Mating behavior of the rock catfish, Silurus lithophilus

The mating behavior of the rock catfish Silurus lithophilus (Siluriformes: Siluridae), a species endemic to the Lake Biwa system, was observed from May to July in 1989–1994 along the rocky shore of the lake's outlet, the Seta River. The mating behavior of S. lithophilus involved a certain behavioral sequence: “chasing,”“clinging,” and “enfolding” while “squeezing” by the male; and “circling” by the spawned pair. The mating behavior of this species was basically similar to that of S. biwaensis, but greatly different from that of S. asotus, which spawns in running water (in ditches). The mating behavior of S. lithophilus (and S. biwaensis) might have developed as an adaptation to lentic environments such as the shores of the large river or the lake. Received: October 25, 2000 / Revised: February 25, 2001 / Accepted: March 8, 2001     

Relationships among three Japanese <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laetiporus</Emphasis> taxa based on phylogenetic analysis and incompatibility tests

Relationships among three Japanese Laetiporus taxa (“L. sulphureus var. sulphureus” auct. jap., L. sulphureus var. miniatus, and L. versisporus) were assessed with phylogenetic analysis and incompatibility tests. Gene phylogenies inferred from the internal transcribed spacer region of nuclear ribosomal DNA, elongation factor 1α, and β-tubulin gene regions suggested that Japanese Laetiporus was divided into four groups: the yellow pore form of L. sulphureus var. miniatus, the white pore form of L. sulphureus var. miniatus, and two “L. sulphureus var. sulphureus”/ L. versisporus groups. A morphologically distinct species, Laetiporus versisporus, sharing a clade with “L. sulphureus var. sulphureus” auct. jap., was proved to be an anamorphic form of “L. sulphureus var. sulphureus” auct. jap. The “sulphureus/versisporus” isolates showed two divergent sequence types in each region. Some isolates had intraindividual polymorphism assigned to both sequence types. This finding suggests that speciation via hybridization is ongoing in the “sulphureus/versisporus” group. Single spore isolates from the “sulphureus/versisporus” group, white pore group, and yellow pore group were incompatible with each other. Our results provided strong support for the new recognition of three Laetiporus taxa in Japan.     

New species of Pogonophryne (Pisces, Artedidraconidae) from the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica

A new species of notothenioid fish, Pogonophryne bellingshausenensis n. sp., is described from the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica. The new species belongs to the dorsally-spotted “mentella” group of the genus and is characterized by having a short (about 13% SL) mental barbel with a short (about 16% of barbel length), narrow (barely wider than the stalk), and relatively inconspicuous terminal expansion composed of short, irregular, fingerlike processes. Compared to most other dorsally-spotted species of Pogonophryne (“barsukovi”, “marmorata”, and “mentella” groups), P. bellingshausenensis has a relatively wide (about 7% SL) interorbital region. An unspotted patch on the median dorsal surface of the head, posterior to the posttemporal ridges and anterior to the first dorsal fin, has not been observed previously in any dorsally-spotted species. The holotype was collected at 1,947 m, one of the deepest records for any species of Pogonophryne. A revised key to the ten species of the “mentella” group of Pogonophryne is also provided.     

Materials towards the revision of the genus Triplophysa rendahl, 1933 (Cobitoidea: Balitoridae: Nemacheilinae): A revision of nominal taxa of Herzenstein (1888) described within the species “Nemachilus” stoliczkae and “N.” dorsonotatus, with the description of the new species T. scapanognatha sp. nova

