Extracellular amino acids of aerobic spore-forming bacteria]

An ability to synthesize and accumulate in the growth medium for extracellular amino acids of 108 strains of 13 aerobic sporeforming bacteria species at deep cultivation on the simple synthetic glucose-mineral liquid nutrient medium optimized for the representatives of this genus. Has been studied the bacillus strains studied in the present conditions synthesize 19 amino acids and 2 amino carbons in different quantities and combinations. Amino acids being synthesized the most and least by these microorganisms have been determined in quantitative expression. Extracellular amino acid accumulation was proved to be a strain property not of genus. In general, the genus studied was evaluated as active one in amino acid production. The most active strains may present an interest as initials for further selective obtaining of producers of separate amino acids. The outlook for aerobic bacilli strains having marked amino-synthesizing properties and complex of other biological activities is being discussed for construction of medicinal and prophylactic of live microbial culture preparations.     

Haloalkaliphilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in soda lakes

The existence of chemolithoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) capable of growth in an extremely alkaline and saline environment has not been recognized until recently. Extensive studies of saline, alkaline (soda) lakes located in Central Asia, Africa and North America have now revealed the presence, at relatively high numbers, of a new branch of obligately autotrophic SOB in these doubly extreme environments. Overall more than 100 strains were isolated in pure culture. All of them have the potential to grow optimally at around pH 10 in media strongly buffered with sodium carbonate/bicarbonate and cannot grow at pH<7.5 and Na(+) concentration <0.2 M. The majority of the isolates fell into two distinct groups with differing phylogeny and physiology, that have been described as two new genera in the Gammaproteobacteria; Thioalkalimicrobium and Thioalkalivibrio. The third genus, Thioalkalispira, contains a single obligate microaerophilic species T. microaerophila. The Thioalkalimicrobium group represents a typical opportunistic strategy, including highly specialized, relatively fast-growing and low salt-tolerant bacteria, dominating in hyposaline steppe soda lakes of Central Asia. The genus Thioalkalivibrio includes mostly slowly growing species better adapted to life in hypersaline conditions and with a more versatile metabolism. It includes denitrifying, thiocyanate-utilizing and facultatively alkaliphilic species.     

Phylogenetic reconsideration of Myrmekiaphila systematics with a description of the new trapdoor spider species Myrmekiaphila tigris (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Cyrtaucheniidae, Euctenizinae) from Auburn, Alabama

The trapdoor spider genus Myrmekiaphila currently comprises 11 nominal species. A recent molecular phylogenetic evaluation of the group identified a number of problems with respect to how species and species groups were delineated by Bond and Platnick in their 2007 taxonomic revision of the genus. We report herein the discovery of a new species, Myrmekiaphila tigrissp. n. The phylogenetic position of the species is evaluated using a molecular phylogenetic approach based on a set of mtDNA markers. Our preferred phylogenetic hypothesis supports the recognition of a new species and further highlights the need to more carefully investigate species boundaries within the genus. These results further indicate that palpal bulb morphology is rapidly evolving and has likely been a contributing factor in rendering a number of species paraphyletic with respect to the molecular data.     

New genus of budding bacteria Angulomicrobium tetraedrale having radially symmetrical cells

The growth cycle and the ultrathin structure were compared in two strains of polygonal bacteria. Due to the presence of radial symmetry, the type of division, the character of metabolism and physiology in common, the polygonal bacteria are classed as a separate genus, Angulomicrobium nov. gen. It would be too early to divide the genus into species. The diagnosis of the new genus and the species A. tetraedrale nov. gen. nov. sp. is presented.     

