Social parasitism and behavioral interactions between two gall-forming social aphids

We investigated ecological and behavioral aspects of the interactions between two social aphids, Pseudoregma bambucicola and Astegopteryx bambucifoliae (Hormaphidinae, Cerataphidini), both of which produce second-instar, sterile soldiers in galls formed on Styrax suberifolius, in Taiwan. By censusing their galls, either species was found to invade galls of the other species. Twenty-eight (58%) out of 48 A. bambucifoliae galls contained P. bambucicola, while four (6%) of 69 P. bambucicola galls contained A. bambucifoliae. Furthermore, P. bambucicola behaved like social parasites in galls of A. bambucifoliae. Colonies of P. bambucicola produced much fewer or even no soldiers compared with those in natal galls. Our experiments also revealed that individual aphids of P. bambucicola more successfully intruded into galls of A. bambucifoliae than into conspecific galls, and that guarding soldiers of P. bambucicola effectively prevented aphids from invading their galls and permitted only conspecific soldiers to join their colonies. These differences in behavior provide good explanations for the differences in the frequency of invaded galls found between the two species. Received 4 September 2007; revised 7 January 2008; accepted 17 January 2008.     

Genetically Distinct Populations in an Asian Soldier-Producing Aphid, Pseudoregma bambucicola (Homoptera: Aphididae), Identified by DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis

To estimate genetic structure of a soldier-producing aphid, Pseudoregma bambucicola, samples from natural populations throughout southeastern Asia were analyzed by a DNA fingerprinting technique. We unexpectedly found that P. bambucicola comprises two geographic groups, the northern group and the southern group, which are genetically distinct from each other but morphologically almost indistinguishable. Molecular phylogenetic and statistical analyses based on mitochondrial ribosomal DNA sequences demonstrated that the northern and southern groups of P. bambucicola are not closely related but constitute distinct lineages in the genus Pseudoregma. Detailed morphological reexamination revealed that the two groups could be distinguished by the number of setae on the 8th abdominal tergite of 1st instar nymphs and soldiers. From these results, it was suggested that P. bambucicola should be divided into two species. The northern group from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and northern Vietnam retains the name P. bambucicola, whereas we suggest that the name P. carolinensis (R. Takahashi, 1941, Tenthredo 3, 208–220) should be used for the southern group from Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Java, Irian Jaya, and Micronesia. The morphological resemblance between P. bambucicola and P. carolinensis might be due to shared ancestral characters of the genus Pseudoregma.     

Soldier differentiation during embryogenesis of a social aphid, Pseudoregma bambucicola

To understand the developmental process of aphid soldier differentiation, we investigated the morphological characters of normal nymphs, soldier nymphs and developing embryos of Pseudoregma bambucicola. Results of morphometric analyses showed that normal and soldier nymphs formed discrete clusters on the basis of several morphological characters, although a small number of intermediate individuals, termed ‘intercaste nymphs’, were present. In late embryonic stages, normal and soldier embryos were morphologically distinguishable. The earlier the embryonic stage, the smaller the morphological differences between them. In early embryos less than 1000 µm in length, normal and soldier embryos were not morphologically distinguishable, suggesting that the onset of soldier differentiation occurs at an early embryonic stage. Throughout embryonic development, morphological differentiation of the soldier caste proceeded gradually. Notably, several morphological characters of soldiers grew remarkably upon larviposition. Observation of embryonic leg cuticle revealed a characteristic folding structure, indicating that some morphological traits of the soldier are exaggerated upon larviposition through expansion of the folded cuticle. We suggest that morphological differentiation of the soldier caste in P. bambucicola comprises two phases: gradual growth during embryogenesis and rapid growth upon larviposition.     

