Possible involvement of microcystins in the unexplained mass mortalities of Lesser Flamingo (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoeniconaias minor</Emphasis> Geoffroy) at Lake Manyara in Tanzania

We examined the effects of food and light on the swimming behavior of nauplii of the cyclopoid Apocyclops royi (Lindberg, 1940) (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) and the calanoid Pseudodiaptomus annandalei Sewell, 1919 (Copepoda: Calanoida). Several behavioral parameters such as swimming patterns, speed, and trajectories exhibited distinct ontogenetic differences between the two species. When algae Isochrysis galbana (Haptophyta: Isochrysidales) were offered as food to the nauplii of A. royi, they showed fast circle swimming behavior, while nauplii of P. annandalei never exhibited such behavior, neither with, nor without algae. The different behavioral patterns between the nauplii of both species suggest they both have different foraging strategies in detecting and capturing food.     

The freshwater calanoida (crustacea : copepoda) of Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia

The systematics and geographical distribution of Malaysian and Singapore freshwater calanoid copepods are discussed in details. Neodiaptomus handeli Brehm, N. laii Kiefer, N. blachei (Brehm), N. botulifer Kiefer, N. mephistopheles Brehm, Pseudodiaptomus (Schmackeria) dauglishi Sewell, P. (S.) tollingerae Sewell and Tropodiaptomus spp. Kiefer are all present in the northwestern part of the Peninsula. There are only 4 species, namely, N. handeli, N. botulifer, N. meggitti Kiefer and Tropodiaptomus sp. in the southern half of the Peninsula. The whole of the east coast also has 4 species, i.e. N. handeli, N. malaindosinensis (n.n.), P. (S.) tollingerae and one species of Tropodiaptomus. The only species that cut across a wide range of geographical barriers are N. handeli and Tropodiaptomus.     

Genetic species delineation among branching Caribbean Porites corals

Coral species are difficult to discern because of their morphological plasticity, long generation times, and slow rates of mitochondrial DNA evolution. Among Caribbean representatives of the genus Porites are three named species (P. divaricata, P. furcata, and P. porites) with branching colony morphologies whose validity as genetically isolated species has been debated. We present sequence data from the mitochondrial control region, nuclear ITS, and nine single-copy nuclear loci for the Caribbean Porites and a related eastern Pacific species. mtDNA sequences were nearly invariant among the three branching species and their crustose sister P. branneri, and ITS sequences from these four were intermingled. An information theoretic analysis provided no support for upholding the three named Caribbean branching species. Both a clustering analysis and an analysis of molecular variance showed that sequence variation from the three branching forms is partitioned more by geography than by taxonomy. Multi-locus coalescent phylogenetic analysis provided a calibrated estimate for the nuclear DNA substitution rate (0.14 % Ma^?1) close to that for other corals. Because no generalities have emerged from genetic investigations of the validity of morphologically defined coral species, the use of single-copy nuclear data is likely to be important in testing problematic species designations.     

Occurrence of Phytophthora plurivora and other Phytophthora species in oak forests of southern Poland and their association with site conditions and the health status of trees

Phytophthora plurivora and other Phytophthora species are known to be serious pathogens of forest trees. Little is known, however, about the presence of P. plurivora in Polish oak forests and their role in oak decline. The aims of this study were to identify P. plurivora in healthy and declining Quercus robur stands in southern Poland and to demonstrate the relationship between different site factors and the occurrence of P. plurivora. In addition, the virulence of P. plurivora and other Phytophthora species was evaluated through inoculations using 2-year-old oak seedlings. Rhizosphere soil was investigated from 39 oak stands representing different healthy tree statuses. The morphology and DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA and the mitochondrial cox1 gene were used for identifications. P. plurivora, an oak fine root pathogen, was isolated from rhizosphere soil samples in 6 out of 39 stands. Additionally, Phytophthora cambivora, Phytophthora polonica and Phytophthora rosacearum-like were also obtained from several stands. The results showed a significant association between the presence of P. plurivora and the health status of oak trees. Similar relationships were also observed for all identified Phytophthora species. In addition, there was evidence for a connection between the presence of all identified Phytophthora species and some site conditions. Phytophthora spp. occurred more frequently in declining stands and in silt loam and sandy loam soils with pH?≥?3.66. P. plurivora and P. cambivora were the only species capable of killing whole plants, producing extensive necrosis on seedling stems.     

