Numerical classification of 280 strains of slowly growing mycobacteria. Proposal of Mycobacterium tuberculosis series, Mycobacterium avium series, and Mycobacterium nonchromogenicum series

Numerical classification of 280 strains of slowly growing mycobacteria was carried out by testing each strain for 76 characters. The following fourteen clusters were observed: 1. M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, and M. microti; 2. M. haemophilum; 3. M. ulcerans; 4. M. xenopi; 5. M. kansasii; 6. M. szulgai; 7. M. gordonae; 8. M gastri; 9. M. avium, M. intracellulare, M. scrofulaceum, and M. asiaticum; 10. M. marinum; 11. M. simiae; 12. M. nonchromogenicum, "M. novum," M. terrae, and M. triviale; 13 M. malmoense; 14. M. shimoidei. The clusters composed of M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, and M. microti, of M. avium, M. intracellulare, M. scrofulaceum, and M. asiaticum, and of M. nonchromogenicum, "M. novum," M. terrae, and M. triviale appeared to be reduced to a single species each. The names having priority for each species should be M. tuberculosis, M. avium, and M nonchromogenicum, respectively. However, the clusters may, in practice, be called the M. tuberculosis series (complex), the M. avium series (complex), and the M. nonchromogenicum series (complex). The type species of these series are M. tuberculosis, M. avium, and M. nonchromogenicum, respectively. These series were characterized in this study.     

Revision of the subgenus Udamochiras of Melaloncha bee-killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Metopininae)

The genus Melaloncha Brues is defined and groundplan character states established based on outgroup comparison with Phalacrotophora Enderlein and Melittophora Brues. Major groupings within Melaloncha are recognized, and two subgenera are established: Udamochiras Enderlein (type species M. colossia (Enderlein)) and Melaloncha s.s. (type species M. pulchella Brues). Subgenus Udamochiras is revised and 42 species are recognized, including the following 33 new to science: M. anaticula , M. angustifrons , M. apicula , M. aprica , M. basella , M. biseta , M. brevicarina , M. carinata , M. compressicauda , M. exigua , M. falcata , M. flavilata , M. hamata , M. hansoni , M. horologia , M. individa , M. lobata , M. maculifrons , M. parkeri , M. paxilla , M. premordica , M. rhampha , M. rhypopoda , M. rostrata , M. sinuosa , M. spatula , M. spicula , M. triangularis , M. trua , M. valeria , M. vargasi , M. villosa , M. woodi . Melaloncha simillima Borgmeier is removed from synonymy with M. piliapex Borgmeier and reinstated as a separate species; lectotypes are designated for both.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 1−42     

A new deltocephaline leafhopper genus,Melanetettix, from Melanesia (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae)

Melanetettix gen. nov. is described from Melanesia for 22 new species of leafhoppers. The new species fall into four groups. New species described are M. bicolor, M. bifidus, M. capitatus, M. curvatus, M. delmoi, M. elongatus, M. maai, M. marginatus, M. ocellatus, M. pallidus, M. rhamphodes, M. roseus, M. semeraroae, M. sinuatus, M. aculeus, M. bifurcatus, M. truncatus, M. clavatus, M. ensiferus, M. nielsoni, M. rotundatus and M. alatus. An identification key to the new species is provided along with discussion of the affinities of Melanetettix, which is close to Scaphoideus Uhler.     

Biotrophic fungi from Kenya: Ten new species and some new records of Meliolaceae

As part of a research programme studying the diversity of fungi associated with rare plants in Kenya, nine new species of Meliola and one of Cryptomeliola associated with seven plant families are described and illustrated. They include Meliola craterispermi, M. dendroseta, M. fragrans, M. kakamegensis, M. longiappressoriata, M. muhakae, M. phaeomaculans, M. taitensis, M. trilepisii and C. Natans. Host families include Araliaceae, Ebenaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Loganiaceae, Melastomataceae, Menispermaceae, Moraceae and Rubiaceae. New records for Kenya include Meliola ambigua, M. artabotrydis, M. carissae, M. clerodendri, M. impatientis, M. pycnostachydis, M. phytolaccae and M. polytricha.     

