First record of the tick <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ixodes</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pholeoixodes</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">kaiseri</Emphasis> in Turkey

Nymphs and larvae belonging to Ixodes spp. were collected from a red fox in Turkey. The ticks were identified morphologically and molecularly (16S rDNA PCR and phylogenetic analysis) as I. kaiseri. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses show that our I. kaiseri isolate is very similar to I. kaiseri isolates collected from Germany, Serbia, Romania, and Hungary. Therefore, the existence of I. kaiseri has been demonstrated for the first time in Turkey. More studies relating to the regional distribution and vectorial competence of I. kaiseri are needed.     

New species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clohiesia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraniesslia</Emphasis> collected from freshwater habitats in China

Two fungi collected from submerged woody debris were found to represent hitherto undescribed species of the ascomycete genera Clohiesia and Paraniesslia. They are described as Clohiesia curvispora sp. nov. and Paraniesslia aquatica sp. nov. based on morphological characters. Clohiesia curvispora is characterized by immersed ascomata under a clypeus, and unitunicate, cylindrical asci containing one-celled, curved, elongate-fusiform ascospores. Paraniesslia aquatica is characterized by small, superficial, setose ascomata, and unitunicate, clavate asci containing verrucose, brown ascospores. Each species is illustrated with light micrographs and compared with similar taxa in this article.     

Four new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllosticta</Emphasis>, one new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudocercospora</Emphasis>, and one new combination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Passalora</Emphasis> from Japan

During a survey of plant-inhabiting fungi in a botanical garden in Japan, some noteworthy fungi were collected from leaf spots of some herbal and arboreal plants. Among them, five new species are described, namely: Phyllosticta. ardisiicola on Ardisia crenata, Phy. aspidistricola on Aspidistra elatior, Phy. kerriae on Kerria japonica, Phy. fallopiae on Fallopia japonica, and Pseudocercospora davidiicola on Davidia involucrata. Passalora pyrrosiae, a new combination for Pseudocercospora pyrrosiae on Pyrrosia lingua, is proposed based on its morphological characteristics designating the neotype specimen.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>1<Emphasis Type="Italic">/copia</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>3<Emphasis Type="Italic">/gypsy</Emphasis>-like DNA sequences in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus </Emphasis>species

Two repeated DNA sequences isolated from a partial genomic DNA library of Helianthus annuus, p HaS13 and p HaS211, were shown to represent portions of the int gene of a Ty3 /gypsy retroelement and of the RNase-Hgene of a Ty1 /copia retroelement, respectively. Southern blotting patterns obtained by hybridizing the two probes to BglII- or DraI-digested genomic DNA from different Helianthus species showed p HaS13 and p HaS211 were parts of dispersed repeats at least 8 and 7 kb in length, respectively, that were conserved in all species studied. Comparable hybridization patterns were obtained in all species with p HaS13. By contrast, the patterns obtained by hybridizing p HaS211 clearly differentiated annual species from perennials. The frequencies of p HaS13- and p HaS211-related sequences in different species were 4.3x10(4)-1.3x10(5) copies and 9.9x10(2)-8.1x10(3) copies per picogram of DNA, respectively. The frequency of p HaS13-related sequences varied widely within annual species, while no significant difference was observed among perennial species. Conversely, the frequency variation of p HaS211-related sequences was as large within annual species as within perennials. Sequences of both families were found to be dispersed along the length of all chromosomes in all species studied. However, Ty3 /gypsy-like sequences were localized preferentially at the centromeric regions, whereas Ty1/ copia-like sequences were less represented or absent around the centromeres and plentiful at the chromosome ends. These findings suggest that the two sequence families played a role in Helianthusgenome evolution and species divergence, evolved independently in the same genomic backgrounds and in annual or perennial species, and acquired different possible functions in the host genomes.     

New records of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ardhachandra</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicyma</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sibirina</Emphasis> species from basidiomata of Aphyllophorales (Basidiomycetes) in Japan

Three mitosporic fungi, i.e., Ardhachandra cristaspora, Dicyma pulvinata, and Sibirina gamsii from basidiomata of Aphyllophorales (Basidiomycetes), are described and illustrated. These fungi have not been previously reported in Japan.     

