Euduboscquella costata n. sp. (Dinoflagellata,Syndinea), an Intracellular Parasite of the Ciliate Schmidingerella arcuata: Morphology,Molecular Phylogeny,Life Cycle,Prevalence, and Infection Intensity

The syndinean dinoflagellate Euduboscquella costata n. sp., an intracellular parasite of the tintinnid ciliate Schmidingerella arcuata, was discovered from Korean coastal water in November of 2013. Euduboscquella costata parasitized in about 62% of the host population, with infection intensity (= number of trophonts in a single host cell) ranging from 1 to 8. Based on morphology and nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences, the parasite is new to science. Euduboscquella costata n. sp. had an infection cycle typical of the genus, but had morphological and developmental features that distinguished it from congeneric species. These features include: (1) episome of the trophont with 25–40 grooves converging toward the center of the shield; (2) a narrow, funnel‐shaped lamina pharyngea extending from the margin of the episomal shield to the nucleus; (3) persistence of grooves during extracellular development (sporogenesis); (4) a single food vacuole during sporogenesis; (5) separation of sporocytes early in sporogenesis, regardless of type of spore formed; and (6) dinospore size (ca. 14 μm in length) and shape (bulbous episome with narrower, tapering hyposome). After sporogenesis, E. costata produced four different types of spore that showed completely identical 18S rRNA gene sequences. The gene sequence was completely identical with a previously reported population, Euduboscquella sp. ex S. arcuata, from Assawoman Bay, USA, indicating that the two populations are likely conspecific. Favella ehrenbergii, a widely recorded tintinnid known to host Euduboscquella spp., co‐occurred with S. arcuata, but was not infected by E. costata in field samples or during short‐term, cross‐infection experiments.     

Male reproductive cycle in Aspidoscelis costata costata (Squamata: Teiidae) from Tonatico,Estado de México,México

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reproductive cycle of a high‐elevation population of Aspidoscelis costata costata (1500–1600 m) and compare its reproductive cycle with that of other populations, species, and closely related genera. Adult male A. costata costata lizards were collected, and the reproductive tracts were removed and subjected to histological analyses. Testicular activity commences in March with maximum testicular activity and highest sperm abundance (in the epididymides) occurring between May and July. The testis remains at peak activity until September when a late regression/early quiescent phase is observed. Leydig cells follow this same pattern except these hormone‐producing cells remain at maximum secretory level through September. Sperm are present in the epididymides in April–September. This pattern is consistent with the spring recrudescence found in a multitude of male lizard taxa. However, this differs from the continuous cycle observed in some tropical Teiid species and other lizard taxa at high elevation. This study indicates that our knowledge about lizard spermatogenic cycles remains incomplete, and additional studies are required to fully understand the interactions between phenotype, evolution, phylogenetics and environment.     

Conchometrics, systematics and distribution of Melanopsis (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the Levant

In this conchometric study, the systematics and distribution of the freshwater gastropod Melanopsis in the Levant are described. Of the ten species found, three are widespread, two have narrow distributions and five are known only from their type locality. Five smooth‐shelled species are recognized (buccinoidea, ammonis, dircaena, khabourensis and meiostoma). Within M. buccinoidea, Jordan Valley populations may belong to a separate subspecies. M. ammonis is clearly differentiated from buccinoidea of the nearby Jordan Valley, but less so from buccinoidea of more distant sites; differences between ammonis and meiostoma are significant but not diagnostic. Five species have ribbed shells. Within costata, four subspecies are recognized (in the northern Orontes, upper Jordan, Sea of Galilee, and in southernmost parts of the Levant). Throughout the Levant, M. buccinoidea frequently hybridizes with M. costata and fossil evidence suggests that these species have been hybridizing for the last 1.5 Myr. M. saulcyi differs from M. costata in its narrower shell and shorter, bumpier ribs and frequently hybridizes with M. buccinoidea throughout the Levant. Specimens from Homs differ from those of the Jordan Valley in their higher figurativity index, fewer ribs and lower rib density. M. germaini differs from M. costata in its more numerous ribs, M. pachya in its shorter ribs, and M. infracincta in its bumpy shell in which each rib has huge tubercles, with a pronounced ridge flanking the columella. Our conclusion that there are ten species in the Levant differs from previous studies that suggested only two subspecies of one species (or superspecies). This difference could stem from (1) our use of nonstandard as well as standard conchometrics, (2) a reappraisal of the importance of the shell vs. the radula in intrageneric systematics, and (3) differences of opinion on the subspecies concept. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 144 , 229?260.     

