Competitive displacement ofAnagyrus antoninae [Hym.: Encyrtidae]. by its ecological homologueNeodusmetia sangwani [Hym.: Encyrtidae]

The displacement ofAnagyrus antoniaae Timberlake byNeodusmetia sangwani (Rao) was demonstrated by reduced parasitism by the former in two localities after the latter was introduced into these sites. The competitive factors were: (1) the host-regulative action ofN. sangwani maintained a low host reciprocal balance, and (2) the inability of the female ofA. antoninae at the prevailing host density to find hosts sufficient for reproduction. The lack of competitiveness ofA. antoninae was a result of its inability to develop at high vapor deficits.     

Variation du comportement chezMetaphycus lounsburyi [Hym.: Encyrtidae]

Résumé L'étude du comportement de trois populations naturelles deMetaphycus lounsburyi Howard de Californie, Espagne, Italie, montre d'importantes (comportement de ponte, accouplements hétérogamiques) ou de faibles différences (réceptivité de l'h?te, décalage des niches écologiques), sans différences morphogiques.M. lounsburyi est considéré comme une super-espèce. Deux semi-espèces sont reconnues (méditerranéenne, californienne importée d'Australie) qui sont jugées comme suffisamment isolées génétiquement, pour être utilisées dans les mêmes vergers en vue de la lutte biologique contre la cochenille noire de l'olivier et des agrumes,Saissetia oleae (Olivier).

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Summary Behavioural study of 3 natural populations ofM. lounsburyi Howard from California, Spain, Italy, shows large (egg-laying behaviour, heterogamic matings) or little differences (host acceptance, shifting of ecological niches), without morphological differences.M. lounsburyi is considered as a super-species. Two semi-species are recognized (Mediterranean, Californian imported from Australia) which are sufficiently isolated genetically, to be used in the same orchards for biological control against the Olive and Citrus Black Scale,Saissetia oleae (Olivier).

     

A new host record forTachinaephagus zealandicus [Hym.: Encyrtidae]

Tachinaephagus zealandicus Ashmead was reared from puparia ofProtocalliphora n. sp. [Dip.], representing a new host record for this parasitoid. The habitat ofProtocalliphora is qualitatively different than those of all previously recorded hosts for this parasitoid.T. zealandicus has been imported from Australia and New Zealand and this record strengthens the belief that it has become established in California.     

Octopodotus stupendus gen. & sp. nov. and Phyllachora paludicola sp. nov., two marine fungi from Spartina alterniflora

The coelomycete Octopodotus stupendus and the ascomycete Phyllachora paludicola are described as obligate marine fungi from the decomposing salt-marsh plant, Spartina alterniflora. Both species fruit only on the leaf blades, not on the leaf sheaths. Whereas O. stupendus is known so far only from North Carolina, P. paludicola has been collected from Florida to Delaware. The total number of marine fungi reported from Spartina spp. is 41.     

A new genus and species (Pakencyrtus pakistanensis gen. & sp. nov.) of the familyEncyrtidae [Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea] from Pakistan

During the course of a survey of scale insects and their natural enemies in West Pakistan, this species was found to be parasitic onAspidiotus destructor Sign. attackingMangifera indica, Eugenia cumini, Musa sapientum andPsidium guajava in the former Punjab and Sind Provinces. It proved to be new, belonging to an undescribed genus closely related toAgeniaspis Dahlb. [Encyrtidae] differing mainly in the number of segments of the labial and maxillary palpi. A new genus is therefore erected for this species.

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Résumé Au cours de l'étude dans l'Ouest-Pakistan des Cochenilles et de leurs ennemis naturels, cette nouvelle espèce s'est révélée parasite d'Aspidiotus destructor Sign. Elle appartient à un nouveau genre proche desAgeniaspis Dahlb. (Encyrtidae).

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This research has been financed in part by a grant made by the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service.     

Key to palaearctic species of the genusPsyllaephagus [Hym.:Encyrtidae]

The article contains a key to 42 species of the genusPsyllaephagus Ashmead, 1900—parasites ofPsylloidea, mainly from southern regions of Palaearctics.Psyllaephagus tobiasi Trjapitzin, 1967 is synonymized withP. belanensis (Hoffer, 1963).

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Résumé Il est fourni la clé de 42 espèces du genrePsyllaephagus Ashmead, 1990, parasites de psylles, principalement des régions méridionales de la zone paléarctique.Psyllaephagus tobiasi Trjapitzin, 1967 est mis en synonymie avecP. belanensis (Hoffer, 1963).

     

Minteriella cenotigena anam. gen. & sp. nov. from submerged plant material in Mexico

Minteriella cenotigena gen. & sp. nov., found on decaying bark submerged in a sinkhole from the southern of Mexico, is described and illustrated. The new taxa is distinguished by synnematous conidiomata, with polyblastic, discrete, indeterminate, sympodially proliferating conidiogenous cells, with flat conidiogenous loci and cylindrical, 3- to 4- (to 5) euseptate, hyaline conidia.     