Fatty acid profiles of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria reflect their phylogenetic heterogeneity

The fatty acid profiles of all described species of the nitrite-oxidizing genera Nitrobacter, Nitrococcus, Nitrospina and Nitrospira were analyzed. The four genera had distinct profiles, which can be used for the differentiation and allocation of new isolates to these genera. The genus Nitrobacter is characterized by vaccenic acid as the main compound with up to 92% of the fatty acids and the absence of hydroxy fatty acids. The genus Nitrococcus showed cis-9-hexadecenoic acid, hexadecanoic acid and vaccenic acid as main parts. Small amounts of 3-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid were detected. The genus Nitrospina possessed tetradecanoic acid and cis-9-hcxadecenoic acid as main compounds, also 3-hydroxy-hexadecanoic acid was detected for this genus. The genus Nitrospira showed a pattern with more variations among the two described species. These organisms are characterized by the cis-7 and cis-11-isomers of hexadecenoic acid. For Nitrospira moscoviensis a specific new fatty acid was found, which represented the major constituent in the fatty acid profiles of autotrophically grown cultures. It was identified as 11-methyl-hexadecanoic acid. Since this compound is not known for other bacterial taxa, it represents a potential lipid marker for the detection of Nitrospira moscoviensis relatives in enrichment cultures and environmental samples. A cluster analysis of the fatty acid profiles is in accordance with 16S rRNA sequence-based phylogeny of the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria.     

1,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid. A novel cyclic amino acid from halophilic phototrophic bacteria of the genus Ectothiorhodospira

A novel cyclic amino acid was detected in and subsequently isolated from extremely halophilic species of the bacterial genus Ectothiorhodospira. The structure of this new compound was elucidated by a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and mass spectrometry. 1,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid is only accumulated within the cytoplasm under certain growth conditions and seems to serve an osmoregulatory function. There is no previous reference to this molecule in the chemical literature and we, therefore, propose to use the trivial name 'ectoine', due to its discovery in members of the bacterial genus Ectothiorhodospira. (formula: see text).     

The phylogeny of Halgerda (Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia) with the description of a new species from Okinawa

This paper proposes a refined hypothesis of evolution for the tropical Indo-Pacific nudibranch genus Halgerda . Numerous specimens from 31 species were examined anatomically and literature from four additional species was reviewed, bringing to 33 the ingroup taxa. Fifty-three characters were considered from these examinations. The outgroup Asteronotus was used to polarize the characters. The phylogeny obtained from the analysis of the characters supports the hypothesis that Halgerda is a monophyletic group. A species previously placed with the genus Sclerodoris is examined and determined to be a member of the genus Halgerda . Phylogenetic analysis places this species, H. paliensis , as a basal member of the genus . Halgerda paliensis appears to be restricted to the Hawaiian Islands. Specimens previously identified as Sclerodoris paliensis from the Marshall Islands actually represent H. dalanghita Fahey & Gosliner, 1999. A new species, Halgerda onna , is described and presented as the sister taxon to a basal member of the genus. A range and depth extension of a previously described species, H. malesso , is presented. The present phylogeny is then compared to previous studies, in particular those of Fahey & Gosliner (1999a,b) .     

Wernerius inyoensis, an elusive new scorpion from the Inyo Mountains of California (Scorpiones, Vaejovidae)

A new scorpion species is described from the Inyo Mountains of California (USA). The presence of a strong subaculear spine, along with other characters, places the new species within Wernerius, an incredibly rare genus that until now consisted of only two species. Wernerius inyoensissp. n. can be most easily distinguished from the other members of the genus by smaller adult size, femur and pedipalp dimensions, and differences in hemispermatophore morphology. Previous studies have suggested that the elusive nature of this genus may be attributed to low densities and sporadic surface activity. Herein, we provide another hypothesis, that Wernerius are primarily subterranean. Mitochondrial sequence data are provided for the holotype.     

Molecular and evolutionary relationships among enteric bacteria

Classification of bacterial species into genera has traditionally relied upon variation in phenotypic characteristics. However, these phenotypes often have a multifactorial genetic basis, making unambiguous taxonomic placement of new species difficult. By designing evolutionarily conserved oligonucleotide primers, it is possible to amplify homologous regions of genes in diverse taxa using the polymerase chain reaction and determine their nucleotide sequences. We have constructed a phylogeny of some enteric bacteria, including five species classified as members of the genus Escherichia, based on nucleotide sequence variation at the loci encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and outer membrane protein 3A, and compared this genealogy with the relationships inferred by biotyping. The DNA sequences of these genes defined congruent and robust phylogenetic trees indicating that they are an accurate reflection of the evolutionary history of the bacterial species. The five species of Escherichia were found to be distantly related and, contrary to their placement in the same genus, do not form a monophyletic group. These data provide a framework which allows the relationships of additional species of enteric bacteria to be inferred. These procedures have general applicability for analysis of the classification, evolution, and epidemiology of bacterial taxa.     

