Reinstatement of Rhodotorula colostri (Castelli) Lodder and Rhodotorula crocea Shifrine & Phaff, former synonyms of Rhodotorula aurantiaca (Saito) Lodder

Rhodotorula aurantiaca (Saito) Lodder is an anamorphic basidiomycetous yeast species that belongs to the so-called "Erythrobasidium lineage" of the Urediniomycetes, according to molecular phylogenetic studies based on nucleotide sequence analyses of different ribosomal DNA regions. In the most recent editions of the yeast taxonomy treatises the species Rhodotorula colostri (Castelli) Lodder and Rhodotorula crocea Shifrine & Phaff were listed as synonyms of R. aurantiaca. Taxonomic heterogeneity within R. aurantiaca was demonstrated in a study based on whole-cell protein profiles and is also hinted at by the observed differences in physiological and biochemical characteristics among the different strains under that species name. We determined partial nucleotide sequences of the 26S rRNA gene (D1/D2 domains) of strains maintained in the CBS culture collection under R. aurantiaca, including the type strains of its synonyms. The results showed that R. colostri and R. crocea are clearly distinct from R. aurantiaca and from any other currently recognised basidiomycetous yeast species. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data placed the former two species in separate lineages of the Microbotryomycetidae: R. colostri in the "ruineniae clade" (Sporidiobolus lineage or Sporidiobolales) and R. crocea loosely linked to Rhodotorula javanica (Microbotryum lineage).     

Holothurians (Echinodermata) from Marion and Prince Edward Islands: new and little-known species

Two new species Mesothuria edwardensis sp.n. and Paradota marionensis sp.n., and four little-known species Cucumaria kerguelensis Théel, 1886, Cladodactyla crocea croceoides (Vaney, 1908), Psolidium incertum (Théel, 1886) and Synallactes challengeri (Théel, 1886) of holothurians are described from Marion and Prince Edward Islands.     

Genetical distances between nominative and paratypical forms of Colias crocea Fourc. and C. erate Esp. (lepidoptera, Pieridae) according to RAPD-PCR analysis

Genetic polymorphism of the two Palaearctic sulphur butterflies Colias crocea Fourc. and Colias erate Esp. was examined in serial samples using RAPD-PCR analysis of total cellular DNA. The primers OPA-01, OPA-03, OPA-04, OPA-08 were used. Taxon-specific molecular markers have been found for each species (markers OPA-08(250), OPA-08(380) were associated with rounded valve margin; marker OPA-04(400) was associated with angled valve margin). The genetic diversity of C. erate is considerably less than that of C. crocea. Genetic evidence for interspecific hybridization between C. crocea and C. erate is presented. Interspecific hybrids in question (paratypical forms such as f. chlorodona and f. pseudochrysodona) are situated at intermediate position with regard to the parental species on dendrograms (UPGMA) and maximal spanning trees (MST). Completely additional RAPD-spectra were not obtained though taxonomic status of these paratypical forms stay still vague. Only f. eratoides has DNA markers that are absent in spectra of other specimens tested. Probably it is a cryptic species unrevealed by common morphological and biochemical methods and its investigation by the methods of molecular genetics (sequence of cloned DNA) is very desirable.     

Whole-Genome Methylation Sequencing of Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) Liver Under Hypoxia and Acidification Stress

Marine Biotechnology - Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is an important aquaculture species in China. This study analysed whole-genome methylation differences in liver tissues of young...     

