A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Symplocos</Emphasis> (Symplocaceae) from the Itatiaia Plateau of Brazil

Symplocos minima, a new species of Symplocos section Hopea from the Itatiaia Plateau in the Atlantic Rain Forest biome of southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. This species is distinguished by its densely compact shrubby habit, ascending leaves, fasciculate inflorescences with several persistent bracts, corolla with five to six erect lobes, pistillate flowers with the disc not thickened along the margin, fruiting calyx lobes obscuring the disc, and seeds sub-orbicular in cross section. The new species is morphologically related to S. itatiaiae and S. pentandra, but can be differenciated from them mainly due to the tree habit and fruiting calyx lobes not obscuring the disc in S. itatiaiae and the pistillate flowers with a disc that is thickened along the margin in S. pentandra.     

Two new species of Mussaenda (Rubiaceae) from Panay Island,Philippines

Two new species of Mussaenda (Rubiaceae) from Aklan, Panay, Philippines are described and illustrated. Mussaenda ustii sp. nov. is distinct by its long pedicel (up to 7 mm), yellow with white margins corolla lobes forming a star and recurved stigma lobes which are always semi‐ or distinctly exserted in long‐styled morphs. Mussaenda viridiflora sp. nov. is characterized by its white, sweet‐scented corolla lobes, which are green tinged on the median ridges and bases, and strongly reflexed calyx lobes. A discussion of the relationships of the new taxa to closely related Philippine Mussaenda is provided. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 87–92.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Leandra altomacaensis</Emphasis> (Melastomataceae), a new species from Brazil

Leandra altomacaensis (sect. Oxymeris), a new endemic species of Melastomataceae from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described and illustrated. Diagnostic characteristics of the species are the leaves sparsely stellulate-lepidote, triplinerved, and calyx lobes small, with apex acute-apiculate. Leandra gracilis var. glazioviana is proposed as a synonym of this new species.     

Brain anatomy of the marine tardigrade actinarctus doryphorus (arthrotardigrada)

Knowledge of tardigrade brain structure is important for resolving the phylogenetic relationships of Tardigrada. Here, we present new insight into the morphology of the brain in a marine arthrotardigrade, Actinarctus doryphorus, based on transmission electron microscopy, supported by scanning electron microscopy, conventional light microscopy as well as confocal laser scanning microscopy. Arthrotardigrades contain a large number of plesiomorphic characters and likely represent ancestral tardigrades. They often have segmented body outlines and each trunk segment, with its paired set of legs, may have up to five sensory appendages. Noticeably, the head carries numerous cephalic appendages that are structurally equivalent to the sensory appendages of the trunk segments. Our data reveal that the brain of A. doryphorus is partitioned into three paired lobes, and that these lobes exhibit a more pronounced separation as compared to that of eutardigrades. The first brain lobe in A. doryphorus is located anteriodorsally, with the second lobe just below it in an anterioventral position. Both of these two paired lobes are located anterior to the buccal tube. The third pair of brain lobes are situated posterioventrally to the first two lobes, and flank the buccal tube. In addition, A. doryphorus possesses a subpharyngeal ganglion, which is connected with the first of the four ventral trunk ganglia. The first and second brain lobes in A. doryphorus innervate the clavae and cirri of the head. The innervations of these structures indicate a homology between, respectively, the clavae and cirri of A. doryphorus and the temporalia and papilla cephalica of eutardigrades. The third brain lobes innervate the buccal lamella and the stylets as described for eutardigrades. Collectively, these findings suggest that the head region of extant tardigrades is the result of cephalization of multiple segments. Our results on the brain anatomy of Actinarctus doryphorus support the monophyly of Panarthropoda. J. Morphol. 275:173–190, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

On the larval morphology and ecology of the limoniid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microlimonia machidai</Emphasis> (Diptera,Limoniidae)

The morphology of Microlimonia machidai (Al.) larvae is described for the first time. The main diagnostic characters are the following: the presence of five well-developed stigmal lobes, which are sclerotized internally; the massive head capsule with a short frontal plate; the presence of creeping welts on abdominal segments III-VII and the absence of cone-like tooth on the anterior margin of the labium and hypopharynx. The most typical habitat is the juicy bast fibers in decaying trunks of coniferous and deciduous trees.     

