LOLA ZRREGULARIS (CHLOROPHYTA-CLADOPHORACEAE): A NEW SPECIES FROM THE ROSS SEA,ANTARCTICA1

A small, loose lying, unbranched, filamentous alga from the Ross Sea, Antarctica, is described as a new species, Lola irregularis. The genus Lola is closely related to the genera Hormiscia, Rhizoclonium, and Chaetomorpha in the family Cladophoraceae. A key to all known species of Lola is included. This is the first record of a species of Lola south of the Antarctic convergence.     

Asolcus bennisi n. sp. (Hymenoptera,Proctotrupoidea) parasite oophage deGraphosoma lineata L. (Het. Pentatomidae)

Summary The Author describes from Morocco a new species ofAsolcus which is closely related to the sibling speciesA. basalis Wollaston andA. nigribasalis Voegelé. The species is namedA. bennisi and parasitizes in nature the eggs ofGraphosoma lineata L. The separation ofA. bennisi from the species of thebasalis group is based on biological tests and on a characteristic pigmentation of the parasitized host eggs reared under optimal laboratory conditions.      

The internal transcribed spacer 2 region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA and the phylogeny of the moss family Hylocomiaceae

Eichhornia azurea is a tristylous species of Pontederiaceae. Moderate self-incompatibility accompanies the floral heteromorphism of this species.Eichhornia azurea is almost exclusively visited by one bee species,Ancyloscelis gigas (Anthophoridae), in South Brazil. This species has an extremely long proboscis covered with recurved hairs. Bees use these hairs to collect pollen from the anthers placed inside the narrow perianth tube ofE. azurea. Analyses of the pollen load ofA. gigas females show that they are flower constant and carry pollen from all three anther levels. The behavior ofA. gigas and its proboscis morphology make this bee species narrowly adapted and an effective pollinator for facilitating legitimate pollination ofE. azurea flowers in southern Brazil.     

Chemotaxonomic studies onArachniodes (dryopteridaceae) I. Phloroglucinol derivatives of japanese species

Twelve species ofArachniodes from Japan were examined for phloroglucinol derivatives and glandularity of rhizome and petiole bases. For comparison 3 species ofDryopteris, 1 species ofCtenitis, 4 species ofPolystichum, and 1 species ofAcystopteris were also investigated. Phloroglucinol derivatives were detected for the first time by sensitive TLC in the followingArachniodes, Dryopteris andPolystichum species:A. amabilis, A. dimorphophylla, A. exilis, A. hasseltii, A. maximowiczii, A. miqueliana, A. mutica, A. nipponica, A. okinawensis, A. simplicior incl. var.major, D. hayatae, D. sparsa, andP. tsus-simense. On the other hand,A. pseudo-aristata, A. standishii, P. polyblepharum, P. pseudomakinoi, P. retroso-paleaceum, Ctenitis maximowicziana, andAcystopteris japonica were totally lacking phloroglucinols. The phloroglucinol containing species ofArachniodes andPolystichum contained external glands, whereas those ofDryopteris contained internal and/or external glands. External glands are common inDryopteris sect. Nephrocystis. In taxa lacking phloroglucinols no glands were present. The homologous iso-aspidins BB and AB were detected in ferns for the first time.     

Synopsis ofVerbesina sect.Ochractinia (Asteraceae)

A taxonomic revision ofVerbesina sect.Ochractinia is presented. 40 species plus 7 additional infraspecific taxa are recognized. A table of the distribution of the species, key to the species and synonymy are included. Relationships to other sections ofVerbesina and species relationships within sect.Ochractinia are discussed.     