This study reviews the nominal taxa within the species “Nemachilus” stoliczkae and “N.” dorsonotatus, described by Herzenstein (1888). N. dorsonotatus, N. d. retropinnis, and N. plagiognathus are reviewed within the species Triplophysa stoliczkae; it is suggested that this species is represented by at least 5 subspecies. N. stoliczkae brevicauda, N. s. leptosoma (synonym, N. s. productus), and N. s. crassicauda are considered as valid species, the last 2 are related to the group including the species T. tenuis, T. choprai, T. tenuicauda, and T. yasinensis rather than with T. stoliczkae. It was shown that the “stoliczkae” species group (sensu Prokofiev, 2001) should be divided into three species groups: “stoliczkae” (s. str.), “tenuis,” and “robusta”; their diagnoses and the species composition are presented. A new species from the “stoliczkae” group is described (T. scapanognatha sp. nova), related to T. tanggulaensis (Zhu, 1982). Original Russian Text ? A.M. Prokofiev, 2007, published in Voprosy Ikhtiologii, 2007, Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 5–25.     

Molecular kinship analyses of the agaricoid Russulaceae: Correspondence with mycorrhizal anatomy and sporocarp features in the genus Russula

A data set of LSU DNA sequences of mainly European Russula and Lactarius species was subjected to molecular phylogenetic analysis. Species could be allocated to six clades, with an unresolved phylogeny. One of these clades represents the genus Lactarius. The only analysed species of the section Archaeinae (Russula) was placed basal to both genera. Thus Lactarius appears to be derived from Russula. Russula was divided into four clusters, corresponding to the sections Plorantinae and Nigricantinae, subgenus Heterophyllidia including the section Foetentinae, and a cluster representing the remaining subgenera of the “Genuinae”. Even though the resulting groups can be considered as valid classificatory groups, species associations resulting from molecular analyses neither support the division of Russula into the subgenus Compacta (including the sections Nigricantinae, Plorantinae, and Archaeinae) and the “Genuinae” (including all remaining taxa), nor do they support previously proposed evolutionary lineages within the “Genuinae”. Ribosomal ITS DNA sequences of Russula species were analysed to achieve better infrageneric resolution. The results are discussed in relation to current classification systems and to what is known about the mycorrhizae formed by Russula species. While the systematic value attached to many macroscopic and microscopic sporocarp features was not supported by sequence data, mycorrhizal anatomy is in good correspondence with many of the results from the phylogenetic analysis.     

Seven <Emphasis Type="Italic">Armillaria</Emphasis> species identified from Hokkaido Island,northern Japan

Sixty-two isolates from basidiocarps of Armillaria spp. were obtained from Hokkaido Island, northern Japan. Six species (Armillaria cepistipes, A. gallica, A. nabsnona, A. ostoyae, A. sinapina, and an undescribed species, “Nag. E”) were identified by pairing tests with known tester strains and one subspecies (Armillaria mellea subsp. nipponica, a non-heterothallic form of A. mellea) was identified by its macro- and micro-morphological characters of the basidiocarps. This is the first case of “Nag. E” being reported from Hokkaido Island.     

Molecular characterization of Syrian date palm cultivars using plasmid-like DNA markers

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the most important domesticated fruit trees in the Near East and North African countries. This tree has been, for several decades, in serious threat of being completely destroyed by the “Bayoud” disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis. In this study, 18 Syrian date palm cultivars and four male trees were analyzed according to the identity of mitochondrial plasmid-like DNAs. A PCR strategy that employs plasmid-like DNAs-specific primer pair was used. These primers amplify a product of either 373-bp or 265-bp that corresponds to the S- (Bayoud-susceptible) or the R-plasmid (Bayoud-resistant), respectively. Generated data revealed that only six cultivars (“Medjool”, “Ashrasi”, “Gish Rabi”, “Khineze”, and yellow- and red-“Kabkab”) have the S-plasmid, suggesting their susceptibility to the fusariosis, while the remaining 12 cultivars and the four male trees contain the R-plasmid, suggesting their resistance to the fusariosis. The PCR process applied here has been proved efficient for the rapid screening for the presence of the S and R DNAs in Syrian date palm. PCR markers developed in this study could be useful for the screening of date palm lines growing in the field. The availability of such diagnostic tool for plasmid characterization in date palm would also be of great importance in establishing propagation and breeding programs of date palm in Syria.     

