Accurate enumeration and identification of Testacea (Protozoa, Rhizopoda) in forest soil using scanning electron microscopy

A new procedure is used for separating Testacea from soil, based on dispersion, sequential centrifugation settling, and subsequent filtration of the soil suspension. Combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), this procedure allows accurate enumeration of Testacea, with a recovery rate of 90% and more precise counting (relative standard deviation, RSD: 5%) of Testacea than in previous works.     

Colonization of decomposing deciduous leaf litter by Testacea (Protozoa,Rhizopoda): Species succession,abundance, and biomass

Summary The colonization of leaf litter by testate amoebae in a cool temperate deciduous forest was studied over the first 60 months of decomposition. No colonization of fresh leaf litter by Testacea was recorded before the first spring thaw period. Colonization of aspen and balsam leaves was similar in terms of species and numbers of species, with the balsam litter being colonized by slightly fewer species. In the aspen litter bags, all the L-layer species were present after 18 months, and all the species recorded in all soil layers were found after 60 months. The proportion of species which constructed their tests from platelets rather than sediment was 70% of the total number of species for the first 36 months of colonization of both litter types. After 60 months, seven species comprised 70% of the total numbers of Testacea but only 33–38% of the total biomass. Significant, positive correlation existed between the dry weight loss of leaf litter and the total number of active Testacea, the total number of living Testacea, and the total number of species present. The prime limitations to testacean colonization of decomposing leaf litter appeared to be substrate quality, food supply and/or availability of test-building materials.     

Seasonal distribution,composition and abundance of the planktonic Ciliata and Testacea of Cayuga Lake

The planktonic protozoans (Ciliata and Testacea) of Cayuga Lake were studied from September 1974 through July 1975. Monthly collections were taken at four depths (surface, 15,31 and 92 m) at each of seven stations along the 125 m depth contour. All samples were collected with a 6-liter Van Dorn bottle sampler. Densities and biomass were determined for total protozoans and total zooplankton at each depth on each sampling date. Temperature profiles at one-meter intervals were also determined on or within a few days of the zooplankton sampling.The vertical distribution of the total protozoans was directly related to temperature; maximum densities corresponded to high summer surface temperatures. Dominant protozoan taxa included Didinium nasutum, Stokesia vernalis, Codonella cratera, Strobilidium gyrans, Strobilidium sp., Strombidium viride, Paradileptus canellai, Difflugia limnetica, and unidentified ciliates belonging to the families Halteriidae, Holophryidae, Epistylidae, and Vorticellidae. Protozoans composed 69% or more of the total zooplankton density on nine of eleven dates. Protozoan dominance was most evident during winter and spring, corresponding to the near absence of rotifers and microcrustaceans. Protozoans accounted for 30% or more of the zooplankton biomass from April through June, reaching 47% in May.     

Testaceans (Protozoa: Testacea) in Quaternary Permafrost Sediments of Bykovsky Peninsula, Arctic Yakutia

The results of the first protozoological study in terms of paleoecology of long-term sediments and buried soils formed in the cryolite zone of northeastern Siberia are discussed. The data on testaceans (Protozoa: Testacea) inhabiting various sites of Bykovsky Peninsula, Laptev Sea coast near estuary of Lena, within the last 53000 years (Late Pleistocene and Holocene) are presented.     

Testacea des Benthos der Talsperre Vranov am Thayafluss

Zusammenfassung Im Rahmen der Erforschung der Vranover Talsperre im Jahre 1951 wurde auch das Material zur Ermittlung der Zusammensetzung der Fauna der Testaceen in der Talsperre entnommen. Die Testaceen sind in dieser Talsperre bisher nicht studiert worden. In der Talsperre sind im ganzen 37 Proben ihrer ganzen Länge nach von 30 km und dies aus verschiedenen Tiefen entnommen worden. Das Material wurde durch die übliche Methodik (siehe pánek, 1963) verarbeitet. Die quantitative Analyse ist in 13 Proben durchgeführt worden.Insgesamt wurden 1353 Individuen, die zu 47 Gattungen, 121 Arten, 34 Varieten und 15 Formen gehören, besichtigt und gemessen. Von diesen 1353 Individuen sind 1 Gattung, 20 Arten, 12 Varietäten und 7 Formen als neu für die Weltfauna der Testaceen festgestellt worden.