Emendation of Dioszegia with redescription of Dioszegia hungarica and two new combinations,Dioszegia aurantiaca and Dioszegia crocea

During phylogenetic analyses of hymenomycetous yeasts based on 18S rDNA sequences, we found that Bullera armeniaca showed an extremely close phylogenetic relationship to Cryptococcus hungaricus. The analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the two yeasts and the phylogenetically related species, Bullera aurantiaca and Bullera crocea, showed that B. armeniaca and C. hungaricus had identical sequences, indicating that these were conspecific. B. aurantiaca and B. crocea also showed high sequence similarity, 97.1% for ITS1, 100% for ITS2, and 98.7% for overall ITS regions. A DNA-DNA reassociation experiment revealed that B. armeniaca and C. hungaricus were conspecific and B. aurantiaca and B. crocea were two distinct species. These species occurred at a phylogenetically different lineage from that of Bulleromyces albus (anamorph: Bullera alba, type species of Bullera) and Filobasidiella neoformans (anamorph: Cryptococcus neoformans, neotype species of Cryptococcus). Based on these results, we emend the genus Dioszegia to include both ballistoconidium-forming and non-ballistoconidium-forming yeasts and redescribe the species Dioszegia hungarica. B. aurantiaca and B. crocea are also transferred to Dioszegia as Dioszegia aurantiaca comb. nov. and Dioszegia crocea comb. nov.     

Phylloplane yeasts from Portugal: seven novel anamorphic species in the Tremellales lineage of the Hymenomycetes (Basidiomycota) producing orange-coloured colonies

A survey of epiphytic yeasts on leaves of selected Mediterranean plant species collected at the 'Arrábida Natural Park' (Portugal) yielded about 850 isolates, mostly of basidiomycetous affinity. Amongst the basidiomycetes, 35 strains showed the following characteristics: production of orange-coloured colonies, ability to produce starch-like compounds, assimilation of D-glucuronic acid and/or inositol, inability to utilize nitrate, and formation of ballistoconidia by many of the isolates. This group of yeasts was assigned to the Tremellales lineage of the Hymenomycetes and was further characterised using a combination of conventional phenotypic identification tests with molecular methods, namely PCR fingerprinting and rDNA sequencing. Eight additional strains presumptively identified as Bullera armeniaca, B. crocea or Cryptococcus hungaricus were also studied. Twenty-eight strains could be assigned to or were phylogenetically related to recognised species of Dioszegia in the 'Luteolus clade', but the 15 remaining strains belonged to other clades within the Tremellales. Ten phylloplane isolates were identified as Dioszegia hungarica, one as D. aurantiaca, another as D. crocea and three others were ascribed to the recently described species D. zsoltii. Seven novel species, viz. Cryptococcus amylolyticus, C. armeniacus, C. cistialbidi, Dioszegia buhagiarii, D. catarinonii, D. fristingensis and D. takashimae, are proposed for the remaining strains that did not correspond to any of the hitherto recognised species.     

Anatomy and Taxonomy of Some Species of Polycystididae (Turbellaria, Kalyptorhynchia) from N. Atlantic and Mediterranean Coastal Areas

Acrorhynchides styliferus sp.n. from Norway and the British Isles and Polycystis contorta sp.n. and Typhlopolycystis coomansi sp.n. from Norway and the Mediterranean are described. Additional notes are given on the anatomy and distribution of Paracrorhynchus bergensis Karling, Polycystis groenlandica (Levinsen), P. crocea (Fabricius) and Typhlopolycystis mediterranea Brunet. The taxonomy of the species and the corresponding genera is discussed.     

大黄鱼生长激素基因的分离及序列测定

本文从大黄鱼 (Pseucdosiaenacrocea)脑下垂体中提取得到总RNA ,根据近源鱼种生长激素(GH)基因保守序列设计了上游和下游引物 ,通过反转录和PCR扩增得到大黄鱼生长激素cDNA片断 ,并进行序列分析。所得到的序列与近源鱼种生长激素基因序列有较高的同源性 ,断定为大黄鱼生长激素基因序列 ,本序列的测定对进一步研究其生物活性和在工程菌中的表达及应用打下了基础。     

Biodiversity of prokaryotic communities associated with the ectoderm of Ectopleura crocea (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa)

