The genus Macroteleia Westwood (Hymenoptera,Platygastridae s. l., Scelioninae) from China

The genus Macroteleia Westwood (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae s. l., Scelioninae) from China is revised. Seventeen species are recognized based on 502 specimens, all of which are new records for China. Seven new species are described: Macroteleia carinigena sp. n. (China), Macroteleia flava sp. n. (China), Macroteleia gracilis sp. n. (China), Macroteleia salebrosa sp. n. (China), Macroteleia semicircula sp. n. (China), Macroteleia spinitibia sp. n. (China) and Macroteleia striatipleuron sp. n. (China). Ten species are redescribed: Macroteleia boriviliensis Saraswat (China, India, Thailand), Macroteleia crawfordi Kiefer, stat. n. (China, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam), Macroteleia dolichopa Sharma (China, India, Vietnam), Macroteleia emarginata Dodd (China, Malaysia), Macroteleia indica Saraswat & Sharma (China, India, Vietnam), Macroteleia lamba Saraswat & Sharma (China, India, Thailand, Vietnam), Macroteleia livingstoni Saraswat (China, India), Macroteleia peliades Kozlov & Lê (China, Vietnam), Macroteleia rufa Szelényi (China, Egypt, Georgia, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine) and Macroteleia striativentris Crawford (China, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam). The following five new synonyms are proposed: Macroteleia crates Kozlov & Lê syn. n. and Macroteleia demades Kozlov & Lê syn. n. of Macroteleia crawfordi Kieffer; Macroteleia cebes Kozlov & Lê syn. n. and Macroteleia dones Kozlov & Lê syn. n. of Macroteleia indica Saraswat & Sharma; Macroteleia dores Kozlov & Lê syn. n. of Macroteleia lamba Saraswat & Sharma. A key to the Chinese species of the genus is provided.     

Molecular phylogeny of Solms‐laubachia (Brassicaceae) s.l., based on multiple nuclear and plastid DNA sequences,and its biogeographic implications

Abstract The Hengduan Mountains region of south‐west China is a noted biodiversity hotspot, but the geographic origins and historical assembly of its rich endemic flora, including the sky‐island species of Solms‐laubachia Muschl. (Brassicaceae), have been little studied. Previous molecular studies on the phylogeny of Solms‐laubachia showed it to be paraphyletic, leading to considerable expansion not only of its taxonomic limits, but also its geographic range, with the inclusion of taxa from outside the Hengduan region. However, these studies provided little resolution of interspecific relationships, preventing inferences about historical biogeography within the clade. In the present study, new sequence data from two nuclear genes (LEAFY and G3pdh) and two chloroplast intergenic spacers (petN–psbM and psbM–trnD) were combined with existing markers to increase phylogenetic signals. Phaeonychium villosum (Maxim.) Al‐Shehbaz was found to be nested within Solms‐laubachia s.l. In general, phylogenetic relationships appear to be a good predictor of geography, with the Hengduan Mountain endemics embedded in a paraphyletic grade of species from the western Himalayas and central Asia, but they also imply morphological homoplasy. Incongruence was detected between the nuclear and chloroplast gene trees, perhaps resulting from incomplete lineage sorting of ancestral polymorphisms. The crown age of Solms‐laubachia s.l. was estimated to be approximately 1.42–3.68 mya, using Bayesian relaxed molecular clock analysis. Historical biogeographic analysis using a parametric dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis model inferred central Asia and the western Himalayas as most probable ancestral range of Solms‐laubachia s.l., and estimated higher rates of eastward expansion than westward during the diversification of descendant lineages. In summary, our results suggest that Solms‐laubachia s.l. originated during the Pliocene in central Asia, and subsequently migrated eastward into the Hengduan Mountains, colonizing sky‐island, alpine scree‐slope habitats that may have provided novel ecological opportunity and accelerated speciation, ultimately establishing this region as the present center of diversity of the genus.     