Resource use and foraging patterns of honeybees,Apis mellifera,and native insects on flowers of Eucalyptus costata

Introduced honeybees have become well established throughout Australia and concerns have been raised about their impact on the native flora and fauna. Such concerns include the possible depletion of nectar resources by honeybees to the detriment of native animals and the ability of honeybees to pollinate Australian plants. The foraging patterns and resource utilization of honeybees (Apis mellifera) and native insects on flowers of yellow Mallee (Eucalyptus costata) (Behr & F. Muell, ex F. Muell.) were studied in Wyperfeld National Park during spring 1994. Seventy-four insect species visited the flowers with the most prevalent being honeybees, native bees (Lasioglossum and Hylaeus) and ants (Iridiomyrmex). Honeybees began foraging at lower temperatures than native bees and hence had initial access to the nectar supply that was primarily produced overnight by E. costata. However, the majority (90%) of early morning visits to flowers by honeybees involved the collection of pollen. Honeybees did not forage for nectar in substantial numbers until after native insects were active. Despite both consumption and evaporation, nectar supplies remained available at midday and at one site remained available for consumption at dusk. Honeybees regularly made contact with the receptive stigmata while foraging for pollen and hence had pollen loads consisting of numerous E. costata grains present on their body. These activities are indicative of the behaviour required by insects to facilitate pollination. Given the unique morphology of many native flowers and the contrasting findings from studies to date, it is critical that generalisations about the effect of honeybees in the Australian environment are not made from studies on a limited number of native plant species.     

小兴安岭天然针阔混交林主要树种空间格局及其关联性

在小兴安岭天然针阔混交林1.1 hm~2的固定样地内,本文调查和统计了其物种组成和林分径级结构。运用空间点格局分析方法中的O-ring函数,对种群的空间分布格局及其关联性进行分析。结果表明:样地内共有乔木树种15种,重要值排在前四位的依次为红皮云杉(Picea koraiensis)、枫桦(Betula costata)、春榆(Ulmus davidiana)和色木槭(Acer mono),红皮云杉和枫桦属于样地内的优势种,重要值分别为15.81%和11.10%。林下更新状态良好,枫桦的径级结构有呈正态分布的趋势,其余三种均呈现倒"J"形。O-ring函数结果证实,四个主要树种的种群空间分布格局相似,均在0—5 m小尺度上呈聚集分布,随着尺度的增大,逐渐变为随机分布;红皮云杉与其他三个主要种群之间在较大尺度上均呈现显著正相关或无相关,在小尺度上仅与枫桦呈极显著正相关;色木槭在较小尺度上与其他三个种群呈弱负相关性,随着尺度的增大,逐渐变为无相关性。     

Microgeographic differentiation among closely related species of Biomphalaria (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) from the Andean Altiplano

Direct development and water dependence entail limited vagility in freshwater fauna. In these organisms, the population structure is probably linked to restrictions imposed by the habitat. In this study we investigate the relative contribution of processes stimulating the divergence of populations of Biomphalaria costata (Biese, 1951) and Biomphalaria crequii (Courty, 1907), two freshwater snails occurring in two contiguous and fragmented closed basins from the Andean Altiplano using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) sequences, shell morphometric and radular morphology. In order to clarify the species boundaries, a third allopatric species was included: Biomphalaria aymara Valdovinos & Stuardo, 1991. Molecular analyses recovered two distinct clades: one composed of B. aymara from the Isluga swamps and B. costata from Spring 1 in Salar de Carcote, the single spring occupied by this species, and another integrated by snails from 12 springs spread across the Salar de Carcote and the Salar de Ascotán assigned to B. crequii, originally described from the Salar de Ascotán. Unlike shell morphometrics, radular morphology was informative for distinguishing these species. The division of the lineages occurred in the Late Pleistocene. A subclade that includes snails from the southernmost springs in Salar de Ascotán suggests fragmentation of the distribution of B. crequii associated with landscape discontinuities. In addition to microvicariance signals, the private haplotypes scattered around both salt spans show that close‐range dispersal is a common biogeographic process in this species. As evolutionary units, the single isolated and restricted population of B. costata has a high priority for conservation. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Length‐weight relationships of seven fish species from the Wutong River,northeast China