First record of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pluteus chrysophaeus</Emphasis> and reexamination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pluteus leoninus</Emphasis> from Japan

Pluteus chrysophaeus is described as a new record for Japanese mycobiota. Pluteus leoninus, reported for the first time from Japan by Imai (1938), probably represents P. chrysophaeus. The new Japanese specimens of P. leoninus is redescribed and illustrated.     

New combinations and typifications in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bistorta</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Persicaria</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygonum,</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rumex</Emphasis> (Polygonaceae)

New combinations are proposed in anticipation of the Polygonaceae treatment in the forthcoming volume of Intermountain Flora: Polygonum kelloggii var. esotericum, P. kelloggii var. watsonii , Rumex densiflorus var. pycnanthus , R. salicifolius var. utahensis, and R. occidentalis var. tomentellus. Typifications are proposed to facilitate ongoing studies in Polygonaceae and to maintain current usage.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of callus cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crataegus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aronia</Emphasis>

A genetic transformation system has been developed for callus cells of Crataegus aronia using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Callus culture was established from internodal stem segments incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5 mg l⁻¹ Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA). In order to optimize the callus culture system with respect to callus growth and coloration, different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators were tested. Results indicated that the best average fresh weight of red colored callus was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin (Kin) (callus maintenance medium). Callus cells were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium harboring the binary plasmid pCAMBIA1302 carrying the mgfp5 and hygromycin phosphotransferase (hptII) genes conferring green fluorescent protein (GFP) activity and hygromycin resistance, respectively. Putative transgenic calli were obtained 4 weeks after incubation of the co-cultivated explants onto maintenance medium supplemented with 50 mg l⁻¹ hygromycin. Molecular analysis confirmed the integration of the transgenes in transformed callus. To our knowledge, this is the first time to report an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in Crataegus aronia.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quinua</Emphasis> and Relatives (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium</Emphasis> sect.<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium</Emphasis> subsect.<Emphasis Type="Italic">Celluloid</Emphasis>)

Traditionally viewed as an Andean grain crop,Chenopodium quinoa Willd. includes domesticated populations that are not Andean, and Andean populations that are not domesticated. Comparative analysis of leaf morphology and allozyme frequencies have demonstrated that Andean populations, both domesticated(quinua) and free-living(ajara), represent an exceptionally homogeneous unit that is well differentiated from allied domesticates of coastal Chile(quingua) and freeliving populations of the Argentine lowlands(C. hircinum). This pattern of relationships indicates that Andean populations represent a monophyletic crop/weed system that has possibly developed through cyclic differentiation (natural vs. human selection) and introgressive hybridization. Relative levels of variation suggest that this complex originated in the southern Andes, possibly from wild types allied withC. hircinum, with subsequent dispersal north to Colombia and south to the Chilean coast. Coastal populations were apparently isolated from post-dispersal differentiation and homogenization that occurred in the Andes. Other data point toward a center of origin in the northern Andes with secondary centers of genetic diversity subsequently developing in the southern Andes and the plains of Argentina. Comparative linkage of South American taxa, all tetraploid, with North American tetraploids of the subsection will eventually clarify this problem. While the possibility of a direct phyletic connection betweenC. quinoa and the Mexican domesticate(C. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae,) cannot be excluded, available evidence indicates that the latter represents an autonomous lineage that is associated with the basal tetraploid, C. b. subsp.berlandieri, through var.sinuatum, whereas South American taxa show possible affinities to either var. zschackei or var.berlandieri. An extinct domesticate of eastern North America,C. b. subsp.jonesianum, represents either another instance of independent domestication, possibly from subsp. b. var.zschackei, or a northeastern outlier of subsp.nuttalliae.     

Revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis> species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penstemon</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccanthera</Emphasis> subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis>

A revision of Penstemon sect. Saccanthera subsect. Serrulati includes a new species (P. salmonensis), a new variety (P. triphyllus var. infernalis), and the elevation of a subspecies to species (P. curtiflorus), bringing the total number of species to eight, which are keyed and described, complete with nomenclature and type citations.     

