New labdane diterpenoids from Sideritis chamaedryfolia

From the aerial parts of Sideritis chamaedryfolia six previously known ent-kaurene diterpenoids have been isolated. In addition, seven new labdane derivatives have also been obtained from the same source. The structures of these new natural diterpenoids have been established by chemical spectroscopic means and by correlation with known products.     

A neo-clerodane glucoside and neo-clerodane diterpenoids from Teucrium flavum subsp. Glaucum

From the aerial part of Teucrium flavum subsp. glaucum a new neo-clerodane diterpenoid, teuflavin, and a new 19-nor-neo-clerodane glucoside, teuflavoside, have been isolated, besides the previously known diterpene teuflin. The structures of teuflavin (19-acetoxy-4α,18:15,16-diepoxy-6β-hydroxy-3-keto-neo-cleroda-13(16),14-diene-20,ξ,12S-hemiacetal) and teuflavoside (18-acetoxy-15,16-epoxy-19-nor-neo-cleroda-4,13(16),14-trien-20,12S-olid-6β-yl-2′-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside) were established by chemical and spectroscopic means and by correlation with known compounds. In addition, the previously known flavone salvigenin has also been obtained from the same source.     

Chemical profile of Eriocaulon ligulatum (Vell.) L.B. Smith (Eriocaulaceae)

Two new and six known flavonoids and two known naphthopyranones have been isolated by chromatographic methods and spectrometrically identified in capitulae and scapes of Eriocaulon ligulatum (Vell.) L.B. Smith (Eriocaulaceae). The presence of naphthopyranones suggests approximation between Eriocaulon and Paepalanthus genus.     

Diterpenoids from Teucrium scorodonia, three neo-clerodane derivatives

From the aerial parts of Teucrium scorodonia the previously known diterpenoid teupolin I and the flavone luteolin have been isolated. In addition, three new neo-clerodane derivatives have also been obtained from the same source. The structures of these new natural diterpenoids have been established by chemical and spectroscopic means and by correlation with known products.     

Epoxy-isosidol: A new diterpenoid from Sideritis biflora

The new diterpenoid ent-3β-acetoxy-7α,18-dihydroxy-15β,16-epoxykaurane has been isolated from Sideritis biflora. Twelve previously known ent-kaurane derivatives have also been obtained from the same source.     

A new American species of schismatoglottis (araceae)

Schismatoglottis has been known previously in the Western Hemisphere from two species of sect. Philonotion that occur in northeastern South America. A third species, S. bolivarana, is described and illustrated, from materials collected in the Guayana Highland of Venezuela; it is most closely related to S. americana of Surinam. The possible existence of infraspecific taxa of S. bolivarana is suggested by the differences of ecology and slight morphological variance of the plants at the two widely separated localities where it has been collected. A key to the known American species is presented.     

Two new sorediate species of lichens in the Catillariaceae from the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract:Two new species of lichens are described from the Iberian Peninsula. Halecania giraltiae is the first sorediate saxicolous species known in the genus and has been collected growing on lichens and sometimes directly on rock in localities from northern Portugal to central Spain. Catillaria fungoides, a sorediate, corticolous representative of the C. nigroclavata group, is known from southern Portugal and northern Spain.     

Exotic flagellates of coastal North Sea waters

Flagellate species have been shown to survive transocean passage by ballast water and the large dinoflagellateGymnodinium catenatum was introduced from Japanese to Tasmanian waters in this way.Gymnodinium mikimotoi—better known asGyrodinium aureolum—andFibrocapsa japonica as well asAlexandrium leeii are good candidates to have been introduced recently. Species which seem to have been introduced recently into the North Sea but apparently are transported from adjacent seas by currents into the region areGymnodinium chlorophorum andAlexandrium minutum. Species reported as introduced due to misidentifications areGymnodinium catenatum andLepidodinium viride. Under other names the speciesProrocentrum minimum, Prorocentrum redfieldii, andHeterosigma akashiwo have been known for a long time in the North Sea. The recent reports of threeChattonella species may be either due to introduction or they have been overlooked. The reasons why the introduction of flagellates into coastal North Sea waters is difficult to prove will be discussed.     

Diterpenes from the seed of Sciadopitys verticillata

Thirteen new labdane-type diterpenes have been isolated from the seeds of Sciadopitys verticillata together with six known ones, sciadin, sciadinone, dimethyl sciadinonate, lambertianic acid and its methyl ester and trans-communic acid. Their structures have been determined by chemical and spectral methods.     

Acacipetalin in Acacia constricta from north America

Acacipetalin, previously known only from the African legumes Acacia sieberiana var. woodii and Acacia hebeclada, has been isolated from an American species of the genus, Acacia constricta.     