Phylogeny and classification of the Sematophyllaceae s.l. (Hypnales,Bryophyta)

The Sematophyllaceae s.l. (Sematophyllaceae s.str. + Pylaisiadelphaceae) is one of the most diversified families of pleurocarpous mosses, distributed worldwide. The familial definition and subfamilial delimitation of the family have been controversial since their inception. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony analyses. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis using five molecular markers (nad5, rbcL, rps4, trnL-F, and 26S) from mitochondrial, chloroplast, and nuclear genomes revealed the paraphyly of the Pylaisiadelphaceae and the monophyly of Sematophyllaceae s.l. Based on the molecular and morphological evidence, the Sematophyllaceae s.l. were further divided into six subfamilies, Taxithelioideae, Isopterygoideae, Pylaisiadelphoideae, Aptychelloideae, Platygyrioideae, and Sematophylloideae. The Taxithelioideae is established to accommodate Taxithelium, Taxitheliella, and Vernieri, the Isopterygoideae is established to accommodate Isopterygium and Yakushimabryum, the Pylaisiadelphoideae is newly circumscribed to accommodate Brotherella, Pylaisiadelpha, and Orientobryum, the Aptychelloideae is established to accommodate Aptychella, the Platygyrioideae is temporarily established to accommodate Clastobryella, Clastobryum, Gammiella, Platygyrium, and Trachyphyllum, the Sematophylloideae is resurrected to accommodate the Sematophyllaceae s.str., and Isocladiella, Isocladiellopsis, Mastopoma, Heterophyllium, Pseudotrismegistia, Trismegistia, and Wijkia are transferred to the subfamily. A new classification for the Sematophyllaceae s.l. is then proposed.     

Effect of Leishmania spp infection on the survival,life expectancy,fecundity and fertility of Lutzomyia longipalpis s.l. and Lutzomyia pseudolongipalpis

We evaluated the effects of Leishmania spp infection on several population parameters of Lutzomyia longipalpis sensu lato andLutzomyia pseudolongipalpis, vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Venezuela, under experimental conditions during the first post-feeding period. Females of both species were allowed to feed and engorge on a suspension of fresh washed human red blood cells in foetal calf serum. These blood cells were either non-infected or infected with one of the fourLeishmania spp strains and were offered through a chicken skin membrane. The longevity, life expectancy and the fecundity of uninfected flies were similar in both species, but the fertility was significantly lower in uninfected Lu. longipalpis females. In all cases, the infection of Lu. longipalpis and Lu. pseudolongipalpis by the Leishmania strains resulted in significant detrimental effects, which exerted a fitness cost expressed by reduced survival and life expectancy, as well as decreased fertility and fecundity compared with the control groups. Nevertheless, differences in these parameters were observed between these vector species depending on whether they were infected with the autochthonous Venezuelan Leishmania infantum strain (NESA) or the Brazilian reference strain (PP75). The experimental data obtained agree with field data on the natural infection of these vector species and the significance of this scenario is discussed.     

Ultrastructure of the parasitic interface ofPucciniastrum,Thekopsora, Naohidemyces,andCalyptospora (Uredinales,Pucciniastraceae) in the dikaryotic stage

The ultrastructure of dikaryotic haustoria of sevenPucciniastrum species,Thekopsora galii, Naohidemyces vaccinii, andCalyptospora goeppertiana was investigated.Pucciniastrum actinidiae, P. agrimoniae, P. pyrolae, andCalyptospora goeppertiana revealed haustoria whose necks were wrapped by a fold of the extrahaustorial matrix. The matrix-fold ofCalyptospora goeppertiana was characteristically shaped.Pucciniastrum circaeae, P. epilobii, P. hikosanense, P. styracinum, Thekopsora galii, andNaohidemyces vaccinii showed typical haustorial necks which were not sheathed by a matrix-fold. Haustorial necks which were wrapped by a fold of the extrahaustorial matrix were designated velopedunculate, and those which were naked gymnopedunculate. The application of haustorial ultrastructure as a character for use in systematics is discussed.Part 112 of the series Studies in Heterobasidiomycetes.     

