<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dencyrtus</Emphasis> gen. nov. (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) from the Late Eocene Danish Amber

Based on two females from the Danish amber collection of the Zoological Museum of University of Copenhagen, Dencyrtus vilhelmseni gen. and sp. nov. is described. The antennae of the new genus are very similar in structure to that of Eocencyrtus Simutnik, 2001 from the Rovno and Baltic ambers. However, the presence of the filum spinosum on the linea calva of the forewing disc indicates that it belongs to a different subfamily.     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Copidosoma</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) from Israel

A new species of the genus Copidosoma from Israel is described. The female of Copidosoma trjapitzini is similar to those of C. scutellare, C. agrotis, and C. cuproviride. All the four species possess a similar mesosomal sculpture, coarse on the mesoscutum and more or less striate on the scutellum, and the solid clava obliquely truncate at apex. C. trjapitzini differs from C. agrotis in the larger size and from C. cuproviride, in the black head and mesosoma. The type material is deposited in the collection of the Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology (Ukraine, Kiev); two paratypes, at the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg).     

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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tubulideres seminoli</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zelinkaderes brightae</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Kinorhyncha,Cyclorhagida) from Florida

One new kinorhynch genus and species and one new species from the genus Zelinkaderes are described from sandy sediment off Fort Pierce, Florida. The new genus and species, Tubulideres seminoli gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of the first trunk segment consisting of a closed ring, the second segment of a bent tergal plate with a midventral articulation and the following nine segments consisting of a tergal and two sternal plates. Cuspidate spines are not present, but flexible tubules are located on several segments, and in particular concentrated on the ventral side of the second segment. Middorsal spines are present on all trunk segments and are alternatingly offset to a position slightly lateral to the middorsal line. Zelinkaderes brightae nov. sp. is characterized by its spine formula in having middorsal spines on trunk segments 4, 6 and 8–11, lateroventral acicular spines on segment 2, lateral accessory cuspidate spines on segments 2 and 8, ventrolateral cuspidate spines on segments 4–6 and 9, lateroventral acicular spines present on segments 8 and 9, and midterminal, lateral terminal and lateral terminal accessory spines on segment 11. The spine formula of Z. brightae nov. sp. places it in a position in between Z. submersus and a clade consisting of Z. klepali and Z. floridensis. The new findings on Z. brightae nov. sp. have led us to propose an emended diagnosis for the genus.     

Cyclolavandulyl butyrate: an attractant for a mealybug parasitoid, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anagyrus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">sawadai</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

In this study, we discovered and isolated an attractant for a mealybug-parasitic wasp Anagyrus sawadai from an esterification product prepared with commercialized lavandulol (2-isopropenyl-5-methyl-4-hexen-1-ol) and butyryl chloride. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we determined the structure of the compound to be (2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexenyl)methyl butyrate (cyclolavandulyl butyrate). This is a novel compound as far as we know, although the alcohol moiety has been known as a cyclization product from lavandulol. Cyclolavandulyl butyrate has two enantiomers, and the (−)-isomer, which is suggested to have S configuration, showed higher attractiveness. A potential use for the A. sawadai attractant for mealybug management in agricultural fields is discussed.     

Phylogeny and taxonomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cladosporium</Emphasis>-like hyphomycetes,including <Emphasis Type="Italic">Davidiella</Emphasis> gen. nov., the teleomorph of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cladosporium s. str.</Emphasis>

A phylogenetic study employing sequence data from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1, ITS2) and 5.8S gene, as well as the 18S rRNA gene of various Cladosporium-like hyphomycetes revealed Cladosporium s. lat. to be heterogeneous. The genus Cladosporium s. str. was shown to represent a sister clade to Mycosphaerella s. str., for which the teleomorph genus Davidiella is proposed. The morphology, phylogeny and taxonomy of the cladosporioid fungi are discussed on the basis of this phylogeny, which consists of several clades representing Cladosporium-like genera. Cladosporium is confined to Davidiella (Mycosphaerellaceae) anamorphs with coronate conidiogenous loci and conidial hila. Pseudocladosporium is confined to anamorphs of Caproventuria (Venturiaceae). Cladosporium-like anamorphs of the Venturia (conidia catenate) are referred to Fusicladium. Human-pathogenic Cladosporium species belong in Cladophialophora (Capronia, Herpotrichiellaceae) and Cladosporium fulvum is representative of the Mycosphaerella/Passalora clade (Mycosphaerellaceae). Cladosporium malorum proved to provide the correct epithet for Pseudocladosporium kellermanianum (syn. Phaeoramularia kellermaniana, Cladophialophora kellermaniana) as well as Cladosporium porophorum. Based on differences in conidiogenesis and the structure of the conidiogenous loci, further supported by molecular data, C. malorum is allocated to Alternaria.     

