Sarcinomyces sideticae, a new black yeast from historical marble monuments in Side (Antalya, Turkey)

A new species of Sarcinomyces , a melanized fungus with meristematic development, is described. On the basis of small subunit and internal transcribed sequence regions of ribosomal DNA sequencing, the new species was accommodated in the anamorph genus Sarcinomyces (Herpotrichiellaceae, Chaetothyriales) close to S. petricola .  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 373–380.     

大兴安岭地区土壤中的暗色丝孢菌Ⅰ

A total of 50 isolates of soil dematiaceous hyphomycetes belonging to 39 species in 18 genera were found from the area of Dahingganling Mountain Range. Among them, Monodictys arxanensis is a new species. Chrysosporium fastidium, Exserohilum pedicellatum, Monodictys asperospora, Papulaspora brachiata, Scolecobasidium anelli, Scolecobasidium verruculosum and Ulocladium tuberculatum are new to China. The other 31 taxa which have been previously reported from China are also listed. Specimens (dried cultures) and living cultures of all fungi studied have been deposited in the Herbarium of Shandong Agricultural University: Plant Pathology (HSAUP).     

大兴安岭地区土壤中的暗色丝孢菌Ⅰ

A total of 50 isolates of soil dematiaceous hyphomycetes belonging to 39 species in 18 genera were found from the area of Dahingganling Mountain Range. Among them, Monodictys arxanensis is a new species. Chrysosporium fastidium, Exserohilum pedicellatum, Monodictys asperospora, Papulaspora brachiata, Scolecobasidium anelli, Scolecobasidium verruculosum and Ulocladium tuberculatum are new to China. The other 31 taxa which have been previously reported from China are also listed. Specimens (dried cultures) and living cultures of all fungi studied have been deposited in the Herbarium of Shandong Agricultural University: Plant Pathology (HSAUP).     

Morphological and molecular characterization ofAquaticheirospora and phylogenetics of Massarinaceae (Pleosporales)

A morphologically interesting hyphomycete was collected from submerged wood in a stream in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Thailand. It is described as Aquaticheirospora lignicola gen. and sp. nov., and is characterized by euseptate conidia with divergent arms, which are vertically inserted in different planes to a basal cell. The genus differs from other chirosporous genera in having synnematous conidioma and conidia that are produced on conidiogenous cells borne at the apices of synnemata. The morphological characterization of this new fungus is reported and compared with similar chirosporous genera. To investigate the teleomorphic and phylogenetic relationships of this new taxon, three different regions of the ribosomal gene [18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) including 5.8S] were sequenced and analysed. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 18S, 28S, and partial ITS including 5.8S rDNA, employing different tree-making methods, indicate that Aquaticheirospora lignicola is closely related to the ascomycetes family Massarinaceae (Order: Pleosporales). The Massarinaceae as currently circumscribed is monophyletic. Massarina australiensis and M. bipolaris , however, appear to belong to the Lophiostomataceae.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 283–296.     

Sarcinomyces petricola, a new microcolonial fungus from marble in the Mediterranean basin

A new meristematic black yeast species, Sarcinomyces petricola, is described. All strains known to date were isolated from sun-exposed marble in the Mediterranean basin. On the basis of PCR-ribotyping and nutritional physiology, the species is classified as an anamorph member of the ascomycete family Herpotrichiellaceae (Chaetothyriales).     

Aspergillus niger var. taxi, a new species variant of taxol-producing fungus isolated from Taxus cuspidata in China

Aims:  To characterize and identify a new taxol-producing fungal strain HD86-9 isolated from Taxus cuspidata in China.
Methods and Results:  Taxol extracted from strain HD86-9 was identified by HPLC and MS analyses. Strain HD86-9 was cultured and its morphology and phenotypes were described. HD86-9 displayed morphology most similar to that of Aspergillus niger but presented differences in the shape and size of the conidia. The growth evaluation showed that the maximal tolerable temperature of the new strain was 43°C, higher than that of the model Aspergillus niger . The 18S rDNA and the internal transcribed spacer region including the 5·8S rDNA of HD86-9 were amplified by PCR; molecular analysis of these sequences revealed their high similarity of 98% to those of Aspergillus niger .
Conclusions:  The morphology and molecular analysis identified HD86-9 as a new variant of taxol-producing endophytic fungi, and it was named Aspergillus niger var. taxi D.P. Zhou, K. Zhao and W.X. Ping, var. nov.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  As the first report of a taxol-producing variant of Aspergillus niger species, this study offers important information and a new resource for the production of an important anticancer drug by endofungus fermentation.     

Zygosaccharomyces kombuchaensis,a new ascosporogenous yeast from 'Kombucha tea'

A new ascosporogenous yeast, Zygosaccharomyces kombuchaensis sp. n. (type strain NRRL YB-4811, CBS 8849), is described; it was isolated from Kombucha tea, a popular fermented tea-based beverage. The four known strains of the new species have identical nucleotide sequences in domain D1/D2 of 26S rDNA. Phylogenetic analysis of D1/D2 and 18S rDNA sequences places Z. kombuchaensis near Zygosaccharomyces lentus. The two species are indistinguishable on standard physiological tests used for yeast identification, but can be recognized from differences in restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns obtained by digestion of 18S-ITS1 amplicons with the restriction enzymes DdeI and MboI.     