---

Summary In 1951 an informative hydrobiological observation was made on the reservoir Vranov, organized by the secondary school, Znojmo, under the direction of Dr. F. Brychta, professor. This work included also samplings performed to estimate the composition of Testacea in this reservoir. Up to this date no Testacea had been estimated here. On the whole 37 samples were collected altogether along the length of 30 km of the reservoir and at different depths. The material was treated with the use of a common procedure (tpánek, 1963). Quantitative estimations were made in 13 samples.The total of 1,353 individuals were inspected and measured, belonging to 47 genera, 121 species, 34 varieties, and 15 forms, resp. From this 1 genus, 20 species, 12 varieties, and 7 forms, resp., are new for the world fauna of Testacea.

     

中国淡水与土壤有壳肉足虫最新分类名录及其区系分析

在回顾中国淡水与土壤有壳肉足虫研究历史的基础上,根据最新分类系统修订了已报道淡水与土壤有壳肉足虫的分类,共计3纲3目20科3属244种(包括52亚种).其中淡水种类37属233种及亚种,土壤种类1属64种及亚种,淡水与土壤共有17属53种及亚种.首次对中国淡水有壳肉足虫进行区系分析,用Jaccard共同系数分析西藏、贵州梵净山、湖南索溪峪、湖北东湖、江苏南京等5个地区的淡水有壳肉足虫区系相似性,区系相似性系数在0-0.25或0.25-0.5范围内,表明各地区间的区系为极不相似或中等不相似.采用模糊等价矩阵聚类法分析5个地区间的区系远近关系,结果表明其他4个地区与西藏的相似程度和地区间距离呈反比:西藏-贵州梵净山(0.35)>西藏-湖南索溪峪(0.324)>西藏-湖北东湖(0.22)>西藏-江苏南京(0.094).       

Die Testaceen (Protozoa,Rhizopoda) einiger Hochgebirgsgewässer von Mexiko,Costa Rica und Guatemala

The present paper deals with the Testacea living in several Mexican and Central American high-mountain waters. A total of 127 species, varieties and forms including 11 new ones are detected. Faunistical, ecological, zoogeographical and taxonomical notes are given. The results of investigation are represented as diagrams and extensive illustrations are provided.     

Phylogeny of the Cardiidae (Mollusca, Bivalvia): Protocardiinae, Laevicardiinae, Lahilliinae, Tulongocardiinae subfam. n. and Pleuriocardiinae subfam. n.

In a preliminary cladistic analysis of the bivalve family Cardiidae (Schneider 1992), members of the subfamilies Protocardiinae, Lahilliinae, and Laevicardiinae, plus the genus Nemocardium , were found to be the least derived taxa of cardiids. A cladistic analysis is undertaken of the genera and subgenera of these cardiid taxa, plus several Mesozoic taxa which have never been assigned to any subfamily. The Late Triassic Tulongocardium , which is placed in Tulongocardiinae subfam. n., is the sister taxon to all other cardiids. Protocardiinae is restricted to the genus Protocardia. Most other Mesozoic taxa which have been placed in the Protocardiinae are found to be members of the Lahilliinae. Nemocardium is placed in the Laevicardiinae. Incacardium, Pleuriocardia , and Dochmocardia form a monophyletic group, Pleuriocardiinae subfam. n. Pleuriocardiinae, Laevicardiinae, and the remaining members of the Cardiidae (herein informally termed "cucardiids") form a monophyletic group.     

Notes on some testacea (protozoa,rhizopoda) of the Yugoslavian coast of the Adria near Rab

Testacea in samples collected at the beach near Rab were investigated, and 4 species were found. Ecological and zoogeographical notes are given.     

Ecology of terrestrial testate amoebae assemblages from coastal Lowlands on Devon Island (NWT,Canadian Arctic)

Summary Fifty-seven taxa belonging to 17 genera of testate rhizopods were recorded in samples of mosses, soils and lichens, collected from the Truelove and Sparbo Hardy Lowlands on the high arctic Devon Island (NWT, Canada). Different groups of habitats are characterized by particular assemblages of Testacea species, with the quantity and quality of the available water as important ecological parameters. The Assulina muscorum-Corythion dubium assemblage characterizes the most dry and acidic moss habitats, while the Paraquadrula irregularis assemblage is to be found in wet and rather neutral habitats. The sedge moss meadows with their more moderately coarse textured and poorly drained soils, bear a Plagiopyxis callida-Plagiopyxis declivis soil-dwelling testate amoebae assemblage. The Centropyxis minuta assemblage lives in the most coarsely textured soils. pH seems to play a subordinate role, not only in the mosses but also in the soils. Multivariate methods (cluster analysis and CANOCO) have been used to separate these different assemblages.     