Revision of the wobbegong genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orectolobus</Emphasis> from Japan,with a redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orectolobus japonicus</Emphasis> (Elasmobranchii: Orectolobiformes)

The wobbegong genus Orectolobus occurring from Japan and its adjacent waters was reviewed, and O. japonicus was redescribed using ten specimens including a syntype. Only one species, O. japonicus, was regarded as valid among three species previously recorded from Japan. Orectolobus maculatus had been erroneously described from Japan because of the past nomenclatural confusion with O. japonicus. The specimen called “Karakusa-oose,” which had been identified with O. ornatus, was regarded as an irregular form of O. japonicus. Orectolobus japonicus was distinguished from the other congeners by having no tubercles on the body, five to eight dermal lobes in the preorbital group, two distally notched lobes in the postspiracular group, no dermal lobes on lower jaw, nasal barbel with a branch, no supraocular knob, relatively high dorsal fins with usually concave posterior margins, a lower number of precaudal vertebrae and intestinal valve turns, saddles on the back without black borders and yellowish and variously shaped blotches, not forming white O-shaped spots.     

Cordiera longicaudata sp. nov. and Duroia valesca sp. nov. of the Alibertia group (Gardenieae–Rubiaceae)

Two neotropical species of the Alibertia group (Gardenieae–Rubiaceae) are described and illustrated. Cordiera longicaudata C. Persson & Delprete sp. nov. occurs in Panama and northwestern Ecuador (Awá Reserve) and is characterized by its long drip tips and glabrous to minutely puberulent corollas. Duroia valesca C. Persson & Delprete sp. nov. is from the Atlantic forest of Brazil (states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais) and is distinguished by its heteromorphic calyx lobes that are large, 13–15×7–8 mm, elliptic and contorted in female flowers, whereas the calyx lobes of the male flowers are 3–5×1–2 mm and narrowly triangular.     

Re‐evolution of a morphological precursor of crypsis investment in the newly revised horned praying mantises (Insecta,Mantodea, Vatinae)

The Neotropical praying mantis tribe Vatini Stål is revised using total evidence phylogenetic analysis based on molecular and coded morphological data. The subfamily Vatinae is redefined to only include Neotropical taxa with the removal of distantly related African and Asian lineages. A new tribe is erected under Vatinae (Heterovatini trib.n. ) for two unique genera with historically unstable taxonomic placement (Heterovates Saussure and Chopardiella Giglio‐Tos). Phylogenetic results and morphology support the synonymy of three genera (Lobovates Deeleman‐Reinhold, Phyllovates Kirby, and Hagiotata Saussure & Zehntner) and the validity of Chopardiella Giglio‐Tos, Heterovates Saussure, Callivates Roy, Pseudovates Saussure, Vates Burmeister, and Zoolea Audinet Serville. A new genus (Alangularis gen.n. ) is created for a former species of Vates with unique morphology and separate phylogenetic placement. All genera are redescribed based on external morphology and the male genital complex. A key to genera for Vatinae is provided with dorsal habitus images of representatives for each genus. A distinct pattern of correlated evolution of morphological characters linked to crypsis was uncovered. Cuticular leg lobes within single leg segments are evolving as sets, and serially homologous lobes appear simultaneously or in close succession. The posteroventral lobes in the apical position on thoracic femora appear to be the precursors to multiple positive rate shifts in the evolutionary accumulation of cryptic features. One shift occurred early in the evolution of Vatinae while the second occurred much later, after the loss and re‐evolution of the posteroventral lobes in the apical position on thoracic femora, a violation of Dollo's law. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:724C16AF-069A-46A1-B66C-007D8DE18C68 .     

Spiradiclis quanzhouensis sp. nov. (Rubiaceae) from a limestone area in Guangxi,China

Spiradiclis quanzhouensis, a new species of Rubiaceae from northeastern Guangxi, China is described and illustrated. It is similar to S. umbelliformis, but can be distinguished by its rosulate habit, subglabrous stems, leaf blades that are pubescent on both surfaces, lanceolate purple‐pubescent stipules that are undivided or sometimes bifid in apical 1/3, an inflorescence with 2–4 flowers, lanceolate 4–5 mm long calyx lobes that are purple‐pubescent outside, a salveriform corolla that is light purple‐pubescent outside, a semi‐inferior ovary, and capsules that are light purple‐pubescent with persistent calyx lobes 5–6 mm, in fruit 2 × as long as capsule.     