The tyrosine <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-prenyltransferase SirD catalyzes <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-prenylations

Recently, the prenyltransferase SirD was found to be responsible for the O-prenylation of tyrosine in the biosynthesis of sirodesmin PL in Leptosphaeria maculans. In this study, the behavior of SirD towards phenylalanine/tyrosine and tryptophan derivatives was investigated. Product formation has been observed with 12 of 19 phenylalanine/tyrosine derivatives. It was shown that the alanine structure attached to the benzene ring and an electron donor, e.g., OH or NH₂, at its para-position are essential for the enzyme activity. Modifications were possible both at the side chain and the benzene ring. Enzyme products from seven phenylalanine/tyrosine derivatives were isolated and characterized by MS and NMR analyses including HSQC and HMBC and proven to be O- or N-prenylated derivatives at position C4 of the benzene rings. K _M values of six selected derivatives were found in the range of 0.10–0.68 mM. Catalytic efficiencies (K _cat/K _M ) were determined in the range of 430–1,110 s⁻¹·M⁻¹ with l-tyrosine as the best substrate. In addition, 7 of 14 tested tryptophan analogs were also accepted by SirD and converted to C7-prenylated derivatives, which was confirmed by comparison with products obtained from enzyme assays using a 7-dimethylallyltryptophan synthase 7-DMATS from Aspergillus fumigatus.     

Endophytic fungi from rhizomes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paris polyphylla</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">yunnanensis</Emphasis>

About 63 fungal endophytic isolates were separated from rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, which is a traditional medicinal plant mainly distributed in China. The isolates were characterized and grouped based on the culture characteristics and the morphology of colony growth and conidia. Eleven representative ones were selected for further taxonomical identification. Five genera namely Fusarium, Gliocladiopsis, Gliomastix, Aspergillus and Cylindrocarpon were identified on the basis of their morphological characterizations. Of them, the most frequent genus was Fusarium (i.e. Ppf1, Ppf3 and Ppf14). Their ITS-rDNA sequences were compared with those available in the GeneBank databases to obtain the closest related species by BLAST analysis as well as to analyze their phylogenetic affiliation. The isolates were identified as Gliocladiopsis irregularis (Ppf2), Plectosphaerella cucumerina (Ppf4), Padospora sp. (Ppf6), Gliomastix murorum var. murorum (Ppf7), Aspergillus fumigatus (Ppf9), Pichia guilliermondii (Ppf10), Neonectria radicicola (anamorph: Cylindrocarpon) (Ppf12) and one uncultured mycorrhizal ascomycete (Ppf13) separately based on their morphological and molecular features. The molecular characters of the endophytic fungi were basically coincident with their morphology. The broad diversity and taxonomic spectrum were exhibited by the endophytic fungi from P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis.     

First Confirmation of Integron-Bearing Methicillin-Resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aureus</Emphasis>

Six methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA strains from two nosocomial infection cases described in a previous study [15], of which two occurred in March and the other four in May, 2005, were found to possess one copy of class 1 integron with aadA2 gene cassette located on chromosomes by Southern hybridization. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of mecA and pvl, SCCmec typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), spaA typing and coa typing were also performed. The results revealed 6 MRSA fell into the ST239-MRSA-III group (clonal complex 8), with the spaA type GKAOMQ and coa type HIJKL, whereas the pvl locus was not detected. DNA fingerprinting analysis by random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR using three different assays were also performed, and all strains exhibited identical patterns, indicating that they were clonally related and might be mainly due to a specific clone in the hospital. This was the first time, to our knowledge, that class 1 integron-bearing MRSA (I-MRSA), simultaneously carrying two mobile genetic elements was confirmed: class 1 integron and SCCmec.     