The surface of many marine organisms is colonized by complex communities of microbes, yet our understanding of the diversity and role of host-associated microbes is still limited. We investigated the association between Ectopleura crocea (a colonial hydroid distributed worldwide in temperate waters) and prokaryotic assemblages colonizing the hydranth surface. We used, for the first time on a marine hydroid, a combination of electron and epifluorescence microscopy and 16S rDNA tag pyrosequencing to investigate the associated prokaryotic diversity. Dense assemblages of prokaryotes were associated with the hydrant surface. Two microbial morphotypes were observed: one horseshoe-shaped and one fusiform, worm-like. These prokaryotes were observed on the hydrozoan epidermis, but not in the portions covered by the perisarcal exoskeleton, and their abundance was higher in March while decreased in late spring. Molecular analyses showed that assemblages were dominated by Bacteria rather than Archaea. Bacterial assemblages were highly diversified, with up to 113 genera and 570 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), many of which were rare and contributed to <0.4%. The two most abundant OTUs, likely corresponding to the two morphotypes present on the epidermis, were distantly related to Comamonadaceae (genus Delftia) and to Flavobacteriaceae (genus Polaribacter). Epibiontic bacteria were found on E. crocea from different geographic areas but not in other hydroid species in the same areas, suggesting that the host-microbe association is species-specific. This is the first detailed report of bacteria living on the hydrozoan epidermis, and indeed the first study reporting bacteria associated with the epithelium of E. crocea. Our results provide a starting point for future studies aiming at clarifying the role of this peculiar hydrozoan-bacterial association.     

大黄鱼16SrRNA和18SrRNA基因的测定与序列分析

利用多对引物,扩增并测定出大黄鱼16SrRNA基因和18SrRNA基因的部分序列,其长度分别为1202bp和1275bp,16SrRNA基因序列的GC含量为46．12％,18SrRNA基因的Gc含量为53．oo％。将大黄鱼16SrRNA基因序列与GenBank中15种硬骨鱼类的同源序列结合,同时将其18SrRNA基因序列与GenBank中9种脊索动物的同源序列相结合,运用软件获得各自序列间差异百分比,转换和颠换数值等信息。基于这两种基因序列,利用NJ法和BI法,分别构建16种硬骨鱼类和10种脊索动物的分子系统树。18SrRNA构建的系统树包括三大支,一支为哺乳类、鸟类和爬行类共6个物种,一支为两栖类的1个物种,另一支为2种硬骨鱼类。16SrRNA构建的系统树显示大黄鱼所在的石首鱼科与鲈科和盖刺鱼科亲缘关系较近。此外还讨论了这两个基因的序列特征。     

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a RabGTPase in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea)

The molecular mechanisms of the immune system against pathogens in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) are not well known, despite its economic importance as an aquaculture species. In this investigation, a Rab gene (named as LycRab gene) was obtained from this fish, which exhibited high homology with Rab8 of other species. It was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the specific antibody was raised using the purified fusion protein (GST-LycRab). The LycRab protein, containing characteristic signatures of Rab proteins with 5 GTP-binding domains, had GTP-binding activity. The LycRab gene was ubiquitously expressed in all analyzed tissues as revealed by Western blot, although expression levels varied from tissue to tissue. Real-time PCR revealed that the LycRab gene was up-regulated after immunization with poly I:C, formalin-inactive Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus or bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), suggesting that LycRab protein might play an important role in large yellow croaker defense against pathogens infection. This discovery might contribute better understanding to the molecular events involved in fish immune responses.     

New evidence for parallel evolution of colour patterns in Malagasy poison frogs (Mantella)

Malagasy poison frogs of the genus Mantella are diurnal and toxic amphibians of highly variable and largely aposematic coloration. Previous studies provided evidence for several instances of homoplastic colour evolution in this genus but were unable to sufficiently resolve relationships among major species groups or to clarify the phylogenetic position of several crucial taxa. Here, we provide cytochrome b data for 143 individuals of three species in the Mantella madagascariensis group, including four newly discovered populations. Three of these new populations are characterized by highly variable coloration and patterns but showed no conspicuous increase of haplotype diversity which would be expected under a scenario of secondary hybridization or admixture of chromatically uniform populations. Several populations of these variable forms and of M. crocea were geographically interspersed between the distribution areas of Mantella aurantiaca and Mantella milotympanum. This provides further support for the hypothesis that the largely similar uniformly orange colour of the last two species evolved in parallel. Phylogenies based on over 2000 bp of two nuclear genes (Rag-1 and Rag-2) identified reliably a clade of the Mantella betsileo and Mantella laevigata groups as sister lineage to the M. madagascariensis group, but did not support species within the latter group as monophyletic. The evolutionary history of these frogs might have been characterized by fast and recurrent evolution of colour patterns, possibly triggered by strong selection pressures and mimicry effects, being too complex to be represented by simple bifurcating models of phylogenetic reconstruction.     