Chemotaxonomic studies onArachniodes (Dryopteridaceae) II. Phloroglucinol derivatives and taxonomic evaluation

Seven species ofArachniodes from Japan and the Philippines were examined for phloroglucinol derivatives and glandularity of rhizome and petiole bases. For comparison 3 species ofDryopteris, 2 species ofNothoperanema, 3 species ofPolystichum, 1 species ofAcrophorus and 2 species ofCtenitis were investigated as well. Phloroglucinol derivatives were detected for the first time in the following taxa:Arachniodes assamica, A. cavalerii, A. tripinnata, A. yasu-inouei, Dryopteris pulvinulifera, D. cochleata, Polystichum rigens, Acrophorus nodosus, Ctenitis setosa andC. subglandulosa. The phloroglucinols ofDryopteris, Arachniodes andPolystichum are structurally related in agreement with the taxonomic relationships of these genera. On the other hand, the less related generaAcrophorus andCtenitis contain several unknown phloroglucinols not identical with those occurring in the former genera. The phloroglucinol containing species ofArachniodes, Polystichum, Acrophorus andCtenitis contain external glands, whereasDryopteris pulvinulifera andD. cochleata have both internal and external glands. The species of the genusNothoperanema seem to completely lack phloroglucinols and glands. The phloroglucinol composition of most taxa investigated is almost constant except for that inArachnoides amabilis and its varieties,A. aristata (A. exilis) andPolystichum tsus-simense. These species show varying phloroglucinol spectra in materials collected from different geographical sources.     

A new species of Tachia (Gentianaceae) from Suriname

A new species ofTachia,T. longipes, is described and illustrated. It is distinct from the other species ofTachia not only in its leaf and stem morphology but also in its characteristic pollen. A revised key to the neotropical species ofTachia is also provided. Studies for theFlora of the Guianas. No. 87.     

Reproductive success ofAmblyseius idaeus andA. anonymus on a diet of two-spotted spider mites

Amblyseius idaeus is a drought-resistant predatory mite of tetranychid spider mites. In this paper, life-history parameters ofA. idaeus and a morphologically similar species,A. anonymus, are measured and compared on a diet ofTetranychus urticae. Intrinsic rates of increase of both phytoseiids are similar, and are comparable to rates of phytoseiids that successfully controlTetranychus species. This makes both species promising candidates as biological control agents,A. idaeus especially under dry conditions.     

Phenetic investigation of non-nodulating African species ofAcacia (Leguminosae) using morphological and molecular markers

Morphological and RAPD markers were used to assess the relationships among nodulating and non-nodulating species of AfricanAcacia. Non-nodulating species of AfricanAcacia are only found within subg.Aculeiferum sect.Monacanthea. African species of sect.Monacanthea examined were found to form a group distinct from the other African species examined on a morphological and molecular basis. All lack the ability to nodulate, suggesting that non-nodulation may be used as a taxonomic tool. The species of sect.Aculeiferum were separated by RAPD and morphological analysis into two groups depending on whether they were armed with prickles in pairs and/or prickles in threes, or solitary. A third group of species was identified within sect.Acacia: further subdivision of this group was achieved into subsectt.Pluriseriae andUniseriae. The position ofA. albida relative to other AfricanAcacia species was found to be distinct but not totally independent of the genus. The partitioning and distribution of the genetic variability within the genus is further elucidated by the RAPD analysis of populations ofAcacia species. A population analysis ofA. polyacantha demonstrated geographical and site-specific variation.     

A new species ofNectria onMauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae) in Ecuador and a key toNectria and allied genera on palms

A new species ofNectria, N. palmicola on rachides ofMauritia flexuosa, is described from Ecuador. It is compared with the similar species.N. calami andN. pseudopezizia. Nectria palmicola is illustrated with light and SEM micrographs and line diagrams. A key and host index to species ofNectria and allied genera on palms is given.     

A new scolenaspidid (Osteostraci, Vertebrata) from the Lower Devonian of Podolia, Ukraine

Anew osteostracan genus and species,Victoraspis longicornualis n. gen., n. sp., is described based on material from Rakovets’, present day Ukraine. This new taxon shares characters with the two generaStensiopelta Denison, 1951 andZychaspis Janvier, 1985. A phylogenetic analysis supports the position ofVictoraspis as the sister group to a monophyleticStensiopelta, while the interrelationships of the various species ofZychaspis are poorly resolved. A morphometric analysis is carried out in an attempt to further resolve the taxonomic affinity. This analysis groups all examinedZychaspis species closely together, and further supports the establishment ofVictoraspis as separate genus.      