Monoterpenoid differentiation in relation to the morphology of Pinus remota

Wood of Pinus remota from 126 trees sampled in 13 localities throughout of its ranges in the United States and Mexico has been analysed for monoterpenes. The trees of P. remota produced mainly α-pinene and limonene with ranges for population means of 68.0–92.3% and 3.2–16.9%, respectively. Limonene was useful for distinguishing this species from subsp. cembroides. Small chemical differences were found between the eastern and western variants of P. remota. The chemical differences between the trees of P. remota from the United States and the trees of the newly described species, P. catarinae, from Mpo Santa Catarina near Saltillo, Mexico, were also very few and quantitatively small. The variations in morphological characteristics paralleled the chemical differentiation. The chemical and morphological data substantiated the species status of P. remota, and suggested the status of a mere marginal variant for P. catarinae.     

Phragmidium satoanum,a new rust pathogen of Rosa hirtula in Japan

The causal fungus of a rust disease of Rosa hirtula, endemic to mountainous areas of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Japan, was thought to be a common species Phragmidium rosae-multiflorae. Continued field observations, morphological examination, and experimental inoculations proved that the fungus produced laterally three-angled aeciospores and urediniospores together with multi-cellular teliospores on the same R. hirtula trees. These morphological features were different from those of P. rosae-multiflorae. The fungus parasitized only R. hirtula. Experimental inoculations and field observations did not prove that R. banksiae, R. laevigata, and R. multiflora supported infection and sporulation of the fungus. Under the field observations, R. multiflora, the most common host of P. rosae-multiflorae, was not proven to harbor the R. hirtula fungus. Therefore, the fungus was concluded to be a species distinct from P. rosae-multiflorae; and a new name, P. satoanum, was proposed for it.     

Koralionastetales, a new order of marine Ascomycota in the Sordariomycetes

Based on molecular studies using 1760 bp of the nuSSU and 604 bp of the nuLSU rRNA genes and using morphological characters, the genera Koralionastes and Pontogeneia are assigned to the new order Koralionastetales, family Koralionastetaceae, class Sordariomycetes. Koralionastetales is a sister group to Lulworthiales; differences in morphological characters are expressed in the ascospores and the presence/absence of periphyses and paraphyses. A new species of Pontogeneia, P. microdictyi from Microdictyon sp. in the Bahamas, is described.     

Systematics of a widely distributed western North American springsnail,Pyrgulopsis?micrococcus (Caenogastropoda,Hydrobiidae), with descriptions?of?three new congeners

We describe three new species of springsnails (genus Pyrgulopsis) from the Amargosa River basin, California and Nevada (P. licina sp. n., P. perforata sp. n., P. sanchezi sp. n.), each of which was previously considered to be part of P. micrococcus. We also restrict P. micrococcus to its type locality area (Oasis Valley) and redefine a regional congener, P. turbatrix, to include populations from the central Death Valley region and San Bernardino Mountains that had been previously identified as P. micrococcus. The five species treated herein form genetically distinct lineages that differ from each other by 4.2–12.6% for mtCOI and 5.2–13.6% for mtNDI (based on previously published and newly obtained data), and are diagnosable by shell and/or penial characters. The new molecular data presented herein confirm sympatry of P. licina and P. sanchezi in Ash Meadows (consistent with morphological evidence) and delineate an additional lineage of P. micrococcus (in the broad sense) that we do not treat taxonomically owing to the paucity of morphological material. Conservation measures are needed to ensure the long term persistence of populations of P. micrococcus and a genetically differentiated lineage of P. sanchezi which live in disturbed habitats on private lands.     

Then there were five: a reexamination of the ant genus Paratrechina (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

The ant genus Paratrechina is reexamined based on the discovery of two new species from Madagascar (P. ankarana sp. n. and P. antsingy sp. n.). Paratrechina kohli, a species known from central Africa, is transferred to Paratrechina from Prenolepis based on a new morphological interpretation of the genus and an updated morphological diagnosis of the genus is provided. This means that other than the widespread P. longicornis, whose origins remain uncertain, all Paratrechina are restricted either to the Afrotropical or Malagasy regions. It would also appear that of the five Paratrechina species now known, three are from dry forest habitats. With this reexamination of the genus, the possible origins of P. longicornis are discussed. A key to the genera of the Prenolepis genus-group is provided, as is a key to the workers of Paratrechina. In addition, we also designate a lectotype for Paratrechina kohli.     

