<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cantharellus</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amethystini</Emphasis> in Asia

In this contribution on the genus Cantharellus in Asia, C. subvaginatus is described from the Republic of Korea as a close relative to the Chinese C. vaginatus, which is here reported for the first time from India. Both species are here placed in Cantharellus subg. Cantharellus sect. Amethystini, together with the Indian C. pseudoformosus (syn.: C. umbonatus) and the Malayan C. subamethysteus. As such, Asia has suddenly become the continent with the highest diversity for Amethystini. Species delimitation in sect. Amethystini is molecularly supported by a combined phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences obtained for LSU and ITS and additionally suggests the existence of a still undescribed species in North America. Character variability is discussed for all known members of Amethystini, including atypical specimens of the North American C. lewisii that are morphologically more reminiscent of the South Korean C. subvaginatus.     

Revision of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melamphaes</Emphasis> (Melamphaidae): 7. oligo-raker species: <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. danae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. pumilis</Emphasis>

Two species, M. danae Ebeling and M. pumilis Ebeling, belonging to the species group “M. simus” are described in the final part of the revision of oligo-raker species of the genus Melamphaes (Melamphaidae) (≤19 gill rakers on the first gill arch). The species M. danae is distributed in the Indian and Pacific oceans between 30° N and 30° S. In the Pacific Ocean, it is known up to 112° W. The species M. pumilis is distributed in the North Atlantic between 17° and 45° N, and the main catches have been conducted in the western part of the ocean. In the eastern part of the ocean, the catches are registered up to 28° W. A key for the identification of 21 oligo-raker species of the genus Melamphaes is presented.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 1. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudapoderites</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Japonodeporaus</Emphasis>

The genus Deporaus from the Russian fauna is revised. Four species (D. pacatus, D. azarovae, D. septentrionalis, and D. hartmanni) of the subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus are found. Keys to the subgenera and to the species of the subgenus Pseudapoderites are given. The genus Deporaus, subgenera Pseudapoderites and Japonodeporaus, and four species are redescribed. The distribution of these species in Russia is discussed.     

Molecular evidence for hybridization between invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solidago canadensis</Emphasis> and native <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>. <Emphasis Type="Italic">virgaurea</Emphasis>

Hybridization between alien and native species is biologically very important and could lead to genetic erosion of native taxa. Solidago × niederederi was discovered over a century ago in Austria and described by Khek as a natural hybrid between the alien (nowadays regarded also as invasive) S. canadensis and native S. virgaurea. Although interspecific hybridization in the genus Solidago is considered to be relatively common, hybrid nature of S. × niederederi has not been independently proven using molecular tools, to date. Because proper identification of the parentage for the hybrid Solidago individuals solely based on morphological features can be misleading, in this paper we report an additive polymorphism pattern expressed in the ITS sequences obtained from individuals representing S. × niederederi, and confirm the previous hypothesis that the parental species of this hybrid are S. canadensis and S. virgaurea. Additionally, based on variability at the cpDNA rpl32-trnL locus, we showed that in natural populations hybridization occurs in both directions.     

End of an enigma: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aenigmopteris</Emphasis> belongs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectaria</Emphasis> (Tectariaceae: Polypodiopsida)

The phylogenetic affinities of the fern genus Aenigmopteris have been the subject of considerable disagreement, but until now, no molecular data were available from the genus. Based on the analysis of three chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL, rps16-matK, and trnL-F) we demonstrate that Aenigmopteris dubia (the type species of the genus) and A. elegans are closely related and deeply imbedded in Tectaria. The other three species of genus are morphologically very similar; we therefore transfer all five known species into Tectaria. Detailed morphological comparison further shows that previously proposed diagnostic characters of Aenigmopteris fall within the range of variation of a broadly circumscribed Tectaria.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Basidiophora delawarensis</Emphasis>, a new downy mildew species infecting cultivated goldenrod (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solidago sphacelata</Emphasis>) in the USA

Species in the genus Basidiophora (Oomycota, Peronosporales) are pathogens causing downy mildew disease on several closely related plant hosts in the family Asteraceae, including the genera Conyza, Erigeron, Solidago, and Symphyotrichum. Despite their widespread occurrence, little is known about the diversity, biology, and economic impact of downy mildew pathogens of ornamental or wild plants in the Asteraceae. In June 2017, Solidago sphacelata plants of the cultivar ‘Golden Fleece’ were found in the state of Delaware, USA, showing typical symptoms of downy mildew disease. Initial morphological observations indicated the specimen belonged to the genus Basidiophora. Phylogenetic analysis of a sequence matrix of the partial cox2 mitochondrial gene using Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods showed that the Basidiophora isolate from S. sphacelata represents an undescribed species that is here described as B. delawarensis. This new species constitutes the third accepted species in the genus Basidiophora and can be distinguished from other Basidiophora species by differences in size of sporangia and sporangiophores and nucleotide sequence divergence. This new species poses a potential threat to its host, warranting close monitoring and the implementation of disease management programs.     

