On the First Finds of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Djanaliparkinsonia</Emphasis> (Stephanoceratidae,Ammonoidea) in the Upper Bajocian of the Northern Caucasus

The genus Djanaliparkinsonia Kutuzova, 1975 was originally described as an endemic subgenus of the genus Parkinsonia (family Parkinsoniidae of the superfamily Perisphinctoidea) from the Upper Bajocian (middle member of the Degibadam Formation) of the Gissar Range (Uzbekistan). A new species D. alanica sp. nov. is established from the Upper Bajocian Garantiana garantiana Zone (upper member of the Djangura Formation) based on occurrences in the Northern Caucasus (Karachay-Cherkessia). Macroconchs and microconchs of the new species are described from the two localities on the Kuban and Kyafar rivers. Djanaliparkinsonia sp. is identified from the lower subzone of the Parkinsonia parkinsoni Zone of the Kyafar River. The species composition and geographic range of Djanaliparkinsonia are expanded: a species previously described from Germany as Garantiana bentzi Wetzel, 1954 also assigned to the genus. The genus Djanaliparkinsonia is assigned to the subfamily Garantianinae of the family Stephanoceratidae (superfamily Stephanoceratoidea).     

An Upper Pliocene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Equisetum</Emphasis> (Equisetales) from the Atotonilco El Grande Formation in Central Mexico

The present work documents the occurrence of Equisetum in the Upper Pliocene deposits of Central Mexico, describing and comparing fossil taxa with modern specimens. All taxonomic characters suggest a close affinity to the modern species Equisetum myriochaetum Schldl. et Cham. This work, which records the first Upper Pliocene occurrence of Equisetum in Central Mexico, confirms the wide distribution of the genus in high latitudes and more humid climates.     

A new caddisfly of the fossil genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Archaeotinodes</Emphasis> (Insecta: Trichoptera: Ecnomidae) from the Baltic amber

A new caddisfly species of the fossil genus Archaeotinodes, A. igneusaper sp. nov., is described from the Upper Eocene Baltic amber. The new species is close to A. pauper Ulmer, 1912 and A. lanceolata Ulmer, 1912 from the Baltic amber, differing from these in the structure of the male genitalia.     

Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eckhardites</Emphasis> Mitta (Cardioceratidae,Ammonoidea) from the Lower Callovian of the subboreal Jurassic

The genus Eckhardites Mitta 1999, with the type species Macrocephalites pavlowi Smorodina, 1928 is discussed and its diagnosis and assignment to the family Cardioceratidae are substantiated. Eckhardites is compared to the genus Macrocephalites Zittel (family Sphaeroceratidae), to which some workers presently assign the type species of Eckhardites. Three species of Eckhardites are recorded from the basal Callovian elatmae Zone of the Russian Platform, one of which (E. menzeli (Mönnig)) was originally described from the synchronous beds in Germany. A new species E. dietli sp. nov. is described.     

Revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scoliocystis</Emphasis> (Rhombifera: Echinoencrinitidae) and related cystoid genera

Species attributed to Scoliocystis Jaekel, 1899, including the type species S. pumila (Eichwald, 1860) and S. thersites Jaekel, 1899 from the Ordovician of the Leningrad Region, are reviewed. Scoliocystis sp. from the Upper Ordovician of Estonia, figured by Hecker (1964), is redescribed as Maennilocystis heckeri gen. et sp. nov. and it is attributed to the family Callocystitidae Bernard, 1895. The genus Scoliocystis is intermediate between the families Cheirocrinidae and Echinoencrinitidae in having five periproct border plates (as in cheirocrinids), but lacking plate R5 and having a reduced oral area, as in echinoencrinitids, but is retained in the Echinoencrinitidae. The similarity of Scoliocystis to the unusual North American cheirocrinid genus Sprinkleocystis is convergent. The genus Gonocrinites Eichwald, 1840, with two species, is restored among echinoencrinitids, as having four periproct border plates, whereas Echinoencrinites sensu stricto has three. The families Echinoencrinitidae and Callocystitidae arose from cheirocrinids with closed plate circlets by the loss of plate R5 and substitution of radial:lateral for radial:radial pectinirhombs. In addition, echinoencrinitids are characterized by a reduced oral area, whereas in callocystitids, the recumbent ambulacra are extensive. Scoliocystis is a stem-group genus to Echinoencrinitidae plus Callocystitidae. Several glyptocystitoid genera independently developed advanced pectinirhombs.     

The genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Keppleritiana</Emphasis> gen. nov. (Stephanoceratidae,Ammonoidea) from the Upper Bajocian of the Northern Caucasus

A new ammonite genus of the subfamily Garantianinae, family Stephanoceratidae, from the Upper Bajocian Strenoceras niortense Zone in the Bolshoi Zelenchuk River basin (Karachay-Cherkessia), with two new species from two different localities, is established. The type species Keppleritiana rostovtsevi gen. et sp. nov. is homeomorphic to some species of the Upper Bathonian–Lower Callovian genus Kepplerites (Fam. Kosmoceratidae) but is distinguished by the presence of a ventral furrow in adults. An isolated valve of an aptychus possibly belonging to this species is illustrated. Keppleritiana graebensteini sp. nov. has a more archaic morphology and is apparently ancestral to the type species. The macroconchs and microconchs of both species are described.     

To the knowledge of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphecodes hyalinatus</Emphasis> Hagens species-group (Hymenoptera,Halictidae)

Five species of the hyalinatus species-group of the genus Sphecodes Latreille 1804 (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) are reviewed. Sphecodes maruyamanus Tsuneki and S. murotai Tsuneki are found in Russia for the first time, and S. hyalinatus Hagens is newly recorded from the Kuril Islands (Kunashir). Illustrated keys to males and females of all the species of the S. hyalinatus species-group are provided. An updated checklist of 37 species of the genus Sphecodes is given.     

Morphology and variability of pollen of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spiraea</Emphasis> L. (Rosaceae) in Siberia and the Far East

Pollen of 12 species of the genus Spirea L. growing in different regions of Siberia and the Far East was investigated. The ultrasculpture of pollen grains is described. On the basis of aperture morphology and exine sculpture, pollen grains are typified, with key indices given for their identification. The species of the Spiraria section are distinguished by large grains. Pollen grains of S. media and S. alpina considerably vary in size. The level of natural polymorphism of palynological indices has been established.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Orientosirenites</Emphasis>, a New Ammonoid Genus (Sirenitidae; Ammonoidea) from the Upper Carnian of the Boreal Realm

The ammonoid family Sirenitidae from the Upper Carnian yakutensis Zone of northern Middle Siberia and Northeastern Asia is revised. A new genus Orientosirenites gen. nov. with the type species O. bytschkovi sp. nov. is established based on the study of the main morphological characters of the shell. The new genus and the species O. bytschkovi are described and the species O. yakutensis (Kiparisova) is redescribed. The new data allow the taxonomic composition and the distribution of the Carnian ammonoids of the Boreal Realm to be updated.     

Evolutionary relationships in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale</Emphasis> revealed by DArTseq DNA polymorphism

Till this day, there is not much known about the phylogeny of the Secale genus; therefore, in our research, we tried to shed some lights on the issue of rye (Secale genus) taxonomy. The genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships were evaluated using 13,842 DArTseq? polymorphic markers. The model-based clustering (STRUCTURE software) separated our 84 samples into three main clusters: perennial cluster, annual cluster, and S. sylvestre cluster. The same result was obtained using Neighbour Joining tree and self-organizing maps. Secale sylvestre, S. strictum, and S. cereale are the three main species of the Secale genus. Three samples of rye are in basal positions in phylogenetic trees. These accessions share ancient morphological characters and are probably the ancestors of different lineages within Secale. Annual Secale taxa, with the exception of S. sylvestre, create one mutual taxon. We have found out that the semi-perennial taxa of S. cereale var. multicaule and S. strictum subsp. ciliatoglume are genetically closest to the annual species of S. cereale. Phylogenetic signals for semi-perennial and annual taxa are also present in S. strictum subsp. africanum. SNP-based analysis revealed that evolution of annual S. cereale has already begun in S. strictum subsp. africanum. The results showed that S. vavilovii cannot be considered as a separate species but a subspecies of S. cereale Secale cereale subsp. dighoricum is a hybrid. It is still not clear whether we can consider S. strictum subsp. strictum and S. strictum subsp. kuprijanovii as two separate species.     

The ammonoid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spiroceras</Emphasis> (Spiroceratidae,Ammonoidea) from the Upper Bajocian of the Northern Caucasus

Ammonites of the genus Spiroceras are described from the Upper Bajocian of the Kyafar River Basin (Karachay-Cherkessia), including macroconchs with preserved apertures and (for the first time in the entire history of the study of Middle Jurassic heteromorphs) microconchs with lateral lappets. The microconchs of S. bispinatum (Baugier et Sauzé), mainly represented by cyrtocones with one ventral row of nodes, correspond to microconchs with a gyroconic shell and a single row of nodes. Macroconchs and microconchs of S. annulatum (Deshayes), the ribs of which lack prominent nodes or spines, are found together. The assemblage also contains small-sized slightly uncoiled shells of Spiroceras aff. S. fourneti Roman et Pétouraud with widely spaced ribs and two prominent rows of large nodes, presumably macro- and microconchs. The ornamentation of this species resembles that of the monomorph Bajocia rarinoda Sturani from the upper part of the Lower Bajocian; perhaps the latter was ancestral to the Middle Jurassic heteromorph. The above species of Spiroceras, as well as S. obliquecostatum (Quenstedt), are figured.     

