echinocephalus Gelardi & Vizzini sp. nov. is described as a new species, based on collections from Kunming (Yunnan Province, China). Macro-morphological and micro-morphological features, ecological data and analyses of RPB1 and ITS2 sequences support the establishment of this new taxon. Colour pictures of fresh basidiomata in habitat, scanning electron microscope (SEM) micro-photographs of the spores, and a line-drawing displaying the most relevant anatomical characters are provided in this paper. Strobilomyces zangii Gelardi nom. nov. is proposed to replace the name Heimiella nigricans M. Zang. A dichotomous key to the Strobilomyces species at global level is also provided at the end of this work.     

Two new species of Erysiphe sect. Uncinula (Erysiphales): Erysiphe fernandoae and E. michikoae

Two new species of Erysiphe section Uncinula are described and illustrated based on the molecular and morphological analyses: (1) Erysiphe fernandoae sp. nov. on Fernandoa adenophylla is distinct from other Erysiphe species on the plant family Bignoniaceae by having smaller asci, ca 12 appendages per chasmothecium and being found only in Asia; (2) Erysiphe michikoae sp. nov. on Celtis jessoensis differs from Erysiphe kusanoi on other Celtis species in having smaller chasmothecial, ascal and ascospore dimensions, and fewer number of chasmothecium appendages. The phylogenetic relationships of the two new species with other closely related species are discussed based on 28S and ITS rDNA sequences.     

Description of Gyrodactylus banmae n. sp. (Monogenea,Gyrodactylidae) parasitic on zebrafish,Danio rerio

A new species of Gyrodactylus was described on the body surface of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in China. Basing on morphological characteristics and ITS sequence, we identified the parasite as a new member of the Gyrodactylus-wageneri group. Morphologically, Gyrodactylus sp. nov. is greatly similar to “G. zebrae”, another species parasitic on zebrafish: both have moderately stout hamulus, marginal hook sickle with a prominent heel and toe, as well as a curved blade. However, distinct haptoral shape differences were detected between these two species. The dorsal bar is straight in Gyrodactylus sp. nov. but strongly curved in “G. zebrae”, and the sickle shaft in Gyrodactylus sp. nov. is approximately perpendicular to the base, but in “G. zebrae” it is slanted downwards. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequence also indicate that Gyrodactylus sp. nov. exhibits the highest similarity to “G. zebrae”: 95.7% sequence identity suggests interspecific differentiation. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1-ITS2 sequence showed that Gyrodactylus sp. nov. formed a sister clade with “G. zebrae”, and exhibited a relatively close phylogenetic relationship with G. kobayashii, G. gurleyi, and G. longoacuminatus, all of which parasitise on goldfish, Carassius auratus. To test the susceptibility of zebrafish and goldfish to the Gyrodactylus sp. nov., ten gyrodactylids were inoculated to the caudal fin of zebrafish and goldfish. The gyrodactylids exhibited the ability to attach themselves to the goldfish, and some gyrodactylids reproduced a few days after the inoculation. On day 9, however, the mean abundance sharply decreased to zero on goldfish and increased to more than 30 on zebrafish. The result suggested that golfish is an unsuitable host for Gyrodactylus sp. nov. Therefore, on the basis of morphology, molecular sequence similarity, and host susceptibility, we conclude that the gyrodactylid found on the zebrafish is a new species, which we named Gyrodactylus banmae.     

New Emsian foraminifers from of the Karpinsky Horizon limestones Severouralsk Bauxite Mine

Four new foraminiferal species, Parathuramminites mutilatus sp. nov., P. stelliformis sp. nov., P. subrus sp. nov., and P. minutus sp. nov., and a new genus and species, Algaeformis porosus gen. et sp. nov. from clayey limestones and marls of the basal Karpinsky Horizon (Emsian Stage, Lower Devonian) of the Severouralsk Bauxite Mine are described.     

Phylogeny of Phaeomollisia piceae gen. sp. nov.: a dark, septate, conifer-needle endophyte and its relationships to Phialocephala and Acephala

Dark, septate endophytes (DSE) were isolated from roots and needles of dwarf Picea abies and from roots of Vaccinium spp. growing on a permafrost site in the Jura Mountains in Switzerland. Two of the isolates sporulated after incubation for more than one year at 4 °C. One of them was a hitherto undescribed helotialean ascomycete Phaeomollisia piceae gen. sp. nov., the other was a new species of Phialocephala, P. glacialis sp. nov. Both species are closely related to DSE of the Phialocephala fortinii s. lat.-Acephala applanata species complex (PAC) as revealed by phylogenetic analyses of the ITS and 18S rDNA regions. Morphologically dissimilar fungi, such as Vibrissea and Loramyces species, are phylogenetically also closely linked to the new species and the PAC. Cadophora lagerbergii and C. (Phialophora) botulispora are moved to Phialocephala because Phialocephala dimorphospora and P. repens are the closest relatives. Several Mollisia species were closely related to the new species and the PAC according to ITS sequence comparisons. One DSE from needles of Abies alba and one from shoots of Castanea sativa formed Cystodendron anamorphs in culture. Their identical 18S sequences and almost identical ITS sequences indicated Mollisia species as closest relatives, suggesting that Mollisia species are highly euryoecious.     