NMDA and Non-NMDA Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors Modulate Striatal Acetylcholine Release via Pre- and Postsynaptic Mechanisms

Abstract: The effects of NMDA and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) on endogenous acetylcholine release from rat striatal slices and synaptosomes were investigated. Both agonists (1–300 µ M ) facilitated acetylcholine release from slices in a dose-dependent manner. NMDA (100–300 µ M ) and AMPA (30–300 µ M ), however, subsequently inhibited acetylcholine release. NMDA (100 µ M )-induced facilitation was antagonized by 3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP) and dizocilpine (both 1–10 µ M ), whereas the 10 µ M AMPA effect was antagonized by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX; 1–30 µ M ). NMDA (100 µ M )-induced inhibition was counteracted by CPP, but not dizocilpine, and by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l -nitroarginine (1–100 µ M ). Tetrodotoxin (0.5 µ M ) prevented the facilitatory effect of 3 µ M NMDA and AMPA, but left unchanged that of 30 µ M NMDA and 100 µ M AMPA. Acetylcholine release from synaptosomes was stimulated by KCI (7.5–100 m M ) in a dose-dependent manner. NMDA and AMPA maximally potentiated the 20 m M KCl effect at 1 µ M and 0.01 µ M , but were ineffective at 100 µ M and 10 µ M , respectively. Inhibition of acetylcholine release was never found in synaptosomes. The effects of 1 µ M NMDA and 0.01 µ M AMPA were antagonized by CPP (0.0001–1 µ M ) or dizocilpine (0.0001–10 µ M ) and by CNQX (0.001–1 µ M ), respectively. These data suggest that glutamatergic control of striatal acetylcholine release is mediated via both pre- and post-synaptic NMDA and non-NMDA ionotropic receptors.     

In vitro cytotoxic and in vivo antitumoral activities of some aminomethyl derivatives of 2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiones—Evaluation of their acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase enzymes inhibition profiles

The 1,2,4‐triazole and its derivatives were reported to exhibit various pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, analgesic, anti‐inflammatory, antitumoural, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties. In this study, a series of triazole compounds (M1‐M10) were evaluated for some biological activities. In vitro qualifications of these compounds on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and human carbonic anhydrase enzyme activities were performed. Also, their antitumoral activities in human colon cancer (HT29) cell line cultures were examined. In addition, colon cancer experimentation was induced in rats by an in vivo method, and the in vivo anticancer effects of triazole derivatives were investigated. Also, the effects of these derivatives in levels of antioxidant vitamin A, vitamin E, and MDA were studied in rat liver and blood samples. Most of the compounds were found to exhibit significant antioxidant and antitumoral activities. All the compounds had cytotoxic activities on HT29 cell lines with their IC₅₀ values lower than 10 µM concentrations. The low IC ₅₀ values of the compounds are M1 (3.88 µM), M2 (2.18 µM), M3 (4.2 µM), M4 (2.58 µM), M5 (2.88 µM), M6 (2.37 µM), M7 (3.49 µM), M8 (4.01 µM), M9 (8.90 µM), and M10 (3.12 µM).     

Review of the Genus Myrmica in Korea (Hymenptera: Formicidae)

The paper contains a taxonomie review of 12 species of the genus Myrmica occurring in Korea. The following species are under discussion: M. angulinodis Ruzsky, M. carinata Kupyanskaya, M. hyungokae Elmes, M. jessensis Forel, M. kasczenkoi Ruzsky, M. kotokui Forel, M. koreana Elmes, M kurokii Forel, M. lobicornis Nylander, M. ruginodis Nylander, M silvestrii Wheeler, M. sulcinodis Nylander. Twelve species of the genus Myrmica are recognized from Korea, these are revised and a key to their identification is provided. Five species, M. cadusa, M. incurvata, M. saphoshikovi, M. scabrinodis, and M. yoshiokai are questionable to be distributed in Korea, as I have not found any specimens preserved in Korea. The SEM photo and illustrations of the worker of each species are provided.     

New species and records of Metriocnemus van der Wulp s. str. from China (Diptera,Chironomidae)

The Chinese species of Metriocnemus van der Wulp s. str., 1874 is reviewed. M. (M.) calcaneum sp. n. is described and illustrated as adult male. M. (M.) albolineatus (Meigen) is recorded from China for the first time. M. (M.) beringensis (Cranston & Oliver), M. (M.) bilobatus Makarchenko & Makarchenko, M. (M.) caudigus Sæther, M. (M.) intergerivus Sæther, M. (M.) tamaokui Sasa and M. (M.) tristellus Edwards are recorded from the Oriental Region for the first time. A key to the males of 17 Chinese Metriocnemus (Metriocnemus) species is given.     

Agonistic behaviour in males of five species of voles Microtus

Agonistic behaviour of Microtus pennsylvanicus, M. montanus, M. californicus, M. longicaudus, and M. ochrogaster was observed in 160 staged encounters; a natural observation of sympatric species is included. No difference in the character and movements of agonistic behaviour was apparent when arena size was reduced; only a difference in the frequency of postures and movements was observed. In the smaller arena, M. montanus and M. ochrogaster exhibited a significant increase in frequency of agonistic components. The other three species did not show a significant increase. In interspecific pairings, M. montanus won over M. pennsylvanicus, M. californicus and M. longicaudus; M. ochrogaster won over M. montanus and M. pennsylvanicus. Three species used mutual avoidance in maintaining individual distance.     