Deprea nubicola (Solanaceae), a new species from northern Colombia

A new species,Deprea nubicola, is described. Although the corolla is similar in some aspects to that ofD. bitteriana, D. nubicola is distinguished by its diminutive leaves, a low density of hairs in the corolla annulus, glabrous filaments, and a distinctive long-pedicellate, subulate-lobed fruiting calyx.Deprea nubicola shares withD. ecuatoriana a fruiting calyx that tightly invests the berry. The distribution ofD. nubicola is limited to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northern Colombia. A key to the species ofDeprea is provided.     

Monocentric fungi on species of rhizosolenia from saline habitats

Summary Eight monocentric fungi are reported in two provisionally identified species ofRhizosolenia from sea-water. Only two species are assigned specific names. These areRhizophydium planktonicum Canter andR. fragilariae Canter. A fungus with depressed-globose sporangia is included as a form ofR. fragilariae. Two unidentified species ofChytridium are reported. A fungus tentatively assigned toZygorhizidium and a form provisionally assigned toPetersenia are also reported and described insofar as their characteristics are known.     

Influence of humidity and water availability on the survival ofAmblyseius idaeus andA. anonymus (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

Amblyseius idaeus (Denmark & Muma) andA. anonymus Chant & Baker are morphologically very similar species of phytoseiids inhabiting areas in South America that have very different levels of humidity. Above 60% RH, nearly all eggs of both species hatch successfully, but below 60% RH the egg hatching rate ofA. anonymus is very poor, whereas eggs ofA. idaeus hatch at humidities as low as 30% RH. The mobile stages ofA. idaeus are better able to survive in absence of food and water than those ofA. anonymus. Water availability promotes survival of both species, but its effect onA. idaeus exceeds that onA. anonymus. These differences in low-humidity tolerance and survival ability are consistent with the climatic origin of these phytoseiid species;Amblyseius ideaus has been reported from very dry and humid areas, andA. anonymus from humid areas only.In comparison with other phytoseiid species, the eggs ofA. idaeus have the highest tolerance to low humidities reported to date, and, among the phytoseiids that are shown to be capable of controllingTetranychus spp., this tolerance appears to be exceptionally high. The impact of this result on the scope of biological control ofTetranychus spp. is discussed.     

Aeromonas species in stabilization ponds in the arid region of Marrakesh,Morocco, and relation to fecal-pollution and climatic factors

During the period 12 July 1985 to 23 December 1987, water samples were collected in two-week intervals for estimates ofAeromonas species in a waste treatment system located in the arid region of Marrakech, Morocco. Fecal coliforms, temperature, and chemical oxygen demand were measured simultaneously withAeromonas species densities. Statistical methods were utilized to analyze the significance of average differences and temporal patterns ofAeromonas species numbers. Removal ofAeromonas in the whole system did not exceed 1.14 log.Aeromonas densities showed significantly higher resistance to the treatment process when compared with fecal coliforms; however, abundance of the two groups presented a similar seasonal change. The highest numbers occurred during the cold months, while the lowest appeared in the warm months. Statistical time-series analyses of the densities data showed the seasonal and cyclic distribution ofAeromonas in this treatment plant. These temporal changes were simultaneously observed in all the stations investigated and were negatively correlated with water temperature values. Aeromonas populations were dominated byA. caviae andA. hydrophila in the inlet samples. These two species were rapidly eliminated in the treatment plant. The temporal distribution ofA. caviae was similar to the change in densities ofAeromonas and fecal coliforms. The seasonal fluctuations of abundance ofAeromonas were probably related to this species, which dominated in the winter samples but dropped during the summer. Meanwhile,A. sobria dominated all the final effluent samples. This greater survival ofA. sobria and its known pathogenicity may limit the re-use of treated water for irrigation of fodder plants.     