High mitochondrial diversity within and among populations of Malagasy poison frogs

The diurnal, brightly colored, and toxic frogs of the genus Mantella are among the most prominent representatives of the endemic anuran fauna of Madagascar. Especially three closely related species, M. aurantiaca, M. crocea, and M. milotympanum, are intensively collected for the pet trade, although basic data on their natural history and genetic diversity are still lacking. Our phylogenetic analyses based on 2.8 kbp of partial 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, cytochrome b, and rhodopsin DNA sequences confirmed that these species belong to one of the five major clades in Mantella, the M. madagascariensis group. A haplotype network constructed using 830 bp of cytochrome b in 49 individuals from seven populations revealed that M. milotympanum and M. crocea have largely similar haplotypes sharing, confirming doubts about the species validity of M. milotympanum and indicating independent evolution of bright orange pattern in M. milotympanum and M. aurantiaca. Further, clustering of four individuals of M. aurantiaca from Andranomena with M. crocea suggests incomplete lineage sorting or introgression resulting from secondary contact of refugial populations. AMOVA confirmed significant intrapopulation nucleotide diversity (>20%). These diversity patterns and our field observations indicate relatively large population sizes. Hence, overcollecting is probably a minor problem and conservation efforts should rather focus on saving some large populations from habitat destruction through logging and forest fires.     

Biology of three species of Agistemus (Acari: Stigmaeidae): life table parameters using eggs of Panonychus citri or pollen of Malephora crocea as food

The biology and life table parameters of Agistemus industani Gonzalez, A. cyprius Gonzalez, and A. floridanus Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) were studied under laboratory conditions using two food sources: Panonychus citri (McGregor) eggs or ice plant, Malephora crocea (Jacquin) Schwantes pollen at 25 degrees C. The larval, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult stages of A. industani fed on citrus red mite eggs. All active stages of A. industani, except the larva, fed on all P. citri stages and the larval stage could not feed on P. citri adults. All immature stages of A. industani fed on M. crocea pollen. Agistemus cyprius larvae fed on P. citri eggs and larvae or ice plant pollen. The nymphal stages fed on P. citri eggs, larvae, and protonymphs but not deutonymphs or adults while A. cyprius deutonymphs and adults fed on all P. citri stages. Adult and nymphal stages of A. cyprius fed on ice plant pollen and successfully completed their development while A. floridanus did not. Agistemus floridanus larvae fed only on P. citri eggs, while the other stages fed on P. citri eggs, larvae, and protonymphs. The developmental times from egg to adult for A. industani and A. cyprius when fed M. crocea pollen were 11.3 and 13.4 days, respectively. Agistemus floridanus was unable to complete its life cycle on a diet of only M. crocea pollen. Agistemus industani, A. cyprius, and A. floridanus completed development from egg to adult in 11.7, 13.8, and 10.8 days, respectively, when fed P. citri eggs. The intrinsic rate of increase (r(m)) values for A. cyprius and A. industani were 0.0311 and 0.1201 per day on the pollen diet. The net reproductive rate (Ro) was 3.58 for A. cyprius and 10.07 for A. industani with generation times (T) of 45.2 and 35.1 days, respectively, on the ice plant pollen diet. The r(m) values for A. cyprius, A. floridanus, and A. industani on the P. citri egg only diet were: 0.0562, 0.1001, and 0.1031 per day, respectively. The Ro values for each species fed P. citri eggs only were: 6.36, 7.90, and 18.70 for A. cyprius, A. floridanus, and A. industani and the generation times (T) for each of the three species were: 35.2, 29.9 and 37.8 days, respectively.     

