Allozyme Polymorphism of Swiss Stone Pine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus cembra</Emphasis> L. in Mountain Populations of the Alps and the Eastern Carpathians

Swiss stone pine Pinus cembra L. is a species with fragmented range, occurring in the Alpine-East Carpathian mountain system. Seeds of P. cembra are dispersed by nutcrackers, which offers potential possibilities for gene exchange among populations. Using isozyme analysis, we have examined five samples from two parts of the Swiss stone pine range: the Alps (Switzerland and Austria) and the Carpathians (two samples from the northern macroslope of the Gorgany Ridge, Eastern Carpathians, Ivano-Frankivs'ka oblast and one sample from Zakarpats'ka oblast of Ukraine). The allele frequencies of 30 isozyme loci, coding for enzymes ADH, FDH, FEST, GDH, GOT, IDH, LAP, MNR, MDH, PEPCA, 6-PGD, PGI, PGM, SDH, SKDH, SOD, were analyzed using cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis. Two clusters, corresponding to the isolated Alpine and Carpathian parts of the range, were found. The main contribution to these differences were made by loci Adh-1, Adh-2, Fest-2, Lap-3, Mdh-4, and Sod-4. The interpopulation differentiation proved to be somewhat higher than that typical for pines (F_ST = 7.4%), but within the limits characteristic for taxonomically close species. Thus, isolation of the populations did not lead to their marked differentiation, which may be explained by gene flow and balancing selection, which equalizes gene frequencies across the fragmented species area. Interlocus (F_ST heterogeneity (from 0.003 to 0.173) suggests adaptive significance of some of the allozyme polymorphisms or linkage of some loci with adaptive genes. The Carpathian populations were shown to have higher gene diversity than the Alpine ones (expected heterozygosities 0.095–0.114 and 0.060–0.080, respectively). A deficiency of heterozygotes (as compared to the Hardy-Weinberg proportions), observed in the embryo sample, was probably explained by inbreeding. The reduction in the area of Carpathian pine forests in Holocene, caused by the global climatic changes and the anthropogenic impact, is hazardous for the gene pool of the species. The maintenance of genetic uniqueness of both Carpathian populations of P. cembra in general, and individual stands in particular, requires special measures for protection of Swiss stone pine in the Eastern Carpathians.     

Revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis> species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penstemon</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccanthera</Emphasis> subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis>

A revision of Penstemon sect. Saccanthera subsect. Serrulati includes a new species (P. salmonensis), a new variety (P. triphyllus var. infernalis), and the elevation of a subspecies to species (P. curtiflorus), bringing the total number of species to eight, which are keyed and described, complete with nomenclature and type citations.     

Distribution and habitats of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phengaris</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Maculinea</Emphasis>) butterflies and population ecology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phengaris</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">teleius</Emphasis> in China

Many species of the butterfly genus Phengaris are regarded as endangered in many parts of their distribution. Several species are also widely distributed across northern China. Due to land use change and overgrazing, their habitats are declining and many patches have been lost. This paper investigates the distribution and habitats of the Chinese Phengaris species (of the subgenus Maculinea). Shrub-grassland near forests seem the most frequent habitat for Phengaris, while flat open grasslands are mostly over-grazed and thus survival for Phengaris butterflies there seems difficult. Throughout Europe, P. teleius is an endangered species, while there is still no information on its status in China. To improve the knowledge on the population ecology of P. teleius, its population structure, adult behaviour and movement were studied through mark–release–recapture methods in the Qinling Mountains of Taibai County. Eight grassland patches which were potentially suitable were found in the area in 2013. In total, 480 individuals (274 females) were marked, resulting in an overall recapture rate of 16 %. The average daily population size was 44 butterflies (±23 SD) during the adult flight period. Sixty-seven percent of the females and 38 % of the males moved less than 50 m, and 17 % of recaptured females and 38 % of males moved more than 200 m. The mean movement distance was 107 ± 177 m for males and 182 ± 122 m for females. The majority of the recaptures (86 %) were made within the patches, only a few individuals (14 %) moved between patches. Due to human disturbance and destruction, all of the eight potentially suitable patches are becoming smaller and increasingly isolated, thus these populations of P. teleius may face an increasing risk of extinction, which may well be a tip of the iceberg of habitat loss and fragmentation of P. teleius in Taibai County and possibly beyond. Hence we hope our initial study of P. teleius could have positive impacts on the conservation of Phengaris butterflies in China.     