Phylogenetics,biogeography, and evolutionary trends of the Phalaenopsis sumatrana complex inferred from nuclear and chloroplast DNA

Phylogenetic trees inferred from the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1 + ITS2) region from nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) and the intergenic spacer of atpB-rbcL from chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) were used to clarify the phylogenetics and evolutionary trends of the Phalaenopsis sumatrana complex. The P. sumatrana complex includes the two species P. sumatrana and Phalaenopsis corningiana as well as a problem species, Phalaenopsis zebrina, according to the concepts of Sweet (1980) and Christenson (2001). Based on the phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS sequence, the accessions of P. sumatrana cannot be separated from those of P. corningiana. In contrast, the accessions of P. zebrina can be separated from those of both P. sumatrana and P. corningiana. However, analyses of the sequences of the atpB-rbcL spacer apparently cannot discriminate among these three species of the P. sumatrana complex. An inspection of the morphological characters of the plants of the P. sumatrana complex and the floral fragrances of P. zebrina can be used to separate it from both P. sumatrana and P. corningiana. Based on the molecular data and floral fragrances, P. zebrina perhaps should not be treated as a synonym of P. sumatrana. On the evolutionary trend of the P. sumatrana complex, P. zebrina was suggested to be the relative origin group of the P. sumatrana complex based on the phylogenetic tree and biogeography.     

The Balkan endemic Picris hispidissima (Compositae): morphology, nuclear DNA content and relationship to the polymorphic P. hieracioides

The only Balkan endemic of the genus Picris, Picris hispidissima, was studied in detail using morphological and karyological methods. The species was shown to be morphologically distinct from the closest taxon, Picris hieracioides, by the pectinate–ciliate indumentum of involucral bracts, dilatation of the peduncle, length of the outer and inner bracts, and indumentum colour. No morphological variation that would require taxonomic classification was found within this species. Despite the diploid chromosome number (2n = 2x = 10) being confirmed for P. hispidissima, variation of up to 9.5% in genome size was found. The likely explanation for this variation is hybridization and introgression with closely related P. hieracioides. The most convincing evidence for this hypothesis is the detection of plants with two clearly different DNA contents arising from a single capitulum found in the location where P. hispidissima and P. hieracioides co-occur.     

Morphological Variation of the Scorpionfly Panorpa obtusa Cheng (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) with a New Synonym

Background

The overabundance of synonyms is an unavoidable by-product of taxonomic practice in insects. How to reduce or even eliminate synonymy has long been a great challenge for insect taxonomists. The scorpionflies Panorpa obtusa Cheng, 1949 and Panorpa leei Cheng, 1949 (Insecta: Mecoptera: Panorpidae) were originally described from Taibaishan in the Qinling Mountains with identical collection data and both are based on a single gender, the former on a male and the latter on two females. However, whether P. leei is conspecific with P. obtusa or a good species remains an unsolved problem.

Results

On the basis of intensive morphological comparison of 93 males and 53 females of scorpionflies collected from the type locality using light and scanning electron microscopy, we found P. obtusa has considerable morphological variation (especially the wing markings and genitalia in both male and female), and Panorpa leei is totally comprised of one of the morphs of P. obtusa.

Conclusions

In combination with identical type localities and overlapping morphological variation, P. leei Cheng is proposed as a junior subjective synonym of P. obtusa Cheng. To avoid synonyms, taxonomists should pay more attention to individual variation and base decisions on a series of specimens to describe new species.     

