Pollen ultrastructure in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aristolochia manshuriensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. contorta</Emphasis> (Aristolochiaceae)

Pollen ultrastructure has been studied in two relict and rare species of the genus Aristolochia, A. contorta Bunge and A. manshuriensis Kom. (Aristolochiaceae). Both species have inaperturate, spheroidal, sometimes distally monocolpate or distally bicolpate pollen grains. The equatorial and polar axes of pollen grain in A. manshuriensis are 48.5 and 44.0 μm, respectively. The percentage of defective pollen grains in A. manshuriensis is 3.4%. The fossulate, perforated exine is up to 2.3 μm in thickness; the sexine and the nexine are almost equal in thickness. In A. contorta, the equatorial axis of pollen grain is 36.6 μm: the defectiveness percentage, 24.5%. The exine is verrucate, up to 0.3 μm in thickness, while the sexine is two to three times thicker than the nexine. The pollen germination experiments have shown that pollen of A. manshuriensis, in contrast to A. contorta, can germinate in 10–20% sucrose at 22°С. These data and the high percentage of pollen defectiveness in A. contorta indicate that the androecium function in this species is reduced. The reduction of the androecium function is evidenced by a small amount of pollen grains in anthers or empty anthers and a high percentage of defective pollen grains.     

Myrothecium-like (Ascomycota,Hypocreales) species from tropical areas: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Digitiseta</Emphasis> gen. nov. and additions to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Inaequalispora</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parvothecium</Emphasis>

Inaequalispora and Parvothecium are two myrothecium-like, closely related genera of Hypocreales. They are also morphologically similar, sharing sporodochial conidiomata, penicillate conidiophores, fusiform to ellipsoidal conidia accumulating in a green slimy drop, and hypha-like setoid extensions emerging through the conidial mass. During a revision of myrothecium-like isolates originating from rainforest areas of South America (Ecuador, Brazil) and Southeast Asia (Singapore), multilocus phylogenetic inferences (based on DNA sequence data of ITS, partial nuc 28S, and partial tef1a, rpb2 and tub2) and morphological studies concordantly revealed the occurrence of two undescribed species of Inaequalispora (I. longiseta sp. nov. and I. cylindrospora sp. nov.) and one undescribed species of Parvothecium (P. amazonensesp. nov.). Myrothecium setiramosum, M. dimorphum, and two undescribed taxa form the base of a new lineage, sister to the current Parvothecium lineage. This lineage is recognized as Digitiseta gen. nov., typified by D. setiramosa comb. nov. Digitiseta dimorpha comb. nov. is also proposed, and the new species D. parvodigitata sp. nov. and D. multidigitata sp. nov. are described.     

Taxonomy and phylogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptocoryneum</Emphasis> (Pleosporales,Dothideomycetes)

Species of Cryptocoryneum were taxonomically reassessed on the basis of morphological observations and the results of molecular phylogenetic analysis. Eighteen isolates of Cryptocoryneum species, namely two strains from Africa, three from Europe, and 13 from Japan, were phylogenetically analysed using sequences of nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the partial sequence of the translation elongation factor 1α gene (TEF1). The phylogenetic analysis indicated that Cryptocoryneum species formed a monophyletic clade and were closely related to Lophiotrema (Lophiotremataceae) and Aquasubmersa (incertae sedis) in the Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes). We examined holotype specimens of C. fasciculatum, C. hysterioides, and Torula uniformis and concluded that these species are conspecific, with C. hysterioides having priority. Although C. hysterioides has long been regarded as a synonym of C. condensatum, we consider C. hysterioides to be a distinct species within the genus. We found several cryptic species that were morphologically similar to C. condensatum sensu lato, but that could be separated on the basis of conidial size and the number of conidial arms and conidial septa, characters that seem to be informative for species delimitation within Cryptocoryneum. A total of seven new species, namely C. akitaense, C. brevicondensatum, C. congregatum, C. japonicum, C. longicondensatum, C. paracondensatum, and C. pseudorilstonei, are described and illustrated. A key to species accepted in Cryptocoryneum is provided.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 2. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Roelofsideporaus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis>

The subgenera Roelofsideporaus and Deporaus s. str. of the genus Deporaus with four species (D. affectatus, D. unicolor, D. nidificus, and D. betulae) recorded from the Russian fauna are revised. Keys to the species of the subgenus Roelofsideporaus and to the females of the subgenera Roelofsideporaus and Deporaus s. str. are given. The distribution of D. nidificus in Russia is not confirmed.     