Growth rates and biomass production of micropropagated apple plants of M26 and Gravenstein on their own roots and in different micrografted combinations under non-limiting and limiting nutrient conditions

Micropropagated apple plants of semi-dwarf rootstock M26 (M26) and vigorous cultivar Gravenstein (GR) on their own roots and different micrograft combinations were used in the experiment. The combinations included GR scion on GR root (GR/GR), M26 on M26 (M26/M26), GR on M26 (GR/M26), and M26 on GR (M26/GR). The plants were grown under non-limiting and limiting relative addition rates of nutrients. Under non-limiting nutrient conditions, M26 and GR showed a similar relative growth rate (RGR). Grafting reduced RGR significantly in the combination of M26/M26 compared to M26. The relative growth rate for the combination of GR/M26 was similar to the GR/GR plants, but it increased greatly compared to the M26/M26 plants. For the reverse combination of M26/GR, the RGR value decreased significantly compared to either the M26/M26 or the GR/GR plants. The RGR value and specific root length were lower for M26/GR than for GR/M26. No clear relationship between carbohydrate allocation and growth parameters of different plants was found under non-limiting nutrient conditions. Nutrient limitation resulted in increased dry weights and soluble sugars in the roots for all plants except for M26/GR. A reduced leaf area ratio and a lower RGR than the set relative addition rate of nitrogen were found for M26 and GR/M26 under limiting conditions. These results suggest that the dwarfing effect is not directly related to RGR of rootstocks or scions, but rather associated with root morphology of grafted plants and the ability of roots to absorb nutrients.     

“Hypothetical Mean Organisms” of Mycobacteria

Seven hundred fifty-four strains of mycobacteria were examined using 97 characters, and a “Hypothetical Mean Organism” (HMO) was prepared for each species using numerical classification. The species could be defined as a group of strains showing a mean S-value of 90% or more to a HMO and showing mean S-values of 89% or less to other HMOs. The following species were recognized: (1) M. tuberculosis, combining M. tuberculosis and M. bovis into one species; (2) M. kansasii; (3) M. novum; (4) M. avium, combining M. avium, M. nonchromogenicum, M. gastri, M. intracellulare and M. scrofulaceum into one species; (5) M. marinum; (6) M. thermoresistibile; (7) M. chitae; (8) M. borstelense; (9) M. abscessus; (10) M. fortuitum; (11) M. phlei; (12) M. aurum; (13) M. parafortuitum; (14) M. lacticola; (15) M. smegmatis. Dendrogram of the species showed two main stems, indicating that the genus Mycobacterium be divided into two subgenera, subgenus Mycobacterium (from M. tuberculosis to M. chitae) and subgenus My cornycobacterium (from M. borstelense to M. smegmatis). Some discrepancy was noted between the results of numerical classification using HMOs and that of the “proper” numerical classification, and this discrepancy is discussed.     

Updating Phylogeny of Mitochondrial DNA Macrohaplogroup M in India: Dispersal of Modern Human in South Asian Corridor

To construct maternal phylogeny and prehistoric dispersals of modern human being in the Indian sub continent, a diverse subset of 641 complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genomes belonging to macrohaplogroup M was chosen from a total collection of 2,783 control-region sequences, sampled from 26 selected tribal populations of India. On the basis of complete mtDNA sequencing, we identified 12 new haplogroups - M53 to M64; redefined/ascertained and characterized haplogroups M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M8′C′Z, M9, M10, M11, M12-G, D, M18, M30, M33, M35, M37, M38, M39, M40, M41, M43, M45 and M49, which were previously described by control and/or coding-region polymorphisms. Our results indicate that the mtDNA lineages reported in the present study (except East Asian lineages M8′C′Z, M9, M10, M11, M12-G, D ) are restricted to Indian region.The deep rooted lineages of macrohaplogroup ‘M’ suggest in-situ origin of these haplogroups in India. Most of these deep rooting lineages are represented by multiple ethnic/linguist groups of India. Hierarchical analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) shows substantial subdivisions among the tribes of India (Fst = 0.16164). The current Indian mtDNA gene pool was shaped by the initial settlers and was galvanized by minor events of gene flow from the east and west to the restricted zones. Northeast Indian mtDNA pool harbors region specific lineages, other Indian lineages and East Asian lineages. We also suggest the establishment of an East Asian gene in North East India through admixture rather than replacement.     