Yakushimabryum longissimum (Pylaisiadelphaceae) gen. & sp. nov., from the Yakushima Island,Japan

Abstract

Yakushimabryum longissimum gen. & sp. nov. (Pylaisiadelphaceae, Musci), is described from Yakushima Island, Japan, on the basis of morphology and rbcL data. It is characterized by more or less glossy, yellowish green living plants, naked dormant branch buds, absence of costa in the leaves, smooth and linear leaf lamina cells, alar groups composed of a number of quadrate cells arranged in a scalariform manner, ascending branches that are often elongate into slender tips, and filamentous gemmae consisting of smooth, long-rectangular cells. Molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest an affinity neither to Clastobryopsis nor Gammiella, both of which grow in similar habitats and share alar morphology and shape of propagules, but to Isocladiella and Isopterygium, both of which have filamentous pseudoparaphyllia and different types of propagules. A key to the Japanese genera of Pylaisiadelphaceae is provided.     

Paraherbaspirillum soli gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from soil

A bacterial strain, designated JS5-2^T, was isolated from soil collected from Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The cells of the strain were Gram-negative, nonspore forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, aerobic, nonmotile and rod-shaped. Strain JS5-2^T exhibited 96.2–97.2, 95.1–96.3, and 95.4–95.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the genera Herbaspirillum, Oxalicibacterium, and Herminiimonas, respectively. The highest sequence similarities were with Herbaspirillum autotrophicum IAM 14942^T (97.2%) and Herbaspirillum frisingense GSF30^T (97.1%). The major fatty acids of strain JS5-2^T were C_16:0 (35.0%), C_17:0 cyclo (19.9%), C_18:1 ω7c (11.4%), and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_15:0 iso 2-OH) (15.2%), and the major polar lipids of strain JS5-2^T were diphosphatidylglycerol and an unknown aminophospholipid. The strain contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone. DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain JS5-2^T and H. autotrophicum IAM 14942^T, and H. frisingense GSF30^T were 32 and 35%, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain JS5-2^T was 59.0 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic, and physiological evidence, strain JS5-2^T represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Paraherbaspirillum soli gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain JS5-2^T (=KACC 12633^T =NBRC 106496^T) is proposed.     

Subdoligranulum variabile gen. nov., sp. nov. from human feces

During studies on the microflora of human feces we have isolated a strictly anaerobic, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative staining organism which exhibits a somewhat variable coccus-shaped morphology. Comparative 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing studies show the unidentified organism is phylogenetically a member of the Clostridium leptum supra-generic rRNA cluster and displays a close affinity to some rDNA clones derived from human and pig feces. The nearest named relatives of the unidentified isolate corresponded to Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (formerly Fusobacterium prausnitzii) displaying a 16S rRNA sequence divergence of approximately 9%, with Anaerofilum agile and A. pentosovorans the next closest relatives of the unidentified bacterium (sequence divergence approximately 10%). Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic considerations, it is proposed that the unusual coccoid-shaped organism be classified as a new genus and species, Subdoligranulum variabile. The type strain of S. variabile is BI 114(T) (=CCUG 47106(T)=DSM 15176(T)).     

Alkalobacter lublini gen. nov., sp. nov.

On the basis of phenotypic properties and G+C content of DNA, as well as competitive DNA-DNA hybridization and extracellular polymeric substance analysis it was shown that this strain was completely different from all other alkaliphilic bacteria. We hereby propose that this strain be designatedAlkalobacter lublini gen. nov., sp. nov.     

Blastobotrys nivea gen.nov., sp.nov.

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Anaerofustis stercorihominis gen. nov., sp. nov., from human feces

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on an unidentified Gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from human feces. The organism was catalase-negative, resistant to 20% bile, produced acetic and butyric acids as end products of glucose metabolism, and possessed a G+C content of approximately 70 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the unidentified bacterium was a member of the Clostridium sub-phylum of the Gram-positive bacteria, and formed a loose association with rRNA cluster XV. Sequence divergence values of 12% or greater were observed between the unidentified bacterium and all other recognized species within this and related rRNA clusters. Treeing analysis showed the unknown anaerobe formed a deep line branching near to the base of rRNA cluster XV and phylogenetically represents a hitherto unknown taxon, distinct from Acetobacterium, Eubacterium sensu stricto, Pseudoramibacter and other related organisms. Based on both phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium from feces be classified in a new genus Anaerofustis, as Anaerofustis stercorihominis sp. nov. The type strain of Anaerofustis stercorihominis is ATCC BAA-858(T)=CCUG 47767(T).     

