Four new species of Entoloma s.l. (Agaricales) from southern China

Four new Entoloma s.l. species (E. azureosquamulosum, E. caeruleoflavum, E. hainanense, and E. subtenuicystidiatum) are described from southern China. E. azureosquamulosum fits well within the section Rhamphocystotae, E. caeruleoflavum belongs to the section Entoloma, E. hainanense is placed in the section Calliderma, and E. subtenuicystidiatum is a species in the section Cyanula. Preliminary phylogenetic analyses for the four new species are provided based on ITS and LSU sequences in this paper.     

Venation patterns of Bursera species Jacq. ex L. (Burseraceae) and systematic significance

The taxonomy of the genus Bursera has been traditionally supported by morphological characters such as fruit form, bark and leaves. Nonetheless, leaf architecture, another important source of phylogenetic information, has not been well studied in this group. For this purpose, venation patterns of 30 species of the genus Bursera in Mexico were studied. Clarified leaves allowed finding four types of venation patterns: brochidodromous and eucamptodromous in complex B. simaruba (section Bursera); a cladodromous pattern in fragilis, microphylla and fagaroides groups (herein informally called group Quaxiotea (section Bursera), and semicraspedodromous in section Bullockia species. Only bipinnated species of section Bullockia showed a brochidodromous venation pattern. Furthermore, section Bullockia and complex Simaruba presented reticulate tertiary veins, whereas the group of Quaxiotea species presented a ramified pattern in the tertiary veins and tracheoblasts.     

Chemotaxonomy studies on the genus Hedysarum

In combination with phytochemical results, the pilot chemotaxonomy study on genus Hedysarum by using HPLC methods revealed differences between section Fruticosa and the three other sections Multicaulia, Obscura and Subacaulia, but there was a closer genetic relationship with Multicaulia and Subacaulia. Isoflavonoids and pterocarpans were proved to be the common constituents of genus Hedysarum, whereas pterocarpans, benzofurans, and coumestans were the characteristic constituents of section Fruticosa, and chalcones were the chemical markers of section Multicaulia and section Subacaulia. The present finding is consistent with the classical morphological classification of genus Hedysarum, and provides supporting evidences for dividing Hedysarum into two subgenera, i.e. subgenus Hedysara and subgenus Ruticosa.     

Aspergillus yunnanensis,a new and rare species in the Aspergillus section Jani

Aspergillus is a monophyletic genus comprising the subgenera Aspergillus, Circumdati, Cremei, Fumigati, Nidulantes and Polypaecilum. The subgenus Circumdati contains many economically important species and mycotoxin producers. Section Jani was recently introduced with morphological and molecular support. In the present study, two strains isolated from farmland soil were assigned in section Jani based on multi-locus phylogenetic analyses but showed low similarity with existing species. Further morphological observation found they had wider vesicles and conidia connections which were different from the known species. Based on phylogenetic and morphological data, Aspergillus yunnanensis was introduced as the third species in section Jani. Members in section Jani are rarely distributed, this is the first report of this section in China.     

Comparative pollen morphology of annual Trigonella L. (Fabaceae) in Turkey

Pollen morphology of 38 Trigonella species was investigated with light microscopies and scanning electron microscopies. Pollen slides were prepared using Wodehouse technique. The pollen grains of Trigonella members are radially symmetrical and isopolar, their outlines are oblong in equatorial view and circular in polar view. Amb is semicircular. The pollen grains are prolate-spheroidal, oblate-spheroidal, suboblate, spheroidal, and prolate with the polar axes 13.5–49.9 μm and the equatorial axes 10.4–43.7 μm. The smallest dimensions are observed in T. spinosa and T. brachycarpa, and the largest in T. carica and T. rhytidocarpa. The pollen grains of Trigonella taxa are usually tricolporate or rarely tricolpate, pantocolporate, tetracolporate, and tricolpodiporate. Various ornamentation types were observed: Microreticulate (section Samaroideae, Pectinatae, Falcatulae, Cylindricae, Bucerates, Reflexae, Isthmocarpae, Capitatae and Foenum-graecum), rugulate-scabrate (section Lunatae, Uncinatae), perforate (T. halophila, T. rigida and T. carica from section Bucerates) and retipilatae (section Biebersteinianae) at equator region and psilate-perforate (section Samaroideae, Pectinatae, Bucerates, Reflexae, Isthmocarpae, Foenum-graecum, T. coelesyriaca, T. cilicica), rugulate-scabrate (section Lunatae, Uncinatae), microreticulate (Falcatulae, Cylindricae and Foenum-graecum) and retipilatae (section Biebersteinianae) at polar region. Ornamentations, pollen shape and the aperture type have been observed as important morphological characters.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Salix L. subg. Salix species (Salicaceae) according to sequencing data of intergenic spacers of the chloroplast genome and ITS rDNA