Observations on Flattened Species of Gracilaria (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) from Taiwan

Four flattened Gracilaria species have been reported from Taiwan: G. spinulosa, G. vieillardii, G. textorii and G. punctata, identified based on branching pattern, the presence or absence of spines, and characters that often vary seasonally. Gracilaria spinulosa was originally described from the type locality, Tainan. Species with toothed margins are usually referred to G. “vieillardii”; those with smooth margins to G. “textorii”, and those with smooth margins and dark spots scattered over the blade to G. “punctata”. Molecular analyses show that specimens with marginal teeth cluster in three different groups: a G. “vieillardii” clade, a G. spinulosa clade, and a clade sister to G. spinulosa. An undescribed species comprises the third clade, which is distinguished by its relatively large gonimoblast cells and weakly developed tubular nutritive cells. The three clades can be separated by the character of the tubular nutritive cells, the size of gonimoblast cells and certain vegetative features. Plants with entire margins form a single clade characterized by cystocarps with basal tubular nutritive cells and their absence in the cystocarp cavity. They are nested in the Hydropuntia complex and are referred to as Gracilaria “punctata” here. The records of G. textorii and G. punctata from Taiwan require reinvestigation in comparison with the Japanese species.     

Beetles of the superfamily Curculionoidea (Coleoptera) in a complex semi-desert in relation to climate changes in the North Caspian region

In desert and steppe habitats of the complex North Caspian semi-desert, more than twofold differences in the number of hortobiont Curculionoidea species (33 and 75 species, respectively) were observed between the “dry” (1972–1974) and “humid” (2003–2005) climatic phases. The abundance of most species changed. Polyphagous steppe weevils of the subfamily Entiminae (Otiorhynchus velutinus, Euidosomus acuminatus, Omias verruca, and O. rotundatus) with spring activity of adults were the most stable, representing the main dominants of the spring communities both in the 1970s and 2000s. Nearly all of the weevils that changed their abundance since the 1970s were specialized herbivores with summer adult activity. In the more humid 2000s, the abundance of some desert-steppe weevils dominating the desert communities (Phacephorus nebulosus, Metadonus anceps and especially Ptochus porcellus) dropped drastically. Most of the species whose abundance increased most strongly (Phyllobius brevis, Trachyphloeus amplithorax, Archaeophloeus inermis, Stenopterapion tenue, Sitona inops, S. longulus, Tychius spp.) are associated with Medicago romanica, the plant that considerably raised its density in the microdepressions during the “humid” phase. The data show an evident reduction of the most xerophilic (desertsteppe) components of the weevil community and an increase in the fraction of mesophilic species. These changes seem to follow a cyclic pattern.     

Global-scale genetic identification of hammerhead sharks: Application to assessment of the international fin trade and law enforcement

The future status of sharks is an issue of widespread conservation concern due to declines in many species in the face of high levels of exploitation to satisfy market demands for products, especially fins. Substantial declines in the large-bodied hammerhead sharks, Sphyrna lewini, S. mokarran and S. zygaena, even in regions where some management occurs, indicate that informed conservation measures are warranted for these circumglobally distributed species. Despite the importance of assessing shark catch and trade on a species-specific basis to detect potential overexploitation of individual species, achieving this goal for hammerheads has proven elusive due to difficulties in identification of their products. Here, we present the development and application of a diagnostic, streamlined, five-primer multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay utilizing species-specific primers based on nuclear ribosomal ITS2 for the three hammerhead species throughout their global distribution. Application of this assay to investigations of the fin market confirmed the presence of hammerhead fins in the international trade. A study of the world’s largest fin market in Hong Kong revealed a high concordance between specific Chinese-name trade categories and fins from these three species (“Bai Chun” with S. lewini, “Gui Chun” with S. zygaena and “Gu Pian” with S.␣mokarran), and clear species preferences. This concordance information allows the use of market records for monitoring species-specific trends in trade and exploitation rates. The assay is also proving useful for identification of shark body parts in U.S. fisheries law-enforcement activities. Screening of morphologically identified “ S. lewini” from globally distributed areas using this assay with subsequent whole ITS2 sequencing suggests a cryptic species closely related to S. lewini occurs off the SE USA coast.     