A NEW SPECIES OF MOERITHERIUM (PROBOSCIDEA, MAMMALIA) FROM THE EOCENE OF ALGERIA: NEW PERSPECTIVES ON THE ANCESTRAL MORPHOTYPE OF THE GENUS

Abstract:  A new species of Moeritherium (Proboscidea, Mammalia), M. chehbeurameuri sp. nov., is described from remains discovered in the early late Eocene locality of Bir El Ater, Algeria. Although mainly represented by isolated teeth, it shows distinct synapomorphies which justify its attribution to the genus Moeritherium , together with exclusive features that led to the creation of the new species. The main characteristic of this new taxon is the almost complete lophodonty shown by its molars, while Moeritherium is commonly regarded as a bunolophodont to bunodont taxon. In addition to this lophodonty, this new taxon shows anatomical features as yet unknown for the genus, but often met within lophodont early proboscidean taxa such as Phosphatherium escuilliei and Numidotherium koholense . Although a revision of the whole genus Moeritherium is outside the scope of this paper, the main controversies and discussion about the definition of species within the genus Moeritherium are discussed. The surprising lophodonty of M. chehbeurameuri , together with its small size, its early late Eocene age and the weak molarization of its P₃ support the hypothesis of a lophodont hypothetical ancestor for moeritheres, and therefore strengthen the growing hypothesis of a lophodont dental ancestral morphotype for proboscideans.     

Phylogeny of culturable estuarine bacteria catabolizing riverine organic matter in the northern Baltic Sea.

The objective of our study was to isolate and determine the phylogenetic affiliation of culturable estuarine bacteria capable of catabolizing riverine dissolved organic matter (RDOM) under laboratory conditions. Additions of RDOM consistently promoted the growth of estuarine bacteria in carbon-limited dilution cultures, with seasonal variation in growth rates and yields. At least 42 different taxa were culturable on solid agar media and, according to quantitative DNA-DNA hybridizations, constituted 32 to 89% of the total bacterial number in the enriched treatments. Five species in the Cytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides group and one in the gamma-proteobacteria phylogenetic group (Marinomonas sp.) were numerically dominant during the stationary phase of the RDOM-enriched dilution cultures but not in the control cultures. Four of the isolates in Cytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides group were putatively affiliated with the genus FLAVOBACTERIUM: All dominating isolates were determined to be new species based on comparison to the current databases. The same group of species dominated independently of the season investigated, suggesting a low diversity of bacteria catabolizing RDOM in the estuary. It also suggested a broad tolerance of the dominating species to seasonal variation in hydrography, chemistry, and competition with other species. Taken together, our results suggest that a limited group of bacteria, mainly in the Flavobacterium genus, played an important role in introducing new energy and carbon to the marine system in the northern Baltic Sea.     

Evidence for widespread cryptic sexual generations in apparently purely asexual Andricus gallwasps

Oak gallwasps (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Cynipini) are one of seven major animal taxa that commonly reproduce by cyclical parthenogenesis (CP). A major question in research on CP taxa is the frequency with which lineages lose their sexual generations, and diversify as purely asexual radiations. Most oak gallwasp species are only known from an asexual generation, and secondary loss of sex has been conclusively demonstrated in several species, particularly members of the holarctic genus Andricus. This raises the possibility of widespread secondary loss of sex in the Cynipini, and of diversification within purely parthenogenetic lineages. We use two approaches based on analyses of allele frequency data to test for cryptic sexual generations in eight apparently asexual European species distributed through a major western palaearctic lineage of the gallwasp genus Andricus. All species showing adequate levels of polymorphism (7/8) showed signatures of sex compatible with cyclical parthenogenesis. We also use DNA sequence data to test the hypothesis that ignorance of these sexual generations (despite extensive study on this group) results from failure to discriminate among known but morphologically indistinguishable sexual generations. This hypothesis is supported: 35 sequences attributed by leading cynipid taxonomists to a single sexual adult morphospecies, Andricus burgundus, were found to represent the sexual generations of at least six Andricus species. We confirm cryptic sexual generations in a total of 11 Andricus species, suggesting that secondary loss of sex is rare in Andricus.     