A phylogenetic analysis based on a comparison of nucleotide sequences of six regions (petN-psbM, trnD-trnT, trnC-petN, psaA-ycf3, petG-trnP, and rpoB-trnC) of cpDNA and ITS rDNA allowed for elucidating the relationship among species and sections belonging to the Salix subgenus and, more generally, to the Salix genus, as well as revealing the relations of the Chosenia genus. The definition of the subgenera Pleuradenia (including the Urbanianae section and the Chosenia genus), Salix (without the Triandrae section), Triandrae, and Longifoliae is essentially consistent with current classification schemes of the Salix genus. The previously defined genera of Chosenia and Toisusu (Urbanianae) are not only merged with the Salix genus but are also closely related between themselves. The Protitea subgenus only corresponds to the American species of the Humboldtianae section (S. humboldtiana, S. amygdaloides, S. gooddingii). The relationship of S. chaenomeloides, which is a nomenclatural type of this subgenus, as well as the relationship of the Wilsonia section, remains unresolved. The Humboldtianae section should be interpreted more narrowly, apparently, separating Acmophyllae and Tetraspermae sections from it. The monotypic American Floridanae section is related to the Salix, Salicaster, Tetraspermae, and Wilsonia sections.     

Integrated biostratigraphy and carbon isotopes from the Cambrian Tangwangzhai section,North China

The Tangwangzhai section, western Shandong Province, North China, the type section for the Cambrian Kushan and Chaomitian formations, yielded a diverse and relatively well-preserved conodont fauna, in which we recognize the Westergaardodina orygma, Westergaardodina matsushitai, Muellerodus? erectus, and Westergaardodina aff. fossa–Prooneotodus rotundatus zones of the North China conodont zonation. The Tangwangzhai conodont succession can be correlated not only with the polymerid trilobites occurring in the section but also with the conodont zones established for South China. The first occurrence of Furnishina longibasis and Furnishina quadrata in the upper part of the Westergaardodina matsushitai Zone allows the recognition of the base of the Paibian Stage and Furongian Series in the upper part of the Kushan Formation. The base of the Jiangshanian Stage, in the uppermost Muellerodus? erectus Zone, can be recognized by the presence of Westergaardodina cf. calix close to the base of the Chaomitian Formation. Chemostratigraphic analyses of the Tangwangzhai section show the onset of a positive carbon isotope excursion, referred to the SPICE event, in the upper part of the Kushan Formation at a level corresponding to the first occurrence of F. longibasis and F. quadrata. The base of the Jiangshanian Stage in the section is close to the demise of the SPICE positive excursion.     

The coumarins of Philotheca sensu lato: distribution and systematic significance

Five coumarins and two flavonoid glycosides are reported from Philotheca pinoides of which one, 3-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-enyl)-7,8-dimethoxycoumarin, appears to be novel. HPLC analysis of extracts of a number of other Philotheca species revealed that 5,7-dioxygenated-6,8-prenylated coumarins were present in P. apiculata, P. coccinea, P. deserti, P. pachyphylla, P. rhomboidea, P. thryptomenoides and P. gardneri, but not in P. nodiflora, P. pinoides, P. sericea, P. spicata, P. tomentella or P. woganensis. An analysis of the distribution of coumarins demonstrate that Geleznowia verrucosa is chemically indistinguishable from many species of Philotheca section Philotheca, whereas Philotheca section Erionema is more variable. Typical avicennol type coumarins have been found in the Boronieae only in Philotheca section Philotheca, in Geleznowia and in one species of Asterolasia. Coumarins that characterise Philotheca section Philotheca are not currently known from Eriostemon s.s., and sympatric genera such as Phebalium and Drummondita.     

