More white verticillium-like anamorphs with erect conidiophores

This study focuses on the former Verticillium section Albo-erecta that included white or whitish species with verticillium-like, erect conidiophores. Its type species was Verticillium fungicola, which was transferred to Lecanicillium, a genus that otherwise contains species with prostrate conidiophores. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS, 18S and 28S rDNA sequences revealed that this group is heterogeneous and its members belong to at least three families. The present study is a first step to its resolution. Supported by analyses of 68 sequences of ITS, 23 sequences of 18S and 43 sequences of 28S ribosomal DNA, the species are distributed over three families. In the Cordycipitaceae, Leptobacillium gen. nov. is described with L. leptobactrum comb. nov. and its new variety, calidius. In the Hypocreaceae, Hypomyces is treated with one new combination from former Nectriopsis, H. tubariicola, and two new anamorphic species, H. ellipsosporus and H. subglobosus; in Sphaerostilbella, one new anamorphic species, S. parabroomeana, is described. In the Bionectriaceae, anamorphic isolates of Nectriopsis requiring a new combination, N. lindauiana, and a new species, N. fuliginicola, are described. Parsimony analysis of the LSU suggests that Ovicillium gen. nov. with four new species, O. attenuatum, O. oosporum, O. subglobosum and O. napiforme, is a member of the Bionectriaceae by 93 % bootstrap support. Of uncertain family classification are Chlamydocillium gen. nov. with one new soil-borne species, C. cyanophilum, and Chlorocillium gen. nov. based on Acremonium griseum Petch. A few further white verticillium-like anamorphs, particularly V. biguttatum, could not yet be reclassified.     

A taxonomic revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bursera</Emphasis> subgen. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bursera</Emphasis> in the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas,including a new species from Cuba

A revision of Bursera in the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas has confirmed that Commiphora does not occur in the region and that all but one species in the region belong to Bursera subgen. Bursera. Here we describe a new species, Bursera yaterensis; B. nashii is synonymized with B. glauca and B. ovata is synonymized with B. trinitensis; and we return five species from Commiphora to Bursera. A dichotomous key is provided using mostly vegetative characters due to the frequent lack of adequate reproductive material and the relative uniformity of most floral and fruit characters.     

Seasonal variations in the fucoidan content of brown algae from Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The seasonal dynamics in the level of fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (fucoidans) have been studied in three brown alga species from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan: Saccharina japonica, Sargassum pallidum, and Stephanocystis crassipes. In the latter two species, seasonal variations in the fucoidan content have been analyzed for the first time. During the year, the level of fucoidan in S. japonica varied from 0.98 to 4.19% dry weight; in S. crassipes, from 2.50 to 5.23%; in S. pallidum, from 1.86 to 6.31%. The maximum amount of this polysaccharide is accumulated in algae during reproduction: in August–October for S. japonica; in June and July for S. crassipes; and in July for S. pallidum. No significant correlation has been found between the level of fucoidan in algal tissues and the annual dynamics in sea water temperature, salinity, and concentration of biogenic elements. The obtained data can be helpful in determining the time to harvest algae for fucoidan extraction.     

Three new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stigmatodiscus</Emphasis> from Mallorca (Spain)

During a survey on corticolous Dothideomycetes in Mallorca, several collections with ascomata, asci, and ascospores matching the genus Stigmatodiscus (Stigmatodiscales, Dothideomycetes) were revealed, which did not fit any described species. Therefore, these collections were cultured and sequenced, and a multigene matrix of four loci (nuc18S-ITS-28S rDNA, rpb2, tef1 and tub2) was produced. Based on the results of the phylogenetic analyses of this matrix and of morphological investigations, three new species (Stigmatodiscus labiatus, S. oculatus, and S. pinicola) are described and illustrated, Asterodiscus is synonymised with Stigmatodiscus and the new combination S. tamaricis is proposed. A key to all currently known species of Stigmatodiscus is provided.     

