Sorellocolax stellaris gen. et sp. nov., a hemiparasitic alga (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from the east coast of Honshu, Japan

A hemiparasitic alga, Sorellocotax stellaris sp. nov. is described growing on plants of Sorella repens collected from Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, east coast of Honshu, Japan. The thallus is small, up to 2 mm high, once or twice branched from the margin. The growing apex has a transversely dividing apical cell, and intercalary cell divisions occur in the cells of first-order rows. Tetrasporangia are cut off from the cells of the inner cortex, The procarp is composed of a supporting cell, one group of sterile cells and two carpogonial branches. Carposporangia are borne in short chains.     

Phycodrys valentinae sp. nov. (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) with Discussion of Other Species of the Phycodrys Genus from the North Pacific

A new species Phycodrys valentinae Seliv. et Zhigad. from the northwest of the Bering Sea, distinct from other species of the genus Phycodrys by the presence of a distromatic lamina and by the arrangement of basal generative prolifications, was described. Based on the analysis of the morphological and anatomic traits of species of the genus Phycodrys, P. serratiloba (Rupr.) A. Zin., which was considered as synonym of P. riggii Gardn. to the present [27, 28, 30], was reinstated as an independent species. The taxonomic status of other representatives of the genus Phycodrys of the studied region is considered. In our opinion, five species of the genus Phycodrys (P. serratiloba, P. riggii, P. amchitkensis, P. vinogradovae, and P. valentinae) grow in the seas of the Russian Far East.     

Observations on Japanese species of the genus Martensia (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta), with the description of Neomartensia gen. nov.

The morphology of vegetative and reproductive structures of Martensia fragilis Harvey, Martensia australis Harvey and Martensia flabelliformis Harvey ex J. Agardh was studied based on material collected from Japan. M. fragilis and M. australis have cystocarps with terminal carposporangia, and their membranous portions are composed of cell layers with regularly stacked flat cells of similar size. M. flabelliformis has the following combination of characters: (i) carposporangia are formed in short chains; and (ii) the membranous portion is composed of irregularly arranged flat cells of various sizes. These characters are distinctly different from those of Martensia and warrant the establishment of Neomartensia gen. nov., with the type species Neomartensia flabelliformis comb. nov.     

Neorhodomela enomotoi sp. nov. (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from Japan

The red alga Neorhodomela enomotoi Masuda et Kogame (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales) is described as a new species from Japan. It is characterized by the following combination of features: (i) thalli reddish-brown and slightly rigid; (ii) first-order branches mostly indeterminately branched; (iii) adventitious branches infrequent, determinately branched and formed chiefly in the axils of lateral branches; (iv) vegetative trichoblasts abundant; (v) tetrasporangia produced on paniculate ultimate and penultimate branches; and (vi) cystocarps flask-shaped (urceolate). This species has been found growing only in the upper subtidal zone in the warm temperate waters of Japan.     

Caloglossa intermedia, sp. nov. (Rhodophyta) from the western atlantic coast: molecular and morphological analyses with special reference to C. leprieurii and C. monosticha

Caloglossa intermedia , sp. nov. is described from estuaries and salt marshes of Atlantic North America. This species is related to C. leprieurii (Montagne) G. Martens based on the position of rhizoids, whereas it is more similar to C. monosticha Kamiya in the number of cell rows at the nodes. Rhizoidal development of this alga also shows an intermediate characteristic between C. leprieurii and C. monosticha. Crosses were successful between the strains of C. intermedia from Georgia and South Carolina, but neither strain was interfertile with morphologically related species. C. intermedia from Georgia, New Jersey, and South Carolina had identical DNA sequences in the Rubisco spacer and flanking regions of rbc L and rbc S. This alga was more closely related to C. leprieurii in a molecular phylogenetic analysis. The evolution of each morphological character is discussed.     

Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. and Polysiphonia koreana sp. nov.: two new species of Polysiphonia (Rhodomelaceae,Rhodophyta) from Korea

Polysiphonia sensu lato comprises approximately 200 species, which are currently assigned to several different genera. To date, one of these genera, namely, Polysiphonia, has been reported to have 17 species. Here, we describe for the first time P. freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. from Uljin and Ulleung Island, Korea, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. are characterized by having the typical Polysiphonia features. Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. is further characterized by having abundant trichoblasts, conspicuous scar cells, and tetrasporangia arranged in spiral series. Polysiphonia koreana sp. nov. is further characterized by having very scarce scar cells placed between two pericentral cells, from which cicatrigenous branches arise. The results of our rbcL sequence analyses support the taxonomic placement of P. freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. within Polysiphonia.     