Reconstruction of chromosome rearrangements between the two most ancestral duckweed species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirodela polyrhiza</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. intermedia</Emphasis>

The monophyletic duckweeds comprising five genera within the monocot order Alismatales are neotenic, free-floating, aquatic organisms with fast vegetative propagation. Some species are considered for efficient biomass production, for life stock feeding, and for (simultaneous) wastewater phytoremediation. The ancestral genus Spirodela consists of only two species, Spirodela polyrhiza and Spirodela intermedia, both with a similar small genome (~160 Mbp/1C). Reference genome drafts and a physical map of 96 BACs on the 20 chromosome pairs of S. polyrhiza strain 7498 are available and provide useful tools for further evolutionary studies within and between duckweed genera. Here we applied sequential comparative multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (mcFISH) to address homeologous chromosomes in S. intermedia (2n = 36), to detect chromosome rearrangements between both species and to elucidate the mechanisms which may have led to the chromosome number alteration after their evolutionary separation. Ten chromosome pairs proved to be conserved between S. polyrhiza and S. intermedia, the remaining ones experienced, depending on the assumed direction of evolution, translocations, inversion, and fissions, respectively. These results represent a first step to unravel karyotype evolution among duckweeds and are anchor points for future genome assembly of S. intermedia.     

Identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> Probiotics Isolated from Soil Rhizosphere Using 16S rRNA, <Emphasis Type="Italic">recA</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">rpoB</Emphasis> Gene Sequencing and RAPD-PCR

Some Bacillus species, especially Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus groups, have highly similar 16S rRNA gene sequences, which are hard to identify based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. To conquer this drawback, rpoB, recA sequence analysis along with randomly amplified polymorphic (RAPD) fingerprinting was examined as an alternative method for differentiating Bacillus species. The 16S rRNA, rpoB and recA genes were amplified via a polymerase chain reaction using their specific primers. The resulted PCR amplicons were sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was employed by MEGA 6 software. Identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing was underpinned by rpoB and recA gene sequencing as well as RAPD-PCR technique. Subsequently, concatenation and phylogenetic analysis showed that extent of diversity and similarity were better obtained by rpoB and recA primers, which are also reinforced by RAPD-PCR methods. However, in one case, these approaches failed to identify one isolate, which in combination with the phenotypical method offsets this issue. Overall, RAPD fingerprinting, rpoB and recA along with concatenated genes sequence analysis discriminated closely related Bacillus species, which highlights the significance of the multigenic method in more precisely distinguishing Bacillus strains. This research emphasizes the benefit of RAPD fingerprinting, rpoB and recA sequence analysis superior to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis for suitable and effective identification of Bacillus species as recommended for probiotic products.     

Revision of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melamphaes</Emphasis> (Melamphaidae). 5. Oligo-raker species: <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. indicus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. eurous</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. typhlops</Emphasis>

Three oligo-raker species (?19 rakers on the first gill arch) of the genus Melamphaes out of the “M. typhlops” group are considered. The validity of M. indicus Ebeling is restored. This species inhabits equatorial and tropical waters of the Indian Ocean and the western part of the Pacific Ocean. M. eurous sp. n., which is related to M. indicus, is described from equatorial waters of the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. M. typhlops (Lowe) inhabiting the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, from the equatorial zone about to 45° N, is redescribed.     

