Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. (Nemata: Tylenchidae) from Molokai,Hawaii

Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. are described from Pepe''opae bog on Molokai, Hawaii. Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. is distinguished from all other Filenchus spp. by stylet length (10 µm), robust metacorpus, elongated basal bulb, and extraordinarily long, whip-like tail (c = 2.6, c'' = 31.8). Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. differs from other Lelenchus spp. by its shorter body length, weak dorso-ventral compression of the head region, and a more posterior vulva (V = 49-52). The spacious amphid pocket is introduced as a useful character for the differentiation of Lelenchus spp. from other Tylenchidae.     

A Brevibacillus sp. antagonistic to mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp.

Antagonistic microbes were isolated from soils to control mycotoxin contamination of cereals by limiting the growth of mycotoxigenic Fusarium species. In total, 341 bacterial isolates were examined for antifungal activity against eight mycotoxigenic Fusarium species using dual culture assays. The screening identified 11 isolates that inhibited mycelial growth of all Fusarium species tested. The culture filtrates of 2 of the 11 isolates completely inhibited germination of conidia up to 21 days of incubation. These two isolates exhibited identical activity toward the fungi tested and were identified as Brevibacillus spp. based on 16S rRNA sequence homology. The most closely related species based on phylogenetic analysis was Brevibacillus reuszeri. Additional dual culturing using further fungal species showed that the antagonistic Brevibacillus inhibited the growth of most Fusarium species tested (39 of 46 species), two Epicoccum spp., one Alternaria sp., three Aspergillus spp. (3 of 11), and three Penicillium spp. (3 of 8). The in vivo assay was performed to test the efficacy of antagonistic Brevibacillus isolates on maize ears and revealed that the application of microbes suppressed ear rot (ANOVA, p = 0.0020). This Brevibacillus sp. may be an antagonist of the majority of Fusarium species, including mycotoxigenic species.     

Paramphisphaeria costaricensis gen. et sp. nov. and Pachytrype rimosa sp. nov. from Costa Rica

Paramphisphaeria is described as a new genus on the basis of the single species, P. costaricensis. It differs from Amphisphaeria spp. primarily in having bicellular ascospores with a germ slit and in having an ascus apical ring that does not become blue in iodine. It resembles Amphisphaeria in its brown color and lack of constriction at the septum of the ascospore. An anamorph is unknown. It tentatively is placed in the Xylariaceae for reasons discussed. Pachytrype rimosa is described as a new species.     

Helicobacter anseris sp. nov. and Helicobacter brantae sp. nov., isolated from feces of resident Canada geese in the greater Boston area

Numbers of nonmigratory Canada geese have increased substantially in the past decade, and they have become a nuisance in some urban areas. Because of their close contact with humans in parks and areas adjacent to surface waterways, contact with their feces poses a zoonotic risk. A total of 97 geese from 10 separate geographic locales in the greater Boston area had their feces sampled for detection of Helicobacter spp. Identification of Helicobacter spp. based on 16S rRNA genus-specific helicobacter primers was noted in 39 of 97 (40.2%) DNA fecal extracts. Twenty-seven (27.8%) of these geese had helicobacters isolated from their feces. A urease-positive novel species, Helicobacter anseris, based on phenotypic, biochemical, and 16S rRNA analyses, was isolated from 20 geese from seven different flocks. A second, novel, urease-negative Helicobacter sp., H. brantae, was identified in seven geese. Four geese had both novel Helicobacter spp. cultured from their feces. Whether these two novel helicobacters pose a zoonotic risk, similar to other enteric helicobacters (e.g., H. canadensis, previously isolated from diarrheic and bacteremic humans and from geese in Europe), will require further studies.     