Evolution of the Portulaca oleracea L. aggregate in Egypt on molecular and phenotypic levels revealed by morphology,inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and 18S rDNA gene sequence markers

Molecular markers including inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and 18S rDNA gene sequence markers were combined with a detailed morphological analysis to seek characters that discriminate four taxa of Portulaca oleracea s.l. These taxa were identified as the microspecies Portulaca nitida, Portulaca oleracea, Portulaca rausii and Portulaca granulatostellulata. Morphological characters did not provide a clear distinction among the four taxa of P. oleracea s.l. It was found that mixed populations of the taxa occur in several locations and morphological similarities between the microspecies were detected. ISSR analysis indicates that gene flow among populations of different taxa was high and most of the genetic variation (61.9%) occurs within population. These results are inconsistent with the general characteristics of P. oleracea as a self- or 5% cross-pollinated species. A close relationship between P. oleracea, P. rausii and P. granulatostellulata was supported by ISSR and 18S rDNA gene sequence. The ISSR and 18s data support the specific status of P. nitida as a recently evolved taxon. We conclude that P. oleracea exists as a polymorphic species and is not divisible into microspecies based on seed surface as the primary morphological trait, and inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and 18S rDNA gene sequence markers. We suggest that the taxa do not merit specific rank as morphological characters and absence of a breeding barrier fail to separate the different populations when they become sympatric.     

Variability in the essential oils of wood and foliage of Pinus aristata and Pinus longaeva

Variations in the monoterpenoid composition of the essential oil of wood, and of the mono- and sesquiterpenoids of foliage collected from more than 200 specimens of pines of subsection Balfourianae (P. aristata, P. longaeva and P. balfouriana) substantiate the previously reported morphological and chemical separation of P. aristata and P. longaeva and suggest a restricted intermediacy in northern Arizona and eastern California. On the basis of wood essential oil the limited population of P. aristata in northern Arizona, while exhibiting to a slight degree morphological intermediacy, is found to be practically identical to the main populations of P. aristata in Colorado and New Mexico. On the basis of foliage oil, however, the same population is clearly intermediate, but closer to P. aristata. The detailed chemical data suggest a distinct chemical status for the Arizona population, with selection for the present-day chemophenotypes being the dominant factor in their evolution. Analysis of monoterpenoids from P. balfouriana × longaeva hybrids indicates that incomplete selective elimination of 3-carene-producing P. longaeva chemophenotypes rather than gene exchange with P. balfouriana is responsible for the presence of abnormal P. aristata-like 3-carene-producing trees in eastern California. The latter trees could have resulted from limited gene exchange between P. aristata and P. longaeva by routes no longer available to them lying to the south of the Grand Canyon.     

A polyphasic approach for the characterization of endophytic Alternaria strains isolated from grapevines

A polyphasic approach was set up and applied to characterize 20 fungal endophytes belonging to the genus Alternaria, recovered from grapevine in different Italian regions.Morphological, microscopical, molecular and chemical investigations were performed and the obtained results were combined in a pooled cluster analysis. Following morphological analyses, all strains were grouped according to their three-dimensional sporulation pattern on PCA and to the colony characteristics on different substrates. After DNA extraction, all strains were analyzed by RAPD-PCR and the resulting profiles were subjected to cluster analysis. The metabolites extracted from the 20 Alternaria endophytes were analyzed by a HPLC and the resulting metabolite profiles were subjected to multivariate statistic analyses. In comparison with reference ‘small-spored’ Alternaria species, the 20 strains were segregated into two morphological groups: one belonging to the A. arborescens species-group and a second to the A. tenuissima species-group. RAPD analysis also showed that grapevine endophytes belonged to either the A. arborescens or the A. tenuissima species-group and that they were molecularly distinct from strains belonging to A. alternata. Chemotaxonomy gave the same grouping: the grapevine endophytic strains belong to A. arborescens or A. tenuissima species-groups producing known metabolites typical of these species-groups. Interestingly, the 20 grapevine endophytes were able to produce also a number of unknown metabolites, whose characterization could be useful for a more precise segregation of the two species-groups.The results show how complementary morphological, molecular and chemical data can clarify relationships among endophyte species-groups of low morphological divergence.     

