Taxonomic significance of the epicuticular wax composition in species of the genus Clusia from Panama

We attempted to separate species of the genus Clusia according to the concentration of linear alkanes (C25 and C35), and the presence and diversity of terpenes in epicuticular wax extracts. We collected leaves of 15 Clusia species growing in mountain forests of Panama (Cerro Jefe 1007 m and Altos de Campana 800 m a.s.l.) and from cultivated plants at two lowland sites. Leaf surfaces were washed gently with hexane to extract epicuticular waxes, which were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The predominant alkanes were C29, C31, and C33. In the extract the ratio C31/C29 was ≤1 in 6 of the 15 species analyzed: Clusia multiflora, Clusia peninsulae (Hammel ined.), Clusia stenophylla, Clusia liesneri, Clusia coclensis, and Clusia triflora. The concentrations of C29 and C33 were inversely related, the latter being above 10% in Clusia divaricata, Clusia pratensis, Clusia rosea, Clusia uvitana, and Clusia valerioi. Proportion of triterpenes was less than 5% in the species C. minor, C. pratensis, C. uvitana, C. rosea, Clusia cylindrica, C. divaricata, and C. valerioi. The rest contained squalene, and specific triterpenes such as β-amyrine in C. liesneri, betuline in Clusia osseocarpa, taraxerol in C. stenophylla, and lupeol in C. multiflora. The variety of triterpenes was higher in Clusia liesneri (5) and C. multiflora (3). The results suggest that groups of species can be distinguished within the genus according to the presence of terpenes and ratios of linear alkanes. These groups overlap with those generated by other classifications using morphology and nuclear ribosomal DNA.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the genus Clusia (Clusiaceae)

Microsatellite flanking region sequences may provide phylogenetically useful information. We isolated 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci from two species, Clusia minor (five loci) and Clusia nemorosa (eight loci), to aid in the determination of phylogenetic relationships within the genus Clusia. Eleven loci amplified across all 17 Clusia species tested, while two loci amplified in 10 out of 17 species. The extensive cross‐species amplification suggests that these loci may be useful for an examination of phylogenetic relationships in this genus.     

Review of the genus Zygoneura Meigen (Diptera: Sciaridae) in Korea,with an updated checklist of the World species

The taxonomy of Zygoneura Meigen, 1830 (Diptera: Sciaridae) is studied. A total of three species of Zygoneura is found in Korea: Zygoneura (Zygoneura) sciarina Meigen, 1830, Zygoneura (Pharetratula) bidens (Mamaev, 1968), and Zygoneura (Pharetratula) flavicornis (Mamaev, 1968). Z. bidens is recorded from Korea for the first time. All three species are redescribed and illustrated, and a key to the Korean species is given. Furthermore, an updated world checklist of all species of Zygoneura is presented.     

Polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives from Clusia burle-marxii and their chemotaxonomic significance

Six polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives (1–6) with the central bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4,9-trione core were isolated from Clusia burle-marxii trunks. Despite their highly conserved structural characteristics, this is the very first time that these polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives are isolated from a single plant species, highlighting the biochemical plasticity of Clusia burle-marxii to produce such unique class of bioactive compounds. Compounds 1, 2, and 6 are reported for the first time in Clusia burle-marxii, whereas compounds 3, 4 and 5 are reported for the first time in the Clusiaceae family. Their structures were established by careful analysis of spectroscopic data, including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and 2D-NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC). These polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives have the potential to be used as chemosystematics biomarkers for the family Clusiaceae. Their putative biosynthesis pathway is also discussed.     

Phosotynthesis in hemiepiphytic species of Clusia and Ficus

Summary Hemiepiphytic species in the genera Clusia and Ficus were investigated to study their mode of photosynthetic metabolism when growing under natural conditions. Despite growing sympatrically in many areas and having the same growth habit, some Clusia species show Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) whereas all species of Ficus investigated are C₃. This conclusion is based on diurnal CO₂ fixation patterns, diurnal stomatal conductances, diurnal titratable acidity fluctuations, and ¹³C isotope ratios. Clusia minor, growing in the savannas adjacent to Barinas, Venezuela, shows all aspects of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) on the basis of nocturnal gas exchange, stomatal conductance, total titratable acidity, and carbon isotope composition when measured during the dry season (February 1986). During the wet season (June 1986), the plants shifted to C₃-type gas exchange with all CO₂ uptake occurring during the daylight hours. The carbon isotope composition of new growth was-28 to-29 typical of C₃ plants.     