沙蒿大粒象的生物学特性

沙蒿大粒象Adosomus sp.,是近几年在我国宁夏、内蒙古、陕西等地沙蒿灌木林中大面积发生的一种钻蛀性害虫。在宁夏盐池,该虫1年1代,以成虫和老熟幼虫在沙蒿根部越冬。越冬成虫始见于4月中下旬,终见于6月中旬;越冬老熟幼虫5月中旬开始化蛹,成虫始见于6月下旬,终见于8月上旬。成虫产卵于沙蒿根茎部至地下2cm之间,外被一层1~2mm厚的沙壳。幼虫主要分布在地下根部12cm以内,主要钻蛀沙蒿根部,在根部作蛹室化蛹;成虫取食沙蒿叶片作为营养补充。     

Helicobacter anseris sp. nov. and Helicobacter brantae sp. nov., Isolated from Feces of Resident Canada Geese in the Greater Boston Area

Numbers of nonmigratory Canada geese have increased substantially in the past decade, and they have become a nuisance in some urban areas. Because of their close contact with humans in parks and areas adjacent to surface waterways, contact with their feces poses a zoonotic risk. A total of 97 geese from 10 separate geographic locales in the greater Boston area had their feces sampled for detection of Helicobacter spp. Identification of Helicobacter spp. based on 16S rRNA genus-specific helicobacter primers was noted in 39 of 97 (40.2%) DNA fecal extracts. Twenty-seven (27.8%) of these geese had helicobacters isolated from their feces. A urease-positive novel species, Helicobacter anseris, based on phenotypic, biochemical, and 16S rRNA analyses, was isolated from 20 geese from seven different flocks. A second, novel, urease-negative Helicobacter sp., H. brantae, was identified in seven geese. Four geese had both novel Helicobacter spp. cultured from their feces. Whether these two novel helicobacters pose a zoonotic risk, similar to other enteric helicobacters (e.g., H. canadensis, previously isolated from diarrheic and bacteremic humans and from geese in Europe), will require further studies.     

Octopodotus stupendus gen. & sp. nov. and Phyllachora paludicola sp. nov., two marine fungi from Spartina alterniflora

The coelomycete Octopodotus stupendus and the ascomycete Phyllachora paludicola are described as obligate marine fungi from the decomposing salt-marsh plant, Spartina alterniflora. Both species fruit only on the leaf blades, not on the leaf sheaths. Whereas O. stupendus is known so far only from North Carolina, P. paludicola has been collected from Florida to Delaware. The total number of marine fungi reported from Spartina spp. is 41.     

Zingiberanamalayanum sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from India

Zingiber anamalayanum (Zingiberaceae), a new species from the southern western Ghats, India is described and illustrated. A phenetic analyses to assess the similarity indices and the uniqueness of the new species have been performed. A diagnostic key to Zingiber spp. in south India is provided.     

Mycoplasma simbae sp. nov., Mycoplasma leopharyngis sp. nov., and Mycoplasma leocaptivus sp. nov., isolated from lions.

Mycoplasmas isolated from the throats of lions were shown to belong to three serotypes, all of which were serologically distinct from the previously recognized Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma spp. Eight mycoplasma colonies were cloned, including one from a leopard (strain LP), and were examined in detail for morphology, growth, and biochemical characteristics. The strains had the following properties: guanine-plus-cytosine contents of 37 mol% (strain LXT [T = type strain]), 28 mol% (strain LL2T), and 27 mol% (strain 3L2T) and a requirement for sterol. Strain 3L2T metabolized glucose, which was not metabolized by strains LXT and LL2T. Arginine and urea were not hydrolyzed. Strain LX (= NCTC 11724) is the type strain of a new species, Mycoplasma simbae; strain LL2 (= NCTC 11725) is the type strain of a second new species, Mycoplasma leopharyngis; and strain 3L2 (= NCTC 11726) is the type strain of a third new species, Mycoplasma leocaptivus.     

Peptide-like substances as antimicrobial barriers to Corynebacterium sp. adhesion to silicone catheters

AIMS: To show medical application of antimicrobial peptides such as Pep5 and epidermin in inhibiting adhesion of Corynebacterium spp. to silicone catheters. METHODS AND RESULTS: The inhibitory activity of crude preparations of Pep5 and epidermin was tested on Corynebacterium spp. isolated from catheter-related infections. The addition of these substances at 640 AU ml(-1) to a cell suspension of Corynebacterium sp. 633544 resulted in a decrease of 3 log cycles in the number of viable cells over a period of 12 h. When Pep5 and epidermin were added to in vitro catheter colonization experiments, there was a decrease of 1 log unit (P < 0.01) in the cell number of Corynebacterium spp. adhered to silicone catheters. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that antimicrobial-treated catheters presented zones with absence of adhered cells, and some parts of the catheter presented aggregates suggesting damaged cells. CONCLUSIONS: The crude preparations of Pep5 and epidermin were able to inhibit Corynebacterium sp. 633544 isolated from catheter-related infection. The capability of Pep5 and epidermin to inhibit catheter colonization may indicate their usefulness as a barrier to block or to reduce the bacteremia by Corynebacterium spp. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Peptide-like antimicrobial substances used to reduce bacterial attachment to medical devices may represent a novel strategy to control catheter-related infections.     

