Two new species of Eupatorium (Asteraceae) from northeastern Mexico

Two closely related new species ofEupatorium,E. tamaulipanum from southeastern Tamaulipas andE. xalapanum from central Veracruz, are described herein. The latter is diploid with 2n=20. Their relationship appears to be with the genusEupatoriastrum (subtribe Critoniinae, sensu Robinson and King), but an equally good case might be made for inclusion in the generaChromolaena, Bartlettina, orTamaulipa of subtribes Praxelinae, Hebecliniinae, and Gyptidinae respectively, as circumscribed by King and Robinson. While their splintered treatment ofEupatorium, and the Eupatorieae generally, often provides unequivocal “generic” placement of known or newly described species, many others appear to be rather arbitrarily placed, including some whose possible generic positions might include three or more of their subtribal groupings.     

Studies in the eupatorieae (Compositae). XVII. The genus erythradenia (B. L. Robinson) R. M. King and H. Robinson

Piqueria (Erythradenia) pyramidalis B. L. Robinson is placed in a separate genus with the new combinationErythradenia pyramidalis (B. L. Robinson) R. M. King & H. Robinson. It is considered a close relative of the genusDecackaeta DC     

中国兰科二新记录种

报道了中国西藏兰科植物二新记录种:无叶沼兰(Crepidium aphyllum(King&Pantl.)A.N.Rao)和矮生白点兰Thrixspermum pygmaeum(King&Pantl.)Holttum。无叶沼兰和本属另一腐生种C.saprophytum(King&Pantl.)A.N.Rao的主要区别为假鳞茎圆柱形,唇瓣平展,顶端圆形,中萼片直立。矮生白点兰与T.masciflorum A.S.Rao&J.Joseph相似,但本种花序短于叶,苞片螺旋排列、花瓣匙形、唇瓣下凹且3裂、中裂片顶端下凹、胼胝体有毛。     

Chromosome Numbers and Karyotypes of Species of Vernonia sect. Lepidaploa (Asteraceae: Vernonieae)

Vernonia is the largest genus of the tribe Vernonieae (Asteraceae) and comprises more than 1,000 species. In the present study we explore chromosome number and karyotype variation of eight species treated within different subsections of the section Vernonia sect. Lepidaploa. We aimed to explore if these data support the recognition of a single large genus (sensu Baker) or favor its splitting into 22 small genera (sensu Robinson). The species were collected in ??cerrado??, rupicolous and disturbed areas in the states of S?o Paulo and Minas Gerais, Brazil. Chromosome numbers varied from 2n?=?32 to 60. Most chromosomes were small, and the karyotype analysis revealed a predominance of metacentric and some submetacentric chromosomes. The karyotype symmetry in Vernonia was moderate (TF% 32.2 to 45.9), with the most symmetrical karyotype observed in V. rubriramea. The results obtained here did not conclusively support any of the taxonomic proposals for Vernonia due to the absence of distinctive or characteristic karyotype patterns for any of the taxonomic groupings, i.e., sections and subsections (sensu Baker) or new genera (sensu Robinson). Nevertheless, a tenuous relationship was observed between the chromosome numbers reported in the literature, those recorded here, and the taxonomic alterations suggested by Robinson for the genera Lessingianthus, Chrysolaena, and Vernonanthura that were originally part of Vernonia sensu Baker.     

A new species and a new combination in western North American Silene (Caryophyllaceae)

Silene nachlingerae is described, illustrated, and compared toS. aperta. The similarly floweredS. invisa is considered to be closely related toS. bernardina, and especially to its var.rigidula (Robinson) Tiehm, comb nov.     

Studies in the Eupatorieae (Compositae) VI

Cronquistia, a new genus in the Compositae Eupatorieae, is described on the basis ofStevia pringlei S. Watson.S. simulans B. L. Robinson is reduced to synonymy underS. pringlei.     

