Tapeinostemon sessiliflorum (Gentianaceae), a new combination for a Guayana endemic

A new combination,Tapeinostemon sessiliflorum (Gentianaceae), is made forPsychotria sessiliflora (Rubiaceae).Tapeinostemon capitatum is placed into synonymy ofT. sessiliflorum. This rare species occurs in the Guayanan region of Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela.     

Trichosporon penicillatum sp.n.

A new yeast species,Trichosporon penicillatum sp.n. is described. The physiological properties of this species are compared with those ofT. capitatum andT. fermentans.     

Parasitism of the apple maggot,Rhagoletis pomonella,infesting hawthorns in Washington

Five species of larval parasitoids were reared fromRhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) infested fruit of hawthorn,Crataegus, collected from several locations in southwest Washington over a four year period. A braconid,Biosteres melleus (Gahan), parasitized larvae infesting fruits of a native hawthorn species,Crataegus douglasii Lindl. Another braconid,Opius downesi Gahan, emerged exclusively fromR. pomonella pupae reared from fruits of an introduced species of hawthorn,Crataegus monogyna Jacq. A pteromalid,Pteromalus sp., and two eulophids,Tetrastichus spp., attackedR. pomonella larvae infesting fruits of both hawthorn species. No parasitoids emerged from a total of 4385 pupae reared from apple. Percent parasitism ofR. pomonella was higher inC. monogyna compared toC. douglasii fruits. The highest average levels of parasitism ofR. pomonella inC. monogyna andC. douglasii fruits were 90% and 23% respectively. The kinds of parasitoids, their relative abundances and timing of parasitization on the two hawthorns was related to differences in fruit ripening patterns and its effect on the development ofR. pomonella on these two hosts. Parasitization ofR. pomonella byTetrastichus spp. is a new host record. The detection of these species andPteromalus sp. in southwest Washington are the first records of ectoparasitoids attacking this tephritid.     

Ethnobotany of the genusCyphomandra (Solanaceae)

Plants of the genusCyphomandra (Solanaceae) have long been utilized for their edible fruits in their native Latin America. The best-known species is the domesticated tree tomato or tamarillo,Cyphomandra betacea. This species, popular as a raw or cooked fruit, is widely cultivated in Andean South America and is now dispersed worldwide in subtropical areas. Its origin and wild relatives are still unknown, but there are tentative reports of wild populations ofC. betacea in southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. Wild species ofCyphomandra such asC. hartwegii, C. sibundoyensis, andC. cajanumensis also produce edible fruits. Other species ofCyphomandra are used in medicinal preparations and as dyes. This group of plants is of increasing economic importance and may have considerable potential for future exploitation.     

Humilixanthin a new betaxanthin from Rivina humilis

A new betalain has been isolated from fruits ofRivina humilis and identified as the betaxanthin humilixanthin, the 5-hydroxynorvaline-immonium conjugate of betalamic acid. Its structure was elucidated and characterized by¹H NMR spectroscopy, FAB mass and GC/MS spectrometry, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography and electrophoresis. The structure of the amino acid moiety 5-hydroxynorvaline (2-amino-5-hydroxyvaleric acid) was unambiguously confirmed by comparison with synthetic reference material. Humilixanthin was also detected in fruits ofPhytolacca acinosa andP. bogotensis, in petals ofDelosperma luteum,Lampranthus aurantiacus,L. peersii,Portulaca grandiflora, and in the yellow-coloured root ofBeta vulgaris.     

Fruit trap: A detection and collection tool for opiine parasitoids (Hym.: Braconidae) of the oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalis (Dipt.: Tephritidae)

A fruit trap was developed for detection and collection of the opiine parasitoids of the oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera (=Dacus)dorsalis (Hendel). Gravid females ofBiosteres arisanus (Sonan), an egg-larval parasitoid, orDiachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) andPsytallia incisi (Silvestri), both larval parasitoids, were lured to parasitize the eggs or larvae ofB. dorsalis inoculated in ripe papaya fruits,Carica papaya L. Progenies ofB. arisanus were consistently recovered from papaya fruits inoculated withB. dorsalis eggs (subsequently referred to as egg fruit traps). Except in Moloaa on Kauai (6%), higher percentage ofB. dorsalis parasitization (range=38–43%) was recorded in Hilo, island of Hawaii and Waimanalo and Poamoho, island of Oahu. Progenies ofD. longicaudata and a fewP. incisi were recovered from papaya fruits artificially infested withB. dorsalis larvae (subsequently referred to as larval fruit traps). The recovery of parasitoid progenies from larval fruit traps suspended from papaya trees did not differ significantly from larval fruit traps placed on the ground. In both methods of trap placement, percent parasitization ofB. dorsalis byD. longicaudata (predominant species) ranged from 58–60%. On the other hand, significantly moreB. arisanus thanD. longicaudata andP. incisi adults (larval parasitoids) were recovered from fully ripened to highly deteriorated papaya fruits collected from papaya trees or ground (fallen fruits).     