Plagiochilines C,D, E and F,four novel secoaromadendrane-type sesquiterpene hemiacetals from Plagiochila asplenioides and Plagiochila semidecurrens

Four novel secoaromadendrane-type sesquiterpene hemiacetals, plagiochilines C, D, E and F, together with the previously known (?)-bicyclogermacrene, have been isolated from the liverwort, Plagiochila asplenioides and their structures have been spectroscopically elucidated. From Plagiochila semidecurrens plagiochilines A and C have been obtained along with (?)-bicyclogermacrene and its related sesquiterpene hydrocarbons.     

N-isobutyl-trans-2-trans-4-eicosadienamide and other alkaloids of fruits of Piper guineense

A novel alkaloid, N-isobutyl-trans-2-trans-4-eicosadienamide, has been isolated from the fruits of Piper guineense and fully characterized. The structure of the compound has been confirmed by an unambiguous synthesis of the tetrahydro derivative. The known alkaloid, δαβ-dihydropiperine has also been isolated and the position of the double bond in this compound confirmed by the use of an NMR shift reagent.     

Abietane diterpenoids from the root of Salvia lavandulaefolia

Two new derivatives of royleanone, 7α-ethoxyroyleanone and 7α-ethoxy-12-O-methyl-royleanone, besides the previously known diterpenes royleanone, 6,7-dehydroroyleanone, 7α-acetoxyroyleanone and inuroyleanol, have been isolated from the root of Salvia lavandulaefolia. The triterpenoid O-acetyloleanolic aldehyde has also been obtained from the same source.     

Euglenophycin is produced in at least six species of euglenoid algae and six of seven strains of Euglena sanguinea

Euglena sanguinea is known to produce the alkaloid toxin euglenophycin and is known to cause fish kills and inhibit mammalian tissue and microalgal culture growth. An analysis of over 30 species of euglenoids for accumulation of euglenophycin identified six additional species producing the toxin; and six of the seven E. sanguinea strains produced the toxin. A phylogenetic assessment of these species confirmed most taxa were in the Euglenaceae, whereas synthesis capability apparently has been lost in the Phacus, Eutreptiella, and Discoplastis branches.     

5-O-methylbiochanin a,a new isoflavone from Echinospartum horridum

Five known isoflavones (daidzein, formononetin, genistein, 5-O-methylgenistein and biochanin A) have been isolated from the leaves and stems of Echinospartum horridum. A sixth compound has been characterised by chemical and spectroscopic methods as the new isoflavone, 5-O-methylbiochanin A.     

An introduction to Iranian Collembola (Hexapoda): an?update to the species list

The Collembola fauna of Iran is little known and no comprehensive examination of this group of Hexapoda is available for this region. The only notable work on Collembola was carried out by Cox (1982). Recently, studies on the Collembola fauna have started in several regions. In this paper, publications by different researchers are documented and the species that have been found in different regions of Iran until January 2013 are listed. At present, 112 species, belonging to 18 families and 57 genera are known from Iran.     

New chromenochalcones from Flemingia

2-Methyl-2-(4′-methylpent-3′-enyl)-5,8-dihydroxy-6-(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)-chromene (flemingin-D) has been isolated from inflorescences of Flemingia congesta, together with the known flemingin-C and two other chalcones. These (flemingin-E and -F) are allylic alcohols which differ from flemingin-D by an additional OH group in the side chain. Photooxidation of model 2-methyl-2-(4′-methylpent-3′-enyl)-chromenes gave pairs of allylic alcohols with the same structural feature. The known flemingin-A, -B, -C and homoflemingins have been isolated from F. grahamiana, and another new chalcone from F. bracteata.     

New diterpenes from Sideritis sicula

Two new diterpenes have been isolated from Sideritis sicula: sideripol, ent-18-acetoxy-7α-hydroxykaur-15-ene and epoxysideritriol, ent-15β,16β-epoxykauran-7α,17,18-triol. The previously known diterpene eubol, ent-7α-acetoxykaur-16-en-15β,18 diol has also been obtained from the same source.     

Adaptations to Hydrothermal Vent Life in Kiwa tyleri,a New Species of Yeti Crab from the East Scotia Ridge,Antarctica

Hydrothermal vents in the Southern Ocean are the physiologically most isolated chemosynthetic environments known. Here, we describe Kiwa tyleri sp. nov., the first species of yeti crab known from the Southern Ocean. Kiwa tyleri belongs to the family Kiwaidae and is the visually dominant macrofauna of two known vent sites situated on the northern and southern segments of the East Scotia Ridge (ESR). The species is known to depend on primary productivity by chemosynthetic bacteria and resides at the warm-eurythermal vent environment for most of its life; its short-range distribution away from vents (few metres) is physiologically constrained by the stable, cold waters of the surrounding Southern Ocean. Kiwa tylerihas been shown to present differential life history adaptations in response to this contrasting thermal environment. Morphological adaptations specific to life in warm-eurythermal waters, as found on – or in close proximity of – vent chimneys, are discussed in comparison with adaptations seen in the other two known members of the family (K. hirsuta, K. puravida), which show a preference for low temperature chemosynthetic environments.