Investigation of blood parasites of pygoscelid penguins at the King George and Elephant Islands, South Shetlands Archipelago, Antarctica

Parasites may adversely affect the breeding success and survival of penguins, potentially hampering the viability of their populations. We examined 161 pygoscelid penguins (3 Pygoscelis adeliae, 98 Pygoscelis antarcticus, and 60 Pygoscelis papua) at the South Shetlands Archipelago during the 2010–2011 summer; blood smears were examined for 64 penguins (2 P. adeliae, 18 P. antarcticus, and 44 P. papua), and a PCR test targeting Haemoproteus sp. and Plasmodium sp. was applied for 37 penguins (2 P. adeliae, 17 P. antarcticus, 19 P. papua). No blood parasites were observed, and all PCR tests were negative, leukocyte profiles were similar to those reported in other studies for wild pygoscelid penguins, and all penguins were in good body condition and had no external signs of disease. One specimen of chewing lice (Austrogoniodes sp.) was recorded in one P. antarcticus at King George Island. Ticks (Ixodes uriae) were not observed on the penguins, but were found on the ground near P. antarcticus nests at King George Island. The absence of avian blood parasites in Antarctic penguins is thought to result from the absence of competent invertebrate hosts in the climatic conditions. Predicted climate changes may redefine the geographic distribution of vector-borne pathogens, and therefore, the occurrence of blood parasites and their invertebrate hosts should be monitored regularly in Antarctic birds, particularly in the northernmost Antarctic Peninsula.     

Infrageneric groups in Senecio,S.L., and Cacalia,S.L. (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) in Mexico and Central America

The Mexican and Central American complex of Senecio, s.l., and Cacalia, s.l., is divided into eleven informal groups, with several subgroups, in order to define more or less natural assemblages for detailed revisionary studies. The groups are separated by a key. The discussion accounts for the disposition of the segragate genera recognized by H. Robinson and co-workers, as well as the subgenera employed by Greenman.     

中国分类学文献中Swietenia mahagoni之订正

通过调查,对Swietenia mahagoni的后选模式、S.macrophylla的主模式与中国分类学文献(如《植物分类学报》、《广州植物志》、《中国高等植物图鉴》、《云南植物志》、《广东植物志》、《中国植物志》和《中国高等植物》)的S.mahagoni作比较,证实中国分类学文献将S.mahagoni和S.macrophylla相混,上述分类学文献中的S.mahagon是S.macrophylla King。桃花心木(S.mahagoni(L.)Jacq.)的羽状复叶及小叶较短,小叶长度绝不超过10 cm,果卵球形,长度绝不超过15 cm;而大叶桃花心木(S.macrophylla King)的羽状复叶及小叶较长,总有一部分小叶的长度超过10 cm,果长卵球形,长12~22 cm。     

Six new flavonoids from Citrus

Valencia orange (C. sinensis) and Robinson tangerine [(C. paradisi × C. reticulata) × (C. reticulata)] were examined for flavonoids. Thirteen flavonoids were isolated, six of which are new constituents of citrus peel. These are: 3,5,6,7,3′,4′-hexamethoxyflavone, 3,5,7,8,3′,4′-hexamethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-3,7,8,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3′,4′-hexamethoxyflavone, 5,7,8,4′-tetramethoxyflavone and 5,7,8,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflavone. The latter three flavonoids are reported for the first time as natural products. A method is described for readily obtaining small quantities of 5,7,8,4′-tetramethoxy and 5,7,8,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflavones from their 5,6,7-trimethoxy analogs.     

The Central American species of Centaurium (Gentianaceae)

A revision ofCentaurium based on field, herbarium, and greenhouse studies shows that five species are native to Central America: C.guitense (H.B.K.) B. L. Robinson (n = 21, 22),C. pauciflorum (Mart. & Gal.) B. L. Robinson (n =36),C. brachycalyx Standley & L. O. Williams (n = ca. 36),C. setaceum (Benth.) B. L. Robinson (n = 21), andC. martinii Broome (n = 21), a new species. One population of a European species,C. minus Moench subsp.minus has been discovered in Costa Rica.     

A Systematic study of the genus Balduina (Compositae,Heliantheae)

The genusBalduina, endemic to the southeastern United States as interpreted here, includes a complex of three species:B. atropurpurea Harper,B. angustifolia (Pursh) Robinson, andB. uniflora Nutt. The first two species have a chromosome number ofn = 18 andB. uniflora hasn = 36. Hybridization experiments demonstrated strong internal reproductive isolating mechanisms. Flavonoid and sesquiterpene lactone data suggest a possible relationship to the tribe Helenieae.     