The genus Mixodiaptomus Kiefer, 1932 (Copepoda,Diaptomidae) in Spain

The distribution of the Calanoid genus Mixodiaptomus was studied in a large number of pools and small lakes scattered over Spain. Four species occur: M. incrassatus, M. kupelwieseri, M. ortizi and M. laciniatus, the latter in 2 subspecies (M. laciniatus laciniatus and M. laciniatus atlantis). M. ortizi is described as a new species. M. laciniatus lives in mountains, while all other species occur in the plains. M. incrassatus is found all over the country, M. kupelwieseri only in the eastern part of Catalonia, M. laciniatus atlantis in Andalucia and M. ortizi in the central lands called Mesetas. All live in little mineralized waters and only M. incrassatus and M. laciniatus atlantis occur in clayey waters.     

景宁木兰(Magnolia sinostellata)远缘杂交授粉过程障碍研究

以景宁木兰（Magnolia sinostellata）为亲本,分别与望春玉兰（M.biondii）、紫玉兰（M.liliiflora）、红运二乔（M.soulangeana ‘Red lucky’）、丹馨玉兰（M.soulangeana ‘Danxin’）进行种间远缘杂交,并以景宁木兰自交为对照,研究了景宁木兰自交和杂交亲和性。结果表明：（1）景宁木兰具有较高的花粉活力与柱头可授性,花粉管能正常进入杂交母本花柱,自交结实率为2%;（2）以景宁木兰为父本,紫玉兰柱头对其花粉具有较好的识别性,花粉萌发率和花粉管生长速度均高于以红运二乔和丹馨玉兰做母本的组合,花粉管生长较为正常,结实率为25%,而与红运玉兰杂交的结实率为4%,与丹馨玉兰杂交的结实率为0%;（3）以景宁木兰为母本,望春玉兰花粉在其柱头上的萌发比率高于其他4个组合,但花粉管生长过程中出现扭曲,景宁木兰花柱内出现胼胝质沉积,且最终并未获得种子。花粉管发育镜检结果表明：受精前障碍即花粉管进入花柱基部前生长异常是引起景宁木兰与丹馨玉兰、望春玉兰杂交不结实的主要原因;并进一步推测花粉管进入子房后的异常状态是导致景宁木兰自交,与红运二乔杂交结实率低的主要原因。     

广州市景观湖微囊藻的分类学研究

于2008年3月至2009年4月,对广州市区若干景观湖水体的微囊藻属(Microcystis)进行分类学研究。共观察到11种微囊藻,分别是铜绿微囊藻(M. aeruginosa Kützing)、放射微囊藻(M. botrys Teiling)、坚实微囊藻(M. firma Kützing)、水华微囊藻(M. flosaquae Wittrock)、鱼害微囊藻(M. ichthyoblabe Kützing)、挪氏微囊藻(M. novacekii Komárek)、苍白微囊藻(M. pallida (Farlow) Lemm.)、假丝微囊藻(M. pseudofilamentosa Crow)、史密斯微囊藻(M. smithii Komárek & Anagnostidis)、绿色微囊藻(M. viridis A. Braun)和惠氏微囊藻(M. wesenbergii Komárek),对它们的形态学特征进行描述,并比较这些种类间的形态区别。     

Molecular diversity of populations of the Merodon ruficornis group (Diptera, Syrphidae) on the Balkan Peninsula

Genetic diversity of 11 populations of the Merodon ruficornis group (Diptera, Syrphidae) on the Balkan Peninsula was quantified using allozyme electrophoresis and nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. A total of 10 haplotypes of mtDNA were found in 22 analysed individuals. One haplotype was shared between M. loewi (from Pindos and Duba?nica Mts) and M. armipes, one confined to M. auripes (haplotype III) and M. armipes (VII) and three to M. trebevicensis (VIII, IX and X), M. ruficornis (I, II and IV) and M. loewi (V, VI and VII). Analysis of the population genetic structure parameters showed great differences among analysed species. Different levels of genetic variability suggested that a variety of biological, environmental and/or historical factors had influenced these hoverfly populations. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average dendrogram constructed using allozyme data suggested that M. loewi was the most divergent species in comparison with M. armipes, M. auripes, M. ruficornis and M. trebevicensis. Clear separation of the populations ((((M. armipes + M. auripes) + M. ruficornis) + M. trebevicensis) + M. loewi) was observed. The parsimony analysis of the M. ruficornis group using Merodon avidus as outgroup resulted in three equally parsimonious trees, and the strict consensus presented the following relationships ((((M. loewi + M. armipes) + (M. auripes)) + (M. trebevicensis)) + (M. ruficornis)))). The uncorrected interspecies pairwise sequence divergences ranged from 1.69% (between haplotype III of M. armipes and haplotype V of M. loewi) to 4.94% (between M. ruficornis and M. trebevicensis).     