Two new species of Paramachaerium (Leguminosae) and a brief résumé of the genus

Paramachaerium Ducke, a genus of neotropical trees, has been known hitherto from three species,P. schomburgkii (Guyana and Brazil),P. ormosioides (French Guiana and Brazil), andP. gruberi (Panamá). Two new species are herein described,P. krukovii (western Brazil) andP. schunkei (Peru).     

Distribution of mercury,cadmium, lead and thallium in a eutrophic lake

Five species of fishes, two species of aquatic macrophytes, zooplankton, migratory goose feces, water and sediments from a eutrophic lake were analyzed for mercury, cadmium, lead and thallium. Mercury was detected in fishes and sediments only while cadmium and lead were detected in all components. Thallium was detected only in sediments. Sediments in the lake act as a ‘sink’ for the four metals. Mercury in axial musculature of largemouth bass was highly correlated with length and weight. A high degree of correlation between other metals and weight and length of other species was not evident. The feces of migratory waterfowl had high concentrations of both cadmium and lead. In view of the large quantity of waterfowl feces deposited within the drainage basin, it is suggested that this avenue is one of the major sources of contamination for the two metals and that fallout from airborne particulate matter is secondary. Fallout of airborne particulate matter may be the primary method by which mercury and thallium enter the lake although residual concentrations of the four metals in soil of the drainage basin were not determined.     

Feeding habits of the clupeid Limnothrissa miodon (Boulenger), in Lake Kivu

A limnological sampling programme implemented during 1980 in Lake Kivu, Rwanda, confirmed a seasonal increase of the pelagic plankton biomass at the end of the dry season during the windy period of August/September. From plankton samples taken in the littoral and pelagic zones of the Lake it was concluded that a successful introduction of the freshwater clupeid Limnothrissa miodon Boulenger, during 1958–1960, had not obviously influenced the species composition of the Copepoda in the Lake. Examination of stomach contents of different length classes of Limnothrissa proved that the Kivu clupeid is not a strict planktonphagic species. Its diet is adapted to its life cycle and inshore/offshore migration patterns. In pelagic waters of the lake it is an exclusive plankton feeder, while in littoral waters it has more littoral bound feeding habits. Cannibalism was observed among individuals larger than 100 mm, near the margins of the lake. Echosoundings and periodic observations on stomach contents support the hypothesis that Limnothrissa feeds in the late afternoon and digests its food during the night, while a second feeding/digestion cycle starts in the early morning, at sunrise.     

Long-term changes in planktonic associations of crustaceans in Lake Constance and adjacent waters and their effects on competitive situations

Changes in crustacean populations, caused by immigration of new species in the course of eutrophication of a lake, result in the establishment of new relationships between the members of the association. Cyclops vicinus is of particular significance, especially in the period of its maximum abundance it is an important predator of other copepods.     

Biology of the small pelagic fishes in the New Volta Lake in Ghana. Part III: Sex and reproduction

Reproductive patterns of five species, from three families, of small pelagic fishes in the new Volta Lake in Ghana showed several similar features. These included sex size defferences, males maturing and reaching final sizes smaller than females; heterogenous sex ratios in four species, being most markedly unequal usually at peak breeding times; demersal eggs; and extended fractional spawning patterns. The clupeids Pellonula and Cynothrissa and the cyprinid Barilius all breed in the dry season, whereas the schilbeids Physailia and Siluranodon are wet-season spawners. Only Pellonula and Physailia have extended their breeding season in the new lake to cover most of the year; the other species have not, although Siluranodon spawns into the early dry season. In the lake environment Pellonula's pelagic larva is no longer endangered by seasonal floods, whereas Physailia can use the lake's continuous “high waters” for extended breeding. Relaxation of breeding patterns and protracted fractional spawning has allowed best exploitation of the new regime.     

