Molecular phylogenetic evaluation of Antrodiella and morphologically allied genera in China

Three new wood-decaying polypores from China, Antrodiella lactea, A. nanospora and Frantisekia abieticola, are described and illustrated using morphological characteristics and rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) sequences. Phylogenetic analyses of the generated sequences, along with those retrieved from GenBank, confirmed the polyphyly of the genus Antrodiella. The Antrodiella s.s. clade includes A. citrinella, A. faginea, A. hoehnelii, A. ichnusana, A. lactea, A. micra, A. nanospora, A. onychoides, A. pallasii, A. pallescens, A. parasitica, A. romellii, A. semisupina and A. stipitata. Antrodiella albocinnamomea and A. zonata grouped with Cerrena unicolour in the Cerrena clade, and they are transferred to Cerrena, as C. albocinnamomea and C. zonata were proposed. The main morphological characters of the genus Antrodiella s.s., and discriminating characters of the new species and the closely related species are discussed.     

Antrodiella pendulina and A. citripileata spp. nov. (Basidiomycota,Polyporales) from subtropical and tropical China

Antrodiella pendulina H. S. Yuan and A. citripileata H. S. Yuan spp. nov. from southern China are illustrated and described. Antrodiella pendulina has disciform basidiocarps, a trimitic hyphal system, cylindrical basidiospores and occur exclusively on angiosperm twigs. Antrodiella citripileata has effused‐reflexed to pileate and lemon‐colored basidiocarps, very small pores, thick‐walled skeletal hyphae with a wide lumen, and small ellipsoid basidiospores.     

Antrodiellins A‒C,triquinane sesquiterpenoids from fungus Antrodiella albocinnamomea with their antibacterial activity

Three previously undescribed triquinane type sesquiterpenoids, antrodiellins A‒C (1‒3), together with three known analogues 4‒6, were isolated from wild fungus Antrodiella albocinnamomea. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited weak inhibitions against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 128 and 64 μg/mL, respectively.     

Aphyllophorales Della Riserva Naturale Integrale di Sasso Fratino (Forlì), Italia

Abstract

The author deals with the results of a research on the presence of Aphyllophorales in Sasso Fratino Forest, an Integral Natural Reserve, inside the Foreste Casentinesi National Park. The research started in 1987 and till now 171 wood-inhabiting species have been collected. Some of them are new to the Italian mycoflora: Antrodiella fissiliformis, Ceriporia alachuana, Laeticorticium meridioroseum, Parvobasidium cretatum, Pycnoporellus fulgens, while some other must be considered very rare species in Italy: Ganoderma carnosum, Lobulicium occultum, Stereum insignitum, Trechispora echynocystis.     

Genetic analyses reveal further cryptic lineages within the Myotis nattereri species complex

In recent years, new cryptic mammalian species have been discovered in Europe, many of which belong to the order Chiroptera. Within this order, some species such as Myotis nattereri contain several cryptic lineages/species, especially in the Mediterranean region. Here we present genetic, phylogenetic and morphological analysis on the Myotis nattereri species complex, focusing on France which is thought to be a contact zone for the different lineages/species. We sequenced the full Cytochrome b gene from individuals from 23 localities and investigated diagnostic morphological characteristics. Our results reveal new phylogenetic relationships within the Myotis nattereri species complex and among closely related species. We discuss morphological characters which are synapomorphic to each lineage and can be used to differentiate them. Our results also demonstrate the presence of a new lineage within the Myotis nattereri species complex. This lineage, endemic to Corsica, possibly represents a new cryptic species for which we present preliminary ecological data. We further identify the presence of three lineages/species in France and detail their distribution with potential contact zones.     

A new species of Scolecobasidium associated with the sooty blotch and flyspeck complex on banana from China

Sooty blotch and flyspeck is caused by a complex of epiphytic fungi on diverse hosts. A fungus morphologically similar to Scolecobasidium humicola was isolated from a banana fruit exhibiting SBFS signs in Hainan, China. ITS and LSU sequences of rDNA corroborated that it was a Scolecobasidium species. The results of LSU rDNA analysis support the interpretation that Ochroconis is synonymous with Scolecobasidium. Five new combinations, S. anomalum, S. calidifluminale, S. gallopavum, S. gamsii, and S. lascauxense, were proposed. A new species, S. musae, was described based on morphological characteristics and sequence comparison with previous species.     

Analysis of microsatellite markers in the genome of the plant pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata

Ceratocystis fimbriata sensu lato represents a complex of cryptic and commonly plant pathogenic species that are morphologically similar. Species in this complex have been described using morphological characteristics, intersterility tests and phylogenetics. Microsatellite markers have been useful to study the population structure and origin of some species in the complex. In this study we sequenced the genome of C. fimbriata. This provided an opportunity to mine the genome for microsatellites, to develop new microsatellite markers, and map previously developed markers onto the genome. Over 6000 microsatellites were identified in the genome and their abundance and distribution was determined. Ceratocystis fimbriata has a medium level of microsatellite density and slightly smaller genome when compared with other fungi for which similar microsatellite analyses have been performed. This is the first report of a microsatellite analysis conducted on a genome sequence of a fungal species in the order Microascales. Forty-seven microsatellite markers have been published for population genetic studies, of which 35 could be mapped onto the C. fimbriata genome sequence. We developed an additional ten microsatellite markers within putative genes to differentiate between species in the C. fimbriata s.l. complex. These markers were used to distinguish between 12 species in the complex.     