Molecular phylogeny,morphology and pathogenicity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudopestalotiopsis</Emphasis> species on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ixora</Emphasis> in Taiwan

Pestalotiopsis-like species are phytopathogenic, causing numerous diseases on different hosts, and are widely distributed in tropical and temperate ecosystems. These taxa were recently segregated into several genera and species having brown to dark brown or olivaceous median cells, with or without knobbed apical appendages, were classified under the new genus Pseudopestalotiopsis. Pseudopestalotiopsis species are well known for their capability to produce novel medicinal compounds that may have medicinal, agricultural and industrial applications. Ixora is among the largest genera in the family Rubiaceae and is cultivated throughout Taiwan, as a garden plant. During a survey of fungal diseases associated with Ixora species in Taiwan, several Pestalotiopsis-like species causing leaf spot were isolated. Based on morphology coupled with single- and multi-gene (ITS, TUB, TEF) phylogenies, these taxa belong to two novel species of Pseudopestalotiopsis and are introduced herein as Ps. ixorae and Ps. taiwanensis. These two new taxa fit well with Pseudopestalotiopsis in having dark concolourous median cells with knobbed apical appendages, but differ from the known species in the size of conidiomata, size of the conidia, the number of apical appendages, the length of basal appendages plus ecology and distribution. Pathogenicity testing showed that Ps. ixorae and Ps. taiwanensis are capable of causing leaf disease on Ixora and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of Pseudopestalotiopsis species associated with leaf spots of Ixora in Taiwan.     

A review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Rhynchitidae) from the Russian fauna: 2. Subgenera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Roelofsideporaus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deporaus</Emphasis>

The subgenera Roelofsideporaus and Deporaus s. str. of the genus Deporaus with four species (D. affectatus, D. unicolor, D. nidificus, and D. betulae) recorded from the Russian fauna are revised. Keys to the species of the subgenus Roelofsideporaus and to the females of the subgenera Roelofsideporaus and Deporaus s. str. are given. The distribution of D. nidificus in Russia is not confirmed.     

Phylogenetic analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plectosphaerella</Emphasis> species based on multi-locus DNA sequences and description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. sinensis</Emphasis> sp. nov.

Species in Plectosphaerella are well known as pathogens of several plant species causing fruit, root and collar rot and collapse. In an investigation of endophytic fungi associated with cucurbit plants in China, we isolated 77 strains belonging to the genus Plectosphaerella. To identify the isolated strains, we collected the type or reference strains of all currently accepted species in Plectosphaerella except P. oratosquillae and conducted a phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial 28S rDNA sequences showed that all species in Plectosphaerella were located in one clade of Plectosphaerellaceae. Based on multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of the ITS, CaM, EF1, TUB and morphological characteristics, all species in Plectosphaerella were well separated. Three endophytic strains from stems of Cucurbita moschata, Citrullus lanatus and Cucumis melo from North China were assigned to a new species described as P. sinensis in this paper. The new species differs morphologically from other Plectosphaerella species by irregular chlamydospores, and the dimensions of phialides and conidia. The other endophytic strains from several cucurbit plants were identified as P. cucumerina.     

Taxonomic genetics of methylotrophic yeast genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Komagataella</Emphasis>: New biological species <Emphasis Type="Italic">K. kurtzmanii</Emphasis>

Genetic hybridization analysis revealed that industrially important species Komagataella kurtzmanii has reproductive postzygotic isolation from K. pastoris, K. phaffii, K. populi, K. pseudopastoris, and K. ulmi. Therefore, it represents a new biological species of the genus Komagataella. The genetic data are in perfect agreement with the molecular taxonomy of the genus Komagataella.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Subsessila turbinata</Emphasis> gen. et. sp. nov. (Beltraniaceae), a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beltrania</Emphasis>-like fungus from Thailand

A new monotypic Beltrania-like genus, Subsessila, with its type species S. turbinata, is described, illustrated and compared with similar genera. The new genus is introduced in the family Beltraniaceae based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological characters. Subsessila can be easily distinguished from other Beltrania-like genera by dark setae arising from radially lobed basal cells, mostly lacking macronematous conidiophores. Conidiogenous cells are ampulliform or doliiform and produce turbinate to clavate conidia with rostrate proximal end and rounded distal end. Evidence for establishment of the new genus is provided based on morphological comparison and DNA sequence data analyses.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cortinarius majestaticus</Emphasis> comb. nov.: phylogenetic evidence for the transfer of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Descolea majestatica</Emphasis> to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cortinarius</Emphasis>

Descolea majestatica is an agaric with features described as intermediate between the genera Descolea Singer and Rozites P. Karst. (≡ Cortinarius). Molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large ribosomal subunit (LSU) and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2) sequences indicates that D. majestatica is nested within the genus Cortinarius, with its closest relative a sequestrate Cortinarius species from Argentina. Taxonomic recombination is made to restore the monophyly of Cortinarius and Descolea.