Morphological variability,chromosome polymorphism,and problems of identifying individual species of gobies of the group <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ponticola</Emphasis> (Gobiidae) and assessing taxonomic relations of local populations

In connection with the problems of identification of certain species of the genus Ponticola, and especially their juveniles, morphological and genetic studies of gobies collected in the northwestern part of the Black Sea basin were carried out using literature data and museum collections. Karyological data indicate a distinct species status of western (P. odessicus) and eastern (P. eurycephalus) mushroom gobies; the range of the latter includes not only the Sea of Azov but also waters of the Black Sea coast of the Crimean Peninsula; these conclusions are supported by preliminary molecular genetic studies. Based on the obtained results of intraspecific morphological variability of species, we propose morphological characteristics for identification of adult P. syrman and P. odessicus, as well as a specific set of characteristics to identify juvenile (body length less than 50 mm) P. syrman, P. kessleri, and P. odessicus. We reveal differences in the karyotype structure of P. syrman from populations of the Sasyk Lake and the Don River, which do not differ in terms of external morphological characteristics and variability of cytochrome b haplotypes. The need for further research of phylogeography and morphological and karyological variability of P. syrman sensu lato is assumed.     

Physiological functional traits explain morphological variation of Ulva prolifera during the drifting of green tides

Ulva prolifera green tides, one of the greatest marine ecological disasters, originate in the southern Yellow Sea of China and obtain the highest biomass in Haizhou Bay (latitude around 35° N) during northward drift. U. prolifera shows different morphologies from southern Haizhou Bay (SH) to northern Haizhou Bay (NH). Owing to the distinct nutrient environments between SH and NH, we hypothesized that thalli in NH with poor nutrients increased the surface area to volume ratio (SA:VOL) to better absorb nutrients. Here, we tested this hypothesis by comparing the SA:VOL of thalli in SH and NH. The results showed that the thalli in NH had a lower SA:VOL than those in SH, and SA:VOL had positive relationships with temperature and nutrients, contrary to the general hypothesis. The novel results suggested that morphological differences of U. prolifera were the result of developmental state rather than environmental acclimation. Indicators of reproduction (reproductive allocation ratio) were negatively related to variation in tissue contents of C, N, P, and crude protein, whereas indicators of growth (tissue contents of C, N, P, and crude protein) showed significant positive influences on SA:VOL. The results indicated that a trade‐off relationship between reproduction and growth existed in the northward drift. All the results suggested that physiological functional traits affected morphological variation of U. prolifera in different environmental conditions during the drifting of green tides. This study presents new insights into the opportunist species nature of U. prolifera through morphological variation and associated functional consequences.     

Systematic studies on the Zygophyllaceae of Saudi Arabia: A new variety and new variety combination in Tetraena

During 2013–2014, fresh material of Tetraena alba was collected from two localities in Saudi Arabia. Detailed morphological examination of these specimens revealed that there is a new variety of this species, for which the name T. alba var. arabica is proposed. Fresh material of Zygophyllum amblyocarpum was also collected from a different locality, and based on its characteristics is transferred to Tetraena with the new combination T. alba var. amblyocarpa. T. alba and its varieties are illustrated and morphological characters supplied to differentiate among them.     

Molecular characterization of Oxyspirura mansoni and Philophthalmus gralli collected from the eyes of domestic chickens in Bangladesh

A variety of helminths have been found in domestic chickens in Bangladesh, but little is known about their gene sequences. Here, parasitic nematodes and trematodes were collected from the eyes of domestic chickens and analyzed for their morphological and morphometric characteristics, and characterized molecularly. The helminths were identified as Oxyspirura mansoni and Philophthalmus gralli. The ITS1 and ITS2 sequences of O. mansoni were 532 bp and 306 bp in length, respectively, and showed low identity (50.7–62.7%) with those of O. petrowi and O. conjunctivalis. Furthermore, the O. mansoni CO1 sequences (393 bp) showed five haplotypes (97.5–99.5% similarity) that formed a monophyletic clade. With respect to P. gralli, the ITS1 (452 bp) and ITS2 (736 bp) sequences showed 100% similarity with the reference sequences in GenBank. Both the ND1 and CO1 phylograms showed that P. gralli from Bangladesh, Costa Rica and Peru form a monophyletic clade, distinct from the clades of P. lucipetus and P. lacrymosus. Our data show that, Philophthalmus gralli isolates from Bangladesh, Costa Rica and Peru are genetically close to each other.