Potential global stratotype sections and points in China for defining Cambrian stages and series

Three stratigraphic sections in the Cambrian of China that contain complete successions across important biohorizons having chronostratigraphic value, and that may be useful for developing Cambrian stage or series boundaries, are reviewed. The Wuliu section (Guizhou, South China), contains the FAD of Oryctocephalus indicus at 58.2 m above the base of the Kaili Formation. The Wangcun North section (Hunan, South China), contains the FADs of Ptychagnostus (or Acidusus) atavus, Ptychagnostus punctuosus, and Lejopyge laevigata at 1.2 m, 56.7 m, and 111.3 m, respectively, above the base of the Huaqiao Formation. The Xiaoyangqiao section (Jilin, Northeast China), contains the FAD of Cordylodus proavus in the Fengshan Formation at 10.89 m above the zero point of the section. A fourth potential stratotype section, the Wangcun South section (Hunan, South China), which contains the P. atavus, P. punctuosus, and L. laevigata zones, is discussed briefly.     

A review of Rhynchosia section Cyanospermum (Phaseoleae,Fabaceae) in South Africa

We review Rhynchosia section Cyanospermum in South Africa. It is characterised by a robust habit, racemose inflorescence of numerous flowers with a large, tomentose calyx with broad lobes, and dark blue seeds. The section is represented in the Flora of southern Africa Region by two species, R. hirta and R. resinosa. However, the latter species lacks the diagnostic dark blue seeds of the section and has not been included here. Rhynchosia hirta appears to be allied to the Madagascan R. leandrii from which it can be distinguished by its larger flowers and seeds.     

Eomyidae fauna turnover at the Early-Middle Miocene boundary in the Morteral section (Magro Basin,Valencia, Spain)

The material of Eomyidae from three localities (Morteral 1, Morteral 20A and Morteral 22) of the Morteral section in the Magro Basin, eastern Spain, is described. These localities contain remains of Ligerimys and Eomyops. Morteral 1 is situated in the lowest part of the section and contains Ligerimys ellipticus, whereas Morteral 20A and Morteral 22 are situated in the middle part of the section and contain, among other rodent species, Eomyops noeliae. The youngest localities in the Morteral section (Morteral 41 and 44) record Megacricetodon collongensis, first representative of Megacricetodon in the Middle Miocene (MN5). The locality Morteral 20A contains Megacricetodon primitivus; Morteral 1 and Morteral 22 contain a form of Megacricetodon different from both M. primitivus and M. collongensis, therefore, these three localities are of lower Aragonian age (MN4). In the Aragonian type area, L. ellipticus is rare in zone B (lower part of MN4) and frequent in zone C (upper part of MN4). The first record of Eomyops in the Aragonian type area occurs in MN7/8 and in MN5 in Central Europe. The turnover of eomyid faunas in MN4 localities of the Morteral section clearly confirms the hypothesis of Engesser (1999) that Eomyops may have appeared earlier than supposed so far (MN5).     

Characteristic alatoid ‘cineole cassette’ monoterpene synthase present in Nicotiana noctiflora

Nicotiana species of the section Alatae emit a characteristic floral scent comprising the? cineole cassette’ monoterpenes 1,8-cineole, limonene, myrcene, β-pinene, α-pinene, sabinene and α-terpineol. All previously isolated ‘cineole cassette’-monoterpene synthase genes are multi product enzymes that synthesize the seven compounds of the ‘cineole cassette’. Interestingly, so far this ‘alatoid’ trait was only shared with the eponymous species Nicotiana suaveolens of the sister section Suaveolentes. To determine the origin of the ‘cineole cassette’ monoterpene phenotype other potential parent species of section Noctiflorae or Petunoides as well as of the distantly related section Trigonophyllae were analysed. A monoterpene synthase producing the set of ‘cineole cassette’ compounds was isolated from N. noctiflorae. N. obtusifolia emitted solely 1,8-cineole and no monoterpenes were found in floral scents of N. petunoides and N. palmeri. Interestingly, the phylogenetic analysis clustered the new gene of N. noctiflora closely to the terpineol synthase genes of e.g. N. alata rather than to cineole synthase genes of e.g. N. forgetiana.     