The influence of substratum age on patterns of protozoan assemblages in freshwater Aufwuchs — a case study

The sulfate reduction rate was measured for almost four years in the profundal sediments of Lake Kizaki, a mesotrophic lake in central Japan. The rate was generally highest in the surface layer and decreased with depth. Seasonally, sulfate reduction tended to be high in spring and summer, and then to decrease until the end of stratification (December) in spite of a constant in situ temperature of around 6 °C, although fluctuations were found in every year. The rate also fluctuated greatly according to year. The maximum rate of sulfate reduction was 0.33 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ in May, 1990, and the minimum was 0.004 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ in March, 1993. These relatively low rates, compared with those reported for freshwater sediments, seem to be due to low concentrations of sulfate in the sediments (5–23 μmol l⁻¹ in the surface layer). The rate was highly correlated with the concentration of sulfate in the sediments. The addition of sulfate stimulated sulfate reduction in all sediment samples tested, but adding lactate did not. Therefore, sulfate reduction should be limited mainly by the supply of sulfate. Measurements of sulfate reduction rates at different concentrations of added sulfate revealed a low concentration of half-saturation constant as low as 12 μmol l⁻¹.     

A brief review of the fossil history of the family Rosaceae with a focus on the Eocene Okanogan Highlands of eastern Washington State, USA, and British Columbia, Canada

Many of the oldest definitive members of the Rosaceae are present in the Eocene upland floras of the Okanogan Highlands of northeastern Washington State and British Columbia, Canada. Over a dozen rosaceous taxa representing extant and extinct genera of all four traditionally recognized subfamilies are known from flowers, fruits, wood, pollen, and especially leaves. The complexity seen in Eocene Rosaceae suggests that hybridization and polyploidy may have played a pivotal role in the early evolution of the family. Increased species diversity and the first appearance of additional modern taxa occur during the Late Paleogene in North America and Europe. The Rosaceae become increasingly important components of fossil floras during the Neogene, with taxa adapted to many habitats.     

The Ajellomycetaceae, a new family of vertebrate-associated Onygenales

Phylogenies inferred from the analysis of DNA sequence data have shown that the Onygenales contains clades that do not correspond with previously described families. One lineage identified in recent molecular phylogenetic studies includes the dimorphic pathogens belonging to the genera Ajellomyces, Emmonsia and Paracoccidioides. To evaluate the degree of support for this lineage and determine whether it includes additional taxa, we examined relationships among the members of this clade and selected saprobic onygenalean taxa based on maximum-parsimony analyses of partial nuclear large RNA subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. A clade distinct from the Onygenaceae was found to encompass Ajellomyces (including the anamorph genera Blastomyces, Emmonsia and Histoplasma) and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The members of this lineage are saprobic and pathogenic vertebrate-associated taxa distinguished by their globose ascomata with coiled appendages, muricate globose or oblate ascospores, and lack of keratinolytic activity. Anamorphs are solitary aleurioconidia or irregular alternate arthroconidia. Based on molecular data and on morphological and physiological similarities among these taxa, we propose the new family, Ajellomycetaceae.     

Density and diversity of protozoa in some arid Australian soils

This is the first extensive study of soil protozoa of arid lands. Twenty-six samples from litters, soils, termitaria, and a cyanobacterial crust, collected from central and south Australian arid lands, were analyzed for numbers and species of gymnamoebae, ciliates, and testacea. Amoebae ranged from 1,000-5,000/g of material, and were two orders of magnitude more abundant than ciliates. Both groups increased in abundance and species richness from bare soils through spinifex to mulga to chenopod vegetations. Testacea ranged 900-5,000/g with similar species richness throughout vegetations, but reached 11,900/g with a doubling of species in a refugium in Kings Canyon. The most prevalent species of amoebae, ciliates, and testacea were taxa associated with ephemeral and disturbed habitats (r-selection). The cyanobacterial crust might be considered a micro-refugium because it contained a number of non-encysting protozoa, including Thecamoeba sp. and Nassula picta, feeding on cyanobacterial filaments. The numbers and species richness of protozoa under shrubs were greater than in bare soils, supporting the resource island hypothesis that desert plants create soil heterogeneity by localizing soil fertility under their canopies.     