Chromosomal locations of U2 snDNA clusters in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megaleporinus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leporinus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizodon</Emphasis> (Characiformes: Anostomidae)

The U small nuclear RNA (U snRNA) genes comprise a multigene family and are required for splicing of pre-mRNA. In this paper, we aimed to study the chromosomal location of the U2 snRNA gene in Megaleporinus, Leporinus and Schizodon species, which constitute interesting models for the study of repetitive DNA and genomic evolution in fish once the group comprises species with and without heteromorphic sex chromosomes. The all six species showed 2n?=?54 chromosomes: Megaleporinus elongatus, Megaleporinus macrocephalus, Leporinus striatus, Leporinus friderici, Schizodon borelli and Schizodon isognathus. The U2 snDNA clusters were evident in only one medium-sized submetracentric pair in all analyzed species and this may represent a condition shared by Anostomidae family.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 1. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudapoderites</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Japonodeporaus</Emphasis>

The genus Deporaus from the Russian fauna is revised. Four species (D. pacatus, D. azarovae, D. septentrionalis, and D. hartmanni) of the subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus are found. Keys to the subgenera and to the species of the subgenus Pseudapoderites are given. The genus Deporaus, subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus, and four species are redescribed. The distribution of these species in Russia is discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cantharellus</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amethystini</Emphasis> in Asia

In this contribution on the genus Cantharellus in Asia, C. subvaginatus is described from the Republic of Korea as a close relative to the Chinese C. vaginatus, which is here reported for the first time from India. Both species are here placed in Cantharellus subg. Cantharellus sect. Amethystini, together with the Indian C. pseudoformosus (syn.: C. umbonatus) and the Malayan C. subamethysteus. As such, Asia has suddenly become the continent with the highest diversity for Amethystini. Species delimitation in sect. Amethystini is molecularly supported by a combined phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences obtained for LSU and ITS and additionally suggests the existence of a still undescribed species in North America. Character variability is discussed for all known members of Amethystini, including atypical specimens of the North American C. lewisii that are morphologically more reminiscent of the South Korean C. subvaginatus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Viola woosanensis</Emphasis>, a recurrent spontaneous hybrid between <Emphasis Type="Italic">V. ulleungdoensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">V. chaerophylloides</Emphasis> (Violaceae) endemic to Ulleung Island,Korea

Ulleung Island is an oceanic volcanic island in Korea, which has never been connected to the adjacent continent. Previous studies highlighted Ulleung Island as an excellent system to study the pattern and process of early stages of flowering plant evolutions on oceanic island. The predominant mode of speciation in flowering plants on Ulleung Island appears to be anagenesis. However, the potentially important role of hybrid speciation among incompletely reproductively isolated lineages cannot be ruled out. Viola woosanensis (Violaceae) is of purportedly hybrid origin between V. ulleungdoensis (i.e., formerly recognized as V. selkirkii in Ulleung Island) and V. chaerophylloides, based on morphology. To examine the origin of V. woosanensis, we sampled a total of 80 accessions, including V. woosanensis and its putative parental species and sequenced nrDNA ITS, and four highly variable chloroplast noncoding regions (trnL-trnF, rpl16 intron, atpF-atpH, and psbA-trnH). Representative species of Viola from Korea were also included in the phylogenetic analyses (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference). Additive polymorphic sites in the nrDNA ITS regions were confirmed by cloning amplicons from representative species. The molecular data strongly supported the hybrid origin of V. woosanensis, and the maternal and paternal parent were determined to be V. ulleungdoensis and V. chaerophylloides, respectively. The presence of two parental ribotypes in V. woosanensis (with the exception in one population) was confirmed by cloning, suggesting V. woosanensis is primarily the F₁ generation. No trace of backcrossing and introgression with its parents was detected due to low fertility of hybrid species. We found a multiple and unidirectional hybrid origin of V. woosanensis. Additional studies are required to determine which factors contribute to asymmetric gene flow of Viola species in Ulleung Island.     