Using compensatory base change analysis of internal transcribed spacer 2 secondary structures to identify three new species in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paramacrobiotus</Emphasis> (Tardigrada)

Species within the tardigrade genus Paramacrobiotus could be distinguished via an analysis of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) secondary structures. Sequences of P. richtersi and four populations previously treated under provisional names (Paramacrobiotus ‘richtersi group’ 1 to 4) from different continents were determined and annotated, and their secondary structures were predicted. A tree based on a combined sequence-structure alignment was reconstructed by Neighbor-Joining. The topology obtained is consistent with a tree based on a distance matrix of compensatory base changes (CBCs) between all ITS2 sequence-structure pairs in the global multiple alignment. The CBC analysis, together with 18S rDNA sequences, physiological, biochemical and biophysical data identified three species new to science that are morphologically indistinguishable from P. richtersi. These are formally described under the names Paramacrobiotus fairbanksi sp. nov., P. kenianus sp. nov., and P. palaui sp. nov.     

Ten new species of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Baltic amber

Ten new species of caddisflies of the families Polycentropodidae (nine) and Molannidae (one) are described from the Eocene Baltic amber: Holocentropus peregrinator sp. nov., H. proximorepertus sp. nov., H. dugoi sp. nov., H. fundamentalis sp. nov., H. telergon sp. nov., Plectrocnemia varigoria sp. nov., P. synthesia sp. nov., P. novokshonovi sp. nov., Nyctiophylax valideturbidus sp. nov., and Molanna okraina sp. nov.     

A Remarkable New Family of Jurassic Insects (Neuroptera) with Primitive Wing Venation and Its Phylogenetic Position in Neuropterida

Background

Lacewings (insect order Neuroptera), known in the fossil record since the Early Permian, were most diverse in the Mesozoic. A dramatic variety of forms ranged in that time from large butterfly-like Kalligrammatidae to minute two-winged Dipteromantispidae.

Principal Findings

We describe the intriguing new neuropteran family Parakseneuridae fam. nov. with three new genera and 15 new species from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou (Inner Mongolia, China) and the Early/Middle Jurassic of Sai-Sagul (Kyrgyzstan): Parakseneura undula gen. et sp. nov., P. albomacula gen. et sp. nov., P. curvivenis gen. et sp. nov., P. nigromacula gen. et sp. nov., P. nigrolinea gen. et sp. nov., P. albadelta gen. et sp. nov., P. cavomaculata gen. et sp. nov., P. inflata gen. et sp. nov., P. metallica gen. et sp. nov., P. emarginata gen. et sp. nov., P. directa gen. et sp. nov., Pseudorapisma jurassicum gen. et sp. nov., P. angustipenne gen. et sp. nov., P. maculatum gen. et sp. nov. (Daohugou); Shuraboneura ovata gen. et sp. nov. (Sai-Sagul). The family comprises large neuropterans with most primitive wing venation in the order indicated by the presence of ScA and AA1+2, and the dichotomous branching of MP, CuA, CuP, AA3+4, AP1+2. The phylogenetic position of Parakseneuridae was investigated using a phylogenetic analysis of morphological scoring for 33 families of extinct and extant Neuropterida combined with DNA sequence data for representatives of all extant families. Parakseneuridae were recovered in a clade with Osmylopsychopidae, Prohemerobiidae, and Ithonidae.

Conclusions/Significance

The presence of the presumed AA1+2 in wings of Parakseneuridae is a unique plesiomorphic condition hitherto unknown in Neuropterida, the clade comprising Neuroptera, Megaloptera, Raphidioptera. The relative uncertainty of phylogenetic position of Parakseneuridae and the majority of other families of Neuroptera reflects deficient paleontological data, especially from critical important periods for the order, earliest Triassic and latest Triassic/earliest Jurassic.     

Mrakia terrae sp. nov. and Mrakia soli sp. nov., Two Novel Basidiomycetous Yeast Species Isolated from Soil in Korea

Three strains, YP416^T, YP421^T, and Y422, were isolated from soil samples in Pocheon City, Gyeonggi province, South Korea. The strains belong to two novel yeast species in the genus Mrakia. Molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that the strain YP416^T was closely related to Mrakia niccombsii. Still, it differed by 9 nucleotide substitutions with no gap (1.51%) in the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and 14 nucleotide substitutions with 7 gaps (2.36%) in the ITS region. The strain YP421^T differed from the type strain of the most closely related species, Mrakia aquatica, by 5 nucleotide substitutions with no gap (0.81%) in the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene and 9 nucleotide substitutions with one gap (1.43%) in the ITS region. The names Mrakia terrae sp. nov. and Mrakia soli sp. nov. are proposed, with type strains YP416^T (KCTC 27886^T) and YP421^T (KCTC 27890^T), respectively. MycoBank numbers of the strains YP416^T and YP421^T are MB 836844 and MB 836847, respectively.