The morphology and taxonomy of Womersleya monanthos, an endemic species and genus of Delesseriaceae (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from southeastern Australia

Womersleya monanthos (J. Agardh) Papenfuss is typically an epiphyte of larger brown and red algae that are common in drift along the southeastern coasts of Australia. A hitherto little-known member of the Phycodrys group of the Nitophylloideae, its reproductive features have been studied in detail and its taxonomic position clarified. Blades are polystromatic throughout and lack veins or nerves, with blades originating from apical cells of primary and second-order cell rows. Intercalary cell divisions take place in primary cell rows and all other branch orders, with third-order laterals arising both abaxially and adaxially on cells of second-order rows. Fertile central cells bear procarps on pericentral cells on both sides of the blade, the procarps consisting of two 4-celled carpogonial branches and a single central group of sterile cells that enlarge and persist at the distal end of a bicampanulate fusion cell at maturity. Spermatangia and tetrasporangia form in circular subapical sori on both sides of the blade or in marginal lobes or proliferations. After comparing it to other members of the Phycodrys group, we conclude that Womersleya is a monotypic genus well distinguished from other genera and with probable closest affinities to the Northern Hemisphere Polyneura, Erythroglossum and Sorella, as well as the Australian endemic, Crassilingua.     

Roscoffia minor sp. nov. (Peridiniales, Dinophyceae): A new, sand-dwelling, armored dinoflagellate from Hokkaido, Japan

A new, sand-dwelling, armored dinoflagellate, Roscoffia minor sp. nov., is described from Ishikari beach, Hokkaido, Japan. The dinoflagellate has been collected from sand samples taken both near the water's edge and further upshore (25 m from the water's edge at a depth of 1 m), indicating that it is a true sand-dwelling species. Roscoffia minor is heterotrophic and lacks both a chloroplast and an eye-spot. The cell consists of a flattened cap-shaped epitheca and a large hemispheroidal hypotheca, and it is quite different from cells of the typical armored dinoflagellates. The thecal plate formula is: Po, 3′, la, 5″, 3c, 3s, 5″, 1″″. Its distinct cell shape and the thecal plate arrangement indicate affinity to the monotypic genus Roscoffia. Roscoffia minor is distinguished from Roscoffia capitata, the type species, by its smaller size and the possession of a finger-like apical projection. The thecal arrangement of the epitheca is similar to those of the members of the family Podolampaceae, while the hypothecal arrangement is the same as that of members of the subfamily Diplopsalioideae (family Congruentidiaceae). The organism seems to be positioned somewhere intermediate between these two families, but the family to which this dinoflagellate should be affiliated could not be determined.     

Studies of the Liagoraceae (rhodophyta) of Western Australia: Gloiotrichus fractalis gen. et sp. nov. and Ganonema helminthaxis sp. nov.

Two new taxa of Liagoraceae (Nemaliales) are described from Western Australia. Gloiotrichus fractalis gen. et sp. nov. has been collected from 3–20 m depths at the Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia. Plants are calcified, extremely lubricous, and grow to 17 cm in length. Carpogonial branches are straight, 6 or 7 cells in length, arise from the basal or lower cells of cortical fascicles, and are occasionally compound. Branched sterile filaments of narrow elongate cells arise on the lower cells of the carpogonial branch prior to gonimoblast initiation, at first on the basal cells, then on progressively more distal cells. Following presumed fertilisation the carpogonium divides transversely, with both cells giving rise to gonimoblast filaments. The distal cells of the carpogonial branch then begin to fuse, with fusion progressing proximally until most of the cells of the carpogonial branch are included. As fusion extends, the filaments on the carpogonial branch are reduced to the basal 2 or 3 cells. The gonimoblast is compact and bears terminal carposporangia. Spermatangial clusters arise on subterminal cells of the cortex, eventually displacing the terminal cells. The sequence of pre- and post-fertilisation events occurring in the new genus separates it from all others included in the Liagoraceae, although it appears to have close affinities with the uncalcified genus Nemalion. Ganonema helminthaxis sp. nov. was collected from 12 m depths at Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Plants are uncalcified and mucilaginous, the axes consisting of a few (< 10) primary medullary filaments, each cell of which gives rise to a cortical fascicle at alternate forks of the pseudodichotomies borne on successive medullary cells. Subsidiary (adventitious) filaments and rhizoids comprise the bulk of the thallus. Carpogonial branches are straight, (3-)4(-6) cells in length, arise on the basal 1–4 cells of the cortical fascicles, and are frequently compound. Carposporophytes develop from the upper of two daughter cells formed by a transverse division of the fertilised carpogonium. Ascending and descending sterile filaments girdle the carpogonial branch cells and arise mostly on the supporting cell prior to fertilisation. Ganonema helminthaxis is the first completely non-calcified member of the genus, and its reproductive and vegetative morphology supports the recognition of Ganonema as a genus independent from Liagora. Liagora codii Womersley is a southern Australian species displaying features of Ganonema, to which it is transferred.     