Multilocus phylogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clonostachys</Emphasis> subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bionectria</Emphasis> from Brazil and description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clonostachys chloroleuca</Emphasis> sp. nov.

Phylogenetic analyses based on protein-encoding gene exons and introns of ATP citrate lyase (ACL1), beta tubulin (TUB), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) are used for inferring the existence of a new Clonostachys species from the Cerrado biome in Brazil, described here as C. chloroleuca. The species produces dimorphic, primary, and secondary conidiophores that form consistently greenish conidial masses on artificial media. It resembles therefore C. rosea f. catenulata although it differs from this species by less adpressed branches in the secondary conidiophores. The new species is also phylogenetically related to C. byssicola and C. rhizophaga. Our inventory suggests that C. byssicola, C. chloroleuca, C. pseudochroleuca, C. rhizophaga, C. rogersoniana, and C. rosea commonly occur in native and agriculturally used soils of the Cerrado and Amazon Forest. Using sequences available from two genome-sequenced strains employed as biological control agents, we confirm the identity of the European strain IK726 as C. rosea and identify strain 67-1 from China as C. chloroleuca.     

The male abdominal,genital and pregenital sclerites and musculature in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neria commutata</Emphasis> (Czerny, 1930) (Diptera,Micropezidae)

The muscles of the male abdomen and genitalia of Micropezidae were studied for the first time by the example of Neria commutata (Czerny, 1930). Based on analysis of the sclerites and musculature of the male genitalia of Micropezidae as compared to those of the previously studied Acalyptratae and Aschiza, we revealed several apomorphies of this group. The hypandrial complex is characterized by the presence of the phallic retractors and protractors M1 and M2, and the epandrial complex, by the presence of muscles M3 of the subepandrial sclerite, muscles M4 of the surstyli, muscles M7 of the cerci, and also the tergosternal muscles M5; all these muscles correspond to the ground plan of Cyclorrhapha. The following characters are considered apomorphic: the splitting of intersegmental sternal muscles ISM5–6 into 4 pairs that ensure the functioning of the forcipate appendages of sternite V; development of syntergosternite VII and reduction of muscles ISM6–7; the splitting of muscles M3 of the subepandrial sclerite into 4 pairs, enhancing the function of this sclerite; the appearance of pregonites with the associated muscles M42, which probably occurred independently several times in the evolution of different groups of Cyclorrhapha; asymmetry of syntergosternites VII and VIII and their muscles. The sclerites and muscles of the epandrium and hypandrium are characterized by complete symmetry.     

Identification of 21 novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">S-RNase</Emphasis> alleles and determination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-genotypes in 66 loquat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriobotrya</Emphasis>) accessions