Gut content identification of larvae of the Anopheles gambiae complex in western Kenya using a barcoding approach

Although larvae feeding and food source are vital to the development, survival and population regulation of African malaria vectors, the prey organisms of Anopheles gambiae larvae in the natural environment have not been well studied. This study used a molecular barcoding approach to investigate the natural diets of Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae in western Kenya. Gut contents from third- and fourth-instar larvae from natural habitats were dissected and DNA was extracted. The 18S ribosomal DNA gene was amplified, the resulting clones were screened using a restriction fragment length polymorphism method and nonmosquito clones were sequenced. Homology search and phylogenetic analyses were then conducted using the sequences of non-mosquito clones to identify the putative microorganisms ingested. The phylogenetic analyses clustered ingested microorganisms in four clades, including two clades of green algae (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae Class, Chlamydomonadales and Chlorococcales families), one fungal clade, and one unknown eukaryote clade. In parallel, using the same approach, an analysis of the biodiversity present in the larval habitats was carried out. This present study demonstrated the feasibility of the barcoding approach to infer the natural diets of Anopheles gambiae larvae. Our analysis suggests that despite the wide range of microorganisms available in natural habitats, mosquito larvae fed on specific groups of algae. The novel tools developed from this study can be used to improve our understanding of the larval ecology of African malaria vectors and to facilitate the development of new mosquito control tools.     

On the karyology of Dugesia gonocephala s.l. (Turbellaria,Tricladida) from Montpellier,France

Two species belonging to the Dugesia gonocephala group are found in the area of Montpellier, France. The karyology of these two species, D. gonocephala s. str. and S. subtentaculata, and of fissiparous Dugesia races has been studied.Two populations belonging to D. gonocephala s. str. are diploids with a chromosome number of 16, whereas the specimens of a third population are sexual aneuploids; the majority of cells possess 24 chromosomes, but some cells contain 23 or 25. The specimens attributable to D. subtentaculata are triploids, the most notable karyological feature being the presence of a single unmatched acrocentric chromosome. The fissiparous Dugesia strains are all aneuploids, the most common chromosome number being 27 with up to three small B-chromosomes.     

Assessment of the genetic relatedness of barley accessions (Hordeum vulgare s.l.) resistant to soil-borne mosaic-inducing viruses (BaMMV, BaYMV, BaYMV-2) using RAPDs

 Thirty-six Hordeum vulgare varieties and 12 H. spontaneum germplasms originating from different parts of the world and showing different reactions to the barley yellow mosaic virus complex (BaMMV, BaYMV, BaYMV-2) were analyzed for genetic similarity using RAPDs. On the basis of an analysis of 20 selected RAPD-primers corresponding to 544 bands genetic similarity according to Nei and Li (1979) was estimated to be between 0.685 and 0.964. Associations between the 48 genotypes were calculated using UPGMA-clustering and principal coordinate analysis. By applying these methods we were able to separate H. spontaneum accessions from H. vulgare varieties, and within these groups all the genotypes were clustered correctly according to their origin. Consequently, RAPD analysis can be considered a very useful and efficient tool for the fast estimation of genetic relationships in barley. The correlation between genetic similarity with respect to German varieties and adaptation of exotic barley varieties to German growing conditions is discussed. Received: 21 May 1996 / Accepted: 5 July 1996     

Phenology,pollination, and breeding system of the threatened tree Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (Fabaceae), and a review of studies on the reproductive biology in the genus