Importation,colonization and establishment ofAnagyrus indicus [Hym.: Encyrtidae] onNipaecoccus viridis [Hom.: Pseudococcidae] in Jordan

Anagyrus indicus Shafeeet al. was collected on the island of Guam and released in the Jordan River Valley of Jordan in order to regulateNipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) on citrus.A. indicus was originally released in February 1984 and became colonized by April of the same year. It also dispersed by natural means up to 61 km following the original release and colonized that same year on infestedZizyphus sp. By spring of 1985 it became the dominant parasitoid attackingN. viridis. Another parasitoid,Anagyrus kamali Moursi, was collected in Jordan in June of 1985 for the first time. This latter parasitoid apparently moved into the Jordan River Valley by means of natural dispersal from a neighboring country. Infestations ofN. viridis have been greatly reduced in areas whereA. indicus became established. This paper reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement for its use by USDA.     

Frondisphaeria palmicola gen. et sp. nov. from Brunei

The monotypic genusFrondisphaeria (Unitunicate Ascomycetes inc. sed.) is introduced to accommodate a new palm ascomycete with slightly curved long-fusiform ascospores.Frondisphaeria has similarities withLinocarpon, but differs in having clavate asci, which are narrow at the apex and are provided with a refractive discoid subapical ring. Ascomata also form under darkened blotches on the host surface.     

Heliophilum fasciatum gen. nov. sp. nov. and Heliobacterium gestii sp. nov.: endospore-forming heliobacteria from rice field soils

Two new taxa of phototrophic heliobacteria are described: Heliobacterium gestii sp. nov. and Heliophilum fasciatum gen. nov. sp. nov. Both organisms were isolated from dry paddy soils. Cells of H. gestii were motile spirilla; cells of H. fasciatum formed cell bundles that were motile as units. Both organisms produced endospores; H. gestii endospores contained dipicolinic acid and elevated levels of calcium. As with other heliobacteria, bacteriochlorophyll g was produced in both organisms and no intracytoplasmic photosynthetic membranes were observed. Growth of H. gestii and H. fasciatum occurred under both photoheterotrophic and chemotrophic conditions; nitrogen fixation also occurred in both organisms. H. gestii and H. fasciatum showed a phylogenetic relationship to the "low GC" line of gram-positive Bacteria, but H. fasciatum was distinct from H. gestii and all other heliobacteria. The ability of H. gestii and H. fasciatum to form endospores might be a significant ecological advantage for survival in their rice soil habitat. Received: 16 October 1995 / Accepted: 10 January 1996     

Diaminobutyricibacter tongyongensis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Homoserinibacter gongjuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. Belong to the Family Microbacteriaceae

Two bacterial strains, KIS66-7^T and 5GH26-15^T, were isolated from soil samples collected in the South Korean cities of Tongyong and Gongju, respectively. Both strains were aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, mesophilic, flagellated, and rodshaped. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that both strains belonged to the family Microbacteriaceae of the phylum Actinobacteria. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain KIS66-7^T had the highest similarities with those of Labedella gwakjiensis KSW2-17^T (97.3%), Cryobacterium psychrophilum DSM 4854T (97.2%), Leifsonia lichenia 2Sb^T (97.2%), Leifsonia naganoensis JCM 10592^T (97.0%), and Cryobacterium mesophilum MSL-15^T (97.0%). Strain 5GH26-15^T showed the highest sequence similarities with Leifsonia psychrotolerans LI1T (97.4%) and Schumannella luteola KHIAT (97.1%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence from KIS66-7^T exhibited 96.4% similarity with that from 5GH26-15^T. Strain KIS66-7^T contained a B2γ type peptidoglycan structure with D-DAB as the diamino acid; MK-13, MK-12, and MK-14 as the respiratory quinones; ai-C_15:0, ai-C_17:0, and i-C_16:0 as the major cellular fatty acids; and diphosphatidylglycerol, phatidylglycerol, and glycolipids as the predominant polar lipids. Strain 5GH26-15T had a B2β type peptidoglycan structure with D-DAB as the diamino acid; MK-14 and MK-13 as the respiratory quinones; ai-C_15:0, i-C_16:0, and ai-C{vn17:0} as the major cellular fatty acids; and diphosphatidylglycerol, phatidylglycerol, and glycolipids as the predominant polar lipids. Both strains had low DNA-DNA hybridization values (<40%) with closely related taxa. Based on our polyphasic taxonomic characterization, we propose that strains KIS66-7^T and 5GH26-15^T represent novel genera and species, for which we propose the names Diaminobutyricibacter tongyongensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain KIS66-7^T=KACC 15515^T=NBRC 108724^T) and Homoserinibacter gongjuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain 5GH26-15^T=KACC 15524^T=NBRC 108755^T) within the family Microbacteriaceae.