A New record of four <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> species isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agarum clathratum</Emphasis> in Korea

Agarum clathratum, brown algae, play important ecological roles in marine ecosystem, but can cause secondary environment pollution when they pile up on the beach. In order to resolve the environment problem by A. clathratum, we focus to isolate and identify Penicillium because many species are well known to produce extracellular enzymes. A total of 32 Penicillium strains were isolated from A. clathratum samples that collected from 13 sites along the mid-east coast of Korea in summer. They were identified based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis using β-tubulin DNA sequences as well as a combined dataset of β-tubulin and calmodulin. A total of 32 strains were isolated and they were identified to 13 Penicillium species. The commonly isolated species were Penicillium citrinum, P. roseomaculatum, and Penicillium sp. Among 13 Penicillium species, four species – P. bilaiae, P. cremeogriseum, P. madriti, and P. roseomaculatum – have not been previously recorded in Korea. For these four new species records to Korea, we provide morphological characteristics of each strain.     

High genetic diversity in an endangered medicinal plant, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saussurea involucrata</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saussurea</Emphasis>, Asteraceae), in western Tianshan Mountains,China

Saussurea involucrata (Asteraceae) is a medicinal and second-degree national priority endangered plant that is mainly distributed in the high latitude region of the western Tianshan Mountains. The population is fragmented and isolated, and extensive human impact merits a suitable and specific conservation strategy, which can be compiled based on the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history. Phylogeographic studies were conducted on a total of five natural populations and 150 individuals were sampled. Data from three cpDNA intergenic spacer regions (trnL-F, matK, and ndhF-rpl32) and nrDNA ITS sequences showed that twelve haplotypes in cpDNA and five haplotypes in nrDNA indicated high genetic diversity among populations sampled (H _T?=?0.820 and 0.756) and within populations sampled (H _S?=?0.792 and 0.721). Additionally, the high genetic diversity did not mirror genetic structure in either cpDNA (F _ST?=?0.03153, G _ST?>?N _ST, p?<?0.05) or nrDNA (F _ST?=?0.03666, meaningless G _ST and N _ST). Two groups (north and south) were determined for a SAMOVA analysis. Based on this analysis, the demographic history was conducted with a Bayesian Skyline Plot and Isolation with Migration analysis, which showed sustainable and stable extension without a marked bottleneck. Divergence time was indicated at c. 6.25 Mya (90%HPD: 15.30–0.22 Mya) in the Miocene, which is consistent with the formation of the Kelasu section of Tianshan. The southern populations in the Bayanbulak and Gonglu regions require additional attention and transplanting would be an effective way to restore rare cpDNA haplotypes, increase effective population size, and migration rate. Our results suggested that in situ conservation of S. involucrata in western Tianshan should be the main strategy for protection and recovery of the species.     

The endosymbiont <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wolbachia</Emphasis> in Eurasian populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila melanogaster</Emphasis>

The endosymbiotic α-proteobacteria Wolbachia is widely spread among arthropods and Filariidae nematodes. This bacterium is transmitted vertically via a transovarian route. Wolbachia is a cause of several reproductive abnormalities in the host species. We analyzed the isofemale lines created using flies collected from Drosophila melanogaster natural populations for infection with the endosymbiont Wolbachia. Wolbachia were genotyped according to five variable markers: the presence of insertion sequence IS5 in two loci, the copy number of two minisatellite repeats, and an inversion. Overall, 665 isofemale lines isolated from the populations of D. melanogaster from Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Caucasus, Central Asia, Ural, Udmurtia, Altai, West and East Siberia, and Far East in 1974 through 2005 were used in the work. The samples from Ukrainian, Altaian, and Middle Asian populations were largest. The infection rate of D. melanogaster populations from Middle Asia, Altaian, and Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Moldavia, and Belarus) with Wolbachia amounted to 64, 56, and 39%, respectively. The D. melanogaster population from the Caucasus displayed heterogeneity in the genotypes of this cytoplasmic infection. The Wolbachia genotype wMel, detected in all the populations studied, was the most abundant. The genotype wMelCS2 was always present in the populations from Middle Asia and Altai and was among the rare variants in the D. melanogaster populations from the Eastern Europe. Single instances of the Wolbachia genotype wMelCS occurred in a few flies from the Central Asian and Altai populations, but was not found this genotype in the other regions.     