Phytosiderophores released by graminaceous species promote 59Fe-uptake in citrus

Chlorosis-susceptible fruit trees growing on calcareous soils have been observed to recover in the presence of grass cover species. However, the physiological mechanisms behind this phenomenon are only scarcely understood. An investigation was carried out to verify whether citrus plants can use ⁵⁹Fe solubilized from a sparingly soluble source by the phytosiderophores (PS) released from graminaceous species. Experiments were performed in hydroponics, using two citrus rootstocks differing in their sensitivity to Fe-deficiency in the field (Poncirus trifoliata × Citrus paradisi, citrumelo “Swingle”, highly susceptible, and Citrus aurantium L., moderately tolerant). Barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv Europa) was used as a model species for PS-releasing graminaceous plants. Fe-deficient citrus plants increased ⁵⁹Fe-uptake from ⁵⁹Fe-hydroxide supplied inside a dialysis tube, when Fe-deficient barley plants or PS-containing barley root exudates were present in the uptake solution, this effect being particularly evident for the susceptible rootstock. ⁵⁹Fe-uptake from ⁵⁹Fe-hydroxide was also enhanced in Fe-deficient citrumelo “Swingle” in the presence of Fe-deficient Poa pratensis L. and Festuca rubra L., two perennial grasses normally grown in association with fruit trees; no effect was found when Fe-sufficient grasses were employed. The uptake of ⁵⁹Fe by the susceptible citrus rootstock increased in proportion to the amount of 2′-deoxymugineic acid (DMA), the major PS released by Fe-deficient F. rubra, present in the uptake solution. The beneficial effect of F. rubra or P. pratensis was evident from the leaf re-greening observed when Fe-deficient citrumelo “Swingle” plants were grown in association with the grasses in pots filled with a calcareous soil. Leaf re-greening was not observed when citrumelo “Swingle” plants and yellow stripe 3 (ys3) maize (Zea mays L.) mutant plants, unable to release PS, were co-cultivated in pots filled with calcareous soil, unless exogenous PS were added to the soil. Results indicate that graminaceous cover species can improve the Fe-nutrition of fruit trees grown on calcareous soils by enhancing Fe-availability.     

Description of a new species of the carabid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Harpalus</Emphasis> Latr. from the Southwestern United States,with remarks on the composition of the subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glanodes</Emphasis> Casey (Coleoptera,Carabidae)

Harpalus apache sp. n. is described from the eastern part of New Mexico, USA (type locality: Hwy I 40, near Santa Rosa, Guadalupe Co). The new species is very similar in appearance to H. cordatus (Le-Conte, 1853) but readily distinguished from it by the male genitalia structure. These two species constitute a natural taxon which is included as the “cordatus” group (= Opadius Casey, 1914) in the subgenus Glanodes Casey, 1914. Distinctive characters, distribution and composition of the subgenus Glanodes and two its species groups (“obliquus” and “cordatus”) are provided. Two names, H. cordatus (LeConte, 1853) (= H. tadorcus Ball, 1972) and H. puncticeps (Casey, 1914) (= H. cunctipeps Ball, 1973), rejected because of the secondary homonymy, are reinstated as valid since they are not homonyms of Ophonus cordatus (Duftschmid, 1812) and Ophonus puncticeps Stephens, 1828, respectively.     