Generic interrelations of purple bacteria in the genus Rhodopseudomonas

The technique of DNA--DNA hybridization was used to study relations offween purple nonsulfur bacteria (the family Rhodospirillaceae). The level of homologies with Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides 8259 was nearly the same for different species (8-17%) in the genus Rhodopseudomonas under the conditions optimal for hybridization. The same level of homologies was found for the DNA of Rhodospirillum rubrum, a species belonging to another genus of purple nonsulfur bacteria (13%). Rhodomicrobium vannielli was most remote from R. sphaeroides 8259 (3%). Similar results were obtained under other conditions of hybridization. The intraspecial heterogeneity of R. sphaeroides was studied in this work. The thermal stability of hybrid duplexes was analysed. The results are indicative of a considerable divergence of different R. sphaeroides strains (delta T50 = 2.1-11.6).     

Characteristics of a new species of budding purple bacteria containing bacteriochlorophyll b]

A culture of phototrophic purple bacteria containing bacteriochlorophyll b has been isolated. The bacterium forms a sessile bud and, along with producing motile swarmer cells, it produces immobile oval cells surrounded with a slime capsule. It grows on media with simple organic substances in the presence of yeast extract or vitamins, under anaerobic conditions in the light or under microaerophilic conditions in the darkness. Besides organic substances, the culture assimilates hydrogen sulphide and thiosulphate as electron donors; it is incapable of assimilative sulphate reduction. In the light, the bacterium oxidizes thiosulphate to sulphates, without accumulation of molecular sulphur. The bacterium is classed as a new species of the genus Rhodopseudomonas--Rhodopseudomonas sulfoviridis nov. sp.     

Pseudochakura (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae), a New World genus of chalcidoids parasitic on ants

Abstract. The genus Pseudochakura Ashmead (Eucharitidae: Eucharitinae) is revised to include thirteen species which all share the complete fusion of the genae behind the mandibles and a loss of functional mouthparts. Eight Neotropical and one Nearctic species of Pseudochakura are described as new: atra (Mexico), condylus (lesser Antilles), excruciata (Brazil), frustrata (Argentina), liburna (Florida, U.S.A.), pauca (Argentina), prolata (Argentina), sculpturata (Brazil; Florida, U.S.A.), septuosa (Mexico). P. chilensis Kieffer is redescribed. The known distribution of P.nigrocyanea Ashmead is extended to Uruguay and Venezuela. The known distribution of P. americana (Howard) [comb.n.] is extended to Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Argentina and northward into the southern tip of Florida. All three previously described Nearctic species are synonomized under the name P.gibbosa (Provancher) with P.arizonensis (Crawford) and P.californica (Ashmead) as junior synonyms. Biological information is summarized providing new information on both plant and ant hosts. A phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus is nresenteri.     

Phylogenetic investigation of the genus Raoiella (Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae): diversity, distribution, and world invasions

The genus Raoiella is best known because of the red palm mite, R. indica, a major pest of palms spreading aggressively throughout the Americas. Not much was known about the biology, geographic origins, or evolutionary history of the genus when R. indica emerged as a major invasive pest. This paper attempts to address some of the basic historical questions regarding the palm mite as well as the genus. Molecular characters from COI and 28S regions were used to produce a phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus in an effort to understand its geographic origin. It also uses COI barcode data to delimit several potentially new species discovered by the authors in Australia. Results show a basal split between R. indica and all other Raoiella species, which indicates Africa or the Middle East as the most probable origin of the genus. Additionally, COI data suggests that at least eight new species are represented among the 20 Australian populations included in this study.