Field-based artificial crossings indicate partial compatibility of reciprocal crosses between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus mugo</Emphasis> and unexpected chloroplast DNA inheritance

Crossability relationships between Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and mountain dwarf pine (Pinus mugo Turra) was studied, using artificial pollination approach. Partial compatibility of the reciprocal crossings of these species was proved experimentally, validating the idea of a spontaneous formation of their hybrid swarms under natural conditions. The hybrids were validated using organellar DNA markers and nuclear DNA microsatellites. Based on the percentage of filled seeds, the interspecific crossings were less efficient than the intraspecific cross-pollinations of P. sylvestris and P. mugo individuals. Both species were found to intercross readily with individuals of their putative hybrid swarm, P. mugo exhibiting a higher hybridological affinity towards putatively hybrid individuals than P. sylvestris. Validation of the hybrids confirmed the paternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) in the combination P. sylvestris × P. mugo only. Surprisingly, in the reciprocal crossing P. mugo × P. sylvestris, maternal inheritance of cpDNA was revealed. Obtained results offer a new insight into the direction and intensity of gene flow within the hybrid swarms of Scots pine and mountain dwarf pine.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quinua</Emphasis> and Relatives (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium</Emphasis> sect.<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium</Emphasis> subsect.<Emphasis Type="Italic">Celluloid</Emphasis>)

Traditionally viewed as an Andean grain crop,Chenopodium quinoa Willd. includes domesticated populations that are not Andean, and Andean populations that are not domesticated. Comparative analysis of leaf morphology and allozyme frequencies have demonstrated that Andean populations, both domesticated(quinua) and free-living(ajara), represent an exceptionally homogeneous unit that is well differentiated from allied domesticates of coastal Chile(quingua) and freeliving populations of the Argentine lowlands(C. hircinum). This pattern of relationships indicates that Andean populations represent a monophyletic crop/weed system that has possibly developed through cyclic differentiation (natural vs. human selection) and introgressive hybridization. Relative levels of variation suggest that this complex originated in the southern Andes, possibly from wild types allied withC. hircinum, with subsequent dispersal north to Colombia and south to the Chilean coast. Coastal populations were apparently isolated from post-dispersal differentiation and homogenization that occurred in the Andes. Other data point toward a center of origin in the northern Andes with secondary centers of genetic diversity subsequently developing in the southern Andes and the plains of Argentina. Comparative linkage of South American taxa, all tetraploid, with North American tetraploids of the subsection will eventually clarify this problem. While the possibility of a direct phyletic connection betweenC. quinoa and the Mexican domesticate(C. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae,) cannot be excluded, available evidence indicates that the latter represents an autonomous lineage that is associated with the basal tetraploid, C. b. subsp.berlandieri, through var.sinuatum, whereas South American taxa show possible affinities to either var. zschackei or var.berlandieri. An extinct domesticate of eastern North America,C. b. subsp.jonesianum, represents either another instance of independent domestication, possibly from subsp. b. var.zschackei, or a northeastern outlier of subsp.nuttalliae.     

Re-evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psidium acutangulum</Emphasis> (Myrtaceae) and a new combination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psidium</Emphasis>

Psidium acutangulum has been previously understood as a widespread and variable species. Here, it is proposed that populations east of the Andes should be divided into two species: P. acutangulum and P. acidum based on characters of the leaves, anthers, fruits and seeds. The new combination Psidium acidum is made here and the species is described, illustrated and contrasted with P. acutangulum and P. friedrichsthalianum. Psidium acutangulum as now understood remains variable and seems to be related to a mainly Amazonian group of species. Populations from western Ecuador, once thought to belong to P. acutangulum are now considered a new species.     

Multilocus phylogenetic reconstruction informing polyploid relationships of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aconitum</Emphasis> subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycoctonum</Emphasis> (Ranunculaceae) in China