Molecular diversity of alveolates associated with neritic north atlantic radiolarians

Seven species of polycystine radiolarians and one phaeodarian species were investigated in order to determine the diversity of their associate organisms and their species specificity. Twelve partial 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences were obtained showing a high diversity of associates, both within spumellarian and nassellarian radiolarians and among species. Two of the sequences obtained are highly similar to Scrippsiella, a dinoflagellate genus already reported as a symbiont of polycystine radiolarians. Nine of the new 18S rDNA sequences group with various alveolates. Some of these groups include parasites, such as the lethal endoparasite Amoebophrya, while others consist of non-annotated novel organisms found worldwide in various types of marine environments. We also obtained a sequence from a bacillariophytan highly similar to the 18S rDNA of the diatom species Diatoma tenue, which may derive from radiolarian food. Additionally, this is the first study to report on a phaeodarian associate.     

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Pauciconfibuloides amazonica gen. n. sp. n. (Platyhelminthes,Monogenoidea) parasitizing the Amazonian croaker Plagioscion squamosissimus

An integrative study was performed to understand the phylogenetic relationships of an undescribed, freshwater species of microcotylid parasitizing Plagioscion squamosissimus from the Amazon River Basin. Based on morphological and molecular analysis (18S rDNA and partial 28S rDNA genes), a new genus is proposed to accommodate this new species, Pauciconfibuloides amazonica gen. n. sp. n. The new genus is closely related to Protastomicrocotylinae and Pauciconfibula by sharing the vagina, male copulatory organ, and genital atrium all unarmed. However, Pauciconfibuloides gen. n. can be distinguished from those taxa by the prostatic system and position of the vaginal pore. Molecular phylogenetic inference suggests a sister relationship with species of Polylabris (Prostatomicrocotylinae), but to date, there are no available 18S or 28S rDNA sequences of Pauciconfibula to be compared. This is the first report of a microcotylid parasitizing a freshwater sciaenid from South America.     

Molecular diversity of oligotrophic and neurotropic members of the black yeast genus Exophiala,with accent on E. dermatitidis

Analysis of ITS rDNA of the black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis revealed a close phylogenetic relationship to the meristematic fungus Sarcinomyces phaeomuriformis. As most strains ofS. phaeomuriformis have a yeast-like phenotype corresponding to the anamorph genus Exophiala, a new combination in Exophiala is proposed. On the basis of ITS sequence, M-13 fingerprint and SSU intron data, two main entities could be distinguished within E. dermatitidis. One of these (B) contained prevalently strains from environmental sources, while the other (A) mainly comprised strains from clinical sources. This may be due to a difference in virulence. All strains from severe brain and disseminated infections in East Asia clustered in group A. However, strains of group A caused a relatively mild fungemia in patients outside East Asia. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A new meristematic fungus,Pseudotaeniolina globosa

A new species of Pseudotaeniolina, a genus of anamorphic, melanized fungi with meristematic development, is described. The species is compared to morphologically similar taxa among which are Trimmatostroma and Coniosporium. Its novelty is supported by SSU (small subunit) and ITS (internal transcribed spacer) rDNA sequence data. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A new species of Euglena (Euglenozoa: Euglenales) isolated from extreme environments in "boiling mudflats" of Rincón de la Vieja volcano, Costa Rica

A new species of euglena isolated from a hot and acid mud pool located in Las Pailas de Barro, Volcán Rincón de la Vieja, Costa Rica is described. This species inhabits hot and acid environments. Euglena pailasensis sp. nov. main features are: the absence of flagella, the presence filaments like "pilis", the presence of chloroplasts with pyrenoids crossed by several tylakoids, and acid and heat tolerance. Molecular phylogeny studies using 18S rDNA and Gap C genes indicated that the new species is related to E. mutabilis. Its taxonomic characters based on morphology, biology and sequence of the 18S rDNA and Gap C genes are discussed and compared with other closely related species of the genus.     

Ceratomyxa aegyptiaca n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) from the gall-bladder of Solea aegyptiaca Chabanaud (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae) in a Tunisian coastal lagoon

A new marine myxosporean species, Ceratomyxa aegyptiaca n. sp. is described from the gall-bladder of Solea aegyptiaca Chabanaud collected from the Ghar El Melh Lagoon in northeastern Tunisia. Mature spores are elongate and crescent-shaped, measuring 8-11?μm in length and 48-58?μm in width. The polar capsules are spherical, 3.2-4?μm in diameter and equal in size. Trophozoites are polysporous and float free in the bile or are attached on the epithelium of the gall-bladder. Morphological data and molecular analysis based on 18S rDNA sequences are provided. The 18S rDNA of C. aegyptiaca is readily distinguishable from that of other myxozoan species, as the genetically most similar myxozoan parasite, C. seriolae Yokoyama & Fukuda, 2001 (AB530265) collected from Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck & Schlegel in Japanese waters, shares with it only 67.5% identical nucleotides over a 1,680-bp long fragment of 18S rDNA.     