Caesalpinia echinata (brazilwood) is a threatened tree endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic forest with a global importance as it is worldwide used to manufacture the most desirable bows for violins, violas, and cellos. Although there is an international initiative for its conservation, there is a lack of studies on the reproductive biology of the species, as for the genus, a fundamental understanding for the conservation of any species. In this paper, we investigated the phenology, pollination, and breeding system of C. echinata, presenting some conservation guidelines for the species, together with a review of studies on the reproductive biology in Caesalpinia s.l. The genus has a complex taxonomic history with recent attempts to reassign its limits. Pending a final resolution of the placing of some species (including C. echinata) our revision covers the traditional Caesalpinia s.l. and includes annotations indicating to which segregate genus each species is now considered to belong, as well as the appropriate combination where this has already been published. Field work was undertaken from October/2004 to December/2006 at the Tapacurá Ecological Station, northeastern Brazil. Flowering occurred mainly in the dry season and the peak of seed dispersal was at the beginning of the wet season. Anthesis is diurnal, lasting 1 day. The flowers are zygomorphic, yellow, sweet-scented, and the effective pollinators were mainly medium-sized to large bees of the genera Centris and Xylocopa, together with the introduced Apis mellifera. Nectar volume and sugar concentration averaged 2.9±1.0 μL and 29.5±9.4%, respectively. The ovary has 1–4 ovules (2.35±0.58) and the pollen/ovule ratio was 5631.2; pollen viability was high (95.9±4.8%). Natural fruit set was low (9.2%) with mature fruits averaging 1.7±0.9 seeds. Results of the controlled pollinations and analysis of pollen tube growth revealed C. echinata presents late-acting self-incompatibility. The pollination biology and breeding system of C. echinata are discussed, together with available data on its genetics and physiology, in terms of best conservation practice for this endangered species. Data on the reproductive biology of the genus are scarce, revealing the predominance of bee pollination and SI system, with the occurrence of late-acting self-incompatibility mechanisms in some species.     

A phylogenetic re‐appraisal of the family Liagoraceae sensu lato (Nemaliales,Rhodophyta) based on sequence analyses of two plastid genes and postfertilization development

The marine red algal family Liagoraceae sensu lato is shown to be polyphyletic based on analyses of a combined rbcL and psaA data set and the pattern of carposporophyte development. Fifteen of eighteen genera analyzed formed a monophyletic lineage that included the genus Liagora. Nemalion did not cluster with Liagoraceae sensu stricto, and Nemaliaceae is reinstated, characterized morphologically by the formation of the primary gonimolobes by longitudinal divisions of the gonimoblast initial. Yamadaella and Liagoropsis, previously placed in the Dermonemataceae, are shown to be independent lineages and are recognized as two new families Yamadaellaceae and Liagoropsidaceae. Yamadaellaceae is characterized by two gonimoblast initials cut off bilaterally from the fertilized carpogonium and diffusely spreading gonimoblast filaments. Liagoropsidaceae is characterized by at least three gonimoblast initials cut off by longitudinal septa from the fertilized carpogonium. In contrast, Liagoraceae sensu stricto is characterized by a single gonimoblast initial cut off transversely or diagonally from the fertilized carpogonium. Reproductive features, such as diffuse gonimoblasts and unfused carpogonial branches following postfertilization, appear to have evolved on more than one occasion in the Nemaliales and are therefore not taxonomically diagnostic at the family level, although they may be useful in recognizing genera.     

Estimated resistance of the malaria mosquito Anopheles messeae s.l. to the insecticide malathion

Resistance to agricultural pesticides is an important and insufficiently studied concern for pest and disease vector research. We determined the malathion resistance of species in the Anopheles maculipennis mosquito group in a habitat near Novosibirsk, Russia. Most of the 851 individuals we measured were members of the Anopheles messeae s.l. complex (An. messeae and An. daciae species). The LC₅₀ value for malathion was 0.052 mg/L for the mixed specimens, and we failed to find any differences between species. The LC₅₀ value was within the range of values for malathion resistance of Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. As the main resistance mechanism to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides is a single mononucleotide substitution in the ace‐1 gene, we searched for this mutation in An. messeae s.l. and An. beklemishevi by restriction analysis. This mutation was not found in 347 of the specimens. We sequenced the ace‐1 gene fragment for 24 specimens from four species of the Anopheles maculipennis group, including An. messeae, An. daciae, An. atroparvus, and An. beklemishevi. These specimens harbored a nucleotide substitution in the triplet where a mutation can lead to insecticide resistance, but this substitution would make it difficult for the resistance to develop. Since the studied specimens belong to branches of the Palearctic portion of the Anopheles maculipennis group, we suspect that all other Palearctic species of this group would have difficulties harboring the ace‐1 mutation that would lead to organophosphate and carbamate resistance.     

