Phylogenetic assessment and taxonomic revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mariannaea</Emphasis>

Four new species of Mariannaea were described in this paper, namely M. chlamydospora, M. cinerea, M. fusiformis, and M. lignicola. Mariannaea chlamydospora is characterized by its cream-colored, zonate colonies on PDA, smooth conidiophores, fusiform conidia, and abundant chlamydospores. Mariannaea cinerea forms grey colonies and ellipsoidal to subglobose conidia. Mariannaea fusiformis forms purple colonies and fusiform to subglobose conidia. Mariannaea lignicola has brown conidiophores and broad hyphae. The molecular phylogeny was inferred using ITS, LSU, and TUB-2 loci. The type species of Mariannaea (M. elegans) is epitypified. The variety M. elegans var. punicea is raised to species rank. Mariannaea clavispora is excluded from Mariannaea because of its cylindrical phialides, straight conidial chains and deviating phylogenetic affinity. Mariannaea nipponica did not fit well the generic concept of Mariannaea based on their morphological characters, and its generic placement remains uncertain. A key to the currently accepted 15 species of Mariannaea is provided.     

A new holomorphic species of Mariannaea and epitypification of M. samuelsii

A new holomorphic species, Mariannaea dimorpha, is described and illustrated. The verticillate conidiophores, phialidic conidiogenous cells and aseptate microconidia that form imbricate chains indicate that it belongs to the genus Mariannaea. Sequence analyses of the combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial large subunit ribosomal DNA (28S rDNA) confirmed its taxonomic position and revealed its distinction from any morphologically similar species. In addition, the teleomorph of M. samuelsii is reported for the first time and its epitype is designated.     

Antifungal skin bacteria,embryonic survival,and communal nesting in four-toed salamanders, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hemidactylium scutatum</Emphasis>

We examined a novel hypothesis for the maintenance of communal nesting in the salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum, namely that communal nests are more likely than solitary nests to be associated with cutaneous antifungal bacteria, which can inhibit fungal infections of embryos. A communal nest contains eggs of two or more females of the same species. The nesting behavior of H. scutatum females and survival of embryos were determined by frequent nest surveys at three ponds. For communal nests, embryonic survival tended to be higher and catastrophic nest failure was lower. Pure bacterial cultures of resident species were obtained from the salamanders’ skins by swabbing and tested against a fungal pathogen of embryos (Mariannaea sp.) in laboratory assays. We found that 27% of females had skin bacteria inhibitory to Mariannaea sp. Communal nests were more likely to have at least one female with antifungal bacteria than were solitary nests. Using a culture-independent assay (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA gene fragments), we found that bacterial species on females and embryos were more similar to each other than they were to bacterial species found in soil within the nest, suggesting that females transmitted skin bacteria to embryos. The presence of anti-Mariannaea skin bacteria identified from the laboratory assays did not prevent fungal presence in field nests. However, once a nest was visibly infected with fungi, presence of anti-Mariannaea bacteria was positively correlated with survival of embryos. Microbe transmission is usually thought to be a cost of group living, but communal nesting in H. scutatum may facilitate the transmission of antifungal bacteria to embryos.     

Materials for the fungus flora of Japan (56)Mariannaea camptospora andM. elegans var.punicea from Japan

One additional species and a variety ofMariannaea, M. camptospora andM. elegans var.punicea, were recorded for the first time in Japan.Mariannaea camptospora formed two types of conidiophores. One type was characterized by simple verticillate phialides sometimes with punctuate walls at the base, producing long oblique conidial chains, and symmetrical spindle-shaped conidia. The other type was characterized by more crowded and shorter phialides with small conidial droplets and hemispherical to concave smaller conidia.Mariannaea elegans var.punicea was characterized by distinct red purple pigmentation in agar media. (55): Udagawa, S. and Uchiyama, S., Mycoscience41: 263–267, 2000.     

Die systematische Stellung von Melica uniflora Retz. und Melica rectiflora Boiss. er Heldr. (Melica L. Subgen. Bulbimelica,subgen. nov.) (Vorarbeiten zu einer Revision der Gattung Melica L.–I)

This work presents an investigation of the author on the systematical position of Melica uniflora Retz. and Melica rectiflora Boiss. et Heldr. The author proves the affinity of these Melica-species to those of the pacific-northamerican territories. The usefulness of striking characteristic features or signs (e. g.: the cilia (fringes) and the awns of the glumelles) is examined in respect to their taxonomic value; and the corresponding literature is discussed. The author proves that certain characteristic signs, hardly or not yet being noticed till now, play a decisive role in respect to the explanation of the affinity between the species Melica L.; the probative force of these features will not become evident but by comparison of the taxa of all continents. Following the author, the storage internodes, the formation of antiligula in front of the leaf-base, and the dynamics in the ontogeny of the elements of the spikelets (glumes) are thought to be very important characteristics of organization. The author compares these features these with their formation within the range of sub-genus Melica. As a result of this research, the new sub-genus Bulbimelica is described and its systematical classification is given. The new subgenus is furthermore more exactly separated from the subgenus Melica. The classification is followed by chorological interpretation as well as by indications to the ecology of the taxa and the distribution of diagnostically important signs within the whole generic distribution-area.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mastigostyla</Emphasis> I. M. Johnst. in Bolivia: three new species and new data on <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. cardenasii</Emphasis> R. C. Foster