Length‐weight relationships (LWR) were calculated for seven fish species from the Wutong River, northeast China(47°58'‐47°10'N; 130°07'‐130°48'E), including Ladislavia taczanowskii Dybowski, 1869; Gobio cynocephalus Dybowski, 1869; Rhynchocypris lagowskii (Dybowski, 1869); Lefua costate (Kessler, 1876); Cobitis lutheri Rendahl, 1935; Cobitis sibirica Gladkov, 1935; Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877. All fish specimens were collected by electric fishing gear (voltage, 12 V) and gillnets (mesh size: 1.1 cm × 1.1 cm, 1.4 cm × 1.4 cm, 1.8 cm × 1.8 cm, 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm) from May to July 2017. The a values ranged from 0.0038 (Cobitis lutheri) to 0.0084 (Lefua costata), and b values from 2.716 (Lefua costata) to 3.450 (Perccottus glenii) and r² values from 0.973 (Cobitis lutheri) to 0.995 (ladislavia taczanowskii). This study provides the first published the LWRs for the five species, and new maximum total lengths were recorded for two species, including Gobio cynocephalus and Lefua costata.     

A new cave-dwelling and endemic species of the genus Pholeuonopsis (Coleoptera, Leiodidae) from Serbia

In the present study, a new species of a cavernicolous beetle is described from Serbia: Pholeuonopsis (Pholeuonopsis) zlatiborensis sp. n. (Leptodirini, Cholevinae, Leiodidae). All important taxonomic features have been thoroughly analyzed and illustrated. The new species probably belongs to an old phyletic lineage of mesogeid origin, like other known Pholeuonopsis species inhabiting cave and endogean habitats in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. Therefore, the species is both relict and endemic inhabitant of cave habitats in Serbia.     

Centaurea zlatiborensis (Asteraceae,Cardueae−Centaureinae), a new endemic species from Zlatibor mountain range,Serbia

A new species of Centaurea sect. Acrocentron (Cass.) DC. (Asteraceae) found growing in dry, steppe‐like habitats on the Zlatibor mountain in western Serbia is described as Centaurea zlatiborensis. This novelity is compared with all other species of C. sect. Acrocentron known from Serbia and a diagnistic key to these is provided. Centaurea zlatiborensis is morphologically close to C. calocephala Willd. but the stems are simple or sparsely branched with monocephalous branches and itis generally smaller in all plant parts. The most important difference is the appendage morphology where C. zlatiborenis has triangular, dark brown appendages with short fimbriae and appendages not completely covering the bracts.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melanopsis</Emphasis> from Al-Qarn,Jordan Valley (Gastropoda: Cerithioidea)

Fossil species ofMelanopsis from a freshwater formation in the Jordan Valley (near Al-Qarn) were investigated and the deposits containing these species are formally described as Al-Qarn Formation. Four species were found:Melanopsis buccinoidea Olivier,M. tchernovi Heller & Sivan,M. costata Olivier andM. aaronsohni Blanckenhorn.Melanopsis costata was represented by two groups, “stepped” and “non-stepped”, the latter differing in its lower figurativity index. Intermediates were found betweenM. buccinoidea andM. tchernovi; they may be hybrids. TheMelanopsis assemblage bridges the faunal gap, in the Jordan Valley, between the 2 Ma lake of ‘Erq el Ahmar on the one hand and the 0.8–1.7 Ma lake of ‘Ubeidiya on the other. This suggests an early Pleistocene age of about 1.8 million years for the Al-Qarn Formation.     

First interception of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (Q biotype) in Serbia

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a cosmopolitan insect pest and causes great damage to many agricultural crops by direct feeding, and transmitting many plant viruses causing disastrous effects. The global distribution of B. tabaci was previously investigated, but so far, it has not been confirmed in Serbia. Sampling conducted on plants at three localities in Serbia revealed the presence of three whitefly species, one is B. tabaci Mediterranean (MED) species, a quarantine pest. Additionally, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood and an Aleurodes sp. that was not identified to the species level were also confirmed. The last two are common and widespread species in Serbia. Whitefly collections were made from cabbage, kale and oilseed rape plants (Brassica oleracea, B. oleracea var. sabauda, B. napus, respectively) grown in the field, on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) grown in the greenhouse and on potted hibiscus (Hibiscus sp.) and poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) plants grown indoors. DNA sequence analysis from a portion of the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene (COI) revealed the presence of B. tabaci MED species, which is considered to be a very important pest worldwide and has been reported from neighbouring countries, however, not yet from Serbia. Bemisia tabaci MED is recorded here for the first time in Serbia. This first interception suggests its introduction with ornamentals grown indoors, with no outdoor reports and that it is not yet spread. This report is an important alert for local authorities to take the necessary steps in monitoring and preventing its possible expansion.     