Amphidiniopsis uroensis sp. nov. and Amphidiniopsis pectinaria sp. nov. (Dinophyceae): Two new benthic dinoflage llates from Japan

Two new armoured, heterotrophic sand‐dwelling marine dinoflagellates, Amphidiniopsis uroensis Toriumi, Yoshimatsu et Dodge sp. nov. and Amphidiniopsis pectinaria Toriumi, Yoshimatsu et Dodge sp. nov. were collected from Japanese sandy beaches, and their morphological features observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cell size of A. uroensis is 28–31 μm in length and 23–28 μm in width. The plate formula is Po 3′, 3a, 6″, 3c, 4s (+1 acc.), 5″′, 2″″. The thecal surface is ornamented with small processes, pores and spines, however, the surface of plate 2a is smooth. The epitheca possesses a narrow ridge that is extended along on the suture between 1′ and 3′. Plate 1″ connects with the right sulcal (Sd) and right sulcal accessory (Sda) plates, so the cingulum is incomplete. A nucleus is situated in the central part of the cell. There are a few small spines at the antapex. There are no stigma or chloroplasts. Amphidiniopsis pectinaria cells are 33–40 urn in length and 29–35 μm in width. The plate formula is Po 4′, 3a, 7″, 3c, 4s (+1 acc.), 5″′, 2″″. Plate 1″ connects directly with Sd and Sda plates, so the cingulum is incomplete. The thecal surface is ornamented with small processes, spines and pores. The epitheca is provided with a narrow ridge that is extended along on the suture between plates 1′, 4′ and 7″. The ornamentation on the antapical plates is unique. It is arranged in 10 straight rows on the hypotheca; each row has a strong spine at its posterior end. In addition, there is a long spine at the antapex. There are no stigma or chloroplasts. A nucleus is located in the central part of the cell.     

Actinomadura mexicana sp. nov. and Actinomadura meyerii sp. nov., two novel soil sporoactinomycetes

The taxonomic position of two soil isolates, strains A288(T) and A290(T) [provisionally assigned to the genus Actinomadura] was clarified in a polyphasic study. The organisms showed a combination of chemotaxonomic and morphological properties typical of actinomadurae. They also formed distinct phyletic lines in the 16S rRNA Actinomadura gene tree; strain A288(T) was associated with A. nitritigenes whereas strain A290(T) was closely related to a group that consisted of A. citrea, A. coerulea, A. glauciflava, A. luteofluorescens and A. verrucosospora. Strains A288(T) and A290(T) showed key phenotypic features which readily distinguish them from one another and from representatives of related validly described species of Actinomadura. It is proposed that the two organisms be classified as new species of the genus Actinomadura. The names proposed for the new taxa are Actinomadura mexicana (A290(T) = DSM 44485(T) = NRRL B-24203(T)), and Actinomadura meyerii (A288(T) = DSM 44485(T) = NRRL B-24203(T)).     

Grateloupia Serra sp. nov. H. W. Wang & Y. Lou (Halymeniaceae,Rhodophyta): a new species previously confused with Grateloupia asiatica in China

A new Grateloupia species from Luxun park, Qingdao Province, North China, was discovered during recent investigations and named Grateloupia serra H. W. Wang &; Y. Lou sp. nov. Morphological observations showed that: (1) the thalli were purple to dark red, cartilaginous and mucilaginous in texture, 15–45?cm in height; (2) the surface of thalli was covered with numerous proliferous branchlets and proliferous branchlets that were dentate when on the main axes; (3) the thalli were 450–550?µm thick, a cortex consisted of 6–8 layers of oblong or rounded cells and a medulla covered by compact medullary filaments; (4) the carpogonial branch was 6-celled and the auxiliary-cell branch was 5-celled, they were typical Grateloupia-type; (5) the internal structure of mature tetrasporangia were cruciately divided, oblong or square in shape. The morphological differences were supported by molecular analyses based on ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase gene (rbcL) sequences. Sequences of four G. serra sp. nov. samples were embedded into the Grateloupia clade and showed no pairwise divergence.     