Sociality in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euglossa</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Euglossa</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">viridissima</Emphasis> Friese (Hymenoptera,Apidae, Euglossini)

Euglossa viridissima is an orchid bee that forms both solitary and multiple female nests, making it a suitable species for the study of factors leading to diverse degrees of sociality in Euglossines. We conducted observations in eight reused nests (where a first generation of bees had been produced) kept in artificial boxes from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Five nests were reused (reactivated) by a single female (SFN), two nests reused by a mother and one daughter (MFN1) and one nest reused by the mother and two daughters (MFN2). No single nest was reactivated by unrelated females. The number of foraging trips, their duration and the duration of cell provisioning was not different between SFN and MFN. The overall production of cells per female was not different either between both types of nest. However, in MFN although all females did lay eggs, there was a reproductive skew in favor of the mother (95 and 45% of the brood produced in MFN1 and MFN2 respectively). She showed reproductive control of her daughters through oophagy and displaying threatening behavior when the daughters tried to open a cell where she had laid an egg. Brood losses to parasites (Anthrax sp. (Bom-byliidae) and Hoplostelis bivittata (Megachilidae)) were only found in SFN which possibly reflects and advantage of MFN in this respect. Our results coupled with other studies in Euglossa, reveal that a wide range of social behaviors occur in this genus, from solitary and communal to primitive reproductive division of labor. Multiple factors involving different levels of pressure imposed by food availability and parasites may favor such a diverse range of nesting behaviors. Interestingly, female associations in E. viridissima seem a result of kin selection that is enforced by coercion from mother females on their daughters. More studies are needed to shed light upon the social organization of Euglossa and other Euglossines and on their phylogenetic relationships in order to trace the origins of eusociality in Apidae. Received 12 February 2008; revised 25 June 2008; accepted 17 July 2008.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kretzschmaria varians</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylaria coremiifera</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylaria umbonata</Emphasis> sp. nov. from Costa Rica

Kretzschmaria varians, a species apparently related to K. micropus, is described as new. It is distinguished primarily by having asci with 2 to 8 ascospores with inconstant germination slit length and remains of synnemata on stromata and surrounding substrate. Xylaria coremiifera, described here as new, bears small fragile coremia on pulvinate stromata and the surrounding substrate. Asci often have fewer than 8 ascospores, most frequently 4. Xylaria umbonata, described here as new, produces perithecia around a central umbo that appears to be the remains of a synnema. Ascospores have long spiralling germination slits.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubricella aquisinus</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodobacteraceae</Emphasis>

A Gram-stain negative, ovoid or short rod-shaped, aerobic and non-motile bacterial strain, designated J82^T, was isolated from a seawater sample collected from the coast of Yellow Sea in Qingdao, China. The strain grew at salinities of 1.0–6.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.5%). Growth occurred at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 10–42 °C (optimum, 28–30 °C). The genomic DNA G + C content was determined to be 57.5 mol%. Q-10 was detected as the respiratory quinone. The major fatty acid (>10%) was Summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified polar lipids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain J82^T forms a distinct evolutionary lineage within the family Rhodobacteraceae. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, the strain merits recognition as representative of a novel genus and species within the family Rhodobacteraceae for which the name Rubricella aquisinus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rubricella aquisinus is J82^T (= DSM 103377^T = CCTCC AB 2016170^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oceaniovalibus guishaninsula</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., A Marine Bacterium of the Family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodobacteraceae</Emphasis>

The alphaproteobacterial strain JLT2003^T was isolated from surface seawater off the coast of Guishan island, Taiwan. The strain was Gram negative, ovoid or coccoid, non-motile and formed pink colonies on marine agar 2216 (MA; DIFCO) medium. The dominant fatty acids were C_18:1ω7c, cyclo C_19:0ω8c, and C_16:0. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The major respiratory ubiquinone was Q-10. The DNA G+C content was 62.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain was most closely related to Pontibaca methylaminivorans GRP21^T with 94.8% similarity. The isolate was distinguishable from members of the family Rhodobacteraceae based on phenotypic and biochemical characteristics. On the basis of the taxonomic data presented, strain JLT2003^T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Oceaniovalibus guishaninsula gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Oceaniovalibus guishaninsula is JLT2003^T (=JCM 17765^T = CGMCC 1.10827^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salinarchaeum laminariae</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov.: a new member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halobacteriaceae</Emphasis> isolated from salted brown alga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laminaria</Emphasis>

Halophilic archaeal strains R26^T and R22 were isolated from the brown alga Laminaria produced at Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. Cells from the two strains were pleomorphic rods and Gram negative, and colonies were red pigmented. Strains R26^T and R22 were able to grow at 20–50°C (optimum 37°C) in 1.4–5.1 M NaCl (optimum 3.1–4.3 M) at pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum pH 8.0–8.5) and neither strain required Mg²⁺ for growth. Cells lyse in distilled water and the minimum NaCl concentration required to prevent cell lysis was 8% (w/v) for strain R26^T and 12% (w/v) for strain R22. The major polar lipids of the two strains were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and minor phosphatidylglycerol sulfate; glycolipids were not detected. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes and rpoB′ genes revealed that strains R26^T and R22 formed a distinct clade with the closest relative, Natronoarchaeum mannanilyticum. The DNA G+C content of strains R26^T and R22 was 65.8 and 66.4 mol%, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strains R26^T and R22 was 89%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that the strains R26^T and R22 represent a novel species in a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, for which the name Salinarchaeum laminariae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R26^T (type strain R26^T = CGMCC 1.10590^T = JCM 17267^T, reference strain R22 = CGMCC 1.10589).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Leifiporia rhizomorpha</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">L. eucalypti</Emphasis> comb. nov. in Polyporaceae (Basidiomycota)