Species of Dickinsonia Sprigg from the Ediacaran of South Australia

An iconic member of the Ediacara Biota, Dickinsonia Sprigg is one of few such taxa with multiple species. Here we use Gaussian finite mixture models to assess the validity of species distinctions for this genus. Our results indicate that the five described species of Dickinsonia from the Ediacara Member, South Australia are better classified as two based on multiple approaches. Two different methods for dimension reduction both provide strong support for two groups, with overlapping but distinct mixture models. The variable selection method produces the most biologically realistic clusters, indicating that the two species can be primarily differentiated based on the greater relative size of the anterior most unit of Dickinsonia costata Sprigg compared with Dickinsonia tenuis Glaessner & Wade. Despite differences in aspect ratio and number of modules, both species regulated growth to maintain overall shape. The greater likelihood of preservation of a midline and an irregular outer margin in D. tenuis highlights differential structural integrity and flexibility. Co-occurrence in the Ediacara Member indicates that both species occupied the same environments and temporal distribution. Smaller maximum and average size for D. costata, combined with higher abundance, may suggest a comparatively shorter lifespan and increased rates of reproduction.     

Pichia angophorae,sp.n. from the exudate of an Australian Red Gum tree

A new species ofPichia has been described.Pichia angophorae sp.n. was the only yeast present in an exudate ofAngophora costata collected near North Ryde, N. S. W., Australia. The new species exists in both the homo- and heterothallic state. Heterothallic mating types have been isolated as segregants from originally homothallic cultures.     

RESTRICTION ENDONUCLEASE ANALYSIS OF RIBOSOMAL DNA SEQUENCE VARIATION IN LAMINARIA (PHAEOPHYTA)1

The taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of species in the genus Laminaria are poorly understood. Previous studies have demonstrated significant plasticity of morphological characters used to describe taxa, and interfertility has been reported among putative species. We analyzed nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence variation in eight species of Laminaria (L. agardhii Kjell., L. digitata (Huds.) Lamour., L. groenlandica Rosenv. [sensu Druehl 1968], L. longicruris De la Pyl., L. longipes Bory, L. saccharina (L.) Lamour., L. setchellii Silva, and L. yezoensis Miyabe) to elucidate evolutionary relationships in this genus. Restriction maps were constructed using a small subunit rDNA probe from Costaria costata (Turn.) Saunders, an rDNA repeat from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and 11 hexameric restriction endonucleases in an annealing analysis of genomic DNA. Laminaria rDNA restriction maps were compared to each other and to that of the outgroup taxon, C. costata. rDNA restriction maps of Laminaria species and C. costata were similar. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms mapped to both the coding regions and the nontranscribed spacer of rDNA. Laminaria species were distinguished with this method. The restriction maps of L. agardhii, L. saccharina, and L. longicruris were identical, supporting a previous hypothesis that these species are conspecific. Comparison of restriction maps of Laminaria species suggested that the generic subdivision of Sections Simplices and Digitatae may be invalid.     

The Structure and Density of Aggregations of the Hermit Crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pagurus proximus</Emphasis> Komai, 2000 in Epibiosis of the Brown Alga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Costaria costata</Emphasis> (C. Agardh) De A. Saunders, 1895 in the Sublittoral Zone of Vostok Bay,Sea of Japan

A study of epibiosis of the brown alga Costaria costata in the sublittoral zone of Vostok Bay, Sea of Japan during the spring and summer of 2016 showed that hermit crabs of the following four species accounted for approximately 85% of the total biomass: Pagurus proximus, P. minutus, P. brachiomastus, and P. middendorffii. Of these, the most abundant one (96.5% of the total number of hermit crabs) was P. proximus, the mean aggregation density of which on C. costata (429 ± 221 ind./m²) was higher by an order of magnitude than that in the adjacent area of the bouldery bottom. The size ranges of males and females of this species in aggregations on boulders and those on C. costata were similar, with a predominance of larger individuals on algae. In the size–frequency distribution, three groups of individuals corresponding to three size–age cohorts were differentiated. The male-to-female ratio was 1 : 1.7. Hermit crab aggregations on C. costata are ephemeral; their existence is determined by the duration of the period of algae development, that is, from late spring to the middle of the summer.     