Description and phylogeny of Namalycastis jaya sp. n. (Polychaeta,Nereididae, Namanereidinae) from the southwest coast of India

Namalycastis jaya sp. n. (Polychaeta: Nereididae: Namanereidinae)is described from the southern coast of Kerala in southwest India. One important characteristic feature of the species is the lack of notochaetae in all parapodia, a characteristic that it shares with at least two other species, Namalycastis elobeyensis Glasby, 1999and Namalycastis hawaiiensis Johnson, 1903. It differs from Namalycastis elobeyensis by virtue of its smaller antennae, unequal eye size, bilobed acicular neuropodial ligule and multi-incised pygidium rim. Moreover, it differs from Namalycastis hawaiiensis by having fewer teeth on the serrated blades of the sub-neuroacicular falciger in chaetiger 10, and by possessing finely serrated falcigers in posterior segments. Beyond morphological analyses, molecular phylogenetics was used for the first time for Namalycastis to support population monophyly and recognition of the new species.The analysis, using both mitochondrial and nuclear data, corroborated the morphological analysis in suggesting that our specimens represent an as yet undescribed species, Namalycastis jaya sp. n., which forms a monophyletic group among the sampled nereidid taxa. Finally, a taxonomic key for Namalycastis species recorded from the Indian region is provided.     

A relict lineage and new species of green palm-pitviper (Squamata,Viperidae, Bothriechis) from the Chortís Highlands of Mesoamerica

A new species of palm-pitviper of the genus Bothriechis is described from Refugio de Vida Silvestre Texíguat in northern Honduras. The new species differs from congeners by having 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody, a bright green dorsal coloration in adults, the prelacunal scale fused to the second supralabial, and in representing a northern lineage that is sister to Bothriechis lateralis, which is distributed in Costa Rica and western Panama and is isolated from the new taxon by the Nicaraguan Depression. This represents the 15th endemic species occurring in Refugio de Vida Silvestre Texíguat, one of the richest herpetofaunal sites in Honduras, itself being the country with the highest degree of herpetofaunal endemism in Central America. We name this new species in honor of a Honduran conservationist slain in fighting against illegal logging, highlighting the sacrifices of rural activists in battling these issues and the critical importance of conservation in these areas.     

Tick infestation risk and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Borrelia burgdorferi</Emphasis> s.l. infection-induced increase in host-finding efficacy of female <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ixodes ricinus</Emphasis> under natural conditions

An investigation of the risk of human tick infestation, together with the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. infection, was conducted in a sylvatic habitat in western Germany to provide data needed for future risk-benefit evaluations of acaricides used for clothing impregnation. Additionally, data were collected on behavioural changes in Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.-infected adult female I. ricinus ticks and the possible impact of such changes on host-finding efficacy. The risk of I. ricinus-infestation was determined by collecting from the protective clothing of volunteers and by dragging in known tick-infested sites in the Kühkopf Mountain area, Koblenz, Germany, from June through October 2006. The overall tick infestation rate per person per hour was 7.4 ± 5.5, with the following sex- and stage-specific differences: males 0.32 ± 0.37, females 1.1 ± 1.2, nymphs 3.6 ± 4.4, larvae 2.4 ± 3.5. Concurrent dragging revealed an average 19.4 ± 16.2 times higher infestation rate as well as a markedly lower infection rate with borreliae in adult I. ricinus ticks when compared to ticks collected from exposed human volunteers. Although the difference in infection rates was statistically significant (P < 0.023) only in adult female ticks, our data indicate that B. burgdorferi s.l. infection may increase host-finding efficacy in adult I. ricinus. The overall exposure risk was 1.0 B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected ticks per person per hour of exposure, or 0.25 ticks per 100 m walking distance in the study area.     