Chromosome numbers of some North American Salix

Chromosome numbers are reported for 19 species of North AmericanSalix, one natural hybrid, and one introduced species. The following 17 species are here examined cytologically for the first time:Salix amygdaloides Anderss.,S. arbusculoides Anderss.,S. brachycarpa Nutt.,S. Candida Willd.,S. discolor Muhl.,S. exigua Nutt.,S. kumilis Marsh.,S. interior Rowlee,S. lutea Nutt.,S. maccalliana Rowlee,S. monticola Rydb.,S. myrtillifolia Anderss.,S. pellita Anderss.,S. petiolaris J. E. Sm,S. scouleriana Barr.,S. silicicola Raup, andS. subcoerulea Piper. Of the 19 native North American species 11 are diploid, four are tetraploid, one is triploid, one hexaploid, one dodecaploid, and one exhibits more than one ploidal level.     

The structure of the claspettes in the male genitalia of the subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ochlerotatus</Emphasis> Lynch Arribalzaga of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aedes</Emphasis> Meigen (Diptera,Culicidae) and their diagnostic significance

The structure of the claspettes (modified projections in the male genitalia) in species of the subgenus Ochlerotatus Lynch Arribalzaga of the genus Aedes Meigen is described in detail. A thorough investigation of the three-dimensional structure of the claspettes is necessary for identification of the Ochlerotatus species from Russia. The study of 30 species of Ochlerotatus demonstrated that frequently the use of the claspette structure as a diagnostic character was incorrect when the claspettes were described as flat structures. Examination of the three-dimensional structure of the claspettes has revealed characters differentiating Aedes diantaeus, A. intrudens and A. pullatus; A. communis, A. punctor, and A. hexodontus; A. annulipes, A. excrucians, and A. euedes, as well as some other species.     

New and little known crickets of the subfamily phalangopsinae (Orthoptera,Gryllidae): 5. Neotropical taxa of the tribe Paragryllini

One new genus, two new subgenera, and eight new species from Ecuador, Brazil, and Venezuela are described. The former genus Hattersleya Nischk et Otte is considered as a subgenus of the genus Neoacla Des. Acla multivenosa Chop., A. reticulata Chop., A. vicina Chop., Selvacla choreutes Otte, S. salvator Otte, S. alsiosus Otte, and S. sophos Otte are transferred to the genus Neoacla, and Desutteria epiplatys Nischk et Otte, to the genus Silvastella Des.-Gr. New data on the geographical and ecological distribution of some species are given.     

The Larvae of Three Species of Jewel Beetles of the Subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysoblemma</Emphasis> Jakovlev, 1889, Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphenoptera</Emphasis> Dejean, 1833 (Coleoptera,Buprestidae), from Turkmenistan

The larvae of three species of jewel beetles of the subgenus Chrysoblemma Jakovlev of the genus Sphenoptera Dejean are described: Sphenoptera (Ch.) tamarisci beckeri Dohrn reared from Horaninovia ulicina Fisch. et Mey., Atriplex tatarica L. and Salsola arbuscula Pall.; Sphenoptera (Ch.) tomentosa Jakovlev from Salsola arbuscula; Sphenoptera (Ch.) amplicollis Jakovlev from Salsola orientalis S.G. Gmel. and Halothamnus glaucus (Bieb.) Botsch. Differential diagnoses to distinguish them from the previously described sphenopterine larvae are given.     