As observed in other self-incompatible species in the Pyrinae subtribe, loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) demonstrates gametophytic self-incompatibility that is controlled by the S-locus, which encodes a polymorphic stylar ribonuclease (S-RNase). This allows the female reproductive organ (style) to recognize and reject the pollen from individuals with the same S-alleles, but allows the pollen from individuals with different S-alleles to effect fertilization. The S-genotype is therefore an important consideration in breeding strategies and orchard management. In an attempt to optimize the selection of parental lines in loquat production, the S-RNase alleles of 35 loquat cultivars and their 26 progeny, as well as five wild loquat species, were identified and characterized in this study. The best pollinizer cultivar combinations were also explored. A total of 28 S-alleles were detected, 21 of which constituted novel S-RNase alleles. The S-haplotypes S₂ and S₆ were the most frequent, followed by S ₂₉ , S ₃₁ , S ₅ , S ₂₄ , S ₂₈ , S ₃₃ , S ₃₄ , S ₃₂ , and S ₁₅ , while the rare alleles S ₁ , S ₉ , S ₁₄ , S ₁₆ , S ₁₇ , S ₁₈ , S ₁₉ , S ₂₀ , S ₂₁ , S ₂₂ , S ₂₃ , S ₂₇ , and S ₃₅ were only observed in one of the accessions tested. Moreover, the S-genotypes of five wild loquat species (E. prinoides, E. bengalensis, E. prinoides var. dadunensis, E. deflexa, and E. japonica) are reported here for the first time. The results will not only facilitate the selection of suitable pollinators for optimal orchard management, but could also encourage the crossbreeding of wild loquat species to enhance the genetic diversity of loquat cultivars.     

Identification and polymorphism of pectinase genes <Emphasis Type="Italic">PGU</Emphasis> in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces bayanus</Emphasis> complex

Pectinase (endo-polygalacturonase) is the key enzyme splitting plant pectin. The corresponding single gene PGU1 is documented for the yeast S. cerevisiae. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis of the PGU nucleotide sequence available in the GenBank, a family of divergent PGU genes is found in the species complex S. bayanus: S. bayanus var. uvarum, S. eubayanus, and hybrid taxon S. pastorianus. The PGU genes have different chromosome localization.     

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">baccatum</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">baccatum</Emphasis>

Molecular markers derived from the complete chloroplast genome can provide effective tools for species identification and phylogenetic resolution. Complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequences of Capsicum species have been reported. We herein report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Capsicum baccatum var. baccatum, a wild Capsicum species. The total length of the chloroplast genome is 157,145 bp with 37.7 % overall GC content. One pair of inverted repeats, 25,910 bp in length, was separated by a small single-copy region (17,974 bp) and large single-copy region (87,351 bp). This region contains 86 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, 4 rRNA genes, and 11 genes contain one or two introns. Pair-wise alignments of chloroplast genome were performed for genome-wide comparison. Analysis revealed a total of 134 simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs and 282 insertions or deletions variants in the C. baccatum var. baccatum cp genome. The types and abundances of repeat units in Capsicum species were relatively conserved, and these loci could be used in future studies to investigate and conserve the genetic diversity of the Capsicum species.     

Cladogenesis and reticulation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cuscuta</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Denticulatae</Emphasis> (Convolvulaceae)

As traditionally circumscribed, Cuscuta sect. Denticulatae is a group of three parasitic plant species native to the deserts of Western USA (Cuscuta denticulata, Cuscuta nevadensis) and the central region of Baja California, Mexico (Cuscuta veatchii). Molecular phylogenetic studies confirmed the monophyly of this group and suggested that the disjunct C. veatchii is a hybrid between the other two species. However, the limited sampling left the possibility of alternative biological and methodological explanations. We expanded our sampling to multiple individuals of all the species collected from across their entire geographical ranges. Sequence data from the nuclear and plastid regions were used to reconstruct the phylogeny and find out if the topological conflict was maintained. We obtained karyotype information from multiple individuals, investigated the morphological variation of the group thorough morphometric analyses, and compiled data on ecology, host range, and geographical distribution. Our results confirmed that C. veatchii is an allotetraploid. Furthermore, we found previously unknown autotetraploid population of C. denticulata, and we describe a new hybrid species, Cuscuta psorothamnensis. We suggest that this newly discovered natural hybrid is resulting from an independent (and probably more recent) hybridization event between the same diploid parental species as those of C. veatchii. All the polyploids showed host shift associated with hybridization and/or polyploidy and are found growing on hosts that are rarely or never frequented by their diploid progenitors. The great potential of this group as a model to study host shift in parasitic plants associated with recurrent allopolyploidy is discussed.     

Revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Protohydnum</Emphasis> (Auriculariales,Basidiomycota)

Three species currently addressed to Protohydnum (Auriculariales) are studied with morphological and DNA methods. The genus Protohydnum is retained for the type species only, P. cartilagineum, recently re-collected in Brazil. The European species, P. piceicola, is not congeneric with P. cartilagineum and, therefore, placed in its own genus, Hyalodon, gen. nov. Another Hyalodon species, H. antui, is described from East Asia. The third member of Protohydnum sensu lato, P. sclerodontium from South-East Asia, is transferred to Elmerina.     

Steroid Compounds from Far Eastern Starfishes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Henricia aspera</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">H. tumida</Emphasis>

Six new natural compounds were isolated from two Far Eastern starfish species, Henricia aspera and H. tumida, collected in the Sea of Okhotsk. Two new glycosylated steroid polyols were obtained from H. aspera: asperoside A and asperoside B, which were shown to be (20R,24R, 25S)-3-O-(2,3-di-O-methyl-β -D-xylopyranosyl)-24-methyl-5α-cholest-4-ene-3β, 6β,8,15α,16β,26-hexaol and (20R, 24R,25S,22E)-3-O-(2,4-di-O-methyl-β-D-xylopyranosyl)-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,4β,6β,8,15α,26-hexaol, respectively. Two other glycosylated polyols, tumidoside A, with the structure elucidated as (20R, 22E)-3-O-(2,4-di-O-methyl-β -D-xylopyranosyl)-26,27-dinor-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,4β,6β,8,15α,25-hexaol, and tumidoside B, whose structure was elucidated as (20R,24S)-3-O-(2,3-di-O-methyl-β-D-xylopyranosyl)-5α-cholestan-3β,4β,6β,8,15α,24-hexaol, were isolated from the two starfish species. (20R, 24S)-5α-Cholestan-3β,6β,15α,24-tetraol and (20R, 24S)-5α-cholestan-3β,6β,8,15α,24-pentaol were identified only in H. tumida. The known monoglycosides henricioside H1 and laeviuscolosides H and G were also identified in both species.     

Distribution and habitats of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phengaris</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Maculinea</Emphasis>) butterflies and population ecology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phengaris</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">teleius</Emphasis> in China

Many species of the butterfly genus Phengaris are regarded as endangered in many parts of their distribution. Several species are also widely distributed across northern China. Due to land use change and overgrazing, their habitats are declining and many patches have been lost. This paper investigates the distribution and habitats of the Chinese Phengaris species (of the subgenus Maculinea). Shrub-grassland near forests seem the most frequent habitat for Phengaris, while flat open grasslands are mostly over-grazed and thus survival for Phengaris butterflies there seems difficult. Throughout Europe, P. teleius is an endangered species, while there is still no information on its status in China. To improve the knowledge on the population ecology of P. teleius, its population structure, adult behaviour and movement were studied through mark–release–recapture methods in the Qinling Mountains of Taibai County. Eight grassland patches which were potentially suitable were found in the area in 2013. In total, 480 individuals (274 females) were marked, resulting in an overall recapture rate of 16 %. The average daily population size was 44 butterflies (±23 SD) during the adult flight period. Sixty-seven percent of the females and 38 % of the males moved less than 50 m, and 17 % of recaptured females and 38 % of males moved more than 200 m. The mean movement distance was 107 ± 177 m for males and 182 ± 122 m for females. The majority of the recaptures (86 %) were made within the patches, only a few individuals (14 %) moved between patches. Due to human disturbance and destruction, all of the eight potentially suitable patches are becoming smaller and increasingly isolated, thus these populations of P. teleius may face an increasing risk of extinction, which may well be a tip of the iceberg of habitat loss and fragmentation of P. teleius in Taibai County and possibly beyond. Hence we hope our initial study of P. teleius could have positive impacts on the conservation of Phengaris butterflies in China.