Three new species of Dasylirion (Nolinaceae) from Mexico and a clarification of the D. longissimum complex

Three new species ofDasylirion and a new variety ofD. longissimum Lem. from the mountains of northern Mexico are described and illustrated. Two of the new species are from northwestern Mexico:D. gentryi, with large, rosecolored fruits and glossy, non-waxy leaves; andD. sereke, characterized by roundish fruits with an unusuall large style.Dasylirion miquihuanense is a new species from northeastern Mexico with narrow, strictly upright leaves and widely separated marginal prickles. TheDasylirion longissimum complex consists of two species,D. quadrangulatum S. Wats andD. longissimum Lem., characterized by narrow, quadrangulate leaves with reduced or absents marginal prickles. Distinguishing features of these two species, which have often been confused, are presented andD. longissimum var.treleasei, characterized by small flowers and fruits, is described.     

Fruits of Wetherellia and Palaeowetherellia (?Euphorbiaceae) from Eocene sediments in Virginia and Maryland

The Eocene sediments of southern Maryland and adjacent Virginia have yielded multilocular fruits assignable to the extinct generaWetherellia Bowerbank andPalaeowetherellia Chandler. This is the first report of their co-occurrence in one deposit.Wetherellia has previously been reported from the Eocene of southern England and West Germany (two species), whilePalaeowetherellia has been reported from the Eocene and possibly latest Cretaceous of Egypt (one species). APalaeowetherellia-like fruit has been reported from the Eocene of southeastern North America.Wetherellia marylandica comb. nov. andPalaeowetherellia species are described; new information is provided for the previously established speciesWetherellia variabilis andW. dixonii. The familial assignment of both genera is reviewed.Palaeowetherellia is most similar to fruits of the tribe Hippomaneae of the Euphorbiaceae, whileWetherellia finds counterparts in the Euphorbiaceae and the Meliaceae. While the exact affinities ofWetherellia are difficult to resolve through comparison to modern fruits, the similarity ofWetherellia andPalaeowetherellia might suggest that the former is more likely euphorbiaceous than meliaceous. The discovery of these New World members of both genera reinforces the importance of floristic exchange across the North Atlantic in earliest Tertiary time.     

Chenopodium pumilio in Czechoslovakia: Its strategy of dispersal and domestication

The paper deals with dispersal and domestication ofChenopodium pumilio R. Br. in Czechoslovakia. Tabulated habitats point out the predominant dispersal of this species by various kinds of hemorochory, while autochory, chamaechory, endochory and epichory are other possible means of dispersal. Successfull domestication ofChenopodium pumilio is facilitated by abundance of viable fruits possessing an efficient dormancy mechanism that prevents them germinating in adverse seasons of the year. Naturalization of this species is further supported by prolonged viability of the fruits, and by favourable periodicity of dissemination.     

Three new species of galium (rubiaceae) from Baja California

The species described as new are apparently narrow endemics, all belonging to that section ofGalium having fruits with long straight specialized hairs.Galium wigginsii andG. moranii are of the widespreadG. wrightii-G. parishii complex, whereasG. carterae is most like the rarely collectedG. oresbium Greenman of northeastern Mexico.     

头花杜鹃、陇蜀杜鹃及杜鹃属植物叶绿体基因组比较分析

头花杜鹃(Rhododendron capitatum)和陇蜀杜鹃(R. przewalskii)是极具观赏价值的野生花卉和药用植物。为探讨头花杜鹃和陇蜀杜鹃叶绿体基因组的遗传结构及进化特征,该研究利用 Illumina HiSeq 4000 平台对头花杜鹃和陇蜀杜鹃的叶绿体全基因组进行测序,经组装和注释后,结合 7 个已发表的杜鹃属植物叶绿体全基因组进行比较基因组学分析和系统发育分析。结果表明:(1)头花杜鹃和陇蜀杜鹃叶绿体全基因组呈典型的环状四分体结构,均由一个大单拷贝区(105 990、109 191 bp)、一个小单拷贝区(2 617、2 606 bp)和一对反向重复区(45 825、47 516 bp)构成,全长分别为200 257、206 829 bp。(2)头花杜鹃和陇蜀杜鹃叶绿体基因组中共鉴定出 263 个SSR位点,大部分 SSR 偏好使用 A/T 碱基,密码子偏好使用 A/U 结尾。(3)杜鹃属植物叶绿体全基因组中普遍存在基因丢失以及基因组重排等结构变异现象。该研究丰富了杜鹃属植物的基因组资源,为头花杜鹃、陇蜀杜鹃的资源开发、遗传进化、育种及系统发育相关研究提供了理论参考。     

The yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida railenensis</Emphasis> in the fruits of English oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus robur</Emphasis> L.)

The cotyledons of whole intact acorns were shown to contain yeasts; their number increased sharply before acorn germination. The yeasts in the cotyledons are mainly represented by one species, Candida railenensis, with the number in the germinating cotyledons reaching 10⁷ CFU/g. After germination or exocarp destruction, the cotyledons were colonized by the usual epiphytic and litter yeasts Cryptococcus albidus, Rhodotorula glutinis, and Cystofilobasidium capitatum.     