In planta transformation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Notocactus scopa</Emphasis> cv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Soonjung</Emphasis> by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>

Notocactus scopa cv. Soonjung was subjected to in planta Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation with vacuum infiltration, pin-pricking, and a combination of the two methods. The pin-pricking combined with vacuum infiltration (20-30 cmHg for 15 min) resulted in a transformation efficiency of 67-100%, and the expression of the uidA and nptII genes was detected in transformed cactus. The established in planta transformation technique generated a transgenic cactus with higher transformation efficiency, shortened selection process, and stable gene expression via asexual reproduction. All of the results showed that the in planta transformation method utilized in the current study provided an efficient and time-saving procedure for the delivery of genes into the cactus genome, and that this technique can be applied to other asexually reproducing succulent plant species.     

Biodecolourization of azo and triphenylmethane dyes by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dichomitus squalens</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phlebia</Emphasis> spp

Nine white-rot fungal strains were screened for biodecolourization of brilliant green, cresol red, crystal violet, congo red and orange II. Dichomitus squalens, Phlebia fascicularia and P. floridensis decolourized all of the dyes on solid agar medium and possessed better decolourization ability than Phanerochaete chrysosporium when tested in nitrogen-limited broth medium. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 201–203 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000222 Received 12 July 2001/ Accepted in revised form 22 October 2001     

Prevalence,intensity and associated factor analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tropilaelaps</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mercedesae</Emphasis> infesting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mellifera</Emphasis> in China

Tropilaelaps mercedesae is a serious ectoparasite of Apis mellifera in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the infestation rates and intensity of T. mercedesae in A. mellifera in China, and to explore the relative importance of climate, district, management practices and beekeeper characteristics that are assumed to be associated with the intensity of T. mercedesae. Of the 410 participating apiaries, 379 apiaries were included in analyses of seasonal infestation rates and 352 apiaries were included in multivariable regression analysis. The highest infestation rate (86.3%) of T. mercedesae was encountered in autumn, followed by summer (66.5%), spring (17.2%) and winter (14.8%). In autumn, 28.9% (93) of the infested apiaries were in the north (including the northeast and northwest of China), 71.1% (229) were in the central and south (including east, southeast and southwest China), and 306 apiaries (82.9%) were co-infested by both T. mercedesae and Varroa. Multivariable regression analysis showed that geographical location, season, royal jelly collection and Varroa infestation were the factors that influence the intensity of T. mercedesae. The influence of beekeeper’s education, time of beekeeping, operation size, and hive migration on the intensity of T. mercedesa was not statistically significant. This study provided information about the establishment of the linkage of the environment and the parasite and could lead to better timing and methods of control.     

Ectomycorrhizae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuber huidongense</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. liyuanum</Emphasis> with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Castanea mollissima</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus armandii</Emphasis>

Tuber huidongense and T. liyuanum are common commercial white truffles in China that belong to the Rufum and Puberulum groups of the genus Tuber, respectively. Their mycorrhizae were successfully synthesized with two native trees—Castanea mollissima and Pinus armandii—under greenhouse conditions. The identities of the mycorrhizae were confirmed through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analyses, and their morphological characteristics were described. All of the obtained mycorrhizae have an interlocking pseudoparenchymatous mantle, which is a typical feature of truffle mycorrhizae. The mycorrhizae of T. huidongense on the two trees have hyaline branched emanating hyphae, similar to the documented mycorrhizae of the Rufum group. The unramified, spiky, and hyaline cystidia on the mycorrhizae of T. liyuanum with both C. mollissima and P. armandii further confirmed that this characteristic is constant for the mycorrhizae of the Puberulum group. The successful mycorrhizal syntheses on the two nut-producing trees will be of economic importance in the cultivation of the two truffles.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Galleria</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mellonella</Emphasis> are Resistant to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">murina</Emphasis> Infection

Studying Pneumocystis has proven to be a challenge from the perspective of propagating a significant amount of the pathogen in a facile manner. The study of several fungal pathogens has been aided by the use of invertebrate model hosts. Our efforts to infect the invertebrate larvae Galleria mellonella with Pneumocystis proved futile since P. murina neither caused disease nor was able to proliferate within G. mellonella. It did, however, show that the pathogen could be rapidly cleared from the host.