TIME-LAPSE PHOTOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS OF MORPHOGENESIS IN ROOT NODULES OF COMPTONIA PEREGRINA (MYRICACEAE)

Seedlings of the sweet fern Comptonia peregrina (L.) Coult. were grown aeroponically with their roots bathed in a nutrient mist lacking nitrogen except for 10 ppm N at the outset. The initiation and early development of root nodules capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen were recorded with time-lapse photography through early development to the establishment of highly branched, roughly spherical nodules. In Comptonia multiple primary nodule lobes are formed at or near the site of infection with as many as 10 primary lobes occurring together. On the shoulders of the swollen primary lobes new primordia develop, forming secondary nodule lobes, which may persist without nodule root elongation, giving a coralloid appearance. The tips of the lobes may elongate, forming nodule roots which grow vertically upward, or, if disturbed, in random orientation. Nodule roots occasionally form lateral roots. The root axis upon which the nodule forms undergoes secondary thickening on the proximal side of the nodule attachment; the distal portion of the root shows no secondary thickening and later atrophies. Thus, nodules are perennial structures on a woody root system. The endophyte infects and occupies the basal cortical tissues of the primary nodule lobes and successive nodule lobes as they are formed, being restricted to the swollen bases and not infecting the elongate nodule roots. Development of the nodule is interpreted in terms of complex host-endophyte interactions involving the initiation of multiple primordia forming nodule lobes, the active inhibition of nodule lobes and finally nodule root elongation. Anatomical evidence for the endogenous origin of nodule primordium formation substantiates the view obtained from time-lapse photomacrography.     

Monthly fluctuations in radial growth of individual lobes of the lichenParmelia conspersa (Erhr. ex Ach.) Ach.

The radial growth (RG) of 120 lobes from 35 thalli of the foliose lichenParmelia conspersa (Ehrh. ex Ach.) Ach. was studied monthly over 22 months in south Gwynedd, Wales, UK. Autocorrelation analysis of each lobe identified three patterns of fluctuation: I) random fluctuations (58% of lobes), 2) a cyclic pattern of growth (23% of lobes), and 3) fluctuating growth interrupted by longer periods of very low or zero growth (19% of lobes). In 80% of thalli, two or three patterns of fluctuation were present within the same thallus. Growth fluctuations were correlated with climatic variables in 31% of lobes, most commonly with either total rainfall or number of rain days per month. Lobes correlated with climate were not associated with a particular type of growth fluctuation. RG of a lobe was positively correlated with the degree of bifurcation of the lobe tip. It is hypothesised that lobes ofP. conspersa exhibit a cyclic pattern of growth due in part to lobe division. The effects of climate, periods of zero growth, and microvariationsin the environment of a lobe are superimposed on this cyclic pattern resulting in the random growth of many lobes. Random growth fluctuations may contribute to the maintenance of thallus symmetry inP. conspersa.     

Floral organogenesis of Chloranthus sessilifolius, with special emphasis on the morphological nature of the androecium of Chloranthus (Chloranthaceae)

 Floral organogenesis of Chloranthus sessilifolius K. F. Wu is described. The inflorescence primordium is dome-like in the beginning and then elongates, and bract primordia initiate almost decussately. Each floral primordium, arising from the axil of a bract, soon becomes a scale-like structure, with three primordia of androecial lobes originating from its abaxial part, and the gynoecial primordium in adaxial position. As the androecial lobes become more distinct, four thecae are already in differentiation, and the gynoecial primordium appears as a shallow disc. The androecial lobes do not extend their length until the thecae approach maturity and the stigma is differentiated. The androecial lobes are united at all the stages of development, and the entire androecium falls off as a unit at the end of anthesis. Based on these results, combined with published evidence from neobotany, palaeobotany and phylogenetic studies, the morphological nature of the androecium of Chloranthus is further discussed. Our studies support the viewpoint that the androecial structure of Chloranthus may have arisen by splitting of a single stamen with 2 marginal thecae. Received May 2, 2001 Accepted December 18, 2001     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dioscorea orangeana</Emphasis> (Dioscoreaceae), a new and threatened species of edible yam from northern Madagascar