THE GENUS HYPOGLOSSUM KÜTZING (DELESSERIACEAE,RHODOPHYTA) IN THE TROPICAL WESTERN ATLANTIC,INCLUDING H. ANOMALUM SP. NOV.1

Observations are made on the occurrence and distribution of the red algal genus Hypoglossum Kützing (Delesseriaceae, Ceramiales) in the tropical western Atlantic. In addition to the type of the genus, H. hypoglossoides (Stackh.) Coll. & Herv., three other species are reported: H. anomalum sp. nov., H. involvens (Harv.) J. Ag., and H. tenuifolium (Harv.) J. Ag. A key is presented to distinguish these four species. The newly described species, H. anomalum, is like other species in the genus in that its branches arise endogenously from the primary axial row but it is unique in that the branches emerge from the parent blade at some point between the midline and the margin of the blade. The new species is reported from Puerto Rico and Florida.     

Nocardioides halotolerans sp. nov., isolated from soil on Bigeum Island, Korea

A strictly aerobic, Gram-positive, motile, coccoid-shaped, halotolerant actinobacterium (10% NaCl, w/v), designated MSL-23^T, was isolated from a soil sample on Bigeum Island, Korea. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolate belonged to the genus Nocardioides, with the highest sequence similarity (95.63%) being to Nocardioides kribbensis KCTC 19038^T. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H₄), and the predominant cellular fatty acids were i-C_16:0, ai-C_17:0, C_18:1 ω9c and 10-methyl-C_16:0. The DNA G+C content was 69.7 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MSL 23^T and its chemotaxonomic properties showed it to be unique in the genus Nocardioides. Phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain MSL-23^T from other Nocardioides species. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data strain MSL-23^T represents a novel species, for which the name Nocardioides halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed, with MSL-23^T (=KCTC 19274^T=DSM 19273^T) as the type strain.     

Heliobacterium sulfidophilum sp. nov. andHeliobacterium undosum sp. nov.: Sulfideoxidizing heliobacteria from thermal sulfidic springs

Two new species of heliobacteria isolated from cyanobacterial mats of two alkaline sulfidic hot springs are formally described. Strains BR4 and BG29 are assigned to anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria of the familyHeliobacteriaceae, since they possess the unique properties of this taxon: strict anaerobiosis, formation of bacteriochlorophyllg, the lack of extensive intracytoplasmic membranes and chlorosomes, an unusual cell wall structure, and phylogenetic relatedness to the low G+C gram-positive eubacteria. Based on the 16S rDNA sequence similarity, strains BR4 and BG29 are assigned to the genusHeliobacterium and described as two new species of this genus:Heliobacterium sulfidophilum sp. nov. andHeliobacterium undosum sp. nov. The G+C content of the DNA is 51.3 mol % inHbt. sulfidophilum and 57.2-57.7 mol % inHbt. undosum. The cells ofHbt. sulfidophilum are rods, and the cells ofHbt. undosum are slightly twisted spirilla or short rods. Both new bacteria are motile by peritrichous flagella.Hbt. sulfidophilum produces endospores. The new bacteria are strict anaerobes growing photoheterotrophically on a limited range of organic compounds. In the dark, they can switch from photosynthesis to the slow fermentation of pyruvate. Biotin is required as a growth factor. Both species are highly tolerant to sulfide (up to 2 mM at pH 7.5) and oxidize it photoheterotrophically to elemental sulfur; photoautotrophic growth was not observed. The temperature optimal for growth ofHbt. sulfidophilum andHbt undosum is 30–35‡C, and the optimal pH is 7–8.     

Torulaspora quercuum sp. nov. and Candida pseudohumilis sp. nov., novel yeasts from human and forest habitats

Strains XZ-46A, XZ-105, XZ-129 and XZ-281^T isolated from the oral cavities of healthy Tibetan volunteers were revealed to represent two novel ascomycetous yeast species by molecular taxonomic characterizations. Strain XZ-281^T was most closely related to Candida humilis , but differed from the type strain of the species by eight (1.2%) substitutions in the 26S rRNA gene D1/D2 domain and by >100 (>20%) mismatches in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Strains XZ-46A, XZ-105 and XZ-129 had identical or similar D1/D2 and ITS sequences with each other and with strain 17YF^T isolated from a leaf of an oak tree ( Quercus sp.). The closest relative of this group was Torulaspora microellipsoides . They differed from the type strain of the species by five (0.9%) substitutions in the D1/D2 domain and >70 (>15%) mismatches in the ITS region. A sexual state was observed in strain 17YF^T, but not in the other four oral strains. An anamorphic name Candida pseudohumilis sp. nov. is proposed for strain XZ-281^T (=AS 2.3956^T=CBS 11404^T) and a teleomorphic name Torulaspora quercuum sp. nov. is proposed for strain 17YF^T (=AS 2.3768^T=CBS 11403^T) and the other three oral strains.     