Saturated and mono-unsaturated long-chain hydrocarbon profiles from mandarin juice sacs

The long-chain saturated and mono-unsaturated hydrocarbon content of the juice sacs of five mandarin cultivars (Mediterranean, Honey, Wilking, Kinnow, King) were examined. Normal homologues accounted for more than 47% of the saturated and more than 75% of the monoene hydrocarbons. In the saturated fraction the major hydrocarbon was n-C₂₅ but in the monoene fraction n-C₂₅ predominated in Kinnow and King while C₂₉ predominated in Mediterranean, Honey and Wilking. All five cultivars could be differentiated from each other and from other citrus species by their hydrocarbon patterns. The noticeably high normal/iso ratios of saturated C₂₃ and C₂₅ hydrocarbons previously shown to be characteristic of mandarin species, Citrus unshiu and C. reticulata, were also found in C. nobilis and C. deliciosa.     

Isolation and characterization of rhizosphere bacteria for the biocontrol of the damping-off disease of tomatoes in Tunisia

Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp., isolated from tomato and pepper plants rhizosphere soil, was evaluated in vitro as a potential antagonist of fungal pathogens. Pseudomonas strains were tested against the causal agents of tomatoes damping-off (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), root rot (Fusarium solani), and causal agents of stem canker and leaf blight (Alternaria alternata). For this purpose, dual culture antagonism assays were carried out on 25% tryptic soy agar, King B medium and potato dextrose agar to determine the effect of the strains on mycelial growth of the pathogens. In addition, strains were screened for their ability to produce exoenzymes and siderophores. All the strains significantly inhibited Alternaria alternata, particularly in 25% TSA medium. Antagonistic effect on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Fusarium solani was greater on King B medium. Protease was produced by 30% of the strains, but no strain produced cellulase or chitinase. Finally, the selected Pseudomonas strain, Psf5, was evaluated on tomato seedling development and as a potential candidate for controlling tomato damping-off caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, under growth chamber conditions. In vivo studies resulted in significant increases in plant stand as well as in root dry weight. Psf5 was able to establish and survive in tomato plants rhizosphere after 40 days following the planting of bacterized seeds.     

Thamniscus King, 1849 (Fenestellida: Bryozoa): William King’s original specimens and their bearing on the genus concept

Reassessment of the suite of specimens used by William King when he erected the fenestrate bryozoan genus Thamniscus in 1849 has shown that they belong to two genera. However, King’s original generic concept only allows for some of these specimens to be included within Thamniscus. These specimens are illustrated. A recent generic treatment is consistent with King’s original generic concept.     

Diversity of endophytic fungi associated with bryophyte in the maritime Antarctic (King George Island)

Bryophytes comprise one of the richest microfungal microhabitats in the Antarctic environment. The maritime Antarctic is very vulnerable to rapid environmental change caused by global warming. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of bryophytes as a microhabitat for fungal species in the maritime Antarctic by surveying endophytic fungal diversity from several bryophytes including Andreaea sp., Barbilophozia hatcheri, Chorisodontium aciphyllum, Polytrichum alpinum, Polytrichum strictum, Sanionia uncinata, and Warnstorfia sarmentosa. We collected 13 bryophyte samples at four localities on Barton Peninsula, King George Island. In total, 31 endophytic fungi morphotypes were isolated from bryophyte tissues by a thorough surface sterilization method. Using internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis, 16 endophytic fungal strains belonging to Ascomycota (12), Basidiomycota (1), Oomycota (1), and Zygomycota (2) phyla were obtained. Our results suggest the presence of a diverse range of fungal species even in a very limited area, and those bryophytes play an important role in conserving fungal diversity in this harsh environment. Growth rate measurements at a wide range of temperatures confirmed that most of the fungal strains were both mesophilic and psychrotolerant. This is the first report of endophytic fungi in Antarctic moss tissue by fluorescence in situ hybridization.     