A phylogeny of Lophocoleaceae-Plagiochilaceae-Brevianthaceae and a revised classification of Plagiochilaceae

The Lophocoleaceae-Plagiochilaceae-Brevianthaceae clade is a largely terrestrial, subcosmopolitan lineage of jungermannialean leafy liverworts that may include significantly more than 1000 species. Here we present the most comprehensively sampled phylogeny available to date based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region and the chloroplast markers rbcL and rps4 of 372 accessions. Brevianthaceae (consisting of Brevianthus and Tetracymbaliella) form a sister relationship with Lophocoleaceae; this lineage is in turn sister to Plagiochilaceae. Plagiochila is resolved monophyletic subsequent to exclusion of Plagiochila radiculosa; this species is placed in a new genus Cryptoplagiochila. Chiastocaulon and a polyphyletic Acrochila nest in Plagiochilion; these three genera are united under Chiastocaulon to include the Plagiochilaceae species with dominating or exclusively ventral branching. The generic classification of the Lophocoleaceae is still unresolved. We discuss alternative approaches to obtain strictly monophyletic genera by visualizing their consistence with the obtained consensus topology. The presented phylogeny will serve as a basis for follow-up studies including several thousand accessions. These studies will enable revision of current hypotheses on species diversity and distribution of Lophocoleaceae-Plagiochilaceae-Brevianthaceae and allow for a reconstruction of their evolution in time and space.     

Anatomical features of species of Cyperaceae from northeastern Brazil

Seventy-three species from 17 genera of Cyperaceae were studied with the aim of identifying and confirming those species with Kranz anatomy. Among the species studied, 36 exhibited Kranz anatomy; 37 did not. Of the four types of Kranz anatomy recognized in Cyperaceae, three were encountered: the chlorocyperoid type in the genera Cyperus, Kyllinga, Lipocarpha, Pycreus, and Remirea; the fimbristyloid type in Abildgaardia, Bulbostylis, and Fimbristylis; and the rhynchosporoid type in Rhynchospora. Non-Kranz anatomy was confirmed in species of the following genera: Becquerelia, Calyptrocarya, Cyperus, Diplacrum, Eleocharis, Fuirena, Hypolytrum, Pleurostachys, Rhynchospora, and Scleria. The anatomical data obtained corroborate earlier studies of species of Cyperaceae as to the presence of Kranz anatomy and the anatomical types in several species and the “Kranzkette” pattern in Cyperus ligularis and Cyperus pohlli.     

New family of pectinase genes <Emphasis Type="Italic">PGU1</Emphasis>b–<Emphasis Type="Italic">PGU3b</Emphasis> of the pectinolytic yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces bayanus</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">uvarum</Emphasis>

Using yeast genome databases and literature data, we have conducted a phylogenetic analysis of pectinase PGU genes from Saccharomyces strains assigned to the biological species S. arboricola, S. bayanus (var. uvarum), S. cariocanus, S. cerevisiae, S. kudriavzevii, S. mikatae, S. paradoxus, and hybrid taxon S. pastorianus (syn. S. carlsbergensis). Single PGU genes were observed in all Saccharomyces species, except S. bayanus. The superfamily of divergent PGU genes has been documented in S. bayanus var. uvarum for the first time. Chromosomal localization of new PGU1b, PGU2b, and PGU3b genes in the yeast S. bayanus var. uvarum has been determined by molecular karyotyping and Southern hybridization.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gnaptor</Emphasis> Brullé, 1832 (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae) with description of a new species from Turkey

The new species Gnaptor medvedevi sp. n. is described from southwestern Turkey. The new species is closely related to G. spinimanus but differs from it in narrower parameres, in the structure of the spiculum gastrale, and in the sculpture of the prothoracic hypomera. The new monotypical subgenus Plesiognaptor subgen. n. is described for G. prolixus; the distribution of each species is described. New data on the range of G. prolixus are added. This species is known from Turkey (Izmir, Aydin, Afyon, Konya, and Isparta provinces) and Iran (Elburs, the first record for the country). A key to and illustrations for all the species of the genus Gnaptor are given.     