中国砖格孢子丝孢菌研究V.—— 单格孢属

报道单格孢属的两个新种和三个中国新记录种,新种为长圆孢单格孢Monodictys oblongispora和脑形单格孢Monodictys cerebriformis,中国新记录种为光滑单格孢Monodictys levis, 黑素单格孢Monodictys melanopa, 多变单格孢Monodictys fluctuata。研究标本保存在山东农业大学植物病理学标本室(HSAUP)。     

Phylogenetic analysis of a group of palaeonemerteans (Nemertea) including two new species from Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Sundberg, P., Gibson, R. & Olsson, U. (2003). Phylogenetic analysis of a group of palaeonemerteans (Nemertea) including two new species from Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. — Zoologica Scripta, 32, 279–296.
Based on 18S rDNA nucleotide sequences and morphological characters, we reconstruct the phylogeny for a group of palaeonemerteans estimated to be monophyletic. Two new palaeonemertean species from Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia are included in the phylogenetic analysis. The results confirm that one of the species, Cephalothrix queenslandica sp. n., is part of the Cephalothrix–Cephalotrichella–Procephalothrix group. These genera are redefined phylogenetically under the name Cephalothrix based on the cladistic analysis. The other species, Balionemertes australiensis gen. et sp. n., is placed in a new genus which forms a sister taxon to Cephalothrix . The morphology of both new species is described in detail.     

Hormonemate,a new cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing compound from the endophytic fungus Hormonema dematioides. I. Identification of the producing strain,and isolation and biological properties of hormonemate

In a search for new fungal compounds inducing apoptosis of the colon cancer derived cell line COLO-320, hormonemate (1) was purified from fermentations of an endophytic fungus isolated from living needles of a Pinus species. The producing strain was identified as Hormonema dematioides by microscopy and ITS rDNA sequence analysis. The structure of hormonemate was determined by spectroscopic methods. The compound exhibited cytotoxic effects against the human colon tumor cell lines COLO-320, DLD-1 and HT-29 as well as five other human cell lines (HL-60, JURKAT, HEP-G2, MCF-7, HeLa S3). It also induced apoptosis in COLO-320 cells as detected by a caspase-activity assay and morphological changes, and it triggered morphological and physiological differentiation of HL-60 cells into granulocytes, which subsequently died by apoptosis.     

Arnoldiellina fluorescens gen. et sp. nov. – A new green autofluorescent foraminifer from the Gulf of Eilat (Israel)

A new monothalamous (single-chambered) soft-walled foraminiferal species, Arnoldiellina fluorescens gen. et sp. nov., was isolated from samples collected in the Gulf of Eilat, Israel. The species is characterized by a small elongate organic theca with a single aperture of allogromiids. It is characterized by the emission of green autofluorescence (GAF) that has so far not been reported from foraminifera. Phylogenetic analysis of a fragment of the 18S rDNA indicates that the species is related to a group of monothalamous foraminiferans classified as clade I. Although the morphology of the new species is very different compared to the other members of this clade, a specific helix in 18S rRNA secondary structure strongly supports this position.     

A new species of Orobdella (Hirudinida, Arhynchobdellida, Orobdellidae) from Taipei, Taiwan

A new quadrannulate species of Orobdella, Orobdella ketagalansp. n., from Taipei, Taiwan, is described. This is the first record of Orobdella and the family Orobdellidae from Taiwan. This new species possesses small, paired sperm duct bulbs in the male reproductive system. In addition to these bulbs, the following combination of characters distinguishes this new species from other quadrannulate species: somite IV uniannulate, male gonopore at XI b6, female gonopore at XIII a1, 1/2 + 4 + 1/2 between gonopores, simple tubular gastroporal duct, lacking epididymides, and undeveloped atrial cornua. Phylogenetic analyses using nuclear 18S rDNA and histone H3 as well as mitochondrial COI, 12S rDNA, tRNA(Val), and 16S rDNA markers showed that Orobdella ketagalan is related to the two Ryukyu Archipelago species Orobdella dolichopharynx Nakano, 2011 and Orobdella shimadae Nakano, 2011.     

18S rRNA gene variation among common airborne fungi,and development of specific oligonucleotide probes for the detection of fungal isolates

In this study, we sequenced 18S rRNA genes (rDNA) from 49 fungal strains representing 31 species from 15 genera. Most of these species are common airborne fungi and pathogens that may cause various public health concerns. Sequence analysis revealed distinct divergence between Zygomycota and Ascomycota. Within Ascomycota, several strongly supported clades were identified that facilitate the taxonomic placement of several little-studied fungi. Wallemia appeared as the group most diverged from all the other Ascomycota species. Based on the 18S rDNA sequence variation, 108 oligonucleotide probes were designed for each genus and species included in this study. After homology searches and DNA hybridization evaluations, 33 probes were verified as genus or species specific. The optimal hybridization temperatures to achieve the best specificity for these 33 probes were determined. These new probes can contribute to the molecular diagnostic research for environmental monitoring.