New species of the pelecypod genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassatella</Emphasis> (Bivalvia) from the Upper Eocene of Dnepropetrovsk,Ukraine

Two new species of the genus Crassatella, C. imitatoris sp. nov. and C. pseudolamellosa sp. nov., from Upper Eocene detrital sands of the Rybal’sky quarry of Dnepropetrovsk are described. The species Crassatella oblongula Klushnikov, 1958 is redescribed as a variety.     

New Species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassatina</Emphasis> (Bivalvia) from the Middle and Upper Eocene of Ukraine

Representatives of the genus Crassatina from the Upper Eocene Mandrikovka Beds in the vicinity of Dnepr (former Dnepropetrovsk) are discussed and figured. From the Mandrikovka assemblage, two new species, C. conquisita and C. insolita, are described. One more new species, C. subcostata, is described from the Middle Eocene deposits of southern suburbs of Krivoi Rog. Two species, C. raricostata (Klushnikov) and C. expolita (Klushnikov), which were originally established as varieties, are redescribed and their species rank is substantiated.     

Structural Diversity and State of Knowledge of Flavonoids of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scutellaria</Emphasis> L. Genus

The review presents the results of scientometric analysis of data on the level of study and chemical diversity of flavonoids of the Scutellaria L. genus species of the world’s flora. Flavonoid composition in 63 species of skullcap is reported, together with the data on distribution in plants, structure, and sources of 301 flavonoids belonging to the groups of flavones, flavanones, flavanonols, flavonols, chalcones, isoflavones, flavolignans, and bioflavonoids. The greatest number of flavonoids was shown to be isolated from plants of S. indica, S. baicalensis, S. barbata, S. amoena, S. prostrata, S. galericulata, S. discolor, S. ramosissima, and S. supina. Scientometric studies indicate the constantly growing interest in the study of species of the Scutellaria L. genus by scientists of various branches of science, including phytochemists, biologists, and pharmacologists. Information provided in the review can be used to address issues of chemosystematics of plants of the Scutellaria L. genus.     

The Antioxidant Activity of the Russian Far East Representatives of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spiraea</Emphasis> L. (Rosaceae Juss.) Genus

Biologically active substances and antioxidant activity of extracts from leaves and inflorescences of nine representatives of the genus Spiraea L. growing on the territory of the Far East of Russia were investigated. Widespread species of the genus Spiraea (S. salicifolia, S. media var. media, S. betulifolia and S. ussuriensis subsp. ussuriensis) have the highest levels of biologically active substances. The inflorescences of spiraeas there contain more flavonols (up to 3.9%), oxycinnamic acids (up to 1.2%), catechins (up to 5.7%) and saponins (up to 5.1%) compared to their leaves, and there are more tannins (up to 11.6%) in the leaves. Among the Far Eastern representatives of the genus Spiraea, S. betulifolia and S. beauverdiana (section Calospira), S. humilis and S. salicifolia (section Spiraria), S. pubescens and S. media var. media (section Chamaedryon) are promising antioxidants. Plants of the genus Spiraea probably contain water-soluble antioxidant compounds of phenolic type, because the antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts in the leaves and inflorescences of spiraeas is higher (0.16–2.79 mg/g) than that of water-alcoholic compounds (0.06–2.54 mg/g). The antioxidant activity in the leaves of spiraeas is generally higher than that in the inflorescence. A reliable positive correlation is observed between the antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from the organs of spiraeas and a content of oxycinnamic acids.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Malassezia</Emphasis> spp. in Acoustic Meatus of Bats (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Molossus molossus</Emphasis>) of the Amazon Region,Brazil

The yeasts of the Malassezia genus are opportunistic microorganisms and can cause human and animal infections. They are commonly isolated from the skin and auricular canal of mammalians, mainly dogs and cats. The present study was aimed to isolate Malassezia spp. from the acoustic meatus of bats (Molossus molossus) in the Montenegro region, “Rondônia”, Brazil. From a total of 30 bats studied Malassezia spp. were isolated in 24 (80%) animals, the breakdown by species being as follows (one Malassezia sp. per bat, N = 24): 15 (62.5%) M. pachydermatis, 5 (20.8%) M. furfur, 3 (12.5%) M. globosa and 1 (4.2%) M. sympodialis. This study establishes a new host and anatomic place for Malassezia spp., as it presents the first report ever of the isolation of this genus of yeasts in the acoustic meatus of bats.