New chorological data for flora of the Pannonian region of Serbia

The northern part of Serbia, known as Pannonian Serbia, is a lowland region. The autochthonous (indigenous) flora is classified as either steppe, forest-steppe, sand dune or salt flat. Most of the area has been developed agriculturally, thereby reducing the amount of land containing preserved habitats. The flora of this region was collected over a period of several years, supplying new data on the distribution of numerous plant species. The first data on the distribution of flora in Pannonian Serbia for Humulus scandens and Ophris scolopax subsp. Cornuta is presented in this study. The local regions cited were the first time precisely recorded regions were made after a period of over 100 years, for Cardamine impatiens, Monotropa hypopitys subsp. hypopitys, Ononis pusilla, Globularia punctata, Gymnadenia odoratissima and Carex brevicollis. The groups, Peucedanum carvifola and Galium tenuissimum, quite rare in the northern part of Serbia, were found at new localities. In order to present the data, the authors used the method of indirect mapping on UTM grid, with 10 × 10 km as the basic unit. This method is compatible with the edition Atlas Florae Europaeae.     

Coexistence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Placobdella costata</Emphasis> (Fr. Müller, 1846) (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) and mud turtle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Emys orbicularis</Emphasis>

Emys orbicularis is receding from Europe, mainly due to anthropogenic habitat changes. Its parasite, Placobdella costata, is widely distributed within both the former and the present distribution range of the host. Though closely associated with the mud turtle, it may have other hosts (birds, amphibians, reptiles). Its reproductive period coincides with that of its host’s migration to the breeding grounds, thus facilitating dispersal of the parasite. Based on literature data we have analyzed the geographic spread of P. costata and mud turtle to observe the possible overlap of their habitats. Observations on the population of mud turtle and the associated leech species (P. costata) were carried out in eastern Poland — Podlasie Lowland. The studies were conducted in spring and summer in 1986–1993. The leeches were collected from the turtles caught in the water and on land. Observations showed that most leeches were found on turtles inhabiting the lake or moving to a breeding area. The greatest intensity of invasion was observed in June and July and that most leeches were observed in female E. orbicularis characterized by greater length of the carapace and weight, compared with males and juvenile individuals.     

Plant volatiles providing additional evidences to the occurence of a wild-growing population of Calamintha vardarensis (Greuter et Burdet) Šilić outside of its natural habitat

The essential‐oil profile of a Calamintha species, wild‐growing in the urban settings of the city of Ni? (South Serbia) and botanically tentatively identified as C. vardarensis (endemic species native to FYR Macedonia and East Serbia), has been statistically (multivariate statistical analyses) compared with those of other Calamintha species, including two previously investigated C. vardarensis populations, as a means of corroboration of the surprising occurence of this Calamintha population outside of its natural distributional range. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering reveals a close link of C. vardarensis from Ni? (with neo‐menthol (40.0%), menthone (21.8%), and pulegone (27.2%) as its major oil contributors) and C. vardarensis from FYR Macedonia.     

Growth and size distribution of some large brown algae in Ohori,east coast of Korea

About fifty individuals of four dominant large brown algae were collected by random sampling at monthly intervals using SCUBA. Size frequencies of Sargassum confusum and S. horneri were concentrated mainly in the small size classes during the initial growth phase, but were more or less evenly distributed in most size classes during the fast growing phase. Undaria pinnatifida and Costaria costata showed the same tendency as Sargassum spp., that frequency distribution became even when the plants reached their maximum growth. The kelp species recorded their maximum lengths in March, whereas Sargassum spp. showed their peaks in early summer. The relationships between the length and weight in different growth phases appeared to be dependent on the phenology of each species.     

Ciliated Protozoan communities in a fluvial ecosystem

The ciliated protozoan communities in the Llobregat River (Barcelona, Spain) were studied for one year. Samples were taken from 11 different stations. The physical-chemical factors of the water as well as the qualitative and quantitative nature of the ciliate populations were considered. 105 species of ciliates, grouped in 13 orders, were found.The species which constantly appeared at all 11 stations (although not every month) were Litonotus fasciola, Trithigmostoma cucullulus, Cyclidium glaucoma, Glaucoma scintillans, Vorticella microstoma, Oxytricha sp., Stylonychia mytilus, Aspidisca costata and Aspidisca lynceus. The index of diversity at the different stations, and the affinity between the most abundant species, were also determined.