Diversity of cultivable fungi associated with Antarctic marine sponges and screening for their antimicrobial, antitumoral and antioxidant potential

The diversity of sponge-associated fungi has been poorly investigated in remote geographical areas like Antarctica. In this study, 101 phenotypically different fungal isolates were obtained from 11 sponge samples collected in King George Island, Antarctica. The analysis of ITS sequences revealed that they belong to the phylum Ascomycota. Sixty-five isolates belong to the genera Geomyces, Penicillium, Epicoccum, Pseudeurotium, Thelebolus, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Phoma, and Trichocladium but 36 isolates could not be identified at genus level. In order to estimate the potential of these isolates as producers of interesting bioactivities, antimicrobial, antitumoral and antioxidant activities of fungal culture extracts were assayed. Around 51 % of the extracts, mainly from the genus Geomyces and non identified relatives, showed antimicrobial activity against some of the bacteria tested. On the other hand, around 42 % of the extracts showed potent antitumoral activity, Geomyces sp. having the best performance. Finally, the potential of the isolated fungi as producers of antioxidant activity seems to be moderate. Our results suggest that fungi associated with Antarctic sponges, particularly Geomyces, would be valuable sources of antimicrobial and antitumoral compounds. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the biodiversity and the metabolic potential of fungi associated with Antarctic marine sponges.     

Agar-degrading bacteria isolated from Antarctic macroalgae

This study describes the taxonomic diversity of pigmented, agar-degrading bacteria isolated from the surface of macroalgae collected in King George Island, Antarctica. A total of 30 pigmented, agarolytic bacteria were isolated from the surface of the Antarctic macroalgae Adenocystis utricularis, Monostroma hariotii, Iridaea cordata, and Pantoneura plocamioides. Based on the 16S rRNA data, the agarolytic isolates were affiliated to the genera Algibacter, Arthrobacter, Brachybacterium, Cellulophaga, Citricoccus, Labedella, Microbacterium, Micrococcus, Salinibacterium, Sanguibacter, and Zobellia. Isolates phylogenetically related to Cellulophaga algicola showed the highest agarase activity in culture supernatants when tested at 4 and 37 °C. This is the first investigation of pigmented agar-degrading bacteria, members of microbial communities associated with Antarctic macroalgae, and the results suggest that they represent a potential source of cold-adapted agarases of possible biotechnological interest.     

Étude biostratigraphique et paléoenvironnementale des diatomées pyritisées de l'intervalle Paléocène supérieur-Éocène inférieur du sondage de Saint-Josse (France)