Reticulate evolution in North American black-fruited hawthorns (Crataegus section Douglasia; Rosaceae): evidence from nuclear ITS2 and plastid sequences

Background and Aims

The taxonomic complexity of Crataegus (hawthorn; Rosaceae, Maleae), especially in North America, has been attributed by some to hybridization in combination with gametophytic apomixis and polyploidization, whereas others have considered the roles of hybridization and apomixis to be minimal. Study of the chemical composition and therapeutic value of hawthorn extracts requires reproducible differentiation of entities that may be difficult to distinguish by morphology alone. This study sought to address this by using the nuclear ribosomal spacer region ITS2 as a supplementary DNA barcode; however, a lack of success prompted an investigation to discover why this locus gave unsatisfactory results.

Methods

ITS2 was extensively cloned so as to document inter- and intraindividual variation in this locus, using hawthorns of western North America where the genus Crataegus is represented by only two widely divergent groups, the red-fruited section Coccineae and the black-fruited section Douglasia. Additional sequence data from selected loci on the plastid genome were obtained to enhance further the interpretation of the ITS2 results.

Key Results

In the ITS2 gene tree, ribotypes from western North American hawthorns are found in two clades. Ribotypes from diploid members of section Douglasia occur in one clade (with representatives of the east-Asian section Sanguineae). The other clade comprises those from diploid and polyploid members of section Coccineae. Both clades contribute ribotypes to polyploid Douglasia. Data from four plastid-derived intergenic spacers demonstrate the maternal parentage of these allopolyploids.

Conclusions

Repeated hybridization between species of section Douglasia and western North American members of section Coccineae involving the fertilization of unreduced female gametes explains the observed distribution of ribotypes and accounts for the phenetic intermediacy of many members of section Douglasia.     

Chromosomal localization of 45S and 5S rDNA in 14 species and the implications for genome evolution of genus Epimedium

Studying the genome structure of Epimedium has been hindered by the large genomes and uniform karyotypes. Consequently our understanding of the genome organization and evolutionary changes of Epimedium is extremely limited. In the present study, the 45S and 5S rDNA loci of 14 Epimedium species were physically mapped by double-probe FISH for the first time. Results showed the following: (1) Chromosomes I and II of all 14 species examined, except for E. shuichengense, hosted one pair of 45S rDNA sites, respectively. Most of the 45S rDNA sites gave clear signals and were positioned in the distal regions of the short arms. (2) All species studied of section Diphyllon were found to have one pair of 5S rDNA sites localized in the interstitial regions of the long arm of chromosome IV, and the two species of section Epimedium, E. alpinum and E. pubigerum, had two pairs of 5S rDNA sites localized in the interstitial regions of the long arm of chromosomes IV and V, respectively. (3) In section Diphyllon, all species of small flower taxa, except E. shuichengense, had three pairs of 45S rDNA sites, clearly more than species of big flower taxa, except E. davidii, with two pairs of 45S rDNA sites. Based on the 45S and 5S rDNA distribution patterns and other chromosomal morphological characteristics, six pairs of chromosomes can be unambiguously identified in all 14 Epimedium species. The stable differentiation in 45S and 5S rDNA FISH patterns between the two sections suggests that chromosomal rearrangements and transpositional events played a role in the splitting of the two sections, and section Diphyllon may be more primitive than section Epimedium. In the same way, big flower taxa may be more primitive than small flower taxa in section Diphyllon.     

Geographical Distribution of Diploid and Tetraploid Cytotypes of Thymus sect. Mastichina (Lamiaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula, Genome Size and Evolutionary Implications

The occurrence of diploid and tetraploid cytotypes in Thymus section Mastichina (Lamiaceae) was investigated by chromosome counting and flow cytometric measurements of DNA content. To cover the entire native distribution of the section across the Iberian Peninsula, plant material was sampled from 29 populations, representing all three taxa (Thymus albicans, T. mastichina subsp. mastichina and T. mastichina subsp. donyanae). We provide first estimates of genome size for taxa of this section. Analyses revealed the existence of new cytotypes in T. mastichina subsp. mastichina (2n?=?2x?=?28, 30) and confirmed the existence of previous ones (2n?=?4x?=?56, 58, 60). We also confirmed the presence of exclusively diploid cytotypes (2n?=?2x?=?30) in the southwestern Iberian endemics T. albicans and T. mastichina subsp. donyanae. We conclude that the southwestern Iberian Peninsula acted as a Pleistocene glacial refugium that may have permitted speciation processes within this section. Several hypotheses concerning these processes and the origin and distribution of the studied taxa are discussed.     