Cylindrocarpon root rot: multi-gene analysis reveals novel species within the Ilyonectria radicicola species complex

Ilyonectria radicicola and its Cylindrocarpon-like anamorph represent a species complex that is commonly associated with root rot disease symptoms on a range of hosts. During the course of this study, several species could be distinguished from I. radicicola sensu stricto based on morphological and culture characteristics. DNA sequence analysis of the partial ??-tubulin, histone H3, translation elongation factor 1-?? and nuclear ribosomal RNA-Internal Transcribed Spacer (nrRNA-ITS) genes were employed to provide further support for the morphological species resolved among 68 isolates associated with root rot disease symptoms. Of the various loci screened, nrRNA-ITS sequences were the least informative, while histone H3 sequences were the most informative, resolving the same number of species as the combined dataset across the four genes. Within the Ilyonectria radicicola species complex, 12 new taxa are delineated occurring on a diverse range of hosts, the most common being Cyclamen, Lilium, Panax, Pseudotsuga, Quercus and Vitis.     

A new genus and species from Borneo and a new species from Java and Sumatra of Cicadini (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

A new cicada genus and species, Minilomia triquetra, gen. and sp. nov., is described from Borneo. The new genus Minilomia is closely allied to Platylomia Stål and is placed in the subtribe Dundubiina of the tribe Cicadini. Another new cicada species, Pomponia brevicaudata, sp. nov. (subtribe Psithyristriina), is described from Java and Sumatra. The new species belongs to the Pomponia linearis species group and the P. linearis species complex but is distinguished from its congeners by the unusually short male abdomen.     

Perilla frutescens seed agar, a new medium for identification of the Cryptococcus species complex: evaluation for all major molecular types

Here we present a new and simple medium made by Perilla frutescens seed as a tool for identification of the Cryptococcus species complex, namely Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Its usefulness was evaluated for all major molecular types within the Cryptococcus species complex. As a result, this medium is better for identification of the species complex compared with Guizotia abyssinica or Helianthus annuus seed medium.     

Species of the genus Nikanoria related to Nikanoria mongolica (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae)

A complex of the species related to Nikanoria mongolica Zerova is discussed. This complex includes a new subspecies (N. mongolica punctulata subsp. n.) and two new species (N. kazakhstanica sp. n. and N. sugonjaevi sp. n.). Data on the distribution and trophic associations of these species are provided. The type material is deposited in the collection of the Schmalhauzen Institute of Zoology, National Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev.     

Cryptic species and systematics of the hynobiid salamanders of the Liua–Pseudohynobius complex: Molecular and phylogenetic perspectives

Using mitochondrial DNA sequencing and allozyme electrophoresis, we examined 18 populations of the Liua–Pseudohynobius complex, endemic to China. Based on their phylogenetic affiliation and exhibited fixed allelic differences, the complex comprises at least six species, two of which are previously unknown cryptic species. The complex is clearly divided into two groups, genus Liua including Liua shihi and Liua tsinpaensis, and genus Pseudohynobius including Pseudohynobius flavomaculatus, Pseudohynobius shuichengensis and the two new species. The previously often used genus name Ranodon is inappropriate, because the type species of the genus, Ranodon sibricus, is distantly related to this complex. The species diversity among Chinese hynobiid salamanders are far from being recognized and further effort should be directed at extensive field collection in central and western China.     

Three New Species of Deltoblastus Fay from the Permian of Timor

Deltoblastus is a genus of Permian blastoid comprised of 15 species, each differing based on subtle thecal morphology differences. Three new species are introduced here, based on characteristics present which distinguish individuals from established morphotypes. In order to guarantee a more complete understanding of the genus, a complex character matrix containing all 15 named and three new species was created, defining all species based on the presence or absence of 30 unique traits. Differences in character compositions give evidence for unique thecal morphologies, supporting the three new species which are proposed.     

A new species of Labidocera (Copepoda,Calanoida, Pontellidae) collected from Okinawa,southwestern Japan,with establishment of five Indo-West Pacific species groups in the L. detruncata species complex

Labidocera churaumi sp. n. is described from Okinawa, southwestern Japan. The female of the new species differs from other congeners in genital compound somite with right postero-lateral and left antero-lateral processes. The male is distinguished from other congeners by the structure of the fifth leg. This new species is assigned to a newly proposed species group, the Labidocera madurae species group, within the Labidocera detruncata species complex. In this species complex five Indo-West Pacific species groups are recognized (cervi, detruncata, gangetica, madurae, and pavo) and defined on the basis of difference in sexual dimorphism.     

Two new species of Pupulina van Beneden, 1892 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Caligidae) from mobulid rays off South Africa

The caligid genus Pupulina van Beneden, 1892 currently has three accepted species. Two new species, Pupulina cliffi n. sp. and P. merira n. sp., are described from Mobula kuhlii (Müller & Henle) and M. eregoodootenkee (Bleeker) (Mobulidae) caught along the east coast of South Africa. Pupulina cliffi can be distinguished from all the other species by the absence of posterolateral processes on the genital complex, whereas P. merira has very short, rounded posterolateral processes on the genital complex compared to the three previously known species. Additionally, P. merira is the only species with the abdomen only about two-thirds the length of the genital complex and the caudal rami about the same length as the abdomen. A dichotomous key to distinguish the five species of Pupulina is provided.