Polyploidization has long been recognized as one of the most important driving forces of plant evolution. Aconitum subgenus Lycoctonum (Ranunculaceae) has a wide distribution range and well-known background of polyploidy, thereby providing a potentially valuable model to explore polyploid origin and evolutionary history. However, the phylogeny of subg. Lycoctonum has not yet been completely resolved. In the current study, 29 species including diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid species were sampled in subg. Lycoctonum. Using four cpDNA regions (ndhF-trnL, psbA-trnH, psbD-trnT and trnT-L) and two nrDNA regions (internal transcribed spacer, ITS, and external transcribed spacer, ETS), phylogenetic relationship was first reconstructed for the polyploid species within subg. Lycoctonum. In combination with nuclear diversification rate estimation, cpDNA haplotype network, ancestral area reconstruction as well as morphological and karyotypic evidence, potential origin and divergence time were further assessed among the polyploid species. Hybridization was inferred for A. angustius and A. finetianum was suggested to be the potential maternal progenitor, due to their close phylogenetic relationship, highly similar morphologies and overlapping distribution range. Local origin was inferred for tetraploids in the Hengduan Mountains (HDM) with eight groups of chromosomes of four homeologous, which diverged approximately 3.00 Ma in the same period of the orogeny of the HDM. The hexaploid A. apetalum was inferred to suffer from geographical isolation due to the formation of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and the HDM. Hybridization and heterogeneous habitats in the HDM were suggested to play an important role in the polyploidization in subg. Lycoctonum.     

Chromosomal differentiation of the sibling species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia membranifaciens</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia manshurica</Emphasis>

The molecular karyotyping analysis of 21 strains within the taxonomic complex Pichia membranifaciens allowed the sibling species P. membranifaciens and P. manshurica, as well as P. deserticola and P. punctispora, to be differentiated. Heterogeneity of the species P. membranifaciens at the variety level is discussed.     

Genomic clues to the parental origin of the wild flowering cherry <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus yedoensis</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">nudiflora</Emphasis> (Rosaceae)

Prunus yedoensis Matsumura is one of the popular ornamental flowering cherry trees native to northeastern Asia, and its wild populations have only been found on Jeju Island, Korea. Previous studies suggested that wild P. yedoensis (P. yedoensis var. nudiflora) is a hybrid species; however, there is no solid evidence on its exact parental origin and genomic organization. In this study, we developed a total of 38 nuclear gene-based DNA markers that can be universally amplifiable in the Prunus species using 586 Prunus Conserved Orthologous Gene Set (Prunus COS). Using the Prunus COS markers, we investigated the genetic structure of wild P. yedoensis populations and evaluated the putative parental species of wild P. yedoensis. Population structure and phylogenetic analysis of 73 wild P. yedoensis accessions and 54 accessions of other Prunus species revealed that the wild P. yedoensis on Jeju Island is a natural homoploid hybrid. Sequence-level comparison of Prunus COS markers between species suggested that wild P. yedoensis might originate from a cross between maternal P. pendula f. ascendens and paternal P. jamasakura. Moreover, approximately 81% of the wild P. yedoensis accessions examined were likely F1 hybrids, whereas the remaining 19% were backcross hybrids resulting from additional asymmetric introgression of parental genotypes. These findings suggest that complex hybridization of the Prunus species on Jeju Island can produce a range of variable hybrid offspring. Overall, this study makes a significant contribution to address issues of the origin, nomenclature, and genetic relationship of ornamental P. yedoensis.     

Molecular evidence for hybridization between invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solidago canadensis</Emphasis> and native <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>. <Emphasis Type="Italic">virgaurea</Emphasis>

Hybridization between alien and native species is biologically very important and could lead to genetic erosion of native taxa. Solidago × niederederi was discovered over a century ago in Austria and described by Khek as a natural hybrid between the alien (nowadays regarded also as invasive) S. canadensis and native S. virgaurea. Although interspecific hybridization in the genus Solidago is considered to be relatively common, hybrid nature of S. × niederederi has not been independently proven using molecular tools, to date. Because proper identification of the parentage for the hybrid Solidago individuals solely based on morphological features can be misleading, in this paper we report an additive polymorphism pattern expressed in the ITS sequences obtained from individuals representing S. × niederederi, and confirm the previous hypothesis that the parental species of this hybrid are S. canadensis and S. virgaurea. Additionally, based on variability at the cpDNA rpl32-trnL locus, we showed that in natural populations hybridization occurs in both directions.     