Hybridization in the babassu palm complex. II. Attalea compta × Orbignya oleifera (Palmae)

A new hybrid palm, ×Attabignya minarum, from the Rio São Francisco Valley of Minas Gerais, Brazil is described. It is a natural hybrid betweenAttalea compta Mart. andOrbignya oleifera Burret and is quite common in the area studied. Most of the morphological characters of the hybrid are intermediate between those of the parent species. A notable exception is the number of fruits produced; ×Attabignya minarum produces more fruits per panicle than either parent species. This is the first report of hybridization betweenOrbignya andAttalea and may shed light on the status ofOrbignya, considered by some to be synonymous withAttalea.     

Fusarium species associated with banana fruit rot and their potential toxigenicity

Banana fruits exhibiting signs of decay were collected from markets in the United States and Italy. Fungi isolated from the lesions on the banana fruits wereFusarium moniliforme, F subglutinans, andF. semitectum var.majus. When the fungal strains were cultivated on maize kernels, the cultures did not produce zearalenone (ZON), zearalenols (á-, â-ZOH), and trichothecenes [deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON), T-2 toxin (T-2), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS)]. Fumonisins and fusarin C (FUS-C) were not detected naturally nor in bananas purchased in the U.S. and artificially infected withFusarium. Moniliformin (M) (up to 267 mg/kg) was detected in maize kernel cultures ofF. subglutinans from bananas. No mycotoxins were detected in naturally infected fruits. Although no mycotoxins were detected in the extracts from corn cultures ofF. semitectum var.majus, the extracts were toxic to brine shrimp and mice.     

PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF BRACHIDINIUM CAPITATUM (DINOPHYCEAE) FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO INDICATES MEMBERSHIP IN THE KARENIACEAE1

Brachidinium capitatum F. J. R. Taylor, typically considered a rare oceanic dinoflagellate, and one which has not been cultured, was observed at elevated abundances (up to 65 cells · mL^?1) at a coastal station in the western Gulf of Mexico in the fall of 2007. Continuous data from the Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB) provided cell images that documented the bloom during 3 weeks in early November. Guided by IFCB observations, field collection permitted phylogenetic analysis and evaluation of the relationship between Brachidinium and Karenia. Sequences from SSU, LSU, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and cox1 regions for B. capitatum were compared with five other species of Karenia; all B. capitatum sequences were unique but supported its placement within the Kareniaceae. From a total of 71,487 images, data on the timing and frequency of dividing cells was also obtained for B. capitatum, allowing the rate of division for B. capitatum to be estimated. The maximum daily growth rate estimate was 0.22 d^?1. Images showed a range in morphological variability, with the position of the four major processes highly variable. The combination of morphological features similar to the genus Karenia and a phylogenetic analysis placing B. capitatum in the Karenia clade leads us to propose moving the genus Brachidinium into the Kareniaceae. However, the lack of agreement among individual gene phylogenies suggests that the inclusion of different genes and more members of the genus Karenia are necessary before a final determination regarding the validity of the genus Brachidinium can be made.     

Nectaries on the fruit of Crescentia and other Bignoniaceae

Nectar glands are described for the first time on the developing fruits ofCrescentia cujete L. and their presence noted on fruits in 15 other genera of the Bignoniaceae. The nectaries are tiny, nonvascularized, patelliform structures of epidermal origin. They attract ants which are postulated to function in an antiherbivore role.     

The variation and evolution of selected species of Solanum section Basarthrum (Solanaceae). II

Five taxa ofSolanum sect.Basarthrum were studied in an effort to clarify their taxonomic position and to determine the effective evolutionary mechanisms. Methods included an analysis of chromosome number and behavior, artificial hybridizations and a study of herbarium material. The data suggest thatS. canense andS. suaveolens are closely related and that 5.suaveolens may have been the progenitor ofS. canense. The only successful interspecific cross involving one of these two species was vigorous but highly sterile. Evidence from both morphology and crossing studies indicates a close relationship betweenS. basendopogon andS. caripense. Hybrids between these two species with relatively high fertility through the F₃ generation were secured. The status ofS. basendopogon f.obtusum remains a problem since there is but one collection of the typical form. The placement ofS. sanctae-marthae in sect.Basarthrum is considered problematic. Virtually none of 170 interspecific crosses with this species were successful. Seed size and the presence and size of a seed wing are proposed as useful morphological characters in sect.Basarthrum. There is apparently a correlation between short styles and self-compatibility. All species are diploid (n = 12) and no chromosomal or meiotic aberrations were noted in the species or hybrids. Most of the more than 1,000 interspecific crosses failed. Most of the hybrid fruits bore no seeds or seeds which did not germinate. The primary barriers separating species are considered to be strong prefertilization isolating mechanisms and ecogeographic factors.     

Clerodane diterpenoids from Teucrium and Ajuga plants

A new clerodane diterpenoid, chamaepitin has been isolated from Ajuga chamaepitys. The previously known clerodanes, 19-acetylgnaphalin, auropolin, teucrin A and teuflin, have been isolated from Teucrium species (T. polium subsp. belion, T. polium subsp. capitatum and T. asiaticum) collected in Majorca. X-ray diffraction analysis on crystals of auropolin has allowed the assignment of configuration at C-20 as S for this compound.