Classification of the gall midge tribe Aphidoletini (Diptera,Cecidomyiidae: Aphidoletidi) with descriptions of a new genus and a new species from the Kurile Islands

A new classification is proposed for the gall-midge tribe Aphidoletini including 4 subtribes, 10 genera, and 18 species: Aphidoletina—3 genera with 7 species (Aphidoletes, Tribremia, Ligulodiplosis), Monobremiina subtrib. n.—2 genera with 5 species (Monobremia, Shikotanodiplosis gen. n.), Aculeatodiplosina subtrib. n.—2 genera with 2 species (Aculeatodiplosis, Setodiplosis), and Triommatomyiina—3 genera with 4 species (Triommatomyia, Tingidoletes, Chanchudiplosis). New subtribes and a new genus with a new species are described. Shikotanodiplosis sundukovi gen. et sp. n. differs from Monobremia in a wide and curved aedeagus, basally swollen sclerotized hypoproct, and small basal lobes of the gonocoxites. Keys to the subtribes, genera, and species of Aphidoletini are given. The diagnoses of Aculeatodiplosis fasciata Fedotova et Sidorenko, 2005, Setodiplosis unifaria Fedotova, 2006, and Triommatomyia Mamaev, 1961 are supplemented with biometrical characters. Tribremia aphidophaga Marikovskij, 1956 is resurrected from synonyms of Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani, 1847).     

Sexual regeneration on a tropical inselberg in French Guiana: an inselberg specialist versus a species with a wider ecological amplitude

This study compares sexual regeneration of two species of Clusia L. (Clusiaceae). The two woody perennials co-occur on a neotropical inselberg in French Guiana. I studied whether the two congeners, which differ in ecological amplitudes, also differ in effectiveness of sexual regeneration and survival strategies, as suggested by previous evidence from different ecosystems. Animal dispersal, secondary removal, germination, seedling mortality and juvenile distribution were examined in an inselberg specialist (Clusia blattophila) and a species with a broader ecological amplitude (Clusia nemorosa). Habitat heterogeneity was accounted for. The two species differed in parameters of individual recruitment stages such as preservation of seed germinability, seedling mortality and juvenile distribution. C. blattophila, the inselberg specialist, suffered high losses during the whole recruitment process and had low juvenile density in spite of its large cover and dominance in the shrub patches. Survival is effected by individual persistence and supported by extensive vegetative growth. C. nemorosa has inefficient primary dispersal and high seedling mortality, but exhibits higher germination rate, higher preservation of seed germinability and numerous juveniles in the community. This suggests that sexual reproduction is important for C. nemorosa, but the ability to reproduce is limited due to the ecosystem characteristics. Microhabitat heterogeneity affected most recruitment stages, but the most suitable sites were not concordant across the recruitment stages. The highest juvenile density of both species occurred in shrub patches. From the long-term perspective of both species, this results in a limited ability to colonize open microhabitats, which may limit succession towards the edaphic climax.     

Clusia blattophila sp. nov. (Clusiaceae) from an inselberg in French Guiana

Clusia blattophila (Clusiaceae) is described as a new species. It is distinguished from related species in C. sect. Oedematopus by e.g. the relatively large and reflexed petals and from other Clusia spp. by having fewer (6–16) stamens and only four petals. Unique traits are the almost sessile inflorescence and the presence of a secretory pit at the floral apex in staminate flowers. The species grows epilithically and is known only from the Nouragues inselberg, a massive granite outcrop in eastern French Guiana. The name refers to its cockroach pollinators.     

Carbon isotope composition and mode of photosynthesis in Clusia species from Mexico

The neotropical genus Clusia comprises arborescent species exhibiting Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) as was first reported for a Mexican species, Clusia lundellii. Here, the occurrence of CAM photosynthesis was studied in 20 species of Clusia, 18 from Mexico, and 2 from Guatemala, using leaf carbon isotopic composition. In most species, samples from individuals collected in different locations were analyzed. CAM was present in at least 11 species, eight of which contained specimens with δ¹³C values less negative than −20.0 ‰, indicating strong CAM (C. chanekiana, C. flava, C. lundellii, C. mexicana, C. quadrangula, C. rosea, C. suborbicularis, and C. tetra-trianthera). δ¹³C was highly variable in some species, but CAM expression was not correlated to life form (epiphytic, hemiepiphytic, terrestrial) or habitat. CAM specimens were not collected at altitudes above 1 700 m a.s.l.     