Geographic patterns of genetic variation in nuclear and chloroplast genomes of two related oaks (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus aliena</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q. serrata</Emphasis>) in Japan: implications for seed and seedling transfer

In this study, we assessed geographic patterns of genetic variations in nuclear and chloroplast genomes of two related native oaks in Japan, Quercus aliena and Q. serrata, in order to facilitate development of genetic guidelines for transfer of planting stocks for each species. A total of 12 populations of Q. aliena and 44 populations of Q. serrata were analyzed in this study. Genotyping of nuclear microsatellites in Q. aliena was done with only nine populations (n = 212) due to limited numbers of individuals in two populations, while all 12 populations (n = 89) were used in sequencing chloroplast DNA (cpDNA). In Q. serrata, 43 populations (n = 1032) were genotyped by nuclear microsatellite markers, while cpDNA of 44 populations (n = 350) was sequenced. As anticipated, geographic patterns detected in the variations of Q. aliena’s nuclear genome and its chloroplast haplotype distribution clearly distinguished northern and southern groups of populations. However, those of Q. serrata were inconsistent. The geographic distribution of its chloroplast haplotypes tends to show the predicted differentiation between northern and southern lineages, but geographic signals in the genetic structure of its nuclear microsatellites are weak. Therefore, treating northern and southern regions of Japan as genetically distinct transferrable zones for planting stocks is highly warranted for Q. aliena. For Q. serrata, the strong NE-SW geographic structure of cpDNA should be considered.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Metarhizium bibionidarum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. purpureogenum</Emphasis>: new species from Japan

Two new species of Metarhizium, M. bibionidarum and M. purpureogenum are described from Japan. Metarhizium bibionidarum is the phylogenetic sister species of M. pemphigi and a member of the M. flavoviride species complex. It is distinguished morphologically from M. pemphigi by its larger conidia. The species is based on a collection of an infected March fly larva (Diptera: Bibionidae) but is also known to occur on fruit beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) encountered in France. Metarhizium purpureogenum was isolated from soil by plating and insect baiting methods and represents a unique phylogenetic lineage placed outside the M. anisopliae and M. flavoviride species complexes. Three isolates of M. purpureogenum excreted a distinctive red-purple pigment into agar medium when co-cultured with M. robertsii or Aspergillus oryzae.     

Acaricidal active fractions from acetone extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe vera</Emphasis> L. against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus cinnabarinus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panonychus citri</Emphasis>

This study aimed to isolate acaricidal active fractions from acetone extract of Aloe vera L. and investigate the toxicity of these fractions against Tetranychus cinnabarinus (T. cinnabarinus) and Panonychus citri (P. citri). Acetone extract of A. vera L. was isolated by immersing in acetone for 72 h, and diverse fractions were fractionated by column chromatography. The acaricidal activity of each fractions was evaluated by corrected mortality of T. cinnabarinus through slide-dip bioassay. The 8th and 13th fractions of acetone extract with good acaricidal activity were indentified by LC/MS, and the toxicity of these two fractions to T. cinnabarinus and P. citri was identified by regression analysis. Acetone extract of A. vera L. exhibited obvious acaricidal activity, from which a total of 18 fractions were isolated. The 8th and 13th fractions with strong acaricidal activity against T. cinnabarinus were identified to be 3-O-alpha-d-mannopyranosyl-d-mannopyranose (OAMM) and aloe emodin. When compared with spirodiclofen, both OAMM and aloe emodin exhibited higher toxicity to T. cinnabarinus, while only OAMM exhibited a higher toxicity to P. citri (P < 0.05). OAMM and aloe emodin isolated from acetone extract of A. vera L. exhibited obvious acaricidal activities against T. cinnabarinus and P. citri.     

Screening and molecular identification of lactic acid bacteria from <Emphasis Type="Italic">gari</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">fufu</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">gari</Emphasis> effluents

Bacterial strains were isolated from cassava-derived food products and, for the first time, from cassava by-products, with a focus on gari, a flour-like product, and the effluents from the production processes for gari and fufu (a dough also made from cassava flour). A total of 47 strains were isolated, all of which were tested to determine their resistance to acidic pH and to bile salt environments. Four of the 47 isolates tested positive in both environments, and these four isolates also showed antibacterial behaviour towards both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbial pathogens (i.e. Methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli (O157), Yersinia enterocolitica). In most cases, the antibacterial activity was related to bacteriocin production. Molecular identification analysis (16S rDNA and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR) revealed that the four isolates were different strains of the same species, Lactobacillus fermentum. These results demonstrate that bacteria isolated from cassava-derived food items and cassava by-products have interesting properties and could potentially be used as probiotics.     

