Systematics of Gagea and Lloydia (Liliaceae) and infrageneric classification of Gagea based on molecular and morphological data

Our study represents the first phylogenetic analyses of the genus Gagea Salisb. (Liliaceae), including 58 species of Gagea and 6 species of the closely related genus Lloydia Salisb. ex Rchb. Our molecular results support the infrageneric classification of the genus Gagea in sections according to Levichev and demonstrate that Pascher's subdivision of this genus into two subgenera can no longer be upheld. Certain Gagea sections (e.g., Gagea, Minimae, and Plecostigma) are well supported by cpDNA and nrDNA data. Gagea sect. Fistulosae is closely related to G. sect. Didymobolbos. Gagea sect. Graminifoliae and G. sect. Incrustatae are closely related to G. sect Platyspermum. The analyses support the monophyly of Gagea and Lloydia collectively. The molecular analyses reveal the basal position of G. graeca in proportion to all other species of Gagea and Lloydia investigated. Minor morphological differences could be established between both genera which support their close relationship.     

中国内蒙古龙胆属一新种——兴安龙胆(Gentiana hsinganica)

描述了龙胆科龙胆属一新种——兴安龙胆(Gentiana hsinganica),绘制了形态图并与近缘种条叶龙胆(G.manshurica)、三花龙胆(G.triflora)和朝鲜龙胆(G.uchiyamai)做了比较,主要区别特征为:茎生叶3枚轮生,花萼裂片极小并呈三角形,每朵花下的苞片明显长于花萼。     

Disjunct distributions in Gerris species (Insecta: Hemiptera: Gerridae): an analysis based on spatial and taxonomic patterns of genetic diversity

Aim  To perform a comparative analysis of distribution and genetic diversity in three closely related water strider species ( Gerris ) in order to shed light on a putative disjunct distribution in Gerris gillettei .
Location  Canada and the western United States.
Methods  Entomological collections from Canada and the United States were surveyed for records of Gerris pingreensis , G. gillettei and Gerris incognitus in order to establish the distribution range of each species. Using samples from present populations, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence variation were used to construct minimum-spanning networks. Distribution patterns and genetic diversity were then compared among species.
Results  Our results showed that G. incognitus is a genetically distinct species with an unsuspected disjunct distribution. Gerris pingreensis and G. gillettei were found to share genetic polymorphism and they displayed spatial differences only in terms of haplotype distribution, suggesting that they form a single species.
Main conclusions  Distributional and molecular information uncover unusual distribution patterns and underline taxonomic uncertainty in a group of three closely related Gerris species. Vicariance and failure to recolonize following the last glaciation could explain the G. incognitus disjunction. Morphological and DNA-based species identifications suggest different post-glacial recolonization processes for G.   pingreensis and G. gillettei . The putative discontinuous range of G. gillettei may be explained as disjunct phenotypes of a single species.     

水蚤滞育的数量遗传学研究:遗传与环境控制及遗传作用

在单性生殖循环水蚤群体中,滞育卵由有性生殖产生．在一系列实验中用到了不同种群和种类的水蚤,通过这些实验来观察：1)有性生殖和滞育卵复苏的遗传和环境控制;2)生活在相同区域中,但有不同生存微环境的近缘种类的有性生殖的光周期反应;3)在群体遗传结构上有性生殖的遗传效应(基因型均值和生活史性状遗传方差)．结果发现：1)遗传作用和环境作用,以及两者的相互作用都对有性生殖和滞育卵的孵化有显著的影响．GE显著的相互作用对环境中观察到的有性生殖来说,有助于维持其较高的遗传方差;2)在相同区域中,不同生存微环境的近缘种类的有性生殖的光周期反应有所不同．这有助于进一步区别近缘的水蚤种类,这也可能是一个水环境中同素异形的物种形成的例子;3)在有性生殖上,生活史性状平均值和遗传方差变化与前代选择造成的均值和遗传方差相反(遗传滑阻),这会造成暂时的适应不良(遗传滑阻和隐藏的遗传变异的表达),应对它补偿滞育的进化优势．     

A new species of Gieysztoria (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from Argentina and a kinship analysis of South American species of the genus

This study describes a new species of Gieysztoria found in lentic environments in Argentina. Gieysztoria falx sp. n. appears to be closely related to G. therapaina and G. intricata , and is differentiated principally by the presence of two strongly developed pincer-shaped spines of the cuticular stylet. A preliminary analysis of the phylogeny among the South American species of this genus is undertaken, and the monophyly verified. This study constitutes the first approach to interpreting these relationships.     