Four species of Mastigostyla (Iridaceae) from Bolivia are described, illustrated and maps of their distribution provided: M. cardenasii R. C. Foster, M. chuquisacensis Huaylla & Wilkin, M. torotoroensis Huaylla & Wilkin and M. woodii Huaylla & Wilkin, the last three as new species. Mastigostyla gracilis R. C. Foster is synonymised under M. cardenasii R. C. Foster. Notes on conservation status, nomenclature and identification are included. Although some uncertainty exists over generic placement due to phylogenetic systematic research now in progress, marked infraspecific variation is documented for the first time within South American Tigridieae. This draws attention to the need for more extensive sampling if adequate species delimitation is to be achieved in Tigridieae. Photographs illustrate morphological variation in all four species. A key is provided to facilitate identification of Bolivian Mastigostyla.     

A large Percrocutid Carnivore from the Late Miocene (ca. 10–9 Ma) of Nakali, Kenya

The presence of a large hyaenoid (Hiperhyaena sic leakeyi) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian equivalent) deposits at Nakali, Kenya, was first recorded in 1974, but the fossil on which the announcement was based was not described or figured, nor was a type specimen or type species nominated. The generic and specific names are thus nomina nuda. Howell and Petter (1985) described Hyperhyaena leakeyi, and credited the generic and specific names alternatively to Aguirre and Leakey (1974) and Aguirre and Crusafont in 1974 (the latter paper was never published). Howell and Petter are in fact the authors of both the generic and the specific names. Later in the same paper, Howell and Petter (1985) rejected the name Hyperhyaena and classified the species leakeyi in Allohyaena (Dinocrocuta). The purpose of this paper is to provide more information about the fossil and to discuss its relationships to other percrocutids. It is concluded that it belongs to the genus Percrocuta Kretzoi, 1938, being morphologically similar to the type species Percrocuta carnifex (Pilgrim, 1913) from the Siwaliks of Pakistan.     

Impact of Soil Applications ofBeauveria bassianaandMariannaeasp. on Nontarget Forest Arthropods

Replicated plots were established in pear thrips-infested sugar maple stands. They were treated withBeauveria bassianaas an emulsifiable concentrate and a nutrient-based granular formulation and withMariannaeasp. as a wettable powder. Postapplication invertebrates moving across plots were collected daily for 10 days in pitfall traps. Collected individuals were identified, held for 10 days, and then evaluated for the presence of fungal infection and other potential pathogenic microorganisms. A total of 3615 invertebrates were collected and identified. Of the invertebrate population in treated plots that fell into pitfall traps, 2.8% became infected with eitherB. bassianaorMariannaeasp. The fungi applied also occur naturally in sugar maple forest soils; therefore, it was impossible to confirm whether the infection we observed in treated plots was a result of contact with the spores we applied. Because we obtained infection among invertebrates collected from control plots, it is likely that these fungi do attack invertebrates under natural forest conditions. Of the 2584 invertebrates examined further for obligate internal pathogens, 2.5% were infected with entomophthoralean fungi, protozoans, and/or nematodes. Results suggest thatB. bassianaandMariannaeasp. could be applied to forest soil without a significant negative impact on the forest-dwelling invertebrate population.     

Phylogeny and classification of the Elachistidae s.s. (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea)

Abstract. The classification of the gelechioid family Elachistidae (Lepidoptera) is revised on the basis of a phylogenetic analysis. Pee-Wee analysis of 131 characters of adult and pupal morphology and larval mode of life, coded for seventy elachistid species, results in a classification with three recognized genera: Perittia, Stephensia and Elachista. Elachista is further divided into four subgenera. The phylogenetic relationships of the genera and subgenera are (Perittia (Stephensia ((E. sg. Dibrachia (E. sg. Hemiprosopa, E. sg. Aphelosetia)) (E. sg. Elachista)))). Twenty-four new generic synonyms and thirty-eight new generic combinations of species are proposed. A checklist is given for the species of Elachistidae in their revised generic combinations, including nine new synonymies. Due to secondary homonymy, Elachista dasycara nom. n. is proposed as a new name for Eurynome albella Chambers.     