This paper presents the results of a biostratigraphic analysis of pyritized diatom assemblages in the Saint-Josse core (CC82) located in the northern part of the Paris basin (coordinates: X =555?000, Y =307?324 and Z =56.9 m). During the Paleocene-Eocene this locality was situated in a small bight of the North Sea Basin. The results are obtained from sediments of the Thanet and Mont-Bernon group equivalents belonging to the Paleocene-Eocene interval. Thirteen samples were studied and eleven contain pyritized diatoms. By epigenesis, the siliceous frustule of the diatom is changed into a pyritized skeleton with all the ornamentation very well preserved such as the velum, the areolae, the labiate processes, etc. Dispersive X-Ray analyses show this complete replacement of silica by pyrite. Another form of pyritization is crystallization of pyrite (in cubes, pyritohedrons, octahedrons, framboids) in internal cavities of the diatoms to produce internal moulds, also called steinkerns, which preserve the external morphology of the diatoms and some details such as the girdle. Despite pyritization, diatoms can often be recognized at the species level; brackish and marine species were observed but no fresh water specimens were encountered. Pyrite is easily altered into iron oxides. In outcrops, pyritized diatoms can be obscured or destroyed by oxidation. We have chosen borehole samples for this study to avoid the affects of weathering. Deposits from the Sorrus Unit (of the Thanet Group) have low abundances of pyritized diatoms (3 to 25 specimens per sample). This unit contains allochtonous diatom assemblages comprising Actinoptychussenarius, Coscinodiscus morsianus var. morsianus, and Coscinodiscus morsianus var. moelleri. Sample 34.31-34.45 from this unit is particularly interesting. It contains three specimens of Paralia siberica var. laevis, which is typical of an estuarine or littoral paleoenvironment, and corresponds to the more continental deposit of the Sorrus Unit. Seven samples, taken in the Argile de Saint-Aubin Unit (from the Mont-Bernon Group), contain more than 200 pyritized diatoms and between 9 to 16 different species per sample. A brackish assemblage (Actinoptychus senarius, Coscinodiscus commutatus and Stellarima microtrias) and a marine assemblage (C. morsianus var. morsianus, Coscinodiscus var. moelleri, Fenestrella antiqua, Odontellaheibergii, Rhizosolenia sp. 1 and Trinacria regina) are observed. The brackish assemblage expands in the upper part of the Saint-Aubin Unit indicating more widespread brackish paleoenvironmental conditions. Pyritized diatoms are important fossil markers in the Paris basin mainly when siliceous fossils (silicoflagellates or radiolarians) and others microfossils (foraminifers and dinoflagellates) are very poor or absent. Two diatom assemblages have been identified in the Saint-Josse borehole. The first assemblage D1, comprising C. morsianus var. moelleri (high occurrence), C. morsianus (a few) and T. regina (rare), is recorded in the Sorrus, La Calotterie, Bois Gorguette, Le Goulet and lower Saint-Aubin Units. The second assemblage D2, characterized by great abundance of F. antiqua and decreasing numbers of C. morsianus species, is found in the upper part of the Saint-Aubin Unit. These diatom assemblages can be correlated with other biozonations established in the North Sea basin and based on nannoplankton and diatoms (King, 1983), diatoms (Mitlehner, 1996) and calcareous nannoplankton (Martini, 1971). F. antiqua and C. morsianus var. moelleri are the more important diatom species encountered. F. antiqua (previously named Coscinodiscus sp. 1, King, 1983) is the fossil marker used by King to define his NSP4 biozone. The base of NSP4 corresponds to the lowest occurrence of F. antiqua and the top is marked by the highest occurrence of this species. The Sorrus, La Calotterie, Bois Gorguette, Le Goulet and Saint-Aubin (“Sparnacian” stage) Units, the last one comprising F. antiqua (increasing to acme), correspond to the NSP4 zone of King (1983). The Mont-Hulin and Château de la Bruyère Units correspond probably to the NSP5 zone of King (1983). F. antiqua and C. morsianus var. moelleri were also used by Mitlehner (1996) to differentiate the NSP4a zone (low abundance of F. antiqua and abundance of C. morsianus var. moelleri) from the NSP4b zone (great abundance and acme of F. antiqua). The abundance of C. morsianus var. moelleri is recorded in the lower part of Saint-Aubin Unit and the abundance of F. antiqua (high peak at 46% in the sample 17.87) is found in the upper part of Saint-Aubin Unit. Therefore, Sorrus, La Calotterie, Bois Gorguette, Le Goulet and the lower part of Saint-Aubin Units are correlated with the NSP4a zone and the upper part of Saint-Aubin Unit with the NSP4b zone. By correlating the calcareous nannoplankton biozonation (NP) of Martini (1971) with the biozonation of King (1983), adapted by Mitlehner (1996), the boundary between the NP9 and NP10 zones could be located in the 18.75-17.87 interval and the NP10-NP11 boundary at the top of Saint-Aubin Unit. Lithostratigraphic correlations between the units of the Saint-Josse borehole (Paris basin) and the formations of the North Sea basin can be established. The great abundance of C. morsianus var. moelleri and the great abundance (including acme) of F. antiqua are respectively recorded in the Sele and Balder Formations. Therefore, the interval Sorrus/lower Saint-Aubin Units is correlated with the Sele Formation and upper part of Saint-Aubin Unit with the Balder Formation.     

Ancient DNA suggests dwarf and 'giant' emu are conspecific

Background

The King Island Emu (Dromaius ater) of Australia is one of several extinct emu taxa whose taxonomic relationship to the modern Emu (D. novaehollandiae) is unclear. King Island Emu were mainly distinguished by their much smaller size and a reported darker colour compared to modern Emu.

Methodology and Results

We investigated the evolutionary relationships between the King Island and modern Emu by the recovery of both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences from sub-fossil remains. The complete mitochondrial control (1,094 bp) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region (1,544 bp), as well as a region of the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (57 bp) were sequenced using a multiplex PCR approach. The results show that haplotypes for King Island Emu fall within the diversity of modern Emu.

Conclusions

These data show the close relationship of these emu when compared to other congeneric bird species and indicate that the King Island and modern Emu share a recent common ancestor. King Island emu possibly underwent insular dwarfism as a result of phenotypic plasticity. The close relationship between the King Island and the modern Emu suggests it is most appropriate that the former should be considered a subspecies of the latter. Although both taxa show a close genetic relationship they differ drastically in size. This study also suggests that rates of morphological and neutral molecular evolution are decoupled.