Parasitism rates and parasitoid complexes of the wheat midges, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitodiplosis mosellana</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Contarinia tritici</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haplodiplosis marginata</Emphasis>

Three species of cecidomyiid midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), whose larvae overwinter in the soil, can cause significant yield losses on wheat in Europe: the orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), the yellow wheat blossom midge, Contarinia tritici (Kirby), and the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser). The biological control of wheat midges by their parasitoids can contribute to reduce the midge populations. Soil samples were collected in several fields in Belgium in 2012–2014 in order to characterize the parasitism rates and parasitoid complexes in overwintering larvae. The parasitism rates varied greatly between the sampled fields: 3–100, 0–100 and 2% for S. mosellana, H. marginata and C. tritici, respectively. The parasitism rate was not related to the larval density of wheat midge. The three wheat midges have totally distinct parasitoid complexes in Belgium. Eight species (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae and Platygastridae) were found as parasitoid of S. mosellana: Macroglenes penetrans (Kirby), Amblypasis tritici (Walker), Euxestonotus error (Fitch), Euxestonutus sp. Fouts, Leptacis sp. Foerster, Platygaster gracilipes (Huggert), Platygaster nisus Walker, and Platygaster tuberosula (Kieffer). According to their abundance, M. penetrans, E. error and P. tuberosula appeared as the main parasitoids of S. mosellana in Belgium. For the two other wheat midges, only one species of the family Platygastridae was found for each midge: Platygaster equestris (Spittler) for H. marginata and Synopeas myles (Walker) for C. tritici.     

New sterigmatocystin-producing species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Versicolores</Emphasis> from indoor air in Croatia

Multilocus DNA sequence-based identification methods raised the number of known species assigned to the Aspergillus section Versicolores. Currently, there are 16 species accepted in the section, including A. amoenus, A. austroafricanus, A. creber, A. cvjetkovicii, A. fructus, A. griseoaurantiacus, A. hongkongensis, A. jensenii, A. protuberus, A. puulaauensis, A. subversicolor, A. sydowii, A. tabacinus, A. tennesseensis, A. venenatus, and A. versicolor. Based on morphological identifications, most of these species were identified as either A. sydowii or A. versicolor, with the latter reported to have a world-wide distribution, growing in many habitats. Aspergillus versicolor has been implicated in health hazards including sick building syndrome, human and animal mycoses, and contamination of food and feed were assigned primarily to this species. A. versicolor is still commonly isolated from indoor surveys, even though species such as A. jensenii and A. creber seem more common. From indoor air samples collected at a grain mill in Croatia, we isolated an undescribed species assigned to the Aspergillus section Versicolores. A polyphasic approach, including sequence-based methods, morphological and physiological studies, was used for species characterization and in this paper is described as Aspergillus pepii. Additionally, sterigmatocystin producing abilities have been confirmed. Based on a combined phylogenetic tree, morphological features and sterigmatocystin producing abilities, A. pepii is closely related to A. versicolor. Further studies should explore the frequency of the species in indoor environments and its medical, industrial, and environmental significance.     

Biogeography of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">australis</Emphasis> lineages in the southwestern United States

The environmental and social impacts of Phragmites australis invasion have been extensively studied in the eastern United States. In the West where the invasion is relatively recent, a lack of information on distributions and spread has limited our ability to manage invasive populations or assess whether native populations will experience a decline similar to that in the East. Between 2006 and 2015, we evaluated the genetic status, distribution, and soil properties (pH, electrical conductivity, and soil texture) of Phragmites stands in wetlands and riparian systems throughout the Southwest. Native (subspecies americanus), Introduced (haplotype M), and Gulf Coast (subspecies berlandieri) Phragmites lineages were identified in the survey region, as well as watershed-scale hybridization between the Native and Introduced lineages in southern Nevada. Two Asian haplotypes (P and Q) that were previously not known to occur in North America were found in California. The Native lineage was the most frequent and widespread across the region, with four cpDNA haplotypes (A, B, H, and AR) occurring at low densities in all wetland types. Most Introduced Phragmites stands were in or near major urban centers and associated with anthropogenic disturbance in wetlands and rivers, and we document their spread in the region, which is likely facilitated by transportation and urban development. Soil pH of Native and hybrid stands was higher (averaging 8.3 and 8.6, respectively) than Introduced stands (pH of 7.5) and was the only soil property that differed among lineages. Continued monitoring of all Phragmites lineages in the Southwest will aid in assessing the conservation status of Native populations and developing management priorities for non-native stands.