Barriers to movement and the response of herbivores to alternative cropping patterns

Summary Clusia rosea Jacq. is a hemiepiphyte having Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). In its natural habitat Clusia begins its life cycle as an epiphyte and eventually becomes a rooted tree. These two stages of the life cycle of Clusia represent markedly different water regimes. Our CO₂ exchange, stomatal conductance, titratable acidity, and stable carbon isotope ratio measurements indicate that Clusia has a flexible photosynthetic mode, where CO₂ is fixed mostly via CAM during its epiphytic stage, when water availability is low, and via both CAM and C₃ during its rooted stage.     

Anti-bacterial function in the sexually dimorphic pollinator rewards of Clusia grandiflora (Clusiaceae)

Many species of the dioecious, neo-tropical plant genus Clusia secrete a viscous, hydrophobic resin from glandular tissues in both male and female flowers. This substance is readily gathered by meliponine and euglossine bees for whom it most often serves as the sole pollinator reward. Bees use Clusia resin as a nest-building material. As such, resin clearly serves an indispensable mechanical function. However, resins with antimicrobial properties may also serve to reduce the risk of pathogenesis in the nest. If resin-gathering apids benefit from antimicrobial properties in nesting materials and are able to discern these characteristics in the forage they gather, one might predict that the resin reward presented in Clusia could have evolved under selection for both mechanical and antimicrobial properties. In dioecious species, where females and males each present a resin reward, selection regimes may differ between the sexes with the result that resin form and function diverge. We investigated both the form and function of the male and female pollinator reward resins of Clusia grandiflora. Using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), we compared the chemical compositions of floral resins from five widely separated populations of this species growing in southeastern Venezuela. We found that male and female resins exhibited a marked chemical dimorphism, with females having two major TLC-resolvable fractions and males having seven. This dimorphism was stable: there were no component differences between populations in either sex. Using a disk-diffusion technique, we surveyed the same resins for antimicrobial activity using assay microorganisms isolated from eusocial meliponine bees. Both male and female Clusia grandiflora resins had pronounced but relatively directed antimicrobial activity: both were toxic to 10 of 11 Gram-positive bacteria, 7 of 15 Gram-negative or variably-staining bacteria, 0 of 3 yeasts, and 0 of 3 filamentous fungi. Again with the disk-diffusion technique, we performed more detailed tests of resin bioactivity using two Gram-positive honeybee associates, Paenibacillus larvae and P. alvei, as model pathogens. Both male and female C. grandiflora resins were highly toxic to these honeybee pathogens. Female resin, however, produced zones of inhibition with more than twice the mean diameter of those produced by the male resin. This divergence in form and function of the C. grandiflora pollinator reward resins could be in response to different selective regimes as mediated by the pollinating insects. Received: 19 October 1998 / Accepted: 9 February 1999     

Taxonomic study on the Phytosciara genus group (Diptera: Sciaridae) in Korea,including the description of a new species

The Phytosciara genus group (Diptera, Sciaridae: Phytosciara Frey, Dolichosciara Tuomikoski, and Prosciara Frey) are studied in the Korean peninsula. Dolichosciara koreaensis Shin & Menzel sp. n. is described and illustrated as new to science. Additionally, four species are reported as new to Korea: Dolichosciara orcina (Tuomikoski, 1960), Dolichosciara semiferruginea (Menzel, 1995), Prosciara producta (Tuomikoski, 1960), and Prosciara ussuriensis (Antonova, 1977). Identification keys are given for the genera of the Phytosciara genus group and for the Korean species of the genera Dolichosciara Tuomikoski and Prosciara Frey. The COI barcode for the new species is studied.     

Contrasting response of seedlings of two tropical species Clusia minor and Clusia multiflora to mycorrhizal inoculation in two soils with different pH

Differences in mycotrophic growth and response to phosphorus (P) fertilization were studied in seedlings of two woody native species: Clusia minor L. and Clusia multiflora H.B.K. from a cloud montane forest of tropical America. Greenhouse investigation was undertaken to determine the relationships between mycorrhizal dependency of host species associated with P utilization and growth in two different soils contrasting in pH (acidic and neutral) and nutrient content. Four treatments were performed: sterilized soil; sterilized soil plus 375 mg/kg of triple superphosphate (TSP); sterilized soil inoculated with Scutellospora fulgida (20 g/pot); and sterilized soil plus S. fulgida and TSP, with 10 replications per treatment for the two species. Results showed that both Clusia species presented high growth response to increasing P availability, which indicates that the root morphology (magnolioid roots) of these species is not a limiting factor for the incorporation of P from soils. Plants inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in acidic soil had significantly increased shoot and root biomass, leaf area and height, in comparison to the biomass of P-fertilized plants and nonmycorrhizal plants. In neutral soil, seedlings of C. minor and C. multiflora were negatively affected by inoculation with AMF. In contrast, a significant decrease in growth was observed when inoculated plants were compared with noninoculated plants on neutral soil. Results indicate that an increase in the availability of a limiting nutrient (P) can turn a balanced mutualistic relationship into a less balanced nonmutualistic one.     