Strophomenidae,Leptostrophiidae, Strophodontidae and Shaleriidae (Brachiopoda,Strophomenida) from the Silurian of Gotland,Sweden

Twelve species of Brachiopods are described from the Silurian of Gotland, six furcitellinines and six “strophodontids.” One is new—Strophodonta hoburgensis n. sp. The furcitellinines are moderately common and diverse in the lower part of the succession, but the last species disappears in the middle Hemse beds (~middle Ludlow). Three genera are represented: Bellimurina, Pentlandina and Katastrophomena, with the species and subspecies B. wisgoriensis, P. tartana, P. loveni, P. lewisii lewisii, K. penkillensis and K. antiquata scabrosa. Most of the taxa are confined to low energy environments, but P. loveni was evidently specialized for the high energy reef environments of the Högklint Formation. B. wisgoriensis displays environmentally induced morphological variability in developing strong, frilly growth lamellae in high-energy environments. The “strophodontids,” although belonging to three different families, share a common morphology consisting of denticles along the hinge line, a semi-circular outline, unequally to finely costellate ornament and, most importantly, a concavo-convex profile with both valves of the same curvature, enclosing a very small body chamber. Two leptostrophiids are generalists, occurring in both high- and low-energy environments and with long stratigraphical ranges [Mesoleptostrophia filosa; latest Llandovery through the entire Ludlow. Brachyprion (Brachyprion) semiglobosa; latest Llandovery to latest Wenlock]. The third leptostrophiid (Brachyprion (Erinostrophia) walmstedti) is short ranged and occurs in low-energy environments in the latest Llandovery. The species belonging to the Strophodontidae (Strophodonta hoburgensis n. sp.) and Shaleriidae [Shaleria (Janiomya) ornatella and S. (Shaleriella) ezerensis] occur only in high-energy environments and have a short range within the late Ludlow.     

Evolution of the Permian family Spirolegoceratidae (Goniatitida,Ammonoidea)

The evolution of the Permian ammonoid family Spirolegoceratidae is discussed and a new phylogenetic reconstruction is proposed based on new data. Two subfamilies are recognized within the family Spirolegoceratidae: Spirolegoceratinae Nassichuk and Sverdrupitinae subfam. nov. A new genus, Archboldiceras, is proposed to accommodate the Australian species Uraloceras lobulatum and U. whitehousei. Species of the genus Sverdrupites Nassichuk, 1970 are described based on new material from the Volga-Urals Region. The new species S. bogoslovskayae from the Gerkinskaya Formation of Novaya Zemlya previously identified by M.F. Bogoslovskaya as S. amundseni is described.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Stemodia perfoliata</Emphasis> (Plantaginaceae): A 200 year old new species from the Caatinga of Minas Gerais,Brazil

A new species of Stemodia (Plantaginaceae) from the Caatinga of northern Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described and illustrated. Stemodia perfoliata was first collected by Auguste de Saint-Hilaire, ca. 200 years ago, and remained unnamed until now. The new species is characterized by the connate-perfoliate leaves, a unique feature in the genus. We provide notes on morphology, geographic distribution and conservation status of S. perfoliata, along with a key to differentiate it from the similar species that occur in Brazil: S. durantifolia, S. hyptoides, S. maritima, S. palustris and S. stricta.     

New Data on the Taxonomy and Distribution of Flat Moths of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agonopterix</Emphasis> Hübner, [1825] (Lepidoptera,Depressariidae) of the Russian Fauna

New data on the distribution and taxonomy of Agonopterix species in Russia are given. The following new synonymy is established: Agonopterix anticella (Erschoff, 1877) = A. abjectella (Christoph, 1882), syn. n., = A. japonica Saito, 1980, syn. n.; A. pullella Hannemann, 1971 = A. dubatolovi Lvovsky, 1995, syn. n. A new species A. volgensissp. n. is described from the Middle Volga Region. Two species are recorded from Russia for the first time, both represented by new subspecies: A. ivinskisi daghestanicasubsp. n. from Daghestan and Armenia, and A. kisojiana dilutasubsp. n. from the southern part of the Russian Far East.