The monophyly and rapid evolution of Gentiana sect. Chondrophyllae Bunge s.l. (Gentianaceae): evidence from the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA

The nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA of 24 representative species of sect. Chondrophyllae s.l. have been determined and analysed phylogenetically, together with some species of other sections of the genus Gentiana. The ITS sequences strongly support the monophyly of the sect. Chondrophyllae s.l. as a whole complex including various different dysploid cytotypes. Species, such as G. boryi and G. pyrenaica , that had been split into distinct genera by some cytotaxonomists have been proven to be closely related. However, the ITS sequences do not provide sufficient information to make a robust estimation of the phylogenetic relationships among the closely related species and dysploid cytotypes of the complex, beyond recognizing their monophyly and rapid evolution.     

Ribosomal DNA sequences of Glugea anomala, G. stephani, G. americanus and Spraguea lophii (Microsporidia): phylogenetic reconstruction

The microsporidian species Glugea anomala, G. stephani, G. americanus and Spraguea lophii were compared by using sequence data derived from their small subunit rDNA genes which were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced. These sequence data and published data of G. atherinae were analyzed and were used to infer a phylogenetic tree. The 5 microsporidian fish parasites appeared to be closely related. The higher sequence similarities demonstrated among G. anomala, G. stephani and G. atherinae suggest that these 3 parasites are in fact only 1 species of Glugea. Moreover, the higher sequence similarities between S. lophii and G. americanus support the transfer of the latter Glugea species into the genus Spraguea.     

Four new species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 (Monogenea,Gyrodactylidae) on gobiid fishes: combined DNA and morphological analyses

Four Gyrodactylus species parasitising four closely related gobiid species in European coastal waters were studied and compared with G. arcuatus Bychowsky sensu Bychowsky & Poljansky (1953) from Gasterosteus aculatus . These were G. gondae n. sp. from Pomatoschistus minutus and P. lozanoi , G. flavescensis n. sp. from Gobiusculus flavescens , G. arcuatoides n. sp. from P. minutus and G. branchialis n. sp. from P. microps. Combined molecular and morphological analyses, as well as morphometric and statistical methods, were used. The ssrRNA V4 region and the complete ITS rDNA region were sequenced. Genetically the four new species are clearly distinct from G. arcuatus . From a morphological point of view, the haptoral hard parts of G. gondae n. sp., G. flavescensis n. sp. and G. arcuatoides n. sp. are related to those of G. arcuatus, while these parts of G. branchialis n. sp. are different, but related to those of G. quadratidigitus Longshaw, Pursglove & Shinn, 2003. For the latter two species, a new species group is formed. The V4 and ITS sequence analyses, however, indicate a close relationship between G. branchialis and the three G. arcuatus-like species.     

Safety assessment and potential of Cecidophyes rouhollahi (Acari, Eriophyidae) for biological control of Galium spurium (Rubiaceae) in North America

Abstract:  Galium spurium L. (Rubiaceae), native to Europe, is an increasingly serious annual weed of cultivated crops in the prairie provinces of Canada. The gall mite Cecidophyes rouhollahi Craemer (Acari, Eriophyidae), originally found on the related plant species Galium aparine L. in southern France, was evaluated as a potential biological control agent for G. spurium . In greenhouse tests, C. rouhollahi caused severe stunting and complete prevention of seed production by G. spurium . Host specificity tests showed that C. rouhollahi developed only on three closely related annual Galium species in the Kolgyda section. No native North American Galium species were attacked, with the exception of G. aparine . A review of available information on G. aparine suggests that it is probably an introduced species in North America. It has been reported that a related gall mite attacking G. aparine might be associated with a plant virus. A series of tests on a greenhouse colony of G. spurium infested with C. rouhollahi showed no evidence of viral infection. On the basis of these results, C. rouhollahi has been approved for field release against G. spurium in Canada.     

Geranium thessalum sp. nov. from northern Greece Materials for the Mountain Flora of Greece, 13

Geranium thessalum is described from Mt Siniatsikon (Askion) in N Greece. It is closely related to G. subcaulescens ĽHer. ex DC. and G. cinereum Cav. It grows in alpine habitats between 1700 and 2100 m. The taxonomic position of the species is discussed.     

Species differences in substrate use and diet between sympatric galagos in two Kenyan coastal forests

Two sympatric species of galago,Galago zanzibaricus andG. garnettii, differed significantly in diet (judged mainly by fecal analysis) and substrate use at each of two coastal forest sites in Kenya. The larger-bodiedG. garnettii tended to use branches of a bigger diameter and to be found higher in the canopy than the smallerG. zanzibaricus. The latter species spent most of its time in the thick undergrowth. The larger species ate more fruit than the smaller. There were differences between the species in the type of invertebrate prey remains found in the feces. It is suggested that the differences in habitat use were influenced by the different body sizes of the two galagos, which so enabled these closely related species to coexist. Order of authorship is alphabetical.     