Leucobacter chromiireducens sp. nov, and Leucobacter aridicollis sp. nov., two new species isolated from a chromium contaminated environment

Two strains designated strains L-1^T and L-9^T were isolated from activated sludge of a treatment plant that receives wastewater from the tannery industry contaminated with chromium. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the organisms represented two new species of the genus Leucobacter. Strains L-1^T and L-9^T could be distinguished from the type strain of L. komagatae and from the type strain of “L. albus” by the B-type peptidoglycan composition, fatty acid composition, several phenotypic and physiological characteristics. The major fatty acids of the organisms were iso- and anteiso-branched C15:0 and C17:0, straight-chain C16:0 was also found in relatively high proportions. The organisms were halotolerant, grew in medium containing 9% NaCl, and all strains, including the type strain of L. komagatae grew in medium containing 5 mM Cr(VI). On the basis of the distinct peptidoglycan composition, 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis, percentage of DNA-DNA reassociation values, and phenotypic characteristics we are of the opinion that strain L-1^T represents a new species of the genus Leucobacter for which we propose the name Leucobacter chromiireducens and that strain L-9^T represents an additional new species of the same genus for which we propose the name Leucobacter aridicollis.     

Candida alocasiicola sp. nov., Candida hainanensis sp. nov., Candida heveicola sp. nov. and Candida musiphila sp. nov., novel anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast species isolated from plants

In a taxonomic study on the ascomycetous yeasts isolated from plant materials collected in tropical forests in Yunnan and Hainan Provinces, southern China, four strains isolated from tree sap (YJ2E(T)) and flowers (YF9E(T), YWZH3C(T) and YYF2A(T)) were revealed to represent four undescribed yeast species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the large subunit (26S) rRNA gene D1/D2 domain sequences showed that strain YJ2E(T) was located in a clade together with Candida haemulonii and C. pseudohaemulonii. Strain YF9E(T) was most closely related to C. azyma and strain YWZH3C(T) to C. sorbophila and C. spandovensis. Strain YYF2A(T) was clustered in a clade containing small-spored Metschnikowia species and related anamorphic Candida species. The new strains differed from their closely related described species by more than 10% mismatches in the D1/D2 domain. No sexual states were observed for the four strains on various sporulation media. The new species are therefore assigned to the genus Candida and described as Candida alocasiicola sp. nov. (type strain, YF9E(T) = AS 2.3484(T) = CBS 10702(T)), Candida hainanensis sp. nov. (type strain, YYF2A(T) = AS 2.3478(T) = CBS 10696(T)), Candida heveicola sp. nov. (type strain, YJ2E(T) = AS 2.3483(T) = CBS 10701(T)) and Candida musiphila sp. nov. (type strain, YWZH3C(T) = AS 2.3479(T) = CBS 10697(T)).     

Selenidium fauchaldi sp. n. and S. telepsavi (Stuart) comb. nov. (Protozoa,Apicomplexa), Gregarines from Polychaetes*

Gregarine Selenidium fauchaldi sp. n. is described from the intestinal lumen of the polychaete Phragmatopoma californica (Fewkes, 1889) in the intertidal zone of the Pacific Ocean on Santa Catalina Island, California. In addition, the new combination Selenidium telepsavi (Stuart, 1871) comb. nov. is introduced for the gregarine originally described as Monocystis telepsavi from the polychaete Telepsavus castarum in the Black Sea.     

A new member of the subgenus Sinobosmina Lieder, 1957: Bosmina tripurae sp. nov. (Crustacea,Cladocera) from India

A new species, Bosmina tripurae is described from South India. The species shares some of the morphological traits with Bosmina fatalis from East and SE Asia, and two other species described recently from North America. They all form a subgeneric group established earlier: subgenus Sinobosmina Lieder 1957. Parthenogenetic females of the new species are superficially similar to the species Bosmina longirostris, which occurs on Indian subcontinent, only in northern high mountain lakes. All reports of the latter species from Indian lowlands are either Bosmina tripurae or some other not yet described species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.