A new species of yam (Dioscorea orangeana Wilkin) is described and illustrated. It differs from D. comorensis R.Knuth by having undulate leaf margins and a broader torus and tepals in both the male and female flowers. In female flowers of D. orangeana the floral stipe between the ovary and the torus is shorter than in D. comorensis. The tuber morphology of the species is atypical among Malagasy species in that there are several digitate lobes rather than a single tuber per growing season, although more research is needed on tuber morphology. D. orangeana is reported to be edible. It is endemic to the Forêt d’Orangea near Diego Suarez (Antsiranana) in Antsiranana Préfecture. Its conservation and sustainable use are thus matters of concern.     

Structural characterization of the NAP; the major adhesion complex of the human pathogen Mycoplasma genitalium

Mycoplasma genitalium, the causative agent of non‐gonococcal urethritis and pelvic inflammatory disease in humans, is a small eubacterium that lacks a peptidoglycan cell wall. On the surface of its plasma membrane is the major surface adhesion complex, known as NAP that is essential for adhesion and gliding motility of the organism. Here, we have performed cryo‐electron tomography of intact cells and detergent permeabilized M. genitalium cell aggregates, providing sub‐tomogram averages of free and cell‐attached NAPs respectively, revealing a tetrameric complex with two‐fold rotational (C2) symmetry. Each NAP has two pairs of globular lobes (named α and β lobes), arranged as a dimer of heterodimers with each lobe connected by a stalk to the cell membrane. The β lobes are larger than the α lobes by 20%. Classification of NAPs showed that the complex can tilt with respect to the cell membrane. A protein complex containing exclusively the proteins P140 and P110, was purified from M. genitalium and was structurally characterized by negative‐stain single particle EM reconstruction. The close structural similarity found between intact NAPs and the isolated P140/P110 complexes, shows that dimers of P140/P110 heterodimers are the only components of the extracellular region of intact NAPs in M. genitalium.     

Malformations of the genitalia in male Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Phlebotomus papatasi ( Scopoli, 1786 ) (Diptera: Psychodidae) is a major vector of Leishmania major (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), a causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Morphological characters of sand fly genitalia are key indicators for species identification. Various anomalies affecting male genitalia have been previously described. We take advantage of a large sand flies survey conducted in 32 stations in Central and Southern Morocco to systematically quantify the prevalence and spatial distribution of malformations affecting the genitalia of P. papatasi. Among 597 examined males, 122 were abnormal (20.4%). Malformations were widespread and largely concerned the number of spines in the lateral lobes and in the styles. Asymmetrical anomalies in lateral lobes were common. Correspondence analysis of our results highlighted the symmetrical anomalies observed in the lateral lobes, and abnormal styles of the male genitalia were found to be associated with environmental disturbances since they were prevalent in sewage dumps.     

Functional anatomy of the secondary copulatory apparatus of the male dragonfly Tramea virginia (Odonata: Anisoptera)

In the dragonfly Tramea virginia, the secondary copularoty apparatus (SCA) on the venter of the second and third abdominal segments consists of the anterior and posterior laminae, a pair of gential lobes and hamules, the ligula, genital fossa, supporting frame work, and the four segmented, highly specialized penis. The penis head represnts the distal or fourth segment of the penis and bears paired lateral and apical lobes and a medial process. The medial process includes a sperm reservior, a short sperm tube, and paired cornua and inner lobes. The sperm reservoir opens into the sperm tube which bears a terminal orifice between the inner lobes. Gross morphology of the SCA of T. virginia is similar to that of other libellulids except that the gential lobes and hamules are comparatively large in size, the ligula is triangular in shape with an apical flat rectangular lobe and stiff basal setae, the penis bears a pair of cuticular denticles below the spur of the second segment, the apical lobes are inflatable without spines and bristles, and the cornua with smooth outer and spiny inner surface collectively signifying the species-specific anatomical features and the functional specialization for sperm transfer and removal. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.