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal genus, Leifiporia, is proposed, based on morphological and molecular evidence, which is typified by L. rhizomorpha sp. nov. The genus is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with white to cream pore surface, a dimitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing clamp connections and branching mostly at right angles, skeletal hyphae present in the subiculum only and distinctly thinner than generative hyphae, IKI–, CB–, and ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, IKI–, CB– basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and LSU nrRNA gene regions of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data of ITS + nLSU sequences showed that Leifiporia belonged to the core polyporoid clade and was closely related to Diplomitoporus overholtsii and Lopharia cinerascens, and then grouped with Pycnoporus and Trametes. Further investigation was obtained for more representative taxa in the Polyporaceae based on nLSU sequences, in which the results demonstrated that the genus Leifiporia formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100 % BS, 100 % BP, 1.00 BPP). Both morphological and molecular evidence confirmed the placement of the new genus in the core polyporoid clade. In addition, a new combination, Leifiporia eucalypti, is proposed based on examination of its type material and phylogeny.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Subsessila turbinata</Emphasis> gen. et. sp. nov. (Beltraniaceae), a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beltrania</Emphasis>-like fungus from Thailand

A new monotypic Beltrania-like genus, Subsessila, with its type species S. turbinata, is described, illustrated and compared with similar genera. The new genus is introduced in the family Beltraniaceae based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological characters. Subsessila can be easily distinguished from other Beltrania-like genera by dark setae arising from radially lobed basal cells, mostly lacking macronematous conidiophores. Conidiogenous cells are ampulliform or doliiform and produce turbinate to clavate conidia with rostrate proximal end and rounded distal end. Evidence for establishment of the new genus is provided based on morphological comparison and DNA sequence data analyses.     

Ants of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plagiolepis</Emphasis> Mayr (Hymenoptera,Formicidae) from Late Eocene ambers of Europe

The genus Plagiolepis Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Late Eocene Baltic, Bitterfeld, Rovno, and Scandinavian ambers is revised. Two new species, Plagiolepis wheeleri sp. nov. and P. paradoxa sp. nov., are described. A lectotype of Plagiolepis klinsmanni Mayr, 1868 and neotypes of P. kuenowi Mayr, 1868 and P. solitaria Mayr, 1868 are designated. Rhopalomyrmex pygmaeus Mayr, 1868 (= Plagiolepis balticus Dlussky, 1997) is recognized as a new synonym of P. kuenowi Mayr, 1868. A key for identification of the Late Eocene species of Plagiolepis from the European ambers is provided.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Actimicrobium antarcticum</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., of the Family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxalobacteraceae</Emphasis>, Isolated from Antarctic Coastal Seawater

A Gram-negative, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase- positive, strictly aerobic, and short rod-shaped bacterium that was designated strain KOPRI 25157^T was isolated from coastal seawater sample in Antarctica. The temperature and pH ranges for growth on R2A agar were 10–20°C, and 5.0–10.0, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain KOPRI 25157^T showed it to belong to the family Oxalobacteraceae of the class Betaproteobacteria, and it formed a distinct clade from other recognized members of the family. DNA G + C content was 65.9 mol%. Major ubiquinone was Q-8. Predominant cellular fatty acids were C_16:1 ω7c/15 iso 2OH (56.4%) and C_16:1 (30.5%). Major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and unknown lipid. On the basis of these data, it is proposed that strain KOPRI 25157^T is the representative of a novel genus, for which the name Actimicrobium gen. nov. is proposed in the family Oxalobacteraceae. The type strain for Actimicrobium antarcticum sp. nov. is KOPRI 25157^T (=JCM 16673^T=KCTC 23040^T).     

Revision of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Entactinosphaera</Emphasis> Foreman, 1963 and the new genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Retientactinosphaera</Emphasis> gen. nov. (Paleozoic radiolaria)

The genus Entactinosphaera Foreman, 1963 is revised; it is shown to combine seven different genera, which are distinguished by morphological characters and belong to three orders of two radiolarian classes: the class Sphaerellaria, order Entactiniata (Bientactinosphaera, Entactinosphaera, Helioentactinia, Radiobisphaera), and class Spumellaria, orders Cancelliata (Retientactinosphaera, Magnisphaera) and Spongiata (Spongentactinia). New radiolarian taxa from the Middle Frasnian-Lower Famennian of the Timan-Pechora Basin and from the Lower Famennian of the Polar Ural Mountains, Russia, are described: Retientactinosphaera gen. nov., R. magnifica sp. nov., and R. clavata sp. nov.