Taxonomic treatments of Camellia (Theaceae) species with secretory structures based on integrated leaf characters

Multivariate analysis of leaf shape, anatomy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) data of 27 Camellia species with secretory structures (sects. Archecamellia, Stereocarpus, Furfuracea, Chrysantha), together with three species from related genera, Gordonia and Tutcheria (Theacea), was conducted to clarify some taxonomic problems. Our results show that crystals occurring in adaxial epidermal cells are firstly observed in Chrysantha species, and the secretory structures described are in fact cork warts. Furthermore, we introduce a form coefficient (F _c) to assess the shape of epidermal cells, since they are usually irregular and difficult to describe. Pearson correlation analysis indicates that F _c is useful to assess epidermal cell shape. Principal component analysis (PCA) of leaf shape indicates that two species from section Archecamellia and two species from section Stereocarpus are significantly different from those in section Furfuracea. Cluster analysis of FTIR data visualizes the degree of affinity among the 30 species examined here, which is consistent with the cluster analysis (CA) of anatomical data, as illustrated in the dendrogram. Therefore, our study indicates that integrated leaf characters based on leaf shape, anatomy, and FTIR data are useful in the taxonomic treatment of Camellia species with secretory structures. Taxonomic controversies among the Camellia species with secretory structures could thus be successfully addressed using only a few intact or small portions of leaves. Moreover, our results tend to support that Chrysantha species should not be merged into section Archecamellia, and that section Heterogenea should not be recognized in taxonomic treatments of Camellia species with secretory structures.     

The Effects of Different Modes of Delivery on the Structure and Predicted Function of Intestinal Microbiota in Neonates and Early Infants

Several studies have shown that an increased risk of metabolic and immune disorders associated with cesarean section mode of delivery may exist. However, such studies have not been conducted in the Chinese population. Stool sample sequencing of the gene encoding the 16S rRNA of 82 prospectively enrolled 3- and 30–42-day-old vaginal and cesarean section delivered newborns was performed to study the composition and predicted function of the intestinal microbiota. In the samples from the 3-day-old neonates, the levels of Escherichia-Shigella in the two groups were similar. The genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroides were more prominent in the vaginal delivery than in the cesarean section group, which showed a predominance of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Corynebacterium. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the samples from 30- to 42-day-old infants, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia-Shigella, and Bacteroides were the main genera present in the vaginal delivery group, while in the cesarean section delivery group; the predominant genera were Escherichia-Shigella, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, and Staphylococcus. Predicted functions of the vaginal delivery group revealed higher metabolic and biodegradation rates of carbohydrates, vitamins, and xenobiotics than those in the cesarean section group, which contributed to the stability of the microbiota in the former. The abundance of probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and the negative correlation between obesity and Bacteroides presence were higher in vaginally delivered infants than in cesarean-delivered infants at both studied time points.     

Cortinarius sect. Brunnei (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) in North Europe

The section Brunnei was extensively studied based on material from North Europe. To stabilise the nomenclature we studied the relevant types of taxa included in this section. Phylogenetic relationships and species limits were investigated using rDNA ITS sequences and the results were compared with the morphological data. We recognised 11 species: Cortinarius brunneus, C. clarobrunneus comb. nov., C. coleoptera, C. ectypus, C. gentilis, C. glandicolor (neotypified), C. pseudorubricosus, and four species described as new C. caesiobrunneus, C. albogaudis, C. carabus, and C. cicindela. They are described here and their taxonomy, ecology, distribution, and relationships are discussed. In addition, a key to species of the section Brunnei is provided. A total of 77 new sequences of 11 species are published including nine type sequences. Also the taxonomic assignments of sequences in the public databases belonging to the section Brunnei are revised.