hlh-12, a gene that is necessary and sufficient to promote migration of gonadal regulatory cells in Caenorhabditis elegans,evolved within the Caenorhabditis clade

Specialized cells of the somatic gonad primordium of nematodes play important roles in the final form and function of the mature gonad. Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodites are somatic females that have a two-armed, U-shaped gonad that connects to the vulva at the midbody. The outgrowth of each gonad arm from the somatic gonad primordium is led by two female distal tip cells (fDTCs), while the anchor cell (AC) remains stationary and central to coordinate uterine and vulval development. The bHLH protein HLH-2 and its dimerization partners LIN-32 and HLH-12 had previously been shown to be required for fDTC specification. Here, we show that ectopic expression of both HLH-12 and LIN-32 in cells with AC potential transiently transforms them into fDTC-like cells. Furthermore, hlh-12 was known to be required for the fDTCs to sustain gonad arm outgrowth. Here, we show that ectopic expression of HLH-12 in the normally stationary AC causes displacement from its normal position and that displacement likely results from activation of the leader program of fDTCs because it requires genes necessary for gonad arm outgrowth. Thus, HLH-12 is both necessary and sufficient to promote gonadal regulatory cell migration. As differences in female gonadal morphology of different nematode species reflect differences in the fate or migratory properties of the fDTCs or of the AC, we hypothesized that evolutionary changes in the expression of hlh-12 may underlie the evolution of such morphological diversity. However, we were unable to identify an hlh-12 ortholog outside of Caenorhabditis. Instead, by performing a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of all Class II bHLH proteins in multiple nematode species, we found that hlh-12 evolved within the Caenorhabditis clade, possibly by duplicative transposition of hlh-10. Our analysis suggests that control of gene regulatory hierarchies for gonadogenesis can be remarkably plastic during evolution without adverse phenotypic consequence.     

Nodule morphology,symbiotic specificity and association with unusual rhizobia are distinguishing features of the genus Listia within the southern African crotalarioid clade Lotononis s.l.

Background and Aims

The legume clade Lotononis sensu lato (s.l.; tribe Crotalarieae) comprises three genera: Listia, Leobordea and Lotononis sensu stricto (s.s.). Listia species are symbiotically specific and form lupinoid nodules with rhizobial species of Methylobacterium and Microvirga. This work investigated whether these symbiotic traits were confined to Listia by determining the ability of rhizobial strains isolated from species of Lotononis s.l. to nodulate Listia, Leobordea and Lotononis s.s. hosts and by examining the morphology and structure of the resulting nodules.

Methods

Rhizobia were characterized by sequencing their 16S rRNA and nodA genes. Nodulation and N₂ fixation on eight taxonomically diverse Lotononis s.l. species were determined in glasshouse trials. Nodules of all hosts, and the process of infection and nodule initiation in Listia angolensis and Listia bainesii, were examined by light microscopy.

Key Results

Rhizobia associated with Lotononis s.l. were phylogenetically diverse. Leobordea and Lotononis s.s. isolates were most closely related to Bradyrhizobium spp., Ensifer meliloti, Mesorhizobium tianshanense and Methylobacterium nodulans. Listia angolensis formed effective nodules only with species of Microvirga. Listia bainesii nodulated only with pigmented Methylobacterium. Five lineages of nodA were found. Listia angolensis and L. bainesii formed lupinoid nodules, whereas nodules of Leobordea and Lotononis s.s. species were indeterminate. All effective nodules contained uniformly infected central tissue. Listia angolensis and L. bainesii nodule initials occurred on the border of the hypocotyl and along the tap root, and nodule primordia developed in the outer cortical layer. Neither root hair curling nor infection threads were seen.

Conclusions

Two specificity groups occur within Lotononis s.l.: Listia species are symbiotically specific, while species of Leobordea and Lotononis s.s. are generally promiscuous and interact with rhizobia of diverse chromosomal and symbiotic lineages. The seasonally waterlogged habitat of Listia species may favour the development of symbiotic specificity.