Three species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heteromazocraes</Emphasis> Mamaev, 1981 (Monogenea: Mazocraeidae), including two new species from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thryssa</Emphasis> spp. (Teleostei: Engraulidae) off Visakhapatnam coast,Bay of Bengal

Three species of Heteromazocraes Mamaev, 1981 including two new taxa are described from the gills of three species of engraulid fishes Thryssa mystax (Bloch & Schneider), T. setirostris (Broussonet) and T. malabarica (Bloch) collected from the coastal waters off Visakhapatnam, Bay of Bengal. Heteromazocraes thryssaensis n. sp. differs from the closely related H. dodecacantha Mamaev, 1981 in the shape of the body and ovary, the number of testes and the number and shape of the genital hooks. Heteromazocraes engrauliae n. sp. differs from all the other species of the genus in the relative sizes of the haptoral clamps, in that the four closed clamps on the left side are larger than the two open clamps on the right side, in contrast to the situation in other species where the two open clamps on the anterior right side are markedly larger than the remaining clamps. Heteromazocraes kazikodiensis (Gupta & Khullar, 1967) Mamaev, 1981 regarded as a species inquirenda is redescribed with additional details and is reinstated as a valid species. A review of Heteromazocraes including a key for identification of the species is provided.     

Flower development and anatomy of Clusia valerioi,a Central American species of Clusiaceae offering floral resin

The present paper is part of a study dealing with various aspects of reproduction of two Costa Rican Clusia species offering resin as a floral reward. It provides data on the floral development and flower (especially stamen and staminode) anatomy of one of the species, Clusia valerioi. In the early stages, both male and female flowers develop in the same manner. The bracts are distinguished by a decussate arrangement from the five sepals and five petals, which emerge in a spiral manner. In the male flowers the apical meristem forms five meristematic mounds (common stamen primordia) that are pentagonally arranged around the apical meristem in epipetalous position. From these mounds, the primordia of the proper stamina emerge in 3–5 whorls. Direction is centrifugal. In the centre, five hemispherical bulges arise which develop into carpel primordia. These, however, cease growth, stay rudimentary and are hidden by the stamens in the mature male flower. The adult stamens consist mainly of a thick angular filament column, while the two anthers situated at the flattened top are very small. One anther is annular and surrounds a second, hemispherical one right in the centre. At the periphery, these two pollen sacs (provided with a distinct wall of customary anatomy) are surrounded by a ring-like protuberance of the filament. The resin canals are situated at the periphery of the filament. Their schizogenous development is documented in cross sections. At anthesis, the resin is released from the ring-like filament protuberance by burst of the single-layered epidermis. In the female flower, the five meristematic mounds produce two whorls of staminode primordia. The development of the staminodes does not essentially differ from that of the fertile stamens, but some staminodes lack the central pollen sac and the other tissues do not develop into pollen grains. An attempt is made to derive the peculiar stamen morphology of Clusia valerioi and similar species from conventional stamens. Three hypotheses are proposed and discussed.     

Characterisation of the effects of leaf galls of Clusiamyia nitida (Cecidomyiidae) on Clusia lanceolata Cambess. (Clusiaceae): Anatomical aspects and chemical analysis of essential oil

Galls develop in different plant organs and are induced by the activity of various organisms. Some studies have investigated the ecological interactions between species of Clusia and gall-inducing insects. The goal of our study is to characterise changes in leaf anatomy caused by the activity of gall insects in Clusia lanceolata. Additionally, we also investigated the chemical composition of volatile compounds of normal leaves and those with galls to detect possible effects on the host plants. For anatomical studies, we used botanical material fixed in FAA₅₀. Transversal sections of the leaf blade were obtained from samples of leaves located on the third and fourth nodes from both male and female individuals. Material was studied from both sexes both with unaffected leaves and leaves containing galls. Fresh leaves of C. lanceolata were used for the extraction of volatile compounds, which were submitted to stem distillation using a modified Clevenger apparatus determining the oil yields subsequently (w/w). The unaffected leaves of female and male individuals of C. lanceolata exhibit similar anatomical structures. However, galls on leaves of both sexes show anatomical differences. The activity of the gall insect Clusiamyia nitida induces several changes in the foliar anatomy and the distribution of metabolic compounds in new tissues during gall development. However, the larvae are not able to induce significant changes in the volatile compounds of inflected leaves from male and female individuals.     