Allozyme diversity and systematics inAnnonaceae—a pilot project

Five species ofAnnona and one species fromArtabotrys, Cananga, Polyalthia, andRollinia were investigated in regard to 11 different allozyme loci. Preliminary studies on small population samples ofAnnona suggest genetic uniformity in three species and variability within and between populations in two other species. The allotetraploid origin ofA. glabra is clearly shown by its hybrid enzyme bands. The genetic distance between fiveAnnona species partly corresponds with their morphological relationships; onlyA. muricata appears more separated than is suggested by morphology. A comparison of the five genera demonstrates close relationship betweenAnnona andRollinia. Two enzyme loci are identical within all taxa investigated and possibly may serve as a genetic marker for the family.     

Why do anemonefishes inhabit only some host actinians?

Synopsis The 25 species ofAmphiprion and one ofPremnas (family Pomacentridae) are obligate symbionts of 10 species of facultatively symbiotic sea anemones. Throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific range of the relationship, a fish species inhabits only certain of the hosts potentially available to it. This specificity is due to the fishes. Five fishes occupy six sea anemone species at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia.Entacmaea quadricolor harborsP. biaculeatus, A. melanopus andA. akindynos. Adults ofPremnas occur deeper than about 3 m in large, primarily solitary actinians; juveniles may occupy peripheral members ofEntacmaea clones in shallow water. Specimens ofA. melanopus live exclusively in clonal anemones, which are found no deeper than 3 m. Most individuals ofA. akindynos inEntacmaea are juveniles, occurring shallow and deep, in solitary anemones or at the margins of clones. Interspecific as well as intraspecific social control of growth may be responsible for keeping fish small at clone fringes. Conspicuous specimens ofE. quadricolor depend upon their anemonefish to survive. Actinians cleared of symbionts disappeared within 24 h, probably having been eaten by reef fishes.Entacmaea, the most abundant and widespread host actinian at Lizard Island and throughout the range of the association, is also arguably the most attractive to anemonefishes. I believe its vulnerability to predation was a factor in its evolving whatever makes it desirable to fishes. Experimental transfers pitted fish of one species against those of another, controlling for ecophenotype of host, and sex, size and number of fish. Competitive superiority was in the same order as abundance and over-all host specificity:P. biaculeatus, A. melanopus, A. akindynos. At least three factors are necessary to explain patterns of species specificity - innate or learned host preference, competition, and stochastic processes.     

Additions to the genusXenidiocercus (coelomycetes) from Ghana

Two new species of the coelomycete genusXenidiocercus are described and illustrated,X. macrospora on leaves ofMacaranga rowlandii andX. pyriformis on leaves ofM. huraefolia. They differ from the type species in having wider and ellipsoidal or pyriform conidia. A key to species ofXenidiocercus andIdiocercus is provided.     

Medicago truncatula f.laxicycla (Leguminosae), a new taxon with loose fruit coiling promoting rapid germination of the fruit-retained seeds

Medicago truncatula is a member ofMedicago sect.Spirocarpos, in which all 34 species have coiled fruit, usually tightly coiled, that permanently retain the seeds. A variant ofM. truncatula from Libya is unique for the species in possessing very loosely coiled fruits, and is here recognized as a new forma,M. truncatula f.laxicycla E. Small. In germination tests of a number of species ofMedicago, the unusual Libyan variant proved to be the only one in which rapid and simultaneous germination of most of the seeds occurred while still within a fruit. The loose coiling of the fruit of the Libyan variety appears to facilitate water entry and seedling escape. Its rapid germination might adapt it to respond quickly to intermittently available moisture, but at the cost of abandoning the strategy of intermittent germination adopted by other populations ofMedicago sect.Spirocarpos.