西藏鹅膏菌属的分类研究

本文报告了西藏地区鹅膏菌属(Amanita)的真菌26种。其中灰鳞鹅膏菌(Amanita griseofarinosa Hongo),红鹅膏菌[A.parcivolvata(Peck)Glib.],浅杏黄鹅膏菌[A.Crocca(Quél.)Kühn.＆ Romagn.],黄赭毒鹅膏菌(A.flavorubescens Atk.),黄毒蝇鹅膏菌(A.flavoconia Atk.),史米斯鹅膏菌(A.smithiana Bas),褐黄鹅膏菌:(A.umbrinoluteaSeer.)等是我国新纪录种。西藏地区的首次新纪录13种。该属真菌均是树木的外生菌根真菌,有毒种多,具有重要的经济价值。     

Disruption of mstn Gene by CRISPR/Cas9 in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

Marine Biotechnology - The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) plays an economically vital role in the marine aquaculture in China. Suffering from infection of bacteria and protozoon, effect...     

岱衢族大黄鱼种质的AFLP分析

根据耳石年轮确定作为研究材料的浙江海区捕捞野生大黄鱼为岱衢族大黄鱼,并用AFLP技术进行种质分析。结果表明岱衢族大黄鱼可分为两类:岱衢族大黄鱼Ⅰ型和岱衢族大黄鱼Ⅱ型,这种划分与文献报道的岱衢族大黄鱼有“春综”和“秋综”两种群之分相吻合。岱衢族大黄鱼Ⅰ型生长速度比岱衢族大黄鱼Ⅱ型要快,海水养殖开发和利用岱衢族大黄鱼应选用岱衢族大黄鱼Ⅰ型作为亲本较好。获得的岱衢族大黄鱼种质AFLP指纹图谱,可以作为鉴定岱衢族大黄鱼的依据。       

大黄鱼仔稚鱼脊柱、胸鳍及尾鳍骨骼系统的发育观察

研究采用二重染色法对3-28日龄人工培育的大黄鱼Larimichthys crocea(Richardson)仔稚鱼的部分骨骼系统的发育进行观察。结果显示,仔鱼的脊索从6日龄(平均全长MTL3.9mm)开始分节,8-10日龄髓弓、脉弓先后开始发育,14日龄(MTL7.5mm)脊椎骨、髓棘、脉棘均已形成,至28日龄(MTL19.5mm)已发生骨化;大黄鱼仔鱼孵化时,胸鳍的上匙骨、匙骨、后匙骨、支鳍骨原基已形成,27日龄(MTL19.0mm)稚鱼具5块支鳍骨,鳍条发育完整;尾鳍发育以8日龄仔鱼脊索后端腹部2块尾下骨的形成开始,至14日龄仔鱼尾鳍已初具雏形,尾杆骨、尾上骨和尾下骨均发育完全,21日龄稚鱼尾下骨排列成弧状,第三与第四块尾下骨之间的缝隙增大,把尾鳍鳍条分为上下两部分,鳍条分节明显,28日龄稚鱼尾鳍尾杆骨及鳍条发生钙化。       

Tissue-Specific Analysis of Alternative Splicing Events and Differential Isoform Expression in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) After Cryptocaryon irritans Infection

Marine Biotechnology - The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is one of the most important mariculture fish in China. Recently, cryptocaryonosis caused by Cryptocryon irritans infection has...     

Nuclei in the plasmodium of Intoshia variabili (Orthonectida) as revealed by DAPI staining

DAPI staining of wholeamounts was used to reveal the parasitic plasmodium of the orthonectid Intoshia variabili in its host, the turbellarian Macrorhynchus crocea. The nuclei of the parasite differ drastically from those of the host in size, morphology, and the estimated DNA content. Our findings indirectly support the idea that the orthonectid plasmodium is a distinct parasitic organism, rather than modified host cells.