Systematics and genetic variation in commercial shape Kappaphycus and shape Eucheuma (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta)

The systematics and taxonomy of Kappaphycus and Eucheuma (Solieriaceae) is confused and difficult due to morphological plasticity, lack of adequate characters to identify species and commercial names of convenience. These taxa are geographically widely dispersed through cultivation. Commercial, wild and herbarium sources were analysed; molecular markers provided insights into taxonomy and genetic variation, and where sources of genetic variation may be located. The mitochondrial cox2-3 and plastidal RuBisCo spacers were sequenced. There is a clear genetic distinction between K. alvarezii (“cottonii”) and K. striatum (“sacol”) samples. Kappaphycus alvarezii from Hawaii and some samples from Africa are also genetically distinct. Our data also show that all currently cultivated K. alvarezii from all over the world have a similar mitochondrial haplotype. Within Eucheuma denticulatum (“spinosum”) most African samples are again genetically distinct. Our data also suggest that currently cultivated E. denticulatum may have been “domesticated” several times, whereas this is not evident for the cultivated K. alvarezii. The present markers used do not distinguish all the morpho-types known in cultivation (e.g. var. tambalang, “giant” type) but do suggest that these markers may be useful to assess introductions and species identification in samples.     

Lagomorphs from the Miocene of Sandelzhausen (southern Germany)

Three genera of lagomorphs, Prolagus, Lagopsis, and “Amphilagus,” were identified during a revision of the lagomorph material from Sandelzhausen (MN5, Early/Middle Miocene boundary, southern Germany). Evidence of two morphological and dimensional classes were observed at some tooth positions in Prolagus (some p3 show an unmistakable P. oeningensis morphology, others closely resemble P. crusafonti), but not at other tooth positions (e.g., M1–2). Insufficient data from Sandelzhausen precludes identification of two different species of Prolagus from this locality, and to define the characteristics of the possible P. crusafonti-like species. Thus, all Prolagus specimens have been classified as P. aff. oeningensis. The genus Lagopsis is represented by L. cf. penai, whose presence is compatible with a MN5 age. The relative abundance of Lagopsis to Prolagus may indicate relatively cool and wet palaeoclimatic conditions. The largest primitive lagomorph species from continental Europe is present at Sandelzhausen. Morphological and dimensional comparisons with other European primitive lagomorphs exclude any affinity with the genera Eurolagus and Titanomys and with the species included in “Amphilagus ulmensis”. Some common features with “Amphilagus antiquus” were observed, although they are not sufficient for the attribution to this taxon. Until there is a general revision of European primitive lagomorphs, the Sandelzhausen giant lagomorph is classified as “Amphilagus” sp. Its origins, whether from evolution within Europe or migration from Asia, remain unknown.      

A graphical method for analysing the dynamics of three-species systems

We report a series of experiments with three competing species and a novel graphical analysis that explores the dynamics of this simple multi-species system. The three competing species (Drosophila hydei, D. immigrans and D. virilis) were maintained in five very large cages, on a natural fruit resource. The analytic method involved constructing a “dynamic surface”, by interpolation, from the population trajectories. Within the dynamic surface constructed from the five experiments a small “equilibrium area” (an area of point vectors) could be identified. The implications of both the method and the results are discussed. Received: 22 July 1996 / Accepted: 29 April 1997     

Pollination biology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Disanthus cercidifolius</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">longipes</Emphasis>, an endemic and endangered plant in China

Disanthus cercidifolius Maxim. var. longipes H.T. Chang usually has two inflorescences growing in opposite directions in the axillae, but occasionally three inflorescences grow paratactically. The typical flowering process could be divided into 4 periods: “Pre-dehiscence”, “Initial dehiscence”, “Full dehiscence” and “Withering”. Both the natural population and the planted population had a flowering peak of 15–35 days after the first flower bloomed. There were significant differences between the time courses of flowering of the two populations. Out-crossing is the main breeding system in this species. And autogamy decreases the risk of reproductive failure of this species. The main insect pollinators of D. cercidifolius var. longipes are Episyrphus balteatus de Geer, Scaptodrosophila coracina Kikkawa and Peng, Polistes olivaceus de Geer, Apis cerana Fabricius, Nezara viridula L. and Coccinella septempunctata L., and so on. Among the insects, S. coracina and E. balteatus are the most important and efficient pollinators, but others are inefficient pollinators. Though wind pollination is not efficient, it guarantees reproduction when insect pollinators are not available. “Mass flowering” is an adaptive behavior and reproductive strategy of this species, and “few fruiting” could be caused by the lack of pollinators.     