Naturalized Orchid Bee Pollinates Resin‐reward Flowers in Florida: Novel and Known Mutualisms

Females of an orchid bee, Euglossa viridissima, recently naturalized in southern Florida, routinely collect resin to construct their brood cells from the flowers of two Clusia (Clusiaceae) and two Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae) species. We demonstrated that the bee pollinates three of these species including: (1) the newly naturalized D. scandens, which it pollinates in Mexico; (2) the ornamental D. aristolochiifolia native to Peru; and (3) the ornamental C. lanceolata native to Brazil, but not the apomictic Clusia rosea native to Florida. Field observations indicated that the bee promotes outcrossing in a naturalized D. scandens population. Comparisons of fruit set between unmanipulated control flowers and flowers supplemented with additional pollen indicated that the presence of bee eliminates pollen limitation for cultivated C. lanceolata. The orchid bee's pollination of ornamental resin‐reward plants may promote their naturalization.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis><Superscript>13</Superscript>C values and crassulacean acid metabolism in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clusia</Emphasis> species from Panama

The genus Clusia is notable in that it contains arborescent crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants. As part of a study of CAM in Clusia, titratable acidities were measured in 25 species and ¹³C values were measured for 38 species from Panamá, including seven undescribed species, and 11 species from Colombia, Costa Rica and Honduras. CAM was detected in 12 species. Clusia flava, C. rosea and C. uvitana exhibited ¹³C values or diurnal fluctuations in acidity indicative of strong CAM. In C. croatii, C. cylindrica, C. fructiangusta, C. lineata, C. odorata, C. pratensis, C. quadrangula, C. valerioi and C. sp. D diurnal fluctuations in acidity were consistent with weak CAM but the ¹³C values were C₃-like. All of the species that exhibited strong or weak CAM were in the C. flava or C. minor species groups. CAM was not detected in any member of the C. multiflora species group. Strong CAM species were not collected at altitudes above 680 m a.s.l. On the basis of ¹³C values, the expression of CAM was similar in terrestrial, hemi-epiphytic and epiphytic species and did not differ between individuals of the same species that exhibited different life-forms. This study indicates that phylogenetic affiliation may be a predictor of an ability to exhibit CAM in Clusia species from the Panamanian region, and that weak CAM is probably a common photosynthetic option in many Clusia species. ¹³C value is not a particularly good indicator of a potential of Clusia species growing in the field to exhibit CAM because it appears that the contribution in most species of CAM to carbon gain is generally rather small when integrated over the life-time of leaves.     

Korean indigenous bacterial species with valid names belonging to the phylum <Emphasis Type="Italic">Actinobacteria</Emphasis>

To understand the isolation and classification state of actinobacterial species with valid names for Korean indigenous isolates, isolation source, regional origin, and taxonomic affiliation of the isolates were studied. At the time of this writing, the phylum Actinobacteria consisted of only one class, Actinobacteria, including five subclasses, 10 orders, 56 families, and 330 genera. Moreover, new taxa of this phylum continue to be discovered. Korean actinobacterial species with a valid name has been reported from 1995 as Tsukamurella inchonensis isolated from a clinical specimen. In 1997, Streptomyces seoulensis was validated with the isolate from the natural Korean environment. Until Feb. 2016, 256 actinobacterial species with valid names originated from Korean territory were listed on LPSN. The species were affiliated with three subclasses (Acidimicrobidae, Actinobacteridae, and Rubrobacteridae), four orders (Acidimicrobiales, Actinomycetales, Bifidobacteriales, and Solirubrobacterales), 12 suborders, 36 families, and 93 genera. Most of the species belonged to the subclass Actinobacteridae, and almost of the members of this subclass were affiliated with the order Actinomycetales. A number of novel isolates belonged to the families Nocardioidaceae, Microbacteriaceae, Intrasporangiaceae, and Streptomycetaceae as well as the genera Nocardioides, Streptomyces, and Microbacterium. Twenty-six novel genera and one novel family, Motilibacteraceae, were created first with Korean indigenous isolates. Most of the Korean indigenous actionobacterial species were isolated from natural environments such as soil, seawater, tidal flat sediment, and fresh-water. A considerable number of species were isolated from artificial resources such as fermented foods, wastewater, compost, biofilm, and water-cooling systems or clinical specimens. Korean indigenous actinobacterial species were isolated from whole territory of Korea, and especially a large number of species were from Jeju, Gyeonggi, Jeonnam, Daejeon, and Chungnam. A large number of novel actinobacterial species continue to be discovered since the Korean government is encouraging the search for new bacterial species and researchers are endeavoring to find out novel strains from extreme or untapped environments.