Contributions to the genus phytophthora de bary from india

The paper deals with some of the contributions made from India by various research workers towards our knowledge of the fungus genusPhytophthora de Bary, in the fields of morphology, disease production, occurrence and distribution of species, host range, physiology, taxonomy and control measures. Out of the total of fifteen species and five varieties ofPhytophthora reported from India, five species (viz.,P. arecae, P. palmivora, P. colocasiae, P. parasitica andP. infestans, and four varieties ofP. parasitica, viz.,P. parasitica var.macrospora, var.sesami, var.piperina and var.nicotianae) assume considerable parasitic roles inciting serious diseases like seedling-blights, wilts, cottoney-leaks, foot-rots, blights, budrot and rots of fruits, nuts, tubers and corms etc. They are widely distributed in various parts of this country, and are mostly prevalent in rainy seasons.Phytophthora palmivora, andP. parasitica were found to have a wide host range.     

Notes on Neotropical Vaccinieae (Ericaceae). I. Gonocalyx—A genus new to Central America

The genusGonocalyx, hitherto known from Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Dominica, and Colombia is recorded from Central America. Two species are described from Costa Rica, one (G. costaricensis) is new to science. A key to the seven species of the genus is provided.     

Centric diatoms from Lake Frolikha (Transbaikal area) and peculiarities of distribution of some taxa in Asia

The species composition of centric diatoms from Lake Frolikha (Transbaikal area) has been studied. The lake is located on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal and connected with it by a river. Twenty-three species of Centrophyceae from 7 genera (Aulacoseira, Cyclostephanos, Cyclotella, Discostella, Handmania, Pliocaenicus, and Stephanodiscus) have been found. The most represented genus is Aulacoseira (11 species). Fifteen species and 4 genera are new for the lake record. All revealed species are known in other lakes of the Baikal region; however Baikal endemics are absent in Lake Frolikha. The flora of centric diatoms in Lake Frolikha can be divided into two groups. The first group includes taxa common in Lake Baikal, and the second group includes taxa not typical for Lake Baikal. The level of differences between flora in Lake Baikal and Lake Frolikha is high (43%) despite the close location and connection to the river. An analysis of distribution of interesting species in Asia is presented.     

Cytogenetics of the parthenogenetic grasshopper Warramaba virgo and its bisexual relatives

Combinations of DNA-binding fluorescent dyes and counterstains that enhance selectivity and contrast in primary stain fluorescence were used to differentiate types of C-bands in the genus Warramaba. Chromomycin A₃ (in conjunction with two A-T binding counterstains), which identifies chromosome segments enriched in G-C base pair clusters, stains only a minority of the C-bands in Warramaba species, but these include all those known to contain 18S + 26S rRNA cistrons and most of those containing 5S rRNA genes. DAPI/actinomycin D fluorescent staining is positive for a very few bands, including two (in the Standard phylad of W. virgo) that are at or adjacent to sites containing 5S rRNA cistrons. One of the latter regions is also positively stained by DAPI/distamycin A which, in addition, highlights some centromeric bands. The fluorescent staining patterns of the Standard and Boulder-Zanthus phylads of W. virgo are significantly different, confirming their independent origin by hybridization between different races of the ancestral species “P169” and “P196”.     