Larval Hannemania sp. infestations of Spea spp. in the Southern High Plains, Texas, USA

We describe a case history of larval Hannemania sp. (Acari: Trombiculidae) infestations in two spadefoot toads (Spea spp. Anura: Pelobatidae) captured from playa wetlands in the Southern High Plains, Texas. Hannemania sp. larvae were superficially attached to the skin, not encysted, and dermal changes were not observed. Gross field examinations revealed a presumed occurrence of Hannemania sp. in Spea spp. at four of 24 wetlands in 2003 and 2004. Although other species of amphibians were present (Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium, Bufo cognatus, Bufo debilis insidior, Pseudacris clarkii, Gastrophryne olivacea, Rana blairi, Scaphiopus couchii), investigators did not observe infestations in these species. Future research should focus on identifying this Hannemania to species level and determining if it influences Spea spp. survival.     

Evidence that some Frankia sp. strains are able to cross boundaries between Alnus and Elaeagnus host specificity groups.

Phenotypic and genotypic methods were used to prove the existence of Frankia strains isolated from an Elaeagnus sp. that are able to cross the inoculation barriers and infect Alnus spp. also. Repeated cycles of inoculation, nodulation, and reisolation were performed under axenic conditions. Frankia wild-type strain UFI 13270257 and three of its coisolates did exhibit complete infectivity and effectiveness on Elaeagnus spp. and Hippopha? rhamnoides and variable infectivity on Alnus spp. Microscopical observation of host plant roots showed that these strains are able to infect Alnus spp. by penetrating deformed root hairs. Reisolates obtained from nodules induced on monoxenic Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, and Elaeagnus angustifolia resembled the parent strains in host infectivity range, in planta and in vitro morphophysiology, isoenzymes, and nif and rrn restriction fragment length polymorphisms, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates on both host plant genera. Alnus and Elaeagnus group-specific polymerase chain reaction DNA amplifications, DNA-DNA hybridizations, and partial gene sequences coding for 16S rRNA provided evidence for the genetic uniformity of wild-type strains and their inclusion into one and the same genomic species, clearly belonging to the Elaeagnus group of Frankia species.     

Evidence that some Frankia sp. strains are able to cross boundaries between Alnus and Elaeagnus host specificity groups.

Phenotypic and genotypic methods were used to prove the existence of Frankia strains isolated from an Elaeagnus sp. that are able to cross the inoculation barriers and infect Alnus spp. also. Repeated cycles of inoculation, nodulation, and reisolation were performed under axenic conditions. Frankia wild-type strain UFI 13270257 and three of its coisolates did exhibit complete infectivity and effectiveness on Elaeagnus spp. and Hippophaë rhamnoides and variable infectivity on Alnus spp. Microscopical observation of host plant roots showed that these strains are able to infect Alnus spp. by penetrating deformed root hairs. Reisolates obtained from nodules induced on monoxenic Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, and Elaeagnus angustifolia resembled the parent strains in host infectivity range, in planta and in vitro morphophysiology, isoenzymes, and nif and rrn restriction fragment length polymorphisms, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates on both host plant genera. Alnus and Elaeagnus group-specific polymerase chain reaction DNA amplifications, DNA-DNA hybridizations, and partial gene sequences coding for 16S rRNA provided evidence for the genetic uniformity of wild-type strains and their inclusion into one and the same genomic species, clearly belonging to the Elaeagnus group of Frankia species.     