On the reversibility of environmentally induced alterations in abstract biological systems

The environmentally induced alterations in structure of (M, ℜ) which were described previously (R. Rosen,Bull. Math. Biophysics,23, 165–171, 1961) are examined from the standpoint of determining under what circumstances they can be reversed by further environmental interactions. For simplicity we consider only the case of (M, ℜ)-systems possessing one “metabolic” and one “genetic” component. In the case of environmentally induced alteration of the “metabolic” component alone, a necessary and sufficient condition is given for the reversibility of the alteration. In the case of alteration of the “genetic” component, the situation becomes more complex; several partial results are given, but a full analysis is not available at this time. Some possible biological implications of this analysis are discussed. This research was supported by the United States Air Force through the Air Force Office of Scientific Research of the Air Research and Development Command, under Contract no. AF-49(638)-917 and Grant no. AF-AFOSR-9-63.     

Four ectomycorrhizae of Pyronemataceae (Pezizomycetes) on Chinese Pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus tabulaeformis</Emphasis>): morpho-anatomical and molecular-phylogenetic analyses

Morphological and anatomical characters of four ectomycorrhizae with affinities to the genera Humaria, Geopora, and Trichophaea of Pyronemataceae (Pezizomycetes, Ascomycota) on Chinese Pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) are described. The ectomycorrhizae are yellowish brown to brown, and have pseudoparenchymatous outer mantle layers and partially warty emanating hyphae with thick walls and without clamps. Intrahyphal hyphae are present, and no rhizomorphs are formed. The four ectomycorrhizae are distinguishable by differences in cell shape of outer mantle layers and the presence of cystidia. Ectomycorrhizae of a possible Humaria species (Pinirhiza humarioides) lack cystidia and have irregularly inflated cells on the outer mantle layer that are connected with thin septa. The two ectomycorrhizae showing probable affinities to Geopora species (“P. daqingensis” and “P. geoporoides”) possess row-like arranged cells in the outer mantle layer and cell heaps, and differ by the presence or absence of cystidia as well as by the structure of the inner mantle layers. Ectomycorrhizae likely having been formed by a Trichophaea species (“P. trichophaeoides”) have oval to polygonal cells and no cystidia. The possible taxa affiliations were assessed by molecular-phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial large subunit (LSU) nrDNA. Morphological and anatomical characters are discussed against the background of the LSU phylogeny.     

Dung beetle distribution patterns in the Iberian peninsula

A canonical variate analysis was used to summarize the distribution pattern of 30 species of dung beetles (Scarabaeinae) from 162 sites in the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) in relation to 4 site variables. The best separation of beetle species, obtained using a xerothermic climatic index, was into 3 groups called “mediterranean”, “unrestricted” and “temperate”. Little further separation was achieved using altitude, dung type or soil type. These data are used to select dung beetles for introduction to south-western Australia for bush fly control.

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Résumé On a fait appel à l'analyse de variables canoniques pour résumer le plan de distribution, relatif à 4 variables de localité, de 30 espèces de bousiers (Scarabaeinae) de 162 localités de la Péninsule ibérique (l'Espagne et le Portugal). La meilleure division des espèces, obtenue à l'aide d'un indice xérothermique climatique, se faisait en 3 groupes désignés respectivement comme “méditerranéen”, “ubiquiste” et “tempéré”. Peu de séparation supplémentaire a été obtenue en ayant recours à des facteurs d'altitude, de nature de la bouse ou de type de sol. Ces données ont été employées pour aider à la sélection de bousiers destinés à être introduits en Australie Occidentale pour y combattreMusca vetustissima Walker[Diptera].