Molecular evidence to reconcile taxonomic instability in mahseer species (Pisces: Cyprinidae) of India

The mahseers are an important group of fishes endemic to Asia with most species considered threatened. Conservation plans to save declining wild populations are hindered by unstable taxonomy, and detailed systematic review could form a solid platform for future management and conservation. D-loop and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) mtDNA sequences were examined in nine mahseer species of Tor, Neolissochilus, and Naziritor. Pseudogenes amplified in a portion of the species limited the utility of the D-loop region. ABGD analysis, NJ, ML, and MP methods and genetic distance (TrN?+?I?+?G) using COI data revealed concordant species delimiting patterns. The three genera were monophyletic, separated as distinct clades (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.064 to 0.106), and Naziritor was flagged as a separate genus, distinct from Puntius (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.196). Out of seven nominal species known for Tor cogeners from India, only five were recovered with mtDNA data (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.000 to 0.037) and two species could not be distinguished with the molecular data set employed. Tor mosal, synonymized as Tor putitora, was rediscovered as a distinct species (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.031) based on its type locality. Tor mussulah was confirmed as a separate species (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.019 to 0.026). Two valid species, Tor macrolepis and T. mosal mahanadicus, were not distinct from T. putitora (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.00). The high divergence with mtDNA data failed to validate T. mosal mahanadicus as a subspecies of T. mosal (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.031). Morphological outliers discovered within the distribution range of Tor tor (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.022 to 0.025) shared the same lineage with T. putitora (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.002 to 0.005), indicating a new extended distribution of the Himalayan mahseer T. putitora in the rivers of the Indian central plateau. The findings indicate the need for integrating molecular and morphological tools for taxonomic revision of the Tor and Naziritor genera, so that taxa are precisely defined for accurate in situ and ex situ conservation decisions.     

Shrimps of an ancient Balkan lake: Bionomy and conservation

In order to have a comprehensive evaluation and classification of the natural biota of Lake Pamvotis, the present study aims at investigating shrimps’ bionomic traits. Information on shrimps’ habitat preferences, abundances, and syntopic species in relation to the physicochemical profile of the lake’s water are investigated for the first time. The study was carried out on a bi-monthly base, at six littoral sites of the lake. Samples’ study from different habitats and seasons revealed that the freshwater shrimp Atyaephyra thyamisensis was the most abundant species, accounting for 44.76% of the total taxa catch, while the grass shrimp Palaemonetes antennarius was less abundant (7.54%). Syntopic fish species in the littoral zone of Lake Pamvotis such as Economidichthys pygmaeus, Gambusia holbrooki, Knipowitschia caucasica and Rutillus panosi showed interannual differences with abundances of 24.12%, 19.13%, 4.26% and 0.20%, respectively. Correspondence analysis revealed clear patterns between species and stations. A. thyamisensis was predominant in shallow, well oxygenated water bodies rich with aquatic vegetation, but it was absent from deeper habitats. P. antennarius was found mainly in lentic water bodies, rocky substratum and deeper habitats. Taking into account the high ecological importance of the freshwater shrimps in ecosystems’ energy flow, ecological and biological data of lake’s shrimps are discussed and presented thoroughly. Threats and conservation measures for both shrimp species are debated also in detail.     

A high-throughput SNP array in the amphidiploid species Brassica napus shows diversity in resistance genes

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)are molecular markers based on nucleotide variation and can be used for genotyping assays across populations and to track genomic inheritance. SNPs offer a comprehensive genotyping alternative to whole-genome sequencing for both agricultural and research purposes including molecular breeding and diagnostics, genome evolution and genetic diversity analyses, genetic mapping, and trait association studies. Here genomic SNPs were discovered between four cultivars of the important amphidiploid oilseed species Brassica napus and used to develop a B. napus Infinium? array containing 5,306 SNPs randomly dispersed across the genome. Assay success was high, with >94 % of these producing a reproducible, polymorphic genotype in the 1,070 samples screened. Although the assay was designed to B. napus, successful SNP amplification was achieved in the B. napus progenitor species, Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea, and to a lesser extent in the related species Brassica nigra. Phylogenetic analysis was consistent with the expected relationships between B. napus individuals. This study presents an efficient custom SNP assay development pipeline in the complex polyploid Brassica genome and demonstrates the utility of the array for high-throughput genotyping in a number of related Brassica species. It also demonstrates the utility of this assay in genotyping resistance genes on chromosome A7, which segregate amongst the 1,070 samples.