Testate amoebae (Testacea) in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Formica lugubris</Emphasis> nest: Fauna composition and structure

The fauna of testate amoebae (Testacea) in a Formica lugubris anthill and in litter layers from the control soil area in a spruce forest, Moscow region, was represented by a total of 43 species and subspecies. Their numbers ranged from 11000 ind./g air-dry substrate in the surface layer of the anthill to 62000 ind./g in the lower litter layer A0H/A1, with variation in species diversity between the samples being insignificant (24–30 species). Representatives of the genera Centropyxis, Cyclopyxis, Plagiopyxis, Corythion, and Trinema were dominant, whereas most of other species were few in numbers. The group of testacean species in the anthill was not specific, being a derivative of the testacean complex inhabiting the surrounding soil. Differences between litter layers and between these layers and substrates from the anthill concerned mainly the composition of the testacean community, which proved to change in the course of plant material decomposition: the aerophilic complex of upper layers (dominated by Centropyxis aerophila and Trinema lineare) was substituted by an edaphophilic complex (with Plagiopyxis declivis being dominant) in the nest mound of the anthill and in the lower litter layers. Plagiopyxis penardi was a eudominant species in the nest mound. Its especially high abundance is explained by deep transformation of plant remains in the nest (from moder to mull-like substrate) as the result of ant life activities.     

Molecular variation, systematics and distribution of the Anopheles fluviatilis complex in southern Asia

Species of the Anopheles fluviatilis James and Anopheles minimus complexes (Diptera: Culicidae) are difficult to distinguish morphologically. Members of the two complexes have been confused and, consequently, their distributions and roles in malaria transmission are uncertain. We identified numerous mosquitoes from China, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Iran by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and/or sequencing, and analysed the variation in the 28S D3 region of ribosomal DNA for members of the Minimus Subgroup and also the internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) for members of the An. fluviatilis complex. The D3 region is highly conserved between taxa and therefore could serve as a standard for molecular diagnosis of the subgroup members. D3 sequence, bionomics and malaria transmission data provide further evidence that An. fluviatilis S in India is conspecific with An. minimus C in South-east Asia. An. fluviatilis T has three ITS2 haplotypes (designated T1, T2 and Y) and its distribution in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Iran is confirmed. An. fluviatilis U is well defined on cytogenetic grounds in Uttar Pradesh, India, but is very close to An. fluviatilis T and the two species may hybridize in some regions. Variant ITS2 sequences suggest the possible existence of two additional taxa within the An. fluviatilis complex, one in Iran and another in India, provisionally designated An. fluviatilis forms V and X, respectively. The distributions of members of the An. fluviatilis and An. minimus complexes in south-central Asia are summarized.     

The Paleogene fossil record of birds in Europe

The Paleogene (Paleocene-Oligocene) fossil record of birds in Europe is reviewed and recent and fossil taxa are placed into a phylogenetic framework, based on published cladistic analyses. The pre-Oligocene European avifauna is characterized by the complete absence of passeriform birds, which today are the most diverse and abundant avian taxon. Representatives of small non-passeriform perching birds thus probably had similar ecological niches before the Oligocene to those filled by modern passerines. The occurrence of passerines towards the Lower Oligocene appears to have had a major impact on these birds, and the surviving crown-group members of many small arboreal Eocene taxa show highly specialized feeding strategies not found or rare in passeriform birds. It is detailed that no crown-group members of modern 'families' are known from pre-Oligocene deposits of Europe, or anywhere else. The phylogenetic position of Paleogene birds thus indicates that diversification of the crown-groups of modern avian 'families' did not take place before the Oligocene, irrespective of their relative position within Neornithes (crown-group birds). The Paleogene fossil record of birds does not even support crown-group diversification of Galliformes, one of the most basal taxa of neognathous birds, before the Oligocene, and recent molecular studies that dated diversification of galliform crown-group taxa into the Middle Cretaceous are shown to be based on an incorrect interpretation of the fossil taxa used for molecular clock calibrations. Several taxa that occur in the Paleogene of Europe have a very different distribution than their closest extant relatives. The modern survivors of these Paleogene lineages are not evenly distributed over the continents, and especially the great number of taxa that are today restricted to South and Central America is noteworthy. The occurrence of stem-lineage representatives of many taxa that today have a restricted Southern Hemisphere distribution conflicts with recent hypotheses on a Cretaceous vicariant origin of these taxa, which were deduced from the geographical distribution of the basal crown-group members.     

Chronology of Phytoparasitic Fungi Introduced to Germany and Adjacent Countries

A chronologically arranged list of 59 taxa of phytoparasitic micromycetes, introduced to Germany after 1750, is presented. Another list enumerates 15 fungal taxa which have been introduced to other parts of Europe but may be expected in Germany, too. Most of the enumerated newcomers are members of the orders Pucciniales and Erysiphales. The new terms archaeomycete, neomycete, and ephemeromycete are proposed.