The high genetic homology of threeMacaca fascicularis and twoMacaca mulatta subspecies on the basis of their highly repeated DNA restriction patterns

We have studied highly repeated DNA sequences of three subspecies ofM. fascicularis (M.f. philippinensis M.f. mordax, M.f. fusca) and of two subspecies ofM. mulatta (M.m. lasiotus, M.m. mulatta). Restriction patterns were obtained after digestion with 9 restriction endonucleases and evidenced after southern blotting and hybridization with Bam HI satellite DNA fragments fromM. fascicularis subspecies. M. fascicularis andM. mulatta subspecies studied, present morphological differences but indistinguishable karyotypes: highly repeated DNA analysis, resulting in the same restriction patterns for all the restriction sites studied with highly repeated DNA probes characteristic of the threeM. fascicularis subspecies, gave arguments in favour of the high genetic homology ofM.f. philippinensis, M.f. mordax, M.f. fusca on one side, andM.m. lasiotus andM.m. mulatta on the other, which can be distinguished only on the basis of morphological criteria.     

Molecular systematics and phylogeny of the ‘Marbled Whites' (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae,Satyrinae, Melanargia Meigen)

Abstract. We investigated genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships amongst all known species of Palaearctic butterflies of the genus Melanargia using sequence information from three genes [mitochondrial cox1 barcode region (658 bp), ribosomal 16S rRNA (c. 518 bp), and nuclear wg (404 bp)]. Results show a lack of DNA divergence among several poorly characterized taxa, as well as deep divergences within and between others. We corroborated the molecular information with morphological and genitalic characters as well as with geographic data. We revise the taxonomy of Melanargia, and propose a new systematic scheme for the group. We revive some previous synonymies (M. lucasi meadwaldoi stat. rev. , M. ines fathme stat. rev. , M. ines jahandiezi stat. rev. , M. meridionalis tapaishanensis stat. rev. ), revise the status of some subspecies into species (M. transcaspica stat. nov. , M. lucida stat. nov. , M. wiskotti stat. nov. ) and of several species into subspecies of other taxa (M. evartianae sadjadii stat. nov. , M. larissa hylata stat. nov. , M. larissa grumi stat. nov. , M. larissa syriaca stat. nov. , M. larissa titea stat. nov. , M. lugens montana stat. nov. , M. epimede ganymedes stat. nov. ), revise the status of subspecies and transfer them to other species (M. larissa lorestanensis stat. nov. , M. larissa iranica stat. nov. , M. larissa karabagi stat. rev. , M. larissa kocaki stat. nov. , M. transcaspica eberti stat. nov. ), and propose new synonymies (M. larissa titea = M. titea standfussi syn. nov. = M. titea titania syn. nov. , M. leda leda = M. leda yunnana syn. nov. , M. lugens lugens = M. lugens ahyoui syn. nov. , M. lugens hengshanensis = M. lugens hoenei syn. nov. , M. halimede halimede = M. halimede gratiani syn. nov. , M. asiatica asiatica = M. asiatica dejeani syn. nov. , = M. asiatica elisa syn. nov. , = M. asiatica sigberti syn. nov. ).     

Plant regeneration from cocoyam callus derived from shoot tips and petioles

The effects of various growth regulators on morphogenesis from cocoyam tissues (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) were investigated. Calluses were initiated from shoot tip and petiole explants and proliferated on medium containing 1.36 μM dicamba. Callus production was significantly greater from petioles than from shoot tips. Thidiazuron (0.045 μM) enhanced callus production when dicamba (13.5 μM) was used, and was more favorable to petioles than shoot tips. Friable shoot tip callus was subcultured into liquid media containing either 1.36 μM dicamba alone, 1.35 μM 2,4-D + 0.46 μM kinetin or 1.36 μM dicamba + 0.46 μM kinetin to induce adventive regeneration. Tissues producing single or aggregated shoot buds were subcultured into media containing 0, 0.049 and 0.49 μM 2-isopentenyladenine where bud multiplication and shoot regeneration were observed. Bud aggregates were formed from callus in liquid cultures containing 1.36 μM dicamba, 1.36 μM dicamba + 0.46 μM kinetin or 1.35 μM 2,4-D + 0.46 μM kinetin. Shoot bud clumps which remained green produced shoots, daughter buds, and plantlets in stationary and agitated liquid media containing 0, 0.049 and 0.49 μM 2iP. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.