Review of Antillean Glyptolenus Bates (Coleoptera: Carabidae), with description of a new species precinctive to St. Vincent

The Neotropical genus Glyptolenus Bates is represented in the West Indies by five species, three of which are geographically restricted to single islands; G. latelytra (Darlington) in Jamaica, G. simplicicollis Darlington in Dominica, and G. smithi, new species from St. Vincent. Glyptolenus chalybaeus (Dejean), widespread on the eastern South American mainland, extends northward through the Lesser Antilles to Montserrat. The fifth species, G. negrei Perrault, also widespread on the northern rim of South America, ranges only as far north as the continental island of Trinidad. The first four taxa have most likely achieved their distributions by over‐water dispersal from mainland South and Central America, possibly as many as four separate times. Their absence from the Greater Antilles of Cuba and Hispaniola is contrasted to the occurrence of multiple lineages on those islands in the closely related genus Platynus Bonelli.     

A comparative study of ejaculate traits in three endangered ungulates with different levels of inbreeding: fluctuating asymmetry as an indicator of reproductive and genetic stress

We studied three closely related species of endangered gazelles (Gazella dorcas, Gazella dama and Gazella cuvieri) with different levels of inbreeding in order to determine at which intensities inbreeding influences ejaculate traits. We also examined whether fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a reliable indicator of genetic as well as reproductive stress. Our results show that, within each population, the individual coefficient of inbreeding is inversely related to ejaculate quality only in the species with the highest levels of inbreeding (G. cuvieri). In addition, FA is a reliable indicator of individual levels of inbreeding in both the species with the highest levels of inbreeding (G. cuvieri) and the species with intermediate levels of inbreeding (G. dama). Thus, FA appears in individuals whose levels of inbreeding are still not high enough to affect male reproductive potential and should therefore be considered a sensitive indicator of genetic stress. Finally, FA is also a reliable indicator of male reproductive stress since it is related to individual semen quality in all the species studied.     

广西苦苣苔科一新属——方鼎苣苔属

报道了在中国广西发现的苦苣苔科一新属即方鼎苣苔属Paralagarosolen Y. G. Wei 和一新种方鼎苣苔P. fangianum Y. G. Wei。方鼎苣苔属与细筒苣苔属Lagarosolen W. T. Wang近缘,它们的共同特征是花筒细筒状,不肿胀,柱头2;不同点是方鼎苣苔属叶基部有时盾状,聚伞花序具1朵花,花冠裂片顶端圆钝,蒴果宽卵状椭圆球形。     

Paralagarosolen Y. G. Wei,a new genus of the Gesneriaceae from Guangxi,China

Paralagarosolen fangianum Y. G. Wei, a new genus and species of Gesneriaceae from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. Paralagarosolen Y. G. Wei is closely related to Lagarosolen W.　T. Wang in having corolla tube cylindric, not swollen, and stigmas 2, but differs by having leaves sometimes peltate at base, cyme with only one flower, corolla lobes rounded-obtuse at apex, and capsule broadly ovoid-ellipsoid.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Geastrum pleosporus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new species of Geastraceae identified by morphological and molecular phylogenetic data

An unusual species of Geastrum was found growing on decayed wood debris and leaves of Triplochiton scleroxylon in the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, Cameroon. The species morphologically resembles G. saccatum and G. fimbriatum in having sessile endosperidium partly enclosed by the saccate base of the exoperidium. Microscopically, it is characterized by and distinguished from all other known species of the genus, in having subsmooth, punctate to moderately verruculose, slightly thick-to distinctly thick-walled polymorphous, constricted to eight-shaped, mostly oblong, ovoid, cylindrical, elliptic to clubshaped basidiospores. G. pleosporus was studied from a collection of about fifteen basidiomata covering different stages of development. It is described as new based on morphological analyses and phylogenetic inferences made from large ribosomal DNA sequence alignments. Phylogenetic relationship of G. pleosporus is investigated. In parsimony analyses of partial sequences of the large subunit rDNA from selected Gasteromycetes species, G. pleosporus is closely related to G. saccatum within the strongly supported clade of Geastrum species. The cluster of G. pleosporus and G. saccatum is well supported in parsimony analysis of the dataset with Geastrum species and related taxa using parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis.     

Genetic structure of natural populations of Gelidium species: A re-evaluation of results

Twenty-two loci were re-evaluated to assess genetic variation and differentiation in three natural populations (two from Gran Canaria and one from Tenerife) of Gelidium (G. canariensis and G. arbuscula). The new data using exclusively the diploid subpopulation gene frequencies confirm that dispersal was restricted over short distances for the two species, but contrary to previous conclusions, the data reveal that these two closely related species differed markedly by their mating systems and patterns of genetic differentiation. Genetic differentiation among populations was twice as high in G. arbuscula as in G. canariensis. It was confirmed that the mean way of reproduction is asexual in G. arbuscula and a discussion included as to how clonal propagation may explain the difference in haploid and diploid allele frequencies in this species. There was no evidence for asexual reproduction in G. canariensis. Heterozygote deficiency could be explained simply by spatial sub-structuring within populations. The importance of the sampling design in determining the level and pattern of genetic differentiation within a species is discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.