Phoradendron olae Kuijt, a new species from Mexico pivotal in the taxonomy of the genus, with comments on P. californicum Nutt.

Materials are presented to the effect thatPhoradendron californicum Nutt., the nomenclatural type of the genusPhoradendron (Viscaceae), is related to southern, cataphyllous species, not to northern, acataphyllous ones. The evidence consists of the frequent occurrence of basal cataphylls in the species, variation in basal phyllotaxy, and a basically biseriate arrangement of flowers on fertile internodes. The suggestion of this southern, cataphyllous affinity is supported by the recent discovery of a strictly cataphyllous Mexican species,P. olae Kuijt, which shows median basal phyllotaxy and is in many features extremely similar toP. californicum. The nomenclatural consequences of this discovery would lead to subgen.Boreales (Trel.) Engler (and probably subgen.Aequatoriales (Trel.) Engler) being synonymized under subgen.Phoradendron, characterized by basal cataphylls (though not in all species). However, no generic subdivision of any sort is supported at this time.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Elliptochloris bilobata</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">corticola</Emphasis> var. nov. (Trebouxiophyceae,Chlorophyta), a novel subaerial coccal green alga

We investigated a previously unidentified subaerial corticolous strain of the genus Elliptochloris Tschermak-Woess. The alga shares the generic morphological characters with Elliptochloris bilobata, the type species of the genus, but it has a thicker cell wall of adult globular cells, different chloroplast structure and it also differs in shape of elliptical autospores. The differences of the autospore shape between both species were evaluated using landmark-based geometric morphometrics. The 18S rDNA gene sequence of the new alga forms a monophyletic clade with the authentic strain of E. bilobata within the green algal class Trebouxiophyceae close to representatives of the genus Coccomyxa. We describe the new alga as Elliptochloris bilobata var. corticola var. nov. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia.     

沉水玛利亚霉新种以及链状玛利亚霉的新生境记录

通过形态特征与系统发育分析(LSU和ITS),报道了玛利亚霉属Mariannaea的1个新种和1个新记录种.新种沉水玛利亚霉Mariannaea submersa的主要形态特征为透明、分支状的分生孢子梗上带有3-6个环生瓶梗,产孢细胞烧瓶形至锥形,分子孢子为宽梭形至卵圆形,无隔膜,颜色透明且带有尖锐顶部和截断底部.链状...     

Shelter preference in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrobrachium</Emphasis> spp. with reference to aquaculture

Macrobrachium malcolmsonii, M. nobilii, and M. lamarrei were used to investigate their preferences among three substrate colors (dark brown, black, and light brown), shelter type (black tile and black PVC pipe), color (black and brown tile), and diameter, and regarding intra- and inter-species habitation. Both M. lamarrei and M. malcolmsonii preferred dark-brown substrate, while M. nobilii preferred black. The choice of shelter type was monitored by time spent by each species in a black PVC tube or in a black tile. Within a 24-h period, M. malcolmsonii spent a greater amount of time (60.5%) within the black tile, while M. nobilii spent more time (71%) inside the black PVC tube. M. lamarrei always occupied an open area and thus was discarded from further experiments. If we consider daytime and nighttime separately, both species spent more time within the black tile during the day than during the night. Choice of shelter color was tested with black and brown shelters of identical size; both species exclusively preferred the black. Between the species, despite the smaller body size both male and female M. nobilii succeeded in evicting M. malcolmsonii, suggesting a stronger shelter affinity. When competing for shelter within the same species, a male was more dominant than a conspecific female and juvenile. Similarly males of both species allowed conspecific juveniles to cohabit for about 16% of the time. Male M. malcolmsonii also allowed cohabitation of a female for 31.2% of the time, unlike the male M. nobilii, which did not allow female cohabitation at all. Both species preferred shelters that were adjusted to their meral spread as opposed to their carapace width. The possibility of taking meral spread as a taxonomic character was also indicated. The study also found a linear relationship between exuvium weight and shelter affinity among the three species. A lower ratio indicated a higher shelter affinity. The exuvium/total body weight ratio confirmed the shelter affinity, which was ranked as M. nobilii (0.275) < M. malcolmsonii (0.312) < M. lamarrei (0.426).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clestobothrium gibsoni</Emphasis> n. sp. (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidae) from the bullseye grenadier <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bathygadus macrops</Emphasis> Goode &; Bean (Macrouridae) in the Gulf of Mexico