Coexistence of Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, and Rhizobium sp. nodule bacteria on two Mimosa spp. in Costa Rica

rRNA gene sequencing and PCR assays indicated that 215 isolates of root nodule bacteria from two Mimosa species at three sites in Costa Rica belonged to the genera Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, and Rhizobium. This is the first report of Cupriavidus sp. nodule symbionts for Mimosa populations within their native geographic range in the neotropics. Burkholderia spp. predominated among samples from Mimosa pigra (86% of isolates), while there was a more even distribution of Cupriavidus, Burkholderia, and Rhizobium spp. on Mimosa pudica (38, 37, and 25% of isolates, respectively). All Cupriavidus and Burkholderia genotypes tested formed root nodules and fixed nitrogen on both M. pigra and M. pudica, and sequencing of rRNA genes in strains reisolated from nodules verified identity with inoculant strains. Inoculation tests further indicated that both Cupriavidus and Burkholderia spp. resulted in significantly higher plant growth and nodule nitrogenase activity (as measured by acetylene reduction assays) relative to plant performance with strains of Rhizobium. Given the prevalence of Burkholderia and Cupriavidus spp. on these Mimosa legumes and the widespread distribution of these plants both within and outside the neotropics, it is likely that both beta-proteobacterial genera are more ubiquitous as root nodule symbionts than previously believed.     

Characterization of halophilic alkaline phosphatase from Halomonas sp. 593, a moderately halophilic bacterium

A halophilic alkaline phosphatase was highly purified (about 510-fold with about 21% yield) from a moderate halophile, Halomonas sp. 593. The N-terminal 35 amino acid sequence of this enzyme was found to be more acidic than those previously isolated from Vibrio spp., and this enzyme was partially resistant to SDS. Several enzymatic properties demonstrated that it showed higher halophilicity than those enzymes from Vibrio spp.     

Rhizobium tropici, a novel species nodulating Phaseolus vulgaris L. beans and Leucaena sp. trees.

A new Rhizobium species that nodulates Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Leucaena spp. is proposed on the basis of the results of multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, DNA-DNA hybridization, an analysis of ribosomal DNA organization, a sequence analysis of 16S rDNA, and an analysis of phenotypic characteristics. This taxon, Rhizobium tropici sp. nov., was previously named Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli (type II strains) and was recognized by its host range (which includes Leucaena spp.) and nif gene organization. In contrast to R. leguminosarum biovar phaseoli, R. tropici strains tolerate high temperatures and high levels of acidity in culture and are symbiotically more stable. We identified two subgroups within R. tropici and describe them in this paper.     

Paracoccus aminophilus sp. nov. and Paracoccus aminovorans sp. nov., which utilize N,N-dimethylformamide

Two methylamine- and N,N-dimethylformamide-utilizing Paracoccus spp. are described. These bacteria are gram-negative, nonsporeforming, nonmotile, coccoid or short rod-shaped organisms. Their DNA base composition is 62 to 68 mol% G + C. Their cellular fatty acids include large amounts of C18:1 acid. Their major hydroxy acids are 3-OH C10:0 and 3-OH C14:0 acids. The major ubiquinone is Q-10. These bacteria are distinguished from Paracoccus denitrificans and Paracoccus alcaliphilus by physiological characteristics and by DNA-DNA-homology. Paracoccus aminophilus sp. nov. and Paracoccus aminovorans sp. nov. are proposed. The type strain of P. aminophilus is DM-15 (= JCM 7686), and the type strain of P. aminovorans is DM-82 (= JCM 7685). Paracoccus halodenitrificans is distinguished from other Paracoccus species on the basis of cellular fatty acid composition, hydroxy fatty acid composition, and DNA-DNA homology. It may not be a valid member of the genus Paracoccus.     

Neotropical Monogenoidea: Euryhaliotrema dontykoleos n. sp. (Dactylogyridae) from the gills of the freshwater sciaenid, Pachyurus junki (Perciformes)

Euryhaliotrema dontykoleos n. sp. (Monogenoidea, Polyonchoinea, Dactylogyridae) is described based on specimens collected from the gills of Pachyurus junki (Teleostei, Sciaenidae, Pachyurinae) in the Rio Tocantins and its tributaries, State of Tocantins, Brazil. The new species, the first species of Monogenoidea reported from a pachyurine, is easily differentiated from its congener by the presence of toothlike projections in the border of the vaginal opening and by having a trapezoidal anteromedial projection on the ventral bar. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the new species is not a member of the clade that includes the Euryhaliotrema spp. from Plagioscion spp., a second lineage of freshwater sciaenids in South America. Euryhaliotrema dontykoleos shares an immediate ancestor with the clade formed by parasites infecting marine Paralonchurus spp., (Sciaenidae), and those of Plagioscion spp.