子囊菌的一个新目Umbilicariales J.C.Wei & Q.M.Zhou

本文基于核糖体SSU rDNA序列对石耳科Umbilicariaceae的系统地位进行了研究.将所获得的石耳科地衣中6个种的SSU rDNA序列与GenBank中其它地衣型及非地衣型真菌的相关序列进行比对用于系统发育研究.结果表明长期以来系统地位不够明确而暂时被置于茶渍目Lecanorales的石耳科不能被包括在茶渍目中,分子数据支持成立石耳目Umbilicariales.基于分子数据并结合形态学和解剖学特征描述了新目Umbilicariales J.C. Wei ＆ Q.M. Zhou（Lecanoromycetes,Ascomycota）.     

A Molecular Perspective on Ecological Differentiation and Biogeography of Cyclotrichiid Ciliates

ABSTRACT. Cyclotrichiids are of ecological and evolutionary interest by virtue of their importance in red tide formation, their highly divergent small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, kleptoplastidy, and utility as indicators of eutrophication. However, only seven strains have had their SSU rRNA genes sequenced and their environmental diversity and distribution are largely unknown. We probed 67 globally dispersed freshwater column/sediment and soil DNA samples (eDNAs) and constructed 24 environmental gene libraries using polymerase chain reaction primers specific to an uncharacterised cyclotrichiid subgroup. We reveal a novel, globally ubiquitous freshwater clade comprising 25 genetically distinct SSU ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences (SSU-types). Some identical SSU-types were detected at globally widely distributed sites. The SSU-types form four distinct phylogenetic clusters according to marine or non-marine provenance, suggesting at least one major marine–freshwater evolutionary transition within the cyclotrichiids. We used the same primers to sample intensively 18 sampling points in 13 closely situated lakes, each characterised by 14 environmental variables, and showed that molecular detection or non-detection of cyclotrichiids was most significantly influenced by levels of total phosphorus, dissolved organic carbon, and chlorophyll a . Within the subset of lakes in which cyclotrichiids were detected, closely related SSU-types differed in their ecological preferences to pH, total phosphorus, and sample depth.     

新科Rhizoplacopsidaceae中的新属及新种Rhizoplacopsis weichingii

本文描述了位于新科盾叶科 Rhizoplacopsidaceae(Umbilicariales,Lecanoromycetes,Ascomycota)中的新属盾叶属 Rhizoplacopsis 和新种蔚青盾叶 Rhizoplacopsis weichingii。蔚青盾叶取名于著名中国真菌学家王云章教授之字“蔚青”,作为庆祝教授百岁生日之纪念。该新种在外形上与 Rhizoplaca 属地衣极为相似,但位于地衣体上的子囊盘却为网衣型。此外,它的子囊顶器结构非常接近于 Umbilicaria-type。基于分子数据,对 Rhizoplacopsis weichingii 及其它相关地衣进行的系统发育分析支持成立新属盾叶属 Rhizoplacopsis 和新科盾叶科 Rhizoplacopsidaceae。     

SSU rDNA phylogeny of cladoniiform lichens

To examine phylogenetic relationships among the "cladoniiform" lichenized fungi, i.e., the families Cladoniaceae, Baeomycetaceae, Icmadophilaceae, Stereocaulaceae, and Siphulaceae, and to provide evidence for the anticipated independent origins of podetia and pseudopodetia, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of SSU (small subunit) rDNA sequences from 39 lichen-forming fungi. These fungi represent all of the major growth forms of lichen associations, fruticose (including "cladoniiform"), foliose, and crustose. Our analysis suggests that lichen-forming fungi with a "cladoniiform" morphology arose multiple times within the ascomycetes. Additionally, each of the other thallus growth forms, crustose, foliose, and fruticose, have originated multiple times. It also seems to be clear that neither all podetiate nor all pseudopodetiate taxa form a monophyletic group. Therefore the term "podetium" should be restricted to homologous structures that are most probably limited to the genera Cladonia, Cladina, Pycnothelia, and allies. The "pseudopodetia" of Stereocaulon (Stereocaulaceae) and Cladia (Cladiaceae) may represent different states of the same homologous character. Our phylogenetic hypothesis supports the monophyletic origin of the order Lecanorales sensu stricto, including representatives of five suborders Cladoniineae, Lecanorineae, Teloschistineae, Agyriineae and Peltigerineae, but excluding representatives of the suborders Acarosporineae (Acarospora schleicheri and Megaspora verrucosa), Pertusariineae (Pertusaria trachythallina), and Umbilicarineae. The suborder Cladoniineae and the family Cladoniaceae both appear to be polyphyletic assemblages.     

Culture and Phylogenetic Characterization of Trichomitus trypanoides Duboscq & Grassè 1924, n. comb.: a Trichomonad Flagellate Isolated from the Hindgut of the Termite Reticulitermes santonensis Feytaud

ABSTRACT. A trichomonad flagellate strain R1 was isolated from the hindgut contents of the termite Reticulitermes santonensis Feytaud. The flagellate was cultivated at 28° C in anaerobic medium containing yeast extract, minerals and vitamins. The isolate fed on living bacteria. It showed the typical morphological and ultrastructural features of the trichomonads. closely resembling Trichomitus trypanoides. In order to determine its phylogenetic position the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) of the flagellate was amplified in vitro using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloned in a plasmid vector and sequenced. Comparison of the obtained sequence with so far available SSU rRNA/rDNA sequences showed strongest similarity (89%) to the sequence of Tritrichomonas foetus. The phylogenetic analysis with parsimony and distance matrix methods placed Trichomitus trypanoides strain R1 near by the root of the phylogenetically so far analyzed eukaryotic organisms. This confirms that termites harbour hindgut symbionts, which originate from very early evolved eukaryotes.     

Functional Study of the Residue C899 in the 900 Tetraloop of Escherichia coli Small Subunit Ribosomal RNA

A mutant ribosome bearing C899G in the 900 tetraloop of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA, one implicated in a conformational switch in the dynamic movements of the ribosome, showed defects in subunit association and 30S initiation complex formation. Our results explain the basis of the loss of protein synthesis ability caused by a perturbation of the 900 tetraloop.