Clestobothrium gibsoni n. sp. is described from the intestine of the bullseye grenadier Bathygadus macrops (Macrouridae) collected in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The new species can be distinguished from both C. crassiceps (Rudolphi, 1819), the type-species of the genus, and C. neglectum (Lönnberg, 1893), the second species in the genus, by its unique ovary, which is transversely elongate and tapered on both ends rather than being U-or H-shaped, and by having more testes (60-65 vs 40-50 and 35-45 per proglottid). The new species is also compared to Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934 and B. kivuensis Baer & Fain, 1954, two species with similar scoleces which have previously been assigned to Clestobothrium . The generic diagnosis of Clestobothrium is amended to include species with either anoperculate or operculate eggs. This is the first report of an adult tapeworm from a species of Bathygadus , and the first report of a species of Clestobothrium Lühe, 1899 (Bothriocephalidae) from the Gulf of Mexico.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pareledone</Emphasis> (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) from Antarctic Peninsula Waters

During recent cruises aboard RV Polarstern in the Antarctic Peninsula region, a new species of benthic octopodid was discovered whose generic affinities based on morphological characteristics were uncertain. Molecular sequence analysis of six mitochondrial and nuclear genes allows this species to be placed with confidence within the genus Pareledone. The species is described herein and morphological diagnostic characters are provided for its identification.     

Molecular phylogeny and morphological analysis resolve a long‐standing controversy over generic concepts in Ecdyonurinae mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae)

Heptageniidae is a species‐rich mayfly family (Ephemeroptera), whose taxonomy and phylogeny have been based almost exclusively on traditional morphological studies. Inconsistent use of diagnostic characters and the general lack of molecular studies have led to vague generic concepts, and the phylogenetic relationships among taxa in the family remain unclear. Afronurus Lestage is an Old World heptageniid genus of 66 species. The generic assignment of two species within this genus, A. kugleri Demoulin and A. zebratus (Hagen), has been the subject of much debate, because they share many apomorphic features that distinguish them from other congeners. We combined a thorough morphological study of all life stages of 28 representative heptageniid species with a molecular phylogenetic analysis of four mitochondrial and nuclear markers to resolve the generic position of A. kugleri and A. zebratus as well as the integrity of Afronurus and related genera. Our results confirm the monophyly of Afronurus and Electrogena and support the assignment of A. kugleri and A. zebratus to a newly described genus, Anapos Yanai & Sartori gen.n . We provide clear, diagnostic morphological characters for the genus and discuss the need for a thorough revision of generic concepts in the subfamily Ecdyonurinae. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:075E40C6-BAFE-4184-A2C2-E3BCFBC0BC15 .     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Neolindleya</Emphasis> Kraenzl. (Orchidaceae), an enigmatic and largely overlooked autogamous genus from temperate East Asia

The Asiatic orchid species Neolindleya camtschatica (Cham.) Nevski has been omitted from the majority of relevant taxonomic surveys, including the recent Genera Orchidacearum. In most studies where the species has been included, it has been assigned to the species-rich genera Gymnadenia or Platanthera. A few morphologists recognised a new monotypic genus, Neolindleya Kraenzl., to accommodate the species. More recent molecular phylogenetic studies showed barely sufficient molecular disparity to justify generic separation of this species, but demonstrated clearly that the genus Neolindleya is only distantly related to Gymnadenia. However, the molecular phylogenies show relationships of equal strength of Neolindleya with Galearis (including Amerorchis) on the one hand and Platanthera s.l. on the other. In an attempt to better resolve the phylogenetic placement of Neolindleya, and to more clearly understand its biology and ecology, we have re-examined the morphology of this enigmatic species. Our results, based partly on SEM studies, reinforce the validity of Neolindleya as a genus, indicate a closer relationship with Galearis s.l. than with Platanthera s.l., and strongly suggest that the species became an autogam following ‘accidental’ loss of a functional bursicle. Ecologically, N. camtschatica is an opportunistic species that benefits from anthropogenic habitat disturbance.     

Revival of the genus Tropicoperdix Blyth 1859 (Phasianidae,Aves) using multilocus sequence data

Although Tropicoperdix has been considered to be either a full genus or a species complex within the Phasianid genus Arborophila (hill partridges), there is long‐standing uncertainty regarding the degree of difference that warrants generic separation, including reported anatomical cranial differences. In addition, the intra‐generic taxonomy remains under dispute. Most studies hypothesize that Tropicoperdix comprises three species, while others postulate from one to four species. However, no molecular study has been performed to clarify the systematic and taxonomic uncertainties surrounding Tropicoperdix. In the present study, we performed a series of molecular phylogenetic analyses of Tropicoperdix and Arborophila taxa based on two mitochondrial genes and five nuclear introns. All the results are consistent with the finding that Tropicoperdix and Arborophila are phylogenetically distinct and distant genera, although the precise phylogenetic position of Tropicoperdix remains undetermined. Retrospective examination of external characteristics also supports the generic separation, as well as providing evidence of remarkable multiple character convergence. We propose that Tropicoperdix comprises at least two full species based on mitochondrial data obtained from museum specimens by using a next‐generation sequencing method. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London